The Moonlight Hero

Chapter Two: Thunder and Lightning

Two days later, Tokyo Ruins...

Me and the Grandmaster reached the center of the rubble that once was the southern quarter of the city of Tokyo. This was the place my parents had died in, the entire part of the city destroyed by the most dangerous person in the world. 

"Mr. Grandmaster, what are we doing here?" I asked nervously. It was like I could feel the sins of the murderer on my back. He waved me off. "Please, call me Subaru. We are here for your training, of course. The rubble mixed with the overgrown nature of this once great city makes this a great training ground," the Grandmaster said. I stayed silent, listening to my surroundings, and taking in the tragic scenery.

"Grand - I mean, Subaru..." I trailed off as I realized that he was no longer next to me. I was alone in the center of this apocalyptic city. I heard rustling from behind me. Whipped around to feel a surge of yellow electricity hit me in the chest. I flew backwards and hit a piece of cement. I immediately got up and sank into a defensive position. My attacker was standing across from me. He wore white robes, with a white scarf that trailed in the air behind him. Yellow electricity bounced across his body. I ran towards him, fist clenched, but still protecting myself. He lunged forward, fist outstretched. Our fists met in the middle, and it sent a shockwave throughout the entire training ground. We both flew backwards. I could hear whispering from boys and girls alike. I wondered if it was the spirits of the dead speaking to me. But, when I got up, I could see dozens of people sitting among the rubble. Countless different abilities. I could see Subaru talking to my attacker, who was sitting on the rubble. They concluded their conversation and Subaru stepped towards the middle of the clearing.

"Boys, girls, I'd like you to welcome Artemis Izuku, our newest member. Please, don't be rude to him. After all, he's just manifested his powers today," Subaru yelled to the crowd of teenagers. He turned to me. "Come, let me explain what this place is," he said. Subaru walked off towards a half destroyed office building, and I followed suit. I could hear the others whispering about me. I wondered if I'd done something wrong? When we entered the building, a large elevator in beaten up shape was in front of us. Subaru stepped on and beckoned me forward. I complied, and the elevator began its descent.

The scene that lay beyond us after the elevator stopped was incredible. A vast room, with apartments lining the walls, at least five stories high, a large grass field and a huge fountain in the center. The lavish supports at the roof of the room were massive, coated with a weathered bronze finish. A huge banner hung from the top of the room, dark blue with gold accents and a silver phoenix in the center. Several lights also hung from the ceiling, lighting up the massive room. There were staircases on three sides of the room, going under the apartments. The remaining side was where the elevator descended. Finally, we reached the bottom.

We walked across the room, which had even more people in it than outside, and Subaru pressed a button on the wall. A passageway opened, just large enough for him and I to fit through. It took us to a very large office, with a huge cylindrical aquarium in the center. I watched as the hundreds of fish, small and large, swam around their large habitat. Subaru cleared his throat, and I resumed following him. We stopped at the edge of the room, which was cylindrical as well. Full bookshelves lined the walls, and in the middle of the farthest wall was a large fireplace. There were two armchairs and a large stone coffee table in between. Subaru sat in one chair, and beckoned me to sit down as well. I obliged.

"I'm sure you are wondering what this place is, and why people were whispering about you," Subaru said. I nodded. Subaru lifted his hand, and a glass of sakura cola appeared in his hand. A glass of green tea appeared on the coffee table, and I picked it up. I wondered if he'd asked my previous teacher my preferences.

"I built this place when I manifested my powers," Subaru said, "I made this place so that people with powers could live in peace rather than being detained by the police. I also made this place so that others could train and control their powers. This is a full blown town now. I've trained adults, who now work a normal job, or maybe in our own shopping district. Some have left and have turned into vigilantes, saving people from those who use their powers for evil." 

I sat silently, sipping on my tea. A question then came across my mind.

"Subaru, what is your power?" I asked. Subaru's brow furrowed. He set his glass on the table. "I have the ability to control time," he replied, "But, as with all powers, there is a setback. I can only partially freeze time and use it to help me think faster. I cannot see the future or travel into the past. That is beyond me. The reason I say partially is because time still moves, just extremely slow. The most I've ever been able to do is slow a second down to a day." I nodded in awe. "Isn't that powerful?" I asked. Subaru nodded. "But only when you have good stamina. The longer I freeze time for the more exhausted I get," Subaru replied. I stayed silent again.

"Why were the others whispering? Did I do something wrong?" I asked. Subaru shook his head. "They were whispering because no one else here has a skill like what you pulled off," he replied. I cocked my head, confused. "What did I do?" I asked. 

"You were hit by a very strong attack and got back up, for one," Subaru replied, "Secondly, when your punches met, yellow wasn't the only color of electricity that formed. Just like how his arm was sparking with yellow bolts, your's was sparking with black bolts." I spat my tea out. "So I can use electricity as well?" I asked, wiping up the mess. Subaru shook his head. "No. I think that you are able to copy other people's powers or moves. Tell me, when you were sparring with your teacher, did he ever try the moves he used in the championship on you? And did they connect?" Subaru asked. I thought for a moment. "I think so. It was when I watched it live. The next day, I asked him to try it. I wanted to see if I could block it. But I couldn't," I replied. 

Subaru sighed. "So there's the drawback. You can copy any attack, but you have to be hit by it first," Subaru replied. I was stunned. I looked at my hand, and focused on my arm. Black electricity sparked alone my arm. I stood and focused on my entire body. It sparked for a moment, and then disappeared. Subaru stood. "It looks like your body can't take the power yet. If you can tone down the energy, you may be able to use it. Your room is #451. Everyone has a roommate, and that includes you. I suggest you go there and meet your new roommate. Your belongings are already in the room." I nodded and Subaru showed me out.