My Hero Academia: Together We Are Invincible

by FreeFlowHighway

Summary:

Having learned of his diagnosis as a Quirkless person, Izuku Midoriya would soon be told the truth of his father's origin, and what effects it may have on his life later down the road. One day, he finds himself in a most precarious moment, where his birthright finally awakens.

Will Izuku be able to handle the responsibility that comes with being a Hero, or succumb to the endless bloodshed that follows every Viltrumite?

(A BNHA x Invincible work, where Nolan takes the place of Hisashi)

Notes:

A few things regarding this fic. Nolan is still "Nolan" but changed his name to fit his position as a Japanese Citizen. Enjoy!!!

Chapter 1: The World of Heroes!

Fire Breathing. He had always been told that was his father's Quirk. An ability to produce flames with a breath. He only ever saw smoke billow out from his nostrils at parties. However, now? As he sits with his mother in the living room, barely a toddler, yet so excited for what comes on the television.

 

He watches him use it for the first time, a pair of young emerald eyes glued to the grainy television screen, as a man of impressive physique wearing a shimmering red star themed costume evaporates an entire rock slide with one breath. Gold linings with black stars.

 

Other super heroes all work hard to save lives from the active volcano, the dormant super mass now forced into a rumbling rampage from a group of horrible villains, with an unseen battle happening within the base.

 

Space Hero: Thirteen, uses her Black Hole Quirk to suck up as much debris as possible to allow people freedom from being buried under rubble, though earthquakes keep her busy as structures continue to fall.

 

But not all, thanks to the ever stylish Fiber Hero: Best Jeanist, using his threads to keep the most populated buildings standing and looking cool as ever doing it.

 

While the Punching Hero: Death Arms, and the Excavation Hero: Power Loader, tunnel through debris to save those trapped in precarious situations.

 

There is a collective shout amongst the distressed citizens as a deafening explosion sounds from the volcano. Another eruption, but the blazing star acts swiftly, flying high then swooping low as he digs another trench into the ground that keeps the flowing lava from reaching the city.

 

Another one sounds, as from the base comes a geyser of fire, and the spectacle of a battle coming out to the forefront.

 

A monster, bipedal with glowing cloven hooves and made from the element of fire itself with a rocky hide, resembling the ancient Minotaur of Greek legend lands at the edge of the city.

 

[ "HAHAHA! LOOK HOW MANY OF YOU IT TAKES TO STOP JUST ONE OF ME!" ]

 

It notices the camera, then gestures to itself, speaking in great pride.

 

[ "I am, Minotaurus! AND I WILL BRING FIRE UPON THE WORLD!!!" ]

 

A number of Heroes show up, all that the boy watching has bought merchandise of, all except one. The fire breather. Coming in from above like a shooting star, he barrels into the flaming beast, a visible wave of kinetic force appears from impact as the monster creates a small canyon from its body.

 

[ "You five! Focus on civilian safety and collateral damage reduction! I'll take this one away so the others will calm the volcano down!" ]

 

[ "Huh?! Who do you think you are giving out orders like that?! You just showed up out of nowhere! How can we trust-!" ]

 

Asks one of the older Heroes, a veteran at this kind of thing, one that is interrupted as the fire breather catches Minotaurus' arm as the monster returns at the speed of lightning. A thundeclap sounds as fist meets palm.

 

Immediately, the flying wonder expertly puts the beast into an arm lock, before spinning around at such speeds that a hurricane wind begins to form. Before it becomes too much, he launches Minotaurus over the horizon far above the sky and towards the sea.

 

[ "My name, is Star Man." ]

 

That is all he says before he flies away, a great gale nearly pushes the camera man off of his feet, while other camera cuts show Star Man flying after the monster.

 

This day also saw the debut of another. A man that could do the impossible when all thought it unthinkable, saving as many lives as a hundred heroes, all by himself.

 

[ "Fret Not! Don't Give Up! Smile Through It All! Wanna Know Why? Because, I! Am Here!" ]

 

Wearing the all-American colors of red, white and blue, with sharp arrows and a golden mane with two tufts of hair sticking up like horns is a man that holds up a building with one hand. While doing so, he carries the weak and injured all over his body.

 

[ "I! Am All Might!" ]

 

On that day, two polarizing stars were born in the eyes of the media. The Symbol of Peace in the Number One Pro Hero: All Might. The ideal Super Hero. A perfect white smile, brimming with positivity and optimism, a true social butterfly that could make even the darkest of days shine bright with the power of his fists.

 

But then there is his Polar Twin, the Ice Blooded Nova: Star Man. His helmeted mask opens to a small vent where his mouth allows him to blow unstoppable flames, but that is all anyone has ever seen of him, and at times all they hear. Stoic, blunt, and a full-force fighter. Rarely does Star Man ever help in saving lives, though he never ignores pleas for help, he is a warrior first and foremost.

 

Without any sense of mercy.

 

Villains shudder at the mention of their names, people cheer at the sight of them, and all cry out in adulation.

 

One day, Star Man does something unexpected after subduing a giant monster that crawled out of the ocean, forcing it back to the watery depths below. He lands on the beach and the press immediately floods him.

 

[ "Star Man! Star Man! Are you going to answer some questions today?!" ]

 

[ "Hey! He's looking this way! Wow you're bigger this close!" ]

 

[ "Say, what's your Quirk? Is it some kinda furnace thing?" ]

 

[ "Star Man, why do you show no remorse for the lives you've taken!? Do you think of yourself as above the law?!" ]

 

[ "Do you have any comments on the theories of your origin? Are you even human?!" ]

 

Star Man looks at the cameras, eyeing one by one until he finds it.

 

The news station, and thus, the camera that his boy is looking through. A pair of young green eyes widen in shock as this heartless hero points at him and states.

 

[ "I only stopped to say one thing! There are many young faces that are the future of tomorrow! I'm not the one they should strive to be! They need to be better, they will be better, because we will show them how to be better! I know you're watching, and one day, it'll be your turn out here!" ]

 

For the world's newest generation of youth, an endorsement like this from the cold-hearted super vigilante had quite the effect, as a boost to activity would skyrocket. Heroes, Vigilantes, and Villains are all emboldened by these words.

 

But for one young boy, those words meant the world, and would be the catalyst of a long journey towards greatness...

 

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

"I apologize, ma'am, but your son is Quirkless, Midoriya-san."

 

Says the doctor. Izuku Midoriya, a young boy of only four years old, sits there in his mother's lap with a stunned smile of disbelief plastered on his face. Inko Midoriya glances between him and the doctor.

 

"A-Are you sure? It might be something subtle-! I mean I can only lift small objects within close range-!"

 

"I'm afraid it isn't something like an Emitter type. It's this."

 

He pulls up an X-ray of Izuku's foot, pointing at one of his joints.

 

"He's missing a specific joint right around, here. Everyone that has a Quirk is born with one, whether the manifestation of one is obvious or not, so without it... One cannot hope to develop one."

 

"B-But there has to be something you missed? I mean, my husband is-!"

 

She stops herself, as if she had remembered something vital, mumbling and muttering under her breath with a hundred words a second. The doctor, somewhat unnerved by her incoherent ramblings, clears his throat which brings her back to reality.

 

"Is your husband, Quirkless? I wouldn't blame it on him! It happens more often than you think-! Quite a few families just happen to have a Quirkless family member among them!"

 

She shakes her head, a small yet forced smile on her face.

 

"No-! No, not blaming, it's... Complicated. Thank you for your time, sensei."

 

The drive back home was awkwardly silent for both mother and son. She expected him to have a thousand questions, though he has always been a quiet and polite boy, unlike his father.

 

The only thing those two shared save for their noses, was that they were incredibly quiet people, and that made it hard for them to bond.

 

She knows her son loves Hisashi Midoriya. A lot of people around the world do. However, just as many do not, as they only know him as the infamous Star Man. He is rarely home due to his heroic duties, often on camera, often cheered on by Izuku.

 

However, the rare times he is home, the two can barely speak to each other. She can see it gets to them both. Izuku does not know the man behind the helmet, and Hisashi is unsure if he should even allow him to, considering his lifestyle and choices.

 

Every and any controversy tied to his actions would immediately fall upon the boy. That is not even to bring up the fact that he is not human at all. It is that fact she must now have them both confront. A fact they agreed to keep from Izuku unless absolutely necessary.

 

"Izuku... There's something your father and I have been meaning to tell you."

 

"Huh?"

 

He asks as her voice takes him from his own day dream.

 

"I-I know the doctor said you're Quirkless... And he may be right... However, so is your father."

 

Izuku's eyes widened at the reveal.

 

"B-But, his Quirk! Isn't it called Furnace??? He heats up and becomes super powerful from all the heat energy!"

 

She giggles, thinking back on the old conversation she had with him, shaking her head as she replies while reminiscing.

 

"That was just a lie we made up on the spot. Most buy it, some don't believe it, but the truth is he uses a special tool that allows him to breathe fire for a short period of time. That's it."

 

His eyes widen into dinner plates, gawking with each new mind blowing revelation.

 

"B-But he! He! He flies!!! He can carry a mountain!!! He punches super hard-! And-and-and! He can breathe in space!"

 

She laughs further, lighter, for she loves seeing him brighten up. Seeing him happy is the greatest feeling she has known.

 

"Well, first off! He doesn't breathe in space. He just, holds it, much better than we humans can. Secondly? All of that isn't a Quirk Ability... That's just how he was born. I'm thinking... You might be like that too, someday."

 

"... Be like, Dad?"

 

He says with wonder. Is she getting his hopes up? She should probably ground him before he throws himself off the roof.

 

"You don't have any powers or the like, now! So don't do something silly, like running into traffic, or jumping from scary heights, okay?! And! This is an important secret! Your father worked hard to try to fit in. Please, don't tell anyone else?"

 

He nods rapidly, excited. Whatever dour funk that possessed him before has been exorcised by the sheer joy of this new discovery. 

 

She sighs, wondering if she did the right thing...

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

"Are you an alien?"

 

Izuku asks at dinner. It had been some months since his physical examination, and now, for the first time in the year, the whole family has dinner together. Of course, Inko had thought to bring the matter up herself, but Izuku had ruined whatever subtlety she wanted to use.

 

"Yes."

 

Hisashi casually replied, shocking his wife. 

 

"Hisashi-!" 

 

"He's four years old, he should know these things by now, but why ask?"

 

Izuku's eyes begin to sparkle which, to her further confusion, seems to make this apathetic statue of stoicism that she calls her lover... Smile?

 

"Mom said you were! We-We! We! We did my Quirk test! I... I failed..."

 

His mood dampens slightly as he watches his father, pleading for his input without verbally asking for it. He gets his answer as the large man continues to eat his meal, taking his time to enjoy the flavor Inko added to each bite.

 

He does not look at his son when he answers, but he does not hesitate either.

 

"That's good."

 

At that, both Inko and Izuku look at him oddly. The silence finally gets him to look up from his meal, black dots dart between them before he elaborates.

 

"My DNA should make it difficult for a Quirk to even manifest, and even if you did have one, it could potentially be phased out as time goes on. You told him about the Hell Pits?"

 

"Please don't call them that..."

 

Inko begs with a weary frown. He grins. The gesture knocked her back, for he rarely smiled. The only times she can recall him smiling is their wedding, and Izuku's first birthday, for that is how rare the expression is.

 

"Well then, what about Blaze Pops?"

 

"Much better-! And I did. That's all I told him though. I figured you'd be better at telling him the rest."

 

"Good call."

 

He brings the bowl up and swallows the remaining scraps, leaving his dish clean, but displeasing his wife in the process as Izuku copies him with less than clean results.

 

"Don't eat like your father, dear."

 

Hisashi stands from his seat and then makes his way over to Izuku before picking the boy up from his chair.

 

"Listen to me well, son. I am from a planet very far away. We were going through our own troubles, something I'll tell you about when you're older, but we soon learned how to be better people. How to fix pollution, how to solve hunger, poverty... Well, we worked hard and we're continuing to work harder to make the universe a better place."

 

He brings him in close for a hug.

 

"I was sent here to do just that for Earth. One day, someday, I hope to introduce you to the rest of our people. Then, you won't be so lonely anymore."

 

Izuku hugs his father back, tighter than he had ever hugged him, for this is the first time his father ever hugged him first... Let alone, at all.

 

For Inko, that day marked a breakthrough, that she had finally achieved her goal in making her husband more human. For Izuku, it would be the day everything changed, and hope had never left his heart as he heard about his destiny.

 

"Can I be like you and All Might?"

 

Hisashi laughed.

 

"I'd prefer you be like him rather than me. Anything worth doing in life isn't easy, Izuku. You'll have to work hard, every day, do you understand?"

 

He asks, putting him down, and the boy nods eagerly.

 

"Yeah! I'll do everything I can! To be a Hero!"

Chapter 2: The True Worth of Heroism!

Summary:

Izuku finds himself at his lowest. Bullied by his former friends, unwanted by his peers, rejected at every turn in life as even his own mother gives up on his dreams. However, when an opportunity arises even at the risk of his life, one choice will change his life forever!

"Get outta my way, nerd!"

 

"N-Not until you apologize!"

 

A hot-blooded bully slaps Izuku across the cheek, a small explosion leaving a red burn, as Izuku falls to the ground. The bully cackles, shoving his pockets into his hands.

 

"I can't stand you always trying to stand up like that! Just stay down, Deku!"

 

His two cronies squawk behind him.

 

"Y'got him good, that time, Bakugo! You're so cool!"

 

"Man, y'could've blown his face off! You really are a genius with that Quirk of yours!"

 

That is his middle school life in a nutshell. Even the person he had been defending, who was successfully left alone, couldn't help but look down at Izuku as he watches his classmate struggle to stand on his own.

 

"... I... I don't need someone Quirkless defending me, dude. Please don't try to help me. It's a bad look."

 

The student walks away leaving Izuku alone. After school, he had been walking home, stuck in his thoughts.

 

Years have passed but there are no signs of his powers awakening. His father as well has been gone for about six months. Their relationship is strong, despite the bullying, which came as a great support for him.

 

"It takes strength to stand against someone or something you don't know you can take. Being a coward is something no Hero can expect to be."

 

He is a coward though. His legs shake, his lips and tongue quiver, making him babble and stammer incoherently... And he cannot stop himself from crying or sweating. Thankfully, he is a slight germaphobe, so the smell never lingers with his routine hygiene.

 

But he is nothing like his father, or his former friend, Katsuki Bakugo. The blonde dynamite that torments his days. They were once close, as their fathers work together, and their mothers went to the same schools as their sons.

 

Masaru, Katsuki's father, made the costume for Hisashi and unintentionally became his Hero Manager regarding merchandise and press. Although he is the one to make most of the profit, a great sum of it is given to Inko, as Hisashi barely makes any money himself. 

 

Mitsuki, his mother, used to host small parties with the two early in their childhood with various Heroes arriving. 

 

Izuku thought about them, and then his own parents, and finally about himself. How different he is from how amazing he sees Katsuki. He has a terrible temperament, awful temper, and antisocial personality.

 

He is however, mindful and aware of the power of his Quirk, and is constantly exercising caution with it despite his ruthless abuse. He would probably be the ideal apprentice for someone like Endeavor, or even Edgeshot.

 

Maybe even his own father...

 

His thoughts are interrupted by something gooey. A violet mass of slime with eyeballs starts to entangle him.

 

"HRmM...! YoU'Ll dO...!"

 

He tries in vain to struggle as the slime begins to wrap and constrict his limbs, forcing him to obey its movements.

 

"Som-Someone...! Save me...!"

 

"NEVER FEAR! FOR I, AM HERE!!!"

 

Shouts a boisterous and proud voice. Having followed the freak underground, erupting from the manhole it had slithered out from, an idol appears and incapacitates the villain in one fell swoop. A thrown punch with such force it creates a disorienting shockwave.

 

Izuku wakes up to someone lightly slapping his cheek.

 

"Seems he's stirring. C'mon, young man. Wake up."

 

Izuku's eyes flutter before he sits up abruptly at the sight of the Number One.

 

"All Might!!! A-And-?!? You're...?"

 

The blonde Adonis smiles, only wearing a T-shirt and jeans, he tosses a bottle up and down grinning ear to ear.

 

"Good eye! Yes, this is the villain I had been chasing down! Now that you're alright, I'll be taking him away now-!"

 

He turns and makes for a great leap, however as he soars through the skies, he feels something on his leg and hears a distant crying.

 

No, not distant, but muffled by the intense wind blowing past his face. He looks down at his leg and is shocked. The boy had clung onto his leg when he wasn't looking!

 

"DO YOU REALIZE HOW FAST WE'RE GOING!?! WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU!!!"

 

"I'M SORRY BUT I HAD A QUESTION, ALL MIGHT!!!"

 

They land on the roof of a department building, Izuku releases him, stepping away a few paces.

 

"I-I know that was reckless! But there are so many things I need to ask you!"

 

"C-Can't it be emailed to the online fan letter?"

 

"But I need to hear it from you, personally!"

 

"W-Well there'll be a meet up for handshakes and a concert next February-!"

 

"B-But, you're here, now!"

 

Fsshhh!!!

 

Izuku leans back as a cloud of steam surrounds the chiseled icon of heroism. When it dies down, before him lies a skeletal fellow, a thin sickly man with a triangular face and blonde messy hair that resembles stray mummy wraps.

 

"... Who are you?"

 

"I'm All Might-! Gahck!"

 

He replies with a waterfall of blood pouring out of his mouth. He coughs, resting his hands on his knees as he struggles to stand, before resting against the edge of the roof. Izuku's eyes widened.

 

"What-?! N-! N-No way! You're just some imposter, right?! H-He's a worldwide phenomenon, he has to have like, stand-ins for whenever he can't show up in time! That's... Gotta be it... Right!?"

 

The fragile man grins an all too real, too familiar, too iconic of a smile.

 

"Not a bad idea, I actually do have some in the Mediterranean Islands, some parts of Europe, and one real dedicated guy in Russia...! But. Sadly, this is just the reality of things. Look."

 

He lifts his shirt revealing a gruesome injury.

 

"Please don't tell anyone on the Internet about this. It's meant to be a big secret."

 

"O-Oh... W-Wait! That injury! I-I've seen it before!"

 

All Might's eyes dart at him.

 

"What!? How-? Where?"

 

Were it anyone else, Izuku would have never even brought the matter up, but this is his idol. This is a man he has worshipped right along with his father. Seeing the old injury reminds him of the one time he saw his father hurt.

 

The one time he seemed, vulnerable. That day was five years ago. Hisashi never told him what happened, only that he would need the memory as a reminder, that even the strongest in the world have to face challenges.

 

No one is indestructible.

 

"My father. S-Star Man."

 

There is a palpable silence in the air. All Might's smile grows wide before he starts laughing. Said laughter causes a bloody coughing fit.

 

"That's a good one! Don't say things like that!"

 

Izuku growls. He could handle being called weak, useless even, he could handle the burns and punches. The slaps and kicks. He could handle all of that.

 

But one thing not even he could tolerate, is the slander of his father, even if made in ignorance.

 

"I-I'm serious! He is! He has a thick moustache on his face! H-He!! He doesn't have scars because he heals too fast and never shows his body! So people think they can recognize him, when they can't! He doesn't even have a Quirk! He uses these tiny rocks that he swallows to make it look like he's breathing fire! They're called, Blaze Pops! I know this, I know him, because he is my dad!"

 

He said in an outburst. A childish tantrum that he awaits further ridicule in reply. However, All Might stares at him completely flabbergasted.

 

"He never told anyone else about the rocks... You... You even know what they're called...! You're, actually, his son...!?! He has a son...!!!"

 

Izuku notices his face becoming paler. It occurs to him, that All Might may have a similar opinion of his father as others, that Star Man is too dangerous to be trusted. Too cold, too stoic, too inhuman. More robotic than even some generated AI personalities.

 

"I-I-! I! I don't... I don't have... I wanted to ask you something. I wasn't born with his strength. I can't fly like he can. I don't see very far, or can fix things like he can-! I'm... Just a Quirkless person... But... Even someone like me. They can be a Hero too, can't they?!"

 

All Might leans back as his body relaxes and his mind wanders. How does he answer this? The real and most obvious one, is the honest answer.

 

No. Without power, one cannot make a difference, be it through a Quirk or charisma, money or firepower. One needs the means of sway to make and kind of change in the world. 

 

But if this is the boy he truly says he is? If this is the father of the most powerful being on the planet? Is it a good thing his son was born powerless? Or is it... Pathetic? Tragic, even.

 

He forces himself to stand, and sighs.

 

"I'm sorry, but without a Quirk, or some form of power? It's not realistic to pursue such a dangerous dream. There's nothing wrong with dreaming itself... But you have to be realistic, kid. You have a mother as well, right? Friends? When you're a Hero, you go out every day facing things that could end it all, and you don't always make it home. Try to find purpose in what you have now, though! Doctors, police officers, even astronauts as of late are all able to do things not even I can do! Heart surgery is a bit too nerve-wracking even for me!"

 

He says forcing out a chuckle, but seeing Izuku's face turn into a hopeless grimace, he turns away and reaches for his pockets. He can hear the boy run away and his heart aches.

 

But better the boy survives to live a normal life rather than end up a stain on the pavement.

 

However, there is one issue. The bottle that held the globular villain is missing.

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

He should've known better. It has been years and there is nothing to show for it. Just some, extra muscles that pale in comparison to others that made athletics their life, and a few small scars on his knuckles from being too reckless against a punching bag at home.

 

It took someone he worshipped to bring him back down to Earth. He could never be like them. He couldn't be anything like All Might, or even... Him.

 

He just had to face reality as it is. His mother will be happy. She wanted him to be a lawyer, since that's what his grandfather did, at least on her side. His father never spoke about his parents, or about his people, he barely even told him anything but his name.

 

Helping people through the law is... Nice. However, even though the justice system has seen reform in the past decade, defense attorneys still have a lackluster reputation. More than that, he hated sitting still, especially at a desk. School at least allows for some distractions.

 

School... He will never make it to U.A. He will have to throw all of his plans away. To throw away his dreams. 

 

An explosion down the street nearly distracts him from his funk... But he then reminds him, just how right Bakugo has been this whole time, that's all he is... Is a cheerleader. A spectator. In regards of the fight, rescue, consolation... 

 

He's useless.

 

Wait, explosions?

 

One after another, and such a distinct boom, so sudden yet with a hollow echo afterwards. He pushes through the crowd and finds a familiar face being in the position he would have been in. The Slime Villain possesses Bakugo, forcing him to use his Quirk to cause mayhem, with the boy in desperate distress.

 

There were Heroes on the scene, but for one reason or another, none of them could make it. None of them could save him. Not even All Might, who wasted his time on a worthless fan on Izuku.

 

He is to blame for this.

 

So he will make it right.

 

Running ahead, breathlessly sprinting with all his might, he reaches Bakugo. He leaps over a tendril for his legs, and reads a right straight, avoiding the explosion that would have rendered him to cinders. 

 

"KACCHAN!!!"

 

"WHY.... ARE YOU HERE...?!?"

 

"YOU LOOK LIKE YOU NEEDED HELP!"

 

He cries as he attempts to pull his childhood friend out. However, another swing comes at him, one he cannot avoid.

 

WHOOSH!!!

 

A hurricane wind nearly blows the whole area away as a thunderclap practically obliterates the gooey scumbag. Izuku opens his eyes to see his father, in costume, floating above him with his hands together. 

 

Star Man had clapped so hard that it had caused the fires to go out, the villain to explode, and even the weather above to change as rain began to fall. He looks around, hidden eyes looking between each and every Hero.

 

"You're worthless."

 

He says before he vanishes, taking Izuku with him, though no one cares to notice the brave but foolish brat. No one, but Number One, secretly watching as he clutches his old wound.

 

A feeling of guilt, almost shame, yet relief. He should've jumped in, should've risked his life with the power he still has left, for that's what Heroes do... It's what he told that poor, worthless, boy.

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

On a roof not too far away, Hisashi lands with his son, who pulls himself away from him.

 

"Worthless!? I'm-! You think I'm worthless!?!"

 

Oh. Damn, the alien thinks. With his face hidden, it wouldn't be out of the question for his son to make this mistake, especially as he takes after his mother. He says nothing, learning it is better to let humans tire themselves out, before attempting a reasonable conversation.

 

Izuku paces in a circle, his arms swinging with each shout, his face shifting between anger and deep sadness.

 

"I know! Okay!? I know I'm! Worthless! Useless! ... I'm... Deku. I can't fly! I can't carry big cruiser ships, can't push mountains or change the weather, can't fly into space-! Can't breathe fire or lift things with my mind...! I'm... I'm a disappointment. But I still can try! Okay!?! I can still help people! I can still be useful! I am, useful! ... Right?!?!"

 

He asks having finally let all of his frustrations out. Hisashi stares at him as he watches this fragile creature... In that face, in this moment, he remembers his own argument with his father long ago...

 

And sighs.

 

"This world has no need for powerful cowards. I was calling the Heroes on standby worthless. You, despite having nothing but your body and drive, ran in to save someone. That is the kind of person I need. That is the kind of son I hoped to raise. Decisive. Brave."

 

His voice grows softer as he relaxes, placing a hand on his son's shoulder.

 

"... Kind. Do you think I forgot what I told you! Did you forget that promise you made me? Izuku, you can and will, become a great hero of Earth. I guarantee it. It's in your blood."

 

At that. Izuku's world, his mood, his life truly changes. At those words, with this man so often called a heartless killer, truly believing in someone such as him? 

 

It means the world to the young boy.

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

The next day, just after an awkwardly peaceful but tense day of school, as Bakugo scolded him yet ceased his bullying; Izuku jumps as a familiar face rounds the corner!

 

"Aha! I Found You, Young Midoriya!"

 

"H-Huh? All Might? Why are you here?"

 

All Might flexes his chest as he places his hands on his hips 

 

"You See-! Gahck!"

 

He deflates on the spot, but after catching his breath and wiping the blood from his face, continues with a serious yet true smile on his face.

 

"To my shame, I allowed that entire incident to happen! Don't feel as though you were to blame for it! It's a Hero's duty, not just to keep the peace, to but reassure the people that they can find happiness and feel safe with our work! ... That day... We all failed. Everyone had their struggles, but you! Stepped up to the plate!"

 

"I-I just got in the way..."

 

Izuku says glum. However, he picks himself up immediately as he recalls his father's empowering words.

 

"But! I haven't given up! I know you only meant to help me, but I can't accept the words you gave me that day! Even if it takes my whole life... I'm going to do everything, everything in my power, to become a great hero!"

 

He expected some more rational talk. Of how he cannot make it. How dangerous this lifestyle is. To his pleasant surprise, he had other words to say...

 

"That's exactly what I wanted to hear!!!"

 

huh?

 

Is all he can think. His face says as much and All Might explains before he even asks.

 

"Like your father, my abilities aren't as they seem, for my Quirk was passed down to me from another! A generational line of Heroes before myself, a crystalline network, of passing this mighty power along! With each new generation, it grows in power, and my time...! Is approaching its end. I can only hold this form for three hours! However, you can potentially send it to greater heights!"

 

He then spreads his arms as if to invite the boy as he makes a powerful declaration.

 

"When all else failed, and the chips are down, you still ran forth headfirst into danger! Yes... I still stand by what I said before, power is necessary, thus! I have decided to grant you, my power..."

 

Izuku eyes widen. His heart races. His legs go weak and tears begin to well up in his leaky sockets. He falls to his knees, beyond grateful, as All Might awaits an answer.

 

"The Entrance Exams for UA are within ten months as of now. If we want to prepare you for it... We'll have to start now. Are you ready, Young Midoriya?"

 

He does not hesitate as he throws his head up.

 

"YES SIR!"

Chapter 3: A Quirky Awakening!

Summary:

The Entrance Exams of Yūei High School are in full swing! Having just barely ingested a strand of hair to inherit the legacy of All Might, Izuku's back is against the wall of mounting pressure, with everyone watching him on the side. However, when the time finally comes, no one is prepared for what he reveals.

Not even himself.

Ten Months Pass...

 

"Fancy seeing such an exclusive face around here!"

 

Principal Nezu, the lead director of UA and Representative of Japan regarding the Heroic Education Division of the Globe, a small mouse mutant with the ability of hyper intelligence. An ability brought about by cruel and unusual experimentation.

 

Such a past has not gone forgotten by his rare guest, Cecil Steadman. The man above it all, so far above that he has no official insignia or rank, even his face is known to only a handful within the planet. His most prolific and primary role, leading and coordinating the greatest superhero team on the planet, the Guardians of the Globe.

 

A nebulous title that did not exist until recently due to the mass increase of a certain team up. Originally, there were no set team members, only the best of the best that could be called... Until only the best of even them remained.

 

"For you to be here, sir, someone must be on your radar!"

 

Nezu inquires, politely. Cecil's marred face barely change as he watches the entrants enter past the school gate en masse. The principal's office is high and he can see the entire campus.

 

"I'm surprised you let them in so young, Mickey. And so many at once too."

 

Nezu makes his tea after putting down a cup of coffee for his guest.

 

"Barely one twentieth of the kids you see coming in will be staying. Our exams are unorthodox and made to challenge with extreme difficulties!"

 

"Basically giving them the wake-up call they need if they haven't gotten it already, huh?"

 

He asks turning to his friend. Yes, underneath all the double speak and false formalities, these two would consider the other and ally. It is what has Cecil trust him enough to take a sip of his offering in caffine. Nezu chirps back with delight, but a bitterness in his tone conveys his true feelings.

 

"You already know this! Please, don't waste our time with small talk and pleasantries. The cologne you wear makes me want to gag as is."

 

Cecil turns to face the rat with his mug in hand.

 

"Okay, Mickey. Word through the grapevine is Star Man has a kid. Since we don't know what the boy looks like, or even have a name to go off, all we have are his abilities."

 

Nezu jolts with a stray chill of pure excitement.

 

"My, my! And he's trying to go through the system rather than galavanting as a Vigilante?"

 

Cecil nods, downing the rest of the coffee and putting it down.

 

"We don't have much, but if this kid is willing to go through this process, we could have a reliable powerhouse in our arsenal."

 

Nezu claps his paws together chuckling.

 

"That's how it is! I must say, I quite agree with the sentiment, but your intentions do not align with my own. Those that make it through this part, are my students. My students, are not weapons, Scarface."

 

Cecil walks past him a few paces hands in his pockets.

 

"Right, because you're teaching them arithmetics, languages, and how to fight for their lives out of philanthropy. I'm not here to wage some senseless Cold War of Ideals, but don't stand there lying to my face that this isn't a militarized program, whether you intended it to be or not. My only concern is if this kid is real. If he's real... Who is he loyal to. Us? Or Papa?"

 

Back to back, the two remain in a silent heated standoff, at least until Nezu breaks the silence clearing his throat.

 

"We'll just have to wait and see. Front rows have yet to be filled if you want the best view in the auditorium."

 

"You're too sweet on me."

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

Izuku stands nervously, surrounded by eager and confident examinees, all awaiting the moment they can show off their Quirks. Some are already quite impressive with their appearances alone. Some have fancy attire, or striking visages, but he is the only one that seems truly worried.

 

Is it because they're that amazing? Did he end up in a class of true prodigies? Bakugo is in another group, but that he's part of this crop of young potential Heroes, it speaks to some cosmic gag on him that his one and only attempt at his dream is with those so much better than him.

 

How could he compete? Especially when those around him think the same as well...

 

And as soon as the sirens blare, or rather the Voice Hero: Present Mic, shout in a loud boom that their assessment has begun? Everyone springs into action, as Izuku lags behind, unsure or too afraid to actively make an effort into smashing the fake robots posing as villains.

 

Powerful enough to smash through stone walls and tough enough to handle bullets as a handful of students struggle with them, there are those that tear through them like paper, and some capable of lining them up take out multiple at once.

 

Just as Izuku thought... The people surrounding him are nothing short of impressive, while him? He feels no different than this morning. His bequeathed Quirk did not give him any signs, as he only ate a strand of All Might's hair an hour prior, maybe two hours at best.

 

Will it hurt to use? Will he hurt himself by hitting these things? He cannot help but stall, stuttering and stammering, shivering as he tries running around like a headless chicken.

 

Those watching do not even pay much attention to the screens, some more interested in another esteemed guest, whispering amongst themselves as they shoot awed yet suspicious glances at the end of the room where only two men stand.

 

"So it's true...? Star Man has someone he's looking for in this batch...!?"

 

"Shush! It isn't professional to gossip like this!"

 

"But he never attends UA activities! I've never even seen him at the Sports Festival! Why is he here?"

 

"But I heard he has a partner! Some kid, maybe a son or daughter?"

 

"If that were the case, it could be anybody here, couldn't it?"

 

"We just gotta look for someone with fire or flight, don't we?"

 

"Oh yeah, you're new. His Quirk isn't Fire Breathing."

 

"It isn't!?!"

 

Standing next to Star Man is one of the only few people brave enough to speak with him. The only other man considered an equal to him. All Might grins ear to ear in his true scrawny form.

 

"He seems to be having trouble. Still, I think he'll be a surprise for everyone here."

 

"What did you give him this morning. He was training with you, intensely, for the whole year... Why?"

 

Though closer than most, Star Man is not someone All Might could find it in himself to trust in the secrets of One For All. He could trust him with his weakened state, his time limit, but not the history behind it all.

 

And thankfully, Star Man did not care to ask.

 

"I gave him a fighting chance! He just has to... Fight... For the uh, chance..."

 

"He's panicking because there's nothing to do. This test is a meaningless waste of resources as it is. It's too safe. Too sanitized. Look at how brittle the robots are. If you want that boy to do anything... You have to make him feel as though he has no choice."

 

"Then I believe you'll get your wish very soon..."

 

Izuku cannot believe the size of it. Sure, he has seen giants fight before, but always from a safe distance. Always behind a screen or the police, with barriers and Heroes acting as walls for safety, never like this. 

 

His father told him of the dangers he has faced in his life. He wonders if he's ever felt like th-

 

"Ow..."

 

He hears ahead of him and sees someone trapped in the rubble. A girl, who was the only one to be kind enough to wish him good luck, when everyone else looked down on him. Whether as a kind gesture or just an act of civil politeness, whether she was making fun of him in secret or not, none of that matters.

 

She is about to be crushed to death as the titanic robot lumbers forth with a devastating step.

 

He Has To Do Something.

 

He recalls what All Might told him. He remembers the destiny laid before him. He has a place by his father's side. He is one day, someday, to be better. To take up their mantle. One day, is today.

 

Like a lightning bolt he launches ahead faster than any of the cameras can keep track of, striking louder than any explosion heard that day, almost all the windows of the fake city on campus shatter from the shockwave with nearby buildings growing cracks from shuddering. Izuku strikes the giant robot not even expected to be destroyed, once. In one strike...

 

He sends it out of the arena. Out of the city limits. Out of horizon... Out into the sky and even further beyond... Into the vastness of space.

 

Seeing such devastation, All Might expected to see Izuku on the ground. The boy was tough when they met, and his body practically transformed over ten months, but realistically his body shouldn't have acclimated to the full power on One For All.

 

He had expected him to be borderline broken upon landing...

 

But... Izuku... Never landed. He floats there, albeit awkwardly, his knuckles bruised with blood trickling down them, however... He is floating... Even his legs were still working, functioning, not at all broken from what the blonde could see. His own eyes, which once shined with pride, now watch on in startling realization. He had heard from Izuku what his father had told him, an alien protector sent to Earth to help aid humanity, and that his natural gifts could one day awaken in him.

 

In truth, he and Izuku both silently believed it could never happen, hence their efforts towards One For All.

 

Now... Of all times... The long awaited ascension has come. All Might's already prideful grin widens to a gleeful beaming smile.

 

"I guess now we know which one it is, right Star Man?"

 

Cecil says as he approaches the two icons. All Might has spoken with and even worked with Cecil, but he rarely left Japan, which led to schedule conflicts regarding his placement in the Guardians of the Globe.

 

But that did not keep them from being allies. Friends, maybe. 

 

"It's still too soon to tell! I think that girl may have helped him! Uraraka?"

 

"Don't try to cover for him, All Might. How long have you been keeping this kid a secret from us, huh? Have any other little powerhouses running around?"

 

Cecil interrogates. Star Man, who always answered immediately, curtly, with no respect or kindness to his voice stands there in stunned silence as he watches his son flail in the air.

 

"... I wish this happened... Sooner... Maybe never."

 

"Never?"

 

Cecil asks raising a brow. As of finally snapped out of his stupor, the helmed hero looks at Cecil.

 

"It's just him. Excuse me."

 

A great wind pushes several people over leaving many to gossip, theorize, and speculate amongst themselves as they see the father meet the son on-screen. As Star Man helps Izuku land, Cecil watches on with All Might.

 

"I heard that you also put some stocks into greenie there. That's his kid, he admitted as much, but what did you do? We have the footage of your meet ups. You weren't exactly as subtle with training him as you thought you were."

 

All Might sweats slightly.

 

"Well... I guess you could say, he inherited our will and power."

 

"Nana Shimura was a friend, Toshi. Did you really give one of the most valuable and powerful weapons of humanity to a fifteen year old kid?"

 

At that, a stiff silence deafens the room between them alone as the others ignorantly mingle, ignoring the growing tension. Cecil sighs shaking his head.

 

"That was wrong of me. However, you can understand my concern, can't you? You're on an hourglass, and outside of Star and Stripes and the Guardians, no one else can keep our cosmic tenant there in check like you can. That's his son. I need insurance."

 

"Then you'll have it, because that boy will not let anything happen to this world."

 

"I hope so, scarecrow."

Chapter 4: The Choice!

Summary:

With the unfortunate display of impressive power yet no points to show for it, Izuku awaits UA's ruling regarding his enrollment, but not before being met with the secretive Cecil Steadman. Given an alternative to achieving his dreams, and with promises from Hisashi to train, Izuku wonders if UA is the best way to go...

His world has changed. Irreparably.

 

What once was a quiet existence has become a strange set of circumstances, and accident prone cases of property damage, though thankfully only his own. Doorknobs would become crunched up scrap in his palms, doors he once casually pushed against would rip right off the hinges, even pens and pencils would snap between his fingers by complete accident.

 

Thankfully, he learned quickly how to limit his strength, which came to great ease as his mother would hug him constantly... He was reluctant to hug back...

 

One night, during the week waiting for his exam results, he sits on the roof of his home. He had been testing how to float off the air, but was too scared of flying beyond any higher, and did not know how to land without crashing.

 

"It's awkward for everyone, even on Viltrum."

 

He hears below. Hisashi watches from the ground, before floating up to meet with his son.

 

"... I... I'm..."

 

Izuku frowns. His father, hesitated. He never hesitates, in anything. The older alien strokes his moustache in thought.

 

"How do I say this... Sometimes, I struggle with the fact that you have your powers. At times I wonder if... You didn't go to UA... It'd be better if you didn't bother at all. I can train you instead. However, I know this is what you want, so I won't deny it."

 

Izuku finds this moment of, honesty, openness, bizarre. Almost uncomfortable. He leans forward eyeing his father carefully.

 

"Is something wrong?"

 

Hisashi doesn't say for some time. Then, he smiles.

 

"Do you remember that night I told you about our people, the Viltrumites? About the World Betterment Committee? "

 

Izuku nods slowly.

 

"It's similar to the Hero Association here in Japan."

 

Hisashi sits down next to him and stares up at the sky.

 

"... You can't even see Viltrum's star from here. There's Paxus... Rachial... Leztrom... Planets our people saw and sent aid for. Earth... Is outside of that view, but not our knowledge. When I volunteered to come out here, they warned me I could potentially never come back due to the distance, as well as the unknowns with no information on it save for radio signals from satellites. We learned the language, learned about humans, and that conflict is their nature. For me it is the ideal place for our kind. The ideal challenge."

 

He looks straight, past the surrounding homes and neighboring skyscrapers.

 

"But I couldn't be prepared for just how constant the chaos of Earth held for me. It's overwhelming, even for me. Son, I may not look like it, but I am older than this planet's modern history. I only arrived two years before you were born, but... There are some things I still haven't told you... And I think I did it to keep you safe. I can't do that anymore. I can't hide the truth."

 

"You are going to become more and more Viltrumite as time goes on. You will age, slowly, and as you train? You will find that your body will become even more powerful. You will find yourself surviving things that would atomize even the strongest of Earth's Champions. By the time you reach five hundred years old, you will still look twenty, and it will hurt. I still struggle with this... Aspect, of humanity. I blink, and ten years pass by. Your mother is my anchor, and without her I don't know if I'd still even be here... Now, there's you. Someone I know that... No matter how long, you'll be there, be here. Protecting these people, capable of protecting-"

 

He gestures to the sky, pointing at the stars.

 

"All. Of them. The Hero Society and the Hero Association work towards celebrity worship and I... Have never been a fan of it. On Viltrum, we already have the power, that we value the wisdom one has with their use of it over the power itself. It's why I never looked down on you or your mother. It took nearly losing my life, to even respect All Might, who had fought valiantly by my side with impressive determination."

 

He gives his son a kind smile, but it fades as he gives him a grim reminder.

 

"That doesn't mean he and I are enemies, nor are we friends, we're... Coworkers. This planet claims to love its champions, and they will have their homes here, in the people they protect. However, you will find yourself alone in their world. You're free to try, but they will ostracize you. They will isolate you. They'll belittle you. They've been doing it most of your life."

 

Izuku shrinks as he recalls those painful memories. The feeling of being weak. Worthless. Unwanted. He feels a firm hold on his shoulder.

 

"Even your mother gave up on you."

 

Izuku's heart sinks. He remembers. It was the day after that unforgettable dinner, the reveal made Izuku finds hope, but all he received were reminders of his weaknesses. His failings. His, mediocrity. He watched the debut, his mother with him, and he ask her...

 

And she was honest with herself with him.

 

It was such a miserable low point in their lives that she promised never to tell his father. Did he hear? Did she tell? Did it matter anymore?

 

No, because what he says next makes his tearful heart swell.

 

"She thought you could be a doctor or a lawyer, but not me. Never me. And I want you to know that... I want the best for this world, it is not our home, even though we are responsible for it. You and I... Are all we have... You can't stop at just becoming a great super hero, or just a good person... You need to become a great Viltrumite. It will be a hard, lonesome, and taxing road... But it can be done. I will be with you, every step of the way, because now I know for a fact... You, are my son, and I love you."

 

"... Dad."

 

Izuku leans into him. They share a moment before Izuku shoves him away after a comment.

 

"So, you should know, Viltrumites enjoy reproduction but our sperm cells are about as strong as we are. If you don't use a condom? There's no morning pill that'll stop that baby from happening, so be careful."

 

"DAD!?!"

 

"Although, you should find yourself a girl soon. It'd be nice to be a grandfather at my age. Just be sure to start trying after highschool. Your mother would faint if you started a family this early-"

 

Izuku's arms seize his father by his shoulders before hurling him high into the night sky, the older Viltrumite laughing in the distance as he fades into the sparkling black above.

 

"GOOD TALK, DAD! GOOD NIGHT!"

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

That was last night. This morning, after Hisashi left to meet with Masaru, the mail came in, and both Inko as well as Izuku were nervous. She was torn, especially after hearing his powers appearing, and she has had plenty of evidence given the bent silverware and broken chairs. 

 

This however is different. Being a Hero nets danger, and Hisashi himself faces the most dangerous of conflicts, not just Villains. He braves against sea monsters, supernatural disasters, even the rare instances of dimensional invaders... 

 

That last part is how they met. She had been caught in the collateral of an attempted invasion. She had been kidnapped with him and other civilians. He had willingly let himself get captured, and then slaughtered their captors, but before he did that... He waited... He listened... And he learned from her. He had already allowed the others to die out of pure apathy, but he kept her for her resourcefulness, and then she kept him to teach him to be human.

 

Those rare few moments of Hisashi being human, it made every struggle worth it, and seeing Izuku so excited and so lively... It made her heart swell. She could not be more proud, for she already knew, they would want Izuku.

 

"I'll leave you to it. I have to finish the duck downstairs."

 

"Ok-Okay! Oh... Oh man..."

 

Izuku mutters as he makes it to his room and prepares to open the envelope.

 

"You passed. No need to be dramatic about it."

 

He hears behind him. Izuku turns around to see a stranger in his room, someone that certainly was not there before, and he knows his window is locked and his door did not open. Cecil stands there with his hands in his pockets.

 

"Sorry for the sudden drop, but I figured it'd be important to meet as soon as possible, seeing as you're about to be very busy."

 

"W-Who...?"

 

Izuku asks with a slight tremble in his voice. No shout no scream, but he was clearly uncomfortable. A normal reaction to a scarred well dressed stranger in his bedroom. 

 

Good.

 

Cecil takes a step to the side and gestures to Izuku's desk.

 

"I'm not going to be here long, so don't worry about my presence, and don't bother asking how I got in here. It's a government secret."

 

"G-Government...?"

 

He asks before taking the offered seat. Cecil offers him a business card.

 

"There's no real official name for what we are, but just know I'm in charge of global defense against extraordinary threats, from terrorists to Kaiju that eat atom bombs and even cosmic conquerors. Trust me, we've had at least two try to take over."

 

Izuku takes it, learning Cecil's name and recognizing the iconography of the Guardians of the Globe.

 

"Y-You're with...! The Immortal! Captain Celebrity! Star and Stripe-! War Woman-!"

 

"And at least thirteen more, I'm in charge of them all, including All Might whenever he leaves this country. I have an offer to make you, kid. How would you like to skip the classes and jump right into the game?"

 

"You'd... Give me a Provisional License...?"

 

"No. I'd give you full access to save the world. It's only Japan, China, and Russia that gives a shit about Quirk Limitations. We already have our ways in America, and honestly, it's not as bad as some news casts like to make it out to be."

 

Izuku nods again. He figured from the man's accent and appearance, no duh. He was an American.

 

"And... I could just... Be a Hero, with you?"

 

"With proper training, fully paid and with a decent monthly allowance, benefits included with the paperwork to make it all work. After all... You are the son of Star Man."

 

Izuku pales then but Cecil raises a hand, offering a smile as he paces about casually.

 

"No. This isn't a threat or anything like that. You can say, no to this offer, with no consequences. Star Man is a valued asset, but it'd be a waste to have you stuck on a single island, learning from a bunch of Disney Princesses that can do a bit of good work on a small island. Endeavor is a powerful hero, but he can't fly into space, reach Pluto's surface and come back in time to have a beer with the boys. Your old man can... And now, you probably can too. That makes you valuable. It also makes you dangerous. It makes you and your mother a target for the people we're trying to put behind bars. And that's the real reason I'm here. To ask you, if you wanna make the world a safer place now, or if you wanna smile for the camera for a living."

 

Izuku hangs his head. How does he answer this? He is bombarded by mind blowing reveals, and with so little evidence, but with how everything has been presented and revealed?

 

Cecil Steadman is not lying. At least, not to himself. Hisashi, certainly, has made his own opinions on his enrollment to UA clearly as well.

 

"It'd be better if you didn't bother at all. I can train you instead. However, I know this is what you want, so I won't deny it."

 

It is that conversation again. However, it's harsher, more in his face. Cecil speaks again, pulling him from his thoughts.

 

"Look, I've gotta go now, Hoover Dam was just hijacked by some water fanatics but just call that number on the card if you make a decision. The offer will stand even if you decide to go through with UA. It's never too late to become something great, Midoriya."

 

In a flash, he vanishes, leaving Izuku alone with his thoughts.

 

Cecil was right. Izuku passed. However, despite the attempts of spoiling his mood nearly succeeding, something has him well up inside. Once again, a stranger in his life, but someone so kind that she made an attempt where none needed to be made to help him. To unknowingly save him.

 

And when it was revealed that the test had an unspoken benchmark, a hidden point system to test the characters of the students involved, his eyes became waterworks.

 

He Made It.

Chapter 5: Breaking Records Plus Ultra Style!

Summary:

The first official day at UA, and Izuku plans to make a grand first impression, however when the homeroom teacher of UA seeks to push him to the limits? The Underground Pro Hero finds himself tested to his own with how limitless Izuku seems to be...

Izuku arrives at the class door. UA was impressive inside and out. With a deep breath, he takes his first step into a new chapter in his life. 

 

The more things change, the more they stay the same. His father once said that, and his mother would say it often as well, only for him now to understand why as he watches Bakugo argue with a peer that also gave Izuku a hard time during the Entrance Exams.

 

Both earned their place here more than he did, so he tried to ignore them, especially Bakugo. After all, they had a small altercation not too long ago, where Izuku stood up for himself for the first time properly...

 

But before he could think back on that, a voice from behind cheerfully chirps.

 

"Oh! It's you! You made it! The super boy!"

 

"Ah-! Uh! Hi-! Hi again! Thank you for helping me get in!"

 

She rolls her eyes.

 

"Nonsense! You sent that thing flying into the sky! I didn't even think that was possible!"

 

He then hears around the classroom as others notice him.

 

"Hey, that's the one, isn't it?"

 

"Acorn head said as much. He's plainer than I thought he'd be."

 

"He really sent a Zero Pointer out of campus?"

 

"I heard he can fly too! Fly fast!"

 

"It's true, I was part of their group and saw it firsthand."

 

"What's crazy is how he cool he did it... It was like, instant! The whole time, he was a headless chicken, freaking out and not getting any points. Was he pretending or something?"

 

"I think he didn't want to steal anyone's thunder. He only hit that thing to save her, right?"

 

"Is that true...?"

 

At least he made a good first impression. It is, however, an awkward one as he still finds himself talking to a girl, let alone a group, absolutely nerve-wracking.

 

"If you're here to socialize, then leave."

 

Says a tired older voice behind the excited girl. On the ground, sits a creepy haggard man snuggly laying within a sleeping bag.

 

This, is their homeroom teacher. Shotō Aizawa reminds Izuku of his own father, albeit in place of statuesque disciplinary stoicism, this haggard bag of weary bones and scraggly hair has no patience for incompetence. His first task, their first lesson is a practical activity, in enacting a standardized physical routine practiced in most schools. 

 

Except here, they can use their Quirks to their fullest, and there in lies two issues for Izuku.

 

He can't regulate One For All. At least, not effectively, despite All Might's attempts of advice, but even then... There is the matter of his now awakened anatomy.

 

As a Viltrumite, his Quirk cannot hurt him as much as his mentor feared, but almost as if as he has taken a devil's bargain. He has become a living hurricane whenever he uses it. This test is for their Quirks, but he cannot use it lest he potentially destroy the field, and yet he must learn how to use it or else he can never become the hero All Might and his father believe he can be...

 

No... His father doesn't care. He wouldn't, but the matter still remains. Izuku has to, at least for now, merely use his own efforts.

 

So he does...

 

And the results were... Unexpected.

 

He once struggled with some basic drills. He was used to not being quite enough, or being able to just barely make it in life, but now? 

 

Now he excelled.

 

He accidentally ran too fast for the fifty meter dash, crashing into a wall face first despite his feet making a shallow trench in an attempt to stop himself. He crushes the grip box that was made to measure their grip strength.

 

He overshoots during the long jump, though he is caught by one of the students, both of them crashing into the wall yet again.

 

"Damn! It's a good thing you flew into me! I'm a tough manly guy!"

 

"T-Thanks for trying to save the wall from me..."

 

And of course the throw. Even without One For All, a weighted ball that was as light as a feather in his grasp had no chance, and flew into orbit.

 

He could hear the cheers from his classmates and looks back stunned at their praise. He... He had never been cheered on before by anyone but his parents. 

 

It felt nice. Then, he saw Bakugo, and the fuming matchstick blew a gasket.

 

"EXPLAIN YOURSELF, DEKU!!!"

 

He roars as he charges right at him, palms flaming as he readies himself to explode, only for the fires to die out as a cloth wraps around his body.

 

"No fighting during school hours! I don't care whatever is going on between you two, but settle it outside of school, especially you Midoriya."

 

Izuku nods with a solemn frown as Bakugo relents. He sends a deathly glare at the boy who dares to call him friend. Especially after such a pathetic childhood together... Had he been lying to him, this whole time?

 

Has He Been Looking Down On Him?!?

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

At the end of the day, Izuku finds himself held back from the class being dismissed, and Aizawa takes him to the Staff Lounge. What few other Heroes Izuku could recognize, immediately saw Aizawa and began to smile.

 

"Isn't it a bit early to be threatening a student, Eraserhead?"

 

The R-Rated Hero: Midnight coos with a teasing wink. The only other one there glances in Izuku's direction. The Blood Hero: Vlad King, the homeroom teacher of Class 1-B's Hero Course.

 

"I don't think that one is going to be any trouble, right? Why is he here?"

 

Aizawa rolls his eyes at Izuku, who stiffens at what he believes to be a glare, although it was anything but. His eyes glow, hair rises, an effect of his Quirk activating as he watches the young man.

 

"Midoriya. Can you do me a favor, and hold this for me?"

 

He offers one of the weighted balls from their physical exam. Izuku, confused, does so. Aizawa then closes his now open hand into a fist.

 

"Now squeeze. Tight as you can. Don't worry about damaging it, just do it-"

 

He flinches upon seeing how easy Izuku accidentally crushes the metal ball within his palm. It now resembles the abstract art of scrap metal.

 

What truly baffled the teachers is the density and specialized alloy of this object would be difficult to crush for even some of the most powerful mid-cards within Japan's Hero Society. Only those with fantastic Strength Quirks, or Matter Manipulation, or even Elemental Quirks could do it.

 

But that was the thing. The gap between them is too vast, too diverse, for there are those that would struggle even then and some that could compress this coconut sized ball of metal into the size of a peanut.

 

Izuku, especially given his own startled reaction, sits at the upper echelon of this level of power... Without using a Quirk.

 

It is then, as if reading his mind or merely finally catching on, that Izuku takes a step back.

 

"W-Wait-! I can explain!"

 

"I would hope so. Everyone has their secrets to keep, but when it comes to what a student of UA can do, it is our responsibility to ensure the steady growth of our students... And their safety..."

 

He deactivates his Quirk then, taking a seat at his desk.

 

"I've heard rumors, and you don't need to tell me anything too personal, but I do need to know. Do you even have a Quirk? Or is this just something else. Cybernetics? Some strange, super doping, or are you really just that strong?"

 

The power to save the world, just as his father and his idol have done before him, he must learn control. His own strength can and now has gotten him into trouble. Lying, would only make it worse.

 

"I want to be able to do just that. This Quirk... These, powers of mine outside of it, I know I can learn exactly how to be the best I can be here. I-I! I won't let you down!"

 

"You've got a huge head, don't you? Don't look down on others by holding back like this again. Since you're so scared, you'll show me what exactly it is you're so scared of."

 

Midnight, who was stunned to silence herself having known exactly as Aizawa did regarding Izuku's subtle feat, stammers out between nervous laughter.

 

"So naive, so green, I like it-! But!! H-Hold on!! He sent that Zero Pointer to space with one punch-! We're lucky he aimed that thing skyward! If you're going to have him test anything just be something he can't break."

 

Aizawa groans.

 

"Obviously. He could wreck the entire campus, don't insult my intelligence. Midoriya. We're going to redo your long jump, only this time, you're only going up. Not forward."

 

At that, Izuku pales.

 

"I-I...! I haven't gotten my... I mean, I can fly but-! I'm not... Good at it...!"

 

"No need to worry, we'll head to the Development Studio, get you fitted with something to help with a landing."

 

Izuku concedes and within an hour, finds himself wearing what he believes to be a jetpack, with a tracker installed to keep a record check of his altitude.

 

"Try to stay in orbit, otherwise you'll die if you reach space."

 

He keeps his words to himself as he takes in a deep breath through his nose. His father has been in and out of deep space several times for Earth, without any equipment, leading speculations towards his helmet being advanced technology.

 

It's just a metal helmet with some plastic decals and visor lens similar to what astronauts use just so he can see. 

 

If he truly is anything like his father...

 

"Don't worry about space. I can hold my breath."

 

"Radiation, acceleration, the atmosphere burning you up, among countless other things are higher on the list than... Suffocation, Midoriya. Show me what that Quirk of yours can-"

 

Aizawa does not get to finish his sentence. He sees the glow, hears the power charge up, before he is sent careening into the stone wall near the track of the fitness field. He is embedded into it with his eyes shut tight from the stinging of dust attacking his sight. By the time the wind dies down, the dust settles, and Aizawa pulls himself free with a grunt? He looks to the tracker in his hands.

 

His eyes fly wide despite the bloodshot dryness from sand sitting on them.

 

Forget breaking too high into the atmosphere, he's long gone into space, and he could potentially never come back...

 

But he does stop abruptly. Aizawa is quick to act as he begins cleaning his eyes. This idiotic kid could be dead... Or... Was his experiment, his own theory going to ring true, and this kid truly is Star Man's son?

 

Regardless, they needed to get him or at least his body back down here.

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

It was beautiful...

 

The planet was so, blue... So serene... So... Quiet. 

 

Izuku watches from the moon crater he made from landing on his back, breaking the latches but not the device itself. He nearly loses it, but snatches it from floating off into the void... Before he starts admiring the place he calls home.

 

For the first time he doesn't think of his father, his mother, his dreams or the current predicament he is in. The sheer beauty of the planet, the lights around the dark parts, and the shimmering majesty that the Sun illuminates.

 

Everything seems so... Small... So fragile... The wonder, turns somber, but no less breathtaking as he reaches out to it. In his eyes, he sees it as his thoughts wander back to his father again... The planet in his hand... Every life, every breath, every laughter, sob, shout and dream are right here before him within his palm.

 

The world that once seemed so impossibly big for him to ever truly explore... Was no bigger than a drop in an ocean of stars... An ocean his father has sailed for millennia.

 

It is his time now... Does he really need UA?

 

As he asks himself this, he looks at the device meant to keep him safe, seeing how useless it is for someone like him... But for anyone else? For the people that are his? His mother, his neighbors, his classmates? This is necessary. He, is necessary.

 

He is one of them. He can't think of himself as greater. All Might would never do that, and neither would his father... Right?

 

"You and I... Are all we have. You need to become a great Viltrumite."

 

Right...?

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

Aizawa had made it to the stairs that led back into the main building from the Fitness Field, but he stumbles from the area shaking again, and looks back to see Izuku crawling out of a crater.

 

He was crying, and he soon saw why. The kid's legs were broken. Did it happen when he landed? Did it happen when he leapt in the first place? It didn't matter, they had to get him to the Infirmary.

 

"This was a stupid idea-! Midoriya! Respond! Are you alive?!"

 

"Ngh...! I'm... Fine...! I-I flew back... But I tried to... Slow myself down...!"

 

"We'll just flatten the terrain, stop talking, we're getting you aid!"

 

Outside of the clinic room, Aizawa waits. He usually wouldn't, but this happened because of him, this was a bad call... But he keeps reviewing what he sees on the tracker. It was shaped and designed like a backpack, because it has a multitude of purposes and features. One such feature is recording footage, and what he sees baffles him.

 

Izuku was just fine on the Moon. He was lost in the wanderlust of his scenic view, but who wouldn't be? What got to the homeroom teacher was the lack of... Struggle. He really is fine in space, he looked natural in it, as if he belongs out there just as a koi fish looks swimming in water. Even the flight back to Earth was gradual, and he clearly struggled with trying to find UA, but finding Japan was easy enough.

 

Then it happened and he can guess what occurred. Izuku landed on his hands not his legs. His arms were fine, however, his legs must have fractured from the use of his Quirk. Twice he used it, the first time to reach the Moon, and again to launch off of it back to Earth.

 

Without gravity, he must have flown so fast that the pain didn't even register yet, not until he tried standing up on his own.

 

"Eraserhead!! I heard we had ourselves a bit of a situation here!"

 

He looks up from his phone screen and sees All Might.

 

"We did. I hear he's fine now."

 

As if on cue, and much to his own shock, Izuku walks out looking just fine. He bows then to Aizawa.

 

"I-I! I apologize for the scare! Thank you for bringing me to Recovery Girl!"

 

Aizawa's paranoid stare shifts to the wizened nurse. Though short and humble in stature, Recovery Girl is a vital pillar to UA. She shares his expression when their eyes meet, but she puts on a small smile as she pats Izuku's leg.

 

"This one is a toughie! Full of vitality and youth! Aah... To be young again. Oh! All Might, you're here as well?"

 

He sweeps his hair back, grinning his iconic smile ear to ear.

 

"There was a loud explosion heard throughout the school! I had to investigate! However, I think I know what may have happened!"

 

Izuku stands straight with a blush on his face.

 

"It was my fault, sir... I-I-"

 

"Midoriya was only doing what I asked him to do. From here on, I'll exercise further caution so he doesn't end up with any injuries like this again."

 

Aizawa says, covering for the boy. He shoos him off with a wave and Izuku takes his chance to run. All Might then talks in a serious tone.

 

"I don't blame anyone for what happened here. If anything, it's my fault. I've put some stock into him and he feels the need to exceed my expectations! He has, he will, but... I just wish he wouldn't go so far to do so."

 

Aizawa walks past him.

 

"He's almost too dangerous to let alone so freely. Were it anyone else with that power, I'd say they couldn't be trusted with it whatsoever, not a chance... But... Izuku Midoriya is not just, anyone."

 

Unbeknownst to Aizawa or All Might, Recovery Girl had found something on Izuku that he had forgotten to take with him. She would have Aizawa give it back to him the next day, but only after she let Principal Nezu know about it, and they agreed on formal silence for now.

 

However, what could not be hidden was her medical report on Izuku's unnaturally gifted healing factor. Her Quirk only utilizes the person's own stamina and body to accelerate its healing. For anyone else, they could have died from this injury, and would still need to be in crutches for a week if not a wheelchair. Physical therapy would be a must.

 

Izuku, after one kiss of her Quirk, snapped back into place and into action. It was as if his body had gained a mind of its own and forced itself back together. Stronger than before...

Chapter 6: Don't Leave Me Behind, Nerd!

Summary:

Bakugo finally gets his chance to remind Izuku of the Pecking Order between them, but when push comes to shove, the Murderous Matchstick finds himself pushing against something that's no longer the boy he thought he knew all his life.

On his way out of school, a voice calls out to him.

 

"There you are, Midoriya! I wanted to ask you something!"

 

Īda Tenya, of the Engine Quirk, a fast runner and a powerful kicker that he accidentally blew away when everyone had raced each other. Thankfully, unlike Bakugo, Īda held no hostility as he approaches Izuku.

 

"Uh, yeah? What's up?"

 

Īda has a hard time getting out an apology. Not because the apology itself was hard, but because he is unsure if someone like Izuku would even want one, as everything about him reads as someone either secretly condescending or... Someone genuinely scared of what he can do...

 

He remembers that day all too well. This short toady freckled coward just runs around aimlessly. All of a sudden, when someone is seriously in danger he... Does the unthinkable.

 

And then their performance today, as he watched Izuku closely, there was no pride in his face.

 

Only fear. Fear, and determination.

 

"You've proven to me as someone made ready for this school. When I first met you, I thought otherwise. I just, wanted to apologize for that, and hope we can work well together!"

 

"Uh... Okay... Did you, want something else too?"

 

Izuku asks, partially ignorant to Īda's offer. However, the formal student doubles down and makes his intentions known.

 

"You're a physical powerhouse! Yet, your personality doesn't befit your Quirk! Also that hovering... Are you capable of flight? Is your Quirk similar to High Flyer? Kite Glider? Captain Celebrity even?"

 

Izuku shakes his head.

 

"I'm gonna answer that in class someday. I don't want there to be too many rumors or anything of the sort. Just... Know that, I'm not like you. I'm trying to figure it out myself."

 

"Hence your enrollment...! You imply abilities outside of that of a Quirk...!"

 

"Yeah-! I uh, haven't had them all too long, so I'm hoping to learn how to control them here!"

 

Izuku smiles. It is then that Īda realizes one of his theories were confirmed. However, he only has more questions. Still, he respects Izuku's wishes and places a hand on his own chest.

 

"I'm headed to the station. I usually just run home, but I deduced spending time with future comrades would prove beneficial!"

 

Izuku tilts his head before shrugging as he begins to walk ahead.

 

"Sure, I'll walk with you."

 

A third voice cries out from behind.

 

"Hey!!! Wait for me!!!"

 

The cute girl that he had saved. Uraraka Ochako, is her name, that much Izuku remembers from one of the conversations happening during their Quirk Examinations.

 

"You're... Tenya, Īda right? And Midoriya, Deku?"

 

At that, Izuku's face wrinkles into a cringing frown.

 

"It's Izuku... Deku's a nickname from Kacchan- er, Bakugo. We've known each other since we were kids. I don't really like it."

 

Seeing his reaction to the name as well as the shouting he endured from a one-sided argument, especially after an attempt at a fight, Ochako rubs her head wearing a nervous smile.

 

"Oh-! S-Sorry! I just thought! Well, it was such an endearing name! It kinda shouts-!"

 

She would have finished, but Izuku finds himself seeing things slow down as something comes towards them at a high speed, almost as if his senses kick into high gear. 

 

It is only a moment, but it's what he needs to catch a fist, a frightened look as he jolts in surprise at someone trying to attack him.

 

"Oho! Nice one! Sorry but I had to see if you were as tough as you appeared!"

 

"You could've hurt yourself! Don't just attack someone!"

 

Ochako pouts at the red headed student.

 

"And what if you actually hit him!? You could've hurt him!"

 

The boisterous shark toothed delinquent thumbs his chest.

 

"As if! He's about as tough as I am! Name's Eijirō Kirishima! Y'seemed kinda cowardly at first Midoriya, but then you showed us all up! What's your work out routine!?"

 

Īda adjusts his glasses as he scans Eijirō.

 

"We're going to miss our train at this rate. We should head out."

 

Izuku turns around on his heel, but gestures for their newest addition to join.

 

"We should go! Come with us, Kirishima-san!"

 

"Hell yeah! By the by! I heard y'sent one those giant bots into space! That true?"

 

He knew he would have to get used to these kinds of questions soon. They were about to be the norm for the rest of his life...

 

But... Having peers interested in him? Praising him? Just wanting to know about and be around him?

 

It's nice.

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

The next day would be what Izuku assumes to be the norm now. He would get up, go to the school, learn and eventually after some of the more mundane classes...

 

The Hero Course would spark life back into the bored to tears classroom. Especially with such a charismatic and iconic teacher as All Might. Today's lesson would be a practical activity.

 

Battle Training

 

Most were excited for this, it's what everyone in this room wearing a school uniform fought for, and now? The first step into making their dreams come true has finally arrived with their costumes.

 

His costume... It was something. He was told he needed a name first before anything else, and he had so many ideas to pull from, even his mother helped out with the designs as his father explained the importance of utility over fashion... But not to ignore fashion.

 

He wanted to settle on one design that really resonated with him...

 

However, Hisashi vehemently put it down. Inko managed to pull a reason out of him, a petty one, but one that Izuku couldn't help but feel stupid himself for not thinking of.

 

The All Might inspiration was obvious... But nothing was there of his father... And it made him jealous. Although Hisashi was willing to allow his son his dream suit, that is not what this costume was, for it was a flattering mimicry. A shadow chasing after what casts it. 

 

Izuku should have something his own and so, Hisashi reminded him.

 

"Kids today think they're invincible, that nothing can stop them until that first punch or first disaster, but you... You are actually..."

 

"That's a cool costume, Deku!!"

 

"Uh-! Yours looks great too!"

 

He says hoping his mask hides his blush. It didn't. All eyes turn to their instructor as All Might begins to explain their lesson.

 

"Today will be an interior two versus two exercise! Heroes versus Villains, the classics!"

 

Immediately, everyone has questions.

 

"Calm down, calm down! One at a time! My Quirk isn't Super Hearing!"

 

And after getting them to calm down, All Might would answer them. Everyone is to be teamed with someone at random through name ballots. One by one, each team is paired and a letter assigned to each team, with each letter assigned the roles of Hero or Villain.

 

Sure enough, Izuku is teamed with Ochako, who he can barely talk to as is. His Villain Duo is Īda and Bakugo. With little time to spare, and as the Villain Team ventures in first, Ochako asks Izuku as they wait outside of the building.

 

"You seem nervous...! Is it because of Bakugo?"

 

In truth, Izuku had been lost in other thoughts, but his old bully is certainly among them. He never saw Bakugo in a dastardly light, although he never made excuses for his actions either, to Izuku there is something to admire about Bakugo.

 

The same thing he admires in his father. That sheer, unadulterated, unfiltered confidence in their ability. The genius on display regarding their physical prowess.

 

"He's... Amazing. He always has been as kids. I guess... I'm just unsure if I can do this-"

 

"There's no room for self-doubt in UA, Deku. We can come up with a plan to figure this out together! You're not alone against him this time!"

 

Ochako says as she beams a reassuring smile that gives him more strength than he thought he could feel.

 

And he felt pretty damn strong as of late.

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

Inside, Īda inspects their fake bomb, as well as seeing various small objects meant to add immersion be it furniture or appliances. He rubs his chin with his free hand, his main arm is occupied holding his helmet, but he notices Bakugo being uncharacteristically quiet.

 

"What is it?"

 

"... Deku... When we were kids, he was called Quirkless... But now-!"

 

"Hm? He didn't tell you? Or maybe... You never figured it out?"

 

"Huh!?! Figured out what, four-eyes?!?"

 

Bakugo snaps as he finally returns to his usual self. Īda's eyes lower to an annoyed glare but he continues past the insult.

 

"He told a few of us already that his capabilities don't come just from his Quirk. In fact, he had let it slip that his strength and flight aren't related to his Quirk at all. I believe I am the only one to notice this in that conversation then..."

 

"What... It's not his Quirk...!?! Bullshit! Horseshit! That can't be true-! He's lying-!"

 

"If he were then he's very good at it. I had been waiting for him to ask myself yesterday. As it turned out, Aizawa-sensei had held him back as he was attempting to erase Midoriya's Quirk. You know that Aizawa-sensei's Quirk Erasure is the real deal..."

 

Bakugo snarls but says nothing.

 

"Then it should come as a surprise to you that our teacher couldn't stop Izuku from his performance."

 

Yet again, Bakugo is silent. Īda sighs, putting his helmet on.

 

"Normally... I would ask you not to target him... However, I have an idea, it is integral that you keep Midoriya as busy as possible. Just make sure not to cause so much destruction that the building collapses in on itself."

 

"... Whatever..."

 

All this time... Had he always had those powers...? If it isn't a Quirk? What could it possibly be?

 

Has he always been this strong... And if not... How did he cheat to get this powerful so fast...?!?

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

Izuku and Ochako slowly patrol the interior after a quiet entry through one of the windows. They even hover above the ground, moving forward as Izuku carries Ochako, so that no footsteps could be heard. As soon as they begin hearing some, they would enact their plan.

 

Bakugo stalks the halls, his ears perked for the slightest sound,and his eyes narrow as he focuses on any detail straight ahead. He turns, explosive hand ready, but time and time again he is disappointed.

 

Then, he hears them. Someone is running away. Something is scraping stone. He charges after where he hears the sound, and sees the shadow on the ground from around the corner, and the gloved hand of Midoriya placed on it.

 

The idiot was always bad at hide and seek. 

 

"YOU'RE MINE, DEKU!!!"

 

He makes his target explode into pieces. A fake crude statue made out of the wall just a few steps behind its spot. It had been floating there, bare and barely resembling the humanoid figure, save for the gloved hand.

 

"WHAT-?!?"

 

Is all he says until a hand from above nearly burrows his skull through the floor. Izuku and Ochako had been hiding high above Bakugo near the ceiling, and once he had taken the bait, Izuku landed on top of him while Ochako ran off.

 

"I'll try to capture him with the tape! Hurry!"

 

Bakugo struggles against the unyielding hold, but as his eyes unintentionally scan the ground, he notices a seemingly random lightbulb.

 

No, not random. Izuku or Ochako, one of them uninstalled the light where they had been hiding, but had forgotten to hide the bulb! If he were paying more attention... If he merely had taken this idiot seriously... Were he up against anyone else, he would've noticed this ridiculous mistake they made!

 

But he knew!!! Izuku knew he would take the bait of catching him off guard!!! Damn this, bastard! This trickster! This liar! This coward! This worthless... Useless...!!!

 

"DEKU!!!!"

 

Izuku is stunned as Bakugo briefly pushes himself up against him, just enough to swing an explosion that sends Izuku off of him, the two land on their feet and stare at each other. 

 

Bakugo's blazing glare splashes against the nervous yet cool gaze of Izuku's watchful eyes. 

 

"... Aren't you going to make a move?"

 

"DAMN STRAIGHT!"

 

With the hunger of a starved wolf, Bakugo lunges for Izuku with a right palm, an explosive attack he has seen enough times to telegraph. Izuku grabs him, just before it can fully shoot out, and swings Bakugo over his shoulder with a practiced form.

 

Just as his father taught him to do.

 

He only meant to slam Bakugo on his back, which he successfully did. Bakugo's mouth erupts with a thin yet very visible spray of red, as the ground underneath his body cracks, and even begins to sink a little before he falls through.

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

"Geez! Is he trying to kill him!?"

 

A student by the name of Mineta asks. Eijirō however bats for his newest friend.

 

"You think that will take out someone as explosive as Bakugo?! He scored first in the Entrance Exams! If anything, I think Midoriya is being too soft on him!"

 

His skin begins to grow jagged, sturdier, as he briefly flexes his Quirk.

 

"Then again, not everyone can be as tough as me, heh!"

 

Another student with bubblegum pink skin and cotten candy hair shakes her fists up and down, watching on in excitement.

 

"They're like opposites of each other, aren't they? One's super strong but very humble! The other is all bash and brash! They'd make a great duo if they could work together!"

 

All Might watches on chuckling at her observation.

 

"They couldn't be further apart in terms of synergy, I agree!! Nonetheless, it seems Young Bakugo is not quite out yet!"

 

In his head, he is reminded of the many, many times he butted heads against Star Man. Mostly on ideals, and over time, his brutal ally would see that sometimes violence is not the answer. It comes to a relief for him that his son has already figured out that part.

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

Izuku looks down the hole with a look of worry. A look of concern. That same, stupid, condescending look that invites nothing but ire from him. 

 

Why... Why is he always looking at him like that?

 

Why did he have to be so lame then... Why was he still looking at him like he was some victim...!?! And now... Now...!!!

 

Why is he suddenly so, superior?!?

 

Bakugo's hands appear from below and seize Izuku's ankles as this pebble in his path steps near the edge. He pulls him down, through the ground he stood on, and swings so Izuku's back crashes into the ground of the first floor.

 

Bakugo steps back after landing, panting, wiping his brow of blood before he roars out.

 

"WELL?!? WHAT'RE Y'WAITIN' FOR!?! GET UP!!!"

 

Izuku does sit up, and stand up, hands raised as if taking a stance... But his face doesn't change... And that infuriates Bakugo even further.

 

"You think you're so strong now, huh?! That you're so damn tough, right!?"

 

He holds up his hand, placing a finger on the pin to the grenade accessory on his arm, a decoration that Izuku would quickly learn has a dangerous use.

 

But he wants to test something. He needs to brace himself for pain. To test a theory, to see if he is as his father says, to see if he is worthy of being by his side. To be the best there is.

 

To be Earth's Guardian.

 

"That's right, stand right there with that stupid look on your face...! Don't you move a damn muscle because-!"

 

He pulls the pin and roars.

 

"YOU'RE NOTHING BUT A PEBBLE IN MY WAY, NERD!!!!"

 

B O O M ! ! !

 

"HOW'D YOU LIKE THAT... DEKU...!!!???"

 

As the dust cloud settles, the heat sizzles the rock and cooks the glass, the class awaits seeing Izuku's body. They find him, but he's still standing, his costume suffering minor burns while not even his hair is singed.

 

"You will find yourself surviving things that would atomize even the strongest of Earth's Champions."

 

He recalls. He now knows this to be true. Where once, he feared the heat, and felt great despondence towards the burns, now what once made him feel so weak... Couldn't even make him feel at all.

 

"It's over, Kacchan."

 

Bakugo steps back, frozen sweat tricking down the valleys of his now bumpy skin as his limbs tremble, his tongue tied as he whispers out in shock.

 

"... Y-You're... Not... Him...!"

 

Bakugo says in a breathless panic. No, not fear, but true disbelief. He must be having a nightmare, a vivid and dangerous hallucination, some kind of psychic attack. Before he regains his senses, he finds himself in a red-green whirlwind, one that lasts only a few moments before his arms are bound to his body. His torso wrapped up in the capture tape.

 

He snarls, rebuking this reality, and goes for a headbutt that lands against Izuku's nose, but his own head bruises against it.

 

"Guh-!!"

 

Feeling faint and seeing double, he falls to his knees as Izuku taps onto the transceiver that barely survived the explosion.

 

"I got him. How are things on your end, Uraraka-san?"

 

"[ Haha! W-Well...! Things are kinda dicey! I've got nothing to work with and he's really moving! ]"

 

"Then we stick with the plan, you're in the room with the bomb right?"

 

"[ Yep! Say the word and we'll finish this! ]"

 

Izuku begins muttering to himself as he walks away, but upon hearing the tape snap, he turns around in time to see Bakugo return to him with a new swing. A crazed look, heart unrelenting, stubborn to the very end.

 

Just as he expected.

 

Izuku stops the explosion early, a muffled boom between their enclosed palms, as Izuku clasps his hand against Bakugo. Fingers intertwined before slightly crushing the blonde's hand, he tries to retaliate with another swing, only for the same results.

 

He uses his knee to attack Izuku's body, his ribs, between his legs, but his thigh and kneecap began to ache.

 

"Without any actual room or air to ignite the sweat in your hands, you can't utilize your Quirk to cause further damage to the building, and you can't hurt me. It's over."

 

Bakugo's face wrinkles into an avatar of pure wrath as he is forced on to his knees, a test of strength that he had failed as Izuku's grip and weight seemed insurmountable, until his former punching bag finally releases him and his arms blur.

 

Everything goes silent. Only a faint ringing as his vision flashes white. Izuku had clapped his head, then lifted Bakugo's body off of the ground with a gut punch, before grabbing his head mid air and burying it halfway into the ground.

 

This time, he stayed down. His eyes rolled to the back of his head. Izuku himself stares for a moment.

 

Why did he hit him? He only intended to tire him out but, as soon as he pushed Bakugo back, it was as though something in his own mind snapped. 

 

He just, moved. He acted. There was purpose, intent, and yet no thought. Instinct. Anger. 

 

Violence.

 

But not murder. Never, murder. Bakugo groans as his eyes slowly close, an arm moving weakly in an attempt to push himself up, only to give out as his chest rises and falls with weak breaths. 

 

He has done the single most impossible thing he once considered achievable only in his dreams, and even then, only as a means to keep Bakugo from harming himself... He beat him. And he did so with ease.

 

He shakes his head and makes his move. 

 

"Sorry about that, Uraraka-san! Get ready to grab onto something!"

 

In the camera rooms, Class 1-A watches on in pure shock.

 

"M-Man... Isn't he a little... Too strong?"

 

The invisible girl, Tōru Hagakure, asks with a defeated tone. Another student of Herculean physique and thick lips, Rikidō Satō , rubs his neck.

 

"I thought I'd be pretty strong... But Bakugo and Midoriya are on their own separate tier!"

 

A boy with strange dispensers for elbows, Hanta Sero, sighs in relief.

 

"At least I don't gotta face Midoriya! That'd be a nightmare! What is he, invincible?"

 

One of the brightest students, a tall girl with a serious demeanor, Momo Yaoyozoru speaks up.

 

"It's hard to say what exactly went down between those two without any audio, but Midoriya is certainly a force to be reckoned with."

 

All Might remains silent as he writes his own notes down for grading, but his thoughts wander, as he briefly sees a dangerous sign. No one else seems to have caught it, and how could they? They have never worked directly with someone like Star Man before.

 

The finishing strategy was a blockbuster as Izuku using his strength, sends the floor under Īda and Ochako upwards in pieces with a thunderous clap, allowing a prepared Ochako to use a support pillar as a baseball bat to distract the disoriented faux-villain.

 

With one lucky leap, she captures the weapon.

 

From there after the Hero's victory, each team found the drive to try and one up the performance. Some did exactly that, others not so much, but after each round everyone soon had an idea of what their fellow classmates could do...

 

But Bakugo's thoughts were elsewhere.

 

How... When... Why... Did asking even matter? It was so, clear cut. He had defeated him, so easily. The capture tape was absolutely unnecessary. Even one of his strongest blasts did nothing.

 

He did not even mean for a direct hit, but right as he pulled the pin, Izuku moved in. He took the hit and it did not even budge him. He completely. Utterly. Totally. Lost.

 

To Deku.

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

When the Battle Training was over, everything felt muted for the blonde dynamite, even as others tried to talk to him... They ended up surrounding Izuku instead. And he would go the rest of the day without saying a word. There wasn't anything that needed to be said. He would go home, eat if he could, and wake up the next day... Or something...

 

"Kacchan-! Wait!"

 

Izuku calls out. Only these two are left. Was he waiting for him? To gloat? To pity him? To try and make him feel better?

 

"I... Didn't use my Quirk today... Because, for most of my life, I've been waiting for my powers to awaken. I can't have a Quirk because of what I am. Who my dad is."

 

"... What...?"

 

That's not right. Is this another trick? Some kind of lie? What is his aim here? His eyes widen upon seeing Izuku float on his own. He assumed that Ochako did that, or that he had some kind of tool, but not now. Not when he can do it so effortlessly.

 

"My father... Is Star Man. And, he isn't human at all, he's from a different planet. He uses a tool to breathe fire and has been lying about having a Quirk this whole time... I inherited his powers and only learned how to use them recently... But I don't plan on lying about being Quirkless like he did. I just... I wanted you to be the first to know."

 

The sulking matchstick turns to face him fully with his face changing before a memory stirs. No, memories... They both idolized Heroes in their youth, but where Bakugo sought to fight his way to the top, Izuku cheered on like a proper bystander... But, Heroes are so busy, they've little to no time to show up to birthday parties unless they were important people.

 

Rich people, royal people, powerful people... Even in his early years, he knew this.

 

It is why he feels so entitled to the status of gifted genius, because he recalls, how many times did the infamous Star Man attend his birthday?

 

Not every one, but more than one, enough that he became a fan of the man himself. Izuku, who always bought All Might merchandise, was his opposite with this. Bakugo loved Star Man, his stoicism, his brutality, but above all else was his unstoppable cool demeanor. Everything he wanted to be could be found in that man.

 

Izuku wanted so badly to be the Symbol of Peace, a title Bakugo never cared for when the title of Strongest in the World sat with another, marking what was meant to be their separate pathways from the start...

 

But if only Izuku wasn't so lame. So weak. So, pathetic. They could've been partners if Izuku had a decent Quirk. They could have been the next Polar Twins.

 

However, as if he couldn't insult him further, he tells him this? It's enough to boil his blood so fiercely it burns away the depressed funk.

 

"You're the son of the strongest guy in the world...!?! All this time, you just took it, because you were strong yourself, is that it!?! Shut up!!! Just!!! Shut up!!! I won't stand for this bullshit!!! From here on, Izuku... I'm not gonna lose to you!!!"

 

He says with hot tears in his eyes. He storms off, running away leaving a nervous yet lighter Izuku behind, a small frown on his face as he wonders if he did the right thing.

 

"I'm surprised he never noticed himself."

 

Izuku hears by his side. His father, in costume, stands by him.

 

"I know you're attending this school but, I'd like some time to train you personally, especially since there aren't too many challenges here for you. Are you ready?"

 

Izuku grins and begins to fly high with his father passing and leading the way.

 

Unbeknownst to either of them, that two pairs of eyes saw them leave, one pair belonging to a seething yet cooling Bakugo. He would go home and find his father closing his laptop.

 

It was no secret that he worked with, if not straight up for Star Man, he was in charge of handling the marketing and finances of the hero's company.

 

In truth, Star Man barely made any of the actual money owed to him, but that is because of his own wishes. In his eyes, Masaru made the company, and it was Masaru who earned the profit from his efforts. Regardless of using his image to do so.

 

It was, at the end of the day, Inko's idea. When Masaru explains this to his son, Bakugo quietly left for his room.

 

Everything he thought he knew, wasn't. Everything he believed he understood, he didn't. It only then occurred to him how often he had thought about Izuku, how much of his life he shared with the green sweaty booger, and he wondered.

 

Is this the time they finally part ways? And, should that happen, will it really be a separation... Or will it just be one leaving the other behind?

 

He wonders...

 

 

---

 

 

Elsewhere...

 

In a well-kept and hidden dive bar, as one man reads the latest news of All Might's role as a teacher, and another watches television regarding a new high flyer by Star Man's side. 

 

"It seems like that tip we got is true, Shigaraki."

 

"I can't believe the Lizard League was useful for something. However, it looks like whoever this new kid is, they couldn't be a part of U.A. Star Man is known to despise it."

 

"So the original plan is still in motion?"

 

"Obviously, Kurogiri... It's time we killed, the Symbol of Peace... Especially with such, dangerous, hired help."

Chapter 7: Out of the Frying Pan...

Summary:

Having briefly train with flight and aerial combat with his father, Izuku is gifted his own handful of the strange tools Hisashi uses to breathe fire, handing down a piece of his legacy onto his son. Though warned about the danger of their use, when Villains invade right before their lesson at the USJ, Izuku finds himself promoted to use them...

Meanwhile, in New York...

 

 

Izuku ate his fifth slice of pizza with delight as he sits with Hisashi on the edge of a skyscraper.

 

"So good! ~"

 

"More of a fan of the hot dogs myself. You'll have to take your English classes seriously. Learning the languages of the world is important. You'll be all over it and you'll need to communicate with the local populace."

 

Hisashi says before he devours a foot long meal in two bites. Izuku needed this as he rubs his chest. He had a bruise on his cheek earlier, but it along with the lingering pain was long gone. He learns that not only is their constitution unmatched, they heal at incredible rates, albeit slower than he personally would like.

 

He had never been hit by his father before, and despite his newfound confidence from beating Bakugo, his father's fists humbled him. He needed that, he thinks. Ego, arrogance, they can lead to bad things. They can lead to stupid mistakes.

 

He has never spent so much time with Hisashi before. 

 

"Thank you for this... Really, Dad. I've... I've always wanted... This."

 

Hisashi watches his son stare out over the city. The boy's green eyes scan the horizon of the sky. He finds himself reaching for Izuku's shoulder.

 

He so rarely held his son, that doing so at all is still awkward, because such is the norm for him... On Viltrum, such affection is coddling, it is weakness to be excised and purged. But, this isn't his normal, and this is his son. He places a hand on Izuku's shoulder and gives a gentle squeeze.

 

"I. I'm glad, we have this. We would have, regardless of your awakening or not, but... I am glad, we are here. You're making great progress for your age."

 

He then stands, closing the visor on his mask and then pulling something out of his pocket. In plastic wrap, three strange spherical rocks the size of peanuts, all with an idle dim glow between deep cracks. 

 

"You want to try using Blaze Pops? I'll warn you, technically speaking, these are weapons of mass destruction. My body has adapted to using them by now, so I can handle eating up to five, but you'll want to only use one. It'll last an entire day, twenty-four hours, so you won't be able to talk to anyone face to face for that period of time. I mean, you could, but you'd likely melt their face off."

 

Izuku hops up and begins floating around his father in great exuberance.

 

"Yes!! Yes!!! I just-! Have to be at a distance, right?!! How do they work!?! I've always theorized-! And they're smaller than I thought they'd be!"

 

Hisashi raises a hand to calm his son down, but his tone is lighter, happy. He enjoys that his son is so eager to follow after him. To learn his secrets and become what he is meant to be.

 

"One thing at a time. They react to liquids, some chemical properties have varying effects, but all result in an explosion of some kind. After the initial explosion, the fire spreads throughout the area and persists off of consuming the vapors in the air rather than oxygen itself. When you eat one, it'll essentially turn your insides into a furnace, as it'll react to your saliva and digestive fluids. It'll try to escape through your nose and mouth. There won't be any smoke as your body should be strong enough withstand the heat... But do be wary of the fire. It'll sneak up on you. Breathing will be... Difficult."

 

Izuku goes from excited to deathly cautious. The only reason he takes the rocks is because of how casual his otherwise militant and formal father is being.

 

"Remember. Dry mouth, swallow fast, then take a deep breath before holding it. You don't have to take it here... Since you have school within several hours... So you'd be breathing fire involuntarily until your third period."

 

"Hehe... Thanks..."

 

"Let's head back. Eating out is nice, but your mother makes the greatest meals on Earth."

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

The next day would prove to be just as eventful. After an egregiously boring day and a short scare from the alarms going off, Class 1-A is greeted by their homeroom teacher, who brings with him their latest activity.

 

"Today we're going to be something a little different but just as important to your lessons in the Hero Course. You're going to be learning the basics on how to save lives."

 

Most cheered, but one student raises his hand, the bird headed self-labled edgelord Fumikage Tokoyami.

 

"Do we know how the reporters managed to get past the security? Did any of them have any ulterior motives?"

 

Aizawa blinks before he starts handing out the costume cases for the students.

 

"Leave the paranoia to the security team. You just need to focus on the lesson for today. We're on the case."

 

They would have to take a bus ride to the location of their latest activity. On the bus, idle chatter runs rampant amongst everyone, all while Izuku just listens. Watching the outside move as he thinks back to his lessons with his father.

 

Fighting did come naturally to him. Being hit, being hurt, was an important lesson. However, something in him is different from the anime and manga he'd consume over the years often portrayed, no call to challenge for the sake of the thrill. No honorable sense of battle.

 

On that day against Bakugo, he gave into a call to violence, for violence.

 

He did not dare bring it up to Hisashi, not so early, for what if it was something he couldn't help? What if it was part of his Humanity mixing with his Viltrumite heritage? What if it was just, him?

 

"Midoriya." 

 

He hears next to him then. A short girl he's always noticed but never spoke to until now.

 

"Your face is all sour."

 

"Ah-! Uh, sorry. A lot on my mind... Er..."

 

"Call me Tsuyu."

 

He hears a laugh on the other side from Eijirō.

 

"Forgetting names already? You know we take a roll call every morning, right?"

 

"I-I know! I know-! Asui is her family name! I haven't forgotten-"

 

She interrupts them both.

 

"Call me Tsuyu."

 

At that, Eijirō laughs while Izuku ignores him, addressing her again.

 

"Tsu-Tsuyu... I'm just thinking. Uh, what are you thinking about?"

 

"I was thinking that we still don't actually know about your Quirk."

 

Eijirō speaks up as he slaps his flexed bicep.

 

"It's a Strength Quirk, right? Or is it a field? Because, we've seen you fly. You're tough. You move super fast too. Which is it? What is it?"

 

Satō then speaks up holding up one of his cans of sugar.

 

"It's gotta be something like mine! Although, your body doesn't change, does it? Hard to tell with your costume!"

 

Eijirō smirks. Across from them, Mina notices something in Izuku's hands, the Blaze Pops that he was gifted.

 

"Yeah! It has to be an Emitter type! Some kinda super field to make a Super Midoriya! By the by, you're sneaking candy into class now?"

 

Izuku shakes his head with a guilty smile.

 

"Uh-! Not candy! These are something my dad gave me. I'm kinda scared to use them, but I'm also excited."

 

The snooty noodle limbed blonde sitting next to Mina in audacious armor speaks up.

 

"Scared of a few pebbles? You might be as frightened as my dazzling light! I'll try not to shine it too brightly-"

 

"Unless you get a tummy ache."

 

Mina reminds him which puts him in a stint of awkward silence. Tsuyu looks at the Blaze Pops prodding her chin.

 

"They look rough... What do you do with them?"

 

Izuku holds them up before pocketing them.

 

"I'm supposed to eat them with a dry mouth. Only one though, or else I'll blow up. They start a fire inside my body that'll let me breathe fire. It also keeps me warm in frozen climates, or so I'm told! I didn't get the full rundown from my Dad since I got them last minute."

 

At that, Momo leans forward.

 

"Your father gave you something so dangerous? Wait-! Even your insides are as tough as the exterior?!"

 

Eijirō rubs his neck.

 

"Damn, man... That's a rad Quirk! It lets you do some insane stuff! But why fire breathing?"

 

Izuku answers honestly.

 

"I just think it'd be cool! I've always liked fire abilities!"

 

"No wonder you're so patient with Bakugo."

 

Tsuyu says. Bakugo, who was silent for most of the day, abruptly barks at her.

 

"YOU WANNA GO, MUCUS FACE!?!"

 

"He's probably more explosive than your rock candy."

 

She replies not even addressing him which angers him further, but he sits back down, folding his arms as he glares out of the window. He does listen in as someone finally makes the connection.

 

"Hey, are you some kind of Star Man super fan? Isn't that fire breathing thing his brand?"

 

Mineta asks. Mezō as well, through one of his many mouths, speaks up.

 

"Fire Breathing is a common Quirk, but Star Man can regulate his body heat like an oven, or a furnace. That's why it's been unofficially named that. We're still not even sure he that's all his Quirk does."

 

Ochako grows dour.

 

"Ugh, I've never actually liked him. He helps my parents get business because he's always causing a wreck! Besides, he doesn't care about us little people, at all!"

 

She catches herself then and smiles apologetically in Izuku's direction.

 

"Er! Not that I think of you like that, hehe!"

 

Izuku shakes his head returning the smile.

 

"No offense taken. He's... A jerk. Honestly, I think he's detached from the world... But, maybe someone is helping him get better? He used to be worse, I hear."

 

Īda nods as he makes his opinion known.

 

"There was his debut where he caused great damage to a protected forest from a volcanic villain. He defeated the scoundrel, but left others to clean up the mess. At least these days he sticks around to do his due diligence."

 

Izuku had nothing to say, but he truly didn't feel insulted, especially having been a witness in his earliest years to the rare arguments between his parents. Inko is Hisashi's better half in every meaning of the word, and as he thought about her, he felt guilty for practically leaving her behind.

 

Maybe he should spend some time with her?

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

They arrive at the site of their latest activity, and although numerous disasters surround them, everyone looks around in awe and excitement.

 

Space Hero: Thirteen, introduces herself and the course.

 

"Welcome to the Unforseen Simulation Joint! On your first day, you learned the limits of your Quirks, and yesterday you learned how to use them in combat scenarios! Today, you'll be using them in various situations to rescue lives instead!"

 

Many students cheer, especially Izuku and Ochako, the two being big fans of Thirteen's gracious work.

 

"Thirteen is even nicer in person!"

 

"I'm glad you're the one helping us with this! You have the highest rescue rate in Japan!"

 

Thirteen rubs her helmet adopting a bashful tone.

 

"Aww, geez, it's just what we Heroes do! ~ However, don't forget that Heroes are people too, and people make mistakes. Sometimes, dangerous ones."

 

Thirteen then speaks seriously.

 

"It's imperative to note, and I'm sure some of you already know, just how dangerous Quirks can be..."

 

She holds up her hand.

 

"Take mine for example. Black Hole is useful for condensing and cleaning up debris, getting rid of pollution, even manipulating the weather in the right conditions! However, there was a time when I was one of the most dangerous people on the planet. Without learning when or how to utilize your gifts? It could be a matter of life or death."

 

As Thirteen imparted her wisdom, Aizawa(who had been standing on the side), watches the area before he notices strange lights. Doors, even, although a swirling vast mass of black opens up in the air... 

 

Out from the darkness comes something, heinous.

 

Something Evil.

 

From the doors of light that shut as soon as the interlopers step through, were faces he didn't recognize, but knew by association were up to no good whatsoever.

 

"EVERYONE STAY BACK AND STICK TOGETHER UNTIL THE PROS ARRIVE! THIRTEEN, THEY CAN TELEPORT, KEEP AN EYE OUT!"

 

Aizawa shouts as he springs into action. Many villains try to attack him from long range with smug snickers and sneers, but when their Quirks fail, they find themselves on the receiving end of a beat down.

 

Most Villains don't compare, but they still try to rush the lone Eraserhead, but some of 1-A takes note of how a handful stay back. Watching without any sense of urgency or worry, a condescending look on the few faces visible.

 

As if everything was going to plan.

 

"I'm going in-!"

 

Izuku says but a hand stops him. Ochako tried to hold him back.

 

"We should listen to Aizawa-sensei! He's not even breaking a sweat, and... Something just doesn't feel right."

 

"An astute assessment. You must be the brains."

 

Says a cloud of darkness that appears behind all of 1-A. A Villain capable of teleporting himself and others around, would say nothing more than that. Their information is correct as he watches three students lunge at him.

 

Without prior knowledge to brace himself with, he would have been shocked by the speed of Izuku, the explosive power of Bakugo, and the sheer lack of tact from Eijirō.

 

However, he had prepared for this, and expanded his power before they could reach his body properly. In an instant, half the class had been sent away, their fates unknown...

Chapter 8: And Into the Fire!

Summary:

Making quick work of the ambushing villains, Izuku and his friends make it back to Aizawa in time to help their teacher out of a bind, but not all things are easy. For the first time since his powers appeared, Izuku tests himself as he meets his match, and in far more frightening foe...

"WWAAH!"

 

Izuku yelps before he stops himself from falling into the pool of infested waters. He can see from above, the Villains have infiltrated every Zone, all awaiting the arrival of their targets.

 

They had planned this. It was too coordinated given the security of UA. However, he looks down and sees Tsuyu throw Mineta out of the water and onto a small cruise boat, just in time for her to climb aboard.

 

There are tens of Villains, maybe less than twenty, all watching him. Waiting for him.

 

One calls out.

 

"C'mon down, birdie! Quit hovering up there!"

 

"... Okay."

 

Seconds later, Tsuyu walks out in the shallow river that connects the Zones, dragging a faint but relieved Mineta along as he watches Villain after Villain fly out of the Flood Zone.

 

"Man, he's pretty much invincible, huh? Thanks for the save by the way! I can't swim too well."

 

"He definitely made getting away much easier. I wonder where everyone else is."

 

Izuku lands next to them.

 

"Okay, Flood Zone is cleared, bad guys grounded!"

 

Tsuyu turns around and sees almost all of the aquatic villains buried into the safety walkway. Only their heads are visible with many of them clearly unconscious or woozy. She then looks ahead at the active mob fighting their teacher and points.

 

"You should go help Aizawa-sensei, Izuku."

 

He looks towards the fight and his eyes narrow. Aizawa had been putting on a good show, however now those handful had joined the fight, with one man using a strange series of tendrils to catch Aizawa's capture tape.

 

Forced into hand to hand, an option he could not afford against his other foe, for the walking factory furnace breaks the ground with its steps and swings faster than its size should allow.

 

Mineta sees the fight and nearly shouts.

 

"Huh!?! You want him to get in the middle of that!?! Look at the size of that guy! Plus he's melting the ground! Bakugo's explosions weren't that hot!"

 

Izuku takes in a breath and Mineta sees it. A lip quiver, his eyes shaking between targets, hands turning to fists that still tremble.

 

Even someone as powerful as Izuku can feel fear.

 

Still, Izuku forces a smile and gives the two a thumbs up. 

 

"Hey, what're Heroes for? Besides, you guys can pull my butt outta the fire if things get too heated!"

 

"Now's not the time for puns, ribbit."

 

Tsuyu says before she pulls her arms up from a gale blowing her hair back. Mineta himself nearly goes flying, holding onto Tsuyu's hair as he flails in the wind.

 

"Gah!!! Don't fly so fast when we're this close next time!"

 

Aizawa jumps back from being crushed but freezes as his body convulses from being shocked. 

 

One of the Villains waited for Aizawa to turn his back, and now stunned, gave his ally the opening to use their Quirk. The Furnace, now rising in temperature, burns Aizawa alive. His body vanishes under a flood of flames.

 

"Я направляюсь в гору."

 

The Electric Russian says before his body turns into a series of lightning bolts that fly towards the Mountain Zone. The Furnace ceases his deluge of fire, but growls, as he finds that Aizawa is still there.

 

Izuku had used his body as a shield for him.

 

"Aizawa-sensei! Can you still stand?"

 

"Y-Yeah... Just a little numb. I can handle the stragglers, get rid of that oversized bakery."

 

"Yessir!"

 

The Furnace tries to sear this arrogant child, cook him into charcoal, but the boy flies through his fire as if he were a fish in water! It was insulting!!!

 

Even worse is, as soon as he began to focus on the boy, his Quirk had been erased! It was only in a moment, but a moment is all he needs, as Izuku deals with him in seconds by ripping the suit apart.

 

One sound punch has the driver knock his head back, his skull hitting the steel surrounding him, as well as the impact of the punch itself. The Furnace was down. Izuku turns with his fists up and is ready for more. Confidence filling his heart. Purpose guiding him.

 

"Who's next!?"

 

He asks as he flies near Aizawa, landing back to back with his teacher, who faced off against what few remained. The creepy boy called Shigaraki by his peers, the white lion adorned with weapons, the schlubby middle aged man with living rubber or tentacles attached to his belly, and the large black beaked giant. 

 

Aizawa points ahead.

 

"The one with the hands is the most dangerous one. He can disintegrate anything he touches... So be careful. I'm not even sure your toughness can withstand that."

 

He says showing his cracked elbow. Sure enough, dry skin with spots lacking in any melanin with deep flakey cracks, as if that part of him had been mummified.

 

Izuku nods and broadens his stance.

 

"He's hiding behind the bird looking one..."

 

"Yeah I don't know what his deal is so... I'd say don't be too nice to these guys. I'll keep my eyes on handsy."

 

Izuku bursts forward with Aizawa trying to close the gap himself, but is forced to yet again enter a battle of entanglement with the middle aged thug.

 

"Not so fast, chump!"

 

The thug sneers in crude English. His capture tape can move in a similar manner to these rubber tendrils thanks to years of practice, but they prove superior in dexterity, capable of moving at any point after being sent out unlike his tape.

 

And unfortunately for him, it cannot be a Quirk, as he tried before to shut this thing down. It's either some kind of weapon, or it's alive. 

 

Izuku flies right up to the burly black bruiser and strikes with as much force as he can muster. He cannot afford to be kind to his foes.

 

The anger begins building up within him as the attack lands...

 

But his foe remains standing.

 

Shigaraki scratches his cheek casually mocking the teenager.

 

"Stronger than you thought, huh? We heard about a kid nearly as strong as they get... I wonder, if you're as strong as All Might... If not? You stand no chance against Nomu..."

 

Izuku finds himself seeing a flash of red and white as he is punched back. Feet skid against the ground as he slides to a stop, but he has no room to breath, only to act. He blocks a punch that sends shockwaves through his arm, and it occurs to him then.

 

This thing hits harder than his father did. Hisashi may have held back, but he hit him with sufficient force, and this guy is doing more...

 

Which means he cannot afford to hold back. 

 

He pushes the fist away with his blocking arm, and sends his other straight for the waistline, forcing it to double over. He sends a furious uppercut drawing blood between its solid teeth that cracks against itself, and he tries to trip it, kicking at the ankle.

 

It falters but grabs him by his throat, the grip immediately cutting off oxygen, as it lands on top of him. It rains down a hail of fists battering against the ground causing the entire are to tremble around them. Growing cracks in the cement stone below spread with each heavy throttle that lands against Izuku's body.

 

A violent earthquake that causes the glass dome above to crack.

 

Eventually, Izuku has enough, and utilizes his gift. One For All summoned as he punches a hole right through the Nomu. A spray of red signifies what should be the end as it briefly goes limp and Izuku pushes it off of him.

 

Even Shigaraki is impressed as he whistles.

 

"Quite the powerhouse... Only one person has ever beaten Nomu... But... He isn't beaten by you, yet."

 

Izuku turns around in time to catch himself from having his head clapped, but the Nomu grabs each of his arms before it places a foot on his chest, the two struggling as it tries to rip his arms off.

 

Aizawa himself stumbles away from a punch that has him feeling disoriented. No... Delirious. He feels his loose jaw and finds it impossible to close. It's broken.

 

This opponent of his, that thing must be empowering him or he might be doping, or perhaps he also is just demonstrably stronger than the average human. He still must try, as the smug bastard sneers past missing teeth and a broken arm.

 

They're even. He can handle even, but then he sees the ring leader, who notices Tsuyu and Mineta. Shigaraki begins gloating.

 

"My, my. Two little wannabe heroes peeking in on the show. I wonder, what sounds will you make, before you die?"

 

Aizawa tries shouting out to them both as he holds his jaw up.

 

"They're not your priority right now, we are!"

 

The tentacle fiend and its partner remind him as it tries to ensnare him again. Too distracted to erase the Shigaraki's Quirk, Mineta shouts in fear as Aizawa barely dodges another bone shattering punch.

 

"MIDORIYA!!! DO!!! SOMETHING!!! ANYTHING!!!!"

 

Time comes to a crawl for Izuku as he can feel his body breaking against Nomu's might. He pulls as hard as he can, so hard he throws his head back, and hearing Mineta is when he sees it from behind. 

 

The handy villain approaching his friends. A hand outstretched as they sit there frozen in fear.

 

With a bloodcurdling roar, and summoning One For All at its full power, Izuku rips Nomu's arms right off of the body and swings one of the arms at the dastardly villain.

 

"WHAT-?!"

 

Shigaraki exclaims in shock hearing the ripping of flesh and bone. He turns around just in time to disintegrate most of the severed limb before he is sent off into the water with a yelp. A trail of blood from his hidden mouth falls from the air and into the water as he floats above surface barely conscious.

 

Izuku, still screaming his head off, begins beating the Nomu with its own arm until it kicks him away. He is sent hurtling towards Aizawa and knocks out the rubbery duo for his teacher by accident as he crashes into them. With a chance to breath, Aizawa takes the time to snap his jaw back into place, one eye closed from the pain of doing so.

 

But he needed to. Izuku is heaving, his breath visible despite the warm temperature, even his eyes hold a feral look he couldn't trust.

 

"Hey, calm down-! Get a grip! You're liable to-!"

 

He says trying to calm his raving student down, but he sees that Nomu is just above them, stubs turning into joints creating bone and sinew as new limbs are made.

 

"ENOUGH!"

 

Blood spills. Blood flies. It paints in a thick, viscous splatter, staining both teacher and student as the white lion eviscerates Nomu. His sword in one hand cleaves it apart, while the hammer in his other hand mashes the parts into pieces, all while his boots continually crush it into a stain of squirming mush. An annoyed grimace on his face when he renders Nomu into a limbless body with only its head, the torso cut open but slowly starting to seal, until the gladiator drops a familiar looking rock into the closing wound.

 

At once, Nomu erupted into flames, and just as his father warned him... It was soon rendered into ashes.

 

"Finally, I have found a foe of more interest than an undead homunculus! I care not for rotted meat, when fresh and worthy blood is right before me."

 

He then crushes the fragile black bones with a final step as he approaches Izuku.

 

"Hear me well, Earth Warrior! I, am Battle Beast! The Scourge of Twin Galaxies! Conqueror of a Thousand Worlds and Killer of Countless Foes! Die standing or kill me! These are your only options!"

 

Izuku blinks a few times. This guy is, theatrical, but he is the real deal. It took fully utilizing One For All to even hurt that burly freak.

 

But what truly shook him to his core was the fact this Battle Beast had a Blaze Pop.

 

"Where... Where did you get that rock...?"

 

"From a now dead world whose name is lost to time! It once housed a race of extraordinary weapon manufacturers! However, they were destroyed two hundred years ago, and I was sadly too late to kill them myself. These Hell Pits are all that is left. I can smell that you have some as well."

 

Aizawa is confused, but he is thrown in a further loop when this crazy lion man seems to be telling the truth, as Izuku takes the plastic wrap out and places one in his hand.

 

"Midoriya... Midoriya what is he talking about?"

 

"Just get Tsuyu and Mineta to safety, sensei! I'll hold him off!"

 

He swallows it, shocking his teacher, and seemingly disappointing his latest rival.

 

"You choose to end your own life? Pathetic-"

 

He is sent backwards from a stream of concentrated light. Fire aggressively billows out of Izuku's mouth and nose with every breath. He stands up, trying to endure the immense heat inside of him. There is pain, but a kind of stinging that only fuels rage, one that taps into that part of him he is scared of.

 

He will need it now.

 

"I WON'T LET YOU KILL ANYONE ELSE!!!"

 

Battle Beast sits up from the ground before standing. He had not seen such an insane use of the Hell Pits, so ludicrous, so idiotic. To commit near suicide, to attain power, or force himself into a state of adrenaline. To fight at the peak of his power, for others. So ridiculous. So reckless.

 

So passionate.

 

It Is Everything's He Could Ask For In A Foe.

Chapter 9: The Terrible Battle Beast!

Summary:

Every battle and every conflict so far has been a breeze for Izuku. However, when face to face with a terror from the stars, the young hero finds himself pushed to his absolute limits. Can Class 1-A survive a dance with death against the Battle Beast?

Elsewhere...

 

While they made for great stress relief, Bakugo did not find any genuine joy in beating down on such worthless cronies, especially not when he needs to be punching above his class now.

 

"Dammit... This isn't enough! He would've beaten them faster! Hit 'em harder-!"

 

"Yo! We gotta regroup with the others!"

 

Eijirō says after knocking out his last villain. Bakugo walks ahead as he replies.

 

"These small fry ain't nothing to worry about. It's the guys that let the pawns go ahead. More than likely, Izuku is fighting them with Teach, which means we've either got these losers on the back foot or there's something else there scheming up."

 

Eijirō stares at him disbelief.

 

"Whoa... That was a calm and smart way of talking! I didn't even think of them having any big plans like that! You're pretty rational after all!"

 

"WHO YOU CALLIN' IRRATIONAL!?!"

 

The two would stumble as the building they argue in starts shaking. Ignorant to the battle just underneath them as Izuku punches the Battle Beast into a wall, only for him to fly forward into a right hook, boiling blood flying from his flaming nostrils as he is embedded into his own stone wall. Battle Beast palms Izuku's face and runs through the wall carrying the boy before hurling him away with a feral roar.

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

In the Mountain Zone, three students just finished their fight, Momo, Jirō, and Denki. Momo created more threads to fix her costume while Jirō tries to help Denki through his weaknesses...

 

However, something about him suddenly seems different before he slaps her abruptly, his hand shocking the life out of her for a brief moment as she falls on her back sizzling.

 

"Kaminari!! Why did you do that?! Ah-!"

 

Momo dives out of the way of a lightning bolt. A blue one. Color shouldn't matter, but what little she has seen of Denki's Quirk always came out as yellow, never blue.

 

She then saw it with her own eyes as a hand formed around his head. Then, the rest of the body.

 

"Спокойной ночи, поросята."

 

Denki moves with a strange look on his face, moving without much resistance, yet strangely as though he had only learned to walk a moment ago. He fires out a lightning storm from his body, shocking the unprepared Momo, leaving her at the Villain's mercy.

 

"Какая удача. Мальчик слишком глуп, чтобы быть вам полезным. Я возьму то, что принадлежит мне."

 

The hand on top of Denki's head squeezes tight before he lets out a shrill scream. His own power is drained from him as the light in his eyes dim. He falls over, potentially dead, and the foul murderer laughs as he surges with power. Denki is an immense source of power, inexperienced in his Quirk, unlike Kursk. A heartless murderer who has dedicated years experimenting on victims how to utilize his manipulation of electricity.

 

They never stood a chance.

 

And neither did he, as Izuku slams into him with such force that Kursk disperses all of his power involuntarily, charging Denki and shocking Izuku in the process. He loses consciousness quickly, and Battle Beast lands nearby, thinking his fight over. He is then surprised by an uppercut, one he catches with a bored growl, the power behind the attack lacking in any murderous intent.

 

He holds Izuku up, before striking him twice with his spare fist, then spins and swings Izuku in the direction of Landslide Zone.

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

Shōto Todoroki was no stranger to attempts on his life. Although, as far as they go, this has been the most daring by far. Still, he easily dispatched them all after he was teleported away. He approaches one of the frozen criminals wearing an icy cold glare that stings harsher than the frost that chills their bones.

 

"So. Care to tell me what you're up to? If you don't, you might end up with your skin peeling, or maybe even losing a limb. We both don't want that."

 

"HEY LOOK OUT!"

 

He hears Tōru from behind him and narrowly dodges a deathly fate at the hands of one of six that held themselves back. A villain he thought he had frozen, but now reveals himself, and he would have shared the fate of a handful of charred skeletons melting in a pool of glowing magma had he not been warned.

 

"Who was it!? Which one of you, idiots, warned him!?! Whatever! I'll just melt you all down!"

 

He says in English, which Shotō only understood a few words here and there, but he had more than enough context clues as he summons his ice to smother this hothead. Unfortunately for him, the volcanic cretin was just hot enough to melt through his attacks, he could become amorphous and began to slither straight through the glacier he made between them.

 

"Tch!"

 

He sucks his teeth and prepares himself as the magma monster erupts in front of him. He's lost mass, which means the cold does affect him, but how much of it does he need to stop this guy?

 

He gets his answer as a colorful blur flies just above his head and past him, right into and splattering the villain into goopy pieces, the glacier Shotō created collapses on top of the villain's remains.

 

As the diamond dust settles, he can see the villain frozen in place, his upper body with one arm formed reaching out for him yet still just not hot enough.

 

"Serves you right... Midoriya?"

 

Shotō notices his classmate lying in a pile of frozen rubble, fire flickering out of his open mouth, a strange sound he thinks to be groaning as he runs up to him.

 

His costume is a mess, his mask torn and goggles broken, along with his nose with a deep claw gash across his right arm and chest. He's even missing a tooth.

 

"Todoroki-san...!"

 

"What happened?"

 

"G-Get away...!"

 

Izuku rasps out between clenched teeth as he forcefully stands up. The two snap at the sound of a crash, for Battle Beast had lunged from the Mountain Zone and straight into the Landslide Zone, recklessly killing many frozen Villains as he runs right through them.

 

All he suffered were black scorch marks on his clothes and a chipped fang.

 

"YOU STRIKE WELL, PUP! MORE! I DEMAND MORE VIOLENCE! MORE FIRE!! MORE BOILING BLOOD!!!"

 

His many weapons were gone, cast aside, as the Battle Beast saw that Izuku himself wielded no weapon and sought glory through hand to hand.

 

Shotō stands his ground, sending a flurry of icy spears with a swing of his arms, although they predictably shatter against the beast's impenetrable hide.

 

But that wasn't the point of them. Each icy projectile adds on a layer of frost connecting with each strike, every step in progress towards Shotō's goal, as Battle Beast slows down tremendously before Shotō unleashes a tremendous attack. As close to his full power without utilizing his fire...

 

It seemed to have work... And then, just as Shotō thinks to lower his arm, he hears it.

 

"More...!!! MORE!!!"

 

Battle Beast erupts from his frozen prison, arms out and a tiger's deafening roar, with Shotō so close that the sheer volume damages his hearing for a moment.

 

He would have lost his head had Izuku not taken his place, pulled him back moving at insane speeds, his arms blurring to hold the open maw of this monster from space before spewing hot wrath down Battle Beast's gullet.

 

He coughs, sputters, steps back trying to catch his breath. Just enough time for Izuku to charge One For All in his arm and throttling the gladiator in his stomach. A shockwave of kinetic force visibly cracks the entire glacier behind the wall of unyielding muscle.

 

The Battle Beast coughs up thick waterfall of red while wearing a feral grin, his hands grip Izuku's arm and snaps it with his grip. The boy shrieks in agony, silenced by a headbutt, which has him lean back only to be pulled in for a knee into his gut. Battle Beast releases Izuku just to uppercut him into the air, and snatch him by his ankle before he flies away, slamming him against the ground repeatedly no different than a primate utilizing a club.

 

He laughs in malicious delight as he brings Izuku up high, a hand around his throat, before Battle Beast brings Izuku's spine down on his knee. He finishes this cruel maneuver with an elbow down on his body, squishing him between knee and elbow.

 

He lifts Izuku's body up by his throat and growls.

 

"Where is your wrath, Earth Warrior!? Where is the fervor you once had! I am not satisfied with just one blow!"

 

He merely raises a brow as his body is engulfed in flame from behind. He turns his head to face Shotō, who prepares to use both of his sides, knowing full well that this is life or death. A moment he will come to despise himself later for, if he lives long enough to regret it.

 

"You dare intrude on my sacred death battle a second time!?! Vexsome cur!! Your father would prove a greater challenge to me!!"

 

Shotō raises his hands but the beast is already right in front of him, his hair moves back from the wind indicating some movement, movement at speeds Shotō cannot yet comprehend. His Quirk muffle the shoulder tackle, but he is still crushed between the warmonger, and a concrete wall. Something in him is broken, a few things maybe, probably way more than he would like to admit.

 

He is not breathing. His arms won't move. Legs twitch, a weak kick, but he is losing consciousness fast as he falls to the ground. He looks up as the Battle Beast looks down at a corpse. He raises a foot to crush his skull, but a hand stops it, and Izuku lets loose a furious howl.

 

"THAT'S ENOUGH!!!"

 

Izuku charges his arms with One For All, using his adrenaline and anger to ignore the pain of his broken right, and pushes Battle Beast back. He strikes a leg, a bone shattering crack and the lowering of a giant to his now fractured knee.

 

He sends his broken arm into the exposed ribs with a hook to the side, and a savage left right into the slack jaw, before he seizes this unstoppable warrior by his throat and hurls him back towards the Central Plaza.

 

When Battle Beast lands on his back, he sits up in time to catch Izuku's strong left arm between his fangs, catching and locking the boy down between his powerful jaws. He chews on it once to pierce the skin. Twice to dig through the muscles. One more time to grind his unmoving teeth against the waning bone within Izuku's forearm and bicep.

 

He would have chewed right through were it not for the broken right arm that robs Battle Beast of one of his eyes with a straight.

 

Izuku stumbles back upon being released, both arms numb, barely able to be lifted and his left leg is certainly fractured. He looks at his left arm, a shredded mess with his hand being spared from the butchery of Battle Beast's fangs, while his right arm seems whole save for the mess of broken fingers unable to form a proper fist.

 

He stands leaning on one leg but watched in dismay as the Battle Beast stands with a hearty laugh. He only suffered a black eye.

 

"You prove worthy of my efforts! But inadequate of my death! When I sought the ones who stole my prized death, I had arrived too late, and now I face a true foe too early in his youth! You honor your people, but disgrace yourself! Fear not, for your warrior's death has arrived!!"

 

Izuku tries to defend himself as he braces for the charge. The Battle Beast sprints at him with the speed of a meteorite, but predicting his straight line approach, Izuku narrowly does a somersault over the giant.

 

However, before he can land, Battle Beast stops short and falls low as he shoots out both feet behind him in a donkey kick that lands on Izuku's spine. Like a missile, he crashes into the base of the stairway.

 

He flies out of the cloud of debris, but is backhanded into a spinning stumble. It takes everything in his mind not to trip and fall. Izuku tries in vain to block the hellacious blows, his arms weakly bouncing away after two hooks, before they fall away from another backhand, and soon he begins seeing the stars from a devastating straight.

 

He nearly falls from a kick to his bad leg, only to double over from a punch to his ribs, a slap to his face sends him spinning again until a double handed swing sends him high into air and falling hard on the ground.

 

"I know what it is. Not just your youth. Your gamble with the Hell Pits. A sound strategy, for my insides were being melted down; my death assured had you maintained breathing fire down my throat, but there in lies your inexperience! Your own breathing has been cut short!"

 

He says as he walks away at last. A sign for some assistance as Satō and Mezō start to run towards him. These two, Ochako, and Mina were the only ones spared from Kurogiri's vanishing trick. Īda as well, who was sent away to call for help given his Engine Quirk, though at the cost of Thirteen's health. The boys could only watch until now, an opening. Aizawa, who was too late to stop the black cloud and the ring leader from escaping, shouts out to his students from making a fatal error.

 

"Don't!! Stay back and wait for back up-!"

 

"HE'S GONNA KILL HIM, SENSEI!!!"

 

Satō shouts after downing two sugar cans. Mezō lunges ahead so that the sweet tooth giant could ingest more before joining the fight. Ochako and Mina watch on, a cold sweat chilling them both as they watch Satō fall in one backhand, and Mezō loses several of his many limbs with a swipe of the wildcat's claws before flying into shallow waters from a kick.

 

They sit by Thirteen, who had been tricked by the Kurogiri to use her own Quirk against herself, now barely able to move within her suit as she shuts her eyes. Unable to watch such brutality.

 

The Battle Beast picks up his mace and begins marching back towards Izuku. Capture tape attempts to restrain him, but Aizawa is pulled in, and instantly knocked out by a haymaker. 

 

"No... No, no...!"

 

Tsuyu says as Mineta clings to the edge of the pool, too fearful to move any closer, yet too engaged to look away. Surely, surely Izuku can pull something up his shredded sleeves! Right!?!

 

All eyes, widen as everything goes deaf as the Battle Beast brings the mace high... And then low.

 

A geyser of flaming red, a fiery arch of burning blood shines with the grotesque beauty of dirty fireworks, turning into both a rain of someone's essence and the flames of his soul that leaves his body. The fire itself soon settles, weakening with open air, as if to represent the waning life of Izuku Midoriya.

 

Tsuyu finally had enough. She rushes to Izuku's side, ignoring the dangerous threat to all their lives, just to see if what she sees is real.

 

To her mix of relief and utter horror, Izuku clings to life, despite the gaping hole in his body. Even more, he attempts to sit up on his own. Without thinking, without any semblance of sense or logic, running on pure terror does she act in kindness as she tries to push his scalding organs back into the gaping hole.

 

"No! No more! Please, stop-! No! More! Just, stop! Stay down! Please...!"

 

She hears a huff. She feels and smells a humid splash of stink against her head and neck. A horrified despondence paints her visage as she looks up at the growling avatar of violence. Her eyes are wide, unblinking, full of terror as she finds herself almost choked by his murderous intent alone.

 

"please stop..."

 

The Battle Beast brings his bloodied club up once more, then down again, resting on his shoulder as he addresses the shivering frog.

 

"Why? Is this not his right? He has saved you all, for it is quite evident to me none here are as worthy of a warrior's death than he! All others are either too weak, or too boring, not even worthy of my blade or club!"

 

Tsuyu finally finds the anger herself as she tries again, barely putting Izuku's innards back into his cooling body.

 

"You said it yourself! C'mon organs-! Stay in there-! He's too young to die! You're the one trying to fight to the death! Scared he'll beat you if you spare him!?!"

 

The words leave her mouth before her brain thinks to stop her. She freezes as she can feel him lower himself, his putrid breath reeks of blood and meat, with the sickening scent of mint.

 

"You bring up a potential avenue to my long awaited goal. However, how will I know he will not flee at the sight of me? If I spare him, he could lose the fervor put on display today, and it would make him a disgraceful coward!! My unending rage forbids me from allowing such travesty!!!"

 

"I won't-!"

 

Izuku sputters out. Tsuyu tries to hold him down, but against everyone's wishes but his own, a hand over his stomach as he tries to keep his organs inside as he glares green fury into the golden eyes of his jubilant foe.

 

"I... Will protect... This planet... From people like you... I will always...! Fight until...!!! They're safe...!!!"

 

"... Viltrumite! What is your name! You as well, Earthling!"

 

Tsuyu stands as she puts herself under Izuku's arm, ready to support him as he stubbornly remains standing, wobbling in place ready to pass out from blood loss and agony at any moment.

 

"Tsuyu Asui..."

 

"Izuku... Midoriya...!"

 

The King of War nods and turns away. He collects his weapons and finally shouts in declaration.

 

"IZUKU MIDORIYA!!! I, BATTLE BEAST! SHALL RETURN FOR A TRUE WARRIOR'S DEATH ONE DAY! WHEN I DO, SHOULD YOU FAIL TO EITHER KILL ME OR DIE BY MY HAND, I WILL KILL ASUI TSUYU!"

 

Izuku says nothing, only an attempt to lift his head before he falls unconscious at last, which the Battle Beast perceives as a nod. With that, he enters through a door of light, and vanishes.

Chapter 10: A Revealing Recovery!

Summary:

Battle Beast leaves the Solar System, but not before recording a message for his only living rival. Izuku awakens to a special guest in a hidden hospital just underneath UA. Cecil once again asks for the young man to rethink his options, leaving Izuku mixed on his placement in UA. Thankfully, 1-A isn't afraid to remind him what truly matters.

In Earth's Orbit...

 

This is new for him... 

 

Thokk of the Twin Galaxies, better known as the Battle Beast, never spared anyone before. At least, not with the promise of a future battle, no. It has either been death or shame. This, Izuku Midoriya, was an outlier... A Viltrumite as well, this he knew from the taste of his blood, and yet it was still tainted by that of Earthlings as well. A distinct enough flavor for him to tell.

 

He sits on his latest throne, surrounded by corpses of the crew that once fared this vessel, who sought to do business with the planet and take advantage of their backwater status as an isolated nation.

 

Hiking prices up and selling low.

 

Their only reluctance were the alleged warriors that scared the weaklings, hence, they hired him.

 

And now they are his meal. He casually consumes these brittle yet juicy morsels, as the A.I. of the ship speaks.

 

[ "You have yet to initiate launch to leave this planet." ]

 

"I grow restless and impatient. The boy is bound to become more powerful, but how long will that take? A year? Five years? A decade? I can only wait for so long. I will seek my death in the meantime, but this irksome itch in my mind will not allow me to firget this choice, this... Izuku Midoriya."

 

[ "Having scanned the battlefield using my sensors and the on-hand translator you were provided, I can deduce the potential growth for him becoming your physical equal within ten to twenty years. Is this satisfactory?" ]

 

Thokk says nothing as he continues to devour his decaying prey.

 

[ "Dissatisfactory?" ]

 

"It is, what it is. Such a time will have to do. Not too long, but far too long for me to merely wait. I will return in twenty years. I shall seek my death elsewhere in the meantime."

 

[ "It is customary on Earth to communicate an appointment between two individuals." ]

 

"Do not patronize me, machine! However, I agree, and he shall know. For further insurance as to not break his oath, I will need a watchful eye so that he does not flee this planet in cowardice."

 

[ "I can send a prerecorded message unit that can act as a live feed camera for you to keep updated on his growth. In case of any anomalous situations. I too am eager to see you die and avenge my crew you so callously feast upon." ]

 

The snowy lion gleefully bares his fangs wearing a feral smile. Such honest contempt is refreshing company. Perhaps that is why he thinks of the boy, when so many more impressive yet now dead champions have left his memory, that pure passionate drive to do anything to achieve his goals.

 

It reminded Thokk of his own youth. To a degree.

 

"Do this, machine. I dare say he is of more interest to me than thought possible. After you send it, we are off, and you shall find me a world or space station truly worthy of my death... Or at least one that can entertain me."

 

A small satellite fires away from the ship, and just as fast as they had arrived, quick is their departure in space. On their way out of the solar system, they unknowingly almost ram into another lifeform, moving too quickly for his various profanities to reach the captain of the ship.

 

Regardless of nearly losing his life, another alien lifeform makes his way to Earth, far from the reaches of space...

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

All Might says nothing. What can he say? His teeth grind against each other in a mix of utter rage and pure despair. How could he be a single second late? The very moment he finally arrived after Īda's warning, the boy who gave it his all to save his classmates, and All Might was too late to make his attempts mean anything.

 

The Battle Beast had left already. Izuku saved everyone but himself and Aizawa was in just as bad a state.

 

Class 1-A's homeroom teacher stands next to the Symbol of Peace, his arm in a sling and his jaw wrapped tight, bandages and stitches littering his body and face as he watches a hellacious scene from the other side of an operating window. Just having one eye to see through with the other one too swollen is, in a way, both a godsend and a nightmare. Standing next to him, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder, Vlad King grumbles as he and the rest of UA Staff watch on in silent horror as Izuku's body fights during surgery.

 

"I understand your concern, but this is... This boy, is a lost cause. You should go home. Rest."

 

Aizawa stands there still as a statue as he watches on. A surgeon shrieks as he stumbles back from a spurt of flame, before instantly going back to work, their surgery tools bending and reshaping against Izuku's anatomy. His skin, his innards, they can move them, at times even begin to actually operate on the tenderized meat that is his flesh.

 

But most of the time their equipment is merely too fragile to do anything in a moment of crisis where every second counts.

 

"I can't. Not until I know he'll pull through. He will. Pull. Through. You weren't there... You wouldn't get it."

 

Midnight looks between this poor dead kid and her surprisingly delusional friend.

 

"You see that he has a forest fire going on where his stomach and heart are supposed to be, yes!?! Oh my God, how did this even happen?!! We're... We're going to have to-"

 

"Have a little faith."

 

They all hear as Nezu walks into the room with a guest. Star Man, who silently marches over to the window, his helmet hiding the worry om his face. All Might's eyes widen in shock.

 

"Y-You...!"

 

Before the two can interact, or rather, because Star Man does not reply; Nezu speaks again.

 

"Kayama-chan. Normally, a person, no matter how durable would be dead from this... But, as we have come to learn... Young Midoriya, is not a normal human. Isn't that what you told me on the way here, Hoshi-san?"

 

He asks the helmeted titan. Star Man keeps his head focused on the surgery scene, but everyone sees it in his body language, how tight his fists are. How rigid, how stiffly he stands, a fear or even unspoken rage that brings a man so usually devoid of emotion yet here he shakes from fatherly fury.

 

"Nezu asked me some questions, regarding my son. Regarding me. It is time that I finally answer them..."

 

Aizawa turns to him fully.

 

"That boy really is yours...! So... All this time, the most powerful man on the planet, was from outer space... We really do live in a comic book world, huh?"

 

Star Man then looks around.

 

"Where's Recovery Girl?"

 

Nezu sips a prepared cup of tea. The particular brew keeping his nerves relaxed best he logically can.

 

"On her way, but I doubt he will survive at this rate-"

 

He tries to explain, but Star Man cuts him off, lifting the top half of his suit to show off his carved physique. 

 

"I once suffered a similar injury seven years ago against a Villain only All Might and I could handle. I don't have a single scar while All Might...!"

 

He says with a rise in his voice. Anger evident. He stops himself and so his only equal continues for him.

 

"I had to have some of my organs removed along with a few ribs. I'm running on loose change. Eventually, I won't even be able to use even a shadow of my strength anymore... Yet you only got stronger from it."

 

Star Man nods. His point made and all heads turned his way.

 

"I can already see that Izuku is just as tough. Her Quirk will resuscitate him. Until then, he needs to be stabilized. Let me in there to help my son and let me know when she's here."

 

That he asks is a rather surprising moment. He could have easily torn his way through and took over, which as soon as the thought crosses Nezu's mind, he nearly does as he floats towards the wall between rooms.

 

"Of course, but don't crash through the walls, please."

 

He doesn't. Star Man enters the room in a blink, and at once, with only his bare hands does he make any progress. Far more than the veteran surgeons did as his hands and arms blur. Careful cuts with blurring chops, seamless stitches after making holes for the wires to work with using instant pokes, he did in moments what this team of practiced professionals decades into their field failed to do in less than an hour... But he left the chest cavity open and the fire remains burning.

 

He reenters the audience room with fresh blood in his hands, yet visibly relieved, surrounded by awed looks with hushed whispers lingering in the air.

 

"That fire inside him is a chemical weapon made to consume liquids as opposed to gasses, like oxygen, and in fact only dies from exposure to said gases. It weakens over time as well, hence, leaving him open like that for a few more hours will allow it to die out."

 

They can barely believe their own eyes as many watch and listen to the sound of his vitals. Izuku's heartbeat, which could not be checked before due to the intense blaze, now is finally on display on the monitors... And resembles that of someone asleep. Not comatose, not dying or on death's door, but comfortably sleeping. Star Man continues.

 

"There are only four of those weapons left in the universe with no method of creating more, that I made sure of. It treats water no different than oil or even gasoline. His cells however, can replicate the burning blood faster than the flames can burn them, and when exposed to it enough times? We can adapt to them entirely for prolonged use. That is the secret behind the Hell Pits. That, is one of my secrets, such as Izuku and my origins..."

 

He reluctantly removes his helmet and reveals his face for the first time for almost all that are present. Only All Might, who once caught glimpse in the aftermath of a most hated for, only ever saw his blue eye and moustache past the then broken visor.

 

He looked no different than a human, a foreigner ironically, someone ripped right from North America. Black hair with the base of his neck starting to grey and a fearsome glare that softens to a reluctant, somber, gaze.

 

"My name is... Hisashi Midoriya, on Earth. On the Planet Viltrum, I go by another, but this world has become my home. This place is where my family is. I can't hide from that fact any longer."

 

Aizawa then steps forward.

 

"... What, are you. Exactly."

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

Two Days Later...

 

Izuku wakes up, neither in a hospital nor in UA's intensive emergency clinic, but somewhere further advanced. Both his arms are in casts and his broken leg lifted slightly, but like before with Recovery Girl, he feels fine.

 

"Sheesh, kid. Give a guy a scare, why don'tcha?"

 

He hears as his vision sharpens and clears. Groggy still, his brain swimming in his still aching skull, Izuku can make out a man at the foot of his bed. Cecil, hand in his pockets, approaches his bedside.

 

"My guys said you'd be outta commission for weeks. Recovery Girl was sure you'd be dead. Two days pass by, and you're already awake. You're a stubborn one."

 

"... M-My... My classmates...?"

 

Izuku asks as he begins to panic. He sits up, a crack sounding and his heart rate rises until Cecil speaks again, calming him down with his answer.

 

"Safe and secured. Just as Tony the Siberian Tiger left, Īda Tenya showed up with the Calvary, along with All Might who took care of the stragglers. Kursk, Tether Tyrant, Magmaniac and all those punks that survived the collateral fight are behind bars. You're the only casualty."

 

Not exactly true, but not false. Three students were injured by the Russian Storm, but one peck from Recovery Girl got two of them back to standing, and Kursk was knocked out flat by Cementoss when he tried to absorbed energy from Denki again. An earthen Hero made the ideal counter against the electric evildoer.

 

Izuku relaxes. Another crack, which has Cecil worried, until he realizes the cracks are not coming from the boy's body. Izuku unintentionally frees one of his arms from its cast.

 

"U-Uh..."

 

"If you're feeling good enough to walk, walk with me. If you're feeling better. Your x-rays from an hour ago show you've still got minor fractures. Don't worry about breaking those, we're not going to bill you."

 

Izuku flexes his arm, feeling good as new, before he frees himself from the bed, standing on his own yet faltering. Cecil catches him and helps him stand on his own.

 

"Still... Adjusting. I was asleep for two days?"

 

"Kid, you were clinically dead, for two days. That Pop Rock fiasco nearly did you in, it was almost impossible to do surgery when you've got a fire going on in your stomach."

 

He says with a glare that Izuku shrinks under. Cecil's harsh gaze softens then.

 

"But... It did keep you alive. The heat stopped you from going cold, and it seems your body was taking in enough energy from it to keep your heart and brain running, even if it made the surgery Hell to finish. Just, try to be careful next time you think to pop one in your mouth."

 

He then looks at the door, hearing thumps and knocking.

 

"Ah, I'm outta time. Look, you're green, but you've got potential. What you did was nothing short of miraculous, but that bastard could come back any day now, so hit me up using the card when you want to get stronger. Truly, stronger. I'll see you around."

 

Izuku looks back at his bed, then to the door, before he makes his way over it and opens it.

 

"Hello?"

 

He finds all of his classmates staring at him in surprise. Then, he is tackled by several pairs of arms as the rowdiest of Class 1-A immediately hug him with cheers.

 

"HE'S ALIVE!!! HAH! TOLD YOU HE'D LIVE, SERO!!!"

 

Cries Mineta who hugs his leg. Sero rolls his eyes as he answers from the back of the pack.

 

"Don't break him again, he just woke up!"

 

Tōru nuzzles her invisible head into his chest, soft unseen hair tickling him past his hospital gown.

 

"No hole! That's good! All your insides are back where they belong! You're not missing parts, are you?"

 

She asks while Eijirō and Mina hug Izuku's arms.

 

"And these guns look brand spanking new! They feel real, so they're not cybernetics! You really heal that fast, dude!?"

 

"Your skin is smooth but your muscles are like, super firm! Even your face is much better now! Most people look worse after getting beaten up that badly, y'know!?"

 

Satō holds up a wrapped up plate.

 

"I heard hospital food is usually gross, so a few of us brought you something!"

 

Jirō holds her up her own offering in the form gift box.

 

"My mom made you this. This is for dinner, if you can chew, which it looks like you can... Geez, you're tough. You even grow new teeth, huh?"

 

Even the silent timid Kōda approaches with his own gift. A melon that Izuku takes.

 

"... T-Thanks everyone. No one else was hurt? You all seem-"

 

"Deku."

 

Bakugo interrupts him.

 

"What're you doing outta bed. Your legs are shaking so go lie down."

 

He stands there perplexed that out of all them, Bakugo is the first one to worry about him, only for Izuku to notice the frowns on Ochako, Īda, and even Tsuyu. The latter confronts him before she pushes him back into the room. He could have easily let her push on futility, but he gives way to her silent demand, and she brings him back to his bed.

 

"We have questions, Midoriya. Can you answer them honestly? Because when we asked the Pros, they all either didn't know, or didn't say."

 

Ochako puts on a smile, but it betrays her eyes, curious and fearful. Somber. She asks the question everyone has been waiting for.

 

"Midoriya? That Battle Beast guy said you were a Viltrumite and Tsuyu was an Earthling... What did he mean by that?"

 

This conversation was going to happen some day, he thought. He takes in a deep breath before finally speaking.

 

"So, I'm not fully human, and... A Viltrumite is an alien from the Planet Viltrum..."

 

"HUH!?!"

 

Most of the class exclaims, but Bakugo makes a small explosion as his punches an open palm, silencing the loudest ones.

 

"SHUDDAP!!! Deku! Is this what you told me about!?! About... Your dad?"

 

He did not say Star Man or his father's name. In fact, Izuku inwardly thanks his former rival, for he needed to keep some of this a secret. His father did... For some reason...

 

Izuku nods and tells them everything his father told him of the Viltrum Race, from their history of struggles to prosperity, all the way to their abilities and the World Betterment Committee.

 

"My powers as a Viltrumite woke up right at the end of the Entrance Exams... And ever since then, I've never had to use my full-power until yesterday-"

 

"Two days ago."

 

Tsuyu corrects him. He rubs his neck wearing a guilty smile. 

 

"R-Right! Sorry, it's just for me, everything happened so fast I barely remember what happened at all."

 

There is an expected silence that grows heavier by the second. Then, Mina breaks it with a squeal. Her eyes sparkling in fanatics glee.

 

"THAT'S SO COOL!!! YOU'RE AN ACTUAL ALIEN, MIDORI!!!"

 

"It-? It is???"

 

He asks, leaning back, not displeased but certainly uncertain. Fumikage nods as he and his Quirk: Dark Shadow, speak up.

 

"It's only fitting, really. Just about everyone here has something that makes them a bit odd."

 

"You didn't think we'd like you any less for this, did you?"

 

However, it is Aoyama that brings everyone back as he asks in a rare serious tone.

 

"Bu-But how did you develop a Quirk!? You really expect me to believe you do not have one!? M-Merci, but it's just, too hard to believe!"

 

At that Izuku looks at the ceiling.

 

"I'm... I think it's because of my DNA. That's what my father told me. It was enlightening, and awkward, but-"

 

"It's All Might, isn't it?"

 

Momo states with an expectant look, almost hopeful. Izuku's befuddled reaction is when her own face turns pink in embarrassment.

 

"I-I thought-! Since, no one knows what his Quirk is, and the two of you are so close that you two were related... Right?"

 

Mezō adds on more as he speaks up.

 

"The two of you are way too similar in terms of ability. The way you fight and move too, it's all All Might. Besides, his Quirk is the only Strength Quirk in the world that can do what you did."

 

"I-! Uh-! Well-! Y-Y'see!"

 

Tōru sways side to side dealing the finishing blow.

 

"He took what happened to you the hardest. He showed up right when that bloody fireball left! I've never seen him not smile before! I swear, he was even crying! I know I was..."

 

Bakugo rolls his eyes before calling out.

 

"His dad ain't All Might because I would know! Right, Izuku?!"

 

He stopped calling him Deku? When? The moment passes his brain for a moment before he nods.

 

"He isn't-! But! He is my mentor! He worked with me in the ten months before the Entrance Exams! If it weren't for him... I wouldn't be here!"

 

Tsuyu's idle accusing frown turns into a big smile as she speaks up.

 

"Thank you for saving us. I'm glad you're here."

 

However, he shakes his head.

 

"No... I... I didn't do it right. I... I got too angry. Too violent. The worst part is I was, scared..."

 

Bakugo narrows his eyes at him.

 

"You may have lost your head, but you still did something about it, and most of all?! You saved them! Don't you try acting all cool or pretending to be invincible! You're one of us! So don't try to exclude yourself and handle it all on your own! Otherwise you really will just end up being useless! I'm outta here!"

 

Izuku watches him leave, and while others follow him to chastise him like Īda and Eijirō, Izuku cannot help but be appreciative of those words. 

 

Thinking back, it isn't just him that's changed...

 

"Hey, where's...? We're missing two, right? Todoroki-san and... The blonde one..."

 

Jirō rubs her arm as she hugs herself.

 

"He's still unconscious too. He isn't hurt too badly, but that lightning dude, Kursk? His lightning powers just, completely overwhelmed Kaminari. Apparently he can use electricity to control people, and because Kaminari only learned how to discharge his, Kursk used his own Quirk against him to attack me and Momo. He fried his brain, bad... But... Because of how Kaminari's Quirk works, that's not too bad of an issue for him. I hear he woke up today."

 

Tōru also grows glum when she speaks up.

 

"Todoroki is already awake, but he's bedridden too, i had to keep him alive because he stopped breathing after getting slammed! He's tough though! He should be discharged later on today!!! We're going to visit him next! Wanna come-?"

 

"Tōru!"

 

Hisses Ochako, who then hisses at Izuku.

 

"You! Stay in bed! We'll come back for you if you're feeling better, but for now... Please..."

 

She then smiles at him fondly, unable to even pretend to be mad with him alive.

 

"Just, rest for a while?"

 

One by one, the students of 1-A leave to give the rest of the day their best, until only Izuku and Tsuyu remain. She rests on his bedside clinging to the edge watching him eat the gift meals brought to him.

 

"... Midoriya."

 

"Huh-?"

 

"Girls don't like a messy eater."

 

She states. He blinks a few times before his face flushes pink as he wipes it with tissue.

 

"Ah-! S-Sorry! I guess I uh... Burned a hole in my stomach! Hehe!"

 

"Don't joke about that either. That was scary, not funny."

 

"Uh... S-Sorry..."

 

An awkward silence permeates the room until he speaks up.

 

"Thanks. For saving my life."

 

She tilts her head, silently asking for an elaboration.

 

"When I was on the ground. I didn't care. I didn't care that I'd die, because... I did my job. I fulfilled my purpose, or at least I felt at peace with it, knowing he wouldn't kill any of you if it meant he killed me... But, that was stupid."

 

He chuckles thinking back on it.

 

"And you called him and me out on it. That's not how Heroes think, not like that. I... I didn't feel human, for a moment, until you spoke up... You reminded me, why I wanted to do this, and why I had to live. You saved me in... So many ways, I can't even think of how to say it, other than... Thank you."

 

He smiles at her. She stares back at him, before taking his hand, and squeezing it gently reflecting his smile.

 

"You better get strong so I don't end up as fried frog legs."

 

"O-Okay that? That!? Isn't funny-! Pfft!!"

 

He says, yet they both laugh, hand in hand.

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

"WE'VE BEEN UNDER UA THIS WHOLE TIME???"

 

Izuku is in shock as he walks through the hallways with Shōto, who had been dismissed hours earlier. He shrugs as he looks around at the silent yet busy sterile workers. Not quite nurses, too casual to be doctors, yet they operate with an almost machine-like efficiency.

 

"Apparently they're with the uh, Global Defense Agency that works with superheroes on an international level... Or, that's how I've come to understand it. The Hero Association is a branch of theirs. Some guy gave me this card, said UA was wasting my time, did he say the same to you?"

 

Izuku brings a clawed hand down near his face as he asks.

 

"Old, scarred face, American?"

 

Shōto nods as Izuku describes Cecil. He pulls out his own card and they compare.

 

"Huh... Mine's different from yours, Midoriya."

 

"That's weird... Mine has the symbol for the Guardians of the Globe."

 

"It is? This is clearly the Hero Association logo.. I never cared much for them for the Guardians... Red Rush is cool though..."

 

"I've always liked Martian Man myself! Oh-! There's the elevator to the ground floor."

 

In an empty lobby, they meet with what Izuku thinks to be a liaison or some escort, a rather well-mannered and quiet man with glasses. A simple but well-kept suit, bald, or perhaps shaven, unassuming in every sense of the word.

 

"There you are, boys. Kaminari-san left earlier with Hound Dog. He'll be back down the elevator soon to get you two as well. It might take a while though so, please, have a seat."

 

He gestures to the several chairs lining the walls and aligned in a perfect pattern within the lobby. They sit near the elevator in silence until the man speaks again.

 

"If you have questions, you're free to ask them."

 

Shōto is the first to ask.

 

"Who are you. You're clearly not UA, nothing about this screams high school for super heroes, but something more... Official."

 

The man nods.

 

"My name is Donald, and this is a hidden shelter facility in case of terrestrial emergencies or world ending apocalypses. To put it simply, UA is just one of several Hero associated programs we work with to facilitate, nurture, and potentially recruit powerful individuals we recognize as valued members of the planet's defense force. I'm sure you both see it all the time on the news. A Kaiju from the ocean here, an earthquake there, mad scientist gone rogue here, an occult ritual summoning some evil god there... It all varies, but for every story that might be tabloids seeking to sell to readers, there's a kernel of truth of just how dangerous this world of ours truly is."

 

He then looks at Izuku putting on an apologetic frown.

 

"And you now know just how dangerous the universe surrounding our little oasis is too. Both of you. We don't often get aliens, so whenever one shows up, it's always a big deal."

 

"That lion guy was an alien from space...? I thought he had some Primal Quirk or something."

 

Shōto asks as hr raises his brows and looks at Izuku for confirmation, to which his eyes then fly wide when his classmate raises a hand, a shy smile on.

 

"Hi, I'm the first space alien you've ever met. S-Sorry that you're the last one to learn about it."

 

Donald adjusts his glasses.

 

"Todoroki-san, there are things in this world we've kept secret for so long, even we've forgotten a handful of them. The only reason I'm divulging either of you two with this is because your performance against that ambush two days ago, it was nothing short of exemplary."

 

He adjusts his spectacles, wearing a frown as he adopts a grim tone.

 

"Although, it's my professional opinion that you both graduate high school before you consider signing up with us... We need people like you two, and we desperately need you now, more than ever."

 

"... You're a space alien, Midoriya...?"

 

Shōto asks leaning forward, far more curious and not at all wary, which somewhat unnerved Izuku. He was appreciative how accepting the rest of his class were, but Shotō looks at him the same way a taxidermist looks at a fresh vessel to turn into his masterpiece.

 

"I-I don't have any weird organs or extra parts! I'm just! Strong! Fast! ... And I can fly."

 

"But you were breathing fire against that lion."

 

Donald holds up a plastic bag containing the two Blaze Pops.

 

"We'll be confiscating these actually. You certainly made good use of them, but your body hasn't quite adjusted to them yet, and they're too dangerous to be allowed outside of a professional's hand."

 

The two wait, and when the elevator finally opens, out comes a lone young woman with snow white hair and fiery highlights dotted around. She is escorted by the Dog Hero: Hound Dog, and with a gasp, she runs over to Shōto as she eyes the bandages visible on his collar and neck.

 

"Oh no, what happened to you!? Look what those Villains did to my baby brother...!"

 

"I'm not a baby."

 

He rolls his head out of her hands as she dotes on him. He then nods over at Izuku.

 

"If you want to play nurse, do it with him. He nearly died, go take his temperature or something."

 

Hound Dog barks with Donald nodding in agreement.

 

"I think things ended as good as they could have, but I'm inclined to agree, sir."

 

Izuku stammers out, gobsmacked by the sight.

 

"Y-You can understand that!?!"

 

Shōto's sister turns and looks at Izuku with a puzzled expression. She briefly saw his condition. He looked no different than a corpse, and there was an ongoing fire inside his body, actively causing rotations between surgeons. It was how she caught a glimpse of him between the doors to his operation room.

 

Now there were only faint fading scars and a kindness to his eyes she used to see somewhere else. She cannot recall where, but it made her heart ache, yet she smiles.

 

"I heard you're the one that stopped what went down. Thank you, for keeping my brother alive."

 

Izuku bows his head.

 

"He gave me an opening. We worked together on this one! I hope to work with him again!"

 

Shōto stands, but he speaks up one last time.

 

"Midoriya. I need to know something... The way you fought was... Crazy. Why? What made you fight so hard?"

 

At that, Izuku's smile fades, but his earnestness remains ever present.

 

"Someone once told me, this world is ours to protect, and... I guess... I was just, angry. Angry someone was trying to hurt the people I swore I'd protect with my life. It was, scary... But I'd do it again. Twice over and more. This is what I want."

 

Fuyumi giggles finding the boy's earnest endearing.

 

"You're a bit like Shōto. You're both a bit too stubborn for your own good. Take care of him for me, would you?"

 

Shōto does not reply. He just walks away with his sister's help, leaving Izuku alone with Donald.

 

"... Since it is just, us. Please try to keep your origins a secret from the rest of the world. Aliens are still a sensitive thing and we're still unsure how to deal with them. So far there's only three aliens on the planet we recognize and we've allied with them all. Your classmates should be fine to tell for now... But..."

 

Izuku gulps under the hidden glare behind the spectacles wearing an apologetic smile.

 

"Uh-! Yessir..."

Chapter 11: Meeting the Alien!

Summary:

Inko struggles with the idea of her son being in such dangerous situations, and her worries only grow with the approach of the UA Sports Festival, although a new threat approaches Earth not long after Izuku's release from the hospital. Hisashi is sure of his victory, yet All Might steps in to have a word with his ward...

The elevator doors open, and in a blur striking with the impact of a missile, Inko crashes into her son hugging him tight as she can.

 

"IZUIZUIZUZUZIZIZIIZUZIIZIZKUKIZUKU!!!!!"

 

He hugs back and even lifts her up with a humiliated chuckle.

 

"H-Hi, Mom! Uh, how have you been?"

 

She pulls back, her waterfall of tears nearly drowns her as she speaks between chattering teeth.

 

"YOU WEREN'T CALLING...!!! YOU NEVER CAME HOME...!!! I WAS SO... SO WORRIED...!!!"

 

Hisashi hugs them both before leaning back, wearing a small smirk.

 

"You'll get used to this, Inko."

 

"NO!! I WON'T!!!"

 

She shrieks. She stabs her finger against his chest, forcing him back a few steps.

 

"How could you be so candid!?! He could have died!"

 

Izuku tries to calm her down.

 

"But I didn't!"

 

It did not work as she raised a finger at him.

 

"You! Shush! You!"

 

She shouts as she punches Hisashi's chest.

 

"I-! I can accept! You doing things! You don't get hurt! You don't stay down! But...!!! But..."

 

She leans into him and he holds her as she starts shaking.

 

"Not him... I thought I was ready for this but I'm not..."

 

He says, as assuring as he can, though when he looks at Izuku there is undeniable pride in his face. Pride he cannot help but nod at. A silent declaration that this will not be the end. Hisashi is warming up to his son's status. He is not as weak as he thought he would be.

 

If only his wife could see what he sees...

 

"... Inko I-... I won't let this happen again. I swear."

 

Izuku says nothing. For her sake. They bid Donald an awkward farewell and make it home. Dinner was silent. The next morning's breakfast was just as mute. Izuku would make it to UA with a despondent face, but before he can leave, his mother stops him.

 

"... I'm sorry, Izuku... But... Your father is right."

 

"Huh?"

 

She shakes her head.

 

"When I look at you, all I see is that same boy in his favorite pajamas coming to my rescue, like we used to do all the time during summer..."

 

He turns to her recalling those embarrassing, yet cherished memories.

 

"I remember..."

 

She looks at him from head to toe before shaking her head.

 

"I had gotten so used to keeping you safe myself, so used to taking care of you, that one paper cut would ruin my day unless I took care of it... And now... Y-You're... Strong now... You're like your father... You're leaving me behind... And there's nothing more I can do than ask... Please, keep that baby boy of mine safe?"

 

He hugs her, gently as he can, and she hugs back.

 

"I'm not going anywhere anytime soon, Mom. I'll never leave you... I'll be back! You just see!"

 

With that, he leaves home once again, and Inko can only watch him as he takes off in the distance. She goes through his old things as he was cleaning his room, nothing to be thrown away that wasn't trash, he's as sentimental as she is. However, she remembers one vivid memory as she finds an action figure of All Might.

 

She uses her Quirk to make it fly around. She would put on an impression as her little toddler would run around the room, the two of them off saving the day, making the world a better place.

 

How she longs for those memories to return... But, at least she has them...

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

For a time, the Pros, both those working in and with UA to those that are only as Alumni all search high and low.

 

A villain attack on campus made the rounds, though thankfully the specifics were kept hidden, it is enough to spur a rather dangerous and abrupt spike in criminal activity.

 

From petty larceny, to street wide destruction, the city would have gone to ruin without the concise and active duty of the Heroes. As far as the citizens were concerned, things have only gotten exciting, with even minor Heroes and Vigilantes getting their fifteen minutes of fame.

 

Repeatedly... 

 

Even foreign Heroes, either visiting on vacation, or assisting out of either fame or charity, more hands than ever before are on deck. Which lines up with an upcoming event...

 

THE U.A. SPORTS FESTIVAL!!!

 

While the others murmur with excited cheers and broad smiles that not even Aizawa says to put away, as he wants them to get excited, he begins preparing them for the biggest opportunity of their future careers.

 

"Your performance here is more than just the first impression you're about to give the nation, even other Hero Teams from around the world will be tuning in, some more influential than others. If you're looking to go international, no more slacking or goofing around, Kaminari. Kirishima."

 

Hey!?! He's the blockhead, not me!!!" "Why single me out!?! He's the short-circuit idiot here!"

 

The ketchup and mustard duo point at each other from their seats before Mineta speaks up.

 

"W-We just had a really scary Villain Invasion... I-I know that this is like some, huge major event, but-!"

 

He then points ahead at Izuku.

 

"Isn't he being targeted or something?! You had your guts rearranged! Won't this just, goad that scary lion monster to come back!? Or something worse or someone worse!?!"

 

Aizawa shakes his head.

 

"They only targeted you all to get to All Might. With this many Heroes in one place, along with five times the police presence on top, things should be fine... But, if it'll get you to take this seriously, then remember now why you're all doing this. Without being able to utilize and apply your Quirks with meaningful strategy or strength? You'll be helpless no different than when Kursk controlled your Quirk, or Magmaniac walked through your ice, or when the Battle Beast... Well, you get the picture."

 

At that final word, everyone grew tense. Aizawa finishes his announcements.

 

"I'll end it on this. Each of you has their own reason to be here. Fight the good fight, strut your stuff, show the best you have to offer, and all the pieces will fall into place. This too is what it means to go..."

 

All of Class 1-A shout back.

 

"PLUS ULTRA!!!"

 

When class is dismissed, everyone begins talking with one another, Momo herself approaches Izuku.

 

"We'll have two weeks to train. I'm going to be studying some new schematics for weapons and tools to broaden my arsenal. You?"

 

Izuku glances at the window.

 

"Flying practice and building endurance. I used to do body conditioning to prepare for the Entrance Exams, so I'll just keep doing that... Although... I'll have to find something heavier than twenty kilogram barbells..."

 

Eijirō comes over, sitting at an empty desk as he rests his head in his hands.

 

"Why not lift stuff like, semi trucks? Or like, big rocks? What is the heaviest thing you can lift?"

 

He flinches as Fumikage walks past him with a subtle rise in his voice.

 

"Midoriya isn't some guinea pig to poke at, Kirishima. Besides, you should be asking yourself what's the limit on your hardness instead."

 

He stifles a hiss when a bright light from Tōru's phone hits him as she takes a picture.

 

"Well, what about how gloomy you are and if that's really necessary! ~ Lighten up, Tokoyami! We're just curious about what he can do!"

 

Izuku lowers his head onto his desk with a small whine.

 

"At the moment, I'd rather focus on anything else... Hm?"

 

He notices his phone ringing and answers it. The voice talks before he can ask who it is.

 

[ "Keep the volume down and head to the roof. We need to talk. Now. It's about that offer." ]

 

Cecil sounded serious. Izuku replies with a whisper, having an inkling how secretive this man is. He always tries to stay out of sight.

 

"I'll meet you in a moment-! Excuse me, I'll see you guys later!"

 

He opens the door to the hallways, only to be surrounded by several students. The phone still up to his ear as he thinks how to respond to their curious glares and leers, Cecil reminds him.

 

[ "They're just gawking bystanders, are you coming or what, because this is an issue only you can solve." ]

 

"I'm there, I'm there-! Pardon me!"

 

Izuku floats over them before flying past. Many students nearly fall over from the abrupt speed as he blurs up to the roof.

 

Cecil stands at the edge looking over the campus and city before turning around.

 

"How well do you think you can hold your breath in space?"

 

Izuku raises a brow at that which is enough of an answer for Cecil.

 

"You're only going past our orbit, not past the Moon, but we have this guy that shows up every three years and your dad always sends him packing... However... He can't do that this time."

 

He thumbs over to a stadium in the distance.

 

"He's getting prepared with the Guardians to put on a show for your school during the Sports Festival... And is currently fighting off an army of robots in Greenland. We were willing to ask someone else, we have spacesuits for some of our toughest guys, but he recommended you handle it. Frankly, I need to see what you can do too."

 

He half expected Izuku to refuse. He should have refused given his last tussle with an extraterrestrial. However, Izuku, after muttering a mumbling storm of incoherent babble to himself; gives his answer.

 

"If my dad believes I can handle it, I'll go. Is he coming in from above here?"

 

Cecil sighs through his nose in relief.

 

"He's coming in hot passing by Mars and should be hitting the Earth in an hour. You've got forty-five minutes to get your stuff."

 

Izuku nods, and though he moves normally, he makes his way back to class where the costume cases are kept.

 

"C'mon, c'mon, how do you open these-?"

 

"Do you need your costume for something, Young Midoriya."

 

He hears from behind him. He thought he waited forty of the five minutes for the class to empty, but sure enough, he turned around to see All Might.

 

"I-! Uh-! I...!"

 

"Come now, there's no need for shame or secrets between us! I often liked wearing my first costume underneath my clothes when I got them! It isn't hygienic though."

 

Izuku smiles at him but shakes his head.

 

"I... I'm going to go take care of something for Cecil, in space."

 

All Might's iconic smile falters for a moment hearing the scarred man's name.

 

"You've met him? Or has he approached you? You shouldn't get involved with that man, Young Midoriya! You're only just learning how to handle One For All!"

 

Izuku pauses for a moment.

 

"He said he's worked with you to keep the world safe... Was he lying?"

 

At that, All Might waves his hands, realizing he may have given his apprentice the wrong idea.

 

"Well-! No! Not at all, actually, but he is... Eager. You're barely a month into your school semester, into having your powers, and you just recovered from a life-threatening battle! If that were me, I would have had to retire after what you came back from!"

 

"But I'm not you-!"

 

He says then, louder than he intended.

 

"I-! I lost! That fight! I can't afford to lose again! I need to know! This guy, up above, has come around every three years! If I can't handle some annual bad guy, maybe I don't deserve to be here!"

 

"Midoriya!!!"

 

All Might scolds with a frown. A gesture that is enough to silence his ward and All Might notices, taking a softer tone.

 

"You're a fifteen year old teenager still going through puberty and trying to figure out how the world works... You're not a weapon. You're a kid. As an adult, your mentor, and as your friend? I must at the bare minimum, advise you take caution, and take your time. You, are extraordinary, exceptional in every meaning of the word and that was before your gifts. People will only see you for your abilities. Do not let them use that, to define you. Otherwise you'll find yourself truly alone..."

 

Like his father. In a way, not unlike himself, but the last thing All Might wants someone as earnest and kind as Izuku is to become a stoic soldier like the Immortal or Hisashi. 

 

He reminds him of Star and Stripes, someone he hopes will make it to the Sports Festival, knowing these two would get along. Thinking fondly of the future has him give way as Izuku responds.

 

"I'll be more careful, but I said I would do this, and either I get my costume or I go in my uniform that'll burn up in the atmosphere..."

 

All Might chuckles as his smile returns.

 

"Well, when you say it like that, I can't exactly have the future Number One flying around stark naked! Here..."

 

Two minutes to spare. Izuku sets his phone down as he stands on the roof and looks up at the sky. Cecil, standing closer to the edge and holding onto the railing, calls out to him.

 

"The earpiece I gave you will go all the way up to Saturn, and it should stick in there no matter how rough you get, but since there's no sound out there just tap it a few times when you're done so we know we won't have to call in the bigger guns!"

 

"Bigger guns?"

 

Izuku asks turning to look his way, only for Cecil to point above.

 

"You're our part of big leagues, not your average Hero can casually go into space and tussle with an alien, that makes you one of the big guns by default. You have fifty six seconds by the way!"

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

Izuku flies up above and reaches the vastness of space within half a minute, the Moon barely visible as Izuku takes in the stars.

 

"(Hey, you're early!)"

 

He hears as he turns before being sent several feet away. He uses his flight to stop himself and sees a powerful humanoid cyclops. His body reminded him of All Might in height and stature. His voice, is more like Fatgum, or Ms. Joke, full of levity and nonchalance.

 

"(Huh? How did I hear a voice in my head?)"

 

"(Where else do you keep your brain?)"

 

The alien flies right at him, and Izuku prepares One For All in a fist, ready to fight for his life yet again.

 

However, something is off. He dodges the straight for his face, leaning to the side, he swings for the body and feels a rib snap against his fist that burrows deep.

 

A muffled boom sounds as the alien flies away like a shooting star. Izuku keeps his eyes sharp, but soon finds himself spiraling from an uppercut below.

 

"(Whoa! You hit like! Way harder than before! You're smaller too! Did you like, compress your mass for more power, or something? Hey! Where's your helmet? Loving the yellow and blue though! I thought you would've went with an ugly color scheme, like green and red, or something!)"

 

"(What! Are! You! Talking about!?! And there's nothing wrong with that color scheme!!!)"

 

"(Yeah, if you're blind and tacky! Hey, quite distracting me! You're being awfully chatty this time!)"

 

Izuku winces from a punch to his body that forces out some air, but he retaliates by grabbing the offending arm, and pulling the cyclops into a headbutt.

 

"(AH, MY EYE!!)"

 

He cries out holding his face, leaning back and away in pain, open for another pull as Izuku knees his stomach, just as the Battle Beast did to him. He sends his opponent flying with a judo throw over his shoulder before flying back to the outer atmosphere of the planet.

 

[ "We see you're back in blue skies, kid. Everything alright?" ]

 

Izuku presses against the earpiece nodding as he takes in a few breaths.

 

"Y-Yeah... Yeah...! He, uh... He doesn't hit anywhere as hard as Battle Beast...! Just needed to breathe!"

 

[ "So he's a piece of cake?" ]

 

Izuku hisses between clenched teeth.

 

"I didn't say that, Steadman-san. I'm going back up!"

 

Izuku soars beyond their cameras again. Down below on Earth, watching behind the screens best they can as the two become blurs that slam against each other, All Might taps his shoulder with his arms folded.

 

"You seem stressed. You're never stressed."

 

Cecil says as he notices the subtle anxiety of his friend. All Might stiffens as if caught red handed before throwing a thumbs up.

 

"Nonsense, Mr. Steadman! If he's confident enough to get back up there, he's able to handle it!"

 

"Strong words to say with a bead of sweat coming down your brow..."

 

Toshinori adjusts his tie. It is only him, Cecil, and Donald in the room allowing him to deflate into his true spindly frame. These two have known One For All longer than he has.

 

"... I'm worried he might be trying to force himself into something he might not be able to handle just yet... He's... Not built for the heaviest parts of this duty."

 

Donald then speaks up.

 

"He's a sensitive, curious, and adaptive young man. He's also brave, fighting past having his guts exposed, with a fire going on inside his body? He has no formal combat training, yet what little conflict he's been in has shown incredible restraint and strategy, his brain is constantly running rapid that it has him stall at times. He's inexperienced, but not weak, sir. Neither physically nor mentally."

 

All Might smiles honestly at that, his finger finally ceases its incessant tapping.

 

"Well... It's just a shock to me still. This, sniveling weakling suddenly became one of the most powerful people on the planet. If I didn't know any better, I'd say he and I meeting were fate."

 

Cecil stifles a scoff.

 

"Sure, he's better than anyone thought, especially for a newbie. I wouldn't call him the next chosen one. At least not until we see him at that fancy festival you're hosting."

 

Donald looks back from the screens to address his boss.

 

"Are you sure you don't want to attend, sir? Crime usually drops during the Sports Festival worldwide."

 

Cecil says nothing, which to both of his peers means he is considering at least watching it. Perhaps even attending.

 

"If I do it'll be for recruiting some new students of my own."

 

Back in space, Izuku spins out of the way of a dropkick, seeing his foe fly at him upsidedown. His head bobs left and right out of the way of swings, learning how to fight best he can against a foe he can handle, someone not trying to kill him.

 

He even stopped using One For All, growing more adept to his own arsenal, but that does not make any of this easier. He does not bear any physical showing of damage, but his body does grow sore, his chest slightly tight and arms ache from punching. Blocking. Countering.

 

But concentrating is another matter.

 

"(So, I just realized! You're not the same guy.)"

 

"(You only noticed this, now!?!)"

 

"(You biclops all look the same to me! Oh shit-! That's racist, actually. Is it racist? I think it is-)"

 

Izuku is constantly flabbergasted by the quips, the small talk, and the general casual demeanor of it all. It leaves him open to sudden attacks that he sees coming. This isn't some attempt to surprise or disrupt his flow. This guy is... Genuinely, this goofy!

 

He needs to get to the bottom of this.

 

"(Why are you even here!?)"

 

"(You know, you really do talk a lot more than the last one! It's kinda refreshin-! Wait, what?)"

 

He asks before Izuku socks him across the jaw. As he spins away, he kicks Izuku back, sending the boy away.

 

"(Man, you hit harder than he did a few times, but other times you're like. Tapping me! Are you taking this evaluation seriously?)"

 

Izuku pauses before he throws his arms aside.

 

"(Evaluation!?? For what!?! Gah-!)"

 

He dodges a flying kick just under his chin and grabs his torso from behind as the alien flies past Izuku. He then begins flying fast while holding him.

 

"(Dumb question to ask, but what's dumber is you throwing me again, since I told you that your Moon is-! Oh.)"

 

C R A S H ! ! !

 

Izuku stumbles back from low gravity as the moon dust settles and the vanishing cloud reveals the alien's upper body stuck in a new crater of the Moon's surface. His impromptu pile-driver worked! 

 

The legs kick before the ground breaks and the alien turns himself right side up. His attack barely stuns the cyclops as it flies right at him.

 

"(Not bad, not bad! ~ But not quite done-!)"

 

Izuku holds his hands up.

 

"(Wait! I want to ask you something! Will you at least let me have that!?)"

 

The alien stops his fist between Izuku's blocking arms, just hovering above his nose, before pulling back.

 

"(... Are you using your time-out?)"

 

Izuku blinks behind his goggles. He looks around as if to look for a camera crew. Is this real, he wonders...

 

"(... We get a time-out? Why do we get a time-out???)"

 

The alien lands and saunters up to him with confident swagger in every step.

 

"(Don't ask me, didn't the liaison tell you any of this?)"

 

"(No!!! I-! Are you here to cause destruction, conquer the planet, or not!?!)"

 

He asks, pointing at the larger lifeform accusingly. The alien throws his hands up as if held at gunpoint.

 

"(What!?! No-! You-! ... You actually don't know what's happening here, huh?)"

 

His lone eye looks around before he pulls one of the rocks floating around them down to sit on. He gestures for Izuku to do the same, and he does, relaxing as his body starts to make the pain fade away. 

 

The alien then pulls out a device from his jacket.

 

"(So, my name is Allen. I'm an evaluation officer to ensure your champion, or champions if you've got more than one, can keep your planet safe from intergalactic threats and cosmic horrors. Your planet signed up. See?)"

 

Izuku leans forward peering past his goggles at the screen displayed before his face turns into a fearsome scowl.

 

"(Allen, this isn't Urath, this is Earth! EARTH!!!)"

 

"(... What?)"

 

Allen looks down at the device's screen. He then looks between it and Izuku, before he looks at the planet, and then back at the screen. His once smug face skews into an apathetic scowl and he lets out a tired groan in his mind.

 

"(... oh... crap...)"

 

He puts it away and slaps his eye, dragging it down his face.

 

"(I am so, fired. Hey, look. No more fisticuffs, okay?)"

 

Izuku nods cautious of the alien's intentions, but Allen loses what little formality and hostility as he steals another moon rock to use as a foot rest.

 

"(So, I uh, I'm sorry if I scared your world every now and again! My job's to be a reassurance from the Coalition of Planets.)"

 

Izuku watches him sitting stiffly, but, soon finds himself incapable of keeping his guard up. Allen is, too casual. Too, genuine. He'd make a terrible television host but a good friend, and that has Izuku passively smile.

 

"(You made a mistake but... All this time, you just wanted to make sure the planet was being kept safe. I can't exactly stay mad at that!)"

 

Allen wipes his brow wearing his smug grin.

 

"(Really? I mean-! I'd still worry for your planet if you're their champion but... ~ )"

 

Izuku frowns at him as he trails off, clearly mocking him.

 

"(I'm not. I'm in training, and a trainee, just snapped one of your ribs. Evaluation Officer.)"

 

He says with a hint of pride, before immediately snapping into an apologetic frown.

 

"(Wait, that's awful-! You're not too hurt, are you?)"

 

Allen brings his hands up to reassure the young boy. He stifles a groan as he tries to flex his arms and chest.

 

"(Oh please-! Ngh! A small fracture is nothing! You're a jittery one, aren't you? Look, can I get a name? I'll need it for my report.)"

 

He says, standing up and typing on his device. Izuku stands up as well and bows.

 

"(I-Izuku Midoriya! Uh, thanks for fighting me, by the way. I needed that... The last alien we had show up almost killed me. Some guy called, Battle Beast.)"

 

Allen smirks at having someone bow to him. When Izuku stands from his gesture, he rolls his eye.

 

"(Well, tell you what. If I don't get fired, and after I get to Urath, I'll look up what I can about this Battle Beast guy. He was probably the jerk that nearly flew his ship into me! Must've been an A.I. pilot.)"

 

They shake hands, and as Allen leaves, Izuku looks back at the planet tapping the earpiece to give the signal. Even if misunderstanding... He did want to be the real thing... To become Earth's Champion.

Chapter 12: A Solemn Vow!

Summary:

Finally, training with Hisashi begins, and more than that is the rekindling of an old friendship, a dinner at the Bakugo Household brings Izuku to realize what truly matters to him. Some time later, and after some intense pressuring from his peers, Class 1-A takes an impromptu field trip to Star Man Agency within the city.

Izuku flies back into orbit, catching fire briefly as he flies into the atmosphere, and begins slowing down... 

 

But not fast enough.

 

He starts to panic as he starts careening near UA's courtyard where students are coming and going. Things nearly become disastrous until he is caught.

 

"We'll be working on your flying again. You sent that punk flying? Faster than I ever did."

 

He looks up and sees his father. After pulling Izuku up, the boy floated back and watches him, before flying into him with a tight hug.

 

"Hehehey! What? Was it scary or something?"

 

"N-No... I... I barely get to see you."

 

For Hisashi, wearing an oil stained costume with scorch marks and bits of flattened rounds stuck to it, it was odd for his son to just embrace him.

 

It occurs to him how rarely they ever spent time together. He always sees his wife, but his son? He never thought about it until now. That must change.

 

"You've got two weeks to prepare for the Sports Festival, right? And school's out right now, so if you're not too tired..."

 

Izuku pushes himself away wearing an eager and excited smile.

 

"Race you home! First one there has to clean the dishes for a-"

 

He flies back flailing about from a hurricane wind as Hisashi flies away. Izuku stares, flabbergasted, before shaking his head smiling and flying after his father.

 

"... A week..."

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

One week passes. A rather dynamic week of flight exercises, light sparring, and of course lifting very large and very heavy things with his father. One such object being a gigantic asteroid the size of a small mountain, something Izuku hardly believed he could stop, but did. Another being timing their speed by racing lightning in thunder clouds, learning just how amazing his speed and perception truly is. Holding their breath in deep sea, avoiding creatures unseen in the impenetrable darkness. These activities took up his early mornings and entire evenings until Saturday night. 

 

A night spent with the Bakugo Family. The first dinner between the two families since primary school. Izuku braces himself for an awkward disaster.

 

He could never prepare for his Mitsuki's antics or Katsuki's impulsiveness, but Masaru has always been the voice of reason. It is to the boy's pleasant surprise that dinner is not a food fight flinging across the air.

 

It is quiet, amiable, and even Katsuki himself is energetic enough to talk. 

 

"Gimme your beef, Deku!"

 

Even up to stealing his food again and calling him names. Izuku pushes the blonde's chopsticks away with his own before they start fencing with their sticks.

 

"Don't go grabbing other people's food, Kacchan! Hey! Stop it-! You're not gonna win this!"

 

"You're super strong now, but you're still lacking in dexterity and skill, chump! Take this! And this! That tempura is gonna be mine, too!"

 

Mitsuki reaches over and starts eating from her son's plate which snatches his attention.

 

"HAG!!! GIMME BACK MY SHRIMP!!!"

 

"When you can give me fifteen years of food back, then we'll talk, brat!!!"

 

Izuku snatches a fried shrimp off of his plate in victory before noticing his plate is empty.

 

"Huh!?! When did-!?"

 

"You should really be more perceptive, son."

 

Hisashi says wiping his mouth with a napkin. Inko kicks him under the table, but even she cannot help but giggle as her husband gives her an innocent look.

 

"Hisashi! D-! Hehe! D-Don't steal food from people! Especially your own son!"

 

"It isn't stealing if he's being so gracious to play with someone else instead of eating it himself!"

 

He looks down at his plate finding it empty before giving his son a knowing smirk. Izuku's cheeks are full, but he still continues chewing as if he had done no wrong.

 

Masaru watches on shaking his head, finding peace in this moment, he laughs with Inko and Hisashi as Katsuki argues with Mitsuki in the background.

 

When all the food is gone, Mitsuki leans forward wearing a smug smirk.

 

"Word on the street is that you're Mr. Popular now, Izu-chan! ~ Got any juicy class stories to share? All this one says is that the day went great or everyone was annoying! Such a buzz kill!"

 

She sends a leer at her son who only gives her a rude gesture in return. Izuku shakes his head.

 

"I-I doubt they're actually interested in me, just my powers. There are a few though I've made friends wi-"

 

"Deku's trying to get with a frog. He likes 'em slimy."

 

His former bully says with a childish sneer, reverting back to those primary school days. Izuku turns beet red then.

 

"What're you-! Tsuyu is just! Very kind! I mean, when I was down, she rushed in when no one else could...!"

 

Mitsuki raises a brow teasing the poor boy as Inko joins in.

 

"Tsuyu? That her family name or are you all on a first name basis already? ~"

 

"Someone actually ran in to save you too? Some people won't even go into danger even when it's their jobs...!"

 

Katsuki scoffs, leaning back on the back legs of his chair.

 

"So, she's an idiot just like you? That's all it takes? Birds of a feather- OW!"

 

Katsuki yelps as his mother throws her house shoe at his head. Fire burns in her eyes before she adopts a kind gaze for the boy she calls a nephew.

 

"Don't mind him, she sounds sweet... But... What do you mean when you were, down?"

 

Again, Katsuki speaks up first.

 

"Some lion freak punched a hole in him and his guts started leaking out."

 

"WHAT!?!"

 

Inko shrieks before she snaps at her boys. Hisashi lowers his head in a pout.

 

"I told you that part-!"

 

"YOU DIDN'T MENTION HIS INNARDS WERE EXPOSED!"

 

Masaru finished his plate looking only mildly surprised himself.

 

"Oh, so you can survive that too? Hopefully this will be a one time occurrence like with your father.

 

He ducks as Inko sends a fiery glares his way.

 

"We are NOT bringing that up again!"

 

"R-Right! A-Apologies, Inko-chan..."

 

The delinquent cleans his ear, casually ignoring the discourse he causes.

 

"It's fine, Inko-bachan. Froggy stuffed them back in and he got better. He's as tough as he is stupid now."

 

Izuku sends him a glare that he reflects.

 

"Why do you never think before you speak-!?!"

 

"How come you don't think before you act!?! We could've taken him together if you didn't go off on your lonesome!"

 

Masaru raises his hands along with hid meek voice.

 

"We're all alive and we're all in one piece, right? Hey, Miki? Why not set that game up I talked about and I'll handle the dishes?"

 

Izuku stands then.

 

"I-I'll help! I need the space...!"

 

He says shooting Katsuki a look that he retorts with by sticking his tongue out at him.

 

Izuku manages to escape the awkward dinner by washing dishes with Masaru. The older man grins as he scrubs away.

 

"Thank you for helping me with this! And uh, I apologize, for Katsuki and Mitsuki."

 

Izuku sighs, wearing a fond smirk.

 

"They are, who they are, Masa-san. I'm pretty sure we wouldn't have it any other way if we really think about it."

 

Masaru laughs as he rinses a bowl.

 

"Couldn't agree more! ... You're looking more and more like your father, you know?"

 

At that, Izuku looks up at the kitchen window, staring at his reflection which gets a chuckle out of Masaru. The boys looks away trying to hide his flustered face as his uncle elaborates.

 

"Not physically-! Haha! Although, you're certainly building muscle, and you've even gotten taller... But you're definitely Inko-chan's boy. I'm talking about how you carry yourself."

 

"Really?"

 

Izuku asks as he hands over the last cleaned plate. Masaru puts it away and looks towards the living room where everyone else is, playing a board game. He replies as he watches his own son.

 

"You and Katsuki, you're both a lot like your mothers... That's normal. People, are a reflection of their environment, but Hisashi always seemed like an outlier. That's how he wanted it to be. Isolated from this world he's found himself in."

 

His gaze moves to a laughing Hisashi, holding Katsuki in a playful headlock, the boy himself using his Quirk to make small explosions yet smiles as he tries to wrestle out of the hold with no real effort. What should've left scorch marks only singe the man's clothes.

 

"When you happened, I saw a change in him, and I wasn't sure if it would be good or not. I could never tell with him... But, it was your father that helped me with Mitsuki. Your father, saved this country from a titanic tsunami, and then instead of signing up with a Hero Agency? Helped us, by having me be in charge of our own independent Agency, which was a nightmare given his... Lack of a license... He gave us both a job when the country was going through an economic crisis. Saved the world so many times after that Then, you and Katsuki entered our lives..."

 

He shakes his head.

 

"I'm, rambling. Sorry."

 

"No-! No, I-! I want to hear this. I think... I need to. I barely know my father..."

 

Izuku asks his uncle. Masaru gestures to the kitchen table.

 

"Well... I could tell you how we met? It was insane, and really set the whole tone of working with him going forward, but... It's been rewarding. I mean, look at that. He would never smile and play around like that when we met... He has never been more human."

 

As they sit down, Masaru glances at the fridge where photos and drawings are magnetized to the doors. Small ads for the Star Man Agency and a few rewards casually set on the wall next to it.

 

"You say you're worried about your classmates caring more about your powers than yourself... That'll happen, certainly... But, Izuku. You are a living miracle. Always have been. I think you and Katsuki will be just fine."

 

He then leans forward as if to whisper a secret to him.

 

"Just try to keep your organs on the inside for your mother's sake, okay?"

 

Izuku blushes at the small jab but nods. Finally, they return to the rest of the family. Izuku gets a chill across his skin when he thinks about his close call with the Battle Beast...

 

But as he lives his life joyfully with this small intimate group? The fighting made this moment so much sweeter. Made it mean something. That same feeling of seeing the planet on the Moon's surface returns in full here.

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

That night, he floats in the clouds above looking up at the stars.

 

"I like to fly to clear my head as well. Helps me with, stubborn thoughts. What're you thinking about?"

 

He hears his father ask him. Hisashi floats from below up to his side with his arms folded. Izuku looks at him before looking up at the crescent moon.

 

"... Sometimes... I think about what you told me. About our roles as the guardians of this world. I thought it would be... Heavy. Scary, even..."

 

"... And now?"

 

His father asks and Izuku leans back with a scowl.

 

"It is heavy... And there are times where it is scary... But... I like defending my home. I like, being with my family, being able to fight back and... Keep people alive. I thought what I wanted was to be... Recognized. Famous, even... After everything that's happened...?"

 

He then turns to his father wearing a face, a true emotion he has shown others, but never his own father. It is a face the Viltrumite both wanted to see for so long, and hated seeing with every fiber of his being.

 

"It doesn't matter if they know my name or see my face. What matters, is that they're alive, and I won't let anyone take this world from us. Not as long as I draw breath."

 

Hisashi wears a painful grin. The impossible has happened... And now, he must set everything in motion, he must do his part.

 

He brings his son into a solemn embrace.

 

"You're finally ready. You're still fresh and new to all of this... But, you're finally ready. You're right... The Earth is our responsibility."

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

"HE'S YOUR WHAT!?!"

 

Most of Class 1-A exclaims. Izuku hisses as he looks at the door before putting a finger to his lips.

 

"This is supposed to be a secret, remember!?! I said I wouldn't keep anymore from you guys, please... Please, don't make me regret this."

 

"Nicely done, Deku."

 

Katsuki sarcastically huffs. He rolls his eyes as Izuku is once again surrounded. Aizawa had just left for the period and everyone had began discussing their training regimen. When it came to asking Izuku what his preparations and gains were... He had mistakenly revealed the truth.

 

"Star Man is my dad, yes. He and I talked, and he's planning on going public soon, so I got relaxed and... Now you all know."

 

He noticed the different way his classmates look at him now. How could they not? Did he mess everything up? Did he ruin whatever friendships he could have made.

 

He would not get the answer to that until the end of school.

 

In the middle of the second week, just as school ends and class is dismissed, Izuku finds himself approached by Momo again. Many of his classmates talk to him, but Momo stands out, as she usually only talks if she needs to and cuts things short. Small talk is not impossible with her, nor is she a cold person, but she can be described as... Intimidating.

 

He would consider her as someone that is reliable.

 

So it comes as a surprise to the mild mannered boy as she whispers to him in a shy manner.

 

"M-Midoriya... If I may be so bold... Can I get an autograph from your father?"

 

Izuku blinks at the innocent request before asking.

 

"... Wwwhy?"

 

She grows cross with him, her cheeks turning light pink to solid red.

 

"Is it not obvious enough?! You can just decline!"

 

"... Y-!"

 

He sputters, trying not to laugh, which only irritates Momo even further.

 

"You're a fan of... Pfft!! ... Star Man too?"

 

She begins to walk away but he chases after her.

 

"Wait-! No! I'm not making fun of you-! It's just! I've... Never met another fan of him before. Usually they're either American or Italians online..."

 

"Because he promotes many of Italy's tourist spots by eating there publicly exclusively."

 

She says, her back to him and arms folded. She's, upset with him. He did not mean to offend, but defending himself might get him in trouble, this he has seen with Masaru and even his own father.

 

So, he gives her what she wants.

 

"Exactly, and the thing is, I can do you one better. How would you like to meet him?"

 

She turns around turning ghost white before her eyes sparkle with glimmering stars.

 

"You'd actually be capable of having that happen!?!"

 

He leans back as she nearly headbutts him with her abrupt approach.

 

"Y-Yeah! Before, it was almost impossible, but we've been training together... And I can fly pretty much anywhere he can, though nowhere near as fast...! I'm pretty sure he's still in Japan-?"

 

"I want to see him! Immediately! If you're able!?!"

 

"Momo... H-How big of a fan of Star Man, are you...?"

 

She leans back, composing herself, adopting her professional persona once again.

 

"That's not important! You, just made an oath to do me this favor! I expect you to fulfill it!"

 

"Er!? Y-Yes, ma'am!"

 

Izuku salutes, which seems to please Momo as she walks out of the class. As Izuku tries to follow suit, he hears another voice teasingly chirping behind him.

 

"You're not gonna leave us out as well, are ya, Midoriya? ~"

 

Eijirō asks with a wicked smile, with Mina and Denki by his side all wearing equally mischievous grins. Even Ochako and Īda walk past, the gravity girl patting Izuku's back.

 

"We could make it an after school field trip? Wouldn't that be fun?"

 

"And educational! Does Star Man even have a Hero Agency? I heard he has a space station he uses to watch all manner of criminal activity!"

 

Mineta's eyes bulge as he follows the crowd with Mezō.

 

"Do you think he gets to see everything...? He-Hey-! Midoriya!"

 

"I doubt that's true, Mineta, please don't ask."

 

Tsuyu walks up to Izuku and cants her head low.

 

"You know you can say no, right?"

 

He shrugs at her, a weary smile on as he looks away.

 

"... I've never met another fan of my dad. Only me and Kacchan, really... So... It's actually nice to show him off, for once."

 

"But will he be okay with it?"

 

She asks. He nods, this he knows for certain.

 

"Oh, no, he'd hate this. However, I'm still mad about something with him, so this is payback."

 

"I never took you for the type to hold petty grudges."

 

She says with an idle smile. He shakes his head.

 

"I really just want him to see the people he's protecting. He's never attended any kind of fan meetups before. This might be good for him... I hope..."

Chapter 13: A Tour Among Stars!

Summary:

After securing a ride for everyone, Class 1-A take a tour and learn more about the mysterious Star Man than most ever care to know, with Izuku gleaming a bit more of his father. However, a tragedy steals from him more than just a feeling of joy in the face of a crisis.

"Okay, so here are some ground rules."

 

Izuku says on the way out of school. The class stops in the courtyard surrounding a recreational area. He holds up a finger for each of his rules.

 

"One: No asking about Viltrum. That's supposed to be a big secret and... Well, anyways. Two: No asking his real name or to see his face. Three: Don't show him anything from the Internet, please. He still doesn't actually know how social media works. That's it. Are we all good?"

 

Most nod, Katsuki smirks having been in the know himself, but Jirō speaks up.

 

"Hey, so, neat that we all get to meet like? This cool guy, and all, but! How are we all going to get there? There's a lot of us, a bit much for a subway or taxi, and there isn't a bus we can just rent out."

 

Sero rubs his chin thinking aloud.

 

"A bus wouldn't be a bad idea... But we'd have to find one. The best we have are those UA buses we took to get to the USJ..."

 

"Oh! Good idea!"

 

Izuku says before he flies into the sky. He returns on the ground and places the bus on the empty road.

 

"Okay, we're ready to go!"

 

Satō watches on perplexed and shocked at how fast his peers does, anything.

 

"Uh... Not that this isn't impressive but... Can any of us drive? I don't think we even have someone here with a permit!"

 

Izuku knocks on the door grinning ear to ear.

 

"Funny you mention a driver. You won't guess who I found driving this one!"

 

The doors open and the person sitting in a low sultry position, with her legs resting on the wheel in an accentuated pose, is Midnight.

 

"All aboard! ~"

 

One by one, each student hops on board, with Shōto being the last since he was curious about something.

 

"Sensei... Did you plan this or something?"

 

She sits up properly before answering, a peppy, almost giddy bounce to her as she replies.

 

"We have turns for checking on bus maintenance to make sure each one is running, we even used to have other staff do it, but I uh... Lost a bet."

 

She says wearing a skewed frown that twists into an almost malicious smug grin.

 

"Jokes on Vlad King! ~ I get to see the super secret Star Man Agency!"

 

She giggles mischievously.

 

"I'll be the first Pro Hero to ever find the place, hehehe! ~"

 

"B-But will Principal Nezu even allow this?"

 

She bats a wink his way.

 

"Well, normally not, but it isn't like I'm actually going to drive you kids there. Just make sure you have your seatbelt on before we take off. This'll be a surprise trip for everyone! ~"

 

Ojiro speaks up from his seat.

 

"Wait, you don't even know where the building is!?"

 

"No, but our flyer does! ~"

 

She sings as the bus shakes before taking to the sky. Katsuki scoffs, looking out the window.

 

"Showoff..."

 

"Not gonna call him a dumbass? I mean? Isn't this going against the law? He's-!"

 

Jirō starts, but Denki cuts her short.

 

"Not using a Quirk, and relax! You'd be surprised how little people actually look up."

 

Momo looks out of the window.

 

"We're going... Pretty high up...! I can see the city limits! Oh, we're descending!"

 

"And going back up... He's not, lost, is he?"

 

Asks Ochako. They get their answer in about ten minutes. They land in front of a tall yet unassuming building near the coast, a beach visible from afar.

 

Midnight whistles before standing up from her seat.

 

"Alright, kids! ~ We made it! Be on your best behavior, single file line, no mischief! That's my department! That means you Kaminari. You too, Hanta!"

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

The lobby entrance is a decorated room of large photos, display cases of trophies and awards, and of course a large statue of the iconic stylized star symbol at the center of the room. People in business suits and dresses speed around, some speaking about plans for new merchandise, others debating on sponsors, but none of them pay any mind to the students that enter until one man approaches them.

 

Masaru adjusts his glasses as his eyes widen at the sight of his boys.

 

"Katsuki? Izuku? What are you two doing here?"

 

The blonde matchstick only waves at his dad while Izuku explains.

 

"Some of us wanted to see if we could uh... Meet Star Man? Is he here or at least, in Japan?"

 

Masaru nods, before shaking his head.

 

"N-No! I mean-! He is, here, but he likely won't be here for long... I can give you a tour though! We just installed a new aquarium for the endangered fish he collected from an illegal poaching ring out in the Indian Ocean. Actually, I could show you the greenhouse and indoor zoo!"

 

Koda perks up in the back, though he says nothing, Ojiro speaks for him without asking.

 

"You guys handle animal conservations?"

 

Masaru nods as the party begins to surround him.

 

"Oh, yes! See, it isn't talked about much since I'm sure most of you are aware, Star Man never... Advertises, what it is he does in his Hero Work! We've had reporters and journalist ask for interviews, and I always try to do my part...! But...!"

 

His shoulders slump as his smile grows sad.

 

"I'm not Star Man... So they prefer to use their own sources to make stories up..."

 

Eijirō tilts his head as he tries to understand.

 

"I thought he was strictly a combat specialist! Y'know, the heaviest of the heavy hitters! He actually does do damage control?"

 

Tsuyu nods, pointing at one of the many decorated photos of the helmed hero trading blows with a gargantuan robot.

 

"He's always getting into fights. You're saying he does environmental work too?"

 

Masaru wears a big and eager smile. Izuku can see that he too has wanted to share this information as much as they have wanted to learn it.

 

"Star Man does a lot of different forms of heroic acts often not covered by the news or media. It isn't that they don't want to... He just, never cares to get any of the credit for it, which made starting this agency rather difficult!"

 

He takes 1-A through hallways showing strange and fantastical sights. Digital photos capturing the distant cosmos...

 

"Star Man is the go to Hero regarding investigation and research for outer space! Being able to fly faster than the speed of light has its perks!"

 

Trophies of decommissioned weapons, power suits, and even statues of former foes detailing an elaborate rogue's gallery...

 

"We have these reminders to show investors and sponsors. They're really into this kind of thing, but we had to build the memorial on the wall there, otherwise Star Man wouldn't let us keep these."

 

"A memorial?"

 

Ochako asks. Her heart grows heavy when the party inspects it, a slab of stone with names littered into it, names all written into the stone with clear care. The font, or rather, the same handwriting. Masaru gestures to it.

 

"This room is often called Memory Lane, meant to display some of his greatest victories, but he demanded we have one memento to highlight his failures. The names here are of the people he could not save."

 

"There's... At least a hundred...!"

 

Mina says she tries to read the small text. Jirō hugs herself reading through the names.

 

"It's a downer to have grave with all these accomplishments around, isn't it?"

 

Katsuki stares at it, his usual disrespect still on display.

 

"Why would he bother having this here then?! It's the first thing you'd see coming in!"

 

Eijirō sees a name that shocks him.

 

"T-That's!! Crimson Riot...!?!"

 

Satō as well points ahead at a name he recognizes.

 

"Th-There's... Green Ghost...?! But! They're alive! Right?"

 

Midnight speaks up then, addressing her student. Her usual dramatic flair gone in respect for the fallen.

 

"Sometimes, a Hero's Sidekick or someone capable of carrying on their work, will adopt their name and mantle. It... Happens more than we'd like to think."

 

Masaru nods, clearing his throat, as he knew quite a few of these names.

 

"Almost everyone here has worked with Star Man, in some form or fashion, either in the field or even here in the office. No sacrifice is forgotten."

 

Izuku stares at the names of Pros of the past he thought retired or were missing... Names of people he had idolized, people that gave their lives for his and the rest of the world, with this monument being all that is left of them. 

 

He recalls something he did not like to think about. His lifespan. His father is older than countries, older than historical buildings, and he wonders... How much of his life does he even remember? Is this a kind act for himself?

 

Or is this something his father does out of necessity?

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

They go down an elevator and arrive at a hallway where glass walls keep a vast network of exotic fish. Some are sectioned off, others swim together, coral reefs and shimmering shells of deep sea crustaceans.

 

"Here is the aquarium! You probably saw that we're close to the ocean, yes? Most that you see here are all saltwater species, and thanks to the efforts of Pro Heroes, the ocean has never been cleaner in the modern age! Hopefully, one day we can release these specimen into the wild when their population is at a confident number!"

 

As they walk by, Ochako nudges Izuku, whispering as quietly as she can.

 

"Did you know about any of this...? This is so cool...!"

 

He shakes his head.

 

"No... He never talks about any of this..."

 

"But why? This is amazing?! Why would he go so far and just, never take credit for this? It would do wonders for his reputation!"

 

Izuku says nothing. However, he believes he has the answer. The Viltrumite World Betterment Committee, the faction that sent his father here, it is in their name. A Viltrumite is sent to a world to make the planet better, to help them with their conflicts and issues, to fix and protect them.

 

This is proof of his father's mission. This is proof of his mission. Izuku starts to feel, small, and yet his heart soars with excitement. 

 

Soon... Someday soon, he too can help the planet! Then, with his father, perhaps even with his new friends! They can take to the stars! Make the universe a united paradise! It would take... A long, long time... But he has that... He has, time.

 

He believes this more and more when they pass through a medical department, a laboratory where pharmacists and chemists experiment with various materials. Masaru offers everyone a medical mask.

 

"It smells a bit unpleasant, but for the most part, Star Man will find new things either on his patrols on Earth or in space that can serve medicinal properties! We have several small clinics dotted around Japan serving those that can barely afford aid. We only recently started a larger private hospital in North America! We had to fight tooth and nail... Apparently, they prefer business over philanthropy in the States."

 

He says with unknowing disdain. He catches himself and quickly moves on.

 

"Let's head back to the elevator! If he's still here, he'll be at his main office on the bottom floor!"

 

Shōto speaks up for the first time since their arrival.

 

"His office isn't at the top of the building?"

 

Their tour guide points up above as they enter the massive elevator room.

 

"Believe it or not, the building's architect is actually a trick, as there's only four actual floors above the ground floor! Every other window you see is an experimental solar panel used to store and power the entire facility. We even bring in generators and power them here before renting them out to locations without any electricity during emergency crises-!"

 

"Like during a tsunami."

 

Katsuki finished, getting a nervous laugh out of his father.

 

"It was my idea! I'm still surprised he went along with it! He's a smart guy for someone who solves most of his issues by punching them! Why else do you think the elevators here are so big?"

 

Momo marvels at the reveal. She asks for more in an eager tone that Masaru finds endearing.

 

"He developed the solar panels himself...?"

 

"The architecture, the aquarium, the memorial, and even the medical department were all places he built personally. It used to just be him, myself, and my wife! We've expanded quite a bit since then!"

 

Katsuki scoffs.

 

"You never actually told me you did all this... I thought all you did was make his costume, and then handle his shitshow of a media presence!"

 

Īda hisses at his classmate.

 

"Is that really how you talk to your own parents!? Have you no respect?!"

 

"Shut it, four eyes! I'm learning about things I've should've known about years ago!"

 

Masaru enters a series of buttons, all being a combination of the fake higher floors, before pressing a star button which has the elevator doors close.

 

"You never asked to know before."

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

Momo begins to get excited as the doors open to an enormous room encapsulated in a glass dome, where the open sea can be seen. The granite floor with swirls of gray and white have strange indents at certain spots, with one large circle pattern being wet still. It leads from one spot to another, but only Izuku notices as he scans the room. Everyone else looks ahead at the stone desk, where a man standing behind it dressed in a sharp yet generic tuxedo stands. A silver white tie with a logo Izuku has never seen before.

 

A circle, with three white lines, the first near the top, the second firmly at the center, and the third connects to the bottom of the circle.

 

His father looks up from some papers and flashes an all too easy smile. At him. Before he or Masaru can speak, he beats the boys to the first word.

 

"You just missed him, I'm afraid! I take it these are... Guests? They're a little young to be handling business, don't you think?"

 

Katsuki and Izuku share a side glance at each other. Izuku had not expected his father to hide in plain sight, nor did he haven any intentions of actually exposing his father, he had just wanted to surprise him with a visit.

 

Now, though, he is unsure. This was a bad idea, surely, but they are here now and Masaru goes along with the lie.

 

"A-Ah! Did we? These are the first year students from UA! I thought... He would have wanted to meet them..."

 

"Who is this?"

 

Asks Tsuyu. Mineta runs ahead looking around before nearly slipping on the water.

 

"WAH! It's wet here! Why!?"

 

Fumikage inspects it before looking at the blue depths that is kept outside.

 

"Because he was just here... He doesn't leave his office from flying into the sky above, he leaves from here, and emerges out from the sea!"

 

Hisashi snaps his fingers.

 

"Bingo, young man. Star Man doesn't exactly like it when people try to come find him, especially when there isn't an appointment made for it."

 

He says sending a look specifically at Izuku, who only smiles awkwardly, giving a wave. 

 

"I work with Bakugo-san here as Star Man's personal attendant. Bakugo-san handles all the real hard stuff! I just clean up the office, get his costumes repaired, and get him his food. He's a picky eater!"

 

He says approaching the class before batting a wink and pretending to whisper.

 

"He's also a messy eater, you know? There isn't much else I can do... But, you know, if you have any fan letters or the like to give him? I can assure you that he'll see it!"

 

Momo speaks up then as she offers an item. Immediately Izuku recognized, because he has one like it at home, a clean and well-kept collection card of Star Man.

 

"I-I! Was hoping! I-If it isn't too much to ask or-! Uh! I've always admired him, and after learning about all he's done for the world today, would it be okay if he signed this?"

 

Hisashi takes the card. He clearly recognizes it and sighs through his nose.

 

"They stopped making these just as soon as they began printing them because they weren't selling. Remember that?"

 

He looks over at Masaru, who chuckles, rubbing his neck.

 

"I-I thought it was a good idea at the time! Card Collection was having a big boom then and All Might along with Endeavor were all the rage...!"

 

Hisashi gives his friend an incredulous look, almost saying I Told You So with just his expression, he makes his way to the stone desk.

 

"It wasn't a bad idea! Just... Bad timing. Tell you what, kids. Star Man left... But he didn't exactly say thank you before leaving. So, I'll get some revenge by letting you rummage around his stuff. No stealing though!"

 

He presses a hidden button. At once, various secret compartments rise from the indents in the ground, revealing costumes and collected oddities from countless adventures.

 

"Whoa!!! Look at that!"

 

"Is that the Evil Eye from Sorcerer? This isn't in that trophy room?"

 

"Look there's a giant claw in this display case! It's bigger than Mineta!"

 

"Hey, there's a cooler here! There's a bunch of drinks!"

 

Immediately all three adults rush over to the cooler, with Midnight snatching a bottle out of Mina's sticky fingers, the bubbly girl pouts as her teacher scolds her.

 

"Don't think you're slick-! There's juice and sparkling water in there, you can have that, but not this!"

 

"Then put it back, Midnight-sensei. Mr. Attendant said no stealing! ~"

 

Midnight leans to the side as she calls out to their host. She puts on a sultry voice as she wiggles her body in a sensual dance.

 

"Oh Attendant-san! ~ You have any glasses for the adults? Y'know, you're quite the looker! ~"

 

He waves his hand, showing off his wedding ring with a dismissive gesture.

 

"If only we met a few years earlier, but I'm afraid my wife wouldn't like me drinking behind her back! You're free to take it as a gift, Midnight. I've always been a fan."

 

Masaru takes to his side giving him a weary smile.

 

"I thought you were saving that for a special occasion, you flirt...!"

 

Hisashi whispers back.

 

"I am..."

 

He then speaks up when they notice a few students staring.

 

"I'm usually stuck in this office, you know! Or out wherever or whenever he ends up on Earth during those team ups! Oh, I nearly forgot! Young miss, what is your name?"

 

He asks Momo, who is looking at the desk itself, holding up the only photo on it by the computer before looking in response.

 

"H-Huh? Oh! Mo-Momo! Momo Yaoyozoru!"

 

She puts it down, making her way over as Hisashi hands her back the card.

 

"Place that in the first drawer, I'll write him a note he can't miss, and you'll get it back in a day or two. Okay?"

 

She bows deeply, unable to keep a smile off of her face.

 

"Thank you, sir!"

 

As she does so, she finds Izuku looking at the same photo she found, a photo of Star Man at a birthday party with his arms out in a bicep flex.

 

Hanging from each arm are Izuku, and Katsuki, both smiling bright as a child's joy could allow. He did not think his father even remembered that day. He thought he had forgotten, like so many birthdays afterwards, only for him to know now...

 

He never forgot.

 

"Midoriya? Are you alright? You're..."

 

She gestures at her eyes and he wipes the tears away.

 

"I'm fine-! Uh, he said this drawer, right? I'll get out of your way!"

 

She tries to reach out but both are briefly districted as Sero shouts out at Izuku.

 

"Dude!! Look! He's got this boring white costume!"

 

"Hanta, put that back, I don't care what Attendant-san said-!"

 

Izuku starts scolding as he begins wrangling 1-A with the aid of Īda. Hisashi and Masaru escort their guests to front lobby, the smaller man waves them farewell.

 

"Thank you for visiting! See you at home, Katsuki!"

 

Hisashi says nothing, but he and Izuku share a knowing look. The boy is unsure if his father had set this up, or like himself, merely took advantage of an opportunity before him. It hardly mattered.

 

Seeing all the good he had done, that he still does, gives Izuku a clear message. He needs to learn what he can to do his part. He needs to become the great hero he knows he can be.

 

KA-BOOM ! ! !

 

The UA Bus is destroyed, along with several cars and signs, the street as a whole is abruptly turned into a warzone as the explosion force several people on the ground.

 

"What-!?!"

 

Katsuki snarls before blasting a stray car away with his Quirk. He leans back seeing a scene ripped right out of a nightmare. Strange green men with thin noodle like antenna on their heads in place of hair, wearing white and blue armor, come out in military fashion firing laser powered rifles that kill civilians at once. Tanks that run and flatten trucks. 

 

"Shit-! Find cover!"

 

"Is-Is that a tank!?!"

 

Tōru shrieks as she hides behind the remains of the bus with Koda and Mineta. Eijirō hardens his skin and takes a hit for an exposed Satō, causing both of them to fall over, the larger bruiser pulls him along as he scurries behind a tossed car with Sero and Mina.

 

"You okay, Kirishima!?!"

 

"Hot!! Hot, hot, hot!!! Do not get hit by those! They'll melt you as they pass through! Whew!"

 

He blows at his glowing chest, patting it down hoping it won't catch fire, unsure if it even would... It certainly felt like it was already.

 

Everyone is confused, pandemonium runs rampant as these invaders continue their path of destruction, until one voice cries out in a proud declaration.

 

"Don't panic! Midoriya! Use your strength to get us cover! Tenya! Use your speed to save civilians! Sero, you've got the range so use your tape to pull people into safety! Bakugo, keep blasting!"

 

Momo orders as she runs ahead, ripping her shirt off to create a shield with her Quirk, making her way to Ochako and Denki.

 

"Uraraka! Try to use your Quirk on those tanks, and Kaminari, you'll be the one to give her a path!"

 

She immediately runs off as Ochako looks at Denki and gives him a thumbs up.

 

"We're gonna keep each other covered!"

 

She is not sure what to expect from him. She only heard what he went through before. Denki flashes a grin.

 

"If Momo's got a plan? It'll work! Just send those big guns flying!"

 

Denki runs ahead, shadowing Izuku before he leaps over him and unleashes a furious lightning storm that fries several of the invaders. Izuku had been shocked as well, but he acts as a shield for their classmates behind him.

 

He stumbles, but grabs the now idiotic Denki who moans in dizzy delight, and speeds back to the front lobby of the agency. 

 

"Just-! Stay here!"

 

"Duuuhhh!!! Duhuhuhuuu!!!"

 

Izuku leaves him and blurs ahead past the stunned invaders, punching one of the cannon's nose clean off and keeping it from firing ahead. His speed causes a great wind to knock the first wave of foot soldiers down. With a free and clear path, Ochako runs up and slaps the disarmed tank, with Izuku lifting it away with a kick.

 

She brings her fingers together in time to have it crash on top of another tank aiming at them.

 

"This is working-! We can push them back!"

 

Ochako cheers. Momo advanced with some of the bravest of 1-A not far behind. Shōto skates ahead before freezing much of the ground ahead of him. The entire army soon finds themselves stuck in place.

 

"Tsk! They're thawing on their own pretty fast...!"

 

"But we only need a moment! Fumikage! Satō! Throw some debris their way! Mezō, Tsuyu, help Sero on grabbing wounded civilians! Kirishima, up front and center!! Ashido, see if you can melt their weapons too!"

 

The red head smirks as he springs into action with his peers.

 

"Aye, aye, Cap'n!!"

 

Momo ducks under a laser bolt, her eyes widen when another one comes directly for her face, about to make one large hole through her skull. It explodes upon contact as Izuku slaps it away.

 

"I've got you!"

 

"T-Thanks! Move ahead with Todoroki and Bakugo! If you can, keep protecting us as well, Kirishima isn't exactly the biggest cover-!"

 

She brings her hands up as dust gets in her eyes. When she clears her vision, numerous ruined cars protect 1-A, and she peeks from her cover to see a splash of invaders fall from the sky. They land with a collective groan as Izuku finds another tank to strike.

 

It unfortunately, blows up on the spot, and sends him onto his back. He swiftly surrounded and fired upon as the aliens try executing him. The blasts were hot, and his uniform burns to ashes, he would have been pinned were it not for a spray of acid that has them all flail in pain.

 

"You okay, Midori?!"

 

Mina asks before she ducks behind Eijirō, a beam flies past his shoulder where her head had been.

 

"Of course he's okay! I'm not! Back step now, don't get hit!"

 

"I'm trying-! Watch out!"

 

She pulls him to the ground, narrowly evading one of the tanks firing upon them, the blast careens past them... And goes right for Momo.

 

An explosion makes her vanish, but when the light dies down, she is still there. A shocked face as she had fallen over, and out of the smoke of the blast, Star Man floats adjusting his helmet.

 

"You led well. I'll handle this."

 

In an instant, the streets are cleared as a great wind nearly sweeps everyone away. A thunderclap from point-blank for the third wave, where skeletons stand from having their flesh evaporated from the sheer force of Star Man's clap, stunning even the enemy. Izuku's eyes are wide. He has heard of his father killing criminals... He never saw him actually do it until now. The enemy begins to flee, running back through large portals that appear out of thin air. Some lag behind to pick their fallen comrades, others leave them behind, all speaking an unknown language.

 

Star Man flies after them, the portal closing behind him, the invasion over as quickly as it began...

 

"N-No! Dad!!"

 

Izuku calls out, too late, as he flies past the now empty air. Katsuki grabs one of the stragglers left behind.

 

"Alright, spill it! What was that!?! Did you really think you'd take this city over!?! ... W-What...?"

 

Before his victim could utter another word, his skin grows pale, wrinkles form with discolored spots. He ages into an elder, who then dehydrates into a mummy, the skeleton visible past faded jade flesh.

 

"What the Hell...?!"

 

"Look! Even their weapons...!"

 

Tsuyu holds one of the rifles up, watching it rust and corrode, until she snaps it in half by accident as she inspects it.

 

"What does this mean...?"

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

They would never get the answer on that day. First responders, rescue Pros, and disaster cleanup would arrive shortly after. The students were lectured, yet praised, and sent home. Izuku takes his time. His mother has already been at her wits end with just him getting into this dangerous lifestyle.

 

Could she handle Hisashi being in another dimension...?

 

"You haven't gone home yet, Midoriya?"

 

He hears to his side. He hadn't, as he wanted to help with clearing the debris, and he had done exactly that for what felt like an hour by now. Momo gets him out of his head as he realizes she is the only one from 1-A still around.

 

"You haven't gone home?"

 

She huffs, rolling her eyes.

 

"I... Live the furthest away from this part of town. I hadn't considered that since we flew here, but my phone was destroyed in the whole thing, and making something that intricate has always been difficult for me... Plus, I'd have to get it reprogrammed and set the data plan back on it anyways, which I can't just... Do..."

 

"So you're stuck here."

 

She nods before gesturing to the broom in her hand.

 

"I also couldn't help but think there was more I could do here. They've cleaned up most of everything now though... I'll, see you tomorrow. I think I dropped my wallet around here."

 

"Well, let's find that, and then I'll take you home."

 

At that, she scoffs as they begin to search. He finds it before her, handing it over, she playfully snatches it from him.

 

"You already did enough today! I don't want to ask so much of you when I can get home myself!"

 

Izuku smirks at her.

 

"Oh, is that how you want to be about it?"

 

Momo raises a brow at him. Was he always this, confident? He seemed the type to never make up his mind when they first met. However, time and time again, Izuku has proven to be anything but as he appears. Where he once is a meek, mousey boy, he becomes a powerful warrior in an instant. He gestures to himself.

 

"How about a trade. You make me new clothes so I'm not in tattered shorts and boxers? I fly you home as thanks. Sounds like a deal?"

 

Cheeky as well as confident. It irks her, but she has a smile on her face she is ignorant of.

 

"What makes you think I won't put you in something ridiculous?"

 

Izuku flinches at the non-threat.

 

"We-Well... I guess I'm at your mercy then, right? I trust you though, so, that's not a bad position to be in."

 

She rolls her eyes, but she does oblige in simple shirt and pants she makes from her arm, and in turn he takes her in an abrupt bridal carry.

 

"M-Midoriya?! This is-!"

 

"The easiest way to carry you. Don't worry, I'm not going to drop you!"

 

With the height difference between them, she almost wishes that he would. Then, he takes flight. She has never flown before, not in an airplane, not a glider or even a hot balloon. She tenses in his gentle hold, the breeze is strong, and the wind cold... Yet he remains warm, which has her cling to him more than she intended. He does not comment on it.

 

"So, where is your home? I can't exactly read minds."

 

"Ah-! Right, it's uh... There's Ginyu Street... Yes, that way."

 

He flies slow, but given the distance, she feels as though they are skipping all the traffic that would make travel a pain. She looks down, then ahead at the setting Sun, before she takes in the clouds above.

 

"... If, I may be, a bit selfish once more...?"

 

"Depends on what you're feeling selfish about."

 

"Can we go higher? I've always wondered what being in a cloud is like..."

 

"Let's find out together then, huh?"

 

He asks as he obliges her request. She shuts her eyes and mouth tight, but as they fly through a rather thick one, they come out damp with the moisture of the humidity captured within the now disturbed clouds.

 

Momo cannot help but laugh.

 

"It-It! Tickles!"

 

"It's wet! I'm gonna have to shower after this..."

 

"Oh please, with how much you sweat during our pop quizzes? You'd have to shower anyways!"

 

"That, is hurtful, even if true! I'm a better puncher than a thinker! That's what I have you for!"

 

She shoots him a smug look, victorious even.

 

"You're implying I'll be around you enough to actively cover that weakness."

 

"Sure you will, at least until we graduate! I'm not dumb, but the way you led everyone when we all froze? That was amazing. Your leadership saved more lives than I would have by just... Flying in blind."

 

"... Why did you pass up the class president role?"

 

Izuku says nothing for a moment. She pinches his nose which has him react.

 

"Gah-! I'm not ignoring you-! I just-!"

 

"Don't take so long to reply. Be honest instead of trying to please me."

 

"... I'm not ready to be a leader yet... Maybe you can give me some pointers?"

 

She looks back down and points to the streets below.

 

"When I figure it out? I'll tell you. That's my house there."

 

They land and he lets her down. Momo bows, thanking him as she gives him a rare bright smile.

 

"Midoriya... Izuku... Thank you, for indulging me today. It was, enlightening."

 

He shakes his head and waves his hands. There is that bizarre insecurity of his.

 

"W-Well, I needed that as much as you might have! The tour-! I mean! I pretty much owe you for giving me a reason to go there..."

 

"Is that right? Then, if you owe me, especially for the clothes on your back..."

 

She points above at the orange sky.

 

"Why not take me flying again? Hopefully, without any disasters or invasions occuring next time?"

 

At that, he beams right back at her.

 

"Sure! Anytime!"

 

"And Izuku? I do mean just, us."

 

"... O-Oh! Right..."

 

He says with a growing blush on his startled face. At once, she realizes herself what she said, and eloquently makes it to her door before slamming it behind her. She lets out a muffled scream when she reaches her room.

 

Just, us!?! She did not even mean to imply it in anything more than the fact carrying more people would be awkward! However, how else would a person interpret it!?! Should she clarify? Should she avoid him? What is he thinking? What was she thinking!?!

 

She turns in her bed looking up at the ceiling. She cannot unsee the ocean of white before her. To fly like that brought such peace to her heart she did not think possible. Being held in such soft yet firm arms, his warmth keeping the cold at bay, she sits up and stews in frustration.

 

She has far more important things to think about than some foolish, simple-minded, plain looking freckled coward that fumbles upon the slightest social interaction! She has exams to study for, she has schematics she needs to practice creating, she has an entire career ahead of her! A career that he will certainly be a part of... And he wants to her to be a part of it with him...

 

She slams her face in a pillow sighing in defeat of the accursed teenage mentality she has been afflicted with.

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

Izuku flies home and reluctantly opens the door.

 

"I'm home...!"

 

"Hey there stranger."

 

Hisashi greets him with a full beard on his face. Izuku stammers in stunned silence as his father strokes his beard.

 

"Time moves differently there. It's been a while for me, but thankfully, I'm in time for dinner! Your mother made your favorite!"

 

Izuku hugs his father tightly, and he hugs back. He then pushes the boy away.

 

"You smell different... Floral. Have you been with a girl or a some kind of host?"

 

Before he can inquire further, his son pushes him off of him, rushing past him as he flies in the house.

 

"DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT, HEY, MOM? DAD STINKS! TELL HIM TO SHOWER!"

 

Inko shouts at him in mild annoyance.

 

"No flying in the house!!! We talked about this!!!"

 

Hisashi chuckles watching his family. It had been too long for him to be away from this, but as he passes through his home, he notices the television idly. The footage of the Guardians of the Globe arriving at Japan has his face turn to stone. Today, he saw firsthand that he has taken too long. Tomorrow. Tomorrow is when he will do what he should have done, fifteen years ago.

Chapter 14: A Worldwide Festival!

Summary:

The UA Sports Festival is underway! Heroes, sponsors, nobles and even royals all come to spectate or attend the festivities! Quirks, Monsters, and everything in between!!! There has never been more will there ever be an event like this! Who will come out on top?!

The UA Sports Festival Stadium... The largest international event in the world that replaced the Tokyo Olympics. Originally, it was only the school that participated, however the excessive popularity of the event allowed for international heroes to attend.

 

So long as they're officially endorsed, reach the age requirements, and have sufficient results. 

 

Such contestants include the likes from America,  Europe, even some talents from Atlantis of the Deep. Aquaraus: King of the Oceans, easily convinced the interested people of his kingdom, and have become regulars for the past twenty years. It is a sight to behold, as one entrant shocks the entire populace. However, he is not the only king to attend on this day. Not that it came as a surprise...

 

But because no one could believe it when it was advertised, not until the day of the event itself.

 

"Why is this street closed off!?! I've got to get to work!"

 

"S-Sorry, but it's closed for this year's special guest...!"

 

"Who could be so damn important you've had to close up all these-! LOOK OUT!!!"

 

Citizens cry. Authorities grow tense. The powers that be all stand at the edge. 

 

Kaiju. Dragons. Monsters. Ancient Gods, at some point in mankind's old history. Towering behemoths that stand far larger than many of the buildings they narrowly stomp through. Officially, their existence is public knowledge, but only that they are. They arrive, they attack, and then either they leave or the Heroes chase them off.

 

Few in the world know of the established powers, the political and very territorial hierarchical power structure, that there is a King of Monsters that have kept the larger population in check...

 

Because his Prince, their future ruler, walks among mankind as one of their own. Leading about three of the largest beasts the world has ever seen, the largest of them all settles at a corner of the Stadium.

 

Belloc: King of the Monsters, watches on in silence as his escorts take to the other three corners. Barely any space to move, but for creatures that can hibernate for centuries, discomfort is non-existent for the likes of them.

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

Class 1-A sits in the waiting room, some watching the events outside on their phones, Jirō looks above as she holds onto a shelf.

 

"What's with all the shaking!?! Is there an earthquake happening?!"

 

Īda waits for the tremors to end before showing his phone.

 

"Apparently, they really are allowing monsters to attend... How absurd...!"

 

Mina marvels at the sight of the kaiju from a helicopter's view.

 

"They're so biiiiiig!!! Especially that red one!"

 

Satō smiles through a cold sweat as he adds on.

 

"T-That one...! He's Belloc! I'd know! I've always been a little obsessed with monsters and myth! B-But he hasn't been seen in years! N-Not...! Not since...!"

 

His eyes nervously move to Izuku, who also watches through his phone. He looks up from it and recalls that vivid memory. A battle that seemed to put his father on the rare back foot for the first time.

 

"My father threw him into a fault line they made in their fight a decade ago... There was a massive eruption that made everyone believe Belloc died..."

 

Eijirō snarls as he puts his phone away.

 

"So you're telling me this chump came out of hiding to watch us in person?! Something ain't adding up! Why is he here!? And why hasn't the Japanese military or any of the Pros jumped him?!?"

 

It is Mineta that gives the answer.

 

"You didn't read up on the announcements or see any of the promotional footage...!?! T-That king monster, Bollocks or whatever...!!! Has a son! He's gonna be here competing too!"

 

Tōru whines out a worried plea.

 

"W-Wait... Is-Is that even allowed?!? I mean-! He'd just be another big ugly monster, wouldn't he?!"

 

Fumikage shakes his head.

 

"There's not too many images of him online... But he's half-human. Half Monster. He's been living amongst people for years apparently. I think he's smaller than Mezō..."

 

Momo holds her phone out for her nearest peers to see as she elaborates further.

 

"It turns out... Belloc had been in contact with the U.N., and agreed to cease attacks on humanity so long as his son stayed a secret. That secret got exposed last month, and to avoid a full on war..."

 

Tsuyu gasps as she reads the article herself.

 

"They're using the Sports Festival in place of an actual one...!?! Are they really that big of a threat?"

 

Shōto speaks up, displaying his frozen half.

 

"There are Kaiju capable of changing the weather with their presence alone, some can turn a city into a desert, some can even move land masses, and if what my father has told me is even slightly true... There are as many monsters on Earth as there are people..."

 

Jirō gulps as she comes to the startling realization.

 

"It isn't that they don't want to fight... It's that if we did have a big scale war, we'd end up destroying the planet we all live on...!"

 

Ochako scrolls through her phone searching for information.

 

"But why would they use the Sports Festival??? That doesn't make any sense!"

 

Ojiro speaks up, a bead of sweat bearing down his brow.

 

"N-No... This *is* the perfect place for such a thing. The UA Sports Festival not only replaced the Tokyo Olympics? The Olympics themselves are vastly overshadowed by it so much they've had to reschedule the two events... An event so big, that the whole world will be watching the competition, and whoever wins will be the decider of it all...!"

 

Kōda hugs himself with Mezō patting his head to calm him down.

 

"So... We at least know they have their champion... I guess it'll be up to us to handle business!"

 

Bakugo scoffs, shoving his phone into his pockets, rolling his eyes in disinterest.

 

"It's just one freak versus all of us, and then some foreign losers too, no big deal."

 

He looks over at Izuku. He can see it from here, the familiar signs of his cowardice, his mind rushing at a million miles a second. Sure enough, it is Aoyama that makes the connection.

 

"Strange, how life works, no? The son of the strongest man in a competition against the son of the strongest monster... I daresay, it is right out of a comic book, oui?"

 

Izuku looks over wearing a forced smile.

 

"Everyone! Let's give this our all!"

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

Class 1-A appears before the sensational crowd to an uproarious applause and deafening shower of cheers. The weight of their praise and high expectations equals the weight of the four glaring beasts that nearly envelope the sky.

 

After them is Class 1-B, gaining just as much attention, yet with each subsequent Class does the hype fade gradually... At least until the Foreign Exchange Class. A cheeky title given by the announcer: Present Mic, for while students, these young wards are those from across the world. 

 

Izuku walks around as Present Mic gives his bombastic commentary. He bumps into someone, the two accidentally shoving each other back, neither realizing it until after they've both apologized.

 

"Oh-! I'm sorry! You're not hurt, are you?"

 

"Gah, I wasn't-! No dude, I'm fine, but are you hurt?"

 

Izuku blinks at this new kid. In this world, having an odd appearance is not that odd, especially with certain Quirks mutating one's visage. However, this one boy's aesthetic is striking, almost specifically draconic and yet... Not. Parts of him were too long, others too wide, and yet the rest were perfectly human. 

 

Then there was his rudimentary Japanese.

 

"Say, you came from... Class 1-A, right?"

 

He asks, expectant of something negative given his defensive glare, or rather a childish pout. It made Izuku feel like a bully.

 

"Y-Yes! Nice to meet you! I'm Midoriya!"

 

"Midoriya...? Is that your first or your last name?"

 

The strange boy asks. His lizard eyes seemingly shift between slits and dots, his hands rough, coarse with sharp claws that even he can feel with his nigh impenetrable skin.

 

"Last! Izuku is my first name!"

 

"Right... Uh. I thought we were supposed to bow to each other...?"

 

"Formally speaking, yes, but I bet this is more your speed?"

 

He points to their still shaking hands. The grip is fragile, but practiced, as if this boy is being careful with him. He gives a small fanged smile.

 

"Uh, ye-yeah...! Hey, so... What do you think about... These stupid monsters above us?"

 

Izuku pulls his hand back and glances up at them with his hands by his side.

 

"... I think... They're looking down on us. Who can blame them when they're that big? I heard that one has a son that's participating."

 

"O-Oh... Ye-Yeah..."

 

"They didn't announce him... Did he arrive? I hope he isn't late."

 

The boy speaks up with a rise in his voice, for just a moment.

 

"He's not!! I think they're trying to keep his face secret so the crowd doesn't get too... Crazy?"

 

Izuku frowns at him.

 

"Then they'd be callous for doing so...! It isn't like he asked to be here. At least, from what little I know, he was fine living in secret."

 

He notices the boy's dour mood. His long wide sullen face tilts low as he looks to his feet.

 

"... But secrets always end up getting revealed."

 

"True. But, he can't be a bad person if no one's ever heard of him until recently."

 

Izuku says. The boy's mood lightens some as his frown turns into a small closed smile.

 

"You really think that? Despite what all those articles say?"

 

Izuku chuckles, having new information about his own father.

 

"My dad has had his fair share of smear campaigns and tabloids made on him. He's the greatest man I've ever known! You can't always trust what others say about someone!"

 

The draconic foreigner picks himself up with a renewed vigor.

 

"... You're alright, Izzie. M'name's Duncan."

 

"I-Izzie...?! Pfft!!"

 

After a friendly farewell, Izuku makes his way back to his group as the first event is being introduced by Midnight, the host/referee of this year's Festival Events. She cracks her whip getting the students attention.

 

"Before we start this off, we've a few traditions to get through, and expeditiously! First up! The Siren Song of Sea! Such a powerful alliteration!"

 

She steps aside and allows one of the Atlanteans to take center stage. As the name implies, she sings an almost hypnotic melody, one that betrays her rather goofy oversized head and swollen fish lips. When the song is done, Midnight then gestures up above, as she had retrieved an unlit torch during the song.

 

"As a symbol of good will and faith! We of UA would ask for the Great King, Belloc, to officially start off this year's Sports Festival with the lighting of the ceremonial torch?!"

 

The titanic red dragon says nothing, but he tilts his head ever so slightly, his thin slit pupils flash a bright red before an inferno erupts from the torch. Midnight shrieks in surprise as she holds it out, her hair nearly catching fire, she still continues on in a breathless haste as the flames shrink to manageable size.

 

"G-Go-Good! We decided, like every year, that the Class Representative shall recite the Athlete's Oath! Would Katsuki Bakugo come up and finish off our last tradition for the day!!!"

 

Kaminari gawks as he watches the short fuse march up to the platform where the mic is.

 

"Huh!?! We didn't vote on that!!! How'd he get that position??!"

 

Sero scratches his head.

 

"I think it's cause he got the highest points for our Entrance Exams..."

 

Midnight reluctantly hands over the torch, whispering to him as she briefly turns her personal microphone off.

 

"You can say whatever you want just don't drop this thing, okay? It's a six hundred year old artifact the big dragon gave us! Got it?"

 

He says nothing but stands before the microphone with the blazing torch in hand. He then tosses it up, and with a swipe of his palm, blasts it away shocking everyone on the ground. Belloc raises a curious brow as Bakugo speaks.

 

"I'm here to win this stupid event and this dumb war! I'm not gonna entertain a bunch of oversized newts! You think you're so high and mighty now, but just you wait, when I put that son of yours into the dirt!!!"

 

He says shouting at the King of Monsters before dragging his thumb across his throat. Countless unblinking eyes move in sheer terror from the foolish blonde to the dragon that blots out the Sun. 

 

Belloc, grins.

 

"Show Us Your Power, Child of Man."

 

Bakugo flashes his own malicious smirk.

 

"I'll fry that brat of yours up so badly you'll never wanna crawl outta your stinkin' hole again!!!"

 

He stomps down from the platform and walks over to 1-A who all stare at him in utter disbelief. He ignores them until his head shoots forward from being punched from behind.

 

"OW! Who th-!"

 

Eijirō, with fear in his eyes and voice, shakily shouts at him.

 

"YOU TRYING TO GET US ALL TURNED TO PASTE!?!"

 

"He ain't gonna do nothing. It's what his son is here for. I'm showing him that I'm no easy mark... Wherever that brat is."

 

Izuku can only shake his head. Ignoring the fact his own peers are his rivals now, it is only fitting that Katsuki punches at the heaviest weight possible, even when he stands no chance. Perhaps, if anyone here did, it would be him.

 

Midnight, after recovering from the shock of a declaration of war, moves on as she introduces the first main event of the Sports Festival.

 

The Obstacle Course Race!!!

 

All eleven classes of the first year, along with the youngest of the foreign participants acting as a twelfth class, will be pitted against each other in a mad dash out, around, and back inside the stadium! 

 

With UA's freeform education, almost anything goes, so long as all participants stay on the path itself. 

 

Some students voice concerns, some whispering to each other, some daring to look up at the beasts undoubtedly within their path. Midnight cracks her whip scowling.

 

"If you've time to bellyache, you've got time to run! Now hurry up to the starting line! No more delays! Let's get this show on the road!"

 

Izuku waits as the race lights go off one by one. First two reds, then one yellow, and finally...

 

He feels a hand on his chest. Shōto grimly glares ahead.

 

"Sorry, but she did say anything goes."

 

Izuku is frozen on the spot right as the light goes green. Shōto shoots off with rocket speed as he skates ahead, freezing the ground beneath him, and leaving almost all of the first year behind him. Of course, when he looks back from a familiar bark, he is not at all surprised to see his class avoid his trap. Bakugo bellows out in a maddening challenge.

 

"Y'THINK CHEAP TRICKS WORK ON ME!?! NOT ON YOUR BURNT FACE!!!"

 

Momo created a pole to vault herself above, Fumikage steps off of Dark Shadow that propelled him into the air, even Mineta and Ojiro jump just in time to avoid the ice. 

 

What surprises him initially are the few students that avoided it, such as that violet haired punk that stopped by 1-A, or even one of the foreign kids creating some kind of explosive with items in his pockets to free himself.

 

But none surprise him more than Duncan, who merely follows right behind him, the ice melting before it can even slow him down.

 

"Sorry! The cold doesn't really bother me!"

 

"That's cause I wasn't trying."

 

Shōto turns and unleashes a small but concentrated arctic blast right in Duncan's face, propelling forward, but his eyes widen upon seeing a great flood of fire that evaporates his attack.

 

"Neither was I!"

 

The sea of flames die down as a shadow casts over them. From behind, and emerging in the back, the robotic faux villains from the Entrance Exams appear! A wall of Zero Pointers stand in Shotō's way, annoying him as he brings his hands low, then up.

 

"I wish they had used something a bit more challenging..."

 

He freezes the joints and limbs solid before skating through.

 

"Dear old dad is watching..."

 

"Mine...!!! Too...!!!"

 

Shōto hears, his intentions were to let the weight of the giant robot break against the now fragile frozen parts, but Duncan catches the body as it begins to fall... And then... Hurl it into the others.

 

A small earthquake sends almost everyone to the ground. Everyone, except Duncan, as the orange skinned teen had sprouted wings to gain leverage for his throw, and now flies ahead.

 

"Breathing fire, able to fly, super strong...! Sheesh, I traded one for another..."

 

Shōto growls as he creates an icy platform to launch himself over the massive scrapyard before him. The other struggles to climb over the massive pile. A wall of collapsed giants, with the middle path frozen, many start looking to the sides to find a way through.

 

Some manage, such as Sero with his Tape Quirk, or Tsuyu who is adept at climbing difficult terrain. Others attempt to just, smash through, as Eijirō and a boy with shiny yet similar Quirk punch holes through the fallen obstacles.

 

Duncan begins to soar over one of the larger courses meant to test and show off the dexterity of the students. Thin steel chords are the only way to cross between large gaps of stony platforms... Platforms he easily begins to fly past.

 

"So, you can fly too? How strong are you though?"

 

He hears above him. He turns and sees Izuku smiling at him before the broccoli haired alien snatches him by his wrist. Izuku swings with a spin and hurls Duncan to the ground.

 

Duncan lands on hands and feet, a small crater forming upon landing, and Izuku lands right in front of him.

 

"You're full of surprises, Duncan-san! Er, that's your first name, right? What even is your last?"

 

Duncan blinks at him in shock. No one has ever forced him to move like that. No one except his own father. He recalls then, a warning from him.

 

"The Son Of My Only Equal Will Be There. Spare Him No Sympathies Or Mercy."

 

That was never Duncan's style though. However, he sees an opportunity himself in this small exchange.

 

"It's Xerxes, Absalom, Wu Fan, Cassius, Draco, Draconus, Quetzalcoatl, Gondwana, Mjarl, Khan, Belloc-Rosenblatt... Junior."

 

He lists off as he takes steps to the side. His plan works better than he thought as Izuku fails to notice his own positioning, too distracted by the deluge of names.

 

"... There's no way that's actually it."

 

"You should see the lettering on my birth certificate."

 

"W-Wait! Did you just say, Belloc-!? Guh!!!"

 

Izuku finds the wind knocked out of his lungs as Duncan tackles him with a spear lunge. The two plummet to the bottom of the chasm of the platforms, he holds Izuku close and breathes fire ahead, creating a shallow pool of thick magma. He slams Izuku into it, splashing glowing liquid heat all around, a deep breath inhaled before he blows a furious gale.

 

For Izuku, he had just been tackled then given a deep whiff of terrible dragon breath, but when he tried to move...

 

He can't.

 

"N-Ngh! Huh?!"

 

"Looks like the bottom is metal, which holds much better than rocks, this should hold you long enough for me to finish the race. I'll pull you out afterwards."

 

Duncan flies up, leaving the trapped Izuku down in the darkness, stunned. The wind had cooled the molten metal into becoming a crudely made prison.

 

However, the only thing on his mind is the reveal to Izuku.

 

"... He's... Belloc's son..."

 

Duncan flies up, only for his back to showered in snow and frost, before his vision blurs slightly from a powerful punch, as Shōto leaps over Duncan and Bakugo unleashes a powerful palm against the back of the hybrid's skull. The blowback sends Bakugo back to his foothold while Duncan falls into the edge of one of the platforms.

 

"Is it you?!? You're pretty dragony! Think you can just fly above us like you're the best!?!"

 

Bakugo launches ahead with a fierce flaming right.

 

"I'll Blow You To Cinders!!! GWAH!??"

 

Bakugo's big mouth is shut by Duncan displaying inhuman acrobatics, lifting his lower body up to swing his heels right against the blonde dynamite's chin, sending him away in a series of spiraling flips. The Prince of Monsters land on his feet and flies ahead, about to reach Shōto until Izuku flies from below, two fists crashing into his scaly stomach.

 

A puff smoke shoots out of Duncan's mouth.

 

"It'll take more than that to keep me down-!"

 

Izuku starts but is silenced by a knee to his chest. He begins to float away, but is sent hurtling to the ground from a double hands swing against his temple, ringing Izuku's skull like a temple bells. 

 

He crashes into an open field that then erupts into a series of explosions. A minefield. The actual explosion barely move the young Viltrumite, no pain whatsoever, but he stays on the ground trying to collect his bearings. He has not been hit that hard since Battle Beast...

 

"That... Definitely... Is someone I have to take seriously...!"

 

He sits up groaning, and crawls out of the crater made from the explosive landing, Shōto runs right past the crater.

 

"You don't mind keeping him busy, do you?"

 

"Ha ha, you try taking a hit from him, I'm seeing double...!"

 

He mockingly taunts as he gets groggily steps out of the crater. Shōto 

 

"No thanks, he'd kill me if I got hit with that. Isn't that what we have you for?"

 

Izuku smirks. The gate is right behind him. It would be easy to just, speed right through, take the first place away and move on...

 

But Duncan is different now. Is this who he is, or is it part of his Quirk, his bloodline? Shōto falls from an earthquake as the dragon boy slams into the ground nearby. The snow haired prodigy creates an icy wall that is immediately shattered by Duncan charging through it.

 

In a panic, he launches a torrent of flames, but it has little to no effect... No... Duncan opens his mouth, and is swallowing the attack, seemingly moving faster as his once blue human eyes now blaze a draconic gold.

 

"D-Damn... Not even that...!?!"

 

Izuku finally moves, making his choice, as his hands clasp against Duncan who lunges at them both. Their heads bash against each other as they enter a test of strength grapple. The ground at their feet cracks and splits, the area shaking under the weight of their immense might.

 

"To-Todoroki...!!! GO!!!"

 

Shōto stumbles back from a wave of physical force emanating from the two as they struggle against each other. He hated this feeling of, debt. However, it is now or never.

 

"... N-Ngh... I know I made the comment... But this isn't how I wanted to win!"

 

Shōto growls as he runs for the finish line back into the Stadium. Duncan and Izuku lock eyes as the dragon snarls with beastial fury.

 

"You're gonna let him win instead!?! Wanna take out the monster!?! Show the world you're the best!!! Be the hero of the day?!?"

 

He says with fire between his clenched teeth. Izuku's own fierce glare softens as he is reminded... Of himself. 

 

Is this how he appeared to his friends? To his teacher? This, demonic visage of burning wrath? How frightening, and for someone like Duncan's, whose words sting with every accusing inflection... How often has he been targeted for his looks?

 

He cannot find it in himself to truly fight someone in need of help.

 

"Right now, a guy I just met is having a bad day, and I wanna talk to him so he can calm down before he hurts someone...! Today is just a game for me... Don't let one mistake make this the worst day of your life...!"

 

At that, Duncan pauses. Then, his strength wanes as his eyes return to those human blues, he relents as Izuku releases him.

 

"... Thanks man. And uh, sorry..."

 

"Hey! I've lost my temper too, no problem!"

 

"Oh, not about that."

 

Izuku's vision flashes white as he punches hard enough to send him flying right past Shōto. The wind force pushes him against the wall before another great wind passes by.

 

"W-What...!!?"

 

Izuku skids across the ground on his back. When he sits up, Duncan is standing at his feet.

 

"You got first. Think of it as my thanks for keeping me in check. I don't really care about this stupid dumb war or anything. I'm... Human too."

 

He offers Izuku a hand. His smile grows ever so slightly as Izuku takes it, letting the prince help him up.

 

"I know...! Sheesh, you hit hard though! Can't you hold back?"

 

"Against Star Man's son? No way."

 

Izuku's eyes widen for a moment before he rubs his neck.

 

"Was it that obvious...?"

 

"Whatever beef our dads have? I don't care for it. You're cool, dude... But from here on? I'm lighting a fire under your ass. I'm winning this thing for me."

 

They shake hands to a booming crowd. Belloc watches their exchange with a silent interest. He is proud of his son, and his humanity though often seen as a weakness by himself as well as his kin, it has its uses. If humanity were truly a helpless species, they would be extinct by now, but they are anything but.

 

Star Man, however, is another matter. His son, is he as good a liar as his father? Or, is he watching a tragedy before his eyes... Said golden red jewels move over to the horizon.

 

To the direction of the Guardians of the Globe's home base. A mountain in the Himalayas, not too tall, nor too short, picked specifically for its size and shape.

 

Belloc and Hisashi had met a month ago, just before Duncan's planned reveal. The King of Monsters knows full well when to concede to a higher power. He will do his part in the plan for conquest.

 

To distract the media, the public, and the Heroes with this event as Star Man eliminates the greatest defenders this planet has to offer. After all, there was to be a great showing, an entrance made by the Greatest Heroes of Earth! During the race, the dragon king could hear the murmurs, the whispers, all wondering why the Guardians have not yet shown themselves!

 

And only Belloc knows.

 

Either Star Man is defeated by their hands, and he is free from the tyrant, or they have died and his species have finally been allowed to persist.

 

Hisashi is not ignorant to their part in nature. Their control over the skies, their management of sea population, their part in consuming and cleaning radiation with their own bodies. That he sees, knows, and even does his own part in preserving them speaks volumes. That endangered Kaiju are allowed to flourish within his aquariums and zoos, that he himself has been guiding tectonic plates and lava flow to keep the Earth stable, no one but Belloc would know just how vital Star Man is to the survival of Earth.

 

Human beings have their part... They are an adaptive species... But the Viltrum Empire is the only way to finally achieve true peace.

 

It is the only way to keep his mate and his son alive... Through subservience.

 

How he loathes himself for it.

Chapter 15: The End of an Era...

Summary:

Mere Hours Ago... The Guardians of the Globe would convene for the last time in their lives. An intruder has trapped them within their own headquarters, sabotaged their own security, and seemingly knows all of their abilities. Who to target, where to strike, how fast and strong enough to do it in one blow. Can any of them survive this knife in the back?

Guardians HQ - A Few Hours Ago...

 

 

 

All Might had rarely been called on. If anything, it was mere chance he picked the costume with a transceiver built into it. He needed to be at his best and he wanted to be sure he could last long enough for their entrance...

 

Now here he is, in Guardians HQ, standing with the certified members: Immortal, Captain Celebrity, Red Rush, Aquaraus, Martian Man, Green Ghost, Martian Man, Star and Stripe, Dark Wing and War Woman.

 

He was the last one to arrive.

 

"What's the situation!!! It must be mighty dire if we're all here, no?"

 

All Might asks. Captain Celebrity folds his arms idly floating past him with a skeptical side eye.

 

"You sure took your time getting here, old man-"

 

He is silenced by an arm wrapping around his throat as Star and Stripe pulls him into a friendly headlock, strangling him in the process.

 

"No need to get snippy, Chris! All Might, sir! Aren't you the one that called us all here?"

 

She releases her comrade when he taps her bicep, gasping for air, and shoots her a glare.

 

"You're always such a bully, y'know that!?!"

 

The Immortal shakes his head.

 

"Only because you're so childish yourself... But, none of us made the call for HQ, All Might."

 

The lights flicker, then die. The emergency red light dimly illuminates the room. It slowly blinks on and off, motion scanners from their main computer activate, but only signals the current party. War Woman grabs her mace.

 

"Someone is tampering with our security systems! Could it be L.A.Nister?"

 

Dark Wing scowls as he rushes to the computer and begins his own search.

 

"He's hacked in here before but he'd let us know. This is an inside job...! Gah!"

 

He shouts as the computer sparks before he is rescued from the device combusting. A violent explosion that would have taken his life had he not been saved by Red Rush.

 

"Someone has rigged it to blow!"

 

"Not only that, sensors picked up multiple break-ins... We've got guests coming...!"

 

Martian Man looks around as his eyes dilate.

 

"... My night vision... Sees nothing... Lizard League? Could it be the Order?"

 

Green Ghost looks around rubbing her arm.

 

"Whoever this is, maybe more than one, they should've struck by n-"

 

She falls over as the entire mountain shakes. It trembles, violently, rocky debris threatens to rain down above as though to warn the heroes of an inevitable cave in.

 

Those that can fly: Immortal, Captain Celebrity, and War Woman all push against the ceiling until the shaking stops. Sirens blare, tensions run high, and the smell of smoke begins filling the room.

 

"An explosion...?! Do they seek to bury us alive?!?"

 

Roars Immortal. All Might looks over into the depths below before answering.

 

"Without the computer to scan the base, let alone any power to use our emergency tools, it's impossible to say without searching on our own...! Could this be a return from the League of Villains...!?!"

 

"Splitting up!?! You can't actually suggest we split up, right?!"

 

Aquaraus asks with his hands on his head. Martian Man calms him with a gentle pat on his shoulder.

 

"We won't have to... Right, Red Rush?"

 

The Russian Blur smirks as he gives his two fingered salute. He could have done so already, but he wanted to be there for his friends, to make sure they knew he was still here.

 

"I'll be back! Even if they see me, they cannot catch me!"

 

He says, and speeds off, leaving them to wait. And wait. And wait...

 

Until Star and Stripe abruptly flies backwards as the sound of something wet splashes the nearest wall. Something from below erupted without any warning, any sound or tell, and it struck one of their most powerful combatants hard.

 

Too hard.

 

She falls on her back, the red light too dim with the color of her blood nearly hiding the damage done to her jaw, her skull in tact... But her lower jaw is gone.

 

Her Quirk: New Order, silenced as she loses consciousness. Alive, but barely.

 

As the heads turn, as the brain sends signals to their bodies to react, as their eyelids move to widen in horror... Another one is struck. 

 

Aquaraus' throat and head paint the ruined computer, the dying flames roar back to life, fueled by Atlantean blood.

 

By the time the fastest of them finishes blinking just once, another one is taken from them, as War Woman's mace is shattered to pieces. A pitiful attempt at defense that only ends with her nose sordidly flattened, many of her teeth flying, her head turning around in a full spin disconnecting her brain stem from the rest of her body. 

 

The sounds of screams and shouts finally begin to wave through the air, tongues and vocal chords vibrate, but still too slow to move in time to save another one as the red blur assaulting them steals another life.

 

Dark Wing becomes a mist of liquid meat and shattered bone fragments, hit with such force one could only equate it to a bullet train at full force with no sign of stopping. His genius was his superpower, his Quirk: Ocular Analysis allowed him to see the through data and statistics. In the hands of a master, one could even use this vision to predict a likely future.

 

Sadly his body could never catch up with his brain, despite him seeing the end in time to notice it, he couldn't do anything to prevent it.

 

But enough is enough, shock gives way to grief, that twists into anger. Anger fuels the body, the mind, and soon many are finally able to comprehend their assailant.

 

But not all, as this murderer snatches Aquaraus' corpse and hurls it at the stunned Green Ghost. In her grief, she jumps to catch him, but in making herself solid she is vulnerable. 

 

Her Quirk comes from an unlikely source, a strange object passed down from generations, not unlike One For All. Its origins are mostly a mystery, likely an experiment of a kind, as there have only ever been three Green Ghosts.

 

Now there are none, as the now late heroine would have her upper body torn in two, as bloody hands grab her solid shoulders and pull her apart. Five down, five remain, and they will not go down without a fight. 

 

"DAMN YOU!!!"

 

Immortal bellows as he flies with the speed of unrelenting wrath. His righteous fist strikes a true right straight on the head, but it is his blood that pools the ground, as his opponent punches right through his body in a cross exchange.

 

"Guh-! Aug-A-Augh...!!! Y-You...?!? Why...!?!"

 

He asks before a clean chop has him lose his head, and his body is torn in two.

 

Captain Celebrity, Martin Man, and All Might fly at a man they had all fought with. A man they had, at some point, celebrated victories and achievements in life with.

 

He was supposed to be one of them...

 

Star Man's eyes narrow behind the black lens of the helmet as Martian Man ensnares his arms by becoming an elastic bond, the shapeshifting alien using all of his might to keep the murderer from using his bloodied fists.

 

All Might fights with grief stricken strength. Star and Stripe is his fault, as she wanted to live up to the example he had given the world. An example he never sought to set. In his opinion, she had long surpassed him, inspiring him to continue on as a Hero until he could find the perfect apprentice. It would have been her, had she not refused, wanting only his blessing instead of his power.

 

Now she has nothing.

 

Green Ghost had been his recommendation, chosen by her predecessor, and given encouragement by the Number One himself. A young woman with so much love to give, her life in fullness now cut far too short, because she wanted to prove to the others she had what it took.

 

Aquaraus may have been a lazy king, but he was also an eager hero, and a proud soul. A diplomat between land and sea, now slain by the hands of someone considered neither, someone that could have helped fight against Quirk Discrimination...

 

Dark Wing proved to many that the power of a Quirk is negligible when compared to the mastery of a Quirk. But against someone not even of this world? Strength, power, the cosmic universal law of survival of the fittest proves indisputable as the weak dies to the strong.

 

War Woman's discernment, her decisive nature, her innate kindness towards the victims of evil had been a reminder of his own late mentor. To see her fall, All Might relived that terrible moment so long ago of a lost mentor, and the wound is as fresh as it was then.

 

Immortal, a timeless wellspring of wisdom and history, a man he has looked up to himself early in his own life. All Might can hardly believe that someone once deemed the strongest of humanity, so easily ripped asunder, and by the hands of a man he has looked in the eye and called a friend.

 

But would this really be the first time Star Man lied to him?

 

Each thought, every once living face that flashes through his eyes, is another punch that damages the helmet. Cracks the lenses. Bruise the impenetrable flesh underneath the spandex.

 

But a shrieking hiss turned into a dying moan signals the end. Martian Man's core, his heart had been crushed as Star Man forces his arm just free enough to catch it, following its movements as his brain rattles around in his skull.

 

The dead alien falls limp, and Captain Celebrity catches the fierce glare behind the broken visor, before he too is struck. 

 

His Quirk: Flight, is an aerodynamic field that allows him a number of incredible feats. It enhances his durability, his strength, and allows him to resist various harmful effects of hypersonic movements.

 

In truth, he was one of the first recommended for the Guardians when looking for new generation members. He had initially declined, until Star and Stripe happily accepted and garnered large fanfare. In the eyes of Star Man, he is an attention seeking cockroach, born to power unworthy of him. A spineless horny bigamist without any true impulse control, having cheated on his wife, having given into the powerless bureaucratic courts when Villains would sue him for damages.

 

He is correcting a genetic mistake by finishing this excuse of a sapient and barely sentient being.

 

However, as he punches through Captain Celebrity, his heart in the Viltrumite's hand as it erupts from the American's back? Star Man knew something was wrong.

 

He has always, always, been the strongest being on the planet. That does not come easily. You learn things on the journey to such a title, and he has learned that Captain Celebrity is far tougher than this, which can only mean one thing.

 

He turns around after crushing the heart, growing furious as Christopher Skyline's dying breath is to give him a spiteful smile, seeing All Might unleash the vestiges of his true power.

 

"S M A S H ! ! !"

 

The entire room buckles, a sturdy and reinforced chamber made to withstand several nuclear explosions, shudders and warps from the sheer might of the Number One Hero's righteous fury. The walls and mountain base cracks, an avalanche falls from the outside, even the metal surrounding them bends as the bodies go flying from the wind force.

 

Star Man's helmet shatters to pieces, his face fully revealed, and his right eye bloodshot and bleeding from the sheer unstoppable might of All Might. His nose leaks red... His right eye releases a crimson tear, but as All Might presses his fist to slam this traitor into the ground...

 

He does not.

 

He stares his alleged equal down as the offending fist grinds into the cheekbone. In his dying moments, Captain Celebrity gave the entirety of his protection and added strength to All Might, their combined efforts all into one decisive blow to end this horrific travesty.

 

Just to give Star Man a headache and bloody nose. A bloody tear.

 

"... I thought of you as a brother... As my friend! Even when the whole world shunned you! I was there...!"

 

All Might rasps out, his strength waning, the embers of his mentor's legacy leaving his body. Too soon, he thinks, far too soon. Star Man merely moves his head in a small but quick gesture, the act throws All Might's entire arm back, as if to display the true gap between them.

 

"I never asked to be a part of your kind. I never was."

 

"AND WHAT ABOUT MIDORIYA!?!"

 

All Might shouts, before his head goes skyward, his throat doing everything in its power to keep the skull connected. Hisashi then aims to pierce his heart, but only strikes the chest, visibly annoyed as All Might sends his head far with a counter hook. 

 

"THAT BOY WORSHIPPED US!!! HE WANTED TO BE YOU-! SO BADLY HE RISKED IT ALL!!! THINK WHAT THIS WILL DO TO HIM!!!"

 

All Might bellows, blood gushing from his mouth as his lungs scream, his inner organs shrieking in agony, his body begging him to cease this futile struggle.

 

All Might does not. His mind, unbroken, his resolve unwavering. His heart pounding madly as he wails on his former ally, who trades in kind, neither even bothering to block.

 

For All Might, blocking is a waste, he is dead. However, he can at least save the world from a threat he had never even considered until now. He can at least do the world this last justice.

 

For Hisashi, it is unnecessary, for whatever power he had before is gone. His hits hurt, a wasp sting that makes his body react in defense, but without the lingering poison or inflammation. Just that first shock that one soon adapts too after the initial pain.

 

"My son will learn. He's had enough of you poisoning him."

 

"POISONING-?!? Guh!"

 

The Symbol of Peace buckles from a kidney shot. He lowers from a backhand that has him swaying, leaning heavily, but he uses his position to swing a stomach pulping gut punch that briefly lifts Hisashi off of the ground.

 

The Viltrumite had been using his flight to maintain himself, keep All Might from sending him flying, but somehow the blonde titan refuses to die already! Worse yet is the spittle of blood he forces out of him!

 

He had crushed Red Rush's skull when the speedster tried to explore. However, the bastard's speed had truly never been tested, as he punched Hisashi's chest with such a furious barrage it tore at his costume. It bruised his chest. 

 

And now All Might, catching the briefly winded villain open, strikes him there with another smoldering ember of his Quirk. Hisashi coughs out, wheezing as his ribs fracture, but so too is All Might starting to fail.

 

His body releases steam, and when he goes to throw one last punch across the jaw, his fingers break. His wrist snaps. He is in his true form...

 

And Christopher Skyline, who had been hanging onto life for as long as he could, continued to lend his protection with his Quirk... Finally, dies.

 

Toshinori stands there, holding his ruined hand, glaring up at the indomitable Star Man. Hisashi brings up a finger and flicks Toshinori's shoulder.

 

His left arm goes flying before it splatters against the walls. Screaming in pain, Toshinori falls backwards, landing on a knee. He dares not fall on his back even now.

 

"Yes!! You are a poison to the planet! You let these, wiggling worms fester in this dung heap of a mudball, indulging in their insipid fantasies! Their, stagnant, slothful, slathering stupidity!"

 

Hisashi snatches Toshinori up by his hair and holds him close, shouting in his face.

 

"You! Let them all think they could get by with their mediocre power! That you were the ceiling! Not the starting point! You could have done so much more!! Instead of grandstanding in front of the camera! Go on talkshows! And beat down on worthless scum rather than finishing the damn job!"

 

He slams his head against the wet steel. Toshinori's face is a broken sullied mess as Hisashi wraps a hand around his throat.

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

Years Ago...

 

 

He had never seen someone move... That fast, or hit, that strong. Nana floats down, holding her arm that harbors a serious burn, as a large monster terrorizes a beach.

 

It had spat out acid that she took to shield fleeing beach goers. However, just as quickly as it has arrived with her apprentice now ready to intervene... It had been bisected completely by a white blur. A man floats there, his back to them, his body drenched in its guts before he flies away at an astonishing speed.

 

Months later...

 

When meeting with Cecil for his debut and having fully taken on the role of the Eighth Generation of One For All, they would meet for the first time properly.

 

"This is our newest guy. It'll be his first official mission, same as you. Says he comes from space and is here to help."

 

Star Man stoically stands there while All Might flashes a bright grin at him. A hand outstretched in camaraderie that goes unshaken.

 

"Red's a striking color! And that helmet fits right in with Sentai Warriors! I take it you're a fan of Kamen Rider or Neo Ranger Featherman?"

 

He gets no reply. Cecil speaks up then.

 

"Talk on your own time. We've got seismic activity at a dormant location in Japan. The volcano has gone has gone mad and our eyes on the inside believe it to be a manmade event. Get in there and get that thing under control."

 

A Fateful Day...

 

The authorities pick up a defeated terror. A nightmare that has haunted the world for two centuries. Beaten by the combined efforts of Earth's Mightiest Duo. He would be pronounced dead shortly after. All Might could hardly believe his eyes as he watches Star Man still move despite having his innards exposed. Damaged. He moves with the grace of a drunken horse hobbling on a broken leg, but that is more than he can say for himself.

 

"All Might. What will you do now?"

 

Outside of advice, call-outs, or anything regarding the immediate situation on a mission... Star Man has never gone out of his way to speak to him. Never personally.

 

"You knew enough about my master and this... Fiend. But my life is not one I live for revenge... To keep people smiling! To maintain the peace! To-!"

 

He coughs, ending his speech prematurely. However, Star Man places a hand on his shoulder as All Might lies in a stretcher.

 

"Would you be willing to let me help you do that."

 

"... You were always my ally. No matter how much of a stranger you or the world thought to be."

 

Yesterday...

 

Some time before before 1-A's unexpected arrival, Star Man had invited All Might to tour his agency. Through All Might's influential connection, through the hero work both provided to fund these operations, the world had begun to heal in ways it never has before.

 

All Might stands in Star Man's office, watching what he thought to be an extinct race, an aquatic creature similar in shape and size to the plesiosaur.

 

"Belloc wants to ease relations between Kaiju and Man?"

 

He asks. Star Man offers him a folder, a series of documents with images of a young blonde boy.

 

"With our efforts in protecting smaller Kaiju from being hunted, me sparing his life, along with your campaign with Aquaraus against Quirk Discrimination... A world of true peace is just around the corner."

 

"... We're really almost there, aren't we..."

 

All Might marvels. In such a short time, crime plummeted, food shortages vanished, disease was being cured with new jobs being made in this approaching dawn of prosperity...

 

"Without your support. This would not have been possible... And we can keep it this way now. Their future is secured with him."

 

He looks back at Star Man, who has changed out of his costume for an elegant suit, yet the helmet remains. He stares at a photo of himself, Bakugo and Midoriya hanging off of his flexing arms.

 

"... There is only one last thing that needs to be done. Can I count on you?"

 

Star Man asks as he offers a hand. All Might, without any hesitation, gratefully shook it. He then had to awkwardly swim out of the from the hidden exit as to not draw suspicion from being within Star Man's Agency. A favor asked, by a friend.

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

"... Was any of it real...?"

 

Toshinori asks. Hisashi stares at him. He nods.

 

"In order for the peace we've fought so hard for to arrive. You, need to die."

 

"... Midoriya... Will you kill him too?"

 

Hisashi says nothing, but his eyes widened, as if he had not even considered that... Or rather, no one has ever asked it to his face, only himself. The silence, is an answer in of itself. All Might closes his eyes for a moment. When he opens them, swallowing down a gulp of crimson iron, he sees a tear coming down Hisashi's left eye.

 

"... Don't do this to him... Please, don't make his father into this..."

 

"... I have to. This is what need to be done. Goodbye, friend."

 

With one pull from his hair, and his hand fastly holding his throat, Hisashi pulls Toshinori's head clean from his body. Hisashi drops the body first. Then, the head. His adrenaline vanishes, his body aches, his mind weary. His heart, heavy. He takes out one of the Blaze Pops out, it ignites into a great inferno upon touch, erupting from the blood that fuels the flame before he walks to the center of the room.

 

Exhausted. Solemn. Broken. He falls, and as the fires engulf him, harmlessly licking his body with a tingling warmth that somehow feels colder than ever before...

 

The bodies around him all soon catch fire as well. The spray of gore that connects them, the trickles of ruby ruin that dot the walls and floors, the bone marrow and sinew all start to vanish underneath the intense flames.

 

The fires rage on, cleansing the interior of the building... For several hours...

Chapter 16: A Rise in Heated Conflicts!

Summary:

With the next event on the way, and the crowd still hyped by the explosive momentum of the race, a team oriented competition forces competitors to unite in a common goal!

The Calvary Battle!!! A four man team up battle royale! Only the first forty-two participants can move on, but those that remain, must team up and enter a horse formation! One that acts as front legs, two in the back that supports the rider, with every rider bearing headbands to represent the total number of points allocated from the group's positions from the race.

 

With first place, individually, being a million points.

 

Izuku finds himself at the center of attention once again, but this time for something else entirely, he had barely gotten used to being so popular in class... Now... He is a target, just like in middle school, only everyone has it out for him rather than just Bakugo.

 

Midnight explains further.

 

"You'll be stealing each other's headbands, which must be worn at the neck or higher, however just because yours was taken doesn't mean the end! Quirks are a given, so give it your all in this brutal battle royale, although you'll be disqualified for intentionally injuring your fellow participants! This is a collect-a-thon and honorable competition! Not a bar brawl!"

 

She cracks her whip as the display screen switches to a timer.

 

"You've got fifteen minutes to choose your team! We got a good look at some during the race, hope you were paying attention! ~ GO!!!"

 

Duncan turns away and expects no one to approach him. To his surprise, Shōto marches right up to him, his idle glare chilling him more than his ice could.

 

"Egh-! That's a killer look...! No hard feelings about the uh, the race?"

 

"When you use your fire breath. Does your whole body heat up?"

 

Shōto asks looking up at the larger hybrid. Duncan nods.

 

"I'm also mega dense. I don't think there's anyone here that can carry me, not easily at least."

 

At that, the red-white haired prodigy thumbs behind him.

 

"Good thing you're going to be the front. I'm riding. I have two more I know we'll need... How well can you handle electricity?"

 

Duncan smirks.

 

"I am pretty tough...!"

 

Izuku reaches out.

 

"S-Shoji-san! How about it?"

 

Mezō shakes his head.

 

"I don't think so... It wouldn't be fair."

 

He tries again as he approaches Satō.

 

"S-Sorry, Midoriya... But... I-I want the million..."

 

He even finds Īda, but he turns away.

 

"Your admirable power is something I don't mind relying on... But I can't allow myself to use you as a crutch! I'll prove to you that I can surpass my limits!"

 

Izuku nearly gives up, unaware as two girls try to approach him, Momo and Ochako. Momo is stopped by Shōto. 

 

"Yaoyozoru. We've got Kaminari on our team, and you could make an insulator shield."

 

She blinks, and her eyes move past him for a moment, especially as Ochako makes it to Izuku, only for a pink haired girl to crash into him.

 

"TEAM UP WITH ME, MISTER FIRST PLACE!!!"

 

She sighs. Would he even be a good partner to have? Obviously yes, but with the right team composition, even Izuku can be overwhelmed. She nods and follows Shōto to the others.

 

She meets with Duncan and Denki, the two conversing, which when it comes to electrokinetic? The topic is usually something mundane.

 

"So you like, have an actual Quirk?! Really!?"

 

Denki asks Duncan. The draconic teen offers his arm and begins moving it as sunlight begins to reflect off of the surface with a bright sheen.

 

"Yeah, I can turn my skin smooth and lose friction around my body, I get it from my mom. You can guess what I got from my dad..."

 

He says as he flexes his wings before they recede back into his body. Shōto smirks at the sight.

 

"Retractable wings... We'll be able to fly with you as our head. This'll work."

 

Denki pumps a fist.

 

"We've got extra firepower with the two of you! We'll be unstoppable!"

 

At that, Shōto shakes his head.

 

"I refuse to use my fire half... It's a private matter."

 

Duncan folds his arms.

 

"Same here. I didn't mind using it during the race against Izzie since I know he won't melt, and against him, I'll use it again... But... I won't use my fire on other people. I can't control how hot they get."

 

Momo raises a brow.

 

"Just how hot is that breath of yours?"

 

"Do you know the melting point of titanium?"

 

She shakes her head and he holds up two of his four fingers.

 

"Twice that. Our best bet is sticking with Sparkie and then you use your ice to freeze the others in place."

 

Izuku looks around, some look his way in interest before someone else either takes their attention, or the flee from his sight. Not everyone is avoiding him, but he could not blame those that did, as they would be the primary targets because of him.

 

But he has one ally as he turns to s-

 

"TEAM UP WITH ME, MISTER FIRST PLACE!!!"

 

A pink haired girl he has never met before screams in his face. Strange scope goggles and an exoskeletal frame decorated around her body. She boisterously booms making herself the center of his attention.

 

"That performance was top notch! Even after a mean right, you don't even have a shiner on you, you're built stupid tough! Team up with me and show how you're as smart as you are strong! I can be helpful! Resourceful! Just take a gander at my babies!"

 

She pulls out a litany of devices. A jetpack, a grappling claw, canisters and containers of... Stuff. She continues her sales pitch with no sign of stopping soon, until he finally cuts her off with a weary smile.

 

"You can join up with me if you just, give me your name."

 

"Mei Hatsume!"

 

"Hatsume-san. Do you have anything that can absorb physical shock?"

 

Her face beams with a growing smile. She reaches down to show off her beloved creations, but Izuku stops her.

 

"We also need time to find two more partners."

 

"One! More partner! If you'll have me, Midoriya! Or is it, Izzie, now?"

 

Asks Ochako, wearing a cheerful and slightly mischievous grin. Izuku sighs in relief.

 

"Uraraka...!!! Great! You're just who I was hoping for! Still... That only leaves me with so many options left... I have to pick that one!"

 

Midnight cracks her whip.

 

"You're out of time! ~ Form up into position! ~ We're about to get this show on the road!"

 

Izuku stands on the palms of his teammates hands, Mei and Ochako acting as the back legs and their head in Fumikage.

 

"I'm surprised you picked me..."

 

"It made the most sense from what I saw during the Battle Training! Hatsume-san, those anchors you brought up, you sure they're strong?"

 

The engineer giggles incessantly.

 

"Nothing is gonna break the supporting legs of my powerful babies!"

 

Ochako glances around as Midnight counts down to the start.

 

"Are you sure about our strategy, Midoriya? I mean-! What makes you think they'll even fall for it?"

 

"GO!!!"

 

Midnight cheers. Izuku gives a nervous smile as his plan comes to fruition.

 

"Everyone already knows, fighting me isn't a good idea, but this isn't about fighting. If anything... I'm the one at the greatest disadvantage! So, the best thing to do when you're everyone's target...!!!"

 

Ochako sweats almost as much as he does as she watches every team come after them. Just as her team lead said. Fumikage's beak curves into a smirk under the pressure.

 

"Let them set themselves up for failure. If we run, we're open for an attack at any angle..."

 

Mei continues with a lively snicker.

 

"But if we hunker down with my anchors to help keep us stable, they'll attack, and leave themselves open for us instead! The perfect display of my babies' versatility and durability!!!"

 

The first team to arrive is a group from Class 1-B, a steel-skinned loudmouth carried by his classmates, the lipless head of the formation stomps the ground with the stone sinking under his foot. Ahead of them, the ground becomes soft, almost a liquid as the party begins to sink. Ochako begins to grow tense as she tries to pull her foot out.

 

"A-Aah!!! Midoriya?!?"

 

"Don't panic! When faced with someone confident, they'll go for the simplest solution...!"

 

His mind races, but ever since his fight with Allen, he has found himself truly in a new mindset. His father did not hesitate against those aliens. Battle Beast fought so well, not just due to his insane power, but because he never faltered. Stumbled. Stutter. He knew his goal, and it drove him to victory.

 

He must adopt a similar mindset as those at the level of power he is so close to, to reach that tier of strength, and use that strength for the betterment of mankind.

 

To be a Hero, he has to act!

 

If they're trying to anchor them by sinking them in place, more than likely his opponent is trying to snatch his headband, making the grab easier as they sink into the ground giving the steel brute the higher ground.

 

Even the legs of the horse could kick them... But they more than likely won't attempt that kind of overwhelming assault, not only to avoid a red card, but also because he will not let them get that far.

 

Tetsutetsu is the toughest Class 1-B has to offer. His Quirk: Steel, makes him practically indestructible! He's also just, really strong, making him the ideal vanguard! He tore right through those fallen Zero Pointers, but he would have preferred to take them out himself, to show just how manly he is!

 

He gets that chance when he reaches for Izuku's headband! That broccoli haired dimwit stared him down, probably caught unawares by the pressure put upon him.

 

Class 1-A seemed so stupidly confident with this kid on their side, but he fumbled his way into first, and now will Tetsutetsu will expose him for the fraud he is!!!

 

A spray of saliva flies out of his mouth, most of it the air in his lungs, as Izuku punches Tetsutetsu's stomach.

 

Having sunken so low, yet keeping their ground, Izuku's team had more options than the offending team, allowing Izuku to turn Tetsutetsu's strategy against him.

 

He only realized the true depths of this short sweaty yet powerful dwarf, when he grabs the head of his formation, Jūzō, by his shirt and lifts the entire horse formation up.

 

"Midnight-sensei said actively seeking to break the horse or hurting people on purpose is a no-go... But she never said anything about using the entire formation itself! Up you go!"

 

One of the back legs, Ibara, uses her Quirk: Vines, to create a bed of green soft vines to cushion their landing.

 

"We knew he was strong, being able to contend with that demon...! But that was, humiliating!"

 

Tetsutetsu snarls angrily, wiping his head of non-existent sweat, nervous now about facing Izuku again.

 

"Dammit, I was in denial! Of course he's the strongest guy here... Someone that strong doesn't need to run away or hide... I thought he was going to be our prey, being outnumbered, but he's the one treating the rest of us like prey instead! Huh-?"

 

As they all get up, Tetsutetsu pats his head before noticing Dark Shadow hand something to Izuku.

 

His headband.

 

They had stolen it when Izuku held them up, the shadowy mass subtly stole the cloth right off of his head, and now they're in an even worse position than before!!!

 

Sparks fly from his fangs gnashing against each other, and yet, Tetsutetsu cannot help but smile. He was thoroughly overpowered, outsmarted, and outplayed all in one maneuver. 

 

Izuku Midoriya is someone not to be underestimated... But that does not mean he will give up.

 

"See if we can get a team up! Our best bet is to gang up on Midoriya, it doesn't matter who takes the million, if he gets past here? HE'LL WIN THE WHOLE THING!!!"

 

Jirō mutters under her breath as she carries Tōru with Koda and Satō.

 

"I could've told you that...! Are you sure about this, Hagakure?"

 

Tōru snickers, speaking with determined grandeur.

 

"We'll use that swollen head of his against him! We're coming for you, Midoriya!"

 

Jirō then sees an opportunity as the ground has yet to solidify. 

 

"Hey, we're gonna stop soon! I got a plan!"

 

Tōru let's out an agreeable grunt and they stop early. Jirō's ear jacks sink into the solid ground, just at the edge of the softer surface, the once sunken mass balloons at an astounding rate. Bouncing off of the ground like a trampoline, Team Midoriya goes airborne, with a grin on the faces of Team Hagakure. Satō, strong enough to lift Tōru with one arm alone, pumps his free hand in victory.

 

"They're up in the air! Nice one Jirō!"

 

Koda, reluctantly, whispers. Jirō and Satō don't hear him, but Tōru gasps.

 

"J-Jirō! Did you forget??? Uraraka can keep them in the air!"

 

"Gah-! And Midoriya can fly-!"

 

Satō then barks out in surprise.

 

"Huh!?! I forgot!!! So why is Midoriya using a jetpack?!?"

 

Izuku keeps afloat using Mei's jetpack, flying forward with the thrusters as he angles it away from his peers, leaning ahead. However, as high as they have gotten, they are not so high that they're safe. 

 

Bakugo comes at them with the speed of a blazing missile.

 

"YOUR HEADBAND IS MINE, DEKU- GAH!"

 

He is sent backwards by a thunderclap, throwing his offending palm off, and begins to fall until Sero's tape brings him back.

 

"Sheesh! I know anything goes, but y'can't expect to win like that!"

 

"Shuddap!! It's called psychological warfare! That idiot gets too complacent when he thinks he has a plan, you just watch!"

 

Up above, Belloc watches with little interest. This game is so, sanitized. It is a waste of time. However, he made a promise fifteen years ago, to a human woman he did not think could... Capture his interest.

 

As a dragon, a king, he is a collector and hoarder. He had never imagined himself to be the kind of person to give anything to anyone. He does watch the gift to humanity in action act as a battering ram that crashes against Eijirō's hardened head. For all the redheads talk of manliness, he nearly passes out from their exchange, but such is the absurd might of his bloodline.

 

"(Belloc... There's a problem in the ocean... Mü'kahndi has yet to be released by the Atlanteans...)"

 

He hears one of his subjects from afar. He and his kind have been around since before mankind rose from the mud. Abilities often called, magic, have been crafted for long term communication. Telepathy, echolocation, even geolocation through vibrations just to name a few.

 

Hearing something like one of his subjects be captured by a sub-species of mankind is all too common. He should do something about this. Those blubbering, ineffective, incompetent fish sticks that only control a single sea whereas he controls six through his subjects have overstepped themselves.

 

Again.

 

One of his vassals looks at him before making their way back to the ocean. A mass of chitinous crab legs and the upper body of a wide fanged beast with lobster claws for hands. Its spiked antenna flexes and twitches as it replies through their secret pact of telepathy.

 

"(Stay, Dragon King. This is a matter of my domain.)"

 

Belloc nods and watches his ally, Duke of the Sea: Ganimes, carefully skitter away much to the marvels of the little mortals beneath them.

 

"Look! That giant crab is leaving!"

 

"H-Hey, my car is parked that way!"

 

"That was the creepiest looking one so I'm okay with it-"

 

"WHOA!!! CHECK OUT THE FIELD!!!"

 

Belloc ignores the plebian masses and turns his attention back to the Calvary Battle.

 

Sure enough, it seems everyone has decided to gang up on Team Midoriya. One such amusing tactic came from Team Mineta, where using Mezō's Quirk to hide the Rider's; he being the entire horse himself given his size, hid Mineta and Tsuyu.

 

Izuku's arms are occupied by Ibara's vines and strange glue like substance by a third team from Class 1-B. However, much like his father, he somehow made it so everyone began fumbling over each other. Belloc's eyes narrow as thinks back on his own encounters with the man from the stars.

 

He growls, putting such thoughts away. He watches on as Team Mineta, working with the two other teams, Tsuyu manages to nearly snatch one of the headbands with her tongue. She tries again, knowing her target to strike true, only for Izuku to lean back and catch her tongue with his mouth.

 

Her eyes widen as she tries to pull back, only for him to hold her tongue fast, which has her launching from Mezō's cover, and crashing into him. His intentions were solely on keeping her from attacking at range, the results were their first kiss, something that has many stunned for a moment. Eyes frozen, locked as they can only see each other.

 

Tsuyu recovers first, and immediately steals the million from his head as he finally releases her tongue.

 

"I-I-I-I-Dah-I-I'm-I-! Sorry!?!??"

 

"That's okay. I'll be taking this as compensation, Midoriya."

 

She says with a crimson face betraying her words, kicking off of his chest and flying away, but a grappling hook snatches onto her wrist. Mei, aiming one of her inventions, yanks hard which has Tsuyu faltering in the air. The headband freed from her grip.

 

"Now's not the time to get hung up, Mr. Playboy!"

 

"I'M NOT A PLAYBOY THAT WAS ACCIDENT!!!"

 

Ochako sends him an accusing glare that he can feel despite looking away.

 

"Sure... That's why you used your mouth to catch her tongue? Just a happy little accident?"

 

"MY ARMS ARE BUSY, AT THE MOMENT!!! RRRRGH!!!!"

 

He bellows as he uses his strength to free himself, pulling the two teams apart with a raise of his arms, shouts and groans litter the area as Team Midoriya proves unstoppable.

 

And then his million headband goes flying away.

 

"Huh!?!"

 

He had not noticed it until Ochako herself had to shout.

 

"M-Midoriya!!! YOUR HEADBAND!!! IT'S FLYING AWAY FROM US!!!"

 

It seemingly flies right past his head, the culprit reveals herself with a smug smile. A girl that had shrunk to the size of a gnat, now grown in an instant, with a strange wire attached to her waist. 

 

"Buh-bye, greenhorn! ~"

 

She flies back and lands near a group of unfamiliar faces.

 

The Foreigner Team. 

 

Three of the same girl carry the size shifter, who shrinks again as she lands on the shoulder of an orange human android with green glowing lenses.

 

[ "Excellent timing, Rae. Kate, continue to duplicate and swarm anyone that approaches us. So long as we can maintain the lead, we can achieve victory." ]

 

The triplets carrying the robot smirk, before they split up, creating multiples that then run along with them. 

 

Ochako grumbles.

 

"Darn!! We've gotta get that headband back!"

 

Fumikage however interjects.

 

"Is that the best course of action?"

 

Izuku glares ahead as he clutches his small collection around his neck. For every team that's come after him, he's snatched their headbands back, leaving only a handful of those with their own. Those that have tried to go after others. The only exception being Team Mineta, since Tsuyu did not wear their headband.

 

"Tokoyami's right... The million points headband is a loss, but we still have the second highest points! They're the target now and we'll be able to move on! It's the strategic way to move forward...!"

 

Mei flashes a knowing smirk.

 

"I foresee a but escaping your mouth, leader!'

 

Izuku displays a nervous smile.

 

"It's the smartest thing to do... But... I want to take it back, still!" 

 

"YOU'LL HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT US, FIRST!"

 

Izuku hears behind him. He looks back and his eyes widen.

 

"Gah-! Y-You two are working together...!?!"

 

Duncan sprints at him running at a very low stance as Shōto rides his back, Momo kneeling low as she stands on his right wing, and Denki standing tall on his left wing wearing a devilish grin.

 

Shōto snaps his fingers as a snow flurry flies from his icy half. For Izuku, it's a light breeze, but he then looks down at his allies all who begin shivering terribly. 

 

"If you want to stay in one place, we'll oblige you. I just need your points as thanks."

 

Shōto says with a glare. Denki launches into the air with the help of Duncan's wing.

 

"LIGHTS OUT, MIDORIYA!"

 

He unleashes his full power all at once, and for a moment, Izuku grows worried. However, Mei's frantic giggles turn into a cackle, as she pushes him up, forcing Ochako to turn him weightless as Mei pulls out an aluminum roll. With one quick swing, a thin sheet that repels and contains the electricity. Fumikage and Izuku marvel as the team leader watches Denki fall wearing a brainless smile.

 

"Amazing reaction, Hatsume-san...!"

 

"Kaminari's going to be down the rest of the match! You're amazing!"

 

She snickers with pride.

 

"My babies, no matter how simple are all a masterwor-! ACK!"

 

A pole slams into her jaw, as Momo pokes right through the sheet, her pole meets the ground and allows her to vault right over to Izuku.

 

"Yaoyo-san! Remember when you asked me to take you flying again?"

 

Izuku asks as she reaches for his necklace of points. He stops her, holding her up by her shoulders.

 

"Ngh! What? Why are you bringing that up now?"

 

Her eyes widen when she sees his apologetic smile.

 

"MIDORIYA, DON'T YOU DARE-!!!"

 

"See you soon!"

 

Momo's frightful shrieks die out in an echo as she goes flying high above the stadium. Even Belloc finds himself looking up, though as he notices, she doesn't even come close to reaching a dangerous height for a human body... But the fall would prove fatal.

 

But that would be in minutes. She is still going up...

 

He looks down at Shōto using his ice to create a curved wall, one Duncan uses with his Quirk: Smooth Body, to surf on it with his feet. He had to time it just right.

 

In an earlier moment, Shōto looked down at his hand, before grimacing in thought. Against someone like Izuku, he would have to use both sides of his Quirk, and yet he absolutely would rather just cut his arm off.

 

It seems Duncan understood this without really knowing why. Hence, they came to a compromise.

 

"I know I said I'd rather not use my fire on the participants... But Izzie can take it. If we target him? You'll get my all."

 

It is now, as Duncan slides at the perfect height of the icy wave construct, that he readies his fiery breath. His lips curl back, his mouth opens wide, and fire begins to billow out.

 

However, despite them even keeping themselves out of his range, they had been so focused on strategizing around Izuku that they had forgotten about Fumikage and his Dark Shadow.

 

A Quirk that unleashes its full might to swing both umbral fists under Duncan's chin. The jaw shuts and his head is angled upwards towards a stunned Shōto, with both soon being caught in a small but powerful explosion that launches them through the icy wall and into another team.

 

Denki, who had been carried by Duncan, falls with the other two as Team Todoroki lies defeated.

 

Izuku sighs in relief before he holds his arms out and catches Momo.

 

"Awesome save, Tokoyami-san! Even I thought I was done for!"

 

"You picked me for a reason."

 

Fumikage then jumps from an abrupt bang. A powerful shot rings out as many ears briefly ring. Izuku flies from his seat and onto the ground, his necklace of points stolen, and Momo falling away with a smoking shotgun as she yanked the points away.

 

"NEVER!!! DO THAT!!! AGAIN!!!"

 

She shouts breathlessly between desperate pants for air. When she had landed, she already had a counterattack planned, because she knew Izuku would not risk her life.

 

That does not mean she is not upset about the act of throwing her in the first place, and she made the most of it.

 

With no time left, the buzzer sounds, and the Calvary Battle comes to a startling end...

 

Just a few minutes ago, with Team Bakugo, Mina whines as she watches the small army ahead of them.

 

"And I thought Midori was gonna be our biggest competition...! How do we handle someone that can make themselves everyone!?!"

 

Bakugo scowls at first, then sneers.

 

"Tape Joints, get a strap around me and get ready to pull! Acid Horn, you get their eyes with your smelly sweat! Hard Head, ram through as many as you can! I'm going for the scrap heap!"

 

Sero sweats slightly but obliges.

 

"You're actually strategizing out loud? It's gotta be a good plan then!"

 

Mina pouts but as they move, she does as much as she can by swinging her hand at the approaching Kate Army.

 

"I can get their eyes but they move like monkeys! Look at that! Can Ojiro even do that many flips?"

 

Eijirō's entire body begins to harden.

 

"Just let me take the brunt of things! Look at the others! She's breaking noses out here, she doesn't hold back, so we shouldn't either! CHARGE!!!"

 

The Foreigner Team sees a most unsettling sight as Team Bakugo barrels past the several Kates. Eijirō's, truly showing off his unrelenting durability, storms through the many clones. Any of them that got too close to Sero would be blasted away by Bakugo, and none could approach Mina as her acid proved a little too accurate for someone seemingly flailing their arm about. She and Sero really only held onto Bakugo, as Eijirō carried the full weight with no issues, with the entire team soon making progress.

 

Rae scoffs before she knocks on her leader's metal head.

 

"Robot! Got a plan running in those circuits of yours?"

 

[ "As a matter of fact, I do. When their leader jumps at us, I shall meet him with a taser, the projectile will only activate upon impact so you may ride it and take his headband before I shock him." ]

 

"Oh! Not a bad plan!"

 

Rae says as she slides down his shoulder and onto his arm before shrinking even further, slipping between slits and into the android's body.

 

Sure enough, Bakugo lunges at them with his arm pulled back, but as Robot takes aim and fires? The cybernetic hero makes a miscalculation he should have seen coming.

 

Bakugo swings his arm ahead, carrying an unconscious Kate clone, and uses her as a meat shield. His free hand snatches Rae before she can reach his headband.

 

"NRRGH!!! DIE!!!"

 

He roars as he throws Rae back at Robot with an explosive boost, knocked out from the initial blast, her body returns to normal as Robot falls off of the horse catching her.

 

Bakugo lands on a pair of Kate's heads before he snatches Robot by the neck, using Sero's tape as a lasso, pulling the android to him and ripping the headband free before Sero yanks him back.

 

"Hahaha!!! Try and calculate that, rust bucket!!!"

 

[ "I did. You should pay more attention." ]

 

Bakugo raises a brow before he looks at the headband. It's only three hundred.

 

"WHAT-?!? HEY! THE CLONE GIRL! SHE'S THE ONE WITH THE REAL HEADBAND! FIND THAT ONE!"

 

In the stands, some attendants murmured amongst themselves.

 

"Midnight said it would be brutal but I'm seeing bruises and bloody noses! I'm pretty sure those kids from America should be disqualified!"

 

"Nah, look! She's only hitting them as they come after her, and that one that can shrink, she's tough too! I bet that dynamite kid held back, because she's getting back up!"

 

"Should a robot really count as a Hero though? What is going on in that wild country??"

 

"Oh look! There's another team coming in!"

 

At this moment, Shōto and Duncan would find themselves disrupted by Fumikage's interference, the explosion would knock the two away and into the thinning crowd of Kate's. One of them that has Duncan fall on her, passes the million point headband.

 

"YOU'RE MINE!!!!"

 

Bakugo shouts as he blasts ahead in the air, landing a drop kick on her from behind, but the headband ends right where it had come from.

 

Izuku lands on his back after a point-blank shotgun blasts him away on his chin. To his surprise, something else falls on his face as he lays there in surprise at being shot, the million point headband... And just in time for the match to end.

 

Midnight chuckles loudly as she makes her announcements.

 

"What a stunning upset! Despite a valiant attempt made by all, it would seem Team Midoriya maintains the first place lead, even luck seems to be on this fly boy's side! ~ Second is Team Todoroki, with Third being the Foreigner Team... And in Fourth... Team Shinso!!! THESE ARE THE PARTICIPANTS THAT'LL BE MOVING FORWARD!!!"

 

The violet haired boy sneers in victory while Bakugo grows cold. Then incredibly heated... Only for him to just, turn away, shoving his hands in his pockets.

 

"... Shit..."

 

He sulks, but finds himself somewhat lightened by his teammates as they start apologizing to him.

 

"Fwah!! We got fifth! That sucks, dude! I wasn't on my A Game!"

 

Eijirō whines. Mina rubs her arm not wanting to be yelled at.

 

"I tried, I really did, but I started feeling bad about some of their burns and-! I think I messed this up for us."

 

Sero hangs back resting his hands on the back of his head.

 

"Nah, I just wasn't all that useful outside of being rope and a leash! We should've just let Bakugo go all out!"

 

He looks between them before growling.

 

"All of you, shut up. We lost because I didn't step up as a leader... I..."

 

He looks over at Izuku, who is getting scolded by Ochako and Momo, yet he still wears that dumb smile on his face.

 

"I was the one... That wasn't good enough... Not you."

 

Eijirō pulls him into a one armed hug around the neck.

 

"Hey! ~ Look at you! Being all cool and a team player! I'm proud of your progress, dude!"

 

"GET OFFA ME! YOU WANNA DIE!?!"

 

Mina giggles as Bakugo blasts Eijirō off of him.

 

"There he is! ~ He almost sounded normal there, I was getting scared!"

 

Izuku raises his hands in surrender as he finds himself flanked. Ochako and Momo glare at him with fire in their piercing gazes, stabbing through his sense of invulnerability.

 

"You've some nerve, pulling that on me! I mean! Honestly! What was I to expect!? I thought better of you!"

 

"A girl's first kiss is incredibly important and you just stole one without even thinking!? You might be super strong, but you're also a super jerk!"

 

A third girl, completely ignoring them, pushes one of her inventions in his face. Mei happily beams at Izuku pulling out more of her creations to show off.

 

"Hey! Hey! See? Even after all that abuse, my anchor baby is still in tact! Look! Pretty great, right!? Yeah?! Good?! How about trying one of these next, huh!?"

 

Fumikage watches from a safe distance with Duncan, who keeps the stunned Denki from wandering into a wall.

 

"Some might call him lucky... But for the so-called, fairer sex, I can't imagine being in such a terrifying situation."

 

"Yeah, no kidding. Even Belloc is scared of my mom. I'm starting to see how a Kaiju could be scared of a human woman..."

 

Unable to get a word in, Tsuyu comes by, and speaks up.

 

"It was an honest accident. His arms were tied, he couldn't fly since he'd be breaking formation leaving you all alone, meaning he couldn't use his legs either and he'd be abandoning the team. It was a pretty daring and smart move."

 

She says in a matter of fact voice. She follows up as she pokes her chin, her cheeks flushing red, though she covers them with her large hands.

 

"A first kiss is still only a kiss. Something like that isn't all that important in this kind of event. Don't be too hard on him."

 

Izuku finally stands to his feet, finding the words in his throat, he speaks past sweating bullets and chattering teeth.

 

"It-! It doesn't! I still crossed a line-! I mean-! Aren't you? Mad?? I did that?"

 

"Nope. Not since it was you, at least."

 

She says before she casually walks off. Ochako is stunned and Momo herself finds her mind frazzled. She focuses her anger back on her own incident.

 

"Regardless-! What if you didn't catch me! Did you plan or practice that kind of thing?!?"

 

Izuku gains some measure of confidence for this query.

 

"Of course-! I wouldn't do that to you if I didn't know I could catch or not. I'm not risking your life here for what's essentially a game...!"

 

He shrinks as her eyes burn every brighter with every word. He feels himself digging his own grave. However, she scoffs, and finally leaves him be. He turns to Ochako, who seems lost in her own thoughts.

 

"Uraraka-san? I-I-"

 

"Huh?"

 

She looks up, as if she had not just scolded him fiercely a moment ago.

 

"I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable or if I... I dunno. I just wanted us to win so we could make it ahead."

 

She points at him... However, she fails to find the anger in the face of someone so genuine, he looked heartbroken. It made her smile, trying to reassure him.

 

"... You're one of the most interesting and amazing people I know, Izzie... But you've got a lot of work cut out for you. Especially how to handle girls."

 

Now he pouts as he mutters under his breath.

 

"First my dad, now you, what is with people and relationships...?!?"

 

"What was that about your dad?"

 

She asks leaning forward. His face turns beet red as he recalls the very uncomfortable talk with his father regarding... His heritage. He walks past her, but Ochako hounds him down, even as he tries to fly away from her.

 

"I'm not dignifying that-! I'm going now!!!"

 

"Ah! Hey! Wait up! Lunch hasn't started yet! Hey! Don't you ignore me!"

Chapter 17: The Finals Approaches!

Summary:

With the news of the death of Earth's Mightiest Heroes being kept secret for the time being, the Finals are underway, and the brackets are revealed along with some family secrets!

Everyone begins to make their way into the waiting rooms, each class going to their own assigned room, everyone huddling up and discussing the events so far.

 

"That was crazy!! ~ I can't wait for next year!!"

 

Tōru cheers hopping up and down. Koda prods his fingertips together muttering a quiet apology, but Satō claps his shoulder.

 

"You were great! We've got a whole three years to get better and better!"

 

The rock headed humble giant smiles gratefully. Jirō groans as she stomps with bratty steps.

 

"Should've just teamed up with Midoriya...! But I thought everyone would've been gunning for him...! I didn't wanna look like a jerk going to the team with the strongest guy! Ugh..."

 

Denki, who is starting to recover, fires finger guns at her while snickering.

 

"S-Sounds like someonnnne is eating souuurrr grapes! ~"

 

"Shut it. Shouldn't you get your short-circuit brain checked? Frying it on the daily can't be good for you."

 

"I don't fry it... THHHAT!!! Baadly!!! OR OFFFFFFTEN!!!! Do I, grape bunches with legs?"

 

 

He turns to Mineta, who only looks back at the stadium.

 

"You're stupid, but you're strong, speaking of... Where's Midoriya?"

 

Ochako looks around, as she had just been chasing him. She looks back at the stadium, but the only one in the air is Duncan, flying towards his father. She then notices another missing person.

 

"Todoroki isn't around either... I'm sure it'll be fine, but... I wonder where they are? They'll miss the announcements!"

 

Somewhere on the outside, near one of the ground exits, Izuku and Shōto face each other. The two toned boy speaks up.

 

"It's pretty clear to me that you're holding back. I knew you would, but by how much is... Insulting."

 

Izuku says nothing, allowing Shōto to continue.

 

"I've seen what your dad can do, and you're showing off more than you probably meant to, but I need to know this. Do you take this stuff seriously? Or is it all a game to you?"

 

Izuku's eyes widen for a moment before he grows a solemn face.

 

"Would you prefer if I go all out?"

 

"That's exactly what I'm asking you to do."

 

Shōto narrows his eyes into a heated frozen glare.

 

"... I wanted to hide behind Duncan's flame... Because my father wants nothing more than for me to use my fire... To use his power... He ruined my entire family, all to create me. His trump card."

 

He clenches his fist tight.

 

"Endeavor can't make it to the Number One position in his lifetime... So, using Quirk Marriages, when they were legal... He used my mom to try and make someone with the ideal power. Fire and Ice. I didn't care at first, I didn't realize what he had done to her growing up, because she used to be... She was able to smile through it all. To raise me and siblings with love."

 

He brings his shaking fist, opening it to a hand as he hides his burn scar, right over his left eye.

 

"She had been strong for us for too long... And I... Look too much like him. She snapped one day and threw scalding water in my face. This part with red hair... She couldn't stand the sight of me anymore."

 

Izuku realizes the severity of that wound now, and by extension, is aware of the scars within his peer. A lot of things suddenly made sense. His decisive nature, his power and drive, even the seemingly fearless attitude towards villains.

 

The weight on his own shoulders is comparable to the weight forced upon Shōto.

 

"... I never knew. I-I barely knew my own father for most of my life... But... Todoroki. We're not our fathers."

 

Shōto's face twists in abrupt anger, but he is curious, letting Izuku have his own say.

 

"I don't think it's fair to ask me to go all out, then only use half your power, especially when we both know... Well, maybe we don't. However, I don't want you to live in your father's shadow, when he's spent all his life living the shadow of someone else. You're better than that."

 

Shōto does not say anything for a time. He hangs his head, almost stubbornly defiant of the words given to him. Izuku steps forward and gestures back to the hallway leading to their waiting room.

 

"We could spend our time here sulking or, we can spend our time with people that care about us, okay? ... I'll do my part... Heroes help people, Todoroki. Even with each other."

 

"I'm not asking for your pity... Nor do I need your help."

 

Shōto growls. Izuku holds up a fist to his heart.

 

"If you didn't want help, then taking someone out to talk about a private matter then asking them such a serious request is a weird way to do that, but I've always been bad at reading people."

 

He walks away, and around the corner he finds Bakugo who has been listening in. They say nothing to each other, but they share a nod, leaving Shōto to his thoughts. 

 

However, he looks up wearing a tired frown.

 

"You breathe too loudly to be sneaky, Wu Fan."

 

Duncan falls from his perch, having used his claws to hang from the ceiling. He expected this kid riddled with pain and carrying a heavy burden to lash out at him, so when he doesn't, he takes this as an opportunity to speak.

 

"... I get it."

 

Shōto states at him, neither rejecting the statement nor acknowledging it, Duncan continues as he holds up one of his hands.

 

"The way it goes, Belloc had been ripping and tearing a city apart. Something about the ozone layer at the time... He found my mom, and she willingly went with him, and they had me. I've been to several schools, and even lying about my body being a Quirk, I... Never fit in. My father would then have his stupid tests, send monsters after me, kidnapped what few friends i could make to force me into trials... To bring out the beast in me. I hate him."

 

Now, Shōto wears a solemn yet surprised look on his face. Duncan, unintentionally, nervously laughs at his reaction.

 

"Yeah, you'd think being the Prince of Monsters would have its perks, just like being the son of Endeavor should make this whole festival a cakewalk... But, I've noticed it with you. The loneliness. I've known that all too well... Humans can't stand the sight of me, monster think I'm too small and weak, and Heroes that do know my background are waiting for the day I... Snap. Just to have an excuse to take me out."

 

He offers a hand then.

 

"You're one of the only people to give me a chance. I just wanted to say, thanks, for not seeing me as something I'm not."

 

Shōto turns away from the hand and begins walking away. He does stop before the turn and glances back.

 

"... Thank you, for sharing that with me. It means more than you know."

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

"GODDAMMIT!!!"

 

Cecil yells as he kicks a shelf over. Surrounding him is a scene ripped out of his nightmares. Skeletal remains charred black, with only a beaten and mildly burned Star Man laying passed out on the ground, the Immortal's body begins its own bizarre process of regeneration... But far, far too slowly, and in fact seems to have stopped after a while. As if even his own longevity had met its limits.

 

"Sir! We found another live one! Star and Stripe is alive! I repeat, Star and Stripe is alive!"

 

Cecil makes his way down into the crevice of the Guardians Headquarters, a seemingly bottomless pit, but below he finds the only good thing to come out of this. Cathleen Bate, the Number One Hero of America, barely conscious and without her jaw as she lies there weakened from being impaled in a rocky stalactite. Somehow, she must have crawled away from whatever massacre this is, and landed on it. 

 

She still breathes.

 

"Get her and Star Man to the emergency clinic! NOW! I don't care how many hours or fucking tax dollars it takes! We cannot afford to lose them! Not now...!"

 

Cecil growls. He had just been at the Sports Festival of UA, silently watching in the commentary room with Aizawa and Hizashi, until he had gotten the unfortunate news.

 

That was in the middle of the race. He would miss the entire Calvary Battle as his forensic team would reveal what was unfortunately obvious.

 

Someone came in and killed the Greatest Heroes of Earth then burned any evidence away. No unknown or known enemy amongst the bones, only victims, and two survivors. Star and Stripe had lost her lower jaw, but her tongue made it out and she managed to pass out with her head angled to keep the bleeding from drowning her in her unconscious state. It is a miracle she is even alive at all.

 

Star Man being beaten into a coma, that was impossible. It has never happened. Sure, Belloc knocked him out briefly, and an old villain who only went by his Quirk Name: All For One, managed to rip a hole in him.

 

But even those close calls were not enough to take him down. Whether alone or with a group, Star Man has never been found laying down, until today.

 

It couldn't be possible. It just wasn't.

 

Right now, the most powerful Heroes across the globe were either in the United States or in Japan... And unfortunately, two of his choices aren't even of legal age, but they're the best he has. 

 

If he's desperate enough, and God knows he is desperate, he might even try to work in that hybrid...

 

He teleports back at the UA Stadium within the commentary room.

 

"Eraserhead. Present Mic. Where's your boss? I need to speak with him. Something came up. Something bad."

 

It took longer than Cecil liked, but an impromptu meeting had been called with all the top Heroes present. Endeavor, Best Jeanist, the Wing Hero: Hawks, the Rabbit Hero: Mirko, and the UA Staff not doing active commentary or handling the general studies events. A collection of harmless game shows all for fun and to cool the high tensions down for the crowd as well as the student body.

 

For the outside world, everything is going as scheduled, but everyone in this small room grows tense with the dark revelation...

 

All Might, and the Guardians of the Globe, are dead.

 

Endeavor's fiery beard blazes to life, a flaming fist threatens to immolate the old scarred government agent then and there.

 

"Do you expect me to believe in such a tasteless joke?!"

 

Cecil glares back with a fire in his eyes that burns hotter than the Number Two's Wrath.

 

"You think I'd joke about something this serious? You always wanted to be number one in the nation. Looks like you got your wish on a monkey's paw."

 

At that slight, Endeavor snarls, but he says nothing as Cecil moves on.

 

"The only reason I'm even discussing this with those currently present is because of your ability to be discreet, and, your potential as new members for the Guardians... We're also looking at others, some in America, in India, Australia and... Even within this stadium."

 

He says. Endeavor scoffs, but after a moment, a prideful sneer paints itself across his visage. He had never been invited into the Guardians, nor did he ever make a request, but he had found this to be an error that will soon be corrected through another.

 

"You see Shōto's potential as I do..."

 

Cecil brings out a pocket projector that displays the fight against Battle Beast. Both Shōto and Izuku are highlighted throughout the sordid footage. Mirko raises a brow, initially bored of this meeting after the shock of All Might's death came over, until her blood boils in excitement seeing such a violent fight before her eyes.

 

"Hey, and that guy's coming back? I'd like a go at him!!!"

 

She says wearing a pearl white smile. Cecil huffs through his nose.

 

"Apparently, you'll get it if you live long enough, because he sent a message that ended up in our possession."

 

He taps the projector keys a few times before the white lion appears on-screen. He speaks his terms, his motives, and his ultimatum. Hawks folds his arms at the end of the message.

 

"That one's... Direct. Has Midoriya seen this?"

 

Cecil scoffs.

 

"Of course, we'd happily show the fifteen year old that his fatal assailant hasn't forgotten him and now vowed a death battle into his adult years so he can't even enjoy the time he has left."

 

Nezu then speaks up.

 

"I only see this as an excuse for you to take what you believe is yours."

 

Cecil's eyes widened in genuine offense.

 

"Jesus, Nezu, I'm not going to poach them right off the field and throw them against the monsters. Not at least until we know what kind of monster could even do... This."

 

He gestures to the images on display showing the black skeletons and rare few splattered limbs stuck to the walls like wet clay. Nezu only stares at the scarred man.

 

"And yet, though you've shown interest in Todoroki, why is it you've personally contacted and tried to recruit Midoriya before he started his semester."

 

Cecil grows quiet at that, which prompts Nezu to bring up a business card, it is his own but it is an example to show that the erudite rodent had seen right through him.

 

"You only give these to people you trust enough to speak in person. We found it on his person, during a clinical check up, and I know you sent him into space against another alien foe."

 

"I did. I'm not going to hide that, I know you've got cameras, just as I do. Don't forget, Mickey. You run this school in this country. I run how Heroes do their job on this planet... I'm not looking for someone that can only beat Earth's enemies to submission or death either."

 

He taps on the projector showing a first person view of Izuku's fight with Allen. From fighting around space, his brief respite in re-entering the atmosphere, to even the silent conversation on the moon where Cecil pauses.

 

"I'm looking for people that can turn a bad situation into an opportunity. Star Man usually deals with this guy and sends him packing in about six to ten minutes. Midoriya here, manages not only to get him to leave in three minutes, but gather some information we never obtained before. That, is valuable in a person. Not even I thought to just talk with the cyclops."

 

He points at the screen, at a device Allen holds, detailing Urath.

 

"This guy goes around finding planets to join a collation of defenders. He mistook ours for another, for fifteen years, and kept coming back every three years until this moment. We got the details from Midoriya shortly after this, apparently his name is Allen, and he's got some telepathic abilities or communications."

 

Vlad King narrows his eyes.

 

"Why bring this up?"

 

Cecil taps the wall, right at the name of the faction, Coalition of Planets.

 

"Not that I'd care to join a group I never heard of either, knowing about this would've been nice, yet Star Man never told us a thing about them. Isn't it odd?"

 

Endeavor's glare grows sharper as his brows furrow even under the blaze of his fiery mask.

 

"All the times he went out into space to help us find other lifeforms..."

 

Thirteen as well begins sweating under her suit and behind her mask.

 

"I-I thought he came from a planet called Viltrum, didn't he? We knew it was too far, but he said he helped other worlds... So... Surely he'd be part of this coalition..."

 

Cecil finally turns off and pockets his hand sized projector.

 

"That's what we thought. He's in a coma right now, but as soon as he gets up, it'll be one of the first things we ask. Aliens aren't uncommon landing on Earth, but they're not common enough for us to know what we're dealing with, given we've only ever encountered four species now..."

 

Nezu counts them out.

 

"Viltrumites... Martians... The Battle Beast, and this Allen fellow... Steadman... Are you... Potentially, implying that-?"

 

Cecil raises a hand and shakes his head.

 

"I'm not implying anything until we get some solid proof or leads... But this is an important matter. For now, we're keeping their deaths under wraps, seeing if we can salvage... Anyone else... Immortal's cells still show signs of life but he's little more than a ripped up collection of sinew and bones. If anyone asks before we release the information ourselves... They're just busy."

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

"Huddle up, gather around, we're about to announce the rules for this final event! As well as the roster and bracket! But, before we move on, does anyone have any feelings of self-doubt? Second guesses?"

 

Midnight asks. To her and the rest of the student body's surprise, a few hands go up, the first belonging to Ojiro.

 

"I... I don't remember how I even got here. I don't even remember the last few minutes at all... It doesn't feel fair for me to move on when there are those that put their all into this and couldn't make it."

 

Another member of Team Shinso raises his hand, a small portly boy with an unassuming face, Nirengeki Shōda.

 

"I feel the same... We weren't even aware of our actions the entire time... I don't even recall how I joined a team."

 

Shinsō looks away, as if to dismiss them, while his only remaining team member in Yuga, comforts his classmate by patting Ojiro's shoulder.

 

"Don't worry, mon ami. I'll win this for you."

 

"Uh... Thanks...?"

 

Another hand shoots up, belonging to Robot.

 

[ "I as well shall withdraw. My purpose here has been fulfilled and my findings for my research is, satisfactory. Kate? Rae? I believe you two can succeed. The Teen Team's reputation relies on it." ]

 

Midnight cracks her whip.

 

"Darn machine! You stupid kids! So compassionate! So fresh yet so aware! I'll let it slide because I LIKE IT!!! Robot of America, Ojiro of Class 1-A, and Shōda of Class-1-B are all out through forfeit!"

 

Kate looks back at Robot with a small glare.

 

"You're really going to put all the pressure on us?"

 

Rae stretches a bit, smirking at her teammate.

 

"Chill, Kate. Robot's probably calculated our win rate or something. Must be high!"

 

Robot speaks up, shaking its head.

 

[ "Your actual statistics of victory purely rely on your placing within the brackets. If you can somehow win your battles without being matched up against a handful of contestants, I see seventy point eight percent  chance of victory. However, these are the more powerful participants, who have a higher than likely chance of meeting and defeating you two. It's merely up to probability right now. I just don't want to lose this body in a fight. These are very expensive." ]

 

At that, Rae then angrily scolds the machine.

 

"Huh!?! You're betting on us winning on chance!?!"

 

[ "Win or lose, it doesn't actually matter for us. Public perception does. As long as you maintain a competent showing, which I'm sure you will, we'll find ourselves able to make connections outside of the country." ]

 

Kate smirks as she begins putting Robot's plan together.

 

"Which should increase our budget and get us some international coverage! We could find ourselves working with Guardians someday!"

 

Midnight cracks her whip, snatching attention back to her.

 

"Zip it! As for who will be replacing these three..."

 

She looks up at the board.

 

"Fifth place is Team Bakugo! However, only three of you can move on, not all four!"

 

Sero grin, walking away from his team as he loudly volunteers himself.

 

"If I learned anything about myself today, it's that I'm no good in a flat fighting ring in a one-on-one! You kids play nice now!"

 

Mina reaches out as she begins to sweat involuntarily.

 

"H-Huh?! Hey! Hanta! Switch with me-! Hey!!"

 

The R-Rated Hero smiles broadly as she holds up a ballot.

 

"Excellent! Now then, I'm going to pull out the names of those that have made it this far, and that order will be our bracket... Starting with, Shinsō Hitoshi versus Duncan Xeres Absalom Wu Fan Cassius Draco Draconus Quetzelcoatl Gondwana Mjarl Khan Belloc-Rosenblatt Jr. !!!"

 

Shinsō raises a brow as he finds his target is none other than the monster of the day, Duncan. What causes him to stare is not the boy's appearance or Quirk, but his name, as he tries reading it to no success.

 

"There's... No way that's a whole name, right?"

 

Duncan goes to reply, but to his surprise, Shōda stops him.

 

"W-Wait! Don't talk to him! Something is... Weird, about that one. I figured I should at least warn whoever has to fight him."

 

Duncan looks down at the miniscule dwarf, but he obliges, though he does give Shinsō a challenging look. Midnight pulls out the next pair.

 

"The next round after that shall be...!!!"

 

Shōto looks over at Kate, who only gives him a polite wave.

 

"Ice powers, huh? I'll try to keep that in mind."

 

He says nothing to her as he looks past the multiple woman and at his future opponent, Duncan. He looks ahead remaining silent as the next round is called.

 

"Mina Ashido versus Shrinking Rae!!!"

 

The pink dancer looks around before Rae pops up from behind her, getting a small yelp from Mina.

 

"Whoa! Hey, you already have a Hero Name picked out!?"

 

"Some of us like having our identities secret, Pinkie."

 

Midnight pulls out the pair before throwing her arms up in a dramatic flair.

 

"Izuku Midoriya versus Eijirō Kirishima!!!"

 

Eijirō grins ear to ear as he taunts his friend with a hand doing devil horns.

 

"About time we see which one of us is truly the toughest! You're about to find out you're not invincible, Midoriya!"

 

Izuku can only rub his neck as he wonders... Can Eijirō actually take what he is capable of? He has only gotten even stronger than before, with no real knowledge of his own limits, especially with One For All.

 

He should be using his Quirk where he can best acclimate himself to its power, to truly learn control, but... So few people in the world can actually handle that level of destruction, right?

 

"OI! DON'T MAKE THAT SAD THINKING FACE! YOU'RE THINKING OF HOLDING BACK ON ME, AREN'TCHA!?!"

 

Eijirō abruptly roared. He snarls at his classmate which has Izuku react as though a lion just roared at him.

 

"I-I wasn't! I wasn't!"

 

"You're terrible at lying! I've seen you move! You better come at me with all you've got!!!"

 

Midnight laughs as she runs her cheek.

 

"There's the burning passionate fire of youth I've been seeing! Blaze on my young wards, because we're not through yet! The match after that one is...!!! Katsuki Bakugo versus Ochako Uraraka!!!"

 

Ochako pales considerably before she slowly turns to see the idly confused Bakugo. He does not even look for her as he stares ahead.

 

"... Who the Hell is that?"

 

Midnight shakes the box for her own amusement and attempt at humor before pulling out the next pair of names.

 

"We're nearing the end, everyone, so get excited! Our next round of thrilling battle will go to...!!! Denki Kaminari versus Fumikage Tokoyami!!!"

 

Denki throws his head back laughing.

 

"Light versus Dark, yeah? This is my win, for sure! Especially with no stupid gimmicks in the way!"

 

Fumikage says nothing as his eyes remain closed in a mediative state. Dark Shadow however speaks up.

 

"Buuut, if we can stick with it past your big shock, don't we win since you'll be too dumb to do anything else but moan?"

 

"Gah! Shuddap! I'll just have to use it wisely! After all, light is a shadow's weakness!'

 

Midnight pulls out the last two names before throwing the entire box away.

 

"And finally we have... Mei Hatsume versus Momo Yaoyozoru!!!!"

 

Mei snaps her head at the regal heroine before bringing her goggles back down giggling.

 

"Inventor against Inventor, eh? My babies are made with real grit and genuine materials! Is your Quirk capable of doing the same?"

 

She banters hoping to stoke up interest in a match that might have potential investors lose interest by being last. Momo however, refuses to play along, as she politely bows.

 

"It'll be a difficult match for me, seeing as you've got a headstart on engineering, but I won't let it be easy for you either."

 

Midnight turns halfway, gesturing towards the commentary tower.

 

"That's my part for this event! Take it away, Present Mic!"

 

Up above, the blonde radio host and powerful shouter grins, his hand slams on his desk as he warms his voice up.

 

[ "ALRIGHT! IT'S TIME FOR OUR THRILL-A-MINUTE FESTIVITIES!!!" ]

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

For the next half-hour, the USA cheerleader squad gives their all in an immaculate performance, all of first year partake in fun games all ranging from playful races and obstacle courses. Optional, but loads of fun, and yet some do not partake of the joyous activities.

 

Alone, in the locker room, Izuku checks his phone before he hears a strange sound. He looks up to see Cecil with his hands over his eyes.

 

"I assume from the lack of screaming that it's safe to look?"

 

"H-How do you do that? Is that your Quirk?"

 

Cecil lowers his hand and gives the young alien a deadpan.

 

"Believe it or not, kid, Quirkless people still exist. You'd know, you were one at some point, right?"

 

Izuku nods with pink cheeks from embarrassment.

 

"Right... Uh, Steadman-san? Where's... Where are the Guardians? Where's All Might? I thought they'd be here by now. Did something come up?"

 

Cecil stares at the boy, as if he is supposed to know something, but in truth Cecil is stuck in a brief debate. Does he tell him everything, does he even tell him anything, or would just enough be enough? He opens his mouth unable to keep his face stoic as he speaks through a scowl.

 

"The Guardians of the Globe are out of commission. Your father met up with them and was attacked by an unknown assailant. There were damages all around the mountain, but most of the fight happened in one spot, and a lot of fire was involved. It's been difficult even telling whose corpse is who's."

 

As he expected, this kid capable of having a fully loaded missile silo crash into him, falls back onto the bench in disbelief at the news.

 

"We're keeping it a secret for now, but at the moment, there's only two survivors. Star Man and Star and Stripe. I know I'd say I'd give you the option to go through UA, and I even told your Principal I wouldn't bring you on until we figure out who's responsible for this... But right now, until your father wakes up, you're one of the few we have to rely on when shit hits the fan... If you haven't thrown out that card yet-"

 

"When do I start."

 

Izuku says. His fists clench, a visible wind at his feet swirl, he bites his lip hard enough to bleed.

 

"I... I can't... I can't let someone like that go free...! I can't just sit here and pretend that you didn't just say...!!! How is it even possible!?!"

 

Cecil places a hand on his shoulder.

 

"We'll figure this out. You focus on where you are now-"

 

"I can't! I can't just ignore that the world is more dangerous than ever before! What'll happen when the rest of the world learns!?!"

 

Izuku asks with teary desperation in his voice. He's scared. He's angry. He's distraught, and yet, above all else is the eagerness. Cecil had heard what Hisashi said about his son. This is proof.

 

Despite there being so little to work with, he understands the absolute state of the situation, and right now all he can think about is how to solve issue.

 

This is someone he needs.

 

"We won't tell them until we're ready, kid... Until, you're, ready. You're still new to this, you've only had two fights in a few weeks, and you'll be facing off against monsters and psychos that have been doing this for years. When this event's over, call me. We'll figure out a schedule to get you ready, but you're going to have to choose. You wanna stay in school? Or are you going into the field? You want to smile for the camera? Or do you want to be the one that actually saves the world?"

 

Izuku does not give his answer immediately. This man is asking him to leave his friends behind. He only has met them recently... But they have been the best part of his life. Cecil pat his shoulder before walking away and leaving Izuku alone with his clouded thoughts. Out of everything he has to think about, only one thing comes to mind, again and again.

 

What would his father do?

Chapter 18: The First Bracket Smackdown!

Summary:

With the first round underway, all the top talent of the youngest heroes of the newest age show off their best performances, some more than others! Who will make it to the next round? How long can certain secrets remain in the dark?

The Cement Hero: Cementoss finished constructing a simple but striking elevated arena. He gives Midnight a thumbs up before leaving, allowing her to take center stage as she shouts into her microphone.

 

"Are we all refreshed? Rested up? Eady and eager to go!?! Good!!! First up is the match between Shinsō Hitoshi, and as he has asked me to call him for the sake of brevity, Duncan the Firebreather!!!"

 

Shinsō Hitoshi vs Firebreather

 

The violet haired teen walks onto the stage as the blonde hybrid meets him on the other side. Midnight raises a hand.

 

"Rules are simple! Keep it clean, but make it interesting, no eye pokes or below the belt strikes for sportsmanship! Quirks are all a go! Ring outs, knockouts, or even forfeit are all ways to achieve victory! If things get too hairy or if you get carried away, I'll put you down myself, and we'll decide the results from there! Got it?!?"

 

She says as she looks between her contestants. Shinsō says nothing, but Duncan raises his hand.

 

"I-I actually got a question. Are you cold or something, miss?"

 

Midnight raises a brow at him tilting her head until he points at his own chest.

 

"You're starting to... Poke, through your suit and you're not exactly... Subtle. Shouldn't you wear something warmer? At least a bra..."

 

There is a collection of laughter from the crowd, even Belloc breaks out a small grin, all while Midnight looks at the closest camera with a sardonic smile before she brings her hand down.

 

"Don't get so distracted by my seductive figure, young man! BEGIN!!!"

 

Duncan rubs his neck as he was trying to be helpful. So many people in Japan have been so kind to him, more than most in America, but he finds himself faced with old taunts that always rile him up as Shinsō speaks.

 

"So you're observant enough to tell when someone's cold but not when you're wanted? You must have selective hearing, freak. Or maybe you've got a thing for old hags? Must share your taste with your monster dad."

 

Duncan's eye twitches, and he growls bearing his fangs, blue eyes flash a golden light of anger yet flush back to being blue as he lunges for his opponent.

 

He could have pounced right on top of him, but he does not want to break this rude bastard with his weight, even landing in front of him seems to make the boy stumble.

 

However, he is deceptively agile, ducking under a right swing, before falling to the ground evading a kick. Shinsō scampers away with a gasp.

 

"You can move that fast-?!? Of course you can...! Born with all those gifts and an ugly mug! I bet that's a fair trade off for being a freak of nature-!"

 

"Rrrgh...!!!"

 

Duncan snarls at the insults, but he refuses to let this racist have the victory of a retort. Shinsō begins to sweat as he rolls backwards from the ground, picking himself up and getting to his feet, just in time to see a frightening sight.

 

Duncan's claws seem short, almost like stumpy nail studs, hardly looking like claws at all. However, the ground he had shown deep clean cuts, as if a powerful water pressure had carved through the stone. A searing hot scalpel surgically weaving through butter was a more apt description.

 

Shinsō swallows a gulp as he watches Duncan's hands close into a fist, waiting for him to launch himself again, Shinsō leaps back when Duncan jumps forward.

 

An earth trembling blow nearly shatters an entire third of the arena and almost throws Shinsō out of the ring entirely. He rolls across the ground panting for air as he has crashed against the splintered ground on his back.

 

"That kind of strength...! Isn't human at all! But I guess you wouldn't know anything about being human, would you!?!"

 

Duncan stomps his foot down as he lands near Shinsō, bringing it back up and placing it on top of the smaller foe's ankle. Shinsō lets out a whine as he is pinned. Nowhere to go, nowhere to hide, as Duncan finally replies.

 

"I! AM NOT! A MONSTER!!!"

 

He roars with fire glowing in his throat. Shinsō smirks as he watches Duncan stiffen up.

 

"I know, because you're a nice guy. So nice that you'll let me win."

 

Shōto raises a brow as he watches. Belloc's eyes lower in disappointment after figuring it out before anyone else. Shinsō stands after being freed from Duncan, dusting himself off, though he winces and walks with a slight limp.

 

"Agh-! I think you messed up my foot... Small price to pay. You can make up for it, by walking out of the arena."

 

Duncan begins to move forward to the edge, his hands clenching into fists as he takes slower steps than Shinsō would like.

 

"I don't actually think you're all that bad, but this was my only shot at beating you, though I was sure you'd have thicker skin... Now throw, yourself, out."

 

Duncan reaches the edge, but stops, shaking for a moment until he abruptly turns around and snatches Shinsō by his throat. Red spills from the smaller boy's throat as he tries to pull himself free from an ironclad grip. He nearly faints from the speed of which he is thrown out of the ring. He grasps his sore throat and feels a slick wetness, the thick warm blood that is not his own, as Duncan had punctured his own palms to escape the hypnosis.

 

Shinsō sighs, hanging his head, then throwing it back as he looks at the sky. At the King of Kaiju, who speaks to him.

 

"Such A Power Has No Strength To Bend The Mighty Will Of A Kaiju, Whelp. However, That, Was Your Only Mistake."

 

Belloc seems to subtly fall for the trap his Quirk has, as he wanted to tell the lizard what for, but immediately he reaches for his skull as his mind begins to ache.

 

Aloud, the King says nothing, but through telepathy Shinsō is given a grim warning.

 

("Stay Out Of A Mind You Cannot Hope To Comprehend.")

 

When Shinsō finally shakes his headache free and the largest beast of all leaves his mind, he looks up to see Duncan looking down at him. He looks, furious. It quite frightened Shinsō, but he knew he had hit some sensitive topics, and so he stands again.

 

"I lost... Good luck, or, whatever."

 

Duncan folds his arms but he does speak past clenched teeth.

 

"You're a jerk... But crafty. I only won because I hurt myself to break whatever that was. It was smart... And, if you really didn't mean any of it, then I can forgive you."

 

Duncan stiffens again but is freed as Shinsō releases him wearing a smug grin.

 

"It was all just to get a reply. That's how my Quirk works. Anyone that responds to me is under my control... Quite the villainous power, no?"

 

"... No more villainous than scales, claws, and breathing fire."

 

Duncan replies as he turns away from him to make his own way back to Class 1-A's waiting room. Shinsō makes his way to General Studies, but stops hearing his peers cheer for him, and even more than that...

 

The Pros.

 

"What an awesome Quirk! It'd be so useful against my Villains!"

 

"You could safely get information out of someone or even minimize danger with it!"

 

"I gotta look this kid up after this is all done. He's got moves too, he isn't some creepy nerd like you'd expect from someone with a Quirk like that."

 

Some biases can never fade, but as far as the larger public perception is concerned, he finally has made himself known to be someone that isn't some creep.

 

Just a kid, not unlike the rest, wanting to be a Hero. Midnight throws up a hand while signaling for the staff.

 

"What a startling first match! Brains versus Brawn! And at the end of it all, a Battle of Wills! Duncan the Firebreather moves onto the second round!!!"

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

In between fixing the arena as preparations for the second round begins, Shōto finds himself approached by his father. Endeavor starts to walk past him, but stops.

 

"How long will you play these games, boy? Sure, you will find this battle easy... But what will happen when you find your back against the wall? Just as your life had nearly been lost before, because you're acting in such childish defiance, will you give up your chance here just to spite me by handicapping yourself?"

 

Shōto says nothing, but his hand clenches tightly within his pockets. Endeavor scoffs and continues walking away.

 

"The world is changing, boy. Be careful what you wish for... You may get it in ways you'd never thought possible."

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

In some time, the arena is fixed, and the next match is set to begin with Midnight gesturing to each entrant.

 

"For our second round! All the way from North America, representing the Teen Team: Dupli-Kate! And her opponent, the half 'n half prodigy of Class 1-A: Shōto Todoroki!"

 

Kate stretches a bit before she watches and notices Shōto's intense expression.

 

"I saw how scary that ice of yours is. Care to give me a five second headstart?"

 

Only five seconds? Why would he even entertain that? Then again, his father would not, and upon thinking that...

 

"... Do what you want. It won't matter. I'm in a bad mood."

 

Shōto Todoroki vs Katherine Cha

 

Kate grins as Midnight starts the fight after bringing her hand down. Immediately, a small army, almost a hundred clones surround Shōto at once.

 

"Can you freeze us all at once?"

 

They all ask. He merely brings a frozen hand up before swinging his arm around. He answers her taunt by doing just that, as a spiraling glacier nearly pokes into the audience, even the three giant spectators begin to lean back from the chilling bite of Shōto's cold fury.

 

"Easy- Oof!"

 

He grunts as his cheek is flattened by the heel of a foot. Only one Kate escaped by launching herself off of one of her copies, hiding amongst herself, they worked together to send the lone survivor high into the air.

 

Because only one needs to be unfrozen to win. 

 

She lands a flying kick in his jaw, briefly stunning him. She cannot allow this powerhouse a moment to breathe, and as she lands, immediately turns as she lands low just to spring upwards with a powerful uppercut.

 

She throws a karate chop at his throat as his neck is exposed, leaving him with no breathing at all, but to her shock? Her jab for his nose is caught, and all at once, even as her clone begins to emerge? Kate is defeated as she is frozen instantly.

 

Midnight jumps up and down, hugging herself as she tries to see the fight.

 

"I-I heard punches landing and a gasp! Uh! Hello? Anyone there? Our cameras can't see any of this! Aie-!"

 

She yelps as she feels something wrap around her. Belloc uses his tail, which she swore was much larger last she saw it, yet now it is spindly enough to only cover her stomach. He lifts her up and points showing Shōto standing amongst a frozen gallery of Kates.

 

"O-Oh! Thank you for the elevated view! Ahem! Dupli-Kate seemingly had the upper hand in numbers, but against such an unyielding blizzard? She stood no match! Shōto Todoroki moves onto the second round!!!"

 

She places a hand over the microphone and bats a flirtatious playful wink at the King of Monsters.

 

"You know, for a world threatening beast, you're surprisingly gentle when handling a dainty lady such as myself! ~"

 

"You Are Anything But Gentle And Fragile. I Know Warriors When I See Them... If My Son Were To Attend This Facility. Would He Be Treated Well?"

 

The question catches her off guard. She studied Kaiju to some degree, cryptids and monsters, guardian spirits. Most have no family in the human sense, and those that do have no true fondness for them, at least not outside of their status or use. 

 

It is oddly human and enlightening of Belloc to ask such a... Normal, question. She cannot help but smile.

 

"I've been keeping an eye on him like the rest of us. He's got a bad temper! However, he has a passionate heart! He'd fit like a glove in UA! Thinking of enrolling him?"

 

She says, pretending to plead as she adopts her signature begging puppy eyes. She does this out of habit, and nearly regrets it as the eyelid of the king lowers, displaying an almost weary or annoyed expression.

 

"Unfortunately... I Am."

 

He then bellows loudly.

 

"DUNCAN!!! Help Thaw Them Out! Pick Up Your Jaw, Child!"

 

Duncan, who had been transfixed upon seeing a glimpse of Shōto's true power, blushes and growls at his father's taunt, but he obliges as he takes flight.

 

"Don't tell me what to do!"

 

As Duncan and Shōto free Kate from her icy prison, and Belloc lowers Midnight to the ground, she blows a kiss at the tail.

 

"You're more caring than you let on! ~ It's kind of cute!"

 

"Be Wary Of Your Honeyed Words, Vulgar Woman. I May Assume Your Platitudes As An Invitation."

 

She uses this to bolster her own popularity by playing into her gimmick, letting out a haughty laugh.

 

"I wouldn't live up to my title as R-Rated if I didn't at least entertain the idea! ~ But there's a time and a place, and I'll tell you mine later, for now we're moving onto the next match!"

 

Duncan sticks his tongue out at the two as he helps one of the Kates out of the floral glacier.

 

"Ugh... Just one of me is enough, I don't need a sibling."

 

Kate, who had only heard the tail end of the conversation, scoffs in mild disgust.

 

"I guess... Love can come in all shapes and sizes..."

 

Shōto approaches her as her clones all return to one singular being.

 

"You hit hard. Sorry I ended the fight so fast."

 

She rolls her wrist, dismissing him with a smile.

 

"At least you were as fast as getting me out as you were freezing me in the first place! I've died from freezing to death before? It isn't any fun."

 

At that, both boys look at her with wide eyes, and she elaborates.

 

"None of my copies are just, copies. They're all me, so sometimes when they die, I still feel and remember what that's like. It makes being a Hero all the more important to me that we save people's lives. I wouldn't wish some of these fates on anyone... So-!"

 

She gives Shōto a thumbs up.

 

"I think you're gonna go far!! It hurts that you're already better than me at this, but that's UA for ya! Good luck, Todoroki-san!"

 

Shōto leaves with Duncan and finds himself thinking about it. Death. How close some of his latest peers have come to it, and now he knows someone that has experienced it...

 

So why do they seem so nice? Wouldn't that ruin you? Would it ruin him? He thinks more and more until he is pulled away as someone bumps into him.

 

"Ah-! Midoriya?"

 

Izuku blinks for a moment. He had not budged while Shōto nearly fell backwards.

 

"... Oh. Sorry. Excuse me."

 

Is all he says as he goes towards the arena with an eager Eijirō gabbing away with a deluge of words. Shōto has never seen Izuku so... Despondent.

 

Even when he was quite literally dying.

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

Midnight raises her hand.

 

"This time we've got the Toughest Student in Class 1-A: Eijirō Kirishima, versus the Golden Boy: Izuku Midoriya! Alright you two, see if you can top the last one!"

 

Eijirō punches his fists, grinding his hardened knuckles together.

 

"Alright! I wantcha to hit me with your best shot! I'll answer in kind!"

 

Izuku's dull green eyes briefly flash a strange look. He then raises a fist as Midnight brings her hand down to start the match.

 

"Kirishima... I need to know something... Sorry."

 

Eijirō runs right at him and swings with all his might as his spiked fists bash right into Izuku's cheek.

 

"IF YOU'VE GOT A QUESTION! I'LL ANSWER IT WITH MY FIST, MIDORIYA!!! ... eh?"

 

He finds his knuckles... Hurting. Bits chips and his hand cracks slightly as his Quirk barely protects himself from hurting himself. Izuku's eyes glow with power as he charges the full one-hundred percent of One For All...

 

And strikes.

 

Izuku Midoriya vs Eijirō Kirishima

 

Eijirō wakes up. Everything is numb. The clouds are so thick, dark, and the rain is the only thing he can faintly hear past the deafening ringing in his ears. His hearing slowly returns as his vision sharpens, a shadow looms over him, glaring into his eyes, staring into the core of his soul. He is deep inside of some kind of, trench? No, a pit, as water is gathering around them from the downpour. He finally takes in a sharp gasp before he begins breathing quickly.

 

Did his heart stop?

 

He feels no pain, and yet this is the worst he has ever felt in his life. He clutches his chest, but his eyes are locked with this strange being above him, an arm outstretched that he slowly follows to see a most terrifying truth. It is a fist, one at the bottom of a shallow pool, the epicenter of their landing. 

 

The source of this abyssal chasm that they lie in.

 

Eijirō remembers everything as he looks back up at the stoic face of his classmate. He had struck Izuku, and despite his best efforts, merely moving his head had forced Eijirō back a couple of steps. A powerful wind had knocked him off of his stumbling feet, and he fell, which Izuku took advantage of. He purposefully missed striking Eijirō at all, and though he wouldn't see the full results of this unassuming boy's power...

 

He could feel it in his bones. In his chilled blood. His mind racing hard and his heart having stopped from sheer fright of the impossible strength at display.

 

Outside, the world would see the fastest match of the Sports Festival this year. Eijirō lands an ineffective hit, before everything blurs, with sound being lost for a time. The arena sinks first, then the outer edges rise into stony crags, towering rocky spires created from the impact of what could only be compared to a meteor strike. Even the towering titans fall over, the ground at a foundational level cracks heavily, as glass all around shatter.

 

The once sunny sky with some clouds above has thickened, and rain has fallen down, a single punch changing the weather. A fantastical feat not achieved by any singular person, save for one man, the Number One Pro Hero of Japan.

 

Izuku stares at the now trembling Eijirō as the redhead finally processes all that has occurred. He asks him as he finally stands up straight.

 

"If I had hit you, do you think you would have survived?"

 

Eijirō says nothing for a time. What is there to say? The answer is obvious, but Izuku waits for him to reply, even with all the evidence surrounding the entire stadium.

 

"... no... n-no i'd... you would've killed me..."

 

Eijirō sees a hand offered to him, and he takes it. Why wouldn't he? However, everything about this person before him is, different. Intense. Terrifying.

 

"That's the same strength I used to fight Battle Beast. It wasn't enough to stop him then... It's not enough now... We have to be better. Understand?"

 

Eijirō nods repeatedly. Is he, intimidated? Of course he is. How could he not be? But, it is not the display of strength that scares him at all. It is how Izuku refuses to look him in the eyes now, how earlier, he looked so... Vacant. Empty.

 

Defeated.

 

As if he was running on autopilot.

 

"I-I know I asked you not to hold back... B-But... D-Do you think... You could go back to doing that? This is..."

 

Izuku finally looks at him again, and he starts returning to normal, that face of earnest worry and nervous insecurity. The innocence, however, is gone. That funny dorky smile that gave Izuku his charm, is gone. Only the fear of something remains.

 

"Ye-Yes, yes I... I just needed to see for myself... If anyone could handle that... Now I know."

 

Midnight would have climbed over the many rising cliffs, but Belloc had assisted her again, as two of his escorts left the arena. According to the King, they could manipulate the weather, and left to bring back a clear sky. She peers over the shadowy chasm until she sees Izuku flying up carrying an unscathed Eijirō.

 

The redhead holds his hand out.

 

"Oh! S-Sensei...! I uh, I forfeit. I can't compete against this...! N-Not yet."

 

Midnight glances between the two, but she sees it as well, how absurdly powerful Izuku is. She has known for a while since Aizawa's personal test. Even so, not even she believed he was capable of such destructive capabilities.

 

"Understood! Ahem-! Izuku Midoriya wins this round! He will be moving on! Uh... C-Cementoss...?"

 

She awkwardly calls out. She is set down before both Cementoss and Belloc flatten the arena, the Dragon King lifting the largest rocks and devouring them to make room for renovations.

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

While reconstruction occurs, Eijirō meets with Class 1-A, Mina immediately noticing his shaken nature.

 

"What was THAT?!? Why did Midori attack you like that!?!"

 

Jirō scowls as she folds her arms.

 

"I knew he was no good. All that power but then he acts all clumsy and clueless? He was suspicious to me from the start."

 

Fumikage grumbles.

 

"No, this is out of character for him... Something is wrong. Kirishima! Did you notice anything?"

 

Eijirō nods, rubbing his neck.

 

"He's... Out of it. Like, he ain't all there. Not under hypnosis like Duncan was, but like, he was thinking about anything else... I don't know how to really explain but it felt like he was trying to tell me something."

 

Bakugo looks past him before snarling.

 

"He ain't behind you... Where'd he go!?!"

 

Ochako, who had been watching closely, noticed that Izuku flew past everyone using his ludicrous speed. She would have missed him had she not watched him so intently since they floated out of the crater. She goes to the waiting room while the rest of 1-A mingles in discomfort. She finds no trace of him.

 

"What are you looking for, Uraraka?"

 

Ochako jumps, accidentally squeaking in surprise as she snaps at Tsuyu, who had merely followed right behind her.

 

"Shhh! I'm! Looking for Midoriya! I saw him try to sneak past us...! He's hiding something."

 

"Eijirō said as much. Ever since the Calvary Battle, he's been acting weird. Let me look with you. He's probably in the locker rooms since no one else should be there. He'd be all alone which is what I'd like to be if I were upset."

 

Ochako grows flustered and prods her fingers together.

 

"B-But that's for boys only... Right?"

 

Tsuyu tilts her head in response.

 

"If you're worried enough to look for him, something as small as that shouldn't stop you, but maybe you're right. He could be taking a shower and that would be awkward."

 

"Precisely!"

 

Ochako says with her nose in the air. She then begins to slouch in minor defeat as Tsuyu brings up her counterargument.

 

"The only issue is that the fight didn't even last ten seconds, so he wouldn't be dirty enough to sweat, and even Kirishima was only covered in rainwater. Not mud or dirt. If he needed a towel to dry off, we have plenty in the waiting room, and no spare uniforms to change into without alerting staff... Which, he can't do right now, because almost all the staff are fixing the arena right now."

 

"Okay, okay! We're headed to the boy's locker room! Sheesh! He probably just wants to be left alone."

 

The two brave the male locker room, but as they enter? There is no sound of running water or clothes rustling, they hide behind the lockers upon hearing a conversation.

 

"That was unnecessary, don't you think?"

 

Tsuyu hears an older voice. Izuku replies weakly.

 

"I... I don't know what I was thinking. I wanted him to be strong enough... I want to stay here, at school, at UA... I want to be with my friends..."

 

Ochako brings a hand to her chest as she can hear him choke up. Cecil then asks him.

 

"We both know what you want. So, why are you here instead of being with them? Why are you trying to chase them off?"

 

"Because, I'm too dangerous to be around them. I need to be stronger to keep the planet safe... And yet I'm too strong to attend UA... How pathetic is that? Being too strong and not strong enough... Steadman-san... I think... I shouldn't be here anymore."

 

Ochako's eyes widen. Who is this guy Izuku is talking to? She looks at Tsuyu's who can only look back at her blankly. They both risk it by peeking around the corner. Cecil stands in front of an Izuku that sits on the bench, the older man has his arms folded and wears a disappointed glower.

 

"The kind of responsibilities you'll be taking can only be handled when you're on your A-Game. That, wasn't your A-Game..."

 

Izuku flinches as if the words physically hurt him. Cecil relaxes as he takes a seat next to the young boy.

 

"I'm not going to whip your ass and scold you, either. You're young, you have options, and you've got your whole life ahead of you. Ask your teachers first. Talk with those friends of yours. I want you to make this decision without any second guesses. You're not the chosen one or something... But you are our best bet against what we're going to be up against in the future. Okay?"

 

Izuku sniffles as he looks up. He silently stifles his sobs in vain as his tears drag themselves out of his bloodshot eyes.

 

"... He's really dead... Isn't he..."

 

Cecil looks ahead. He leans forward and sighs, resting his elbows on his knees.

 

"All Might... Was a friend. A good friend. Losing him will hurt more than any other superhero... Which is why we need you to be strong. Grieve, like you're doing right now, privately. Feeling anger or sadness is normal, good even, but as of now? You're his legacy. Make it something to be proud of. I've gotta go."

 

He stands and then looks directly at the spying girls. They swiftly pull their heads behind cover. He taps his ear piece before speaking up again.

 

"Star Man's stabilized. We're not sure when he'll wake up... But, we'll keep you updated. He won't be dying anytime soon."

 

With that, Cecil vanishes in a flash of light, and finally Izuku lets everything out. The girls awkwardly sit in silence listening to his pitiful wails, until Tsuyu finally leaves the room, but finds herself caught by some of the boys. Denki leans to the side trying to look past her.

 

"Whoa! ~ Tsuyu-chan! What're you doing in there?"

 

Īda elbows him before taking the conversation over.

 

"You do know that this is the male locker room? Yes?"

 

She sputters and stammers trying to figure out an excuse until Ochako comes out wearing an angry pout.

 

"My underwear's gone missing! We've been looking for it and couldn't find it anywhere! Then, lo and behold, I find it in one of the open lockers in there! Anyone want to tell me who stole them!?"

 

At that, all the boys present begin to pale, although none of them were guilty of a crime that never occurred. Still, one was quick to throw a likely suspect under the bus, as Denki points at Mineta.

 

"Hey! If anyone here was dumb enough to do that? It'd be this moron!"

 

Mineta glares at him before throwing an accusatory finger at Denki.

 

"As if you're some patron saint of chastity, Kaminari! Last I checked, it was YOUR idea to try and get the girls in cheerleading outfits!"

 

Ochako overpowers them both with a shout.

 

"ZIP IT!!! The locker rooms are a crime scene now, so no one goes in, or else you'll mess it up! I'm even going to be talking to Aizawa-sensei about this! So unless you'd like to fess up to the crime? Get Lost!"

 

Most of the boys flee, but Īda remains, diligently doing his duty as Class President.

 

"Would you have any idea whose locker it is? Such depraved acts of sexual misconduct will not be tolerated!"

 

Tsuyu then speaks up, knowing Īda could at least be trusted.

 

"We just wanted to give Midoriya space... Something, bad, has happened..."

 

Ochako then explains.

 

"We don't really understand it but, someone is trying to get him to quit UA, and he seems... Weird... Like, official. I've never seen him before but he seemed familiar with Midoriya..."

 

Tsuyu stands in front of the door as if to block it.

 

"He just needs time."

 

Īda looks between them, adjusting his glasses.

 

"... It is rather uncouth to come up with such a lie... However, I'll oblige you this one time! Hopefully, Midoriya can confide in us his troubles. He may be exceptionally powerful, but he is still one of us."

 

He takes his leave, and though his words comfort the girls, Tsuyu cannot help but look back and wonder if Izuku himself feels like that anymore...

Chapter 19: Our Ultimatum...

Summary:

With a choice put before him and the pressure of the world weighing down, Izuku tries to find advice from both students and staff, before ultimately making his decision... However, the patience of the Dragon King wears thin, and after yet another one-sided battle? He forces his hand.

The next match begins, with Belloc striking the newly built stage with his tail a few times.

 

"With The Reinforcement Of My Flame, It Should Hold Now. Not Even Your Atomic Bombs Could Crack This."

 

Cementoss wipes his head. Being so close to the King of Kaiju's legendary fire breath made him reconsider every trying to trap the beast. However, he sees Belloc and his kind in a much better light, especially with how accommodating he has been despite his role as purely as a spectator.

 

"Let's hope so, your highness...! Thank you for your assistance."

 

Belloc merely grunts in reply as Midnight shouts into her microphone.

 

"The next match!! The Cotton Candy Sweetie of Class 1-A: Mina Ashido!! Versus! The Shrinking Rae of the Teen Team!!!"

 

Mina gives a nervous smile, holding her hands out.

 

"H-Hey! You're not going to go inside of me and like, do weird stuff to my insides, are you?"

 

At that, Rae shakes her head, popping her knuckles as she dons a knowing smirk.

 

"Nah, I only do that to serial killers and psychos. Plus, I can tell that your acid is no joke... But you're not gonna win this thing. Have you ever been punched before?"

 

Mina rubs her head looking away trying to look cute.

 

"I-I uh! Hehehe! A-About that! ~ You look...! Kinda tough! But don't you uh, look down on me! Have you actually fought those kinds of bad guys before?"

 

"How about I show you how I dealt with them instead of tell you?"

 

Mina Ashido vs Shrinking Rae

 

Midnight brings her hand down, then winces as she briefly closes one eye, wanting to look away. Mina had thrown a splash of acid out, but Rae leapt forward, changing size from small to dodge the splash, then back to big in time to grab Mina's shoulders. 

 

Rae used her own momentum to swing herself high and over Mina before landing behind her, her arms now putting Mina's throat in a vice grip as she entered a headlock.

 

She then adds onto the pressure as she shrinks ever so slightly while Mina gags for air.

 

"Sorry, I've been training for this my whole life. Can't let this opportunity slip past me...!!!"

 

Mina taps her arm mouthing her surrender, which to her grateful mercy, has Rae release her. Rae then offers her a hand as Midnight calls the winner.

 

"... You're too nice, but I can see you've got potential! You could've just melted me away with that acid of yours."

 

Mina replies between coughs as she takes Rae's hand.

 

"I-I don't! Melt people! Aghck! Sheesh! Y-You were... You... You're...!!!"

 

Rae leans back expecting to be lambasted or shouted at. Instead, she nearly falls over, as Mina gets in her face beaming from ear to ear.

 

"YOU'RE SO COOL!!! That was an awesome move-! I didn't even see that! You gotta teach me it before you leave for the States! Seriously!!!"

 

"Ah-! Ahaha? U-Uh? S-Sure thing...!  It might actually be just what you need since being a Hero ain't exactly all sunshine and rainbows."

 

Midnight exclaims with a proud cheer.

 

"Such camaraderie! That's what we here at UA call, Plus Ultra! And, we don't have to fix the arena this time either!! Thank you, girls! ~ Now, onto our next match!"

 

Denki Kaminari vs Fumikage Tokoyami 

 

As Denki and Fumikage begin their match, elsewhere Momo reunites with her class, surprising some with her absence.

 

"H-Hey, so? What was with that earthquake earlier? Some of the walls in the rooms and hallways have cracks in them...!"

 

She asks. Jirō replies with mild disdain.

 

"That weirdo, Midoriya, nearly killed Kirishima!"

 

Eijirō speaks up, shaken still, but defensive in tone as he speaks for their controversial peer.

 

"Hey! I asked him to do that! I just! I didn't think he'd be so strong is all...!"

 

Mineta points ahead as Denki manages to slide and weave past Dark Shadow, and unleash his full might, seemingly shocking Fumikage into defeat.

 

"That's being strong. Whatever Midoriya is, that's a whole other level! Where have you been, Yaoyozoru?"

 

She rolls her eyes as she watches Denki fall for Fumikage's trap, a risky gamble by feigning vulnerability, barely defending himself with his Quirk as Dark Shadow had concentrated its true mass around his body. When the electric storm dies down, Dark Shadow seizes the stupefied Denki, and throws his stunned classmate out of the arena.

 

"I was speaking with Hatsume-san. In truth, I'm worried about our battle, so I was hoping to scope out a weakness or even at least understand her mindset. We ended up just... Talking. I lost track of time- What exactly happened?"

 

Satō rubs his head trying his best to explain it.

 

"W-Well... Midoriya, almost broke everything."

 

"... What...?"

 

She asks with wide eyes. Bakugo scoffs as he barks out.

 

"That red-headed bozo asked for Deku's strongest punch. He got it, and he missed on purpose, because he would've killed the idiot! We already know he's stupid strong so I don't know why some of you are acting so weird!"

 

Momo hugs herself in thought. Then, she looks around once again noticing some absentees.

 

"Where's Uraraka? A-And Asui-chan?"

 

Sero wears an incredulous grin as he points at Mineta.

 

"Tweedle Perv here along with Tweedle Stupid over there ended up stealing Uraraka's underwear! ~ She and Tsuyu were looking for it and found it in someone's locker! No telling whose, but you already know my guess!"

 

Mineta grows sour as he lifts his head up with great dignity to his self-righteous retort.

 

"And this pervert is telling you he didn't do it! Looking is no crime, but thieving? I don't want to get expelled!"

 

Momo gives him a soft glare, too weary and not at all willing to engage with their shenanigans. Īda then reports to her.

 

"They're still investigating the locker room... I believe her and Bakugo-san are next. Could you go and get her? I still have to carry out my own investigation on this delinquent behavior!"

 

She sighs but nods.

 

"I'll go fetch her... Whoever is responsible for this WILL answer to Hound Dog!"

 

She states strictly enough to get even the clearly innocent students to flinch before leaving. Eijirō jokes as he tugs at his shirt collar.

 

"I think she's tied with Midoriya for being scary...!"

 

Jirō rolls her eyes at him.

 

"Could you quit trying to cover for him? He hasn't even come out to apologize! He just, vanished!"

 

Shōto speaks up then, albeit under his breath, looking at the card Cecil gave him.

 

"He might be talking with someone..."

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

Momo makes her way to the Class 1-A Waiting Room and runs into a hasty Ochako and Tsuyu. The acorn head yelps upon seeing her.

 

"Is it my turn yet...?!?"

 

Momo offers her a small smile.

 

"There's some time left, but you better hurry. Did you ever figure out who stole your underwear? I can't believe someone would do something so-!"

 

She starts, only to notice the odd expressions on the girls' faces. Tsuyu then reveals the truth. 

 

"That was just a lie. Midoriya is in the boy's locker room. We grew worried because he was acting odd so we wanted to let him be by himself."

 

Ochako then bows.

 

"I'm so sorry for starting that! No one's stolen anything! I just...! Said what I thought would work...!"

 

Momo's eyebrow twitches for a moment. However, she lets loose a sigh of relief.

 

"At least we won't have to report anyone to the guidance counselor... Uraraka-san, please, get to the arena before you're counted as tardy. Kaminari and Tokoyami's match just ended. I'll speak with Midoriya."

 

The two begin to make their way to the arena, but Tsuyu stops and looks back.

 

"Momo-chan! There was a man talking with him named, Steadman... He's trying to convince Midoriya to leave UA. I don't think he should leave, even after what he did, so... Help him see that."

 

Momo gives her a serious nod and makes her way to the boy's locker room. She enters and hears Izuku's weak sniffles. When she turns the corner around one of the lockers, she can see he has been crying for some time, and it is not like his usual shaken nerves. He is grief stricken. What could have happened to make him seem so, weak?

 

So small?

 

"Midoriya?"

 

He jolts, jumping to his feet as if he had been caught red handed committing a crime. When he sees who has caught him, his tense shoulders relax, but his miserable state remains.

 

"A-Ah... Y-Yaoyozoru..."

 

"I... Heard, about your match. I didn't see what happened, I was elsewhere...! Would you care to help me figure out what happened?"

 

She takes the initiative and sits down on the bench next to him, and he sits as well, although reluctant to address his lowly moment.

 

"... I'm not even sure what to say... If I should even say it..."

 

"Friendships are about trust, Midoriya. I trusted you with my life on that day against the invaders, and with getting me home, but can you not trust me in kind?"

 

It was a low blow, but she needed to get to the bottom of whatever was ruining him, because she knew it must have been something... Serious. Izuku keeps his eyes to the ground. He begins choking up again before he puts his face into his hands.

 

"... All Might... Is dead... And before he died, before the school year began, he mentored me for the Entrance Exams... He taught me so much in ten months... And the Quirk I have... It was his. He gave me his power, because he believed in me, and that got him killed-! I-!"

 

He starts to break down but Momo raises her voice at him.

 

"Midoriya! Sit up straight!"

 

"H-Huh...???"

 

He asks looking up at her before leaning back as she scolds him.

 

"When speaking with someone, you make eye contact with them, and speak clearly! All Might said that before in one of his interviews... He also, wouldn't want you to be the way you are now, would he?"

 

Midoriya follows her instructions and gives a small shake of his head.

 

"N-No... He'd... He'd try to move forward..."

 

"And how would your father handle this?"

 

At that, he begins to shrink.

 

"I'm not him... Not even close... And he was critically injured... Someone attacked the Guardians and-! ... I'm... I just don't know what to do!"

 

She realizes her attempts at getting him back on track forcefully... Backfires. He is receding into a shell, and she awkwardly feels guilty for taking the tough approach for this. 

 

So, she places a gentle hand on his arm.

 

"Where did you hear this from? Are you sure it wasn't some, strange lie, or incomplete information? I just can't imagine Star Man or All Might being beaten by anyone!"

 

"... I..."

 

Izuku relents. He tells her all that he can. He tells her of Cecil, his opportunities at the cost of his leave, even his encounter with Allen and his training with All Might. He tells her, everything.

 

Momo sits there taking everything in. She never saw the fight with Battle Beast, and she only heard bits and pieces of it, not exactly being a fan of gorey details.

 

But now they sit in silence, and with Cecil fully explained along with his offer, what does she even say? If anyone was qualified for essentially special operations training for Heroes... It'd be Izuku Midoriya.

 

However, she has fought with him, and she has even spent enough time with him to know, he may be a fighter... But he is no soldier. She takes his hand then, after throwing away a tissue she made for him.

 

"You seem to have calmed down. Let's go with the others. We're waiting on you, you know?"

 

He looks up at her and gives way to her pull. He even manages on a small smile as the approach the audience stands.

 

"Thank you, Momo."

 

"You're still on thin ice with me after the Calvary Battle. I'll only accept a private flight as an apology."

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

They go outside and immediately an explosion takes their attention. Ochako stumbles backwards as she rolls to her feet, running around Bakugo, who has nary a scratch on him.

 

Katsuki Bakugo vs Ochako Uraraka

 

There is an awkward silence that had not been around since Izuku's match with Eijirō. Present Mic, who had been doing commentary between matches, finds it hard to even attempt a quip at this.

 

"Someone should stop the fight! Th-This is getting out of hand!"

 

"How could anyone be this cruel to a classmate...?"

 

"We get it, you're stronger than her dude! Just! Send her out already!"

 

However, Aizawa finally speaks up.

 

[ "Seems we have some fools in the crowd. Are the ones who said that Pros? You may as well leave and check for job hunting sites." ]

 

Ochako grins as she brings her fingers together, and Bakugo looks up, snarling as he watches a meteor storm fall right at him. She had been using the debris he had been creating with his attacks to create an attack of her own.

 

[ "Uraraka hasn't gotten this far with luck. Bakugo recognizes her as a worthy opponent. Hence, his cautio-" ]

 

"DIE!!!"

 

Bakugo barks as he releases a powerful explosion that destroys the attack in one shot. In the quietness of it all, the King of Kaiju has been awaiting this moment. An opportunity to do what must be done. To ensure peace, as he agreed with Star Man, Kaiju must fall. Belloc, speaks up.

 

"A Rabbit Faces A Tiger. There Is No Glory Nor Equality Here. Just A Waste Of Time. A Waste of MY Time."

 

His tail slams against the ground, his large claws press down on the weakened Stadium, and panic begins to ensue as he glares down at Bakugo.

 

"You Worthless Hapless Whelp! You Claimed Victory In This War Of Ours! Yet All I Have Seen Is Human Mediocrity From You!"

 

"What was that you oversized newt!?!"

 

Bakugo shouts at the Great King. Belloc roars, the sound wave of his mighty war cry threatens to pop the skulls of countless people who all have to take cover.

 

"I Care Not For Formalities! I Tire Of These Inanities! No More Pleasantries! No Longer! Duncan! You Shall Fulfill Your Role Here And Now! This Human Seeks To Prove Himself, Declare War, Then Has The Gall To Underperform! Test His Might, Lest I Lose What Little Patience I Have Left...!!!"

 

His glare shifts to the commentary tower as he glares directly at the two teachers.

 

"AND I DON'T WANT TO HEAR A WHISPER FROM EITHER OF YOU!!! This! Is My Ultimatum! This! Is Our War!"

 

As he says this, the clouds begin to grow thick once again with lightning flashing, detailing numerous flying shadows. His tail swipes and strikes the arena, sending Ochako away and nearly blowing Bakugo off of it as well. The gravity girl, too tired to make herself float, finds herself caught in the air as Izuku holds her before a hard landing.

 

"T-Thanks Midoriya...! I... I really did my best...!"

 

"You did great... It's just that we have a tough crowd today."

 

Bakugo readies his palms as fire erupts from them.

 

"WAAH WAAH WAAH! STOP FUCKING CRYING, BITCH!"

 

Bakugo turns upon hearing something land nearby. He turns to see Duncan, wearing a grim scowl, his wings flex before he enters a simple open handed stance. 

 

"... Sorry, dude..."

 

"Tsk! You're sorry? Then just lay down and die-!"

 

Bakugo roars as he swings an explosive hook. Duncan weaves it before he reaches out with his claws, tearing Bakugo's shirt, but he dives in and places both hands right on Duncan's abdomen.

 

"DIE!!!"

 

Duncan skids back coughing out a winded breath. Bakugo chases after him, sending a backhand against Duncan's cheek, then winces, pulling his fist back as he swings a spiraling palm. Wind spins around his arm as the explosion erupts with even more power than before against Duncan's now bruised face.

 

"Hitting you directly is a bad idea, huh? Then I just gotta blow you away, non-stop!"

 

He shouts as he unleashes a series of explosions that force Duncan to stumble back as his clothes burn away, his body begins to wear under constant abuse, but he reaches past the flames.

 

"STUN GRENADE!!!"

 

Duncan's eyes dilate as Bakugo releases a blinding light. He then strafes to the side, allowing Duncan to take blind steps forward, guiding him into an uppercut. 

 

He goes low before launching himself forward in a full spin.

 

"HOWITZER IMPACT!!!"

 

Duncan flies near the edge of the arena, but he stays ground, and even grabs hold of Bakugo's sides. The blonde dynamite grits his teeth as the claws dig into his muscles. 

 

Duncan lifts Bakugo up, then brings him down using a power bomb, the shorter fighter losing consciousness as his head crashes against the tempered stone. Bakugo begins to wake up, and tries to swing at Duncan, only for his hand to be slapped away by a wrist parrying the attack. Duncan had lifted Bakugo while unconscious to his feet, pushing him away just as he woke up, then digs his fist into the blonde's stomach. 

 

Bakugo's feet are lifted off the ground from the monstrous blow, and he lands on unstable footing, clutching his stomach as he bends over. He realizes his mistake just a moment too late, as Duncan brings both fists down on his back, his whole body landing with an audible thude.

 

Duncan lifts him up and throws him out of the arena.

 

"NOT YET!!!!"

 

Bakugo roars as he blasts himself back into the arena. Only to be caught in a haymaker. He struggles to push himself off of the ground, and much to his ire, Duncan helps him to his feet just to strangle him with a crushing grip around his throat. The first choke slam has him lose what little air he had left in his lungs. The second choke slam stole what remaining strength he could muster. The third choke slam has his stubborn bones crack as the reinforced stone gives way breaking at the surface layer as Bakugo lies on the ground.

 

Defeated.

 

Belloc looks on with disgust.

 

"Where Is Your Potential, Son Of Man? Where Is The True Strength Of Mankind? Enough! I Shall Entertain This No More! Remove Him From My Sight!"

 

Duncan stares down at Bakugo, blood leaking from his brow and the corners of his mouth.

 

"Throw Him Out Of The Arena! Or Kill Him! I Don't Care Which!"

 

"... No... This... Isn't right. I-I...!"

 

He turns to his father.

 

"Why are we doing this??? We were getting along just fine! You! Were having fun! Why did we just... Ruin everything?! I'm not! A monster! Like you! I'm human enough to know... What I just did was wrong...!!! And I won't obey you anymore!!!"

 

Belloc raises a brow and wears a smirk.

 

"You Would Sacrifice These Lives Just To Fight Me?"

 

He says as he leans against the Stadium causing it to creak and groan. People begin to panic, Pros and Civilians alike, for there truly is not anyone here that can handle the true might of Belloc: King of the Kaiju.

 

No one, but one, as a green streak of lightning sends Belloc off of the building. Floating where his head had been, his knuckles reddened, Izuku sparks with One For All as he pants with fear.

 

"That's enough! I'm sick of seeing people that can't be a decent father to sons who deserve better! You want a war? Fine! Belloc, face me! Leave Duncan and the Stadium out of it! I'll take you on!"

 

The Dragon King's head has careened backwards into a bending arch, his flexible yet sturdy neck absorbs most of the impact, along with his hardy scales. Even so, he felt that. He glares at Izuku when he brings his head back, his smile gone as he bears fangs larger than most apartment buildings.

 

"Then Do It."

 

Belloc dares. Izuku looks down at the people he holds dear, before he shouts at his teachers.

 

"Midnight-sensei, I formally withdraw the competition! This war ends here...!"

 

"Midoriya don't even think about-!"

 

She tries to plea but he flies ahead breaking the sound barrier as he charges his entire body with One For All, pushing both it and himself to the limit as bursts forward, to his shock his fist is met by the King in kind as a powerful kinetic dome of force sends both flying away from each other. 

 

Izuku shakes his head as his groggy vision sharpens from the blurry muddy mess, seeing Belloc hold his clawed hand in pain, golden eyes wide with a toothy grin. He looks down at the Stadium and realizes that their fight could destroy the entire city.

 

So he moves them.

 

Once again charging his arms and shoulders, he flies and manages to duck under a tail thrust, before crashing both fists into the gut of the mighty beast. He roars as he turns himself upwards and lifts Belloc skyward. Moving at a rising angle, the two are quickly out of sight.

 

But not out of mind.

 

Aizawa curses under his breath as he tries to move past his injuries, still a mummified mess, Hizashi helps him through the door as they agree.

 

"That stupid kid is going to get himself killed, again!"

 

"He's definitely Star Man's kid, alright! I was hoping Belloc would behave but this is absurd!"

 

Midnight as well begins to leave the arena as she shouts into the microphone before casting it aside.

 

"All citizens evacuate in an orderly fashion! Pros on and off duty, assist with the procedure, students are to return to their waiting rooms as they act as disaster shelters!"

 

Tōru looks up at the weather growing worse, as hail and lightning begin to fall with heavy rain, Mezō and Momo create cover together as they shield 1-A from the Wrath of the Heavens.

 

"Is... Is Midoriya going to be able to win against... That?"

 

Mineta flees with a fearful wail before hopping onto Momo's back with tears in his eyes.

 

"No way! We're all dead! DEAD! MOMO-CHAN! HOLD- bragh!?!"

 

She creates a baton that strikes his jaw as it comes out of her back, sending him into Mezō's grasp as he falls off of her.

 

"No one panic! This is just like the invasion! We've dealt with this before, just go-!"

 

She looks away as she hears something terrible breakthrough the clouds. A golden dragon with two heads and enormous wings.

 

The King of the Skies: Daburyū. The two heads reel back and charge an attack, throwing themselves ahead as they breath two lightning bolts that merge into a powerful streak of unstoppable power.

 

But it is stopped, as Duncan flies ahead to meet it, a painful shrieks as his skeleton is briefly visible as he falls to the ground. His body layered and paralyzed by bolts coursing through him.

 

However, the pain soon fades as he feels a hand on him.

 

"Phew!!! I saw that it was lightning, and got worried for a second, but it looks like that bastard Kursk taught me something valuable after all!"

 

Denki says as he looks up at Daburyū readying another attack. 

 

"Yo! Duncan! Throw me at it!"

 

"Wh-What?!"

 

"JUST DO IT, DUDE!!! I CAN ABSORB THE POWER! DO IT!!!"

 

"Dammit all...!"

 

Duncan snatches Denki off of the ground and hurls him at the coming bolt. A blinding flash veils the entire Stadium, but when the light dies down, Denki lands on his feet glowing with incandescent power.

 

"I've told you all before... I ain't the brightest...!!! BUT I'M REALLY STRONG!!!"

 

He throws his hand up and unleashes the attack twofold upon the monster. A searing hole erupts in and out of the chest of the beast, as it falls with a defeated cry, Denki falls over as well passing out.

 

As Duncan gets Denki to Midnight, Cementoss begins working on creating new defenses as he reinforces the entire building as best he can. His thoughts run rapidly in confusion on how things could have turned out so badly.

 

Surely, surely Belloc could not have been in a bad mood! He had been so accommodating, calm, even dispensing rare bits of aid or knowledge of his kind!

 

He was an ideal guest above and beyond what they had expected! If he were truly upset, truly as bored or as offended as he claims, he would have made a move much earlier!

 

But he didn't! He can't claim to know this inhuman relic, older than mankind itself, but this merely didn't feel right. This conflict is... Forced!

 

Elsewhere, Endeavor makes his move as he looks above, noticing the coming hail growing stronger now that the lightning vanishes, a blizzard begins picking up before a gigantic insectoid bats giant butterfly wings that send bone chilling frost down.

 

A creature born during the ancient Ice Age, The King of Ice: Darantulas.

 

"This is going to be a long day...!!!"

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

Near the shores of the city, Izuku crashes into the glass surface, cooked to a reflective sheen from Belloc's unyielding flames. He flies between the legs of the now larger than life titan.

 

Belloc had grown significantly in size, larger than any mountain in Japan, making lifting him nearly impossible.

 

He is far denser than he appears, and he was already a massive beast, but even striking him had barely done anything now. Izuku's only advantage was pure speed, barely able to zip away from his flaming breath or his terrible claws, seismic blades capable of ripping even his flesh.

 

However, his back is cut open by the dexterous and now serrated tail, as it strikes then drags itself against Izuku's back. With little more to give, he grabs it and pulls Belloc off balance, forcing the mighty king on one foot before wrapping him up with his own tail.

 

Belloc's attention moves to the numerous helicopters and news vans arriving, and right as Izuku goes to uppercut him, he lets him. A spray of red-gold ichor, a large fang that flies from his mouth, and he expertly jumps after being struck to make the sell as real as possible.

 

As far as the wider world is concerned, Izuku just sent the most dangerous non-human threat on the planet on his back, crashing into the ocean. Belloc does not stand up.

 

Izuku lands on his chest and shouts at the fallen monster as Belloc brings his head up to meet the heated gaze of this teenage fool.

 

Painfully doing his part to secure a better world.

 

Izuku still has his arms up, both knuckles bloody with stiff fingers, a gaping hole in his shoulder from being stabbed by his sharpened tip of the tail, and his back a waterfall of skin deep cuts littered from shoulder blades to waist.

 

"I'M NOT DONE! ARE YOU!?!"

 

"... I Am. This War... Ended Long Before You And I Had Met... I Surrender. Fully, To Mankind."

 

Izuku looks up, noticing the clouds parting, the blue sky and sunlight finally peeking through. Peace, finally returning after the chaos at last ends.

 

And he falls on his hands and knees, breathless. Tired. However, this time, victorious. Did he do more damage to the internal organs than he thought? He was striking with all his might! He even prayed, wished that if All Might's spirit could, that his mentor would be by his side.

 

And he felt his presence... It led him to victory... 

 

So why were those words so haunting to Izuku?

 

"Take My Fang, Child of Star Man. It Is Only Fitting That You Do As Your Father Did... I Only Ask... You Protect Duncan. Please..."

 

Izuku pushes himself up to his feet before weakly taking to the air.

 

"... He's nothing like you... His humanity shone through and he proved to everyone! He's not your monster!"

 

"No... He Never Was One... He Was Never Like His Father... But You? You Are Exactly Like Yours..."

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

Izuku flies back to see a scene of colossal mayhem. Mt. Lady fights the wounded Daburyū. Despite using lightning before, it now shoots out an ice breath from one head, and a fiery breath from the other, the gaping hole in its body glows with each power used as the giantess struggles to wrangle the beast.

 

She is a titan in her own right, but the long and tyrannical strength of the Sky King is too much, even for her. Its tail wraps around a leg and pulls her foot forward, causing her to fall, to lose her grip on the thrashing throats keeping the monster at bay.

 

The fiery head is closed by numerous threads that abruptly entangle it, as Best Jeanist arrives in the scene, though his restraints can only hold for so long. Kamui Woods, who had been laying low, emerges from the shadows to push back the frosty head, a storm of branches and forest crashing into the open maw and seemingly halts its assault.

 

But the tail is longer than most the body, and is moves with impossible dexterity, impaling the ground and drilling through the street until it erupts from underneath Mt. Lady's shoulder. A hooked end pulls back, and pins her to the ground as she cries out.

 

Kamui Woods throws a hand up.

 

"I'LL TRY TO FREE YOU-! GAH! M-MY ATTACK...!!!"

 

He laments as the icy head shatters the now fragile wood, the passive aura of its icy form relegating the once powerful stranglehold into a brittle trap. The icy head darts forth and prepares to clamps down on Mt. Lady's throat. 

 

She brings her hands up to push it away, but grows weaker with each passing second, and soon Daburyū would only need to close its jaws to remove her head,

 

It never gets the chance as the brain is disconnected from the body. Izuku Midoriya, seeing the dire situation, gains a second wind of violent adrenaline. Fighting Belloc was intense, painful, frightening... But they only fought each other, and just far enough from the city so no one else could be harmed, but here?

 

A life is at risk and he will not allow it to slip through his grasp.

 

It was why, he is here.

 

Izuku screams his lungs out as he punches the frozen head into a splash of gore. The second head reacts with a violent convulsion, spasming with bizarre twitches due to the pain, before it too pops like a water balloon against the wrathful fist of the young Viltrumite.

 

For the first time since his fatal match against Battle Beast, Izuku fully unleashes his rage, not daring to ever repeat that mistake. Refusing to allow himself to ever fail again. He will not let these ferocious, inhuman beasts, take a single life if he can help it!

 

He notices the stunned Best Jeanist watching him. The Number Three Pro Hero is stunned, which is a rarity for him, but even he struggled to capitulate the beast... But he did not mean for its life to end. Now, drenched in vicious smoking fluids, a young boy wearing only tattered gym pants bellows at him with an authority he did not expect him to have.

 

"ARE THERE ANY MORE KAIJU LEFT?!!"

 

"... Y-Yes... Endeavor is handling it at the Stadium-!"

 

He brings his hands up shielding his face as a great wind threatens to knock him over. Seeing this Midoriya kid in action was nothing short of jaw dropping. He had heard rumors going around about Star Man's son attending UA.

 

He has his definitive proof now, as well as his concerns.

Chapter 20: The Sports Festival Finale!

Summary:

With the one day war against the Mightiest of Kaiju over, and while celebrations are had, Izuku is left with the burdening weight of his actions. The world sees him as a hero, his peers now look up to him, and yet something is amiss. He goes to his father seeking wisdom.

Endeavor remembers what that scar faced scarecrow said to him earlier. The monkey's paw. He couldn't help but think about it now, especially as he continues fighting a force of nature, at least he fights with his son.

 

Even the so-called Firebreather proves to be worth a damn, for the three of them use their fire to match the unrelenting cold, but they are barely enough to stave off Darantulas.

 

Its wings beat freezing winds, its spindly yet powerful spider legs slashed them many times in attempts to impale their hearts, even its gaze fires a concentrated beam of instant frost. 

 

Endeavor has lost count of how many times his arms would nearly break into pieces. Were it not for his Quirk: Hellflame, he would be a solid statue, a dead man whether they could thaw him out or not.

 

Shōto was also capable of using his own ice to block the ice beam, but using his ice came at the cost of giving himself frostbite, although his fire keeps him mobile. Together, through this life or death struggle, they unleash a unified blaze...

 

But Darantulas is by no means sensitive to the flames, the heat, the wrath. It has lived past forest fires, infernos, volcanic eruptions that would make lands now sunken under the sea.

 

Their flames burn, but they do little to truly threaten him, or they would on their own.

 

Were it not for Duncan.

 

His claws and his strength uproot parts of the carapace, chitinous armor flies off of the Great Beast, but Darantulas is far from fragile. 

 

Its might is comparable to Belloc, albeit only in speed and piercing ability with its spears, it is hardy... But Belloc is truly unstoppable.

 

And right now, along with its kin as the Apex of their Species, all have made a decision. Darantulas cannot speak like the others, no tongue and a throat too short to form any speech, and that is its only regret.

 

As Duncan punches a soft spot in its exposed shell, allowing his allies to cook the beast from the inside out with its weakness exposed, father and son uniting to torch Darantulas with all their remaining stamina... Darantulas recalls the first time they had met, how small and helpless the baby had seemed.

 

How proud the King was. None of the Kaiju much cared for the hybrid, by no means the first of his kind, but he was different from others. He was human, not a mix between Kaiju, or demon nor even the other supernatural wonders of the world. Darantulas knew, when all others had scoffed in the King's face, this boy would be something special.

 

If only it could tell him just how much that meant to the King of Ice. 

 

Duncan holds the flying spider down as he pushes against its neck after flying right above the head, its beautiful yet horrid wings beating weaker as it tires from the battle, Duncan is sent away as his chest is given a deep gash.  The legs shake, but are still a threat to be wary of, yet the three flaming specialists could see it.

 

Darantulas is too tired to move. Its eyes are too strained, its wings begin to slow to a halt as it finally falls down. Defeated.

 

"Time to finish it off!"

 

Endeavor roars, but to his ire, Duncan stands in his way.

 

"No... I-I get it! They started a fight! The-They caused so much damage but...! They're as smart and alive as you or me! Isn't there a place to hold him somewhere? In Japan? We have reservations in America where he'll be kept-!"

 

Endeavor pauses, but only because this absurdly idiotic whelp says something he did not even think anyone would have the gall to say.

 

"Get out of my way boy. This, thing, can't be allowed to exist! They wanted a war! This is the consequence it has brought upon itself!"

 

"B-But...!"

 

Duncan begins to exclaim until a boom is heard from above. Shōto looks and sighs in relief seeing Izuku land... Before wincing in disgust the state of his being.

 

"Midoriya... You've looked worse. What is all the stuff on you?"

 

Duncan looks at him with wide eyes, and Izuku himself has a feral glare, an animalistic snarl that was there only for a moment. Was it the cold? Maybe the way he had been looked at? Or perhaps, even as he approaches the kaiju to finish the job himself... It recoils from him.

 

It is showing itself as defeated, much like with Belloc, it has surrendered... And unlike the Storm King, no lives are in danger, which allows Izuku to rest himself. His wrath is gone, his caution, very much still active as he only turns his head away from Darantulas but his eyes remain on it.

 

"I-I... Killed one of them. I managed to tire Belloc out on the beachside of the city... If its surrendered like he has... We should bring it in. The less lives lost the better. On both sides."

 

Endeavor snarls as he prepares to attack, ignoring the boys, not even sparing a word until he finds himself flying with a terrible ache in his chest. His back screams in even greater pain as he is embedded into the walls. A vice grip on his chest as Izuku holds him against the now broken stone.

 

"I said. We're bringing. It In."

 

Endeavor goes to push and pull this boy off of him, but he is unmovable.

 

"You naive simpleton! These are monsters! How many people will we kill by letting them live today!?!"

 

"How many people did they kill on this day... Something isn't right here... Kaiju are so big, and so powerful, they kill hundreds of people without even meaning to... So why hasn't anyone died today?"

 

Endeavor scoffs as he brings a fiery fist that crashes against Izuku's head. Izuku hisses as his brow is cut from the fire powered punch.

 

"Because you did your job! Because we evacuated the immediate area, so that if they did rampage, only those at the Stadium would be in immediate danger! Now, I'll do mine! Off of me! Get off of me, right now or-!"

 

He is interrupted as Izuku strikes back slamming his fist into the Number Two's side, the wall and the surrounding parts all begin to crumble from an intense shockwave sent through the body of Endeavor.

 

He falls to his knees, and as he looks up, he briefly is brought back to a moment of humiliation years ago...

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

He had just helped stop a giant Villain, some strange living mountain man with a variation of the Gigantification Quirk, but the glory had been taken by the then latest sensation. The Star Man. The oafish showboat had defeated foes that took his entire Agency to handle, by himself.

 

So he challenged that man. He lost. Badly.

 

He is brought back to that moment of pure embarrassment as he recalls being on his knees before the faceless freak.

 

"This is a pointless use of my time. Even if you could beat me, you would have been better off facing someone else, or doing some other good. You're a showboat. An attention seeker. A glory hound. You'll never amount to anything more than a local celebrity at best... And then nothing, when your name is forgotten."

 

He flew off without allowing him any time to retort to that then. They would meet a handful of times afterwards, but they never spoke to each other, and they never worked with each other.

 

He couldn't debase himself, no matter how in his face the truth of the matter was, to ever work with someone like that. Not without showing them that he is the better between them!

 

But that, would never come, as Star Man continued to soar to new unachievable heights... And then All Might finished off whatever pride he had, becoming the Number One Hero of Japan...

 

With him gone, at least Shōto or even himself had a shot, to be recognized for their talents. Their greatness. Their efforts to make this world safer...

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

Now. As he looks up, he sees that same man that had humbled him years ago, as Izuku glares down at him.

 

"Rank and file don't matter right now. If you want to kill that thing. You'll have to go through me... Endeavor-san."

 

Izuku waits, as if challenging him to make the first move. He now realizes why Nezu was so worried about this child being taken by Cecil, and why Cecil would be so eager to recruit someone this young.

 

It makes his blood boil. He seethes, growling loudly, angrily... But he stands, then walks away.

 

"For every innocent that thing kills, I hope you remember this moment, because their lives will be on your head."

 

Izuku watches him leave before he makes his way over to his... Hopefully, still friends. He does wear a small smile as Duncan and Shōto run over to him, smiling.

 

"T-Thanks man... I-I know, I know they're all high and mighty but... Some of these monsters, are like us. They're not just evil they've just... Lived too long."

 

Duncan says as he looks Izuku over.

 

"Oh man, you're looking rough. How are you still standing?"

 

Shōto looks at Izuku's back and grimaces. He can see muscles and bits of bone.

 

"Seriously... I get that you're tough... But you're really something else. Did you actually beat Belloc?"

 

Izuku shakes his head. He speaks between weak breaths as he finds his strength leaving him. He dares not fall unconscious now. He still has so much to do.

 

"No... Even if he made it look like I did... I didn't. He let me win... And that means something is up... I don't know what he's up to but... This war? Whatever this is? It's far from over."

 

He looks up and sees a swarm of helicopters arrive. Though seemingly blank, he can see a GDA stamped on some of them, as soldiers rappel down and people begin to move into the ruined Stadium. Both Pros and GDA operatives make a return as the chaos finally ends, and Izuku, hears his friends.

 

"MIDORIYA!!!"

 

He turns around in time to see the rest of Class 1-A run towards them. Some look ready to jump into him before they all back away.

 

"Augh! You reek! What did you do, Midoriya?!?"

 

Tōru asks before stepping closer.

 

"H-Hey! That's not all yours, is it?"

 

He looks himself over before shaking his head.

 

"N-No, not all of it...! But, I should wash this off... Do you think the locker room showers still work?"

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

The crowds gather around the Festival Stadium, with an impromptu pile of rubble acting as a stage stand for Midnight as she makes her announcements in front of a set of cameras.

 

"Believe it or not folks! We've witnessed a miracle today! No casualties! We've got some injured Heroes, but that's part of the job, and speaking of? We here at UA still have a Festival to run! This was only the first year round! ~ Due to, unforeseen events, we'll take an extended break! However, the fun has only gotten started!"

 

She says with a dramatic flair as she ignores the countless questions and requests for comments. However, due to the chaos and destruction, one sleuthing journalist manages to sneak into the interior of the Stadium when no one was watching...

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

In the waiting room for Class 1-A, Momo finishes tying a medical bandage she created around Shōto's arm.

 

"There. It isn't surgery, but you seem healthy."

 

"Thanks, Yaoyozoru."

 

She looks over at Izuku, who lets out a loud hiss after Eijirō slaps his back laughing, the redhead begins apologizing until he sees Izuku laugh through the pain as well.

 

"I'm glad he's still here."

 

She says. Shōto leans back into his seat, relaxing for the first time since he can remember, since his mother had been sequestered away from home.

 

"He's... Unreal. I can barely believe he's even the same person he was just an hour ago. I do know one thing at least. Midoriya is someone we can rely on."

 

She looks at Shōto before smiling at the sight of Tōru and Mina running around Izuku. Even Jirō approaches him, sheepishly playing with one of her ears jacks. She, apologizes to him, and to the small girl's surprise he returns with an apology of his own.

 

After that, everyone begins entering the growing crowd.

 

"He's... Special. Be it with his words or actions, even when things look hopeless, he's always there to make things seem... Alright. Being near him makes me feel..."

 

She trails off as he notices her staring and beckons the two over. Shōto stands with a groan before making his way over with Momo.

 

Bakugo rolls his eyes as he punches Izuku's arm.

 

"For someone so tough, you've got a bad habit of getting torn up all the time!"

 

Tsuyu pipes up sticking her tongue out.

 

"You're one to talk, Bakugo. You're pretty tough too, though."

 

"Like I need your pity, frog legs!"

 

Mezō speaks up from one of his extra mouths.

 

"I wonder if you'll get any recommendations from any agencies? You did just achieve the impossible."

 

Mineta however shakes his wobbly head.

 

"Doubtful! He just ran right into an impossible fight! It was super reckless! Plus, you withdrew from the event! Even if we do actually finish out the tournament? Won't you be removed?!"

 

Izuku shrugs.

 

"I made my decision then... I'll just have to live with it. I'd rather my friends be alive than live without them."

 

Ochako leans forward, facing him with a knowing worried look.

 

"And... What does that mean, Izzie?"

 

He chuckles at her use of Duncan's nickname. 

 

"I'm... Not going anywhere anytime soon. At least, not until I finish this year out. That's what I want to do."

 

Satō rubs his head, confused.

 

"Only this year? You know high school is for three years, right?"

 

Shōto speaks up then.

 

"He and I got approached for something special. We... Could actually start as early at the end of this year, or as late as graduation."

 

As if on cue, the door opens and Aizawa enters the room.

 

"And I'm sure you'd find yourself just as busy as you'd be in UA. I do want to congratulate those that took part in this small war. Bakugo. Todoroki. Even you, Midoriya. We've decided to have you three as our top three."

 

Bakugo snarls then, as he pulls Denki into view, the electric blonde gagging from his shirt being pulled against his throat.

 

"Ulp-! H-Hey! What gives!?!"

 

"This guy, blew a big ass hole in one of those Kaiju, and you wanna give me third place?!? Get real!"

 

Denki rubs his neck.

 

"D'aw, buddy! ~ You're gonna make me blush!"

 

He whines as Bakugo shakes him violently.

 

"Shut it! All I did... Was start some big ass war... Because of my big mouth, then get knocked out, because I wasn't enough. I didn't earn that top spot."

 

Aizawa scratches what little of his cheek he can with his face still mummified behind gauze wraps. Underneath it, his small and subtle smile is hidden, as he gives further explanation.

 

"You bring up a good point. Unfortunately for Kaminari, despite his astonishing aid, did already lose prior to Fumikage."

 

Izuku frowns at that.

 

"Then it should be like Mineta said, I withdrew from the event, I shouldn't be allowed a top position either."

 

Aizawa nods.

 

"Oh, I agree... But Principal Nezu insists on this. I imagine it's because of a third party looking to scout some of our students from us."

 

At that, Shōto realizes what this is. A power play to use them as icons not just as heroes of the event, but as the face of UA's First Year Hero Course, making any departure an off and public controversy. Izuku has yet to catch on, and so, Shōto speaks for them both.

 

"We'll take it. Midoriya. It might be for the best... You don't want to make any decisions without thinking it through."

 

He tried to hint at him. He must have realized, something, because his head lowers in a pout. Neither agreeing nor denying his friend's words. Aizawa looks between them and sighs.

 

"This whole class is going to be nothing but trouble this whole year... I should've expelled you all from the start."

 

He turns away, letting a rare chuckle out.

 

"But you're also entertaining to have around. Announcements will take place soon, so just rest now. Congratulations, and good work, everyone. You made UA proud today with your actions."

 

Their homeroom teacher leaves, and at last, Shōto makes himself clear.

 

"Midoriya. Are you considering leaving UA to go work with Steadman?"

 

Jirō looks between the two confused, even cringing in mild annoyance yet still curious when Ochako speaks up abruptly.

 

"H-Hey! You know about that scar guy too!?!"

 

Shōto nods holding up his card.

 

"He's in charge of the Guardians of the Globe. He's how they mobilize, coordinate, and even handle the roster of Heroes that are chosen to be a part of it. He approached me about a potential future position within his personal office, the GDA."

 

Eijirō whistles, wrapping an arm around Izuku's neck.

 

"So he came to you both to work for this uh, GDA thing? What even is that? It sounds super important, dude!"

 

Īda speaks up then adjusting his glasses.

 

"I've actually heard of them. Though based mainly in the United States, the Global Defense Agency is the ultimate Hero Agency in the world, and the core of Hero Society worldwide as we know it... Which is why they had that advanced clinic underneath UA...!"

 

He finishes with a startling realization. A lot of eyes move towards him and forces him to elaborate with their questioning gaze.

 

"T-The Īda Family has been proud branch officers of the GDA...!!! A lot of our equipment comes from them, and we in turn supply them with our specialities, a mutually beneficial business relationship... My brother even has an honorary membership with the Guardians."

 

Mina marvels as she looks between Īda and Izuku.

 

"So... You've already been scouted! And by the biggest agency of all!? Isn't that super good? Why are you all sad looking?"

 

Shōto clarifies.

 

"I've been scouted to work for the GDA directly, similar to Tenya's brother, I'd still be here in Japan... Midoriya, was offered a position on the Guardians expressly, meaning he'd have to leave UA. Indefinitely."

 

At that, the mood of the room changes instantly. Tōru grabs at one of his arms with Sero leaning forward in shock.

 

"You'd be leaving us forever??? But we just got to barely know you! No way! You can't leave!"

 

"I get that you're kinda OP dude but we're all like... Fifteen. Isn't it a bit soon to be recruited into something that big?"

 

Jirō then gasps.

 

"Is that why you did what you did to Kirishima...?"

 

Immediately, he speaks up.

 

"No-! That was-! Inexcusable! I can't apologize enough for that... But something else happened that made me... Do something stupid."

 

He looks up at Momo, silently begging for help.

 

She sighs. For someone so eager to leap into the jaws of death, he sure is a pathetic sight when trying to keep a secret, and he cannot lie to save his life. Still, this flaw of his is more of a charm than anything else, and so she decides to support him. 

 

It's easier for her when everyone is not staring at her for answers, at least not until she gives one.

 

"Midoriya confided something... Important to me. I imagine this information will be public, and given this mysterious Steadman's ability to be seemingly anywhere, I'll have to speak about this carefully... The Guardians of the Globe are in a state of disarray. It's why they didn't make an appearance at the Sports Festival. None of them could attend due to an attack on their headquarters."

 

Whatever levity there has been left in the room vanishes then. Izuku, speaks solemnly.

 

"My father... All Might... They're... Incapable, of going anywhere. Star Man is in critical condition..."

 

Bakugo sweats hearing what can only be impossible. At least the reveal of Hisashi and Izuku's secret origins had some proof, evidence he had never paid attention to until it was too late, willful ignorance on his part.

 

At this point in time, he has accepted what Izuku is, his superior... At least, for now. 

 

Hearing that the greatest team of heroes were attacked, potentially even killed, that was truly beyond comprehension. At least three of them had the strength and power to move entire continents with their strength, two of them could move at the speed of light, and ALL of them have been proven to overcome planetary threats time and time again.

 

It leads him to ask the question first that everyone is thinking.

 

"Who could even do that...?!? How did you hear about this-!??"

 

Tsuyu raises a hand.

 

"Uraraka and I overheard him talking with a scar faced foreigner. That, Steadman guy. We made up a lie about stolen underwear because he looked sad... And, we didn't want anyone bothering him."

 

Izuku gives Eijirō an apologetic frown.

 

"I heard before our match and... I just kept thinking that I should've been there. I should've done something. Maybe if I had taken Steadman-san's offer earlier or-or... I don't know... I just kept thinking it was my fault... And, I took it out on someone that didn't deserve it."

 

Eijirō slaps his back, this time on purpose, getting a weary whine from Izuku.

 

"How many times do I gotta tell ya? I already forgive you-! Hell! I never blamed you to begin with! ~ If anything, it was like. A reality check, bro... But you're not leaving us, are you?"

 

At that, Jirō processes everything and grows pale.

 

"... I... I had no idea your Dad was... I thought you were just, some ego jerk, but... I-I'm uh, sorry, for judging you."

 

At that, Mina waves her arms between them getting everyone's attention.

 

"Enough with the apologies! We're all friends now! This is, what? The third life or death event we've been in?"

 

Ochako raises her hand wearing a cheeky grin.

 

"Fourth for me! And who was there to get us out of it each and every time?"

 

Denki, who is sucking the energy from a battery he had brought with him from home, speaks past the wire in his mouth.

 

"Seriously dude, you can't leave us after making us all look so bad! This is Class 1-A not Midoriya's Fan Club."

 

Bakugo scoffs as he goes to lean against a wall.

 

"Could've fooled me... But I will say this. I ain't gonna let you keep showing me up. I'm gonna get better, stronger, and then... We're gonna have a rematch for that top position."

 

Fumikage gives an agreeable grunt.

 

"As much as I do appreciate your power, and as much as I live in the shadows, your shadow is too deep to find any comfort in, Midoriya. This umbral bird would rather fly by your side."

 

Sero speaks as he lazily paces around one of the vending machines.

 

"I mean, if you left us after that display, fake win or not? We'd look like chopped liver! You wouldn't do that to us, would ya?"

 

Tsuyu looks up at him speaking in a matter of fact tone.

 

"I'd never be able to forgive you, honestly."

 

Izuku smiles brightly, which gives the class hope before he even tells them his decision.

 

"I'm not leaving UA... Everything that went down with Belloc and the Kaiju, it all was so different than with Battle Beast, or the other Villains. Even then, I lost my temper again, I even... Took a life-"

 

"Aw c'mon, that thing was just a monster, mon ami!"

 

Yuga says with his eyes closed, but he gulps at the unnerving silence. Some nod, Tōru and Ojiro silently mutter in agreement.

 

"W-What? It was it, or Mt. Lady-! Who, might I add, might actually look you up for saving her life! You could go with her agency instead! Right?"

 

Only Shōto glares at at him, causing the blonde boy to flinch, while others thought he had made a valid point.

 

"If Duncan died, would that be okay, because he's a monster too?"

 

"What!?! No way!!! Firebreather is an ally! He sided with us!! Villains and Monsters get taken down by the Heroes, no?"

 

Izuku shakes his head.

 

"Maybe in a bank robbery or a rampage, but... That isn't what this was... It doesn't matter they don't look human, they think like us, feel the same things we feel... It was fighting for its own life... And it was fighting for that life for centuries. Pushed out of its home by humanity..."

 

He thinks of Belloc and his strange behavior. He then thinks on why this war ever occurred. All of it leading back to that moment he splattered a city street with the brains of a survivor.

 

"I recognized that now. I need to be at UA to learn control. Control over my emotions. Control over my own power, my Quirk, or else I'm liable to accidentally kill someone else. Someone that might not even be fighting in the first place. Can you guys help me with this?"

 

With that, even Bakugo with a smirk, all of Class 1-A cheers.

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

Later on that day, after the awards ceremony, Izuku would find his mother waiting for him at the door. She had been crying for a while. 

 

"... Did you hear about your father?"

 

He nods. She then hugs him, and he hugs back.

 

"... Please... Please, never do something that reckless and stupid again... If I lost you too I-I'd..."

 

"We didn't lose him. You won't lose me."

 

"Izuku, please."

 

She begs as she cries in his chest. He holds her a little tighter as he lies through his teeth.

 

"Okay. I won't. Nothing that dangerous, ever again."

 

He looks at the television screen then inside the house just barely out of view. He can hear the announcement. The reveal of the Guardians' fate.

 

And with it, a new age of turmoil.

Chapter 21: Suspicions Arisen...

Summary:

Hisashi wakes up and continues his training with Izuku, however his crimes no matter how well kept, has left a trail for others to follow. Those that are in the know, those that have their suspicion, and those too close to the truth all wait in apprehension.

What will he do when his secret is exposed?

Īda runs through the hospital hallways with a nurse desperately trying to chase after him.

 

"Sir! P-Please! He's in the middle of an operation-!"

 

He finds the door and swings the door open.

 

"I need to see my brother-!"

 

Tenya's eyes fly wide... And then his face falls flat in disappointment, before smiling in relief as he watches his brother, Tensei, rub his arm with a single line of stitches. The doctor sighs behind her surgical mask.

 

"You big baby. There's no toxins here at all! You had us in a panic for nothing!"

 

"I apologize! Everything happened so fast, I still wasn't sure if the cause was due to poisons, or a Quirk. I guess I have my answer now-! Oh, Tenya!"

 

He looks over at his younger brother who folds his arms at him.

 

"When the hospital called, I assumed the worst! I even took time out of class today! All over a scratch?!"

 

Tensei rubs his neck laughing.

 

"Sorry, sorry! This is important though!"

 

The elder sibling dons a steel expression.

 

"There's a formidable man out and about targeting Heroes. With... With the Guardians gone..."

 

Tensei looks down as the doctor makes her leave, giving the two their privacy. Tenya clears his throat.

 

"This assailant... Would he attack UA? Would he come after you again? Do you think he's the one responsible!?"

 

Tensei rubs his chin. His eyes close as he mulls his experience over before raising a finger.

 

"He was ranting rather incoherently... But I think he'll try to lay low for some time. He's a competent fighter, and a terrifying hunter, so calling him a criminal would genuinely lead to others underestimating him like I had."

 

He looks at Tenya, giving him a rare glare.

 

"Were it not for the Kaiju Attack in the city disrupting his footing, I would be in a much worse state, dead even. His name is Stain the Hero Killer, and I want you to be wary whenever you're on your own."

 

He relaxes as he takes a seat on the hospital bed.

 

"I don't think he'll target any students of UA, but you'll be getting into internships soon, right? Please, be careful. As far as attacking the Guardians? No, I know he would not... Stain, despite his horrible acts and unstable mentality, made one thing clear. He sees All Might as the only true Hero in the world."

 

 

---

 

 

 

On another day, Shōto enters into a clinical room at a mental hospital, a room he has known but never visited until now. Just finding the strength to open this door proved a greater trial than he had previously thought.

 

Seeing her is something he felt impossible to do. But still, he had to try.

 

Too close, too often, he has placed himself into the jaws of death. Be it against that magma villain, or Battle Beast, and now even millennia old Kaiju. These things he knew he would have to fend off, but actually experiencing it truly changed things for him, and with the news of the Guardians' death... By the Death of All Might...

 

He cannot afford to have any regrets as he continues his work.

 

"Mom. How are you?"

 

He asks the snow haired woman. Her head turned to the small window where the morning light shines through. She turns slowly, her face of vague disbelief, as if she had only just woken up from a deep sleep. He had prepared himself for another episode...

 

She has one, but not one he was ready for, as her eyes widened with her smile.

 

"... I'm better now that you're here."

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

A week later, deep underground within a hidden hospital facility, Hisashi wakes up with a groan. He notices that he is not shackled or in a cell. His deceit has been accepted. His tracks, covered.

 

As he sits up, someone throws themselves at him, and his instincts have him ready to fight. He bears a fierce snarl with tight fists until his assailant wraps their arms around him in a desperate hold.

 

"Dad!!"

 

Izuku cries out. Inko as well hugs him, and Hisashi's tense face relaxes, shocked that they are here. He, needed to see them. He needed this as he hugged them back.

 

"What's with the tears? I'm fine. How long was I out?"

 

Inko pulls back wiping her tears away.

 

"I'll never get used to this... You've been out for a week and a half."

 

Izuku steps back clearing his throat.

 

"I-I kept the planet safe while you rested! I... I still have a lot to learn from you..."

 

Hisashi smiles at him. A proud and truly earnest grin.

 

"Is that a fact? Tell me what you've been up to. Spare no details."

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

The Midoriya Family make their way to the entrance lobby as Izuku continues telling his story, his fight with Belloc, his newfound resolve in staying at UA after his mistake. To his surprise, Hisashi looks at him with disapproval.

 

"What you did wasn't a mistake or some emotional accident. Daburyū would have caused a fire storm, or ripped that woman's head off, or even cause countless deaths with a powerful wind down the street by beating his wings. You acted fast, efficiently, and as I've taught you."

 

"Hisashi-!"

 

Inko scolds, which gets him to soften up as Izuku shrinks under his scrutiny. The patriarch sighs.

 

"I didn't mean it like that... There are times where we must make a decision. Like a farmer taking out bugs before they infest their crops, or a surgeon that's removing an infection or obstruction, to save the body. We can't attain the peace we've been sent here to bring, without tackling the conflict already here, because some beings in the universe live strictly for chaos. Disorder. Destruction."

 

Izuku looks up at him and smiles back upon his father happily ruffling his bushy hair.

 

"You spared Belloc where anyone else would've tried to kill him. Without the King, the Kaiju would run amok, and even then you managed to get the recognition for it all too! How does it feel to save the world?"

 

For a moment, he basks in the praise. Then, reality returns to the young boy as he recalls Belloc's behavior.

 

"I feel like... I'm being lied to. Belloc was too tough, he barely fought back and I was on the ropes the entire time, and then... He just fell."

 

His face grows sullen.

 

"Everyone believes I did beat him... But I feel... Rotten. He was, actually nice at first, and then he started this fight for no reason."

 

Hisashi shrugs.

 

"Kaiju have been at war with mankind since they learned to make fire. Is it really so strange for him to just, start another rampage?"

 

Inko interjects then.

 

"It is when he hadn't started once since he had that boy of his! I-I can't know all the details but, I was watching closely, whenever I didn't faint-"

 

Hisashi briefly whispers to his son.

 

"How many times?"

 

Izuku, not even hesitating, whispers back.

 

"Seven times."

 

"We should get her heart checked-"

 

Inko shouts at them both.

 

"I CAN HEAR YOU! AND YOU DON'T GET TO WORRY ABOUT MY HEART! Especially with how often you make it race nonstop!"

 

She bellows with a red face. Izuku hides behind his father, but Hisashi knows this woman rather well.

 

"I missed hearing you."

 

She grabs his shirt and begins dragging him away.

 

"Then you're going to love this weekend, because you're not going anywhere!"

 

They make it to the elevator, the doors open to reveal Cecil with a box in hand, his eyes flick between Izuku and Inko before landing on Hisashi.

 

"Star Man. Good to see you're awake. Here's your suit."

 

He offers the box and the taller man takes it without a thanks. Cecil then speaks up.

 

"We've got questions to ask. They can wait a day or two, since our highest priority right now is getting Star and Stripe on her feet next, but you should know that our latest pet lizard locked down in Tartarus has been asking for you. Before you go... Humor me. Why and how would Belloc know you're here, before we made the announcement, in fact we even kept your name out of the news."

 

Hisashi gives him a stoic stare.

 

"When I spared Belloc, I made my own investigation, seeing he's one of the few beings on the planet that's lived as long as I have. We have a telepathic bond through his magic. It's likely why he believed that when I lost consciousness, he could make his move, hoping his son would give him an edge against humanity. I'll see him tomorrow."

 

"... Fair enough."

 

Cecil remarks as he leaves the elevator and allows the family to leave. Donald, who had been speaking with the receptionist, approaches his superior.

 

"Are you sure letting him have his suit back so soon is a good idea, sir?"

 

"We had time to study earlier. Something else is wrong. Why didn't he ask about the others. How is he so calm? Why isn't he worried that, whoever or whatever did that, won't come back?"

 

Donald and Cecil stand in a moment of silence until the polite one of them speaks.

 

"... The Surveillance Team will get ready to watch from a safe location within the vicinity of their house."

 

Donald says as he begins to move, Cecil calls out to him.

 

"Those... What did he call them, Blaze Pops? We ever get any results with them?"

 

Donald turns around, nodding.

 

"It's just as Hisashi said, sir. We managed to break pieces off to experiment, and they reacted to liquids, some with varying effects. What's important is that when reacting to water, is the same as most blood, that is to say... It completely burns them away with only a minor chemical residue that remains... It's harmless, with no notable use, but distinct enough that we can trace use of it with a forensics team."

 

He turns fully to Cecil then.

 

"It was found all over the crime scene and corpses of the Guardians. Only a few sparse limbs that had stuck to the walls were spared... And Cathy."

 

Cecil nods. No words needed to be said, but as damning as it is, trying to arrest the most powerful man on the planet without some means of truly defeating him is nothing short of suicide.

 

However, he can be hurt. He just has to play his cards right, find the perfect solution to this problem, and it all starts with taking his time. So long as whatever it is Star Man is planning doesn't happen within the year?

 

They can manage.

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

Belloc opens his eyes. His body is held down by thick metal shackles, powerful restraints, and advanced technological clamps meant to siphon his internal heat to power itself. His own power used to imprison him. 

 

These attempts have been used before, and it seems they have not improved them, meaning he can escape should he truly wish to. He will, but first he must wait. He waits for a day, prison guards reluctantly watch him, staff unsure if he even needs to eat or how to communicate with him.

 

He would hibernate out of boredom at this rate were it not for his long awaited guest finally arriving. Star Man marches up to the imprisoned king.

 

"You wanted to see me?"

 

"Yes."

 

Belloc looks at a wall for a moment, a fake artistic illusion, a creative attempt at hiding a one-way mirror... Or at least, that is how he views it. It is just a wall and a very thick one, yet sound is able to come right through thanks to speakers, electronic devices that with a spell he can manipulate into malfunctioning.

 

He had been doing it again and again, seemingly at random, to make the prison staff believe it to be a mechanical issue. He looks back at his master, who knows that no one can listen to their words, and Belloc's lips are far enough from human to read with ease. Star Man's helmet as well keeps his face obscured.

 

"... Your son befriended mine. I hadn't expected such a thing to occur. I apologize that I acted outside of our agreement."

 

"What you did may was make my son a champion among the people. It will make convincing them to surrender easier. You've done well... Although, I believe you went too easy on him. He suspects you let him win."

 

"Then he is sharper than I believed... Daburyū's Death has made things difficult on my end. Expect... Many, of my kind, to rebel. They cannot hide their activities from me. Most are from three hundred years ago, freshly born, unaware of the coming change."

 

"Then I shall educate them on who exactly is in charge."

 

"... Nolan of Viltrum. You have done this before. Is it always so tedious and... Painful?"

 

Star Man lowers his head for a moment before looking up at the golden gaze of the dragon.

 

"I have conquered countless of worlds through force. This one, could be no different, as I have grown significantly in strength since my time here... However... I would like to see if... Another avenue was possible."

 

Belloc closes his eyes. His wisdom brings him back to the truth of their situation.

 

"No kingdom built on lies can last forever. What will you do, when the truth is inevitably revealed? What will you do, should that one do as Duncan did, and defy you?"

 

"He won't."

 

Star Man says almost abruptly. Belloc opens his eyes shooting a narrow glare.

 

"You've already decided then... I hope that whatever prosperity you claim to bring will be worth the sacrifice not even I am willing to make."

 

Star Man leaves the room. At once, the warden of Tartarus approached him.

 

"The audio malfunctioned. What did he say to you?"

 

"... He apparently let himself be beaten. He did it so that other Kaiju would be left alone, and in kind, they would stop bothering humanity. He's worried that the opposite might occur as well and wanted to warn me."

 

That exact quote is given to Cecil, who reads it on a document at his personal desk, staring at it as he searches for double speak or tells. For contradictions. 

 

This is a lie... But every story told has some kernel of truth to it.

 

"... Tell me you didn't do it, Star Man..."

 

He mutters to himself in painful denial as he already begins formulating potential contingencies. He glances to one of his screens attached to his computer, the display of Izuku entering the train for school. His eyes then moves over to a photo taken years ago. Where the Guardians of the Globe had been officially formed. All Might had been there, with Star Man by his side, because he did not want the man to stand by himself.

 

Such a childish yet pure sense of camaraderie now out into another.

 

The boy is more like Toshinori than his own father... However, the influence of both is present, and so Cecil to no god in particular... Prays.

 

"Please... Don't be the one that did this."

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

Inko sighs in annoyance as she looks at herself in the mirror of her bathroom. She places a hand on her stomach. In her hand is a pregnancy test. The results, negative.

 

"I was hoping this weight would be..."

 

She feels strong, gentle arms, wrap around her body as rough hands caress her own. Hisashi kisses her cheek.

 

"We can always try again..."

 

He coos in her ear, getting a shiver out of her. She, reluctantly, pushes him away.

 

"You, could go on all day! I need a break!"

 

He picks her up, the two of them laughing and giggling, he carries her to the door of their bed.

 

"Then, how about we just, lie in bed. Enjoy this moment?"

 

"I wouldn't ask for anything else right now."

 

As they hold each other lost in their bliss of each other's company, the truth is both of them harbor discontent in their heart, unaware or willfully ignorant of their own roles in these feelings. Inko finally speaks up.

 

"... Why did you marry me?"

 

"Because I wanted to."

 

They go quiet. She rests her head on his chest.

 

"Why, me?"

 

"... When we were taken into that other dimension, almost all those people were, useless. Panicking. You alone tried to develop some kind of solution."

 

"I was scared."

 

She says almost as if to belittle his point if not herself. Hisashi retorts.

 

"Fear doesn't make humans weak. It's what allowed them to live so long. I saw it first hand when you managed to steal the key off of them and tried to lead the rest to freedom. You alone, tried and did make a difference."

 

He looks down at her. Inko never fished for compliments or was one for self deprecation.

 

"What's actually wrong, Inko?"

 

She says nothing for a moment. She clings to him tighter as she whispers.

 

"... Things are only about to get worse now... And our son won't keep himself safe... Even you, you were hurt! Y-You were out cold for days! What can I do!? I'm his mother, I used to bathe him, dress him...! And now...!!!"

 

She begins to well up and hold back stifled sobs.

 

"He lied to me for the first time when the news got out... He said he wouldn't do anything as, stupid, as fighting a monster like that...! I know he will... I just... Can you really keep him and yourself safe? For me?"

 

She looks up at him with that adorable face. He loves her, no matter what she is showing or feeling, and that affection is... An affliction. An addiction. An indulgence he can afford. It gave him a valued asset and loyal addition. Inko often thought herself infertile, which had actually came as a relief for their early years, only for the miracle that is their son to happen.

 

A miracle... Is that what he thinks of him? Is that not what he is?

 

"I hope that whatever prosperity you claim to bring will be worth the sacrifice not even I am willing to make."

 

Belloc's disdainful jab makes his brow twitches and his face changes for a moment. He closes his eyes. Takes a breath. Then, answers.

 

"I will do everything in my power to protect our son... He means more to me than even he knows."

 

Inko tries to take solace in those words as she buries her face into his chest and they embrace. How does she ask the real question she wants to ask? How could she?

 

How could she ask if he had lied about what happened that day? The blood, still in his suit that he has taken home, is dry and dark. Not much of it, as something had burned away at it, but enough to show his hands and collar were drenched in it. 

 

That alone is not enough to invite suspicion, but it is the fact he hid it from her, despite knowing this house more than he would... He hid it in a secret compartment in the kitchen wall right by the counter. Mitsuki accidentally bumped it ajar when she came to visit. Her friend never noticed, but Inko did, and found the box. She found his costume.

 

She found pages of Izuku's Hero Journal. Pages detailing the Guardians of the Globe, every member, even the honoraries.

 

Even All Might.

 

Why did he have these on him? Why were they in a sealed pocket within his damaged costume? Why is it as she closes her eyes as she tries to sleep with her loving husband, does she feel so unsure, that anything she once believed in was ever true?

Chapter 22: Continuing the Legacy!

Summary:

Class 1-A picks their names and begins their internships! Despite the major rise in popularity, along with the countless agencies seeking to up their status by having him on board, Izuku finds himself in a meeting with fate as he picks the perfect internship. Or rather, she picks him.

Izuku flies above the city. He doesn't much like doing this, hearing what people had to say about the thrilling events of the Sports Festival began picking back up! However, the tragedy of the Guardians is not so easily forgotten.

 

The Loss of All Might hits Japan the hardest.

 

The last time he tried going to school using the streets and trains, he had been assaulted by endless questions, interviews, and even requests forcing him to run away. He lands on top of UA's roof and looks over his home city.

 

This entire country, this entire planet is his to protect, to be a shield for. He knew him for one year, but All Might's brave soul and inspiration is as fresh in his head as the first day of their training, as is the pain in his heart. He clutches his chest feeling an ache he cannot understand. Flames, steel, claw and fang all have broken against his skin. Sadly, just as he has been told, being a Viltrumite does not keep him safe from his emotions.

 

"... I wish you were here... Just a little longer."

 

Class 1-A mingles about in the early morning, all within their groups, these close calls forming fast friendships between some as well as a strong rapport between all. 

 

Sero frowns as he takes his seat.

 

"Ugh! ~ All I got was a bunch of grade schoolers telling me I did my best...!"

 

Mina grins as she holds up her phone.

 

"I got the Teen Team's number!!! They're not all that different from my friends from middle school!"

 

Denki holds a prideful nose in the air as he basks in the afterglow of an earlier interaction.

 

"My awesome Super Duper Mega Drill Bolt Cannon Killshot Supreme Coffin Dealer got me an online fan base! I'm on my way to being a Pro before I even graduate! ~"

 

He flinches as Tsuyu gives him a flat reminder.

 

"But Midoriya actually finished that one. He did it while saving a Pro, and he won his fight, where you lost yours."

 

"NO ONE ASKED YOU! GO TAKE A DIVE IN SOME POND!"

 

He shouts in defeat as he lowers himself, hiding his face with his arms and desk. Mineta sits with the formal debonair posture of a noble gentleman.

 

"Such a shame, Denki-kun! ~ Meanwhile, I have my own admirers."

 

Jirō walks past him to get to her own seat.

 

"You probably got bot accounts using AI personalities. Don't get scammed."

 

"GAH-! I'M NOT STUPID! BESIDES, I MET THEM ON THE WAY HERE! HMPH!!!"

 

Īda organizes his desk before speaking up.

 

"We've some time to go before we can handle the press! Although we're in a good light now, one mistake is all it takes to become a laughingstock, or even vilified!"

 

Ojiro rubs his neck sweating a little.

 

"That implies all of us got equal recognition... O-Or... Any recognition."

 

Tōru lightly nudges him. 

 

"Hey, if I got some neat remarks? Then you caught someone's eye! You're not even invisible! ~"

 

Shōto says nothing, texting on his phone, an idle smile on his face. He looks over at Momo, who calls out to him.

 

"That's a rare sight. Your morning started well?"

 

"Yes. I'm used to this kind of attention, but... Something else has me feeling better. Class is about to begin."

 

He puts his phone away as the door opens. Everyone immediately snaps to their assigned seats, but instead of Aizawa entering the room...

 

Star Man marches in instead.

 

"Pardon the intrusion."

 

He says before marching over to Momo. The fan girl in her mind tries so desperately to ruin her natural composure, but she is also frozen in surprise that not only does he approach her specifically.

 

He places down a card on her desk. The card of himself for card collecting hero fans, with his signature signed on the corner, small in size as to not obscure the image or text of the card.

 

"I remember your decisive action and ability to lead others. I also saw your capabilities in the Sports Festival reruns while I was recovering. My office is open to you, Momo-chan."

 

Momo's mind draws a blank as she absently takes the card back. Star Man leaves as quickly as he arrives, and as soon as the door closes behind him, all eyes are on her. She looks over at Izuku but he shakes his head.

 

"N-No! I didn't say anything-! I completely forgot about it too..."

 

"... Oh..."

 

She says, breathless as she looks down at the card. Aizawa enters proper, snapping everyone back into focus, though not fast enough that he doesn't notice the strange mood in the room. He does not comment on it.

 

"Looks like everyone is here."

 

Tsuyu raises her hand.

 

"Congratulations on your recovery, sensei. You're no longer a mummy."

 

He scratches his cheek where a small scar under his eye sits.

 

"I've a few nicks here and there. Now, with repairs to the city finished and some time process recent events, we can move on to the next important stage of your lives here at UA. Choosing your Hero Names-"

 

The entire class cheers, not even Aizawa's intimidating glare could stifle their joy, at least not instantly. Class 1-A calms down, some even shushing each other, yet none of the smiles vanish.

 

"Before we get too excited, let's talk about the drafts for internships, as while it's normal to request one? It doesn't guarantee that you'll get it. Even those that received requests from their performance in the Sports Festival could still find themselves rejected for whatever reason. Being a Hero is as much a business as it is a responsibility."

 

There are some murmurs amongst the class as Aizawa points to the electric chalkboard. The Class 1-A results display the total across the nine students. 

 

Two long lines streak across the board with one streak that reaches halfway, and the rest barely move ahead. 

 

Bakugo leans back in his seat, his jaw clenched, but his face relaxed.

 

"Of course you're gonna be at the top..."

 

Izuku says nothing as his friend leans back and gives him a glare.

 

"You've got a ton of options..."

 

"Guess so."

 

Momo looks over at Todoroki.

 

"You've gotten just as many...!"

 

"It's mostly my father's influence. I've made my decision already."

 

Fumikage makes his own quiet statement.

 

"Seems the rest of us will just have to work that much harder."

 

Aizawa takes a step back from the teacher's podium and pulls his sleeping bag out in preparation.

 

"Now, onto the names, which are super important and whatever."

 

He says as another voice shouts out.

 

"Not whatever! These names will be your first impressions for Hero Society, FOREVER! You might rebrand later, but you'll never forget your first, so you've got to make it count! ~"

 

Midnight sways her hips with each sultry bouncy step. Aizawa then speaks up as he zips his sleeping bag up after putting in ear plugs.

 

"Yeah, what she said. Since she's an expert at public reception and media presence... She's also better at quality control for this kind of thing than I am."

 

Midnight then wears a smug grins as she thumbs at Aizawa.

 

"He once let a student with a Chicken Quirk name himself Cock H-"

 

"Behave."

 

He says with a rare rise in his voice. A deathly glare is sent her way before he falls asleep on the ground. She rolls her eyes, taking an innocent pose as she brings her hands together.

 

"Now then! Your Hero Name is your emblem! It has to be iconic, of you! Don't just make a neat name if it can't relate to you whatsoever! For example... I wouldn't call Koda-kun Mr. Bear Eating Tiger Killer. His Quirk allows for communication with animals, but he's as gentle as they come! Or calling someone like Tenya-kun Slowpoke Bumpy Trail. He's fast, sleek, and his costume is pristine! He should have a fast and clean name! Right?"

 

She then cracks a whip at Sero who begins to raise his hand.

 

"NO QUESTIONS YET! Ahem! Just, pick whatever you feel and share with the class, so we can all be sure none of us go out into the world with egg on our face! After all, that uh, Chicken Hero ended up becoming a Villain because of his juvenile decision with his Hero Name. It's that serious."

 

With that said, the pressure was on for many, some had names prepared but no willpower to say them aloud, at least not until one person steps up.

 

Yuga glimmers with pride as he displays his name.

 

"Shining Hero: I Cannot Stop Twinkling! ~"

 

Midnight stares at him in minor disbelief and disappointment before speaking plainly.

 

"T-That's just a sentence-! Here! Try this!"

 

Another odd one shows up with Mina proudly singing hers out.

 

"Alien Queen! ~"

 

Midnight blinks in surprise before pointing to Mina's assigned seat.

 

"L-Like the movies...?! Those are horror films-??! Gorey ones at that!!! Get back to your seat and make a better one!!! Unbelievable..."

 

She sighs, puffing a stray strand of hair from her face as she wonders if the entire session will just be this odd. Her prayers are answered as Tsuyu takes center stage.

 

"Froppy. It's a name I had thought about since primary."

 

Midnight claps her hands together smiling from ear to ear.

 

"Ooh! ~ An amazing choice! Cute, fun, and makes you seem so approachable! Excellent name, Asui-chan! ~"

 

With such praise and a simple name, others finally start to join in, each one with their own tastes on display. Even Shōto, who seems conflicted at first, proudly shows his own as Midnight grins.

 

"Snowflame?"

 

"I was going to just use my name... But, I was given some inspiration by someone else not too long ago."

 

Finally, Izuku is the last one. He takes to the front of the class and begins writing his name down.

 

"I've actually had this name in mind for a while... It's funny to me, because it's been thrown in my face almost as an insult, but... It means a lot to me, personally. I'm anything but this title..."

 

He looks around between faces of friends he holds dear to him. Eijirō, Shōto, Momo, Ochako, Katsuki, Īda and even Tsuyu. He writes the name down and flips it over as he finishes his speech.

 

"I want to be a symbol for people, something people can feel they can be whenever they watch us work, whether on the field or from home... I want them to feel how I feel when I'm with all of you... I, am..."

 

Invincible

 

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

"You haven't decided yet?"

 

Mineta asks. Izuku looks at his thin stack of requests before putting them down. He and the short grape bunch sit in a small cafe not too far from UA.

 

"No... I'm not sure who I'd even go with. Do-Don't get me wrong!"

 

He holds up the stack forcing on a smile.

 

"This is nothing short of a dream come true!"

 

He is pushed towards the window as Tsuyu makes her way to sit in the booth.

 

"Lying isn't a good trait to have, messy eater."

 

"I'M NOT!!! I-It's just... I don't know who to go with... Or if any of these options are quite for me..."

 

Izuku says in defeat. Tsuyu grabs one of the papers and begins going down the list.

 

"Whoa. I see what you mean. Some of these wouldn't even work. Why would you join a Marketing Agency when you're combat oriented?"

 

Mineta swallows down his drink before speaking.

 

"I thought you wanted to do rescue work, Midoriya."

 

"I guess I was looking for someone more well-rounded...? I mean, these are all great, but they're all so close together..."

 

Mineta steals one and looks it over before sending his friend a side eye.

 

"You know these two are like, an entire prefecture away. Right? Wait! Some of these make no sense! Why would you go all the way to Osaka!?! You only have a week for an internship!"

 

Tsuyu points at Izuku as she replies for him.

 

"He flies faster than the speed of sound. Yesterday, I caught him eating a hamburger from a restaurant in California for lunch. Today he's going to make up for that and take me somewhere."

 

Mineta gasps before slapping a hand on his chest.

 

"Using your feminine wiles to rope him into doing your bidding!?! To wrap him around your finger! Midoriya! You may as well change your name to Whipped at this rate! And why won't you take ME somewhere, huh!?!"

 

He blinks before answering plainly.

 

"You never asked."

 

He gives a wry smile as Mineta growls, reaching for one of his balls to throw at him.

 

"It's the truth! I can only carry one person at a time, comfortably. I think I could carry a hundred in terms of weight..."

 

He then waves his hands.

 

"Besides, whenever I do get asked to go somewhere by someone, it's almost always too far of a trip. I could get there, but if I wanted to be fast, I'd be flying at speeds so dangerous it could hurt the body."

 

He then gestures between himself and Tsuyu.

 

"She just wants to go to Hawaii. That's a seven hour flight if I took my time going at the same speed as a commercial airline."

 

She then points at herself.

 

"And I'm tougher than I look. Most of 1-A is."

 

Mineta sinks into the soft cushion of his seat and groans.

 

"My dreams of Paris... Hot awesome babes... Stunning handsome men with exotic accents... Ruined! Even worse-!"

 

He holds up his stolen request sheet pointing at a familiar name.

 

"How come Mt Lady requested you!?!"

 

"If you want to intern with her, be my guest, she's not exactly who I want either..."

 

Izuku says with a knowing frown at Mineta. Tsuyu tilts her head at him.

 

"Really? She's close by, she does both rescue and combat, and she's just started so the pressure wouldn't be too bad on you if you went with her. How come?"

 

"... I-It's a dumb answer."

 

He says sheepishly. Tsuyu leans in closer with a quiet but judgmental stare. Her face had not changed but he could feel her intent. He gives up and groans.

 

"I don't think I'd learn from someone I'd have to save more often than not... Her Quirk is great in certain circumstances! But... I don't think she'd have anything I'm looking to learn from."

 

"Ribbit. That's rather arrogant of you, don't you think?"

 

He hides his face with his hands as she pokes his cheeks repeatedly.

 

"I-I know, I know, that's why it's a dumb answer-! She's a Pro Heroes after all...!"

 

He jumps as she pokes his side.

 

"And you said you wanted to stay here, right? Hm?"

 

She pokes him again and he begins floating away from her.

 

"... Are you ticklish?"

 

Mineta stands on his seat as Izuku tries to land on his side ,only to poke him as well, getting a forced jolt out of the otherwise sturdy hybrid.

 

"... Pfft! He is!"

 

"H-Hey! Let's get back on topic!"

 

Tsuyu looks at Mineta.

 

"We should make him laugh. He's been sad too often and I've never heard him laugh for real."

 

Mineta grows a malicious shadow over his face as he pulls one of his balls from his head.

 

"I agree...! He only does those polite fake laughter people who are miserable do to fit in...! He's gotten a swollen head! Hey, Midoriya! ~ Get back here!"

 

Izuku gasps in a slight panic before he flies for the door, only to find himself stopped by a Tsuyu's tongue wrapping around his waist, she lands on his back and begins tickling his sides. She could hardly believe her own eyes andel ears as he falls to the ground laughing tearfully.

 

"I guess everyone has their weaknesses."

 

"T-TSU-! TSUYU!! A-ASUI-! STOP IT!! I'M-!! I'M BEGGING YOU!!!"

 

She relents and he gets up, but she still stares at him with her idle froggy frown.

 

"You're worrying about Battle Beast, aren't you."

 

His giggles still and his mood sours, but he nods, looking away.

 

"You saved my life... And now you're in danger because of me... I can't just, sit around and not work on myself, I have to be stronger. Get better."

 

"Izuku. It's not a crime to be a victim or to ask for help."

 

He looks at her ready to defend himself but she interrupts him with a hand over his mouth.

 

"I didn't want you to die. I don't like people making sacrifices for each other when being alive is nice. You're strong, but it gets to your head, and you forget that you're only fifteen. Leave, holding the world up on your shoulders, for the adults. We're still trying to figure this all out."

 

He blinks at that before he recalls wise words from not too long ago. All Might had told him something similar.

 

"You're a fifteen year old teenager still going through puberty and trying to figure out how the world works... You're not a weapon. You're a kid. As an adult, your mentor, and as your friend? I must at the bare minimum, advise you take caution, and take your time. You, are extraordinary, exceptional in every meaning of the word and that was before your gifts. People will only see you for your abilities. Do not let them use that, to define you. Otherwise you'll find yourself truly alone..."

 

Tsuyu pokes his chest, freeing his mouth, prodding the space above his heart.

 

"You have a good heart."

 

She then pokes his forehead.

 

"But you should use this brain of yours more often too. My life is on the line but you don't see me panicking over it. I know you'll keep us safe. Try to relax once in awhile."

 

Guilt fills him at once. He had been so selfish in his own pursuit, not out of fear for his life, but to reach his father's level. To become the Hero he knows he can be. To avenge and fulfill All Might's duty, his dream of a predecessor, of bringing peace to the world.

 

It is his responsibility.

 

But so is she. Obviously, by extension of the grand scheme of things, but Tsuyu saved his life by swearing off her own. How often does she think about that? How awful is he for not? As far as he knows, having never received the message from his sworn rival, Battle Beast could return any day.

 

And yet here she is just trying to make him feel better.

 

So he won't waste her efforts.

 

"You're right... Thank you, Tsuyu!"

 

He beams at her, but grows worried about her unchanging expression.

 

"I-I was being honest...!"

 

She blinks out of a trance, her face turns red before she walks past him. She never noticed how bright his real smile was. He had a plain face when they first met, nothing ugly but not striking, and yet... She found it difficult to look away.

 

"I know. You're hard to look at right now, so let's go somewhere else."

 

"Uh-! O-Okay...?"

 

He watches her go for a bit before following after her with Mineta, who nudges him as he walks by his friend.

 

"Seeing you two act like this gives me indigestion and a headache. Just, ask her out already."

 

They all leave into the city streets with Izuku stammering a mess of words.

 

"I-I! I don't-! I-! Dah-! Duh-! Uh-!"

 

Mineta mimicks him with a hand gesture as he opens and closes his mouth along with Izuku's ramblings. He then cuts him off.

 

"Leave the babbling to Kaminari when his brain is fried. Look, we're friends, right?"

 

Izuku nods, somewhat confident of this answer.

 

"Yeah, of course. Especially after everything."

 

"Then let me, as your friend looking from the outside in, tell you that you're being dense or cruel with her! Just, think it over and decide. Women are fickle creatures, and Asui-chan is one of a kind, but she's still a girl. They don't all wait on hands and knees for their prince charming to waltz up to them! You gotta take initiative."

 

Mineta says giving him a thumbs up before nodding ahead. Izuku watches her as she looks back at them before waving.

 

"It's... Complicated."

 

"Is it? How? The only way this gets complicated is if there's just someone else."

 

He says nothing, confirming Mineta's theory, who looks at him in a mix of awe and disbelief. Izuku runs away from him and makes his way to Tsuyu, the three side by side just enjoying the day.

 

 

B O O M!

 

Portals open up in a town square, and just like that day in front of the Star Man Agency, those strange green invaders arrive with weapons firing. Pandemonium hits all at once as people begin to flee, many caught by laser fire or struck with the end of a rifle, war openly breaks out.

 

Tsuyu sees the calamity, and immediately turns-"

 

"Midoriya-!"

 

"On it!"

 

She brings her arms back up as he flies into the fray nearly pushing them back with the wind. 

 

"N-No! Don't fight them! T-They're different looking!"

 

He does not hear her pleas as he crashes into an entire crowd. Then, a metallic fist crashes into his cheek.

 

An older one smiles at him wearing a suit of armor and a glowing core at the chest. Several wires and apparatus sprawl around it. Izuku shakes his blurry head before he narrowly escapes a straight left for his nose. He strikes at the knee, the metal glowing upon impact as the alien falters, the core of the suit glowing brighter.

 

Izuku uses his flight to punch this decorated soldier away and into his minions. With them distracted, he flies back at the army advancing upon the city, only to be shot with a strange glue substance that weighs him down. He hits the ground, and it hardens, leaving him pinned.

 

The armored commander chuckles as he begins to stomp on his head, bruising his brow by the third step, cutting it by the sixth, each stomp causing the armor to glow and the core grow brighter and brighter.

 

Izuku weathers the abuse best he can, but he is losing consciousness, he can barely move his arms. Then he sees it as the stomps stop and the commander looks ahead, calling out to his subordinates who all dive for the ground.

 

The commander takes a stance and unleashes a ball of energy from the core. It flies forward... And completely erases an entire skyscraper with a thin but growing trench leading to the smoking crater.

 

The ball of destructive energy grew as it ate away anything in its path, cars, people, even fellow aliens that were too slow as it grew exponentially consuming the street before landing at a large building.

 

Only skeletons remain on the sizzling concrete, raining down from where many people were still merely doing their jobs, so many lives taken at once.

 

Then, the commander looks at Izuku and speaks.

 

"You. Next."

 

Izuku growls at him as the glue around his body begins to break. However, he makes a mistake, as the commander studies his face and notices that Izuku is not looking at him.

 

He's looking off to the side.

 

Following his gaze he finds Mineta and Tsuyu trying to help people that had fallen over or were frozen, Tsuyu able to dodge several laser fire and kick the invaders into unconsciousness, while Mineta stops many in the tracks as they step into the sticky balls without any wariness.

 

And with them, came others.

 

Pros finally make it to the scene with some being there from the start, shaken but now resolved as a young boy led the charge, the army finds themselves pushed by pressurized water slamming into them. Giant enlarged fists shatter bones and send invaders to the ground. Some Heroes have weapons of their own fight back with.

 

The tides of war have changed.

 

However, the commander only seems mildly annoyed. He then dons a smirk as he aims his core piece again. However, before he can fire, he is sent hurtling away by a powerful thunderclap of a punch.

 

Star and Stripe arrives on the scene wearing a proud smile.

 

"There won't be anymore of that happening here! Uhf!"

 

She shatters the hardened glue around Izuku before helping him up.

 

"You did good! I'll take it from here!"

 

"Y-You're... Star and Stripe...!"

 

He says bewildered by her appearance. She only smiles before facing down this invader.

 

Normally, she would entertain a speech or surrender. However, she is not in her normal mood, and this monster just obliterated nearly a hundred people if not more.

 

She grabs the air and then punches ahead.

 

"New Order: Air, will be a vacuum ahead of me."

 

She states as she punches the air, and all at once, the invading army.

 

"UURRAAAGGHHHH!!!"

 

The commander shrieks through strained lungs before his suit begins to glow brightly, a villainous smile on as he leaks blood from his eyes and mouth, before he fires a powerful ball right at Star and Stripe.

 

She braces herself, for she saw what will happen to those that are near it, but if she can hit before it grows too powerful...

 

She couldn't finish her thought as the invader fired a bright white ball, one that was a concentrate, as it flies faster and strikes the original blue ball making it grow in size. Building walls are eaten alive with tenants and office workers, just big enough to continue to consume the environment, but not enough to detonate it.

 

By the time it was near her, it was already at a titanic size that dwarfs her, and whatever plans she had were out of the window.

 

"GET BACK!"

 

She hears before she is violently pulled backwards. She crashes into the pavement before hearing an inhuman cry and the sound of violent static. Izuku had taken the hit for her, his body turning black as the ball consumes him.

 

His muscular system, skeletal system, and even his nervous system begin flashing between the epileptic flashes of light. The commander sneers in victory, though his suit lowers itself as it loses all power, he begins to flee as he disconnects something from it and leaves with his soldiers.

 

Their equipment immediately starts rusting away as they open portals to escape. The commander looks back, expecting to see an entire city destroyed. To his abject horror and confusion, his weapon of mass destruction has yet to detonate, and in fact had been shrinking in size.

 

This energy displaces and moves atoms around, causing the distorted effect not unlike an explosion or even disintegration. However, unaware of the nature of Viltrumite's biological make-up being compromised of Smart Atoms, Izuku's own body actively resisted the effect. Once more, One For All had activated at a level Izuku had never truly tested. 

 

He had always used it in bursts. Applying it only to an arm, his legs, or momentarily his whole body to enhance his state. Now, bearing pain never before felt, his Quirk activates along with the Smart Atoms as he takes hold of the energy attempting to destroy him.

 

And briefly controls it, condensing it down to the size of a baseball, that he then hurls right at the fleeing invaders. The commander barely makes it through to see his home dimension one last time, before he is atomized into a dispersed cloud of displaced atoms, no different than the primordial clouds of energy all life had came from before the Big Bang.

 

The portal closes, and unbeknownst to anyone on Earth, the ball of condensed energy would continue to eat a city until it finally detonates on the world of the Flaxan Empire. The planet would be completely annihilated, with half of the celestial body blown away with no hope of recovery, the other half would suffer a slower death from the destruction of their atmosphere.

 

A greedy, senseless people, damned by their own creations and ambitions for dimensional conquest.

 

They would never again interact with another world as their planet had been pushed out of synch of orbit, crashing into a neighboring planet within a few centuries, killing the handful of survivors left. A world where time moved far fast, but not fast enough.

 

On Earth, Izuku falls on hands and knees panting, his eyes shut for all he can see is blinding white. His ears ring a terrible screech and his flesh feels like it is still on fire with the idle wind whipping at his bare back. Thankfully, his senses soon begin to adjust, and a cape is draped over him to hide his exposed body.

 

"That was reckless! How did you know that would work?! Is-Is your Quirk some kind of energy manipulation?"

 

Star and Stripe asks as she takes a knee by his side pouting at him. He looks fine to her, but she heard his screams, and no one lets out sounds like that without being in ungodly agony. Izuku shakes his head as he hugs himself for a moment trying to recollect himself.

 

"... I-I'm... I... I'm just... Tough... That's it..."

 

"More like, invincible...! You shouldn't have risked your life like that!"

 

She scolds. He shrinks under her scrutiny, but finds himself smiling still.

 

"I can't help it... It's just a bad habit of mine to jump in, when people are in danger... I'm sorry."

 

She decides to sit with him as the other Pros begin doing what they can to repair the damages, rescue those trapped under rubble or dangling from dangerous heights, many civilians having nearly fallen out of the now mostly destroyed buildings. Star and Stripe keeps him from going anywhere as he tries to stand.

 

"You've done enough, kid... Damn, your parents must be proud to have a son like you. What's your name?"

 

His answer has her eyes widened, but her heart stop, before pounding in anticipation.

 

"Izuku... Midoriya..."

 

She eyes him carefully. Now she knows why he seems so familiar. His powers as well, they were a give away, for she knew only one man that could handle something as destructive as she just witnessed.

 

"... Do you know, a uh, Hisashi Midoriya?"

 

"Star Man. He works with you, or... He used to work with, the Guardians..."

 

She smirks.

 

"Not used to! I'm the only other one left, but we're gonna make a comeback, stronger than ever! I saw you were in a UA Uniform! What year? I was knocked out for the Sports Festival so... I uh, I didn't see it!"

 

Izuku lowers his head as his body finally begins to feel normal again. His breathing calmer and his voice no longer hoarse.

 

"First year, Class 1-A, and Cecil already wants me... But... I want to graduate before I go out into the field."

 

"But you're doing internships now, right? You pick anyone?"

 

He shakes his head. He opens his eyes slowly, blinking as the light still aches, but he can see the American's prideful grin.

 

"Then pick me! I'll put my paperwork in! I owe your dad a huge favor, and he told me to take care of you! If he saw this? He'd have my head...!"

 

She chuckles nervously, but Izuku stares at her speechless before standing up with her cape keeping him decent.

 

"Okay."

 

She blinks at his response. She dons a serious smile as she stands as well.

 

"Great! I'll see you at UA tomorrow and we'll get everything finalized! Izzie!"

 

She offers him a hand that he eagerly shakes. When he sees her, hears her, he cannot help but think of an idol they both share. Though gone in flesh, All Might's spirit has united two heroes.

Chapter 23: Step by Step Training!

Summary:

Izuku's Internship has begun with the unlikely Star and Stripe! The Number One American Hero taking on someone from out of the country is unprecedented, but much like All Might himself, Cathleen seeks to see what this boy can do in secret rather than capitalizing on his public heroisms. Brought together by the two men they both hold dear to their hearts, neither aware, or willing to acknowledge the glaring circumstances of All Might's death.

Thirty Years Ago...

Cathleen Bate has always loved superheroes. She would see them, everywhere, in the city she called home. New York City is many things, a bustling gem stone of opportunities and perfect symbol as the United States' position as a cultural melting pot, as well as a sleazy scum ridden hive of non-stop criminal activities. She would find herself truly inspired when a man of towering physique would save her and her family's life. 

 

How he threw himself into danger, fearlessly and with a proud smile, as if doing the impossible is what he lived for.

 

She wanted nothing more than to be like him.

 

However, her dreams would be splashed with burdening reality as she would find herself kidnapped one day not long after that event, a serial killer at large known for his inhumanity. She had been picked up with her friend by what she thought was a friendly ice cream man.

 

She would spend that night in a nightmare as her friend would be dismantled, piece by piece, her body and innocence stolen first by being defiled by this demon in man's form before the knife would make her into a gruesome art project.

 

Her Quirk had manifested, but she needed a name, not just a face and he never gave one. Only his foul title as the Ice Cream Man. His own Quirk as well, stole her breath, kept her still as a statue. All she could do is scream until she fainted. Then wake up, to more of her friend's misery, and scream again.

 

She would have been next, but someone did save her, something... Strange. It moved so fast, like a blur or streak of red, with glowing green eyes of fire that burned true fear into this merciless wretch seeking to deflower and destroy her. Clinking silver chains that tore at his body, ebony hissing claws that whistle through the air, tearing at his flesh just as he did so many children.

 

A bold white M on what little of the massive body she could see underneath the crimson shroud.

 

She only caught a glimpse of his punishment before she would finally be freed from his heinous Quirk,allowed to faint, allowed to rest. She would wake up in those umbral arms, cradled so gently, carried outside of that room of ruined meat and shattered hope. Her life saved once again from ruination by something she could not truly comprehend.

 

She just knew she was safe with whatever this is, because much like her, it too was crying.

 

It would be gone by the time the police arrived. She gave them her story, and though she had little to say, she could never forget about the Sad Man that saved her life.

 

That night taught her a valuable lesson in caution. In fear. How to feel fear, what it could do to person, and what it can allow others to do... It is why she would never use it against the innocent. Hope, is what All Might gave her. Fear, is what the Sad Man saved her from.

 

Both she would embody something even greater as she would become America's Number One Pro Hero! Pride!

 

No crime was too small for her to ever scoff at! No giant ever too large for her to topple! No is disaster too great for her to handle! Star and Stripe would and could do it all!!! 

 

Battling foes as tall as mountains! Solving the little issues such as petty theft or drug deals in local areas, she could have easily been just as lost to the world herself, and due to her personal efforts? Human trafficking had been all but halted in North America. Kidnappings, ransoms, or even just missing people would be solved by her and her team.

 

Eventually, or rather immediately in her case, she found herself among like-minded allies in Guardians of the Globe. War Woman had been like a sister to her, someone who had been victimized by her own people, exiled for her lifestyle and choices in choosing humanity over her own kind.

 

Aquaraus, despite his role as King of the Oceans, knew that the entire planet mattered just as much. Of course, she was of the few on the planet to know that ruling the seas is a loathsome and boring venture, as he would have nothing but time on his hands. The seas were ruled by another after all... But his power was formidable, and his people proof, humans are not alone in the ability to develop Quirks.

 

Martian Man is someone she had met a few times without realizing it, working charity events in her youth, helping those who could not help themselves. Soup kitchens, clothes donations, she had helped him fit in as a human with her philanthropy without ever knowing it until their first official meeting at Guardians HQ.

 

It was in fact, he, that had recommended her before any other candidate.

 

She had met the second Green Ghost, who would eventually meet his fate saving the world by using his powers of intangibility to take a bomb with him, turning the explosion itself intangible. Saving the West Coast at the cost of his own life. Trying to live up to the name of a legend herself, she helped ease the weight off of the third Green Ghost shoulders.

 

Immortal was always hard to please. Impossible standards, impossible ways to meet them, but she would do more than that. She excelled, and he stubbornly accepted her, even growing to label her as the face of the Guardians over himself despite his role as leader. She was America's Heart and Soul, he said.

 

Red Rush and Dark Wing always seemed so far away, but that did not stop them from forming a deep bond through their work, as well as their love of the spirits in stuff drinks.

 

Christopher Skyline was the little brother he never wanted to be. He had only joined the Guardians because of her insistence, for he was an impulsive and controversial figure, even with the likes of Star Man. However, Cathleen is nothing if not a good judge of character, and she would become the godmother of his child. Captain Celebrity would be called many things, but among all the terrible titles, a true hero is one he proved to be time and time again.

 

And of course, her idol, All Might. A man she worshiped almost like a god, proved to be everything she believed him to be, and more. Even with his insecurities as a Hero, his own humanity and vulnerability only emboldened him to her, and when she was too busy to help him with his fight against his greatest rival?

 

It nearly ruined her. Thankfully, he was not alone.

 

Star Man... Star Man was... Different from the rest. The others were all like family to some degree, even fish face Aquaraus was like the clumsy dog they all loved to have around, but Star Man had always distanced himself. She was never sure what to think of him.

 

And Cathleen is not one for indecision. She either likes someone or does not.

 

Star Man was different. She knew of his secret environmental work, and it was her word that got him his various space missions greenlit, and out of all the Guardians he interacted with...

 

She had the warmest reception. He would talk to her with her, but he would only ever indulge her talking about... Anything that wasn't him. He would drink with her, sneak in her favorite candy gummies during meetings, and even share his own wisdom that she much preferred over Immortal's. All Might is her idol, and her best friend, but Star Man felt like a father... She had lost her own, so, so long ago she has forgotten what that man even looked like.

 

Just the same with him, as she had never known what his face even looked like either. It bothered her.

 

However, it bothered her because it felt as though he was hiding himself from them. Had he been hurt in his youth as she was? Cathleen never stopped trying to reach out to him, and one day, those efforts yielded a minor yet significant reward. 

 

She had been in surveillance duty at HQ, a loathsome and boring position her, but she had found Star Man in his own lost in thought. He had been staring at photo on a smartphone she had never seen him use before. On it, an image of himself, flexing his biceps as he holds two boys up by his arms.

 

"Oh? Who are those two? You've got fans that young?"

 

She casually asks as she hovers her head over his shoulder. He had stiffened, a subtle jolt as she could feel his gaze from behind the black lens of his helmet, yet he does not hide it from her.

 

"... The one on my left is the son of a friend. That one, with the green hair... Is my son."

 

She stumbles back, shocked at his reveal.

 

"YOU ACTUALLY HAVE A KID!?! ARE YOU MARRIED?!?"

 

"Happily."

 

He says in his signature stoicism. He has recovered before she could process the information. 

 

"Star and Stripe. If something were to happen to me. Would you be there to help him?"

 

She rolls her shoulder and head, placing a hand on her shoulder as she pretends to give a tired response.

 

"Idunno, y'seem like the kind of guy to have a bunch of kids in secret! Besides, unless it's G.O.G. oriented business, I can't do Hero Work outside of North America-"

 

"Cathy."

 

He states, catching her off guard. Star Man, never, addresses Heroes by their legal names. It was too personal for someone constantly exercising surgical professionalism. He removed his helmet so that their eyes could properly meet.

 

"His name is Izuku Midoriya. He lives with his mother, Inko, in Musutafu, Japan. He's barely five years old and he's... I never imagined he'd be so fragile. I can't, be there for him, like I should be... Like I want to be. This planet is our responsibility... But if anything were to happen to me. Would you be there for him. For me?"

 

He never asked for help. Not when caught in the jaws of a raging Kaiju. Not when stuck in the midst of a raging supernatural storm. Not when pinned down by unending ballistics. Not even when old gods called by ruthless cults invaded their minds and world. Star Man refused to ask for any aid no matter how desperately he would need it.

 

And out of everyone or anyone to ask, he asked her.

How could she say no?

 

Cathleen wonders why she is thinking back on her life as she begins to stir, as memories begin to play in her head over and over, soon playing out of place. Bits and pieces moving faster, incoherent images melding into a story of her making through countless experiences until flashes of her most recent tragedy occurs.

 

Something came from below, at speeds beyond even she could react to, hitting with strength only one person could ever come close to matching. She had awakened to a sea of flames, feeling weak, light headed and faint as her legs remained unresponsive. All she could do is crawl away as her mouth could no longer form words.

 

Her body was still powerful enough to endure the fall, but she needed to rest, she needed help. Then everything went dark.

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

The Day After The Sports Festival...

 

She wakes up gasping for air. She felt teeth, her tongue pushing against complete cheeks, and rubs her chin. A jaw she cannot actually feel. The flesh feels real on her fingers, and yet like a phantom, her jaw is frighteningly numb.

"Seventy five million dollars for the world's most elaborate prosthetic. It might not be what you're used to, but it's better than the old one and looks about the same... Good morning, Cathy."

 

Cecil greets as he sits by her bed. He had not expected her to awaken for a few more days. She sits up looking around. She wiggles her toes, though their movement is slow, even pulling her legs in almost feel delayed. Still, it is a relief she can still move.

 

"Your motor functions aren't quite there yet. You'll walk again, Hell you'll even be able to run, but it'll take time. You got hit hard. Real damn hard. Are you able to speak? Here."

He offers her a cup of water. She snatches it, ignoring the straw, and downs in one go before trying to get out of bed.

 

"W-We were ambushed! Someone turned off the power, there were explosions-! Even a cave-in! Where's everyone else? Did they wake up already?"

 

She asks. Cecil holds her shoulders, and to his own surprise, his mundane strength is enough to stop her. Her Quirk had been so inactive that her superhuman strength had vanished. She kept her impressive physique, but with her brain still waking up and her body feeling like mush, she cannot fight him off.

 

"Cathy, listen to me. I need to know what happened, exactly. The black box was destroyed and all we have is a bunch of smoke and ashes. There was some rock debris, but it was around you, did you dig yourself out?"

 

She shakes her head.

 

"N-No, I-! Where is everyone? Why is it only you? Mr. Steadman... Why are you looking at me like that?"

 

Cecil's scowl deepens as he steps back from her, sighing.

 

"Only you survived. The rest are K.I.A. We were hoping you'd fill in some pieces. Who was where, how it started, and maybe even why this happened."

She sits there silent. Then, a grimace breaks across her face.

 

"New Order: Cathleen Bate, is full of vitality."

 

Her Quirk activates and she stands on her own. Cecil scowls at her reckless act.

 

"You just woke up from having your skull nearly caved in-"

 

"Someone either underestimated or is insulting me! Out of all the Guardians, though my Quirk is powerful, I am not the toughest or strongest! I am, the most dangerous!!! So why leave me, alive!?! It makes no sense!!!"

 

She booms with such anger that she makes Cecil shake from the force of her voice. He adjusts his tie, sighing.

 

"That's what we're trying to figure out. Listen, there is one other survivor, and our prime suspect... Hisashi Midoriya, Star Man."

 

Cathleen blinks at that before veins appear in her forehead.

 

"Star Man...!?! You suspect Star Man?!? He wasn't even there-!!!"

 

Cecil sends his own hostility back at her, and for a moment, she is reminded that this man has seen more death than she could ever know. 

"He was found beaten half to death surrounded by the burnt skeletons of your friends! And if you just said he wasn't there, that only means one of two things! He either showed up when you got knocked out? Or he knocked you out first because of your Quirk!"

 

Cathleen shudders as she learns more, and yet her mind rejects this theory, her heart aches as her face twists between agony and rage. 

 

"Do you even hear yourself, Cecil!? Why! Why would he do that?! How could he?!? He wasn't even there-! I swear on my citizenship! On my life! Star Man, did not, kill the Guardians! Maybe he did show up later, but there were multiple intruders, they sabotaged our security through a black out! They even blew up the main computer!"

 

"By using a Blaze Pop. An item exclusive to the Most Powerful Man on Earth."

 

He says as he holds one up wrapped in airtight plastic. Her eyes widen in dismay as he continues.

 

"We got this one from when his kid was in here. They leave behind a unique chemical signature not found in our periodic table. It's all over the floors. The walls. The bodies."

 

Her teeth begin to chatter as her iron jaw trembles. She cannot bring herself to do anything but deny this. There is something they are missing.

 

"You mentioned that there was some white lion guy that had those, right?!"

 

"... I did."

She finds her own theory. It has to be the truth. It must be.

 

"That alien warrior guy! Used one on a villain that attacked UA, leaving only a skeleton behind despite having regeneration, I read that report! He came to Earth seeking powerful warriors! How do we know he didn't come back after learning about the Guardians?!"

 

She asks, desperately. She scans Cecil's face and he stares back. His fierce glare softens as his eyes idly move in thought without breaking eye contact until he finally sighs. He looks away.

 

"You've got a point. He didn't work alone either. We'll add him to the board, start from scratch, but Cathy. You're a target now... And without the Guardians... Without All Might..."

 

"I'm still in the game. Something like this, wouldn't slow them down, and it will not slow me down."

 

She states with stalwart resolve. He nods, gesturing to the bed.

 

"Fine. You're in Japan, by the way. You should still rest up, but if you're itching for action, there's a ton of it happening on the ground floor above. All Might's death has gotten criminals acting out. They could use a reminder that this isn't a playground for them... I'll give you a month or two for recovery before getting you home."

 

She begins marching out of the room, heavy footsteps thudding against the cold tiles, but she stops at the door.

"... Where is he?"

"... Star Man's currently in Central America. Doc Seismic is trying to separate Mexico from the US and Megaforce is too busy dealing with some yahoos in Canada to do anything about it themselves. Teen Team's keeping your city safe, although, Midnight City is looking pretty dire..."

 

"And here?"

 

She asks looking back. Cecil's scarred face melts into an ugly pout.

 

"There's really only a handful of Heroes in Japan that's worth a damn, and that's saying something considering the jackasses we've got wrangling Chicago... Malcolm Dragon sends his regards, by the way..."

 

She belts out a brief and swift humorless chuckle. Chicago is not her least favorite place, but she would rather be anywhere else in the world than there again. She thinks on that thought and Cecil takes notice.

 

"Look, I'd rather you take at least today off, but I know you. Just keep yourself from overexerting your body. That Quirk of yours is amazing, but even New Order doesn't make you invincible... If you can't sit still, just stay in the city and do what you can."

 

She does an about-face before standing at attention for a moment to confirm his orders. She leaves, and while the gesture is accepted, Star and Stripe was never one to follow orders well.

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

Two Days After the Invasion...

 

 

"Aww, this can't be it, right?"

 

Cathleen says as she does curls while sitting in her casual gym wear atop a giant boulder. A massive weight in each arm as she does one rep along with her latest student. Izuku sweats profusely as he lifts up the titanic size of debris she shouts from. A fight between giants had occurred out on the countryside, causing a mountain to be damaged in the process. In an attempt to see how strong he is without utilizing his Quirk, Cathleen has Izuku put the mountain back together, or at least best he can.

 

"We've got most of the base done! C'mon! You tussled with the King of Kaiju! A mountain this small would've been shattered in a tail swipe!"

 

"I thought... I told you... He... Let me... Win...!"

 

He says between each of his own reps as part of his training before placing the large chunk of rock back in place. He had not expected this from her, then again they spent the entirety of yesterday just helping with fixing the ruined street, and all she asked him about were his father's behavior since the murder.

 

He told her what she expected to hear.

 

"He's been quiet about it, almost ignoring the whole thing. He's always been like that so, maybe that's just how he is? He doesn't emote often..."

 

Hisashi Midoriya, Star Man, is infamous for his unmarketable stoicism. Showing signs of grief is not something she would expect. However, she hides behind her smile, and pushes down the pain as newfound hope swells in her chest. She sits up and hops down from her perch landing next to a weary Izuku. Looking back at the mountain, all it was missing is the peak, which had been smashed into rubble. That he could put together this much is impressive.

 

But now she needs to learn about his Quirk. He always tries to avoid talking about it, he even would've lied to her, has his friends not brought it up themselves.

 

"Alright, now that I've got a good measure of strength on ya,? We'll take five before hitting the town from above!"

 

"Above...? C-Can you fly...?"

 

Her Quirk is as much a mystery to the world as One For All is. Of course, Izuku wouldn't know what exactly she can or can't do. She needs to keep it that way, for now. She wants to trust him, but ever since Cecil brought up the facts, she cannot stop thinking about it. 

 

Did this boy's father, her friend and ally, really kill the people she'd claim as family? If so, why? And is this kid in on it?

 

No. She inwardly punches herself. He nearly atomized himself for her, for the city, and she has been watching him closely since. He moves and acts with an almost pathetic desperation to himself. As if he is racing against an unseen time limit. She will need to see him at his most vulnerable before she truly tests his chosen namesake.

 

"Maybe... But! Consider! Most Pro Heroes take to either streets or sky, with only a handful going underground, and why is that?"

 

Izuku scratches his head, relieved that he gets to rest his body for a moment. He had been exerting himself for several hours.

 

"Uh... B-Because of their ability and territory? Some are capable of maneuvering long distances easier than others? Right?"

 

She shakes her head.

 

"You're thinking like the rest. You gotta think like a Guardian! An apex! In the wild, lions often sleep exposed to other potential rivaling hunters, why? Because they're not being hunted themselves. Not all Heroic acts are punching the bad guy or fixing a broken building. It's about vigilance, dedicated duty, and remaining at the top. When you fly, you can see everything the people on the ground can't. Bald eagle's in America are the same, but like an apex, you have a weakness they can afford. One that you can't."

 

He tilts his head at her, growing uncomfortable as she answers his unasked question with a smug smile.

 

"You don't look up."

 

".... Huh? What? Wh-What does that mean?"

 

Rather than elaborate, she walks ahead, gesturing for him to follow.

 

"I'm starving! You know any good food places? I don't often come to Japan!"

 

"H-Hey! Don't just end the lesson there?! C-Cathy-sensei!!!"

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

Ochako wipes her brow of sweat before seeing a water bottle offered to her. She graciously takes it.

 

"Thank you, sir!"

 

The Battle Hero: Gunhead, points at his throat.

 

"It's mega important to stay hydrated, Uraraka-chan. Your form is great, and only on your first day too, you'd make a great karate practitioner! Have you considered aikido?"

 

She holds her chin pretending to give it thought before she shrugs.

 

"Well, I did come here to learn hand-to-hand. Could you give me a some pointers in that?"

 

He brings a thumbs up nodding.

 

"Duper! I'd love to, but that's all we have for today. You should head home early."

 

Ochako blinks at his instruction, even looking at her phone, then outside at the early afternoon day.

 

"I-I only really spent six hours here...? I thought we had thirteen hours?"

 

Gunhead rubs his neck, sheepishly replying.

 

"I-I'd like to commit to that too, especially since your Quirk is so fun, and super versatile! I've a lot to teach you... But there's an increase serial killers and assailants. Not to mention, strange things have been happening, I hear. I don't want you going missing!"

 

She grows sullen for a moment, but she smiles realizing just how kind her mentor is, even as small a gesture as this means a lot for someone she had only met today.

 

"I had no idea... Thank you, sir! Still, I'd like to at least go on a patrol before going home!"

 

Gunhead leans forward taking a scalding hot tone as he places his hands on his hips.

 

"Hey now! I like the enthusiasm, but these Villains are no joke! I'm not sure if even I could handle them on my own!"

 

"Then you won't be on your own, because we'll be doing a patrol, around the train station! That way, I can always get my way to safety, and home if things go off track!"

 

She retorts smiling back at him with a cheekiness not even the Pro Hero could find himself keeping his strict facade of professionalism up. 

 

"D'aww, you're a sharp one! Cute as a button too! You're gonna do fine in your media training classes at UA!"

 

She loves the way he talks. For a burly man with his face obscured by a mask with gun barrels on it, Gunhead is a calm and event trendy kind of person, with a pension to talk not unlike her friends from middle school. All while still having the sought after wisdom of an adult without any of the condescension. 

 

She made the perfect choice choosing him for her internship.

 

"We're going to take the heights of the city to work on your cardio and legs! The buildings around here are close enough to safely jump from roof to roof! Normally, I wouldn't have a student do something so risky, but with your mega awesome Quirk, you'll only have to make yourself weightless for a few moments if you ever get scared! Then, you shouldn't have to worry about your nausea! I'll catch you in the air in case you think you're going to fall!"

 

"Yessir!"

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

Momo stumbles back as a giant spiked ball nearly crushed her flat. A small pot hole in the ground drags as the chain connecting it soon tries to wrap around her, but she ducks fast, before rolling away, panting as the wielder pulls their weapon back.

 

A tall and broad man in black spiked armor with ball and chain replacing his left hand, points at Momo, a gravely voice rasps out from an electronic filter behind the closed helmet.

 

"Is dodging all you can do, little mouse?! Hrrmghm... Five, eight, in height... Judging by your spry movement, fifteen or maybe even sixteen years of age, going by your voice and weight... Female... If you've something up your sleeves? You should do it now."

 

He warns her, raising a foot slowly, a strange pressure building up in his body that causes the ground beneath them to shake, Momo kisses her teeth in annoyance.

 

This man is just a C-List Villain, while she has been chosen by the Greatest Hero, someone like that puts faith in her ability to handle a mere one-on-one. She proves herself, as she begins her own analysis of the Villain, Mace.

 

Her mentor told her about him before flying off towards sirens. A rogue vigilante, once officially sanctioned Pro Hero and Sidekick named Young Tough, he lost his way after the death of his partner and teacher. Now he spends his days blaming both Hero Society and taking vengeance upon Villains, warring a battle against on all sides, with no one to call ally by the spiked ball that has become his symbol.

 

His Quirk however, was seemingly underwhelming, as it is a mere geological radar. A seismic sense. It allows him to see with vibrations through the ground. However, now she realizes that perhaps, he has been holding back to surprise his foes such as herself.

 

With intuition on her side, she leaps using a pole vault as Mace stomps the ground, and a jagged spike erupts from the ground beneath where she had once been.

 

Getting close to him is a death sentence, but he is faster than his large frame implies, making it difficult for her to create something more powerful in her favor.

 

Then it hits her. His comments of her physique, the fact he did not even know her sex upon seeing her, even the design of his helmet showing no clear way of vision. No eye holes, no lenses, just a pair of painted on white sharp glares.

 

He is blind. She can use that.

 

Mace dashes at her landing position, trying to close the distance between them that he had kept before, now knowing he is her physical superior. He reaches her in moments before his senses alert him to a new pair of heavy feet.

 

"S-Star Man!! You're here!"

 

"WHAT??!"

 

Mace turns around fully. The weight was about right, and he knows that this is his intern, his responsibility. Star Man is a stoic one too, but he prefers to take his foes out in one blow if he can, so why hasn't he? Is he trying to talk him back into the light?

 

He had tried so before and it nearly worked. No one could understand his pain of loss though, not even someone that has lost allies as well, because Star Man had friends. Mace, lost a father, a brother, someone... Intimate. 

 

He could never go back to who he once was without him.

 

"You-! I still hear sirens!! You left it up to Dragon? That kid's as green as his worthless father! Well? What're you waiting for!?!"

 

Nothing. That isn't unlike him, Star Man is a stoic Hero, but he is not mute. He shifts his footing and realizes something is wrong. The details of the landing, the weight, these were not feet stomping into the ground... They're weighted balls falling from being tossed above!

 

He feels another small tremor as something lands behind him, right next to his prey, before he falls unconscious after a deafening boom.

 

Momo lets loose a sigh of relief as she watches Mace fall from a near point-blank mortar shot. The small but powerful cannon design has been something she planned to use during the Sports Festival, but never got the chance, until now.

 

"That's an incredible ability."

 

She hears before jumping with fright as a heavy thus sounds near Mace. A red giant with a gnarly black mohawk groans in unconscious agony, beaten black and purple, her mentor lands next to her softly.

 

"When you described your Quirk it was hard to really visualize. I see now I picked correctly out of everyone of your class."

 

She stands at attention before addressing him.

 

"I'm ready for our next assignment, sir!"

 

She says with vigor despite her clear fatigue. Star Man had flown her across the oceans using a private shuttle that allowed him to ferry Masaru around the planet for meetings without fear of tearing him apart. They stand in Chicago, and while Momo has handled herself well in his eyes, she can see her apprehension and anxiety. She surpassed expectations though and is someone he found... Refreshing, to be around.

 

She only had one issue he could think of, outside of being human and inexperienced in battle, the plague of Hero Celebrity Worship. To have an idol, an aspiring figure to use as a measuring stick is quite ideal, but the lengths Earth sets this mindset to is problematic in his eyes.

 

So he will ground her.

 

"Creati. Our next assignment is an important one that every Hero, no matter how powerful, must recognize. Care to have a guess what that is?"

 

She answers with a stuff shout and practiced discipline. 

 

"To leave no loose ends and work diligently with the local authority to ensure all threats are either apprehended or eliminated, thoroughly!"

 

He folds his arms, purposefully taking a thoughtful pose as he watches her squirm in anticipation, because he had already contacted the police before they even began the fight. He ended his in moments, and Momo despite her age, took less than three minutes to finish her own fight.

 

It was as good a performance as he could ask if her.

 

However, he began to understand why his son would fly her home, privately. This girl, is a lot like Inko. So eager to please, yet by no means subservient or fragile. A hidden fighter, wise and sharp wit, yet an undeniable kindness even when at her fiercest.

 

Momo aimed low, for center mass, when she could have fired right at his head. Even now, she talks first about arrest, though she doesn't rule out the necessity of taking a life. Still, he can see it even now.

 

It brings him to feel for them both in a way he swiftly swallows down. Such emotions are anathema to the mission. He cannot bond so closely with this child as he has with his own son.

 

But he can at least pretend to humor her.

 

"Close... You would've gotten a gold star for your practical examination on the field. However, you get silver star for your answer."

 

"H-Huh!?!"

 

Momo breaks her statuesque stature due to her dismay, only to snap back to attention with a glance, and it makes him wonder. Is she always like this? Hopefully not, thinks. 

 

"It's rest. Obviously, the aftermath of such an encounter is to clean up, it's common sense. However, to continue on tirelessly is foolish, and allows for mistakes."

 

"But you've reportedly gone an entire week fighting crime and stopping natural disasters non-stop! It- it's one of your biggest achievements in the record books!"

 

She blurts out. She is shocked to hear him, chuckle. Was her comment so ridiculous even he found it laughable? He replies speaking in a relaxed tone she is sure she heard somewhere else.

 

"Yes, and I fell into the bottom of the ocean due to exhaustion, which led to having to fight myself out of the belly of a sea beast. It's how I met Aquaraus. That was years ago... You... Wouldn't have even been born then. Were you?"

 

He asks. She shakes her head, cheeks flushing pink.

 

"N-No, I just! I found comfort in hearing of your adventures, sir!"

 

"Well find comfort in that I don't care for formalities either. Especially when I'm with someone I view as a peer. I appreciate the respect, but I'm your mentor, not your master. You can relax."

 

She stands there remaining stiff for a moment, until she realizes this is not an elaborate test, and finally her shoulders fall.

 

"I-I apologize...! I just... I never thought, in a million years, I'd ever work with you."

 

She says playing with her hair. Star Man is reminded of his own. That, appalling affection that hinders humanity has truly taken root, as he finds himself feeling so... Fraternal.

 

"Sensei! What is our next lesson or activity?"

 

"You ever had deep dish Chicago Pizza?"

 

She blinks at his response before shaking her head.

 

"If-If you don't mind sir, I'm more of a sweet tooth than a flavorful fan."

 

"So you want cake and ice cream?"

 

She shouts at him then.

 

"I'm not so childish to ask for ice cream-!"

 

"Ah, you want cake and coffee then, right?"

 

At that she says nothing. She even finds herself pouting at his teasing, her face reddening as he chuckles, walking past her. Police finally arriving as she turns to follow.

 

"I apologize. You're a lot like my wife. I know a place. Officer Dragon!"

 

He calls out to one of the officers. A larger man, MUCH larger, jade green kin with a large fin on his head as opposed to any hair. His stands on eye level with her mentor, but his chest and arms swell with rippling muscle, while his legs look normal for a human track runner. Strong and pushing past his pants, but by no means so egregiously, ballooning compared to his upper body.

 

The last distinction is his red uniform... Actually, he looks wet, as if he had been hosed by some thick viscous liquid. It smelled, horrible.

 

"Thanks, Star Man. We've got it from here!"

 

He nods, then gestures at him.

 

"Let me guess. You were late because of Heavy Flo?"

 

Dragon grimaces, not ignorant of the wide space his fellow officers give him.

 

"She was trying to give your boys here time to flee. She didn't know you were on the scene so she fought harder than usual... Better me than anyone else though."

 

Momo hides behind Star Man, leaning out as she pinches her nose. She knew enough English to follow some of the conversation, but not enough to confidently join. She whispers to him and Star Man whispers back.

 

"Heavy Flo?"

 

"She can release pressurized attacks from her body."

 

"Oh..."

 

She grows disturbed at what little she learned. The lack of detail went, appreciated. Some Quirks have similar abilities back at Japan, but usually they release an element, or even display some kind of secondary action. Even Vlad King, despite his use of blood, is far cleaner than whatever this Villain did to this poor police man. It is not just blood that she can smell on him, and she would rather not have to smell anymore.

 

Star Man takes notice and waves.

 

"We'll be on our way. I'd burn those clothes if I were you. I'd burn them for you, but the last time we did that..."

 

Dragon waves him off.

 

"I'll just bathe when I get home. Take care!"

 

Despite the disgusting moment passing by, Momo would find this trip to America enlightening, suffering culture shock from every turn despite her studies for the future. Driving on the wrong side of the road, the sheer levels of carefree attitude, the seemingly odd familiarity some strangers have with one another.

 

And the food was truly of another world.

 

She only wanted to eat some sweets, but curiosity got the better of her, as Star Man had foot the bill for all their meals and souvenirs. 

 

They return to Japan several hours later, and she is shocked that he knows where she lives.

 

"H-How did you...?"

 

"My son flies you home every now and again. He thinks he's being sneaky, but you both fly into clouds screaming your heads off, it's a little hard to ignore with my hearing on patrols."

 

Her cheeks flush crimson then.

 

"I-I-I-I-DAH-I-I'M-I-!"

 

"What you two get up to is your business, I don't mind. Just, keep him in check for me while you're at UA, and we'll call it even."

 

He says wearing an unseen smile. Momo bows swiftly before running for her door.

 

"Yessirthankyouverymuchseeyoutomorrowmorningatthesametimeokaybye!!!!"

 

She flees into her home. Is this going to be her life now? 

 

Flying across countries, seeing the whole world, saving it one street at a time? No, in spite of their levity, Star Man sees something more in her. She must strive to meet, to continue to exceed his expectations, to surpass herself every day.

 

This pressure, no matter how positive the reinforcement, is immeasurable. She wonders, is this why Izuku is the way he is? 

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

Izuku pulls his head out of the ground with a gasp.

 

"I told you, you don't look up."

 

He hears Star and Stripe say as she pulls him up to his feet. A mammoth villain lies unconscious against a wall with his partner, a sabertooth fanged villainess, laying on top of him with a swollen black eye.

 

He had been so focused on fighting the larger foe with his teacher that he had failed to notice his partner sneaking up from behind. She had fell with her knees together, crashing into his head and burying his skull into the pavement, before leaving to fight off the foreign champion. By the time he freed himself, the fight was already over.

 

Faster than even if he tried to stop them.

 

He pats his costume of gravel while she gives him her iconic smile.

 

"So... I just, need to look up?"

 

"No, stupid! Why do birds of prey swoop down to the ground?"

 

He blinks at her before recalling their earlier conversation.

 

"Oh, apex, uh... To hunt?"

 

She nods, folding her arms.

 

"And that's essentially how Villains see Heroes like me! However, we're not birds of prey nor are we lions of a pride! When we go out there, we're fighting humans, or those even smarter than humans! Your weakness, is that you already think you're too tough to worry about being hurt, so you jump in recklessly!"

 

She then gestures to the crowd celebrating their victory.

 

"Sure, things ended fine now, but if I wasn't here? How many people would be injured because you were momentarily distracted?"

 

At that, he lowers his head. She pats and ruffles his messy green hair.

 

"I'm not trying to beat you down or anything as annoying as that... But we've gotta recognize our failings and flaws, so we can rise above them! How do you say it at UA? Plus Ultra? That!!"

 

At that, he beams her smile back at her.

 

"Heh...! Gotcha! So, what's next?"

 

"Well, I've gotta get a checkup to be sure my brain still works. You just head home and we'll meet up at the Hosu Terminal tomorrow."

 

He nods and begins to run off.

 

"AND I MEAN IT! GO HOME! NO HEROICS UNLESS IT'S AN EMERGENCY!!!"

 

She bellows with such force, Izuku wonders if she could shout louder than Present Mic. He turns, sheepishly waving farewell before taking off. As she watches him leave, she finds herself even more confused.

 

Izuku Midoriya learns, alarmingly quick. Nothing inhuman, but certainly impressive, as his performance otherwise would put him at a level she would consider Guardians worthy. 

 

It is no wonder Cecil, paranoid as that old militaristic fossil is, wants the boy on the team. Perhaps she should have needled him more on the nature of his Quirk..

 

But ever since his encounter against the Flaxans, he has found it troubling to even utilize it, or so he says. He has been selectively secret about it. Well, she won't allow that anymore. For now, she has to turn in. Her body begging for rest. Whatever hit her, it the damage still lingers, even with New Order staving off the lasting effects.

 

This has never happened before for her, and if it ever could happen, she can only think of one person that could do it to her.

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

Izuku lands in his casual clothes. He had changed atop a small building, as use of student costumes were not allowed when not interning with their mentors, but he hears something behind him. A plate crashing, a weary old groan, and something wet spilling.

 

Cathleen told him to keep out of trouble. He has his new phone, he has the address, it would be a simple matter to call an ambulance or the authorities... However, his need to know overpowers his senses, his knowing self that he should walk away.

 

But when has he ever walked away?

 

"Hello? Is everything okay in there?"

 

He asks as he approaches the door, it is left cracked open, and as he perks through? He gasps. A body of an old man, a red pool with a string of meat leaking underneath him, he rushed in. Terrified.

 

"Oh no! Are you okay, sir?!?"

 

"I'm Alive!!!"

 

The old man says as he sits up unharmed. His wool long sleeves shirt stained with ketchup as sausage links stick to his shirt. Some of it stains his ivory beard. The man could not be any larger than Mineta, potentially smaller! They lock eyes for a moment.

 

"... S-Sorry, uh... Your door was open and I heard a plate break..."

 

"Hmm!!! Those are some sharp ears you have, Toshinori!"

 

Izuku blinks for a moment before placing a hand on his chest.

 

"N-No, sir... We've never met. Is Toshinori your grandson? Maybe a neighbor?"

 

The old man stands up with the help of a cane by his side. Judging from the stains, Izuku can see a stray streak near the end of it. The poor old dwarf must have let some of the ketchup spill, and his cane slipped on it, but as he thought this.

 

That did not make any sense. Ketchup doesn't drag against wood this dull. The meal itself is too, random. Even the way he moves, as someone who has been watching foes carefully for tells now, Izuku notices measured movements.

 

He isn't shaking because of his brittle body. He is not even using his cane properly, as he stands just a little too straight, barely leaning on it. Bringing it down out of synch of his own footsteps.

 

Like someone who would only started using it.

 

"Toshi! Be a dear, help me with something, would ya? Since ya dropped on by!"

 

"Uh-! B-But I'm not-!"

 

The old man ignores him as he offers up his plate.

 

"I don't eat floor food! Oh, but campin'! Eatin' from the Earth is good for ya! You remember our trips in UA? Don't throw the pieces out, I'm working on an art project, just wash what you can for me! Thanks, Toshi!"

 

Izuku's eyes widen as he takes the plate.

 

"H-How did you know I went to UA, sir...?"

 

"Because you're Toshinori! Aren'tcha?!"

 

He chirps before moving further into the living room.

 

"Guess this shirt'll need a good wash... Good thing I came prepared with another outfit! I always told you, wearing your suit underneath is fine, but be sure to wash it! That poor reporter almost passed out from how stank you were!"

 

Izuku places the food in the trash. Only a handful of microwave meals, nothing like the sausage he threw away, and as he cleans the plate in the sink he realizes that there are no utensils.

 

The more he notices, the more he remembers his lesson today, that he needs to look up. A figure of speech for apex predators that let their guard down around prey. In the world of Heroes, in reality as a whole, there is no such thing for humans. Anyone could be a predator, lying in wait.

 

He shakes his head. Why would he think that now? This old man just said he knew this, Toshinori fellow, from UA! He was more than likely a Hero.

 

"You taught there?"

 

"Oh, only for one year, but it was as all so you wouldn't slack off or lose your way! You were a thick headed dunce, through and through, but no one could do what you could! Especially with that smile! Hey, could you show it to me? For old time's sakes?"

 

Izuku looks for a place to put the clean pieces, but the shelves are empty, save for some microwave meals and paper plates.

 

He turns around but the old man is not there.

 

Look up, he remembers. He does. The old man, now in a completely different outfit befitting a Silver Age Hero, glares down at him with a challenging grin.

 

"I have to see if All Might chose poorly or not, young whippersnapper."

Chapter 24: Lingering Shadows Approaches!

Summary:

Three sordid souls hunger for blood and violence: one is a forlorn fallen hero lost in his perverted convictions, another is a mother who seeks her stolen daughter after surviving injustice, and the third a ghost from a dark past. Stitches, blades, and sickening laughter await our young heroes.

Meanwhile, Inko can no longer keep her silence, and confronts her husband.

Carving. Carving along the walls. Jagged uneven edges of a blade carved incoherent slashes along the wall as a madman groans in despair. Mangy black hair, no visible nose, solid teeth and a hunched stature. A long tattered rag with eye holes acts as a domino mask wrapped around his head, spoiled bandages wrap tightly around his arms, and a black paramilitary attire with combat boots that stomp a muddy puddle.

 

"Impossible...!!! IMPOSSIBLE...!!! HE CAN'T DIE!!!!!"

 

He roars, alone in an alley, stabbing into stone repeatedly until he abruptly turns his head to the darkness further in.

 

"You're making a lot of noise, Hero Killer."

 

A strange figure emerges from the black rubbing his misshapen hands together. A yellow uneven smile wider than his face should allow as crimson eyes clash against a bloody glare.

 

"I thought the infamous Stain was... A stealthy, kind of guy, no?"

 

His ruby red glare softens to a bored gaze of malaise.

 

"Who are you."

 

"Someone who can't stand the way things are... Someone who sees the world and its constant celebrity worship, as a hindrance, as the source of modern day villainy... Think about it, Mr. Stain."

 

The dwarfish freak pokes his own balding skull.

 

"When was the last time we had a Villain that was truly, uh, evil? Not some giant monster, they're just titans from an old world, geriatrics slowly dying off. No...! Steel Bulwark! Chomper! Stitched Giant! Lowly losers, scum sucking bottom feeders forced down a path of criminality because of the popularity contest of modern day society! They deserve to be punching bags for their personal choice... But aren't the Heroes that don't even bother to try and redeem them, or at least end them for good, aren't they worse?"

 

Stain takes a step forward nodding slowly.

 

"I... Agree... But who, are you."

 

He demands with a husky hiss. The tattooed faced grinner points at himself, his bulbous body jiggles with each exaggerated movement as he prances to meet the Hero Killer in kind.

 

"Me? Can'tcha tell by my make-up and clothes? I'm a Clown! A clown forced to make a world laugh with every miserable step I gotta take...! But like any good clown, or jester's back in the day, it's my job to tell it how it is..."

 

The Clown's smile vanishes as he glares at Stain.

 

"All Might is dead, pal. That much is a fact."

 

Stain's face wrinkles into a foul grimace.

 

"Shut it! I'm not some child!!! Besides, he'll be back! He'll show this world he's invincible! Lead it while he cleans up the filth clinging to his coattails-!"

 

He catches a smart phone. On it, footage from an awkward angle, but footage of an unmistakable scene. It is the interior of Guardians Headquarters. He had been there once before. It had not changed since. It is the scene of mostly unseen faces, some he recognizes as people move in and out of the hidden view, and then. 

 

He sees the scene. Out of everyone, three deaths were visible. Martian Man, Captain Celebrity, and All Might. All killed by a man that only could potentially do it.

 

But a man he viewed as the ideal in a religious sense.

 

Stain views the responsibility, the status, the definition of Heroism in selfless and righteous duty. For someone as antithetical to the capitalistic enthusiastic craze for fame and profit of Hero Society, for someone he once viewed as a god, for Star Man to be the one to kill the Guardians of the Globe?

 

How does he process this?

 

"Two idols that represented the best of the best, fight to the death, only for one to come out alive and pretend he didn't do it. Obviously, being the guy that killed the most popular Heroes in the world would put a target on his back... But I wonder... Mr. Stain, how do you feel about this?"

 

Stain says nothing. His brain is snapped in two directions. Does he fly into a rage at this insipid betrayal? Does he justify Star Man's act due to All Might's own complacency with society? There had to be more at stake, more context, something is missing.

 

"How do I know this isn't doctored..."

 

The Clown leans forward raising a brow.

 

"In this digital age of 3D animation and CGI, along with the startling AI that can make things seem real... Humanity has never been good at lying to themselves. You're too sharp, you notice details that are off, and that's why you haven't cut me into pork cutlets yet... You know, what you just saw, is real."

 

"THEN HOW DID YOU GET IT!?!?"

 

He bellows. For a normal person, Stain would have seemingly turned into a blur, as he places his blades at one of the many folds of the fat man's throat. For Clown, it was a cute gesture, like a child kicking over an object in a tantrum. He prods the blade with a finger before leaning his head away from it.

 

"A bit stupid to threaten someone's life when they're about to give you your answer, don'tcha think?"

 

Stain then flies backwards as his head swims. Church bells ring in his ears as his vision goes in and out of white and blurry starry vision. Something hit him. Something grey, leathery, something that makes his skin crawl up on thinking on the brief touch.

 

"Don't you worry, I've got all the answers you're after, but before I do that? I need you to do something, for me."

 

Stain moans in pain as he sits up from the pile of trash he had been launched into.

 

"Why... Would I ever... Do anything, for a clown like you?!?"

 

He snarls. The Clown snickers, having abruptly appeared in front of his face, no wind to indicate any form of movement. No traces in the soiled stone and litter around the ground either. Like a phantom, he whispers to the grieving Anti-Hero.

 

"Because I showed you, the truth. You were lost, unaware and ignorant, set in a blind belief that things could go back to the way they were. Now, your eyes are opened, and that juicy information doesn't come for free."

 

He holds up the phone, waving it around.

 

"At some point, all of this is gonna get revealed to the public, but not now. We wait. We watch. Star Man will get what's coming to him... There are far more pressing matters, and besides... The only favor I want from you is to meet some friends. That's all. They've an offer for ya, babe. My only job is getting you to the room so they can pitch it. After that? You're free to join, leave, or kill the bastard. I've already achieved my goal... Can you say the same?"

 

Stain snarls loudly, but his defiant growls simmer to a low rumble, forcing himself to his feet before he throws a hand ahead in the air.

 

"Lead, clown. I'll hear your people out."

 

The Clown chuckles as he gestures for Stain to enter the alley's darkness.

 

"If they were my people? You'd be dead. But I'm a fan of your blood letting! I so enjoy a good human butcher."

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

Years Ago...

 

 

 

She remembers, beautiful hair, soft like cotton. The child's creamy smooth skin is soft pale peach, her eyes closed, but hide sparkling gemstones. An adorable button of a nose. She remembers that, even after the brain ripping pain of child birth, how strangely seeing her baby made her feel. As if, the still lingering agony of her burning innards were halted, just by holding the life she had given. 

 

"... It's so good to meet you... Mama's here, dear..."

 

It was the best day of her life.

 

Her vision flashes ahead in a painful jolt as she stumbles back from being struck by her husband. It was the first and only time he would ever hit her. She ran, and in her attempts to free her baby from this monster she never knew hiding underneath her husband's skin, she would find herself disposed of. 

 

Some part of him must have been soft still, for he could have shot her in the head, but he fed her to his wolves instead. Sold her to work with her body, to make a profit, all while he took her daughter and continued his inhumane experiments. 

 

She would survive. She would endure, and be thrown out after she was used, thought to be dead. Gifted to a true beast in human form. A disfigured giant, unclean, unwashed with a foaming mouth as he idolized her body. Even in her state of abuse, he covered her as if she were an object of worship, and when he heard she still drew breath? His excitement knew no bounds.

 

He would tend to her. Fix her. Sew her back together. His perfect doll. A Frankenstein's genius to this motherless bastard, his own work would become his undoing, as he had unknowingly gifted her back her joints. Her ligaments. New flesh and sinew to move with. He would die by her hands.

 

Newfound strength. Newfound, power, coursing through her. Her rage is silent, her wrath cold and unyielding, her form forever beyond repair.

 

She resembles a corpse rather than a person, all victims of criminals that had wronged the elite, be they from the underground or a higher position in politics. Young girls and women whose lives were taken far too soon, they would become a part of her, the remnants of their anguish would come together and change her forever. Her Quirk, as well, has been affected. She had almost never used it, publicly, and even went as far to forge documents to seem Quirkless.

 

So what was it? Something to do with cutting and stitching. Sewing. Operating. She nearly has it before her mind sears, her eyes ache, and new recent memories flash again as she begins to stirr from her slumber. Her new life now, if one could even call it that, seeking revenge. Seeking targets. Preying on the men that made her into this... Polluted doll of sin.

 

They would call her, Suture. The media, the police that would barely escape her deathly hold, even Pro Heroes who only ever caught a glimpse before it would be too late. A serial killer devoid of any humanity, they would say. They could never know the depths of her anguish. 

 

All this death, torment and pain, this crusade to find just one thing. To find, someone.

 

She found that someone. A little girl. A weeping angel. A tiny cute button nose, with hair as soft as cotton, and skin smoother than cream. Glittering gemstones that sparkle with life in those tearful eyes.

 

A smile with exaggerated fangs making her the most adorable little monster she has ever seen.

 

She had been wailing because of her parents locking her in her room, not that Suture would ever know, for all the walking corpse understood is her little girl had been taken from her. So, she took her back. She broke into a house of two vile kidnappers that claimed to be her parents. She killed the man first, then the woman, before freeing her baby girl from that locked bedroom.

 

She had been drinking something filthy. A rat that she had captured, made into a sanguine meal, as she drains the blood of the rodent. Suture slaps the disgusting meal out of her hands before offering her own wrist.

 

"Don't eat off of the ground. Here, Mama will feed you now."

 

Her darling daughter watches her afraid, but the blood on her body had her in a trance, and for someone to indulge in her unfortunate desires... She had never known such a sickening kindness. Suture would take this child as her own, steal for her, kill for her. Feed her real food only a mother could provide as they lived on the streets and in abandoned buildings. Cooked meals, hot soup, and for dessert? The blood of evil men.

 

She would teach her beloved daughter the careful and delicate art of surgery, where to cut, what part of the body does what. How to truly hurt someone and how exactly to heal herself. Her Quirk would reveal itself soon, and in doing so, Suture would be reminded of her old face she had lost so long ago.

 

As a gift, she would give it to her beloved daughter, her precious Himiko.

 

On that day, a new Villainess would strike terror in the hearts of Heroes in Japan. A serial killer ripped right out of a horror novel, a deftly figure with the grace of a ballerina, and the ferocity of a heartless beast. The public would come to know this faceless figure as, Suture, with only a handful of famous Heroes to her name and numerous police officers. No one could ever know that "Suture" is a name belonging to two people, and not one.

 

A master of ambushing from the dark, and somehow vanishing from sight, with a Quirk described as surgical... Capable of changing her face and shape, mimicking the voices of her victims, able to flawlessly blend into a crowd. Himiko learned well, with exceptional talent in surgery, and a knack for acting. 

 

By day, she is a bank teller by the name of Mei Tanaka, a red headed numbers prodigy that has saved her business thousands with her discernment. She buys food, she pays her bills, and lives in a humble apartment shared by a nameless roommate. She is a host at a cabaret club with phone numbers of regulars, bringing in big cash for "his" happy employers named, Tsurugi Shiokawa. She is a bartender, a maid girl at a cafe, a gym instructor, with so many faces and titles...

 

By night, Himiko Toga leads a search for her next victim in sinful criminals or corrupt Heroes, seeking information out as she uses the skills acquired in her day. To manipulate people through conversation, to use the appearance of others, deceive them through an appealing aesthetic and seducing information out of them. To muscle through those too stubborn to cooperate. How to bribe the right greasy hand with as little as money as possible.

 

And when things get dicey? Mother is always near to save her dear.

 

Suture is more than just two psychotic women. Suture, is a thread, that has woven its vile soiled influence into society. 

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

Suture opens her eyes to small a apartment. Her bandages were fresh, her hair combed and brushed, a wool blanket draped over her body. She had been renewed, for though her heart beats and she draws breath, her wounds keep her being truly alive. Always bearing the pain, she requires medicine to keep it at bay, and her daughter has become the provider.

 

No longer do they wallow in the filthy alleys, find shelter at homeless camps or abandoned buildings, Himiko has become so reliable. Her daughter comes in through entrance, disguised as one of her many faces, before undoing her Quirk.

 

"You're awake? That's good! You won't believe what I've learned today! ~ There's going to be a meeting for the League of Villains later in the evening! Don'tcha wanna attend?"

 

"... We... Kill Villains... Dear..."

 

She says with a slurring grogginess to her wanting raspy voice. Himiko takes the initiative, going to the kitchen as she makes Suture's tea, preparing her medicine.

 

"Well duh, but think about it? Attending this meeting will let us find all the biggest baddies in town! ~ We'll be able to learn their faces and names, and if we're smart, we could probably infiltrate! Doesn't that excite you?"

 

The living mummy wears a broken smile. Punishing the wicked is among her least favorite activities. That does not exclude it from being a favorite activity to begin with, especially with Himiko by her side.

 

"How... Did you find this out...?"

 

"That cabaret place? It's actually a hub for Villains to get together, and Tsurugi-kun has been working so hard there, they decided to let him in as their newest member! He got this pretty burly client named Magne, she's got a cute way of speaking-! Oh, here you go."

 

She brings the tea over with two pills in a tray. Suture takes them and moves herself to allow room for Himiko to sit on the couch.

 

"Anyways! There's gonna be this meeting there and guess who will be there? Stain! ~ The Hero Killer!!!"

 

"... Is that right?"

 

Suture asks raising a gray brow. Himiko pouts at her mother's indifference.

 

"I'm telling you, he's the real deal, punishing those fake posers that never do any real justice! He'd be great to learn from!"

 

She rolls her eyes as she watches this grown woman shrink into a fragile ball of jealousy. Suture hugs her legs looking away with her own gruesome pout.

 

"I teach you plenty... Am I not enough...?"

 

Himiko embraces her guardian, bringing her head into her bosom, having learned that Suture enjoys hearing her heartbeat.

 

"Mama, no one could ever replace you! I just wanna see if we'll have to kill him later, or maybe, we can finally have a new ally! Wouldn't that be safer? Can't you do this for me? Pretty please?"

 

"... I will go with you..."

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

William "Billy" Kincaid. The Ice Cream Man. Kids love ice cream, and Billy loves kids, they go together like chocolate and sprinkles. Like water and sponges. Like flies on a decaying body. Billy is a bad, bad, man. He knows it too. He likes being a bad man. His Quirk: Freeze Tag, makes being bad even more fun.

 

When he gives someone a good scare, and a friendly gentle tap, he can freeze them in place. The truth is, he doesn't need them to be scared. He just has to be in a stronger headspace than his playmates to freeze them. When frozen, by default their body becomes statue still, and he can choose just which parts of them go still. For how long. He can have someone standing there for hours, some bodies not built for such a strenuous task, or sometimes he lets them think they're free.

 

Only to freeze their hearts. Or their lungs. Their spines. Their legs. Something as small as a finger that'll slip past their mind. He cannot freeze the brain sadly, he definitely wanted to try that, but he can be grateful for his gifts. It allowed him so much fun in his early life.

 

The kids were never strong enough in their brains. They're kids. Their supple nubile minds still growing, molding, shaping as they age into boring adults that had no time for ice cream. No time for finger licking tea parties or toe curling pillow fights. Adults were boring, and they could fight back, especially those awful Heroes.

 

He much preferred the innocent naivety of the simple child. He was good kids, so good he knew them inside and out, in ways only the most dedicated of artists and child experts could ever hope to learn!

 

Unfortunately, someone got to him one day as he was playing with the cutest two girls at his homely little building in New York. Someone... Mean. Someone nasty. Something, black. Something red, with green fiery eyes, and silver flashing lights of pain. He could feel himself being broken, torn, and ripped up like wet tissue paper. Everything after that is...

 

A blissful blur. He woke up, somewhere, a graveyard. He was different, nastier, but in a fun Halloween costume kind of way. He had been dug up from his own grave, woken up from some deep slumber, and upon crawling out of his hole? He found his old tools. His old mask. His old uniform. All of this, and a slip of paper with instructions, and a reward for following them. Billy Kincaid lumbers on, a dead man walking wearing a skeleton grin, as milk white eyes glaze over the nightly streets. Unaware of the guiding hand of the Clown that resurrected him. 

 

He had been awakened months in advance, so that when the scheduled meeting would come, he could make it just in time...

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

In a dive bar, Tomura Shigaraki sits with his first guest, who arrived just on time. 

 

"Mr... Clown, right? You said you could help us establish ourselves tonight... I hope you realize, I don't have a lot of patience for jokes."

 

The Clown releases a sick cloud of smoke from a lit cigar.

 

"Shiggy, baby, you never played any RTS before? I thought you were a gamer, right?"

 

Shigaraki slowly turns his head to him, his eyes barely visible past the fingers on his face.

 

"... I am..."

 

"See, resource management, is an important feature often used in such games. Y'know, feudal simulators, historical revisionism! You gotta think historical if you wanna make history! You do want to make a historical change, right? Swing the pendulum in the favor Villains? Then break it so it never swings back for these worthless Heroes!"

 

Shigaraki nods as he leans forward, invested.

 

"Yeah... You get it. Why and how, will you help me do this?"

 

The Clown holds up an empty glass, as Kurogiri awaits his instructions from his true master, before obeying as Shigaraki raises a hand to allow the refill.

 

"Good ol' Hennessy. Love the taste. Now, as for your how? Easy peasy, you leper. You're seeking to recruit Stain, but he won't hear you out."

 

He downs the double shot without so much of a flinch. He taps the counter.

 

"Greygoose! Straight! Light me a fire on it while you're at it, black lung! The fire reminds me of home."

 

Shigaraki growls at this nonchalant mockery.

 

"Why wouldn't he join us...!?! He's been killing Heroes left and right!"

 

The Clown points at the ceiling.

 

"First off, y'don't know him. Y'need to do research. He's a former Hero himself that fell out of love the celebrity worship of Hero Society, and the Association that empowers and rewards such a callous lifestyle, the mentality of winners versus losers. Losers being labeled as evil. He's a crackpot that snapped but hasn't stopped being a Hero at heart..."

 

He raises a second of his four fingers.

 

"Secondly, he still hates Villains himself. He sees the difference between victims of their Quirks or circumstances, but he'll have no issues trying to cut out your throat or gutting me like a pig, no sir! ~ So!"

 

He then brings out a small marionette bearing a striking resemblance to the Hero Killer, and has him dance on strings.

 

"We play him by his heartstrings. You lead him along, while I bring in someone that's loyal to the cause of true Villainy, someone who... Gets it. When Stain eventually gets on his high horse and tries to leave, or worse, if he tries to fight back? My guy will take care of him."

 

He turns to smile as he looks into Shigaraki's eyes.

 

"Your master called upon my boss to show you how this is done... He's used our services before, and we always deliver, pal. You're no longer a small timer... You're working with veterans in the game... You've got the Devil in your corner now."

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

Present Time

 

 

The Clown walks through the doors, Stain walking behind him, but the smile he wears twists to a crooked scowl upon seeing uninvited guests. A blonde woman in her late twenties with ocean blue eyes behind crystal spectacles, a rose pink blouse and red slit skirt and black pumps. By her side, a hooded figure in sweats, wearing a face mask and shades. The woman eagerly waves.

 

"Ooh! ~ You must be the Clown! ~ Hello!"

 

He looks at Shigaraki and Kurogiri, the gaseous bartender shrugs while the mangy haired boy huffs without looking away from his drink. Even then, he could feel the Clown's glare on him.

 

"One of ours got chummy with her and slipped the meeting... She says she's good at infiltration... So far, she's been annoying, but she found her way here... So she's not exactly lying."

 

The blonde woman, clearly an American woman, runs up to Stain with a cherry smile.

 

"This must be the Hero Killer! ~ You're a little dirty! Worked up a sweat punishing the bad guys?"

 

Stain leans back before blowing a steamy breath through his thin nostrils.

 

"Which of you is the ring leader? I was told to come here after seeing that footage. I was asked to hear you out. After that, I'll decide."

 

Himiko steps back and returns to Suture's side, hugging her mother's arm.

 

"Eee! ~ So cool and assertive, don't you think?"

 

"Mm."

 

Shigaraki turns to face the Hero Killer fully.

 

"Stain... My name is Tomura Shigaraki, and I have a proposition for you."

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

Inko waits. She has no one to ask or talk to. Fear grips her, but she had not let that stop her before, she will not allow it to now. She waits as Hisashi enters their home with a tired groan.

 

"That girl is far too eager to please! Her first day on the field and she's better than half the Heroes I've ever seen! Where's Izuku? He isn't home yet-?"

 

He says taking his helmet off. A smile on that soon falls away to stunned silence as he sees his bloodied costume on the counter. Inko stands behind it, Izuku's notes under her hand, her head lowered as if she were asleep. He can tell by her breathing, her shaking, that she is not.

 

"... Did you do it?"

 

He should lie to her. Lying has gotten him so far... However, Belloc's words haunt him, and if he were to ever know... To ever, test, the loyalty of his family. The foundation of their bond. It would be now.

 

"Yes."

 

He says, no levity in his voice. Cold, emotionless, but he approaches her warily. He sees tear drops fall from her face, and a part of him aches in a way he had never known, as if whatever turmoil her emotional state has her in is actively wounding him as well.

 

"Why?"

 

A simple question. He answered her honestly now. Why would he? He already gave himself an excuse, but the truth is he should have lied. He should have denied it.

 

"... To bring peace to this world... Things, have to change, Inko."

 

She tenses up. She is shivering, trembling, quaking.

 

"... When we met... You told me you would do something like this... Did you forget?"

 

Did he? How could he? It hit him then. The first time the Flaxans invaded. He would not remember them until he thought back to this moment. A memory of their first meeting. They had been locked away, and he was curious to see if humans could help themselves.

 

Only Inko ever proved useful. 

 

"I... Don't..."

 

He replied. That was such a mundane rescue mission for him, he would have forgotten it had it not been for her impact on his life, and this being his earliest memory of them together. Inko takes a haggard breath in, trying to keep herself from sobbing.

 

"You told me, after you revealed yourself, that you arrived to protect the planet. But, you only saved me. You only protected, me. You let so many people die until I was the only one left to protect. And then, you had let it slip, but I will never forget what you told those creatures before you stalled for time... Earth, isn't yours, to conquer."

 

Oh. Oh shit.

 

She had always known then.

 

Fuck.

 

She finally looks up at him.

 

"Why did you lie to me this whole time...?!? Why did you even marry me!?! Why... Are you really, here...!!! And what are you planning to do with my son?!?"

 

"You want the truth? Is that it?"

 

He asks sternly but she roars back with desperate fury in her heaving lungs.

 

"YES!!! ALL MY LIFE I'VE SEEN YOU DO GOOD! I'VE SEEN YOU BECOME BETTER! I, WAS THE ONE WHO HELPED YOU UNDERSTAND HUMANITY! I, WAS THE ONE WHO GAVE UP MY DREAM TO HELP SUPPORT YOU! I, SACRIFICED MY BODY AND MY SOUL, TO GIVE US A SON! US! WHY WOULD YOU THROW IT ALL AWAY BY DOING..."

 

She snaps at his costume before throwing it at him. He lets it fall to the ground. She throws the notes at him, and he remains statuesque, watching her with an unblinking gaze.

 

"THIS!?!? WHY...!!? WHY DID YOU PROVE ME WRONG... I THOUGHT YOU WERE A GOOD MAN... I... I can't believe I let you lie to me all this time..."

 

He stands there, letting her scream her lungs out, until she finally loses her breath. She then shouts a final time.

 

"SAY SOMETHING, DAMN YOU!!!"

 

He needs to know something.

 

"Did you tell Masaru? Mitsuki?"

 

She shakes her head.

 

"I don't want anyone pulled into this-! This is between you! And me! This is our family, you...! You!!! Fucking idiot!!!"

 

She screams. She falls to her knees, and he takes one, kneeling down as he reaches out for her.

 

"Don't Touch Me-! You-! You've killed people with those hands... Th-They were your friends-!"

 

"No. They weren't. You want the truth?"

 

He abruptly says. She finds the strength to look him in his icy blue eyes.

 

"... When I first arrived on the planet. I saw the unending issues here. I was prepared to just, destabilize the core, causing a string of disasters that would end the world. That, was my first thought upon landing here. You... Changed my mind. No matter how hard I tried to hide that from you... And after that, Masaru, Mitsuki, and our sons... Right now, for the first time in together, I'll tell you everything."

Chapter 25: Manipulating the Narrative...

Summary:

Gran Torino, a Hero of a prior age and mentor to the late All Might, tests the inheritor of his will. However, he does not meet his expectations, for Izuku is too bizarre of a case for the old man to understand. Seeing that his strength will only attract trouble, Gran Torino warns the boy of a persistent foe, who has already made his mark.

Meanwhile, Inko meets Hisashi halfway, and the two come to a decision.

"Don't you dare hold back on me, neophyte!"

 

The old hero says as he bounces off of Izuku's blocking arm. Pressurized air hisses against his sleeves as the old man flies away. He lands on the wall before pinballing off of it, sliding between Izuku's legs, turning round to just narrowly avoid being caught by his throat. He pushes past and punches the boy in the nose.

 

"You'll have to be faster than that foo- URK!?!"

 

He finds himself pulled back by his Cape, where the boy had actually aimed his grasp, before he hurls the old man into the ground.

 

"Hey! Stop! What's going on h-"

 

Drool flies from his mouth as the old man removes his cape swiftly, and dashes a drop kick right into the boy's cheek, sending his head crashing into the stone wall.

 

"You're fast! But that was no One For All! How are you doing this? You're not conditioned like All Might was!"

 

Izuku pulls his head out. He turns to find his assailant before stumbling forward from a kick to the back of his head. He then stumbles back as the old man flies around, ricocheting off the walls, to appear just under his lowered chin to kick Izuku's head up to the ceiling. The boy's skull goes up, but he keeps himself grounded, shaking his woozy head before he leans back from another kick. 

 

Again and again he dodges until, at last, he gives the old man what he wants.

 

The energy of Heroes past flows through him, multipled by his own power, he snatches the old man right out of the air. His hand around the geezer's windpipe and threatening to squeeze.

 

"That's! Enough! How do you know about this Quirk?!"

 

"I'll do you one better, sonny! What's the percentage of power you're using right now?"

 

Izuku's face twists into one of pure confusion. Then, what he hears next has his heart in his throat.

 

"If you have to think about it? You're using the full one-hundred percent! However, you're performing at a level equal to twenty-five! Are you regulating it already?!"

 

"... I didn't think I'd have to. I just, got tough enough that it stopped breaking me."

 

Izuku says lowering his arm, but not releasing this kooky old lunatic.

 

"How do you know so much!? Who are you?!"

 

The old man taps Izuku's arm before kicking it, forcing the boy to release him, the old man raises his hands upon landing on his feet.

 

"Right, right, cool your jets! My name is Gran Torino, and before he taught you, I taught All Might. He actually spoke to me about you before he..."

 

He clears his throat, trying to keep a chipper mood.

 

"You should've caught onto my act sooner! A more malicious villain would've had you trapped! You're too wet behind the ears to go fighting against someone like Belloc! You're lucky he took that fall!"

 

Izuku glares at him for a moment, before he relaxes, scratching the back of his head.

 

"I-I... I know... You really taught All Might?"

 

Gran Torino nods, grabbing his cape off of the floor.

 

"His name was, Toshinori Yagi... And I'm sorry that he is no longer with us. I've been retired for some time, but I've been investigating a different case with some allies of my old days, and when I saw you flying low to land on my building? ... I had to know what kind of person he chose to carry on the legacy of One For All."

 

He then makes his way to another room, gesturing for the boy to follow.

 

"You've used more of that Quirk than you could possible know, and all on instinct it would seem, come here!"

 

Gran Torino reaches a computer, newer than Izuku would think he would have, but by no means the latest model. He then pulls up Izuku's lastest fight against the Flaxans. He points as something he could have never noticed before stuns him. Some strange essence, a black series of bolts or tethers, not unlike the energy that surrounded him had actually aided him in condensing the destructive sphere.

 

"One For All is more than just one Quirk that gets stronger with every new holder. It carries on the Quirks of those that held it before as well, and this one is called Blackwhip, an ability to create energy based extensions using one's emotions! I imagine you were pretty emotional right here, huh?"

 

Izuku nods stammering out his answer. How could he tell this man his actual secret? He is not sure if he can truly trust this shady figure... However, if All Might did, shouldn't he?

 

"I-I saw what it could do and just... Wanted to stop it. It felt like I was coming apart the entire time... D-Do you...?"

 

"Would I know about these fellas? I would! They've shown up before, and I don't mean that time at Star Man's Agency!"

 

He goes into his folders, and plays a video dated decades ago. The Flaxans with rudimentary weapons. They arrived, and began to take people with them into their portals at gunpoint, one being a familiar man in a strange white costume.

 

Izuku has seen the costume, somewhere, but where? It matters not because only two people come out by tomorrow morning. One of those is unmistakably his mother. Gran Torino, too focused on the footage, believes the stunned silence is from the scene itself.

 

"Quite the conundrum, hm? They'll probably be back some time soon, however, they're small fry compared to what I'm worried about! Look!"

 

The footage of All Might and Star Man facing a Villain Izuku has not heard of for some time.

 

"T-That's the guy that almost killed them both..."

 

"His name is... Well, we never actually figured it out, but he went by his Quirk anyways. All For One."

 

The fight itself had only ever been recorded at the end. This would be the first time Izuku would ever see the whole fight. It was a brutal exchange, but one thing was clear to him, his father would act as a shield to let All Might land as many blows he could until he finished the fight in one fell strike together. With how Star Man could still move afterwards, Izuku wondered why his father would risk his life like that, until he realizes that this fight had to be the two of them.

 

They were fighting in a populated area, unable to forcibly move it elsewhere, Star Man used his life to protect bystanders by absorbing the impact of greater attacks. It was not just All For One fighting as well. A giant man with monstrous features, a man with volcanic rocks attached to his shoulders and rocky gauntlets, a burly man whose muscles shift oddly, among countless others. 

 

The fight progresses into a whirlwind of chaos and destruction until only the three figures were left, and finally only two were standing.

 

"Why are you showing me this?"

 

"Because it was believed that All For One, died. I regret to inform you that I've evidence that he ain't."

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

On the barren wasteland of what was once a crown jewel of the city, where only bodies, scars of war remain across canyons of destruction and fields of still sizzling scorched craters lie, blood splatters and broken dreams sit in silence. 

 

But the battle between good and evil can never truly end. Despite his life's work, a lone body broken beyond what should be possible to mend, looks up at the clear sky. Is this going to be the last thing he sees? After all his work?

 

Of course not. He has his contingencies, a loyal follower of science, and of course his allies from below. He had been kicked out of the Order not too long ago due to his pact with them being exposed, but none would touch him now, not without consequence.

 

These fools Heroes would learn as gnarled claws and careful gangly hands gently guide him away from prying eyes. Authorities and paramedics would find him, only to be possessed by those unseen, using flesh puppets to bring him to safety. Put out the call for his death, as they worked tirelessly to bring him back to life, unaware of one of their own betraying them.

 

Damien Darkblood, a demon seeking to save his own soul by avenging those wronged by sinner across the globe, knew better than anyone on Earth the stench of his own kin. However, though his deductive skills and investigative intuition were second to none, combat was never his strong suit.

 

So he kept an eye on this should-be dead menace. On All For One and his infernal collaborators. He would need help from humanity, and with his reputation, All Might was out of the question. Star Man as well always rubbed the demonic detective wrong. One shone too brightly to be of any help, while the other was a secret all on his own, which only led him to the streets.

 

Where he would find an unlikely ally in an unassuming man.

 

 

---

 

 

 

Izuku stares at the corkboard intently. Photos of faces he definitely did not recognize, save for one, as several red strings attached to numerous names lead back to him.

 

"That guy was at UA...! He attacked us with some, weird bird-! There! He called it-!"

 

He points at the Nomu, which has smaller photos of people attached to it, only one of them named. Gran Torino nods, grumbling a low growl.

 

"Tomura Shigaraki... His Quirk: Decay, is quite problematic. He also has taken over the once defunct League of Villains, which made in opposition of another villainous crime syndicate, albeit he only has the name. We did everything in our power to erase the League of Villains from existence, and it helps it wasn't am organization that lasted long, but..."

 

Gran Torino looks at Izuku, pointing at him.

 

"All For One has an obsession with One For All. Every prior wielder has died by his hand, either directly, or even indirectly. He will, at some point, reveal himself to target you as well. You've gotten popular, which hopefully should stave off any attempts from him, but that also has the double edge effect of drawing the attention from-"

 

There's a sound behind him that both have become familiar with, as Cecil steps through a door of light.

 

"Kid, I've got another- Oh. Gran Torino. Haven't seen you or that costume in a good while."

 

"Steadman, you invasive dog! You've got your eye on another One For All wielder!"

 

The old dwarf barks. His fellow elder folds his arms as he tries to look down at him, rather than on him.

 

"Wouldn't have to recruit a boy if you weren't such an elusive fossil. Judging by how messy this room is, you've still got it... I didn't just spend nearly billions of dollars in United States tax money for a raincheck. Izuku, how fast can you get to Hawaii?"

 

Izuku blinks for a moment before answering.

 

"I-I never got the chance to-! I, uh, probably one hour? Thirty minutes if I fly as fast as I can?"

 

Cecil furrows his brows but nods.

 

"It'll have to do. I got a team there dealing with a guy threatening to blow up Mauna Loa and he's already got it ready to erupt before the pressure causes the entire island to go up in hellfire. I'd call your dad... But he's, unresponsive. He could be anywhere on or off world, and this is urgent. All I need you to do is dive into the volcano, follow Donald's instructions, so we can divert the lava flow and keep it from going boom. They've got this bastard on the ropes but he's stubborn."

 

Izuku pales, cold sweat profusely leaking from his face, but despite the idea of diving head first into lava being a first? They both know his answer.

 

"I'll be there...! I-I just need a change of clothes ready by the end of this."

 

Gran Torino gasps before shouting out.

 

"What!? You can't actually make it in time! Have you any idea how far that island is from here?!"

 

Cecil ignores him, tapping his ear piece as he continues his conversation with Izuku.

 

"Done. Just put your ear piece back in before you fly off so we can get you those instructions."

 

Cecil states. Izuku flies outside leaving the old men alone, glaring at each other. Cecil closes his eyes and sighs.

 

"You were about to show him something dangerous, Tori. He isn't ready to face off against the likes of that freak, not yet... And he isn't even our greatest concern right now."

 

Gran Torino scoffs.

 

"The Order is still at large, I take it?"

 

Cecil makes his way over to the corkboard, eyeing numerous faces and pictures, impressed that the old man even has one-third of the information he has... Let alone any at all. 

 

But not enough to bring him back into this war of theirs.

 

"All For One was a single member of a greater whole. We only have two other members identified, it's a miracle we know their total number at all, but giving that kind of information to someone who can barely keep shit about his own life a secret? You'd be killing an entire classroom of kids."

 

Gran Torino lowers his head.

 

"I was getting to that part of confidentiality... If you're so brazenly able to appear before him, then either you trust him, or you're absolutely desperate."

 

Cecil turns away, ready to leave.

 

"You're forgetting a third option. That kid is our newest trump card. If I need something done, and done fast? He's our newest call. All Might chose well... Nana would've loved this kid."

 

For a moment, the bitter history between the two fades away as melancholy washes over the veteran Hero.

 

"... She would. Now get out of here."

 

Cecil starts walking towards a pathway to the stairs, Gran Torino knew that this meant he had been found for some time, and that Cecil for all his hostile bluster truly has been giving him space to mourn. He stops and turns his head back at the silver age dwarf.

 

"Fine, fine... But before I go... I have to ask. Who do you think did it? Who would you say killed the Guardians of the Globe?"

 

Gran Torino lifts his head up. A grim scowl on his face, for he has an answer, and Cecil knew neither of them would like it.

 

"From what my own source has told me? Only ten people were ever in that facility. The sabotage of the main computer was with an item not from Earth. Star and Stripe had to have been hit first, meaning that the one who did it knew what her Quirk could do, and not even I am privy to that knowledge out of respect for the United States... But those within the Guardians did. No one hacked their security system, they only turned the main power off, before attacking parts of the base from the inside... Parts that would have the mountain collapse in on itself."

 

Cecil nods, elaborating further.

 

"Which means it had to have been someone who knew the interior. Someone who physically either had access to blueprints, or spent copious amounts of time within the base itself. No signs of combustibles at those attacked spots, only blunt force, doing its best to look like an explosion..."

 

"There have been attacks on that base before, but never have they been this meticulous, this methodical... Intimate. Steadman. Only one of the Guardians could have attacked like this."

 

Cecil turns halfway.

 

"Did you know that Izuku Midoriya is the son of Star Man?"

 

Gran Torino's masked eyes widen in shock. Apparently, the old man did not, but he recovers quick as he paces the floor.

 

"Then, no wonder the boy moves so extraordinarily...! His feats of impossible strength! That stellar speed! I had thought he had been using One For All the entire time, but once I saw it for myself, I only have questions...!"

 

Cecil, though reluctant, throws an old friend and former ally a bone.

 

"We're doing experiments with some samples due to an incident. We've learned a few things... Every part of whatever they are? It's tougher than anything we got going on Earth, and it takes a lot to even pierce their hide, even their blood doesn't begin to bubble unless it reaches well-beyond the boiling point of titanium... Look, I've got to go, but when things get hairy... Can the world count on Gran Torino?"

 

The old dwarf folds his arms after turning his back on Cecil.

 

"I don't answer to dogs of war... However, a true Hero never flees the call for aid. I'll keep my ear to the ground and eye on the sky."

 

"... Nana was no soldier of mine... But, noted. Take care, Gimli."

 

As he leaves, Torino bellows out angrily.

 

"I SHAVED RECENTLY!!! STOP CALLING ME A DWARF!!!"

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

"That's it. That's everything."

 

Hisashi says. No, not Hisashi. His name has been fake, but she at least knew this much, however now she wishes she never noticed the signs. She should have just closed the secret compartment. She should have respected her husband's privacy. She should have told someone, or perhaps, she would be dead if she ever did tell.

 

Inko Midoriya sits on her couch with a glum, despondent shadow over her blank face, unsure if she is feeling too much shock to feel? Or if she has reached true apathy.

 

Hisashi hated seeing her like this. He knew she would eventually learn, though he would have preferred to tell her on her deathbed, or even never. However, she was always an intuitive creature, to the point he often wondered if she had telepathic abilities rather than telekinetic. Now, there are no secrets between them.

 

"... Can you show me... Your work...?"

 

"My... Work?"

 

He asks for clarification and she brings her hands to her face.

 

"I've seen you save the world... I've seen you get hurt, so many times, I've even had to help you recover. I've seen you be so powerful that I often struggle with how you can stand being with me... More than that... I hear from you how you're going to make the world a better place... So show me what you've done to do that."

 

"... Okay."

 

Hisashi puts his helmet back on and brings Inko to his Agency. The building is closed, no one around to distract or watch them, as he guides her through every room. He shows her everything, without a word. His trophies were meaningless, but when she got to the memorial, she saw their names. She saw, all of their names. He points at one and whispers.

 

"Toshinori Yagi. That, is All Might..."

 

He would show her his efforts. His contributions. How he, through sheer brute force, muscles his way into the pharmaceutical world using Masaru as a face. To build hospitals sprinkled across Japan, curing diseases thought untreatable, all without taking the credit for himself.

 

"It isn't about making a name for me... It is about making a name for Viltrum."

 

Her eyes widened then as he shows her the documents in his private office. Star Man is an independent heroic agent that works with numerous businesses to expand both influence and aid. However, all of these businesses share one thing in common, despite having different fields or titles.

 

The logo in his office seen nowhere else, can be found at these businesses, the Mark of the Viltrum Empire.

 

Animal conservations, sanctuaries for third world refugees, environmental clean up and maintenance working in tandem with other Heroic Agencies all unaware of their truth. Hisashi not only fully integrated into human society, he has slowly started to consume it, to have power on a global scale through these businesses. Through his actions.

 

He has truly worked towards making the world a better place. She stares out into the now endless black of the oceanic depths that surround them in his underwater officer.

 

"... Do you expect me to forgive you, now?"

 

She asks herself rather than ask him. He responds, speaking from afar, to give her space, give her time as he takes a single step forward before replying.

 

"No. I don't. I've learned enough from you to know that."

 

She brings a hand up as she looks into her reflection of the glass. She speaks aloud, looking herself in the eyes, asking herself as Hisashi listens.

 

"... What do I even do...? How, do I react? I... I know, that I hate you, right now. I can't even stand the sight of you... Because... B-Because..."

 

She turns around with tired eyes full of tears and cheeks flushed a deep red.

 

"I know that... You're right... You... Are... Changing the world for the better... I can't deny that..."

 

Hisashi takes a step back, beckoning her with a subtle gesture. She unconsciously takes a step forward.

 

"Inko, being upset with me isn't just natural, you should be mad. You should be-! Furious! They were... They were closer to me, than I ever intended them to be, even knowing what I had to do in the end-"

 

"THEN WHY DIDN'T YOU JUST TELL THEM!?!"

 

She shrieks with her voice now hoarse.

 

"You could've showed them what you showed me! You could've explained it to them, like you're doing with me, right now! Why didn't you?!?"

 

She angrily demands as she steps forward and he takes two of his own towards her. Replying, calmly.

 

"Because, they wouldn't understand, like you do. You've seen what awaits Earth. Viltrum, will save lives, from any and all threats! From outside and within! These, people, can't even save themselves... From themselves! Two-thousand years of making the same mistakes, constantly going in circles, making any progress they make irrelevant by making the same mistakes! Inko-!"

 

"I know! I know, that humanity will try to fight back, so what is it you're going to do?!? Just, kill everyone you disagree with?!"

 

She barks at him. He frowns at her, taking a low yet harsh tone.

 

"Of course not. We're discussing this here, aren't we? Viltrum, needs Earth, just as much. They'll see... Just as you have, but with... Time... It'll just take time. That's why, I am here."

 

"Don't say those words to me... I... I just..."

 

"Deep down. You know I'm right. The corruption within numerous governments, within numerous agencies, the on-going wars that are often unspoken due to the media craze of these...!!!"

 

He snarls, as the thought of Pro Heroes has long since made his blood boil, and his tolerance of them at an end.

 

"Pretenders...! Without me, the Kaiju would've ended this planet! Doc Seismic would have ruled a molten rock of death! All For One would have killed All Might in front of the whole world!"

 

"But it's better you killed him in secret.

 

She retorts with a sharp glare that has him flinch. 

 

"Yes. I did... Try... To bring it up to him, once... I tried, hard... But he wouldn't hear any of it. I knew then, when the only other human being I ever respected couldn't understand... I had to do what I had planned from the start."

 

He grows resolute as he approaches her.

 

"Dark Wing had billions to his name and rather than achieve what I could in barely twenty years in all of his forty, he spent that money on toys and assaulting the disenfranchised. Poverty stricken people or mentally ill victims of chemical accidents!"

 

He says as he throws a hand to the side.

 

"The Immortal lived for so long, yet was so stubborn, whatever wisdom he could dispense was hindered by bitterness and self-loathing. War Woman was a runaway exile seeking asylum from her responsibilities! Aquaraus was a fool King who abused his status until I came along, and set him straight, before he went to war with the oceanic monsters that vastly outnumbered his own kingdom!"

 

He raises his voice, his attempts to convince her now turning into a venting of his frustrations.

 

"Martian Man chased after the affection of a world that never wanted him! A species so dedicated to the thought of segregation and racism, one could make an argument it's embedded in their DNA! Red Rush ran faster than anyone from his commitments, and don't get me started on that waste of space, Skyline-!"

 

He catches himself as he sees her frightened face. She never saw him, angry. Not truly. Intense, passionate, strict even. Never, angry. He closes his eyes, takes in a deep breath, because Nolan could not help him here. 

 

He needed to be Hisashi.

 

"I spared Cathy because I know she can understand... And I tried with All Might, Inko, I really did... But he chose... Stagnation... Over progression. Because of his influence, look at where that got our son? Because of UA, and Hero Society, look at how often he is hurt! He can be safe with me. You, are safe, with me..."

 

She steps away from him, but he is too close, and she is so cold within his heated presence.

 

"... No matter how you try to put it... No matter what you do in the name of doing good... No matter how, wasteful, they may have lived their lives... You still killed those people."

 

"Inko. Tell me one great historical human being that at some point, ruled the world, and didn't have to kill his way to the top?"

 

She opens her mouth... Then nothing... He gestures at her. He takes a gentle hold of her shoulders.

 

"Human history is drenched in the blood of its own. I will make this the last time it ever happens again, so Izuku will never have his hands as dirty, unlike any Earthling or Viltrumite before him. This, is for the best. For us."

 

She trembles in his hold before surrendering into his embrace. She is no philosopher, no grand moralist, but she knows right from wrong. She knows that her husband is a killer, but do eight lives mean more than billions?

 

"... We can't... Let him know..."

Chapter 26: A Calm Before The Storm!

Summary:

Day after day, within one week, Invincible has truly made a name for himself working side by side with Star and Stripe, both growing stronger in body and mind as they use their budding bond to overcome the grief of losing All Might. However, darkness is soon approaching, and will they be strong enough for the coming battles?

Or will they be consumed by hungering ghosts from the past?

Izuku glances at his mom. He was sure she would be upset with him coming home late, or rather, coming in by tomorrow morning. He had Sunday off from school but held no intentions of shirking his internship with Star and Stripe.

 

However, when he tries to make an excuse for himself, she just smiles at him and waves him off.

 

"Just make sure you join me for breakfast before you go out. I saw you on the news! Did you get any souvenirs from Hawaii?"

 

She asks as she sets his plate down. He blinks in surprise at how, candid, she is being. Every time before, she would grow worried or ask a deluge of questions, it's partly why he is the way he is. Still, he holds up the bags he carries.

 

"A-Ah... Well I did! Actually! A couple of shirts, some of these dried mango slices, wooden carvings and uh-! Coffee! Kona Coffee!"

 

He says putting the bags down before taking a seat. She hugs him tight before he can dig in but he hugs back.

 

"You've gotten so strong... But you still need food and rest! I can see it in your eyes, you're tired!"

 

She dotes on him as he whines in her hold. He taps his goggles for a moment before he removes his mask in a huff.

 

"You can't possibly see my-! I'll take a nap, but I've go back out soon! Uh? Did Dad make it home?"

 

She looks over and nods at the door.

 

"You missed him. I think he'll be in the country today though, so you'll probably run into him."

 

"... And, what are you going to be doing today?"

 

He asks, already halfway done with his meal. She sincerely wishes he would eat slower, but he has at least stopped making an absolute mess on his face. She takes a napkin and wiped the crumbs from his mouth.

 

"I'll be going out with Mitsuki into town. She found a lovely boutique for me... As long as I take her to the arcade."

 

Izuku stifles a laugh.

 

"S-She still...?!"

 

Inko shrugs and sighs.

 

"I've heard some people stay in touch with their childish side... Honestly, I'm glad she has. Some of the crane games are a lot of fun! Don't worry about me, dear. Just... Keep yourself safe as you can, okay?"

 

"Yes ma'am! I love you!"

 

"I love you too."

 

In a few hours, he would leave again, and thankfully he hadn't noticed anything. She fears she may have picked up a thing or two from her husband. She is now an accomplice to his crimes, burning the notes, and cleaning his old costume so Masaru can repair it with no suspicion.

 

She hardly knew the Guardians. In fact, most of the world had no idea she was even married or who she was, and even the home they live in had been built by Hisashi away from most prying eyes. Only the Bakugo Family has ever visited them, and only once a long time ago, which always bothered her with how secretive her partner was.

 

Now, not only does she understand, she dreads the idea of being found now. However, is it not better for the truth to be revealed? How long will they have to live like this? 

 

It never occurred to her just how lonely she has been... And this is before meeting Hisashi... Mitsuki has been her one and only friend. Masaru came as a packaged deal, and Hisashi pursued her, which she finds herself feeling guilty having no regrets looking back on that meeting. Her son has gotten so popular from what she has heard from him...

 

Should she make more friends herself? He never said she couldn't have any...

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

Shōto glances up at the sky, idly watching the clouds, until he smirks at the familiar sight of a friend flying by high above.

 

"I won't let you leave me behind..."

 

He says to himself before following his mentor. His father eyes the flying boy warily, a grimace on his face.

 

"One of these days, you'll be humbled..."

 

In another city, Īda recalls what a classmate told him, how rarely people look up, so he does. He nearly crashes into a light pole, but his brother saves him with a pat on his back.

 

"Whoa! That was close! Try not to space out when we're on a patrol! Something catch your eye?"

 

Īda shakes his helmed head before pointing ahead.

 

"Just a friend. Look! We've got a shoplifter!"

 

"Follow my lead, Tenya!"

 

Katsuki snarls as he begrudgingly follows Best Jeanist, who also takes notice of the flying ward.

 

"Hm... That one is in your class."

 

"Feh! He's late is what he is..."

 

"I wonder if he ever got his Flying License..."

 

Katsuki says nothing, at least not until it hits him.

 

"Wait a second-! Why is my hair still like this! THIS IS STUPID!!!"

 

From above, Izuku can see some of his friends, and as much as he would like to say hello now? He has an appointment to make. He stops in front of the US Embassy in Tokyo, where Star and Stripe dutifully waits for him, a victorious smirk on her face.

 

"Y'know, I was gonna let you have today off? Why did you show up even when I didn't ask for you?"

 

"Uh-! Was I not, s-supposed to?"

 

He asks, rubbing his neck. She ruffles his hair roughly.

 

"Nah, consider your ultra secret test a pass! Heroes never get a day off! We rest, we relax, but we gotta be on-call at all times!"

 

She made that up on the spot but her teasing lie seems to work as Izuku adopts a formal salute.

 

"Yes! Yes ma'am!"

 

"Alright, Private! I feel like today's gonna be a quiet one, so we're gonna do something a bit unorthodox, got it?"

 

At her bizarre smile, the costumed intern begins to sweat out of apprehension.

 

"U-Uh... What-? What do you mean by... Unorthodox?

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

"I!! AM!!! THE GIANT!!!"

 

Bellows a mountainous humanoid figure in English. One large eye, rough rocky skin, and orange red like the surface of Mars fitted with pants along with metal gloves.

 

"I!! AM A KING!!! YOU!!! GOTTA DO WHAT I SAY!!!"

 

The Giant rampages across the swatting at military helicopters and not even noticing the best hits their jets could land, the planes fly by too fast for him to swing at, but he proves too tough for their missiles to mean anything.

 

However, he grunts in pain, and starts to lean back from a powerful blow from behind. Having used a jet gather momentum, Star and Stripe dropkicks the Giant's back, forcing him to stumble into an uppercut from Invincible. The Giant starts to fall backwards, and fully lands on his posterior, especially after Star and Stripe hits the only leg down from behind with a clothesline to the heel.

 

He sits up holding his head whining.

 

"O-OW...! OOWWW!!! Y-YOU HIT ME! YOU MADE HURT! YOU'RE MEAN!!!"

 

Invincible floats there, stunned. From his prior experience with giants, they were fierce, not so... Mentally fragile.

 

"U-Uh... Sorry?"

 

"DON'T APOLOGIZE UP THERE, ZIP THEM LIPS, PRIVATE!"

 

Star and Stripe orders in a strict militant tone. Her ward does as she tells him to and she lowers the gravity on herself just to leap up onto one of the knees of the Giant as the biggest boy hugs himself.

 

"You seemed to have finally calmed down. What's your deal? You just showed up outta nowhere!"

 

"I... I... I'M THE GIANT...!"

 

The blubbering mountain of muscle says trying not to wail.

 

"I'M SUPPOSED TO BE A KING! BUT... THIS DOESN'T LOOK LIKE WHERE I WAS..."

 

Star and Stripe brings her hands up trying to calm the creature down. Whatever his name actually is, must still apply, since her Quirk would not work on him. Granted, she barely used it at all against this stumbling titanic toddler as she gets him to talk.

 

Invincible learns in the aftermath as Japanese military and GDA operatives air lift him out, the Giant is just a kid whisked away to another dimension, and has been missing for years from a family in America. His form is due to a curse that backfired in the summoner trying to turn him into a weapon, accidentally making an unstoppable monster, one that ruled the dimension until the finally sent him back home.

 

Star and Stripe stretches her back with a groan before thumbing behind her.

 

"That takes care of that! We've still got some daylight to kill before we're done for the day!"

 

She grins ear to ear.

 

"I still got plenty of ideas to try out, y'know? ~"

 

Invincible pales. He forces down a nervous lump in his throat with a gulp.

 

"Is using your Quirk on me like that really necessary...?"

 

She nods, flashing a brilliant yet mischievous smile.

 

"Damn straight! New Order has a limit on what it can command the things I want, even myself, but you? I've never had a guinea pig so versatile as you!"

 

"I-I think I'm just gonna-"

 

"Izuku Midoriya will stand still."

 

Invincible tries to fly away but is frozen in the air, much to his fearful chagrin. She had never released him from her prior order, and though he now knows of her secret, it only makes her even more impressive in his eyes.

 

"H-Hey! This isn't what we agreed on!"

 

"Sure it is! ~ Master and Student and all that!"

 

She brings him back down to the ground before freeing him from her spell.

 

"I'm only teasing, Broccoli Sprout! Let's help with clean up and then I'll send you on your way. We only have one more day, right?"

 

"W-We do?"

 

He says looking up at her with eyes of a sullen puppy, at least, she compares him to one. She ruffles his messy green hair snickering.

 

"Hey, hey, it ain't like this is some big goodbye! I do gotta take care of America... But! You've got my number if you need me, and I don't wanna take ALL of your Sunday away! You've got a life you need to experience before you make this your fulltime commitment!"

 

She then holds up a finger.

 

"Consider this a lesson from your awesome master! We may not take days off, but we definitely take time to relax and rest up, so! ~"

 

She trails off, as if expecting Izuku to say something, and he reluctantly does after looking around behind his goggles.

 

"S-So...?"

 

"You and I are gonna hit the nightlife! Casually, of course! I've never actually spent much time in Japan if it wasn't on business!"

 

At that, he perks up.

 

"I-I... I'm not exactly the best tourist guide but! I think that'd be fun, Star and Stripe-sensei!"

 

She asks in the praise holding her head high with haughty laughter.

 

"I'm smart! A genius even!! Ahahaha!!!"

 

The way she laughs reminds him of All Might. He cannot help but wonder as he asks her.

 

"Were you a fan of All Might, too?"

 

She snaps, as if moving so fast there had been no transition, getting a jolt from the hybrid.

 

"YES! HE'S THE COOLEST! THE WAY HE BARRELS THROUGH ANYTHING WITH AN UNFLINCHING SMILE?!? DUDE!!!"

 

Her professional yet eccentric demeanor had completely vanished upon bringing up the Number One Hero... The former number one...

 

It seems she as well found herself making a mistake as she falters slightly.

 

"He... Was..."

 

She then shakes his head.

 

"No. Is. He's still here. Through you, and me, everything he was lives on in us."

 

She beams another blinding smile.

 

"Which why no matter how sad we get? We gotta shine on for the world in his place and remind them!"

 

"We're here. Yeah."

 

Invincible says feeling a bit better. Star and Stripe knew him for a good few years, longer than he did, and that helps with his sense of loss. The world has never been more dangerous without All Might, without the Guardians of the Globe, but Star Man and Star and Stripe have reminded the world in one week.

 

The good guys are still here and ready. Heroes have not faltered in their crusade and defense against all evil. Soon, Invincible will be right there with them. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

---

 

 

Later That Night...

 

 

"Tonight is the night. Everyone, remember your roles, and don't forget! We've got a few... Collaborators, I wasn't able to introduce you to, but you'll know them when you see them..."

 

Shigaraki says. His current roster of malice and debauchery watch him with intent as they stand at the top of a skyscraper within Hosu City. He gestures over the numerous city lights glittering under a black sky, lit by a pale full moon.

 

"Stain... You're first."

 

The Hero Killer grunts, but he moves ahead, leaping off of the roof and down below as he uses his acrobatics to swing off of numerous street signs and street lights to safely land on the ground.

 

A mundane nobody, a Hero with a water Quirk: Manual, is attacked before he can even react. It is a clumsy and painful assault, a swift drag of his jagged blades that scrape against bone as he cuts through flesh.

 

Manual's cries will cause the crowd to flee, and citizens to call for help, as well as Manual himself barely able to form any words from the agony.

 

Stain is the bait. He will gather as many Heroes as he can before fleeing to a dead end, where the next phase of the plan begins...

 

A group of Heroes try to chase down the Hero Killer's senseless slaughter, finding him in a desperate rush for freedom, cornering himself like a rat.

 

"You're going nowhere, Stain!"

 

"You used to be a a good guy, right? Even if you wre a Vigilante... Why do this?!"

 

"Manual's still alive... You could've landed a fatal blow... Talk to us!"

 

He raises a brow but he can hear the mutterings between the ones in the back. Three Heroes approach him, new faces, must have debuted sometime this year or near the end of last... But there are older ones behind them, using the new blood as fodder, with a greedy glint in their eyes.

 

"We need to pull the greenhorns back..."

 

"All they care about is getting the credit for taking Stain down..."

 

"Well, they'll get themselves killed trying to take our glory for themselves...!"

 

For a moment... Just an iota of a second, Stain could see some level of, Heroism... However, looking at the jackals prancing around in bright colors hiding their sickly souls as they send ignorant lambs to the slaughter?

 

He is reminded of why he does what he does. He lunges forth, just in time as he watches his silent partner act, before effortlessly dispatching the three young Heroes. A precise strike to the temple with the pommel of his blade, a scythe swing of kick across the jaw instantly knocking out the next, and just as he brings his blades up to the throat of the last one in a bluff? He had fainted from fear.

 

Three hapless lives not even worthy of death, foolish kids chasing after a far off dream, he took no pleasure in knocking them out. He did however, smile ear to ear as he looks up, and finds Suture had finished her work just as fast as he did.

 

"One. Two..."

 

Suture whispers under her breath. She still keeps herself hidden under baggy clothes shades and a face mask, but her Quirk only needed her hands to work. She had made her mark, tagging each of her own targets with both hands, before she claps them together and the sordid "Heroes" were cut in half.

 

"Huh?!? W-What is this??!"

 

"Gah! What happened to my body!"

 

"I-I can still feel my legs...!? Nothing is spilling out but... I feel...! Weak!!!"

 

The last one gasps in terror until she has no breath to call upon after Suture finishes stabbing her to death. She pulls the intestines out of the next one, and upon doing so, whatever force keeping their insides from leaking out has been dispelled. As that Hero screams out in agony, she slits the throat of the last one, a clean and quick kill.

 

Suture stands up and claps her hands again, with blood now gushing out of their bisected wounds. Stain waits, watching to see if she will make an attempt on the lives he spared, and is curious when she does not.

 

"Why be so vicious to two, then spare the last one pain?"

 

"I studied these three... I had already planned to kill these two, because they would only fight crime in public areas, beating down on those with out of control Quirks... Victims... Never any true evil... They're too weak for the title of Hero... Which is why I killed the last one quickly... He was scum, but he at least had the decency to risk his life saving others from burning buildings or collateral damages, while these two would hang back and watch..."

 

She spits on one of them, pulling her mask down to do so, revealing red lips and stitched cheeks. Stain did not much care to know his horrible comrades. To even call them that much was too intimate for his liking.

 

However, Suture? He could tolerate Suture. She understood his viewpoint far better than the Clown or even Shigaraki did.

 

It makes the fact that they're partnered together far more tolerable.

 

"There will be more on the way... We need to move."

 

"Mm..."

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

The Clown giggles with horrible delight as he sends out his own personal minions. A handful of freaks and ghouls that owe him over the countless years, vampires that sneak throughout the city, keeping to the densest of shadows no matter how small or thin.

 

All in constant communication with their figurehead through Kurogiri, who relays their information back to their leader, Shigaraki. 

 

"Stain and Suture have taken out six so far. Suture 2 as well has led a Hero to her trap, albeit death unconfirmed. As for our, final collaborator, he has arrived as well from a manhole and is seeking out victims."

 

Kurogiri relays. Shigaraki scratches his dry cheek, groaning.

 

"That's fine and all but those numbers are too low... And they're handling things way too quietly..."

 

The Clown hisses a pleasurable wheeze from his warty throat.

 

"Getting impatient for the climax already? C'mon, Shiggy baby! ~ Learn to enjoy the smaller, finer things in life, before you blow your whole gasket! Besides... This is just the prelude to our symphony of terror! ~ Without any local Heroes to call on, they'll have to send in folks from cities over, which will give us time to really wreck this place!"

 

Shigaraki grins underneath the hand covering most of his face.

 

"Motivation that will teach those up above not to look so lowly from their ivory towers...!"

 

The Clown snaps his fingers at his wretched cohort.

 

"Precisely! ~ It's all... Part of the plan. It is my task, by my master to yours, to set you up for success. To nurture you into the damnation of all things good! To bring about an age of freedom, and chaos, and domination!!!"

 

He slaps Shigaraki's butt, getting a foul snarl from the young man, which the Clown pretends to lean back in mocking fear. The yellow chipped uneven smile on his painted face never leaving.

 

"Although, you gotta have some patience...! Trust me, I'm a guy that admires a lack of impulse control, but some things must happen at the right place... At the right time..."

Chapter 27: Devil's Dancing in the Dark!

Summary:

The Villains Strike! With a horrible plan to lessen the number of local Heroes stealthily, Shigaraki and his inhuman collaborators reveal themselves by unleashing their horrific forces, the Nomu and the Hero Killers! Invincible may think himself above their weight class, but the Clown has prepared something truly sinister just for him, and his beloved mentor...

Cecil presses against the ear piece as he takes a call. Usually he takes them, because his number is exclusively business, and business means emergencies. Anything from domestic terrorism on a street  level, to worldwide apocalypses, preferably before they even begin.

 

His eyes narrow when he hears Gran Torino's wizened voice.

 

[ "I've got a situation. My lead has ran into some bad folks, and he tells me there's enough for a city takeover, all located in Hosu. Several Heroes have gone missing as well... Signs of a fight, but no bodies... It reeks of League activity." ]

 

Cecil snaps his fingers at one of the people at a computer within the surveillance room. He points ahead, and having worked there long enough to read him, they immediately pull up Japan on the big screen before he directs them to Hosu City.

 

"Got any details on these bad folks?"

 

He asks.

 

[ "Yes. Pale, sharp fangs, red eyes, and a taste for iron." ]

 

He knew why Gran Torino had to be coy over the phone. Where he is, there are possibly spies within his walls, especially with his own personal experiences with bloodsuckers. He nods, for once, wearing an eager smirk.

 

"Thanks. I've got a team on standby made just for this."

 

He hangs up and looks over at his second-in-command.

 

"Donald, get Hampton and his fur squad online. They're going to be making a trip."

 

Donald nods, holding out a tablet of his own.

 

"Conveniently, they had just finished a trip in the Philippines. Wolfcorp's estimated time of arrival is forty five minutes."

 

Cecil folds his arms grumbling.

 

"I don't know what that faceless fuck is up to, but I'll give him this, I've always wanted to see what would really go down between a vampire and a werewolf..."

 

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

Ochako notices something on the way home. A stranger staring at her from afar. Usually she would not think twice about it, people stare sometimes, especially with her costume. However, this strange woman has been seen quite a few times before, oily black hair and strange eyes that make Ochako's skin crawl. Thankfully, she has learned some hand-to-hand with Gunhead, but she would rather not invite such an encounter if she can. 

 

However, as she reluctantly parts ways with her mentor late that evening, that stranger finally vanishes... But a feeling of intense dread washes over her. 

 

She nearly makes it to the train station before turning back. It is not her that she grows worried for, as she starts to think back on those moments, the woman had never actually looked at her.

 

But at Gunhead.

 

Her fears are realized as she walks in on a putrid feast. The woman from before, with bullet holes on her chest and back, holds Gunhead's body as she drains him of his blood with a sanguine kiss. An unholy embrace of fang penetrating vein.

 

Her ruby eyes dart up as she locks them with Ochako's frozen gaze. As if being inconvenienced, all while still sucking away from her master, she raises a lone clawed finger. An insulting gesture of mocking politeness as she silently tells the young woman, she will be right with her in a moment.

 

"G-Get off of him-! Aah!!!"

 

She feels an ice cold hand on her shoulder. From her countless hours of practice, she reacts immediately, her unseen assailant had underestimated her and would find themselves sent flying ahead. Using her Quirk to make the giant man weightless, she hurls him over he shoulder, quickly undoing her ability for his weight to slam into the surprised vampiress.

 

Both land against the wall with a loud thud as she runs to help her mentor up.

 

"G-Gunhead...!? Are you awake?!?"

 

"U-U... Uraraka... Run...!!!"

 

"I-I can't leave you behind-! Aie!"

 

She shrieks as she finds the door way blocked. A fanged smile as a frightening girl looks past her, her lips curved ear to ear, a blade wet with blood in one hand while the other one holds a clean knife.

 

"Ooh, you're a cutie! ~ Hey cutie patootie! What's your name?"

 

Ochako hesitates, her mentor musters enough strength to try and aim with his Quirk as he holds an arm up, but groans weakly as his vision begins to wane. Ochako shuts her eyes as Himiko rushes past her, the frightened intern reluctantly turns around at the sound of choked gasps and visceral gargles. She reluctantly looks back, and in stunned confusion, witnesses the blonde girl paints a stroke of red as her bloody knife effortlessly splits the vampire woman's throat open.

 

The pale undead steps back with her eyes wide, but that is all she reacts with in regards to pain, as she attempts to return the favor with her claws, but Himiko ducks before standing swinging her arm up. The clean blade glides with an unstoppable elegance as it rips open the bipedal parasite.

 

"Ah, ah, ah! I knew you were up to no good, that's why I followed you here, now this dance is between us only-" 

 

She is cut off by a giant fist of the vampiress' partner, her body sent through the walls and out of the building, a ragdoll tumble as she rolls onto the vacant street.

 

"... Ow..."

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

"Vampires. They go by many fancy and not-so fancy names, Nightwalkers, Kindred, Shadows, Parasites, so on and so forth..."

 

The Clown educates his latest student as Shigaraki sits on the edge of a skyscraper. The sounds of screams, explosions, pandemonium running thick through the streets. His demonic cohort continues as they joyfully listen to the chaotic cacophony of innocent cries. The dwarf on both his miniscule feet, he guides his hands in the air like a conductor directing the orchestra below.

 

"They do, vary, from each one but most of them are the same. A few have more weaknesses than the other, but most of them you think you know, don't actually work. Only three things are truly consistent with them... Technically four."

 

"And that would be?"

 

Shigaraki asks. The Clown ceases his playful display  and holds up one of his four fingers.

 

"All, suck blood. That may sound like a given, but some have lived long enough to discover new ways in doing so, to remain hidden. I once knew a guy, long before Quirks manifested, that could suck away the life out of a bitch with just a touch! Brando was one of a kind..."

 

He brings up his second finger.

 

"Next, is that they're all too ambitious for their own good, and often resort to backstabbing one another whenever they join forces... Few times have they ever been truly unified, and even rarer is it when one of their own leads them, and I had to pull some pretty heavy strings for just the handful that we got..."

 

He brings up his third finger.

 

"Then there's the two methods of getting rid of one. To stun one? Stake through the heart, it can really be anything. Oak, steel, silver, copper, as long as it stabs? It'll keep 'em paralyzed... Destroying the heart itself will undo the curse keeping them alive, being one of the only ways to render 'em to dust."

 

"Which leaves only the Sun, right?"

 

Shigaraki asks, and his devilish mentor claps his hands together grinning ear to ear.

 

"Precisely! ~ Hm? Hold on... Something is wrong."

 

He turns around to a small pile of bodies of unfortunate bystanders, many dead from having their blood drained to make a thick shallow pool, one which the Clown dips his finger in. The blood reflects a scene as a clairvoyant spell is cast and his smile fades to a stoic frown.

 

"Someone's been a bad girl... No matter. It looks like the others are doing exactly as we told them too. They're even leaving Hosu, which means they're looking for more Heroes! Shiggy! ~ Time for phase two! Would you do the honors?"

 

Shigaraki stands, his own wicked glee hidden behind the hand adorning his face as he gestures ahead.

 

"Kurogiri, send out the Nomu. Hosu City will be flattened first, then, the next, until we've wiped out three cities for the world to know... The League of Villains won't be stopped."

 

The Clown as well sends his own message to his lesser minions. The game is on, true terror is to be spread, and the vampires he has barely managed to get over here may finally act on their urges in full. They are merely fodder, and despite some being rather powerful for their kind, all are to be naught but distractions for the Heroes that will be too late to save this damned city.

 

For the unspoken phase three, the Violator's true master plan, starts right when Shigaraki distracts himself and the Heroes. When he can gather as many souls into one space.

 

Then send them all directly to Hell right at his master's feet.

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

Ochako pulls her mentor along, and finds the injured Toga as she and Gunhead leave the building, the woozy Hero struggling to speak.

 

"Gonna have to rebuild that... Is-Is she okay...?"

 

Ochako, having made her mentor weightless, runs over to Himiko and checks. She reels back in disgust with a groan as she watches the blonde bloodied girl lick her filthy blades. Or at least, one of them, as the other blade seemingly sheds the blood itself and becomes clean within moments.

 

"Eugh!? Why would you do that?!?"

 

"I read somewhere online that, drinking a vampire's blood isn't a good idea, but my Quirk works by ingesting blood... Just leave me behind-!"

 

As if taken by an unseen force, Himiko abruptly leaps to her feet, her headache gone as she readies herself for a fight as the pair of monsters lumbers out. The giant man is surrounded by a living mist that soon solidifies into the vampire woman, her prior wounds gone.

 

"That clown said you would be trouble-! But actually trying to kill me?!? You can't have known what we were before!"

 

Himiko shrugs before she flicks her wrist, two smaller knifes fly out of her sleeve and between her fingers, a manic grin on her face.

 

"Nah, but I figured it out by the time I saw you didn't die after that first slice! ~ The world can't have you take out someone as cute as that one, and it has enough monsters in it already! Plus her master, isn't a fake Hero, he's a good one! Which means whatever alliance we did have? Is far and out the window! Catch!"

 

The knives find themselves burrowing into the eyes of the female vampire, as Himiko had thrown them with such renewed strength and speed, she had no time to react and dissolve her form to escape the attack. She shrieks as she holds the hilts trying to pull them out.

 

"BLINDING ME WON'T SAVE YOU-!!"

 

Himiko runs away chirping as she runs in the opposite direction of Ochako and Gunhead.

 

"I'll get these two far away so get somewhere safe, okay? ~ Bye!!!"

 

Reluctantly, Ochako flees with her mentor. Himiko's smile falls to an apathetic frown as she slows down and stands her ground.

 

"I really wanted to try and get to know that one, inside and out, because you dead losers taste... Bitter. Gross. I've eaten garbage out of the trash with better flavor than you."

 

Her smile then returns as she easily leaps over a gigantic arm crashing into the pavement as the brute tries to flatten her.

 

"But I guess drinking from you gives people a boost in power, because I feel lighter than air, and stronger than ever before...!"

 

The giant turns around with a growl, but his left arm falls off, as Himiko had sliced right through his shoulder severing the limb. She lands and lunges with her clean blade, stabs the giant's heart, his eyes widened before he soon ages rapidly. His mass shrivels, his flesh turning to ash, his skeleton and clothes are all that remain.

 

His partner had regenerated her eyes by taking her misty form, but seeing such an effortless kill, she hesitates.

 

"S-Silver...!? No, I smell no such thing! What! What is that blade?! It doesn't stain, it should be chipped, like the other one! It isn't even wet! Wh-What...!?! Are you?!"

 

Himiko slowly approaches the frightened undead.

 

"Why should I answer that when you won't live long enough for it to matter?"

 

"Eep!"

 

The vampiress flees, leaving Himiko alone. The blonde teenager groans as she takes another lick of the dirty blade. She begins to childishly skip away.

 

"Aw, I didn't get a chance to drain a proper sample from her... Although... Does drinking a vamp's blood turn you into one? Not like it'd matter for me! ~ Now, where oh where did that cutie and her funny headed friend go...?"

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

"This is getting tiring."

 

Stain says as he flicks his wet blade. He watches the latest of his victims be carted off into the dark but hands of unseen spectators. Something inhuman. Something, different, than the heartless pale minion that stands by his side with a walkie talkie updating Kurogiri, those hands were like that of the Clown. 

 

Leathery, warped, disfigured and misshapen with such an ugliness that the sight alone makes a man so entrenched in bloodshed shiver in discomfort.

 

Shiver in fear.

 

"I don't like this..."

 

He turns and sees his partner, Suture, on her own cellphone nodding a few times. He addresses the strange man that has been monitoring them from afar, and grabs him by his collar.

 

"What are you doing with the bodies? He didn't mention anything about taking them."

 

"Hey, that's not something I'd know about, freak! Get offa me!"

 

He pushes Stain away before both look towards a startled shout. A homeless man stumbles out from hiding behind a dumpster, having accidentally slipped on an empty bottle, with all three monsters now staring at him. The pale man licks his fangs wearing a sinister smile.

 

"Not the tastiest morsel, but at least he's fresh-"

 

Red splatters against the wall as Stain decapitates the vampire. The body falls over and the Hero Killer glares at the homeless man.

 

"Get lost. This place is dangerous."

 

"Oh! I-I know! But, you didn't kill that guy... Not correctly."

 

Stain steps back as the man lunges ahead before his foot stomps through the body, crushing the heart and rendering the vampire to dust.

 

"See... I was actually looking for you... Manual is a good friend of mine... He's a good kid, brings me some bento sometimes while on patrol, he fights against petty crime, making his city and his people proud..."

 

The clouds above begin to part to peeking gaze of the waning gibbous, baleful moonlight shines down as a bloodcurdling roar acts as the signal, as this unassuming man transforms into something truly frightening. His shirt stature now twice the size of Stain even while hunched over, thick fur that barely hide a phenomenal physique, salivating fangs glimmering in the dim light. A werewolf's glowing glare burns at Stain with amber eyes of hunger and rage.

 

"But when it comes to monsters that go bump in the night? It takes a monster like me to deal with the likes of you, Hero Killer: Stain."

 

"What an ugly Quirk."

 

Stain remarks before making the first move. He knows he did, but as he feels the wind against his face, he sees claws approaching his eyes as the werewolf moves even faster. Suture must have acted in kind, because she kicks Stain's back, pushing him ahead and narrowly missing a claw swipe that would have taken his vision.

 

He slides between the legs, kicking himself up, he stands before ducking under a swing. In the werewolf's other hand, in place of Stain, Suture is hooked by her shoulder on the claws before her body flies with the speed of a missile right at Stain.

 

He braces himself as she slams into his body, sparks from his steel soles fly as his feet drag against the stone floor, he sets her on her feet growling.

 

"This one is fast..."

 

"And strong... But careless..."

 

Suture says before she claps her hands. The werewolf leaps at them, ready to pounce with his bloodied claws, but his arm falls off allowing Stain to retaliate as it impales the beast's throat with his blade. Suture kicks the blade with all her might, cutting the throat open, yet the wounded beast still remains standing as he clutches his waterworks of an injury.

 

Stain makes the his last move as he drinks the spilt blood, and freezes the lycanthrope in place.

 

"You're no different than I am... No, you're worse than me... Because I refuse to settle for hypocrites. You're right about one thing. We are monsters."

 

Stain brings his blade back, but then swings behind him, having heard movement and something sizzling. An explosion that had begun.

 

"DIE, ASSHOLE!!!"

 

Bakugo belts Stain's blocking arm after falling from above, landing and sending another swing at the Heroes Killer's ribs that send the bloodthirsty killer flying into a wall. Stain lands on his side, smoking and winded, leaving Suture to deal with the teenage dynamite.

 

She narrowly evades his fiery swings, before she slides in close, their faces inches away from each other. She lightly chops his throat, an act that does nothing to him, but as he steps back the werewolf shouts past his injury 

 

"She-! Takes-!"

 

"HEY, SHUT UP! YOU'RE DYING- Huh!??"

 

Bakugo's vision falls forward as he does a series of flips, before landing in a pair of hands, his head having fallen off into his own hands.

 

"What...?!?"

 

"Don't worry. I don't kill children, but you're scary."

 

She says before kicking the head out of his hands, then attacking the body with relentless precision in jabs and hooks, however she underestimates Bakugo's durability. He wildly swings back in blazing retaliation, landing a blind strike on her head, sending her spiraling back. She trips into the werewolf's fist crashing into her skull and driving her head into the ground.

 

He looks up at the decapitated boy, and points to his own arm, now reattached.

 

"Put-! Head back-!"

 

"I'M TRYING-! SHUDDAP!!!"

 

Bakugo roars as his head nearly hits the ground, but is caught by a gentle hand. Best Jeanist places his head back on the stump, and within a moment, the two ends connect as if they had never been cut at all.

 

"What a frightening Quirk... But it doesn't look like it does any damage, thankfully."

 

The werewolf grabs trash and tossed out rags before reverting back into a human form, covering himself. His throat injury gone as his shrinking form heals.

 

"If she claps her hands, whatever keeps people alive comes undone, but she actively let the boy live. You could've died, squirt."

 

Best Jeanist nods as he fixes his stylized hair.

 

"I warned you about going off on your own. Although... I must inquire, sir. I can understand self-defense, but Vigilantism is still a crime. We saw that you started the fight."

 

The homeless agent smiles a wolfish grin and holds up a card. A GDA Hero License with a small wolf logo.

 

"Actually, I'm Licensed! Plus, your laws don't even apply to me since, I'm Quirkless! Still, if you'd allow, I'd like to stick with you for a bit. You can call me, Gray Wolf."

 

Bakugo narrows his eyes.

 

"What?! Why would we want you?! We only stopped by because you were about to get your head cut off!"

 

Best Jeanist nods, his arms folded as he begins creating a new pair of jean shorts for the old agent.

 

"You used excessive violence as well... But, I'll allow it. Here, wear these, but I'll be keeping an eye on you."

 

Bakugo whips his head at his mentor.

 

"HUH!?! We're not arresting this creep?! Who cares who he works for!!!"

 

Best Jeanist tosses the shorts over before addressing his intern.

 

"He works for the GDA. Normally, I wouldn't assume you even know what that is... But your reaction tells me you know more than you let on."

 

Bakugo flinches, not expecting such an observation. He scoffs, stomping ahead.

 

"Yeah, whatever, but this guy is still suspicious, he just killed... Something...! I don't trust him!"

 

Gray Wolf smirks. With the moon lighting his face with the clouds now parted, it is clear he is a foreigner, someone that has not been in this country for too long but spoke the language rather well.

 

"It's fine you don't trust me, just give me a chance! Here, lemme tell you what I know so far..."

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

Izuku punches the jaw of a gangly creature, nowhere near as ferocious yet just as tenacious as its superior, a Nomu. It flails in the air, crashing against an abandoned car as pandemonium rages around them in a destroyed street, with civilians running for their lives as two other Nomu wreak havoc.

 

"Cathy-san?! Are you-?"

 

He looks over before finishing his question as he wears a deadpan face. Cathleen, in her civilian clothes, casually holds one of the bulkier monsters in a throat crushing headlock with ease.

 

"Yeah, yeah, I'm almost done! These guys are kinda tough for small timers though... Hm?"

 

She is pushed away as it balloons in size, then shrinks, sending a whip of a kick for her throat that she catches before lifting the entire Nomu up with one arm. She brings it down on the road with a deafening crash, the body embedded into the stone, unmoving as it leaks blood from multiple internal injuries.

 

"How about you, Izzie?"

 

She looks up to her intern fly at her from an uppercut. His opponent's mass becoming more defined as the fight progressed. She catches him and puts him down as Izuku wipes blood from his leaky nose.

 

"I think he can absorb kinetic energy or something! I don't want to hit him too hard and give him more to work with..."

 

Cathleen slaps the ground wearing a smug grin.

 

"New Order: Concrete, will restrain anyone six feet in front of me."

 

The ground shifts and wiggles, as if softening before moving, cracks and earthen spires form, trapping the Nomu within a thick stoney cell. The ground beneath its feet sink before it is trapped, body completely encased in hard stone, with only the head visible as it struggles to free itself before it merely sits there. 

 

Cathleen flexes a bicep as she stands tall.

 

"That's how its done! Y'think there are anymore of those creeps around?"

 

She asks turning to Izuku, who immediately falls into the ground, in a similar state of the Nomu, getting an apologetic smile from the American.

 

"O-Oops! Sorry about that."

 

She helps him out of his imprisonment as she undoes the the rule. Izuku is unsure if Cathleen's Quirk is even a Quirk at all, but he does give her a thumbs up, letting her know that he is just fine. 

 

"Help!! HELP!!!"

 

Someone cries out. A child runs towards them with tears in her eyes.

 

"Please help!! My mom! She's under rubble! Please, big sis!"

 

An explosion sounds elsewhere and Cathleen slaps Izuku's shoulder.

 

"You check on that, I'll handle this and meet up with you later at the train station!"

 

"Right!"

 

Izuku nodded before he jettisoned into the sky towards the explosion. Cathleen turns, following the tearful child into a lonesome alley, where a streak of red leads towards a dead end. 

 

"In here! At the end! She's trapped!"

 

Cathleen runs ahead looking everywhere she can as the little girl steps back to watch her.

 

"Dammit...! Where's the rubble? This looks-!"

 

She notices then. There is no rubble. There are no bodies. Just a red stain leading into a flat wall. She turns around to see the child's despondent frown. Defeated and drained of color, as a ghost from her past haunts her, a bone-chilling shiver runs down her spine as her blood turns to ice.

 

"... H-Hey... Where is... Your mom...?"

 

"She was with yours. We had a babysitter that took us to the park. There, we met the ice cream man, who knew our babysitter. He paid her, for us, and took us to party. Don't you remember, Cathy?"

 

She remembers that night thirty years ago all too well. The worst night of her life, as she and her friend had been kidnapped, sold off to a sickening pervert with no hope of escape. The little girl takes a step into a shadow, before emerging as her friend, her old best friend.

 

"Sheree...?!?"

 

A small blonde girl missing her fingers and toes, cheeks sliced open to force a perpetual smile, with eyelids removed so her purple pink amethyst eyes could never hide. Her nose and ears were missing and her lips had shriveled back into thin lines with dried flesh that barely hid the skeleton underneath. A torn sundress barely hangs on by a single shoulder strap with bruises and cuts visible underneath.

 

"I'm sorry Cathy... He made me do it..."

 

Her friend says between sniffles. A man's childish voice coos with the gentle caress of sandpaper against a chalkboard.

 

"I scream... You scream... We all scream, for ice cream..."

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

Izuku tries to fly towards the fiery mushroom, as another explosion occurs, but something hits him. Hard. 

 

Very hard.

 

Two bumpy green arms with the texture of rubbery granite lock him in place as he plummets to the Earth with great force.

 

He strikes at whatever it is holding him with a knee, but it takes four knees as opposed to one, freeing himself only to block a skull rattling straight with both arms. He lands inside then out of a department store, a tourist shop, and restaurant before finally crashing into the wall of a hotel.

 

"wELL, wELL, AIN't thIs somEthING! I'vE bEEN mEANINg to fINd you, kId... thEy sAy you'rE INVINcIbLE..."

 

He hears a voice that speaks with grating gnashing of fangs and the flapping of a thick tongue. Izuku pulls himself out of the wall and comes face to face with a behemoth. Smaller than the Giant, but larger than Battle Beast by a large margin, a green monster with burly muscles that resemble vascular balloons. Red beady eyes that glare pure malice. A long curved horn that starts from its back then arches just above the flare head.

 

Even the malodorous scent of this thing's body is enough to make his face cringe with disgust.

 

A voice resembling a bellowing war cry, like explosive thunder or cannon fire, unnatural.

 

Powerful.

 

The chest, in place of a throat, reverberates with the monster's warty laughter. It abruptly stops laughing, taking a bored and apathetic tone as it pops its knuckles.

 

"m'NAmE's VANDALIZER. I'm A dEmoN fRom hELL. I'm goNNA kILL yA Now."

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

Endeavor could hardly believe his luck. Once again, he got exactly what he wished for, as he came to Hosu City to clean up the trash. The Hero Killer: Stain and Patchwork Killer: Suture, both were last sited here, and sure enough he found them... Tied up and defeated by Best Jeanist of all people. Apparently, he had gone on a nightly patrol with his own intern, that boisterous matchstick in the same class as his son.

 

However, neither of the two were knocked out, and escaped their bonds with ease, ambushing the group of greater numbers. It should have been an easy fight with the Heroes having a higher advantage, and were it just one of them, it would have been easy.

 

Best Jeanist is a master of capturing Villains, and Endeavor has met only a true handful of people in his entire career that can handle his flames, neither of these killers being among them. However, there could not have been a worst pair for the Pros to go up against.

 

Suture's true form had been revealed, and with it the nature of her Quirk, as she easily cuts away any attempts to restrain them. Her lack of self-preservation as well makes her a hardy foe, as Bakugo and Shōto strike her when they can get she refuses to go down. 

 

And that is the rare few times they can strike her. 

 

With the lightning speed and inhuman grace of a wildcat, the erratic movements she puts on display make her near impossible to predict, and despite only wielding a lone blade? Her speed has the younger wards internally ask themselves if she actually has more than just one. This is only covering her.

 

Stain, with his seemingly endless supplies of knives and blades, attacks non-stop with each of his movements. Best Jeanist cannot restrain someone that is in a constant state of movement, especially a whirlwind of sharp edges, with even Gray Wolf forced back lest he loses his life with a single stroke.

 

Their fight before had been nothing compared to this.

 

Every seemingly near miss, is a graze that nets him a chance to freeze them with his Quirk. Endeavor and Best Jeanist use themselves to keep these bloodletting beasts away from the interns, with Gray Wolf taking to his werewolf form, and willingly acting as a distraction to try and get the Heroes their much needed opening even at the cost of his life.

 

Eventually, the two stand back to back, Suture's dull sapphire gaze lingers on Endeavor, Bakugo, and Shōto. Stain's ruby glare pierces Jeanist and Gray Wolf's hearts. She lifts her knife, a strange weapon that seemingly defies logic, as she uses it to cut through everything.

 

Even Endeavor's intense flames. It alone has saved her life with Stain's aid. It remains pristine, carrying with it a few drops that do not even stain the edge, yet she stares at the droplets.

 

"... Stain... I have it... Their blood..."

 

"That's nice but I'm the one that has to ingest it...!!!"

 

"Then you'll have it."

 

She says turning around and pulling him to face her, as she licks the droplets off of her blade, then kisses him. Shōto cringes at the unsightly show of affection until he realizes it.

 

"SHE'S FEEDING HIM OUR BLOOD-!"

 

He acts too late. All are frozen.

 

They had been so worried about Stain getting his own taste of blood, no one had considered such an insane strategy, not even considering Suture herself would go so far for victory. They part from each other, and at once, she begins her horrible yet painless surgery.

 

Tap after tap, each Hero falls to pieces, with their spectators soon arriving as well. Wearing black clothes, with starving eyes of red, the vampires come seeking a meal. Suture approaches the Number Two.

 

"This one is mine... The rest... I don't care for... Do what you want, Stain... Just spare the boys... They're just, misguided darlings... Sweet rebellious babies..."

 

Stain scoffs but he does not speak up, nor stop any of the vampires, but he watches one approaching Bakugo. An animalistic hunger in this undead leech's salivating gaze, he gleefully starts to tear into Bakugo, claws sink into the boy's chest and threaten to rip him open.

 

"Augh! Agh!! AAARRRGGGHHH!!!!"

 

Suture looks over Endeavor. She taps her temple as her face is hidden under a mane of unkempt hair, only glowing icy blue lights, a fire of furious life that had been vacant throughout the fight.

 

"I know you... I know about your... Victim... What kind of man, holds someone hostage, forces himself onto her to have... Unwanted children... How many of those kids did you ever consider...?!"

 

"You don't get to lecture me, you witch-!"

 

He hisses as she stabs his arm. It is away from his torso, as is the rest of him, left in pieces, just barely in reach of each other.

 

"No. You. Do not get. To speak. You, a man with the strength, the power, the influence to get whatever you want... When is it enough? When will you finally face the truth, Enji Todoroki?"

 

She grinds her immaculate blade against his femur bone before piercing right through it with ease, twisting the knife.

 

"Hhnngh... The truth? You sickly stitched together mass of psychosis and regret...! I know your kind well... You all think when you've won, you're suddenly right about everything, lost in your self-indulgent delusions... That you forget that I don't need to be whole to utilize my Quirk!"

 

Suture's eyes widen until she is blown to cinders from a devastating explosion. Her charred body lands on the hard ground, and while the other vampires ignore her, Stain goes to her side.

 

"Hey! Hey, you still alive or what?!"

 

"... Unfortunately."

 

Stain looks down at this pathetic sight. He had believed he had conviction, he still does, but whatever this woman has gone through? It must have been unspeakable, and yet, here she is doing the impossible. Still surviving. It, moved him. 

 

"We're retreating. Undo your Quirk and we're out of here!"

 

"No... I can't... I don't want the boys to die..."

 

Stain looks up after feeling a chilling wind. Shōto has broken free from his Quirk, and judging that he was the only one to do so, means his blood type has to be O. He begins freezing the cowardly bats, having put most of himself back together, as he had barely been taken apart to begin with.

 

"Well we can't exactly stay either... Not when you're like this."

 

"They're just doing as those awful men told them to do... They're not bad boys, Stain... Please, can't we kill those men alone...? Can't we spare these poor babies...?"

 

He should just drop her and take advantage of the situation. Katsuki Bakugo is an impetuous, petulant, entitled brat with an explosive temper and foul mouth. Shōto Todoroki is the second coming of his shadow-dwelling father, a curse upon him like the scar on his face, and yet he only fends off the damned bottom feeders.

 

His attention solely on saving his allies. Is that not a heroic act? He looks down at her, and something he has not felt in ages makes his heart twist in discomfort, forcing his innards to grow tight with conflict until he finally gives in.

 

"Feh! Fine! We're done for tonight...! After this, I'll kill that Shigaraki idiot, and that ugly ass Clown..."

 

"We had fun though, didn't we...?"

 

She asks wearing a soft smile. A sinister grin stretches across the Hero Killer's face.

 

"There's more for another day...! Let's go! There's a world we must cleanse, one imposter at a time...!"

 

The two flee the scene, as the remaining vampires begin to swarm Shōto, who cannot use his Quirk to its fullest, not without the others being caught in the collateral. However, one vampire that had slurped up some of his father's blood from the ground stands, and summons the Hellflame Quirk.

 

"What-!?!"

 

Shōto exclaims before he is knocked onto his back. He summons a dome of ice on top of him as an entire colony of steel toes and combat boots come down on him. He sweats underneath his frozen shield as it begins to crack under each heavy stomp.

 

"GRAY! I'M HERE!"

 

Shouts a voice from above. Shōto waits but can see his icy screen be painted red from the outside. Something is killing these monsters, and killing them fast. After a few moments of silence, Shōto evaporates his cover, and comes to a bittersweet sight.

 

Another werewolf, one with snow white fur, and nearly twice the size of Gray Wolf wearing dull green armor and the symbol of a wolf on his chest piece. Golden eyes that somehow seem to shine even brighter than Gray Wolf's. This newcomer had slain the vampires on his own, and put everyone back together, with Endeavor suffering a stab wound in his arm and leg. 

 

However, Bakugo remains on the ground, struggling to breathe with an injured throat. Best Jeanist does his best, but shakes his head.

 

"This is bad... He needs immediate medical attention, but the hospital is too far from here-!"

 

"And he's in no condition to be moved anywhere... Thanks for the save, Boss... But you came a little too late."

 

The White Wolf looks down at Bakugo before taking a knee by his side.

 

"I'll stay with him. The Main Street is under attack by some weird monsters that we thought were done in by Star and Stripe. Her student also went off to investigate but got caught in a fight with a monster down at Central. Whoever can fight, go there, while the rest search for anymore crazy bullshit. The night is almost over... Hopefully, we'll see sunrise."

 

Endeavor adjusts himself standing tall, his flames coming to life.

 

"Who are you to give us orders!?"

 

Shōto answers before anyone else.

 

"The man that just saved our lives so we can save more lives ourselves! If there's someone out there capable of giving Midoriya trouble, we need to move, now!"

 

Endeavor sends his son a glare, but not one of anger or commanding, but if approval as he grunts.

 

"I'm not ignorant to that! But I need to know! Why are there Halloween monsters rampaging in my country!?!"

 

The White Wolf takes out a device and begins inspecting it as he answers.

 

"Wolf-Man is my Hero name. I work directly for the GDA, and we're looking into this. Right now, with the immediate threat neutralized, my priority is keeping this kid alive. Do you want me to do that or are you going to keep distracting me?"

 

Best Jeanist approaches Endeavor.

 

"I don't like it anymore than you do... But we need to press on. This is all one attack on Hero Society, I know it. Two Hero Killers, a band of undead, and those strange creatures that attacked UA before the Sports Festival all erupting in a single city where the Heroes seemingly vanished? I understand your frustrations... But we need to stop them before we argue about this any further!"

 

Endeavor looks away, swallowing a painful groan as he begins to move forward.

 

"At least someone is seeing what I am seeing... Don't lag behind, Shōto!"

 

The Japanese Heroes leave, with Gray Wolf staying behind for a moment, as he watches his leader place the device away.

 

"Boss... I know that look on your face. The kid is going to die within minutes."

 

Wolf-Man nods as he stares down at the barely conscious Bakugo. 

 

"I don't have a choice... If I don't do this, he'll die."

 

"You'll get no argument from me. You saved my life doing the same. I'll try and act as back up for the locals."

 

Gray Wolf leaps after his allies, leaving the ivory lycanthrope alone with the blonde dynamite.

 

"I've never done this on purpose before... And if I do this to you, you're not gonna end up like Gray, or the others... You'll be like me..."

 

Wolf-Man grits his fangs. The last time, the only time he ever faced anything like himself, it was a bloodbath. However, the one that kick-started this new life of his three years ago, the former King of the Werewolves chose him as a successor. Only recently did he learn, when he had unintentionally converted Gray Wolf, he had done so as a newly minted lycanthrope. Time has passed, his strength and body matured, thus if he were to do so again...

 

He could be making a grievous choice right now giving that power to a mere teenager...

 

But he can't let someone die when he has the power to save them.

 

"I'm sorry, kid."

 

Wolf-Man opens his mouth and leans down to grant a painful miracle to the waning Bakugo... The start of something new, something dangerous.

 

Something, astonishing.

Chapter 28: The Carnival of Decadence!

Summary:

Things have taken a turn for the worst! Ochako and Gunhead are caught in the collateral of a dangerous battle between Izuku and the Abhorrent Vandalizer! Cathleen faces her oldest trauma, the return of the Ice Cream Murderer, with no help in sight.

The Nomu return with a vengeance, but with new allies in the Wolfcorp, not all is lost. However, will even they survive the Clown's secret trump card?

"You want to know if I believe in gods or spirits?"

 

Hisashi raises a brow. Izuku nods, holding up the family tablet, the small eight year old taps the screen showing Star Man beating down on a raging stone titan with All Might and the Guardians.

 

"They're saying this thing's a god of stone! Gorgg!"

 

Hisashi's eyes lower to an annoyed stare. The titan was, brittle, but persistent. Capable of reanimating broken pieces and rejoining them into a larger whole. They figured out how to defeat him by accident, something anyone could have done, as his own crown was a seal made long ago to place him in a deep sleep.

 

A weakness befitting an egotistical pile of pebbles.

 

"He's hardly what you'd consider godlike... However, I think it's important to tell you, I do believe in them. I have met a few, a handful, but enough to know they exist."

 

He turns fully to his son.

 

"But I don't believe in them nor do I worship them. Viltrumites have nothing like, religion, but that doesn't mean it doesn't exist. Be wary of things like the occult, son. There are some things out there that scare even me."

 

At that, Izuku grows fearful, but he dons a smile as his father flexes a bicep.

 

"But being scared is proof of bravery. To conquer that fear, is the first step to becoming strong, so don't be scared of being scared. What matters more than that, is that you recognize that you're meant for great things, and that one day? You'll be right there with me defending our home."

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

Izuku recalls this memory as he blocks a meteorite of a punch. The sheer forces causes his entire body to quiver as cracks appear under his feet and spread to the walls, the very building they are in threatening to collapse under just one exchange.

 

The Vandalizer pushes his stopped fist against the boy's arm. 

 

"dAmN! you ARE tough! but! y'AIN't INVINcIbLE!"

 

The demon swiftly changes its fist to an open hand. It snatches the boy up by his wrist and holds him high as it seizes one of his legs. With a forceful stomp, it creates a violent earthquake, and causes the building to collapse on top of them. Izuku can feel stone, wood, iron nails and glass among other things crashing into him until it all piles on top of him. Everything goes dark, then a flash of white, as he is punched out of the rubble with a trail of blood flying out of his nostrils.

 

He lands on top of a car as people begin to flee the scene, or rather, they try to watch from what they believe is a safe distance. Izuku sits up and shouts at them.

 

"P-Please! Leave the area! There's a dangerous Villain rampaging!"

 

"Yeah but, aren't you that kid that beat Belloc? C'mon man! Just try harder!"

 

He hears back. A trendy woman holds her phone out as she livestreams without a care in the world.

 

"Hey all you rowdy spectators! Looks like we got a late night brawl! Hey, you're not even a costume, guy! ~ Are you a Hero off the clock or something? Aren't you a bit young for this?"

 

A business man adjusts his glasses.

 

"Oh, that's Midoriya! You should take care of this guy no problem! But, aren't you getting ahead of yourself acting without any supervision?"

 

Izuku shouts at them as he starts floating with a wind spiraling around him.

 

"YOU NEED TO LEAVE! NOW!!"

 

The Vandalizer taps his shoulder. Izuku turns with a punch ready, but stops his fist right in front of the eyes of a fearful old woman. Her arm is broken, her ankles twisted, her body covered in dust and debris. She yelps in a delayed reaction to the wind of Izuku's movements taking her cracked glasses off.

 

"hEy. y'thINk thIs oLD bRoAD EVEN kNows shE's DEAD yEt?"

 

In an act of pure cruelty, Vandalizer strikes Izuku with the old woman, her body turning into paint against his own. The shock of such an action has Izuku stunned long enough to not even block an uppercut that sends him shooting through the air, rocketing through several buildings at once. Izuku lies in a destroyed heap of what was once an office, sitting up still caked in the gore of an innocent, he begins hyperventilating.

 

He has always managed to save, someone. Even when he could not, someone else was there to make sure they could, but not this time.

 

This time, it is real. The danger, the threat, the evil. This, freak, is far worse than anything he has ever encountered so far. Battle Beast sought only the strongest, Belloc had an agenda, even Allen was in truth just a friendly spar. Even the Flaxans were acting on military behavior, however Savage they were, none of Izuku's prior foes come close to this level of inhumanity.

 

"How many people could've gotten hurt while you're distracted!"

 

He hears his mentor's advice in his heart. He will need to process this death, but for now, he stuffs his emotions inside for the sake of saving those still in danger...

 

The Vandalizer brings a hand above what passes for a brow as if to admire its own destructive handiwork.

 

"WHAM!!! hAhAhAhA...! ~ thIs kID Is soRRy As hELL. mAybE kILLINg somE moRE mIght Do thE tRIck...!!!"

 

It sneers with malicious glee at the crowd of now terrified spectators. People begin to run away, many shoving others over, some even stomping on the fallen in pure fight or flight. Vandalizer rubs its hands together, a sordid brown tongue rolls sizzling saliva across uneven fangs, smoke billows out of its nostrils as the demon takes in a deep breath.

 

He spews out a plume of fire that would have left the street with nothing but a forest of black skeletons. However, Izuku returns with an aerial dropkick, shutting the monster's mouth, flames seeping between clenched teeth as the body inflates.

 

Saving the lives that he can.

 

It deflates as the fire inside dies down and the eyes of the demon swirl independently of each other, letting out a smoke cloud wheeze.

 

"that thE bEst you got...???"

 

It asks in a delirious voice, struggling to push itself up on all fours. Izuku helps the Vandalizer to its feet with an uppercut that sends the monster flying. In the air, he strikes at the body, sending it further away from the city, reaching the ocean before he swings both hands down to spike his for into the dark depths.

 

"That oughta do it...!"

 

He returns only to catch someone flying at him screaming. A man dressed sharply and drenched in cologne.

 

"Oh-! Oh thank-! Oh man, you saved my life!"

 

Izuku lands, looking around as the fearful crowd still linger, no sight of the monster, and yet the screams say otherwise.

 

"Get somewhere safe! Try-Try to keep calm and-!"

 

Izuku tries to say until the man's chest explodes as the gargantuan fist of the Vandalizer threatens to do the same to Izuku. The demon's arm sends the host's limbs flying in all directions as the knuckles crash into Izuku's body. He floats off of the ground, winded, ears ringing save for the faint cackles of this ruthless behemoth. Once again, lost at the heartless audacity of such senseless slaughter, Izuku is backhanded into a spiraling flight before he can touch the ground.

 

With speed only a Quirk or Superhuman can achieve, the Vandalizer runs alongside the green projectile, and throttles him with another bone shattering punch. Izuku bounces off the ground, before a straight keeps him going in the air, a hook has him turn on a street before an uppercut threatens to send him into orbit. However, the Vandalizer is keen on keeping his plaything, and yanks him by his ankle to strike him again against the ground before he keeps up his speedy assault with a knee to Izuku's back.

 

He sends the boy flying through numerous buildings again with a final straight, several windows crack upon impact, and Izuku is left breathless as he tumbles through walls and people. 

 

People. He flew, through people. Izuku groans as he struggles to sit up, only for a heavy foot to pin him down, foul claws and the smell of tar along with rotted meat sting his senses. The Vandalizer presses its immense weight down on him as it laughs in his face. 

 

"GYAHAHAHAHA!!! you ARE INVINcIbLE!!! At LEAst, As fAr As moRtALs ARE coNceRnED... thREE huNDRED yEARs Is too LoNg... thE woRLD's foRgottEN About us phLEbIAcs... hEy... hELp mE REmIND thEm."

 

The Vandalizer lifts his foot and stomps down on Izuku causing the entire building to collapse on top of them again. This time, the Vandalizer is the one to go flying out of the rubble, and crashes on its back. It then coughs up a spurt of green mixed with red as Izuku lands on its stomach with his knees. 

 

"gAugh...!?! y-yA stILL got stEAm...?!?"

 

It growls at him. It throws a flash of a jab, forcing Izuku back, before it backhands him again with a fist, causing him to spin as Izuku uses the momentum to send his own hook that breaks several teeth off of the Vandalizer lower elongated jaw. The demon stumbles to the side, seemingly stunned, but it sends a gut punch that Izuku braces for, surprising the green bruiser whose eyes widen to glowing garnets.

 

No human, let alone any mortal lifeform, has ever just taken one of his attacks on with such robust defense. 

 

It had to respect the grit. It then, speaks in abject fear.

 

"oh fuck-!"

 

"NO MORE!!!"

 

Izuku roars. He swings a double axe hand right on top of the demon's skull, its head falls low, eyes bulging as they threaten to fall right out of the sockets. Izuku snatches the Vandailzer's horn, stamping his feet against the face as he summons One For All, and rips the bone out. He then impales and pins the demon with his own appendage by stabbing down on his arm. The Vandalizer tries to swing back, but his fingers and knuckled are punched inwards, the elbow pops right out of the arm as the forearm explodes.

 

Izuku himself suffers from having his knuckles stiff, unmoving as they are broken, two of them bending awkwardly. The Vandalizer whines, showing pain, but it could be a fake out. It could be trying another dastardly trick, to make him lower his guard, to feel pity.

 

Not after what it has done.

 

"I DON'T CARE WHAT YOU ARE! YOU'RE DONE FOR!"

 

Izuku bellows as he throttles his other fist against the demon, again and again, bruising the thick spoiled hide of the beast. His face is palmed, and he is forced onto the ground, the tips of thick claws pierce his shoulders eliciting an ear-piercing scream from Izuku.

 

"gEt offA mE! thIs AIN't mEANt to bE AN EVEN fIght! stop fIghtIN' bAck!!!"

 

The Vandalizer lifts Izuku up and slams his body hard against the ground. Once, to rupture the street and cause people to fall over, again to cause the neighboring buildings to shudder and lean, and a third time causing people inside those buildings to fall out of windows into a dangerous free fall.

 

They would meet the ground safely, as at last, the calvary arrives. Endeavor uses his flame to fly and catch several people, as Shōto uses his ice to create slides, while Gray Wolf frees Izuku with a savage swipe of his claws that severs the hand entirely.

 

The Vandalizer steps back howling in pain.

 

"Nooo!!! Not my fAVoRITE hAND! GWARF?!?"

 

The Vandalizer chokes as its own hand is shoved into its mouth. Izuku kicks the limb even further with one foot as he flies into the beast before kicking the chin with another. The Vandalizer is sent away in a series of backflips, crashing through the edge of a skyscraper.

 

Izuku lands, doubling over as he rests his bruised hands on his knees, wiping his brow of blood and sweat, trying to keep the blood out of his eyes.

 

"That thing is ridiculous. It didn't resemble those brainy freaks from earlier."

 

Shōto remarks as he takes to Izuku's side. Endeavor stands with him as his firey aura blazes hotter.

 

"I'll go ahead and burn that bastard."

 

"W-Wait! He can teleport-!"

 

Izuku says in a breathless panic as he places a hand on the veteran Hero, one slapped away. Even with hostilities between them, the boy did not want to add Endeavor's life to his conscience, and the Number Two Pro Hero glares at him for it.

 

"Say what you learned then get back. You've let enough people die."

 

Izuku stands up, not answering the taunt, for he believes the man to be right. He tried to shoulder an impossible responsibility on his own, and failed. At least now, with allies, he knows they can defeat this evil.

 

"I punched him out into the sea...! Sent him hurtling as deep as I could... And when I came back, he was already here wreaking havoc... I don't know how he does it, but its like he can be wherever he wants... But, he doesn't heal, and can still feel pain!"

 

Izuku lifts his bloodied hands up wearing a deep scowl as he struggles to stand straight.

 

"But he is tough, and he's wicked, he'll try to use people as hostages or weapons...! He needs to be taken out, instantly! He isn't human!"

 

Endeavor takes notice of the boy's body drenched in red with bits of gore. Dusted in debris. Littered in small cuts with a swollen cheek. For all of his own distaste, he can figure out what happened, and it has his face grow dark. Not even a boy as annoying as Midoriya deserves to experience such sickening immorality.

 

And anything strong enough to hurt the likes of Izuku or Star Man is something to take deathly serious.

 

"He'll be dealt with. Fallback!"

 

The sound of stone breaking followed by an eruption underneath them as the Vandalizer's ruined hand defy anatomy and reach out for the older hothead. The horn now placed in its mouth as it spits it out to stab Endeavor.

 

"you'LL NEED ALL thE hELp you cAN gEt- YOW!!!"

 

The beast recedes into the tunnel it made as Endeavor immediately cooks it with his wrath. A stream of ceaseless fire burns away at the devil. The flames coil around and restrict the Vandalizer, melting down the horn in an instant, and nearly burning all of its remaining flesh away. 

 

"I think not. If you're still alive? I'll make you wish you weren't."

 

The Vandalizer falls to its knees, thoroughly beaten in one sound combustion, and yet it chuckles.

 

"DAmN... took too much DAmAgE... hEhE! but thE pLAN woRkED...! ALL I Am Is A DIstRActIoN!"

 

The night sky becomes a deafening black as all sound soon vanishes. It is only for a moment, but as the Heroes' hearing returns, their nostrils flare with Gray Wolf gagging in an instant.

 

"Augh! What the Hell is that smell?!?"

 

Gray Wolf only gasps before his life is snuffed out. With a large finger, using his claw to pierce the hardy hide of the werewolf, stabbing right into and through the agent's chest. The Vandalizer, completely healed, grins widely as he throws Gray Wolf at Endeavor with such force that both are winded upon meeting. The Number Two Hero stays standing, carrying the heavy wolf, grimacing in furious apprehension as the Vandalizer speaks.

 

"ExActLy thAt, pAL!"

 

The demon sneers, but is quickly encased in ice in an instant by Shōto.

 

"MIDORIYA!!!"

 

He shouts. Izuku swings, buzzing with One For All's power, as he shatters the demonic popsicle to pieces in one fell swing. The ice begins to melt as the fleshy chunks starts to reassemble, with the Vandalizer chuckling in a warped voice.

 

"NNRRRggghhh...!!! thAt'LL smart...! but! As LoNg I got pARts?! I cAN put mysELf bAck togEthER, No mAttER whAt! eh? w-why AIN't I... c-c-comIN' bAck t-to-tuh-!"

 

The Vandalizer shudders into silence as he is frozen again by Shōto, allowing Izuku to shatter the half-finished whole once again, before they repeat this process until the Vandalizer is little more than frozen pieces kept apart. There is a moment of tension until, with silence, comes a long awaited peace.

 

Shōto grimaces as he watches the pieces squirm even within their frozen prison.

 

"He's still alive somehow... What kind of monster is this?"

 

Endeavor, still carrying Gray Wolf's body, is shocked to see him breathing. He then sees through the whole that by some miracle, or through sheer incompetence, the Vandalizer's finger missed the heart and lungs. 

 

"One far more troublesome than thought possible..."

 

He drops the lycanthrope before aiming his hand.

 

"I'll burn him to cinders now that he's in one place."

 

Before anyone could agree or object, Endeavor evaporates the now diced remains, obliterating the demon entirely. Izuku begins to float.

 

"Thanks... I-I! I need to find Star and Stripe! We're supposed to meet up somewhere... But she went to help someone trapped in rubble... That was minutes ago..."

 

"And someone of her caliber can solve that issue in less than a second. Even if it were an entire building in need of evacuation...!"

 

Shōto says before he begins skating after his friend.

 

"I'll back you up!"

 

Endeavor roars as he tries to recall his son.

 

"Where are you two going!?!"

 

Izuku looks back as he flies ahead.

 

"That monster-! Vandalizer! Said there were more like him...!!! If that's true... And with none of the local Heroes showing up...!!!"

 

Gray Wolf then speaks up, having returned into the weakened form of an old man, his injury healed yet his stamina all gone as he struggles to even sit up.

 

"He's right... They've been working with Hero Killers to cut down on the local Heroes population... And if that really is a demon we just took out, then all of, whatever is going on? Might be a part of some cult ritual or something way worse..."

 

Izuku flies faster and faster as he pushes his exhausted body to the limit.

 

"Cathleen...!!! Please, be okay...!!!"

 

 

 

---

 

 

Cathleen stumbles back from a hook the threatens to take her head off. The chain it is connected to is pulled back as the weapon returns to its obese master. Cathleen is a staggering one-hundred and ninety three centimeters, and yet despite all the time that has passed since, she looks up at this potbellied giant that looks down at a child he has never stopped thinking about.

 

The one that got away.

 

His waterlogged arms of patched flesh missing pieces due to the worms having feasted on his heavy carcass, and yet as if even they could hardly stomach him, he maintains his cumbersome mass. Stumpy legs that bounce with excitement, and rolls of fat barely obscured by his old ice cream man uniform. Adorning his outfit are fetishes, pieces of his victims, and their spirits chained to his form. Forbidden from ever leaving his side.

 

"Cathy... Your friend is waiting for you, dearie. Can't you see her? I know you can."

 

As if he had not aged a day, his childish cadence takes her back to that moment in her childhood. He reaches out as he believes her caught. However, she slaps his hand away, using his habits against him as she uppercuts the bulbous pig's chin.

 

"I KNOW WHO ARE YOU, NOW! NEW ORDER!"

 

She snatches his throat, crushing the fat surrounding it with her grip, forcing out a fearful gag.

 

"William Kincaid, will release the spirits trapped with him!"

 

The specter's eyes widen. This, was not part of the plan, and against his own will? His very spiritual influence is used against him, as his victims fly off of his body.

 

That is what should have happened.

 

Instead, the specter cackles with dark drool splashing against her cringing face.

 

"Cathy! ~ I'm not just Kincaid anymore...! ~ I'm a different kind of playmate now... We all are..."

 

The ghostly girl from her past lunges at her from behind, her tiny arms wield unyielding strength, as she wraps her legs around Cathleen's waist and holds her by under her arms in a full nelson. Another ghost of a boy, just as ruined as her friend, holds one leg down as a faceless ghost of an older figure holds the other leg. 

 

Trapped, she doubles over from a gut punch.

 

"You're so strong now, but I was watching you! ~"

 

Her head turns from a backhand before she shouts in pain from the hook in his hand tearing into her thigh.

 

"So brave! So majestic! But that's not who you are! ~"

 

He strangles her with a crushing grip on her throat.

 

"I know how you work... And how to work around you! Our friends here aren't just along for the ride... Our souls are grafted to one another! How does that make you feel!?!"

 

His Quirk: Freeze Tag, requires his victims to feel fear or lesser than himself, to admit defeat and surrender to him. So long as even a sliver of defeat or despondence is there, Billy can freeze his victims, and they are at his mercy until he undoes it.

 

With her body restrained, her past thrown into her face, her Quirk superceded and circumvented! Surely, surely she is feeling defeated!

 

At once, Cathleen breaks free of the ghosts holding her down, before bringing her fists together on Billy's skull. The pig's sordid smile vanishes as the ghosts fall over, their senses shared, but Cathleen has steeled herself. She has suffered tragedies since this monster and survived them.

 

She has long since surpassed this obese nightmare. 

 

"And you haven't changed! I HAVE!! NEW ORDER! The Air, will obey my command!"

 

She throws a fist that flattens his face riddled in boils, popping them and shattering the nose, as a hurricane wind sends him and the children attached to him slamming against the wall.

 

He sits up, snickering through the pain.

 

"H-Heheh-ehehe! Wail away... Not even you, with all your power, can free these kids... And whatever you do to me?!?"

 

He snatches poor Sheree by her blonde hair, holding her out like a shield, as Cathleen prepared to shut this undead germ up. However, her fist hovers, stopping just short as a series of invisible punches landing on Billy.

 

That appear on all the ghosts as they wail in agony. She angrily snatches Billy, shaking him violently.

 

"RELEASE THEM! NOW!!"

 

"I can't... Because it's part of the contract...! So long as you live? They, can't move on, can't be with their mommies and daddies...! It's your fault they survived! Because...! You weren't strong enough to save any of them!"

 

He slaps her, and she snarls, until her body falls still.

 

A singular, absolute, and lonesome moment. Only the briefest of second of defeat is all he needs. Cathleen is frozen from her inability to save the damned. Even if she only believed Billy for a moment, that one moment is all he needs, and he took it.

 

"YOUR MINE! ALL MINE!! AFTER ALL THESE YEARS, YOU'RE FINALLY RIGHT WHERE I WANT YOU!!!"

 

He grabs his grimy hook, spinning it as his portly body looms over her, his shadow casting a chilling darkness over her entire body.

 

"I SCREAM... YOU SCREAM... WE ALL SCREAM, FOR ICE CREAM... NOW, WON'T YOU PLEASE-?!?"

 

He swings his hook, and the chain breaks. Red floods the alley. Crimson cloth and silver chains as two flaming green eyes burn them both from above. From behind Cathleen, with massive arms of black, Billy is cut short by the return of something he wished he never had to see again.

 

"Scream For Me."

 

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

It is a matter of luck that the Heroes underestimated the Nomu. Without them returning to him, Shigaraki would be dead. He was given three and unleashed two, as was the plan, but his master had sent him a message via text. To not send them all, to not lower his guard around his latest guest, to be wary of the Violator at all times.

 

In truth, he only listened to two of those warnings. The Clown had been... Enlightening. Almost appealing in terms of being a mentor even at his most uncomfortable, because he understood Shigaraki, explained things without condescending him or trying to sound smart. He knew exactly what to say.

 

They even liked the same games.

 

So it made him slightly unhappy when the stars vanished in the sky and he nearly loses his head to a chainsaw. The flying one that stuck by his side loses a wing, and shortly after, its head from a deafening bang from a powerful caliber fired by what looks like a toy gun. The Clown giggles and dances in place, allowing Shigaraki to catch himself.

 

"What is the meaning of this, Clown...?!?"

 

Shigaraki asks. The traitorous dwarf tosses the chainsaw up and down like a tennis ball as he replies.

 

"This is but another lesson of yours, my dear boy!"

 

He aims his gun, firing away and blasting the remaining Nomu's skulls to pieces as they protects Shigaraki, falling to the ground dead.

 

"See-! Villains, have to fight with wit. They have to treat every ally as a resource, be willing to do anything to achieve their goals, even stabbing the people they like in the back... And your master? Just sent you as payment for keeping his life. You, thirty Heroes, about twenty thousand unclaimed souls and a whatever the fuck else I could get together... All so that faceless fucking loser can stick around for another forty years."

 

Kurogiri manifests near his charge, but is sent flying away by a clawed strike, as a new face arrives. Gangly, long limbs with and an elongated lower jaw with an endless row of serrated blades for teeth. Big bulbous red lenses with strange fleshy flaps that are a mockery of eyelashes, a hairy hide that barely hides the numerous curved spikes subtlety hiding amongst the bristling thick strands, and a giant arched horn on the back of what one could argue is the neck that curves a little past the skull.

 

"D'AAwww! ~ thIs oNe Is Cute! he AIN't EVEN CONsIDeR thAt hIs OwN bOss sOlD hIm DOWN the RIVeR...!"

 

It swings at him with inhuman speed that he narrowly avoids, before decaying the ground and falling through the roof, the entire floor breaks away as the large monster's weight works against itself. It crashes with a yelp through several floors while Shigaraki remains near the top with the Clown. The Clown rolls his red eyes as he tosses his weapon aside, hopping over the hole to close the distance.

 

"I'll be honest though, I'd prefer if you stayed and he kicked the bucket instead, really Shiggy..."

 

The Clown grins ear to ear as his body begins to rip and tear. To stretch and warp, a painful transformation to watch that the demon takes in great pleasure. Where his siblings range from either rake thin or bulbous muscle, he is the perfect middle ground of distorted mass. Though they have one horn, he has three, with two of them curved at the side of his head. Compact eyes, hundreds of thousands of beady red lenses, all focused on him as they reflect his visage. A drooling extended lower jaw that drips with an acidic saliva. Two toed talons that cause the ground to creak and groan under his weight.

 

"but buIssness Is busIness... ORdeRs aRe ORdeRs... And the bOss mAde It quIte cleAR... nO suRVIVORs..."

 

The Violator. Eldest of the Six Phlebiacs, and of course, the nastiest of them all. He takes a crumbling step forward as space itself begins to twist and stretch around them, Shigaraki himself starting to sway as he realizes that he is not hallucinating, but that the walls and floor are physically moving. Bending. Waning. As if reality itself is trying in vain to flee from the sheer presence of this ancient evil.

 

"thIs Is OuR Last LessOn... It pAIns me tO see yOu gO... sO I'LL mAke OuR LAst sessIon, specIAL..."

 

Shigaraki flexes his fingers as he takes careful steps that his mentor mirrors. They slowly circle each other until Shigaraki finds himself against a wall.

 

"Trying to reign kindness in the face of murder is quite a twisted show of compassion... I almost believe that you care about me."

 

He destroys the wall behind him and attempts to fall backwards. He manages to grab a hold of a light pole, swinging off of it with his momentum as he lands on top of a car roof, before looking up to try and find the demon.

 

"Tch-! Not there... Where did he-?!?"

 

"Young master!"

 

Kurogiri shouts warning his young master as the Violator erupts from within the car itself, throwing Shigaraki away, his chest slashed by the tip of razor claws. Shigaraki lands on a knee before he runs right at the demon.

 

"Kurogiri, get me close...!"

 

"Of course."

 

The Violator swings for a decapitating blow, but his scythe of an arm finds only air as Shigaraki falls through a portal on the ground, his hand appearing above as he grabs the top of the horn. At once, it begins cracking, breaking apart as Shigaraki holds firm. The horn breaks off, but underestimating the weight, it threatens to pull him down on top of the beast that has now grown spikes from its flesh. 

 

Bony protrusions that stab into Shigaraki's shoulder, thigh and side. Fortunately for him, the stabbings push him into a descending portal, that Kurogiri closes which cuts the skeletal stakes off. Shigaraki rolls across the ground before placing both hands on the ground. Ahead of him, the street begins to erode, and the Violator is sent hurtling into the sewers below.

 

"VIndIcATOR! TAg!"

 

"CORuse, bROTheR!"

 

The prior demon erupts from the ground behind Shigaraki, an arm ready to bisect him in half, but it falls back from bullets that fire into its eyes and face. It stumbles back until it is lifted with ease by Ochako from behind.

 

"Up and away you go!"

 

She fearfully shouts as she bends her knees before sending the Vindicator out into the depths of the endless black void above. She then looks ahead, a pale smile on her face as she shoots a thumbs up.

 

"The plan worked, sir!"

 

Gunhead, having recovered with time to breathe, still struggles to stand yet leans out of cover as he replies with his own thumbs up.

 

"Now we only have to worry about that one that fell..."

 

Shigaraki looks between the two, scratching his cheek, a smile beneath his mask as he realizes what is happening. Normally, he would be absolutely furious at the sheer notion of a Hero saving him, but as of late he has had some revelations. Every and any opportunity presented is one to be taken. Ochako takes notice of the person she just saved and soon scowls with dinner plates for eyes.

 

"Y-You...! You were at UA! You're a Villain!"

 

"I am... But that thing wants me dead... At least, if we survive, I'll let you arrest me as thanks..."

 

He gestures at himself.

 

"My right arm is no good, I can taste iron in my mouth with my body growing numb, and my left leg is pretty bad. Standing on it hurts like Hell..."

 

He then raises his hand.

 

"My Quirk can erode him into dust. It seems yours can make things float away... That or you're super strong, which I doubt, or you would've fought the Nomu with Midoriya..."

 

At that, she hisses at him.

 

"Your stupid lion friend almost killed him...!"

 

Shigaraki raises a finger.

 

"Firstly, he wasn't my friend. Secondly, he betrayed me after killing my own... And lastly, I'm at your mercy here... The smart thing to do, is join forces... To survive."

 

So that he can erase her as soon as her back is turned. In the back of his skull, is a wheezing laugh, that has him abruptly turn his head towards the hole.

 

Ochako watches this bizarre man snap at the hole he made as if something called him. She looks over at Gunhead, his head lowers, just as conflicted as she is on the matter. 

 

So she thinks to herself, what would Izuku do?

 

She groans, stomping her foot down in dismay.

 

"... Ugh! I hate this! But-! Do you know anything about what we're facing?"

 

A new voice shouts out as a man in a bright colored labor suit stumbles out, smelling awful, wearing a head lamp on his helmet.

 

"Y-Yeah! I know something! yOu shOuLdn'T LeT hIm OuT Of yOuR sIghT!"

 

Ochako nearly faints on the spot as the Violator erupts in a splash of gore out of the man. She shields herself with her arms, but blood drenched her, despite her best attempts. She lets loose an ear-piercing shriek that gets a coo from the Violator as he draws near. The space between them shrinking as the ground moves her closer, his eyes brighten with an intense heat that begins to burn her face, a drooling maw that threatens to swallow her whole distracts her from the knife hand aiming to rip her heart out.

 

"nOw thAt's a sOund I AdORe... LeT's see hOw yOu sIng wIth A bROken heART- GYAH!?!"

 

The Violator's cheek becomes a thick pancake, the lower jaw snaps in half, even many of the tiny compact eyes in the left eye socket pop from the sheer force of Izuku striking him away at sonic speeds. The demon goes flying, skipping and bouncing off of the ground like a stone tossed across a vast river, down the street through several buildings.

 

Izuku shouts one eye and winces. In his panic, as he searched for his teacher, he heard Ochako's scream and immediately flew in to strike as fast as he could.

 

Striking with One For All using his broken hand. It is even more of a mess now, the forearm bending slightly, his fingers ruined and parts starting to swell. Regardless, he immediately checks on her.

 

"Uraraka-san! Are you alright?"

 

He winces, for despite his nigh invulnerability, the last fight has made him tender enough to bite down a pained hiss from her hugging him tightly.

 

"Izzie! Thank you...!"

 

"It isn't over yet. Those things can appear out of nowhere..."

 

Shōto arrives right then as his fiery side comes to life for a moment.

 

"We can burn them to cinders, but that's about all we can do..."

 

Shigaraki takes this moment to step back, a signal sent to Kurogiri, to not yet teleport him. To hang back, hide. He recalls a most telling and helpful piece of advice from his now predator.

 

To study your targets, be they friend or foe, and they certainly study him when he speaks up.

 

"Fire doesn't work on them. I've seen it myself. Whichever one you thought you beat? Probably just left, either to strike later, or out of boredom."

 

"You...!!!"

 

Izuku is quick to snatch Shigaraki's wrists with a crushing grip. He spins the lanky man around, hurling him into the side of the ruined car, winding Shigaraki.

 

"This is your fault! I just know it!"

 

"Augh-! Ugh! A-Aah...! I-I! I'm a victim here too, damn Hero!"

 

He says between coughs with small spittles of blood staining his hand grafted into his face.

 

"I was tricked... And I'll work with you to get my revenge, after that, I'll probably just give myself up. Nothing has been going my way."

 

He says unable to hide the smile on his face. Thankfully, it remains obscured as Ochako speaks out on his behalf.

 

"I found him fighting that... Larger one... I-I think, we need all the help we can get."

 

Shōto grumbles as the ground begins to crack.

 

"If it's anything like the last one...! The only way to beat it is to break it into pieces-!"

 

His eyes widened as the Vandalizer's fist breaks out from the ground. The entire demon reveals itself, and though Shōto tries to entomb the heartless brute in another glacier, the Vandalizer belches out a flame that creates a chilling fog that fills the street. Through the silver veil, the three demons reveal themselves.

 

The Violator stands taller than the light poles that remain, before squatting low, a beckoning finger and sly smile as he whispers at the young party.

 

"I'LL Let yOu In On A secReT... we OnLy sequesTeRed A cITy bLOck. we bROughT heLL, heRe... And In heLL? we'Re unkILLabLe! ~"

 

Shigaraki steps back while raising a hand.

 

"Then you'll be a friendly player and let us test that, hm?"

 

The demon's eyes flash a bright light in delight before he lunges ahead meeting Izuku and his uneasy alliance.

Chapter 29: Rip and Tear! Rip and Tear!

Summary:

Izuku, Ochako, Shōto and Shigaraki face down The Phlebiac Brothers, Greater Demons of the Eighth Circle of Hell: the Sphere of Violence and Murder. Having created a space that connect the environment to their home dimension, the demons become immortal, with unending might on their side and a slew of deceptively endless powers. In the face of pure evil, can Izuku prove himself his namesake, or fall into the gnarled claws of damnation?

It had never seen a human being like this before... Sure, there are all kinds of mortals, and Earthlings are their highest priority in terms of targets. However, it so rarely got to see them before they ever got to Hell, it never saw what humans really look like. 

 

The clairvoyant images through pools of blood and waste left much to be desired, but that struggle to see is expected when you have one eye, especially when that eye is also your exposed brain. It could change its form, shifting anatomy to better see things, but why waste the effort? It is a lazy creature seeking excitement without wanting to expend the energy necessary to even fulfill its own desires.

 

But after the Violator forced it on a mission? To go undercover, to collect names and learn of the layout of the city on Earth? It had to admit... Being human? It was nice.

 

With its otherworldly powers kept in check under the guise of the popular evolution known as Quirks, it easily stole the most fitting disguise, and began to work tirelessly after all the praise it would get fighting crime. Being so safe, for a demon, usually is a struggle. With this one? Its own slothful nature made staying its murderous hand all the easier, which made winning the other Heroes over such a breeze, especially with a budding popularity to start from!

 

Now, today marks the first day of an internship it had not even expected to get. It just, randomly heard from one of its targets that they were signing up some dumb kids for a week, and it should do the same.

 

It did, out of a non-existent peer pressure, and now is stuck with some stupid brat...

 

Imagine its surprise when the snot nosed headache comes in with the cheeriest smile, the cutest voice, and a polite manner of speaking!

 

"Hello! ~ My name is Ochako Uraraka! Please, teach me to kick butt, sir!"

 

Maybe this whole, teaching things won't be so bad, it thought. It'll kill her at the end of the week anyways. What's the harm in some fun?

 

If it only knew...

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

Izuku flies ahead and meets the Violator head on, a fierce slap at the wrist, stopping a savage claw swipe with one hand before he throws a punch into the Violator's eye. The eldest brother leans low with a hiss, allowing the Vandalizer to strike with long straight, crushing Izuku's nose and sending him flying back.

 

The green burly brute smirks, until his arms are held in place as icy stalagmites grow in an instant, stabbing into the arms as Shōto summons his attack. He then blows a blizzard ahead, freezing the entire street ahead, but stumbles back from a lightning bolt that strikes his body. The Vindicator belts out a furious bolt that strikes Shōto's then armored form, shattering the icy defense to pieces, with the sheer power knocking him back. The Vindicator would laugh, were it not for the ruined car that Ochako had picked up, spinning around to gather momentum whilst the exchanges occurred, she threw it right as the Vindicator begins celebrating. 

 

It's ruby lenses widen further, a scream cut off as it is slammed and pinned, as Ochako undoes the gravity upon impact. She stares ahead, watching the Vindicator struggle underneath the car, at least until it casually pushes the car high into the air.

 

"lIke my ACTINg? I lOVe yOuR ReACTIONs! ~"

 

It giggles as it catches the car it threw and hurls it right back at her, far faster, at a speed that would be lethal for her.

 

But not Izuku, who flies into the car, catching it and tearing it into two pieces as he slams the makeshift wreckage into the Vindicator like a pair of boxing gloves. The left hand wreckage shatters to pieces against the now dented skull of the Vindicator. The right hand wreckage breaks apart as he uppercuts the long chin off of the skull. With a snarl, he grabs the throat of the demon, before lifting him up and coming down, crashing into the other two demons with the force of a speeding meteor.

 

All three demons and Izuku crash past the street, landing into the sewers, the Violator swats at Izuku and pins him against the wall. Izuku coughs up blood from the strike alone.

 

Forget the burly muscles of the Vandalizer, he thinks. The Violator is easily the strongest of them. 

 

"I'M GONNA TEAR A HOLE IN YER FUCKIN' CHEST AND SHOW YOUR HEART TO PAPA-!"

 

Shigaraki interrupts him by appearing out of a black portal, grabbing the wrist of the Violator, using the arm to swing himself as he decays the limb. With the momentum of the swing, Shigaraki lands on top of the Violator, where his regrown horn acts as an anchor for him while the demon tries to throw him off.

 

"I got hIm, I got hIm!"

 

The Vandalizer calls out, pummeling its brother with a bone cracking hook, the attack landing as Shigaraki leaps off of the Violator and into a portal made by Kurogiri. The Violator snarls, and with his remaining hand, snatches the now fearful Vandalizer by his offending wrist before ripping the hand off. He slaps the demon with its own hand.

 

"fuckIng dummy! usE yOuR bRAIns befORE I spLATTER thEm! wORThLEss dOLT!"

 

"o-owww! h-hEy! gIVE It bAck!"

 

The Vandalizer whines before attempting to seem bigger with a snarl.

 

"yA wANNA mAkE mE Look bAD IN fRoNt of ALL thE VIctIms!!! OW-!"

 

The Violator slaps the Vandalizer again, forcing him to shrink, as the older Phlebiac hurls the hand into the sewage water.

 

"yA dO ThAT nATuRALLy! nOw shuT up! And stARt kILLng!"

 

Both of them are sent onto the ground from Izuku sending the Violator on top of the Vandalizer with a scythe of a kick.

 

"You're Not Killing Anyone Anymore!"

 

The pair start to sit up, but are frozen in place as Shōto sends his ice down below, with Shigaraki landing behind the Vandalizer, turning the brute to dust as he holds his back.

 

"You shouldn't have been such a good teacher to me."

 

He whispers at the demon. The Violator smiles, causing Shigaraki to shriek as his brain and skull lurches in pain, as if his head has caught fire as he hears the Clown's voice inside his head. Roaches and scorpions appear, crawling out from under his eyelids and into his nose and mouth, with his hair twisting into painful knots as they tie themselves into each other all to pull themselves out. Stinging, biting, and eating away at his flesh as his teeth are eroded by bone gnawing worms that drill through each tooth.

 

An attack on his mind as the Violator mockingly retorts with painful telepathy.

 

( "yOu'Ve sO much TO LeARn, kId." )

 

"NOT EVEN HIM!!"

 

Izuku shouts as he punches the Violator in the back, snapping the spine. However, in an act of truly inhuman anatomy, the Violator bends backwards with the broken bone with an open mouth that sends out a spiked tongue that wraps around Izuku's throat. He hurls him into Shigaraki, sending the Villain into a wall and falling into filthy water, before slamming Izuku against the walls and splashing into feces as he hits the ground. 

 

Shōto would like to help his friend, but the Vindicator reminds the two-toned teenager of its existence, as it snatches him by his ankle and drags him into the dark.

 

He creates a fiery burst from his body as it tries to splatter him against the wall, the heat so intense that it pushes him away from danger, but not so intense to force the demon to release him.

 

"What-?!?"

 

It pulls him in and strikes his body just in time for him to defend himself with his ice, armor breaking again up on gangly knuckles destroying it. He crashes and is embedded into a wall. The Vindicator takes a hungry step forward, but he turns around upon hearing metal scraping up above. Izuku kicks the chin of the Violator with such force, he severs the tongue as the mouth clamps shut, the bladed fangs working against their master as Izuku is freed.

 

He swings the sticky appendage like a whip, the base of it wrapping around a blocking arm that then brings the Violator to him, only to be greeted by a blinding fist. As he flies away, Izuku pulls on the tongue connecting them, and begins to turn the demon into a paddle ball against his fist. Eventually, the Violator strikes back, using both talon feet to kick Izuku away as he cuts himself free of his own stolen tongue.

 

Izuku flies into a wall before dropping the sticky appendage.

 

"Ugh... Does he grow this back...?"

 

He shudders before flying ahead, and to his surprise as the Violator has his back turned to lecture one of his brothers.

 

"whAT The fuck ARe yOu sTARIng AT! KILL THEM!!!"

 

"y'AIN'T The bOss Of me, V! TheRe's sOmeThINg up AboVe-!! Ah-!"

 

A wrecking ball falls from above and lands on them both.

 

"Up here! Quick!"

 

Ochako cries out. Izuku looks around, and finds the stunned Shigaraki, weakly crawling from the murky sewage water and using the pipes to try and stand. He flies at him, snatching him up by the collar of his shirt, and reaching out to a weak Shōto with his broken hand. The three fly out of the foul hole, and land in a rolling tumble, with Shigaraki pulling himself away as he scratches away at his body.

 

"E-Everywhere...! D-Dammit! They're...! Everywhere...!"

 

He then recalls hearing the Violator's voice in his head. This is a trick, one of the mind, and believing he is riddled with disgusting roaches must be part of it. He forces himself to stand and ignores them, which soon works, as the creepy crawlies vanish. 

 

He pants, weary and tired, drained from having to fight so intensely. He sees his opportunity as Izuku is in just as bad a state, if not worse, as both Ochako and Shōto have to help him to his feet. He can take all three of them out, right now... He takes careful steps as they talk amongst each other, unaware of the watchful eyes of the Violator, seeing his student act...

 

"Izzie, you can't keep going like this-! Look at your arm...!"

 

Ochako begs, a queasy gag as she glances at it before turning to look at his bloody face instead. Shōto tries to hold him back as Izuku takes a step forward without them.

 

"The rest of you as well-! Midoriya, we need to retreat while we can..."

 

"Then get outta here... I can hold them back... It's why-! Why I'm here...!"

 

He says as tears leak from his swollen right eye and his left bloodshot eye.

 

"I can't fail All Might here... I've let too many people die...! I can't let them have their way-!"

 

Shigaraki waits a moment as he feels the ground trembling. He hisses as he knows what this is, not to its exactness, but he has dealt with this trick already. He grabs Izuku by his neck then shouts.

 

"Kurogiri!"

 

A black window appears behind him and he pulls them all through as it moves forward. The Vandalizer erupts from the ground but grabs empty air. The confused brute looks down at its hands with wide eyes. Above, at the edge of a skyscraper, Kurogiri stands with a weak Gunhead. He releases his charge, letting Shigaraki and the others free, as they all fall into their hands and knees.

 

Shōto is the first to stand.

 

"This is getting out of hand...!"

 

Ochako pulls Izuku to his feet.

 

"We need a plan, a real one."

 

Shigaraki sits up, rolling his wrist, pointing to the ruined street below as the Vandalizer is ransacking an empty street.

 

"I turned that one to dust. Body, bone, and all. Now there he is, back to being whole, and ripping the whole place apart."

 

Gunhead warily eyes Kurogiri, who ignores him completely, having only taken him along as he was part of this uneasy alliance.

 

"How are they capable of returning from such intense damage...? This isn't anything like our prior pursuers..."

 

Shōto looks up at the black space above them. Not even the surrounding lights can escape the all-consuming void that bears down on them.

 

"Midoriya... Could you fly out of here? Get your father?"

 

"I'm not leaving you behind!"

 

Izuku rebuts. He looks ready to reenter the fray, but Ochako grabs his wrist.

 

"You're tired...! You've been fighting way too long and you look-! We need to take this time to recover..."

 

Gunhead speaks up taking a rare stern tone.

 

"Midoriya, right? You're the only one of us that can fly... Heck, you can fly at light speed! You can reach the top of whatever this is, and come right back, in a blink! Besides, if these things finally lost track of us, they'll start targeting civilians that are still in the area... We-We never started an evacuation procedure..."

 

Shōto follows up as he inwardly thanks the Pro Hero for giving him something to work with.

 

"You're not leaving us behind to die. You're looking for a way to save us. You can't punch your way through this one so at least do this much for us."

 

Izuku looks up. He then looks at Shigaraki with a fierce glare that he gets in return. There's a silent conversation in their locked gazes... It ends in a matter of moments as he takes flight. Not long does he bash his face against a wall. He punches the black barrier, again, and again until it cracks... However, he hears another cry, and flies back to the city block below unable to ignore it. 

 

To his startling shock, it is the womanly cry of one of the demons. Another werewolf, not Gray Wolf nor Wolf-Man, but a third one... A larger one... White fur, a wild spiky mane that juts out all over, with a torn outfit that looks vaguely familiar. It tears the Vindicator apart with such ease that even Izuku cringes at the sight. What shocks him is that the werewolf then, with flaming palms, blasts this bipedal monster away and turns the squirming demon into a pile of charred moaning meat. 

 

The werewolf kicks the Vindicator into the air, where it lands at the feet of the Violator and the Vandalizer, the larger muscle bound behemoth stomps forward with a snarl.

 

"fffuck!!! thAt's A fuckINg ELDER wEREwoLf! thERE's oNLy supposED to bE oNE LEft!"

 

The Violator knows this, and he would have shut this butt ugly louse up for stating the obvious to someone who has been on Earth far more frequently than this idiot, but he snatches an opportunity... He has an idea who this is. Who else can shit explosions out of their hands, the Violator thinks. As if things could not get better, the perfect distraction flies low, calling out.

 

"H-Hey! Be careful! Those guys are dangerous!"

 

The werewolf snaps its head in Izuku's direction before it snarls with a feral drooling maw.

 

"Rrrr!!! Ragh!! Argh!! D-De-! Deku...!!!"

 

The Violator grins, horn to horn, taking the reaching melted arm of the Vindicator. He can gather that the demon is, genuinely, feeling weak. 

 

They are immortal in this pocket realms summoned with the blood of both innocents spilled by the smuggled vampires, as well as the Heroes felled by the Hero Killers, but... They're anything but unstoppable. In truth, his four brothers are pretty much worthless in anything more than a gang hazing. Vandalizer is a physical titan, but so stupid that he actually hurts himself more often than not, without a single iota of intelligence or patience to learn anything leaning towards the arcane. Sure, when the Violator isn't around, they tend to listen to the green giant... Which is exactly why they never succeed in trying to kill their oldest brother.

 

The Vindicator is the closest he has to an equal, as he is the one that created the pocket dimension, despite it being the Violator's idea. He is a surprisingly masterful spellcaster, a competent yet still feral fighter, but... The poor fool is a flaccid tool! Easy to bully into doing whatever anyone wants, even other humans if they're smart enough, which is why he has stuck so closely to the moron. Despite their eternal lives, the Vindicator is limited by its fear of pain, and it shows right here.

 

The Vacillator, an indecisive unintelligible blithering foaming at the mouth cyclopean buffoon, however he is the smallest. He is also, the only one aside from the Violator himself to master skin grafting and shape shifting, something that the Violator lost the ability to even do... He actually forgot where he told that little rodent to be, but he should be with those stupid kids, as he has been the one directing them where to teleport from afar. 

 

And finally, the only one not actually here, due to an unrelated incident that had him left behind. The Vaporizer, a giant rivaling that hottie Mt. Lady in size, and somehow not the dumbest of the four... His massive size however, is often a hindrance, incapable of shrinking at all or even fitting into any skin suit. Apparently, their master had sent him somewhere to do their lord's will, and he failed. 

 

Failure begets punishment, naturally.

 

The only one not truly among the Six Phlebiacs, is the lone sister, and utter nightmare: The Visector. Always by their master's side hiding in his shadow, ever loyal, always using her position to look down on the rest...

 

But the Violator is the one that is the right hand. He will prove it, tonight, as his plans have been going swimmingly! In spite of his siblings best unintentional attempts to ruin everything, like always. The Vindicator needs human blood to be of any use again...

 

And they're about to get buckets worth with these two distracted. The Violator pulls his two troublesome siblings back.

 

"nOw, nOw, thIs Is beTween TwO deAR fRIEnds... whO ARe we To InTeRfERE? especIALLy when we haVe sO much TO gAIn fROm thIs...!"

 

The demons retreat as the werewolf lunges at Izuku with unparalleled speed. Izuku barely throttles the lower jaw of the heated muzzle, however the beast's head barely budges, successful in stopping him from pouncing on top of him but not much else as one swing of the claws rips into his skin.

 

"Agh!"

 

Izuku's eyes widen. Demons, he sorta got. Magic is wonky and those things are illogical. He has sort of, accepted, that they can hurt him. Kaiju are old, megalithic super fauna, capable of globe shaking feats of power. This? This is another matter, as well as what it had just said, which has his eyes turn to dinner plates as he sees a flaming right. 

 

A far too familiar right.

 

"Kaccha-"

 

An explosion that burns the entire street and cooks the entire wall of the skyscraper erupts from the werewolf's hand. Izuku barely felt the actual flames, but the punch of that explosion makes his vision blurry. He had crashed into the wall, and just as everything clears in his sight, he is shoulder tackled through the wall by his feral friend.

 

The beast punishes Izuku with delightful frenzy. Manic madness as it sees damage being done. A punch across the jaw, a swipe at his blocking arm, a kick to his chest. 

 

He can hurt him. He can beat him. He can finally put him back in his place, where he'll be safe, instead of being something he isn't. Something he never was.

 

Something he will never be.

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

Star Man punches the black dome with his immense might. He can feel it, shaking. However, no dents and no cracks, as it sits there in stubborn defiance. His son is in there. He hears as much from the news, from Masaru, from Cecil. Bakugo was supposed to be home by now, as was Izuku, but they were last seen in Hosu City... A great black dome has engulfed a sizeable portion of the area, and he along with other Heroes, have been attempting to get in.

 

With little to no success.

 

He flies down to the ground where unhelpful allies, in name alone, belt out their unwarranted commentary. Death Arms scratches his head.

 

"Sheesh, this isn't like what's going on with Midnight City... Not even someone as strong as you can get past it?"

 

Kamui Woods adjusts his mask, having nearly forgotten it in the rush to make it here by train.

 

"That's hard to believe. Is it some kind of new material? Maybe tempered steel or some reinforced alloy?"

 

Ingenium arrives with Īda.

 

"This is...! This is where I was attacked by the Hero Killer...!"

 

The older Tenya says. His brother looks on with worry.

 

"Do you think Stain has anything to do with this?!"

 

"No, this is far too big for anything he could do, something else is up with this...!"

 

An unpopular arrival makes his presence known, as Oddeye the Occult Hero speaks up.

 

"A barrier of darkness! I have studied such strange anomalous phenomena! These are cast by powerful mages, or even supernatural beings themselves, made to locks their targets in and help out! However, it should be weak to light-"

 

He says as he begins digging around in his pocket before pulling out a strange flashlight. With a gesture as he turns it on, he creates a small hole, wearing a smirk as on-lookers marvel at his discovery.

 

"Seems that you either need a focused light or solar rays! ~ How about a quick spurt of that fire- AIEEE!!!!"

 

Oddeye shrieks as he watches Star Man abruptly spew out an inferno that threatens to engulf the surrounding party. Death Arms has to pull him back as Kamui Woods uses his Quirk to push the growing crowd away towards safety.

 

"That isn't like him-! What's up, Star Man?! You almost killed this one-eyed idiot!"

 

Death Arms barks. He gets no answer, but sure enough, though the dome still stands? Hisashi can feel the shield becoming brittle. It breaks apart against his fists now, chips and chunks of black flying away as he digs through it. Between every few series of punches, drilling away using his knuckles alone, he releases another furious belch of flame. He only had so many of these left, but he knows more than that pale scarecrow pretending to be mysterious knows, for this is not his first rodeo against the forces of darkness. Even before Earth, he heard tales, and would come to see them in time. 

 

He has seen what this kind of evil is capable of, what they have done to their victims. He cannot let that happen to his boys, not to Katsuki, and especially not Izuku.

 

He strikes away, wearing down the gloves, tearing at the flesh of his knuckles which only has him hit even harder. Strike faster. Breathe fiercer. 

 

He. Must. Get. In.

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

The Sad Man... That's all she ever called this, thing. This mass of flowing scarlet, shining tentacles of silver chains, and the endless all-consuming black that is its body. His body. Billy Kincaid is split apart in ways she cannot even properly perceive, yet she watches the strange sordid trophies of his burn, with each destroyed remnant of victims past...

 

They too, with a wash of relief in their healing faces, vanish from this world.

 

"I Don't Know What Shitty Moldy Hole You Wiggled Out From, But You're Going Back, And You'll Be Going Back Alone."

 

The crimson avenger bellows in a low booming rumble. Thunder is his voice, striking the bulbous acne ridden corpse like lightning, a fear he was all too happy to forget had reared its ugly head.

 

"Yo-yo u're supposed to be in Hell!!! With the bad men! And the bad women! And the bad, bad, bad children! You're a killer! You're like me! You-You're a Hellspawn!!!"

 

Cathleen feels a gentle yet prickly brush on her shoulder. She is freed from her status as a frozen statue.

 

"And You're Going Exactly Where You Belong, You Miserable Fat Fuck. Cathy, Do The Honors."

 

"LIKE I NEED PERMISSION!!!"

 

She shouts as she musters all of her enhanced strength, calling upon her body and Quirk, she lunges ahead as Billy desperately tries to attack her in a futile effort. His head explodes with the gruesome splash of an infested watermelon. Worms, maggots, and grubs fly all around with rotted grey matter and teeth. Behind her, the Sad Man makes a gesture, and the body melts away into the ground. As though the Earth itself would reclaim and imprison him within her deepest depths.

 

She turns around on her heel, throwing a punch that the Sad Man catches, her blonde hair billows back from the blowback of her attack but he remains still.

 

"... I..."

 

"WHO ARE YOU!"

 

She shouts as she tries to pull away from him. He holds her tight fist, before releasing her. She nearly trips over herself but keeps a steady stance. The Sad Man's masked face shifts, changing to a frown, his glowing eyes dimming as he hunches over.

 

"I'm... Sorry... I Was Too Late To Save You... Again."

 

Again? Then, it is him. She never forgot this man. How could she? She draws near, cautiously, remaining in a hostile state as if to expect a fight. He stands there unable to make eye contact with her.

 

"I'd say you came just in time... You have a lot to explain! Who are you!"

 

"... Spawn. Hellspawn. See The Sky Above And How Black It Is?"

 

She looks up. She had not noticed such a drastic change.

 

"Even the light from the city isn't shining... It's like the sky is eating all the light!"

 

"A Ritual Placed You In A Spot Where Hell Is On Earth. Most Of Hosu City Is Suffering For It. My Powers Can Undo This Ritual."

 

"How helpful! You're just gonna drop that Hell is real at me like that's just normal?!"

 

She says with a sarcastic rise in her voice. His answer, says more about him, than it should about her despite it being a most... Hidden, intimate detail.

 

"Your Mother Took You To Church For Twenty Years, Have Faced False Idols From Alternative Dimensions, Yet You Doubt Hell Exists?"

 

"... H-How... How did you, know that, about my mom? Who, are you...!!"

 

She asks, more wary of him than trusting, and that hurt the Sad Man. He recedes, backing away from her, reacting to her own unconscious retreat.

 

"I... I Am... I'm Your... Sad. Man."

 

She does not find herself easing up, but she does approach him, circling around the red mass that flows from him. The cape, this shroud, the living red cloak that seems to be reaching out to her yet too scared to ever touch her moves as she moves. 

 

"I remember that night... I remember how you stayed... Stayed until the police arrived... Until my mom picked me up..."

 

She can feel the cool wind of the open entryway of the alley behind her. She could run. She could just, leave.

 

But not without answers.

 

"You saved me tonight, saved those poor souls, but where were you when the Guardians were attacked?! Do you even know who did it!?"

 

"I Do."

 

Her eyes widen at that. She leans forward, taking a step his way.

 

"Then you've come to tell us! Tell me! You know who threw the world into chaos-!"

 

"I Can't."

 

Bastard. She throws a fist that he lets land. She did, damage, right? Her fist sinks in, but he does not budge, nor do his eyes meet hers. She strikes at his head again.

 

"WHY NOT!?! Some dumb clause?! Some, stupid demon power?!"

 

 

She strikes again.

 

"What, you come back from the dead, or-or! You're testing is humans or some bullshit like that?!?"

 

And again.

 

"TELL ME!"

 

"I CAN'T, CATHY!!!"

 

He booms at her with such an abrupt rage and insurmountable force, that the towering Number One Hero of America, falls back on her butt with a scamper as he hounds her.

 

"I CAN'T TELL YOU, BECAUSE IT'S THE LAST THING I HAVE! I CAN'T PROTECT YOU ANYMORE IF I TELL YOU! DESPITE ALL MY POWER! I CAN'T EVEN BE THERE WHEN IT MATTERS! I-!!!"

 

He takes in a shuddering, growling breath, traumatized wrath bottled in for who knows how long, now erupts from this undead specter. However, Cathleen no longer feels fear or apprehension, but confusion. Familiarity. Ammonia... Nostalgia.

 

Déjà Vu.

 

"I Can't Let You, Get Hurt! I Sacrificed, EVERYTHING, To Keep You Safe! I Sacrificed My Life! I Sacrificed My Eternity! I've Sacrificed Others...! For You...!!! AND I CAN'T EVEN TELL YOU WHO I AM OR... OR...!!!"

 

"Have we had this conversation before...?"

 

She asks. He tries to speak over her as she looks down at her dirty hands. They're, smaller now. She's back in New York- no, it was Chicago? Yes, her first outing, as a Vigilante for a summer vacation.

 

They met here first... No, this was, the third time? Not even the second, or the fourth...

 

She hugs herself then.

 

"Cathleen Bates, will remember the Hellspawn."

 

"Cathy, Wait-!"

 

She does not. At once, as if a lock on her brain had snapped, memories flood her vision. Memories, of the Sad Man. Memories of him, protecting her, against her will. He was so, mysterious, at first... But he was so overbearing. Always so close yet pretending to be so far, like a creepy stalker too shy to ever act, but he had a darkness to him. A level of violence that scared even her. The things he would do to some Villains were, unspeakable.

 

And he would do it in her name. Star and Stripe, it was his idea, when he was alive... Blonde hair, that she did not inherit, but a harsh gaze balanced by the softest smile a father could give a child. He would try to tell her the truth, again, and again. Each time, she rejected him, again and again.

 

At the hospital where her mother's dementia had hit its worst.

 

"WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN...?!? ALL THIS TIME-! WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN!!! WHEN MOM GOT SICK! AND YOU'RE OUT HERE!!! SCREWING AROUND!!!"

 

Right after her first battle with the Guardians.

 

"This isn't a funny joke... Stop, saying that! It isn't funny! Stop it! STOP!"

 

At his tombstone when visiting her mother, trying to console her, trying to connect with her. To comfort her.

 

"YOU'RE NOT HIM! YOU'RE NOT, YOU CAN'T BE!"

 

Again, and again, she would use her own Quirk to dispel these horrid illusions. To forget him... And eventually, he did, finally leave her alone.

 

But she remembers the last time they met before now. Her glossy gaze affixed to the blazing headquarters of the Guardians of the Globe, corpses caught fire by hungering flames, ready to burn her to cinders as well.

 

He would not let that happen. How long had he been hiding in her shadow? How long has he been by her side? He pulled her to safety, before luring one of the searching agents, for she had been hidden in a place none would ever think to hide.

 

Kenneth Bates is many things, was many things, a man she hardly knew... She knew all her life.

 

Spawn, the Sad Man, she preferred to think of him as... He stands there, the anger gone, replaced by pure fear and despair as she stands to her feet. They stare each other down, making eye contact for the first time properly in ages, and she turns away from him. 

 

"... Thank you, for helping me..."

 

"You Should Check On Your Ward."

 

Is all the Sad Man says before he sinks into the darkness of the shadows, gone in a blink of the eye. She leaves the alley, more confused than anything else, until she hears an explosion to her right. She brings her arms up as a great wind threatens to throw sand in her eyes.

 

However, she drops her arms and runs ahead, her feet skidding against the gravel ground as she catches Izuku. The boy is an absolute wreck, looking almost as bad as she feels, maybe worse. Something laid into him, fiercely.

 

That something, come marching in with missing teeth and a broken hand, one leg bent at an awkward angle to the side.

 

"Is that a werewolf...? In Japan? I thought wolves in general were extinct!"

 

Cathleen asks. She hears Spawn behind her.

 

"They Are."

 

He moves ahead as the blood-starved beast rushes to finish off what it started. An emerald flaming gaze fills its vision that soon fades to numb fading unconsciousness.

 

"Sleep..."

 

The brutal monster, teeth and claws stained in red, barely concedes to the demand as it takes a final step closer. Then, it falls over, and soon returns to its true form as Katsuki Bakugo. Asleep. The Sad Man stands over the sleeping blonde, noting his injuries vanishing upon his return to humanity, before he looks over at his beloved and her somehow still living student. 

 

"Izzie! Hey! You're awake, right?"

 

Cathleen asks. Izuku tries to stand on his own. He isn't hurt too badly, nothing like when he fought his first beast, but the demons from before? That fight took so much out of him, and trying to calm Bakugo down without hurting him, that was an unending exercise in patience.

 

But he has enough energy for what needs to be done, he has to.

 

"Monsters... Attacking my friends... Down the way we came... Straight path...!"

 

He says between pants. His body, despite the abuse, finally starts healing. He stands straight but takes a faltering step forward. 

 

"I was an idiot-! Why did I leave them behind-! Todoroki can't keep up with how fast they are-!"

 

"We Need To Be Fast. I Can Get Us There, Fast."

 

Izuku leans away from the approaching spirit. He has no idea who or even what this guy's deal is, but Cathleen firmly holds his shoulder, and gives him a smile as he looks up at her.

 

"Trust me, Izzie... He's a scary guy, but he won't hurt you... And he won't hurt me."

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

Endeavor sweats profusely as he maintains a terrible test of strength with the Vandalizer. He had unfortunately underestimated their regeneration, his plans to keep them at range now for naught, even as he continuously burns the green giant with a constant full body stream of flame. Where once, just a handful of his full power could render the beast to ashes, he now sees what his son had tried to warn him about.

 

It has its own flaming breath to protect itself with, forcing the fires of Endeavor to contend with the flames of a true demon, all while being stuck at melee range.

 

These things truly were playing with them the entire time.

 

The Vandalizer breaks Endeavor's arms and shoulders. However, the demons is unable to move, as if even that is not enough to free it. Endeavor can tell that it is in pain, trying to flee from him, but he will not allow such a thing.

 

"gggrtrsshhAAAhgg...!!! q-quIt It ALREADy...!!! LEggo!!!"

 

Wolf-Man struggles to keep up with the insatiable Violator, but on the plus side, the eldest demon either is having too much fun playing or is like his little brother. Weakened from blood loss and drained of stamina. The Violator attempts to rip the street from the ground, only for Wolf-Man to use the attack itself, running up the wave of stone before leaping off of it. With both fists, Wolf-Man smashes the demon's skull, forcing it low and allowing Wolf-Man to snatch him by his largest horn.

 

He hurls the demon overhead and towards a building wall, the Violator lands with a wheeze, his chest flattened as Wolf-Man shoulder tackled the beast further into the cracked wall. The Violator replies in kind with a savage uppercut that sends his fellow monster into the sky and landing on his back.

 

"bAsTARd...! yOu'Re TOO TenAcIOus...!"

 

He looks off to the side, right at his worthless tag partner. The Vindicator remains on the ground, wheezing, frozen in place by Shōto who takes cover with Ochako and Gunhead behind a destroyed delivery truck. 

 

"AbsOluTely fuckIng useLess bROTheRs...!"

 

He remarks until he barely catches the coming lycanthrope. The werewolf proves as stubborn as himself. Wolf-Man suffers a claw across his chest, but returns the favor by breaking the lower jaw once again with a strike of his own, the two forced away from each other. The demon's eyes flashes, and at once, Wolf-Man starts to lose his mind as the lower jaw fixes itself.

 

"I knOw whAT mAkes yOu TIck... And hOw TO use ThAT AgAInsT yOu... IT's A fuLL mOOn OuT, gAry...!!!"

 

"N-ngh! Nrgh!!! NNNRRRAAAGGGHH!!!"

 

The Violator grins in victory as the Wolf-Man runs away from him and makes a beeline for the winded students. In his mind, the light of the full moon shines bright, and the beast within assumes control. It is a cursed frenzy none are immune to. To revert back into the Beast. The default, the primal, the true state of all werewolves.

 

Shōto, barely able to move, has to be shielded by Ochako as Shigaraki takes a reluctant stance. He too had been restrained by the arriving lycanthrope, but he eroded them, waiting for some kind of opportunity. Killing a Hero while saving another? Talk about a net-neutral act...

 

However, Wolf-Man ignores the trio, and tears into Gunhead instead, eliciting a shriek from Ochako.

 

"GUNHEAD!!!!!"

 

To her absolute befuddlement, something comes out of Gunhead, something larger. Uglier, and familiar, with one red ribbed eye that stretches across a warped face. The Vacillator, with a terrible slash down its chest, smallest of the siblings and master of confusion. His disguise, now torn, allows him to fight back with his own brand of savagery. Wolf-Man and the demon attempt to eviscerate each other.

 

Too much violence. Too much intensity. Too many deaths. Ochako begins to panic, she can feel herself starting to slip away. This whole time, was her mentor a monster in disguise? Was any moment she had with him real? When did she even lose sight of him? 

 

Wolf-Man is struck in the eyes, before being shoved away falling on his back, allowing the Vacillator to draw near Ochako and reach out. The monster's gnarled claws gently pat her head.

 

"thIs wAsn'T suppoSed TO hAppen...! I-I... uh... I LIked TeAChIng yOu! eVen If IT wAs fOR A few dAys...! I jusT hAVe TO geT yOu OuT Of hERE..."

 

It says as if trying to convince itself. The Vacillator had snuck onto Earth with the Violator, and stole a Hero's identity, unaware that said Hero had responsibilities. The Vacillator never had anyone under it before. Not even pets. The experience of taking care of someone, teaching someone, it was all so new and refreshing. 

 

It wishes that they could continue to just enjoy themselves. This whole farce, it was a lie at the start, but this girl? She changed everything for the demon. For the Vacillator, a being as old as human history, Ochako is the first time it knew happiness.

 

"I'm nOT gOnnA LeT V kILL yOu... O-OR The hALf 'n hALf! I wOn'T!! I-I! I'm sTILL yOuR TeACheR!"

 

"GET AWAY FROM ME...!!!!"

 

She shrieks, the blood on its hands staining her hair and falling down her face. She begins crawling away from it. It reaches out, before reluctantly pulling back, caught in a twist of conflicted emotions.

 

"nO! nO, nO,  I-I! I lOOk-! I-I lOOk sCARy-! buT! IT's me! uRARAkA-ChAn...!"

 

"HELP! HELP!! SOMEONE!!! PLEASE!!!"

 

Ochako screams, not even hearing the Phlebiac's pathetic pleas, and Shigaraki too busy trying not to laugh at the sight. Shōto sits up and aims his icy arm at it.

 

"STEP BACK, YOU MONSTER!!"

 

"TOdOROkI-kun...! p-pLeAse...! I-I...!"

 

It steps back, hands raised, trembling in frustration before it bumps into something. The Violator looms over his littlest brother, a disappointed glare, long arms low with the knuckles dragging across the ground.

 

"whAT The fuck Is ThIs, VAc? fRATeRnIzIng wITh The enemy? yOu??"

 

The Vacillator turns around, releasing an inhuman cry, a jagged claw pokes at the thin torso of the Violator.

 

"leAVe heR OuT Of ThIs! I-I! I OnLy bROughT heR heRe-! T-TO keep heR sAfe fROm yOu!"

 

"sO why Is she RIghT heRe? I knOw yOu, VAc... I beT yOu gOT cAughT up In yOuR pATheTIc skuLL, unAbLe TO mAke A decIsIon, LIke ALwAys..."

 

The Vacillator gulps... Then, with a wide yawn, releases its own torrent of ice that freezes the momentarily shocked Violator. It smashes its eldest brother to pieces before meekly turning around.

 

"I-I... I ReALLy dId LIke hAngIng OuT wITh yOu, uRARAkA... s-sORRy..."

 

It takes a cautious step towards the wary teens, ignorant and unaware of Shigaraki sneaking up to it, ready to flank the demon as it begs its student to accept it.

 

"buT! I-I'm sTILL The sAme peRsOn! The One yOu LeARned sO muCh fROm! I Can geT yOu TO sAfeTy! I-I... I-I th-thInk...?"

 

"That's cute. We're not falling for it though."

 

Shigaraki says before he turns the left arm to dust. He would have gotten the whole body, however, he loses his own hand as the Vacillator retaliates with a swipe using its bladed needle of a tongue. Shigaraki falls back clutching where his shoulder used to be. 

 

The demon's true colors are shown as it begins beating the bloodied young Villain with his own severed limb.

 

"wORThLess mORTAL!!! sTupId bRAIn deAd IdIOT!!! dIdjA ThInk yOu sTOOd A ChAnCe AgAInsT me!?! the VACILLATOR!?!"

 

Again, and again, without any sense of mercy or humanity. The Vacillator continues to abuse the boy, rendering his mind and vision into a flood of pain, flushing with vertigo and nonsense to cope with the unending pain.

 

"kILL! kILL! kILL yOu! I'LL kILL yOu deAd! I'LL be A heRO If I kILL yOu deAd! I'm nOT pReTendIng! I'm A heRO!"

 

"Guh! Gah! A-Agh! N-No...! But I knew...! You were trying to hide what you were... Lying through those teeth... Even when you're acting like the demon you are!!"

 

At that, the Vacillator pauses, stunned by its own stupidity. How could it lose control so fast and in front of its young student?! It turns to see Ochako helping Shōto up to his feet. With raised hands, it tries to reach out, to take a cautious step forward.

 

"n-nO-! n-n-nO, nO!! I dId ThAT TO sAVe yOu-! ThIs guy Is eVIL!!! k-kILLIng hIm Is the RIghT ThIng TO dO-!"

 

"GUNHEAD WOULDN'T SAY THAT!!"

 

Ochako shouts as she brings her fingers together to undo her gravity. 

 

"Not all lives can be saved... But...!! We save whoever we can!!! From monsters, like you!"

 

The Vacillator tilts its head until a rain of brutal hail falls down upon it, topped off with a small heavy glacier that pins it down, all kept afloat by Ochako's gravity. Kurogiri, who had been slashed by the Violator earlier, barely manages to teleport Shigaraki to his side and escape to higher ground.

 

Ochako stands, panting from her joint maneuver with Shōto. He tries to get up, but is knocked down with her as the ice explodes, the Violator reformed and a foot pinning down his littlest brother.

 

"thAnks fOR cOOLIng hIm dOwn, zygOTes... excuse me fOR A mOmenT. LISTEN HERE YA LIL' SHIT-!"

 

The Violator rips the Vacillator's head off of its body. 

 

"HOW FUCKING DARE YOU!?!"

 

He swings the skull down by holding the base of the exposed spinal chord. The body flattens with the limbs spasming. The Violator swings again, and again, smashing both torso and head into mush.

 

"TO BETRAY YOUR KIND! TO DEFY YOUR BETTER! SEEMS YOU FORGOTTEN JUST WHO THE FUCK I AM!! I'M THE VIOLATOR, YOU STUPID, FUCKING SAPPY PUSSY LICKING BITCH BORN BASTARD!!! THE VIOLATOR!!! THE VIOLATOR!!! VIOLATOR!!! VIOLATOR!!!!!"

 

He finally finds himself out of breath holding what little remains of exposed brain connected to an eyeball and half of an upper jaw. He holds it up wearing a smug smile.

 

"Y'gOT A nyThIng L efT TO sAy, bAby bROThER?"

 

To the shock of the two watching on in silent shock, the Vacillator does barely manage to speak past impossible injury, what little of its own elongated tongue remains flaps in a pathetic undulations.

 

"... OC... OCh... O-OCha... Run... R-Run... A-AwAy..."

 

The Violator rolls half of his countless eyes before tossing the barely living demon behind him.

 

"such A fuCkIng LOseR... weLL?! yOu gOnnA Run!? dumbAss gAVe yOu hIs LIfe LIke sOme wAnnAbe heRO..."

 

The Violator begins making his way with purposefully slow, heavy, stalking steps.

 

"Run. At least then I might enjoy this half as much as you won't."

 

In his mind, Shigaraki hears the laughter of the Clown.

"(We're nearing the finale, kid... The smart thing to do would be to lay down and die... But you're not going to do that... If you do get outta here... Hope you learned all I could teach you... Because I'm about bring this whole place down with me...! I've got faith in you, to take this experience as inspiration, and ruin this world that made you...! Hehehe!!! HAHAHAHAHHAHAAHAHA!!!!)"

 

"We're done here... Get us out of here..."

 

Shigaraki demands. Kurogiri speaks up.

 

"I've tried... But something has been blocking my Quirk. I haven't been able to go any further than- ah. It would seem I stand corrected. We're out of here, young master."

 

Shigaraki grimaces as he leaves. Some part of him wants to destroy, everything. He just had, without a shadow of a doubt, the worst experience of his life since his rebirth as Tomura Shigaraki. Since that fateful night. However, unlike that night, he did learn a lot. 

 

He witnessed just how casually evil can enact its will. How true strength in a world without All Might can appear. What it takes, what it means, to be a true Villain. He leaves these stupid kids to their fate. He has learned from them too.

 

Being a Hero is truly for chumps, losers, and people seeking more than they deserve. In this life, power and domination are all that matters, and getting it by any means necessary. To have the strength to choose who gets to live or die. To be what others like himself need him to be.

 

The Anti-Symbol of Peace.

 

As Shigaraki and Kurogiri leave, the Violator lunges at the exhausted students of UA.

 

"YOU'RE DEAD MEAT!!!"

 

A titanic explosion sends everyone off of their feet except one. The Violator, with his head now splattered into several pieces as two fists crash into each other from opposite sides. The upper body as a whole suffers immense damage, with the shoulders evaporated, and the lower intestine leaking out, the arms having flown away as only a pair of legs sway for a moment.

 

The Violator's body takes a stumbling blind step before falling over. Izuku, grinds his knuckles against the smoking fist of his father, the two of them so focused on dealing with the immediate threat that it takes a moment for them to even notice the other."

 

"D-Dad-?! You're here...!"

 

"It's good to see you, Invincible."

 

Izuku winces at his mistake. Sure, even if the demons knew his father's identity, that doesn't mean that others do... Though, he is slightly grateful that it is only him and his friends... His friends that were blown away by the winds of their attack.

 

Oh dammit, he thinks as he looks back, but is relieved to see Cathleen carrying her friends.

 

"You kids look awful! What happened here? It's like all Hell broke loose!"

 

Ochako wipes her eyes, trying to keep what little of her shattered composure together, and speaks up.

 

"Uh... Ah... E-Exactly..."

 

"Huh?"

 

Cathleen asks, tilts her head. Shōto further elaborates for his classmate as he points up above.

 

"We don't know all of the details, but some Villains killed local Heroes to summon a dome that brought demons from Hell to attack us, and we've been fighting them off since... Well, I don't have my phone so I don't know what time it is, but it feels like hours have passed."

 

Star Man looks down at the body of the Violator before stepping on it as he walks over to the rest. 

 

"There's a dome on the outside keeping people from coming in. I managed to break through with some help... We're getting civilians out using the entry point. This is over."

 

At once, he turns around, and the area shakes from violent force as the Violator's foot comes down on Star Man's blocking arm. A green gooey erupting from the bisected stump forms into the regenerated whole of the demon. It bears down on Star Man, body shifting, inflating, growing weight and muscle as well as numerous spikes. Extra eyes, extra horns, longer limbs with thicker skin.

 

Even its voice has changed.

 

"At Last! ~ I was wondering when you'd show up! My main man, the Star Man, here in the flesh to protect his baby chickadee..."

 

From behind the visor, as the slot for his mouth opens up, Star Man spews forth a furious torrent of flames. However, the Violator fans himself with his idle hand, before applying more pressure with his foot as Star Man shakes under the growing weight.

 

"I'm going to make you swallow that giant hook attached to your skull for what you've done here."

 

"Bold words from a guy that hides his face...! What else are you hiding from the world, you killer."

 

With a mighty swing, Star Man sends the Greater Demon flying away, leaning back as he shouts out.

 

"Cathy! Move everyone out of here! I'll keep him busy!"

 

"Got it! Izzie-!"

 

Izuku tries to fly after him, but is shoved so hard, his back breaks the concrete.

 

"This is my fight! Your job is to keep them alive! Keep doing that!"

 

He turns fully to him speaking in a somber tone.

 

"Think of it as that team-up you always wanted to do..."

 

Izuku clenches his fist, but he nods, and finally turns his back on the fight as he and Cathleen go to pick up as many hiding civilians they can. Star Man flies after the Violator, catching the demon in the air, his fist digging into the sternum and poking out through the back.

 

However, he failed to pierce through the skin. His helmet rattles from an ax-swing, sending the Viltrumite hurtling towards the ground.

 

Below, the Vandalizer has Endeavor right where it wanted him. He believed he had worn it out, skin gone with muscle burnt black and bone exposed, pretending to be weak. In truth, this level of pain is below standard, but the Vandalizer was going nowhere in trying to pummel this buff dork into the ground.

 

Endeavor isn't just some stubborn human. He's a proper powerhouse... But he's still human, and that is why as Endeavor draws near, the Vandalizer uses a rare instance of magic to summon his war axe. A bloody weapon that has claimed countless human champions in the past.

 

An explosion pushes Endeavor back as Star Man splatters the Vandalizer with his landing. The demon is reduced into a further stain as the Violator attempts to crush Star Man, landing on the Vandalizer instead as the Hero flies back and lands next to Endeavor.

 

"Your son is safe and being escorted out of this hellhole."

 

"What took you so long? You're never THIS late. Is it that blackness that surrounds us?"

 

"It's a powerful dome that only reacts to light. I was able to get past it through my fire."

 

Endeavor scoffs and aims a hand to the sky.

 

"Then I should've done this sooner."

 

With a roar of pure wrath, Endeavor shows his true prowess, becoming a gigantic pillar of flaming fury, one that crashes against the dimensional dome. With the spellcaster, the Vindicator, being so weak? Endeavor breaks it...

 

At the cost of his own stamina. He had been fighting something truly impossible, and despite his best efforts, it landed some choice hits. He could still push on. Still, fight... But ever since All Might died, ever since they lost the Guardians, disaster after disaster has struck this world without any restraint or reprieve. 

 

He is tired. Star Man, isn't.

 

"All Might left everything to you when it came to times of crisis... And I saw earlier that this thing is fireproof... I still despise you with all my being, but... Star Man! Send these creatures back to Hell!"

 

The stoic alien nods at him before taking a ready stance.

 

"I will."

Chapter 30: A Helluva Farewell!

Summary:

Hisashi battles the Violator, who proves to be the greatest threat he has faced yet, forcing him to act in desperation. Torino learns from his contact about the entity now known as the Hellspawn, who makes a decision that will effect the world going forward.

How will Izuku and his friends recover from this torturous night?

He wasn't born in a hospital. He wasn't even born in a bathtub. A nameless baby is barely found alive in a toilet stall by a janitor cleaning up a private strip club. This boy would be called a curse, everywhere he went, and he never cared to prove anyone wrong.

 

Against what people expected of him, he would serve his country, as he joined right after he was legally able to. Sixteen. He was an orphan, a runaway, and a rebellious bullheaded brawler. However, when he learned that the U.S. Army had prepared for war against some silly organization that took up arms in some foreign land he didn't care to remember or think about? 

 

The promise of violence led him to be obedient. Fighting in the moldy rooms of his childhood prison, fighting in the streets for either food or for gangs that took him in, fighting overseas with his brothers in arms. Heroes had yet to be implemented into battle, and Quirks were a no-go, but paper hardly ever stopped action.

 

He has heard that the pen is mightier than the sword. He would argue that a mere five millimeter would prove much mightier. War did not change him, but what did was being the only survivor of an exchange in an encampment they were supposed to have ambushed.

 

A leak. A traitor. He would have died too if not for his Quirk: Declaration. A weaker variation of what would eventually become New Order, to command things with a touch, he could only command that which has a solid make up. He could cause minor earthquakes by touching the ground, command targets if he touched a living thing, but only solid things. Gas, water, lightning, or even in this instance? Fast enough projectiles, such as bullets, that would eventually pierce his flesh?

 

He could never command such things, for he would need to speak and hold onto that which he commands for the duration of his speech, in order for the Quirk to take effect.

 

He used his Quirk, breaking countless crimes, a war criminal to save his own life and complete the mission. He had expected to come home to handcuffs.

 

He came home to several medals.

 

He came home with the only other man that survived, his CO (Commanding Officer), who was as close to a father figure as either allowed. The old man didn't want a son, and the boy under him hated authority, and yet upon coming home?

 

All the boy could do is take orders from this crotchety geezer that spat in his face. To the outside world, you'd never find any two men that hated each other more, but to them? They were family.

 

It came as a shock to the rest of the old man's family that, despite his own son's disapproval, Old Colonel Bates would agree to marrying this worthless bastard off to his favorite granddaughter 

 

The two had been seeing each other for months, and attempted to keep their relationship a secret, but Bates knew. He would not allow them to swallow in the dark and dragged them into the light.

 

Just so they could be happy without the need to hide or worry about anyone else saying otherwise.

 

Ken would marry into the family, changing his name to Kenneth Bates, and for the first time in his life? He finally stopped fighting for his life... And began to live.

 

He finally knew what it meant to be happy when he held his baby daughter in his arms for the first time.

 

But all humans have their vices. Drugs, liquor, sex or even thrills death defying stunts. Kenneth Bates could never wash his hands of blood. He was addicted to it, ever since he was a child, even past the brutality of nearly losing his life in war. He took up a mantle as a Vigilante, taking out the scum of his home city until, one day? 

 

He was mistaken for scum himself. Someone that mistook him for a common murderer- no, someone that knew what he was, and put him down like the animal he had tried so hard not to be.

 

His last thoughts as this overpowering interloper burned him to a crisp with a single breath.

 

That pain of burning alive would last a moment. The torment of his soul? Eternal...

 

For he left behind a little girl he would give anything, everything, even the world itself away just to hold one last time...

 

Somewhere in the depths beyond the concept of infinity, something heard him, and the Malebolgia laughed as they made their deal...

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

The Violator's longer arm extends, its fist meets hard concrete that shatters the stone apart just before impact from the violent wind force of the attack alone, a thunderclap sounds as it creates a small crater where Star Man once stood. The smaller yet far faster, far stronger combatant, floats ahead leaning away from the attack as he strikes the chest of beast. It slides back digging two trenches with its talons, the heels burrowing as the Violator barely escapes being launched away, forced to lean back but catching Star Man with an abrupt headbutt as the Hero flies in for another strike.

 

Star Man lands on one knee, somewhat dazed by the startling strength this monster wields, but he stands fast and in the nick of time to dodge a fireman's kick with a swift weave. He sends a bone shattering straight to the standing knee, punching the leg backwards, forcing the demon to nearly fall over forward.

 

He prepares an uppercut to send this thing into space, but it opens its mouth far too wide, attempting to swallow him whole. He catches it by the jaws, holding it back with both hands and a foot, limbs shaking as the two struggle against each other. The tongue then whips out of the Violator's abyssal throat, a barbed appendage that begins to choke and prick at his throat.

 

The Violator knows he can go without breathing for days. Weeks even. However, strangulation is not the method of execution it is after.

 

It intends to end him through immolation.

 

Now held in place, the Violator releases his own breath, a frightening fusion of volatile elements that would eradicate a weaker being. The fires of the Vandalizer, the electric fury of the Vindicator, the petrifying miasma of the Vaporizer and even the stone rending cold of the Vacillator.

 

The ground itself gives away as it is eaten by the hellish energies unseen by this world. Even Star Man had never been hit by something so corrosive, but as a Viltrumite, his body endures... His costume, made to be as durable as he, suffers minor burns and few exposed holes while his helmet remains. Star Man uses his flight to push the Violator in the air, spinning at violent speeds that disorient the demon, as it slips away from him and is sent crashing into the ground.

 

The neighboring buildings begin to lean and Endeavor is sent tumbling away. 

 

He so rarely sees Star Man fight, anything, for longer than a few seconds. Minutes at most. As he watches his ally fly in again, clashing with this otherworldly monster, at times the two vanish from even his enhanced awareness. A trained and honed sight from years of active battle, service to the community and his country, a man capable of keeping up with beings moving past the speed of sound.

 

The Violator and Star Man move far faster than that at times. Star Man manages to finally break one of the larger horns off, and impales the demon with it, drawing green blood. Unfortunately, it keeps up, drawing blood itself with a swipe from its serrated claws across his chest. It backhands him, sending him away in a spiral, chasing after him as it gleefully cackles with inhuman malice.

 

"YOU'RE JUST AS GOOD AS I HEARD!! I THOUGHT THAMUZ WAS DEEP THROATING YOU AS HE SPOKE ABOUT HIS BATTLE ON ZERELIA!!! JUST TO HYPE HIMSELF UP!!! YOU'RE THE REAL DEAL!!!!"

 

"That was a long time ago..."

 

About seven hundred years ago. A horned man with the ability to manipulate the mind, strong enough to wield a flaming sword capable of slashing his skin, but no further. Star Man would defeat that demon and conquer the planet. He will do so again as he uppercuts this demon's extended chin, sending the head high and body forced to stand straight, the Champion of Earth readies a knife hand that finally pierces through the hardy hide. He removes the beating heart, only to shout as it explodes, corrosive acid burning away at his costume and flesh underneath.

 

"Thamuz is a classical type of Demon, all trickery, no real combat power... Me? I'm a living weapon... I am the plague that ruins crops, the fire that scars your flesh, the thief that robs you of your security and innocence... I AM THE VIOLATOR!!!"

 

It bellows as it seeks to return the favor. A flash of its clawed hand that Star Man narrowly avoids, leaning out of the way, before he wraps the arm under his own in a grapple. With a quick shift in his footing, he hurls the Violator far away into a leaning building before he begins wiping himself down.

 

"... I hate magic."

 

 

 

---

 

 

He awakened on a rainy day in some filthy alley of his hometown. His instincts were violence, his methods and acts needlessly cruel, his mind a maze of cheese holes and burrowed tunnels. Still, he clumsily wanders into the scene of a funeral, the body of an old friend being lowered into the grave.

 

Old Man Bates died an embittered life with a loving smile on his face because he at least had his granddaughter and great granddaughter by his side. His inheritance was to go to their father, but like all the men he ever cared for in his life, he outlived him. Now only his worthless family who weren't even there at his deathbed try to parse and spread his wealth.

 

They will never get it.

 

Kenneth Bates remembered his name, but his face had been stolen along with his life, a walking corpse he is with powers undefined. Beyond what any Quirk could do. He needed, guidance.

 

He would find it in a strange place amongst the homeless he would reside with. He would watch his family from afar until, one horrible night, Cathleen did not come home. He would be too late to save her friend, but not his daughter, as he sent that miserable pile of tubby shit down to where he belongs. 

 

And in doing so, cursed this child with the experience no kid should ever have, but he finally got to hold her.

 

He finally held his beloved daughter.

 

And now it was time for him to hold up his end of the deal...

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

"Manual...?"

 

Gray Wolf asks. The fish themed Hero rubs his neck as he steps away from the silver werewolf approaching him.

 

"T-That's my name!  Do I uh, do I know you?'

 

The GDA Agent points at himself as he speaks in a rough dialect.

 

"It's me! Matsuda! Bright Eye Matsuda! Y'gave me chicken egg rice this morning!"

 

"H-Huh!? Th-The homeless guy with glowing eyes?! What happened to you!?!"

 

He asks leaning forward. His friend only laughs as he reveals his true identity to the younger man.

 

Ochako watches as Heroes thought to be missing appear, all groggy, as if they were awakened from a deep slumber. Even Gunhead, who does not recognize her, is alive. Izuku as well sees the old woman that has been used to paint the blood currently still staining his ruined outfit. The host that had been punched into chunks, now has his girlfriend helping him walk, joyful tears as she wails hugging him tightly. Izuku asks himself.

 

"What's... Happening?"

 

Shōto looks back, knowing his father had done something, the heat within the wind was undoubtedly Endeavor's...

 

"Something is bringing back the victims...! But what?"

 

Izuku hears a boom. He knows that sound all too well. The fight has truly begun. He tries to fly towards the action once again, but is held back by a familiar old face, as Gran Torino jettisoned in front of him.

 

"Hold it, neophyte! You've done enough! Let the adults handle this one...!"

 

"Gran Torino...?! Step aside! I have to help Star Man!"

 

"You need to know your limits! Think! What would All Might do-! Urk!"

 

The old hero regrets his own words right after he says them. As if haunted by a ghost, he can see his former student in front of him, as Izuku gives his answer. Wearing a smile as he thumbs to himself.

 

"Show the world, that no matter how dire or how bleak the situation is, that everything will be alright! Because, I! Am here!"

 

Torino falls back from Izuku flying past him. He growls as he starts to give chase, but the old fossil is held back himself, as Cathleen shakes her head at him.

 

"He won't stop even if someone broke all his limbs... We'll bring him back, alive!"

 

She ventures ahead, alone. Torino is upset how slow he is getting in his age if such arrogant upstarts can outpace him...

 

But she went ahead alone. Who else did she mean? 

 

"Old Man..."

 

Torino turns around to see an unlikely face. Usually someone that stays hidden from sight. The elusive Damien Darkblood, demonic detective, he who saves others souls to save his own. His informant on the League of Villains, the one who told him of the activity of the Phlebiacs, and just how truly dangerous the Violator in particular is.

 

"Things are dire... A Hellspawn being active is usually a sign of the end of the world."

 

"A what-!? Hey! If you know something! Don't be vague!"

 

Damian grumbles and growls low before giving a reply.

 

"Heaven and Hell constantly battle for human souls, this is common knowledge, however what is not commonly known is that this war reaches an apex every so often with the arrival of their respective champions. Both choose an ideal mortal to embody their side, and the one for Hell is called a Hellspawn, which are capable of powers truly unspeakable... When they step on to the Earth, the line between worlds blur, and demons can cross over with ease... They can do things such as manipulate molecules, alter the functions of the mind, and even perform miracles such as raising the dead... Either completely, or as a rotten corpse, such that we have seen tonight."

 

He gestures behind him at the many confused yet very much alive populace. He had unfortunately witnessed a body of at least one of the Heroes, yet, he found the green horn near some of his friends. Gran Torino swallows hard. This is heavy stuff to digest, let alone drop on him, but something bites at him.

 

"They've been describing demons or the like... Monsters and sort! Wouldn't a Hellspawn be with them? They'd stand no chance if what you're saying is true!"

 

Damian nods as he digs into his coat jacket, pulling out a smartphone, a very dated one from the mid 2030's. On the screen is an image taken of the Guardians on one of their earlier adventures... Where Cathleen Bates: Star and Stripe, has a strange shadow looking over her despite standing directly under the Sun. A strange black and red blur with green near what Torino can only guess where the head might be on this strange smear. 

 

"Hellspawn, are mortals chosen to enact the will of the damned, but are still capable of making their own decisions... This one, for some reason, has sided on the side of Pro Heroes... Specifically, Ms. Bates."

 

"So she has a secret admirer from Hell-! What do we do, dammit?!? There's... Something, we gotta be able to do, you red gargoyle!"

 

Torino barks. The demonic detective lowers his hat in dismay.

 

"... At best... We hope for Star Man and Invincible to distract the Phlebiac... Hellspawn have a weakness to them... Their power, comes directly from Hell, meaning that when they walk upon the Earth? They are on a limited supply of energy. Once that energy runs out... They must return to Hell. Almost all that do, are seen as failures, never to return to Earth... If this Hellspawn wants to defend Star and Stripe, Star Man and Invincible must fall in battle, so that the Hellspawn must be forced to act..."

 

The old Hero can hardly believe what his partner is suggesting.

 

"You'd sacrifice a child's life on odds and speculations...?!?"

 

"I'd risk the mitigation of two threats to humanity. Star Man may have alibis, evidence to aid his claim, yet there is much more evidence suggesting otherwise. The boy as well, prone to anger, to violence. This world will be in danger with them here, regardless of intent. At least this way, we are rid of the Hellspawn. Rid of the Viltrumites. Safe, from the world ending, for at least one more day."

 

Gran Torino spits on the ground, nearly spitting on the demon's foot, as he turns to fly towards the battle.

 

"Fooey! I couldn't give any damns about that masked menace-! But that boy...! That boy has Toshinori's heart and soul! I can't let that little idiot die!"

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

Kenneth Bates rejected his charge. To end the world would mean the death of his daughter. He had already lost his widowed wife to dementia, a disease he only later learned he could cure, upon doing so with one of the homeless of his alleys. He rushed to her hospital side, too late.

 

And he would, like many times before, try to be there for his little girl.

 

She did not want him. Anyone that once did, they were either dead, or in denial...

 

Kenneth Bates had died. Only Spawn, remained... So Spawn will have to do what Ken could not. He will be there, in her shadow, watching her until he has to act... So rarely did he ever need to interfere.

 

Her Quirk blew his out of the water, her life she lives like no one else's, and the people she would meet? The lives she touched and saved? He could never be any prouder of her...

 

Which is exactly why they could never have a relation. She should never know of him. It was better this way...

 

But still, he had to act, for he was too slow to stop Star Man from killing the Guardians... Too obsessed with keeping Cathleen alive with his powers to avenge them... He failed her by not saving them when he could have.

 

He would only come to regret it when she woke up and spoke with Cecil. His regrets became heavy as she struggled with survivor's guilt. All too familiar, yet too far away, incapable of reaching out. Unable to be what she needed. He would have wailed in agony...

 

Had it not been for a bean sprout of a boy from Japan... The irony of it all...

 

The son of his own killer being the one to help his daughter through their shared grief...

 

He would move from her, to stalking him, as he continues his silent vigil from the shadows...

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

Star Man struggles against the Violator as he blocks its spiked knuckles using his bicep and shoulder, pushing it away as he throttles its chest, caving the torso in and forcing it to stumble back. It falls to a knee and he lands on the ground, both tired, and yet the Violator laughs. It stands up, and all at once, the damage done to it is undone.

 

"You can't beat me like you did Toshinori... Or like they did my pathetic brothers... I! Am Immortal! I! Am Unending! I!! Am!!"

 

It never finished its sentence as from above, an explosive round lands in its open mouth, forcing the Violator to stumble back as it snarls in pain. Star Man turns to see where the shot came from.

 

On one of the leaning buildings, Momo stands next to her powerful cannon, firing another mortar round. This one lands in the eye, blowing several ruby red eyes into a smoldering melted mess.

 

"HE'S OPEN, SIR!"

 

"Yaoyorozu...?!?"

 

Star Man turns to see the Violator blindly lunge at him. A crater made as its head meets the ground from Izuku coming down above like a meteorite, stomping on top of the head with both feet. With a somersault in the air, he lands next to his father, taking a stance by his side.

 

"We're with you! He's the only one left and he's all alone!"

 

The Violator erupts from behind them, having burrowed his upper half into the ground, its body stretching as the lower half pretended to be limp. The Violator would have claimed a devastating blow on both were it not hit with a powerful stream of flame and ice.

 

Shōto, with both sides of his Quirk coming to life in full, glares ahead as he unleashes his full might across the street.

 

"I held back because my Quirk could have hurt someone... But those two? I couldn't hurt them if I wanted to! With this part of the city evacuated, I've nothing to worry about!"

 

The Violator roars, agony and fury spilling from every reverberation of its hellish throat. The upper body snaps, forcing it to land using its arms, while the lower body hops up and attempts to crash into the father-son duo in a pincer attack. 

 

Star Man catches the Violator by its charging shoulder as Izuku narrowly catches an offending kick, the two of them hurling their halves into each other before flying away from a growing shadow. Up above, Cathleen comes crashing down with a construction crane missing a wrecking ball attachment. It collides with the bisected demon before it explodes. The three of them stand, side by side, with Shōto and Momo following after them. The Half 'n Half Hero takes to his friend's side while Momo approaches her mentor.

 

She eyes his wounded chest with a pale face.

 

"I've-I-I've never seen you bleed before...!"

 

"Why are you here!?"

 

He barks with a rise in his voice, but Cathleen speaks up as she lands next to him from above.

 

"Hey-! I don't like it anymore than you do, but we found Endeavor earlier! You're gonna need our help!"

 

The Violator marches out of the fires of the wreckage carrying a large metal bar of debris.

 

"It'll take more than a handful of humans and some bastard aliens to deal me in! Hey batta batta, hey batta batta, swing!!!'

 

It sings as it hurls the wreckage. Star Man obliterates it with a punch, his visor cracked enough with a hole to show one of his blue eyes.

 

"He's still playing around... Which we can use against him."

 

Cathleen steps up rolling her head and shoulders.

 

"He thinks he's unstoppable, but I've got a secret weapon, I just need you to hold him down for a single second!"

 

The Violator smiles at the alien before taking a slow and gradual approach. It will allow them to come up with a plan. It wouldn't matter in the end. Star Man notices this and turns his head to address his impromptu team.

 

"Invincible, you're with me, we're going to beat this thing into pulp until we can corner him for Snowflame to entomb into Ice. Creati, use your Quirk to give us suppressive fire, keep him from moving around too much and be wary for any teleportation. All of us are going to guide him into our trap so Star and Stripe can finally end this."

 

The younger Heroes-to-be all nod with renewed determination as the five of them face off against a now sprinting Violator using all four limbs to accelerate. A hellhound on the prowl for victims, Star Man and Izuku fly ahead with Shōto skating not too far behind. Momo uses her Quirk to scale buildings through ladders and pole vaults. Cathleen hangs back as she glances at her shadow.

 

"Are you sure you're able to fix everything...? You were groaning after you brought everyone back to life...!"

 

"My Power Costs Great Stamina... But If I Don't Exert Myself In A Fight, I Can Utilize It To Its Fullest Extent, And Send This Ugly Fuck Back To Hell Like I Did With Billy."

 

Spawn says from his hiding spot as her shadow. She dons a smile he hasn't seen from her in decades, not at him, not for him. Not since his death. 

 

She flashes a sunbeam of a grin before staring ahead and making her own moves.

 

"I'm counting on you...!"

 

Spawn flees her shadow and prepares for the worst. Each person present brings something to the table, however, in a fight against something as unspeakable as this creature? It will take something just as unspeakable.

 

The Violator swings again at father and son, both who dodge our of the way, before pushing themselves off of the air with a combined blow that flattens the horrible face of this monster. As it flies back, it crashes into a building, then reappears behind them from behind a wall to attack Shōto.

 

His very body sizzles with infernal flame, rendering the ice he sends forth useless at first, but once again its many eyes are shot out by Momo from her vantage point.

 

Distracted, Izuku takes Shōto out of the monster's range as Star Man tears the lower jaw off with a hook, both breathing fire at each other until the Violator pushes Star Man back with a clap of its long arms on his head. His helmet cracks further, he falls to a knee, then he and his son fall over screaming as the Violator releases a strange roar.

 

"I know your weaknesses... I've known how to kill you this whole time...! I've been having a damn good time, but y'know what they say? All good things must come to an end!"

 

The Violator reaches up high with dull sharp talons. It brings it down on Izuku. Izuku's arms barely find the strength to block them. He pushes himself to his feet as the claws burrow into his skin and begin to sink into his muscles.

 

"I'VE GOT YOU!"

 

Shōto shouts as he manages to trap the Violator within his coldest blast, freezing the demon solid, and allowing Izuku to fall backwards panting. Cathleen runs in as fast as she can, but as if a train collided with her jaw, the injured Vandalizer stubbornly returns, missing most of its upper half. Only one arm is all it needs to distract these mortals.

 

"bAck off!! No oNE kILLs thAt woRthLEss fuck buT mE!!!"

 

Star Man finishes what little of the Vandalizer there is left. He flies ahead, disoriented, but able to see his target even while he is seeing double, striking true as he hits the chest with such force that the body explodes upon impact. 

 

However, it's final brotherly act is enough for the Violator to free itself, letting loose another ear shattering roar that brings Star Man and Izuku to the ground.

 

Its eyes glow as it releases a psychic shriek, sending Shōto to his knees and Momo nearly falling over the edge of the building, only Cathleen remains unharmed thanks to her protection from Spawn. The Violator points at them, its countless eyes stabs into the soul of the Hellspawn.

 

"I see you hiding, you fucking coward. C'mon out, Bates! Scared I'll turn you inside out like last time?"

 

Cathleen grits her teeth as Spawn recalls his first day back from the dead. He spent it scaring some monster family, but he did not kill them, rather the Violator did after he was done with them. Coming behind him, pinning their deaths on Spawn as a murderous Vigilante, before confronting him. It was the first time he ever lost a one on one fight in such a hilarious degree.

 

Back then, there was no argument to be had, the Violator was his superior.

 

Now? With time, with experience, with vengeance and his beloved by his side? He can take on Hell itself... But this isn't his battle to have... He cannot risk running himself dry wasting time with this loathsome jester... That is why that boy is here...

 

Him and his collection of souls. 

 

With the power to command the Dead, to summon souls from the beyond and bend them to his will, to empower them to do his bidding or fulfill their own desires! Spawn reaches out to Izuku, and from Izuku's shadow, a bright light flashes out.

 

"(Young Midoriya... That's not how I taught you to be a Hero!)"

 

Izuku's eyes fly wide. Something, calls to him...

 

The Violator brings a thumbs across its throat.

 

"I'll kill this little turd first! It's time... TO DIE, MIDORIYAGHCK-!?!

 

Izuku's fist flies despite the pain he feels. Hands on his arms and shoulders, guiding words and gentle breaths, kindness and goodness in every moment as his heart begins to swell.

 

"(I never got around to saying it to you in all our time together! But what makes one a Symbol of Peace? Is it the strength to change the weather? The speed to rival a bullet?)"

 

The Violator stumbles back. It, for the first time since coming to Earth, has felt pain. True pain. It can't ignore this, it cannot heal the bruise nor regrow the handful of teeth that falls out of its lower jaw. A power divine, a power from beyond, blessed and made pure. The antithesis to its very being.

 

"Wh-What... No-! You're Dead! He Killed You!!!"

 

Izuku strikes at the body, and it feels different this time. Every strike, even with his strength, even with One For All it felt as though he would break his entire arm from how tough these demons were. Even as he flew through them, it felt like he crashes into the Earth from space again, but not this time.

 

He could feel it... Skin, muscle, even the bone of the ribs fracturing...

 

He did not know how, but he did know, this is different. He's actually hitting the real body of this damnable beast.

 

"(Yes! That's it! Keep going, Young Midoriya!! Never give up! And don't forget-!)"

 

"To clench your butt... And let my heart cry out...!!"

 

Izuku brings his fist back... And All Might, sends his fist forth, his lingering will a kindling to Izuku's flaming soul.

 

"SMASH!!!!!"

 

An entire whirlwind blows debris, ruined cars, shattered glaciers and flaming rocks into the night sky above as the Violator is struck with insurmountable force. Everything that it has ever been, it takes all of itself to not be blown away by one simple punch, and then...

 

Izuku strikes it again. And again. And again.

 

The ghostly image of the Symbol of Peace behind him, copies his movements, guiding him to step forth as Izuku fights with otherworldly power. The Violator tries to block, but even its unyielding might buckles under the weight of true justice, as Izuku's knuckles break its bones and tears at its muscles beneath the skin.

 

"H-How...?!? How!?! HOW ARE YOU DOING THIS!!! UNLESS-!"

 

It's lower jaw is sent into a crescent curve and the remaining teeth hook into the flesh of its head, Izuku forcing the Violator to bite itself.

 

"(So long as you hold in your heart the teachings bestowed upon you...!)"

 

"So long as I draw breath and can take even a single step...!"

 

Izuku wears a big smile, forced and fractured, but undaunted. Unbreakable.

 

"I'LL NOT LET SOMETHING LIKE YOU RUIN THIS WORLD WE WORKED SO HARD TO BUILD!!!!"

 

Up above, as the last strike meets the chest of the Violator, a few news helicopter barely manage to keep up with the action, arriving on time to see Star Man fight off this abomination no one has ever seen before. Now, the reporter watches in almost speechless awe with her breathless cameraman, she forces out the words.

 

"I-It...! It would appear that...! Th-That...! The ghost of All Might is hovering over that young man! Hey-! Can we get a light on him!?! He's covered in too much stuff to make out!"

 

Star Man sits up and is watching with wide eyes. Is he hallucinating? Is this actually happening? It hardly matters as this fight reaches its conclusion at last as Izuku forces the demon's hands up sky high. 

 

"(This, monster! Is our power! To go beyond!! To be able to go even further than ourselves!!! To be!!!)"

 

"PLUS ULTRA SMASH!!!!!!"

 

The helicopters nearly fall out of the sky, the clouds above vanish from a grand wind, and for the first time... The stars truly reappear in the night sky above as the demon's form vanishes.

 

Turned from green and red pulp to a viscous mist of visceral vapor. A dying cry that had been drowned out by the sheer deafening sonic boom that is the finishing uppercut. Holding his fist in the air, much like the Hero before him, All Might's image in Izuku is plain to see for all of Japan...

 

"(... It's your turn now, Young Midoriya...)"

 

All Might says as he vanishes. So much more he had to say to him, so much more they needed to do together, to learn together... Toshinori did not know what power brought him back to the realm of the living, but the most important thing was that he helped his student remember why they do what they do, who he is... What he will be...

 

Toshinori looks back with his eyes and is saddened, yet relieved. That final attack? That was not One For All...

 

It vanished from the boy's body completely by now. That final strike was all Izuku Midoriya, a Quirkless boy no one knew or gave the time of day. A punch so powerful it changed the weather itself.

 

If only he could tell him something... Anything... But he did. He must trust that his ward will be able to succeed where he and the Guardians failed...

 

Succeed in saving the world.

 

As All Might's ghost vanishes, and with him, One For All and its history. Izuku doesn't move, he can't and an old man knows why.

 

"Damnable brat... You move far too fast for this old fossil to keep up with...!"

 

Gran Torino wheezes as he catches Izuku from falling on his face. Keeping him up on a knee, Izuku wears a victorious smile, tears raining down from his eyes.

 

"... It's gone, sir... There's... There's just me now."

 

Izuku is pulled up into the air by his neck, as Star Man looks at him, before bringing him into a one armed hug.

 

"... That was, incredible. Good work."

 

"H-How do we know that he won't come back-?!"

 

Izuku begins to ask. Hisashi scoffs and Torino rolls his eyes.

 

"Someone that egotistical would've said or done something by now."

 

"And look! Those other besties that were around? All gone without a trace. Whatever power or ritual it was that brought them here was undone... Either thanks to a third party or to you..."

 

Cathleen looks at her shadow. It is empty. However, she knows the truth...

 

"... Thanks, Dad... I'll miss you..."

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

The Clown gasps. He pants between bloodied choked wheezes. His human form, a desperate act as he shed his skin like a snake, shrinking his core as he hardened his exterior before being sent flying away.

 

"That damnable Hellspawn, Bates... He summoned All Might back!! And that stupid Quirk... It houses a piece of each previous User's soul... So when he brought that do-gooder back...!!! He returned that bastard to his full prime power, and that, was Evenflo further empowered by that alien dweeb! FUCK!"

 

He then begins to snicker.

 

"But doing that made it so the Quirk was no more... Bates you retard... You did evil a favor! When I get back to that faceless fuck, and heal Shiggy up, I'll gaslight those morons into something big!"

 

"No. You Won't."

 

The Clown hears behind him. He slowly turns with a fearful smile as Spawn looks down on him.

 

"H-Hehe... H-He-Heeeyyy, pal! ~ Y'know, I did keep my end of the deal, yeah? That little girl of yours, cutie patootie ain't she, I didn't harm one hair on her head! ~"

 

"I've Only One Thing To Say To You. Just. One. Thing."

 

Spawn raises his hands, his eyes blaze with noxious hellfire as his flaming hands open up a portal to damnation, a one-way trip home as he uses the last of his powers. To trap him, and every other demon, binding them to his being as he begins to descend back into the Underworld.

 

"WELCOME TO HELL, MOTHERFUCKER!!!!"

 

With a final booming chortle, and the frightful wails of a mastermind who had been outwitted, the weakness of the Hellspawn would become the Violator's own doing. Worst of all, his 'death", would only embolden humanity. He would be the ultimate evil that failed. A symbol for the foolish and the idiotic moralists...

 

He had failed in everything... Not even getting to kill that pretty boy Tenko Shimura, the puppet vessel for Shigaraki: the man known as All For One...

 

Hopefully, some seed of his own profane wisdom plants itself into him, but such is wishful thinking on the Clown's part. He claws, he begs, he screams and wails as Kenneth Bates has the final laugh.

 

The Violator, and his brothers, defeated by a man the world would never truly know... A hero to the world, who saved his loved ones, but could not save himself.

 

Such is the fate of all Hellspawn. Never again, thanks to his sacrifice, will Hell touch Mankind as it did today.

Chapter 31: Summer Bonds and Budding Romance

Summary:

With the Summer Training Camp approaching, along with the frightful First Term Final Exams, Class 1-A finally receives a reprieve from the chaos that is the Super Hero Life. Even with Katsuki's new additional powers, the curse of lycanthrope only seems to be a blessing for him, while Izuku finds himself at a crossroads between an important choice...

Izuku looks out of the window in his hospital room. His body fully healed by now after a single night of rest. However, despite how quiet things are when he wakes up, chaos comes crashing through his door as he hears a familiar voice.

 

"DEKU!!!"

 

Katsuki enters the room, initially looking like normal, but soon turns into his ravenous werewolf form, the transformation happening in one step as he lunges at him. Nurses cry out in dismay and fear as Izuku clasps hands with the flaming wolf, the weakness he had utilized at their first Practical Exam, as the ready explosions are muted by Izuku's own palms.

 

"H-Hey! What happened to you!? Seriously!! Calm down!!!"

 

"GONNA! SHOW!! YOU!!! Uhn-!!!"

 

The snow white monster groans as he is knocked out from behind by a furry fist crashing against his skull, sending him back to his human form as falls over. Wolf-Man sighs before turning back into a human as well, looking down at the unconscious Bakugo who has torn his hospital scrubs apart from transforming.

 

"Is there some kind of, animosity or rivalry going on between you two? Anytime he thinks or says your name, he transforms, and he isn't exactly in full control over himself when he's like that yet. Sorry, my name's Gary Hampton, and your friend is now like me."

 

Gary catches Izuku up on their own meeting, with the young Viltrumite breathing a sigh of relief.

 

"He's alive because of you... Thank you, sir. That means the world to me!"

 

"Really? Sure seems he's got it out for you..."

 

Izuku smiles nervously. His relationship with his childhood friend is a complicated one, hard for him to explain, though he won't have to as Bakugo stands up abruptly.

 

"RAAAAGGHH!!! YOU!! BASTARD WOLF!! I'LL BLOW YOU AWA-!"

 

He stops as Gary chops his head.

 

"Enough yelling. You're in a hospital, and your explosions are much stronger now, you'll end up killing someone if you go crazy now. Do you want to be put away for negligent use of your Quirk?"

 

At that, the blonde dynamite snarls, but relents. He then snaps at Izuku.

 

"Once! You were better than me! Just once in our lives! Now, I'm gonna blow past you again! I can hurt you now...! I'll remind you that you're not Invincible... You're Deku!!"

 

He then barks at Gary.

 

"And as for you, ya shitty bastard! I didn't need this dumb curse of yours! How do I get rid of it!?"

 

Gary folds his arms at him.

 

"That's what I tried to tell you before you lost control again. You can't! This is something you're stuck with for life."

 

Bakugo reflects the gesture as he fires a deathly glare at the older werewolf.

 

"Then you're gonna teach me how to control it!"

 

"That's why I'm going to be teaching at UA."

 

Gary says reflecting the harsh expression. Bakugo shouts.

 

"Teach me, now!"

 

Gary replies in kind with a yell of his own.

 

"That's why I'm here right now! Are we going to do this or not!?"

 

Growling, he pushes past the adult, storming out of the room with an eager stride.

 

"Good!!! Let's! Get! Going!"

 

Gary sighs, shaking his head. However, though weary, a smile does appear on his face. He looks over at an equally exasperated Izuku.

 

"Nevermind... I think I got an idea of what you're dealing with properly now. I'll leave you alone, and, thanks for being there kid... All Might helped me with a personal matter when no one else would. His spirit lives on in you. You'll have me in your corner if you ever need me."

 

At that, Izuku gives a deep bow.

 

"Hampton-san! Thank you...!"

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

"This is going to be troublesome."

 

Donald says. In the surveillance hub of the Global Defense Agency. Thankfully, no one has made the connections between All Might and Izuku Midoriya, nor seems to have identified him as the savior of Hosu City against a monster that could harm Star Man.

 

A monster that showed off power to hurt Star Man, and a weakness to sound that his team are already researching, although it sadly was popped to dust by Izuku. So far the narrative is that Endeavor stopped many of the assaults happening, with some Villains attempting to ruin the image of the local Heroes after trapping them in an elaborate trap, before a monster attacked with Star Man taking the helm.

 

Faked deaths revealed to be part of a smear campaign. He did not even need to make up a story himself when the media does it for him.

 

The media truly has its uses as Endeavor's popularity skyrockets along with Star Man who had proven pivotal in defeating a great beast that nearly killed Endeavor, making their placing parallel to where All Might and Star Man once stood in the Hero Rankings.

 

However, that ghost of All Might has gotten the public in a manic frenzy trying to figure out who this mysterious final hour hero is. Either by luck or some truly powerful foresight, Izuku did not wear his costume, and any footage of him is blurry at best save for that final strike.

 

Cecil turns away from the countless screens and makes his exit.

 

"I'll visit him when he's at UA. Going in his home is too dangerous with Hisashi there. I'll have a word with him. Get the teleporter ready and get me eyes in that classroom soon as possible. Depending on who's there, I might have to drop in later."

 

Cecil leaves the room but is approached by Gary, thumbing behind him.

 

"I just spoke with his parents. Katsuki'll be in my care. I thought I'd let you know before I head back out."

 

Cecil nods. Having a "prince" of werewolves running around could be problematic. Especially when that werewolf is a young teenage pyromaniac with an anger issue and no impulse control. Hell, if Cecil were next to the brat when he goaded Belloc into war, he would've shot the little bastard right in the head. Still, he showed off a new unparalleled form of strength, as only the toughest this world and beyond it have ever actually hurt Izuku Midoriya.

 

Let alone Hisashi Midoriya...

 

"As soon as you get him under control with his furry side, you'll be free to head back home, and you'll have free reign to do whatever you deem necessary here. This is your area of expertise, Gary."

 

Gary rubs his neck wearing an expression Cecil has come to hate, because it means complications, an inaudible "but" in his report as he speaks up.

 

"Good, good, because here's the thing... He can change during the day. That's never happened before, according to the older members of the tribe."

 

At that, Cecil raises a brow. As Director of the GDA, and head operator of the Guardians of the Globe? He has to know a lot of things, become an expert in countless subjects, especially the most bizarre topics such as lycanthropy and vampirism. He is no expert, but even he knows that werewolves are creatures of the night, and that Wolf-Man requires specialized gauntlets that trap moonlight to store in case of emergencies during the day. 

 

For Katsuki Bakugo to simply, change, whenever he wants? That's as impressive as it is foreboding. Gary finishes his report with a weary groan, rolling his sore arm, but wearing an eager smile.

 

"He's a spirited one, but I can handle him, plus he's already got some sense of self. He can manage a word or two already. I bet by the end of next week, he'll have full control."

 

Cecil sighs, patting his colleague and friend on the shoulder as he passes him.

 

"Like he has any... Thanks, Gary."

 

 

 

---

 

 

Inko is starting to get used to this. She hates that. Sure, still watching the footage is enough to make her heart nearly leap out of her throat, but her boys always make it. She looks around the grocery store, trying to avoid looking at the television screens and mobile screens, but that fight is the hottest thing in Japan.

 

"I heard that its someone from UA! Who would you guess?"

 

She hears one person gossip. 

 

"I bet it was Kirishima! That redhead from 1-A, the Hero Course!"

 

"No, no, look at those punches! That one was just tough!"

 

"Then maybe that Bakugo kid? See that wild hair and violent demeanor? That kid was nothing but explosive action!"

 

"Yeah I could totally see it being him! He pretty much blew away everyone but that monster kid!"

 

"Whatever happened to that freak anyways?"

 

She approaches the cashier register to leave the grocery store fast as she can. Any longer and she might end up snapping at somebody.

 

Or at least, she thought she might, but a familiar voice barks out.

 

"Oi! Stuff it, you gossip hens! That's someone's kid you're going on about! If you can't at least speak quietly?! Then, shut up!"

 

Mitsuki scolds the older women, and though they clearly had a lot to say back, they were too intimidated to say anything to her. Mitsuki sends a glaring smile at her friend who happily nods back. 

 

In the parking lot, they meet up, with Inko bowing her head in thanks.

 

"I'm not sure how much more of this I can take..."

 

"Why not just let them know? Is it Hisashi?"

 

Inko shakes her head, rolling her cart to her car without looking.

 

"N-No, he is secretive, but he hasn't locked me away in any dungeons... You're just my only friend I can talk to about any of this..."

 

"Issthat right?"

 

Mitsuki asks slurring her words together, just like in highschool. She then grins ear to ear as she pokes Inko's cheeks.

 

"Then, why not make more friends? I know a couple people like us-!"

 

They both jump as a man let's out a yelp. He holds his foot as Inko accidentally runs his foot over.

 

"Yow! ~ That's gonna smart!"

 

"O-Oh my goodness! I-I'm so sorry!"

 

He rubs his light-gold hair, reluctant to put his foot down, but smiles his own apologetic grin at her.

 

"Nah, you're fine! 'S my fault for wearing sandals today instead of shoes...!"

 

A woman by his side speaks in a low voice, nearing a whisper.

 

"I warned you that might happen again..."

 

Inko cannot help but think to herself, again? Is this man a klutz? The idle thoughts made her feel rude though, but something else crosses her mind, as this man's face suddenly strikes her.

 

"Aren't you... Kyōtoku Jirō?"

 

Kyōtoku is somewhat surprised to be recognized by someone so... Plain, and close to his age? It is not like he has retired from composing music, but his band has been disbanded for years, as he writes for younger talent nowadays. However, when he nods and gives a thumbs up, the reply he gets warns his already electrified heart.

 

"Yo! ~ You a fan? Been a while since anyone ever paid any attention to lil' ol' me!"

 

"I-I am! My husband more so! Your music helped us quite a bit back when we were still dating! He couldn't get enough of it!"

 

"Then your husband has great tastes! Say, we got off on the wrong foot-!"

 

His wife elbows him for his joke, however, the group is all smiles now as he replies.

 

"I could give you an autograph to make up for it?"

 

Inko shakes her head repeatedly.

 

"I-I-I wouldn't want to waste your time, sir-!"

 

However, Mitsuki speaks over her, adopting an aggressive tone to milk the situation for all its worth.

 

"Hey, this lady is famous too, y'know? I don't think an autograph is gonna cover it! ~"

 

"Mitsuki-chan-! Don't-!"

 

His wife, Mika Jirō, steps forward hiding behind her husband as she speaks out.

 

"Is that really necessary? We're just here to get groceries for dinner-!"

 

"Hey, he got in our way, I'm just saying a piece of writing isn't exactly enough-"

 

Mitsuki starts, but is silenced by Inko in a rare act of defiance, as she had shoved a sweet treat into her friend's mouth. Mitsuki always stood up for her in school, but sometimes her delinquent tendencies would bleed through, including extortion. As Mitsuki grumbles past her chocolate bar, Inko smiles at the couple.

 

"Why don't we start over... My name is Inko Midoriya, and my friend here is Mitsuki Bakugo. Pleased to meet you!"

 

Now, Kyōtoku is the one to be flabbergasted, leaning back as he hears the familiar names.

 

"Hey, hey, y-you wouldn't happen to know Izuku Midoriya!? Would ya?!"

 

Inko pales slightly. Surely, it is safe enough to tell, and this man has no history in Heroics or criminal past.

 

"W-Well... Yes. He's my son-!"

 

Mitsuki finishes her treat swiftly to smugly speak out again with folded arms.

 

"Katsuki is my brat too. You finally understand what I'm talking about now?"

 

Mika gasps at the sheer coincidence of it all, and as Inko looks at her, she notices the familiar ear jacks that are Mika's earlobes.

 

She does not want to make an assumption, but she proves correct as Kyōtoku slaps his chest, laughing out of disbelief.

 

"No way! ~ My baby Kyōka is in the same class as yours! I heard what he went through during that whole USJ Incident! He saved her life!"

 

"Th-That's just the kind of person he and his father are... They just do what they think is right, even when it's dangerous."

 

She says, trying to appear proud, but Mika watches this poor woman and can see right through her. She honestly finds comfort that someone is as uncomfortable as their children's lifestyle as she is.

 

"I thought they would be safe at UA... And I don't exactly like how wild things have gotten since the Guardians were all murdered... But, this is Kyōka's dream."

 

At that, Inko relents, a hand on her chest as she releases a held breath.

 

"I've actually asked Izuku to tune it down, but he's just like his father... Then again, sometimes it's even the irritating things about the people we love that endears us to them!"

 

Mitsuki nods as she rubs her neck, her eyes rolling, but her smile still present.

 

"That loudmouth has a ton of talent and endless potential, it gives him too big of a head, so he oughta be knocked down a peg or two by his classmates. Izuku definitely helps with that!"

 

Mika looks between the two women and begins to wonder aloud.

 

"Where are your husbands...? I-I don't mean to intrude, everyone has busy lives-!"

 

She immediately tries to back pedal, but Mitsuki thumbs a ways away.

 

"Mine is at work! He's head of the Star Man Agency! ~ Always working on the next assignment and his marketing! So far, we're doing great since the big guy is becoming more sociable than ever!"

 

Kyōtoku's jaw drops upon the reveal.

 

"No Way! ~ I love Star Man!! Forget my autograph-! He-Hey! Since y'ran over my foot, I think its only fair I get to see the guy, right Mika-chan? O-Ow!"

 

He whines pretending to be hurt as she lightly punches his arm.

 

"Behave... Your jokes are only getting worse-"

 

Inko replies then.

 

"I don't mind! I don't know if we could arrange that today, but he should still be home resting after that battle last night."

 

At that, Mika and Kyōtoku look at Inko confused, at least until Inko reveals it herself.

 

"S-Since our children are going to school together... It should be safe enough to share that, Star Man is my husband."

 

The musical pair stop dead with their hearts skipping a beat. The man that apparently is a huge fan of their music, is also one of their favorite Heroes, that being the Most Powerful Hero in the world...

 

And his wife is right here shopping at the same place as them. 

 

"P-Pinch me, Mika baby, I think I'm dreamin'...!"

 

"I-I thought your husband would've been All Might, honestly...!!!"

 

Hearing his name stings. She quickly moves on, as she starts to push the cart ahead.

 

"I'm not sure about that... I'll pass the request along! Have a good day!"

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

Mitsuki and the Jirō's part ways with her. When she returns home, she tells everything to Hisashi, who undoes his bandages from the horrible gashes he had been given across his chest.

 

By now they were mostly healed with only faint fading scars remaining.

 

"And you didn't get that autograph for me?"

 

She tosses a wet towel at his face that he let slap him. He uses it to clean his face as he chuckles from her small glare.

 

"You're the one always telling me to be careful... You don't mind? That I revealed us to them?"

 

He shakes his head.

 

"Our children are going to be working together, if anything, I'd like to meet the other parents as well."

 

She smiles at that.

 

"That's... Very human of you to say."

 

"It's only to meet and understand the people Izuku will be working with. Most of my peers aren't exactly, respectable... I hope that they're different. That, Jirō girl? She doesn't seem so bad... Just, very unlucky. Did you see her pick for that Calvary Game?"

 

Inko nods with a slight chuckle as she prepares dinner.

 

"I did!! Augh, there was a good idea in there somewhere in that head of hers, but no cohesion in that team at all!"

 

Hisashi makes his way over to help her.

 

"I watched the replay and she kept looking over at Izuku during the Team Building part."

 

"I personally remember him pulling a rather bold stunt during the match itself."

 

She says huffing with pink cheeks before sending a side eye at her husband.

 

"It was definitely something you'd do."

 

"Only to you..."

 

He says in a low seductive voice as he rubs into her, and she into him.

 

"... I'm still upset with you... But, I do love you."

 

"... I know. I do too."

 

He kisses her hair and she begins to melt into him. Izuku enters with a stumble as he had just landed in front of the door way and nearly falls through it.

 

"A-Am I later-!? Sorry, I was busy with-! Oh. I-I can uh, come back home later."

 

He says, catching the two before they could go any further, but Hisashi gives him a warm grin.

 

"Before you go anywhere, I'd actually like to ask you something... You're not doing anything this Sunday, are you?"

 

Izuku shakes his head as he glances awkwardly between the two. His father's smile widens.

 

"We're going to have a party. Think of it as a celebration for the victory we achieved! You did amazing work in Hosu, even if the world may not know it, I think you earned at least that much. Go ahead and invite your class!"

 

At that, the young bean sprout begins to dazzle with delight, but his glow is short-lived as he stammers out.

 

"W-Well, we're going to be having our Finals for the first term soon-! A-A-And there's gonna be a written part along with the practical part and-!"

 

Hisashi gives him an all too familiar look. He gives it to his mother when she starts rambling away nervously. It gets them both to stop and he speaks.

 

"Just invite them. If they say no, they say no, and that's that. It doesn't hurt to show your interest and build rapport... So long as you remember your duty, right?"

 

Izuku stands ready as he dons a serious expression that makes the Viltrumite proud of his answer.

 

"I'll always stand ready to defend this planet, sir."

 

"Good... This is your reward for your service. You earned it. Now, you can go do whatever, dinner should be ready in... Hm."

 

Hisashi looks at his wife with eager eyes.

 

"I'm thinking an hour thirty?"

 

She scoffs, poking his chest as she pushes him away.

 

"You never keep track of time! You'll go on for hours-!"

 

"I AM LEAVING, NOW!!!"

 

Izuku shouts as he runs upstairs to change before taking to his room to study. He would leave his house and fly into the sky due to his thin the walls are.

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

As Izuku flies above the city, hovering in the clouds, thinking of the last week as Cathleen would be headed back to the States... He recalls his conversation with Mineta.

 

"Then let me, as your friend looking from the outside in, tell you that you're being dense or cruel with her! Just, think it over and decide. Women are fickle creatures. They don't all wait on hands and knees for their prince charming to waltz up to them! You gotta take initiative."

 

Mineta once asked why he never took that initiative. He remarked on there being someone else, but... Was there? 

 

He did not want to tell the truth. It just feels, wrong to invite the people he has a a structure, his emotional pillars into this world of his.

 

However, yesterday he saw that they did not have a choice, and neither did he. It leads him here, in front of this door, as he forces down a hard swallow and knocks on it. After waiting for some time... She finally opens the door and he forces on a smile.

 

"H-Hey... Are you uh, free Sunday?"

Chapter 32: Friends and Families

Summary:

The perfect summer day for some perfect summer fun! Hisashi indulges his wife and plans a big party for his son. On days where the sun shines in a sky without a cloud to be seen, it is often said that before the storm, there is a calm!

And no one could predict the storm that is approaching...

Izuku sits at his desk in class. The following days have been anxiety inducing to say the least. There was once a time he could never imagine asking a girl out! Let alone, talking to one, especially outside of asking for notes or borrowing a pencil! No, a full on date!!

 

His heart hasn't beat this hard and fast since it was nearly punched out of him! It makes each day last so much longer, and yet as excited as he was for that fateful day, he almost wished these weekdays would last forever as well.

 

He has his locale set thanks to his father... Or, he thought he did, but the wily old veteran refuses to actually tell him WHERE this party is supposed to be! It has him consider if his father is making the plans up as he goes... Which is... Unusually uncharacteristic of him. 

 

There is also the matter of his abilities as a Viltrumite. He has been studying himself and his father extensively, and with what little he could gleam from his usage of One For All, he thinks he hit a breakthrough of a kind. He just needs to test it.

 

"Midoriya."

 

He hears abruptly before realizing his mistake and shutting his eyes tight. Midnight has him jump as she cracks her whip against his desk.

 

"You may be our public Golden Boy, but here at UA, we don't play favorites! ~ Pay attention in my class or else I'll give you something to dream about!"

 

She scolds him... For the third time today. When the period is over, she gives her final announcement.

 

"That'll be all for today. I hope you learned something from the stories of Chicago. I believe we'll be taking a field trip there at some point into the year, so get excited, although... Some of you might not go if you continue to slack off!"

 

She sends a leer at Izuku then as Denki and Mineta both tease him.

 

"Aren't you lucky, getting all that attention from Midnight-sensei! ~"

 

"I think he's doing all that dozing off on purpose! I can see right through you, you sly dog- YIPE!"

 

Mineta squeaks from a whip crack at his desk. Midnight swiftly pulls her weapon back with a calm yet angry smile.

 

"That'll be all! ~ Dismissed! Midoriya, stay so I can speak with you after class?"

 

He nods but grows pale. He is in actual trouble it seems. So far, he has done his best to be a diligent student, and to much success for the most part.

 

However, since the Demon Attack on Hosu City: the Hosu Incident, he has had trouble sleeping at night. It was pure luck they had someone with such powerful magic on their side, because for all of his father's praise, Izuku felt like an absolute failure.

 

Those people died because of him. He did not save them, he got lucky they were saved by another, while he had been used to kill the very civilians he has been born to protect. It is his purpose, as a Viltrumite, to keep this world safe from harm.

 

How could Midnight, or Eraserhead, or anyone truly understand that? How could they know what it feels like, to have some monster snatch up a hostage, then swing them at his body with such callous force that they paint a sweet old lady's innards all over him for fun?

 

Is that the absolute worst he will deal with? He is only fifteen and his father is so, so much older than that, it intimidated him. It has him spiral at night, thinking about it incessantly, that one day he will be all that is left of the history of today.

 

His own friends do not even know that. How does he tell them these things? How does he tell, anyone?

 

He stands before her as she goes through numerous papers waiting for them to be alone in the classroom. Once the last student leaves, she speaks up, dropping her salacious attitude and seductive mannerisms for once.

 

"Sleeping in class? If it were only my period, I wouldn't mind it, just set books up around your desk since you don't make any noise... But Cementoss has warned you as well, and Aizawa would have just suspended or even expelled anyone else for such disrespectful behavior."

 

"I-I apologize! Please, forgive me, and allow me to do better!"

 

He bows deeply. He moves so fast that her hair briefly dances from the wind he fans her with.

 

"I-I! I'll accept any punishment you deem necessary, sensei!"

 

She sighs, pouting with puffy cheeks as she rests her head in her hand.

 

"Normally, I'd jump at the chance... But this isn't a scolding. You're not being reprimanded here. At least, not by me."

 

She sits up and gives him her full attention by looking directly at him.

 

"That entire incident has had Uraraka-chan in a similar state. She zones off, sometimes she makes mistakes she should've otherwise caught, and even Todoroki-kun is troubled..."

 

He noticed Shōto, mostly because they are rivals to a degree, and yet ever since that terrible night they haven't spoken with each other. As if they can barely look at each other. Izuku never considered that Shōto felt the same as he did, let alone Ochako, and that has his heart sink to his stomach.

 

How could he be so selfish as to not even notice that with her? With him?! How could he be so self-absorbed!?

 

"I-I... Never noticed."

 

"Of course not. You're experiencing something we don't often talk about in public... Trauma. Those, monsters? That night? I won't ask you to relive that to give me an accurate account, but Heroes talk, and from what I heard really happened down there makes my skin crawl... None of my students should ever have gone through a single moment of that night."

 

She frowns. Then stands. Then, in a gesture that shocks Izuku, Midnight bows to him.

 

"I failed you, as an adult and as a Hero, but most of all as a teacher to prepare you for such things... Not just Hosu City, but the Sports Festival, and especially at USJ. Seeing you risk your life, again and again, as you fight battles that end with you being a bloody mess... Thinking you might die each time...? It is a failing on me and on UA as a whole."

 

"... S-Sensei..."

 

She stands straight and places a hand on her hip.

 

"I only ask that you cease trying to take this world onto your shoulders so fast... All Might put a lot of stock into you, but you're just a fifteen year old boy, and you're accepting way too much responsibility way too fast... So, if you need something from me? Or, from any one of us staff members at UA, don't hesitate to ask. You're an open book, Midoriya. You may not say it, but this entire time I've been watching your face, and all I saw is someone asking for help."

 

She then offers her hand, gesturing for him to sit at the nearest desk as she stands by it.

 

"But I can only help you... If you let me."

 

Reluctant as he is to oblige her... This is exactly what he needed... Thus, he obeys and takes a seat.

 

"... I don't think I'm actually ready for what's ahead of me, Midnight-sensei. I-I have these amazing powers-! I've been, blessed, with some of the best teachers and friends I could ever ask for!"

 

"And yet?"

 

She goads as he trails off. He weakly mumbles.

 

"I feel like I'm not good enough to deserve this... No... I know, I'm not good enough. At all."

 

She says nothing for a moment until he replies with silence of his own.

 

"What makes you think that? Is it, your father? Has he been pushing you?"

 

Izuku shakes his head.

 

"He has, but, not like I thought he would... He says I'm doing great! I-I could never imagine him ever being so... Supportive. Th-Then again, there was a time I thought my powers would never awaken, but he always seemed so sure... My own mother thought I should have given up on my dream to be a Hero... Everyone else made fun of me... Only he believed in me... I don't know what I'd do without him. He's... He's the only one that gets where I am."

 

He catches himself and immediately begins to apologize.

 

"I-I don't mean to minimize o-or diminish you or your-! I mean to say is-!"

 

She giggles at his attempts to save her ego, but she is not insulted.

 

"He is your father. It's actually nice to hear how much he cares about you."

 

She gestures at herself then to him.

 

"Midoriya. You're the only other one of his kind. Sometimes I forget he's even an alien, but... Star Man is one of the most popular and especially the most powerful man on the planet. Despite this, he always felt isolated, and the world picked up on it. Ever since you've started attending here, showing off your abilities, and saving lives wherever you go? He has never been a better person and a better Hero than now. You bring the best out of people... Just look at your classmates!"

 

He smiles at that, but it fades quickly, and he responds.

 

"... Every time I think I have it figured out? Some curve ball swerves by, and knocks me flat, leaving me confused all over again."

 

"And sometimes missing teeth."

 

She says with a hint of levity that gets an awkward chuckle out of her student.

 

"S-Sensei-!"

 

"Sorry, sorry, but that's normal. Everyone feels like that, especially me. I thought, because of my Quirk, I could galavant around in barely any clothes! I actually have to have as much air room to be effective."

 

Izuku speaks up in that diligent, at times creepy fanatical tone, something she did not quite mind as it shows his passionate side without any violence.

 

"Because it comes out of your pores-! Somnambulist is among one of the most valuable capture Quirks that can be used with a variety of tools, such as fans or air manipulating Quirks, or even ventilation systems!"

 

"It also helps with insomnia! ~"

 

She adds on with a wink before returning to her serious demeanor.

 

"Regardless, I realized quickly that as amazing as my Quirk is, I couldn't stand side by side with some of my peers. I'm hardly any good against those that can circumvent the effect, or can just hold their breath, and it's far less effective on women... But, I figured it out... And here I am! A teacher at the greatest heroic academy in the entire planet!"

 

She then playful pokes Izuku's nose.

 

"And that's just wee lil' ol' me. You've got classmates that already have the potential to do more for this world then they'll ever know, but you can see it in them, just as I see it in you. That, is what you should value over anything else. It's also what you should think about... You have a good heart, and a brilliant mind, even if you're prone to just punching most of your problems away! ~"

 

He blushes at her teasing, but her words truly encourage him. His doubts remain, his fear lingers, but now he is resolved with renewed determination.

 

"Thank you, Midnight-sensei."

 

"It's what I'm here for, and between you and me, I am serious about sleeping in my class if you need it. History is important and all, but you can just ask for notes from Momo-chan. She's your lil sweetheart! ~"

 

At that, he turns beet red, his hands unintentionally damage the desk as he tries to resist the urge to fly through the window to escape.

 

"IT ISN'T LIKE THAT, SHE'S JUST, VERY KIND TO ME IS ALL-!! WE HAVEN'T EVEN DONE ANYTHING YET!!"

 

They have not done anything at all, but his thoughts betray him as his loose tongue slips, leading to Midnight now giving him a sadistic side eye as she looks down at him with a dangerous smile.

 

"Anything, yet? ~ Hm? ~ Y'know for such a plain looking boy, you're quite the lady-killer! Froppy-chan might be hurt if you abandon her like this!"

 

"THAT WAS AN ACCIDENT!!!"

 

"And y'know, Uraraka-chan has been looking your way since the start of the school year! ~ You saved her life during the Entrance Exams, didn't you?"

 

"IS-ISN'T THAT WHAT HEROES DO!?!"

 

A maliciously devilish smile carved across her sultry lips as Midnight plays with her food.

 

"I heard through the grapevine you're having a little party! ~ As a fine lady myself, you better act fast, or else you'll end up caught in a real love hurricane! ~ Or... Are you thinking you can handle all of them at once?! You're truly a bold soul!! Inspirational even!!"

 

Izuku brings his head down at his desk as he tries to ignore his teacher's laughter. She holds her sides unable to keep her composure for long. Things were getting a little too serious for her liking and this shift in mood is exactly what they both needed. She calms down and pats his head.

 

"I'm joking! ~ Learn to enjoy life a little bit, sheesh, boy! But! If you ever need relationship advice, or if you just need someone to talk to, I'm always here!"

 

His face burns hot as he sends her an emerald glare she finds all too adorable to be intimidated by, especially as he mutters past his arms as he lays on his desk, trying to hide his face from her.

 

"... I did... Ask someone... Out..."

 

"OH!?!?!?!"

 

She muses, bringing her head close to his as she pokes at his cheeks.

 

"Love is actually in the air so early in the school year!? Truly, the flames of youthful passion are to be admired, you're an example for all your peers to follow! Tell me! Who is it!? Who is it?!"

 

He groans as he lifts her up, his face a crimson shade of shame as he shakes her around, yet Midnight merely stares back in victory.

 

"Gah!!! This is inappropriate to talk to a student about-!! Don't you have papers to grade?!?"

 

Her devil's grin curves into a reaper's smile as she gestures towards the stack of papers.

 

"I do! ~ In fact, I was about to grade yours, and I might turn a blind eye if you decide to be a good student and tell your teacher just a smidgen of the details! ~"

 

He puts her down and tries to put on his best brave face.

 

"... I could report you to the guidance counselor..."

 

"But you won't."

 

She immediately rebukes which has him hang his head in defeat.

 

"P-Please... Do-Don't tell anyone else...?"

 

Midnight offers a her pinky, which she smiles as he wraps his own around it.

 

"Promise."

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

Usually, 1-A is quite full, even on the slower days. However, with the First Term Final Exams coming soon, everyone rushes to study up best they can. After the school day is finally over, with Friday coming to a close, he sits alone studying his notes from today.

 

Which allows Cecil to finally make his move as he appears in the room.

 

"Christ, I thought that middle-aged cougar would never leave. How have you been, kid?"

 

Izuku blinks at the comment before realizing he had been talking about Midnight. She has been giving him some attention to put him at ease after school, therapy sessions essentially. He tries to ignore the remark and answers by lifting up his text book.

 

"I'm uh, getting the material so far, I'm confident I can pass the written part."

 

"And I'm more confident that you'll pass the practical part too. I wanna know if All Might told you anything. That whole night was... Jeepers Creepers level of freaking weird, but you handled it like a champ, and managed to keep your head down through it all too."

 

Izuku remembers what Gran Torino told him about One For All, and realizes Cecil must have known its history too, which has him grow glum.

 

"I wish he said more but... He just said it's my turn... And then, I lost it. My Quirk's no longer active... It's like it's just... Gone."

 

"Can you still go out and save the world?"

 

At that, Izuku gives a confident nod.

 

"I lost the Quirk... But not my strength, nor my drive, to take his place as the world's Symbol of Peace!"

 

Cecil gives a small smirk before pressing his ear piece, nodding as he receives minor yet notable information.

 

"That's all I needed, Midoriya. I'll be in touch. The Guardians are still looking for potential members and there's a spot with your name on it. It'll be there when you're ready, be it graduation, or... Well, whenever you're ready."

 

"... I'll be there soon enough, sir."

 

Cecil vanishes as the doors open, with Eijirō entering the room with Katsuki and Satō.

 

"There he is!! Say, what did Midnight-sensei want with you?"

 

Katsuki sneers, rolling his eyes. 

 

"I bet she just wanted an excuse to feel up on him without getting reported! Ya better file a suit or something or else she'll keep going, Deku! It's been a week!"

 

Satō gasps with a hand over his mouth.

 

"Such horrible claims! You can't joke about that, Bakugo-san! Those are some serious accusations!"

 

"Who said I was joking?! She's a bonafide freak!! Keeping him after class like that-! Yuck!!"

 

Katsuki snarls as his eyes begin to glow. Eijirō starts sweating at the sight of the golden glare.

 

"H-Hey, remember what that new teacher said, yeah? Don't get so riled up or you'll wolf out on us!"

 

At that, the blonde dynamite rolls his dimming eyes, sizzling in place as he grumbles under his breath. Class 1-A has been informed, and even met Gary Hampton, as he has taken All Might's position as teacher of Hero Basic Training. No one has seen either of them transform yet, but there is a palpable anticipation amongst his peers Katsuki hates, even though now they're finally giving him the respect he deserves.

 

So he thinks, until he Izuku speaks up, ripping him from his thoughts with his stupid voice and stupid face.

 

Izuku can only grow weary yet smile at the abrupt glare sent his way when he approaches. According to Gary, some werewolves rely on their base instincts, which at times enhances certain emotions beyond any control. He can only guess, with how impulsive Katsuki is, how it is possible his childhood friend hasn't transformed yet in front of everyone like he did at the hospital.

 

He has always been a headache, but he has always been there in his life, so how could he not extend the invitation?

 

"Kacchan, my dad's uh, throwing a party and wants me to invite people! We're not sure where it'll be yet but-!"

 

The young lycanthrope sucks his teeth before speaking over his self-proclaimed rival.

 

"I heard! My folks are dragging me over there Sunday."

 

He then nods over at a grinning Eijirō.

 

"Kirishima is coming with. He's free."

 

What!? That was not part of the plan at all! Granted, he hardly has any idea what he is doing here, but he at least thought to invite a careful handful of people! Then again, he would have invited the red headed lug anyways, so his apprehension is short-lived as he rubs his neck.

 

"Good-! Er, cool! Yeah! Satō-san? Do you want to come?"

 

Satō gives a big thumbs up.

 

"I'll bring something nice to eat for everybody!"

 

He just has a few more people to invite, and soon, he would get a locale... A small party to just, forget everything, and enjoy life...

 

It'd be just what he needs...

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

This is not what he expected. Sure, he asked the few people, and then word got around yet no one else came to him about his little event. 

 

So why are there so many people here...?!?

 

All of Class 1-A, and numerous people he has never seen before, in casual or swimwear just leisurely enjoying themselves on a beach he hasn't visited in months.

 

He is quickly ambushed by his classmates, the first one to crash into him is Ochako, garnering a pink tint to his cheeks.

 

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!"

 

"Ah-! Ahaha! W-What did I, uh? What did I do?"

 

"This!! It's amazing! Everyone's having so much fun, there's food and a volleyball field, surfboards-! It's like a trip to Hawaii!"

 

He is flanked by Denki, the electric blonde wrapping an arm around his shoulders as he leans against his green associate.

 

"I knew you were a nice guy, but to buy out a whole beach this nice? Man, what a view!"

 

Tsuyu hops over gesturing to a pair of froggy looking adults talking with his mother.

 

"I'm not sure how, but my folks were invited out here by an executive that owns my father's company. Apparently, that guy owns a lot of the businesses in Japan."

 

Ojiro's tail wags involuntarily as he tries to hide his excitement through a small smile.

 

"There's also some kind of event happening, I don't know the exact details but, it seems to have allowed a lot of people to have today off!"

 

Jirō wears a prideful smile as she puffs out her modest chest.

 

"My dad got invited to play in front of everyone here...! He usually turns that kind of thing down, but for some reason, he was having me help him rehearse all week! My folks have been looking forward to this!"

 

Mineta bounces over with a fancy drink in hand while wearing shades with his floaties wrapped around his arms.

 

"I'm not much of a swimmer, but when you invited me to a beach party of all things, I knew I just had to show up...! ~"

 

One after another, Izuku realizes something as he can connect most parents to their kids, and how the parents seem to swarm around his mother and his father.

 

"This is great...! But... S-Something about this is, off..."

 

Momo speaks up, catching him by surprise as she seemingly appeared behind him, although she had been waiting for his attention amidst all of the conversations.

 

"Even my parents showed up, and they're usually overseas, or at another city, and yet... They got an invitation from their own executive to come here."

 

Tsuyu looks over at her parents, her younger siblings running around them as they wave at her.

 

"Same as mine? But... Your parents work at a completely different job... Is there an executive among any of us?"

 

Most eyes move to the only two, with Īda and Katsuki both soon the center of attention, yet the Tenya Heir shakes his head.

 

"My family is strictly within the Heroics Business! If it doesn't have anything to do with the Hero Association, we don't exactly have our hands on it."

 

Katsuki as well growls at them.

 

"Don't look at me! My dad works for HIS dad!"

 

Heads move towards Izuku, who then looks around, before stammering out.

 

"I-I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT ANY IF THIS-! Let me go talk with him...!!!"

 

Izuku does his best to politely make his way over to his father, only for the world to turn into a blur for a moment, as he feels a familiar grip on his shoulder.

 

"There you are, son!"

 

There's a collective moan of awe as Izuku realizes that his father used his super speed to grab and pull him into the epicenter of the whole party. He sheepishly gives everyone a wave.

 

"uh... h-hi...!"

 

"C'mon, don't be shy! I just wanted you to meet everyone before you forget! They took a lot of time off to make it today!"

 

At that, Izuku sends his father a knowing look, but a smile still finds itself on his face. This, isn't like him... But, there is something so refreshing with how casual he is, how open and nice he is. It isn't unlike his persona as Star Man's assistant. Is that the identity he is working with?

 

One of the parents approaches, an easy smile with a familiar mischievous going in his eye.

 

"Heya, I'm Kaminari's pops! I saw ya take on the huge ass monster! Heard ya even took a few down!"

 

Another one speaks up, elegant and refined with a debonair air to her he could only think of belonging to one other.

 

"Yaoyorozu's mother, charmed. I've been quite curious about you, myself. Flying her home was rather kind of you to do."

 

He feels a big hand wrap around his shoulder as he is pulled to turn around, facing a warty fellow with frog eyes.

 

"You! I've a bone to pick with you! What's with that stunt you pulled with my daughter! Don't pretend not to remember!"

 

How could he forget his first kiss? It made him feel guilty every time he thought about, especially when his mind races, heart beating faster as he recalls Tsuyu's stance on the matter.

 

However, that is no excuse, not for him.

 

"S-Sir! I-I couldn't apologize any more for that-! It was unforgivable!"

 

"Unforgivable is right! I've half a mind to grill you up myself!"

 

Tsuyu manages to make her way over as she begins pulling her father away, her face static but her cheeks flushing.

 

"It wasn't a bad experience, don't be mean, Papa. Just an accident."

 

"LIKE HECK!! I GOT MY EYE ON YOU, FLY BOY!!"

 

Her siblings begin chanting his new nickname as they run around him, at least until their mother begins to herd them away.

 

"We heard about all you've done. Thank you, for keeping Tsuyu safe for us."

 

She gives him a smile that really reminds him of Tsuyu. Before he can reply, he is pulled again, although this time verbally by a loud voice before Mitsuki yanks him into a one armed hug.

 

"RAAAAH!!! How could you be holding out on me! Look at you, all popular now, Mr. Big Shot! Oi! Katsuki! Get over here and help grill!!!"

 

The wrathful dynamite briefly loses control as he turns into a werewolf for a moment just to shout at his mother.

 

"CHOKE AND DIE, HAG!!!"

 

He returns to normal, his swim trunks thankfully able to stretch and shrink with his body, but he is pulled by his ear by his domineering mother over to the numerous grills where his father and Hisashi had been earlier.

 

"Shuddap before a I put a leash on you, ya mutt! How about you put those explosions of yours to use!"

 

"You want fire, hag!?! FINE!!!"

 

Everyone moans in amazement as Katsuki creates pillars of fire with his Quirk, some worried he will burn the meat black, but every cooked meal comes out at the perfect quality.

 

Except one bitter piece of charcoal that lands right on Izuku's plate as Katsuki gives him a disgusting smile. His snide tone is full of goading challenge.

 

"If you don't like it, then do something about it, Deku...!"

 

"I could throw you into the ocean if that's what you want."

 

There's a brief spurt of flame as Katsuki looks at his own plate he had been filling for last. He gasps as his meal is also burnt black. Shōto walks past them both rolling his eyes.

 

"Try to pretend to get along for the sake of the party?"

 

"YOU BURNT BASTARD! I'LL MAKE YOUR FACE EVEN!"

 

Izuku shakes his head as they enter a one-sided shouting match, Katsuki barking mad while Shōto casually replies without looking his way, but he turns to see Satō offering some of his own food.

 

"This is your party! ~ C'mon! I made this just for you, so enjoy it!"

 

"O-Oh! Thanks!'

 

Mina shouts over at them, waving as she points towards the volleyball court where Yuga, Mezō, Sero and Tōru all are setting the game up and picking teams.

 

"Hey! We're about to have our first match! Get over here!"

 

As the students play, the parents mingle amongst each other, quite a few having the time of their lives thanks to the mysterious host: Hisashi.

 

Inko can hardly believe how far the man has come. He doesn't just hold conversation, he leads multiple of them, having so many different people all following along with avid attention as he carries on acting as the glue to allow other people to connect with one another.

 

People that have passed each other without a thought, some they otherwise would never associate with, all of them now happily enjoying each other's company thanks to him.

 

Then, the question finally arrived.

 

"Midoriya-san! That speed earlier was incredible! Is that your Quirk?"

 

Tensei asks. Another voice, Fuyumi, asks as her father begrudgingly stands at a distance. The only reason Endeavor even bothered showing up is because of a suspicion he wants to confirm. He knows the boy's father, but he had never seen his face, until today.

 

"I-I heard that you were a Hero as well! Is your Quirk some form of enhanced acceleration?"

 

A bird headed man, with the face of a raven, speaks with a gothic attitude.

 

"I saw you earlier lifting several of the grills and tables around with one arm... Is it some, storage of energy, or something of the like?"

 

Hisashi looks at Inko, who returns his curious gaze, wondering what lie he will come up with. She hated that she knows that side of him now. The liar. However, unsure if it is relief or abject shock, her eyes fly wide when he answers.

 

"I don't have a Quirk. I, am not from Earth."

 

There are a brief few awkward chuckles that turn into silence as he continues.

 

"When I first arrived on this planet, a terrible storm threatened to engulf this entire side of Japan. It took all of my strength to stop the tsunami and clear the storm. When I came to, having passed out from being struck by lightning, tons of force in the form of crashing waves, and weary from sleepless travel... I met my wife. I met Masaru and Mitsuki. I learned of music, of Heroes, of good food and of something even more surprising. Humanity. I was, struggling, adjusting to Earthling life."

 

He pauses to let loose a small laugh of his own as he reminisces.

 

"I once heard that, men who seek to court their "mates" as I knew the term, would give gifts such as flowers. Not understanding it quite right, I once came to my wife's home, bringing a tree to her front door!"

 

Murmurings and nervous polite laughter sound, with some figuring it out immediately, yet no one says it. Hisashi looks past them at the watchful eye of Enji Todoroki.

 

"She convinced me to become a Hero with my powers. To continue to help people. With Masaru, I started a small business that would become a bustling industry, a large enterprise with the intention of bettering the world through commerce and marketing where my physical strength could not. Without Masaru, I would have been stuck incapable of giving many of you the jobs I have, and without my wife? I never would have become, Star Man."

 

Everyone, save for a handful, are stunned to eerie silence as only the ocean waves and bleating seagulls sound, the cheering of their children in the background as some take to the coming tides on surfboards.

 

A man infamous for his stoicism. Renowned for his, sheer brutality, and absolutely antisocial behavior. An effective weapon in the shape of a human capable of the impossible, unstoppable in every sense of the word, the strongest man in the world.

 

That man, now smiles at them, with the grin of a long known friend. Beloved. Heartwarming. Truly, human. He pulls out an employee badge that has a symbol almost every adult recognizes. Momo's mother gasps as Kyōtoku recognizes it as well with many others.

 

"Th-That's...!"

 

"Three dots in a circle-! Isn't that the Viltrum Corporation logo!? H-Hisashi-san...!!! Y-You're... You're the one that owns all those businesses?!"

 

He nods, and puts the badge away.

 

"The name, Viltrum, comes from my home world. I came to this world after being chosen by a similar organization to the Hero Association, called the World Betterment Committee. My ultimate goal is to aid Earth into becoming an advanced civilization with our technology and knowledge... I'm sure some of you have noticed that Viltrum Corporation has unique assets? In truth, none of this would have been possible without my partnership with the Bakugo's... and especially without my wife."

 

He then looks at Inko.

 

"Thank you, dear."

 

He says to her as she smiles at his speech, speechless herself at his sincerity, her face glowing as his arm is wrapped around her. He raises a glass in her honor.

 

"This woman is the reason we're here today. I'd like to toast, to the world's strongest woman, Inko Midoriya."

 

She wells up as the party cheers. Surrounded by new and old friends, praised for finally achieving the impossible, for once Inko is able to forget about the atrocities Hisashi has committed. Izuku, as he spikes a ball into the sand past a tired yet laughing Satō, forgets his worries as he celebrates another victory with his friends.

 

Inko begins leaking tears of joy. Her husband, has kept his promise, as she watches her son make so many wonderful new friends.

 

A perfect summer day...

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

He sits alone on the beach, having opted to clean up while everyone else enjoys Kyōtoku's vocal performance, Kyōka acting as backing vocals until it turns into a proper duet.

 

"You're missing the show! C'mon, we can clean this up later!"

 

He hears. He turns to see his father smiling so warmly at him. He had changed... Izuku, has changed... Everything has changed... And yet, something lingers as he looks out to the sandy beach.

 

"... All Might trained me here. I was cleaning the beach as part of my training. On the day of the Entrance Exams, right before they started, he gave me his Quirk... He thought I could become the next Symbol of Peace... I-I..."

 

Hisashi places a hand on his shoulder as his smile turns somber, but does not fade.

 

"I miss him too. He... Was a man I respected. Greatly. Which is why, you living on, gives his sacrifice meaning. Together, you and I will turn this planet into the world made ideal for the stars."

 

Izuku nods as he adopts a stern, determined glimmer in his eyes, a proud smile all too similar to the once Number One Pro Hero.

 

"Of course! It's our mission and duty to protect this world!"

Chapter 33: Preparing for the First Term Finals!

Summary:

Only so much time before the Final Exams! Although Class 1-A receives helpful information from 1-B, but a last minute decision turns everything on their heads, including a surprising entrant as a guest obstacle! Meanwhile, Katsuki becomes more and more familiar with his curse, turning it into a blessing, something that soon begins to go to his head...

"I DIDN'T STUDY AT ALL!!!!"

 

Denki screams as he ruffles his hair. Mina whines next to him, hugging herself with a wail.

 

"I had too much fun getting ready for the beach party that I haven't even thought about studying! Uwaah!!!"

 

"Imagine not using your time wisely? Couldn't possibly be me! ~"

 

Brags a boastful Mineta, confident in his studious ability, and his placing in the top ten certainly has him brimming with pride as his classmates looked down on him.

 

Well, most of them, as Mezō and Satō approach him with gracious nods.

 

"Your notes were perfect. I understood everything after reading them. Thank you."

 

"You have your weird moments, but after that strategy I overheard during the Calvary Match, I knew you had a sharp head! Thanks for your help, Mineta-kun!'

 

Mineta let's loose a haughty laugh as Denki's teeth grind against each other as he tries to think of an insult.

 

"Errgh...!! I thought you were a stupid dwarf! Just some perv!? How come you're so smart!? He's even got the giants of the class on his side, dammit!!!""

 

Mina runs over to the first placer, Momo.

 

"Yaomomo! ~"

 

Momo blinks at the nickname, glancing side to side confused until Mina falls on her desk with tears in her eyes.

 

"You're super smart, right!? Help me!! I don't wanna be left out of the summer trip!!"

 

"O-Of course! It wouldn't be the same without you there. I was actually looking for a study partner or two-!"

 

"ME! MEEEE!!!"

 

Denki falls on her desk next to Mina as the two please with teary puppy eyes.

 

"You're out last hope, Yaomomo!"

 

"My fate is in your hands...!"

 

Eijirō chuckles nervously as he watches his friends prostrate themselves before the worried genius. He rubs his neck, thinking aloud.

 

"I don't know if I could do all that begging, but I need help too..."

 

He hears a scoffs by his side and looks behind his shoulder to see Katsuki smiling a wolfish grin ear to ear.

 

"I'll be the one to kill your stupidity with knowledge...! I'll destroy that hardheaded ignorance!! Get ready for Hell, idiot!"

 

With anxious vigor, Eijirō salutes.

 

"Yessir!"

 

Fumikage opens one eye as he glances around, his lunchbox empty, and his brooding meditation interrupted by a stray thought.

 

"They're certainly spirited. Aren't we missing someone...?"

 

Izuku looks around scratching his cheek as he is halfway through his own meal.

 

"Some of us went to the cafeteria to eat. Why? Did you have something to ask someone?"

 

The raven headed students lowers his beak in contemplation. 

 

"Well... Something like that. Midoriya. Are you still thinking about leaving UA?"

 

At that, the half-alien pauses in the middle of chewing. He blinks a few times, mumbling and muttering to himself with his mouth full, garnering a sweat drop from Fumikage.

 

"I'd prefer a yes or no answer, if you would be so kind."

 

His sharp glare cuts the incoherent ramblings short and Izuku rubs his neck wearing a prideful smile after swallowing his meal.

 

"I-I mean... I meant what I said before! This is where I belong, isn't it? If anything, I feel like I need to be here even more after what happened. I have so much to learn."

 

Fumikage closes his eyes, but nods.

 

"I agree. I was worried that incident may have shaken your resolve... I know it was you that defeated that monster. You're truly living up to your name-"

 

 

 

---

 

 

"Invincible, must die."

 

Shigaraki growls as he glares into the computer screen. He flexes a new arm, a so-called gift from his newest partners, ones he has a bit more faith in than a literal demon from Hell. The Mauler Twins, two Villains that were supposed to attack UA with him, but pulled out on orders from his master. To compensate, they created an entirely new arm, fitted with a few features he cannot wait to test out.

 

The voice on the other end smiles.

 

"I agree. The Hosu Incident completely backfired in us... Despite his death, All Might continues to be one of my greatest enemies, cursing me with such annoyances... But it is fitting that he passes on his Quirk to another."

 

All For One's smile widens.

 

"Your Quirk has begun to show signs of advancement as well... We'll leave the little Heroes alone for now, but not without a parting gift, something I've prepared for when they get to I-Island."

 

Shigaraki scratches his cheek. There is something he needs to know. Something he has to ask.

 

"... Master. If I die. Do you have another to choose from?"

 

It bothered him with how swiftly he answers.

 

"I do. Just as I have prepared, instructions, should I also meet my own untimely death. Would you like to see it?"

 

"What-!?! Why?! Why would you!?! I thought... You told me... I was the only one! Me!! ME!!!"

 

Shigaraki's Quirk begins to slowly dissolve the table as his rage bubbles to the surface. His master sighs, a simple shrug as he casually replies.

 

"I didn't mean to imply or keep it secret. Originally, you were the only one. Only recently, due to the events with Battle Beast, as well as the unexpected betrayal of the Violator... Especially after my own defeat by Star Man and All Might... Only recently have I begun looking for others. As well as preparing for my own end. They're not your betters, because they all lack what makes you the perfect vessel for my ideals. They lack what makes you, the true Symbol of Fear. They're just alternatives for the worst case scenario, but can easily be cast aside, for I would rather sacrifice them then ever put you in such danger again..."

 

At that, his ward begins to calm down. It is true, unexpected events within their plans have been a constant as of late, and that irritates him all the same.

 

"Errgh.... Rrrgh...!!! Why can't things go as they should...?!? How long until we finally bring down this worthless world!?!"

 

"Not long... For you see, he may have his two-sided nature, the Violator is on our side... Behold."

 

Shigaraki receives a link, a video file, and upon downloading it? His eyes widen as he watches Star Man ruthlessly kill every member of the Guardians. Popping Red Rush's skull, destroying Star and Stripe's jaw, obliterating the Immortal and even... Killing All Might.

 

He had known this truth already, the Clown had shown him the snippet of footage he had shown Stain, but it seems that the demon had recorded the whole thing...

 

The truth was this. All For One had wagered his soul with the Malebolgia, in exchange for perfect victory against his enemies. The wager was to set the stage, and enter a deathly battle royale with the Devil's Elite Warriors. The King of Violence and Murder allowed All For One to be, vague, with his side of the deal as a handicap... Because, although All For One believes he had tricked the demon god, the Malebolgia found something inside Tomura Shigaraki that was far... Far more interesting than his master. The man had already implanted himself inside Shigaraki, even going as far as taking his name, thus the conditions were met.

 

Everything else was all a happy coincidence that his student had set up with the Violator, who was acting on the Malebolgia's orders, to further test and study Shigaraki's evil. To cultivate it. Nurture it. To plant of seed of ruin that would destroy this world for them.

 

His survival meant All For One's victory, and their prize? Undeniable, unequivocal, proof of Star Man's murder of the Guardians of the Globe.

 

"With this? We do not need to lift a finger. We merely need to await the perfect moment... And then, with my sources? Share this with the whole world... And show them what their Heroes are truly like. Weak, manipulative, deceitful... The Age of Chaos, my protégé, is nearly upon us."

 

Shigaraki nods as the call ends. He, reluctantly, leaves his room and is immediately ambushed by a pair of golden eyes. A fanged smile with a threatening aura behind a veneer of innocence.

 

Himiko Toga helped him escape the authorities. Kurogiri and he made too much noise upon teleporting in, and the police investigated, but Himiko was already here. Using one of her prepared vials, a chivalrous host got them a free drink, and convinced them to have a nice night without looking into much of the dive bar...

 

Which unfortunately meant that he owes her. Of course, he did not care much for upholding deals with potential traitors, but she did save his life despite her actions against his forces...

 

She would remind him that the Vampires she took out worked for the Clown.

 

Now, she occasionally drops by to annoy him, such as right now.

 

"Hey! Hey! Didja get more juice? I hate that bitter nasty beer crap you keep telling Kuro-chan to serve me!"

 

"Go away before I turn you to dust."

 

He commands before walking past her. She follows after him, hands behind her back, her tons a playful melody as she sings out.

 

"I ~ Heard ~ You ~ Whining ~ Again ~ !"

 

"Don't push your luck today, I'm in a bad mood."

 

She leans in front of him in an awkward sideways bow.

 

"You're always in a sour mood! But fear not! You wanna deal with that Invincible guy, yeah?"

 

Her smile widens as she pulls one of her knives out. He recognizes this one.

 

"Some time ago, a sword was found in Chicago that could cut through anything, and was called the God Blade. Despite its perfect edge, a Hero of the name Savage Dragon managed to break it into large pieces, and many of those pieces ended up scattered around like trash... But those pieces, still held the same perfect edge."

 

She demonstrates as she casually glides it in the air, a hiss or a whistle, despite the slow movement of her guiding hand she cuts the very air itself.

 

"My Mama found this one, and refitted it to be a knife, and there has never been a single thing this blade can't cut through... No matter how thick, how dense, or even how thin. It cuts through, anything."

 

He hears her out. He stares daggers into her own sharp gaze, a clash of wills, one that he pushes further as he leans forward.

 

"You're good at infiltration... Stick to that. I'll find you a use, eventually. Until then... Use that knife to carve up some Heroes or whatever."

 

"That's not a no! ~"

 

She begins, only to leans back when he raises his voice.

 

"No! Fuck no! Absolutely not!"

 

He screams at her nervous smile. He brings a hand to his obscured face, running it through his mangy hair.

 

"At least, not yet... There is a plan. You'll get your turn to test it out soon enough... To go crazy... I'm aching for action too."

 

She jumps for joy, cheering loudly.

 

"You're so cool, Shiggy! ~ Toughin' out a loss of a limb and getting right back into the action! That's what I expect from my boss!"

 

"Who said you were part of the League, yet? I'll reconsider turning you into dust if you get us some new members... We lost Clown, the bastard... Those vampires were either arrested or turned to dust by the Sun... Stain and that weird mute you brought last time haven't shown up either... Only you. And I hate you."

 

Shigaraki states staring straight ahead past her inflated pout, cheeks puffed up as she puts on a cute frown.

 

"Hate's a strong word! Tolerate! You tolerate me! And I'll show you! ~"

 

She brings her wicked blade up to her face as she holds her rose-colored cheeks.

 

"I'll show you guts, and gore, and blood, and meat and bone-! But! Before any of that!"

 

She briefly talks normally as she puts her magical knife away.

 

"I'll getcha your friends! ~ I'm a wellspring of connections! You'll see..."

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

On the night just before exam day, Izuku stands at the beach of his beginning, where he spent just under a year with All Might.

 

Everything started here.

 

He has been thinking of it. His powers. His heritage. His duty and charge, as both a Viltrumite and as a Hero of Earth. As All Might's chosen successor. He cannot just settle at the strength his blood has bestowed him.

 

He must prove worthy of it. Worthy of his legacy. Worthy of becoming the Symbol of Peace, for this world, and one day... Many others...

 

So he recalls his lessons with his father. Flying came to mind, specifically how they are able to, and what it means. Physics does not apply to him as it would for most people. To use the space itself, to push off of open air, implies impact. It means leverage, making any position a place to direct full force, be it on the ground or off of it.

 

So what if he... Weaponized it? 

 

He decided, against his initial self-derision at such a ridiculously comical idea, he plays with it... He just has to remember, and test it, that feeling of utilizing his flight. He and his father always use their entire body all at once to do so... But, what if, he only focuses on a single point?

 

He had written his theories down, tested this during down time in class, but now? For the first time, he shall test it here, as he recalls how it felt to use One For All.

 

He takes in a deep breath, and focuses his mind, before he enters a battle ready stance and throws a fist. He then activates his flight, or more accurately, uses it to push against a wall of force creating a powerful impact. Ahead of him, a tunnel of wind burrows through the ocean waves as the beach floor is exposed. It goes as far as the drop, before the water fills in, and the ocean shore returns to normal.

 

He has a ranged attack... And that is only scratching the surface. The strength lent to him by his master's gifted will, of One For All, though he has lost the Quirks themselves? That stockpiled power is still his. He can feel it. As though, his body recognized and adapted to maintain it, especially after such continuous and intense experiences on the daily grind.

 

Inspired by his mentor, made possible thanks to his father, the best of both worlds... Now, there is the matter of utilizing this in the field, something he plans on doing tomorrow as he wears a confident smile.

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

The day of the finals has arrived. As they eat lunch, preparing themselves mentally, Mineta leans forward from having his head slapped.

 

"Aie-! Hey! What's the big idea!?"

 

He yelps looking back. One of the students from Class 1-B, Neito Monoma, sends a condescending look at all sitting at the table. His eyes zero in on Izuku.

 

"Sorry, my tray hit your bulbous head. Must be from how big its gotten! ~ You were there, fighting off those monsters in Hosu, even though you're only just a student here. You must be a bit of an idiot to fall for that smear stunt! Or, are you just so in love with all this attention, you'll do anything to keep it-! Gah!"

 

A hand chips his neck, while another grabs his tray, as an orange haired girl lifts Neito up by his shirt collar. Her name is Itsuka Kendo, the big sister of 1-B.

 

"That's enough, Monoma."

 

Duncan holds his tray up with a curious gaze before it can fall out of Monoma's hands.

 

"So this is lunch in Japan? Much better than American public schools...!"

 

Izuku stands up, shocked to see the half-dragon again.

 

"D-Duncan!? You attend UA now?!"

 

Monoma struggles to speak.

 

"M-Miserable monster... Bad enough you're forced into our class, you're friends with these... Contemptuous attention seeking spotlight hogs...?!"

 

Kendo shakes her competitive classmate by the scruff of his neck.

 

"None of that, we talked about this already... Hey, 1-A? Have you guys heard? We'll be facing robots not unlike the Entrance Exams."

 

Jirō gasps.

 

"If that's the case, we won't have to worry about holding back...!"

 

Mina shoots an accusing glare at Izuku, a friendly smile on yet she speaks with a hint of condemnation.

 

"I don't know about that... A certain someone here almost leveled an entire arena all by himself to show off! ~"

 

Eijirō chimes in as he leans into the green bean with his elbow in Izuku's unmoving side.

 

"He made it rain when he did that too! ~ Try not to go too crazy, yeah?"

 

Izuku pouts as he tries to hide his blushing face from them.

 

"You're never gonna let me live that down-?! I-I said I was sorry...!!"

 

He drops his head on the table after Jirō passes him with a sharp comment.

 

"We just don't want you beating yourself bloody, again, Mr. Vincible."

 

"Uggghhh...!!!"

 

Tsuyu speaks up from her table as Jirō sits across from her.

 

"You're not exactly in the highest placement yourself. Do you want to have a study session? We're going over to Momo's."

 

"O-Oi! You could ask nicer than that!"

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

That night, it would mark the first complete week of Katsuki's latest training as a werewolf. Done in the underbelly of UA, as he deftly dodges the feral swipes of his mentor, Wolf-Man. These "Heroic Night Studies" have been supervised by Aizawa and Nezu, to see Katsuki's progress, and to further understand the intricacies of what makes werewolves work.

 

So far, they have gathered three things worthy of note. Werewolves, even the weakest among their number, boast incredible strength with Wolf-Man and Katsuki being at the top. Their bodies upon transformation exhibit unparalleled speeds, astounding senses, and even an incredible healing factor. One that has been tested as the second thing they learn, is that despite Gary Hampton's mild-mannered nature, becoming a lycanthrope brings out one's most violent impulses and urges.

 

Such as despite the younger blonde having greater physical prowess than his mentor, Wolf-Man always defeats Katsuki with feints that leave him bleeding dry, with cuts under his armpits or along his arms. At times, he slices an eye out, or even manages to cut his chest open.

 

Yet after some time, or even upon transforming back into a human, Katsuki heals with his stamina significantly depleted and even blacks out for hours afterwards.

 

The final thing they learn is that the curse can alter Quirks. This, Gary theorized over the years of his own personal experience, as some of his own members of the W.O.L.F. Corps have Quirks that change how they work depending on what form they are in. His own Quirk: Account was a Quirk that makes him a human calculator. Able to do complex math equations in an instant and excel at several problem making skills, unless his mental state is compromised.

 

As Wolf-Man, he becomes a human computer, able to analyze and think at speeds most humans could not fathom. That intelligence is what keeps him ahead of his young ward. Having spent enough time with Katsuki, with nightly combat between them as he forces the boy to endure, to focus through simulations of a life-threatening event.

 

Eventually, they stop, especially as Katsuki lands his own explosive impact on Wolf-Man's shoulder only to have his side nearly cleaved open.

 

Nezu's voice squeaks through the intercom.

 

"That's enough for tonight you two! We'll resume after the full moon!"

 

Katsuki breathes haggard breaths as his sweat laden fur weighs him down, a hand over his latest injury that is already closing, he barks out.

 

"AIN'T! DONE! YET!"

 

Wolf-Man however stands at a neutral stance. His arms fall to his side before folding.

 

"He's right. We're done here. You need rest."

 

Wolf-Man begins to walk by, placing a firm hand on the young student's shoulder, his claws briefly sink in as he whispers lowly.

 

"Next time we train, it'll be somewhere else. There are secrets I can't share with anyone else but you. They'll risk your life, but I know you can take it."

 

"..."

 

Katsuki rolls his shoulder to get the hand off of him and stands on his own... But he doesn't bark or shout. Only a silent nod. As he leaves UA, and heads home, he looks up at the moon. It is strange, how life works out, but one day soon he will set things right. He can see Izuku flying past, someone in his arms, he can't exactly make out who in the silhouette but it does not matter to him.

 

All that matters is that he will put that fake tough boy back in his place as he closes, then widens the gap between them, as he still feels the sting of defeat in their mock battle scenario.

 

"Just you wait, Izuku... I'll prove to you of all people, you're anything but Invincible."

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

Class 1-A lines up in their Hero Costumes, face to face with a lineup of their teachers, Jirō mutters to the silent Kōda.

 

"Those are all our teachers, aren't they? Why are they here...?"

 

He shrugs in response. Aizawa speaks up as he steps forth.

 

"I'm sure some of you may have an inkling on how the Practical Exams might go down, yeah?"

 

Denki punches the air while Mina cheers.

 

"It'll be against robots, right sensei?!"

 

"We'll do our best so try not to cheer us on too hard now! ~"

 

A chuckle sounds as Nezu emerges from underneath Aizawa's scarf.

 

"Not quite! That was originally the plan, so much has happened throughout the year so far, that we've decided to make things a bit more interesting! Rather than going up against customized automatons...! You'll be facing your own teachers! As well as a special guest...!"

 

All eyes were already widened at the news, but then, a new arrival has all of Class 1-A pale as ghosts.

 

Star Man steps out from behind the lineup and stands before the novice students. His arms folded and his helmet shining brightly in the sunlight as he speaks in a cold tone.

 

"I will be testing you as well. Prepare to be pushed to your absolute limit."

Chapter 34: The Might of Number One!

Summary:

Class 1-A is thrown for a loop! In pairs of two, each student must use teamwork to overcome their teachers, by either defeating them or making it to an assigned goal! For some reason, the staff thought it best to team the worst two to ever pair up, Bakugo and Midoriya!?! How will these two ever hope to work together?!!

"WHY IS HE HERE!?!"

 

Shrieks Jirō as she hides behind the closest friend she can, that being Tōru, who is shivering all the same. Mina looks at them before rubbing her head with her tongue sticking out playfully.

 

"Huh? What's so scary? We all know Star Man's a super nice guy! ~ He killed it on the dancefloor, right Mr. Midoriya-san!?"

 

She giggles until his shadow envelopes her completely. He stands tall and speaks in a frigid stoic voice.

 

"Hisashi Midoriya, is a kind man who looks out for others, because that is what he was taught to do. Star Man, is not the same man, Ms. Ashido-chan."

 

Mina breaks into a cold sweat. She puts on a nervous smile as she can feel an intense aura radiating off of him. She then hides behind Jirō, who gawks at the pink class clown, shouting at her angrily.

 

"DON'T SAY STUPID THINGS LIKE THAT THEN HIDE!!!"

 

"B-BUT HE'S SCARING ME!!! I THINK HE'S SERIOUS...!!!"

 

Katsuki grins ear to ear as he holds his head low.

 

"Perfect... This is perfect...!!!"

 

"Is it now?"

 

Gary says as he speaks up from the teacher line.

 

"Katsuki. Remember what I told you about, last night? About the full moon and us werewolves?"

 

The blonde dynamite raises a brow. His face distorts into shock before twisting into pure fury as his mentor gives him a harsh command.

 

"Tonight is that night. Because of your ability to transform during the day, I can't guarantee if you'll keep your sense of self or not if you change, so... I'll be handling your evaluation. If you lose control? I'm pulling you out."

 

"WHAT...?!? OVER SOMETHING SO STUPID!?!"

 

Gary looks ready to argue with the explosive brat, but Star Man steps between them.

 

"It's fine, Wolf-Man. We'll be the ones testing him today... As well as you, Invincible."

 

The two look at each other before they both begin to protest.

 

"I DON'T NEED THIS DEAD WEIGHT BRINGING ME DOWN!!"

 

"Is this a good idea-!? We've got no chemistry whatsoever!"

 

Star Man nods. He points at each of them as he sternly tells them the point.

 

"Precisely. You'll be working with all manner of allies. Some you'll find yourself getting along with quite well, while you can work with or around others, but there will be times where you will need to work with someone you simply don't align with."

 

At that, Izuku recalls Endeavor, and their confrontation during the Kaiju War. Sure, the Number Two Hero aided him against the demons, but only out of desperation. They did not even have any communication or joint maneuvers, no planning outside of beat monster, then split up.

 

Sometimes, splitting up is not an option.

 

"... I think I get it-"

 

"I FUCKING DON'T!!! I'M HERE TO PUT YOU IN YOUR PLACE, NOT HELP YOU-"

 

Katsuki begins to roar as his eyes flash gold. However, he stops himself, turning away as his back faces his rival. Izuku looks at him as if to reach out, but does not, leaving the staff to continue on. Nezu squeaks out in confidence.

 

"Don't think the rest of you will have it any easier! Now then, to assign everyone a partner and Villain, before heading off to the buses to conduct the Practical Exams!"

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

"This is going to end ugly..."

 

Donald says as he watches within the observation room. By his side, Cecil watches, along with another that is usually too busy to ever attend any appearances at UA.

 

A man Cecil has knows as Yokumiru Mera. A representative of the Heroes Public Safety Commission, officially a subsidiary of the Heroes Association, and unofficially directly under the scrutiny of the GDA. The Global Defense Agency predates most Heroic Affiliated organizations, and even most modern militaries worldwide, but being so big and so old comes with a legacy of many controversies along with the countless victories.

 

The handling of the Heroes Public Safety Commission is one such case that the prior Director of the GDA nearly destroyed due to his misuse of their assets, that being Heroes kept hidden from the public, meant for covert operations but turned into killing contractors.

 

Eventually, they were exposed and the president of the time had taken full responsibility, but not without the Director being caught in the crossfire. By the time Cecil had taken charge, he was left with a burning mess that was his responsibility to clean up, but he did not clean it up alone.

 

Mera is one of the few to have stuck around from that chaotic era decades ago, and thusly earned both a nice position as representative as the HSPC, but also the trust of the most paranoid man on Earth.

 

It is why he is here overseeing what otherwise would be standard procedure within UA. Nothing is out of the ordinary, everything is up to code, expected and going swimmingly. Mera would have actually been upset with the call to attend, were it not for the surprise guest... Were it not for Star Man.

 

"He never showed any interest in UA or UA alumni... I always thought he hated this school."

 

Mera remarks as he watches the man sit in a bus driven by a robot, all while his assigned students, Izuku and Katsuki sit as far away from each other as possible. Cecil nods as his eyes briefly scan the other monitors watching the other students.

 

"He does. But, I i guess even daddy caves to his kids wishes, because he's been more active in the heroic spotlight as of late than ever before... Like a switch occurred after the deaths of the Guardians."

 

He glances at Mera then.

 

"Have we finished with the recommendations for the replacements?"

 

His friend of mangy light greying hair rolls his weary eyes.

 

"Was that really my responsibility?"

 

He asks yet produced a list from his suit jacket.

 

"Here are the best we have... Including the ones from Tartarus, although... Madam President won't be happy when she hears about it."

 

Cecil takes the list without a moment's hesitation.

 

"Then she should have stayed on board with us rather than transfer over to a glorified marketing division... Why is this one on the list, I didn't ask for her-"

 

"You asked for those in Tartarus that qualify. She, by definition, qualifies."

 

Mera responded. He wears a face saying many words, yet being a man of so few words, he only says what he needs to.

 

"The ultimate decision is yours. I'm just the man that presents your options. Best Tiger is still available I hear..."

 

Cecil scoffs, handing the list back.

 

"Just send it through the message board... Can't believe it, over sixty years of superheroes hitting the world by storm, and only fifteen out of a population of nearly a billion options actually are worth a goddamn thing."

 

Mera raises a brow at the comment.

 

"I know the Guardians of the Globe were the best of the best, but aren't you being a bit harsh? Plenty of countless heroes save the planet every day!"

 

"It isn't the daily threats that I'm using as a qualifier, or else anyone in a cape and tights could join... It's about who is capable of doing the impossible. Bolt was faster than All Might, stronger than the Immortal, and flew better than Cap Celeb. He's even American..."

 

Cecil states before looking his associate, his friend, in the eyes.

 

"But Bolt doesn't have the endurance. The durability. The drive. He won't do what's needed only what he can. There's at least five picks in UA that meet that standard, two proven themselves, they're only cons are that they're kids... But if they're the only ones that can take down an impossible threat..."

 

"A threat, like Star Man."

 

Mera says no longer hiding his accusation. Cecil says nothing but maintains eye contact, being all the answer the other one needs as he sighs.

 

"Lady Nagant is surpassed only by Best Tiger at marksmanship. It isn't ideal... But if you want someone to keep an eye on Star Boy-"

 

"I'll consider it. She's been through enough, but... I know if I come asking, she'll say yes."

 

Mera looks at the screens as he awaits the Exams to begin.

 

"She always did like you, for some reason."

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

Mezō and Tōru sit across from each other as their teacher, and opponent, Snipe drives them to their testing site.

 

The quiet giant perks up at the invisible girl's question.

 

"Isn't it odd that Midoriya and Bakugo have to face two Pros instead of just the one?"

 

He replies with one of his extra limbs producing a mouth.

 

"I did... Sure, Midoriya is impressive, but isn't Star Man overkill?"

 

Snipe chuckles and responds.

 

"You'd have to understand, it isn't just about Midoriya. None of us Teacher's here can really push him, trust me, we ran the numbers with some of us more than willing to try... But he's too fast, too strong and worst of all..."

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

"He has been studying us for years."

 

Aizawa says. Shōto sits behind his teacher with Momo in confusion.

 

"For years? I don't quite get it."

 

"No, wait, I know what he means-!"

 

Momo says as her eyes widen.

 

"That journal he writes in! I've read some of it, and it's full of notes on several Pro Heroes, many of which are in UA!"

 

Aizawa raises a finger, as if to give her a point for answering correctly.

 

"Precisely. I've found myself in there, a long with others, and while they are mostly analytical notes..."

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

"The level of detail he has within each page is almost invasive."

 

Says Ectoplasm in a lowly rumble. Tsuyu leans back in her seat as she watches Dark Shadow look back at her, hiding from the light within the windows, and playing a staring contest with it.

 

"Maybe we should have studied more than just our written exams."

 

Fumikage broods with his eyes closed yet answers all the same.

 

"Midoriya has always been smarter than others take for granted. I realized it myself during the Sports Festival. Even if he had no idea or any intentions on battling the Staff..."

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

"The fact remains that Midoriya knows more about Heroes with the strength, speed, and adaptability to completely overwhelm any singular staff member. It would take someone truly incredible to truly push him."

 

Cementoss states. Satō nods with his arms folded as Eijirō copies him, the two a manly duo of pure brawling might.

 

"He also doesn't have a Quirk, so technical strategies that Aizawa-sensei could use are rendered useless, so the only thing left..."

 

"Is to put him up against someone that's basically him, but better in every way, which'll keep him in check! But, what about Bakugo?"

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

Midnight rolls her eyes.

 

"That one's a whole new level of dangerous! We're it up to me, he'd be out of here or in his own specialized class, but Principal Nezu sees there's some potential in that wild card...!"

 

Sero nervously chuckle.

 

"Sheesh, you only consider that after he grows fangs fur and claws?"

 

Mineta, although fidgeting in anxiety, does speak up.

 

"If you haven't noticed, Sero? His attitude has gotten worse, and his Quirk?! Ugh! It's much stronger now! I saw Bakugo almost bruise Midoriya at the party! I think he even drew blood...!"

 

Midnight huffs with a weary groan.

 

"Usually his bombastic and impulsive nature would turn me on, but with the danger that he poses to you all, I can't help but think of him as a threat to you all rather than as a classmate... Not like it was his choice to become that."

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

"He's proven to be an exemplary student. Lycanthropy has a tendency to drive some people insane with bloodlust, but his willpower is truly impeccable, and he is also the first of his kind to transform whenever he wants."

 

Power Loader makes a slow turn as he and his students, Ojiro and Tenya, draw near their destination. Ojiro let's out a sigh.

 

"We're quite lucky to have Wolf-Man helping us out. He's razor sharp, and doesn't tolerate Bakugo 's outbursts, forcing him to recognize him as an authority figure. It's honestly quite impressive to see it in person..."

 

Tenya rubs his chin as he stares into the eyes of his helmet.

 

"We only ever saw a meager glimpse of the power he now holds... But he was able to hurt Midoriya. That is, truly, formidable..."

 

Ojiro scratches his cheek nervously.

 

"W-Well... I guess that's why they have to face two teachers instead one!"

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

Izuku and Katsuki stand in an empty city, the reconstructed test site of the Entrance Exams, with their opponents standing in front of them side by side. Wolf-Man used his gauntlets, specialized tools made to collect and store moonlight for him to transform with during the day, the only tools he ever truly needs.

 

"Usually, teachers will use limiter bands to bring their fighting power down to fifty percent. Against the two of you? That'd be a waste..."

 

Star Man pops his knuckles slowly as his helmed gaze bears down on both of the boys.

 

"You've both come far and suffered much. There's only greater challenges ahead of you. If you want to succeed? You must learn to adapt... Or fall."

 

Wolf-Man nods as he thumbs behind him at a gate far, far away.

 

"Either capture us, defeat us, or make it through that gate. If you can't do that? You fail, and will have to take remedial classes. No it, ands, or buts."

 

Katsuki snarls, transforming immediately despite his teacher's warnings, but his mind has never been clearer. Wolf-Man realizes that day time doesn't count for the full moon night. Advantageous for the blonde dynamite, as he is not on a time limit, unlike his mentor.

 

"Whatever, old man! I'll rip and blast through both of you! DON'T GET IN MY WAY, DEKU!"

 

Izuku scowls as he hovers in the air prepared for the start of the match himself.

 

"I thought I told you to quit calling me that...!"

 

Star Man shakes his head and the area begins to tumble.

 

"Well, let's see if you really are, Invincible."

Chapter 35: The Immovable Object and the Unstoppable Force!

Summary:

Intensity! Izuku gets a true glimpse of the power gap between him and his father! However, it is Katsuki that sees he is the one being left behind, and decides on an ultimatum! Will he swallow his pride to work with his rival? Or will the beast within have him rip Deku apart!?

Everything is, ringing. He can barely hear himself think, let alone form thoughts on his brain, as it swims around in his aching skull. Invincible pushes a gigantic pile of debris off of him, standing out of a hill created from a building collapsing on top of him.

 

"That was just one. Think you can handle another?"

 

He hears next to him. He swings a fist that is slapped away by Star Man. 

 

"You're going to have to actually try to hit me if you want to hit me. Like this."

 

He did not even see the fist move or approach him.

 

 

 

---

 

 

Recovery Girl winces as she watches Invincible go flying down a street, and crash feet first into a wall, pinballing off of it as he meets his father with two fists to his chin. There's a brief struggle, before blood flies from Invincible's nose from an elbow, and is promptly hurled through another building that collapsed on top of him.

 

Star Man lands on top of the pile and digs his son out, holding him up, before being kneed in the sternum. He releases Invincible, who stays afloat, as he brings down a double ax swing on the top of the head. The ground under Star Man's feet cracks heavily, but he remains standing, and sends Invincible skyward with an uppercut that seems to have knocked the boy out on the spot.

 

Invincible lands on his back, and gets up slowly, before blocking a straight left and engages in a test of strength grapple.

 

Recovery Girl has seen what Star Man can do, a man capable of lifting entire mountains with one arm, who could rip entire battleships apart, someone that overpowered many Strength Quirks and gargantuan enemies.

 

His son is taking the hits only All Might and the Immortal could ever hope to endure.

 

"Well, he's at least trying to fighting back... Now, to check on the other two."

 

She sighs in minor annoyance as she watches Wolf-Man stab Katsuki's biceps, keeping him from swinging his explosive paws, he removes himself with a kick to the blonde's chest! Katsuki skids back, his heels digging into the concrete, before he burst forth using on of his special moves. The entire street is blown away, buildings shake and shudder, some even fall in on themselves.

 

But Wolf-Man lands behind him, having leapt into a somersault to evade the explosion, his claws readying a strike on his back. She is relieved when Invincible comes down like a meteorite and slams the teacher's jaw with a fist, firmly planting the whole head into the street. However, seeing this as a slight, Katsuki unleashed an explosion at them both.

 

"Rather violent, these two are, aren't they?"

 

She asks a photo on her phone. All Might and the Guardians posing with some of UA staff, some that are gone now, just like the Guardians themselves.

 

"Still, you saw something in that Midoriya... And he's been a good boy, even after that horrid night, but I wonder... Is he truly...?"

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

"INVINCIBLE!?! YOU THINK YOU'RE STILL ALL THAT??! AFTER A BLAST LIKE-!!"

 

"WATCH OUT!"

 

Invincible shouts out as he throws his partner out of the way of a punch from Star Man, before throwing his own, their fists cause the surrounding buildings to lean as a rainfall of glass crash down below. Invincible's arm shudders and trembles as he pushes against the unmoving arm of Star Man.

 

"You're not quite there, but you're making incredible growth. Still, this is a test. I'll have to push you to get results."

 

THOOM!!

 

Invincible's body crashes into Katsuki just as Wolf-Man roundhouse kicks his student in the jaw, positioning him just at the right place, at the right time. They crash into a building with Bakugo shoving the still dazed Invincible off of him.

 

"Get the fuck offa me!"

 

"This isn't going anywhere... We need a plan."

 

Invincible says as he pushes himself to his feet using a wall to help steady himself. Katsuki snarls at him.

 

"Like I need any more of your supposed genius! You're not the boss of me-!"

 

"And you're not as fast or as strong as me! You want to win?! Then you tell me how!?!"

 

The young dynamite barks back at him as his fur stands on end.

 

"I crush them both to dust-!"

 

"When you couldn't even crush me. Get over yourself!"

 

It is happening again, Katsuki thinks. He had forgotten, because the loser regressed back to his old self so easily during their time in class and exams, but how soon has he forgotten.

 

Deku is not here anymore. Whatever, whoever this new person is, he hates him more than Deku. He hates every word that they say with his face, because he knows that they are right, that when it comes to physical performance? 

 

Invincible is his superior. Utterly. Completely. Invincible turns away from Katsuki, fully intending on moving on, ready to abandon him.

 

"I'm done trying to placate you. Either come up with a plan? Or I leave you behind at the gate-"

 

He stops at a clawed hand roughly pulling him back. A fight looks ready to happen, but Katsuki lowers his head.

 

"Wait. I-I... I have, an idea..."

 

"... I do too, if you're willing to hear me out on it."

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

"Well, I'll be..."

 

Mera says as he watches the students succeed. Katsuki faced down against both Heroes. Star Man underestimated him, going in alone, but then he releases an ear piercing shriek. A horrible roar, a bellowing howl that breaks nearby windows, a voice crack upon reaching such a high frequency that forces Star Man to his knees. Cecil leans forward in interest.

 

"I've never seen him on his knees like that...! How did the kid do that!?!"

 

Invincible erupted from the ground landing an earth-shattering uppercut. He sent his father out of view hurtling away into the sky before both students flew into and crashed into Wolf-Man. Slamming him into a wall as he coughed up red. Winded, dazed, the two waste no time and make it to the escape! Passing their test.

 

Cecil snaps his fingers at the nearest staff as he begins to walks out of the observation room.

 

"I need immediate research on what we just witnessed. I want to make sure it's exactly what it looks like. Last time we saw this, I assumed magic bullshit from a demon, but this time? It can't be coincidence."

 

Donald replays the footage of Katsuki's sonic roar, saving and sending it to the GDA's Research and Development facility, with Mera himself reporting this to his own superior before addressing Cecil.

 

"This could be our one big break... All we even have our smoking gun with that audio recording."

 

Cecil glares at Star Man as he shakes his woozy son's hand.

 

"He'll slip up again... But more than anything, I don't even care about putting him away, or dealing with him... I just want to know one thing. Why."

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

Mina and Denki sit at their desks in despair.

 

"How were we supposed to beat the Principal when he's using a whole damn crane...!?"

 

The electric blonde whines. He winces when Jirō bonks his head with her study book.

 

"You can fell a Class 4 Kaiju, but can't beat someone that's actually smarter than you?"

 

He shoots up to his feet whining even louder.

 

"YOU HAD IT EASY!! POWER MICE-SENSEI'S A PUSHOVER!"

 

Jirō shakes her head before nodding at Kōda.

 

"Without him, I would've gone deaf. It was a team effort after all."

 

She grins giving her shy classmate a thumbs up that he smiles at. Mina leans back in her chair shooting a smug grin at an equally disappointed Eijirō.

 

"I heard you and Satō-kun got your butts kicked too."

 

The red head takes the loss with some pride as he sits up, clenching his fist wearing a pained expression.

 

"Cementoss taught us that what it means to be a man! Not just brawn... But brains too...!"

 

Satō rubs his neck as he sits down with his back up lunch as the class mingles during after school hours.

 

"I'll have to figure out how to use my brain with my Quirk! With too much sugar, all I can do is swing my arms, hard and fast! I'm pretty confident in my strength but, Cementoss-sensei absolutely dominated us!"

 

Tsuyu taps her chin as she pets the now smaller Dark Shadow with her other hand.

 

"Without Fumikage to cover me, I'd definitely fail against Ectoplasm. We make a great team."

 

The brooding bird almost smirks at the praise as he gives his own words of encouragement.

 

"Without your secret skill, all would have been lost. It is you I should be grateful to."

 

Shōto shakes his head a bashfully beaming Momo.

 

"I knew you had a plan that could get us over, but hidden flash bangs?"

 

"I-I wasn't sure if it would work! If it weren't for your encouragement, I don't think I could've pulled it off...!"

 

Ochako looks around as the others congratulate each other.

 

"Where's Izzie at? Or Bakugo?"

 

She grows stuff at her partner teasing her, as Yuga coyly asks.

 

"Are you sure you and Midoriya are just friend- GWACK!?!"

 

Ochako swiftly puts him in a chokehold she had learned from Gunhead.

 

"That's enough out of you."

 

"Aghck! Ack! Gah! S-So-Sorry!! I went too far-!! It was a genuine question! Urk-! Honest! Please, mademoiselle!!"

 

Tōru looks around rubbing her head.

 

"You know, you could hear their exam going on. They helped give me and Mezō the win with an earthquake!"

 

Mezō closes his eyes, arms folded as one of his tentacles speak for him.

 

"We were fine, but having Snipe-sensei fall over was helpful."

 

Denki lets out a groan.

 

"Still, those two are getting crazy strong...! I feel like a small fry compared to them! I'm training extra fierce for this summer break instead of hitting the beaches!"

 

Sero snickers as he slaps his shoulder.

 

"Gotta catch up with the ones that passed their exams before you can catch up with the elite!"

 

He pales as Mineta calls him out.

 

"If it didn't require the both of us to pass through the gate, I would've left you behind, dead weight! You weren't any help at all!"

 

Sero only chuckles in response with a guilty smile. As the others continue their conversation, Tenya looks out of the window towards the sky.

 

"... But where are those two?"

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

"We're almost there."

 

Katsuki says as he brings Izuku to a field in the woods. The evening sky darkening towards night, and the moon shall soon rise. It has been an awkward one-sided conversation, Izuku trying to apologize, and Katsuki only dragging him all the way out here in the middle of nowhere. His blonde former bully gestures around with a wave of his arm.

 

"This is where I learned some secret shit from Gary. Like the fact werewolves don't only lose their shit on a full moon? We also get stronger from it. Almost nothing can stop us, not even Kaiju."

 

"... Why did you bring me out here."

 

Izuku asks. His rival debuts a somber look. Katsuki rarely cried, and though he looked ready for tears, none appear in his eyes as he glares into Izuku's worried gaze.

 

"... You're not Deku... But you still piss me off like Deku. That same, stupid expression, but lately there's been another thing that pisses me off about you."

 

He looks down at a raised hand, smoldering sizzling smoke billows out from his palms as he speaks.

 

"When you beat me, soundly... You were confident. You were, tough. Strong... And then, when that Battle Beast ripped open your guts, you still stood up. You still were ready to fight, to die standing, like a man. Like... Like a Hero... And then that footage, of All Might's ghost over you, like he chose you out of everyone else?"

 

His palm releases a violent explosion into the sky, a hurricane wind as he begins to change.

 

"Ever since you got those powers, that's when I thought you got all high and mighty, that your stupid ego gave you a swollen ass head...!!! But, I always knew... That's just how you always were... Always eager to please, always eager to jump in to help, always looking to do something! Even when you're unable to do fucking anything!!!"

 

The young lycanthrope towers over Izuku, fully transformed as the night has finally arrived, eyes of golden intent stab into the Viltrumite's soul.

 

"So let's settle this here and now... Whether you're Deku, a pebble in my way, or if you're Izuku... Someone... I thought I could look up to."

 

The truth is, Gary had to be somewhere. He as a werewolf is also susceptible to the full moon. He could be restrained, with the others, but in terms of raw power? None of their restraints would be able to hold Katsuki down for long.

 

So Katsuki had made a decision, and Cecil had agreed to it, wanting to see for himself the results of this improvised operation. This test.

 

Who would truly win? Katsuki Bakugo, the Fiery Prince of Werewolves? Or Izuku Midoriya, the Son of the Strongest Man on Earth?

 

Izuku raises his hands. The Deku, Katsuki grew up with, would have tried to weasel out of this or-

 

No... What he says next brings him a massive headache, and yet comes as a great relief.

 

"I'll help you. No matter how many times you try to blow me away. I'm glad that you're actually asking for it this time."

 

"YOU THINK YOU'RE A MIND READER NOW, HUH!?!"

 

The werewolf barks with salivating jaws. Izuku produces a bead of sweat down his brow as he gives a nervous smile.

 

"After knowing you for so long? I can definitely read yours..."

 

Izuku knows nothing of the test or the GDA's study, but he does know about Wolf-Man and his warnings, as well as his own studies of the newest addition to UA Staff. He was paying attention to what Gary had to say. He knows that Katsuki is his superior in terms of physicality, and in a battle of instincts, Gary had all but confirmed that his heir is worthy. 

 

Which means, as far as that full moon rampage is concerned, there's only one person that could keep Katsuki occupied from hurting anyone. From destroying anything. One person he could rely on.

 

"Think of it of your chance to finally crush me after all!"

 

He says with a bit of earnestness. Today he had blown up at him in the heat of the moment, and he had meant to apologize and did so repeatedly, but by now? He just wasn't that same kid from middle school. Neither of them were. He knew this as Katsuki said one last thing before the full moon finally arrived over the edge of the horizon.

 

"... Izuku... D-Don't die..."

 

A deafening roars sounds their battle. Golden eyes flush blood red, claws grow ever longer with the fangs becoming ever sharper. Two plumes of blinding fire erupt from his palms as Katsuki's hands soon becomes laden with intense flames.

 

The Beast has stunned Izuku, who braced for the his ears to suffer, but found himself stumbling in a drunken pained stupor before a flash of white strikes him through a tree. He felt that one. A minor bruise forms over his cheek as he sits up in time to uppercut the lunging monster. Katsuki does a backwards flip from the strike yet lands on his hind legs, before swinging his arms with reckless abandon, shooting forth brilliant fire balls that shake the entire area with each explosion.

 

The first three destroy his top, and nearly wins him, but Izuku soon find a a gap between explosions, and flies out of the growing smoke cloud. Hanging above as he watches the feral blonde continue to blast away, Izuku flies down with the speed of a missile, and crashes into Katsuki.

 

The last time something hit him this hard, he stayed down for a good minute, but this time Izuku pulls back with a yelp as three  claws marks thinly shred the upper most layer of his skin. Then, he lets out a howl as large gash tears through his flesh and reaches his muscle, before being sent to the sky with a two-handed uppercut by the primal brute. His head swimming, unable to focus, Katsuki unleashes his strongest explosion, turning night into day for only a single moment within the immediate zone. A gigantic firework that alerts many of the nocturnal Heroes. 

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

Afar, using his ear piece, Cecil watches on as he gives orders.

 

"That's right, I want them to ignore this, this is Hero Association business. Tell them we're running an intensive training regimen for Fire Quirks, or terrorists, whatever you can. Don't let anyone not within the Top Ten Ranking get near here. These two will tear anyone weaker than that apart by sheer accident."

 

As he watches, he gets a true confirmation. Thanks to Izuku's bout with the Battle Beast and the Demon Invasion, he has plenty of DNA samples to use. Unfortunately, all of them came back with one result.

 

They can't hurt Viltrumites. Chemical weapons and toxins from Earth do nothing, diseases get eliminated in an instant, cancer itself from radiation is not even an argument to be had... Even their blood somehow adapted, too stubborn to boil, and somehow becoming warm enough to not freeze unless plunged into the absolute most coldest temperatures.

 

But their ears? Their ears are sensitive to a specific frequency achieved at a certain volume, loud but not too loud, a specific perfect pitch.

 

One of his oldest cohorts and former partner when he was an agent himself speaks up. The woman in charge of it all when it comes to Hero Society, only surpassed by Cecil's authority. And only, his, authority. No one else in the GDA would dare to cross the woman known as Madam President: Head of the Hero Public Safety Commission.

 

"This is vile. Pitting two teenager up against each other in a death match like this is repulsive."

 

She says stoically. He retorts without so much as a blink.

 

"Izuku Midoriya could of turned him into pulp with one punch or sent him to space by now. This isn't a death match. He's one of the only ones on call right now that can wrangle in a threat that could wipe out half the population of Japan overnight."

 

She gives him a skeptical scoffs, looking between screens and Cecil.

 

"That's quite a claim. There are Villains that can eradicate a person upon touch, or create hurricanes, but this furry teenager is the big threat for tonight?"

 

He points ahead with a remote as he changes one of the screens to show I-Island. It is under attack by a band of Villains aiming to hijack an expo. They are soundly defeated by Star Man.

 

"No. He isn't. That one is. We're using them, to find a way to beat him."

 

She narrows her eyes as Star Man solves the I-Island Incident within but a few hours. Shaking hands, saving lives, seemingly basking in the Hero worship he never stayed around long enough to ever foster.

 

"... Do we have hard evidence that he did it?"

 

Cecil taps on the remote control to play out the recorded audio of Inko confronting Hisashi. Of his confession.

 

"Hard to use this in court in any meaningful way... But this isn't just it. We're positive, although just a theory, that Belloc fell. Statistically, even at this very moment, Midoriya shouldn't have been able to beat him. The king took a dive and is sitting in a custom cell within Tartarus that was gathering dust because no one thought it'd ever be used... Why? Why take that dive? And what he said to the kid?"

 

He plays audio from their fight, up until Izuku left the defeated King behind, and the GDA along with Heroes airlifted Belloc off of the beach.

 

"There is something fishy going. He would have killed that kid unless he had an agreement that he wouldn't. Star Man must have, somehow, bargained or even intimidated the most powerful super fauna on the planet into submission. That's an entire species worth of nuclear bombs that could erupts across the planet at his command. I don't care what shifty, shady or shitty way we do this. Star Man, has to be taken down."

 

There is a palpable silence.

 

It is broken as Madam President turns to leave, stopping at the door only to say one thing.

 

"You do what you have to, and so will I. The people need Hero Society, they need Heroes to aspire and inspire them, and this... Will complicate things. I'll just have to trust you'll tell me what your plan is soon."

 

Cecil returns his focus on the battle as Izuku holds Katsuki in a crushing headlock, his arms burned with claws sinking slowly into his limbs, as the werewolf struggles to move with the lack of air.

 

"Will do."

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

Katsuki wakes with his body on fire. Not, literally, but he feels like lead being stabbed a thousand times in a thousand different places. He tries to sit up, but finds himself coughing terribly, almost hacking up what feels like a shredded lung. He turns his head to see Izuku, looking about how he feels, ruined and bloodied. All in one piece, sitting up against a broken tree, the downed werewolf can see that the forest they were in has been destroyed. Craters, rock spires, trees burnt black and patches of molten rock now cooling.

 

"... How long was I out?"

 

He asks. Izuku holds up a finger.

 

"A minute. You woke up as soon as I started to relax... Impressive as ever Kacchan-"

 

"Don't. Call me that."

 

Katsuki stares up at the now glowing morning sky. The Sun daring the peek over as seconds pass by at the rate of hours for his weary soul.

 

"... When were kids, we weren't equals at all, Kacchan and his Groupie Deku. I waited for you to be cool, to get a Quirk, I wanted you to race with me to the top... I left you behind, because you were just a pebble in my way... Just, Deku."

 

He turns his head away from Izuku now, for the first time, allowing himself to even truly confront the feeling of... Shame. Inadequacy.

 

"Then, out of nowhere it all happened... You're flying faster than lightning... You're hitting harder than Death Arms or Immortal... You're taking hits way better than All Might... Even when you're crying your ugly tears and have your guts spilling out of your hand... You were... Strong..."

 

At last, tears roll down across his nose and onto the hard soil as Katsuki speaks between stifled sobs.

 

"I hated it...! I wanted to blame things for being so fucking unfair...!!! I-I was supposed to be the one that was better! Stronger! Faster! I-I was supposed to save you! But... But...!! Just like when I fell in that creek... When I got captured by that slimy bastard... When that stupid white lion showed up and even when I turned for the first time!!!"

 

He pauses. That stubborn part of him, that would sooner die than admit the truth, it comes back even now as he struggles against his pride. Against his ego. Against his truest impulses as he finally becomes honest... Honest, with Izuku. Honest, with himself.

 

"You... We're always gonna be a Hero somehow... And I hated that, whenever you'd sweat or cry, I thought that meant you gave up. When you never fought back? I thought what we had was dead. That you were worthless... All that time together... Meant nothing... And I got so used to that... When you finally became what you were always gonna be? I couldn't believe it. I just... I just couldn't... Not until now."

 

He finally turns his head back to Izuku, allowing him to show his most vulnerable self, against even Izuku's expectations of him.

 

"... You're on your way to the top... Izuku."

Chapter 36: The Good News...

Summary:

With Summer Break here, and a bit of time before the Summer Training Camp begins, Izuku and the rest of his friends find themselves on I-Island!! With a recent Villain attempt at hijacking the island thwarted by Star Man, Izuku finds himself as the guest of honor, as All For One prepares a very special announcement...

Himiko stalked the scorched fields this morning. She was not alone when investigating the insane sounds of carnage, but she is all that remained, as others fled for safety or for fear of their lives. She however caught a glimpse of the fight. Her eyes widened despite the whipping winds and black smoke attacking her vision. Her jaw drops despite the taste of burnt wood and smell of fresh blood, or perhaps that is what got her to salivate, as she watched Izuku.

 

He looks so much like that other one from her middle school. The only one, that wasn't Suture, to defend her. Who, attempted to befriend her, and ultimately met his end because of her. Bloodied and beaten, she finally caught a glimpse of the one Shigaraki hated so much.

 

And how she fell in love with his violence. His rage. His strength. Most of all, his clear compassion, as he so obviously held back to help a friend who he had such friction with. His ability to win people over.

 

She now watches the replays of the UA Sports Festival with doting attention. Much to the ire of her newest employer.

 

"You can watch that anywhere else but you chose to watch it here..."

 

Shigaraki remarks. Himiko turns to him, pointing at the screen with an excited yelp.

 

"It's like information on a silver platter! You can see all their best moves and learn how to read them!"

 

He scowls at her, his hands off of his body as he places a finger on a blood sample from Izuku that Toga stole.

 

"Expired information. They'll be different people by the time we strike."

 

He then snarls as he watches the tip of his finger barely affect the blood sample. Only exactly where he touches seems to diminish, and only ever so slightly, bit by bit does the space directly under his dirty finger actually decay. Not all at once as it is with others. In fact, the plastic tray itself is rendered to dust before the blood is. He swipes his hand away, casting it and several glass cups to the side, sending them crashing against the floor.

 

"He'd beat me before I could kill him... How....!?! How can something be so, immovable...!!! Is he actually, Invincible?"

 

"And you wouldn't know that without my help! By the by, I got us a few new faces that we'll be meeting in a few! ~ You might wanna clean that up?"

 

Himiko chirps as she holds her hands under her chin while batting her eyelashes at him. Tomura spills liquor on her head which gets her to gag.

 

"Ew!! Ew!! Gachk! Ugh! Gross!"

 

"Says the hemophiliac... But... Good work."

 

He says, begrudgingly, yet it is enough to get her to beam a bright spotlight of pearly fangs his way.

 

"I'm so great, aren't I?! You should praise me more! More!!"

 

"Shut up."

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

Cecil enters into their shared clinic room, Izuku sits up with only minor scratches still open and his bruises having ceased their swelling, whereas Katsuki is still in bed with an IV attached to his drained body. His injuries have mostly healed but he is without any energy or stamina, only able to just look around weakly.

 

"You two definitely put on a show."

 

Izuku stands out of his bed, as if ready for action.

 

"Steadman-san-! What are you doing here?"

 

Cecil gestures ahead at Katsuki.

 

"Here for him. You look able bodied. Mind giving us the room?"

 

Izuku reluctantly nods, he trusts Cecil, and if he wants to be alone with Katsuki? It must be something important. When Izuku leaves, the blonde dynamite glares at Cecil.

 

"Here to give me a lecture...?"

 

Cecil reaches into his coat and pulls out a card. One has only given to one other in Class 1-A.

 

"I got something better in mind than that. Gary is right to not have you involved with W.O.L.F. Corps. You belong somewhere else."

 

Katsuki's eyes widen seeing the Guardians of the Globe logo on the card.

 

"Who the Hell are you...!?!"

 

"Someone that can get you as close to the top as you want. It'll be up to you if you can be the top dog, but just know this, that as far as Heroes are concerned? I don't deal with the best of the best, only those even better than them, and you're close to that. Think the offer over, dynamite."

 

Cecil begins to leaves Katsuki behind, ignoring the weak shouts.

 

"Hey! Hey!! You, balding scar faced, ass!! You think you can just scout me out like I'm a piece of meat!?!"

 

Cecil stops at the door and turns his head to speak.

 

"I just think you've got potential, and this'll be a perfect way for you to make up for that whole Kaiju Fiasco you started at the Sports Festival."

 

Katsuki finds the strength to sit up.

 

"That was-!"

 

It is not enough strength to continue shouting, and as he finds himself feeling faint, Cecil speaks over him.

 

"A spectacular show of such arrogance and ego that you alone kick-started an event so dangerous, it's an actual miracle no one fucking died, and you were asleep through most of it because you were knocked out by the only one of them that doesn't hate humanity! You, didn't even finish that fight! So yeah, I think I will treat you how I damn well want, because were it not for your current position and newfound strength as Gary's second? I'd blow your goddamned brains out. You're not as special as you think you are."

 

Cecil waits. This is his test for Katsuki Bakugo. Something about the boy changed since that Practical Exam, especially if that conversation last night he had is any indication, the usual blonde explosion would erupt at him.

 

Katsuki however, looks down, simmering and sizzling. Furious, raw, and yet...

 

"If that's how you damn well feel, why haven't you locked me away or put a bullet in me, huh...?"

 

Cecil sighs and adjusts his tie. He paces back and forth with his hands on his hips as he simmers down as well.

 

"Because no matter how I feel about it, you're just a kid, and a damn prodigy at that. Powerful Quirk, quick to act, natural in a violent situation without actively being a threat to civilians... On purpose."

 

He stops and turns to the delinquent fully.

 

"You just have to get that ego of yours in check, and you really could be one of the greatest Heroes in the world, even giving Star Man trouble. But only under one strict condition."

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

"I might drop out of UA."

 

Katsuki says to his parents. There's a brief stunned silence at the dinner table before Mitsuki slams her hand down on the desk.

 

"The Hell you are!! And what's with that sorry sad boy look on your face!? What now?! There's no way you lost your nerve!!"

 

Katsuki shouts back with fire in eyes that warms Mitsuki's soul. For a moment she grew worried that he had lost his passion.

 

"That ain't it at all, you crazy hag!! UA is all about heroes that shine in the light and shit! Pansy ass Disney Princesses that smile for the camera bullshit!"

 

Masaru speaks up timidly.

 

"Did Hisashi say something to you? I-Is this because of your, condition-?"

 

Katsuki simmers down, rarely ever shouting at his father, mostly due to his respect of the man rather than the fear of his mother's wrath.

 

"Not that... It's me. I came to a revelation or something. I'm not cut out for this UA stuff... But I'm good at fighting. I'm good at blasting. I'm great at moving! But marketing? Dumb speeches? Looking good for the camera? Look at me, dammit!!"

 

He transforms as he stands, his head almost hitting the ceiling with his growth, his posture bent heavily as he has to practically bow not to crash through the second floor.

 

"LOOK! I don't do what those pansy losers do! I don't act like some celebrity! I fight! I blast! I go for the kill! So... I'm gonna join up with the Guardians."

 

Mitsuki prepared herself a rousing speech to slap all the fangs out of her son's stubborn muzzle. However, bringing up that name at the end? It nearly doused all of her inner fury.

 

"... The Guardians? At your age?! What're you talking about?"

 

She asks. Katsuki returns to normal and falls into his chair.

 

"This old scarred fossil came up to me. Said he was putting a team together. I just gotta finish out the year, since that's how long it'll take to repair stuff, get the resources and dadada... But, the best of the best stand under that title. It's bigger, better, and more dangerous than any position in Japan. It's right where we fit in."

 

Masaru's eyes widen and Mitsuki for the first time in a long time is breathless. He knew Cecil personally, and she heard enough from Masaru to know his description. It was now Masaru's turn to raise his voice, which catches the blonde dynamite off guard.

 

"Have you lost your damn mind, boy!?"

 

"... D-Dad-?'

 

Masaru stands from his seat, his throat in a flex as he shouts, shocking his wife.

 

"NO! YOU'RE NOT WORKING WITH HIM! NOT NOW!! NOT EVER!!!"

 

"H-Honey...?"

 

"I understand Izuku, that I get-! But you!?"

 

Katsuki finds his own fire as he leans forward.

 

"What's that supposed to mean...?!"

 

Masaru throws his hands into the air.

 

"It means, you're not ready for what Hisashi faces! I don't even think Izuku is, but he will have his father with him, I can't protect you out there! Only here in Japan-!"

 

"I never asked for your fucking protection, Dad! Star Man can watch over us both, besides, I'm not some fragile little doll-!"

 

Katsuki barks but his father overpowers him with the bass in his voice.

 

"This isn't about physical protection! I bet everything Cecil said to you made sense, right!? You couldn't see a feasible argument against any of what he had to say!?"

 

Masaru shouts, a heated yet desperate tone in his voice. Katsuki shakes his head.

 

"I didn't even argue with him. Why would I? This isn't some stupid decision made on the fly, Dad! I ain't even starting training for it until the end of this year!"

 

Masaru stands the air with his finger, a cold sweat trickling down his red face.

 

"Cecil Steadman is a manipulative, middle managing control freak, you won't be able to work with him-! You can barely work with others!! This is just him finding some, useful weapon or asset, to utilize against some ridiculous big threat he won't tell anyone about until it's too late or prematurely dealt with!!!"

 

"AND WHAT'S WRONG WITH THAT?!?"

 

Katsuki shouts back. He slaps his chest.

 

"HASN'T ANYONE BEEN PAYING ATTENTION, TO ME!?! I BLOW, SHIT, UP!!! I WANT TO BE A WEAPON!!! I WANT TO BE SOMEONE, THAT CAN TEAR INTO THE BAD GUYS, WITHOUT ANY RESTRAINT!!! I'M SICK, OF BEING ON A FUCKING LEASH, EVEN BEFORE I BECAME A BIG FUCKING DOG!!!"

 

A deafening silence hovers between the fueding family. Masaru glares at his son, but his anger is at another, while Katsuki burns a piercing gold stare like a spear through his father's heart.

 

"I'm gonna do what I think is good for me. If you don't want that, too fucking bad. I'll do this on my own if I have to."

 

"The Fuck You Will!!"

 

Mistuki shouts as she shoots up to her feet, but Masaru calms her down with a hand on her shoulder, he returns to the quiet man they both knew their whole lives.

 

"Okay, Katsuki. Okay."

 

"HUH!?! AFTER ALL THAT?!?"

 

His wife shouts at him. Masaru however, shakes his head.

 

"He's growing up. He isn't stupid... Even if this is a decision I can't approve of whatsoever, this is his decision to make... Katsuki, I've given you every warning I can... So as your father, all I can do now, is support you."

 

Katsuki's glare does not let up, but he stands straight, then bows.

 

"Thanks, pops."

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

Inko looks at her son as they stand in front of the mirror. The unfortunately delayed funeral has arrived. The final send off for Earth's Mightiest Champions, the Guardians of the Globe. She is dressed up as well, formal black attire, with Hisashi missing. He had gone on ahead, for the funeral will take place on the recently renovated I-Island. It had been attacked by a radical group of villains while a celebratory seminar had been held in the honor of the Hero Association.

 

Star Man handled it within less than an hour.

 

So of course, as the only other surviving member of the team, he has been tasked to speak at their funeral. It has been in the works since the GDA found their skeletal remains, with Star and Stripe recovery, as well as their own investigation along with the One Day War at the Sports Festival? A lot has delayed what should have happened quite a while ago.

 

But better late than never.

 

"Have you ever been to I-Island, Mom?"

 

He asks as he attempts to tie his own tie, but relents to her doting when he fails, garnering a giggle out of her.

 

"Once, actually. With Masaru and your father. It was the first time I ever got to see him in his costume up close, usually he would change before coming home, and I even met some super scientist in person before! It's a lovely and incredibly advanced symbol of modern technology...!"

 

She looks up at him with a worried frown.

 

"You may not feel it, but I think you tied this part too tightly... Could you...?"

 

"O-Oh! Right, right..."

 

He undoes the knot and she finishes her work on him. She pulls on his sleeve, his suit jacket, and attempts to fix his hair.

 

"M-Mom... That's enough, don't you think?"

 

"Izuku. Let me do this... Please, I-"

 

She pauses as she thinks. This, wonderful boy, her living miracle is about to attend a funeral to people he worshipped. One of them, a savior of the world, who put his own stock into her son... Killed by her husband, this boy's father, and now here they are going to their funeral.

 

It makes her sick to her stomach as she forces herself to look into his eyes.

 

"This could have been you one day. Every moment, that I'm allowed to be your mother, is the moment I live for. You're growing up so fast and I just can't keep up... So, let me just have these little moments, okay?"

 

"... I-I didn't mean... I'm... I'm sorry."

 

He says feeling guilty, which kills her. She is quick to bring his lowered face back up as she smiles.

 

"So long as we have you and your father, we've very little to worry about, Invincible."

 

At that, he smiles back, and the two fly off for I-Island.

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

David Shield, the man behind "All Might". His suit, his few tools in Support Gear, even many of his early mission successes could be traced back to this one man. An exemplary genius within Quirk research, developing some of the greatest technologies, earning himself a Nobel Peace Prize. He was more than a partner, he was the crutch along with Gran Torino that allowed Toshinori Yagi to overcome his grief, and become the Symbol of Peace.

 

His death being announced felt like an ill joke. When he came to Cecil, he wished he never demanded to see the evidence, the black skeleton of his brother in heroics. His greatest ally. His best friend. Burnt like charcoal after a long grill. As if he were nothing, but meat.

 

Star and Stripe and Star Man were the only survivors, which while it made sense to his logical brain, a gut feeling struck him. Why was Star Man even there? How did the Guardians get defeated while the mountain they had kept secret from countless organizations, remain standing? Although it was known that the Order knew, they could not have acted in such a subtle manner, and the devastation found at the scene of the crime made it evident.

 

A fight broke out. But who fought who? How? Why?

 

"Mr. Shield?"

 

He hears as he scans over the crime scene again, the eighteenth time today alone, but he looks away from his screen and at his apprentice.

 

The only person worthy of note in his life, at least until recently, is his daughter Melissa. However, some days ago, a young boy had gotten into trouble for compromising the immaculate defense of I-Island. David however, saw the truth, as the boy explained the flaws he saw in them and tried to fix them himself. No one believed him when he asked first, and upon taking the task himself, was almost blacklisted and exiled from the island.

 

And yet, those very flaws in the system is what allowed a group of Villains to nearly takeover the entire island, in search for his secret project that had somehow been leaked.

 

Were it not for Star Man, Wolfram the Metal Manipulating Villain would have ruled over the most technological site on Earth, all because of a group of elders did not have faith in the youth of today.

 

But David, did. 

 

That boy, Zack Thompson, gingerly approaches him.

 

"I finished tweaking some of the mishaps out of the Quirk Amplification Device. I'm shocked that they actually allowed us to work on it again."

 

His young ward remarks looking up from a holographic tablet. He grows dour from the grim expression his teacher has on, the man hasn't smiled since the news of the Guardians.

 

"Anything and anyone capable of defeating the Guardians of the Globe as quietly as they did, is threat to the world at large, and with so much unknown... The GDA, The World Hero Association, and the top scientists of I-Island have no choice but to look into the fastest means of defense."

 

David stares at a photo of All Might, himself, and his daughter Melissa when she was younger. It was a trip to Chicago, one that was filled with chaos, yet thrilling wonder at the hands of the villainous organization: The Vicious Circle. The one that took the photo was none other than Christopher Skyline and in the background is an old friend in Officer Dragon.

 

Officer Dragon is an unknown variable with no Quirk to his body, yet capable of incredible physical feats of power, and Christopher was a man with a heart of gold underneath a veneer of a shallow playboy.

 

Toshinori Yagi, was unstoppable.

 

"... Yeah, I-I hear ya, Teach... But, the funeral is happening in a few days. Are we attending?"

 

Zack feels like an idiot asking this, but he has been working non-stop with his teacher, even if the man only recently recruited him. They actually met quite a few times before, but he never made a lasting impression, despite his best attempts.

 

Were it not for Melissa, David probably would have never heard of him, and thinking about her always brightened Zack's mood. 

 

David nods and stands from his desk.

 

"Of course. There will be two services actually... One will be here, for the public, for the world to attend all around the globe. Each of them were valued, greatly... The second one, will only be for the exclusive family and friends... All Might was a brother to me, and an uncle to Melissa... You two would've gotten along, swimmingly..."

 

He walks past his protege sighing.

 

"We don't want people to desecrate their remains... What little of them that there is..."

 

"...! What... Little...?"

 

They both stiffen upon hearing the door open up. Melissa enters the room, golden hair and shimmering eyes of blue, that steal Zack's breath away.

 

"M-Melissa! You're looking-! Uh, great!"

 

She beams at Zack.

 

"You're too nice to me, Zack! ~ Hey, Dad? We have a visitor! A-A weird one..."

 

She steps aside as Star Man enters the room, eliciting a quiet gasp from David.

 

"Y-You...!?"

 

David has only spoken to this silent, and technically illegal vigilante, twice. The first time when moving into I-Island from California, as that was when Belloc attacked the state, and fell into the fault line. The second time was the hospital, right after AFO's defeat, when he visited All Might after seeing the live footage of their battle.

 

Star Man, is a divisive figure, but even David heard about some of his moves with Toshinori about saving the world. Saving the environment, quelling the disparity between Quirks and Quirkless, ceasing the ageless war between Mankind and Kaiju.

 

He's never harbored strong feelings towards the mysterious hero, his true nature as an alien is something he has always been skeptical of, a popular fan theory that had some basis with the likes of Martian Man.

 

Star Man speaks then, tearing him from his thoughts.

 

"Mr. Shield. I've come to speak with you."

 

His helmet turns to Zack then.

 

"Privately."

 

David nods at his young wards who reluctantly leave the adults alone in the office. Once sufficiently left alone, Hisashi takes his helmet off, revealing his face to David.

 

"... You have a moustache?"

 

"As well as a name. Hisashi Midoriya. I worked closely with All Might... With, Toshinori. He once told me, if anything were to happen to him, that you would be the one I could rely on for aid. I believe he told you about our, projects?"

 

David nods, folding his arms at Hisashi.

 

"I've already done my part where I could. I'm not sure how much more I can help you without him."

 

Hisashi takes a step forward.

 

"More than you would think. He isn't gone... He never told you, that he took on an apprentice? That he left behind, his will, his whole spirit in another?"

 

At that, David's eyes widened.

 

"He never said anything about an apprentice...!"

 

"He had his secrets, we all do, but this apprentice is someone that is... Just like him. They call him, Invincible. He will be the one to ensure that the world will still have a Symbol of Peace."

 

"The one that stopped Belloc...!? The one, defeated that monster in Hosu...! The one that fought with the image of Toshi...!"

 

Hisashi nods.

 

"Exactly. David, now more than ever, is the time for the people of Earth to unite. At the funeral, I plan on revealing myself, properly to the world as I am about to do to you right now... I come from a planet, named Viltrum..."

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

"What are you doing here?!"

 

Izuku asks his friends as people gather in the Island's spacious center. Mineta gives him a thumbs up with a wink.

 

"Kaminari and I took on some jobs for the summer!"

 

Denki proudly pokes his chest with a thumb.

 

"I also got a special invite by some big wig to study my Quirk! Not every day someone takes on a Kaiju and beats them at their own element! Hehehe!!"

 

Tenya bows his head slightly.

 

"Dark Wing was a business partner of my family, a long line of Heroes, my brother is actually further ahead."

 

Momo gives a mournful wave as she smiles at Izuku.

 

"My mother was invited out, given that several facilities here are owned and funded by the Viltrum Corporation. They're half the reason I-Island exists."

 

Izuku leans forward from feeling Kirishima wrap and arm around him.

 

"You're heir to a whole legacy of awesomeness dude! I'm starting to get jealous of you, seriously!"

 

Jirō pinches his ear, pulling the red head off of Izuku as she pouts at the whining delinquent.

 

"Be respectful at least for today?"

 

"Ow, ow-! Hey! That hurts-! I-I'm serious!"

 

Ochako leans forward as she notices Izuku looking around.

 

"You seem distracted... Not all of us made it, I think."

 

"R-Right, but... I could've sworn I saw-"

 

The announcements for the funeral echo throughout the island. With little time left, everyone makes their way to their seats, some Heroes float in the air while others watch from afar on television screens or personal devices.

 

The world at large comes together, if only for a moment, even third world countries using radios and stolen screens to tune in. Even Villains, from the shadows, watch as Star Man lands from above on stage with the caskets of Earth's Champions.

 

"... You, know them as the greatest heroes on Earth. For me, they were the greatest friends. Despite my flaws, my controversies, they never hesitated to help me as they would any of you. It is thanks to their efforts, that inspired not just the past generations, but the future to achieve the impossible. Global crime rates, plummeting, environmental issues nearly solved and even discrimination between numerous parties... Many may think that with their deaths, dark times will come... But listen to me, people of Earth, and know that they still continue to stand with us from the beyond. The Immortal, War Woman, Captain Celebrity, Martian Man, Aquarius, Green Ghost... All Might... In the Heroes of this newest generation, we saw the potential that surpassed even us, in those of you before me now. Dark times will come, but such is why we Heroes exist, to face these dark days and endure. To succeed. To make a brighter tomorrow... Today, we weep, but I have good news to share. To quote the Symbol of Peace... Should you ever feel as if it is all hopeless? Look to your neighbors, look to your friends, and look to the skies... It will all be fine. Why? Because I, am-"

 

[ "-a brother! As my friend! Even when the whole world shunned you, I was there!" ]

 

Star Man hears as the audio of his microphone dies. He turns around as the gigantic screen, the source feed which all are watching from, changes into a scene he knew for certain could not exist.

 

It changes, cutting between each and every one of his kills, abrupt but clear cuts. Angles from the cameras within the Guardians HQ. Footage that shouldn't exist, because the black box and cameras were destroyed in the fire he started. 

 

The footage returns back to his brief interaction with All Might. Their, final interaction.

 

[ "I never asked to be a part of your kind. I never was." ]

 

[ "AND WHAT ABOUT MIDORIYA!?!" THAT BOY WORSHIPPED US!!! HE WANTED TO BE YOU-! SO BADLY HE RISKED IT ALL!!! THINK WHAT THIS WILL DO TO HIM!!!" ]

 

[ "My son will learn. He's had enough of you poisoning him." ]

 

[ "POISONING-?!? Guh! ... Was any of it real...?" ]

 

[ "In order for the peace we've fought so hard for to arrive. You, need to die." ]

 

[ "... Midoriya... Will you kill him too? ... Don't do this to him... Please, don't make his father into this..." ]

 

[ "... I have to. This is what needs to be done. Goodbye, friend." ]

 

Before the whole world, Star Man, kills All Might.

 

 

---

 

 

 

Hours Ago...

 

All For One smiles calmly as he speaks with an old associate.

 

"You were always a useful resource, Machine Head. I cannot wait to see how the world will handle this turn of events."

 

On an online call, encrypted and private, his only ally in the Order's cast and sole proprietor of many technologies to aid his friend Dr. Gyuki speaks through a robotic melody.

 

"Yeah but how the fuck did you get this footage? I always knew you were shifty guy, finding shit out others never could, sneaking in the shit heap no one would look through for some hot gossip... But this? How'd you do it?"

 

All For One shrugs.

 

"A good magician never reveals his secrets... But do know that, it was thanks to Dark Wing, and his paranoia in creating a secret second black box that I was able to salvage this footage."

 

Machine Head rubs his hands together.

 

"And having me slip it in through the livestream of those burnt bozos service is the icing on the cake... Still, there's gonna be trouble. You don't think the Star Man is gonna just, turn himself in, do you?"

 

All For One shakes his head.

 

"Absolutely not. If anything... I imagine that you and I? We're about to have the weight of our yoke lifted, with the lives of many Heroes soon to be taken, as he will do as Villains like you and I do. If he cannot have things his way, he will make it so. This, I know, because I know him."

 

Machine Head chuckles.

 

"And to think, I actually started thinking he was changing for the better, shows how little you know a fella..."

 

"Indeed... Now, to sit back and watch the show..."

 

The Villains share a horrid laugh as they tune in for the live service and wait...

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

Izuku, is speechless. Breathless. Though countless networks have pulled the plug for their local channels around the world, on I-Island, the video plays over and over again.

 

His own father, killing his own mentor.

 

"This is a ruse! A lie-! Some disgusting joke by someone!"

 

Star Man shouts out. Many already agreeing with him, and yet...

 

The Pro Heroes arrive along with multiple international Heroes teleporting in with them surrounding Star Man, one of them being Endeavor.

 

"You... It could have only been you..."

 

Star and Stripe stares at him, conflicted, shaking in silence before she approaches him. She finally speaks up.

 

"We're going to have to take you in. New Order: Hisashi Midoriya, will remain still or his heart will stop."

 

She says after placing a hand on his shoulder. Her eyes widened then as he turns his head to her.

 

"My name is not, Hisashi."

 

With a sickening crunch after a soundless thud, the sound of impact coming shortly after Cathleen goes flying, Star Man breaks her ribs and nearly punches through her body with a prepared strike. All of the other Heroes are blown away by the wind force as Star Man stands alone.

 

"... Izuku."

 

He realizes as he mutters to himself. He looks to the now panicked crowd, before being flooded by a roaring torrent of flames.

 

"YOU'RE DONE FOR!!!"

 

Endeavor bellows. His vision flashes red, white, then awakens to a blurry world as his body flails in the air. He recovers, using his feet to propel himself into a jaw shattering hook, as Star Man sends him hurtling past the ground.

 

At that point, it was a free for all. A dozen Heroes attempted to restrain him with force, Strength and Body Quirks that prove absolutely useless, as they are torn into bloody pieces that rain red gore on nearby civilians caught in the splash zone.

 

"... Izuku, where are you-"

 

"PAY ATTENTION!!!"

 

Screams Mirko, the White Lightning strikes with a scythe swing of a kick, that barely moves his head. She lands and aims a round house that ends with her leg bending backwards from a palm strike. Gritting her teeth, she spins the other way using the momentum of having her leg broken, using her hands to leap as she sends another kick.

 

Star Man leans out of the way and merely moves his arm into place as she flies her stomach against his fist. He lowers his arm and watches her drop before raising a foot to crush her skull. He is stopped in his tracks by an unseen thread.

 

"You'd better release me, Best Jeanist."

 

He says without looking in the way of the Number 3 Hero of Japan. The stylish thread master stubbornly attempts to remove him from his ally, but Star Man becomes a human tornado, spinning and unmaking Best Jeanist's own masterwork as he forces the Hero to come to him. A guillotine of a hand chop removes one of Best Jeanist's arms.

 

"THAT'S ENOUGH!!!"

 

Booms a Giant Hero, who brings down a skyscraper as though it were a club, right on top of Star Man. The Giant is silenced as Star Man erupts from within the metal club and soars right through the big man's heart. He slowly falls over and forces countless Heroes to focus on keeping the corpse from falling on civilians. Star Man lands near where he thought Izuku was sitting but does not find him.

 

"I... I can explain... I just... There's...!"

 

"You're a murderer-!"

 

Another Hero says trying to fire from afar, aiming their pistols, only to have their ammunition caught and flicked right back into their body killing them instantly as Star Man looks around.

 

"Where... Did you run? ... Could you not face... Face the truth? No-"

 

He turns to see where Star and Stripe landed. His eyes behind the helmet widened to see Izuku by her side helping her stand... But also Momo... Ochako... His son's friends. Of course they would be here but-!

 

It didn't matter.

 

Izuku shoulders Cathleen.

 

"Star and Stripe! Wh-What's going on! What's happening-!"

 

Cathleen can barely breathe. She reaches for her chest, wheezing between breaths, unable to speak. 

 

"D-Don't-! Don't push yourself! I'll... I'll handle this-!"

 

"How dude?!! This is bananas!?! W-Why is Star Man...!?! Why is he doing this!?"

 

Shrieks Denki as he falls over from the area quaking due to the Endeavor reappearing only to be sent back into the ground, his back and body embedded into the metal panels. Momo, pale and stunned to silence, is statuesque. Izuku looks over at his friends, but finds himself cast in shadow, as his father looks over him. His gloves, the visor of the helmet, caked in blood.

 

"... Izuku. There's something I have to tell you."

Chapter 37: My Hero No Longer...

Summary:

The Great Nolan. Conqueror. Invader. Unstoppable Tyrant. With the truth of his heritage and purpose revealed? Izuku faces off against the World's Strongest Hero, his own father, and is soon introduced to Nolan's true nature. Can Izuku prove worthy of his Hero Name? Or, will this spell the end for not just him, but for the freedom of Planet Earth?

"It's time I tell you, where I really come from."

 

He says. Amidst the chaos, reporters, Heroes, and curious civilians wait. Watch. Listen. Star Man ignores them all, for they are irrelevant, but his son? He needs him.

 

"I do come from the planet, Viltrum. However, it isn't as I told you. We are a superior race, that after a painstakingly agonizing effort, even going as far as to purge the weakest of our own species to ensure the pinnacle of evolution through strength and adaptability... Have conquered many star systems in our crusade against, inefficiency. Against, stagnation, and apathy. To bring order to chaos. We bring, water, to desert worlds that have ruined themselves in primitive civil wars over limited resources. We, save entire species from extinction, when their lives can be used to create a better tomorrow."

 

He takes a step forward as he extends a hand.

 

"And we annihilate all forms of aberration or corruption. The leeches that would ruin a perfect society, from the worthless beggar, to uncontrollable titans. No issue is too small, nor too large, for we are Viltrumites. That is what made this planet, perfect, for next addition to the empire. It's time we ended this farce... It's time, you fulfill your duty, and rise up! As a Viltrumite!"

 

Nolan closes his hand into a fist. His fingers and knuckles popping which forces a bone-chilling shiver down the spine of his classmates. As if sensing their fear, or rather reading it on their faces, Nolan turns his helmeted head at Momo.

 

"This isn't some psychopathic genocide. Yaoyorozu, you truly have a key part in the empire, and will be by our side among the stars. Shōto as well. Most of the planet's population already swears fealty to me."

 

"BULLSHIT!"

 

Kirishima shouts from the side. 

 

"Most of the population!? What person would ever side with a murderer like you!?!"

 

Nolan points up.

 

"Who said they were human?"

 

As if on cue, having easily ripped his way through Tartarus, due to the facilities specific design for Quirks rather than Kaiju... Belloc, the King of Monsters, comes crashing down with wings of scarlet expanded.

 

With his arrival, as the sirens begin to blare, many sea beasts emerge from the deep. From the thick black clouds above, countless avian abominations descend, as Nolan speaks once again.

 

"The Kaiju have long since bowed their heads to me after I spared their King. Humanity, is reliant on the technology I provided, through the Viltrum Corporation I founded. This island, is a testament to that. I already own most of the world legally speaking through influence. Through economics. Through power."

 

Ochako shakes her head as her entire body breaks out into a cold sweat.

 

"... B-But... You're... You're kind... Midoriya-san, you-! You saved my family's business...!"

 

Nolan nods.

 

"I did. Humanity, has a pivotal role in the Viltrum Empire. It's why I took such extensive lengths to achieve what I could have done upon my first arrival twenty years ago. You are important to our grand design... But make no mistake. You are not, irreplaceable."

 

"CUT THE CRAP!!!"

 

Barks Bakugo, who emerges from the stunned crowd. His funeral suit torn to pieces as he runs right at Nolan with flaming paws, his claws growing bright red from the heat, as he tearfully lunges at a man he has known as Uncle.

 

"YOU'RE UNDER SOME KIND OF MIND CONTROL-!"

 

He shouts as he blows the others away from his attack, while Nolan, as the dust settles... Is standing perfectly still.

 

"SOMEONE MADE YOU DO IT AND...!!! YOU'RE UNABLE TO SAY WHY! YOU'RE MAKING UP A STORY!!! YOU'RE-!"

 

He hollers loudly until he is forced silent with a grip of iron that threatens to crush his windpipe, as Nolan snatches Katsuki by his throat.

 

"No. No more lies."

 

He makes the area quake as he choke slams Katsuki into the ground. A bloody wheeze escapes the dynamite blonde as he transforms back into an unconscious human. Nolan stands tall, seemingly growing in Izuku's unblinking eyes, this monolith he once looked up to is now his ultimate enemy. He speaks then, taking a cautious, gentle tone.

 

"Izuku, listen to me... You've proven yourself an exemplary soldier, a diplomat even, and a wonderful tactician. Without your notes on Heroes, I would've struggled quite a bit against them."

 

The young hero's already wide eyes dilate from the reveal. His journal, the coping mechanism that he used for his childhood dreams, to study and understand those he looked up to the most.

 

Had led to the deaths of those very people he worshipped. It was the final straw.

 

Leaving the winded Cathleen to lunge and slam into his father, carrying him away into the sky as tears form in his eyes.

 

"Who's making you do this-!? It's not too late we-we can fix this! We can figure this out and-!"

 

Nolan only stares back as chaos reigns around them, Heroes and Kaiju clashing all around, as the reflective visor of Star Man's helmet forced Izuku to look at his own pathetic expression.

 

"Son."

 

"I know you're going through something-! Is mom in danger?! Is it me!?!"

 

Nolan speaks calmly as he places a hand on his son's arm.

 

"Izuku, listen-"

 

Izuku pulls at his head, shouts wherever he can, desperate to free his father from whatever sick joke this is.

 

"LET MY DAD GO! LET HIM GO!! THIS ISN'T-!!!"

 

He yelps as he forced off of Nolan through an over the shoulder throw. Stopping himself midair, Izuku glaring with heavy breaths as Nolan floats closer.

 

"This, is the truth. This, isn't your home. These aren't your people. They didn't accept or care about you until your inheritance awakened. All Might didn't pick you because he saw some, untapped potential, but because of you being my son. Nepotism."

 

Izuku shuts his wet eye tight.

 

"Shut Up..!!! That's not true, dammit-!"

 

"It isn't!? You were the least popular child in any group growing up! Ostracized, for being what they called, Quirkless! Am I wrong about that?!"

 

That forces his eyes open, being slapped by that reminder of his early life, as if the dream he has been living came to a violent end.

 

"That doesn't-!"

 

Nolan interrupts him as he throws a hand to the side, speaking with more passion than ever before.

 

"You knew you could achieve greatness and they denied you every step of the way until it became convenient to support you! To control you! You think I don't know about Cecil?! He sees us as a threat, to HIS authority! We, who have only made this world a better place!"

 

"Stop talking and just-!"

 

"Give you some time to think? Like how your mother thought you'd never amount to being a Hero?"

 

Izuku falls silent, pale. That he would say that to his face, in this cruel manner, in front of so many people as the cameras continue to capture their conversation.

 

"..."

 

"Where I come from, children like you are killed for their weaknesses, but I never thought to do that. Day after day since you've been born? I saw the hints, caught the glimpses, and I knew even without any powers that you would make a fantastic addition to the empire. This world, that dog down there that told you to take a dive off of the school roof, called you worthless."

 

Izuku shakes his head as his father floats closer, barely able to get away as he is frozen in frustration and conflict. Because he hates, how much he is feeling validated, feeling truly seen for something he buried deep within his heart. That, speck of unfettered hatred, he himself had long since forgotten about... Coming up, growing, with every word his father says.

 

"... Please..."

 

"You're the one that's proven them wrong, again, and again. Now, all I'm asking you, is to continue your great work. Join me, truly, on the right side of history... We can make this world the paradise they dreamed of. We just, have to convince them."

 

"By killing everyone that disagrees or can fight back?"

 

Izuku barks back, but his father is quick to rebut him.

 

"... Izuku. What great man in history, can you recall that changed the world, without getting his hands dirty? If not through commerce, through coercion, then through force. I know you studied history."

 

"... I-I... I can't..."

 

Nolan places his hands on Izuku's shoulders.

 

"There's no need... Just, stay out of the way, then. You've done enough, put your life on the line for an ungrateful audience, more than anyone has any right to ask of you. You're my son, and I'm proud of you. IT seems horrible now, but Izuku, this is good news. This, is changing the world for the better. It's what All Might would've wanted."

 

Finally, the words that break this binding spell over his psyche, as he grabs Nolan's shoulders and strike him with a headbutt that cracks the visor. Blood trickles down Izuku's forehead from a minor cut as he snarls.

 

"YOU... DON'T GET TO SAY THAT... NOT, YOU! BECAUSE HE WOULD NEVER, EVER, HAVE WANTED THIS!!!"

 

Nolan floats back. Mildly annoyed. The poison that he spoke of in the repeated scene on every screen on I-Island, as he killed his greatest confidant, has unfortunately seeped too deeply into his son.

 

So he must excise the poison the only way he knows how.

 

"I can see what plagued him has plagued you. I've raised you human. That is on me... So it is time I reeducate you. Forget about your plus ultra... It is time your true training begins."

 

An earthquake in the air, a sonic boom that causes almost all the glass to shatter throughout the area, windows and even cups on tables as Nolan strikes Izuku with such ferocious might that the boy is nowhere to be seen. Nolan stares ahead, seeing the far off clouds part where his son's body breaks through. He takes in a breath.

 

"... Ugh."

 

He takes flight, leaving the chaos of I-Island behind in the wake of the kaiju menace, Momo watches this all in unblinking shock. Only moving when a cold hand yanks her awake.

 

Shōto pulls her along with the others of 1-A.

 

"We're going after them!"

 

"... Y-Yes...! Right!"

 

They are stopped by a pair of Kaiju, each one the size of a large house, one whips a series of tentacles while the other one spews a terrible fiery breath. From behind the teens, an even greater pillar of fire turns the Kaiju into ashes, as Endeavor limps towards them with a flaming fist.

 

"No...! Shōto, you're needed here! The rest of you, evacuate, NOW!"

 

Denki shivers at the quaking bellow of the Number Two Hero, but puts on a brave face.

 

"I-I can help too! I'm pretty damn strong-!"

 

He tries to show his power off by firing at a flying drake, but its hardy scales absorb the electricity before flying low, whipping its tail at the group. It is sent in an awkward flail as if interrupted mid-flight, and soars over head, crashing into the fallen building used against Star Man.

 

Best Jeanist, holding one arm up as his other arm is reattached through a series of clean sutures and stitches remains still, panting through the pain as he wipes his head of profuse sweat.

 

"This is a battlefield. A real one. Children aren't meant for this kind of a scene."

 

Mirko, despite being one leg down, decapitates a strange tiger like Kaiju with her good leg, using her hands to spring towards the remainder of the top 3 of Japan.

 

"That coward Star Man didn't finish what he started! We'll be on his ass soon, you weaklings just head for the shelters, NOW!"

 

Elsewhere, as Inko had been hidden safely by Izuku before he checked on Star and Stripe, she hears a strange sound behind her and looks back to find Cecil.

 

"Inko Midoriya?"

 

"Y-Yes...?!"

 

"We're trying to find your son. Could come with me? Someone stupid might try to use you to hurt either of them."

 

He did not have to specify who them is in this instance. Reluctantly, she takes his hand, and they are teleported away...

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

Izuku blinks awake to the sound of his ears ringing. His body feels like steel, unmoving, unresponsive. He forces himself to turn on his side within a crater in a grass field, and slowly pushes himself up, gathering himself as he begins to recover quickly.

 

Did he crash while flying to I-Island with his mother? Was it all just a, terrible nightmare?

 

"Have you realized how pointless this fight is yet?"

 

Nolan calls out as he floats above him, looking down on him with folded arms.

 

"You're out of your depth. This is a fight you can't win, so don't pick it, or else!"

 

"I can't... I can't just, stand aside, and watch you kill innocent people...!!!"

 

Izuku says after raising his hands. He makes smaller crater within the one he landed in as he flies off to strike his father. Nolan leans his head out of the way before sending an uppercut into Izuku's stomach. As the boy goes flying up, Nolan grabs his ankle, and swings him back down into the same crater he just flew from.

 

"These people are nothing...! Do you have, ANY, idea how long they live? How long WE live!?!"

 

"WHAT DOES THAT MATTER?!?"

 

Izuku shouts as he goes for another strike, a feint, as he pretends to throw a right. He stops early, and sends a left straight that is caught by Nolan, who elbows Izuku's jaw before spinning in a dizzying circle just to hurl him even deeper into the same crater.

 

"Have you ever tried connecting to an ant? Those things barely live a year, are so primitive that you can barely understand why they do anything, and are so rudimentary stuck in their pathetic stagnant ways...! That any change offered to them, unless on a silver platter, is seen as an attack! THAT is humanity! Ants! In the grand ocean of stars! I... Am over twenty-three hundred years old, Izuku... I've been doing this for a long time... Studying, training, conquering. You're only fifteen. Do you really think you stand a chance?"

 

Izuku pushes himself out of the rubble and flies once more, stopping just in front of his father, hands still raised despite his suit being stained dirty with tears.

 

"Is that how you see Mom...?!?"

 

He demands. Nolan, visibly disarmed, shakes his head.

 

"She's like you. She's... Proof. Proof of humanity's potential... Their, greatness... But, she is only human, and Earthlings don't even last under a century on average... I love her, but... She's like a pet, to me."

 

"A PET!?!"

 

Izuku goes to grab Nolan, only for his wrists to be snatched instead, as he is pulled in for a knee in his stomach. With no air in his lungs, his intestines practically flattened, Izuku is left gagging in a breathless state before blood and saliva fly from his mouth as he is back handed through the crater and out the other side of a small hill. A valley is made with his body as he notices a city in the far distance.

 

"Ugh... A-Agh...!"

 

He groans as he rolls onto his side. Then, he settles on his back, trying to catch his breath, but it is stolen from him again as his father lands on top of him with a boot stomping on Izuku's chest.

 

"GAH!!"

 

"You've no idea the kind of pain you're inflicting on me here. Do you think I like doing this? Hurting you? Hitting you? Stop this now, before you do something we'll both regret!"

 

He demands as he grinds his heel into the boy's ribs. However, he looks up and sees a series of planes flying their way.

 

"Cecil... Sending men to die for him. Like always."

 

He turns his head and chops at the air, as red flies, a cloaked figure appearing out of thin air as their invisibility dies with them. A Hero by the name of Hide Hyde, an underground Pro Hero of America, whose final act would give his comrades time to act as a flash bang singes Nolan's eyes for a moment.

 

"TAKE FIRE!!"

 

The area becomes a series of deafening fireworks as high power rounds and explosive ammunition bounce right off of Nolan. He floats off of Izuku and begins flicking a few bullets back, mocking their training, their futile attempts at facing him. However, they provide enough of a distraction for the speedster: Race, to zip by and snatch Izuku out of the action. Izuku, now able to breathe, hears his father shout his name in the growing distance along with the dying cries of soldiers falling to Nolan's strength.

 

"They don't stand a chance-"

 

"And neither do you! C'mon, we're going-! Gahck!?!"

 

Race is seized by his throat as Nolan appears right in front of them.

 

"You're going nowhere."

 

"LET HIM GO!!"

 

Izuku shouts as he sends a mountain shaking uppercut into his father's chin. Nolan, briefly stunned, releases Race as he flies back a few feet rubbing his chin.

 

"That... That was..."

 

"NOT ENOUGH!"

 

Izuku shouts as he blows the fragile Hero away with his flight as he lunges for his father, only for his wrist to be caught with ease by Nolan.

 

"Exactly. Am I actually getting through to you?"

 

Izuku shuts his eyes tight after he is pulled into a headbutt that flattens his nose. A backhand has his body turn halfway, only kept in place by Nolan's grasp, an ironclad grip that is released just so that the cruel alien could land a double hand swing on Izuku's head that sends him crashing into the fleeing Race. A chunky splatter of red underneath Izuku as his blurry vision clears to see what he feels are a man's remains.

 

"No-no-! Not again-! Not this again...!!"

 

His vision briefly flashes to that old woman being slammed against his body. The demon that invaded this world that held no regard for the safety of others, for the sanctity of precious life, he sees that monster again in the visage of his father who approaches him slowly.

 

"You're not fighting seriously. Have you finally begun to realize that I am right?"

 

Izuku pushes himself to his feet, wiping the blood from his brow, both his own and that of others.

 

"How is THIS right!?! How is better!?! You killed these people for what?! To prove a point!?!"

 

Nolan folds his arms spitting out a venomous scoff.

 

"And why do they matter so much to you? You, who were nothing to them, nothing but a circus act to watch from the safety of their homes."

 

Izuku throws a punch that his father dodges with a lean, the older Viltrumite landing an organ pulping liver shot that sends Izuku through the ground creating a shallow valley as they approach a city.

 

"Guh-! Augh...!! They matter because... They're alive... Like you-! Like me-"

 

"No."

 

Nolan says as he digs his son out of the embedded rock and drags him through the rubble before taking him into the air.

 

"They don't live, they fester. They stagnate. They rot this, beautiful world, of immense resources to nothing but a profit margin. A made-up sense of value to justify their idiocy of, racial discourse, or class wars and segregations! They, fight and kill each other, for things that they have in abundance! In their own ignorance, they are actively fulfilling a self-fulfilling prophecy they're aware of, but too stubborn to do anything to actually stop it! Because they think they are right and are willing to die for that! Living the lie and being wrong! We! Can help them!! I!!! HAVE BEEN HELPING THEM!!!"

 

Izuku spits his in father's face.

 

"You're not, a Hero."

 

Nolan's eye twitches in unrelenting fury at the act.

 

"I never was."

 

In retaliation, Nolan sends Izuku away with a savage punch, a green meteorite that shoots towards Chicago...

 

Nolan watches with a feral snarl on his face that diminishes to a weak glare... Until even that becomes a weary gaze. 

 

It was not supposed to be like this.

Chapter 38: Izuku Meets Nolan

Summary:

Izuku fights someone he thought he knew his entire life. However, with each exchange, every word spoken, and every fist thrown is another reminder how little the boy has known his father. For the first time in his life, Izuku meets Nolan, the Viltrumite Conqueror.

"I don't give a damn what his fucking hours are, he's strong, leaps far and fast, and can take a damn hit! Get him in his suit now! They're headed right for Chicago, goddammit! There's over two hundred Heroes there, at least one of them, need to do something!"

 

Cecil shouts into his ear piece as he looks up at the screen then winces. Nolan tears through the aerial defenses, peeling the wings off of fighter jets, popping pilots like water balloons when they eject out of their planes before flying towards the city.

 

Donald speaks up then.

 

"Orbital Cannon is fully charged but he's too close to the city, sir."

 

Inko speaks up then, as she watches people in the surveillance room of the GDA rush all over as several agents get into contact with as many Hero Agencies as possible.

 

"Wh-What about Izuku-!? Where's my son!?"

 

Cecil snaps his fingers at the camera team with one agent exclaiming.

 

"Eyes on Invincible! Bolt has him!"

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

Izuku crashes through one building, then another, then three more before he slams into something soft with an abrupt stop.

 

"Jesus Christ, kid...! Who did this to you?"

 

A dark-skinned man asks in English. Bolt, of the Capes Incorporated, second-in-command and the physically strongest man in America second only to the late Captain Celebrity himself.

 

"S-Star... Star Man...!"

 

Izuku says, thinking of his English lessons, he learned some in school, but learned more from his father. His father...

 

Bolt lands on the ground and drops Izuku.

 

"Stay right here. We'll handle the rest!"

 

"N-No! Don't!"

 

Izuku shouts out in desperate Japanese, but Bolt uses his strength to leap as though he could take flight, leaving a winded Izuku alone as a crowd forms around him.

 

"Whoa, someone call an ambulance! This kid looks rough!"

 

"He was flying through the air until Bolt caught him! He can't be a Villain, or else he'd arrest him!"

 

"He's kinda short and... I think he's Asian? Did he get thrown from China all the way to over here?"

 

"Shut up dude, not funny-! Hey he's getting up!"

 

Izuku uses the skyscraper nearby to climb from the ground to his feet. His teeth grind against each other as tears continue to leak down his face. 

 

How is this happening? Why?

 

"Had enough yet?"

 

He hears before Bolt is dropped from above, beaten black and bluer than the blue of his costume, barely alive. Nolan drops down, causing the entire street to tremble, as he grabs Izuku's shoulder.

 

"Those planes, those soldiers, their very best of these so-called Heroes do not even cover a fraction of our power! I'm not the one killing them, they're committing suicide through sheer ignorance, arrogance! You've seen it firsthand, remember? The moment that glory is available, a hundred of them will die for the chance, just like this idiot when he thought he could defeat me for a paycheck!"

 

He turns his son to him full as he takes hold of both shoulders.

 

"But when it came time to save someone, to save Katsuki from that slime villain? Where were they? Making up excuses to do anything but save a single child because none of them had the answer to the problem. You did. I did. I always do! And that is why, I, am here!! Why WE, are here!!!"

 

Izuku pulls his head back and headbutts the helmet. Nolan, to his surprise, steps back from the force. No pain but strong enough to push him back.

 

"THAT'S NOT THE SAME!"

 

Nolan narrows his eyes. As other Heroic Agencies begin to converge on the two, Nolan raises a wet red fist.

 

"I have tried to use what little, patience, I have left. No more. We do this, MY way. The Viltrum Way."

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

Inko hides her face as Izuku is sent through several more skyscrapers, some tilting, others falling with the last one he crashes into collapsing on top of him. She peeks between her fingers as one of the agents shout out.

 

"Vitals detected! There! Invincible has emerged from the rubble!"

 

She wishes she had not looked. Izuku, erupting from the wreckage like a geyser, gets speared by his father's punch that sends him out of town. Cecil clicks his tongue.

 

"Good, just follow him...!"

 

He says as Nolan flies after Izuku. Inko glances at the scarred man.

 

"What are you planning...!?"

 

She never met Cecil or heard of the GDA until the day Nolan confessed everything to her. Now standing next to the man, she could see why Nolan of all people felt intimidated by Cecil, especially as he holds up a button.

 

"Seeing if an expensive investment will come through."

 

As Nolan leaves the city limits, Cecil presses the button, summoning a bright blue beam that forces the screen to go white for a few solid seconds. Immediately, he begins barking orders.

 

"SEND IN EVERY HERO WE HAVE ON STANDBY, NOW GODDAMMIT! NOW, WHILE HE'S PINNED-! YOU-!"

 

He stabs the air with his finger as he points at the agent keeping track of Izuku's movements.

 

"You tell me where he lands, that's where I'm headed, we're bringing the kid here for safety!"

 

"Yessir! Trying to get any visuals, but he's flown away too fast-!"

 

Another agent shouts out.

 

"Seismic activity, magnitude eight... No! Nine! Something is tunneling up above-!"

 

On the cameras, as many Heroes arrive, some by plane or through teleportation en masse as a group as the orbital laser dies down. However, just as a handful land on the ground, giant subterranean centipedes erupts from the ground and begin snatching Heroes left and right. These titanic monsters react to a call, as Nolan strikes the ground, just as Belloc told him to through their telepathic connection.

 

A form of echolocation using the tremors of the Earth.

 

More than half of the Heroes were taken away in a matter of moments, leaving the rest to attack these new threats, allowing Nolan to erupt from the ground killing even more soldiers of good as he flies off into space.

 

"Dammit we don't have enough time for a recharge-!"

 

Cecil angrily remarks as the screens cut away from the slaughter to space, as a red streak approaches a satellite, before it is destroyed upon an explosive impact. The camera survives, but is caught by Star Man, his cracked visor glaring silently into the screen before his thumb presses into the lens. The signal is lost as the camera is destroyed.

 

"Invincible found! Hamburg, Germany!"

 

Cecil sighs as he begins making his way to the teleporter room.

 

"He doesn't know right now either, gives us at least a minute to work with, get the fucking teleporter ready now!"

 

Inko stares speechless as the many screens cut to different shots across the entire world as her husband tears through cities from flying too fast, all in search of their son, her baby that he is ruthlessly assaulting. Breaking him. Breaking their promise. 

 

Breaking her heart.

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

Izuku gasps as he opens his eyes. He looks around finding himself in another city. However, none of the people there spoke either English or Japanese, and he had never been to Europe before...

 

A sonic boom thunders in the distance, the only warning sign this entire city will get, before the deafening booms sound.

 

"Are you ready to try or have you come to your senses, yet?"

 

Nolan calls out to his son, sitting on a park bench, as if he had been waiting for him the whole time. He points behind Izuku.

 

"The thing about being able to fly at the speed of light is, you outspeed the very wind you make, such as that storm coming to wipe this city off the face of the Earth. How will you deal with that?"

 

Izuku acts immediately, flying into the air, his brain racking as he sees a wall of destruction approaching. However, his father has given him the answer, and he flies right at it. He has to time it right. He has to hit the right speed, at the right time, so that storm meets storm.

 

It hits him first as he is blown backwards, as if struck by an unseen fist, but he uses his momentum to enact the second part of his plan. The two winds colliding, causing a swirling force to be born, a hurricane that would destroy the city of Izuku were not actively flying in its opposite form. It takes about two minutes, but for the young hero, it feels like hours as he destabilizes the unnatural disaster. The hurricane splitting apart as Hamburg is saved.

 

"Congratulations, you solved that all on your own, and for what?"

 

Izuku hears behind him. He is winded, weary, sweating and aching all over yet still turns around. He has enough energy in him to lift his arms and catch a severed head tossed at him by his father.

 

"How much does that weigh to you? Does it feel heavy? Is that weight on your shoulders? Why?!"

 

Izuku stares into the lifeless eyes of this unknown man. Face, smiling, probably cheering him on to save his town. His friends. His family. Now, here he is, a decapitated object for his father to use in making a sordid point.

 

"Because they mean something to you!? That's it!? These, people, that die so effortlessly?!! This is what you want to fight for?!"

 

For Nolan, he had yet to realize his mistake. He was so, infuriated, expecting Izuku to fail his test but the damn boy was always a problem solver. He acted, too cruelly, reacted in a violent way to stir up Izuku and make him falter. He expected another attack but Izuku looks up at his dead, fearful, but not for himself.

 

"Then why did you...!? Why did you save this world!? WHAT WAS THE POINT!?!"

 

Nolan pauses, for he had an answer, but in his reckless reactionary rage... He forgot. The pause is brief, but long enough for Izuku to continue on. It is his turn, as his enraged voice shakes the air, holding the victim's head out.

 

"WHAT GOOD IS YOUR VILTRUM IF THIS IS THE COST!?!"

 

A splurt. A wet splat of red paints the boy's face after Nolan casually pops the head like a chunky water balloon, all with a finger flick.

 

"That life, and the lives of this country, are easily replaceable. A planet of ten billion assets, at times parasites, on a planet that is so rich in resources it can still continue to support them in spite of their gluttonous nature. Their self-destruction! Their, sickening, stagnation!!"

 

Izuku leans back as Nolan, despite still wearing his helmet, closes the gap between them as he vocally overpowers his fifteen years old son.

 

"YOU DON'T HAVE A SINGLE CLUE WHAT I'VE SACRIFICED JUST TO LET YOU, LIVE!! TO KEEP THEM ALIVE!! AND IF IT TAKES THE DESTRUCTION OF A SINGLE SPECIES, IN AN ENTIRE UNIVERSE TEEMING WITH LIFE?!?"

 

He stops himself. Catching his breath, watching the fear in Izuku's eyes, the paling in his bruised face as color drains away. Nolan finishes his speech in a low growl.

 

"It will not be the first nor last time. This planet alone, is too valuable, and I have given humanity it's chance... Many chances, but no more! So, know this. ."

 

He snatches Izuku by the throat with a grip that threatens to crush his windpipe so tightly, he could very well cut his head off too, pulling him close that their eyes locked. Cold icy blue stab into quivering emeralds.

 

"I will burn this planet to the ground before I spend another minute among these, animals. Whether you're in the flames or by my side, is your decision now."

 

Izuku thinks of his friends, his teachers, his city. His mother.

 

"You'd kill Mom...!?!"

 

"Your mother already chose correctly. She figured it out, and I showed her the truth, and she choose progress. She chose, salvation. You're the one hurting her, by choosing the wrong side."

 

As if any all fight in him left, Nolan releases Izuku, and the boy falls on his own at the news.

 

He lands, unharmed, yet emotionally broken at the reveal. Nolan lands in the crater and kneels by his side.

 

"I never threatened her. I showed her, what I showed you, my projects. My goals. My ambition. The power of the Viltrum Empire, and all it can do, from saving endangered animals to curing viruses and plagues. Ensure that food shortages are a forgotten issue. Purified water! Everything, comes at a cost, but the Viltrum Empire gives as much as it takes. We must be ironclad in our dominion, so that those that endure and cooperate, can thrive in the paradise we will create together... All you have to do, is just lie right there, and let me do my work. Just, think on it."

 

Izuku says nothing. For Nolan, that is enough. He flies away, and flies towards Japan. Ignorant to Cecil appearing and disappearing with Izuku.

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

Cecil helps Izuku out of the teleporter room.

 

"You're still with us, kid?"

 

"... I never knew who he really was."

 

Cecil scans the apathetic teen. His upper body is exposed, suit torn to nothing now, shoes eradicated showing dirt stained feet. His right cheek and left side of his brow are slightly swollen, a clear grip Mark around his throat, even a few ribs are visibly bending just ever so slightly.

 

The boy is hurt bad, but practically pushes himself off of Cecil, taking his own stride as he begins to fire up with new life.

 

"I need to get to U.A. He's going to Japan, then back to Europe, and finish everything off in America! He's going to kill as many Heroes as he can until the world as a whole surrenders to him!"

 

"Kid..."

 

Cecil groans, but Izuku turns around wearing a defiant glare.

 

"He's, MY Father! He's, MY Responsibility! Every life he takes is one I could've saved! Either help me get where I need to be, help me prepare to take him on, or let me get back out there so I can stop him!"

 

Cecil lowers his head. Unfortunately, this is exactly what he was hoping for. He did have a pep talk, seeing how defeated Izuku was, how utterly outclassed he is against Star Man.

 

But this boy is the only that can fly as fast as Star Man. Hit as hard as Star Man. Be as clever, as Star Man.

 

He just needs the right tools for this impossible job.

 

"Then let me get my people and I'll get you to yours. You still have that earpiece I gave you?"

 

He knows Izuku does, they've been using it to listen in on their conversation, hoping for Star Man to slip up. Say his name, give them a weakness, any kind of edge. Izuku takes it out of his ear as if shocked he still had it.

 

"It's tough. I'm surprised it survived all of that..."

 

"We'll get you a new one, and before you go, I've been meaning to get you a gift for how you've been handling things. I saw your Hero Costume, and decided it could use just a few upgrades, as well as a makeover. You don't mind green and red, right?"

 

At that, Izuku wears a beleaguered smile.

 

"My favorite colors, actually."

Chapter 39: A Father's Duty

Summary:

Nolan is on his way to one of the most proud and prolific sights of Hero Society, Japan. With several Top Ranks stuck on I-Island, and Izuku himself on the sidelines making preparations for a comeback, it is up to a young prince to try his hand at stopping the unstoppable...

Shōto could hardly believe it, as he covers a mile long road with an icy roof, protecting fleeing civilians and injured Heroes being escorted to safety all while barely evading a blue of a serrated claw the size of his whole body from cleaving him apart.

 

Stuck on I-Island, the mobile landmass is thankfully closer to Japan, with several rocket powered submarines ready to shoot out like torpedos past the sea-dwelling monsters of the deep. Therein lies the greatest issue though.

 

The innumerable horde of nightmares. Some as small as a house, but most were large enough to topple buildings by merely walking into them, with others even larger than that. They fly above, blotting out the skies or swarming the seas. Whenever one Hero defeats one, twelve more attack. For ever victim of Mirko, the Rabbit Hero, she falters from her injury received by the traitorous Star Man. For every monster burnt to ashes by Endeavor, a creature with thicker hide challenges his might, the Number Two of Japan winded from his own scuffle against the Number One of the World, with only his son to help him.

 

Even Best Jeanist, among countless others from across the globe such as Dart, Shadowhawk, Team Youngblood and more were all just barely able to actively stalemate the ever growing threat of the monster army.

 

And just as abruptly as they arrived to cause chaos, they cease their violent actions, and disperse into the seas and skies.

 

"... Why did they run!?! Where are they going-!?"

 

Mirko snarls, wiping her face of sweat and monster viscera.

 

Endeavor, who had his attention locked on the King, realizes in an instant as he eyes the dragon fly away.

 

"He's headed for the mainland!"

 

Far away, in the thick clouds above as Belloc flies at subsonic speeds, he can already feel it. The death. He knew, when he first battled with the Viltrumite, just how truly powerful Nolan is. When they fell within the depths of the reopened fault line of the West Coast, he broke the dragon in ways the million year old monarch did not think was possible, and now that strength is unleashed upon the world.

 

What choice does he have other than to capitulate?

 

He can feel his anxiety spiking, especially at the prospect of his rebellious son, who is currently at U.A. High. 

 

He must procure his rightful heir before his superior makes a demonstration out of him.

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

Nolan crashes through several buildings. He had just been struck by a an experimental warhead that had been swung into his head by a drone piloted jet, one he assumed was little more than a foolish kamikaze, only to end up on the floor. He did not even see which nation it could have belonged to, nor did he care, as the ringing against his skull has him crash land at the edge of Japan. As he crawls out of the crater shaking his head, he is met face to face with a legion of costumed corpses.

 

An army of Heroes that stand tall, ready to fight, but he knows them.

 

"Is dying by my hands worth the fame? The recognition?"

 

One of them walks out to speak for the rest. Buster Hero: Airjet.

 

"It isn't too late to give yourself up and face your crimes head on."

 

With a helmet to hide his face, Nolan knew not whether Airjet actually meant the sentiment or was stalling for time, but those behind him? Many of them, were clearly shaken.

 

"More than half of you use Support Gear either made by or affiliated with the Viltrum Corporation. The Viltrumite Empire. I already know how to dismantle them, let alone, I don't even need to waste my time being careful doing so. Step aside and not only will you keep your lives, but your careers, your status. Your pay."

 

Nolan begins stepping forward with open arms.

 

"I will kill a million of you if that is what it takes. It is up to you, when I stop, and I wish I would have stopped before. I gave the Guardians this very same chance I am giving you. Will you make the same mistake? Will you kill a million humans, because you were too stubborn, and wanted glory?!"

 

Airjet hears shuffling and gasps. He turns around and is shocked. Many, part like an ocean for Moses, some even kneeling while the rest look away.

 

However, there are enough Heroes that stand firm and begin to make their moves as Airjet takes to the sky.

 

"TAKE HIM DOWN!!!"

 

From the perspective of one of the Pro Heroes that stood down, that knelt, that looked away from the guttural screams and horrific shrieks of his fellows being killed in brutal fashion: Death Arms, breaks into a cold sweat, his stomach dropping and twisting into a butterfly knot.

 

He wants to live. He does not like this. He did not become a Hero to die like, this.

 

He stiffens when he feels and sees the red rain falling down. He almost lets out a scream himself when he feels a hand on his shoulder.

 

"You did the right thing. All of you. Avoiding senseless death and mayhem, is the proud work of a Hero."

 

He hears the man he's known as Star Man tell him, unable to look up, until he glances to his left and sees the hand of a coworker.

 

Kamui Woods. He did not deserve to die like that, and upon staring in utter disbelief, to his horror and relief the hand twitches with life. It renews him with the strength to face this monster as he stands and looks right into the visor of Star Man's helmet.

 

A bloody reflection of himself hits him harder than any punch. Death Arms, falls on his rear, sitting on the ground as Star Man offers him a hand.

 

"It will get better. You chose the right side of history. Not just the strong, but the superior, the just. The enlightened path."

 

"... I... I don't know..."

 

Is all he can say. Star Man says nothing, and flies away leaving a broken cast of Heroes behind, broken in body and in spirit.

 

As Nolan leaves behind a field of newly enlightened servants of the empire, he finds himself face to face with an orange streak, an eyesore of the human form. He has many issues with Earthlings, but at least they had the decency to evolve into a similar perfected shape and anatomy as his own kind, even if vastly inferior.

 

Duncan Rosenblatt could not even do that much.

 

"I'm here to stop you!"

 

The orange teenager shouts. As if in cue, a shadow envelopes them from above, as Belloc descends from the skies and crashes into the ground below.

 

"Cease this foolish act. You cannot win against us both."

 

Belloc booms. His son remains stalwart in the air.

 

"Hell no! You were so close! We! Were so close to fixing things! Even after your screw up at the Sports Festival, we still... I still, could've...!"

 

He tries to find the words, but leans back as Star Man slowly approaches him, intimidating him with striking silence before he speaks harshly.

 

"Your father acted on my orders, and has done so, since your birth. You, exist, because I worked just as hard as he and your mother to keep you a secret. When the world found you, they immediately jumped to the worst conclusions."

 

He places a hand on him that Duncan did not yet realize was there.

 

"But not me. Not Izuku."

 

"You-!"

 

He starts to say, but hisses after feeling the sting of the crushing grip.

 

"The Viltrumite Empire can see greatness in even the smallest of creatures, let alone those as grand as the ones this planet has called monsters. Kaiju. It would have been easy to simply exterminate your kind, but I chose not, because of your potential! The easiest solution, is killing you right here, and right now."

 

Duncan unleashed his mightiest flame from his throat, attempts to rip and tear the hand off of his shoulder, but Nolan is immovable. His fingers hook past the sturdy scales, sinking through tough flesh, lightly brushing against the nigh unbreakable bone. Unbreakable to those below them, but not to a Viltrumite.

 

"Don't make me hurt your parents. I had All Might the same choice, that I gave your father, and look where that got him. Don't make me kill you, too."

 

Duncan pauses before looking up at his father. He has visited him, lived with him for many weekends, even been tested in ways he would grow to hate large dragon for. However, no matter how or when, even in combat he was a proud and majestic creature. Honorable. Noble.

 

He looks so, so, small despite his gargantuan size now. Defeated, his neck low, his head away. His gaze, his eyes, shut for a time. As if to silent beg the boy not to look at him.

 

How could he beat someone that single handedly ruin such a prideful, powerful, ancient being into such a shameful state?

 

He can't. The monster inside of him, those powerful genes that have allowed Titans to reshape this very planet he is fighting to protect, screams in cowardice to relent. To surrender. To beg.

 

So he will follow the human in him, the strength of his mother, and die doing what he thinks is right.

 

"If you have to kill me to make a point... Then you lost the argument before we even spoke to each other...!!"

 

Nolan sighs, then raises his fist, before releasing Duncan as he grabs at his helmet after the King of Kaiju releases a frightful shout. Duncan merely thought the abrupt roar was loud, covering his own ears, but it was not powerful. Belloc has cleared entire skies with his roar alone, but this felt different, a squeal of some kind. Whatever it did.

 

It made the stalwart alien fall from the air.

 

"Quickly! Leave, before he recovers! I won't let him kill you!"

 

Belloc says, his long throat flexes as he releases another odd shriek, just as Nolan began to recover. He falls to the ground, and at once, the King's Army strikes as subterranean creatures emerge from the deep in an attempt to bury the Viltrumite alive.

 

"There is much I wanted to do differently. So much I wanted us to do, as father and son, not King and Prince. I won't have much time, but find somewhere safe, and protect yourself and your mother!"

 

"Dad...!?"

 

Belloc lands on the ground, and bellows such ferocious fiery fury down the hole, the ground is cooked to glass with pillars of bright beams peeking through the various cracks and tunnels. He ceases his fire breath, lungs depleted, taking only half a second for air only to start speaking again.

 

"He will kill all life on this planet if that is what it takes! I cannot allow that! I had thought humanity would capitulate, as I did, but once again... As your mother had once proved to me, as you just proved to me now, humanity exists for a reason! Your strength exists for a reason! You, exist, for a reason! I won't let you d-!"

 

A geyser of red paints Duncan. He saw it coming before he could process where it came from, and as sizzling boiling liquid spills onto him harmlessly, he watches in muted horror as his father falls over. His heart, destroyed, by Star Man. 

 

Nolan had launched himself like a bullet out of the Earth and right through Belloc, enough distance from being pulled underground to allow him to reach his top speed for just a moment. A speeding projectile moving at the speed of light.

 

He watches Belloc fall over, groaning, and hears Duncan's wails. He looks up, at the beach in the far distance, and the skies. The Kaiju had watched their monarch die at his hands. They followed Belloc, not Nolan, and now.

 

They abandon him. Not one across the entire Earth continues the fight. All Kaiju make a retreat, all to a dark, hidden corner of the planet. Either in shame, in mourning, or even fear.

 

He has lost an army. An unneeded but convenient asset.

 

He considers snuffing out the last of them. He looks down at Duncan, and finds himself in great distress, an inner turmoil as he can see it. He can hear it. How he sees his son mourning over him.

 

Only that will not happen, not for some time, and he has plenty of time.

 

Star Man flies off, for the many cities of Japan, to test them in expeditious fashion. Simply floating or hovering for a time before making the same declaration.

 

"Those that desire peace and prosperity, cease your resistance. You will only be allowed one moment to act. Kneel, stand down, or merely stay out of my way. Do this, and you shall be spared."

 

Time, and time again, he would find himself in a coin flip. The larger cities has Heroes that try to die grandstanding, some doing a speech he abruptly cuts off with a chop of his hand, some suicidal souls attempt to stop him. In the smaller ones, there either weren't enough Heroes at all, or the local military would make a stand. Only a handful surrendered in full, as he made a slow approach towards his true target.

 

He knew where his son was. He could feel it. Viltrumites when near one another have strange, attraction, that allows them to connect and convene with one another. It is a very minor, and at times forgotten trait of theirs, but it is a useful one all the same.

 

Either his son has finally come to his senses and is trying to plead with his friends? Or, the unfortunately more likely scenario, is one he dreads with all his heart.

 

He knows Izuku Midoriya. That boy would sooner die than give up on anything he set his mind on.

 

Belloc's question echoes in his mind. Can he really kill his own son? Is that not what his own people decide to do for those who were unworthy of life?

 

Hasn't Izuku already proven he is worthy?

 

Has he ever proven himself at all?

 

It is a worthless debate in his conflicted head that makes his heart pound, his brain ache, his lungs flex with each haggard and hasty breath until...

 

"Dad... No, Star Man."

 

He hears when he finds himself in front of UA. Izuku wearing, armor, of all things. As if his skin alone isn't the most durable material on the planet.

 

"Izuku. You've chosen, stagnancy?"

 

He asks. Izuku shakes his head.

 

"I can't let you kill people. It's... Just that simple."

 

Nolan removes the helmet. Star Man no longer, he casts it aside.

 

"It is never that simple-"

 

"Don't talk. You don't have anything more to say... Do you?"

 

Nolan takes a step forward with a hand out in offering.

 

"Only if you're truly willing to listen-! I showed you, dammit! I showed you the good I could do! That I did do-!"

 

Izuku barks back.

 

"You ruined it all when you showed your true colors! You're... Trying to steal this planet's freedom. I cannot allow that-"

 

"And what will you allow?! War? Famine? Geopolitics?! Assassinations?!? Quirk and Racial Discrimination!!!"

 

Nolan fights back with words. However, Izuku regains his composure.

 

"You don't have a leg to stand on with any of those topics with the blood of a king on your hands. With the blood of, parents, and children on your hands. People you see as, inferior. You're a tyrant. A bully. A Villain."

 

"... And Heroes stop Villains. Right?"

 

Nolan asks as he lowers his offered hand, rejected, as Izuku lifts both of his ready for a fight. A terrified smile on his face.

 

"... It's why, I. Am here."