Chapter 4: Secrets
The Oki Mariner had taken all she could take and was slowly sinking in the water. The crew was just making their way home when the ran into a sudden storm. Lightening struck the ship and hit just right to cause a horrible explosion that crippled it and caused it to begin gaining water.
Tsuyu Asui, better known as the hero Froppy and member of the Oki Mariner crew jumped around the damaged upper deck and helped other crew members get on lifeboats and saw them making their way to land.
Once she saw they were ok she went back to the Captain and Sirius.
"Kero, everyone is safe," the frog-like heroine said as she approached.
"Good, now you two get out of here…" Captain Selkie said from under some wreckage, pinning him down and even with jagged metal piercing his shoulder.
"We're not leaving you!" Sirius yelled, years running down her face.
"The captain goes down with his ship," Selkie replied, coughing up little big of blood.
"We're not leaving you…" Sirius whispered, taking his right hand.
"Kero…" Froppy croaked softly, taking his other. "It's what heroes do, Kero."
Water rushed over the edge of the sinking ship and rushed across their ankles for only a moment before the ship jerked and began to rise.
"What?" Sirius asked as the ship lifted completely out of the water and began moving toward land. "Froppy!"
"On it," She said leaping to the edge and crawling down the hull of the ship to see what was happening.
She saw the flowing red cape first, framing the man's frame like wings. "K-Kero?"
Superman glanced up at the frog heroine and smiled with kind green eyes, "Hey, milady," He greeted.
She flushed and nodded before turning and crawling back up the hull and returned to her captain and first mate. "What's going on?" Sirius asked.
"An Angel, Kero…" Froppy smiled.
"From what I've seen that's a good description of Superman," Momo Todoroki said as she worked on Ochako's hair.
"He was incredible, Kero," Tsuyu replied.
"Seen one super powered hero," Mina Ashido the heroin known as Alien Queen shrugged as she painted Ochako's nails, "You seen them all."
"He was different, Kero," Tsuyu argued, "His eyes…"
The doorbell rang, and the girls glanced up. "Oh, must be prince charming," Momo teased the suddenly flushing Ochako.
"Stop it," Ochako chastised them, "He is kind of charming…"
"I'll get it, Kero," She hopped to the door. She opened and looked up and a pair of green eyes jumped out at her instantly.
"Hi milady," Izuku smiled, pushing his glasses on his nose, "This… this is Ochako's place, isn't it?" he said, checking the number on the door again, as Tsuyu placed her finger tip to the corner of her mouth and nodded.
"Hi Deku!" He heard from inside and he stepped in and his eyes widened at the pretty pink dress and perfect amount of make up to make Ochako look even prettier than ever. "These are my friends Tsuyu, Mina, and Momo."
"Froppy, Alien Queen, and Creati," Izuku smiled at the two, the three eyes widened at the easy recognition, "I'm a fan." He grinned, "It's an honor."
"He is a charmer," Mina nudged Ochako and Momo rolled her eyes. Tsuyu never stopped staring.
"Well, the cab's waiting, you ready for your night on the town, Ochako?" Izuku smiled, and she started to take his arm but stepped back a moment, "I forgot my purse, I'll be right back!" She went to her bedroom with Momo and Mina in tow, likely to get some last-minute advice.
Izuku blinked when Tsuyu walked up with a tilted head. "Um…"
"Thank you," She smiled up at him, "for saving us."
"I… I don't know what you're talking about," Izuku squeaked.
"Don't worry, Kero," She nodded, "Your secret is safe. But I wouldn't keep it from her long. She really likes you, Kero."
Meanwhile in the bedroom, Momo spoke to Ochako as she checked in her purse "If it goes south text me SOS and I'll call in a fake emergency to get you out," Momo replied.
"And I put a couple condoms in your purse if things don't go south," Mina added, causing Ochako to flush.
"Mina!" She chastised, turning to the pink skinned heroine.
"Just… if it's good, don't waste time…" She glanced away, "Like I did…"
"You can't keep letting what happened to him haunt you, Mina…" Ochako said sadly, reaching out to her friend. "He wouldn't want that."
Mina nodded, then forced a smile, "Don't let my sulking ruin your date, go! Have fun!"
Ochako looked uncertain but finally nodded and rejoined Izuku, taking his arm. "Shall we?"
"You kids go have fun!" Mina waved.
"But not too much fun," Momo piped in.
"Kero." Tsuyu nodded.
The three watched them leave. "He did seem like a nice guy," Momo noted.
"Not hard on the eyes, either," Mina agreed.
"He's super, Kero," Tsuyu said, and chuckled to herself.
-S-
Izuku and Ochako laughed loudly at their table by the window overlooking the city as she shared another story from her UA days.
"Sounds like you had an interesting class," Izuku smiled, "Makes me wish I had a quirk so I could have gone in with Kacchan. Who knows, maybe I would have been in your class, too."
"Who knows, who knows what all would have been different if we had someone as observant as you there," Ochako nodded, "How do you know the hot head anyway?"
"We grew up together… when he got his quirk and I didn't… well, we didn't get along as well," Izuku shrugged, "year or so after he left for UA we met back up. Made peace. Not sure what happened. Never did pry, and Kacchan was never one for feelings and talks."
"You can say that again…" Ochako shook her head, "I tried to date him."
"You… and Kacchan?" Izuku blinked, "I'm sorry, but what?"
Ochako sighed, "He saved me during our entrance exam, blew a giant robot to smithereens, And I was young and a little sheltered. He was the textbook bad boy. We had some fun but yeah… oil and water. Just didn't work. I don't regret it. Live and learn Daddy always said. But after that I put dating aside and focused on becoming Uravity! Figured I'd wait for the right match to come along. And… here we are." She said with a wink.
Izuku chuckled awkwardly as she took another sip of wine. "I know you know all about how I became Uravity. I read the article. Well done by the way… and thank you for not putting… the other stuff we talked about in there." He nodded before she continued, "So what made you become a reporter? Your analyzing skills would have got you in the support class at UA easy."
"Guess I just kind of went with the flow for several years, and that's just where I ended up," Izuku replied, "Took me a while to figure out what I was going to be."
"Cool… Seems like you've found your calling," Ochako nodded, "You're really good." She then took a thoughtful look, "Bakugou was it for me. So, you know my history. Any evil or crazy ex's I need to know about?"
"Hmm, I dated a mermaid once," Izuku replied, "Kidding, I was always kind of an outsider, so I didn't even really have many friends. Let alone a girlfriend."
She smiled a little and Izuku suddenly remembered. "How's your dad?"
Ochako laughed a little, "He's feeling better, which means he's trying to be more active. Which is driving mom and the nurses at the hospital insane. I figure he'll get to come home any time."
"I've got some leads I'm following up on," he said, "I'm going to prove it was a set up."
"Deku… I…" She started but was interrupted by the entire building shaking.
The couple jumped from their table and ran to the window and saw a group outside causing destruction. "The League of Villains…" Ochako growled, she then turned to Izuku, "I've gotta go change and get to work. Promise me, promise me you won't do anything crazy and get hurt…" She asked desperately.
"I won't get hurt; I promise…" Izuku nodded.
She stared for a moment, before moving in to give him a quick kiss on the cheek. "I'll be back for dessert!"
He watched her run toward the ladies' room, and then glanced back at the group of villains. "This looks like a job…" He said, walking toward the men's room, pulling off his glasses as he went.
-S-
"Where is this cape boy at?" Twice grunted looking around, "This is getting boring."
"I'm with Twice," Himiko Toga said, looking at her fingernails, "I hear he's an alien. Hope he tastes good…"
"He'll be here," Dabi scratched his scarred face.
"Heads up, someone is coming," the masked reptilian villain said, but was cut off when Uravity punched him in the face.
"Wrong hero!" Toga pouted.
"YOU JERKS ARE INTERUPTING MY DATE!" Uravity yelled, throwing a round house at one of the many twice clones in the street.
Spinner was about to attack the angry girl from behind but was caught by the back of the shirt and pulled away.
"Hope you don't mind me joining the fun, Ms. Uravity," said the newcomer.
"Superman!" Uravity smiled.
"I'll cut you in half!" Spinner yelled, swinging his jagged make-shift sword at Superman's chest, which shattered over his symbol.
Spinner and Superman looked down at the broken pieces on the ground and handle still in the villain's hands. "Sorry," Superman said, "I hope that wasn't expensive."
"I Got him!" Twice said as he and his army of clones piled on top of him. He was only like that for a moment before Superman burst free, sending them flying, "I don't got him!"
"Ochako!" Superman called out, moving faster than eyes could follow to get between Uravity and Toga allowing the daggers to bounce harmlessly against his chest. He then moved quickly toward the villainess but stopped when he heard an oddness to her heartbeat.
It was weird, almost …double… He looked up at her gave a smile. "Congratulations…" He smiled, refusing to harm her. Instead grabbing her and hanging her by the back of the shirt on a light pole.
"Man of Steel huh?" Dabi asked, "Steel melts!" He yelled launching a massive wave of blue flame that engulfed Superman. Once the flames let up Superman was couched down with his cape half burnt.
He stood up and revealed he had grabbed Toga and shielded her. "YOU JERK! FRIENDLY FIRE, YOU PIECE OF CRAP!" Toga shouted at Dabi.
Superman glanced down at his damaged cape, then looked up at Dabi. "My mother made this for me…"
Superman shot toward the villain and shoulder slammed him through the wall into the neighboring museum. "You got these guys?" Superman asked Uravity, who nodded, "I'll be back with him in a second."
All the lights were off except the few little exhibit lights. "Come out, it'll be easier on all of us." Superman said, entering a mineral exhibit, the room was illuminated by a green glow that made him a little lightheaded.
Dabi launched another attack, and Superman side stepped it. The flames caught the edge of his arm, and for the first time in his life he felt pain. A searing burn rushed over his arm where the flames hit, and he couldn't hold back the gasp of pain.
"What's this? Not as invincible as you make us think?" Dabi asked, approaching him.
Dabi leapt forward and pushed his knee into Superman's gut, and the hero doubled over from the impact. "Oh, I'm gonna be getting a bonus for this one…" He said kicking him hard in the ribs.
"Now, shall we try melting you, one more time?" He said preparing his blue flames. But before he could Uravity hit him in the back of the head with a chair.
"Are you ok?" She asked, kneeling to Superman.
"I've had better days…" He replied, "Get me outside… it's a full moon… it's not direct sunlight but it should help…"
She helped him outside and huffed in frustration. The League had escaped. "Twice must have made another copy and got the others free…" Uravity said, and Superman let go of her and stepped into the moon light. She watched as his wounds seemed to slowly try to heal themselves.
"You get your powers from the sun…" She said coming to the realization.
"Yes," He said, "If this was direct sunlight, I think I'd have completely patched up… the moon light helps, but it's just not cutting it…" He then tested himself by lifting into the air a little. "I'm going to go to where the sun's up and see if that gets me healed up… thank you for your help, Ms. Uravity."
He then took off into the sky, but at a much slower pace than she'd ever seen him move. It then hit her that during the fight he called her Ochako. "Wait… How did you know my real name?" she tried to ask but he was already gone.
Ochako pulled out her cellphone from her belt and pulled up "Deku" and began typing a message. "Hey, I gotta go to the agency and report this. Sorry I'm having to run. Want to come back by my place tomorrow night? Catch a movie? I'll even cook!" A moment later her phone beeped a reply.
"Sure, sounds good. Let me know when you get home ok"
"He'll be a good boyfriend," Ochako smiled to herself, "I think I'll keep him."
She then texted Momo, and next thing she knew she was getting a group text by all three.
"Details."
"Now"
"Kero"
Ochako blinked, "Did she really just text out kero?"
-S-
"Wasn't quite what I had planned, but it served it's purpose," Tenko nodded to Dabi, "That will be all. I'll call you if I need you again. Have the League prepared. We move again soon."
Dabi nodded and left his office.
"So, my heroic friend, you can be hurt…" Tenko chuckled. "I'll use your quirk well, Sensei… All for One, it's been too long since we've met a challenge."
"Sometimes, you do have to take matters in your own hands…" Tenko said, opening his desk drawer and pulled out an amputated human hand and placed it over his face like a mask.
To Be Continued…
