How's it going my dark dwellers... time to crawl out of all the shadows and dive into a new story for us to tackle. Let me ask you guys... ever wanted to become a Hero? If you know that question you'd probably know what this next story is about. After watching nearly all of MHA the anime, and reading all the manga to the recent chapter, and boy that was a process. But after seeing the recent film Heroes Rising I started having the idea of making my story with a new hero. But why have that when I could try something else in combining the original story with a guest storyline... RWBY. So let's go ahead and dive into this new tale of the lore of My Hero Academia/RWBY. In a world of super-human society as well as making sure that certain people have made such an impact on the world. The world has also seen the threat of creatures known as GRIM as a new agreement has met with Beacon Academy. But, in the underbelly of the highest concentrated country, Japan, many underground villains have made their presence known. Following the battle between the symbol of peace All Might, and the number 1 villain All For One and the rise of numerous Nomu and GRIMM. This caused All Might's early retirement and it's time for a newer generation to step up. But, what some don't know are those who are lurking in the shadows without siding for the villains nor the heroes. This follows a vigilante who's destiny is unknown, but something will turn his world upside down. This follows a new hero named Crimson and his journey of what he's meant to become: a hero... or a villain?
In 2021, Japan's hero society has become the most prosperous for all those with quirks in trying to become heroes. But, after the climactic battle between All Might and All For One have left a massive void in both the positions of the number 1 hero & villain. Now that the number 2 hero Endeavor, father of Shoto Todoroki, has now been promoted to the number 1 hero position. As for the villain seat it's been implied that the police believe that the League of Villains leader, Tomora Shigaraki, has taken the place of his former master. This caused a massive stalemate between both sides, and nobody is quite sure what either one is planning. This doesn't cause any trouble for the students at U-A High from going about their daily lives in training for becoming pros. During combat practice three students are training with their quirks.
"Ida... run now!" A girl in a pink & black bodysuit with heavy braces on her arms and legs, as well as a pink helmet was seen floating in mid-air. She appears to be dodging a bunch of training robots firing beams at them. She would use her quirk to float towards them catching their attention diverting their attention.
This was revealed to class 1 student Ochaco Uraraka, with her quick zero gravity, yelling down below to her fellow classmate using a quirk that increases his speed with using what appears to be engines in his legs.
This is Ida Tenya, son in a long line of pro heros, wearing silver armor with tail pipes running along the chest and a silver helmet.
"Nicely done Uraraka!" Ida states to his classmate "Recicro Burst!"
Ida's leg jets would fire up with blue flame and increased his speed to run towards a mountain with their end goal in sight: a flag at the gate.
"I'm here at the goal, Uraraka, how are things going for you?!" Ida yelled across hoping that she would hear him.
Uraraka seems to be facing trouble with the training bots and she's straining her quirk as she shows a sign of nausea.
"Oh no... not again," Uraraka said while looking a little blue.
"No, Uraraka!" Ida is about ready to use his recicro once again but during this long training exercise he's worried about overusing that ability.
As Ida contemplates his decision he feels a gust wind rush by him leaving traces of green energy.
This force makes its way towards the training bots surrounding a now sickly Uraraka. She looks up in exhaustion to see a young green haired boy wearing a green and red suit.
"D-Deku," Uraraka said with a whimper from being so exhausted. "Don't worry Uraraka," the young boy said to her "I'll handle things."
Deku would clench his fist as red markings, and green bolts, started to flow from his body. This was Deku's quirk called One for All, a technique that amplifies his speed and agility, and now he's ready to unleash it to save Uraraka.
"Alright then... One for All, full cowling: 4%!" Deku would think to himself as he charges up his power. The training bots would engage Deku by charging at him, this gives him the opportunity to wipe them out with his power.
"St. Louis... SMASH!" With that Deku used his quirk to send a gush of wind, and energy, through his legs as his powerful kick sent the bots flying, damaging them on the impact of the training grounds.
"Deku... thank you," Uraraka said to him as she gets picked up by Deku.
"Just hang on tight," Deku said to her while giving her a wink.
Uraraka would start blushing a bit as the two of them meet up with Ida and make their way to the end goal of their training. Ida would look at the two of them and smile at them, and the three of them hug it out for passing the training session.
In the control shows off to be Professor Aiazawa, Pro hero known as Erasure, and with him is the newly retired 'symbol of peace', All Might that without his power is more of someone who hasn't worked out in months.
"I have to admit... I'm impressed by the way they're progressing," Erasure said to All Might with such a stoic cold tone.
"I agree... they appear to be more intune with what they try to do," All Might retorted in seeing so much growth between the students over the past incidents they had to overcome.
All Might knows this all too well in him putting everyone in class 1-A, especially Deku, on the spot in becoming the next generation of heroes. The two of them would watch in approval of that the three students are more than capable in paving the way for their future. But, All Might feels a chill crawl up his spine as if he knows something is going to happen but can't quite get a grasp on it.
"I don't know what the League is trying to do," All Might would have that look as he tilts his head down, "But All for One wasn't anything but prepared. I just don't know what the future holds now."
Down in the streets of Tokyo, Japan the police is chasing a villain after robbing a store. The villain appeared to have a quirk that allows him to stretch out his arms as he swings from building to building. After a chase that seems to have gone on for quite some time the police have seemed to lose the villain.
"Dammit, where did he go?!" One of the officers would say as he steps out of his patrol car.
"Captain... it seems that he got away from us," One of the officers would report to the captain.
"I can see that officer, but now I want to know WHERE he went," The captain demanded that from his officers, but giving off a defeated vibe about the situation "Alright... a five mile radius of the area. He could've gotten far, and somebody get U-A on the damn phone to send them some heroes."
As the police spread their forces out the villain is on the rooftop looking over the edge of the rooftop trying to remain hidden from their lookouts.
"Tch... Damn cops, always meddling in business that doesn't concern them," the villain snickered at the sight of the police.
The villain would look in the bag that was next to him used for the robbery earlier. He would just sit there and count the cash he has in pieces looking at his long hall of cash.
"This has to be the BEST hall of my career," The villain grinned after flipping through stacks of bills "Well I guess it's time to head out-"
Before he could make his escape he started feeling that he couldn't move from the spot. He looked down to notice that his foot was pinned to the ground by a dark red needle.
"Hey, what the hell is this?!" The villain looked in confusion and frustration.
"I always hated dealing with scum like you," a mysterious voice said to him, "This is a waste of my tracking someone as pathetic as you in robbing an easy store, but whatever I guess I can make some time for this."
The villain would look up to see someone standing before him just squatting while on top of a pipe. The 'hero' would look at him with a glare, like staring daggers, causing the villain to drip a drop of sweat.
"W-What kind of hero are you?!" The villain said in such a cowering voice as if he knew that his time was up.
"Oh, I'm not a hero," the stranger said as he jumped down and made his way towards the villain,
"But... I'm the kind of person who doesn't take kindly to 'your' kind around these parts."
The stranger would threaten the villain in a way of him powering up his quirk. The villain noticed on the stranger's hands have different cuts spread on top of them, which caused the blood to coagulate to form a spear type staff as a weapon. As he managed to walk towards the villain, he would activate his quirk causing an electrical surge type power to surge through him.
"Hard to get," The stranger mocked his opponent getting in his fighting stance "Fine... I prefer it if my prey don't get cold feet."
And soon the battle has begun between the two of them. On who would be decided would rely on one of them getting the upper hand on the other.
(Intro. Super Powers - V6)
MY HERO ACADEMIA - Bad Blood of Remnant
As the stranger and the villain continue their fight the police are down from where they're fighting as Deku, Momo and Uraraka come to meet the police. The students arrive by having Momo make a rope tethered to Deku as he uses One for All to increase his speed. As for the girls, they had a pole attached to the rope that they were pulled by Deku while using Uraraka's quirk to make the two of them float.
"Excuse me officer," Uraraka said to the captain, "You called U-A to recruit from the hero course."
"Yes... finally they answered the call," The captain answered back as he looked at three hero course students "But I never expected them to send kids."
"I can assure you, the captain, that we are more than prepared for this," Yayarouzu explained to the captain.
The police captain looked at the three in such disbelief, which caused Momo and Uraraka, project an aura of depression. Deku would notice this and step up to the captain.
"With all due respect captain," Deku stood up to the police captain, "I understand your disbelief in hero students but I can assure you that we can handle this."
"By all means go ahead before you all get hurt and we'll have to wait AGAIN for the heroes to show," The captain says as he talks down to Deku and the others.
As the three looked at each other in acknowledgement and they made their way towards the alleyway in order to track where the villain had gone. As they reach a diversion of where the alley would split up into two paths they aren't quite sure what to do. Deku would look at his classmates and would point out what they had to do.
"We should probably split up from here," Deku says to the two of them.
"I'm not quite sure," Uraraka mentioned to him, stating that going by oneself isn't the best idea.
"I know Uraraka," Deku says, holding her hand to comfort her, "But if we don't... that villain can get away and we would lose the trust in how the police would view U-A."
"I hate to say it Uraraka... your boyfriend is right," Momo said, putting her hand up to her mouth in a polite manner stating her uncertainty.
Uraraka would look at Deku after hearing Momo and letting out a blush that made her face completely red. She was nervous that she accidently activated her quirk and she started to float. Deku, though blushing himself, grabbed Uraraka and pulled her down.
"Ugh, Yayarozu... we've only started dating a few months and we don't want everyone to think that's all we are," Deku says in a pleading matter that causes a chuckle from Momo.
"I get that Izuku," Momo says to him, "It's still fun to tease you two about it."
"C'mon Momo," Uraraka stated in a panicked embarrassed state, "Why is it always like that with the girls in our class to-"
Before she could finish they are met with the arrival of something, or someone, slamming into the wall between them. The three students looked in shock to find that it was actually the stranger earlier fighting with the villain. They look at each other to notice that he is dressed in nothing but rags, a makeshift mask from a gas mask covering his lower face, and wearing a long red cloak [resembling SPAWN]. Momo is the first to move towards the stranger though cautiously in means of seeing who this person is.
The stranger's eyes opened widely as he leaped up from where he was shielding Momo from a gust of wind that ripped into his shoulder like a blade. Blood ran down from his shoulder landing on Momo's face.
"You should always have a head on a swivel," The stranger snarcked at Momo for treating her like 'she should've known better'.
The three UA students looked down towards the ally he flew out of to notice sparks of blue lightning illuminating the darkness as it drew closer, and closer, towards them. The villain in which the stranger confronted the roof seemed to be a little worse for wear.
"I was home-free you meddlesome hero," the villain hissed at the three young heroes and the now injured vigilante.
The three weren't sure on how to handle this since they weren't fully aware that they'd be encountering someone like this. Sparks of blue lightning surround the villain as he locks eyes on the person who blocked his escape with his hall and was ready to send out another burst of lightning at him. He looks around to notice an overhead lights spreading around the alley. The villain smirked as his eyes enveloped themselves in a blue sparkling effect (reminiscing Raiden in MK).
*Crackle* *Crash*
The light above the group shattered due to the face that the villain overloaded the light to cause them to shelter themselves from the rain of glass showering down on them. When they look back to notice that they lost the villain, nothing but the wind blowing trash down the alley. Midoriya runs down to check on seeing where the villain could've gone.
"Tch... What a coward," The vigilante snarks as he covers his wound to try and stop the bleeding.
He began to take his leave before going to a knee as he started to feel the drawback of his quirk in addition to the injury he sustained. Momo and Uraraka rush over to him to check on him... only to get a response of spikes made from blood that grew from the stranger's red cloak. The two girls flinched at the sight but assured him that they meant no harm.
"Please... You can't treat that by yourself," Momo stated as she gestured to him because she did notice blood coming through his hand.
"You don't have to bother," The stranger brushed off their petty sentiment, "I've always been on my own and I don't need any help from anyone."
"But you seem to be struggling... let us help you," Uraraka insisted but her pleas were falling on deaf eyes as the stranger was trying to muster up some little strength he has to get away from people.
"Hey... can't you at least give us your name we want to thank you-" Uraraka wanted to try and ask but the stranger flung his cloak around in a dramatic fashion stopping them in their tracks as he made his way towards them. The stranger looked at the two girls through his mask but unaware that he's actually wobbling from the amount of blood he lost.
"I don't know you... I don't care... just leave me alone-" The stranger made it sound threatening but passed out due to the fact that he exceeded the amount of blood he had for his quirk but unaware of how much he lost while the fight with the villain dragged out.
Momo and Uraraka ran over to see that the stranger has had this particular outfit he's been wearing for some time. All the wear and tear of the suit shows that he doesn't seem to own anything else. The two looked at each other unaware that the villain returned from the shadows ready to finish what he started.
"Well now... I get to take care of that annoying little hero as well as two more as a bonus... what a treat," the villain looked at the two unexpected heroes as they tend to the now unconscious stranger hero. As he made his way to them igniting his quirk with the lightning surging through his hand. As he narrows the distance between him and his prey.
"Now DIE-" The villain was about to shock the three of them. Momo and Uraraka seemed to be ready but a blow to the villain's head from behind courtesy of Midoriya using 25% of one for all to villain rendering him unconscious as soon as he hit the floor. Momo and Uraraka were left dumb founded though as they were wanting to give it a shot. Though Midoriya, being himself, wanted to prove how much of a hero he could be.
"Well done Midoriya," Momo complimented the young hero for a job well done, "Though don't you think you went a little overboard pile driving him in the head?"
"Yeah maybe a little bit," Deku let out a nervous chuckle trying to show he's not embarrassed at what he did, "I just thought from the situation that he was going to get the jump on you two."
"Oh Deku you need not to worry about us all the time," Uraraka jabbed at his arm causing him to have a little discomfort but all be it jokingly, "You realize that we all have our provisional licenses... so we're all basically pros in training."
Deku gave his girlfriend a nod and smile that caused a bit of 'tension' having Momo around seeing these two lovebirds. That awkward tension dropped as they hear something coming from above them. The three guarded the stranger, still unconscious but bandaged up thanks to Yauyarozou making bandages for his shoulder, trying to keep their eyes trained on each of their surroundings.
Little to Deku's awareness that a blue/green ribbon trickled down behind him and brushed against him causing a chill to go up his spine.
"AHHHH," Deku let out a small scream that caused the others to jolt in fear as well as the one who stands behind Deku was a girl with blue hair, with ribbons forming bat ears and sets covering her wrists and legs, and in blue and green body suit.
"Hehe... sorry Deku just couldn't resist," The mysterious girl said to them in a giddy tone, almost like she's playing around.
"Darn it Nejire!" Deku seemed a bit upset but not furious, "This is not what he meant for you to do when I called you!"
"Teehee... I know," Nejire said to him with a playful expression of sticking her tongue out and winking, "So I see you three caught the bad guy."
"Yeah he's lying unconscious right over there," Uraraka gestured to the villain in the crater that Deku made after socking him in the back of the head, "Still out cold... or dead."
"I didn't hit him that hard... I think," Deku being unsure of it now.
Nejire didn't really notice because her eyes looked directly at the stranger in the red cloak, "And who is this?"
"We don't know," Momo answered standing next to her, "He just seemed to be fighting the villain way before we got here given his injuries."
"We should take him back to UA," Deku mentions the option that catches everyone off guard.
"Are you quite certain about this Midoriya?" Momo being cautious about this idea, "We aren't entirely sure of his motives or who he even is."
"I agree," Nejire, of all people, who is a member of the big three just going along with this is quite odd, "I would like to learn more about him... there's this certain energy that my quirk is picking up about him."
"Alright then... back to UA," Uraraka states as she uses her float quirk on the stranger lifting him off the ground and having Nejire take him from there since she can fly using her quirk in wave motion.
"I'll take this one to the authorities and I'll see you all back at the dorms," Momo states as she uses her quirk to make handcuffs to subdue the villain, "Stay safe everyone."
The others say their goodbyes as they take the unconscious stranger back to UA and hopefully get some answers to their questions.
*In the skies half way to UA*
Nejire feels unsure about the stranger's energy, it almost seems that his is all over the place with his quirk appearing and reappearing in her senses. Her timid blue eyes aren't sure what to comprehend as they drift through the air.
"Just who are you really?" Nejire said to herself trying not to draw the attention of Uraraka and Deku next to her.
Little before they knew it, they were already back at the campus of their school. To their surprise they're greeted by two of their teachers: Mr. Aizawa and All Might.
"Alright kiddos... what exactly is going on here?" Aizawa's stone cold look seemed to nearly pierce the three in an uncomfortable feeling.
"Well you see Mr. Aizawa," Deku began to speak up, "We managed to capture the villain in question but this one here seemed to have fought him before and well we decided to... bring him here."
"Young Midoriya," All Might would step in, "Are you sure it was wise to bring an absolute stranger into UA?"
Deku was trying to find the words to not make it sound like they just wanted to help a stranger with extraordinary abilities.
"It was me who suggested it," Nejire openly stated, drawing the eyes of the teachers to her, "If anyone is to be questioned it's me."
Aizawa looked concerned more than ever, but All Might didn't seem to know what to think and instead just gave her a smile, "I see... Well you better get him to recovery girl quickly."
The three of them bowed their heads thanking their teachers and made their way to the infirmary.
The two teachers were left, as the wind seemed to be the only thing that seemed to break the silence.
"Do you really trust those kids have the best of judgment?" Aizawa said to his colleague in an attitude that makes it seem he doesn't know if he can trust their decision.
"All in do time my friend," All Might gave him a pat on the shoulder in a sympathetic tone, "I have no doubt in my mind that they are doing-"
*A PHONE CALL IS HERE! A PHONE CALL IS HERE* All Might's phone began to ring.
"Yes hello... Oh yes hello principal," All Might began with a happy tone, "What...Already?"
All Might clicked his phone button hanging up and turned to Aizawa with a small intrigued smile,
"We got to get ready... the sister school students will be coming soon."
Aizawa stared blankly at him not caring, "Ugh... fine."
*In the infirmary*
"SMMMOOOOOOOCH," Recovery Girl used her quirk on the young stranger and it seemed that most of his injuries were healed.
"Thank you for doing this Recovery Girl," Deku gave the nurse a heartfelt smile, "Who would've known what might have happened to him."
"I guarantee you young man... he would've been fine," Recovery Girl explained to all of them,
"If you see the marks here on his hands and arms... they're not wounds... precision cuts to let him use his quirk to his full potential."
The three heroes looked at each other unsure how to take this information. Recovery girl walked over to the X-ray pictures showing what she can grasp when they brought in the patient.
"If you see here... he seems to have his bones wrapped in some sort of protective layer of his own blood," Recovery girl pointed with her cane to show the students, "If that's the case... most of his injuries that I can heal were only about 60% of what he's endured."
"Meaning what?" Uraraka seemed concerned with her question.
"This man... who ever he is... has been in battle ever since he was young," Recovery girl said to them as she turned to look back at the stranger, "I can only imagine what he has seen... he'll be fine now how about the rest of you get back to your classes."
"I'm goanna stay here... just in case," Nejire explained to them as she took a chair over to his bed, "There's something I want to try."
"Alright then Nejire," Deku said as he and Uraraka leave the infirmary with a concerned look on their face. As soon as they shut the door Nejire began to use her quirk in trying to understand more of what she can while carrying him over to UA.
"C'mon let this work," Nejire focused on her quirk and touched the stranger's arm, "Please... wake up."
Yellow pulses went in and out from the stranger back to Nejire as she started to feel the strain on her stamina for trying to pierce through the strangers 'blood armor' around his bones. She nearly broke through before giving up from using too much stamina.
"Wow... he's a tough one," Nejire said, catching her breath.
"Thanks for the compliment," A voice said from beneath her as she looks to see that the stranger has finally regained consciousness and is looking straight up and then towards her, "So mine telling me where the hell I am?"
"You're here at the UA infirmary," Nejire answered him with a bit of tremble in her voice as the young man's voice seemed to almost go right through her, "My name is Nejire Hado and I was part of the group that brought you here."
"I didn't ask for your name but glad to know... it's a pretty name," The stranger said to her that caused Nejire to blush a little bit, "Still though... Why did you bring me here? You should've left me be?"
"Well... we couldn't just leave someone in trouble alone," Nejire regained her composure, "After all you were bleeding a lot."
The stranger looked to see his bandaged shoulder wrapping down to his chest. He decided to take it off. "W-Wait what are you-" Nejire tried to stop him but his mind was made up.
To her shock and amazement... his wound... was healing itself, "My quirk allows me to manifest the blood in me to react to any means of danger: whether it be damage, attacking, or anything else I can think of."
"Wow... doesn't that hurt still," Nejire said to him rubbing his scar of wear his wound used to be, "I mean getting stabbed and sliced hurts a lot even with a quirk like this."
"First of all... don't touch me," the stranger brushed her hand off of him, "And secondly... yes, it's true that stuff like that still hurts... but as long as I don't exceed my blood limit I can still recover."
"Wow... you just seem so cool," Nejire said to him like she was fascinated with who he is, "Tell you what, how about you come with me."
The stranger gave her a cocked eyebrow on what she meant by that. As he reached for the cover he noticed his cloak was missing but when he turned back she was holding it for him. But she took away from him.
"Please give that," The stranger said to her demanding, "That's... very special to me... and I can't be without that."
Nejire scanned over his red cloak and looked back him smiling, "It has been through the wringer... don't worry, I'll wash and press it and it'll be good as new."
"Ugh...fine... please just be careful," The stranger admitted defeat that got a smile from Nejire, "So what am I supposed to wear then?"
"Here!" Nejire gave a box so enthusiastically that it caught him off guard, "I took the liberty of having this prepared."
"And what is this?" He asked her all confused at the turn of events.
"You'll see... I'll be right out here, don't keep me waiting," She left while giving him a wink and closing the door.
"Well she's a character," The stranger opened the box to see a UA uniform ready for him, "Ugh...really?"
After getting dressed he stepped out into the hallway wear Nejire was waiting next to a window.
The sunlight rays highlighting her figure as she gazed outside. She changed back into her normal school uniform waiting on him.
"Oh you're ready," Nejire said with such excitement as she grabbed his hand, "C'mon there's a place I know you'll like."
"Hey slow down would you," The stranger had trouble keeping up with this upbeat girl dragging him around like a stray puppy dog.
After what seemed to be dragged around a marathon, Nejire finally stopped in front of a classroom door and he seemed very skeptical at this.
"You dragged around the entire place just to see your classroom?" The stranger annoyingly felt with Nejire who seemed to chipper.
"Nope... this is YOURS!" She said as she swung the door open to drag him inside.
Everyone in the class was taken by surprise because the room he's in is none other than Class-1A. Deku, Momo, and Uraraka seemed the most surprised in how they can see him up and about... and with Nejire.
"Well... this is a first," Aizawa mentioned getting up wrapped in his yellow sleeping bag, "What's the occasion?"
"I'm here to bring you a new student!" Nejire gestured showing off the stranger like he's on display.
"WHAT?!" the entire class erupted.
"I never said I'd be joining this or ANY school," The stranger said, trying to leave but is stopped by Aizawa's stare.
"Not so fast," He mentions to the newbie, "You may feel out of place but you were also cleared for studying here through All Might and myself... so behave."
"Ugh... dammit," The stranger walked back to the front of the room with Nejire jumping all over him hugging his arm in glee that she got him in this school.
"So first introductions and whatever... what's your name," Aizawa said as he slinked down below his desk.
"Rakano Tanakata... pleased to meet you and whatever," He said to them scratching his head in embarrassment and frustration, "But the name a lot of people say to me is Crimson... I guess that's what you call a hero name."
"It's nice to finally meet you Raka," Nejire told him without knowing she shortened his name.
"Alright then," Aizawa mentioned, "But we're not done there... you lot from outside get in here."
The door to the classroom opens and enters four girls. One with black long hair, in a white trench coat and a black bow. Another with white hair tied in a ponytail, and in a blue/white victorian style coat. The third with long lavish blonde hair, brown jacket and boots, with what appeared to be a robotic appendage for her right hand. While the last was a young girl with a black corset, skirt and boots, with a noticeable red hood/cape.
"Go ahead and introduce yourselves," Aizawa said before falling below his desk again.
"Well it's nice to meet you all," The girl in the red hood explained as the four bowed to show welcoming, "My name is Ruby Rose... and we're team RWBY from your sister branch school... Beacon Academy."
ED: CURTAIN CALL by Weaver
watch?v=22v3evPR1aA
AND... DONE. Holy crap that took a while to do. With so much to try and fit in both worlds it's clear that this story has gone through a few rewrites. But, I feel that this one is a good balance in having the two being introduced through each other. I feel that once the two schools get to know one another that the whole idea of the story will become clear to fans of both shows. With the introduction of Rakano/Crimson to Class-1A, as well as team RWBY, what does this journey have in store for this new hero? What exactly does it mean that UA and Beacon are now meeting each other as sister schools? And how come Nejire seems to want to know this new young student? Only time will tell as the story of these new adventures help shape their respected worlds. Next time: Chapter 2 - Sister Schools.