Burn Notice

Chapter 2

The next day, I asked my dad if he could drop me off at the Ingenium Facility before heading to work. Both of my parents were surprised by my haircut, but I explained that I didn't want my hair to get pulled or caught while I was training. I couldn't even begin to explain the Goddess to them, and I felt like I wouldn't be able to anyway.

After a short car ride, I found myself standing in front of what looked like a school gymnasium. I knew the Idea family had a legacy of heroes, but the Ingenium Facility was on a whole different level of impressive.

I entered through the front doors and was greeted by the man himself, Ingenium. "Welcome! You must be the hero hopeful my mother mentioned. I'm Ingenium, nice to meet you!"

"I'm Kagura Hoshizora, it's nice to meet you as well," I replied with a respectful bow.

"No need for formalities here! Come on, I'll show you around." Following him deeper into the facility, I realized that this place was more than just a big gym. It had all the workout machines you'd expect, but some of them were a little extreme. I mean, weights the size of cars? Maybe they're for super strength users. He continued the tour until we came to what looked like a huge treadmill. "And here is your first step."

"Huh?" I asked, confused. It looked like a normal treadmill.

"This is a state-of-the-art treadmill that we use to gauge your stamina. It calibrates itself on the fly to match your pace."

"That sounds interesting." It really did. Technology had come a long way. "Is there a place I can change?" I was wearing casual clothes but had a bag with my workout gear.

"Oh, right this way."

After showing me to the ladies' locker room, I quickly changed into my specialized clothing. The advent of Quirks brought with it the need for clothing that could withstand various abilities. I emerged in sprinter's shorts, track shoes, and a sports bra. I wasn't ashamed of my lithe figure, just annoyed when people commented on it inappropriately.

"Looks like you came prepared," Ingenium commented approvingly. "Step onto the treadmill and it'll start. It begins slowly and then gradually tests you."

It seemed simple enough. I stepped onto the treadmill. The screen display lit up and within seconds, it started. I wasn't too worried about my stamina. I worked out regularly, maybe not to the extent of athletes, but enough to stay in shape.

"Hmm," I heard Ingenium mutter. The treadmill got a little faster, but it still felt slow to me. Maybe it thought I wasn't ready for the faster speeds yet.

Honestly, I felt a bit silly. Part of me came here to train to be a hero, but another part really wanted to impress Tenya. I blushed a little at the thought of him. Damn it, I thought I got over this yesterday!

"You okay there, Hoshizora-san?" Ingenium asked. I couldn't quite place his tone.

"I'm fine, just thinking about something embarrassing, that's all," I admitted freely. No need to add that I was thinking about how handsome his younger brother was. That would be the worst.

"No, I mean... are you okay physically? Are you using your Quirk right now?"

"Huh? I'm fine and no, my Quirk is off... why?" I focused on the screen. "Huh?!"

The display read three-hundred-and-thirty-seven kilometers per hour.

"H-How?!" I thought I was doing a light jog. I slowed down enough to signal that I wanted off. The machine came to a stop, and I stepped off.

Then it hit me. I wasn't sure how long I'd been running, but my body decided it needed a break. I collapsed to the ground as darkness took over.

"Hoshizora-san, how are you feeling?"

"Mortified." Passing out like that was the last thing I needed. Passing out in front of Iida's brother, a Pro Hero, was even worse. We were currently in a medical room, and as I gazed out the window, I noticed the sun setting. I had been out for hours.

Ingenium chuckled. "It's alright, I won't tell Tenya if that's what you're worried about." And there it was, the blush returning at full force. Why? What did I do to deserve this? "He got you that flustered, huh?"

I let out a sigh. "I took one look at him, and my heart skipped a beat. I couldn't stop blushing. It's… I don't even know him at all… I want to, maybe it'll make sense of things."

"Hey, emotions aren't easy for anyone. I'm actually surprised you're into my brother like that, considering how obvious he can be." Ingenium commented. I shot him a deadpan look. Of course, the one guy I have a crush on has to be such a himbo that even his family acknowledges it. "That said, I don't think you should overthink it. Feelings come and go, so see where they take you. You're young after all; nobody said you have to decide on things today."

"You're right…" The only thing I had a time limit on was dealing with All For One, and I didn't need to rush it. Something in me was telling me that everything would happen in time.

"That said, I'm surprised you were running that fast without a speed Quirk like mine."

"Honestly… that felt slow to me." Seeing his shocked expression, I continued. "I felt like I could have gone faster."

"What is your Quirk anyway? My mother told me you said it was dangerous. It's why I was here to greet you instead of the staff." I smiled weakly at that. It made sense in hindsight.

I held up my hand, and a small flame appeared in my palm. "I call it Sol Guardian. I can create, control, and absorb fire at will. I also can control my temperature no matter the weather or locale. I don't know where all that speed came from."

"I see… maybe it's a byproduct of your Quirk?" My Quirk… or maybe… "In any case, we can help you with your Quirk as well. Though, I think once you're in the field, you could check out Endeavor's Agency?"

"I'd rather not," I replied with a frown. "Something about him rubs me the wrong way." Besides, if he sees how much control I have with my Quirk, he might try to buy me… He's done it before with his own wife, after all. I need to nip that in the bud fast.

"If you say so. Will you be coming by tomorrow?"

"Yes! I need as much training as I can get. I want to be a hero."

"Good! I'll have Tenya work with you. Seeing how fast you are will really light a fire in him." I gave the man another deadpan look. "Not a fan of the pun?"

"It was low-hanging fruit, Ingenium. A good pun, like a punch, lands hard, fast, and leaves a lasting impression." I replied, offering him a grin.

"Oh… we're going to get along famously!"

The next few months flew by quickly, and everyone was giving it their all in training. After catching heat from Katsuki for knocking him out, I suggested he go into weight training to strengthen his arms to support bigger blasts. The grin he gave me worried me, but I knew he wasn't totally crazy.

As for Izuku, I often caught him trying to add more to his already intense training regimen. One day, I found him collapsed while jogging and helped him up.

"Pushing yourself like this isn't going to help, Izuku," I told him. "You do more damage to your body trying to push past limits instead of naturally letting them grow."

"But…" He began to argue, but I wouldn't let him.

"You're not going to be All Might." He looked at me, shocked. "Nobody can be your sensei. He's beyond all of us, and chasing after his image won't help. Instead, be someone he can be proud of. Be you. Be the hero we all know you can be. Now, come on. Let's get you some rest so your muscles can grow."

After that conversation, his progress doubled, far surpassing expectations. It also helped that Aldera Junior High got shut down due to an investigation. My paranoia paid off when it was revealed that several members of the staff and parents were part of a Quirk Supremacy Cult. I had suspected the Meta Liberation Army, but I didn't have the heart to rub it in Katsuki and Izuku's faces.

As for me, I gained better control over my fire and trained my endurance more. I still haven't tested how fast I can really go, but I haven't felt the need to push myself that hard just yet. Still, after hearing about my feat, Tenya started challenging me to weekly races, trying to match my speed. I shamefully agreed under the encouraging eyes of Tensei (Ingenium) and his mother.

I really don't need any more encouragement for my love life… Still… my life was going relatively well until one night…

I was heading home from the training facility as the sun was setting. I felt like grabbing a light snack before dinner. After all, I had worked hard and figured I could sneak a sweet or two. As I pondered over what my cheat snack would be, a scream pierced the evening air from a nearby alley. My heart raced as I peered down the alley and saw three thugs trying to hold down a girl my age. My blood began to boil. Those men were trying to assault her.

"Yes, my daughter… those filthy men aren't like your Tenya…" I could hear Mother whispering in my ear, almost goading me. "Take them out… show them the wrath of someone blessed by me."

I didn't hesitate. I moved.

The first thug didn't even have a chance to react as I executed a flying kick with speeds I didn't think were possible, flinging him out the other end of the alley, across the street, and into another alley. Before the other two men could react, I pivoted, sending one of them into a nearby wall with a spinning kick, using the velocity to embed him into it. Before the last one could even come up with a threat, I kneed him in the chin, knocking him out cold.

Looking at the two downed men, my blood sang for more violence, but I knew that wouldn't be right. Killing these men wouldn't be heroic. I went over to their almost-victim and helped her up. She was shaking in fear.

"Hey…" I said softly. "Let's get out of here, alright? They can't hurt you while they're in traction, yeah?" It wasn't the most polished thing to say, but it worked. I escorted her out of the alley.

"Thank you…" she whispered, clinging to me as we walked. "If you hadn't stopped them…"

"You don't need to say it. You're safe now," I whispered back. "I need to call a friend to deal with these monsters, okay? Just stay close."

She nodded, and I pulled out my phone, speed-dialing a number. As soon as I was connected, I spoke. "Tensei, I need help."

Tensei's voice came through the line, steady and reliable. "What's going on?"

"I stopped an assault, but I need you to handle the aftermath," I replied, keeping my voice calm for the girl's sake. "Three men, incapacitated, but I need to ensure they're dealt with properly."

"Got it. Send me your location, and I'll be there soon," Tensei assured me.

I hung up and turned to the girl. "Help is on the way. Let's just stay here where it's safe."

She nodded again, her grip on my arm tightening. "Thank you… really."

I smiled reassuringly. "It's what heroes do. Now, let's wait for my friend. He'll make sure these guys won't hurt anyone else."

As we waited, I couldn't help but reflect on what had just happened. The speed, the power—I had never felt so in control, yet so close to losing it. Mother's voice still echoed in my mind, but I pushed it aside. Being a hero meant protecting people, not giving in to rage.

"I'm Kagura Hoshizora." I spoke suddenly, causing the girl to look at me before realizing I was introducing myself. "You can call me Kagura if you like or.. Even Kagu-chan."

"I'm Momo Yaoyorozu." She replied with a smile. "And you can call me Momo."

Ingenium and two of his sidekicks arrived, followed closely by Yaoyorozu's parents and the police. After giving our statements and reaffirming that I didn't use my Quirk to harm the men—just raw feminine rage—I was let go and sent home.

My own parents were worried, and after a long talk over dinner, I took a long shower, trying to wash away the day's events. Finally, I headed to bed, or rather, I curled up in bed.

I could have killed those men. I could have killed them with my bare hands, and I wouldn't have felt sorry for their deaths.

"You would have been justified, my daughter. Those men are the worst." Mother was here. I couldn't see her, but I felt her comforting presence. "But I now see that it's too early for you to bloody your hands."

"I wanted to. I wanted to kill them so badly. To make them feel the pain they would have inflicted on that girl… I wanted to splatter their worthless hides across the pavement."

"Then what stopped you, my child?"

I had time to think about it while I was eating dinner with my parents. "I didn't want to be a murderer. I didn't want to disappoint you."

"Disappoint me?" She sounded shocked, and I couldn't blame her.

"I didn't want to give in to my desires for senseless violence, to become a monster that you'd have to put down. I want to be a hero, not a villain."

Mother's presence seemed to waver, her voice softer, more contemplative. "My dear, being a hero doesn't mean suppressing your emotions. It means channeling them for the greater good. You showed restraint, compassion. Those are the marks of a true hero."

I sighed, feeling a mix of relief and lingering frustration. "I just… I want to protect people, but I don't want to lose myself in the process."

"And you won't," Mother assured me. "You have a strong heart, stronger than most. Remember, it's not the power that makes a hero, but how they choose to use it."

I nodded, feeling her words resonate deep within me. "Thank you, Mother. I'll keep that in mind."

As I lay there, I thought about the day's events. The fear in Momo's eyes, the rage that had consumed me, and the resolve I found in holding back. I knew the path ahead wouldn't be easy, but I was determined to walk it.

…now if only I would stop meeting members of Class One-A in the worst possible way, I would be totally fine.

…Fuck I just jinxed myself.

I know the trope "Momo gets into trouble prior to the Entrance Exams" is a tired trope, but honestly, it's an easy one to write.

Poor Kagura is dealing with some shit. That bloodlust problem will come back in the worst possible moment too! Meanwhile off screen, Izuku is getting stronger than normal, and Katsuki is also getting buffs.

And actually, there was an alternate point I wanted to make but I'm saving it for later on in the story.