Bakugo was barely listening to the teacher's lesson. His head was swimming with ideas of how to wreck all those weaklings trying to get into UA. It wasn't official, but only the strongest become heroes.

He grinned as he imagined himself wrapped in fine cloth and praised by everyone. All Might behind him, patting him on the back. He could almost hear his name being chanted.

Bakugo, Bakugo, Bak-

"BAKUGO!" He jumped at the teacher's loud voice.

"Still with us? You need to be ready for this test, I expected this drifting off from Midoriya, but I guess you're replacing him today, huh?" He turned back to the board.

Bakugo looked over to see Midoriya's desk empty. He frowned.

That clown never misses a day. Even when he's sick.

He smirked. Maybe he scampered off and moved knowing he'd never beat me. Though despite that, he couldn't help but feel a little sorry for the little weakling. He wasn't sure how he'd be if he lost his own mother. But Deku always seemed pretty bright regardless, though there was always this sort of desperate air about him.

He never took much notice of it before, why should he now?

Then he was gone the next day. And the next. On the fourth day, it was starting to bug him. Where could he be? He even overheard the teachers talking about it. When his own started asking students about him, his irritation turned into something he couldn't quite identify.

On his way back home, he remembered vaguely seeing Deku heading off towards some office building. They were doing a paper on business a few days ago, so he didn't think much of it.

But as he reached that building again, he remembered what he had said to Deku. The little punk thought he could get into UA as a quirkless wannabe. He had to teach him a lesson. His blood went cold as he remembered the last thing he said. Take a swan dive off….

No, no, no. He wouldn't do that. He's not that stupid. Shaking his head, he kept walking. He only made it a few feet before his fear got the better of him. Turning around, he raced towards the building. When he reached the top, he looked around for any signs.

He breathed a sigh of relief. What the hell was I-

His heart nearly stopped as he saw a pair of red shoes set against the ledge. No, no, no. no. no!

Running over, he looked over the edge and into the street below. It was usually pretty clear and abandoned. In the fading sunlight, he saw a faint, reddish mark on the ground. Oh God, what have I done? What have I done?! What have I done?!

That dork really did it. Why did he even say that? He gripped his head and let out a frustrated yell as fear flooded his mind.

His body must've been nicked by some freak villain. That's why no one found him. No one knows. No one but me…..

Gulping, he grabbed the shoes and ran. He ran and ran until he got home. He ignored his parents and slammed his bedroom door shut. There he sat on his bed, shoes in front of him.

Tears flowed down his cheeks as he sobbed. Why did he say that? Deku didn't deserve that. Why didn't consider the nerd's feelings more.

"I'm sorry," he whispered. "I'm so sorry." As futile as they were, he repeated those words for hours.

Izuku's eyes opened to a dim light. Groaning, he sat up, wincing as pain cut through him.

Wait, I'm alive? He should've died from that fall. Then he remembered the figure that he saw. The man with multiple hands. As if on cue…

"Awake, are we?" He turned to see a figure in a dark body suit sitting in an old chair to his right. The man had messy, light blue hair. His other features were obscured by a white gloved hand.

That get up….is he a hero? No,something doesn't feel right.

"W-Who are you?" he asked hesitantly.

He chuckled. "I was expecting a thank you. Either way, my name doesn't matter right now."

Probably a villain. Heroes aren't typically secretive. Well….most heroes.

He looked around and saw that the walls were dirty and covered grime. The scent of alcohol wafted from somewhere beyond the doorway.

"Where are we?"

The man stood, his hands spread out to either side. "I can't give the exact location. But allow me to welcome you to the League of Villains' headquarters."

Izuku's heart thudded heavily. League of Villains? They have an organization? What do they want with me?

He struggled to get up, regretting it instantly coursed through his body. He doubled over, his vision blurring.

"Easy. My master was able to heal you, but only just. Let's go meet with him. He's anxious to meet you."

Unable to think clearly, he could only remain silent as he was lifted and put into a wheelchair and wheeled out the door. As his vision slowly refocused, he made out what looked like a bar, with a man in a suit standing behind the counter,

"Izuku Midoriya, a pleasure to meet you." The voice sounded strangely echoed. Looking at the man, he realized that his head was made out of a strange black substance that twisted coiled, with two glowing yellow eyes.

"I wouldn't get too friendly with him yet, Kurogiri," his caretaker said irritably. "The master still has to meet him."

They stopped in front of a large TV, with several smaller ones surrounding it. A green light turned on and the screen flickered to life. The image, though fizzy, was of a shadowy man with irregular features. An almost cylinder like head with pipe work.

"Glad to see you awake, young Izuku," he said in a calm, businessman type voice. "The damage to your body was quite extensive. I was able to repair the more serious bits, but everything else will be left to time."

This villain saved me? Why?

"From the look on your face, I assume you have questions."

"Y-Yes," he replied. "Who are you? What do you want from me?"

"As Tomura has probably told you, we are the League of Villains. We are a secret organization of those deemed by society as unlawful."

"As for what we want from you," the man called Shigaraki said, standing in front of him, "We want a few things. Information for starters."

Izuku frowned. What information could I provide them?

"Why did you try and kill yourself?"

The question hit him hard. That feeling of despair and sorrow filled him, leaving him yearning to be back on the ledge. But through that despair cut a strange light, a blend of two feelings. One was a vague, primal one, a desire to survive? The other though….

He gritted his teeth. "Because All Might, my hero, my idol, took my dreams and crushed them!"

It all came flooding out. The years of abuse at the hands of Bakugo for being quirkless, the death of his mom, and All Might's harrowing words.

When he finished, he realized he was crying and his struggling to breathe. He felt a gloved hand rest on his shoulder. Looking up, he saw Shigaraki standing over him, his face unreadable.

"It's okay, kid," he said softly. "I know what you're going through." He would've snapped at that age old line, but something in his voice gave Izuku pause.

" That abyss so deep that you think you'll never crawl out. But there's always a way out. If the light can't show you anything, then claw through the dark until you find a foothold."

He looked towards the screen. "Master, what do you think?"

The man was silent for a moment. Izuku felt his heart pounding faster as the tension grew. Strangely though, it wasn't for fear of death, but in fear of being left alone.

"If he wishes, he can remain with us for a time. Let him think on things and decide what he wants from life."

They both looked at him expectedly. He was silent for a few minutes. Stay with villains as a guest. But what would that make me? He saw All Might, that symbol of peace and hope for so many, but the image was smudged and warped. He wasn't sure anymore.

"I'll stay," he said quietly, accepting the offer, trying to ignore the feeling of an almost devilish grin spreading on both men's unseen faces.