Quirkless


Chapter 9


2 years since the day that changed it all. Izuku found himself going about life normally like nothing had happened, like he hadn't resolved himself to his life of villainy. He hadn't done anything for his cause and it seemed like a distant goal. The police had monitored him closely for a year, to see if he was in fact connected to the Trickster, but visiting the lab wasn't suspicious, at least not when it was under the pretence of visiting Akio who now permanently lived there with Akino. Izuku would go there and simply improve gadgets, work on his costume, set out his goals and reminisce. Having another quirkless villain appear right after Trickster's public reveal would only bring suspicion onto him. So he begrudgingly held back his plans until this all blew over. Soon people would forget. Life would move on like nothing had happened at all and it made him feel sick because Akiyoshi had died and everything should be wrong. The world was wrong.

Everything felt different even school and it wasn't even because he was finally in Sumato like Akiyoshi had wanted. It felt like a foreign entity altogether for an entirely different reason. He didn't see the usual faces and people either, altogether avoided him, or pretended to be friends to get close to his riches. It was just too normal. After all the things that had happened it almost felt surreal to go back to an ordinary life, to pretend he hadn't been helping a villain for over a year, to pretend that he was fine. Izuku had continued his presence there out of necessity, going through the dredge of life unsure what to think or feel. Sometimes he was sad, most of the time he was bitter at the heroes he had once trusted but altogether he had become lonely. In his grief he immersed himself in his studies, met with Akio after school to fulfil his business training for when he took ownership of CHEM labs and planned his next moves. Business wasn't doing well and soon Izuku had to pick up slack, pushing the company where it used to be before the disaster that forever soiled its name. It was tough, helping Akio rebuild the company back up after most of its shareholders took back their earnings and left them to pick up the pieces.

Despite this Izuku longed for the moments he was by Akio's side working for Akiyoshi's legacy. He knew he would not fail the company. He would bring it to new heights when he became CEO and he would beat Akiyoshi's high-score. He would become the final boss like he had promised the man he would be. If that meant he had to work his way to the top, controlling those around him, manipulating every action, he would do it.

He would expose the heroes.

First he would start with Kamui Woods and then he would flesh out the rest. He would crush those who weren't worthy to defeat him and when the final hero comes he would gladly lose all HP with a smile. He had resolved himself of his fate the moment the funeral had ended. He couldn't become a hero anymore. That dream had been crushed the moment he chose to end 200 lives for the people that mattered to him. If he wasn't going to become a hero he would become the antithesis of one and weed them out. He would play his role.

He just didn't know how…

His whole life he had been pining to be a hero. Akiyoshi had thrown him off tangent, not that it fazed him anymore. He just didn't know where to start. Akiyoshi's brand of villainy had been rather tame and if he wanted to be the All-Might of Villains he would not know where to start. He had only ever seen the soft-core aspects of Villainy and even then it was behind a screen where he was playing the role of Akiyoshi's hero/informant by getting him out of tight spots. This… this was different.

He was currently in his lab working through a formula he had just finished not two weeks ago. It heightened his senses, pushed him on overdrive, pumping adrenaline into his systems and changing his behavioural patterns. It was a drug, a simple pill, something he'd made through extensive research over the two years he had hidden in the background. As Izuku he was meek, susceptible to the common fears of someone his status, but this drug would change everything. It was in his lab that he came across an individual that would change the course of his career.

Thankfully, or not, depending on how one would view it, Izuku had come across a rather particular figure. The man was dressed very formally, like Izuku usually did now, but his whole body shimmered in a midnight blue fog with piercing viridescent eyes. Izuku had been working in his private lab and had not expected this visit. His body sprang to action and pulled out a quirk suppressant gun. Akio had pushed for him to have it on him at all times considering the company, although hit by hard times, did not mean it was any less rich and it still made him a target.

"I am not here to hurt you," the man said in an all-business tone.

Izuku nodded but otherwise didn't take his hand off the gun. He lowered it enough to show his understanding but only enough so that if the man made a move he would have time to shoot.

"Forgive me if I don't quite believe you," Izuku replied politely. He had been going through speech therapy and it really helped pull up his confidence know that he could speak without the stutter. It all had to do with confidence he reminded himself. Whoever this man was he would not take him down because he had a goal to accomplish now.

"It's entirely my fault for dropping in so abruptly. Do not apologise."

"As much as I adore the pleasantries can we get to the point? I don't think you came here to simply apologise about it."

Izuku was on edge. No one treated him with respect like this. He was a 14 year old kid, and although he knew his own mind was brilliant, they were all adults with years of experience on him. Even with his status as heir he was only a child to them. This man obviously wanted something.

"You're right. I was chosen as the emissary from the League of Villains."

Izuku's heart skipped a beat and he realised his expression had betrayed his thoughts once more. He pulled his face back into a neutral state but it was too late to hide his apprehension. The man seemed to notice but held out a letter anyway.

"Why does it feel like I'm being invited to a wedding?" he asked as he looked at the rather elaborate black envelope.

"Should you come it would be akin to your commitment to marrying our cause," the man mused. "My name is Kurogiri, and you may call for me using this remote when you feel ready to come."

Izuku took the smaller than a phone device and nodded his understanding. The villain politely said his goodbye before leaving the boy to his thoughts. Izuku looked at the device with ambivalence. He had never done anything truly villainous before in his life and he was just an ordinary person. How he came to this situation baffled him. By all means his life should have been a monotonous one. After all why would villains or heroes even want a quirkless child on their side? The only thing Izuku knew he had was a decent head on his shoulders, but other than that everything that had happened to him was because of external circumstances. Whether those circumstances were good or bad he did not know.

He wondered what his life would have been like had he not encountered Akiyoshi that fated day 4 years ago. Despite his love for this world shattering he did not regret it. Akiyoshi had given him everything… he had given him reason. Izuku had a purpose now and it was to make the man's memory proud and to do that he would stage the biggest 'fuck you' to the world. He would flip society on its head, throw lemons at them like life itself, and force them to show their resolve.

The world had broken him and he would break the world.

Heroes and villains all would be exposed for who they truly were. He would bring the truth out from the darkness. He knew society would label him as a villain but he would be more than that… he would be something entirely different. He wasn't going in to commit random acts of cruelty- no everything had to be planned. Everything he would do would be to expose truth behind those heroes fake masks. He would be the equaliser in a world of heroes and villains. Izuku didn't realise a manic smile had taken over his face until he noticed Akio's worried look.

"Izuku-chan?"

Izuku turned to Akio, his eyes were steely and she noticed a sense of fire, of purpose, that often shone in her late brother's. She couldn't help but be startled by it- reminded of Akiyoshi, and for a split second she saw him in Izuku.

"You've made up your mind on something haven't you?" she asked with a warm smile.

"I'm going to join the League of Villains"


Crap… was the first thought he had when he went through the dark portal. He had resolve now, but that didn't mean he still wasn't sourly over his head. What 14 year old could say that they had joined the League of Villains? He had barely composed himself when he entered in with his traditional white shirt and green vest-suit. His mother always poked fun at how 'mature' and 'adorable' he looked in it but Izuku didn't pay her any mind. This was the only style of suit he would ever wear. It was the first suit Akiyoshi had bought him and he only every ordered suits from that specific tailor with these specific materials. He thankfully had the money for it.

Despite the formal attire, a billion dollar business backing him, and his growing knowledge in many fields, Izuku still felt inadequate. There was something humbling- in a terrifying way- to be in the midst of several older, much more experienced villains. It was in that moment of looking at the intimidating crowd that Izuku knew, despite his obvious panicking, that he would have to climb the stairs so to speak. He wanted to become the final boss that wouldn't be easy task, just like it would be the play both the heroes and the villains simulatenously. In a way this was his heroes' quest- his journey to the top, and it was only until he reached his position as the final boss that he could achieve his ending goal.

He discreetly popped one of his pills. He could feel the instant kick of adrenaline in his systems, his mind clearing into absolute focus, in a state of hyper-drive. He felt confident. If anything were to happen he could handle it with the help of the drug. He could do anything!

"This is the Trickster's brat?"

Izuku looked at Tomura with an expectant smile, eyes glinting with anticipation. He had talking without stuttering down, but he was still an open book to read. He knew now that because he was in such a tentative situation, that he would have to get acting down to a tee. He did not have the same goals as the League of Villains and he didn't intend to follow them, and so he would have to play it safe. Akio had told him that their purpose was simply a world without the symbol of peace. They wanted to rebuild it in their image- whatever that entailed. It wasn't like they outlined whatever their 'image' was. He was playing a dangerous game, but games were only fun if they were dangerous.

Izuku didn't want their dream. Out of all the heroes, he knew that All Might was one of the few worthy of the title hero itself. The man embodied the values of the title he claimed to be, while others abused it, treating it as some sort of occupation or a means to power. Humanity was full of vile individuals and he would weed them out. He would force them to show their true colours. Villains were just another stain on the world- but at least they were bearable. They did not pretend to be good and although they were still pieces of shit, Izuku could deal with their honesty. He was honest too because just like them he recognised how ruined of a person he was. He would act as the litmus test and he would expose everyone to their true nature. Currently the test was being offered to Shigaraki.

"Tomura Shigaraki-san, it's a pleasure to finally meet another gamer," Izuku said with a smile as he held out his hands, a wild grin on his face.

Tomura noticed the insane glint in the boy's deceptively innocent seeming eyes and he couldn't help but smile. This boy was wild and he knew it. No one ever held out their hands for him, and although he could see the kid was shaking in fear, he could also see the sheer excitement in those murky green eyes. He, in a sign of connection, shook the boy's hand, making sure his thumb didn't connect so as to not activate his quirk. That was enough for the boy's nervous smile to turn sickeningly bright. He had known. The brat had known his quirk and he still held out a hand. Shigaraki was impressed.

"Oh great another crazy brat," Giran grumbled, "I knew he took after Akiyoshi."

Izuku looked at the man named Giran and he knew the man to be the broker Akiyoshi had gone to visit before the tragic events that followed on the day. Izuku didn't know what to think of the silver haired man other than the fact that he sort of resembled Akiyoshi but without the good looks. He wore a suit, although it was an eccentric purple colour and he had that same scruffy appearance.

"We aren't going to baby-sit a kid are we? I didn't sign up for this," Yami Uma grumbled.

Izuku hadn't noticed this man before in his talks with Akio about the characters he would be meeting. The man wore an over-large jumper but the odd thing about him was his charred black face, hair seemingly mangled to make a point at the back of his head, and the too wide mouth filled with razor sharp teeth. He looked too much like a serial-rapist for Izuku's comfort but the boy knew not to judge because his own appearances had taken a change for the worse. He was thinner, if that was possible, his skin was paler and he had dark bags under his once healthy eyes. Sleep had not come easy when 214 people haunted your nightmares. Izuku was still visiting all their graves.

"Thankfully you won't have to-" he said trailing off when he didn't catch the name.

"Yami Uma, remember it brat."

"Yes as I was saying, I will not need a baby-sitter," he said trying to keep his voice level but betraying some of his exasperation. The pill had made it easier for him to voice his thoughts without fear but it hardly helped put a filter through his already scattered mind. "I don't have much of a physical use to your cause as much as I do with my wealth and knowledge. I have come to propose an agreement of sorts so that we both benefit. So my ideal situation would be that I'm only ever called in important situations."

Tomura scratched his neck in annoyance. "Don't become all stiff like Kurogiri. I wanted a gamer friend," he whined.

"Sorry Tomura-san but my only spare time is during Saturday afternoons as I have other duties. It was one of the reasons I wanted to discuss my extent of involvement in this League."

"We understand that you want to be kept discreet, and it is to both our benefit that you do," Kurogiri said with a knowing look. "Sensei has already looked into your case and your help will be required from the shadows."

Izuku let out a breath of relief. Kurogiri seemed the most reasonable out of all the villains and he enjoyed that. He understood that his position was less than ideal for the villains. They wanted someone who could stay for long periods of time undercover, analysing hero quirks and spying on the enemy. Izuku knew that if he really wanted to, that could be arranged, but he had other more pressing problems. He was still a kid and even he acknowledged his lack of influence. He had too many responsibilities for a person his age and one of them was learning to take over a massive business. It was integral for his success, not to mention the legacy of Akiyoshi Torio, and now it was his responsibility. He would take up part time villainy once he had the time to, but until then he would seep his influence into the world and ground it firmly.

"I will agree to come if you call me at least a day prior or if it's an emergency," Izuku finally said coming to the logical conclusion. "Considering my only current use would be quirk analysis and battle tactics it shouldn't be often that I'm needed in an emergency."

Mr Compress finally spoke up. "That is well and all child but we have no proof of your worth. I propose you plan something for our hench-men to accomplish. Should they be able to with success achieve a worthy hurdle through tactic rather than brute strength then only shall I accept you."

Izuku felt growing frustration but kept it down. People often underestimated him because of his age and he knew that their apprehension was understandable but it was still annoying. He knew his own limitations and strengths well but they didn't. For all they knew he could have simply only inputted advice towards the Trickster's late plans and not have come up with it by himself. Izuku knew that Akiyoshi had taken most of the reigns back then but then again he was only 12 and he was new to the business. He had a year's worth of hard experience now to back him up, and while it wasn't as long as the others, he was confident in his analytical skills.

"Of course, it's only fair that I prove myself," Izuku agreed. "I want a general overview of all the pawns you have in your arsenal."

"Ooh, you want to use the mob?" Tomura asked as he scratched his neck.

"I want the expendable ones," Izuku confirmed with a growing smile. "We'll give the heroes a little ultimatum and obliterate them with our pawns alone. It should knock them down a peg or two."

"Are you sure you don't want to add a mini-boss in there?" Tomura asked. His interest was aptly caught.

"Of course not Shigaraki-san. It's only level 1 after all."

"I like this kid, can we keep him?" Tomura asked Kurogiri.

"That was the plan," the bar-tender nodded. Izuku swore he heard a twinge of amusement in the man's tone.

Tomura turned back to the grinning child and decided to put out a time limit and an objective. A game wasn't fun without a goal to achieve and some loot in the end. He took out the file Kurogiri had prepared beforehand should Izuku have joined and handed it to the child.

"The Quartz mask?" Izuku asked with a raised brow. "Isn't this the mask supposedly worn by one of the first heroes? What use would the League have for it?"

Tomura laughed in excitement. "Isn't it great?! It was made from the hero's quirk and we can recreate it once we get it back."

Something clicked inside his head and Izuku shot up in wonder. Recreate. The League of Villains apparently had a way to re-create and possibly give others quirks! The idea in itself sent Izuku's mind reeling with possibilities. Did that mean they could only give Emitter and Transformation quirks or was it possible to give someone a Mutant quirk? How would that be possible when Mutant quirks require pre-disposed genetic mutations to allow for the abilities? How does one even transfer a genetic mutation from one individual to another? Was there a certain genome that they could spark under controlled circumstances to trigger the mutation?

"Kid you're mumbling," Giran grumbled as he cleaned out his ears.

"Sorry," Izuku apologised despite his voice not seeming sorry at all. "It's just so amazing! Think of the possibilities that could rise from something like this? Is it a device? A scientific method? Oh- no I got it- there must be someone with the ability to transfer quirks! I know some people have the ability to copy quirks so is it something similar to that? Can you give someone a quirk that already has one? What if the quirk negates the pre-existing one? What if-"

"Kid, we get it, you're excited but please shut the fuck up," Yami Umi grumbled in frustration.

"I suggest you use that inquisitive nature to formulate a plan. Once you've proven yourself we can answer your questions," Kurogiri sighed.

"How about we add a bonus goal?" Tomura asked with excitement. "I'll tell you a really big secret objective if you accomplish your task without any villain fatality."

"You're on," Izuku agreed instantly before he realised the time. "Hmm, I have an appointment in five minutes. Can you please take me back Kurogiri-san?"

"Of course," the man said as he pushed the bar- door and opened a portal.

Izuku stepped through with the man and found himself back in his personal study. A shiver of excitement and trepidation went down his spine. He had joined the League of Villains. He was going to use the League of Villains. It had been 2 years and he was finally going to start his mission. The game had finally begun and if he screwed up on level 1, he could count himself unworthy of his cause. No- he would win and when he did, it would be a complete annihilation of the enemy and he would get the bonus objective.


Woo-wee. This chap was hard to get out. It took a while to write and I kept changing things, trying to keep things open so the plot will remain flexible. Not to mention doing it all while I had to move houses. Don't blame me for the lateness. I didn't have internet for a week so I couldn't post it even when I finished writing it. It was actually a learning experience and I think I lost a few kilos after getting off my butt and actually doing some grunt work around the house.

Anyway... Izuku finally joins the League of Villains. I'm not planning to keep him there forever as you can already see although he's not going to leave anytime soon. It's just the start of his villainous career after all. He's fourteen now so a lot has changed with his character in two years. He doesn't stutter anymore and he's gained a lot more confidence in himself although the pills only help enhance those features about himself. In the next few chapters we'll get to see Villain Izuku's debut performance into the limelight. Also I'm not going to have him take the Trickster's title. Izuku is playing it safe. He doesn't want attention on his civilian identity and having a second trickster would put attention on him so he's going for a different route. Also Akiyoshi had always encouraged him to find his own path so Izuku is just doing what he would have wanted him to.

As an added warning this story will become a lot darker in the following chapters. Remember to review! I love reviews!