I do not own My Hero Academia or any of its characters.
Names
Lee set his umbrella in the bin with everyone else's and stopped, eyes sliding out of focus as he simply stood there. After a moment, a hand settled on his shoulder and he turned, seeing Momo.
"Hey, you alright?" Momo asked. "You didn't show up for our training, and you didn't return any of my calls or texts. Mina and Toru said they couldn't get in touch with you either. Did the celebration not go well?"
"It didn't go at all," Lee said, staring at the flood. "My sister wasn't at home when I got there, so I figured maybe she was out getting ready, or she was still picking up Tatsumi. I messaged her I was at home so she wouldn't go to the school and wait for me, but she wasn't picking up my calls. It would ring, but she wouldn't answer. I waited for her to come home but...she didn't. I tried calling her in the morning but it went straight to voicemail, so her phone probably died. I went to Tatsumi's house, but he hadn't heard from her, and he'd had to ride a bike ten miles home from work because she didn't pick him up. We tried looking for her, but she wasn't any of the places she normally hung out, and none of her friends or the people there had seen her. So we went to the police. They filed a missing persons report, but...they said that's about all they can do. They said they'd send a tracker unit to my house, but..."
"I'm so sorry," Momo said. "Are you okay?"
"Not really," Lee said. "She's the only family I've got left, besides my mother, who hates me for taking her legs from her. If she's gone..."
"I'm so sorry," Momo said again, hugging him.
He hugged her back, but after a moment he pulled away, sighing. "We should get to class."
Momo nodded and they headed up to the classroom together, taking their seats. Mina and Toru both turned to ask him why he ignored them, but Momo shook her head and they stopped, turning back to their conversations. Finally, Aizawa arrived, finally free of his bandages.
"Morning," Aizawa said.
"Good morning Mister Aizawa, " the class greeted him.
"Mister Aizawa, you don't have bandages anymore!" Su noticed. "That's good news."
"The old lady went a little overboard in her treatment," Aizawa said, turning toward them, revealing a scar under his right eye. "Anyway, we have a big class today on Hero Informatics."
Most of the class began to panic instantly.
"You need code names," Aizawa said. "Time to pick your hero identities."
"This is going to be totally awesome!" most of the class cheered, only to fall silent instantly as Aizawa activated his Quirk.
"This is related to the pro hero draft picks that I mentioned the last time we were in class together," Aizawa said, deactivating his Quirk. "Normally students don't have to worry about the draft yet, not until their second or third year, actually, but your class is different. In fact, by extending offers to first years like you, pros are essentially investing in your potential. Any offers can be rescinded if their interest in you dies down before graduation, though."
"Stupid selfish adults!" Mineta said, smacking his fist against his desk, though he was trembling with nerves.
"So what you're saying is we'll still have to prove ourselves after we've gotten recruited," Toru said.
"Correct," Aizawa said. "Now, here are the totals for those of you who got offers."
He raised a remote and a screen off to the side began to display the totals. Todoroki was offered three thousand one hundred twenty three. Bakugo was offered two thousand five hundred fifty six. Lee was offered two thousand. Fumikage was offered three hundred sixty. Iida was offered three hundred one. Denki was offered two hundred seventy two. Momo was offered one hundred eight. Eijiro was offered sixty eight. Uraraka was offered twenty. Sero was offered fourteen.
"In past years it's been more spread out," Aizawa said. "There's a pretty big gap this time."
Denki groaned, flopping back against his seat. "That's no fair."
"What about the real star, moi?" Aoyama asked.
"Todoroki got the most, ahead of Bakugo?" Kyoka asked.
"Yeah, that's the opposite of how they placed in the festival," Eijiro said.
"They probably weren't excited about working with a guy that had to be chained up at the end," Sero pointed out.
"If I scared a pro, they're just weak!" Bakugo snapped.
"That's amazing, you must be proud," Momo said to Todoroki, trying not to sound disappointed with her own offer.
"These offers are probably because of my father," Todoroki said.
"How did I get so many offers?" Lee asked. "I lost in round one of the tournament."
"Yes, well, you also cleared the obstacle course in twenty seconds," Eijiro reminded him.
"Nineteen and a half, thank you," Lee said. "New personal record for a four kilometer run."
"Peaople want us!" Uraraka was saying as she shook Iida back and forth by the shoulders.
"Midoriya, you got none!" Mineta was saying, shaking Midoriya who was trying admirably not to react to that fact. "I bet everyone was really grossed out by the crazy way you were fighting."
"Despite these results, you'll all be interning with pros," Aizawa said. "Even you, Lee, despite your insistance that you're not going to be a sidekick. Even those who didn't get any offers."
"Oh, so, we're all interning?" Midoriya asked.
"Yes," Aizawa said. "You already got to experience combat with real villains during the attack on the U.S.J. facility. But it'll still be helpful to see pros at work, up close and personal, in the field, first-hand."
"And for that we need hero names!" Sato said.
"Things are suddenly getting a lot more fun!" Uraraka said.
"These hero names will likely be temporary," Aizawa said, "but take them seriously or-"
"You'll have hell to pay later!" Midnight interrupted, opening the door and stepping into the room, Denki, Mineta, and Sero instantly grinning widely, Mineta practically drooling.
Lee grit his teeth, forcing himself to remove any less than kind thoughts regarding the perverted midget in the room from his mind, glancing at the phone sitting on his desk.
"What you pick today could be your code name for life," Midnight said. "You'd better be careful or you'll be stuck with something utterly indecent."
"Yeah, she's got a good point," Aizawa said. "Midnight is going to have final approval over your names. It's not my forte." He lifted a yellow backpack up onto the desk. "The name you give yourself is important. It helps reinforce your image and shows what kind of hero you want to be in the future. A code name shows people exactly what you represent. Take All Might for example."
He began to pass around thick name cards and black markers. Lee took one of each and passed the rest back. he moved to write something, then paused. He needed something speed related, but didn't want to sound stupid, like Dash.
"You going to name yourself Jet?" Kyoka teased, referring to him trying out a catchphrase that he immediately regretted at the U.S.J.
"I never said that," Lee said.
"That was quite a catchphrase," Mina teased.
"Please stop," Lee groaned.
"Time to jet," Momo grinned.
Lee groaned miserably and set his head down. After a second, he picked it back up, glancing at his phone, which still had no messages. His sister would no. She was great at everything. Even naming things. She had even named his Quirk for him. He stopped, staring at the paper before writing the name his sister had chosen so long ago. After a few minutes, Aizawa was in his sleeping back, napping against the wall.
"Now students, who among you is ready to share?" Midnight asked.
Eijiro and Sero both gaped in shock as a few of the other guys shrank into their seats. Aoyama, on the other hand, walked up tot he front calmly, his usual smile on his face.
"Hold your breath," Aoyama said, holding the card backward for a moment. "The shining hero. My name is 'I Can Not Stop Twinkling'! Mon Ami, you can't deny my sparkle."
Everyone stared at him in silence, only for Midnight to take the card.
"It'll be better this way," Midnight said. "Take out the 'I' and shorten the 'can not' to 'can't.'"
"It's stunning mademoiselle," Aoyama said.
Lee rubbed the inside corners of his eyes. If his name passed, the one Lee's sister had chosen would be fine.
"She likes it?" several people in class asked.
"Also you're not really French are you?" Sato asked. "That's just an act."
"Okie Dokie, let me go next!" Mina said, bouncing up to the front of the room and setting down a care that read 'Alien Queen.' "My codename, Alien Queen!"
"Hold on, like that horrible monster with the acidic blood?" Midnight asked, trembling. "I don't think so!"
"Dang it," Mina sighed, walking back to her seat as Lee walked up to the front of the class.
"Short and simple," Lee said, displaying his name, Mach.
"Wow, that's pretty much perfect for you," Midoriya said.
"Yeah, I'll say," Eijiro said.
"Great choice!" Sero agreed.
"I agree," Midnight said. "Good work!"
Just then, Lee's phone dinged loudly and Lee shot over to it with his Quirk, picking it up and reading the text.
"Excuse me!" Midnight said. "There are no phones in class!"
Lee held up his right hand, raising one finger.
"Did you just-"
"It's important," Lee interrupted.
"What could be so important that-"
"My sister's missing!" Lee snapped, glaring at her for a moment before returning his attention to the phone. "A tracker unit was sent to my house to try to find her. Except...No, that can't be right."
"What?" Mina asked.
"The tracker unit was...killed," Lee said. "The police are dropping the search to find his killer."
Several members of the class gasped, and they all stared at him as he swallowed hard. He stood there for another moment before forcing himself to sit down, one hand squeezing his phone and the other squeezing the edge of the desk.
"Uh...who's next?" Midnight asked, trying to clear the darkening mood in the room.
Su walked up to the front, setting her card on the podium.
"I've had this name in mind since grade school," Su said, revealing her card. "Rainy Season Hero, Froppy."
"That's delightful!" Midnight beamed. "It makes you sound approachable! What a great example of a name everyone will love!"
The class visibly relaxed, both from gaining hope about their own names, and from their thoughts returning to the class. Then, they began to chant "Froppy." Eijiro went next with Sturdy Hero, Red Riot. He admitted that his idol was the Chivalrous Hero, Crimson Riot from whom he derived his own hero name. Next, Kyoka moved to the front of the class quickly as Denki was yelling for her to stop messing with him.
She set her card down, smiling proudly. "The Hearing Hero. I'm Earphone Jack."
"Now that's a good one!" Midnight said.
Next was Shoji with the name Tentacle Hero, Tentacole. Then Sero went with the Taping Hero, Cellophane. Ojiro chose the Martial Arts Hero, Tailman. Sato chose the name Sweets Hero, Sugarman. Mina tried again with the name Pinky, and this time got accepted. Denki chose the Stun Gun Hero, Chargebolt. Lee grinned and leaned forward.
"Hey, Kyoka," Lee said. "Make sure he knows stun guns can only be used once at a time, yeah?"
Kyoka grinned nodding.
A moment later, Denki got back, looking between them suspiciously. "What?"
"We were just agreeing that you actually chose a good name," Kyoka said. "We were honestly surprised."
"Really?" Denki asked hopefully.
"Yeah, Stun Gun Hero actually fits really well," Kyoka said.
"Thanks!" Denki beamed.
"Especially since a Stun Gun can only be used once at a time too," Kyoka grinned.
Denki deflated. "You're just the worst, you know that?"
Kyoka laughed and Toru moved up to the front.
"The Stealth Hero, Invisible Girl!" Toru said.
"That really suits you!" Midnight agreed. "Now step up, who's next?"
Momo went next, choosing the Everything Hero, Creati. Lee wasn't so sure about that one, but he smiled and nodded when she looked out at the class for approval. Todoroki went next, and displayed a card that read "Shoto" while perfecting the image of a disinterested student. Fumikage got the ball rolling with cool names again by choosing Jet Black Hero, Tsukuyomi. Mineta chose Fresh-Picked Hero, Grape Juice. Koda, the student in the class with the odd, rock-shaped head who rarely spoke and seemed nervous, chose the name Petting Hero, Anima. Bakugo, unsurprisingly, chose King Explosion Murder. Midnight said it was too violent and Eijiro suggested Explosion Boy instead, Bakugo yelling at him for it. Then, Uraraka walked to the front of the class. She had chosen Uravity. After a couple of moments, Iida, who had been writing something, wiped it away and simply wrote down Tenya, presenting it to the class while looking at the ground off to the right. Lee narrowed his eyes slightly, frowning. He could see the pain and confliction on Iida's face. As Iida returned to his seat, Midnight called Midoriya up to the front. When Midoriya showed his card, a few people gasped, and most of the class looked surprised.
"Really Midoriya?" Mineta asked.
"You sure about that?" Denki asked.
"Yeah man, remember, that could be your name forever," Eijiro said.
"Right," Midoriya said, staring down at his card. "I used to hate it, but then something changed. I guess, someone taught me that it could have a different meaning, and that had a huge impact on how I felt. So now I really like it. Deku. That has to be my code name."
Uraraka beamed happily up at Midoriya, while Bakugo stared at him like he'd just challenged him to a fight to the death using billiard balls. Lee smiled. It was a catchy name. His smile faded, however, when he glanced at Iida again, seeing him staring at his desk. Bakugo walked to the front of the class, but he'd only changed his name from King Explosion Murder to Lord Explosion Murder.
"That's basically the same thing," Midnight said.
"How about Melt Down?" Lee suggested, grinning as a few in the class laughed and Bakugo glared at him.
"What'd you say!?" Bakugo shouted.
"That's perfect!" Eijiro laughed.
Bakugo began to yell at them for several minutes before Midnight warned him to go back to his seat before she put him to sleep again. He grumbled and headed back to his seat before beginning the long, long process of trying to get Midnight to allow him to have a hero name he liked. Personally, Lee thought Melt Down was actually a good one, and if not, there was always Ground Zero. Or Flashpoint. Epicenter. Big Bang. Basically anything explosion related, really. Finally, Aizawa woke up and stepped up in front of the class.
"Now that everyone's decided on their hero names, we can go back to talking about your upcoming internships," Aizawa said. "They'll last for one week. As for who you'll be working with, those of you who were on the board will choose from among your offers. Everyone else will have a different list." He held up a piece of paper. "You have a lot to think about. There are about forty agencies who have agreed to take on interns from your class. Each agency has a different specialty that it's heroes focus on. Keep that in mind."
"Imagine that you were Thirteen," Midnight offered. "You'd want to choose a place that focuses on rescuing people not fighting villains. Understand?"
"Think carefully before you decide," Aizawa said, passing out the lists. "Turn in your choices before the weekend."
"We've only got two days?" Denki asked.
"Yeah, so you should start now," Aizawa said. "You're dismissed."
Lee looked at his list and frowned, eyes flicking to his phone. How was he supposed to care about an internship when his sister was missing and the police basically told him to get fucked?
"Are you alright?" Toru asked, sitting at a vacant desk beside him. "I can't imagine how you must be feeling right now."
"I'm going to find her," Lee said. "And then I'm going to kill anyone that's hurt her. I don't care that it's not what heroes do. If they hurt my sister, I'll kill them."
"Lee, you can't," Toru said.
"Yeah, you're better than that," Mina said from his other side.
"Amy is the only person who's supported me since I was born," Lee said. "She was always looking out for me when we were kids, and then after my Quirk manifested, she saved my life with hers. My father was killed by that freak with the hands all over his body from the U.S.J. a couple years later, and my sister began to actually take care of both me and my mom. When I could control my Quirk enough, I took on delivery jobs to help. My mother blamed me for the accident, so she hated me. Eventually, my sister had her taken to a place where she could be cared for in order to keep her from making my life miserable. My sister is the only family I have left. If someone hurts her, I'll crush them."
"Maybe one of the agencies could help you find them," Momo suggested, stepping up beside him and resting a hand on his shoulder. "And even if they can't, we will. We're here for you, Lee. You're not alone."
"I know," Lee said, standing with his list. "But this is something I have to deal with. She's my sister. I'm going to save her." He walked out of the classroom, seeing Iida just down the hall. "Iida, you got a minute?"
"Oh, Lee," Iida said. "Sure. What's up?"
"You're brother's hurt, isn't he?" Lee asked. "You had to leave for family issues, and then when we were choosing hero names, you seemed distracted, so I guess I kind of took a guess that it was him."
Iida was silent for a moment before sighing. "You don't watch the news much do you? He's in the hospital. A villain called the Hero Killer, Stain beat him and almost killed him. I guess, you can kind of relate, can't you?"
Lee nodded. "Is he going to be okay?"
"Yes," Iida said. "He should be fine."
Lee's eyes softened when he saw the way Iida's walls went up. "He's paralyzed, isn't he?"
Iida's eyes widened slightly before he deflated. "He told me he couldn't feel his legs. He...He wanted me to take the name Ingenium. I...I don't know what to do! I can't take my brother's name from him!"
"You're not," Lee said. "You're being passed his mantle. Ingenium isn't his name, it's his legacy. If he wants you to take it, it's because he trusts you to take over for him, and because you've made him proud. You should be honored that he wants you to bear the name Ingenium."
"I am!" Iida said. "But...it feels like taking the name is...deciding he's not going to make it!"
Lee sighed. "I can't tell you what to do, Iida. Only you can decide to carry the torch for your brother. But if the time comes that you have to face that villain, call me. I'll lend you my power."
Iida's face hardened at the thought and he nodded. They went their separate ways and Lee headed up to the roof, sitting down on the edge and staring at his left. There were a lot of them, but none that Lee thought would help him find his sister. And he didn't care about becoming a better hero. Not right then. Finally, his eyes reached the bottom and stopped. That one could work. He pulled out his phone and dialed.
"Hello, this is Lee, the fast one in the U.A. Sports Festival," Lee said. "Yeah, I'm calling about the internship offer. Yes, I can hold." He sighed as music began to play into his ear, only for it to turn off again about five seconds later.
"Hello?" a feminine voice asked. "Lee?"
"So it really was you," Lee said. "I got an offer from you to intern, does it stand?"
"Of course it does!" the woman said. "We can meet you as early as Monday and work out the-"
"Don't get ahead of me," Lee said. "Something's come up and my internship comes with conditions."
"What's going on?" she asked. "What conditions?"
"Amy's missing, and the tracker unit assigned to find her was killed, so the police stopped looking for Amy to find the tracker's killer," Lee said.
The woman was silent for several long seconds before speaking. "You want to use your internship with me to find Amy."
"That's right," Lee said.
"You understand that's not what the Internship is, right?" she asked. "You understand how big a deal the internship is?"
"You understand that it's Amy who's missing, right?" Lee asked, growing frustrated and angry very quickly. "You understand how big a deal that is?"
The woman was silent for a moment before sighing. "Alright. Meet me at your house when the rest of your class goes on their internships. We'll try to make it quick so you can do at least a little actual interning."
"Right, because that's the most important thing in this situation," Lee said.
"I'm just...trying to look out for what's best for both of you," she said.
"Wow, times really have changed, haven't they?" Lee asked, then hung up. He walked back inside, filling out his paperwork for the agency he'd be "interning" with, then turned it in to Aizawa. A few days later, he was with the rest of the class at the train station.
"Everyone has their costumes, right?" Aizawa asked. "Remember, you don't have permission to wear them out in public yet, and don't lose them or anything."
"Gotcha!" Mina cheered, extremely overexcited to intern with a pro.
"Speak properly," Aizawa scolded her. "It's 'yes sir' Ashido."
"Yes sir," Mina deflated.
"Make sure you mind your manners with the other heroes during your internships," Aizawa warned them. "Now get to it."
Everyone separated and Lee turned, looking around and found the usual three waiting to say goodbye, all three giving him knowing looks. He walked over, sighing.
"Please be careful," Mina said.
"We know you're going to use the internship to look for your sister, so be safe," Toru said.
"Try to learn as much as you can, but do what you have to do," Momo said. "Just make sure you're in class when we all see each other again."
Lee nodded, smiling and gave them each a hug before leaving the station, activating his Quirk outside. A few minutes later, he reached his house and sat on the front porch to wait, his new costume sitting beside him in its case.
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