Prologue: Kindling

Author's Note:

Personally, I enjoy stories that have unique characters more than xreader fanfiction. There are, of course, some excellent fanfiction written in that style. Nowadays, I hardly find a good one written with original characters. Please let me know what you think.

"It is the obligation of those born strong to defend the weak. Don't ever forget that." My mother once said these words to me. She taught me the responsibility I had as my power manifested.

That day, there was the scent of rain in the air as mother gave me the final piece of advice I would ever receive from her. At the age of four, I learned that strength was more than just having power. Those who are strong make sacrifices for those who are not. This lesson was solidified as I witnessed the moment my mother became the strongest person in a world of heroes.

It was the moment my life changed. I was crying, feeling truly terrified for the first time in my short life. My mother and I were making our way home, after she picked me up from pre-school. We walked around the corner passed a heavy blue dumpster when we heard the screaming start. I spun around and shrieked as villains launched an attack on the school. Teachers and students, who ran back inside, were locked in as they attempted to shelter themselves from the onslaught. I watched as a man, wearing a shadowy mask with a strange breathing device, order the other menacing figures to quickly dispose of the adults and line up the children. The next second my mother pulled me back behind the dumpster.

"Hurry! We need to hide!" she urged quietly as she lifted me into the dumpster. I scooted further in and looked up expectantly as she peered back at me over the top. Her breathe hitched as her expression morphed into the widest and brightest smile I've ever seen. Her eyes were electric as they beamed brightly at me. "I love you so much, baby. Mommy needs to call for help and I will be right back," she spoke softly. "Mommy, wait!" I yelled as I moved forward. She smiled goofily at me and flashed a peace sign before shiftly shutting the heavy lid, effectively hiding me away. I pushed with all my might and realized she must have jammed it shut from the outside. I fell silent as I attempted to listen to what was happening outside. The stench made my stomach curl and the rain left a sludge inside as I sat in the wet garbage.

"Officer Rukia Rengoku ...reporting an attack on Hosu City Public Pre-school. Civilians trapped and under attack ...kidnapping occuring currently. A group of ten hostiles ... a leader. Please call in all available heroes to this location urgently!" I heard my mother say, mostly likely calling her station. A small fact about my mother is that she works as an officer at the Hosu City Police Department. She wanted to serve and protect but due to her quirk she chose to go down the criminal justice path. Her quirk allows her to make a pocket of space completely soundproof from the outside. It isn't very flashy and is much better suited for stealth and reconnaissance.

" ... a visual on the hostages. Please direct the nearest heroes this way! ...attempt to find a way out ... preparing to break in as I speak," she spoke into the phone. She softly knocked on the dumpster. "I'm going to get closer ... right back, baby ...heroes will arrive soon." I vaguely heard as her footsteps faded away.

I sat back anxiously as my vision blurred with tears and my breathing grew heavy. It felt like the coldest place on earth as I wept alone in that dumpster. "... thought I saw someone over here," said a deep voice. In a panic, I let out a shriek as the unexpected voice suddenly grew closer. My hands clapped my mouth shut as I expected the criminals to have found me in this hiding spot. The man's footsteps faded as the rain intensified. "She's using her quirk on me?" I realized a moment later.

The dumpster shook and fell over as a great shock-wave impacted the area. "No! Mommy! Help me!" I screamed in terror. I was about to be crushed as the interior of the dumpster began to cave in from the impact. My heart shook as I hyperventilated and my hands pushed at anything to find a way out.

"... the children to safety! An officer was onsite when the attack happened. We need to recover everyone and evacuate before the villains attack again," a stern voice said from nearby. Upon the arrival of the heroes, I was overcome with a feeling of relief. Someone was here to save the day! I pressed myself closer to the wall of the dumpster and heard something that made my heart drop. "Officer down. Attempting emergency CPR until the paramedics arrive," said another voice a bit further away.

"Mommy!" I screamed as I began my struggle inside the dumpster once again. This time my body burned as I pushed and pushed with all my might. My screams left my throat raw as I tasted blood and sweat. With my eyes screwed shut and one final scream, my body set fire so intense that I blasted the dumpster open like a firework. The instance I was freed, the rain snuffed my flames as my screams became audible to the heroes around the corner.

My name is Kyoko Rengoku. My quirk is called Catalyst. It manifested at the age of four when I experienced a tragic event near my pre-school.

The road to becoming a hero requires an unbreakable spirit, a determined heart, the mindset of self-sacrifice, and responsibility of protecting the innocent.
_

End Notes:

Inspired by other manga/anime such as Demon Slayer, One Piece, Bleach, Genshin Impact, TBD. I would appreciate your feedback as I am unsure about continuing this story. If someone comments that they want to read more, then I will update this story. Also, suggestions are appreciated and encouraged. I won't mind if you say it's bad either. I do have ideas and things that can develop further but I want to know if this is interesting enough to continue. Thank you, readers.

Definition:

Kindling - Easily ignited material, such as dry sticks of wood, used to start a fire.