[81: Presenting An Alternative]
A few days had passed, but nothing had calmed down in the slightest. In fact, it received even more attention when it was confirmed that multiple HPSC officials would be sent to trial. And some reports even suggested that prosecutors planned to demand the death penalty for some of them. It was basically a massive trial of the century for Japan.
The heroes were also affected. While many of them previously would've appeared in public, it seemed this time they preferred to rescue people away from the cameras.
Except for All Might. Mostly, at least. Along with his hero work, he had started doing his best to advocate for heroes, trying his best to shift public view to a more positive light.
"All Might, how do you feel knowing that the assassinations and silencing done by the HPSC were also a contributor to your time of great peace? Did you know they were taking advantage of your image and work to extend your time of peace artificially?"
A hard-hitting question from an interviewer. Questions like this were common during interviews he gave. Whether on TV or on the street. And it couldn't be avoided.
"I feel disgusted by the thought, and it's very unfortunate what is happening. At least justice is being delivered this time by the courts," All Might said.
"All Might, as you know, the first trials are already being held. What do you think of the prosecutors demanding and bringing forth the death penalty for some of the HPSC officials?" The interviewer asked.
"I have trust in our courts and people to deliver the appropriate punishment they deem fit for the crime committed," All Might said.
At UA, some of the faculty were watching.
"He's being more composed than I thought he would," Aizawa said.
"He has to be. He doesn't have a choice. He's probably the only one who can make things just a little better in terms of current public perception," Nezu said.
"You heard about Hawks resigning? Well, it's more of a hiatus, but effectively a resignation," Aizawa said.
"Yes. Hawks might be the hero having it the worst right now."
"Are your students handling it well?"
Aizawa sighed. "It's been rough for some of them. Morale is kind of low. First it was Eleanor disappearing, and now finding out what the HPSC has been doing. I've recommended they visit the school counsellor. But whether they go or not is up to them."
"I see. We'll help them as much as we can. Having their views of heroes be so…dismantled must be hitting them hard," Nezu said.
Aizawa flipped the channels on the TV, seeing what the media was reporting, but there was something that made him concerned.
"They tell you that you are free! But then they turn around and tell you when you are able to use your own body, when you are able to exercise your own abilities, and that you have to wait for permission to protect yourself! They put all of this under the guise of public safety! But look at what their 'public safety' consists of! Assassinations, silencing witnesses, and stripping away the rights of people who wanted to report the truth of their actions! And all of this with the approval of the government! I am, of course, talking about the Hero Public Safety Commission and a government that let them operate the way they did for years."
On the screen was a man making a fiery and impassioned speech. Nezu and Aizawa may not have had such a good idea of who it was, but Eleanor certainly does. It was Re-Destro.
"We offer something else. This government has proven that it can't be trusted when it comes to telling people why and when they can or can't use their quirks! This government has shown an oversight when it comes to quirk law. They have shown they can not be trusted with our best interests in mind! We offer something else! We offer an alternative!" Re-Destro got more active and louder in his speech.
He continued. "Our organization will offer legal counsel and assistance for people prosecuted for 'unauthorized Quirk use.' Our organization will conduct its own public investigations into unresolved cases involving the traitorous actions of the HPSC and uncover what really happened to provide closure and answers to victims who have been affected. Our organization will form emergency response groups to truly help those in need and not be at the mercy of heroes who pick who is more 'worthy' of saving."
Finally, Re-Destro made the grandest words of his speech. "We are the Meta Liberation Army, and we accept everyone who has felt neglected or given an unfair chance by the actions of the HPSC and the government behind it, including those whose quirks have left them with difficulty finding employment. We are the Meta Liberation Army, and we offer an alternative for Japan!"
The broadcast finally ended. When Nezu and Aizawa saw it, their worst concerns were realized. Someone had taken direct action and exploited the situation of the HPSC. Nezu and Aizawa could only speculate about it. How many people had seen this? How many would agree? How many would…join this Meta Liberation Army? What would the government's response be?
Too many questions, and very few answers.
⁂
(Eleanor's Hideout)
'Alternative for Japan? Hmm…where have I heard this before? Oh yeah, Germany. What a coincidence. I remember the whole mess happening in Germany in the early 21st century; hell, not even Germany, all of Europe. Except for Poland. Poland is awesome. At least one country is doing something right while the others shoot themselves in the foot over and over again. You have to mess up so badly to hand parties like that a victory. Democracy is great until people vote for parties the traditional platforms don't like.'
Eleanor smirked at her own thoughts after watching the broadcast. To her, it really did seem that the more things change, the more they stay the same.
"Eleanor…I think we may be responsible for this." Lady Nagant came up behind Eleanor.
"You think, Kaina? We have to be honest; we are responsible for this. Well, we're responsible for lighting the match and making this quicker. Anything after this is a response from Japan and now the MLA. I guess we're about to be a major part of history, even if we likely won't be recognized for it. We'll be ghosts," Eleanor said.
"What do you think will happen now?"
"That's a tough question. Things can go many different ways. What will definitely happen is that the government won't let the MLA operate freely. And the MLA also won't back down. There'll be a conflict almost guaranteed, but the how or why is hard to pinpoint. This can go many different directions."
"And the worst-case scenario?" Lady Nagant asked.
Eleanor was quiet for a moment. Her face didn't have any emotion or reaction. It was cold and aloof. It was almost unnaturally calm.
"The worst case?"
Eleanor slowly turned to look at Lady Nangant.
"Civil war."
⁂
End of Chapter
A/N: A short, but hopefully sweet, one today. Was a bit busy doing some stuff, but I've been on a roll lately, and I wanted to keep it up.