Chapter 12
"Hiya!" the blonde girl said happily, flapping her arms in excitement as she introduced herself, "I'm Himiko Toga! Are you going to be our new friend?"
"Friend?" Tomura sneered, before remembering the words his Sensei had just said to him, a cruel grin crossing his face, "Yeah, sure."
"Yay!" the exuberant girl said, looking at the taller man beside her, "Come on, introduce yourself as well!"
"I go by Dabi at the moment," the black-haired man replied flatly, eyeing Tomura as the pale-haired man sat on a bar stool, "That's all you need to know for now."
"Fine," Tomura said, a pang of annoyance flashing through him at the other man's apparent arrogance, "I am Tomura Shigaraki, and I am going to be your new boss."
"Boss?" the girl repeated, "But you just said you'd be our friend!"
"I can be both, can't I?" Shigaraki asked, "Anyway, what are your stats? Skills? Quirks? Tell me everything."
"A bit forward, don't you think?" Dabi chuckled, "Don't you think we should get to know each other a bit better first?"
"Fine," Tomura growled impatiently, "Start talking."
"You first," Dabi shot back, "Why don't you tell us more about this whole gig? Why do you want people like us? What's our first job going to be? And how much are we getting paid?"
"Paid?" Tomura snorted, "You'll get paid when you've proven yourselves worthy of getting paid."
"Then I'm out," Dabi sighed, turning away, "No pay? Bullshit."
"We have the funds to afford you," Kurogiri cut in, making the scarred man pause, "And you shall receive a decent amount for your services."
"That sounds better," Dabi muttered, turning back, "So, my other questions?"
"We need loyalty," Kurogiri continued before Tomura could speak up, "Even if it must be bought. And you're here because Giran has vouched for your ability and skill. As for the first job…"
"How would you like to fuck with some Hero wannabes?" Tomura cut in, smiling cruelly once again.
------
"AND WITH THAT, WE HAVE OUR CONTESTANTS FOR THE FINAL ROUND!" Mic shouted over the speakers, "WHICH IS… A TOURNAMENT, OF COURSE!"
The students all looked at each other as the announcement was made, sizing up their opponents as Mic called for a lunch break.
------
Izuku sat with his friends as they ate, looking up as the shadow fell over him.
"Midoriya," Todoroki said as the green-haired teen looked back at him, "I want to talk to you. Privately"
"Oh, okay," Izuku said as he set his empty bowl down, following after the other teen.
They quickly made their way to one of the entrances to the field, Todoroki leaning against the wall as he began to speak.
"You made me break a vow I made in the last round," the teen said coldly, "You made me use his quirk."
"His quirk?" Izuku blinked, staring at the other teen in confusion for a moment, before something clicked in his head, "You mean the fire?"
"Yes," Todoroki replied, "Tell me, do you know about Quirk Marriages?"
"Yeah?" Izuku nodded, his eyes going wide as he realised what the other teen was getting at, "You aren't saying that…"
"Yes," Todoroki cut him off, "My father bought my mother like cattle, all for the chance of breeding the perfect quirk. All for the chance of creating me."
"That…That's horrible," Izuku breathed as the other teen lifted a hand to the scar on his face.
"My mother gave me this scar," he said, "Because I look too much like my father. It was that day that I decided. Decided never to use his quirk. To become the number one Hero with only my mother's quirk."
"Only…That's…" Izuku paused, staring at the other teen in shock for a moment before shaking the feeling off, "That's stupid."
"What?" Todoroki said in surprise, "What do you mean by that?"
"I don't understand everything, but you're telling me that you're only putting in half the effort of everyone else here?" Izuku said, his voice becoming stern as he spoke, something in him fighting back his usual timidness, "That's stupid. And frankly, disrespectful to everyone else in this school. We're all trying our hardest to grow and get stronger, but you're limiting yourself to only half your quirk because of a vow you made as a kid?"
"Well, yes, but-!"
"But nothing," Izuku cut him off, turning away, "I'm going to be using all my strength to win this thing, Todoroki. You should be too."
Shoto watched as Izuku walked off, looking down at his hands as he thought about what the other teen had just said, before shaking his head dismissively.
------
"WELCOME BACK, LOYAL LISTENERS!" Mic shouted over the speakers, "IT'S TIME FOR THE FIRST ROUND OF THE TOURNAMENT!"
Izuku eyed his opponent, the familiar purple-haired boy grinning confidently back at him. He quickly checked the other boy's stats, eyes going wide in surprise.
Name: Hitoshi Shinso
Level: 5
Stats:
Strength: 12
Dexterity: 11
Endurance: 12
Intelligence: 18
Wisdom: 15
Charisma: 25
Skills:
[Brainwashing]
He hadn't improved any of his stats in the weeks since Izuku had last seen them, annoyance rising in Izuku as he glared at the other boy. Was he hoping to coast through the competition using only his Quirk? That sounded unfair and lazy to the green-haired teen.
"What?" Shinso asked casually, "That's a pretty nasty look you're giving me there, buddy."
"Brainwashing, huh?" Izuku replied, startling the other boy, "That sounds like a powerful Quirk, how does it work?"
"Huh, how'd you know…?" Shinso snarled, glancing over at Midnight as she called for the match to start, "Well, whatever, I'm still going to win!"
Probably a mental Quirk, Izuku thought quickly as the two started to circle each other slowly around the ring, But he hasn't used it yet, which means it must have a trigger. But what? He keeps talking, so maybe time? Or is it response based?
"What's up? Cat got your tongue?" Hitoshi goaded Izuku, a look of worry flashing across his face when the teen didn't respond, "You were pretty chatty a moment ago. What happened?"
Okay, probably response based then, Izuku nodded, simply smiling kindly at the other boy, who stared back in confusion, I have this.
Shinso shrieked as Izuku suddenly leapt forwards, diving to the side to avoid the punch the green-haired teen was winding up. Izuku responded immediately, grabbing the back of Hitoshi's jacket, and hurling him from the ring, where he landed heavily on the ground with a thump.
"Izuku Midoriya wins!" Midnight called as Izuku hopped off the raised arena, hurrying over to Shinso as the other teen sat up.
"Sorry about that," Izuku said, holding out a hand to help the other teen up, "I know you were probably thinking that you could get through with your quirk, but it was a bad match up."
"Whatever," the purple-haired teen muttered as he slapped the hand away, getting up himself, "Not like I care how you found out."
"Oh, it's part of my quirk," Izuku started to reply, before his eyes went blank, a screen appearing in front of him.
[Condition [Brainwashed] gained.]
"Got you," the other teen snickered, before the feeling faded from Izuku, the boy walking off even as a few of his class cheered him on, making him stop for a moment, before continuing through the exit.
------
The other fights went by quickly, Izuku soon finding himself back in the arena standing opposite his next opponent.
"Midoriya," Shoto Todoroki said coldly.
"Todoroki," Izuku replied with an equally cold tone, "Have you thought about what I said?"
"You're wrong," the two-toned teen growled back, "And I'm going to prove it in this fight."
"BEGIN!" Midnight shouted as Shoto immediately launched a barrage of ice from his foot, Izuku simply winding up a punch as the glacier shot towards him. Fist met ice, and the ice shattered, spraying frigid air and chunks of ice across the field. Shoto blinked in surprise, trying to peer through the mist that had formed, before Izuku suddenly shot out of the fog beside him. Shoto let out another blast of ice, Izuku leaping over it and slamming a powerful kick into his chest, making him gasp as he staggered back.
"Is that it?" Izuku goaded, an unimpressed look on his face, "You're just going to keep attacking me with your ice? You've already seen that that won't work, Todoroki!"
"Shut up!" the teen snarled as he threw another iceberg at the other boy, Izuku backhanding it away, once again shattering the ice.
"Not until you use all your power!" he shouted, darting forwards again, suddenly dropping to the ground as he flipped onto his hands, spinning around, and slamming his heel into Todoroki's right shoulder before he could react.
Izuku suddenly flipped into the air, grabbing the arm and yanking. The resounding pop echoed over the arena, making several of the audience wince as Shoto gasped in pain, his right arm hanging limply at his side.
"I only dislocated your shoulder," Izuku said as he stepped back from Shoto, "It'll hurt, but will be easy enough to fix."
"What are you doing?" Shoto growled as he stomped his foot down, Izuku avoiding the blast of ice that erupted from under him, before darting forwards and kicking the inside of Todoroki's knee, forcing him to the ground.
"I'm forcing you to use your whole quirk, Todoroki," Izuku said flatly back, "And if I have to cripple your right side to do it, I will."
"Cripple?" the other teen said, his eyes going wide as he forced himself to stand, his leg aching painfully as he was forced to favour his left, "I won't let you!"
"Then stop playing around!" Izuku roared, charging in with a punch straight at Shoto's head, fear momentarily overcoming the teen's mind as flames blasted from his left side, forcing the other teen to dodge back to avoid being burnt.
"You…" Shoto growled, "You did it again."
"I did," Izuku hummed, his expression still blank, "And I'll keep doing it until you use your full power on your own!"
"NO!" the teen roared, slamming his right foot down again, wincing at the pain in his knee as the sudden iceberg enveloped Izuku, "I win!"
"No," the sound of creaking ice filled the air as the glacier cracked, and then shattered, "You don't!"
Izuku erupted from the glacier, slamming a powerful punch into Shoto's gut, making him vomit slightly as he collapsed to his knees, the green-haired teen backing off as he gasped for air.
"Get up," Izuku said coldly, "This fight isn't over."
"WHAT IS MIDORIYA DOING?!" Mic shouted over the speakers, "IT'S LIKE HE'S TRYING TO GOAD HIS OPPONENT INTO SOMETHING!"
"Maybe he is," Aizawa grumbled from beside him, "Though it doesn't seem to be working."
"Why?!" Izuku suddenly shouted, making Shoto look up at him, "Why do you do this?"
"D-do what?" Shoto gasped as he staggered painfully to his feet.
"Why are you trying to be a Hero?" Izuku asked, "For yourself? For your father? For revenge?"
"Revenge?" Shoto muttered as the other teen stood opposite him, "No, I just want to prove-."
"You're only proving that you're weak, Todoroki," Izuku cut him off, "Now, tell me why you want to be a Hero! Not some bull shit about a vow! Not to show up your father! Tell me why!"
"Why?" Shoto said softly, "Why do I want to be a Hero?"
Memories flooded through his mind, his mother's face coming into view as he felt a warmth he had long thought forgotten in his chest. Flames licked at his left side, bursting out in a torrent as the ice around him melted into steam almost instantly.
"Thank you, Midoriya," he said as he stood up straight, even as his right side ached, "I remembered why."
"Good," the green-haired teen smiled back at him kindly, "Now, let's finish this!"
"Yes!" Shoto shouted as he slammed his right foot down, unleashing a glacier many times the size of any he had before, shooting straight towards Izuku.
Izuku grinned even as the massive wall of ice rose above him, threatening to fall at any moment.
"You're finally doing your best," he said quietly, "I might as well go all out as well!"
The glacier rose into the air as the crowd gasped at the sheer size of it, before it suddenly vanished, shattered and blown away in a single second, leaving them stunned as the smoke and fog cleared, revealing Shoto lying on the grass, a stunned look on his face as Izuku remained in the ring, his right arm turning purple as he struggled to stand, the shout still echoing in the air.
"[OVERRIDE]!"
Chapter 13
"You are not taking part in the next round!"
"What?" Izuku gasped as he looked at the irate woman in shock, "But-!"
"No buts!" Recovery Girl snorted, "You shattered your right arm! There's no way I could allow you to continue fighting after that!"
"But couldn't you heal me?" the teen asked, the woman just glaring at him.
"The sheer amount of energy it would take to heal the kind of injury you have would keep you knocked out for a whole day, if not longer," she huffed, "So no. And I'm not going to heal you just so you can go back out there and get hurt again."
"Why not try?" Nedzu chimed as he entered the medical tent, making both look at him in surprise, "If Midoriya-kun is unable to operate under his own power after having his arm healed, then he'll withdraw from the Tournament. However, if he is, I shall take full responsibility for any other injuries he obtains."
"Nedzu," Recovery Girl growled, before letting out a defeated sigh, "Fine, but I don't like this!"
"Of course you don't," the chimera chuckled as he watched her kiss the teen on the cheek, his arm glowing slightly as the purple bruising began to quickly fade.
Less than a minute later, Izuku was standing, letting out a loud yawn as he stretched his newly healed arm.
"I think I'm okay now," he said as Recovery Girl just stared at him in disbelief.
"You should be unconscious!" she said, "If not from the pain of the injury itself, then from the healing from my Quirk!"
"I have a lot of Endurance," Izuku chuckled, looking at Nedzu as the rat-like principal just grinned back, "Does this mean I can fight in the next round?"
"It would seem so, though I would ask you not to injure yourself as you did earlier," he chuckled, "Perhaps refrain from using that Skill of yours, "Override" was it?"
"I can do that," Izuku nodded, "I only used it in the last fight because I felt like if Todoroki-kun was going all out, then I had to do the same."
"An admirable sentiment," Nedzu nodded.
"But a dangerous one," Recovery Girl added, before turning away from both of them, "Now get out! I have others to attend to, and you're standing in the doorway!"
------
The shockwave echoed across the field as the two teens kicked, Iida struggling against Izuku as the green-haired teen started to over-power him.
"I don't intend to go down easily!" the blue-haired boy shouted, fire starting to spit from his exhausts, "I had hoped to keep this secret a while longer, but it seems I need it now! Recipro-burst!"
The flame jetted out from his calf as he threw Izuku backwards, immediately shooting forwards to place another powerful kick onto the other teen's ribs. Izuku flinched as the attack hit, before grinning, wrapping his arm around Iida's leg and pinning it to his side.
"Got you!" he shouted, surprising the taller teen as he started to spin, dragging Iida with him.
The two spun for several seconds, before Izuku suddenly released the leg, throwing the now dizzy Iida out of the ring to land heavily on the grass.
"Midoriya wins!" Midnight shouted as Izuku waved to the crowd, before hopping off the platform and going to help Iida up, the crowd cheering louder as the pair shook hands and smiled at each other.
"SUCH A SHOW OF SPORTSMANSHIP!" Mic yelled over the speakers.
"Ah, the joy of youth!" Midnight hummed, wiggling suggestively, "Makes me feel nice."
The two boys made a point of ignoring her as they exited on opposite sides of the stadium, Izuku shivering with nerves as he waited for the final round to begin.
------
"It's time."
Izuku took a calming breath as he walked out to the ring, stepping up the stairs to see his opponent across the concrete, the blonde scowling at him.
"AND IN THE FINALS!" Mic shouted, "IZUKU MIDORIYA, ABLE TO OVERPOWER HIS OPPONENTS WITH HIS IMMENSE STRENGTH, VERSUS KATSUKI BAKUGO, WHO BLASTS THEM AWAY WITH HIS POWERFUL QUIRK!"
"I'm going to win this, Deku," the blonde snarled, sliding into a ready stance even as Midnight lifted her riding crop, "And prove that I'm still stronger than you!"
Izuku simply checked his opponent's stats, trying to remain calm even as nerves rushed through his body.
Name: Katsuki "Kacchan" Bakugo
Level: 16
Stats:
Strength: 29
Dexterity: 27
Endurance: 23
Intelligence: 30
Wisdom: 24
Charisma: 17
Skills:
[Explosion]
"You've gotten quite a bit stronger," Izuku said, "But is that going to be enough this time, Kacchan?"
"Shut the fuck up and fight!" the other teen growled, explosions crackling across his palms.
"Begin!" Midnight shouted, Bakugo immediately launching himself forwards with a powerful blast, swinging a fist to punch Izuku in the face.
Izuku ducked the blow, countering with his own punch to the blonde's gut, throwing him up into the air. Bakugo responded by throwing a blast down onto Izuku, launching himself up higher as he gasped for breath. The two stared at each other as the smoke cleared, revealing a slightly singed Izuku while Bakugo kept himself airborne with well-timed explosions.
"What are you doing, Kacchan?" Izuku called, "Didn't you want to fight?"
"Oh, I'm going to fucking fight!" the other teen roared, launching himself up higher as he began to spin, "I just wanted you to be able to see your death coming! Howitzer Impact!"
The blonde flew down towards Izuku, spinning rapidly as the smoke formed a cone behind him. Izuku wound up a punch as the attack approached, before suddenly darting to the side as the blast hit the floor where he'd just been standing. The resulting explosion covered the field in smoke and rubble, a gust of air blowing it away to reveal that a massive chunk of the ring had been blasted away.
"You're fucking running, Deku!" Bakugo screamed, "That's all you were ever good at! Fucking running away and getting caught up in shit that didn't involve you!"
"That's two things, Kacchan," Izuku replied as he shot from the smoke, suddenly flipping onto his hands, and bringing his heel down on the surprised blonde's shoulder, forcing him to his knees, "And I think that's the first time you've ever complimented me!"
"GO TO HELL!" the blonde roared as he unleashed a powerful explosion at Izuku, the green-haired teen flipping away with ease as he landed on the ground, "Don't think your fancy tricks will work on me!"
"They seem to be doing a pretty good job, so far," the other boy goaded, "So, how about we stop playing around?"
"Playing?" Bakugo blinked in surprise, "You think I was fucking playing? I'm always serious!"
"Then you have no hope of beating me," Izuku shrugged, giving the blonde a smirk, "I mean, I'm not even being serious right now."
"DEKU!" Katsuki roared as he launched himself forwards, bringing his right arm forwards in a wide punch.
"You always lead with your right!" the other teen shouted as he grabbed the wrist, swinging around and throwing Bakugo over his shoulder, slamming him hard enough into the floor that the concrete shattered beneath the other boy, "It's a bad habit!"
"Go to hell!" the blonde coughed as he yanked his hand free, staggering to his feet, "I'm going to fucking win this!"
"No," Izuku shook his head, his expression changing as he slid into a combat stance, "You're not, Katsuki."
Izuku using his real name stunned the blonde for a second, but it was long enough for Izuku to appear in front of him in a burst of speed, slamming a punch into his gut, forcing him to vomit at the force as he was thrown back. He barely managed to catch himself as he sailed over the edge of the arena, using an explosion to blast himself back in.
"OH, AND BAKUGO WAS THROWN OUT OF THE RING!" Mic shouted, "DOES THAT MEAN HE'S OUT?"
"He didn't land on the ground and seems to still be capable of fighting," Aizawa hummed beside him, "So no."
"SO PRAGMATIC!" Mic laughed.
"Deku," Bakugo coughed as he got his breath back, "You little shit! I'm going to fucking kill you!"
"Try me," came the response, Izuku waving for him to come.
"RAAARGH!" Bakugo let out a wordless roar as he unleashed his most powerful explosion yet, launching himself towards the other teen in a flash of speed.
Izuku responded by jumping forwards, almost matching the blonde's speed himself as they collided. Punches and kicks slammed into Katsuki rapidly as he unleashed explosion after explosion at his foe. The crowd gasped and cheered in equal measure as the arena filled with smoke and wind, barely giving them glances of the two fighters laying into one another. Finally, the sound of explosions and hits died down, the smoke clearing to reveal the two beaten up fighters standing in the middle of the ring.
"I'm…going to…win…" Katsuki gasped for air as he staggered forwards, slowly lifting an arm as weak explosions crackled over his palm.
"No, I am," Izuku responded, breathing heavily as he caught the slow attack, squeezing the wrist, "Goodbye, Kacchan."
"What?" the blonde blinked as the punch slammed into his face, and everything went black.
------
"Todoroki!"
The shout made the boy turn as he walked towards the school gates, blinking as he saw who was calling.
"I'm glad I managed to catch up to you," Izuku said as he ran up, "How're your injuries?"
"Healed, thanks to Recovery Girl," the teen replied flatly, looking at the bandages that covered the other teen.
"Good to hear," Izuku nodded awkwardly, "I, uhm…I just wanted to apologise. For some of the things I said in our fight. They weren't exactly nice."
"It's fine," Shoto shook his head, "You were right."
"I still just wanted to say sorry," Izuku repeated, "And to ask if you'd be my friend?"
"Aren't I already on your Friend List?" the scarred teen blinked in confusion.
"Well, yeah," Izuku chuckled, "But that's more of a convenience thing. I wanted to ask if you'd be my real friend."
"I…okay," Shoto shrugged, blinking as Izuku gave a bright smile, grabbing his hand and shaking it happily.
"I'm glad," the green-haired teen said, "Thank you."
"You're welcome," Shoto replied awkwardly, before Izuku turned away and hurried back to the school building, waving back at him as he went.
Shoto stood silently for a moment, before looking down at his hand.
"A friend, huh?"
------
"So, when is this job actually going to happen?" Dabi sighed as he sipped on a glass of whiskey.
"In time," Kurogiri replied, "We are still waiting on our informant to provide us with a location."
"But that could take ages!" Toga pouted as she spun in the centre of the bar, playing with the knives in her hands, "I'm bored!"
"Then get the fuck out of here and go do something," Shigaraki snorted, his fingers moving rapidly over the buttons on the controller, his eyes glued to the television screen, "You're distracting me."
"Nerd," Dabi chuckled, before jumping as the man let out a shout of victory.
"FUCKING FINALLY!" Tomura laughed, "Got you, you dumb boss!"
"What're you playing?" Toga asked as she looked over his shoulder, "Looks like fun."
"It's more serious than that," Tomura snorted, "It's a hardcore game."
"Can I give it a go?" the girl asked, "Can you make people bleed in it?"
"Yeah, there's a status for that, but Bleed builds are for scrubs," Tomura growled.
"Huh," Dabi said as he also approached, "Been a while since I've played this series. I usually go for a magic build, you know, throwing fire and shit."
"Noob," Tomura chuckled, "Real gamers only need Strength to beat the bosses."
"Explains why your health and stamina are so low," the scarred man laughed, "And isn't this just the first boss? This game came out months ago."
"Shut up," Shigaraki snorted, before shoving the controller into his chest, "If you're so good at these games, then you try!"
"Aw, but I asked first!" Toga huffed.
"Sure," Dabi shrugged, grabbing a bar stool, and quickly starting a new character, "They still doing that thing where the first boss always kills you?"
"Yeah, it's bullshit," Shigaraki huffed, "So just hurry up. I want to see you lose already."
"Slow down, crusty," the man laughed, "I haven't played in a few years, give me some time to get used to the controls first."
Chapter 14
"Pick who you want to intern with by the end of the week," Aizawa grunted, "But before that, we have two other important things to do."
"Two?" the class asked, excitement running through them.
"First, you need to pick your Hero names," the teacher sighed, the class cheering loudly, "And second, you'll find a list of three potential martial arts on the last page of your handouts. Pick one."
"Huh? Martial arts?" the students said, looking at each other in confusion, "Why?"
"Nedzu's decision," the teacher sighed, "You'll each get a Skill Book to learn the theory of your chosen fighting style, and Midoriya will use his Quirk to teach it to you."
"Oh wow!" Mina gasped as she looked at the last page of her hand out, "What's Capoeira?"
"It's a fighting style based around dance," Izuku explained, suddenly going through a series of fluid motions, ending up on his hands as he paused, "Like this. I saw you had a Dancing Skill, so I thought it would work for you."
"That's awesome!" Mina gasped, "I'm totally choosing that!"
"But why are we getting martial arts now?" Ochako asked, "Aren't we about to go learn this kind of stuff on our internships?"
"Yes," Aizawa grunted, "But Nedzu thought it best to prepare you as much as possible."
"Why can't we choose multiple martial arts though?" Kaminari asked, "Like, we know Midoriya's quirk can teach them to us, so it'd be really fast to learn a bunch, right?"
"We still don't know the short- or long-term effects of using Skill Books. Especially for those that don't have my Quirk," Izuku explained, "So it was decided that you'd all only be allowed to use one Skill Book a month, while being monitored for changes."
"Monitored?" the class asked, Izuku just nodding, "But what about you?"
"Well, we've figured out that I'm usually okay using them," Izuku shrugged, "Though that could just be because of my Quirk. We have to be more careful with people who aren't under its influence all the time."
"Still," Kirishima hummed, "Getting even the theory of a fighting style is pretty manly! I want boxing!"
The rest of the class quickly chose their new fighting styles, Izuku happily helping them use the Skill Books they got as Midnight entered the room with a cart of small white boards.
------
"And how have you been, Midoriya-kun? No problems with your quirk?"
"Not really. Just…there's something that's been bugging me about my Quirk lately," Izuku said as he sat with Nedzu in the principal's office.
"Oh?" the mammalian creature hummed through his tea, "And what would that be?"
"I haven't gotten any active quests lately," Izuku explained, "I mean, I completed a Hidden quest for winning the Sports Festival, but other than that, I haven't seen a quest for weeks, not even for Basic Heroics exercises."
"I see," Nedzu muttered, sitting back in his chair for a moment before continuing, "Perhaps it is simply because you have not encountered something that is enough of a challenge for you? Tell me, what is your current level?"
"Oh, twelve," Izuku said as he pulled up his Status Page, "I levelled up from the hidden quest for the Sports Festival, but other than that, nothing."
"That is quite the high level for your age, is it not?" Nedzu asked, Izuku nodding.
"Yes, but most of my class have similar or even higher levels," Izuku shrugged, "I just…it's a bit worrying. I used to get quests for just about everything, from fetching groceries to helping a cat out of a tree, even if they only gave a couple of experience points each."
"As I said, perhaps it is simply because you have, let's say "out levelled", those kinds of quests," Nedzu nodded.
"Yeah, I guess," Izuku sighed, "It's just…I kind of miss them. It was sort of nice to be able to see something telling me I was helping someone."
"I understand," Nedzu chuckled, "Though perhaps you'll get something with the upcoming Internships."
"Yeah, maybe," Izuku nodded, "Though I hope it's nothing bad."
"As do I," Nedzu replied, "Now, I do believe that your class chose their Hero Aliases this morning. So, tell me, what did you choose?"
"Oh," Izuku blushed slightly as he spoke, "I chose "Deku". I know it's sort of got a bad history behind it, but it was what was already on my Status Page, and well…I kind of want to take it back, I guess?"
"Oh?" Nedzu chuckled, "I am glad to hear that, Midoriya-kun. Now then, onto our usual training!"
------
A week quickly passed, Izuku and his class standing on the train station platform as Aizawa spoke to them.
"Make sure you don't do anything too reckless," the man sighed, "You're representing UA on these internships."
"Yes, Sensei!" the class called as they excitedly talked, each holding their costume cases.
"Iida," Izuku said as he approached the silent teen, "Are you okay? You haven't been talking to anyone the past few days."
"I'm fine, Midoriya," the boy replied, smiling at the other teen, "Just…nervous, I suppose."
"Oh," Izuku nodded slowly, "How's your training with your new Martial Arts Skill going? I know you chose one focused around kicks."
"It's going well," Iida nodded, "It has helped me find quite a few flaws in my original fighting style and has given me some ideas as to how to improve."
"Great!" Izuku smiled, "Well, good luck in Hosu."
"Thank you," Iida replied flatly, a faraway look in his eyes.
------
Izuku looked up at the dilapidated building, wondering if he'd gotten the address right as he stood in front of the door.
"This is the address All Might gave me," Izuku sighed as he looked at the piece of paper in his hand, "I suppose I'd better just go in."
He knocked, jumping as the door swung open to reveal a strange man in a white and yellow hero costume lying in a pool of what looked like blood. Izuku immediately shot to his side, checking the old man for injuries as he called out to him.
"Sir? Sir, are you okay? Did you fall?"
"Huh, good response," the old man growled as he suddenly stood up, giving Izuku an appraising look before dusting himself off, the front of his costume somehow not stained at all, "Don't worry, kid, it was just ketchup."
"K-ketchup?" Izuku blinked, looking down to see the open bottle lying in the puddle of red, "Oh, thank goodness! I only have the Basic First Aid skill, so I was worried I'd have to call an ambulance."
"Hmm," the old man hummed as he opened the silver case holding Izuku's Hero costume, pulling it out to inspect it, "Not bad. Put it on."
"What?" Izuku blinked, staring at the old man as he turned back to the teen.
"I said put it on."
------
"Okay," Izuku hummed as he inspected the costume, "It fits well."
The costume itself was simple, a green jumpsuit with black lines, with extra padding over his vitals and supports on his arms and legs. It was pretty similar to his first costume, the one his mom had made for him from his old design but was made with far better materials. He felt a slight pang of guilt at that thought, the original now sitting in a box in his closet, only slightly damaged, gathering dust after Todoroki had suggested his Support Company to the green-haired teen.
"You done?" the old man's voice called from the other room, pulling Izuku out of his thoughts as he quickly stood and headed out.
"Yes sir!" Izuku nodded as he walked out, the metal soles on his shoes clicking against the ground, "Are we going on patrol?"
"No," the old man grunted, looking over Izuku again, "We're testing you to see how well you've adjusted to One for All."
"What?" Izuku blinked, before the man suddenly vanished, slamming a punch into the teen's gut an instant later.
"Quit staring and protect yourself!"
[Quest: Survive! Survive the training fight!Rewards: Variable.]
Izuku stared at the quest screen in surprise for a moment, earning him a kick to the back as he tumbled to the floor. He immediately popped back to his feet, watching in awe as the old man shot around the room at speed, occasionally jumping in to land a strike from Izuku's blind spots. The teen stumbled around, trying to keep up for a moment, before managing to calm himself.
I just have to survive, he thought, watching as the man landed on the microwave, crushing the machine before taking a deep breath, But is that good enough?
Izuku crouched into a defensive stance, taking the attacks as he tried to figure out the man's pattern, something clicking in his mind as he suddenly spun, grabbing the costumed figure by the leg just as he was about to kick the teen in the back again. A blast of air from the sole of his foot caught Izuku off guard, making him blink and stagger back, letting go of the foot as the man flipped easily through the air and landed on the floor.
"Not bad," the old man growled, "But nowhere near good enough. How much of One for All can you use right now?"
"Use?" Izuku blinked, "Uhm…my Strength is at one-hundred and twenty-eight out of the full amount…so about thirteen percent, I guess?"
"Right, because of your quirk," the old man sighed, shaking his head at Izuku's surprise, "Toshinori told me about it. It's supposed to function like one of those video games you kids are always playing, right? Well, show me."
"Uhm… yes," Izuku nodded, quickly inviting the old man to his Friend List, "Here."
"Interesting," the old man hummed, looking over the screen before accepting, "Well, it may be a decent stop gap, but it's not enough for you to really use the full power of One for All."
"What do you mean?" Izuku asked.
"You have access to other abilities through One for All, don't you?" the old man grunted, "Well, why aren't you using them?"
"Oh! I, uhm…I kind of forgot about that," Izuku blushed.
"Not good enough. Tell me what they are."
------
"Ha! Gotcha!" Dabi laughed as he killed the boss, Tomura growling in annoyance beside him as Toga cheered, "There, see? Told you I'd get it this time, and I only got hit once."
"Bullshit," the pale-haired man snorted, "You're just using an easy build. And you grinded for like four hours!"
"Well, duh," the scarred man laughed, "That's the point of these games, isn't it? It's only as hard as you make it for yourself. And a decent build also helps."
"I want a go now!" Toga chimed happily, "I wanna try that Bleed thingy that Shiggy was talking about!"
"No," Tomura growled, "It's my turn to-hey!"
"You can play after her," Dabi hummed as he handed the controller to the blonde girl, "Let her have some fun as well."
"No! It's my game!" Tomura whined, pouting as Dabi got up from his seat.
"And you can play it whenever," Dabi sighed, "Let her have a go, when she gets bored or frustrated you can have a turn again."
"Fine," the man growled, slumping back into the old sofa they'd moved in front of the television, "But it's still my game!"
"We know, crusty," Dabi sighed as he turned to Kurogiri, the man already holding out a drink.
"You seem well versed in the art of…managing people," the bartender hummed.
"Had to be," Dabi shrugged, taking a sip from the alcoholic drink, "Had kid siblings when I was young, as the eldest you gotta know how to handle them."
"Ah, I see," Kurogiri nodded, ignoring the way the man froze slightly as he seemed to realize what he'd said, "I won't pry any further, then."
"Thanks," the scarred man muttered, before turning back to the pair on the sofa, "Oi, Toga. If you're going to go Bleed, you'll want the third starting build. Also, you're not going to take hours on the character creator, are you?"
"But I want my person to be pretty!" the girl huffed as she followed his advice.
Chapter 15
"Definitely the Quirks the of the previous holders then," Gran Torino huffed as Izuku finished reading from the list, "It's interesting that they're all locked, though."
"Well, Gear Shift isn't," Izuku replied, "I unlocked that with a Hero Point during the USJ."
"Hero Points, huh?" the old man sighed, "Any idea how to get more of those, then?"
"Uhm…sort of? I have to do something Heroic, I guess," Izuku shrugged as he helped the man put the new microwave in its place, "Though I'm not sure what that means."
"Figured," Gran Torino muttered, "But are these Hero Points the only way for you to unlock the previous holders' Quirks?"
"What do you mean?" Izuku asked.
"Your Quirk is strange, so there may be facets of it we don't know about yet," Gran Torino snorted, "Well, we might as well get started on that. But first, lunch!"
"Lunch?" Izuku blinked as the older man nodded at him, grinning.
"Taiyaki!"
------
[10 acts of Minor Heroism performed! Gained 1 Hero Point. Next Hero Point at 100 acts of Minor Heroism. 10/100.]
"Huh," Izuku said as he set the small child down after getting them down from the tree, "I just got a Hero Point."
"What for?" Gran Torino asked, sending the kid on her way as she thanked them.
"Ten acts of Minor Heroism," Izuku replied, "Though it says I'll only get another point after I do another ninety."
"Well, that's good to know," the old man sighed, before looking at Izuku, "Well?"
"What?" the teen asked, dusting himself off slightly.
"Aren't you going to check if you can get a new Skill or whatever they're called?"
"Oh! Right, sorry!" the teen blushed as he pulled up his Status Page, marvelling at the screen for a moment.
Name: Izuku "Deku" Midoriya
Level: 12
Stats:
Strength: 128 (999)
Dexterity: 28
Endurance: 64
Intelligence: 36
Wisdom: 28
Charisma: 21
Free Stat Points: 10
Hero Points: 1
System Skills:
[Analytical Eye]
[Inventory]
[Friend List]
[Override]
[Party]
Extra Skills:
[One for All]
[Basic First Aid]
[Basic Electrical Engineering]
[Basic Structural Engineering]
[Basic Mixed Martial Arts]
He focused on the Hero Points, getting a screen that showed a list of Skills he could buy with it. He quickly scrolled to the end, blinking as he saw the price of unlocking the Sub-Skills of One for All.
"They've gone up," he muttered.
"What?" the old man called, making Izuku jump.
"The cost of unlocking a Sub-Skill of One for All," Izuku hurriedly explained, "They've increased to two. It was only one before. It's uhm…probably a balance thing."
"Balance?" Gran Torino asked, giving the teen a confused look.
"A video game term, it means a limitation so that I can't get too powerful too quickly," Izuku explained, "I guess it makes sense, with my Quirk being like a video game and all."
"Huh, pity," the old man sighed, "Well, it said you just had to complete another what? Ninety acts of Minor Heroism for the next one, right? Then let's get to it!"
"W-what?" Izuku blinked.
------
Izuku collapsed onto the bed, too tired to even take his costume off as he let out a breath.
They had spent the entire day running all over the area in an attempt to get him to one hundred acts of Minor Heroism but had had to stop as night came and Izuku felt himself becoming exhausted. They had done everything from finding lost pets and carrying groceries, to saving a kid that had fallen into a river and preventing a car accident. Yet somehow, they still hadn't hit the goal. Tiredly, Izuku rolled onto his back, bringing up his Status Page again and focussing on the Hero Points, bringing up the familiar screen. Wondering, he tried to focus on the option in a different way, asking what he needed to do in order to get another Hero Point.
He sat up in surprise as the new screen appeared.
Hero Point Achievements:
Acts of Minor Heroism: 59/100
Acts of Basic Heroism: 2/5
Acts of Heroism: 1/3
Acts of Great Heroism: 0/1
"What?" he said, staring at the screen for a moment, before putting the pieces together, "Wait, so then…saving the child from drowning and stopping the car accident were probably acts of Basic Heroism, and the act of Heroism was from the USJ. So then what constitutes an act of Great Heroism?"
"Oi, you still awake?" Gran Torino called from the other side of the door, "Go to sleep, we have a lot of work to do tomorrow, and you muttering to yourself all night won't help!"
"Y-yes, Gran Torino!" Izuku called, quickly closing the screens, getting undressed, a feeling of warmth and excitement in his chest as he quickly got into bed.
------
"We're going to be going to a larger area tomorrow evening," Gran said as they walked back into the old building, "So be sure to rest up tonight and tomorrow."
"A larger area?" Izuku yawned as he headed to the kitchen, starting to cook for the two of them.
"Hosu," Gran nodded, "It's more metropolitan, so hopefully we'll be able to get you a few more of those achievement things completed there."
Izuku just nodded, pulling up the screen he'd found the night before.
Hero Point Achievements:
Acts of Minor Heroism: 88/100
Acts of Basic Heroism: 3/5
Acts of Heroism: 1/3
Acts of Great Heroism: 0/1
"There wasn't too much to do around here today, apart from that purse snatcher," he sighed, "So you're probably right."
"Of course I am!" Gran barked, sitting at the table, "Now, which Quirk are you going to unlock with this second point?"
"Which quirk?" Izuku asked, looking back at the man, "I don't know. I might take the Float one, as that would increase my mobility, but each one has so much potential!"
"I agree with Float," the old man nodded, "You're fast, but being able to move through the air would increase your speed even more. Not to mention that it was hers."
"Hers?" Izuku blinked as he dished up the Takoyaki, looking at the man in confusion.
"Has that idiot Toshinori not told you anything?" Gran Torino sighed, "No, I suppose not. The seventh holder of One for All, Nana Shimura. She had the Quirk Float."
"Oh! I see," Izuku nodded, "Did you…did you know her, then?"
"She was a friend, yes," the old man sighed, looking away, "A good friend. Only reason I even bothered getting a Teaching license was to help her train Toshinori."
"You helped train All Might?!" Izuku gasped, "What was he like? As a teenager, I mean. This is prime All Might lore!"
"Lore?" Gran huffed as he started to shovel the Takoyaki into his mouth, "More of that gamer lingo?"
"Yeah, sorry," Izuku chuckled as he joined him, "I'm just…I'm just really interested to learn more about All Might, you know? What happened to her?"
"She died," Gran replied flatly, "Or…more she was killed. Worst day of my life. I had to drag Toshinori away as she faced down that bastard all alone."
"Killed?" Izuku gasped, "By who?"
"Toshinori really hasn't told you anything, has he?" Gran Torino sighed again, "Fine, I might as well tell you, seeing as you are the latest holder, though I myself don't know all the details. Apparently, it all started with two brothers…"
------
Izuku stared up at the ceiling as the story Gran had told him swirled around his head.
A great evil? A quirk that could take and give other quirks? And apparently only One for All was immune to its effects? And the man may even still be alive? It was a lot of information for the teen, and he was almost regretting having learnt it. Shaking his head, Izuku rolled over, opening his Status Page, and staring at his stats. Would they be enough by the time he had to face this great evil? How could he better improve himself for the upcoming fight? He still had ten free points left to spend, but was it smart to use them right now?
Shaking his head again, Izuku quickly assigned the points, deciding that delaying the act wouldn't do him any good.
------
"Huh?"
"What is it Tenya?" Manual asked as the teen stopped on the sidewalk.
"Nothing," he muttered, "One of my classmates just sent me a message."
"A message?" the Pro asked as he looked at Iida's empty hands, "How?"
"Oh, I apologise," the teen bowed slightly, "It is a function of his Quirk. He is able to send text-based messages to anyone on a list."
"Oh, okay," Manual nodded, "What did he say? It must be important if he's sending you a message now."
"Just that he and his mentor will be in Hosu later this evening," Iida replied, looking back at the screen as it faded away, "He wanted to know if we could meet."
"That's a great idea!" Manual grinned at the teen, "Tell them to come by the Agency when they get here, we'll go on an evening patrol together."
"Very well," the teen replied as he responded to the message.
------
"Do you two have to be here right now?"
"Yep, Crusty," Dabi hummed as he concentrated on the screen, "Just ignore us while you have your meeting with whoever."
"It's Stain," Shigaraki growled, "And you're going to ruin it by playing while we talk!"
"I'm sure it is," Dabi chuckled as he finished off the boss, stretching before handing the controller to Toga, "Your turn, Toga."
"Yay!" the blonde said as she quickly changed to her character, "I wanna see that big guy bleed!"
"I have returned," Kurogiri said as the black portal opened, a tall and lanky figure festooned in knives stepping out after him, "And I have brought our guest."
"Stain," Shigaraki said as the other two looked up, their eyes going wide at the sight of the man.
"Holy shit, it really is Stain." "STAINY!"
The two shouts echoed around the room as the blonde hurled herself off the couch, knives already in hand as she gleefully charged the man. She barely made it two steps before the figure slammed a booted foot into her gut, throwing her backwards and over the couch.
"An ambush?" Stain snarled, glaring at Shigaraki and Kurogiri in anger.
"No!" Tomura growled, before managing to calm himself slightly, "No. That one is just…enthusiastic."
"I love you, Stainy! Let me have some of your blood!" the girl shouted as Dabi held her back, even as blood started to stain the front of her uniform.
"Unusual company you keep," Stain growled back at Shigaraki, "Are you the one the portal user said was the leader?"
"Yes," Shigaraki smiled cruelly, "And we want you to join us!"
"No," the man replied flatly.
"No?" Shigaraki blinked, "What do you mean no?"
"You are but children, no drive, no ambition," Stain snarled, suddenly launching himself forwards and stabbing Tomura in the shoulder, "No conviction!"
"The fuck?!" Dabi shouted, his hands igniting as he released Toga, the blonde readying her knives as she stared hungrily at Stain.
"Enough!" Kurogiri shouted, silencing the room for a moment as everyone looked at him, "Perhaps we started on the wrong foot. Shall we try again?"
"Conviction?" Shigaraki growled under the man, grabbing the knife in his shoulder as it rusted away, "Why would I need something like that? Though, I guess if you were to ask me, I'd say it's All Might."
"All Might?" Stain asked as he jumped back, dropping the crumbling blade.
"Yeah," Shigaraki sneered, "I want to destroy him! Make him sob and beg at my feet before I kill him!"
"Then we have nothing in common," Stain growled, looking at Kurogiri, "You, send me back to Hosu. I still have work to be done."
"Very well," the bartender sighed, opening another portal behind the man, which he quickly stepped through, "Shall we go after him?"
"Yes," All three replied as one, Shigaraki glaring at the other two before stomping through the portal.
Chapter 16
"Iida said to meet at Manual's Agency," Izuku said as they sat on the train, "I know where it is, so we'll get there pretty quickly."
"You know where it is?" Gran Torino asked as he ate from the package of fast food, "How?"
"Oh! I, uhm…I'm a bit of a Hero fanboy," Izuku blushed, "I have a bunch of Hero Agency locations memorised."
"Good to know," the old man hummed through his food, squawking as the train suddenly screeched to a halt, sending the meal flying to the floor, "What's going on?"
"All Passengers, please remain calm," the electronic voice said, "There has been a Villain attack in Hosu, the train will be delayed."
"Villain attack?" Izuku asked as the side of the train suddenly smashed inwards, a Hero slamming through the hole, "What's going on?!"
"Protect the passengers!" Gran shouted as the grey-skinned creature entered through the hole, looking around with unblinking eyes before the Pro slammed into it, carrying it out of the train, "I'll handle the Villain!"
"That's a Nomu!" Izuku gasped as he rushed to the hole, staring out at Hosu as fires raged across it, a screen appearing in front of him, "No way…this can only mean…Iida!"
------
"STAIN!"
The shout echoed off the alley walls as the white armoured figure shot towards the man, Stain grunting as he blocked the quick series of kicks, one snaking through and hitting him in the ribs.
"Another Hero?" he growled, "But this one looks familiar. Never mind, I shall simply cull you too."
"You bastard!" the armoured man shouted, "You crippled my brother! You're going to pay for that!"
"Oh? Now I recognise you," the man hummed as he readied his sword, "Your armour is like that of Ingenium, that fake!"
"Don't you dare say that name!" Iida roared as he leapt forwards again, shooting out a series of quick kicks, before finishing with a powerful round house that threw Stain back, even though he'd blocked it with his sword.
"It matters not," the man grunted, lifting a knife as Iida realised his calf was hurting, blood dripping off the tip of the weapon, "You too shall fall!"
"IIDA!" the shout surprised both of them as the green bolt shot into the alleyway, colliding with Stain, and throwing him across the space, "Are you okay, Iida?"
"What?" the teen blinked, "Midoriya? What are you doing here? How did you find me?"
"I told you we were coming earlier," Izuku said as he jumped back from the Hero Killer, "And I found you by looking in all the places Stain usually tries to kill people. Sorry, it took a while."
"Two of you now?" Stain growled as he jumped back to his feet, "And both children? I would hate to end you so young, but if you face me, know that you will die!"
"No!" Izuku shouted as he glanced at the screen beside him, looking back at Iida as the other teen blinked, "We're going to take you down!"
------
"What?"
"What is it, Shoto?" Endeavor growled as they hurried through the streets towards the sounds of screaming and explosions.
"Midoriya just sent me a message," the teen said, "He says that they found Stain? Location incoming?"
The teen jumped as his phone went off, pulling it out and staring at the ping in confusion.
"Found Stain?" Endeavor growled, a cruel grin crossing his face, "Where? Lead the way!"
------
"Hopefully that worked," Izuku muttered as he glanced at Iida's Status in the top corner of his vision, having just added him to his Party, "Are you hurt, Iida?"
"He caught me in the leg," the other teen replied, "But I am otherwise fine."
"Silence!" Stain shouted, licking the blood off the knife as Iida suddenly gasped, Izuku's eyes going wide as the screen appeared in front of him.
[Party member Tenya affected by [Bloodcurdle]. Paralysed for 4:30.]
"Paralysed?" Izuku gasped, "Is that your quirk?"
"Interesting that you found out so quickly," the man chuckled, "But yes, I can paralyse my foes. Now prepare to die!"
Izuku darted back as the man shot forwards, the teen grabbing Iida and throwing him back to get him out of harm's way. He raised his arms as the jagged blade came down, thankful for the metal braces under the fabric as the sword ground against them, not reaching his skin. He spun on his heel as he deflected the blade, quickly bringing himself inside Stain's reach and throwing a punch right into the man's gut.
"You fight well for a child," the man grunted as he flipped backward, landing on his feet as he clutched his stomach, "And you are strong. Tell me, why do you fight?"
"Why?" Izuku blinked, before setting his expression, "Because it's the right thing to do! I have people to protect and save, so I fight with all I have!"
"A good answer," Stain chuckled, "Perhaps you are one worth leaving alive. The Ingenium clone, though…he shall have to die!"
"No!" Izuku shouted as the man shot towards him, before seemingly vanishing.
"Above you!" Iida shouted from the far side of the alley, Izuku looking up and reaching for Stain, his hand barely brushing against the man's boot.
"Got you!" Izuku gasped, Stain blinking as his entire body suddenly slowed, moving through the air as though through thick molasses.
"What have you done?" he growled, fighting to move faster even as the teen wound up a punch, slamming it into his side as the effect ended, throwing him into the wall of the alleyway.
"I have a few tricks up my sleeve," Izuku replied with a grin, darting back faster than before as Stain swung his sword, "And I'm not done yet!"
"You've gotten faster," Stain growled as Izuku began leaping around the alleyway, only coming in to attack the man's blind spots, which Stain easily parried, scowling as his body slowed again, "No…it is your Quirk…You can alter the speed of things you touch."
"Only partially right!" Izuku shouted as he shot forwards, slamming another punch into the man's jaw, knocking him flying.
"Midoriya!" Iida shouted as Izuku felt the burning sensation across his cheek, hurriedly touching the cut before looking at the knife he hadn't noticed in Stain's hand, already at his mouth.
"NO!" both teens shouted, before the gout of flame washed over the man, forcing him back as he cried out in pain.
"Stain," the familiar voice growled as Endeavor stepped into the alley, "I have come to end you and your reign of terror!"
"Oh?" the man coughed, "Another fake? Delivering himself for culling right at my feet?"
"The only one to die today will be you!" Endeavor roared as he charged forwards, his flames flaring up on his costume as he swung a burning fist at the man.
"Midoriya," Shoto said as he stood beside the surprised teen, "Sorry, I told my father about your message, and he insisted on coming."
"That's fine," Izuku breathed in relief, "Come on, let's get Native and Tenya away from here until the paralysis effect wears off."
"Paralysis?" Shoto asked as the two heard a loud thump, turning to see Stain looming over Endeavor, the man's flames out as a long cut on his arm bled heavily, "What?"
"Oh no!" Izuku shouted as he leapt forwards, flipping onto his hands and shooting towards Stain in a double flying kick, armoured soles slamming into the blade of the sword just as it began to drop.
"Get out of here, brat!" Endeavor snarled from the floor as he seemed to struggle to move, "I'll handle this!"
"You almost died," Shoto said as he hooked his arms under his father's, freezing the ground beneath them as he dragged him back, "I think you should be thanking Midoriya."
Izuku didn't hear that as he barely managed to hold off the Hero Killer, the man stronger and faster than he looked as he fought. Jumping back just in time to avoid the slash of his sword, Izuku quickly checked his stats, eyes going wide at what he saw.
Name: Akaguro "Stain" Chizome
Level: 59
Stats:
Strength: 85
Dexterity: 86
Endurance: 40
Intelligence: 38
Wisdom: 44
Charisma: 52
Skills:
[Bloodcurdle]
[Mixed Martial Arts]
[Blades]
[Stealth]
[Parkour]
"He's strong," Izuku breathed, before shaking himself off and steadying his breathing, "But I'm still stronger."
"What was that, child?" Stain growled as he glared at Izuku, "You think yourself stronger than me?"
"Oh, I know I am," Izuku replied, "I can see your stats. Your Dexterity is more than double mine, but my Strength is almost triple yours!"
"Stats?" Stain asked, "And you think that being stronger will help you?"
"No," Izuku shook his head, "But it'll definitely help! Now, Todoroki!"
Stain blinked as Izuku dove to the side, a wave of ice shooting towards him as he slashed through it with his sword, before a blast of fire washed over him again, forcing him back as he hissed. He didn't get a moment to rest as the green blur slammed into his again, his entire body slowing as he fought against whatever power the teen was using against him. He barely got a moment to react as three punches slammed into the same spot on his ribs in quick succession, cracking the bones as he grunted in pain, before being launched into the wall again.
"ENOUGH!" he roared, staggering slightly as he found his feet, turning to glare at the panting teen, looking like he was barely able to stand, "You wish to face me so much? Then perish!"
"NO!" the sound of engines filled the alleyway as Iida shot forwards, slamming a roundhouse kick into the man's head, throwing him back as Izuku collapsed to his knees in exhaustion.
"YOU FAKE!" Stain screamed as the wave of ice suddenly froze his feet to the ground, Iida slamming another series of kicks into his head and chest, making him fall back.
"STAIN!" Iida shouted as he raised his leg up, bringing it down on the man's head, "DIE!"
"Iida!" the shout caught Iida off guard as his body suddenly slowed, looking back at Izuku in shock and rage as the teen touched him, "No! You're a Hero!"
"He crippled my brother!" Iida shouted, looking back down at Stain, "I have to…I have to make sure he can't do that to anyone else!"
"He's already unconscious," Shoto said as he hurried over, looking down at the blank-eyed stare the man was giving to the sky, "We won."
"No," Iida muttered, fighting against the drag of Izuku's Quirk, "NO! He has to-!"
"Enough!" Izuku shouted as he grabbed Iida's leg, shoving the boy back as Gear Shift ran out, making him fall back onto the ground, "You don't have to do anything, Iida! We won! Stain is unconscious! He'll pay for his crimes!"
"But he hurt my brother! And killed so many others!"
"And do you want to be just like him?" Izuku shouted back, stunning the teen for a moment, "A killer? What would your brother do?"
"M-my brother?" Iida blinked, looking down at the still form of Stain, "He would…he wouldn't…"
"Right," Izuku nodded, smiling kindly at Tenya as he held out his hand, helping the teen back to his feet, "He wouldn't do that. Now, can you two handle the rest?"
"Us?" Shoto asked as Izuku nodded, "Sure. Why?"
"Because," Izuku said as his eyes closed, collapsing forwards into Iida's arms as the screens appeared in front of his eyes, "Gear Shift…really takes it…out…of me…"
[Act of Great Heroism Detected. Awarded 2 Hero Points.]
[Quest Complete: Rescue Iida!!! Rescue your friend from almost certain death! Reward: 1500 experience. Bonus Objective: Defeat Stain. Reward: 15 000 experience.]
[You have levelled up! Current level: 14.]
------
"So, those are Nomu, huh?" Dabi asked as the four of them watched the destruction below, "They're pretty creepy."
"Get used to it," Shigaraki smiled as he looked around, "You'll be working with more in time."
"So much blood!" Toga giggled as she watched the carnage, "I want to go and taste it all!"
"We do not have the time, right now," Kurogiri said as the spotlight of the news helicopter swept near them, "I believe it is time for us to leave."
"Fine by me," Dabi shrugged, dragging the starry-eyed Toga through the portal after him, "I don't want to get spotted too soon."
"Tomura Shigaraki?" Kurogiri asked as the man stared into the distance, a cruel grin still on his face.
"Yeah, yeah," he said, walking through the portal, "I'm coming."
Chapter 17
"Midoriya! Midoriya!" Iida shouted as the boy tumbled into his arms, "Izuku!"
"I'm fine," Izuku blinked as he stood back up, looking perfectly healthy, even the cut on his cheek gone, "Sorry, Gear Shift is a massive power drain, but I levelled up so I'm okay."
"That is good to hear," Shoto nodded as the three looked back at the unconscious form of Stain, "What do we do with him?"
"Find some rope or something to tie him up, I guess?" Izuku shrugged, "We should probably start carrying something for that."
"That would be smart," Iida nodded as Shoto opened a nearby dumpster.
"I found some rope," he said, pulling a bundle out of the trash.
"Wait, what?" the other two said, "But…who throws out rope?"
"Someone who doesn't need rope anymore?" Shoto replied flatly.
"If you three are done chatting," Endeavor growled as he sat up from the floor, "We can bind Stain and take him in. And make sure to check for hidden weapons."
"Yes sir," Izuku nodded, as Shoto gave his father a look.
"You're acting quite high and mighty for someone who did almost nothing," the teen muttered, making the older man flinch slightly.
The three quickly tied up the unconscious man, pulling a half dozen knives out of his boots and sleeves as they went. Finally, Endeavor hoisted the still injured Native and unconscious Stain onto his shoulders, leading the trio out of the alleyway, just as a group of Heroes ran up to them.
"Endeavor!" the woman at the front shouted, "We need your help! No one else is strong enough to take…down the…Villains…is that Stain?"
"Yes," the man said, depositing the body to the ground, "Now, about these other Villains?"
"You mean the Nomu?" Shoto asked, drawing a confused look from the Pros, "That's what they're called, we were attacked by one in the USJ."
"Nomu, huh?" Endeavor grumbled, "Well, they shouldn't be too hard to defeat."
"Oh no!" one of the Pros shouted, pointing down the street, "Here comes one now!"
Endeavor reacted immediately, hurling a spear of fire at the creature, hitting it in the eye and making it drop the woman it was carrying. Endeavor shot forwards in a burst of flame, sailing through the air to catch her and land further down the street. The Nomu cried out in pain as it swooped down towards the group, everyone flinching back as it grabbed at them.
"What?!" Izuku gasped as it grabbed him, hoisting him up into the sky, the teen looking up at it in shock as he read its stats, "Wait…Tsubasa?"
The Nomu paused for a moment, before a dark figure suddenly dropped onto its back, plunging a small knife into its brain, causing it to cry out in agony. The three dropped, the Nomu crashing into the ground as Stain caught Izuku under his arm, landing deftly on the ground. Stain wasted no time twisting the blade, causing the creature to shiver, then fall still.
"STAIN!" Endeavor roared from the other side of the street, immediately charging in as the Hero Killer stood, dropping Izuku to the ground.
"ENOUGH!" the man roared, hatred and bloodlust radiating off him in waves as he turned to face the group of Pros, who all stood frozen in place, "You fakes! Just try and stop me! There's only one person I'll allow to kill me! ALL MIGHT IS WORTHY!"
"You…you killed him!" the pained shout startled the group, all eyes turning to Izuku as he knelt beside the fallen Nomu, "I…I knew him…from when we were kids…AND YOU KILLED HIM!"
The scream echoed over the street, filled with pain and anguish as Izuku leapt to his feet, slamming an upper cut into the surprised Hero Killer's jaw, throwing him up into the air, only to collapse to the ground unconscious again. Izuku immediately leapt onto the man, throwing punch after punch into his scarred and noseless face.
"Izuku!" Iida shouted, running forwards, and pulling the angry teen off the man, "Enough! You'll…you'll kill him if you carry on!"
"Tsubasa!" Izuku shouted, a gut-wrenching roar leaving his throat as he suddenly fell limp in Iida's grasp, "TSUBASA!"
------
Izuku woke up slowly as he stared at the hospital ceiling, his body feeling fine, but his mind a swirl of thoughts.
He'd seen the name of a Nomu before, in the USJ, so why had seeing Tsubasa's name set him off like that? Was it because he knew him? The winged boy had just vanished one day when they were ten, the rest of their group figuring that he'd just moved without telling them. Now Izuku knew better, he knew that the boy had been kidnapped or something and been turned into one of the Nomu. Did that mean that all Nomu were humans? How were they made? Why hadn't he heard anything about Tsubasa's disappearance?
"Midoriya?" the voice dragged him from his spiralling thoughts, Izuku looking over to see Iida and Shoto lying in beds near him, the heterochromatic boy talking, "Are you okay?"
"I'm…I don't know," Izuku admitted as he looked back at the ceiling, "I don't know."
"You said something at the end of the fight," Shoto continued, "That you knew the Nomu. What did you mean by that?"
"Todoroki!" Iida gasped, "You can't just ask that! It is obviously a point of contention for Midoriya!"
"Oh, sorry," Shoto muttered.
"It's…it's okay," Izuku breathed, sitting up and rubbing his face, "I…I did know him. His name was Noaru…Noaru Tsubasa…though Kacchan just called him Wings. He was…one of our friends from when we were kids. He disappeared when we were about ten."
"One of your friends?" Iida asked, "But…that means that Nomu are…?"
"I think so," Izuku nodded, making the other two pale, "They're made from real people."
The room fell silent as Izuku stared blankly ahead, before the door clicked open, a number of people walking in.
"Greetings, ruff," the dog-headed man greeted them, "I am Tsuragamae Kenji, and I am the Head of the Police."
"Head of the police?" the three teens said in confusion.
"That's right," the man nodded, before turning to a plain looking man in a tan trench coat, "And this is Detective Naomasa. And you of course know Eraserhead. We have come today to speak to you about the incident involving the Hero Killer: Stain."
"Stain," Izuku muttered, clenching the sheets in his hands.
"That is right, bark," the head of police said, "I am to understand that you all were instrumental in his capture?"
"If you mean we were the ones to do it, then yes," Shoto nodded.
"Todoroki-kun!" Iida gasped, "You can't just say that!"
"No, that matches up with the reports we have," Kenji hummed, "Even Endeavor admitted that he wasn't that much help in the actual apprehension of the Hero Killer."
"My father did?" Shoto asked in surprise.
"Yes," Kenji nodded, "However, we unfortunately cannot allow it to get out that Stain was caught by a group of Interns, even when in the presence of a Professional Hero. As such, the official report will be that Endeavor was the one to capture the Villain."
"What?" Shoto growled, "What are you saying, mutt?"
"Todoroki-kun!" Iida gasped, "You can't call him that!"
"It's quite alright!" the dog-headed man laughed suddenly, before returning to his serious demeanour, "I understand that you probably do not agree with this, but it is for the best. It will take serious targets off your backs from the Hero Killer's fans and followers, though there is little we can do about the apparent final blow coming from your friend."
The room turned to look at Izuku, still staring ahead blankly as he glared at the wall.
"Other than that," the head of police said, "Is there anything you can tell us?"
"Nomu are made from people," Izuku suddenly spoke, turning to look at the room, eyes falling on each of them one by one, "The winged Nomu that Stain…killed. I knew him from my childhood."
"Midoriya?" Aizawa asked carefully, "You…knew him?"
"Yes," the teen sighed, "I…I don't know what to think now. Knowing that they were…are humans. Sensei, what should I do?"
"I can't answer that for you," the scruffy man sighed, looking at the teen in sympathy and more than a little pain, "But I suppose the best bet is for you to go see Hound Dog once your internships end."
"What?" the three said in surprise, "You're not ending our internships now?"
"That would be illogical," the man shook his head, "You still have a lot to learn. And you weren't that badly injured in the fight, so you should be fine to continue. The most serious case was Iida getting stabbed in the leg."
"Yes, Sensei," the three nodded, looking at each other for a moment, before smiling.
------
"So," Gran Torino hummed as Izuku walked back into the dilapidated building, "You beat the Hero Killer?"
"Huh? Oh…yeah," Izuku replied as he joined the man at the table, "I know you told me to protect the civilians, but…"
"You got a Quest, didn't you?" Gran sighed, Izuku nodding.
"To save Iida," the teen explained, "The way it was worded…it sounded like he was going to die."
"Never mind that," Gran huffed, "I have to say, getting your message thing in the middle of the fight almost got me killed. Distracted me. You'll have to be more careful with that in the future."
"I-it did?" Izuku gasped, "I'm sorry."
"It's nothing," Gran sighed, "Now, did taking down the Hero Killer get you anything? Another Hero Point?"
"Oh, yes!" Izuku nodded, "It actually got me two points, for an act of Great Heroism."
"So, you should have three now, right?" the old man asked, "Good, then pick one of the Quirks from One for All so we can start training you in it."
"O-oh," Izuku said, quickly pulling up the screen and scrolling to the end, "I'll get Float then, to improve my mobility."
"Hmm," Gran muttered as the teen selected the Sub-Skill, confirming that he wanted to unlock it.
The world faded out around Izuku, once again placing him in the familiar white void, looking around, he spotted a tall and muscular woman with a hairstyle similar to his mom's smiling at him, giving a small wave.
"Hey, kiddo," she said friendlily, "I'm Nana Shimura, though you probably already knew that. And I'm gonna teach you how to use my Quirk."
------
"-The Japanese army ended up having to be called in to help face the unknown Villains, using tanks and other heavy ordinance to eventually subdue them," the horned news caster said, Shigaraki grinning as he watched the television, "Most of the Professional Heroes on site just weren't able to stand up against them."
"This is really scary, isn't it?" the female news caster beside him said, shivering, "Thinking that there are people out there that are that strong and are Villains."
"True," the man replied, "However, thanks to the combined efforts of the Heroes and our troops, they were defeated."
"Perfect," the pale-haired man cackled as he sat back on the sofa, "The Nomu are basically front-page news."
"Just after the capture of Stain, you mean," Dabi hummed from the corner, reading through a newspaper, "Damn, I didn't think he'd get done in so soon after meeting him. He seemed stronger than that."
"Yes," Shigaraki hummed, "But no matter, they think that the Nomu and Stain are linked, which should bring some powerful allies to our cause."
"And what is that?" Toga asked, humming as she kicked her feet on the sofa, "I mean, Stainy was saying that we didn't have a cause or anything, before."
"Let's say…freedom," Shigaraki cackled as he switched the TV over to his console, grabbing the controller and booting up the game, "Now, onto the next boss."
"Hey, it was my turn next!" Toga huffed.