Mystery from Another World

Part 25: Scheming with Todoroki

Emi looked around like she might be being watched, then said in a low voice, "Truthfully...the smart pros know it's to control us--not just to protect innocent people from being hurt by quirks...but to protect those in power from changing systems just because of powerful people. No ruling by might. That's what they want. It's true that would be a cruel society. It was in the past...but I know very little about that. It's been erased from records."

"But what if it wasn't that simple?" Wally said. "What if there was something about being free that heroes are missing now? And that's why the villains are messing with you all so easily?"

"It would be considered radical to even voice such thoughts, let alone act on them," Emi said. "I would lose my license. You would probably be investigated."

"So, you're not even allowed to think it."

"I can't say any more on it," Emi said vaguely. "I've said too much for comfort already. And, Mr. West, the world won't change to match yours... If you want that, then you shouldn't be here. You'll have to learn to be part of this society if you want to live here. Sorry."

"I see your point, but I don't know if I agree." Wally rubbed his head. "I'll have to think about it." He stood. "Thanks. If I stay gone too much longer, they might figure it out. They wouldn't like me meeting with you, you know. They think we're collecting data on them to sell them out."

"I have no reason to mention this," Emi said, standing too. "Be careful, Mr. West... UA won't hurt you, but, being around them, you'll draw attention to yourself."

"Yeah, I got that, thanks," Wally said. He left quickly.

* * *

Wally and Shine stayed up well into the night, talking about what Miss Joke had disclosed to him. They discussed the points of it thoroughly and what it meant for the hero world. 

"No wonder no one here wants to criticize it," Shine said. "Not that we hadn't guessed it, but her coming right out and saying it is shocking. It's like everyone knows, and the illusion of security in this society is a thin shell that one little blow could crack."

"It does. I never thought I'd miss the news at home so much...but at least there, we have a choice about listening to it," Wally sighed. "What do you think we're supposed to do about it...? I can't get what she said at the end out of my head. That we have to get used to it, and we can't change anything."

"It's kind of telling she already thinks we want to." Shine put her fingers together.
They were sitting against the wall in her room.

"But she's only trying to keep us from doing something reckless and stupid." She put a hand on Wally's shoulder. "The thing is, babe, we can't exactly change it, can we? Now that we know how it all stands, our only concern is whether we conform to it or not. I, for one, refuse to think so small as all that nonsense, and I'm not a super, so it doesn't affect me at all, really. You have the harder call to make. We're here for an indefinite amount of time. Do you want to remain a vigilante? Or try to lay low? Whatever you do, I'll help you. We bring different things to this mission. It can't be a coincidence that you, a super, are here, on this world of heroes... I back you up at home--I'll do it here."

Wally took her hand. "Yeah, but you're not my sidekick. You have your own job, your own field here, and I'm still new at it. I think if I try to be a super, I'll forget I'm supposed to be a DJ...like you said before. I can't just go off busting down the LOV's doors, even if I could find them. Even at home, doing something like that, I'd need a whole team, not just myself."

"And we have no indication we're supposed to bring down the League," Shine said. "Look at where we were sent to--here, UA. Clearly that is the primary focus for us. The problem is here... but, look who we met on day 1--Dabi, the other villains--so I take it we're also meant to be involved in that because the kids are. We can't afford to be ignorant if we're going to protect them. All my instincts are saying pursuing this thing with Dabi is the wisest course of action. We must learn more about both sides to do our job well. Or we're irrelevant."