I sat at the table, drumming my fingers on the wooden surface as I waited.
What was I waiting for, you ask? I was waiting for the good ol detective and someone from the commission in regards to my case, before bringing up to the law here.
I'm gonna be honest, I don't have any idea how the law system works here, I can only assume it works in a similar way to the U.S. I think the main difference is that the heroes and the hero association/committee/whatever the fuck is intertwined in that.
A knock on my door stole me from my thoughts. I motioned for the people to come in. I saw detective Tsukauchi, a man in a suit, and Nezu for some reason.
"Mendoza."
"Tsukauchi. Got anything good for me?"
"If you see it as such." He said with a small smile.
"Jason Mendoza, my name is Ryuji Takashi. I come from the Hero and Law Enforcement Joint Team. I am here to discuss your proposition and case." And then he brought out a stack of papers, all related to me.
"10 years ago, you were present in the New York Incident, in which you fended off the Crypt from achieving their goals. Ever since then and the loss of your leg, you went into hiding until 4 years later law enforcement found you and shipped you off to here. Reason being why is that multiple government officials including the then vice president of the United States helped them grow to where they were, making it controversial and confidential. This along with past instances of violence within Quirked and Quirkless related conflicts forced the nation into chaos again, questioning the origins of the hero system that originated in New York City. Am I right so far?"
"Yes you are."
"They key part is the unauthorized usage of your Quirk. In the U.S. it is dictated that one may not use their Quirk unless used for self defense, and nothing else of that nature unless one had a license to use it. You used your quirk much before then, as can be seen after the numerous criminals you have captured and incapacitated. It can be argued that you should be thrown in prison."
"Heh..."
"However, support from the agencies, commission, and a statement from Star and Stripe argued against this, as your help was crucial within the incident, as without it, they may have succeeded."
"Star and Stripe, huh, I could've sworn I've only saw her once..."
"And with an analysis of your actions, as well as the exposition of several corrupt heroes, the majority believes that requesting your help once again will be beneficial." The man then takes off his glasses.
"And to be unofficial for one moment, my grandfather lived around that area at that time. When I heard that it was you who saved him, I knew I had to do whatever it took to help the man who allowed my grandfather to live just a while longer, so I personally thank you, Mendoza."
"I gotta do what I gotta do, it was no problem at all."
"So, after conversation with the court..."
Wait... Is it really... Man I wished I used my Quirk before this...
"It was decided that you are a free man, in exchange, please help us with this threat!"
Wait... Let's think about this for a moment.
"Takashi..."
"Hmm?"
"Do you think I don't know what type of people you are? The Hero Public Safety Commission?"
"..."
"I'd rather kill myself then be another puppet to your pathetic games!"
"I... Expected this response." He said with a sweatdrop.
"To keep this on the down low, I understand the... Radical extremes my colleagues engage in..."
He sighed, before looking up at me.
"This threat may be bigger then we think, Mendoza, and I'm hoping by with this opportunity, you would be able to gain your freedom."
"..." I couldn't really say much to that. I had an idea however...
"Sure."
"What?"
"I said sure, I'll do so!" I said, but my grin betrayed my tone as it showed my true thoughts. Nezu could only shake his head.
Malicious Compliance. They wanna order me around? Fine, but I'll do it my way, my sense of justice as opposed to theirs.
"With my freedom, I'll be able to do a lot for you little pieces of shit, so sure. Give a license too, so I dont gotta deal with them." I said with my head in my hand.
"I, uh, I see... Mendoza, thank you... And please be careful, dealing with the others. They won't take as kindly to your... Personality."
"Well they can all suck my dick. I don't care."
"Right... Thank for this talk, we will begin the official process shortly."
"Hey wait!" I needed to know something else too.
"Yes, Mendoza?"
"How about my restaurant? I am NOT leaving it under any circumstances!"
"Well, since you live here, it should be no matter... And I'd say that you would be able to keep up with this occupation, but some days we might need you."
"So I'm like a free lance type of guy instead of the full fledge hero?"
"Precisely."
"Heh, I can dig that. Remember what I said though!"
"I understand, Mendoza, have a good rest of your day." He leaves as Tsukauchi and Nezu are left.
"He pretty much said all there is." Tsukauchi said, placing his hat on his head.
"Indeed, how do you feel, Mendoza?" Nezu asked.
"You know, I had a feeling you were behind some of this..."
"Me? Oh, of course not!"
"Uh huh... Well, I feel it'll be alright, right? Nothing crazy, I suppose. I didn't think this would happen though."
"Understandable, but we must get going now, we'll report back on the progress of your case, Mendoza!" He said as they left and Nezu scuttled off to the Nezu-mobile.
Freedom, huh? Eh, I'll take what I can get. I ain't a dog that's gonna be on a leash though.
I'll show these heroes how it's done.
Welp, I ought to get ready for bed... What is it, 8:45? I still got some time for TV I guess. I head upstairs-
Babump
Babumpbabump
Sweat trickled down my face.
Babumpbabumpbabump
My heart quickened as I instinctively activated my quirk. I raced towards the closet, pulling out my Kusarigama.
Babumpbabumpbabumpbabump
Shit, right here!? I know what to do, but there definitely is gonna be some damage to my shop... Fuck it.
A shroud of purple and black swarmed my bed, as two greyish muscular hands reached out of it, revealing to be a... Weird humanoid monster thing, like from that UA attack! Those fucking bastards really sent one of them to take me out?
It immediately turned towards me, it tried to charge but I was already running, tackling it through the window from the second floor. Thankfully, it wasn't as bulky as the one from the news. I landed on the road across from it, swirling my weapon.
Finally! Some action!
"Come on!"
~~~~~
[Nezu POV]
After a delightful conversation with Mendoza, I prepared to depart, Tsukauchi got in his vehicle as I heard a loud crash, like glass. I looked to see Mendoza on the ground... With a Nomu! I see they've been plotting to get him as well. This does not bode well.
"Shit! I'm sending in a call now!" Tsukauchi punched in a number on his phone as I stood there and watched. However, with the smile on that man's face, I have a feeling it would be alright.
Let me see what you can do, Jason Mendoza.
~~~~~
[Jason POV]
(Play: Nella Cernia
I activate my quirk, pushing it to the full three minutes. Huh, it lasts just about that long...
I'll end it in two!
This things quirk, or rather, quirks are mostly offensive...
I weave out of the way of a spike shot at me, as many more followed suit.
The biggest thing I gotta worry about is any potential bystanders or property damage. I just gotta aim for the head!
I go on the offensive, before jumping back as a bunch of spikes shoot out of the ground. All I really need to do is listen, an audio cue, which sounds like a blow gun, and then the spikes follow. Simple, right? It's not as if it happens in less then half a second...
The thing bellowed at me, shooting towards me at great speed, making me put up my guard as it shoots a fist towards me.
Last minute I duck under, slashing it in the stomach with my blade as it whizzes past me. I quickly perform several backflips to avoid more spikes. With a bellow, it fires more from its hands and other parts of his body. It was a lot too.
Alright... Come on!
I weave through each spike, contorting my body like a contortionist. It was as if time was slowed down, before I saw one moment, one instance, of the perfect positioning!
Using the momentum of my body, I slung the weighted part of my weapon hard, passing through all the spikes and landing in its stomach. I'd imagine it traveled about 15 feet...
With that, it was stunned!
Well, stunned enough.
I rush at it, using the momentum of the weight to shoot my blade up, and then slamming it down into the thing's shoulder, making it cry out in pain. Damn, not too deep!
"Get over here!"
I pulled it over towards me intending to judo throw it when I noticed its whole body covered in spikes.
"You cheeky..."
So decided to send an uppercut right on its chin.
"Bastard!"
Man that hurt a lot! I could feel a slight crack in my hand... No matter. His skin is tough though.
I dash past it, throwing a backhand jab at its head with the weight while also yanking out the blade out of its shoulder, slicing a chunk of its flesh off. Quickly as I was behind it, I sliced the tendons of both Achilles tendons.
It rolled on the ground, and before it could do anything else...
Shunk!
My blade stabbed into its brain, and with a mighty tug, I pulled it clean off, making it immediately halt any movement. Blood spewed out of the open head onto the blade, the street, and me.
(End Music)
"There ya go..." I caught my breath as I looked around. I saw some spikes lying around here and there, but nothing serious at all. I looked at my clothes, seeing the blood that coated it. Damn that was not coming out...
I take a glance towards my shop... Seeing the numerous big ass spikes that shot into it.
Shit.
I heard the echo of police sirens as I turned towards the footsteps of Tsukauchi, who looked worried out of his mind.
"I knew I should've brought my gun... Are you alright!?" He asked with genuine concern.
"Yeah, I'm fine, man."
"Shit, sorry I couldn't do anything here... I left everything back at the station... Sorry about your restaurant."
"Ah, it's alright man, if you were to get involved, you probably would've died. And my shop will be fixed up, she'll be alright!"
"Ah..."
"Worry not, my dear detective! The thing had a spike, strength, and some type of skin armor quirk. For the skin armor, it seemed to have to be activated on command rather than an innate ability... With the amount of force I put in there it should've cleaved it in two. Tough bastard, alright, thankfully it wasn't like that one on the news, I would've been cooked... I couldn't have drawn out the fight or else it would've caught on." I said, basically debriefing the man beside me.
Several officers arrived on the scene as the one person I didn't think would show up... Showed up.
Mirko, in the flesh. She landed before me, looking at the corpse of that thing before looking at me.
"You didn't even let me have a turn, huh?"
"... The fuck are you doing here?"
"I was the closest hero at the time, now what the fuck is that thing?"
"To be dead ass, I don't know either."
"... I knew you weren't normal."
"Never said I was..."
Now then, how do I get this out of my clothes?
~~~~~
"Nomu, huh? I guess so..." I mumbled. It was rather late in the night as the scene was cleaned up. It was deemed that it was unsafe for me to stay there at the time.
"So how about my shop? I am not abandoning it!"
"We understand, but the League knows of your place of residence, it would only end up in another attack." Tsukauchi said to me across the little table. In his hand was a small cup of coffee, he seemed used to this
I had to answer a multitude of questions, luckily Nezu and the other backed me up as they told them about the recent HPSC (Hero Public Safety Commission) proposal. I sighed, what the hell am I gonna do now? It's not like I'm broke, so I could definitely afford a place to live in, but what about my shop? Close it? As much as I don't want to do that, I don't want to risk other people getting hurt...
What to do, what to do...
"Have you thought about another location?"
"I mean, yeah? I dunno how that would work though. What a pain..."
"Perhaps you could still have the location, but live somewhere else..."
"And where would that be?"
"Well..."
~~~~~
"Hell-"
"No."
Me and Aizawa stared each other down as detective tried to keep us apart.
"They want me to take in this guy? Seriously?" Aizawa said, very annoyed.
"I'd rather not live in the trash heap that is your house, man!"
"Look, since you were assigned to this case, it was a better outcome for Mendoza to stay in with you... Since you and him can neutralize any threat and keep Mendoza in check..." Tsukauchi said, trying to appeal to the hobo.
"..." All he did was sigh.
Man, I didn't expect this at all. I bet I'll feel totally welcomed here...
"Just know your paying half the rent..."
"No problem, dude." I said with a smirk, much to his disproval.
~~~~~
It was a rather speedy move, I didn't have much shit to move around, so we did it then and there in anticipation of any more attacks. Luckily he doesn't live too far...
I walked into his residence to see it was... Almost spotless! It held a cozy minimalist feeling to it as I looked around.
I could feel Aizawa staring holes into me from his couch, petting his... Cat?
It was a little fella, too, it was a black cat. I guess they have something in common.
I looked at the clock, it was six in the morning... I'm glad I closed the shop before then and locked it so people don't barge into it yet.
"Hey roomie~"
"I hope you die."
"... Well that isn't very nice! And what's this little fellas name?"
"... Michi."
"Michi? Aww..." I can admit this as a man, I have a thing for cats and dogs. The little guy looked up, jumped off Aizawa's lap and scurried over to my legs, trying to climb up to me.
"Come here, big guy. Ah, eres muy pequeño!" I scoped it up with my arms, softly petting it. Damn, I kinda let that slip, now Aizawa is looking, no, glaring at me.
"... Betrayal..."
"Don't be mad that he likes me, old man!"
"We're the same age."
"Well, you look ten years older..."
"..." He blinked at me as collapsed onto the coach.
This was gonna be fun.
(A/n: This is a platonic relationship)
~~~~~
"Here's the guest room." He said as he lazily pointed towards the spare bed.
"Wooooow..."
"Mhm. The bathroom is down the hall. By your own toiletries."
"I gotcha! I gotta get ready for work though..."
He just... Looked at me odd.
"Mendoza, you were up for the whole night, what do you mean work? You restaurant is trashed!"
"I mean, I don't open till ten..."
"Mendoza, you and your property was just attacked by a villain, that's just asking for it."
"Well, the fuck do I do now? It's six in the fucking morning..."
"Well... I dunno, your an adult, make sure you check your mail, though..."
"Right..."
"Well, I'm off. Everything you need is here, if not, get it yourself. I already told you about taking care of Michi." He said as he slid out of the door.
...
Fuck.
What am I gonna do now? All I do is make pizza, and I like making pizza!
...
I guess I'll take a walk...
~~~~~
I glanced around at the waking city of Musutafu, walking around at a steady pace and breathing in the spring air. All these people, living normal lives. Sorry mama, papa, you know I wouldn't be capable of living a normal life. I love making pizza, but I love fucking people up too... "My fire ran out a long time ago"? Yeah right... Man I'm the worst.
I check the mailbox to my previous home, sifting through the advertisements to see a important looking letter. I start to walk back before hearing someone land behind me, taking a look I see the No. 5 hero herself.
"Stalker much?"
"Whatever, just making sure I can get the jump on whatever's going on!" She humphed.
She glared at me, looking at me up and down.
"I heard you're a free man now, working with us."
"Yeah, I guess nothing escapes those ears of yours..."
"You fucking bet!" She then glanced at my poor restaurant.
"Well damn."
"Yeah. Thankfully I got it covered. I'd rather not open up again though, those bitches might come during rush hour..."
"Right..."
"..."
"..."
"Are you just gonna stand there or are you gonna walk with me?"
"Yeah, yeah..." She walks with me back to Aizawa's residence.
"So, Miss Mirko, what wakes you up at this time?"
"I workout before I start my day."
"I like that. What body part?"
"Legs, obviously!"
"Should've guessed as such... Your gonna have to give me that routine."
"Ha! Of course someone like you would wanna be like me! It's a good goal!"
"Hold it now, you may outclass me in legs but I would wash you in literally anything else."
"Keep talking, see how that goes!" She said with a laugh.
"... Y'know, I thought you would be meaner."
"Hah!? I ain't mean, bitch!"
"Right. I mean, no sidekick or agency, uncooperative, brash, you see where I'm coming from?"
"I do better alone, I dont need a bunch of stupid wusses around me!"
"And to that I can agree. Some of y'all suck!" She laughed at that.
"But here you are, talking to me. Are you warming up to me, Mirko?-"
"Don't push it..."
"Yeah, yeah, miss rabbit."
"Don't call me that!"
"Why not?"
"It's stupid!"
"Well you're stupid!"
"Nuh uh!"
"Yuh huh!"
"Nuh uh!"
"Yuh huh!"
"I swear, I'm talking to a child!"
"Please, at least I ain't as short as one!"
She turned towards me with a sharp glare, I put my hands up in mock surrender.
"My bad, my bad."
"Hmph... Well I'm outta here, seems you're as boring as usual."
"Is my boring self so boring that you had to be around me?"
"... Fuck you." She said before taking off in a leap.
Damn, what a woman.
I step into his abode as I sit down, opening the slightly bulky letter.
Ok let's see...
Yadda yadda... Penal codes... Uh huh... Confirmation of release from supervision... Unrestricted internet access... Uh huh...
Wow.
Would you look at that.
I'm a free man.
Kinda, I guess.
In accordance with such and such... Provide assistance... Service... Screening for hero license on Thursday. And today is Monday, alright then, cool. I'll ask what the test would entail. I wasn't exactly the brightest in tests back in school...
Welp. That's that, I suppose. First order of business, get a phone, then I'll go from there.
"You hear that Michi, I'm free!" I saw to the kitten, who just sat there, not a single thought behind those big ol eyes.
~~~~~
"Yeah, I'll get the iPhone 128, please." I say to the store clerk, pulling out my card. Now I can make unsupervised purchases, hehehe...
~~~~~
I get it activated, sim card and everything so it's ready to go. Now then...
I immediately dial up a number on the phone. I haven't talked to him in so long...
"Hello?"
"Hey, is this Nicholas?"
"Yeah, who are... I recognize that voice..."
"It's Jason..."
"Jason... Jason Mendoza?"
"Yeah..."
"I thought you died! During the... You know? I... Holy shit..."
"Yeah well, I didn't. I'm glad you moved out of there before then..."
"Why didn't you call!? I was sick to my damn stomach!"
"Well, uh... You know those vigilantes that stepped up during the incident?"
"Yeah, I read about that... Jason... Don't fucking tell me..."
"Yeah..."
"Fuck man, give me a minute right now... I thought you were fucking dead for so long... Only for you to call now and tell me you were a fucking vigilante!?"
"Yup."
"Don't 'yup' me! You were my only friend! You could've died!"
"Yeah man, I just couldn't keep in contact because I was, you know, imprisoned for a little while and all of that."
"God damn... It's good to hear your voice... So you're released now?"
"Yeah..."
"So... What will you do now?"
I could only smile.
"Do what I do best!"
"I'm hoping that's referring to pizza..."
~~~~~
And that's a wrap for this chapter! I hope you guys liked it!
Jason has been released and is free to roam as he pleases, in return for the effort in stopping this new threat. However, what will he do now? His pizza restaurant is trashed and at risk at the moment. Is a new location the best idea?
Mirko makes her appearance more and more, for some reason being drawn to the man...
With that, now comes Jason's introduction into the world of heroes! I hope you enjoyed this, and I hope to see you in the next chapter! Buh bye ;)