The world was in an uproar. Stain's message had been resonating louder than ever before after his death. Everywhere you turned there was another protestor, another sign, another supporter. The spread had not been limited to only Japan.

America (as it had done 3 centuries ago with beginning the hero system) was the first to take action. It's people were easily swayed by Izuku's elegant and persuasive speak, his truth resonating with them deeply. The loudest voices rang out across the country, pushing for change.

This was where the first New Age law was passed on quirkless rights and protection. This allowed the quirkless equal rights to any position as any quirked individual, so long as they were properly trained (as it was 300 years ago.) Not long after was an Act regulating hero work; eliminating the payment, increasing the training required, and keeping a tighter watch on their actions. Given that they were no longer being paid to steal the spotlight, they were in a way given more breathing space to prefrom less "heroic" deeds. Criminal records were scavenged up and kept closely watched. A criminal point system was introduced, and an evaluation board for new aspiring heroes; this allowed anyone a fair chance at heroics (even those with a criminal record (given to a certain point)) who were honestly trying to improve themselves and make a good impact on the world. (It was also open to those with criminal heritage, such as a powerful young lady we shall see in the future.) One after another, America and Japan set the example.

France was next. Then Russia, followed by China and England. Worldwide, laws concerning quirks were passed and approved. The heroic system was harder to fix, given how entrenched it had become in society, but little by little it was coming free in every country.

And Izuku loved it. He loved that he didn't even need speeches anymore to send the crowds into a frenzy; walk behind a news reporter here, a civilian caught him on video running on a rooftop there. Resurrecting his old social media profiles, Izuku began posting his own pictures and videos. He sometimes liked to play cat and mouse with his intended victims, hinting at who was maybe next or his next location. It was all quite fun; for him and the boys anyway. The people themselves began uprooting many dirty secrets and lies that the "heores" had been hiding behind. Honestly, Izuku's biggest problem was keeping the crowds in check; he wanted a just and peaceful society, not a society of rampaging, murderous civilians.

As the brilliance of his mind was hinted at to the public, their viewpoint for the future shifted from heroics to science and technology. His friends (Mei and Melissa, along with some old college friends) were thrust into the spotlight. Their tech and science was examined and praised, and provisions for successful careers were laid. What was best was that Izuku didn't have any great part in that. The people noticed it on their own, and (when they noticed that their own tech wasn't as advanced) began giving inventors and scientists more attention. He loved seeing them succeed.

Within a year the cause had progressed so much Izuku was left in shock. Countless Pros had been removed, quirk and career counseling was being installed into almost every school, Katsuki himself (among others) was supporting the cause; not the killing or the riots, but the meaning behind those killings and riots. Police officers were given usage of their quirks. Not as much as the Pros, but usage nonetheless. The quirkless and weak quirked were gaining respected positions, gaining as much respect and admiration as those with powerful quirks. Izuku's cause was being fulfilled.

Of course, even though it sounds perfect, as with any movement not everyone supported it. The opposers' biggest argument was that this all was started by a murderer, blackmailer, maimer, and terrible, terrible criminal. "We're giving him what he wants," "we're allying ourselves with the villains."

And they were right.

Izuku was those things. He was one of the worst people to live at that time. Doing the terrible things he did and say it was for the people is despicable from almost any point of view. They were giving him what he wanted, and were in a way allying themselves with him.

But it was for the people, and the people liked his point. Almost no one would support his violent actions. He didn't even. Multiple times, as Izuku stood above a crowd, talking to them and guiding them, he made it plain that even he found what he did disgusting. If there had been another way that he believed would have gotten him to where he is now, Izuku would have taken it. Be he didn't believe that there had been any other way. He did what he did out of necessity.

A criminal by need, if you will.

That was what the people resonated with.

Even life at home was proving to be a source of optimism for Izuku; he had a wonderful girlfriend, someone who could finally keep up with his brain; Touya and his girlfriend Mika had been throwing the concept of marriage around casually (though Izuku would tell you that Toy was anything but casual about this); Spinner had been trying to repair relations with his family; Matthew and Rose, as well as all the other children (his "nieces" and "nephews",) were always there for Izuku to absolutley dote upon.

Katsuki and Ochako had tied the knot as well. Izuku had hidden, invisible, throughout the service, watching peacefully. Katsuki had somehow known, and spoke a word with Izuku before the villain left. He didn't get the same answer as the last time, but string of hope instead.

"Soon."

Yes. As the world was turned upside down and his Cause was fulfilled and supported at every turn, Izuku knew his days as Stain's Apprentice and Stain himself were coming to a close. He was having trouble accepting that he would have to let go. He had been at this for 6 years now, every detail of his life it seemed came back to his work. Izuku would have to sever ties with people he'd come to view as family; not that he would stop seeing them, for if he had his way nothing would stop him from checking up on his chosen ragtag family whenever possible.

But Father had ordered him to go.

Izuku wouldn't defile his father's memory like that. He couldn't. He promised that he would do what he could and leave his home for Katsuki and Aunt Mitsuki.

After all, he could feel what had pushed Akguro to hold him to that promise. Little by little, Izuku knew his mind was slipping from him. He pretended not to notice Touya's concerned looks, and didn't share how many times his spent time with his parents in vivid dreams and nightmares.

Izuku wasn't surprised or upset. It was nature. The human mind, no matter how brilliant and sharp, can only take so much shock and trauma before it snaps. Given all the terrible things he had done, Izuku knew he deserved what he was getting. He didn't believe in gods or fate; he only knew that he deserved it.

But as he had said to a crowd that afternoon, when asked with how much longer he would be doing what he did, "soon. Hopefully only one more year before we can have peace."

"Where will you go?"

"Back where I came from. I have friends waiting for me."

"Do you miss them?"

"Not as much as I will miss the family I have made here."

All he had to do was keep his mind intact for one more year. Then he could let his mind take the course it so desired.

One more year of work and speeches. Then they could all be free. His family could hang up their weapons, and go their own ways. He knew that Spinner and Dabi were planning to stay together, and take on their own apprentice someday, continuing a tradition (even if it would be void if the name Stain. Elija and his family would be free and return to normal civilian life.

Just one more year.

A/N

So, here we are. This chapter took a bit of a different turn than what I was expecting, but that's alright. I apologize if my updating has been kind sporadic and unpredictable. I've been rather sick for a while now and I'm feeling pretty bad rn. And yeah. Just a few more chapters. Honestly I'm having just as much trouble moving on as my baby boy is. Probs 3 chapters left; the last year of Srain work, one chapter going over everything domestic, and one final chapter.

*sniff* my baby.

But that does mean I can get on new things. DB, which will go for who knows how long, Dabi redemption with EVEN MORE IZU-DABI BRO-NESS, and my requested ship comp. Plus I'm wanting to finish up some of my other stories such as my rotg fanfic and my oc for overwatch. So it's not like I'm losing lungs to write, I'm just gonna miss making my boy suffer.

Now, CadB, alas, it be almost over. That makes me just as sad as you. And Mei is my fav ship with izu by FAR. So cute.

That's really all I got to say. So long Lovies!