IMPORTANT NOTE: To those who have already read this far into the story before the posting of this chapter on "Star Wars Day" of 2023, I went back and made a little change to the previous chapter, or Episode 1 if you will. The change was to the description to Outcast's costume. The only really big change was to her mask. To be honest, I had always had kind of a nebulous image of what Outcast's mask should like until the other afternoon at my day job. After I had this little revelation I thought I should go back and change things.

I also put together some cover art for this story that displays a "headshot" of Outcast, which I hope is displaying properly on the site. It's a bit crude and the coloring isn't quite how I wanted it (it's hard doing different shades of black), but that picture is generally how I envision Outcast looking in costume.

In any event, I should've thought out the costume design a little more before posting the previous chapter/episode. To any readers who have been following this story from the time it was posted, I apologize. To any readers who started reading the day this chapter/episode was posted or after, you can just ignore this little note.

Disclaimer: I do not own My Hero Academia.

Episode 2 - Protectors Initiative

After spending about four hours being interviewed by police and reporters at the scene of the attack made by the Golden Skulls, All Might and David had gone back with Kaito and Noriko to Helios Tower. Once they had arrived at the tower, All Might had asked Kaito about this Protectors Initiative he had mentioned, but Kaito had insisted all explanations would have to wait until his father, Edward came to meet with them. Not long after their arrival, All Might had taken a moment to change from his costume into a navy blue t-shirt and tan jeans. Meanwhile Kaito had handed All Might and David off to an attendant working in the lobby while he and Noriko went off to change and take care of a few other things. On Kaito's instruction, the attendant gave David and All Might a tour of Helios Tower.

The tour began on the basement level, which turned out to be a vast complex with a garage, a small race track, and three areas simulating different types of terrain. On some of these terrain fields, All Might and David saw some of these vehicles being attacked both with weapons and by people using their quirks. According to the attendant giving the tour, the complex was used for testing out new vehicle designs. There was of course no shortage of heroes and hero agencies that used vehicles to get around and aid in their work, and the purpose of this facility was to take any vehicle design requests from the heroes out in the field and make them a reality. As All Might and David learned from the attendant during this part of the tour, almost every Helios Corporation facility around the world had its own vehicle testing area of some sort.

After seeing the vehicle testing area, the attendant took All Might and David to see the labs on the upper levels of the building. Most of these labs naturally served the purpose of designing and creating new hero costumes. Many of the costumes were of course designed based on specifications sent in by various heroes around the globe, but there were also many other costume and costume components that were completely original to the Helios Corporation. These original designs would be offered to heroes who might benefit from their use. Many of the original designs were shown off at product expos, but they mainly appeared on the company's hero website and in emails to various hero agencies as suggested products they might like.

There were also labs inside the building deigned for the purpose of testing out the effects of different quirks. These labs naturally served to test out various costume designs. Towards the end of the tour, the attendant took All Might and David to a relatively new department of the Helios Corporation. This department was dedicated solely to the development of new facilities for hero agencies around the globe. During this part of the tour, All Might and David couldn't help but suspect that this particular department had some other purpose to it.

At the end of the tour, All Might and David had been taken to a large conference room located in the big saucer-shaped structure at the top of the tower. David and All Might were currently standing at one of the many large windows of the conference room and looking down at the city below.

"Man! I feel like I have died and gone to heaven," David declared.

All Might nodded. "It is a nice view."

"Huh? Oh, yeah. This is nice, but I was talking about the labs they've got here. The facilities at this place are way beyond anything back at the university."

"You'll find the Helios Corporation uses nothing but the best," a familiar voice spoke. David and All Might turned and saw Kaito standing by the conference table wearing a short-sleeved white buttoned shirt and black jeans. "I take it you enjoyed your tour, Mr. Shield?"

"Oh you bet. And please, call me Dave. Anyway, I certainly wouldn't mind coming to work here after my graduation."

Kaito smirked and nodded. "Given what I've seen of your work, we'd be happy to have you. Of course it's not my decision to make, but I'd be happy to put in a good word for you."

"That'd be awesome!"

"Hello everyone," Noriko greeted as she came into the room. She had since changed into a long-sleeved buttoned pink shirt and blue jeans. "Sorry I'm late."

"Don't worry about it, babe. The guys and I were just talking," Kaito told her as she walked up next to him.

"Say Noriko, there's something I'm curious about," David interjected. "What exactly is your quirk? I've never seen anything like it before."

"I'd be happy to explain," Noriko responded. "But since we're getting to know each other, mind if you tell me what your quirk is first?"

David blushed and rubbed the back of his head. "Well…I guess if you really wanna know. The name of my quirk is Squirmy Fingers. It's not really good for anything."

"What exactly does it do?"

To answer Noriko's question, David held out his hands flat in front of him. His fingers bent in strange directions, backwards, forwards and sideways. Both Noriko and Kaito attempted to hide their disgust with insincere smiles.

"That's a…very unique ability," Noriko commented.

"Truely. I've…never seen anything like it," Kaito declared.

All Might smiled. "Look at it this way. No one can hurt Dave by bending his finger backward."

"Probably the only advantage my quirk has," David agreed as he straightened his fingers and stuffed his hands in his pockets. "So Noriko, now that I've shown you what my quirk can do, care to tell me about yours?"

"Well, it's a little hard to explain," Noriko answered. "The name of my quirk is Tennyo."

"Tennyo? I've read about them in Japanese folklore. Aren't they supposed to be angels of some sort?"

"Right. They gave my quirk that name because I'm capable of doing what some of the tennyo in those old legends can do. My father's the one who came up with the name for my quirk. He picked the name because according to legend, my family is descended from a tennyo. He also claims that me being descended from a tennyo is the reason why I'm so beautiful."

"There's actually a lot we've yet to learn about Noriko's quirk," Kaito interjected. "What we do know is that her body is able to produce some sort of unidentified energy that allows her to fly, manipulate objects, and produce energy blasts. She can even use this energy to stimulate plant growth and heal injuries."

David nodded. "It does seem like a divine power, especially from what I saw when you were fighting the Golden Skulls earlier."

"Well, it's not like it doesn't have its limits," Noriko admitted. "I can only use so much of this energy before I run out and have to recharge for about eight hours or so. When I do run out of power, I tend to pass out for a while. As for healing injuries, there are some injuries I just can't fix. For instance if a person loses say an arm or one of their organs, my power can't grow those lost body parts back. All I can do is close up the wounds and accelerate the body's natural ability to heal itself."

"The doctors think Noriko's power works by absorbing the cosmic rays that regularly bombard the planet and converting it into the energy she uses," Kaito revealed. "Though they're not a hundred percent sure."

"Well if they're right, it would mean Noriko's quirk is similar to yours," David realized.

Kaito smiled and put his arm around Noriko's shoulder. "Sort of makes us a perfect match, huh?"

All Might put a hand to his chin. "You know Noriko, you really have improved a lot since we went to U.A. Even during our third year you never put out the level of power I saw you use today."

"Well, right after I graduated from U.A., they put me through some pretty intense training here at the Helios Corporation," Noriko revealed.

"We had to make sure she can keep up with her future husband, after all," Kaito remarked. "Plus your training allowed the lab guys to study your power even further. You know, they discovered the energy Noriko's body produces makes her immune to practically any disease and has also slowed her aging process. She'll probably still be looking as gorgeous as she is now when she's in her sixties."

"Um, Kaito? You don't have to tell them everything," Noriko stated as her smile faltered a bit.

"Oh come on, hon. I'm just trying to tell the guys here how spectacular you are," Kaito responded, grinning as his arm around her tightened slightly but invisibly.

"You can't blame your fiancé for wanting to brag about his beloved," a voice interrupted. Walking into the room was a man in his fifties with dark hair that was greying at the sides, wearing a white suit with a red tie. "I often brag about you quite a bit as well, you know."

"Hi Daddy," Noriko responded. "Toshi-kun, David, I'd like you to meet my father, Yukito Akizuki."

"Oh! It's a pleasure to meet you, sir," All Might told Yukito, bowing.

Yukito bowed to both All Might and David. "I just saw you on the news. You did incredible work against the Golden Skulls."

"Well, I was just in the right place at the right time."

"Regardless, I can see why young Kaito thinks you're a good fit for the Protectors."

David raised his hand as if in class. "Sir, just what are these Protectors you're talking about?"

"If everything goes well, they'll be the top team of heroes in the world," another voice interjected.

Standing in the doorway was an older gentleman in his fifties, which neatly combed silver hair and a silver mustache. He wore a finely tailored black suit with a grey shirt and a blue silk tie.

"Mr. Helios," All Might identified.

"Hi Dad," Kaito greeted.

"Sorry I'm late, everyone. My last meeting ran a bit long," Edward Helios explained as he came into the room. He took a look at All Might. "Yagi, wasn't it? I still remember seeing you beat my son at the U.A. sports festival."

All Might grinned. "He sure gave me a real challenge."

"Dad, I think it's time we tell Yagi and his friend, David Shield about the Protectors Initiative," Kaito suggested.

"Right you are," Edward agreed. "But first Yagi, have you and your friend had lunch yet?"

"Well, not yet," All Might admitted. "We thought we'd wait to eat until we got to the city."

"In that case, let's eat while we have this talk. Ms. Saint James!"

Entering the conference room was a woman in her early thirties with medium-length light-brown hair. Her eyes were behind a pair of glasses with red oval-shaped frames, and she wore a white blouse with a black skirt that ended just above her knees. In her arm the woman carried a tablet with a black case.

"Yagi, Mr. Shield. This is my secretary and trusted right hand, Stephenie Saint James," Edward introduced. "Ms. Saint James, please get some lunch sent up here. Steaks all around."

Stephenie nodded. "As you wish, sir."

Once Stephenie left, All Might and the others sat down at the large conference table in the room. They engaged in small talk until the food arrived, with Edward leading the conversation. Once everyone had cut into their steaks, the real meeting got underway. Stephenie had since returned and was standing by next to Edward's chair in the event he had further instructions.

"The Protectors are an idea Yukito and I have been trying to make a reality for the past several years now," Edward began. "The idea is a simple one. A team of the best heroes on the planet, armed with top of the line support gear and the most advanced facilities ever made, able to take down global threats happening anywhere in the world in an instant."

"You mean an international team of heroes?" David asked.

"In essence, yes," Yukito confirmed. "In the past there have been some villains who presented such a great threat to the world's peace that they were too much for the heroes of a single nation to defeat. In those times, heroes from other nations would be called in to help, but deploying those heroes required a mountain of paperwork. Meanwhile those infamous villains and their armies of followers would only continue to cause more death and destruction during the time it would take for such deployments to be approved."

"The solution is to have a hero team who's jurisdiction is the entire world," Edward continued. "The Protectors."

David nodded. "Just one thing though. Aren't the kind of villains you're talking about pretty rare? With every country each having so many heroes of their own, it just doesn't seem like there's an urgent need for an international hero team."

Yukito frowned. "That's precisely what most of my colleagues at the U.N. all say. Practically every nation seems to think it would be a total waste of money to finance a team we'd hardly ever need to use most of the time. I say the money would be a good investigate for our future safety."

"Plus think about this," Edward interjected. "Not all heroes have an equal level of power. Like it or not, some heroes are more affective than others. You wouldn't want a hero who's only great strengths are catching purse snatchers and rescuing cats from trees to try and take down a villain capable of slaughtering an entire army. The Protectors would be the best of the best, the most elite heroes each country can produce. The kind of heroes capable of taking down world threats easily."

David nodded. "You make a fair point, but it also seems like the kind of villains you're talking about are pretty rare."

"Are you sure about that, Dave?" Kaito asked. "Maybe you've already forgotten about the Golden Skulls. They've started to become a real serious threat, and I'm sure they won't be the only evil organization to rear its ugly head in the future. I think the Golden Skulls are a sign that villains are starting to get more organized."

"Good point," David admitted. "It seems like those guys have been in the news every day lately."

"I'm certain it's only a time before the Golden Skulls execute some sort of synchronized attack all over the globe," Yukito declared. "We need to be ready before they do."

"There's one other thing," Edward added. "With a team like the Protectors, we could eradicate organized crime all around the world once and for all."

"And you really want me to be a part of this team?" All Might asked.

"My son recommended you for it," Edward revealed. "And from what I've seen of your work, you'd be a great asset to the team."

"Yagi, this is a great chance for us both," Kaito declared. "Back at U.A. we competed with each other to become the number one hero of Japan, but with this team we'd become known as the greatest heroes in the entire world. Plus, think of all the good we could do by working together."

All Might put a hand to his chin. "I don't know."

"You don't have to decide right now," Edward told him. "After all, we can't officially form the team yet. Take a few days and think it over."

"Obviously both Kaito and Noriko would be on this team of yours, and Toshi too if he accepts," David deduced. "Who else do you have lined up for it?"

"We've scouted three other candidates who have expressed interest in joining," Edward answered. "Ms. Saint James, please tell them about our three other heroes."

"Of course, sir," Stephenie responded before pressing something on her tablet. "Our first candidate is the hero known as Mr. Magnet. Real name, Victor Owens. He's currently considered the top hero in New York City."

"I've heard of him. Thanks to him, New York City's crime rate is only half as bad as what it used to be," David recalled. "It's also said he designed a lot of the support items he uses himself."

"I reached out to Mr. Magnet personally," Kaito revealed. "He seemed quite interested in the idea behind this team."

"The next candidate is the hero, Tenth Power," Stephenie continued. "Real name, Steve Conti. He was selected for the initiative due to his ten years of hero experience, and his exceptional record. His efforts have helped eliminate several drug cartels and two terrorist organizations."

"Sound like he'd be a big help fighting the Golden Skulls," All Might admitted.

"Tenth Power and I actually go back quite a ways," Edward revealed. "I figured this team could benefit greatly from his experience."

"Finally we have another hero from Japan, the Rainbow Hero, Spectrum," Stephanie continued. "Real name, Tomoyo Haruse. She was a top graduate of the hero academy, Shiketsu High."

All Might nodded in approval. "I've heard of her. On top of being a hero, she's also one of Japan's biggest idols right now."

"Spectrum's latest single is currently one of the top ten hit songs in Japan," Stephenie revealed. "Shall I play it for everyone?"

"No need, Ms. Saint James," Edward told her, raising a hand. "It's clear from Spectrum's reputation alone that she's exceptional, which is why she was chosen as a prospective member."

"I was the one to reach out to Ms. Haruse," Yukito revealed. "Her father and I are old friends."

"And it's only just these three?" David asked.

"For now," Edward answered. "But I'm sure that it won't be long before there are others. We're going to create a team that every hero will want to be a part of. In any event, these heroes will be arriving in the city tomorrow. There's going to be a meeting where I'm going to get into the details for the Protectors Initiative in more detail. Yagi, you're invited to attend this meeting as well."

All Might nodded. "I think I will."

Edward nodded back. "I'll have Ms. Saint James give you the location of the meeting later. But I guess this concludes our business for now. So, where are you and Mr. Shields staying while you're here in our fine city?"

"We did book some rooms at a hotel, but with everything that's just happened I think we missed our check-in time," David realized. "Guess we'll have to see if we can find a motel somewhere."

"I won't have it," Edward declared, raising his hand. "The two of you can stay at my place while you're here. We've got plenty of rooms to spare."

Edward had made a serious understatement back at Helios Tower when he said his place had plenty of spare rooms. His home in the U.S. was a sprawling three-story mansion just outside the city. All Might and David couldn't help but be amazed when they first came through the mansion's front gates and saw the place. When they were taken to their rooms, the two both had to admit that their new accommodations put the hotel they had originally planned to stay at to shame. Once David and All Might had settled in, they had joined the Helios and Akuzuki families for dinner, during which All Might, Kaito and Noriko relived their times at U.A.

Towards the end of dinner, All Might and David excused themselves so the two families could discuss wedding business. The duo ended up going out on a balcony located on the second floor. They ended up watching as the sun setting over the city in the distance.

"Pretty wild day, huh?" David remarked. "Our first day in the city, and you end up stopping a bunch of terrorists. Plus you got invited to join some elite team."

"Say Dave, what do you think of this Protectors Initiative?" All Might asked.

"Well…to be honest, I'm not too crazy about it. Like I said before, it'd be a waste to spend money on a hero team that would hardly ever be needed."

"Not necessarily. Like Kai said, there do seem to be certain villain groups that are getting more organized. Besides, I can think of one villain powerful enough to warrant a team of elite heroes." As he looked out at the setting sun, All Might thought of the still recent death of his late master, Nana Shimura at the hands of All For One. "If a villain like the one I'm thinking of were to rise up and threaten the entire world, wouldn't it make sense for there to be a team like the Protectors?"

"Okay, well think about this. The way I see it, heroes are pretty competitive with each other as it is. Now we mix in this super special team of heroes who are supposed to be the best of the best, and will probably only accept the best of the best into its ranks. Wouldn't that only make heroes more competitive? We'd probably get more heroes who fight for the wrong reasons.

"We'd have heroes who wouldn't be fighting so much to save people as they would to prove that they're good enough for this team. And what about the heroes who do end up being good enough to become one of the Protectors? What if one of those heroes is out on patrol and see one of the little crimes or emergencies like the kind Mr. Helios was talking about? He sees a little old lady get her purse stolen or some little girl begging for someone to get her cat out of a tree. What if that hero decides not to help those people because he thinks little crimes and emergencies like that are beneath him?

"That hero might choose to save them if he thinks he could get some quick publicity out of it. Then again he might just think something like, 'One of the small-time heroes can help those people. I've got more important things to do.' If you ask me, heroes like that are the last thing this world needs."

All Might raised an eyebrow. "You're being pretty cynical about this, don't you think?"

David smiled and shook his head. "I'm just exploring the possibilities. I certainly can't see you becoming a jerk hero like the kind I'm talking about. But think about this, Toshi. What if becoming one of the Protectors actually prevents you from saving people?"

"What do you mean?"

"A team like the Protectors would probably be strictly overseen by the U.N., and there'd likely be a lot of rules and regulations that ultimately restricted what you could do. It's highly possible they'd only deploy you to deal with major disasters. Now say you were sent out to deal with one of those disasters and on the way there you saw a bank robbery taking place. The people overseeing the Protectors would probably tell you to ignore that bank robbery because it's way below your pay grade."

All Might looked up at the sky. "I never considered such a thing. You've given me a lot to think about, Dave."

David patted him on the shoulder. "I'll get behind whatever decision you end up making, Toshi. I just hope it's the right one. Anyway, I'm heading back to my room. There's a design I want to finish up tonight."

"Dreamed up some new support item, eh?"

David winked and pointed a finger gun at him. "You'll find out soon enough."

Night had fallen and All Might had decided to go out and stretch his legs. Fortunately the backyard of the Helios family mansion was the perfect place to do so. It was a vast yard, with elegantly sculpted topiaries and delicately cared statues. All Might ended up following a decorative stone path to the center of the yard, where he found a fountain carved to look like four dolphins leaping out of the water towards each other, with each dolphin spraying water from their mouths up towards the stars. He also saw Noriko sitting on the edge of the fountain, looking at a picture in her hand.

"Pretty nice night out, huh?" All Might remarked as he walked up, startling Noriko.

"Oh! Toshi-kun. I didn't expect to see you out here at this time of night."

"What're you looking at?"

"Just an old photo." Noriko handed him the picture she was holding. "Sort of remembering old times I guess."

The picture was of Noriko and Kaito when they were about six years old, and had been taken somewhere outside. There was someone else in the photo, a girl with short black hair. Noriko was between the two, with Kaito on her left and the girl on her right. All Might noticed how Noriko was holding the girl's hand.

"The person in the photo with us is Kaoru," Noriko explained.

"Oh yeah. I remember her," All Might recalled as he handed back the photo. "She was a friend of Kai's, right?"

Noriko nodded. "Sort of. I knew her because she lived at Kaito's house back in Japan. Her mother was one of the maids who worked there. I actually considered Kaoru to be my best friend." Her expression saddened. "I wish she was here now."

"What happened to her?"

"…Do you remember back at U.A. when we had to help contain those escaped prisoners?"

"Sure. One of the prisoners was the Oni, a pretty nasty villain as I recall. You were assisting the team of pros that apprehended him. Wait a minute! I remember saving Kaoru at the time! The Oni nearly killed her with a lamp post he tore out of the ground. Seeing here there was a real surprise."

"For me too." Noriko looked up at the star-filled sky above. "That day ended up being the last day I'd ever see Kaoru. It turned out she had stolen some diamonds from a jewelry store not far from the area. They arrested her on the spot and hulled her away in the same prison transport they put the Oni in. I had known Kaoru had been having some problems, but…I never imagined anything like this would happen. At the time I just couldn't believe it. I still can't, really."

"Have…have you ever gone to visit Kaoru in prison?" All Might asked with a small smile.

Tears came to Noriko's eyes. "I never got the chance. The transport Kaoru was on ended up getting in some sort of terrible accident on the way to the prison. Everyone on board was killed, including the hero I had been training under for my work study, Sergeant Blackout."

"I remember hearing about the accident. It seemed like it was all anyone at school talked about for the next few weeks. Sergeant Blackout was never the most popular hero, but it's always a dark day when any hero dies."

"When Kaoru's mother found out about what happened…she killed herself a few days later. She blamed herself for Kaoru turning out the way she did. Honestly, I feel like a part of me died when I found out what had happened too."

"Noriko…"

Noriko wiped her tears away on her sleeve and smiled. "But enough about the past. Have you given any more thought to joining the Protectors?"

All Might crossed his arms and looked up at the sky. "I'm still not sure. Dave and I were talking about this earlier, and something he said now has me wondering if I'd truly be able to help anyone by joining this team. Protecting the entire world is important, sure. But so is protecting the every day people. If I'm out there trying to protect the world at large, would I be able to save those who truly need help when they need it?"

"Toshi-kun, you really are a true hero. Me, I can barely play the part."

"What do you mean?"

Noriko stood up. "I'm powerful, sure. When it comes to saving people from disaster I do everything I can to help, just like anyone else would. But when it comes to fighting villains, I always hesitate."

"I understand. It'd be nice if we didn't have to fight villains at all."

"Honestly, I don't think I'm cut out to be a hero. The only reason I became one is because of the quirk I was born with. My father always told me it was my responsibility to become a champion of world peace because I had this power. I try to live up to that responsibility, but if I had my choice I'd choose to live a quiet life. Being a hero just isn't for me."

"Don't you think you're being too hard on yourself?"

Noriko shook her head. "If only I hadn't been born with the quirk I had, but then again if I hadn't Kaoru would've died long before she did."

"What do you mean?"

"It happened when I was about six, on the very day that photo you saw was taken. My family and Kaito's went on a camping trip together, and I had insisted Kaoru be able to come with. We found this big log that went across these two cliffs like a bridge. Kaoru tried crossing it and slipped off. When I saw her falling, my mind went blank and I jumped after her. I caught her, and the next thing I knew I was flying with her in my arms. That was how my quirk first manifested."

All Might smiled. "You know, a lot of stories about heroes all have one thing in common. Their bodies moved on their own. Noriko, the fact that you acted without thinking to save a friend shows you have the makings of a true hero."

"There you are, babe," Kaito interrupted as he walked up. He was smiling, yet something in his eyes seemed to say he was not happy. "Didn't expect to find you out here this late, and with Yagi no less. What've you two been up to?"

"Just talking about old times," Noriko answered.

"I see. Well, I think the two of us had both better turn in. I mean we have a couple of big days ahead of us. Tomorrow we're meeting with the other Protector candidates, and then of course there's the rehearsal dinner. The day after that is the wedding. It's pretty important we both get our rest whenever we can get it."

"Oh, well…you go on ahead. I'll be just a few minutes."

Still smiling, Kaito took hold of Noriko's wrist. "There's actually also something kind of important I'd like to discuss with you right now too. So do you mind?"

Noriko looked shocked for a moment before smiling. "Of course not. Guess I'll see you in the morning, Toshi-kun."

"Uh, yeah. Goodnight," All Might responded.

All Might watched as Kaito led Noriko back to the house. Noriko looked back at All Might for a split second, and in that second All Might thought she looked frightened. He shook his head and rubbed it off as his imagination though. The young hero couldn't imagine any possible reason Noriko would have to be frightened of Kaito. All Might decided to continue his walk and ponder the offer to join the Protectors a little further.

Kaito slapped Noriko in the face so hard she fell to the floor of the sitting room. No one came to investigate the sound of Kaito's bare hand hitting her face or her cry of pain, or the sounds of her dropping to the floor. Kaito stood over Noriko as she managed to sit up.

"What the hell were you doing out there with Yagi?" Kaito asked.

"Nothing! We were just talking! I swear!" Noriko insisted.

"That had better be all. The only reason I brought Yagi here is to help make us look good! Not to be your personal boy toy whenever I'm not around!"

"Kaito, there's never been anything between Toshi-kun and me! We're just friends! That's it!"

"Don't lie to me!" Kaito shouted as he kicked Noriko in the gut. "I've seen the way you look at him!"

Noriko coughed, with tears in her eyes. "You're imaging things. Believe me! I would never…"

"Shut up!" Kaito shouted as he kicked her in the gut again. He took a breath and calmed down slightly while Noriko continued to cough on the floor. "Look, we are on the verge of becoming the king and queen of hero society, something we have been working to achieve our entire lives! I don't need you doing anything to screw that up, understand? So pull yourself together, put on a smile, and behave yourself."

With those words, Kaito stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind him. Noriko remained on the floor where she was as her coughing stopped. She remained there on the floor, curling up into a fetal position as she cried into the carpet.

It was the dead of night as the private jet Carmine was sitting in flew towards a private airstrip a few miles outside of Sunrise City. The jet actually belonged to All For One's people, Carmine was just along as sort of an observer. At the moment Dr. Garaki was sitting next to him in the window seat, though was not looking out the window. The mad scientist was currently focused on whatever was on the screen of his laptop. Meanwhile Outcast was sitting a few seats back, still in full costume with her tail resting on her lap.

"So Doc, if you don't mind me asking…how come All For One didn't come with us for this trip?" Carmine inquired.

"The Master had some business matters to attend to back in Japan," Dr. Garaki answered, not taking his eyes off his laptop as he continued to type. "Besides, this mission is a test for Outcast."

Carmine looked nervously back at the masked villain and tugged on his collar. "Speaking of which, shouldn't she be in a cage or something?"

Dr. Garaki chuckled. "I know Outcast may look intimidating, but she's actually a fairly good conversationalist. All For One talks to her quite regularly. Perhaps you should take this opportunity to get to know her a little. It might make you feel a little less frightened of her."

Carmine thought about the idea for a moment and at last shrugged his shoulders. He decided he had nothing to lose by trying to talk to Outcast…except perhaps his life if he said the wrong thing and she ripped off his face. Despite the risk, Carmine felt like he needed someone to talk to in order to feel less nervous, and Dr. Garaki had hardly been a charming conversation companion. After a few moments of hesitation, Carmine got up and took the seat right across from Outcast.

"Hi there," Carmine greeted as he sat down. "Nice night, huh?"

Outcast glared at him with her yellow eyes, causing him to flinch. "What do you want?"

"Oh, uh…just thought we should chat since it looks like we'll be working together for a while. So…Ed Helios is your dad, huh? No offense, but I kinda find it hard to believe."

Outcast let out a bitter laugh. "That's just how he wants it. You see, I'm his illegitimate daughter. My mother was a maid who worked at the Helios mansion in Japan. I did at least get to grow up in his house. The bastard was afraid to get rid of me and my mom because he was too afraid it would get out to the press and his society friends that he had a one-night stand with a servant that resulted in a kid. I may have grown up in his home, but I was never part of his family.

Carmine shook his head. "Geez. Gotta say, that's pretty messed up. So what was it like? Growing up in the house that belonged to your dad's real family?"

Outcast looked out the window at the night sky. "It wasn't pleasant…"

It was early in the evening, and ten-year-old Kaoru was watching a concert on T.V. she had been looking forward to all week. Kaoru had recently become a huge fan of this particular idol. Her music cheered Kaoru up whenever she had a bad day, and lately it seemed like she had more bad days than good. The concert had only just gotten started though when channel on the T.V. suddenly changed. Kaoru sat bolt upright on the couch and saw Kaito standing next to the couch with the remote in his hand.

"I was watching that!" Kaoru complained.

"Yeah? Well there's a special on Japan's top five heroes coming on right now, and that's what I'm watching," Kaito declared. "So get lost."

Angry, Kaoru jumped to her feet. "I was here first!"

"So? This is my house," Kaito responded as he shoved her aside and sat down on the couch. "You only live here because your mom's a servant."

Kaoru's hands clenched into fists at her sides. "Kaito, I just found out who my real dad is a few days ago. It's yours. You and I are brother and sister, so that means you should treat me better!"

Kaito glared at Kaoru and threw the remote at her, hitting her in the forehead. "Let's get something straight right now! I overheard all about what happened between my dad and your worthless mom when he was coming clean to my mom about it! Even if we do have the same dad, it doesn't change a thing! He said you're a mistake and that's what you are! A quirkless mistake! Meanwhile I'm the legitimate heir! I get everything, and you get nothing! That's the way the world works, so suck it up and get out of my sight!"

Kaoru tried to argue the point, but no words came to her. Instead, she ran out of the room as fast as she could. She didn't want Kaito to see her crying. Kaoru made it as far as the hallway before she stopped and totally broke down.

Suddenly Kaoru felt a hand softly touch her shoulder. "Kaoru?" She turned her head back and saw Noriko behind her. "What's wrong?"

Kaoru turned around and wiped her tears away with her sleeve. "Kaito won't let me watch the concert I was planning to see on T.V. all week."

"Can't you watch it in your room?" Noriko asked.

"There's no T.V. in the servant's quarters. Anyway, what're you doing here?"

"I…came to watch something on T.V. with Kaito. He said this special he wants to watch is something we both should watch since we're going to become the top heroes one day."

"Oh. Well, have fun."

Kaoru began to walk away, but before she could get more than two steps, Noriko grabbed her hand. "We can watch the rest of your concert at my place."

Kaoru's eyes widened in surprise. "But, what about your special?"

Noriko smiled and shook her head. "They'll probably run it again another time. Your concert's more important. Now come on. If we hurry, I'm sure we can still catch most of it."

"…Noriko was the only one besides my mother back then who ever showed me any real kindness," Outcast continued. "Of course she caught hell later for showing me that kindness."

"Her parents didn't like her hanging out with you or something?" Carmine asked.

"Noriko's parents never really approved of her friendship with a servant's child, sure. But they weren't so controlling that they forbid her from seeing me. The problem was Kaito. He got mad when Noriko ditched him to watch my concert with me. That was the first time I ever saw him slap Noriko. When it happened, I punched him and broke his nose."

"I guess that didn't go over well with your old man?"

Outcast let out another bitter chuckle. "My dad and his wife treated me like I had committed a capital crime for harming their precious prince. My mom was pretty upset too, made me apologize. I can still remember the smug look on my half-brother's face as they made me bow down to him. Of course nobody believed me that Kaito had hit Noriko."

Carmine shook his head. "You really had it rough, huh kid?"

"Looking back on those days, I realize now there was never any justice in this world. The rich and powerful always win even when they should lose. Most of the people who aspire to be heroes are people like Kaito, people who are only after the glory and the fame. But now I'll have my revenge. I'll tear down everything my father and brother have built, along with this worthless society of ours." Outcast turned her head back to the window. "Now go away. I want to be alone right now."

Carmine said nothing and headed back to his original seat. He still felt terrified by Outcast, but he now also felt great pity for her as well.

"So, how'd it go?" Dr. Garaki asked as Carmine sat back down.

The mobster shook his head as he sat back down. "You weren't kiddin', Doc. That girl sure loves to talk."

Dr. Garaki chuckled. "She mostly talks as a way to vent her feelings when she's not training. I'm certain that talking to you has reminded her of why she's fighting."

Carmine took one last look back at Outcast. "Well I'll tell ya one thing, Doc. I would not wanna be Ed Helios or his son right now. Because when our girl back there runs into 'em again, they're as good as dead."

Author's Note: I'd once again like to thank my friend, Firebolt-The Blazing Saint for looking over the chapters in this story for me. His comments helped me improve the opening of this episode just a little bit. I'd also like to take this opportunity to talk a little about one of the original characters in this story.

Kaito/Sun King: It was always my intention to have Kaito be a character who, as Firebolt put it, "made Endeavor (from the main MHA series) look like the ideal husband and father". I couldn't have come up with a better description myself. Unlike Endeavor though, Kaito is able to put on this charming and friendly exterior around others, making it so that no one suspects that he's actually an abusive scumbag.

Coming up with Kaito's quirk and hero alter ego was actually kind of a challenge. Since I also wanted the character to be something of a tech wiz, I decided to try making him a cross between Iron Man and Superman. In other words, a hero who uses a costume of his own designed that's powered by his own body, but the power source comes from the sun rather than a cybernetic device implanted in his chest.

Now that all of the pieces are more or less in place, the real action can get underway. Sorry it took so long to get things properly set up.

Please review and let me know what you think. And happy Star Wars Day!