Alyx Leonidus Rising! (Part One of Three)

16 years ago, before coming to Japan, Alyx Leonidus had lived in Reno, Nevada. His parents Darren and Marie were the Number Three Pro Heroes in America before retiring after having their second child, Kariya. During Alyx's time in middle school, he met his first love, Laura Whitson. This would become a rather loving relationship until the events of the Las Vegas Disaster. There, he lost Laura Whitson to the fearsome villain Black-Heart! This is where his story begins...

[16 Years Ago...]

Alyx never left his room following the events of Laura's death. Clouded by guilt and the belief that he could've stopped it, he fell into a deep pit of self-loathing. There was a knock on his door, an unexpected face walked into his room.

"M-Ms. America? What are you doing here?" He wondered.

"You're Mother and Father are worried about you, Alyx. I understand you're upset, I don't blame you one bit, but none of this was your fault. Even I have trouble going up against Black-Heart, there was nothing you could've done. I don't expect you to go toe to toe with someone like him." She replied.

"But if I wasn't so damn cowardly... If I just ignored my fear, then none of this would've even happened. I'm so fucking stupid... I'm just a damn baby..." Alyx sniffled.

Ms. America sat down next to him and put her arm around him, "Hey, don't sell yourself short like that. You don't think that I get scared whenever I face villains? I might be strong, but that doesn't mean that I don't feel fear. A good friend of mine and your Father's overseas has some advice I could give you, that's to always smile, no matter how scary things may get."

"All Might..." Alyx muttered.

He looked down at his floor before looking back up at Ms. America, "If that's the case... Then can a coward like me even think about becoming a hero? If I just end up running away like I always do, then what's the point?"

"Alyx Leonidus, you CAN become a hero, no matter if you're a coward or not. You're a strong kid with an even stronger heart, that I can already tell. Now, let me give you a piece of advice. I want you to remember to always keep smiling, because if you're still smiling in the face of doubt, you've already won. That's when you know that you're truly strong!" Ms. America smiled.

Ms America stood up and held her hand out towards him, "I can help you get stronger, Alyx. The only thing you have to do is try. So, what do you say?"

Leonidus took her hand and nodded at her. Over the course of a month, he trained with Ms. America, sharpening his fighting and Quirk prowess. She smiled with pride as she saw the results of Alyx's training.

"Look at that, you really took my training to heart, eh? You look like a completely different person!" Ms. America remarked.

Steam rose off of Leonidus after he tore in half the last of the destroyed vehicles. He turned around and smiled back at her.

"Yeah... Thanks for covering for me with school, by the way. I didn't think that they'd let me be gone for a month straight! I definitely feel a lot stronger now! I guess there's really only one more thing left for me to do." Alyx grinned.

"Oh? What would that be?" Ms. America wondered.

"I think I'm gonna need some new clothes, I don't think my old ones are gonna fit anymore!" He laughed.

She patted his shoulder, "Alright, I suppose we can stop to get you new clothes and some lunch. What do you say? You down for pizza?"

"I'd be an idiot to say no!" Leonidus smiled.

[45 Minutes Later...]

Alyx came out of a dressing room wearing a black drawstring hoodie tank top, faded jeans, and blue and black high top shoes. He walked out of the clothing store with a few bags of clothes to find that Ms. America was swarmed by fans.

"Ah, Alyx! I was wondering what was taking you so long." She called out.

The group of fans looked over at him then immediately swarmed him, asking him hundreds of questions!

"Are you dating Ms. America? I've never seen you around her before! With someone as fit as you, you've gotta be her boyfriend!" A woman asked.

Alyx's face turned bright red, "I-I... N-No! I-I-I just uh..."

"No, he's just a friend of mine! Or well, a family friend, I should say." Ms. America chuckled.

After signing over a dozen autographs, the crowd dissipated, leaving the two alone. They walked down the street to get something to eat. They made their way into a dine in pizza place nearby.

"Geez, I didn't realize people recognized you outside of your hero costume! That's a bit creepy if I'm gonna be honest." Alyx remarked.

"Well, that's what happens when you have fans. It kind of sucks to deal with the superfans though, those are the only ones that know what I look like outside of my hero work." She replied.

"I can tell, soooo like... Should I call you by your real name outside of that or no?" Leonidus wondered.

"Of course, that'd be the most logical thing to do. I'd prefer Angelina when I'm outside of my hero stuff." She agreed.

Alyx nodded at her, "Gotcha, I'll keep that in mind then."

"So, besides obvious reasons, why were you so quick to let me train you?" Angelina questioned.

The memory of Laura's death flashed in Alyx's mind, he sat there quietly in thought for a bit, he looked back up at her with a gleam in his eyes.

"I wanna make sure that I don't lose anyone ever again, that's why I wanted to you to teach me. I don't want to make the same mistake twice." Alyx answered.

"Ah, I see. There's nothing wrong with that, that's rather noble if you ask me. Just remember to rest and take breaks, let me tell you this, you don't wanna overwork yourself." Angelina smiled.

[One Day Later...]

After training with Ms. America, Alyx returned back to school, with both mind and body completely changed! He opened his locker to put his bag away when he heard a familiar voice.

"Yo, Alyx! W-Woah... Have you been working out?" Joshua greeted.

"Goddamn, what have you been eating? You go away for a month and come back like this!" Sheyenne remarked.

Leonidus closed his locker and smiled at them, "Yeah, well, that's what happens when you train with Ms. America for a month straight! I plan on taking down Black-Heart for what he's done."

"Wait... What? Black-Heart? You've gotta be kidding me, man!" Karson exclaimed.

"No, I'm not. That bastard is going to pay, he took Laura's life, I can't sit around and do nothing about it." Leonidus answered.

Sitting nearby was Mikey O'Ryan, he took note of Alyx's claim and walked away. After school, right as Alyx was leaving, a hand was placed on his shoulder.

"Huh?" He uttered.

"I heard you were going to take on Black-Heart. Are you that fucking dumb or something?" Mikey questioned.

"No, I'm not, you would do the same if you had decent friends." Alyx replied.

"Heh, got some bite, don't let all of that muscle you've got get to your head. Now, listen to me jackass, count me in." Mikey retorted.

Leonidus raised one eyebrow, "You... Want to help me?"

"I'm not doing this for you, Leonidus. I couldn't give two shits less what happens to you. I want my hands on that fucker for what he's done as well, I have my own agenda, and so do you. It's as simple as that." He scowled slightly.

"Sooo... You're doing this for Laura as well then, huh?" Alyx smirked.

"SHUT IT, LEONIDUS!" Mikey yelled.

Mikey walked away from him as Sheyenne approached Alyx. She lowered one of her eyebrows with confusion.

"Did he just talk to you somewhat cordially?" She asked.

"Yeah, he did. It honestly shocked me as well." Alyx confirmed.

The two walked out of school together, Leonidus kept his hands in his pockets as they crossed the street.

"I'll help out too, Alyx." Sheyenne spoke up.

"I figured you'd say that." Alyx lightly smiled.

Soon, the two friends split ways, Alyx detoured towards where Laura had been buried. He entered the cemetery, the winds gently blew leaves across the ground as he approached her gravestone. He sat down on his knees in a prayer position with his eyes closed.

"𝘐 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘦... 𝘐'𝘭𝘭 𝘥𝘦𝘧𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘪𝘮, 𝘐 𝘸𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘱 𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘭 𝘐 𝘥𝘰!" He thought to himself.

"I know you will, Aly. I haven't gotten a single doubt in my mind that you won't. I'll be with you, just like I promised!" Laura's voice echoed.

Alyx opened his eyes and turned around, his eyes widened as he saw Laura standing behind him. He quickly stood up to his feet, but as he looked back up, she was gone. He looked down at the ground with his eyebrows furrowed.

"Right, I'll do my best!" Alyx muttered.

He returned home after several minutes of flying, he landed down at his front door, where his Mother was waiting with Lizzie in her arms.

"Ha ah! Aly!" Lizzie chirped.

"Looks like someone is excited to see their brother!" Marie giggled.

Marie handed Lizzie over to Alyx, "Hey there! I toldja I'd be back! I bet you've been driving Mom crazy, eh?"

Alyx tickled under Lizzie's chin, his Mother looked down at her watch before looking up at the sky.

"He said he'd be here 5 minutes ago... Where in the world is he?" She wondered.

Lizzie started to teethe on Leonidus' finger as he looked up at his Mother with curiosity.

"Dad? I thought he said he had some sort of meeting today?" He responded.

"Oh, damn it, I totally forgot. He must be held up at the office, it's hard to believe that when he gets done with work so fast. Anyways, how was school today, sweetheart?" Marie sighed.

"It was good, nothing really eventful happened, it was just a regular old day. I finished training with Ms. America as well, I honestly feel amazing! I could probably use my Overdrive and my Rage a lot better now!" Alyx beamed.

"That's good, you definitely have more meat on your bones now that I'm looking at you! I guess my cooking also had something to do with that." His Mother remarked.

Lizzie snuggled up on Alyx's shoulder, "Aw, looks like someone's wanting to take a little nappy. Bring her inside, could you set her down for a nap? I'm going to start making dinner."

"Okay!" He nodded.

They walked inside their home, Alyx went upstairs to Lizzie's room to put her in her crib, but she wouldn't let go of him. No matter how hard he tried, her grip wouldn't loosen on him!

"Ah, are you wanting to nap with me?" He wondered.

Alyx entered his room with Liz and laid down on his bed, rubbing her back gently and lightly humming a lullaby. Eventually, Leonidus himself fell asleep, he was awoken by the feeling of little hands on his face a couple hours later. He smiled at Liz as she giggled at him. He looked out of his window as he sat up with her in his lap.

"I dunno what this world has planned for me, Lizzie. I'm sure I'll be in for one heck of a ride though." Alyx spoke.

"Vrooom!" Liz exulted.

"Yep, vrooom! You get the picture." Alyx laughed.

Alyx's bedroom door opened, "Alyx, have you seen- Oh, there she is!"

"Papa!" Lizzie beamed.

Darren entered the room and picked Lizzie up, he gave her a kiss on the cheek as she grinned at him.

"So, how was school, Alyx?" Darren asked.

"It was about the same as any other day, nothing really eventful happened. Training with Ms. America went great though!" He responded.

"That I can tell, it's almost as if I'm staring at a stranger! She really put you to work!" His Father chuckled.

Soon, the day would end, leading closer and closer to Leonidus' showdown with Black-Heart!