Midnight Gala,
Los Angeles
The Midnight Gala was an annual charity event that attracted donations from all over the country.
Mostly, it attracted a healthy crowd of civilian celebrities to promote the event, with one of the top trending Heroes as the chief guest.
Today, as usual, the event was scheduled to start at 02:00 AM.
However, an hour had gone by, showing no signs of its beginning.
Despite this delay, a heavy crowd was gathered in front of the venue, scores of journalists and cameramen waiting for the chief guest's arrival.
And the moment they saw a limousine rolling toward the venue, a buzz coursed through them, the cameras blinding everything with flashes already.
The limousine came to a stop right at the end of the red carpet, the security keeping the journalists and crowd on either side, behind the rope barriers.
"He's here!" People, mostly young women, were shouting. "He's here!!"
The limousine's door opened.
A tall, muscular man, wearing a neat, black tuxedo and stylish blond hair, stepped out, wearing a thick smile on his face, his light blue eyes glowing white against the flashes.
He was one of the strongest Heroes of the United States of America, and perhaps the entire World, Christopher Skyline, more popularly known as —
— Playboy Hero: Captain Celebrity!
"C. C.!!" The girls shouted out their lungs, almost breaking the barriers. "C. C.!! We love you!!!"
"HAHAHA!" Captain Celebrity laughed boisterously, winking at the girls. "I love you, too…"
The crowd suddenly went silent.
"… OR that's what I would have said a few years ago!" Christopher hurriedly added. "Now, I am a changed man!"
And the noise returned.
Hidden behind the smile, drops of sweat drenched Captain Celebrity's back.
"Oi…" He said, gritting his teeth and barely opening his mouth. "What are you doing?! Come out! You are supposed to stop me from saying these odd things…"
"I still can't speak English that well…"
Christopher suddenly shook.
He looked over his shoulder and found his sidekick standing meekly in his shadow.
"Dammit, Koichi!" Christopher cursed. "Stop doing that! Come forward. Show them that cute smile… They might not remember what you did last time…"
Koichi Haimawari — Hero Name: The Skycrawler — Captain Celebrity's Sidekick, stumbled out of Christopher's shadow as the huge man slammed his back.
"… It's the Skycrawler…"
It wasn't a cheery call.
Nor was it an excited one.
It was just some journalists noticing Koichi, hoping to get another controversial statement out of the poor guy.
Of course, the security guards didn't let anyone through.
Koichi was one of the three Naruhata Vigilantes from years ago, along with Iwao and Kazuho.
It was he who had confronted Number 6 — All For One's most prized experiment of that time.
During Koichi's Vigilante days, because of his personality issues, Christopher had gone to Japan to create a new image for himself.
By the end, Captain Celebrity had indeed found himself to be a changed man.
Also, because of the utter destruction caused by the fight between Koichi and Number 6, and his status of being a Vigilante, the Heroes Association had advised Koichi to go to America with Christopher.
Ever since then, Koichi had remained active in the USA as Captain Celebrity's Sidekick.
It was just, because of his weak communication skills, he had been making news for all the wrong reasons, spewing out confusing statements.
So, as Captain Celebrity walked forward, waving at the crowd, Koichi, also wearing a black tuxedo, again put himself in the tall Hero's shadow, smiling wryly here and there.
Suddenly, just as they were about to enter the venue, all phones began ringing on either side of the barriers.
Not only phones, but a loud siren also rang across the surroundings.
"… What's happening?" Christopher asked, frowning.
The head security guard rushed to the top-ranked Hero. "… Someone just attacked LA Villains Detention Center," he explained, stunned.
This Detention Center was one of the country's most secure ones.
Just who would be stupid enough to attack it?!
"Let's continue with the event, Sir," the manager of the event, who came rushing in after hearing of the incident, said. "Local Heroes will take care of it."
"Haha!" Christopher laughed. "Of course…"
Koichi pulled back the tall Hero's suit, sharing a meaningful glance.
"… Of course NOT!" Christopher shouted, changing his words. "If Villains attacked the Detention Center, then they must have their reasons… But… They must not have known about me! Worry not, citizens! Captain Celebrity is here!!"
"C. C.!!!!" The crowd went wild.
Then, grabbing Koichi by the back of his suit, Christopher flew away, leaving stormy gusts of wind behind.
Only a moment later, they landed on top of a skyscraper, though.
"… What are you doing?!" Koichi asked, stunned. "We need to get there as fast as we can!"
"Hold it, now, Koichi…" Christopher said, taking off his suit. "Media will be there… I guess. It's the best time to increase my popularity. Hurry up! Change into your Hero Costume…"
"…" Koichi looked at Christopher with his mouth hanging open.
Then, as if giving up, he let out a sigh, dutifully taking off his tuxedo as well.
This was how Captain Celebrity was, Koichi knew. The man liked fanfare, but he was also a good Hero. When it came to Hero work, Christopher didn't leave any stone unturned. It was just, sometimes all this fanfaring really took a toll, clouding Christopher's judgment… like now.
Captain Celebrity's long, red cape fluttered noisily against the wind as he donned his Hero Costume. He took out a comb and adjusted his blond hair, making sure they were smooth and perfect.
On the other side, The Skycrawler donned his glass helmet, stretching his arms and legs.
"Are you ready to do some Hero work?" Christopher asked, putting his leg up on the roof's edge.
Koichi did a few quick jumping jacks, warming himself up, and jumped to the edge of the roof as well. "Yes, Captain!"
"Haha!" Captain Celebrity laughed. "Then, let's show these Villains what a mistake it was… choosing tonight."
The Skycrawler nodded, smiling as well.
Then, with a massive BOOM, both shot through the sky, leaving behind a flashy, windy trail.
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NOTE: Koichi Haimawari and Christopher Skyline are cannon Characters of MHA Vigilantes series. You don't need to read/watch that work, but if you can, it will be helpful for you to understand Koichi, Kazuho, Iwao, and other core characters' mindset in the future.
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AN: Original Image of Captain Celebrity and Skycrawler in their Hero Costumes is available
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