The Bad Batch (Star Wars X My Hero Academia)

Chapter Twenty Six - Scars

As she was taken in by the Bad Batch, Omega has still not yet recovered from the horrors she endured at the hands of Overhaul. Despite their best efforts, the Bad Batch were not equipped for this kind of situation. Not even Tech fully knew how to raise a child. One day, Hunter takes Omega to a child psychologist to check on her. Going with Hunter was Mandalay. As the two wait outside the psychologist's office, Hunter takes a deep breath.

Hunter: Thanks for coming with me, Shino. 

Mandalay: It's nothing, Hunter. How are you holding up?

Hunter: Not well. Ever since we rescued Omega, I can't but think of all that she's been through. What those bastards did to her.....

Mandalay: You saved her, Hunter. 

As Mandalay said this, Hunter sighs. In all his time as a Pro Hero, Hunter had never dealt with a situation like this. He wanted nothing more than to help Omega and provide her with a loving home. At the same time, he wanted to protect Omega. The stress of the entire situation took it's toll on Hunter.

Hunter: Damn it....

Mandalay could see that Hunter was greatly troubled by the situation. She hugged Hunter and offered him comfort.

Mandalay: I know how it feels, Hunter. When Kota's parents died, I was given the task of raising Kota. I...I didn't know what I was doing at first. Kota was....devastated by the loss of his parents and I didn't know what to do. But I did everything I could to give Kota a good life. The other Pussycats were a tremendous source of strength during that time. 

As Mandalay said that, Hunter fell silent. Soon enough after what seemed like hours, the female child psychologist enters the waiting room with Omega. She then brings Hunter to her office while Mandalay stays behind to watch over Omega. 

Hunter: How is she?

Child Psychologist: Omega was...difficult to read. She would hardly talk about what happened. The poor child has been through a traumatic ordeal. I've been told that you wish to take her in, correct?

Hunter says nothing as he simply nods his head. 

Child Psychologist: And I also understand that you are a Pro Hero. 

Hunter: Yes. 

Child Psychologist: Are you quite sure you wish to get involved in this matter? Raising a child is no easy task and raising a child in the state that Omega is in is even more difficult. She hasn't formed any strong attachment to anyone since her rescue other than yourself and the rest of the Bad Batch, though that could be typical Hero worship.

Hunter: She looks up to us because we gave her a second chance to have a life. We can help her.

Child Psychologist: You must understand just how delicate this situation is. Given your reputation....

Hunter: Are you trying to talk me out of it?

Child Psychologist: Omega is in an incredibly fragile mental state. If you can take that role, it might take years before she can understand and reason all of what has happened to her. She needs a kind, caring, and above all reliable adult figure in her life capable of giving her agency and stability in her life. 

As the child psychologist says all this, Hunter becomes agitated by her words as he remembers his own childhood. 

Hunter: I know how it goes. She'll be kept here and given special treatment. After that, she'll be tossed from home to home, vaguely aware that she needs more help then she's getting. Forgotten and unwanted by something she had no say in. 

Child Psychologist: I can assure you that it will be nothing like that. Omega will be put up for adoption and she'll....

Hunter: So she could potentially end up right back where she started? So she could potentially be forced back into the hell we save her from? I won't Omega go back to that hell. I won't let her face what I did when I was her age! I'll look after her and protect her with my life.

The child psychologist fell silent on Hunter's words. After a moment of uneasy silence, she sighs.

Child Psychologist: I....suppose that can be a suitable arrangement. I trust you understand the heavy responsibility that you will be undertaking. 

Hunter said nothing as he nodded. Despite his own doubts about his ability to raise a child, Hunter felt that there was no other option. He knew the scars Omega had. But he also knew that she trusts him. After that, Hunter walks out of the office and back into the waiting room where Omega and Mandalay were waiting. As Hunter takes a deep breath, he kneels to Omega. 

Hunter: Omega, we've....we've decided to let you stay with us back at the base. 

Omega: Am I....am I going to be a a burden?

Hunter: No, Omega. You're never going to be a burden. We're going to give you a home. We'll give you the live you deserve. 

Mandalay: And if you need any help, the Pussycats and I will be more than happy to help you. 

As Hunter and Mandalay said this, Omega was in tears. She hugged both Hunter and Mandalay as if they were her parents. In that moment, Hunter had accepted the heavy responsibility of looking after Omega. Despite the dangers of his job as a Pro Hero and his own doubts about his ability to look after her, Hunter would do everything in his power to give Omega the life she deserved.