MHA : a Monster or a Hero?

by O.M.H the Stellar Knight

This is just an imaginary story from my mind, nothing you read here is real. I own nothing My hero academia belongs to Kōhei Horikoshi. the other belongs to Capcom. I hope everyone can enjoy this story despite my lack of creativity...I mean who will be interested in the story of a nameless amnesiac with no quirk or identity hidden many secrets waiting to shake the world.

25. Oneselves lost in Dark and Oblivion

It's funny how a certain someone can sleep off easily to almost anything distracting, it's funnier when that thing is a dino-horror movie.

Midnight smiled, done with her meetings for today she didn't lack the energy to laugh or snickers to herself, no…it was more of what transpired today that she is now not in a happy-go-lucky mood…

The only thing that broke her somberness away from the reflection on the now black screen laptop is the silent snoring of her adopted son…

She glanced at what any mother could describe as her sleeping prince…sadness in her eyes at her incapability to do anything to help him…

True she shields and play the mother figure to the amnesiac, but what help is that when the biggest worries are gnashing at his sanity…slowly and painfully stressing him to reveal gruesome scars…

Scars which are yet to be healed by the best psychiatrist she knows…scars which are her responsibility to ease and hide…yet what she managed to do so far…?

Just what any shelter house or a working caretaker can do…I can't call myself a mother nor I earn such title…

Crreeeek…Blop!

"tired? rarely I see that face" it's not a question to elaborate her surface image, no, the one who address the issue is not one who see shallow levels of anxiety.

"what is it Aizawa? Shouldn't you be in bed by this hour? Recovery Girl will be furious other wise" her tone lacks any form of cheerful attitude she often displays.

"the granny have her own merits for being the school doctor, not including her Quirk. One of those merits is the capability to address issues that develop into long-term disasters…speak up, I know you're not happy with what happened to our students especially your child, yet I know for all my experience that it shouldn't make you this upset" the bandaged mummy was leaning on the other wall, his face covered like an ancient king…but enough is left for the eyes to see and for the nose to breath. His eyes told her he is not going without answers.

"I wasn't able to do anything!" her voice carried a weigh and haste, only refrained from shouting at none in general but herself, she knows better to wake up what started this all.

"none blames you for being absent, even All Might arrived late" he rose his arms "otherwise this wouldn't happen"

"I know…it's what I've been telling myself the whole time…" she grimaced down…

He waited for the 'but', patience is a pro hero's biggest ally against many mentally instable villains.

"I feel guilty, for seeing him hurt…getting hurt! In front of my eyes! And I'm doing absolutely nothing!" she gritted her teeth at the last word lest her anger is heard by the whole residents of the school.

"you're still vague…what is the core of the problem, you doing the mother's job is what should make up for your lack of presence…you can't except him to be by your side all the time…he's training to be a hero after all…he will leave your care eventually" from any other mouth, those words are cold fact and harsh truths spoken over the ears of those who don't need salt over recent bloody wounds.

"I know" yet the gentleness in his words is lacking any illness…be it for goodwill or otherwise.

He waited for her to elaborate further, Midnight might be a…quirky pro hero for the lack of a better word, yet she is no amateur at understanding situations…at comprehending facts…

Which begs the question now…what is truly troubling her?

"I saw what might be the core of his problems…his mental issues…I don't know what to do…I'm lost to what I can do…I feel it's not the obligation of any psychiatrist…especially not Hound dog-san" the mention of his colleague made him quirk up a little.

"what happened? I have yet to hear full details and the granny doesn't allow unrestrained behavior…next time she might use a rope to pin me down to the hospital bed" he tried to joke…he very rarely does…

The lack of feedback from her…does not upset him…only makes his own anxiety to grow, sure he saw what the kid is capable of, multi-forms transformation…unique ones too, if by what he knows that show have at least some negatives at his mental health…and he was unfortunately proven true by the recent mini-outburst during the rescue season…before U.S.J event started…

"All Might mentioned the kid approached him…with cryptic words" she recited what the number one hero told her and how cold-furious she was at him for accusing her son to be someone else…to be mentally ill in other words…severely…

If only.

"that doesn't sound awful, given all what we know about him the kid should have some uneducated tendencies"

"that's not the case here" her tone frigid cutting all arguments short, she didn't spare a second to recite what happened early.

"All Might was right…when Hound dog was doing the Aichmophobia physical diagnosis test…it wasn't much of abnormality…we saw what phobias can do to people…" she paused for her old friend to recall such memories…of poor civilians having to deal with claustrophobia to even criminals suffering from all sorts of mentality disorders that ends with phobia.

"that fear…is not of sharp objects" finally something unusual to work with.

"if not so, then of what?" he asked with curiosity.

Something that refuse to die…she recalled the meek words speaking forgotten truth.

"a Hero" saying them in a simple word that could have more than a surface meaning.

"a Hero? Midnight what are you—"

"THERE YOU ARE!" an angry voice shouted from the corner and there she was, the school old nurse with a glaring expression.

Midnight didn't wait for her bickering as she excused herself…but not without some last parting words.

"Aizawa…thanks, I now know my enemy…and I know what I can do about it"

A steel resolve replaced the sad expression she not two minutes ago bore…

I can't be with his side all time…that's true…I can't protect him all time and that's true…I shall do what I need to do…as a mother and as a pro hero…I need to help him face his inner monster and tame it.

She gazed in the distance…as if trying to remember that eerie yellow eye…it was glowing ominously…a light that doesn't announce the arrival of dawn…it was like the light of dusk…of the sun dying in her set…slowly giving way to nightfall…a night that covers the land in darkness…darkness where all sorts of Unknown beasts dwells within it's shrouds.

And to fight such beasts…she need first to know what beast it is.

In the morning all of class 1-A students (minus one) were at first silent, until Hagakure decided to break the silence…by mentioning how the news was all over the country.

Many like Kaminari and Kirishima were surprised by the scale of it, sure it might get attention since it's a prestigious school like U.A. but…they didn't think it'll be on that scale.

Others didn't think it wasn't impossible since it's U.A. and not any other nameless hero school, this is UA of course the media will milk it for anything that's unusual and 'villains attacks hero course students' is nothing short of a whole factory of lactose.

"I can't imagine what would happen if the teachers didn't arrive" Sero said with a little too easy smile than he should.

"just thinking about it makes me wet myself" I except nothing less from a guts-less dwarf.

Ahem*.

"SHUT UP YOU SCUMBAG!" you know Bakugo…I might like you now for this only (of course I like he's character development later on, but that doesn't mean I'll give him some favoritism this early when he was still a total bastard)

Other students were more impressed by the number one hero display of sheer brute strength.

Sato expressed that a little more energetically than the sole bird head.

A few minutes before the season begins, the class lawyerrepresentative ordered his fellow classmates to take their seats, seconds later he sat shakingly from embarrassment being the last one to follow his own orders.

Mina and Tsuyu had a little talk about who'll be the teacher since Aizawa is bedridden…that also made Iida to notice the absence of a certain purple head that wasn't half the average person height.

Before he could ask Midoriya, the voice of the least person to except coming to a season after such events made Iida and everyone pause.

"AIZAWA-SENSEI! YOU CAME QUICKLY!?" Aizawa is following on the footsteps of math teachers.

Many had different reactions to his persistence…but all could be summed up to one sentence.

this not a normal pro level…this is plus ultra.

Aizawa walked to his seat and before he could announce what they should be worrying about.

"Kayama you can take a seat" by the door was standing the source of many earlier whispers among his classmates.

Eyes giving indication he didn't sleep well. His sluggish movement further proving that.

Sleeping after watching Jurassic Park 2 the lost world was a bad idea…I can still feel the adrenaline rush after that Glavenus tried to bite my head off.

It was a Carnotaurus

Same thing minus the sword for a tail, larger size and the ability to breath fire.

You have a point…good thing Recovery Granny didn't have to change the sheets.

Side glances weren't his greatest concern after the lingering adrenaline rush at 3 A.M…nor he was wake up enough to give them proper glance back.

Before any could bother him, especially a certain worrywart with a green head.

"my health isn't a concern of yours, what matters is the fight isn't over yet" Aizawa decided to spare him from that.

The reaction to that info was a mix of.

"Fight?" eagerness of a chihuahua over lunch time.

"does he mean…?" wariness over an upcoming doom.

"the villains again?" ignorance that will do better if it doesn't belong to this class.

What fight? I'm terribly tired to even think.

That's your normal state, is it not?

Sensei, be in yours then and translate.

I'm a strategist, not a diviner.

"the U.A. sports festival is coming soon"

Those (read almost everyone minus one) who knows:

"THIS IS A VERY NORMAL SCHOOL EVENT!"

Those who don't know:

U.A…what?

From the look of it…just a normal harmless event…since it's U.A. I can smell those robots from here.

While Sensei likes to joke often with his host, he's more of a strategist, thus he liked having a company that thinks the same.

"is it okay to make a school festival after the villains sneaked on the school grounds?" Jiro mirrored his thoughts.

It's a stupid move that could be misunderstood as a lack of concern over the safety of the students.

Sensei explained to the drowsy amnesiac.

"what if they attack again?" Ojiro has a point too.

They were bold to do it once…what's stopping them from doing it twice?

Yeah…some more than others…

The drowsiness slowly started disappearing, replaced by wariness…

"the main purpose of this festival is to prove the opposite of what the public thinks…our administration thinks of demonstrating the trustworthiness of U.A. security systems" Aizawa explained before taking a small pause.

"the security system will be 5 times stronger than previous years…in other words it's our best chance, it's not something to be cancelled because of a few villains"

Translation: to gain back the public's trust in us we should be bolder than the villains and ensure nothing happens this time…doing the opposite will prove we're nothing but cowards who can't protect our students.

That's…quiet the confidence they have…

Considering they have All Might…and probably extra help this time that can answer immediately…yeah, they have the right to be confident. And I doubt there's someone bold enough to walk into what seems a place full of the biggest fishes in this country.

They have to be insane to do that.

While some think logically…others are more cowardly…

"it's a reasonable cause to cancel it! It's just a sports festival"

the dwarf didn't explain anything to a curious Midoriya. That made the amnesiac spare a glance at his little brother, received on the other end as their eyes met.

A thumbs up was sufficient for now to stop any more worried sweating.

"our sports festival is the biggest in all of Japan, in the past Olympics was titled 'sports festival', the whole country was burning with excitement "at the mention of Olympics the one with ancient knowledge perked up.

Do they host that ceremonial stuff? What about the flame thing? What are the games available!?

Yeeesh, calm down or you might sprint faster than you did after that Dilosophaurus chased you.

It's hard to! How can I whe—

"today it's a mere shadow of it's former glory due to decreases in the infrastructure and population" his enthusiasm is dying a slow death.

Enthusiasm: cough cough I'm dying

No! stay with me! You can't go yet! your last visit was when I discovered Lagiacrus…please!

Let him go…you knew this was coming…

No! sniff

Enthusiasm: cough cough gaaaaaaaaaasp I know…I have failed you so many times…

Well ya did…with those dragons…most of the time…

Don't kick a concept while it's dying…

Enthusiasm: cough cough gasp! Gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaasp!...dies*

"my enthusiasm…is dead…" a whisper in the wind…unheard by those perceiving the world in a different perspective, less-childish more serious.

"in our present the public's substitute for those Olympics is…U.A. sports festival!"

You're…still alive!? I thought you were dead!

Enthusiasm: my death was…greatly exaggerated.

While the amnesiac had a moment of playing a silly imaginary scenario in his head, the subconsciousness was thinking more logically.

I don't think this festival has only entertainment purposes…lest they should be adults competing in it, not the students.

Those words were proven true seconds later by one of the class smartest toppers.

"and of course all the top pros in the country will watch it…for Quirk scouting purposes!"

…

What is it?

"and after graduating it's certain to join a pro's agency as a sidekick" Kaminari was looking forward to the future…

"but most people don't take advantage of the opportunity to become independent after that…so they become sidekicks forever…Kaminari I feel you'll end up the same, you're an idiot" Jiro was more honest than she should.

"joining a famous pro agency will let you acquire valuable experience and more popularity, time is limited…if you look forward to a pro agency, then your future carrier is relying on this festival" Aizawa words flared the flame of competition between his students.

"once each year, between 3 chances in total, any ambitious hero shouldn't waste this event! If you understand this well then you better not slack off in preparations!" Aizawa didn't need any further replies than "Yes sir!"

"Season finished"

Many of the future aspiring to be heroes couldn't contain their excitement after the lit fire was set free, they engaged in small conversations, but one particular one was deep in his thoughts.

Do I really look forward to the future?...

It'll be a lie to say yes…you don't look forward to it because you're more curious about the past…but let's be clear here, you choose to be a hero for the sake of moving forward…because it seems the best choice at first…because you were too distorted to think otherwise. Now you know what kind of dangers roam this world…as you did when you got attacked by the sludge…you don't lack the resolve…but a motivation!

But I do want to become someone who help others!

I meant motivation for the festival!

…

You're afraid of showing too much you might draw more attention to you than you have to…don't you?

Yes…in total…we have, how much again?

The preys, Aptonoth, lagiacrus, zinogre, daora, rathalos, Kut ku, Monoblos, Malfestio, Mizutsune, Arzuros, Gammoth, Volvidon, Bullfango, Hypnocatrice, Nerscylla, Najarala, Rajang. Felyne, Chameleos. Barioth. Teostra. Glavenus, Lao-shan lung,Diablos...more than 27 if we count whatever you did in the U.S.J as a separate form…

We're about to hit the 30-form mark…that's like having 30 different quirks in one package…

Since not every Quirk in this world is as impressive as the top pros…that's not totally untrue…

While they got their own worries…others like Midoriya had a similar if not different fear…

"Everyone is very fired up"

"are you not? We enrolled in this school to become heroes, so it's natural" Iida was…doing a robot dance? Yep even Tsuyu agreed with me.

"Midoriya-kun, don't you share the same feeling?"

"of course I do…but to be honest…"

"Deku-kun, Iida-kun…" the aura that surrounded her frame draw the attention of many.

"what's wrong Uraraka? you don't look optimistic"

"EVERYONE I'LL DO MY BEST!" she shouted out of the blue, making Midoriya, Iida, Tsuyu and Mina give her variant levels of "yes"

Another shout to the side was received with less energetic response and more sweatdrops.

all was going smoothly…no tension just friends chilling with their weirdness…until.

"you don't look happy, Teme" Bakugo's voice made everyone watch the impending drama.

"eh…H-hello, B-bakugo-kun" sweat dropped from Maruchi side at the unexcepted visitor towering over his seat.

Oh boy this isn't going to end well…don't break him.

"I waited patiently for the damned Deku to relay my message, yet the incompetency of that useless waste of space is on par with his cowardness" upon the glare of his childhood friend, Midoriya backed away a little, he talked with his brother yesterday so he didn't need much talk to the already closed big bro…he thought leaving him be for now will be considered polite than stressing him with his own worries…

Between all the events…and what happened so far, it seems Bakugo's threats have moved to the sub-category of 'save for later'…for Bakugo's case they're still in the 'high priority' folder…

And now his mistake might lead to a disaster.

" I would appreciate it if you don't insult my little bro in my face" Maruchi's voice was controlled but the rage started bubbling.

"if he did what any half-competent courier can then I've had reduced that to a simple 'Damned Deku', Tokage" yeaah…this is might escalate quickly.

"get to the point, you're not a worrywart like him and I'm sure you don't care about anyone except your own sorry behind"

B-B-BOOM little crackles in his palm announced how much he appreciated the effort in that insult.

Kirishima and Sero got between them just in case. And Midoriya moved to his Brother's side much to the seething chihuahua's anger.

Don't do anything stupid! Remember Aizawa's words!

"that red lizard cosplay you used was capable of creating explosions, wasn't it?" Bakugo's tone indicated how much restrain he put into not shouting, a rarity in his attitude.

"I see…so this is what has upset you…" Maruchi closed his eyes as if apologizing to someone.

The curiosity and tension rose to new high when he opened them and glared at him with a cold, incoherent rage…

"I didn't know how I did it…nor I know what happened after I turned into the 'Red Tigrex'…and I'm sure I won't be using that form in the festival…" silence drew on…Bakugo wasn't convinced nor he did hear any lies in the purple head's words.

"I want to be a hero who helps others…not someone who scare them for the sake of showing my might" everyone anticipated another BOOM…but it didn't come, Bakugo might have a huge ego but he isn't dumb enough to break a fight…nor he felt that last sentence was directed at him.

"you're a coward, you think your worst can defeat ME? HAH!?" now a fight might break as Kirishima and Kaminari tried to break Bakugo from dragging Maruchi by the collar.

"COME AT ME WITH YOUR BEST! YOU THINK YOU'RE SOMETHING!? YOU LIZARD-COSPLAYER!" thankfully Bakugo didn't put much energy into the struggle, it's more of a show.

"I…can't…" it wasn't a matter of ability…but a matter of will…Bakugo may be a jerk for his past and present deeds…but going all out against him is…not that he isn't strong but…

You fear to be feared…to be viewed as a monster…and with your recent increased complexities…you're not wrong.

"I'll try…but I'm sure someone strong as you know why it's important to not go all out…or did what Thirteen-san said about dangerous Quirks usage go over your head?" that retort was both a good argument and an annoying insult.

"TEME WHAT DO YOU THINK I'M, AN AIRHEAD!? OF COURSE I KNOW WHEN TO HOLD BACK!" his shouting subsided a little to deliver his most sincere message.

"TOKAGE! YOU'RE MORE THAN MOST OF THE OTHERS IN TERMS OF POWER AND VERSATILITY…DEFEATING SOMEONE LIKE THAT WILL NOT MAKE SHINE, IT WILL MAKE ME THE STAR OF THE WHOLE DAMNED SHOW, BUT IF YOU DON'T DO YOUR BEST, THEN IT WILL BE LIKE I FOUGHT NOTHING OUTSTANDING" Bakugo words made everyone look at Maruchi in a new light. And he blinked in confusion.

Is he trying to cheer me up or trying to pick a fight?

Cheer you up? Hardly, he's more threatening you to show your best…so he can defeat what others witness is the best and most versatile student in first year…in other words you're a ladder that'll help him climb to new heights, the longer the ladder the higher the heights…and vice versa.

I see…

And I think he might not be the only one now with that line of thinking…

True, the others are glancing him with calculating looks, Maruchi's power and versality is nothing to scoff at and with such unique forms, drawing the attention of the crowds is a cake walk…much to his inner protest…

Defeating what drew that attention is certain to drew even more…in consequence all the more reason to try and defeat him.

Bakugo can find ways to annoy me more than his attitude…impressive.

"alright! I got your message!...I'll try my best so you better not fall behind!" please take the bone I threw to you and get lost. You already done more damage than I can recover from.

"Heh! AS IF! I'LL KILL YOU WHEN THE TIME COMES!" Bakugo stormed off followed by a nervous Kirishima.

"yeeesh…so much for some inner peace…" he sat up, the tension from the drama scene is now gone but the after implications of Bakugo's words are still present.

He ignored the glances he received from the curious, pointing his attention to the sole trio he come pretty accustomed with.

"little bro, Iida-kun, Uraraka-kun, shall we go grab a bite? I'm starving"

Bakugo sure is unapproachable by many, but Maruchi isn't that cold, the little smile he displayed proved that.

"That will be ideal, hmph!" Iida nodded in agreement. Followed by Uraraka and still nervous Midoriya.

They're so many things he needs to ask him later, but since the camaraderie has developed between them curiosity doesn't dwell around him only anymore.

Iida drive to be like his brother was brought up before the first alarm crisis in the cafeteria…

His Bro aspires to be a hero so he can help those in need, he wants to a symbol of hope in the darkest hours.

But what does drive Uraraka-kun? Surely it must something as noble as—

"for money!?" that came as a surprise for the three of them, she sheepishly rubbed her neck in embarrassment.

"you want to become a pro hero for money?" little disappointment could be heard in Midoriya's voice, Maruchi expression showed he had more disappointment.

Remember Brother Bear, think about the perspective, not only the surface image.

I'll try…

While he battled with his own internal rants, Uraraka confessed she was embarrassed about saying it…what with them having more 'noble' and amazing goals than her.

Iida did disagree with him.

"why do you think your childhood's goal isn't amazing?"

"umh!, but it's unexcepted" Midoriya too.

Even if it's unexcepted…there's something bugging me…

And that would be?

Before the amnesiac could reply.

"my family owns a construction company…but we don't receive any work offers, so we're broken…this isn't something I should say to others…" her embarrassment and explanation did little to ease that bugging thing.

Sensei, Analysis.

According to my calculations—

The subconsciousness may be fast.

"if Uraraka-san got a permission for her Quirk usage that'll lower the costs greatly"

When it comes to Quirks and their usage, Midoriya is the Kowalski here.

I still don't get it.

"she can make anything floats, so they won't need any vehicles to lift things up" Iida spared his brain from overwork.

"That's what I said to my dad when I was little! But…" she recited how her parents refused the offer at first, they didn't want to put pressure on her shoulders (even thou she can lift the weight) and prevent her from going after her dream.

"I'll become a pro hero, earn money so I can make life comfortable for Mom and Dad" the determination in her eyes was shining.

CLAP! CLAP! CLAP!

"BRAVO! URARAKA-KUN! BRAVO!" Iida might be up for the cheerleader position.

Midoriya had his opinion on her now…but, poor girl didn't expect the amnesiac next words.

"I feel disgusted"

The coldness in his words was evident, she glanced at him confusingly.

QUICK! CORRECT YOURSELF!

"Uraraka-san…your goal and determination to make life easier for your parents is commendable, don't take it wrongly from my side" he started slowly, the clearing of misunderstanding is genuine. That drew Iida and Midoriya's full attention.

"eh? What do you mean, Mariachi-kun?" he could have laughed at the misspelling of his fake name if it wasn't for the lump in his throat.

Is this really a good idea? To express your inner thoughts plainly?

"I'm a…foreigner, to this country's culture" he started slowly, not sure if he mentioned being a foreigner or not to them. But it'll do to cover any loose ends.

"don't take me wrong, Izuku, Iida-kun, Uraraka-kun, I know how important a pro hero's job is to the society and how noble some of them are" given how much he knows about the individuals in this society, he didn't put any efforts into hiding the venom in his words.

That got Izuku on edge more than he did when he was trying to calm his bro down mere minutes ago.

"it is noble to fight to keep order and people safe…and there's no wrong in aspiring to be like someone you respect so much" he first glanced into Midoriya's eyes then Iida's before setting on Uraraka's.

"and like I mentioned your goal is noble and I find no problem in that nor the pro heroes job" the way he toned up his confirmation and sincerity in this sentence did little to ease their tension.

"if you are then…" Uraraka started, she was glad none of her friends harbor any ill against her goals or intentions but the way he say it seems like…it's a general disgusted feeling he held for long…

"what is it that you feel disgusted by?" Iida followed, he was the school representative and a friend, hearing the complexities of his friend and classmate falls on the categories of his 'duties'…

"I feel disgusted…by how low the word 'Hero' has been tarnished in this society" that sentence was low so no passerby could hear it…not inaudible for the nearby.

Izuku perked up at that…turned it out a little in his head and finally understood the full implication.

"you…have a different perspective when it comes to the word 'Hero'…than the image the society we live in present…?" slow calculated words escaped the broccoli head's mouth.

"yes, for me a hero is someone who brings light of hope…you now know how truly different my own view is from the society…what I want to do is more than just become a beacon of hope…I want to ensure justice is served not only in the land but for the words that holds nobility don't twist their meanings over the unworthy" Uraraka head hung down.

I could smack you if I wasn't intangible! Sto—

"you are a hero to your parents and those who you can help, Uraraka-san, I don't want to demean you or hold you in a different light, you were courageous enough to exclaim your goals and dream, I wanted not to be left out" upon his sheepish smile and a quick smack from Iida over the head she smiled back, now understanding he has just a different perspective.

In simple words 'I don't think anyone who has the job 'pro hero' is a real hero in my eyes until I see for myself'

" how are you going to ensure that kind of justice ?" Midoriya can span 10 ideas in a minute but he asked for the sake of the community that is listening.

"simple! I will influence the society with my words to change the term Pro hero into 'Community Servant' "

THUD! United faceplant of the decade showed him how brilliant the name sounded.

Anyway, it was a simple weirdness, nothing uncommon among friends, a good sign of opening up, that's what a stealthy Midnight observed, she won't barge in nor invoke anything of the matter in his presence, what she gained isn't uncommon among the hooligans that roam the back alleys and streets.

Just a simple view, nothing outrageous, logical even and noble in some way…she agreed with him that not all people are on the same page nor have the same motives, some less so. And while Uraraka isn't on the page of the 'in it for greed', his point stand and it opens a light upon the source of many issues.

Hero, the word is as inspiring for the majority as it might mislead the minority, perfection doesn't exist among humans, and the bad apples that can't comprehend that will try to help the society or exploit such weaknesses to their own agendas. His proposition of Community Servant is both childish and wise…such title will keep the weaknesses unclear, but they'll remain. At least those with simple thinking won't have much motives to try something bold…but those who do will have no cover for their intentions…and no conviction to back up the motives behind such intentions…

She smiled at the little title…

He may not show it…but behind that childish behavior, lies wisdom of great ages.

Her internal thoughts were interrupted by

"MIDORIYA-SHOUNEN AND MARUCHI-SHOUNEN ARE…! HERE!" All Might pointing his finger at Midoriya then at her son.

They got invited by the number one hero for lunch, Midnight knows it's more than that given how the power Midoriya holds is similar to All Might's…but why invite her son?

She trusts the number one hero, yet her mother instincts told her he is her responsibility.

Shaking her head she dismissed those thoughts quickly before going to have lunch.

All Might has more experience, if he saw anything unusual again, he'll report to her, plus as her colleague Hound Dog advised, it's better to let the kid interact with more people…yesterday events showed that his aichmophobia isn't as simple as the normal version…it's a deep scar…a scar that can't be healed easily if he can't even open up to more people than just her.

…

..

.

"what he wants from them, I wonder?" Uraraka mumbled to Iida, she was a little taken back by Mariachi's claims but the misunderstanding put him in a new light, he doesn't hate people, he hates tarnishing what he deems a noble title…better use another title and everyone is happy.

But man! Is he dramatic about it? With all that talent he could be a movie actor and the influence might be greater…but she won't tell him, else the awkwardness might reach new levels.

They weren't present during the 'showdown' with the villains before, each having his own problem to deal with.

Iida explained that he heard Midoriya and Maruchi have helped All Might during the incident…and what Maruchi used to help All Might is the same thing that have made Bakugo very upset.

The conversation diverged towards Midoriya's side as they recalled Tsuyu's words, they have similar Quirks so that might have interested the number one hero…but why invite Maruchi-shounen?

Meanwhile…

"I'm sorry I dragged you away from there, Maruchi-shounen" addressing him directly before speaking in a general tone means he wants to begin the important talk with him first.

"it's nothing special, did you wanted to talk over something important or did you really just wanted company in lunch time?"

Facepalm!

"as much as I like your company Maruchi-shounen, I'll be honest I just wanted to clarify something so you wouldn't be upset in the long run" that made the purple head perk up, Midoriya was silent the whole time as he listened.

"go on"

"you know my relationship with Midoriya-shounen, he needs my guidance more than you do…are you with me?" All Might wanted a confirmation to continue

"yes" good thing the amnesiac has a translator.

"it will be awkward if I called for him solely often than you…not that you can't come for me for advise but what I'm saying is" the number one hero tried to not sound antagonistic here, the purple hair showed he isn't always a dummy.

"I understand what you mean, Izuku here needs your guidance more than ever, especially since villains aren't shying away from trying to hurt anyone…and you're getting weak" it wasn't an insult, it was a fact and a proof he is on the same line of thinking.

"you should devote your time to him not me! I can manage since I have my own mentor…" after that sentence he was as he slipped something he shouldn't.

"ahem, what I mean is I can manage with the help of my mentors, Izuku here is a special case only a specialist like you can refine before things go south…me getting in the way isn't ideal for that and I shall take no offense nor feel excluded if you called for him solely over me" the smile he gave the number one hero couldn't be more sincere.

The summary, you don't have to feel awful about excluding me from any future meetings between you two, you need to focus on Midoriya not me and I won't be in the way in any form.

"so can I take my leave now before lunch time is over?" Midoriya the whole time wanted to speak up, but he refrained from doing so.

"there's no need for further words, shounen, eat well and thanks for your understanding" All Might couldn't be happier, dealing with his teacher position is complex enough, but having those who understand his motives that he can explain comfortably are seldom.

And with a final wave, Maruchi sprinted for the cafeteria.

… .
yeeesh, I always forget how huge this place is…

After he got his lunch from LunchRush he was totally lost in it, looking for Uraraka and Iida…

He didn't interact much with his other classmates but Sensei said it's normal for friendships to start in small groups, he's no celebrity or VIP.

But where did they go?

Before the situation could get more awkward a certain fur-coated bigfoot with glasses was waving at him with a happy grin.

"Midoriya-kun over here!" Shishida shouted loudly, the amnesiac took no time to juggle over his table.

"it's been a while Midoriya-kun" that grin couldn't be wider, after all they didn't talk much once the school started (except that time when he forgot himself in class B)

He was with two others, and he recognized them both.

"Tetsutetsu-kun and Kendo-kun!" the iron body with weird eyelashes and the kind orange haired girl.

Sitting with them felt natural, he was sitting besides Tetsutetsu facing the other two.

Small chats here and there about school, about what transpired in the first day…turned out Vlad wasn't as merciless in the first day as Aizawa.

"Aizawa-sensei did what!?" Kendo almost didn't believe if she didn't hear it from others.

"you have my sympathy, but I'm sure it wasn't a problem for you" Shishida admitted having witnessed what the innocent looking purple head is capable of.

"he forced me to do it twice" all three winced and the conversations continued on.

Shishida was a gentleman just like Iida with some differences of course, Tetsutetsu was a copy and past of Kirishima (he wouldn't say it loudly)

And Kendo was as composed and intelligent as she was kind and calm, which reminded him of the girl with the hard-to-spell name.

Yoyo…

Yaoyorozu Momo.

"why did the teachers lump you with those class 1-A! we could've been great buddies in class 1-B!"

Are those tears?

Manly tears.

Tetsutetsu wasn't happy about that considering he seems to harbor some annoyance towards class 1-A?

When he asked was there any specific reason, they all turned into him weirdly.

"didn't class 1-A face real villains in the U.S.J?" Kendo was the first to speak followed by Shishida.

"to put it shortly the incident was all over the news, I'm sure you're aware, are you not?"

"eh…well…"

If they didn't harbor some sympathy for him…now they do.

"TWO DAYS?!" Tetsutetsu might felt bitter after class 1-A got all the attention and praise for surviving the U.S.J event…but he does feel bad for the only one who was bedridden after the incident. (Maruchi didn't go home yet, he slept in U.A. hospital)

Explaining what he could remember felt like he was telling a story over camp fire…with the nearby students listening in like nocturnal animals.

Of course he didn't detail much, especially not the parts that includes his own transformations.

So most part was explaining the situation and villains moves.

And also what he felt, getting your skull almost bashed into a mush was an adrenaline rush he didn't wanna feel a second time.

When he finished, lunchtime was almost over…

"that must have been quiet the horrible experience" Kendo felt bad for him.

"yeah, hehehe, I thought I was gonna die, there was also those scarry villains with exposed brains" (Nomus that he almost teared them to shreds if they didn't have regeneration)

"I was thinking class 1-A is a bunch of cocky students after what they pulled off" Tetsutetsu started, eyes closed picking his words before he opened them and gave him a thumbs up.

"but I now know not everyone there is! You showed those thugs who's da boss"

He could feel the sweatdrop on his neck.

"I'm all fired up now! Let's do our best in the festival so we can't fall behind!" Shishida declared before turning to him.

"if we ever end up against each other, no hard feelings okay? We're friends but also rivals" Shishida smiled gently and he received a determined nod from the amnesiac.

"same goes here! I like you already but I won't hold back if you're my rival, I'm sure Kendo feel the same" Tetsutetsu spoke for them both.

And with this the lunch was over…Maruchi could feel eyes on him after what he blurted but he didn't give it much thoughts.

…

..

.

During the same time, Midoriya was with All Might discussing the problems at hand…

The healing he received from the unexpected villain has lowered the damage…he can use his powers for 1 hour…but he feels the flickering flame inside…it's only a matter of time before it's gone.

Muscles form can be maintained for no longer than 1 hour and half…

It was only natural for All Might to try and rush Midoriya into controlling O.F.A…the broccoli recalled he used his power on the Nomu…the first time he used it against a person…

His hand didn't break so All Might concluded it might be due to subconscious self-restrain…that brief moment made him also remember how Maruchi went all out against those Nomu…

The opposite of Midoriya who subconsciously restrained his power…Maruchi subconsciously went all out…this means…

No…I should focus on Midoriya shounen…this is no time to deal with two issues at once and the villains aren't going to be sitting around waiting…

…this means…Midoriya subconsciousness says 'don't hurt people'…on the other hand Maruchi's says the opposite…

Anyway, All Might focused on the reset of his little meeting on encouraging Midoriya to try and do his best, the sports festival is more than just a simple event…but a great opportunity for many things…

"The next All Might…the next Symbol of peace…Midoriya Izuku! I want to say to the world…" All Might paused for dramatic effect.

"I'M HERE!"

With some little muttering later on Midoriya side…some clarification and motivating here and there from All Might, Midoriya was ready enough to go…

-Later after school time was over-

Finally, I can go back…there's so many things I want to write down in my notebook…huh?

A large group of students were blocking the exist…

what brought this up?

If I have to take a guess…then they're here after the news of U.S.J…not everyone can pull off surviving a villain attack, they want to know what they're up against.

Iida wasn't the only one to complain about blocking the entrance, the dwarf was also not happy.

"Observing the enemy, you Scumbag" as I said before, Bakugo I might like you.

Bakugo walked forward without a care in the world, explaining what Sensei explained.

Of course with extra spice.

"there's no point in doing that, clear the way Extras!" yeah that's a normal Bakugo there.

Iida chopped the air as he berated him for calling others Extras.

"the famous class 1-A" a tired stoic voice cut through the crowd.

"I came to look how it's students looks, but it's seems they're cocky, are all the hero course students like this?" while the trio of Iida, Midoriya and Uraraka waved their hands in denial. Bakugo was two seconds from starting a fireworks show.

"it's very disappointing to see this…in the general course and the rest, some enrolled in it because they couldn't get into the hero course, did you know?"

Impressive! Bakugo wasn't starting a war this time…

"the school gave us a chance, based on the results on the sports festival…they will take into account transferring us into the hero course…and in return they will transfer some in it outside…" wait a minute…? *Looking into a certain dwarf…realizations…EVIL LAUGHING*

"observing the enemy? For me I came to tell you, even if you are in the hero course, if you got it over your heads I'll make sure you slip away from it" please do! There's a spot you can take instead of a certain other purple hair…no not my OC.

"this is an announcement of war"

This guy is also a bold one! The Deku squad shared a single brain cell.

"Oi! Tokage!" the one who remained silent perked up at the mention of his nickname-insult.

"looks like your long lost brother here doesn't know when to shut up" that grin was as seething as it was cold.

And of course, the dummy got up to clear the misunderstanding...not to get a better look at the one who shares the same hair color as him.

"I'm so-sorry for my classmate behavior sir!" he straightened up like a soldier, earning weird glances and an annoyed look from Bakugo.

He does look a little like me…coul-

No

But?

No

"ATTENTION!" if he wasn't already mimicking a soldier he could've reported for duty.

"I'M FROM CLASS 1-B, I HEARD YOU FOUGHT VILLAINS AND CAME TO HEAR ALL PARTS OF THE STORY! YOU BETTER NOT GET COCKY!"

There comes another bold one.

"Oh! Tetsutetsu-kun!" upon the mention of his name, he gazed to see the second purple head beyond the first.

"Oh! HI MARUCHI-KUN!" he continued with the same volume and no venom. Then back to Bakugo.

"IF YOU SLACK OFF THE REAL FIGHT WILL BE AN EMBARASSEMENT TO MOST OF YOU!" Bakugo had enough, being trapped between annoyances isn't in his schedule.

"DON'T IGNORE ME, TEME!"

"Wait! Bakugo! What will we do now? The rest of the students hate us now because of you" Kirishima demanded less heat towards them.

"it's not important" his words stopped him short.

"as long as you're aiming for the top nothing important"

Translation: if you're aiming for the top, you should brash everything off like nothing.

Ohhhhhh!

The reaction of the class 1-A was a mix between agreement and disagreement, seldom didn't care, and one broccoli started having flashbacks, of his childhood friend re-hardened resolve, what the others said.

'I want to make money so I can help my mom and dad!' of Uraraka's

'my admiration for my brother is my drive to be a hero!' and Iida's

'time is limited, if you want to be pro heroes the path starts from here…' of Aizawa's

'the small difference between these behaviors will have great influence once you head out to the society!...'

He imagined the sight of him months ago…

'…I hope you won't forget your feeling in the park beach!' of when he did great effort…and earned his power…

Looking at the sight of the rising sun after a long night of enduring…

'I want to be a light of hope…a beacon that shines in the darkest hours!'

All these drives, all these motivations…just pushed him further to start training.

It's good to have the motivation and the drive, the energy too to fuel that drive…

However, all that isn't going to get you anywhere without the proper guiding…

Lest Midoriya could had a great change…

sometimes relying on your own mind isn't enough…

That's why there's teachers and schools…

some have them in their heads…

a monument of the real deals…

-two weeks remains-

All of his classmates were training in the school yards or in special rooms, each suitably to a certain degree to their needs…

Midoriya put the extra effort in home too…

But for our purple head…it was a different case, not because he's a VIP, no…

Midoriya's resolve wasn't the only one that got rekindled…

Midnight listened to All Might's rectification of the story…of how he teared through those villains without a single twitch of remorse…

All Might told her his subconsciousness is…violent, he didn't receive a seething glare this time, Hound Dog suggested that the best cure to phobias…

Is to face them, not avoid them.

He wanted to help the kid, he really did…but not until he recovers from that shock he felt that day…

In conclusion, the decision to be made was that it's in everyone's best interest to let him train in peace…to try and face those fears far away from interactions…where he can go all out without fearing being seen as a monster…

The therapy season can resume once the festival is over.

In short.

I have to train him to tame whatever he did back then in U.S.J…if he can control that then he can control his fears.

Was what Midnight told herself.

Decision made.

"is this for real? If so how did you pull this off?" the kid question was mild as he glanced around the rocky terrain. Some trees here and there, but mostly the land is covered in moss and nothing else…not even small animals in sight.

"it is real…this is your training grounds as for how and why it's my business" upon the look he gave her, she sighed of course she has to explain how she did manage to rent an island.

It's small yes, far from land yes…about 20 miles to be precise and in an archipelago that is very unhabitable, only small animals live here. However, it's triple the size than a football stadium, perfect for their needs.

But making it official isn't easy…the place was set for their arrival, lest they wouldn't find a small modern looking hut in case of rainy weather, knowing U.A. she wasn't impressed by the mini-house they managed to set in the middle of nowhere. It had everything they need, even extra food that can last them a month.

"it's not a big deal, I rented the boats, Hut was constructed here by the principal's help and a little influence from my side, nothing outstanding when our School can request many things like those huge robots" a simple explanation and a reminder of U.A. stunts should shut him up so they can begin what they're here for.

That's a good point…she's saying most of this is thanks to the school funds and her request…

"which means the island is ours to train on and not bother or be bothered by anyone?"

"yes, a secret too so that non-wanted troublemakers interrupt"

"sweet…I always wanted to try those forms I didn't use before"

FWAT! Her whip sonic boom alerted him to attention, she's not playing the bear mama here but a training general.

"yipe!"

"you have two weeks to train not play, am I understood?"

"YES MA'AM!" he saluted

"good, firstly let's get accustomed to the place, we won't leave this island unless necessary, there's a daily routine of communication with the school so to update them on our progress and to ensure nothing has gone south…I'll handle all complexities, I want you to focus solely on training and improving the control over your…unexpected power ups"

She marched towards the hut without a second beat, he on the other hand paused.

Unexpected…power ups?

I'll explain, after all we didn't discuss what happened after you went to dreamlands.

…

..

.

Good thing the school arranged the island quickly, lest he wouldn't have this day off to get used to the atmosphere and the changes.

He didn't bring many things with him, only the necessities, that includes his precious notebook that contains amateur doodles and a good chunk of knowledge surrounding the unique forms he uses.

She on the other hand…brought a huge number of CDs…soda drinks, snacks and a…sunscreen creams?

does she think this is a vacation? He almost pouted at the difference between their purposes.

"I'll monitor your progress, but you can't expect me to do nothing when this rock has some pristine white beaches~" there goes her playful attitude.

Yeah, better not disturb a woman during her vacation.

"ok, have a good stay?"

He went to his room, the hut had two, a small kitchen and a bathroom. Plus a small living room.

While she was preparing something for lunch, he opened his notebook after parking his small baggage.

Pretending to loom over the info in search for new stuff to write, he asked his Sensei.

Care to recite what happened after I was out cold?

You won't like it…

…

..

.

I…see…

The coldness that crippled at his stomached wasn't soothed by the warm lunch…

"Something wrong?" she questioned, already used to notice the differences in his visage.

"yes, in fact…" he recited what the subconsciousness told him, aside from the inner voice mystery that is yet to be solved, he focused on the main issue…unnecessary violence towards those muscled villains and normal villains alike.

Unlike Todoroki who wanted to free All Might, he was more…going for the prize.

Said prize is their heads between his jaws.

"I…tried to…tried to…" he couldn't continue the sentence…nor he had any appetite for food.

"saying it was in self-defence would be a lie…same for saying it was not" she put down the fork…and looked him in the eyes, no hints of sympathy there, only confidence in her words.

She isn't going to sugar coat things this time.

"you tried to defend yourself…they tried to kill you…holding back isn't an option all time…"

Using necessary force to prevent others harm isn't wrong…especially if they're trying to kill you…if you can't subdue them, if you tried everything and they're still after you…if there's no other options…then no one can blame you for defending yourself…

"however" she continue, already knowing he's as witted as he is dumb sometimes.

"you had intent reeking of bloodlust…not of trying to defend yourself, this is confirmed by the experienced eyes that saw your rampage" another brick to his face.

A face that is hanging down in shame. For what he inspires to be, this is the complete opposite…a nightmare instead of a dream.

"what Hound Dog concluded is…you have something in you…deep in it's mystery…more complex than a phobia…" she wasn't going to lie this time…even if her mother heart was begging to have some mercy.

She had first hand experience of what can happen when his fears drive him into a corner…

"something that once feels a threat to you…comes out to tear whatever is deemed a threat"

The words struck him like a bolt of lighting…a realization over his face…the blood didn't drain much to say it's an immediate threat…but it's enough to say it's more old than recent news.

Kuro…

Besides Sensei, it was the only other abnormality that had spoke to him…and unlike Sensei it was…different.

That was obvious from the start…that thing tried to do his own schemes…Sensei on his part was silent.

"can I…think for a moment…just…enough to process some things?" she replied without much delay.

"I'll give you until I finish eating" she slowly took small bites from her plate…trying to give him as much as she could, but also a reminder that time isn't on their side.

If it's Kuro…that would explain a HUGE amount of things…but wasn't it a mere hallucination?

It could be something like me, I'm not a hallucination after all, however, you do have a point…why did that thing just…disappear from your head without a trace…it was the moment your power manifested that he was gone…

Still…I don't know…the voice I kept hearing during those nightmares minus the latest one is definitely his!

Sensei was quicker to run things through his mind plus he already though of such enigmatic entity from time to time, but did not bring it up to his host. Now he can share what he thinks.

He did manage to do it three times already…aside from the nightmares, he only made an influence on your behavior when…when…oh…

Oh…? What oh!?

Midnight was done with her food…and she waited patiently despite that.

That thing…might have fused with your power somehow…and while his self-proclamation of 'incarnation of negative emotions' doesn't cut it…I think he's more of a self-preservation subconsciousness…

In summary, it doesn't show itself until the host is in grave danger or feels a real threat is nearby.

But…is it really a self-preservation subconsciousness that attacks anything deemed a threat? or is it something else entirely?

Even he doesn't know what he is…

Listening to their annoying rants had it's advantages…and he learned a lot. Sure he took control over the body of the host…but that had nothing to do with self-preservation, he was more in it for blood. And they know of his existence? Before he woke up chained, he can't remember much of what happened before…is this the effect of his Polymorph? And if so, what happened before this? So many questions yet to have an answer…

These things hold knowledge I have yet to access…if I revealed myself too early, I will be nothing but a clueless pawn…I need to gain an edge…

In the darkness he's a prisoner…the chains that holds him down means one thing that even a Conga can understand…

Tell her about Kuro, they already gone far to help you…don't mention me, lest they suspect your power isn't a Quirk despite the absurdity in this world's logic.

The subject of the current conversation remained silent, if they want info on him, then he won't make it look like a friendly-friend…he has to play along and show himself when they think he will…

Until I know better…I'm just a 'self-preservation' subconsciousness.

"there…is something I didn't mention before…"

Maruchi went on to explain what happened during his first days with the Midoriyas…during the bullying chapter before and until his Quirk manifested, Tsukauchi already informed her onto his backstory…but the mention of this 'Kuro' as he calls it wasn't in the investigator's report.

When questioned why, he replied that Tsukauchi dismissed his claims seeing it's just 'strong hallucinations' of his ex-torturer…and since the thing didn't bother him after the manifestation of Polymorph he didn't gave it much thoughts.

"I see…a bit of a mistake in Tsukauchi's side…" she mumbled, his body language says he is still hiding something…but since he is opening up more to discuss his most troubling issues, she didn't push further.

"we can say that Bakugo might have been deemed a threat by this Kuro…" she started…

"since we have an understanding of this problem…and a way to bring it out" she glanced to the side…to the far side of her room where a…katana was sitting besides her bed.

The nervousness was evident in his body.

"you have to fight and tame it…" she didn't assure him this time…but put a hand on the other's back as if asserting an order.

"next time whatever might be in your way won't be lucky enough to have Regeneration"

"…"

She is right…

He steeled his resolve, eyes determined.

"I will try my best…I'll defeat Kuro and control it!"

Snort, how insolent! But since you want to dance, I'll dance with you

They can't hear him unless he talked willingly. Nor he'll reveal himself in such way.

All seriousness faded away as she brought up some CDs and spoke in a tone that was sweet unlike the bitter one she used two minutes ago.

"now who's up for some movies~" she didn't want any unwanted surprises, so they just settled for already seen recaps.

…

..

.

"Snoring" he was sleeping peacefully unaware of how much torment is waiting in these two weeks.

"DA-DA-DA-DA-DAA! DA-DA-DA-DA-DAA! DA-DA-DA-DA-DAA! DA-DA-DA-DA-DAA!" he bolted awake at the call of duty, eyes wide but still sleepy looking for the sound source…and settling on a phone screen…

"morning sleepy prince" she grinned down at him.

"was that necessary? Surely you can't risk being targeted as a threat" he half-joked, half was serious.

"if it wasn't obvious merely seeing a threating menace isn't enough…such menace must prove it's capable of harming you…lest you would've showed those brain-muscles what a special Tigrex can do from the start"

What I like about her is her intelligence, it's terrifying as it is awe aspiring.

Yeah…and that's why I respect her…

"Time is a luxury we don't have much of…breakfast is ready, eat and then we can proceed with our plan" she pointed to the katana.

"understood" he didn't need any further orders…

Wind was cold as expected of a barely protected rocky island, despite the warm jacket he wore it wasn't enough to ward all the shivering…

And even hot chocolate can't stop the shivering from the sight he's seeing now…

Katana drawn. In hand swaying by her side…

"ready?"

"not really…gulp…you sure you'll be alright?" the worry was directed at her…answered only by her smile.

"look to the bright side! If things went south, you'll be getting compensation for the early wake up!" he didn't laugh nor she waited for that.

He knows she is a pro hero…while the usage of such title is still a questionable matter in his opinion…he knows it must be earned for a reason.

BA-BUMP!

No matter how long she gazes at it…no matter how she recalls the other transformations…she can't get off the uneasy feeling she feels when looking at that eerie eye.

"so…you're Kuro, are you not?" she said with venom that can impress even an inland taipan…and an ice cold nerves that makes polar bears shiver…

Mother instincts and attitude…a wonder indeed.

indeed I'm…

she might not heard him, but her son did…his eyes widened and he couldn't hold back a question.

I wasn't dreaming!?

No you ja…no you wasn't dreaming, care to tell her I'm online?

"he is…available" he was sweating clearly not feeling comfy.

Well well well, the culprit finally decided to rear his head.

Having a…different kind of treatments doesn't mean I'm responsible for unwilling damage

"ah…can…I have some time with this…subconsciousness?"

"it can talk to you? Very well then, I shall stand aside in case of…emergencies" she went ahead…resting nearby, eyes gazing on him like a hawk ready to dive at any moment.

Alright alright alright alright alright allrightt!...you do exist…huh?

Kuro bit down an insult just to reply.

It is what it looks…is it not the case here?

Answer, why did you try taking control of his body before?Midnight wasn't the only one impressing dangerous animals here, Sensei is going for a box jellyfish.

I believe I cannot understand what you're implying… Kuro remarked that Sensei can hear him, or more accurately saying he hears what the amnesiac read in his mind (weird I know, imagine being used like a phone between two inner voices in your head)

He means when Bakugo did that very awful 'suggestion' to Izuku… said amnesiac was playing neutral.

I don't remember anything…however if it was something, it was nothing short of dealing with what you deem a danger.

At that time it was no danger…it was more of dealing with an annoyance that you can't bear with it.

Without evidence besides your words I cannot claim guilt. Kuro sounded that he was two seconds from snapping at Sensei, Maruchi hurried to easy the tension in his head.

If that's the case then what is the latest thing you remember?

Hmmm…I believe there was fire everywhere in the place…air suffocating and burning hot flames were clawing at the skin…I think that's when I wanted to…refresh the air.

Kuro picked his words slowly, referring to the previous fire incident.

the Kushala's Nadir… he recited.

Indeed, It was me who saved your sorry—ahem…I mean it was me who deemed the danger too high for you to deal with…I awakens to ensure your safety.

While Maruchi was slightly ready to buy his words, Sensei was skeptical.

riight? And you also ensure to do your job to the bone…literally!

Sensei!

He is not wrong na-…what's your name again?

Maruchi Kayama.

I'm another 'subconsciousness' inside your head, Maruchi the way he bit on his name showed how much his ire is rising by the moment.

Okay, then share some of your wisdom Master Shifu

I may not know much about this 'Shifu' but I advise you to not test my temper, old geezer!

Heh, so I'm right, your attitude is as suspicious as your intentions!

"are you done yet, sweetie?" Midnight was waiting patiently.

"almost…the argument is still heated"

How about I cool down the atmosphere with Kushala's winds for you HAH!?

Better use some oil! Lest the rust prevent any wind from escaping the right way!

Yeesh…you two just met and you're already enemies?

To put it bluntly I do not trust this thing

The feeling is mutual old fart

Okay! ENOUGH!

They can argue more, but the host is the commander here, so back to the topic at hand since the introductions are done.

Should we forget what you forgot…do I take from your words that you're a part of me that go nuts to ensure any threats to me are dealt with?

Kuro wasn't going to let this opportunity slip away, despite the old geezer's suspicions he needs an edge over them. And what's better than feeding others misinformation that seems too close to truth to be false?

You can say I'm some sort of 'unconscious self-aware self-defence' mechanism that activates when a threat is recognized

That might exp—

That doesn't explain anything about the sword-phobia! Nor the unnecessary violence you showed during the U.S.J event!

Kuro held some heat for them both, now he really hates this 'Sensei'…biting down another insult, he tried to explain himself.

I'm sure my 'history' is shrouded in mystery…maybe I'm a part of you that is holding away…special memories…

In his play with words that was intended for covering up the bloodlust he displayed while partially taking over his body during the U.S.J, he readied himself for another spiteful retort from the geezer, but…

Ri-right…I guess some violence is needed to counter greater violence…and you might have saw how the other villain regained his frozen limbs.

For the other party to find an explanation for him…what is the geezer playing at?

Umm…are we clear here that you won't try to…severely harm anyone in the long-term?

Kuro had to suppress another snort, he may not remember much…but the way he felt tearing those things limbs off and seeing the blood and fear in their eyes, nah the last thing he'll try is not trying again if the chance present itself, that's for sure…but not now at least.

It depends on the situation…

Okay…better than a direct no…

So…what did you do before, start from the first time then go up.

The venom was back in the geezer's voice.

Kushala's Nadir came to my mind as the best solution at that moment…care to give a try?

During the time some 'info' came into Kuro…just like the way Sensei does when they unlock a new form…but unlike Sensei, this info is at minimum.

Still enough to trade for trustworthiness.

"sure…?" the kid sounded a mix between excitement and nervousness.

"what is it?" Midnight was ready to act at a moment notice, he explained the situation and she gave him the green light.

Say Kushala's Nadir in an ancient or noble language the—

Wait wait wait…an ancient or noble? Not specifically Arabic? And what's a noble language anyway?

Whatever works for you. I'll appreciate it if you don't cut me middle spee-

Looks like almost anything ticks Kuro off.

"KUSHALA'S NADIR!"

…

..

.

?

?

…is this dysfunctional brain of yours uncapable of following simple orders? or do I have to bear with your incompetency to do such simple tusks?

His cheeks burned pink in embarrassment. Midnight noticed but didn't comment…

Sigh, thrust your palm forward NO NOT REALLY THRUST! Look, just hold your open palm up…yes like that NO NOT THIS HIGH!

Easy he's still learning

How do you deal with this stupidity on a daily basis?

For once Kuro was genuine.

I got used to it

If he wasn't embarrassed before…now his face is a tomato.

Moving on, once you try saying the Kushala's Nadir you must imagine the wind in your hand, force that wind to follow your orders!

That's it?…I simply need to imagine?

No, no…you need to draw a 3D graphic video in your head with the resolution of 16K!

Are you sure you didn't escape Bakugo's mind and come into this one?

"okay!okay!okay!okay!okay!okay!"

He did what was instructed of him, palm forward, magic words spoken and he squeezed his head to imagine the control?

I feel it's…resisting me?

What?

Resisting you? That wasn't the case for me…

Kuro didn't lie here…nor he can try for himself…he can't take over the amnesiac while he's conscious…he needs him unconscious and threatened to do that…or at least very threatened for temporarily control…or in some other special states…

If it wasn't the case for you…then let's move to the next part…what was tha—

No…it's not the wind that is resisting me…

Then what? Surely you don't feel any…chains, do you?

Sensei eyed the words for any signs of hidden motives, the way Kuro phrased the last question didn't go under his Radar.

What do you mean, kid?

It's Kushala…it's resisting my control…

How can you tell it's Kushala not the wind itself?

I just…know…like…a natural thing…

Assert your dominance! Keep trying until you force control!

He did for many tries…and failed in each one.

What else we can do? This isn't working at all!

Tsk…you lack something that's for sure

Kuro wanted to say something else but held off until Sensei demanded extra info.

Since you're the expert here what could that be?

A force behind your exertion of control.

a…what?

A drive or motive to assert such dominance

"okay…hmmm…Kuro, what type of force backed your control?"

Rage. He answered as if it was the most natural answer.

What…?

Rage at the petty candle fire that can only dream of…hurting you? Kuro change of tone from pissed to restrained indicated that his words weren't in synchronous harmony…

How noble.Sensei didn't buy his words and Kuro held back a snarl.

Maruchi on the other hand, closed his eyes in concentration, trying to recall events that made him angry…

All he needed is remember Bakugo's battle with his brother in the battle trials.

For Kuro, the chains holding him prisoner singed a low rhythm of agony.

Helding the palm again…he said those words not with excitement as before…but with anger as if directed at the imaginary sight…the result.

"Kushala's Nadir!"

FWOOOOOOOOOOOOOT!

Strong wind danced for some moments around him and Midnight couldn't help but stare.

It lasted for few seconds before the wind died down.

He looked at his hand and managed to see the last ounces of a greyish white light fading away…

Congratulations

Hmph! At least you didn't waste my time.

"I did it…"

He did it

?

"I did it"

"you did it!"

He did it!

"I USED DAORA'S POWER!" he thrusted his palm into the sky in triumph.

Thanks Kuro! You were a real help!

Despite the annoyed attitude, Kuro couldn't help but smirk, his patience has bore fruit…now he needs to keep going like this until the time is right.

Sure~ but I think there's no troubles for now, I wanna get back to sleep…if it's possible could you tell that female…human…to throw away that thing where I can't see it?

Midnight did so…returning the katana to the hut and hiding it…

From her conclusions the subconsciousness known as Kuro stay awake as long as the threats are present…if no threat is present then there's no need for him.

In reality there are two states…one is the normal state where he can only listen to the host's thoughts and what he hears…he can hear Sensei too.

In the state where he's awake…he can see what the host see and interact more freely with him…

There's few times when he's forced to sleep, so not all time he's listening in…

The rest of the day he was practicing with Kushala's Nadir…it was still hard to do what Kuro did in that incident.

How much rage was behind his move? Enough to cause a mini tornado

Sensei was still not letting his guard down, there's something about Kuro that isn't right…the attitude and motives are highly suspicious despite the supposed claims…but there's something else he can't point his finger at…until he can do and with solid evidence, he won't trust him.

Hours later, it was around 11 at morning, Maruchi got tired from over-trying the wind control.

Midnight wasn't ungrateful for the cold breeze he was swaying around, the word breeze shows how much control he has over the wind.

Like Sensei, she too held her skepticism, if it weren't for the results she's seeing now…she would think the 'Kuro' is a parasitic Quirk user. (the sludge villain was the closest to a parasite, they is no telling if they aren't more)

In short, her mind is saying:

I still can't say for certain what this Kuro really is, the claims to be what he told us is as close to the truth as it is far from it…but beggars can't be choosers so we'll take his words with a grain of salt.

"this is not getting me anywhere…" the mumbling of her son drew her out from the shell of her overthinking. But not without a last thought.

According to him, the Kuro has appeared 4 times so far…before manifestation of Polymorph…the fire incident where he used Kushala's Nadir…the U.S.J event where he used another trick…and the last time where he gave Hound Dog the scare of his life.

"since Kuro thought you how to use some of Kushala's power…wouldn't he be willing to teach you what he did during the U.S.J event?" she asked for confirmation.

Getting access to such power-up should be very useful…who knows what the other beasts can change into.

Sensei smirked as his host begged for another audience with the bad attitude counterpart.

Kuro really wanted to say something and he was two seconds away from blowing his cover up…much to his own protests, he didn't say anything and remained silent…good thing these chains are helping in that.

…

..

.

May I know who I should tear apart? He bit down another snarky comment waiting for his host to clarify what he wants…gotta stay calm.

I was wondering if you can show us how you changed me into the red Tigrex.

Kuro wasn't happy about this, he drove himself into a corner, the amnesiac got the info he needed to use Kushala's power to some extent and what he got in return? Almost nothing!

No…no...the trust, no matter how small is as worthy as any valuable info he has…maybe he can even use this request to his advantage later…

As long as you don't call me often. He didn't put much effort into hiding the heat in his words.

Moving on, what did you do?

Like you mister Wise fart, I believe…since I'm a subconsciousness I had access to valuable info when SOME times I got called.

Sensei ignored the jab as he got straight into business.

You want to say not every time you're…summoned you unlock new information.It was a confirmation, Kuro didn't elaborate further as it was obvious on his part, however…

Bravo~ bravo~ you're not senile yet, are you?

Tsk, so what kind of info you have so far…excluding the Kushala's part.

Maruchi waited patiently for Kuro's response.

You mentioned you don't recall what happened after the manifestation of Polymorph so that only leaves us with the U.S.J event…and given your words I take it you got nothing from the psychiatrist therapy?

you didn't get Alzheimer yet! What a relief~ Sensei was almost about to counter that with a more heated insult, however Kuro's next words gave him a pause.

It's not ME who gives the info…this Polymorph of yours does it…and not on any occasion.

His words didn't hold any lies.

What do you mean by that?

Do I have to explain everything to you? Are you dumb enough that the resisting of Kushala didn't sound at least suspicious?

Well…Sensei does the thinking most of the time…

No need for snarky remarks, he's saying Polymorph is the one giving extra info when the need is urgent…like this power has a mind of it's own…or it reacts to threats…much like ourfriendhere.

Are you implying something gramps!?

Let's not get too far!...so I take it…Kuro you're not really the one who generate the info? But Polymorph does and you just receive it?

Impressive you're capable of holding a coherent answer!...yes, that's the case. Strong threat detected, new info given to me, I act and try to eliminate the threat.

Sensei could feel something is off in his words…they're true but the intent in them is…just rubbing him wrong.

Back to the main topic…what did Polymorph give you then?

The ability to change the form's species

The…what?

Sensei drew the conclusion, if taking the types from before like the taxonomy terms used in biology…then the species represents a more specific classification within a type…

It took a while for him to explain things to the amnesiac, much to Kuro's inner amusement.

I understood most of it…

Now, since the taxonomy for Polymorph is different…the Family level is the closest to the 'Types'…and looks like we skipped to the lowest level available…

Which means?

The geezer is good at explaining things, I'll give him that, you on the other hand might rival an ameba in terms of intelligence.

HEY!

I'm saying, logically, they're no further verbal 'codes' after the 'species'…

You mean…this is the end of the road? No more higher-level passwords for future forms?

Maruchi felt as much disappointed as he was slightly relieved.

I'm basing this on the logic of taxonomy, Polymorph is not taxonomy. There's room for uncertainty…

Ok!...let me go grab my notebook!

He told his mother all that information, she appeared contemplating much at first, he suggested to note down what he learned so far…with the help of the inner voices he noted down that the species classification differ the forms based on many things, physiology, anatomy, behavior, habitat and ecology…

Once he finished there's one more thing to do…

How do I do it then? How do I change the species?

You need to say species change while you're in a form-

"ARZUROS!"

Midnight was standing by observing the scene and enjoying the sun rays on a chair…her relaxation was disturbed by what could only described as a mix of badly mannered eating glutton and a bear roars…

Do I really have to say it again?

Sorry I was just trying to get a Kung fu bear…

Kuro was holding all the rage he could bark up…

Dummy, you can't talk without the type code…Arzuros is a fanged beast.

It's better to try with what you already managed to do…go for the Tigrex!

The eagerness in Kuro's tone was unnerving.

"something the matter?" she asked him.

"well.."

…

Midnight agreed with his worries…Tigrex is strong, that red one is stronger…she suggested he go for something less…volatile.

But what should I choose? there's plenty…

What's best than the very first form you used? Go for a Rathalos!

With that little encouragement from Sensei…he did so.

Ok!

"FLYING WYERN! FIRE WYVERN! RATHALOS!" dull brownish red light illuminated the rocky surface of the island. The Rathalos spread his wings and roared!

"Raaaaaarrr!"

… .

"way to go sweetie! This little gem shall be saved for later occasions" Midnight paused her vacation and took a part-time job in nature documentary.

Oh boy, that embarrassment is now officially saved in physical memory.

He looked a her accusingly. She replied innocently that this little filming will make analyzing what could be done for improvement much easier…

That's a good argument he couldn't protest against.

We will have a proper funeral for your dignity later, move on.

"Ok, here goes nothing! *inhales* SPIES CHANGE!"

A moment of silence…and nothing happened…

IT'S SPIECES NOT SPIES!

Another moment of awkward silence…

NOT SPICES EITHER! ARE YOU DENSE!?

…

"SPIECES CHANGE!"

Then his mind went blank…

He was in a…a hill? Forest and small mountains here and there…

Wait…he didn't go to sleep…did he black out? OH BOY! What will come to attack him now…

Still this feels…different…as if he can move freely here, the opposite of a dream or nightmare…

"Roar!" he looked up…

is that a…Rathalos?

FLAP!

FLAP!

FLAP!

THUD!

Standing on ground mere meters and gazing at him, was a Rathalos, same size but with a different color…normal Rathalos is red…this one is blue.

The blue Rathalos moved towards him, he braced himself for an attack…yet nothing come?

He gazed at the Rathalos, it was as if the winged beast was contemplating something…before…it lowered it's head slightly and closed it's eyes?

Maruchi knew by instinct what to do…

Upon the contact of his palm on the Rath's snot…he regained his senses.

Kid? Kid? Are you still with us?!

I swear this is not my doing!

I'm fine…he sounded determined as if knowing what to do.

And then he continued his speech.

"Descend! Descend! wyvern wrapped in blue shards! March steady forward! You're no coward! your relentless vanguard, is the flames that rain with hazard! Sub-species! Azure Rathalos!"

Dim-deep blueish green light radiated from the Rathalos at the last word, the light burned away the red scales of the fire wyvern, turning them into shades of blue.

Sub-species: Azure Rathalos

Danger level: Medium

Midnight could only gaze at the new change…but she first needed a confirmation that he is still him.

"Maru-kun…you there?"

She didn't need any more tension, the next words assured her.

"I wonder what this change in RGB can do" the Azure Rathalos snickered to himself.

With little tests, he discovered that this one is more mobile in air than the normal version, such mobility makes him able to…

BOOM!

BOOM!

BOOM!

…Rain fire balls with ease without losing much momentum…

Aside from this nothing outrageous is noticed.

So far, the species change is considered 'Safe'…so far…

Since most of the blame is now on Kuro, he decided to spare extra info in good will.

Said info is that the species he used is weaker than what he did use in U.S.J…that one is called the 'Rare Species', this is 'Sub-species'…but! the more important bit is the stronger the species the more stamina he consume…

In other words, keep this as a last resort…

An Ace put your sleeve.

It was almost dusk, the first day went like a passing breeze…but the info he gained so far is worth months of training…but while Kuro was sleeping as they think…

He was writing down the summary of today's events.

Sensei couldn't understand why his host wasn't as cheerful as he thinks he'll be…sure the attitude of Kuro isn't that bearable, nor his words are…still the achievement of getting a new power up should at least make him look like an excited kid in a candy shop…

He isn't now, which begs the question.

What is bothering you?

He recited the 'vision' he had when he uttered the magic words, the Azure Rathalos held no intentions of harm or fear as the other nightmares dwellers did…it was more contemplative…

As if trying to accept something or refuse it…

Sensei didn't want him to bother himself with unnecessary overthinking…so he suggested he take a rest for the day and leave the thinking to him.

His power is strange, what he said about Kushala's resistance is noted…but since this vision as he called went well, Sensei dismissed it as a way that Polymorph show him the non-resisting forms…or so he hoped…after all he tried again from the start, human form- Rathalos - Azure Rathalos.

Second time he spoke the familiar chant without delay, no vision or weirdness of any kind.

Midnight reported what he discovered so far up to the last detail, he was able to use the new Rathalos form without any problems aside from a reduced duration than the normal version.

Things were going smoothly…too smoothly…

First day was a good start…for everyone.

-second day-

This time she didn't play soldier, but gently woke him up…but when he muttered 'mom, just 5 minutes'

"ATTENTION SOLDIER! DA-DA-DA-DA-DAA! DA-DA-DA-DA-DAA! DA-DA-DA-DA-DAA! DA-DA-DA-DA-DAA!" he bolted awake at the second Call of Duty.

With a formal salutation too.

Kuro was both annoyed as he was amused, but just to keep his act up he remained quiet.

Following the same routine…

It was dawn…

She stood nearby as she did yesterday, with a coffee cup in her hand.

For today she wants him to keep practicing the mastery of this new technique, the best way to do that is by starting slow.

Or by starting with things he's familiar with…like Rathalos.

And what did our purple head choose?

"FANGED BEAST! GOLD LION! RAJANG!" yeah…this is not going to end well.

Both Sensei and Midnight agreed on that shared thought…

"ok…what you see now is my normal state"

Midnight halted him before he could embarrass himself any further.

"you don't have a super simian 3 state, if we count the species change will give you a second one that is"

Bu-

She's right!

In his moment of childish anger, he uttered the magic words…

His mind blanking out wasn't a big surprise…Sensei told him it might be just how the first transformation work…little did the subconsciousness know that there's more to it than that.

He was back in the…snowy mountains? What's a better way to describe this place…

First he saw Daora in these frigid peaks…then Tigrex…

but now it feels empty…the wind is blowing…but not intensely…nor the smell of death is carried by the chilly breeze…

But he can feel it…something strong is around here…

He can't see it…but he can sense it's presence…

It's like an intangible feeling that tells you something is here but you can't see anything…

Like a Phantom.

ZZZZT!

The sparkling sound of electricity alerted him…but before he could see anything

TH-TH-THUD!

a black furred thing rushed past him…going for the bigger prize.

BLASH!

He might not have saw what's the first thing is…but the second is something he became so familiar with…

"a Rajang!? What's it chasing?"

Whatever it was…it was incredibly agile and fast…leaving behind a trail of white lighting…

As the Rajang took pursuit after it, climbing the rocky peak with ease.

The white thing was a blur

BLASH!

Even the Rajang couldn't catch it.

ZZZZT!

Both the kid and the black beast couldn't see where the white blur vanished into.

But not long after it did disappear…

ZZZZZT!

it reappeared.

standing in the highest point of this snowy mountain…the white blur was pissed.

The next thing that happened was a mix of a what could be described as an angry horse noise and an even angrier golden simian's lighting beam.

ZZZZZZZZT!

The blur flashed out of the beam's trajectory then, it was like it was blinking from a rocky edge to another and in each flash…

ZAP!

ZAP!

ZAP!

It was raining thunder on the angry monkey…

Neither of the two beasts backed down, one was on an unrelenting assault the other was tanking it…but at last.

GROAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!

The angry ape became angrier…

It's entire form was sparkling with intense lighting.

The lighting fried it's tail in the process…and then…

Sparks! Sparks! Sparks!

his form ascended past super simian.

Variant Species: Furious Rajang

Danger level: Very High

Super Simian 2!

Power level: over 9000!

Then it seemed as if the intense battle came into a halt…the snow stood still…the white blur was no longer here…

The simian was glaring at the only one remaining in the vicinity, dumb enough to stay not flee…

Even if it's just a vision, he could feel the power radiating from it's form…

He was hesitating to approach, not sure what will the yellow beast do…even thought It's only glaring intensely at him…

"snorf!" the Furious Rajang dismissed the sight…as it wasn't worth it's time or attention…and our purple head did the right decision to not utter any words…

When he regained his senses…he turned not into what he saw…but returned into his human form…before his knees failed him and he sat on the ground…

Still shaking…

What…was…that!?

Something dangerous enough to call me out

He didn't reply to Kuro's comment, nor answered his Sensei…

What happened? it's like you saw a ghost…

Instead of talking…the amnesiac squeezed the images of the vision in succession…

Sensei needed no further evidence…

Looks like we found out what might happen if you try something beyond your current abilities…

Midnight was quick to try and shake him from his daze…

his next words weren't laced with fear.

But a cold anger…

"it looked down on me…it saw me like nothing but a bug…"

Even Kuro was surprised by this anger…but he remembered something…

'I hate being weak!'

Everything is coming together now…heheheheheheheh

The dark entity laughed to himself as he understood a vital info…an info he'll use well into his advantage…

"what saw you like a bug?" Midnight was not catching into his current progress…after he calmed down a little, he began to recite what happened…

…

..

.

"I see…if I recall correctly isn't Rajang the only form you have on par with those dragons?" she remarked.

He was silent for a moment before he replied.

"yes…those dragons needs the type code…just like Rajang…but…I just feels so annoyed…Azure Rathalos appeared a little contemplative, this monkey was straight up mocking me!"

He was upset…very upset…

Looks like you didn't assert your dominance, huh? Did you got scared of a monkey?

Shut it!

Kuro smirked to himself as the anger grow slightly…he has found a valuable vulnerability.

Hmmm…if Kushala's Nadir is any clue…and what Azure Rathalos's vision beckoned too…then yes, it's seems there's more to species change than mere words.

Sensei on the other hand concluded another vital info…Species change are trickier to handle than a mere code unlock…

And if it's not enough indication…this little 'vision' was enough to drew Kuro out…if something worst happened in the vision…then the dark entity might react violently…

Or so he thought…

I think we should not use Species change on forms that are level 3 in terms of strength…let's stick with normal ones…

Tsk…this won't be of any use to me…I need something else to mark…

Kuro decided to divert the topic into anything he can exploit before he 'goes back to sleep'…

What was the Rajang chasing after? That was no mere blur…

Sensei was alert on Kuro's words as he recalled the vision…

It sounded like a horse too…a white horse?

He hoped his host will be happy to try and unlock a new unique thing…unfortunately he wasn't

"that thing fled with it's tail between it's legs…it's not stronger than the Species changed Rajang" he dismissed whatever the white blur was.

It may not be stronger than it yes! But it was incredibly fast! Speed is a factor we lack

Sensei reasoned, but his host wasn't going for such petty tricks.

Yes, because it's good for RUNING! I want Power! Not Speed!

As much as I'd like to see you two arguing…the geezer is…right

Kuro sounded as if he was sucking on a lemon

You need versality to deal with all kinds of threats

With the two entities agreeing on something…he sighed in annoyance…

Fine!

He looked at Midnight, she was silent for the whole time as she observed his strange behavior.

"do you have a white horse pictures?" he asked with dead seriousness

"does mister Knight want a pegasus~? It's not your birthday yet" she grinned with a malevolent smirk trying to ease his tension.

The effect was immediate, he was red as a tomato from embarrassment

I didn't tell her!

She snorted for a second time before searching on her phone and presenting the pictures.

…
..

.

"hmmm…they lack something…I can't put my finger on it…?"

She didn't hesitate much when he told her to add 'with thunder on the background' to the search tab.

Once his eyes landed on the first result.

?

His hand shone with a white gentle light…and his symbol turned into a strange icon.

"ohhh…what is this?" the anger embers faded as the childish awe was back in his eyes.

It's a Kirin…the Phantom beast, basically a Unicorn with the ability to make it rain thunder on it's foes and incredibly speed to match…but~ the super simian 2 is more interesting, no?

With such excitement he didn't hesitate to try it

"Phantom Beast! Kirin!"

…

..

.

And nothing happened.

"OH COME ON! I NEED AN EXTRA CODE FOR A HORSE!?"

That excitement died down a cold death and was buried in the snowy mountain's peak.

Hmmmm…I wonder what is the type of this unicorn…most likely It's a fanged beast—

Not a second later before Sensei suggested that.

"FANGED BEAST! PHANTOM BEAST! KIRIN!"

…

..

.

night cockroach noises*

While Maruchi pouted in defeat at the double failure…

Kuro on the other hand was silent…and for a good reason…

When he unlocked the Kirin he felt something strange in him…as if there's a connection between the Kirin and him…

But what kind of connection that is…?

About some 2 hours later of doing regular training…(because it was still early and cold in the morning, nor the weather of the island helped his sad attitude)

"sigh…I'll go for something easy and hope for the best…maybe Arzuros is the best choice"

…

..

.

As always, Midnight was standing on standby ready to intervene, he was looking a bit disheartened after what happened earlier so he wasn't very excited now…

"sigh, here goes nothing…fanged beast, Arzuros"

Dark Blue light illuminate it's form as it grew into something larger than the largest known cave bears ever…

"are you ready?" she asked him out of concern…

"not really…Species change!"

This time his mind going blank was expected.

The sound of rushing water stream could be heard…

It was some sort of a shallow river coming down from a hill's edge…the area was vast and covered in crystal water that was glistering in the sunlight…

The lovely sight was soon a memory…

Red tainted the river as the sound of bones being crunched and meat being torn apart filled the air…

When he looked at the source of those horrific noises…he paused…it was indeed an Arzuros…but bigger and instead of blue…red decorated it's fur…it's eyes were screaming for the liquid of their color…

This isn't the honey-lover kind of bear he was used to…this is a bloodthirsty beast…

The fishes were gobbled down like small snacks along with what seems to be…yellow Komodo dragons?

"wait…ARE YOU EATING SPONGBOB!?" and a yellow spongy thing too…

forget that! The crimson bear noticed the purple hair…

It stood on it's hind legs and roared in anger…yeah the killer teddy bear isn't happy.

"oh uh…"

Before he could even think the crimson bear came rushing towards him arm going for a swing.

The purple haired kid nearly lost his head if he didn't duck at the last second.

Then the bear was going for a hug.

But our purple hair somehow managed to jump to the rear side of the bear and away from it's death hug.

whatdoIdo?whatdoIdo?whatdoIdo?whatdoIdo?

as another swing came down at him he remembered Kuro's words

'assert your dominance'

His thoughts accelerated as he recalled how he managed to control Daora's wind…then the Rathalos somehow accepted him…and then the Rajang's disapproval…

He now knows…if he wants power…he needs to assert dominance…

As the sharp gloved claws were slowly going for his head, he closed his eyes to remember something to drive that dominance force out…he remembered the Rajang's humiliation…he remembered how Midoriya was treated like trash…and then remembered how he hates being weak…

when he opened his eyes, anger flared in them as he glared at the killer bear.

FWOOT!

The claw stopped mere inches from his face…his eyes didn't flinch as he stared right at those bloodthirsty eyes.

A long pause came between them…before finally…the bear lowered it's head and…

"In reddened fur, it's thirst an unextinguished blur, with crimson painted razor, it dance like a whirlpool, seeking blood with vigor" the chant was as unnerving to Sensei as it was to Midnight.

"Deviant Species, RedHelm Arzuros!"

The crimson bear stood still not uttering a word.

Looks like it wasn't a big change, huh? Lest ourfriendmight have came out to check on the false alarm.

Sensei tried to ease the tension growing thick in the air…

Sensei…you have no idea…

But his host was anything but relaxed…

"this doesn't look like a sub-species…" Midnight drew his attention, she was aware of what he mentioned about the species he unlocked so far…

The sub-species are simply a different coloration of base forms…these variations are caused by the environment they live in…

If we take the real life tigers (Panthera tigris) for example we have 3 known subspecies:

Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris): Found in India and known for its orange coat with black stripes.

Siberian Tiger (Panthera tigris altaica): Larger and lives in cold climates, with a thicker coat and paler coloration.

Sumatran Tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae): Smaller, with a darker coat and denser stripes, suited to the forests of Sumatra.

Rare species on the other hand…take those drastic changes thanks to environmental influence into new levels or are caused by rare mutations.

While the Molten Tigrex was anything but tame…most of the blame could be implied on the dark entity inside her kid…

Now we have this…

"what did you call these species?" she didn't like the name.

"Deviant Species" the kid was back to normal, already not feeling comfortable staying in a bloodthirsty beast form.

Yeah, according to Sensei Deviant Species are like…

"Anime villains with a sad backstory and a long record of battle experience"

She deadpanned at the description.

SENSEI!

Hey! It's my job to not keep everything dead serious, remember? now cheer up, just because you unlock something that scream 'Monster' doesn't mean we will use it often.

Eh…you're right…I guess…OH! I almost forgot! There was-

…

..

.

5 minutes later she was gobbling down two pills of aspirin.

Not everyday your kid tells you he saw a red bear eating SpongeBob and a bunch of Komodo dragons.

Not everyday your kid unlocks TWO additional forms because of that (in succession since he gets cooldown of 2 hours and half)

Now she is sitting with him watching Cartoons because her kid suggested he might get his hands on a new type if he continued this streak.

Sensei noticed the serpentine forms of the Ludroth family match with Lagiacrus and the Mizutsune…just one more and he hits the jackpot.

It's past 5 in evening so she didn't complain about wasting time nor her throbbing head allowed her to…

After some few recaps…he was watching finding Nemo…

About the part where the shiny blue orb was mesmerizing them…once the angler fish showed itself, another light mesmerized the watchers…

"what's with this power and cartoons?" she muttered to herself half-joking half-serious.

Sensei…what is this fish?

Today we have a big haul, don't we?

Sensei!

First a horse, then lizards and killer bears and now a lantern fish! I wonder what's next…maybe a flying Giraffe?

Sensei…do me a favor and stop it with the jokes!

Do us a favor and buy some humor…ahem…Congratulations, this is a record-breaking fish you caught

SENSEI!

His Sensei didn't care about his protests.

Aleviathanreminiscent of anglerfish, stingray, and puffer fish, along with traits which are calling cards of Catfish. Its body is covered in purple scales, and a bright, bio-luminescent lure dangles from its forehead. It possesses a gargantuan mouth filled with equally formidable teeth and a matching appetite too…beware the hidden dangers! TheLantern Fish Wyevrn: Gobulwill gobble anything in it's way!

"Oh~!"

It's a leviathan fish…

Wait that doesn't make any sense…a leviathan is a long serpentine sea monster!

Yeah…like lagiacrus…

Exactly!

Or the recently uncovered Royal ludroth and normal ludroths…

Yep!

Or the land dancer Mizutsune

…so?

Facepalm!I don't like that Kuro…but he was…Grrh!...right..,when he called you an ameba in terms of intelligence!

Sensei sounded like he was coughing blood.

HEY!

Anyway! Congratulations! You have unlocked the Fourth type so far!...say hello to your sea allies!...The Leviathans!

Before he could celebrate, he turned into his mother, with a big smug smile.

"I take it you got an anglerfish the size of at least a van?" she started slowly, massaging her temple.

"yeees aaaaaand…?"

Good thing she connected the dots before he could even play the guess what game.

She looked at him with a serious face.

"Maru-kun…if you turned into those Deviants…a no is a no, alright? Those things aren't like the sub-species or even the Rare species…those things are…" she paused looking for a good excuse to not use such species and she couldn't find a better description than "anime villains"

She wasn't joking…the vibe that radiate off the crimson bear could be only described by…vile.

Even the species name gave it away 'Deviants'…yup, he's not going to transform into anything under that classification unless there's no other options…and for his case they are many other options available!

Back to the main topic…he shared that the new type he got is the Leviathans…

Based on the description…her prediction of what he might try tomorrow isn't far from the truth…

Lagiacrus…I wonder what we'll get from it!

Despite his enthusiasm…he was too tired to express much…thus after he noted down Gobul's information along with the new type label for the five leviathans available…he fell asleep on his notebook…

…

..

.

Shades of green…masking old decaying ruins…

Not as outstanding as some others…but still visible to the nearby watchers…

Stone that is standing silently…amidst a sea of lush green…

Saluted the arrival of the observing one to this domain…

He looked left and right…aside from the sea of trees and dangling vines in this vast jungle…

Nothing is seen…

But the sense of danger is in the air…he knows something is nearby…

Zzzt!

It is not the deadly silence that accompany the mist dweller…

Zzzt!

It is the silence of ethereal steps…muffled by falling rain…

Zzzt!

CRACKLING!

Then the Phantom appeared before the observing one…

Electricity sparkling…but the Kirin had no intentions to attack him…

As if not seeing a significant threat…

Then a haunting voice echoed around…

You're a weakling

CRACKLING!

And with it, thunder howled…the Kirin vanished from his sight…

Kuro? It's definitely his voice!?

The dark entity continued without delay.

If you don't have power…you have nothing.

He looked left and right for the source…yet saw none in this empty place…

Laws? Rights? What are those without power?

He paused slightly as he briefly recalled Tsukauchi's words about the superhero's society laws…

Those laws hold no weight…if the ones behind it have no power.

The dark entity words are true but ominous…he stopped looking for the source as he kept listening.

You like justice, don't you?

I do…

how can you force it on the wrongdoers without power?!

Kuro continued on a mocking tone as the host remained silent.

this world only understands one language and that is the language of power…without it…you can't speak your opinion of justice…nor the world will hear or try to understand you!

I know!

Kuro continued a malevolent smirk in his tone…

you hate evil…don't you?

I do!

To defeat evil…you must strong!

I know!

But you're weak! You hate being a weakling! DON'T YOU!?

I hate being a weakling!

The jungle faded away…consumed by darkness…

But the purple haired kid didn't care as he gazed at the smirking and chained one with a stoic gaze.

"Welcome, weak one!"

"Kuro…what do you want?" Maruchi wasn't in his right state of mind.

"it's more like what do you want" Kuro reflected the question back at him…with a blunt answer.

"You want power, don't you?" seconds before he was angry at his own weakness…but now he's not sure anymore…

"I…"

"a power that isn't a mere display of might…but a power that brings the world to it's knees…don't you?" Kuro wasn't letting him go anytime soon.

"I…I don't know…I don't know what I want anymore!" he crouched down hugging his knees to his chest.

"I know what you want, you want enough power to strike fear in your enemy's heart! In the evil one's hearts!"

He recalled the U.S.J incident…those brain muscled villains…and that masked one too!

Then Kuro smirked even more.

in darkness…be it metaphorical or literal…

in darkness…be it the cold of harshness…or the fear of the unseen…

in darkness…they seek warmth from the cold…they seek light that drives away the fear…

in darkness…total darkness…engulfing darkness…when all light is consumed…

they seek glimpses of what is left of the light…they seek comfort from the cold of the world…

the cold…caused by the realization of their helplessness…

even if it means…seeking warmth…by embracing the fur of the beast hiding in the darkness…

even if it means…seeking light…in yellow eyes that shines bright with malice in this darkness…

"You want their powers, no?" at his words…Maruchi looked at those brilliant eyes with a mix of trepidation and…slight hope…

Kuro extended his chained right arm…and Maruchi looked at it with worry and caution.

"Are you willing to trust me…in hope of gaining such power?" the smirk remained as he waited for the amnesiac's response.

With what Kuro has done so far…and with the desperation he felt after the U.S.J event…

Recalling all the times he was still weak no matter how strong he got…

Maruchi slightly hesitated this time…before…grabbing Kuro's hand…

"…"

Kuro let go of Maruchi's hand…as he was done with his own assumptions…

"Wise decision" he smirked at him…and before he regained his senses…

"When you feel ready…summon me…and I'll tell you the secret to gain their powers!"

Maruchi regained his senses…the way he would do normally after a nightmare…

But for the dark entity…

the only thing I got…is the name of the last Type…and nothing more…?

He was frustrated…he was sure if he tried, he could get more information.

He glared at the iron wedges and the chains connected to them…

These chains…aren't only restraining my freedom…but also…my identity…

His glared deepened as he eyed the swords embedded in the stony floor…

I need to get rid of them.

He then smirked evilly…

And I'm sure…the final Type…is a major key to my freedom…

Before muttering silently to himself in ecstatic amusement. Eager to uncover his history.

The Elder Dragons…what are you to me?