Tenya loved school but he loved coming home all the more, watching mom making dinner from the dining room as he set the table, the smell of his favourite foods wafting through the house. She turned, smiling back at.
"What's wrong Tenya?" She asked.
"Nothing. Just good to be back. When's Tensei…," Tenya hardly had a moment to finish his thought when the front door opened and his older brother entered the house. A thundering from upstairs made Tenya role his eyes as the twins followed by their third youngest brother thundered down the stairs to tackle him. He exchanged a look with his mother before making his way to the entrance. "Better go save him."
By the time he got to the hall the twins, Tenchi and Tenjiro, though only 4, had Tensei pinned to the ground be his arms and legs, while Tendou, who was 12, grabbed him from behind pulling him backwards. "Hey no fair, 3 against 1. Little help?!" Tensei asked.
"I think you've got this one handled," Tenya replied.
Groaning Tensei fought them off, getting to his feet, one twin hanging off his arm, the other around his ankle, while Tendou maintained his grip on Tensies neck. "You know I'm gonna make you pay for this later…" Tensei said jokingly to Tenya.
"Maybe, but you've gotta catch me first.." Tenya replied.
"Boys leave your brother alone!" Mom called from the kitchen, nearly dropping the pot she was carrying as the two youngest ran by.
"Hey Tensei watch what I can do! I'm getting faster!" Tendou shouted as he set off at a run.
This time it was Tenya who caught him, grabbing him by the back of his shirt. "You know the rules. No quirks in the house. Remember last time?" Tenya looked begrudgingly at the human shaped dent in the wall… A news story on the tv caught Tenyas attention.
"Lot of good hero's killed by him," Tensei said, face sullen. "They're calling him the Hero Killer… Tenya I know you start your apprenticeship with Manual tomorrow. Promise me you'll be careful, promise me you won't go looking for him."
The look on Tensei's face was startling, serious with no trace of his usual light hearted smile, this was serious. "Why would I go looking for him?" Tenya asked, averting his eyes… if Tensei knew the truth, that this was why he had come home to Hosu City… he dreaded when Tensei would think. He wouldn't understand, this was his chance to become a real hero and prove he was good enough though breaking the rules like this was out of character for him.
"See I never have to worry about you, you'll make a fine hero some day. Though I was surprised you decided to come here. I'm sure you had plenty of other offers to pick from," Tensei said, ruffling Tenyas hair. "Come on, I bet moms almost got dinner ready."
The next day started early as Tenya rushed out to meet Manual. It had started with a basic tour of the agency, run down of their policies etc and a bunch of boring information that Tenya, if he was being honest with himself, probably should have been paying attention to. But he had other things on his mind. He was thankful to be wearing his hero costume, the mask hiding the likely more than obvious disinterest in his face. He wanted to find Stain, needed to find him. He was a legacy hero from a well known family, all eyes were on him and what had he accomplished? Already his classmates were coming out on top. He had to do better, he was the class rep after all. He had to make his family proud, especially Tensei who he looked up to above all.
"Usually I just sit around and wait for a call to come in," Manual was saying. "But lately well… Hosu's been in a bit of a panic."
"Because the number of patrolmen has been downsized?" Tenya asked.
"That's right! Sure is nice to have Inginium's little brother with me though," Manual went on.
'All this because of Stain.' Tenya thought to himself, ignoring the rest of what Manual was saying. 'The hero killer. A phantom that even modern law enforcement hasn't been able to catch. It all might be in vein but I can't help but want to pursue him.'
They walked down the streets a little ways more before Manual made the decision to head back to the agency. He pulled off his helmet smiling his ever present, child like grin as he addressed Tenya. "Well with the neighborhood on high alert the villains don't seem to want to come out!"
Tenya sighed. "Ya I suppose you're right." He pulled off his own helmet, setting it on the table in front of him. Hero killer Stain, Tenya knee as soon as he had started researching, at each of the seven locations attacked so far, he's killed or injured at least four heroes. What was his objective? He didn't know if it was a bad omen or not but here in Hosu there had been only one victim so far so it was a chance he would appear here once again and when he did Tenya would take Stain out himself.
The next day wasn't much different. They spent the morning patrolling, returning to the agency for lunch only to set back out an hour later.
"Just another day of patrolling. Sorry it's not more interesting," Manual said.
"No, it's actually better this way," Tenya replied with a sigh. His phone beeped and a text from Midoriya came across the screen. 'Passing through Hosu now, how you doing Iida?'
"Do you need to answer that?" Manual asked.
Tenya would have liked bed to talk to Izuku now but he didn't want to have to lie. They'd only been dating three months but Tenya had grown rather attached to Izuku though only a select few actually knew they were even together. As class rep Tenya didn't want to come across as picking favourites and neither boy had much experience dating well anyone, let alone another boy.
"It's nothing, I'll text him back later," Tenya replied. "Hey, I really hate to ask… but you're going after that hero killer right?!"
Manual stopped abruptly, his face becoming serious. "We hero's don't have the authority to make arrests or dole out punishments. It's only because of recent quirk regulation we can use our quirks at all. But vigilantism is strictly against the rules. And if you're caught going off on your own it's considered a major crime."
"I appreciate the warning," Tenya replied, though Manual hadn't really answered his question. He knew it was against the rules but was he supposed to do about this urge?
An explosion struck the city only a few blocks away sending smoke and dust into the air as people scrambled to find cover. Tenya looked round catching sight of Manual, almost lost in the swat of frightened people.
"Seriously?" Manual hissed. "Why is this happening now of all times. Tenya! To the scene! Run!" But Tenya had already gone, taking off in the wrong direction, set on what he had come here all along for.
Stain, the man himself now in his sights, Tenya was determined to beat him. He would take him by surprise before he even had a chance to react. Being careful to avoid the man held victim by the hero killer Tenya prepared his attack. Stain was prepared for his attack, striking out with lightning fast reflexes, narrowly missing Tenya with the blade but catching him nonetheless with the hilt hard enough to knock the helmet from his head.
Confused Stain looked round, still holding his victim, a hero known as Native, by the throat. He eyed Tenya, like a cat deciding if it's pray we're worth the kill. "A child in a costume. Who are you?" He asked. "Get out of here. This is no place for a child."
Tenya struggled to his knees, head still bleary from the sudden impact. "A scarf as red as blood, armed to the teeth with blades… you must be hero killer Stain, am I right? I've been perusing you. Though I did g expect to meet so soon."
"I am…" Stain smiled a sickening grin as he dropped Native, turning his full attention on Tenya. He pointed his sword direct at Tenyas eyes as he advanced. "Your eyes. You're out for revenge aren't you. Watch your damn mouth or your age won't be enough to save you."
"Save me?" Tenya asked. The words truly odd coming from the mouth of this criminal, surprised to find he killed with a code. Rage welled up inside him as the weight of those words sunk in. "So you don't even consider me a threat?! I am Tenya Iida, younger brother to Inginium and I am the hero who's going to take you down!"
Stains grin widened. "That so? Time to die." His attack came swiftly, faster then even Tenya could react as he felt the spiked tip of Stains boot penetrate his shoulder, forcing him to the ground. The fight was over before it had even began, sharp boots dug into the back of Tenya's neck, holding him in place as he fought to rise. "So weak. Both you and your brother are weak because you're posers. Fakes. Now you will die and I will wash the slate clean of these imposter 'heros'"
Tenya cried out as he felt the icy hot sting or a blade pierce his shoulder, driving in deeper into his body. "Shut up evildoer!" He cried. "My brother….. he's saved so many lives. He's a leader. He's a great hero! Say what you want about me but he is my hero!" Tenya watched helplessly as the blood began to pool under him, feeling it slowly drain away, carrying his life with it. He had to fight. "I'm going to kill you for what you did Stain because that's what heroes do!"
Stain chuckled. "Forget about yourself for a second and try saving others. Don't use your power for yourself because getting trapped by your own hate and acting out of pure self interest makes for the furthest thing from a hero. That is why you must die." He yanked the blade from Tenyas shoulder eliciting another cry of pain, lickicking the blood from the blade. The paralysis was instantaneous and complete, Tenyas body wouldn't move. "Consider yourself a humble offering to the betterment of society." Stain continued, every word only adding to Tenyas desperation.
"Shut up…. Shut up! It doesn't matter what you say now, you're still a villain," Tenya sobbed, the pain was excruciating. A green blur crossed Tenyas vision as Stain was struck hard, sending him flying through the air. It couldn't be! But how! "Deku!"
"Iida, I'm here to save you," Midoriya shouted back. "I had a feeling you were in trouble! When I saw on the news about the hero killer! I was coming to visit when the attack rang out, I came looking for you! Can you move? Make for the…."
"Midoriya ….," Tenya said sadly. The tone struck Midoriya, knotting his stomach. He wanted to run to Tenya but he stood his ground. "Midoriya, I can't move my body. Ever since he stabbed me… I think it's his quirk…. please get out of here, save yourself. This doesn't have to involve you."
"What are you saying!" Midoriya exclaimed.
"A friend shows up and says 'I'm here to save you' a good line for sure. But it's my duty to kill these two so if we're forced to fight then naturally….," Stain said, advancing on them, blades drawn. "... the weaker of us will be culled."
Midoriya reset into high fight stance, looking over at Tenya and smiling half heartedly. "Giving help that's not asked for, it's what being a hero's all about. You can hate me later, but I won't let him kill you."
Midoriya launched his attack, getting in close but he wasn't fast enough, just a scrape, that's all it took and he to was frozen.
"Midoriya!" Tenya exclaimed, fighting against his paralysis to no end.
"Ah what's this? Young love? What a shame to have to cut it so short. So many fools out there are nothing but talk but you…. you are worth keeping alive, unlike these others, unlike him," Stain said regrettably.
Midoriya watched in horror as Stain strode towards Tenya, shouting, calling, saying anything he could to draw the killers attention back to him. But there was nothing he could do. Stain looked him directly in the eye as he pointed the blade to place between his shoulders, pushing the tip in and driving it home, he could hear the crunch of the ground as the blade passed through the other side. A tear ran down Tenyas face as he closed his eyes, he was dying, this was it, he lost. The last thing he remembered were the brilliant flames that licked up over his back, knocking Stain away and the sound of Todoroki's voice calling his name."
When the fight was finally over Stain was rendered unconscious, encased in ice, waiting for the pros to arrive. Midoriya's arm was broken and Todoroki was bleeding, and Iida…. Midoriya collapsed to his knees beside Tenya in despair. Todoroki knelt down, pressing a finger to his friends neck.
"Midoriya, he's alive but only just. Keep talking to him, I'm sure hearing your voice would do him some good. The Pros are on their way," Todoroki said. He pressed his hand to the wound in Tenyas back, freezing it over. "That should buy him some time. I'm going to find help."
"Why're you here!" Grand Torino shouted appearing around the corner. Midoriya had never been happier to see the old man in his life. "I told you to stay in your…."
"Please Grand Torino, he needs help. Iida…. Someone's gotta call his mom," Midoriya sobbed, tears starting to flow now despite his will to stop them.