[54: The Fire Rises]
(A/N: I've been so caught up in the World Cup that I forgot to work on this fic, and I may or may not have also needed time to try to remember how this was supposed to go. So, sorry about that. But I'm sure you understand? Anyway, let's see if I still got it. I hope you enjoy. Also, that ref in the US-Bosnia game needs to be sent to Guantanamo Bay.)
/\\//\\//\
So, this is what I've learned. Things aren't exactly like what I remember, but it's close enough. Though…if she's out there, then…this will be quite interesting depending on how things play out from here. These files have given me a lot of…leverage. I'll say that. Hold on a second. Possessing files that, if released, should cause mass uproar and protests, and leave a lasting stain on society that'll be talked about for years, and could potentially uproot and cause many people in power to be punished?
Hmm…where have I heard this before?
Anyway, I'll keep these with me, and any new things that the HPSC makes. As long as I don't snitch and brag, that worm should never be noticed or found. Time to go back to class life.
/\\//\\//\
(Class 1-A)
"Okay, class, listen up. From here on out, things will get a bit more serious. Now, despite the villain attacks we've experienced, it's very fortunate none of you were hurt or worse. However, there are still concerns about safety, so we'll ramp up your training, and we may or may not talk about the hero work-studies program," Aizawa said.
While Eleanor was sitting calmly, since she already knew this, others in the class were more curious. But it was at this moment, when Aizawa mentioned the hero work-studies, that she finally remembered what had been bothering her, beyond just the HPSC files and the fact that "she" was out there. So, while others in her class were asking questions and wanting to know more about hero work-studies, Eleanor was lost in her own mind.
'Oh, no. Shie Hassaiki. Overhaul. Trigger. Quirk destroying bullets. And Eri!' Eleanor was lost in her thoughts. Thinking of the situation, her hand tightened. The sudden strength in her hands accidentally shattered a pen she was holding. Even with some of the class asking Aizawa questions, the snap of the pen being destroyed alerted them all.
"Eleanor…are you okay?" Midoriya asked. He'd never seen Eleanor suddenly have such a reaction out of nowhere like this. Normally, there would be a reason, but to him, this just seemed out of nowhere.
"I'm okay, Midoriya. And everyone else. I just thought of something…not great." Eleanor said. She shook her head and refocused. She adjusted herself and sat more comfortably in her chair.
"Are you sure everything is fine, Eleanor?" Aizawa asked.
"Yes, everything is fine," Eleanor responded.
"Okay. So, as I was saying, the hero work-studies are entirely different from your internships. Most pros won't take on a work-study student because of the risks involved, so only the 'real' pros usually take one on. You'll be treated as a sidekick for at least a month at a hero agency, and you'll also get paid wages. It's the closest thing to real hero experience and work. This is also mostly your choice to take it or not. Well, you'll get some strong encouragement to do it. And while your provisional hero licenses allow you to get a work-study, it's a lot more stressful on first-year students, since they'll usually fall behind on academics because of the absences they usually get," Aizawa explained.
"That won't be a problem for Eleanor. Didn't she get a whole bunch of credits by taking exams? Like, she's a supplemental instructor for some of our classes, after all," Kaminari said.
"Yes, and quite frankly, after seeing the scores and the answers she wrote down, she doesn't belong at this level of academics. I'm not exactly the smartest with all this stuff, but I'm sure if Eleanor didn't have a quirk, she'd be just fine working at I-island as a scientist. At this point, only the hero course and the training are providing her any value," Aizawa said.
Most of the class was kind of shocked at Aizawa's statement. "I-island‽ You mean that palace where scientists live and do a whole bunch of advanced research? You're saying she'd fit there‽" Midoriya exclaimed.
"Whoa, there. Come on, now. I'm not saying I'm that smart, but I know my limits. I can't just be placed there and work like it's nothing. But…give me a few months, and maybe." Eleanor said.
"It's an international hub. She can go whenever she wants, even after she goes back to America. Her quirk will definitely be in high demand for study. Anyway, we've wasted enough time talking about that. Let's get back on track. Since you all want to know more about the work-studies, I can introduce all of you to some people," Aizawa said.
"And who are they?" Momo asked.
"You'll find out later. Let's begin your classes," Aizawa said.
/\\//\\//\
(Eleanor's Dorm Room)
Eleanor was in a frenzy in her mind. She sat at her desk, head in her hands, as her mind went a million miles per second.
'How do I do this? I…kind of just want to go in and do everything myself, but…no. That's a bit too extreme. I have to try to fit in here. It can't be like the other time. Stain, Dabi, and the forest attack. I had plausible deniability and a good case in all of those, so I was able to get off. And Nomu are more monsters than humans after what's been done to them, so not too much worry there.'
'But this is different. I can't just go in guns blazing and save the day. Well, I mean, I could, but then I'd get in more trouble for trying to do something about a situation than the actual criminals and villains themselves. But why! Why! First, I—no, everyone—needs a license to help people in emergencies. Like what? Since when did a stupid license decide when you can or can't help people? Since when did a flimsy piece of paper dictate that you can't or can't be a good samaritan! What the hell!'
'All these quirk regulation laws and stuff. To a degree, sure, I can understand, but the way it's done in Japan? I'll get thrown in jail for using my quirk in the slightest. That thing I did where I used my drones to blast cold air in this Tokyo heat? Yeah, I'd probably get fined like all hell for that. Like, huh? Excuse me‽ I'm being punished because I'm using my work to make my life a little more convenient and comfortable? Using a quirk in this way should be a basic right! I oppose these restrictive quirk laws; people should be free to use them to a degree. Great, I'm kind of sounding like those Meta Liberation Army lunatics. Good on paper, but then you realize that they want a world where oppression, inequality, and power imbalance should be natural and okay. Nope, don't lump me in with those people. They are extremists. But then again, there are extremists on the other side. Humarise? I think? Oh man, don't get me started on their completely stupid and flawed plan. Talk about the biggest scientific gamble in history.'
'What the hell is wrong? Think, Eleanor, think! What do you know, and what have you seen and done? I've killed Stain and Dabi, and prevented All Might from retiring by preventing that entire kidnapping thing with Bakugo.'
'Wait. All Might. All Might. It's…him. More like…it's what it has forced others to do because of him. All Might is quite literally a living legend, and his spotlight makes other heroes want to…do more. But…they want to do more out of self-interest and to get more of the spotlight and get on the hero rankings. The hero rankings. It's a popularity contest! Why are we using a popularity contest to decide who the top hero in Japan is‽ Popularity and how effective you are are certainly connected, but it's a lot more than that!'
'Oh my gods, this makes me remember Endeavor. This guy probably doesn't even know his son is dead because he doesn't care. Dabi was never a villain; he was created as one because of Endeavor. That much is obvious. I can understand why he became the way he did, but it doesn't excuse his crimes. Endeavor just treated him like a failed experiment with his eugenics and quirk breeding. He's like Omni-Man. What's another 15 years? He can just make another one until a child who can surpass All Might appears. Heroes should be bound to a mission to help people, but Endeavor is bound by pure self-interest to surpass All Might.'
'Huh. Bound to a mission to help people. That's what heroes should be doing. I get the fame, visibility, and public image, but those things should be secondary or tertiary to a hero's purpose in this society. What matters is actually helping people! And you don't even need a quirk to do that! Even the smallest positive interaction with someone can have a profound impact on them. Firefighters, doctors, police officers, public workers, soldiers in the military, and leaders. You don't need a quirk to do any of that. Just a lot of effort, resilience, determination, and a strong will are enough to be a hero. You don't need a quirk to run to a car crash to help someone out, you don't need a quirk to inspire others, you don't need a quirk to comfort someone, and…' Eleanor let out a sigh. The idea was already in her mind.
'They're not heroes. Not in the way I think. They're just licensed professionals being heavily regulated by the government with a giant celebrity culture and following. When I look at it…is this still about heroism or helping people? And I mean purely about helping people with no purposeful self-interest? The evidence is certainly compelling. Public image, being treated like celebrities, branding and advertising deals, and cameras and media following them. It's like there's more of a need to be seen doing good instead of actually doing it without caring for the cameras. I guess that's why some go help, but always keep an eye out for the cameras.'
'And then there's the hero agencies. Don't get me wrong, placing a hero agency in a place where most crime happens, or a 'busy area,' is a good thing, but how much of it is strategic placement compared to wanting to be able to stop crime when it arrives? The busiest areas are also the most visible, which means more people to see them, which means a better chance to climb the rankings. And this isn't good. Self-interest driving their actions means someone will suffer simply because they weren't in a good enough place for the 'hero' to get enough visibility.'
Eleanor was a hurricane of emotions. She didn't know how much time had passed since she sat down to think.
'Calm down. Calm down.' Eleanor took a few deep breaths in and out. 'You're getting too emotional. You're not thinking straight. You're just ranting. Not everyone is like this. There are still those who have a genuine passion and want to help people.'
Eleanor went out of her dorm room and into the commons area. She made herself some comfort food and got herself a drink. She had a lot to think about and what was going to happen ahead. There was a lot. Maybe too much.