Everything - An MHA Story

Chapter 1: Freedom

I was tired. Tired of running. Tired of the noise my bare feet make as they hit the wet pavement. Tired of the strained wheezing that escapes my throat. Tired of the smell of dark alleyways and garbage bins. Tired of looking over my shoulder, and needing to get up and go at the slightest noise that could be him. My clothes, tattered rags and covered in blood, are my only possession and protection as I stumbled around. I could feel his cold laugh creating shivers down my spine everytime I close my eyes. My whole life was spent under his fist, and I never want to go back.

I open my eyes suddenly, realizing I had fallen asleep behind a dumpster. Peeking at the light coming in from the sky, I groan as I sit up and cover my eyes. I guess it was mid day based on the sun's rays beating down from above me. I scratch under my rags, avoiding the sensitive areas and stand up. I start trudging again, feeling the familiar sensation of blisters popping on my feet.

As I look around, I realize I've made it out of the city finally and away from him. I'm walking along a cliffside road, these big metal... things with wheels passing by every now and then. I see people in them, but they never even glance my way. I sigh, keeping my hand on the metal railing to keep from falling to my knees in the gravel. I only kind of knew where I was going. I asked someone for directions to the hero school, UA high. I heard from him that the only thing he feared was at that place, so I had to go. I would be safe there.

I feel something. Behind me is something cold. I look over my shoulder and see another metal thing, this one sleek, small, not really noticeable but faster than the others. I looked in the front window and froze, my heart almost breaking in my chest. I'd rather die than go back. I turn to the railing and tentatively climb over it, grasping it tightly as I stare down the cliff. Glancing behind me, I watch for a moment as the thing comes closer. I turn back to the cliff edge, breath hitching as I make my decision. I probably won't make it, but it's my best chance. I close my eyes and let go of the railing, allowing my body to pitch forward and free fall.

I scream as I feel the wind whipping past me. My clothes crinkle with my blood, beating and scratching at my skin. Then I feel nothingness. I was finally at peace, safe and comfortable inside the nothing. I slowly blink my eyes and see white all over. Glancing around, I noticed a man. He had a soft face, with a long brown beard. He smiled softly, creating a kind aura. His eyes were a deep brown, and I noticed smile lines around them. He had a round figure, but he looked welcoming. He wore simple clothes, those of old japan. A green kimono laced with what looked like pure gold. He had a helm in his hands. Gold, with a white plume on top. Then I felt something solid under my feet as I softly land on the floor, he gestured towards me, motioning me to him.

I took a step, but noticed no pain from my feet. I looked down as I continued to step towards him, and noticed there was nothing beneath my feet. I shook my head and continued forward. I stopped in front of him. I felt the need to grovel, so I got on my knees and let my head drop to the floor. That's when the man began laughing. A deep, hearty noise that burst from his chest. I slowly raise my head, looking at the man as confusion and curiosity fill my face and eyes.

He looks at me, sympathy and sorrow in his eyes. The look he was giving me betrayed his laugh minutes before. He looks down on me as if wanting to intimidate me but failing. I grew to know when people are bad. I school my features, giving him a dead stare, waiting for him to say something, anything, to explain this place. He clears his throat and speaks, his voice like dry, dying grass and falling leaves.

"Child, your whole life you have suffered. So I am here to give you a choice." He speaks slowly. He holds out his hands, with 2 different things in each palm. In one hand, he shows me plummeting down the mountain to my death. In the other, he holds a thin piece of glass, seemingly very fragile. I look up at him, confused about it. He laughs at my reaction. "Just choose, young one. Your fate is in your hands." I didn't necessarily want to die, so I reached for the piece of glass. The second I touched it, I felt this immense warmth in my chest. I began to fall through where I was standing, and I heard one last thing before I fell into the abyss. "Use it wisely, champion."

Everything was black. I felt the wind pick up again, and my clothes got swept by it. The world reappeared, I was falling to my death, with only seconds to react. Words came to my mind, that I've never heard nor used.

"One Piece, Gum Gum Fruit!" I cried out quickly, curling my body into a ball. I quickly anticipated the stabbing feeling of the rocks from the cliff wall, but as I crashed into the rocks, I felt myself spring back off. I bounced off? It was as if I was... rubber. As I reached the forest floor, I tried to stand but instead I fell down into the grass, just a couple miles away from the Musutafu ward.

I attempted to stand again but almost immediately fell back down, darkness creeping into the corners of my vision. I gripped the glass in my hands, bringing it to my chest and not daring to let go. Before I knew it, my eyes fluttered closed and I was walking in a dream. In my dream, I saw a scarred man drawing back his arm as if preparing to punch someone. Another man in orange bringing his clasped fists up. Then a boy biting his hand being surrounded by a blinding light. There was a boy in all black striking with a heavy black sword. I saw a boy in all orange and black, arguing with another who had red and purple eyes. Then finally a boy with white hair and red tails coming out of his back.

I shot up, sweat rolling down my neck. I looked around me, realizing I'm still in the forest. He must have assumed I died.

'Good'. That was the one word racing through my mind as the adrenaline started to wear off and a wave of pain crashed through me and started to intensify only for me to realise that I had a couple of broken ribs. I winced and stood up. 'It's not safe here...' I thought, looking around me.

I wandered the woods for days, scavenging relentlessly for berries and edible plants. At last, I found the edge of the forest. I saw on top of a hill, less than a mile away, was my safe haven. I ran as fast as my frail legs could take me, running towards what would hopefully be my new home. I stumbled up the hill, exhausted from the journey it took me to escape and get here. I was panting, sweating off the little bit of fat I had left.

I reached the gate, and felt my reserve of energy give out, depleting. I fell over, my head falling into the grounds of UA. I hear clicks and whirs, and the noise of something rushing towards my limp body, aimed above my neck. I didn't know what was going on till I heard the crunching of metal and a familiar phrase I've heard on his T.V. in the other room.

"Fear not, citizen. I am here!" Then everything went dark.