Becoming a Hero

A New Start

It was a cold winter evening, I was headed home from the grocery store with a few bags in hand thinking about what to make for dinner. It was always hard to portion out dinner for just one person and I usually ended up eating instant ramen but I wanted to try expanding my diet. Since moving from America to Japan it has been somewhat difficult trying to live on my own. I had my parents' financial assistance and they sent me more than enough to cover living expenses but it was still really lonely. Learning Japanese and adjusting to the culture was difficult and made it even harder to make friends. Not to mention my secret which would completely eliminate any possibility of people wanting to associate with me. Luckily Japan was fairly indirect and I hadn't been exposed yet, it was part of the reason I was sent here, my parents thought it would be a good place for me to start over and make it easier to keep my secret.

Suddenly I heard several screams and before I knew it I was running towards them to help. After rounding two corners I found the source of the sound. I dropped my bags when I saw a full-out villain and hero battle unfolding. I saw two guys in high school uniforms....no, UA Uniforms... and then I realized they were the boys from the sports festival I watched on tv. The blonde one was flying around with explosions from his hands fighting some villains who he seemed to handle with ease. The red and white-haired one was talking to what looked to be the leader who seemed to have a water quirk.

Then the leader seemed to get upset and started firing off water shots at the boys not caring who was caught in the crossfire. 'Where are the pros' I thought looking around and then I saw him. Even in his small form, I recognized him immediately. All Might. I could not believe it was him here in the flesh. He was helping random citizens to safety trying to usher them away from the action. I began doing the same helping people to their feet and directing them to hide in an alley close by.

"What are you doing here kid you need to hide too!" All might yelled in my direction. I turned around to answer him but before I could I saw a water blast take out a street light. I raced towards him and it felt like everything moved in slow motion. He started crouching and bracing for impact but just before the pole crashed into him I felt my arms wrap around his boney shoulders as I pushed and rolled with him out from under the light.

I had squeezed my eyes shut tight and slowly peeled them open when we had stopped moving. I felt a sharp pain in my shoulder which probably happened from our tuck and roll. I realized All Might and wrapped me up in a hug as well and protected me as best he could despite being in regular form. Quickly I scrambled up off him and grunted grabbing my shoulder.

"Are you ok? Did you hurt your shoulder?" He asked reaching towards me.

"I'll be ok, I think I landed on it and maybe dislocated it," I shrugged giving him a small smile. He looked like he was gonna say something when I saw a suspicious man who looked like a fish reaching for All Might. I grabbed him and maneuvered him behind me before roundhouse kicking the creep to the ground. He was out cold as soon as he hit the floor, but I remained in a fighting stance a few moments more. Suddenly two more bad guys appeared in front of me. "Stay behind me!" I shouted back to All might and took off towards the two. the larger man had fists that looked like hammers, I could tell one swing from those and I would be down for the count, luckily what he had in size he lacked in speed. I slid on my knees dodging his first swing easily and swiping his legs out from under him. I jumped over him two his friend who was armed with swords. As he brought one down towards me I caught his wrist and twisted his arm back behind his back. I heard a small crack, it was only a hairline fracture but it should be enough. He released the sword and I caught it using the hilt to hit him in the back of the head and knock him out. I grabbed the other one from his limp hand and turned to face his large companion who was just now rising to his feet.

"At least now we have a fair fight," I smirked swinging the swords. I felt the sharp pain stab through my shoulder again and instantly released the sword in that hand. "Shit" I whispered under my breathe. 'gotta end this fast' I thought taking a quick glance towards All Might. He seemed physically fine. His mouth was slightly ajar as he watched the fighting unfold before him. Then the big fellow started bounding towards me, hammers raised and ready. 'I gotta take him down,' I thought trying to make a plan. I took off running at him headfirst but right before we connected I stabbed the sword into the gravel and used it to propel myself between his arms and behind his body. Before he could turn I quickly and precisely sliced the back of his heels. He screamed in pain and collapsed grabbing for his ankles.

I turned and ran towards All Might. "How-" He stared in disbelief, but I didn't leave him time to finish as I dragged him back towards the main street. Water blasts were still going off and I quickly pulled him down with me to take cover behind a car. Then I heard it...

"FLASHFREEZE HEATWAVE!" There was a flash of light and the water had stopped. I looked at All Might and we slowly stood together popping our heads up over the top of the car. It looked like the fire and ice guy had taken down the water villain, and the explosion boy was gathering the rest of the villains into a heap of defeated bodies.

I felt a hand affectionately rest on the top of my head. "Good job kid," All Might smiled at me "Stay here I want to talk with you," He said starting towards the UA students. I nodded and huffed a sigh of relief as I heard the sirens of emergency vehicles arrive on the scene. I stayed sitting on the curb waiting as All Might explained the situation to the pro heroes who arrived on the scene. He praised and hugged his students, who looked uncomfortable, but he was clearly proud of their hard work. Then he turned and looked at me and pointed at the small street behind me probably telling them about the 3 guys that were still back there. The two students looked at me with slightly surprised expressions. All Might walked towards me his students following closely behind. He offered me a hand and I graciously took it letting him pull me to my feet.

"Alright, I think it's about time you tell me your name, little lady." He said smiling.

"Oh, uh it's Myla, Myla Ricard." I smiled back shaking his hand while also giving him a respectful bow. "It is a pleasure to meet you All Might, I'm...um... I'm a big fan" I said with an awkward laugh releasing his large bony hand.

"Thank you. It is nice to meet you as well, you were incredible back there you acted like a real hero." He gave me the classic All Might thumb up. "And what exactly is your quirk?" My smile dropped and I felt a shiver go down my spine. 'What do I do? Should I lie? What if he asks me to demonstrate it? I can't lie to the symbol of peace, one of history's greatest heroes. But what do I say? I could just tell him the truth...' I started panicking. I glanced at him and his two students and all of their expectant faces waiting for my answer. I swallowed a quick breath of air and let out a slow sigh.

"I...don't have one. I am quirkless..." I said quietly looking down at the ground in shame. I glanced up and met his surprised gaze.

"Oh..."