The Heroic God Slayer
Chapter 24
You'll see what I have in mind for Momo and Itsuka here. And we'll meet the second Campione of the age of heroes. Or first if you consider the fact that Jonathan predates the age of heroes/quirks themselves. On with the show.
(No POV)
Izuku let out a sad and uneasy sigh on the train back to UA. "I know what you mean. It wasn't pretty after that brother or whatever of yours showed up. Sir wasn't happy." Mirio said with a blue shade over his eyes.
After Master Jonathan had arrived to tell Izuku off, and knock around Sir Nighteye, the hero took to training them strictly. And took some of his frustration at the eldest's actions out on Izuku. "I could have easily fought back or done something to him. But…. I felt it too. How mad he was at aniki's actions. Especially since this is!... ha. So this is more of what it means to be a king."
Izuku leans back while remembering the feeling in his gut when Jonathan scolded him. The look of disdain in his elder's eyes. It didn't fill him with regret or shame. 'No. What I felt was anger at that time. Anger at him coming in and questioning what I did, even if he was right.' Izuku thought while remembering how that anger was turned to sadness.
Especially when he heard about how Xeimei and Mina stepped up to save Ida from himself and from the Hero Killer. With Xeimei not compromising her own integrity and honor by using her magic against the villain. And said villain respected her back.
"I thought I knew what it meant to be a hero better than most. And I thought I understood what it means to be a Campione. This week has been even more of a learning experience than I expected."
Mirio looked at Izuku funny before patting him on the back and saying it would get better soon. Though they both had a chuckle on the way back to UA. As Momo and Itsuka's commercial was being broadcast over various screens.
"Guess more than one of your classmates (or harem) got famous while we were gone." Mirio said with his usual big smile. Izuku smiled before thinking of what he should do next to understand what it means to be a king.
At the 1-A classroom, many of the students were murmuring about what happened to so many during their internships. "I can't believe you guys took on the Hero Killer! I can't believe Sun fought and beat him! I can't believe there was a group of villains who got taken out at the start. I can't belie… well no that's about the last what I can't believe."
Kirishima was the one to say this while scratching his head. Kaminari was right with him as were some others. Ida meanwhile had been stewing and thinking over some of what he'd experienced and seen in that alley.
He was still mad that he didn't get a real shot at Stain. But Tenya had realized something during the few days he spent recovering. 'He was right that I wasn't acting as a hero. I was only focused on myself and satisfying my need for revenge. I'm not sure I can forgive Sun-san and the others for not letting me help. But I know there is a new path I need to focus on.'
For some others, they felt something new upon their returns. Ochaco seemed to be glowing with an air of intensity that made some of the guys nervous. Jiro and Tsuyu shared stories about helping the heroes they interned with. But a number of people had a bit of fun at Momo's expense.
"I guess that's one way for a hero to get their name out there." Sero said with a teasing wag of his eyebrows. Momo blushed and said it wasn't like that. "Uwabami she…. She just wanted Kendo and I to be a part of the commercial."
She kept trying to defend it but all the actions she'd taken during her time with the hero seemed less like something a hero would do. And made her feel more like a fool for going to the woman for training. "Everything okay?" Izuku said as he was coming into the classroom.
Momo's eyes were moist as Sero and a few others were checking out the commercial she did. Something in him… didn't snap, but it did get strained. To the point he marched over and snatched the phone away. "Hey what?! Oh! Midoriya hey man. What the big idea?"
"What do you think Sero? Mineta?" Izuku said with a glare and then a gesture with his head towards Momo. Mineta picked up on the matter right away and elbowed Sero. They both saw how the onyx haired girl was reacting and apologized.
She wiped her eyes and accepted the apologies. "You didn't need to do that. I know I'm not much of a hero right now. I just…. I need a chance to build myself up." Momo says to Izuku. And he could tell she was somewhat lying to him and her. 'Just like I used to do,' he thought.
Said thoughts though were interrupted by the arrival of Aizawa. "Alright. Looks like all of you gained something from your internships. I hope you'll use that to help yourselves grow into heroes over the rest of the semester."
He discussed a few matters and detailed some of what the students would be doing for the next few weeks. As well as commending Xeimei on how she handled the battle with Stain. "It's not what most of us would do. But from what I've heard, that's actually what helped you here." The Chinese mage shrugged before offering to teach some of the others martial arts or weapon skills to complement their abilities.
When it was time for the hero classes, All Might was happy to have a race to see what each student could do. "The first-round contestants will be: Midoriya! Ida! Asui! And Yaoyorozu!" With the members announced, he gave the run down of the race.
"Each hero will start in a different corner of the battlefield. You'll make your way towards my location as fast as possible. Remember, a hero must be quick and efficient when it comes to rescues or interceptions of villains. Now then: head to your corners!"
Most of the spectators assumed Ida would have the competition locked down. "I don't know. Izuku can get around pretty well with his Herakles leaps." Mina said while leaning back and observing. Ochaco agreed but thought of a different matter.
"It's true he's faster like this, but…. won't some things involved with that God get in the way? Hercules or Herakles is the god of strength and sports right? So wouldn't he embody sportsmanship too?" Xeimei gave Ochaco some light applause and noted that she'd been studying.
The girl blushed as Xeimei took over. "You are correct to a point. Izuku has been, probably without realizing it, circumventing most of those problems because he can envision each moment as a trial or task of a hero. Something Herakles was famous for."
"Man this Campione stuff is hard to wrap my head around." Kaminari says while scratching at said head. Kirishima and Sato meanwhile found it odder than most quirks given all the rules and potential limitations. Mineta though had a different thought. "So it's like… he's gotta fill or set a condition beforehand? Like a quest in a game or a list?"
Xeimei compliments Mineta (before wrapping him up when he tried to get too close) on his explanation. But they were all surprised when Izuku wasn't using Herakles's authority. Since they were in Ground Gamma, Izuku took the time to test out more of Xbalanque's Shadow Movements.
Currently using the agility and speed of the hidden jaguar hero god to rapidly move atop and around the various pipes and outstretched sections. And right as many where sure he'd lose (after missing a jump) Izuku suddenly disappeared from sight.
"That could have gone better. But at least I know most of my way around." Izuku thought aloud while in the shadow realm. Reappearing from the shadow next to the building All Might was in. He then used his agility to reach the top of the building and clear the challenge.
Ida arrived second, and Asui third. Leaving Momo in last as she used a grapple gun to bring herself up to the top of the building. Sweating and clearly looking like she wanted to curse someone out.
Izuku caught onto this but waited until they were back at the observation area to ask her about it. "This probably isn't just about losing the race. Is there something wrong?" Izuku questioned after pulling Momo away from the others. Even signaling to Xeiemei to not follow.
The taller girl sighed and admitted that she'd been feeling down for some time now. "I lost to that Shinso in the Sports Festival. My internship where I ended up doing nothing really hero related. The most I can say I've done that's been remotely heroic was…. Treating you and Ashido after you'd been injured by gods."
She gripped her fists in frustration as she noted hearing the General Course students saying she didn't really belong with the Hero Course. How she was only a hero because of her family and money.
"That's bull and you know it." Izuku said to interrupt her thoughts. Izuku himself was trembling in rage at how they put her down and how it all had been making her feel. It spoke too much to what he'd felt in middle school. So he was going to do for her just what Mina said he needed.
His body moved on impulse and pulled Momo to him. Hugging her while blushing as red as her suit. "You have earned your spot here. I know if I hadn't gone down with aniki, All Might and Aizawa, you would have been one to try and protect the others from the villains," he said to reassure her of her potential.
Momo was blushing of course, but some part of her felt at ease and ecstatic at how Izuku was holding her. Not just because of how he was comforting her and trying to rebuild her confidence. No, it was because she'd felt some minor pangs of jealousy at how close Izuku seemed to have become with Mina and now Reiko. Let alone his clear connection to Xeimei and even Ochaco to an extent.
She eased her arms around Izuku and thanked him. "All good here?" Xeimei and Ochaco asked while smiling at the two. Who quickly separated (with Momo feeling a bit down about it) and said things were fine. And Momo herself resolving to improve her skills and show she really could be a hero.
Though she and Ituska had to deal with a different issue. One from both their "mentor's" agency and a few others. "It would be one thing if it was just requests to do more commercials. But they're asking us to do some sort of shoot in a different country!" Itsuka said to Reiko between classes.
The ghostly girl hummed before asking, "who's this shoot or whatever with?" Itsuka shrugged and noted that it was some company out of South America. "It's like… hang on. Gotta translate it. Champion Hearts Limited? I think I've heard of them, but not sure what they're about."
The humming continues as the hero students make their way to their next set of classes. Izuku decided to take the time for this class and test out what he and the girls could do with their abilities.
"Reiko, Mina, Xeimei. You three ready?" he said with a bit of a blush. One mirrored by his partners as they smiled at him. "By your leave. Our king," they said in unison. Frustrating a number of others in their class (to the point of crying blood). And drawing slight jealousy from others (them looking on in a bit of longing).
Izuku embraced Xeimei first and kissed her. But instead of going for the dog, he chose to change things around and empowered her with the flight of the pheasant. Much like with Reiko, she gained colorful wings from her back and was now wearing very little.
The change though was in the weapon she was using. Instead of a standard kyudo bow like what Reiko used, Xeimei was carrying a crossbow. One that she could fire faster and penetrate deeper, but the shots didn't seem to have the same range to them.
"But there is something else I can do!" Xeimei said before chanting some of her magic. And imbuing her magic bolts with her own power. Reiko hummed and wondered if her instinct with her quirk helped to make her weapon.
Though she had to deal with a different matter as Izuku kissed her next. Empowering her with the speed of the monkey. Just like with Mina her hair was spiked up and turned blonde by the transformation. And she was also barefoot with similar furry armor to what Mina had worn. Instead of claws though, Reiko had two short swords to slash with.
Reiko bounced on the balls of her feet with a smile before taking off to attack a few dummies. Even doing something akin to a shockwave slash with the blades and cutting the targets from a distance. There was one difference though.
"She's not as fast as I was." Mina notes with a tilt of her head. Izuku agreed and noted, "Xeimei seemed to fly a bit different compared to Reiko. Maybe it shows each of your specialties?" He then asked if Mina was ready to try the power of the dog.
She gave him a coy smile before saying, "saving the best for last~? Let's see if I'm a loyal pup to you, or maybe a hungry wolf~." Izuku tried to fight down his growing arousal at the thought of both versions. Kissing her to see what would happen when powered up.
Rather than dark ears and tail, Mina had pink ones peeking out from the top of her head and backside. The armor was the same again, but the weapon was a big change. Compared to the elegant naginata Xeimei had wielded, Mina had a kanabo club on her back.
One she wielded with somewhat reckless abandon. "Okay…. She might be stronger than Xeiemei. But she doesn't have the same control or skill. Then again that could just be the weapon involved." Izuku thought aloud.
Ochaco stepped up and put her own thoughts forward. "Maybe it reflects their own potential and skills? If you passed that to others, it might give them completely different weapons. Like maybe…. Me?"
She was blushing while saying that, as was Izuku. He coughed before admitting he wouldn't mind. "But… I'd like to get to know you and…. maybe Yaoyorozu more before trying anything like that. It's not the best time," he said with a small smile.
The gravity girl returned it and asked if Izuku would be willing to spar with her. Momo meanwhile bit her lip while practicing with Itsuka on their skills. Especially the skills that Xeimei had been helping them improve in. "Hey! Keep your focus." Itsuka said after knocking Momo to the ground again.
"Sorry Kendo. I've just been distracted lately. Let alone trying to dodge all the messages from that company." Momo said while being helped up. Itsuka agreed and wondered if they should talk with Uwabami and the teachers about the matter.
They decided to table the matter for later and meet with the teacher tomorrow. Unfortunately, events would not let them do so. Just as the pair were leaving UA, a group of people surrounded them. Both took ready stances or drew weapons, but it did little against their assailants.
One came at Itsuka with a spinning kick strike. Or that was what she was feinted into believing. The person used that strike to build up some momentum for a stronger low sweep kick and then kick to her stomach. Knocking her off guard and leaving the red head vulnerable to a new attack. That being a set of darts fired at her with blowguns.
The darts impacted her arms and shoulders and left her with a numb sensation on her right side. And it was compounded by more darts impacting her body. The first fighter stepped up and kneeled to speak something. And a glowing circle opened beneath her.
While this was happening, Momo was trying to think of the best weapon for the situation. Which only led to her being attacked more often and frustrating her further. She had used shields to protect her arms from blow darts, but she underestimated those who were attacking her.
Their gloves and clothing were also coated in a poison that was sapping Momo's strength and making it to where she couldn't run. 'But I can do one last trick,' she thinks as she was collapsing to the ground.
She quickly made a pair of recording devices. One to note the image of the magic she could see opening beneath Itsuka (and probably her); and the second to note anything that was said by those attacking them. Which paid off when it picked up the chanting of mage before her. 'I hope you can save us. Midoriya Izuku.'
Izuku and Xeimei meanwhile felt something off, but it was compounded by Izuku being picked up by his Defender's Rush authority. And suddenly seeing Momo sinking into the ground and away from him.
"What the Hell happened here!?" Izuku roared as other authorities arrived. Or rather the few heroes who knew the truth and members of the CCTH. "Izuku. I know just repeatedly saying calm down won't work on you. But I am going to say it. You need to calm down." Xeimei said with a poignant look towards her king.
Who looked ready to rage at her, but upon really looking into her eyes he could feel himself calming down. Something that made Reiko and Mina puff their cheeks in slight annoyance. "My lord. I believe we know who took them. Thanks to this."
Amakasu held out one of the recorders Momo had made and was able to make out the spell work. "These appear to be spells related to those of the Grandes Guardiões da Floresta." She explained that it was an extreme splinter group of the main Protetores do Brasil. A group obsessed with the idea of forcibly restoring the forests of Brazil and driving out those who would not follow their ways.
"I'm not sure why they took them, but it could be to curry some favor or threaten you perhaps. Though it does seem tantamount to suicide." The agent's words to little to calm the rage Izuku had building in his stomach. Ordering the mages to get in touch with PDB and to contact his sister. "Looks like I'll have to meet you for a rather dire reason. Marcia Serafim."
(Momo POV)
What do we do?! Who are these people?! And why the Hell did they undress us?! Wait that voice. One of the ones who attacked me earlier. What's that spell he's making. "There we go. That should make it easier to understand what we're all saying."
Okay now I'm having to keep myself from laughing. His high voice really does not match the mystic I believed him to have earlier. Itsuka is much the same, and I can also tell she's trying to figure out a way out. But we're both still paralyzed from the poisons.
"Do not worry. We have no intention of harming you. We need you in one piece and presentable to her majesty. If we can gain some of the duchess's favor, then we may be able to save more of our home."My eyes widen upon hearing this. "Is it…. Because of deforestation and other pollution?" I say somberly as he starts to walk out.
"That is part of it. But it is also because there are many who do not respect the traditions of the forest. And the party obsessed Campione can't be bothered to look deeper unless something truly catches her eye. That's all you are. Once it is done, we should be able to gain support for our cause."
Their aims may be somewhat noble, but I can tell there is more malice behind them. But I can't worry about that for the moment. Right now.. "Hey! Where are you?!" I shout out as some of the female members take both of us away. And thoroughly bath us. Though were those scented oils or whatever really necessary?
Let alone these get ups! I feel like a slave or a dancer in a seedy establishment with these strips of cloth barely covering my modesty. Wait? Hot! Hot! "What are you doing to us?!" Itsuka shouts out as we feel some heat start to sear into us.
"Not to worry. Just gave you a bit of extra sun to impress her majesty," one woman said as we were shown what they both looked like. While Itsuka was a bit redder, the two of us had been tanned deeply in an instant. "I look like a gyaru!" Itsuka exclaimed while fussing with her hair.
"I'm not exactly much better. If anything I look like some rich girl who spends a lot of time at a salon now." I say with a groan. And now our clothes are changed again, but it's not much better.
I can somewhat move, but I still can't activate my quirk. Itsuka appears to be in much the same boat. And I feel the possibility of us being able to use our quirks disappearing. As they put some collars on the two of us and now I can't feel my quirk at all!
The lead man who summoned us steps forward. His large frame is somewhat intimidating, but when he speaks I still can't take him too seriously. "Good. You are ready to be presented to the duchess," he says before creating a portal again.
I'm not 100% sure, but I think we're just outside of Rio de Janeiro. At least I'm fairly sure given the look of that statue in the distance. These people are walking us up to what appears to be a massive mansion. One that either has a party going on inside or something else is happening. And I'm not sure I want to know what.
The leader gestures to one of the other grunts and they announce they had something the duchess was looking for. The gates swing open to invite us inside. At first I suspect magic, but then I see the wiring. "Guess not everything has to be about magic with these people." Itsuka whispers to me while still looking for any chance to escape.
As much as I'd like to escape as well, now isn't the time. Not with our quirks disabled and all of these mages. Once inside, some of my suspicions are confirmed. Namely that there was a party. A sex one based on the new sounds and smells assaulting our senses.
"You say you have something for our lady? Then come this way." Huh. Didn't expect to see a creature made of plants escorting us. "I wonder what that thing is created from?" I think aloud while we're heading towards a likely audience chamber.
The leader looks back and says, "it is from a Haitian god. That being the voodoo spirit Grand Bois. It gives her control of nature as well as the offerings from it. Similar and yet different to Master Jonathan. Rather ironic given she's also got the power of St Sebastian."
So it lets her control the plants as if they are guck! Ow! Guess this guy is in a hurry to hand us over and start whatever terror he has in mind. Though I'd be surprised if they really think this will turn out well.
Once in the audience room, the leader stands before an impressive but not massive throne. And she walks in. Dressed in… barely anything (I guess I shouldn't complain about these get ups now) is I guess Duchess Serafim.
She's tall. Probably as tall as Master Jonathan at 188 cm. Her bust isn't much, but I can see all the muscles under her the….. sheer sheet she's wearing. Not to mention she has impressive legs that cross before her as she walks. And, uh what's the phrase? The drapes match the curtains? With her almost electric blue green hair being on display. And her tan is far, far, darker than either of ours. Or maybe she's of African descent?
I know I'm blushing as is Itsuka but that changes to choked grunting as the leader orders or rather forces us forward. "We heard about how you said you wanted them your majesty. We have put everything to grant your wish."
Ow! He forced both of us to our knees roughly before the second Campione. Her eyes seem disinterested at first. Until she gets a better look at the two of us. I can see a smile on her face growing. What does she want with us?
Wait. Now it's falling. Uh oh. That look is familiar. The leader explained how they had taken us from our home to offer us to the magical leader. And now he's starting some ramble about returning to some of the old ways with their magic.
"Parada. You did what? In order for me to do what?!" she says with…. Oh she is getting very angry. A few of the other members catch on and start to back away. The leader starts to ramble again. And he's suddenly skewered by dozens of javelin's that appeared out of nowhere.
The few remaining members who kidnapped us are set upon by everything from an intense beam of bright sun or starlight. Setting them ablaze. Or some of the creatures appear to eat, poison, or impale the others.
That is when the Duchess starts her walk towards us. Wow. She uh…. I know Uwabami and a few other heroes are models, but their walks have nothing on her. Just like with Master Jonathan, she projects power and confidence with each step towards us.
Though while his sometimes felt like a brutal confirmation of what he could do, hers feels more like a sexy aura of confidence and assuredness. Something I know I could use. Both when dealing with Midoriya, and with trying to be a hero.
She stops just before the pair of us while looking down with her orange eyes shimmering like gems. I can barely look away as her hands come towards us to keep our gazes directed at her. "This was not the way I wanted to bring you here."
What? Just as I'm thinking that, and Itsuka is voicing it, some of the plants move forward with some blankets or towels. She takes both and gently drapes the articles over us. Though she still barely covers herself.
"Come. Let us get you something more appropriate. And don't worry about the other partygoers. Most of them don't leave the other rooms when I invite them up. And if they do, the spells I have in place knock them out and remove memories."
This is…. very surprising. I thought she might be more aggressive or maybe domineering. Then again, that might just be due to my experience with Master Jonathan. And yet again, she was brutal when dealing with those cultists or whatever. Campione are hard to read. I wonder what else could happen to us.
There we go. So I realized I never really gave a detailed description for what Jonathan really looked like. I just went with some surface elements that would be easy to imagine. Thus, I decided to do a bit more with what Marcia looked like.
If you want a….. game reference or similar idea to what she looks like, she's built a bit like Manon from Street Fighter 6. And no, I did not just recently build her like that. I'd always imagined her being similar to her build. Though taller obviously. Also I hope this puts some of your worries to rest guys.
And I will admit, using Itsuka as something of a Lois Lane like Momo is relatively easy too. Not quite as much, but Itsuka's drive does seem similar to the reporter's. Part of why I did what I did to her in Justice.
Getting sidetracked. Izuku is still going to have to face her. But it will be a bit different to what he expected. Same for the girls. Please review!