6 A Moment of Weakness

"----" Speech

'----' Thought

(----) Thought in the middle of a sentence.

*----* Sound noises

»»—-[☆]—-««

In an American military base located in [Redacted], many men could be seen around a circular table.

"Janedoe May, holder of the [Soldier V.13] quirk, died. This raises the question. What to do with his son?" One of them said.

"We raise him like his predecessors. Put him in a military camp with Sergeant James to raise him. He already has an emotional connection with him." Another said.

"Normally, that would be the standard procedure. However, his mother still lives. She is a Japanese pro hero in and teacher at the U.A Hero High school."

Murmurs start around the table.

"I suggest taking her out of the picture and follow the standard procedure." A guy said.

"Isn't it too high risk? She is too famous to take down silently, and Japan is one of our allies. They won't take it kindly one of their assets disappearing. Especially if she works at U.A., their best school." Another person replied.

"I suggest letting her take him." The same person who introduced the topic voiced his opinion. Multiple voices replied in unison.

"What?"

"How could you even suggest that?"

"Proposterous!"

"That quirk is too valuable to be lost. Zero, you should know that."

"Gentleman, may I explain my decision?" The man now identified as Zero started.

"Japan is known for having the strongest quirks in the world, with the likes of All Might and All for One."

He gained some nods.

"If she takes ownership of him, he will have a free ticket to the most prestigious hero school in the world, with his mother as a teacher on top." He paused briefly. "If our informants are right, All Might will start teaching there soon. He would be directly under the greatest hero, that represents the U.S.A. even better than our own American heroes."

This displeased some of them, but they couldn't refute his words.

"He would be under an excellent influence to not forget his country while in Japan, and would be in contact with people with strong quirks. It could help to further evolve the [Soldier] quirk to new levels if he has an… intimate relationship with them. And he is legally bound to have his children here, in the United States."

"His personality was also monitored during almost a decade. He has friends and memories here. There is no question about his patriotism and loyalty to the country. It's a risk, yes. But one that might be worth taking. It would not only avoid a scene with his mother but could also serve to confirm further our alliance with Japan. Besides, there a great chance of her not accepting to take him in."

The people in the room discussed for minutes until they finally arrived at a conclusion.

"We accept your decision, Zero. However, you shall bear the consequences if we lost him. Do you agree?" A fat guy at the end of the table declared.

"I shall take the full blame if it happens." Zero answered.

One by one they left the room.

»»—-[☆]—-««

Meanwhile in Japan. A pro hero can be seen arriving at her home.

She has dark purple hair, sky blue eyes, and wore what only a dominatrix would wear.

She was Nemuri Kayama, also known as the R-Rated Hero: Midnight.

"Phew, another busy day at work. Right Sushi?" She said as she was changing her hero costume for a normal cat-themed pajama.

An orange-striped cat appeared in front of her, stretching its front paws in the cutest way possible.

"Meow~"

"Awwn, come to mama." She picked the cat and laid on the sofa to watch the TV with her.

"*Riiiing!* *Riiiing!*" Her phone rang.

'Please, please don't be an emergency.' She prayed as she answered the phone.

"Hello. Am I in line with Nemuri Kayama?" The unknown voice asked.

"Yes, you are. Who are you?" Midnight replied.

"This is the Department of Children and Families. We are sorry to inform you that Janedoe May died a few hours ago."

'Janedoe? This name sounds familiar… Wait. Isn't he..' A pit started to form in her stomach as she listened.

"…Your son, Rick May, still lives. You are the only living relative he has. Are you going to take guardianship of him?" The voice waited for her answer.

An answer that never came.

The Pro-Hero dropped her phone on the floor and started hyper-ventilating, her face pale and her body sweating cold.

How could she forget him?! How could she forget them?!

14 years ago, she has just begun working as a Hero at the time, with barely two years on the job. On an especially bad day at the job, with a villain that took fancy in using his quirk to… 'reshape' children. She just wanted to forget it all. And so she did.

She went to her favorite bar and ordered as much beer as it was necessary. As her mind started spinning from the alcohol, it was difficult to remember much. All except one thing.

Him. Janedoe May.

He had a brown military-like haircut, dark blue eyes, a strong jaw, and a body that looked like he never missed a gym day in his entire life. His words were so sweet and dirty. She knew what he was doing, what he wanted by charming her. Yet, she did not resist.

She wanted to forget everything about that day anyway. She went with him and resulted in possibly the biggest regret of her life.

She got pregnant. And the guy, the one who put this in her, was nowhere to be found.

Nemuri never felt so lost.

She was just a 20 years old woman. She was too young to have a son, and what would do to her career? The public already had many doubts about her image, for some, she was just a bitch playing hero, all of it because of her choice in costume. Hell, the government put the 'Hero Costume Skin Exposure Limitation Act' because of it. And now she was pregnant.

The R-Rated Hero: Midnight would be ruined. Everything she built would fall apart. All because of him. Janedoe May. The playboy that used her drunk state, her moment of weakness to bed her, and didn't even wear a goddamn condom! She never knew she could hate someone so much in her life.

Months passed as she continued to work, trying to hide the ever-growing belly. Until she couldn't anymore.

She stopped working, and her friends noticed. They were worried about her, tried to call her. But she wouldn't answer. She couldn't answer. What would they think of her?

One day, as she continued to isolate herself in her home, someone knocked on her door. She saw through the door's peephole; it was Shota Aizawa. Her best friend and co-worker. A Pro-Hero called Erasure Head. How could she open the door with…this in her.

"Nemuri, I know you are there. I heard your steps. Please, open the door. I, everyone is worried about you. Just please, tell me what's going on!"

Midnight could only cry at that.

Aizawa must have heard her sobs since his voice was growing more desperate.

"I already lost Oboro, Nemuri. Please… I don't want to lose you too." He muttered.

Oboro was her and Aizawa's friend. They were a trio at U.A. He was a loud and energetic guy, the type that would be sure to hit off as a great hero. He had the heart of one. Until he died in a villain attack. This devastated them. Especially Aizawa.

She opened the door.

"Nemur-" He paused. He immediately saw her pregnancy. Aizawa was always sharp. And now she couldn't only dread his reaction.

She felt a pair of arms around her. A hug. She was not expecting that. She was waiting so much worse.

She didn't remember how long she spent crying with him until she fell asleep. She woke with Aizawa sitting in a chair, watching her.

"Nemuri, I don't know how this happened. But please, explain to me, so that I can help you."

And so she did. She explained everything from the beginning to the end, all her fears. And he listened without saying a word the entire time.

"Nemuti… You are a friend, a dear friend. I would never hate you. Ever. It will take more than a baby to stop it. Now rest, I will sort this all out."

And so he did.

The next day Nezu, the principal of U.A gave her an office job until her pregnancy lasted (which later she became a teacher there). The rat-thing also made a cover story for her recent absence in her hero job.

President Mic came to visit too, even Recovery Girl. They were all so supportive. She found hope again.

Nezu even managed to find Janedoe May, and so she called him. She didn't want this baby. But she would not make an abortion. She was a Hero. How would she live with herself knowing she ended a life. A life born inside her.

She called him and demanded him to take care of him (which she found out the baby was a boy). Jane's reaction, while he tried to explain what happened, and how he was not a demon she was making him be (which only enraged her further), was not what she expected. Midnight was prepared for a fight, and not what he did.

He accepted the full guardianship of his son in a heartbeat. However, under the condition he was to be born in his home country: United States.

She argued further but that detail he was adamant. It was that or nothing. She accepted the condition. She gave birth to Rick May in the U.S.A.

Her flashback was interrupted by her phone on the floor.

"Miss Kayama! Are you there? Hello? *BEEP*" She hung up the call. She couldn't deal with this. Not now. Not alone.

She typed the cell number of the person she knew would know what to do, and help her. Nemuri called her dear friend.

"Yes, Nemuri? Any trouble I can help with?" He asked.

"Yes, Aizawa. I really, really need you here. Can you come?" She questioned.

"…I'm on my way. *BEEP*" The call promptly ended.

Not even 10 minutes later and he was on her door knocking.

"So, what is it?" Erasure head inquired.

"I just received a call and…" She explained everything she heard a few minutes past.

"Oh boy. Nemuri, I miss the days you called me to tell me useless stuff about your life." He mumbled.

"I'm sorry, I-"

"Don't even finish it. It's not your fault. But this is not something I have an answer to. Tomorrow, we will talk to Nezu about this, he always knows what to do." He stayed there for a few more minutes to calm Nemuri's nerves and left.

Tomorrow would be a hard day.

»»—-[☆]—-««

In a certain white-rat-bear-thing room, also known as the U.A principal's office, two humans and an animal can be seen sitting facing each other. One looked like a beggar, the other a sexy model, and lastly the rat himself.

"So let me understand… Janedoe May, your past lover, and father of Rick May, your son, died just yesterday, and you are the only person he has to take care of him?" The rat summarised what the woman just said to him.

"Yes… and I don't know what to do. Should I take him? Leave him there?" Midnight asked, uncertain at what she should do.

"Nemuri, I understand why you came here, with me being a genius and all that. But, I cannot help you. This is something only you can decide. What do you feel it's right? What will make you happy? With less weight on your conscience or even what you hate less?" He continued.

"I suggest you take a stroll on a park, read about orphanages in the United States, how orphans are treated, grow, research about it. Maybe even go to some. As for now, you are blind on the subject. Even better, follow this map!" Nezu handed her a map he just marked as they were talking. It had a red line. A path for her to follow.

She thought she would hear something about morality or even a definite answer. Not a vague one, suggesting her to take a stroll… in a park.

"That's it?" She doubted. "Yes." The principal finished.

"Nemuri, follow what he said. He is not one to do things without meaning. Besides, it wouldn't hurt to go out, right?" Aizawa spoke.

Midnight thought a bit and agreed. She was blind like Nezu said, and while she couldn't understand how going to a park would help anything, she trusted the rat decision. He had super intelligence after all.

"Fine. This better work. I don't think I can turn off their calls forever." The R-Rated Hero said.

"Great! And I guess I see you soon then." The principal waved his paw.

"Be careful. Bye." The scarfed beggar sends her his farewell.

She sent them goodbye and left the office.

"So… what's your deal Nezu?" Erasure Head interrogated the rat.

"What I think it's best." Nezu said with his forever-lasting smile.

"Which is?" He narrowed his eyes at the rodent.

"Her adopting the kid, of course!"

"What?! Why?"

"Simple. Did you ever go to an orphanage Aizawa? It is not an ideal place for any kid, if see how many of them turn out to be villains you would be surprised. I think it's better if she, a hero, raises him than leaving it to fate. Things will be rocky, yes. But not as worse as she seeing her son possibly arrested one day. That map will give her the push she needs." Nezu explained his reason.

"Plotting her to raise him because of numbers… You are a cruel man, Nezu."

"I know. Good thing I'm not human." The rodent joked.

Aizawa left the room soon after. There was nothing more to talk about. And while he didn't like Nezu's reasons, he was a logical man. It was probably the right thing to do. What he didn't like was that Nemuri was the one who had to go through that.

»»—-[☆]—-««

(Midnight Pov)

She walked through Nezu's map and its red line. A million thoughts racing through her mind as she took each step.

She went to the park and sat on a bench as she grew tired. She could use a little rest. As she picked up her breath she saw little kids playing in a sandbox as their parents chatted, watching them from the sidelines. The children were so full of smiles until one of the kids accidentally threw a handful of sand in a boy's face as he dug up a hole.

The little kid started crying loudly. A woman came and picked up the boy, muttering things she could not hear but that seemed to calm the boy, the mother also kissed her child over and over, making him laugh. It was such a simple, yet so beautiful scene. Maybe this could be her if she had not decided to give away her baby. Maybe it would not be as bad.

But she killed that chance years ago. He was probably 14 years old by now. Hell, she didn't even remember his birthday. Nemuri only noticed her tears when drops fell in her hands. She got up and left. That was no reason to ruin such a pure moment with her sadness.

As she followed the map she crossed past an orphanage in a surprisingly quiet street. The Pro-Hero could see past the fence a bunch of toddlers playing with a ball. They were all full of smiles. The older kids, however, were not smiling. They were in a corner sitting on the ground. She also saw how the older they looked, the more they seemed to be lost.

"Excuse me, can I help you?" A voice asked on her left.

It was an old woman with an apron with the orphanage symbol. She must work there.

"Yes. If it's not too much… Why are they like that?" She pointed to the older kids at the back. "Why they look so…"

"Empty?" The orphanage granny completed with a sad look.

"Yes."

"These kids are orphans. They spent years here to be adopted, but not all of them get out of here… These kids see their friends getting adopted one by one, while they stay here. A kid can only take so much before realizing they are not going to be picked by a family."

"Hope is what keeps them smiling. When it runs out… they just become empty, lonely. It breaks my heart, but there is nothing I can do. Only you, and many others on that cross this fence every day can do something to change it."

The granny took a glance at the woman and saw her crying.

"Oh my! I'm so sorry dear. I might have been too heavy with my words."

"I-I… I already have a child."

The granny just stayed close to her, saying nothing. She waited for her to continue at her own pace.

"Fourteen years ago… I had a boy, b-but I didn't want him. His father raised him but now he is dead, and he had no family. I'm the only one left. I don't know what to do." She explained as she tried to dry her tears with her shirt's sleeves.

"My dear… Do you really don't know what you should do, or choose to not know?" The old woman stared back to the orphanage. "If you really didn't know what was right to do, you wouldn't be crying as you are. You wouldn't have stopped at this place. The real question is… Are you ready?"

Midnight looked down. The granny was right. It was all her making excuses…but still. How would she go about raising someone she has never seen ever? The only thing she ever succeeding in raising was a kitten. She could barely accept she was a mother. She was not ready.

"Sometimes my dear… you have to run before you walk." The granny advised, seeing her inner struggle.

But maybe she didn't have to be ready. She just had to go and do the right thing. Like she did every day as a Pro-Hero.

"T-Thank you, I needed this. I'm so sorry. You must be so busy, and I took your time." Nemuri thanked and apologized.

"It was nothing, my dear. Now go, It's becoming dark. Not safe for anyone." The granny sent her off. The Pro-Hero thanked again and proceeded to go back home.

"You truly are a hero, Midnight." The old woman said as she left towards the orphanage.

Nemuri stopped dead in her tracks. How did she know?! The granny paid no mind for her surprise and spoke. "Dear, I lived for decades. I'm old, not blind." She sent a wink to the frozen lady and resumed her steps.

She knew who she was, and paid no mind to her even with her sexualized persona. This warmed her heart as she went back home.

»»—-[☆]—-««

(Rick's Pov)

I don't remember when, or how I got home. It was all a blur to me.

I think sergeant James was the one who brought him here? It didn't matter.

Nothing mattered anymore.

"Kaaa…" Zeus flew to my shoulder. I knew what he was saying clearly. I spent so much time with the bird that we had almost a psychic connection.

"No, Zeus. Father is not here… not anymore. He is gone."

Zeus's reaction was just as good as I predicted. He flew past a widow and started screeching loudly in the dark sky, throwing lightning bolts at the distance. I let him grief and let out everything he felt. It was the best I could do for the bird.

And I had something to do.

I went to the rug in the living room, threw it to the side, and started searching for the compartment hidden inside the floor. My father said it was the biggest treasure of our family, and tasked me to take care of it. It was the last thing I could do for him.

I felt one of the planks on the wooden floor was not screwed to the understructure. I removed it and saw a small, rectangular, wooden chest. It had the American flag engraved on top of it and its corners were reinforced with iron.

I brought the chest to my room. Opening it, I saw two things. A book, and a very familiar helmet.

I picked the book, with [May's Legacy] written in bold letters in its brown, leather cover. It had a bookmark on the final pages.

I opened where the bookmark was and read it.

[✦15th generation (Rick May)]: [1]

● Rank: EX

● Posses a fusion of all previous quirks, with the [Somnambulist] quirk genes manifesting as resistance to aroma-based quirks. Named [Soldier V.14].

● It shows a surprising amount of mutations, getting weapons and aspects not previously manifested in any other generation and its quirks.

What? Was this a book about my family's quirks? I briefly skimmed through the pages and saw multiple generations, each having a quirk of their own and some photos. I understood why my father wanted me to protect this. This is what was made us, us. No one should have their hands on this.

I picked the helmet and saw a note inside it.

"If you are reading this, Rick. It means that I died by that cursed super AIDS-like virus because of a one in a billion chance. Heh, look on the bright side! I can say that I died by f*cking so much that I managed to stumble in such a slim chance. A legendary death I say so myself."

Even in death, he gloated over his 'exploits'… a legend indeed.

"This is the helmet of the first May to ever join the army. Each May wore in battle and now it's your time. Wear it with pride, It is our greatest treasure besides our quirk. Take care of it, son."

It was identical to the TF2 soldier's helmet.

"I know I never really told you this because it is a bit awkward for us men… but I love you son. I always had, and always will. I can't say I hope to not see you soon since you know, it would mean you dying quickly, so farewell son. May you find happiness. Ha! Did you see the joke?! MAY you have happiness… our last name is May… I'm gonna leave now. Bye. :D"

I dried my tears with a smile. Classic dad.

I put on the helmet and went to the bathroom, seeing my reflection in the mirror.

I looked exactly like the soldier from Team Fortress 2. From his body to his voice, face, the helmet, everything. I had powers straight from the video game, even if a little different. I was, by all means, the soldier. I achieved the dream of my last life, becoming the soldier himself.

But at what cost?

»»—-[☆]—-««

Writing notes:

[1] This is my favorite number :D

Author Notes:

You guys have no idea how hard it is for me to write all this emotional baggage. It is super necessary for this fanfic, but my heart is not strong enough. Hell, I shed a tear at Soldier's tribute.

And what do you guys thought about the mother's side of the story? I made her seem like some bastard woman but now we know why she reacted in such a way. This, my friends, is the base for character growth.

Janedoe May was not as innocent as we thought… He got Midnight pregnant while she was intoxicated. He was not as perfect as he seemed to be. I hinted many times that he had a problem with women, even going against what many others would find immoral such as abusing a girl's drunken state.

And did you guys find the logic as to why to government allowed Rick to leave the U.S.A. reasonable? Tell me about it.

The next chapter is gonna be the last of MC in America. After that, we enter the MHA plot for real. I got some good shit planned all the way through.

One of the reasons I took so much time to post it was how many ideas I had for the MHA plot. That, and besides the overwhelming sadness of this chapter has.

And remember to give me your opinions, reviews, comments, all the good stuff.