White…
white everywhere...snowy powder engulfing the earth...the sky was adorned with starry stars…suddenly it was no more...a flap of wings...and an intense blizzard out of nowhere…there it stood...in the summit...it walked to the edge...head rising...staring in the faraway...a majestic dragon...clad in steel like a knight in armor...suddenly the wind intensified...now gazing on guard at the one watching it…
"...hate..." a meek voice echoed around the howling blizzard, and the great dragon swooped down, determined to take no prisoners.
"*HAH!*" Maruchi's sudden shoot did break the silence of the night, however only the elderly voice in his head did sooth his nerves.
Deep breathing, slowly…
doing so the huffing was reduced into near-calm rhythm.
A nightmare ? It was a statement not a question...however it gave the poor kid a pause to think of something else.
" you didn't see it ?" while puzzled he forgot to keep the conversation in his thoughts.
Like someone who learns from experience, we have yet many things to discover about ourselves. A vague reply as usual, but it did held the answer between the lines.
"so you can't…?" Maruchi could only further question as he has yet to recover from the nightmare.
Well, look at the bright side at least I can't tease you about any embarrassing fantasies...like say...I don't know...but buying a stuffed T-rex toy and naming it George ?
B-but that wasn't in my d-dreams ?...was it ? I could feel my face heating up at the reminder of the silly thought...wait a second...it was a daydream thought.
"*facepalm* of course…"
hohohoho...now seeing as you're more relaxed now?...you wanna talk about it ?
okay! I think George is a good name or should I just call it Rexy even if it's a little...cliché
*Facepalm*! I MEANT THE NIGHTMARE ! and yes Rexy is cliché.
"O-okay!…" taking a deep breath I started slowly describing the event as best as I could...
it was a...snow-covered place...the time was night and there was no light except that of the radiant stars and strange lights dancing in the sky…
you mean the...northern Auroras ?
Yes! That's it the aurora lights, it was...quiet a beautiful view...but it didn't last long as suddenly an intense blizzard started without a warning, my vision turned into above where I heard a sound, resembling the flap of wings like Rathalos...but more metallic...like the iron grinding into iron...there I saw it...in the head of what looks like a mountain top a strange being, brown skinned, blue eyes, horns pointing to the back, membrane-like wings...it was a...majestic sight…to say the least... and then the blizzard kicked up again, and a-and it was now staring at me, then I heard a strange voice saying "hate"...before that t-thing swooped d-down on me...that's when I woke up in cold sweat.
I see, no wonder you were shaken, what you saw describes the Kushala Daora perfectly...and considering what happened yesterday...I assume this is
might be due to the failed transformation...remember it's a memory's fragment so subconscious influence on your brain is possible…or so I think.
Soooo...you're trying to say if I failed to transform...I will get a free nightmare for my troubles ?
Maybe ? I'm not sure how truly this power affect your nervous system...but what's really troubling me is the voice you heard before the Daora attacked
you , it could be just someone looking for warmth...or...or…
Sensei didn't transfer the last sentence into Maruchi's conscious mind, he didn't want to trouble the kid anymore than he already is...and surely not after the conversation they had before this hour.
-in the morning-
it was as All Might predicted a little rainy, just like the first day I opened my eyes to Musutafu, we want to the central maul located in Tatooin Shopping street, Aunty was humming happily all the way. Izuku was checking the internet for the newest heroes magazines currently available in the market, especially the weekly edition of Heroes Rising, a magazine giving vast information about all the promising newbies...meanwhile I was still a bit...shaken but nothing truly worrying (or visible to my current worrywarts of a family)...strangely enough the grey sky was quiet the welcome change after days of school and training...it was like...like putting your feet in a warm (or cold ) flowing river...relaxing to say the least...Sensei was silent...probably giving me time to refresh my worn out body and mind...even if it was for a brief moment...because no soon did that thought come he barged in like an invited guest to a party pointing out the obvious fact that they are few people around…
of course they aren't who would leave their warm beds in a cold morning like this ? except poor salaries who have to work or others who need to fulfill their responsibilities.
" sugoi!...but that ability is better suited for closed spaces...still with the right strategy it can make them breath even underwater...but would they be affected by the pressure...*mumble*mumble*"
you forgot to mention the nerds.
Ahem!
Hardcore fans ?
Better, anyway you're right, there aren't many people around at this hour...maybe because we're a little early ?
Nah it just people like to walk when it's shiny and warm outside not cold and rainy.
That's understandable, but I like the rainy wheather just as much I like the sunny days...I don't comprehend why people dislike an atmosphere like this…
it's because most people view rain and dark clouds as a sign of bad omen, a symbol of misery and sadness...that's how most people are...and that's why you can't-!
I know ! I know ! I won't tell anyone about my not-so-strong-to-the-suspiscious-point-of-being-not-a-quirk power! It's just...I feel like I'm betraying their trust by hiding away this secret from them…
I know what you mean but you remember what I told you don't you ?
-falshback-
A good laugh and a good time made me forgot for a moment the sinking feeling in my heart, but evently I had to face what was coming no matter how much I run from it, so here I'm "meditating" as always…Sensei was silent...until.
*Sigh* you're too naive for your own good.
what do you mean Sensei ? why can't I just simply tell them that this 'Quirk' of mine isn't a quirk but my memories in the form of a strange power ?
the problem isn't the power itself...nor how you did get it, seeing as the number one hero and Tsukauchi we're acting like this wasn't impossible...*sigh*
then where's the problem ?...is it because I'm unlocking too many form at an unnatural speed ?
not that eather...you see...not all people are understanding or knows you like Izuku, Aunt Midoriya, Tsukauchi or All Might
wha...what do you mean...?
they helped you...they welcomed you...comforted you...accepted your explanations...would the others in this society do the same like them or are they just a few exceptions ?
Sensei...just spill what you want to say...please...I'm not liking what are you trying to show me...
a truth most of the time is unpleasant...perhaps you didn't notice because of events happening too fast for you to pause for a minute and think deeply...like me...
and...what exactly did you discover...?
Most people aren't like the rarest few...many have their understandable reasons to but all in all people fear the unknown!
they fear the unknown ?
yeah...imagine it like someone walking in a dark forest at night when they hear something strange, those who recognize the sound's origin knows it's just a harmless nocturnal creature...those who don't think of it as something else...
"s-something e-else ?" I really hoped this was just joke of Sensei trying to scare me...but the seriousness in his tone told me otherwise.
...a Monster!
-End of Flashback-
that's why I should use as many few forms in front of people as possible they already saw Rathalos so if I stick with only 3 I should be fine.
until people get used to your strange 'Quirk', you can't go nuts...I hope you understand.
I do...it's just...I don't know...it's not like I'm evil nor I want to harm anyone...
I know but it's a truth you have to accept...
" we arrived !" an exited announcement snapped me out of my daze.
upon arriving at the front door of the shopping building we separated from Aunty as she went to buy some groceries and new clothes plus some ingredients for new recipes she wanted to try. I insisted to buy my own things but she just brushed me off saying it's better to save my money for more useful stuff while she took care of such trivial matters…
if I find a hole I will crawl inside to from shame.
Just say thanks and move on
so now here we are with Izuku as he was buying All Might's new exclusive limited edition trading card pack or something around that line…
I wonder if they are like Yu-Gi-Oh! Games…
probably just merchandise for fans and collectors, in any case nothing special catch the eye here...*sigh*
maybe I should just buy a card pack and see what might come out...I mean Izuku is taking forever to decide...and it's not like they are that expensive...not if you buy a few anyway…
sigh you can't blame him, what his looking for is probably very rare thing to come by...anyway just buy one or two we still need reserves for info books.
Gotcha ! thanks Sensei !
Try the vending machine to your left in the farthest corner, that's faster.
Doing so I bought one from a pack called "Gold series", I unwrapped the first pack drawing out 5 cards, one was of a…a washing machine with hands and eyes ?...weird...Laundry hero : Wash ?...hmmm I remember Izuku saying something about the code names or something but seriously ? Laundry hero sounds like a household title not an epic name…
says the one who use descriptive silly verbal codes to transform into cool monsters
ok withdrawn...anyway...the second one is of a...black dolphin ?
Orca.
an Orca with a suit and a tie ?...Killer Whale Hero : Gang Orca...Ohhhh now this is more like it he looks so strong !, They are all kinds of heroes out there, let's see what we have next…
hmmm this one looks like a Shinobi.
Ninja Hero : Edgeshot.
Called it.
Cool ! he looks as sharp like the edge of a blade...let's see the 4th card....Chivalry hero : Crimson Riot ? Hmmm looks like the confident type.
Yeah and strong too like gang Orca.
Okay last but not least!
Hmmm ? No tag or name ?...wait...Looks like I have seen this one before...but...where…? Oh ! Oh! I think this is this All Might's cousin!
seems like a younger version without the black sclera…? Ask the walking encyclopedia.
hardcore fan!
"hey Izuku! Do you mind me asking who's this ?" upon hearing my voice he turned around still empty handed, the moment his eyes landed on the smiling blond picture he went agape.
" S-S-SUGOI ! this is an ultra-rare young age card of All Might's beginnings ! h-how d-did you get it?!...which pack it was in ? w-would you like to t-trade it ?! p-p-please!"
woah ! he really is a hardcore nerd.
At this point I don't know if "nerd" is an insult or not...
" ch-chill bro! You can have it for free, here !" I handed him what he consider a million-yen relic or something...seeing him smiling happily like a kid opening his birthday gifts makes me smile too, what a precious little brother!
" R-R-really ?! I-I-I can't thank you enough ! th-this o-one of the happiest days in my life" and there you go another waterfall of comical tears.
" I'm happy for you ! now shall we go or do you still want to try your luck at finding that exclusive silver-age one ? " that gave Izuku a pause as he wondered for a second before…
" uh-ummm, no I'm satisfied with this treasure and I already bought the exclusive card of the golden age...while the silver age card is a rare find, the young age one is like wining the lottery"
" r-really ? Is it that rare ?"
" yeah it is and for many reasons, first All Might started his heroic deeds in the United States, that was about 35 years ago...I think, so any images from that time are a rarity nowadays, besides the series that contained those cards -the "New Horizons"- were exclusive only to America and they ended that series as soon as the main branch of the company relocated to Japan, so today the only way to get it...is by buying them at a collector's auction...h-how did you find it ?"
" eh ? I just picked it from a random Series pack in that vending machine...this one to be exact" pointing out to a yellow cardbox the one resembling the plastic wrap,nothing it had was flashy just a big...2132 in bold ? Huh ? I wonder what does this number refer to ?
" Ohhh ! You picked the random gold series edition of the last year, it contains a few random rare cards from different packs! But they cost double the value of a normal pack..."
" no wonder that vending machine ate my 100 yen bill…" I grumbled under my breath.
" hehehe...well then shall we go ? If I remember correctly the local books stores should be in the second floor…" following Izuku as he took the lead to the automated staircase, looking around this vast place I noticed something has changed…
it's more crowded now ?
Well you came here earlier no wonder it was empty…
unbeknownst to the trio, a man with black glasses and a light-brown coat was tailing them stealthily as he took advantage of the suddenly crowded maul.
The two kids he was following entered a...a Kitabu Ltd's store huh ?
" teens…" the man mumbled, I though a secret request from the infamous 'True man' Tsukauchi would be much more interesting that watching teens everyday activity…
mimicking their action now, as he slowly approaches the store, as long as he knows the Kitabu company is just a normal heroes-magazines and some other stuff publisher…
*sigh*...whatever, at least I can have some peace of mind after those weeks of overwork...maybe I can even grab something for my kids too ? Brats these days like comic books.
" Welcome sir! How can I help you ? " a young female cleric greeted the man upon entering, swiftly glancing around he noticed the store is a bit big to the point of having sections, not wanting to draw any unwanted attention while being undercover he quickly replied with.
" I'm just looking for some comic books that 10 years old might like" and more importantly a certain purple haired brat's whereabouts.
" of course ! The comics are in the 3th shelf in the section to the right you will also find the newest editions of the weekly heroes magazines in the second shelf "
great that's the same place the amnesiac might be in…
much to his growing annoyance what he found was only the green haired boy checking what's seems to be the latest editions of Heroes Rising…the undercover supervisor did the most rational move by starting to check the most appropriate comic books that his kids might like, while keeping an eye on the green haired boy...he will show up eventually...in the mean time I should check the 3th shelf...
but the lone kid was no longer alone as a teen with purple messy hair and brown eyes joined him with a happy smile and holding up a large notebook, possibly a 500 pages one…? He asked him if it will be enough which the later replied with "i-it's more than enough I think…".
...hmmm...so this is the brat that gives the legendary Tsukauchi troubles ? Doesn't look interesting at all...
the brat in question held another book...is that a…
"...dinosaurs…encyclopedia ? " he heard the green haired kid mumbling.
" n-not only dinosaurs but also prehistoric animals !" the purple hair stuttered slightly...embarrassment ? Well I heard from my grandpa that kids used to like dinosaurs before the era of quirks appearance or "meta abilities" as he liked to call them...
…still preferences and personal matters aren't what he was asked to observe...he was tasked with keeping this boy safe and sound plus report any abnormal events, the first request was obvious contrary to the second.
In our society the abnormal is normal...so that only leaves one possibility…unusual behaviors.
" Oh ! This one looks good for toddlers...My little pony ? if I remember correctly my little princess liked this show especially the main character...what was it again...oh! Twilight or something like that…" murmuring to himself like any ordinary adult checking an ordinary kids comic he glance to his left upon which he notice them leaving for the cashier.
Following suit too fast will draw attention I need to wait at least for 1 more person to go before I make my move, if the footsteps I heard weren't echos then the cashier should now have at least three or two people in line plus the kids.
It took only 1 minute for next person to head back...on that time he grabbed comic called 'justice bringer' or something like that.
My boy likes heroes especially legends like All Might surely he will love this…
quickly following the tall young man with long grey hair and a face mask...as excepted the cleric has just added a "come again" to a glasses wearing middle aged man, now was the turn of the green haired kid…
from behind the grey haired man he could see the amnesiac who was flipping the pages fairly quick...huh ? Seems like he's only interested in the graphics than the continent ? Anyway nothing out of ordinary…
Ohhh! this is a weird looking this books contains all kinds of weird creatures…
probably because it's the Cambrian's section
if I recall correctly the dinosaurs should be in the Triassic period no?
You're correct, but don't be rush remember what I told you before!
Yeah! Yeah! No usage of unknown power that defy this world's standards of 'normal', but come one ! I just saw the cover before even opening the book, I'm sure it will be fine…
before his subconscious sense of reasoning could protest any further, the damage was already done as he randomly flipped the pages before stopping on a certain page that is not the Triassic period...
Ohh!...Cretaceous period…?
Oh no! CLOSE THE BOOK!
however...curiosity was more dominant than the voice in his head, the proof for that was what he uttered next.
" Spinosaurus...Maroccanus ?" those two words caught the attention of the two individuals, the Cleric was done giving Izuku his change so the two didn't hear, but the stalking supervisor fought the urge to say "kids", and the grey hair ignored him...until his hand started shining or more precisely the strange symbol on it.
…?
your hand is shining cover it NOW!
I hurriedly did so putting it swiftly in my pocket, the manager thankfully didn't notice my sudden movement, when he turned to me I hastily handed him 10k yen bill with a fast " keep the change!" before quickly making my way for the door, Izuku was waiting outside.
" eh ? Well thank you ! come again! " the Cleric cheered putting the hard cash away, his happy mood lead him to comment on the taste of his next customer.
" Heroes Rising ? You like the heroes I assume ?" the reply he got was not full of disgust nor it was of true admiration.
" I only value the powerful " his voice was calm, but frigid like ice, after paying, what he left behind was an undercover cop staring at him suspiciously and a Cleric with a dampened mood.
-at the same time-
" Izuku...look" I hissed under my breath and pointing towards the newest addition to my collection...
" *Gasp*! a-anoth-*MHHP* !"
" keep it down! We don't want attention" I could feel a someone deadpanning in the back of my head.
Okay I admit it was my fault…
and ?
and I should have listened to you instead of my inner curiosity.
Better *sigh* no harm was done, at least not much the Cleric didn't notice and he was happy with that 2k extra yen you wasted-
I prefer to label it as 'donation' thank you!
" Maru—Big bro ?"
-however I don't know about the ones who were behind us, but that man with glasses was obviously suspicious.
So he was tailing us wasn't he?
Yeah he is...probably.
" I knew it!"
SHHHHHHHHHHHH!
"u-uh ? Knew what exactly ?" a confused Izuku asked what was a non-connected Maruchi 5 seconds ago.
"u-uhhhh…"
just tell him about the dinosaurs trigger he will buy it...
"the...dinosaurs...dinosaurs images can trigger my memories…" putting a hand over my mouth and quietly hushing those words to Izuku, he quickly wrote down something on his notebook. With a murmur of "first potential trigger check!".
Wait a minute ? Where did he pull that out from ?
" okay...d-do you mind to enlighten me about it ? " hushing the request politely as he readied his pen.
" weeeell...let's see…" Sensei do your job.
Got it!...I think Edward is a great name...for a chibi Brachiosaurus toy.
The other job, plea—wait up ! you do think Edward is a good name ?!
Moving on!...we have now what is called, Sea Ruler : Lagiacrus, a leviathan-like beast, that use elictricity to generate strong shocks but unlike Zinogre however, this one can generate it's own charges via special organs called lighting sacs. Also it's aquatic so it's more mobile in water but can move on solid ground too.
" *Whistling* now this is useful, the loch-ness legend will now become a reality!" I exclaimed with a smug.
" huh ? Lock ness…? What's that ? " Izuku's was again bewildered by his big brother's unpredictability.
" eh ? What ? You don't know about the loch ness legend ?" Izuku's reply was negative he claimed to have never heard of it.
Well who would be interested in a plesiosaur-like monster when you can transform into one ?
You're right I mean this world is full of wonderful people with amazing abilities, no one will care about such long forgotten legends.
After describing the abilities and form's specifics form's specifics to a ever-amazed Midoriya, the two left for the far section in the first floor, Maruchi wanted to buy a winter coat plus gloves so he can hide his symbol. leaving behind them a slightly fazed cop...
"*Bip*Bip*Bi-* yes ? Did something happen ?"
" not anything bad, but... ...are you familiar with ancient legends?"
" no, I have no time for such trivial matters...why do you ask ? I believe it's better to super-"
" this is more important than you think!" the slight dread in his voice gave the investigator a pause before he replied with.
" I'm all ears" Tsukauchi readied himself to hear what was coming and more importantly to remember ordering an aspirin bill later.
the cop stood from where he sat just behind the duo, heading for the staircase to keep tracking the kids while still maintaining the phone call.
" well...you see...my grandpa...he used to like talking about old days...about eras before the quirk phenomena begun. One time he told us about mythological creatures that people liked to believe they exist, he said many of them were just mere myths, but among those myths some we're either born from an encounter with still undiscovered animals or...reborn from encounters with unknown creatures…"
" can you resume it please…? I don't have the luxury of time" seeing as the conversation was leading no where Tsukauchi wanted the core of the problem.
" y-yes! To put it shortly one of those myths was called the 'loch ness' monster a serpentine-like sea creature spotted in Scotland...I'm aware of the kid's Quirk sir, I even masked my surprise when his hand shone and-"
" and you didn't tell me that first because ?" Tsukauchi's voice held a little annoyance but even he couldn't feel but dread too like his fellow friend.
" because that legend is long forgotten, even my grandpa had trouble remembering it and I searched for it when he told me in the internet, but...found nothing but small details…"
" what are you trying to imply? " Tsukauchi asked even if he already made an assumption.
" sir I'm 40 years old, it was 30 years ago when grandpa told me that story...so how did this boy knew about this legend from nearly two centuries ago?!"
another day, another mystery...yet what will the unknown turns out to be ? a Monster...or...a hero ?