The next day, Bobby found himself in front of a familiar mansion; the Yayoruzu family estate.
"You haven't changed a bit, have you?" He mused, still awestruck by the massive mansion as he stepped up to the video phone.
"Ah, Young Master…!" The voice on the other end started.
"Just Bobby, please, Morton." The American teen cut in, not rudely thankfully, but with a hint of desperation or wanting to hide something.
"Of course, Bobby. Do come in" The gates began to open and a car came to drive him up to the front, where he was greeted by an older and shorter man with sharp eyes and a warm smile.
"Please, please, come in. The ladies are waiting for you and I imagine you are hungry." Morton smiled as he took Bobby's coat.
"I am pretty hun...wait, ladies?" Bobby asked. "I thought Yaoyorozu-san was out with her husband on a business trip."
"Oh, she is," Morton explained as he led Bobby to the dining hall. "Two new lady friends of the young Miss came by this morning. Well, new to me anyway. From the way Miss Momo talked, it seems you would know them."
This got Bobby's attention; perhaps Momo had invited Jiro and Ochako over. They had seemed like the girls closest to her.
"Um...will you require aid with eating?" Morton asked with a hint of nervousness in his tone. "I understand you injured your arms fighting villains yesterday?"
"Thanks but no need," Bobby assured the butler. "While they sting a bit, I can move them enough to eat."
Ben had healed Bobby up before the kids turned in for the night; not as full a job as usual, however: Michelle had apparently taken some of Recovery girl's advice and demanded that Ben only heal their protégé enough so that he could use his arms, but still feel some pain to remind him to have some semblance of self-preservation.
That was until this morning when, after fully processing what she'd said, she'd make a movement to have Ben complete the process…especially not because of Nemuri's glares! No, not at all!
"Bobby, I'm so sorry!" Michelle had wailed as she hugged her charge just as he'd stepped out of the hotel. It was an oddly adorable sight
As for Recovery girl herself? She was being chased by an irate Christine
"I didn't think he'd think I was serious!" Chiyo wailed as she ran as fast as her little legs could carry her.
"HE'S A TEENAGER! THEY'RE VERY LITERAL THINKERS!" The #1 American Pro had roared back.
Back to the present!
Morton nodded in understanding.
"Well, if that changes, let us know. Now, breakfast awaits."
Bobby entered the great hall of the home, where he found a giggling Momo putting down her teacup as she finished chatting with...
"Riley?" Bobby asked, shock on his face turning to confused happiness. "W-What are you..?"
And then he saw what she was looking at: Pictures of him as a toddler in his mother's arms
"…I hate you so much right now." Bobby frowned at Momo who simply had an innocent smile on her face; A smile that vanished when she saw Bobby adopt an evil smile and press a few buttons on his phone.
"What did you do?"
"Sent Todoroki YOUR baby picture," Bobby answered in a factly tone before his girlfriend hugged him while Momo inwardly worried before realizing:
"Wait a minute…You don't HAVE a baby picture of me!"
She went ignored, but let it slide since she was treated to an adorable sight:
"Hey there, sleepyhead!" Riley beamed, running across the room midair to hug her boyfriend, who smiled and hugged her back."Almost thought you wouldn't make it!"
"I invited her over." Momo explained. "It only seemed natural that we swap stories about you. I mean, I was your childhood best friend, and she is your girlfriend. It's a win-win."
Bobby smiled. "You know, I was wondering where that scheming side of yours was yesterday."
"Yes, well..." Momo teased back. "Now that you're here, I have years to make up for and few opportunities. And how rude of you Bobby, there is another present."
The lone boy turned his attention to the other person at the table, who was just finishing off some juice and smiling knowingly.
"HI HO! BOBBY!"
The girl, a blonde with horns on her head, raced towards him and (after making sure Riley moved out of the way) hugged him with such force he went crashing to the floor.
"Pony?!" Bobby asked in surprise, but he returned the hug when he registered. "Oh my lord, it is you!"
"It's so good to see you again!" Pony chuckled. "I wanted to say hi last night, but you passed out after dinner, so...Riley brought me along for this breakfast meeting."
"Which was a lovely little surprise," Momo added.
Bobby's eyes widened and he turned his attention to his girlfriend.
"She came by to see us after the Villain attack yesterday." Riley nodded. "You fell asleep on the cab ride over and after the last two days we thought you could use a break."
The Quirkless boy smiled sadly.
"If I'd known, you could've woken me up."
"Well, you're here now. That's all that matters." Pony butted in.
The Kirby Students smiled in gratitude for their friends' attitude and easygoing nature.
Pony Tsunotori may have currently been in UA's Class 1-B, but she had started her hero training at Kirby alongside the two of them and their classmates. She had gotten along with pretty much everyone except for Terrance (but then again, so few did until recently) and had proven herself worthy of exchange student status when she managed to place 2nd in the Tournament of Titans, just under Brittany and over Bobby.
She had left for Japan just before Christmas, a day that was bittersweet for not just Riley and Bobby, but all of their class. Yes, even Terrance had sobbed before trying to play it off as a 'moment of weakness' brought on by sappy speicals.
So, despite of knowing better, Pony had stayed up all night with her old classmates, chatting, watching TV, and telling stories of studying under Vlad King before sneaking to the Yayorozu mansion with Riley early in the morning.
"Hey Bobby, do you know where Richard is?" Pony suddenly asked. "I didn't see him last night."
Bobby and Riley's forms tensed and their eyes began to fill with sadness.
RICHARD OXFORD
HERO NAME: TRANSLATE
QUIRK: OMNIGLOT! HE CAN SPEAK, READ, AND WRITE IN ANY AND ALL LANGUAGES!
"Oh..." Bobby struggled to find the nicest words before deciding to just say it. "Dick...he...he quit."
Pony's smile faltered.
"Q-quit? Why?"
"...The Gang War opened his eyes," Riley admitted. "Richard just couldn't handle all the violence."
"Last I heard, he's at some private school," Bobby added. "He calls every now and then to check up on us, but..."
Momo, sensing the somber mood, motioned for a spread and second course to be brought out. No sooner was she about to try and bring the Americans' attention forward, did their moods change.
"But... he left us all with one of these," Bobby said, pointing to his earpiece. "Translates all languages instantly, no need for a Thesasurus or extra lessons."
Pony smiled. "Wish I had one of those. Japanese is harder to learn than I thought, even with all the anime I watch.."
Riley then extended her hand with such a piece.
"Dick made one for EVERYONE. That includes you."
Pony gently took the device and placed it in her ear before turning to her host,
"Um, Momo?" She requested. "Could you...?'
"I already am," Momo said, having caught on to the plan and smiling hopefully.
Pony's eyes widened; she'd understood.
Even if the sentence was one she had heard before; she understood it fully. She then rushed out of the room and turned on the TV, were a soap opera was playing.
She understood.
Pony's eyes began to shine in excitement and she let out a holler of joy.
"I UNDERSTAND! I UNDERSTAND! NO MORE RELYING ON MONOMA! NO MORE TRANSLATORS!"
She then hugged her two friends, who smiled and returned the hug.
The scene brought a smile to Momo's face, and she took a picture to show to the others later.
"Oh geez! I'm sorry, Momo!" Bobby apologized when he realized what was going on, only for his old friend to silence him with a raised hand and smile.
"Let us eat." She mused. "You and I can meet up in full... the day after tomorrow? I have no plans and you and Riley have a date later today..."
"Actually..." Bobby confessed, looking down at his feet in embrassment. "After this? I'm kind of under room arrest until that day."
"Well then, go on." Riley motioned, getting shocked looks. "Bobby, we still have four days in Japan after you're clear, but she's your oldest friend and there's only so much you can do over Skype. Don't let this go to waste."
Bobby and Momo's eyes watered and their lips trembled.
"Riley...!" They cried before hugging her. Pony smiled at the scene...which was promptly broken up by a stomach growl.
Bobby weakly laughed and the four teens sat down to eat a delicious meal of fruit, juice, eggs, bacon, pancakes, and coffee.
"Wait…what DID Bobby do this time?" Pony asked.
MH-PP
Soon, it was time to head out since Pony and Momo had classes and Bobby and Riley were expected back at the Hotel.
"Do feel free to stop by sometime, Pony." Momo invited the horned girl. "I would love to hear more about Kirby."
"Can do, will do, done!" The exchange student promised.
"Thanks for everything, Momo." Bobby smiled, only to grow concerned when she then tensed and teared up. "W-what's wrong?"
"T-those were the last words you said before you vanished..." Momo said, barely holding her tears in as the memory played in her head...
But this was cut off when the boy hugged her, tears of his own in his eyes.
"I'm sorry." He begged.
The two friends simply hugged and cleared each other's tears, with the others putting gentle hands on their shoulders for support.
Bobby, to bring the mood up, then said.
"Tell Todoroki if he breaks your heart, I'll kick his two-toned ass."
Momo chuckled, as did Pony.
"He's pretty strong, you know."
"I took on the Mad Bomber twice and was runner-up at the ToT! I can handle an Elemental pretty boy!" Bobby proudly humphed.
"Try saying that to Mr. E's face!" Riley teased.
Chuckles soon abounded as cars came to drive the students to their respective destinations; Momo and Pony top UA and Bobby and Riley to the hotel. Unknown to all, Morton had let the Yaoyorozu parents know about this meeting and they had had him forward the dialogue to someone…
MHPP
The day at UA was pretty boring in all honesty; classes were done, and assignments handed in...but there was one highlight at lunch:
"Monoma." Pony started in now flawless Japanese that held barely veiled anger in her words. "Fuck you!"
The arrogant boy was gobsmacked by her declaration while Itsuka smiled and Yui gave her classmate a thumbs-up
"It was only fair the lord's judgment would come for you, Neito..." Ibara said.
"You arrogant, self deluding, rich, pretty, petty boy!" Pony roared. "I needed help in understanding and speaking Japanese and you used me to fuel a bullshuit rivalry?! You're lucky Hate crime laws are different between the States and Japan, otherwise you'd be outta here and blacklisted! AND THE LOT OF YOU!"
Pony turned to her classmates.
"You all KNEW he was doing this and did NOTHING! Well, except for you Kendo, you at least slapped him."
Kendo didn't seem pleased by that.
"So…Until you all make up for that blonde moron? I'm hanging out with Class 1A….who actually care!"
(Mrotrax A/N: This was inspired by Ability King KK's fic 'English, Do you Speak it?' Give it a read and check out their Smiling Family verse!)
MHPP
"A REWIND QUIRK?!" Colonel Cash shouted from the communication screen after going over Overhaul's notes that the League had dug up.
"Yup, I managed to dig up that much from Overwhore at least," Rappa said with a nod.
"Sorry for shouting, Time Manipulation Quirks are incredibly rare, and that...that worthless excuse of a human being was using her to create Quirk-Killing Bullets?!"
"Would it hurt if you allowed us to use him as a punching bag, Mr. Crunch Chomp?" Nightmare asked. "I want to see what that slimy little piece of shit fears."
"Oh don't worry, my dear! I'm open to sharing!" The butler smiled as he patted her on the head.
"Alright, as much as I love you kids talking about horrifically torturing that pitiful little worm, I have some good news for all of you, especially Tomura." Colonel Cash began. "Last night was the LAST night your master will be a prisoner."
This made everyone drop what they were doing and race towards the newly set up video wall.
"Can't tell ya too much, the walls may have ears. But...we'll need another incident to slip by. I leave that up to you two. Y'all take care."
He then ended the call, leaving the two heirs of villainy to plot.
"Maybe we can help that kid out..." Tomura smirked. "Either we can help her get rid of her 'curse' for her...or we can bring her to our side by telling her we want to get rid of people like Overhaul."
"Good start, Tomura." Puppetress beamed, her new beau smiling under his father's hand before turning to his comrades.
"Toga, get into UA and find out where the girl is," Tomura ordered. "Don't move to get her just yet, find the best times she can be grabbed and make sure no one suspects a thing. Compress, Twice, Magne. Back her up."
"Okie Dokie!" Toga beamed.
"Sure thing! Screw off!" Twice followed.
"The stage is set for a grand prologue!" Mr. Compress beamed.
"You got it, boss," Magne smirked before realizing something. "But what about our new friends?"
"Oh leave them to me," Puppetress assured. "Feedback. I want you and Void to observe the Kirby students."
While Void was giddy with this assignment, Feedback tensed.
"Um...ma'am? Ya sure that's a good idea?" Mudslide asked nervously. "His sister knows he's in Japan now, and..."
"Oh yeah. Right. On second thought..." Puppetress paused for a moment before a new idea came to her. "Feedback? Go and see Grandpa. See if you can help him in his nightly stroll tonight. I don't want your bond with your little sister getting in the way of things. Nemo, I want you to go with him."
"M-Me? But I still haven't gotten the hang of my powers yet!" Spot nervously said.
"Sometimes, learning on the fly helps wonders," Puppetress reassured her old friend. "And Void, do NOT engage the Kirby students unless you are 100% certain you can capture or kill them. Otherwise...the rest of the venom will be released. Understood?"
"Y-yes, milady." Void bowed.
"Oh, please do engage them!" Chemistra giggled wickedly, her finger dangerously close to the button on the remote. At least until her mistress swiped it away, at which she pouted.
"Quatal and I'll help Nemo out." Showdown said as he turned to Predator." I trust you can be a gentleman to Toga while I'm gone, son?"
Predator nodded as Himiko happily hugged his arm. "You've got my word, pops."
"Let us begin...the sun shall be blotted out as darkness falls over this land." Quatal said ominously as everyone headed out for their assigned roles.
To be continued…
Next time: SHIT HITS THE FAN!
This chapter was originally going to be much longer and include a certain BIG event, but that's taking longer to write than I expected and KL and you all have waited for an update for long enough, me thinks. Hopefullyl, part two will be up on Monday.
Hope this wasn't too boring a chapter; some lore development and hints/a possible explanation to the ending of the previous version of this story.
Keep safe!