Cherreads

Chapter 7 - new ally

{thinking}

[text/video/call]

(Action)

"Expression through Writing and talking"

-Point of View (POV) author notes- 

————————————-

-3rd person pov-

Deku woke up to the morning light streaming through his window, the weight of yesterday's events still fresh in his mind. After a quick breakfast, he packed his bag and hurried out of the apartment, excitement and determination driving him forward. His destination was Takoba Municipal Beach Park, where All Might had instructed him to meet for their first official training session. The air was crisp and filled with the scent of the sea as he jogged through the quiet streets, his mind replaying All Might's words about becoming his successor and inheriting One for All.

Upon reaching the beach, Deku noticed something unusual. There, standing beside All Might, were two strangers. One wore a black and red suit with a tie and glasses, his black hair marked by a striking red patch. The other had messy yellow hair and wore a simple yellow jacket. They seemed to be engaged in a heated discussion with All Might, their voices low and urgent.

Deku slowed his pace, keeping a respectful distance while straining to catch snippets of their conversation. The newcomers' presence puzzled him; he had never seen them before, and their sharp, deliberate gestures hinted at something more than casual business. Unbeknownst to Deku, the two strangers were actually Cubot and Orbot, cleverly disguised in human form through Eggman's advanced technology.

Though he couldn't make out every word, the tension between them was unmistakable. All Might's posture was defensive yet firm, as if trying to protect something—or someone. Deku felt a sudden unease creep into his thoughts, but his resolve hardened. He would listen and observe, determined to understand what was happening, unaware of the deeper machinations at play.

Jackson (Orbot): (firm, but polite)"As I said before, please leave our property. If you don't, I'll have no choice but to contact the authorities."

Deku stood there, confused, unable to grasp the heated conversation between the men. Jackson, the man with the red-streaked black hair and glasses, shot him an annoyed glance. Meanwhile, the man in the yellow jacket flailed his arms in a futile attempt to halt the argument, but his gestures went unnoticed.

Michael (Cubot): (grinning, playful)"Now, Jackson, my brother, this is probably just a big misunderstanding. Let's just leave the skeleton man be — we've got unpacking to do with our lovely nieces, right? You wouldn't say no to that, huh?"

Jackson (Orbot): (grumbling, crossing arms)"…Fine. But we need a proper gated wall around the beach — and someone to finally clean up all that junk."

Toshinori Yagi: (smiling faintly)"How about Midoriya and I take care of it? We can handle a little cleanup."

Jackson (Orbot): (reluctantly)"…Fine, but don't expect much payment out of this. Now come on, Cub— I mean, Michael."

Michael and Jackson eventually departed, leaving All Might and Deku standing at the beach, both perplexed by the encounter but quietly relieved. As the two men walked away, they made their way to Deku's apartment building, where a moving truck was parked nearby. There, they deactivated their disguises, revealing their true forms as Cubot and Orbot, their mechanical bodies now fully exposed.

Orbot: (whispers to Cubot)"Was that a good performance? I feel like that argument made absolutely no sense."

Cubot: (grinning)"No, I think we nailed it perfectly! But now I'm wondering… where did the boss disappear to?"

Orbot: (deadpan)"I believe he said he's heading to Otheon to meet—how did he put it?—ah yes, a 'Blue Man Group reject cult leader' named Flect Turn."

Cubot: (nodding enthusiastically)"Oh, so that's why his name sounds like 'reflection' and 'return' squished together! That's actually pretty clever."

Orbot: (crossing his arms)"I suppose it is. Now, let's get unpacked and prepare our 'nieces.' The U.A. Entrance Exam is just 10 months away."

Orbot and Cubot, once again disguised as humans, began to unpack boxes from the moving truck. Among the cargo were two large boxes bearing Eggman's signature logo, which they quickly removed and discreetly incinerated in their mechanical mouths, eliminating any evidence of their origin.

High above, Starscream soared effortlessly through the sky in his jet form, his sleek design shimmering under the morning sun. Inside the cockpit, Eggman sat at the controls, his holographic screen filled with data streams and schematics detailing quirks he had copied and engineered using his advanced technology.

A bird, unaware of Starscream's cloaked form, collided harmlessly with the cockpit window before falling away. Eggman had equipped Starscream with an advanced invisibility module, allowing them to travel undetected.

As they glided over the ocean, the jet's internal radio crackled to life, the speaker broadcasting Starscream's voice, signaling the next phase of their plans

Starscream: (with a hint of skepticism)"We're nearly at Otheon, Lord Eggman, but may I ask—what makes you so certain this 'Flect Turn' individual will actually be there?"

Eggman: (with a smug tone) "I could go into extreme detail, but to keep it simple: during my time in Japan, I manufactured Badniks for cash and made sure to keep track of what's mine. Sage ensures no one can trace them back to me. Conveniently, Flect Turn owns a few of my Badniks to guard his Humarise cult bases scattered across the globe. So, whenever he moves with one of my machines, I'm immediately notified of his location."

Starscream: (through the radio, voice tinged with curiosity and disdain)"I suppose that makes sense, Lord Eggman. But there's something I can't wrap my head around—why keep that Izuku Midoriya alive when you know I could obliterate him in a heartbeat?"

Eggman: (with a calculating tone) "I know you can, Starscream. But Midoriya is an essential piece in the grand scheme. I've run every calculation, mapped out every scenario, and while I could eliminate certain threats without him, there's only one alternative—and that solution isn't ready yet. Giving him the quirk was a calculated risk. Once he gains One For All, the strain will naturally shorten his lifespan. I estimate he'll last until he's 54. That's more than enough time for him to take down All For One and Shigaraki, clearing the board for us."

Starscream: (over radio, voice filled with cruel curiosity)"And how do you know he'll live until 54? What if the combination of quirks eats him alive in a year or two instead?"

Eggman (adjusting his goggles over his glasses with a gleeful smirk):"Normally, a human body can only handle one quirk without risking catastrophic failure. Juggling multiple quirks causes immense mental and physical strain. But the Storm Cloud quirk isn't just one—it's a fusion of four quirks, skillfully stitched together with a secret ingredient. You see, I embedded a mutation-type quirk—an enhanced version of Life Force. This rare quirk effectively doubles the user's natural lifespan. So, if Deku never inherits One For All, he could theoretically live far longer than an ordinary quirkless human. But the moment he does inherit One For All, his lifespan will dramatically shorten. Essentially, I've created something rare: a hybrid of an Emitter and a Mutant type—a living anomaly. He's the key to reshaping the world, if I play this just right."

Starscream:"Fascinating. But since we're just a few minutes away from Otheon, I have to ask—what makes you think this Flect Turn would even consider joining you, let alone listen to your plans?"

Eggman (grinning):"Simple. Flect Turn leads Humarise—a cult-like organization from Otheon obsessed with the Quirk Singularity Doomsday Theory. They believe Quirks will evolve to the point of destroying humanity. While unproven, Humarise views Quirks as a disease, calling those with them 'infected,' and the Quirkless 'pure humans.' Their mission? Wipe out all Quirk users to 'save' humanity. But the thing is…the Quirk Singularity is real, and I just so happen to have a way."

A few minutes later, the jet reached Otheon, where a grand mansion loomed on a hillside, its silhouette stark against the darkening sky. The estate was heavily guarded, with Humarise members patrolling the grounds, brandishing a mix of spears and advanced laser weaponry.

As Starscream approached the mansion's perimeter, he ejected Eggman from the cockpit with a calculated maneuver before seamlessly transforming into his towering robot form. The sudden transformation created a brief spectacle of shifting metal and blinding energy.

Once on the ground, Starscream raised his null rays and fired several warning shots into the air and nearby terrain. The blasts left smoldering craters and shattered stone, sending a clear message of dominance and intent.

Eggman, now standing confidently before Starscream, casually produced a megaphone from his coat. The amplified sound echoed across the hillside, drawing the attention of the Humarise guards, who quickly converged on the scene, weapons raised in alarm. They formed a defensive perimeter, unsure of whether to strike or hold position, as Eggman calmly prepared to deliver his message

Eggman (through the megaphone):"Flect Turn! Get your blue, arrogant ass out here before I tear the place down and force my way in!"

Humarise Member 1 (brandishing a spear):"You dare trespass on this sacred place and make such an outrageous threat? This is the stronghold of Humarise! Leave now or face the consequences!"

Eggman (ignoring the members, voice booming through the megaphone):"I know you're in there, Flect Turn! No pro hero will come to save you, especially with what you're planning. So, we can do this the easy way… or the hard way. The choice is yours."

The grand mansion's heavy doors burst open with a resounding crash. Flect Turn, the leader of Humarise, stepped into view, his presence commanding and calm. His expression was impassive, betraying nothing of the simmering fury Eggman knew must have been boiling just beneath the surface.

Despite the charged atmosphere and the array of weapons aimed at him, Eggman remained unshaken. He adjusted his posture slightly, prepared to speak. This confrontation was exactly what he anticipated—and exactly what he wanted

Flect Turn (arms crossed, voice cold):"You've got guts, attacking this sacred place, stranger. I'm not sure if it's courage… or sheer stupidity."

Starscream (aiming his null rays):"You dare disrespect Lord Eggman? I should reduce you to dust for your insolence!"

Flect Turn (raising an eyebrow):"Eggman, you say? Ah, yes… I heard reports. You're the one who ordered those robots to attack Musutafu, and tried to kidnap students. But what could a man like you possibly want from me?"

Eggman (adjusting his goggles):"Simple. All I want is an alliance. I know exactly what you're planning with that Trigger drug of yours… and let me tell you, it's a stupid plan."

Flect Turn (hand twitching):"I could ask how you know, but I won't. Instead, tell me this—how exactly is our cleansing plan dumb?"

Eggman (grinning):"Simple. Even if you kill every quirk user today, it wouldn't matter in the long run. The next generation—and the generations after—would still be born with quirks, even stronger than this one. Trigger bombs are a foolish, temporary solution. But I offer you something greater: instead of killing quirk users, let's kill quirks themselves. Let's form an alliance. Together, we'll erase quirks from existence… and 'cure' those infected."

Eggman extended his hand, expecting a handshake of agreement. Flect Turn, though initially still, seemed to consider for a brief moment before raising his own hand to reciprocate. As their hands met, the handshake didn't connect in the traditional sense. Flect Turn's Reflection quirk, a constant and automatic barrier, repelled Eggman's hand with a subtle but definite pushback. It wasn't an aggressive rejection—more like an invisible wall ensuring that nothing could truly touch Flect.

Yet, despite the failed physical connection, both men maintained the appearance of a handshake, as though the gesture had been completed. Neither spoke, but their expressions reflected an unspoken acknowledgment: this was more than a formality.

Unnoticed by either of them—or perhaps noticed but not yet acknowledged—their shadows danced on the ground beneath them. Eggman's shadow twisted into something grotesque and sinister, resembling a horned demon with a long, coiling tail, while Flect Turn's shadow remained a cold, stark silhouette. Their shadows seemed almost alive, hinting at truths unspoken and alliances veiled in secrecy.

Eggman (grinning):"Good. Now, I'll take my leave. Feel free to call me or… whatever, if you need me. Oh, and don't bother trying to review any hidden camera footage—I designed my goggles to render me completely invisible to any digital surveillance. When you look back at the video, it'll only show you talking to empty air."

After the alliance was solidified, Starscream lowered his null rays and transformed back into his jet form. Eggman climbed into the cockpit, and without another word, they took off, Starscream activating his invisibility module as they disappeared into the sky. The Humarise members stood stunned and cautious, Flect Turn narrowing his eyes at the now-empty sky. He turned and gazed into the evening, his calm demeanor hiding the certainty that Eggman harbored ulterior motives—and knowing that betrayal was only a matter of time. With a final glance, Flect Turn silently returned to his mansion, already contemplating his next moves.

Meanwhile, back in Japan, Deku trudged home from a long day of training at Takoba Municipal Beach Park. His arms and legs ached from the effort of moving mounds of trash and debris, all without using his Storm Cloud quirk. He was determined to build the physical strength necessary to handle One For All. The sun was setting, casting long shadows along the streets, as he neared his apartment complex.

Deku paused when he noticed a moving truck parked by the entrance. From it emerged Michael and Jackson—the human disguises of Orbot and Cubot—each carrying boxes. Behind them, two girls, seemingly around Deku's age, stepped out of the truck. One girl had silver hair that shimmered and twitched slightly, almost as if it were alive. The other girl had blonde hair with a prominent black streak, a backpack slung over one shoulder, and a baseball bat casually resting against it. Deku's eyes widened in curiosity and slight apprehension, wondering who these newcomers were and why they were moving into his building. 

Lana (silver hair, with a subtle Japanese accent):"Aloha. I'm Lana, and the girl with the backpack is my sister, Nala."

Nala(with her backpack,casual tone):"Sup."

Deku (nervously waving):"Uh, hi! I'm Izuku Midoriya… Are you my new neighbors, by any chance?"

Nala (casually spinning her bat):"Yeah, we moved here from Hawaii. Figured if we're aiming for U.A., might as well be closer, right?"

Jackson (Orbot) (approaching calmly with a neutral expression):"I see we'll be neighbors after all. I'd like to formally apologize for how we first met. I hope you understand—I meant no harm. Just… protective instincts, I suppose."

Deku (tilting his head slightly, confused):"Protective instincts? On a beach? That's… kind of a strange place to be on high alert, isn't it?"

Jackson (Orbot):"It helps us feel like home… but with all that trash, it's hard to really feel at ease—especially in a new country. Still, I'm glad you and the skeleton man volunteered to help clean it out. That gesture means more than you think."

Lana (her silver hair swaying slightly in the breeze):"Now that we've properly introduced ourselves… how about we be friends?"

Deku (smiling nervously but warmly):"Okay… I hope you like it here, friend."

After a brief exchange of greetings and some casual small talk to maintain their cover, the group split paths and headed to their respective apartments. Deku entered his unit, still thinking about the strange silver-haired and blonde newcomers, unaware of the hidden agenda taking root just across the hall.

Inside the neighboring apartment, once the door closed and the lights dimmed, Lana and Nala each quietly retreated to their rooms, offering a cheerful "goodnight" before disappearing behind their doors. But sleep was the last thing on their minds.

In the living room, the air shimmered faintly before Michael and Jackson dropped their disguises, revealing their true forms—Orbot and Cubot. The atmosphere shifted from playful human charade to calculated mechanical precision. A soft digital hum echoed as a pixelated distortion appeared in the center of the room. From the mist-like pixels, Sage materialized, her holographic form pristine and motionless, her face set in its usual stoic expression.

She held two identical, sleek black present boxes, each adorned with a crimson ribbon and the faint glow of internal circuitry. Without a word, she stepped forward and handed one box to each of the robots. Her expression remained unchanged, but the weight of her appearance—and the timing—carried a clear message.The operation was entering its next phase.

Nala

Lana

Cubot and Orbot disguise

More Chapters