It's a long one! I've hit a small snag in my writing, so hopefully I will have a new chapter for next week
Chapter 10
Shortly after the Sports Festival, they were given an opportunity join a Hero Agency as an intern. Many of his fellow classmates received requests, asking them directly to come to their Agency. Deku received a few, making his choices slim. In the end, he decided to join Tokoyami to train under the Hawks, the Winged Hero.
Being at a Hero Agency wasn't quite what he had expected. There was a lot of grunt-work involved, lagging behind Hawks' sidekicks. But it wasn't an entirely bad experience. He learned the inner workings of the Agencies and their drawbacks. It wasn't until Kurogiri sent him a summons, asking him to meet back at the base, that things started to get interesting. After finishing their training with Hawks for the evening, Deku slipped away. Drawing the hood of his sweatshirt up over his head, he carefully made his way to the part of town where the seedy old bar lay hidden. When he arrived, Shigaraki and Kurogiri were already waiting for him.
"You weren't followed?" Shigaraki asked.
"I could have warped you here if you were a bit closer…."
"It's fine," Deku said, lowering his hood. "No one followed me. So, what was so urgent that you called me back?"
"I have finally found that man you wished for us to recruit." Kurogiri handed him a newspaper. The headlines were all about the Hero Killer that had been running rampant lately. Stain. "He should be here shortly."
Not long after Deku arrived, Kurogiri's Warp Gate opened up. The assassin, with wild black hair and dressed in dark clothes, his arms covered in bandages, stepped out. His heavy steel-toed boots had spikes on them, adding to his threatening appearance. He wore a tattered red scarf and a bandage-like mask over his eyes. Numerous daggers were strapped to his body and a sword on his back. Deku could feel the dark bloodlust emanating from him. It sent a chill straight through him.
"You are the ones who wanted to talk to me, huh?" he grumbled. "I'm a busy man. What do you want?"
"Mister Stain," Kurogiri began. "We will cut straight to the point. We would like you to join the League of Villains—"
"For what purpose?"
"To kill All Might," Shigaraki cut in.
In a flash, Stain lunged, dagger flashing. He sliced Kurogiri's arm before knocking Shigaraki to the ground. Deku leaped out of the way, barely dodging the tip of the blade as the assassin swiped at him. Before Shigaraki could react, Stain drew another dagger and lodged it deep in the man's shoulder. He licked the blood off his knives. Kurogiri froze instantly, unable to move.
"So, you want to add me to your numbers?" he scoffed, leaning over Shigaraki. "No matter what you want to accomplish, it is necessary to have conviction and desire. Those without it and those who are weak will be weeded out. It's only natural. That's why it turns out like this."
"Ow…that's too rough," Shigaraki muttered. "Kurogiri. Take this guy back."
"I-I can't move my body. It must be his Quirk."
"This warped society covered with hypocrisy and vanity…to all who are called heroes—I will make them take notice. In this society overgrown with fake heroes, where the world itself has lost its true meaning, and the criminals who wave their power around idly should all be purged."
"I agree," Deku said, stepping forward. "That's why I asked Kurogiri to bring you here."
Stain scowled up at him, his red eyes gleaming. "And who are you? You're just a child."
"My name's Deku. I've been wronged by this society of fake heroes, just like the others here. We wish to change the way this world works—revolutionize it. Isn't that what you're doing? You're only attacking heroes who joined the profession for the money or the fame, not the ones who genuinely want to help people. That's what we want, to stand up for the outcasts and downtrodden."
"You…you're different from this one," he said, gesturing to Shigaraki. "You have conviction. Criminals without should just be purged."
As he inched one of his daggers closer to Shigaraki's neck, the edge nearly touching the hand that always rested over his face, Shigaraki snatched the blade.
"Hold it. Not that hand," he grumbled. His eyes gleamed dangerously behind the fingers that hid his face. The metal dagger began to crumble under Shigaraki's fingers. "I'll kill you."
Stain hesitated.
"You sure talk a lot," Shigaraki said, a wicked grin spreading across his cracked lips. "Conviction? You're right. I don't have anything grand like that, not like Deku. If I had to say…yeah, it'd be All Might. I feel like I really want to completely crush this society where trash like that gets worshiped."
Something in Shigaraki's expression sent a chill through Stain. As his dagger turned completely to dust, he leaped back, just before Shigaraki could touch him. He held his dagger defensively, ready for an attack. Shigaraki straightened up, covering the knife wound in his shoulder.
"My last injury was finally about to finish healing, and we don't have a healer in our party, you know." Shigaraki started scratching his neck. It was neurotic tick he possessed. He was unable to control himself. "Will you take responsibility for it?"
"So that's the kind of man you are," Stain muttered.
"We don't quite see eye to eye," Deku said. "But I can assure you, our goals are the same—yours and mine. We want to change this world."
"Our goals may somewhat align," he said, glancing at Deku. "But I my ideals oppose his." He nodded to Shigaraki. "However we can both agree on one thing—to destroy the present."
Shigaraki staggered forward. "Stop messing around. Go home. Die. I'm the kind of person you hate most, right?"
"I was testing your true motives." Stain slid his dagger into its sheath. "People show their true colors when they are on the verge of death. It's different, but there is 'desire'—a warped sprout of conviction living inside you. How will you bud? It might not be too late for me to wait until after I've seen that to dispose of you."
"You're gonna dispose of me?" Shigaraki glanced at his comrade. "Kurogiri, I don't want someone this crazy as a party member."
"Don't be so rash," Deku said. "He would be a great asset if he joins us. Stain-san, won't you reconsider?"
"You," he muttered. "You may look like a child but I can tell you've seen darkness, like this one. Your ideals are strong. Perhaps, if our paths cross again, we might be able to negotiate. But not with your partner as he is. My business here is done. Now, return me to Hosu." He licked his lips, eyes gleaming dangerously. "There are still things there I must attend to."
Kurogiri's Warp Gate appeared before the door and Stain stepped through the vortex. Once he was gone, Deku breathed a sigh of relief. He hadn't even realized he was holding his breath. The atmosphere in the bar had turned hostile quite quickly after he arrived. Though the Hero Killer had not agreed to join them, there was still a way to use him—if he played his cards right. Shigaraki may be the figurehead so-to-speak, but Deku was the brains. He came up with the plans and Shigraki executed them. That was the deal. And if things went according to plan, they might be able to double their numbers. All thanks to Stain.
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He hadn't expected Shigaraki to overreact. Deku had thought his eccentric partner could be rational, but it seemed that wasn't the case. Not tonight. Shortly after he had left the bar, Kurogiri and Shigaraki followed Stain back to Hosu. Wanting some fresh air, Deku had decided to walk back to the dorm where Hawks' hero agency was housing him and Tokoyami. But he didn't get very far. In the distance was a loud explosion. He turned to see a plume of smoke rising above the tall buildings, the glow of fire illuminating the dark sky.
Deku turned on his heel and ran toward the commotion. He hoped it wasn't what he thought it was, but he knew better than to hope. Shigaraki had probably lost his temper. As he neared the epicenter of the chaos, he spotted three Nomu running amok in the city. Despite the neon signs glimmered brightly, the plume of black smoke and bright glare of the fires blotted them out. Shigaraki was certainly making a statement, but he was endangering innocent lives. He was acting out, like a spoiled child. As he was racing toward the commotion, that's when he remembered that Iida had taken an internship in Hosu City. And though he had not admitted it, Deku knew it was so he could find the Hero Killer and take revenge for his brother. Iida was smart. After seeing the chaos, he would have figured out it wasn't Stain's doing. The Hero Killer was probably taking advantage of the situation, completing his business in the shadows. And knowing the Class Rep, he was probably searching for him.
He quickly turned. Using his boosted physical abilities, thanks to Sensei's drug, the raced through the city. It enhanced his muscles, allowing him to run faster than he ever could in middle school. He searched every back alley he could. Even though he had joined the League of Villains, he didn't want any unnecessary deaths, especially his classmates. A glimpse of movement caught his attention—a dark man wearing a scarf the color of blood, looming over another man in white armor. He darted toward them, swinging as hard as he could. He felt his fist connect, a solid hit to Stain's jaw. The punch knocked him away from his classmate, lying helpless on the ground.
"Mi…Midoriya-kun?" Iida said in disbelief.
Deku cursed under his breath. He hadn't come prepared for this. He wasn't wearing his hero costume, he had come in jeans and a green hoodie. The only part of his hero costume he had was the metal mask he used to cover his nose and mouth. Deku wasn't even a "hero." He was technically a villain. But he stood his ground. He would not allow unnecessary death.
"How? How did you find me…?"
"They talked about it on TV. Sixty percent of the Hero Killer's victims were found in places without many people. That's why I searched away from the center of commotion in the alleyways near your internship agency." He glanced over his shoulder. He had to get Iida out of here. If they lingered, it would lead to an extended fight and Stain might blow his cover. "Can you move? We need to get to a bigger street so the Pros can help."
"I can't…move my body. Ever since he cut me…I think it's his Quirk."
A twisted grin spread across Stain's masked face.
"Midoriya-kun," Iida said. "Don't get involved. It has nothing to do with you!"
"Coming to save a friend?" Stain asked. "Stand aside, boy. I have a duty to kill him. If we clash, of course, the weaker will be culled."
His words and the look in his murderous eyes sent a cold chill down Deku's spine. They were the eyes of a hardened killer. He had felt it when they met at the bar. Despite their earlier meeting, the Hero Killer was obviously not going to be lenient. It didn't matter now if he had conviction or not, or if their ideals aligned. They were enemies if Deku stood in his way.
"So, what will you do?" Stain asked, his sword glinting in the light.
"Midoriya-kun, run!" Iida shouted at him. "I told you it's none of your concern—"
Deku rushed forward with a boost of speed. As Stain's sword swung toward him, his left hand quickly unsheathed a dagger. But Deku was too quick. He ducked, sliding under the slim opening between Stain's legs. He kicked off the ground, leaping over the villain and swung. The blow hit him hard. But despite the solid punch, Stain merely stumbled slightly.
"Are you stalling?" Stain said, regaining his footing. "Why do you stand in my way?"
"I don't want unnecessary bloodshed. People who haven't had time to grow, to properly choose their path—I won't allow you to kill them."
"Hmph. You have clashing ideals, boy. That weakness will get you killed."
In a flash, Stain was upon him. Deku barely managed to dodge his sword, ducking below a second dagger as the killer swung with his other arm. Stain was right. He couldn't hope to survive this fight, not if he had resolved to fight emptyhanded. he glimpsed the murderer lick his knife. A strange feeling jolted through him, making his limbs freeze in place. That must be how his Quirk worked! He had to ingest the blood. But…when did Stain cut him? He hadn't even felt it!
"You are an enigma, kid. People who are all talk are worth a dime a dozen. But you would be worth sparing. You're different from these guys."
Stain stalked toward Iida, the tip of his crooked sword inches from the Class Rep's face.
"Stop!" Deku shouted. "What happened to letting them bud? Don't kill someone who hasn't had the chance to grow!" Stain lifted his blade to strike. Deku could feel the heat of his black flames swirling just below the surface, begging to be released. He didn't want it to rampage. But if he didn't act, Iida would die. "Stop it!"
Stain raised his blade to strike. Deku's vision turned red. He screamed in rage and frustration, his control on his Quirk slipping. Black flames exploded outward, shooting across the killer's path. Stain leaped back, narrowly avoiding them. Still immobilized, Deku stood there, glaring at the murderer standing before him. His chest was heaving, anger seething within him. He had never felt so angry before. It was like his Quirk was fueling it, adding to the blaze's strength. The paralysis only lasted a few minutes longer before Deku regained mobility.
"Midoriya-kun! What's happening?" From his position, Iida couldn't quite see him. All he had seen were the sudden flames.
That's right. He had to be careful. If he wasn't, Deku could blow his cover. Discretely, Deku pulled out his smartphone. Holding it behind his back, he quickly sent a mass message to his contacts, including only his location. He would stand his ground, feign his need for assistance. If one student was able to take down the Hero Killer, that would be quite suspicious. He couldn't afford that. He glimpsed some broken glass near the dumpster. Taking a step forward, he pulled his hand inside his sweatshirt sleeve and picked up the largest shard he could find. Stain was right. He couldn't fight emptyhanded. He gripped the glass tightly. The fabric of his hoodie did little to protect his hand from the sharp, jagged edges.
Deku rushed forward, slashing with his weapon. Stain was taken aback by his sudden burst of speed. He had felt it once before, when he had fought Kacchan during their training exercise—exhilaration. Facing a strong opponent head-on, wanting to fight them, he was burning with excitement. He kicked Stain in the chest as hard as he could. The killer stumbled. Deku drove the shard of glass into the man's leg, embedding it deep. He could feel it slicing through muscle. It gave him chills. Slowly a grin spread across the boy's face, his eyes glowing red in the moonlight. His Quirk was consuming him.
He hardly felt the pain of the glass cutting into his hand. After the physical agony he had endured at the end of middle school, it was nothing. Besides, thanks to Sensei's drug it would heal soon enough. Stain drew his dagger, plunging it into Deku's shoulder. But before he could pull it out and lick Midoriya's blood, Deku leaped back, dagger still buried deep. As Stain advanced, a plume of bright fire shot from the back of the alley, forcing the Hero Killer back. The sight of the flames shocked Deku, wrenching him free from his Quirk's hold. The crimson in his irises melted back to green. He turned. Todoroki stood there, phone in hand, his left side engulfed in his own flames. Had he seen the black flames? Had he given himself away? Stain scowled, annoyed that he was being interrupted yet again.
"Midoriya. You need to give more details in times like these," Todoroki said. "You made me late."
"T-Todoroki-kun, you too?" Iida said, shocked. "Why are you here?"
Deku was just as surprised. He hadn't expected Todoroki to show up. His father's agency wasn't even in Hosu City. Though neither was Hawks' and yet here he was, trying to save Iida.
"Why? That should be my line. It took me a minute to figure out what your message meant since you sent just your location info. You're not really one to send that for no reason. You meant that you were in a pinch and calling for help, right?" Ice shot from his foot, creating a barrier between the Hero Killer and his victims. Todorki rushed forward, simultaneously shooting fire from his left hand. "Don't worry. The pros will also get here in a few minutes."
While Todoroki distracted Stain with his ice and fire, Midoriya launched himself forward. Stain sidestepped him, elbowing him hard in the jaw. Deku gritted his teeth against the pain radiating from his shoulder. He had left the dagger, knowing that if he pulled it out now it would increase the rate of blood loss. But now it was becoming a nuisance.
"Get back, Midoriya!"
He leaped back just as spikes of ice shot toward them. Midoriya stayed just out of reach of either of them.
"His reactions are too fast! He's able to avoid both my ice and fire," Todoroki said. "Midoriya, our best option is to avoid close combat and hold on until the pros get here."
He hated to admit it, but Todorki was right. Deku nodded. "I'll keep him distracted, so you support me from behind."
"That's a pretty big risk, but you're right."
"Two against one," Stain muttered, "It won't be easy."
Deku darted forward with his enhanced speed. He slashed at Stain. His sleeve was already stained red, blood running down his arm from the wound in his shoulder. Ice shot forward from the opposite side, blocking the Hero Killer into the alley. But as the fight dragged on, the more erratic Stain's movements became. Like Deku before him, he was being consumed by the lust for battle. He was a string opponent. Though he was faced with two opponents, he was able to avoid the majority of their attacks. He sliced through Todoroki's ice with ease and dodged his fire. Deku's quick movements kept him on the ropes. Seizing a small opening, Stain charged toward Todoroki, his sword arcing up to slice him in two. A blur of white shot forward and with a clang snapped the blade in two.
"Recipro Burst!" The engines in his legs firing at full blast, Iida kicked the villain again, knocking him away.
"You're free?" Todoroki said, relieved.
"Todoroki-kun, Midoriya-kun, this has nothing to do with you, and I apologize for getting you involved. That's why I can't allow you two to bleed more than this."
"It's no use trying to be reformed for appearance's sake," Stain said darkly. "A person's essence does not change easily. You will never be anything but a fake who prioritizes his own selfish desires! You are a cancer to society that warps the idea of 'heroes'. And I will be the one to set you straight!"
"You're an anachronistic fundamentalist," Todoroki said. "Iida, don't listen to the logic of a murderer."
Now that he was fighting three, something in Stain's movements changed. He was becoming desperate. He was trying to accomplish his task before the Pros arrived, all while fighting off three powerful hero students. Stain's way of fighting was to get in close, cut his victim and immobilize them by ingesting their blood. But with them all fighting defensively, he didn't have the opportunity to use his Quirk to stop them. With the three of them working together, they could do it! Iida launched forward, boosted by the engines in his legs. At the same time, Deku kicked off with his enhanced speed. They were too fast for the killer. Iida kicked him hard in the side just as Midoriya's fist struck him in the jaw. In the brief second when they were both out of reach, Todoroki's flames shot skyward, engulfing Stain. The murderer hit the ground hard. The three of them stood defensively, waiting for the next attack, but it never came. Stain was unconscious.
"Let's restrain him and get out to the street," Todoroki said. "Is there anything to tie him up with?"
"Just in case, we should take all his weapons off him," Deku agreed.
Iida managed to find some rope in the dumpster nearby and the three of them restrained him. Stain had more weapons on him than Midoriya had imagined—an obscene amount. As Todoroki and Iida checked the hero Stain had originally attacked, Deku quietly backed away. One hand on the wall of the building, he crept toward the back of the alley, seeking to disappear into the shadows.
"Midoriya-kun, you were hurt pretty badly," Iida said, standing up. "Let's take a look at your arm."
But when Iida turned to where his classmate had been, Deku was gone.
"Midoriya?" Todoroki glanced around. "Hey! Midoriya!"
All that was left was a streak of blood smeared across the wall. His classmates shouted his name urgently, but Deku remained hidden. He couldn't afford to let the Pros find him at the epicenter of the fight. Iida was alive and that was good enough for him. For now it would be best to disappear into the shadows before the Heroes arrived.
Remember to leave a review! Chapter 11 coming soon!