22 A Tragedy

Leo ran through some alleys and finally stopped. He looked around but there wasn't any good place to put the phone at.

"I need to put it somewhere where the monster won't destroy it, but first.. I need to make a call and tell them about the situation. I am pretty sure that they already know that a monster is rampaging here, but they don't know the exact location."

Leo pulled out the phone from his pocket and nervously called the emergency number. He knew what to do, because his dad was a hero and they taught him about emergency numbers in school.

The call quickly connected and a sweet voice of a female answered the phone.

"Hello. What's your emergency? How may I help you?"

Leo quickly formulated an answer in his head and replied.

"Hello, my name is Leo and there have been an emergency! A giant monster is rampaging through the city and only one hero is fighting it at the moment. Requesting back up!"

"Okay... Excuse me, but how old are you?"

Leo was stunned by the sudden weird question, but he still replied, "I-I am 14."

The woman on the other side of the phone sighed and said, "Listen kid, it's not nice to steal stuff. Please return this emergency phone to the hero you stole it from."

Leo was completely dumbfounded. What does she mean by that?!

"No! That's wrong! This phone wasn't stolen! My dad gave it to me! My dad is a hero and he is fighting this monster all alone! He is the one requesting the backup!"

"Alright.. What's your dad's hero name then? And don't tell me it's All Might or Endeavor. We have had many All Might foster kids and stuff calling here. Try picking a different one this time" the woman chuckled.

Leo tried to calm himself down, but it wasn't really easy when he talked to this annoying woman.

"His name is Unflamable, he is a middle high ranking hero."

"I get it.. I get it.. So, I checked out the database and it looks like he had retired years ago due to an injury. I am afraid it's impossible for you to have his phone because every hero that retires, returns all of his equipment including their hero costumes and weapons. He couldn't possibly have kept his emergency phone. I am hanging up, try a different hero next time! Bye!" replied the woman.

"No! Seriously it's the truth! Please don't hang up on me! This phone is my only hope!" Leo pleaded.

The woman thought for a moment before replying, "Ugh.. Fine.. Bring him to the phone then."

Leo was losing his mind. Was this person brain damaged?! His father was risking his life, fighting the monster, and he had to deal with this dumb woman.

"He is busy fighting the monster. Please. Just locate this phone and send backup!"

"I am sorry I can't do that. For all we know this could be a trap laid by some villains. It's a common tactic to use a child to ambush heroes. We have had a similar cases in the past." the woman said.

Leo's legs gave up and he knelt on the ground.

Is there no way to help him? What should I do for her to believe me? Do I have to return back to dad? No, I will only be in his way. I am not strong enough.

Leo always depended on his dad. He wanted to be like him.

One day, his dad told him an amazing life advice.

'Always remember, when talking to a woman, you need to be kind and gentle. Always listen to everything she talks about. You will definitely win her heart that way. Now, there is a certain kind of a woman, which no matter how hard you try to please or listen to, she wouldn't care at all and will always be rude no matter what you do. We call that a bitch. Kinda like your own mother. Now, don't let her shit get to you. You need to establish your dominance. Never let the bitches hold you down. If you don't do that, you will end up being married to one and your life will be over in an instant.'

I see.

No.

I won't let her.

It's impossible.

Let's try it one more time.

'You are the one holding the leash.'

Thanks dad. I will make you proud.

'But don't tell mom I told you that. Especially the last part..'

Oi, don't ruin it.

Leo took a deep breath and replied. "My father is about to die. I am about die. Would you kindly FUCKING LOCATE MY FUCKING PHONE YOU BITCH?! I DON'T HAVE TIME FOR YOUR BULLSHIT!!" Leo shouted with all of his power.

The woman on the other side was visibly shaken by his outburst and replied,

"O-Okay.. I-I will confirm your location and send some top heroes your way..."

THERE WE FUCKING GO, FINALLY!

Leo hanged up on her and tried to find a safe spot to put it in. ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

He quickly spotted a trashcan. He opened it and placed the phone inside.

I just hope that the signal won't be blocked in there.

***************************************************

All Might had spent a lot of time, trying to locate the monster, but he couldn't find it no matter how hard he looked around.

'How did such a giant thing disappear? I don't have much power in me left, I am afraid I won't be able to fight the villain on my own. Heck, I might run out of steam before I can even find that thing.

"BOOM"

A giant explosion echoed through the silent street as a giant pillar of flames erupted into the sky.

"Was that the villain? I don't remember him having a fire quirk.

Is it fighting someone? Endeavor?"

All Might picked up his pace.

"I just hope it's a hero that knows about my secret.

It would be really awkward if I got exposed twice in one day."

Shortly after, he arrived where the fight took a place. The place was completely destroyed and some buildings were on fire.

He looked around, trying to find the villain or the hero that fought him.

"Where are they? Oh, I see something."

All Might lifted a big chunk of stone from the ground revealing a hero on the brink of death.

"HOLD ON! DON'T YOU DIE ON ME! I SHALL TRANSPORT YOU TO THE NEAREST HOSPITAL."

"Is that you Toshinori.." a weak voice interrupted him.

All Might threw away the heavy chunk of stone and observed the man's face.

Where have I seen him before?

"Hah. Can't even recognize your old pal huh.. Look how low I've fallen buddy."

All Might widened his eyes in realization. 'It couldn't be..'

"INFERNO.. IS THAT YOU?"

"Yeah ..Well, At least what's left of me. Haha." Inferno laughed.

Poor hero lost two of his legs and one of his arms. His face was partially melted and it was really hard to recognize him, but it was really him, one of the heroes from a secret squad called ghosts, and All Might's friend.

"BUT WHY ARE YOU HERE?! WEREN'T YOU RETIRED DUE TO YOUR INJURY?! HOW COULD YOU FIGHT THAT MONSTER?!"

"It's not like I wanted to, my kid was about to die. Do you think I could just watch as he kills my son?" Inferno sighed.

"NO. OF COURSE NOT. DAMN IT. DID YOU TELL YOUR FAMILY ABOUTGHOST SQUAD OR DID YOU NOT? DO THEY KNOW YOU ARE A HIGH RANKING HERO?" All Might asked.

"No, I completely forgot. They know my normal hero name. Not my ghost code name. Guess you will have to tell them haha." Inferno laughed.