And the story is moving on! yay! XD But speaking of the story moving on. I have plans to (loosely) follow canon events up until Stain (i.e. Iida's bro still got injured during the Festival off page *cough*). I'm not very familiar with the plot & canon of this series post Stain, so I'll probably end up going totally AU divergent at that point.

But that also means that's when Villain Deku starts making a real appearance, so look forward to that. *wink*

This chapter also was cut a tiny bit short. I wanted to post something today and I ran out of time to finish the last scene. So the next chapter is started, and here you go!


Chapter 7

Toshinori recognized the young boy in the photo.

It was the same young boy who had asked him if it was possible to be a Hero without a Quirk, and had seen Toshinori at his weakest when he had to tell the child his dreams were unrealistic. It seemed like something that had happened so long ago, but here he was again in Toshinori's path. It seemed fate had a hand to play in bringing them together again.

Izuku Midoriya, Quirkless until two days ago.

"Aizawa, would you mind sharing what you've found out while investigating Izuku Midoriya?" Nezu asked, sipping his cup of tea.

"There isn't much, but he does match the description of a strategist confirmed to be working for a suspected Villain Broker named Giran. His services have been highly coveted from what I've gathered and if Midoriya really is the same person, we can tie him to at least two Villains who'd used his strategies in attacks on Pro Heroes," Aizawa said, dropping a report on the table in the middle of the teacher's counsel. He adjusted his scarf and took a seat next to Yamada. "I think it's safe to say it's not a coincidence that he joined the school so soon after the Villain attack."

"You acquired that information rather quickly," Toshinori said. He flipped through the pages of the report, looking at the information they'd gotten from a few arrested villains.

Aizawa narrowed his eyes at Toshinori from the other side of Yamada. "He was under suspicion when we received his transfer papers so close to the villain attack, but we had nothing to directly tie him to everything."

"It's true the young man was under a close watch when we received his late application," Nezu said. Toshinori had remembered their being slight gossip around the teacher's room of a new student who was their first transfer in a while, but he hadn't been aware they suspected the lad of foul play. Nezu placed his tea cup on the table. "The timing in and of itself was highly suspect, thus sending Aizawa to investigate, but considering his age, we thought it worth the risk to keep an eye on him rather than leaving him entirely to his own devices out in the world."

"And now he's got a Quirk," Kayama said, crossing her arms under her chest. "Out of nowhere in the middle of the biggest event of the year. If he wasn't suspicious before, he sure is now."

"Yagi, you've been looking at his picture rather closely," Aizawa said. He watched out of the corner of his eye with a steady gaze. "Something on your mind?"

"I met this boy once earlier in the year. He asked me if it was possible to be a hero without a Quirk," Toshinori admitted. "I told him it was unrealistic, and he was naturally disappointed. I do remember being impressed with his notebook however. It contained detailed notes on all the Pro Heroes and their abilities. He seemed like a dedicated fan and someone quite capable in the future at perhaps a police position or becoming a detective."

"You said he was suspected of being an analyst, right?" Kayama asked. She held her chin and stared at the picture of the boy on the table. "If the wrong sort of person got their hands on notes like that, it could really do some damage."

"I'm starting to think that's exactly what happened," Aizawa said. "He couldn't be a hero, so he went Villain instead."

"That's rough," Yamada said, pulling his glasses down. "Talk about taking a different path."

Toshinori's fingers twitched under the table.

"If that's true, it's not your fault, Yagi," Nezu said, picking up his teacup again; ever observant. "I'm sure you told him other things he could do to support heroes, didn't you?"

"Yes," Toshinori said, still feeling a twinge of remorse. If that child really had gone down a path of villainy after their talk, then All Might had let him down. That was hard to swallow. "I voiced my initial thoughts concerning his notes and recommended he join the police force."

"Then you have nothing to be ashamed about," Nezu said. He tapped his cup on the saucer and grinned brightly. "In fact, think of this as an opportunity. If he is indeed aligned with villains, we have a chance to take him back to the right side here as a student of U.A."

"What are you suggesting?" Aizawa asked.

"The Sports Festival isn't just a chance for our students in the Hero Classes to be noticed by Pro Heroes," Nezu said, almost smug, "It's also a chance for students in our other departments to transfer in who didn't quite make it during the entrance exams. Anyone from the Finals would qualify, and as I recall, only two General Studies students made it this year."

Kayama licked her lips and leaned on the table. "So you want to move them up and let us keep a closer eye on him that way?"

"Sounds like a plan!" Yamada yelled. He threw his hands up and pointed them in finger guns. "And having a few students actually make it into the Hero Course will definitely be a morale boost for the rest of the school. Win-win."

Aizawa slumped in his seat. Toshinori could feel the dread coming off him in waves. "You're going to put them in my class, aren't you?"

"Of course!" Nezu said, laughing.

Toshinori listened as the rest of the details were arranged concerning the transfer, and how they would continue to keep a close watch on young Midoriya. Toshinori could only hope they weren't too late to save him from that dark path.

Especially if he got that Quirk where Toshinori suspected.

(Heaven help them all if that man were still alive.)


Izuku sat at the bar top next to Shigaraki, plopping down with enough force he rattled the stool and knocked his knees into the counter (he barely noticed).

Suspicious of the dazed behavior, Shigaraki asked tactfully, "What happened to you?"

"Today in class Shinsou and I got a notice from the main office," Izuku started. He sniffed, rubbing his nose as his eyes watered and he rambled on half-conscious of what he was saying as the words poured out in short bursts. "Starting tomorrow, we'll be transferred to the Hero Class. Anyone who made it to the Finals who hadn't previously been in the Hero course was accepted. And you know the best part?

"We're going to be in 1-A, so not just the Hero Class, but the top of the Hero Class. I almost couldn't believe it and you should have seen Shinsou. He was so happy. I didn't think it was possible for him to smile." Izuku rubbed his eyes. "I almost hate that I'm so happy, considering what it cost to get here, but I can't help it."

Shigaraki tilted his head to the side, knocking a few strands of hair loose. "Oh?"

"I'm going to be in the same class as Kacchan," Izuku said, unable to stop the flow of joyful tears. He'd dreamed of this. He'd dreamed of it his entire life: To be in the Hero Course at U.A. and to stand next to Kacchan as equals. To be a Hero like All Might. Now it was happening. What had been done was done and Izuku could only move forward. He had to believe that. Izuku covered his mouth and sucked in a breath. "Because I have a Quirk now, they're letting me in."

And that was all thanks to Shigaraki.

"Thank you," Izuku said, tackling Shigaraki's side in a hug. He leaned half off the stool, clinging to the frozen stiff Shigaraki and put his face in the other's shoulders. The other mans' stupid, selfish, thoughtless gift had gotten Izuku everything he'd ever wanted. His inner selfishness squashed the voice that told him spilled blood had gotten him here, but what was done was done. This was now. This is what mattered. Izuku squeezed Shigaraki harder. "I didn't really mean it last time I said it, so I need to say it again: Thank you, thank you."

Shigaraki held his hands in the air off to the sides, elbows bent. His breath picked up and Izuku could feel the panic growing. "What are you doing?"

"Hugging you," Izuku said. He squeezed one more time before slipping away from the rigid villain. "Friends do that."

Shigaraki nodded before slowly lowering his hands. He brushed off his shirt with his hand, fingers up and putting down most of the pressure with his palm. "Alright."

"As touching as this is," Kurogiri said, interrupting. He set a glass down hard on the bar top, his warp form shivering. "I feel you might be losing focus about why you're attending that academy."

"You want information and strategies," Izuku said, grabbing the bottom of the stool to steady himself. He tensed his shoulders and glared, reminding himself to pay closer attention to Kurogiri and his sweet words. "I haven't forgotten. Don't worry."

"As long as you understand," Kurogiri said.

Izuku kept his mouth shut, pressing his lips together. He wanted to point out so badly that he didn't work for the League of Villains directly. Izuku could walk any time he wanted.

But his mother could still be a target.

And now he had friends at school.

Izuku kept his mouth shut, and tried to ignore the steady way Shigaraki stared at him.


Kirishima had never really been an anxious person. He was pretty chill all around and most of his friends would tell you that from Ashido to Kaminari.

But this Midoriya kid set all of his nerves on edge because he was like a walking match to Bakugou's fuse that could light the thing at any given second.

He was bad for Kirishima's blood pressure.

"This is Izuku Midoriya and Hitoshi Shinsou," Aizawa said, half bored as he sat half out of his sleeping bag at the front of the classroom. The two students stood next to him, one with his hands in his pockets and with a smug grin and the other barely containing his glee behind a shy smile and hands clasped. "For making it to the final rounds of the Festival, they were given the option to enter the Hero Course from General Studies, and as you can see, they accepted. Say hello to your new classmates."

Chatter filled the room, but Kirishima had zeroed in on one person who had gone deathly silent.

Bakugou's red eyes stared at Midoriya like he was a plague upon everyone's existence. His hands clenched under his desk, knuckles white and teeth grit. Kirishima wasn't sure what kept his buddy from exploding, but he had a feeling this simmering anger might be worse.

"However, though they've moved up," Aizawa said. "There's no coddling in this class and they're going to be tested at the same level as the rest of you. The two of them are expected to catch up on their own time, so whether the rest of you help them out is up to you. Now everyone take a seat and let's get class started."

Fate seemed to be plotting against Kirishima, because it was at this moment he realized that one of the two empty seats in class were behind Bakugou—and Midoriya sat there.

"What's wrong with you?" Kaminari asked, whispering as he leaned over closer to Kirishima. Shinsou took a seat in front of him and Kirishima had a feeling that he was listening to their conversation. Kaminari poked Kirishima's arm. "You look like someone punched you in the gut."

"I'll tell you later," Kirishima said, keeping his eye on Midoriya and Bakugou. The second kept ramrod straight and fists clenched, but managed to keep his brewing anger bottled up. Midoriya, on the other hand, shot Kirishima a glance before setting back into his chair. Kirishima rubbed his mouth and slumped in his seat. "Promise."

"If you say so," Kaminari said. He returned his attention back to the front of the classroom and things continued as normal.

Kirishima spent the rest of class praying that they made it through the day without anyone getting into a fight.

(He doubted it.)


"It's so great that you made it into the class," Uraraka said, stopping by Izuku's desk. She smiled cutely, with her hands behind her back. "You've been the talk of the town since you got a Quirk during the Festival."

Izuku pressed his lips together, glancing at Kacchan. The other had said nothing so far, and only dug into his lunch instead of acknowledging his new classmate. Kirishima had taken a seat in front of him, also eating quietly as Bakugou ignored everyone around himself. Izuku had half expected that, though, but what he hadn't was for Iida to ignore him, too. He thought for sure the class rep would have come over to say hello with Uraraka.

"Is Iida okay?" Izuku asked.

"He's still a little shaken up," Uraraka said, looking at Iida. He ate alone at his desk, quiet and distracted by his meal. "He found out his brother had been attacked by the Hero Killer during the Festival, and this is his first day back in class after visiting him in the hospital."

"Hero Killer?" Izuku asked. A true loner, that was one Villain that had no need of Giran or the League of Villains services, so Izuku had little experience with him. From what he understood, the man fancied himself sort of an anti-hero that targeted corrupt Pro Heroes, but he didn't know much more than that. Izuku crossed his arms on the desk. "Iida's brother is a Pro Hero?"

Uraraka's smile turned down. "Yes, his big brother is Ingenium, though now he's been forced to retire due to his injuries. Iida was always very proud of him."

"I'm sorry to hear that," Izuku said. "I hope things work out."

"Same," Uraraka said. She forced herself to smile and clapping her hands together. "But I don't think he likes us talking about it, so let's swap up the topic! How does it feel having a Quirk now?"

Izuku caught the twitch of Kacchan's hand out of the corner of his eye as he picked up his utensils. He smiled and laughed, "Like a dream come true. I was Quirkless for so long, it didn't even strike my mind as something that could happen."

"It is rather remarkable," Uraraka said. "What are even the odds of developing a Quirk that late?"

"It's bullshit," Kacchan said, finally speaking up. He put his lunch down and glared over his shoulder. He stared Izuku down, eyes suspicious and angry. "I don't know what you did to make this happen, but it sure as hell doesn't change anything. You were a loser before you had a Quirk, Deku, and you're a loser now, so don't get any big ideas in your head about being a Hero."

"No one asked you, Bakugou," Uraraka said, narrowing her eyes. She put her hands on her hips and huffed. "I think he showed many heroic qualities before. He was determined and he got right into that ring with Aoyama despite being sick. Now that he's got a Quirk, who knows what he'll be able to do. He might even be a better hero than you, Bakugou! Especially when you've got that attitude."

"What did you just say?" Kacchan asked. Kirishima and Izuku tensed at the same time (he shoved down the ugliness rearing its head; it wasn't the time—it wasn't the time!) as Kacchan slid his chair back with a screech and stood. He towered over the short Uraraka and hissed. "You say that again. I dare you."

"I bet 'Deku' could be a better hero than you," Uraraka said again.

Kacchan raised his hand, palm sparking when—

"All of you sit down," Aizawa said, slamming the door open. "Lunch is over."

Kirishima put his hand on Kacchan's arm and grinned. "I'll see you after class to study tonight, right?"

Kacchan looked at him like he was crazy before lowering his hand. He blinked and sat in his chair. "Yeah. No problem."

"We should hang out too," Uraraka said. She patted her skirt down and smiled. "We can see if we can't cheer up Iida."

"Sure," Izuku said. "I'd like that."

"I said we're starting," Aizawa said again, voice stern.

He snapped open his book and Uraraka looked at him funny.

"Is something wrong?" Izuku asked.

"No, he just seems grumpier today for some reason," Uraraka said. She jerked under Aizawa's glare and rushed back to her seat.

Izuku opened his notebook and discretely tore out Uraraka and Iida's pages before crumpling them up in his hand. He had to take notes on the students and their Quirks, but no one said he had to take notes on every single one of them.

It wouldn't hurt to make a few extra friends.

You never knew when you might need them.