Problems and Promises
{{....}}- Sage talking
(thought communication)
3rd Person POV
It was the morning after Rimuru’s and Izuku’s first time meeting, it was around 7:00 am, and Izuku was laying in his bed asleep. He had stayed up rather late last night due to all the excitement he had coursing through his system, and found it hard to sleep. He already couldn’t wait for Rimuru’s next visit, and was cheerfully waiting for what could happen.
Izuku POV
{{Good Morning Izuku Midoriya}}
My eyes shot open as I woke up abruptly and made a sound close to that of a squeak mixed with a small scream. What was that voice?! Wait… isn’t that…
{{Yes, I am Sage, one of Master Rimuru’s unique skills. I have been instructed by Master Rimuru to wake you through the thought communication link}}
Izuku’s Thoughts: “There’s a thought communication link?! Is that how I would be able to communicate back??”
{{Correct}}
Izuku’s Thoughts: “Ok. So why did Rimuru want you to wake me up?”
{{Master Rimuru wishes to meet you at the park you were at yesterday. Master Rimuru would like you to be there by eight}}
Izuku’s Thoughts: “Oh! Of course! I’ll start getting ready then!”
{{Thank you for your cooperation}}
With a sigh I got out of bed and stretched. I still felt tired, but less than I was excited to see Rimuru again. I didn’t think it would be this early! I got dressed in just a casual outfit, I was so glad it was the weekend and I didn’t have to wear that uncomfortable middle school uniform. I walked out of my room, and saw my mom making some breakfast.
Izuku: “Hi mom! What are you making?”
Inko: “Oh! Good morning Izuku! I didn’t expect you to be up this early. And I’m making some salmon and rice if that's ok?”
Izuku: “Of course it is! And I’m up so early because I was contacted by one of Rimuru’s quirks that he wanted me to go to the park.”
Inko: “Oh that's nice! I know you've been excited to hang out with him again.” She said with a small smirk that I didn’t notice.
Izuku: “Yea I have! He wants to meet me at eight, so would I be able to eat before then?”
Inko: “Yes it's almost ready!”
Izuku: “Ok! Thank you mom!”
Inko: “Of course sweetie”
After about ten minutes the food was done, and my mom sat it down for us to eat. I ate rather quickly, and wasn’t savoring the food much, I was just so excited, and jittery that I couldn’t stop myself. Mom giggled at me, obviously seeing how excited I was.
As soon as I finished, I thanked my mom again, and put my dishes in the sink, and washed them off a bit. I grabbed some of my stuff, including a fresh notebook which I had just for Rimuru!
I said my goodbye and ran out the door, not hearing yet another giggle from my mom. I ran around on sidewalks and across streets, while trying to not bump into anyone. I got some looks as I probably looked strange just running out, but I didn’t care much at the moment.
It took about six minutes for me to reach the park, and it was already almost eight, but I made it on time! I assumed Rimuru wanted to meet me around the bench that we were at yesterday so I went there. When I got there I didn’t see Rimuru anywhere, so I could only assume he wasn’t here yet.
So I just sat down to wait until I saw him.
Rimuru: “BOO!!!”
I practically leaped five feet away from the bench in terror, as I was scared half to death. And all I could see was a snickering Rimuru standing behind the bench.
Izuku: “WHA-wha-wha RIMURU?! WHERE WERE YOU?! WHY DID YOU SCARED ME LIKE THAT?!”
Rimuru: “Still laughing””I got you!””more snickering””And of course you didn’t see me! I was invisible!” Rimuru said proudly
Izuku: “WHA?! YOU WERE INVISIBLE?! YOU CAN DO THAT TOO?!” I asked with astonishment while also still being scared.
Rimuru: “Stop yelling! And yes I can go invisible! Just not for long though, I’ve only been here for about two minutes, and I was about to have to go visible.”
Izuku: “That's so cool! AHH I love seeing all the cool powers you have! Where my notebook?!” I started searching for my notebook, and found it on the ground next to me. I immediately began writing about Rimuru being able to go invisible.
Rimuru raised his eyebrow
Rimuru: “Is that a book specifically for me?”
I blushed a little bit, but nodded
Izuku: “Yea it is! I copied all the information you told me yesterday in here, and I have plenty of more pages for other things.” “Squeaks” “If it’s ok if I write about your powers?”
Rimuru: “Giggles” “Of course it is! And I am so honored you have a whole journal just about little-ol-me~” He said dramatically
Izuku: “Well yea! I had already known that you had so many powers and things I could write about! So I knew I would need a new journal for it all.”
Rimuru: “Well yea it is a lot of information, but I don’t wanna do another information dump today, I did enough of that already!” Totally not speaking the author's feelings, no not at all.
Izuku: “Oh Ok! I get it, it was a lot wasn’t it?”
Rimuru: “Yea it was. So! You wanna get to the reason I invited you out here?”
Izuku: “Oh! Yes please do!”
Rimuru: “So… what did we talk about here yesterday?”
Izuku: “....About my life and my dream of wanting to become a hero, and what you said to me that was so amazing to hear.” I said with a mixture of sadness and happiness from the memory, about different things.
Rimuru: “Correct! And that is what we are going to be discussing today!”
Izuku: “Eh… Huh??” I asked confused, not knowing why Rimuru would want to talk about this.
Rimuru: “I wanted to talk about the future, and a plan I have in mind!”
Izuku: “Oh?? What is it about?” I asked, very intrigued.
Rimuru: “You wanna be a hero yea? Well after some thought, I’ve decided I’m going to help you with that, and how I am going to!”
Izuku: “Shocked” “Wait… Your going to help me?! Really?! You would do that for me?!” I asked as my mind was racing with the fact Rimuru had said he was going to help me become a hero.
Rimuru: “Yes! I have made a plan that, if you want, will allow me to help you become a hero!”
Izuku: “WHA, of course I would want that!!” I felt tears starting to form in my eyes as my brain kept processing what Rimuru was saying.
Rimuru: “Good! But I must say the plan that I have won’t be easy for you! It will require much training and hard work! And the schedule can get pretty tight at times. But with Sage, I have made a plan that will benefit us both! I call it “Path To Success, The American Dream Plan!”
Author's note: Yes, that is a reference to All Might's plan for Izuku. I wanted Rimuru to make something similar, because he is half American basically, and lived there most of his life soooo…. yea!
Rimuru: “I know, I know it sounds rather generic, but I like it, and I know it’ll help you!”
Tears started to flow out my eyes as I was overwhelmed with happiness. I knew that whatever Rimuru had in store would be amazing! So I started to get pumped up and excited for what it was.
Izuku: “Thank you so much Rimuru!! I can’t thank you enough for this! Now, what is this amazing plan you have in store for us?? I’m ready for anything!” I was getting really psyched for what Rimuru’s plan was, I could wait to hear it!
One of Rimuru’s powers activated and a big book popped out of his hand. He handed me the book, and it said the title, which Rimuru called it.
Rimuru: “This is the plan I have made! Look over it yourself and see what you think!”
I opened the book, and saw a very detailed schedule of things we would do. Like training, school, sleep, even eating times. It was obviously a difficult balance in the schedule for all the things we needed to do. It was like this for around six months according to the schedule, but then I saw something I didn’t understand much.
Izuku: “Why does this say “Skill Training” here? Won’t that just be regular training for you?”
Rimuru: “No, no, no Izuku. You see, I and Sage are working on making a new skill called “Gift”, and with it…… I am able to give skills to another that I have a connection to, and that is what it means. I will give you skills and train you with them! If that is something you want??”
My brain stopped working as I was processing what he just said. So all I could say was…
Izuku: “Wha… wha…. Huh…??”
Rimuru: “Hehe, yes Izuku! Eventually you can have some skills too! As soon as you train without powers for a while, I will teach you how to use the skills to maximum efficiency! What say you?”
My brain finally caught up with reality, and then I burst into tears of happiness.
Izuku: “I-I-I-I cant believe this… thank you, thank you so much!!…. Are you sure you even want to give me your powers?! Won’t that be bad for you??”
Rimuru: “No no it won’t, the skills I would give you I could make a copy of, it takes a bit of time to make a copy, but it’s not difficult. So I would be happy to give you some skills! If you accept?”
Izuku: “Still crying” “Of course I do! Thank you!”
Rimuru: “Hehe, it's no problem, really, I’m just glad I can help you out. You deserve it.” He then opened his arms signaling for a hug. I immediately rushed into him and hugged him tightly, still crying, and getting his clothes wet. This felt familiar.
Izuku: “You're too kind…. You know you don’t have to go through all this trouble for me right?”
Rimuru: “I know I don’t have too, I want to! So just shut up and accept it okay??”
Izuku: “Hehe, ok I will. Thank you again, you really are amazing.”
Rimuru: “Why thank you~. Now let’s get started with the preparations shall we?”
Izuku: “Oh! Yes, let's start!”
For the next few hours we went over how my schedule was going to work, and what would be needed. I couldn’t stop jittering in excitement, as for the first time in a long time, I truly believed I could become a hero.
We went to a nearby beach that was littered with trash. I think it was called Dagobah Beach? But Rimuru said that he was going to show off some of his skills there. He said he'd rather just show them, than do another information dump, so he told me to just write what I wanted to.
Rimuru: “So it’s time for a little showcase of power Izuku! Ready to see more reasons of just how awesome I am?”
Izuku: “Of course! But do you have to keep flaunting that over and over?”
Rimuru: “GASPS” “IS THAT SASS I SENSE FROM YOU IZUKU??” He asked very dramatically, and I gave a little smirk.
Izuku: “Maybe just a little~” I said this how I think Rimuru would, just to mess with him.
Rimuru: “Maybe I’m influencing you a bit too much…. I can already tell you're becoming less of a cinnamon roll.”
Izuku: “Wha?? Cinnamon roll?? I’m not a cinnamon roll??”
Rimuru: “Yes, you are, Izuku, just accept it.”
Izuku: “Ok ok, but can I see your powers?”
Rimuru: “Oh yes! Of course!”
For the next few hours Rimuru showed me many different powers that he had made. They were from each category that he mentioned. If the skill was one that couldn’t be shown physically, he would give me a brief explanation of what it did. Overall he showed me about forty five or so, and with each of them, I wrote another entry in my journal for Rimuru and his powers. I was so astonished to see all the powers he had, and this just proved to me that he would be an extremely powerful hero.
But that made me think… What was Rimuru's reason for wanting to be a hero, or what kind of hero did he even want to be? I hadn’t asked him about it, because he didn’t talk about it all too much, I suppose I just kinda assumed what kind of hero he wanted to be up until now. I hoped it wasn’t too personal to ask him, but I really wanted to know his reasons.
Izuku: “Hey Rimuru…. I have a question?”
Rimuru: “What's up Izuku?”
Izuku: “I was wondering… why do you want to be a hero? I’m not insulting you or anything! I just don’t know your reason for it! And what kind of hero do you plan to be? I hope it isn’t too personal!”
Rimuru: “Oh! No don’t worry it’s not too personal, I guess I don’t talk about it often hm? But there is a reason I want to be a hero, and I already know the kind I want to be, I have a whole ideology and all.”
Izuku: “Oh, that's cool that you already know so well. What is it if you want to say?”
Rimuru: “SIGH” “another information dump eh? Ok, will do. Bound to happen at least once today.”
Izuku: “Wahahah, you don’t have to if you don’t want to!”
Rimuru: “No, no, I will, don’t worry about it. You can write this if you want, I don’t mind.”
Rimuru took a deep breath in, and out, obviously deep in thought.
Rimuru: “Ok so…. I have reasons for wanting to be a hero, but they don’t stem from the best things. When I was seven and still in America, there was an attack in our neighborhood, a bunch of heroes and many criminals got into a fight, and it caused a lot of damage.”
Rimuru took a moment to gather his thoughts before speaking again.
Rimuru: “I saw the whole fight happen, and I had to witness the destruction and people I knew, die because of it. What’s worse was my dad had gotten caught in the crossfire, because he was trying to help someone who was injured. I tried to go and help him, but my mom held me back, saying it was too dangerous. Even so, I got out of her grasp, and ran towards my dad. She screamed for me to come back, but I didn’t, I didn’t care at that moment.”
I was listening instantly about everything Rimuru said, I had no idea something like this had happened to him, I felt bad.
Rimuru: “When I reached my father, I could tell he was on the verge of death…. I was so scared and I didn’t know what to do, so I did the first thing that came to my mind. I used Predator on my dad, hoping I could get him away from the fight…. I had never used it on a living being of that size yet, and I didn’t know if it would work… But when I activated it, I guess it was just my emotions and my adrenaline, but it worked.
And when I got him I tried to run back, but the fight had gotten between me and where I was trying to go, and even one of the criminals tried to get me. But in the heat of the moment, when my emotions were high, I awakened a unique skill called “Survivor”. This allows me to gain increased defensive, regenerative, and physical skills, when in a very stressful situation.
This skill obviously saved my life as I was able to fight and make my way through the battle and back to my mom. I took her hand and we ran out of there, seeing all the chaos that was left behind from the fight. We were able to find a place to stay safe and hide until the battle was over, while I still had my dad stored away, in my stomach area, as you know, isn’t affected by time, so he was in his same condition there.”
I couldn’t speak whilst hearing this, I could only stare at Rimuru, just thinking about what he went through that day makes me grimace.
Rimuru: “After a while the battle had stopped, and the noise of the fight had ceased. We heard the sounds of ambulances, fire trucks, and police vehicles outside, so we decided to get to them for help. When we got to them I said my dad was badly injured and needed help. So I used Predator and put him on a stretcher. They immediately started working on him to heal his injuries.
But, I was so worried, worried that I had been too late, or didn’t do enough to save him. Even though my mom assured me it wasn’t my fault at all, I couldn’t help but feel guilty. He did end up surviving, albeit with lasting injuries, but he was okay, that's all that mattered to me.”
Rimuru seemed happy at the memory of his father being okay, but then his facial expression turned darker, and I knew something bad was coming.
Rimuru: “But after the incident, I started noticing, like really noticing and paying attention to all the crap that went on in the world. I felt like I was hit by a truck of reality, as before I was rather oblivious to the worse things. Before that I saw heroes as the ultimate good, and criminals were all just horrible and bad people, but after that I started seeing things for how they really were.
When the battle was on the news you know what was shown? The hero's victory was all that was shown, I know that's like what people want to see, but I noticed there was barely a mention of the people that died, I saw so many of them dead, and it was like they just didn’t matter?? I didn’t understand that, so I asked a hero why it wasn’t covered and why people weren’t speaking about it.”
What Rimuru said really made me think…. The death really wasn’t covered as much as the hero and villain part of stories.
Rimuru: “And you know what the hero said to me? He said people die, that's what happens, no point in dredding over it. And I couldn’t believe this…. He was supposed to be a hero, someone who cared about helping people, but he acted as if he didn’t even care about the people that died. And later I figured out that the families of the people who died were just given some money as compensation, and then ignored, like their grief didn’t even matter.
My view of hero’s dropped way down after that. I just couldn’t understand it…. everyone else sees them as the ultimate good no matter what…. and it's like the bad things that happened because of their fights don’t even matter to the public, or anyone else. After that I started seeing heroes for the good and bad things they did. I didn’t let what was just on the outside shape my view of them.
I was able to get a view on how the world really worked, and that changed how I saw the world. And that got me thinking… if heroes were not the ultimate good like society made them out to be, what about villains, were they really the ultimate bad? And yes I called them villains at this time, not criminals yet.
The more I looked at it, the more it became clear to me. Villains were all people, just like us, not the monsters they were made out to be. They were people with lives, people with problems, people who had just strayed off even a little of what society had expected of people, these were the people that were called villains.
After that I stopped using the word Villain, and didn’t use the word hero as much either. My dad had turned out ok, and we could start living our normal life again, but I would never be the same. Before that I just saw the world as good and evil, black and white. But now I saw it as it was actually, grey, no absolute good, no absolute bad. And that hasn’t changed for me”
I was hanging on Rimurus every word. Hearing this story, and his perspective, really made me think about the world I live in…
Rimuru: “Back then I had no idea what to do about this, the way the world worked on the outside wouldn’t take kindly to my view, and I knew this. But, I didn't waver from my ideals, and that’s what led me to my conclusion.”
I tensed up waiting to hear Rimuru’s response, because I knew this would be very important information.
Rimuru: “I decided that to let people know how the world really worked, I would have to become a hero. One that didn’t turn a blind eye to the crap that happened, or the destruction that fights left behind, the people that it affected. I would be a hero that saw the world differently from everyone else, not one that saw villains as monsters, but as people.
And I would do everything in my power to make sure I was able to accomplish this. So after that I trained and used my powers so much more. I was able to find good methods to use them frequently, without interference from quirk usage laws. Over time I was able to build up my power, and find ways I could use it to fulfil my dream.
You were wondering what kind of hero I want to be Izuku…. That's it, that's the kind of hero I want to be, and nothings going to stop me from that. I hope that it doesn’t make you see me in a worse light, but if it does, it won’t affect my goals.”
I just thinked for a few minutes, thinking about everything Rimuru had told me, maybe having a small metal crisis here and there, just knowing the world from Rimuru’s view gave me so much to think about. But aside from that I knew how I felt about Rimuru’s vision…
Izuku: “Rimuru…. Your reason to be a hero, is the most admirable reason I have ever heard in my entire life, maybe even more than All Mights…. But what I do know is that I support you and your dream, and I promise I will do whatever I can to help you achieve it!”
Rimuru looked shocked, probably taking in what I said. Then he laughed loudly, which confused me
Rimuru: “HA! I knew you were something else Izuku! To say that shows me just how dedicated you are to being an amazing hero, And I too promise to help you achieve your dream”
He held out his fist for a fistbump, and I smiled brightly, and met his fist. From someone else's perspective this would seem like a scene in a movie, with the sun setting behind us, bathing us in light, and then us two, here. At that moment an inseparable bond was made between us. One that would change everything.
3rd person POV
Across Japan a huge event was taking place that had attracted fans from all over the world. It was known as the Marionette cirque de le. Run and owned by a company called the Moderate Harlequin Association, they were responsible for spectacular theatrical performances all over the world.
TIn this particular show they were performing their most popular tricks, and moves, ones that wowed the audience, captivating them in the performance. This particular stunt was done by a few of the top tire performers called “Tear” and “Footman”. Where Footman was on a little unicycle balancing on a tightrope, holding up Tear while she would flip through hoops that came her way as Footman rode the unicycle.
As always, their performance was perfect, and left no audience member disappointed. Once their move had been completed Tear flipped and landed on the ground, while Footman got off his unicycle, and they took a bow.
The audience cheered loudly for them as they proceeded to walk out of the stage. Just then a flash of smoke appeared in the middle of the stage and the ringleader appeared, laughing a hearty laugh. The crowds cheering only got louder upon seeing him. This man was the ringleader and owner of the Moderate Harlequin Association, his name was Wyan Gracy, who went by the stage name of “Clayman”.
Clayman: “Thank you! Thank you all for coming out here today to see our show! I hope you didn’t have a moderate time! HAHAHAHAH!”
The audience clapped and cheered, as Clayman said his goodbyes and final thank you’s, and walked off the stage. The gleeful demeanor that he had in front of his audience, immediately morphed into an irritated one as soon as he was out of view.
Clayman: “Groans” “This stupid silly clown performance is getting on my nerves, was this really the only way to make sufficient finances??” “Sighs” “No matter, if we get the job done, we get what we want.”
In the public eye Clayman was a charismatic born to perform man, who was dedicated to what he did. But in the shadows, he was a scheming, arrogant, and greedy man, who only worked for his personal gain, that held no good intentions. This whole clown show was just a facade so they could gain money and fame to further their goals.
Clayman walked into a room, which Tear and Footman had entered and were joking around in at the moment.
Clayman: “Tear! Footman! What is with all this ruckus?!”
Tear: “Ohhh come oooon ClaYmAn, lighten up a little! Were just having some fun y’know??”
Clayman: “Hhhhgggg! Whatever! Footman! Has there been any development with our plan?”
Footman: “Yes there has, he is ready, Clayman.”
Clayman’s face spread into a mischievous grin at this, and walked into a back room. There tied to a chair was a large man who had the appearance of an orc, obviously from a mutation aspect of a quirk.
Clayman: “HEY! PIG!”
The man looked up at Clayman, his eyes were bloodshot, and he looked like he hadn’t slept in days.
Clayman: “You said you were ready to swear your allegiance? Or was that a pitiful attempt at escape, huh??”
???: “No, I am ready.”
Claymen: “heh. Good. Now. Tear! Footman! Untie him!”
The pair came into the room and proceeded to do so. The orc man fell to one knew and bowed his head.
Geld: “I, Geld, swear my undying allegiance to you, I just hope that you will be merciful with my family.”
Clayman: “That was the deal, wasn’t it? They will live, as long as you comply with whatever I order you.”
Geld: “Of course master.”
Clayman: “Grins” “Good, let's get started then.”
Clayman then activated his quirk “Marionette Master” . Glowing red strings wrapped around Geld's head, arms, and legs. His eyes glowed red, showing that he was under the effect of Claymans quirk.
Clayman: “Now, rise my puppet.”
Geld rose to his feet as the strings dissipated, his eyes still glowing red.
Clayman: “Now, come with me”
Geld followed Clayman to a different room. In there, was the rest of Geld's family, also under the effect of “Marionette Master”. This is the reason why geld decided to serve under Clayman, so he wouldn’t use his family. However….
Clayman: “Geld…. Use your quirk “Starved” devour them all but one ....”
Geld proceeded to use his quirk, which allowed him to gain power based on what he eats. Eating other humans however, gave the most increase in power. So once Geld finished his command, he grew in size, and vastly in power.
Clayman: “Now, my puppet, you are the Orc Lord, Geld.”
Clayman’s face twisted into a sadistic grin and he started laughing maniacally. His plan was taking shape, and soon the world would know him for what he was. The world wouldn’t see him as some clown…. No they would see him as a demon lord, one they would all bow down to, or be devoured.
Chapter End