Acceptance
Amos’s POV
Combat practice is ruff today, but I’ll never let them know that. I’m the top student here. What would they think if I said something was hard for me? Heroes fight through the pain all the time.
Just breath. Smile. Show no weakness. You aren’t weak. You’ll be an excellent hero one day.
Just as I was controlling my breathing, Romer came at me. Just before he threw a punch, he jumped into a backflip and landed behind me. He was too fast. He rapidly turned and smacked me in the back with his tail.
ROMER YUNG
QUIRK: COMODO DRAGON
“HE CAN DO EVERYTHING A KOMODO DRAGON CAN: FROM HIS LONG TAIL TO THE TIP OF HIS TEETH, AND EVEN TO THE POISON HE EXCREETS. HIS TAIL IS A POWERFUL MUSCLE HE CAN USE FOR BALANCE OR COMBAT, HE CAN ALSO USE HIS TEETH TO INJECT POISON INTO ENEMIES.”
“AFFILIATION: NONE”
“AGE: 14” ; “BIRTHDAY: UNKNOWN”
“HEIGHT: 150 CM” ; “BLOOD TYPE: A-”
“LIKES: CHOCOLATE COVERED CRICKETS”
I fell, feeling the air leave my lungs. As I quickly gasp for air, I morph my arms and legs. I can feel my muscles expand and fur grow. Romer’s eyes widen as he looks at me. With my newly formed tiger limbs, I launch myself at him and pin him on his back. I can feel his tail trying to push me off and finally grow limp. I smirk. I know I’ve won. I knew I would.
But he landed a powerful hit. I should have been faster. I need to work on quicker transformations and I need to transform into faster animals. I need to be the best.
I scowl, and he gives me a worried look. I finally get off him and he releases the breath he was holding in, relief washes over him. I chuckle.
Good. He should fear my power.
“ ALRIGHT BOYS! And girl.” The instructor called out. He gave a friendly smile to the girl.
She was the only girl that had signed up for the combat class. She’s the only girl that had guts at this school. Well, she and Luz…
I mentally slap myself. Why would I waste any time thinking about that reject? What a joke. The only reason she wasn’t in the after-school program was because of her defect. When she had manifested her quirk her body never changed or adapted to her quirk. Her pain tolerance was low unlike the rest of us who have quirks, and yet she couldn’t stop working to be a hero.
Why am I thinking of her?
A wave of anger washes over me. I’ve stopped listening to the instructor and started to scold myself. When we were younger, we were best friends. Our parents worked in the same hospital and we spent all day together at daycare.
When I manifested my quirk, my parents told me I couldn’t be a disappointment. There was a reason they were together. Me; the perfect child. I had to become someone big. I had to make a name for myself. I couldn’t waste time on worthless activities. Luz is weak. I can’t hang out with Luz.
I remember when she finally manifested her quirk a year later I was excited. If she wasn’t weak anymore, we could be friends again, but Luz’s power wasn’t what I expected. All she could do was produce light.
I scoff. Luz. Light. Her power fits her personality.
Why am I thinking of her? I have no time for weaklings like her. I need to focus on my achievements, not friends. Friends….
“-mos! AMOS!” The instructor yelled at me.
“Yes sir?” I responded letting my annoyed tone be heard. The instructor rolled his eyes and continued to speak.
“Alright, so that’s all for today. If you need to be checked out, go to the infirmary. If not you are free to leave.” He finally stopped talking and turned around to leave.
I bid my sour goodbyes to the rest of those secondary characters and walked out. They were below me so why bother hanging around.
I went into the locker room and began to change taking a moment to admire my arms and core in one of the mirrors. I was finally beginning to bulk up. My biceps were by far showing the most progress and there was a faint definition of the 6 pack that was beginning to show on my stomach.
I’ll have to work out more if I want to be stronger.
In Combat Corse, I was the strongest student showing clear talent. Today, Romer landed a hit that knocked the wind out of me. That couldn’t happen again.
I switched out of my sweaty clothes and put my uniform back on.
As I exit the locker rooms and leave campus, I feel the warmth of the sun on my skin as it starts its descent into the horizon. It doesn’t burn, it’s a satisfying feeling. I shake those thoughts from my head and begin to walk in the direction of home.
Mother and father have always worked hard. They made more than enough money for all of us to live comfortably. Last summer, my old man made questionable money investments and now we live in a condo near the riverfront by the docks. Usually, a place like that would cost a fortune, but our condo was located near the import area in Mito, Japan. This place sucks and I often have to walk through the warehouse district. It often reeks of fish and rust because of the nearby fish market.
I began to remember we moved, how hard it was to deal with, thankfully it didn’t last long. I was pulled from my thoughts as one of the manholes in front of me flew up. I froze until I saw someone poke out. I hid behind one of the buildings in the street and watched as he argued with someone.
“Shut up! If we didn’t get out of there, WE would have been toast as well. No one said The Horned Owl would be in town. She’s supposed to be in Tokyo, What the hell is she doing in Mito!?” - He snarled at them.
A guy with goggles continued arguing. He pulled 3 men, and 2 women out of the manhole. Then they scurried off into one of the empty warehouses. I wasn’t sure if I should follow them; before I knew it I was at the entrance of the warehouse hiding behind empty boxes.
“Boss was captured! What do you think she’ll do to us when she realizes we booked it…”- They all tensed up, but didn’t answer.
“Omg she's going to kill us, isn't she?! Just like she killed Xavier!”
I took that as my cue to leave. As I was leaving I turned into some old paint cans that were behind me, the loud noise echoed in the empty warehouse. I froze.
Shit-shit-shit-shit-shit
Before I could leave, my body stopped moving. My body began to float, and I was pulled deeper into the bowels of the warehouse. I turned my head. I saw 4 of them walk towards the woman who was at the center of the group. Her hand was stretched out towards me. Her quirk must have something to do with this. I felt fear grow inside me.
Just before I reach the lady, I’ll transform my hands and incapacitate her.
The tiger limbs were my best option, I’ve trained more with them and I’ll be stronger. I felt the pull on my body loosen and I began to float down, but my feet never touched the ground. I only felt the pressure build around me. She stood before me, a crooked smirk sat on her face. Bloodlust in her eyes.
“ Well, look what we have here.”- She pulled on my collar and got closer. Her breath reeked of smoke and her teeth were a light shade of yellow.
“Looks like we have another one of those aspiring heroes! He’s wearing the same uniform the other girl was wearing.”- Her smirk faded into a scowl.
“My school uniform? What did you do!? Did you hurt one of my peers? I’ll make you pay for that!”- I felt rage further fuel me as I struggled with an invisible force.
“You don’t look very strong. Otherwise, you would have been able to break from my telekinesis. Your quirk must be a transforming type. I guess our fun with you will be short, boy.”- She chuckled and flicked my forehead.
I was done. I made my fur and claws form and I lunged at them. I freed myself from her grasp and swiped my paw at her, but it never reached her face. Instead, my paw was met with a wall. She gave me a smirk through the transparent wall. One of the other villains had stepped forward.
“Now what kind of man would you be if you hurt a lady?”
“A hero!”- I shouted.
“Would a hero be this week?” He said, laughing at me.
“Do you think you can take us on? Or at least one of us?”- He choked out in between laughs.
I felt my confidence falter and the man stepped forward looking behind me.
“We’ll have our fun soon enough,” - His presence made me uncomfortable. “but first let's get our boss back.
I heard a lady scream behind me as she pointed and dropped her “fresh” fish.
“Someone get the heroes! A boy is being held by villains! Help! He won’t last long!”- She kept screaming other things, but it was all the same thing reworded. ‘Help. A weak boy needs help.’
Weak? Me, weak.
I felt naked. Vulnerable. I was the top student, how could I be so weak. Helpless. My confident facade disappeared. Heroes are supposed to save others in danger. Not be saved because they are in danger.
What a disappointment. What a joke. I’m such a loser. Weakling. Loser. Luzer...
Luz’s POV
After being told by my hero I wouldn’t cut it as a hero, I decided to just turn in my papers.
She said it. I don’t have a chance. If only she believed in me maybe I could persevere. Maybe I could become a hero. I could fight to save people! But I’m too weak. I'm useless. What the hell am I supposed to do? I would just end up getting in the way of the real heroes. Why am I like this? Deep down I knew this. I knew being a hero was nothing but a dream. I ignored the fact that it was impossible. Why am I like this!? What a stupid dream. Why am I so stupid.
I wasn’t far from home, but the school was much closer. I walked back to the school grounds and walked into the main lobby. I looked in the gym and noticed the Combat class had just finished a couple of minutes ago.
The first time I tried to join I ended up with a broken rib. Shortly after, the instructor told me I couldn't participate because my body hadn’t adapted. I remember feeling rejected. Like another door closed for me.
It was for the best. It would have been pointless anyway.
I looked up and I saw Amos exit the locker room.
Why can’t he at least be nicer?
I saw a paper fall from his back pocket.
Should I?
I contemplated whether I should give it back. It could be a piece of scrap paper and I didn’t want to face him outside of campus. Amos may be a jerk, but I wasn’t going to stoop to his level. I walked towards the paper to investigate.
I reached for the paper and unfolded it. It was the school application form. He only had two options written down.
UA High and Hexside… Why am I not surprised he chose the best hero programs in the country, but he wrote both down? Does he not think he’ll pass the entrance exam at UA?
I looked up and realized Amos was long gone.
“Oh great. Now I have to go to his place.” - I said to myself.
A couple of months ago his parents had asked us to help them move. I don’t know why they moved to the riverfront. They made more together than what my mom made, but I knew better than to ask Amos that. He would have torn me to shreds for asking. I vaguely remembered where they lived, so it wouldn’t be too hard to find, but I hoped to catch up to him before I got lost.
I began to walk heading towards the riverfront. After 10 minutes of walking, I noticed I wouldn’t make it home before nightfall. I’d be stuck here for a while or until the next train arrived. I started to jog, after a couple of minutes, I saw Amos in the distance. I was going to call out to him, but he quickly entered one of the empty warehouses.
Odd… Maybe I should face him alone in an empty warehouse.
I didn’t know what to do now. If I followed him in he’d think I was a stalker, but if I didn’t I’d have to give him the paper tomorrow and he would think I stole his paper.
A blood-curdling scream startled me out of my thoughts.
“Someone get the heroes! A boy is being held by villains! Help! He won’t last long!”- The lady was hysterically screaming at others and a crowd began to form around the entrance where Amos had entered.
What? No. no nonononono. Was he following someone? Was that why he entered the warehouse?
I ran towards the crowd, pushing my way through. The first thing I saw were the villains from earlier today. They hadn’t been captured like I originally thought. Somehow they made it to the outskirts of town and captured Amos.
Amos was trapped in a bubble of water struggling to breathe. He finally broke free from the face tension.
“LET ME GO-” - He was swallowed back into the water bubble choking on his words. One of the villains must be controlling the water around him.
I have to do something. Anything!
But her words rang in my ear; “ maybe you just aren’t meant to...”; “Some villains just can't be beaten without a powerful quirk.”.
How could I help?! I'm not a hero, I'm not a hero. I'll get in the way.
I continued to watch as he struggled to get air. He used his quirk and formed a pair of polar bear paws, but as soon as he broke free of the bubble a lady stepped forward and used her quirk on him. He floated up clutching his neck. The man with the water quirk made a bubble around his head. He swung his paws at the water trying to breathe, desperately clawing at the air.
There was nothing I could do but watch. He looked towards the crowd that had formed. When his eyes met mine I could only see fear and despair. If his head wasn’t being suffocated by water he might even be tearing up. I’d never seen Amos show any kind of fear before. His eyes were that of an injured animal who knew it’d die. Next thing I knew, I was running towards him, making the crowd grow louder.
“AMOS!”- I called to him.
He looked surprised and began to swat at the water again. He managed to free himself long enough to yell at me.
“WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING LUZ? GETAWAY!”- He warned
“I CAN’T JUST STAND THERE AND WATCH YOU DIE!”- Tears formed around my eyes, but I had to make him believe we could get out of this. I smiled at him, tears still running down my face.
“I can’t stand by and watch my friend die.” - I looked at him, he looked at me shocked.
Before he went under, I yelled out something only he would know.
“FLASH-BANG!”
I pointed my hands towards the ground and saw his eyes widened and immediately shut. I pulled all the energy I had left and made the largest orb I could.
-8 Years Ago-
“Amos look!” - I said. I was so excited to show Amos my quirks' new power.
“What Luzer?” - He responded with an annoyed look.
“Stop being mean. Here put these on,” - I handed him some shaded goggles.
“Why?” He hesitantly took the goggles.
“I have an ULTIMATE-MOVE!” -I emphasized.
“I call it “Flash-Bang,” I said, waving my hands.
“Psh. Whatever liar.” He put the goggles on and watched me.
Instead of clasping my hands together, I pointed both my hands towards the ground and joined them at the wrists. I pulled all the energy I had into the center of my palms. Amos looked in awe as the orb rapidly began to grow. I quickly aimed it at a tree branch and released it. I flew towards the tree and exploded into a blinding light. I looked back at Amos with a proud smile.
“Wow Luz, but can you do it again.” - He said sarcastically.
“But I can’t. I need to recharge before I can do it again. I used all my power.” - I was scared of what would come next.
He stayed quiet for a moment before taking off the goggles.
“I told you your power is weak. What good is a power move if you can only do it once?” - His voice came out cold.
“I- . I’m getting better!” I retorted.
“No, you’re not. It’s been 4 months since you got your powers and that's the only thing you can do with it… I knew you were weak.”
I pointed it towards the villains and released it.
It hit the ground near the water villain and exploded earning agonizing grunt from the villains and gasps from the crowd.
Amos hit the ground coughing up water and I ran towards him.
“LUZ WATCH OUT!” - He warned.
But it was too late. The man with the goggles had gotten up and charged at me.
“How can you still see?!” - I asked.
“Stupid girl. I’m blind! The only way I wasn’t able to kill you at the store was because there was too much movement. My quirk is called “Heightened”, the rest of my senses are heightened to the max!”
He snarled as he caught me squeezing my neck.
“You won’t ruin this a second time.” - He smiled, slowly squeezing tighter.
I began to lose consciousness and saw black spots. Amos was on the ground still weak for the ordeal and the crowd was beginning to scream.
I’m sorry, mom.
Suddenly, the pressure around my neck was gone and I gasped for air. There was a flash of grey, but I was too busy recovering to notice who had saved us.
“Dang kid, twice in one day? You did it again. Why? After all I said to you... “ -
It was none other than The Horned Owl. I looked over and saw the villains knocked out and restrained. Amos was also gawking at the hero before us.
After getting checked out by the paramedics, we were bandaged, cleared, and released. I didn’t know how I was going to begin explaining to mom.
“You didn’t have to do that.” - A stern voice said behind me.
I turned and saw Amos bandaged up. Thankfully he had only suffered superficial injuries.
I frowned.
“Yes, I did. I couldn’t watch you die without trying to save you. I couldn’t live with myself if I watched you die knowing I could have done something.”
“So it was about you, Huh?” - He growled at me.
“What? That’s not what I-” - I couldn’t believe him. He cut me off
“Forget it.”
“This changes nothing between us!” - He called back as he walked away.
“Wait!” - I walked towards him and handed him his now crumpled paper.
“You dropped it.”
He swiped it from my hand, grumbling thanks.
Jerk. Although, he didn’t insult me as bad this time...
I looked over my shoulder and saw our hero still swarmed with fans and reporters. I exhaled in disappointment.
There’s no way I can apologize. She looks busy right now.
I started my trek back home processing what had happened in the last 24-hours. I felt lighter. I couldn’t be a hero. That much is true and I proved it myself today. TWICE. I think accepting it, helped me feel at peace. I finally felt at peace. I smiled to myself.
Maybe I cou-
“AHHH!”- I screamed as an orb of hair fell from the sky landing inches from me. I looked up at the sky.
“CAN’T I DIE ON ANOTHER DAY!” - I rubbed my temples and accepted fate.
“What?” - The hairball unrolled itself and rubbed her head.
“What the hell are you doing?! You scared me half to death!” - I yelled. It turned out to be The Horned Owl, but she landed on her face, inches away from me.
“Ow,”- she kept rubbing her head and straightened her silver-grey hair. “Sorry kid, I was distracted and almost hit a bird. That’s why I didn’t stick the landing.”
I looked at the hero with bewildering eyes. Our #1 hero struggle to land?
“Listen. I wanted to apologi-” - I was cut off.
“Nonsense. I’m the one who has to apologize.” - She slightly bowed. ”I had no place saying you had no chance of being a hero. While I was standing-by, you ran in to save the boy. You can be a hero. With your determination, you could achieve the impossible. With your courage, you can inspire others to believe, hope, and act. Your confidence puts people at ease and makes them trust you. All of these are qualities of a hero. Who am I to say you can’t be a hero.” - She looked up at me with a proud smile.
My eyes burned.
“I can’t be a hero. My body couldn’t handle it.” - I mumbled.
“THAT’S WHY I’M HERE!” - She startled me giving a hearty laugh.
“Wanna be a hero? Look no further, Eda is here!”
I was baffled, but she continued.
“How’d you like to take my power and become my successor, achieving your goals and becoming the symbol of peace this world needs.” - She got up in my face, but all I could muster were sounds.
“O-Hoo-Hoo. Huh?”
That’s it. That's the last straw. Nope. Nope-nope-nope Can’t handle today.
I felt light-headed. This was the last thing I would ever expect to hear today. It was too much and I passed out.