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CHAPTER START---
BAM!
Horizon's fist smashes into the super-heavy bag in the dorm gym. Another in a legion of blows as he tries and fails to clear his head.
Now that he has no choice but to return to UA as he waits for his sources to report back, he's forced to sit on his hands and do nothing.
A torturous task for any man with real ambition.
BAM!
The knuckles of his body glove connect once more, the blue padded areas protecting his hands like any fighting glove would, atleast from the impact.
BAM!
He thinks about all the villains he's captured these past few weeks. All the accolades and adoration he's earned.
He was making good progress.
No, excellent progress. It seemed as if everything was conspiring to work in his favor.
First, the USJ attack placed him in the spotlight, allowing his name to be widely known. Acting as his first appearance of sorts in the spotlight, a perfect start to a promising career.
Then he dominates the Sports Festival, using it to draw even more interest and attention by revealing his Quirk as Mystery Class.
A realization that the public would have soon discovered, but getting ahead of such things is always useful. And the more they know about his Quirk, the scarier it gets.
BAM!
One extra hard hit causes the punching bag to swing a bit too far. Horizon reaches out and holds it, keeping it steady in place to reset his practice.
BAM!
He continues running through where he currently stands in the world.
Refocused after losing his cool for a second, for the moment he thought about meeting All For One.
His identity is still well protected, but having a villain know about his situation isn't good, especially with someone like All For One.
But All For One needs him, so they both have reason to maintain their agreement.
And as for the other two who know.
Nezu, the man who saved his parents, not for free by any stretch of the imagination.
BAM!
'He's still intent on making me into some golden-hearted hero, never gonna happen. But atleast he understands his limits...not like that woman.'
BAM!
Horizon delivers an extra hard hit as he thinks about Pantu.
'That damn woman is determined to convince me to stay in Japan as a Hero. Trying to learn about my interests and what I like at that party, I wonder what the next bribe will be. Maybe she'll offer me a political position...but being a top-ranking Pro already gives me that.'
BAM!
'Once she doesn't break the contract... because if she uses them as leverage, I'll stop being so fucking nice!'
BAM!
The thick reinforced chain holding the bag buckles as it swings and nearly hits the ceiling.
Horizon reaches out and catches it on the downswing, grunting slightly as the 2000lbs slams into his hands.
He pauses for a moment, taking a breath to calm himself down, then continues practicing.
'Just keep walking forward, right dad?'
He easily slips back into practicing.
'Just keep working, don't think about all the bullshit...'
BAM!
'I just need to pick some people to heal in the Miracle Ward this weekend, the news always likes hearing about that charity crap...'
BAM!
'Hopefully tomorrow I'll have a lead on Wolfram. Because of course all his files get deleted globally a few days after I-Island...just my luck the Shields are being hunted by a man who doesn't exist...'
BAM!
'And the main issue, Shigaraki, and his losers. I don't have any damn leads because they didn't tell the people we captured anything. Just a bunch of sheep that were blindly following, pathetic...'
BAM!
'They've been too quiet lately, sources say he's preoccupied with gaining control of the underworld instead of waging war on society, that gives me a breather, until I have to fight whatever new army he's recruiting...'
BAM!
'Twice, that's my main target. I crush him and they lose their S-Rank threat. But to do that I also need to take down Kurogiri, preferably before anyone else gets a chance, even if I doubt they could...'
BAM!
'Kurogiri doesn't allow people to escape if I'm there to cancel his Warp Gate, but he's a nightmare for anyone else, and if Shigaraki is really collecting allies...'
BAM!
'They could make a deal with Wolfram, and if I'm not at UA Kurogiri can just warp Machia' into this place to hand over the Shields...'
BAM!
'Then Shigaraki gets a Quirk amplification device, and with his freaking Decay of all things, a nightmare scenario if I'm not there...'
BAM!
Horizon recounts everything once more, making his list of objectives, then reassuring himself of the end goal.
'Roughly 3 years. In just under 3 years my Provisional License becomes a full Pro Hero License. Then a few months after that in November, I get announced as the #1 Hero on the billboard ranking at the annual event...'
BAM!
'Then with that much done, the contract more than complete. And Pantu makes me some desperate offer to keep me around even after my parents are back, but since they'll probably be banished from Japan to cover her ass, I won't be staying either...'
BAM!
'To think the easiest part of this whole plan, is to train a team. Showing the world that I'm a trusted and respected leader of Heroes. Getting me a few steps ahead of even some high-ranking Pro Heroes...'
BAM!
'Fuck knows nobody trusts people like Mt. Lady or Sir Knight to lead a team, fucking morons. But training Sero is a pleasant hobby and distraction, he's better than I thought. Should be passable within a year at this rate...'
BAM!
'Do I want to add another person to the team? Hmm, but Sero is easy to mold, he's determined to make this Pro Hero shit work out. And he's not too opposed to violence when he thinks it's deserved, that's useful...'
BAM!
'Most of my classmates are too soft, bunch of pussies. Even Bakugo, for all his bravado and hot air, he's a little bitch deep down. It's like a Deku wrapped in barbed wire, and he's far too loud, I don't need that constant walking migraine around me...'
BAM!
'Whatever, I can always see how people develop and decide if training another person is necessary next year. I've got enough to do right now. Hmm, and speaking of things to do, I need to be careful with Ryuko...'
BAM!
'I think she's getting too attached, should have known she couldn't be trusted to treat it as a summer fling. But she's fun, no harm in keeping her around for just a bit longer, atleast for now...'
BAM!
'And on top of all that, I need to solve whatever the hell is wrong with my Quirk, discretely. All For One hasn't spilled that secret. And he won't if he wants me to play along, he's smart enough to know that. Word gets out of something like that and suddenly everything falls apart for me, and I'll have to kill him for that...'
BAM!
Horizon's fist slams into the bag, hitting it hard enough that it slams into the ceiling, cracking the concrete as the chain snaps.
The bag falls to the floor, cracking it and rolling a few times till it stops against the wall.
Thankfully unlike his bags at home, these weren't sand but a tough special foam, made to be heavy and durable.
Perfect for Power Types to use while training at UA.
Looking at the bag in its new resting spot, Horizon glances up at the broken chain and shakes his head.
"Still need to get used to, this," he flexes his hand, feeling his fingers not even the slightest bit numb. His new unconscious healing was still a bit strange.
Mostly because he doesn't get hurt. In fact, only All For One has ever managed to really hurt him, when he's putting his back into a fight that is, and now he's even stronger than before. Therefore he doesn't have any real-world testing for it.
Taking a few deep breaths he calms down, cracking his neck and rolling his shoulders, 'too bad every time I try to draw on any significant amount of power, my head feels like someone is pounding nails into it.'
Thinking about that he growls aloud, recalling the pain.
'Its probably an acclimation problem, brain isn't used to processing that much energy and information, it'll sort itself out eventually,' he reminds himself, hence why he hasn't been spending all his time in his operation room trying to solve this.
He's already tried everything, run every simulation, now his last option was to simply wait.
"Well, guess that's it for this morning," he says quietly. "No more things to add to my to-do list."
"Is everything ok?"
He turns around to see Momo approaching him, with a thin sheen of sweat on her body. Wearing a baggy t-shirt and pair of running shorts.
'Well, alright, maybe on more thing...'
END CHAPTER---
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pat.reon: Keanu_Eugene (Unlimited chapters ahead)
CHAPTER START---
"I'm fine," Horizon says, looking Momo up and down, seeing her glance between him and the heavybag across the floor.
"Are you sure, you don't have to be perfect all the time you know," Momo says.
"I'm fine, just got a bit distracted," Horizon says, walking over to the bag.
He takes a look at the chain at the top of it and sighs.
"Did you break it?"
"Not permanently, Power Loader will just attach a new chain, it'll be fine before this evening," he shrugs.
"You've been hitting it since I got here, I've never seen you down here before," Momo says as he walks back over to her.
Her eyes trailed over his body for a bit longer than intended, which he noticed but did not react to.
"I must have been more distracted than I thought, didn't even notice anyone else was here."
"Is something that important on your mind?" Momo had genuine concern in her voice, but was also a bit worried for everyone.
It's an open secret in Japan and especially 1A, that Horizon is privy to the top villain information in the country. He's on call as support if a top villain shows up. So if he has reason to be worried, it's possible everyone should be very, very worried.
"I don't like waiting," Horizon says. "You don't have to be worried, I just have some people collecting information for me, and I'm here, waiting."
"Oh I see, you'd rather be out there helping people. But instead, you're stuck here just waiting for other people."
"Pretty much, and this," he gestures to the heavy bag, and some of the others hanging from the ceiling in this area. "Helps me clear my head, usually I'd workout at home or in Tokyo, then train my Quirk at UA...but something about striking practice clears the mind."
Momo gives him a curious look, and he could almost hear the gears turning in her head, "how does it work since you're always wearing th---" she cuts herself off. "Oh my gosh, I'm sorry that's quite rude of me!"
"It's fine," he says. "I don't sweat, get tired, or get worn down. It takes a lot atleast. Working out for a few hours like this won't really do much."
"Oh, I see. Wait, a few hours?" she looks at the clock on the wall. "But it's only 6 AM, and the movie finished at almost midnight---"
"Don't worry about it," Horizon says. "But what about you, do you always work out in the mornings?"
"Oh, no, but this morning I just felt like I needed it."
"Oh, adding in a bit more to the workout. Smart move."
"Actually, I came down here this morning because I've been feeling anxious about---"
'FFFFFUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCCCCCCCCCCCCCKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK! Really not in the mood for any of this emotional crap...'
"---the second semester starting today," Momo says, completely oblivious to how little Horizon cared. "I doubt you'd understand, but over the summer...I failed to save someone."
"Was it someone important to you?"
"Uh, no, not particularly."
"Then no, can't relate at all."
"Well, it was at a party, and they tried to take him as a hostage. I tried to help but then he got shot, and they had guns, and I just...there were too many people there, and I just had to let them take him..."
Momo already had small tears streaming down her face, and beneath his visor Horizon had a look of genuine disgust and disinterest on his face.
'These people are the fucking worst,' Horizon thinks as he rolls his eyes.
"Well, all you can do is train harder, so next time, you'll be ready," Horizon says. "I held back once when I shouldn't have, and it cost me, that's the mistake I'll never repeat. So I guess this is yours."
Momo sniffles for a moment, then makes a tissue to wipe her tears, "I suppose you're right, I just have to get stronger, then I can protect everyone."
"Mhm," Horizon nods along. "Look, comparing yourself to people isn't healthy, just focus on yourself. And definitely never compare yourself to me, I've trained all my life for this kind of work, and you've just started out."
"Right," Momo nods and gives him soft smile. "So, care to help me see how far the distance between us is?" she gestures to the ring in this underground gym.
"Oh, right, you lean toward close combat, right?"
"Mhm, I've been training a lot with Uraraka and Ojiro."
"Right, but you can make guns...I mean swords, since you've got those laws about what you can and can't make."
"Yes but those are a bit too--- I mean, swords are cool. I mean yours is cool! You're cool! I mean, ugh! But it's just...blood."
"They're villains, but fine if you rather the gentle approach. Just don't get too comfortable with close-range fighting, you can make anything you want, use that. Play your game, don't play theirs. Because if you're fighting someone like me."
He places his hand atop her head, ignoring the light blush, then raises it 7 inches to the top of his.
"You're still about half my weight, you'll probably need more than a staff if some psycho who doesn't care about his own health rushes you. So use something ranged or just stab him."
"I still don't feel comfortable with those kinds of weapons, but I suppose that's what training is for, I'll mention it to Mr. Aizawa when we get to class."
"Or you can get permission for guns," Horizon shrugs. "I'm sure he can figure something out."
"Well perhaps, maybe I can use rubber b---"
"MOMO!" Mina screams out as she enters the gym, wearing some yoga shorts and a sports bra matching her pink skin. She does a small jog up to them as Toru separates from her to start warming up.
"Oh, good morning Mina," Momo says.
"How come you're here this morning?" Mina asks as she approaches them, then her eyes land on Horizon, and a mischievous grin forms on her lips.
Momo's breath hitches, already having endured some teasing alongside Jiro for simply sitting beside Horizon last night, but now Horizon was here to hear it himself.
"Sorry for interrupting the workout date cuties," Mina says.
"I was actually just leaving," Horizon says, catching both girls off guard as he doesn't bother correcting them. "I sense Bakugo, Kirishima, Tetsutetsu, and Deku on the way down...can't imagine I'd get a quiet gym with them here."
"I'm sure you'll have lot of mornings with your darlin---"
SHAMBLES!
Horizon warps away before Mina can even finish, and a moment before Momo roughly slaps a hand over her mouth.
"CRAP!" Eraser yells as his car swivels on the mostly empty road, leaving UA. But heading out of Musutafu, toward the south.
A moment later he steadies the vehicle and pulls over.
"What are you doing?" he turns around, facing Horizon who was now sitting in the back seat.
Horizon was still only wearing the body glove and visor.
"How did you warp here?" Yagi asks from the front seat, "there wasn't anything in the back seat."
"I'm familiar with most of Musutafu, don't need to swap with anything," Horizon says.
"And why are you here?"
"Good question, but my question is, if I've been charged with guarding this cripple," he gestures to Yagi. "Then why the fuck is he leaving UA without telling me?"
"That matter is confidential," Eraser says. "And we'll be back this afternoon, hopefully before classes are out."
Horizon turns to look at Yagi.
"All For One finally agreed to speak with me," Yagi says. "We're on the way to Tartarus, you haven't been cleared to come with us by the Commission."
"Ugh," Eraser facepalms and faces forward, leaning back in the driver's seat. "What part of this being classified didn't you understand?"
"What? It's not like Nezu wasn't gonna tell him. He'd know by the end of the day I'm sure," Yagi says.
"True, if something happens with potato face and he breaks out, I'm the guy they'll send to put him in the ground."
"Honestly I don't know why he hasn't been executed yet," Eraser says.
"I'll add it to the list of things to ask him," Yagi says.
"It's classified," Horizon says. "But they've been studying him, trying to figure out any weaknesses all the Nomu share, or maybe to solve a method of reversing them."
"But aren't the Nomu just corpses?" Eraser asks.
"Mostly, but during the last raid Endeavor encountered one that was talking, well, trying to. All it had was a 'Turtle' Quirk, and it wasn't anything special, but its an early test run for something, most likely."
"It had a semblance of consciousness," Yagi says.
"Yeah, so the person wasn't entirely dead in there. Central Hospital is tasked with the Nomu reversal project, alongside Dr.Shodai Garaki of Jaku General and their research board."
"And you?"
"I don't have clearance...but I've seen some of the documents, that's how I know this much," Horizon says. "It's not impossible to reverse the Nomu, if it has a consciousness. But at best it'll have a half-life, if so much, depending on its intelligence of course. And that's not a life worth living, or saving."
"I don't believe their families would disagree," Yagi says.
"Not my problem, I've got enough crap to deal with, picking up the slack for all the Paper Heroes in this country, call me if anything goes wrong, and don't let this one die," he gestures to Yagi.
And with that Horizon warps into his dorm room, to get prepared for the day.
Eraser just shakes his head as he gets ready to drive off, "I know I'm not supposed to say this, especially about students. But for the future Symbol of Peace, he's---"
"A jerk," Yagi says. "But he's got all the time he needs at UA to soften up. Nezu did say he's here to learn to play with others, not for the actual education or training."
"That's a lot more polite than what I was going to say, and is he usually this mean to you?"
"In the wake of my failures, the pieces have been left for him to clean up," Yagi says. "With how much pressure I've added to his life I'm surprised he doesn't outright hate me," he chuckles sadly.
"And less stress on Midoriya, right?"
"I don't know what you're talking about," Yagi says.
"You're a bad liar, and more people than you realized think you're trying to make that kid into the next you in some way. And you've got Bakugo right there next to him."
"Oh, well I hope you don't have a problem with that, since they are your students."
Eraser continues driving forward, "honestly, think you can take Ashido and Toru too? That'll be all the usual troublemakers off my hands. I'd ask you to take Horizon too, but, Nezu has that under control, hopefully..."
"Uh, sorry, I won't really be that good at training those Quirks, maybe give them to Midnight..."
END CHAPTER---
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