How the MLA Could Acquire Eri and Anna
Eri Acquisition: Eri, a young girl with the Rewind Quirk, was initially under the control of Overhaul (Kai Chisaki) and the Shie Hassaikai, who exploited her Quirk to create Quirk-destroying bullets. In the canon, she is rescued by Deku and other heroes during the Shie Hassaikai Arc. For the MLA to acquire Eri, several scenarios could unfold:
Interception During the Shie Hassaikai Arc: The MLA, with its vast resources and intelligence network led by Skeptic, could intercept Eri during the chaos of the Shie Hassaikai raid. If the MLA had spies within hero society (like Slidin’ Go), they might learn of the operation and deploy operatives to kidnap Eri before or after Overhaul’s defeat. The MLA’s interest would stem from her Quirk’s potential to manipulate biological states, aligning with their goal of enhancing Quirk usage and creating a society where Quirks are freely used.
Post-Rescue Kidnapping: After Eri is taken to U.A. High for protection, the MLA could target her during a moment of vulnerability, such as during the Paranormal Liberation War or another large-scale conflict. With over 100,000 members and access to advanced technology through Detnerat, the MLA could orchestrate a covert operation to abduct her, possibly using Trumpet’s Quirk to rally civilians as a distraction or Geten’s ice-based abilities to overwhelm security.
Alliance with Overhaul Remnants: If remnants of the Shie Hassaikai survive, the MLA could recruit them, leveraging their knowledge of Eri’s Quirk. Our past discussions highlighted the MLA’s ability to absorb members from defeated groups like the Shie Hassaikai or Humarise. A rogue Shie Hassaikai member could provide intel on Eri’s abilities, prompting the MLA to prioritize her capture.
Anna Acquisition: Based on our prior conversations, Anna is a secretive figure within the MLA, known only to high-ranking members like Re-Destro and Curious, and potentially linked to Dark Might, a villainous counterpart to All Might who believes in power-based respect. Her acquisition by the MLA is less about capturing her and more about activating or deploying her, as she’s already within their ranks. Possible scenarios include:
Internal Development: Anna could be a product of the MLA’s experiments, possibly created or enhanced through Detnerat’s technology to serve as a weapon against hero society. Her unstable nature, as discussed previously, suggests she might be a volatile asset, perhaps with a Quirk amplified artificially, similar to Nomu enhancements.
Recruitment from a Fallen Group: Anna could be a survivor from another villainous faction (e.g., Humarise or Nine’s Crew) with a unique Quirk that the MLA seeks to harness. Her secrecy within the MLA implies she’s a high-value asset, possibly kept hidden to protect Dark Might’s public image or to avoid attracting attention from heroes.
Connection to Dark Might: If Anna is tied to Dark Might, as speculated, the MLA might have acquired her as part of their alliance with him. Her role could involve supporting his facade as a hero-like figure while secretly advancing the MLA’s agenda of Quirk liberation through covert operations.
Roles of Eri and Anna in the MLA
Eri’s Role: Eri’s Rewind Quirk, which can rewind a person’s biological state to a previous point (e.g., healing injuries or reversing age), is a strategic asset for the MLA. Her potential roles include:
Enhancing MLA Fighters: Eri could restore injured MLA members to peak condition during battles, giving them an edge against heroes or rival factions like the League of Villains. For example, she could heal Re-Destro after his self-amputation in the canon MLA Arc or restore Geten’s stamina during prolonged fights.
Quirk Amplification Experiments: The MLA, with access to Detnerat’s technology and Skeptic’s data analysis, could experiment with Eri’s Quirk to amplify or modify other Quirks. This aligns with their goal of promoting free Quirk usage, potentially creating super-soldiers with enhanced abilities. For instance, combining Eri’s Rewind with Geten’s ice manipulation could allow him to regenerate ice constructs indefinitely.
Propaganda Tool: The MLA could use Eri as a symbol of their cause, portraying her as a victim of hero society’s restrictive laws. Curious, with her media influence through Shoowaysha Publishing, could craft a narrative that Eri’s Quirk is a gift suppressed by heroes, rallying public support for the MLA’s ideology.
Weapon Against Heroes: Eri’s ability to rewind could be weaponized to de-age heroes, rendering them powerless (e.g., reverting All Might to his pre-injury state or worse). However, her lack of control over her Quirk would require the MLA to invest in training or technological aids, possibly through Dr. Garaki’s expertise if they recruit him.
Anna’s Role: Anna’s unstable but powerful nature makes her a wildcard. Based on our discussions, she’s a secret asset with potential ties to Dark Might. Her roles could include:
Covert Operative: Anna’s secrecy suggests she’s used for high-stakes missions, such as infiltrating hero organizations or sabotaging key targets. Her Quirk, if combat-oriented, could complement the MLA’s top brass (e.g., Re-Destro’s Stress, Geten’s ice, or Trumpet’s morale-boosting abilities).
Support for Dark Might: If Anna is linked to Dark Might, she might serve as his enforcer or protector, ensuring his facade as a societal stabilizer remains intact. Her instability could make her a liability, requiring the MLA to keep her under tight control, possibly using Skeptic’s surveillance to monitor her actions.
Technological Enhancement: Given the MLA’s access to Detnerat’s tech, Anna could be augmented with support items to stabilize or amplify her Quirk. For example, if her Quirk is volatile like Curious’s Landmine, Detnerat could develop devices to channel it effectively, making her a key asset in battles against heroes or the League of Villains.
Ideological Symbol: If Anna’s backstory involves oppression due to her Quirk, the MLA could use her as a rallying point for their cause, similar to how they leverage Destro’s manifesto. Her distress, as noted in past discussions, could be spun into a narrative of hero society’s failure to accommodate powerful Quirks.
Impact on the MLA’s Goals
The MLA’s core philosophy, as outlined in Destro’s Meta Liberation War, is that free Quirk usage is a human right, opposing government regulations that restrict Quirks to licensed heroes. Acquiring Eri and Anna would significantly advance this agenda:
Strategic Advantage:
Eri: Her Rewind Quirk could make the MLA’s army nearly invincible by healing wounds or reversing fatigue, allowing them to sustain prolonged conflicts like the Meta Liberation War. It could also counter the League of Villains’ destructive tactics, such as Shigaraki’s Decay, by restoring damaged allies or environments.
Anna: Her power, if combat-oriented, could bolster the MLA’s offensive capabilities, especially if paired with Dark Might. Her instability might require careful management, but her secrecy allows the MLA to deploy her as a surprise weapon against unsuspecting heroes.
Ideological Reinforcement:
Eri: Her history of abuse under Overhaul aligns with the MLA’s narrative of Quirks being suppressed. By “liberating” her, the MLA could claim moral superiority, arguing that hero society failed to protect her while they offer her freedom to use her Quirk.
Anna: As a hidden asset, Anna’s potential oppression or marginalization due to her Quirk could be used to highlight the flaws in hero society’s regulations, reinforcing the MLA’s call for Quirk liberation.
Alliance with Dark Might:
If Anna is tied to Dark Might, as discussed, her presence strengthens the MLA’s alliance with him. Dark Might’s belief in power-based respect aligns with the MLA’s meritocratic vision, where Quirk strength determines societal status. Eri’s Rewind could enhance Dark Might’s physical condition, making him a more formidable figurehead for the MLA’s cause.
Conflict with Other Factions:
League of Villains: The MLA’s acquisition of Eri and Anna would escalate their rivalry with the League, as seen in the canon MLA Arc. Eri’s Quirk could counter Shigaraki’s Decay, while Anna’s power might challenge key League members like Dabi or Toga. However, the League’s chaotic nature could exploit Anna’s instability, leading to internal MLA conflicts.
Humarise and Shie Hassaikai: As noted in past discussions, Overhaul and Humarise could emerge as rival threats. Eri’s prior connection to Overhaul might draw the Shie Hassaikai’s attention, leading to a three-way conflict. Humarise’s anti-Quirk ideology directly opposes the MLA, and Eri’s Rewind could be seen as a threat to their Quirk Singularity agenda.
Narrative Implications in My Hero Academia
The inclusion of Eri and Anna in the MLA’s ranks would reshape key arcs and themes in My Hero Academia:
Shift in Power Dynamics:
The MLA’s already formidable force of 100,000+ members becomes even more dangerous with Eri’s healing and Anna’s potential combat prowess. This could prolong the Meta Liberation Army Arc, forcing the League of Villains to adapt new strategies or seek alliances (e.g., with Dr. Garaki’s Nomu technology) to counter the MLA’s enhanced capabilities.
Heroes like Deku, Endeavor, and Hawks would face greater challenges. Hawks’ undercover mission could uncover Anna’s existence, complicating his role as a double agent. Deku’s personal connection to Eri would make her capture a driving force in his narrative, pushing him to confront the MLA directly.
Moral Ambiguity:
The MLA’s use of Eri, a child, raises ethical questions about their methods, despite their “righteous” cause. Their willingness to exploit her Quirk mirrors Overhaul’s actions, blurring the line between their ideology and villainy. This aligns with our past discussions about the MLA functioning as a cult-like organization, as noted by Mr. Compress.
Anna’s instability could lead to internal conflicts within the MLA, especially if her actions contradict their public image of liberation. Her distress might humanize her, creating sympathy among readers and challenging the heroes’ black-and-white view of villains.
Thematic Exploration:
Quirk Liberation vs. Control: Eri’s Rewind and Anna’s powerful Quirk highlight the MLA’s argument that Quirks are integral to identity and should be freely used. However, their exploitation of these characters undermines their rhetoric, reinforcing the series’ theme that freedom without responsibility leads to chaos.
Redemption and Agency: Eri’s trauma and Anna’s instability could lead to arcs where they resist the MLA’s control, seeking redemption or autonomy. Deku’s influence, as seen with Eri in canon, could inspire them to defect, challenging the MLA’s ideology from within.
Alternate Arcs:
Meta Liberation Army Arc: Instead of merging with the League to form the Paranormal Liberation Front, the MLA’s possession of Eri and Anna might embolden them to remain independent, leading to a prolonged war against both the League and heroes. Re-Destro could use Eri to restore his legs, avoiding his canon surrender to Shigaraki.
Paranormal Liberation War: With Eri and Anna, the MLA’s strength in the war increases, potentially overwhelming heroes. Anna’s link to Dark Might could introduce a new antagonist faction, complicating the conflict. Eri’s capture could lead to a rescue mission led by Deku, Mirio, and Aizawa, emphasizing themes of hope and protection.
Post-Series Implications: If the MLA survives the series’ end, as speculated in our discussions, Eri and Anna could influence a new wave of villainy. Eri’s Quirk might be used to revive fallen MLA members, while Anna’s power could inspire a splinter group, perpetuating the Quirk liberation ideology in the eight-year time skip.
Potential Challenges and Counteractions
Eri’s Lack of Control:
Eri’s Rewind Quirk is unstable and requires training, as seen in canon with Aizawa’s guidance. The MLA would need experts like Dr. Garaki or technological aids to harness it safely. Overuse could backfire, potentially de-aging MLA members to infancy or causing unintended side effects.
Anna’s Instability:
Anna’s volatile nature, as discussed, makes her a double-edged sword. If her Quirk is unpredictable, she could harm allies or expose the MLA’s plans. Skeptic’s surveillance and Re-Destro’s leadership would be crucial to managing her, but internal dissent (e.g., from Curious or Trumpet) could arise if she becomes a liability.
Hero Response:
Heroes like Deku, who has a personal stake in Eri, would prioritize her rescue, potentially uniting U.A. students and Pro Heroes against the MLA. Hawks’ intelligence-gathering could reveal Anna’s existence, prompting a targeted operation to neutralize her before she fully integrates into the MLA’s plans.
Aizawa’s Erasure Quirk could counter both Eri and Anna, neutralizing their abilities during a confrontation. This would force the MLA to rely on physical numbers and other Quirks, like Geten’s or Trumpet’s, to maintain their advantage.
League of Villains Counterattack:
The League, led by Shigaraki, would view the MLA’s acquisition of Eri and Anna as a direct threat. Shigaraki’s Decay could counter Eri’s healing by destroying entire areas, while Dabi or Toga might exploit Anna’s instability to sow chaos within the MLA, as seen in their canon tactics.
Conclusion
The MLA’s acquisition of Eri and Anna would transform them into a near-unstoppable force, leveraging Eri’s Rewind Quirk for resilience and Anna’s secretive power for strategic strikes. This aligns with their goal of dismantling Quirk regulations but risks exposing their cult-like tendencies, as noted in past discussions. The narrative would shift toward a more complex conflict, with heroes like Deku and Hawks facing moral and tactical challenges, while the League of Villains could exploit the MLA’s internal weaknesses. Eri and Anna’s roles highlight the tension between liberation and exploitation, reinforcing My Hero Academia’s themes of responsibility and societal balance. This scenario would create a richer, more dynamic villain arc, with lasting implications for the series’ universe.