Chapter 390: (Four Months Later) |
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CHAPTER START---
---November 15th, 2318…
"Hold still," Fuyumi says, pouting as she applies makeup on Endeavor.
He sits in his dressing room chair in front of the mirror as she covers the bruises on his face and the bags under his eyes.
"Have you heard from Shoto?"
"He should be here soon. He said he got caught up stopping some Villains on the way here."
"Who? Shoto, or the Villains?"
"Shoto, we know the Villains can give up. They did so before," he says bitterly.
"But now their reason for staying hidden is gone," she sighs. "You had a few close calls this week. Are you sure you're doing ok?"
"I'm the #1 Pro Hero, I have to be."
"That's not what I—"
The door opens, and in walks Shoto, now just a head shorter than his father, still wearing his simple Hero Costume. He has a cut on his forehead and a tired look in his eyes.
"You got here fast. Was everything alright?" Endeavor asks, annoying Fuyumi and making her reapply some makeup.
"Just some morons trying to rob a store, nothing to worry about. Natsuo said he's not coming. He went to see mom."
Endeavor frowns. "I think Natsuo is right."
"About?"
"About all of you leaving the country," he says. "The villains are popping up faster than we can stop them. The same thing is happening in America. Maybe you should go somewhere in Europe, just until the situation is under control."
"No way," Fuyumi says. "Us leaving is like screaming 'Endeavor can't solve this crisis' to the people. If we do that, who will they have to believe in?"
"Are you giving up?" Shoto asks.
"Never," he says, earning a glare from Fuyumi as flames flicker across his face. "Sorry. I just don't want any of you to get hurt. We're spread thin as is."
"Fuyumi can go stay at UA," Shoto says. "Every student with a Provisional License spends more time on patrol than at school. They have lots of space, plus the expansions since we had to host families during Tech's assault."
"Well, I suppose I could. Still don't like it."
"We can work better knowing you're safe. It will be best for everyone," Shoto says. "And when the situation in America is stable, my friends will come here and help. With Izuku and Bakugo, we'll be more than enough."
"Has Nezu reconsidered my request?" Endeavor asks.
"He won't budge." Shoto rubs the back of his neck and turns to the TV in the corner. He sees the opening ceremony and announcements starting and sighs.
"This event is just for show, ignore it. Now, what about Nezu?"
"He's extra protective of his students now since what happened with Horizon. They were…close. Not sure how close, but he really didn't do well after that happened. No chance he'll graduate us early like he did with Horizon's team."
"All the more reason for us to be on patrol instead of standing on a stage…"
While Endeavor was preparing, in another section of this building, President Pantu walks onto a large stage.
In front of her were well over a hundred people, most of which had cameras and mics pointed at the stage.
The bombardment of camera flashes didn't bother her, even while knowing they were all waiting for her to make even the smallest mistake.
Taking a deep breath, she approaches the mic and looks out at the crowd. With a large screen announcing the 'Annual Pro Hero Billboard Ranking' illuminating the stage behind her, the mood was less cheerful and excitable than usual for this event.
The people were on edge, ready to hang onto her every word. A single wrong word could lead to Japan falling deeper into this crisis, and one wrong word too many could lead to a riot in this very building.
"Welcome, everyone, to the annual Pro Hero billboard ranking ceremony. I know this isn't our usual locale, but because of the Tokyo Chasm now existing. Kyoto will remain the operating capital of Japan until further notice.
First, I would like to thank all of you for being here. I know trying to foster any hope right now is a difficult task, but I'm glad to know we don't stand alone in this mission. What happened four months ago was terrible, and we've only just begun healing.
We have, at the moment, set the Tokyo Chasm as a far lesser priority. In fact, the entire region is currently excluded from our objectives."
This earns some murmurs from the crowd.
"The focus is re-establishing our infrastructure, which is mostly done. We successfully moved most government offices and facilities, and they are now operational. We successfully moved the former Tokyo residents to other parts of the country, and we have stabilized our food production and imports.
We are making progress, even if it is hard to see sometimes. However, we stress that some among us are trying to sabotage these efforts.
At every step along this difficult journey, the Villains have tried to interfere. Causing chaos, hurting, stealing. Destroying property and dividing our focus. They have been relentless, or at least, that's what they want you to think.
But in truth, they are cowards trying to make up for the past 3 years. They hid under a rock or left Japan during that time. They have returned with more vigor than ever, and yet, they have made no significant disruption in our efforts to heal.
Not for their lack of trying, but because of our brave Pro Heroes who fight them at every turn. Working day and night to keep this country safe and fill the gap of what we lost. While those responsible pay with currency and other reparations, these men and women pay with their time, effort, and blood.
But amongst them are some exemplary individuals. Those who go above and beyond in their duty and commitment to our beloved nation. In recognition of their achievements, we honor them today as our Top 10 Pro Heroes."
President Pantu gestures behind her as the audience's excitement builds.
"#10, Dragon Hero Ryukyu," Pantu says as the woman rises from beneath the stage, nervously waving at the crowd.
Many people cheer while others glare at her, not forgetting her complicated public record with Horizon.
'I should have just skipped this,' Ryukyu thinks while looking away from the crowd.
"Our new #9 Pro Hero. An unfortunate drop after spending the past few months recovering, Best Jeanist."
Behind her he rises out from the stage beside Ryukyu, waving to the crowd and striking a pose for them.
"Feeling better?" Ryukyu mutters.
"Nothing the Panacea couldn't fix," he mutters back. "Physical therapy took more time, learning to walk again."
"Next, a newcomer to this stage. And the new record holder for the youngest Pro Hero to make it into the top ten," the crowd is bustling with excitement at this. "Ne—"
Nejire-Chan flies out from backstage and soars over the crowd. "Hi everyone! Sorry, I just couldn't wait to come see you all!" she yells while doing a few laps over the crowd.
Ryukyu frowns, feeling embarrassed by her former Sidekick.
Nejire-Chan does another lap and then lands on stage beside Best Jeanist. She leans forward and looks over at Ryukyu, who smiles and waves at her.
"Next is someone who has not left this stage since joining us, once a rising star, but now he has cemented himself within these ranks. #7 Pro Hero, Kamui Woods."
He rises from below the stage with his arms crossed, his new Hero Costume showing off some reinforced armor plates styled like his wooden hands.
Beneath his mask, he can't help but smile as everyone cheers, almost having forgotten what it's like to see people cheer for Pro Heroes instead of criticizing them in these past 4 months.
"And now #6, another newcomer to this stage. Someone who everyone loves and has been working overtime every day these past few months. Pro Hero, Lemillion."
Lemillion launches through the stage, soaring dozens of feet into the air and phasing through the lights above before landing with practiced ease.
"Hi everyone!" he waves manically. "You're all looking great today!"
The crowd erupts in cheers, expressing their love for this shining light as he continues waving at them.
"And now for the woman who's held the iron grip on her rank for almost half a decade. #5 Pro Hero. Rabbit Hero, Mirko."
She rises from beneath the stage and smiles for the crowd, which responds with cheers. But they can't help but notice the few bandages on her leg and stitches on her rabbit ears.
"Now for another record holder. The highest-ranking female Pro Hero in the history of Japan. The #4 Pro Hero, Mt. Lady."
Mt. Lady rises from the stage, wearing her new Hero Costume.
With recent events, she gained a lot more support, especially since she was the dominant voice against Horizon within the Pro Hero community. Enough support for her Hero Agency, which was always one step from bankruptcy, to afford new equipment.
Such as the new Hero Costume she's wearing, complete with a visor over her eyes, a padded bodysuit to protect her. And reinforced gauntlets and boots, along with some plating on her shoulders and knees.
No longer making her just a giant target, but also a battering ram against Villains.
"And now we have our usual faces retaining their positions. Starting with the #3 Pro Hero, Ninja Hero, Edgeshot."
Edgeshot flies out from backstage in his thin and elongated form before landing on stage, striking a pose for the crowd.
"He's been working relentlessly to disrupt budding new organized crime groups, providing invaluable intel to everyone on the side of peace and justice."
"Working together is the only way to restore order," Edgeshot says before stepping into place beside Mt. Lady.
"Our next Pro Hero fulfills much of the same role, but is also more active in the field every day. #2, the Wing Hero, Hawks."
Hawks rises from beneath the stage, but the audience is shocked to see him without his wings.
Only for him to smile at them, then wink, and his feathers return to him from all over the room and even backstage. They perfectly form his red wing and bring him to hover above the floor beside Edgeshot.
"Looking good everyone," Hawks says while posing for the cameras.
"And now, the most hard-working Pro Hero I've ever had the honor of working with. So relentless in his pursuit of peace and justice that he's been moving across Japan to help the most affected areas. Our #1 Pro Hero, our symbol of Hope, Flame hero, Endeavor."
Pantu gestures behind her as the crowd's excitement builds into a roaring revelry, feeling a sense of progress, as if they could finally see the light at the end of this dark tunnel.
But while gesturing back and looking at the crowd, as Endeavor is rising from beneath the stage.
She sees their eyes widen as the room goes deathly silent.
"Lady Pantu." That familiar and slightly mechanical voice shakes her to her core. As if it tore the air from her lungs and the hope from the room.
And Endeavor rises from the stage, confused by the eerie silence of it all, until he sees Horizon standing behind President Pantu.
He wore the same body glove he'd been captured in, now sporting a few holes and many bloodstains. It almost gave the impression of an injured and vulnerable individual, but they all knew better.
The world knew better.
Thus, not even the Pro Heroes on stage dared to move, awaiting his permission to so much as breathe…
END CHAPTER---
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