Chapter 78: Get Some Rest
Chapter Text"I cannot fathom why we are using resources to rectify your mistakes."
"Four of the six stones reside on the planet I am in charge of. Your master seems to deem that important."
Ebony Maw scoffs at Loki. Around them, crewmen run around the spaceship's control center, organizing the launching of hundreds of small search parties throughout the different quadrants of the galaxy.
"Our Master," Maw harshly corrects. "I know you believe yourself to stand quite high, but no other is worthy of standing beside the Great Titan. The only honor bestowed upon them is to serve," he gestures to himself, "or to die by his glorious hand." He gestures to Loki.
The Maw's face twists into a snarl. "And if you force me to correct you on the subject again, I will personally check to see if your tongue is truly silver by cutting it out."
"Do not threaten me with a joyous time," Loki smirks.
"How can you sit there and smile when your entire operation is compromised?!" Maw nearly screams, furious at Loki's nonchalance. "The ability of All for One to transfer the human's power is gone. Which means, no new Skrulls. No more replacing of potentially problematic humans. And third, a major stall on your information network."
Loki rolls his eyes, turning to study the computer screens of the navigators in front of him. "You are acting as if this is my first setback. I have already explained it to you. Any person who believes they can create a foolproof plan is, themselves, a fool. You need to leave room for change."
When Maw still seethes at him, Loki sighs. "Would it ease you to know I still have several Super Skrulls I can use?"
While the other alien still seethes, it's noticeably less so. "A small mercy in all of this."
"A minuscule one compared to what occurred tonight." Loki snaps his fingers and one of the screens playing the events of Kamino turns itself into a hologram, floating towards the god. He turns it so Maw can see Kurogiri creating his portal for All for One. "Proof of my theory."
"Proof of your madness, you should say." Maw shakes his head. "But if it would get you to seal your mouth for once, I will request an audience for you with the Great One when I have time-"
"There is no need for that." Loki's smirk is back. "I have already done so."
Maw looks incensed. "You dare go over my head-!"
"What are our current projections of finding All for One?" Loki asks one of the crewmen organizing the search ships for the man, not paying the least bit of attention to Maw. The alien cries out to his master for patience.
"Not good, and that's being nice," the crewman answers gravely. "It's actually awful. We don't even know if he's on a planet or not. His chances are better if he figures out some way of contacting us himself."
"How about you make yourself useful instead of distracting those around you," Maw cuts in, his voice low in an attempt to keep it tempered. He waves the worker off and back to work. "I am informed you have brokered some sort of understanding with the High-Evolutionary? Perhaps we could use his ships and technology to-"
"That was a lie." Maw's mouth quivers, while Loki's still holds a small smirk. He makes some changes to the coordinates of a few of the search ships based on his own information. "I never contacted that man. I merely shapeshifted into him and ordered his ship to follow my orders. His brainwashed followers never gave it a second thought."
At this point, Maw is so past angry, he looks tired. "Did it never occur to you that your actions might incur his wrath?!"
"Of course it did." Loki's astral projection begins to fade. "But the alternative was working with that vile and repugnant man." He clicks his tongue. "I do have standards." And with his final words, Loki fades away.
"It is with great pride I announce, officially to the people, that one of the darkest nights in our country's history is nearly over!" The president of the HPSC declares to a street of reporters and onlookers. The morning sun shines down on all of them. She rests her hands back on her podium, leaning into her microphone. "After rebooting our communications network, we have been able to confirm with heroes from around Japan that not a single Sentinel remains in operation. You are safe."
After a quick round of applause, reporters clamor to have their questions answered, raising their hands in the air and yelling over one another. Behind them, TV cameras adjust their lenses to focus on the commission leader. She calls on one of the women in the front row. "Takara Megumi," she identifies herself as they all did before asking their questions. "Has the cause for the meltdown in the HeroNet been determined?" the reporter asks.
The President nods. "Unfortunately, yes. A preemptive strike by the villains to make us vulnerable. We have found that a cybernetic intelligence organism, better known as Ultron, was able to infiltrate our network just as the attack was proceeding."
The reporters thrust their hands in the air again, shouting more questions. The President picks a man in the third row. "Aki Shig. In light of recent information, does your office plan on reintroducing your cybersecurity expansion bill that was rejected last year?"
The leader of the HPSC nods again. "Yes, I think it has become clearer than ever that if the commission wishes to keep protecting the people to the best of its abilities, we need access to more funds and more information." She points to another reporter.
"Miyata Shou. What's going to happen to all of the Sentinels?"
"The HPSC has already begun the process of cleaning the city of all destroyed robots. We will turn our weakness tonight into a strength. As such, we will be studying the technology behind these machines and hopefully, turn them into something good. Like support items for future heroes."
"Gimmie Gimmie Gimmie! I must have them now! I need them now!"
"Mei, did you forget those things were just trying to kill all of our friends?!" Melissa tries to hold Mei back from the lab door, but the mechanical tentacles the pink-haired girl had created on I-Island make all of her efforts in vain.
"That's water under the bridge. I'm sure they've forgotten all about it by now."
"It happened a few hours ago!"
"Really? Feels like weeks to me."
"That's because you never sleep! You have no concept of time!"
"Time?! I'm the only one who actually understands how time works!" Two of the tentacles drop a paper and pen into Mei's hands and she draws a circle on it. "See?" She holds it up. "Time explained. Now please come with me?! I'm bored just waiting for the computer to finish diagnostics on Ultron! And I'll need your help lugging all the parts back! It'll go fast since we can both fly!"
"Mei, we have to think this through!"
"I have! Did you see the boosters those babies had? Think about those on your glider!!" Melissa freezes. "Or how about their targeting system integrating with your weapons system?! Or maybe you can use it to get over that accuracy hump you've been stuck on with your homing arrows! Now to mention how durable they are!"
With every reason Mei lists, Melissa's arms lower until they're all the way down at her sides, the blonde ducking her head. Mei leans in. "So what do you think?"
"…My dad has clearance to off-limit areas because of his job at Might Tower. If we hurry, we can get those badges before the parts get to the HPSC warehouses!"
Power Loader sighs as the girls run out together in a hurry. He reaches into his drawer and drops a flask onto his desk, getting on his phone.
User Mei Makes Me Drink has updated their username to:
Mei and Melissa Make Me Drink
"Sakamoto Yuki. What about the heroes who were involved in the final attack? And All Might? Why did he look so frail?" a reporter asks after the HPSC president had called on him.
"All Might will answer all of your questions at a later date himself. As for the other heroes, most of them are still working, I'm afraid. We all know how dedicated heroes can be. Even to a fault," the President chuckles. Many of those in attendance laugh good-naturedly along with her.
"I said the night is nearly over because we still have escaped prisoners that have yet to be recaptured and people trapped under fallen buildings, but rest assured, it will not remain that way for much longer! The heroes who need it are receiving medical attention and the ones who do not are still out there! We will not forget theirs or… any other heroes' sacrifice from last night."
Hawks watches the conference from a dark room, the only light coming from the TV on the wall. His arms are crossed, eyes not visible under his visor.
"Yes," the President addresses the next round of questions. "I am happy to confirm that the kidnapped UA student, Tenko Shimura, was rescued and is being kept in a secure location for medical evaluations. But he is safe thanks to the quick thinking and coordination of our heroes."
A reporter yells out before anyone else can get a word in. "Kure Takara! And what about the rumors of other UA students being involved in last night's events?!"
It had been a night full of emotions, to say the least.
From having to fight for his life, watching his sister being tortured in front of him, coming face to face with the literal boogeyman of the Japanese underworld, and unlocking the stockpile of his quirk, even hours later, Tenko's emotions are still running high.
Which is what he will forever blame for the next words to come out of his mouth.
"Will you go out with me?"
Tsu's mouth drops open. The rest of the Tenko rescue squad, who are sitting around Recovery Girl's office at UA, freeze. And Tenko's own eyes widen as his brain catches up with what his mouth just said. Part of him instantly screams at himself to take it back. But he doesn't. He finds he'd rather do anything at the moment than take it back.
So, they all sit there. Frozen. Buffering. Waiting for someone to progress the cutscene.
Any second now.
"Tenko!" Iida kneels next to him, keeping a hand on his shoulder to help keep him upright. Recovery Girl had healed his broken legs…mostly. He didn't have enough energy for her to finish so while they aren't technically broken, he is still in a good amount of pain and soreness, which had kept him from sleeping. "You have just been through a traumatic experience, my friend! Perhaps you should wait until you've been fully healed and had some rest-"
"Yes."
It's Tenko's turn for his jaw to drop, staring at the frog girl as her cheeks quickly redden. It makes him do the same. "You- you said-"
"Yes," Tsu repeats, not taking her eyes off him. Not that Tenko minds. "I know I told you I still needed time to figure out if I liked you the last time we talked about it. Well, I did. And everything that's happened since camp solidified it. I do like you." She ribbits, looking just a bit embarrassed. For the first time, Tenko doesn't feel any shame in admitting to himself it looks cute. "To be honest, I was getting ready to ask you out. But I was going to wait until after…" she gestures to everyone. "All of this."
While still trying to figure out what to say, because to be honest he didn't think he'd get this far, Tenko feels Aoyama start to shake him by the shoulder. "Well done mon ami, well done! I know you and the mademoiselle will be good to one another!"
"Dude…" Tenko's brain, still shorting out, turns to the only person who could possibly understand what he's feeling. Denki gives him a thumbs up. "Nice." Next to him, Midoriya can't stop smiling. He's so happy in fact, he doesn't even notice his own weightlessness as his girlfriend shakes him up and down in delight.
"I- okay," Tenko says, grinning ear to ear. She said yes! He hadn't even planned it and she said yes! This is like finally beating that raid boss after eighty tries. Or like typing on a new mechanical keyboard for the first time. Or even killing that guy who's been talking shit all game- point is, he could go on and on but Tenko is happier than he's been in a long time. "Yeah, wow. This is-" he hisses in pain as he tries to get up.
Right. Even though it feels like someone just refilled his mana bar, he forgot one very important minor detail.
He still couldn't really walk.
"Tenko…" Yaomomo sighs, kneeling down next to Iida to study his legs. "I am very happy for you and Tsu, but I'm sure she'd appreciate it if you didn't exacerbate your injuries and delay the healing process." She creates a few small belts and uses them to bind his legs together so they don't jostle too much as he's moved.
She nods to Iida who puts Tenko's arm around his shoulder. "Uraraka. If you could…" Getting over her giggles long enough to let Midoriya down, Uraraka returns his gravity before placing her hand on Tenko, removing his, and allowing Iida to easily lift him and move him closer to Tsu like he wanted.
"Ribbit. Yaomomo's right," Tsu confirms before leaning over and gingerly hugging Tenko. "But we can talk about that later." He hugs her back with his free arm.
The HPSC President taps her microphone. "I am not privy to all the details of the police report until it's complete. But I have been made to understand that most of the high-profile escaped convicts were re-captured or killed in the chaos. Whether it was by heroes or their fellow villains remains to be seen. For example, the cannibal Moonfish is dead, but heroes did apprehend wanted League of Villains associate Magne."
"Kasai Aya here. And what about the rest of the League?"
"Did you see the way your brother and that frog girl were looking at each other? And how she protected him? Reminds me of you and a certain blue-haired hero student-"
Hirona stares deadpan as Nagant helps her into a chair. "I was literally tortured tonight, and I think I'd prefer that over your teasing."
"If they start going out, maybe you can ask him for some tips on how to ask girls out."
Hirona groans, leaning back in her seat and feeling which parts of her body hurt the most. Turns out it's her whole body. "Take me back to All for One."
The rest of her remaining group sit or lean wherever they can in the living room of the abandoned house they are in. Kraven is set to take them to one of his (hopefully) much more comfortable safe houses, but before they can go and get some rest, they have some business to take care of. Hopefully, it goes as smoothly as getting out of Kamino did.
Tsu spins around so fast, she almost rips Shimura out of Iida's arms, as the bespectacled boy holds Shimura up and off his broken legs. Thankfully, he adjusts quickly, fixing his grip. The rest of the teens tense up once again as Hirona, draped over Nagant in a pose mirroring Shimura, walks up to them after the battle flanked by the rest of the former League.
"What do you want now?" Tsu, not usually one to waste time in conversation, gives the other group even less time to explain themselves.
"Relax, we're going. Before the heroes notice." To emphasize Hirona's words, Kurogiri creates a portal behind them. Shimura glances behind him to see the rest of the heroes and police are almost done rounding up escaped prisoners and villains. "But it was pointed out to me that you guys could have left us out to dry with the Sentinels, but you didn't. And I should say something-"
"It would be rude not to," Kurogiri interjects.
Hirona shoots him a quick glare before continuing. "So… appreciate you not doing that."
Yaoyorozu steps in front of her friends. "Thank you as well. I'm sure that if we were on our own, our injuries would be much worse. But that does not change anything. And your actions tonight do not absolve you of your previous attacks on our class."
"Oh, c'mon! Most of us weren't there for the first one! Yeah, what he said!" Twice reasons.
Hirona remains silent for a few seconds longer, looking at each kid before resting her gaze on Shimura. "Good."
"And what about him?" Iida's icy voice surprises them all as he looks past Hirona. At the back of her group, Stain slowly creeps his way up. "You are not helping him escape, are you?"
"He wants to talk," Hirona responds. "After saving Nagant's life, he's earned at least a couple of minutes."
"And if we don't like what we hear," Nagant makes sure Stain can see her looking at him, "we can always drop him back off in the middle of that herd of heroes over there."
"Kid." Kraven hadn't taken his eyes off the nearby pro heroes for some time. "It would be best if we got moving. Now."
"Go." Hirona tilts her head to the portal. "We'll be right behind you." Kraven double-checks with Nagant, waiting for her nod before walking back to the portal and sharing one last glare with Kaminari. Stain follows closely behind. Iida makes sure the Hero Killer knows how much he despises him with only a look before he leaves.
Twice, on the other hand, waves jovially as he leaves with Midoriya waving back. Compress motions to Nagant. "Your movement is jeopardized, you should not be the last to leave."
Nagant nods and fixes her hold on Hirona before walking them to the portal. Shimura looks like he wants to say something. He can't just let her leave, can he? Not that he's exactly in a position to chase after her with his busted legs.
But she knows he probably has questions. First and foremost, would she turn herself in? He's not dumb. He knows she won't. But on the off chance he can keep the last bit of family he has safe… he would still ask. Where is she going? What will she do now? Will they ever see each other again? And where do they stand?
People would probably say he has some form of Stockholm syndrome for caring about the person who just kidnapped him, but that's not true. Shimura, that idiot, cared about her before then. And that hasn't changed. But before she leaves, he probably wishes he had some way of knowing he got through to her. Even a little-
"Hey." Nagant and Hirona stop just before going through the portal. The latter looks back at her brother. "And thanks for saving my life… Tenko." He gasps a little at hearing his actual name from his sister before she leaves. Not Shimura. But Tenko.
"We bid you farewell." Compress gives them a small bow. "May we not meet under such turbulent circumstances again." Kurogiri warps himself, disappearing on the spot while leaving his portal intact. Toga and Compress turn to leave, and Tenko hears a hum.
He looks around to see Midoriya deep in thought for a moment, looking like he was debating himself on something before coming to a decision. "You didn't have to stay!" he shouts, letting go of Uraraka. Compress and Toga halt in their tracks. "When the League split, I never expected- you guys didn't have to stick with either side! You could've left!"
Half of the teens look back at the pair of villains curiously. The other half, including Tenko, just look confused. He feels like he's missing something here.
Toga and Compress look back, with the masked man replying, "We could have, but I think we both believe we can do much more good out here than from behind a computer."
"Yeah!" Toga pumps her fists. "It was a no-brainer to stay! I've made more friends in the last week than I've had in my entire life! And I love them all so much! I couldn't just leave them! Plus…" she gains a pensive look. "I think Shi- Hirona could use some more friends too…"
Compress leads her through the portal. "We'll be in touch."
Hirona shakes herself out of the fresh memories, trying to focus on what they had to do next. "Alright, we're all here like you wanted." The room goes silent. Kurogiri and Nagant flank Hirona at her sides. "You said you want in with us?" The group all turn to Stain. "Then start talking."
Back at the conference of the HPSC President, the next reporter called on looks around, an unsure look on her face. "Hello, I'm Sakai Masuyo, and while a lot of what you have told us has been reassuring, I think the core of what people want to know is… what happens now? What do we do? How do we move on?"
"How do you move on?" the President repeats. "Only each and every one of you can answer that. It's different for everyone. As is how long it takes. But what we should do? Heal. Take time for yourselves and your family just to breathe again. Let the HPSC and our heroes put the world back together for you. Even now, heroes from all walks of life are still taking care of your loved ones."
Bamf!
Nightcrawler runs into the makeshift camp that houses the wounded in front of the hospital. There are too many to fit inside the building. "Here! She needs help!" Medical staff rush to him, placing the older woman he's carrying onto a stretcher and rolling her away.
Hearing a commotion, he sees a few civilians readying their quirks as other people around them cheer them on, urging them to go fight. Nightcrawler teleports in front of them, crossing his arms. Seeing a hero in front of them, they quickly back down and head back to their tents.
There's a gust of wind, and Nightcrawler turns around just in time to see Morph, as Quicksilver, handing a few kids off to their parents. They shift back into their regular form. "Another batch of people who think they can handle all these escaped prisoners and looters by themselves, huh?"
Nightcrawler sighs. "I'm afraid so. And they are hardly the first tonight. But it is not surprising." He steps out of the way so Slidin' Go can move past him. "Wise decisions are rarely made when the fearful surround you."
Morph snorts. "So you come up with your profound statements off the top of your head or do you have a list?"
Nightcrawler chuckles back. "It is quite a long list."
Morph's earpiece goes off. "Gotta fly. Catch you later." They shapeshift into the mutant Angel and use their wings to fly to the other side of the camp, where a building the Sentinels attacked at the beginning of the assault is threatening to fall.
As they rescue people from the roof, back at street-level, Kendo is doing everything in her power to keep a side of the building up as civilians evacuate behind her. Her quirk is stretched to the limit on both her hands, so she plants her feet in an attempt to stop sliding as the crumbling walls push her back.
It works. For a few seconds at least.
But as she feels herself start to give way, she hears a female voice behind her. "Woah, Woah! Don't worry, I got you!" The weight of the wall immediately becomes, well not light, but much more manageable as she and the stranger keep it up for the last of the civilians.
"They're clear!" Morph calls down.
Kendo and the other girl groan, moving out of the way and letting it fall at last. "Phew." The orange-haired girl takes a few deep breaths and her hands return to normal size. "Thanks for the assist." She finds a darker-skinned girl her age next to her wearing a red and blue suit with a golden lightning bolt up front. "Hey, I'm Itsuka Kendo-"
Kendo stops, her eyes going wide when she sees the girl also has enlarged hands. "Thanks for making sure there were still people to save." The girl goes to hold her hand out but laughs when she realizes it's still big. "I- really?! Why do I do this every time?!" She shakes her head, still giggling, and shrinks her hand, holding out her first. Kendo smiles, obliging her with a fist bump. "Hi! I'm Kamala Khan."
"How do you-" A reporter starts before he's rudely interrupted.
"Do you believe civilian deaths could have been prevented if people had been allowed to use their quirks to defend themselves?!"
A silent murmur passes through the sea of reporters. The President tilts her head at the woman who had asked the question, her full attention now on her. "And you are?"
"Chitose Kizuki. And would the situation not have resolved itself sooner had those with powerful quirks been allowed to help?!"
The leader of the HPSC stands up straighter, squaring her shoulders. "No, I don't believe that, ma'am. Untrained and unlicensed quirk use would have, in the long run, added to the chaos of the event. Civilians, police, and heroes alike would have trouble identifying a regular person from a villain. It leads to far more injuries and destruction to both sides in the long run, which is why those duties should be left to the professionals."
The reporter continues to challenge her. "And do you have any comment on Koku Hanabata of the Hearts and Mind Party pushing a person's right to use their quirk as a legally protected right of theirs?!" Another murmur ripples through the crowd.
The President's face darkens. "Now is not the time or place to discuss such matters. As I've already said, it is a time for healing. Our thoughts should be with the victims of this tragedy."
Kizuki isn't done. "That is what your office says after every villain attack, but the time to talk about it never comes! You won't be able to avoid why you're trying to keep our basic rights away forever!"
"Once again, this is not the time." The Commission president's voice is as cold as ice. She turns her attention, seemingly ending the dialogue with the rowdy reporter. "While we will have more conferences to follow," her tone returns to a reassuring one for the general public, "I wanted to end this one on a positive note."
Hawks tsks as he continues to watch the conference. His wings rustle as if he can shake off the blatant lies and hypocrisy they told the people. "You see what I mean yet?"
"While I have never been afraid to voice my concerns over the HPSC and some of their policies, I'm afraid I can't see what you mean here," his companion responds. "While some of their statements may be over-enthusiastic and too optimistic in ways, I have yet to see anything I would call harmful. Besides the obvious usage of a tragedy to gain more funds. But that's hardly news."
"Trust me, it's coming," Hawks replies.
"Perhaps it would help if you told me why I'm here exactly? And why you felt the need to bring that?" He motions to the body bag on the table.
Hawks does another sweep of their surroundings with his feathers. "One: Because I have a lot of things to tell you. Two: You're not going to believe me. And Three: You're one of the only people I know I can trust."
"Flattering. But why?"
Hawks nods toward the TV. "Because…"
The president of the HPSC turns around. "Come on out!"
The crowd moves in closer to get a better look as someone walks around the wall of HPSC employees. They go nuts when they see who it is. News cameras surge forward and pictures flash by the dozen as Best Jeanist waves to the crowd, alive and healed.
Nighteye stares wide-eyed at the screen when he sees Jeanist get on the podium and reassure the crowd that he is alright and will be back in the field after some time on bed rest. "I don't-I don't understand. How is he there…" He gazes back at Jeanist's body on the table, "and here?"
"The answer seems too obvious for a smart guy like you to miss." Hawks appears to still be watching the screen but Nighteye can tell he's keeping a watch on him from the corner of his eye.
All Might's former apprentice narrows his eyes. "That's not Jeanist."
A few of Hawks feathers flutter around the room. "I have so many feathers. And I can be a real goofball sometimes and lose track of where they go." Hawks catches one in his hands. "They end up in vents. In toilets. Caught under someone's shoe, you name it." He lets go of the feather, letting it circle Nighteye. "Why, I've even left my little friends in conference rooms and maybe once or twice in the President's office…"
Hawks clicks his tongue. "I think I may have heard some conversations I wasn't supposed to hear."
Nighteye's patience is nearly gone. "Explain. Now. If that isn't Jeanist, who is it?"
Instead of actually speaking, Hawks drops a few files on the table next to Jeanist's body. "These aren't official. They're too smart to leave anything this obvious lying around. So I made them." He opens the top file up and pushes it to Nighteye. "I heard a couple of nights ago they're getting ready to make a move for you very soon. So I thought I'd beat them to it."
Nighteye slowly lifts the file up, eyes scanning the page. "Bubble Girl…" He scans for a few more seconds before dropping his arm, his piercing eyes drilling into the other hero. "Tell me everything."
"My boy, I'm so glad to see you're okay!" Tenko stiffens as soon as he walks into his house, bracing himself before All Might wraps him up in a bear hug. His frail figure and casted right arm do nothing to diminish how strong it is. "Are the doctors sure you can be out of the hospital already?!"
"Look who's talking," Torino scoffs, shoving Tenko the rest of the way in and kicking the door shut behind him.
"Gran Torino, while my injuries may appear to be bad, I assure you-"
"I don't care about that!" Torino throws his hands up in the air. "I know you can take a good wallop." He hops onto a seat. "The problem is that everyone knows that you look like this now!" He gestures to All Might's skinny form. "What if someone had followed us from the hospital? Do you think I want villains knowing where me and the kid live? Or worse, reporters?"
He sighs, pointing at Tenko to take the seat next to him while he goes and grabs a plate from a cabinet.
"What are you-"
"I'd bet your kidnappers didn't feed you real well." Torino cuts Tenko off. "And hospital food is only slightly better than no food." He throws some food in the microwave. "You're gonna eat and go to bed."
"It's the middle of the day! Not everyone has the same bedtime as you!"
"And when was the last time you slept?!" Tenko looks away. "Thought so." Torino smirks in victory.
The three sit comfortably together for a few minutes, only the hum of the microwave between them. And Tenko tapping his foot. "How are your legs doing?" All Might inquires.
"Huh?" Tenko stops his tapping, not even realizing he was doing it. "Sorry. But yeah, they're better. Had another healing session with Recovery Girl so I can at least walk on them now."
"Walk, he says," Torino snorts. "If you can even call that walking. He's slower than me!"
Tenko opens his mouth, but All Might swiftly interjects before the two can start yelling at each other again. "My boy, I know what I saw when you saved your sister from All for One. But I have to hear it from you first…"
The hero can't keep the hope from leaking into his voice, and Tenko smiles, looking bashfully away. "Yeah… I think I finally unlocked the stockpile part of One for All."
"That's WONDERFUL!" All Might stands up and shouts, scaring Tenko, before he immediately breaks down into a coughing fit.
"Idiot!" Torino scolds as the microwave goes off. "Don't make us have to take you back! I swear, you lose your quirk and still hurt yourself. While the kid gains a new part of his quirk and, what do you know, hurts himself. Congratulations Toshinori, he's just like you."
"Sorry." Even while dabbing the blood off his mouth with a napkin, All Might can't help but chuckle. "I will apologize for injuring myself more, but I will not apologize for being so proud of young Tenko!" He clasps his protege on the shoulder. "I knew you'd figure it out." Tenko wilts a little at all the praise. All Might takes a seat next to him. "Can I ask how you did it finally?"
"It wasn't clenching his buttcheeks, so don't get too excited!" Torino yells, finishing up preparing Tenko's meal.
Tenko buries his face in his hands. "That sounds so wrong…" He sighs, taking a moment to compose himself, before rolling to not be intimidated as he looks back up at All Might's smiling face. "I'm not sure exactly how?… I just knew I wanted to save Hana's life and it sorta happened…" he trails off, thinking. "But there was something else."
"What's that?"
"When I did it, it was the first time I didn't feel completely guilty over my family." Tenko looks down, not sure if he should feel ashamed about that, but it's the truth.
All Might hums. "Interesting." He rubs his chin while Torino comes over with Tenko's food. "I'd usually leave the quirk analysis to young Midoriya, but if I am understanding this correctly, it sounds like what had been preventing you from accessing more of your quirk was… yourself?"
"Sounds like the kid was mentally blocking himself." Torino drops the food in front of Tenko. "Glad you're over it. It's harder to beat that kinda stuff out of someone."
The much older hero looks like he wants to continue but hesitates, gripping his cane tightly. Finally, in a move that shocks both Tenko and All Might, Torino pulls the teenager into a firm but quick hug, pushing him back toward his food afterward. "Now eat so you can get some rest."
"I- uh, okay!" Tenko reboots out of his stupor, taking a hefty bite of his meal. "Thanks." Torino grunts. "But I think you're right about me holding myself back," Tenko says through a mouth full of food, "that's what that ghost was implying too."
He takes another big bite just as Torino and All Might stop and stare at him. "Oh yeah, I think the quirk you gave me is haunted. Do we have anything to drink?" He slowly moves to the fridge. "Oh nice, I still have some of Midoriya's Josta sodas!"
"Um, hello?!" All Might waves at Tenko to get his attention.
"What?"
"What do you mean, 'what'?!" All Might shouts, thoroughly befuddled "Are you saying ghosts are real now too?! And what do they have to do with One for All?!" He begins to pace. "First aliens, now ghosts?!! Oh my gods what's next? A horse with Thor's powers?!"
"Yeah, when Midoriya flies," Tenko snickers.
Torino groans, pinching the bridge of his nose. "It seems we still have more to talk about. Was there anything else you wanted to mention?"
Tenko smiles sheepishly, hunching his shoulders. "Is now a bad time to bring up I wanna tell my friends about One for All?"
"Aizawa-sensei, permettez-moi de parler, about what happened last night-"
"Enough." Yuga shuts up as Aizawa waits by the hospital elevators. "There's nothing to talk about." The doors open and Tsukauchi steps out. "Right now at least." He directs his attention to the detective. "You get statements from the rest of my students before they left?"
"Yup," Tsukauchi affirms. "All off the record, of course. I'll email you a copy later."
Aizawa nods, looking back down at Yuga. "I have a million and a half things to do right now and the energy for none of it. But what I do know is I want you awake and alert for our talk about your future at UA." He gulps. "The detective here will take you to your parents and where the police will be keeping you tonight. We'll talk tomorrow. Get some sleep."
His teacher hits the button and the elevator re-opens, but Yuga calls out to him before he goes in. "Please! For my sanity! If I am to be expelled, please just tell me!"
Aizawa doesn't move for a couple of seconds, raising Yuga's hope.
Only for Aizawa's next words to crush it.
"You are expelled."
Yuga's knees buckle, but he doesn't allow himself to fall. He didn't last night and he won't do it now. He expected this! He did! It shouldn't hurt this much. He rubs his eyes. "Merci for telling me, Sensei-" he clears his throat. "Sir."
Aizawa nods, heading into the elevator. "You're welcome. We'll discuss the conditions of your reinstatement tomorrow."
Yuga's head snaps up. "Eh?"
His former teacher turns around, most of his face buried into his capture weapon. "Reinstatement back into class. But make no mistake, you have been expelled. Nezu can be pretty possessive, and the black mark on the record ensures you can't join another hero school."
"Eh?" Yuga repeats smartly.
Aizawa crosses his arms. "No matter the circumstance, punishment is deserved for what you did." He pauses. "Be that as it may, there were extenuating forces beyond your control that led to what you did. Given that, and your actions last night, we believe a suitable punishment would not be avoiding those you betrayed, but facing them. Every single day. Working to earn their trust back. And mine as well."
Tears start to form around Yuga's eyes. He's not- he's not…
Aizawa presses the button for his floor. "That isn't all. Because it's still my class and you can bet I have other conditions for you staying that we will discuss. And believe me, you may wish we kicked you out once you hear them." The doors close.
Yuga jumps into his parent's arms crying when he sees them.
"Are you sure this is safe, Tensei?!" Tenya screams over the wind.
His brother laughs, revving the motorcycle so they can more easily weave through traffic. He can feel Tenya's grip on him tighten. "Yeah! I did this as a rider and as it turns out, I'm a fan!" Tenya looks like he's going to be sick. "Oh c'mon, you've run plenty fast before!"
"Yes, but I prefer to be the one in control when I do! For example, being allowed to hit the brake when I need to! Like right now!"
"Whoops!" Tensei swerves around the car they were about to run into. "Close one, right?" He laughs some more, glancing behind him. "Don't look at me like that! Think of it as me making sure you're tired out before we get home, so you get plenty of rest!"
"I suppose that's not so bad…"
"I knew you'd see it my way!" Tensei speeds up. "This is so much fun! I can't wait to get my license for one of these!"
"Get your what?!!"
Momo closes the front door to her home, leaning against it. She can quickly feel her fatigue catching up with her. But she still needed a snack and bath before retiring to-
"Momo? Is that you, honey?"
All of her other thoughts come to a screeching halt. "Mom?" She rounds the hallway to the kitchen. "You're here!" Momo cries in relief, running up and hugging her.
Tsu smiles as she sends one last text to Tenko to confirm she can hang out with their group of friends in a couple of days. But until then, she knows exactly what she'll be doing.
Cuddling up with both of her siblings in bed, Tsu can feel her eyelids becoming heavy. That's fine. Her only plans for the next few days involve resting and spending time with her family. And they don't seem to mind.
"You. Are. An. Idiot!!"
"It worked, didn't it?!"
"That's not the point!"
"Did it look cool?"
Tokage yells in exasperation, shaking Denki by the shoulders as the pair sit next to one another on a hospital bed. "That's not what you should be focusing on either, you dunce! You couldn't bring one pro hero up there with you when you fought the gigantic robot?!"
"No one else could get past the-!"
"I know!" She sighs and stops shaking him long enough to pull him into a hug. "I'm just venting." He hugs her back tight and nods. He doesn't say anything but doesn't have to. She knows he understands. "And yeah, alright." They separate and she punches him lightly in the shoulder. "You looked pretty awesome, dude."
Denki pumps his fist. "Yes!" She rolls her eyes fondly as he smirks at her. "How's it feel knowing you're going on a date with the guy who did that?"
He blushes when she pushes herself against him, biting her lower lip. "Excited," she whispers.
Denki becomes much more acutely aware that he's alone with a girl in a room with a bed. But he grins anyway. "I can't wait…" he takes a chance and puts a hand on her leg. She doesn't protest and he internally cheers. "To show you what other moves I can pull off."
Tokage hums. They're so close he can feel her body vibrating. "Hope they're good ones, baby. I'm a master of gland-to-gland combat."
The euphemism breaks Denki and he laughs, causing Tokage to do the same. "That was terrible!"
"You're laughing anyway!"
"That's how bad it was!" Denki tries to gain some form of control over his breathing. "Seriously, how could something be so dumb but kinda hot at the same time?"
Tokage looks him up and down. "I ask myself the same thing every day." Denki yells in protest and the green-haired girl chuckles, pulling him into a side hug. They enjoy a minute of silence. "I really am proud of you."
"Thanks," Denki says genuinely. "I know I joke about boyfriend standards, but sometimes it really does feel like Izuku is way ahead of me in everything."
"You're not beating the dumb allegations." Denki tries to sit straight to argue, but Tokage holds him in place. "Don't compare yourself to a guy who has a ten year head start to you and then I'll listen to what you have to say."
Denki sighs. "Yeah… I know you're right, too…"
"See? Don't beat yourself up."
Thor's son snickers. "You're right. I'll save it for that Kraven guy. I would've kicked his ass out there, but I told him I'd never do that without you."
Tokage lays her head on his shoulder. "What a gentleman."
There's a knock at the door and it opens. "Son, are you still- oh." Thor smiles. "I'm not interrupting, am I?"
"Nope!" As if the blond next to her had shocked her, Tokage jumps up. "Hi! You're um-" She looks at Denki. "That's your, you know, well, yeah, uh, god dad! Dad that's a god, yeah-" she stumbles over her words before clearing her throat. "Hi!… again. I'm-"
"Setsuna Tokage," Thor finishes for her, laughing softly in amusement. "I know very well who you are. Denki has spoken highly of you."
Tokage gasps in shock, whipping her head toward Denki so fast, he's afraid it might fall off. She can't keep the smile off of her face. "You told your dad about me?"
Denki scratches the back of his head in embarrassment. "Yeah… dad! Did you see-"
"Even without my hammer, it would appear I have a challenger for my title as God of Thunder."
Denki makes a noise of happiness that's somewhere between a laugh and a squeak. He looks away to compose himself as his father chortles at his son's antics. "We shall talk more about it later. For now, if you're not too tired, I'd enjoy taking you out to eat before we go home. It's customary on Asgard to celebrate after victories in battle! Of course…" he tilts his head toward Tokage. "The offer is extended to you too. Are you hungry?"
She scoffs. "I'm pretty much always hungry these days."
"If you'd prefer I'd feast on your appendix to fill my needs," Venom's head takes shape next to its host, "I'll happily oblige you." Tokage gives him a look that clearly indicates 'obviously not.' "Thought so. And for Knull's sake, calm your heart rate before I do it for you! The Asgardian is not that impressive!"
"Ah, it's wonderful to see you too, Venom," Thor quips, crossing his arms. "We had been wondering for some time where you had gone."
"Miss me?" Venom sneers.
"Oh, yes," Thor nods. "Every day, the Earth's Mightiest Heroes stood up and thought to themselves: 'Do you know what would make this day better? Being covered in slime while having my organs threatened."
" I don't remember hearing you complain about my qualities when you needed help in your fight against Darkoth," Venom hisses.
"Wait, wait," Denki shakes his head, now fully recovered from his dad's compliment. "You two have worked together before?"
Venom smiles wide, showing its fangs. "Tell your father to tell you about 'The God in Black' incident. Specifically on how I saved his life."
"I seem to also remember you betraying me after we beat Darkoth-"
"Minor details, not important!" Venom quickly interjects. "Now, what was this you were saying about food?"
"Dad!" Izuku shouts in surprise as his mom opens the door to their apartment. Loki laughs and catches the demigod when he jumps into his arms, hugging him. "If you keep showing up after I get attacked by villains, I'm going to start looking for them!"
"No, you won't!!" Two voices echo together from the doorway. Inko and Ochako look at each other in surprise for a moment, before giggling together.
"Ooooh, you're in trouble," Loki teases his son, who reddens in embarrassment as he puts him down. Inko smiles, walking up and kissing her husband tenderly, before hugging him. "Hello, dear."
"Every time you leave, it feels longer and longer," Inko sighs, squeezing him tight before letting him go. "Are you feeling alright? You're looking a little pale."
"I'm always pale, sweetheart," Loki jokes. "And Uraraka, always good to see you," he acknowledges her. "I'm sure you had something to do with my son being safe during these previous villain attacks."
Ochako jumps a little at the confidence Loki has in her, but she regains her composure almost immediately. "We're a team. We protect each other… but yeah." She punches her palm. "I'm making them sorry."
"Fantastic! However," Loki looks around as if expecting to find someone else there, "not that I mind your company with us, but I would think you'd prefer to spend this time with your parents?"
"Because of last night's attack, most of the trains in and out of the city aren't running," Inko answers for the teen. "Uraraka's parents wouldn't have been able to come today, and I was not going to let the poor thing go home alone after all she's been through."
Ochako rubs her arm, her blush marks growing darker. "You're too kind…"
"Nonsense, dear! It's the least we can do." Inko notices something on Loki and pokes him in the stomach, pinching his suit. "Have you been eating?"
"Well, I uh, eat when I can-"
Sighing again and looking like she doesn't know what she's going to do with her husband, Inko grabs his hand. "Come here. I've already fed the kids. Now it's your turn." Loki protests, but his wife isn't having any of it, pulling him to the kitchen. "Boys. No matter how much you try to teach them, they just seem incapable of taking care of themselves sometimes," she says to Ochako.
The brown-haired girl nods. "I know right?" Izuku looks offended. Ochako just grins at him.
Inko waves them off. "Get ready for bed, you two. Don't give me those looks. I've been watching you yawn all day. You need your rest."
"But Dad might be gone by the time we get back up," Izuku whines in protest.
"I plan on still being here. And for much longer." Inko joins her son in giving Loki odd, but hopeful looks. "I thought that this time, I'd stick around home for a bit. If you don't mind?" Inko squeals while Izuku looks ecstatic at the thought of having more time with his dad.
"Why would you think we'd mind?!" Inko laughs. "We love having you home! Oh, there are so many things we've been wanting to show you and now we get the chance to! I think you'll be excited about-!" Their voices trail off as they get further away.
With his parents in the kitchen, Izuku peers around the living room. "Well okay, since you're going to be taking my room, I guess I should get some sheets for the couch-"
"I can't kick you out of your room, Izuku."
"You're not!" He insists. "You're just borrowing it. I promise I don't mind. Just let me get my phone chargers out before-"
"Well, it's not just that…" Izuku stops when Ochako suddenly becomes very nervous. "It's…" She opens and shuts her mouth several times, unsure of how to start. Izuku waits patiently. "Last night was a lot, right? Like that's not just me?"
"Of course not, no! I don't think I'm going to be forgetting that for a long time…"
"Me neither…" Ochako shifts back and forth on her feet. "I think I'm going to need to sleep really well tonight."
"Well, my bed's pretty comfortable."
"Yeah, b-but not just that." Ochako can't look at him, blushing more and more with each passing second. "I think I'm going to need something else…"
"Like some hot chocolate?"
"Okay, not something…" Ochako grabs what remains of her courage and looks at Izuku. "But someone."
"Someone?" Izuku leans his head a bit to the side. "You need someone to help you- oh. OH!" Red explodes over his face. "Y-you wanna sleep with- with-" Ochako hums and nods. Words fail her. "Like we did on the couch and bus-" She nods again. "But like, on purpose this time?!"
"Y-yeah…" Ochako swallows. "If I'm being honest… I don't think I'll be able to sleep without you…" That sobers Izuku quickly. "We can just sit on the couch like last time? But if you're still not comfortable I totally get it and-"
"Okay." Ochako stops, eyes going wide. Izuku offers her a shy smile. "It makes sense if you think about it. If someone as strong as you won't be able to sleep, what chance do I have?"
Ochako snorts, rubbing her eyes as they start to water. "Dork."
"You haven't even begun to see how dorky I can get so be ready," Izuku giggles.
"Maybe not." Ochako grabs his hands, making sure not to float him. "But I look forward to finding out."
"Ochakooooo." Izuku tries to cover his face with his arm, but his girlfriend keeps a hold of his hand. "You can't just say stuff like that out of nowhere!"
"Oh, but you can get away with that whole 'you're so strong' line!" she retorts.
"Yes!"
"Why?"
Izuku lets go of one of her hands and makes an illusion of a magic eight ball, shaking it. "Tell me when to stop." She watches him suspiciously but says stop. He does and shows her the answer. Ask again later.
Ochako laughs. "Really?!"
"Told you. Dork. Be ready," Izuku smirks. "Anyway, I'm not sure how we're going to get around my parents. Maybe we just tell them we're watching a movie and make it look like an accident again-"
"You can use Izuku's room."
Both teens practically jump to the ceiling when Loki speaks, the god clearly amused at their antics as he leans against a wall, eating a plate of food. They look at him in surprise. "What? Despite your scheming just now, we do trust you."
"While truuuue," Inko scoots up next to him. "Just make sure to leave the door open."
"Inko, I don't believe that's necessary-"
"They will leave the door open," Inko repeats. She's smiling, but both Frost Giants in the room can feel an icy chill coming from her. "Don't you agree, honey?" The God of Mischief looks back and forth between his son and wife. Inko's eyes narrow.
Loki makes a business decision.
"Yes, do make sure to keep the door open, Izuku."
As afternoon turns into evening, every student involved in Tenko's rescue is fast asleep in their beds. Or in their boyfriend's bed in some cases. All greatly needing the rest. None of them are slated to wake up until the following morning.
Well, almost all of them are asleep.
"I got him in a taunt! I got him in a taunt! Get the buff now while you can and we can kill him!" Tenko urges. His fingers fly over his keyboard.
"I know! I'm not deaf! Even with these daft things on!" Torino points to the headphone and mic on his head that mirrors his ward's. He gets his character moving as fast as he can go on the computer setup Tenko had helped him with. "Got it!"
"Okay! Slow him! Good, good! Shit, he used a speed potion, he's gonna get away!"
"No, he ain't!" Torino's character creates a wall, cutting off the enemy player's escape. "Yeah! We got you now you shit-talking punk!" With his character trapped, Torino and Tenko make quick work of the enemy player, slaying him.
"Let's go!!" Tenko slaps his desk in excitement. "And right when a new wave of minions is coming in! Perfect timing! I'll get the second tower!"
"You do that!" Torino spams the command Tenko had taught him to make his character laugh over the dead body of the enemy. "You wanna repeat what you were saying about me being too old to play?!"
"Whatever, bitch! Isn't it past your bedtime anyway? I'm about to head out and party for the rest of the night."
Torino scoffs. "Yeah, I bet. The music at those parties is so loud, it's the only thing that can drown out your shit personality!"
"Pffft. Fucking brit cig's here got a lot to say while being carried by his grandson!"
"Maybe after we're done killing your friends, you should give them a funeral, kid. You can let them down one more time that way," Torino fires back. Tenko laughs. And happens to notice Torino didn't correct the guy when he said he was the hero's grandson.
"At least I'm a productive member of society! You're so old that you're as useless as your dick!"
Tenko lowers his mic. "Don't listen to this asshole. He's just mad his German girlfriend wouldn't stop screaming her age during sex." He switches their mics so only their team can hear. "I got the tower down, let's get back to base so we can heal and push the Phoenix. Here." Torino turns around and catches an energy drink that Tenko tosses him. "Gonna need it."
They crack their cans open at the same time and chug them. Both hero and hero student laugh as they play into the night.