-Arc VI-
The I-Island Incident
"Young Kendo. Young Kendo. Wake up."
"Hrm. All Might?" Blinking awake, Itsuka found herself looking up at the #1 Hero's smiling visage.
"It's time for you to get up. The pilot just announced we're getting ready to make our final approach. In fact, if you look out your window, you should be able to see it."
Shifting in her plush leather seat, Itsuka did just that and as All Might said, through her window she could see floating in the middle of the Pacific. "I-Island."
"Indeed, an artificial island home to the world's brightest minds. Over 10,000 scientists, inventors, and other pioneers of industry live there working to make the world a better place."
"I still can't believe I'm here, thanks again for inviting me."
"Of course, I was free to bring whomever I wanted and you were the only person who came to mind. I have some friends on the island I'm excited for you to meet."
"Really? Who?"
All Might chuckled, "Just wait and see." His smile faltered, "This next bit will be exhausting though."
"Huh?"
All Might looked at Itsuka considerately but ultimately stayed quiet. "You'll see. You should get changed too. You did ask U.A. for permission to bring your Hero costume along, right?"
Itsuka smiled, "Yeah!" She exclaimed. Grabbing her case from the overhead bin, the orangette rushed to the back of the plane while All Might chuckled.
Panting, hands on her knees, Itsuka leveled a dirty look at All Might which the blond did his best to ignore. "Sometimes I forget how popular you are." She grumbled.
All Might laughed, "The welcoming committee was rather spirited. Frankly, I'm surprised how many people are here considering the Expo doesn't open to the public until next week. This week's the preview and that's invitation only."
"A welcoming committee?" Itsuka asked, ignoring her mentor's attempt to change the subject. "We were swarmed as soon as we stepped out of the airport. I think some of them were using their Quirks to cut through the crowd."
"Well, Quirks are free to use here as long as you're willing to take responsibility for your actions. As for the crowd, that's the price of fame. One day, you'll be in my position and it'll be you the people are clambering for. I'll be the one in the background, a forgotten relic of a bygone era."
"Don't go riding off into the sunset just yet." Itsuka grouched, giving All Might's muscular arm a light punch. "Just because you're hanging up your cape doesn't mean you get to go straight to lounging on a beach with a coconut and some models. You'll have to stick around just a bit longer, you still have a lot to teach me and the others after all."
"If I must." The Hero sighed. "The sacrifices I make for the next generation." His posture changed as he became serious, "Now, the people we're going to be meeting don't know about One For All or you being my successor, so keep it under wraps, okay?"
"Got it, super strength trainee cover story."
"Uncle Might!"
A faint shout reached their ears and the two turned to see a blonde woman bouncing towards them on a pogo stick. "Uncle Might!" She screamed, leaping off midjump into All Might's waiting arms.
"Melissa! It's so good to see you!" All Might smiled widely, swinging the girl around.
"It's been forever. I can't believe you're here and you look so young."
All Might laughed, "Thank you for the compliment and I appreciate the invitation. But I'm not the only one who changed, I almost didn't recognize you. When did you become all grown up?"
"I'm 17 now. And I bet it's a bit harder for you to lift me up compared to back when I was six."
"Hmm." All Might mused, before tossing her into the air with a grin while she laughed. "Nope, still as light as a feather."
"You're just being nice. I bet-"
'A friend huh?' Itsuka sweatdropped as the two chatted amicably. 'And they met when she was a kid? She called him Uncle Might; just what's their relationship? Her eyes widened, did All Might have a sibling the public wasn't aware of? Thank goodness Todoroki isn't here, he'd go straight to theorizing.'
"And Dave?" All Might asked, turning his head to look about as if searching for someone. "Where's he at?"
"Oh, he's in his lab. He recently made a big breakthrough in his research. He doesn't know you're here. You're my surprise for him."
"I was wondering why he didn't message me. So what's he cooking up this time? A new uniform? Some support equipment?"
"I don't actually know. Normally he'll tell me something, but this time he's not talking. Says it's confidential and on a need-to-know basis."
"And you don't need to know?"
"Mhmm."
"That's Dave alright. Oh, Young Kendo. Allow me to introduce you to the daughter of my friend David I was telling you about: Melissa Shield."
"It's nice to meet you." Melissa smiled, extending her hand.
"Nice to meet you too." Itsuka said, shaking it. "I'm Itsuka Kendo, a first-year Hero student at U.A. High School."
"A Hero student? So that's how you know Uncle Might."
"Uh-huh, I'm his student."
"She'll be a great hero one day." All Might added.
"I can't believe I'm actually meeting someone that Uncle Might teaches. And for him to not only recommend you but bring you here, he must have a lot of faith in you."
"Thanks for the confidence boost, but I'm only a student. I still have a lot to learn."
"So what kind of Quirk do you have then?" Melissa asked, slowly circling Itsuka. Itsuka stayed still, trusting that she was doing so for a reason.
"It's… um, close range transformation with power type classification."
"Your costume fits your style, though its design is rather simplistic. I'm not seeing any support gear either, so are you a brawler? It would fit your costume and Quirk." Melissa rubbed her hand over the faint scars covering Itsuka's arm, "It looks like you really should think about upgrading your gear." She advised quietly.
"Um, Melissa." All Might coughed. "Can we please get going? The fans are starting to regroup."
"Yep," Melissa squeaked, standing up straight, a light blush covering her face. "I'm sorry I got distracted." Grabbing her pogo stick, Melissa pressed a hidden button and the pogo stick seemed to break apart, revealing itself to be one singular continuous piece of thin metal extending from a lighter-sized container which curled about itself to form the pogo stick. Once the pogo stick was back in its container, Melissa easily pocketed it before turning to her guests. "Papa's probably still working in his lab. If we hurry, we can surprise him. Come on Uncle Might, Itsuka, it's right over here." Exchanging smiles, the #1 Hero and his student followed after the eager girl.
"We're on the island. When will the goods arrive?"
"3:00 pm. You'll find them at Gate 66."
"Excuse me? Um, Professor?"
"Huh?" David Shield asked looking up from his phone.
"I've finished putting the equipment away. Is there anything else you need before I go?"
"No, thank you so much Sam. Enjoy your time off." Professor Shield said, leading his assistant from the testing room.
"You too, Professor. But since we're shutting down early, why don't you get out of the lab for once? Go have lunch with Melissa or something?"
"She's busy at the Academy."
"The Academy? I thought they were on break for I-Expo?"
"They are, Melissa said she wanted to do some 'independent research.'"
"She sure takes after her old man in that respect, huh?"
David laughed. "Unfortunately."
"You two know me, I am my father's daughter. For better or worse," A new voice cut in.
"Melissa!" The two men shouted. "How much of that did you catch?" The blonde's father asked nervously.
"It's good to see you again, Miss Shield."
"You too Sam. Thanks for taking care of Papa since he spends more time at work than anywhere else."
"It's my honor to do so." Sam laughed.
"Hey now, I'm not that bad." David complained.
"No, I just have to wake you up whenever I'm getting ready to turn on the security system and find you passed out over your desk."
"That was one time."
"Last week. You're improving."
"Enjoy your vacation Sam."
"Oh, I see. Well I can tell when I'm not wanted. Melissa, a pleasure as always. I pass over the role of caretaker to your more than capable hands."
"Thanks, Sam." Melissa chuckled. "Have fun over your break."
"I will." Sam said as he exited the lab.
"So Melissa, what brings you here?"
"Since you told me about the big breakthrough you had on your project, I decided to get you a present."
"Melissa, you didn't have to do that."
"I know, but I did." The blonde replied as she turned to the door. "You two can come in!"
"I AM HERE!" All Might shouted as he burst into the room.
"Toshi…All Might!"
"In the flesh. Ah, David it's so good to see you again."
"Is it…really you?"
"Yep," Melissa answered. "So Papa, are you surprised?"
"Yeah, completely astounded." David smiled.
"Man, how long has it been?" All Might asked, offering David a hand up off the floor.
"Too long. Don't make me give you an actual answer, I already feel old enough."
"Me too." All Might agreed before smirking, "though I think I look pretty good for my age." The two friends laughed as they reunited. "Dave, I'm happy to see you again."
"Same. I missed you too."
"Oh yeah! Dave, I brought someone for you to meet. Young Kendo, allow me to formally introduce David Shield, my former sidekick, costume designer, and a Nobel Quirk Prize winning laureate for his research into Quirk empowerment."
"You make me sound more impressive than I am." David said sheepishly, rubbing his head. "Still, it's always nice to meet one of All Might's friends. Feel free to call me David." All Might covered his mouth as he coughed softly, attracting David's attention before he returned it to the two girls. "Listen, would you two mind giving All Might and I some time to catch up? Melissa, why don't you show Kendo around the Expo?"
"Sure Papa, sounds fun."
"I'm not keeping you from something, am I?" Itsuka asked.
"Not at all, I'm honored to show a future Hero the fruits of our labor. Even us scientists like to show off every now and then."
"Well if you're sure, then lead the way." Gesturing for Melissa to take the lead, Itsuka followed after her blonde tour guide, leaving the two men alone.
As soon as the door closed, All Might sighed David quickly turning to check on his friend. "Toshi, are you alright?"
"Fine." All Might coughed. "Just tired from the crowds. Thanks for covering for me, Dave. Young Kendo knows my secret but Melissa, I don't want her to see this side of me. The man underneath the hero."
"You told me it was bad in your emails," David said, examining his friend with concern, "that your Quirk was fading."
"Chiyo Shuzenji, Recovery Girl, says I have at most 3 years remaining before my time as All Might runs out completely. But my limit's growing shorter as more and more time passes."
"And there's no way for you to recover it?"
"No." All Might confirmed before he fell into another coughing fit. "David, part of the reason I accepted Melissa's invitation to come here was because I wanted to tell you in person that this summer, I'm planning to announce my retirement."
"This place is amazing," Itsuka complimented; she was trying her best to take in everything as she followed Melissa around, but there was just so much to see! Everywhere she turned, there seemed to be some new technological marvel or cool exhibit.
"Thanks," Melissa smiled, "this is just the exhibition though. I-Island is a single city divided into four distinct sections. The central section, where we're at now, is Urband, home to I-Islands various business headquarters, general research and educational facilities, and of course I-Expo. It also has various hotels for guests visiting the island."
"What are the other sections for then?"
"Well, Suburband is where Papa and I live as well as the majority of I-Islands permanent residents. It's probably what you'd expect to see: homes, parks, small business, that kind of thing. Ruraland is where biological, geographic and oceanic research are conducted. It also grows many of the crops that we eat since the island was made to be self-sufficient. It's where the island's water and sewage treatment are also located. The last city, Techand, focuses on technological inventions and Quirk research. It produces most of the support items I-Island creates and is where I'm hoping to work after I graduate."
"I haven't known you for very long Melissa, but I can already tell you're a shoe-in for it."
"Thanks, I'm just happy to have someone to talk to. I wish I could give you more information, but everything on this island is so secretive to prevent leaks. It's why researchers and their immediate families aren't allowed to leave the island."
"Sounds constrictive."
"You get used to it," Melissa shrugged. "There are a lot more Heroes here than normal though."
"Really?" Itsuka asked, looking around and now that Itsuka mentioned it, she could see several costumed figures walking about. Some talked to people or signed autographs, while others just seemed to be taking in the sights like her.
"Yeah, I-Island has its own share of Heroes for public safety, but while some are permanent, others are just here on a rotational basis. I-Expo's actually quite a big event, so companies and sponsors from all over the world fly in Heroes to show off new gear and attract customers. A lot of them will be at the opening party tonight. You're going as Uncle Might's guest, right?"
'So that's why he told me to bring something formal.' Itsuka thought as she pictured the dress in her suitcase. "Yeah."
"I'll look forward to seeing you there then." Melissa's eyes widened as something caught her attention. "Itsuka, you have to see this!" Melissa exclaimed, practically dragging the orangette towards a particular building.
"What is all this?" Itsuka asked breathlessly once the two finally made their way inside. "I don't think I've ever seen this many Hero items in one place before."
"I thought you'd like it. This is the Pavillion," Melissa explained. "It's where most of Techand's displays are located, the Hero related ones at least. Most of the things you'll see here were actually created using different inventions Papa patented." She smiled wistfully, "These support items are going to be used by Heroes all over the world. Who knows how many lives they'll save."
"You're really proud of him, aren't you?"
"Of course, his inventions improve the lives of countless people. It's my dream to become a scientist just like him."
Before Itsuka could respond, a new voice spoke up, "Itsuka?"
"Yaomomo?" Itsuka was already answering as she turned around. Indeed, standing there flanked on either side by Jiro and Ochaco was the ravenette herself, wearing her hero costume just like her fellow heroines. "What are you doing here?"
"I got an invitation because my father's a major shareholder in some of the I-Island sponsor companies." Yaomomo explained.
"And she had two extra tickets, so she offered to share with the other girls in the class." Jiro added.
"We won an impartial game of chance." Ochaco tacked on.
"Tsu and Toru still came," Yaomomo added quickly. "They just couldn't come to the preview. We're actually planning to walk around with them tomorrow. But how'd you make it here, and who's your guest?"
"Um." Itsuka hesitated, casting Melissa a desperate look, one the blonde seemed to pick up on.
"Hi, I'm Melissa Shield," she introduced herself, stepping forward. "I'm a local here on the island who was just getting ready to give Itsuka here a tour of the Pavilion. Since I'm guessing you're all friends, would you like to join us?"
"Can we?" Ochaco asked.
"So long as we're not intruding, we'll gladly accept your invitation." Yaomomo answered for them. "And I must say, if you are an island native your Japanese is quite excellent."
"Thanks, I'm bilingual and while my father's American my honorary Uncle is Japanese by birth. Now then, let's start over here." Melissa exclaimed excitedly, seemingly teleporting across the Pavillion hall to the side of what looked like a small plane. "This multipurpose Beagle can fly at mach 2, but it can also transform and dive underwater moving aroundlike a submarine."
"Cool."
"Efficient."
"This helmet with 36 different sensors allows you to view dozens of camera feeds at once so you can react to events faster. It'll be a big help to news stations, security companies, and the police.
"I can see how."
"Seems overwhelming to the senses, but the applications are undeniable."
"As for this diving suit, you can wear it and drop up to 7,000 meters into the ocean."
"So deep."
"I wonder what they could find."
"Excuse me?" a voice intruded, causing the five girls to turn towards the new speaker, "Oh, I was right, you are them."
"Excuse me, who are you?" Jiro asked, her jacks rising warily. Momo's eyes widened.
"Sorry, um. I'm Izuku Shigaraki," the green haired boy explained, his freckled face flushed red with embarrassment, "I'm a fan of yours."
The phone call had come in the middle of a training session. Standing in the forest clearing, Izuku had been facing Mina, Himiko, and Candi all at once, eyes warily darting between the three as they surrounded him. Candi had a swarm of her bees buzzing about her while Himiko expertly twirled her blade, eager to draw Izuku's blood from his veins.
Lastly there was Mina Ashido, his newest recruit. She looked nervous, still doubting her choice, but Izuku was giving her the two things she needed at the moment: freedom and time. Time to let her anger and hate fester as well as her doubts, and the freedom to leave if she wished. She could betray Izuku if she wanted to, reveal their location to the HPSC, but Cherry Blossom Manor was a building, it could be replaced. Loyalty though, was truly valuable and Izuku needed Mina to decide for herself where her loyalties lay.
Himiko, the most eager of the combatants, was the first to attack. Charging forward, she slashed wildly at Izuku who weaved around her strikes. Finding an opening, Izuku brushed his hand against Himiko's arm and the blonde yelped in pain as it exploded with a burst of red gore. Mina audibly gasped but Candi wasn't phased, the buzzing of her drones alerting Izuku to their approach. Quickly restoring HImiko's arm, Izuku kicked the psychopath away before slamming his hand into the ground which, under Overhaul's influence, rose to cocoon him in a protective bubble.
Izuku could hear the faint popping of some of Candi's drones as they exploded, but he was more concerned with the faint hissing of melting Earth. Slowly, light began to leak into the darkness as Mina's acid ate through the material, the opening quickly becoming large enough for Candi's drones to begin filtering in. Thankfully, all it took was another application of Overhaul for the dome to collapse, a hole forming above Izuku as the ground around him fell, crushing and burying the drones that had made it inside.
Himiko was already attacking, her knife slicing Izuku's arm which he raised to protect himself, though he grunted as she spun midair to land a kick into his exposed side. His back erupted in pain as Mina's acid struck him from behind, her acid quickly eating through his shirt and into his skin. Launching a punch at Himiko that the blonde dodged, Izuku prepared to incapacitate her once again before his phone began to ring, lying beneath a tree with the rest of their personal items.
"Stop," Izuku called immediately, the girls quickly obeying. Forming a fist with one hand Izuku quickly healed himself as he walked over and picked up the phone. "Hello."
"Good afternoon, Izuku. I hope things are going well." The silky voice of All For One spoke.
"Well enough, what are you calling me for?"
"Straight to business then. Very well. I have a… I believe Tomura calls them quests? A quest for you."
"A quest?"
"Yes, a mission for you, a job, however you wish to describe it. Think of it as a way for you to strengthen your position in this little contest of mine. Complete the quest and you'll get a reward of some kind, either from me or as a result of completing the quest itself. Both you and Tomura will be given the opportunity to take on quests, I just had one more suitable for your particular talents arise first."
"What's this quest then?" Izuku asked. The girls had come close enough to listen in on his half of the conversation and he could see their confusion at his word choice.
"It's quite simple really. I am supporting an operation and would like you, and you alone, to act as the liaison between the operations team and I. You shouldn't have to do much more than talk to them every now and then, although I think you'll accept my request once you find out where this operation will be taking place."
"Oh? And where would that be?"
Izuku could practically hear All For One's smile as he answered, "I-Island, particularly the I-Island Expo Early Access Event."
Izuku's response was immediate, "Deal." For a moment the line was silent before All For One's end devolved into dark laughter.
Less than a week later, Izuku was standing in the I-Expo Pavilion eagerly examining the most cutting edge Hero support items in the world. Himiko, Mina, and Candi were all back at Cherry Blossom Manor, there had only been one ticket for the festival provided and Sensei had ordered Izuku to act on his own. Izuku had already been contacted by Wolfram, the leader of the operation's team, saying he and his men had made it onto the island. All Izuku had to do was attend the reception party and play along with events as they occurred. Then by tomorrow morning they'd be back in Japan, Wolfram and his men much richer, and Izuku with a new toy to use as he pleased. Izuku wasn't sure what the 'toy' Wolfram was referring to was, but if all he had to do was kill time before the reception, then he was going to do so by exploring everything the Expo had to offer.
A flash of red out of the corner of his eye caught Izuku's attention and he froze. Standing there in a rather revealing Hero costume was Momo. His breath caught in his throat as his eyes traced over the ravenette's pale skin following the curve of her stomach upward from her exposed navel to the absurdly large breasts resting atop her chest and straining the fabric binding them. Izuku gulped as the ravenette laughed, suddenly nervous. He didn't know Momo would be here. His heart thumped in his chest and Izuku was suddenly acutely aware of just how long it'd been since they'd last talked.
Before his mind could catch up, his feet were already carrying him over to where Momo stood with a few other girls Izuku recognized from the Sports Festival. Jiro, Kendo, and Uraraki? No, Uraraka. There was another girl too, an older blonde with glasses that rested atop a button nose framing a pair of sparkling aqua eyes.
"Excuse me?" Izuku spoke without thinking. The girls turned to face him and Izuku could see Momo's eyes widening as she recognized him. "Oh, I was right, you are them."
"Excuse me, who are you?" The purple haired Jiro asked, her jacks rising warily.
"Sorry, um… I'm Izuku Shigaraki," Izuku apologized as he introduced himself, "I'm a fan of yours."
Author's Note:
Another month another chapter and a new arc. This arc is going to start off slow focusing more on the Hero Students though it will switch to Izuku at times for his perspective only really picking up towards the end. But what I have planned for the climax of the arc, oh let's just say Izuku's debut will be glorious. Finally platinumed Hogwarts Legacy since I plan to use the Hogwarts in game when writing Harry Potter stuff, and I'm on the verge of platinuming Dead by Daylight and the RE2 remake. For the latter I need to beat Claire's hardcore and 4th survivor, for the former the only challenging things left is Doc's Shocking Treatment and Hemophobia. I swear in game I'm always the first one the killer finds. Oh well.
Other news, I'm getting a surgery on my eye next month. Don't expect any complications but I probably won't be at my best for a while. Shouldn't matter to you all, your next chapter is already written but it may be a few days late in posting depending on how I feel. Just letting you know. As always special thanks to my $5 demon level Patrons:
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You all keep me drinking the four shot expresso Dunkin' that I literally had to write an impromptu waver for and eating the Chipotle Quesarito. As always leave a comment since it keeps me motivated to write and gives me the happy brain chemicals. Check out my P-atreon for early chapters including the next chapter of HPVM and until next time this is the Devil taking the LSAT next Friday who really needs to get to studying signing off,
- D'yavol Lucifer 3:)
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