A Tainted Hero

Chapter 8

"I got so swept up in the excitement I forgot all about the best part."

Mr Croft gives a TV smile as he looks out to the students. Class A and B shift uncomfortably while the rest of the students murmur among themselves, wondering who this strange man is. He gave off a cold calculating presence with a cheerful façade that was betrayed by the look in his eyes. He put everyone on edge and the Hero Course knew, he came in a matching set.

"I was given the honour of cooking up a little surprise for you," his tone once again resembles that of an adult talking to a bunch of five year olds.

"You see I am part of a..."

* * *

"Are you ready to go out there?"

7 starts at the sudden comment. She is standing in the doorway, waiting to enter the stadium when called. She looks up at All Might.

"Just about," she gives him a soft smile, "I'm a bit nervous."

He gives a small huff then looks out to the stage, "Quite the introduction he's giving you, isn't it?"

She looks out at Mr Croft still talking to the students. "Oh, no," she says absentmindedly.

All Might looks down at her, still looking out at the students. She is wearing grey military style pants, a big jacket and thick gloves. Her costume sits on her like a bag, obscuring her figure entirely. He notices her hands hanging heavily at her side, and her shoulders being pulled down.

Is he wearing weights?

"He doesn't know enough about me to keep them busy with for that long."

His gaze shoots to her eyes, finding them emotionlessly calm, her face relaxed.

She's saying it like it's a fact, like she doesn't care.

"He's probably just explaining the program. Oh, that's my qui."

* * *

"...you will be facing one of our candidates. The hero course will recognise them, it's Subject 7," with that Mr Croft holds out his hand and everyone's eyes follow.

A girl with ash blond hair in a militaristic costume comes walking out into the stadium, 7. A murmur breaks out among the pros in the stands. Hawks takes a seat on the roof of the stadium, leading over to get a better look.

"Oh, come on," Mr Croft breaks the tension in the air with his mocking tone, "at least put on a better showing than that. This is your big entrance after all."

The crowd give confused looks to Mr Croft the words, "was that really necessary?" written across their faces.

The girl stops and gives a devilish laugh, "If you say so..."

She taps on the choker around her neck looking at the man, but he shakes his head no. She gives a fake sad face. It's like the two are playing a game with each other. The girl takes a second to stretch her arms as a joke. She shakes out her body and gives a few small jumps. She lands with an overly dramatic thud then lets out a sigh. The crowd watches her as she closes her eyes and bows her head.

The crowd watches her in silence and just as they start getting a bit restless she snaps open her eyes staring daggers at the students. And in a single instant she bolts away, the crowd still staring at the spot she just stood a moment ago.

"That big enough for you?" she asks in a sassy tone.

The crowd whip around to see her standing on the stage next to Mr Croft.