A Machine's Purgatory

SAILING INTERNSHIPS: CALL TO ACTION

The media was strange. Back home, the news only talked about the war, so seeing hundreds of articles dedicated to V1 and its relationship with kids was not normal to the machine. Nice, but different. With school almost out for the day and with nothing else to do, V1 scrolled through social media to see the popular opinions surrounding itself. Ignoring the remarks of "doom scrolling" from its co-workers, V1 skimmed through different, strange headlines.

"Everything you need to know about V1, UA's newest staff member"
"Can we find out V1's real gender?"
"V1- UA's biggest gamble yet"

Trending hashtags weren't any better.

Strange that searching for #V1 only shows them at the #UASportsFestival...
I don't care what any says, #V1 has the best hero costume!
I don't get why everyone's talking about #V1, cause #AllMightsNumber1

V1 wasn't thinking about the praise then, rather the scrolling was to distract it from something else: Iida. The normally eccentric and professional boy had become sluggish and somehow more over the top with his professionalism, but it was a change that only someone who knew (or watched in the machine's case) him would notice. It was expected given the state of his brother Ingenium crippled to near-death and forced to retire, but there was something else in his eyes. Iida held the heed for revenge, and V1 couldn't tell if he would stop at the arrest of his brother's assailant. Combined with accepting an internship with low-ranked hero Manual, V1 knew there was an ulterior motive.

To slay the hero killer would be a tall task for any pro, let alone a hero student; V1 already knew what Iida's fate would entail should he find the hero killer on his own. If he didn't die, Iida would be crippled beyond repair and lose the chance to obtain his hero license, which V1 could not allow by any means. Yet Iida still needed an internship, and perhaps could use the hero killer as a learning opportunity... A meeting with Nezu would help V1 decide what to do. Before leaving, V1 spoke to the terminal.

"I need any information you can find about the Hero Killer. I will most likely be going on a hunt in three days."

It was around lunch, meaning the halls were crowded with students, not that V1 particularly minded. The closer it can get to student life, the more secure the school may become. Passing by the cafeteria (and returning a wave Midoriya sent its way) V1 arrived at Nezu's office, and before it could knock on the door, the voice of Nezu chimed with a 'Come in!' Entering the office, Nezu was seated at his desk, filling out paperwork with a smile on his face.

"I hope I'm not interrupting anything, but I do wish to talk to you regarding a situation in Hosu."

"Ah yes, the Hero Killer. I heard you discussing about him with your terminal friend so I must ask, why do you wish to be involved in their capture?"

V1 stood at the other end of the desk, placing its hands on the back of one of the chairs for guests.

"For two reasons. The Hero Killer has now killed seventeen heroes and put another in forced retirement. I normally wouldn't bat my eye if the only survivor was Ingenium, however since it is I view this as a threat towards Iida."

Nezu furrowed his brows, his smile still on display while he thought.

"I understand, however it wouldn't be wise to send you out given the media blowing up over us revealing you at the sports festival, plus there are many heroes who have started searching for the hero killer now." Nezu rests his paws on top of his desk, looking back up to V1. "Why don't you tell me your other reason?"

V1 remains motionless, the gentle sway every living thing endures absent.

"They may be searching, but for all the wrong reasons and in the wrong places. Heroes such as Endeavor are patrolling the streets of Hosu from mid-afternoon to dusk, not during the night, while the Hero Killer has only struck at night in alleyways. All their doing by patrolling is getting attention and putting civilian's minds at ease."

Nezu's smile faltered an instant before setting itself back immediately and he looked down at his desk, which V1 took as a sign that its persuasion was working. After a quiet few seconds, Nezu looked back at the machine.

"I'll authorize you to go on one condition. Open that file cabinet and grab the set of papers at the very back."

Looking at the metal box Nezu pointed at, V1 grabbed the handle and slid it out, grabbing a set of papers stapled together at the very back.

"I have connections with the hero commission. Though you were supposed to do this later, I suppose now would be a good time to get your provisional hero license. Fill out that paperwork and return it to me at the end of the day, I'll get your picture and put in a good word, and you should have your license by tomorrow."

V1 flipped through the packet on its way out, finding out it's more of a quiz than paperwork. Stepping towards its desk and sitting next to the terminal, which was still gathering information on the Hero Killer, and got to work on the packet.

Wow, what a long chapter drought. Expect long update times like this, school is back in session and it steals all the creative juice I use to write. I was only able to make this chapter because I had a sub in my last class, and it's less than a thousand words so I don't feel like I've put my best out there. Probably the most frustrating part about that is that I have this whole fic planned out in my mind, start to end, but I just can't bring myself to put pen to paper after a long day. I think a lot of people can sympathize.

That's all I've got, see you in 1,000 years.

(This part of the A/N is only here on Wattpad, but I'll be cutting down the amount of music used to make certain chapters more important, k?