Chapter Text
Izuku Midoriya is a hero nerd. A literal fanboy. He likes to think he is something of an expert and had thought he knew everything there was to know about the hero industry.
He was wrong.
“I’m sorry. You want me to what???”
The voice on the other end of the phone chuckles. “Why don’t I start at the beginning. I am the principal of UA high school and I was just reviewing your application and couldn’t help but notice-”
Izuku grimaces. ‘Here it comes. He noticed I’m quirkless and wants me to withdraw my application so I don’t embarrass myself or Aldera by failing so miserably.’
“-your impeccable grades. I spoke with some of your teachers and looked into your behavioral issues and I think you’ll make a very promising Villain!”
Izuku chokes. “E-Excuse me???”
“Now I know what you’re thinking. ‘How can a quirkless boy like me ever stand on the same stage as heroes and offer them a convincing challenge’ and-”
That is actually not what Izuku is thinking. Izuku’s thoughts are more along the lines of ‘What the Fuck???’
“-allow me to reassure you. Since the flash and pizzaz are what’s most important, the budget for Villainous! endeavors is considerably higher than hero support companies. You’ll have to build the equipment, but I’m sure a resourceful and inventive boy like yourself will have no problem ensuring everything is up to code.”
The voice finally pauses and Izuku is quick to interject.
“Y-You,” he squeaks. “the principal of UA, want me, Izuku Midoriya, to become a villain?”
“Oh no my boy” the voice chuckles “I want you to become a Villain!”
‘The fuck is the difference???’ Izuku thinks.
“Guh” is what he says.
The voice chuckles again and finally decides to take pity on him. “Tell me Midoriya, do these words mean anything to you? ‘Illegal use of powers during rush hour and robbery resulting in bodily injury. You! Are the incarnation of evil!’”
Izuku frowns. “Kamuii Woods said that to a villain a couple days ago.”
“Correct. And do you agree with that statement? Were that villain’s actions truly the embodiment of evil?”
“...no. Of course not!”
“Precisely. Why then, would a hero use such a phrase to describe a mere misdemeanor?” The voice lowers as if imparting a great secret. “Because the adoring public loves it.”
Izuku blinks.
“Let me ask you another question. You are a hero chaser correct? On average, how many days pass without a single hero being involved in some kind of fight?”
Izuku’s breath leaves in a gasp as the question and then its implications fully sink in. “None. There is never a day without at least” he counts on his fingers to do a quick tally and stops. “...but that can’t be right. How are there enough villains for so many heroes to be in the news in one day???”
A clapping sound comes through the phone. “Very good. And here we have reached the distinction between villains and Villains!”
Izuku gets it now, he thinks. There’s a subtle difference in emphasis. Almost as if one is pronounced with an exclamation point.
“So you see my boy. The hero industry could not possibly sustain this many careers, nor hold the public’s attention. At least. Not without some help. Common criminals can be handled by police. Once they’ve used their quirks to commit the crime they are called a villain and are taken down by whichever hero happens to be patrolling the area at the time. Those fights rarely make the news. The big flashy battles you are used to seeing are from the graduates of our sister school, VA and are known as Villains!”
“That sounds… confusing…”
“Yes. that is the point. It’s something of an open secret for anyone who cares to dig a little. After all while common villains commit any number of crimes you will find that Villains! stick to a strict code of ethics. They don’t attack hospitals or schools, they don’t excessively harm innocent civilians, they don’t fight to kill their opponent, etcetera. You will often find that both sides are drawing out the fight as long as possible to ensure a greater paycheck and to give newscopters a chance to arrive. Can’t broadcast it if it’s over before the press arrives, you know? And that’s another little clue, the press is always extremely prompt, almost as if they had prior knowledge and knew to show up.”
Izuku is starting to feel a little lost. Everything he’d thought he’d known seems almost a lie. “Toxic Chainsaw” he croaks. “That fight lasted for hours before All Might finally took him down with one punch...” he trails off devastated and the voice on the line is quiet.
Izuku’s throat works silently before he finally speaks up. “Look. I appreciate the offer, but I’m not interested in breaking the law, even for a paycheck.”
The silence turns charged. Something is hanging in the balance but Izuku isn’t sure what.
“Have I mentioned… the nemesis program?”
The principal talks. Izuku listens.
By the time they hang up the phone he is fully registered for the new semester at VA High.