The next day at school, Jake and Melissa were walking around as there were some support heroes working on repairs after the attack by Vortex.

"Man, that guy really did a number on the academy." Melissa said.

"He's dangerous." Jake said seriously. "We can't keep letting him roam free like this. Someone has to put an end to him as soon as possible."

"Oh boy. . . this is just upsetting!" Marianne said. "That big meanie Vortex! How are we gonna stop him?"

"We aren't gonna do anything." Jake said. "I'm gonna have to fight him by myself."

"Huh?" Marianne said. "So, you *were* serious about that!"

"I've got the gauntlets." Jake said. "I can easily take him down."

"But they're still a prototype." Melissa said.

"Then, we have to make sure they're completed by the time Vortex attacks again." Jake said.

"But how can we be sure when that will be?" Melissa asked.

Jake thought about it for a moment, when he suddenly saw a group of girls talking as they appeared to be looking at something on the wall.

The girls then walked away, giggling softly and Jake walked up to what they were looking at. And what he saw surprised him.

I-Island Academy Prom Night!
Don't miss one of our biggest events of the year! Pair up and start planning for one of the biggest nights of your lives!

"That's right." Melissa sighed. "Prom Night is coming up."

"Aw man. . . I still don't have a date for that!" Marianne pouted.

"If there's any better day for Vortex to attack again, it's then." Jake said. "He seems cruel enough to come and ruin a night so important."

"Are you sure?" Melissa asked.

"I'm positive." Jake said. "I have no doubt that he'll show up here."

"Then, that's when we arrive him back!" Melissa said.

"No. . . we have to stop him before then." Jake said, shaking his head. "That way, prom night won't be ruined. I'd hate for you and Marianne to have this once in a lifetime opportunity go to ruin."

"But, prom is only a few nights away." Melissa said. "It's this Saturday."

"That soon, huh?" Jake sighed. "Does this school usually post last minute announcements like this?"

"They must've been busy." Marianne said.

"Busy with what?" Melissa asked. "Making these posters?"

"Last minute or not, this is our one and only chance to put an end to his reign of terror." Jake said, seriously. "And I'm determined to make things right. It's me that he's seemingly after. I have to do this."

"Jake. . ." Melissa said, feeling concerned.

"I've lost people close to me because of cruel villains." Jake said. "I'm not gonna let that happen to anyone else."

Hearing that, Marianne sighed and looked down with a sad expression on her face.

"You're saying you'd sacrifice yourself just to stop him?" Melissa asked. "That's crazy talk!"

"Too much is at stake." Jake said. "I may appear to be a hero to you, but I'm not. I'm just doing this out of duty."

"Then, let us help you come up with a plan." Melissa said. "We won't interfere with the fight, but we can still help to the best of our abilities."

Jake then thought back during his time with Melissa and remembered the conversation that they had.

"You sounded so serious when you told me that you were inspired by my mindset. But trust me. . . I'm the last person you'd want to look up to. If anything. . . you should thank my father for inspiring me."

"Why is it bad that I'm inspired by you? You're smart, and nice, and. . . persistent. The last good deed I remember doing is. . . killing something. I just. . . I don't know where to go from here. My powers have been a curse to me for a long time, and. . . I guess I just need someone to look up to. And you just so happen to be that person."

Jake sighed as he gave them both a serious look. "Alright. . . I'll let you girls help." He said. "But at the time of the fight, I'll be doing everything myself."

"That's fine." Melissa said. "We'll be cheering you on from the side."

Jake smiled as he saw how cheery Melissa was being. 'This is why you inspire me, Melissa.' He thought to himself. 'You seem so happy and determined all the time. I wish I could be like you.'

At that moment, a bell rang, which meant that it was time for class.

"I'll see you later, Jake." Melissa said with a smile.

"Yeah. . . we'll beat Vortex." Jake said, confidently. "I promise."

"I don't doubt it." Melissa said as she began to head to her next class.

But Jake noticed that Marianne had stood completely still where she was. And she didn't look happy.

"Marianne?" Jake asked. "Are you okay?"

"Huh?" Marianne said, snapping back into reality. "Oh, um. . . yeah, I'm fine."

Without another word, Marianne headed to her next class, leaving Jake confused. But he just shrugged it off as he walked to his next class.

But little did they know, was that someone has been listening to them from around a corner. And that someone was none other than Matt.

Once they were gone, Matt turned the corner and stared at the prom poster with a serious look on his face. He then began to walk in another direction as he also headed to his class as well.

To be continued. . .

Jake Moon, Marianne, and Matt belongs to me

My Hero Academia belongs to Kohei Horikoshi

All rights reserved