Creeping Suspicions

Footsteps echo across a silent staircase as a door swings open. The noise of the streets below breaking the silence. A boy stands near the edge of the building as multiple others run in, shrouded by darkness.

"Alright team, what's our goal for today!" The boy in front exclaims proudly. "...YOU called US, what are you talking about." The girl to his side asks. "Oh. I did do that, didn't I?" He says, rubbing his chin. "Ah, whatever. Anyway, follow me! We got a new target on our hands!" He points out towards the sky.

"Okay, a test run sounds good. But where is he exactly?" Another boy asks. "Good question!" The presumable leader responds. He leaps off the building. "I've never seen someone this crazy.. Still, let's just go!" A girl exclaims, as the rest of the team leap off with him. 

They land directly in front of a pitch-black limousine. The shine of the car headlights illuminate the leader, a boy in a black hoodie detailed with a painting of the moon on his back. As he looks up, he places a mask representing the Great Devil Noh on his face. "LUNAR!" The other team members yell out. "Government Official or not, I will NEVER let you do what you want!" Lunar shouts. The memories blend together, going out into the distant past.

A voice yells something unintelligible, like yelling into an empty void. Until reality is snapped back into place. "Takami, are you sure you'll be alright? You spaced out... Plus, there's been a surge in crime recently!" The older woman exclaims. "Eh, I'll be alright. I'm sure I can handle anything!" Takami boasts. Immediately after exiting his home, Takami looks up at the extremely tall buildings on his city before opening his phone. He grabs his headphones, puts on a podcast, and starts his weekly run to school. 

Past him he watches as people light grills with just a touch, take off from the ground and leap hundreds of meters with a single jump, and even just lift cars to find their lost keys. "So today's the anniversary of the day we all gained superpowers, correct?" The podcast guest asks. "Well, some people believe we've always had powers. The sheer speed of how fast humanity grew is proof of that alone. That doesn't really matter though." The host retorts. 

"Still, the police discourage any kind of superhero-ism... I think the cops are all a buncha dumbasses! Just because a lot of 'em have powers doesn't mean they can stop people from using theirs!" Another guest shouts. "Hey, man! Calm down, can't have the cops breaking down our door.." the host exclaims. "I'm just worried about our recent.. "power advisor" or whatever he's called... He recently announced what's being called the next step in humanity's innovation. I don't trust that bastard one bit, but I'm also a bit intrigued.." the guest from earlier adds. 

"Yeah, that's fair. Moving on-" the host says as Takami removes his headphones and looks at his school building intensely. He walks in, immediately being greeted by another boy with extremely light blonde hair, to the point of almost being white. "Sorry, my mom kept nagging me and-" Takami says, however he notices his friends worried demeanor and stops in his tracks. 

"C'mon Minato, you look like someone just died!" Takami proclaims. Minato turns his head, darting his eyes around the school's entrance to avoid eye contact. "50 officers were annihilated just now... We were just told.." Minato responds. "W-well, you mean regular officers right?" Takami ponders in disbelief. Minato shakes his head. "All of them powered. Including... Destined Future." Minato proclaims. Takami trembles slightly, feeling his entire world shatter. 

"You're kidding me... Destined Future? The guy that could lift buildings and wipe countries off the map... dead? What kind of monster...?" He questions. "That's the thing, we don't even know... Our school's having an emergency assembly so we should hurry.." Minato says. As they rush over to their courtyard, the entire school stands in silence as a man in a dark suit emits a malicious aura. Takami intensely stares at the man as he begins to speak. 

"I've come here to quell the worries from students and staff alike. You won't need to worry about the destruction, neither will you need to worry even with the unfortunate passing of Destined Future. That man stood for peace, for a better future. His status as a symbol was one of the most important things not only to us as a people, but to the entire world. That is why I will now implement the Hero Protection Program, or H.P.P for short. This will allow anyone over the age of 16, with proper training, to become an honorary officer or in other terms an official hero." The man explains. The crowd erupts in surprise, but also excitement at the news. 

"This will take some time to completely fully, but should you choose to join I humbly wish you best of luck, and welcome you to the Adobansu Corporation." He finishes. The man walks off, surrounded by multiple security guards. "I.. don't know how to feel about this." Minato proclaims. "Well I do." Takami exclaims before dashing ahead through the crowd and getting near the man. "I've introduced the HPP to the masses. Soon it'll spread like wildfire and Step 1 will be enacted soon enough." The man proclaims. A security guard immediately points a gun at Takami. 

"WOAH, you're gonna shoot a kid, huh?! I thought you needed us to be your HEROES for you!" He yells. The man scoffs, pulling his weapon away. "Get lost." The man says. Minato grabs Takami by the collar of his shirt and drags him away into the middle of the field. "What the HELL is wrong with you?! Are you picking a fight with our GOVERNMENT?!" Minato yells. "I'm pickin' a fight with 'em all right! You heard him right?! That hero whatever plan is sketchy and it's just their first phase!" Takami shouts. 

"You're overthinking it, he could just be talking about the next step to spread the message." Minato responds. "Minato, you're either with me or against me here. Do you trust me, or the government." Takami retorts. Minato pauses for a second, shocked at the suddenly change in demeanor. "...Fine, say they are doing something malicious. We haven't used our powers, we aren't allowed to! Not much we can do." Minato responds.

 "Well, we just gotta do as much as we can then." Takami replies. "Hey! Psst, you two. Get over here." A female voice calls out. The two of them walk over as they meet a girl with black hair and purple tips with a little star accessory. "Wha-?! You're... DESTINED FUTURE'S DAUGHTER?!" Minato yells. "Oh, I'm sorry to hear about your father mei. That has to hurt." Takami proclaims. "YOU KNOW DESTINED FUTURE'S DAUGHTER? WHEN THE HELL WERE YOU GONNA TELL ME?" Minato shouts. "Eh, I don't know. She's always just been Mei to me." Takami retorts. "Is Mei short for something or..." Minato ponders. 

"Unmei. I guess you can tell who named me, huh?" Mei responds. "My deepest apologies about your father. He was great man, and an even greater hero." He apologizes. "Don't apologize. I don't have time to be sad. My dad was murdered and the only god-damned reason it wasn't covered up is because our government wants to hide SOMETHING!" Mei explains.

"...Do you have any PROOF?" Minato questions. "N-no. But it's a gut feeling I have! I'll find something!" Minato sighs and shakes his head disapprovingly. "Two idiots trying to revolt against the government based on hunches... Fine, I guess I'll be your third idiot. But don't make me commit a Coup for no reason, alright?" Takami clenches his fist and pumps it in the air. "Alright then, we got our work cut out for us. I'm kinda excited!" Takami smiles widely, readying himself for the future.

Chapter 1 - The End.