Breaking News: Number One Hero All Might is dead.
For a few seconds, one could mistake this as a common occurrence. A regularly scheduled news program that may linger in the peoples' minds for a few hours, soon to be forgotten. For a few seconds, when it was just words on a billboard screen. Not syllables formed by a human tongue. For a few seconds, New York continued its protected monotony In the early hours of this fateful day. Children went to school and teenagers rode the subway. Parents prepared their coffee and tea, and workers went to work. For these last few, uncherished seconds the world was at peace.
"Breaking News: Number One Hero All Might is dead."
The buzz of foot-traffic and small talk continued for a few more moments before it began to taper off. An exponential wave of quiet and stillness overtook the world, but no one could mistake it for a peaceful silence. Not when everybody was looking up to see the tension and adrenaline written across the anchor's face as if he was scared he was about to be ripped apart by a mob outraged by the words he had never wished to speak. The epitome of the idiom 'don't shoot the messenger'.
"Number One Hero All Might was found dead in an apartment in Long Beach, California at 5:29 in the morning on May 8th."
The time was 7:46 on the morning of May 8th.
"Police confirm there was a struggle, based upon the multiple blood splatters found in the living area. The officials have released a statement declaring their search for individuals with a quirk-nullification quirk. If you have any information, please contact this number–"
The screen suddenly turned black, allowing citizens to murmur in denial and disbelief. The speakers blared static before they went quiet once again as a spotlight appeared on the screen. A group of five figures were silhouetted in black against the white and gray background. The city began to grow louder as citizens began to argue whether this was real, a dream, or some sick prank. People began to push and shove, but before a riot began the man who seemed to be the leader opened his mouth, as if he had planned this sequence of events.
"People of this quirk-saturated world," His voice seemed normal. Not low or high. Not demanding or charismatic. In it, though, slipped something smug. "I am the Nihilist, the leader of the villain organization known as the Ghosts."
He paused as muttering, quieter than before, arose here and there.
"I am sure some of you have heard of us before. I intend to clear up any misconceptions you may have, though. We are not villains. We are the saviors of this world ransacked by serendipity and the unworthy. This world has been blinded by those who wish to continue their subjugation. This world of villains and heroes is a deterrent to evolution and advancement. Any misconstrued benefit is only that to those born lucky.
"We, my comrades and I, intend to dispel the disease known as quirks that has rendered bedridden the minds of the general populace from existence. We will not lie. There will be sacrifices, and some will be sacrificed. Sacrifice is necessary, though, for any who truly wishes to see change. That is why we killed All Might."
This time the crowd erupted in angry shouts. The speaker's message seemed to have the intended effect, though. Ad-libs of confusion undulated throughout the sea of people. Eventually, the noise settled into a conflicted silence. It seemed the Nihilist still had more to say.
"Please, do not resist. We take no joy in your sacrifice. However, we will do anything we must to make this dream a reality."
More and more lights appeared on the screen, revealing lines and lines of black silhouettes. Dozens, maybe even hundreds.
A Warehouse in Virginia
As soon as the camera-man signaled the broadcast was over, Kiara's hand shot up to scratch her nose. The itch had been agonizing, tempting her to break her stance for the last few minutes. It was worth it, though, to effectively spread their message.
"Well, glad that's over."
Kiara turned her black eyes to the taller, blonde woman to her right.
"Yeah," Kiara sighed, letting herself sag. Her calves hurt from standing so still for that long.
"Hey, Nightswitch," The older woman turned to her. "Want to go get some coffee after this? My treat."
Kiara smiled a little at the woman's constantly humorous, sparkling blue eyes.
"Sure,"
"Nightswitch, Harpy," Before they could join the funnel of people making their way to the exit of the warehouse, a voice called their names. "Over here."
They looked in the direction of the voice to see their leader, Nihilist, waving them over to where he was standing with two other men. One tall, pale and gangly, the other stout, dark-skinned and muscled. Nihilist himself was a man of average height, decent build and smooth, tawny skin.
Once Kiara and Harpy had joined the trio, Nihilist began. "To reiterate on the plan, Stretch and Hammer," He gestured to the two other men. "will take Group Gamma with them to Japan to make contact with the Yakuza. And Harpy will coordinate with Group Beta to scout for new members. There should be a great influx of sympathizers with our cause after today's announcement. Got it?"
Stretch and Hammer nodded as Harpy affirmed with a nonchalant "yeah". Kiara was confused, though.
"What about me?" She asked.
"Oh yeah. I forgot," Nihilist responded before gesturing 'dismissed' to the other three.
"I'll be waiting outside," Harpy said to Kiara before she turned and walked away.
"'Kay,"
Once the others were through the door, Nihilist turned back to Kiara.
"How's the quirk going, Kiara?"
Whatever Kiara thought he was going to say, that wasn't it. Even though she should have expected it by now, her eyes went wide as she trembled from the memory of that bony, ghost-pale hand reaching towards her. Touching her.
"...yo, you still there?"
Kiara jerked back as the hand was suddenly replaced with a darker and fuller version.
Back in reality, Kiara realized she was breathing hard. She pressed her hand to her chest to steady herself, and realized sweat had seeped through her blouse.
"Yeah…yeah, I'm here," She managed to reply after a few moments, when she felt calm enough.
She looked back up at him, and squirmed at his suddenly thoughtful gaze. After a few moments, heat began to rise to her cheeks.
"Nightmares?" He finally said, releasing her from the awkward torture.
"Yeah," Kiara admitted, defeated. She didn't want him to worry about her.
"Go get some rest," From the way he spoke, it seemed he had struggled with his choice of words.
"Okay, Qiang," She didn't want to accept his judgment. She was still capable of doing what he needed her to do. She supposed, though, right now what he needed her to do required resting.
A Hidden Room in Washington D.C.
Fumihito's eyes narrowed, scrutinizing, at the row of men and women before him.
"Everybody knows the assignment?" His words were hard. The tone alone said a 'no' would result in punishment.
"Yes, sir," The answer was spoken in harmony, and almost like a song in the combination of distinct voices.
"Remember, You are Ravens. You fly in the never-ending darkness of reality. You fly for justice. And as with anything worth striving for, justice requires sacrifice. You sacrifice for the future, to protect the world from those who would strive to destroy it. Now, fly Ravens."
AN: Hello, Wolf here with my first SYOC. The submission form will be on my profile. Please send any submissions through PM. To clarify, I don't read the My Hero manga, so I won't know anything past what has been shown in the anime. So, some in-universe lore that has been established, I may just accidentally retcon. If you aren't okay with that, I don't care. I look forward to seeing your submissions. Remember to have fun with this.