Galaxy Creator of Pisces: Yeah, I wasn't gonna write it anyways. I just thought it would be funny to see him freak tf out when a marine punches him in the face. I don't think he'd be very fun to write or read in OP world, either. He'd be in constant shock and fear. I bet Mirio would be better to write there, too. Just trying to live the best he could in that world. But I never seriously considered writing a story like that.

CarBarrier: Thank you!


More Mirio and Ace time! And some dark parts in this chapter, too. Poor fluffy Mirio. :( Enjoy~


Ace left after that, hurrying to Nighteye's to finally work again. He opened the door and ran in, booted feet making clacking noises before he stopped in front of the boss's desk. "Hello, Ace. It's good to see you again." Ace smiled and then bowed, apologizing for the delay. "It is fine. Working as a hero when not mentally or emotionally healthy would not be good. I understand, believe me."

Ace's face was red, but it calmed. Mirio walked in and said, "Ace! You're back! Patrols have been so boring without you. And we finally got to go out of the city, too." Ace smiled and said it was good to be back. "So, how did the provisional license test go?" Ace frowned, making Mirio frown and Nighteye stop typing.

"A villain got in. Impersonating a student," Ace replied. Both other men looked shocked and then angry. "I found her and got her out, but she got away in the police cruiser. Luckily, she was still injured badly. So the rest of them must be as well. But the rest was fun. Made up for it a bit."

Mirio said, "Oh yeah! You got to play the villain. How'd that go?" Ace chuckled but answered honestly.

"Well, I may have gone a little too hard. Wouldn't be surprised if there was some emotional trauma to be honest. What, I got too into character. I was great at it though. Second time I played the villain. We even had the actors playing victims shout at me stuff like 'this wasn't the plan' and 'we trusted you'.

"Thanks to me, many people failed. They were too scared to do anything and their survivors died on them." Nighteye laughed.

"Well, it sounds like it was a realistic simulation. So I commend you on that. It is better to go overboard than to leave the students with an unrealistic expectation of villains. Not all of them are weak." Ace and Mirio nodded. They were going on a patrol, and Ace was forced to have a walkie talkie to the agency so he could communicate if Mirio couldn't.

He grudgingly accepted it, and he and Mirio left, walking to the bullet train. Ace was looking at the lights of the city from the window. "You know, one of the worst parts about the world for me is that you can barely see the stars." Mirio nodded, remembering that Ace lived on a ship, so he saw the stars every night. "The stars are great to look at. It's a bummer I can't here."

"So, how did your time go back home?" Mirio asked, almost hesitantly. Ace turned to him and beamed, not wanting him to worry.

"It went well. I was happy. Unlike last time. The two weeks here with Marco really fixed me up. I've accepted that this might end up being my life. The cave plan might not work, might not even be there anymore," Ace explained. "I told Pops to fire me from my position if I become that messed up again."

Mirio was shocked. "Isn't that going a bit too far, Ace? You didn't mean to be so upset," he said slowly. Ace made eye contact with him and replied.

"If Nighteye shrugged off his responsibilities to cry and become an alcoholic, shouting at his fellow workers, would he still be suitable for the job? Remember, I'm in a place of power back home. I should not be allowed to be like that when my division needs me." Mirio looked sad, but understood. It was true that a leader can't act like that without repercussions. "I'm just grateful I have a second chance, y'know? My only other chance and I won't fuck it up." Then he smiled, lifting the mood.

When they arrived at their destination, it was another stealth mission. Ace was the one to make sure nobody was in the building Mirio was entering, so it was safe for him to go in through the walls and meet no enemies.

He opened the door from the inside and let Ace in. They quietly searched the jewelry shop for any unusual crystals. There was a dangerous villain who could manipulate sediments, and many had reported seeing him here.

They already knew his schedule based on Bubble Girl and her partner patrolling. So they knew he was from this building, but they had to have concrete evidence. "Found one," Ace said, holding up an unusual shaped crystal that was fused with granite, limestone and sandstone. So, something that was impossible in nature.

They were both wearing gloves so their fingerprints wouldn't be there when they took it in. The police weren't involved because they were too obvious. Too noisy and predictable. Nobody would expect two non professionals to be the ones to sneak in. Plus, the police would use force to get inside.

If the villain wasn't there, he wouldn't return as he would know his location was compromised. They went inside soundlessly and didn't leave a trace that they were there. And Ace made sure to pick from the cup of many of them instead of one from the jewelry case. So the man wouldn't miss one being missing, along with one tool he used to cut through the rock. It should have his fingerprint.

Quirks always had weaknesses. This guy's was that he lost the strength to contort or take apart the more he used his power in one sitting. So he had to have tools to use once his power was depleted. They heard a jingle of keys and Mirio hurried out the wall. Ace looked up and he got the idea.

He hurried up the stairs as fire to not make footsteps and opened a window, climbing out and then closing it before dropping down for Mirio to catch him so there was no risk of a sound coming from Ace's landing. Using flames would have gotten attention.

Ace made sure that the area was clear and the villain away from any doors and windows before they hurried away. The mission was a success. They were a great team. The one thing, well one of the main things, that he didn't want to leave behind was his friendship with Mirio. And his friendship with All Might. Those were the things that mattered to him most in this world.

But, if he could… he would leave. He still wanted to go back to normal. He didn't know if he'd ever want to stay how this was. Going back and forth between two very different worlds. He accepted it, but that didn't mean he wanted it.

More professional heroes took their evidence and acted on it, arresting the man easily once they knew where he was for sure. They couldn't barge in without a warrant since they had no definitive proof that it was him. Only a strong hunch. But they needed proof, and Ace and Mirio got it for them. Succeeding was a good way to end the night.

The next morning, all of the students were gathered, with the teachers in front. Ace hadn't been sure where to stand until All Might indicated that he stand near him. This was the first time he was in front of the whole school, and made himself look bored.

To say Nezu didn't have a way with words was an understatement. Ace was proud of himself not laughing about how weird he was talking. About human fur and other odd things before he finally got on topic, switching from strangeness to depressing, talking about All Might losing and all of the dark changes, what they'd gone through at the summer camp. Then he got to the real subject: hero internships. Like what Ace was doing.

He wondered if anyone would go to the Nighteye's Agency. He was expecting Mirio would introduce himself soon enough. He hoped he didn't get naked in front of all of the students. He had told Ace it was lucky he hadn't accidentally gone nude when they first met.

Ace was confused to say the least, and a little horrified until Mirio explained what he meant. Sometimes his clothes slip through him when he used his powers. Luckily, that had never happened with Ace around. It would be weird and awkward.

Back at home, they shared the main bathtubs, so were used to seeing other naked dudes. But they were his brothers. Didn't make it not uncomfortable, but there it wasn't strange. In this world, people didn't really bathe together besides when they went to hot springs, where they wear towels around their waists. Another difference in the world, though not a big one.

Nezu's topic changed a bit again to being inspirational and emotional. About how all of them, no matter which course they were in, were all new members of society. And things would change with them.

He finally looked to the right and saw Mirio and the two other members of the school's "big 3". He'd never actually met them since Ace had to work for the school and then go to his part-time "job". It didn't feel like an internship to him. Mirio smiled at him and Ace smiled back before going back to his neutral, serious look. Standing up straight and looking ahead, though his body looked relaxed, one hand in his pocket.

After his performance of a very convincing villain, he did his best to look harmless around the students. And he hadn't missed the expressions of either slight fear or awe when he ran into other students on campus. Not even just those in the hero courses. Class 1-A moved past it quickly (besides Mineta, who was terrified), even if Bakugo was still pissed about not passing and Ace being relatively unharmed by him. And breaking his gauntlet again.

After the students were sent back to class, Ace stayed with All Might. "You okay?"

"Yeah. I just wish I could be more than I am now." He looked at his hands. "I need to be like you and accept the reality."

"And beef up."

"And beef up," he said, sounding a bit more upbeat. Ace asked where Freckles and Bakugo had gone. "They had an impromptu battle last night, and are on house arrest for now." Ace asked what it was about. "It's more personal to them, and I doubt young Bakugo would want you knowing."

"Oh, okay," Ace said easily. "When will Mirio meet the class1-A?"

"That's right, you've become good friends with him. It depends when he wants to come. He's very strong. One of the strongest in our school. Enrolled in it, so not including you." Ace laughed.

"They complained that I was too overpowered when I was playing the perfect villain," he said in amusement. It was funny but seemed to be true as well, at least in this world where haki doesn't even exist.

All Might chuckled, and said, "I've heard that many times, before. I'd get used to it once you're back in the spotlight again. For whatever reason it might be. Has the fan mail slowed?" Ace nodded. There wasn't nearly as much anymore. Ace asked when his new room would be ready, trying to hide the excitement in his voice.

"It is ready now. It has a new bed, so you just need to carry your belongings to there. It is ready whenever you want it," All Might said with a smile.

"Yes!" Ace said excitedly. "But I have to get to work, so I'll do it after I'm back," he swore. "See you later, All Might!" and he hurried off, in a wonderful mood, as he headed to work. Class was already over for Ace, the two courses he helped with during the day, so he was heading to Nighteye's. He'd be there before Mirio would be.

He was very familiar with Nighteye. He couldn't help it, he's always overly friendly with superiors. "Yo, Sir, how are you doing?"

"I'm doing well. You and Mirio were instrumental for Diamond Grinder. You're both being praised highly in the hero community," he said in his usual dull voice. But it was easy to tell when he was happy. At least for those who knew him better. Ace grinned.

He said, "We make a good team. I know when anybody is around so he can sneak into places safely. It's almost always a success," he added happily. "Now, is there any paperwork I can do for you while Mirio is still at school?"

Nighteye nodded, and pointed to a tall stack of paper. Ace took the pile without a word and got to work on them. "You sure are responsible, Ace."

Ace smiled and replied, "Well, I have to be. I'm a leader at home, responsibility is important. But I'm also not the highest superior, so I can take orders just fine. I'm the middle man." Nighteye admitted that was true. Then he asked about the hero internships. "Oh yeah, it was announced today, but wasn't really explained. What is it anyways?"

He worked as Nighteye did, though they were both carrying on conversations. "It's pretty self-explanatory. A student works as an intern for hero agencies. They have to make time to do it outside of school, unlike the first internship that was working under a certain hero or heroes. This internship is more long term."

Ace said, "So that's what Mirio is? He's still a student." Nighteye said that was correct.

"Mirio is more responsible than many of my past or current sidekicks and employees. I don't feel he is an intern. More like you, as a part-time job. And he always brings cheer to everyone. Rarely is that young man not smiling," the boss said with a fond voice.

"Do you think anyone will come to you?" he wondered, stamping a paper for approval based on Nighteye's notes.

"I'm not sure. Perhaps. They will have to meet my expectations, though. You were an exception due to your familiarity with All Might. I was biased at first, but you've grown on both me and Mirio. He's happy patrolling with you but also gets the job done." Ace smiled and thanked him. They were quiet for a bit more before Mirio walked in, and said hello before going to change into his hero costume.

"Yo, Ace! You looked so uncomfortable in front of the school," he said with a laugh, and not in a mean spirited way.

Ace huffed. "I'm in front of a bunch of kids, who many consider me a villain in disguise. I have to look relaxed and calm. I went overboard on my villain impersonation and it's biting me in the butt," he said. Mirio chuckled, but said he felt sympathy for him. "Yeah I can't see you ever being seen as a villain. More like a marshmallow. All fluffy and innocent." Mirio frowned about that, saying he was capable. "A capable marshmallow. Is that better?"

Nighteye shook his head and interrupted the banter. "Remember you two, this is your job," he reprimanded, though it wasn't too harsh. He liked laughter in the agency after all, and Mirio and Ace contributed a lot to it.

"Sorry, sir," both of them replied.

"Alright, there's a new mission I'd like you two to look into," he began. "Another stealth one since you two are the most favored in the professional hero society."

Not an hour later he and Mirio were getting off of a bus and heading into a rich part of the city. It wasn't where you would usually stealth, so this was new and interesting. Ace was wearing nice clothes, it was awful. "God, how does anybody wear a shirt?" he hissed, irritated he had to wear one in the first place. Mirio was also wearing nice clothes. It really was an undercover mission. They couldn't be known if they were heroes.

There were whispers of a villain who could kidnap children and use their youth to grow organic objects. Like marijuana, the main drug that was being grown in mass. All of that money had gotten the suspected villain a nice lifestyle, and so he lived in the rich area. It was late out, and they were walking in the park area behind the houses. It was a good place to enter or spy from.

Both of them were pretending to just converse about normal things, but were keeping an eye out. Ace was using his haki while Mirio watched for any change in his expression that they might be being watched. But he stopped and said, "We're clear." Ace picked up a small rock and threw it expertly at the street lamp, shutting it off.

"Nice," Mirio said. They both snuck in through the high fence, Mirio walking through it while Ace jumped over the side. To stay silent Mirio always caught him. Any sound could mess it up. "Nobody inside?" Ace shook his head. "Then it might be the wrong place. Shouldn't there be many presences?"

Ace froze, and put his hand on Mirio's shoulder. "You need to be prepared for the worst case scenario," he said quietly. If this was the right place, and there were no presences, then the children might not be all there. They could be dead, which was why Ace felt no presence. Mirio frowned deeply but nodded.

He walked through the wall and opened the sliding glass door for Ace to walk through. They inspected the house, touching nothing. Everything looked in order except for the overwhelming stench of weed.

Ace was the first to find the cellar door, under a rug. It was locked, though, and he didn't want to make any show that they had been there. Mirio said he'd go under and then open it from the bottom. "No good, it needs a key to get out or get in."

"I want to try something," Ace said. There was a small hole in it, about the side of his pointer finger. "Grab onto my finger and pull as hard as your can, okay?"

"Okay."

"Now," and Ace changed all of himself into flame except his finger that was covered in haki. He ended up being pulled through, and was gasping, trying to catch his breath. "Yes, it worked," he said. They both faced the dark staircase below. Ace went first with his flames lighting it. The basement went very deep.

When they finally came into the open, they faced a tragic scene. Lifeless children. They weren't dead. Just sick and grey and their eyes were fogged over. It stunk in there, too. They were in chains. Ace walked to the closest and touched her face. "It's cold," he said sadly. He closed her eyes.

He pretended not to hear Mirio being sick behind him. He was a great hero and person, but Ace had been telling the truth. He was a marshmallow. Ace wasn't. He'd seen a lot of stuff, so dead children like this wasn't new. "We need to call the authorities," Ace said quietly.

He took the phone from his patrol partner and called 911, explaining where they were and what had happened. He gave his and Mirio's license numbers for the agency so it wouldn't be seen as a break in. He punched open the trap door and pushed Mirio out. "If we had caught him sooner-"

"Don't do that. There are no what-ifs in this. This case only just got reported to the heroes. If they had reported it sooner, then maybe we could have averted it. But just know this won't happen to anymore children," Ace said, a hand on his friend's shoulder. "Now why don't we go outside and wait for the authorities?"

Mirio nodded, biting his lip. Ace pretended he didn't see the tears. That night was some sort of a success, but not the one anybody wanted. The villain was captured and brought to prison with no due process as he'd admitted to doing it. They both walked back to campus silently. It wasn't a good way to end the night. Hopefully they'd bounce back by tomorrow.

Ace, even though he was tired and sad, moved his things to his new room. It was much bigger and had carpet. Nice carpet. He put the dresser and trunk against the wall and then flopped onto the bed that already had sheets. He put his clothes in the closet built into the wall and went to the bathroom to take a bath.

He hadn't taken a bath since arriving, not wanting to be caught in the water, drowning or already drowned. Nobody could know about his one weakness. He sunk into the warm water and froze. Something wasn't right. He wasn't lethargic. He lit his palms on fire and the tub steamed. His eyes grew wide and he submerged himself completely with his head under the water. He heated the bathwater up to make it boiling.

The devil fruit user pulled himself back up. He couldn't drown. But… this was water. He knew it was water as he drank it, it came from the sky as rain, there were streams and an ocean. He was numb as he got out of the tub, not even washing himself, and looked in the mirror. There was no sea stone here. No haki. And he was immune to water. He gripped the counter tightly. It was bothering him when it shouldn't. Shouldn't he be happy he was pretty much invincible?

He worried, though. Was he still a devil fruit user? He had all of his powers and they grew stronger while here even just by a little. He put on underwear and went to bed, not wanting to think about the confusion and shock he was in. What if he felt weak back home, with all of those dangers? He could only hope he didn't get used to this. But why was he prioritizing his time here over home?

It was the same time for both. He'd spend two weeks, fifteen days, in one world, and then the same in the other. It was just, his time at home felt so much shorter. It was throwing him off. But he'd be fine. If he was good at anything, it was adapting to the situation. Just one more thing to adapt to.


Lol Ace is even MORE overpowered! Though not for that long... DON DON DON!