Happy New Year! Here's a collection of short stories and what not
Anyways, please enjoy this chapter. Here's the Discord: /cgFmXz3qJ5
All Might and Ship
"Sorry, what?" All Might had just opened the door. He barely had time to comprehend what Ochako was yelling about.
Ochako took a few deep breaths. "S-sorry. Was I talking too fast?" She asked.
"A little." All Might shrugged.
Ochako inhaled sharply. "Okay, so today's my grandma's birthday and I totally forgot so I wanna rush across the country as XLR8 to surprise her but no one's around to watch Ship because the guys went to the city and the girls took a spontaneous trip to Shibuya and I'm PRETTY sure Blake and Yang are doing a thing and Ren's visiting his wife and Rook and Lev are on a date and you're like the only other person around-" Ochako took a deep breath. "And I need you to watch Ship."
Ochako held Ship up to All Might's face. Ship tilted his head, and looked at the Symbol of Peace.
"...well, I guess I can-" All Might said, just as Ochako handed him the blorpy and a bag full of his toys.
"YOU'RE THE BEST!" Ochako yelled, taking off down the hall. "BE BACK BY TONIGHT!"
"No running in the-" All Might called out. "Oh, who am I kidding."
All Might looked down at Ship, who was panting happily. "Ship!" He chirped.
"Well, looks like you'll be spending tonight with me, kiddo." All Might chuckled, as he closed the door.
All Might brought Ship into his main apartment area- it was pretty laid back, not as extravagant as an outsider would think the Number 1's abode would look. People always pictured a very spacey, large mansion / penthouse suite, but All Might was humble enough to consider this cozy apartment his home. He had a couch and armchair by a TV stand choked full of old DVDs and VHS tapes. The kitchen was full of the usual appliances- this All Might still had SOME of a stomach, so eating some solid foods were still on the table. His bedroom was off to the side, with a neatly made bed and a desk full of work he'd neglected this weekend. Scattered throughout the walls were various pictures or newspaper clippings of his hero work, his friends, or locations he'd been to.
All Might set Ship down on the couch. "Sorry, I don't have a doggy bed or anything like that. You...don't do any usual pet messes, so you'll probably be fine." He said, before digging through the bag Ochako provided.
"Ship!" Ship scanned the room, taking in the new sights. Normally, he'd be all squirmy and energetic, but he got a totally different vibe from All Might. Like he should show him some respect.
All Might chuckled as he pulled out one of his toys- a cord version of one of those rope toys. "She's devoted to your tech aesthetic. I respect that." He said, before dangling that over the baby Mechamorph's head. Ship wriggled around, before jumping up and 'morphing' his head around the opposite end, and dangled for a bit. All Might gave the toy a light tug. Ship hung on, playfully morphing his shape to stay latched.
"Oh, you're *fierce*." He joked, before sitting down on the couch. The 'tug of war' continued for a few more seconds, before Ship released his grip and wriggled onto All Might's lap, looking up with curious, glowing eye.
"Oh, do you want me to..." All Might asked, as Ship's body elongated. "Okay, guess that means pets." He began to stroke his cool, metallic skin, which felt surprisingly smooth. Ship sighed, losing a bit of his shape as he got lost in the sensation.
All Might chuckled. "I can see why Uraraka chose me for this job..." He glanced down again, and realized something...He'd never really owned a pet before.
Every kid wants a pet at some point- whether it be a companion or even just a fish in a tank to watch swim around. But All Might didn't really have the opportunity for that. When he was young, his mom was so busy and struck for cash that feeding an extra tiny mouth just wasn't on the table. When he was in high school, he was busy juggling One for All and hero duties that fitting in a cat or a dog seemed borderline impossible. This was exaggerated when he became the Symbol of Peace.
Animals *did* like All Might, though. They were always just drawn to him. In fact, when he did the grand re-opening of a zoo in his old hometown, one of the white tigers there let him pet them like a big ol' house cat. It was a meme for a week.
So, just being able to have the chance to sit with Ship on the couch and just sort of vibe was a nice, welcome feeling.
All Might sighed happily, and reached for a remote. He already put in a DVD of 'The Green Mile' in before Ochako arrived. "You ever see this one?" He jokingly asked Ship.
Ship poked his head up, curious as always, and All Might chuckled before pressing play. As the movie started, Ship wriggled around, seemingly settling in for the evening...
Ochako returned sometime around 9 PM. Her family was pleasantly surprised to see her there, and her grandma's 81st birthday was some nice 'R ' for her. Though she did have a bunch of relatives ask how she got here out of nowhere, she just evaded that question and enjoyed some great ramen. She just hoped Ship wasn't too much trouble for All Might.
Ochako knocked on the teacher's door, and after a few moments of stirring, All Might opened the door. "Oh, hey. How was the celebration?"
All Might had Ship perched on his shoulder, looking completely content. Ochako grinned. "It was great! They were so surprised. How was Ship? He didn't give you any trouble, did he?"
"Ah, I just put on a movie and he was entranced the entire time." All Might said, as Ship leapt off his shoulder and onto Ochako's head.
"Well, thanks again, especially at such short notice..." Ochako admitted.
"...you know, if you ever do need to do this again...I do have a lot more free time on my hands nowadays." All Might said. "I wouldn't be opposed to watching him again in the future."
"Charmed you that much, did he?" Ochako asked.
All Might nodded. "Let me live a small wish I'd forgotten about. Thank you again, young Uraraka."
"O-oh! No problem at all." Ochako said, as he handed her the bag of toys. "Well, I'll see you in class on Monday. Say good night, Ship."
"Shiiiip..." The pet yawned, before curling up on Ochako's head.
"Anddd now I have to walk home precariously balancing him on my head." Ochako joked, as she turned. "Have a good night, sir."
"Walk safely." All Might waved her off, and closed the door.
Hair Stuff
The Mario Party had gone on later than anyone would have expected. Ochako yawned as she, Mina, Shoto and Tohru walked out of the basement's game room. "That was a LOOOOOOOONG game."
"It was only long because you kept insisting on rematches..." Mina pouted.
"I'm surprised you joined in, Todoroki!" Tohru confessed. "Do you think you'd join us again sometime?"
Shoto paused- the last few hours had been full of screaming, crying, bargaining, mania and all other sorts of madness. All while he was playing as whatever the heck a 'Shy Guy' was.
He pursed his lips for a moment. "...I'll consider it." Shoto shrugged. Mania be damned, he had a fun time with the girls.
"What time is it?" Ochako asked, as Mina checked her phone.
"1 AM. I'm exhausted, I think I'm gonna skip the shower and save it for tomo-"
Mina suddenly bumped into Ochako's back. "Heyyy, what's the big de-" Mina said, peering over Ochako's shoulder. And then, her eyes widened when she saw what Ochako was seeing.
"I-is that-!?" Tooru gasped.
On the second floor's wood, there were a bunch of...red stains splattered across the floor. The red stains trailed from the stairs, all the way to the floor's shared bathroom. Ochako and the others shared a look of concern, before they all decided to quietly follow it. They didn't expect a villain or anything to be hiding...
They were just worried someone was hurt.
There was someone in the boy's bathroom, quietly muttering to themselves as the water was running. Shoto opted to check it out, since he was the only boy of the group and the only one allowed inside. He peered in slowly to see someone hunched over the sinks, back turned to him. Their clothes were disheveled, and their hair hung in damp strands, obscuring their face...
"Damn it, damn it..." He muttered.
Shoto blinked. *That voice...could it be?*
"Kirishima?" Shoto called out, turning on the main set of lights. "Is that you?"
The figure shot back up, and threw a towel over their head. "O-oh! Hey, Todoroki!" Kirishima nervously laughed. "W-what, uh...what are you doing on the second floor bathroom?"
"...I could ask you the same. Why are you down here?" Shoto asked- his attention was more fixed on the towel. The towel soaked blood red, and some of it was dripping down his forehead. "We saw a trail of blood leading in here-"
"Wait, Kirishima?" Ochako yelled from the entrance. Some fear had been lifted, but not enough. "Is he okay?"
"G-gah! I'm fine, I'm fine!" Kirishima yelled, ready to rush past Shoto and out of the bathroom. "I'm..."
Shoto then spotted something by the sink. It was a bottle of...
"...you're not a natural red head?" He asked so honestly, eyes focused on the bottle of red hair dye.
Kirishima's face flushed red. "Y-yeah...I got black hair."
Mina smirked. "I was wondering when this would come up."
"Oh, right...you two went to middle school together." Tooru said.
"I'm more focused on the fact you're not a natural red head!" Ochako joked. "This betrays a lot I know about you..."
"It's not that weird!" Kirishima barked defensively, clutching the towel tighter over his head. "A lot of people dye their hair!"
"True, but not everyone leaves a horror movie crime scene behind them when they touch up their roots." Ochako countered.
"It's not like I planned this! I was just trying to fix it before anyone noticed, but then the bottle—ugh, it's complicated, okay?!" Kirishima had never sounded so stressed.
"You need to clean that your 'blood trail' though. The teachers are gonna lose it if they see the mess." Shoto said.
"Don't remind me…" Kirishima sighed, finally lowering the towel enough to reveal his patchy, half-dyed hair.
"It's like a raccoon tried to give you a makeover." Tooru muttered.
Ochako rubbed her chin. "...lemme guess. Trying to emulate Crimson Riot?"
"Partially..." Kirishima frowned and ran a hand through his unevenly dyed hair. "I wanted to stand out, okay? I used to be this boring, plain-looking guy, and I...I didn't feel like a hero. Boring quirk, boring appearance...having something like this just makes me feel more...me."
"I get it, I get it. Honestly, the red hair is iconic. It's so weird to imagine you without it." Tooru said.
"I got experience with this stuff...you need some help?" Mina asked. "When I'm done, you'll be looking so sharp, even Crimson Riot would be jealous."
"If you could." Kirishima said. "Work your magic."
"...Can I also try something?" Shoto asked. "When you're done with him."
The girls and Kirishima looked at Shoto in shock. "W-what, do you wanna go full red?" Mina asked.
"...not exactly." Shoto said. "It's time I try a 'prank'..."
Ochako's eyes widened. *The heck is HE gonna do?*
"Hey, Shoto." Izuku said, the next day while settling into class.
"Hello." Shoto said, itching his head to try and get Izuku to notice.
"What time did you guys finish up with the game last night?"
"Around 12."
"Yeesh. Did Ochako do her infamous 'One more game' routine?" Izuku asked with a chuckle. "She's relentless when it comes to Mario Party."
"She did. It was... intense," Shoto admitted, scratching his head more deliberately this time.
"Alrighty!" Izuku said, before getting back to work.
Ochako watched Shoto sort of slump over, and she shook her head. *Oh, poor, poor Shoto...nobody noticed!*
And I spent an extra hour making sure it looked perfect!* Mina pouted.
No one had noticed that Shoto's two toned hair had swapped places.
And that made him very upset.
Why Alan Can't Wear Pants
Tsu shivered as she walked back inside Heights Alliance. The fall season was starting, and she already felt like she was ready to hibernate- a side effect of her amphibious quirk. But she wasn't the only one. Ochako, Kaminari and Ojiro followed suit, all rubbing their hands together for warmth.
"This has gotta be the coldest fall we've had in a while!" Kaminari frowned. "Just yesterday we were still wearing our summer uniforms, now I'm all cold after a brief walk from lunch at the food court…"
"It is a little ridiculous," Ojiro agreed.
"I'd blame global warming but that hasn't been an issue for a good decade." Ochako said, reminding us all that you're reading a work of fiction.
"I need to find the nearest space heater…" Tsu said, as she walked past the kitchen. Alan was in there, making himself some hot cocoa, with Momo and Jirou brewing up some tea.
Normally, Kaminari would notice the delectable smell of cocoa wafting through the air, but his mind was so outraged by the cold that he instead locked onto something else- Alan's shorts.
His eye twitched. How on earth could he be wearing something so summer coded?
…
Actually, come to think of it…
"Hey, guys, random question." Kaminari said, turning to Ojiro and Ochako.
"What's up?" Ochako asked.
"…why isn't Alan wearing jeans or something?"
The two stared at him, dumbfounded.
"…Denki Kaminari." Ochako full named him. "That is…"
She paused to think, as she wracked her mind. She hadn't known Alan long, but she hadn't ever addressed something with him. All UA students were required to wear the uniform; white button up shirt, red tie, and green slacks. But for Alan? She'd never seen him wear the "full ensemble"…and he also wore green shorts over slacks.
She just never called it to attention until now.
"…a weird but valid question."
"Now you mention it, I never did question his uniform," Ojiro said. "Felt like an invasion of privacy."
"But his hero costume DOES have pants- at least before he goes full Heatblast." Kaminari added.
"That's different." Ochako argued. "Look, how about we just…ask him?"
"Alright, alright…" Kaminari said as the group walked over. Alan was casually scrolling through his phone, with his other hand heating up the hot cocoa in its mug.
Alan turned to see the group approaching. "Hey guys, what's up?"
"Why don't we ever see you wear pants?!" Kaminari accused.
Alan stared at them. "…and a happy Saturday to you as well."
Ochako pushed him aside. "Sorry, we're all just feeling that fall breeze and…we couldn't help but notice you're still dressed like you're about to go to the beach or something."
"Oooooh. That." Alan laughed. "Yeah, I physically can't wear jeans."
Silence.
"…huh?" Ojiro said.
"Yeah, man. Can't wear em. Literally." Alan said.
"Why, though?" Kaminari asked.
"I'd rather show, not tell." Alan said, turning to Momo. "Hey, hate to ask you this-"
Momo was already making the pants. "Sorry for eavesdropping, but…"
"What on earth do you MEAN you can't wear pants?" Jirou said.
"I'm about you show you all…" Alan joked, as Momo handed him the pants. He put it over his shorts, and took a deep breath.
"Grab a fire extinguisher," he said, before heading towards the sliding glass door. The group exchanged a confused glance, before following the Pyronite.
Alan had an unusually high body temp for a human. His Pyronite parentage was to thank for that. Pyronites have significant circulation systems that allow them to project their fires. Blood flow significantly affects hand and feet temperature…and for Alan, that meant his hand and legs were…
Alan took a step outside, and the second he did, the calves of his pants started to smoke. He walked around for a few more seconds, before the pants instantly caught on fire.
The group stared.
"…that checks out." Kaminari muttered.
"I'll help put it out." Momo said, stepping outside.
Blake was staring out the window to the courtyard, watching Alan from afar.
"What smells like burning denim?" Yang yelled from the other room.
"Oh, just Alan showing off why he can't wear pants, dear." Blake yelled.
"Classic!" Yang yelled back.
Blake nodded, before sipping her tea.
Scars
Shoji had been sat on the couch for some time, occasionally looking around to see who was around. The kids were eating, or talking, or playing with pets. Shoji wasn't the type to doom scroll through his phone or take a nap...so, his behavior had been a little strange to Class 1-A.
It looked like he had something serious to say.
"Hey man, you good? You look down in the dumps." Kaminari said. The broad student looked at Kaminari for a moment, before feeling his throat. He closed his eyes as he formed a mouth from one of his hands.
"...You could say that." Shoji muttered.
Ochako and Kouda paused playing with Ship and Yoshi to pay attention. Seems like something serious was about to go down.
"Is this about what happened a few days ago?" Momo asked. "At the Provisional Exam?"
"Wait, what happened there?" Kirishima asked.
Shoji took a deep breath. "Nothing that hasn't happened before." He deflected.
"Some jerk called him a 'freakshow'." Jirou recalled. "And then he punched him into next week."
"Justifiable retribution." Iida said.
"It's not just that...some of you saw what's under here." Shoji pointed to his mask. "I don't know if any of you have any questions, but...after everything we've been through, I think I trust all of you enough to show you why I wear this mask."
Shoji reached for his mask, and with a hesitant breath, pulled it down. The class was now viewing Shoji's true visage...he had elongated face without a nose, as well as an extended mouth with large teeth and prominent scars around his lips, one running from the back, downwards towards his neck.
"There's a reason I don't usually use my main mouth to talk." Shoji said. "Can't talk for long periods of time due to the injuries."
The class went silent.
"...who did this to you?" Iida asked, ready to kick someone without question.
"It happened in my old hometown." Shoji said. "Before I moved."
Shoji turned to Ochako. "You're from the country side too, right?" He asked.
"Y-yeah. I'm from Enaba." Ochako confirmed. "All the way in the North."
"I'm from Sotaba." Shoji said.
Ochako's blood ran cold. "I...I've heard stories about that place." She was choosing her words VERY carefully.
"Not any good ones, I presume."
"You'd...be right."
"What's the deal with Sotaba?" Kaminari asked- not out of ignorance or anything, he just didn't know.
"Sotaba's one of the worst places in Japan, since they were especially intolerant of any 'Mutants' quirks." Shoji explained. "My parents didn't have arms like mine. So, to preserve their 'pure blood', they'd take arms against children to keep things pure."
"They attacked you as a kid!?" Izuku was outraged- he'd only heard about stuff like that happening in fiction.
"A lot of you grew up in the city. It's easy to think that things like that are behind you." Shoji continued. "There's still so many messed up places where folks won't even blink an eye at murdering kids because they're not 'like them'."
"That's disgusting," Mina hissed. "The world would be better off if they were dead!"
"That's all well and good, but...even with them gone, prejudice would still exist." Shoji said.
"Not just towards Heteromorphs either," Alan frowned. As the only Black kid in the grade? He had his own experiences with discrimination. "People will always find something to hate if they're looking for it. If it's not your Quirk, it's something else. Skin color, heritage…anything that makes you different."
"And it's not just the physical attacks. It's the way people look at you, the whispers, the way they treat you like you're less than human. Even after I left Sotaba, that's what stuck with me. That's why I keep the mask on." Shoji admitted. "...I didn't want to frighten anyone."
"Why the hell would those jerks have a bone to pick with you?" Bakugou asked, not looking up from adjusting his prosthetic arm. "You're a pretty inoffensive side character. You don't get on my nerves like the rest of these guys-"
Iida shot him a look for that.
"My crime?" Shoji said. "...saved a kid."
Silence again.
Then the outrage.
"Wait, what?" Kirishima blurted. "You got punished for saving someone?"
"That's a whole load of bullshit," Alan said.
"Some kid fell into a river during the rainy season, and I pulled them out before they were swept away." Shoji said. "It was...my only good childhood memory at the time."
Shoji looked down at his hands.
"It's the reason I'm even here now." Shoji admitted. "Instead of dwelling on the painful memories, I choose to embrace the happy memory of the one time I was overjoyed to have this body of mine."
Instant waterworks. Some of the more emotional students leapt in to give him hugs. "STOP! THAT'S TOO SAD!" Mina yelled.
"We won't let you just have that one!" Kaminari yelled.
"From now on, we'll make happy memories!" Kirishima said. "Between all of us!"
Shoji was taken aback by the sudden wave of emotion from his classmates, but he couldn't help the small smile forming on his face as they rallied around him.
They didn't realize they'd already been doing that from Day 1 of meeting him. These kids didn't look at him with disdain, or hatred, or anything awful like that- they just saw him an equal hero in training.
And while they could never heal the pain in his heart, it was a nice feeling...
To belong.
Mt. Lady
She hit the snooze button with the force of a sledgehammer, as if somehow it would soothe the ache that permeated her being. The clock taunted her, each passing second a reminder of her lateness. Breakfast was gulped down in a frenzy, the taste a blur, as she raced out the door and towards the day that lay ahead.
And what a day it was to be. A never-ending cycle of monotony; patrolling the streets, filling out the never-ending stack of paperwork, catching one, measly crook. The relentless hours ticked by, each one as dreary as the last.
At last, the day came to an end, but the train that promised her escape was late. As she watched the never-ending tracks blur by, she longed for the comfort of her own home. But when she finally made it, the mundane tasks awaited her still. Laundry, cold water in the bath, and falling asleep on the couch watching some late night show while waiting for laundry to get done.
The universe seemed to be conspiring against her, as evidenced by the phone ringing inside her purse at 6 AM. She forgot to plug it in last night... Yu Takeyama felt like giving up, like screaming at the top of her lungs until everything shattered into tiny, manageable pieces.
But she wouldn't. She couldn't. Because tomorrow had to be better than yesterday, right? It had to be.
...she was sort of right.
Ever since the incident at Kamino Ward, Yu Takeyama, also known as Mt. Lady, had felt a void in her heart. She had always been a solo hero, relying on herself to get the job done. But seeing the devastation caused by the League of Villains had changed her mind. Seeing her younger brat of a cousin with an arm missing will make you realize 'I am not doing enough.'
So when Kamui Woods and Edgeshot approached her with the idea of forming a team, she agreed without hesitation. It was an unlikely trio, but they all shared the same goal: to protect the innocent and take down the wicked. Everything felt fine for a while, but she was just starting to get burnt out. She barely had days off. The constant pressure and stress were taking a toll on her, and she was starting to feel like she was losing her passion for heroism.
It happened- people losing interest in heroism. There were tons of heroes that quit because of burnout or other factors over the years. Mt. Lady started to understand why so many heroes had hung up their capes when she became a hero.
She read about a hero who had quit because they couldn't find a balance between spending time with their family and saving people. Another hero had to retire due to constant tabloid rumors about her sexuality, which caused her immense stress. And there was the story of a hero whose child was harassed so severely by the media that they lashed out. It was clear that the pressure could become too much for even the strongest of heroes to bear.
But Yu didn't want to be one of them. She loved being a hero, but she needed a break. For like a week or something.
And thankfully, that would be handed to her.
Yu was droning over work when Shinji (Kamui Wood's real name) walked over to her. "You look exhausted. Is everything okay?" Shinji asked, his concern evident in his voice.
"Just didn't get much sleep last night, that's all." Mt. Lady replied, focused on some paperwok.
"...well, listen." Shinji said. "I was supposed to go on a vacation with some friends to Mt. Yukiyama, but they had to back out at the last minute. I can't cancel my reservation, so I was wondering if you might be interested in taking my place."
Yu looked up at him, surprised. "Are you serious?"
"Dead serious. You could use a break, and that mountain is a paradise. I even reserved a room near the hot springs." Shinji said.
Yu couldn't believe her luck. A free vacation to a hot spring resort in the mountains? It sounded too good to be true. She hesitated for a moment, considering the offer. It sounded tempting, but...money. "I don't know if I can afford it," Yu said, her tone apologetic.
"Don't worry about that," Shinji said, waving his hand dismissively. "Consider it my gift to you. You deserve it, Mt. Lady. You've been working hard, and you deserve to rest."
Yu felt a warmth spread through her chest, grateful for the gesture. "Thank you so much, Shinji. I appreciate it more than you know."
"Of course. You deserve it." Shinji smiled. "Now, go pack your bags. The train leaves at noon tomorrow, and I want you to enjoy every moment of your trip."
Yu nodded, feeling a weight lifted off her shoulders. She couldn't wait to escape work for a good week. Maybe she'd come back feeling refreshed.
Mt. Lady happily got up a skip in her step. Shinji took a deep breath.
Honestly, he was lying about his friends canceling. But they'd probably understand the sacrifice he made.
Mt. Lady deserved a break.
Yukihiro emerged from his vehicle and made his way towards the school. Outside, the preschoolers appeared fearful and bewildered. Their confusion was evident as they struggled to comprehend the situation. Even some of the teachers were at a loss for words. But as soon as they spotted Yukihiro walking towards them, a wave of relief swept over them. The educators' faces lit up with a sense of gratitude, knowing that he was there to help.
"Mr. Takeyama, thank goodness you're here." One teacher said. "I'm so sorry to call you away from your work right now-"
"Believe me. This is more important." Yukihiro said. "What happened, exactly?"
"Well, she was getting bullied by some boys, then she started to cry...and before we could comfort her, she..." The teacher took a deep breath. "Sort of blew up."
"Blew up?" Yukihiro repeated, as the teacher led him to the classroom.
"We think her quirk might have just manifested. We know your quirk is Miniaturization, but it appears Yu's is..." The teacher opened the door- and Yukihiro's eyes widened as he saw his daughter. When he last saw her this morning, she was 93 cm tall and smiling. Now, she was 372 cm tall, looking scared and looking like she was about to destroy the room if she grew any taller. She had a play parachute draped around her body.
"What...what?" Yukihiro repeated, stunned in disbelief.
"We're just as confused as you are...we're hoping the quirk has a similar trigger to yours." The teacher explained. "Can you-?"
Yukihiro interrupted her, "I know what to do." He took a deep breath, as he walked forward.
"Yu, it's okay. Daddy's here." Yukihiro spoke softly, approaching his giant daughter, who looked down at him with tears in her eyes. "I'm here to help you."
"D-Daddy?" Yu's voice rumbled like thunder.
"Yes, it's me." Yukihiro smiled reassuringly. "I know you're scared, but you're going to be okay. You're just going through something new and confusing...just like me right now..."
Yu nodded slowly, her tears now flowing freely down her face.
"Can you do something for me, Yu?" Yukihiro asked, looking up at her towering form.
"What?" Yu replied, her voice still trembling.
"Can you just focus on daddy? Can you...focus on the tea parties we've had?" He asked.
"Think about the games we've played together, the times we spent drawing and coloring pictures, the stories we've shared. Can you remember those happy moments?"
Yu blinked, then nodded again.
"Good. Keep focusing on those, okay? Just keep breathing, focus on my voice, and remember those happy times with daddy. And slowly...slowly try to shrink back down to your normal size."
Yukihiro reached out his hand and gently placed it on Yu's giant hand, hoping to offer her comfort and support.
Yu closed her eyes, then took a deep breath, and focused on the happy memories with her dad. Slowly, her giant form began to shrink down, until she became her normal size again- though she was still draped in the play parachute. Relieved, Yukihiro hugged his daughter, and picked her up. She let Yu hug him tightly.
"It's okay, Yu. Daddy's got you." He whispered. "We'll figure this out, together."
The teachers and preschoolers watched in amazement as Yukihiro comforted and calmed his daughter. Once Yu was back to her normal size, Yukihiro turned to the teachers.
"Thank you for calling me." He said. "I'll take Yu home now. I'll pay for any damages-"
"Sir."
Yukihiro flinched- crap. He knew that voice. The principal walked forward, looking quite displeased. "Principal Kibun." He nervously laughed. "Uh, hi. Listen, I've got everything under control, so there's no need-"
"I'm afraid it's not that simple, Mr. Takeyama." Principal Kibun interrupted, folding his arms. "We need to discuss this incident and the implications it has for the safety of our other students."
"Of course, of course. I understand." Yukihiro said, still holding his daughter. "But can we please handle that later? Right now, I just want to get her home."
"I don't even know if we can keep her at this school. What if another incident like this happens?" Principal Kibun frowned.
"Well, what about the kids who triggered it?" Yukihiro countered. "Are you gonna do something about THEM?"
"We will be looking into that as well, Mr. Takeyama." Principal Kibun said firmly. "But for now, we need to prioritize the safety of all our students."
Yukihiro bit his lip, feeling frustrated and powerless in the face of bureaucracy. He didn't want Yu to feel like she was being punished for something she couldn't control.
"We'll figure out the rest later." Yukihiro said firmly. "Please, just let me take care of my daughter."
Principal Kibun studied him for a moment, then nodded. "Fine. But we will be having a meeting about this."
"I understand." Yukihiro said, nodding back.
He turned and walked out of the classroom, holding his daughter tightly. As soon as they were outside, he let out a sigh of relief.
"You okay, Yu?" He asked.
"I-I'm sorry, Daddy." Yu hiccuped. "I didn't mean to-"
"It's okay, Yu. It's not your fault." Yukihiro hugged her again. "Let's just get you home, okay?"
Yu nodded, looking slightly more relaxed.
Yukihiro Takeyama was, to Yu, the 'ultimate dad'; he was charismatic, understanding and had a witty sense of humor. Despite seeming laid-back, he was quite resourceful as a sidekick, often finding solutions outside of the box. He worked for the Endeavor agency, under the alias The Miniscule Hero: Mighty Little Man, usually as tech support on missions or stealth.
Growing up, he was Yu's only parent. Her mother had one day just up and left the two of them, no explanation why. Yu never bothered to look into it. Maybe because she knew there'd be heartbreak waiting. He struggled. A lot. But he always came back, for her. He loved Yu more than anything in this world.
Once they were back home and had her in a pair of new clothes, Yukihiro decided to take Yu to a doctor's office. He wanted to make sure that there were no underlying issues that caused her quirk to manifest in such a way. After a thorough check-up, the doctor confirmed that there was nothing physically wrong with Yu.
"The difference in your quirk is quite interesting," the doctor said as he studied Yu's file.
Yukihiro leaned forward in his chair, ready to hear more. "What do you mean?"
"Well, your Miniaturization quirl is a straightforward ability that allows you to shrink objects or people," the doctor explained. "However, Yu's quirk is something entirely unique and potentially powerful."
Yu listened intently, curiosity spreading across her face. "What's so…different about it?"
"It seems that her quirk is connected to her emotions and triggered by stress," the doctor said. "This causes her to grow in size and strength, which poses a potential danger if not properly managed. How small can you get, Mr. Yukihiro?"
"Let's see…uh, smallest I've ever been is 1.75 cm. I'm 175.26 cm, so that's…like 100x smaller than average." Yukihiro explained.
"What's to say Yu can't get that big? If we assume Yu grows up to be an average woman's height of…159.5 cm, then she faces the possibility of growing to 523 feet tall. Just under a few of Japan's tallest buildings." The doctor explained.
Yukihiro took a deep breath, his mind racing with possibilities. "What kind of strategies can we develop to manage her quirk?"
"We'll need to closely monitor her emotions and stress levels, and perhaps even work with a therapist to develop coping mechanisms," the doctor suggested. "But it's important that we stay vigilant, as her quirk could be dangerous if left unchecked."
Yu looked scared. "What happens if I...lose control again?"
"I won't let that happen, Yu." Yukihiro said, taking her hand reassuringly. "I'll help you manage your quirk. Think of it as…a summer break! Just with some…stuff here and there. Okay?"
Yu nodded, feeling hopeful but still anxious. She didn't want to hurt anyone or cause any more trouble.
Yukihiro left the doctor's office with a lot to think about. He knew that managing Yu's quirk would be a challenge, but he was determined to do whatever it took to keep her safe and happy.
The next few weeks were dedicated to closely monitoring Yu's emotional state and triggers. Yukihiro even worked with a therapist from the Endeavor Agency to help Yu develop coping mechanisms for stress and anxiety. They practiced breathing exercises and mindfulness techniques, and Yukihiro made it a priority to spend quality time with his daughter every day.
It worked, pretty well honestly- Yu's progress could have been rockier if not for her dad. But her principal didn't see it that way. He still had MANY concerns, especially since the meeting was attended by officials from the school district.
"Mr. Takeyama, I understand that you've been working hard to manage your daughter's quirk," Principal Kibun began. "But we can't ignore the fact that there were serious safety concerns when she had her...outburst."
"Outburst? She was getting bullied." Yukihiro frowned. "I'd be upset too if someone was picking on me."
"We understand that, Mr. Takeyama," one of the district officials interjected. "But we have to consider the safety of all the students at the school. If something like this were to happen again, the consequences could be disastrous."
"But it won't happen again." Yukihiro replied firmly. "I've been working with Yu, with a therapist, and we have a plan in place to manage her quirk."
"We appreciate that, Mr. Takeyama. But we need concrete assurances that the school will be safe from any potential danger," Principal Kibun stressed.
Yukihiro took a deep breath, feeling frustrated. "What do you want me to do?"
"We're considering an evaluation period," the district official said. "During which time, Yu will need to be evaluated by a government agency to determine the extent of her quirk and whether or not she can safely attend regular schools."
Yukihiro felt his heart sink. He didn't want Yu to be isolated from other children or be labeled as a danger. So…
"...screw you."
The principal looked aghast. "Excuse me-?"
"Screw you." Yukihiro repeated. "I can't agree to this evaluation period. I won't put my daughter through more stress and scrutiny just because you're worried about liability. You should be focusing on creating a safe and inclusive environment for all your students, rather than punishing one for something she can't control."
"She's a danger-"
"She's my DAUGHTER!" Yukihiro yelled. "She likes bugs and tea parties! She holds my hand when it storms outside. She sings to herself when she plays. She's a four year old, not a danger. She's just a little girl trying to figure out this new, weird thing about her, and I won't let you treat her like some kind of...monster."
There was a heavy silence in the room as Yukihiro glared defiantly at the officials. Finally, Principal Kibun spoke up.
"We understand your concern, Mr. Takeyama." The principal frowned. "But there's nothing we can do. She must go through evaluations."
"Then consider this," Yukihiro said, standing up from his seat. "If you insist on isolating my daughter or labeling her as a danger, then I will remove her from this school and find one that will treat her with the respect and care she deserves. And I'll make sure that the community knows exactly why I had to make that decision. I won't let anyone hurt my daughter. Especially some bureaucrats with their heads shoved up their ass."
With that, Yukihiro stormed out of the room, his heart racing with anger and protectiveness towards his daughter.
It wasn't an easy decision, but Yukihiro knew that he had to put his daughter's mental and emotional well-being first. He found a school that was more accommodating, with teachers who understood the unique challenges posed by quirks. And while Yu still had moments where she struggled to control her quirk, she was surrounded by a supportive community that helped her learn and grow.
…
…
She was ten when the incident happened.
Yu stood by the microwave, listening to the popcorn pop inside. It was movie night, just like every Friday. Yukihiro was sifting through their DVDs (most of which were bootleg but shhhh), looking for something to watch.
"What are you thinking tonight?" Yukihiro asked. "'The Kraken' or 'It Was Them'?"
"Oh, that's a good question…" Yu hummed as she pulled the popcorn out. "Been a while since we've watched The Kraken."
"Kraken it is," Yukihiro grinned. Yu walked over, and set down the bowl of popcorn in between them. This was the life. They settled onto the couch, their excitement palpable as the movie began. They laughed at the witty lines and gasped at the cheesy action scenes. It was their special bonding time, a sanctuary away from the challenges of the outside world.
Yu was doing well with managing her quirk. With the help of therapy, coping mechanisms, and her father's unwavering support, she had made significant progress in controlling her emotions and keeping her quirk in check. There hadn't been any major incidents or outbursts in a while, and Yu was feeling more confident in her abilities.
There was also something on her mind- the possibility of being a hero. Her dad was a great hero, so…maybe she should follow in her dad's footsteps. She glanced over at her father, who was engrossed in the movie. Yu had witnessed firsthand the impact her father had made as a hero, and she wanted to make a difference too. She wanted to use her quirk in a positive way, to help others and protect those in need.
…and that's when that dreaded phone call came. Yukihiro paused the movie, and pulled out his phone. He had a puzzled expression on his face.
"What? What's wrong?" Yu asked.
"Ah, it's just my boss. Hold on." Yukihiro said. "Probably needs tech support again. He can't use a computer for the life of him…"
"Aren't you the same age as him?" Yu asked.
"Yeah. Which makes it funny." Yukihiro joked, as picked up the phone. "Talk to me-"
"Takeyama!" Endeavor's voice sounded urgent. That made Yukihiro sit up. "No time to explain, but we have a situation! Some criminals escaped from a prison convoy- one of them is Jack Sheldon."
Yukihiro's eyes widened. "Oh, crap…not him." Jack Sheldon- the Atomic Bomb. His moniker was befitting of his quirk.
"Understood," Yukihiro responded, his voice steady despite the concern evident in his eyes. "I'll be there. Just give me the location."
"That's the thing- he's passing through YOUR area." Endeavor frowned. "Get to it!"
Yukihiro's face had turned serious, and he sighed heavily. This wasn't the first time he had to leave abruptly due to a hero-related emergency, but it always pained him to have to interrupt their special movie nights.
"Yu, I'm sorry, but duty calls," Yukihiro said, his voice filled with regret.
"It's fine, dad. Really!" Yu comforted him. "Go and take care of that guy. We can finish the movie up when you get back!"
Yukihiro smiled back, and kissed his daughter on the forehead. "Thank you, Yu," he whispered, his voice filled with appreciation. "I'll make it up to you when I get back, I promise."
With that, Yukihiro grabbed his hero gear and swiftly made his way out of the house…
And never came back.
It happened so fast, according to one of Endeavor's sidekicks.
While they'd successfully subdued Jack Sheldon, he had an ace up his sleeve - Trigger. He used it on himself to send his body into overdrive, triggering a devastating explosion. Yukihiro, without a second thought, used his quirk to shrink both himself and Jack down to the smallest size he could manage.
They estimated that Yukihiro was only a few picometers tall when Jack detonated his quirk, resulting in a catastrophic explosion…that maybe only moved a few atoms.
RIP The Miniscule Hero: Mighty Little Man, aka Yukihiro Takeyama
Died at Age 32
The news of Yukihiro's sacrifice spread quickly throughout the hero community and beyond. The loss of such a respected and beloved hero sent shockwaves through the city. The community mourned the hero who had touched the lives of so many, both as a symbol of justice and as a loving father.
For Yu, the news was devastating. The realization that her father would never come back hit her like a tidal wave. She couldn't comprehend a world without him. The movie nights, the support, the love—they were all gone in an instant.
Yu was alone now.
And she was scared.
Following the death of her father, Yu moved in with her grandmother. It was a significant change for Yu, transitioning from the bustling city to a more serene and peaceful environment. The lush green landscapes and the tranquility of the countryside offered a different kind of solace.
In the countryside, Yu had the opportunity to heal and process her emotions away from the constant reminders of her father's absence.
…but that didn't really help her, to be honest.
Sometimes, she'd just…explode. In the middle of the serene woods, she would unleash her quirk, letting her pent-up frustrations and anger manifest in destructive bursts. Trees splintered, rocks shattered, and the ground quaked as her power surged through her.
In those moments, Yu felt a strange mix of relief and guilt. The raw display of her quirk provided a temporary release, allowing her to channel her grief and frustration into something tangible. However, the aftermath left her feeling empty and remorseful.
It felt like she was spitting in the face of what her father did for her, but how else was she going to let this…all out?
By the time she turned 15 and had the chance to enroll in a hero academy, there was…a bit of an issue. No school could really accommodate her quirk…mainly out of their own concern.
"We just renovated the school."
"What if she crushed the students with her quirk when training?"
So, in an odd turn of events, Yu enrolled in an agricultural school, not too far from her grandma's house. It wasn't the best school for a hero to grow, but…it at least allowed her to get an education.
Even if it was totally pointless.
It took her until early senior year to get her Provisional License, and even then, it was hard to break into the world of heroics this late. She was desperate for something. Anything.
Yu found herself at a crossroads, feeling frustrated and disillusioned with her current situation. She had always aspired to be a hero like her father, but the circumstances seemed to conspire against her. What the hell was the point of all this stupid struggling? Why couldn't she just go back to the good old days, watching monster movies and laughing with dad? Why was all this strife…
Bigger than her?
Yu's eyes fluttered open. She rubbed her eyes and took in the sights around her- she'd fallen asleep on the train all the way up to Mt. Yukiyama. Seeing some of the greenery must have triggered those memories.
It's been so long since I thought about that day. Yu frowned.
Yu's gaze wandered to the towering peak of Mt. Yukiyama, its majestic presence commanding her attention. She couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and inspiration in the face of such natural beauty. The train rattled to a stop, and Yu stepped off, luggage in tow. It was a taxi ride over to the ski resort.
As the taxi drove through the winding mountain roads, Yu marveled at the picturesque scenery. The towering trees, the glistening snow, and the crisp mountain air seemed to breathe new life into her weary soul.
…but she was ignoring that. Stuck in her head.
Thinking about dad.
She longed to feel his comforting presence, to hear his voice guiding her through the challenges she faced. She needed one of those 'I believe in you' speeches, right now. The beauty of the surroundings only served as a stark contrast to the void left by her father's absence.
As the taxi came to a stop at the resort, Yu opened her eyes and took a moment to compose herself. She paid the fare, grabbed her luggage, and stepped out onto the snow-covered ground. The ski resort exuded a cozy and inviting atmosphere, nestled amidst the snow-capped mountains. The main building stood tall and sturdy, constructed with warm wooden panels that blended harmoniously with the surrounding landscape. A stone fireplace adorned the spacious lobby, crackling with a comforting fire that radiated warmth.
"This place does scream 'Kamui Wood's getaway'..." She chuckled, stepping inside.
As Yu ventured further into the resort, she discovered a charming array of shops and restaurants scattered throughout. One particular shop caught her eye—a boutique filled with colorful winter apparel, from trendy ski jackets to cozy hats and scarves. The shop's large windows displayed an enticing selection, drawing in visitors with the promise of both fashion and functionality.
Too bad they were alllll beyond her price range.
Nearby, a quaint café with a rustic exterior beckoned with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and baked goods. The sound of friendly chatter and clinking mugs filled the air, creating an inviting ambiance for those seeking a moment of respite from the chilly outdoors. The café's menu boasted an assortment of comforting treats, ranging from steaming hot chocolates to flaky pastries.
…once again. Too bad they were alllll beyond her price range.
A few steps away, a ski rental shop stood ready to equip adventure-seekers with all the necessary gear for their snowy escapades. Rows of neatly organized skis and snowboards lined the walls, while knowledgeable staff members offered friendly assistance, ensuring that guests had the right equipment for their skill level and preferences.
…did she know how to ski?
As Yu explored the resort further, she came across a restaurant with large windows overlooking the snowy slopes- oh you know the drill. This place was too fancy for her.
Is Shinji THAT loaded!? She wondered, as she got the keys to her room. It was a private room, all the way near the hot springs.
Yu entered her private room; she was pleasantly surprised by its unique design. The room embraced a fusion of modern and traditional Japanese elements, exuding an industrial yet cozy ambiance. The walls were adorned with exposed brickwork, giving a rustic touch to the space. The flooring consisted of polished wooden panels, adding warmth and a sense of comfort.
The room was minimally furnished, with a low platform bed adorned with a simple yet elegant duvet in earthy tones. A small wooden desk with a sleek chair provided a workspace, while a compact bookshelf displayed a selection of novels and guidebooks. A floor-to-ceiling window offered a breathtaking view of the snow-covered landscape, inviting the natural light to flood the room.
Adjacent to the sleeping area was a compact kitchenette, equipped with basic cooking essentials and a small dining table. It allowed guests to prepare their own meals if they wished, providing a sense of independence and convenience.
…I wanna live here. Yu thought. Forever.
The bedroom was even better. The centerpiece of the bedroom was a luxurious queen-sized bed, adorned with plush pillows and a cozy duvet. The headboard featured a beautiful Japanese-inspired design, adding a touch of cultural charm to the space. But there was something else on it too.
Kamui probably called ahead to make this reservation- there was a bunch of Mt. Lady merch on the bed and nightstand. Plushies, keychains, and even a framed autographed picture of Mt. Lady adorned the space.
How'd he get that one? Yu thought, trying to remember when she ever gave out autographs. Yu was more 'lemme take a selfie' and '200$ for THAT photo, wiseguy'.
Then she realized.
This was all bootleg merch. A mix of amusement and disbelief washed over Yu as she realized that Kamui had gone to great lengths to acquire these bootleg items, likely from some shady source- he probably didn't realize they were fake.
She sighed, as she picked up one of the plushies. "Well, your eyes may be the wrong color, your costume's innacurate and your ass is too flat…but you're cute. So, you get a pass." Yu said. She unpacked her bag, and then flopped on the bed.
Lying on her back, Yu stared up at the ceiling, lost in her thoughts. She couldn't deny the bittersweet feeling that lingered within her. Despite everything, dad was still at the forefront of her mind. She remembered his gentle smile and the way he would always kiss her forehead before leaving. It was in those moments that she felt safe and loved.
Had…Yu been loved, recently? Like in a normal sense? That was a hard question to ask. While she had received love and support from her grandmother and the few friends she had made along the way, it was different from the love she had felt from her father. There was a certain depth and understanding that came with the bond between a parent and child that could never be recreated.
Especially since she was really the only parent Yu had.
Yu must have clunked out again, because when she 'blinked', it was already night time. Missing out on a full day of falling on her ass skiing wasn't that big a loss. Maybe she'd grab dinner, some sake and then hit the hot springs.
That sounded perfect right now.
Yu found solace in the soothing embrace of the hot springs, the warm water enveloping her body and washing away the tension of the day. As she settled in, she reached for the dish of sake placed conveniently nearby. The steam rising from the surface of the sake mingled with the mist of the hot springs, creating a serene ambiance.
Gently cradling the dish in her hands, Yu took a sip, savoring the smooth and warm taste that spread through her mouth and down her throat. The comforting sensation brought a sense of relaxation and calmness, allowing her to momentarily escape the weight of her thoughts.
As she soaked in the tranquil atmosphere, Yu gazed up at the starlit sky, the moon casting a soft glow on the surrounding snow-covered landscape.
This is nice. Mt. Lady sighed, dipping herself deeper into the springs.
This is what her father would have wanted best for her.
The Reason
Ben sifted through the documents one more time; great leadership, bombastic personality, empathetic. This candidate seemed like a perfect fit for the watch on paper. Any genius would give it to them right then and there.
…but weirdly, Ben wasn't sold. It was like reading a college application. He didn't know if it was just there for padding or was an actually viable reason. He sighed, setting the paper aside.
Finding a successor was hard work.
Just as Ben was about to review the next sheet, the door to his office opened. In walked his wife, in her traditional "disguise" garb- she didn't like showing off the baby bump out of privacy reasons. "Almost ready?" She asked.
Ben blinked a few times, staring at her. "Ready for….?"
Ruby rolled her eyes. "The sports fest, dummy! That's today."
"Oh, crap- almost forgot." Ben said, reorganizing his desk in a flash.
"We're going to support Toshi's class. He seems really attached to them." Ruby said.
"Well, yeah. His successor's in that group." Ben chuckled. "From what he's said, that kid's flourishing alongside them."
"Glad to hear he finally found someone. I know Mirai was pressuring him to meet one of his sidekicks, but what he said that kid did was…amazing." Ruby hummed.
Ben stared down at the sheets of paper before him. …see them in action, huh?
Ben stood up. "Maybe I'll find someone worthy there." He announced.
The Omnitrix was a complex device- you held the power of an entire galaxy in it, and that could overwhelm anyone easily. But what defines a "good candidate"? Ben needed someone quick witted, adaptable, and unafraid to take risks. They had to be resilient. Someone who could think on their feet. Someone who used their heart first.
Take for example; on paper, Batman using the Omnitrix sounds like a really God Tier combo. He had all of those things…but even then, Ben would have his doubts. Batman's brand of heroism was so different from his own. The Dark Knight thrived in shadows, preferring to operate alone, and while he was undeniably a master strategist, he wouldn't be a good fit for such a social sort of role.
Though it is funny to imagine Bat-Grey Matter beating up the Joker.
Ben looked up at UA's massive stadium; the Sports Festival had a long history of making names for students. Toshinori winning his first one put him in the limelight- and so did Endeavor and Best Jeanist and so many other heroes before and after them. Who would walk out of here today, ready to accept that fame? …and who would get left in the dust?
"Still thinking about the successor, aren't you?" Ruby asked.
"How can I not be?" Ben sighed.
"You've got time, you know. You don't need to rush into a decision." Ruby put a hand on her stomach. "Even if it has to be after this one comes."
Ben smiled faintly. "Yeah, yeah. I hear you."
"Now, why don't you just relax and enjoy this? There's festival in the name for a reason," Ruby beamed.
"Suggesting we buy some souvenirs?" Ben chuckled.
"Why not?"
The two had some time before the festival began in earnest, so they had some time to browse. Outside the arena were rows upon rows of various of stalls selling street food and various merchandise. There were even some masks of the most popular Pro Heroes, like All Might, Best Jeanist, and Endeavor for some reason. Plenty of Pros and normal civilians had come to watch the showcase, the former for talent scouting and getting a sneak preview of future heroes and sidekicks, while the latter were just here for a good time. Ben bought two masks for the two of them, an All Might mask for himself and a Burnin' mask for Ruby.
And yes, the Burnin' masks were more popular than the Endeavor masks.
Ben and Ruby took their seats in a more obscure part of the stadium, mainly to avoid paparazzi. They wore the masks for some extra layer of security, so the heroes around them had no idea they were just causally sitting next to two of the founding members of the Outcasts were there.
Soon enough, the festival began- the kids began to enter into the main yard, and there were a bunch of resounding cheers around the stadium.
"That's the class All Might teaches, right?" Some robot hero asked.
"I think so. They were present during that crazy villain attack a while back. I'm honestly shocked they came out unscathed." His seat neighbor replied.
More like luck. Those were F-tier villains, with two really powerful guys just standing around and doing nothing and one real knucklehead doing the most damage. Ben frowned. I don't mean to sound pessimistic, but…those kids really are lucky to be here.
"Now, for the Athlete's Oath!" Midnight announced from the main stage. "The student representative, please take the stage- Katsuki Bakugou!"
Ben raised an eyebrow. "That name sounds familiar."
"I think All Might mentioned him somewhere. He's the kid who got first place in the entrance exam," Ruby recalled. "Though he didn't win any hero points."
"A pure offense type guy, huh?" Ben leaned back. Maybe he had something more to offer.
Bakugou cleared his throat.
"...I just wanna say." He began. "I'm gonna win."
Silence filled the arena. Ben's eye twitched. Instantly disqualified from any sort of running. He knew HIS ego wasn't the best when he was a kid, but this was just an insane thing to say in front of millions.
Ruby stifled a laugh behind her Burnin' mask, nudging Ben in the ribs. "Well, he's got confidence, I'll give him that. Arrogance, however…"
"He's already cut from the list." Ben said flatly.
"That quick, huh?"
"Yep." Ben said.
"Well, there's like a hundred kids out there- give it time."
And so he did. There were a few stand outs, mainly from Class 1-A- that creation girl showed some potential, as did that kid who survived the robot falling down on top of him. The lightning kid also had some promise, but Ben didn't get to see much since he only really had the one move.
And as for All Might's successor…Ben was impressed. Kid went through two whole stages without even using his quirk. He had heard from All Might that the kid had a tendency to break his own bones when he used it, but still. Handicapping himself without the use of a Quirk and doing as well as he did was still commendable.
Someone like that would be perfect for the watch…oh, Toshi, why'd you have to go and steal him? Ben jokingly thought.
For as many standouts though, there were still those that couldn't quite make the cut. The tail guy and the frog girl could have been candidates, but they didn't make it far enough for Ben to really see what they could do. He had to admit, that was just a shame, not even for just deciding a successor. Without showing off too much, the Pros sitting in the audience wouldn't get to make an informed decision either. Most of Class 1-B didn't really make a blip on Ben's radar, save for Monoma. He was very quickly cut as he quickly showed the dominant personality trait: his pettiness. It was a similar situation with Bakugou's ego really.
Now, one candidate that had quite a lot of potential was Tokoyami. Judging him by his Quirk alone, he was powerful and versatile. Practice with Dark Shadow could definitely translate well to alien expertise. There was just one problem, and that was Dark Shadow's weakness. If Tokoyami got the Omnitrix, Ben wasn't entirely sure how Dark Shadow would integrate into the aliens. If the umbral Quirk outright fused with the alien forms, it could be possible that its uncontrollable nature in darker areas could cause more problems. The last thing anyone needs to deal with in a dark cave is an out of control Vaxasaurian after all.
The tournament matches showed off a little bit more; Ben wasn't too sure about that Shinsou kid, seeing as he was a little experienced in combat and quirk usage. Not to mention, it'd look REALLY suspicious if he asked him for an internship. Too many dots connecting. Kaminari, while he was rooting for him, sort of went down a little too easy. And that Mei kid?
Lord help Power Loader. He didn't want to torture him with an Omnitrix.
Everyone else fell into a pretty standard ranking; that Mina girl was quick on her feet, that Kirishima kid had guts, and while Momo was overwhelmed and ringed out quickly, Ben did admit that she had incredible potential.
"Lot of impressive kids out there." Ruby said. "Wonder how big a splash they'll be making when they're older."
"Who knows? Maybe we're looking at the future headliner of the Hero Board." Ben chuckled.
"Any stand outs just yet?" Ruby asked.
"Few, but they're just sorta anecdotal." Ben said.
"More like picky," Ruby teased. "But I get it- The next successor has to be someone who can handle more than just a quick fight or flashy moves. Someone who doesn't necessarily check all the boxes but has that spark you can't ignore."
"Yeah," Ben looked down at the Omnitrix. "Heck, I wasn't meant to get the watch…"
"But you did, and look how that turned out. You weren't a perfect choice on paper, hun." Ruby said. "You were a ten-year-old kid who barely knew what responsibility was. But you rose to the challenge. You proved that it wasn't about being 'meant' for the watch. It was about what you did with it."
"I just… I don't want to screw this up. The stakes are so much higher now. The Omnitrix isn't just some cool gadget anymore. It's a symbol, a responsibility…" Ben traced the watch a few times. "I wanna make sure this goes to someone who can handle that."
"You'll know it when you see them." Ruby said. "Just trust your gut, okay?"
"...okay." Ben said.
"NEEEEEEEXT UP!" Present Mic's voice blared.
"A CELEBRITY SINCE MIDDLE SCHOOL, WITH THE FACE ONLY A MOTHER COULD LOVE-" Mic yelled.
"Ahem." Aizawa frowned.
"Fiiiine. In this corner, it's Katsuki Bakugou of the Hero Course!"
Ben snickered at Bakugou's intimidating face. Good luck escaping THAT for the rest of your life.
"AND! In this corner! My personal favorite and top pick!" Mic yelled. "Ochako Uraraka, also of the hero course!"
Ben hadn't really paid any attention to Ochako Uraraka- in everything else, she was just sort of there. She hadn't stood out much during the obstacle course or cavalry battle, but something about her now made Ben pause. Maybe it was the way she carried herself—calm, determined, with no trace of fear in her expression...
Ruby perked up too. "Huh."
"You see it too?" Ben asked.
"Obviously. Looks like she's got some guts." Ruby hummed.
The match began, and to Ben's shock, this Uraraka girl made the first move. She ran close to the ground, rushing at Bakugou.
Lots of options for this girl. What was her quirk? Zero Gravity? Ben thought. Not exactly flashy or offensive on its own, but maybe she's got a plan. If she can make him weightless, she could throw him off balance... but that's a huge gamble. Or she gonna use his recoil against him...?
Bakugou, true to form, growled and sent a blast her way, the explosion ripping through the air. To his shock, Ochako didn't dodge. The crowd didn't like that move.
"Yeesh, show her some restraint..." Some hero muttered.
"I know, right?' their sidekick sighed, "If you got the power to end this in one go, do it. Don't just draw out like this."
Bakugou didn't budge from his original spot, his eyes focused on the resulting smoke cloud from his blast. The power wasn't enough to knock her out entirely, he knew that. He was proven right when a shadow began charging towards him through the smoke, breaking through and revealing the blue sports fest jacket that all the students were wearing.
"Gonna underestimate ME?!" Bakugou shouted. He thrust his hand out towards the jacket and unleashed another blast. Oddly enough, something felt off about this one. He swiped the air around him, clearing away the smoke and noticed that he'd actually stumbled. His hand was now resting on the ground, the jacket alone under his hand.
Did she-? Ben raised a brow at the tactic.
Ochako emerged from the smoke behind Bakugou, her distraction having worked perfectly. She bet that, thanks to his aggressive behavior, he'd be on a hair-trigger for anything that emerged from the initial blast's aftermath.
One touch! I just need to touch him once! Ochako thought to herself. She reached out to try and tap Bakugou on the back, but her explosive opponent's eye darted to look behind him. He spun around on a dime and unleashed a third explosion. Ochako didn't have the time nor distance enough to dodge. The blast slammed into her and sent her flying back, tearing up the stone arena as she flew.
Ben was leaning forward, fully invested. This kid…I dunno why, but, she knows she's outclassed in raw power, but she's not backing down either…
"She's got an ace in the hole." Ruby noted.
"I hope." Ben said.
"No, seriously." Ruby said, looking up.
Ben raised his head up, and gasped- floating above the battlefield, obscured by the giant explosions, were the fragments blown off from the battlefield. Ben's eyes widened, and so did his grin.
So, that's your move, huh? Using your opponent's power against you. Ben smiled. I like your style, kid!
"I CAN'T WATCH THIS!"
Ben perked up- some hero in a few rows ahead of him was standing up, making a big showing about the fight. "That's no way someone who wants to be a hero acts! If you're so much stronger than her, just throw her out of the ring and finish it!" The armored hero declared.
Ruby blinked. A-are they serious? Do they not see what she's doing? They're focused on him being 'too rough'?! This kid's playing chess while he's stuck in checkers! They're not even looking at her potential!
Ben frowned. "Hey! Dumbass!" He yelled- he could do that, since he was masked. "Look up!"
"Dumbass? Do you have any idea who I am? I'm-!" the hero paused as something caught his eye, making him look up on instinct and his eyes widened.
"...yeah, no, you're right. I'm a complete dumbass," the hero admitted.
Other heroes were about to add their own complaints into the crowd, all of them ready to call out Bakugou on his brutal behavior, and then they looked up. Their tune changed incredibly quickly.
"Whoever shouted that, calling him too rough, I seriously question how you're even a Pro. I suggest you start thinking about a career change," Aizawa added, having stolen the mic away from Present Mic, "To whoever corrected them…I commend you on that. Everyone always forgets…to look up."
Sweet. Got praise from Eraserhead. Ben hummed.
"Look up?" Bakugou repeated, craning his neck upwards and his eyes went wide in surprise. All that debris he'd torn up with each of his blasts had taken to the sky. Hovering several feet above the arena itself was a field of rocks just waiting for the signal. And Ochako, seeing this as her chance, gave it. She tapped her fingers together and focused.
"RELEASE!" Ochako shouted. The Zero Gravity effect faded and the debris began falling in all its various sizes.
"HOLY SMOKES! This whole time, while she was getting battered and blasted by her opponent, Ochako was actually setting up a massive super move! She made a meteor shower right here, right now, at this time of year, localized entirely above our colosseum!" Mic commented.
"You didn't even notice until I pointed it out to you," Aizawa sighed.
Ben was fully standing up and cheering now. Yeah! This kid was kicking ass! It was an extreme self sacrificing strategy, and it was all worth it. She'd created her own meteor shower.
Ruby smiled. I'm feeling…nostalgic. I dunno why I do, but…when I see her fight, I just keep thinking…
Ruby saw herself running on that battlefield, scythe in tow.
Of myself.
Ochako was doing it.
She was closing the gap right now.
She'd win.
She'd advance, move on, and get more attention for better hero opportunities!
For mom and da-
BOOM.
Ben's expression fell as the massive explosion engulfed the meteor shower, and instantly destroyed it in one move. Ochako was blown back by the attack, crashing into the ground with a brutal thud. The arena fell eerily silent for a moment, the dust from the explosion hanging thick in the air.
"Damn it..." Ben muttered under his breath. He'd been so sure she was going to pull through. She had been so clever, so resourceful…
So…
Ben blinked, and felt his face. He hadn't realized it, but he teared up a little. He hadn't meant to get this invested. After all, this was just a tournament. But it was more than that. Watching Ochako fight with everything she had, for something in mind beyond herself…
Ruby gripped his hand tightly.
She knew.
Ben sat back down, and stared off into space for a few moments. Ochako managed to get back up, and looked like she still had some fight left in her. There was a fire in her eyes, something that couldn't be extinguished.
…even as she fell.
Even as she lost.
Ben knew then and there who was gonna get that watch.
"Y-you found one!?" All Might coughed a bit- he'd choked on his drink at Ben's announcement.
"Yeah." Ben said, looking down at his cup of tea. The triad of Outcasts had opted to meet up at a quiet teashop downtown after the festival was said and done.
"I thought you said you were still looking a few days ago!" All Might said.
"We were." Ruby said. "But…we found someone we think might be perfect for it."
"When? Who?"
"Easy. The Sports Fest…and one of your students," Ben answered.
"One of my-?" All Might repeated in shock.
"I mean, I didn't go just to scout for a successor. We were just there to show our support, but the analytical part of me was still working. No matter how hard I tried to tell it 'no, this is just for fun.'"
"Well…don't just keep me in suspense. Who is it?"
"I'll be honest, I didn't know who it could be at first. A lot of them had potential. Yaoyorozu, Tokoyami, Kirishima. Maybe in another timeline, I could've gotten to your successor and given him the Omnitrix because he was really good."
"Nice to know young Midoriya can impress even you two," All Might chuckled.
"But…it's none of the ones I mentioned. It's a unanimous decision. We're going to give the Omnitrix to Ochako Uraraka."
All Might raised an eyebrow. "Really? That's a shock."
"Tell me a little about her," Ben said, leaning forward.
"Well, she and Midoriya are close, despite only knowing each other for such a small frame of time…" All Might hummed. "She came in 3rd place in the entrance exam, scoring more rescue than villain points…and she also tried to give some of her points to Midoriya, since he saved her."
"...she's kind of checking ALL of our boxes, damn." Ruby said.
"And…you didn't hear this from me, but her goal for being a hero is more grounded than most aiming to be the best." All Might said. "I overheard her talking about becoming a hero to help support her parents."
"Then she really is a perfect match." Ruby said. "Not doing this for fame or glory, not doing it for her own gain- just doing it for her family. She's got her priorities straight."
"You're taking a big leap of faith with this choice, y'know." All Might said.
"It's one I'm willing to gamble on. I want it to go to someone who I know will treat it with the utmost respect." Ben said. "Someone who's already doing everything they can with what they've got and willing to carry on through it all. Even if I don't give her this thing…I can see Ochako Uraraka becoming someone very important in the future."
All Might took that in. "...alright." He chuckled. "I'm in then too."
Ben lifted his teacup. "By the way, the hell are you teaching that successor? Kid's crazy!"
"I mean, he broke his thumb using his cheek!" Ruby recalled. "Hope that doesn't rub off on Ochako."
"I have no clue." All Might chuckled awkwardly. "But how are you planning to bring this up to Ochako?"
"Simple." Ben smiled, pulling out a letter. "Can you give this to Aizawa?"
Ochako stared up at the night sky from her apartment balcony. The cool night air brushed against her skin, carrying with it a sense of calm she hadn't felt all day.
She wasn't hungry tonight. She'd been really quiet ever since she said goodbye to Izuku and everyone at her usual stop. She got home, took a shower…and just came out here to just think.
I know dad told me not to worry, but…I just have to. That match wasn't close. And I wasn't great.
I panicked at the end.
That last ditch move left me with nothing.
It only matters if you can win. You have to just show how you deal with all the different types.
No scout can really learn anything from a single loss.
Ochako rubbed her eyes.
"I wish I could be better," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. Today was a really emotional day for her. She needed some bed rest. She looked up to the sky one last time.
A streak of light shot across the sky, brighter and faster than any she'd ever seen. It blazed with an almost pinkish hue, leaving a faint trail in its wake.
"What the?" Ochako said, straightening herself out. "Is that…a shooting star?"
Ochako paused for a moment, before clasping her hands together. "...if you really are a shooting star, then let me make a selfish wish for myself."
"Please let me find a way to prove myself. To get stronger. To make this all worth it."
When she opened her eyes again, the star was gone, leaving only the vast expanse of the night sky. Ochako exhaled slowly, her heart still racing. She didn't know why, but something about that star felt… different.
Ochako went back inside, feeling a lot better for some inexplicable reason.
Her wish would be granted soon.
Sooner than she thought.