Ch 25 - Sounds Like a Reprimand

"What's this all about?" Neon asked grouchily as she rubbed her tired eyes, "Did you need an audience for a public flogging?"

"Your imagination knows no bounds," Edgeshot replied dryly. He had pulled her out of her hospital bed and practically dragged her to the next room where the boys were recovering in. If he had any sense of pity for her wounded leg, he did not show it in any way, "Just take a seat."

Neon pursed her lips and sat on an empty bed to the left of the room, closest to the door. She leaned her crutch against the bed frame and waved to the other patients in the room. Tenya sat at the edge of his bed, next to Neon's, with both arms wrapped up in thick bandages. Midoriya was in the bed on the other side of the room, across from Neon with Todoroki in the bed beside his.

"Morning…" she mumbled, "Did you guys have a terrible night's rest like I did?"

"Yeah..." the boys said hesitantly back and cast a confused look at Edgeshot. What was this all about and so early in the morning too?

"Oh! Are you kids all awake?" Gran Torino asked, entering the room as well with Manual by his side. The old man glared at his intern, "Kid! I've got a lot of complaints for you."

"Is he here yet?" Edgeshot asked his fellow pro heroes and Manual nodded.

"Who's here?" Neon asked.

A man walked into the room, looming as large as All Might. However, instead of a winning smile and blonde hair, he had the head of a sullen hound, complete with brown and white fur.

"This is Hosu's chief of police, Tsuragame Kenji," Gran Torino said.

"Tsura-san?!" Neon gasped.

"You know the chief of police?" Todoroki asked.

"You know...you visit an establishment a couple of times, you get to know the owner," Neon said with a wince.

"As a criminal or as a victim?" Midoriya couldn't stop himself from asking.

"Do you even have to ask?!" Neon shot back, "Of course, a victim."

"R-Right...The kidnappings…" Midoriya said.

"Nis-No..Nagano now, correct? We can exchange pleasantries later, woof!" Chief Tsuragame replied.

Midoriya's jaw dropped and Neon chuckled. That woof always made a great first impression.

"You must be the UA students who brought down the hero killer, right?" the chief asked.

"Yes," Todoroki answered.

"Regarding the hero killer we arrested...He had fairly serious injuries, with burns and broken bones, and is receiving treatment under strict guard. Woof!"

"Since you are UA students, I'm sure you already know that when Quirks were still being introduced as the norm, the police attached high importance to leadership and standards and made sure Quirks were not used as weapons...And then, the profession 'hero' emerged to fill that gap. Woof!"

"Well, yeah. If I could use my Quirk freely, I wouldn't have to enroll in the hero course," Neon grumbled and earned a withering look from Edgeshot.

"For an individual's use of force and power that easily kill others... ," the chief continued, "Actions that normally would be appropriate to denounce...to be accepted officially is thanks to early heroes who followed the ethics and rules of the profession. Woof! Even up against the hero killer, for uncertified individuals to cause injury with their Quirks without specific instruction from their guardians or supervisors is a clear violation of the rules. Woof!"

I knew it…Neon sighed, No good deed goes unpunished in the world of adults.

"The four of you...and the pro heroes Endeavor, Manual, Gran Torino, and Edgeshot must receive strict punishment. Woof!"

"Wait!" Neon shouted as she and Todoroki both jumped out of their bed, "Why the hell is Shishou getting punished for this? I get I ran off so that's my mistake. Not his!"

Edgeshot blinked and his head turned to eye his pupil. He expected an outburst but not for that reason.

"If Iida hadn't done anything, Native would've been killed," Todorki added with fury, "If Midoriya and Neon hadn't come, the two of them would've been killed as well. No one else realized that the hero killer had appeared. Are you saying we should've followed the rules and watched people get killed?!"

"W-Wait," Midoriya said as he tried to calm down his friends.

"Are you saying that as long as it turns out all right, it's okay to bend the rules?" Chief Tsuragame asked.

"Why can't you change it or make exceptions based on special circumstances?" Neon asked, "Ugh! That's why you guys frustrate me so much! People made the rules in the first place. It's not a natural law like physics! Man-made laws can be changed!"

Chief Tsuragame sighed. "You guys are still kids with a mentality of one. That is why you are not a full-fledged hero yet. Goodness, what are you being taught by your teachers? Woof."

"What?!" Neon roared as she and Todoroki started for the Chief.

"STOP! He's absolutely right," Tenya called out.

Edgeshot threw out his arm to block Neon from proceeding any further. "Wait a minute. Let the man finish."

The chief heaved a great sigh. "That was the official opinion of the police...and the punishment and such would only happen if this were all made public. Woof!"

Neon blinked. "Huh?!"

"If this were made public, you would probably be applauded by the public...but you would not be able to escape punishment. On the other hand...And I'll admit this is a bit underhanded, but if it is not made public, the burn scars and broken bones on Stain would support Edgeshot and Endeavor being the heroes who saved the day...and it would end there. Woof. Thankfully, there were very few witnesses. This violation could be crushed here. Woof! But this would mean no one would know about your good judgment or achievements. Which do you prefer?"

"Obviously, the latter," Neon said and begrudgingly sat back on her bed.

"Personally, I don't want to be the one to find fault with promising young ones because of one big mistake," the Chief said. His tongue rolled out the side of his jaw and he gave them a thumbs up, "Woof!"

"Either way, we will need to take responsibility for being negligent in our supervisory duties," Manual said with an apologetic smile.

Tenya bowed to his supervisor. "I am truly sorry."

"Yosh!" Manual said, "You'll cause trouble for others if you behave selfishly. If you understand that, then don't do it again."

"Yes, sir!"

"I-I'm sorry," Midoriya said with a bow to the adults as well.

"Please take care of it," Todoroki was all he could manage to say.

Everyone in the room then turned to Neon expectantly.

She scowled instead. "Change the stupid law."

Thwack!

"Owwww. I'm a patient!" Neon snapped at Edgeshot, who in turn shoved her head down to a bow.

"Don't be childish," he said.

"Fine...I'm sorry too..."

"Because of the unfairness of adults, you will be able to receive the praise you would have probably gotten but at least…" the chief said as he bowed too, "As someone who also protects the peace, I can say thank you."

Todoroki frowned and he looked to the wall. "Please start with that next time."

"Oh! Shishou!" Neon said as she jerked up to a standing position, "Did you find that hand guy? And the warp guy?!"

Edgeshot nodded. "Ah...but they left just as I arrived…"

"You saw Shigaraki?!" Midoriya exclaimed.

Neon nodded. "Just after Stain rescued you from the flying Nomu…"

"So there is definitely a connection between the League of Villains and the Hero Killer," Todoroki murmured as he folded his arms across his chest and moved back to his bed, deep in thought.

"Please leave the investigation to us. Woof!" the Chief said, "And get your rest."

"Ah...I'll let you take it easy for now, kid...but once the hospital releases you, it's going to be business as usual!" Gran Torino shouted.

"Y-Yes!" Midoriya exclaimed while Edgeshot just gave Neon a chop on the head.

"Ow! What did I do now?" Neon asked.

"A pre-emptive strike," Edgeshot said as he made his way to the door along with the other adults, "I'll come back for you tomorrow...You can rest for today. And don't worry about Ito-san. I've already spoken to her. She'll stop by my office tomorrow and drop off your new phone...I explained to her the situation and told her that you've learned your lesson. Don't make me out to be a liar."

"Thanks, Shishou," Neon said. When the adults closed the door behind them, Neon turned to the boys, "Can someone lend me their phone?"

"Do you need to call your brother, Neon-san?" Tenya asked and Neon nodded. Tenya's arms fidgeted in his double sling, "I would...I would offer you my phone but…"

"You can use mine," Midoriya said as he pulled out his phone but when Neon reached for it, it began to ring.

"Ah!" Midoriya yelped as the screen flashed Ochaco's name and his face turned red.

"Go. Take the call," Neon chuckled and then held out her hand towards Todoroki, "Can I borrow your phone?"

"...Sure," Todoroki said as he hesitantly went to the neat pile of his folded clothes and retrieved his phone.

"Something in there you don't want me to see?" Neon asked and then was taken aback when Todoroki averted his eyes and held out his phone, "Look. I'm not going to pry. I just need to dial a number but if this makes you uncomfortable-"

"Take it...It's fine," he mumbled and unlocked the screen. When he handed it to her, Neon couldn't help but laugh. He had put a picture of a lucky cat as the phone's backdrop.

"That's so cute," Neon said.

"My...older sister put it there for me...And I never bothered to switch it out…" Todoroki stated.

"It's fine if you think it's cute," Neon said.

She grabbed her crutch and walked out of the room, following in Midoriya's footsteps to the lobby where calls were allowed. She saw him talking nervously on the phone with Ochaco as she dialed her brother's number.

"This is Nishiyama Koushi speaking."

"Hey. It's me."

"NEON! Are you okay? I heard the news and was going to come visit as soon as I was done with morning meetings."

Neon smiled. "Just the thought is enough. No need to bother. I only have a scratch on my leg."

"Th...That's good. I was very worried but Akia was very hopeful. She said she was sure you were the one who took down that Hero Killer and that the other adults were just jealous of your talent."

"Ha! Tell her thanks for the vote of confidence," Neon laughed.

"Why don't you call her yourself? And why are you using someone else's number?"

"Yeah...My phone broke during the incident…" Neon admitted, "I'm getting a new phone tomorrow. I just wanted to call to let you know I'm okay."

"If you need anything…"

"I'm fine," Neon said, "Let Akia know once my leg heels up and I'm done with my internship, I'll come visit."

"I will."

She hung up the phone and saw that Midoriya had finished his call too. He had his phone hugged tightly to his chest and he was looking up at the heavens as if they had just bestowed upon him the gift of light and immortality.

"First time talking to a girl on the phone?" Neon asked as she went over to him.

"Ah! Neon!" MIdoriya gasped, almost tripping over his own crutch.

"Careful," Neon laughed, "Come on. Let's go back."

They returned to the room and when they did, Neon could tell something was wrong by the look on both Todoroki and Tenya's faces. They sat at the edge of their own beds with their eyes looking solemnly at a point in the ground.

"What's wrong?" Neon asked as she closed the door behind her.

"Iida...just finished getting examined," Todoroki said.

Tenya took a deep breath, "My left hand might have long-term damage…"

Neon felt like the floor disappeared below her and she stumbled to find her balance. "What kind of damage?!"

"Both of my arms are pretty beat up," Tenya said, "But it looks like the damage to my left arm was especially severe. There was a damage to my brachial plexus. But it just means that I'll have trouble moving my hands and fingers...I might also experience some numbness. Apparently, there's a possibility that it can be healed with nerve transplant surgery."

"Then...when are you getting it?" Neon asked quietly.

Tenya smiled grimly. "When I found the hero killer, I stopped being able to think. The first thing I should've done was tell Manual...But I forgot myself in anger. It's unfortunate to admit but Stain spoke the truth. Being taken in by the hatred before you and trying to fulfill your own desires...That's the furthest thing from what a hero should be. That's why...until I become a true hero, I think I want to leave my left hand as it is."

"IIda…" Todoroki said.

"If that is your decision...I'll respect it," Neon said as her eyes moved to Tenya's bandaged arms.

"Iida-kun...I understand how you feel," Midoriya said as he raised his right hand for them to see the scars and janky digits, "Let's...become stronger together."

"I...uh...feel kind of bad…"

"Huh?"

They all turned towards Todoroki, who stared at his own hands. "I feel like whenever I get involved...other people end up having their hands messed up...Is it a curse?"

"Are you serious?" Neon asked.

Todoroki nodded with too much solemnity.

Pfffffffft!

HIs friends laughed at his observation and then Midoriya pointed at Neon. "That's just like you with your cheering curse!"

Neon snorted. "Yeah but I had an unbreakable streak of 4! Todoroki only has 2 to base his theory on."

That sent them into another round of laughter while Todoroki just stared.

"I'm...not joking. I'm like the Hand Crusher or something."

"H-Hand Crusher?" Tenya and Midoriya howled.

"Stop!" Neon shouted as she doubled over and clutched her stomach, "Ow...My side…"

She lost her balance and she fell to the ground still laughing while her crutch clattered by her feet.

"Neon!" Midoriya and Todoroki gasped as the latter rushed over to help her up.

"I'm okay," Neon chuckled as she wiped the tears from her eyes, "Thanks...Shit...I hope I didn't open up my wound. Shishou will kill me if I delay my internship anymore…"

"I did notice that he seemed quite strict with you...In a good way," Todoroki said as she leaned up against his bed and tucked her crutch back under her arm, "He seems like a good teacher for you."

Neon shrugged. "I just wish he'd be more straightforward. Just cut to the chase, you know?"

"Well...the way that he was asking you all these questions yesterday," Midoriya said, "It feels like he'd rather you figure it out for yourself."

"I guess," Neon said, "What are your supervisors like?"

"Old...," Midoriya said sheepishly.

"Pleasant," Tenya said.

Todoroki shrugged. "It's my old man so…"

"Okay...I guess wrong crowd to ask," Neon laughed. She nudged Todoroki with her elbow and handed him back his phone. "Thanks for this, by the way."

"It seems...the relationship you have with your family has improved," he said.

"Yeah," Neon said, "Turns out my brother and I just needed to talk things out. I finally heard his side of the story and we're working to better understand each other now. My father's still a dick though."

Tenya choked on the water he was drinking and Midoriya's eyes widened at Neon's words.

"What about your mother?" Todoroki asked.

Neon sighed. "Akia's my half sister...Her mother is my father's second wife...My mom died when I was little...Here...In this hospital actually."

"WHAT?!" Midoriya gasped while Tenya just looked at Neon in quiet contemplation.

"Oh...I'm sorry," Todoroki said.

"It's okay. It happens," Neon said with a shrug and then she looked over at Tenya, "What about your parents? Have you heard from them?"

"Ah…" Tenya said, "Actually, now that I've received my diagnosis, the doctor has given me clearance to leave today. I'll be returning to my house and recuperating there. You are welcome to come as well, Neon-san. My mother has asked me to invite you to dinner."

Neon held up a hand. "I don't want to intrude on your family time...I'll stay here and wait for Shishou. Tell your family I said hi."

"I will," Tenya said.

Neon then pointed her finger upwards. "What about your brother? Are you going to visit him?"

Tenya shook his head and looked down at his arms. "I...I don't want him to see me like this. I'm sure my mother will tell him what had happened but...still…"

Neon sighed and she sat a little bit further on the bed and leaned back to put less weight on her foot. "And you, Midoriya? Your internship is farthest away from home, right? How's your mom handling it?"

Midoriya looked down on his bandaged limbs. "My...mom is worried but she wishes me the best and told me to work hard on my internship."

"That's a good mom," Neon said and Midoriya smiled weakly.

"I've done nothing but let her worry this whole time…"

"Crap. I totally brought down the mood," Neon sighed as she sat back up and clapped her hands, "Okay! Does anyone want to see the porn I found saved on Todoroki's phone?"

"WHAT?!"

"Kidding!" Neon stuck out her tongue and grinned at the horrified boys, especially the one sitting next to her, "But that totally changed the mood, right?"