Friendly Foreign Dimensional Exchange Student Spider-Man!: Academia

Don't fear the Future

"Dave, I've decided to return home."

At first, David Shield believed he had misheard All Might. "Go back to Japan? Are you sure?"

Yagi offered a nod.

"Isn't there any way to reconsider? I believe you staying here will be much needed in the future." The young scientist looks behind, seeing the city center. "With all your extraordinary abilities and success, I'm certain you will become someone of great importance to everyone in the U.S. You have already influenced society in this city for the better, and maybe even spread it out later on."

Yagi turns towards the horizon, knowing that the large Japanese island is on the other side of the ocean. "You're right, David, but now I truly desire to help and protect everyone from where I was born and lived most of my life."

All Might taps his sidekick's back. "Besides, you got my former apprentice to take over for me."

"Maybe, although I'm sure Cathleen will be devastated when she hears you're planning to leave." Wonders David.

A loud laugh comes out from the tall, muscular man. "It's fine, that girl even said she'll one day surpass me when becoming a pro herself."

"She's quite the ambitious one." His friend humorously responds. "Guess I'll have to accept your choice as well. But don't think our partnership will be completely over."

"Oh?" All Might answer curiously.

"There's no way another person out there can make the best costumes for the future top hero in the country. Expect new ones from me tailored just for you." David finishes with a tap on Yagi's arm.

"I look forward to wearing them." The Pro Hero smiles brighter at his friend.

"Come on, we'll be late for the tour." The scientist adds, directing his heroic partner back to the car. "Also, don't break my little girl's heart too much when telling her this."

"Then, I'll just have to visit you both whenever I can." Responds All Might, now seated in the passenger seat.

The vehicle's engine starts, beginning to drive out of the parking space and onwards with speed to where the gathering for the I-Island pre-operational tour is located.

(X)

David wishes he had pressured Yagi to stay in California.

The morning in Los Angeles wasn't exceptional, especially with rainy weather. But none of it matters. Not like he would go out and enjoy the tourist sites; he was under house arrest.

An emptiness settles in his heart.

"What have I done…" Running the hands over his face, loneliness is his only companion now.

The former scientist is currently seated on a large sofa. Confined to a small apartment, far from the city's center. It seems like a privilege granted to someone of his reputation, but it was temporary until the trial and transfer to a real prison.

He is the only person living in the building, his movements are constantly monitored, and police officers stand guard outside. In any event, he is still one of All Might's known friends, and in his current state, anyone would use that advantage to reach the Symbol of Peace; his location is also a secret.

It's better that way. His plan resulted in the death of Samuel, and he betrayed everyone's trust, especially his friend and daughter.

The only hope is that Melissa doesn't get stuck in everything that happened. He had no reason to involve her in his ambitions. These sins he will have to carry with him until the end.

It was no longer bearable to stare at the ceiling and wait for time to pass. Remembering past mistakes is already becoming unbearable. Taking the television remote, David stops for a moment on the couch, not in the mood for it. Maybe spending a few hours watching something random will help his boredom.

The first thing that popped up was a talk show that should at least help with the distraction.

"Welcome to all our viewers. Today, we bring a guest of great honor, seriously folks, you can't imagine how hard it was to bring her here, especially for the notorious work and fulfillment of duty to our nation. Stand up everyone and give it up for the amazing: STAR AND STRIPE!"

A surprise indeed for him as well, America's number one hero, maybe opening the channel to here for a moment wasn't in vain.

"Now then, we don't usually receive professional heroes very often and that's why we always like to emphasize the importance of their work. In the last interview of this genre, we received the still active Cow Lady, saying she was impressed and proud of your achievement and strength as a number one heroine in our nation, any comments?"

The question was met with a hearty laugh. "What can I say, Cow Lady was among my inspirations when I was just a student, I had the opportunity to work alongside her on several missions when I graduated, she is among the best and is certainly a symbol to show what girls are capable of."

"A captivating answer, I believe that now this role of great female symbol is being filled by you, many call you the strongest woman in the world, can we confirm that?" The presenter emphasizes the last part.

"I'm not taking anyone's place, the strength of our heroes comes from the ability to always encourage the new generations to follow the path of justice and if I'm managing to do that with my effort, maybe I'm among the strongest."

Applause is heard from the live audience. "Incredible, but returning to the point, we all have a great star to look at and motivate us to follow, who was the great reason that led to what you are today?"

There was a brief pause, and then Star came to give her enthusiastic reply. "I don't think it's a secret to anyone, All Might's called the Symbol of Peace for a reason. The influence of his legacy spreads all over the world and it wouldn't differ for me, his feats motivate me forever to move forward and be the best version of me daily."

He didn't want to hear that answer. The Symbol of Peace's time is running out; people with mundane lives and even great heroes will lose their great pillar. This society of superhumans needs hope for a better future, and Toshinori brought that to everyone. David tried to prevent this tragedy with his device, but his efforts only generated more suffering than necessary. Now nothing more can be done.

The storm outside is getting more robust, and the rain is increasing.

The presenter continues. "We are certain that the Japanese hero is exceptional, he was your personal tutor after all. There is no doubt, he built the beginning of his career in our country, but we can talk about how strength, destiny..."

David could no longer pay attention to the television, feeling his brain pumping like his heart.

Was there really no way to save the Symbol of Peace?

Suppose he reveals about All Might's secret problem. In that case, this could either motivate people's resolve to find possible solutions or cause a great shock wave of fear, hopelessness, and evil to increase.

"Damn it…" David whispers to himself.

Suddenly a knocking sound from the front door is heard, causing him to nearly leap out of his skin.

"Mister Shield?" Asks a man from the other side.

The spectacle man takes a deep breath, looking behind. "Yes, officer?"

An African American police guard enters the house and walks close to the living room where the vital detainee is currently situated.

"You have an authorized phone call from a family member of yours, you shall answer from that telephone over there." The guard points at the telephone set next to the television screen. "And remember, your conversation will be listened to, understood?"

"Yes, sir." David responds as the police guard exits the secure home flat and relocks the entrance.

As he now stares at the telephone, the former scientist wonders who it could possibly be.

Feeling like it was an eternal wait, the communication device starts to illuminate and ring.

He presses the remote to mute the television, placing it back on the short table. He gets up and moves to grab the ringing telephone off its charging connector. David returns to be seated on the sofa, hesitant to speak to whoever it was from the other side of the line while it continues to ring. Then, with a deep breath, he presses the green button making the device silent.

He places it on his ear, taking a moment before answering the microphone. "Hello?"

"Hi dad… it's me. Hello? You there?" Asks the voice of Melissa.

Realizing he has been silent, responds back. "Oh… y-yeah… h-hi Melissa. I… honestly didn't expect to have this call."

"Yeah, well… I got… special permission to speak to you." There is hesitancy in her voice.

"I see, then you're… quite lucky today." David is trying but is unsure if he can have a normal conversation with his child after what she's been through recently.

"Guess I am. Dad, I'm still disappointed in you. But remember, you'll always be my father. No matter how long you'll be in jail."

The father is glad to hear that, even if she repeated those words when he was in the I-Island hospital.

"I understand, are you already in Tokyo?" He asks, slowly having the courage to continue talking.

"Fully settled, quite the view when you're there in person. I'm back to school studies, this time online, and using U.A.'s Development Studio to help with my practical work."

This is a relief for David; at least his girl is getting back on track. "That's great to hear."

Melissa always wanted to visit the school where All Might use to study before transferring to the United States.

"So… how is… All Might? Are you now living-?"

Melissa halts his question. "Dad, I'm sorry, but this call has a time limit. So let me explain some things before asking more questions, okay?"

"Sure, Melissa." He agrees, remaining quiet to let her speak.

"As you may already know, I'm officially under the guardianship of uncle Might. It's a shame I'm no longer in the academy, but it's still great to be studying in U.A."

There's silence on the call while the rain continues to fall outside.

"Dad, I don't… agree with any of the actions you've decided to take. But despite everything, I can understand the reasons… I won't lose hope for a better future and you shouldn't either."

Now he reacts in confusion, wondering why she would say something like that.

"That's because… we will always have someone to inspire us, peace will never cease to exist. And in the end, a better world will come, I'm sure of it."

David felt his heart skip a beat; his mind opened to a simple possibility that was blocked by the deep dread clouding his mind. Hearing those last words made him feel his eyes begin to water. He wasn't only tearfully relieved that Melissa would be fine without her father around.

But she is right, she is absolutely right.

"Okay… you have more to ask… dad?" She finishes.

He smiles, not doing so for a long time. "No sweety… I'm good, just happy to hear you'll be alright over there."

"Don't worry, it'll be fine. And next time, let's hope our call will be a little longer. Dad… I love you, and I will miss you."

Tears now fall down his face. "Me too, and make your dad even more proud."

"I will, bye Dad."

"Goodnight… Melissa…"

David hangs up the call, staring at the device that helped him talk to his daughter again.

As he looks outside, the rain has switched to a simple drizzle.

Mister Shield ultimately decides to keep All Might's secret all to himself.

He too, shouldn't fear the possible end of the world. He also wishes it won't be too terrible when All Might eventually retires. Maybe somehow, someone out there, a new Symbol of Peace for society, will succeed his former partner.

Right now, he needs to prepare for his eventual trial and confess his crimes.

Dropping the phone on the sofa, he grabs the remote again, unmuting the television's sound, now wanting to continue watching to relax the tearful relief he felt after his phone call.

The talk show presenter is currently in the middle of speaking. "-thank you so much for coming, Star and Stripe everyone!"

Another applause from the live audience. "Remember to return tomorrow for the interview with another popular but also very polarizing Pro Hero, The Skycrawler, will be joining us on the show. So, don't you miss it!"

As David Shield returns to face the screen, the morning rain outside finally stops.

(X)

It's nighttime in Yagi Toshinori's personal residence. Both him, in his skeleton form with pajamas, and Melissa are seated at the dining table. The young woman stares at her phone with tears in her eyes.

"You think Dave understood what you were trying to say?" He hopefully asks in English.

Melissa wipes her tears off. "After hearing his response, I'm sure he did."

She looks back towards her Pro Hero guardian, showing a bit of dissatisfaction with the call. "But I don't get it, uncle Might. Why can't I reveal to my dad about your quirk and Izuku? I could have explained it by code."

Yagi looks downwards. "To be honest, I also want to tell him. I really do…"

He then takes a deep breath while placing both sides of his hands on the forehead. "He may be my best friend… but I can't risk any more people learning about those secrets, especially risking the safety of my successor. Maybe alone with your father, but definitely not with the police overhearing your conversation."

Now Melissa becomes concerned. "You don't really think this… villain… has connections in America, do you?"

The skeleton man now places his hands on the table. "I'd rather play it safe than gamble and be wrong."

Melissa sighs, deciding to change this somber subject. "Anyway, thanks a lot for doing this uncle Might."

Yagi smiles in response. "No problem, you needed this." He then happily shrugs. "Guess I'm fortunate enough to still have clout with some U.S. officials, with a little assistance from Miss Bates too."

But next, he grunts, and the eyes look away in embarrassment after mentioning Star and Stripe. "But man, was she a blabbermouth… and again so hard to convince her that I can't come to visit."

"She's resilient, all right." Melissa removes herself from the chair and leaves the dining room. "Well, gotta go, have important work to do."

Yagi reacts in confusion. "Huh? Still studying at this hour?"

She stops, looking behind. "Not exactly, I'm currently doing the final touches and revising the blueprints for some new potential add-ons to Deku's hero costume."

"Uh- Really? You're creating new equipment for young Midoriya?" Asks the slightly louder Yagi with bigger eyes.

She raises her hand to show a V-sign and winks. "Yep, wanna see?"

Edited by Ld1449

Co-written with Arcanos

This chapter was one I and my co-writer believed this was something that needed to be made for the Shield father and daughter ever since the FFDESS version of the I-Island incident. It was also good to give Melissa more appearances since she is now part of the main storyline.

Initially, it was supposed to show a clash between David Shield and Sir Nighteye's ideas of preserving the Symbol of Peace. But LD convinced me it was unnecessary to write about.

Special thanks to Arcanos from Spacebattles for allowing me to use parts of his written omake idea in this chapter.

Next time everyone!