Justice Across Space and Time
Chapter 19
Normally I would have done my Anthem and Strike Witches story, but I wanted to get into my own new arc. Given that I cut out the Stain and Overhaul arcs, I have to create the new stories for these parts. But that won't be the focus for this chapter. I'm going to humanize my most monstrous character, by showing the elements few would actually focus on. Nothing more to say. On with the show.
(No POV)
In the week following the sports festival, waves of change had started. Now people were questioning more about what quirks were doing and what even the point was to having them. Because now, certain quirkless people were awakening their own potential.
In America, at least a dozen people got mixed up in accidents or incidents that caused them to gain powers. A boy who was electrocuted due to a fallen powerline, suddenly could fire lightning from his hands and magnetically move objects. Even turning into lightning for a time and almost teleport.
A girl in New York was drowning due to a villain attacking a ferry. She chose not to give up hope, and her power joined her with the water. Defeating the villain and saving everyone faster than any pro could have hoped to. Many of the other continents had similar awakenings.
From a pious man in Rio de Janeiro awakening to creating an aura like the statue of Christ the Redeemer and stopping not only rampaging villains but making barriers to protect the people. To a woman in Zurich commanding the snow and ice around her to protect her home, and even turning into said elements to protect herself.
For the Asian regions though, especially the far east, there were limited awakenings. But still, this threw off the pro hero world. They had thought their quirks for so long could protect everything and were the greatest thing ever. Now new vigilante heroes were showing up and making them look weak and doing their job better.
In certain places like the US, people were cheering more for the vigilantes rather than the licensed pros. And most couldn't catch or were stopped from bringing in the vigilantes. What's more, doctors around the world had confirmed what Jotaro had said during his match with Shinso in that quirks were causing some brain damage when they first go active. This made more look to the idea of removing or curing quirk factors in children to prevent this.
But in smaller circles, others were ready to move on with the rest of their lives. For Todoroki Enji, he was trying to wonder what he could do next. He had been beaten by a person without a quirk and so savagely beaten at that point he wouldn't be able to move for at least a month. Even with Recovery Girl accelerating his healing he was still stuck in traction. This gave him time to reflect.
'Its not just the fact the boy didn't have a quirk. He beat me because he knew exactly how I fought. Meanwhile, I assumed he was just like All Might. But there is a difference to the two. They both may use brute strength, but the elder is much more jovial about the way he carries himself. It makes him easier to read. The boy though seems to carry himself like his powers are a burden. He hides some of what he's thinking unleashing his power. It makes him unpredictable.'
He also considered something important. The reason Jotaro wanted to stomp him into the ground so badly. These thoughts run through his mind as well as some of what the boy said as he dragged him to the edge.
(Flashback)
After Jotaro had beat the Hell out of Endeavor, and calmed down from his sadistic rage, he spoke quietly to the man as he dragged him. "This wasn't just about beating you and showing how weak quirks are. I did that when I beat your boy. You've got the same problem everyone else has. You're trying to control the chaos of power and thinking you've mastered it. But in doing so you've lost touch with your humanity. You need to remember how it feels to be weak. Like those you've pushed around. And learn to face that weakness as a human. Not a monster."
At hearing that, Enji starts thinking back to his wife and children. At how he had tried to push his oldest, until learning that his body would burn itself up if he used his power. He had tried to stop the boy but failed because of his own obsessions and ambitions. Then when he died, he put abusively everything into Shoto. Thinking if he could succeed then maybe his oldest son wouldn't have died for nothing.
But as Jotaro tossed him out of the ring Enji realized something. 'If I had let go and just tried to talk to him, and not put everything on Touya's shoulders in the first place. Then maybe he would still be alive. And maybe Rei wouldn't have lost herself and hurt Shoto. If I had just stepped back, rather than barreling forward and trying to control everything.' At that, the hero Endeavor closed his eyes and let a few tears flow.
(Flashback end)
These thoughts all kept running through the old pro hero's mind as he was in the hospital. He knew that his wife was also in the same hospital and asked a few of the nurses for a favor. "Could you send a few… well there's a flower that….. If you could send them to Rei Todoroki's room, I would appreciate it." He had said with an ashamed look on his face.
An older nurse had an idea about what he was doing. She quietly put in the order and took a note of something Endeavor had wanted to say to her after being stuck there for a time. While he knew that Rei would not want to see him, he could at least start trying to make amends.
At UA though, there was a constant murmur of excitement. Many had noted that there seemed to be more attention on all of them. "Man, its crazy! Just one event and it's like we're celebrities!" A few in class 1-A said. Jotaro was rolling his eyes at the mention of that. But they all quieted down when Aizawa walked in. "Better. You quieted down quickly. Now then, you have a special class today." At that the students get nervous about what bomb Aizawa will drop next.
"You'll be picking hero names today." At that, most of the students cheer as they feel this is their chance to make a brand name for themselves. Aizawa uses his quirk to settle down the student before continuing on with his explanation. "Aside from that, pro heroes have decided to make offers to draft you first years. Normally they don't show an interest until all of you are in your third year. But quite a few offers have been made."
After saying that, Aizawa shows the list of offers made to UA for certain students. The top of the class 1-A list though, is Todoroki. But directly below him were ones like Mina, Tokoyami, and Ida. There are a few offers for Jotaro, Saphentite and Izuku, but the number is much lower compared to the rest. "Hey how come the big winners don't have many offers?" Kaminari asks.
Aizawa sighs before saying, "Unfortunately that is probably due to the, as Jotaro would say it, egotism involved with quirks. Most of the pros right now don't like or are afraid of the idea of their power. I'm guessing most of you have heard about the vigilante awakenings around the world?" At an affirmative from the students, Aizawa mentioned that most can't think of what to do with these people as their powers defy most mentalities involved with quirks.
"So, we're stuck at a point of not being able to stop them, and not really sure if we should stop them. Besides that, there's plenty who are getting used to the idea that quirks are not as impressive as they once thought." This brings down the students, but he brings them up again by saying that they all still have a role. "And we need more hopefuls and potential heroes like all of you to show the way. And to do that you all need code names." With that said he calls Midnight who will be helping them.
With that Midnight walks in and gives them a breakdown of what their hero names can imply, and what they mean to others who are looking to them for inspiration. One of the first to go up after being given their whiteboards is Jotaro. "You have a name in mind already?" Midnight asks. And Jotaro gives a nod before showing his white board.
"Justice. It's not just because I'm blind. It's what I want to believe more in. What's more, I think that justice isn't something absolute. It has to be flexible and willing to see other sides. And yet it also has to be a rock to stand on." A few are impressed with this speech and decide to create their names based on what they believe fits best.
Some like Ojiro, Koda and Sato choose names that match with their quirks, being Tailman, Anima and Sugarman respectively. Others like Tsuyu went with Froppy for the cute sound of the name, and Midnight praised Tokoyami and Mineta's hero names. The former, being Tsukoyami, as the god of the night in an almost lustful tone. Which made the two foreign heroes raise their eyebrows. The latter of Grape Juice being a kitschy name.
When Shoto and Saphentite came up though, they just used their names. But in Saphentite's case she called herself, "The mystic hero: Saphentite dijinn!" before making a bit of a confetti effect around her.
For Izuku he was having trouble coming up with something specific. He had thought about some of the names he dreamt up as a kid. But most of those were to reflect his admiration for All Might. Things like Mighty Boy or Little Might. But now he had a different mentality, especially after meeting and training with Jotaro and Saphentite. Let alone the fact he was still considered quirkless.
He may have OFA, but he also used his kinetic power a bit. Even figuring out how to copy the blackwhip power from OFA into kinetic tendrils. 'But there are some who are looking to the two of us as a source of hope. For the quirkless who have been put down all their lives we…' At that thought Izuku has his inspiration. When he walks up to the podium and presents his name.
"The symbol of compassion: Kibou" He said. But a few didn't get it, so Izuku explained. "I've been pushed down all my life because I didn't have a quirk. I'm betting plenty of others like me have as well. But that doesn't give us a reason to push everyone else down. Most people have lost touch with this due to everyone having powers, but there is a responsibility to it. That with these powers, we have to remember to not only restrain ourselves. But to try and protect others. Even if in some cases, they may not want our super powered help."
With that said a few in the class have started to tear up a bit. "That is so MANLY Midoriya!" Kirishima says with fervor. Ida agrees with his statement about protecting people as best they can.
With that done the rest of the classes continue, until Aizawa is interrupted by Nezu and Sir Nighteye. "Sorry to bother you Eraserhead but we need your help with something." While they are talking, the rest of the class sees a little girl behind the principal. While most of the girls want to get a close look at her, Saphentite keeps them restrained with a spell. "Apologies students but we need your teacher to help with an interesting case today so…"
As Nighteye is saying this Eri has walked around the two and keeps staring in Jotaro's direction. When asked what she is looking at, she says, "That bigger boy reminds me of the ones who saved me. He had said he wasn't scared of me and well….. held me as nice as the other one who helped me." Most of the adults are surprised by this and the students are confused. For Jotaro though, he knows what he's going to do next.
He stands up from his seat and walks over to the rest. Most of the students are on edge, remembering his power and crazy actions during the sports festival. Two of the adults aren't sure what he could do to this child who has been through so much. While Nezu is curious of what he has in mind. When the tall young man gets close to them, he gently kneels down in front of Eri and says, "Hey kiddo. What's your name?"
She isn't sure what to think of him at first but still responds with "Eri". Jotaro just gives her a small gentle smile saying her name is pretty, before asking, "You ever draw much or color at all?" When she shakes her head, Jotaro just offers to let her use some pens and a notebook of his. "Draw whatever you feel like. No one has to tell you what you want to do or what you think looks good."
When he says that, Eri walks over to him and reaches out for his arm. When she grabs it, he reaches up and gently pats her head. He then escorts her over to his desk and pulls out the pens and some colored pencils and a notebook to play with.
This whole incident shocks most of his classmates, with the guys thinking he just broke his massive brooding tough guy act for a little girl. The girls on the other hand are just squeeeing in their heads at how cute the girl is and how gentle Jotaro is being with her. For the teachers though, a few of them see this as a chance for the little girl to relax more around them.
Though Nighteye is concerned about the girl's power and what it could do to people. When Eri didn't seem comfortable just being on the ground drawing, Jotaro picked her and her craft supplies up and sat her on his lap so she had a more comfortable place to draw. This again surprised everyone, but Eri seemed to be content with the large student.
When Mina and Ochaco looked ready to bust out and scream at how cute it was, Jotaro just gave them a quick look before signaling to be quiet. Aizawa decided to continue on for a while with some matters in class but asked, "Are you sure you don't need your desk right now Jotaro?"
"I'll be fine. I've gotten the information in the next chapter anyway. Besides, she looks pretty happy right now doesn't she." Jotaro said looking down at the little girl on his knee. Aizawa smiled at that and moved on with the lesson.
After his lecture was finished, Aizawa decided to leave Eri with Jotaro for a while. As the little girl seemed happy and content with the large student. And he in turn seemed fond of her and was very gentle and kind to her.
'Far kinder than anyone else has been in her life. She may also think he is similar to the ones who saved her since Chizome explained that the two who asked for his help were a large man and a woman. She seemed to be looking Saphentite's way as well. Wonder why?' Aizawa thought as he left the classroom.
While he was leaving, he noticed a few students had gatherd outside of his class and were looking in. Most were more curious about the top two finishers from the sports festival. Even the Big 3. But some of the girls were looking at Eri and noting how cute and sweet she looked sitting on Jotaro's knee.
When said little girl's head started to nod a bit, Jotaro decided to do something to help her get to sleep. He started to sing a gentle melody that most of the rest didn't understand. It was in English, and the main ones who could understand what he was singing were surprised by how good he sounded."Red is the rose that in yonder garden grows…" (I'm not doing the whole thing. But look up red is the rose by the High Kings for a beautiful sound for this song.) About halfway through the second verse, Eri had started to fall asleep in Jotaro's arms. While she was, he gently stroked her hair which relaxed the little girl even more.
Once he was done with the song, he looked down to the little girl and smiled sweetly at her. While there were some outside the classroom who wanted to cheer for him, he quickly gave a sign to be quiet. "I've gotta take this little one to the teachers. So do you mind moving?" Saying that, the students parted and once he was gone they all started milling more.
"Oh my god how adorable was that little girl!?" Mina quickly exclaimed with Toru and Ochaco happily agreeing with her. Even Momo and Jiro were commenting on how sweet she looked just drawing whatever came to mind. "But man. Didn't expect Jotaro to be good with kids. Let alone that song he was singing. What was that anyway?" Kaminari said before Jiro spoke up next.
"It was English. But he had a funny accent for it. I'm more used to rock, but just that sound was relaxing." A few others agreed, with Mina being the first to make a funny comment. "He seemed almost like a dad there. With how gentle and kind he was. Oh my god! Could you imagine what he might be like when he actually has kids?"
At thinking that a few of the others can imagine him being this stern beast when fighting crime. But when he comes home, he's sweet and gentle with his wife and kids. Itsuka who had come by to see what was going on (and to ask Ochaco and Jotaro to spar), had thought about it as well. But for some reason she kept envisioning herself next to him and the kids looking like the both of them. This makes her blush furiously and forget the main reason she came there.
When Jotaro got back, a few of the others decided to talk to him about how he handled Eri. "You are quite the mystery Jotaro. You seem like this brutal monster at times, but you're actually quite nice and compassionate. Are there other skills you have?" Ida asked, hands chopping all the while.
Jotaro coughed a bit before saying he liked to cook. "But how does that work with you being…. Well…. Ya'know. Blind and everything?" Kirishima asked. To which Jotaro smiled saying, "I doubt most of you noticed but I have this wristband here. It automatically transmits what is written on things I touch to my mind so I can read or get the information from it. It's how I keep up with lessons."
He then mentions that his heightened senses can tell him when something is cooked just right and what herbs or spices would complement a dish best. "Plus, one of my favorite types of cooking is barbecue. And I mean true bbq. Not what you guys do. I'm from Kansas City. I gotta do the right kind."
"Hell YES! No one else gets the good kind of bbq here in Japan." The one who said this was another 1-B student Tsunotori Pony, or Pony Tsunotori. She and Jotaro just started a conversation in English about the best kinds of spices and meats, as well as Jotaro passing a glazed smoked carrot recipe to her. To which she jumped and gave him a hug as thanks.
This confused most of the others there, Izuku explains some of what was going on. Jiro decides to ask her own question. "So, what were you singing to Eri? I know it was English, but I don't recognize where the accent was from." Jotaro just smiles before saying, "It's an Irish song. My grandma used to sing it to me when she'd watch me. She still had her accent, and I just picked it up over time. I learned a few other songs. I've actually got a pretty wide range for my voice. Bass to an alto. Used to be able to hit high tenor notes, but not anymore."
This impresses Jiro and a few of the others. But some are just looking at him with jealousy. The lead two being Mineta and Monoma. The former is due to the number of skills he had and ways to impress the girls. The latter though was just thinking that, 'The top dog of 1-A has so many powers. And he is inspirational in a few ways. Then to top it off he has skills to relate to other people even when he has monstrous power. How do you compete with that?' Jiro decides to ask if he knew of any other songs that might be good.
Jotaro decides to sing one that might resonate differently for hero student and others. "Some kids have, and some kids don't and some of us are wondering whyyy?" (again, not doing the whole thing, but I feel it is important because I've been at low places in my life. And I recently heard this song again from Billy Gillman, and it reminded me of how hard it is at times to deal with.) Into the second verse a few feel some tears starting to well up. Todoroki being a main one even if he can't fully understand what is being said. Outside the class, other students feel much the same. Even Midnight and Present Mic are crying a bit during the song. At the final verse a few are shocked at the turn, but happy it turned into a happy ending.
With the song done, Jiro wipes her eyes before asking why he sang that one. "It's a bit of a reminder to all of you. And sorry to be a downer, but in some cases a lot of people like you may push others to that point. Even if you don't mean to." When asked what he means, he mentions that the cries of the quirkless were often ignored and other with quirks were quick to push them down or away.
He then nods to Izuku, who is uneasy about being put on the spot. "You had to face the same Midoriya?" Tokoyami asks with concern on his face. A few others have the same look. Izuku looks to Saphentite and Jotaro, who both give him looks as if to say, 'you don't have to tell them if you don't want to. But sometimes talking about this can help with healing.' With that thought, Izuku sighs before opening up to his class a bit more.
At hearing how Izuku was treated all through his life more of them are shocked and appalled. And when he mentions that he had been suicide baited, because of the egotism of quirks they are all more sickened. "This is what you are talking about with the egotism and evil of quirks isn't it?" Itsuka turns to look at Jotaro after hearing all of that.
Others like Ida and Momo have a different thought and excuse themselves to call their families. Both are hoping to help stop this evil from spreading more. For the teachers though, they decided to investigate more about some of the schools that send students to apply.
Ochaco and Koda are the first two to go up to Izuku and hug him, apologizing for what he had to go through. Many of the other students who heard all of that start taking a closer look at themselves and what it means to be human. Some of them realizing that power doesn't define them, but their actions do.
Okay that got really heavy at the end, but I wanted to bring it up as someone who has dealt with depression and thoughts of suicide and the like. And the fact is, it often may have nothing to do with someone else pushing you down or abusing you. My family have always been good to me, but I still felt alone at times. It just took time to step back and not feel alone.