Trapped in Wonderland
**Note: This story is not intended for young audiences due to language and violence.
Alice Rise/WildSpire is a creation of my own.
All other MHA characters/settings belong to its own company.
'Support class? H-1'
Alice looked up from her phone at the plaque labeled on the wall. She had been told that due to her background she would be sitting in on the Support classes general subjects, but would be doing a independent study while the support class learned their place in hero society. 'I think this is where I need to be.' She glanced down again at her phone, double checking the device to make sure she was in the right place.
Alice had unexpectedly switched schools late in the semester after an incident at her previous school. It wasnt something directly related to her, but her mother figured she'd be safer here at U.A. Academy half way across the world. They had state of the art security systems, on-campus dorms, and real heroes actually taught most of the classes. It was safer than what she had experienced back home.
"Good Morning, Ms. Rise, are you going to come in- Or wait all day at the door?" An amused tone cut through her thoughts and Alice glanced up at the door. A short male with bright ginger hair stood in the doorway, watching her movements with a warm blue gaze hid behind a large metal mask.
"Sorry Mr. Power Loader, Sir." Alice bowed deeply. She might not have been from Japan originally, but after visiting her mother she sort of got the cultural differences down- she might be a bit old fashioned, but she made up for it in her determination. "I'm still getting used to reading signs." She felt her face flush a deep red.
"Its alright and please, just call me Power Loader. Mister seems too formal for this class." He mused faintly. "Ill give you a few moments to collect your thoughts, come in and introduce yourself whenever you are ready." The man turned and headed to the podium to address the class, leaving Alice in her thoughts. She shifted on her feet, trying to calm the red that crept into her ears.
'My name is Alice Rise, Im an exchange student from Ontario Canada, its a pleasure to meet all of you. Thank you for allowing me to join your class for the remainder of the semester.' She repeated the words under her breath, trying to keep her brain from short circuiting. She wasnt good at social interaction. Planning conversations like this helped her try and relax.
The girl took a breath and strolled in, getting a look at the small support class. There couldnt have been more than 8 students present. She was extremely grateful for it. Its part of the reason she was in this class to begin with. It was small enough that she could get caught up on her lessons, while not falling behind as she most likely would have done in a hero or general course. "Hello! My n-name is Alice Rice- Rise. I-Im an exchange student from Canada, its a pleasure to meet all of you. Thank you for allowing me to join your class for the remainder of the semester." She bowed deeply, straightening and shuffling to her seat quietly.
A few people greeted her while Power Loader got started with his first lecture. It gave her a chance to think. The male had put a series of folders on her desk, all labeled per class and subject, but that was the last thing on her mind. She had been lost in thought since she stepped off the train this morning. Principal Nezu had said that her stuff was being transferred into the Hero dorms due to staffing. She knew nothing of the people there or the Hero in charge either. She just had a name to go off of. 'Eraser Head...' What kind of hero name was that? She figured it had something to do with Quirks, but he was just there as a baby sitter for her while she enjoyed the remainder of her day after school. She really didn't think she'd have too many interactions with him aside from a few hallway passes.
"So you are from Canada, Eh?" A pink haired girl leaned forward on her desk from behind her, her smile wide beneath a pair of Red goggles. Her yellow gaze glittered excitedly at the possibility of new meat in their class. "The name is Mei Hatsume. A pleasure to meet you Rice." Her grin widened and Alice felt her cheeks flush. She had /hoped/ no one heard that. "Your Japanese is pretty good for a Canadian. Dual citizenship?"
"Yeah! Thanks. My mom lives here in Musutafu and my dad is back in Canada. Mom thought itd be good if I came here to stay with her for a bit." Alice rubbed the back of her head, her cheeks still flushed the faint pink. It felt weird talking about herself like this. She normally kept to the back of the class and focused on her work, it was one of the things she had dreaded when she found out she'd be in a small class.
"Cool cool. Have you seen the school yet? Are you going to be staying on Campus? Do you have a dorm picked out? Are you a full time support student? Whats your quirk? Are you a creator? How do you feel about inventions tailored to people's quirks being used in society? Do you want to help me test out some of my newest babies?" Hatsume got closer and closer with each question until she was almost completely laying across her desk. Alice didnt have a chance to respond, she opened and closed her mouth a few times- trying to get a word in edgewise. It was until Power Loader cleared his throat did Hatsume backed off.
"Hatsume, Im aware that having a new student join our class is an exciting event, but please wait until after class for any questions." Power loader couldnt help but smile. Hatsume was an intelligent girl and one of the best in his class. He really hoped sticking Alice in front of her would help the transfer student feel more at ease in such a large school.
Alice turned back to the podium as the lecture continued. It was just as it was in her old school. Boring. General classes were always something she dreaded. She preferred to be outside- doing quirk training or more hands on material. It only made the day drag on longer than it should have.
-
The bell for lunch rang loudly finally catching the class off guard. They had gotten side tracked during their History of Heroics lecture on how modern day heroes compared to those 50 years in the past. Alice wouldnt deny it, she enjoyed the debate and conversation. The class itself had a wonderful atmosphere and got along great. They were able to have a different opinions and still get along well. Her last school sort of lacked that.
"So Rice- are you going to answer any of my questions?" Hatsume slid up beside Alice, a wide grin on her lips. "Because I have many many more depending on your answers."
Alice jumped slightly, almost dropping her bag. She hadnt even heard Hatsume approach. She'd been too focused on reading what was on the menu for lunch. "Y-yeah. I can. Sorry. Im not the best at reading signs." She motioned to the menu, looking a bit flustered at herself. "Should I have glasses? Yes- do I? No." She laughed to herself, trailing off at the wide smile that Hatsume had on her lips.
The pink haired girl wrapped her arm around the smaller girl's shoulders. "Dont you worry about a thing. I've got just the invention you need to help you with reading signs, but first- Lets get some lunch. We have vegetable curry and grilled fish with Miso soup. What sounds good?"
Alice relaxed and ran a hand through her hair, she felt a bit better with Hatsume around to show her the ropes. It made trying to wander around by herself just a bit more manageable.
"So are you gonna be a full-time support student?" Hatsume asked once they had gotten their food and sat down at a partially abandoned table near the windows. The sun was out, making the seats and table warm to the touch. Alice seemed to relax a lot more in the sun. She loved the warmth.
"Kind of?" Alice took a bite of the curry, her gaze lighting up at the flavors. She had missed Japanese lunches. They were always much much better than stale pizza and canned veggies. "Im taking general studies with the support class, but then I have an independent study with a tutor after lunch."
Hatsume's gaze lit up and she leaned forward across the table. "Oh, who's your tutor? Why do you have a tutor? Is it a Pro?" She babbled, sitting back in her seat with excitement.
Alice just laughed, "It's one of my mother's friends. She's an African ProHero- WildSpire. She specializes in Hero Support, but not the same Hero support that is here at U.A. The version of Hero support that she teaches is basically back up pro-hero work. The agency she founded basically acquires heroes who dont want to be in the main light and uses them as backup for Heros working on the field."
"Oh! I heard about that. A lot of Japanese Pros have been talking about that lately. Its an interesting take on the idea of a "Support" student." Hatsume took another bite of her own food, looking Alice over. The smaller girl was just over 149 centimeters and had a good build to her. She obviously had some hero training under her belt. Her black hair was cut to just above the middle of her back. Her bangs swept on either side of her face, framing light freckles that danced across her cheekbones, and unnaturally magenta gaze that tried its hardest not to make eye contact with anyone else. Hatsume was curious, she couldnt identify the girl's quirk. Most people she could, but Rise was unreadable. "So you'll be working with WildSpire as a "Support" student?" She made sure to make the air quotes to go along with it. Alice wasnt really a Support student, but more of a Hero- did they not have space in the Hero class?
"Basically. I was actually in a class back in Canada that specialized in that sort of background work, it was still a tester class, but it was doing well. WildSpire agreed to take me on to train, but I had to get caught up with my generals to get my license. I had one back home, but it doesnt transfer over if you are still in school. " Alice poked at her rice, a faint smile on her lips. It was nice to hear others talk about it. Most heroes didnt know or care. They didnt "need" that sort of field support.
"So if you are gonna be support, what's your quirk?" Hatsume took a bite of rice and leaned forward again in anticipation. She'd wanted to ask the moment the girl sat down, but Rise was a skittish one. She had to play it safe and not scare the girl off. Power Loader had explained that she came off a bit strong after her recent interaction with the Hero course's Izuku Midorya.
Alice brightened and reached for her bag, "Only if you can keep a secret." She said setting the black backpack in her lap. Hatsume rose a brow curiously, what was so important it had to be in a Bag?
"It's okay Chess, it's safe here." Alice unzipped the bag and out popped a small black cat-shaped head- or what looked like a cat. The creature was the size of a cat, looked like a cat, but obviously "wasnt" a cat. It turned it's head towards Hatsume and let out a soft meow before moving like fluid to stand on the table.
Hatsume stared the cat down. The little creature had a small mouth, four white eyes, and did not reflect light. At all. It was such a dark shade of black that the light of the sun didnt reflect off it. It didnt show a shadow. "Your quirk is a cat?" She asked, almost stunned. This girl was suppose to be "Support" and her quirk was a cat?
"Kind of. Chess is a manifestation of my Quirk. So he is my quirk, but also not my quirk directly. He has his own thoughts, actions, and can move about on his own- but we are directly connected." Alice ran a hand down the cat's back, the creature pushed back against her fingers, forming around her hand a bit like liquid would. "It was called Shadow Transfiguration back home. I dont know how that translates here." She said, rubbing her arm awkwardly. "But he can transform into various objects and things based on my wants and needs."
Hatsume looked at the cat with a sense of child-like wonder. "He can transform into things?" She put an elbow on the table, startling Alice who watched as Hatsume looked the cat over. "On his own or do you command it?"
"I cant make him do anything." Alice grumbled and Chess turned to look at Hatsume curiously. All four eyes blinked in response to her observations. "He has his own will that is directly connected to mine. So I dont have to verbally tell him anything. Does he listen? Not always."
Chess didnt shy away when Hatsume touched him, his body molding around her fingers like a liquid. She gasped quietly. He was soft, but didnt have any weight at all to him. "He's cold."
"He's made directly from shadows." Alice laughed. "He prefers to stay in dark places. Under hoods or in my backpack are some of his favorite places." She set the bag down and went back to eating, watching Hatsume poke at a mildly entertained Chess. "He's strongest at night or high noon when the sun is the brightest due to how intense the shadows are. He doesnt need to eat, but is a sucker for people food that I get to find later in the bottom of my bag." She swatted at the cat- who had reached for Hatsume's plate.
"That's so cool." The girl gasped, watching Chess as he shied away from Alice's hand, moving more into the sun where he could loaf in peace. "People with quirks like this are such a medical marvel. Two separate beings connected by biological configuration." Hatsume went back to her food, wiggling in her seat. "Does the sun hurt him? Id expect so due to him being a shadow."
Alice shook her head as she finished off her food. "No. He's my shadow, so its more intense during the bright light." She held out a hand in the sun and sure enough- she didnt have a shadow of her hand. Just Chess, who sat a few inches away.
Hatsume bit her lip and looked from the cat to the girl. "That's absolutely incredible. I will definitely have to see you both in action. I heard that there is a Hero in class 1-A who's quirk is similar. He's bird themed."
Alice blinked. Bird themed? She had been told that a member of the Hero class with a Quirk similar to hers would be meeting her outside the Support classroom to show her the dorms. "I think Im meeting him after lunch." She said with a laugh. "Principal Nezu said that Id be staying in the Hero dorms due to staffing and room limitations."
Hatsume laughed awkwardly and rubbed her arm, "Where else am I going to keep my inventions during off hours? I sort of took over the last two rooms."
Alice couldnt keep the grin off her lips. It made sense now. She had no idea why she had to be in a whole different building than the Support classes when the support dorms were right there. "Im actually not surprised." She laughed, her smile widening. "Youll have to show me some of your inventions for me having to walk across campus to get to class."
"Oh you definitely got a deal."
