Chapter 45: Mechamaru: I don't abandon anyone.

Her name was unnecessary.

She was but one of the many unfortunate ones who suffered from a deviant quirk.

There were long black hairs all over her body, and her quirk 'Hair Overgrowth' made her look akin to a hair monster, and most people couldn't even identify her gender.

Removing the hair didn't work, as they always grow back again almost instantly.

It has been a long.....long time since she saw her real face. 

She had lived like this for 35 years.

35 years of continuous effort to deal with this curse she was born with.

Her clothes were tattered, but even from the small holes there was nothing to see, all covered by hair, she could never continue a job for long, people always judged her by her appearance, criticizing her for things she couldn't control.

With all the money she could muster up, she paid for many....many different so-called solutions.....

But it was all useless.

Her quirk wouldn't let her live.

And with her cowardly nature, she was unable to die.

So when she heard about the rumor.

She couldn't believe it at first.

Not until she saw with her own eyes.

He was a garbage collector with white horns all over his face, she knew him, more like she saw him daily as their paths were similar.

And he was cured.

It was unbelievable.

Her heart started beating loudly, she chased him like a madman and caught up to him to find his secret, but instead of being frightened, the man started enthusiastically explaining to her.

His enthusiasm made her doubtful, similar to those many so-called cures she has paid for.

But this time, she couldn't help but feel hopeful, since there was an actual case in front of her.

Mechanical Overlord.

She knew him, there was not a person in Japan who didn't know him.

She was instantly frightened, thinking the man was crazy to be sending her to a villain, and not just any villain but the most terrifying one.

She was about to leave, but his next words made her stop.

'Is the life you are living worth living?'

She clenched her palm.

Of course, it isn't.

You try so hard, working your ass off only to be disliked, discriminated against by ones who don't know anything? based on what? something you were born with?

So under his guidance, she gathered up some courage and went to meet, the infamous Mechanical Overlord.

But just as she was timidly making her way forward, a hand patted her back making her jump in fright.

"Hiiekk!"

"Please calm down."

His soothing voice reached her ears, trying to calm her down.

But she was anything but calm!

Because she knew him!

It was a face she was familiar with!

Hawks!

Is she going to be arrested? Is he here to detain her?

Countless thoughts rushed through her mind, making her almost faint.

Seeing her situation Hawks hurriedly explained his situation.

'He's also here for help?'

She gave him a weird look, the wings on Hawks's back were iconic, it was what separated him from the other heroes, it made him look cool.

And now he was saying he wanted them gone?

Does she look like an idiot?

These hairs don't diminish her intelligence ok?

He's obviously undercover!

She was feeling frustrated.

Fortunately, since her face was all covered up, he couldn't see anything.

She looked at him, trying to trick her with his innocent smile, it reminded her of those first-rate scammers.....

Fine, you want to come them come!

She shouted in her mind and started making her way forward in large strides with Hawks quickly following behind.

In no time, they arrived before a cold-looking steel door with a futuristic look.

Remembering what the guy told her, she went near the door and said in a small voice.

"Help."

A mechanical clicking sound started coming from the door, and after a moment it opened up revealing the way inside.

Hawks behind her raised his eyebrow, he heard her and wondered why such a passcode was chosen.

As they walked through the door, a world completely different from the outside appeared before their eyes.

They both looked in wonder, the place was small, but the metallic walls, ever-moving gears, and the smell of engine oil made them think they were dreaming.

Just then.

"You are looking for me?"

A cold mechanical voice reached their ears.

Hawks was the first to notice, his eyes staring fixedly at the back of Mechanical Overlord.

'He's really here?....the rumor was true?....'

Instead of being excited, Hawks was filled with a sense of nervousness, the opponent was someone who could solo All Moght, he wouldn't be so naive as to think he could win against him, the police force sent him to check out the rumor which has been recently spreading in the underworld.

But who would have guessed he would end up hitting the jackpot on the first try?

Hawks cursed his bad luck and stared at Mechamaru.

He seemed to be fiddling with some parts, with a quick glance he could see a pitch-black half-finished body armor.

'For his companions? Or himself?'

Hawks quickly gathered information.

They both stared at him, none of them moving an inch.

Hawks always kept his gaze on the open door, ready to escape with the woman at a moment's notice.

Finally, just when Hawks was thinking was running away, Mechamaru put down the part in his hand and turned to face them.

"Come here."

He said plainly, his eyes staring at the woman next to Hawks.

Being looked straight at by the most terrifying villain came with a lot of pressure, for a moment she forgot to breathe.

But then she questioned herself.

What will he even gain by harming me?

Yes she knew, she was a nobody, she wasn't a hero nor an officer, she couldn't even be considered a normal citizen.

And since she was already here, seeing it to the end shouldn't hurt, right?

She thought timidly in her mind and made her way towards Mechamaru.

'It's dangerous!'

Hawks shouted in his mind but didn't move, or he didn't dare to move.

In no time she appeared in front of Mechamaru.

Staring straight at her with his green orb-like eyes, he asked.

"What is your name?"

'Name?'

She smiled bitterly.

"....Does it even matter?"

Mechamaru looked at her in silence, then raised his hand.

After hesitating for a moment, she grabbed his mechanical palm with her hairy one.

The feeling of cold metal seemed to spread through her hand making her tremble.

But then suddenly a warm feeling spread throughout her body.

"You are the only one who decides your worth."

The hairs growing all over her body retracted, showing the mature figure of a middle-aged woman.

"If you think it doesn't matter, then it doesn't"

New energy seems to flush through her, enhancing her appearance her ordinary appearance to newfound heights.

In a daze, she looked at her fair and spotless palm in Mechamau's hand.

"If you think it matters, then it does."

Mechamaru retracted his hand and handed her a mirror.

'Is this me?'

She touched her fair and milky face, her black lustrous long hair was unlike those of her age.

It felt unreal.

She doubted, wondering if she was under some illusion.

She didn't notice, but at some point, her knees gave in making her fall down.

But then.

A cole mechanical hand patted her head.

"Well done."

She couldn't understand, why did he say that?

"It takes courage to come and face me."

It wasn't courage but desperation.

"Hm your clothes are haggard.....take this it's a gift from my friend."

He handed her a red dress.

She bit down on her lip, she was a no-one, a background character.

"Then...live your new life."

Mechamaru turned back to his workshop.

Looking at his back, she couldn't help but ask in confusion.

"Do you not want anything in return?...."

Mechamaru stopped, turned his head and said.

"Next time you come, I would like to hear your name."

He was the Mechanical Overlord.

Tears unknowingly started dripping down her face, bowing deeply to Mechamaru she turned around holding the dress.

It was at that time, she met Hawk's shocked gaze.

Should I tell him?

This guy was definitely a spy.

She turned back to look at Mechamaru, making Hawk flinch.

But after hesitating for a moment, she didn't say anything.

He probably already knows.

If even she someone completely unrelated could think about it, then there's no reason for Mechamaru to not know.

----

Hawks watched nervously as the woman walked out of the room.

Even now he felt it was unbelievable.

'This is bad.....very bad.'

He concluded in his mind.

'This will completely change the foundation of society.'

And it was in the hands of someone who should have never gotten it.

"Well, well, I finally get to meet the infamous Mechamaru. Heard a lot about you guess the rumors don't do justice, Impressive setup you've got here. Mind if I hang around for a bit?", he said trying to make small talk.

But Mechamaru's next words.

"Tell me hawks...."

Left him speechless.

"Just what is the government's dog doing at my place?"

A terrifying pressure, one he had never felt before, fell upon him.

Hawks thought in his mind.

'Did he guess? It's not surprising.....'

Anyone would be suspicious if a famous hero suddenly came knocking on their door, especially a villain.

But he was prepared for it.

Hawks mustered up his usual smile, intending to continue the act.

"That's hurtful Mechamaru-san, I came all this way to actually join you..."

"Is that your motive? To act as a spy?"

Goosebumps appeared all over Hawks's skin.

He immediately extended his wings, ready to get out of there.

But.

"You know Hawks..."

He was stopped in place by a fire which suddenly appeared beside him.

"If I wanted you'd be dead already."

Seeing the situation, Hawks calmed down.

He stared straight at Mechamaru's back with his sharp gaze, now having completely dropped the act.

Since the opponent already had the power to attack before he could react, there was no point in using unnecessary tactics.

"What do you intend to do?"

Since he wasn't burned to ash, it meant there was room to talk.

"Intent? Since when did helping someone require a motive?"

Mechamaru continued in an unhurried voice.

"Of course, that is not something you heroes who take money could understand."

Hawks narrowed his eyes.

He needed to buy more time.

But Mechamaru's next words.

"Have you finished sending your little cry for help?"

Exposed all of his schemes bare before him.

A drop of sweat slipped down Hawks's face.

He couldn't understand how Mechamaru found out about the little transmitter hidden underneath his jacket.

Mustering up his courage he said in a strong voice.

"Since you know, you should also understand....."

Taking out the transmitter from his jacket, he shouted in a loud voice.

"In less than a minute you will face the combined siege of all heroes in the vicinity!"

"Even for you, it will be hard to survive!"

He continued his bravado.

"So how about it? If you surrender I can----"

"As many will come....."

Mechamaru finally put down his equipment and turned to look at him.

"As many will fall."

His words completely disregarded, looking down on the combined power of heroes.

Hawks gritted his teeth, looking at those orb-like green eyes, he could conclude.

It was not a bluff.

"You are welcome to come, whenever you wish."

Mechamaru turned back to his workshop.

"You know the address after all."

Sparks started flying out from the welding machine.

"Now leave."

After giving Mechamaru a deep look, Hawks sighed and turned around to leave the place, leaving the Mechanical Overlord with his own creation.

----

Dabi looked at the empty forest with a vacant gaze.

I will help you fulfill your fake dream.

'Yeah right'

He scoffed in his mind.

"After all that ranting you forgot about the promised time....", He muttered in a small voice.

It felt familiar.

A bad memory resurfaced in his mind.

Dad! Look at me! Look I finally made some progress!

He couldn't help but remember his bastard of a father's face.

You promised you would come...

Who, ever so conveniently forgot about him, leaving him to die in a burning forest similar to this one?

'Tsk I remember he started curing those demi humans?.....'

Dabi turned back ready to call Kurogiri and leave.

In the end they are all the same, every last one of them.

Whether it be OFA who saved him, trying to manipulate him for his cause or his bastard father who only ever cared for his own interests.

Even you Mechamaru---

Dabi's thoughts came to a stop.

"Took you long enough to notice."

The familiar metallic figure sat there, leaning against the ground looking a him.

"It seems your senses need some work."

Dabi stood in place, watching him carry a large box towards him.

"I brought you a little gift."

Mechamaru put down the box in his hand and opened dit up revealing a shiny black metallic suit with blood-red lines all over it.

Dabi stared at it in silence.

"Although your birthday is still far away, you can think of it as an advance gift."

Handing it over to the confused Dabi, Mechamaru gave him a thumbs up.

Not minding Mechamaru's little gesture, Dabi stared straight at the gift and said in a barely audible voice.

"This is the first time...someone gave me a gift...."

But Mechamaru heard him.

" It won't be the last."

Patting his head, he distanced himself from Dabi.

"Now then put it on, you still need to beat Endeavour."

Dabi smiled, looking straight at Mechamaru, and shouted in a loud voice.

"Hoh! Be careful not to get burned!"

"You wish."

Mechamaru gave him a challenging gesture.

Dabi scoffed, putting on the pitch-black metallic suit, he released his ability making a blue flame burn all around him.

While attacking Mechamaru with his fist he thought in his mind.

Maybe... it's not too bad to have a friend...Mechamaru

Their fists collided in mid air lighting up the forest.

----

ps: So were like at 500 ps, if we reach 800 ill upload an additional chapter.