(Edited: October 14, 2022)
Chapter 01: Aftermath
We live in a superhuman society, where 80% of the population possess some kind of special trait. An amazing power. When such a surge of power appeared, heroes gave rise to combat the evil that plagues our world and preserve the peace. But none of them could hold a candle to the Symbol of Peace himself, All Might, the world's greatest hero. As a kid, I wanted to be just like him, an amazing hero. All I needed was a power of my own, a Quirk.
But that never happened.
I was Quirkless.
Despite that, I still dreamed. I continued to dream even without powers. Despite the mocking from peers, the criticism from others, and discouragement from even the very man I looked up to, I still wanted to become a hero. And, for so long, I was alone on that, until—
"I think you can do it."
Her – Ruby Rose. She was the first person to believe in me. After learning of my powerlessness, she thought I could still become a hero.
And then, not long after that fateful day.
"Young man, you too can become a hero."
The person that I idolized so much, All Might, said that I could be a hero. And imagine my surprise…and confusion…when he chose me to inherit his Quirk, a special Quirk that could be passed on from person to person.
One for All
Thanks to him, I was able to attend UA, the school of my dreams, and with Rose too!
There will be no doubt that tough obstacles will be in our way, but as long as we stand side by side and work together, our dreams will become a reality!
This is Our Hero Academia!
UA High Principal's Office
"…Thank you for the consideration," Nezu said over the phone. "Have a good day, Ms Mineta." He sighs after hanging up.
"That was the last parent, yes?" Ozpin asked.
"Yes, it was. Thank you for helping."
"Of course."
The pair had spent their morning calling each parent/caregiver of the class 1-A students, speaking rounds of apologies, about the USJ Incident that had occurred a day prior. Villains had somehow infiltrated the facility in hopes to kill the Symbol of Peace, All Might. Thankfully, they failed due to underestimating the students of the hero course. Unfortunately, the top three suspects, the apparent ringleader Tomura Shigaraki, career criminal Roman Torchwick, and mysterious Kurogiri, had escaped.
Toshinori Yagi, civilian identity of All Might, sat in a chair in the office. He lowered his gaze at his clenched fists. These hands…were meant to help people. To save people, but…he failed to prevent grievous wounds to occur on Shouta Aizawa, Thirteen, and the young Pyrrha Nikos.
Pyrrha…she wasn't much older than the class 1-A kids…if Toshinori hadn't been there, could she have been…
It was because of him that the villains were there. It was because of him that his colleagues and sidekick got injured…
"I'm so—"
"I'm going to stop you right there," Ozpin interjected.
Toshinori blinked. "Huh?"
"Did you know that villains were going to infiltrate the USJ?" Ozpin asked sternly.
"No, but—"
"'But' nothing. You had no way of knowing." Ozpin's features softened as he gave one of his signature calm smiles.
"If anyone should be apologizing, it should be me," Nezu said, leaning forward on his desk and steepling his stubby fingers. "I had thought about the probability of villains attacking in an attempt to get All Might, but I thought the security was enough at the time. Clearly, I was wrong."
As much as what Nezu had said was meant to lessen the burden of guilt, it did little to alleviate such a sense of shame from Toshinori, who turned away, looking down again.
Ozpin closed his eyes. "It seems that we all have some level of responsibility. Instead of moping about what we should have done, let's focus on what we can do for now. And now, we need to rearrange the hero class schedule to fit with Toshinori's shortened time."
Toshinori straightened up and waved his hands frantically. "Please, don't reschedule on my account!"
"We don't really have a choice." Ozpin turns to Nezu. "Have you tried to convince the HPSC about your proposition yet?"
"I will in a few minutes. Although, something tells me that they're still going to be dismissive." The oversized rodent rubbed his paw on his head, through the smooth fur he was so fond. The human men in the room could hear the tenseness of Nezu's voice. No doubt the rodent was getting frustrated with the commission's repeating indifference.
"If this sort of attack were to happen again, they're going to have to agree," Ozpin pointed out.
"I hope it doesn't come to that," Nezu said gravely.
Another villain attack? Perhaps one with more competent followers and powerful Quirks?
Toshinori dreaded such a notion. "Me too…"
Midoriya Apartment Home: Izuku's Room
Izuku was at his desk, doing homework. Today was an off day after what had transpired yesterday at the USJ.
"To think that we would get attacked by villains on our third day," Izuku thought as he tried to figure out a math problem, his free hand occupied by a hand gripper. "It was scary, but at least no one died. And Rose is now in on the secret of One for All. I'm not sure why, but I'm happy that I don't have to lie to her about it anymore."
His phone dings. He checks to see he's tagged in a group message with Toshinori and Ruby.
All Might: If the two of you are finished with schoolwork, would the two of you be available for lunch this afternoon? My treat.
Rose: Shouldn't you be resting?
All Might: As long as I take it easy, I'll be fine.
Ruby had sent a message with emojis
Rose: Sure! (Smiley Face) (Thumbs Up)
Izuku sends his message.
Me: Okay! Where?
Rose: Yeah! Where?
All Might: Sentaku Park
Izuku looks at the time on his All Might alarm clock.
It was 11:12 am.
That's usually around the time his mother, Inko Midoriya, would start making lunch. If he goes to speak with her now, then he could stop her in time before she could cook for two. He emerges from his room, spotting his mother making some tea, peppermint from the smell. She usually makes that tea to ease anxiety before she starts preparing to cook.
"Hey, Mom?" Izuku said.
Inko turns to her son. "Yes, sweetie?"
"I'm meeting with Rose and her uncle for lunch later. Is that okay?" Izuku asked.
"…Are you sure, Izuku? I mean, with what happened yesterday…" Inko's eyes trailed to Izuku's legs. They're still sore and Recovery Girl recommended him to not cause unnecessary strain.
"Don't worry, Mom. I'll be fine," Izuku assured. "We're gonna be at Sentaku Park, so not too far."
"…Okay, sweetie. Be sure to finish with your homework first, okay?" Inko asked. "Oh! And please take the bus so you don't strain your legs!" If Izuku had paid attention, he would have noticed how his mother's voice shook slightly.
"Yeah!" Izuku nodded before returning to his room.
He failed to see his mother's conflictive contemplation as her lips pressed together in a slight grimace.
Inko turned around to take her cup of tea before downing it in one go.
She sighs.
Xiao Long-Rose House: Ruby's Room
Ruby was listening to music through her wireless headphones as she does her homework, fidgeting with her pencil with each beat. When she finished, she took off her headphones and leaned back in her chair.
"Hoo…finished. Still a couple of hours before having lunch with Midoriya and Uncle Toshi. What to do…"
Bzzz…Bzzz…
Ruby looks up at the bed above her and her work desk. "Huh? Oh! My phone. It might be Uncle Toshi or Midoriya." She climbs up to her bed to get her smartphone, plugged into the charger station connected into the electric socket in the wall. Her eyes trailed to the picture of her mother. Ruby recalled the times her father, Uncle Qrow, and Yang had told her how she had the way Summer, her mother, smiled. And she could see that, comparing pictures of herself to her mother's. Ruby was a near carbon copy of her mother.
Next to it was a new framed picture. A picture of Summer with All Might.
With Toshinori Yagi. It looked like they were lying on some grass with Summer taking the picture and Toshinori giving the peace sign.
The two had a history together. One that the blonde man cherishes. Ruby had heard stories of the relationship between Summer and Toshinori. One that could be described as familial, hence why Ruby and Yang had taken to calling Toshinori – All Might – Uncle Toshi. Once upon a time, the sisters knew that Toshinori and All Might were one and the same. However, after the tragic death of Summer, the man felt it was right to have them separate his identity again, as a way to protect them.
That is until yesterday. After the USJ Incident.
Ruby had accidentally witnessed her honorary uncle depowering from the bombastic and muscley hero All Might to frail-looking and hunched over Toshinori Yagi.
It was…quite a shock, though Ruby felt silly for not realizing it earlier. After all, now that she thinks about it, Toshinori has the same enthusiasm, though more toned down. And then, there were his eyes. All Might's eyes weren't seen very well, but Toshinori's bright blue eyes carried the pure heroic spirit that All Might embodied.
Once she got home, she told her father, Tai, that during the attack, she learned about Toshinori being All Might. Hearing this, Tai collected a box he stored in the attic crawl space. In it were photos of Summer, Tai, and Qrow with a buff blonde man. It took Ruby a second to realize it was Toshinori. He had the All Might physique, but with his wild mane of hair. Ruby quickly learned that the reason Tai hid these pictures was because Toshinori looked too much like All Might over ten years ago. Now that she knows, Tai decided to let her look through the pictures.
Ruby had scanned through pictures, amazed at how many snapped memories were maintained that she missed. According to Tai, Summer had taken most of the pictures. Ruby figured that she was free to pick a photo to put in a frame, so she picked one that happened during a Hanami event. Ruby wondered if Yang should be told, but Toshinori said that he'll be the one to tell her.
However, he still doesn't want Tai or Yang to learn about his other secret.
That other secret being One for All. Ruby had asked if Qrow and Sir Nighteye know about One for All, which Toshinori did confirm. Ruby noticed that he seemed…off at the mention of Sir Nighteye, but she didn't want to press Toshinori about it.
Bzzz…Bzzz…
Ruby gets pulled back to the present when her phone buzzes again. She unhooks it from its charging station and opens it to see a group chat message from the UA school app, started by Tenya Iida.
Tenya: This is your class representative! I would like to know how everyone is doing!
Tenya: Yesterday was no doubt nerve-racking for everyone!
Kirishima: No kidding.
Kaminari: At least no one died ^^
Yaoyorozu: This isn't a funny matter, Kaminari.
Kaminari: T.T I was trying to lighten up the mood!
Schnee: Well, he's not wrong. Of course, we can't deny that people got injured, but they're at least in stable conditions.
Kaminari: See? Schnee agrees!
Kaminari: I didn't realize how weird that sounded until I pressed send.
Mina: Hey, yeah! Sounds like the ice queen is starting to defrost!
Weiss Schnee…
Ruby's first impression of the heiress wasn't exactly a good one. The white-haired girl was snobby, egotistical, and downright hostile…which wasn't all that different from a certain explosive, red-eyed blonde. Despite displaying that type of attitude, it was revealed to Ruby that wasn't who Weiss was. From the way Momo reacted to Weiss' brutal manner, the heiress wasn't always so cold hearted. Ruby wondered if it was all an act.
She then recalled the Schnee family's reputation. A once admirable organization focused on assisting heroes and the general public turned to a company aspiring for monetary gain after the passing of the previous CEO. Ruby had seen Jacque Schnee in person at a convention held by Kuo Kuana Enterprise, but she'd never tried to talk to him, preferring to stick by Blake and Kali. It was probably a good thing. She didn't like how the man presented himself.
Ruby wonders what Weiss' home life is like.
Schnee Villa: Training Hall
The Schnee Villa.
Located in one of Musutafu's high middle class is a two-story contemporary styled building with a lower ground floor that is home of the Sigil Hero: Regina Ice, and Weiss Schnee while she attends UA. Inside the building are pristine walls of white and gray blue with blue marble flooring and abstract art to compliment the décor.
The villa's training hall, taking the entirety of the lower ground floor save for a breakroom, looks more like a ballroom with its marble flooring and walls that mimic the rest of the villa. However, with the presence of exercise equipment such as a treadmill, peloton bike, training dummies, targets on the wall across from the entrance, pull-up bar, and even some weights help make this room exactly what it's meant to be.
Currently, the only occupant of the training hall was Weiss herself. Now with a day off thanks to yesterday's invasion, Weiss finds herself alone with her sister off to work. She's hardly bothered by this though, as its normal for the sisters.
Weiss sat in a chair, fiddling with her sword, Myrtenaster, a beautifully crafted rapier with a revolver mechanism where the guard would be located.
Next to her on a table is a revolver magazine with five vials, each containing something colored white. She places the vials in the revolver of her sword and sets the revolver back in. With a flick of her thumb, she spins the revolver. She gets up and aims her sword at a dummy.
"Eyes forward. Shoulders back. Right foot forward…not that forward…" Weiss listed off a mantra of sorts. The revolver stops with a click. She summons a tiny Glyph and runs it through her sword, from hilt to tip. She swings the sword, sending a wave of ice and it creates a trail of ice spikes, trapping the dummy and a couple of others in place. Weiss smiled as she swipes her sword again, this time summoning up three medium sized projectile Glyphs. She twirls around, and ice shards shoot out, hitting the targets on the wall. Weiss smiles at her sword.
"Looks like you found a commendable addition to your arsenal, Ms Schnee." Weiss turns around to see a stout man holding a tray carrying a teacup and teapot and a couple of muffins. It was the villa's butler, Klein Sieben.
"Indeed, I have." She and Klein meet at the small table. Klein sets up as Weiss looks through the group chat on her pale blue and glittery cased smartphone. It was just comments about what went on yesterday. She sees Momo scolding Kaminari for a rather morbid comment, the blonde's defense was that he was trying to lighten the mood.
In retrospect, he's not wrong. They should be counting their lucky stars that no one died. Weiss posted a reply of her own and before long Kaminari replied and then Mina, both noting Weiss' change in attitude. Then, Ruby left a comment.
Rose: I knew Schnee has some good in her!
Seeing this made Weiss feel at ease.
"She's too nice," Weiss thought. "Perhaps that's what would make her a great hero. She was nice to everyone while I was…" Her choice of being cruel to her classmates was a foolish one and it nearly destroyed her friendship with Momo and any other future friendships. Her attitude was her own fault, but as for the person who enforced it… "Klein?" Klein pauses in his stirring in the teapot.
"Yes?"
"Has my father heard about what had happened yesterday?" asked Weiss. Her phone starts ringing. The caller ID showed no photo, but one word.
'Father'
After a single blink, Klein's eyes changed from a warm brown to a heated red that contrasts with his cold sneer directed at the ringing device.
"It looks like you're about to get your answer," Klein jeered, his tone gruff and his glare not breaking from the smartphone. "I'd just not answer!" He suddenly sneezes, his eyes scrunch closed. When they open, they are now a bright blue and Klein's posture becomes fidgety and jumpy. "Ah! My apologies, you might as well!" Klein stammered, his tone now high pitched. "Otherwise, you could get in needless trouble."
"You're probably right, Klein," Weiss said. She takes a deep breath and answers her phone. "Yes, father?"
/ Good afternoon, Weiss. You've taken your sweet time answering. /
Ashamed, Klein averts his gaze downwards, but Weiss gives him an assuring glance.
"I apologize. I was in the middle of training," she said to her father, talking as though she was talking to a work associate rather than a family member.
Jacques sighs from his end.
/ I see. So, you're still wasting your time playing hero. /
There was a huff.
/ And here I thought the incident at UA would put some senses back into your head. With All Might around, you shouldn't have to squander your time with nonsense. /
Weiss fought to roll her eyes at that. This wasn't the first time Jacques had been disapproving of Weiss' choice of attending UA to become a hero, far from home. And it wasn't the worries of a kind father, rather it's the displeasure of a businessman not having a short leash on one of his assets.
"Actually, the incident had opened my eyes," Weiss countered. "That danger is around every corner, and All Might isn't always going to be there. We were lucky. We might not be next time. So, why not be a hero?"
/ Speaking of All Might, were you able to have a talk with him like I told you? /
Weiss held back a sigh. "…No, sir. A hero of his position makes him a busy man. May I ask why you want me to speak with him?"
/ I'm sure you are aware that the Symbol of Peace was once acquainted with your grandfather. /
Weiss could almost see the man smile as he spoke.
/ I was hoping that maybe we could rekindle that connection. Imagine my surprise when I learned that the man has become a teacher at UA! Turns out your choice was beneficial after all so as long you use it wisely. Have I made myself clear? /
"…Transparently, father."
/ That's my girl. I'll leave you to your…exercise, whatever. Just don't embarrass the Schnee name, will you? /
Weiss wanted to scoff. It wasn't her embarrassing the Schnee name… "…Of course."
/ Good. /
He hangs up and Weiss sighs as she puts her hands on her face. She rubs her eyes and lets out another long breath.
The click of the break room door opens, and Klein emerges with a steaming mug. Weiss didn't know that he had left. It must have happened during her phone call. As the man drew closer, Weiss caught a whiff of the sweet and bitter flavor of hot cocoa.
"I figured you might want something more flavorful," Klein smiled. He blinks his eyes red, and his mustache quirked from a hidden smirk. "And to wash out the bad taste from that call, ey?"
Weiss smiles back and takes the mug. "Thank you, Klein." The butler blinks again, this time with yellow eyes.
"Anything for you, my little Snowflake," Klein said with a loving tone that would fit a real father.
Todoroki Abode: Shouto Todoroki's Room
With a childhood as complicated as Shouto Todoroki, one doesn't get the luxuries as other fifteen-year-old, high school boys would usually have. Of course, Todoroki has the basic essentials for his Japanese styled, tatami mat floor room: Furniture that contains his clothing, a low table for doing homework, and his futon is stored away as he has no need for it at the moment.
And that was it. Nothing else.
As for the youngest Todoroki, he was at his desk, studying, though his thoughts tend to gravitate to the events of yesterday, including when he interrogated the villains that confronted him at the Landslide Zone of the USJ.
'All Might has been a pain for far too long. Just his own presence is enough to waver the hearts of people like us. The world we wish to make reality has no need for someone like All Might. He has to die.'
"All Might has to die?" Todoroki wondered as he stared at the mathematical problems scrolled on his notebook paper. "There is no doubt that All Might has procured a good number of enemies going after his head. But it's ridiculous that those thugs really thought they could kill someone like All Might." The pen Todoroki held halted when he stopped writing. "Still…why would they attempt such a bold move? They seem to think that All Might has weakened. Why would they say that? Who said that to them? Whatever. It's not my place to investigate. I've given the information I was able to obtain to the police. Hopefully, something comes out of it."
Bakugo House: Katsuki Bakugo's Room
When meeting someone as abrasive as Katsuki Bakugo, some might wonder if even in the privacy of his room, he's just as chaotic.
And they would be surprising wrong.
It's even stylish, in a punkish sort of way.
On beige walls are posters of bands and movies, wall flags pinned up, and a custom-made license plate that read B4KU-KAT5U. As for furniture, a room set with black wooden desk, dresser, and bed frame. A laptop sat closed on the desk and an alarm clock was placed on the nightstand next to Bakugo's bed, attached to it a bed shaker for someone hard-of-hearing. Speaking of hard-of-hearing, a hearing aid charger was placed next to the alarm clock and a plugged smartphone.
Laying on top of the black comforters of the bed was Bakugo himself. He laid on his back, staring up at the ceiling as he threw a basketball in the air before catching it and repeating, music can be heard from the dark orange wireless bone conduction headphones around his head, beneficial for his ITC hearing aids.
As he continues to toss, drowning out the metal music, he thinks about the attack. He was on a roll with the villains, but it got easy too quickly for his liking. So, when a new batch came chasing Ruby, he was itching for a fight, particularly at the sight of a large man with a wolf Quirk. Unfortunately, Weiss was too fast and the effortless immobilization of the villains she performed…
Bakugo's thoughts then trailed to All Might's fight against the Nomu. The Nomu…that brain thing…It was fast. Faster than Weiss. Bakugo wasn't sure what was happening until All Might suddenly appeared and pushed him away while grabbing Ruby to shield her.
Ruby Rose…Bakugo remembered how Ruby jumped in an attempt to save him from the Nomu before All Might did. He also remembered her face at the time. She was reaching out to him, her eyes shining with worry.
Bakugo gritted his teeth.
Worried for his well being.
He stopped tossing the ball and instead gripped it tight as his blood boiled.
Like he was a weakling!
He chucks his ball against the wall across from him with a small explosion.
"Like I needed your help!" he shouted. The impact from the ball caused some things to fall from the wall and left a crack.
"Katsuki!" shouted the voice of Mistuki Bakugo. "What did I say about Quirk use in the house!"
"Shut up, hag!" Bakugo yelled back. He blocks out his mother's scolding as he continues to fume. "I didn't ask her to save me, damn it! Or All Might!" Ruby's concerned face was then replaced by the moment Izuku tried to save him from the Sludge Villain. With that same look in his eyes…
"Damn, that Deku!"
Sentaku Park
Izuku sneezes, slightly disturbing a person in the bus. He rubs his nose with his sleeve, wondering if someone was talking about him. The bus slows to a halt at the bus stop just a couple blocks away from Sentaku Park. Izuku leaves the transportation and makes his way to the park.
He soon notices Ruby staring quizzically at the sign and picks up the pace.
"Rose!"
Ruby turns to face him. "Hey, Midoriya!"
"What's up?" Ruby looks at the sign and Izuku does the same. It was different. Before, it was a worn down, tan colored, plain looking sign that read Sentaku Park. It was replaced by a redwood sign framed intricately in a deep green. Written in fancy writing was Midori Rōzu Park.
"Midori Rōzu? Wasn't it Sentaku?" asked Izuku.
"Yeah, it was," Ruby nodded. "For a moment, I thought I was at the wrong place, but no. Everything else looks the same."
Izuku notices more words on the sign, near the bottom. "Private property of – "
Toshinori appears from the curtain-like vine entrance. "The Wizard's Court."
"All Might!"
"Uncle Toshi!"
Toshinori fully emerges from the greenery. "Hey. I was wondering what was keeping you two."
"What happened to Sentaku Park?" Izuku asked.
"Refurbished, restored, and reborn!" Toshinori exclaimed. "Ozpin heard about your project and decided to have the place fixed up. Got the equipment replaced and everything. He even bought the land." He also left out that he was the one who told Ozpin about it and even went over some design ideas with him.
"I see…" Izuku looks down.
"Are we allowed to be in there?" Ruby asked the question Izuku was thinking.
Toshinori smiled at the two. "I don't see why not. The park is yours to come and go as you please. You could even bring your friends over."
"What?"
"I mean, you're not technically old enough to own property. So, until then, it's staying under the watchful eye of the people at the Wizard's Court." Toshinori motions to the vines. "Wanna take a look?" The kids nodded. "Then go on ahead. I'll be right behind you."
When Izuku and Ruby walked through the vines, it was like they were about to enter a different world. The trees and other vegetation were cut to look like an archway and the path was cleared for a yellow brick path, streets lamps with five orbs on top lined the path sides plus smaller lights low to the ground. The kids could see more streetlamps at other parts of the foliage.
They could only imagine what it looked like at night…
And it wasn't just the walkway that changed. Just as Toshinori said, the whole park went through a major upgrade. Like the sign outside of the perimeter, the colors green and red were dominant. The park ground was made of solid rubber surface and the rusted and worn down equipment was replaced by a wide variety of fitness equipment. Other appliances included two portable lavatories, one for men and the other for women, and bins for trash and recyclables.
Izuku and Ruby stared unblinking, they're jaws slacked from the incredible change. Toshinori takes in their expression, feeling a bit proud of himself.
"Ready to eat lunch?" he asked. He gestures to the gazebo that was built where the picnic table once stood. On the table was food from Archam's Treat.
{~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* - Our Hero Academia - *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~}
Ruby Rose
Quirk: Petal Burst
"She can burst into a swarm of rose petals and move at high speeds."
— Affiliation: UA High School Hero Class 1-A Student
— Birthday: 10/31 (Scorpio)
— Height: 162 cm
— Blood Type: O
— Likes: Support Equipment, Support Engineering, Sweets, Strawberries
— Color: Haute Couture
{~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* - Our Hero Academia - *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~}
Izuku Midoriya
Quirk: One for All
"Smashes villains with a superpower passed down from one generation to the next."
— Affiliation: UA High School Hero Class 1-A Student
— Birthday: 7/15 (Cancer)
— Height: 166 cm
— Blood Type: O
— Likes: Pork Cutlet Bowl, Quirks, Analyzing
— Color: Mint (3EB489)
{~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* - Our Hero Academia - *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~}
Midori Rōzu Park
"It was weird," Ruby said over their meal.
"What was?" Izuku asked.
"Ever since I realized that All Might and Uncle Toshi were the same person, I thought back to when the villains claimed they were going to kill him," Ruby said as she recalled the memory. She remembered how her heart skipped a beat when that mist guy – Kurogiri – declared their reason for being there.
The anxiety…the fear.
It wasn't the fear of losing an amazing hero. It was the thought of losing someone she cared about.
"I guess, deep down, I still remember who you are," Ruby said.
"I want to apologize to the two of you," Toshinori said. "Over what happened yesterday. I'm sure it was a frightening experience."
"It's okay. Really!" Izuku said.
"Yeah. Wouldn't be the first time I got into a deadly situation." Ruby adds an awkward, "And probably not the last. But, hey. We're here now, right?"
Toshinori smiled. "That's right."
"So, how did you guys really meet?" Ruby asked, looking at both Toshinori and Izuku.
"Oh…um. It actually…happened after you and Mr Branwen talked to me," Izuku said. "I was attacked on my way home."
"You were attacked?!" Ruby exclaimed. "By who?"
"That sludge guy from last year."
"That same guy who attacked Bakugo?"
Izuku swallowed hard at the memory of such a disgusting person. "Yeah." Izuku rubs his neck as he fights off a shudder. "It was a very scary situation." He may be putting it mildly. He was so close to dying from that encounter.
'You'd make a fine skin suit.'
Just how many people had that guy killed?
Ruby shuddered. "I can imagine. Having something that forces its way into you? All slimy… It's a good thing that the sludge guy was finally arrested."
"…Yeah. Even though it was terrifying, I got to meet All Might! I even got an autograph!" Izuku digs into his backpack to pull out his thirteenth notebook to show Ruby
"Wow, cool!" Ruby beamed. "Speaking of meeting All Might, how did you and mom really meet, Uncle Toshi?"
"What do you mean?" Izuku asked, closing his notebook.
"Since Uncle Toshi had to separate his hero identity from his civilian one, he had to make up an excuse how they met, right?"
Toshinori nodded. "Right."
"Does that mean that you guys didn't meet when 'All Might' hired you to be his secretary when Yang was a baby?" asked Ruby.
"That is also correct. I've actually met your mother about twenty…two, three years ago? Somewhere around there," Toshinori said. "It was before your sister was born. I couldn't sleep one night and decided to patrol a bit. That's when I officially met Summer."
"Officially?"
"Keep in mind how underground heroes operate differ from heroes in the spotlight. As underground heroes work primarily at night, they have no need to be flashy or over the top for their debut," Toshinori explained. Izuku has another notebook out, writing. "In fact, they technically don't have a 'debut' because, again, they have no need for flashiness and public revenue. I have crossed paths with her before, but because of our schedules, we didn't get a chance to chat. I learned bits and pieces about her from Ozpin, who she worked under briefly after graduation." He smiles fondly. "Your mother…was a selfless woman. It was her goal to become my 'shadow', to be my eyes during the night. I am forever grateful for her kindness."
Ruby goes quiet as she starts thinking about her mother. She can't help but feel jealous of the people who got to meet her before her death. Sure, Ruby was three by the time she died, but – again – Ruby was three. She doesn't have a lot of memories left over due to forgetting over childhood, leaving only fragments. Remnants.
She still has the recording of Summer for when she got accepted into UA and it's been a while since she watched home videos and perhaps there is more, containing Toshinori, and her occasional white forest dreams as she started to call them but…
It's nothing like actually getting to know her. Her, Summer Rose, as a person.
"Hey, Rose. There's something I wanted to ask you," Izuku said, closing his notebook.
"Sure. Go ahead!" Anything to get her mind off missing her mother.
"Yesterday, back on the bus…how come you didn't tell the others about Silver Line being your mother?"
Never mind.
Ruby takes a moment to remember. "…I didn't want them to think I'm special."
"Huh?"
"My dad, my mom, my sister, and tw—I mean, three of my uncles, they're all heroes," Ruby said. "I pretty much have a Pro Hero family. And you've heard of my mom's reputation. I don't want people to treat me any different or have them worry about me."
"…But you are," Izuku said.
"What?"
"There are other things that make you special. You're Quirk, being one. Another would be your engineering skills," Izuku said. He remembered her notebooks containing her blueprints. "I'm pretty sure it takes a creative mind to come up with all the things you drew. You're a very imaginative thinker."
Toshinori smiled at Izuku's words. As did Ruby.
"…I could say the same about you. About being special, I mean," Ruby said.
Izuku blushed lightly at the praise. "Really? I mean, I wasn't born with a Quirk, so—"
"A person's value isn't measured by what they are born with. It's who they are. And you are someone special," Ruby said. "Your heart and conviction…you've held on to it for so long despite others weighing you down. And look where you are! You've made it to UA! You're in the hero course! You got a Quirk! That speaks volumes of who you are."
"Rose…" Izuku smiled broadly.
Toshinori could feel his smile growing from the swell of pride in his chest. These kids, both of them, seem to have some low opinion of themselves one way or another. However, perhaps what they needed was someone who could give the praise, the confidence boost they needed. After all, Ruby was the first person to believe in Izuku and Izuku was the one who gave Ruby the true motivation to get into the hero course.
And Ruby wasn't done as she continued. "It was because of your heart that you were able to achieve your dream. You even moved the Symbol of Peace himself, All Might. Right, Un—Uncle Toshi? Are you okay?"
The smile on his face seems to have reached his eyes as Toshinori watched the two picking each other up from their self-criticism.
"Hm? Oh! Yes. I am! Sorry. Just…reminiscing…" Toshinori said. This scene was so familiar to him. Very familiar.
"…Do you think…" Ruby started before trailing off.
"Hm?"
Izuku looks at her curiously.
"…Do you think she's proud of me?" Ruby asked.
"Without a shadow of doubt," Toshinori said softly. Satisfied with the answer, Ruby seems to have bounced back from the small moment of grief, much to the relief of the two males. Izuku looks at a couple of bars that look like they can be used for pull ups or chin-ups. "Want to try it out?" Toshinori asked when he noticed.
"Huh? Is that okay?" asked Izuku.
"The equipment in this park was made for you future heroes in mind. Go ahead. Break them in!"
Ruby looks at Izuku. "Wanna see how many pushups I can do upside down?"
"Um…Is that okay?" Izuku asked, unsure if it's a good idea, because…well…what if he sees what he's not supposed to see? Sure, Ruby is wearing shorts, but her shirt could…
Ruby seems to have noticed his nervousness and tries to be assuring. "It'll be fine, Midoriya. Here, give me a sec to tuck my shirt in and we'll be good to go!"
"O-Okay!"
Toshinori watches the pair as they tried out the equipment, Ruby asking Izuku the function of what she can't recognize. He then felt his phone buzz and received a text from Ozpin.
Oz: Meeting tonight.
That's right. The investigation into the villain invasion at the USJ has been going on for almost twenty fours now and Tsukauchi had wished to meet at some point to go over they have found so far.
He goes back to watch Izuku and Ruby, now scaling a wall that leads to monkey bars.
Toshinori couldn't help but give praise to how the two are handling the fact that they nearly died. Of course, as Ruby had said before, it was hardly the first time they were put into danger. Izuku… the Sludge Villain. Ruby, well…
They are kids. They are all kids. They shouldn't've had to go through all that… And he should've prevented that.
"Even though I may only have less than an hour left, I am still the Symbol of Peace. And I will do everything in my power to make sure that your future remains bright. I promise."
Midoriya Apartment Home
Golden hour was upon them as Toshinori drops Izuku off at his apartment from his truck.
"You didn't need to take me home, All Might," Izuku said, looking over at Toshinori with Ruby sitting between them. It was slightly crowded, but everyone in the vehicle were on the lean side, even Toshinori.
"Nonsense. With what happened yesterday, it would be hazardous to let you go home alone. And besides, I got a meeting to get to," Toshinori said.
Izuku looks up at where his apartment is and sees his mother waiting on the balcony. He exits the truck. "Yeah. Thank you for taking me home." Toshinori nodded in response.
"See you tomorrow for school?" asked Ruby.
"Yeah!"
Xiao Long-Rose House
"Have a good night, Uncle Toshi," Ruby said as she climbed out of the truck.
"See you tomorrow."
Ruby nodded and headed for the front door as Toshinori began to back up. She pauses for a moment before turning back around to hurry back to the truck. Toshinori stops backing up when he sees Ruby coming. Ruby runs over to his side, and he rolls down the window.
"…Be careful on your way, okay?" Ruby asked. She stared up at him, her chin lifted and her brows knitting together.
Toshinori smiles with assurance and ruffles her hair.
"I will."
"You promise?" She gives him the same puppy eyes as before.
"…I promise."
Somewhat satisfied with the answer, Ruby bids a soft, reluctant goodbye and heads to the house. Toshinori watches as Ruby gets inside the house before he continues to be on his way to UA for the meeting.
As he drove, there was a tightness in his chest and a lump in his throat as he remembered the look in Ruby's eyes. The shining silver that mirrored her mother's. But, at that moment, they weren't the eyes of a seasoned hero. They were the eyes of a young girl not ready to lose someone she loved. Upon thinking, he wondered what went through Ruby's mind during his fight against the Nomu. Sure, she didn't, it was him at the time but…
'I guess, deep down, I still remember who you are.'
Sweaty hands clenched on the steering wheel as the tightness grew to the point that he thought he wasn't breathing and he could feel his leg ready to twitch violently. Dizziness started to set in and Toshinori had to pull over at the Emerald Bridge for a moment to catch his breath and regain his bearings.
He leaned over the stirring wheel, doing his best to calm his nerves. To block out the tiny voices mocking him.
Are you even capable of keeping that promise?
Don't you remember what Sir Nighteye predicted?
You're living on borrowed time.
You shouldn't have let her know.
You're only going to break her heart.
Like you'll soon break Midoriya's heart.
And so many others…
When you die that horrific death.
"Shut up!" Toshinori shouted. Thankfully, he was alone. The windows were shut, and the road was quiet. Toshinori glared forward, seeing his angered reflection in the windshield. His bright blue eyes glowed under the moonlight.
"She deserved to know. I've made my decision and I'm sticking to it. I won't make the same mistake."
Once Ruby went inside, she noticed a smell in the air.
"Beef and mushrooms? Is it hamburger night? No. Dad usually cooks it outside. And I think I'm smelling garlic…" She walks to the kitchen to see Yang standing over the stove. There was a pot with boiling water and a big saucepan with what looks like a cream soup with ground beef in it.
"Yang?"
Yang stopped before she taste-tested the cream of mushroom soup and ground beef.
"Oh, Ruby! You're just in time! Wanna taste and see if it needs more garlic powder or sour cream?" Ruby didn't answer as she stared at her sister. Or rather her prosthetic holding the ladle. Yang smirks at her awestruck sister. She passes the ladle to her other hand so she could give Ruby a full view of her new arm. "Pretty cool, huh?"
After a moment of processing, Ruby grinned. "Yeeeaaah! It looks so cool!" She walked close to get a closer look. "Are you gonna paint it?"
"Not yet. Still gotta break it in. Ya know?" Ruby nods in understanding. Yang turns back to her cooking. "It's gonna take me some time to get used to it." She picks up the ladle with her prosthetic, but it fumbles, and the ladle drops back in the saucepan. Ruby noticed a small bit of frustration, but it quickly went away as Yang looked at her. "See? But, until then, just gotta work with it." She picks up the ladle again, steadily this time, and holds it to Ruby. "Here. Taste it."
Ruby tastes the beef and mushroom cream. "…Maybe a little bit more garlic?"
"Thought so, too."
"Want me to help you with anything?" Ruby asked, not thinking. She mentally slapped herself for saying that and braced herself for anything. A glare? Some awkward silence? Maybe the cold shoulder.
"I think the noodles are almost. Think you can put it in the colander?" Yang asked, showing no signs of discomfort towards Ruby's question. "Oh! And I think the garlic bread is done in the oven. Can you get that too?"
Ruby salutes. "Yes, ma'am!" She grabs a pair of red oven mitts and opens the oven to get the tray of garlic bread.
"Hey, Ruby?" she heard Yang as she placed the tray on the counter.
"Yeah?"
"…I love you, too."
Ruby froze and looks at Yang quizzically. Too? But Ruby didn't say it first. Why would Yang add that?
'…I love you.'
That's right. The morning Yang was brought home from the hospital...
Ruby smiles. Yang holds out her arms at Ruby. The younger sister wasted no time and nearly flung herself into her sister's arms as the two hugged.
From the living room, Tai watched the whole thing happen. He smiled gratefully, happy to see his daughters getting along again.
UA High School: Meeting Room
After what felt like hours, Toshinori finally arrived at the meeting room. Everyone else was there: Tsukauchi – of course – and Ozpin, Nezu, Qrow, Nemuri, Snipe, Vlad King, and Glynda. Hizashi wasn't there. It's likely that he's keeping a certain underground hero company while he recovers.
"Here I am. Sorry for the delay," Toshinori said, without looking at everybody. Some of them took notice that his skin tone is a smidge on the lighter side and he sounds a bit low in energy. It wasn't by much, but it was noticeable. Even Tsukauchi saw it but didn't say anything about it so he could stick to the main topic.
"...It's fine. We were just about to begin," the detective said.
Toshinori takes a seat between Ozpin and Nezu. Now closer, Ozpin and Nezu swore that the circles under Toshinori's eyes were deeper.
"Toshinori—?"
"I'm fine," Toshinori said, interrupting Ozpin. "I've been taking it easy."
Nezu and Ozpin exchanged glances, unconvinced.
"…Well, good. You're going to be needed tomorrow," Nezu said, eyeing Toshinori.
Tsukauchi clears his throat. "Let's begin and start with that we have yet to find anything about two of the main conspirators of the USJ attack: Tomura Shigaraki and Kurogiri. Not even estimated ages and vague Quirk description had yielded any results. The exact identity of the so-called League of Villains is still a mystery."
"I was able to immobilize Shigaraki, but it's only a matter of time before he could get healed up and strike again," Snipe said.
"Plus the off chance that they may have someone with a healing Quirk," Qrow added.
"You really think so?" Nemuri asked.
"They had a guy with a warping Quirk. Those things…are hard to come by."
Toshinori becomes thoughtful. "He did…seem like the type. That Shigaraki fellow."
"Is something on your mind?" Nezu asked.
"The attack was too bold," Toshinori started. "No sane grown adult would have ever attempted it. After all, UA is a school filled to the brim with pros. It would be a foolhardy effort. He kept monologuing and gushing over that thing he called Nomu and its Quirks, but never about his own power. And then, when things didn't go his way, he threw a tantrum like a selfish spoiled brat." He pursed his lips as he ran his fingers in his hair. "Then again, him talking about Nomu's abilities did garner my attention…"
"Be that as it may, it was still foolish on his part for revealing its capabilities," Glynda said. "He could've easily kept it to himself."
"Shigaraki made wild, immature claims. All with a completely straight face, like it was the norm," Toshinori continued, showing a bit of confusion and morbid curiosity of such an unstable individual. "And the way he spoke about the Nomu was like it was a pet of some kind. He acted as though things should go his way or none, at all. The way that I see it, he's a book description of a manchild."
"A child with incredible power," Vlad pointed out.
"It's possible that he didn't get Quirk counseling as a little boy," Nemuri said.
"Thanks to the testimony of Shouto Todoroki, we have learned that the majority of the 72 villains that we've arrested can be traced to another group called the White Fang," Tsukauchi informed, looking through the form.
"Hardly heard of them," Snipe said. The group was only mentioned once a few days back during the press fiasco when some of the reporters were asking questions of the Taurus Incident.
"That's because they're main base of operation seems to be located in Australia," Tsukauchi revealed. "There are small factions scattered across the world, but they're usually more active in Australia. From records we were provided with by the National Archives of Australia, they're an activist turned terrorist group currently led by a woman named Sienna Khan, called Lady Maleke by her followers. In addition, it would seem that there is a faction here in Japan. Led by Adam Taurus."
The mere mention of the name made some of the teachers' present blood boil a little. And why not? It was because Adam hurt one of their students and caused another to run away.
Snipe seems to have let out a disgruntled sigh. "With a reputation like that, it makes you wonder how Shigaraki got to them in the first place and had them wrapped around his finger."
"Don't forget, the Wicker Gentleman was there too," Qrow said. "The man's charismatic and knows what words to say to get a preferable outcome. How else did he manage to get to where he is now? The guy's as slippery as a snake. He no doubt charmed the bastards to see things his way, probably talking up Shigaraki."
"But that does bring up the question: Why are the Wicker Gentleman and Shigaraki working together?" Ozpin asked.
"Leave that to the police. Thanks to you heroes, we can focus on further investigation into the matter," Tsukauchi said.
"…A manchild, huh?" Nezu pondered. Ozpin and Toshinori look at the rodent. "In some ways, Shigaraki is no different from our students. Full of potential. And like our students, someone may be guiding him. Trying to nurture his malice."
That further piqued Toshinori. "Guiding him? Who could that be? Torchwick? It could be possible. According to records from Germany, he's in his early thirties, pretty much the same age as Aizawa. But, from the way they acted, they seem tolerant to each other at best. So, who? Who would want to cultivate such an unstable mind?"
Kamino Ward, Yokohama: Abandoned Bar
Shigaraki hissed as Kurogiri applied a salve to his wounds and replaced the bandages.
"It's tight, Kurogiri," Shigaraki growled.
"Your stitches have opened," Kurogiri said calmly. "They needed to be repaired."
"Tch. Whatever."
Roman watched from a different room in the bar. He grunted, feeling frustrated at the failure, before heading in the back to smoke his cigar. He digs into his pocket for a lighter, only to find it missing.
"Huh?"
"Looking for something?" a female voice asked, holding out the lite lighter.
Roman looks to see a young woman with mint color and deep red eyes perched on the wooden fence. Her eyes held a level of innocence to it and her tone sounded playful that could easily deceive anyone unfortunate enough to meet her. In her hand was the missing lighter, which she closed with a click. Standing below her was a young man with gray-blue, slicked back hair, leaning back against the fence with arms crossed and a smug grin.
"You two…" Roman said, recognizing who they are.
"How disappointing, Roman," another woman said from behind Roman. The man whirled around to see said woman standing there, black wavy hair long and over her shoulder and golden yellow eyes pierced into Roman's dark green.
"Whoa! Hehe... I wasn't expecting to see you guys so soon..." Roman said, keeping himself on guard. He was more or less surround and has no idea what they are capable of, even though he has been working for them for a while now.
"We expected…more from you…" Cinder chided, her tone still carried a calmness that lingered on the edge of a knife, very much telling Roman to watch what he says.
"Well, it was your idea to partner up with the overgrown child," Roman said, boldly showing his disdain.
Cinder's hand glowed and a hand sized flame erupted from her palm, the embers highlighted her gold irises, making them look as though they were glowing. "And you will continue to do so. Our benefactors wish for this union to be a fruitful one." Emerald Sustrai leaps from her perch and she and Mercury Black walk over to Cinder. "Don't worry, Roman. We have big plans for you. All we ask is..." The pair stood at either side of Cinder, "…a little cooperation." Roman's eyes darted at each of them. "Thanks to your little friend, we still have eyes on the inside. All we need is patience."
Next Chapter: No Pressure
"Mr. Aizawa?!"
"You don't seem that excited, Rose."
"Noble! Absolutely noble!"
"Whatever happens, I've got your back!"
"It's a pleasure to meet you!"
If I were to choose the outfits for Cinder, Emerald, and Mercury, well Emerald and Mercury would be the same if not for any adjustments I may add. As for Cinder, it would be that early concept are of her with her sleeves being wide and flowing.
A somewhat wind down of a chapter. This arc is gonna be a bit action-packed compared to the previous two arcs. I mean, 19 or 20 chapters? And it involves the Sports Festival and Hero Killer Arc? Oh, yeah.
Yay! Klein makes an appearance! And if anyone asks if his Quirk is his split personalities, it's not. This version of Klein still has DID. I do find it neat that he is a rare example of a non-villain with DID, so I don't want to ruin it by making it his Quirk. This does remind me of Twice. I mean, he is a villain, but he's a more likable villain. He's based off Deadpool for God sakes.
Plus, Twice's DID isn't what made him a criminal. He was already a criminal before his DID developed and it was his reckless use of his Quirk is what eventually led to it. And when Twice did develop DID, both personalities had likable perks about them, which was part of the reason why Twice is loved.
If anyone asks, Twice is among my favorite villains. Top 3, in fact. The other is Toga and, since recently, Stain.
So, yeah. DID doesn't make you a bad person.
Since learning that DID isn't something you are born with – makes sense, children aren't born with an identity – and it's caused by something particularly stressful or traumatic (ex. Twice), it makes me wonder what happened to Klein that had him develop seven personalities. Granted, with the kind of world Remnant is, there could be any number of factors. Same could be said for the MHA world.
Now, on another note…um…I didn't know what a colander was until I watched an episode of the original Blues Clues with my niece…
One last thing, a minor rant: So, there is a rank system for villains, I'm guessing the level of danger they oppose, ranging from D to S. All for One, of course, is ranked S. What was the Sludge Villain's rank?
D.
It. Was. D!
Um, hello! The guy was happy to hijack the bodies of two middle schoolers and knew full well it was going to kill them! Hell, from the way he spoke, the sludge guy has done it before! The guy should at least be ranked B! Maybe C. Just not D! That dude who Mt. Lady arrested at the beginning of the series was ranked D and he seems more like a petty criminal than the sludge villain.