Out of the Shadows

by raven716

"It's not a mutation. It's called a Quirk. Instead of being ninjas or whatever, become heroes." The Gang thought this whole time it was a mutation, to find out it wasn't. Each of them had a Quirk. And with this Quirk could be more than just hiding in the shadows. They could become heroes.

62. Chapter 62

With her phone propped up on a pillow, face-timing, Pony was comfortably sprawled in her room on her bed, a plate of neatly sliced apples and an open manga by her side. The sky outside was turning orange as evening settled in. Her eyes were glued to the screen, filled with excitement and anticipation. You had your phone propped up on Bakugo's bed, standing in the small space between it and the wall. Bakugo's room was quiet, his carp not in sight, and he was still out, busy with his work-study under Best Jeanist. Just like the first day, Mrs. Mitsuki had picked you up from the train station. You had returned in the evening, and Bakugo was expected to return by nightfall.

This meant you had time to yourself in his room to enjoy. Pony called you to see how everything was going, and when you told her, she insisted on wanting to see what Kamui Wood told you to do.

You weren't nervous, but you felt a tingle of them standing before Pony. She ate an apple slice andy. Drawing a small, shaky breath, you brought it up and showed patience to her.

"See!" you show her, holding a tiny seed encased in a glowing sphere of your energy.

Pony's mouth gaped, then closed, confused, "I don't get it. A ball?"

You shake your head and release the sphere, letting it hover next to you. "No. Mr. Kamui Wood insisted I focus on focusing. He believes that I essentially lack focus, which is not correct, but he believes so."

Pony couldn't help but chuckle enduringly at how you spoke, "So you have to keep a seed safe? But you already know how to do that."

"Precisely." you smile, relieved, though completely not understand her small bit of humor and tease. She noticed and didn't correct you. You continued, "I have for quite some learned such a skill an-"

A heavy pounding interrupted you and her. The sound was coming from the other side of the wall. It startled Pony, "What is that?"

You smile unbothered, knowing what it is and who it is. You were about to tell her, but you remembered Nezu's words and conversation from that day, and your smile slowly lost its strength.

"-it is the definition of lying!" You spout interrupting

"Now that everything is settled and agreed," Nezu stood looking from Mrs. Midoyoria to Kirby O'Neil, then April and Izuku. Then over to Mitsuki, Masuru, and you, "silence is best. I thank you both," he looked between the housing parents, "for-"

It clicked what he meant by silence, and you interjected, "Why silence?" Your eyes looked to April momentarily, then to your father, and returned to Nezu, quietly pleading for some reason.

He saw the discontent and fright in your eyes, "I wouldn't say full silence. I suppose my choice of words was not constructed well," he maintained his pleasant smile and straightened out his shoulders. He took less than a second to rearrange his words, "Think of it as my brother, your teacher Splinter methods."

"Methods?" You repeat

He nodded, "Yes. Think shadows." You were baffled for a moment, though you minorly understood. He continued, "You were all once ninjas. My dear brother taught you the art of ninjutsu—well, most of it. So think of it like that. What does he say about the shadows?"

A slight coldness went through you. You knew what saying he was talking about. One you weren't keen on, you mutter solemnly with enough volume for him to hear and the others.

"Darkness gives the ninja power, while light reveals the ninja's presence."

Your shoulders drop slightly as the last word falls from your lips.

Nezu smiled, glad you understood, "Wonderful."

Your eyes hung heavy for a moment coming from the memory, and you swallowed a lump of regret before addressing Pony's question.

"It is just a neighbor," you force, attaching a smile to hide the crack of regret for lying in your voice, "yes, a neighbor. They have been constructing a new room for some time."

"They're loud. I hope they finish soon." Pony frowned, annoyed, while eating another slice.

You wanted to tell her they would be and that it was Mr. Masaru in the next room. He had been setting things up in there so you could have the room. Since you moved in, it was almost ready, but you couldn't tell Pony.

"They shall." You assure her, keeping your smile. "Oh, how has your participation with your chosen hero developed?"

A knock came to Bakugo's residence; Mitsuki stopped what she was doing and went to check. She called out and looked through the peephole. There was a delivery man with a few boxes; she smiled and opened the door.

You gasped amazed at what Pony told you, "That is quite astounding! Well done, Pony!" You clapped, hopping up and down with a wide smile. You start flying and spinning mid-air.

Pony laughed, spilling a few of her apple slices at your display. You weren't sure why she was but joined her in shared laughter. It went on for a bit. Your hair started glowing aflame. Pony stopped mid-laugh and stared in awe. She noticed something else when she remembered something.

"May! I've got a question to ask you."

Your laughter settled and gave your full attention, curious about what she wanted to ask.

"What is your inquiring?"

She opened her mouth to ask when a knock on the door made her pause. You excuse yourself and fly out her few. She couldn't see what was happening but heard your voice with another's. A woman's, by the sound of it, she was older. Pony listened to a bit of the cover station before curiosity took over, and her eyes started wandering about the view she had beside the room's wall.

There wasn't much she could see from her phone. You had positioned the phone so it was just the wall she saw, but you angled it a bit this time. She could see a bit of a desk and half of a poster she barely made out, which answered the question she was going to ask. She quickly took her phone and sent a text. She paused and remembered the shirt you had on, a hard metal one. It surprised her, but she included it in her text.

"Yes. Thank you!" She heard you, and as you were wrapping up the conversation, Pony finished her text, and you came back into view.

You had an excited smile on, Pony noticed, and your eyes looked in the direction of where you came as if signaling to whoever was directing them where to go.

"Thank you! Sincerely!" You smile warmly.

Pony heard the woman's voice. It was kind: "You're welcome. Try them on and let me know. Okay?"

You nodded, "Yes. I shall. Thank you! Thank you!"

Mitsuki smiled at you, took the empty boxes, and left. Before she did, she asked if you wanted to help finish preparing dinner. You said yes, and she left.

"What was that?" Pony asked, trying to see.

You hold up a hand, fly out of a few, and then come back with your arms full of clothes. "I have provided new attire!" You proudly hold up different outfits to her.

"Wow! Those are nice. Did your mom give them to you?" She innocently asked the common question.

Your smile slowly dropped, but you kept enough so it didn't show, "Well…umm," your words halted, something unlatched in your mind, and this sudden piercing cold tinge of pain arose; it almost overwhelmed you if not for that familiar warm voice calling out and another voice, its tone a tad deeper but soothing with a lively smoothness calling you, and it too seemed familiar.

The voices kept repeating your name or names. You heard two. They both sounded faint, but you managed to make them out somewhat. The warmer voice spoke your name, May. The other one said, Aurora?

Pony's smile slowly faded. She noticed your lack of response and the emotional distress wrinkled on your face and eyes as if searching for something. "May," she called tentatively, setting an apple slice down. You didn't respond, "May!" she raised her voice.

You didn't respond; she got ready to shout your name when you suddenly broke from it and returned. You blinked a few times, and the distress you had vanished swiftly; momentarily, you weren't sure where you were, but after a quick review of the room, you realized it was Bakugo's room, and your heart sighed, relieved.

"May," Pony called, her voice drawing you back to her.

You turn to her and remember the question. Before you could answer, she asked, "Are you okay?"

That confused you; of course, you were well. "Yes." You lift a brow, tilting your head, confused. "I am well. Are you?" Concern overrose you, sensing an uneasiness from her.

"Uh, yeah," Pony straightened herself, sitting up on her bed, her eyes searching for what she just saw—or maybe not. It happened so fast. Seeing you thinking nothing of it, she smiled and brushed it aside, "So, was it your mom?"

You shake your head, "No."

"Oh, yeah, it's you and your sister living together, right?" She remembered, "Did she give them to you?"

Your words were lost again, and that tinge of feeling came back. You thought of April momentarily, wondering how she was doing…which beelined into wondering about Izuku. "Izuku-chan," you mutter to yourself before answering.

Some of you almost let the truth slip until April's words and Kirby's stopped you with another's reinforcement.

"Yes. My sister! Indeed!" You brim, "She provided my new garments."

"That's nice of her. Oh, how's her internship with the hero agency going?"

Your smile became a struggle, and that tinge felt heavy. It halted when a familiar ringtone rang on your end, interrupting your FaceTime, and you smiled, reading the name and knowing who.

"Red Riot!" You answer cheerfully.

Kirishima could hear your smile on his end and smiled.

"Hey, May. Hope I'm not bothering you. I just thought..I just got home from my internship and wanted to see how it's been going with…with you and stuff."

"How kind of you, Red Riot! Thank you! Oh, Pony is on the other end."

A pinch of guilt hit Kirishima, "Really? I didn't mean to interrupt you two. I can call b-"

You shake your head, "Oh, please remain on. I wish to show you both something. Please FaceTime!"

"Well, I don't want to interru-"

"Please, Red Riot."

You said it with a pleading softness. Kirishima couldn't finish and agreed. The sound of your joyful cheer washed away all of his usual nervousness. You told him to give you a moment and then call. He heard what sounded like a window being opened, a small rush of air, the soft sound of crickets, and the crunch of grass.

"Ready!" You tell him.

He hung up and FaceTime. Pony welcomed him, her apple slices almost finished. You propped your phone up using the golden sphere you had the seed in so they could see. The sky was now deep indigo, dotted with stars hidden by the soft glow of the street lamps. The light provided an outline of you that Pony and Kirishima could see. They had to squint a bit. When your hair eyes glowed and your hair aflamed, they could make you out.

You stood before your phone. Excitement was written across your face, but it shone in your eyes, and you showed them.

Back inside, Mitsuki was setting the table; she could hear her husband working in the room. From the pounding hammer, she knew he was putting together the bookcase. Kirby told her and Masura about your enjoyment of books when they asked at the Sports Festival before either of his daughters came. He told them that back in New York, your room had one, and it was filled with book after book. You took some from his home office. It explained a lot about you. Especially in the way you spoke. The information was good to know. Your room here would have it. They wanted your room to feel as comfortable and familiar as it did back home.

She was glad your clothes came, though she knew Katsuki's reaction once he saw it. But he knew there wasn't anything he could do about it. She noticed he must have realized it because his temper seemed complacent. That's what she observed within these four walls.

Think of her son seconds later. He came home just as she stepped out of the kitchen to call for you, but she decided to delegate the task to him instead.

"What?! Why?" He snapped with a refusing tone. "I just got home!"

Mitsuki waved his huffing fit aside, "Because you're headed up there. Let her know I'm almost done, and she came help."

Bakugo frowned and barked back, "So! If you want her to come down, then you do it!"

Upstairs, Masuru finished hammering in the last nail of the bookshelf. He wiped his brow and stood back, admiring his work.

"Let's load it up," he glanced at three closed boxes. Each one was filled with books. Their contents ranged in variety. Kirby never specified what genre you preferred, so it didn't matter.

He opened a box and began shelving the books on the bottom shelf. A few times, he stopped and read over a few titles. They surprised him; he wouldn't have assumed at first glance that someone with your presentation would read things like this. Then again, considering Kirby's profession, it shouldn't surprise him. The man said you loved books and reading. The list he provided helped.

Marasu approached the second shelf when an explosive argument shook the house. He sighed and straightened out his glasses that hung from his face and continued with the books, fighting the urge to see what it was about. But from what his ears could grasp, it had something to do with you.

"Get her right now, Katsuki!" Mitsuki's voice rose.

Bakugo was halfway up the stairs, "I said get her yourself! I'm not going to tell her!"

"You're heading to the room. Tell right now and stop with the attitude."

"I just got home. I've got work to do besides being some messenger boy!"

Masaru could feel his wife's anger pressure cooking; he sighed and stood. He shouldn't have gone out there, but he did. He opened the door and poked his head out. He spotted his son at the top of the stairs, ready to fire back.

He stepped in, "I'll get May." He offered, walking to the room.

The wrong words to say, Masaru realized; Bakugo directed his fiery eyes on his father, mistaking and misinterpreting his words. "No one asked you! Mom said I had to do it!"

Masuru shrunk back a bit and withdrew his hand seconds before Bakugo barreled over and grabbed his doorknob. His red eyes flashed at his dad, turned the knob, shoved his door open, and slammed it. Leaving that usual heavy, uncomfortable, tense silence hanging about, next came Bakugo's hollering.

Masuru anticipated it would come any second now. It didn't come; his brow lifted, surprised. Silence followed, and Masuru's heart filled with concern. He felt his color start draining. He hoped his son hadn't….his hand flew to Bakugo's doorknob, and it turned. He withdrew it. The door opened, and you flew out, almost crashing into him.

You avoided him effortlessly like it was second nature around him.

"My apologies, Mr. Masaru." You give a slight bow and small smile and then fly to the kitchen. "I am present Mrs. Mitsuki!"

He heard you announce to his wife. Her tone changed instantly. The sound of dinner making filled the house. Masuru smiled to himself, relieved you were all right, and a more pleasant air pushed out the previous tension. He returned to finish his prior task when something pulled him back to check on something.

His son.

Concerned as any dad, Masuru glanced inside the teen's room; you had left the door open enough to see Katsuki working on his studies at his desk.

The third day of interning came, and you boarded the train as usual, dressed in your school uniform. Wearing your smile and take your seat. You weren't accompanied by yourself. Bakugo rode with you until you had to get off at the train station Aizawa told you to and be assigned your overseer…correction riding buddy. You stood next to Aizawa on the platform and felt his watchful eyes on you. You stood rather still, to his surprise; it had to be because his hand rested on his scarf. He noticed your eyes nervously passing some glances at it, but there was something else glinting heavily in them.

Your hands gripped the suitcase handle, carrying your costume. You stared forward at the people moving about the platform. Usually, your eyes would hop from one person to another but remain forward. Your thoughts, however, were occupied—occupied since yesterday and as you slept.

Pony's question about your sister echoed in your mind. Where was she interning? You didn't know, and the fact that you didn't….that shard of coldness weighed in you, echoing a hollowness. Your bottom lip quietly trembled. Where was April interning? These past three days, you couldn't sense her, and….you wish she would have told you. You also wished he would have told you, Izuku. Where was he? You blink and wait seconds to open your eyes. Using these few seconds to try and find them….sense them, though you didn't want to remain in the dark too long. The world around you faded out. You hadn't realized Aizawa had introduced you to your rider, and you had followed them onto the train.

Everything was dark….cold…., and lonely. You saw no light or lights indicating either April or Izuku. Your pulse quickened and doubled when this sudden…dreadful chill washed over you with a horrid scream or screams you weren't sure. Those voices spoke. Your eyes snapped open, and you nearly jolted from your seat, finding two curious, twinkling purple eyes staring at you.

"Ah, you finally awoken, princess," Aoyama smiled with an odd shine. He winked at you. "What's on your mind?"

You stare back, blinking a few times. He gave a rich chuckle or hoot. It was almost pompous, and the nickname he just said to you made you tilt your head.

Aoyama ignored your gesture and continued staring at you; after another blink, you realized he was one of your riders and sat before you. Sitting with still focus, to your right was your other rider, your classmate with the bird head…solemn expression, Tokoyami. His attention was directed to his phone, scrolling through.

Fingers snapped before you. It startled you and brought your attention back. Back to Aoyama, he still kept that twinkle look in his eyes. He leaned himself closer, his face half a foot from yours. You wanted to move back but remained polite and still. You offer him a…smile.

"Hello," you said in a kind tone with a curious undertone subtly attached.

Aoyama noticed and leaned in an inch closer. "I finally get to talk with you." You weren't sure where he was going with this but kept your smile and pointed to yourself; he nodded, "Yes, you. You've been going with others the last few days. Since the Sports Festival, you put on a quiet presentation."

You softly bow your head, "Thank you," you pause for a moment to think of his name and remember, "Sparkle or Twinkle."

Aoyama held in a strained gasp of offense. You realized what you said and settled on one you believed would work, "Twinkle."

Tokoyami overhead lent over to you and told you his name, "Aoyama."

"Oh. Aoyama. My apologies."

He waved it away and continued, "Well, I do twinkle, so thank you. Now, back to you. I'm curious, princess; what's on your mind?"

Your mind quickly locked down, and your tongue said, "Nothing."

"Come now, it must be something. Otherwise, you would have acknowledged us with your usual shining, bright persona. You can tell me." He held a finger to his lips, "I promise not to tell."

Your tongue remained withheld, "It is nothing. My mind was focused on my intern with my hero."

A glint of interest quietly held in Aoyama's eyes. He leaned in half an inch closer, and it amazed you how he kept this confident smile on. "Oh? Really. Who is your hero? I don't remember hearing about it. No doubt you like me," he held his head high with importance and an imperious gaze to no one. "Received countless offers. Yes?" His eyes slide back to you.

"Yes."

He held his poise for a few more seconds and returned to his seat. Tokoyami checked the upcoming stop. He turned to you, "Our stop is almost here. Gather your things."

You hold onto your suitcase. Aoyama waved a hand before you turned your back to him. His face was closer now.

"So, who's your hero? Hmm?"

"Mr. Kaumi Wood."

"Really? Huh, not what I expected," he propped his hand and rested his chin on it. I expected you and your sister to be together or with the Hamato brothers. All of you are always together, right? Or Izuku, you're attached to him, right? Where are they?"

The words…his question struck you just as Pony's had, that sharp pang began forming in your chest…hollowing in your chest that felt like it was crumbling, you almost felt your hand reach up and grab it. Grab the area over your heart and squeeze it with your hands, slowly shaking slightly to hold it together. You didn't; instead, your eyes quietly swept to the train window and listlessly watched the city buildings go by. You had the words to answer his questions. But they seemed so…you couldn't find the words, so you just turned back to him and smiled. Remembering your father, April, Nezu, and their words.

"I am uncertain where my sister, friends, or even Izuku-chan are. But," your smile brightens, "I am certain they are well and learning all they can."

He wasn't expecting that answer, "Really?" he said, amused or intrigued, you couldn't tell.

The stop was approaching, and Toyokami kept a vigilant eye on it. Aoyama continued, "You don't know where any of them are?"

You shake your head, "No. But when this whole project is completed, we shall be reunited! Then, once we are, everything will be well. Additionally, Izuku-chan and I will share ramen, as he promised to treat me. That I cannot wait." The genuine sweetness and excitement filling your words left Aoyama momentarily speechless, and his smile almost fell.

He felt a lump form in his throat, which he quickly swallowed. "You really like him, don't you?"

"Izuku-chan?" your eyes rounded with confusion briefly at such a question; you had to blink a few times to process it and answer with high levity, "Of course!" Your cheeks turn rosy with a matching smile, "He is precious to me." Your heart started jumping with delight; it spread across your face, along with another emotion Aoyama couldn't quite pin, but he knew it wasn't love in the romantic sense, the way your eyes softly shined warmly thinking of Izuku, your voice even reflected it, "Yes. He is precious to me. I do wish to know his location." You admit with restained solemn.

Aoyama's lips pulled further into his smile. He opened his mouth to tell you when the train stopped. Tokoyama stood, "Where here? Come on." He gathered his things and proceeded to walk off.

You grab your things, stand, and follow. Aoyama's hand shoots out and grabs your wrist firmly. You stop and turn to him. He had a finger to his lips.

"I happened to know where he is or where he might be." Your eyes light up with intrigue and relief, "But," he pulls you closer, keeping his smile on, closing one eye and his other directly staring into yours, "you have to keep quiet. What I'm going to tell you, you have to keep it hidden. Think of it like keeping the lights off. Okay?"

His eyes remained locked with yours, watching them become fixed and motionless with his.

On the platform, Tokoyami went to check for the next train he needed to catch on the platform screens located up against the platform walls and realized your empty presence. He turned back, eyes sweeping across the crowd for any sign of you. There was no sign of you, and the train's doors were closing. He pushed off from his spot and brought out Dark Shadow.

"Look for her," he orders urgently.

Dark Shadow provided the extra set of eyes, casting long stares across the many faces of people on the platform. He couldn't spot you, "I don't see her." He informed Tokoyami.

That wasn't what he wanted to hear. Tokoyami was confident; he instructed and told you about the spot approaching and when to get off. He glanced back before he stepped off and saw you gathering your things. He should have waited. Given your track record, he's noticed….and what Aizawa told him, he knew better.

The rumbling of the train departing echoed throughout the platform, sending vibrations underfoot. The train began pulling off, the metallic clattering of the wheels against the track filling the air, blending with the whooshing noise of the train picking up speed. Tokoyami's heart matched the train's speed; he remained calm, and his eyes flickered throughout. You had to be here….any moment, Aizawa would call the agency he was at to confirm, and if he didn't have you then-

"I found her!" Dark Shadow alerted him. "Hey! Over here!" He called to you loud enough to cover the overlapping voices.

You hear it and spot him with his flailing arms. Within seconds, you meet up with Tokoyami and Dark Shadow.

Instantly, you apologize to Tokoyami before he can say anything, "Forgive me. I was delayed."

He had words ready for you before your apology came. But given the time and the arrival of the next train, he sighed and told you to follow and remain close. He kept Dark Shadow out to watch you as you boarded the train this time. Unaware of the eyes monitoring among the crowd.

On the ride was quiet to the hero agency, you were to wait until Kamui Wood arrived; it was pretty further than the other places you went. All you knew of this agency was that it was in Fukuoka City. When you and Tokoyami arrived, you found the city to be rather heavily populated. It almost reminded you of New York; you paused and stared at it. Dark Shadow realized this, and he, along with Tokoyami, ushered to the hero's agency.

"Stay close," Dark Shadow tells you, almost like a parent. "We don't want you to get lost."

You give him a nod and follow them, reaching the hero's agency. It was in the city's heart, in a skyscraper—the largest and tallest. Before entering, you wondered if it was as tall as the Empire State Building. You could fly up and see, but Tokoyami moved you along inside. You went through the lobby, to the elevator, and to the very top.

The elevator chimed, ending the travel. You step out with Dark Shadow and Tokoyami into a spacious, massive yet organized floor. A receptionist greeted Tokoyami and acknowledged you. Sidekicks moved about. Natural light poured in beautifully from the windows. You took a moment to let yourself bask in the sun's rays, blocking everything out. You didn't notice someone coming over until their calm, pleasant voice spoke.

"So you're her, huh?"

When your eyes open, you find a man with large red wings, feathers, and ash blonde hair swept back messily with thick eyebrows to match behind a pair of round-tinted visors. This outfit matched well with the brownish aviator outfit he wore, which you instantly realized was his costume that worked with his slim and narrow build. He stood about average for one his age. His eyes fixed on you with curiosity and a tinge of surprise.

Tokoyami stood by him and introduced you, "Hawks, this is May O'Neil. May, this is Hawks Japan's # 3 Pro Hero."

You heard Tokoyami, but your eyes and attention fixated on Hawk's red wings. Something inside you….made your stomach…flutter…no, that wasn't it. You wanted to touch them. They were…beautiful.

Not what I expected, Hawks thought, taking a step closer to you. "Hey." He waved a hand before you, but you ignored it. He realized where your eyes were directed and smirked. "I see."

His wings unfurled, expanding them twice their size. That fluttering in you sped up, and your eyes lit up in awe. You had to touch the wings. You just had to. Your hand heard your action and slowly reached out to touch one. Hawks moved closer, using this to do so, and in one swift action, cupped your chin gently in his hand, turning you toward him and away from his wings.

His attentive eyes moved about you as if registering. You remained still despite the bristle of discomfort. Hawks leaned your face up a bit, and his eyes went a second round. He finished, and the jovialness returned in his eyes.

"So you're that American from the Sports Festival? Huh," he said, as though surprised and impressed. You're cuter in person, Turtledove. Do you like to fly?"