Chapter Text

Chapter 1: Ride the breeze

July 20th

Today the  summer was in full swing bearing down on the unprepared like tigers on days like these. Most people would curl up in their homes with the AC but some others used the weather to make memories.  Shiai Senshi, powered by the delirious courage that comes with summer, took the opportunity to ask his friend and classmate Yamakaze Yoikami to the beach. 

The pair's first real meeting was a combat exercise where they were put on opposite teams. The mock battle was fairly one-sided with Yoikami’s team on the losing end. Despite the difference in fighting ability the exercise was decided through teamwork. Senshi was able to easily understand and work with his teammate to the point they thought he was reading their minds. Like always people mistook his quirk’s nature. Despite this his team won, though they were weary of him for a while. After the exercise, Yoikami’s teammate blamed their failure on her going off on her own and lack of cooperation; however, that wasn't the case she simply thought her teammate could keep up. Even though she lost Yoikami wanted to team up with him next time and declared such to his face. From there the two would often find themselves working together in various competitions. Now they’re going to be second years.

On the surface  today was to celebrate all they have accomplished and how they pushed each other. As well as finally getting to use the motorcycle that he had been restoring all of middle school and even now in at the end of his second year of highschool. But we all know what is coming right? The truth was simple and clean. His plan was simple: just ask her out! The first step was to get her to ride with him, after all it was one of the reasons he worked to restore it in the first place. How foolish of him to think it would go that way; he should have known she would have asked to race his bike!  Her earnest pleading to race(chase) his bike how was he supposed to fight that? The number of chances to bring up dating throughout the day were too numerous to count and for his privacy and dwindling pride they won't be recounted.

Long story short the setting sun illuminated the city and gave the beach a warm pink glow even the parking lot where his bike was currently sitting it was like the world tired to push him onwards. People seem to weave around them as if they weren't allowed to go near the pair. To be honest even if they vanished he wouldn't notice all his attention was on his friend. Fate, the universe, gravity, flow or whatever you want to call it some force was giving him the chance to cut in abruptly stopping their reminiscing of their school year.

“Actually Y-Yoi-chan...wait a moment...” He adjusted his visor, he made sure to hide his eyes that shone  pink behind them; thank goodness he remembered to bring these for today or she’d blind by now. “...” He gulped and nearly swallowed his tongue. Oh god how bright were his eyes right now!? Could the light peek through the frame!? His entire face felt like it was a beacon!

Shiai Senshi  

 Quirk-  Mood window: his eyes reflect his own emotional state and allows him to see the emotional state of others. His eyes give off a hypnotic light that  manipulates(raises or lowers) an emotion/sensation of his choice in those who can see his eye lights.

“Hm, what's up?” The taller girl tilts her head to one side, the red triangle ears atop her head twitch. Her pale green eyes bore into his visor.“Finally coming clean about what's been bothering you all day?”

Yamakaze Yoikami    

Quirk - wolf mutation; Momentum : she's able to continually increase her speed, the longer she's moving the faster she goes eventually it creates energy! Should she stop moving the energy gradually dissipates. Once she loses the excess energy she becomes sleepy.

 “You...noticed?” 

“Of course. You wear your heart on your sleeve Shishi. Even with your eyes covered it's not hard to tell how you’re feeling. Anyone who says otherwise doesn't know you.” One of her paw like fingers tap against his lens. Of course she noticed something was off with him she had an uncanny ability to figure him out almost like she had his quirk instead of her “Momentum.” Her ears twitch and flatten slightly her already half open eyes squint. “You need to be more aloof like me.” 

“W-what?” He couldn't help but scoff at her comment, sure she may have had a passive poker face but her tells  are as obvious as a puppy. “ Your ears are a dead give away.”

“Says you.”

“Really? You want to go get some ramen.”

“Pfft. No thanks.” She took a sudden interest in her sharp nails.  Her ears on the other hand perk up.

“It's looking like a lie, Yoi-chan.”

“...You got me.” She scratched her cheek. “But you were being honest about the ramen so no backing out of that.”

“I guess, I did mean it.” He laughed, the nervous energy settling down. She really could read him even without looking at his eyes. “Just don't kill my wallet.”

“...It will be a noble sacrifice worthy of our second year at UA. Were almost out of the prologue, Shishi. Soon the first chapter of our lives will begin!”

“Don't just kill my wallet off  before the first chapter!” Senshi protested. “Also don’t say the prologue chapter. Makes it seem like nothing will matter until we graduate.”

“Hmm, good point! All of this is important to me, even now.  We even  have a whole summer vacation to add too after all! Plenty after too. No need to rush anything.” She does a little twirl and resting her arms behind her head walking away from the parking lot she sits on a nearby bench. “No need to spend it all on one day...” She gave him a slight smile and pats the spot next to her. Senshi takes a step, her words swirling in his mind it even makes him bump into a girl; he offers a quick apology as she waved him off with a grin and wink.

‘The first day?’ Right summer vacation had only just begun...there was no need for him to rush anything. Suddenly a weight fell off his shoulders the stress from his hurrying just fades away. It was times like this that he wondered just how much of his feelings did she already know?  He finds himself sitting next to her. “Thanks.” Finally the rest of the world comes back into view the sound of engines starting and family chatter fills the air along with the sounds of waves.

“No problem, I’d be in trouble if you couldn't feed me...”

“So I’m a buffet!?”

“Thanks for the meal!” She bows, then barks a tiny laugh. They lock eyes and remain that way for a long while, or at least it feels that way to him. Suddenly her ears twitch, “hey...Shishi?” She takes a step closer.

“Y-yeah?” There goes his stomach again.

“Does that sound like your bike?” She shoots off the bench and jogs back to the parking lot, confused but trusting her judgment Senshi moves quickly removing his visors revealing shining green eyes.

The scene before him is quickly moving far too fast for him to do anything. Someone wearing a black jacket with a butterfly sewn into the back and his red helmet is riding his motorcycle! It's a girl  he can tell because the jacket flutters on the breeze as she drives revealing a girl  with a thinner frame than Yoikami wearing a two-piece swimsuit. She rode his bike out of the parking lot. His hands shoot down to his pant leg and frown, it's empty. The keys, that should have been in his pocket, are in the ignition. He didn’t even have time to shout at her as she peeled off, not a second wasted. Like an Olympic athlete Yoikami broke off into a sprint.

“I’m on it! Shi! She won't get away!”

“Right.” All he can do right now is call the police. He wasn't worried though Yoi-chan could handle herself she was the girl gunning for the #1 spot after all.

Now on the open road, our thief was feeling a little conflicted as she drove into the streets and weaved between cars with practiced ease. On one hand she definitely interrupted some gushy scene like you would see in a shoujo manga from her light observation(eavesdropping) it could be called a turning point in a relationship. It was so, so cute she could still see the flowers floating even now, truly an once in a lifetime sight to behold. On the other hand, this was the initiation if she wanted into the  Hot Rod Hearts she would need a ride. A good one. The gang took an interest in her when she broke into a teacher’s car to steal back the accessories they confiscated, what gave them the right to take her pendant anyway? Not that she cared about it, she wasn't even sure why she wore it that day. A break in became car theft when she drove it around town as a victory lap. Regardless, the group had already praised her on her driving skills telling her she could make it to the very top and when they found out she was quirkless they had only been a little shocked and praised her abilities even more! They even helped  her get those tattoos she always wanted along with one symbolizing the Hot Rod Hearts. For a long while she was in the gang in spirit but here was her chance to get in for real! Those two would have all summer to fool around but this was her one chance to prove herself!

Sirens blare and the thief clicks her tongue. That was quicker than she thought she figured in Japan of all places the police would be a little more lax, but maybe being in Japan made them bored enough to pursue? Thankfully, their driving skills were garbage compared to her own. Attempts to block in her were met with her skillful sliding between them;  cars meant to block her couldn't follow her well in the side streets. Her confidence shone when she popped a wheelie as she left them in the dust. You can say what you want about her but no one could ignore or wave away her skills behind the wheel! She managed to finally shake them by hiding out in an alley and letting them think she was speeding away. Her path safe for the time being she sent a text to her friends.

“😎 got my ride~🏍”

 Ok, they didn’t respond but she figured they didn't need to remind her where to go or encourage her she has this handled. With that thought she pulls off into the streets. It would only take her a half an hour to get to the base form here.

“Stop!” The thief looks over her shoulder at the wolf girl sporting a red diving suit  in hot pursuit on all fours . She was still a ways away but she maneuvered between and even under cars with little problem. “Give back Shishi’s bike!” 

‘If you can run that fast why do you care!? Just carry him like a princess!’ The thief wanted to bark back but held her tongue and focused on the road. How did she find her? Maybe those mutations aren't just for show and she smelled her out? A speed quirk giving chase... not totally unexpected but she’d hoped she could make it to the meeting point without trouble. She accelerated through a red light and ignored honked horns and the shocked cry of the pedestrians that were never in danger as her new ride danced through them. ‘Well whatever that guy’s machine is  pretty good between this baby and my head start she can’t catch me!’ The road ahead was surprisingly clear giving her more room to accelerate.

“Stop!!” To the thief’s surprise the once widening gap between her and the wannabe hero was only closing. Not only that but around the wolf girl a barrier of light seems to have formed and her speed’s noticeably increased. “You won't escape me, not a chance!”

‘So it's not just super speed then?’  Looking at her arms and legs it's not that she's moving with blinding speed, it's more accurate to say she’s just gliding along . ‘Is it cutting down on wind resistance or maybe she's being constantly propelled by her quirk.’  the thief reasoned. She would have to lose the hound in traffic taking her to the meeting place was a no go they warned her if anyone found it they would cut ties with her.  She glances to the side noticing how the other lane has more cars driving she takes another glance at the rapidly approaching mutant and steeled her resolve. She needs to shake her here and now. Taking a sharp turn snearly kissing the side of a delivery truck as she enters the opposite lane. The sound of screeching tires and blaring horns greet her but she presses on driving against the flow of traffic.

“You won't get away! I’m Hati, the darkness chasing hero! You’ll never escape me!”

 “Give me a break!” The thief loudly exclaimed even after gathering her guts to do it the girl followed anyway? Not only that but the name she just said if it's legit then she’s already dealing with a hero or at least an intern? Things have gone off the rails right from the start! She could drive a bit more reckless that should stop the hero’s pursuit. Then again she was already going against the flow of traffic anything more and...The thief bites her bottom lip at the thought. ‘But then that would  cause a serious accident. More than I’m already doing. I just have to drive. I can do this!’ She nods to herself. ”At least if it's driving then even I can do it!” The roar of her engine gains new life as she makes tighter turns trying to make the path as difficult to follow as she could without losing speed or running someone off the road. She can’t afford to look back anymore. The oncoming  cars take all her attention, the roaring grows louder and she realizes it's not her engine.

“Pull over!” A manly voice called out barely audible over the engine and the wolf girls' own shouting. In the corner of her eye she sees a white blur approaching. “Hot Rod Heart! Stop and surrender! You have nowhere to run!”

The Turbo Hero: Ingenium!?

‘Give me a fucking break already! WHY HIM!?’ She was actually a fan of his, today is a rollercoaster. “Wait, how did he know I was? No way he can see my tat with my jacket on. No, that's not important, What did he mean nowhere to run?” His words echoed in her mind. The road was dangerous but it was thinning out for some reason? The traffic was dying down enough for her to see why. Up ahead a blockade aligned with spike strips! The police had mobilized ahead of time. She hadn't seen a single cop since she ditched them the first time and her chase with the wolf was unpredictable so how did they know? She can’t go jump it and the Turbo hero is hot on her heels she can practically feel it, the roar of his engine-legs helps give her an idea of how far he is. Not to mention that wolf girl is definitely still following her and most likely gaining.

“Gimme a break! Fine, screw the base.” She hissed under her breath, she could not bring this type of heat to them. She hits the brake and leans to the right making a wide turn and comes face to face with the Turbo hero who reaches for her. His gloved hand grasps her jacket but she shrugs it off along with her backpack, revealing a star shaped mark on her neck and fiery tattoo on her arm, as he goes flying past her she pumped the gas as the hound makes a beeline for her.

“Stop already! Moonlight Fang!” She leapt off the road and her golden aura turned her into a human bullet.

“Come at me like that you're gonna break the dang thing!” The thief cried pulling her weight and the bike down into a slide not totally avoiding Hati as the wolf hero scraped against the side of the bike. ‘I’ll head to the business district.’ The stress she put on the machine it's starting to show as she can no longer make it to its top speed but she managed to make it to the busy intersection.

When Ingenium got the anonymous tip this morning about a dangerous member planning to perform a heist he was skeptical for a number of reasons but the civilian provided enough details for him to have reason enough to take action. Good thing too this girl has done enough damage just riding that bike if she were to actually use her quirk to add to the chaos, well that's not something he would allow! The blockade had failed but that's simply because of how well she handled the bike; handling its drifting and maneuverability was unexpected unless she was some championship stunt driver, which he doubted, then the bike must have been modified or maybe it was her quirk at work.

Tensei Ida pawned her  discarded jacket and bag over to the police before quickly following after Hati. He remembers seeing her at the UA sports festival her speed and persistence was impressive enough to offer her an internship.  The two resumed the  now joint pursuit of The  Hot Rod Hearts gang member. The engines in his legs roared to life as he went into  a full sprint after the thief with Hati a step behind him. The gap between them and the motorcycle isn't that far; they should catch up in a minute or two.

“Hati,  quick question!”

“Huh? Yeah? er yessir!”

“You were on her heels longer than me so I thought I should ask...That bike...you know anything about it?”

“My friend made it for hero work.”

“Its equipment then?!”

“ Yeah. He’s gotten really good at making stuff; that's why I’m not worried about attacking it. I’m sure it can take a hit or two.” 

“What about the thief, any idea what her quirk is?”

“None at all! Maybe something to help with balance? She hasn't done anything flashy save for her driving skills but that goes without saying.”

“I see. “ In that case they could go full burst and take her out in one shot. ”I’m taking out the bike; take her when I strike alright?”

“No problem.” Her ears flatten back and she bore her teeth in a snarl, her eyes narrowed up ahead. “She’s stopped?” He followed her gaze...

 Where a dinosaur-like person has a young boy gripped in hand like a ball while his free claw grips the handle to a custom convertible, he’s clad only in torn jeans and a large backpack.  Nearby a store window display has been torn to shreds and bystanders watch in horror form within and around the store. The villain's upper body was disproportionately large, its mouth is curled into a sneer with its purple tongue hanging out and their arms easily  long enough to scrape against the ground. Most importantly the fiery heart shaped tattoo ,with a burning wheel in the center, on it’s back made its allegiance clear. ‘Did she call for backup?’ No...looks like he's been here a while.’

“Change of plans Hati were going after the other one!”

“...Right.” The girl huffed but he could tell she figured it out for herself which was more important the civilian or the bike. The thief revs up the bike and starts to ride again.

“She took the chance to escape. “ Igneuim sighed that was to be expected but there was something far more important before them.

“Mommy!” The child cried and formed with the store Tensei could hear a shriek of anguish a blonde woman runs out being held back by several patrons! 

“That's my baby! Get the hell off of me! Move! Goddamnit! You pieces of shit! Damnit leave him alone!” The mother roars in english, pulls free from the crowd and makes a run for the door. “You fucking bastard!!!” The crowd managed to pull the woman back inside. Suddenly the thief does a wheelie.

“Is she celebrating?” Instead of peeling or going around the villain she punches the gas directly towards them. “No...is she?!” Tensei gasped. “Why would-”

“She's going for him!?” The girl takes  a standing position just as the villain turns to look at the approaching vehicle!

“Kid!! Get ready to move!”The thief screams already a breath away from the  villian! “Dintang you piece of shit!!”

“W-wha-” The kid gasped as a blur sped by him.

“Eh!? The hell-” The villain turned to receive a tire to the face, the wheel spun and dug into his face pulling along the scales as it spun. “JoAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!!!!” Painting the wheel red she accelerates even further.

“ORA!” She rode  the bike with a war cry and the homemade vehicle slammed into the beasts’ massive head snapping it backwards. The bike tumbled like a rock thrown across a lake into a light post as the villain's grip on the child loosened and released. The mutant’s claw slashed at her only carving a gash down her leg but with enough force to knock her balance. The bike had lost all control. The child scrambled away his golden eyes reflected in her helmet as she fell. A shocked and relieved expression filed with happy tears that brought a smile to her face. ”Fuck’in sweet.” The villain stumbled back in pain several of his teeth fell to the ground as he let out a mix of growl, gurgle and whine nursing the side of his head blood flowing between his claws. The girl didn’t get off easy as her head cracked against the pavement which sent an audible and visible crack down her helmet  as she bounced  off the road and into the air. 

“HATI!” Mid-air wasn’t his expertise but no hero could allow her to take another hit like that. “The girl!”

“Moon fetch!” The girl screamed aura flaring as she pushed off the ground and collided against the bikini clad thief. The two rolled across the round in a ball of golden energy.

“Rocket Charge!” Igenium cried  and jumped. His engines released a burst of air, pure heat and smoke that propelled him through the air past both girls and into the villain in little more than an instant! A switch rocket powered kick found its way into the Villains stomach. The dinosaur gasped as the wind was knocked out of him, his muscles gave away. The Turbo hero’s foot dug deeper and the monstrous villain was launched back and sent sailing into the pavement a steaming foot shaped dent in his chest. 

“The hell?...It wasn't supposed to go down like this...”The villain groaned, ”how worthless are you jo...jo?” He made a move to stand but his body gave out silted eyes rolling back into his skull. He collapses with a thunderous thud.

“Phew....” Tensei let out a sigh of relief. If he got back up after taking that hit he would have been at a disadvantage. Heck if the kid were still in his grip they would have been in a worse position. “That girl...was really reckless.” Was she that confident in her driving that she wouldn't hit the kid or was there some sort of falling out and the kid getting saved was a coincidence? No. She wanted to save him but why when she was home free?

“She's hurt but breathing!” Hati declared having removed her helmet to see how bad the damage was. Tensei hobbled over to give her a once over himself as the police officers arrived on the scene. Her hair, dual toned braids and tied around two large buns atop her head along with  a long mane of raven hair, in the back is a mess and matted with her fresh blood. Her back was scraped from her initial impact against the road blood and gravel stuck into her skin. Her eyes are opened but unfocused her gaze off into space. “She has a cut from the pendant around her neck. It bled but it's stopped!  Really lucky.” Hati exclaimed gesturing to the wound, Tensei knelt down to getter look. There was a seemingly deep gash at her neck with dried blood as if the wound had just healed. Did she regenerate? It would explain her recklessness. Around her neck sat an open locket featuring a family photo along with a blood stained shard of stone. No it was a fragment of something like an antique  it probably came from inside the locket along with the photo.

“Probably has a concussion, pretty lucky all things considered. Lets get her and these people looked at.”

 To be continued ⇛

Chapter Text

Chapter 2: They talk about me like a dog

JOJO

“This is the station...oh jojo what did you get into this time?” Wearing a sundress with her brown hair swept to one side a lilith woman enters a local police station an act that should leave a parent worried or frightened but she had learned how to keep calm on the outside because she knew the guilt her daughter felt seeing her worried expression. But a villain attack!? That was pushing it just a bit too much! And even having a chat with her ex-husband didn't really ease her worries much though his level headed faith in their daughter was nice to hear. Steeling herself she enters the station and is greeted to the hustle and bustle inside and an oddly sweet scent.

“C’mon c’mon!”

“Did you see that bike? I’d steal that too.”

“Should I arrest you?”

“I didn't do anything! Where's my lawyer?!”

“Sheesh what a day...”

“You cops acting like you did something! Nothing but janitors cleaning up after All Might! Must be nice sitting on your ass all day!”

“You  think you can get away with this!? You know who my family is!?”

“More...I need more! Where is it...”

“Fa...Go...d...beware... it's...heavy...spinning...Trai...imposter.”

“I...i didn’t do it? P-please! There's no wa~~~~ay!”

“Damw da  dha  hurds! Ohoh!”

“Move it, move it. You Hot hearts think you're such tough shit...You’re lucky you got off with only a cut tongue. I can’t believe your face healed already.”

“...dedahMilkahmhen...hat doun dhat burs!”

“No idea what you're saying moron, move it.”

Inside the local police station were seeing more action people scrambling with files and shouting about arrests. She heard about this on the news : despite the presence of All Might it seemed criminals figured if they strike while All Might was busy they could get away with anything. It's as if they had forgotten about all the other heroes in the nation.

“Excuse me? I'm Kujo-” She called out to an officer who just waved her off and quickly muttered an apology. “Give me a...”

“Are you Kujo-san?” A polite voice called out to her. She looked to her side as a young man wearing white armor with engine mutations growing from his legs. "Sorry to interrupt your day like this."

“Oh your... Ingenium right? Yes I’m Kujo Ashleigh. Its nice to meet you. My daughter’s a fan of yours.” She gives him a slight bow. which he returns.

“Oh is she? That's pretty flattering and interesting all things considered. I’m Tensei Ida technically the one who detained her.” 

Technically? And detained not arrested. Things were looking up for a change.

“Can I see her? Is she okay? What happened?”

“W-wait a minute..” He waves his hands defensively a bead of sweat on his face. “You can see for yourself and well she’s in a bit of trouble.” He sighed, scratching his cheek. With a roll of his shoulders he gestures for him to follow. “I’ll take you to her.”  The mother followed behind him.

“Just to be clear... she wasn't arrested. Right? With his nod she lost some tension in her body. ”That's a relief.”

“Well she definitely committed some serious crimes today but... I'd hate to see a kid like that go any further down the wrong path. In fact I have an offer for her actually.”  The hero grins.

“...An offer?” This wasn't the conversation she expected to have, its usually the exact opposite.

“Well I haven't seen her file or anything and I doubt this was her first offence.” Sadly, Ashleigh couldn’t argue with his guess. “But I believe that enough good deeds can make up for some misdemeanors!”

“What exactly are you trying to say Ida-san?”

“I want to make her my sidekick! Or at least take her under my wing.”

How long has it been since her little girl showed any interest in becoming a hero. Most people thought she simply wanted to cause trouble or worse become a Villain but that couldn't have been farther from the truth and it was a shock that someone who just met her figured that out already.

“What?! W-what exactly happened today!?” 

“First, I’d like to confirm something that's been something of a mystery. What's her quirk?”

“Oh, she doesn't have one.” The mother replied simply much the the hero's apparent shock.

“Seriously?!?”

“Is that so hard to believe?” This was another thing she had gotten used to, the shock that Jojo could do the things she did all the fights and trouble without s quirk to get her through. Honestly the shock felt insulting and it wasn't even directed towards her, despite the acts being crimes they were impressive in their own right. No wonder Jojo gets upset by people coddling or pointing out her difference. But no matter how people think of Jojo she would believe in her no matter what.

“Ah no, looking back it's not really. I supposed I just assumed...” He tried to laugh it off so she let him. They walked in silence but she knew  the situation had changed, getting married to Jotaro if you couldn't read the room you had no chance. This Pro hero’s entire being seemed to stiffen at the mention of being Quirkless. More likely than not he was going to change his mind ultimately it was the responsible option but she did wonder what her Jojo did to make him come to such a conclusion in the first place. Such rejection came once too often to her daughter. He mumbled ”...that changes...” something under his breath or maybe it was a deep sigh she wasn't sure. “Well, here we are.” An interrogation room he must have noticed her glance at him. “I know the police here trust me she’s fine.” He grasped the handle and opened the door. 

Resting her boots on the table with her open jacket revealing her bikini top. Jojo's handcuffed to the table with a half empty bottle of water. Her hair was down the dual tones cascading down her face and neck. Surprisingly the pendant her father gave her when they moved  to Japan after the divorce around her neck. She knew that Jojo took it with her today that was surprising  enough  but she never thought she'd see her wear it again! The shock of seeing her actually wear it nearly over took her style of dress and the bandages wrapped around her head, arm, and neck. Her mother’s eyes widened. The water erupts, spraying  upwards like a fountain and cascading down on over everything in the room.

Kujo Ashleigh 

Quirk: Geyser: she's able to make nearby water erupt in a direction of her choice.

“Gimme a break I'm hearing things as it is now I’m soaked...hey Mama.” Her daughter slumped in her seat looking at her bashfully. “At least I’m wearing a bathing suit, right?”

“Ma’am...please...” The hero backs away from the older woman’s stern motherly glare.

 “Cujoh(Kujo)  Jolyne”

Quirkless.

JOJO

“...” Jolyne let out a sigh. Her mother was throwing a fit now putting whatever conversation the Pro Hero had planned on hold but that was fine by her seeing her angry was better than the disappointed or guilty look she would throw Jolyne’s way at times like this. As if her mother were in the wrong somehow. Not like it’s Jolyne’s fault either, if the heroes had just butt out none of this would have happened. ‘No even before the heroes showed up that bastard ratted me out!’ It all could have been simple and she’d be partying with the other  Hot Rod Hearts right now. Instead she’s sitting here in the prelude to a lecture after taking out that junkie Dintang...twice. Whatever she had other things to worry about like what the hell was going on with her hand or specifically her middle finger. The digit had holes like the seams that made up her body were being pulled apart by a single string. According to everyone she talked to it was just a hallucination brought on by the concussion but she could feel it. The thread even had her heart beat. While she  lazily played with the string between her fingers it felt warm and like silk. It ran down the table and under the door it probably trailed all the way back to the infirmary  where she passed by and fought with Dintang.

“Damn it  Jojo!” Dintang roared his newfound transformed state breaking down as while his head was still massive his  build slimmed down  to a normal scaled human with claws she remembered rather than the wannabe Kajuu he had been on the streets. Though his newfound strength seemed to remain as he broke past the police to slam her against the wall. “You quirkless bitch! This is all your fault! The hell did you do that for!?” His breath smelled like a metal and his gross purple tongue hung out from the gaps in his maw.

“Fuck you! You freaking-” She croaked the grip on her throat made back talk difficult.  She's not strong enough to fight him while hes hyped up even if the affects have mostly died down, she needed something to get her out of this. But pinned like this what could she do? ”You were gonna take that kid hostage!” There was one thing she had on hand...the dumb thing cut her up good.

“So what!? The score would have been golden! Now how are we supposed to get a hold of that stuff? You may not get it freak but us real people-” She grasped her pendant in hand and stabbed into his tongue making him howl in pain. The lock snapped, her photo fluttered to the ground while  the stone stuck   in her pendant caught on his gums and cut along the side of his tongue. 

“Don't talk to me like you're better than me dipshit! You were supposed to be at the meeting place to pick up the bike! You turned on the gang for a quick fix, don't act all high and mighty!” She dug her pendant around before she wretched it out of his mouth.

“Turned on the-!? GAHAHA Ok.”  He spat his blood on the floor the stone clattered against the ground. “You really are stupid.”

“What?” She pants, eyes locked onto the giggling  lizard man. The police formed a closing circle around him.

“I thought you figured it out but...you really did this just for the fucking kid!?” He roared his tail smacked into the cops that tried to hold him down; he even ignored the taser fist that dove into his side! “Listen up Joke. You were never one of us.” His free claw dug into her arm stabbing into the tattoo. “You were never  gonna be either!”

“Gah!”

“S-shit call for backup the drugs are still in his system!”

“Like we needed a quirkless loser! You can drive but that's all we needed from you! We can find drivers with powers anywhere!” He barked, he grabs her face forcing her to look him in the eye. “But they wouldn't be as  expendable!”

“That- fuck you! I’ll see you outside after I tell every-”

“Everyone agreed you know.” Her eyes widened  and her words died at his response. “To use you as bait for the police and heroes to chase around.” The dino-like teen sneered. 

“That's no-not..no way...” His tailed crack at the police once again.

 “But you couldn't even do that right!? But I guess being a fuck up is normal for you? Does that come with being quirkless?  Or maybe that's your quirk eh?” 

“!”

“I cant believe how desperate you were, Joke! Man, Romeo sure can pick them! I can’t believe you tried the drug!  You couldn't  be more obvious! “Maybe this will do it!” Right! Awaken your quirk!? Hey hey am I right, I’m right hu~~~~h!” The whites of Jolyne's eyes turned red. How did he know about that, she could guess but the idea made her stomach churn. God fucking damn it.

“Shut up!” She swung her leg to knee him  but his tail blocked the blow and wrapped around her leg. Beneath them the police officers groaned weakly as they tried to get to their feet.

“What did your boy say about stones? Whatever! No wonder you pops left.”

“Shut the hell up!” Her free leg swung up and kicked him in the balls.

“GAHIEEEEEEE~!” 

“Who the hell do you think you are!!” She found a wire or string, not even sure where or how it came to her fingertips but that didn't matter. “ORA!” She wrapped it around his tongue and pulled.

“Wah wah is diss!? Mah chunge!?!?” The wire slices clean through it staining the both of them with a fresh coat of blood as his tongue  flopped to the floor.

Next thing she knew about a dozen more officers swarmed the scene and separated the two and even as he’s dragged away the string follows caught on his teeth and then the door is left unnoticed.

“Ge uoo fo dis! Jouuka!”

JOJO

She rubbed the corner of her eye and pretended that her mother didn't notice as the woman talked to Ingenium.

“So...Like a puppy, huh? Hehehehe.” A cute girly giggle echoes in Jolyne's ear.

“Ahk!? Wait why do you- Did that slipped out...?” The nervous stammer of a boy in love.

“hehe.”

“uggh...hahaha.”  

Oh. Those voices belonged to the cute pair of love birds she interrupted earlier, they were here too then? They must have passed over her string. Another thing she noticed was the voices that they also claimed were caused by her injury were being sent from the string like a kid’s game. She even heard her mother’s entering the building and her walk over here with Ingenium. ‘What is this?’ IT's not in her head that's for sure and it...It couldn't be a quirk?

“Sorry about the bike.” The girl yawned chasing Jolyne at top speeds must have drained her.

“Hmph! Man that's years of work down the drain! It's completely ruined just what was she doing with this thing fighting All Might!? The frames all smashed up! The engines completely shot too!” He mumbled something that must have been too quiet for the string.  “...Is getting it back to top shape gonna take all semester?”

“Sorry if I had accelerated faster than I could have caught her without your bike getting all...”

“No, nonoono! It's me really! You of all people shouldn't be apologizing to me! I shouldn't have let her take my keys! What kind of hero gets pickpocketed!?”

“If it's not my fault," Hati huffed, "then it's not yours either Shishi!”

“ah...can’t argue with that...”

“Hm. Though Shishi, you don't seem that angry? Even your eyes have only been slightly blue.”

“Hmm well it really did do that didn't it? Hold up to a hero chase, I mean. It even managed to push you to try your hardest! So at least I was on the right track with the design.”

“You're not mad at her though?”

“Huh? Well of course I am! But..well....”

“But you're happy? Sorry I know you hate it but your eyes gave you away this time.”

“I-hmm, kinda. She saved the kid right? In a way I’m glad that its first outing ended up with someone being saved...I kinda wanna thank her even.” His words echo out the string and into Joylne’s mind.

“...” Jolyne’s eyes widened. “Thank me?” She whispers to herself with a smile.

“Jojo are you sure okay?” Her mother’s voice broke her concentration. “You’ve been staring at your hand for a while now...” Despite worrying about her daughter’s hand Jolyne’s mother presses her hand against Joylne’s forehead.

“Oh.. yeah I’m good.” Jolyne waved off the concerned look. ‘They really can't see the string and the jerk couldn't see it either. It can’t be quirk I’m not that far gone... But it's so...weird. If it's not a quirk then what is it? Maybe, I am out of it.’ Regardless of her disbelief a bit of excitement burned in her chest. Whatever it was it made her more than she was before.

“So about what to do with you now Kujo-san...  oh, should we wait for her father to-”

“Tch!” Joylne clicked her tongue.

“I’m...divorced and he’s currently in America.”

“OH! So sorry!” The Pro hero looked off to the side and took a moment to collect himself with a cough into his closed fist. 

“So...what about me?” She didn't need a hero of all things apologizing for talking about  crappy dad.  She didn't even want to think about him! “You have something to say?”

“...jojo?”

“Well that's the issue I don't think that's necessary and someone who risked their life to save a kid deserves some type of reward! So at first I...well I’ve talked the chief into just giving you some community service.” Thats... what?

He flashed her a handsome smile so why did she feel so cold?

JOJO

Drip...drip...drip

The room grew silent, the sound of water running down the table did little to distract from the hurt expression that flashed across her daughter's face only to be replaced with her, probably unconsciously, mirror of Jotaro’s stoic face.  It's what she always does when she's feeling down and trying to hide it.

“After risking your life I think I saw a bit of your true character so whatever punishment coming your way feels a bit too much. Especially because in that situation both me and Hati would have been hard pressed to save that child without injury.” 

‘So he changed his mind after all.’ Ms.Kujo sighed, it was sadly understandable. Though it may have been dangerous she hoped the hero could give Jolyne what she herself probably doesn’t realize she's wanted. A “purpose.” From teachers to friends, everyone had an “idea” of who Jolyne is but all they see is her crying out for and against someone who's not there anymore. It started as a cry for attention but Jotaro’s leaving left a hole that she was trying to fill however she could. Maybe if she found it then all this would change but that's only something Jolyne can find for herself.  So all this mother can think to do is give her support because no matter what she will always be proud to be the mother of Jolyne Kujo.

“That's it...” Jolyne whispered to her Ashleigh watched her daughter suddenly find an interest in a corner of the room.

“Is something wrong?” The hero questioned. That went without saying but even her mother couldn't figure out what about the deal would bring this out of her.

“To top it off, he still didn't show? Even after hearing I got involved with a villain?” She huffed under her breath. “I ain't a joke...”

“Jolyne-san?”

“Jojo...”

“No thanks.” The girl huffed and grinded her teeth together.

“H-huh? Jolyen-san? I don't-”

“I said I don't fucking want your pity!”

The silence returned and was swiftly interrupted by the hero's phone ringing he glanced at it and frowned. 

“I need to take this. Please think about it some more. ” His voice and expression made it clear it was a plea and that he hoped the conversation wasn’t over.

JOJO

‘That could have gone better... ’ The Turbo Hero sighed jogging through the police station. ‘Though I wonder why she was so angry about getting off easy...No obviously there has to be something to it but...’ He shook his head. “Can't worry about that right now. The officer said that er....Dintang? Was acting suspiciously. The drugs should be out of his system but I’ve got a bad feeling.” The pro made it to the cells and his nose was assaulted by the scent of something mixed with  blood and eyes given  a disturbing sight. Three officers were beaten bloody faces bruised and discolored. He breathed a sigh of relief as their chests rose and fell along with a sweet scent mixed with iron. He took a step into the room and paused. “Their fists...” Their knuckles were raw and bleeding. “Did they do this to themselves?”  He peered into the room checking behind the door before doing so and noticed the others detainees were still there curled up in corners mumbling to themselves. Dintang sat facing a wall, his body now thin, lanky even, and  the raptor head replaced with a human one with a pink mohawk.  “Hey what happened here!?” The teen leans away  and arches his back and peers at the hero with a blank expression.

“...” He lets out a heavy and deep groan. The teen opens his mouth, his sharp fangs on full display. The odd smell intensified. “Hehehe!” He cackles, shoulders shaking hand slapping against his thigh. With every breathe the sickly sweet scent in the room intensifies.

“!” The pro hero covered his mouth and nose.’ The smell is coming from him! Is his quirk not just his appearance?!’ Ingenium frowned beads of sweat rolled down his face suddenly there were three Dintang’s sitting in the cell that wobbled and whose forms merged together like water. ‘A hallucinogenic effect brought on by smell? I have to, I...can’t... Is just standing near it...en...ouachk.’ The man gasped for air, it felt like there was something running over his body. Fingers dug into the door frame as his legs threatened to give out. Ingenium drew ragged breaths and with his free hand he clawed at his suit trying to stop himself from going up in flames. He dropped to his knees, he coughed and panted  for breath. His lungs worked over time to  drag the air kicking and screaming. The room grew dark, the lights on the ceiling bled form pure white into red. A pair of boots appeared in his vision and he followed them upwards to a demon. It rolls an eyeball between clawed digits and stuff into its mouth with a satisfied smirk. Suddenly a prehensile  tongue shoots out from the flames. The room twists and wobbles. The corners of Igneium’s vison turned dark a haze of shapes in the darkness. “You...” He barked out his throat dry. “...Won't...” It was all he could do to grab the beast’s pant leg. 

“Something happening to you Hero~~~o? No worries, no worries. Just testing out my new power, those guys must have really gave me the good stuff! Not sure what's happening to you but it must suck, yeah? Sorry I don't have control over what happens to ya!” The demon gurgled a sweet flame slipped past his teeth. “If I did you be feelin’ way worse.” The demon kneels down and pats the open air with the affection you would show a treasured pet. “ Now if you could excuse them, hero. My Dead Milkmen  have some good shit to pick up. And a bad joke to fuck up. No worries I'll keep you plenty company.” He stood to his full height and reeled his leg back, his boot cracked against the hero’s side.  Throwing his head back Dintang howled his laughter echoing with a bittern sweet scent in the air.

“Dintang”

 Quirk: Mutation: Croc skin: manifests as scales along the upper body, along with small claws and fangs.

Drug induced state: Increased his body mass by a crazy amount and transformed his head into an ancient predator’s. He even grew a tail. Further indulgence will lead to more drastic changes.

???:???

???

???

To be continued ===>

Chapter Text

Ch: 3: Listen to this baby, 

The hero had been gone for about ten minutes now and for ten minutes the mother and daughter sat in silence and Jolyne had no intention of saying anything, not that she could look at her mother's confused and probably hurt expression. Being a disappointment to her mother was something that she couldn't stand. She shouldn't be mad he gave her an out  when he didn't have to. But...but...still she couldn’t help but be angry! He didn't think she could handle it so he changed his mind at the last second! All because she didn't have a damn quirk!? Now she’s cursing herself because she had a chance to explain the string thing but none would believe her the only proof was that she could hear through it but... they’d have to believe her enough to test it in the first place. Shit like this always happens. Everyone! Everyone! Everyone thinks she won't amount to anything. Teachers disregard her goals out of hand beyond the most basic garbage. Her own father wanted nothing to do with her. She feels like a stone cast out into the ocean. Everyone else can decide which tide to follow and even make their own waves but she...she  just can’t and sinks deeper and deeper. The only person in this world who supports her is her mother and she cant even be a good daughter for her.

“You know when I heard you were attacked...I called your father.” Her mother suddenly said giving her daughter a soft smile that quickly shifts into a pout. "It took longer than I would have liked. “Honestly,  I’m not sure why...I think it's because you finally put on that pendant he gave you again!” She giggled lightly to herself as Jolyne grasped the accessory in her hand. She honestly forgot she was wearing the dang think. “I just felt like I had to. Let's call it a mother intuition!” Ashleigh grins covering Jolyne's hand with her own.

‘Why did I put this on this morning anyway? Why... was I thinking of that deadbeat?’ She thought soberly.

“ I thought he would just listen silently as usual but he asked about the pendant the second I mention a villain! Can you believe that? But that must have reassured him. After he calmed down, and before you say anything yes he was panicked." Joylne closed her mouth the sarcastic comment drying on her tongue allowing her mother to continue."I told him you had it he said:”

“If it's Jolyne she’ll be fine.” Her mother recited much to Jolyne’s surprise. “She has everything she needs to win.”

“That- wha?”

“And you know what, I don't say it enough but...” Her mother strides over to her and wraps her arms around Jolyne resting her chin atop her daughter’s head. ”I believe in you too, Jojo. No matter what happens I’m on your side. I'm sorry if it doesn't feel like it enough.” Why did it always go like this, her mother of all people apologizing for something that's not her fault at all?  It always goes like this whether it's to Jolyne herself or for something on her behalf. As she she is now Jolyne couldn't help but feel like a burden to her mother, even if the woman herself would never say something like that. America or Japan it didn't make a difference, the same problem follow them everywhere. Jolyne.  Just what the hell did she do in a past life to deserve this? "Whatever you want to do 'll make it happen."

“I love you mama.” Jolyne wrapped her arms around her mother  allowing her red eyes to relent if only for a moment. Normally crying in public wasn't a thing she'd let happen but nobody could blame her this once. She knew her mother wouldn't.

“I love you too, Jojo.” Ashleigh cradles her daughter humming softly running a hand through her slightly damp hair. The hug lasted for a short moment before Ashleigh stiffened. “Ugh. Jojo, you're still dripping wet!” Jolyne coughed into a fit of laughter as her mother shivered away from her.

“Whose fault is that!? Your the one who had Ingenium looking shook!” Jolyne laughed. Ashleigh sheepishly giggled as her daughter pointed an accusatory  fingers at her.

“And, somehow your cuffs are undone. Is that my doing as well?”

“Hehehe. Yeah while you were grilling him for the details all I could do was sit and listen so I popped’em off.” She gins twirling the useless metal on a finger. It was so easy it wasn't even a thought in her head when she did it.

“What a child I have. I wonder who you get that from?” Her mother  pulled Jolyne pulled into a loose hug with a dramatic sighed.

“Hmph, All my best parts came from you. Soooo everything came from you?”

“Hehehe.” Her mother giggled backing away from Jolyne. “I’m going to go see if I can have a talk with that Pro hero maybe...well I’ll just see what I can do alright? Or at least find you a towel.”

“...” Honestly that just made Jolyne feel guilty about rejecting the offer but she still didn't want his “charity.” But her mother seemed determined to make something happen so she didn't say anything as the woman left the room with the door closed. With nothing left to do Jolyne messed with the pendant her thumb brushed over the broken locket as she opened it. That weird stone, probably a fossilized  fish bone or something, was missing along with her family photo. “Gimme a break.”  She groaned. Well, nothing to do but go get it herself not like a cop would help her out after all this and if she sat here any longer her ass was going to fall off. “Just need to change a bit!” They left her bag here with her, not really a smart decision but she's not complaining, so she fished out her jeans and shimmed them on and threw the hood of her jacket over her head, her hair flowing over her shoulders. Hesitantly she exited the interrogation room, she glances around surprised to find instead of cops  the hallway is filled with red cartoonish clouds like something a child would draw. “The hell?” She poked one and it felt like the softest cotton candy  its barely more than air and for some reason the tip of her finger felt numb like she had been sitting on it. She pulled her hand back and stepped around it but the hallway was filled with them and another brushed her face. A rotten sweet scent filled her nose along with a stronger numbing sensation and vertigo ,Jolyne stumbles back the hallway wobbles and waves tilting about and she uses the wall to keep from falling. Whispers and growling fills her ears like a wild beast is right over her shoulder. A part of her is reminded of her first time getting drunk but then the paint on white halls look like their dancing vile rose the the back of her throat. She took a water bottle from her bag and splashed herself. Panting lightly she glances around, oddly all the liquid vanished even from her face but she felt better and the world returned to normal. “T-that was....weird, fuck, better steer clear of those things...is this why Ingenium left?” She wondered aloud as she sped walked to the infirmary, though now  with the added motivation of getting away from these clouds.

As Jolyne moved, she made sure to  follow her string while crouched on the ground because the clouds didn't seem to be thinning out at all but nobody cared and a couple seemed too preoccupied. A cop was holding back some screaming woman whose waving her tentacle-like arms around shouting about bats. The officer made no move to actually pull the woman out of the clouds  and simply kept her pinned to the wall. She passed by a female officer using a potted plant as a pillow. As she walked she occasionally she could hear a scream here or there and a howl that rang in her ears.  As she walked Jolyne could hear a rhythm; a repetitive  dull thud could be heard up ahead. At the front desk another was punching her knuckles raw against a the desk, blood running down her fingers, her face contorts in fear at something Jolyne can't see. A  horned male officer seated next to her was leaned back in his chair not moving a muscle save to breathe, staring at the ceiling sunglasses hiding his eyes but not the goof smile on his face. Of course the area was covered in clouds and Jolyne needed to splash herself just to pass.  As she walked she glanced at the woman attacking the desk holding her breathe Jolyne slowly approached.  Feeling numb all over as she walked through the clouds, the wet sounds of the officers fist echoing along with a roar that echoed in Jolyne's ears. She poured about half of her bottle over the woman's head and watched as she stopped, for a brief moment lucidity replaced the hate in her eyes. All to quickly the officer gasped tripping over her own feet and falling against the wall in a daze much like her partner to her side. All this could be explained as cops being lax and the people getting dragged in for day drinking but you'd have to be stupid to believe that. ‘Okay enough denial, this is bad, really bad. Are these clouds drugs? Some kind of quirk?’ She couldn't imagine someone dumb enough to  blatantly attack a police station like this and in the middle of the day no less. Not to mention the fact that no one seemed to care or even realize the clouds where a problem was odd. In the corner of her eye she was seeing some...wild stuff to say the least. A couple of  cops, at least six it was hard to get a feel for numbers or gender with them grouped up like sheep. Red faced giggling like schoolgirls hanging off of each other....yeah hanging off each other among other things. ‘...’ She wandered and paused to watch for a bit before shaking her head cheeks tinted pink.’Focus..focus..’ She could always come back to this hallway she awkwardly chuckles, internally Jolyne's mind was racing cling to any fancy to distract her from this situation, like always. She shook her head as she grabbed  the infirmary's door handle. 

“Damn it... just go to sleep already please, please Yoi-chan!...” The words come through pass the door and it echoes in Jolyne's head.

“!!!” Its the lovey-dovey pair once again! She could here them twice over. 'I was so focus on everything else I forgot  I could here through this stuff too.' The hero Hati is on all fours with the guy stared down at her with a glare his eyes shined a mellow purple. On the other side her golden aura burned bright. On closer inspect he hand a deep gash at his side and the girl’s fists were stained red, blood splatter across the room. The clouds filled this room mostly on the girl’s side. It wasn't hard to figure out where all that howling was coming form now.

“Hey! Get out of here! If she shakes off the exhaustion I’m sending her then no one but Ingenium  will be able to handle her!” Senshi cried, holding a hand to his bleeding side while glaring down his soon-to-be-girlfriend.

“Gimme a fucking break, the hell's going on?!” The wolf girl was like a wild beast and her friend wasn’t looking to hot with all those slashes spread across his body like some gruesome pattern.

“ She complained about a weird scent and followed it here fast as always but then...she went berserk and started foaming at the mouth and bared her fangs! She even managed to get recharged...” Shit so these clouds were doing worse than tripping people up and this was way worse that the officer at the front desk no wonder they called away the pro. “Go get Ingenium! Or an army cops at this point! Where is everyone?! Damn it my eyes...” He flinched and blinks jumping towards Jolyne and Haiti's half closed eyes snapped open. breaking the tiles under her feet she jumps forward and like a shining whip she swings her leg, narrowly missing the two of them and carving  a long hole in the wall, snapping the door in half in the process. Haiti roars a deep rattling scream loud enough to tear her throat  as herlong nails digging into her palms.   He fixed his stance and pulled out some...eye drops? The light from his eyes brightened and Jolyne looked away. “Nuh-uh! You’d never forgive me if I let you attack someone...else.” Senshi scrambles to his feet shooing Joylne back to the door and the girl complies glancing at the destroyed wall and door. With all that moment the clouds stayed put and the girl even landed back into the thick of them.

“Just pull her out the clouds!” Could he really not see them at all, unlike everyone else he was perfectly lucid so why couldn't he see them!?

“Clouds? What clouds? Stop messing around!  I don't see anything here but her!” Senshi responds not taking his eyes of Haiti.

“ ME!? You stop playing around! They’re all over the place! How can you not see them!?” The teen barked back.

“...” The older teen grew silent as his girlfriend quieted down aura dimming. “Finally running out of juice again...You said you see these “clouds?”” His tone was accusatory.

“Hey I didn't do this shit! I don't even have a quirk!” He took a chance to glance at her, eyes burning bright, Jolyne froze on the spot and his girl  a little more alert took a pouncing position. He sucked his teeth and his gaze returned to the berserk hero.

“Oh...you’re that thief!...Alright, I’ll believe you besides you’d have no reason to point out your own attack.”  

“Wait I stole your bike and you believe me?” Attack? She already told him she’s quirkless.

“Hm? Sure. You saved that kid, right? At the very least I don't think you're a bad person. Thief-san. In fact, you've probably got a hero’s instinct at least that's what I think.” The older teen shrugged with a grin as it was obvious. “But this strange situation...an invisible attack, clouds that only you can see? A senpai of mine at an internship told me about something that matches up with this... but just to be sure tell me something will you? Do you have a thing that others can't see? A ghost or phantom that follows you around? Maybe an item?”

“Something...Only I can see...an item...” She brought her hand to into view and showed it to him with a thought her middle finger, spots of her hand and arm unraveled into string. “I have this string that my body's turned into.” He   flicks his eyes to Joylne for a brief moment, meanwhile his girlfriends is only raging for a split second before his gaze returns to her.

“Huh? Well I can't see any string  at all honestly. ..though I do see your finger unraveling...But I'll take your word for it. Right, string then.” He hummed and nodded to himself. “I believed him but it sounded so alien I figured it was just a new type of quirk the office stumbled upon.” His voice grew grim. “Listen. You might be the only one who can get out of here!”

He's talking like he...”Do you know what's going on?”

“Right. Sorry, Yoi-chan’s got me spoiled when it comes to explaining myself, I guess, hehehe. I’ll tell it like my senpai did...actually I’ll give you the abridged version.” 

As he spoke Senshi thought back to his last day during an  internship.

JOJO

“Senshi, I wanted to congratulate you on your growth since you’ve arrived here. You have really shown your worth. ” The young man runs a comb through his hair as he compliments the young student.

“Oh? Um thanks I really appreciate all the office has given me!! It's a bit embarrassing to hear you say it out loud though.” His eyes turned to a shade of pink.

“Sorry, I’ll remember that. Though getting embarrassed over something like that...you’re gonna have issues later down the road. Learn to take a compliment with a smile will ya?" Senshi quickly nods in response."Anyway, I’ve decided to tell you a secret." Before the younger teen can say anything his senpai raises a hand. "This is a secret that you can't spread around lightly. It's something that only those with righteous hearts should ever know about. Now swear to hold this secret close to your chest until your heart tells you otherwise.”

“ I swear? I mean, yes sir!” The young man lets out a sigh at Senshi’s answer but nonetheless he speaks up once again.

“I would’ve liked more certainty on that reply. Hope you grow out of this nervousness by the time you graduate.” He whispered a little too loudly. “ Listen and listen well, because I won't repeat myself in passing and I have no doubt this will affect you. I just feel it. In this world there are powers  that go beyond even quirks. Things that break the very laws of nature and make a mockery of science and common sense. Time-and-space and even life and death. Nothing is off limits.  It's something anyone from people to animals maybe even things can acquire. I’m not joking if you can't wrap your head around this then when the time comes you won't recognize it and then it’ll be over for you.” He stopped and stared at them, eyes filled with resolve. “Use those eyes of yours to see how serious I am. You’ve learned to see deception, right?”

“You’re...deadly serious.”

” Good. This power is called a Stand supposedly because it will always stand by you for better or worse. A person’s psyche or “fighting spirit” given form and function. There's barely any rhyme or reason to the power or  the form it takes. Although. Some say it can have something to do with the individual’s mental state  and bloodlines. In that sense being a power that can connect families it is like a quirk. Anyway. Most importantly and  terrifying of all is how these powers function. You may never be aware of the ability for sure unless you yourself possess a stand. You’ll maybe see the effect if you're lucky though, some stands are visible but  don't count on that happening. I've seen your luck first hand.” Senshi decided to cut out the conversation about his luck.

“This sounds more worrying than simple invisibility. How..how are you supposed to deal with something you can’t see?”  

“Knowledge. When I was a kid... one...I- no nevermind that... knowledge and resolve is the only tool a standless person has. You have to figure out how the ability works.” He adjusts the tie around his neck trying to deal with the trembling of his hands. “Stands while their powers vary wildly have many things in common, but be warned like quirks there are outliers that bend the rules.” 

“First people can’t hurt stands, supposedly only stands can hurt stands. Stands usually take the form of a thing separate from its owner, that you cannot see obviously, the power acts through this form as medium. It  can be a humanoid thing, a creature, structure, an item, or sometimes nothing at all. All stands have an effective range once you go far enough it can't harm you, some are extremely close while others can stretch for miles. More power usually means a shorter range of influence. If close range he must be in the area with a couple of meters but the longer the range the further away they may be. A good sign to look out for is accuracy. If it looks like pinpoint targets are being hit they must be able to observe the situation form somewhere safe. Some can only work under specific conditions , find that and you can win. They're even weirder ones, I know they’re all weird but bare with me.  Stands that work by themselves, independently of the user...they’re simple and  usually follow preset commands or conditions to activate but virtually never ending in their tenacity if you encounter something like that finding the user may be impossible and worse yet defeating them may not stop the ability. Power and range mean nothing to them. Independent abilities are the most terrifying though but  that's my personal bias talking. The best way to deal with them, and stands in general, is to use what information you have and to  find and defeat the user. ”

“Senpai...why doesn't anyone talk about this!? If what you're saying is true then it's super important!?!”

“...” He looked off to the side as  he mulled something over in his head. “It's just so absurd and even if people knew there's nothing to be done about it for a normal person or most heroes it's like going up against an enormous wall. I’ll tell you this the government and top rank heroes are perfectly aware of the situation. If people found out about it they’d do everything in their power to obtain one, it would be like history come to life but with stands instead of quirks. Remember how society fell apart  and is now carried on the backs of heroes like All Might if it were to happen again because stands upset this fragile balance...no we're getting off topic. Unlike quirks there are multiple ways to obtain a stand. To some  it  naturally awakens via birth or time but to some but almost always stands appear in dire circumstances. There is also a way to artificially obtain one a life and death gamble  through a certain medium. An antique arrowhead but that's a death sentence.” 

He paused to make sure Senshi was paying attention.

“Remember when I said I felt you would encounter it?...Well it's said that stand users attract one another but I believe that strong opposing wills attract them too. Because evil seeks to conquer good and vice-versa!  More than anything evil stand users always appear to those with good in their hearts this is why I’ve warned you. People like you will no doubt go far and meet many people; it's only a matter of time. So before you get told this years from now or worse experience it firsthand I want you prepared now so terror never worms its way into your heart! I’ve broken my personal vow of silence about this because I can tell you will be a hero!”

"...Senpai..."

“So I’ll believe in you. Moody Soul. Take care.” 

JOJO

“Not a quirk...but a...Stand?” Her heart shook.

“You said outside was clear then it must only be this building the user must be here! If you can see the clouds then you can make it out of here! I dont have my phone on me and they probably confiscated yours  but if you get outside you can call for help! There's no point in hiding out here and finding a phone to use puts you at risk. Get out of here and call for a pro and tell them to get some breathing gear!! After I put her to sleep I’ll look for the user!” Jolyne nods, his words sinking in. She took a step back in shock and her foot nearly slipped on something. She looked down and found her photo slick with blood her’s or maybe Dintang or the hero here didn't matter. Her mother and...her father cooly gazed at her and the noise in her head died down. That stone was here too, dried  blood clung to its surface. Her’s and his. She slipped both into her pocket. She looks at couple at the young man doing his best to stop the girl he loves form doing something terrible, does he think he can handle it all himself?  “Did you hear me? You have to leave!” He managed a grin. "Don't worry I'll hold down the fort! Nobody is going to get out here...I just have to handle her first."

“I...'' Leave? It was easy enough for the delinquent to picture but the idea made her stomach churn, a familiar feeling of loathing so strong she bit her lip. After hearing all that, how the hell was she supposed to just walk?  Let her mother all these people suffer and wait for a hero who might be able to do something about this? And this guy if he leaves then his girlfriend will go on a rampage it's basically suicide  for him to leave him here for to long and even if she gets handle how long before Dintatng takes him out. She's a piece of shit who could do nothing but make trouble for her loving mother; she accepted that fact a while ago. But to abandon her mother and all these people like that; forget being a stone in a sea of rocks she’d stop being human all together! Her mother’s words to her echoed in her mind; she wanted to be someone worthy of that belief! She wanted...she wanted...to be free of her old self! Something deep inside her warm like the embers are whipped up. "I’ll do it.” Her heart shouted at her before the words left her mouth. Her shoulder felt warm but she ignored it. “I have a good idea who the user is anyway.”

“What?!” If you know then that's all the more reason for you to get out!" 

“...Yeah, probably.” She shrugs. "Not like you can't stop me right now, yeah? Lets face it, your girl has too much energy." Haiti snarls in response, eyes drooping. "Not only that but the cops aren't doing much better. You can't stop her and handle whats going on out there by the time help arrives he might just slip out. So leave this to me. You handle the rest of them, at the very least I can keep him busy while you help the everyone else out." She rolls a bottle of water at him, wary  of the seemingly drowsy  the wolf-girl by approaching. "I think water can clear up whatever the clouds are doing but make sure to pull her to this side of the room when you do it."

"Listen to me! do You get what your saying here?! You could-"His eyes locked onto her's for a second, his frown slowly curled into a soft smile.“...sheesh I’ve seen that cool sun-like color too many times. That’s a cool look, its always great to see. You're just gonna got after him no matter what I say.”  Jolyne nods resting a hand on her hip, relaxing now that he seems to approve her her plan. A cool sun like color, huh? She's not sure what it means but it sounds like  compliment and that makes her blush a bit. “...Before you go...I have something that might come in handy...while I try to deal with this.” He nods to his Yoi-chan, her body tense every so often as if waiting to lunge. "It might give you a chance."

JOJO

"I'll be rooting for you. Theif-san!"

With a new pair of sunglasses Jolyne exited the infirmary  the madness on the outside seemed to have stayed relatively the same though the drunks have luckily collapsed on top of each other. First she needed to secure her mother, then hunt down Dintang. She took off her pendant and stared at the stone that seemed to gleam from within alongside the photo. Her mind wheeled as the image of the cut it gave Dintang and the stone wedged into her chest flashed through her mind. ‘A medium to awaken a stand, yeah this was probably it...why did her freaking dad have it?... Life or death...did he know she’d live?’ She wondered as she walked back to her interrogation room in search of her mother. The clouds in the hallway began to increase the source of it must be close; which is worrying when one’s mom is missing in a hotboxed police station.

Zooom!

kakakaka

“That sound again?” Jolyne looked around it sounded like a car no that wasn't right it was like a tiny engine used for rc planes and cars. It grew closer but she couldn't see anything in front of her or behind her. A constant clunking noise drew her attention to her open interrogation room. Did her mother not come back here...or did Dintang find out which room she was in. The latter wasn't impossible, it's not like the cops are in any condition to keep secrets. She unraveled her fingers and  bundled a foot of it in her arms  twitched like  it was alive as she tossed it into the room.

KAKAKAKAKAKAKAKAKAAKAKAKAKAKAKA!

The sound of an engine and clanking machinery filled her ears via her string but not much else. Something was in the room but it wasn't a cop or her mother. Probably not Dintang either. Hopefully. “Fuck that.” She muttered she took a step back, “I’ll leave my string though to see if it ever moves out...hm?” She heard it twice over not just from the room but behind her. The delinquent girl whipped her head down the hall. 

KAKAKAKAKAKAKAKAKAKAKAKAKAKA!

That noise and clouds multiplied.

“Nothing...” So where is it coming from? She glanced up to duck under a cloud  and her eyes widened. A dinosaur head with a horrible paint job on the ceiling. Attached to the head was what had  to be a child’s toy rendition of a camaro with oversized wheels that belonged on a much larger vehicle. At the end of it a long antenna with a ball at the end. From its mouth and behind the vehicle a red exhaust seeped into the air and moments later solidified into a cloud that floated away. “A RC car...so is that...” The ball glowed and the empty eye sockets of the head of the car flashed to life.

“KAKAKAKAKAKAKA! TARGET: FOUND.” It hopped off the ceiling and bared its bone like jaws at her.  She brought string to wrap around its mouth but the line snapped, her pinky finger split open. It hit the ground and wheel around to leap at her again. As it grew closer she brought  up her hands to grab onto its mouth for a moment she held up the car but found her hands sinking through as its mouth found her forearm.

“Gimme a fucking break! A stand user can’t touch it either!?” She shouted as its teeth sunk into her flesh, torn apart and blood flowed form between its jaws! Her whole body jerked as it scraped against her bone and then nothing as her whole arm unraveled inot a mass of string and she backed away from it as the dinosaur dropped to the ground. A couple of strands snapped and she felt cuts slice over her legs like her flesh was cut open by the air. “Shit...” She really hoped her string would have been able to handle it but her line snapped so easily despite its sharpness it was still “string.” If a single line broke that easily then maybe she needed more? She felt her bundle of string that was her arm ”flex” at the thought. Just what could she do with her string that she hadn't realized yet? “I’m gonna need to deal with Dintang.” Last time she managed to cut off his tongue pretty easily, maybe if she bunched up her string she could even slice through that doped lizard form.

“UNIT 2. CALLING. UNIT 1. UNIT 2. CALLING. UNIT 1.” Its ball flashed and the door to her interrogation room creaked open. She heard the engine and clattering teeth with both her real ears and the string she still had in her holding room. So that would mean the unit  is...

“UNIT 1. INBOUND. ” Right here. 

“Give me a break!!!!” She sprinted for the stairs not bothering to wait for another one of those things to appear and corner her. The idea of running away from anything remotely connected to Dintang pissed her off but fighting both at once wasn't going to happen. It was a strategic retreat and nobody would tell her otherwise.

“KAKAKAKAKA. SEARCHING.”

“KAKAKAKAKA. SEARCHING.”

The hum of the engines and clacking of teeth tell Jolyne to hide out in a room and let the twin terrors pass her by. ‘They didn't even bother checking the rooms for me...so I guess that cements it that Dintang isn’t  controlling them directly. That or he’s even lazier than I thought. It called me a target so maybe he got  them set up for orders like weird little robots.' Joylne hummed in thought. “Searching for Mom gonna be tough... and if he’s out to get me then...” Jolyne bit her lip in frustration, she’d have to leave her mother wherever she is right now, not like Dintang knows her mother is here or what the woman looked like. A shake of her head brought her mind back into focus, Jolyne needed to find him. She looked down at her arm as she made it go back to normal and found the wound still poured out precious blood. “Can I...” She felt parts of her turn to string and watched as it laced over her forearm. Her string criss-crossed over the bite marks and sewed the wound shut. Nice things were turning around, maybe the situation wasn't  as bad as she thought it was. “I can definitely use this.” A she wonders about what else her sting can do her fingers feel off, a cool sensation on her finger tips, a smooth surface. “What?” She whispered to herself and glanced at her hands. She wasn't touching anything but following her trail of  string it  had hooked itself on the doorknob. Her string! She hadn't noticed that she could feel through it as well, ‘Hmm. I could flex it too, maybe it actually can...’ with less thought than it takes to flip a coin her string curved around the door knob and gave it a wiggle. She pumped her fist!  “FUCK YEa-oop!” She half shouted and covered her own mouth. “err...Yes, cool.” Now she just needed to find one of those stands and hope they go back to him. 

Zooom!

Another one of those cars raced by with a bag between its teeth. The bag was clear and continued various syringes  with a label plastered over the plastic container.

JOJO

“Hmhmhm! Today’s been surprisingly goo~~~od Mr.Turbo!...Oh right You’ve been in it so long you can't tell what's what anymore can you? HAHAHA!” Dintang barked out a laugh his white fangs gleamed in the light as red clouds flowed out of his mouth, how could he not at the sight before him? The Turbo hero Ingenium's terrified expression, the man laid crumbled over the barely breathing officers glare fixed on Dintang. Eyes bloodshot and clearly dehydrated The lizard teen couldn't help but laugh again, its always feels great to watch pieces of shit writhing on the ground.

“KAKAKA. TARGET RETRIEVED. OBJECTIVE COMPLETE.”

 “Ah, here's one of my delivery  boys now... ”Finally done rifling through that evidence locker. Between it’s jaws was a couple of syringes the police have acquired over the past couple of months. Now a lot of them were worthless to him but two contained what he needed. “Go out and help your brothers.” He ordered and his little drone obeyed. Left alone with the hero and dying cops, Dintang licked his lips. .“Ah, yes!” He wasted no time and slammed both into his veins. "That's stuff's always good! Yeah..." He could feel it flow through him breathing pure strength, his true potential, him breaking down the dam that was built into him. He stared at his hands and watched his claws slowly grow and over take his fingers as they turned into talons. It would only be a minute or two maybe not even that before the waters flowed  and made him strong again. This is the best day of his life. The only thing that would make it better would be getting that joke that called itself a person.  Jojo! “I should thank you Ingenium. You’re a real He-huh?” It was strange the entire time he was in this room the pro’s eyes were locked onto him like he was some wild animal, seriously what was he seeing, but now his eyes were locked on...the door? Dintang turned around to find  the bright hot  intensity of a dozen mini-suns burned into his eyes. “GAAAAHHH!”

“ ORAAAAA!” A familiar cry  that gave away her intentions and  brought his arms up to defend himself only to suddenly find he was being bound around his arms and the back of his neck. Thick like a rope but sharp like wire? The material cut into his skin hardening scales and he could feel the blood leak through as it cut into him. He shook off the daze to find an empty entrance way. Something hopped on his back. They got behind him then, what a freaking, ”Joke!!!” He roared unbelievable but it had to be her! She just couldn't help herself. His heart hammered in his chest with every pump he could feel his blood being refined. Tempered into something better. “You really  do wanna die don't you? You should have got outta here when you had the chance and maybe I would have forgotten your worthless ass!!” The bitch didn't respond but he could feel her shift her weight, her legs wrapped around his torso and she pulled back. The wire tightened and he could feel it dig deeper into his flesh. “Damn it! DEAD MILKMEN!” He could feel his four agents returning from their deliveries! He could feel them  but that's not all. The familiar burns, better than pure ecstasy. Power. The power he deserved.  It finally hit. His torso swelled as did his arms. His heart beat like a war drum and he knew; it was even better than last time. The wire around him felt like paper cuts to his magnificent form even as they dug deeper as he swelled.

“Shit!” The idiot realizes her mistake too late to save her. He threw himself forward and she flew over his shoulder into the arch way of the door. She tossed something; something cold splashed against his scales and floor. Her wire shaved off a layer of muscle not that he cared or noticed as his red scales gleamed with his blood. He stomped forward, reeled his leg back and slammed his foot into her stomach. And another. Another. One last one. Okay one more. Honestly why even bother trying to stop? Even behind her sunglasses, he could see it, the way she glared instead of screaming even as she coughed up a  blood and a lung made him madder. Dintang only paused to howl as the shape of his head distorted; he looked like the apex predator he truly is. “Playing hero twice in one day, eh? Where do you get off? Didn't you say it yourself you're just like a stone weighing people down? What the hell did you think you could even do!? Even before I got Dead Milkmen you weren't even worth the effort to remember your name!!” He went to attack her again but the roar of a powerful engine stopped him in his tracks. For a moment he wondered if his Dead Milkmen felt the effects of the drugs but that thought died as his side exploded with a new heat and pain as he  crashed into the holding cells. His impact shook the room and dented the wall with his face.

“Rocket...Kick...”A hero's face dripping wet with water. Igenium rasped red faced and hunched over with bellowing out of his engines were stacks of smoke. His body swayed with every breath, “run...away, Jo...”He crumpled to the ground gasping for air, smoke leaking from his engines. 

“GODDAMMIT!!!!!” No worse for where Dintang snaps his snout back into place, spiting out a couple of teeth  onto the ground. This time, he’d beat that engine freak til he can't walk! “You’re dead....I’m gonna kill you. You here me!? ” He was sick of this “Hero” kicking him, once was  enough for any day. “You’re gonna die for this shit!” His tongue rolled out his maw as he approached.

"Bring it on." Joylne sat up and slowly got to her feet and threw Ingenium's arm over her shoulder propping the hero up and having him lean on her. "IF you have the balls left, that is." A new vein was born on Dintang's face. Her free hand went to her sunglasses as her middle finger rose and her index pressed to the side of the shades. All he saw  next was that gleam of white from before, the flash stole his vision and he howled in agony clawing at his face. The world bled back in form pure white and black spots, slit pupils dilated tore through the room looking for prey.

And the pair were gone. Her parting words echo in his mind and Dintang's vein's explode.

“GRAAAAHHHH! DEAD MILKMEN! ALL OF YOU! NEW ORDERS! TEAR HER TO SHREDS AND BRING HER BACK! ”

Forget the hero that joke was going to die.

To be continued ====>

Chapter Text

CH 4: STONE FREE!

“Alright that should do it...” Jolyne grunted as she hauled the hero into a nearby bathroom. She rotated her shoulders relieved to no longer have to carry the weight of a grown adult. Not that that compared to her sore everything but she’d put that out of mind best she can. 

So, that went way worse than she had predicted but then again she didn't think the first thing he’d do would get his hands on drugs and dope up! Was he always like that? Pointless to think about  it; not like she really knew the Hot Rod Hearts in the first place. She allowed Romeo's face to grace her mind and shut it down. “I got some of that shit in my face earlier and so I know that water takes the edge off. Sorry I dragged us into  the girl’s bathroom, though this would have been the perfect time to see what the men’s room is like.” The deep red in his eyes had faded; it didn't do anything for the clear exhaustion plaguing his features but it was a start. She looked at her reflection and sighed at the glasses that “Shi” gave her. He said that he had not charged them since he used them last and two bursts were all they had. 

Right now she needed a new plan and time was running out. On the way here she could see that the people in the halls were getting worse while a good chuck were loopy drunks, some  blindly attacked walls or tore at themselves the look Ingenium was sporting cemented that these clouds were too dangerous to leave around for much longer. Speaking of which, whatever the clouds were showing these people seemed to be getting worse she could hear some distance away the cries of agony and fear.  Going by Dintang's shout those things were looking for her now not only that but the two she encountered were “ordered” similarly. What were the odds that they’re simply machines that follow orders one at a time in a queue, if so she can use that. She gripped her bundle of bloody strings. She was close last time but there's no way he lets his guard down without something extra.

She could hear his stand looking for her too with her string crawling through the area, if one looked at her right now they'd notice half of her calves, waist and thighs were unraveled.  Even still, she really wanted to find mother using her string to hear out for her voice.  Even with her “String,” it felt wrong to just call her ability string, she had no idea where her mother could have gone. She should have been somewhere near that interrogation room but her voice wasn't being picked up by her string at all. Not on the way to met to the infirmary, not when she went looking for Dintang, not on the retreat either. Maybe it was paranoia but Jolyne couldn't shake the feeling that her mother was just...gone. She couldn't explain it but she just felt like the woman, her very presence, vanished. The image of her mother like the other victims, her teeth sunk grind against one another to banish the thought to the back of her mind she needed a distraction and Dintang supplied. His Dead Milkmen tore down doors trying to find her; it wouldn't be long until they were on her. Hell it was pure luck they seemed to be going in some sort of order with the hallway and hadn't started in the bathroom.

“Phew, Jo-Jolyne?...Thanks for the help.” She looked down at the man done burying his head under the faucet, letting the cool water run over him. Ingenium leans back to hover over the sink, his breathing still slow and heavy. “How’s the station?” She thought that water cleared it up but maybe he was still suffering from after affects? Dintang seemed keen on making the hero suffer as much as possible.

“Gone to shit.” She stated bluntly. She could hear another door break down with the annoying cry of his stand. They would still be safe for a little while but with how quick they search the room it won't be for long. “Have you seen my mother?”

Silence permeated the bathroom made even greater by the water and the roar of those dinosaur engines.

“No.” She felt her expression shift, she felt sick, angry, and oddly empty peace and he looked away. Her string twitched and she could feel the strands she sent out as they curled in on themselves.  Focus Jojo. ”When I left the two of you it was to help deal with a situation with that villain. I’m so sorry.” He sighed and rubbed some exhaustion out of his eyes. He glanced at her form between his fingers and his sharp eyes examined her face. “Those glasses...seem familiar.” Looks like he wanted to change the subject.

“Hati's boy lent them to me. Not much use for them now though.” Despite being no better than a fashion statement she still wore them.

“Hero? Is Hati still here? You said it was bad out there so I assumed she wasn't there to help but...Don’t tell me...did she fall for his quirk as well?” The pro rubbed his face, trying to wipe way the exhaustion. Jolyne nods.

“ She's basically a mad dog now. Only that her boyfriend's  eyes are keeping her from killing people." She really hoped that the two of them were doing alright.

“Damn it! But, With her...” Something must have clicked in his mind because his red eyes lit up with hope. “Oh! Shisei! That explains why those  glasses look so familiar. If he’s here then we have a chance...I hate to ask and send you out there but please take me to him. If we can get Hati some water then the three of us can...”

“That's a no.” She cut him off. "He's not doing so hot either; even if he stopped her, expecting him to fight isn't a good idea.” What did he expect to do in his state? A simple glance at him told her all she needed to know; even after he  basically drowned himself Ingenium  still looked like he just ran three marathons and a race. "Might be hard to believe but they're not  much better off than you right now." The wolf girl had it even worse who knows how long it would take her to calm down. Maybe not long but her mother was out there. "Besides, they are searching for me so  I can't go with you. You’ll be in danger. I’ll tell you where those two lovebirds are so go alone.” A monster’s grin slid into her mind. The image of her mother  bleeding out somewhere or worse.

“They? If he has allies wouldn't they target me as well regardless?” The girl doesn't respond staring off into the ceiling lights. "Jolyne-san?"

“What?" She shakes her head glancing at the hero. "No... it uh- His Dead Milkmen seem like they only follow one command at a time, maybe in a queue? His last order was for them to go after me so I’m at the top of the list. They probably won't spare you a glance.”

 “...Dead Milkmen? Yeah he said something like that...I see. Do you know how his quirk works then?”

“Yeah. I know how to deal with it.” Her string heard another door open. ‘I should go. Just because their stupid doesn't mean they wont find me eventually  going one by one.’ She thought, her face hardened as she made to leave. Her gaze far off, her heart beat in her hands and along the walls. 

“No! I know you're upset not knowing what's happening to your mother but I can’t allow you to put yourself in harm's way especially if you're the target of this madness!”

Upset?

No, She was fine.

“Those lovebirds are at the infirmary that I was sent to, at least that's where I last saw them.  Take some water in your helmet and stay low; you'll avoid the clouds that way or at least a lot of them. I’m going to go, they're getting close. I need to leave before they come in here.”

“Jolyne!” He cried as he took a shaky step forward.

“I’ll be fine!” She waved at him with a grin. She hangs the glasses form her bikini strap to give him a wink and said “I’m taking him down.” Though she said those words with a smile her green eyes dimmed like a black flame burned in her soul. Everything felt colder. She just couldn't shake the feeling her mother was... Her fingers curl into a fist and her string knots together banding into something more. If that's the case, then it was over.  

“...Calm down.”

“Huh?” She blinks looking down at the hero gripping her wrist with his blue tired eyes searching her green ones.

“You know...I’m pretty good at reading people. I...I'm a wreck and I can’t stop you but please calm down, Jolyne. The daughter Kujo-san is so proud of, she shouldn't look like that. Neither should the hero who  saved a child earlier today. Take a breath and calm down. Please.”

“...” She took in a breathe and let out a slow exhale. "Yeah...."The curled strings untangled themselves and rejoined into a fine weave. That's right she had decided that she’d change. She can't focus on just beating him, their are people killing themselves in here and  while she can't hear her mother she can hear them. The feeling that she has to do something about it, is why she's here in the first place.  After all, how could someone ignore cries like that? "I’m off. Do me a favor and look around for my mom, alright?” Ingenium lets out a sigh of relief.

“Of course! When I can move I'll find you  with Hati and Moody Soul! So take care!” He leaned on the wall he actually managed to stand without his legs shaking too badly. His breathing was still all over the place. "And don't do anything to reckless!"

“...Sure sure. I'll stay out of trouble. Promise.” That was a lie, pretty bad thing to tell a hero right after her declaration to  change herself but it was necessary, no way he’d approve of her plan to turn the tables. She glanced at her hand, a  woven ripple patch covering her wound grew and took a blue tint. She went into the hall and into the room where one of the Dead Milkmen was. It zoomed along the walls and it stops on a dime the moment it spotted her, its tail glowed and its eyes lit up. “Right on time. Now what did he say before?” Jolyne muses as the stand's tiny engine revs.

“KAKAKAKAKAKAKA. TARGET FOUND. CALLING...” 

The rest of them would be her soon and this one leaped off the ceiling to dive at her. She felt her fingers and arm unravel and weave together. This was it, even if she lost here she'd buy those three enough time to do something about Dintang. All that really mattered right now, was giving this her all. As the fangs pierce her skin she remembers her promise she made to herself. She’d be a person worthy of her mother’s respect and pride. She’d be free of the dried river of stones that was the  future that some many painted for her; herself included. She’d break it apart with her fists if need be. A fresh scent like shampoo waved past her. Just as the echoes in the hall became a chorus.

JOJO

“That was fa~~~~st! Not too good at hiding? OR maybe my clouds tripped you up? Hey hey say something! OR did they actually kill you?” It was too good to be true. His four Dead Milkmen dragged in the trash by her stubs of limbs her face dragged against the floor as they wheeled her in. They really tore her apart only the strands of flesh that hung from her limbs were left from their mauling. She  didn't even bleed anymore, maybe she really was dead. He noticed her chest hitch and her she struggles to raise her head off the ground. She was alive enough and aware enough to hear him. “Hey, hey! Your senpai is talking to you, don't go ignoring him.” He strolled over to her, his massive maw split into an open smile. “Oi. Jojo.” He knees down in front of her his distorted  frame looming over her broken body.

“...” She simply clicks her tongue.

“Honestly. I’m impressed really! I didn't think you get anymore worthless but here you are crippled twice over! Hey hey where's that trash talk or did my boys tear out your tongue too? Say something clever. Do it.”

“Wh...”

“Hm?”

“Why...name them Dead Milkmen?”

“EH? Seriously? That's what your last words are gonna be? You keep dropping jokes, but at least you live up to your name.” He threw his head back in laughter. “Not like it matters to you now but they're basically delivery bots right? They follow the routes I put out, they follow orders,  bring chaos, confusion and death. No one can see them so they're like ghosts or I guess zombies that follow me instead of brains! Not that you can see’em either way, it must be scary to be torn apart by the wind. Anyway, so yeah,  Dead Milkmen. They deserve a fitting name, after all, just like you. J-O-K-E.”

“...itty...” Her voice was barely above a whisper.

“What?” He placed a hand to the side of his head with a grin. "Speak up, we can't hear you up here."

“What  a shitty-half -assed- dumbass-fuckall reason for a name, but that's what I should expect from a fucked dipshit like you.” To his surprise she throws her sellback to rest on her knees glaring into his eyes. Her jaw squared and shoulders tense, like she's ready to punch him with her torn stumps.

“...Come again?” Is she serious he wondered as he pulled her head back. Could she not realize the situation she was in? Did she lose so much blood that she's gone insane? She should be begging for her life, crying her heart out, cursing, doing her best to crawl away without limbs. 'So, what the fuck is this shit?!'

“Good grief. Those  things are  made from your spirit and you make light of them? Well a shitty name for a shitty existence in servitude to a shitty master.” Oh she really is this stupid, she's lost her mind.

“Whatever...You’re really no fun.” Dintang huffed, her words were a waste.

“But you're right about one thing. I am a joke.”

“!” A spark of hope in her last moments? 'A bit too late' Dintang grinned, 'but its fun to see.'

“But that's over now...”

“Finally you get it! Though you're still gonna die at least you see...”

“I...can’t stay like this, I REFUSE to stay like this! I’m gonna change it all, I'm gonna be free of-of my own stupid self!! I’m gonna turn this dead ocean of stones into an ocean that leads to a new horizon!” Did she take in the clouds? Whatever, he had enough of her mouth a long time ago, Dintang swung his arm down at her.

“Seriously? Got my hopes up for nothing!” He raised a claw and flexed his arm.”What a jo-”

“It’s JOLYNE you dumbass bastard! And! My stand... STONE FREE is going to take me there!” Her eyes shined with something he would never recognize, whatever it was it's too bright and it annoyed him. “ I’m gonna change my future!” 

Within her shining new resolve properly ignites, though Dintang lacked the skill to see it.

“The hell are you talking about? A...Stand?” Was it his imagination, a blue aura flared around her and a phantom rose from her back.”The hell’s a st-”

“ORA.”

CRACK!

His arm snapped back as a blue meteor struck him, strengthened bone and flesh twisted and broken with a single strike. “ORA” he couldn't even see the attack that drove into his eye ,“ORA” nor the follow up that drove into his stomach. "ORA” nor the next that knocked him into the air, “ORA” or the final one that sent him into the hallway. 

“W-what is that?” He had meant to gasp that after  the first fist collided with his arm or did all that happen at the same time? He had no idea.

“I told you.” Jolyne stood up, her limbs knit themselves back together, save for her arms which looked unraveled. ”She’s Stone Free.”

“D-Dead MILKMEN! NEW ORDER: KILL HER!” Dintang roared. Whatever this was, whatever trick she's using he knew one thing for a fact. She had no future! "YOUR'E GONNA DIE TODAY!!!!!"

“Good grief. Take a hint already. I’m a bit different now.” She clicked her tongue and shook her head. “Get ready to experience it. The start of a new me. Cause now  I'm-”

JOJO

Stone free. She first realized there was more to her stand when it weaved together. It was a gamble and she allowed herself to be captured betting it all on their being more to her strings attempting to combine unconsciously and now it's here. Her spirit is given form. The robotic(synthetic?) woman's entire body was shades of blue. Her joints were exposed but instead of flesh there was wiring. On her face she sported what seemed to be built in shades. The stand wraps its arm around Jolyne’s waist and rests its head on her shoulder.

Fuck’in nice.

“ORA! ORA!” Stone Free flips over as the machines finally respond to their masters distressed order. Not that it would do them any good. Stone Free used its master for purchase and spun its body, long legs lashed out and drove into the Dead Milkmen mid leap. Their faces cracked and cave and they were knocked away by the power of Stone Free’s kick. Shot off like bullets flying through through the walls leaving not a hint of damage. They recovered quickly wobbling back into the room despite the cracks along their frame the machines were stoic but Dintang’s loud whine showed how much that hurt. They lunged at her again from the floor and walls.

‘These things have no brains. They just follow his dumb orders and their super obvious in how they attack.’ Jolyne laughs, biting her finger. “Gimme a break, how sad can you get? I almost feel bad it's like bullying a kid. What loser would do something like that?” She grinned. Stone Free fist drove into one and shattered its head as if it were made of glass. She grabbed the remains of its frame and slammed it down on one that came from below. Stone free spun on her heel and stretched out a leg, her foot caught another in the jaw, its head spun, its body cracked, and it sailed past Jolyne and drove itself into the ground. No stopping her momentum. Stone Free continued its spin and stretched out a hand. Those Dead Milkmen fade out of existence as  the final car kisses the back of her fist. With quick movement a piece of thread wrapped around its torso. “I’ll be sure to pay you back for everything today. From the the kid to right this moment.” She drags her thumb across her throat and points it downward. Stone free tossed the restrained stand at behind it with a care.

The final Dead Milkman laid on the ground barely able to move their wheels lazily spun them in circles. Dintang let out a howl of pain as his teeth shattered and his jaw  tore itself apart. Pices of his body broke apart shattering like glass spraying blood and bone instead of shards. He retched and  coughed up blood and clouds. He glanced at away eyes darting all over looking for an escape, he snarled looking back at Jolyne. The girl is content to watch him, head tilted to one side; arm wrapping around Stone Free's shoulder, the stand glaring down at Dintang. “This- this can't be happening! I'm stronger than ever! I beat a pro hero for fucksakes! Even that cocky piece of shit would have to respect me now! Captain would have given me whatever I wanted after today...So why!” Dintang blubbered;  he slammed his good fist into the ground and shattered the tiles. "How can I be tripped up by you!? First with that blonde brat, then my pro hostage, and now this!?" He got to his feet and spat out more teeth. "Losing to you?...again and again?" His eyes narrowed and pupils dilated as blood flowed from the new gaps in his body as he snarled at her.“Not to you! You're at rock bottom a scapegoat!!! T-this has...This has gotta be a  some fucked up JOKE!!!” He lunged at her, good clawed hand outstretched to stab through her skull. Looks like he didn't want to surrender. Good, she really didn't have any plans to let him off easy. She lowered her hood. Jolyne took a breath the bladed digit grew closer and her green eyes locked on to his crimson orbs.

“Even if we’re just jokes,” The young woman poked her thumb at her stand and then back at herself, “At the very least, I know, we’re better than trash like you.” 

"Who do you think you are!?" Her stand flew between the two and reeled her fist back. Dintang’s eyes widened and he smiled but Jolnye didn't bat an eye. “GOT YOU! DEAD MILKMEN LET'S KILL THIS JOKE”!” He wheezed and she heard an engine try and fail to start, thin clouds slipping past the gaps in his teeth.  He swung his claws and they safely slid  through Stone free, like she was a ghost. His face fell as the stand seemed unaffected by his attack, he went soaring past as Jolyne stepped to the side letting him slide along the ground. Stone free floats over to him, the stand looms over him with a frown, his eyes reflect in her shades.

“Ka...kaka...”

She heard it, the one  she backhanded went to move, and she smiled. Stone Free yanked on the thread and pulled the RC monster off the ground with no effort. She raised her arm and twirled it around and watch Dintang’s face pale his stance grew more unsteady the faster she twirled it. First he swayed side to side and next he spun around like a top as if being dragged by his face. Finally, he found himself slammed into the doorway confused. It was a guess but it looks like not only damaged is reflected back on the user even “force” can be transferred. Like a voodoo doll.“J-joke! What is this!?”

“Good grief. I told you already.  Remember it this time. Jolyne and Stone free. Repeat it to yourself in your dream-. Ah,  well I guess it's going to be nightmares?” She hummed sweetly. Stone free tugged on her string again.

“What's...happening... to me!?” Dintang’s jaw was being pulled along with Stand.

“Nothing much.” She flashed her teeth at him and held up her middle fingers. “You’re just going for a ride.” Stone Free swung the car around the room and into walls and the ceiling with all her might constricting the stand all the while. All the while Dintang mirrored its movement pulled through the air like a puppet on strings. His stand sailed through the wall, the last Dead Milkman more bothered by the string than the wall. It was safe but Dintang on the other hand sailed through the air like a kite and kissed the walls mouth agape in confusion blood dripping down his scalp. Again and again and again.

“ORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORA! ORAAA~ !!!!!”

After a minute, bloody and bruised, Dintang’s eyes rolled into the back of his head, snout bent upwards, teeth scattered across the room  and his  tongue that he bit off in his ride  flopped out of his mouth.  The captured stand faded away along with the clouds. Jolyne strode over to his prone form, looked down at him and frowned. She stomped on his back, Stone free wrapped itself around her torso and leaned over her shoulder to look down at him. ”Goodness. You’d think you of all people could have handled that much. I’ve still got speed to spare! Lets try hitting 200 mph next time. 💙 ”

Stand : Dead Milkman

User: Ditalini “DinTang”  Okikage

Affiliation: Hot Rod Hearts

Status: Defeated

Various injuries including a broken face, jaw, missing tongue, shattered ribs,  motion sickness, etc.

To be continued >>>>>>>>

Chapter Text

CH 5: Wait and see,

it was really meant to be

so plain to see

“Did anyone find her?!” Feet screech to a halt leaving a trail of smoke in  heir wake. The Pro hero Ingenium, back on his feet, sliding pass the entrance and into the police station. Dintang was being secured and isolated from everyone else. The wounded, such as Jolyne and Senshi, were being treat and doused with water to clear the worse of Dintang's stand ability.  There was only one matter that absolutely  needed to be resolved before the hero could rest. "The parking lot is cleared!"

“No sorry, sorry no one matching her description.” Yoikami grunts, several officers nod along. 

“We’ve been all over maybe...did she wander out?” A officer suggests.

"I have a trace of her scent in the building but nothing going out. She maybe in a closet or something?" Yoikami sighed into the hand. "But wait if something erased the scent..."

“Damn it! If she was affected by Dintangs ability then...I’ll go look again, I'll widen my search!”

“Hm. Me too! We can cut down the surrounding area easier between the two of us! Shi stay with her! Give her your world famous emotional support!” The Kujo search team breaks off in diffrent directions leaving Senshi and Jolyne on a bench.

“Yeah no worries.” The bright eyed hero nodded as the faster heroes sped off. “How are you doing?”

“Be better when someone  finds her.” Jolyne huffed, her hand rubbing the wrapping around her ribs. She winced touching a particularly sore spot.”Where the heck could she have gone?” She groans sliding down in her seat.

“ I-im sure that they’ll find her though! Hati’s got a good nose for these things! When she has a trail even a partial on she's gonna bring back whatever shes looking for!”

“Hehe...Was that a dog joke? Never mind.” Joylne shook her head, taking in air to laugh tore through the medication like butter. It was fine or at least she could handle the worry. She would put some faith in them to find her mother. If Senshi could believe in her after what she did to his bike then she should return to favor. It was the mature thing to do. “By the way, thanks for the glasses and info...and uh stuff.”

“No worries!" Face flushed Senshi looks away. "I didn't really do anything this time, today's not really a good track record for me..."

"Just take the thanks man!"

"But! You saved us after all! If anything I should be thanking you. So uh thanks!”

“Gimme a break."That girl was going to have trouble with this one or maybe she likes seeing him flustered all the time? "Well your welcome? Soooo~ Can I keep the glasses as a reward then?” She flaunted them in his direction with a smirk. "I think they look great on me."

“...” He chuckled nervously.” ah well...you see...”

“Kidding!” Not really but she had to go for it. She takes of the shades dropping them into the student's lap with a  laugh. 

“I guess Senpai was telling the truth...Stands...unreal.” Jolyne glanced at Senshi, her reflection looks back her from his shades. Looking down at her hand, it unwinds into blue string wrapping around her forearm. There's a lot to process about what's happened today, but it all comes back to Stands and the fragment in her locket. And, well, her Dad but talking to him wasn't an option.

“Hm. Your senpai, what hero is he?”

“He goes by...Stalkers he doesn’t really give out his name.” Senshi scratches the back of his neck after mentioning the name.

“Eh? That's a hero’s name?!” Stalkers....thats not the type of name a hero would pick. Even someone like Endeavor, who drips intimidation, has an actually heroic sounding name despite his dispostion. Senshi seems to agree as he comment has him hanging his head a bit suffering clear second hand embarrassment. 

“Apparently it's because of something in his childhood. I don't think he’s ranked very high  but he works for another hero’s office at least. Honestly I think he prefers to stay out of the spotlight, it's not uncommon.”

“Still....that name is really creepy.” He didn't respond, probably not wanting to insult his senpai.

“OH there she is!” Joylne’s eyes widened as she heard the voice and she whipped her head around and winced in pain. ”Jojo! You won't guess who...I....wait what are those wounds!? What happened!” It was her mother, though it was hard to recognize her with all the water in Jolyne’s eyes. “Ofmph!” She winced as her daughter crashed into her mumbling all sorts of questions into her collar.

“Wow. She really loves you, eh Ash? Most teens wouldn't do that in public if their lives depended on it. Sorry that was probably embarrassin’ to hear, eh Jojo-cchi? Words just sort of come out some times!” Jolyne looked up to the stranger that was with her mother. A beautiful blond woman with amber eyes, her curly hair reached down past her waist. She wore a white top that seemed to unravel as it went down until only perfectly planned shreds laid at her hips. A pair of diamond shaped crystals hung from her ear lobes to match the material of her heels. Thick gloves covered her arms up to her elbows and her skin looked to get darker around that area. She had a lazy, at ease, look in her half lidded eyes.  "Sorry for the Jojo-cchi, but it's just such a cute nickname. I couldn't resist. Your mom sings you nothing but praise."

"Uh?" Jolyne eloquently speaks her confusion and looked towards her mother for help.

“OH! Right Jolyne she’s the mother of the boy you saved.”

“Nice to meet you, miss hero!” The woman bowed a little too deeply, her blond hair flopped over and nearly smacked Jolyne's chest. “Thanks for saving my little firecracker. I’m Everlane! Please no formalities, I dislike them. I'm in your debt for life!”  She shot upright, clasping Joylne's hand in both oif her own.

“Jolyne. No need for the miss either?” Joylne shook her hand dumbly. ‘She’s completely different from  when she was cursing up a storm!’

“Sorry for stealing your mother away for so long but time flies right? Oh do you have a hero name?” The woman suddenly asks with a soft smile. "You look about the right age to go for one of those hero schools." Everlane nods to herself. "Your mother was telling me you had an interest in heroes too."

“Everlane.” Her mother sighed. "I feel like you only half listened to me..."

“I’m only in middle school...well I'll be a high schooler soon enough, I guess I’ll have to think about that.”

“Hmmm. Well then I’ll be keeping an eye out for new heroes. When you find a name I’ll be sure to get some autographs.”

“Right.”

“Huh? Jojo? You’re going to be...”

“Ah well this and that happened....So after I do my community service I’m...gonna do my best.” Her mother was very much out of  the loop but there would be time to fill her mother in on some of the details later. "I'll be a hero."

“Ohoho. Good for you!”/ “What!?“ The respective responses of Everlane and Joylne's confused mother.

"Thats good to hear!" The blonde woman nods and ruffled Joylne’s hair before she made an exit with a small smile on her face. "I'll look forward to your debut. Jojo-cchi. Root'n for ya. Next time I'll bring my Firecracker along!"

"Jojo? Why the sudden-"

“Never mind that though where’d you go!? And why do you look fine?” Jolyne cried looking her mother over for injuries. 

“Hm fine? Oh Everlane flagged me down and took me to this garden inside the station to have a chat. Seems she saw Tensei and me talk about you when I got here and put two and two together. She asked if you were alright and then we ended up talking and comparing kids! Though she was kind of odd she never  really settled on any topic for long. She really just says whatever on her mind and like you saw she can really handle conversations.  Now answer MY questions! What happened to you!? Your face and are those bandages around you stomach! What happened!?” Her mother cupped her face; that bought a hiss of pain  from her daughter.  "Are you okay!?"

“Gimme a break...” Jolyne laughs in pain. "I'm fine."

“I guess that's a happy ending? Oh wait Ingenium and Hati!” Senshi fumbled for his phone. “I have to call off the search...”

“Search?” Her mother questioned with a quirked brow. “For who?”

JOJO

“Alright that's finally done! I'm free!” Tensei rejoiced while he stretched out his body his report for the events have all been properly finished with praise in her favor.”Though that might not be enough at the very least I owe her this much...”She saved the day after all, without her who knows what would have happened. He exited the police station with a tired smile on his face as he waved at the brave men and women who had to endure that ordeal. “Heroism like that should be rewarded after all, ugh,I regret changing my mind about the sidekick thing! I wonder if there's anything else I could do?” 

As he headed home his mind wandered to the bizarre events of today.

Those three called that ability a stand? A power different from quirks. Some specialized force was being called in to help contain and move  him but for now the teen was still out from whatever Jolyne did to him.  The hallway and room marked with Dintang’s face was answered with a nervous smile and chuckle. He frowned for now his power was under control but what of when he awakened? These specialist weren't something he’d ever heard of but the police chief seemed fine with them handling the situation. Relieved. “Speedwagon foundation eh? It's like a lot of things have  changed in one afternoon.” Tensei sighed into the night air. Maybe he go and pay his family a quick visit, he suddenly missed his mother's cooking and his brothers determination.

Months from now he would realize he had just scratched the surface on just how much has changed.

Stand: Stone Free

User: Irene "Jolyne Cujoh" Kujo

Quirk: N/A

Power:A

Speed:B

Range:”C”

Precision: “C” 

Durability: A

Developmental potential:A 

Stand type: Close range  type

Stone free allows Jolyne to unravel her body into string meaning the stand is made of her body. Vibrations travel along her string allowing her to hear things over long distances. Her string is muscle-link and can grip objects. The string can be sharp enough to cut through bone but can be broken and torn if enough force is applied. The stand can be used to sow Jolyne's wounds together and ca be woven into a different form altogether if enough string is used forming a guardian like stand to fight. The range of this guardian  limited when compared to the range of the free string with its freedom of movement reduced to a mere 2 meters. It smells like soap.

Further applications will require research.

To be continued ⇛

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MUDA

A battle for his life that was lost from the beginning.

Broken fangs grinded into dust.

Fresh blood poured from his wounds.

Spirit broken.

The final sight of a free man is...

Flames ,smoke, the familiar cell and perhaps the whole station ruins a phantom made of black mist and a stranger who wore the darkness like a  mask over his face.

Roaring flames  reflect along black white bodysuit dance along a feminine form. A Red smile and  long raven hair.

Comets once free of the pull of the World are once again satellites now  following the  will of the universe.

Like peasants to a king.

“Hm? Oh. His tongue...”

“Not just a stand user but a doper? Well, well, well, that's karma for you. Fate,  gravity, or flow  if you're feeling fresh~! Told you it’d be worth it. Warpy. I knew they had to have stand users.”

“Your intuition is something to be applauded Enyo-san. I was sure you simply hated them, glad to see I was proven wrong. Truly your plans are beyond me.”

“Oh you~ flattery won't get you that far with me. Well I-”

“DEAD MILKMEN! KILL EM...KILL HER....SAVE ME!”

“On second thought. Is he truly a stand user? Despite evidence to the contrary...He, how to put this, he  lacks the usual “fortitude” that I’m used to from your kind.”

“Hm? No doubt about it;  though he's probably fresh from an arrow they always break down like this when their power first fails them. Weak willed lottery winners. Oh and honey~. Stop calling for it already. It's annoying hearing your belly aching! I've already...well no need to tell you any details, right?  But hey, I'll tell you this instead...a lesson in trickery. For free even., lucky you A guy like you might not know this but on THIS ‘side’ of the world words are cheap. In the ‘night’ only actions matter. And when someone swears to kill another they're dead at that moment and your every action is to steer the world in that direction. One result. Their death; that's the one and only future allowed. And you've failed miserably in that regard...you and your words are hollow and childish. Is this what the Japanese underworld have been reduced to. Babies like you? All Might really is something, eh Warpy?”

"Indeed. Now le-"

“Wait..please, I...what did I do...I...”

“Enough!  You’re already fucking dead  or you’d wish you’d be. Luck threw off the “path” I planned but...lucky me this is way better. Don't point fingers at me though. Blame your stroke of luck. The same luck that helped you, that pulled an arrow to you, and made your life worth something.”

“Enyo. It's time to go. No doubt someone has gone for help. Now is not the time for Heroes to be involved.”

“Ah, true ,true, true sorry I got a little carried away there. Lead the way Warpy, I’ve got nothing left to say to this little lizard! Except,” a black void wraps around them, “you Hearts are hanging by a thread. Your little  boss gave you boys up to save what little worth the rest have.”

“Nononono...Let go of me! PLEASE! Someone save me! CAPTAIN! INGENIUM!! ALL MIGHT!? I-please! Anyon-”  

He knew  no one would save him

Heroes would never save the likes of him no matter how hard he cries

But he had to cry out for that was the reality of the world he lived in

Call and a “Hero” would arrive and you would be saved.

“I am here!” Even if it was a lie you can't  help but believe it.

Despite the unknown behind the tear in reality and the cold despair that whispered in his ears.

A calm voice answered his cries but it was no hero.

A Devil gave him peace of mind.

“It's useless.  But I promise no further harm shall come to you my friend. It's nice to meet you. ”

 Stand :Dead Milkmen

User:  Ditalini “DinTang” Okikage

Status:  N/A

To be continued ⇛

Chapter Text

 ???

Blinking lights, blaring horns, shadows and the ambient chatter of  people going about their nightlife. Blissfully unaware of the paradise they enjoy, the world moves along while the end of a gruesome scene just out of sight. A once healthy complexion is now pale as the moon, short spiky hair matted with blood and grime  and once silver piercings stained. The taste of iron in his mouth, the scent filling his nostrils as he crawls along the ground. He blinks and it feels like minutes have passed, his broken nails dig into the ground dragging him onwards. The cuts along his body sting like they’ve been glazed with alcohol; a burning inferno to ravage his body with every step. Leaving a red trail as he trudged along he blood and tears trailing down his face.

“This...d-damnit...Not here...I have to...stop him.” He gasped, body burning in the cold, his friend’s smiling face seared into his memory. His limbs ache trembled under the strain and he blinked his lost track of how long his eyes were closed. “Shit...no. I gotta...”The weight of exhaustion pulls his head down making him nod like a fool. He grits his teeth and grinds them against one another to stop their chattering. “Get a grip! I can’t stop! Come on!!!!” Wheezes splatter wisp of white  against the night air. “I...wouldn’t be able to work with him if I’d drop from something like this!!” He chastises himself, mostly to keep himself awake. Quiet uneven footsteps click behind him as if dancing to  the rain fall. “I..if something happens-No! I can do this! Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight! Move dammit!!” A weak fist beats against the ground. Each thud hammering against sending a numbing shock up his arm.  “ This ain’t all my fighting spirit I have way more!” Deep within him within this hell so small it could fit in your palm something has awakened. “ANIKI! I’m gonna make sure! I’ll! Get him! I-I just gotta keep moving forward  Plus ultra! that’s All Might’s  motto, right?” To go even further beyond, that's what he needed to do  right now. One meter away from the edge of heaven and hell one's fighting spirit makes all the difference. “I-I WILL STOP HIM!” It's what allows him to stand up  with new strength in his limbs. Burning with a new strength he swore to the wind and the night’s sky.

“That bastard...is gonna pay!”

July 27

“...In...other news...Unfortunately the disappearance of 18 year old Sobi Hoīru has come to an unfortunate conclusion just this morning...The engineer hopeful’s mutila- oh, excuse me, he  was found late last night. The police are not forthcoming with many details and to our knowledge there are no suspects. Our condolences to the young man’s friends and family. All of us  were looking forward to their flourishing  career in making our heroes safer...” A news anchor calmly reports despite her furrowed brows. The image of a young man with spiky grey hair with various piercings in his ears  and a wide warm grin is displayed, the uniform he wears is from Ketsubutsu high. “- once again heroes and police alike assure us that they are closing in and that this will be the final victim... though many seem less than comforted by their assurances. It makes one wonder about where our society is going.” The anchorwoman concludes.

“How terrible...That’s the second one...” Ashleigh Kujo sighed and her fingers drummed against the dining table. It was rare for news like that to even happen. Sure a villain here or there but nothing too serious usually happened in the city; not with the hero competition going in full force with the lot of them making a dash for the number one spot. Two cold murders within two months and  gossiping mothers talked about a girl getting kidnapped a couple of years ago. Neither with any suspects or details. That is scary. The single mother took a sip of her black coffee as she glanced at her phone. 6:00. She’d head off to work soon and Jolyne would be on her way to her community service. Speaking of which...

“Whose bright idea was this!?” Her daughter roared from her room, the sound echoing from the second floor. “It's just so....GAH!”

“It's not like she didn't have a whole week to get used to it.” Her mother sighed, changing the channel her daughter’s disdain was a welcomed distraction. When the woman showed Jolyne the outfit she would have to wear for the ordeal her daughter’s reaction was less than thrilled. The sight of it nearly popped the balloon on her new found heroic dreams right then and there; so much so that she’s been avoiding the garment all week. Speaking of, Ashleigh is still unsure of what happened back at the police station. In the time it took her to have one, admittedly lengthy, conversation the entire place turned on its head. In the midst of the chaos Jolyne saved the day with her newly awakened quirk, something like a  mix of transformation and telekinesis? With Jolyne’s age  that sounded like an outrageous tale but her father had something like that as well and he supposedly gained it around the same age. A pro hero backing the claims didn't hurt either. Though Ashleigh had to admit to herself she, once all was said and done, was worried that her daughter’s change was brought about purely because she obtained some power. A change in mindset based on something like power...Jolyne’s  mother was worried that if that power failed her she’d be in a worse state than before. 

JOJO

“Good grief,  this sucks, I don’t think I’ll ever get used to this thing.”  Jolyne bit her lip and glared at her reflection in her full body mirror. The source of her ire? The bright orange denim jumpsuit laying on her bed. On the back of the garment was a stylized  Best J in a flowery circle. “Who designs mistakes like these?” Grumbling as she tied the loose mane of hair into a messy braid getting ready for her impending labor looping it around the buns on her head and letting it settle over her shoulder.. “It's like I’m going to prison, did he design it like this on purpose or what?” She huffs rubbing the back of her neck. “Ah, whatever, it's only until...I graduate. Good grief.” 

Truth be told, that was the least of her worries this morning. If anything she was just avoiding something that’s been bothering her since she fought Dintang. Her pendant, or more precisely the fragment within it. She hadn’t let the thing out of her sight since she left the police station. She slept with it, bathed with it, and sometimes she woke up and panicked when it was missing only to find it on the floor or rolled in her hair. A lot of questions but chief among them?

Just who is  Jotaro Kujo?

Why did her father have something like this? She’d been wondering about it since that day at the police station. She could have died, not from Dintang’s rampage but the stone itself could have killed her. From what she knows about Jotaro Kujo he’s not too much of a fool. So...he had to know she’d get a Stand herself, maybe eleven an idea of the type of Stand she would obtain. 

“What the hell,” She mumbled down at her blue hand slightly unraveled at the seams.  “ He said: ‘She has everything she needs to win.’ That right?” Did her father risk her life or did he somehow know that the  gamble  would go in her favor? Well it's not like she could call him and ask.

“Even IF I did call him fat chance he’d pick up the phone.” She rolled her eyes, calling up her old man would just be a waste of time; officially Joylne put the mystery of the stone and her father out of mind for now. Jolyne flopped onto her bed, her smartphone sprang to life with a loud gong, her whole body flinched as she glared at the device. One of her index fingers unraveled as a blue string grasped her phone from her desk and flung it at her. Jolyne caught it with ease.  “At least I got you, eh? Stone Free.” Everyday since the incident in the police station she’d used her Stand in just about every way she could. Turns out she can unravel  a majority of her body before she felt weirdly numb not just in touch but the world itself grew dull. Though unraveling her head seemed to be fine.  That “telephone” trick she did at the police station seemed to be as easy as it seems she just needed to leave her string and listen. Stone Free is pretty strong as she saw when breaking Dintang’s.... everything, though most of that strength lay in her punching ability she could fold coins like paper but that seemed to be the limit as far as she could tell without finding stuff to tear apart.

When she brought the ability to her mother’s attention, not the stand itself but the power, it was officially labeled as a  transformation quirk simply dubbed Rope. Apparently ‘late bloomers’  acquiring  odd quirks while now extremely rare  was  once a common occurrence... though now she wonders if those people obtained powers some other way like she did.

Her phone angrily shakes barking out a guitar riff in her hand demanding her attention. She glanced at the notification, the first of many for the rest of her summer, and sighed. ”Time for us to go.” With a somewhat reluctant pep in her step Joylne makes her way downstairs; passing by her mother she pecks her cheek and slips on her sneakers as she goes to the entrance way. 

“Ah, Jojo!”

“I know I gotta get a move on! Alright gone; love you bye!” The joestar descendant quickly slips on her shoes, somewhat stumbling for the door. The bus stop that she needed to goto was within walking distance so as long as she did not get distracted she would make it with a bit of time to spare just as planned. 

“Woah did she lose a bet? She’s like a spotlight.”

“Probably a hazing my big brother had to dress like a toad when...”

“Wow they  have it rough.”

Though , she didn't plan on people being so curious about her appearance. Busybodies and giggling children are not a great start to this whole thing.

“Yeah...I’m taking a pic.”

“Oh me too.”

‘God. Dammit.’ Joylne bemoaned.

“Is that..? No freaking way.”

“Ah Daddy that lady-”

“Don’t stare Kiki-chan.”

“You see’in this, Keji? What's with her outfit?”

“Oh hey. That fancy hero’s side project isn’t? The...um... re-styling something or other?”

“Huh, oh right I heard about that thing, it's a year round thing ain't it?  Waste of time for a guy like that, Endeavor’s just gonna pull ahead.”

“Pretty humiliating though and attention grabbing. Like a bright giant denim carrot, you think that's his plan?”

“Hahaha. Maybe they're going  to be laughed at as a penance?! I’d pay for that fashion show!”

“Hey she’ll hear you...”

“Like I care, what's a future villain gonna do? Their losers, a kid one is even worse off! Just more years to waste. Like they're wasting that Jeanist’s time.”

“...”  She ignored it pretty well, not red faced at all, however those guys suddenly tripped and kissed the pavement for some reason. Nothing to do with her though,nope. Not at all, they should learn to watch their mouths and the street. “Jackasses.” She clicked her tongue against her teeth. If this was her a couple of weeks ago they wouldn’t have gotten off with just that. Honestly she still wanted to go at them, despite turning over a new leaf. “I guess changing is ain’t that easy, Jojo.” Lucky for Jolyne she didn't have to suffer much longer as her bus pulled up to the curve. She blinks in surprise as the door slides open and a tall man with blonde hair is swept to one side wearing a white version of her own outfit with a modified collar that reaches up to cover the bottom half of his face. The fourth highest ranked hero in Japan: Best Jeanist. His calculating green eyes size her up and he nods to himself apparently satisfied.

“Kujo Irene .” He dramatically points to her. “That is your name, correct!” That didn't sound like a question, not that she cared.

“It’s Cujoh Jolyne .” She responded simply.

“...” He stares at her, his pose undeterred.

“... But yeah that’s me, I prefer Jolyne though.” 

“I see, alright, Jolyne it is then.” To her surprise, the hero simply nods, most teachers refuse to acknowledge her desire to be called “Jolyne” or spelling her last name differently. Like it mattered to them or something. Running a comb through his already smooth hair he continues. “Your brand name aside. I assume you already know the type of work you will be doing under my supervision, right?”  She gives him a short nod, skimming the pamphlet, probably counted, and he continues. “Good. That's a better fit than most; we’ll make a designer citizen out of you yet. I suggest you take this especially seriously, you're here as a request. Just like the others you may have agreed to be here but well your situation is a bit different. You were chosen to be here and if I understand you had options which is more than most of my charges can say. I expect more from you. Now, come on.” He gestures for her to get on the bus and waits for her to move. Shoving her hands into her pockets Jolyne stomps past him. 

A dozen pairs of eyes lock onto her immediately; it almost distracts from the blur of blue that surrounds her head and the feeling of the  green bangs that frame her face being swept to one side.

“Did you just redo my hair?”

“Take a seat where you’d like.” The Pro hero comments from behind her, pocketing a spare comb, as if he hadn't done anything. Coming her fingers through her hair she glances at the seats.

“I’d like?” Where the hell would she want to sit, Jolyne wonders with a twist of her lip.  It was obvious that almost everyone here is sizing her up already. Except for one who waved at her with a bright smile. Wearing the same outfit she is a  thin girl with her  black medium length hair slicked back. A heart shaped tattoo on her cheek to match the pattern on her blue lips.

“He~y my seat is ope~n!” All Jolyne could wonder is why this girl was being so cheery for, looking up at the Pro didn’t give her any hints. Best Jeanist gives the eccentric girl a blank look and looks down to share a glance with Jolyne who simply shrugged helplessly.

“Do your best.” The hero nods at her while running his own comb through his blonde hair.  She slides past him strolling to the very back of the bus, his gaze cast over her shoulder as she walks towards the grinning teen. As she walked by most of the occupants seemed to lose interest in her. Though as she’s midway down the aisle a leg cuts her off reaching across to rest her feet on the other seat much to its occupants' annoyance.

“Watch it!” One of the boy’s cried.  “What they don’t teach you manners where you’re from!? Who do you think you are?! Hey Bitch I’m-” The other guy pulls him into a headlock covering his mouth.

“H-hey. I don’t wanna start something with her of all people so please shut the hell up.” His seatmate hissed. 

‘A bus full of fellow punks and these guys are scared of this chick? Gimme a break, the world is really trying to test my patience today.’ Jolyne doesn't even bother to turn her head, green eyes narrow and snap lounging girl. She  holds up three fingers, her other hand holding a book close to her face. 

“Yo, new girl! You wanna make a bet?” The girl asked.  With a dead look in her eye Jolyne simply bashes herself against the older girl's legs. “Oi, how old are you?! Come on, it's a really simple one.”

“On what?” Jolyne’s eyes could only roll so hard.

“I will give you two- nah, make it a week before you try and kill her. 10,000 yen.”  With her piece said she pulls her legs back to her own seat  allowing Joylne to pass. ”Good luck with that piece of work.” The  girl scoffed, laying down one leg over the other taking an entire seat for herself. “I’ll collect at the end of the day alright?” She giggled.

“So I gwess I should welcome you to ol’ Bj’s vanity project.” The girl grins wide, flashing her pearly whites. “Names Gwess.”

“Oh uh nice to meet you Guess! I’m Joylne-”

“...Gwess.”

“Huh?”

“ITs pronounced Gwess! Not guess. You gotta say it cuwter!” Something is wrong with this girl. First of all her tone completely changed for a second there, like Joylne had spat on her face. Well it's not like Jolyne enjoys being called Irene or Jojo with only a few exceptions. But that flip was so sudden and drastic. “Well I gwess it's hard to pronounce. Here I’ll help you out this time.” The girl holds Jolyne's face in place with her hand. “Ga-wu-ess! Get it??Hm? Do wu wet it? Joey?”  Gwess barked down at her like a yapping bitch. Jolyne blinks,blinks again, and raises a hand. Weaving her finger in the older girl’s short black hair and  digging her nails into her scalp. With a firm grip on Gwess’s hair Jolyne flexed her arm and slammed the side of the bitch’s head into the knee. Her nose creeks and cracks finally breaks after another good slam. 

“You do get it right?! I think we're gonna get along just fine!”

Well it was a good fantasy not very heroic or new to her. But it was good.

“And there she goes again.” A boy scoffed from up ahead. “How long will this one last?”

‘This is going to be a long bus ride.’ Jolyne groaned sliding down in her seat as G...wess went on and on about something or other. ‘A real long ride...”

JOJO

Odayaka park, when your not cleaning up after dumbasses to stupid to find marked garbage bins, is a relaxing place that lvies up to its name.  The even pathways have zen gardens built around them that people can spend their time tending. Jolyne’s only been here a handful of times but there was nothing to complain about, though the memories are now bittersweet and not something she wants to taste again.

“Ma~n, no matter how many times we come through this dump it's always trashed.” Gwess whined sprawled out on a bench, her nearly starved trash bag spilling its few items out. “Some people just aren’t very considerate.”

‘That’d be my line.’ Picking up trash. That's what she expected but what she hadn’t expected was being paired up with the person she was sitting next to. Had she known ahead of time she would have sat on the floor after being introduced to the older girl. “Hey-”

“Oh look at that Jojo!”

 ‘ This bitch.’ She already ruined the word guess, can’t she at least stop talking?

 “Your bag is getting full ain't it?” She points her foot at Jolyne. “You better watch out that thing could burst apart. These bags ain't too tough.”

“I gwe-whatever.” The teen shrugged, glancing down at her bag of “treasures”; it could still fill a bit more but soon she’d have to go and get another one. “I’m going to make sure it's enough though, I don’t wanna go back and forth just for more junk.”  The way Best Jeanist kept track of their work ethic included how many bags they filled, quickness didn't matter, all that did was how hard they worked. “You might want to worry about yourself.” She points to Gwess’s own near empty bag. The girl had put in what could be loosely taken as a token effort.. She put a couple of cans and a discarded magazine in her bag and called it a day. “Or are you planning to just turn  A bottle of coke and a puff of air.”

“Thanks for worrying but I'll be alright. You know! I think we deserve a break.” Gwess hammered her fist into her palm. “Jeanist may know how far we are but he doesn't know what we’re doing exactly .” She beamed tugging on her collar like she was airing it out. “He keeps tabs through these outfits but as long as we don’t leave the area we won't get into trouble. Pwomise.”

“You think he won’t notice if we stroll into a store and sit around?” Jolyne raised a brow tossing a half empty bottle of cheap booze into her garbage bag.

“Nah don’t worry about it!” Gwess waved off her concerns with a grin. “There's a spot  that's so wuvly that sells all sorts of treats in the park. Real close too! Come on, I'll show you!” She threw her legs over the bench and bounced to her feet. “Follow my lead Joey! Things will be better that way. Yeah get me?”

“For the last time, “Jolyne clicked her tongue, “it’s Joylne. If you're so worried about your own name you can get mine right.” Not that the older girl paid her any mind. The star marked teen glanced down at her trash bag and shrugged. Tying it closed and setting out of the way she followed after Gwess.  The path that Gwess was leading her on was a familiar one,  it was the center of the park where all the cobble paths interconnect. Her stomach churned as they walked along the zen path, she ignored the way Gwess grinned at her discomfort. Down a hill, an ice-cream parlor by the small lake where the benches were overshadowed by cherry blossom trees. Though it wasn't the season for the pink flowers to bloom, she remembers watching the storm of pink and the people celebrating. The warmth of an arm wrapped around her shoulder feeling like ehr face matched the petals. Her teeth sunk into her bottom lip. Haruharau; if she knew this was the place then she wouldn't have bothered to follow Gwess here. The handsome guy working the counter isn't the old man from last time.

“Well Well well! Welcome to HaruHarau or HaHa, our desserts will bring a smile to your face.” 

“OH! I’ll have two  specials!” The older teen grinned, throwing the man a peace sign and a big smile.  Jolyne gawked being pulled into a one armed hug, Gwess pulls on her cheek.

“Excellent choice.” He  beams in what Jolyne can only gwe- figure is in mimicry of All Might’s smile.“ You know ladies we have a little bonus going on for those that order the special. If you can guess the major ingredients you get those for  free!” He presents them with a pair of metal spoons and two large glasses. The curve of the cup pinches towards the bottom and slowly opens up to the top like a long wine glass. Layers of ice cream and bits of fruit are clear as day through the container. “I have to warn you it's quite difficult.” Gwess already takes a bit of hers.

“Man I can never really gwess ya know? There's a blast of chocolate, then  it's like a melon;  the next bite it's  a banana or something?” Right, that was her reaction the first time she came here. Jolyne takes another spoonful of her own with a frown. It tasted just fine, great even, but... the aftertaste of nostalgia made it bitter.

“...” Behind the counter the man simply grins to himself. Jolyne scoops out her own bite sealing her lips around the spoon and frowns.

“It's both.” Damn, it wasn't just the presentation that was the same. Right down to the taste of chocolate mixed several different fruits. It was exactly the same as the last time she was here. Thinking back on Romeo, her jaw clenched along with her fists, for a moment she worried about snapping the steel spoon in half. “Well more than that.”`

“W-wha!? How did-”

“Hmm?” Gwess purred gobbling down her’s. “No wa~y! Do you know it lil’Joey?”

Ignoring that.

“The special,” as it was explained to her the first time she ordered it and the last time she was here, “Is an eight layer dessert, a recipe from a small slice of Japan.” Morioh. It wasn't the first time she’d heard about the town her Mom mentioned it on occasion...Even though he was the one to tell her about the dessert she found the trivia interesting, it made her wanna visit Morioh more. “You added more ice-cream to each layer to hide it and make it seem like it was just chocolate with fruit mixed in.”

“What!? Bu-Maybe.” The vendor’s sweat rolls down the side of his face. Honestly it really wasn’t fair but the best bets were always surefire. “But what are the flavors! You know how it's made but...just because I used her style doesn't mean it's the same ingredients right?! So-”

“Chocolate, banana, strawberries, melons, lemons and mint?” She lists off each one with a bite of her parfait, her spoon slides through each layer and each one collapses into the one below only to settle back into place when the spoon is pulled out. “That’s it right?” She didn’t need to see his slack jaw to know she was right but her smug grin sure told him. Sure, she was parroting what that dickhead said the first time  but at least he was good for something.

“...Yeah...That's uhh...right.” He slumped over the counter. “No way...” Well to be fair to the guy you’d have to have come back to here multiple times to get all the flavors right. Most people wouldn't have that kind of determination just for some dessert. Not unless you were trying to impress someone.

“Woah-ho. Not bad Joey. To think I was gonna treat you! You're just full of  surprises! Good girl!💗 ” Once again she’s pulled into a hug only now Gwess is patting her head, aggressively like a kid who's never seen a dog before when they first meet a puppy. It’s not that she was trying to hide how annoying being called “Jojo” or... “Joey” by a stranger but the girl just kept at it. Though Jolyne couldn’t quite tell if Gwess was pushing her buttons or if  she really thought they were friends or something.

“Listen for the last time! It’s Jolyn-”

“Well I’m finished.” She grinned, dropping her glass and spoon on the ground. “I gotta hurry and do my share right? Sit back and enjoy the reward! Joey!” With a skip in her step Gwess shuffles off, either avoiding a fight or blissfully unaware.

“...” Though, Jolyne certainly wasn’t going to be upset at the girl distancing herself. She picks the cup and spoon  off the group plopping theme on the counter.

“Oh, thank you but you didn't have to clean that up miss.”

“It's fine. You made a good parfait.” She grins up at him. “Besides, only dumbasses can’t clean up after themselves.”

“Hm. Might be right about that. Good thing you Jeanists are here.” The fuck is a Jeanists? “I haven seen the usual jerks since you guys started your cleaning. Honestly, maybe I should have just given it to you for free anyway...”

“Ah...right? I’ll keep you to that next time.” Jolyne settles on a bench staring out to the water with a smile as she stretches out resting her heels on the railing. Despite Gwess, this wasn't as bad as she thought it was going to be.

Just like the HaruHarau special, the view is the same too, just a lot less pink. Voices play on the wind, of a memory that she doesn't need. Looking at the water, if she were a little closer she could see herself. 

“...So how much did you pay that old guy to tell you the flavors?”

“Eh?”

“What’d you think  the whole song and dance and little speech you gave about it was...subtle? Old man was grinning the whole time.”

“Well you know me...as long as it took me to guess! Man that put a dent in my allowance.”

“Wait seriously?”

“Yeah I was worried that I was gonna get a gut-” 

“Is that why you're a little pudgy today?” She pokes his stomach with her pinky. “Sinks right in.”

“H-hey! I was gonna say: or something but well people were glad to take it off my hands.”

“Maybe you  should have split it more?”

“Oi Jojo!”

“Kiddin! Ro~ Babe you're too easy~!”

“ Wow! Wow! You’ve become so docile after going legit Jolyne! That's backwards right ?” More memories carried on the wind. The voice was airy and very familiar. “You’d start fights with people even when they had quirks? You even talked back to older members. Letting a girl like that stroll all over you? Petting you like a puppy. Why hold back like that? Or are you into being led around?” 

No. This was real?

“!”Joylne stopped, blinking away some sweat that got in her eye. She jumps over the back of the bench putting Haraharau to her back. Muscles tensed, primed to move as  her calves unravel into string and Stone Free burst onto the scene ready to land a punch.  From the second point-of-view from her Stand though, she saw nothing but a view of the lake, the railing, cherry blossoms that have lost their namesakes  and the bench.

“ Ooooh. So defensive. As your ‘Not really in the gang’ Senpai  I’m kinda hurt that’d you’d give me the cold shoulder like that.” Joylne looked around for the voice but found nothing, not even a passerby or squirrel. Glancing down she saw...a hand? Flat and almost two-dimensional it slithers out from beneath the bench. As if being peeled from beneath the seat an arm and body follow becoming fuller and fuller as it drags itself out from  under the wood. A lanky woman, standing a head taller than Jolyne is an unfortunately familiar face. A beautiful cheerful young woman. A deep red crop hoodie is pulled over a head of wild black hair cascaded over her chest. Her bangs cut unevenly yet still manage to completely blind her. Bright pink lipstick stands out against ther tanned skin and perfectly outlines her shite-eating grin. Red dolphin shorts cling to her hips, and black knee high sandals finish off her look. “Tada. Aren’t you at peace now, eh? Jojo?” She steps forward, doing a small twirl, towards Stone free and Jolyne.  She claps her hands together. “It's the loveable Nehan, here to keep you company. As you work for the man!”

Nehan

Homeless Fortune teller

Quirk: Selfcraft: she can change her physical form in a number of ways.

“...Nehan.” Joylne frowned. She wasn't quite sure to let out a sigh of relief or deck the girl.  It really had to be Nehan of all people what she wants, what's she planning, does she care or not.  She's the type of person that draws you in while being too shallow at the same time. Normally Nehan was a welcome presence among the members and one of the people that made her feel welcome. But all  that was before she became a scapegoat, so Jolyne’s not quite sure where to put her on the list of people she wants to punch. Hopefully it won't be near the top. “What are you doing here? Under there?”

“Hm? Well how else do you enjoy a seat?” Nehan shrugged, as if the rest of the world was wrong. “Anyway, how're  things? It's been a while hasn't it? This summer has been awfully lonely.” Lonely. The last Jolyne talked to any of them was over a week ago, before her initiation. “Come on, come on! Have a seat! I’ll even sit on top!” She rapidly smacks her hand against the bench with a dopey, now fang filled, grin.

“I’m good standing.” Jolyned grunted. Stone free looming behind the taller girl. A wry smile graces Jolyne lips. Nehan is a weirdo but she always treated Jolyne right. Never looked down on her. They got into fights both with each other and helped one another out. She was a friend. Was. “Thanks.”

“Do what you want!” Nehan cheered her motto, pulling her feet up onto the bench and folding them beneath her like paper. “That's how people should live. In the Hot Rod Hearts,”Jolyne nearly flinched at how loudly she dropped the gang's name, “that's how everyone went about their day. So why not bust her teeth in? That’s what you would normally do right?” Nehan gives the air a black eye with a quick series of jabs making a swooshing noise with her mouth. “ It's what you want to do. You’re the type that does as she pleases or does that smooth hairstyle mean you’ve lost your edge?”

“Not worth it.”

“...Eh?” Nehan tilts her head towards Jolyne and stretches her neck out her ear lengths towards her. “Sorry?” The rest of her body snaps like a rubber band launching itself towards the prison-cosplaying teen only to stop within arms reach. “I just heard somethin’ that didn't make sense. Jojo chickening out?”

“Nehan...”

“Fried-jojo sounds pretty delicious.”

“Holy shit.”

“Side of wimpy Kujo noodles. Star shaped nuggets.”

“You’ve already stretched it enough.”

“How can you hear me over your knocking knees and  shaking in your prison boots?” This conversation is pointless and honestly just pissing her off. Still this is  leagues better than Gwess.

“Fighting her  ain’t worth it. If I did that, bash her face in? It would all be over and for what? Some dumbass bitch. Ain't worth a punch. That's not what I want to do. Simple enough for you?” She had no intention of going back. Even if she can’t be a hero, even if all this is a waste of time. At the very least she wanted to see who the new Jolyne Cujoh could be. 

“Oooooh.”

“...”

“So what, you gonna jump her off shift? I guess nobody wants to go to jail right? Need a hand?”

“Let me dumb it down even further. I’m trying something new, alright.” Before she knew it here she was just talking to Nehan again. “I want something else.”  She didn't even notice the older girl grab her hand looking over her knuckles until Nehan’s smile split her face open, literally. Her fingers softly  trace over her hand like she's reading a scroll.  Rolling up her sleep, Nehan’s tracing moves over to Jolyne’s arm going along, to  the scars that Dintang left and her tattoo.

“I seeeeee. Still living as you please but what you want is different. Something worth taming that fire in you. You’ve been through a lot of changes as of late right? Something strange has happened. Something exciting has happened. A moment that you’ve waited for. That you seized. That you made .” Nehan whispered. “ The world has been reset to zero once again and your journey is back to your first steps. And soon...Oooh That's the  Haha special you told me about right? I’ll take this as  payment.” Taking Jolyne’s parfait, her tongue slithers out like a snake scoping out a bite for herself. “Yummy!”

“Watching you eat is a real show...” Jolyne scoffed, trying to shrug off her nerves, taking her hand back.”...That a prediction? Sounds past tense.” If it was anyone else Jolyne would have sworn Nehan was there that day but...Well her fortune telling wasn’t something to doubt.

“Past and future are two sides of the same coin and coins only have one side wrapped around.  So who knows which I’m talking about. I don’t care about that sort of thing; knowing either or is good enough. Hmhmhm, this stuff is really good. Good melons and-”

“Why are you here? Nehan?”  Talking to Nehan was always interesting, to put it lightly. She’d be carefree like a bird one minute then act like a new age sage the next. 

“Hm. I could say this was a quirk of fate and I was just out for a stroll! Maybe I just wanted to try the parfait! Or see the Sakura out of season? Which would you believe? Jojo? A, B, C or!”

“...None of the above, were you looking for me?”

“Dintang.” She declared wagging a finger. “the one that got him arrested and I’m assuming the one that stopped his supposed rampage was you? Jojo?” Her sharp nail presses against Jolyne’s nose.  There it is. A part of her hoped that the  sheer idea of it, of Jolyne knocking him out and getting him arrested beating a doped up would be too much for any of them to believe. Though that by itself wasn't the real problem.

‘How did she know about that?’ 

What went down in the police station...no one was supposed to know about that at all. That would mean someone had to have told them...or Maybe Nehan divined that herself? Dintang sure didn't hold back against anyone in there...It’s possible they heard it from a cop? It’s not like Dintang could be trusted with anything delicate. The Hearts were made up of mostly kids her age, maybe fresh out of school if you were to push it, so how the hell did they have cops working for them? More pressing than that...Did she find her on behalf of the gang or for herself? 

“Nehan...”  Is simple. She does what she wants.

“...Which would mean you betrayed the gang, no?”

What did she say? She’s talking about betrayals?

“...Good grief.” If it came down to it...is beating Nehan with brute force even possible? She could have sworn the girl took a tumble off the roof of the hideout without so much as a whimper. “Hey.” But regardless of how tough she is; this is something that Jolyne couldn't let slide. She betrayed them? Stone Free’s hand curled one finger at a time into a fist. She could feel her blood boil , the heat washing over every inch of her skin, and veins pop against her forehead. She sighed running a hand through her hair shaking it free messing up the stupid combover.  “Let's get this shit straight okay? This one. Little. Thing.” Jolyne stomps forward, her fists found  Nehan’s hoodie and pulled the taller girl down butting their foreheads together. Jolyne felt her arm tense as Stone Free’s reeled back. Jolyne’s long bangs brush against Nehan's face. Nehans bangs shift blinking red eyes, skittish and dancing here and there, slowly settling on Jolyne’s own. The glare in Jolyne’s eyes is a green inferno. “I betrayed who?! The fucking Hot Rod Hearts!” Her grip tightens, it was anyone else but Nehan she might be choking them but the shapeshifter simply looks on. “ Those pieces of shit used me and just planned to what? LEAVE ME OUT TO DRY!? Fuck that! That's all that shit was then none of them get to complain about a damn thing! If they have a problem then they can come see me! So stop with the bullshit, Nehan! What do you want!?” Nehan eyes dilate the red being pushed to the edge for the void of black.

“ ORAORAORAORA !” Stone free fists flew into the air. The gust of air flies over them. Nehan’s hood snaps back, long black locks flowing free and never settling for gravity; it simply floats like a jellyfish in the water. 

“Well?!” Jolyne’s eyes dimmed but hardened. “What's it gonna be! Nehan!?”

“...You’re....not even gonna try to hit me?” She stands there bent down in Jolyne’s grasp and blinks up at her once more. Her mouth that had lost its sual mirth quirks up into a soft smile, not her usual cartoony one. “Using violence or using words or doing nothing at all. They are all actions. Actions drive the world, these chain of events, actions, decisions or the lack thereof make our present. Lying is easy. Lies about one's thoughts are even easier so we have no reason to trust them alone...I...made my choices."

“So what are you going to do?” Jolyne hissed. Stone Free’s fists were still clinched, her string woven into the fabric of Nehan’s hoodie. “I’ll just beat your ass if you don’t say something.” 

“Man, you don't listen... I’ve already done it, Jojo.  Two things.” She pokes Jolyne’s cheek with two fingers. “One. They're going to be looking for you or rather the one that defeated him in the police station. Right now you’re not on their radar but if the rider that got him arrested is you and they saw this cool unhatched egg-like Jojo? They might consider the idea not totally crazy.” She shrugged with her palm up, a dopey smile on her face.  She gives a double peace sign using two pairs of fingers to make Jolyne smile. “Two, even inaction is an action. I’ve warned you and will choose to do nothing more to you. I too chose inaction back then and chose to let you be sacrificed. So. I’m sorry. That was pretty scummy of me ya’know? After all,  I’m your not-really-in-the-gang Senpai.  I betrayed you.”

“You...what?”Jolyne blinks at the apology, her grip loosening, the lank young woman leans back as if Jolyne was the only thing holding her upright and forms an arc on the ground. A straightforward response for Nehan was a sight to behold as was her casual use of her flexibility. “Wait are you seriously here to-”

 “So do you consider us even? Jolyne. Do or don’t, that's your choice. Either way, I should be  honest; I don’t see our paths converging beyond this summer. So, I was worried but looking at you now? It’s a done deal that this is it...” She doesn’t stand up and simply stares up at the sky. “That's how it is.”

“...That's ominous. So what am I going to die? But you already got that prediction when you looked at my hand right? So why even bother?”

“ Ugh, come on keep up! Who cares if it's one or the other. I wanted to settle the scales! I can see it, ah let me go ahead and correct myself. You’re not a little egg, nah, you’re a cocoon. A little silkworm. Once you’re free we’ll never meet again! Or maybe the Hearts get you?! That's all...This is the end! Jolyne!” Bubbles of tears build up in the corners of her eyes. “I won’t be your Senpai anymore!!!!!!” Suddenly she stands at her full height and wraps Jolyne in a bear hug burning her face in her chest. “ Oh woe Jojo!”

“H-hey!” What the hell was this!? A person could die happy like this...“Wait, I'm not going to die!” It took Jolnye ten minutes to pry the crying girl off and another five to get her to regain what passes for normal with Nehan.

“So...” Nehan sniffed an arms length away. “Let me flip that question on you. What is it you’re gonna do? Only fair you tell me now. Might never get the chance later...” Behind her bangs fresh tears stream down her face.

“I’m gonna be a hero.” Every time she says it out loud  it feels like the words just might become a reality. 

“A hero!? That's a laugh!” Her tears dry up in an instant. “Seriously!?” She makes a token effort to hold back a laugh but her mouth’s already twirled up into a smile. “I might die!”

“You wanna get punched to death or kicked?”

“You wanna break your hand? If that's what you wanna do, I’m down.”

“...”

“Eeeh. What's with that glare, Jojo! You’re not gonna go back and hit me this time right?”

“Whatever, if you’re not here to kill me then I gotta get back to it.”  Honestly, leaving Gwess alone is probably a bad idea and Nehan could go on forever if she wanted to.

“May you live in peaceful times.” Nehan grinned, her body twists around as her head still looks towards  Joylne. 

“Stop doing that.”

“I’ll look for your name in the papers! I hope it's good news!” Her body takes a step away and Nehan’s head follows suit twisting around like a cartoon. “Goodbye!” She walks along the pebble path in the opposite direction of Jolyne’s clean up site, never noticing the blue string the trails behind her attached  to her hoodie. Stone Free  picks up a bit of the older girl’s mumbling. “Hehe, maybe you're more free now than ever.”

“ She’s actually leaving me alone...Free, eh.”

“Um...Is everything okay?” The clerk asks nervously, wiping sweat from his forehead. “Oh thank god that's over I thought they were going to fight...” He whimpered.

“No.” They’ll never meet again...This really was a fresh start now. “But I can deal.” She didn't really have much choice, not if she really wanted this.

JOJO

Behind the HaruHarau a sharp pair of eyes watches as Jolyne walks away. “So that’s how it is? Betraying the Hearts...What a find.” Clutched tightly in their shaking right hand a revolver. Without a word or leaving any sign of them being there they turn on their heel walking down their own path. The gun vanished from sight.

 To be continued...

Chapter Text

“Yo! Joey~ Geez weren't you gone forever! You need some alone time with your sweets or maybe the clerk caught your eye?” Gwess’s ever pleasant voice welcomed Jolyne back to the bench. Sadly their time apart didn't give Gwess’s brain enough time to get her name right. “Come on we gotta dump our stuff or we're gonna get an earful if he thinks we’re goofing around. I’m not trying to get styled today!” She shivered, a finger twirled in her hair.  

‘That's a surprise.’ The last thing she expected was for Gwess to have  actually filled up her own bag. Or even pick up another one for that matter, though the second looked very light. “  Alright already, right behind...” As she went to heft her bag of trash a dreadful noise accompanied with  an odd shift in the weight in her hands. “You?”

RIP!

“!” The sound that echoed made Jolyne’s blood run cold. The weight in her right hand shifted and lightened all at once, she could hear the clicking of glass, plastics,  and steel hit the ground with a crescendo. She really didn't want to turn around or look down. Maybe if she just didn't acknowledge it the problem would solve itself. So Jolyne stood, rooted to the ground and waited for a miracle to occur.

...

...

Fuck.

“...” Sadly no matter how long she waited it did not fix itself. “Ah! Gimme a fucking break!” All she did was tug on the knot and a huge slit split across the seams. 

“Oh man. That sucks.” Gwess pouted,  her dark eyes shined as she  snapped her fingers with  a grin. “Wait you can have this one, it's not totally filled!” With a bright smile Gwess passed over the lightly filled bag and earned a grumbled thanks from the star marked teen. 

“...Yeah alright.” As Jolyne reached for it Gwess yanked it just out of reach with a smug grin slapped on her face. 

“Ah, ah ,ah,”  she clicked her tongue and wagged her finger chastising her like a child. “What do we say?”

“Thanks?”

“Yes, but before that Joey~”

“Fucking...” The whispered curse  barely scraped by her lips. With a sigh Jolyne rolled her eyes and opened her mouth. “Pl-”

“HMMM. Hmmm?”

Her calves unwound just enough for Stone Free’s fist strike out at Gwess, only to hover an inch away from her nose. Jolyne’s outstretched hand twitched, her other hand was already curled into a tight fist. She could just go to Jeanist for another bag herself but as if she read her mind Gwess continued.

“OR, if you want I could watch your garbage for you while you get another bag, actually you could get me one two right? And dump this for me?”

‘This bitch.’

“Just give me the bag...pwease.” She wanted to throw up, and dunk Gwess in the lake. But the image of her failing about the water would have to be enough for today.

“Aaawww!” Gwess swooned,  Jolyne’s hair was turned into a bird’s nest,  as she raked her fingers over Jolyne’s scalp. “I was right, you are so adorable!” The exchange went off without any other humiliations. With her own trash bag dragged behind her Gwess gave Jolyne a bright smile full of teeth. “Well I’mma go dump this you wait right there and I’ll get another bag for you from BJ.  You know just in case! I’ll be back!” She practically sang as she drifted on her bags over her shoulder. Jolyne cursed left alone with a mountain of other people’s garbage at her feet.

Sprawled out on the park bench like Gwess had been a while ago; her fingers drummed against her thigh as she glared at her spilled trash. A part of her wondered if Gwess had done something. Jolyne threw a glance down at the spilt trash with a grimace. It’s not like she had a photographic memory but there's no mistaking the dumbass items that were dumped along the grass for a second time. 

“She couldn't have switched them, that's just too much trouble, so what?” Her fingers drummed against the seat. “Gwess filled her bag  and cut mine just to sabotage?... What would even have been the point?” To mess with her. She’d only known Gwess maybe two hours and she knew for a fact she would absolutely do it just to mess with her but at the same time she was  to lazy to do work unsupervised. 

Well at the moment there wasn't much she could do about it other than start from scratch on the bright side she didn’t have to listen to Gwess this time around, small blessings. At least the phantom limbs of Stone Free made it go by a bit faster than last time. Her back muscles unwound as Stone free got to work its arms moved at blinding speeds to get the job done as quickly as possible. Meanwhile her own hands tried to get dual tone locks back into shape from their second round of abuse.

While the setback annoyed her it was a decent distraction it gave her hands something to do while her mind cranked away at a very real problem. The HRH and their revenge. 

It was something she expected even without the heads up but Nehan’s words played over and over as she tried to wrap her new bag around as much of her old one as she could. Honestly, the majority of the gang were just normal guys rather than complete dipshits like Dintang, but then again she never thought they’d try to use her as a scapegoat. She had to come to terms with their betrayal but it still stung to think about. There was always the chance that Nehan had something plotted but Jolyne couldn't really bring herself to doubt her words. Maybe it was just sentimentality but, after that jerk, Nehan was basically her only friend. She really, really wanted to trust her. So she shelved her suspension and her mind drifted to the leaders. 

She really didn’t know much about them herself other than their looks.

The only ones she had the chance to meet personally was some old guys that Romeo kissed up to; MM or something like that he had some type of hardening quirk not really anything special but her seemed proud of it. A smoker was always nearby but she didn’t know if he was also a leader or just a hanger on. She shot a look at Stone Free’s arm and made her flex a bit confidence swelled in her chest, she was strong enough to bust them apart. If that's the worst they have to offer then she’d be fine but that was wishful thinking.

Nehan may have helped her out more than she thought. 

‘I’m not on their radar yet? How was that possible?’ She hefted the bag of garbage over her shoulder brows knit in thought. If they’re looking for the one  who drove the bike they’d just have to look at their phones to see her with it. Were they unable to do that? Did anyone get her message at all? 

‘Actually, why would they bother to check at all? That’d make sense since they planned to leave me high-and-dry but after all that not a single one put two-and-two together? Especially since their actually looking into what happened. What the fuck was going on with them? The police? Pro heroes? Something must but getting in there way at it bought me some time.'

“Hey I told you to wait.” Gwess clicked her tongue as she approached and Jolyne chose to ignore it she had to put on her best face in front of Jeanist and Gwess probably knew that too with the way she squared her jaw after Jolyne 'disobeyed' her. 

“That's quite a lot, good job Jolyne!” Jeanist gave her a nod of approval as she approached she gave him a shrug as she loaded off her bag. A couple of her fellow volunteers were wrapped up by their own uniforms and their hair straightened out. “I can see why it would burst. Do be more mindful next time. Doing a job properly is often better than doing it quickly.” Why did she have to get chastised over something like this? It was better to hold her tongue, adults never really like her snapping back. It took a lot of willpower to not roll her eyes, more than she had so she just closed her eyes to hide it.  “Also Gwess a moment.”

“Hm?”

 Sage advice delivered he handed her another bag and sent her and Gwess off, she had no idea what her and Jeanist talked about but when  Gwess got back  she  lamented to  her about Jeanist;s hairstyling.

“The guy could at least pick up a magazine or something.” Gwess huffed, trying her best to unslick her hair. “It’s not funny.” The fit of giggles Jolyne let out couldn't be contained by her fist. 

“Yeah it really is, but hey it really works for you though.” This was the first bit of amusement she’d had all day and she was gonna relish it. “Not cute at all.” Gwess froze then whirled on Jolyne.

“Oh fuck you.” Gwess snapped her fist clenched around Jolyne’s collar. “You know how long it takes me to get my hair under this headband!?” The first thing Jolyne noticed was her grip was pretty weak. Her eyes burned into Gwess, her fist clenched. Then as if she found something funny Gwess barked out a laugh. 

“Well that was kinda a shit first bag , eh Jojo?” Gwess wrapped an arm around her shoulder that she wasted no time in shrugging off. “Ah, Joey! Come ba~ck!” 

The rest of the day and the bus ride Jolyne learned the best way to get Gwess to be quiet was to just go along with her. Maybe a punch would work better, she could only dream as she nodded past the pro hero and walked home to her worried mother outside their home. Well at least her mom didn't wait at the stop for her but pacing outside the house wasn't much of a step up. 

“Jojo!” Her mom gave her a hopeful smile as she approached. “How was your first day? Did it go well?”

“...”The day was filled with trash and Gwess’s weird back and forth attitude. Meeting Jeanist was...odder than she would have thought. Not like she got to talk to him much but a guy who seemingly styles your hair on instinct was weird no matter how heroic and cool he is. It was annoying having to work with Gwess and being saddled with her for a week was a pain in the ass. Then the sudden visit from Nehan made an annoying day stressful but as long as this stayed as simple volunteer work then this would be nothing. “A pain in the butt but I can do it.” Her mother led her not the house filled with the scent of her favorite foods and soon idle chatter about their day.

The next few days volunteering were far more mundane than her first, no vague warnings nor threats. Unfortunately, sitting with Gwess the first day meant she was stuck with her for the rest of the week. Gwess is pretty much a mess of a person, that much Jolyne is positive of  and she’s not even subtle about it. Jolyne didn't even want to begin to know what her deal was, only that she needed to cut the shit or Jolyne would find out if she could regenerate. The garbage bag may have been an accident, as unlikely as that sounded, that was something Jolyne was willing to accept. An ‘accident’ that she could wave off with her pride intact. But, the disasters that she’d been hit with all week? 

A paint can handle snapped the dark red splattered against her body. Water bottles burst just from being dropped. She could take all of that easily, but then there was the name, Joey which was growing more annoying that being called Jojo by a stranger. That and she stuck to Jolyne like glue all week. It was like she was begging for a beating that or no one else wanted to partner with her.

One way or another Jolyne survived and the week came to end.

“Congratulations.” Best Jeanist clapped his hands to draw their attention. “Once again you have all worked well through the week, one stitch at a time you’re ever closer to your new look. I can see the new designs you're working towards bit-by-bit.” His comb swept through his hair. “With another week gone, once again, I’ll be treating you all to dinner.” With those words the bus shook with cheer and Jolyne was sure that someone was rocking it with super strength.

“The heck?”

“What ya didn't know about this part, Joey ?”

“How the hell would I know? I just got here this week.”

“Huh...Oh right, it felt like forever. I really can't believe you lasted the whole week. You must really like me eh Joey?”

“Not likely.”

“Aaaaw. Look at you being all pouty!”

The door opened and she was surrounded by a delicious smell but that's about what you’d expect from a buffet. What she hadn’t expected was Stars’n Stripes decor. Also a full sized All Might cut out some of her fellows had surrounded for photos, or to see if they could make off with it. She wasn’t quite sure which they were trying to do.

“This is a pretty diverse spread,  what’s up with this joint?” She wasn’t really talking to any in particle as she got her own plate, even Gwess had gone off somewhere. It was an odd feeling that she probably spent more time with Gwess than anyone else in her age barrack lately, she nearly shivered at the idea of getting used to her mood swings. 

“That's to be expected.” Jolyne turned to find Jeanist combing his hair, at this point she was starting to believe it was a compulsive action. “This restaurant is famed for being hero themed. Today's focus for appreciation is All Might which then lends to America which in turn lends to diversity. Because they celebrate heroes across the globe I supposed they took this as an opportunity to use as many of their dishes as they could. See that chili is Endeavour based.” The substance that he scooped into a bowl was simply red mixed with meats and peppers, a menacing aura wafted in the air, Jolyne’s throat went dry just by being near it. “While that dessert is based on Stars and Stripes.”

“Kinda surprised they didn’t just go for burgers and fries.” She poked one of the semi solid desserts with a fork, it was like a giant gummy bear. “...”

“It is a reward for hardwork.” Jeanist explained. “Though it's not truly weekly, it's a goal we’ve managed to make more often than not lately.”

“Really working hard huh?” Jolyne mumbled.

“How was your first week?” Jeansit asked. 

“Wouldn't you know?”

“...Well yes, you’ve done a fine job thus far.” Jeranists nodded. “But I’m not asking for a summary of your work but your experiences thus far.”

“It’s going fine.” Honestly, when did getting an adult involved ever go well for her?

“I see.” He didn’t sound too convinced, maybe heroes were just more perceptive. If he’s going to ask how things are going and not fall for the lie then  he could just reign Gwess’s dumbaass in. But she’d just power through this and move on with her life.

“Hey, hey, finally found you! Sorry to cut in BJ but I’m gonna borrow her  for the night, alright? Good!” As Jolyne got her food squared away and moved to get out of whatever Jeanist was trying to dig into a girl caught her wrist and began to drag her away. Out of instinct to protect her plate and sheer confusion by the abruptness she could do nothing as she was led away. 

“...” In the growing distance Best Jeanist merely shook his head.

Jolyne found herself sat across from an older girl whose name she didn’t know but something about her felt oddly familiar, which is the only reason she allowed herself to be dragged along. Jolyne took a bite of a moist and crumbly carrot cake as her captor stirred her soup.

“Wow, you lasted the week and with Gwess of all people! You barely got your hair done either, that's a really something new kid!” Her nose wrinkled as she took a sip of her soup. “Puaf...This stuff is pretty weak though. I should have gone for the chili.”

“...” Jolyne rolled her head to the older girl with a bemused look, maybe that was a dig at the hero it was meant to represent.  Joylne squinted at the girl, a memory knocked at the back of her skull. Then it clicked and she could hear her wallet whine. “Oh. You!”

“Me? You okay there?”

“You’re that girl! It was a 10,000 yen, right?” The girl blinked at her, the spoon that was  halfway to her lips dropped into her soup, she leaned back in her seat with a toothy grin. “You’re not gonna say some garbage like you forgot right?”

“What do I look like?” She gasped with her hand over her heart. “ Of course I remember you, new girl. But,you never agreed to anything, remember?” Her spoon waved at Jolyne while she facepalmed. “Thanks for that by the way, I thought it’d be a sure thing but you sure prove me the hell wrong!”

“So what’d you want then? A medal for sneaking out of your own bet?” Jolyne didn't pout but if she did it was intimidating. 

“Holy shit, don’t tell me... is that how you got through the week!?” She gasped between a fit of giggles. “Now I kinda feel bad.”

“Oh shut up!”  Jolyne slumped. red faced, her leg pulled up at the seat with her as she leaned on it. ”I was stuck with her no matter what, no one wanted to work with that dumbass.” It wasn’t about the cash but not getting a cent still sucked big time.

“...Huh. That kind of comes off like you’re worried about her.”

“What?” Maybe this girl was really stupid. “Are you stupid?”

“You know, you really got the air of a girl that can be messed with.” The gambler glanced away from Jolyne’s. “Like...you're nice? Most of the people here are going through the motions before Jeanist smooths them out. You? You got right to work on day one. Ah!”She snapped her fingers, her emerald lips split into  a toothy smile. “ A good girl! Yeah! That's the feeling you give off.”

“Gimme a break...”

“Or at least you're trying way too hard to give that vibe.”

“Hah? Excuse me?”

“I mean you had to notice right? Gwess’s shit? Must have just swallowed the urge to throttle her. Or your dumb and everything I’m saying is going way over your head.”

“...Yeah, I’m blind too.” Jolyne chomped on her and gave a glare to the older girl. “She's using her quick to get her rocks off or whatever yeah? She’s either switching shit around, or making things weaker.”

“Pretty close,” she whistled, “ her’s is pretty tricky compared to the others here. It’s a forgery.” The gambler grinned. “ But my point still stands, she’s a piece of work. Not even trying to get back at her? Not even a little bit?” Everybody’s just waiting for her to slip up and kick someone's ass, huh?  She wasn’t going to go out like that though especially not on someone like Gwess. She’d just started.

“The heck would any of  that do?”

“You gotta pick your battles.”

“Ain't that what I’m doing, should I just bop her in the nose?”

“Joey,”  Jolyne’s arm  seized up to stop herself from throwing a punch, “there's numbers between zero and ten.” She shrugged with her palms up. Pick your battles huh, maybe she'd do just that? So as the older brought a napkin to her lips her string attached itself to the side of the bowl.

“Hey, the fuck get you’re own.”

“It's a buffet, don't be stingy.”  She took a sip and was unprepared for the spiciness, whatever hero inspired this must rival Endeavor. There was no way she was gonna be able to chug this like she planned, she could have unravled her tongue but...That'd be like giving up.

“Hey that's my weak soup!”

Weak? Was she high?

“Bite me.” She sneered and downed the broth in one gulp. “Gah...this soup, this is really spicy.”  It was a moral victory at the very least if nothing else Jolyne could take comfort in it. With a smug look Jolyne shot the other girl a glare, she could only hopelessly gap at her lost soup. 

“Nice.” The gambler nodded. “You're holding back quite the attitude. That's not really a bad thing. Someone pisses you off, you gotta do something about it. Being a good person ain't got anything to do with being a doormat Jojo.”

 “It's Jolyne, Cheapass.”

“... You’re adorable. It's Costello senpai to you.”

“I’ll keep that in mind. If you can get my name right.”

“Fine, fine. Jolyne I got it. It's good you got a spine and taste. I thought we were gonna have serious problems. Also did you notice we settled all that without you getting the boot or smoothed out. No one wants to get in trouble.”

“Gee thanks~ Costello-senpai-chan! Wooo~!“ Channeling all her Gwess energy into a sugary sweet voice with a peace sign and what must be a blindly dazzling smile Jolyne winked. "With the wisdom you've bestowed upon me today I’ll be sure to be the most popular girl in this correctional program!”

“...So, what’d you do to end here Jolyne?” She asked. What did she do? A bubble of energy burst in Jolyne. Honestly she’d been waiting to brag about this to someone. New leaf or not when she stole that bike she had already prepared the story she planned to tell the gang. Could anyone blame her, the story had everything, pro heroes, UA students. Hell it even ended with a daring rescue and if not a rescue her outmaneuvering the freaking Turbo Hero: Ingenium on a stolen bike.

“Stole a bike? Went on a high speed chase, broke a pro hero's ankles, and ruined a romantic beach date. That’s just in Japan.” The most recent of her long list of crimes and misdemeanors. The highlight of her short career.

----

MUDA

----

Anniversaries are important events; they can be celebrations of love or glory, perhaps times of somber reflection. Whether you remember it once a week, monthly, once a year or every single day.  It is about a time that stayed with you and never faded away. 

Tonight, reporter Jinmaru celebrated the most important day of his life. The day he proposed, the day he adopted his twins, and the day he moved back to Japan. Right now he is cooking a dinner that will no doubt bring smiles to the faces of his family. He grinned at a photo of his family, gingerly her  ran his thumb over the photo. He stood there for a moment and gently placed it back on the table and got back to cooking.

“Lets see...Ken is getting kind of picky so I’ll have to dice up his onions and peppers...” Jin contemplated with a  glance at the time. It was almost 9:00. His wife would be home from the office soon and Kako-san would be dropping his sons home soon from his friend’s house. “Ah wait I still have to upload that article, I don’t want tonight interrupted by that blowhard blowing up my phone.” A rude grunt left his lips, just thinking about the man he felt the weight dropping on his shoulders. A timer set on his phone, he strode upstairs with a grumbled curse for his boss. He entered his bedroom and sat at his desk, a quick crack of his fingers and he got to work. His latest article was on what appeared to be the mass disappearance of over a dozen students from both middle and highschool. A bunch of problem children, but nonetheless their disappearance was noteworthy.

The police had to be aware and so did the heroes and yet no major network had-

“Delicious. 10/10! Seriously, you sure know your beef!” Jin whirled to the door to of his study to find a blonde in an open black suit casually eating a burger. For a moment there was a spark of recognition  in the back of Jin’s mind that was quickly overwhelmed by anger for the home intrusion. He moves to get up, to shout, maybe even force him to leave his house only for a hand to grip his shoulder, firm long blocky fingers digging into his skin. The hand glided down his arm and over his leg. In his pocket, the pen he always carried felt heavy even as the hand let him go. “This ain't the regular stuff is it? Or are you just that good a cook?” Jin turned to find no one in the room but them.

What was that?

“Stop. Just stop talking, Modest. Shut up, and keep those lips sealed.” Voice like gravel another man bleed into the room like wet paint running down the walls. He sat on his desk like he owned the place. 

“Pfft. Sure thing. Hmmhmm.”

“You.” He crossed one leg over the other. “ We have a little something to discuss and we’ll be out of your hair. I'll even leave some cash for the food Modest ate up. Not a bad deal right? A win-win situation like that is rare in real life. You should take it.” Though Jin didn’t bother to listen to the stranger, his hand went for his pen. His fingers wrap around it and he lifts with obvious ease. He may be a reporter but he’d been in his fair share of scrapes back in his school days; he could hold his own in a fight. He inhaled slowly and exhaled a bit.

“Wow. How cool!” Only to find it far too heavy his body is dragged to his left side as if the weight of the world was in his hand. His fists shook, veins bulged, muscles flexed just to keep his grip on his weapon.“ You’re a man of action, yeah? Those kids of yours gotta be proud of that.”  A tap to his side and he fell on the ground the pen he planned to make a weapon pressed down on his fingers crushing them, the tips turning a deep red. He fought the urge to gasp in pain as he inhaled.

“Why would you do that? Just what were you going to do with that pen, Jin?” He pulled out a cigarette that ignited on its own. He took a deep drag, and then sighed out bright green smoke. “Well, whatever,” he propped up the chair and sat down, “there's an article you wrote about a robbery a short while back. A dinosaur-like mutant and a biker, ring any bells? For a bit of honesty things will get easier.  But, if you lie? Well, then you lose.” It’s obvious what they want, crooks like them were probably pals.

“All of it is on my computer.” That wasn’t a bold faced lie, it really was all there. Jin had already edited anything that could be used to identify the vigilante. If it distracted them then he can use his quirk: Boo. Despite the name all it did was allow him to be loud, with it he can scream out for help. “The password is SpringLily. English characters.  All ‘i’s’ are ones.” He inhales, filling his lungs to the brim with breath.

“Hm, see how it goes? Now...” His fingers clicked and clacked against the keys, eyes skimmed over file after file. His buddy yawned, lapped at the sauce on his fingers. Now was his chance. His neighbors, no, the entire street should be able to hear him now. His tongue shifts in his mouth poking past his lips. He felt  a pull on his tongue.

“!!!!!” A familiar taste fills his mouth, something nostalgic, it reminds him of a long day of writing. Thinking of the right word, composing a sentence to entice readers to the truth. The taste and texture could only be: an...eraser? The taste fills his mouth and down his throat. Then nothing he couldn't taste his mouth at all or the ingredients that lingered in his mouth.  Then he was suddenly assaulted by a foul tang like dirt and garbage it filled his mouth. He bit his tongue gagging on the object and watches as a wet square drops to the ground. It really was an eraser but what was it doing...Looking down in place of his tongue was half of a giant eraser. His free hand went  to his mouth and tugged at it  but to no avail each yank pulled his head forward. It’s attached to him.

“Hm. Nothing here about their name, even the photos don't give us much; is this really all you got? Do you really have nothing more than this?”

“AAugh bah math?!” A pen and paper smacked him in the face.

“Tell me. A name, a description.  You can write even if you can’t talk. So just write...”

“What if that's his writing hand?”

“That's why the gods gave us two. Modest.”

“datisthdis!!”

“The heck is he saying now?”

“I don’t speak eraser dumbass...whatever it's probably the usual...’What the hell is this?’ Or some nonsense.”

‘What the hell is this?’ He looked around for an escape, the weight of the pen in his hand increased again he could feel the bones in his hands cracking the tips of his fingers numb. ‘What kind of power is this?!’

“Hey...” The smoker sighed, his tired black eyes looking like they’re evaluating pure garbage. “Listen to me. I'm in a foul mood. But I’m a businessman. Your life doesn’t have to go up in smoke. Just answer the questions.” Modest hummed a delightful smile on his face with another burger in his hands.

“...” Like he was going to tell them anything. The driver was just a kid doing the right thing. if he rats that kid out it’d be the death of him as a writer. No doubt that vigilante kid too would be..

“...You have a cute wife, but those kids I wonder how they’d do alone out there.” A cloud of smoke smacked into Jin’s face, stung his eyes, he held back a cough. “You get what this is right? I told you this can be win-win but only if you cooperate. If we don't get anything I’ll mess up your whole family. Which is worse? Your wife being crushed to death or your sons seeing it all happen? No matter what people say, not everyone can be a hero. You’re not a hero.” Jin’s body trembled. “No hero is coming to save you either.” Jin’s mind spun like it did when met with a deadline. The facts go over and over in his head, in there a way out of this mess had to exist. “That's the truth, you see how easy it is to tell it?” He’s been talking so long that he let slip some clue that he can use...

‘Modest...That's the other guy’s name...Modest...No way could he be...Is he THAT Modest! Modest Mouse?!’

Jin wouldn’t  know the man directly as Modest was an underclassmen but his reputation precedes him.  

Years ago, there was a bastard named Modest Mouse, he was a child that would brutalize a fellow student for dirtying his jacket. Modest skated by doing whatever he pleased whenever he pleased.  He took from others just as easy as  he breathed. Blackmail to violence he did whatever he needed to get what he wanted. The few times it backfired on him the victims were never the same and he only got better at it. Even when he lost it worked in his favor. No one was able to figure out how things got that bad but it was like everyone was in his pocket. Teachers, hell, adults in general had no idea what to do with him. He was like a star in the sky, untouchable.  

There was no one to correct him. His attitude just became a part of the flow of the neighborhood. That incident that broke the camel's back...Some seniors were hanging around his car. He nearly killed five guys with one hand alone, his quirk was just that strong. One of them was still in a coma today. Because of a passing vigilante he was taken down before authorities arrived. 

In an instant the great Modest was defeated.

He was going to be sentenced as an adult for what he did...a Villain too. In a world of law and order, it should have all come to a close. Then, as if to spit on the idea of justice, he was released and then he vanished. The next time he appeared in public...He was on the streets marching alongside a bunch of Yakuza with an even bigger smile on his face. That's the only reason he wasn't tried as a villain and his life went on smelling like roses. Though, years later justice was supposed to be served and the  Yakuza clans were supposed to be done in! The story of Modest Mouse came to the end he deserved, to vanish with the age of criminals! 

‘So why!Why!Why!?WHHHHHHYYYYYY!’ Sweat ran down Jin’s face, his suit felt tight against his skin. He can’t help but draw ragged breaths but he cannot scream in teror. Ruthless and powerful, he remembered back when they ran this area. Like how the sun bared down on the planet everyday, their presence was felt everyday back then. They flipped the rules and marched around free as birds forcing regular people into their shadows. It was like watching rats march about your home as if they owned the place and they did.

‘Hot Rod Hearts...that's the gang the mutant was a part of...were they a cover for the Yakuza!?’ Half his world goes dark and he’s staring down at himself.  Follwoing his odd new perspective he locked onto the smoker. A finger over from his lit cigarette and just below it a grey cat-like eye is closed between the gaps of his fingers. Jinmaru's eye.

The Yakuza held it out to Jin and all he can wonder is when he lost it and why he could feel the pressure around  his eye. His eye felt dry tears welled up in the socket filled with a tiny bulb. The smoke stung too. The dryness doesn’t go away even when he blinks, he looks down at his hand turning blue, the pen pressed so deep it sunk into his flesh. The taste of...he wanted to throw up but was too terrified. 

This cruelty.

Weird powers.

Modest Mouse.

His body shook as the realization dawned on him. 

That girl was the enemy of...

“Aaah....AAAAAAAHHhhhhh!” The words that he couldn't say were simple screams of lament. He cursed his foolishness for only a fool would refuse the Seimei clan.

“That look in your eye...now that's nostalgic, I guess we’re not just an old memory. Do you get it? It’s been a while but surely you’re smart enough to  get it, right? We’re not some punks who run our mouths saying: ‘I’ll kill you, I’ll kill you.’  This talk has been a negotiation from the start and you rejected the best case scenario.” He grins the ash of cigarette dropping onto  Jin’s desk as he scanned through the computer. “Ohohoho! Hey now...that's certainly not work. Your wife know about this woman? Kako-tan?”

“Woah what?! Hey let me see!”

“Shut the hell up, Modest.”

 What was that whole operation years ago for if the heroes failed to get rid of them?! How many members were left? Their leader was arrested for sure but what of the family heads?  The captains?...Could some of them have escaped? Or have they been here all along? The idea of reporting this, of telling a story, or warning Japan all of it drained away with the sweat running down his body. 

“Wwanwna.” The win-win. He’d...had he really thrown it away? Wait a moment. Why did  he have to go through this for her? “An..ythunguh...” 

Some dumbass random kid. If she knew how terrifying they were, why'd she have to drag others into her business?  His thoughts, scattered and miserable, were focused only on survival. 

“What's he saying?”

“The usual. Ain't that right Jin?” The gangster hollered with a genuine grin on his lips. He took another drag of his cigarette and held a hand to his ear to as if he needed to hear more clearly. Red smoke tinted the room crimson. “What's that? You’ll give me everything you got? You’ll give me anything I want?” A spiral of pitch black smoke spun from his lips. 

“I don’t like deals like that. I thought you were an honest reporter. Stop crying and look at me! Do normal hardworking folks sell and deal with fantasies? Can we eat dreams? Do you write stories of the likes of Endeavor waving his hand and fixing everything? If I ask for a dragon can you give me one? Can you bring Buddha here and grant me enlightenment? Can you make me All Might? That’d be a great deal Jin.” He paused as if Jin could respond and exhaled with a shake of his head.

 “No? What about something simple? A million dollars USD? No, you can’t do that either? Jin, look at me, I deal only in concrete things. Money, facts, and bodies. I told you what I want so don’t give me something as flimsy as everything or worthless as anything. Just accept the deal and give me what I want. It’ll all work out for you, I promise. Win-win.”

 Jin’s hand franticly searched for the pencil and paper, trembling as he wrote everything he remembered from that day. Every detail...He would, no,  his family would live too. That girl would just have to learn her lesson. He wasn't wrong to defend his family, right it was all for family no one would do any differently. Modest bent down to take the note.

“Hm. A girl?” Modest read off with short nods at each point. “ Maybe mixed?  A lot of hair, two bun-things.Two-tones. Two tattoos: one on her arm and a red star on the base of her neck? Probably a highschooler or just about that age? Hmmm. She was taken to the police station with Dintang. Okay. Good job, good job. I’ll let up your hand...oops the pen went all the way through. I’ll just...” Modest wrinkled his nose and stuck out his tongue peeling the blood soaked pen through the hole in Jin’s hand. Jin didn't have the energy to care, through heavy breathes and tears he made it through. 

“Shit damaged the floor. My bad my bad...Dude... you know what? You look familiar. Hey, did we go to school together? What shit luck, eh?”

“Shut it. Negotiations are finally  over and the trade has to be made.” The smoker sighed and flicked his cig onto the bed. 

“Now for our end...” Jin nodded so fast his brain rattled in his skull. They could get out and-

“What did we promise you exactly? Right,” He reached into his back pocket and Jin flinched.  He reveled his wallet with a soft smile. Oh right he had said something about paying him back but he really didn't need that he just needed them to go away forever. “The price of good meat at a local market  is 1500 yen so I’d owe you around 4,500... way too much for you, shit head.” He slapped the bills against Jin’s forehead and shoved it back into his wallet. He stood and gestured around the room. 

“I mean look at your home, what do you need my money for you greedy bastard. I hate happy-go-lucky guys like you the most. So I’ll gladly take everything you have.” 

Jin felt something a prick against his skin. A phantom traced a line down his cheek to his throat, it poked and prodded the side of his neck and pushed.  Like a needle, it drew beads of blood.

 “And anything else that I want.” Painfully slowly it pushed into his skin blood dripping down the growing hole. His body jerked and he tried to howl in rage, desperation, but nothing came out. Three holes sprout in his chest, blood gushed out, the side of his neck rips open, a spray of  fresh blood painted  his workspace to match his floor. “That's what it means when Yakuza win, dumbass.”

“I’ll just take some more to go.” Modest beamed with another burger in hand. Strolling out of Jin’s house his car was  stuck in a tree with every step away form the house the tree began to bend and creak as if the strain was suddenly too much. “So, who's the girl? Those tats are kinda familiar...I think I’ve...Oi! More!? Are you listening to me!?”

“...Hmmm.” A trail of white smoke flows through the air. The blood spatter on his clothes faded with each step until he was clean; the scent of iron that clung to him was overshadowed by the smell of smoke. “No idea who that could be. Well either way, there's no escape for her.” 

“Not hearing me at all. What. Ever. I guess we didn't need Nehan’s help after all. For her sake I hope she got some results.”

“She can sink or swim on her own.” More gave an actual response for once, though he ended it with a puff of smoke to Modest’s face. “ Next, we’ll hit up those leftovers. Those rich punks may have gotten away clean but they still owe us more than money.”

“...Duh.” Modest frowned. “Even if we were called something else... we’re still the Dou-dou. Who ever heard of someone quitting the Yakuza with all their fingers? Speaking of quitting, you should quit smoking. You smell like shit.”

“Shut up, how about you give growing up a try?” More sighed. “You still dress as sloppily as the day you got arrested.”

“Woah, cuttin’ pretty deep for the guy who is too cheap to give a dead man 4,500 yen. You even took his wallet.”

“Did you see his house? Fuck him.”

“Rather his mistress to be honest.”

“Hmhm. I’ll let you know how that goes.”

“Oioioi! You devil!”

The pair made idle chatter as they went out for ramen and spirits.

That night a wife and her children arrived to find their home consumed by flames.  Jin’s body, charred beyond recognition, would be found curled up in the kitchen, both eyes wide with horror. His final message to his wife sent to her phone. A photo.

To be continued.

Chapter Text

“...”

“...Go!”

“TA!”

“TaWA!” 

“TawaWA.”

“TawawawaWA!”

“TawawawawawawawaWA.”

“TaTawawawawawaA-guh!? GAAAH! Buh mah rounge!”

“Ha! I win! Snacks on you, Aoko!”

“Bine...”

Odowaatawa. Or the Tawa, as the children that scrambled about who seemed to turn the name into some sort of game called it, was a mall. One that you could find just about anywhere only big. When Jolyne had seen it for the first time she thought it was fucking massive even compared to the one’s back in the states. Rather than going for a wide megamall style it was as if the creator wanted to look down on all of Japan. Externally it was like one of those yaguras, it gave off a very old feeling, but inside it was just like any other super mall she’d seen back in the US. At the very top of the dark colored castle, was an image of All Might, his dazzling smile fluttering on the breeze. He stood like a star at night as if he conquered some ancient evil. Lower than him, taking up both the third and second floor, was dedicated to Endeavor; fiery like a torch that shines brightest at closing time and no doubt glaring at the cameras if he wasn’t glaring upwards. Greeting those at the entrance and representing  first floor was a cutout and various posters and memorabilia  of Hawks who contrasted the other too with a laid back, handsome grin and a peace sign.

So what brought the lovely Jolyne here today, the near end of August and her vacation? Buying hero merch, maybe getting an autograph from a potential up-and-comer, the next number 2?! Get real, like she has the free time for that. It’s volunteer work of course, Jeanist’s determination to weave his charges into designer clothing with a drive that puts every annoying teacher she’d ever met to shame and it’s only her second week.

Surprisingly she started to like the outfit. She rubbed the fabric between her fingers, there was no denying the material was top quality, she even got over its looks, the wonders that wearing an outfit a week straight could have;that and some modifications. Stone free was way more versatile than she first gave it credit for, quickly weaving new fabric into the outfit just as fast as she could think. Creating various butterfly patterns all over the legs, with spiderwebs interlocked over the other thing starting from a heart shape around her chest. Finally some pins and a jacket.

“Cujoh...Hold on a moment.” Walked around her for a moment and nodded as if Jeanist approved or came to some decision. “Wonderful stitching. Next time do ask, after Moritani’s scarf incident,”Jolyne noticed one of the boys flinching; a few light chuckles going around at his expense,“such modifications must be approved beforehand.” He added and quickly redid her hair in a blink. A more fair response than she had anticipated, not that she needed his approval of how to dress herself. But it seemed like her senpai’s advice was good for something. Still as she gave him a half hearted nod she had to admit it was the most bizarre scolding she’d ever received. Now if only he’d stop fucking with her hair or at least learn a new style.

Their ‘job’ this time around wasn’t necessarily to clean up, though after doing that for a week straight watching people just casually toss shit on the floor made her want to sock someone in the jaw.  No, today they were putting up  flyers for a charity event not that it was being hosted here. It wasn’t even anywhere close to being held but getting the word out early seems to be his plan. She never really thought about how much time it took to knit these events together, it made sense, definitely better than stitching something together at the last second.

‘Knit? Stitch? What am I...doing?’ Jolyne gaze weaved over to Jeanist, she needed to be done with this before he and Gwess messed with her vocab any further. ‘At least no one can see Stone Free, or else they’d think it was a lame pun.’ She gathered her share of the flyers, she’d probably have to partner with someone.

For some reason Gwess’s face flashed through her mind, the older quite as a ghost on the way over her, and for the last few projects too. She looked around for her, now regular, partner  Gwess was nowhere to be found so Jolyne was flying solo for now.  

“I better not get my hair redone for this.” She huffed, really it was his own fault for letting them have so much freedom. She started looking around for a good place to start, it would be best to put them somewhere with a lot of traffic. ‘I could probably stick these on Hawk’s wings or Endevor’s face to get the most attention,’ giggling at the thought of Endeavor’s flaming beard replaced with dozens of paper.  

Like a light rain she heard water beating against the ground, watching a high flying can coming her way and it’s easily caught by Stone free.

“Hey you missed a spot. How’d you expect to stay outta jail?” One would think a place packed with various heroes and some mall cops and ‘mall cops’ would stop people from acting a fool. That didn’t stop assholes from shitting all over the place or messing with them. Like this one talking down to some of the others like he was a teacher or something. Normally, Jeanist would do something about it but a quick glance around and she could see he already had his hands full literally tying up two guys with their own pants.

“Get bent. Does the ground look like a garbage bin to you?” Moritani Koga spat, barely being held back by his friend.  The punk pushed one of them over and then dropped his wrapper on his face. “Hey! The hell are you doing man!?” 

“Koga...” His usual  pal, Kiba, grabbed him by the shoulder but Koga threw him off. “C’mon man. Let’s just get Jeanist or-” 

“Huh? You guys are trash cans right? That’s what you do!” He chuckled. “Thank Jeanist for his service. Kinda desperate to try and  beat Hawks like this but hey, at least he’s making guys like you useful.”

“You..You....” Koga spat some silvery liquid out of his mouth and the punk took a step back watching it splatter against the ground and sizzle. “That's the only warning you’re gonna get so beat it!”

“Eh? Woah, woah scary! If you’re gonna use your quirk...what comes next is! Self. Defense. Punch!” Reeling his fist back and taking a bold stomp, ready to strike and start the fight proper. Before his fist could go anywhere it froze in midair. The man blinked his hand, refusing to move, caught in a web Stone Free’s wire digging into his skin.

“You wanna try that again?” Jolyne glared. The hooded punk chuckled trying to flex his arm but moving caused her thread to draw some blood. He gave up, staring at her blankly. “You got nothing better to do in a mall? Why not buy some new clothes, ugh, cologne too while you're at it.”

“Ohoho?” He laughed. “Now you got the face alright. Villains are so scary...” He shivered,  apathetically he held up his free hand in surrender.“Ambushing an innocent guy like this. You guys are rotten.”

“Yeah new girl! Hold’em right there and then we’ll take him out.”

“You gotta be kidding me.” Jolyne turned to find a cop glaring down at her. He must have just now decided to stroll over. Pulling on the brim of his hat throwing a piercing look at the punk only to shift his gaze among Jolyne and the others.  “Punks,” he scoffed, “I was told you were all well behaved but startings fights? Using sneaky quirks. It's what I’d expect from hopeless-”

“Hey that's not what happened! This guy he-”

“I don’t remember asking you anything. Seriously, this was supposed to be an easy shift.” The officer rubbed the bridge of his nose. “Whoever’s quirk it is, end it if you can. And you,sir, what's going on?” Sir? What’s with the polite treatment he’s at least as shady as any shadow!

“Nothin’, nothin’ at all right?” He grinned at them. “They’re just giving me an apology, that's all right you guys? Then we can all move on. No need for you guys to get in more trouble. Right?”

“An apology? That's all you...?” The cop shook his head, ending his comment under his breath. ”Well?” The cop barked at them, Jolyne watched the two of them seethe and she was right there with them.  Between that prick and the officer a simple ‘sorry’ wasn't going to cut it, was it? “Let's see it.”

“ Sonuvabitch ...” Jolyne hissed,rolling her eyes and curling her hands into fists. 

“Hmmm? Was that english? Well ain't you educated!” The punk chimed in.

“Man, Who do you-” Before Kiba could bury them with whatever was about to come outta his mouth she grabbed him and his friend by the scruff of their necks and forced them into a mock bow.

“We’re, oh, so sorry.” The apology was forced out with enough heat to maybe be mistaken for a different more palatable type of passion. Adults on a power trip loved this type of thing. Jolyne did too, it allowed her to make whatever expression she wanted thanks to her bangs. The two blinked at her, and then cracked a grin at her cheeky smile. She gave them each a pinch and the two gave equally half assed apologies.

“So so so sorry!”

“Our bad? Uh Sorry!?”

“Us three? Really sorry!” All three of them said in surprising unison. They had even started to attract a couple of onlookers. The mall cop coughed, she glanced up to see him waving people away.

“Is that enough?” The cop asked. The punk nodded along, satisfied with the proudest moment of his life since highschool, the officer let out a sigh of relief, shoulders slacking as he waved them all off. “...Alright then. I’ll leave you be for now and I won’t tell Jeanist about this...Just stay out of trouble all of you.”
“You hear? Stay outta trouble future inmates.” The punk gave the boys a pat on the back. “Oh. I guess it ain't ‘future’ for you guys.”

The useless cop sighed as he walked away. “Why my shift?” He muttered. “I should have asked for...” 

“Have a nice day.” As the punk stomped his way past her, he roughly gave her a pat on the head, his jagged hand scraped her head and her braids came loose. He threw a crumpled brown paper bag at her, it bounced off her back and dropped to the ground with barely a sound, her eyes burning holes through his head. A  bit away she saw him and the cop bump into each other. The cop tried to hide his little smirk behind his cap as the punk handed him something. 

Though her revenge was already in full swing.

“Jackass.” Jolyne huffed, Stone free fished the wallet out his back pocket. Her stand cracked  it open, she resisted the urge to cringe at the measly thousand yen inside it. Explains why he had nothing better to do, maybe she should have given him some money? “Seriously, if you're gonna be a dick at least have cash.” Whatever, maybe this could count as her good deed of the day? She chucked the wallet over her shoulder into the garbage  and went back to pick up the trash he dropped. “No respect.” 

“Uh...hey...” The two of them called out to her looking embarrassed? They couldn't look her in the eye at all, more interested in her shoes than her face.

“What?”

“Thanks.”

“....Tch...We didn’t need it-” Kiba  elbowed him. “Thank you, you're not half bad.” He winked at her. Jolyne rolled her eyes though she still smiled. He gave her a toothy grin, showing off his impressive canines. “You know if you’re free- ''She preemptively stuffed the memories of Romeo in a corner and burned it.

“No thanks.” She said with a dead expression, she doesn't need a guy right now.

“I can’t leave you guys alone for five freakin’ minutes.” Jolyne turned to find Costello, her braided locs tied around another, into a cute and sporty ponytail. Approaching with a few of the others, she took a glance at the cop that was still hovering around the area. For a split second Jolyne could have sworn she saw a pensive expression, her thick brows knit together and  cold eyes half lidded, totally out of place of the usual busybody. She must have seen that handoff too. Jolyne was caught staring at her, her cheeks turing a light shade of pink as she grinned.

“Well well look at you, miss hero.” The older girl teased, elbowing her arm with a sly grin, she heard Koga let out a long groan. “Jeanist should really be paying me for all the good I bring.”

“Don’t hurt your back patting it so hard.”

“No worries, I can still carry you all.”  She pulled Jolyne into a headlock pressing Jolyne to her side who  went red and put it in a token effort to try and get free before giving up. It wasn't so bad and her arms were as strong as they looked.

“Ugh.”

”Ok. How much did you swipe from him?” She whispered. 

“1,000.” Jolyne hissed back, looking disgusted at the small bill.

“Wow. No wonder he’s got nothin better to do than mess with us.” They shared a laugh.

“Not giving you a cent though and you still owe me 10,000 with interest.” Jolyne cut the laughter with a swift reminder of the bet money.

“...You’re really not letting that go? What was my sage advice worth to you?” Jolyne thought for all of half a second before replying.

“5,000.”

“Oh well, at least you-”

“You can pay me after you pay the debt. ‘Cause I’m reasonable like that.”

“You-!”

“Cujoh, don't let El infect you with her lameness!” Koga called out, his pal was quick to start doing stretches. “Next thing you know you’ll be taking on extra work...”

“OI! Whose normally bailing you out the fire?! HUH?!” Costello threw herself out him, Koga ducked under her arms, terror in his eyes. Kiba sighed, breaking into a sprint barely holding on to their flyers.

“Whatever honor student!” Koga was already out of her reach. “Run...Kiba? Get back here!!!”

Were they afraid of her or did they like her? Jolyne blinked watching Eldis take charge of the two on top of the group she was already leading. Maybe it was both? It was almost like they were treating her like she was in charge. It wouldn't be the first time either; the others, despite how wild they could be, usually fell in step when Costello showed up and if they didn't? Flexing her muscles did the job and only got her hair restyled sometimes. She even went out of her way to talk to Jolyne on her first week... How she basically became Jeansits’ assistant was beyond her but she did a good job.

 An orange haired  girl, her name was Ichigo? She was pretty sure, turned to Jolyne. “ We’re gonna go check out some of the Hawks stuff, you coming with?” She offered. “I hear he even does photoshoots here sometimes. Might get lucky!”

Whamp!

“Oh~ Joey! I’ve been looking all over for you!”  The second she showed the others gave her a polite wave and moved on. It was obvious that the opposite end of the spectrum is Gwess, less respected and less intimidating but more annoying. Well, she was wondering where her ‘go-to’ partner had gone, she was with their group or...? “Follow me!” Jolyne found herself being dragged to the bathroom, before the large mirror she took the chance to fix her hair back.

“At least I can do this fast as hell now. Thanks Jeanist...” She glanced at Gwess who looked like she could explode. Not angry though, more irritated, tapping her fingers against the counter, her blue painted lips being thrashed by her teeth. “You’re gonna ruin your makeup like that.”

“So nice that you care! Joey!” Her sparkly cutesy voice burned like the sun more than usual.

Thwomp!

“...What the hell is this?” Jolyne couldn't help but mutter aloud, pinned between Gwess and the sink. Once again this roller coaster of a girl was off again. She was really close. 

“So!” She clapped her hands.”Wanna try mine? Yellow’s okay but I think you’re more of a blue or red girl!”

“S-sure!” Her heart skipped a beat as Gwess gently held her face. “Uh!?”

“Alright, we’ll make you even cuuter!”Her face felt hot but that was totally normal, it was summer after all. Unrelated, Gwess was far from bad looking, her mood swings weren’t nearly as bad as they had been...Wait! Wasn’t she getting ahead of herself? Was Gwess even...? “Oh we can even do something with your eyes to match!” They were going to make a whole thing of it..this close? Sure. Cool.

“... Ya know you shouldn't hang out with these bitches.” Gwess huffed, her brow twitching, face red. “I mean you can tell none of the guys are worth anything but  they're all jerks ya’ know! You should have seen them a few weeks back! They were like animals trying to eat each other talking crazy everyday!! What was I talking about oh right, those girls. Like that Ichigo? I hear she’s in here cause stole from her family clinic, robbing a patient of all things can you believe that?  Not cuute at all! Then there's the busy-body, the worst of them. I dunno what she told you before to get all up in your business  but she’s just doing her usual game. Playing teacher or whatever,  she grills everyone once they get here pushes herself in your space and junk! She’s just looking for a chance to rat you out. Jeansit may be alright but if she says something it's all over for you. You should just stick with me.” 

“What do you think?” Gwess whirled her around, showing her own reflection in the mirror. “Not a bad color for you right, thought so.”Jolyne’s slack jawed greeted them both, as Gwess finished up with the deep blue lipstick, whatever atmosphere had been there was trashed and burned and buried. If there was anything Jolyne hated it was gossip and back talk. Did she think she could be talked into feeling any which way with just a compliment or some attention? Jumping into things is how she ended up with him, a few smiles at homeroom. A nice compliment, cozying to her after a fight. Just treating her like an equal...Fuck. 

Memories that were all too pleasant leaked in and soon she was awash in a sea of feelings, warm like the summer heat, that left her heart hammering in her chest and fists curled hard enough to make her bleed. She knew him for a long while, months, and he threw her to the wolves for a pat on the back. She felt herself unwind and trail across the sink. Stone Free gripped her shoulders, giving her a soft squeeze. She really got ahead of herself, again. You’d think she would have learned after Romeo not to let her feelings run wild after a little attention.

As if pinned down by Gwess’s ranting Jolyne struggled to push the older girl away from her, utterly baffled by the blurb of raw gossipy information that just hit her.

“What the hell are you talking about? Are you serious right now?!” 

“W-what are you getting mad for!?” Gwess growled, veins popping at her temples. “I’m just helping you out!”

“Spouting a bunch of crap?” She poked Gwess in the chest, staring daggers into her skull.

“Like, be for real, who are you to talk about being a bitch?” Jonye shook her head, cringing at her. 

“What? I’ve been nothing but helpful to you this whole time! Since day one even when your bag broke, or when your paint bucket snapped!-” When she got paint in her hair, or when got those towels when her water bottle exploded. So on and so on, the examples piled up one after another that all sounded nice and good from the outside. It wasn't like Jolyne just got wise to her.

“You’ve been messing with me since I got here!” Booming, her voice bounces in the quite bathroom. That left her stammering as if she really didn't expect her to notice any of her little stunts. “For all I know you’ve been yucking it up with those ‘bitches’ about all your little pranks. ” Backstabbing, gossiping and all that roundabout sneaky shit all famous ways to piss her off. People playing a game around her, with all sorts of nonsense rules at her expense, that she never really got the chance to learn.  Rumors flying up and down the halls getting herself played just put on a little show. For their amusement? Hazing she could take, she put up with that to join the gang, but these stupid games? Even the ‘new’ her couldn't stand it. “Fake shit like that is the worst.”

 “I’m j-just giving you some advice-”

“Advice? So nice of you! But...uh...Who asked you?” Jolyne grabbed her.

” T-thats what friends do! What?! Can’t I do that too or what?! OR is She the only one? How’d you get so chummy after one day anyway!? And now that Ichigo and Koga of all people?! Koga!”

“She?”

“That Eldis! One little dinner yall are always talking whenever I turn around! I tried to talk to her but she didn't say anything! She acted dumb or something!? All you did was talk? Talk! I’m not stupid!? It’s not that easy!” A half broken discolored copy of the sink manifested at Gwess feet, she groaned, rubbing her temple veins popping. “ I don't get it...”

 Something about this felt awfully familiar, for a moment Jolyne thought of Romeo,  something that nearly made her punch the mirror. She managed to shake off the anger and refocus. Why’d Gwess remind her of him? They were literally nothing alike except for this random insecurity. Romeo, she nearly gaged a bit mentally beating his face in so the image would vanish. Before they started dating and before he introduced her to the HRHs he was always interested in her, or so he said. Though a girl getting into a fist fight with a guy whose hands were basically tasers would get anyone's attention, as entertainment, but that wasn't it between them.

He was always trying to show off or prove himself and she knew that got old fast. Or maybe it felt obvious? Unnecessary? Afterall she got it, she was quirkless. Trying to get people to take her seriously at all took a grueling effort, or worse she’d get the wrong attention. People treating her like she was somehow lesser, or missing something, or just wrong. Boring. Broken. She always had to put in that effort, so she could see it when others did it.Or at least that's what this crying girl in front of her makes her feel like. Gwess’s pranks always ended with Gwess offering a helping hand, in a roundabout smug-cute-condescending way. Or trying to alleviate the very problem she created. Sharing water, giving her a towel, offering to share paint buckets, even that trash on the first day she offered her own bag and to help her.  So why'd she have yet another other person do that for her? Why’d you even think that when then have something that she craved in the first place. It just seemed backwards.

“Friends?” Jolyne repeated the word like it was french. Her phone weighed a ton in her pocket, her contact list dramatically smaller than ever before. Squaring her jaw and looking at Gwess, the girl is  half a mess and furious. 

All the hot air left her in one sigh, ‘why do I feel bad wasn’t I getting it all this time?’ Jolyne rubbed her face. Happy or angry. This was new, a quiet sadness. Brows furrowed in frustration, sniffling with  red eyes darting to the door fight or flight at war in her mind, she’d probably leave the second Jolyne let go of her collar.

‘Its not that easy, huh...’

Maybe she was projecting a little on Gwess, putting her on the same level as Romeo was too much, she could admit that.  As stupid as her speech was, it was clear she was worried they wouldn't be partnered together anymore. In the short time Jolyne had been volunteering she'd gotten a good idea of how things went beforehand, Gwesss little pranks may have been funny to see but she doubted anyone wanted to be on the wrong end of them. Not to mention her hair triggers and cutesy everything. In short, no one wanted to deal with Gwess so she was always in the hands of the BJ or from what Jolyne guessed that coolish-busybody Costello.

“If I wanted to partner up with her I woulda done that already. You know before we even came here today? Or Yesterday or last week or the one before that.” Beating around the bush was never her style, she’d seen  enough romance stories like that and  it frustrated her to hell. “I even looked for you today ya know. Costello just gave me some advice and owes me money. I’m not even sure we're friends for real...You don't gotta worry about us. Like I'd ditch a friend.“ She fished her phone out of her pocket.

“...J-joey...” They traded Lines and it was official. Friends. With Gwess. Hm. Time to set ground rules.

“...Don’t do that shit again though, this back talk or the pranks. Seriously, you use your quirk on me again and I swear I’ll clock you.” She tapped her fist against Gwess’s cheek. “And I’ll have you know that's how I got here.”

“...” Gwess went silent for a full second, the wheels whirling in her head. “Y-yup! From now on! Good! I knew you could pick your friends better than that! You passed the test! Hahaha.” Gwess beamed. “Lookit you!” Once again Joylne’s hair was attacked. “Don’t take things so serious, kinda adorable tho.”

“Well c’mon already.” God she’s exhausting! Jolyne could barely get a word in as she was pretty dragged off like luggage. 

‘When the heck did Gwess get this strong?’ Was she one of those people with two powers or was she barely trying at this volunteer work thing until now?

“Yeah, yeah...” 

“Alright! Gwess and Joey! We’re moving up,” Gwess sang already heading up the stairs with a skip in her step, “Joey! C’moooon!”

“Is this better or worse...” Jolyne sighed but ultimately realized that either angry, sad or weirdly cute Gwess was a pain no matter what. “Whatever, yeah I’m coming.” The first floor was dedicated towards Hawks, the current number three of Japan. The handsome angel-like man. Pretty much everything from the ground floor up was designed to give off a mellow feeling to match the hero. Now that they entered Endevaor’s ‘area, shades of red filled her vision and the way the windows were set up allowed the summer sun to shine in. Considering the wave of heat that nearly toppled her over she wondered if they just cut out the AC to sell drinks or something.

The floor was packed though, Jolyne wasn't sure why maybe some sort of event? Even though he wasn’t quite popular, Jolyne definitely wouldn't have a poster of him anytime soon. Something about his ever present glare ticked her off but  Endeavor was a household name in his own right, maybe the man himself was here?

“Thank god for AC...” Gwess fanned herself with flyers. Did they turn off the AC for his likeness?“Alright you take that spot over there and we’ll meet back here in I dunno thirty?”

“Just come on.” 

Just plastering posters and flyers on walls wasn’t likely to get people’s attention, and handing them out was an easy way to get ignored especially in a packed area like this they’d never get the time of day. Cracking her neck Jolyne grinned, bit’s of her back unraveled as she found an empty table to lay out the flyers. She hooked her strings through each one, a bit of thread and a thought and she was dragging them through the air. Using quirks as you pleased was generally illegal, about as illegal as jaywalking. Less so really, no one cared punks got into fights and sued their powers without a care, she had some bruises to prove it. Not exactly fair but no one ever complained on her behalf and she wasn’t about to do it herself and give them the satisfaction.  Anyway, Stone Free was an exception and  it wasn’t like she had a registered one so no one would give her any lectures about it. Her plan set to go, she made her way into the crowd.

As she contemplated sticking posters on peoples back would get the most attention she found a crowd surrounding a toy store.

“H-hello...sirs?” A helpless clerk wrangled his feathery tail at the scene. “Um, taking your time is fine. Really it is!  B-but you're blocking the entrance? So, um...if you could...just a little bit to the left or...”

“Just give us a minute.” 

“Yeah..that's fine...But...ok.” 

“Ok...Nao, I love you but, damn your heavy get up man, can we just pick one or just-”

“But which one should I get!” A large dragon-like man cried out holding four different stuffed animals in his clawed hands, a rabbit with a crazed expression and boxing gloves. A fiery tiger with glare so dark they just used black fabric for its eyes. Moving on a grinning golden dog wearing a crown and bright red cape, and a flirting winking crow with heart shaped wings. “Which one!?” He wailed in despair leaning on the goat-like man attempting to comfort him. “I don’t want your sister to hate me!”

“What...Hate you? She already thinks you’re her big brother, like she taunts me about how much cooler you are, so I don’t-”

“Don't be a fool Haru!” He shoved the toys in Haru’s face as if he needed them to live.“A kid’s graduation is super important! She could hold a grudge until the end of time!”

“W-why not just get all four then? Their not that expensive or anything and-”

“Tch...Nonono. What if she thinks I just couldn't be bothered to pick one and got her whatever!? I know she said one of these she hated...I think. Was I paying attention or...so stupid!” If it was possible he sunk even lower, practically making a crater in the ground with his despair.

“...Nao, you okay? You’re acting-”

“H-hey you! Girl!” He pointed Jolyne out of the crowd who could only point to herself. “You’re a girl in the middle of a rebellion against the world, right?”

“Uh...yeah? I guess I am, I was...?'' Suddenly four furry creatures were presented to her. Up close the man was easily eight foot tall and conflicted was an understatement. He looked like he was wrestling hsi inner demons as he spoke, like the world was weighing on his shoulders. “Dude are you okay?”

“Which one would you want your new cooler,” the other man looked mildly offended, “big brother to get you!  Rabbita Killa, or  Taigaire! Maybe All-Bark!? OR OR Heartwing?!” These were toys themed after heroes right? At the very least All Might but a pooch was obvious enough. Was that red tiger supposed to be Endeavor? Actually, she put the toys aside for now, why was this guy in such a panic though? “If I don’t get the right one...my future is over!”

“...” What the hell could she even say that? Another pair of arms that she didn't notice the man had begun to shake her, he sure was heavy handed it was almost like he thought she'd fly away.  She glanced over at the other man who simply shook his head.

“Please be our hero!”

“Alright that's enough. Get it together already Nao. You’re shaking a kid!”

“Oh...s-sorry...”

“He okay?”

“ Sorry, uh...”

“Jolyne.”

“Sorry for getting the intro backwards. We're not acting much like adults huh?” His dry chuckle was anything but cheery. “I’m Haru. My man sulking over there is Nao, Naoto. I don’t know what's gotten into him, never seen him this stressed...well not  since our college days.”

“College days?” Jolyne knelt down to scoop the plush heroes off the ground shooting a glare at the crowd that had gathered around them. Stone free weaving between the crowd to knock a few phones loose to crack on the ground. Fucking gawkers, they just loved to gather when people are low, like other people are a show. Like their lows are good entertainment. “What’s that gotta do with toys leading him to a breakdown?”

“It was just a comparison, just some stupid assholes nothing that...I guess he’s more worried about her reaction than I thought...No, maybe I’m not taking this seriously enough...” He sighed, rubbing Nao’s back. “Listen, sorry you got dragged into this, but if you could help us I’d appreciate it.”

“...Alright. So, Haru, what’s she like? Hime...right?” 

“Hime...She’s hot blooded, I guess? The type of kid that’d make fun of your hair cut straight up to your face. That type of menace. But that was when she was a brat... Nowadays though...shes way more uh...”

“How about you talk about her like I don't know her? Cause I don’t. Give me more to work with.”

“Like that.” Giving her finger guns. Jolyne rolled her eyes.

“Is that why he’s the cool one?”

“Huh? No that's cause...He’s sturdier than me.”

Sturdy, him? Right now he damn near kneeling on the ground muttering to himself, that Naoto was sturdy? 

“...I can see that.”

“Listen.” Haru scoffed at her little lie. “I...he’s normally so tough and nice and...he’s the type of dude to deck a fool for messing with a friend. He got in a lot of fights and almost got kicked outta college for it.  Did. Not. Let words slide either, he stands up for himself, me, us. Everyone.” Haru slumped facepalming.  “Maybe he cares too much...or I’ve been relying on him too much.  Which would explain this... But that's why he's gonna be the cooler brother, when Hime gets the news, if she hasn't figured it out already. He’s like everyone's hero. MY hero.” Jolyne was a bit enraptured by Haru’s description, that sounded badasss. “So 

Plus, Jolyne was somewhat of a sucker for romance, and now she was invested.

All Might was everyone's hero. Everyone looked up to the guy, Jolyne was no different. But sometimes...you just need one that really gets you that makes you think they will protect you. Not in the way All Might does for everyone something more personal. Well if it’s a hero that stands up for the little guy and heteromorphs.

“There's not a person alive that's not an All Might fan.” Jolyne declared. “Hot blooded is definitely this rabbit here too...But if she thinks he’s the coolest then...What about that one?”

“Oh thats...”

“ORCA!” Nao roared, a blast of air nearly taking Jolyne off her feet, and actually making her slide a good 10 feet away. He raised a Whale like plush wearing a sharp business suit smoking a conch shell. “It was you!!!! The Sea Don. YES!” Despite himself Haru chuckled watching his man storm back into the store with purpose and renewed vigor. Were he and Gwess related or something?

“That mood swing from your college days too?”

“Nah, not even after a shot of coffee. I think I’m gonna get him outta here, I’ll cook dinner tonight even though they both clown on my curry.” Haru jogged after his boyfriend with a grin. 

“...Hey.” Jolyne gleaned over and Nao and whispered to Haru,” try and find one with four arms too.”

“...You’re a genius. Thanks for the hand kid.” He stopped at the entrance. “Wait there for a bit?”

“Here I bought the other ones so you can have’em as thanks.”

A beam of light ripped through the bag dropping all four to the ground and crashed through the display window glass rain down around them like glitter. Snapping her head towards the source of the blast she could barely see a flashing light through the crowd that had gathered and shifted to the new spectacle.

“Oi you! I-I saw you looking at me! W-what are you planning to do!?”

“The... w-what are you on about? I just asked if you were okay!”

“Hey is something happening over there?” 

“Hey Jolyne-chan!” Haru called after her as she pushed through the indifferent crowd.

“What are those guys fighting about... Hey, is the thing in this section or the one below?”

“Think we should get somebody?”

“What? Come on man, this place is like a common hero meet and greet right? Who’d cause trouble here? The concert’s starting soon too, I dunno who the Smokestacks are but anyone who's dumb enough to use Fire beard’s face on the posters has gotta be hardcore.”

“Yeah you’re right it’ll be fine.” He shrugged. “Yeah, looks like it’s in Hawks section?” That’s what the people sound like while a beam shooting emitter cried with tears running down his face. 

“Get the hell away from me! Get away! All of you!” Despite his words the man shoved his way though a couple and some bystanders. They bounced off him like he was a freight train all  just to approach the fish headed man. His right hand shined. “You w-wanna go!? You won’t take me!” The heteromorph tried to push him away but ended up throwing himself back in surprise. With a sign hand he fired a beam of light that sliced the heteromorph's face.

“Oh!” Someone shouted in shock, similar murmurs flowed from the crowd, more shock and awe than worry that this would get any crazier than it was already. 

“He-hey! What’s wrong with you?”

“You? Y-you're the one stalking me! All day even here! He said they wouldn't be here...so why are all of you! Get away from me!” The emitter roared, firing another shot. Ranting and raving about all the people surrounding him as if the crowd was plotting his downfall, which couldn't have been further from the truth. If anything they couldn't care less. Was no one going to do anything? Everyone looked more preoccupied with recording, or their own little conversation like they weren’t even a few feet from a  fight. It was bizarre, at least in school fights were treated like entertainment until blood was drawn but this disinterest was next level.

 But they don't really matter to her right now. He was looking all over, breathing hard and heavy. Like he was surrounded fighting something that no one saw. The hysteria of the police station flashed through her mind , a bunch of confused people hurting each other, lost in their own world. He needed some help.

“Hey...move! Get the hell outta my way!” Jolyne started to push her way through a gathering crowd but found herself easily bounced back and tossed around as more people tried to crowd in and watch the fight.

“Damndmandman!! What are you all looking at?!” He swung his fist, it flashed like a camera, the mutant too dazzled to dodge was hammered to the face, the blow sending him staggering into more people. The crowd around them started to swell into a panic.

“Just let me- Gimme a fucking break!” Jolyne clicked her tongue, they just wouldn't move! Half of the people can't be bothered to do anything and the other seemed content to just watch as the bastard took another swing.  “Move it!” At the very least she could just turn bits of herself to string and just weave through them like a ghost and finally managed to get close to him. A flier to the face made him stumble.
“Hey!!” He cried as her threads wrapped around him.

“Just stop for a second!” Stone free bound in thread, leaving him to struggle and scream at her but at least he was still. Shit, someone probably recorded that but there were more important things to worry about. The emitter at least seems to be calming down, either tire himself out by his thrashing or all the blasts he fired off caught up to him. She knelt down to the fishman and held out her hand.

“Hey are -”

Boom!

A bright flash, an explosion from up above and a powerful rumble from below made her recoil. Like they just realized something was wrong, all around her people cried out in surprise and fear.  

“Oh shit!! Move idiot!”

“There's a villain here!?”

“A villain!?”

“Again with this? Don’t these clowns learn?”

“W-where are the heroes!?”

“J-Jeansit is on the first floor, right?! Get him here!”

“That far? Just run for it!”

“Nononono!”

“Hold on to mommy-”

The ground shook a wave of soot rolled over them, Jolyne found herself being pulled off her feet. No it was worse than that someone bumped into her and just about sent her a foot in the air, she soared above the crowd before dropping right back in the mess.  At this rate she was going to be trampled to death. 

Their stampeding, a sea of stressed out and panicking faces rushed her way and over her. She gasped, all  the air in her lungs stomped out of her in one stomp. It was just some lady, a little on the short side  and thin  but her step was like getting when she bounced off the  pavement after her heist.

“Hey!  Little rebel! Get up!” Nao and his four arms pushed the woman and the two guys that were heading her way aside and gvae her just enough room to breathe. Unraveling her legs she shot a rope up to the third floor and reeled herself away. Nao watched her go with a smile.

It took her a second to realize she had used a Cardboard cutout to fish herself out of the sea of people. It was simple cardboard and yet she was hanging off it like it was a real statue of Endeavor.  It wasn’t that these people were super strong. Jolyne was lighter?

“Shit.  I’m...I’m as light as paper! When did someone hit me with their quirk?” She reeled herself up looking down at the frenzied mob, some goons in masks were pushing them down to the lower floors and setting off fireworks causing as much noise and confusion as possible. She scanned the crowd, trying to find anyone in her gaudy clothes or someone about to be trampled like she was. She flinched, jolting out of her thoughts  as something cold and jagged scraped against her hand.

“Paper? Nah, if you were light as paper you’d been blown away by now. You’re a bit heavier than that, I'd wager three ounces. Like, and this is just off the top of my dome, a wallet?” The punk with an empty wallet greeted her with a smile, holding on to her wrist. She moved to punch him but he tossed her in the air, she found herself floating swaying in the air as he looked up at her.“Took out that crasher with no trouble at all to boot!” He rolled up his sleeve rolling his shoulder as she scrambled in mid air like a kid that had no idea how to swim being tossed into the deep end. 

“I thought at least one of the crazies would get you but...Guess you always gotta do the important job yourself...Ugh I sound like More.” The backhand was too light to even be called an attack, it was like he brushed off some dirt from his jacket. Despite how gingerly he struck her face she was flung off and sent spiraling straight through a food court and out an open window. 

“Stone Free!!” Her string caught the leg of the table and it barely moved an inch. The string went taut, her body nearly snapped as her momentum suddenly died and sent her crashing into the side of the building.

“Would you look at that? No hesitation! You got used to it already? Freaky, girlfriend.“ He strummed the string taking a sip of his soda as he leaned against the window and watched as she climbed back up. She stopped her accent, eyes darting in every direction, mouth hanging open as she stared at the sky in disbelief.  The afternoon sky was filled with weird  barely visible squiggles, patterns and lights, like a massive kaleidoscope. ”That's gotta be a mixed-range one and it can make thread? No way you had that one before.” He shimmed out of his hoodie. 

“ ‘You brats always get a big head when you feel unique’,” He dropped his voice into a deep monotone. “You would have shown that off or maybe you’re boytoy would have blabbed about it.” That fucking shit eating grin made her blood boil, she could worry about the sky later. “ Well that's what More says, guess he was right, wait was  that first bit about me? Anyway who, it doesn't really matter anymore. Right?  She gotta be high? Right?”   

This bastard, talking like he had this in the bag!

“You-”  The guttural roar that tried to rip past her lips was kneecapped into a rough gag. Gasping for breath as his hoodie wrapped itself around her throat, her grip slipped on the thread as she was dragged upwards blind to the world kicking her legs trying to bring herself back down.

“Sorry talking to myself here, Jojo.”A metallic owl with a long jagged beak, and four  talons at the end of its feet was dragging her along. Each flap of its wings was a harsh yank on her throat. Worse the hoodie itself  dragged her down, it was like a pack of cinderblocks wrapped around her throat.

“ORA!” She gawked, her hands clawed at the fabric. “ORAORAORAORA!” Stone Free threw another punch, and another all to no avail. Her strikes soared through the bird as if it was made of air. ‘What!?’

“Float On. It’s the name of my stand.  I ain’t ever gonna lose, especially not to you, girlfriend. But try your best!” It wasn’t some empty boast, he said it with his whole chest as if it were a fact of life. Suddenly from far below she heard a boom and the screams of people, it was so loud it made her ears pop. She didn’t dare take her eyes off the bird or that stupid smirk. This was completely different from Dintang. 

Whatever; she could take him no matter what tricks he had up his sleeve! She just  needed to get closer. Stone free tore through the hoodie, her lungs filled with air after a deep breath. The bird-like stand continued to fly upwards as the pieces of the torn hoodie dropped to the street below with a crash blocked out by the explosions in the distance.

“There she goes...Well running won’t do her any good with my range. I’ll just wait for my opening.” His voice came nice and clear through her string. Jolyne rubbed at her throat and glared at the ceiling. “Might as well get caught up on my reading...”

‘As long as my thread is woven into his clothes I’ll be able to keep track of him.’ She wiped her mouth. ‘But...this is really bad. I still feel weird... so my weight is still fucked up. A love tap or just a little breeze and I’m a goner.’

“Girlfriend, eh...” She smashed down that train of thought before it could go anywhere, she needed to focus or she was actually going to die. Even though she was just sitting down her entire body was vibrating. Little knickknacks, and pins  fell off the shelves scattering all over the floor. mannequins tipped and bounced off tables as they fell.  It was the whole building shaking, what the hell was going on?

“That bastard...He’s probably a Hot Rod.” That bastard’s face popped up in her mind and it clicked. She’d never met that punk before today, but who else wanted her dead?  She knew everyone her age, at least well enough to remember their faces. So he had to be one of them, one of the leaders . “Girlfriend...Does he know Romeo?” Someone that he knew well enough but she didn’t. 

She remembered a year ago, it had to have been last spring. Who was she kidding? She knew it was last spring, July 7th a few days after her birthday, a belated present. The cherry blossoms add a sea of pink, a feast for the eyes. She was waiting holding Romeo’s hand like a nervous little puppy, the dessert that sat in her stomach rolling around trying to kill her. Waiting for a long while until she watched a man on a motorcycle drive through a park, grinning as he pulled up to them.

“Yo! Hyaku-ro-chan, Why are you calling me out to some park? Who the hell is this chick?”

“Aniki!” He bowed low and Jolyne blinked before following his example. “Good afternoon! This is Cujoh Jolyne! My girlfirend!”

“Oh, sup.” She wasn’t sure if he waved or not but she was sure he still had that carefree smile on his face. “Nice tattoo. Kinda plain but I dig a fellow star.”

“Nice to meet you, sir!” She bellowed, feeling a bit of relief when Romeo smiled at her giving her hand a small squeeze. Letting her birthmark show was a good move, like he said.“Thank you!”

“So what's going on, Hyaku-ro-chan? Introducing your big bro to your girlfriend or showing her off? Kidding! Trying to look cool, eh, eh? Look how proper you are. That’ll probably move More to tears!” Romeo shook his head, still staring dead at his feat, his long ears pointed up showing his nervous energy.

“Sir! She’s as tough as anyone in the gang! Hell she beat up a few of them already at school!!” Modest whsitled. “ I promise she’s tougher than anybody in our school!” She smiled at him as he spoke up for her and her skill.  Modest hummed a tune.

“ That right? Sounds cool.” The steel and stone skin man grinned without a care in the world. So above it all, it was kinda cool back then. Living carefree was something she had wanted.“You cool, Jojo-chan?”

“...Yes!”

”Fine, whatever you know the rules though, we’ll give her a trial run. Maybe, juuust maybe she'll be a real one. Someday.” 

“No doubt about it!” Jolyne grinned, pressing a kiss to Romeo’s cheek as he crushed him in a hug. “I’ll do whatever it takes!”

“Good on yeah girlfriend.” Modest laughed. ”See you next week. Hyaku-ro-chan, I’ll give some extra work, remember to introduce her to everyone ok? We all gotta get along.”

“Yes! Aniki!” 

“Modest...” She remembered Modest Mouse. Pretty much anyone that was in the gang just did what he said. She herself did not have any real interaction with him after that but Romeo on the other hand. He went to him to get her in, were they close, was it a coincidence? She smothered the roar in her throat. 

“Nehan, if you didn’t let me know it was those bastards I wouldn't have a clue who he was...Now I remember him, Modest the Golem.” His quirk could be mistaken for hardening, a common power. His actual  quirk let him absorb raw metals, stone, whatever to make himself stronger and more durable. She didn’t remember him looking like this but usually he was bigger and steel like so then this must be his ‘normal’ form. His stand on the other hand seemed to manipulate weight. If that was the only problem that’d be great but, the lower floors and probably the ground floor were in some sort of chaos? This place had plenty of heroes puffing themselves up for the cameras and Jeanist so at least it’d probably be handled? Worst case, she’d do something or All Might would appear if things went on long enough. But it also meant no one would be heading up anytime soon so she was cut off. Speaking for herself,  her fists went clean through that bird like it wasn’t even there. 

“Float on. That's what he called that bird thing...” She couldn't hit it at all but as long as Stone Free could crack Modest’s skull open then It’d be fine, there's no way it’d lose. That smug look on his face made her blood boil, her second stand battle and she’s getting underestimated like this?

“You called?”  A tap on her shoulder, a harsh hiss in her ear. Something cold and sharp dragged along her neck. “Will you listen to reason?”

“ORAORAORA!” The bird flew through Stone Free’s fists, hit nothing but air, Jolyne backed herself to a wall, her hand rubbed the blood that trickled down her throat into a red smear. 

“Please.” She clicked her tongue at the synthesized voice that mocked her flying circles in the center of the room like a vulture. “Even if he is leaving all the work to me, I’ve already stolen your weight. Even a little bird.” It flapped its wings and hovered, its ruby eyes glared down at her then it dived in. “Can push you around like a truck now.” It stood up straight and glared down at her perched atop Cubicle. Up above that jerk stole a pretzel and was chomping away.

“Yeah, yeah! I don’t know what bastard plan you got going but I’m sure as hell not gonna let you kill me! STONE FREE!!!”

“Get it out of your system if it helps you any. Punch, kick, even spit at me if you want. Go wild, until  you understand the situation you’re in.” Is what the stand had to say but it's master...

“Oh,is this guy the  main villain? Only a master like Rohan-sensei could have thought to turn  grass into a murder weapon.” Was he reading Pink Dark? “No wonder they couldn't figure it out.”

It was odd. Up above she could tell this guy wasn't paying her much mind at all; he wasn’t even following her movements! It's just like Dintang. He never minded her at all; he simply sent his agents out to do his bidding on auto-pilot. Only difference was the bird was talking, toying with her, planning even. However this thing worked it was far more aware than the Undead Milkmen were and responded to her just like a normal person would.

It can manipulate weight.

Attack from odd angles.

Turn intangible, even to her own Stand.

Throw it’s voice around.

And act completely on its own?

“Done thinking? I’ll be frank, at this rate you’re going to die here. But I can give you a chance.” The bird squawked, a wing pointed her way. “An item that can create Stands. You have something like that or at least you know how to make them manifest. If you cooperate I’ll let you live.” It’s red eyes peered down at her, its voice echoed all around her. “There’s no point denying it either. Your own amateur showing today and Dintang’s power are all the proof I need. Normally, a group like ours would want revenge but reimbursement works too. Information and power are some of the oldest currencies around. You have a rare bargaining chip and the boss is magnanimous. With your skill you can even have a part in the true Hot Rod Hearts. Tying up loose ends doesn't have to result in death. Cujoh-san.” Something was odd here but she’s finally got an idea as to what. “

‘Act completely...on its own?’ Above her, the string near Modest Mouse picked up his laughter. So he's really not paying her any mind at all just like Dintang then. Was there a trick to this or was it just that versatile? Did she really have to try and figure out which it was? 

Nah.

“At least make this fun for us.” His voice came in clear over her thread. “Oh shit Pink can use THAT now!? Phew, that's cool.”

“...Are you listening to me? Choose your next words very carefully. If you give the right answer you will come out alright.” It whispered, the stand’s voice carried just over her shoulder. “I promise, at the very least, that I’ll let you live if you hand it over. A win-win.” 

“ORA!” With no warning Stone free started to throw punches all around her every possible angle that her fists could reach. Once again she was sliced as the bird flew by and once again her light body was thrown off her feet and skipped across the ground like a stone over a lake. She tumbled over mannequins and bundles of jackets, leaving trails of thread in her wake. Jolyne unwound herself and avoided being smacked full force into a mirror. The bird perched itself on the counter, eyes never leaving her as she pushed herself to her feet.

It circled around to cut her again,  her string twitched and Stone free lashed out with a kick that’d put soccer players to shame. Low to the ground as the bird came for her ankle.

“ORA!” She felt it, her foot connect and a loud crack followed soon after. Something zoomed past all her threads. “So that's the trick, you make illusions and hide the things around you, even your own body? Changing my weight and this? Is your stand really unbeatable?” She hopped around a bit feeling a little heavier.

“...Ha.” The bird fluttered atop a mannequin and peered down at her, clutched between its talons was a jewelry box, she noticed it was weary of her strings now; but that didn’t matter anymore. “You’ve got a bit of mettle...”

“Bet you thought I’d never find out. Not only that but I’m probably a dozen pounds heavier.” She flipped him off, as she baited him to come near her again. “Also only an idiot would believe you’d let me leave here alive after all this.” If she had to guess, just like his jacket he’d try to make something heavy and throw it her way to give himself an opening. “ He probably planned to kill me from the start even if I cooperated. Am I right? But hey thanks for giving me time to think. Dumbass!”

“...Ohoho? Good Intuition but no smarts. Shame that someone so gifted is this stupid.” Its wing covered its cracked beak. “Negotiations have officially broken down.” It reached out and caressed one of her threads, its wings felt smooth and cold like the side of a knife. The glow of its red eyes dimmed. 

She felt a pinch in her arm. She felt herself stiffen like a board. It took a full second for head to catch up, Jolyne couldn't scream, her jaw was clamped shut, her body seized, electricity coursed through her veins. Those talons traced her throat drawing trials of blood as it squeezed.  Then her body unraveled, Stone Free moved on instinct and wretched the cable from her stub of an arm while trying to aim a high kick at Float On. The torn gnarly sparking cable slowly fell down like paper despite the power Stone Free put behind the throw. 

A car battery and jumper cables floating in the air. They gently dropped to the ground swaying as they went  like a feather.

The bird vanished. At that moment her string retracted back into her body. She felt a brush along her back, turning just in time to throw out a barrage of jabs as the owl flew up and around to avoid her flying over to the counter and nabbing her off the counter. In the process it toppled over a mannequin  bumping it her way and changing its color to ‘vanish’ from her sight. She didn't pay the thing any mind at first, stopped  by her web all she needed to do was move it aside, even if he made it heavy her threads were like sharp wires. If she didn't become brittle when she was light weight she doubted it’d become hard enough to give Stone Free trouble.Just as she thought, as if pressed down on her string the mannequin was sliced apart. Something wet and cool and warm dripped down atop her head. Then a splatter of red rained down her body as he chunk splattered against the floor with a wet and heavy smack.

It’s arm shifted hitting her atop the head with a wet smack blood splattered all over. The officer she met maybe an hour ago, his face sliced to ribbons, chunks torn out of his diced body. She was covered in blood and  the stingy smell of iron filled the air, Jolyne screamed.

“What, what the hell is wrong with you!?” She cringed in disgust, even if he was a prick, what the heck did he do to deserve that?  “Didn’t he help you trap me!? Wasn't he your pal!? Why would you kill him?” As the bird flew by once more, slicing her cheek open curing its upwards to take her eye, fleeing only to avoid a punch.
“He lost.” There was nothing behind his voice, like he was casually talking about the weather or a boring show, a heartless echo that made her blood boil. 

A moment later her side was slit open, Stone free reacted in time to catch the nearly invisible object, a kitchen knife. Her web gave her a warning and she was tossed to the ceiling. Where was he hiding all of this crap? It brushed  by her threads giving her enough of a heads up for  her fist kissed the side of its wing knocking it off course and earning her a gash across her arm.

 Float On attacks stopped, she didn't see it but she could bet it was confused as Jolyne was sent flying dragging her web of strings with her. Once more her weight was lowered and just like she thought this thing had no idea what its user was doing. 

“Got him.” She grinned.

“Ghkk! Pic...Gah!!” The sweet sound of victory dialed in through her threads.

“Why is he...” The bird huffed.

“It must be pretty cool not taking damage from your stand. But I guess that’s got its own ups and downs, pretty big ones I’d say.” 

A floor up and Modest was fighting for his life to both not be dragged out a window and to avoid being choked out by a mop tangled up in her threads. The sounds of a bastard being taken down by Stone free came through loud and clear.

“Mo...Pick...up!!!!!” Modest cried out.  “Float-gaaaah! Sh-shit!” She started to float up, but that didn’t matter, just like she thought he needed to touch her to take her weight. She just needed a bit more pressure, Stone free tightened her grip and pulled him closer to the window. Her thread spread out and coiled around his wrist and pulled them back. No hand’s no weight changing.

“You wanna talk about that surrender?” Once again her body felt weird, only the discomfort came in an instant. She felt woozy but just for a second. Whatever! She was so close! She had this!

“...”She looked at the bird Stand eye to eye, her head bopping on the ceiling. The pole in her grip pushed down, it was losing weight too. Sadly,it looked like he could activate his power through his own body.  But that didn’t matter; his stand didn’t make things more fragile. Stone free yanked her own thread.

“GAAACk.” Modest gurgled, his legs kicked out from under him, his body dragged to the window  he didn’t stand a chance against Stone Free’s strength. “Fuck...! Th-this!” 

“...” The bird stood still. She could tell that it pulled its disappearing act. That image was a fake and it was probably looking to attack but with all her string it couldn’t approach her easily.  Modest was all wrapped up. Its best bet was to go and save its user. 

“Fuuuuuuu~”

Her eyes danced over the area, nothing moved, her string was still as ever.  Will all her thread spread out like this she would strike the moment it tired anything.

“Fuuuuuu~” Above her was a different story, Stone free threads were being torn apart and ripped right off his body one by one. So it really did go up there to save him. The moment she tried to pull back her string, she felt the skin on her arm split open and Stone Free lashed out at the air, FLoat On no doubt going back into hiding.

The she was being cut up there was weird too, that owl’s talons are sharper than any knife, but she felt like she  was being torn like she’d been bitten. Another tear and another flinch, she barely registered the strum of her threads in time to have Stone free kicked off the ceiling, putting her back on the ground, above her, Modest roared being yanked around even more. The only hint that Float On was still here was the gust of air moved in its wake. A bead of sweat ran down her face, her arms winced with each tear of her string, her eyes scanned the boutique trying to watch out for any sign of the bird trying to keep her focus on the web around her and whatever was happening above. 

Was there a second one like with the Undead Milkmen? If he had something like Dintang’s he could have gutted her when she was hanging out the window. And just know Modest was really struggling for his life. “Shit.” She had no choice but to let Modest go and focus on the bird before her. Death by a thousand cuts wasn't something she wanted to experience. 

“Fuuuu~”

“That noise again?”

A plush looking yellow mouse phased through the ceiling. Eyes bugging out of its head and filled with mischief.  A tail that ended in a  massive human hand. It  was balancing on a massive red ball on the end of a jagged tail. Small cuts danced all over its tors and throat, like it had been strangled by wire. The bird and now a damn  mouse, her eyes danced between the two of them trying her best to keep both in view. It wasn’t like Dintang’s Undead Milkmen, they were all the same, this was two different stands and  that meant two different users.

“Fuuuu.” The mouse whistled, eyes half open looking at the bird. “What the-You alive More? Damn. Thought I’d play hero and avenge you.”

“Dumbass. I can’t believe you came down here. This was almost over, if you had just let her take you down.” The bird cawed, returning its glare to Jolyne, it took to the air, minding her thread as before.  She could feel the mouse casually chomp at one behind her. Her web wouldn't work if there were two of them, she can't watch her back and front at the same time. “HOw many times must I tell you: the moment of victory is always-”

“Blah, blah, Come on man, how’d she get the breathing room?” 

“- the greatest moment of weakness.”

“Just gonna ignore me and keep going? After all that prep I did...I thought you’d take her out without a problem. Look at you caged by threads. Getting old, maybe you should put your cash into a retirement home?”

“You didn't do anything but pat a few backs. Even that corpse was more useful than you.”

”Ah well.  No worries, look at her, don't know what to do about this.” Modest’s voice crackled from the tiny creature, the mouse miming laughter. “One was already a problem right, Girlfriend?” It winked at her sticking its tongue out. Her head was throbbing. 

“ Always half-full with you. It pisses me off. Just shut up.”  

“No other way to be.” 

“Shut. Up.” The bird finally took its eye off her and she pulled her strings. Mannequins, clothing racks, tables, everything that she had used to make her web were pulled taunt and towards her. The bird roared and the mouse let out a squeak of surprise. With a crash she was buried under the clothing store. It took some unraveling for her too sneak out from under her avalanche but as long as they couldnt see through walls then she had enough cover to get out. She needed to get back up there and take down Modest, he was the only user whose location she actually knew! Throwing her thread up, she scrambled to pull herself up to the top of the Endeavor floor by one of its torches. 

His manga left on the table open as if he went right back to reading after he got free. Like nothing that just happened mattered to him in the least. Now she had to hunt him down? Great.  She went to the railing peering down below at the massive cloud of smoke filling the entrance and Hawks floors. The screams and shouts from the lower floors  and outside wasn't going to make keeping an ear out any easier. If his range was long enough he could have gone down there, how was she going to find him? The back of  her head  was blasted by ice cold water, she whipped her head around to find Modest laughing at her some yards away.

“Yo! Girlfriend!”  Modest waved at her. Twirling a pistol-like water gun by trigger, spraying water all over with surprising force. It sprayed water all over the floor like a hose, what kind of toy was that? He stood across from her a solid foot taller standing at maybe seven foot tall, skin a reflective metallic  gray, the only way she ever remembered him being from their first and last meeting. The mouse flew up from the floor. Balancing the odd ball on its back it smacked her in the chin with its massive palm before settling on its user’s shoulder laughing. Its yellow fur was sharp and had an odd sheen like steel, the human hand at the end of its tail more like a steel trap now, and the ball dropped in size from that of a car to a baseball. Stone Free knocked it aside with ease, but  at the same time it was like kicking a hunk of steel. 

“Fuuuuu~” Float On cried as it sailed away.

“I thought you’d at least try to run away.” Jolyne broke into a sprint at Modest each step pounding in her ears. Twirling the toy gun in his hand, she was gonna kick his ass into next week. He was looking down on her, him and that bird bastard. The joke was on him, she just needed to get close and  Stone free would cave his face in just like Dintang. 

“Hmmm. You know that's my line? You’re pretty cool, you know, coming at me like this. A lot of cool guys lately. But you all-”

“ORAORAORAORAAAAA!”

“Ow?” He giggled, blood trickling down his face.

“Damn it!” She yelped. Stone Free’s knuckles split and blood dripped down their fists.  She felt the pain shoot from her knuckles up her arm. “W-why’d that hurt!?” Finally Modest patted her on the head, shaking his own like he was chastising a child. 

“What’s with that look?” He gripped her head, his fingers hard and jagged like gravel. Stone Free’s fists sent aches and pains up her arms as she tried to bash whatever she could reach. His grip tightened like he was trying to crack a walnut.“What’d you think would happen? You ever hit a wall in anger? Stub your toe on a table leg? No shit you hurt yourself . You’re not gonna catch me slacking again.” He palmed her face and pushed her away. She took a step back, her feet nearly sliding out from under her.  Modest’s laughter made her flush in embarrassment, grinding her teeth in anger. “Is this your first fight or something?”

Jolyne took a step back, her hands twitched and throbbed in pain curling them into fists made her wince. A bead of sweat rolled down her cheek as she finally had a moment to catch her breath. She just needed a moment, a second to think about what to do, something, something would come to mind soon.

“You’ve backed away.” That damn bird flew over her shoulder landing on her bleeding hand. She only noticed because Stone free threw a punch that it nimbly avoided. Again and again and again! Why was it so hard to hit this thing!? Ignoring her, it flies out of reach and over to Modest perching on his head, much to his annoyance. Jolyne paid his grumbling no mind, much more worried about the bird and the way her fists were trembling. “In my experience brats lie to save face. To others of course, but mostly to themselves. Being cautious and being afraid are two different things. You’re not regrouping. You’re not strategizing. You’re running away from us.”

She was running? 

“It’s only natural when your power fails you to begin to feel fear. A weakness of the strong. How arrogant for a fresh faced brat like you to have such fears. You shitheads; you all think you're All Might.” The bird’s head tilts and its ruby eyes gleam, her battered reflection trembled. Afraid? Her? “Your stand’s been laid bare for us. You have no quirk to surprise us with. The local heroes are all busy and the bystanders, who never intended to do anything, left you. You lost.”

“Bang⭐.”

Bang. 

There was no spray of water like last time, a sharp pain drilled into her chest as she wheezed out all the air in her chest. A real gun?  The force of the shot was insane but she didn’t have time to dwell on the pain, the gun or anything else, as a shadow descended on her. Without a sound Modest closed the distance in a single leap both feet poised to cave her face in. She couldn't bring herself to raise her arms and Stone free’s arms raised like a shield and pushed back into her face by the force of the kick. With a crack and a crunch her nose was turned into a red fountain. Head ringing like she took a sledgehammer to the face but her feet barely left the ground. Blinking through a haze of tears and blood barley making out, Modest gently floated down, keeping his drop kick pose, her feet slammed against the ground with an earth shattering crash. Shocked with the wind knocked out of her all she could was gasp as she fell  through the floor the ground,the  torn to shreds of the ground fluttering around her  like it was paper mache. 

“...How many times have I warned you about showing off? What if she fell all the way through  to the ground floor?” The bird scoffed. Modest was floating swaying in the air, slowly falling down the hole that Joyne had made. “Hurry up, and go get her. We need to leave soon.”

“ Hurry? You know what gravity is right? Whatever man, no more flying for her; she’s crashed like the rest. I’m not worried.”

“I wish you would..Make sure you don’t kill her at least until I get there. Hm?”

“Yes sir, right away sir! Bet that felt good to hear, huh, More? Yo More?...Whatever man, rude.“

JOJO

As their jeans contorted them, the contents of their bulging pockets exploded out and  fluttered down like confetti. Hundreds of yen notes freefalling around him; it was the type of thing you see on a gameshow or a prank. Jeanist reached out to one and stared in amazement as the fine print peeled away like ash revealing bright pink paper under the one pale brown.

“Hm? This is just cut paper, painted quite professionally, but fake. Were they paid off with this? This is too much for a random act of villainy...What’s the goal here?” He glanced back at the mall. The fabric that made up the uniforms for his program was quite thick, so much so that he could pick out his charges with ease. Most had evacuated, some were hiding around the first or second floor but he noticed that two were on the third floor. The way one of them was being thrown around he could only assume they were engaged with a villain of some sort. If it was Glory fighting that would be the best case scenario but if it were Jolyne then...why now? Why here? If this was the worst case scenario this was a distraction but to what end he had no time to figure it out. The most he could do from here wasn't much at all save for a little manipulation of their threads. No, he would do something there would be no room for excuses. Each and everyone of his kids would be fine, they had yet to dazzle the world with their own brands.

He focused on the group of villains once more.

Stood between the heroes and the mall was a wall of smoke. Around the area itself an odd pattern filled the air surrounding the building and street like a fence. Despite the explosions and the smoke there was no sign of any other heroes or law enforcement heading over. Even his phone didn’t seem to work at all. That would mean some sort of jammer along with something to warp perception. It may have been a physical barrier too, that or the gathered heroes and civilians were too abrasive to touch it. What did this look like on the outside? Did it block them from entry? If not they’d have reinforcements soon enough.

“What a troublesome combination of Quirks.”

“Hello, hello, hellooooo! Heroes!” A voice called out from the smokescreen. “Thank you for cutting out the fat for me, I’m going to be taking their share once this is over. So sorry, BJ, I enjoy your style but I’m afraid I will have to take you  out, okay, okay? Okaaaay! 2,000,000 yen, even split four ways, is just too good to pass up.” Covered head to toe in leather from his boots to his vest  and unkempt red hair, a damp cigarette between his lips. He fished a syringe from his breast pocket, stuck out his off colored tongue and jabbed the needle against the muscle. His body shivered, veins popping all over as he crushed the syringe in his hand. The cloud of smoke that surrounded him began to glow like a bonfire. 

“If you make it to an ambulance let’em know it was the Smokestack crew. Yeah, yeah,YEAH!  That's what we were called! Thought it up myself!” Whatever was going on inside, he’d have to leave it to Glory until he could clean this up.  “What’cha think!?”

“How gaudy.” Both himself and the villian before him. 

“Those last words suck. I’m gonna kill you.” 

Chapter Text

The smell of smoke was suffocating, like a good barbeque turned into ash, and she had to cover her mouth or choke on the smell of gas. The floors below lost to a sea of hot smoke, there was no way to escape down there, not that she could drag herself down the stairs right now.

“Damn it.” she gasped, she was so fucked. She had managed to get herself away from the hole but it was like her whole body was made of cement. Her hand went to her chest trying and failing to keep her breathing under control. She could barely stand up, she felt like she could crash at any second and her damn knees won't stop knocking, her body wouldn't stop shaking.

Stone Free saved her life, in a moment of brilliance Jolyne made a mesh taking most of her legs to be sure that she could take the shot. Was it the adrenaline that allowed her to do that  so fast or was it a reflex, she didn’t know. She was surprised that dropping down to the floor didn’t hurt more, but that was just luck, not something she did.

Stone Free changed everything, even the playing field, or that’s what she thought. That’s what she hoped but here she was struggling to stand under her new weight.

“Those  bastards-”

“Fuuuu!” 

She clamped her mouth shut, the damned mouse poked its head up from the floor like it was burrowing through the ground. It looked around for a bit before letting out an annoyed huff. It left, leaving  a trail of empty space in its wake like the ground as it popped into a nearby store.

“Gimme a freaking break.” She could hear that punk call her out, with all the energy of a lazy teacher, and she found herself hobbling behind an Endeavor display. Lifting her legs was a pain in the ass, she had to use Stone Free just to shamble around, half unwound. She had to have weighed a ton now, she felt heavier than she did  a moment ago too. Was it still getting worse? Or maybe he was just getting too close. 

‘But what did that matter?’ Could she really beat both of them? She didn’t even know where the other one was. Adn what about his stand anyway? She shook her head, what she needed to do was think of a way outta this not to circle around about how doomed she is. And she was doomed. She got a few hits in and he didn't seem to care at all. 

What if he didn’t? If his stand didn’t send damage back to him  then even when she hit it would it do anything? She found herself thinking those defeatist thoughts, despite trying to shake the thoughts they hammer at her very being.

It’d be smart to just find a hole to crawl into. The lower floors were filled to the brim with smoke, they were trying to push her upwards. All this for her. But it wasn’t for her was it? A part of her whispered in her skull.  It’s that fucking rock hanging around her neck, chocking the life out of her. Her fingers flinched just touching the thing like it could burn her.

“Creating more Stands, that's what they want, they're willing to do all this and kill people to get it...”

“Joooojooooo!” Even if he wasn’t shouting for her it’d be easy to notice him; a  stone man hopping around like a pogostick. “Come on out!” Like hell she was gonna-

“Yoooooo! Good news! I got one of your buddys in those uglyass jumpsuits!” Modest called out. “So come out already! Promise I won’t hurt her!” She didn’t even think as she peeked out of her hiding spot with a hand mirror to find  Float On’s tail wrapped around a hostage’s throat. His gun, the one that was real, pointed at their trembling head. Makeup up running down her face and eyes wide with terror, Gwess looked like she was on the verge of passing out. “I’ll be just up the  stairs if you wanna try me. You got ten...nah, make that eight minutes. Those guys are getting their asses kicked down there. Hehe.”

“Fuuuuuu~” His stand cheered in agreement and the three climbed the stairs, Modest laughing all the while without so much as checking their backs.

‘Goddamn it and of course it was Gwess.’   He must have grabbed her on the way down or caught her when she tried to sneak out or something. 

‘Or,’ Jolyne’s brain whispered, ‘Was she waiting for you, isn't this your fault regardless? Now you’re both fucked.‘ Jolyne fell to her knees, arms quivering hopelessly trying to keep herself from falling flat on  her face, the pressure smothering her. How was it getting this much stronger!? She managed to look up, the stairs were so far away. How could she escape this? 

“Don’t even joke...”All she could do was climb up and face him. “S-stone Free...” Once again she put all her hopes in her stand, seeing forth a tether to sneak around the door to tow herself forward, unwinding her body to manifest her to help push her along. The moment she tried to put a little pressure on the rail it bent around her hand and she nearly fell over. A click of her tongue and she trudged up the stairs, he didn't even bother to send that mouse of his out to scout for her, she glanced around, unless that bird was still hiding them both. She bit down on her bottom lip Stone free sending forth random threads every which way making another web as she moved. The ‘web’ dropped off the railing bending the metal and dragging her down to the ground and tumbling down the stairs.

Fuck.

“Honestly this arc is going good and all but I think Rohan’s writing style was better during his earlier works.” He was reading again, and no longer made of rock, gun waving around with the roll of his wrist, Gwess squirming every time it so much as graced her direction. He chugged a bottle of soda and tossed it over his shoulder. “But I guess ‘early’ chapters don't really make sense when talking about a legend like him. But damn, the Sea of the Blue arc was a waste, ya know?” Face awash with sweat and tears she nodded. “That's what I’m saying!” He nodded. “ He should have killed Uzu, what's even the point of this arc if everyone survived? What were even the stakes, ain't it a horror manga?”

“H-hey!”  Jolyne took a step, she was so painfully slow,  even walking forward was a task. Woven into a human figure, Stone Free’s range wasn’t great; she'd have to get maybe twenty steps closer but what did it matter? Beads of sweat were already rolling down her face.

“I’m here...Let her go.” Not collapsing was a struggle, was it because of fear or this weight, and  was there even a difference anymore?

“Wow you really came out? So cool of you.” He grinned at her; he was only a quick sprint away from her but that distance felt like a mile now. Though even if she managed to get to him, who was she kidding? He didn't care about her range in the slightest. Which is why, even with her trying to close the distance with her hands up he made no move to order her to stop. She managed to make it a few steps before her legs gave up on her. He knew as well as she did she just lacked the power to damage him, she was too weak. Nothing new. 

“Feeling heavy? Yeah it really sucks but, hey, you're not foaming at the mouth like that bum so...good on you.” He whistled tapping the barrel of the gun a top Gwess’s head. “Well how do you wanna do this? What would More say? Something like: ‘You can still win if you just do what we say? Hand it over and we can all win,’ yeah.” Right they wanted her stone, at the very least she had something she could use. There was always the chance that if he got cut with it when he already had a Stand he’d explode, like in One piece, or so they say.  On the other hand, it'd be a problem if it turns out to be a Blackbeard situation or worse maybe it’d be an awakening and...

What the hell was she thinking about at a time like this?

Regardless, it'd give her a way out. A chance to think of something to get her and Gwess out of here. “Fine just give me a second, the stupid rock’s right in here.” Jolyne took off her pendant and flicked it open. Only for it to not open after the third time she tried it.

“Are you stalling?” God that would be cool if she was, she kept her mouth shut.  Her hands were starting to tremble even worse now. She nearly let it slip from her sweaty palms.  She didn’t give him a response after fiddling with it for an embarrassing second as she opened it to the right this time. There it was the old rock sitting in her palm.

“Seriously...its just a rock, eh? I can’t believe it's a rock...Should I test it...hm? But I already have a stand. C’mon More, did you have some plan for that?” He wasn’t taking her seriously at all so even if she messed around she was sure that he... and... Modest’s carefree grin didn't change one bit, he’s already won of that he must have been sure of. She was sure of it too. “Got it.” He snapped his finger. “How about we get a volunteer?” He tapped Gwess on the head. “Show us how it's done Jojo.”

“Gimme...a break.” A bead of sweat and a shiver ran down her spine. She had to use a hand to brace herself or she;d keel over on the ground. The floor creaked, tiny cracks appearing around the palm of her hand.

“Well show me how to use the, uh, the rock or whatever. If you think you can pull a fast one, I mean go ahead. Hahaha, I’m game if you really wanna try something.” Her fingers peeled a layer of the tiles, dying the ground red. “Come on, give me one of those Oraoraoras.” He tapped his chin, looking up at the ceiling with a shiteating-grin.

Jolyne looked at Gwess who somehow got even more nervous as Jolyne took another step forward. She didn't know what to say or what to do, Gwess was terrified. And she was right to be so worried wasn’t she? Jolyne couldn't beat him. The best they could do was run away. But...that wasn't  possible was it? 

She said it herself: “only an idiot would believe you’d let me leave here alive after all this.”

Each step she took was heavier than the last, like a noose and heavy stones were wrapped around her neck. But his words echoed in her head, scraping against the rocks making tiny sparks in her brain.

‘Test it. Hand it over. Not toss it to him  or something?  He really doesn't give a shit about me at all.’ She locked eyes  with him and clenched the stone to her chest, veins popped in her neck and forehead. Not a hint of fear or concern, not even amusement, just assurance that he had her in the palm of his hand.  Her knees slammed against the ground , it was far too much after the stairs. Jolyne lost the strength in her arms, her head slammed against the ground.

This was the second time today she found herself bowing. What was this? How pathetic was she?

She heard the screech of a chair and an audible click. Her head snapped up terrified that he got impatient. But instead of preparing to shoot Gwess, he just took a step forward. Then another and another. 

“I really gotta meet you halfway?” He chuckled, walking up to her and dragging Gwess along with him.  “How lame, girlfriend.”

Her blood boiled and her eyes burned. Seeing people look at her look down on her with pity, disdain, or like she was an afterthought. From teachers to students it pissed her the fuck off. Not that he was looking down on her but she was sure when she beat Dintang she must have looked like that. The burning hate in her eyes dampened; she glared down at her hands,sections turned to blue string wrapping around her own fingers.

But what was worse? That's probably how she looked when she thought she had won, so lame, so stupid. She was angry but it was at herself, she sure changed alright. She just got tougher, she got power, like everyone else. How great. Stone free, how much did she rely on it in the short time she’s had this power? How much did getting a power make her change?  Why would it?

Arrogant is what that bird called her. She stumbled at the finish line, the moment her power failed her she was left unsure of what to do. Like when a weakling stands up to a bully and turns the tables. Just like when she managed to get a lick in, she stumbled just like they did. When did she get as cocky as those bitches? She could think back to those fights she’d been in over the years. None of them ever went her way and how could they when a bitch would suddenly turn into flames or flick you away. All she could do was lie down or curl up whatever she was fighting over secondary to not getting her head cracked open. She never backed down, not when teachers chewed her out for standing up for herself.  When others laughed at her, she made them work for it at least! Not when her mama looked at, fearful for her begging her to not act so recklessly anymore. 

So desperate for any place to belong to be welcomed by someone other than her mother, just one more person. It’s how she met stupid Romeo, it’s how she got involved with the loser hearts in the first place! That's why she decided to change! Not being looked down upon? That satisfaction is gone, nothing, because it was never really anything. She gave herself nothing but empty hype. 

The way other people looked at her, the way random bastards thought of her future, the way she got played? She couldn't give a shit about that. No one, not even herself is gonna tell her she’s reached a dead end. So what the hell was she doing?  If there's a light she’d find it, if there's a trickle of water she’d drink it up. 

Her gaze shifted towards Gwess once more, trembling, tears ruining her makeup, her bottom lip bleeding caught between her teeth. The image of that boy in Dintang’s clutches flashed through her mind and all those thoughts were washed away and she couldn't help but move once more.

She can move, she can crawl, she can run, she can do something.

“Fuck it.” Eyes shining like stars, Stone free pushed off the ground with all the power she could muster launching Jolyne at him. “ORAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!”

“Seriously? You’re just gonna break your hand on my face BLAAARG-” She shoved an  arm’s worth of string down his throat, screaming like a madwoman the whole time.  He was too hard to hit fine, whatever! Who cares!? Her strings wrapped around his head trying to carve him apart, leaving trails as she sliced against his surface. His legs buckled under her weight and he slammed to the ground, the floor creaked and groaned.  Her eyes locked knot the gun.

‘ Drop it!’ Stone Free kneed him in the gut, a resounding crack echoed in her ears as his chips of stone and metal fell to the ground.  

All it took to turn the tables was to get them upset, to take her seriously, to put in effort in stomping out defective trash...One moment where things didn’t go to plan. She didn’t need a damn bird to teach her how to scare the tough guys. Of course when his transformed  hand smacked her she was tossed aside leaving a crater where she landed but he didn’t get a chance to shoot Gwess and the girl stumbled away pulled along by Jolyne’s string. 

In the scuffle his gun slid to the ground between the three of them.

“Fuuuuuu~”  Float On gnawed at her strings, she felt blades slice along her phantom limb and once more a shift in her body. A dramatic change, her feet cracked the tiles as she took a step forward towards the gun.  It’s not like a change in weight could slow her down any more than before but...

With a heavy creek the floor around her gave up and she got a perfect view of the boutique she was electrocuted in.The real problem was the mall itself. His body ate up the surrounding material to turn him into this ‘golem’ which means he hollowed out the area. 

“Fucking gross...The hell kind of attack was that you- Blegh! Ah.But look at you, you must have had something hidden up your sleeve if you're hopping around like...” Modest turned to look toward his gun.  Gwess looked between the two of them with a gun in her hands.

“Ah, that my gun? That's great, hand it over.”

“Gwess get over here!” The gun would probably be useless on him, heck he’d eat the bullets! “Just run!”

“G-get a-aw-”

“Oh hard of hearing? That explains why you weren't so good at conversation. Hand. It. Over.”

“H-here. Sorrysorrysorry. Oh so sorry. Don’t kill me, pwease.” She tossed it his way and no sooner than a half second later he turned back on her and fired away. With a click of the trigger there was a flash of light, his eyes widened his whole body jerked away as his grip on the gun loosened. It exploded in his hand, a fiery burst that left his stone like skin covered in soot and ash.

“Whuh?” Modest spat a ball of smoke, eyes watery and red. His steps uneasy as he waved his arm around his stand flying off in random directions. “Ain't no way...” He looked around and found nothing and no one. “Where’d she-” He looked down at the hole in the ground and smacked his forehead.  “You have to be kidding me. Again?”

“Fu~”

“More what are you doin’ man! No time for a smoke break!”

 As Modest leapt down the hole Jolyne let out a sigh of relief. “W-well a I guess a gun’s just too complex for my quirk, like most things...” Gwess chuckled already at the door with Jolyne under her arm. Jolyne didn’t comment that  her body was trembling like a tiny dog. She felt Gwess trying to get her to get up and move. “T-that was scary as shit... why  the heck are you so heavy Joey...”

“I know you're weak but I shouldn't be heavy anymore. You saw me moving around. ?”

“No...duh...but I FEEL my arm’s gonna fall off trying to move you.”

Was she heavy? She should have returned to her normal weight by now, how else was she able to fight him just now? The way she moved before, was just like how she was supposed to. But here Gwess was complaining about her weight? She thought Gwess was hurt but looking at her now, besides some dust and soot on her cheeks she was fine. She wasn’t that weak so...what was this guy’s power doing to her now?

“W-what are you  looking at!? What!?” Back when that fake gun exploded, the only reason Jolyne didn’t try to escape down below again was because Gwess, tired, to pull her along and led them back here.

“Why’d you try to grab me for?” Gwess screwed her lip up and muttered something. 

“It’s fucking embarrassing being save by you after I...”

“What?” Gwess clicked her tongue as Jolyne prodded with a toothy grin. “‘Huuuuuuh? That wasn’t very qweuuute of you Gwess!”

“I said I ain’t that much of a bitch, I owed you that's all, okay! Okay!? OWAY!?”

“Is repeating yourself the new cute thing to do? I’ve been wondering. Do you have, like,  a list you go through or something?”

“Is this how you treat your friends!?”

“Just messing with you.”

“Fuu~?” Guess he figured out he could search multiple floors by using his stand. The damned mouse was peeking out from the floor gliding about like a roomba.If that Float On...is alone. Where did that bird go? Was it not watching any of that? She wondered aloud. This was the perfect time for it to attack. Not just now. There were so many chances for that Owl to swoop in and kill her. Did something happen to the user? Their attention must be on something down below. Maybe it was fighting Jeanist?  It's also possible he was actually above them and something equally pressing was happening. In that case Modest’s job was to finish things inside? Then that would mean; Modest...had to be alone now. 

“Let's just get outta here...we can sneak down or something...” Gwess made a move to walk out and Jolyne pulled her back down.

“Gwess, stop.”

“The fuck!?”

“His Float On  is in that direction.. Let's wait a bit then make a break for the stairs. Don’t worry about any danger, everything is going down on the lower floors. So just head up, they just wanted me so I doubt they’d bother looking for you.” 

“Up Hello? Why the heck are we going up? We can't escape there.” She rolled her eyes at Jolyne’s confused expression.  “...like, hello Joey. we can’t go up here some Villains already broke the fire escapes! Some staff were talking about it while I was taking a break.” She meant not working at all. “And what are you talking about a float?! Did you hit your head? You’re bleeding all over your face. We gotta go down-”

“The fire escapes are gone?” Staring at the ceiling, Jolyne cracked a smile. An idea was brewing. Jolyne slapped Gwess on the back and turned around.

“What? Where are you going now!?”

“Alright, We’re going to do some stuff around here then we’re going up.” Looking around, if the plan that was cooking in her head was going to work she’d need to get that bastard’s attention.  That mouse was small and  just as slippery as a real mouse but it wasn't anything compared to that bird stand. Despite its range he always kept it close to his chest, and even used it to attack. And it made sense, facing a quirk that made you tougher than steel most people would naturally target the Stand but it was hard as he was. His stand would never be less tough than him, yeah, the way to win wasn’t attacking his stand. The way to win was to get through that defense. Easier said than done.

Stone Free by itself wasn’t strong enough so she needed to make up the difference. She stretched her arms over head and cracked her hands, popping her shoulders and back.

Time to test just how much she can unravel. There was no time to be hesitant, she already knew what it was like to be powerless and on the back foot. To win, that moment of certainty where they're at the peak is when people are at their sloppiest. Even if the odds were still in their favor even if it was just a momentary lapse in judgment, an opening, that overconfidence was key.

 ‘Just like that bird-brain said, that moment where your power fails you.’ because wouldn't you be shook if an ant survived being stomped and bit you?’

MUDA

“Those bums are ready to go. Whip the crowds into a frenzy, inside a place like this your Float On will shine. Then get her to pursue you or at least make her come up stairs before those punks get started.” The week before the attack More did his usual over preparing, he even had the hired hands get a feel of the place and a taste of the wealth he promised them. A few hundred thousand yen to spend how they pleased, the rest would come once the job was done. No way that was real.

“Huuuh? Using me as bait that stings man.”

“Shut up.” More sighed. “We have to get an idea of her power and abilities, how she approaches us will tell me everything. Besides, there's no threat to you at all, as long as you take it seriously. She’s no journalist. I’ll be doing the fighting. If I win then it's fine, if she grasps victory it’ll be up to you to back me up.”

“Oh wow, think you’ll lose?”

“Who knows.” More shrugged. ”People today, they don’t realize how much they wear their Quirks on their sleeves. In the way they walk, their attitude, it paints their growth. Same as being rich or blah, blah-de-blah. Stands are different, we get them too late for any hints to be ingrained in us. There's a man that can turn blood into weapons, blahblahblah,  or so Karaimaru said,” More lit his cigarette taking a deep drag and exhaling red smoke. 

“What happened to your politeness with him? ‘Kinyama-dono’ right?”

“Back in the day...Blahblah There was this madman with a bug stand. Famous as far as Stand users go.” 

“Is that...impressive?”

“He caused countless incidents, he was a real menace, famous in the underworld but you would never guess that he  was really some old man. You’re not taking this seriously enough.”

“You say that about everything.” Always so worried about nothing, he needed to chill for once.

“Cause its true about damn near everything. Modest...when the hell is he going to grow up. The new girl already has a better mentality than him.”

"Are you monologuing again? Wait...Her? Miss sleeps between benches?”

“She’s cut from a different cloth, she’s the type of person to die trying.”

“What's that supposed to mean? Who the hell wants to die, old age getting to you More?”

“What an idiot.”

“Don’t ignore me!”

What was More doing? Modest leapt from one spot to the next taking in birds eye view of the area, anything below the Endeavor section was covered in a cloud of fiery smoke. That smokey-guy must have doped up, it was that good stuff from America so he must be feeling himself. Most of them were hot garbage but there were a few decent fighters if they all power up they’d last a few more minutes. Modest glanced out the window at the distorted skydrop. How much did More pay for these guys, arne’t interface and barrier quirks on the rarer end?

“We can use them, numbers aren’t ever a bad thing. They’ll make a good alarm system too, though I doubt he’d show up here, he’s different nowadays. All they have to do is make a ruckus, keep’em contained, occupied,  and I’ll get my money’s worth.”

“Yeah right...like he’d pay a yen. But hey if the heroes round them up no foul right? Can’t get paid in prison.” Still the fact that the shroud thing was still up meant that All Might really had slowed down. Just like the More thought it’d be a while before All Might showed up. Still, even if All Might was lazy these days it’d only be a matter of time before he’d show up. That’d be a whole thing. Modest found himself sending out his stand to search above him, the double vision was a pain that he was forced to get used to.

‘Your stand is long range and blah blah, not taking advantage of that is stupid. I don’t care if it makes you sick, get over it and shut up. Blah, Blah, if you used your quirk and your blah blah together blah I’m so smart idiooooot thats why I run out on the bill.’

He yawned. Right now he could be fishing up another chapter but it's not like Pink Dark was the only thing to read. Gash Bell  2 was going strong, weird to see the protag wearing pants now. His stomach growled and he snapped the magazine shut. Licking his lips he looked around the deserted mall, getting himself some cold noodles or something sounded great. Right now the restaurants were empty, it’d be easy to just go in and swipe himself something to eat. 

Getting his meal together while Float On continued the search, Modest hummed a tune, closing his eyes to ignore the double vision and preparing to immerse himself in the flavor. He was lucky they seemed to have some already mostly prepared. Everything comes up Modest.

If he could pass the work off to one of those Hot Rod brats it’d be great but they're all gone now. That lameass Dintang, ‘if you were going to get a stand do it where we can see you,’ Modest groaned, slurping his noodles up. The police too, they forgot how things are supposed to work around here, getting all cozy, demanding payment for a little help? No way More gave him a cent. Laughter bubbled up in Modest throat at the thought of More’s veins bursting, the very idea of losing a dime to some nobody would send him to hell. 

 “Whatever~” Not. His. Problem. “Hmmm not as good as Nagi’s but what do you expect from a chain place? I wonder if they got some chicken cooked.” He could go for some alcohol to wash it all down too. Practically floating out his seat he jumped from table to table working his way back to the kitchen. “Let’s see...let’s see.”

“Fuuuu~” Float On huffed, scurrying about stealing more mass and material  as it swam through the mall. He loved fighting inside, the mall was well in his range and they were all trapped inside, no one was getting away any time soon. He could eat up all the material he wanted, and push the weight or whatever back into the mall!  

Genius, right?! 

Sure this place would probably be buckling by the time he was done here but who cares? He kicked in some hardware store and grinned at his face on the TV and chumped down on a bit of chicken wing. The base could use one of these. He framed the tv with his chicken wings, like a filmmaker, trying to picture it back at the base. A nice flat screen for all the hard work. He tapped one and casually threw it over his shoulder and caught it with one hand, bouncing it in his palm. Dropping the weight off on another one with a tap of his finger.

Up above Float on noticed a familiar string get low to the ground, like a tripwire. That girl was burdened with all his weight so she should be moving like a snail, her best bet was to trap his stand or something. That Stand of hers is the only reason she could survive this.

“You don’t even understand your own weakness let alone your strengths.” More took a drag of his cigarette, the smoke turning a wild array of colors. “...What will it take for you to let go of that? Being afraid of your own self is pathetic, beneath you. Modest. When are you gonna grow up?...”

What was this? The More Radio show? Living in his head rent free, even in his imagination More was a cheapass.

Back to business, so, Float on move dipping below the trap and peering up to find her string wrapped around the whole kitchen, did she plan of pulling everything towards him or maybe using her thread to cut him up with a knife or something? She really thought he’d look for her himself?  Well he could use his stand too. Gingerly, Float On tapped the string and spread more weight throughout the string, when he was done with her she’d be a few hundred pounds heavier, hell she might just fall through the mall. It’d be easy to find her at least. 

It didn't take long for him to notice more of her thread hidden about, criss crossing all over wrapped around junk. What kind of trap was this supposed to be? She could move it around but none of this crap would put a dent in him and now it’d just weigh her down. 

“She’s gotta be a mess right now.”With a satisfied sigh, he downed and tossed a can over his shoulder into the haze of smoke below the railing. “Well if she kills herself it saves me some trouble.... Ugh, I’d still have to find her though.” How did she get all over the place in such a short amount of time? It’s not like she can walk around, must be that pal of her’s helping her out. Gawkers can’t fight worth a damn but they sure are annoying.

“Where the hell did those two go? That girl’s string traps all pull in the same direction. She can’t be that dumb, right? But, no way she’d go up so where-”

“Sup.” Jolyne called out, waving her hand, from  the top floor, a statue of All Might looming over them. She was  leaning over the railing, which bent around  her arms looking like they could snap at any moment. “I thought you ran away so I came looking for you.”  He stared at the railing long and hard and once again More lectured him. His body turns to stone.

No fucking way was-

“Stop whining. If you could carry your own weight you could kill All Might.”

-she standing up?

JOJO

 He stared up at her blinking dumbly before throwing himself over the edge rocketing towards her. She flipped herself over it, the railing strained to handle her weight and bent around her hands. Jolyne fell from the top floor, her body slammed into Mouse like a meteorite and ripped down with her. The pair were in a freefall, his rocky body breaking against a wall and absorbing it into himself  as Jolyne struggled to stay atop him, her thread wrapped around his form to keep them united.

“ What the heck is your real Stand power-” Her front hand shut him up and a backhand cracked his jaw. Stone free’s fist pummeled his body like a jackhammer. Heavy and fast. In a minute or two they’d hit the ground and he needed to take the fall for the two of them.

“Go on, make me even heavier if you want! I’m coming right at you no matter what! You dumbfuck, thanks for making me a truck!!!” She laughed at him, She felt a giant palm slap her back and she already felt  he was messing with her weight again, stealing it. Finally, “What's the matter? How does it feel getting pressed into a corner!?” Her heavy fist beat against his body, heart beating in her throat and ears, a crazed smile on her face as she chipped away at him. “Bet you miss your buddy, he was a bitch!”

“...You’re really getting cocky?” He sucked his teeth! She had no idea what happened to the other guy. Did he abandon him here or maybe a hero took him out? That moment of hesitation told her, he really wasn’t here any more. “What'd ya say about More? C’mon! You? Beat him-” 

God he could talk.

“ORAORAORAORA!!!!”

The snout of his stand cracked and as it was launched away Modest was pulled along. The back of his head cracked against the stairs sending a chunk flying away, his face split open. Letting out strands of threads  and  wrapping around however many chunks she could manage to grab. Wrapping them around his pants using her strings to tie them around his limbs and cutting them off from herself with a hiss of pain.She could hear the scraping of stone and metal against each other as he worked his jaw. He grabbed her face, his jagged fingers design into her skin, drawing blood as he laughed. 

“That's funny. More lose to you!?! Do you really have no clue who we are?” Float on emerged from his back, its hand tail grabbed her throat and squeezed.

They just made it back to Endeavor’s floor. Perfect, She’d gotten used to it by now, she could feel her weight shifting. The red ball that hung around his stand swelled and shrank like it was breathing. If she had to guess all that weight was going right where she expected.

“W-who the hell cares?” Jolyne croaked, Stone freeworked to pry his hand open, his fist clocked the side of her head and her ears rang. She went to breathe and a searing pain laced through her chest. Her eyes burned with tears but still she held on. “L-looks who lost their cool... What?! missing your man that bad?! Losing ain’t anything to cry about you know?”

Almost in Hawks.  

‘Not yet. Get on with it.’  Stone free weaved a mask over her face as they fell into the cloud of smoke and ash.

“We’re! Yakuza!” He cracked his skull against her own. A flash of white, red then darkness, and a blare of noise rattled her skull. Lights and stars dancing around her she managed to shake herself back down to earth just in time to find herself reeled back and bounced against the  railing her body rolled, her strings went taut and snapped her back to Modest. Her nose broken, clogged with blood and a wet snap echoed from her leg. Another flurry of white lights  flashed in her eyes. She felt something burning in her lower back. That pain felt miles away.

‘Just a bit more.’

“I ain’t More but let me play teacher, the ones who run this fucking country?!” He grabbed her head and forced her  forward as the ground was in sight. “Is it,”at that moment, the flow of weight was stopped as he gained the upper hand. Float On roared showing the overwhelming rage of its user. “The government? Heroes? Villains? They’re all garbage! We’re the WINNERS! Don’t fuck with me!”

‘Here we go!’ Jolyne’s hair turned to string, Mouse felt her slip through his fingertips. Stone Free Manifesting behind her, reeling a fist back.

“You again!? Come at me, you lightweight!”

“STONE FREEEEEE!”  He was ready to tank it in fact he seemed to relish the idea of her hurting on his fists once more. He was made of stone or mall(?) now so no chance of choking him out either.

“ORA!” Stone Free’s first met his face, the stand grinned unraveling into a sea of strings. String surged off her shrinking body, by now she was nothing but a head, torso, and one unbroken leg, slipping out of his grasp and kicking off his back. She slipped her string into the dead flesh she used to tie the debris to his body and pulled them off. She drove them through the gaps in railing like makeshift anchors.  He looked up at  Jolyne raising her middle finger as he plummets to the ground below as she hangs in midair a floor above him.

Brute force? Overwhelming power? Intimidation? Jolyne never had these options in her life, and now even with power she just met someone with even more power. The way a quirkless person gotta fight is with their head. It’s always an uphill battle, to fight with the desperation that came from being weak, being on your back foot from the very beginning.  That feeling that you probably  lost before you even throw a punch, but still,  you gotta swing. A place the strong couldn't comprehend she thrived in. She had everything she needed to win before this fight even started. They thought they scoped her out from the start, they may have known her power but she could do the same thing! 

Losing weight is harder than gaining any one that’s been on any sort of diet would tell you that. Float On was no different. That’s something that was obvious from how long it took her to become “weightless” but he revealed something equally important throughout this battle: up or down, the closer you are to him the faster the transition occurs. 

He has to touch you to make it happen. Anything that is touching you when the power is activated has their mass changed as well as if it were a part of your body. Her clothes or her accessories all of it was counted as ‘her.’ Maybe he could make anything exempt too but she assumed he had to at least be aware of it.

 Finally, it fucked with your head. While Undead Milkmen was like a wild high or drunkenness. Float On hammered your mind and body at the same time. The more you weighed the worse you felt, she wasn’t sure how she shook off the effects but clearly he didn't get it either. What’d that say about them if that's how their Stands’ worked?

“Lecture for a lecture chump. When you  get in a fight all that matters is that you don’t lose.” To lose is to give up on herself and admit her own uselessness.

Modest smacked face first  into the ground floor, the crash roared in her ears the ground; even the smoke was blown away as the ground shattered apart from the explosion. He actually exploded. Like a garbage bag dropped from a roof.  Chunks of steel and rock poured out of him, like it was being stored in another dimension or a cut open sand bag. It rained down like hail, a wave of glittering fragments that once made his body. Jolyne was floating down like a feather,  by the bungee cord of debris she hooked up the floors above as Mouse crashed, his body of stone cracked, crumbled apart, still spewing out loose chunks like he could barely hold onto the excess. 

Yet he still managed to sit up. Standing even as a chunk of his torso crumbled to his feet. A damaged statue chunks of him were missing and yet he still had it in him to bark. 

“Girlfriend it ain't over til it’s over!!” His Stand shot out like a bullet aiming to take out her. Cracked and bleeding the mouse’s teeth came too close for comfort as  Stone free’s foot crushed his nose, kicking it away. 

“Ow?”Modest’s head snapped back baffled; he brushed his fingers along the new wound on his face. Float On flipped around to go after the ropes instead. So she dropped, pulling all of her string back, the ropes she created returning to her. This was her ace in the hole. 

“ORA!” Her leg was going to explode with all the abuse but trying to use him as a springboard was her best bet, it ‘s what she had to do, only before she could connect her pants swallowed her whole legs, to her shock it expanded so far that Mdoest’s face sink into it. She fell on top of him, her outfit like a balloon and pushed her away from him. They both blinked in confusion, dumbfounded as she practically rolled away. 

“Made you flinch.” Jolyne flipped him off, her outfit deflated like an airbag returning to its original shape, she had no idea what happened but she’d be damned if he thought that was a fluke.“Bitch.” 

With a roar he leapt at her, the ground breaking apart as he took to the air. Behind him she could see the debris, her anchors, raining down around him.  A piece of marble smacked the ground behind him, shards exploding out crashing into him  and knocking him to the ground. Another cracked and crumbled against the back of his head. Another drove into the space between them. The last one, way of course,  it smashed her leg, she hissed, balling her hands into fists. At least he was down. His bloodshot eyes glare at her teeth grinding together in frustration. Float On’s fist rose from the ground into her leg a fiery pain spread across her body as he flipped her upside down and ripped her pendant from her neck with its teeth and dropped her.

“We...win.” Float On chittered as it ripped its hand out of her leg. “Easy.”

‘It wasn’t enough?’ She thought as everything grew hazy. Her world went black.

...

...

...

CLAP!

A massive gust of wind pushed aside all the flame and smoke. The gust blew over her rolling her a bit. She felt thin wires wrap around her fingers tight enough to draw blood and she blinked away shadows, the blurry image of  Modest stumbling away  with her pendant in hand. Her eyes burned and Stone free moved. He took a step into a web of string that suddenly vanished, throwing off his balance and sending him crashing into the ground chin first, the floor dented under his weight but his whole head was cracked now. 

‘He crashed so hard, he must have still weighed a ton.’ Jolyne on the other hand had never felt better. She practically skipped to her feet, the pain in her leg a deep throbbing pain yet a million miles away. She wiped the blood from her face and fiddled with her bangs. Her hair was covered in a layer of dust. She dusted off her outfit, this thing might be her new favorite look and he went and filled it full of holes. Jeanist probably had spares.

“God...damn it...Am I that busted? This better be worth all this...The fuck are you More? No way she...dammit my phone is toast. Shit did you really... No. Not this again. Thinking too much about stupid shit...I gotta get rid of this fucking weight..”

“W-where...” Jolyne coughed up some blood wiping her lips with the back of her hand, “are you going, Senpai?” She called out to him, her arms turned strings, chest heaving. Everything felt so heavy and light at the same time. Like a stiff breeze could know her over or she’d crash through the earth if she closed her eyes. She hopped, from the tips of her toes to the balls of her feet. The exploding pounding  feeling in her leg felt far away as she leapt toward him. Was she still light, did he give her back all the weight or maybe she always weighed this much? Honestly? She didn't care at all. The commotion on the outside, the cheers and screams, was just a bunch of  noise as Stone Free  pushed him back down. “It ain't over...right? Come on...come on! I still have plenty to pay you guys back for. Ya know ditching me, making me a scapegoat...”

“Are you...serious? I don’t get you...” He braced himself like he was trying to do a push up, the right side of his face cracked and fell apart. Fingers plugged into the ground devouring the raw material beneath him. “What do you even get outta this? You could have just played dead, right!? It’s no big deal, right? Ain't you flying high now!? Why are you still coming at me?!”

“F-fuuu-” His stand whistled from above. She glared up at it, it wasn’t as banged up as him probably because his stone body didn’t really mean anything.

“Everything you did today too! Messing with those people and with my friend.” Jolyne didn't pay his words any mind. She stomped on his  back and laughed. If she stopped to listen, she could fall over at any time, all this energy would go poof. 

“Get real, you haven’t gotten it by now? I can’t even feel-”

“ Ora .” Jolyne jumped soaring into the air, Stone free gave a powerful kick bashing in Float On’s stomach. Cut off by the first genuine shout of pain she’d heard from him, Modest. His face twisted in rage and pain as his  body hopped in the air and slammed back down on the ground.  “How’d that feel? Still nothing?” She looked over her shoulder at Modest gasping for air he didn’t need. Stone free gave the mouse a stomp. His stand shared his toughness but he wasn’t all steel like anymore and worse he was filled with cracks poised to crumble. After all this he was falling apart so what did that mean for his stand? Even if he could survive being broken into pieces, even if he didn’t feel pain, did both of those things go for this stand?

“That...hurt?!” He croaked, cracking and crumbling around his stomach. Watching his face go from cocky grin through shock to terror was like watching a sculptor rework their peace in real time.

“Good.” Jolyne flipped over Float On; the mouse gasping and eyes popping out of its head as she dived down. A flying knee into his stand’s stout followed by a quick dozen punches cracked his back. 

POP

The ball popped under her fist and all her pain hit her at once as her weight returned. Modest mimed, his stand pushed into the ground as if the world were trying to eat him, a hole exploded out of his back as a chuck of his face cracked apart. 

“You fucking bitch! Get the hell away from me!” If all he had going for him were the tiles from the ground floor, Stone free could crack him like a walnut. “JOJO!”

“ORAORA!”

It grabbed her again, its tail sneaking around her back. It stung sound bad she nearly toppled over, thankfully her whole body was already burning up. Pain on pain wasn't that big a deal right? So she kicked him again. Again and again and again! Even when her legs went numb she kept kicking! Even when Float On dug its way into her back and poured her blood onto the ground. Stone free’s legs trembled and burned. And Jolyne’s legs, unable to support her any longer,  brought her to her knees so she unraveled them and wrapped them around Float on.  

It reached for her face and Stone Free pushed its hand into the floor thread weaving over it’s body to pin its tail to its back and broke off its leg with a punch. Modest howled in pain , a mindless scream of frustration as his leg exploded, shards flying through the air sliced Jolyne cheeks and dug into her shoulders and back.

So!  She’d keep attacking, lost in a rhythm punching it into the dirt. He had a hell of a debt to pay and paying it back in full was Jolyne’s style. 

“ORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!”

Gwess would find  her pendant among the rubble of a gasping and broken golem like man...Exhausted both physically and mentally she allowed herself to look up at her friend before falling face first into stone.

Best Jeanist Upcycling program vs Modest Mouse, More, and the Smokestack Crew(?) .

 Winner: BJ’s UP

Jolyne Cujoh: hospitalized: Broken leg. Head injury. Various injuries. Internal bleeding.

‘Gwess’: Perfect Health.

Modest Mouse: Arrested, broken into various pieces. 

SmokeStack(name being disputed?) crew: Disbanded, ring leader arrested.

More:N/A

[>>=======<> To be continued.]

Chapter Text

Best Jeanist, or rather Hakamada Tsunagu  as he was right now,  took a sip of his coffee watching the cars roll by in the streets below. The pitter patter of rain and the thin fog that rolled in was just like him, surely, he  must have looked like bargain bin knockoffs. No that wasn't quite right, even a knock off could be excellent, there was one  word to describe how he must have looked.

“Gaudy...” He rubbed his eyes, just thinking about that mall was like someone pulling his threads apart one by one. Having to rely on Glory to handle a fraction of his work was expected, that's why she was there after all and why she interned for him,but he still lamented his own weakness. It wasn’t that he was arrogant enough to refuse help or to think himself above the notion. They were his responsibility. To protect them and guide them was what he decided to do once he started the U.P. project of his. The bump in his ranking didn’t bother him in the slightest and just meant he needed to work smarter than before.

“Plus Ultra. Applying that to all areas of life is a challenge. Sometimes herding children is like trying to sew blindfolded.” He took a sip of coffee with a smile, was this what being a teacher was like? Not really, they did far more work than he did. He was just a patch job done by an amateur when compared to a master seamstress. Even a rookie like him had to give it his all, no he had to go far above and beyond if he wanted to repair anything.

Jolyne Cujoh, was placed under his care for one reason. Protection. He would essentially be a deterrent and a way for the police to be aware of her comings and goings at all times. Protection at home and a hero watching over her thought the day would prevent any attempts of contact unless of course she sought them out. To be honest if they informed her he felt that she may have complied anyway, from what he’s learned  distrust only leads to friction and tears. The idea that, in a way, she was bait never left his mind; however, he was much more focused on her rebranding. Like the rest of his kids she was cut from a high quality cloth cut and sewn into a subpar outfit by life. He had expected something to happen on his watch, she wasn't the first of his charges to carry violent baggage, he never expected someone to stitch together a plan of that scale to kill one girl. 

On the streets a giant woman, one of the newer heroes, just punted a serpent-like figure into the air, slamming her foot back down knot the ground shaking the street, knocking a few cars over, tussling up  wave of water rolls over that dowses a few onlookers, and making his own cup of coffee dance. She certainly had a flare for the cameras but what was most impressive was the restraint she had. The worst she did was knock over a few cars and get onlookers wet, in a city setting where a single step spells disaster. Each step like threading a needle, her control was clearly practiced and refined.

The battle was over before it even began, He took a sip of his coffee watching Mount Lady finish up her work. 

If All Might had not appeared things could have gone differently. To think with a simple clap of his hands he turned the tide, just like that. Normally the hero filled him with ease, and why wouldn't he? All Might was like a breath of fresh air. Just one look at his back and you knew he was a  force that no villain had any hope of overcoming. He thought back to Smokestack, his quirk gave weight to the smoke, the gas he could use as weapons, poison, to burn and crush. The man himself was still plenty solid and while Jeansit was able to keep him pinned down he couldn't hope to make any headway towards the mall. The man had no issue turning his power on everything around him, the moment Jeanist got a moment to himself  that meant the civilians were put in harm's way. Truth be told, what was worse than that was that the people were in a panic. Some had simply collapsed to the ground unable to move and others no matter how far from the danger were too terrified to move or had given up. He needed to not only restrain the villains movements but make sure they hadn’t hurt themselves in the process.  There'd be no excuses from him, neatly he would give his all in putting all the stitches in place. No matter how difficult.

“Have no fear!” At that moment there was a shift in energy, you could feel the smile before you saw it.  Even Best Jeanist, fighting a battle on three fronts, despite himself breathed a sigh of relief. “I am here!” All Might cried and it was like the sun had personally arrived to push back the clouds. Just like that. And yet...It made him feel, for the first time since his high school days, wholly inadequate.

Gaudy.

The news sang him praises but that only made him feel more like a fake. He was supposed to protect them and in the end she had saved herself. Jolyne had the makings of a hero, that much Ingenium assured him, that much he was sure of. 

Though, she was quirkless wasn’t she? At least that's what was  put down on the application and forms. From time to time there were late bloomers. He hadn’t heard of something like that in a long while, though, quirklessness was also in decline in general. Perhaps the two were related, but he was far from any sort of expert on the subject and speculation on something like that was improper at best.

Anyway, from Gwess’s accounts she had some form of telekinesis. Instead of enjoying her youth and refining that ability Jolyne was in the hospital. At the very least her opponent was caught. According to Glory, there was another one who managed to slink away in the fire and smoke. 

“What to do now?” Was there a way to further improve on his own? His coffee didn’t have much of an answer for him. Well he knew what he had to do next at least, his kids were pretty concerned for Jolyne, while he had them he would get them the chance to before she’s dismissed. And then...His phone rang.

JOJO

His first meeting for the day would most likely be far less pleasant than a cup of coffee. He found himself standing outside the ruined mall, the scorched entrance, the now cooled half melt structures and road a monument to the battle he had outside. The building, or perhaps it would be better to say the insides of the building, collapsed leaving an empty shell of support beams and frames decorated like a yagura, topped with a nearly spotless  statue of All Might. How the building ended up so flimsy and hollow was beyond Jeanist and showed the preparation that went into this ambush. 

A taxi pulled up to the scene and two men stepped out. Well, one did the other half stumbled out.

“Ah so sorry that you had to wait on us!  My fault! There was a whole thing with my flight...then I saw a cat trapped in a tree...only I think it was just relaxing and well...some crime. Hahaha.” His spiky black hair was all over the place, it looked as if a bird had turned it into a summer home. His bright eyes shined like galaxies in the night sky. His face was covered in tiny scratches and a few childish stickers in an attempt to cover them up. He wore a suit that was clearly given to him, he buttoned all the buttons it pulled on him awkwardly, and he wore worn out sneakers on his feet. His earnest smile could trick you into thinking that it all worked to his benefit, and he had to admit that it did. He had the air of a man doing his best to get through the day, but utterly positive about it.

If this man was a warm sweater then his companion would easily be leather made human. Tall with a fierce expression, his hair covered by the sharp hat on his head, his officer uniform was swallowed beneath a torn cloak. Thick gloves covered his large hands and forearms. His bestial eyes twitched at the slightest movement, if he was less experienced Best Jeanist would have thought the man planned to fight. The man’s stance, his very air could put a man on edge, and the civilians seemed to think so too, people were giving them a wide berth very obviously swerving around them.

The happy one raised a gloved hand, face covered in sweat. “I’m Cavill Rose! Oh Sorry. Rose, Cavill! Of the Speedwagon Foundation, New York Office! Nice to meet you!” The Speedwagon foundation was...well it was easier to say what they didn’t dabble in. Oil, humanitarian work, hero-work(distribution), medicine, and so on and all this growth within the last thirty years or so. They were regarded as the All Might of business, an example of what other businesses must strive for. Or rather accept what they fall short of. The Organization had branched out worldwide, famously All Might cooperated with their Japanese branch from their arrival. With their resources, cooperation with heroes and the police was not uncommon, though like most cases done by other heroes he was not strictly aware of the details of their involvement. 

Cavill...Rose? That name rang a bell as well. Hammering his fist into his palm the thought clicked.

“You’re a pro hero from America, aren’t you? The starry eyed hero: Shooting Star.” The young star rose to the top ten  a few years after graduation and promptly quit. A world record that left the hero community baffled. To see him resurface as a Speedwagon Employee, that would not have been his first gw-guess.

“Ahaha...that was a lifetime ago.” He blushed eagerly, shaking his. “But former hero to current hero.” He whispered as if the officer to his right couldn't hear him. “if you don’t mind, could you give me an autograph, it's pretty rare that I get the chance to see heroes from other countries! To meet a top five on the first job? That’s fate!”

“Rose-san.” his companion sighed, behind the shade of his hat his cat-like eyes gleamed. “Focus.” He paused for a moment and then added. “You didn’t even bring your autograph book. They're still looking for your luggage.”

“Oh!” Rose yelped. “Right,right, Sorry about that Miyake! Ah, You see Best Jeanist, besides the cat, we caught some guy trying to smuggle in narcotics but the rain came in really heavy and in the process everyone's luggage got dumped in a nearby lake! That’s why I’m soaked! It’s not nervous sweat!” A lake? There was clearly a story there but his  companion seems more tight lipped, motioning for his companion to end the tale there.

“...” The officer let out a sigh, turning his harsh gaze to the pro-hero and tipping his hat. 

“I am Inspector Miyake Issey.” He flashed his ID and badge after a nod he stowed it away. “I see that you are uninjured. Thank you for your continued service and diligence. I've heard of your recent endeavors correcting the youth of this nation, putting them on the correct path before they lose to  their worst impulses. A noble goal. As expected of a U.A. graduate, I can only imagine how such schooling has done for your wisdom. We won’t waste more of your time than we have to. My apologies in advance, Best Jeanist.”

“W-wow. You're so professional, Issey!” Indeed he was like a fine pair of jeans, unerring, and yet he was unnerving. The way stood, looming over the two of them. How he put himself in the perfect spot to cut off any room for escape.

“...” Miyake huffed, a look of utter annoyance  graced his eyes for a brief moment.

“Ah! Sorry Miyake-kun!”

“...Right.”

“Have the two of you partnered before?” It was easy to get the impression that these two must have worked together quite often. Still, that might have just been because of Rose-san’s energy.

“I’ve done a few jobs in japan and well...lets just say, they call us the eye-boys.”

“No, they do not.”

“Well not around you...” Miyake ignored the comment addressing Best Jeanist instead pulling on the brim of his hat.

“Would you entertain a conversation with us? Best Jeanist, think of it as a follow up.” With his nod, the two gave him a quick summary of the events from a week ago, a report of a report. The various fresh faced and petty crooks turned full blown villains with the promise of absurd amounts of money. The Smokestack crew which was made up of five villains. Four of which seemed to have created the ‘barrier’ that kept the battle a secret.

“The ringleader of the event, Smokestack, was doping. The drug work has been difficult so we would like your account on how powerful he was to narrow down what he was using.”

“Unfortunately I don’t have much in regards to his abilities before he took the drug. His Quirk allowed him to create and manipulate large amounts of smoke.  But I can safely say it was like  the quality of his fabric had immediately changed.  His smoke was more of a  superheated cloud and  as solid as stone.” Despite his power Jeansit was able to out maneuver him. It doesn't matter how you dress them up if they don’t know how to wear it, even a designer suit will look terrible. “He was amateurish, it was clear he was not used to his newfound power. But he injected himself with confidence all the same. ”

“You would say he was a repeat user. Yet this boost was too much for him?” Jeanist nodded at the assessment. 

“At the very least he used Trigger regularly enough to change the color of his tongue.” He wasn’t quite sure where this secondary question was going but Miyake shifted through the rubble as his partner nodded along to the conversation. “Were the police truly unable to find anything on the scene to identify what he was using?”

“...All Might was fast and effective but he must have been in a rush.” Miyake grunted. “There was hardly anything usable from what was left of the syringes  found. Not only that but the doctors were having difficulties. The idea of a new form of Trigger being distributed is worrying. Which is why-”

“I am here!” Cavill grinned, puffing out his chest. “Even as a field agent they give us plenty of medical training. Even really obscure nonsensical stuff for gut health, to bug facts, to parasites!”

“Indeed. What do you think?”

“Their quirks were powerful because, y'know, the drugs. If I had to guess, they must have gotten them from outta the country. It's especially crazy back home.” Cavill rubbed his chin. “What you described sounds like an awakening. So it’s possible he took Dreamer. But a temporary evolution of your quirk, something like that, has side-effects and they are not pretty. Imagine if you suddenly doubled in muscle mass and lost it all at once, or it suddenly turned to fat. Besides the fact that the theoretical mass has to come from somewhere, losing it all of it at once...Eugh if he took a Dreamer... I’m not looking forward to taking a look at him myself.” 

“A foreign drug of that caliber is not something amateurs would be able to get their hands on.” Miyake huffed. “And it is also not the type of thing a seasoned criminal would use on themselves. Not with those side effects.” 

“Personally, I think he must have thought it was some form of Trigger.” Best Jeanist guessed. “At the very least it was injected the same way.”

“You believe...he made a mistake about something that critical?”

 “If...t's taken the same way...How would you know the difference between trigger and something else?” Cavill fiddled with his hair pulling on his spikes in thought. “AH!” He tapped his nose.“The chemical smell,” he opened his mouth tapping his tongue, “and the vanilla taste that the latest Trigger has!  But a man whose quirk was smoke and was a smoker he’s probably lived a life with weakened senses so he’d never notice. Um...quick aside. How old would you say he was?”

“Maybe in his mid forties?”

“He has a file.” Miyake cut in. “Thirty years old, a career criminal. Robberies but few arrests, he was rather good at running away. He was the oldest of the Villains found at the scene.” That would explain his fighting ability. He probably hoped the boost in power would make up for his lack of direct combat experience. Which meant he probably intended to flee using that power rather than actually win the fight. Jolyne must have lasted longer than they expected, though they probably never thought a quirkless person to be a threat.

“T-thanks...” Cavil coughed fiddling with his hair. “This generation’s Quirk Factors are better on average so they are less likely to suffer negative severe side effects from their own Quirk. It’s possible his sense of taste and smell were dulled, especially if his body was ill suited to his Quirk. But that’s just a theory!” Cavill waved his hands. “I’d have to actually meet him and even then he’d need an actual doctor to check him. If I knew it was gonna be this medicine heavy I would have asked for a real doctor to join up.”  He facepalmed, muttering into his hand. “I guess we’re really short staffed lately. C’mon Prez...”

In terms of Medicine, the Speedwagon foundation was certainly well renowned, but in Quirk research they were on the ground floor. The first recorded Quirk user, the glowing baby, was born in one of their hospitals and that sparked their research into the biology of quirks, Quirk Factors. Naturally the overlap with their other fields and the Quirk based growth of society  was necessary. It was this expertise that led to them collaborating with the police and heroes in  cases such as these.

“No one would make such a critical mistake. Which means it was provided by someone, I can’t imagine a pro going out of his way to use a drug he’s unfamiliar with.” Miyake repeated. “But if it was not a mistake then that changes matters.” 

Jeanist gave him a nod and commented. “Either a supplier that gave him an ill fitting wardrobe...or someone that designed it to be so. Is that who you think his employer was? A high profile drug dealer?” The officer rubbed his chin in thought.

“Possibly. But,  Smokestack is not in a state  where he can communicate, all we have  to go by is eye witness accounts and your own ofcourse.” The Smokestack crew was simply a distraction. The two that set their sights on Jolyne were the actual problem that needed solving. One defeated by the girl herself and the other chased off by the hands of Glory. One missing and the other in police custody, in pieces but very much alive, though he was stone with no biology to research in his state.

“Mouse Modest, that’s the name you gave us from one of your charges. He's clearly a criminal and yet his history is clean. Far too clean. Like his youth was scrubbed away and his adulthood a fairytale.” The implication  that the man had ties to clean gave more than enough of a hint as to his true colors. The Hot Rod Hearts weren’t some gang of kids nor were they just Villains using them. If he had to give a guess it would be the Yakuza, but to make a concrete plan they’d need more information. As they say you need to measure twice.

“We have yet to probably piece that man together. Though he can still talk he refuses to speak,” Miyake commented as if reading his mind, “unless it is to heckle those around him. The case is closed as far as the public is concerned but our work continues on. With the death of an officer we can’t be satisfied with one of them escaping.” He picked up a piece of rubble, stained black from a fire of blood he wasn’t sure. “And yet the leads are dead ends, and the ones we have on hand are incapable or unwilling to communicate...We’re running dry but there's thread left.”

“Oh?” Was that pun intentional? There was certainly no amusement in the man’s eyes if anything they grew more intense.

“Issey?”

“That girl. Kujo Irene. She had connections to a gang did she not?” The officer began. “The Hot Rod Hearts were a petty thugs made of mostly teenagers and feckless adults. We’ve done some digging into their members, at least three of their members come from wealthy families. Despite their inexperience  the number of successful grand thefts is truly staggering yet so small no one has given them the time of day. In fact her joyride last summer was their biggest and loudest crime and that was a distraction. Much like this one. After that incident it was revealed their members had substantial access to Triggers. I can only imagine the local heroes and police underestimated them by the gang leader’s  own design no doubt. So while I can imagine this may, simply, be revenge due to her new lease on life. I doubt it, this gang is something else, a smokescreen. We must  speak with her and any others.”

“H-hey... Issey...real it back a bit. You’re getting intense.” With a slight push Rose was sent flying only brought back to the ground with a gesture from Jeanist as he stared down Miyake.

“You refused to allow the police the chance to question any of your charges. I would implore you to reconsider, Best Jeanist. You are not protecting them, certainly not by hiding them away from the police. It’s borderline obstruction.”

“There's no need for that.” For various reasons the majority of his kids weren’t the type to want to talk to the police. Especially after surviving a villain attack he wasn’t going to let them think for a moment that they were being questioned or interrogated. It was clear that Miyake lacked the skill to handle them. Even if that weren't the case, Best Jeansit wasn’t inclined to let it happen regardless. “I’ve already talk to them and got their accounts of the incident, the officers at the scene should be able to-”

“I am aware. They could have lied to you without a sensory Quirk. It's impossible to tell for sure.” Miyake countered. “Or perhaps you have left something out?”

“Excuse me?” He wasn’t quite sure when he closed the distance between the two of them but Jeanist was close enough to grip his collar, if he had lost his cool that is. He’d be a poor role model if he put his hands on an officer over mere words. Still Miyake hardly seemed to care, his tone level like he was explaining the obvious forgone conclusion.

“I meant no offense but you have been working on this project for a year now, correct? I can only imagine you have grown close to them or feel some level of responsibility for them and their actions. I’ve seen many people underestimate the evil of a friend or a youth simply because they are close to you. Unconsciously or purposely we underestimate evil nearest to us.”

“Regardless.” Best Jeanist wanted to shake his head but refused to take his eyes off  Miyake, who felt more and more like a looming danger. “They're all quite terrible liars and this is a Quirk based crime in the first place, you’re veering out of your jurisdiction.” His eyes narrowed, the pitch black slits grew colder.

“With all due respect, that only applies to this investigation. Not the drugs nor the gang, surprisingly the majority of their crimes have been quite Quirkless.  It certainly does not apply to a quirkless girl. If need be I could-”

“Woah,hey! Miyake! Ain't there a proper way to do things?” Squeezing between the two the Speedwagon representative held his hands up. “He already said no! Pretty clearly! We should exit!” For a moment, the tension was blown apart and left to drift in the wind. 

“...Apologies, I forgot myself. You’re absolutely right, Rose-san.” Miyake stood glaring down at the hero , brows furrowed and pupils dilated  trying to swallow all the light in the world. “There is a proper way to go about things. I do not need your permission to pursue my options. Do forgive me for needlessly troubling you.”

“So sorry!” Rose hopped in the air and crashed down into a perfect bow, knees tucked under him as his forehead dripped with blood.

“I understand, the hero community is filled with all sorts of characters and the same is clearly true for the police.” Jeanist sighed, raising a hand on his hip, watching the officer make a phone call. They currently had officers watching the girl just in case. They were only supposed to be protecting her while they tracked down the other villain. But with a word from Miyake it could change into something else, at the very least the offer believed so.

“Yeah, same thing in the Speedwagon foundation all sorts helping each other out.” Rose grinned. “Still Issey is...determined! He’s got a habit of getting really intense! But his sense of justice is unmatched” He stood up on shaky legs streaks of blood running down his face. Zealous was the word he would have used. What Jolyne needed was rest, not an adult looking at her like a villain for simply knowing one. She wasn't cut from the same cloth.

“Ah you should let her parents know!”

“Her parents?”

“I, huh, don’t really know what the ‘proper’ thing is in the situation but a guardian should be involved before anything happens right?” Ah. He had also forgotten the ‘proper’ course of action. There was only so much he could really do against the police but a parent and hero? That could become quite the wall.

“...Thank you for the advice, Rose-kun.”

“Nonono! I’m just like throwing out things that sound smart is all! Call me Cavill!”

“Right then, Cavill-kun.” At very least this man could keep Miyake under control, they must work together often. 

Having watched the two leave, Jeanist glanced back at the ruined mall and frowned. The ruined building now and a casualty in some conflict revolving around Jolyne. As long as this case was opened it’d cause more problems for her down the road. The world of heroes loved cleaned endings, loose ends like this reflected poorly on an adult like him but a girl starting out needed as much support as possible. The statue of All Might staring down at him from the roof with a broad smile as if cheering him on.

JOJO

Jolyne awoke to a sore everything, the bitter  smell of medicine, and blazingly bright ceiling lights. Yeah, there could be no doubt, this was a hospital. A fucking hospital.  She took a deep breath and felt pangs of pain circulating all through her body, like her body was warning her to breathe better or suffer the consequences.

“Ow.” She muttered, even that hurt. Her leg was hung up in a sling and she ached all over.  How long was she out anyway? Closing her eyes she thought back, vague half formed memories of this room flash by but nothing concrete. Something with her mama, a few doctors talking to her, Jeanist dropping something off. A hazy scene of darkness filled her memories, a few doctors forcing her eyes open  faded to black and then to her mama’s face. A white ceiling and then darkness again.  She was wearing one of her baggy shirts and sweatpants so her mother must have had enough time to get here. Before she had time to rage, she hissed in pain, settling down and shooting a  glance at a table beside her bed. Her locket sat their undisturbed and  undeniable proof of her victory. She won...She won! She kicked his stoney ass and turned him into a mountment of not fucking with Jolyne Cujoh!

“OW!” She hissed causing even more pain to race through her. “Fuck...Better than getting beat up by a walking cinderblock.” She snuggled into the hospital pillow and sighed. She turned, or made the attempt, to sleep, or  roll on her side and noticed a bunch of curdled marked cards. A gift basket filled with a random assortment of things.  Well she didn’t need to get up or call a nurse. Strings flowed from her fingertips, a few heading towards her gifts. “I wonder if I can fix my leg like this?” She mutters looking at her unraveled arm while she digs around in the bag. “Oooh cookies! Beats hospital food by a long mile.” It’d just be like stitching a stuffed animal right? Or forcing things back into place and turning it back into flesh and blood. On the other hand, she never really thought about how she put herself back together; it was just a sort of instinct. Stone Free wound back into her shoulder and arm. That was easy as always but  what about turning her ‘arm string’ into her leg and her ‘leg string’ into her arm? If she tries to force it to do something else then...

Her arm and leg  twisting into a  half formed slurry of flesh and bone flashed through her mind. She chomped down on a cookie and gulped.

“...Maybe I should wait on that.” She sighed to Stone Free who nodded sagely. “Right. Not trying to stay here any longer than I gotta.” The sky painted gray by the rain that beat the ground into submission gave the afternoon a dreary look, but the sound of rain was peaceful and rhythmic. And feeling cool was better than that inferno of a mall. She closed her eyes to block out the light of the ceiling, nothing she could do about the smell of medicine but at least she could try to relax. 

“Excuse me!” Jolyne blinked at some random kid poking his head into her room from the window. “I need to search! Can I!?”

“...Sure?” She watched as the child closed the door behind him and spun his body like a top fling himself off the ground to zoom around her room. He crawled up the walls and up to the ceiling. “Hey kid?”

“I’m Jouichi!”

“Jolyne.” She watched him scurry into the bathroom, his head spinning around like a top as he searched for...”What’cha looking for? Gotta be something important right?” He nodded, the little man was on a mission. “Their treasure in my room or something? Or do you just want a cookie?”

“Cookie!?” With a chuckle she tossed him one, he turned into a little tornado and tore the thing apart. “Thank you.” Wasn’t he well behaved, his search continued on. “ I’m looking for something. Something that's not supposed to be here.” The kid whispers with the determination and gravity of an action hero. His eyes lit up and he gasped. “A spy!” Dramatically, he pointed at the potted plant hanging out on her windowsill. 

“Achoo.” The trashcan sneezed. “Ah.”

“...” Without missing a beat the child’s lower body spun around like a top becoming a whirlwind and his upper whirled around as he pointed at the trash can, dramatically.

“A spy!” He cried out once more. 

“Escape!” The trashcan cried and sprouted a pair of legs running for the door. “You’ll never get us both!” The tornado boy gave chase she could hear a shriek of terror was the pair probably torn up the hallway on their way out.

“Pssst!” A tiny voice hissed. 

“...” 

“Hey, hey. Over here.” How many kids were hiding in her room? “Lady! Are they gone?” Jolyne stared at the potted plant, a pair of eyes growing on a leaf. Looking about to make sure they weren’t caught.  “I told her plants were better.”

With a poof a child was clinging to her window, dropped down and dashed away with a wave.  When did hospitals get this interesting? There was a short  moment of peace before she heard an excited voice outside her door.

“Right this way my boy right this way!” A muffled voice rang out from beyond her door. A second later a nurse pokes their head in, wearing a face mask. Blueish green hair pulled back into a bun. His purple eyes were dull, barely interested despite locking onto her own. “Be quick now! Those high and mighty fellows might be quick-”

“Sensei. She’s awake.” 

“Ohoho! What perfect timing for you to be fully awake!” Fully, huh? She vaguely remembered this voice. It gave her a headache, again. “My girl you’re a lucky duck!” The Present Mic wannabe was a wall of a man, so tall and wide he had to turn to step inside and hunch to stand in the room. His doctor’s get up was like a few sizes too small too. He was a heteromorph with a  grayish owl head and a thick long mustache grinned, slapping the nurse on the back. “Do ya know who agreed to take a look at ya! This strapping young lad!” With each slap and word from his mouth the veins on the nurse’s head spread. “Why he’s no other than-”

“There's no need for fancy introductions for me, sir. You’ve yet to introduce yourself to the girl.” His head whirled around and settled on the nurse. “She’s confused.”

“Ohohoho! So humble and thoughtful, Wish I had a son like you! My boys got no manners!” The nurse caught his hand before it could slam his back. His veins popped along his exposed wrist.  Jolyne wasn’t quite sure what she saw, a fiery flash of blue that was gone in a blink. Then the man’s arm swelled from the tips of his fingers to his shoulder, something was moving shifting, prodding under his skin,  a loud crack echoed in the room and the Doctor hollered. 

“My arm!” The nurse let go and the doctor clutched his shoulder tears pouring out of eyes. “That’s been bothering me for months!” Rolling his arm around taking a few jabs at the air, the doctor laughed. “Takada better watch out the next time we go golfing! Ohoho! This old man is-”

“Sir, we are in a hospital.”

“Quite right,quite right.” The owl-man nodded, calming himself down and soothing out his feathers.  “This sweet girl is Kujo Irene.” Oh, he was a dickhead. There was no chance in hell that her mama didn’t tell him not to call her that. His voice became nothing but white noise to her ears. “Now Kujo-san, I may seem young and spry! But I’m no spring chicken! I am the head doctor, Shitori Toki! You may call me Shitori-sensei or Toriki-sensei! Try it out!” 

He loved the sound of his own voice, working here must be a type of hell. Jolyne took another bite of a cookie, this time it was a dark chocolate filled one. It was store bought but she didn’t recognize the brand, she’d have to ask where they got these from. Dark chocolate always has a heavy flavor but a spring of vanilla from inside. It gave a perfect blend of sweet and bitter. Louding chewing as the Doctor’s hands lowered to his sides. The nurse seemed to grow more aggrieved by the minute, like a teacher that wanted to swear until they went red in the face.

“You were in rough shape when we got you but my hospital is the best in japan! And fate must be on your side,” Shit-ori continued like they hadn't sat in blissful silence for a good five minutes. “I've heard from my colleagues about him and managed to snag him for myself! This handsome man is none other than the grandson of Recovery Girl!” That's a name she didn’t really recognize, but it seemed to be a big deal? She was obviously some sort of healing hero. She glanced at the grandson who seemed more annoyed than anything with the doctor’s yapping, if such a thing was possible the veins of his neck were like pythons. “He’ll heal you right up like new!”

“Why do that?” Jolyne hissed, a burst of pain shot up her chest, this guy was talking a mile a minute, all smiles. When she was younger back in America she got used to seeing wise guys talk to her mother like this. He was trying to kiss-up to her? “Shouldn't there be a sick kid or something that needs healing more than me?”

“You’re not the only-” The grandson was cut off by a slap to the back.

“Whohoho! Kujo-san! Kujooo-san!”  Kujo. Kujo. Her eyes orbit in her skull hearing her old man’s last name way too much in one day and all at once. He really liked throwing around her last name. It was like he thought she would grant his wishes. “You ask ‘why’ but you're in a hospital! What if heroes thought about ‘why’ when they leap into danger!? What if All Might hesitated when there's trouble! Hohoho! Heroes do, they do!!” His beak curved into a grin. “All I want is for our patients to get well as quickly as possible. A young girl like you should be burdened with serious injuries! That’s all!” 

“...Yeah sure.” Yeah this guy was suspect, but on the other hand hospitals are terrible, she was still messed up and worse of all this was his hospital. Terrible in terrible in terrible. It was a turducken of terrible.  It was a hard decision but  she was gonna take him up on this healing just to get outta her as soon as possible.

“Besides, what girl doesn't want a kiss from a handsome prince!” Romeo popped into her brain for a moment only to be replaced by the moment in the bathroom and she nearly died right there form anger and embarrassment. Throwing around her ‘name’ as if her mama didn’t correct people as much as she did. It was like he was going down the list of things to get punched in the face by Jolyne.

“Ew. Gross.” Was his Quirk just pissing people off? That had to be it.

“I do not need to kiss.” The, not nurse, quick to  correct him. “I’ve told you that and demonstrated it just now.” Even with a face mask the blank look he gave Shitori, eyes nearly rolled out of his skull, hands balled into fists.  It was like his brain was being fried just listening to him. She  wasn't too impressed with him either.

“ Relax! Youngins shouldn't be so serious!” He brushed them off with a laugh. “You'll get lines on your face and scare the ladies-”

“Who asked you?” How much trouble could she get in by decking the head of a hospital? Would it be a lot? Probably not.

“I have a girlfriend.”

“...O-ohohoho! But of course you do!” Shitori pulled him into a headlock. The string’s she let loose in the room picked up his joyful whispers. “Guys like us we gotta have lots of friends. We can’t get caged my boy faithful and dull are two different things! You gotta get out and about while you're young! The nurses here are-”

“My girlfriend. Is the most beautiful woman in the world; too good for it, and me.” Woah now she wanted to hear more about this perfect woman. Before Shitori could respond the door opened once more, a nurse peered at him adjusting his glasses and looking nervous. 

“U-um sir. The young man’s eyes are bleeding again...” 

“What’s that? I’m very busy right now.” The Owl’s head spun around to look at the nurse and back to Jolyne and the grandson.

 “Well his whole face...is um...we collected the um...but it’s still...”

“Oh that poor young man!” He exclaimed. “I’ll handle it.” Letting go of the grandson, he puffed himself up like he was about to take on a real challenge. But she heard it, the deep sigh under his breath. “What a hassle~! I regret giving him my name.” The head doctor smoothed out his feathers.  “I’ll leave her in your care my boy!” He slapped the young man on the back once more. “As usual, I expect to hear good things from our honored guests! Okay Sonny-boy? Though I’m sure You got it with that magic touch of yours! Whoohohohoho!” 

Actually. They might make her a Hero for killing him, the grandson’s eyes darkening with every word told her that he’d keep quiet.

“S-sir?” The nervous nurse looked between him and the room, beads of sweat rolling down at his face as he glanced at the head doctor. “Um...I think we need to-”

“It’s fine, it’s fine. Let him and us get back to  work!” The head doctor greeted some cops outside her door with a nod. “Gentlemen? Back from your break? No worries about our guest! Ohoho. How lucky for you we’re very vigilant! I’ll be sure to tell her mother the good news before she leaves!” With a soft click Jolyne was left mostly alone with a miffed grandson. 

“...So.”

“My name is Shuzenji Syuuka. I’ll be out of your hair in a second Kujo-san.”

“Drop the Kujo, It’s Cujoh Jolyne.”

“Jolyne?Is your family name...is it  pronounced differently? Not Kujo?”

“I don’t go by Irene or my last name...It’s,  well-”

“You don't need to explain why you’ve thrown away your name.” He shrugged, genuinely disinterested. “All that matters is what you want to be called by, that’s all.” Though at least he got it. “I’m going to take a look at your chart. Once I’m through it I’ll heal you the best I can. We’ll be done in a few minutes.” The silence was deafening and it complimented the smell of medicine terribly. She took a bite of the cookie and looked around the room, the man engrossed in whatever the doctors wrote about her injuries. The Owl-man’s feathers littered her floor.

“So like...that doctor what’d he do to piss you off.” He didn’t stop reading but he responded to her quickly and curtly.

“He’s a dumbass.” She couldn't hold back the laugh that burst out of her chest ignoring the pain as she threw herself back in the bed, a tear in her eye. The grandson shook his head but his eyes lit up a bit, she’d dare say softened. He had to have been waiting  to say something about him. “An actual piece of shit.”

“Ohyeah. How?” He rolled his eyes. “Besides the girlfriend thing.” 

“ Besides ?”  He clicked his tongue. “I’m not her grandson. I never said I was a man in the first place, that's just something he decided all on his own.”

“Oooh.”

“Yes. Oooh.”

“...Neither  is fine.” Syuuka shrugged. “I don’t care  if it sounds contradictory to a brat, it's obvious he only views me as male. I just don't like him presuming anything about me.”

“Huh. I never really thought about that kinda thing too much.”

“Is that so? Good for you. I’m going to take a look at your leg now so-”

“So,” she watched them resign to her talking to them, “what’s your girlfriend like?” Their head snapped at her, eyes shining, before they collected themselves. For the first time she saw a light dance in those purple eyes,

“She saved my life. If not for her I’d be wandering in darkness, it's not an exaggeration to say that she saved my very soul. Her kindness, her strength of will, showed me what I want out of life, so easily as if it weren’t a mystery worth solving. So I’ve devoted my life to her.” They...were pretty intense about her.

“You’re both so lucky.”

“The both of us?” Syuuka blinked, a chuckle rumbling in the back of their throat. “Both of us...How rare!  Can you recognize true love!? The next generation is in good hands.” It's weird that someone who only looks a few years older than her is talking like a proud parent, but Syuuka was also her ticket out this place and on walking legs so she let it slide.

“Dunno about that, my last boyfriend tried to get me arrested.” Like all their time together was nothing. Syyuka snapped their fingers so loud she nearly flinched but she was out of her own head.

“ Don’t do that. You should kill him.” They said, just like that, like it was the most obvious thing in the world to do. “I mean...Forget about him, kill him in your heart.”  Er...How’d she even go about doing that when just thinking about him pissed her off.“Betrayals of the heart can never be remedied without the bastards putting their life on the line. And they never do, it’s all excuses. I bet you haven’t talked to him yet?”

“Well no. I’ve been working on myself.” They gave her a sharp nod.

“Smart, skipping to the end of it but he can’t have room in your heart. It’s baggage. The only thing he’s going to say to you is excuses. He was worried about you. He felt bad.  He didn't mean it. It was a mistake, it was a one time thing. You’re the only one in her heart. Trash, don’t be fooled by them.” Syuuka spoke from experience and Jolyne found herself nodding along to their speech. “Never forget that the only good thing they taught you is this: lies can be sweet.” Syuuka huffed.

“Ah...” Kill him. She wanted to punch him, maybe a few thousand times until his face looked as ugly as his heart. But kill him? When she first found out about the bait thing without a doubt. She would have used Stone Free to make him regret being born, in fact that would have been the first thing she did!

But now...Well what was the difference between her in the summer and now? She looked at her reflection in the window, locked on to her own eyes.  She sure doesn't look like some ready to put Romeo six-feet under.

Saving Gwess, saving that kid. It’s all stuff she would have done before. What was she supposed to change? What was the difference between her then and now?  She was still the girl that wanted to fight someone for talking down to her just like Nehan thought but she learned how to manage her attitude from Costello and Jeanist,and even Gwess in an annoying way.

“You have to have pride in yourself. You’ll get it when you confront the bastard.”

Pride? Did she always have that? Back then it was like a dog barking and biting whatever came her way. That couldn't be pride. She stared at her palm, the blue threads that ran through it and her fingers curled into a fist. What was there to be proud of? Whatever Ingenium saw, the type of person that would do the right thing? What did her mother see?  What her father thought of her.  She looked down at her pendant, a warm feeling spreading through her chest. There was something to be proud of and she more than anything wanted to live up to that. To prove it to herself.

“Pride...Right...I get it.” Maybe it was because they went through something similar but Syuuka’s words settled in her mind. The next time she saw Romeo that’d settle it.

“Good. Let me check something...” Satisfied, they took her chart. “He was so happily flapping his arm but he’ll be feeling the pain in a few minutes, nothing is free. The big thing for you is that leg.  After I repair your leg you’re probably going to be feeling some pain as well and you are going to want to take antibiotics, the ones they’ve already assigned to you should be fine. Their pain medication should be fine too.”

She saw it again, a burning aura around his arm as he touched her leg and it swelled a bit then it was all over.  They gave her the okay to try moving. She wiggled her leg and then her toes, finally sitting up and standing on her own two feet.  After checking over her leg once more Syuuka left her with some final words of wisdom.

“Use that leg to kick him in the balls.” The door softly clicked behind him.

“...” She blinked and when she woke up she breathed a little easier. Now her only problem was that she was still in a hospital. All she needed was painkillers and antibiotics right? That meant she was good to go! Her phone was with her belongings but dead as a doornail so she’d leave it here to charge. For now? She was already sick of this place. Popping open her window and tying a bundle of Stone free into a rope she hopped out. “Ohohoho!”Just in time.

Jumping out a window didn't compare to the mall, it was easy when you don't have a wannabee yakuza headbuttting you. She touched down two floors lower and slid into an empty breakroom. A flat screen tv left unattended by flashing the news.  The ruined mall looked like it faced a hurricane, it was leaning, the lower floors rubble and dust, the outside scorched to hell and back. The only thing that stood out was the statue of All Might smiled and the top floor virtually untouched by the burn damage. The destruction of Tawawa was a quick footnote; her life and death struggle was old news. She came at just the right time to watch the anchorman speak.

“Honestly, I still can’t get over it! What was Jeanist doing! He was on the scene from the beginning right? What does that say about our top ten if something like happens on their watch? Was fighting a few no names really that hard?” There was shaky cam footage of Best Jeansit leaping through the air avoiding a wave of grayish red clouds. People being pulled along by an invisible force to avoid a wave of scorching hot death. She remembered her clothings becoming a cushion. That must have been his doing? But he was all the way outside. Were his instincts that good?

“Hehehe, maybe he was distracted?” Form the footage he was definitely distracted protecting the rest of the BJUP guys flinging them around like a carnival ride while keeping the bad guy on him. Were they really giving him crap for basically fighting and protecting them all at once?

“You’d never catch Endeavor making that excuse. That’s why he's been the number two for years. His spot? Untouched! No matter how hard anyone tries!”

“Hey now! That makes it sound like silver is all he’s going to get.”

“And? It’s no insult! If All Might is a fixture of Japan, Endeavor is like a flame of determination! Cases, battles, and his agency. If there's an example to heroes it’s that man! Hell, even his kid is going to UA. But that's why I can’t let it slide! Best Jeanist slipping through the cracks fourth, the fifth to sixth and for what? Why-”

“Hmmm, but he had those felons to watch over right? He can’t let them run wild either. Between the villains and them he had his hands full!”

“Right right. But that's the problem, he’s spreading too thin! He’s so capable but he’s slowing himself down! Not everyone can be helped with just a hand! Fund a program or something. Heroes don’t come around like that! If he wants to teach he should go to UA! The best and the brightest.”

“At this rate the top fifty might be shooting too high!”

“Oh how mean! Hahaha. But good news for the ever reliable Kamui Woods.”

“Here we go with Woods.”

“OH we know he’s your favorite rising star. But since we talked about UA have you heard the rumors?”

“Rumors? That school is like an impenetrable castle. What rumors leaked through to your pretty ears?”

“Some new teachers!”

“Well now that's-” She turned it off and marched out of the room, dickheads. Something tapped her shoulder but turned to find nothing but a shocked wheelchair locking eyes with her as it turned down the hall, by itself. What were the odds?

“Hey are you the potted plants or the trash can?” 

“The trashcan!” The wheelchair smugly declared popping a wheelie. “I got away so I’m still hiding!” They whispered doing a 360 to make sure no one other than her saw a talking wheelchair. “Miss-plants-are-better got caught!”

“You know any good places to hide out around here? I’m playing my own game and well I got no idea where I’m going? Not trying to go back to my room.”

“Oooooh lots!” The wheelchair hopped in place, which sounded more like shoes tapping against the ground rather than the bounce of a wheelchair. “Follow me!”

It turns out the hospital  was huge in every way that matters. No wonder the kids could turn this castle into a hide-n-seek paradise. No one would notice a kid wandering the halls unless they were looking for them. The kid didn't stay in a wheelchair for long, the swap to just about anything they saw. A bench, to another trash, a lone window frame. At a certain point they were just showing off but Jolyne couldn't help but clap at a dancing chair. 

She said goodbye to her little guide after looping around the place enough times  to run into the spinning boy once more but by now she understood that the least busy place in the hospital was the end hallways. They were nearly deserted, she could faintly hear medical equipment behind some doors but other than that  they were dim and cold. It was like they had way too many open rooms that they just didn’t  bother keeping presence .

Still, maybe it was because she was alone now but this place was huge, there was so much space she could lay down in the hallway and there'd still be a whole lane for people to walk down.The doctor was a tall guy so maybe he wanted stuff to match? Still she’d never seen a building like this. She almost felt short, and she was proudly taller than most her age including the boys.

Letting her feet drag her whichever way they pleased, no one seemed to pay her any mind. That may have been because the staff was also very tall. Seriously, the vending machines were almost walls compared to her and filled to the brim with large drinks. She used Stone free to lift a can and continued her journey.

She’d have to go back to her room eventually, she knew that. 

Those kids were something else, making a place like this into a playground. It’s not something she’d ever thought to do. Not that she could with her brain and body frying. Sitting in a hospital room was never a fun time. All you could do was sit around, hurt, and be miserable. You’re even more scrutinized and controlled by people you don't even know. A blazing heat all over your body.  A bead of sweat ran down her forehead. The lights were blinding the pain in her eyes compound with the drumming in her skull. Sleeping was impossible and even if there was a moment of peace it was miserable.  Her hand gripped her shirt, nails stabbing through to her skin. Lungs so tired that every breath is like running a damned marathon. Never enough water to make a girl feel better. Her mother’s hand drenched in her own sweat felt cold, comforting but it couldn't be there forever. It couldn't hold her hand forever. She rubbed the back of her neck, string wrapping around her finger tips.

He never answered her once. He was never there once. He didn't get to see her brave face. He didn’t hold her hand. He never saw her, never heard her crying. 

“Help...me...” 

Tears poured down his eyes like he just came from a funeral. She wasn't sure how long she stood at the end of the hall or when she’d gotten here, his quiet sobs that she could barely hear. Jolyne was about to wonder if someone had just died when she noticed just how red they were along with his nose and ears. As she got closer she saw his face was covered in boils, his eyes nearly swollen shut with blood stained tears rolling down his face. His dark, nearly black, pink hair was a frizzled mess and clung to his face. He seems to be about as old as Syuuka but nowhere near as healthy. He was thin all around especially compared to how built they were. His eyes bloodshot, nails chipped down to nothing and body shaking like a life. Without that wall to lean on he’d probably crash to the ground. Her heart twisted in her chest, the leg that was just healed throbbed. This was someone that needed that healing.

“I-is someone there?” His head perked up and instantly turned to her as if he could see her but all that blood his eyelids were basically stuck together. His blind groping for something to keep him up; each step his legs trembling hesitate to move more than an inch. “Can you help me? H-hello?” He cried out taking another step forward, was he just hoping that a nurse could hear him? No one came to these end halls. “Is..Is anyone there...I-I...Please...” His feet slick with his blood and his hand covered in red slid on the floor and wall.  He cried out as she caught him to guide him to a bench. A trail of blood in their wake. “I’m sorry...”

“Hold your head back dude. At least that way you don't get more over yourself, I’ll get you a towel or something!”

“T-thanks...”  His blood wasn’t as liquid as you’d think it’d be; it was like half melted jelly falling out of cuts and open sores on his face and his arms. Probably the rest of him too, he reeked of metal, his wounds quietly hissing.  Even through the clothes it was like trying to handle a tea kettle with mittens. Parts of her unraveled forming Stone Free without a thought, forming a hand to try check his temperature like her mama did. She tried her best to wipe away the blood and sweat. 

“WOW!” She yelped, even through Stone Free’s hand, his skin sent both a shock and blazing heat  through her limb. It was like his face was being burned by something, his skin was red and raw. His blood was hot and shimmering. He tried to hang his head and Jolyne dodged the droplets of gello-like blood. “Dude! Head back! Now! Stay still! I’ll be right back okay? Don’t move!” She found a bathroom and ran a clean towel through some cool water. This must have been a bathroom designed for  giants because just to reach the sink she needed to stand on the tips of her toes and even then she needed Stone Free. “S-sorry...” She just sort of tossed the cool towel over his face, his shoulders slumped and his breathing slowed down a bit. “What’s going on, are you sick?” No duh he was, was she stupid? “I mean...Uh...Sorry.”

“It’s...My Quirk...it takes in solar energy...Ah that's like the light from the sun.”  He dumbed down the sun and Jolyne pursed her lips shut as he went on. “But I guess I have an allergy.”

“To the sun!?” She blurted out. “The...the whole thing?!” She’d learned about stuff like this a little bit and overheard people talking about their Quirks but she thought it was all like running out of stamina and needing a breather. Maybe a headache. But the fucking sun!? “Geez. How do you go out-” Stone Free slapped a hand over her mouth. “...has it always been ..uh..this?”

“Ever since my Quirk manifested. During the day I’m burning. In the night I'm a nuisance...It’s caused nothing but problems for my parents. My mother...” Whatever he wanted to say died on his lips. The way he said mother was cold and detached, not someone she ever felt for her own but nonetheless it was familiar. Angry and wanting at the same time.  He grew pale, his lips moving but not a single sound dared escape. He buried his face in his hands, his nails cutting into his skin. “Even in college I was...What the heck is wrong with me...Now I gotta get cleaned up by some kid I don’t know! What was even the point of coming to Japan!?” He slammed his fist on the bench. His fist shaking like a leaf in the wind. Trying to hold back a whimper he bit down on his lip drawing more of that simmering blood of his. “In the end it's just, it’s all the same! That's why they left...when are you going... to get a grip!?” Jolyne watched new red splotches form on his clothes, as he grit his teeth his lips split open bleeding and hissing.  Worthless. Despair. Desperation. Useless. It was so easy to feel it radiating off him like the heat in his blood. You’d do anything to feel worth something by someone to someone.

“H-hey...” She put a hand on his shoulder, but what was there to say to him?  “I get how it feels.” is what she failed to stop herself from saying. ‘That sounded so lame.’ Her heart dipped a bit. She could understand him, but it was weird. No, maybe wrong was the right word? She can't exactly say she was quirkless, she already planned on masquerading Stone Free as a Quirk. Even if she did say it she still had ‘power’, a great one. It’d feel like a lie. And if someone had told her she got how it felt, when they had a power, anything like that she’d teach them all the ways to say ‘fuck off’ across the world.  It clicked.  

Pity. That was the word she was looking for, she dared to pity him. How arrogant was she? Before she would have gnawed off a leg for a power but looking at him she can’t help but feel ‘lucky.’ Lucky. Like power was ever really the problem? It was more than just power, she learned that in the police station. It may not mean anything coming from her, especially when he thought she was just some kid. But...Still she felt the need to say something.

“I...It’s okay.” Even so she couldn't help but want to sympathize with him. She stood up and gave him a pat on the shoulder ignoring the urge to pull her tiny hand back for the heat. “I...believe in you man.” She was lucky but not because she had a ‘good’ power or avoided something like this. He didn’t even have a mom to say it to him. “You can do anything if you try.”

“...Try...”The towel fell from his face, he stared at the ceiling light, eyes the most open she’d seen them dried blood stained his cheeks running down to his chin. “ you mean that..” He wiped his face, tracing  the towel with something other than blood. He took a few shuddering breaths and sighed. “I can still try too huh. Sorry, kid, I shouldn’t have unloaded on you...I just...sorry...” He slumped in his seat, taking a deep breath and exhaling. At least he stopped bleeding. “...I needed that.” He face palmed, chuckling darkly to himself. 

“It’s...I...” At this point explaining that she wasn’t some kid would be more trouble than it was worth. In fact he’d probably feel even worse at least a kid might not get how sad he was.  ”You're a good dude!” 

“So...What brought you to my hallway? I thought no one was supposed to come around this area.”  He said, cracking a weird smile? It looked normal enough but it was like watching a kid act, like he wasn’t quite sure how to smile. “Should you be off playing with the rest of those kids?” Again with the kids stuff. Just because he’s huge didn't make her tiny.

“I hate hospitals. Can’t stand the room, the food, the doctors. Any of it.” Though compared to him that probably did sound like a kid whining. He didn’t chastise her or down play it though, he just laughed, a dry chuckle  way more real than his smile.

“Me too. But when you get older at least you can choose when you go to one. Sometimes you can’t avoid it but you can leave when you want. You can leave anytime.” He chuckled.

“So...you’re not from Japan either?” She’d change the subject and then leave before she turned his mood sour.

“No...I came here for a fresh start and well necessity. Bills and...all that. Nevermind that, it doesn't matter right now. But you said either, did your parents move here?”

“My dad came here for work...But he went right back to America out of nowhere.”

“And you're still here.” He coughed into his elbow, lips stained with fresh blood, only it wasn’t semisolid now. “Fathers huh...”  He clicked his tongue. She could barely hear him whisper. “But Japan’s pretty different from the US but not really?”He rolled his wrist like he was gesturing to the entire country.

“Tell me about it.”

“I can barely see but that's the tone of a crappy school life.” She deflated and he gave her a weary singular pat on the head. The shock wasn't as bad but he quickly let her head go. “So school hasn't gotten any easier, can’t say I’m surprised.” He huffed, peeling his eyes half open and wiping off more blood. “Let me guess, Quirks?” She threw her arms up in the arm and he laughed. “It always comes down to them. That hasn't changed either, eh?”

“You can’t even use’em in class but that never stopped anyone.” Jolyne huffed. “‘Lookit me I can breathe fire.’ It’s not that cool.” It was a little.

“Right Quirks, proof of our potential. It’s fine to want a better one.” He said knuckles whiting as his hands curled into fists. “What’s yours?”

“Didn't have one.” She still felt guilty  just admitting she’s Quirkless but she already used Stone Free and she couldn't call herself powerless. Ultimately she just didn't feel like lying to him at all. He went quiet for a moment.  “We can try...” He repeats trying to tell himself. Trying to make it real. “You don’t seem to be bothered by it.” 

“...I guess. I dunno, didn't really have to think about em too much lately? Been busy. Going back is going to suck. But I’m not gonna let anyone drag me down anymore. Especially not me.” 

“Not you...” He echoed, his gaze lowered to his bloody hands. They trembled as they slowly closed into fists. “Where did you find that resolve?”

She could still see it a long way down the road, that crying boy, deranged stupid grin, the shouts of an enraged and panicked mother ring in her ear over the roar of  engines.

“I got something I wanna do. I’m going to be a ‘me’ that I didn’t think could be real and be proud of it. I’m going to be a hero.”

“...Just like that?”

“Well, a lotta stuff happened this summer....plus  I have my own power now . I thought it could handle anything but here I am.” Not that it was Stone Free’s weakness that landed her here. It was her own. 

“Sometimes there's only so much we can do...” He resigned. “You see how mine turned out...What if it’s not enough?”

“Not enough...” She closed her eyes in thought. Modest and More nearly killed her. Even alone Modest was too much for her. Getting power didn’t change anything, there was always something above you. Smarter than you. Greater than you.  Even if Stone free can’t solve all her problems, her eyes snapped open a gleam of light dancing in her green iris, “my power might not be the strongest but I can do the rest myself! And hey at least I tried.” He went silent at that face buried in his towel yet again, then suddenly he went rigid and  sat up.

“Oh! Flis Rykiel!” He introduced himself. “I’d lose all rights as an adult if I can even introduce myself to a kid.”

“Cujoh Jolyne! I ain't a kid you know.”

“Right..right...” That tone told her he didn’t believe a word of it and that freshly cleaned hand patting her head didn't do him any favors. “Sorry...what was I thinking.” Normally and truly she'd have fought him. Her hands were relaxed at her sides. This kind of reminded her of her mom and yet completely reversed all at once. It was weird. She looked up at him, or rather his blood drenched clothing and craned her neck to look even higher. 

He got taller, mid conversation he was a few inches taller. Was the first thought in her head but his quirk had nothing to do with his height and she knew for a fact he was not lying to her. Jolyne glanced down at her feet barely dangling off the edge of the bench when before her feet barely scraped the ground. She was getting smaller.

Fuck.

She didn't know what it was but she couldn't be near him, Rykiel couldn't get caught up in this. She’d like to talk to him more but he was getting taller by the second!  So before she could be bug sized she hopped off the bench and gave him a wave.

 “I, uh...hope I don’t see you again? In a hospital, I mean!” He chuckled, blood dribbling down the corner of his lips. “Later!” She was being attacked by something! When did it start? Where was it coming from!? That mall flashed in her mind, the remains of it on the news. If she got into a fight in the hospital.  She ran ducking by some officers on the way by sticking to the shadows like the wheelchair-sensei showed her.

“L-likewise,” He whispered, “...Jolyne-chan! What an odd kid...” She had to get away at the very least, maybe she’d get bigger. “Sounded kinda old...”

“Did you say Jolyne!? Where did she go! Tell me! My job is on the line! You hear me!”

“...Who?”
“We don’t have time for this, step aside Dan. You with the blood, get up! That Shitori! You can call him right? Get him down here and explain where she is! A house call is one thing but moving her without informing us is too far!”  

“I don’t know anything about that! I haven’t seen him all day!”

“Don’t screw with us! The nurse already said she saw someone with dual tone hair come this way!”

“I...r-really-”

“I’m not gonna get fired just because some kid can’t help but be a nuisance! Get the hell up already! You were standing just fine a second ago right?!”

“Get off me!”

“Ow!...What the...did you burn me you prick?!”

“T-thats...It’s not my fault! You’re the ones that grabbed me!”

“Oh my...Dan cuff him. Look at all this blood. He’s clearly a Villian. He must have hidden her away somewhere. The last one killed an officer. Why not try something in a hospital. That’ll work for now.”

“ORA!” It was easy, if she was smaller she just needed to use more of her and bundle it tighter. Half her body for a single normal sized arm and fist. Her fist sunk in his stomach and pushed. “ORA!” Getting the wind knocked outta him brought his face low enough for a swift kick to the chin. She sent the cop whirling to the ground. She wrapped her string around the other cop and swung herself, once then twice building as much momentum as she could. Around and Around she went spinning him around with her! Then up and over she spun. “ORA!” A kick to the top of the head and he was out like a light. 

“Long time no see!” Jolyne waved past the half blind youth, leaping over the downed cop, breaking into a sprint. She had to get away quickly! “That was a teaser of how to fly! Try and beat that next time!” She heard them loud and clear because of some leftover thread. When she doubled back around all she saw was them picking on the guy she had to do something. She saved him and she didn't regret it but whatever time she had been even close to human size was over and done with now. The more she ran the smaller she got, until tables and gurneys might as well have been buildings. The lights overhead, stars bearing down on her. The  shoes that nearly stomp her out like cars. If she was being generous, she must have been the size of a doll.

“Guess this it...It’ll take a bit of work but I need to get away from here.” Climbing the walls to get out a window was the easiest, if she was lucky she’d catch a breeze or something. How many Stand users did the Hearts have!? “At least they're just targeting me.” Attacking a hospital would be crazy and she didn’t want that on her head. 

Mountains known as people stomped around shaking the ground. Who could it have been? Was this a Quirk or a Stand. The cops were out cold, so maybe it was the doctor? “But why get someone to heal my leg? It could have been someone on the staff.” Half way up the wall she noticed a shadow looming over her and a cutesy voice bellowing.

“Goo.”

Looking over her, red eyes gleaming, she was greeted by a fuzzy humanoid creature easily the size of a cat. Which meant it might as well have been a Great Ape. Its tail which was like a braid turned into a tail swished back and forth, its sunken eyes black pits that looked only at her. Its jaw, which was sewn shut, stretched open and limbs were shriveled unlike its fluffy head and torso.

“Goo.” Well she found the Stand at least. Its massive mummy hand reached down and a barrage of punches did nothing to stop it from snatching her up.

JOJO

“Oh Jolyne! You look so cute like this!” The monkey dragged her all the way back to her hospital room and surprise, straight to Gwess waiting embrace. “Good job! Goo Goo Dolls I wub you!! Goodgoodgoodgood!”

“Gwess.” Her stand, Goo-Goo Dolls apparently, let her go in her friend’s massive hand. Swatting away her giant finger as she tried to poke and prod her cheeks. 

“You’re like a little hamster~”

“The fuck is this?! Why do you have a Stand!?”

“Oh. Stand! This cutie is what you meant! So that rock guy had one too. Where the heck did this thing come from? I just woke up a few days ago with this baby!” She mewed cuddling with her Stand like a beloved pet.

“Goo.”

“So cute!”

“Goooo!” 

“Agreed!” Stand and User gushed over each other over and over. Like a girl that finally got thew pet she always wanted. 

‘ Wait, was it sentient or was she just talking to herself?’ It was impossible to tell and with Gwess it probably didn't matter.

“Where’d you get yours, Jojo?”

”Jolyne.” She snapped, dodging the finger that tried to push her around. “My came from...From...Turn me back to normal. Right now. Right now!”

“Huuuuuh? The magic...” Gwess shut her mouth withering under her glare. “Alright, alright, sheesh don’t look so scawy. Tada! Bam!” With a clap Jolyne went from a doll to her normal height and scrambled over to her bedside table.

“Did you mess with this!?” She tore open her locket and flashed the antique  at her. “Gwess did you get cut by this?”

“Oh...about that...Fuuunnnny story. You’re gonna love this seriously. Like. As besties I think it’s not even that big a deal.” She reached into her pocket and pulled out her pendant. “You’re gonna laugh about it, for real.”

It was identical? 

No, nearly identical the lock was reversed, or well on the correct side unlike the one Jolyne was holding. Jolyne looked at the one in her hand, narrowing her eyes at the photo of a man with a ten gallon hat and someone that loosely looked like they were cosplaying her mother. “Sowwy?” She snatched her locket back, ignoring Gwess protesting and calling her rude.

...

...

...

“So, bestie , when’d you take it? Cause like I had no clue, ya know?” The photo of her parents was still there but the fucking stone was gone. The mall flashed through her mind. All the rubble. All Might’s grand entrance. And the gust of wind that blew the smoke away.  Maybe there was a chance! “And, like, where's the rock that was here?”

“A week ago?” Looking up at the ceiling and rubbing her chin in thought, Gwess shrugged. “ While I was doing your makeup? To be fair! I didn’t before we made our deal!

You were really zoned out, like, in your own head. It was kinda cute so no hard feelings right, bestie? Everything’s still there but that weird rock thingy. It cut me so I tossed it. We can find you a cute round one if you like them that much. Never woulda took you for a rock otaku but I guess thats cute in a childish way, better than bugs and-.” Stone Free shook the monkey stand while Jolyne put her in a chokehold. A single clap from All Might and everyone was blown away! Forget the mall...it could be anywhere in Japan!? Who was she kidding? This was the All Might. That damned rock could be in America right now! If she was lucky it was in the ocean!

“GOoooo?!” Goo Goo Dolls cried.

“ORA!”

“That was a week ago!? That fucking thing could be anywhere! What the hell is wrong with you!”

“Gwess-chan! Is everything...Oh? Jojo you’re back!” Jolnye turned to find her mama stood at the doorway with a contemplative look on her face. “When she said you two were friends I wasn't so sure but,hm, somehow this fits.” She chuckled. “Wait Jojo! Your leg is fine?!”

“J-j-Jojo? A-aaaaaw. So you let Ash call-ACK!”

“Why do you know her first name!? ORAAAAAA!”

Stand : Goo Goo Dolls

User: ‘Gwess’

Defeated.

>>===========> To be continued

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That night. The head doctor of Tomicaca Hospital spun around in his office, classical music bounced off the walls, not at all audible outside his soundproof office. His joyful chirps and hoots in perfect  tune with the piano keys. A lovely view of the moon, the bright sphere matching his eyes perfectly. It’s light  bled into his room, his shadow dancing with him in a perfect duet. Today was a joyous day! Today was a profitable day! And tomorrow was sure to be on the upswing.

“Whooohoooohooooohoooo!” Shitori sang, his hooting and hollering if any of his staff heard would earn a round of applause without fail.  He jumped and clicked his heels together, he opened a case of fine wine from his desk and chugged it down. What a windfall! Getting his hands on the grandson was  a lucky break. The boy wanted to hone his quirk and he had a few wealthy patients with passing aches and pains! If only more healing heroes knew how to work with hospitals the world would be a better place. Rubbing his shoulder and kicking his feet on his desk Shitori waved his arms around to the beat of his music as if conducting the masters like he does his hospital. 

The grace didn’t stop with the grandson but a great granddaughter too.

“Kujo. KUJOOOOOOO! JOESTAAAAARRRRR! HOHOHOOOO!!” 

He wasn’t sure at first but seeing her mother was an American all but cemented it. If you know medicine then you know the Speedwagon foundation, and more importantly you know their sponsors and partners.

Joseph Joestar! The American Tycoon! The living fossil of a bygone age who never made a poor business decision in his life! They said fate was on his side, they said he could see the very future of the economy! He’s long since retired but...To think a Joestar would wind up in his hospital half concussed with a broken leg! He couldn't imagine why she didn't have the Joestar name but he didn't quite care! Even if she were disowned, a bastard, adopted, or something else altogether, family was family right? The timing couldn't have been more perfect for him! When should he reach out to the old coot or maybe he could get that doll of a mother to do it if he fixed the bill a bit? Like a foreigner would know anything about Japanese practices. This bird was gonna float into retirement!

“Ohoohohho! Gotta hold it in ol’boy! I can’t be too quick on the draw! Give and give when they want! Then reel’em in when they ‘need.’ Ohohoho!”

A sharp pain burned through his arm and exploded in his shoulder. His bottle dropped to the ground. The only thing stopping a glass from raining all over his office was the soft carpeting.

“Tsk.” Hissing as he rubbed his shoulder. He could move it the full range but these aches were a pain in the ass. Was the grandson's healing not up to par to the original? Or maybe...it was the type of thing that needed repeat visits to completely heal?  His heart skipped a beat,a sea of yen filled his vision, the finest sake ran down his throat! 

The girl would have to be back for another round of healing and then and then and then!

“Hallelujah! WHOhohoho!” He cheered, “Takada! I might have to buy you a king’s dinner for putting this guy in my hands.” A knock at the door stopped his merriment. Was it another problem with that rotten brat and the sun allergy again? His family name was familiar,  foreign new money on the tip of his tongue, but unlike that Joestar girl he was definitely disowned. Quirk that was nothing but downsides was worthless at best. A burden on average, drawbacks like that weren’t covered under health insurance as they were normally caused by Quirk overuse. Which meant they had to pay outta pocket for treatments and medicine. Normally his favorite customer but...

“What a waste of time, I can’t make a real profit from this. Time I  could have spent on a worthwhile customer.” At the very least he had some regenerative ability or he’d run outta blood and skin. The least he could do was donate. It was the only reason he put up with him, a useless brat probably left to hang by his folks. Not like-

“Shitori-sensei?”  Speaking of the devil,once he heard that voice the smile returned to his face as he swung the door open and pulled his golden goose into the room. “I just wanted to say thank you for the opportunity. It was very fruitful.” He bowed. “I’ve learned much about my own limits.”

“No need for thanks! It wasn’t a problem at all my boy! A Quirk like yours, why, it’s my duty as a doctor to make it strong. Think of all the lives we’ll save once you reach the level of Recovery Girl!” The boy’s eyes smiled, he really needed to ditch that facemask. “Now now, my boy, I hope you’ll be willing to help me out more in the future. We have such a good relationship! I’m starting to think of you as my own grandson! Ohohoho! Now, my boy,  until you get a proper license we’ll keep this hush hush. No reason for you to get into trouble! In exchange I’ll help you get one, useful Quirks are always in demand.”

“That sounds reasonable.” The grandson nodded and put on a  brave face as they shook hands but he must have had this talk with Takada or someone else before him. No one wants to be labeled a Villain. Your future would all but vanish no matter how good the intentions. His grandmother’s name besmirched! Even a retired hero had to be careful of their reputation. For instance, those cops he got to leave that girl's room alone for a while. It was  just a break, right? Just a thank you for their hard service! It was maybe thirty minutes, in a very secure hospital.

“Ohohohoho!” He could help but laugh as he took the time to pour the lad a drink. Once those officers saw him leaving her room he knew that he had them too. They’d have to keep their mouths shut or else their jobs would be done. What kind of cop walks away just to eat some food and get swooned over by a busty nurse or two!? Would they get another job after putting a girl's life at risk? The public is so fickle after all, no matter the excuse, a villain’s word was less than shit!  Will a clear conscience feed their families? Hey maybe they could pay their bills off with honesty and truth? It was an easy choice and smart choice. 

Syuuka here, glaring holes in his back, he’d been working with this hospital a lot in his future. That was a fact, this was his own golden goose. “Sir, may I ask. Is your arm acting up?” Oh? He thought the young man was glaring at him all this time but was he studying his arm? What a sweetheart! He was a doctor alright.

“Mh? Oh yes yes. Do you mind healing me once more?” He held out his arm Syuuka who gingerly traced the muscles along his arm up to his shoulder.

“Not at all, shall I work on your chest pain too? It must be unbearable having to deal with that all day.” What was he on about? 

“Chest pain?” His own hand came to rest on his breast and frowned. He had not felt any sort of pain. Maybe some heartburn here or there. “I’m fit as a fiddle, boy! I manage my own health and spare no expense!”

“I suppose you're stronger than I thought. That’s amazing!” The grandson’s been healing people all day and his injury was bad enough that he seemed strong? What the hell was it? “Most people would buckle from a damaged rib cage but not you sensei.” What. The lad’s genuine praise sent a shiver down his spine. The music grew fainter, a tiny hum compared to his heart hammering in his ears. 

“I noticed there was probably some bruising...“The grandson's voice became more distant as he stared at his own shadow stretching along the walls. The darkness of his office, a snare, keeping him in place. 

“Shitori-sensei?”

 The smell of blood was overwhelming.

“-Tori-” 

The smell of wine was intoxicating.

“-Kay?....You....look pale.”

Step.

Step.

“Tori.”

Step.

“Tell me. My friend, what is it? What is worrying you?”

Step.

Step.

“You have the look of a fish caught on the end of line, and after being reeled in, held high as the fisherman shows off your gasping face as you take your dying breath.”

Step.

“You wish to start your own hospital? Medical supplies,staff, permits, a location and loans? Are these trifling things what vex you so? Worry not, I like men like you.” He smiled even in the pitch darkness of the rundown apartment; his grin was like a crescent moon shining in the dead of night. 

A star of hope.

“Tori.” He reached out, his hand once wrinkled and dry now flushed and filled with life caressed his face and trailing down to his chest. Nails sinking into his flesh, rivers of blood running down his body. It stained his coat red and filled his head with the scent of blood. Pooling at his feet, his reflection, his own  eyes hungry and desperate. “In my lowest moments medicine has always helped me. You’ve worked so hard it's not right for this world to try and trample over you for choosing the path that saves the most lives. You’re a hero. There are many who need you but for now, please, allow me to be your strength.”

Drip.

Drip.

Drip.

“Doctor.”

“Oh?” Suddenly his chest felt tight, he loosened his tie and took a deep breath. That couldn't be. That was years ago. Decades! But he’s been thinking about him for the first time in years. What could have caused this? Was there really something going on in his body? “Ohoho...” 

“Doctor?” He was back again, a cold sweat running down his body. Hand gripping his chest, unsure of what it could mean. That past was a long time ago, that final gift long gone. And most importantly healed. 

”O-ohohoho! Yes of course! I’m from a tough age!  I’m made of sterner stuff than the kids today!!” His ribs? That was crazy getting worked up by an old wound like that. Still, this boy saw something? Did he see something with his quirk? Could he give a diagnosis as well as heal others? That...that would be amazing! He could do the work of a dozen doctors in half the time. Healers really were golden! 

But first thing’s first, his own health! Caution is golden when you’re the one paying.“But all the same I’d like it if you could heal me up! It’s no good to be tough and hurt right? Only kids put on a brave face and try to take all the pain forever!”

“Of course. It’s just a rib, it'll be over in a few minutes.” A touch  and the process began.

“You know it's a shame your quirk isn’t too flashy.” Shitori sighed, he wished he could make a show of it but the bland touch was amazing in its own way. It was like a miracle. It didn't even hurt but watching his arm and chest swell with his muscles and bones moving underneath  was scary. It’d be a waste to have his handsome mug only work in surgeries but using his quirk on people would just scare customers.

“Hahaha. I’ve never heard that before.” Syuuka smiled, pressing a hand to Shitori’s ribcage. “If I aim to be a hero I'll have to think of something.”

“No worries my boy! You’re young and you have me looking out for you! Work with me and your future is secure!”

“I see. Thank you, Shitori-sensei! How kind of you.”

Chapter Text

Jolyne took a deep breath and exhaled, shaking out her shoulders, throwing her head back and staring up at the gray skies just past her umbrella. It would be too much to ask for the rain to have cleared up by now, not that she expected today to be very cheery. Well, School always sucked really but today she was a woman on a mission.

Tapping the tip of her shoe against the ground, you wouldn't have thought just yesterday it was broken. Using puddles for quick mirrors  to help her adjust her hair, this was about the fourth time she’d done it on her way here. In the back of her mind she could see Jeanist combs fly through the air, ruining hairstyles like an owl swooping down on an helpless good looking mouse.  If she was going to style her hair how she wanted it was going to look better than good.  Today she’d pulled her main into two large braids and over course her signature buns. Her dark blue uniform? Tidy. The long skirt moved like a cloak with each step, it was her favorite thing about her uniform, the star like pattern she stitched in with Stone Free practically danced with each swish. Satisfied Jolyne marched herself through the front gate.

“Alright. Let’s do this thing. Just another day, Jolyne.” 

“Hold it right there! Kujo-san!” Jolyne did not stop and walked past the hollering teacher. A thin pole like man, barely hiding a glare behind his glasses. To both of their dismay, he was her homeroom teacher, always going on and on about the school’s reputation. “What do you think you’re doing!?”

“Walking and going to school? Morning to you too, Iwata...sensei.” First things first she needed to track down Romeo. She’d cursed her luck meeting him in the first place but it was a good thing they had  homeroom together but just in case he skipped she needed to narrow down where he was. He and the rest of his buddies were usually held up in a stairwell or one of the boy’s bathrooms. Her eyes crawled up the building falling on the roof;  she could check the usual haunt, she really wasn’t trying to run into any of the Hearts but if he’s nowhere else he’d be right there.

“Don’t give me that lip! Get to class! Being tardy, dressing so sloppy it's a disgrace to the prestigious school you atten-”

“Right, sir, yes sir! Later, man.” 

“Thats...thats right? Now get to class Kujo-san!...What just happened?” Well if the others gave her trouble it should be easy enough to knock ‘em down a peg. A devious smile split across her face. Plus! None of them knew about the Stone Free which meant  even if she got in a fight it wouldn't be registered as using a quirk and a  quirkless fight wasn’t worth anything.

‘ Some blessings.’

The way to class felt like it stretched on forever and she could have sworn it fell into a hush the second stepped inside the school. But, in a way that was normal, Jolyne always felt like she was being picked apart whenever she set foot in this place. The only thing the school had going for it was the reputation and grades yet everyone thought they were better than everyone else, even if most of their Quirks couldn't land them in hero work, they all had some sort of expectation thrust on them. A future that was promised to be grand, more or less depending on who you were talking to.

But when you don't have any power at all, that ends the arguments right there and then, they may not know who the best is but the worst is obvious. That gave a lot of them even bigger egos, Jolyne could put up with it for her mama’s sake but her “peers” sucked.

“Oh, no way she’s still here?” A girl with sharp talons for nails giggled into her hand.

“I thought she dropped off with the rest of them. Dis~a~ppointing.”

“Now ladies, ladies.” A blinding light coupled with a sugary voice that Gwess would probably kill for; announced the arrival of a girl she couldn't be bothered to spare brain cells for. “Manners. Let us spare some grace for poor Cujoh-san.” Nanatani Nozomi. “Welcome back, Cujoh. I’m sure your absence was felt.” A tall girl, taller than Jolyne. With a shimmering halo of light above her head, her platinum blonde hair shimmering under its glow. Her wide black eyes, flecks of various colors dance in them reflected from her light, curled into half smiles to match her measured grin.  Jolnye could admit she was like a moving painting. Really, that light, it was a mist that she made around her and turned into a light show giving the pretty girl a spotlight wherever she went. Jolyne walked past them. 

“That right? Yeah, thanks. See yeah in class.”

“Oh dear.”

“Hey you can’t just ignore Nozo-chan” Her flunky reached for her only to trip on a bundle  thread, The girl scrambled to catch her footing, falling into her buddy as Nozomi took a step back from the two. A thin wire wrapped around their wrist spinning them around and back at Nozomi. Her sharp nails caught on the edge of her bag and with a deafening rip the tall girl screamed watching her belongings pour out onto the floor.

“My bag!” She shrieked, her mist flooded the hallway creating a building display of colors. Students cried out pushing their way into classrooms ro ducking into whatever dark corner they could find or be flashbanged.

“She just fell on me, it's not my fault!”

 “S-sorry! It's not my fault either, the floor was just slippery!!”

Jolyne didn’t hide her smirk but managed to stifle her laughter as she strolled into class. Any other day, win or lose, she’d been glad to start up a fight. But right now? They weren’t worth it. If she was going to get into trouble it was going to be before one thing. 

SMACK!

The loud smack of a textbook hitting a wooden desk announced Iwata’s arrival as everyone settled into their seats. 

“Alright, alright settle down.” Their teacher adjusts his glasses, “summer has long since been over, it’s time to focus up. Graduation will be on you in the blink of an eye.” He then went on to roll call noting the missing students save for Kaban and Romeo. Romeo’s seat, right next to her’s, was empty. That was normal though, they always skipped. If Nozomi was waiting out for her on the way to class, instead of at homeroom, that must have meant he was here until a bit ago and she didn’t want to cause a scene in front of him. “Oh and good news, Kujo-san is back with us.” The jab at her attendance and  his suspicious glare bounced off her face, “let’s applaud her speedy recovery.” Golf claps echoed around her.

“Thank you.” The class fell not a hush, murmurs abounded, and even her teacher gave her a quizzical look before nodding. “Sorry to say you’re gonna be seeing a lot of me around here from now on, lets all get along.” He brushed off her comment with a grunt. It’d been a while since she actually attended classes from beginning to end. She yawned her way through English and Math, doing this for the rest of the year was going to be a slog. More importantly,  Romeo didn't show up at all for homeroom or any of their other classes. The moment she got a bit of free time she started her search. Nozomi and her flies were buzzing in the homeroom, especially right by her seat hovering over Romeo's like it was shit. Yeah he was here but she didn’t plan to wait around for him. The back of the school was unusually empty, not a single one of the other Hearts were around. The stairwells were left unoccupied. Nobody had turned a bathroom into a fight club. Moving through the school she heard the comments, it’s not like they even made the attempt to whisper about her.

“I hear she got arrested. Can you believe it?”

“They must have got them all. Are all of them gone now?”

“I could have told them it was a bad idea...”

“So she got away with it but the rest are in jail right? Must be nice not having a quirk. The police and those  low ranking heroes really are useless but letting a crook back in our school?” 

Finally her search took her to the roof, even from the stairwell she got a familiar whiff of smoke but the  commotion and laughter were gone. As she climbed her steps echoed and the creak of the door as she pushed it open and the cold breeze tussled her hair and the lingering smell of rain returned and mingled with the scent of cheap cigarettes.

There were supposed to be about eight of them here but now Hot Rod Hearts were down to two. Kaban, a gloomy guy with wavy black hair that can light himself on fire, a cigarette between his lips.  He sat on the edge of the roof leaning against the chain fence, his dark eyes lit up at the sight of her.

And of course laying on the floor across from him was Romeo.

“Oh shit.” Kaban chuckled, he nudged Romeo with the tip of his shoe, shaking him until his eyes opened revealing sky-blue orbs. “Hey-hey, lover-man, look who it is? She really did make it out! You gotta be so happy!” Jolyne finally forced herself to look at him, squaring her jaw, her hands already balled into fists. Sharp ears to match his flat top. The sleeves of his uniform were rolled up normally; this would have shown off his Heart’s tattoo, a heart made of car wheels, to the world, but all she saw was his tanned skin. Not a hint of ink to be seen.  He was annoyingly handsome, even asleep he had the type of smile that made you smile too. She wasn’t sure if looking at him made her wanna puke or not, it definitely made her stomach flip.Romeo, the former love of her life, stood up and turned toward her. Easily second place on the list of  guys: Jolnye has to beat up.  His cute pointed ears twitched at the sight of her.  

“Babe! You’re okay!” He claps her hands in his, brushing his lips against her finger tips, his bright blue eyes sparkling like the shore. His hands were shaking and brows knit with worry. “I hadn’t heard from you all summer, you’d been quiet online too! I thought...W-well I don’t know what I thought but you're looking beautiful!” He shook his head, taking a breath, “I missed you so much, but what happened? It’s like you ghosted me...I tried to call you but I was blocked...what happened with your initiation?”

“Right~ you fell off the face of the earth.” Kaban chimed in before he blew out a ring of smoke. “I was about to tell him to give up, but, here you are.”

“You...” Romeo was a terrible liar, it's kinda what she liked the most about him besides his handsome face. She could tell what he was thinking like his head was made of glass and she could just look right in. No two facedness or having to watch out for herself around him. The more she got to know him, he somehow got even easier to understand. When he was embarrassed he blushed eyes darting all over to hope that none saw him. Scare? He goes stiff as a board. Those pointy ears of his wiggle when he’s feeling shy and his hands get all warm. When he’s nervous he grits his teeth to stop them from chattering and stuttering, he’d sometimes bite his fingers.

So why was it that right here and now there was none of that? There's no way he didn't know.  How could he not!? Dintang’s words shot a hole in her chest. They all knew, they played her and left her behind like trash. She was expendable, a driver they could pick up from anywhere.

‘Romeo was no actor,’ the thought echoed in her skull. All she had to go on was that shithead- wannabe dinosaur and that walking garden statue. She could picture them clear as day howling over her; their words a storm tossing her heart around. They would have said anything to piss her off. They knew, but maybe, just maybe Romeo didn’t. Cause he would have told her...

‘Am...Am I just making excuses FOR him...why am I hesitating now? I can be done with it!...Maybe that's the problem...’ Some part of her, in that fiery anger in her eyes, wanted to have faith in him. Most of all  she would not be made a fool of.  ‘I can't just leave it like this.’ 

Jolyne took a seat.

“...Jojo?”  She looked up at him, their eyes locked, and lifted a finger to point at his pants.

“Your fly is open.”

“...HUh?!” Face red he went to cover himself. “Seriously!?”

“Why’d you tell him!?” Kaban chuckled, a puff of smoke wafted from the top of his head.”I wanted to see how long it’d take him to notice! He left here all serious, talking about how he had to ‘calm his nerves’ but when he came back man... was your bathroom trip that good?!”

“Kaban you d-dick! We’re supposed to have eachothers backs, man!” His tan skin flushed pink and brows furrowed, even though it was just the two of them he couldn't help but look around for any hidden onlookers. Embarrassed and angry and the relief of it all being over as he zipped up.

“Yeah, yeah, hey your dicks is out. You should handle that, bro. See? I got your back!”

“Well whatever.” She shrugged. “What's with that look babe, relax, sit,”she patted the spot right next to her urging him to sit. She sweetly giggled waving her hand at him “Oh I get! Sorry, sorry, I got caught in some community service. That's why I couldn't talk to you.”

“Community...you!?” Eyes wide and jaw hung open, Romeo let out a hearty laugh sliding down to the ground with her. 

“Slap on the wrist. Lucky you.” Kaban let out a snort, he took a deep drag. “ Almost jealous.”

“I know right, real dumbasses. I just had to cry a bit and they let me go! So what were you up to while I was doing my test? I was expecting a party, you know, not jail time. So I hope I didn't miss it!” Romeo shook his head.

“Right, we had to do some deliveries, gofer stuff. We're supposed to dump the stuff back at the base. I guess we were going to meet you at the hideout once the heat died down.”

“Makes sense.” She nodded. “Ah! We haven’t taken a single pic all summer!” She reached into his breast pocket, he flinched and tired to back up but she was too fast for him. “Gimme your phone, c’mon! Get close, Ro-chan!!” A flurry of clicks they must have taken a dozen pictures. Her hand squished his cheeks giving him the hint to make a kissy face to match hers.

“Sheesh, lovebirds are back. Yeeeah.” Kaban rolled his eyes. “Man, Romeo. Stop showing off already.” He lit another cigarette with his fingers, snuffing his bud on the rooftop. “Not all of us are so lucky.” Romeo flushed, his ears twitched, he got his bottom lip in his teeth.

“I’ll send these to myself!” His face tensed in her grip. With practiced ease she unlocked his phone. All his apps are on full display. “Heeey! What happened to  all our messages?” She gave him a pout, he only chuckled, throwing an arm around her and pulling her close to his chest while using one hand to pray, his head bowed.

“Sorry to tell you like this but...Me and Kaban quit the Hearts! We weren’t the only ones! Everyone just split one after another. Sorry you had to do all that for nothing!” He apologized, her hand still under his jaw. “I guess we all got spooked? No one initiation ever got that crazy.So we figured  that we should probably get rid of those messages and block their numbers. I haven’t heard any of them since, right Kaban?”

“...Yeah. No one. Not even that weirdo fortune teller.I think she’s still taking my money even though she hasn’t sent one of her ‘daily predictions’ since.” 

“So...sorry but I guess I missed all the play by plays?”

“C’mon! I was so cute on that thing! It was like a muscle car. Are you telling me you didn't see my messages? None of them? I sent so many! When’d you quit anyway?” His jaw twitched her grip. 

“I can’t believe I missed it ,” His ears twitched,“but there was some kind of emergency.” Romeo held his head in shame. “No idea what it was about but everyone was freaking out, then the cops came snooping around and w-well...like I...”

“And had to lie  low, like I guess everyone else is.” Kaban huffed. Romeo smiled nodding along to his explanation. “Then everyone quit, well I guess  cause, well, the bosses went quiet and everyone else is a ghost, like we just said.”

“I see.”

“So Jolyne,” He turned back to her. “ Forget about them! How your summer I bet you have some stories about your-”

“Well your loss!” She giggled, booping him on the nose, her thumb idly swiping through his contact history. It was clean of everyone in the gang, including her, even on socials. “I was really speeding, I should have taken a video...” She sighed resting her head on his shoulder. ”But you know I had to do the same thing...deleting the messages and stuff can you believe it they made me block everyone! Even my Ro-chan!”

“O-oh! So that's why! Really! I really thought you were ghosting me.”

“Never baby!”A light gasp escaped her lips as she caressed his cheek. “You know how much I love you! Right?”

“R-r-right of course! Of course I do.” 

“Ugh, get it together bro.”

“I wish we could have met up before I got arrested...but the hideout was way waaaay too far away and a hero showed up of all people ain't’ that crazy? How’d he get on me so quick? You’ll never guess who it was~”

“Ingenium, that must have been crazy,” Romeo nodded along with a confident smile, “It was on the news ya know? I always thought he was sleek, at least you met a cool one.”

“Huuuuuh... The news!? For real! It was really?I was on the news!? Don’t leave me hanging like that spill what were they saying! I was cool right?”

“There were all sorts of videos going around, not all solid stuff but, of all the heroes I can’t believe you got into a chase with him.”

“Must have been crazy.” Kaban chuckled. “Unless you just hid?”

“Well at least let me brag about it! Listen up boys!” Jolyne told them a story, a nonsense tale of her racing Ingenium across the city.  How it was basically a one-one-one battle between the two that ended with her arrested. Naturally, she finishes it off with Igenium taking down Dintang.

“T-t-that story puts the videos to shame.”

Romeo was a poor actor, but there were times where he surprised her. That date at the park. Or that time with Modest where even though he was afraid he managed to bottle it up just enough to talk to the man. Right, Romeo was a scion, even if he was shaky like a newborn kitten, when he had to lie he could. When he had time to put it all together he could surprise the world.

So what could he do with a whole summer? Weeks to build up a script to plan out how and what he was going to say? To hide whatever evidence he needed to hide. Messages, posts, anything was possible and he certainly had the money to make things happen.

“Romeo. There wasn’t just Ingenium.”

“Ha!” Kaban coughed. “Here we go.”

“Oh I guess there was some things about his team blocking off the roads-” Her palm pushed his jaw together locking his mouth shut.

”The police made sure to snub the story as much as possible. I heard even the witnesses promised not to say anything. You might have heard someone fought Dintang, but that wasn't a part of the  chase. There shouldn't have been any mention of me at all on the roads.There's no way you connected Ingenium  and I from the news.”  

“I-it was just a guess! There were videos of Ingenium chasing someone so I just knew-!”

“Even if you actually guessed Ingenium, there would be no reason to lie about a video. Any video had to have got a shot of a  girl chasing down a motorcycle on all fours. She was on my tail the whole time, you would have mentioned something that crazy, if you saw it. Also it was a fucking awesome motorcycle. But you went along with my little lie and you know how much I hate asskissing. Be for real. You only knew about Ingenium cause that was the plan right? That’s why I was supposed to snatch a ride at the beach.”

 She stood up taking a step back from Romeo as he followed her. In the corner of her eye she noticed Kaban sat up with his dark eyes keeping her in his sight. “Cause you guys knew his patrol route, something like that right?” She hissed under her breath. “Romeo. Try again, one more time.” She let his jaw go. 

Whatever happened next is what he deserved.

“Jojo...”  He cried, pupils shrunk, beads of sweat rolling down his face. He reached down and grasped her hands once more; they were clammy and trembling. “Baby, listen to me! I-I you gotta believe me ! It wasn't a lie I didn't know until way later than everyone else! By then it was too late! Even if I warned you, you wouldn't have backed down right? That’s just like you Jojo!” His teeth were clicking together like he was naked in a snowstorm.

“Y-you, you're so brave but what could I have done? You saw them! I introduced you to Modest, remember that? That guy is scary and that junkie Dintang is his subordinate! We all were really but Dintang was in charge of us! He could do whatever he wanted! In a way he’s just as bad! If I said anything he would have bit my head off!” Even inaction is still an action, if the roles were reversed, Jolnye would have fought Dintang. That was a fact.

“I just wanted to put all this business behind us. It was crazy joining a gang. Look at the things they made us do! But it's all gone now, that was a miracle it’s gotta be fate! There's no reason our futures have to be a risk! Right? If we got caught up we’d be Villains! I thought you could do it! Get away, I mean!” Get away to where, exactly? If she made it to the hideout they probably planned to turn her over or worse maybe the cops were in on it waiting for her. Afterall, that More guy had a cop in his pocket. No matter how you look at it, the scheme  was nothing but dead for her. “Y-y-you know we had to use our Quirks for those robberies but, you, you  at least would just...get a slap on the wrist! Cause, I mean...It's over! No one got hurt, there's no records or anything on us! So all we have to do is move on!”

She expected a bunch of excuses, Syuuka was right on the money about that but she hadn't expected him to just pretend it didn't’ happen, that he didn't know about anything. That it wasn't a big deal. But of course it wasn't, it was a blimp compared to the future. Of course his future was oh so important. She was quirkless, even her crimes were lesser. It sounds so logical when laid out like that, she wasn't supposed to beat Dintang or even try to stop him. She was supposed to make a ruckus lead a one of the fastest heroes in the area on wild goose chase and get grabbed. But she wouldn't be a villain. So it all works out. She sighed, this whole thing why did she even bother with this? 

“Jojo...s-say something. Anything! It all turned out alright, yeah! You just have community service! Once that's done it can all go back to normal, we’ll put the Hot Rods behind us and go back to the US like we talked about and...Jojo?” She couldn't feel her face, she wasn’t sure what expression she had but she was positive  her eyes were burning up.

“Romeo. There are just some things words can’t convey.” His face cradled her hands, her thumbs gently brushed his cheeks. “As always it's my feelings for you.”

“ORA!”

Romeo dropped to the floor holding his crotch, the whites of his eyes all that show as he gasped for breath. She lowered her leg, dusting off her skirt trying her best to brush everything off. No matter how much she dusted herself her hands were still shaking, thirsty for more to turn his stupid face into a smear. But, anymore than that and she’d get in real trouble, she had a future to think about. “...We’re done dickhead.” That was that, it was over. She chewed on her cheek, the threads of Stone free spread over her arm enabled in her fists, wrapping around her fingers. “Guess being a hero means walking away now?” She felt like she had to say something or curse him out or something but  laughter echoed around her.

She turned to Kaban, who was laughing his ass off.

“I told yeah man, You should have just left it alone...like she could do anything to us. Never thought she’d get the drop on you like this.” He smacked Romeo’s back over and over. “But man, Joke! I mean you? A hero? Fuck, that was a good one.” He cackled and crackled flames dancing at the tips of his hair. He skipped over and  crouched down at Romeo’s side, flicking his forehead. “ Nice sucker punch or kick, I guess. Still a “pro” at sneak attacks, eh?”

“Kaban.” She loomed over him, stormy clouds over head swirling, their shadows cloaking her features, her brilliant eyes burned. “Let's get something straight, candlewick. It's Jolyne. And fair warning I was ready to beat all your asses. Not just Romeo.” 

“Yeah? Well it's just us now.” The flames in his hair crackle, puffs of smoke drift on the breeze.

“Yeah, but who ever cared about you? Definitely no girl in this school, never could get one to join up.” She took a breath. In her mind she could see it plain as day, the owl-like Stand would swoop in, slashing her with ease and nimbly ducking her strikes. Compared to that his windup was obvious. The punch he threw was so painfully slow, she leaned back staring at the sky as his burning arc of fire whiffed by her face. He scowled, throwing another jab and another remiss followed by an uppercut. She spun on her heel dancing around him stepping over Romeo. He lunged at her. She dropped her elbow on his face, with a loud pop and crack blood spurted out from his nose and his flames waned, embers covering his body and the remains of his smoldering uniform. She exhaled. 

“As far as sneaks go, that was pretty bad. Wanna try it again? Should I turn my back this time? Maybe close my eyes?” His body erupted. Hands resting on her hips, Stone Free punched him in the gut; doubled over he gasped a plume of smoke. Her knee caught his chin, tilting him up to look at her. He tried to stand but stone free kicked his legs out from under him  every time he tried. “I take it back, you can call me whatever you want. No worries. You don't gotta remember it, let's forget this little reunion. We have our futures to think about, right? So let’s stay outta each other's way.” She let him drop to the ground giving him a swift kick to match Romeo’s, “but any of you fuck with me again? You’ll get what Dintang and Modest got. Spread the word.”

“...What? W-what the heck does that mean? You...No way!” Wheezing through a bloody nose. “Crazy bitch!” Kaban threw himself back scrambling away from her, putting Romeo between them. “This ain’t over! Watch your back!”

“Don’t let me see you again. Bye-bye. Money-Bags.”

After freshening up in the bathroom and coming back to class, Jolyne stopped to stare at her seat or rather her neighbor's.

“Tch.” She squeezed the bridge of her nose and letting out the deepest sigh of her life, glared at his seat. “ Theres no fucking way I can do this.” There was no way she could stay sitting next to him until fucking spring. A murder wasn't something she could get away with just by being Quirkless. She looked around the room, eyes dancing from the occupied seat to the next. She needed a new seat. The class was half empty,  kids shooting the breeze, some from other classes. Not something she’d be doing anytime soon, or maybe at all for the rest of the year.  Not many of the other students would really care about swapping seats but by now everyone was next to a buddy or at least some they liked. Without Romeo or the Hearts she’d be the loner, so why would they switch with her. A couple of seats were empty, a Heart member that hadn't shown up to class but it was in the back. She could already picture looking up and seeing Romeo every day, throughout class, the veins popped in her head.

 Somewhere near the front would be best then. She locked eyes with the angelic girl who huffed craning her neck to look down on her as Jolyne approached her.

“You.”

“How lovely to see you Jolyne. What can I do for you?” Nozomi blinked as she pushed past her friends and pulled her along.

“You wanted my seat, right? Switch with me.” That took the emitter off guard, the light mist that surrounded her parted and faded. “Or better yet gimme that seat by the front your friend’s got.” For a moment, there was a flash of excitement on her face but Nozomi quickly and smoothly put it back behind her smug smile trying her best to seem uninterested. Not that it would do her any good, ehr and her flies were obvious.

“Excuse me, you want to switch seats? Now? Why after all this time would you want to switch with me? What are you playing at?”

“What? Not interested anymore? Fine, that's cool,  I guess I can ask one of your  buddies instead if you're not up to it.” Jolyne shrugged and turned away from her, making a show of looking at one of her followers. “ I mean that one with the claws always liked him right...” Really any of them would do and Nozomi must have realized that with the way her cloud print nails dug into her shoulder.

“Y-you...fine. I  don’t gets what's gotten into you but I suppose you finally learned-”

“But if you want it, that'll be a one time payment ooooof...100,000.”

“Excuse me? Are you extorting me?”

“It’s a sale, hon.” Nozomi clicked her tongue, so now she was too good for something like this?  “What, it's no big deal right? That’s what you slapped on my desk the first day of school you really thought I’d roll over for that much? Remember that?” The angel went red in face, she probably never thought the tables could be turned like this, Jolyne shrugged checking out her nails. 

“That was 20,000!”

“Supply and demand.” She snapped her fingers. “Think of it like an investment cause the supply is limited and the demand is going to skyrocket very soon.” Jolyne gave her a pat on the shoulder and slowly turned her around to gaze at Romeo’s seat. “I was in the way right? Just bad luck that's the only reason we started dating. Chance, that's all it was. So. Imagine, the fireworks, the walks in the parks, and the flowers!  What could have been.” Nozomi bit the tip of her thumbnail, her eyes darting from Jolyne to her seat. Probably lost in some sort of fantasy. Or wondering  if this offer was even real. She wouldn't be made a fool of, reputation was everything. 

“Cujoh-san. You’re talking as if you and-” 

“Hold that thought.” Jolyne grabbed her by the shoulders, twirled her around and made her face Romeo waddling into the room collapsing at his desk. Like a zombie he stared off into space, jaw hung open and uniformed scoffed. “See that? Those big ass tears in his eyes? He’s heart broken, totally devastated. We just broke up and everything. I mean ain't he worth it? This gonna be your only chance before someone smells the blood in the water-”

“Deal.” She clicked open her purse and slid the bills into Jolyne’s hand. “Go collect your belongings, and do try to stay out of our way this time.” 

“But of course, Nozomi-san.” As the bills slid into her hand she pulled Nozmi down and whispered one last thing in her ear. “If you ever want some love advice? I’ll be willing to throw some your way for a fee.”

“...” Nozomi looked at her as if she’d grown a second head, lips parted like she wanted to say something but she huffed and went back to her flies. She didn’t need to spy on them and got her stuff and dumped it on her new desk much to the clawed girl's dismay as her leader did the same, shooing Jolnye away and immediately putting a hand on Romeo’s shoulder.

“Ugh.” Dropping herself in her new seat, legs propped up on the desk and ignoring whatever was behind her, Jolyne focused on what was in front of her. All she could see was the front of the row and the teacher. Jolyne hung her head back staring at the ceiling letting out a sigh of relief.  With that Jolyne’s school life and her wallet were secured.

The rest of the day was fine, after all that everything settled it to what she could guess was going to be the new normal. No Romeo, or at least as much as she could get away from him, just looking at his face made her guts churn and gave her a headache. No Hearts. Kaban  and Romeo were basically the only ones here today. Kaban was basically a recruiter after she kicked his ass she could at least expect the rest to stay off her. Nozomi and her dregs were out of her hair, she only ever took a pointed interest because of Romeo. Everyone loves him, can’t do wrong to that guy, he’d have a sea of people licking his wounds for the rest of the school year. With the queen bee in her pocket no one else would have a reason to start something with her. Everyone would be going right back to ignoring her. It was all wrapped up, that messed up summer was over, so why was she still unsatisfied what was making her sick to her stomach.

After school she hopped on a train but she didn’t head home, she couldn't. She still had things to do. The rumble of the train matched the drizzle of the rain, a relaxing beat playing all around her. The train was chock full of people of all sorts and sizes. It was like yesterday that she had her pick of people to hang out with, chat up, or ask for help. She bopped her head on the handrail and huffed. The number of people who know all the things she’s been through forget her hand; she just needed a single finger. 

JOJO

“Joey, I mean this in a really really really really nice way,  you look so stupid and this is stupid. Back me up Googoo.” Gwess said for the tenth time in the past hour. Unlike the usual Jeanist brand she usually saw the older girl in, she was wearing a black jacket over a sleeveless dark blue dress with a white belt wrapped around her waist. Her usual headband was on her head with her Stand-pet, GooGoo Dolls. 

“Quite.” They managed to sneak past the cleanup crew and the cops.  While they were working on clearing the outside it left the interior free for them to search and shift through the rubble and what spots were intact like a few of the stores and the ground floor and second floor.  There wasn’t much personnel deeper into the mall but that didn’t mean they could make too much of a ruckus.

“Goo.” It gave her a low five.

“Goodgoodgood!” She showered it(?)/herself with praise and kisses. “See GG agrees with me!” Gwess huffed sprawled out on a slab of half broken bench.“I don’t even remember where I was when I lost it. Joey, c’mon we're not gonna find anything! It's a whittle rocko in all this mess.” Gwess shook her shoulders making Jolyne drop a rock that looked like it might almost have been the antique. Lost in a sea of concrete, steel, and god know what else in the aftermath of her fight and villain attack. There had to be some way to track that thing down.“Just give it up, who's gonna find it? Hell, it could be in America by now!” 

“Oh wow! You won’t believe this but, ohmigod,  I know that already!” She grit her teeth jabbing Gwess in the chest. “You tossed it dumbass and if you didn’t wanna come make up for the problem you caused you didn't have to answer, bestie .” Why was she hanging out with Gwess? This was her fault in the first place, if they weren’t friends this would have never happened and she’d still have the stone. Even if it was nice having someone to talk to, it didn’t make the job any easier.

“D-details! You saying it's my fault you left yourself wide open like that?! Come on, that's the past!” It pissed her off to think about it but Gwess wasn’t wrong, she already figured that out back at the hospital. The state of the Tawa was just as bad as the news made it out to be. It was like a jenga tower that had been broken and lit on fire. Still, she had to give it a shot. That rock gave her A Stand so maybe she had some sort of connection to it. She needed to focus. She had to at least try to find that damn thing, but looking at it in person? She kicked a stone only to find more rubble, tiny chunks of what may have once been a pillar or maybe just a tile on the floor, it was impossible to tell. Crouched down and cradling her head she groaned into her knees.

“Damnit.” How was she supposed to move on with this knot in her stomach?

“...Joey? Hello?” She looked up at Gwess and blew out a puff of air. She was right, this was pointless. “You gonna puke? Cramps?”

“Whatever. You can go if you want Gwess.” 

“Goo!”

“Uh...I didn't mean it?” Jolnye didn't bother saying anything but the silence just flipped her switch. Gwess clicked her tongue. “Fuck that, what's your problem, did someone die or something? Joey, you like you did when you were crawling on the floor. Wait, is he back!?” 

“Ugh, don’t remind me.” She felt that way too. Sometimes she woke up feeling that crazy weight on her. “I...Just...” She sniffed, glad that she buried her head in her legs or Gwess could see how flushed and  messy she was. Talking to Syuuka was easy because he was a stranger and she was positive she’d never meet again. Ranting to Rikel was weirdly easy like talking to her mama or Holly but she couldn’t talk to them about this. Especially not her mama. “I dunno felt like I needed to do something to really put all this behind me. But I did everything I had to do and I finally broke up with him and I... feel like shit. I feel worse than when I started! How does that work! I got my payback! I beat all of their asses! It's just this stupid arrow-piece! If I feel like this forever , am I just gonna end up like I was before?” Alone, and trapped with no future worth fussing over, waiting for the next person to make her feel better. And what if that next person was worse than Romeo or just didn't exist at all what then? They sat in blissful silence forever until an eternity passed and Gwess coughed into her fist before asking:

“Um. Hey. What was he? Like. Your first guy or..?”

“...” Maybe she actually died against Modest, there's no way her victory could be this miserable. 

“...Oooooh!” Stone Free threw a wide flurry of punches. “He was!?”

“Fuck off! I’m serious!” She cried red in the face. Where was the justice? “So what if he was!? My first boyfriend played me like a chump, yuck it up!”

“Joey!” Gwess cackled ruffling her hair. “Ohoho, Joey! That's all? Boytoy trouble? Did you kill him?” Gwess’s voice dropped an octave, a dangerous glint in her eye that vanished just as  Jolyne craned her neck to  look up at Gwess and GooGoo. “What? It's what I’d do.” In her mind she could very easily picture Syuuka nodding in approval. Oh, maybe Syuuka was just as off as Gwess. “You gotta teach guys a lesson and keep them in line! A lady’s gotta be tougher!”

“I guess I did kick him in the balls.” Gwess cackled, her stand clapping its hands together.
“No way! For real! For real!?” Gwess grabbed her shoulders, shaking her with a toothy grin. “ When? Today!? Why’d you wait so long to say something that's way more important that your rocco! What’d he look like, did he cry, is there a video? C’mon, Joey spill the tea!” Gwess pestered and shook her down for information and Jolyne relented and retold her confromaiton form the start with Gwess hanging off her every word.

“Trapped him a lie~”Gwess sang. “Smooth Joey! So they you hit him!?”

“Nah, he made all sorts of excuses. It wasn't my fauuult! I didn’t know babe what about college! Waaah! Jojo what botu my future! I waa soooo scared.” Jolyne  whined.  Gwess giggled her stand hopping up and down a bundle of excitement.

“And theeeeen?“

“ Yeah, Yeah he went all BWAH!” She tossed herself up and onto the balls of her feet, cringing in pain, crumbling to the ground, eyes pure white. “My balls!” She cried, Gwess’s howling laughter matching her own. Rolling in the rubble of Tawa she giggled at Romoe's shell shocked expression, like he got bit by a shark. Gwess shrieked, using a chunk of rock as support before she could fall over, Jolyne coughed into a giggle. “Then there's this other prick!” 

“He had a buddy?”

“Oh yeah you should have seen his face!” She mimed kicking Kaban’s ass, having Stone free play his role. Their hollowing laughter bounced off the walls and all throughout the mall. No doubt to someone it sounded like a pack of ghosts were haunting this place and having a ball.

“Fuck...”At some point, her laughter, caught in her throat, turned to hiccups.

“What?”

“I...really liked him...But he was a shit head! All this time, I thought  I was so ready! I wanted to make him feel sorry! I was gonna punch his lights out! And again and again and again! I did it, he won’t sit right for weeks! So why...Why do I feel bad?” Gwess stared up at the cracked ceiling humming in thought. She knelt down, her grey eyes fierce like storm clouds swallowing all of Jolyne’s attention as she hissed.

“Cause you gave a shit and he didn't think twice about tossing you, duh, and that goodie brain of yours can’t make sense of it. The questions!” Gwess said as obvious as needing air to breathe or All Might being number one, instead of dropping some ancient wisdom. She tapped her temple, a scowl spreading across her face. “ Why’d this happen? What could I have done, what was I supposed to do? Did I do something wrong, not enough, too much? Where did I go wrong? You played your part so why’d everything go belly up!?  It’s just shit! Garbage!” GooGoo Dolls screeched along with Gwess, gnawing on its own tail. “They reject you and it's your fault for what? Nothing. Fuck’em. He fucked up, not you. Turn that guilt to rage and kick his ass again! Shit makes me wanna scream!” Her Stand certainly did. Jolyne had seen Gwess’s flashes of anger before but this one was more than a quick explosion it was like flame. Every word was ripped through gnashing teeth and her cute Stand looks like it could tear something to pieces. It was like a brilliant fire and it was on her behalf. Without a thought a smile spread across her face making her feel warm despite the cold breeze.

“...Hehe. I think I’d get arrested if I did that to him again, Gwess.” Funny, she wasn’t feeling all that angry or guilty right now. The light rain just washed it all away or at the very least cooled it to a simmer. “You know what fuck him, not worth the time.” She wiped her face, and then smacked her cheeks until she couldn't feel her face anymore and the pink flush turned red. “Thanks, for coming out. I gwess I gotta let it go for now.”

“Gwess!? Wait, say that again! It was so cute!...I’m such a good bestie.” Gwess pat herself on the back, or at least GGD did, her stand hopped off her shoulder and on to Jolyne’s head. “Let's get the heck outta here, it's cold as heck! I’m gonna need something warm to eat! I know a cheap place where you can pay me back!”

“Gimme a...whatever, Yeah sure, but fuck the cheap stuff! I got some cash to burn.” The two laughed, but quickly zipped up as they heard footsteps and shouting fast approaching. They wasted no time in running away, smiles on their faces.

 To be continued ==>

Chapter Text

“Sorry I’m late. There was this cute dog lost, poor thing, shaking with the cutest nose and I had to guide him home!” Cavill sighed, he was soaked to the bone but what kind of man would he be if he just left such a helpless pooch alone? Still the dubious looks from the two adults in the room didn't do him any favors, and Irene herself looked like she would rather be anywhere else than here. He could emphasize, pulling on his tie he sat down fishing out his laptop to begin the meeting. Even though he volunteered for this he was putting his job at risk. Still there was no going back he had to do this!

“I mean nice to meet you both!” He gave the room a swift bow. “My name is Rose Cavill! A proud member of the Speedwagon Foundation, America! Acting as a special aid on the case! A pleasure!” 

“Speedwagon...”

“Alright!” He clapped his hands together, his laptop nearly slipping from his lap as he scrambled to right himself. “Ah! That was close ...that would have been my paycheck…”

“Um...Would you like a drink, Rose-san.” Ms.Kujo offered.

“Ah yes I’ll take anything you have! Ms.Kujo!”

“Hm. I’ll get something  for everyone then, I already know how Jojo likes her tea but what about you Best Jeanist-San, what would you like?”

“Anything is fine ma’am.”  She gave him a nod and excused herself.
Now then!

“Alright so Irene-chan! What can you-”

“I thought you wanted my mama to be here for this crap?” Irene cut him off with a huff, he leaned back, the glare of his laptop reflected on his glasses nearly blinded him. “And its Jolyne Cujoh, dumb...my?” Her eyes panned to Jeanist and  in the corner of his eye he noted the hero sheathing a comb. How many different pairs did the hero keep on him?

Jolyne? He assumed it was just a nickname, or something, inspired by her father. Something with endearment. But even he could see that that was waaay off. Was this the socalled rebellious phase or...Was...Was Joaro’s family life in disarray? He knew that he had a divorce, even if she dont know anything about his relationship to the Speedwagon Foundation. But with  a righteous man like Jotaro he  would have thought he was at least on good terms with his family. He couldn't imagine what could...what could... He thought back to a story one his colleagues told him:

One day, Mr.Joestar walked into the main headquarters and introduced two young people.

“Haha!” The Mr Joestar in his mind, chuckled, sticking out his tongue with a wink. “Hahaha! This is my son and daughter!”

“Good to meet you guys again, you really helped me out a few years ago.” Ms. Holly’s apparent half brother greeted the staff, a man his own age. 

“Wassup!” A floating dress and sneakers greeted them all.

There was an uproar.

Joseph suddenly appearing with two new family members sent waves throughout the entire organization.

Rumor has it his wife really let him have it.

 Could  it be something like that? Did he have a secret family!? Cavill nearly blurted out his question if not for Best Jeanist reminding why he was here in the first place.

“She’s right. That's the whole reason why we're doing this. It defeats the purpose if we do not proceed with things properly.”

‘Focus. You just dodged a landmine!’ He shook his head. If she wanted to be called Jolyne she would be, but he should keep any mention of her father out his mouth. He had to keep things professional. “R-right...My bad. Let's wait.”

“You were the only one rushing.” With a roll of her eyes she leaned forward resting her cheek on her knuckles, completely done and the interview hadn’t even begun. “What's the point of all this? I could have just written it down or something. I heard everyone else just went through BJ It's so why do I gotta do some interviews?”

“They wanted to hear it from you directly.” Jeanist answered for him, probably still thinking about Issey’s intensity. “I ask that you trust me when I say this is for the best.”

“Oh, I get it. It's like that?” She sighed. “Well I guess it makes sense I’m practically a crook right?”

“Oh you weren't!” Cavil grinned, taking the chance to sooth her. “ Glory-san was already questioned by us! Speaking of it must be pretty cool to be working alongside a UA student!” Jeanist gave him a harsh look which made him remember that he wasn't supposed to talk about the private business of others. “A-ah I mea...”

“ Who the heck is Glory?”

“Costello Eldis.” Jeanist supplied easily pushing the subject to more public information. “I explained as much on your first day." He went to say, " on the day of the attack, you were on the upper floors but she was fighting villains on the inside as well and helping with evacuation. Though one of the villains she fought escaped, if not for her support and your own battle I can imagine things would have been worse.”

“...Huh. Well I guess I can't let her be the only one grilled.” She relented, her bad mood seemed to deflate. After her mother came in with a tray of treats and drinks she sat  up properly. Looking between her mother and the hero she sighed. “So what do you want me to talk about?”

JOJO

“It was a pleasure to meet you, Miss Kujo!! Can I have just a few more minutes to write up those last notes?”  That was fruitful, the theory about the Yakzua was no longer a theory. If they had Stand Users then they couldn't be any regular family, Iseey would know more. That would tide him over. Issey was also half right about her ties, if she made enemies out of them he had to do more for her. “Thank you for the tea and cookies!”

“Hmhm. No, thank you for your time and help! I’ll take your cups. Best Jeanist-san may I have a moment of your time?”

“Of course.” Cavil wasn't sure what that was about but as they headed towards the kitchen he realized,  this was his chance. “We’ll be leaving right after, Cavill-kun.”

“No problem!” He grinned. “I’m glad this went so well.” He sighed in english. 

“Why are you speaking english?” Jolyne asked.

“Well I am american.” Cavill chuckled. He didn’t know how long he had but he had to act! “Ah one more thing!” He adjusted his glasses trying his best to compose himself. He’d met the whole family so he knew speaking bluntly and celery was the best way to do things. That said!

“Gimme a break what now!?”

“It was smart of you to keep Stands out of your explanation. I was a bit worried but you have a good read on things.” He started out with simple praise, keeping Stand powers a secret was good in the long run if she had-

He couldn't see it, of course he didn't have a Stand, but he felt it. The wind ripped over his fast as something moving at high speed stopped just short of his face. Without a doubt, that was a punch intended to make him flinch. It did knock his glass askew, he pushed them back up, a bead of sweat ran down his face. The hostility that rolled off of her threatened to strangle him.

“Well you can’t see it, that's for sure that or you're a good actor, don’t make a difference to me.” Jolyne glared, that fierce look in her eyes was just like her father’s, she didn't move to get closer so he must have been well in her range already. “You think I wont’ kick your ass in my own house or something? I promise, Stone Free is faster than anything you could do. I guess if you assholes can get the police working for you then  a non-profit is nothing for the Yakuza right? Too bad for you I tossed the stone but I’ll kick your ass so you didn't come here for nothing!”

Stone? 

“Wait, you had a stand arrow? When-” A hand covered his mouth, tis grip tight enough to tear his skin. It had to have been Jotaro’s doing but why would he do this behind their backs?! Their must have been mor-

WHAM!

“HMM!” He wanted to curse, that might have been the worst pain he’s felt in ages, at least since his early days in the foundation. He hacked up blood into his mouth, his stomach nearly caved in by a solid punch. That strength, she was most likely a close  range type. His vision grew foggy, the girl spun in circles, dozens of her. His legs shook, the only reason he didn’t fall over was because something was keeping the chair from falling.

‘Focus. Focus.’ That didn’t matter, right now was the only chance he’d ever have to talk to her alone. In the few minutes he had, he had to support her in Jotaro’s place! He held up a finger.

‘One chance.’ She raised a brow, he felt the grip on his mouth loosen just enough for him to whisper, “this is not a set up. Give me one minute to convince you not to knock my lights out.”

“You’re worried about getting knocked out? That's the worst you think is gonna happen?”

“You wont kill me...I can tell everything you've done so far. You’re a righteous person.”

“...” She clicked her tongue, but the fact she didn't try to intimidate him must have meant she wasn’t willing  to kill him.

“I-I pushed for this meeting! If I fight you it looks terrible for me...besides I have no reason to be your enemy.” 

“Sure you do if you get paid enough. You may not be a cop but your buddies with one right? It’d be your word against mine. The last two were really fucked  up and they had a cop in their pocket so I can see you bastards trying to send me to jail this time.”

“If you don't trust my words, how about them? Do you think your mother or Jeanist would believe that you attacked me for no reason? Your mother and Best Jeanist are undoubtedly on your side.If you attack me it’d be easy enough for them to believe this was a ploy to attack you. Even Best Jeanist  only agreed to this to protect you from your past and reward you for your heroics.“

“...” 

“See if I can figure out that coming for a fight like this is just stupid! I'd just get my ass kicked!”

“So you're a  dumbass. Good for you for figuring it out before the beat down. I'm really proud of you.” Cavill paled, she was just determined to punch him! Still. Even when she felt she was being pushed into a corner she stood tall and took control of the situation! “Stop looking at me like that. Why are your eyes sparkling?!”

“C-cool!” He thought of Jotaro just now. The family resemblance was uncanny.

“...What?” Her grip on his mouth loosened even more, even the fist in his gut pulled back a little letting him breathe easier. Somehow he’d managed to lower her guard!

“I’m not your enemy, rather people like you are my inspiration, why I... Let me reintroduce myself. My name is Cavil Rose. I was formerly a hero in America, you can look me up.” She did just that right in front of him. Kids sure are quick. He tried not to let her baffled  expression hurt too much, his career was rather quick. “ I was born and raised there and though  I’ve done work in Japan I can assure you common officers and I rarely interact. In fact people get tired of me rather quickly! Jolyne, if at any time you feel as though I would attack you then please beat the shit out of me. With that punch it should be possible.”

“What is this for real?”

“You thought I was after the stone!” She punched him in the gut again urging him to get to the point.  “The Stand Arrow creates stands and people will go to any lengths to get their hands on it and Stand users. Whether you have it or not. A new Stand user is a target, it's common for them to have questionable episodes after getting power. They want to use your at your most vulnerable or-”

“Like you?” She scoffed.“Sounds to me like  It’s a shady all round.  a shitty cop or maybe some rando  like you guys peeping on girls' records.” This was a victory she thought of him  as a separate entity from her old gang, but still she doubted him! 

That level of caution, she already had more battle experience than most of the SWF. But still the fact is they were having this conversation. Issey was a real threat to a girl trying to get into a hero school and Jeansit was the best proof.  She herself must realize this won’t end by simply ignoring the matter or even knocking him out cold here.

“You got one shot.” She reminded him. She rightly distrusted him, he couldn't connect with her about her father, it was pure luck that he noticed he had a landmine.  He wanted to support her but now he needed her to want that. She needed to be convinced he was useful enough to risk being around.

“You’re still in the hot seat” He huffed. “Issey, my kinda-not-really--but- is-partner. He’s planned to make use of you. He wants to get to the bottom of the Hearts, or rather the Yakuza family behind them. He’s  probably going to threaten to have you arrested for being a member to get you to corroborate. It’s why Jeanist agreed to this meeting so Issey couldn't pressure you with threats or manipulate you.”

“Well that happened so mission accomplished. Unless you're lying.” It wasn’t a lie, he had to tell himself that. He hated to admit it but he did hold back his secondary objective, even from Jeanist: changing her files.

“... Sad to say, but no matter what the testimony you're labeled as not having a quirk which gives him more leeway and suddenly revealing that you have a power, gives him more ammo...”

“How can I get in trouble for  that? I read up on it, late bloomers happened all the time back in the day!” That was a reasonable plan, there certainly was a precedent for it but still this world was filled with threats. People like DIO existed all over, sinister hospitals were some of the SWFs most common cases. Latebloomers too. Where there's light there's darkness, that's a fact of the world. So if they were doing it he had to assume others were too. Even if she really had a Quirk, being a late bloomer could mean you shook hands with the most dangerous people of all back in the day but he didn't have time to get into that. He didn't have time to get into the fact that without a Quirk Factor she could be giving away her  being a Stand User. Information was a precious commodity and she had enemies looking at her that she wasn't even aware of. Just because Jotaro wasn't home didn’t mean she couldn’t become a target.

He wasn’t sure if he even should get into that at all, he was already over the line and liked his job. So he had to reframe it. She needed to get her files changed as quickly and discreetly as possible and there was only one way to do it.

“...You yourself wouldn't get into trouble but parents do that all the time, especially if the child’s quirk is...problematic. Its a serious crime and while it won't reflect on you-”

“Watch it.” Her eyes burned. He felt something squeeze his throat. “Are you threatening my mama?” He could feel himself driving over a cliff, time to back all the way up! 

“I’m not! I’m not!  but...Issey is a rough one and he’ll do anything to put a stop to a threat to the public. I kinda regret going behind his back like this...” He felt a pain in his chest, on the inside! He couldn't help but let that truth slip. “If it gets you to cooperate with him he’d do it. That's why we have to cut off his means of attack. He’s a reasonable man who doesn’t like to waste time better spent elsewhere! If the hero in the case has more power he’d have no choice but to back off especially if that hero is one of the top 10!...I can have your files changed.” He offered. “You probably planned to get evaluated by a doctor, but without quirks factors it’d raise a lot of questions. To get it done with no questions asked it's not something you or even a pro hero could do.”

“Yeah I get it super its sus. So you changing it, is somehow better? Less fraudulent? And you can just wave your hands and do it. Like that?” She snapped her fingers. “Faster than and cleaner, quieter than  me going to a doctor.”

“W-well. My plan is simple:...” He paused and she rolled her eyes. He didn't have the authority to do any of that. Things would get dicey, he may even have to ask his boss. No, she was against getting involved in the first place. He’d make it work.“ You were born in America, right? Your mother said it was one of our hospitals. We can simply make it an error, your field will be updated. But rather than gaining a Quirk it will be that you always had them. Quirk factor and all! A weak Quirk getting stronger over time is less notable than a late bloomer.”

“Sounds good but can you do it?” She asked.

“... Well uh...” He knew she was most likely  born in one of their hospitals, it was safest, but it was pure luck that she was born in America. Thank you Ms.Kujo if not for her none of this would be possible! “I think best in the hot seat, I’m gonna be in it for a good while after this no matter how it shakes out!!”

“...”

“Trust me or not, Issey will hold your past over you if nothing changes and then you’ll be entangled in this way more than you are, but as a criminal not a kid.  If you let me, I can be a shield between you two!” He slammed his head against the table, his glasses nearly poked his eyes out. “Even if he makes a fuss I promise he wont be able to do anything afterwards you have my word! The speedwagon Foundation...We are the heroes that handle supernatural things like this. To protect people from all sorts of things that's why I joined them. Someone like you shouldn’t  be chained down by the past.”  The doorbell rang and Jolyne got up to answer it,  whatever was going on with his heart abruptly stopped. He felt something wrapping around his throat. A wire? Her mother and Jeanist returned as she opened the door. Cavil’s eyes nearly burst from his head.

“Excuse the disturbance, young lady.” Issey stood at the door, his badge in hand. His glare was harsh as ever. “I’m here to collect my colleague, Rose Cavill. There is an urgent matter.”

“You Issey?”

“Miyake, Issey, yes.” He flashed his badge once more. “Hello Best Jeanist. Ma’am.” The silence that filled the room was...awkward to say the least. Ms.Kujo looked between them all, realizing this tension was something worse than the police thinking her daughter might be a suspect and more ‘oh they think she did it.’ Best Jeanist seemed less than amused by his arrival, but not surprised.

“...Rose-san was just leaving, right?” She asked with a patient smile. “No need to keep your friend waiting. Right?” She spoke as if she decided if the sun would rise or not.

“...R-right ma’am!” He gave her a salute the thing around his throat nearly choked him!

“Hey you forgot this!” Cavil turned to find Jolyne holding his laptop. “

“M-my bad!” This was all falling apart, he wanted to cry! As he reached for it she whispered.

“You’re a pro and BJ believed in you so I’ll give you a chance. A chance to double cross me. Like you said I’m already losing but I figure I can at least choose how I go down. If I run itn you guys before I graduate I’ll see if I can stop myself at just beating you into the pavement.” It seemed, somehow, he earned her trust and the thing around his throat vanished.

JOJO

“What a terrifying ability...” The sigh of relief came too soon, his eyes cut to his partner for anyone else he’d be a vague figure the way he stood in the shadows. “Were you staking out her home?” He pouted. Issey’s body shrouded in his cloak as always but  in the shadows it was hard to see what he was doing but his eyes gleamed in the dark.

 “ No. We have work to do, some officers came forward with relevant information. and I knew you would be here.” Before he could even ask, Issey continued  with a sigh. “You had to have known that a request like this would have reached me? That  I would be informed.”

“...” True but he didn't think he’d just show up like this, he figured he’d have the day to try and explain himself!

“Why go so far to protect this girl?”  He’s already digging, that's a detective for you. “ What makes you so sure her involvement goes no deeper? She is obviously a Stand User, that is the only way she could have handled that heteromorph. The emergence of two in the same place within the same gang, one whose roots may very well be the - clan? If they’ve returned and found a way to regain the power they once had, I don’t need to remind you of all people the dangers of Stand Users. The Arrow cannot be allowed in the hands of scum and degenerates.” He hissed.” You said you had no ties to this land but she’s from America. Do you know her? Her Family?”

“...Got it that fast?” He wanted to let out a nervous chuckle but the glare he was under, he couldn't remember how to open his mouth.

“You’re not the type to let sentimentality overrule your senses.” Issei scuffed. “ I don’t know why you went out of your way for this girl, but I know that much. So go on. Betray my expectations of your intelligence all you like but not your character or skill.  Now, out with it! Was this a  deadend for me from the start?”

“The stand arrow is in the wind. Neither she or they have it and they never had it from the start. This really was all chance, a random run in with the arrow. The Yakuza’s name was More.”

“More...Is that so? That is a real lead.”

“Issei, the SpeedWagon Foundation will retrieve the arrow.”

“I have no doubt, that is the only reason you are tolerated in our affairs, to keep strange happenings under control and to monitor these users alongside us!” There was no heat in his voice, it was just a fact. “If they have yet to attack her either they are aware that she does not have the arrow or they are unable, perhaps unwilling  to act.”
“ Information is power in all battles.Two stand users versus one. That means they each have a good idea what the others can do. If he escaped and still thinks she has the arrow then he would-”

“You are right. If he escaped he would come for her again. He has the advantage, they must  know where she lives and where she goes to school. They knew enough to know how to set up an ambush, our own officers were party to their schemes. Perhaps more are! And yet it is nearly November and nothing has come of it.”

“The Hearts, no let us do away with their aliases, the dregs of the  Kin family have suffered mass disappearance and kidnappings. Unreported by negligent parents. Just like how Dintang was gone before we could take him.” He went silent, he was thinking about  their motivations, the logical next step to get their desires. “They must have wanted Stand users. And yet the girl was free to roam? They’re not above forcing children to work for them. Perhaps their is no need for them? Hm?” The silent actuation was noted. She wasn’t out of the woods yet but Issey had more pressing concerns. “I suppose I will have to leave it alone until I have more concrete proof to get around  Best Jeanist and yourself.”

“S-sorry.”

“...What good is that apology? All I ask is that you not impede this investigation any further. Your actions were done properly and were approved by the proper channels. I cannot complain about that. Should you actually forget our common goal? I will cut you down. We cannot waver for anyone or anything, those that disturb the peace must be stopped! That and that alone is justice.”

“Yeah.” Cavill gave him a resolute nod. Isssey was an intense man but he’d do anything for justice that more than anything was respectable.

JOJO

Bellarie. A town in the middle of nowhere at the edges of California. It wasn’t anything special, the type of town you could find anywhere if you traveled far enough away from a majority, place nestled in nature away from the bustle of cities.If you were a  tourist  you would noticed the change in air immediately, the way the clean air filled  your lungs was like drinking  ice cold water in the summer.  The stench of smoke clings to every scorched building. The smell of death and rotting flesh spills over the town, it's nauseating and so strong it fills the back of your throat.  It was a popular fishing spot and port. The wood for the docks was charred black. What wasn't burned had simply wallen into the sea. Ships were barely treading water, a lot of them  would sink to below the waves in a matter of minutes. Piles of half eaten corpses were left to rot in the square, countless flies buzz around goring themselves. Buzzards pick at the bodies  Beaks dyed red with their blood. It was empty, from people down to baby birds the town was silent as a grave. It was a sight he’d seen many times before, but it didn't mean it was too late. Anything was possible.

Dried streaks of blood paint the ground going from homes to the forest, hand and footprints break up the red, as if it was being tread upon. 

The thicket blocked out the sun so that even a midday stroll might as well have been in the dead of night. The forest was silent, the subtle movement of tiny animals, the call of birds, gone. Each foot step echoed like a voice screaming out into the wilderness, each snapped twig with a powerful drumbeat. The buzz of insects took the center stage, the beating of the wings of flies harmonized with the crunch of twigs underfoot and screams of the dead. The dead are not still, they are not silent, they moan in agony, they laugh in glee, they echo deep in the wilderness.  The earth rumbles as they peel themselves from the dirt and fall from the trees. They’re dumb enough to try and attack him.

“ORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORA!”

The zombies scattered on the breeze, their cold  skin and rotting meat falling off Star Platinum's fists as he walked through them.  Their tattered sailor uniform reeked of the sea and iron. What was a sailor doing in the middle of the woods? Were they from town?

The zombies groaned at his feet, despite being only heads and tattered remains they still reached for him like plants stretching out to the sun desperate for nutrients.

Jotaro never had any talent for Hamon, so why were his missions filled to the brim with monsters lately? The past few months have been nothing but battling these creatures. His Jiji or hibaba would be the one to handle things like this but the woman had decided to go on vacation and the old man had his hands full teaching. 

The SWF was doing its best to create new Hamon users and had a few Quirks that could rival the light of the Sun.  At this point, he should assume that President Brown had her reasons for having him chase down a vampire. Were they a remnant of Dio’s followers or something else? That woman never explains herself properly, but he could understand. The foundation was spread thin. Dio had far more influence then they had assumed, his hand prints were on the world and they had to wipe it clean. His thoughts were interrupted by a shriek and a shout of elation as they dropped from the trees.

“How did you like my display? I wish you could have seen neighbor devouring neighbor. Lowly creatures shouldn't pretend to be evolved.” A cackle echoed all around him from no real source but the sounds of insects, his footsteps all faded into nothingness. Only the voice remained. Jotaro stopped fishing a lighter out of his pocket. “Did it stun you to silence? Or did it enrage you? So much so that you had no choice but to come here, even seeing that the sun rays did not reach the floor! That human weakness is predictable as ever.”

“If only you had caught my trail earlier then they wouldn’t  have had to die such miserable deaths! What took you so long!?” He’d long since given up on smoking but he kept the lighter, with a flick of his thumb he had a tiny flame he held up. It weaved on the subtle breeze.

“You have no one ot blame but yourself. Had you not interfered, all of humanity would be immortal. All of humanity would have been united under DIO’s rule. His wisdom would have led us to everlasting happiness!” Suddenly the flame shifted forward.

“Star Platinum: The World.” 

He turned to find a man with a lighting crackling around his fist ready to pierce his back. His mouth split open in glee, sharp fangs on display, red eyes gleamed like rubies. Not a sound he wondered what kind of ability this must have been. Quirk or Stand in the frozen time it was all the same. Star Platinum caught three  knife between its fingers and tossed it at the back of the vampire's head. Walking past it, he gave the parasite a swift punch to his legs, his arms, and his neck. Jotaro stepped to the side and tipped his hat.

“Time resumes.” The vampire spun like, launched off course and sent through a tree. A chunk of wood lunged through his chest. His spine and rib cage pushed  and broke out of his back. There wasn’t a single sound,  even as he crushed both knives in hand. Was it a Quirk or Stand, it’s a question he’s had to ask himself a lot on in the field and the difference meant the world. Quirks by large obeyed or worked within the frame of the world, used stamina, and had a source.  Stands did not have to. But to assume the worst that he was ensnared in a stand power would make him too cautious allowing his foes more opportunities to catch him off guard.  

5.“I see! You really can stop time. So...that was our Lord’s power and you have the audacity to drag it around and use it like a hammer? Like it was a common tool!?” Typical. Dio’s followers are more obsessed about the “stolen” power than anything else. “I’ll have you split open your belly on the streets and drag your corpse all the way back to your homeland!” The trees burst apart without a sound; bullets tore them to shreds.

4.Star Platinum's fist surged like water meeting each shot with a punch. By now Star Platinum's ability to Stop Time was well known despite that the finer facts of his stand were largely grossed over by most of his foes.  They underestimated both his speed and power.  

3.The vampire crawled over to a corpse and dug its face into its back gnawing on rotten bone and flesh. River of fresh blood flooded his gullet and over his lips as the wounds knit themselves back together. Jotaro watched him slurp the stump where its head should have been with glee slurping out the rotten blood. Healing his own broken head and his organs pulled themselves back into the rapidly filling hole.

2.He leapt back into the woods vanishing into the greenery.  Hiding himself for another sneak attack, this one no doubt would be the decider of the battle. The howl of the wind vanished, the buzzing of flies fell silent, and his own heart grew still despite thumping in his chest.  

1.“ My fun is over! A savory victory over an insect is beneath a being such as I but I will enjoy this!.” He chuckled. “Now you face my stand! Zombie Jamboree that power that the Lord granted me!” A hoard of zombies stepped out, each wielding a gun pointed at him. The vampire cackled from  the back,only his voice carried throughout the night. A purple aura flowed along his back, A massive white spike erupted from his spine, a skull at its base, eyes curled in delight. 

“Jotaro Kujo! This is -”

“Star Platinum: The World.”

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“Time resumes.” Bodies dropped to the forest floor with a deafening thud, the scurrying of animals, the chirp of birds, and the buzz of insects filled his ears. “So the sound was one of them?” Uncaring and disinterested in the lone threat, Jotaro Kujo looked over the bodies. “All sailors.” A lowly human that wielded god's power like it was a mere hammer or gun. 

How? 

How!?

How did this happen! Even if he could use Lord DIO’s power his time was supposed to be two seconds! How could he have got them all in a mere two seconds!? No Quirk, a stolen power! How could he lose to this walking relic of humanity! He took a step forward, electricity surging all over his body. With a hiss he made it lunge, his legs slipped out from under him, the world flipped over and over. With a thud he hit the ground. “What?” He watched his own legs tumble over him, the stump where his head used to sit oozed his noble blood onto the dirt. Fingers gripped his hair, the digits pierced his skull and yanked him high into the air like a bowling ball, eye level with Jotaro. 

“You! When did you...Put me down! You swine! Do you know who I am! I’m Lord DIO’s Chosen one!”  He snarled, he could see it his eyes behind that cold facade Jotaro was filled with fear. That's right even in death DIO’s World would be realized and he: Miller would be the one to lead them. It was his destiny and this was merely a trial, a  prelude. “How dare you try to reach Lord DIO’s heights! Does your blasphemy know no bounds!?  When did you gain the power to stop time for more than two seco-” He spun on Star Platinum's fingers, the side of his jaw sunk into the back of his mouth breaking it off one of its hinges leaving it to dangle open. Jotaro rubbed the on the back of his hand soothing his bleeding knuckles from the backhand.

“All I want to hear from you are answers. Anything else and I’ll throw you into the morning light.”

He was a fool. He had heard that Lord DIO’s greatest victory was as a simple head. He sank ships and obtained the key to godhood.  The vampire’s grin split his face in half, the moisture in his head pulled to the back of his eye sockets.

“SPACE RIPPER-!” The world spun around, the sky was before him and his beam fire off into the distance. For the briefest of seconds he saw Star Platinum's foot.

“Ora.” A casual battle cry, more like a deep sigh, echoed from his Stand. An intense pain speared  him from the back of his head through his nose and Miller was launched into the distance, his jaw flung off into the tree line. His head smashed through a tree, he skidded and skipped across the mud and foliage. Branches and rocks tore through his skin until her slowly rolled to a halt. Something wet dribbled over his head.

“You’re covered in lighter fluid.” He could barely hear Jotaro over his own agony. “I may not have Hamaon but that does the trick well enough. Go on, take another shot but take this first.” The vampire could only lie there as Jotaro dropped something. It smelt of blood, he felt his head stretching out towards it draw towards it like a magnet. His bones clicking against it fusing to it, it was his own jaw.

“...Good grief,  now you give me the silent treatment? You’re about as pathetic as he was. Actually, The World crumbled to my kick so I suppose you're tougher, Mr.Successor.” His eyes strained, he’d scream in rage if his tongue wasn’t busy regenerating. How dare he. How dare he speak of the Lord’s Stand so lightly, hearing him invoke it whenever he stopped time was one thing. There was respect and reverse, as if his very being had to acknowledge whose power it reality was. But, that insult had to be repaid! 

This man had to die and it would be painful. He’d tear his head off, devour his brains and heart. He’d kill his mother. His grandfather, his grandmother, great grandmother! He’d find that Frenchman and feed him to pigs. The Joestar bloodline would end, their allies turned to shit to feed the crops! If only he could scream loud enough to reach the shore! Then Jotaro’s life would be over, it was pure luck! He lost to luck! Damn,damn,damn-

“Where are the townspeople? Are any alive?” Face down in the dirt he smiled against the mud. His whole face curled in delight. That foolish human sentimentality! Creatures like him, the true next step in evolution wouldn't care less for some corpse or food. He should have killed him here and now. 

‘Jotaro. Joestars! You’ll regret this humiliation you've bestowed upon me! Lord DIO. Watch as I take the torch you’ve passed to me to burn out this cursed bloodline.’

“...I have a ship. I’ll take you...”

JOJO

 The scent of the sea  was a breath of fresh air and it tried its best to hide the smell of blood. The deeper into the woods he went the greater the stench, crushing bone and meat underfoot. The trail led all the way out to the shore line and vanished, not that it mattered,  he saw a cargo ship that  was just wading the water, it was maybe a mile or two offshore.

“...How do you like it?” The Vampire sneered. “My vessel.” Tendrils bloomed from his head, easily clipped and burned by the flame of his lighter. “They got a little peckish so I went out for some cheap food. How is it? Do you feel the despair seeping in yet?” Jotaro ignored his ramblings. Star platinum could hear them, the moans of the dead barely a whisper on the wind. “ MUDA ! BITE!” The ship rocked back and forth as if something massive had just moved, a split second later it was torn asunder, a sea of corpses poured out roaring in shock and rage as they were dumped into the sea crushed by the waves that thing kicked up. Time slammed to a halt just in time for its wide maw to freeze in front of his face.

“What the hell is this thing?” He took a second to take it in. Its body was covered in deep gashes, fragments of metal, glass, and pipes pierced its flesh. It lacked eyelids, its pupils were tiny pitch black  pins. Its snout was stretched long like a crocodile  but as wide as a hippos snout, its teeth exploded to the elements and like a steel trap carved to look like teeth. Its maw open wide to snap his head right off his shoulders. Its arms and legs  were longer than Jotaro’s whole body, its hands and feet were webbed.  Along its back was a  large dorsal fin to match it had a long caudal fin. It wore a speedo. The oddest thing was its head: its own skin and skull was peeled back to expose its brain to the world.  Star Platinum reeled back its fist.

“ORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORA!”

“Time  Resumes!” Jotaro tipped his hat watching the creature spasm in mid air, its trajectory redirected with each punch until its own moment drove it across the ground leaving a trail that went on for a dozen yards. The creature had flown back towards the shore out of the thicket, bathed under the setting sun. The water bubbled and sizzled. There was a sizzling of flesh, smoke or steam rose from this body, chunks of it fell off like a sand castle falling apart. Its bones pierced its skin, smoke pouring out the wound and its limbs were twisted. Opening its maw and stretching its neck to tear off its own arm. With a twist of bone cracked, the skin tore apart, and  its muscle was shredded. 

Jotaro watched as the creature's limb flopped to the ground. Its muscles tightening around the wound until all he saw was a solid building mass of muscles too tight for even a drop of blood to flow from. The creature repeated the process with its other arm as the stump began to swell and in mountain a bone muscle and flesh sprang forth its shell like skin floweed over the exposed muscle and it was like brand new just in time for the creatures to do the same with its crumbled legs as it stood on its new arms. While it tore its own limbs apart, the sun burned it all the while and yet its body was turning to stone, melting, breaking apart and being rebuilt.

Jotaro scoffed, he’d grown used to this but he’s never seen a zombie or vampire ignore even the setting sun. “A zombie that doesn't care about the sun?” Was this a Quirk? 

“Nomu! DANCE!” The creature moved again, the ground exploding under its feet as it rocket towards Jotaro. Its speed was impressive but even if his eyes couldn't keep up Star 

Platinum had no trouble keeping it in sight. But where it was going to attack form wasn't the issue, the ground at his feet, the sand  shifting into the deep pits it made with each leap Jotaor was having a hard time standing up right, let alone moving away. Right now where he stood was the only level ground he could get to.  He threw a punch and Nomu’s face and body twisted form the blow, it stumbled for a moment and went right back circling him. “Dance!” To Jotaro’s eyes it was a blur at best hidden behind a wall of sand and dirt it kicked up with each jump. It was getting faster and had created an effective smokescreen. But, that's fine. He was waiting for that moment, for that loud mouth to bark a new order.  

“Nomu BITE!!” / “Star Platinum-!”

“Nomu! JUMP!” 

“The World!” The world turned grey  but that prick managed to sneak in another order, ‘jump’ at the last second . He stared up at the Nomu, he could barely see it, the thing leapt so high it was like a bird in the sky. The creature didn't even try to ‘Bite’ him so then did it prioritize the latest order? He looked towards the vampire that had ended up closer towards the trees and ran for him. Sadly time resumed just as he reached him.

“Dance! DANCE!” Once again he was encircled by the Nomu and the head sprouted tendrils and ran for it using a rock for shade to scuttle away like a crab. Still it ain't attacked without an order. So when he saw that it moved to his rear, Jotaro leapt over the craters and made a dash for the Vampire, flapping his jaw. He could hear the ground erupt behind him and in an instant the familiar blur was all around him not only keeping pace with him but circling around him like a shark investigating the surface. Just like he thought the creature followed him but didn’t make a move to actually attack him.

“Nomu! Shoot!”  With a crash it stopped. Jotaro glanced over his shoulder just in time to see the creature's maw opened wide, deep in the back of its throat a bright light was traveling up his gullet. Star Platinum fist pushed the jaw shut and locked it between its knee and elbow.  Nomu went still the inside of its throat shined through its skin and grew brighter and brother. 

“Shoot! SHOOT!” It thrashed in Star Platinum's grip, but it wasn’t trying to get away, it was just trying to pry its jaw open. “KILL HIM!!”

Jotaro grimaced. It wasn’t even on the level of a beast, any animal with even a hint of self preservation would have stopped and tried to use those arms to tear him to shreds. This thing had no intelligence.This creature wasn't some undead heteromorph, even zombies had intellect. Stilit was clearly undead.  You’d see this type of thing in horror movies from his youth. An abomination, the ultimate symbol of a megalomaniac. A Frankenstein's monster. 

“Good grief, you bastards have too much time on your hands.” All that energy building with no escape his throat swelled. It was still too soon to stop time. 

“Drop dead human! Lord DIO! WITNESS ME!! I’ll avenge you here and now! Nomu! Shoot! Shoot! Keep shooting even if you die!”

Good Grief.

“Alright. Go ahead then. Shoot.” He pointed at the Vampire. With a savage grin and a swift punch Star Platinum turned the creature around and let its jaw finally open. 

“IT'S USELESS-”

A bright flash bathed them into a white light. The horizon was swallowed into a blaze of blue that painted the world in its hue. The sound of the earth being forcibly ripped apart roared in his ears, sand blasted apart like a meteorite had hit the earth. Nomu hadn’t stopped fighting, trying its hardest to turn around while bellowing a stream of fire that turned the shore into steam and jagged glass. Star Platinum flexed its muscles pulling on Nomu into a headlock, its legs  wrapped around this toro to force it still. The heat was so intense his lips cracked, the moisture in his mouth dried up and his nose bled. Shards of glass flew by shredding his arms and face. The concerted stream of flames cut through the floor, it burrowned meters deep into the ground The surrounding sand turned to a cavern of glass. A column of steam bellowed out like a smokestack. Through the haze he could see sea water rising up to fill the space.  Even if he survived that attack he’d be lost to the tides without a fancy coffin to keep him safe.

“...”  If Polneraff or Josuke were here they’d have something to say about all this, the perfect thing to wrap up this battle. But Jotaro, he merely tipped his hat and that would have to be enough. The Nomu didn't move an inch after that. Its jaw still hung open, half melted muk dribbled down its lips and its own eyes were little more than rivers running down its face. Even so it was slowly repairing the damage it had done to itself. Uncaring and without a thought of its own it would await its next order no matter how long it took.

JOJO

“...When I  went back to town I heard some noise. Apprenalty there were some folk held up in an old villain shelter. Something so old no tourist would have known about it. Of a town of around 5,000 only about thousand are left.  I never found the agents assigned here, they might be at sea. The bastard must have been here for days.” It wasn’t rare for rural areas to get the short end of the stick when it came to cops and heroes but this was a whole town. It was a miracle that the SpeedWagon Foundation had workers from here and that they had failed to report back. It was nothing but luck.  Still that vampire was sure that Jotaro would arrive when he did. 

“Good work, this is troubling.” Her praise was dry and he could tell her comment on the vampire’s preparations was all she had to say on the matter. Which meant she was already aware and was also aware that had figured it out for himself. “I will inform agent Kim about her hometown.” She wasn't one for words. Kim could expect a simple email detailing what Brown deemed relevant. “How is the clean up?”

“It’s going.”Jotaro stared out to sea, the sun had set and every now and again a Zombie would come up from the water and he’d put it down for good. There was still a lot to clean up. He stared at Nomu who hadn’t budged an inch.

“You said he had a ship?” President Brown’s voice was quick and snippy as always. “Anything identifiable?”

“Mh. A cargo ship filled with corpses. Zombies, I’ve counted about twenty sailors  and  more are washing up on the beach.” She hummed. The clack of countless keys coming over the phone.

”We will need someone to help ID them and monitor the coast.” He nodded at her assessment and continued.

“ I didn't have long to study the ship.  The cargo crates were gone.” He frowned. “It’d be easy to hide his ‘crew’ in them, or transport the townspeople. But instead he had both  filled the ship like roaches. He must have dropped them off somewhere. Any idea where they might have gone?”

“His ship had not made any stops that we were aware of. I will have to reach out to local authorities and the coast guard. What of the creature? This Nomu? The name is japanese, correct?”

“Hm.” That didn't slip past him either, DIO operated all over the world but this coming out of Japan was worrying. “It's right here it hasn’t even closed its mouth. I’m planning to pass it off when I can. It’s a zombie of some sort, maybe man-made. Its regeneration is insane... it could be,” he stopped himself. “No, never mind. I know you hate needless speculations. So I’ll let the experts tear this thing apart.”

“Good.”

“Anything happen while I was gone?”

“Nothing worth your attention.” Brown answered. “I have your next assignment, it is in England. As always the details have been sent to you and we have a flight ready for you. Happy hunting.”

Chapter Text

Before her alarm even has the chance to go off she’s already been awake for about an hour. Staring down at her carpet, heart thumping in her ears, her core screaming at her while  beads of sweat running down her face as she did one armed push ups. She collapsed against the ground and rolled over huffing while trying her best to get her breathing under control. Above her, Stars and Stripes grinned down at her with a smile that put the sun to shame. 

Eldis Costello wanted to be and needed to be stronger and so she dedicated her mornings to these exercises. She wasn’t particularly tired, she was just breathing, taking slow calming breaths. Her fist that was curled hard enough to make her hands bleed slowly uncoiled with each sigh. 

She heard the clatter of a pan and as always the  muffled curse that followed squeaked through the floors, her father hard at work with his prep for the day. He always started without them and there was no point arguing about it, even when they woke up earlier to help out he woke up even earlier to get a headstart. It was funny, despite him doing this all her life  she only realized how much he worked a year ago and how much Gloria scrambled to help him. She wasn't doing her part back then. Even now things were only just getting to some sort of routine.

‘Bigger and better things, didn't wanna do boring stuff working ‘behind a  stove’ all my life. God I was a bitch.’ She shook her head with a dry laugh. Like beating up punks as if she was a Pro already. Or uprooting her whole family on a whim. 

Brrrring!

“Shut up. I hear you.” She grumbled sitting up from the floor. Even if she was used to waking up at the crack of dawn her alarm clock never failed to give her a migraine.

Brrrrring!

“I said shut up.”

SMACK!

Her desk rattled from the impact, if she actually kept anything on it her books or computer would have jumped to the ceiling. With a wince she kept an ear out hoping that didn;t hear that. After a few seconds she let out a sigh of relief, she didn’t need a lecture first thing in the morning and worst she definitely didn’t want her to go through the trouble of coming in just to do that.

‘Time to start the day. Maybe he’ll leave some actual work for us for a change.’ She thought, rolling her neck and then her shoulders, already knowing the answer. She’d go downstairs in a bit, be annoyed that he woke up before her and start the day, but before that there was something else she had to do. She took a seat at her desk sighing as she fished a thick pair of gloves from her desk and slipped them on as she opened her mouth.  Like a sparkler, golden flecks of light erupted from her throat, and rummaged around before her fingertips brushed against what she was looking for. Fingers wrapped around the handle.  She quickly ripped it out into she was staring down the barrel and then  snapped her mouth shut and the spray of light vanished and the silvery  heavily modified revolver with a glowing bulb attached to the back end sat on her desk, shining like a Christmas light. She emptied out the ammo, bulb like bullets clattered atop her desk. She grasped one between her fingers, while  holding up the back of the gun to the bullet, with a light  tap the energy hummed and the bullet began to glow. As always it  snapped open, like a blooming  flower from a thin vase it opened up into a three pronged claw.

Next she pulled out a screw driver and some cleaning tools. She knew the moment she started doing this that she couldn’t  use anything around the house or she’d slip up eventually and get caught. She didn't want to lie anymore then she already did to get here.

“Maintaining this thing is a pain in the ass...But I gotta say I’ve gotten real good at it.” She muttered, pulling her locs back with a few hair clips. First she had to take it apart, she cracked her hands and got to work, a pair of golden hands grew out from her arms, they held it extra steady as she loosed the casing of the weapon. Taking it apart wasn’t too difficult but there were all sorts of little things she needed to keep track of and at the start she had to record herself when she did and play it back to figure out how to get it all back together.  She needed to clean it from piece to piece. 

Check the ‘bulbs’ and clean the barrel too. Going in the wrong order would mean she’d have to dismantle it more than once and waste a bunch of time, she’d nearly lose pieces doing that. As if maintaining a gun wasn’t hard enough, there was the battery that was built into it and that was the rost part because she truly had no idea what this thing was all she knew was that once you popped it out the little glow from the bulb shut off and that if it was poorly connected the gun won't fire at all. She always had to be very careful with it, when she first started upkeep on this thing she nearly broke that power source, it wasn’t like she could get another so she spent an hour just making sure it didn’t crack or something when she dropped it.

‘Calling this thing a gun always feels so weird.’ She screwed her lip to one side as she stared down at her work. ‘...It under sells how fucked up you have to be to make this damn thing.’ It was a cruel weapon. The fact that it fired bullets was a footnote in its design. The bullets were sharp enough to bury themselves in concrete and  when fired carried the charge of the battery and sent heavy voltage throughout anyone poor enough to get hit by this thing. In a sense it was a bear trap firing gun fused to a heavy duty taser.  

To even get to that shock you would just have to  survive a bullet that, if you were lucky, went clean through you. Then if you weren’t? The bullets tearing your flesh apart, latching onto whatever it can and a surge of lighting to the spine. Then it’d still have to come out.  It's a cruel weapon but that was the point. That it could tear tough flesh and bone like paper leaving scars that never heal. Wounds that never heal.

This was her ritual. A promise she made to herself, she’d never forget to do it. The gun cleaned and ready; she  held it between her hands and slammed them together, the gun safely stored away once more. She gathered her things to take a shower. Her sister was up and already in her own bathroom, the soft hum of her singing  drifted  past the door as she walked by. She spared the stairlift a glance as she closed the bathroom door. Eldis hung her head in the shower trying her best not to think about anything. 

Her pops stood at the counter scratching something down on paper, the pencil small in his thick hands, humming a fast tune to himself as he nodded. “Yes..yes that could work we’d need to see how the regulars like it first but...”He rubbed his thick mustache muttering to himself in spanish. A quick glance around and she could see he’d already got the kitchen ready to go.

“Hey! Pops starting without us again?”She elbowed his pot belly,  laughing as he pulled her into a headlock. She smiled, even though the day just started he already smelled of spices and food, just like back in the US some things never changed.

“Wouldn't dream of it! Just getting some cleaning in! If you wanna catch up you’re going to have to wake up earlier than this.”
“Right, right.” She jabbed him a few times in his jovial gut before slipping out of his grasp. “Well what did you leave your favorite daughter to do?”

“Hm? Well, Eldis...I need Gloria’s opinion on my new recipe.” He snapped his fingers, his notes vanishing onto a shelf in the back.

“Oi!” He laughed as Eldis turned him into a training dummy. “When I’m number one in the US you’ll change your tune! But just you know I’ll remember this, You hear me Pops?”

“It's too early for you to be swearing revenge.” Gloria wheeled in with a bright beautiful  smile on her face that swept up the room in her warmth. Her long wavy blonde hair pulled back into a bun and her blue eyes curled in amusement. Her pink wheelchair was decorated with all sorts of stickers and accessories including a rabbit plushie. “We only have the one dad, ya know? So try and forgive him, for me?”

“There's my favorite Costello!” Eldis cheered, ignoring father's betrayed gasp as she wrapped her sister in a powerful morning hug, just like always. “Alright, alright  I’ll let you off this time Pops.”

With that the Blueberry Hill was ready for business.

Blueberry Hill, relocated from the United States, survived primarily Mexican dishes but after getting inspired by the restaurants he frequented Eldis’ father, Antoine began to try his hand at ramen dishes as well. And his favorite meat had once been chicken or beef; he found himself using more fish in his meals, though his clients delighted in the variety, the chef couldn't help but challenge himself further despite facing the challenges of opening up a second restaurant , nearly, from scratch. Still, despite the occasional language barrier and differences in culture the Costelloes once again  found their stride thanks to the years of experience, and the Blueberry Hill had a stable following after only being open for a few months. They did especially well during lunch and dinner and it seemed the cooler months  had people coming for their powerful spices and flavors to warm themselves up, or just to challenge themselves. Their signature dish was blueberry empanadas, a staple in their household since the Costelloes were children, and was quite popular.

The savory smell of cooked food quickly filled the restaurant as they got through the morning and got ready for lunch.

“Pops! You got Tomoe-san’s hot chocolate and pay de queso, ready? I can run it with these.” His daughter held the three bowls of curry.

“Hey Eldis!” He shook his head. “That's enough ain't it?” His mustache curled up with his smile, he was gearing up to tease her about something and to his joy he could tell she hadn't the slightest clue about what. “I already told you, if you got something to do just tell me ahead of time! It's okay to do things outside the business. Heck, even Gloria wasn’t this hardheaded!” He hadn’t expected Eldis to follow in his or Gloria’s footsteps but ever since they came to Japan there was a shift in her. It made him proud that she was picking up the space Gloria’s condition left. He still wanted her to pursue her own dreams. Going from school to work and back, it was too much.

“Whuh? What the heck are you talking about, Pops? I got  our business in my hands here so if you could make sense? That’d help..” Her old man huffed at her, taking the trays from her and hip checking her out of the kitchen. She felt like a dog whose owner pretended to throw a ball confused and expecting some sort of trick that just never came. “Excuse me? Hello?”

“You kept your friends waiting but Gloria is entertaining them.” He snickered. “Better move quick! You know how your sister gets and she has so many stories to tell.” Dumbfounded Eldis dusted off her hands on her apron before heading towards the front to find Her sister chatting up a storm with two familiar girls. Jolyne and Gwess sat across from her. Gwess had some stuffed(?) animal atop her head. The two of them enjoying blueberry empanadas while giggling with her sister. It went without saying that neither Costello knew why the pair had shown up but the eldest was happy to know her sister had made friends and brought them home. Whatever the conversation had been about before, by the time she was in ear shot all she could hear was them complementing her sister’s japanese.

“You really think so, sometimes I stumble over words and get them mixed up, sometimes I think whoever made this language loved tongue twisters.” Gloria said in Japanese, they always spoke it out of the kitchen to keep their language skills sharp, waving at her as she approached, Jolyne refused her nonchalant response  with a laugh.

“No way your Japanese is really good! You said it's only been two years since you guys moved here, right?“

“Hm, more or less.” Gloria nodded. “I was the last one to start learning, so I’m always trying to watch my tongue.” 

“It took me a long while to get that good and I learned as a kid! You gotta be more proud about it, brag a little!”

“Well I am the big sister, so maybe you’re right! I think I learned even faster than Eldis! I can’t give little Eldis an inch!”

“Little! Ha!” Gwess howled. “The little Costello could learn a thing or two from you-”

“What the heck are you two doing here?” Eldis took  a swig Gloria's coffee. Her face went pale, she spit back up inot the cup of sweat dripping down her face. It was super bitter, that was the best she could say about it.  Something really weird mixed in, it was like drinking rainwater from a pond filled with worms. Gloria giggled as her sister spit up her trap back into the cup. “Why...did you do this?”

“Serves you right. How many items have I told you to mind your manners?” Gloria’s chastising her with a pinch to the cheek. “Next time I’ll put more than just rice.”

“I guess I deserved that.” She balked. Gloria pouted, pulling on her sister's cheek again.

“Yeah listen to your big sis! You gotta learn how to be a bit sweeter, maybe you'll be half as cute as her.” Gwess burst out laughing but quickly looked away when she scowled at her. “W-what, what’d I say!?”

“We’re just talking to Gloria-chan.” Jolyne answered with a shit eating grin, she got a kick at both watching Gwess back down instantly and her ‘senpai’ out of her element for a change. “And  I needed to talk to you but only came here cause  we were hungry and Gwess told me this was a good spot!”

“For what?”

“For food, duh.” Gwess shrugged her shoulders as if the question was so stupid she shouldn't have had to say anything. The monkey-thing mimicked her actions sticking its tongue out at Eldis, honestly she should have tossed them out just for having that wired pet but Gloria didn’t fuss about it so she’d just ignore the thing too. 

“Oi. I don't  remember ever inviting you to my family’s restaurant.”The only time this walking problem was here was when Best Jeanist bought the others for a reward dinner and she caught this idiot using her Quirk to cause trouble for her.

“Hey now what's with that tone?” She scolded her, making her regret not bringing up Gwess’s escapades up to her family when she had the chance. “You should be nicer to your friends, Eldis! I was worried that you were having trouble making any.” Eldis flinched, Gloria had a real terrible habit of saying too much. “So don’t chase these two away because they’re so cute.” 

“Hehehe, cute huh? Coming for you, that's a real compliment” Jolyne flushed, ‘Hhheehe! C-come on shes not serious! I gotta hold back my smile a bit!’ And Gwess beamed, sticking her tongue out at Eldis.

“Y-yeah you're gonna make me cry here, Hero-san! I mean we just wanted to surprise our best friend at her home and get some food! Is that so wrong!?” As Gwess went to take a bite, pretending to drown her sorrows in the crisp empanada, a golden hand squished the treat making it explode over her.  

“Oh dear!” Gloria gasped, tried to help clean her face with a napkin, but Gwess coughed and hacked. “I’m so sorry, I have no idea what just happened but let me help you!”

 “Hey!” Gwess snapped slamming her fist on the table, drawing a few eyes their way. “ Joey! That bit-” Jolyne quickly stuffed an empanada in Gwess mouth as she gasped. “hMm!?”

“Fine, fine  you can have the rest of mine. Just stop crying already.” Her eyes were locked onto the phantom limb that hung around Eldis. “No harm done right? There, there.” Gwess huffed and sat back down.

“Hmph. Whatever.” Meanwhile Jolyne and Eldis eyed one another.

‘She can see it? They both can?’ The younger Costello thought. If she squinted she could have seen Jolyne’s hair and shoulder unraveling into blue threads weaving together. But all she saw was a n ethereal blue hand wagging  a finger at her. Though her eyes were still filled with whimsy, there was an edge to her gaze now that she saw the phantom limb coming from the older girl. 

‘She got a Stand too.’ Jolyne realized and from her gesture Eldis figured that whatever was going on with the two of them isn't something to talk about in public. 

The youngest Costello  had already tried to bring it up to her family before. Both her father and sister thought she got a head injury in the mall incident, and she believed that she must have been hallucinating it too. But when she used these arms to help her in the kitchen she realized that it was real.  She managed to convince them she just needed to take a break and they moved one easily enough, though they fussed over her for a week.

“As for why I wanted to see you today, I came to ask you a favor actually, I heard you're a UA student!” Jolyne pointed at her dramatically, brushing past the ghost arm to loop and arm over her shoulders. Though things were slightly different now that they knew that Eldis had a Stand too. “That true? You even have a hero name and everything, Glory?”

“Tehehe.” Gloria giggled, her laughter was the only set up Jolyne needed and Eldis could already feel the comment coming her way. 

“Wait a minute, did you?” Eldis groaned as Jolyne beamed up at her. “You did! I was curious but you named yourself after your sister?” Gloria nodded with a proud sort smile you’d get for seeing a loved one succeed and Eldis knew that there was no getting out of this conversation without a burning face. “That's so sweet! You gotta really love your big sis, right!?”

“I gwess even you can be cute.” Gwess giggled, her Stand mirrored her. “Miracles follow you around like spell Joey! Are you into gambling cause I know a place that could use you.”

“That's right she’s the pride of the family, she could have gone to any school in the country, even in the US she got scouted  but she suddenly decided on UA. Not many people can just pick UA but my baby sis ain't’ just anyone!”

“But I never saw you in the sports festival, what happened? Why didn’t you compete?”

“I...”

“She got stage fright, right?” Gloria answered, patting her sister on the shoulder. “Poor thing even had a terrible stomach ache.”

“...”

“...”

“...Yeah.” Eldis sighed. “Just kill me already.”

“I see.” She knew that if she laughed in her face there would be no getting what she wanted and this whole trip would have been kind of pointless. Jolyne fought with all she had to hold in her giggles as she covered Gwess’s mouth. “I guess it can happen to anyone, it is like a worldwide event.” It was truly understandable but the two of them looked back at Eldis who could only pout at her sister’s betrayal. The image of her being nervous didn't click in their minds at all.

“She never got to be in the sports event! But! She did get to participate in the culture festivals; you won't believe what her class did! Her Japanese was rough back then but they wanted to do something that they could all participate in without a language barrier! One of her classmates suggested a beauty pageant and-” Gloria was already going through photos and videos on her phone ready to show them off to her sisters dismay and everyone else's amusement. “She's going on to her third year!  And-”

“Hey. The girl is right here.” She flushed, getting her sister’s praise was always nice but super embarrassing being bragged to her face. “It's so embarrassing when you do this.” She hissed at her sister.

“Why, my adorable sister, I’m sure I  have no idea what you mean.”

“Wait so she got scouted?” Jolyne sighed. “So I can’t have you pay me back with UA tips...?”

“Pay you back?”

“Pay you back for...are you a debt collector or something?” At this point she wondered if Jolyne was some sort of loan shark in another life, or maybe she came from a family of gamblers. And to her credit Jonye was only half joking about the money, though if the older girl actually paid out that would be a happy bonus to her.

“ No way? Are you trying to weasel out of it?! “ Jolyne gasped, “even though you owe me that huge debt!?” She cried, pulling Gloria in for a hug. “Gloria-oneechan do you see what we deal with?! She’s so mean!”

“Lame too.” Gwess added. 

“Eldis! You have to pay what you owe.” Another pinch.

“Ow! I don’t owe her anything...”

“Still she came all this way. Do you have any way to help? If she’s shooting to be  a first year that makes you her senpai right? You should  give her a hand!” Gloria pouted. There was no escape for her, the moment that Gloria was dragged into this request she was going to help. Even if she didn’t take the entrance exam she knew a few people who could Jolyne out, or at least give her an idea of whatever it is that she would have to be prepared to do.

Still. It wouldn't be all one sided. Afterall Jolyne had information about a lot of things that Eldis needed to know, first among them, her newfound power.

With no real reason to not work out a deal, especially if it got her sister to stop pouting, Eldis gave them a nod.

“Alright I’ll do it on two conditions. It should be nice and easy. ” She didn't bother to wait for a response as she shoved them out of her restaurant. “Be back later, sis!” 

“See ya soon Gloria-chan!”

“Stay out of trouble you three! If you're interested I can set aside some leftovers for dinner.”

“We’ll be back!” Gwess promised, already dreaming of whatever delicious meal the elder Costello had waiting for them. While Eldis bites her tongue ready for another round of embarrassment.

“So spill when did you get your buddy there?” Jolyne asked as she watched the scenery speed by on the train. Despite being early in the afternoon they managed to find some seats away from the crowd to talk shop. With all the background chatter their own conversation just mixed into the noise.

“Not that long ago.” Eldis shrugged; her gaze also focused on the view out the window.“Freaked me the hell out when it just popped out, my family thought I was crazy for a bit, I did too until I grabbed some dishes.”

“It’s called a Stand.” Jolyne whispered conspicuously.”Yeah, but like when? If you had to guess.” Eldis gave her a confused look as Gwess piped up from her left.

“Oh come on,  who knows when she got it.”

 “Let me take a shot: was it after that whole mess at the mall or before.” She rubbed the bridge of her nose as Gwess whistled a light tune. “Or, maybe during?”

“Yeah it was right  after, how’d you guess it was so close to that?” That was at least two people that got a Stand, at least no one randomly died but this could get out of hand quickly.

“Gwess.” The girl withered under Jolyne’s glare, her stand hiding in her jacket abandoning Gwess to her fate. Before she had a chance of the runway Jolyne pulled her into a headlock pulling on her cheek. “Gwess!”

“What more do you want!?  I said sowwy!? Sowwy! You gotta stop living in the past Joey, that's the key to staying young and pretty. Just look at Costello, don’t end up like-”

Smack!

The jab whizzed by so fast it tussled Jolyne’s hair, a golden blur that knocked Gwess flat on her back during a red mark on her forehead, Goo Goo Dolls howling in rage for her user’s sake. On the back of its hand and on its elbow was a sticker of a kiss mark. Still, Eldis had no clue how to make it appear, which Jolyne quickly took note of. 

“Owwie...W-what the hell was that for!? I didn't even do anything to you bitch!” She said using Jolyne as a shield.

“Is that all you got, an arm?” Jolyne asked. “You haven't tried to make the whole thing show up?”

“Well that was the deal! You explain this ghost thing, like what the hell this even is?”

“Where do I even begin with this...”

“Why not start at making those things go away!?” The phantom limbs cracked their knuckles, menacingly reaching over Jolyne for Gwess’s neck who shrieked much to the confusion of the other passengers. 

“Well well that's our stop, let's go ladies!” It wasn’t but these two couldn't be on a train together or else they’d find out what Kiss could do very soon. The three girls set out on foot, Jolyne between the two as Gwess used her as a human shield. 

The other condition, Eldis wanted to see the Hot Rod Hearts base of operations. On the train ride and walk to the apartment, Jolyne was more than curious as to what business Eldis had but the older girl only grinned at her and said:

“I really have to spell it out for you? Storming their base, busting up a criminal organization, and kicking ass is every kids dream ain't it!? Besides I am curious to see what kind of gang someone like you was rolling with.”

“Can’t say it never crossed my mind.”  She couldn't deny that, the idea of busting in with her new power and  getting some sweet payback. The idea to just fight  them buzzed in her head more than a few times before she got sent to the hospital. Getting jumped by those two opened her eyes to how she’d have to fight from now on, if she had no choice that’d be one thing but hopping into a den of Stand users without a plan would be the death of her. But back then she never thought she’d have any back up. Eldis was apparently scouted to UA and had Stand of her own, that was the best back up she could think of short of a Pro hero with a Stand! Even if Gwess couldn't fight if there was someone she could rely on to get outta dodge it’d be her. 

“Doubt anyone is there though but maybe I can figure out something about what those chumps are trying to do.” Gwess was less than enthused to be here and Jolyne was surprised that she came out  all this way, she half expected her to stick by the restaurant until everything was said and done, she’d only asked her to help talk to Eldis about UA. She didn't have much reason to come on in the first place.  

The apartments that the Hot Rod Hearts called home were destitute as she remembered. As if the entire building had been consumed by a grand inferno and left to the elements forgotten by everyone. The large chunks of the walls were charred black like burnt barbeque and the rest stained and fading to match the worst of it. Neighboring buildings were not any better, the road rolling past it was fine as were the buildings away from it like the top floor of the cafe the girls found themselves at. 

“What a dump.” Both Eldis and Gwess agreed. How anyone would join a gang that operated out of a condemned bundling was beyond them.

“I think they did you a favor.” Gwess chuckled while taking a picture of her strawberry shortcake.

“It's only like that on the outside.” Jolyne mumbled around her croquette. “I hate to admit it but the inside is pretty cool.”

“Oh yeah? What's so cool about it?” Eldis asked after downing a cup of coffee with a satisfied sigh. She was filled with energy from her non-poisoned coffee. “You count the ashes of money or something?”

“Hmhmhm. I’ll let it be a surprise. No way the police cleared it all out, we just have to get past them without being seen.”

The officers around the building were lax enough to stand around talking to each other. Honestly it looked more like they were hanging out rather than looking after the place. Whatever urgency there had been in their investigation of the complex had probably been completed since the summer, they had moved on. Now all that they had to do was look after the building itself, keeping an eye out for any members or keeping out troublemakers.  which made her invaluable to this whole thing, much to her despair. The three of them watched the officers converse from a safe distance.

“Well, looks like they have this place on lock. Too bad.” Gwess, ready to give up and do just about anything else, turned around to leave. “I gwess we gotta head back and see the cooler Costello.”

“You talked to her for two minutes.” Eldis rolled her eyes. “Here.” Jolyne and Gwess watched as Eldis pulled out a ball from the back of her throat with some sparkles of light. “Give this to your little toy and get it inside.”

“Ew. Where the heck did you keep that?”

“That... was your Quirk?” Jolyne watched as G.G.D. hopped off its mistress’s head and nimbly scurried across the street and past the cops without anyone noticing the tiny ball. 

“Yep you got it, my Quirk is  Delivery.”

“So what, you're a handbag?” Gwess giggled into her hand. She closed her eyes leaning against Jolyne for support. Dealing with the double vision was too much for her so whenever she needed her Stand to do something Gwess always made it sound like she was drunk. “Wow.” She was the first one to get a peek inside and was audibly disappointed by what she saw.  ‘What a waste of time,’ Gwess thought, relieved. ‘But at least we won't have a repeat of last time. If I can just convince them this is a waste of time we can go and ditch Costello and actually do something fun.’ Her plan secure, Gwess called out to the other two. “Googoo is in! So now what?”

Eldis smiled, slapping Gwess on the back and pacing a hand atop Joynes head, a surge of golden energy flowed from her body ensnaring theirs and in a flash they were surdonged by burn walls and creaking floorboards. 

JOJO

“We...” Jolyne asked holding Gwess as she flailed about in a panic, her voice only muffled by Joylne’s hands. From hiding on the street to being inside the building was jarring but the joestar had no intentions of getting arrested again. “Where are we? Is this inside?”

“Along with being a ‘handbag’ Delivery lets me teleport like that.” Eldis explained. “Everything in one piece?”

“Ugh...that felt gross.” Gwess balked, holding her stomach. “Why?” Eldis tapped her in chin in thought before she answered:

“That's just death. You’ll get over it.”

“...What.”

“You know how teleporting works in the movies right?  Some people theorize when you teleport you either get moved from one place to another with no regard for space or...it’s like  being broken down to the atom and reassembled at another spot, it's the same thing as being torn to pieces, killed and put back together. The you right now is just a perfect brand new copy  and the other, original, and the old you died in that instant.”

“...Perfect huh...” Gwess paled. “...A better me?”

“That's kind of like that ship of Theseus thing right? But instead of being rebuilt it’s a copy? Either way, I don’t really think it makes a difference.” Jolyne stared at her hand as it unraveled into blue strings. Though in this case a Jolyne ‘died’  it didn't mean she wasn’t still Jolyne, her will made manifest, her Stand was proof of that. “Stone Free’s still here, everything is where it should be, so it's still me in any way that matters. Copy, rebuilt with new atoms, or not. If I think I’m Jolyne then I’m Jolyne. Right?” She elbowed Gwess who shook off her dread long enough to nod. “Just means there's more of a good thing!”

“Uh...right it's stupid to think about anyway.”

“Way to solve philosophy.” Eldis shrugged, not at all disappointed that Jolyne hadn’t freaked out like Gwess did. “So this is it? Really?” Her friend turned her attention to the interior, her lip screwed up like she ate something sour. 

“I-it was waaaay different the last time I was here! It was all golden and fancy! They had butlers and everything! The first two floors were a parking garage, not this!” The two gave her dubious looks, it was impossible to imagine this place as anything like what she just described. 

“I knew that sounded fake as hell.” Gwess clicked her tongue behind them. “There's not anything ‘golden,’ ‘fancy,’ or even cute  about this used up matchstick. Maybe they were just flexing? Like how guys buy cars they can’t afford to act like they got cash but they're drowning in debt just to have it around.” A few months ago, the idea of someone being disappointed when seeing the side of their base would have made Jolyne think they were posturing but she couldn't help but agree. 

She couldn’t accept that it was fake or a show. The Hearts had actual luxury. They had expensive food everyday. The place even smelt great, like roses even, the burnt smell that clung to the walls was as unfamiliar as it was suffocating!

‘Even if Gwess was right when did they have the chance to take everything down and leave? How could they do that so quickly, without anyone noticing? Unless the entire police force was working for them, no way nobody noticed anything.’ Jolyne walked through one apartment to the next.

“Wait, were seriously just gonna wander around? There's nothing here! We did what you asked, so just give her the cheat sheet so we can bail!”

“Sssh. They're still outside, keep quiet!” 

“I just need to see something, good heroes can’t leave a secret base alone.” Eldis huffed. “Just stay put if you’re just gonna whine the whole time.” She teased making Gwess flare up. “C’mon Jolyne, let's take a look around. Gotta be something still here.”

“Hey you don’t just blow me off! Joey!? Let's just forget it, do you really need her help anyway?” Gwess whispered low enough that Eldis shouldn't be able to hear.

“Maybe not, but I’m going to use everything I can to make it. If you had UA knowledge I’d ask you but-” 

“Oh so I’m useless is that it?”

“Hell  no.” Jolyne clicked her tongue. She probably could have worded that better, especially with Gwess hair triggers. She shook her head. “No but like I said before, I’m not gonna stop being friends with you just ‘cause you can’t do something  I need. Besides, I  do need you to help us out. Be a lookout for me, with G.G.D. It should be a piece of cake plus you won't have to wander this...probably cursed building like I am. So pwease, I’ll owe you, you already helped me out but I’m depending on you bestie one more time!” Gwess flushed, smiling brightly but quickly looked around nervously as the floor creaked.

“...W-well fine, Whatever, I’m out the second I see a cop you got it?! I'll call and let you guys know!”

“I can believe you can handle her attitude” Eldis muttered as they walked away from Gwess and began to explore.

“...Its not that hard.” Jolyne shrugged. “Gwess is pretty alright when she's not being a bitch. Just don't antagonize her.”

“Me?” Jolyne fixed her glare and Eldis held her hands up in surrender. “You guys really are besties now huh? I'm way too good at my job.” Again Jolyne shrugged.

“Better than what I had before. At least she's easy to read. Unlike some people.”

“Fair. I can see that predictable crazy is better than gossiping idiots any day. What I don't get is how are her moods predictable?”

“I  gwess you get used to it.”

“...Don’t do that. Shut up.” 

“You’re supposed to say pwetty pwease.”

“...Ugh.”

The outside was the same but the interior was completely different from what she remembered and told the cops. Each room was scrambled, some rooms were twice as big as their neighbors. Some had no bathroom or toilets on the ceiling. A few had  conjoined kitchens that looked like they were built fused together. The same could be said for the furniture.She saw an old burnt to a crisp couch sprouting from the ceiling of one room, but going upstairs she saw no sign of it. Worst is she couldn't even begin to recognize what some of these rooms were supposed to be. The first two floors and the lobby especially, she couldn’t see how they could have changed so much without tearing down and remodeling the whole building. 

“That's it for down here. The police must have cleared this place  out a long time ago.” Jolyne frowned. They found themselves in a disheveled abandoned manager’s office; the walls were as burnt as anywhere else. The furniture was worn down and dusty and the desk was half gone and the edges that remained were warped and charred. Eldis pacing back and forth pausing only to tap her and look around.“Suppose this wasn’t much of an infiltration. We could check the upper floors for something but I bet the cops took whatever would give us a lead on them.” Though she didn't really think they would find anything of  more value here. Still she made a deal, she’d hate for Eldis’s adventure to be cut short. “Who knows maybe Gwess ran into something?”

“Hm...You really think there's nothing in this room?” Eldis tutted, wagging a finger at Jolyne. “You gotta keep your eyes open, Jolyne. Watch your senpai at work.”

“Huh?”

“Now then, this place is a burnt out mess right, every wall scorched to hell and back and the rooms all messed up beyond common sense.” She held out her arms, presenting the space around her as if there was something to be seen. “But why not this room?”

“More importantly why’s the ceiling still burnt up but not this floor.” She tapped her foot against the ground, all over until a knock echoed. “Right, let's see what we got.” Jolyne watched as she peeled away the panel on the floor revealing a hole in the ground. Peering in she saw a stairway that she’d never seen before that lead who knows where. It was so dark that they needed to use their phones to light the way.

“Oh my god.” The two floors were not like she recognized and the building itself was shortened and now she knew why. It had been reorganized and the missing floors were not missing; they'd been moved to this basement. Despite being underground it was exactly as she recognized. Each room was connected and cleared out, the walls between them completely,  a large winding ramp like you see in a parking garage. And like a parking garage it was filled with cars, bikes, just about anything they’d grabbed, just like she remembered. Only now it was empty pitch black save for the paths of light their phones carved out for them. Deadly silent their footsteps might as well have been heavy stones being skipped across the ground as they explored. A bead of sweat rolled down her face. Gwess was right.  “It has to be another  Stand, did that make this place so fancy? No wait that doesn't matter, did it reshape the layout?” She muttered, yet her voice echoed in the empty lot. The base was never like she saw it. The old burnt down apartment complex was its natural state. Modest and More had Stands, and the group definitely wanted more. So who's to say they were the only active Stand users?  ‘Does that mean this shit’s not over with?’ Jolyne wondered. 

“Did you know about this?” Eldis spun on her heel and  almost blinded Jolyne with the flash of her phone. Jolyne gave her a so-so gesture.Eldis inspected  each ride with interest, popping open hoods to quickly inspect the engine and giving it a look over before moving onto the next. 

“I don't know if there was a basement but this place I’ve been. This place was the garage, where we kept all the stuff we stole or had to move around the city. Everything is a mess, they rearranged the whole building somehow.”

“What made you guys go after these cars? Any special reason?” She asked; the slam of a hood nearly made Jolyne jump, not from surprise but from the thunderous noise it made.

“Whatever we could get our hands on I guess? It’s not like we were ever ordered to grab this or that. They told us the type of job but what we did, how we did it, was left mostly up to us. We liked the freedom.” Eldis gave a few quick nods, she was listening but somewhere else altogether as she looked over a bike.

“ So everything that was here  right was stuff you  guys dropped off here? You need a whole garage for a couple of kid thieves? That's all?” 

“Well now that you mention it...Every now and again there was stuff like that, none of us got to handle the stuff that was brought in by the OG’s but we got to see ‘em.

“Did you  guys have anything foreign or interesting?” She asked with haste, as if Jolyne were taking too long to answer her questions. “Like sports cars or modded stuff like hero equipment?”

“Yeah. Weird things that barely looked like cars. Sometimes people with the right skills and Quirks would tear ‘em apart. That's why I got the idea to steal a hero bike.” Her mind wandered to the summer, that was probably the best bike she’d ever seen. “ I remember, those were by the entrance for quick...”Jolyne trailed off, Eldis was already off heading down completely abandoning the car she was looking at and vanished over the slope and into the darkness. Her footsteps echoed around her as Jolyne gave chase.She found Eldis stood  in front of a souped up car, it was slick and black as night, the type of car you’d see in a spy movie. 

“Hey...Why’d you...” While shadows of the garage were chased away by Jolyne’s light her friend’s was sprawled  across the wall looming over them, and though Jolyne couldn't see her face her Stand was a different story. A menacing and  bright aura swirling around her body as the golden arms of her stand appeared once more. 

“OSSSHAAAAAAAA!” The phantom limbs rose out of her back, grasping the air  as if trying to drag itself into reality. A golden body with purple spikes growing out of its head like a crown. The masculine Stand its mouth its teeth ground together but its lips pulled up it a ruthless smile, Its head hung, fists curled and muscles flexing as it exhaled. Its shimmering aura illuminates the fierce expression on its face.

“Hey Eldis-”

“Well I guess that's good enough.” The Second year she brushed her hand  off her jeans. “We can't really report this cause we weren't supposed to be here but I think this was a good adventure. I even thought of a name just now. Let's go with Kiss.” Eldis smiled,  Kiss slamming the hood shut so hard that the car jumped. Jolyne watched as the hood sprang up, slamming against the ceiling so hard that it hung pressed into the concrete. Kiss, vanished. “I think that's the perfect name for it. Well let's get going before the cops near Gwess’s teeth chattering.” She gently elbowed Jolyne’s side as she strode past her.

“...” 

“What?” Edlis asked. Jolyne blinked in confusion, looking down she saw: Stone Free, she reached out and wrapped its string around Eldis’s wrist stopping her from walking away. One of Kiss’s stickers between her fingers. The sound of scraping metal echoed from above them, carried through the garage it was almost a scream. “Sheesh, you don’t gotta worry about me skipping out on my debt. I’m a woman of my word!”

“Uh...Yeah. Right. Let's go.” Jolyne hung back for a moment, turning her light back at the spy car as Eldis made her way back to the office. The car hood was still there, both on the vehicle and stuck in the ceiling. As if drawn in by a magnet or a sudden shift in gravity the hood plummeted down like a diving hawk onto the car.  Like characters clipping through a wall in a game the hoods  vibrated and melded together. Violently the now singular hood ripped itself apart where they once overlapped.  “... what was that about?” 

In no time at all they left the way they came, the police none the wiser. Jolyne couldn't help but think how lucky she was that the Stand user wasn’t here. If they could really control an entire building and reshape it how they wanted. This could have been it for them. Still it made her wonder what would make a Stand like that abandon its stronghold without a single incident?

The group found themselves wandering the streets, the sky had turned vibrant blue with orange clouds by the time they finished regaling Gwess with their discovery  though she didn't seem very interested in the hideout. Obviously she wanted nothing to do with it in the first place and only came because of Jolyne. Eldis’s stand on the other hand...

“Kiss?...I’ll give that name a pass.” Gwess hummed through her Goo Go Dolls who cooed in agreement. Of course that's what she chose to focus on. “I thought the first time was a miracle but maybe you just got potential with names? Eh, Glory?” The Mexican girl didn't bother to argue.

“Well it's a bit early to head home, I basically go the day off and  Gloria would think I tried to ditch you guys if I went back now.” Eldis pivoted. “Let's go a round. It won't be anything too serious. Just a quick back and forth, get used to this gal,” She thumbed her Stand, “and see how you do. You fought off that goon at the mall so you're probably ahead of most of your future classmates.”

“Just a quick one-two?”

“Yup. I’m not trying to get in trouble for a street fight, so first to get a single clean hit. That should be good enough to see what I’m working with. Follow me.”

Jolyne found herself at the mouth of the alley staring down Eldis who merely rolled her shoulders and beckoned Jolyne to try her. ‘Not too much to maneuver around, probably enough room for three people to walk side by side,’ she observed.

“Beat her ass, Joey!”

“Stone Free!” This battle was as much a learning experience for herself as  it was for Jolyne and Jotaro’s daughter understood that as well.  Right now Eldis had to be thinking: What could she do, what’s her power, what can her Stand do? These thoughts folded their minds as they sized each other up. Jolyne had no issue using her experience to gain an early advantage.

“Oraoraoraora!”

“Shit!” Kiss appeared between the two of them blocking the strikes with its arms.  Eldis’s arms were already bruised from  taking one punch as she backed up and with a flash of light she held a rubber ball in her hands. Eldis tossed a ball in mid air and another at Jolyne. For a moment Kiss rushed forward like a bullet only for it to dramatically slow down as it got within arms length of Jolyne, it reeled its fist back but the Stand might as well have been trying to throw a punch under water. “Ah so that's the range thing, eh?” Eldis clicked “It gets that weak after a few feet, and I feel kind of sluggish too.”

Stone free was ready to end it here, gearing up for a kick to it’s chin.

 But a ball fell in front of Jolyne's field of view.

‘Shes gonna teleport!’ She realized, “ORA!” Stone Free adjusted her kick at the ball, she expected Eldis to suddenly appear but all she did was punt the ball into the distance. Kiss was gone in a burst of light.  Jolyne whirled around to throw a kick behind her only to find nothing but air.  And suddenly she got a face full of Eldis, who appeared a full second later. The older girl’s eyes were sharp, they cut through Stone free and cleaved her through her to pierce her chest. Intense, intimidating, and mesmerizing. 

Then she tossed a dozen rubber balls around and vanished once more leaving behind a burst of light, and then another as she appeared to her right; her  and her Stand both throwing a punch.

“Stone-” They vanished again, the burst of light was blindly bright. “Shit!” Jolyne barely had enough time to block a punch as Stone Free caught Kiss’s kick. Eldis stuck around long enough to exchange a few nabs before she vanished again. The cycle went on and on, Jolyne barely able to react to Eldis while Stone Free was occupied with Kiss. The moment  she tried to escape, Kiss appeared! And when Stone Free  cashed with the close range stand Jolyne could barely avoid getting hit by Eldis herself. Forced to dodge and block  her powerful strikes by the skin of her teeth. Again and again and again, punch, block, dodge, flash and repeat over and over. Beads of sweat ran down her face as she found herself breathing faster and faster. She was trapped in her rhythm and if she didn't break out soon it’d be her loss. It was like she was idle either Eldis’s would appear from the shimmer veil of light as she had tried to tag her. Throwing punches and kicks, barely dodging out of the way of her own attacks and having Stone free block Kisses heavy blows was starting to wear on her, how long had they been going back and forth!?  

She felt heavy both in body and  mind, ‘this must be what boxing feels like’ She thought. And Eldis kept teleporting without a care in the world. “Then how about this!?” Just like before she laid out a wire trapping around her giving her a warning to when and where the pair would appear. She had expected the hero-in-training  to hesitate, to give her an opening , but the shower of light never stopped and instead she still couldn't get an offensive going. 

But Jolyne could take the time to catch her breath, ‘if she’s just gonna keep popping in and out like this. I just need to catch her mid swing and then it’ll all be over!’  Between the burst of lights she could just barely make out the rubber balls flying through the air, Stone free could keep track of most of them but suddenly  it was like a dozen more were thrown into the mix. ‘It doesn't matter, she's just trying to mess with me.’ Jolyne had long since given up on her eyes and trusted her string and Stone free to react in time. ‘Either she cuts herself or she gets ora’d.’ She huffed, beads of sweat nearly running down her eyes. Though that was all for nothing, as a ball tapped her on the forehead, a burst of light surrounded her as Eldis balanced herself on Jolyne’s shoulders pushing her down to her knees.

“You’re heavy!” 

“Hey.” Eldis chuckled using her as a springboard to pop up, making Jolyne catch herself with her hands before she kissed the floor. “It's muscle.”

“ORAORAORA!” She was already gone. Jolyne huffed, throwing her gaze all over and was rewarded by flashing lights.  A moment later Kiss rose from the floor and tapped her chin and gave her a pat on the head. 

“Alright that's enough.” 

“...Wait, did I just lose?” She huffed and collapsed on the ground. 

“It happens. You definitely have real experience, as expected of the girl who beat down the ringleader of that mall attack. You thought ahead and figured out when  I would teleport but I was thinking even further ahead. Lesson one- if you get out played react faster then they can.”

“Shit...I’m...So tired?”

“Honestly, I just had more stamina and I’m used to this kind of fight. You weren’t  that's why you turtled down like that right? Couldn’t keep up with me like your Stand could with Kiss so you forced me to change it, I’ll give you points for that but it was too late. By that point  you lost that war. Dragging out a fight like that is different from just running around or general exercise. It’s a lot of sudden bursts of power without any real time or way to let yourself rest, and your mind is hyper focused to boot. So I guess that's what we're going to focus on but Sundays are the only time I can give any real instruction but,” she offered her a hand up with a smirk. “No worries. With my ‘homework’ I’ll whip you into shape by the time you go take your exam. Trust me!”

Jolyne felt exhausted but still took her hand.

Chapter Text

Ashleigh Kujo shrugged off her jacket as she kicked off her heels finally home after a long day. Her home was  quiet as usual, she was usually the last one home with Jolyne going in and out. Or at least that was the normal routine. For the past while her daughter's movements had grown far more predictable, from school she continued to volunteer under Best Jeanist and after that... not that Jolyne could help it.  As of late she was getting home first and stretched her arms above her head. Then after rolling her arms with a hum, and her back letting out a crack and pop, she headed over to the kitchen to get started on dinner. They still had plenty of leftovers but for the occasion making Jolyne’s favorites was common sense in addition  she’d like to try her hand at making some desserts as well. It may have been a bit premature to celebrate but they’d serve a goodluck. Ashleigh grinned as she moved about her kitchen getting the ingredients ready to go, she had just enough for everyone.

 Ding-Dong!

The ring of the doorbell echoed as she got through reheating the leftovers. Just in time.

“The door is open ladies!” She called out already knowing what was about to happen. Entering back first the older girl that had essentially become a sort of coach to her daughter, Eldis-chan,  backed into her home followed shortly by her daughter,  half carried by the highschooler.  Her daughter was worn down to the point where even her hair buns and the braid that she liked to style her hair in lately were undone, letting her wild mane hang around her in a curtain of black and gold. Like Eldis she was wearing her volunteer uniform though hers was drenched.

“Sorry for always coming in like this, Kujo-san.” Eldis apologized.
“Hey, Ash-chan!” Carrying Jolyne by her legs was Gwess as delightful as always. She hand;t the faintest idea why Jolnye cringed so often around her. “Ugh...why is she getting heavier every time...” Gwess sighed as she and Eldis  dragged her daughter through the threshold. “I thought working out made you lose weight, Joey...”

“Quit whining. The only thing that should be tired on you is your butt from sitting around all day.”

“I do my job.” Gwess huffed.  Eldis clicked her tongue as they lifted her up and began to swing Jolyne by her ankles and wrists. “Ready?” Gwess huffed but nodded. “Okay.  On three...” 

“1.”

“2.” 

Unceremoniously they tossed her daughter face first onto the couch. Jolyne,  finally let out a groan of either pain or satisfaction, proof that she was still alive and well. Letting herself sink into the plush surface. Ashleigh found the change in her friends to be a double edged sword of sorts. She was glad that she was making even more friends, and that she felt comfortable bringing them home unlike the ones from school she used to talk about. 

Though calling those ones friends was a bit much. Romeo was a good kid, but well  Jojo didn’t tell her all the details but as a mother she had an obligation to kick him the next time she saw him.

“So Ash-chan, what are you cooking? It smells pretty good? Might even revive Joey. Can I have some to go?”

“Stop calling my Mama by her name...” Jojo’s muffled voice came from the couch. “It’s...not right!” Weakly she punched the girl in the hip. “And whose house do you think you're in!?”

“Well not yours unless you pay for it?” Another exhausted and  weak smack from her daughter, poor thing had no energy at all. “Ow?” Gwess chuckled. “Awwwww. You’re like a whittle goldfish. Do you need me to feed you again?” Gwess  sat on Jolyne’s legs.  Eldis stood off to the side fidgeting, her eyes roaming the room as always before flicking towards the door. Neither one of them had taken off their shoes, predictably neither planned to stick around it seemed.

That was no good.

“I’ll let you off with that.” Jojo huffed, rolling over to more efficiently glare at Gwess.

“Says the girl that can barely lift her arms.” Eldis chuckled, pulling on Jojo’s limb limbs. “You better rest up or you’ll just miss the exam all together. I can't have my one student making me look that bad alright?” As she watched the two of them trade jabs and chatter aboutJojo’s upcoming exam she was one again struck with the realization. Time was fast approaching, Jolyne was growing up.

As Jolyne found the strength to argue with Eldis , Ashleigh eyed the pendant that sat around her neck for months now. Something else had changed. Jolyne tried to hide it but between complaints from teachers and a mother’s watchful gaze she always noticed the heated expression Jolyne had from time to time. Ever since she was young a ball of anger broiled inside her and she couldn't help but lash out in all sorts of ways. She raised hell in just about every way she could think of the latest was joining a gang. And een if she could get Jojo to calm down she wasn’t sure if she could ever put out the fire and the one she wanted to see the flames  the most never did. Asheligh let out a sigh, Jolyne was angry enough for the both of them, she  wouldn't add any fuel to that fire.

But then came this change. first she was worried that whatever happened back in the police station had traumatized her in some way but clearly wasn’t it. The look in her eye was different .

That sharp glare, as if she was focusing on something far away, that day was only a small part of something astonishing and strange. Throwing herself head first into a goal and wearing herself down to the bone.  Even if it's frustrating, even if she doesn't have to do it, the very idea of stopping probably never entered her head. Or maybe giving up was ‘impossible’ for her now. Though it would probably annoy her to say it outloud, she started to remind her of Jotaro.

So she was sure, this new path wasn't one made out of fear or desperation! It was a burning will that fired inside her given direction and purpose.

That's why she kept her worries to herself for now. If she was half as adamant of Jotaro all she would do was discourage her as she charged ahead.

“You’re really something else, Jojo. I’m so proud of you.” Ashleigh to her daughter, still she would give her daughter her full support every step of the way. “I love you soo much!”Gwess got up, looking off  into space.

“No fair I can't move...” Jolyne whined as her hair was tussled. Her entrance exam was tomorrow. So with that thought in mind, she turned to  Eldis and Gwess, both already making their exit.

“Well I’ll be rootin’ for you Joey! Good luck!” Gwess gave them a wave. “Try not to become a drop out.”

“I should probably be heading back now, good hustle Jolyne you probably just go to bed as soon as possible.”  Ashleigh was already bearing their exit, her arms crossed forming ‘x’ with agrin. Gwess was always pleasant but never stuck around for very long, in fact she was usually first to leave. Eldis on the other hand...She wasn't quite sure Eldis felt so guilty about it but she quickly left; but there was no escape for her this time!

“Alright, I’m not letting you guys go home without eating some so go wash up, you too Jojo. You’re going to have to say goodbye to the couch for a bit.” Her daughter’s muffled refusal made her sigh. For a meet both of her daughter’s friends shared a glance, it's not like they were looking to each other for backup, they instantly looked away from each other. No, they were both just avoiding her gaze. Gwess just always had this air of something being off whenever she was here.

“W-well if you want me around then..” Gwess folded quickly avoiding her gaze as if she would take back her offer if she looked at her directly. Eldis actually balked at how quickly she caved, because now her own refusal would be harder.

Eldis had a guilty expression across her face, she was also gearing up to refuse. She may seem all tough but she was literally an honor student and more importantly she was also a child too! There are those who are so reserved they can’t or won’t take meals for others but... She must have been exhausted too. This didn’t have anything to do with dinner, and she had to be at least somewhat tired.  She knew that she had to work at her family’s restaurant. Perhaps she felt guilty about taking off to help her daughter, she could understand it but still! 

“Not taking no for an answer, Eldis-chan. Relax, I can’t let my daughter’s friends go without feeding them first. Consider it doing me a favour?” 

“Ugh, making me feel like shit here...” She muttered in Spanish, clearly not knowing that she too spoke spanish.. W-well I still have work to do back home soo..” Using responsibility to escape. Like she would give up that easily, especially after she revealed her weakness so easily?  It may have been underhanded but a hero-in-training wouldn't be able to resist a plea like that! The girl screwed her lip up to one side. 

“It won't take much time, you don’t even have to finish, think of how your dad would feel? I know I’d be happy if my daughter comes home full. Though I guess my meals can’t compare , you must be a real gourmet...Boohoo.”

“...I-i its...alright I’m kinda hungry...so..Sure for a bit.”  With a smile Ashleigh watched the older girl give up and instead of talking she tried to pry her daughter off the couch, who hugged her seat as if it were a teddy bear. Protesting as she was being dragged off the couch, with Gwess following behind them. She wasn't quite sure what was up with those two but if her daughter was half as good an influence as the rest of her family then everything would work out all she could do was give them a space to feel welcome and safe.

“Good get washed up all of you.” Asheligh held a hand to her face and chuckled, It was almost unfair. Reading people might as well have been her Quirk. A skill acquired from speeding such a long time around one Jotaro and being a mother.  A jazzy song played on the air, the  familiar ringtone set for Holly played from her pocket. She hasn't talked to her mother in law in a few weeks

“Hm.” She blinked at her phone. “Holly?”

JOJO

“Mmm.” The time was finally here, Jolyne munched on a chocolate muffin her mama made for her as  she stepped off the train and walked towards the examination location.  Delicious! This was a perfect good luck gift, it made yesterday's workout feel so far away! Her body was so light it was like she was made of string. The actual written portion of the exam was a piece of cake, let it never be said that Jolyne Cujoh was stupid. Even when she was bumming around with the hearts she never let her scores dip down! That was practically the only reason her teacher didn't guffaw at the idea of her applying for U.A. in the first place, not that his disapproval would have been anything more than a pebble on the road to her.  

It still felt weird, she thought, her legs going on autopilot. Writing down that she had a Quirk and seeing it  on documents and stuff. Cavil held up his end of the bargain. Now it was as if she always had a quirk. The fact that he was able to actually do it...just left her with more questions about the Speedwagon Foundation. If he was going to stick around maybe she could fish for answers, but for now she supposed that they were on her side?

She might have to set up a meeting with him just to clear the air about it, because it's not like thinking about it is gonna give her an answer. But that could wait until the heat was ice cold and she was actually a student. 

 “Mmmh!” She tore though muffin like a shark, just thinking about school pissed her off. Before she joined the gang they just ignored her, then she was the shame of the school, and recently they eyed her with suspicion as she attended class. It was only when she had one foot out the door AND when her documents were ‘updated’  her teachers changed their tunes. 

“Irene-san.” They still couldn't get her name right. “ I just wanted to confirm these documents...” Her teacher had sat her down to have a chat a while ago. She hadn't a clue what he was looking giddy about. She had half a mind to punch him the way he shook her shoulders. “Telekinesis?” Her Homeroom teacher laughed. “ I always knew you had great potential, it may be a common type but a Quirk like that has great application. I’ve heard some talk of you wanting to become a hero? But even if you don’t make it into one of the local schools all sorts of doors are going to open up to you, young lady!” He really patted himself on the back, she wondered if he took credit for her sudden interest in school too.

“I’m going for UA. That's the only school I signed up for.”  Her teacher gave her a blank stare bee ring coughing into his fist.

“...Of course! I must have misplaced it, so many...papers. But...I expected nothing less from one of the stars of our school! I'll get on the paperwork for you. No worries!”

But suddenly the impossible was just a matter of course. Suddenly it wasn't something to dissuade her from. What kind of joke was that?

She hand;t talked to Romeo, not once since then. She hand;t seen any of the  Hearts either, they had fallen off the face of the earth. Maybe they just dropped out? With how suffocating  that school was, she couldn’t blame them at all. If there was something to be said about her time with the gang they made it bearable, even if they ditched a good chunk of the time. You would think they were all friends or something but even back then she should have known better- 

BLAM! 

Lost in her thoughts, she was brought to a sudden halt face planting into a study surface, her nose taking the brunt of the damage as she bounced back tears in the corners of her eyes. “Shit.” She rubbed her nose, what a way to start things off. She glanced down at her ruined muffin splattered on the ground, already being swarmed by ants. “Was that a wall?”

“Excuse me!” A stern voice called out to her. “Please watch where you’re going!” He was very neat. A neat guy appeared before her, his square glasses matched his jaw. His sharp eyebrows were furrowed. He was weirdly-familiarly handsome. “Also you should not be eating here!” There were bits of  brown splatter on his chest.

Oops. Well she had napkins for a reason.

“Hey man, sorry abo-”

“Honestly.  You are not the only one here. You have to take this seriously.” His tone was like nails on a chalkboard. A teacher giving a sermon complete with a finger wag and glare over his glasses.

‘C’mon I know I made a mess but what's with that tone?’ She rolled her eyes. Wait a minute. “...You know if you saw me spacing out you could have moved out the way.” She clicked her tongue. “Sounds like you weren’t paying attention either, eh?”

“T-that...you were the one that was- the burden of apology lies with you, miss!” He definitely wasn't aware of how loud he was, she winced. He held out his arms gesturing to her with stiff movements before gesturing to himself. “Also I was not spacing out, I was going forward.” He pointed towards the entrance and then off to the side. “Listen, this exam is serious if you cannot mind where you’re walking, I doubt you are taking this seriously. Especially If you just wander around eating as if this were a show.” He frowned. Was this guy giving her a lecture? She heard some giggling around her, she could see them whispering about her. She was used to crap like that.

“Gimme a break, you don't know shit about me.” She scoffed back at him, if she couldn’t handle this shit now her highschool days were going to be a crapshoot. “You’re not exactly a pro or anything either?” By now the pair were surrounded by onlookers. “You’re taking this test too, ya know!”

“Even so.” He began by pushing up his glasses.  “I do have insight. At the very least you should be more mindful of your surroundings and others! That is just how it should be!”

“Seriously? You-”

“Are they gonna fight? Now?” Someone whispered.

“This outta be good...” Another chuckled. More and more people stopped to gawk, their whispers mingling together. Even Mr.Uptight seemed to notice it, pushing up his glasses.

“...Excuse us, please-”

“This ain't a sideshow! Get lost!” She snapped at the rubberneckers who had just enough sense to turn and walk away. "Jackasses."

“...Well then.”

 “Yeah, let's just call it even.” She wasn’t going to be baited into a fight  at the goddamned entrance exams.

“...I suppose that might be best. We have caused enough of a disturbance.” He pushed up his glasses, taking powerful strides deeper into the building. She shrugged, taking another muffin and  looking the teen over. Well he was handsome and...angular, at least in his movements. Those engines...Engines..how many people had engines for legs? His face looked pretty familiar too. ‘...Is he really  related to that jerk?’ She thought. ‘I guess even hero families have it tough.’

‘This place is packed to the brim.’ She thought all the kids hanging around outside were a lot but the inside was packed like a concert. There must have been hundreds of hopefuls seated, how many of them would even be able to pass? She knew the hero course had limited slots; this was going to be cut throat. With so many people side conversations merged together into a white noise loud enough to put a football stadium to shame. As luck would have it she ended up seated next to him, not that there were many choices by the time they got in. To his credit he didn't cringe at her but the way he refused to look in her direction told her all she needed to know.

‘Well whatever.’ She shrugged. Resting her feet on the table before her as she took off her coat, much to her neighbor's annoyance.

“You’re still eating?! Even in here you- is that a tattoo!?” He gasped. “You cannot be serious.”

“Huh? It’s not like it's against the school's rules or anything. It definitely wasn't against the rules in my old school.” Sure her teachers always threw a fit when they saw any of their tattoos and lectured them about their future or whatever but it categorically was not against any rules. Apparently things like that were frowned upon in the past but with all the ways Quirks manifest it’d be next to impossible to enforce.  

“E-even so! I cannot imagine any school would be supportive of something like that! I-”

“Excuse me.” A somewhat sleepy voice  clearly croaked on her left. “I think it looks nice.” A wide-eyed girl to her side commented so naturally it was as if she was always a part of the conversation. That girl was the definition of cozy, even inside she was bundled up. Underneath a wool cap and thick scarves, only her eyes were visible.  Her long hair was pooled into her lap and tied off with a bow near the end. 

“Oh  thanks I did it myself.”

“That's so manly!” She heard someone guffaw from behind her, she leaned back to stare at a spiky haired redhead with sharp teeth.

“Manly huh? I-”

“WEEEEELCOME TO THE SHOOOOOOW! EVERYBODY!!!! SAY: YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH”

(YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH)

(yeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaah...)

He appeared out of nowhere, bathed in the spotting and screaming his heart out. This was Present Mic. A lanky blonde with a bright and toothy smile, his sunglasses seemed natural even inside, despite being dressed like a DJ he must have been a  teacher if he was here. His voice bombed and bounced off the walls and shook her bones, everyone was practically vibrating in the seats. She wasn't sure if he was even using his Quirk or if he was just that loud.

“Now let me hear you guys scream!” He waved to the crowd.

“...” For the forest time the room grew deadly quiet, though for her part she was still recovering from his scream.  Still it’s not like she disliked Present Mic, his radio show was decent, her Mama was more of a fan. ‘I guess I can get an autograph.’ 

A distinct yet barely audible mumbling drifted over to them, the source a fidgeting kid a few seats over. With how silent the crowd was his voice sounded louder than he probably intended. 

“Present Mic! I knew he had a weekly radio show but I never...If he’s giving the presentation then all the teachers in UA might be top tier heroes, no that's obvious but...”His green hair reminded her of a sheep shaking about as he talked to himself. 

“Shut up.” The blonde to his side snarled.

“Another one...” To her side her unfriendly neighbor tapped his foot against the ground. “Is no one taking this seriously?”

“ALRIGHT! I love this energy!” Present Mic continued as if they had answered him barreling straight ahead into the meat of things. Their exam was simple, or at least he made this fantastical test sound simple. Beating up ‘villains’ aka robots in an artificial town made specifically for their test. A fake town. Even with his crazy energy  he talked about it like it was just another day at the office. Each robot had a point clause assigned to them from one to three, the more points they were worth the stronger they were but beating them out right  wasn’t necessary they just had to be ‘stopped’ as long as you shut them down however you did it didn’t matter. They were going to be divided into different groups, to avoid any team-ups between friends taking the exam together.

“Remember we're heroes out here! SO! ABSOLUTELY! NO! Attacking one another. O-Kay? Do that and you're out!”

“Excuse me!” Her new best friend raised his hand. “I have a question!”

“Go ahead, my friend, I always appreciate audience participation! Lay it on me!” 

He nodded, flipping open a pamphlet and tapping on a page with robots. “You said that there were three types but on this pamphlet, that you  provided us, we can clearly see a fourth type! Can you please explain why you have chosen to omit this information? Or is this a blatant error?” Jolyne glanced at the paper under her foot, she hadn’t even noticed it. “Either way this a poor shwoing. How the top school in Japan should conduct itself so. Also!” He swiveled over to the sheepish kid, glaring at him over the rim of his glasses. “Please. Quiet down. Your mumbling is making it difficult to focus.”

“Ah..sorr...sorry!” The kid sheepishly apologized and the predictable giggles trickled in around them.

“Tell me you at least get paid for riding that stick?” Jolyne rolled her eyes at his lack of response, totally focused on Present Mic. He didn’t need to do any of that, not like the dude was actually bothering anyone. The only reason you’d put someone on the spot like that would be to put them down or he  just wanted everyone else to know how good he was in comparison. She gave the sheepish guy another glance.  She couldn't really tell what was up with him at all but he was probably just nervous because of the exam. Exams have never rattled her, not once in her life. After months of grueling training if she didn't ace this thing that would be an embarrassment.

“Alright,  I love the passion but settle down.” Present Mic coughed. “But...Good catch my man, someone was reading ahead, eh, 7111?” Present  Mic smiled, he clapped his hands and the screen behind him blinked to a new image, a shadowy massive machine that dwarfed the other examples, appeared. “Yeah there is a fourth type but that thing... Well you guys play games right? it’s less like an optional boss fight and more like a scripted loss!” He laughed, wagging his finger at them. “Each examination site has got one of them and they're all bad news and worth no points! NADA! You can think of them as something to spice the exam. An obstacle.”

“I see! Thank you sir, and I apologize for the interruption.”

“Besides your looks you’re really not like Ingenium at all, it's crazy that the two of you are related.” The way he turned to her she thought he might have snapped his neck.

“Excuse me!?” 

“Ssssh.” She pressed a finger to her lips and hushed him, a shit-eating girn to put Gwess to shame stretched across her lips. “You’re interrupting.”

“NOW there ain't no reason to drag this out any more, I can see your hearts pounding  right out of your chests! Only one thing left to say...” He inhaled, taking a long deep breath and screamed, his voice blasted through them all at once. “PLUS ULTRA! Break a leg kids!” 

Her buddy stormed off and they did not spare each other another glance. Along with  all the others as she was funneled to her practice site. All around her there were mixed feelings, some people were muttering to themselves, others trying to psych themselves up and one  blonde kid walked with enough swagger and ego that it was almost as if he passed already. 

Her group of dozens of kids didn’t include Ingenium the 2nd probably for the best, even if he was kind of dick she’d feel a little bad if his brother or cousin failed because of her. Still the sea of kids that surrounded her were probably just as hungry for it as either of them were.

“Too bad for you guys.” A cocky blonde laughed, his red eyes not focused on anyone in particular. He was just  looking down at all of them, at once. It reminded her of Modest, like he’d already one and left them in the dust. “You extra’s are dead meat.” 

“Are you talking to yourself or are we supposed to say something?”

“Drop dead.” Sparks danced across his palms as he flexed his fingers and turned his back on them. What a dick.

“...oh mah god , dude  knows he can only attack the robots, right?” A girl whispered. “Right?”

“Hope so.”

“I can't lose my chance to a guy like that.” A tired looking guy growled. For her part there was no room for doubt, she decided a long time ago that she was going to do this. everything she’d done thus and every lucky break gave her the chance to be here and she’d make the most of it. Eyes shining with determination Jolyne tied her jacket around her  waist and grinned waiting for the door to open.

She was going to pass. It was just that simple.

“Ready....”

“Set....”

“GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!” The doors swung open and a flash of light with a burst of heat blinded her, dozens of people went flying around her. Her sneakers squeaked against the ground as she braced herself against the burst of wind.  She found herself on a hill overlooking a city, a real city.  Buildings like she could see anywhere, each reaching towards the sky casting shadows on the very  real streets below. They really made a whole city for them to run around in. There was no time to take it all in-

“Get outta my way!” Before anyone could go anywhere an explosion carried the loudmouth high into the air leaving them all to stare in awe as he  rocketed his way towards the city in a mighty leap cackling to himself.  “I’m not leaving a single one for you losers! DIE!” A robot was turned into a landing pad and was probably blown apart with a slap of his hand. Another blast and he lept into the distance followed by yet another ear shattering boom!   Jolyne wasn’t going to let him get ahead of her, she sprinted after him, watching her breathing as parts of her body unwound into layers of threads that fluttered around her like tassels, she quickly pulled ahead of the pack. All at once the other testers snapped out of their daze and dozens of hopefuls pushed past her flying, running, and sliding their way  into the city to net themselves some points before that maniac actually took them all.

In a game like this everyone probably thought that speed was the most important thing but they’d be wrong.

She made it into the city and immediately came across a large bus sized clunky machine, despite its size  it quickly zipped around its engine roaring as it made tracks with every movement.It might have been half as fast as Ingenium or Hati, so  Jolyne ignored it. Running past it to get deeper into the city to find a pack of robots much larger than the one she saw. One seemed eager to actually attack her, dragging their massive frames across the street to attack her. “ORA!” For their bravery she  drove Stone Free’s fist through its torso, the green jewel in it’s ‘face’ dimmed and  as it died she whirled around to attack its partner as it swung on her. 

“I got it.” But hitting the ground with a thud,  a heteromorph with  his thick coat fluttering around him crashed down from the sky to cleanly cut it in half. 

“Hey!” His mandibles spread in a smile,  at her while  pulling his bladed arm out of the machine. “Weak dude.” He rolled his neck, his mowhak bobbing with the motion.

“That's the name of the game right? I’m not letting you two have all the fun!” He grinned;  leaving scratch marks across the ground as he dashed deeper in the city. She was on the board, that was one two pointer and losing a one pointer wasn’t a big deal. The sounds of fighting began to pick up but the bombastic explosion was a constant reminder of that dick head’s lead.  She scanned the area and found her competition had spread out in the area claiming their own robots. Explosions in the distance announced the maniac’s own victories.

She didn't need to go crazy on everything that moved, speed wasn’t most  important; it was all about the pace.

Using Stone Free she pushed her threads away from her, in this state they wouldn't be good for any sort of fighting but she could certainly hear. She could hear all the fighting around her and more importantly, the screeching. The sound of heavy machinery, how quickly  the tires skid across the ground, how clunky and loud the powerful steps could be. She took off to the east and came face to face with a couple of two pointers after only a minute of running.

“ORAORAORA!” They didn't even have any way to respond to an attack they had no hope of seeing. So while the robots put their focus on her Stone Free was free to let her fists fly. Scrap and oil flew by as Stone free’s fists tore machine after machine to bits. 

‘A little  two minutes and I’m at 15.’  She was already on the move, slowing down from a sprint into a jog to find more machines flying down the side of a nearby building chasing after a girl who palmed two machines down to the street. She looped her string around it’s arm and pulled herself toward it with Stone free Free, flying through the air as her Stand drove her foot through it’s ‘jewel’ like camera. The machine creaked and collapsed piling onto the range haired girl. She tired to push herself up but the machines under her hands started to squirm free the moment she moved her hands. She was trapped but if she let the three pointers go she could use those massive hands to free herself. Either way it’d take time.

“I...I can’t! It’s too heavy!” The huge limbed girl buckled  under the weight of a machine while trying to crush two machines to death. She’d be able to get out if she let them go but they were three pointers.. It wouldn't do her any good in the long run but...

“ Actions drive the world, these chain of events, actions, decisions or the lack thereof make our present”

Jolyne was already by her side using her own hands and Stone Free’s to tear apart the machine on her back. What kind of win would that be?  “You good?” She asked. “Sorry for crushing you.”

“I’m good...You helped me?” She gripped the machines tight enough to finally stop their movements. “You could have just taken the points.”

“C’mon leaving you like that?...That...that’d just be gross. What would even be the point of winning this thing?”  

“Hehe. T-thanks for that! I owe you one!” She gave her a wink. “Good luck and thanks again!” She took the time to thank her and gave her a massive thumb’s up but quickly got right back into it, neither one of them really had any time to do much else.

She'd have to thank Ingenium the 2nd for talking about the pamphlet. One pointers were more inclined to play tag with their speed but the two and three oitner’s were brutes that were tough and came for the fight. She didn’t need to waste her time and energy, every bit of it was precious.

As time rolled on this is where Jolyne’s training shined. Eldis didn't bother to teach her how to fight better or any tricks nor techniques the older girl focused on two things: Stamina and energy conservation.

“At the end of the day if you just don’t ever stop you win.” Eldis lectured her. “How long do you think a real fight can last? Five minutes, ten minutes, an hour, two hours? Let me tell you I’ve  been in  grueling fights. Quirks run on some type of battery. It's true for all of them and these Stands are draining too. You can take a punch but once you take a knee its all over, getting a third wind is too much to ask.”

“I’m not making you a sprinter by the end of all this?  Running a marathon should be a cake walk.” Jolyne spent her time running, running, running, running. Sometimes swimming or climbing. But she was always running! In the morning before school, after school, during volunteer work, and after. Eldis was a taskmaster but one that Jolonye gladly asked for. She wasn’t as muscular as Eldis was but she had started to look like a real athlete.

And the fruits of her training showed. At the five minute mark she could already see it, everyone was running around non-stop looking for targets and destroying them as fast as possible. Plenty of people were drenched in sweat, some just collapsed on the ground too tired to move. Those ones she had to stop and get them out of the way of or else they’d been run over by a bot they were fighting.  Some guys just dropped and plain gave up. They were already trying to catch their second wind but Jolyne, despite running through this ‘town’ and having used Stone free to bash anything bot she found,  had yet to even hit her stride! 

‘That makes thirty-two!’ She grinned as she wiped some sweat from her brow. All this time the explosion plagued the air like ambient noise. They were so common that in the last five minutes she feared that she’d never want to hear another firework again. Just how many points was that maniac racking up? 

Abruptly, it was as if the earth had become jello, Jolyne had to fight to stand up right, it was worse than being blasted by Present Mic’s voice and she wasn’t the only one. Every tried their best to hold on to something, buildings began to shift and topple over to make room for the behemoth.

“...What the fuck!? Scripted loss my ass! That’s just getting your ass kicked in a cutscene!” Jolyne hissed, did someone trigger it or did they just let it loose because half  the time was up? She wasn't sure but that didn’t really matter because  the streets cracked  and screamed in agony with  each step. That thing going on a stroll had enough force to push away anyone unlucky enough to stand in its way. It swung uits arm and tor through a poor budding whose only crime was daring to be in it’s way.  Then, after carving a path of destruction, it went still. The entire city was silent.

Silent except for  the blasts of explosions.

It didn’t like that much.

With a heavy creak, its head slowly swirled to the left, catching sight of something. Raising its arm high into the air and with speed far too fast for something size it struck the ground. The earth shook once more as a powerful explosion licked across the metallic fist. As the massive machine tore a hole through the ground spilling rock and concrete all over like hail as the explosion boy fled from the machine.  

“Is he still going for more...Wow.”

“What the hell!?” Someone cried as Jolyne quickly dove out of the way of a falling rock. “I’m out of here! I got enough points!” They  might have had the right idea fighting more robots while avoiding that thing's notice would be damn near impossible.

“ABOUT THREE  MINUTES LEFT! DON’T LET THAT THING GET YA DOOWN!!!” Present Mic’ voiced echoed all around, someone beating out that monstrosity stomping around. No doubt most of the machines had been dealt with by now. Even if they weren't, everyone would be trying their best to avoid that...thing! So any points left snatch would be divided among everyone she’d be lucky to get a handful! Which meant the only prey left would be in the areas where no one dared to go...

“Alright then! Bring it on, I beat that walking boulder so this thing is nothing!!” This thing wasn't some unbeatable machine, not that she was going to fight it, it was just an ‘obstacle.’ A trial they had to overcome. You can’t win if you never try. She wasn't going to let anything get in her way anymore. 

She ran towards the man-made Kaijuu and used her strings to feel out the rumblings of smaller robots. Stone Free led her into a nearby building , the slides were  unfurnished but it was definitely big enough for a two or three pointer to hide in. She managed to find a two pointer  about to climb out of a hole in the wall, and finished it off  with a kick before it had the chance to escape her. 

She heard the scraping of metal form above her and booked it upstairs, four flights later she was face to face with a three pointer squirreled away, half of its torso was scorched, the metal was warped as if it had been melted and nearly twisted off. Though it looked like it, the metal was being pushed out from the inside like something hot  had tried to escape or moved through it. In a flash, the wall crumbled. “ORAORA!” Shards of concrete deflected by a barrage of Stone Free’s punches as  the upper half of a one pointer calm flew through with that menace riding on top of the smoking pile of scrap metal.

“Drop dead!” He literally snarled,it kind of annoyed her but  it looks like he had the same idea. Neither of them were scared off by the Zero pointered. The three-pointer stood between the two of them the three pointer readied itself for battle. “It’s mine!” The boy slapped his hands on the ground and exploded towards it,  the floor under his feet were blown apart, smoke and dust flooded the room but Jolyne had already made her move. Threads wrapped around its leg and Stone free pulled it towards her, its footing shifted and the boy sailed over it. He cast a glare at her. He flipped over and caught himself before he flew out an open window. He actually paused looking around the room, narrowing his eyes at her. She dashed through the smoke to get the robot in range of her fists. Stone Free Punched through the smoke, making the Three pointer stagger. Something set him off, he roared like a man possessed, his palms lit up again.

“Another ghost...That bitch cursed me!” He roared with...wait. What, what did he just say?  “Nice try, dumbass but I’ve seen this trick already! Get lost or die!” Blowing another hole in the wall as he rocketed back at it. Before she could land another blow he pushed it over with a massive blast pushing it to the side, the three pointer dragged its claw against the floor to cut down its momentum and charged at the two of them. “Back off!”

“You told me to drop dead twice. Fuck you.” If this was his attitude, maybe she didn't have anything to worry about in UA at all. “So like, are you just this unlikeable or is this a bit?” His eyes twitched. In the distance she could hear the Arena trap stomping around and Present Mic’s warning fell on deaf ears. Red and green eyes burned with determination as they sized the other up.

“Fuck you! Who the hell do you think you are, Two tone!? Get lost already!”

Two...what?

. . .

“What? Is that a crack at my hair? The name’s Cujoh Jolyne, jackass!” As if offended by her name he roared, the veins in his face threatening to burst. The Three pointer shook the ground as it kept breaking the ceiling as it tried to crash down on them. Stone Free readied a punch, while the boy cupped his hands together, bright lights sparkled between his palms leaking  through the gaps in his fingers.

“Shut it Jojo! No one asked for your goddamned intro!”

“Oh fuck you, quickshot.”

“Look out!” A bubble, sparking in the light, waved by her nose and sunk into  it’s torso that the metal lit up like fireworks as it began to melt and turned dot sludge at her feet. The three pointer dropped to the ground.

“WHO THE HELL DID THAT!? STOP WASTING MY TIME! YOU’RE ALL DEAD!!!!” With nothing keeping him here the boy blasted another hole out of the building and lept out on the search for more points. “SHIT!”

“...Wow. He’s not okay.” A murmur came from a corner of the room.

“Is somebody else here?”  The building wobbled like a wave and the sun flooded the room, fresh air rushed in mingling with her hair, tearing it free from her braid and  nearly taking them off their feet.  the rest of the building down, or rather through the air. A girly cry rang in her ears as Jolyne found herself high above surrounded by the broken bits of the building and that massive machine burning a hole in her face.

Staying in the way of the sun it was a massive pitch black shadow, a wall so massive that not even the rays of the sun could escape it’s grasp. Then it swung again. Witha grimace, her opponent blew his way out the room as debris rained down on Jolyne. She heard a cracking noise followed by a scream.

“Oh nononoo!” Someone cried out. They sounded close?  “Holy-Shiiiit! My leg! I’m gonna die!” 

“Gimme a break! Where the hell are you!?”

“Here I am?!” She called out from somewhere? “Heeeeere! Under here!” She cried out. But Jolyne didn't see anything at all; she just had to follow her voice. “Here! Here!” She heard the sound of an engine, the whirl of machinery and turned to face the looming shadow as it raised its arm once again. Were they trying to kill them?

“Hey cut it we need-” It didn’t care. The building crumbled and broke as easily as glass. The wind roared in her ears and heart thumping in her chest as the heavens and earth flipped over and over and over. Eyes wide as she stared down at the city, her body cried out in agony but something warm that reeked of metal splatter across her cheek and eye  reminded her of the other girl in the room. She wiped the blood off with the back of her hand, she could feel it and smell it but...‘Even her blood was invisible?’ Jolyne blinked, paused for a beat as she reached the peak of her ascension, then as she began to fall her eyes snapped open. 

They were invisible. 

‘Holy shit they might die.’ Jolyne’s eyes fluttered as they danced across the horizon, desperately looking for any hints of where she could be. Even if the girl were to shout it wouldn't help over the roar of the machine before them. Now she was more worried was the machine that loud or was she just not screaming? Was she unconscious? The shadow blocked out the sun and she was reminded why they were in a free fall in the first place. That wannabe Kaiju wasn't satisfied just letting them fall and once again reared back its fist to attack them. The machine leapt in the air, its oppressive shadow smothering them as it posed to spike them down. Why the hell was this thing still attacking them?

 “Stone FREE!” She’d have to find her the hard way! Use Stone Free to make a web of threads to  figure out where the heck they were before the both of them splattered against the ground. Was she above her ? Below or to the side? There was so much noise being picked up by Stone Free and that damn machine every move was like a car accident in her ears!

“Over.There.” Voices whispered in Jolyne’s ear,  a tiny chorus like birds harmonizing with the wind. A soft touch on her chin slowly pushed her head upwards.  Dozens of light touches pushed her arm up. “Straight.Above.You.” Something wrapped around her fingers putting them down one by one built her pointer finger was left pointing at air. “Don’t.Fear.Nor.Falter.” She couldn’t see anything but...It was better than fumbling blindly. “Go.” All at once the voices and touches were blown away by the wind.

“Stone Free!” She unraveled as much of her as she could spare, bundling her thread into lasso and let fate do the rest. She caught something, the thread hung in mid air, she could hear a strong thump of a beating heart as she tightened the rope and pulled it closer.

The machine’s arm loomed over them.

The air shook, but it wasn't the Arena Trap throwing its weight around. The great force didn’t even feel like it came from the city itself. It is like a  powerful gust flew in from the distance. The clouds rolling overhead were violently ripped apart and pushed to the horizon. The scene before her changed in the blink and the robot was a  mile away, the buildings  below her were a blur changing every second as she soared across the air, the wind roared in her ears, it was like being inside a wave. There was nothing to do but lose yourself to the flow and be spit out when it was done with you. Still it was enough. Eventually she did get spit out of the torrent of wind and skipped like a stone across buildings.

“Gah!” Jolyne cried! She felt a powerful pain in her arm as they skid across the roof of a building. Was it better than getting decked by a giant robot? Definitely. 

“Huh?” A groggy voice came from the body in her arms. “Oh mah gosh!” The girl in her arms wailed, blood splattered against her face revealing the curve of her cheek and a brow raised in astonishment.

“Fuck!” She didn't have the time or even a chance to stop her momentum as they tumbled off the side of the building. Maybe if she made a cocoon or something with Stone Free she could cushion the fall but as she thought that she could see the ground fast approaching, ‘at least I can try to cushion their fall? Fuck I don’t wanna go to the damn hospital again!’ As she braced for impact, instead of hard concrete she felt something soft raising up to meet her catching in a warm embrace.

“SAFE!!” Jolyne found herself enveloped between two massive hands and gently lowered to the ground to find the orange haired girl grinned down at them, she was covered in sweat and bruises. 

“Phew, that was a close one. I saw you falling and...oh are you...No, you are not okay. I’ll take you to a medic! Sorry if it’s a bumpy ride!” Lifting them above her head the girl broke into a sprint calling for help with them in her grasp.

“I’m great!” The Invisible girl said with a surprising amount of cheer. “Except for my leg, how about you?”

“TIME!” Present Mic cried out; putting an end to everything. In the distance she saw the Arena Trap glaring down at them, still as a  statue, and she flipped it off.

"Just great."

Chapter Text

Zero.

Z-E-R-O.

0.

[]

None.

ゼロ

Nothing.

Dead hopeless eyes bore holes into the ceiling of the train, the rattle of the tracks and the endless chatter fell on deaf ears. Still and lifeless the body sunk into his seat like a corpse waiting to be carried off by the river and lost to sea, never to be seen again. Here sat one  Midiorya Izuku, the failure,  the boy that flunked his entrance exam. Today was quite possibly the most important  day of his life. The first chance he had to  live up to his idol’s ideals, faith, time, legacy, and life. And he failed. So, so spectacularly that he couldn't even believe it himself!

It was so laughable he could almost smile but his despair was so great he was left in a daze jostled around by the train. 

‘How am I supposed to face All Might now? What was all that training for if I tripped at the start?’ Calling it a trip was a way to ease the blow, he hadn't even made it to the starting line. The hope and expectation that All Might had in him were burnt up in a single day. ‘How am I supposed to face him now?’ He wondered, the idea of seeing his idol made his insides shrivel up and thoughts of his failings flooded his mind. If only he acted sooner he would have gotten a single point.  He could still feel the explosive pain in his arm and legs like they were on fire and being shocked all at once. What more proof idd he need that he didn’t try hard enough over these last few months?  He  should have trained even harder so that way he could have handled the power better. 

‘He should have chosen someone else.’ Was the only thought that rattled around in his head as he rots in his seat.

The others in the train gave him a wide berth treating him like a plant in the corner of a waiting room. As if he were surrounded by a zone of negativity as people got on and off they left him be to his own despair rarely sparing him a second glance. The train rattled and people came and went, in and out going about their lives as Deku stared out the window watching the city go by, watching the clouds sliding across the reddening sky until the stars hung overhead. It was only when the light of the moon poked through the grey clouds that Deku finally moved and him blinked shielding his eyes from the sudden burst of light.

He was so shell shocked he hadn’t realized he missed his stop, and every stop after that. The view outside his window was barely recognizable.

“Oh man...” As the last stop was announced he looked around, the car was nearly empty; save for an odd pair already making for the exit.

“Why...How could this have happened...” Not to him no way! It’s got to be fake! Shit can’t be real!”The man  crying before him was tall and imposing, not quite rivaling All Might in his ‘flexing’ mode. He wore a fancy black suit with a golden sunflower pattern over his breast. His platinum blonde hair disheveled enough to show its black roots. His face buried in his hands as he stumbled out of the train. Following closely behind him was a girl dressed like a biker and wearing a thick demonic styled face mask, eyes hidden behind a pair of sunglasses. Her long black hair pulled back into a ponytail that swished behind her as the tow made their exit. Deku noticed their seat and they left behind a pair of gold framed sunglasses.

“...”

Finding them was harder than he thought even with only a few seconds headstart the two practically vanished out of the station in a blink of an eye. The station was empty and the workers going about their jobs hadn’t seen either of them. It was unbelievable, he thought for sure that the  two stood out too much to be forgettable or unnoticeable, especially that man’s sobbing. If they were moving that fast then he would hurry before it was too late. And then he would have to call a taxi if he wanted to get home.

A drop of rain splashed against his nose soon followed by the gentle patter of water on the streets. Stepping out the station the heroic failure tripped over his own feet and fumbled down the stairs. A man laid out on the stairs, his raincoat dripping wet, covered in red, a red liquid that mixed with the rainwater and trickled down the stairs pooling at the very bottom. Deku’s hands scrambled to call for help, he hesitated only for a split second to wonder if the man was still alive.

“Gaaah!” The corpse shot up, patting himself down with red water pouring out his right hand pocket, he grimaced as he pulled out the cracked remains of a bottle. “Gah! I slept on it again. Geeeeeez.” He sighed, Midorya could smell the liquor on his breath. Even taking a step back didn't do him any favors; it was like being trapped in a cloud of alcohol. “Good thinking, me, on  gettin the back up-backup. Come to papa!” He reached into his other pocket and pulled out a juice box. 

‘Is..is that sake?’ Deku blinked and then shook his head as the man threw his head back and let out a satisfied sigh. 

“Gotta love innovation, boxed liquor for a busy guy on the go...what a country!  I might just stay here forever!” He laughed, like a graceful dancer he leapt towards him, slapping Deku on the back. “Hey Hey Hey! Join me kiddo! You can’t let a man drink alone, yeah!?” He said, pushing the box into his cheek.

“I’m u-underage...”

“Haaaaa.  Boring. When someone offers ya something you gotta take it right? C’mon!” The man took a step back, his boots squealed as he slid on a deep puddle throwing his arms up and slamming into the ground holding his precious juice box safely above his head as laid in the rain.

“Are you okay?!”

“Am I okay?” He clicked his heels together. “Never better kid! Just got done with my last delivery and man am I beat! You won’t believe the stuff they got me hauling nowadays.” 

‘W-well I guess he’s fine?’ Deku let out a relieved sigh, ‘Thank goodness he’s okay.’ Though he was happy for the man his situation only got worse.He still needed to find those two and find his own way home before his mom got worried, or maybe too worried. A look at his phone told him it was nearly midnight. The  dozens of messages and missed calls that he hadn’t noticed until now made him gulp. Suddenly, the smell of alcohol skyrocketed as if he buried his face in hand sanitizers.

“Heyhey!” Deku found the man resting his chin on his shoulder peeking at his phone. “ You got a map on that thing? Do you know how to get to this address? I gotta give my reports in personale-like ya see?” The hooded man held out a withered hand with  crumbled bills clutched between his fingers. “That’s 10,000 yen for the information. That should be enough, ain’t I generoasious.” Deku, out of his element and barely holding back the urge to scream at his sudden appearance,  just gave him a wide eyed stare.

“Huuuuh?” The man clicked his tongue.” Is it not enough? Do you need? Twelve? Thirteen? How much? How much? Help a guy out!”

“N-nnono I couldn't really its fine!” He shouted over the sudden silence, his ears rining as the man stared up at the sky. “Just let me know the address and I can look it up for you!”

“...” The man went  silent for a moment then broke out in a laugh, loudly slurping his drink until ithe box threatened to get sucked through the straw. “...Mighty decent of you, Kid!” The address was pretty far from here but that didn't seem to bother the man in the slightest. The hooded man shambled away, his steps uneven like he was struggling to support his own weight. “Take care now!” That address was pretty far from here, if he walked it would take him at least two hours. 

“Uum...Excuse Me...” Deku called out to him, making him not quite stop but  wobble in place.

“Hm? What now? Don’t teeeeell me you-you regret it already?” He giggled, scratching his beard. “...Look at you, after all that blustering you just wanted to make yourself look good for no reason.” His laughter was booming, like Kacchan’s explosions rattling his skull as he approached. His uneven steps are not unlike bombs in the puddles. “You snooze ya loooose! Have some dignity kiddoooo!”

“Would you like me to call you a taxi?” 

The man fell silent for a second.

“Wassthat. How much would that cost me to use that phone of yours then? How much? 500 per minute or maybe per second?”

“N-no no I just...” 

“Don’t lie to me.” The rain was already hammering down like cold pins but the harsh wind whirled down the streets making it hard to stand upright.  A familiar feeling of dread began to bubble up in his chest and Duke realized that the man was already in front of him. The man’s grip on his shoulder tightened, which kept him standing and stopping any shot of escape. “...How much? For those directions? For your time? Oooh I get it...I see right through you. Were you trying to get me to lower my guard and go in for the kill? A nobody like me who’d miss me?” The hush whisper was nearly lost on the wind, the gnash of his teeth made Midoriya wince, like nails on a chalkboard. He dug his fingers into his hoodie. He stood up tall, towering over the young man with ease, expression nearly invisible behind the tangled mass of black hair and the shadows of his hoodie but his voice.

“Nnn...Thats not...” 

“...Kiddding!” He slapped his knee throwing his head back, throwing his hoodie off and lettering hsi thicken of hair fall free. “You don't got the look of a big-bad villain. You can barely stand up?” The three of him laughing in stereo and whirling around each other. “Sure call’em up! I’ll take the ride! Thank! You! So! Much!” Between every word he clapped his hands so land that Deku had no choice but to slam his hands over his ears or be deafed by the booming noise.

“Heyhey! What's got you all messed up kid?” Deku couldn't stand upright  on his own anymore, the noise of his own heart boomed in his head. The sound of rain like artillery exploding around him with each drop. His feet slipped out from under him and the man casually shoved him away letting him skid across the street. The uneven steps of the drunk man like buildings crashing down as he approached. Thinking hurt and each breath was like a rake aching across his lungs. His muscles clenched and spasmed like a newborn deer he struggled to even push himself to his knees only to slip and splash back down his face half buried in a puddle.

“Holy shit! I thought you were sober kiddo!” That nervous energy flowed from his limbs to his chest as Midorya dropped to the floor. “Drunk on fumes? I guess some people are just hopeless.” The man looked over his shoulder, his crimson eyes hooded by the shadow of his brow as the prickly rain tried to drown him. “I guess playing the hero ain't for everyone.” He whispered. “Kids these days are just so stupid.” He leaned down his bright blue eyes curled in glee as he taunted Deku but the young man’s gaze was focused elsewhere. The man he was looking for stood in the rain, his hair sparkling like a star in the night. The rain shimmering as it fell near him. He shined so bright Deku wondered how he ever lost sight of him. The villain’s focus was on him and him alone. Deku did what came naturally to him, he clamped his mouth shut. If he just kept quiet then he wouldn't notice them. He watched as the man turned and walked in the opposite direction, oblivious to Deku’s plight. The villain’s hand pushed his face deeper into the puddle, or it was. Now there was so much water he felt as if his whole body was being submerged in a pool, the pins and needles on his skin became a cold numbness from the top of his head to the tips of his toes he was helpless.

Then all at once it stopped. 

Deku gasped for breath coughing up water on the street as the villain stood up and backed away from him.

“Shit.” The villain clicked his tongue, his voice and  the squeak of his boots grew distant as he broke into a n uneven jog. “Kid. I’ll pay you back  with some real world advice. Stay in yer lane. Don’t be so stupid next time. A man’s gotta look out for himself! You gotta take fore you get took!”” He laughed with an awkward skip in his step. “Take care...again! You’re my hero kid!“ He twirled, throwing his hands wide for the rain that ran down his body, clicking his heels in the puddles splashing around in an odd rhyme in step with the pouring rain.  Deku gasped, eyes closing just in time to see a bright light.

“Please, young master, would you like a drink? Tea, soda, juice, or water? Our tap water is delicious and cool! But we also have several brands of bottled water if you prefer and I’ll pour it in a cup if you require!  On the other hand and equally refreshing we have a variety of  juices available: apple, pineapple, grape, orange, mango, sour lime, carrot, aloe vera, soursop, strawberry, cranberry, raspberry, blueberry! Our selection of teas is no less varied. Any blend or style your heart could desire I can provide you! Milk or green or-”

“A...any juice is fine,thank you!”

“Why it's my pleasure! I-”

“Cali lives for this sort of thing.” The man he was looking for sat directly across from him but the companion to his side was totally different.

“To  live is to serve, to please my joy, and to keep my guests safe my mission!” Cali cawed.

‘How did I end up here...’ Deku cried internally swaddled like baby under what must have been two tons of blankets. One moment he was face down in the rain and next he was practically dragged to wherever this was. Right now he  was being fussed over by a bird headed heteromorph. He vaguely remembered entering a small apartment but the space  was much, much larger on the inside. Impossibly so, what should have been a one room apartment was basically a house. The walls were painted a reflective gold paint covered in gold framed mirrors as if they were paintings. A chandelier hung from the ceiling the crystal making peaceful ting as the wind form an open window pushed them  against one another. It was...loud, that was the best way to summarize this room. Cali was able to make items appear out of thin air, it could be some sort of storage Quirk or maybe teleportation? It could even be something similar to his mother's Quirk and ‘pulling’ them over but at high speeds? That man’s light too was like a halo Deku wondered if it came with any sort of other effect, but even without one a light based Quirk had plenty of uses.

“I’ve never heard a guy mutter so clearly.” The tall man coughed. “My place is loud...” He chuckled. “Loud...Like metal? That's a compliment right? You got good taste. Gold is always stylish, right Cali?”

“I’m glad you like the decor.” Cali bowed. “It took a few years to get Kinyama-sama’s tastes down.”

“Hey you could not ignore me.” Kinyama huffed. “Now then...Where to start?”  The golden shades on his face gleamed as if he were out and about in on a summer’s day. 

“Like my butler here gave out,  my name is Kinyama! I may be old as bones but please just call me Kinyama no need for any honors!”

“O-oh I’m...Midoriya  Izuku.” Suddenly it clicked, the whole reason he was wandering the streets like that. “That’s right! Excuse me!” Midoryia cried out to him. “You dropped this!” The glasses vanished from his hands in a blink and Kinayama was already adjusting them on his face, catching the glare of the overhead lights as he grinned.

“Where the hell did you find these?”

“The station! You left this behind when you were...um...Ah-aanyway I followed you to give them a back!”

“No fooling?” The man sheepishly  rubbed the back of his neck.”...You followed me off the station just  to give me this?” He sniffled, burying his face in his sleeve. “What kindness.” He bawled a river of tears flowing down his cheeks. “Who knew this generation still had such good lads! Look away! Let me cry in peace!!”

“Well I spaced out and missed my spot so it was just dumb luck really..” He flushed rubbing the back of his head. Cali hummed, eyeing Deku carefully.

“Midoriya-sama if you don’t mind me asking. How did you come to be well how do I say-”

“Laid out on the street like a fish outta water.”

“Yes. As Master Kinyama put it.”

“Oh right! That guy!” He had almost forgotten he needed to call the police and report him. The description was fresh in his mind down to his quirk. It must have done something to his body, that much he was sure of his earring was never that good. He couldn't control his limbs. The chill and the aches felt like he was under a foot of snow instead of being out in the rain, even the rain drops felt like needles. Actual needles. Maybe he transferred his drunkenness or maybe he could just make him feel like that? As Deku went on about his assailant and went into more detail about the encounter Kinayama raised a hand to stop his story.

“Cali will handle the calls but...you say you  saw me? Then why didn’t you call out when that punk had you in his grasp like that?”

“I-if I did then...You would have been in danger so...”

“Danger...Me? You nearly died for me?” Kinyama rubbed his chin. He took a breath and leaded back as far as he could go and like a whip he snapped forward! With a smack his head crashed down onto the table, Deku nearly screamed as blood painted the ceramic table.  He watched the drinks and snacks fly up into the air for Cali to gracefully catch them, setting them back down with ease. “ Izu-kun eh? Sorry for this mess of a day! But now I gotta pay my respects properly! No worries that rain should be clearing up any minute now and then you can skedaddle on home!” His glasses were fine but the same couldn’t be said for his nose.

“T-thank you...” Deku cried bowing his own head several times over out of habit.

“Look at that bow! That ‘thank you’ you hear that politeness?! Hahaha! I love it! But I should be the one bowing, what kinda adult has a kind watching out for them like this? Alright I’ll answer you question.”

“Question?”

“C’mon  no need to be shy with me! You gotta be curious why a guy like me was bawling on a train. Be honest, was I  a mess?”

“It must have been ugly, sir.” Cali commented. “Perhaps even embarrassing?”

“Oioioi. Well, whatever a real adult understands, crying is nothing to be ashamed of!”

“Of course, sir.”

“I’ve been out of the country for a long time.” Kinyama pivoted, waving off Cali.  Lowering his sunglasses to gaze out a window, his puffy red eyes staring out into the mist, he continued. “Things beyond my control kept me away from home. Might have to leave again, but I wanted to visit my...teacher at least once. He was a hardhead guy that rattled my nerves more than once.” He chuckled. “But we were bound by something more precious than blood. Even as a little shit, my big sis taught me to respect him a great deal. He was a great man.”

“He was...?”

“....” He chuckled but didn't answer his question, Deku’s head dropped down wondering how he could apologize for picking at a  fresh wound. “ Raise that head kid, He probably would chew my ear off for making a kid bow to me like this. Alright a story for a story, let me  hear your woes.”

“My woes?” Was it that obvious something other than that villain was bothering him.

“C’mon let it out, I'll let you in on a secret, us adults get drunk to complain to strangers all the time. You said you missed your stop but a stand up guy  like you ain't spacing out on a  train for nothing! So go on complaining! Bottling up your emotions will kill ya!” Kinyama literally beamed at him with an equally dazzling smile. It did make him want to talk about it. He couldn't, wouldn't talk about One for All but would it be so bad to just vent?  He could do that at least right? After failing All Might he couldn't go to him and he made his mother cry enough for a lifetime. Even now she was probably beside herself with worry. 

“...I screwed up.”  His guilt welled up and spilled all over. He didn’t know where to start. He took a few minutes to collect himself and get his own story straight so he wouldn't be giving away too much. “I ruined everything, everything we worked for since april.” He started with their training regiment and how he more or less got a ‘coach’ by luck and pluck. How took the exam to get into UA and how he screwed it all up right out of the gate. Kinyama listened to the whole thing only nodding his head and letting out a grunt to let him know he was listening intently. Once the story was done he sighed.

“Was today filled with nothing but despair? Young people should sound a bit happier, spring is coming soon is it?”

“...Yeah...” Deku sighed. Kinayama screwed his lip to one side. He lowered his sunglasses and placed them on the table.

“Truth be told, these shades are quite important to me. If I had lost it then, I would be beside myself with woe. That girl and I. You helped us both but I suppose she caused you to fail and I caused you to miss the last train home and get targeted by a villian. No good deed goes unpunished.” 

That villain’s words echoed in his mind along with the stench of alcohol and the chill of the rain. He remembered how devastated he felt when he left the test site. Should he have just ignored someone in need? Would he have been better off like that?

He remembered the girl trapped under rubble.

“No!” He slapped a hand over his mouth, he shouted so loud he surprised himself. The hand that he used to punch the machine, his legs that snapped from the force of his one jump trembled. He remembered the impact of a punch so powerful he knocked the machine off its feet and tore through the metal like paper, the blast of power so great he felt the very air shake as he was juggled by the wind and plummeted to the ground. The loss of gravity as he was saved by the very girl he had just saved.

He remembered the feeling of relief when Kinyama turned to walk the other way and avoided that villain.When he ran out to help Kacchan, when he saw his tears, knowing full well his childhood friend didn't want his help.

 If someone is in trouble you help them, that was just how it was any other way of thinking didn't have the slightest chance of planting roots in the young man’s mind. But that didn't change the fact that: there was no way to blame but himself. If he were actually worthy of the power then he could have used it better, All Might trained him for months and he even added on to it, adjusted to Midoriya’s arrogant ideas. He was the dud here, a Deku.  “I, that's not what I meant, I ruined everything. Nothing that happened to me is your fault-”

“...I see, no regrets on that end?” The man stroked his chin in thought as his butler draped a robe over his shoulders.

“I don’t regret helping either of you, I don’t really. it's just...this was my chance to get into UA...” Kinyama  whistled. 

“Shooting for the stars...that's the way it should be but when you crash its always grisly and that teacher gave everything to get you here eh?”

“Yeah....It's worse than just wasting his time.”

“Guess, there's always next time.”

“Huh?”

“Hm?” The man blinked. “It's been a long while since I’ve had to worry about school and exams and such, but I’m sure transfers are still an option? Retakes? Extra credit  or something?”

“I...I can try again?”  Izuku whispered.

“You kids always think every failure is the end of the world! Get real!” He laughed. “See? It’s not as bad as you think, the mind has a way of making us miserable.” He huffed. “Hell the rain is already gone.”

“But! That doesn't change the fact that I wasted his-”

“Shut the hell up.” Izuku fell back, ensuring his aching cheek.  Despite being punched, he felt good? He was breathing easier, the lights and the color of the room were more vibrate than before. More than anything he felt refreshed, like he’d spelt for a full day! Kinyama stood tall with a halo of light radiating behind him. It was an array of colors like a rainbow; the beams of light bounced off the walls shifting about with even the slightest movement. He raised his arms painting the room in a kaleidoscope like pattern factoring around himself in the shape of a heart.  

“Let my quirk SHINE! Clear up that heart of yours! Be honest with me, your teacher doesn't think much of you does he!?”

“No! No way!” All this time All Might had helped him and cheered him on. He wasn’t the type of person to turn his back on a decision like this! But that was exactly why Izuku was so frustrated, he wouldn't give up on him. “He... he was the first person to believe in me!” He was too great!  He was the only one that would say those words to him: 

“You can be a hero.” All Might’s words still echoed in his heart and mind. He didn't just have to live up to his name, his legacy, but his expectations.

“He said I could be a hero and he meant it!” Izuku cried out, his brows furrowed and without hing he glared at the man before him, Izuku’s eyes shining like stars.

“So you can get angry! That's the look I like to see! Nice! I’m not gonna tell you to get over it. But, if someones willing to gamble on you then you gotta have some confidence in yourself at least like he does you. Otherwise it's like you're calling your coach a liar.” The man laughed. “A real man...no, no, sorry about that, a real adult owns up to their own hand in their fate and accepts what they cannot. You got no regrets so now you gotta power on!  We can only control what we can so we gotta do the most with what we got and the luck. You’ll find life is more enjoyable that way.” Izuku still had plenty of regrets but Kinyama’s words gave him some relief, it wasn't over. It was luck but All Might acknowledged him. Chose him. All Might had said it himself at the start of his training he was evaluating him all the time. The fact that he hadn't demanded the power back must have meant something. That there was still a chance.  As long as All Might still had faith in him as long as he was still entrusted with this legacy, this power he would keep trying at least until...someone more worthy appeared.

“Thanks for the drinks and for looking after me!” Izuku gave Cali a bow, the white birdman dropped to the ground nearly burying his beak into the entranceway.

“Apologies for that strike to the face.” Cali groveled.

“...It’s fine.”  Izuku scratched his cheek nervously. “ It didn't even hurt. His quirk has some sort of healing effect, right? I feel way better.” Both in his body and heart, to have a power people would say it's a sign of his  kind nature. Though as someone who was once Quirkless Izuku was never too sure about things like that, at the very least Kinayama was a kind man.

“Kinyama-sama’s  mouth is too big; you can just forget everything he told you.” Cali told him. “I’ve called your taxi and you'll find your fare in your pocket. Goodnight and thank you for stopping by.”

“Still, I owe you my boy.” Kinyama called out from the table. ”If we meet again I shall repay that debt to you. I always pay back my debts in interest!” 

With a nervous nod Izuku closed the door.

JOJO

A week has passed since the exam and Jolyne was once again collapsed, though this time on her own bed, her whole body once again rebelling against the punishment she put it through. She missed Recovery girls healing powers already, they were  something else. She really was Syuuka's grandmother if a little kiss on the head could make fighting that robot feel like a light jog. She laid on her bed absentmindedly scrolling through her phone. They told her she’d received her results by now so far nothing has come of it.

“Jojo! It’s here.” Her mother slid an envelope under her door.  She told her mama that she wanted to open it up alone. She gave her some excuse about it being good luck. Truth be told she wasn't worried about whatever expression she’d make if she dont get in. But her mama on the other hand, didn't want to see some sort of patient or understanding smile. She just wanted to see her surprised and filled with pride. That's all she’d admit to herself.

“Hello there Kujo Irene!” The moment she got everything set up and pressed play a  boisterous voice nearly blew out her ear drums.  

“Ugh.” She flopped back nearly tipping her seat over if it weren't for Stone Free steading her. She wasn’t looking forward to reminding her teachers not to use her name. She wasn't expecting much though. Instead of remaining on her old teachers she took in what could only be her next one.

He was staging tall arms spread wide and of course his iconic, sun-like, smile was spread across his face. Blonde hair slicked back save for two strands, he stood larger than life and with more muscles than most bodybuilders. The similarity between him and the Number one back in  the US was always amazing. Stars n Stripes could be his sister. “I. AM. HERE! On your screen!!” The legendary hero, strong enough to change the weather with a single punch. Fast enough to protect all of Japan single handedly. The man all villains fear and all children aspire to be. The greatest hero not only in Japan but the world over, and that was 100% undisputed. 

He was also the man somewhat-a-little-bit responsible for her ‘stone’ going missing. 

“Whoopsie!”Gwess’s voice echoed in her mind. “When you think about it you lost it cause All Might so really is it my fault?”

He flexed for the camera to spin faster than most tornadoes. He slammed one foot on the ground and stopped, completely still,  pointing at a screen behind him! “I’m sure you’re at the edge of your seat! Should I have trusted my gut and circled C instead of A? Did I score enough points during the practical! I apologize for the wait but now all your questions will be-” He paused glazing off screen. “Hm? Don’t go off script? Relax! A little adlibbing is fine right?”

“Sir, please don’t.”

“Hmph.” The number one pouted. “Very well, I was just an entertainer in another life, let’s get back to you Kujo-san!”Her score and profile were on display.

Kujo Irene

Villain points

38 points. 

“I must say you gave those machines a run for their money. You showed impressive level headedness and determination. Never allowing yourself to be overwhelmed by foes and in  battle every move was decisive; making the most of every movement to close the distance and corner your targets! Even in  the face of the Zero Pointer you kept at it! That sort of bravery  is to be commended.” He clapped his  hands, that smile growing even brother until he came to an abrupt halt. “ But a score of 38 is sadly not enough.” He shook his head and covered his face in his hands.   Jolyne wrung her pillow between her fists.

And waited.

And waited.

And waited.

“Sir. Please-”

“Gimme a break and-”

“BUT! What sort of school is this? We are not training a generation of warriors! We are cultivating the brightest heroes we can! What does winning mean to Heroes like us?” He held his arms wide and pressed a button on his remote. Alongside her thirty eight points  another number and category appeared. “You may have been focused on getting points but you never lost sight of what you wanted to be. Before the Zero pointer,”  it showed a bird’s eye view of her helping the giant handed girl,“and after its arrival,” another camera angle this time form below her sailing through the air with the invisible girl in her arms! “Kujo-san, you chose to protect others over worrying about your standing in the exam. Stand proud-”

Kujo Irene

Villain points  Rescue points

38 32

“-you are well on your way. SO!  For our dear girl here there's only one thing to say. Welcome to your hero Academia. I look forward to meeting you in time! HAHAAAAAA!!” His voice echoed as the screen dimmed and Jolyne was left staring at her own reflection. She exhaled, letting out all the air in her lungs finally allowing herself to breathe. In her group chat she sent a message the ALL Might Emoji raising a fist in the air.

...

...

...

Guts: Fake.

Jojo: Oh shut up! I have proof!

Gwesswho: ...Wow Costello. Reeeeeeal mature. Congrats Joey. 🎊

Guts: Bitch?!!1 

Jojo:Thx. At least someone is supportive.

Guts:..

Guts...

Gwesswho: I’m a giantBIbvpyn;ibubjkg678g7gonamaksmikasmsaaskmsak

Guts:simoacaxcacaocm.

Jojo: are you guys next to each other? Lol.

The back and forth of gibberish went on for a solid ten minutes before Jolyne had enough laughs.

“Alright.” Jolyne grinned, at least they knew how to probably give some congratulations. Next she should go and tell her mama the good news. Jolyne, despite wanting to go and tell her mother, stood in the middle of her room, her thumb scrolling through her concepts and landing on a single name. 

Kujo Jotaro.

 She eyed his contact and her fingers unconsciously ran over the surface of her pendant. The last  time she thought to talk to her father was when she first got that fragment. The mystery of why he had it in the first place and why he knew she’d be able to use it safely left...unresolved. But a lot has happened since then. She held in her phone in an iron grip her thumb hovering adobe his name, she could tell him everything that’s happened to her since last summer. Stands, the gang, making new friends, her time in the hospital, her new direction in life. Would he care? Would he be proud of her disappointed that it took her this long to even try and get her act together. This is as far as she’s ever dared to wonder because she never thought he’d even pick up the phone. She was tougher now, she was sure of herself of what she wanted for herself.  She wasn't going to let anything hold her back, not even herself. That’s why her stand was Stone Free. She looked around as if anyone would be able to see her right now or know what she was about to do.  She could do this. Her heart jumped to her throat as she held her phone with both hands almost in prayer. 

Irene waited. And as she waited, and waited and waited, she was  reminded of what she already knew. 

“Fuck you.” She wheezed. Jolyne’s life had changed a lot in the past few months but that was just another way to separate her from  him, he wouldn't be changing. He wouldn't be breaking his streak any time soon.

“ORA!” Stone Free barely managed to catch her phone before it shattered her window. Her Stand brought the phone to her desk. Then it picked up her pillow and wailed on it until the once soft huggable butterfly was nothing more than thread and fluff. Her shoulders shuddered with every breath as she moved onto her old school uniform and with a hiss of rage ripped the blouse apart with no sign of stopping. having threads around her fingers and gently squeezing her hand.

“Fuck you! Godamdint why do I always...What's wrong with me?” She’d had enough guys playing with her emotions for a lifetime. In fact he had said it himself, she had everything she needed. It sounded nice back then but that's only because he made her mama a messenger. Now the truth of those words began to sink in. Beyond Stone Free, what good was he?  She really couldn’t rely on him for anything. Fine. Whatever. She got her own hopes she had no one ot blame but her own dumbass self. Stone Fee her soul weaved around her as if wrapping her in a cocoon, she stared into her own reflection across her blue shades. Her face was a mess, her eyes were puffy and she was crying like a baby. She sniffled, reaching out to touch Stone Free’s face. At least she had Stone Free and...

“Jojo!” Just then her mama knocked on the door. Jolyne nearly left out of her skin looking around the ruins of her room from Stone's Free’s rampage.

“N-not now mama.”She wiped the tears from her eyes with the back of her hands. She knew it would go like this. She tried to calm herself down to face her mama, she didn't need to worry her any more, she didn't want to worry her any more.

“...That's too bad!” The door was blown open by a blast of water. Her mother stood before her wearing a nice dress like she was planning on going out somewhere. An Empty bucket of water dropped to the ground as she strolled right in. “Time to celebrate, let's go out!” 

“You were listening!?” She sniffed, she tried to turn away from her mama, but she pulled her into a hug burying her face in his bosom.

“Well All Might’s voice was quite loud!”Ugh, she just wanted to die right now. She shushed her, patting her head combing her fingers through her hair. “It's okay. I understand Jojo, you didn't do anything wrong.” Jolyne didn't say anything but hiccup and make a mess of her mother’s shirt. This wasn't the first time her mama caught her like this but she was determined to make it the last. “I won’t tell you to smile but at the very least let's celebrate all you’ve accomplished.”

“...What's the plan?”

“Thanks for hearing me out.” She let out a sigh of relief. “I prepared a little something in advance. I've already found this nice little restaurant. It has all your favorites and the selection of desserts are out of this world!”

“Thats not what I meant...If...If I failed what was the plan?” Her mother bonked her on the top of her head with her chin pulling her into an even tighter embrace.

“Hm the same thing. Pass or fail I’m so proud of my little girl and all the effort you’ve put in I was going to make sure you feel all my pride!” She beamed dramatically and poked her nose.

“You couldn’t have been proud of me before...” She joined a gang that always intended to make a scapegoat out of her. Her teachers made her mother apologize damn near every week. The her from back then was just a joke. But as if reading her mind  her mother tutted her.

“You were raising hell but...Even then stealing that bike was the one worst thing you did...and even then you couldn't help but help other people. Jojo, I'm your mother.” She cupped her face stroking her cheeks with her thumbs brushing away a stay tear. “I always knew who you were, that's why I’ll always be proud of you.” 

“Well if you already went through the trouble.” Jolyne wiped some fresh tears from her face. “I guess I’ll go.”

 “Now I don’t have to send Gwess and Eldis home!” What. Were they just messaging her from downstairs this whole time?! For the moment her worries were pushed to the side as she looked at herself in the mirror, she was a mess!

“Wait! Let me put something on first!”

“Alright alright!” She laughed. “Take your time. Love you Jojo!”

“Love you too.” Who needed a dad with a mom like this?

As the door closed behind her mother sighed, wiping a few tears from her eyes before she made her way downstairs.

 Once more Jolnye said goodbye to her mama as she made her way to school. Her hair was done up into its usual twin buns but she diced to let her black mane free for the time being and her green bangs parted on the left and neatly swept out of her face. She wore the stand UA uniform but she chose to adorn the jacket with a large pink butterfly pin.

“Hey. Look at you!” Eldis smirked. This was the first time Joyne had seen her in her school uniform. Eldis wore the standard boys uniform with red pants. Her school bag was slung over her shoulder.

“W-what's so funny!?”

“Jeanist really did a number on you.” She brushed Jolyne’s bangs with a deep chuckle, Jolyne’s cheeks went red as she batted her hand away.  

“Yeah, yeah I pulled it off.” Jolyne huffed doing a twirl in her uniform. “ Thanks for noticing! So what brings you my way?”

“Ohoho! Were you worried about me!?” Jolyne ribbed her friend. “Awwww,  you really are my senpai!”

“Where's the respect?” Eldis sighed. The two rode the train as far as it could take them. Eldis led her on what was her usual path to the school. UA was out of the way both, located atop a forest of places,  for privacy and because of the massive amount of space it took up. Still there was something refreshing about being surrounded by nature like this, Jolyne took a deep breath the smell of the wilderness and the fresh mountain air filled her lungs. The school itself was impressive, The main building shaped like massive ‘H’ a moment to what they teach here. 

“Well see ya.” Eldis waved her off as she leisurely strolled past the gate.

“You're not gonna show me around or anything!?” Jolyne huffed following behind her. “What kind of senpai are you!? It’s not a title you can turn on and off ya know!”

“What? No way. I got a reputation to uphold.” She gave her a smug smile. “Besides, my kouhai should be able to handle her first day alone right?”

‘Now that I think about it...when I first joined the program a lotta newer people were scared of her. Even people that joined after me.’ The girl was tough as nails that's for sure but Jolyne couldn't find it in her to fear her at all. ‘I mean she was the one who reached out to me first, if I don’t count Gwess’s schemes...’ Still for the sake of whatever reputation she had Jolyne waved her off. There would be plenty of time to bother her later.

Soon Jolyne found herself-

“Well well well.” Jolyne turned around to find no one there.  No one but a floating pair of sunglasses. “We meet again!” That was without a doubt the girl she saved, she remembers her bubbly voice form when they got healed up by Recovery Girl. Jolyne couldn’t help but smile happy that she managed to pass too, though before she could open her mouth to say something her mind began to wonder. Jolyne’s eyes cut to the red framed sunglasses on her ‘face’ or maybe they were just on her head? She looked down at the rest of her. She was invisible but her glasses were perfectly visible. She thought her clothes were just invisible back then  but those glasses were visible now. “My Quirk is clear as day: Invisibility.” Once more Jolyne looked at the empty spot up and down.

...

“U-um excuse me...Can I g-get...past-”

“Are you naked?”  Red faced, Jolyne just decided to ask what was on her mind. There was no way she was going to be able to focus on any conversation with ehr without that being answered first. "Like...right now?"

“...” Suddenly an entire uniform appeared around her completely with a pair of bright red gloves and a  scarf with a crazy assortment of colors swirling around each other. Her bag and scarf were  adorned with various pins of cute animals. ”No way that's too embarrassing!" Jolyne couldn't tell whether she actually  thought  it would be embarrassing to be naked  or if she was joking. "I-i was just trying to make an entrance! Sheesh!” The girl herself was still nowhere to be seen. “Sorry to disappoint you!” Jolyne managed to reel herself back  down to  pink cheeks before she responded.

“I mean it worked? You can't make yourself more visible?”

“It takes a bit of effort.” The uniform shrugged, shoes and tights dancing in place. “Sides’  even if I was in the buff nothing is showing right!?”

‘I guess being invisible would leave you thinking like that...’ She hummed in thought. “You do you, girl.” Jolyne paused, watching the walking uniform strut around. “Actually we didn’t get a chance to talk after the exams. What's your name? I’m Jolyne. Cujoh Jolyne.”

“Jolyne and Cujoh...Jojo?” She already discovered the usual nickname. Gwess may get away with it from time to time but she wasn’t gonna let it spread around school, she had a reputation to create.

“Ugh don’t call me that. Just Jolyne.”

“Awww but alright! Got it! I’m Hagakure! Toru!“ She struck a dazzling pose, though Jolyne couldn't really make it out too well, it looked like she was crossing her arms above her head like an ‘x’ and leaning back nearly making a ‘c’ with her body like a model. “Nice to meet you Jolyne!...and who's this?” The glove pointed at a sheepish looking kid frozen behind Jolyne. She recognized him instantly. 

“Oh! You got in!” Jolyne grinned, clapping the shorter boy on the back. He didn't move.

“A pal of yours?” Toru asked.

“Uhh...not exactly?” She was just rooting for him really but it looks like his nerves were even worse than last time. He hadn't moved an inch since they approached him. 

 “He’s stunned by our beauty.” Toru sounded half serious and Jolyne for his sake didn't comment on his red face. The attention on him just made the poor guy freeze like a statue. “Hey!  With the green hair and freckles! What’s your name!”

“Nakidoriya! T-thats I!” He snapped to attention. “I...I mea  I’m Midoriya Izuku...” He mumbled through his hands. 

“Jolyne.”

“Toru!”

“A-are those your first names? I-is that okay to just call you like that?”

“I don’t really care for that stuff.” Jolyne shrugged, “as long as you don't call me Jojo anything is fine dude.” Toru nodded along. 

“Totes, we're all buddies here.”

“B-buddies...”

“Hey so did you get in the hero department too?” Toru suddenly asked him, and he nodded so fast Jolyne was worried his head would snap off his shoulders. Truth be told Jolyne was curious about that herself, last time she saw him he was a nervous wreck, not that he wasn’t right now but that was beside the point. The race for the hero program was tight, the way UA funnels students there would only be enough kids to fill two classes for the hero course which is about eighteen to a class.

“Y-yeah I... made it.” He said with an air of relief that Jolyne could get behind. He must have worked for this. Toru spun around walking backwards to face them both.  “Just barely...” He whispered.

“Yeah I feel you.” Jolyne huffed remembering the video. “Who knew All Might would play around like that.”

“Hehehe....yeah...I nearly had a heart attack when he said I got in.” Izuku and Jolyne shared a sigh of relief. The trio continued down the hall taking in the school that they'd be spending the next few years in. Izuku seemed impressed with what he saw but to Jolyne it just seemed like another private school, though much lively, she mused watching a few older students and their loose following of the dress code and thinking of Eldis’s entire attitude. 

‘At least it’s not uptight here, maybe they’ll actually call me Jolyne like Jeanist did.’ She hoped.

“So what class are you guys in? I’m 1-B!” Toru chirped up.

“1-B too.” Jolyne answered, which made her invisible friend pump her fist in the air.  “What about you Izuku? Are you in the cool class too?” She teased.

“I-I-i’m in 1-A.”

“Aw man, we almost had a hattrick.” Toru snapped her fingers. “I bet we would make a cool triple threat.” The three of them stood outside of Class 1-A, Jolyne could faintly hear the sounds of shouting leaking past the door.

“ T-this is it.” Izuku opened the door. Jolyne immediately locked eyes with Ida’s younger brother and she spotted the explosion prick sitting with his feet kicked up on a desk. A pregnant silence filled the room.

To be continued.

Chapter Text

“You too!?” The explosive jackass leaned so back in his seat his chair was on its hindlegs to look down his nose  at them. “What the hell were they grading if both of you lames got in!?” He cackled, a lot may have happened in that exam but there was no way she’d forget that attitude. 

‘Good looks but nothing working behind that face, a match made in heaven.’ She couldn't say she was surprised, if that walking hand grenade didn't get some serious points in the exam then she’d have to be dreaming.  Though his quirk and skills were the most notable thing about him, not even his temper. Without a doubt he knew what Stands were, or at least encountered them enough to be wary of ‘invisible powers.’ He couldn't see Stone Free so definitely didn't have one of his own but  even if he encountered a stand that could be the lead she was looking for if she ever wanted to have a chance of tracking down that fragment she lost.

‘On the other hand, both Lover-boy and that SPeedwagon weirdo said it’d be best to keep it under wraps. I don’t know what his deal is but there's no real way to...Wait,’ The image of a couple of love birds inches away from making out in the middle of their summoner romance burst into her brain. The dog-like hero chasing her down and the voice of reason that  gave her key advice that got her through her first Stand battle. ‘ Lover-boy’s a student, right?  Maybe he could help me out a bit? At least his girlfriend might if it still has my scent on it after all this time.’ She wasn’t holding out much hope on that front but it was better than nothing.

“You there!”  Before she could even get a word, Ida called out to them with a fierce look in his eyes. As it turned out, Mr.Robot  lived up to the better Ingenium, he probably had an easy time of it. 

“Nope.” With a soft click the door slid closed. She let out a sigh of relief, with any luck she won't have to deal with that one at all. On the other hand, her blessing was someone else's curse. Hunch over and pale faced Izuku could topple over at any moment.

“Woah. That guy was maaaad.” Toru whispered. “I thought he was just competitive. Poor guy must be super nervous about his first day.”

“N-no that's pretty normal for Kacchan...Actually he’s kind of tame right now.”

“Oh. Wow.”

“Kacchan?” Jolyne repeated. That smug smirk and sharp eyes began to slowly morph into a hissing prideful kitten and the fight of giggles erupted from her throat, she laughed so hard she nearly doubled over in pain she was forced to  brace herself against the wall for support. “Kacchan!? Oh you know him Izuku?” Toru asked, confident that  no  one could see her smiling or laughing but her voice cracking with every other word gave her away. “T-that’s a c-cute name...”

“I uh...I guess...Well we grew up together...It’s just an old nickname that stuck around,” Izuku let out a soulshaking sigh, “he’d probably hate being called that.”

“For real and he let you give him a cute name like Kacchan?” Jolyne hummed as she scratched the side of her head. Still, It wasn’t  any odder than her being friends with Gwess of all people. 

“So then you and him went to the same middle school, that sure is surprising.” She didn’t hear when he opened the door but she sure wished it was still closed. “I am Tenya Ida-”

“What? Are you eavesdropping? Not very proper of you.” She rolled her eyes as he chopped his hand at her.

“I was not! You are all talking at the entrance way, there can hardly be any expectation of privacy.” He countered as he pushed glasses up the bridge of his nose. “Also, I was not talking to you.”

“Was I supposed to know that? Slowpoke?” She scoffed.“ Not surprised that you’re cutting corners already, Ingenium. Jr. Cause anyone would tell you that hardly doesn’t mean none. Yeah?”

“Junior?!  Would you leave my  older brother out of this. I am starting to believe that you may be obsessed.”

“You came over here.”

“This is the doorway!” He was getting red in the face,  flustered and frustrated which meant that Jolyne had already won. Naturally. Truthfully she could take or leave this conversation, but she’d be damned if he thought he could get away with looking down on her.

“It’s you! The fluffy haired guy! Oh...U-um....” a cheery voice interjected while Jolyne ran circles around ingenium’s younger brother. Thankfully, Stone Free made Jolyne pretty aware of things around her. Which allowed her to effortlessly tune out and argue with someone at the time.  “Um...what’s going on here?”

“You can ignore them.” Toru assured the brown haired girl who wearily approached the group. “I think their exam buddies.”

“Y-you...”

“I’m so glad! Present Mic was right, you really did pass! When you come flying through the air and POW!” She cheered while whirling her fist around. “That was the craziest thing I’d ever seen!” She clapped her hands together and beamed, making Izuku melt. “Are you guys in our class?”

“Yes!” Izuku cried, just a bit.

“Sorry!” The invisible girl adjusted her shades, the grin obvious in her voice.“But me and Jolyne here are in 1-B. I’m just waiting for my new buddy to stop flirting.” Hold up.

“Certainly not.” The little brother had the audacity to be offended, but the honors were all her’s. “Please do not spread baseless rumors.”

“Don’t make me gag this early, I got a whole school day left.” 

“Fascinating. As interesting as this conversation is, if you're just going to socialize, do it away from the door.” A voice from nowhere chided them, evry turned to Tooru who flipped her scarf around.

“That wasn’t me!” 

“Down here.” A sleeping bag crawled along the floor like a caterpillar trying to scramble along the dirt, the voice of a tired old man croaked from within it. “Honestly.” Rolling over, the scraggy and unkempt face  of a grown man. The bags under his eyes told a story of either sleepless nights or just a  deep depression. She settled down with the former as he casually ate a snack mid yawn. “You kids have no sense of urgency.” He didn’t bother to get up as he continued his crawl into the room along his back casually butting past Ida before looking at them with a wolfish grin. “Now you’re late.” 

“Seriously?” Jolyne shrugged, if she was late there was nothing to do about it now. All around her the others let out squeaks of panic.

“Already!” Toru cried!

“Wait just a moment! Firstly, you haven’t even introduced yourself or officially  started the class or even-!”

“Just kidding, though, I appreciate the panic.” He brushed aside Ida's outburst with a smirk, cutting his eyes to her and Toru. “Seriously.  You two, get to class already. Vlad’s not as generous and kind as me. He might even be on time.” The teacher of Class 1-A slinked into his own class late. It felt like leaving a sheep to the wolves but the two of them left Izuku behind to face his classmates.

“He’ll be fine.” Toru proclaimed without a hint of doubt in her voice. “I’m sure of it. Probably. Maybe? Now onward to class, if I’m late on the first day my sis is gonna get worried!”  It wasn't exactly a march to Class 1-B. They were neighbors afterfall.

“Worried over that?” She thought back to her old school for a moment. Teachers barked at her, like a dog behind a fence for the littlest thing making all sorts of empty and fruitless threats. Watching her mother have to come in and bow her head, it made her blood boil and left a stinging feeling in her gut. “It’s just one day,” Jolnye shook her head, “but I guess it's because she cares a lot about that sorta thing?”

“Yup,  unlike me, she’s a worrier.” Toru’s sunglasses bobbed up and down. “Her son’s too old to be fretting about so us younger siblings carry the burden on our backs. She still frets over him though.”

“Right on time.” Their teacher, a man so large he was practically a wall behind his desk. His sharp eyes, the same  blood  red as the uniform he wore, drilled into them. “Please take your seats, class has already begun.” Toru skipped out to the  lone open seat in the back, leaving Jolyne to stare at her betrayed.

“Good morning. I suppose this makes us neighbors?” The girl to her right greeted her, her hands clasped together rested on her desk. Her hair, uncountable rose stems topped with thorns,  cascading down her back with a few locks wrapped around her head like a crown. “I’m Shiozaki Ibara.”

“Yeah, I guess? Cujoh Jolyne...” Her own class had familiar faces too it seemed. That orange haired girl, whose hands were much smaller than before, grinned. A few seats over she noticed the same mohawked heteromorph that stole one of her bots from her. His passive glare melted away for a cocky grin as his pincer rubbed against one another.

“Now that we're all here I can begin the orientation.” He took a movement to pause and stare out to class, “we have a full morning and I will need every minute of it so I will do my best to keep this brief, Good morning! My name is Kan Sekijiro, I’m also l known as the Blood-Hero Vlad King!  I ask that you refer to me as Kan-sensei but Vlad-sensei is fine too! For the next year I will be your homeroom teacher and more importantly those that surround you will be the next generation of heroes.  Your generation, the ones that will shape the future. They’ll be your classmates, your friends and rivals. Welcome to the first day of your Academia. I’m not the type to make lofty promises about the future or how you’ll do here or where you’ll be even a few months from now. So I’ll say this. I hope you know that you can rely on me and if not, or if I fall short I hope I rise to your expectations.”

Alongside his eternal companion, a young boy like night takes over day he moves through machine after machine, muttering curses. Without a hint of fear a boy cuts down every machine in his path, leaving a trail of destruction in his wake. In a garden of her own making a girl ensnared all evil and protected everyone in sight. Without looking back once. A boy stood atop a field of brunt, broken, and twisted metal. Never satisfied, he went to hunt for more.

Facing a giant, a girl and her invisible damsel go flying through the air only to be caught by another girl she saved earlier. A boy who was shaking from head to toe took action when no one else would and toppled a giant in one blow to save another and was in turn saved by the girl in need.

The teachers and faciality that watched all this happen time and time again were nothing if not impressed. This batch of students were astoundingly reckless and yet each teacher present was  hopelessly invested!

1.Katsuki Bakugou  Rescue points : 0 | Villain points: 79 | Total score: 79

2.Kendo Itsuka  Rescue Points: 53 |  Villain points: |23 Total Score: 76

3.Eijiro Kirishima Rescue Points 39 | Villain Points 35 | Total Score: 74

4.Uraraka Ochako   Rescue Points 45| Villain Points: 28 | Total Score :  73

5.Kamakiri Togaru   Rescuse Points :6 | Villain points 65| Total Score :  71

6. Shiozaki Ibara  Rescue Points: 40 | Villain points 29| Total score: 69

7. Kujo Irene Rescue Points: 31| Villain Points : 38| Total Score: 69

8. Ida Tenya  Rescue Points: 9 | Villain Points: 52 | Total Score: 61

9. Izuku Midoriya Rescue Points: 60| Villain Points: 0 | Total Score: 60

10. Hagakure Toru Rescue Points: 30| Villain Points:  30 | Total Score: 60

11.Tetsutetsu Tetsutetsu Rescue Points: 10 | Villain Points: 49| Total Score 59

12.Tokoyami Fumikage  Rescue Poitns:10| Villain Points: 47 | Total Score 57

“And that’s the final score.” There were a couple of anomalies, with all the destructive Quirks this time around accurately putting the right  points to the right child was difficult but at the end they always managed to credit where it was due. “Though I gotta say one kid was really easy to grade!” Present Mic cackled, he was ecstatic and why wouldn’t he be, the rest of the staff felt the same. Each battle, each one of these future heroes, those who made it and those who didn't, were rooting for each and every one of them from start to finish. “This is definitely a wild batch of kids we got this year!” Present Mic’s voice shook the room around more than a soda can in a prankster's hands. He could not and refused to hide his hype. “Seriously~ some of these kids are CRAZY!” He clapped, and was about to demand another viewing of the practical exams.

“Reckless more like.” A wall of man, the literature teacher  and Pro Hero Cementoss; he shook his head looking up at the monitor. The image of Midoriya’s limbs flapping on the breeze like paper wasn’t exactly a pleasant sight even for a Pro. “Attacking a Zero pointer like that, I don’t know if he’s over confident or just brave.”

“Nothing wrong with  a  nice bit of confidence.” Midnight, the modern art history teacher, giggled brushing her impressive mane over her shoulder. “It’ll carry him through his school years.”

“Still it was heroic ain’t that exactly what the rescue points are meant to show? And we do have our lovely nurse to patch ‘em up.” Present Mic chuckled. “So no harm done right?”

“Plenty of harm done.” The head nurse groaned, she prodded the loud teacher’s face  with her cane. “If these kids are gonna make this a habit I’m gonna have to start being mean!”

“He seems out of practice with his quirk.” Vlad King, rubbed his chin in thought. “That or perhaps a severe case of blowback?”

“We have a few of them with that problem, ahh the growing pains of youth.” Midnight, sighed wistfully looking back on her school days.

“Sorry to steer the topic away from our future students but...I would like to round back to the zero pointers...While we’re all here I would like to hear some opinions about their performance.”

“Are we grading you now?”  

“Well, aren't they supposed to be big, hard and dangerous? They certainly got the job done from where I’m seated.” Midnight teased.

“Nono, not that it’s just...” He paused, perhaps trying to  get into all the tiny details about these giant machines would be too much for only a worry but he couldn't just let their poor performance slide. Rolling his wrist as if trying to fish out the words he finally settled on: “All the robots were programmed with certain attack patterns. The one’s and two’s are simpler while the threes have a variety of options at their disposal to avoid or approach. The zero pointers were just as Present Mic described, just things in the way. An unbeatable boss, a wall, or whatever. Not something to be fought.“

“Well that boy thrashed one!” Present Mic chuckled. “I never thought someone would break the game!”

“You got me on that one! I never expected anyone to approach them, to fight,  in the first place.” The principal mused.

“Maybe for the students in A.” Erasrehead, the man who's made a bead out of two chairs, spoke up.  “You were worried about the D section, right?”

“That robot in D wasn’t really going around aimlessly. It was searching.” Hounddog, the head of security,  leered at the footage, rolling it back to the Zero-pointers arrival, slowly inching forward throughout its whole performance. “It catches sight of Bakugou and then it hunts.” It follows the trial of explosions and finally when it knocks over a building sending a girl, or at least the only one that showed up on camera, flying through the air. “It attacks before anyone even tries to attack it.”

“That one in section D.” The principal hummed, taking a sip of his tea drawing the rest of the staff’s attention. “Not quite what I expected.“ Nezu reached out to press a key, shifting through the footage until he landed back on Section D. The massive machine appeared just as it was designed to, the majority of students fled just as he planned. But, he quickly saw the problem arise once more,  the moment it appeared its gaze shifted. Its head swiveled instead  of its designated starting route; it took bold steps towards the east. It began to move towards the greatest commotion; flashy quirks like the fiery youth’s explosions. “They were supposed to wander about, not seek them out. We were saving that functionality for this year’s festival.”

“Oh right, it was certainly chasing down that Bakugou. Though he had no qualms about drawing attention to himself.”

“Those girls in D  with him had a hard time at the end. But it stopped just like all the others right on time.”

“Do you suspect some sort of malfunction?”

“Oooh maybe some sabotage?” Present mic throughout nonchalantly. “ Maybe some type of hacking quirk? I mean that could happen right?”

It was merely a jest but Principal Nezu took it quite seriously, and that energy quickly spread to the rest of the room. The very idea brought tension into the room, each and everyone of them were both professional heroes and teachers. The wellbeing of civilians and the future students was no laughing matter. If someone had used their quirk like that, forget breaking the rules that was attempted murder.

“ I’ll give them a look over!” He stated firmly. “ It was probably just an error, you try to get your work done ahead of time and this is what happens.” He groaned. “Just to be safe I’ll give them a triple check. I’ll look over the programming too. If something is amiss we’ll catch it long before the festival. And if something is wrong we’ll just have to go with plan B!”

“...”

“Don’t look so glum, Aizawa-sensei! That's so far away you might not have to run at all!” The principal laughed.  The teacher filled out one after another, the principal left to go prepare All Might on his first official job; reading all the acceptance letters. By the time each letter was sent the class roster was already  finalized and the teachers were hard at work getting their lesson plans together, mapping out the school year for the would-be heroes. It was a lot of planning and little time to do it but the teachers always managed, Plus ultra was their motto for all things. So, it wasn’t a surprise when teachers would reach out to coordinate lesson plans.

“Aizawa-Sensei I have an idea I would like to run by you!” He nearly loomed over him. The shorter hero gave him a nod and his co-worker continued. “I would like for our kids to be rivals.”

“...Rivals? You mean you want to do joint lessons?” They had cerintally talked about it, and neither were strangers to the class battles. “That sort of thing is tradition right?” He sighed. “We didn’t need to  talk about that for a few months.”

“Well, after seeing them in action, I just can’t wait for the roster...”

“I might not even have class to make rivals of.” Aizawa scratched the scruff of his chin. “I wonder if I should go with the field or the forest.” He whispered. 

“I’m sure you will! You, more than anyone, are hoping for it.”

“That right?” Aizawa looked his way, and gave him a quick nod. “Well I can’t force them or stop them from seeing your class that way.” He shrugged. “And having a rival. It’s a nice thing. You never know when you’ll need a  friend that’ll give you a kick in the rear. Just keep your hell training to yourself.”  Aizawa sighed, though he was already thinking up a few ideas to put his future kids through the wringer. “Here I was looking forward to a quick nap.”

Today, Senkijiro looked about his class. Restless and nervous energy mixed about the class, he nodded to himself neither surprised or disappointed with that.

“The field is in use so I’ll be taking you all to the gym for the second half of orientation. You can think of this as a chance to get to know each other and a pop quiz in one.” The sea of groans that greeted him were in surprising harmony. Already he could tell they would work well together. 

“Your application was only the first of many tests.” Vlad King began. “ Your mettle, your bodies, your minds, and your character. You’ll be tested constantly over the next three years. If you’re going to stumble here then feel free to move towards the general course. There's no shame in realizing your own limits and that's what we’re going to see today. Normally, you’d have to restrict yourself. In school and in everyday life you see the results. But that ends here.  The purpose of UA is to teach you the proper way to use your Quirks and that begins by unleashing that power here and now!”  Largely teachers were given a lot of free roam with how to handle their classes leaving their students well being in their hands. From what Eraserhead told him right about now he was putting his own class though quite the scare. His colleague was an excellent teacher so this time around rather than a normal orientation, before his special training, he would follow in his footsteps and go beyond as well. 

More than anything for his class to form close bonds with one another, they are albie to argue and question  teachers and rely on one another. Competition would breed rivalry and camaraderie, jealousy and admiration. A wave of happy expression washed across his class, and much to his delight a few very determined ones. “That said,” he raised a hand, blood flowed from his gauntlets and his students watched as it ran across the ground. The flow of blood ran like a river, and broke off into sections across the gymnasium  and rose like towers reaching up like trees to the sun. Each spire split in two  curling through the next, weaving from one end to the next until they finally reached the two tallest spears at the end forming a net. What was left floating in the air condenses into a sphere about the size of his head and  drops right into the palm of his hand.

“How about a round of volleyball? I’ll show the difference between your future and the life you’ve lived until now.”

“Oh I get it! We’re gonna see who's the biggest badass right from the start! Bring it on!” The boy smashed his fists together letting out a metallic ring. At hearing those words, the smile that split across his face was filled with relief.

“Something like that! What a fine spirit, Tetsutetsu-kun!”

It wasn’t exactly what he was trying to convey but Tetsutetus’s words seemed to light a spark in the rest of them so he could expect the class to take this seriously if only to throw his own words back in his face. ‘Just as I hoped, this is a very hungry class.’

The difference between the life she’d lived until now, eh? Well it's not like he’d know anything about her circumstances or just how often people casually use quirks to their advantage. Well, fairness didn't really mean anything if none played ball and rules only counted if everyone followed them.

She kept an ear out for the rest of Vald’s speech with Stone free and focused her attention on something more pressing her uniform, rubbing the fabric between her fingers.

On a scale from one to ten these P.E. uniforms were a firm five compared to the stuff Jeanist had them in. It may have been the fact she wore the uniform for months or the fact she’d become desensitized to it but the material definitely felt better and it was lighter too. It looked better but again her brain may have been infected by jeans. Still it wasn’t all bad, the uniform was easy to move in and pretty breathable too, it’d be easy to move around even in the summer. While she was at it she took in their gymnasium too. A massive room to match the school itself. You could have an entire football field in here, maybe two. 

She tuned in as  the blood hero was going over the details of his  ‘Orientation Exercise.’ The Class-1B Volleyball tournament. Vlad split them up into teams of three, a bunch of teams. Each game would be around three minutes. Four brackets and at the end of it the final winner of each bracket would clash to see who won the whole thing. Jolyne was in Team O Positive with two others.

The one on her right seemed like a muscular guy, not really on Eldis’s level though,  with wild yet kind of stiff spiky grey hair. Way more fluffy were his thick eye lashes that could easily be mistaken for some sort of eye mask. His eyes settled into a glare but his mouth was almosted welded into a shark tooth grin.

A cute girl with large doe eyes and a short snout. A pair of sharp horns curled out from her and upwards from either side of her skull. Instead of sneakers or even feet she had hooves like a horse with shoes to match.

They were given a few minutes to get a game plan together.

“Howdy! I’m Pony!” She said with a slight accent other words. “Ummm...nice to meet you, how are you...two doing today! I am doing well!”

“Eh? I’m good, thanks!” The grey haired boy roared letting the textbook opening fly over head. “Wait Pony is your first name right? Oh! We’re just going by first names! I’m down! Tetsutetsu Tetsutetsu! Just call me Testutetsu! With me on the team this whole thing is gonna be a piece of cake!”

“So Baddass-san, I hope you plan to put your money where your mouth is, it’d be way too embarrassing to get dropped first after all that.”

“Bad...asssan?” Pony echoed as she was mouthing her mouth, almost as if she was trying to mimic her?

“Hm? I called him...Mr.Badass.” Jolyne repeated in english. “Badass.”

“Oh! Thank-Wait! Do you speak english?” Pony gasped, her brown eyes shining with glee as she leapt up and down. 

“Yeah! No worries! Cujoh!! I got a great plan! First! WE spike’em! Then we spike’em!” With a resounding clang he smashed his first together, his skin covered in metallic sheet just like refined steel. “ All we gotta do is smash them down and make it all the way to the top!!”

“Smash’em...” Pony repeated with the type of determination you could only have by half understanding what someone is saying with conviction and believing their hype.

“Just Jolyne’s fine Badass-san.” She chuckled. He seemed harmless enough, but guys with too much bravado were always a let down. And she knew the Hearts were filled with them! Guys who elt their money do all the talking, guys who only had a half decent power going for them. So far three out of four guys she’d met weren’t giving her high hopes. The jury was still out on Tetsutetsu. “But alright” She cracked her knuckles. “Let's put All Might to shame.”

“Damn right! You can call me Te-”

“Hey before we get smashed all the way to America could you at least shake our hands? Good sportsmanship and all that?” Their opponent approached the net, a pretty boy with a pleasant smile on his face, reaching under it for a handshake before the game began. “Sorry to ease drop, I heard you all going by first names, I’m kinda jealous. So please call me Neito.”

“Yeah! You’re alright man!” Tetsu+3 barked. “Hope you can keep that up when you lose!”

“Well, I hope you go easy on us!” Neito chuckled a bit nervously. “I’m not that strong, you know. Here you guys can serve first.” He held out the ball, “my team even agreed.” The girl to his left shrugged. “Right? Tokage?  Honenuki?”

“We sure didn’t! But, eh, why not make things spicier? Right Juzo?” 

“Guess we’re doing this then,”  their other team mate, the pale kid with exposed teeth and sunken eyes shook their head, “be too late to say anything at this point anyway.”

Their fingers brushed against each other as he handed her the ball. A ball of blood, like a cartoonishly large blood cell. Was making stuff with their Quirks a common hero hobby ro something that UA teaches?  It wasn’t gooey or sticky and it didn't leave a giant red stain on her hands either. But it felt squishy, but its shape didn't give much no matter how she tried to squish it,  like an oversized gummy and cooler to the touch than she thought it’d be, it was easy to mistake for an oversized candy. Hm. She needed to eat a snack.

“I wonder if you could eat this?”  That’d probably be cannibalism though and it’d probably taste like rusty metal.

“Wanna take a bite of it?” Pony chuckled. Jolyne paused, staring at the ball and then her teammate who looked at her with a slight head tilt. She had said that out loud then. “It may look like a big apple but it's probably bad for you Jolyne.”

“N-no! Just surprised at how solid it is.”

“Hehehe. S’arlight, I thought it’d be cherry flavored.” The sharp tooth girl on the other side winked.

“So that's why you wanted to plan ahead? You were scared you were gonna eat it!” Tetsutetsu nodded, with empty headed wisdom. How’d he even jump to that conclusion, where is head at right now?!

“I’ll take the front!” Tetsutetsu roared. “Nothing is getting past me! I’ll be the iron wall all by myself!!” He boasted. “Jolyne sorry but you can’t eat until we win this!”

“...” For the love of god, where was their teacher with that damn whistle? “Pony you serve,” she needed to get this damn ball away from her.

“Gotcha! I’ll do my best!”

“Yeah! Smash’em up!”

“You really like that word.”

Finally, sweet mercy, the teacher blew  the whistle. Game or not she was gonna win this.

“Hya!” With a cry Pony practically punched the ball clear over the net. “And GO!” She fired off her horns, they swirled through the air slammed into the ball and made it do a complete nose dive towards the center of the other court.

“Can’t let it be that easy!” Tokage ‘s arms slid out from her uniform and punched the ball, wrestling it free from the horns. Her arms broke apart

The ball nimbly swerved around Tetsutetsu’s hand, bumped his forearm. As she dove down to bump it back up it bounced in mid air over her arm and tapped against the ground. The dark green scales mixed into the blood floated out of it and back over to the other side of the court with the rest of her.

“What the hell you basically just carried it like a baby!” Jolyne’s comment was met with  the girl balancing her head on knee. Tokage's shoulders shrugged or at least bobbed in the air.

“You didn't listen to the rules, eh? We can use our quirks on anything but each other. And well my body’s my Quirk and I only held it for three seconds. So no rule breaks right, teach?”  She called out to Vlad King. Standing in the court in the center of all the others Vlad rubbed his chin in thought as he smacked a ball over his own net. Was he playing a game too?

“As I said, only three seconds of handling via Quirks. That’s the rule.” Vlad, apparently, repeated himself with a raised brow. ”I thought I made that quite clear.”

“Um, I didn't really get that part.” Pony admitted. Instead of going on some rant about being heard, Vlad just nodded his head.

“Hm. That was my bad. Next time don't worry about asking me to repeat myself. There's nothing wrong with that.” Yeah, that was really useful now, geez.

“I wasn't paying that much attention.” Tetsutetsu grumbled. 

“Fine whatever. One zip serve!”

“No worries guys.”  Neito smirked as he got ready to swerve again. “The real game starts now right?”

“...Right!” Tetsutetsu grinned. As the ball soared overhead, his body changed, taking a reflective metallic tone as he knelt down. “I got this!” he leapt clear above the net and went for a powerful spike right out the gate. Or that’s what she assumed he was trying to do. The moment he tried to leapt up his body began to sink into the ground.

“Guess that's another one for us?” Neito chuckled.

“Not a chance! ORA!” Like she was going to let this go just like that! Stone Free sprung from her body and punted the ball high into the air. 

“I got it!” Pony cried as she fired off her horns like missiles,this time she stabbed into the blood ball determined to  drive it down into a remote controlled spike!

“Stiiiiillll here!” The scale girl chuckled as her pieces whirled around smacking her horn-guided ball off course and back towards their court!  Jolyne whipped a thread around Tetsutetsu and pulled herself right out of the sinking floor to kick again. Tetsutetsu pulled himself out of the sinking court  with a roar and finally managed to leap up in the air.

“I got it!”

“You don’t need to pull them punches quite that much. It’ll look like we're bullies.” Neito grinned, his body shone like steel, just like Tetsutetsu as he raised his arms high in the air, knocking his shot off course and back into the air. Tokage bounced it up, Neito jumped up and using her feet as footholds he jumped even higher. From up there he had a free shot of any spot of the court he wanted. “That's two!” He grinned as he punched the ball down with enough force to make a wave on their side of the court.  Neito clapped his hands; it sounded like a car accident on loop. At that point there was a real shift in his attitude. As the blonde boldly waltz forward with a cocky smirk on his face. “Are guys going for a come from behind victory? You know you have to actually make a comeback right?” Ugh. That nice smile was nowhere to be now that he was winning.

“Damn it!” Tetsu swore.

Jolyne shook her head. Right then, they gotta change gears or we’re gonna get dunked on.

“This ain't gonna work we have to switch it up-”

“What! No way! I can beat him! I can't lose to my own Quirk!” Tetsutetsu cracked his fists together. “That's like losing to yourself in the mirror!”

“And how do you compete with yourself in the mirror? A staring contest? I think you'd lose that one too. Tetsu.” Neito gripped the net with metallic hands, the red reflected off his face, making that shti-eating smirk on his face down right evil. “Honestly? You might be better off hanging out in the back.”

“HUUUUUUUUH?”

“Don’t feel too bad, we’re a well oiled machine and  I’ve had harder Quirks to manage than this. All I have to do is swing and jump. Reeeeeal easy on my end to help smash you guys down.”

“It’s my Quirk, jackass who the hell are you explaining shit too?!”

“Maybe I’m just better? Or stronger. Maybe if all three of you moved out the front you could block me? Might have a chance then.”

“Screw that! I can handle you on my own!”

“Sure about that?”

“Jolyne, Pony! Stick to the back! I got this guy!” This guy is really falling for every taunt!

“Um...what about her?”

“Hm? OH honey, don't mind me, I’m just watching the show.” Tokage chuckled with her own head held in her arms. “This guy is tripping all sorts of flags and I gotta see how it plays out now.”

“I’ll take you on too!”

Still, It wasn't like he was being outclassed or anything, the blonde was just in his head. It must be tough having what was a quince power being used against you and so well, it was like he had this power his whole life. 

No. The other two were the real problems. The two left the front row to Neito but they were messing everything else up. The girl was literally all over the field, and the guy had to be the one who turned their side into quicksand! It wasn’t  like Stone Free needed proper footing to throw a punch but the ball itself but getting to it was a problem which meant Piny had to defend everywhere they couldn’t alone.

 The field was messed up, and the wannabe Tetsutetsu and Buggy the Clown, were a two layered wall. 

Was it just a bad matchup?  Really it was downright unfair wasn't it? She scoffed, what a joke unfair was something she was something she had long  gotten used to. A little game couldn’t be a wall, it wasn't even a stepping stone. She shook her head. Right, if she thought she lost already then it was over for real. Stone Free’s strings wrapped around her fingers, so how could they turn this thing around?

“I can get him! I’m so close!”

“Oh I’m sure you can! Maybe if you and Jojo their-”

“What'd you just say?”

“...Jojo? What’s wrong with..I mean- What's the matter? You don’t like the nickname that much?!” She wasn't going to let this game be a blowout! Not to that prick!

“Think you hit a nerve dude. She looks like she  might slug you.” The sharp toothed girl warned. “Fuck it, I wont’ say a word.”

“Hey thats enough  you too. Man, this is just a game.” Juzo scoffed, pulling his loudmouth teammate way form the net. “Relax.”

“I’m just saying that Jo-”

“Enough.” Surprisingly a wad of blood wrapped around his head. Thankfully that left him a mumbling mummy as Vlad approached their net. “I won't stop a little ribbing but you’ve been tap dancing on the line for a while. Cut the trash talk. You’re all in the same class Aoyama-kun. If you want to prove a point do it with actions instead of putting others down. Anything more than this and I’ll pull your team from the tournament.” The walking dumpster was left open once again as Vlad walked back to the center court.

“Sorry, sorry, you’re right we should win with grace.” He coughed.

“Sorry.” Juzo gave them a small bow. “I’ll try and reign him in...I guess?”

“After we win this are we gonna have to tape his mouth shut for the other matches?”  Tokage mused as they stepped back form the net and finally gave them a moment to strategize.

“I don’t really get what a lot of what Neito was saying but he’s making fun of us right? I thought my horns would make it easy but if my trick serve doesn't work and I can’t beat those spikes then I’m holding you guys back...”

“What! Screw that you guys are doing great out there! I’m the one creamed by my own Quirk.”  Gnashing his teeth he hissed.” Damn it! Shape up man!”

“Dude just-” A loud ringing sound stung her ears.  

“Tetsutetsu...” Pony muttered. He punched himself. 

“Dude!”

“Alright! I got it!” He smiled and bodily pointed a finger at her. “We just gotta smash em together! If I can keep up the pace! That way I can hand;e his spikes! Yeah! Jolyne?! We can't let him get away with looking down on us like that!” Just like that he was still adamant about doing the same thing? He, really, really believed that he was the problem here. Jolnye sighed, working in groups always sucked even in the UP program she  worked with Gwess  so much she was a one-girl act for a good while.

As someone that got in because of all the help she got even that shady guy from the Speedwagon foundation.

“Finally a plan I can get behind.” Jolyne rolled her neck glaring at the Negative team. He’s still full of himself but when was the last time she had a classmate hype her up like that? Well it is what it is. When someone messes with you you have to give it right back to them, and with interest. And there was one cocky guy who really needed to eat his own words today. “Pony, can you serve like before?”

“Mn! You betcha!” 

“You’re our iron wall right? SO I’m really leaving it to you this time.” She slapped him on the back. “And Pony your remote control horns are gonna be key to this alright.”

“Hahaha! That was the plan in the first place!”

“The same thing again? Won’t work!” Neito cried as Tokage once again countered Pony’s horns and set Neito for another spike. To his surprise, this time Tetsutetsu leapt across the court, making a wave in it,  and punched the ball back up into the air to be carried off by Pony’s horns.

“You ain't getting past me!”  He roared, as he blocked Toakge’s easy access to the left side of the court and forced her to contend with Pony’s horns again.

“What the heck! How’d you move so fast!?” Neito cried, beads of sweat ran down his face as Tetsutetsu blocked him again. 

“Oh.” The only one on the other team that didn’t have a reason to move much until now looked her way. “...is that your quirk then? I never thought I’d be the one you guys would focus on.”He figured her out pretty fast too. It must have been a shock to look at them standing on a wavy court. It was kind of like standing on a wave or maybe a water bed. The soft ground constantly shifted and wobbled with the slightest bit of movement and force but as long as Stone Free was spread across their end of the court she could give them both a foothold.  

“Now we're all nice and even!” 

“...” Juzo stood up and finally joined the game. “Let's see about that.”

“I don't’ get what happened but get ready to taste so much blood!” Tetsutesu roared as he went for another spike. Tokage’s carry would be canceled out by a pair of remote control horns, and Neito up against Tetsutetsu always ended in their wall's favor, in fact with the ground as wavey as it was it gave hima  boost in his jumps to overtake the copycat. It was only a matter of time before they overtook them and smashed them down into the court! 

“Not bad, you’re making me sweat a little now!” Tokage grinned but she really was sweating now, maybe she didn't; expect to be doing so much. Eating Tetsutetsu’s spikes must have been killer on her bare arms as she bunted it up for a teammate to do something with. Juzo, sprang forward arms ready to set the ball, not to a teammate but to the other side of the net.

Then, as the ball flew to the negative side once more, something was off.  Why Juzo now of all times? Neito was still coping Tetsutetsu and his set wasn’t anywhere near strong enough to be a problem for herself or Pony.

“Huh!” Pony cried. “What happened?” Jolyne craned her neck up to watch the ball melt around the horns desperately trying to scoop it up in their grasp.

He could make at least  two things ‘melt!?’ Was he saving this for just the right moment?

“Pony shoot it as much as you can!” Jolnye cried as she leapt up to meet the barrage of horns. 

“O-okay! GO!” She launched a volley of horns one after another! The handling rule was three seconds, right?

“ORAORAORAORA!”  It didn't matter how soft the ball was, even if it was melting like ice-cream on a summer's day as long as Stone Free was wrapping the horns around it as tightly as she could, stopping even an inch of red from seeping through the gaps in the horns. It’d be solid enough for Tetsutetsu to hit it back. 

“Tetsu!” She cried as bunted it back up, the swaddling made of horns arced across their side of the court.  Tetsutetsu leapt off a platform of strings.

Combining all of their power! This super Spike that only one of them had a hope of blocking!

“ORA!!” Jolyne, Tetsutetsu, and Pony roared as a metal fist met horns and shattered as it sailed over the net. Neito’s face and despite her best effort Toakge’s hands might as well have been trying to pick up an egg yolk. The ball slid to the ground and splattered quickly losing any shape it once had. 

“Why was the ball soft for me too!?” Neito complained to his teammate as he tapped the ball and they watched it regain its shape.

“I told you I have to touch it to turn it back to normal. I guess she really countered me.” Juzo nodded. “Putting it in a container huh...I gotta remember that.” 

“Alright you guys hurry and serve!” Tetsutetsu laughed. “We got you on the ropes!”

“Hehehe. You guys really spaced out on the rules eh.”

“TIME!” Their teacher's voice boomed and bounced off the walls.

“There was a time limit!?” Team O positive cried out. “It wasn’t just first to three!?”

Team O Positive: 1

Team O Negative: 2

“Team  O Negative wins and moves on to the next round against A Positive! Shake hands and change courts!”

There may have been a smarter way, a more clever way, but then she won't get this satisfaction. The look on a smug guy's face when they're sure that had an easy win on her only for her to work them over and leave me with a bloody nose! Even if she lost most of those, it was worth it. Some things never change and went doubly so her joy at taking people down a peg.

“Tch...I really thought we could win there.” Tetsutetsu groaned. “I guess that was my bad, I’ll be tougher next time guys!” He assured them, putting on a  wide grin showing off his razor sharp teeth.

‘Still,” Pony hopped from one hoof to the next with a smile on her face “ I guess we kinda won in the end.” She giggled. Jolyne looked over at Neito who despite his win grit his teeth in frustration. 

‘What prick,’ She clicked her tongue, already gearing up to tear into thin in every way imaginable only for Tetsutetsu to get to him first. The taller teen slapped him hard on the back with a toothy grin.

“Oi Neito! You better not lose now! You hear me! Tha’td be lame as hell!” He roared,  shaking the whole gym with his voice alone and the echo that defeated the other teams. Neito smirked but still failed to hide how completely baffled he was. “If you don’t win...I’ll clock you!”

“Is that a pep talk you think?”  Pony asked Juzo as they shook hands. He simply shrugged.

“Maybe?”

“...At least the guys in our class are a riot!” Tokage laughed as she let Jolyne’s hand go. 

“Yeah I guess we lucked out. Could’ve been worse, you should see the 1-A guys.”

“Ohoho? You gotta spill the tea next in the locker room!” They  shared a laugh, that was something to look forward to. She could drag those two guys all day!

“...Yeah okay,” Neito shrugged that smug grin right back on his face. “After that opener who else could match us?” That almost sounded like he was complimenting them. The losers of this round were gathered around the remaining courts to watch the spectacle. Apparently Toru had a four man team and lost.

“Hmph.” She pouted, or at least she probably did the way she stomped over and huffed. “That wasn’t fair, we should protest this tournament!”

“What's up with you?”

“We had a difficult match to say the least.” The orange-haired girl wandered over to sit as well. “I’m Kendo by the way. Kendo Itsuka.”

“Jolyne, thanks for the catch last time.”

“Just returning the favor!” She grinned.

“Hello, are you friends with Hagakure-san and Kendo-san?” The tall fanged kid covered in shaggy brown fur smiled. “Perhaps we should introduce ourselves then?”  There began another round of introductions between the two teams.  “Ah, I could not just call you by your first names! Cujoh-san. But Please call me Shishida or Jurota, whichever is easier.” He gave her a nod. 

“...Kodai Yui.” Jolyne didn't even notice when the black haired girl sat down, next to Toru.

“I hope your match was more of a game than ours.”

“We’re gonna get him next time.” Kendo assured the other three.

Back to the games, it turned out he was right. That softening quirk and Setunsa’s flying  body parts were partially impossible offense and defense. With Neito pulling either power or using their opponents power for himself, they had all their bases covered. Worse, their synergy only got better in the next round.

Tetsutetsu cheered them on so it seemed he really didn't have any grudges, just a desire to beat them next time like he said?  Pony too seemed happy to cheer for both teams at once. On the other hand Jolyne wasn't too keen on cheering on the team that schooled them, though she was happy that they only lost to the winners of this whole thing.

But...the final opponent was practically unfair,and she could see why Toru and her team had a hard time of it. In a Class of Twenty-two students making even teams of three was impossible. As such...One team had four players and their opponent was...well there was only one man able to fill the missing team slot by himself. A Grown-ass man that apparently wanted nothing more than to dunk on his students!

“Avenge us!” Toru cried. “Kick his butt!”

“Yeah!!!!” Jurota cried, now transformed into a huge beast man. "CRUSH HIM!!!"

“Good luck!” Kendo called out to them.

TEAM AB: Vlad King

VS

TEAM O Negative : Neito, Juzo, Setsuna.

What the hell was this?

“The ball!” Neito roared! Jolyne could only stare at the scene as if looking at a slow train crash. Vald hadn’t moved an inch in the face of that steel serve, in fact he had his arms crossed watching the ball sail through the air and snap down to the floor like it wasn't even a part of the game! The sound of the impact never came, the ball simply hovered above the floor unbothered by gravity, the fact Niito had gone red in the face, or anything else at all. IT had the sheer audacity to start spinning in mid air and follow the same arc right smack dab onto Neito’s hand and bounce knot the floor and sink halfway in.

What the fuck.

“Well  that tracks, it's his blood and all but...” Setsuna sucked her teeth. “ This sucks. That's, like, super cheating.”

“...Is it now? Should I play backwards?” 

“YES! Turn around!”

“Very well.”

He really did but that didn’t work out for them either. If anything it was worse the ball was dancing through the air like a drunk hornet. Was this some kind of humiliation ritual to keep his kids in line? She thought Ua teachers were supposed to be better than this. Her eyes flickered over to Tetsutetus who got up and roared.

“Kick his ass man!” Tetsutetsu roared!

“Yeah okay? I’m trying!?”

“We’re trying here.” Juzo frowned.

“I mean...yeah?” Setsuna pouted, eye level with the ball in midair. The bloody volleyball was doing loops in the air now. “Oh come on man! Are you really not looking! Cover those eyes up!”

Suddenly a blast of blood smashed into the ball and pushed it down on Vlad King’s side of the court.

“How’d you like that!” Neito laughed. his knuckles were torn open, his blood wobbling around his arm.  Jolyne leaned forward watching  another spurt of blood get ready for the next round.

“And that's time.” Time? TIME!?!

Team AB: 1.

Team O Negative: 1.

DRAW

“Well  let's head back to class.” The chorus of boos rang out after all this ending it on a game like that? What was he thinking!? How could he end it like that? A few more minutes and that loudmouth’s team could have done something crazy! If he could control his one blood then maybe he had a chance! 

“Whaaaat!”

“C’mon!”

“BOOO!”

“Say what!?”

“He’s asking for a terrible shroom...”

“Blashmemy!”

“Well I suppose another team could try and go against me... another time.”  Vlad simply shook his head. “Training the mind is just as important and this is a school, this is still your first day. Though...”He paused, a still statue in a sea of disappointment before turning around to face his clase.”If I hear good things from the other teachers maybe we can try basketball...”  The corner of his mouth turned up just enough to count as a smirk. 

“Jolyne next time...”

“Yeah, yeah, if we’re on the same team the three of us are gonna clobber everyone.” She grinned.

“Clobber?” Pony asked. She really didn't have a violent vocabulary. 

“She means you guys are going to smash everyone.” Juzo answered for her as he walked by. Most of the class gave team O negative some words of encouragement as the group began to funnel out of the gym.

“Ah! Right, right! Thank you!”

“...Next time I’m gonna take you out!”

“You can try.”

“...Ohoho.” Setsuna suddenly perked up, “Well lets give these boys some alone time!” She grinned as she  whistled her way out of the gym.

“What was that about?” Tetsutetsu blinked and punched Neito’s shoulder.

“Ow?! What was that for?”

“For being a dickhead. Welp see ya in the lockers! Later Jolyne!” Neito looked at Tetsutetsu retreating back perplexed and shared a glance with Jolyne as if trying to make sense of the guy.

“...” Obviously she punched him too, with Stone Free of course.

“What?! The hell is your quirk!? That felt like a punch!”

“Watch yourself next time.” She waved as she walked away. “Jolyne only!”

“Monoma-kun, wait just a moment. Please, come over here.” The blonde sighed as the teacher called him over, maybe she was a bit too curious or maybe she hadn't noticed the spring being left behind but at some point as Jolyne walked away she realized she could hear their conversation.

“ Using my own quirk against me, that was an excellent move. You must have copied me when you shook my hand.”

“I... yeah. What? You’re praising me for using your power? Really?” 

“Of course as I said this was for all of you to use everything you had. You did just as I ask like everyone else. But I can’t praise recklessness. For my quirk at least remember that  getting the blood out like that is reckless. Especially if you don’t know how to harden the exit wounds. I’ll show you how next time. I’ll guide you to the nurse’s office, that way you’ll be sure to be able to keep your blood in check. On the way we can talk about how you talk to your classmates. Go ahead, I'll be there once I take down my blood.”

“O-okay...”

Well maybe he wasn't a total ass, maybe there was just something about pro heroes being good teachers?  She’d still kick his next time, what sport did he say next time would be? Basketball?

As his students hustled back to the lockers Vlad couldn’t help but smile. He was worried for a comment, that Neito’s mouth would soon earn him the ire of the whole class. He certainly didn’t expect to have to play referee in the middle of his own match. Speaking of which, Neito and Jolyne’s actions today had to be kept in mind. If her name and nickname was enough to set her off into a brawl that was something that had to be approached for her own good. Not right now, or this week, he’d have to give the girl a chance to get used to UA after all. But before he does he’d have to  do something digging as to why such a trigger  wasn’t noted by her previous teachers. 

As for Monoma-kun, mocking his opponent's Quirk yet flaunting it like a one-of-a-kind treasure. Disrespecting your classmates would lead to nothing but trouble for his time in UA. Unlike Jolnye he could gleam into that boy’s problem. It was a bit, no it was very much beyond simple competitiveness. At the very least he wasn’t a bully, the boy hesitated to use Jolyne’s nickname as an insult at least the first time. He has some level of self awareness, if little self control.

Letting them  begin their year with disharmony, but there was no world where he would allow his team to follow apart before they even had a chance to begin. But it was hard to stay mad at someone facing some sort of misfortune wasn't it? Even if they were a jerk, no one wants to watch the underdog lose and the one that kicks the puppy? That’s a man you want to take down with all your might! You’d break every limit to do so!  So like a true hero he took the pain knot his shoulders, he’d be the villain, the wall that he is class would become determined to take down a peg or two. He smirked, a rumble built up in his throat that he let loose, his maniacal laughter echoing through the empty gym.

Fear and embarrassment go hand in hand, even more so in sports. When playing games there are always those who shine and those who think they can’t at all. They tend to go to the wayside as others try, but he would not allow that to happen here, not a chance! It’s why he split the teams up the way he did, he only had previous teachers reports and the exam to go off of but he tried his best to spread out the competitive ones with those who seemed more calm. No one team could win with overwhelming strength no matter the match up; a loss was clearly possible.

It’s why he set this whole thing up to be their orientation into the school! After all, this was their first day of highschool, the chance to begin anew. This was the time for them to show their stuff unchained for the first time in their academic lives. Were some of them disappointed with their results? Did they feel cheated by the type of game they played? Did they feel burned? Feel good form winning or for playing a game to their full potential?  Most importantly, did they want to try again?

Yes, he saw it! This tournament was short by design, it gave them a taste. Did they want to win? Have more fun? Or maybe just get their runback after a bad game? Regardless of the reason,  he saw the sparks, the desire to win was there in each of them. The determination that would need to be famed into a wildfire to  allow these kids to put their lives on the line. And focused on making them heroes.

Erasing the fear of failure wasn’t  necessary but what had to go was the idea of a simple fairness. Of a guaranteed victory. Then, a reason to stand back up again. Giving them the desire to rise above that fear and shame to try again!  To make them realize they can always try again, that they can shine if only for a moment. Losing only happens when you’ve totally given up, he’d make sure they knew that by the end of the year.

“Eraserhead!” He cackled. “You and your class better watch out!  I’m going to turn 1B into monsters!!” His blood was already boiling. After the training he’d put them through, if they couldn't beat him next time he might have a heart attack!

“He’s laughing to himself.” Jolyne mumbled as she slipped on her shoes.

To be continued. 

Chapter Text

Her first day of school wasn’t the worst. Of all the things she thought it would be fun wasn’t one of them. UA for all intents and purposes was an elite school with or without the hero program, and her old school had the same blood. Old and rich. But everything was loose, a volleyball game the first day of school wasn't even the most bizarre thing. If anything it was less like school and more Best Jeanist and his UP program, learning stuff without it being miserable and checking out the clock every two seconds just to see it has budged in hours. Thinking about it like that, as long as they don’t try to restyle her hair, she could make it through no problem.

But speaking about her style there was something she needed to get straight before the end of the week. Her uniform, her hero uniform. Truth be told she was drawing blanks on what the heck she was supposed to do. She could think of a whole bunch of costumes that she’d like and style wasn't really a problem but something that would resonate with a lot of people was a must right? Boots or heels, a cape or not? What color should be the main draw? What would even fit a ‘telekinetic’ hero? Whatever she ended up with, her outfit needed something that resonated all around. Throwing around ideas and bouncing them off herself didn’t get her anywhere.

“Ok how about this?” Jolyne flipped the page of the notebook and slid it across the table waiting for the scathing critique of the mummified money plush-thing and its owner. “Hit me.” This one was an american classic, blue body suit and cape match.

“Goo.” The doll just looked away from the page after a minute, she couldn't be sure but it felt like it had just erased the last few seconds from its mind.

“Joey.” Gwess paused to take a sip of her drink and to pet her Stand. “ Its not bad but I’m gonna be real with you, cause I can’t have my girl going out looking like a hot mess or a clown unless it's cute. Those shoulder pads? Kill me.”

“What I like the shoulders-”

“No real hero has those.” Before Jolyne could comment Gwess continued wagging her finger. “The number one heroes could roll around in garbage bags or butt naked and people would still cheer. I think they might like that more actually but we have to have standards.”

“What about Endeavor, he's got shoulder things.” Ugh, it was kind of a low bar using the walking glare as an example but she wasn’t going to lose here. 

“You don't believe that.” And Gwess saw through it immediately. “That's why he’s number 2 forever. You want to be number 2 too?” Just for a moment, she dared to imagine her face replaced with Endeavour and violet shivered in her seat. Gross.

“Dont’ call me number two! It sounds like shit!” A swift chop at the top of her head and Joyne stole back her notebook clutching it to her chest. Why’d she ask Gwess for anyway, what’d she know about fashion!? Jolyne pressed her cheek to the table, well whatever while she was here she could at least be productive. She leaned back and craned her neck to look behind her  to people watching outside the window of the cafe. As always there was a constant flow of people, hurrying through the rain, her eyes bounced from one to another.  Stone Free reached out, unraveling before her eyes and sending her threads out through the crowd of people. Not a single reaction to the sudden burst of string in their path, no one tried to avoid it and why would they? She could hear the mumbles of the street, not even a gasp of shock, if anyone noticed they hid it well.

“I thought you gave up looking for that rock by now?” This wasn't the first time she got like this in front of Gwesss of Eldis and until she knew where that stone was it wouldn't be the last either. “You think you're just gonna run into it?” Gwess sighed. “Give it up Joey! All you’ll find is trouble like that!” Jolyne sighed and with a roll of her eyes she lurched forward half heartily thumped her palm on the table.

“Says the girl who stole it AND lost it in the first place.” Stone Free’s strings wrapped around Goo Goo Dolls pinning it to the stable forcing Gwess’s face to smush against it too.

“Haaaa how long are you gonna hold that against me!? I’ve been very helpful, you know!” 

“Until I find it.” She chuckled, she was only half mad at her at this point but teasing her about it was too fun. Gwess slumped in her seat brows furrowed her Stand hissed at her only to be smothered by Stone Free’s hand and angry gnawing on its knuckle only to stop when she moved to petting its head. “The more I think about it, the worse it gets.” She grumbled, biting the nail of her thumb, messing with Gwess only took so much of the edge off.

“...I mean I get it? Its yours but-”

“I’m not looking for it just because it's mine, Gwess. People could get hurt because of that thing.” Dintang and Modest were both Stand users. The Undead Milkmen turned a police station into a madhouse and took out a pro hero and UA students. Modest was and his pal were prepared to handle whatever heroes they could have encountered in the mall. And if that bird Stand didn’t abandon Modest and Float On she’d be dead right now. They’d both be. Beyond that though, that Speedwagon guy confirmed what she heard: a lover boy; someone could die just by getting a slight cut if they don’t get a Stand.

“Well it doesn’t kill you, what's fascinating about the arrow is that the material itself has a foreign agent that's impossible to cleanse without just destroying the arrow.” The important part of his ranting rattled around in her brain. “ Exposure to that puts you in critical condition. Yadayadayada. Oh Sorry in short, and I’m not gonna sugar coat it, It’s torture for what little time they have left. That's why we're gonna do our best to find it, don't worry!” She wasn't too convinced that he was going to be able to find it that easily especially if he didn't have a Stand. At the very least she could see Stands and therefore narrow down where it would be if she found more users.

“...I’m not gonna let people die if I can help it.” That should just be obvious, what kind of person could just stand by when someone else is in trouble? The image of Modest and that bird loomed over her, the type of person that would terrorize others with something they’d have no hope of fighting against.

“It’s not really your problem anymore.” Gwess shrugged which was mildly impressive with her pinned down like this. “But whatever! That's what makes a hero I gwess? So cool!” Jolyne let her up, not because of the patting to her ego. “Alright enough trying to sidestep it! Let's get back to your fashion sense.”

"Gimme a break! MY fashion sense is fine! I just don't know how to make a hero suit! Especially one that the school ain’t gonna chew me out for!”

She was being a bit, a tad, over the top but the point needed to be made for her sake. The design wasn't terrible. It could even be cute by virtue of Joyne wearing it. But it was, it  was just so bland. Really bland. This was like the safest idea of a design she’d ever seen like it’d been through three layers of debates with some tasteless higher up and then wrung out of all personality until all that was left was a flavourless soup for a raw potato. 

Only some like All Might could pull off something like this, if she was trying to be ambitious Gwess could clap for that and not be totally lying about being impressed.

Keeping a straight face was impossible but she at least managed to hold in her laughter, it was so unlike Jolyne too, just look at her hair or the additions she made to the Jeanist’s uniform. Cute! Gold stars! Though it's not like Gwess followed UA standards so maybe there's  a rule or two that held her back. On the other hand, apparently Midnight was a teacher there.

Mid!

Night!

They made laws about her!

Really though she was probably just overthinking it,despite how much of a badass she was free falling with a stone giant she was still a bit younger than her. How adorable! She could just pinch her if  she wasn’t sure that her Stone free would kick her! That thing was waaay too fast, it was almost like she had eyes in the back of her head!

As Jolyne ranted and raved about her next sketched; Goo Goo Dolls went stock still. Out of the corner of her eye she caught a glimpse of something out  the window. It was just for a brief moment, she was sure that she only noticed it because of her Stand but...

In the droplets of rain that ran down the window, for the briefest of moments she saw red like blood mixed in with the droplets. Then more and more, the water on the glass grew more and more red and diluted and eventually it rolled up the glass defying gravity. Just barely out of sight something was hovering over everyone’s heads as they walked by the window.  Maybe it was a red rock or a crystal; either way  the rain that it touched turned red and splattered over the area.  Gwess picked up Jolyne’s notebook this latest one was kind of a biker outfit. Jolnye pouted like an adorable hamster as Gwess just shook her head. 

“Do you even have a motorcycle or something? Can't really dress like a biker without one?”A drunk man stumbled into some guy in a business suit.

“I did... for like a day, well an afternoon. I miss it...” She sighed wistfully. He stumbled and pulled on the man trying to keep himself stable with a goofy grin on his face. “I guess it doesn't work if I don't have a real ride...”

 As the drunk wrapped his arms around the other a red tendril sunk into the back of his neck as the drunk was shoved away and stumbled off. Not a single person reacted to the surge of water seeping into the man’s body or the red gem that hung over his head like a guillotine. If Jolyne turned around right now she’d go outside and see what's up right? 

“Alright this one is...Just something I wanted to wear.” Gwess just laughed at the next sketch Jolyne showed her, this one was more of a model than a hero, still nothing that really screamed hero-Joey. But it fit her so it was cute-cute. 

The rock followed the drunk out of view. Go away. Hurry up and leave before she turns around, you piece of shit don’t ruin this! The other braced himself against the window, face flushed red despite the rain, as he staggered off out of sight.

“Alright that was my last one, Let me gwess no winners?” Gwess just couldn't help the giddy smile on her face, Jolyne always made her feel so good, who knew friends could do that?

“I’ll give you a gold star! If I had one.” Gwess shrugged helplessly, taking a sip of her drink, Goo Goo dolls latched onto her arm to keep it steady with its tail.

That shit had nothing to do with either of them, especially her, so no reason to yap about some random Stand. A repeat of that rock-dickhead wasn't something that was in the cards, not today or tomorrow or any time this year, not if she could help it. Jolyne was still sore about the pendant. She would  never really forgive her for losing that rock. Every now and again, when Jolyne looked at her with that sharp cool gaze she could feel an eerie coldness. Like when she punched that walking statue. A part of her still hated her; she was sure of it. Gwess coudln’t afford to fuck up again or she’d wise up and dump her for her flashy hero classmates. 

Poor Goo Goo dolls gnawed on its tail, she felt its fangs dig into her spine to bring her back to focus. Anyway, it was too late now, saying something now...she couldn't imagine how she’d blow up. So the only thing to do was zip her lips! See no evil and no evil happens or whatever. Not her problem then its not a problem. A pro could take care of it sooner or later.

“Wooo.” She twirled her finger in the air. “Guess I’ll just bash my head against a wall until I come up with something. Might just head home.” She slumped against the table in defeat. “Thanks for coming out, Gwess, suppose I’ll think of something...”

Going home right now...yeah that’d probably be dangerous and worse than that  there'd be nothing more boring than home. Though it has gotten much much better with her precious Goo Goo Dolls and that was something that she had to thank Joey for! Which is why she took her role as her bestie as seriously as she could and wouldn't allow any of those hero wannabes or- Hm. Ohoho. Yeah, that would work.

“Well I do have an idea...” Gwess hummed. “It's about time for lunch, right?”

Sometimes, Gwess has great ideas.

“Welcome to Blue Berry-, Oh. Get out you freeloaders.” Eldis groaned as usual right as they stepped through the door and were welcomed to the delicious smell of food and a burst of warmth that pushed away the cruel cold of the outside and foodless world. Eldis dusted her hands off on her apron like she could shake them off the same way, she acted like they didn’t pay for their meals! Well they did most of the time. Now was it their fault that big-sis Gloria and her dad forced them to eat a lot. Nope. Who were they to turn down the hospitality, the kindness, and the delicious food? Her mama would be disappointed if she did.

“Are those your hungry friends I hear!?” Right on que.

“No!” The younger Costello hollered back to the kitchen. “Can’t you guys bother me after work? Like honest people?”

“Uh self centered much? We came to see our sister Gloria and eat.” Gwess huffed. “You’re like a constellation prize.”

“Gooo~”

“Am I supposed to take ‘constellation prize’ as an improvement or do I get to punch her?” Eldis side eyed Jolyne.  “Also she's not either of your sisters.” Oh come on, she must have been joking, a hero shares, depriving the world of Gloria was criminal. 

“For Gwess...yeah. Congrats on moving up the ladder. In a week you might acutely be besties”  She gently elbowed the older girl, kicking back a seat for her. Now that the food was on the way it was time to get down to business.“So Senpai~”

“Tch.”Eldis clicked her tongue. “You can't just call me that whenever you want a favor.” And yet she was sitting down and listening. 

“But you're my coach! You’re not just gonna leave me out to dry are you?” If anyone could give her advice it had to be her right? A UA student’ whose been through the ringer and made all these choices already. This was more than just picking out something cool to wear, it was about what would represent herself.

“Your outfit, that's what this is about?” Eldis took a sip of her coffee as the three of them were seated off to the back, a plate of treats ready for them. “You can just ask a teacher or something like that.”

“I could have thought of that.” Gwess chimed in.

“C’mon!” Asking a teacher; what would even be the point in that? They’d probably just throw her in some unitard and call it a day.

“I’m serious,” Eldis knitted her brows together. “ Listen up. I know you’re old school sucked but your not gonna make it through the year without’em. Just think of it as using them if it makes a difference, besides you have to go through them to get it approved anyway.”  She rolled her eyes, right right cause she and teachers always got along so well. If it were anyone else she’d just scoff at the idea but Eldis was her coach,friend, and occasionally senpai. The idea of her was so dumb Jolnye let out a deep sigh and held her hands up in surrender. Right then a teacher’s advice, cool.

“Alright, who do I go to then? Midnight? I hear she went down in the school’s history for her old uniform. Her normal outfit is pretty wild too.” She giggled, at least she’d probably come up with something really crazy. Though maybe not something so distracting, she could feel her cheeks and ears heating up thinking ‘bout it. For that matter what was everyone else’s costume going to be? Setuna’s quirk broke her into pieces. How would you even make a costume for that, it’d just fall to pieces right? And Toru... What did she even look like? Her voice was nice so she was probably as pretty as Setsuna of Kendo. Her costume would be invisible? No, no she could make her clothes invisible so would she even bother with a costume then.

Hold on.

Wait! Could she-

“No. Nonono.” Eldis shook her around rudely, pulling her out of her delusions. “Get your head out of the gutter! Never mind! I’ll do it! Let me see what you got going on before you explode in my restaurant. Sheesh.”

“Tsk, tsk, Joey. I thought you were being serious all you were thinking of was the ladies. I gwess you’re really done with guys huh.” Who the hell let her act so smug?! Gwess was just asking for a headlock; lucky for her she was smart enough to stuff her face with an empanada,  Jolyne had to clear up the situation.

“H-hey! I was just...thinking about what my class might come up with!”

“Yeah, yeah, I know.” Now would be a good time to figure out if she turns a bit of her brain to string. Could she just knock herself out for a minute or two, maybe lose the last few minutes while she's at it?  Sure she might die but the risks were worth it.“...Lets worry about yours, kay?”

After flipping through her notes once, twice, and then a third time Eldis paused. She and Gwess shared a look. The same look they always did when they were weird on the same wave length.

“What's wrong with this one!?”

“It’s just...I dunno...”

“Not cute.” Gwess said even though nary a soul asked her opinion and perhaps no one would ever again.

“It doesn't have to be super cute!”

“I mean it kinda does?” She made a so-so gesture with her hand. Surprisingly Costello was a traitor, figures coaches were just lesser teachers, she should have known better than to come here. “ Well no... it doesn't have to be cute. It's gotta be more, yeah, you know? This has gotta scream your hero name; your vibe or else it's just shit.”

“A name?” Fuck, she had no idea what the hells he would call herself either. Did everyone already know that!? They probably had years to plan all this shit out, but she never gave this much thought until last summer and even then she was mostly worried about making it to the entrance exam and not getting jumped by gangsters. Forget the name, she didn’t even really know what type of hero she wanted to be in the first place! She just wanted to save people but that was everyone, right? What did she want to do? What did she want to be?

“Well!”  Eldis clapped her hands drawing Jolyne out her thoughts and gave her a pat on the shoulder. “You don't technically need one but a lot of folks build their fame in the first year, so I’d recommend one by the sports festival. Or else someone might give you a nickname and that's just terrible.”

“Great, that's really helpful so I got plenty of time to flail around. I just need an idea! Something to go off of you know?"

“Why not just show her yours?” Gloria asked as she settled down their usual on the table and placed a hand on Jolyne’s shoulder. “You can;t teach without an example and an example of ‘you’ is  better than saying something vague or expecting her to muscle it out.”

“I think I got a few good photos on my phone.”

“Why not just model it?” Jolyne half joked to hide her curiosity, in all their time training she never saw her costume once. “I mean that's better than a photo right?”

“Yeah! You gotta put it on!” Gloria protested, Gwess didn't say a word but was smart enough to try and hide her shit eating grin behind her pastry. “She’s right, what's the point of a photo when you're right here! And don't say you left it at school! I know you keep a spare in your storage.”

“It’s so embarrassing just wearing it for no reason...” All Gloria had to do was look at her and  Eldis marched herself upstairs mumbling  in Spanish which made Gloria giggle as she moved to turn down the lights. Murmurs floated around the restaurant for a few minutes, Joyne titled her head as she heard the scraping of chairs; several regulars turned theirs around to face Gloria and even more looked over and she couldn't help but follow their lead.

“Alright, that should be enough time...Show time!” Gloria roared and tossed a ball into the air. 

Glory appeared in a burst of light  and  her black cloak left fluttering in the air as she crashed down  into an empty seat one leg crossed over the other, each clad in steel toed black laced up knee high boots. The rest of her exposed legs were covered by oddly metallic chainmail mesh with Glory printed on them in gold and vanished behind a black skirt with golden trim.  She snapped her fingers, a metal ting rang through the air for the metallic gauntlets that covered her arms from her shoulders down to her fingers tips. They weren't too clunky either, thick enough to hurt but not heavy, though with her arms it’d be no problem even if they weighed a ton. Her cloak vanished and reappeared over her shoulders. Glory snatched her cup from the table and with a toothy smile visible behind the mask  demonic horned mask over her the upper half of  face  and chugged it down in one gulp. Jolyne’s eyes went from her face to her chest, covered in sturdy what she could only guess was a singlet made of a black leather  with a chunk of  golden armor over her chest and connected to a feathery mane around her shoulders. A gold belt was fastened around her waist, the visage of a lion a perfect match for the monstrous mask on her face. She brushed her locs over her shoulder and grinned down at everyone around her like she owned the place. She lifted her arms and spun around showing off her exposed back muscles with her mane caught on her momentum.

“¿Bien? ¿Soy bueno o realmente asombroso?”

“Bien?” Jolyne and Gwess squeaked.

“Hoho, Mijita! Now what's the occasion for this!?” Her father burst out of the kitchen all hell borke loose!  The patrons clapped and cheered for black and gold warrior; swarmed their table or well Glory.  

Tough, powerful, and confident. From the mask and the spikes she had an underground vigilante vibe or maybe  anti-hero but at the same time it gave the feeling of undeniable strength. If she were standing between you and danger you’d feel worried for whatever fool crossed her path.More than the costume was her attitude, it was no different from when she was in a fight, an air of complete confidence and power, like she could take on the world. The namesake was more than just a nod to her sister, it was glorious.

 She was downright villainess, before she could wonder how this was a hero's outfit a kid rushed up to her. A little kid with tiny bat wings practically demanded that she let him swing from her arms. 

“Huuuh? Who do you think you're talking to?! Maybe I’ll teach you some manners, eh?  You wanna fly, do ya?” With a boisterous laugh she teleported behind him and scooped him up and tossed him into the air easily catching the kid with one arm. The air around her changed and people flocked to her. How’d she do that? How This wasn’t just an upper classmen, her coach was already a pro and how far away from her ideal outfit she really was. As she watched the scene, something in her gut turned and not even taking a bite of her empanada would settle it. Was this envy? She wondered watching everyone clamor for Glory. And who was she envious of then? Who was she kidding, even though  she wanted to be tossed around by Glory too, there was one thing she knew she wanted.

“She’s like our own personal hero.” Gloria giggled. “She didn't used to be so embarrassed about it though. But, If you ask me?” Gloria waved Jolyne down to whisper. “She probably just wanted to look cooler the first time she showed you guys her outfit!”  Jolyne rubbed the back of her neck sheepish  grin workered its way onto her lips; well who would blush a little hearing something like that 

“Say Jolyne, why'd you want to be a hero?”

“Huh?”

“Well I just thought, maybe, if you work back from the start you’ll be able to figure something out.” Gloria hummed. “Eldis she pretty much always wanted to be a hero. A few years ago she was a vigilante, she thought she was soooo sneaky but I did a lot of covering for her.” That explained the colors and the face mask for someone named Glory. “Our neighborhood back home wasn't exactly the nicest. Decent folk got taken advantage of at every turn, villains and even some cops and heroes. Snakes,” she hissed, a dark flash across her eyes like she took a whiff of foul garbage. “ Everywhere you looked trying to take a bite of everyone and everything. But she just couldn't abide it and stood up against it. That got her in trouble with the law and stuff but it all worked out as far as I’m concerned. Look at my little sis." Gloria radiated pride, like a sun made for her sister’s sake. “What about you? I hear you were quite the delinquent stealing heavy machinery and even grand theft.”

“I just...didn’t want to think that I couldn't do it like it was impossible to be a better me.” Stone free, the things that held her back she'd never let them hold her down ever again. Her ocean would flow no matter where and she’d ride the waves until the end. “Ugh, saying it out loud that shit sounds so selfish compared to her.”

“Hmmmm not really, let's think about it for a bit. I mean don’t most people become heroes because that's what they wanted to do?”

“Ain’t that kinda watering it down by a lot?”

“So what, simple is no good now? Why did you think to do that?” Why? “Did you used to be the type to just look away when others were in trouble?”

““...I guess, it just felt right?” But why did it feel right? It wasn't because she beat the shit out of Dintang and felt tough. It just popped up in her head, a clear idea like water in a crystal clean river she just couldn't stop it. She had no desire to stop following this flow. “Natural, almost. I didn't even really have to think about it, it's just too simple to really describe.” She breathed. “The me I wanted to be was someone I could be proud of.”

“Being free to be what you want without anything holding you back and you want to help people. The ‘better you’ is:  ‘someone dedicated to helping others.’ Anyone can do that but to be a hero means to look for people to help. You want to be a Hero even if other people have grander reasons. I think that's more than enough!” She reached over and pat Jolyne on the shoulder. “That's why you're taking this so seriously but just relax a bit.” Jolyne melted as she was pulled into a warm embrace, it was almost like being hugged by her mother.

“No wonder she named herself after you! Big sis! You're too nice.”

“Hmmm.” Gloria ruffled her hair. “Yeah, I suppose that's why. I do try to live up to my little sister's expectations. Now,” Gloria rolled up her sleeves like she was about to get into a fight, “ let’s go wrangle her from the regulars so she can actually help you! Hey, Glory,  get over here already! You’re still a coach!"

The next day, despite all the help, she was no closer to making a final design than when she started. Dozens of crumpled papers, letters and lectures half listened to and she was ready to tear her notebook to pieces!  At this point she was willing to just throw whatever together and hope the school accepted it. 

But all her work wasn’t pointless Eldis helped her work on the practicality of her design, namely how to make it work with her Stand. Apparently they could make uniforms that worked with people's powers; for example if someone could transform or phase their body they uniform would go with them. Ideally because Stone Free was her own body the same idea could be done with her uniform; if it worked she could have more ‘material’ to work with. Increasing Stone free’s power, the length of her strings, maybe even her range. Heck at the very least she’d have a bullet proof vest at all times! Her school day was mostly a blur nothing but bodysuits, boots and patterns floating about her brain as she floated through the day.  

Their first hero class was fast approaching and she still had too much to do, at the very least she needed to head to the nurse’s office for her appointment today or tomorrow. Lost in thought she found herself cornered in the hall by her homeroom teacher, her eyes orbiting in her skull as she adjusted her bag over her shoulder. Just what she needed, a lecture to end her day.

“Cujoh-san. Please wait a moment.” He asked but really what choice did she have but to nod along as he guided through the halls.  

“Do you know what school you represent? Just because your grades are good doesn't mean anything when you- you like that! Honestly I supposed that's the best a single mother could do but  Dressing like...that and dragging down our other students with you blahblahblah. Starting  fights with our Whatshisface and harassing those who can fly higher..." The words of her old homeroom  teacher rattled around in the back of her mind, barely a memory worth remembering. What she remembered was the burning in her stomach and face, how much her fists hurt from her nails digging into her flesh. The daydream of a swift kick to the nose wishing that she could feel it break under her heel and the delicious crunch and gasp of pain that rang out afterwards. She had to be satisfied with having him trip down a few stairs, and the laugh it got out of a boy she’d then learn was Romeo. Nowadays, she could barely remember his face expert for that poor excuse of a mustache that was so fake looking  she was so, so sure he must have-

“Cujoh-san?”  Vlad King called out to her again.

“Oh. What was I talking about?” 

“Well nothing yet? I asked what was troubling you. You've been distracted all week.” The day she gets a helpful teacher is the day her old man gives her a call. No pint holding your breath but...at least normally. Still he heard how she talked to Neito and Eldis did say she should give’em a chance at least. Well shit she’s asked just about everyone that she could think of might as well lay it out for him; so she did. To his credit Vlad just nodded aloud through her by now she half expected an interruption or dismal altogether. 

“I see. You’re Hero attire, well that's to be expected. Some people have all that figured out but many do not. Just the other day...” He abruptly stopped shaking his head. “Well I suppose that's his business and this is yours. May I make a suggestion?”

“You’re going to anyway right?”

“If you're willing to hear me out at least.” He gave her a tiny smirk, brows turned up in relief as she shrugged. “She should still be here, in fact the timing may be perfect. If you have some time, I would like to talk to an expert on the subject. I'm sure her passion will inspire something...unique! Some other students have gone to her as well." What did she have to lose?

“Ah, I nearly forgot...one moment please.” After he led her to the teachers lounge he poked his head into the and looked around like he was looking for someone. 

While he was busy with that she took the time to really study his uniform. A body suit to show muscles and your physique, pretty common for most physical heroes, even Edlis had something like that, though his was a deep v so maybe he wanted to show off even more? The only real color was red working with black streaks and the white of the metal  gauntlets on his arms and boots the same shade as his hair. 

The whole fit was a reflection of his natural palette. Honestly, just at a glance you could feel like he was some sort of vampire. 

“Ok.” He gestured for her to follow him as he burst into the room, what was even the point of his quiet search then? “Midnight-sensei! I have a request for you.” He made a bee line for the eccentric teacher leaving back taking a sip of her coffee and twirling pen in her free hand. Midnight blinked but her look of surprise quickly melted into a bright smile with a gleam over her glasses.

“Hm?! Well well if it’s not the King of blood himself! What brings you my way? Business or-”

“Buisness.” He very quickly interrupted her train of thought but that didn't stop Jolyne from wondering what the heck was up with the teachers here.

“Business it is then! Oh my it's Jolyne-chan! What brings you down to my office? Oh let me guess! Romance? I get why Vladdy’s thrown you my way! Whose caught your eye!? Let me guess! Was it maybe...Oooooh! Nonono let me get some tea ready! Sit, sit!” She found herself sat across from the blushing woman with a steamy cup in her hands. 

“She’s having trouble narrowing down the design for her hero attire, so we’ve come to you for advice.” She shot him a glare, she could have told her that herself but well he had the grace to make it seem like she actually made progress so she let it slide.

“Oooohohoho! I got another one~” She snickered her eyes with a burning passion that made Jolyne scoot back as her teacher pumped her fist in the air.“Alright now shoo! Go on shoo-shoo!” Midnight waved off Vlad. “Let us girls work our magic in peace!”

“Good luck, Cujoh-san.” Vlad gave her a firm nod before he made his way out the room leaving Jolyne alone with the alluring heroine who looked ready to eat her alive.

“Alright lets take a look!” She made grabby hands. “Show me what you’ve got!!!” 

So she did and cracked open the first design book with a broad grin and an unnatural gleam in her glasses. As she read she got less animated, her gaze became more focused, she didn't just good though each page, she flipped back to something passed. She jumped between the same pages so often that Joyne figured she must have been comparing some of her designs to each other too. 

“Hm. Before we talk about what I’m sure you're chomping at the bit to talk about we’ll focus on the broader aspects okay?  First of all? Good thinking on the gear but it might  be too much. The gas mask and a few little things would be best.” Or she would throw in a suggestion. 

“In general, unless you have some type of super strength, having too much equipment is no good, it also breeds reliance for some. In any case, bad habits start to form that will slow you down when you're without them.” Jolyne couldn't help but nod along, she had planned on using Stone free to help carry the load but at the end of the day that would be slowing down her reaction time. A split second was the difference between Stone Free’s fist landing for her head being split open by a Stone monster and his pet mouse. 

“You’re planning on having the nurse take samples to make your costume? I didn’t realize your Quirk worked that way." 

“A-ah well...You see...”Shit, a bead of sweat rolled down the back of her neck as she glanced down at her notes to avoid eye contact. She forgot that bringing attention to her quirk wouldn't be the greatest thing, so saying that it changed all of the sudden that'd be bad too! She just needed to come up with a lie to explain it. “It just never...” As if sensing Jolyne's internal panic, Midnight waved her off with a soft smile and a wink. 

“Hey hey Jolyne-chan nothing to be embarrassed about, that's perfectly normal, I went through a realization like that at your age too. Most Quirks don’t make something from nothing! Whether it's vitamins or bioenergy, or things in your environment.  You wouldn't believe how many Quirks are misdiagnosed, it's certainly not your fault. Really some things are only found out when you push yourself  and experiment, that's what our school is for! Nothing to worry about. Our lovely head nurse will just make a note of it when you head over, if you’d like I’ll put in the request myself when we're done here!”

“Uh, that'll be great actually. Thanks.” Midnight gave her a cheery nod as she went back to looking over her design books with her critical eye once more. After what felt like certainty, the orange light of the setting sun poured into the room as Midnight closed her final notebook. 

“Alright back to your designs, you're on the right track  but I can see why you’re here!” Midnight nodded as she pushed up her glasses, her serious almost teacher-like expression replaced with her usual cheery self in a blink. “Your idea's top notch! BUT. All these designs tell me one thing! You’re having trouble finding something that screams: I’m here! Or this is Cujoh Jolyne!! Right?” 

“What you wear will announce yourself  to the world! They can feel what they want about it later!”

“My brand, right.” Without thinking, Best Jeanist’s phrase slipped out of her mouth. “I already know that.”

“Hm? What was that?” 

“It’s just something Best Jeanist would say to us every now and again. It’s about presenting yourself well right?”

“Jeanist!? Fufufu now why bring him up?”

“Didn’t you have that in my file, or whatever? I had to go through that to apply here.”

“Well I knew you worked under him but the way you talk about him it sounds more like you learned under him instead! There is a very real difference between the two. I still never thought he would be a teacher! Not that it doesn' t suit him but he didn’t go this route.”

“You know him, personally?”

“We all went to school together!” She giggled as she brushed her voluminous dark hair over her shoulder. “You should have seen his collar back in the day! I heard about his program from the man himself.. But I thought he was mostly keeping kids out of trouble... To think he ended up being a sort of teacher too. I guess that's just our fate.”

“Maybe I can just ask him then.” It might even be less awkward.

“Hey now this might be his expertise but I’m your teacher!” Midnight pouted, was she actually disappointed that she was thinking of going to someone else for help? Her desk was filled with all sorts of papers that she was doing before sitting down with Jolyne. Wouldn't that just get Jolyne out of her hair so she could go back to doing her work? “Hmmmm alright that does it! We’re gonna solve this! Right here and now. Think about it, if the first time sees your outfit how shocked he’d be! ‘I see, that's your brand,’ can you imagine!” She threw head back and laughed. She took the time to properly clear her desk pushing aside her paperwork and notes before rolling her seat out of the way for Jolyne to take up her spot, enthusiastically patting the desk to encourage to take over.

“Yes. Yes!  Alright, Jolyne-chan!  I think I can tell you what your problem is now. You're looking at it from a business angle, not bad but not what you’re really looking for. I don’t suppose you thought of a hero name?” 

Jolyne shook her head, she had until the sports festival so she just chose to save herself the stress.

“It’s fine, it's fine! Some people never do but if you don't you’ll get swept up by the public and those nicknames are...well I thought some of them were lovely.” She giggled. “Ah sorry reminiscing a bit. Not having one is not a problem at all, it’s pretty normal! You see your problem is that you’re a bit ahead of the curve, you're more conscious about your self-image. Too conscious. You're too worried about how others will see you before they know you. This is your brand. The Jolyne original. Here, look at this!”

“What’s this?” She handed her a picture,  a group photo.  “A class photo? Is this UA?” That tired looking kid was the splitting image of Class 1-A’s homeroom teacher, beside him a boy with cloud fiery like hair was a mystery but  she recognized a much younger Present Mic she saw what Midnight meant, their hero outfits didn't change much. Their style and function must have clicked for them. Something that's right to wear and something that they like wearing.  

For it not to change for years-Oh. 

Her eyes caught sight of the girl behind them holding a cat close to her breast.  Oooooh boy. She couldn't help it, her eyes just kept coming back to them. What the hell is this, a trap? How long was she supposed to look at this? What kind of expression was she even making right now? Midnight was functionally naked and not like how her suit is now wearing a flesh color leotard. She was buttnaked back then besides fancier shades, an utility belt hiding her, she went red in the face as she moved her eyes anywhere else. A wicked harness and coat to match that  cover her chest and nice high boots. She gulped.

“You could dress like this? You dressed like this! A-and it was fine, you were fine!?” The words escaped her mind in a hushed whisper, Midnight simply gave her a smug smile and a nod. “You weren't, like, embarrassed?” Equally proudly she puffed up her chest and shook her head, no not at all. Not a hint of shame or anything!  She couldn't help but feel impressed to just not be bothered by others at all. 

“That is function and beauty at. It's. Peak ! Wearing what you like and dominating in it! Just like Present Mic uses a mic, Vlad’s suit draws blood and his mask filters light out of his sensitive eyes, and Aizawa’s is easy to move around in and so comparable he can sleep anywhere. Their outfits work with their little quirks, their powers and reflect their style more than anything.  For me, covering my skin weakens my Quirk and is irritating for me. As for the style.” She slumped using her desk to steady herself. “I was a bit ahead of the times...sadly, they’ve yet to see the vision and practically along with the beauty of the design."

 The beauty of the design was just her, but Jolyne didn't really know how to bring that up. The wistful sigh said a lot about her current feelings on her clothing choices.

“But can you see what I’m trying to say?” Midnight whirled around in her chair before facing Jolyne once more, shoving a pen and paper into her hands.

“Y-yeah I should just design it for me?”

 “Cujoh Jolyne!” Her eyes burned with a wildfire that’d put the sun to shame as she grasped Joyline's hands sliding the pen into her grip. “Don’t you dare hold ANYTHING back! As the next generation! Show me what you got!”

“Right now?”

“Right here and now! It’s got nothing to do with how other people perceive you. Some people make outfits to be intimidating, liked, cool, or approachable, but that stuff is all secondary to what  they actually want! You dress for yourself! You're supposed to be looking for: you. What do you want to do? What do you want to wear!? What do you want to be!?! Combining those three desires is what makes your style!!!” Jolyne’s pen scratched against the paper as she dumbly watched Midnight shoot up from her seat throwing her head back and raising her arms to the heavens.

“In all other aspects of your life there may be times where you have to go with the flow or try to fit some sort of model and that's exhausting enough as it is. But this? Your hero attire isn’t just some uniform. Even Vlady called it an outfit. Because that's exactly right! What's comfortable, what do you like? What material feels bothersome in the heat or rain?  What feels so good you can fall asleep in it?  Only you can answer those questions! It’s you. Your body, personality, your  well, QURIKS and I’m not talking about abilities! What's most important is you! That you, you want the world to see the you you want to be! I’m scared! I’m tough! I’m in love! I’m angry! I’m hot!  Cold! Tsu or Dere! This is how I want to dress! This stuff lights my heart on fire!” 

She wasn't even really thinking any more as she drew a butterfly and the tattered webs surrounding it. The shawl over her shoulders. Every aspect was just something she thought, I’d wanna wear this and kick ass in it. No over thinking, just the first idea that came to mind. Eventually her pencil was worn down to a nub, her fingers were red, beads of sweat dampened her paper, but all the design notes were finished. Her outfit was done. Her pencil clattered to the table as she let out a soft laugh as she admired her work. She couldn't stop smiling; she probably wouldn't until they put it on for the first time. Her eyes drifted up to see the determination that burned in Midnight’s.

”Jolyne-chan!”

“Y-yes!?”

“Now that you made this, how do you feel about it?”

“I...” As she looked down at her creation, she felt satisfied. “I like it. A lot, honestly its like getting a new pair of boots or a whole outfit as a gift. I just wanna wear it until I’m sick of it.”

“Hm! Good then go with it!”

“ Actually before we finish up,  I couldn’t help but notice you made a note of who gave you advice, A Gwess and Eldis? Was that Costello-kun by chance?”

“Ah, yeah, Eldis told me  about putting in requests about special features for my outfit? Was that a secret or something? You said-”
“First names with Costello-kun? Fufufu...you must be close friends already!” Jolyne felt her face burn red as Midnight just kept throwing all sorts of romance into her friendship.

“Well she- W-wait what are you trying to say here!? She just helps me out a lot, like a coach!” Why was she downplaying herself?! “I mean we are really cool and I eat at her house for free but-”

“Fufufu! I've never seen her play the senpai role let alone take someone under her wings! Oh the ammunition, the drama.” Midnight preened. “Now! Let's figure out how to expose that heart of yours!” 

“Huh?!”

“I want you to share your notes with one of your classmates, it doesn't matter who. Consider it a homework assignment!”

“Wh-why I’m pretty set on this...”

“That's the point where they love it or not, it's important that you don't waver! No matter what anyone says, if you like it, stand by it. Trust me. Okay? It’ll be fine.”

“Oh and Jolyne-chan?”

“Just like Best Jeanist and Glory-chan we’ll be here to catch you too. Both your teachers and classmates. Kay? Also, No need to be red faced when talking to me! Unless...Fufufu no no you're much too young to be shooting that far! Respectfully I decline!! The fires of youth should burn together!”

“Y-yeah? Ok??? WHOSE FIRES ARE WE TALKING ABOUT HERE?!!!?”

“Fufufufufu! Whose indeed!?”

“I’m lukewarm!” Jolyne cried as she ran out of the room, her notes clutched close to her chest, barreling over a lank nearly skeletal man with sunken cheeks and eyes, nearly swimming in his oversized business attire. Laid out on the floor she was half sure he was dead until he sat up. “Ah Sorry about that, I should have been more careful with the door.” She easily held her notes up with Stone free and offered him a hand up, his grip was surprisingly strong despite his boney fingers.

“HAHA! No harm done, lass.”  His voice was a bit raspy like he was out of breath. He gave her a right grin despite bleeding out the side of his mouth. Still no matter how she tried to convince him to go to the nurse he patiently shook his head, apparently he had some sort of chronic condition and bleeding out of his mouth was just...normal? Or at least not enough to bother others about as he put it, that in itself was kind of worrying. “You head on home! I’ll be sure to take it easy so don’t you worry! Have a good day!” He laughed, making his blonde bangs bounce as he threw his head back, as he brushed himself off and gave her a wave before heading into the teacher’s office. She’d never seen him before, he must have been either teaching the general course or the upperclassmen.

The teachers of UA sure are weird, just like Jeanist, she went home with that thought about Midnight-sensei. And also if she had managed to convince any girl or guy to wear something like...that. Maybe Toru could get away with it?

AAaaah, she needed to go home and wash her face. Where was the rain when she needed it?

Chapter Text

As the water poured over her Jolyne stared at her arm, the first time in a while she’d really paid her tattoo and mind. Her fingers trace over the long since faded scar, she had healed nicely, so much so that it was only a few shades darker and barely felt any different. The once full fiery heart was reduced to scattered flames vaguely in the silhouette of a heart. She may have done the work herself but at the end of the day she did it for Romeo, for the Hearts,  it wasn’t really her own. 

Her skin unraveled, sliver by sliver, the ink loosened from her arm like pulling a thread from a shirt until the whole thing was undone. Then it was only a matter of ‘knitting’ it back together, no different than when she changed up her old UP uniform, one thread at a time. Line by line the heart shaped gap on her arm was filled. Manipulating the fine threads was no more difficult than just painting a clear picture in her mind and putting the inked skin  where it needed to be. Her skin wasn't even pruny by the time she was done. She waved away the steam to admire her hand work in the mirror properly, and, well,  to clean it up with a clearer view.

A butterfly with wings made of flame, its body a silver blade with a golden band of light weaving around her arm like a ring; ending squarely on the center of the blade a single star.

Fresh from a quick shower, Jolyne pulled her hair up and wrapped, a fluffy white bathrobe thrown on and equally fluffy blue and red  slippers labeled U on one foot and and A on the other. She could tell just from holding it; it felt like rubbing a cloud between her fingers, but wearing them? These were undeniably pretty high quality material. She could easily sleep in them standing up. Would the school care if she just took it home with her once she was done with it? It’d be criminal not too. In fact it's her right as a student to take this home, who else was going to wear it this good? The devil on her shoulder whispered and the angel was too busy lost in comfort to argue.

“You all done, dear?” Sat on a little scooter was Recovery Girl, Syuuka's cute little grandmother who in no way inherited their size from her.

“Yep, so what now? The spa thing?”

“Well I’d  say that's the gist more or less!” She chuckled powering along with Jolyne right behind her. “Go on, take a dip, relax,  and we’ll be done here before you know it!” Recovery Girl cackled as she led her down the hall to a massive pair of doors. “I know I told ya already but being exhausted afterward is pretty normal, be sure to take a break after an hour we have free snacks and drinks too! Be sure to give us a 5-star review. Those engineering kids go crazy for that stuff.” As she pulled open the doors a wave of heat and humidity greeted her, and as she blinked through the haze she barely managed to take in the spacious chamber, the sound of running water filled the humid air.

“They really built a bathhouse in this place.” She whistled. She wasn't quite sure how the bath was going to do that but if she did then she would probably be in a different department.

“Then he, like, totally ignored me. I’m telling you it’s like he had a crab late on rent up his ass or something.” A disembodied girl’s head and hands were casually floating above one of the baths, her phone held tight in her grasp. In a bath to her right a mop of brown hair spread out across the surface of the water. 

“Setsuna? And...Kinoko?”

“H-hey...” Kinoko’s hand poked up from the water and gave her a small wave. “J-jolyne...chan.”

“Oh! Yo! Jolyne what up!? I really didn't think I’d see you of all people here. Take a tub, well it's not like I own ‘em or anything! I was just telling Kinoko-chan about this jerk I ran into today.” Brash, blonde, red eyes and explosive hands Jolyne didn't really need to guess who she was talking about at all.

“That's one of the jerks from Class 1-A.” Jolyne scoffed as she settled in her bath on Setuna's other side. Almost immediately she felt the strength leaving her body as she slid down and slumped against the rim of the tub. It was like all the muscles in her body uncoiled all at once. She felt her eyelids growing heavy as the knots in her back and legs were washed away, a pleasant sigh echoed in the room. “What a dick.” As she sighed, she sank into the water, it's not like she was sharing it so she let her hair free of the towel too and she kicked off the edge to start floating about. Normally this would get you in trouble but who was gonna complain? Not her, her hair flowed all around her as she filled herself over, face first into the water. The pool was definitely deep enough to swim around in, as she passed another lap a trail of skin passed by her eye.

“What the fuck!?” In the water, she could see it, her skin, layers of it peeling off raw red and pink underneath as she moved and kicked her feet in a panic. A clump of green hair was wrapped around her legs. Past her bangs as the hair that clung to her face she could see clumps of ehr hair falling out with every movement. No way, not in the damned school spa (nurse’s department)! “This is a stand...!”

“Ohmgod your face!” Setsuna laughed, “ like you popped out of a horror movie!” Her head rolled off knot the floor still laughing as her hands slapped against the wet tiles. “ So is this your first time here too? Water’s weird right? See told you everyone probably freaks out, Kumori-chan.” 

“....” Kinoko covered her face, her ears burning red. “I...screamed so loud I made a mushroom cloud.” Despite her hair and skin having fallen out around her... it was...

it was so...gross! And...It was fine? She ran her hands through her hair, in fact her hair felt softer and it was silkier than when she came in. And what she shed was already gone sucked out through the drain at the bottom of the bath as fresh water and heat poured right in. So this was a normal thing here?

“I think it's like those fish that eat dead skin. ” Setsuna sighed and rested at the rim of her bath. “And we get it for free, who would have thought?” She chuckled. 

“OH well I guess thats cool.” Well if it was normal it was all good, no worries at all then. None.

“Ain't it~”

“You could have said something!” She yanked her head out of her own bath and pinched her cheeks. For that matter Eldis, that bitch could have mentioned falling apart in the bath! She could already see her making the same dumb smile on her face when she beat her up as training. Hell Setsuna had the same damned smile on her face right now!

“This is my second time. If I had to freak out at first, so do you two.” Setsuna sighed, her body sinking deeper into the tub. Around her pearly shoulders Jolyne saw her skin peel off like a snake. “Thanks for playing along Kinoko-chan!”

“Hmmm.” The mushroom girl nodded. “Sorry Jolyne-chan.”

“...It’s fine.” Setunsa stuck her tongue out as Jolyne threw a mild glare her way and tossed her head back at her body. “Not your fault.” As Jolyne settled back into the water, trying her best not to mind more of her hair shedding and growing back. After a few minutes she glanced at the other two, Kinoko was rooted in place but Setsuna glared at the ceiling, knitting her brows in thought. 

“Hey, Jolyne, your quirk uses your body too? How does that work? I thought you moved stuff with your brain?” She said, wiggling her fingers in the air.

“Hm. Something like that.”

“Hmhmhm. Well, I guess we're kinda similar?” Setsuna chuckled. “Look.” She held out her hand for Jolyne to grab. The skin on her hand wasn't  entirely as soft as her creamy skin would have you think. It was definitely smooth but not totally level.  Some spots were bumpy and almost hard like a shell. Jolyne ran her fingers over Setuna’s scales making the girl snort in laughter. “Heyhey, relax! It's not a toy you know!” Her head rolled around flashing her sharp teeth as she laughed at Jolyne’s red face. “maybe you just wanted to hold on to me? You can just ask nicely!"

“Y-you gave it to me.” Jolyne threw the hand back in her face, leaving her just as red. 

“Hey don’t get too excited. It’s just  pretty ol me.” She batted her pretty slashes before breaking out into a fit of giggles. “What about you? You're making a whole costume out of your cells too?”

“Not the whole suit but most of it probably gonna need to be made of,well, me. You wanna see it? I still have my notes in my bag.” She might as well do what Midnight suggested even though she didn't really see the benefit it’d do her at this point, she was already sure of her design. Jolyne lifted a finger unraveling her legs to make some thread, but before she could shoot some tread with Stone Free Setsuna’s hand flew by her head. In the corner of her eye Jolyne noticed Kinoko perk up as the conversation started to drift towards their outfits.

“Sure no need to get up, I’ll get it. The perks of free floating bodyparts I can read and text in the bath no worries. Miss dryhands to the rescue.”  Setsuna’s free hand and eyeball  flew out the room.  “Which one is your sketchbook Jolyne?”

“The one on top, just skip to the end.”

“Not a chance sister.” She chuckled and started from the start. “...Okay, maybe I will skip ahead. You really went through any idea you had huh?”

“Shut up.”She huffed. “That's why I said just skip em.” Jolnye rolled her eyes and noticed Kinoko staring at the back of her notebook, still clutched in Setsuna’s disembodied grasp. “You wanna see too, Kinoko?” She leaned over to get a better look at the shy girl that’d been mostly silent this whole time.

“A-ah yes please, thanks...”

“You're making a costume  too, Kinoko? Something made of mushrooms maybe? Or something that helps you make ‘em?” 

“ Me? Well, it's not for my costume or anything like that.” Kinoko explained, she sank a bit in the bath, her gaze turned to the side. “I just needed to give them a bunch of spores for my...stuff.”

“Fufuffu! Alright, I'm curious now!” Her hand and eye skipped out the room, tip tapping against the floor. “I gotta see it, did you bring sketches too?” Kinoko waved her hands but not a single sound came out of her mouth as Setunsa’s hand left and returned with yet another book clutched in their grasp. It was a page filled with little notes, dozens of sketches not necessarily more complex than the last but more vivid. At first it was a girly dress with mushroom patterns, page after page became friller and friller almost like a doll. It was certainly pretty, beautiful But it grew further and further away from heroic. Then suddenly a mushroom cap, almost like a sunhat,was added and things changed. It became simpler with each design and the mushroom grew. Then the ‘mushroom’ grew more founded, from the way her dress’s silhouette took shape to her shoes, all noted by little comets that she no doubt made. The latest design was simply:

“It's cute.” It was the first thought that popped into her mind, just looking at it made her smile a bit. It reminded her of two things: idols that sing and dance lighting up people’s hearts with a smile or song and Glory. In a way this costume was just like Glory’s filled with the desire to invoke a certain feeling in those that saw it just going on opposite ends. On one hand an idol that melts away your worries with mushroom clouds and on the other vigilante that’ll break some villain's legs. “You’d look just like an idol!” Why the heck was she scared to show off something like this?

“Re-really! You mean it, Jolyne-chan? It really looks like an idol!?”

“Oh okay I didn’t know we were doing all this. Wow, now I really gotta up my game.” Setsuna half laughed. “I can’t be the only one in class with a plain suit!” She hung her head. “I already submitted the design too! We gotta coordinate next time!”

“You guys are serious? ” Her bright brown eyes peeked out from behind her large bangs. The cool white  x shaped iris against her brown eyes were like cute mushrooms that borrowed into their souls. “Thank goodness.” She sighed. “At least...it looks good.”

“How long did it take you to come up with this? It’s so detailed too, you even made notes for the material!" The page was filled with all sorts of design notes, you’d think she was an engineering student, the paper wasn’t very worn but it was obvious that this wasn't anywhere close to her first draft. 

“I’ve, well, I’ve been working on it for about a year now? Maybe...two...” She tried to shrink even deeper into the water but at a certain point she’d just drown.

“A year!?” The lizard girl gasped.

“Wait, does that mean you thought of a name too?” Jolyne raised a brow.

“...Sh...” After a moment she answered in a quiet voice. “Shemage.”

“That kinda sounds familiar for some reason? Have I heard that somewhere before?” She wondered aloud. Suddenly Kinoko’s eyes lit up as she pushed herself to the edge of the bath, a cloud of spores formed around her hands giving birth to a mushroom.

“It's a kind of  mushroom! The type people use in cooking all the time. But it also gives a magical vibe! With that and the costume it’s like mushrooms can make your dreams come true! Sorry that probably sounds dumb..." Her bright eyed explosion sputtered out as she caught herself and began to  sink back into the water. “Sorry.”
“Nah, it's cool. Really cool. You put a lot of thought into this huh?”

“Seriously.” Setsuna nodded. “Thats crazy impressive. I bet no one else in class put that much thought into it.” 

“You guys don't have too...”

“What? I think it's cute. If it can make your dreams come true it doesn't matter if it's a star or a mushroom or something else. That's the vibe you’re going for right?” 

“You don't have to humor me...mushrooms aren’t really that glamorous or magical. It's not the type of thing that says ‘I’m here’ , it's not a flashy explosion or a powerful punch.” She huffed, atop her head a garden of mushrooms suddenly popped out. “It's a weird Quirk, it suits me,” She chuckled dryly as she plucked a mushroom from head, “but it doesn't scream hero, let alone an idol.”  

“What...Come on, you can’t be serious right?” Setsuna’s grin wavered as Kinoko just shrugged. She never really got it but people with Quirks had their own hangs ups, she couldn't relate to that. To her having any power was something to be proud of, it gave you  some value. Hell in the that fucked up  gang better quirks got better treatment, cooler jobs. 

And well, they decided she was expendable because she didn't have one.  She may have been rock bottom, it seems being in the shallow end wasn’t much better.  Not just with Kinoko here, staring down at the water as if scared to meet Jolyne’s eyes, Neito was like this too. His comments in the volleyball tournament weren’t a one off thing, he was just...like that, all the time. Talking about others Quirks how useful, powerful, they were. His eyes filled with obvious envy and anger, that Jolyne recognized as if looking in a mirror  but mixed with an odd admiration. Between Netio’s weirdness around his Quirk  and Rikiel’s allergy to his own power it seemed not all stars shine. Not everything was equal even on their end, and even if it was different she just counted and stood looking at this cause no one deserved to be weighed by the  doubts and fears in their mind stopping them from trying.

“Who the hell told you that? I’ll punch 'em out for you.” Jolyne rose from the water, her fist pumped in the air.

“Jolyne-chan, it's just how it is...Even getting in here was mostly luck. I just gummed up some machines, I think I helped more people than taking out myself... I got lucky.” She whispered. 

“So what if you did? That just means you're a hero doesn’t it?” Jolyne raised a brow. “Hell, I got super lucky. I had a senpai to coach me and some other stuff.” She admitted, her eyes shining like gems. “You’re already here so brag a little and if any has a problem with that screw em!”

“You gotta be proud of your designs.” Setsuna urged her with a small smile. “And your quirk. I got lizard scales. Not exactly glamorous either.” She chuckled. “But I ain’t letting anyone call me creepy so you ain't either not on my watch!”

“You...you guys don't have to be so nice...”

“Y-you know... I kinda think my's too plain.” Setsuna hummed as she steeled her head back on her shoulders. “You put so much thought into yours it's like going to a cooking competition with a microwaved meal or bringing someone else to microwave it for me. What should I do Jolyne?” The upper half of her face turned away from Kinko to wink at Jolyne and she couldn't help but grin.

“...How about we help you out then?” Kinoko blinked as Jolyne looked over at her. “What  do you say? We can’t just leave her out to dry right?”

“Me...too? Y-you really want my advice, Setsuna-chan?”

“Please, I’m drowning here.” She pleaded as she shook Kinoko’s shoulders begging her for help.  

“Maybe you could try and add a weapon? Maybe a cloak it’d add to your silhouette." Kinoko suggested her eyes shone bright with excitement. "Oh sorry."

“Whatcha apologizing for? I asked for advice, you know.” Setsuna hummed, rubbing her chin. “A weapon...huh. Hmmm. Though I guess I went for more function, I don't wanna bog it down with too much it'd make my pieces flying a pain. But I still wanna look good...”

“I don’t think you have much to worry about if a bodysuit looks good on you. Right?” Kinoko nodded in agreement, as she giggled into her hand.

“Aw that sweet you two. I’m starting to think we might just be a whole class of casnovas. Fufufu. Still I think I wanna do more.” Three of them went back and forth on what Setsuna could add to her costume. She wanted something sleek and simple but still filled with personality. Nothing that’d get in the way and something that was easy for her to keep track of when she split apart and didn't shift her body mass too much away from herself. After a half an hour of back and forth they settle on accessories beyond a mask or belt. From making a lizard tail  to even a shapeshifting weapon made out of herself.

“...G-guys? What's that?” Kinoko shakily pointed over to some mirrors, the foggy surface was practically useless. Jolyne squinted,  through the haze it was heard to see but it looked like someone had written a message.

“What...about me...?” The three of them read at once. Suddenly a gravely moan echoed through the world, like someone was being strangled to death. The air suddenly went cold as cold as ice. Three froze, the voice came from Setunsa's bath but was certainly not her voice. “Boo.” A harsh whisper blew past them and Setuna’s head flew off her shoulders and Kinoko unleashed a wave of spores turning the room into a mushroom menagerie. Jolyne turned to see, nothing but the footprints on wet titles. “Hey so you guys gonna ask me about my suit too? It'd feel weird if I just pulled out my own sketch if no one asks.” 

“Toru-chan?” Setsuna’s head fell back onto her shoulders. “I almost died man!!” Jolyne couldn't tell for sure but she was positive that Toru shrugged innocently.

“Hey, it's not like I was hiding. I was in here first taking a nap, Jolyne’s scream woke me up a while ago.” The wet slap of bare feet echoed as one the tub that was apparently not empty’s water swished and spilled out as Toru got back into its waters. “I gotta get my suit made too, so I’d like some notes before it's too late, like Setsuna there!”

“Ok.” Setusna huffed. “...I really hope they let me switch it out."

“I thought you’d just walk around naked.”

“I considered it.” Toru sighed, “Brother got mad though he just doesn't see the vision. Midnight-sensi gets me though. Sorry to disappoint, Jolyne.”

“Hm!?” Setuna hummed, eyes wide.

“I think you could have pulled it off.” Jolyne nodded.

“Trust.”

“OH?!”

“...So did you make a costume then?” Jolyne asked. “We were getting Kinoko’s advice on our outfits.”

“Y-you guys make me sound like an expert...” Kinoko muttered, her face flushed.

“Glad you asked!”  Toru’s bath surged meaning she probably got up again.The door out opened and closed as the sound of feet slapping against the tiles echoed;  the only hint as to where Toru was, a notebook. was floating in the air with a wet handprint on it. “Mine’s basically a swimsuit? Anything more would just get in the way.”

“What the heck was up with that spa? I feel like I ran a marathon and got a massage at the same time.” Jolyne sighed, she tried to rub some phantom pain out of her shoulders as she strolled through the halls, her bag slung over her shoulder. She was the last one in and so the last one out, so she was headed home alone with heavy steps. Despite being in a spa for about two hours Jolyne felt both refreshed and oddly exhausted at the same time, she’d probably just jump onto her couch the moment she got home. At least she wasn't a walking prune.

On her way out of the school she caught Bakugou in her line of sight, and there was no time like the present to get annoying things out of the way.

“Hey.” As she approached him she saw that he was drenched like he was tossed into a pool or just came out of a marathon, she’d buy the latter cause he kind of reeked too,but there was something odd mixed into the smell of sweat that she couldn't really place.

“Tch.”  He finally saw her too, not too thrilled about it either. That was too bad, because the next few minutes was going to be torture for him. “What the hell do you want? Get out of my way.”

At this point Jolyne had already figured out the best way to approach Stand users. If someone is trying to hide the fact they got a brand new power there's no way they’d just come out and say : ‘yeah check out my stand!’ Even those two bozos tricked her into revealing her hand. Without a single thought Stone Free manifested behind her, predictably he didn't flinch or acknowledge it, annoyingly he just strode right past her. Still it's not like that meant anything. Still that didn't mean much either he could just be the type not to flinch in a fight. She covered his eyes as he marched up to her. Still nothing.

“I said, get out of my way.” He snapped his fingers in front of her face that sparked a tiny explosion that made her ears pop. Well there was no choice. She had no other options. The tap to his jaw had him looking sideways. His sneakers skidded on the ground as he stumbled back. He whirled himself around, eyes wide for only a second before they narrowed and his mouth sprawled into a vicious grin. Sparks danced around his finger tips, the pop of the explosions rang out like firecrackers.

“You really wanna die!” 

“I really don't feel like running around. So I’ll just beat your ass right here.” She slid her hands into her pockets and craned her neck to glare down at him as Stone Free emerged from her front and kicked him in the cheek.  Lightly kicked him, lightly. She couldn’t rough him up too badly; boys were always the first to go running and crying when things didn't go their way in a fight or life. Still, Jolyne frowned, normally Stone Free was faster than that but even holding back it was only a couple notches faster than herself.

Regardless, she knocked him off his feet and he rolled with the blow. He slammed his palms on the ground and in a burst put some distance between the two of them only to close that distance in a blink with another explosion, his body spinning through the air. Annoyingly, he ducked the first strike and raised his plan to launch her back with an explosion only to be guarded by Stone Free, still the force shook her stomach and slid her back, he laughed and propelled himself forward again leg extended to land a kick to her head. With a roar Stone Free caught his ankle in hand whipped him like a towel and kicked the boy in the stomach in retaliation. He grit his teeth in frustration, probably trying his best not to scream in pain, as he blew himself back again, resetting their distance once more.

“Why don't you losers get it already!?!” He roared, fire dancing in his eyes and the ground under his palms were lit up once more. Stone free was already seeing a barrage of kicks his way and he stopped short, clapping his hands just out of her range filling the area of smoke. Smoke, smoke and more smoke, he for sure had plenty of fuel in the tank so what was he playing at? It wasn’t even thick enough to hide him. “Just stay in your lane and out of mine! Or you’ll die!!” Bakugo flipped over her with a boom! A savage grin on his face he bared down on her like a hawk crashing his feet into  her back and forced  her down to  the ground face first. Hand on her back he launched himself away with a blast that threatened to bury her in the ground, and ran away as Stone Free tore through the smoke to kick him. 

“You prick!”

“Die bitch!”

He was quick that much hadn't changed since the exam, but he wasn't dodging all of Stone Free strikes cause he could see them. He’d take a  hit and use his explosions to push himself in the direction of the strike to lessen the blow and put distance between them. Or use the smoke of his explosions. As Stone free kicked or punched the smoke wobbled and split apart, an easy use warning system.

 He didn’t have a stand but he was very used to fighting 'things he couldn't see’ that much she was sure of. She frowned,watching the fuming boy roll away again after another quick exchange. If he didn't actually know what a Stand was he wouldn't be able to share anything she needed to know about. She could just end it here, it’d be smart too before a teacher or some blabber mouth caught them.

“You gonna move? Or maybe I’ll just skip over your corpse!” He sure could bark like a dog.

“That hurt like putting out a candle.” She spat out a wad of blood and ran her tongue over her split lip, as he worked his jaw, that cocky grin on his face dropped as she pulled her eyelid down and leveled her other hand to her neck and mimed cutting it. “The only one that's backing up is you bitch.” Because of course she had no choice but to kick his ass into the dirt.  He went for another smokescreen, fake out, and maneuvered around  her as Stone free threw out a punch. This time, Jolyne just let her wobbly legs drop as  Bakugou lunged over her. She twisted herself around to meet him as he spun on his heel for another attack.

“Haha! Another fine day of learning!” A bombastic voice echoed from inside the school.

His palm sparkled against her face and his chin rested on the back of her knuckles. Red eyes bore into her green once more. He broke eye contact to watch the smoke of his last blast weave around Stone Free as it loomed over him, something that she was sure he couldn't see, his eyes narrowed, the  frown on his face soured into a fullblown scowl as he realized he was in a real stalemate. 

This wasn’t over. That silent threat was made as they took a step away from one another.

“Bitch.” The word echoed between the two as Bakugo made his way out of the school and Jolyne fixed her collar, as she inspected herself with Stone Free’s eyes. She was a mess covered in soot and slight burns. “Good grief.” She sighed. “At least I won.” She chuckled, “you  had to go around dumbass!” Stand users attract each other, if that's true then one way or another that shard is going to end up crossing paths with her eventually and  in the meantime whatever shit pops up she’d deal with one way or another. As she made her way out of school she heard a slow applause from behind her.

“...Had me on the edge of my seat! I was sure you two were gonna wreck the gate or something! I was worried that I’d have to step in but you really handle him.” She turned, looked up and found... actually she’d never seen this kid around before. He sat squarely atop the school gate peering down on the scene with a wide grin, teeth black as night. His hair was jagged; it reminded her of Tetsutetsu’s when he ironed up, black and white crystal-like hair growing out of his skull falling almost like regular hair.  His eyes were lax but his  lashes were sharp too, pure white crystals and  behind them his snow white eyes shone as if blind the world around him.“ Seriously! I don’t know if you know Baku-chan,” why did this bitch have such cute nicknames, “that well, but that was a close one. I ain't seen him that pissed since...well yesterday I guess. Or well the day before that or the first day of school.”  He stood up and took a step into thin air. A pitch black crystal erupted from his hands as he made a slide for him to ride down. He was a bit taller than her.

“Hey, so I wasn't paying that much attention but you're in the hero course?” She grumbled as she fixed her shirt and skirt brushing her hair into place. Using a handkerchief to wipe off her blood. She was going to apply some makeup to hide the bruises on the train if she wanted to avoid worrying her mom but she was an old hand at that. “ So who the heck are you?”

“Oh shoot! Hey there! I’m Class 1-A’s  Koshoin Shio'n!! The next Number One!” Dramatically, he  twisted his body around to wink at her firing off a pair of finger guns to complete the act. “The  man on the road to number one! I mean just the other day I had to fight Todoroki-chan and let me tell yeah...” Unlike Jolyne he wasn't here to get materials for his costume he needed to have his completed repaired after being flash frozen. He shook, teeth clattered as he recounted the scariest moment of his life, and how it lasted only a few seconds. Shio'n was a chatterbox, rattling on and on about his classmates with a sense of pride, especially noting how Midoriya and Ochako pulled the upset of the century on the walking grenade and the little Ida. 

“Between him, Todoroki-chan, Yomomo-chan, and Midori-chan, my class is so amazing it's scary.” But the more he talked the more he calmed down, now he  sounded anything but alert as he fished a bottle out of his back pocket, “but that's what I gotta expect from UA, the competition is fierce.” Not a hint of worry either, but it didn't sound exaggerated, his classmates were strong, that's a fact he believed  and he didn't really care about it. It was like night and day compared to his chipperness a second ago. 

“Hey Shio'n, right?” Well she was already here and he saw that whole thing so... “Can you stand over there for me?” She pointed at a spot a little to her right and in front of her.

“Yeah? Here?”

“One steep baaaack...Perfect! Sit still alright?” She clapped her hands, gave him a bright smile, and...

“Ora.” Stone Free’s Fist sailed clean through his skull, easily knocking his head loose from his shoulders leaving a trail of white and black crystals to scatter across the room. Or at least that's what would have happened had it been tangible, either way he didn't flinch at all. He was only startled when Stone free plucked the drink from his hand and tossed it into her own.

“Thanks for the soda.”

“What the-Hey my drink!” He cried out to her as she chugged it down the lemony drink, Stone Free’s fist sliding out of his head as she waved him away. Well that wasn't a total dead end, Bakugou knew something, not that he’d ever spill the beans to her, and she figured out a few tricks of her own.

“Consider a tax for having that guy as a classmate! Don’t tell anyone about this alright!” She called over her shoulder. “Oh and let him know  I was only half awake and next time I won’t go so easy.”

“Baku-chan tax, gosh, we might go broke before we graduate...”

“Excuse me young man, let's not have a repeat of yesterday, take this stuff down.” She heard someone being scolded behind her. “I’ll even help you out! How does that sound Koshoin-kun!”

“Oh man, well I guess fair is fair.”

A new day began and as the hours ticked by one by one for another day at UA, Class-1B was filled with an anxious excitement; why wouldn't they be brimming with energy? Even their homeroom teacher was burning up almost as much as he did during the volleyball tournament. They all knew what today was. Beyond being their first real hero class, the first time they’d put on their outfits they put their hearts and souls into designing,  it would be the day that:

“I’M! Coming through the door!” All Might slid into their classroom with a gust of wind and his cape billowing in his wake and a dazzling smile on his face. The door didn’t so much as squeak as it neatly clicked behind the hero of heroes. Blonde hair slicked back save for two tufts that stood tall like a pair of mighty horns. His signature red, white, and blue costume put his powerful body on full display as he flexed. The man stood tall, taller than even Vlad,  a muscular figure that leapt straight out of comic book into reality. A sun that could blind with just his smile, that was the Number One hero: All Might. “How are you all finding today? Are you ready to face my lesson head on!? Because ready or not I’m here! Follow me!” With that said, he boldly opened the door and rushed ahead. Before anyone could get up Vlad simply raised his hand to stop them as a few seconds later Al Might returned sheepishly rubbing his nose. “Ah I nearly forgot! Your hero attire is ready!”

Class 1-B marched out fully decked out in their hero attire ready for any challenge that the number one or Vlad could throw at them. As the class took in his presence his eyes scanned their faces, committing them all to memory once more. For a moment longer than most he looked at Jolyne before moving on, his boisterous voice rang out. 

Jolyne’s hair was pulled through a cool green helmet that covered her head and the top half of her face; a black mask that covered her mouth, and a bright red star painted on the forehead between the wide blue lens that covered her eyes. A somewhat transparent blueish-green  shawl was warped around her shoulders and neck down to her elbows  covered in a golden web-like  pattern. Through the shawl on her back were layered stars each a color of the rainbow. Underneath it was a bodysuit with similar webs that formed a broken pattern around a butterfly crest on her chest, the same as the tattoo on her arm. The golden webs fade and combine into solid dark blue sleeves as they weave down  her shoulders until they reach her blackened fingers and the same with her legs down to her feet. The suit was split in two by a large golden utility belt wrapped askew around her waist.

Jolyne’s head perked up locking eyes with All Might for a moment as he turned away and nodded to himself. All Might led the class to Ground Beta, an urban environment, similar to the entrance exam, that had seen better times. The building he led them too was caved in around massive black spikes covered in a white tundra. Pillars of ice and snow sprouted from the surrounding landscape. The chill rode the wind and made the young students shudder. The question of what happened here filled their minds but Jolyne, who had half the picture. That boy she met the other day wasn’t just bragging about his power at least.  If he had stepped in, what would that fight had looked like oddly she was more excited by the idea than worried. 

On the other hand, All Might who watched the one-sided clash between the youngest Todoroki and Shio'n had his  smile faltering for a moment at the memory.

“Is...this really all you got? If you don’t wanna fight you could have just said so ain’t no shame in it. You can’t be me like this and I’m no bully.” He remembered it clearly; the dark crystals reflected a soft grin and calm eyes. For a moment a flash of flame was quickly silenced by a blast of ice and the howl of a blizzard as metal was torn asunder. Snow of black and white falling for the sky as he had burst onto the scene and brought an end to the fight as the building collapsed.

Another's roof was simply missing as if it had been blown out from the inside. This one he also had mixed feelings about. As if feeling the gaze of his students, All Might coughed into his fist, trying to disguise his pride and guilt of the destruction he allowed to run rampant.

“Y-yes well Class 1-A certainly were giving their all the other day! But worry not my students, we  prepared another course in advance!!” He laughed becoming the young heroes away from the still being repaired site of the last exercise.

“In other words we’re stuck with the leftovers and snowballs, cause some kids couldn't handle themselves?” Neito  clicked his teeth. The idea of being seen as lesser or jealous that his class was going second  made him seethe and know one not even himself knew which made him angrier.

“Well its not exactly like that you see I-”

“We're all the same age and it's not as though they did it on purpose.” Itsuka chastised him, while she could understand, it's not like she wasn't disappointed seeing their first training course reduced to ruins, there was no point in badmouthing their peers.

“Maybe on the outside.” He grinned. “But if they can't even control themselves I'm gonna call them kids.”

“All Might-sensei...sir? What are we gonna do?” Jurota scratched the top of his head as he gazed at the winter-world before him.

“Haha! Worry not. Young heroes, this is no mere replacement! I’ve chosen to go a different way this time around and I’m sure you will be thoroughly challenged!"

“Indeed!” Their homeroom teacher bellowed, shaking their ears. “Compared to the walk into the park Class-1A experienced. My students will break the earth itself!” This was his suggestion and as such he was all for it.

“...” All Might simply smiled, a tiny bead of sweat ran down his cheek. Ground Beta was designed to be destroyed but...the thought of whether he would be blamed for what happens next made him pause. On the other hand, if they could destroy where he planned to bring them at the very least that meant the next generation of heroes were truly astounding all around!

“This is the place.” His smile never faltered as he  placed his hand on the ground and as if  he were cracking open a suitcase he lifted a chunk of the ground rose, spilling dirt and soot through the air as it creaked open. It was like the earth had opened its mouth to yawn, a  massive maw easily big enough to fit a bus revealed a staircase leading somewhere darker than dark. As their teachers guided them down the path it grew even darker still, their steps echoed as they marched on and time seemed to lose all meaning until All Might's voice boomed and echoed off far and deep into the shadows.

“All right! Now shield your eyes!” With a loud click the area was filled with a flash of light revealing they had made their way to some sort of chamber almost like a dungeon, its brick walls were surely new, the chamber had four tunnels not counting the one they came from. In All Might's hand was a mechanical bird whose round belly was practically a lantern, its fluttering wings made a whirling noise whose hum filled the air.

“Listen here my gallant young heroes!  While your peers in Class-1A were securing  a bomb, you will be venturing into this maze, a Villainous pair's lair to rescue hostages." He held up the metal bird bathing them in its light. “Now let's head back up and I’ll divide the teams!”

Chapter Text

Being a hero is more than defeating your foe, as far as All Might is concerned a hero must ‘save’ and ‘protect’ more than anything. Deep underground, in what would normally be  a bunker, Class-B will , more-or-less, be given free reign of the underground maze for this exercise. The Labyrinth that spanned over the area, was pitch black and as spacious as a train tunnel. So deathly quiet that the slightest sound would reverberate and echo in all directions leading you nowhere. An environment unfamiliar and confusing,  filled with surprises, adaptation and planning would be key in navigating it.  The guide birds, mechanical marvels, were the only light in the dark and the only compass to be had.  All Might told them to think of the birds as brave birds that snuck away with enough information to lead the heroes to their friends.  These adorable machines would act as hostages, lighting the way and leading those that hold them towards each other.  

Four students who enter at a time,  divided into teams of two, heroes and villains. 

 The villains are categorized as the enforcer and the Mastermind. Upon the defeat of the ‘Mastermind’ all the hostages are considered ‘rescued’  and the enforcer is also defeated. Meanwhile if the 'Enforcer' is ‘captured’ the location of the hostages and the mastermind are revealed and the lights are turned on. And on the other hand, if all the hostages fell into the villains hands or if ten minutes passed and the heroes had yet to save all the hostages that would be their victory. 

The villains entered the maze first free to scatter their hostages as they saw fit, mindful of the fact they only had  5 minutes to do so and hide themselves before the heroes entered.  The heroes, the ‘Heavenly Edge” comprised of Kamakari Togaru and Shiozaki Ibara, after five minutes of waiting bravely entered the lair of the Villainous Golden Threads. Hearts brimming with determination that stood at the first crossroads, three tunnels that their bird ally shined its light on. It chirped, its beak pointed towards the right most tunnel; though not directly down it, it simply guided the way towards the nearest hostage. Togaru turned to Ibara only to find his partner had begun walking towards the tunnel on the far left instead of the right.

“I understand...” Ibara muttering to herself, her hair grasped between her fingers heedless of the prickly thorns that sprouted from her vine-like hair and the drops of blood she drew from her fingers. Togaru rolled his eyes.  She was like this in class two, ever since their first day, she’d have moments like this. Whether teacher or student she’d pause as if something caught her eye, mumble into her hair and politely excuse herself to go do something else. As if at any point in the day she was only half awake.

It didn't really cause any problems, but it was like she was lost in her own world but naturally a gap between her and her peers had begun to form. After all, it was hard to see what she was thinking about and one one practically enjoyed feeling as if they were being seen through.

As far as Togaru was concerned the two of them couldn’t be more opposites from their clothing, her pristine white robes and his cool shred black cloak, to their attitude. Some would even say their Quirks were opposites too, greenery was made to be cut down after all and blades were meant to cut down all sorts of things. But he wasn’t the type to give any thought to prejudiced Quirk theories. 

‘Dumbasses love the smell  of their own shit, wish’in they were smarter than rocks.’ He always thought. What mattered most to him right now was that  the clock was already ticking and she was off in space. 

“Shiozaki!? Focus up!” He scraped his blades together to get her attention. “We’re going this way, get over here!!!!” Her eyes flickered to his for a moment, though he felt they saw through him and down darkness in the tunnel behind him. 

Great and grander things were being whispered to Ibara; she nearly forgot that these words were for the select few to hear freely. She was glad her companion was patient enough to wait for her to finish her communion, she was truly blessed. Without a doubt this was the best combination for her. It would only be better if either of one of the other two were paired up with her. But the Lord’s trials are not for them to decide and whose trial or lesson this was, was yet to be seen.

“I’ve received a premonition." Ibara put a finger to her lip and pointed down to the tunnel to his left. “ This path will lead to a battle unlike any other that is where your struggle will begin. The berserkers lost in the dark his blade meeting only shadow without the power of life  to guide his paths.” She said with a soft smile, her message delivered perfectly.

‘What the fuck is she talking about?’ He hadn’t a clue what she was talking about, so naturally he assumed it was some sort of roundabout insult. “...Is...is that your way of talking shit? Screw it! Put your hair up!” That was all the warning he gave her as he dashed at her his right arm sprouted a broad blade easily as wide and tall as his body. Ibara, didn't even flinch as her locs grew and lunged at him.

From the observation room the Class-B watched as the Heavenly Edge had begun to turn on itself. Countless layers of vines sliced to pieces as Togaru’s rampage continued, the hostage helplessly  chirped as it watched the heroes clash against each other.

“Kamakiri-kun, I ask not for your faith in me but in my words, that is enough.” She said with Togaru firmly ensnared in her vines. They had lost a minute and half in this exchange, but Ibara was not worried and Togaru did not plan to keep track. “Now with that said let us work together. My battle is that way.” Ibara pointed to the left most path. “Yours is that way.” She pointed down the middle path.

“What are you gonna win that one?”

“...Yes. The future is not for me to know and my Lord would not give me a battle I cannot win. There is only one outcome.”

“Lord?”  He snorted.

“If you feel like you’re having trouble simply look up and call for aid and I will light the way for you.”  She offered with a friendly smile.

“Like I would, when I get back I’ll give you a hair cut.” He scoffed at her attitude.

“How sinful. My hair is my strength, it's endless. I don't think you can cut it all any easier than these walls.” So she said, and so they went their separate ways, the idea of true  cooperation a foreign concept.  

Class-1b watched the uneasy alliance, though the audio was poor the video quality was excellent. The cameras automatically focused on each participant, even the villains as they moved through the tunnels.

“They're just ignoring the poor bird...” Pony sighed. “They spent like two minutes fighting eachother...Are they gonna be okay?”

“They're tough, Kamakiri’s fast and Shiozaki-chan has every angle covered. The only real fighter on the villain side is Jolyne too...I think they’d be fine if one of them can win a 1v1." Juzo nodded to himself. “Well it might come down to Kinoko.”

“Nah! Jolyne’s the type of tough guy that could eat blood she can handle a 2v1!!” Tetsutetsu argued.

“Well you see...” It was time for a teacher to impart his wisdom and  now that Vlad King left him to it, All Might would provide. “ In battle-!!!!!!” The Class turned to the Symbol of Peace  with stars in their eyes as he hid a terrible cough behind a quick clearing of his throat. “Excuse me. Don’t lose sight of the goal.” He turned to the screen his back to the students as he wiped the blood from his lip. “ Defeating your enemy is not the only thing you set out to do, nor should it be. And you're not the only ones setting out to do it. There are times where heroes have to cooperate; whether with fellow heroes, the police, or even civilians. There are simply times when you must hold hands and work together. For instance,I can't save everyone and put out all the fires all at once. That is why we have many heroes of all sorts. In a place like this all you can depend on is each other and find the role most suited to you."

Back in the darkness, Jolyne barely had a moment to register the stomping footsteps that echoed down the tunnel before she saw the glint of light that danced from the floor to the ceiling  and the blade that Stone Free caught between her hands. Togaru’s mad smile, illuminated by the  bird that jostled against his hip as he slashed at her. The whiz of the blade cutting through the air whistled in her ears as she flipped back.

“What the hell? How’d you find me? I don't even have one of the birds?!” He was already on top of her again, another blade ready to slice her to pieces.

“Shut up and fight.” Was all he had to say, Ibara’s words whirled around in his skull as his blade shattered between her stand’s fists.

The walls sang as sparks burst forth as his blades kissed their surface.  Already, he was well within striking distance. As he lunged through the air he thought back to the entrance exam. He didn’t really think too much about her but at the end she faced off against that giant robot.

’ Was she just stupid? Was she just brave? Or...was it possible...She just wanted a real fight?’ Those thoughts he had back then he’d find the answer here and now. The exercise might as well have been cut to pieces in his mind, forgotten, he decided  that he would  leave it all to Ibara.

For her part she was already aware of that, as she marched in the dark with purpose, the next few minutes clearly laid out before her. 

‘A battle unlike any other’ Ibara’s words echoed in his mind even now as Jolyne’s quirk brought his blades to a screeching halt. The shawl that was wrapped around Jolyne’s shoulders had become a simple scarf fluttering on the breezeless air. She gestured for him to try again and he couldn't help but smile. He kicked up at her, a massive blade sprouted up from his foot as she side stepped him, his body twisted by the invisible force around his blades, snapped them and twirled him into the wall. He flipped and planted his feet on the wall, he swung his arm only for  the tip of his long blade to clang and scrape against the opposite wall as Jolyne ducked under the clunky slash. The scarf around her neck shrank once more as Togaru gasped for breath, a dent formed as his stomach was pushed in. 

“Wow she barely has to move...I mean I guess he can't see what's happening.” Kosei, a brown haired boy commented. “I’ve had people confused like that too.”

“Now, now, Don’t write this off as an innate disadvantage.” All Might advised. “He’s being a tad hasty.” He rubbed his chin, as Togaru made another large blade. “ It’s not just a difference in power, or a poor match up, Togaru picked a poor spot to start this fight. But it's never too late!”

In the end it all came down to experience. If he was more experienced he wouldn't have chosen to confront her in a tunnel but instead in one chamber where the tunnels connect. To make matters worse he found the tunnel too hard to cut. His wide strikes were cut short by the walls and it dampened his power and speed. On top of that he had yet to adapt to what he was facing. Togaru had failed to properly adapt to a ‘power he cannot see.’ That was the major difference between Togaru’s attempt to over power Jolyne and Bakugo’s.  

“ORAORAORAORAORAORA!”He was caught in Stone Free’s flow lost in a sea of punches and kicks. No matter how he attacked he’d find only Stone Free’s fist or foot his blades would never reach Jolyne.

A battle he could never imagine, an outcome predestined. Launched into the wall he slid to the ground as Jolyne rolled her shoulders and approached. He could do nothing but look up at the ceiling, the long green vines barely visible under the light of the machine bird that Jolyne would take any second.

“Guess she was right.” He would have chuckled if he thought it was funny. He threw his head back and glared at the darkness that clung to the ceiling. “Fucking hell.”

“To overcome this trail you must swing with all your might,” a familiar voice echoed all around Jolyne tried to approach but was bared by a wall of thorns. “Do you have the courage to swing your blades at yourself? Can you?”  From the light of the mechanical bird she could see it; from the greenery emerged a tiny creature. A fairy with wings made of petals, a body made of twirled together stems and a dress of thorns. A single halo hung over the creature's head as it landed on Togaru’s.

“You can talk through your...hair, what the heck are you say’in? I can win if I do that?” Togaru hugged himself. 

“As the lord proclaims.” The vines responded.

“...”

“What the hell are you...?”

He swiped his arms, blood gushed out of his chest and sprayed all over he painted the walls and ceiling and even Jolyne crimson the smell of iron clogged the tunnel.

“Is...this okay? Sensei?” All Might barely heard the question as he watched Togaru cut himself open.

“...” A part of him thought to end it here.  Once again things were escalating and  once more he saw something shining in the eyes of a young student. “He....” All Might stared at the monitor, hands rested on his hips as he watched Togaru flick the blood off his blades. “He’s taken away her advantage.” Confused murmurs flooded the room as All Might sighed. ‘There's no shortage of reckless courage in this batch either.’

“It’s like thin wires tied and woven together...like a fist.” The blood flowing from his lips did nothing to hinder his brilliant smile as he leveled his blade at Jolyne and her scarf vanished as the blade scraped against her helmet and Stone Free’s fist narrowly missed his cheek. His barrage began anew. Thin blades, short blades, nothing that would catch on the walls or the ceiling. “Imma cut you down!” 

All Might’s smile tinged at the choice in words but said nothing.

“He’s dodging now...Oh.” Lightly, Setsuna  hammered her fist into her palm. “It’s the blood. He splattered it around so  can see how her Quirk works.” All Might nodded and gave her a thumbs up.

“What's there to see? I thought Jolyne’s Quirk just moved things with her mind?” Pony asked with a tilt of her head.

“Well apparently  it uses some part of her body to make something and that's what touches stuff. So to make it easier to see; he went for his blood.” They watched those blood stained blades dance. He ducked and weaved around Jolyne with a smile on his face; his mandibles  chittered excitedly.  While Jolyne and Togaru danced with fists, thread, and blades Kinoko ran as fast as her legs could carry her.

“Oh please, gods,  someone help me!!”

“Oh? Please wait a moment for me. If you stop running I could pray with you.” Kinoko did not want to turn around, if she did she would see a sea of vines and the white clad girl skipping ahead of it as she chased her down a tunnel.

‘How’d she get here so fast and how was she tracking her down so easily without a bird? This is totally different from what the plan was supposed to be, Jolyne!’ She cried as she ran down another path, she had no idea where she was going but the string around her finger would guide her back to Jolyne.

“Alright, that should do it.” Jolnye let her hand go, Kinoko felt something loop around her pinky finger and her ear. “That way I’ll know if something happens to you.”

“Huh? W-why would you need to know if something happens to me?” She stammered as Jolyne wrapped a purple band on herself and a gold one on Kinoko’s wrist.

“You are the mastermind.” Jolyne told her after they found a hiding spot deep in the maze, it’d take at least a few minutes for them to find. They could have gone deeper but they needed to settle on a plan for their defense with the time they had left. “I think you’ll be a better fit.”

“Me!? Nonono! I should be the enforcer! You can fight right?...Oh, well If I have to do it they’ll take me down in no time at all! But still! T-there's no waaay!” She waved her hands as if she could bat away Jolyne’s idea like it were a fly. Between the two the Mastermind was clearly the most important role, if the timer was the hero's losing condition than the Mastermind was the villain's it was so obvious that she felt it didn't even need to be said out loud. 

And yet Jolyne had wanted her to be the Mastermind. To her it was simply ridiculous.

“The enforcer fights but if they lose the lights come on. I can use my power to feel around but you can't right? So it makes sense for you to be the mastermind.”

“Right...that makes sense.” She let out a sigh of relief, “if I was the enforcer I’d be useless and then the lights would turn on...at least this way you have the element of surprise...”

“Nah screw that, I’m not planning to lose either way. If I can beat them great but... If I lose, we're not losing cause I’m leaving everything up to you.”

“Me?”

“ When the lights come on you’ll be able to see but most importantly I’ll be out of the way, your power isn't really friendly right? I'll be out of your way Kinoko and then you let ‘em have it!”

“Well, w-what if...no way. Mushrooms won’t cut it , right?”

“You know you're Quirk really well, and me well I’m still figuring out all the things I can do,  well so I’m sure you’ll figure something out in a pinch.”

“But...I...”

“Hey, it's only if I lose.” She laughed.

 But here Kinoko was on the run and Ibara was anything but lost.

‘Did something happen to Jolyne!? Are we on plan B already!? I’m not ready!’

Kinoko knew that everyone in their class was at least decently athletic, but Ibara managed to get her in three minutes. And even as she ran Ibara’s pace never changed but if she went left she’d go left, right and right. In this maze even when she hadn't seen her turn Ibara was always behind her without fail. That didn’t make sense thing wrapped around  to her, Kinoko had Jolyne’s quirk to guide her, this string-like thing wrapped around her finger it would lead her one of two ways: to the location of the hostages or to Jolyne in case they somehow found her or where the birds were. 

Yet without a single bird or shred of light Ibara had found her, time and time again. Like she could see just fine even in the dark.

“I truly am blessed.” Ibara said, hands clapped together in prayer, the sound boomed through the tunnels. “To meet another angel and to face another plant-based Quirk.” Kinko skidded to a halt and turned around.

“Mushrooms are not plants! They are Fun-Fungis! They’re their own category of organisms, neither mammal, plant, nor insect! Truth be told...they...”

“I see.” Ibara smiled and behind her a sea of vines was poised to strike. “Please face me, I would hate to strike from behind.”

“Jolyneeeee! Heeeeelp!” Kinoko could see the light of a bird as she followed the ‘string’ and Jolnye had long since been aware that her teammate was headed her way.

 “Duck!” Jolyne roared as Stone free’s threads wrapped around Togaru’s arm and yanked him toward her. He sliced her side as she threw him over her shoulder as he turned into a whirling top that neatly sailed over Kinoko’s head and into a wall of thorns.

“Heavenly flowerbed.” Ibara smiled as Togaru sank into the embrace of her thorns. “Its something I've been working on. How is it?”

“I hate you, Shiozaki. For real.” Togaru said tangled in vines that scraped his skin and tore his cloak.

“Hate...how sinful but I’ll pray for you my friend. This is not the season for flames.”

“Jolyne! She found me!” Kinoko cried.

“Damn I didn’t think we’d go this way.” Jolyne chuckled. Even without the light of Togaru’s hostage she could always feel the threads of her Stand. Wrapped around Kinoko’s finger and the birds that they hid. And that same long strand was clutched in Ibara’s grasp. “Sorry this is my fault.”

“But..I...”

“We’re going with plan B. I’m counting on you, I’ll stall ‘em here.”

“B?! Waitwaitwait I’m not ready! I can't fight them! Togaru is scary! And Ibara...is also kind of scary right now.” The vine headed girl gasped. “And-”

“It’lll work out, I trust you and your mushrooms.” Jolyne cracked her knuckles, her scarf completely undone as Stone Free hovered over her shoulder. “Besdies I got business with Ibara  here. I can’t let her get away with using my power as a red thread.” Kinoko didn't have much room to think, followed her advice and ran away.

“I agree, I too have been awaiting  this day.” Ibara breathed out a sigh of relief. “Guardian Angels, walking the same path of righteousness, at the same time.” She claps her hands together, locs moving apart as something pokes through the veil of vines. From her hair a blurb of white noise rose up, chirps and a storm of words that she could barely understand. Directions, declarations, information that hardly made any sense. Finally the tiny Stand emerged from the vines, its tiny wings beat in time with the noise. “ But all of us meeting at a single point? It can only be a modern miracle.” It lazily flew around her head orbiting like a satellite. “Shall we introduce them to each other? My angel is called:  I-Three.  It blessed my heart with whispers of the future and guides your steps on the correct path. You made use of it yourself not too long ago at the exam.”

“...Why share all that?” Jolyne wanted to keep them talking, the longer it took them to attack the better position Kinoko would be in and it helped that while Ibara talked Stone Free was freely able to handle Togaru.

“I’ve already learned about your ability from the exam.” Ibara answered with a soft smile.“ So you see, it was only fair to share. With the word of our lord and the edge of the hunter... Cujoh-chan, your angel will lose here. I-Three’s future is undeniable.”

“You can just call me Jolyne, my stand is Stone Free.”

“Lovely.” Jolyne’s helmet cracked and crumbled, her cocky grin revealed Jolyne took a bold step forward into a forest of thorns as Togaru’s blade scraped across the walls,  warning of his eager approach as he rushed at her once more.  The only thing that blocked the tunnel Kinoko ran down was Jolyne herself.

“I got the mushroom. You can just hang back and pray for ‘em.” Instead of taking a step forward and taking a bloody fist to the face, he slid between her legs Stone Free’s fists all together. Togaru laughed but he turned his back on her. Stone Free yanked his cloak and tossed him back over to Ibara. He didn't catch himself this time and kidd across the ground and huffed as he stood once more.

“What I thought you wanted a 1v1?”  She laughed. “Getting  tired?”

“Win’s a win.” To get at the Mastermind Togaru knew just what he had to do and Ibara would follow the fate that proclaimed. “Move or get cut up.”  

[The Butterfly  will be cut down in a garden of thorns lost in the dark to bring about the light.] I Three proclaimed.

“If you’re trying to get me to give up you're insane.”  Jolyne took a breath. “You were  both waiting for this? Same and  I’d hate to disappoint the two of you, so bring it on. Things aren’t gonna go the way you think. Even if I lose I’m gonna win.” 

“You’re Angel will fight me as you handle Togaru’s blades.” Ibara stated the obvious as Stone Free flew right at her after all even if Togaru couldn’t see it properly Jolyne had no chance at beating her vines with her bare hands. 

[You must approach.] I Three instructed from above Ibara as it slowly floated over to Jolnye. [Leave her nowhere to run, approach with courage in your heart.]

“What's that about?”

“That is simply I Three's benevolence." Ibara nodded proudly as her Stand silently  floated around Jolyne’s  head. “It can’t help but guide others down the best path. Though it will not help you escape the fated outcome.” Suddenly Stone Free veered off course and rushed Togaru as he leapt at Jolyne as she lunged straight at the pious girl. A wall of vines blocked her path.

“I think that was for you. Cause I was already coming straight for you! Ibara!” Her vines were cut, blood splattered across her face and robes. Her eyes stung but through a haze of red she saw  a river of blood run down Jolyne’s hand. A broken chunk of one of Togaru’s blades clutched in each of her hands as her Stone Free grappled Togaru’s blades. “Would you look at that? I cut you. Did it tell you that? Want me to tell you how this ends? Armageddon!"

“Sinful!” Ibara took a step back as Jolyne twirled the blades in hand, a fierce glare pierced the two heroes as the enforcer blocked the way to the mastermind. 

“Approach with care you bastards! I’m not gonna lose!”

The lights turned on. Two minutes were left on the clock, two whole minutes!? The mouth of the tunnel that she stood in front of glowed, an arrow path directed whoever was looking right here. So that's what he meant, they’d just have an arrow pointed to her?!

Plan B... This was a mistake! 

Her ‘thread’ was still wrapped around her finger, she was signaling her that they were on the way, she was still helping her? Even now Jolyne really thought she could turn it around?

She could almost hear Jolyne in her head. 

“Guys who brag about how strong they are all the time all fall apart when the time comes. They think they can't ever lose and when they get pressed they panic. You think you're weak, that's fine, but you still haven't refused to try right? That means you really wanna try it out right?” That's what she said when she protested Plan B.

“W-well it just goes without saying!” Her head cradled in her hands as she hissed under her breath, she could hear them running, they must have been just a tunnel or two off right now! “But there's no way I could-”

“ See you’re fine.” The Jolyne in her head was just so hardheaded! “You don't have to win in a cool or flashy way. No matter how you win as long as you do what's important, fuck what other people think. But I guess you wanna be an idol-hero right? Then sell it to us. Be flashy your way and teach ‘em how cool you are!” Her voice faded but the ‘thread’ tightened around her hand, telling her to go one, urging her to fight.

Figure something out, figure something out! Jolyne left it up to her, not because she had to but because she wanted to, she believed this was the way to win and that she, somehow could pull this off! The scraping of Togaru-kun's blade and the echo of their footsteps  had her stomach in knots. The sound of the  sweat that rolled down her cheeks splattered against the small puddle at her feet, rang loud in ears. Sweat? Her hands were covered in sweat, standing here her breath felt ragged; chest rose and fell to the rapid beating of her heart. The air in the tunnels had grown humid over these last few minutes and no wonder the four of them ran marathons and wherever the vents were she never felt any sort of AC.

“Before I can show you how cute they are...I’ll show everyone...how strong mushrooms are!” Kinoko’s eyes burned. And so she ran from them, she followed the thread Jolyne gave her all the way back to the back where they hid their hostages, and the tunnels showed them the way to her so she ran even more. When they cornered her their cloak and robes covered in blood, they huffed and puffed, they were put through the wringer and still going, she couldn't be the only one to give up! She had one shot to take them down.

“It's nice and dark here because you covered up the lights with those vines... and...and Jolyne fighting has made it nice and humid. You guys are dripping with sweat too. After all that running around we did...now... It's perfect. This is our Plan B-” Her guns hoisted up, god her heart was about to burst out of her chest if her lungs didn't explode first. She tossed her guns Togaru-kun’s way and naturally he sliced them apart. Poof, two  massive clouds of spores were born and gently flew like snow. The clap of her hands echoed and barely managed to wheeze out:

“Golden Threads.” A hunk of Ibara-chan’s vines suddenly wrapped around spread out and rushed to the ceiling pulling them high into the air as they anchored into the walls. Togaru-kun thrashed about tangled in her vines , blades spilling out of his body but no matter how much he cut there was another layer of vines pushed up trying to reach the ceiling.

“Shiozaki!! What the hell are you and your hair goddamned doing!? Let me go!”

“My hair is a blessing! N-no wait...It’s caught on...” Kinoko slumped against the wall and cradled the two hostages as she watched the golden threads weave throughout Ibara’s hair, the normally thin noodle-like mushrooms were like snakes wrapped under her locs.

“Golden threads...Mushrooms grow and thrive in the dark but they like the lime light too. In fact they grow towards it.”

“I didn’t hear about this...” Ibara-chan clasped in her hands in prayer as her hair sprang into action like a wave, snapping through the golden threads with renewed vigor and power. Perfect, the main course was ready to be served. Ibara-chan froze, a bead of sweat rolled down her face as her hair went stiff. “No wait, what have you done to my blessings?” 

“Your hair is like a plant right? You take good care of it...it's full of life. That's a good place for fungi to grow and...strong vines like yours...it's no different from the roots of a tree.” Before a single loc could reach her whole new family of mushrooms had bloomed, much larger than she had ever seen as if they feasted on the life running through Ibara-chan’s hair. Tons and tons of mushrooms pulled her down to earth as gravity demanded but Ibara-chan was far stronger than that even this early she was clearly an ace of the class all these mushrooms did was slow her tow an inch. But still Mushrooms were tough too and mushrooms born from her vines even moreso. The vines, one by one fell to the ground withering from the root as golden noodles fell out of Ibara’s head and something new grew. They took root in her head like her hair and spread to her locs and choked them off at their roots. The more she fought they more they grew and the more they infested her locs.

“These mushrooms are...Honey Mushrooms they love strong roots! This is our Mushygeddon!! Armillaria! OSTOYAE!!!” These creamy brown mushrooms sprouted from the rot of the golden threads and her own locs and grew and grew and grew. Ibara-chan was crushed and Togaru-kun roared and crashed into the ceiling by the massive caps that smothered the light. This was new, nothing like she’d ever seen before Ibara-chan’s quirk was better food than any tree, even her fallen locs were turned to a mushroom bed and spread through the tunnels.

In a forest of mushrooms that had grown so strong they dominated even the air itself, the light of the reunited hostages hugged over the forest of shrooms like triplets of suns. Kinoko’s shadow stretched across the room over Ibara-chan's still praying form. Togaru-kun’s broken and battered body hung above, they could be mistaken for mushrooms themselves after being buried alive. The idol of mushrooms took the lights  into her hands as she walked forward gingerly over stepping every shroom both human or otherwise and followed the thread on her hand back to her partner in crime. She stood over Jolyne’s battlefield adorned with shattered blades and thorns. A gloved hand shakily rose and Kinoko slapped her palm and pulled Jolyne to her feet! With the ‘x’s’ of her iris visible Kinoko turned to the camera recording this session, and gave it a peace sign with a bright smile. 

“ The heroes have been captured and the hostages as well! With 20 seconds left on the clock...The Golden Threads have gotten away with it! It's their hard earned victory!!”

 No matter what your power, your circumstances, your environment and your goal can alter the way a fight unfolds. Their options limited, they needed to think about what winning truly meant, did it mean saving the civilians or defeating the villains. Was one possible without the other? With only ten minutes figuring out your approach  was crucial. For both teams no matter the advantage, luck and pluck, clever planning, determination  and focus was key. Class 1-B had honed their problem solving skills and worked around the environment itself to achieve their goals.

 The tight confides made powerful and reckless actions difficult, and Togaru demonstrated that perfectly. His speed and power rendered useless by picking a poor location even with an ambush. On a side note he’d have to talk about Togaru’s recklessness, and he was sure Vlad King-sensei and Recovery Girl would as well. He shivered, the latter would probably have some choice words for him too, but how was he supposed to stop such passion!? Being a teacher was harder than he thought, his own mentor must have been at her wits end more than once with his own recklessness. The thought of her tired smile made his wounds ache just a bit less as he went over the footage.

There was only one exercise that confused him.

Team Pink Dark Brilliant, the heroes that were hunting down Double Feature. Without using their bird to guide them and without ever interacting with the Villains at all, Phantom Strike's Back won by saving the hostages in only one minute.

Even with invisibility, their keen sense of smell should have made up for it and they fully planned to protect their hostages until the ten minutes were up. But right under their noses, it was over before it began.  He raked his hand through his hair, what could he say about this that he hadn't said to them already.

“Theres no feedback to give like this...” He coughed, he quickly hunched over and stuffed his face into his elbow,a fire rushed from his chest and up his throat the blood splattered against his clothes and lips.  A ragged breath escaped his lung like a deflated balloon. Yeah, that's what overdoing it gets him. Today was a close one; he barely made it through the exercises. He had gotten lucky that he kept it together through the whole thing with only a few breaks but he welcomed the git horse with open arms and a smile! But what was he to do?! That first battle was the longest but it had demonstrated everything he wanted to impart on the students. A battle of the mind not of pure power.

The greatest mystery was Jolyne, her confrontation with Ibara seemed quite charged. Not only that...did she have to handle it that way? If she had stalled with Kinoko they could have won in the same way...Did she put Kinoko in that position on purpose? To push her forward? Amazing! But what could he expect from the young joestar? He was positive that she must be Joseph’s grandchild, which meant she was most likely Jotaro-kun’s daughter. 

 The creak of the door was like a gunshot, his chair clattered to the floor.  No, no, no! His heart nearly exploded and his body tried to rebel against him. A deep breath, just one more time, just one more time. Deep breath. His loose clothing began to fill out with muscle. Just one more! Please, before that door opens just once more!!!

“It’s just me, relax before you explode.” Chiyo shuffled into the room and he flopped back into  the  comfortable chair as  carefully locked the door behind her and all the steam flew out of him along with a helping of blood.  “Doing work after coughing up what's left of your lung? Plus Ultra in everything you do, shouldn't be too surprised, just don’t let that boy copy your bad habits, Toshinori.”

“...Sorry. I will do my best.” There was nothing else to say, anything else would just be a blatant lie. Young Midoriya had tried to exceed his expectations at every turn so far, he had to do his best too. No, he had to go beyond even that to be a real teacher.  “There's a lot for me to learn and live up to...”

“Don’t look so glum I’ve chewed you out enough today...In fact earlier today I had a little chat with Jolyne-chan and well I have to ask if she is related to that little Jotaro-chan? She’s got their little trademark on her neck and everything, same last name to boot.”

“I believe so.”

“His daughter comes here and not even a little heads up. Think there's a reason?” This was similar to a conversation he had with Vlad not too long ago, though it was about Jolyne’s name and how to approach the topic or even if it needed to be approached. She distanced herself from both her family and given name, and it was clear that her father wasn’t quiet in the picture. It was possible that Jotaro-kun didn’t even know she was enrolled.

“I...Don’t know. Well everyone has secrets...and he has many enemies. To distance himself to protect his daughter, my mentor did the same thing.” An unbreakable smile that could defeat anything.  It was all flooding back and there was no way to stop it.  Her powerful back, her dark hair and  cape caught in the breeze as she floated in midair, so clear it was as if she  was right before him. Shimura Nana, all the sacrifices she made to chip away at that demon. 

Everything. She gambled everything, everything she had on him. On Quirkless Toshinori to carry the torch and put an end to it all. She didn’t win the fight but just like today’s exercise it wasn't the goal. He had to shape up or else he’d let down his own protégé and without a Symbol of Peace history may repeat itself and more sacrifices would have to be made. “...We just have to respect his wishes.”

“...I suppose, you’re right.” She sighed, “look at you so mature.” She gave him a tiny grin “I’ll go make us some tea.” In a blink he returned with two piping hot glasses. The two sat reminiscing on the past  as she gave him a quick and easy grilling about his current physical condition. At some point she suddenly said something that left her looking grim. “I nearly forgot why I brought up Jojo-chan’s grandkid. Did you know Jolyne-chan went and met my own grandkid awhile back?”

To be Continued.