Colors in the Dark

[39] Community

The world we live in... it has a dark side that many turn a blind eye to. Only those involved see it for its ugly, lonely truth. A lucky few get away unscathed while the others are forced into that inescapable cycle of fear and abuse; the power they're born with treated like a disorder that must be hidden rather than trained. But that's not just it. Growing up forced to hide your true ability, with the slightest touch able to send it spiraling over the edge, the host being lost to their own lack of control.

Society hates us. We're less than those who are quirkless; we're dangerous and without a purpose. We can't help but learn to hate the adults that shun us from the world, the ones that make the laws to seal our powers away. Orphans are just kids after all; we learn to take shelter in one another when the world makes it clear we aren't welcome. So even when shown the tiniest bit of kindness, we lash out in fear. but we can't help it. The adults made us this way, blaming us when they're the reasons we're slaves to our quirks. At least, that's how I and many others grew up.

My name is Ayami; you might know me by my Hero Name: Guardian, or the so-called Guardian Angel, Hero of Heroes. I was enrolled in UA High School to prove that orphans could do great things just like anyone. I came to realize some of those I was raised with- abused with, escaped with- have chosen the same path, and others still are making names for themselves in other ways, working from the background. We share a goal- defeating evil, bringing justice, and spreading truth- and are actively working at all times to make that dream a reality.

You might say our home lives as young kids were terrible, dishonorable... and you're right. But we rise above our pasts and reach for the sky and beyond. We're rising up higher than we were told we ever could by tenfold, proving all those who tried to cut us down that we're not going to stand for their evil. We may be orphans, freaks, outcasts... but we're working to change the world for the better, and we won't stop until everyone is treated as a human being before anything else!

Ayami was woken to a message: get dressed and go to the first floor for an important class meeting. She did so quickly and efficiently, leaving her room in her signature purple tee, worn jeans, and tall stockings with her hair and teeth brushed.

She took the elevator down from the fifth floor, walking to join her other classmates. Aizawa was there waiting, and once everyone was there, he explained why they had gathered. Apparently, a journalist was coming to observe them to do some sort of article on 1-A for the newspaper, much to some of the students' excitement. However, their homeroom teacher quickly shut them up.

"It's nothing too exciting. The article's about how you're settling in, adjusting to dorm life, that kind of stuff," He elaborated. "Principal Nezu thought it would be a good idea. This'll show your parents and guardians that you're happy here; maybe set a few minds at ease..." Mineta began to drool, muttering about the journalist he assumed was a girl, making the mistake in doing so in front of Aizawa. In perfect unison with a rage-filled Erasure glare, he was tied up in the teacher's scarf, thrashing helplessly like a de-earthed worm. "...I expect you all to be on your best behavior today."

I don't have any parents or guardians to report to, and I already know I'm settling in nicely to the dorms, but getting first-hand experience with someone from the press will be good for when we're Pros and have to deal with them all the time. Mr. Aizawa had the right idea, becoming an underground hero...

"Don't worry on my account, Mr. Aizawa," a masculine voice reassured as an easygoing-looking wavy-black-haired guy strolled in, the lens of his camera and glasses glinting together in the light filtering in through the windows. "I want to get a feel for what dorm life is really like, so there's no need for them to act any differently than normal."