xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx New York, 10: 16 a.m. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Within the hustle and bustle of an airport in the state of New York, a plane touched down onto the runway as it began its slow motion into a stop. Now at a standstill, the door to the airplane opens as out comes a myriad of different individuals but the most unusual of the passengers was a small creature dressed in a suit and tie that looked like a white rat with a scar on its face.
"My word, that's the first time I've been on a plane in ages." The rat-like man said to himself as he picked up his luggage and scratched at the scar on the right side of his face with a smile. "The attendants were even looking at me like they had seen a rodent. Well, it's mostly true." He thought as he turned around to notice a woman appearing behind him.
An attractive dark haired woman in a business suit with a miniskirt and a pair of large red glasses over her eyes, almost like those of a mask for a superhero.
"Ahhhh! Feels so good to be off that plane!" The woman proclaims as she stretched her back as she was carrying a pair of bags.
"I told you the amount of time it would take to get to America from Japan was approximately twelve hours and nineteen minutes from the airport we came from, Midnight." The rodent-like man said as he and the woman named Midnight walked down the stairs from the plane before entering the airport.
"So Nezu, I'm going to have to ask you again..." Midnight said as she looked at the rodent-like man named Nezu. "Why did we have to come all the way to the U.S. just for this idea of yours?" She asked with a raised eyebrow as some of the people begun to look at her, recognizing her.
"I guess you have a strong following as a Pro Hero even all the way over here too." Nezu said as he and Midnight looked at the groups of people looking at Midnight in awe, prompting her to look at the fans and wink in their direction.
"Always love to keep the fans happy, hehe." Midnight said as she and Nezu walked away from the fans and towards the exit. "But like I said earlier, why did we need to come all the way to America just for this idea you had?" She asked once again as they walked outside into the sunlight.
"While I originally thought about having it take place under our humble banner at the UA, I had to reconsider such efforts when I had to consider the ramifications this would have if it were to get out publicly and then the budgetary constraints that would also impact its success." Nezu explained as they stood on the sidewalk, attempting to hail a taxi with their arms outstretched.
"I hadn't considered that but it still seems like a farfetched idea. I know Eraserhead and Present Mic weren't interested in coming." Midnight said as a yellow taxi stopped in front of them as the two of them opened the doors to the backseats and entered. "Thirteen, Cementoss and Ectoplasm were willing to hear out the idea but the only truly supportive teacher back at the school was All Might." She continued.
"Given what had happened to him with his injuries and his status as the Symbol of Peace, I believe in his mind that he thinks any idea that could potentially lower crime would do the world, and by extension himself, a favor." Nezu said analytically.
"Where to?" The taxi driver asked as Midnight and Nezu looked forward at him.
"We would like to go to the location of the top hero school in the state, if you please." Nezu said as the taxi driver raised an eyebrow.
"Oh? Then you're going to want to go to Zakrello City." The taxi driver said as he begun to input a street in a GPS.
'"Zakrello?"' Midnight said toward Nezu.
"Yes, Zakrello City. Where we have a nice little pitch meeting ahead of us." Nezu said as he reached into his bag and pulled out a manila folder with three letters stamped on the side: "H.R.I."
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Zakrello City, 12:11 p.m. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Along the highway entering the city, Nezu and Midnight looked out of the windows of the taxi cab to see the city of Zakrello ahead of them in amazement. A large scale metropolis of buildings and skyscrapers reaching as high as the sky and multiple cars entering in and out on the roads.
"Wow, as big as Musutafu..." Midnight said as she stuck her head back in the car as Nezu pulled his head back in as well.
"Actually it's bigger, the population number for Zakrello, New York is roughly twenty-five percent larger than where our school operates out of." Nezu explained.
"Jeez, America really is huge..." Midnight said as she took her eye mask off and scratched her head.
"And full of crime..." The taxi driver said casually as the pair in the back looked at him. "America's been rough the past few years. "Birthplace of Heroism" is what they call the U.S. but it's also chock full of raping, drugs and murder that makes that country that "number one hero" guy; All Might comes from seem tame by comparison." He continued as Midnight inched closer to Nezu to whisper to the rodent-like man.
"Should we mention we are also from Japan?" Midnight said silently as Nezu chuckled in response.
"No, it's fine. Let's just enjoy the ride until we get to where we are going." Nezu explained as he looked out the window of the car to the busy streets of people walking and the many businesses within the city.
Deep within the city, the taxi cab had arrived in front of a large blue and white building with multiple windows and a large parking lot filled with yellow school buses. Stopping in front of the school, Nezu and Midnight exited the cab and proceeded to walk towards the entrance to the building.
"Welcome to "Starkad High," Midnight." Nezu said as he and Midnight walked towards the door. "New York states number one school for heroism." He continued as they walked around into the foyer.
"Why is it called that?" Midnight questioned.
"Glad you asked. It's named for a Greek giant of the same name who was known for many acts of heroism in mythology." Nezu said as the pair went to a room in the front area as they approached a secretary. "Pardon, we have a meeting scheduled with the princi-" He said before he suddenly was cut off by someone else speaking up.
"Guess my break ended early..." Said a large gruff sounding individual as Midnight and Nezu turned their heads.
Approaching the pair was a large and buff looking man, as large as a familiar friend of theirs from back home. Dressed in an orange suit and a pair of black shoes but what was noticeably unique about his appearance was his face and hands, covered in white feathers and a bill where his mouth is, he visually looked like a mighty muscular duck.
"It's very nice to see you again Reagan." Nezu said as he outstretched his hand for a handshake but the large duck-like man didn't extended his hand back. "Midnight, this is a friend of mine from a trip to the states I made some time ago, Reagan Canard." He continued.
"Spare me the pleasantries Nezu. I have no time for kind remarks, It's the middle of a school day." Reagan said as he shook his head left and right with an exhausted tone.
"You seem tired." Midnight said with a raised eyebrow as the pair followed Principal Canard into his office, a large scale room with brown cabinets, blue carpets and a massive desk with a computer on it in front of a window.
"You try being in charge of a high school that offers "professional heroism training" as an extracurricular and tell me if you can sleep normally." Reagan said as he sat at his desk with Nezu and Midnight sitting in a pair of chairs in front of it.
'"Extracurricular?" You mean you offer afterschool training?" Midnight questioned as Reagan turned towards Nezu.
"Didn't catch her up on the differences between America and Japans school systems?" Reagan said with a criticizing gaze.
"An oversight." Nezu said calmly before turning to Midnight. "The school systems in America operate differently than ours back home in Japan. Not just for how the days work but also how the heroism training works." He explained. "The school days are much shorter in America and schools that offer heroism are approximately three per state." Nezu continued.
"That's a hundred and fifty schools for heroism..." Midnight said in surprise at the sheer number of schools in America.
"On top of normal high schools..." Reagan said as he spoke up, reaching into a drawer in his desk. "We don't teach heroics to teenagers during the school day, unlike you nuts over in Japan." He said as Midnight turned her head towards Canard with an offended expression.
"Excuse me?" Midnight said with aggravation.
"I've never been a fan of the idea of having Pro Heroes in charge of teaching kids. Even if qualified to teach subjects in schools, I think it takes away jobs from regular professional educators who could use the experience to help children." Reagan said as he looked at Midnight.
"I am a teacher and a hero..." Midnight said with a glare.
"That said, I don't have a problem with you being both on a personal level... But I think all schools should have teachers from all walks of life, even if they aren't heroes, to teach scholarly subjects." Reagan said as she continued to glare at him. "Here in the states, we don't teach heroics training during the school days, instead it's an afterschool program. Away from the possibility of the kids getting hurt and not being able to learn during the day." He continued as Midnight calmed down slightly.
"I... Don't necessarily disagree with that opinion..." Midnight thought with a troubled expression.
"You have the right to your opinion." Nezu said as he spoke up.
"America has been considered the "Birthplace of Professional Heroism." It's a country that never sleeps when it comes to crime and the people that try to fight it." Reagan said as he flipped through some papers. "And if that's true, we need all the help we can get..." He continued as he grabbed a pen and proceeded to sign some of the forms on his desk.
"Funny you mention that." Nezu said as he prompted Midnight to look at him. "The reason for this visit actually has to do with teaching young impressionable children." He said as he reached into his suitcase, pulling out the marked manila folder from before. "I had a little idea I wanted to pass along to you." Nezu said.
"Not interested." Reagan said, immediately shooting down Nezu.
"He didn't even say anything yet and you're already saying "no?"' Midnight said with a stern look in her eyes.
'Do I look like the kind of guy who is willing to just take random school ideas from people who operate under different parameters than my district?" Reagan said as he put down his pen.
"It's alright Midnight, I was expecting that." Nezu said, his smiling never leaving his face.
"I'm surprised you're so calm right now..." Midnight said as she looked at her rodent-like friend.
"Part of the reason we came here was because I felt like you're the person I felt was the most appropriate for being in charge." Nezu said as Principal Canard eyed Nezu with a look of suspicion.
"...In charge of what?" Reagan said as he sat back in his chair. "Just get to the point, no sugar-coating..." He asked as Nezu got up from his chair and placed the folder on Reagans desk as the duck-like man stared at the folder and the large letters placed on it: "H.R.I."
"This is an idea I had for a program. Originally, I thought of it being done back in Japan but then I had to consider the possibility of it getting out and how it would stir trouble if the UA was labelled as an associate." Nezu explained.
"...And you think this little idea of yours is okay to be here at Starkad High? Why?" Reagan asked.
"In Japan, this idea would be considered a "social disruption." But here in America... This idea would be considered a test of societal advancement." Nezu said. "Things are different here, and if it succeeds, it will eventually spill to the other parts of the world." He continued as Reagan squinted at Nezu before grabbing the folder.
"...Alright, I'll bite... What is this idea of yours?" Reagan said as he opened it up and begun to skim through the contents.
"A simple thought came into my head several months before the new school year started, a new batch of young impressionable children all wanting to become heroes entering our school who tried their best to pass the UA entrance exam and the rest who failed to enter the hero course going home." Nezu said as he reminisced. "I thought to myself; "we help people by making heroes out of teens but not all villainy starts at birth."' He continued as Reagan raised an eyebrow.
"What does that mean?" Reagan said in response as he stopped reading the handout.
"The problem of villainy doesn't start at birth, it starts at adolescence. When boys and girls start to become more developed and realize things about the hero society we all live in. While our countries have different stances on how to adapt to it, one thing does stay the same; villains always will exist and heroes will be needed to stop them." Nezu explained. "But if we could stop villainy at the source of its creation and make the world even more safe?" He questioned as Midnight looked at Principal Canard, attempting to read his expression to see his reaction.
"And you believe adolescence is the "source" of all criminal activity?" Reagan said in a critical tone.
"He seems skeptical..." Midnight thought as she turned back to looking at Nezu.
"Not technically... But it is one of the major start points." Nezu replied.
"Hmmmm..." Reagan mumbled to himself.
"So I had an idea... How do we convince young teens who don't believe they have the opportunities to make it? To steer them off villainy and crime? And make the world safer by extension... It's the job of educators such as ourselves to point kids in the right direction, after all." Nezu said as Reagan shifted his eyes to Midnight before glancing back to Nezu, pondering his words. "Kids from damaged households, gang life, villainous parentage and even lesser activity such as that like cheating, stealing or ne'er-do-well behavior. I don't want to believe that as an educator, we can't reach these individuals like we do the children who make it into our heroics training schools." He said with a serious tone, all while never losing the smile on his face.
'"H.R.I..." An abbreviation for "Heroics Reforming Initiative." Reagan said as he put the folder down. "So... Based on these forms... You want me to approve teaching heroism training to underprivileged teens because you think it will keep them on the straight and narrow by getting them to believe even they can do good in our world?" He said.
"To simplify things, you almost got it right." Nezu said as Midnight and Reagan looked at him with confused looks. "I believe we can use heroism for more than just making a new breed of professional heroes, I believe we can convince kids already in the "school to prison pipeline" that they still have a chance." He explained.
"Well... I managed to understand that part. Nobody is perfect, we've all had our rough patches in life. Who's to say it's fair we don't give a second chance to kids who couldn't get lucky?" Midnight said with an earnest tone as Reagan picked back up the folder and examined it for a moment.
"...He's serious..." Reagan thought as he looked at Nezu before taking a deep breath. "I'll pass." He said as he put down the folder as Midnights eyes widened in surprise but Nezu's facial expression still didn't change.
"What do you mean "you'll pass?!"' Midnight said loudly as she stood up from her chair.
"I honestly don't believe it will work." Reagan said with his arms folded. "It's bad enough around this city, let alone the whole country when it comes to criminal activity and now you want me to endorse a project like this that could create a media whirlwind of controversy?" He asked as Nezu just continued to look at him. "But I do have one question? Why come to me?" Reagan asked with suspicion once again.
"Because I believed the level of success of the project hinges on who's the person in charge. Someone who can be stern but fair." Nezu said as the two stared at eachother. "I've known you from over the years as a fellow educator from times I've come to America and every time we have talked, you have always came off as a person who is "stern but fair."' He continued.
"Should I consider that an insult or a compliment?" Reagan said in response.
"Take for what you will. But I believe the H.R.I. project could succeed with your guidance. Like I said before, I have no ability to monitor the project at the UA but here in the states, there's possible room for success with you in charge." Nezu said as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a card with an array of numbers on it. "My cellphone number, if you wish to discuss ideas. Let's go for now, Midnight." He said as he got up from his chair with Midnight following as they were about to leave the room.
"So that's it? You're leaving me with this folder?" Reagan said as Nezu simply nodded in response before exiting the room.
"Oh, one last thing." Midnight said as she looked at Principal Canard. "If you're criticizing pro heroes being educators, what's all that then?" She said as she pointed at one of the cabinets before sticking her tongue out at him before leaving the room, prompting Reagan to look at where she was pointing.
Within one of the cabinets was an array of photos of a familiar buff duck-like man in a black and gray heroic outfit with a mask that covered over his entire face and bill as well as said mask on a tiny pedestal on one of the shelves.
"...I should really consider redecorating." Reagan said to himself as he shook his head before looking at the folder once more. "Hmmmm..." He mumbled to himself as he stood up from his chair and looked at the window behind his desk, watching Nezu and Midnight walking out of the school before turning back to look at the folder. "Little bastard thinks this idea could work... "Smartest creature in the world" my webbed feet..." Reagan thought in a critical tone.
Sitting back down at his desk, Reagan began to go on his computer to do his principal duties until he glanced back at the folder once again. Shaking his head left and right, he rolled eyes as he opened up a new tab on his computer.
"This is so not going to work, finding teens to use as subjects is going to be hard enough as it is... But if he's the one fronting the bill... Ugh, I'm going to regret this..." Reagan thought as he opened up a set of websites; one for scholastic backgrounds and a news site for recent criminal activity.
With Nezu and Midnight arriving in the U.S. of A, they brought with them a simple idea; what if potentially villainous teens and kids of underprivileged backgrounds could be training in heroism to reform them from their devious ways? And the man they went to pitch the idea, Reagan Canard, principal of Starkad High, isn't 100% on board with the plan. But it doesn't look like he's not interested in seeing how things play out. Welcome to My Hero Academia: The H.R.I. Project.
Author's Note: (Yes, this is a reboot.)
