Lemme tell you something…
Y'know, the stuff they are pumping in me feels really weird. The good kind of weird.
Oh yeah, how are ya. Good morning. Nice to see you, blah, blah, blah. I scratched my stubble as I cursed under my breath. This was fucking bogus. A press conference? Really? Right after fighting for my and other's lives? I'm guessing that the Hero Association wants to hammer in the nail here, that I am an esteemed, "redeemed" hero... Fucking bitches. I wonder if they're gonna try and take advantage of that leak against me. So many things to think about…
I rubbed the part of my head where Recovery Girl whacked me due to getting hurt like this. Damn old hag… At least I feel better, but the stab wounds are gonna hurt. A lot probably. I glanced at my phone, notifications practically overflowing. Headlines, news articles, and more… I'm glad no one knows my number because damn. I sigh to myself, the pain in my chest was doing its job in keeping me wide awake. I really am surprised that that stab didn't just kill me then and there, must've been a miracle or something… Still hurts to breathe though.
And so, I lie in wait, looking at the ceiling. Stain… He was a guy that stuck to his ideals, no matter how much you tried to tear them apart. I've seen my fair share of people like that, he definitely was extreme though. One thing I have seen as the big question was… Was he right? Heroes sucked. Some did, some didn't, but this dichotomy shouldn't even be present within heroism. Can't wish for everything I guess. Killing though is another story, especially kids. I got the idea, but the way it was done was absolutely atrocious. Not cool.
I sit back and just relax for now. I did get stabbed after all.
~~~~~
[3rd Person POV]
It was a mess down below in the hospital. More than the usual business. It wasn't a villain attack. Not an influx. It was a person. It was a person, who had no business or clearance to even be there, was there. Shouts sounded off, curses were thrown, staff was tossed around. They needed to get in. To see someone. To see him.
"Wait, he isn't in good condition and coming in there like this is! An increased heart rate can cause pain within his chest-"
"Buzz off!"
They sidestepped the doctor as they pounded down the hallways, they had to siphon where he was from some poor receptionist who definitely wasn't paid enough for this. Their legs, nice and strong, eventually came down to a door… and with a bang… kicked it in.
~~~~~
[Jason POV]
Y'know… I realized… I really can't name a Nick Cannon song- What was that!? That feeling arose again!
And then the door blew wide open… To the woman of the hour, Rumi Usagiyama, and damn did she look pissed. She wore something casual, of course, to not draw too much attention. Even then, that's impossible really, just look at her.
"HEY! The hell man! Having all the fun and shit, and now look at you, looking like a stupid sick loser!"
"... Good morning, Rumi."
What a welcome. She slammed the door shut as she walked right up to my bed. There was a hint of something I couldn't really pick up in her eyes. She crossed her arms under her bosom and looked at me.
"You look horrible!" I only lightly scoffed.
"Fought. You know how it is."
"I don't, idiot. Where?"
"Chest and hand." Her eyes widened at that.
"Chest? Are you alright?" She leaned forward, even closer to me, looking at my chest as if she could discern what was cut into.
"I'll live. Thankfully Recovery Girl likes me enough to come in here and finish the job. It's gonna scar horribly and it's still gonna hurt internally, but I'll be okay." Her eyes zeroed in on my face… as her hand came up and touched where my chest was, caressing it.
"I hope you're not just saying that…" She says softly.
"I'm not… don't worry, Rumi." I responded in kind. I couldn't exactly tell what was going on within her head, but I knew what the vibe was right now. We stayed silent for a moment until she spoke up.
"They said they found you, covered in blood, a sword straight in your chest. The Hero Killer was cut all over the place, had a major concussion, and torn muscles… Even then he still woke up from your beatdown."
"Did he now?"
"Nothing crazy. Stray Nomu swept in and tried to snatch up that Midoriya boy before Stain killed it. I dunno what he said though. Then he passed out. That's as far as I know…"
"As long as everyone is alright…" She then looked at me with a small smirk, crossing her arms.
"For someone who doesn't like heroes, you sure act like one."
"Fuck off."
"It ain't a bad thing y'know…"
Sure. It was simple human compassion though. I was trying my hardest to make sure those kids didn't get hurt in my presence especially. No way, it's just how I operate. She looked at me, scanning my body over, as she gently held my injured hand with surprising care. She looks at it hard.
"Can you move it?"
"Not really. For now at least."
I see her face darken slightly as she softly caresses it. This was super odd. Did it feel nice? Yeah. Unexpected? For sure. She continued, her facial expression unreadable. I gently gave a small squeeze, the effort it took to do so was a little much, but I wanted to reassure her, at least somewhat.
"What took you so long?", I quietly asked.
"Operation. I was at the head of it.", She hummed out.
"Gotta use your hard head for something."
"Fuck you."
I snickered.
~~~~~
[3rd Person POV]
Elsewhere…
The hum of the numerous machines and pieces of technology was the only thing that could be heard in the practically pitch black room, except for one screen. The clacking of keys at speeds that seemed nigh impossible sounded out softly. The keyboard was a good one, fit for one who hailed technology as one's trump card. Fit for a queen.
Wires were scattered, but aligned so neatly that they wouldn't get in her way when she was walking around. She didn't need to walk, really, but she liked doing it.
They said she should do it more.
They took them away.
She stared dead at the screen, reading its contents, her hoodie over her head and her hair all over her face. Her eye, her human eye along with the strange mechanical, futuristic one scanned the words that put a stop to what she was doing.
"HERO KILLER FINALLY CAPTURED BY FORMER AMERICAN VIGILANTE JASON MENDOZA. A SHOW OF PEACE AND CHANGE?"
"STAIN THE MENACE, PUT BEHIND BARS! WERE WE WRONG ABOUT JASON?"
"STAIN'S CAPTURE BY JASON MENDOZA. CRIMINAL OR HERO?"
"JASON MENDOZA, THE HERO WE DIDN'T THINK WE NEEDED."
Out of all things. All the things she did those days past. The leaks, the slandering, the past coming out… And he just had to take down Stain? The Hero Killer? Of course that would get you on one's good side. She cursed in a European language, spitting out obscenities as she threw the computer straight into the ground, shattering it.
No, stop. Calm down. She knew she'd be told off if she started getting irrationally angry. It was a thing she always had, that temper of hers.
It wasn't like anyone else would be alive to criticize her anyway. Except him of course. Only him. If he was here he'd calm her down just like that…
Anyways, she was severely pissed off. She can't have this… She picked up the shattered remains, as they then absorbed into her flesh as they mended themselves back together, the computer good as new. She placed it down as she paced, thinking about anything. Anything to get back at him… Anything… Until a thought came across her head. A gamble it was. A hard gamble that could end up in any sort of trouble or death.
Why not call up an old ally? She doubted that he still had the same number, but she could find the number in no time, no matter what kind of encryption there was.
Why was she going out of her way to do all of this? Spite. Nothing but pure, utter anger and spite, in order to ruin this… pathetic creature in any way possible. Jason must suffer. Death is too easy, and he's too cunning, seeing things before they happen. They can't have someone like him who can see into the one variable no one else can: the future. That's too much power. Too much strength. Too much knowledge.
And besides, she had her own grudges as well. What they did, what he did, ruining their dreams, her family's dreams… That will not go unpunished.
He will suffer. Suffer so much that he would want to end his own pathetic life.
Careful, don't get caught up, she thought to herself as she searched into the deepest crevices of the internet. She knew it like the back of her hand, her assimilation into the widespread, worldwide software and technology made everything so familiar to her. She could do all sorts of things, leak military documents and weaponry, countries that held nukes or people with reality defying works. Bankrupt massive organizations, ruin presidents and Prime Ministers, leak the activity of heroes on shady websites. But, she bid her time, watching, waiting, accumulating. Well, that's none of her concern anyway, for now at least. They'll all be dealt with sooner or later.
She smirked. There it was. The line. She clicked, and waited as the dull ringing tone sounded out in the cold room.
…
"Yes?" A male tone came out, seemingly unperturbed at being called at this moment.
"Is grandma home?" Her slightly hoarse voice came out, in fluent Japanese as she said the code phrase.
"... Yes, with a big pie, what kind?"
"Apple." There was a pause, before a sound of laughter came out.
"I thought you all were in jail or dead… I knew you'd be one of the ones to be up and about."
"..."
"My apologies… It's odd talking to a supposed ghost." The voice crackled out.
"Yes. It got… rough." She mumbled out as her hands clenched.
"Indeed… It's been a while. What is it?"
"... Jason Mendoza."
"... Yes?" You can hear the subtle interest in his tone as she grimaced.
"I'm sure you have your sights on him, especially with a quirk like his." She began, before he responded in an amused tone.
"I have never seen anything like it. Who knew that his family tree could produce something that potent… I'm almost jealous." The woman remained stone cold as she continued after a pause.
"I want to make a proposition."
"... And that is?" He asked inquisitively, with the hint of dominance. He wasn't someone who teamed up with people just because…
"I will be arriving in Japan once I get things settled here. I want to… team up of sorts, or at least work together."
"And what would this entail, exactly?"
"My machines. My technology. My craft." She heard him hum as he thought, before a small laugh crackled through the speaker.
"That's not a bad look…"
"And my machines that can… prolong life, of sorts. Sure the mechanisms and the ideas behind those machines you use are good, but mine are better." The man paused, thinking. She had a point, she was probably one of, if not, the best technological expert in the world, if she can…
"And, why do all of this?" She felt a sick smirk come upon her face.
"I want him to suffer. I want them all to suffer and die. You have that power, those connections, the cunning. Our goals, outlook, vision, let me assist in that." He heard a laugh. How cliche, revenge and ambition, but she definitely had the arsenal to back it all up. Adding that to his plans is definitely a big bonus anyway, but the big question still is there…
"Yes, but can I trust you? I know your loyalties to my good friend, your past leader. How can I be sure you're not trying to go after your own agenda, hm?" She paused, now in thought…
"... Nothing would mean more to me, than the annihilation of Jason's mind, character, and image…"
The man thought to himself. He can use this. This anger and hate to push his own agenda. He grinned to himself. An opportunity.
"I agree with this proposition, what time are you going to arrive in this country?"
"Soon."
"Good. Tell me, do you still go by that name?"
"... Yes."
"Then I hope to hear from you soon, Baptisma."
~~~~~
Jason laid there, Rumi had to leave shortly after their conversation. Hero stuff, of course. She practically forbade him from doing anything drastic with the excuse of "I'll wait until you're healthy so I can kick your ass back here." What he couldn't exactly fathom was the way she was looking at him. Touching him softly. His hand grazed his right cheek… The same one that Rumi herself cupped before she stuck her finger in my face and said her parting words.
"Don't be dying on me, bitch…"
He looked at the ceiling. That felt strange. In his heart. The nice kind of strange. Yeah, they always argued, fucked around, or beat each other up, but that moment felt like a step deeper. Rumi Usagiyama, the name echoes in the inner caves of his mind, that look on her face…
What was it? He didn't want to assume anything.
Why was he acting like this, he's supposed to be suave and cool, not thinking so much into the bare hint of a touch of a woman. This woman was different though. Unique. Strong. Tough. Caring. He gently shook his head, enough of this, he felt like he could think about her all day…
Man, what a woman.
He looked at the ceiling a little more before the door opened once more. In came Aizawa, Nezu, the Chief of Police, and a few doctors rolling in a wheelchair. Fuck.
"What's up?"
"You ready?" Aizawa asked gruffly.
"Hell no." Nezu only laughed as the dog man stayed stoic. The doctors/nurses came by, ready to collect him.
"Yall are really pushing it, putting me out there. It may not be safe y'know." He argued.
"It is out of my hands, unfortunately. To be unprofessional for a small moment, please, do be careful with your words, Jason. I trust your instincts." The rat bear thing said, his hands behind his back as Aizawa only nodded.
"Look, if it was up to me, I'd have you in here for months, recovering, but it's out of my hands…" He said, seeming a little concerned about all of this. Reasonably so. Usually people don't go into press conferences a day or two after getting shanked fully, so what incurred something like this?
The Hero Association? Maybe. Putting Jason, known vigilante/criminal/murderer in the forefront, but why? To prove that the hero system is doing a good job "rehabilitating" him? That they can be surely trusted with how they "turned around" Jason? Taking advantage of his current weakness in order to make him do shit he really, and I mean really doesn't want to do? Who knows. Jason wished he did. He cursed as he stood, wobbling but fine. He shooed the hands away as he sat in the wheelchair. His chest was on fire, for damn sure. When was Recovery Girl coming…
"Where is it even at?" he muttered as we went, a doctor behind Jason as he was rolled forward.
"We already set it up at the front of the hospital, but away from the doors so we don't impede on anything… Be careful, Jason." The Chief said. Jason knew that many eyes would be on him, good and bad… and with her on the loose, it's less than ideal. He grimaced. He didn't feel like talking to a bunch of bloodsuckers. Aizawa picked up on it and subtly smirked.
"You don't seem excited."
"Shut up." Aizawa only huffed in amusement as they continued…
~~~~~
[Jason POV]
I was not excited. Not at all. Talking to a bunch of fucking leaches, damn it. I squeezed my injured hand, still hurt like a bitch. Breathing, of course hurt like a bitch with that fucking stab right through. I sure wish it landed higher right now, but oh well, we can't get the things we want sometimes.
The sun hit my face as I shielded it, and I already heard the commotion and more from the press and all of that stuff. Here we go. I was rolled up as flashes from cameras flash banged me.
"Chill out with the fucking pictures…" I grunted out as Aizawa only shook his head. He looked a little concerned. For me, or because of me, I'm not sure, but it was probably the latter. Who knew what type of shit was gonna happen. The media calmed down, and then the conference quickly commenced as many reps of news outlets sprang up, one woman in particular rose up.
"Mendoza, your fight with the Hero Killer, how harrowing was it?" She asked, ready to write down my spiel.
"Uh… it was aight." I felt Aizawa subtly kick my wheel. Fuck you, hobo.
"I mean, he was… A tough guy, for sure. Fast and quick. Anyone else would have bit the bullet." I added on. It definitely wasn't much, but it seemed to satisfy the reporter. Another quickly clambered up.
"The person who leaked your information must have something against you! Do you know who!?" I hesitated. Do I really want to air that out?
"I know it's someone that must be captured immediately." Another immediately rose up.
"Mendoza, Stain's philosophy called for the end of so-called 'fake heroes'. Tell me, as a person with your background, how do you feel about that!?" Ah, good question. I subtly smirked in slight amusement.
"Well… He has a point." The crowd quickly hushed as Aizawa looked my way, as if saying "dude please". Nezu looked unperturbed, and the Chief stood there, arms crossed. Fuck that, I'm gonna talk about what I want to talk about, since I am here.
"It is true. There are heroes that are… for a lack of a better term, not heroes, if you get what I'm saying. These heroes don't deserve to be heroes, but what I will say is that excessive violence isn't the answer, nor is killing, especially indiscriminately. He was an extremist, targeting people who didn't fall into his ideal image of a hero no matter their character, like Ingenium. I get it, personally. I know what it's like seeing the failures of heroes, seeing them failing you, but that led me down a dangerous path. Killing in general is a large no." I said my small piece. Am I doing good so far? I hope so. They immediately followed up.
"Are you certain you can speak of this, when you yourself exhibited such cold violence?" The crowd hushed, waiting for what I will say next. Play your cards right, Jason…
"I am a guy past forgiveness, I know. That's why I speak on what should and shouldn't be done. Stuff like this can ruin you, friends, family, communities, societies… That's why it must be fixed. I am saying this because I myself am, and was a part of that ruin." A bunch of them furrowed their eyebrows, as if a whole bunch of new questions immediately came to mind.
"What are your opinions on our current society!?"One immediately asked.
"Far from perfect." I simply said.
"Is that all-"
"Yes." Immediately, another reporter came up, looking skeptical at me.
"Mendoza, you are a murderer and a criminal, yet here you are playing as a hero. What is your agenda here!?" I smirked.
"Agenda? You wanna know my agenda?" Aizawa subtly looked hard at me, silently pleading for me to not say something stupid. Too bad.
"My agenda is to show every single one of you how a real 'hero' gets down. Simple." An uproar ensued after my jab at the heroes in this society. Aizawa sighed heavily, Nezu stood there, his grin growing a little wider in amusement, and the Chief looked like he was already exhausted.
"A majority of these heroes are sorry. Sorry, but think about it. Villains are people who cause havoc one way or another, but how exactly are villains made? From the start. When the hand that they needed never came. The unseen, the unheard." I began. I might as well promote something actually good instead of fucking myself over. Opportunities people, you know me.
"A bunch of heroes do this for reasons that aren't needed. Those who focus on greed, popularity, and rankings will never be a true hero, for they will always put such goals over the simple act of saving lives." The press was eating this up with wide eyes, as if my words were like a gold mine.
"Heroes need to be better. This society is only held up by one pillar, All Might. What happens when he goes down? Chaos? Destruction? Death? Yet from what I see is that we are far. Far from ready to defend this nation and its people!" Oh yeah, go off me.
"There are heroes that truly want to make a difference, to strive. To sacrifice. I found that… in the three students that stood behind me against the Hero Killer. They were willing to take down the mass murderer by themselves. They knew that if let loose, only more lives will be lost. That's bravery. Spunk. Determination, even knowing that that moment could have been their final hour. I give credit to them. I found that in the people that stand beside me, right now. All in all, it must be better, more effective to save the lives under the shadows, in the deep end, the ones that aren't making a scene, and who are putting a mask over their own pain." High school speech class really is carrying right now. Aizawa looks exhausted, Nezu seems to be ecstatic, while the Chief looks like he wants to cut this thing short. The press wrote, recorded and much more, taking my words in for future statements and headlines. I hope none of that gets taken out of context.
"Your relation to UA! Can you explain that?" Good question, considering the principal is literally right there. I was about to talk until he answered himself.
"Mendoza here is a good ally of ours!" He simply said, leaning into the microphone. Thanks, stupid mouse. More questions immediately arose, but he gave the best, vague answers he could with ease. Boy, I wish, but I can't help but be myself.
"Mendoza, what is next for you? What will you do now, your past is out and you are in the limelight! People all over know about you and your personal information!" One said… I remembered a few days before. My gaze softens as my lips curl into a smirk.
"That's for the future to decide!" I said.
"Mendoza, you say that many heroes shouldn't be heroes! What do you mean by this exactly!?"
"I mean this in the most disrespectful way possible, but a bunch of them are sorry as shit, like I said. Get better, pathetic losers." I said pointedly to those select heroes myself. The crowd roared as the reporters quickly wrote and recorded.
"Jason, do you consider yourself a hero!?"
"That's actually a good question. I'm just someone trying to do something with his life. I don't care for labels. I do what I need to do." I answered pointedly.
"Jason, if you have a message to the world, a man of your experience, what will it be!?"
"... Never give up hope, for when you do, your chances are reduced to zero. And heroes…" He looked into a camera, a devious look on his face.
"Try and keep up."
~~~~~
[3rd Person POV]
Elsewhere…
The TV sounded off, the light filling the slightly dim room. One man in particular watched with immense irritation, scratching at his neck as if there was something underneath. Nearby, a swath of black and purple, two small glints of yellow for eyes as it watched as well.
"Shigaraki. Calm yourself."
"This damn faker all the sudden looking so cool, huh? I want him dead!" He growled out. How dare he… He was naturally charismatic, unfortunately for them. He wanted Jason to be booed off, maybe even shot, not… This! He's handling this too smoothly!
"Shigaraki." A voice echoed from the TV to the side, and the dry man immediately turned his head.
"We should kill him, Master, before he starts some whole stupid movement!"
"Calm yourself. You are thinking of possibilities that are far-fetched. Remember what I said." The smooth, calm tone of the supervillain of the era spoke.
"Bide time. Watch. Wait. He must be brought in alive." Shigaraki growled out. Trying to take a man who can see literally into the future was frustratingly difficult.
A quirk like Jason Mendoza's is incredibly rare, its unique versatility and possibilities are incredible, especially with something like the future. The power to see into the one thing no one can. The power to see ahead, gaining an incredible advantage.
All For One must get it. By any means, and then, only then, will he be unstoppable.
~~~~~
In another location, one was blowing a gasket. Curses and more as they threw their sick tantrum as the room and the computers inside were reduced to pieces of broken scrap, metal and wires. The smell of burning filled the room as the heavy breathing of a woman stood in the middle.
Baptisma, "The Void".
She was furious. She watched the whole conference. Start to finish. And she was pissed. Beyond measure. The whole area was just black ash, all of it being burned or broken to hell. She at least wanted him to get sniped at or something! Even then he would probably notice… He quickly began to change the tide of the public and media. He was a murderer. Criminal. Killer, yet he is promoting a good message, slightly controversial, but a good message to Japan. Inspiring heroes to "keep up", a call to action for many to do better. It was genius. Imagine if you're a hero, and a former criminal tells you he's going to do your job, but better, wouldn't you want to work harder too? Sure, in spite, but the results would be more efficiency, which equals more lives saved, especially the ones that aren't as apparent.
Baptisma hated that. She knows what can happen if this keeps happening…
It seems she'll have to book that flight a lot sooner.
Jason will die.
Jason will suffer.
Jason will burn.
They all will burn. Burned and brought anew, like a flower after a wildfire.
~~~~~
Throughout the nation, well, those who were watching, listened on with a mix of amusement, annoyance, and indifference. The annoyance was in many heroes. One was Rumi, as she looked at her phone with an annoyed glare.
"Fucking bitch. 'Keep up?' Fuck you!" She huffed out, but couldn't hide the smirk on her face. He wants a challenge, he'll get a challenge!
Elsewhere, one other person was seething. Endeavor. He despised Jason, and even more so after his blatant callout.
"Brat…"
Heroes all across felt a mix of annoyance, offense, competitive excitement, and agreement. This criminal, calling out almost all of them, claiming that he would do better than all of them.
A call to action indeed.
'Smart man, Jason.' The man himself thought. The Conference was finished and he was inside, Recovery Girl, being the angel she was there, healing him up more. Surgery was already done to try and suture the injured diaphragm. The function in his right hand will forever be limited, however, much to his dismay, but he was relatively alright. The area of Hosu will need time to heal, after the Nomu attacks. The boys, Todoroki and Midoriya thankfully didn't sustain anything too serious, but Iida will have some more long term damage as well.
The days came and went, the story of Stain's backstory and Jason's comments on the forefront of the media, leading to a whole plethora of different ideas. Inspirations in both heroes and villains in the two's words and actions. All sorts of debates, videos, and more were created as a result of this.
Days came and went, almost the beginning of summer, actually. Jason recovered well, but will be experiencing pain, of course. It'll never be that easy, especially since he looks like he was chucked into a blender with all the scars. As of right now, he sat in Aizawa's home, squeezing his right hand as it struggled to come back to a fist. He'll just have to keep doing it. He rubbed his chest, the gnarly scar sitting under his shirt. It hurt to breathe at times, but he managed. The concussion wore off with some time, he just gets the occasional headache.
But what really got his attention was the papers in front of him, he felt Aizawa come up next to him.
"Are you certain?"
"You doubting me?"
"More like trying to make sure you're up for something like this. It's the last thing I expected…"
"Well… your kids make good impressions."
He then signed, pen in hand, on the papers all the necessary information, the ink flowing with practiced ease as the papers were marked up.
"I hope I get benefits from this." Aizawa huffed out a laugh. Aizawa felt a few things right now. Was it pride? Amusement? Sure, but he was glad to see another step forward for his friend. He peered down at the paper…
...
"UA Faculty - Strength/Conditioning and Ground Battle IQ Specialist"
~~~~~
Hey… hehe… It's me guys. Uh, life. Life got busy. Things started getting wavy during the summer and, shit, the whole summer without a chapter is diabolical. In just three days I wrote up 4k words for this damn chapter. That's so annoying. My bad yall. Seriously. I'd be surprised if anyone even reads this with little updates. I still feel something for this story, however, so don't worry too much… Anyways, story stuff.
Baptisma, "The Void". I thought the name was neat. I got the Baptisma part from the Baptisma 13 Incident from Guilty Gear lmao. She's going to be an incredible adversary.
I hope I wrote that conference right. Felt a little weird, but given the context and the reporters wanting to eat up whatever comes out of Jason's mouth, I thought it was okay. Please comment if you have anything to say.
Endeavor malding lmao.
Anyways, thank you so much, if you are there, for reading. Seriously. It's about time I get back into it. I'll see you all next chapter! Buh bye ;)