This is a short chapter, since this is mostly introducing the characters before the UA Exam Arc Begins
Chapter 6: What motivates us?
"Sometimes, I think to myself: 'Did I really want this life? The life of a hero?' The answer to that is both Yes and No. Yes, because I grew up with the greatest team of protectors the world has ever known, who became my family... And No, because of my circumstances that led to it..."
-Notes from Izuku's journal
Tokyo
15:00 Hours
"It has been a month since the mysterious attack on Mustafatu docks, the local Police and Hero Departments are still trying to figure out what has happened during..."
Lying on the sofa, one boy Hitoshi Shinso is watching TV currently engrossed on what he's watching.
"About 90 percent of the entire docks has been severely damaged, 50 of which entire buildings are reduced to rubble... However, by some miracle no one was killed."
"Out of 530 dock workers that worked currently at that time, only 32 were injured but were immediately treated and all dock workers were safely evacuated before the explosion..."
However, Shinso was focused on one part of the story that he's eager to hear.
"From the workers' testimonies, there have been different points of view but they point to one common vigilante: Red X."
'Red X' Shinso thought, as the news brought up a picture of the masked vigilante on screen.
"Many of the workers have spotted Red X on the docks, and also an unidentified masked individual who appeared being chased after by Red X..."
"Then after a few minutes, several explosions had erupted on the docks..."
"The testimonies from the workers have all the same story: Red X has rescued them... not one worker was lost..."
"The workers called Red X a hero, but many of the heroes called him a 'menace to society' as his presence is what caused the destruction of the Docks..."
"Fools." Is all that Shinso could say.
'The destruction of the Docks wasn't even his fault, and he saved everyone over there... That's what a Hero should be.' He thought.
Turning off the TV, he then laid down on the sofa, his thoughts lingering on Red X.
Hitoshi Shinso, has always dreamt of becoming a Pro-Hero.
But his Quirk, has many to believe that he's destined to become a villain, a mindset that he come to despise.
He despises people who judged him all because his Quirk, and he desires to prove them how wrong they are.
But then, Red X came to the scene.
A few months ago, the world witnessed the I-Island Attack as rogue Training robots began attacking the populace, that's when Red X appeared before the public eye as he took down the Zero-Pointer.
Since then, there had been many sightings of Red X all over the world, Many eyewitnesses say they saw him in Sierra Leone, Angola, Sudan, while others saw him in Norway, Latvia, Andorra, and Austria.
Being in many different places at once, many Governments could not pinpoint Red X's exact origins as he would immediately disappear before anyone came to the scene.
But what caught Shinso's interest, was Red X being quirkless.
Ever since the news came out that Red X was quirkless, it increased his notoriety within the Pro-Hero community, but also a rising number of Quirkless vigilantes began to emulate Red X's actions.
Many Pro-Heroes saw Red X as a renegade, a rebel Hero, someone who isn't conformed into the system, while a great number of people saw Red X as a liberator, a freedom fighter, a savior for the unfortunate, and as a last beacon of hope.
But what made Shinso Hitoshi see Red X as "blessed" was during a rare inteview between Red X and a journalist.
Here when asked about the divide between the Quirkless and those with Quirks, his response:
"I'm deeply concerned about those who say that "Those without a Quirk can't be a Hero," which is not only discouraging but also insincere and damaging to those with the desire to be. Every child has a dream, and many kids I've met wanted to be a Hero like their idols. In this day and age, where literally anyone can be a Hero, it's not only sad to see those whose dreams are crushed because they don't have a Quirk, but it's also deeply upsetting because people don't take rejection very well. If one's dreams are rejected, it can build into anger and resentment towards our society that rejected them. As I say this, as a society, we need to do better for our fellow human beings. This discrimination towards non-Quirk human beings needs to stop. And as heroes, especially Pro-Heroes, our duty is to do what's right, and not discourage nor abandon those ostracized from society and those with Quirks that many consider villainous. They have the potential to be heroes; give them a chance to prove their worth, and they'll show that they'll shine like the brightest star."
It was the last statement that not only earned Shinso's respect, but also a deep sense of admiration.
Since the day that he discovered what his Quirk is, the people that looked up to him all but given up on him and called him a potential villain, even his so called "friends" have distanced themselves as to not associate with a "future villain."
For that, Shinso had little to no social life as he never wanted to make friends and usually sticks to himself never attracting attention, but would often train himself wherever he can, whenever he could with the motivation of proving everyone wrong.
But Red X, he was different.
Red X never judges and treats everyone with equal dignity and respect, even acknowledges those Quirkless and those with "villainous" Quirks like him.
Plus, Shinso could tell that Red X was never vain, he never stopped for pictures or autographs, and rarely gives interviews. There were only stolen photos of him ranging from performing incredible acts of heroism to small acts of charity, doing small jobs that are considered beneath aspiring Pro-Heroes and Pro-Heroes alike.
From fighting a villain in a burning structure, to helping elderly grandmothers cross the road, Red X is basically "old-school."
While the heroes of today would have sponsors and Pro-hero agencies supporting them, their private lives ranging from semi-public to public, many are earning millions from sponsorship deals and public fame.
The Age of Heroes have come, and it becomes Commodified and Commericalized.
Red X, he's not one who poses for a frame and signs photographs, he always focuses on the those in need. He never makes a statement or an interview unless he wanted to or wants to tell or warn the public something important.
In a way, Shinso could tell Red X is someone who adheres to the "old school" way of Heroism: Where the hero relies on his own power and abilities alone, performs varying acts of heroism, down to earth, never seeking any personal gain, and most of all never asking for anything in return... A true hero.
Yes All Might have most of these qualities, but Shinso believed that Red X has all of those qualities in spades.
Which is why...
"He truly is blessed..."
As Shinso is walking home from school, another drab day full of people not giving him the time of day.
As he was walking on the corner, something caught his eye.
"Ay! Ay! Mister X! Play with us some more!"
"Hey, it's my turn to play the seesaw with him!"
"Hahahaha!"
It was Red X with a group of children in the park, playing with him as they run around with laughter, play on the ground and around the playground.
Intrigued, Shinso just stood in the corner and watched.
It was not too long after that a couple came and greeted Red X and looked extremely grateful.
"Thank you for taking care of our kids, we know it's not your usual job but nonetheless we are extremely grateful for your service" The man, presumeably the father, said.
"And also, thank you for helping us find a job, we've been going through harsh times that no one seemed eager to help us, your recommendation really helped us a lot." The wife also said, whilst bowing also.
"It's nothing I can handle, if you need anything just ask, I'll be happy to help those unfortunate." Red X waived off.
After seeing the family off Red X, without looking...
"You don't need to snoop around, come out now!"
Realizing that Red X had caught him, Shinso came out of his hiding spot.
"How did you know I was here?" The stoic boy asked.
Red X smirked behind his mask.
"The moment you turned around the corner, I felt your presence... Let's call it human instinct, that sixth sense that warns me that someone is near or close, and it's not a quirk."
Red X turns around and approaches Shinso.
"So, what can I do for you?"
Realizing that he had Red X's attention, Shinso bowed and greeted.
"W-well, my name is Hitoshi Shinso, and I'm a fan of your work... May I ask for your autograph?"
Hitoshi then brings out a photo of Red X rescuing a girl from a burning building, and a pen.
Red X, then grabs the photo and pen and signs it.
"Here you go kid, and watch yourself." Red X then hands over the signed photo and pats Shinso on the shoulder.
"...Wait."
Red X then felt a tug on his costume, he turns around and sees Shinso look at him with a serious expression.
"I want to talk to you, about something..."
Shinsho then sighed.
"I want to know more about you, why you became a hero, and what pushed you... despite being Quirkless."
After a moment of silence, Red X broke the silence with a chuckle.
"All right, since you really want to know what and why..."
At night...
"Now... now we can talk."
In the shoreline of Dagobah beach, both Shinso and Red X sat on a bench overlooking what was previously a trash dump and now a pristine and beautiful blanket of sand.
"Here, my treat." Red X then handed Shinso what looks like a paper bag and a can of soda.
Shinso looked into a bag and grabbed a burger and started munching into it.
"Thanks."
As the two watched the waves in silence, Both Red X and Shinso admiring the crashing waves.
As Shinso munched his burger, he silently looked at Red X who simply watches the Beach in silence.
Then, Shinso realized something.
'He's at my age!'
Shinso had noticed that now, as he could see that Red X and he were at the same height, meaning that they're at the same age group!
Which adds to Red X's mystery, despite being somewhere between 12 or 13 years old, he has the maturity and mindset of an adult, and the experience and mentality of a veteran Hero.
'How? How did you acheive so much just to make you Red X?' Shinso thought to himself, wondering just what sort of training that puts him toe to toe with powerful villains.
"So, you want to know why I do what I do? Why I became a Hero?" Red X began to ask Shinso.
"Y-Yes." Shinso replied.
"Normally, I would never divulge my personal life, but since you look like someone I could open up to a little... And the fact you're not one of those sharks (Paparazzis), then I could answer your questions, as long that you don't ask anything compromising, got it?"
Shinso nodded.
"All right... to understand why I became a Hero, you have to hear my story..."
Narrative flashback (Red X POV)
"There was a boy from Japan, he had a happy childhood despite living alone with his mother, his father worked overseas as a researcher for a major company in a major city in America..."
"One day, the boy's father came home, he was happy because he just got promoted to Chief researcher at his company. The company even offered an oppurtunity for his family to come and live in the city his father worked with a free home plus a high grade education for his son and a quarter of a million dollar raise..."
"Of course... with the oppurtunity offered and the benefits the family moved to America as a start to a new life..."
"Of course... Happy times don't last long..."
"Not long after that there was a party for all Employees from the company, it was a private affair as the families of the employees were also invited..."
"Everyone had a good time... until..."
"Everyone hands in the air!!! This is not a fucking drill, put your hands up where I can see them!!!"
"Masked, armed men barged into the building, armed to the teeth with military hardware and explosives..."
"Do as we say and no one gets hurt, don't try to be a Hero, all you get is a load of bullets!!!"
"Of course the criminals took the people as hostages... and the boy's family were the unfortunate candidates to become bargaining chips..."
"As seemed hope was lost... Help arrived..."
"Oh shit! It's the Bat!!!"
"The City's Hero came and saved the day, he was fast as he tore through the armed men..."
"The men tried to shoot at the Hero, but the bullets seemed impervious to the Hero as he came upon them like he was vengeance..."
"In no time, the hero had managed to down most of the armed men but the boy and his family were still in captivity by the remaining robbers..."
"Seeing no other option, two of the masked men grabbed the boy's father... And both the boy and his mother were to be used as human shields.
"Don't move Bats, or the lady and the kid gets it!!!"
"The father shouts at the men..."
"Inko!! Izuku!! You bastards!! Let them go!!"
"Shut up!!"
"One of the men then strikes the father in the head with the butt of his rifle..."
"Hisashi!!"
"As the situation is getting worse, the hero did something with one of his gadgets, he pressed a button on his gauntlet..."
"Vrrrooommmm!!!"
"A large vehicle came crashing into the building as the masked men were caught of guard by the sudden entrance..."
"Seizing this moment, the father then gets away from his hostage taker and pushes him, leaving his captor exposed for the vehicle to crash into him..."
*CRASH!!!*
"The auomoblile struck the captor hard as he was flung into the air and landed on the ground unconcious.
"Then the car performed a drift and was moving towards the other masked man who was holding both the wife and son..."
"Oh fuck this!"
"The masked man, seeing no other choice he grabbed the kid and released the mother and in a split second..."
*BANG!*
"Inko... NO!..."
"Both the father and the hero looked on in shock as the masked man shot the mother in the chest..."
"The boy cried as he sees his mother dropped into the ground with a bullet shot into her chest..."
"Then in a fit of rage, the hero descended upon the masked man, in a moment of true fear the man dropped his gun and the boy..."
"There the boy ran up into his father arms, while the hero absolutely beats the crap out of the masked shooter to the inches of his life..."
"Then the boy and his father goes to the dying mother, the woman was dying as she was bleeding profusely..."
"Hisashi... Izu-ku... th-thank Kami... you t-two are s-safe..."
"She said those final words before death took her..."
"Both the man and son cried as the mother died, ignoring the chaos all around them moved as the police came barging in and arresting the subdued masked men..."
"Unfortunately one of the men, was under the influence of a dangerous hallucinogen..."
"He suddenly went berserk as one of the cops came in to restrain him, he knocked down one of them and grabbed his gun..."
"In a drug induced haze, the berserk masked man then pointed the gun at the nearest target he could see: the boy..."
"DIE!!!"
"The hero, who was busy subduing the surrendering men suddenly noticed the berserk madman pointing the gun, reacting immediately he threw his throwing gadget at the masked drugged man, more specifically his gun hand..."
*BANG!*
"The gadget hit it's mark, as the robber dropped his gun as his hand was hit... The police immediately dogpiled on the man, restraining him..."
"But the hero... he was focusing on the boy and his father...his expession that of shock..."
"Oh no..."
"The hero could see that the father was in a slump, his back was bleeding as he shielded his son... He shielded him from the gunshot..."
"Then the father dropped to the floor, the son's eyes went blank in shock as he sees both his parents lying down on the floor in the pool of their own blood..."
"Kaa-san... Tou-san..."
"The boy then tries to move his father's body, as if he's trying to get them up..."
"Then... as realization comes in... the boy is confronted with the awful truth..."
"The Hero, seeing this, his expression stoned but there's a sense of familiarity on his face..."
"It was that of Pain, the pain of loss... the pain now manifested into the boy as he cried on the lap of his dead father... and of his dead mother..."
"Then after what seems like forever, the Hero approached behind the grieving boy, now an orphan, he uttered a few words..."
"If you have someone to blame, blame me..."
"Then, in a flurry of emotion the boy ran towards th hero then started punching the hero, his punches didn't hurt but the boy didn't care..."
"YOU SHOULD'VE SAVED THEM!!!"
"The boy kept saying that the Hero should've saved his parents... his anger, sadness, horror, grief, and sorrow all coming out of the boy's tears..."
"The hero can only take it in silence, but as the boy calmed down all the hero could say was..."
"I'm sorry..."
"As the scene was cleared, the Hero then offered up his hand..."
"The boy, who had just calmed down from his moment of grief and loss, had a new emotion: curiousity and suspicion..."
"The hero didn't say a word, he just offered up his hand as if calling the boy..."
"While the boy didn't know it, the hero's "offer" if he took it would change his life forever..."
"Thinking nothing of it, but with a burning desire in his heart..."
"The boy... took the hero's hand."
Narrative Flashback END
"... And fast forward, here we are."
As Red X finished his story, Shinso had been enraptured by the hero's story.
But then a feeling of sadness Shinso felt.
"I'm sorry... with what happened to your parents... I didn't mean to-"
Red then shook his head.
"Don't be, my Ma and Pa wouldn't want that... they want me to live without that pain..."
Wanting to dispel the depressing atmosphere, Red X decided to answer Shinso's question.
"As for your answer to your question: The reason why I became a hero, despite being Quirkless is threefold: One, I grew up watching superheroes save the day since the day I came out of my mother's womb and that I, like so many others wanted to be like them. Second, I want to prove those jackoffs who told me that I can't be a Hero without powers and that my name will be on everyones mind and lips that they won't forget me..."
"Okay..." Shinso interjected.
"... And third... I want to protect people, to insure that similar incidents like what happened to me and my famiy will not happen to another family again..."
Shinso's eyes widened.
'He truly means it... his voice spoke of conviction... yet carries this tired yet determined tone.'
Then, as if in a vision Shinso saw something glowing inside Red X.
He could see an aura glowing around the masked hero, seven colors that of Red, Black, Yellow, Green, Blue, Purple, and Silver.
Then, seven apparations appeared before Shinso, who was transfixed with fear and awe.
The seven apparations have a distinct appearance:
A large muscular man with a red cape and blue and red spandex, with an S symbol on his chest.
Another man, similar build as the first, he wore black bat suit, with the symbol of a bat on his chest.
Then a woman, athletic and beautiful with black hair and blue eyes, she wore a leotard and a tiara on her head, wore metallic wrist bands and holds a golden lasso, she had a W symbol over her midriff.
Another man, not as muscular yet fit, he wore a full red spandex with matching mask, and had a lightning symbol on his chest.
A man, wearing green and black spandex, with a green lantern symbol on his chest, while wearing a green glowing ring.
A woman with Hawk-like wings and wearing yellow and maroon and a hawk mask while carrying a mace.
Then the last, a humanoid man, alien like, colored green wearing blue and red, with red eyes.
They all form a circle around Red X, who's out changed.
Shinso's eyes widened further as he sees Red X, now wearing a Green and Silver metallic bodysuit, fitted with armor and kevlar plating similar to the Man wearing the batsuit, with metallic retactable wings with a large wingspan, armored gauntlets with sharp claws, and a masked helmet shaped like a sparrow, with the image of a descending sparrow on his chest.
The seven apparations then raised their hand over Red X as if they were anointing him.
Then a beam of light shines around Red X, blinding Shinso...
"Hey, heeeeyyyy? Snap out of it!"
"H-huh?!"
Shinso then snaps back into reality, confused he sees Red X wearing his red and black suit.
"I said, you need to leave... It's getting late out here, your parents might be looking for you."
"Oh... OH!" Shinso stood up and got of the bench, turned around and bowed.
"T-thank you for your answers! I'll be going now!"
As Shinso ran back home, Red X shouted.
"If you want to ask more questions, just come here at the beach... my time's free in the evenings!!"
As Red X was alone at the beach, Red X sat back down at the bench.
"Why does everyone today trying to ghost me." Red X shook his head.
"The kid's gone, you can come out now!"
Suddenly, a girl, about Red X's age, wearing a black suit came from behind Red X, she then moved around and sat down beside Red X.
"I see your skills preceds you Red X... or does Mr. Midoriya sound more appropriate."
Red X sighed, then chuckled.
"Then your skills in sneaking up to people is admirable to say the least... Mrs. Waller."
The girl's face was in shock for a split second, then turned back to serious.
"How the hell did you know my name!?" She demanded.
'Because no matter what multi-version of Earth I go, no matter what version of someone I knew, they all have the same faces, expressions, and presence... I've seen many versions of you many times... Amanda Waller.' Izuku thought, remembering the former head of Cadmus, and Military Liaison of the JL.
'Though I admit... seeing a pre-teen Amanda Waller was not that I was expecting... but her disposition is there, despite the inexperience in her.'
"I have my secrets." Red X/Izuku simply stated.
Amanda huffed in frustration, but calmed down immediately.
"Alright fine, but I can assure you... I will find out how you know my name."
Izuku snorted.
"Well good luck with that."
Then Red X turned serious.
"... So what do you want?"
CHAPTER 6 END
EPILOUGE
At the same night, in Yaoyorozu Manor...
Momo Yaoyorozu was in her bedroom, tossing and turning as she couldn't sleep as her mind was pre-occupied.
Then she opened her eyes and decided to get off her bed.
She then moved to her vanity and there she sees it.
It was a watch, an ordinary one as one looks on the surface.
But Momo looks at it with hesitation.
"Red X..."
The watch belonged to Red X, she got it from him accidentally during that night...
Flashback
Momo slowly opened her eyes, she looks at herself as sees her dress was torn to shreds.
She then look around and sees a large crater in front of her.
Her eyes widened as she remembered.
"MOMO!!"
She remembered Red X grabbing her and pushing her out of the way as a beam of energy whizzed past her and hitting Red X in full blast, then the crater.
"Oh no... RED X!!"
Momo, without hesitation looked down and sees Red X lying there on the center of the crater, his body in bad shape and parts of his superhero outfit was torn off by fabrics and armored plating falling off.
Seeing this, Momo jumped down the crater to help him.
"Hang on Red X... don't die here, please!"
She then applied basic first aid to Red X by using her Quirk to create bandages and wraps.
However as she was treating him, Momo noticed something.
She noticed that Red X's mask was partially torn off, leaving only the lower part exposed with his mouth as well.
Here Momo's internal alarm was blaring as Red X's mouth is starkly similar to Izuku's!
Now filled with curiousity, not realizing what she's doing, Momo places her hand over Red X's mask, slowly pulling it off.
Her breath getting shallower and shallower as she slowly pulls it in anticipation...
"Don't do that..."
Momo gasped as Red X suddenly grabbed her wrist tightly, she looked down and was shocked as Red X was still rendered unconcious but his body still reacted to her attempt in pulling off his mask.
"X! Can you hear me!? X" A voice called out suddenly.
Momo shook her head, forgetting what she did she let herself off of X's knocked out body.
"Hey, we're over here by the crater!!" Momo called out.
Then, Bulwark, Red X's sidekick looked over and came down to the center.
"Is Red X here-oh!" Bulwark sees Momo and froze in disguised shock.
"What? Is there something wrong" Momo questioned.
"Oh! Um... yeah, Where's Red X?" Bulwark asked.
Momo pointed to Red X who is patched and covered in bandages.
"I see you've helped him, thanks!" Bulwark went pass Momo and proceeds to carry Red X by the shoulder.
"Will he be okay?" Momo asked concerned.
"Don't worry, he may look beaten pretty badly, but trust me he can handle it... this is not the worst injuries he's taken... nor will it be the last." Bulwark muttered on the last one.
"Oh and Miss Yaoyorozu... thanks for saving X... I'll be sure to remind him when he wakes up... Ciao!" Bulwark made a two finger salute as she grabbed a remote controller from her pocket and pressed a button.
Then a motorcycle that is heavily modified with Yellow and Blue decals appeared as she placed Red X on her back as she started her engine.
*VROOOMMM!!!!*
Momo looked on as she sees Bulwark and Red X rode off through the Dock front gates and into the night as red and blue flashes of the police decended upon the pier.
"Wait... How did Bulwark know who I was?" Momo said to herself, but then shook her head probably it was in her head.
As she was about to leave, Momo notices somthing on the crater.
It was a watch, broken but it still retained some functionality.
Upon closer inspection, she realized that this was Red X's watch, that Bulwark must've never noticed.
But upon closer inspection, her suspicions grew as the watch closely resembles that of Izuku's watch back at the party
As she grabbed the watch, she accidentally pressed a button on the watch and a holographic image appeared on top of the watch.
Momo's eyes widened and gasped in shock...
Flashback End.
"No... Not Red X."
Momo took the watch and went to her bedroom balcony, the Moon was the only entity on the night sky shining bright along with the cool breeze in the air.
Then, Momo pressed the button on the watch, the only functioning part of the now broken watch.
Then a floating image appeared in front of Momo.
"... Izuku."
It was a holographic image of both Izuku and Melissa, with Izuku's arm around Melissa's should and Melissa's arm around Izuku's waist on his back both of them smiling.
Izuku wearing Red X's Red and Black Suit unmasked.
And Melissa wearing Bulwark's Yellow and Blue Suit, also unmasked.
This revelation shocked, and also hurt Momo.
Shock, because she didn't connect the dots quickly as the two's strange behaviour was considered suspicious.
And hurt, because they kept certain things from her... Why did they hide this?
Nonetheless, this revelation changes everything.
Now Momo is determined.
"Well, Red X or should I say Izuku... The next time we meet, I'll be much stronger so that when that day comes... I hope to get answers."
Epilgoue End