The sun's rays poured in from beyond the curtains as Melissa lay in her bed. She wasn't under the covers, she was still in her dress as she looked around. She was exhausted, in pain, but she hadn't slept at all the previous night, her mind still running fast.
Her room was empty and cold. She kept closing her eyes, hoping for it to have all been a bad dream but the bloodstains at the hem of her dress kept reminding her that it wasn't.
She heard Uncle Might's voice through the walls, talking to someone on the phone. Too distant to make out, but still here with her.
She peeled herself out of the bed, hearing Uncle Might's thudding footsteps downstairs and forced herself to leave the mattress towards the bathroom. Dredging up the energy to wash and change, she at least attempted to look even mildly put together again.
The shower ran hot, almost scalding and it was enough to push away the weariness at least for a time before she finally pulled herself out of her room with a fresh change of clothes, the bloodstained dress still in the bathroom. She wasn't sure if she should throw it out, burn it, or keep it for... evidence...
She walked down the hall of the luxury penthouse that was her home, descending the stairs and moving towards the kitchen. There, standing before her was All Might, dressed in a white shirt, dark cargo pants, and a big blue apron across his titanic body.
He turned at the sound of her footsteps, a small, subdued smile on his face that kinda said everything that needed to be said.
"Good morning my girl."
She wasn't sure what was so good about it... but that wasn't his fault.
"Hey Uncle Might…" She said softly. All Might set the tongs down and wiped his hands as he walked to the side and opened the window a tad, turning down the heat on the skillet.
He turned and walked closer to her, one giant paw resting over her shoulder. "Are you doing ok?"
Melissa was silent, looking down before staring at the ground. She slumped, sitting on the seat. "What time did you get home last night?" She asked. She must've fallen asleep at least a little bit then. She didn't remember hearing him arrive. Or maybe she'd just been too lost in her own head.
"Late. I came after Young Midoriya and the others were on their way to the hospital. I still had business to do afterwards as well…"
"Are they ok?" Melissa looked up. "Izuku, Shoto, and the others?"
"They'll be alright." All Might's smile seemed to widen a little. "They'll be heading back to Japan soon. Light injuries... err... for the most part." The girl felt a little relief.
"I see…"
Melissa looked to the side, seeing a photo of her and her father on the mantle. And some of her when she was young, when Mom was alive…
"All Might…" She asked, sitting at the dinner table chair. "You spoke to dad… last night, right? Did… did he say… why he did what he did?"
All Might looked down at her, the customary smile nowhere to be seen as he frowned solemnly.
"I mean… how… how could he…" Melissa's hands went to her face, and she began to let out sobs. She felt a big paw on her shoulder before being drawn into a gentle embrace.
"I know Melissa… I've been up all night pondering that myself…" All Might whispered as his strong arms sought to comfort her. "He cared too much for science and progress… he cared so much for his own goal that he forgot what mattered most."
She looked up, eyes red with tears. "Why? Why would he throw everything away like this!? For what?"
All Might released his hug on her, his dark blue eyes like stars in a dark void. She saw them move, as if she was seeing the gears in his head struggle to translate what he wanted to say.
All Might let out a sigh. A long sigh, as if he didn't look like the world's greatest hero, but someone who looked… tired.
"There's something I need to show you." He said, and there was a gravity to his voice and look she'd never seen before. It set her on edge. "Your father knew. I think it might help... make things clear."
"What?" She asked.
All Might shook his head. "Soon. For now, you need to eat. And I need to finalize the legalities."
"Legalities?"
He nodded. "As of-" He looked at his wristwatch. "Seventeen minutes from now once it's notarized and mailed, I will be your legal guardian. You'll be coming with me to Japan. Until we can settle your father's... trial. Then we can… sort out your living situation."
The words seemed to choke her uncle, and they felt like a sledgehammer to the gut on her end if she was being honest.
She sniffed, wiping her eyes. "Yeah... I understand."
"I'll tell you everything soon."
She nodded. Too tired to argue, and even if she weren't, it was Uncle Might. If he said he'd tell her... he'd tell her.
Though she had to wonder what he would tell her that needed this much secrecy. Uncle Might hated secrets.
"Alright… we have to keep your strength up!" He said, patting her shoulder. "Let's get some breakfast in you."
(X)
The trip to the plane was a less than enjoyable affair. Young Midoriya was slightly surprised to hear that Melissa was on board, but that was hardly something that he needed to account for. A ton of space was available, most of it going to waste in the private jet, so everyone would be able to keep to themselves if they needed it.
Four hours into the trip, Toshinori might've thought that wasn't for the best.
Young Midoriya had also given him the heads-up that young Parker was safe and sound with his companion aboard the private jet of the Yaoyorozu's, which put a small load off Yagi's shoulders.
Still, how on earth was this going to work? He was barely present at his house, much less the minimum required to help someone through a tough time.
Yet Melissa was just supposed to tough it out when Toshinori, inevitably, went over his time limit again? He could barely teach a class, much less hold out for long enough to have an hour to spare to make sure she was doing alright. And this was with him having under three hours available.
Hell, his limit was reaching around two hours and forty minutes now… He pushed it a lot the night of the attack around the end, what with the interviews and handling the villain situation in the aftermath.
Was he just supposed to let her deal with it? Everyone in the country was depending on him to be the Number One Hero, that duty was more important than one girl. He could do enough, he could make things work well enough, he'd gone through tougher fights.
Only… she hadn't.
All her life she'd been yearning to surpass her father, to become a great inventor and scientist. To create the best Support Gear to aid heroes in their goal for a stable, safe, and just society. She had it all planned out too. Now?
She was alone.
Well, Toshinori was an orphan too once upon a time. All it took was a hand reaching out to him.
He couldn't give her One for All, but he could do something.
Pushing off his seat, he moved with more purpose than he probably should be feeling. A thousand different conflicting worrying thoughts clashed in his mind as he walked to the door of Melissa's room.
If Nighteye were here, he would've spouted a dozen different reasons for why this was a bad idea.
Toshinori only needed one good reason to go through with it.
Two knocks on the door, and a shift in the light behind it was all the warning he got.
"Uncle Might?" Melissa spoke.
"Yes, it's me," Toshinori said, "Are you doing okay?"
"As well as I can," she said through the door.
So not well at all.
"You remember that I said there was something I needed to tell you? Ahh... if you're up for it my girl, I can do so now." Toshinori said.
God he hoped this helped.
Midoriya looked back from his seat, curious, intrigued, and a little surprised.
The door to the cabin creaked for a single moment before slowly sliding open. Melissa walked out, looking up at him, intrigued despite her weariness.
"There's something you need to know my girl. I... believe it may have contributed to your father's actions last night."
Now the weariness vanished, replaced by an earnest yearning to come across anything in the way of answers.
In the corner of his eye, Toshinori could see Midoriya, listening intently. The dots of what's happening are starting to add up for him, with his eyes widening.
He stopped, hesitating for a moment.
Then… he let go.
The steam left his body, as if his body was little more than a balloon that was trying to stay filled. He waited for it to clear and saw her squinting through the smoke; Melissa stared, eyes wide and jaw on the floor while Midoriya was muttering up a storm behind them.
And Toshinori, well, he was back to looking more like the half-baked parody of what the world saw as the Number One Hero. Melissa looked him up and down, mind whirling with the possibilities.
Melissa reached forward, finger gently touching the skinny frame that stood before her in oversized clothes. She flinched when her finger touched solid mass, letting everything sink in further and further.
"U-Uncle Might…" Melissa stammered, "What… what happened?"
"I was injured..." Toshinori answered, his voice softer and a far cry from the bombastic tone he normally portrayed, "Years ago now in a deadly fight. I kept it secret... but I've been slowly losing my power ever since dear girl. This..."
He looked down to the floor before shrugging. "Is the real me I suppose."
Her hand reached up, tears lining her eyes as her fingers cupped his cheek, disbelief rapidly being replaced by understanding. "Dad found out... that's why he wanted the quirk amplifier..."
He nodded. "I... believe he wanted it before he learned of this... but when he learned of it his decision was cemented."
The tears still glimmered in her eyes but didn't fall.
After a moment of quiet, Toshinori shifted and turned his eyes towards Midoriya. "My quirk is called One for All." He nodded towards the young man. "An aspect of it... is that it can be passed on."
She blinked. "Passed on?" She turned, rounding on the stiff looking Midoriya who sat there like a deer in the headlights.
"He gave it to you." It wasn't a question, more an affirmation.
Izuku blushed, looking down to his feet. "You... ahh, figured that out quick."
"I thought Uncle Might was helping you because you had similar quirks already. So when he said it you were kinda suspect one." She answered with as much of a smile as she could muster.
"He is my chosen successor." Toshinori nodded. Looking to the boy he smiled apologetically. "I'm sorry for not consulting with you young Midoriya, but... she will be living with me."
"N-nono." The teenager held up his hands placatingly. "It's ok I uhh... I kinda figured she would know eventually after you told me she'd be living with you."
Melissa turned her head from him to young Midoriya, her sharp mind working quickly. "I've never heard of a quirk that can be passed on." Then, her eyes widened, turning back towards Toshinori.
"But... wait if he has your power how can you-"
"Some remnants still remain within me... for now." He answered, predicting her question. "But even before I met young Midoriya and chose him, my power was indeed draining. It's faster now, but back then I could only hold my heroic form for four hours at most."
"And now?"
"A little less than three." He admitted.
Her eyes became grief-stricken before being filled with something he should perhaps get used to seeing...
Pity.
"Oh Uncle Might."
He reached forward, his hand grasping one of hers. "I know this is a lot to take in dear girl but, please understand, more than anything else, this must remain a secret. Until Young Midoriya is able to master One for All and take my place, the world must believe and trust in the Symbol of Peace. They need their Number One Hero."
She looked at him, something searching, halting. She nodded. "I understand."
He nodded. "Thank you my girl... if you're feeling up to it or if you have questions, ask them. You're as much a part of this now as either of us..."
(X)
Peter sat down on the seat, arm in a sling as he reached ahead with his good one. He winced a bit, but the meds were doing their job in numbing some of the pain.
He took his knight and moved it to the left, looking at his opponent to make her move.
Momo responded by moving her pawn.
"Someone hasn't played a lot of chess here, have they?" Karen spoke lightly in his ear, and Peter rolled his eyes.
"… by the way Momo," He said as he moved a pawn ahead. "Thanks for taking me and Mei."
"It's fine Peter. We are both heading for Narita so it makes sense. Either way, you're going to reunite with your guardian, right?"
"Should be, I texted her when I was taking off… We'll be landing in what, eight to nine hours?" Peter mused.
"Seven," cut in a voice, and Peter leaned his head up, seeing Mrs. Yaoyorozu walk into their cabin. Peter perked up and smiled.
"Heya Mrs. Yaoyorozu. Thanks for the last minute save!" Peter waved. The stoic auburn-haired woman didn't seem to so much as react.
"We had the room. " She replied in fine English. "Chess?"
"Umm, why yes Mother." Momo said, her mood tightening up. "I thought that we should try and take our minds off things."
Mrs. Yaoyorozu blinked, and Peter felt a chill in his spine as he saw her smirk a little. "Is that so?" Her tone shifted, her looking piqued and interested. "How is he?"
"I'm… new." Peter said.
"I see, well." She reached down, patting Momo on the head as the black-haired beauty seemed to stiffen at the contact, eyes wide in surprise. "You two… have fun, show him a thing or two, would you?" Mrs. Yaoyorozu commented as she turned around, stopping to gaze at the empty lounge chair. "I see your friend is not present. Bathroom?"
"Yeah."
Mrs. Yaoyorozu closed her eyes for a spell before focusing her hard obsidian pearl-like eyes onto the duo. "Hn. If you wish to watch TV, remotes should be under your seats. The TV units are above you. Or continue to play. You can read a lot of people in a game of chess, once they are of a certain level." She looked on at Peter. "Do whichever you like. The stewardess will come along with menus too, so eat up. It will be a long flight home."
Momo turned back. "Umm, Mother?" The woman stopped and turned her attention on her daughter. "So… why were you back here?" Mrs. Yaoyorozu had a flat expression on her face.
"It's my plane." She replied, and Momo puffed her cheeks out and looked away, looking bashful as the woman left to go into her cabin.
"I think your mom just wanted to see how we were doing."
"My mother is… unique." She said, looking to the side, then back to the board as she moved her queen out into the field.
"She looks a bit stiff, but she looked interested when she noticed you were playing chess." Peter said as he moved another pawn.
The door to the bathroom opened, bringing Peter's eyes over his shoulder to see Mei stepping out.
She looked tired, not a normal thing for the usually hyperactive pinkette.
"You ok?"
She turned her eyes to him and did her best to smile. "What'cha doin?" She asked, stepping forward, and Peter noted the lack of answer.
"Playing chess," Momo answered.
"Never got into it." She answered, "people think too slow."
Momo paused, turning and looking at the girl with a raised eyebrow as Mei made her way across the cabin to plop down on a lounge chair. "How many hours til we land?" She asked.
"Not until later tonight. If you wish to watch some TV, you can use the remote under the chair." Mei perked up at Momo's query, reaching down and rummaging around a bit. Momo moved another pawn out before looking at Peter. "Not for nothing Parker, but, how are you feeling? You look..." She paused, and Peter got the distinct impression she was trying to find a polite way of saying "You look like hell" but was having trouble.
Peter smiled sardonically and looked at his cast. "You know, just for... future reference, don't trust the first person who claims they're a fan of yours."
The black-haired beauty cocked an eyebrow. Before shaking her head, deciding it was best not to ask before proceeding to move her knight onto the field.
They played quietly for a moment before she spoke again. "There's something I wish to ask."
"Sure thing."
"Did you… text me by chance last night?" She asked.
"Oh shoot." Karen spoke in his earpiece, and Peter sucked in his lips, feeling a pit in his stomach.
"Ummm, why do you ask? I mean, we texted before the party and-"
"After All Might and Endeavor stopped the villain boss and ended the incident." Momo said softly. "It's been bugging me, since I got a text from you but All Might had your phone…" She brought out her phone, holding it up and showing the text message chain to him. "So… do you have like, two phones or something?" She asked. "I've only ever seen you use one and all…"
"This one's my fault. I just wanted to reassure her and texted her back." Karen said. Peter slumped in his seat and took a deep breath.
Peter swallowed, wondering how he might handle this before doing the mental equivalent of a shrug.
Secret was kinda out with Izuku, Melissa and the Todoroki's knowing... what was one more?
"Okay." He said, remembering his conversation with his friend from over a month ago. "Remember back in the train station? You know, before the internships when I said that I had a foreign guidance counselor named Karen?" Momo nodded. "Well… that's both true and… not so much. You see-"
The door to the cabin slid open, admitting a stewardess with a small cart. "Hello sir and madams, would you like anything to drink or eat?"
Peter grimaced, remembering that, at the moment it was indeed kinda more than just him and Momo on this plane and planes didn't exactly have thick walls. He offered the Stewardess a smile as she approached and looked to Momo. "I'll explain err... later. Ok?" He hoped she didn't press since it'd be awkward as hell to try and say no when she was giving him a free ride home, on her plane for apparently no real discernable reason as well.
Luckily, she didn't. She looked curious and was eyeing him more than a little strangely but she nodded. "Of course."
"Miss, would you like something?"
His eyes were drawn to Mei, who was sitting across from his side of the cabin, distracted and quiet.
"Mei?" He called.
The girl jumped where she sat, seemingly coming back into her own skin before realizing what was happening, her target eyes quickly whirring in their sockets as she zoomed in and focused on each of their faces. "Huh? Oh... uhh. Just water thanks."
Peter frowned, his worry for the girl increasing just a bit.
(X)
Later that night…
Yu paced about in the front terminal of Narita Airport, arms crossed as she looked up at the clock on the big holographic screen showing the arrival and departure times of various flights. It was well past ten in the evening.
Her phone buzzed and she reached her hand in her coat, pulling it out as she could hear a sudden summer rain start to come down outside.
'Look alive, here we come.' It was from Karen as Yu looked up, seeing a group walking down from an escalator.
Yu let out a sigh and walked up. She saw his state. The bandages around his head, his arm in a sling and the woman took a deep breath as she came up to Peter, embracing him.
"Hey Yu…" Peter muttered, hugging her as best as he could with one arm.
"How are you?" She asked, pulling away to have a better look at him.
"Well, I'm in one piece." He shrugged, looking at his suitcase being ferried along by fancy looking valets. There were two of them to be exact. Must have been with the Yaoyorozu's. "Can't say the same for the rental though…"
She blinked, brain stuttering for a moment. "You got caught in a terrorist attack and you're joking about the suit! I-Oooooooph!" Yu groaned out, not sure whether to bonk her ward upside the head or laugh. She only hugged him tighter. "You… stupid cow!"
"Sorry Yu, f-for making you worry." The joking tone in his voice disappeared for a moment.
"Should be…" Yu muttered under her breath, before separating and looking at him face to face. She let out a small smile. "You're going to be spending the night at U.A.'s Infirmary, Recovery Girl's on standby."
"Yeah, All Might told us before we left..." Peter yawned a bit. "I can go for a bit of a snooze myself…" He turned, and Yu followed his gaze.
Hatsume Mei, the crazy inventor girl Peter took with him as his plus one, was talking with her family. Her father had literal binoculars for eyes, and her mother also had pink hair as they embraced her.
"I believe these are Parker-san's bags?" The valet spok.
"Here, let me." Yu bent down, picking up the two and pulling the handles. She saw Peter reach for one with his good arm.
"Can still pull one." He said.
"Hey Peter!" "Peter-san." Said two voices as Peter turned, and the well-dressed black-haired Yaoyorozu Momo approached, as did the more casual looking Hatsume.
"So… you gonna get better soon yeah?" Hatsume inquired.
"Yeah," Peter smiled lightly. The targets in the girl's yellow eyes seemed to zoom, and the pinkette seemed to brighten up.
"Peter-san," Yaoyorozu got his attention and smiled lightly. "Keep in touch, I'd like to know how your recovery proceeds."
"Yeah um, we can talk later, about, the uhh." Yu followed his eyes, seeing the Yaoyorozu parents standing off to the side "The thing. Promise."
Yaoyorozu bowed towards the blonde and walked off, and Hatsume waved, before trotting over to her parents, leaving just the wall crawler and the giantess hero.
Yu had that grin back. "Sooo… You flew back with two pretty girls huh?" She asked.
"Yu, no." Peter sighed.
"Come on, I deserve a little story on your end on how the flight home went. Anything happen over your dozen hours in the air?"
"It was around seven hours actually… And I got my butt whooped in chess. Then we watched several movies too."
The two of them were walking, and Yu felt a semblance of ease in her. Peter was taking this all too well and in stride… Even though he was in a villain attack not even twenty-four hours ago.
Then Yu remembered… Peter had faced worse. Suffered worse. She sighed as they exited the terminal and went over the crosswalk, heading towards the giant parking garage where she was parked.
She pushed the thoughts aside "You still gotta tell me. Like, what stuff ya did with them." Yu mused as they got to her car.
"Well, we did go to Tecca Mecanica and-"
(X)
"MMMMMMMM-Mwah!" Recovery Girl's lips popped as Izuku's form glowed for a moment, then the boy slumped in his bed and the smaller woman stepped aside.
"He should be better by morning Toshinori." she said, before she turned on the muscular titan of a man. All Might winced at the sight, something that Melissa as she stood by the doorway quirked an eyebrow at. "And you need to get it through this boy's skull that he needs to stop breaking his bones…" She paused, and Melissa felt her eyes upon him as the girl raised her hand.
"I-I know about the thing." She spoke in Japanese. "You know… Musketeer." Melissa smiled bashfully, hoping to keep the fact that her codeword for All Might and Izuku's quirk would pass. Thankfully, Peter got his kiss and his guardian took him home to sleep and recover, as he was able to remain awake even after the stamina-draining kiss, according to the little old nurse. And the Todorokis were in another room healing up, based on the dim lights in the room they slept in.
It seemed the top healing hero in Japan caught on as she looked back at All Might, her silence pointed enough to carry the question.
"She's going to be living with me. I am her Godfather…" All Might shrugged, and the old woman seemed to understand.
"Fair enough." She said, giving a light yawn herself. "Guess I'm gonna have to rest these old bones here overnight it seems… I don't do late night calls like this often All Might, so be grateful."
"And I am!" All Might bowed at a ninety-degree angle, hands clasped in front in gratitude. "Thank you so much again for granting my request to heal my students!"
"Mmmnn… I'm gonna go to the office and doze off… you know the code to lock up the front door on your way out." She grumbled, walking past as she used her cane. Melissa saw her stop in front, and look up at her with sympathetic eyes. "For what it's worth Shield-san, I am sorry for what happened…"
"It's… fine…" Melissa had a hand on her arm, grasping it and looking away. She'd dozed off on the plane, but she was feeling the jet lag big time. She turned, eyes finding the sleeping Izuku. Specifically his hands covered in bandages.
She felt All Might's big paw on her shoulder, then the steam that came from it as she looked up, seeing that warm skeletal smile of her Uncle Might, now in a much baggier suit.
"Come on," He said in his tired voice. "Let's head home." Melissa looked back, again seeing Izuku's hands.
As she walked away from the infirmary and the robot nurses wheeled about to close the door, she could see the photos along the wall of U.A. Alumni who made it as heroes. Endeavor. Edgeshot. Gang Orca. Mirko. Midnight. Mt. Lady.
And All Might himself.
Melissa got her phone out and tapped a button. A pen popped up as she got to her blueprint App and began to write.
"Writing something?" Uncle Might asked as they got to the elevator. His voice was so different, and yet... not. It was strange.
"Just an outline of ideas," she answered.
Start with ideas, anything that came to mind. Then by process of elimination, delete them and leave the remaining ones that best match the hero in mind for the Support Gear. The hero being in question sleeping in the room behind her.
(X)
"So, let me get this straight."
"You've tried getting it straight for the past ten minutes," Peter grumbled, drowsy.
Yu, of course, ignored him, as was her duty as the nosey guardian.
"You had more than seven hours to throw some moves on a girl, two girls if I'm not mistaken, and you didn't take the opportunity?" Yu asked curiously. "Two girls, who clearly are friendly with you. One whom you hang out at lunch most of the time, the other being the girl you sit next too, and they look pretty decent for their age too."
"First off, Momo was helping me and Mei out," Peter clarified, "Since when is it a good idea to try and 'throw some moves' in that kind of situation?"
Yu blinked once.
"Oh, you're serious."
Peter glared flatly at her.
"Yeah. I am. Also, her parents were in the next room. Finally, Momo's mom… looks scary. Not to mention she owns the plane."
"Oh please. How scary could she be!?" Yu demanded as she pushed open the door to their home. "She looked like she needed a nap from that long flight is all!"
"You didn't spend up to eight hours with her in an enclosed space several thousand feet in the air."
The apartment was cool, and only a little more messy than it had been when he left.
Peter seemed to sigh.
"You have to be tired after Recovery Girl smooched ya, so get to bed." The woman yawned a bit as she pulled away, turning on only the kitchen light as to better navigate the dark flat. "We both need it…" She said, walking back to close the door and lock it. Peter smiled softly and turned back into his bedroom, and began to shed off some of his clothes with his good arm. He could feel the drain on his stamina, his eyes heavy as he reached his hand up to pull off his earpiece. He'd shower and clean up in the morning...
"Peter, you have an email." Karen spoke in his ear, making the boy perk up.
"'Bout what?" Peter yawned, tossing his shirt aside as he began to kicked off his sneakers.
"It seems to be an email from your teacher, Mr. Aizawa."
Peter paid no mind, going to put on his pajama shirt. "Is he checking in on us?"
"Read for yourself…"
Peter flipped open his phone, scrolling to the email in question.
The title was simple: 'We need to talk'. Peter opened it...
'I wish to speak to you and your guardian, Mt. Lady, sometime before the Summer Camp.
Aizawa'