Justice Across Space and Time
Chapter 39
This will have a bit more of the prep and the start for the provisional license exam. Also I will be doing a chapter about what the 1-B crew will be doing as well. Given Itsuka has become a major influence and character in the story now. While Melissa will have a bit of a special moment later. So on with the show.
(No POV)
In Nezu's office he set down some cups of tea for him and Pedro. "So then father, you… are related to one of the ones who attacked our training camp." Pedro just sighs before taking a sip of the tea before him. "In a sense sir. We didn't know our birth parents that well… or we do not remember them. Our father was the previous Padre of the church and orphanage we lived in. And the eldest sister was our mother. We took his name as our own last names when we were older." Nezu nodded while contemplating the situation that would have created a spiteful person like Luiz appeared to be.
"As you know we are both true metas. That means we were both quirkless before. And we and many others in our area have been victims of discrimination. That is where Luiz's anger stemmed from." Pedro says with a sad look in his eyes. He tells of what happened to their father and mother when they were barely teenagers. How the Liberation Army of their region attacked their district and favella. And killed the two parental figures while laughing at their weakness.
Nezu personally grips his cup in anger to the point it cracks. "I am so sorry… for what you and so many others have had to deal with due to the ego of quirks." "I do not blame you senhor. Nor do I blame most who have quirks. Heroes did come and saved many of the rest in our area. Some even adopting or fostering other children who had their home destroyed. But Luiz only saw the evil that day." Pedro says while looking down at his cup.
Remembering how the heroes did all they could to help who was their. But Luiz had been knocked unconscious while trying to pull their father out of some of the rubble. Or seeing that others were mocking the sister and her attractive appearance beneath her robes. Some saying the should have kept her alive to use as they saw fit and pass on better than the garbage around her.
While Nezu had broken his cup at hearing that, Pedro noted that he had seen more of the heroes efforts. As well as others who lived close and helped to rebuild the home they had lost. "It was enough for me to see some of the good that could come from quirks. Or just people in general. And I eventually found the greater light in myself and in my beliefs. But it was not enough for Luiz. I guess he only ever saw the worst of humans, especially those with quirks after that."
Pedro explained that he eventually joined a seminary and moved up to take care of the orphans just as his father had done. While his brother worked various jobs from transport and moving jobs, to eventually working on shipping and fishing boats. "He would send money back to the orphanage. To try and help… but the last time he did that was almost two years ago. I didn't know what had happened to him. Until now." And with that Pedro's story was done, though he did explain how his own power went active.
Nezu then walks around the center table and then does a full dogeza bow before the father. "I can never truly apologize enough for what you and so many have had to go through. I only ask that you give all of us who are pro heroes more of a chance to prove that we wish to help you all." Pedro smiles before kneeling down and placing a comforting hand on the rodent principal's shoulder. When Nezu looks up, he sees the compassion and kindness radiating from the priest's eyes.
"As I said, I do not blame you or anyone with a quirk for what happened to my home and family. The only ones to blame were incarcerated, or some were executed by our laws. And their fault was giving into their powers and letting that decide who they are." Pedro say with a nod. Nezu thanks the man again and the two share another cup of tea. With Nezu having to grab a new cup for himself.
Once the two men finish their tea, Nezu then offers to let Pedro and the children he brought stay at UA. As well as planning to send some funds to the orphanage to help with operations. Pedro accepts the first offer but tells Nezu that the latter wasn't as necessary. Noting that more politicians and heroes had been helping their area of Rio de Janeiro. "Politicians being helpful? Now that is unbelievable." Nezu says with a laugh.
Nezu then notes that they had a young girl who had a troubled past at the school as well. Explaining the story of Eri and what happened to her. Pedro first does a sign of the cross before noting that it proves what he said. "And it shows how even those who have fallen so far could find some redemption. If they are open to it." Nodding to Chizome and his role in saving the young girl from her torment.
"I agree. If anything, the two you brought could be some good playmates for her. Though we will have to teach them a bit of Japanese. And I might have a suggestion for you sir." Nezu give the man a scheming smile before explaining his plan. Pedro though hums about it at first before smiling back and agreeing to the rodent's plan.
While the two men were getting acquainted, Ernesto and Carmen had been escorted to a smaller room. Where Eri was coloring as well. The two quickly wave to the white-haired girl before running over to ask if she wanted to play. But Eri can't understand them due to the pair speaking Portuguese. "They're just asking if you wanted to play with them Eri." Her guardian Sasaki Mirai says with a small smile. He had heard the intruder alarms, but Snipe quickly came in and told him it wasn't a great threat.
Mirai translates a bit more while the kids start trying to play. First going with tag, and Ernesto being it. After Mirai explained the base rules, Eri got a feel for what to do. After a while, the children switched to hide and seek or other games. After trying an old game that Mirai had suggested (Daruma Doll Fell Down), Eri started to grin a bit. Before smiling after falling onto Carmen after tagging her.
"So, this is where the crianças went. Glad to see they are having fun." Pedro says after seeing the three children playing together. Mirai agrees and was happy that Eri had other children to play with. Nezu then mentions what the plan for the children and Pedro was at UA. With Mirai happy to accept, while also apologizing and thanking the father for his willingness to aid their nation in this crisis.
Back with classes 1-A and 1-B, each have trained to make their own new super moves. Tokoyami works on applying his shadow to his body to improve his close quarters capabilities, while Jiro has been working on her own grappling skills. For the 1-B side Rin starting to learn a way to copy what Tetsutetsu and Kirishima could do with their quirks. Sen meanwhile decided to ask Jotaro to help him with his hand-to-hand skills. "After Itsuka with no quirk turned my power against me, I should probably think of a few new ways to try and fight without it."
Jotaro nods before testing to observe how Sen fights. After a pretty easy smack down, Jotaro has a few ideas on how the Gyration user could make better use of his power, and on what styles to try learning. For Itsuka though, he suggests observing her classmates and how their powers work. "Give you a way-" "To better work with the new processing capabilities I have?" Itsuka says with a smirk. One Jotaro returns.
Setsuna though notes the change in her class rep's tone and is tempted to find out what was happening between the two. "Mostly for some good teasing fun." "I still don't think that wall of muscle should be teaching her." Monoma says while trying out a few different quirks from his classmates. Shoda just snorts before saying, "you also thought she couldn't be a hero anymore because she doesn't have a quirk. And you got your body broke and your ass kicked for it." Monoma just grumbles while a few others have a laugh at his expense.
Melissa meanwhile is helping in the development lab. Especially on improving the costumes of a few of the students. "This might help a bit Kendo-san. I've added some armor and interwoven some titanium into the fibers of your costume. So you should have better defense. And….. while I don't think you need to use gadgets like I'm planning to, these might help in restraining and capturing villains."
Melissa then demonstrates some quick deploy nets based around the use of condenium. "I based the technology from a piece I made for Izuku. And a few things for myself." "Izuku huh? And are you planning to be a hero too?" Itsuka says with a teasing and then friendly smile. Melissa returns it before saying she is planning to be a hero in more than one way. "There's being the hero who supports or is a hero to the heroes. But I also want to be on the frontlines. I got a taste of what it means during the I-Island incident. And how the world has started to change. So I'm going to fight alongside the rest of you." Itsuka's smile widens and she offers to spar and help the inventor girl with her training and skills. Noting that technology could only get her so far. "Gotta know how to best throw a punch too!"
The American inventor also demonstrates her improved armor to a few of the other hero students. Namely by dealing with an unruly intruder to the first-year training sessions. "So now the heroes and so called teachers are letting even those with no powers try and be heroes!? What kind of bullshit is that!?" Bakugo Katsuki burst into Gym Gamma after the general course had been let out for the day. Spouting his own opinions about who should still be in the hero course.
He first pushed his way into the 1-A training, and while Aizawa was ready to send him off, Melissa stops the teacher. Saying, "why don't we see what you think you could do. I don't have a quirk, but I'm pretty sure I can take you." While a few others in the class and the teachers want to stop this, Toshinori (her guardian) approves. "Show him some of the future of what it means to be a hero Melissa."
While Bakugo doesn't have a costume, Melissa appears to not have one either. As the two stand off in UA gym uniforms. But Izuku smiles. Noting that she already had something ready for when his former tormentor bursts forward. And blasts forward he does, with a strong explosion behind himself to propel him to his target. While it is almost too fast for anyone to keep track of, Melissa is still ready for him.
Right as the explosive boy is into his big right swing, Melissa opens her palm upward. And a beam fires out of her hand and impacts on Bakugo's face. Reversing his momentum and sending him flying backwards. While the explosive boy is recovering, the inventor girl pushes a button on her wrist and her armor decompresses from its sealed state around her.
The base colors is a blue green this time, compared to the red suit of armor from I-Island. On her fists however are black gauntlets with red palms and hands. Around her waist and lower body, the color scheme is more of a blue green color with red boots. And the new helmet, aside from having multiple targeting and other displays (with glasses similar to Mirio's), has a green and gold V like protrusion. Similar to Izuku's base costume, and her uncle's hair.
Upon seeing her suit up, all of class 1-A is shocked by the turn of events. With Saphentite especially proud of her partner in designing the suit. Jiro and Momo though cheer and are happy to see that their quick friend had made such impressive strides in the armor she used to defeat a true meta villain. Ida and Shoto likewise clap in approval and an impressive display of her engineering skill. Izuku meanwhile gulps a bit at noticing that the armor seems to hug the older girl's curves. A fact both Mineta and Kaminari are quick to say. Ochaco though is both impressed by Melissa's work to make a better suit of armor, and jealous of how Izuku was checking her out in her armored appearance.
Bakugo is shocked by this turn and tries to rocket in to attack again. Shouting, "some fancy suit doesn't make you a hero-GUCK!" Right as he was shouting midflight, Melissa had burst forth as well. And gave the boy an enhanced kick to the stomach that sent him to the ground again. The two then get up close and personal with their fight. Bakugo trying to blast through her armor, and Melissa testing out her newly enhanced strength.
This does cost her though, as Bakugo is still talented at close quarters compared to her. And he gives her a strong blast that knocks her back and cracks some of her armor. Right as the boy is about let off his strongest explosion, Melissa activates the rockets in her boots. Blasting out of the way, and then using her back jets takes to the air above the explosive idiot.
The look she is giving him and her position above him makes Bakugo see red. "DON'T YOU LOOK DOWN ON ME!" he shouts as he blast upwards to attack Melissa. But she had been counting on this. In Izuku's notes he had given her, he noted how Bakugo's mentality could be taken advantage of. As the boy blasted closer, Melissa quickly flew above him and fired a twin beam blast at the boy. Bakugo was able to mitigate the impact by timing a blast just right into her attack. But he still was sent toward the ground. Melissa then flew down as fast as she could and took out a piece of equipment from her belt.
Before Bakugo could react, she threw the item toward him. It then quickly expanded, turning into a net that wrapped around the boy. And before he could try and blast it off, the net was electrified. And Bakugo was on the ground twitching in pain. As well as losing control of his bladder.
With the fight done, all of class 1-A cheers for Melissa and comes to congratulate the girl. Izuku being one of the first to say he was impressed by what she had built. "All of the gadgets, the improvements on your armor, and your skills at using it! Its incredible! You shown that heroes aren't born. They can be built too." Izuku says with a huge smile directed her way. Melissa is happy to hear all of the praise and glad that her armor worked like she hoped it would. But hearing Izuku say that and how she proved a new path for heroes….. it first makes her blush and return the smile.
And then she goes for the boy's lips with a kiss. Once they separate, she tells him, "it wasn't just me, and somewhat Saphentite, that built this armor. You helped with it too. Your ideas, designs, and analysis of quirks. They helped me improve the armor leaps ahead of where I might be without it. So you helped to build a hero as well." While Izuku catches most of this return praise, he is also shocked at how she responded to his compliments.
The rest of his class though are each shocked in their own rights. With Ochaco passing out, most of the others that were at I-Island wide eyed and jaws dropped. Except for Mineta. He was dropped to his knees pounding the ground at the unfairness of the situation. The others, Mina and Torru especially, take a moment to tease up the flirty moment the two are having. And once Melissa comes down from the happy moment, she blushes bright at realizing what she did to Izuku.
And the moment is broken up by Bakugo. Who shouts, "LITTLE-AAACKKK! HELP HERE! AAAAHHH!" Melissa shuts down the electrocution net to let the explosive boy up. While Bakugo can stand, he still wincing a bit after having thousands of amps running through his system. "Okay….. I'm gigiggi willing to accept that you can aaaaa fight in your armor. Aaahh. And your gadggggetetets can help yououo. So I guess you'llllll be some newewwewe kind of herorororo." With that Bakugo skulks away to lick his wounds. And hopefully find a way to deal with his still seizing up muscles.
A few days later, he tries to intimidate Itsuka about the fact she doesn't have a quirk anymore. And while Jotaro isn't there, he is tempted to turn the brat inside out before punting him into the upper atmosphere (which he could easily do). But what Itsuka does next is enough to get him to relax. Itsuka challenges the explosive boy herself. "You think you're such hot stuff, lets see what you've got." Itsuka says from the center of the gym.
Bakugo is again happy to do so. And when he blasts forward to strike with his right explosions, Itsuka catches his arm and tosses him to the ground. She doesn't let go of his arm before kneeing the elbow joint to break his arm. And while he is still freaking out, she gets him into an arm bar and dislocates his shoulder. With that done, Itsuka has effectively cut Bakugo's quirk in half.
'Damnit! I was too cocky and angry. I forgot she was kicking ass without even using her quirk when she had it. And then that monster has been training her too.' Bakugo thinks while nursing his injured arm. "You can back down. You've already lost one arm." Itsuka offers while never taking her eyes off of the ash blonde. And while he is tempted to do that, Bakugo decides his pride won't let him back down.
While he can't propel himself like he usually would, he still has his left arm to attack. He runs toward Itsuka but rather than attack up close like he usually does, he blasts the best explosion he can from a decent distance. "Your whole thing is fighting up close! While I can respect the skill you've got, it can't compare to the power of a quirk!" Bakugo shouts while still blasting away.
Itsuka had been hit by the first blast, but she quickly recovered and slipped away while Bakugo kept firing explosions. 'Thanks for the armor enhancements Melissa. Now though, its time to take advantage of his singlemindedness.' Because there were pillars and platforms raised by Cementoss earlier, Itsuka had enough cover to set up her plan to trap Bakugo.
She started by throwing an electrified net at the boy's injured side. Which he countered with a blast. That also singed his hair. He then went towards where she had attacked from blasting a bit in front of himself. "That American chick got me with that the other day. I'm not letting it shock me again!" "Good thing I wasn't planning on just that!"
Itsuka then comes out from behind Bakugo and kicks him toward a trap she had set. Suddenly, a massive mist of sleeping gas surrounds him. He blasts down to dissipate the gas, but he still gets a lungful. Making him woozy and disoriented. And the martial artist capitalizes on this by getting up close with a solid elbow strike to his stomach. Then dropping another gas grenade. Bakugo barely notices the second grenade go off as he's trying to catch his breath, and thus sucks in more sleeping gas. And passing out.
With the fight done, Bakugo was taken to Recovery Girl and Itsuka could celebrate a bit with her classmates on her victory. Proving again, that a quirk didn't make someone an automatic victor. "Good job all around. You made use of everything you already knew and had learned. And then you applied a new perspective on what you thought was possible." Jotaro said when Itsuka returned to her dorm after class.
"You weren't there so how….. never mind. Dumb question." Itsuka says with a smirk directed at the large teen. She then notes that she does wish she could do more than just use gadgets and martial arts to fight. "You should be careful about wishing for more power. Sometimes that can lead to severe consequences." "Maybe. Actually no you do have a point. If I tried to use some power the wrong way, it could complicate a rescue or recovery." Itsuka says before thinking on the matter a bit more. Before she gets too lost in her thoughts, Jotaro asks if she was ready for the provisional exam.
"What do you think?" Itsuka says with a confident smile and pose. Not that Jotaro could exactly tell. So he just smiles back before telling her good luck. But before he leaves Itsuka stops him for something important. "Hey after the provisional license exam…. How about we go out on….. a ….." "Date? To celebrate or to build ourselves up after we fail?" "Oh please, you won't fail. Not only are you too good at the hero thing, but I know Saphentite will…." Itsuka starts before thinking a bit more about the two foreign students' relationship. Before she gets too lost in thought again, she stops and kisses Jotaro's cheek.
"For luck. And about the date." "It sounds like a plan. Hopefully that isn't a flag of any kind though." Jotaro says with a smirk. One that gets Itsuka laughing a bit. Two days after Bakugo's second challenge, it is time for the provisional license exam. The two UA classes will be heading for different locations for the exam. And while they are there, they meet with the classes from other hero schools.
Both Saphentite and Jotaro though are annoyed at the whole spectacle and matter. "What's wrong?" "It's…. the sheer number of people here. And people who attend hero schools. You may say that this exam is difficult, but it doesn't change the fact that there are so many who are aiming to be special SWAT cops." Saphentite says with a frustrated grunt.
"Well you aren't wrong on part of that young lady. But it is still important for most of our future. Including futures with each other. Right Eraser?" the green haired, orange bandana wearing hero Ms. Joke or Fukada Emi says with a smile. Before sidling up to Aizawa's side and trying to wrap her arm around his. To which Aizawa tells her to stop. Izuku introduces the hero and what her quirk could do. Before noting the way that the students she was escorting were acting.
While most were flattered, especially after the weirdly passionate actions of Shiketsu High's Yorashi Inasa, Izuku got a different feeling. 'Its not just the twinge of Danger Sense. Something else is off. I just don't know what.' Izuku thinks while getting ready. The only thing he could tell was that it was coming from the Shiketsu group more than anyone.
Once all the students were gathered in Takoba stadium, the proctor Mera Yokimura explains the first challenge. "Only 100 of you will actually take the Provisional License Exam. And we will be determining those applicants with an elimination challenge. You will place three targets on yourself that can be seen by others. You will also be given six balls to attack your fellow applicants with. If all three of your targets are hit *yawn* you will be considered lost and therefore disqualified."
He finishes the explanation by saying that each applicant must take out at least two others to move to the next round. With that done, each person starts applying the targets to their bodies in preparation for the start. Jotaro puts all of his targets on his chest since he is large enough for it to be no issue. Though he is also rolling his eyes at how easy the challenge is.
As soon as the horn to announce the start of the start of the test is sounded, all of the students of class 1-A rush off toward the center of the stadium. Except for Todoroki. "I'm going my own way. That way I don't have to worry about catching any of you in my attacks." The fire and ice wielder says before skating off in a different direction.
Izuku nods before telling Todoroki to be safe. He then leads the rest and warns about what will likely happen during the exam. "They'll most likely target all of us from UA. And they'll know how we fight." "They did research?" "No it's not that! It's the Sports Festival." Mineta and then Ida note. Jotaro then lets out another annoyed grunt about the situation.
While up in the stands, Emi asks Aizawa why he didn't warn his students about the tradition of the exam. "The crushing of UA students. It happens everytime." "They're always going to be at a disadvantage in the field. And besides, I wouldn't be too sure about that. You might be surprised at the skills of them. Let alone what some of them can do." Aizawa says as multitudes of other students leap up to attack the gathered up UA group.
Jotaro though just lets out another sigh before charging up his temporal energy. In an instant, he's behind all of the other students. And has already eliminated two third year students. "Holy crap! We've already got a double elimination and a student pass! Applicant 642, Jotaro Sv- I have no idea how to pronounce that. Justice has passed faster than any other applicant before!"
With that, Jotaro's targets light up green and he heads to the reception area. While a few of the others are shocked, Saphentite quickly flies in and takes out two more herself. Passing her as well. For the rest, Izuku quickly uses his Air Force attacks and kicks to knock away most of the attackers, with Mineta and Mina also knocking away the first wave of attacks.
"Okay didn't bet on that, but I guess we shouldn't be too surprised. Those true metas are crazy with what they can do," Shindo Yo says with an irritated look on his face. While his classmate notes that the others seem ready as well. "We'll just have try a bit harder to take them down."
While it isn't covered in the manga, I will eventually write the exam from the 1-B perspective. As Itsuka will not only have to prove to more idiots that she can still be a hero, but she has become a major part of this story. Gotta be honest, didn't plan on that at first. It just kinda evolved that way. Please review.