Arc 6: Nightmare

Date time: January 23rd, 7 weeks before Jack was sent to U.A.

"Alright everybody new school year,everybody, let's see some big smiles today." Trivia said in a classroom that remained stoic, silent, and quiet "I saw a giant girl come in through the window and lie on a comfortable chair that was made for her as well; she was Allison, but..." Wait, why am I here? What's happening? I shouldn't be here? Was I dreaming? No, this is more than a dream, this is— "Good to see you around Jack. Though you wouldn't come the first day at school"

"You uh threaten me."

"Heroes don't threaten. I warn you to come, or you will get a warning. A very official and important warning; now take your seat." I looked down; I remember this day. I was absolutely tired. I didn't even bother to do my hair that day; I stared at the empty seat right next to Portis, who wouldn't face me for anything in the world.

I deserved this.

I sat down, looking to my left, opposite Portis, seeing another one of my classmates.

"So let's start with some official rankings for our class. Are you all excited?" No one in the room said anything; everyone was avoiding staring or interrupting Trivia. No one wanted to mess with him. "Quiet excitement is the best type of excitement, so I have been talking with the directive board, and I was able to agree with them to stop sending us on such risky missions most of the time, but you guys can take them still if you want. I want you all to start improving your rescuing hero skills at other places, and we have gotten some exciting deals with building constructions and rescue teams around the world. So based on that, we shall not be doing power base ranks anymore, well, at least not solely based."

That got everyone's attention as Trivia turned on a small PowerPoint presentation, shining on the board; almost everyone's spot was scrambled. Of course, Trivia was first; since he woke up, he has been in a speedrun to be our lord and savior, saving everyone and everything in his path.

"Second spot still? Sweet" Draw said nearby.

"Huh? I am higher now. Guess I beat you, Anderson. But I am willing to let you fight me for the spot." The sky witch mocked me from the end of the room; she was filing her nails at that moment.

"Maaaan, I am last again?" I heard Eva... Mimic said behind me.

"Please try to go on more missions." Trivia replied "I will try to get you on some more as well since I don't want you out of our school." Everyone kept talking about their spots but noticed that I went from fourth to... eighth? I expected Allison to beat me, sure. Hudson was a bit surprising, but he is pretty strong and handy with those bugs. Sky... Witch... Mia... She is... Okay? I can see that, but also Portis was above me; I took a hit.

A big hit.

"Now with everyone's spots defined again I—"

"Excuse me" I raised my hand as Trivia stopped talking, still smiling as before.

"Why am I so low? I don't remember doing something that—"

"You stopped going on missions and locked yourself in your room for months. I don't deem you fit for your spot."

"But—"

"And I haven't forgotten about our deal, Jack. So take this as incentive."

"But that's 2 spots away from—"

"I did not ask about that, be grateful I let you stay because Tony here is not able to beat you YET. But with enough missions they will overcome your spot soon. Now without further ado I will-" Another person raised their hand, next to me, it was Portis.

"I do not like my spot; I give up my right of being 7th rank to whoever is behind me."

"That's not how it w—"

"Jack wants to fight with me." Portis said with a straight face.

"I-"

"Yes, good, I give up; he beat me there. 7th Rank moves him up. Not planning on going to much missions either so..." Trivia went quiet, his smile fading away.

"Sure... Edwin, could you do the proper paperwork, seeing you are our class rep and everything?" He seemed upset about that. I turned around facing Portis to thank her.

"Uhm, thanks about that. I was—"

"I didn't do it for you. The lower I get, the faster I get expelled. If I quit school, they will charge me a huge amount of money; if I get expelled, I won't. Don't even think for a moment that I wanted to help you, Anderson. You and I aren't friends, and we will never be again." I felt even worse now; my ex-best friend wanted to leave school, and the number one spot wanted to get me expelled. I have no one nor anything on this island to talk to or be with; I was absolutely alone in this, and there was some heaviness on my chest.

It felt like I was sinking, sinking deeper; I just wanted to hide away and enjoy myself with my own little games, vices, and entertainment. I could drown my brain in dopamine if I focused hard enough, drug myself without drugs; that's all I needed to do, live in ecstasy and bliss. No one will care, absolutely no...

"Hey Anderson" I heard as it suddenly turned night. A hand extended as I looked up at her; it was Sirli. "Don't forget about our promise."

"Our promise?" I said as the world was starting to shake.

"Yes, I have a plan and I will need you- You are going to help me G-E-T-M-E-S..⋏⌰⏃ ⏁⌰ ⋉⎐⏁⌰⏃⍜⌿⎍⋏ ⋔⊬⎐⏁ ⎎⎐⏚⊬ ⋔⊑⏃⍜⌰⊬. ⌿ ⎍⌰⌰☍ ⎎⎐⏚ ⏃⎐ ⋏⌰⏃ ⏁⌰ ⏃⍜⌰ ⍀⌰⎎ ⏃⎐ ⌰⎍☍ ⊑⌇⌇ ⎐⋔ ⏃⍜⌿⋉, ⌿⏃ ⎅⌿⌇⌇ ⍜⊑⍙⍙⌰⎍ ⌿⎍ ⊑ ⋔⌰⎅ ⏁⎐⎍⏃⍜⋉, ⋉⎐⊬⊬⎎ ⌿⋔ ⌿ ⊑⏁ ⎐⏁⌿⎍⎐⏚⋉ ⟟⏚⏃ ⌿ ⊑⏁ ⊑⋔⊬⊑⌿☍, ⊑⋔⊬⊑⌿☍ ⏃⍜⊑⏃ ⌿⋔ ⌿ ⏃⌰⌇⌇ ⎎⎐⏚, ⎎⎐⏚ ⎅⌿⌇⌇ ☍⌰⟊⌇⌿⎍⌰, ⟟⏚⏃ ⎎⎐⏚ ⊑⊬⌰ ⏃⍜⌰ ⎐⎍⌇⎎ ⍙⌰⊬⋉⎐⎍ ⌿ ⏃⊬⏚⋉⏃, ⟟⌰⟊⊑⏚⋉⌰ ⏃⊬⌿☊⌿⊑ ⎅⌿⌇⌇ ☍⌰⋉⏃⊬⎐⎎ ⌿⏃ ⊑⎍☍ ⏃⍜⌰ ⎐⏃⍜⌰⊬⋉ ⊑⊬⌰ ⎍⎐⏃ ⊬⌰⌇⊑⏃⌰☍ ⏃⎐ ⎎⎐⏚⊬ ☍⊑☍, ⍜⌰⌇⍙ ⏁⌰ ⏁⊑⍀⌰ ⌰☊⌰⊬⎎⏃⍜⌿⎍⋏ ⟟⌰⏃⏃⌰⊬, ⍜⌰⌇⍙ ⏚⋉ ⋉⏁⌿⌇⌰ ⊑⋏⊑⌿⎍ ⍙⌇⌰⊑⋉⌰." It was nothing but gibberish, I didn't hear, didn't understand, I was unable to get a grasp of it and then.

I woke up.

Date/time: Present

Location: Jack's Bedroom. Height Alliance

I woke up with Tsuyu shaking me awake. "Jack, are you okay?" I touched my head as I was able to remember some of my dream. I stood up, putting on some clothes. "You were mumbling and shaking"

"I— What time is it? I need to get something for Port—I mean, Sirli."

"Jack, it's 3 a.m. You cannot leave the school grounds unless you want to get in trouble."

"I— Okay, sorry." I went back to bed with her.

"What's wrong?"

"I had a nightmare."

"That didn't feel like a nightmare."

"I remembered my promise with her, I just—well, sort of. I had this nightmare; my classmates were in it, everyone looked sad, angry, and tired, and Portis hated me and Trivia- I just cannot shake off his stupid eerie smile and—"

"Jack..." Tsuyu looked worried; I came close and hugged her.

"I think I have done everything wrong so far."

"You are doing okay."

"No, I am not. I need to stop my dad; I cannot just enjoy life and go playing and dancing and having fun all the time—"

"You don't sound like you had fun before."

"But you guys had it worse; I don't deserve it. I don't deserve to sink in the misery of another person; I shouldn't be the one traumatized, but it's me instead. I don't get it."

"Jack, you are not making much sense right now. Just tell me for once what happened; just be honest. What is it that troubles you?"

"... I hurt Trivia in the past. But not like hurting him directly, like stabbing him or anything like that."

"Emotionally?"

"No. I mean, yeah? Maybe? I did mock him a few times, but not like in a bully way; I just kind of find him annoying to be with, but that's not it. He got hurt, and I could've helped him, but I didn't. I even mocked him, I think. I was with my girlfriend; she said something, I said something back, and I know I insulted him. I saw his smile fade away; he promptly left after that."

"What happened to him?"

"... A few years ago, back in your war, the war that hurt everyone in this place, the one where All for One, that psycho died, a few months back, before that, that's when it happened, he wanted to come help. He gathered a team, a small one. A few came here to help; he wanted to join you guys, fight alongside you, and help reclaim Japan for the heroes. He knew you needed help, but he was weak, really weak, like bottom of the barrel weak. That's why he gathered allies, but even his allies were weak; the only one who wasn't was Hudson. The only reason everyone lived was because of him, but Trivia got hurt. Really, really hurt, he spent 3 months in the ICU. I used to come and help some of the doctors fix his organs and bones; it was a miracle he survived."

"I don't get it. Did you tell him to come help us?"

"No. He asked me to join him, to help them, help you all and—"

"And... you declined."

"Yes."

"Why?" I went quiet at that.

"I fear answering that question, can I not? Just this time? B-but if you really want the reason, I will tell you."

"... No need, not unless you don't want to, but instead answer this: was the reason you didn't come something bad?"

"I am—not entirely sure... But I was slightly afraid... But fear wasn't my first thought in mind; it was indifference."

"..." She was quiet thinking what to say.

"I am glad you didn't come then."

"Huh?"

"You could've died instead."

"I could've saved everyone."

"Or you could've died instead. You say that this guy Trivia or whatever his real name is—"

"He wants to change his name... He, uhm, says my name and his are too similar, so he really dislikes it, so he goes by Trivia now. He doesn't want anything that reminds him of me, he holds this grudge, no more like this deal over my head, something I promise him and reminds me that things could've been different if I had come with him, its just like guilt tripping but I actually deserve it"

"I—wow, okay, that's." She looked curious as to how much this guy Trivia hated me. "Never mind that, Jack; you don't have to go on such dangerous missions; you could've died."

"But you guys could've died, and they almost died; I should've been there. If I had been there, things would've been different. Maybe we could've even avoided any of this to happen. That's what he says, Trivia. I mean, he is so sure that no matter how small the person, they can trigger such change in the events that he is certain that if everything had gone well, maybe we could've helped you all, saved everyone, and no one had to die, but I believe... I still have some of his blood in my hands because I didn't help."

"... If you had helped, there was a chance we couldn't have met. Would you still change things if it meant never meeting any of us?"

"I—" I thought about it, going back to Portis, my ex. Trivia is back to his usual self, Draw stays number one, we are all just angry pricks, but no one looks like they had gone to a funeral. Our place would've been better if it hadn't been because of me.

But staring at her sweet eyes, I smiled and hugged her. "No, I don't think so. But that's also bad. I cannot depend on you guys to be happy. "

"Then be happy with yourself first, Jack, but how about just for tonight you go back to sleep?"

"I like that idea." I cuddled her close, heading back to sleep. I had some busy days coming.

However, as I closed my eyes, I couldn't help but feel that everyone would be happier if I didn't chase my own happiness.

People would be happier without me.

2 days later.

It was time to go back to our usual old self. Aizawa surprisingly, after the whole ass fiasco that went down at New Deika City, allowed me to go back into heroism. With a few exceptions, I was only allowed FOR NOW to operate in the same city, and I should be with another person. Seemingly this week I was paired with Midoriya, who has been volunteering to clean up trash around.

I mean, I hate doing that, but hero work is hero work. I'm not one to decline doing it, so I was going to help out with that surprisingly enough, and I think I owe Izuku an apology for anything, really. I am just a jerk when he is just living his life. I really should be nicer to that guy when he is thrice as nice as I would ever be.

However, not everything seems to be going my way.

I was currently eating at the lunchroom. I've been avoiding Sirli these last few days, but I dropped by yesterday to sleep in the house with her next to me since she still has trouble sleeping alone for some goddamn reason. And here I thought I had mental issues.

"Hey Jack, Have you gotten any news about your friends back at Nemo?" Momo asked.

"Hm?" I said while eating a sandwich. "Oh, uuuuh, no one ever tells—"

"Please swallow first."

I did as she asked before replying. "No one ever tells me anything."

"Hmmm, have you asked?"

"No point; most of this stuff is kind of secret anyway. The fewer people that know about it, the less the risk of it being leaked, and you know I am apparently terrible with secrets."

"You are good with the ones you like to keep."

"Well, I can always try and talk with Sirli... Which reminds me that she still needs to go and hang out one night with her; she is not so bad. I just need to figure out when it's a good time."

"You have been busy; don't stress yourself."

"I am not stressing! I am just trying to fix everything and not leave everything in the air without fixing."

"That sounds like you trying to do it all at once."

"Maybe. Maybe not, let's not think much about it."

"Not thinking about it got us in this mess, Jack, but if you have nothing new, then I guess I won't push more about the topic." Momo seemed upset about me not talking to her about it.

"Momo I promise that if I knew something, I would tell you... I uh, I do remember the promise I made to Sirli in the past; I am supposed to help her get something."

"Sirli is the girl living with you at your house, right?"

"Yuuuup, that's her alright."

"What is that promise you speak of?"

"I am not sure, but it should be something good."

"You cannot remember a promise you made?"

"OKAY SO 99% SURE I was suuuper drunk when I made it."

"Jack..." She looked now worried about me.

"I am fine, I am fine, just some past troubles."

"Jack, I don't mean to upset you, but could you talk to me more about your school?"

"What would you like to know?"

"Your friends, the things you guys do, your study system... That guy that you are afraid of, the one that, uhm, bullies you, I assume."

"Okay, so Trivia is NOT... a bully, I think? He is just, uhm, very disturbed."

"Still, I want to find out more about you." First Tsuyu, now Momo; this was getting bad.

"Okay, I will tell you as much as you want. Tsu knows some, but you can just, you know, have as much information as you want, or as I am comfortable with, because there are some things I am not ready to fully unpack."

"Well... I have been curious for a while, but have you spoken about this to anyone back at your home, like a therapist or a teacher?"

"I uuuuh—" Right on cue, my phone rang. "Excuse me," and I picked it up; it was Sirli on the other side. "Huh, wow, that's a great coincidence. I was just talking about you, well, related to you. It's Sirli," I said to Momo. "Zup Sirli"

"Were you speaking ill of me or in a well-mannered way? Actually, do not answer that; there is much more important business right now."

"How much more important"

"Well, you know how there are people with houses and then there are homeless people?"

"... Uh... Yeah?"

"You are about to become the second."

"Hm? Come again."

"They are kind of removing all the furniture out of your house, including my stuff... Also, I need you to come help—" I hung up quickly.

"Momo, great timing. You want to know something really, really important about me that not even I know cause if so, you should really come right now with me cause I am about to go run, like right now, to my house."

"Huh?" She looked surprised by what I had just said, but she stood up. "Uhm, okay?" And we headed out of the place, still in our uniforms, running towards my home. Couldn't even finish my sandwich.

Location: Jack's A house

I arrived to see that—"MY "FUCKING HOUSE WHAT THE FUCK?!"

"What's going on, Jack?" Momo stared as a moving company was taking everything away and placing a house on sale, well, almost everything; they left my actual stuff and Sirli's computer stuff on the side. I looked at Sirli, who was just sitting there calmly; I approached her in a hurry.

"Hey Jack, can you help me get this stuff to another place where I can—"

"YOU!!! EXPLAIN WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU DO!" Sirli actually looked scared for a moment.

"Jack, you don't know if it was her; let her talk." Luckily Momo was here to calm me down; I took a deep breath and let her explain.

"Jack, this house is not yours, or that's what they tell me."

"What do you mean this house was given to me? School did."

"The school gave you this house? Just like that?" She squinted. I tried to remember. Oh wait, no, my dad gave me this—

"Ah, fuck, this is my dad's house."

"No wonder your name is not on it; some guy named Jimmy Richter, probably some burnout, a fake name that can't be tracked, owns it."

"And I am getting kicked out."

"Correct."

"Well, it'll have my money at the bank at least."

"Do you have a joint account or a personal account?"

"... What's the, uh, the difference? How do I know?"

"Oh my god, Jack, please don't say that." Momo said in shock as I quickly accessed my bank account through my phone: 0, absolutely nothing, nada. I was drained and poor; it was not my money, sure. BUT I HAVE NOTHING NOW! Well, not really. I still have a few thousand dollars that were left on my account before taking my dad's deal. It was good while it lasted.

"Oh god... I am poor, like poor poor, Ochaco type of poor. Is that funny? No, that was rude as fuck, actually. Fuck... Okay, I at least get paid by the school millions every month, so

"Jack, did you sign a contract that said that?"

"No, why?" Both Momo and Sirli were absolutely disgusted about how irresponsible I was financially. "Was I supposed to? I just thought school worked like that, word stuff."

"So uh—what do you see in him?" Sirli mentioned.

"That's—I feel bad now. You girls make me feel dumb"

"You are dumb."

"I— Hmmm." Momo would come and pat my back.

"Maybe no one taught you about this? And we shouldn't talk to him this way because he was never taught about it and we could help him deal with his finances together?"

"Yeah! I had no parents, Sirli!"

"I have no parents either, idiot. I am one of the red star children; we were experiments before the heroes in my country helped us and freed us."

"Momo I cannot use my past on her; help me."

"Jack, for now let's get your stuff back to U.A."

"You heard it stuff; let's get going," I said to Sirli.

"Wait, Jack. Uhm—U. A lets you stay because you are a student; Sirli is not."

"Unlike Jack, I already had the idea of heading to U.A. I gave Trivia a call, and he said he and Edwin were going to do some paperwork and see if they can get me admitted during this week due to my situation."

"She is the smartest in our classroom" I expressed to Momo. "Wait, this week? Are you leaving this week?"

"Yes, I am. I will let you sleep alone once I am gone, Jack. Could you help me move the computer out of your house?"

"Yeah sure."

"So I guess we will be having two people from Nemo at U.A This week, so wonderful."

"It's okay; I do not wish to talk to any of you" Sirli said so straightforwardly to Momo, breaking the illusion she had of learning about me and Nemo.

"I promise I will tell you all you want to know from now on, Momo. No need for the nerd."

"You keep saying that, but I am still at point zero."

"Hmmmm, how about this? I once puked in Sirli's bathroom."

"It's true I was there."

"I wanted to know non-gross things about my boyfriend."

"Uuuuuuh, I once went out and spent a Christmas with Sirli."

"Oh? I actually want to hear that story."

"It was the same day he puked in my bathroom."

"Jaaaack..." Momo felt more disappointed about me than ever.

"Also... Uuuh, Sirli, a word?"

"What's up?"

"You said I should get you something. What do I need to get you?"

"Oh... So you do remember."

"Pft, yeah, of course. Why would I forget?"

"Hmmm, I was vulnerable when I told you that, but I guess it's fine since I was going to ask you anyways. In the future I will ask you to help me with something."

"Ominous as always."

"Nemo basics"

"You know it, baby; let's get your stuff back to my bedroom. Momo care to help?" Momo nodded as she started to make some rope to get some things together without falling but once she was out of ear range I spoke to Sirli. "Hey, its the machine thing for Toru ready?"

"Its almost there, I have been working slowly on it."

"Cool.... No sorry I am making small talk I will get to the point" She looked at me a bit confused. "Whatever I am getting you, its big right? Whatever you know, I know you are hiding something Sirli, what is it that you are hiding"

"It will make my dreams come true, that's all, I found out about it and been looking for it all this time, its close."

"But what is it?"

"Its- Just- You kept your promises right? You will help me when-"

"But What?! Is it."

"Its the solution to all of our problems, I will get rid of all villains Jack."