The screen flickered for a bit before the author appears.
*Hey guys Hakuorofan7 here and welcome back to another chapter of The Hero and The Kaiju.*
*Anyway this chapter is actually half of one that I had planned to release in December, but life got in the way. So I decided to split it in half with this chapter covering Day 13 while the next one Day 10.*
*Anyway this chapter covers Izuku and Erika reuniting after the incident, and I believe it is quite the touching scene.*
*Anyway let us begin, shall we.*
*First off I do not own My Hero Academia or Godzilla.*
*Finally just sit back, relax, maybe put some music on, and enjoy. I will see you all at the end of the chapter.*
The author snaps his fingers as the screen flickers and the chapter begins.
Hope Renewed
(3rd POV - U.A. Training Grounds - Erika Containment Cell - 13 days ago)
"Dr. Tōga, Dr. Mifune what is the status of the Shiragami compound and of this Kaiju infecting Erika." Director Serizawa said as he sat in an office table set up along with Graham, Principle Nezu, All Might in his hero form, Agent Aoki, and the two doctors with two briefcases set up.
Agent Gordon being absent as he was tasked to pick up Agent Dupre at the airport and giving her a full briefing when the meeting was called.
It had been three days since Erika's possession and security had improved greatly, though it appeared to have been no need.
Erika had been for the lack of a better term lethargic since she woke up. Barely responding to anything.
Even as some of the scientists actually brave enough to volunteer to pick any small crystals that started to emerge from her body every now and then or to take genetic samples
The only times she actually seemed to briefly return to her self was when she didn't want to be bothered when she would roar or lash out with her vines.
Along with one instance when someone suggested a name for the unnamed Kaiju, SpaceGorjira.
A ridiculous name and judging by the mixture of anger and laughter in Erika's roars after hearing that.
No one knew if it was just Erika herself or if the Kaiju had only briefly surfaced for a few moments.
The scientific staff stationed at the temporary base had been working around the clock to figuring out how to lower the fatality rate of the Shiragami compound.
Which in little over an hour ago, they had.
"Little over an hour ago the two of us had finally exhausted all modern methods to improving the Shiragami compound...safe to say Erika had us beat with her calculations if only by a single precent, literally." Yujiro said as he pulled out of one of the brief cases two syringes with the Shiragami compound, the second one a darker color then the first and presumably second batches. Along with two small slabs of Erika's flesh, getting Nezu and All Might to wince.
The former looking out a nearby window at Erika with some sympathy before steeling himself.
"Both batches are equally effected, although the third batch has a faster rated of breaking down Erika's DNA." Mifune said as both he and Yujiro injected the syringes into the flesh, both began to calcify.
With the flesh injected by the third batch began to break down and dissolve faster then the second batch.
"As you can see the third batch has a much higher rate of decay then the first, however inversely it has a strange effects on the Kaiju's crystals." Yujiro said as he pulled out two small crystals from the briefcase.
Both scientists pulled out another syringe and injected each crystal with the Shiragami compound.
Only for the crystal injected with the second batch to almost immediately be eaten away, shattering and quickly breaking down to the surprise of everyone there.
"Honestly given Erika's clear hatred of the Kaiju, this should have been expected." Aoki noted.
"But this also brings into question if Erika truly knew the full effects the Shiragami compound as well." Graham said.
"Then I believe we will not be getting any answers from her at the moment." All Might sighed out.
"True, but she seems to have had enough understanding to modify it that second batch of the Shiragami compound has a predicted chance of fatality at 98.2%." Mifune said.
"While with modern methods combined Erika's batch has resulted in a predicted fatality rate of 97.4%. So there is a 2.6% chance if we use the third batch that it could cure Erika, but that is too small of a percentile to tell what could happen. Without the binding agent it would most likely still result in a painful death." Yujiro said, getting Serizawa to sigh out.
"I see, are you sure there is no other way to improve the Shiragami compound or any idea what the bonding agent is?" He asked, getting the scientists to shake their heads.
"I'm afraid not, we have exhausted all conventual means of modern science to improve the Shiragami compound. With some time we might be able to improve Erika's chances to survival but it will be minute." Mifune sighed out.
"That and Erika is running out of time. She could possibly be gone before we could even find the bonding agent." Yujiro said, opening the second brief case to revealed several laminated pictures of Erika's cells.
He began to pass them out as everyone gained a grime look on their faces at hearing the news, with Nezu and Serizawa immediately looking over the pictures handed out.
The pictures were photos of Erika's cells on a daily basis from when she first returned to Earth to now.
With certain parts highlighted from the second photo onward, progressively getting larger and larger slowly.
Until cells dated to Erika's possession showed that it covered a good portion of her cell, before the next photo showed cell returned to normal except some more areas were highlighted and it continued one grow worse.
"I have been expecting something like this, but the difference between the before and after the Kaiju's emergence is a little jarring." Serizawa noted, the picture going from just a tiny portion of Erika's cells to over a third of it being affected.
"Especially what we thought, but it would make sense in order to Kaiju to have gained a foothold as it did. The infection rate had been small, but gradually doubling over time from 1.5% in the first week to 3% right before her possession. Post possession Erika's infection rate had risen to 6.25% precent that day and is now over 7.06% infection rate as of the last test samples." Yujiro said with a shake of his head.
"Factoring in the corruption of Erika's cells and if she is no longer possessed again then by our calculations and the rate of infection Erika could be beyond our help in exactly 8 weeks time." Mifune said sadly.
"And leaving only the Kaiju to remain." Nezu said seriously. "Judging by my calculations if it takes her over again then we would have 27 days, 7 hours, and 2 minutes to find a bonding agent to prevent a worst case scenario. Give or take 50 seconds."
"Then we have no time to lose. Dr. Mifune, Dr. Tōga I suggest that you both start working on finding that binding agent immediately." Director Serizawa said as the two began to pack their results away.
"Believe us, we already had people starting to work on finding the bonding agent before we came here." Yujiro said as he and Mifune packed everything up.
"Good, Aoki you are in charge of improving security based on what we saw of the Kaiju's capabilities. I know you already have, just make sure to improve upon what we have as close to perfection as you can get. Incase we ever reach a worst case scenario." Serizawa said seriously.
"Already one it director." Agent Aoki said as he got up and left to do his task.
Nezu turned to face All Might as he coughed up blood and turned back to his regular form.
"Toshinori do you believe it is time for Midoriya to be brought back?" Nezu inquired, getting the man to nod.
"I do, he has been doing better with coming to terms with what happened. But I am still unsure how Young Midoriya would react to meeting Erika face to face. Or how Erika will react to him." All Might sighed out.
He had been monitoring him while doing some light training while his shoulder healed. The Number One Hero was thankful that Young Midoriya was not infected with anything, but it would leave a small scar on his shoulder.
Something Inko chided him about when covering up Midoriya's injury as a training accident.
Which was technically true, the worst in history but a training accident none the less.
Anyways, Midoriya had shown to have recovered. But interacting with Erika could end negatively for the both of them with the possibility of the Kaiju reemerging once again.
Leaving it as a bit of a volatile situation if handled wrongly.
"Your concerns are valid, but perhaps it is best to reunite the two of them. Erika is become less and less responsive by the day. With her mental health in such a decay there could be a chance for the Kaiju to take hold." Graham said with a sigh.
"So it would be paramount to bring Midoriya to meet her and with all the guards and failsafes, it should be sufficient enough to prevent another incident." Nezu said, getting All Might to sigh as he got up from his chair.
"Then I will be going him right now. And will be telling him everything going on with Erika." All Might said as he walked to door, a small smile on his face.
Young Midoriya was not going to like this news. But All Might was certain that his young protege could handle it after the last attack.
(Izuku POV - 1 hour later)
I could barely handle it when I first got the news.
After school All Might picked me up from school and have me the bad new.
There was only 8 weeks left until Monarch believed Erika was beyond the point of a cure.
And a little less than for 4 weeks incase she was possessed by the Kaiju again. And from the sounds of it they expected it to happen again.
Just thinking about it causes my shoulder to ache.
Mom was not happy by the scar left behind, but at least it was nothing more then a scratch after getting healed by Recovery Girl. But after spending sometime thinking about it, I suppose it was like a mark of a hero. Or a villain. Or just someone who has overcome the odds. Most hero's have one, especially All Might's from whatever villain that I dread to think of that nearly killed him. Considering that the Kaiju's crystal nearly impaled Snipe or could have impaled me through the shoulder I suppose it was a small price to pay. And something tells me it will there will be quite a few more like...
"Young Midoriya your mumbling again." All Might said, temporarily breaking me out of my thoughts.
"Sorry." I said.
I really need to get a handle on that.
Anyway there was at least the good news that there was a slim chance to cure her with the Shiragami compound, but there was a major chance that she could die.
Given that she had also been borderline unresponsive ever since the incident, it was honestly quite a shock.
Considering how Erika usually acts, hearing this disheartened me. And it was only getting worse.
So here I was, at the door for Erika's containment cell, ready to do something I should have done at least a day after the incident.
"Are you sure you're ready for this?" All Might asked, getting me to nod.
"I am." I said with a firm resolve.
"Alright, then let's do this and I will be right behind you." All Might said as he opened the first security door to
see a tale, pale, unkempt man in worn out black clothing and a large grey scarf in the room before Erika. "Aizawa, what are you doing here?"
He looked familiar to me, but I couldn't quite place it. Partly due to the inquisitive look he was giving me had me in edge.
"Nezu ordered me as back up incase Erika tries anything." Aizawa said before facing me. "So this is the problem child that you have been training then?" He added.
Problem child?!
"Now Aizawa-" All Might tried to say, but Aizawa cut him off.
"Whatever the reason I could careless." Aizawa said apathetically. "What you can not deny is the boy is a walking trouble magnet. In just the past two weeks he has met the first Kaiju in over 250 years, gained the attention of a global organization and Kayama, ambushed in an alleyway by a junior high aged criminal, and found himself nearly a victim in the first Kaiju attack in centuries. Considering he is about to enter a room with Erika in her current condition, I believe that qualifies."
"Hate to say it Midoriya, but I have to agree with Aizawa. It seems you have had quite the string of bad luck lately." All Might said with a sigh.
"It would seem so." I said, agreeing with him.
"Aside from that, as I said you are willing to walk into a dangerous situation." Aizawa said, his tone even as he started to approach the two of us. "Erika could possibly get taken over at anytime. It is only a matter of time before the Kaiju fully takes her over. Even if the Shiragami compound is finished there could still be a good chance it will kill the both of them."
I gulped upon hearing that as the Aizawa stopped in his tracks and I finally recognized him by his scarf, or rather his capture tool
Erasure Head, an underground hero and infamous for expelling an entire class from U.A. last year.
He was more intimidating in person, which wasn't helping my nerves with what he he was saying.
"Either way there is still a good chance Erika will die. Either in agony for a potential cure or the Kaiju taking over. The former option is a mercy and the second option is a potential blight on us all." Aizawa said seriously. "Once you leave this room, you better be prepared to own whatever decision you make and the consiquences that will follow."
I was shaking a little right now, the underground hero's words weighing heavily on my mind.
Make one mistake and it would be just like three days ago and speeding up the process of Erika's death. And if that does come to fruition and add in there were still Erika's spores in the atmosphere...
I turned pale as I realized if the Kaiju fully took over Erika it had everything it needed to reconstruct itself on Earth. And if it did so, there was literally no telling what it could do.
It was such a freighting possiblity, one that might come true if something goes wrong.
But I've had three days to think about what I was going to do when I saw Erika next. So I was going to do everything I can to make sure that it doesn't happen.
"I know. I've have had plenty of time to think what I was going to do. Even knowing what will happen I will still do everything I can and beyond to help Erika. If I can't help her when she has put so much faith in my, then how can I become a hero who can save anyone?" I said, shakily at first but gaining traction. Letting lose what I truly believed.
All Might smiled at my words while Eraser Head remained silent for a few moments before speaking once again.
"And what if all your effort goes to waste? What will you do if the only is to give her mercy." Aizawa said bluntly.
"If it comes to it...then I will be there for her. I promised Erika that I would help her. If there is truly nothing we can do, then the very least I can do is be there for when the time comes for her to pass on." I said trembling before steeling myself. "But until then I will do everything I can to save her!"
Over these three days I have considered the possibility of giving Erika the chance to move on. Her first death had resulted in her father bringing her back to life and turning her into a Kaiju.
So now there was finally a chance for her to be given her finally rest.
Well also giving her the chance to being as close to human again as possible.
So unless the possibility of the Kaiju taking full control or Erika does wish to move on, I am not giving up on helping her.
Aizawa stayed silent for a few moments, before grinning. A sight that unserved me a little.
"So it seems like you are ready. Good, because I hate dragging kids into situations they are not prepared for." Aizawa said before he dropped his grin and began to walk behind me. "You have already experience some of the dangers a hero faces daily. But there is one you have not. There are times a hero can't save everyone. Nothing you can to prepare for it, only to prevent it. Even then there is still the chance of failure. Just be ready for it when the time comes."
With that he walked past me as I just nodded at his words.
It was a risk all heros had to face, but never shows up in media as often as it should be in my opinion. There have even been lawsuits of heros fudging such results just for the sake of gaining popularity even with clear proof.
Thankfully a majority of those cases have gotten called out on for such deplorable acts, but sadly there were always cases that fall through the cracks or overturned.
So I guess that was Erasure Head's way of just be ready for the reality of Erika's death if it comes down to it.
Something that I wasn't all that sure I could handle if it came down for it.
The doors to Erika's cell opened and All Might placed a hand on my shoulder.
I turned to face him and despite his smile he looked tired. There wasn't that much crime reported out in the city so there was still plenty of time for his limit.
Was it what Aizawa said. All Might has always saved everyone he could ever since his debut and his time in the states.
Maybe it was sometime off the books, like with what caused his injury?
"You can do this Midoriya, we'll be right behind you." All Might said, breaking me out if my thoughts.
I just nodded at that as the door opened and I walked into Erika's cell, making a note to ask All Might about it later.
In the cell I saw multiple agents and Snipe looking like they were ready to intervene if necessary, something that I hope it doesn't come to that.
Up above I also noticed that Director Serizawa, Deputy Director Graham, and Agent Gordon were observing the events going on. Along with someone I didn't recognize.
A young woman with black hair with a bang partially covering her left eye and lose black suit with a violet shirt.
I think I have an idea on who she might be, but I need to check on Erika first.
Looking at the otherwise of the room I saw that she was lying down on the ground, looking a little paler then usual and barely moving.
I took a few more steps towards her before Erika noticed me. She let out a soft roar and proceeded to move away from me.
This isn't good, usually now Erika would have wrapped me up in her vines at this point. She still might blame herself for what happened. While she did not tell anyone about what happened, it was the Kaiju to blame for my shoulder and going on a rampage.
"Erika I'm alright like I promised. So please let me talk to you." I said to her.
Erika hesitated for a few moments and let out a low roar before moving closer to me slowly.
She reached out a vine towards me ever so gently before tracing over my left shoulder and letting out a sorrowful roar.
"I'm alright Erika, not even a scratch though there is a scar." I said, getting Erika to roar even louder.
And for a small crystal to grow on her head.
Probably shouldn't have said that!
But she needed to hear what I had to say next.
"But it's alright Erika, it is something I anticipated for when I become a hero. It wasn't your fault, it was that Kaiju's fault. Besides I consider it a reminder." I said, getting Erika to look at me in confusion. "A reminder to the promise I made to help you...or a reminder of everything we had been through together if the time comes for it."
Erika drew herself closer to me slowly, before wrapping me in her vines and began to nuzzle against me while roaring softly.
It was an outcome we both knew that was a possible outcome for a while now, but it still didn't hurt less for either one of us to think about...
"There is only 8 weeks left according to Monarch, less so the more the Kaiju takes over. Incase they don't have the anything, at least I will have something to help remember you by besides memories. And I will always cherish our time together." I said, trying not to tear up and failing as Erika stopped nuzzling me. "But as you had written on the wall, I was the one to have given you hope in so long. So until the very end, I will not let your hope in me to go misplaced."
Taking a deep breath, I composed myself a little bit. Although the tears kept streaming down my cheek while doing so.
"Because no matter what Erika I will do everything I can to help you and even if there is nothing that can be done I will still be there the entire way. But I am not giving up yet, there is still a chance for the Shiragami compound to work. So there is still hope. But I have something to ask you Erika?" I asked, getting Erika to let out a small growl in reply.
Taking that as a yes, I brushed off some of my tears before continuing.
"Please don't keep anything like the Kaiju hidden from us again. If you even suspect tell us anything. So we can prevent another incident from happening again and we focus on working on improving the Shiragami compound faster without worrying about possession. Can you promise me that Erika?" I asked.
She remained silent for a moment before one of her vines reached for her head and ripped out the crystal on her head.
Briefly letting out a roar that for a split second sound like the Kaiju's and caused a shudder down my spine.
Followed soon after by the sound of a static buzz and multiple guns being clicked from above.
"Hold your fire, there is nothing to worry about." Snipe called from up above, putting his gun down.
However he seemed to be the only one as everybody else looked tense on the upper floor. Even down here Erasure Head had his capture scarf ready to deploy and even All Might looked a little uneasy.
Most worrying was that the woman that had been with the directors and Agent Gordon, which wasn't a good sign.
Considering that noise, I believe that was the proof that woman was Agent Dupre.
Before I could even worry about what could happen, Erika shook the vine holding the crystal to get the blood off of it.
The wound on her head closed and she gently placed the crystal in her hand. Getting me to flinch once I saw it.
A trans-orange colored crystal, like the kind on the crest that adored Erika when the Kaiju took over.
She let out a soft roar before using her vines to move me over to a patch of dirt that she just finished writing in.
It read:
'I promise Izuku.
For days I feared the worst, what you would think after what that abomination had done...guess I had nothing to worry about.
Since you still believe in me so strongly, I have hope that this cure will work.
But incase it doesn't, well I do believe that this crystal would be a better reminder then that scar. Make sure to keep it close.
Consider it a reminder of your promise, a small way to thank you, and...to tell you that...you are my hero Izuku.'
I stood there for a second, just processing what she wrote while Erika looked away while letting out a soft growl.
I started to tear up once more.
She thought of me as her hero...this is the first time anyone has ever thought of me like that.
To think of me as a hero...I couldn't even muster the words or thoughts for such a thing.
"E-Erika!" I cried out as I wrapped my arms around her neck and started to cry, getting a startled roar from her.
My body moved on it's own as I started to break down.
But not out of sadness, but of happiness.
"T-Thank you Erika...for makin my dream come true, even if just a small part!" I cried out. "So we are going to make it through with whatever comes next...to make your dream a reality!"
Erika let out a loud roar before embracing me in her vines.
It hurt a little, but I could careless at the moment.
The both of us were just too happy to care.
There was no way I was going to give up on Erika. Not then, not now, and certainly not in the future.
There is still time and I was going to make sure anyway I can that Erika regains a human form. She considers me her hero and if I failed to help her and everything we have been through...how could I be a hero who can save anyone...
(3rd POV - Erika's Containment Cell - 2nd Floor)
"Looks like we had nothing to worry about, just like I thought." Snipe said as he walked up to Serizawa.
"It would seem so, but we are going to have to get Erika checked out. That roar was too similar to the Kaiju's to my liking. Along with the orange crystal, no other had been found except for the incident." Serizawa said seriously.
"Correct, but I believe we should postpone it just for a little while. Just let them have sometime together." Graham said, gesturing down towards both Erika and Izuku.
Serizawa wanted to tell her otherwise, but Gordon spoke up.
"Let the green bean have this, they deserve it after what happened. 10-15 minutes with each other wouldn't hurt anyone." Gordon said gruffly.
"That and this is just too precious." Graham muttered under her breath.
Serizawa sighed before a small smile graced his face.
"Very well than." The director said before activating his earpiece. "Agent Dupre disengage, the situation is all clear."
All Might and Aizawa heard the sound of a weapon being hoisted and turned to see Agent Dupre.
"It would seem like I wasn't needed." Dupre said, before looking at Izuku and Erika."Nor did I expect for the kid to reason with a Kaiju."
"Been telling myself that for the past 2 and a half weeks." Aizawa muttered out. "Director Serizawa sent you as back up then."
"Incase the Kaiju manifests." Dupre said, her tone a little cold before sighing. "But I was not expecting this. After observing the situation for weeks it is difficult nto believe."
"That it is, but I've always had faith in Midoriya. If he believes so strongly that we can cure Erika before it is too late." All Might said with pride, smiling at his successor.
Dupre just gave him a silent nod before looking back at the kid and Kaiju before vanishing. A static buzz hanging in the air was the only indication that she was even there.
"I'll take that as my cue to switch shifts. Word of warning Yamada is taking my place, and you can imagine how he will react to this." Erasure Head said, getting All Might to wince.
"I'll keep that in mind" All Might said.
"And All Might, that problem child of yours has the conviction to be a hero. But he has a lot to work on." Aizawa said before walking away.
All Might could only nod in agreement before coughing a little blood and shifting back to his true form.
"You're right Aizawa, but Young Midoriya is nearly ready." All Might said, wiping away the blood and smiling at Izuku and Erika. "A true hero saves not only lives but also their spirits. I believe that you were a true hero today, wouldn't you agree Master?"
(Izuku POV- Modern Day)
After that they took Erika for some more tests, and thankfully there was no signs of the Kaiju emerging or another spike of infection.
Though she did lash out when Monarch tried to take the crystal from me.
I have it around my neck right now, rarely taking it off during the day, except during at school. Don't want to risk it getting stolen. Or having to risk explaining it.
Mom already found out and told her the partial truth, it was a friend named Erika that I meet training under All Might over 2 weeks ago. She currently undergoing treatments to help her out. It was to keep a promise I made to her and to help her when she gets better.
I had to calm mom down as the tears wouldn't stop. She was proud of me and has made it very clear she wants meet her once Erika gets better.
With me partially dreading them ever meeting when the time comes.
Anyway things slightly fell back into a rhythm after that day, minus getting an autograph from President Mic.
Only main difference was All Might and Agent Gordon decided to extend sparring sessions daily for up to an hour.
It was nothing but an uphill battle when it came to that part of training...
But all that soon changed once again when they found the last component three days later.
The screen flickered as the chapter ends and the author reappears.
*Hey guys Hakuorofan7 here and I hoped that you all enjoyed this chapter.*
*As you can see both Izuku and Erika have grown closer and are doing better. Along with Izuku picking up on a few lessons that are important in the line of hero work including from Aizawa along with continuing to grow into himself and becoming more of a hero.*
*Though they are now racing against the clock and a parasitic Kaiju to finish the Shiragami compound.*
*However next chapter will show that things are looking up for Erika, and a... pleasant surprise for both you guys and Izuku. Either way it will be out a week from now, so I hope that you all will enjoy it when it comes out.*
*Now before we head out there is two things I would like to say.*
*First off there will only be two more chapters of this arc after the next one and the next two will be long so I hope that you will enjoy them.*
*Finally I just want to once again thank you all for the support on this story, because the support you all have shown for it has surpassed anything I could imagine when I started it. So once again, thank you all for everything, couldn't have done any of this without you. *
*Anyway I believe that is all for now.*
*If you have any questions just leave a message or PM and I will get back to you when I can.*
*So until next time, ciao!*
The author waves goodbye as the screen fades to black.
