My Hero Academia - Under Pressure - Season 2 - Episode 25 - Get Things Rolling
"You shouldn't have had to see that, I'm sorry, Tonen," said Principal Ayatsune.
In her office, Tonen Keitomo sat across from her as he had done many times in the recent days. His look this time was one of displeasure as he thought about what his teacher, Big Brain, tried to put him through during his final exam. He passed it, but only after letting loose and literally breaking the training area in a bout of rage.
"Did you know he would that?" Tonen asked.
"I knew about all the tests, it was the only way I could know if they would push you all too far. When Igasato, er, Big Brain, showed me yours I immediately told him not to do it. He showed me a version where it was just going to be that driller villain, but without the card to set you off. Based on what I saw from here, he didn't like it that you stood up to him both in regards to Ryo and the look you gave him after Chuya's fight. Big Brain is a brilliant man, but he can hold a grudge like no one else."
"Should I worry about him in the future?"
"No," Principal Ayatsune said with clear force, "I'll make sure he doesn't overstep. He'll still push you, but no more than he will everyone else. That's what teachers are for after all."
Tonen chuckled to himself, "All this does is make me wonder who's angrier. Armed Guard or Big Brain?"
"That is a contest I'd never want to see."
The two looked at one another for a bit before the broke out into a fit of laughter. Ayatsune was the first to recover from it though, "Are you ready for the summer training course?"
"Just got to finish packing up. We're only going to be there for a week, right?"
The principal nodded, "Right. But, it will be an intense week, and there are some challenges that you and others will face that you aren't expecting, so be prepared for what's coming. Or at least, try and be prepared for what's coming."
"That's not ominous at all," joked Tonen as he got up to leave. But not unlike before, he stopped as he grabbed the doorknob. "If I may, can I ask you a personal question?"
"Of course."
"The final exam, I...didn't intend to show my anger about The Deck. It just happened. It felt natural given what I was seeing and feeling. Was that wrong?"
"No. You reacted to something that hurt you before. Never apologize for that. Plus, I heard what you said to Kuroda, you were in more control than you think. You and I have a bond in regards to how we feel about The Deck."
"Anger, rage, fury?"
"All of the above," she said grimly. "There are days I wonder if that's all I have left at times and whether I'm just putting on a front for you all. That's why I surround myself with people who show me that's not true. You do the same, ok Tonen?"
Tonen hesitated for a bit, then nodded, "Yes, Principal Ayatsune."
With that, he left, and no sooner did he go than Ayatsune sighed heavily and became very sad.
As Tonen headed back to his dorm, he saw some of his fellow Class 1-B mates heading back as well and so he joined up with them. Hana was leading the group, and in her hands was a rather long box.
She refused to tell them what it was or who it was for. That is, until they got into the dorm and she shouted, "Kuroda! Package for you!"
Kuroda was talking with some of the others in Class 1-B in the longue when Hana, Tonen and the others entered. When she saw the length of the box she got wide-eyed and headed right to it.
As she received the box, she flipped it until she saw the label and made a rejoicing noise at it, "Finally! Could've used this during the final exam."
Everyone watched as she opened the box and pulled out its contents. The first item she got out was a bandolier, which Kuroda put on her and adjusted so that it fit perfectly on her.
After that, she pulled out the main item. It was a large staff that was black in color, but at the center of it was a very unique handle that had a dial in it.
Kuroda gazed at it in awe, but the others were very confused. Key among them was The Twins, who both were puzzled at what they were seeing, "What is it?"
"Well," Kuroda answered as she grabbed the staff by the handle and gazed at the dial, "during my internship with Royal Knight, he noticed that my use of those rods I carry were clever...but not as versatile as they should be. Especially given my Quirk of changing something's composition. He felt that someone like me should have a weapon that could change with the situation. So he made this, so that when I needed a staff, I could have one. Or..."
She turned the dial with her thumb and the class was shocked as the staff shifted into a sword, all the while not affecting the handle that Kuroda still held.
"...if I needed a sword I could have that...or..."
She shifted it from one thing to the other, dazzling the class with its capabilities. Eventually, she turned it back into a sword so that it would fit perfectly onto her bandolier.
"I'm going to call it the CW, or the Change-It Weapon. Need it to be a sword? Change it! Need it to be a staff? Change it! Need it to be a bow? Change it!"
"Need it to be an item that can duct tape Goya's mouth shut?" teased Tonen.
"Oh you wish I could change it!" Kuorda replied before getting a sly look on her face. "In fact, let's see if that's a feature!"
She pulled out her weapon and checked the dials, much to the enjoyment of her classmates. Goya wasn't with them so he couldn't snark at the joke made at his expense. As Kuroda continued the joke, Tonen saw Chuya enter the room for a brief moment to get something before departing.
Tonen quietly left and went after her, catching her a floor up before she went into her room, "Soldier!"
Chuya paused as she heard her nickname, then sighed as she knew what was coming, "Tonen, you don't need to keep checking on me, I'm fine."
"I may not NEED to check on you, but I WANT to check on you. That's what friends do."
"...right."
"So...are you doing better?"
She hesitated again, but then let out another sigh before shifting in place uncomfortably, "Overall I'm fine. Life Force did a great job in healing me up. But..."
"...but?" asked Tonen, curious.
"Sometimes my body unnaturally itches in some of the spots where I have...had...the burns."
"Oh, I know what that is. It's called 'phantom pain'. It's something that typically happens with people who have lost their limbs, but given that you had some of your skin burned heavily..."
"It applies to me as well. Wonderful. This better not affect me in our tests during the summer camp."
"Considering all the pain you endured in the final exam, I think you can manage this until it goes away."
"Yeah, I can."
She gave him a nod to signal she was done talking with him, Tonen took the hint and walked away. But Chuya tensed up slightly and felt compelled to speak, "Tonen."
He stopped and turned back to her, "Yeah?"
"...thank you...for checking in on me."
"Again, that's what friends do. Let me know if you need anything."
With a wave he departed. Unsure of what to make of her new friendship, Chuya entered her room and put it out of her mind.
As Tonen arrived back with the others, Kuroda was still showing off her CW and all of its capabilities.
Hana was very intrigued by it, "I like how it shifts from weapon to weapon, but can it change its composition with your Quirk?"
"Of course!" Kuroda answered happily. "That was half the point!
Kuroda put the CW in its staff form, then had it change from its basic form to that of steel, then diamond, even rubber, before returning it to its standard self.
Eri stroked her chin as she watched this occur, "I don't pretend to be knowledgeable in all things, but that doesn't make any sense. The shifting is one thing that could be explained by programming, but adding that to your composition changes and you'd think the integrity of the item would be compromised somehow."
"Oh, I can explain that. Well, kind of. Royal Knight noted that this base material is made of some kind of unstable molecule, so thus it can transform and shift composition without losing anything in the process."
"Science in action!" boasted Wasuke.
"Something like that. But enough about my new toy, is everyone ready for the summer camp? We'll be leaving day after tomorrow."
"Were we even told what to bring?" wondered Anno as he rested against a couch. "We were told we'd be training...but that's it."
"They didn't even tell us if we'd need our hero outfits or not," noted Kanagita somewhat nervously, "I'm bringing mine because...well...you know."
"I think that's perfectly fine, Kanagita," said Kuroda calmingly to her. "But you're right, Anno, we don't know what to bring specifically. That might be part of the test though, see what we bring and such and whether we have the foresight to be ready for whatever comes."
"Ugh, that sounds like me father," groaned Fenella. "He's the type where he'll either triple check on you to make sure you have everything, or only give you the smallest of clues about what to bring...and then rag on you when ya don't get the intent."
"That...sounds annoying," admitted Ebirima.
"Oh ya, trust me lass, if you ever meet my family, we're never going camping together. Wills have been broken on our trips..."
"Uh..."
"Anyone ELSE with insight...?" asked Kuroda as she looked at the others almost pleadingly.
"Enough clothes for a week," answered Iha simply.
"Blunt as always, Iha. But you're right. Anyone else?"
"I'd say more than a weeks' worth of clothes," piped in Ueno, head wobbling. "If we're going to be working out every day on things, our clothes will get dirty really quick, if not destroyed."
"Excellent point. So bring extra workout clothes so you don't ruin your regular stuff."
Sanda raised his hand slightly, "I'm bringing in a bunch of energy bars and such. Principal Ayatsune said this was going to push us hard, and in ways we didn't expect. So I'm prepping to be exhausted every day. Then again, if we're tired every day then that would actually defeat the purpose of the training and so you have to wonder just how much they-"
"SANDA!" roared the class to get him to stop.
"Right, sorry, sorry!"
"All of these sound like good ideas," pointed out Tonen. "Since they're being a bit...well...vague. Prepare as if we're going to be doing a lot during those seven days. Bring enough clothes, bring energy supplies, maybe pack some bandages just in case we need to do a quick fix on things, the works. But also, bring a few things to have some fun with because I doubt they'll have us training 24/7."
"I hope not," said Oshibu with a wry smile, "even my speed would be run down by that."
"All the more reason to think they'll train us hard, but let us heal. After all, once we're done with this, we're coming back to school. If they break us, that kind of hurts the intention of the course, right?"
He looked at the class and they all nodded in agreement. Kuroda saw this and knew to keep the momentum rolling, "Alright then! It's settled! Pack what you can, and if you don't use it? Oh well! Better safe than sorry on this, now get going! No waiting to the last minute!"
They all dispersed save for Kuroda and Tonen, the latter of whom looked at his class rep with a familiar smile, "As always, good job rallying the troops."
"And as always, thank you for the assist. On a more serious level, what do you think they'll have us do?"
"No idea, as long as it's nothing like that final exam."
"Agreed. Speaking of which...you good?"
"Yeah, I talked it over with Principal Ayatsune. I'm good. Just putting it out of my mind."
Kuroda put a hand on his shoulder and looked him dead in the eye, "Here if you need me, big brother."
He returned the gesture, "Likewise to you, big sister."
With that, they went off to their rooms and prepared for the summer adventure to come.
But not so far away, a different venture was being had. In the new lair of The Deck, The Dealer was in a meeting with another man. One who was known as The Dominator.
The two men starred at one another for a while, each trying to get a read on the other in some small way.
"I must admit", started out The Dealer, "I was surprised by not only your offer, but your request to see me in person. I usually don't take such meetings. For...obvious reasons."
"Very understandable," replied The Dominator with a deep yet sinisterly-filled voice. "After all, you are in a position of power and having the wrong person meet you would be...unfortunate."
"Indeed. To which, I must ask...why did you want to meet me?"
"Two reasons. First, I like to know who I am dealing with when I ask for assistance. But second, I wanted to know if you were real."
"My reputation, and the reputation of The Deck, wasn't enough to show I was real?"
"With respect, just because you make a name for yourself doesn't mean you are exactly what you project. There's a reason the term 'the man behind the curtain' exists."
The Dealer looked at The Dominator with intent, but then quickly laughed it off, "Yes, I can see why someone like yourself might need to 'meet the man' versus just taking someone's word at it. So tell me, am I as you expected?"
The Dominator smirked and shook his head, "No, you're not. You're a bit more...comical than I figured you'd be, especially in your look."
"We all have a part to play. Besides, I don't get my hands dirty as much as I used to. So why not have a little fun in how I dress?"
He arose from his desk and did a quick twirl, finishing up with his hand covering the part of his face not exposed by the mask.
"After all, there's a reason the phrase 'dress for the job you want' exists."
"Well played. But now that we've gotten the lay of each other out...shall we talk business?"
"Oh yes, let's! Because you are making quite a big ask of my Deck. Wanting a dozen members or so for a plan that...well...I'm not even sure what the plan is. Do you have a plan?"
"Naturally."
"Then please, relay it to me so I can give you the best members that I can."
The Dealer sat back in his desk chair and motioned for his guest to speak.
The Dominator hid an insulted look by closing his eyes and focusing, "I have...issues with certain Pro-Heroes."
"What true villain doesn't?"
"Precisely. I've been on their watch lists and more for years now, and I've gotten some solid victories here and there against top members of their ranks, but it's never enough."
"It rarely is for our kind," noted The Dealer with glee.
"...yes, and as such, I've wanted to expand. My name is my mindset in many ways. I don't want to win, I want to dominate. I want them to face me and realize they'll lose, and lose badly. But even with my Quirk, the numbers game always gets me in the end. I had to pull some serious favors in order to get out of my last big battle with the top-ranked heroes."
"I remember watching that on TV, it was fun. Both the battle and your escape attempt."
The Dominator struggled to maintain his composure as he felt The Dealer was screwing with him, "The point is, if I'm going to make the impact I desire, and make a meaningful stand against these Pro-Hero fools, as well as maybe getting some small part of Japan for myself to start my own empire...I'll need help. One of my compatriots noted hearing about you and your Deck. I asked around, and thus, here I am."
The Dealer smiled even wider than before, "Oh yes, here you are. A legendary villain in my presence. As I said, it's a delight to have you here."
"Then why am I not getting that impression?"
"Have I not been hospitable? Have I not listened to your every word, and hear your reasoning for needing my services?"
"I'm talking about your tone. I've heard that particular one before, you think you're better than me."
"On the contrary, I don't think I'm better than anyone. Smarter? Maybe. Stronger? Definitely not in most cases, and especially yours."
"Then why do I feel like you're mocking me?"
"It's not my intent, I'm just enjoying this. I rarely get to deal with a high-end villain like you."
The two once again starred at one another, but this time for very different reasons.
This time around, a smile came upon The Dominators' face as he realized the truth of the matter, "You think I'm going to fail."
"Yep, I do," The Dealer replied, tapping his nose to show that he got it in one.
"A pity. Here I thought you were going to help me."
"I am. All we need to decide is the personnel that will help you try and accomplish your goal. Everything is already setup."
"But even with your help, you still think I'll fail?"
"Oh yes, I do. Even with a dozen of my Deck or so, you'll fail."
"Why are you so certain of this?"
"Because not too long ago, a hero sat where you were and-"
The Dominator stood up and glared at his host, "You had a Pro-Hero here?"
"Sit. Down."
The smile gone from his face, The Dealer gave a motion to the chair to ensure that The Dominator knew he meant business with his statement. Once his guest returned to his seat, his smile returned.
"I don't like being interrupted when I'm explaining something, call it a pet peeve. To answer your question, yes and no. Yes I had a hero here, but no, he wasn't a Pro-Hero. He was a student at UA High. He had knowledge that I needed, so we chatted, and then we roughed him up because he wouldn't give us what needed."
"That sounds much better," admitted The Dominator.
"If you let me finish the first time I would've told you that naturally. Regardless, he thought, erroneously, that I was in the business of trying to take over the world. I explained that this wasn't the case at all. Those who have such lofty goals are doomed to fail, it's the inevitability of our society. You only get small victories, maybe a large one occasionally. But never a complete one."
"I'm different than those who have tried before."
The Dealer let out a laugh, "Oh please. We've had a hero society for decades, you really think you're the first to think such thoughts?"
"My Quirk can handle most Pro-Heroes, I just need numbers to help stop ambushes and blindsides. Once I have that, I can make my way through their ranks and start to take over," he said with a bang on the desk with his fist.
"And then what? You take over one area, put the Pro-Heroes on their heels if you're lucky. Then you'll need to expand. Maybe you'll get more of my Deck, maybe not. Maybe you'll try and rally other villains to your cause, some have tried that in the past with...mixed results. But there are just as many Pro-Heroes out there as there are villains, and many more waiting in the wings to get their licenses. Do you really think, you can take them all?"
"Yes, and if you wish to see just how much I can do I can test it on-"
Quick as a flash, The Dealer went from his chair to his playing card deck and held a card right in front of The Dominator's face just as he rose to make a move against him.
A very evil expression now rested on The Dealer's face as he looked at his guest, "You really think...I don't know what your Quirk is? It's one of many strength Quirks out there, but yours grows with your own self-confidence, and the faltering of your foes. Hence why you seek to 'dominate' them. But look in my eyes...do I look afraid of you?"
The Dominator bared his teeth, but said nothing as he looked at the card shoved in his face.
"That's what I thought. Yes, you are strong, but you have come to me because you know you're not strong enough. And whether you believe it or not, I can defeat you with this very simple playing card. I may not get out much anymore, but I still know how to work my Quirk. So, do you want to see a magic trick?"
Still baring his teeth, The Dominator took a small step back, and replied, "No."
"Excellent" noted The Dealer, returning to his gleeful personality, then proceeded back to his chair. "Now, back to business."
"You still think I want your help after that?"
"Yes. Because while I don't think you'll succeed, that doesn't mean I won't help you try."
"I will enjoy proving you wrong."
"Want to make a wager on that?"
This intrigued him, "What's the bet?"
"Well, your initial contract with me is only for about a dozen of my cards. They will listen to you completely, and then when their contract with you is done, they'll return to me. Especially if/when you fail. But...if you were to gain more ground than I expect, you'll need more help. So the wager is this. You try and completely take over a district of Japan. Any district, I don't care which. All that's required is that you take it, AND, you must have had at least one clash with top-ranked heroes. I'll ensure that the Deck members you have can handle themselves against such top-tier foes."
"If I win?"
The Dealer's smile grew, "IF...you win...I'll give you full access to my Deck, myself included, to help you in your expansion of your rule. No strings attached, and no extra cost."
The Dominator was impressed by this offer, as he knew this would help him immensely, "Very generous, and if I lose?"
"IF...you lose, and you'll no doubt be put back in prison again, two things will happen. First, you'll spread the good name of The Deck, and how it helped you to the end even though you failed in your attempt."
"That's fair, the second?"
"Should you fail, and should escape from jail again...you work for me as part of my Deck. I'm always looking for new members to replaces ones who...don't live up to expectations. One or two of which I'm looking to replace right now."
"So I either rule, or become a servant?"
"Where's that confidence you just had, oh mighty Dominator? Did you not say you were different? That you had the strength to go the distance? Or do you not believe your own hype?"
Again, the Dominator pounded on the desk, but once again, The Dealer responded with an evil smile and the holding up of a card.
"Do we have a bet? Yes...or no...?"
"Yes, we have a deal."
"Wonderful, I'll amend the contract so that it's made clear what will happen should you succeed or fail."
"For your sake, you better not rig this game."
"Now that just hurts. In fact, I'll prove that won't be the case."
The Dealer reached over and pressed a button to signal his attendant outside, "Send a message, everyone present is to meet in the assembly room immediately. Our guest is to inspect them."
"At once, sir," answered the attendant through the com system.
Not addressing his guest, The Dealer then reached into his desk and pulled out some files and headed for the door before simply stating, "Follow me."
Unsure of what was happening, but now very curious, The Dominator followed.
The Dealer led him throughout the base they were at, occasionally seeing someone burst through the halls ahead of them.
Eventually, they ended up outside a large steel door. The Dealer motioned to it, "After you."
Cautious, The Dominator slowly opened the door and entered the room. It was very dark outside of a light just above the door. The Dealer soon joined him in the light.
"I don't see anything," noted The Dominator as he tried to pierce the darkness with his eyes.
"That's just a little showbiz for you. Allow me to...illuminate things for you."
With a clap of his hands, the lights started to start up. Specifically, a set of spotlights, each one highlighting a different member of The Deck. The lights came on slow at first, but then grew in numbers until eventually there were dozens of people standing before them both.
The handed over the files to The Dominator, "Not everyone is here right now as they're on assignment, but here is everyone in The Deck, outside of myself. Look over the files, talk with those here, see what they can do. Then pick the first wave of your army. I will have no say in who you select and will not argue with any choice you make. Pick who you feel will help you accomplish your goal, and they'll be obligated to do so. What do you say to that?"
A very evil laugh came from The Dominator as he felt his destiny was closer than ever before, "I say, let's get things rolling."
*credits*
Season 2 of MHA Under Pressure is now complete! Thank you ALL who have taken part in this journey with me. Season 3 is going to be a lot of fun. With new characters, new battles, new experiences, and some key shifts from how the anime/manga did their season. So join me when I come back to this story, won't you?
