I said I'd post this on September 15th or if I hit 3.8k follows. CHAPTER 23, LET'S GO. I hated writing this. I just couldn't think of a good way to wrap the chapter up. Let/s hope 24 works better. 24 is three 8, and 8 is my lucky number. Onto guest reviews!
J Vison
You are one of many who made me feel better about not updating for so long, and seeing my story bring joy is one of the best things I can ever ask for. I wouldn't know about the best, there are good ones out there, but I like to imagine mine is different enough to distinguish it's self among them. As for the move names... We'll see.
ILikeFoxes828
Izuku is a spiteful teen, once you poke him enough. And I am not gonna lie, I enjoyed writing Ochako way too much. A friend thought that was overkill.
Logistiss
Will try the best I can.
Guest
Thank you for enjoying my story.
mob
Ahh, that refreshing feeling when someone notices a reference XD TFS is the best.
That does it for guest reviews. I love to hear your thoughts and hope to hear many more. Also.
I OWN NOTHING! I'M BUT A HOBO THAT SNEAKS INTO THE LIBRARY AND WAISTS TIME WRITING THIS INSTEAD OF WATCHING PORN!
"Hey there!" -regular dialogue
"Who is this guy again?" -inner thoughts
"I AM HERE!" -All Might muscle form
"Time limit is nearing!" -All Might muscle form inner thoughts
This chapter was edited by MightyMack. Thank him by reading Capacitance!
Ochako and Gunhead arrived at Hosu in the starting hours of nightfall, due to a crisis in his city, which had been successfully taken care of. Ringing up at Manual's agency, they've been informed by his secretary that both he and his intern were out patrolling the streets, so they decided to do the same. And if they happened to run into the water hero, then all the better.
"Alright, Ochako, you got your game plan, now it's time we catch your dream man!"
"Please stop saying it like that, sensei."
"How about your soulmate through space and time?"
"Less poetic, but equally ridiculous."
Gunhead wasn't disheartened, and kept coming up with how to call the "fated lovers". Most nicknames made Ochako very warm underneath her costume, but there were one or two that made the girl give out so much heat, Gunhead started seriously thinking of opening a hibachi stand.
It wasn't until later in the evening that something finally happened.
"Help! That person stole my purse!" Ochako was after the man while Gunhead tried to aim with his quirk, before deeming the area too crowded and also gave chase. Both the hero and the intern were passed by a silver blur, who quickly caught up to the mugger, and tripped him with a well-placed foot.
Gunhead caught up to the mugger and the one who stopped him, cuffing him tightly, and then returned the stolen purse. By that time, another hero showed up, the one they were searching for.
"Good job there, Tenya."
"Thank you Masaki-sensei!"
Yup, that was Iida alright. No one could swing his arms like that. Ochako perked up at seeing her dear classmate but blushed when Gunhead sent her a knowing look. She could just hear him mouthing the word "Marriage" underneath his helmet. Ochako was preparing herself to talk to him, but surprisingly, he stepped up first.
"Ochako, it is good to see you here." He removed his knight-like helm, so she could see his expression. And the smile he wore was not real Iida.
"Ah! Y-you too, Tenya."
"How has your internship been so far? I hope you find your choice adequate." Ochako wanted to say something mean about Gunhead, who, she was sure, was listening in on the conversation. But that would be lying. Any marriage starting on a lie was bound to fail- WAIT! WHAT MARRIAGE! DAMN YOU GUNHEAD-SENSEI!
"Um, yea! Gunhead-sensei taught me a lot already, but I can't wait to learn even more!"
"That is good to hear. I hope all our classmates are learning as much."
"Me too. Actually, Midoriya told me that-" Ochako watched Iida's expression darken at the mention of their freckle-faced classmate. She made a mistake. Before she could try to salvage the situation, Iida donned his helmet back on and turned towards Manual.
"Masaki-sensei! Will you allow me to bring this mugger to proper authorities?"
"I don't see why not. Go ahead Tenya. I'll notify the police chief."
"Thank you Sensei!" he helped the cuffed wrong-doer on his feet before escorting him to the police station not far from the block they were at. Gunhead questioned that decision, but Manual quickly explained that this was not the first time Iida brought a person to the station and that the police were completely fine with it.
Ochako stared longingly behind her crush and berating herself for not noticing the signs earlier. Iida was jealous of Midoriya. But why? He never showed it before. Could it be that he overheard about them going out together? That couldn't be right. Izuku never showed any interest in her, nor was she friendlier with him than with Iida.
She forced herself to shake those thoughts away. Gunhead and Manual already decided to stick together for the rest of the patrol. There was just a matter of time before Tenya came back and she could talk to him again. With a determined expression, she followed two pros who resumed their patrolling. Far off behind them, a street lit up with flames
Izuku and the veteran pro were about halfway into their train ride. Izuku tried to read the book slowly, but at some point, he just couldn't stand it and breezed through it. Geezer asked him about the usage of quirks but was quickly shut down by him admitting he was quirkless. No further questions.
He tried delving more into the music, and surfed the hero forums, posting a few troll entries about All Might and his quirk. And then everything changed when the Universe decided to dunk on him with its might.
A tall, lanky, pale green creature with empty eyes and exposed brains crashed through the train, and with it a hero. Izuku recognized him as one of the minor heroes in Hosu City. Gran Torino was on the move, but Izuku was faster.
He delivered a vicious punch at the chest, but it surprised him when the force got absorbed and returned to him. He tanked it, of course, but it still wreaked destruction around him, luckily only causing minor injuries among the passengers.
"It has an absorbing and ejecting quirk. We have to get it away so I can gauge the limit!" Gran Torino nodded in understanding and began zooming around, catching the beast's attention. He then yelled out a taunt and zoomed past it into the open city, with it on his tail.
Quickly checking around to see if any passengers needed immediate attention, Izuku was relieved to see that the cart was mostly empty, and most injuries boiled down to bruises and cuts. He decided to follow the old-timer, and take down the Nomu.
Or at least that was the plan, but it seemed that the old man yeeted himself on the other side of town. And he had the balls to complain about getting mugged. Izuku moved through the city as fast as safely possible, while avoiding the urban obstacles, like cars, trucks, and panicking pedestrians. He was about 6 blocks away from the railroad when he spotted someone familiar.
Ochako was doing her best to help people by making vehicles plaguing the streets weightless and moving them aside, clearing the path for evacuating townsfolk. Manual and Gunhead were doing their best to hold back the rampaging beast with no eyes or upper jaw, yet it still bore a terrifying similarity to the one who attacked them at USJ. But for now, it seemed to be much more focused on widespread destruction.
Suddenly it picked up a car and threw it towards the building, causing chunks of concrete to plummet down towards the evacuees. She released the cars under her quirk and rushed to help, but was assaulted by a wave of nausea. She closed her eyes, not wishing to see what was about to happen, only to feel a gust of wind and the sound of concrete shattering.
Opening her eyes, and the weight fell from her shoulders. In all his glory, his curly hair waving in the wind together with his white cape stood none other than Izuku Midoriya, brushing his gloves and coughing his lounges out from the dust he inhaled.
"Izuku! How are you here?"
"Due to a very fortunate set of circumstances. Say, you haven't seen a green-ish monster, around yay big, being yeeted away by an old midget dressed as a banana?"
"You're saying there's more than one?"
"Yup!" Before Ochako could question him further, she remembered something that slipped out of her mind during all the rush.
"Izuku! T-tenya! He's here for revenge! He's searching for the hero killer!"
Izuku seemed to hesitate a moment before he sighed and gave a nod to her unspoken request. It may have been selfish from her, but Tenya stood no chance against Stain. The only one who could safely stop him was Izuku. But before the greenette went to search for her crush, he ran a fist through the chest of the rampaging Nomu, exploding it's upper body, and giving a much needed breather to the surrounding heroes.
Iida rushed through the city, searching a dark alley after dark alley, slowly losing hope, but not giving up. He will find the hero killer, and he will have his revenge.
"Our revenge."
"Our revenge, yes."
Another street passed by, empty. And another. Then another. One more, void of life. Ano- WAIT! Movement in the shadows! He turned up the speed, preparing to deliver a vicious punch, carrying all of his momentum!
A flash of a blade! He barely managed to dodge underneath, skidding to a stop, and turning to face him. There he stood. Hero Killer Stain, holding up a local hero Iida remembered as Native.
"I found you. I FUCKING found you!" This was it. On this day, he will take justice for his brother!
"Uraraka will have to notice us. She will forget about that green wonder boy."
"Pray tell, youth. Why would you seek me, when even veterans pray to deities to never meet me." Stain was intrigued, but he could already see by his eyes. This youth was not a true hero.
"Say it."
"I came here, as hero Ingenium... To stop you."
"To KILL HIM!"
"But Heroes don't kill!"
"We do. We will do what it takes to get what we want. Ochako, revenge on Izuku! It will all be ours if we kill him!"
"That does not sound right! That is not what Tensei would want!"
Iida was so into his inner monologue, that he was only brought back to reality by a steel boot with spikes jammed to his shoulder, at the same time as a serrated knife. Using both as leverage, Stain somersaulted behind him, and only his timely drop saved him from a slash, aimed at his back.
Stain stepped on him to keep him down, before pulling out his knife, the serrated edge ripping out chunks of flesh. Iida couldn't see it when he gave the blade a lick, but he could feel it when the paralyzing effect took hold.
"I did not think that the rot of society spread so far. To infect even those who carry on their shoulders the burdens of tomorrow. I thank you, youth, for showing me I was too lenient. And take solace. For your death shall not be in vain. Farwell, the last Ingenium."
Iida could just see the flash of silver heading towards him. He tried fighting, willing his body to move, calling out to even the dark voice his mind created. But, for the first time in weeks, his mind was silent. As the steel drew nearer and nearer, Iida's last thoughts weren't that of revenge or anger. They were of sorrow, as the name of her, who he loved slipped his lips.
"Ochako…"
CLANG!
"Damn right Ochako! You better thank her well for this, because without her I wouldn't even know to look for your sorry ass."
"HE'S here! Kill him!"
Voice in his head was right. Izuku Midoriya had arrived!
Tomura observed the chaos unfolding beneath him with an expression of a kid who got the go-ahead to take everything he wanted in a candy store.
"I take it you're not going down there?" asked the ever-present Kurogiri.
"Nah. Stain got me good, I'd just get my ass handed to me. Better to stand back and watch the show."
Tomura liked this. Not only was he causing chaos and mayhem, but he was also associating the League with the Hero Killer. This meant more recruits, more action, and more resources from Sensei. maybe then he can try to capture that super strong student from the USJ. The Nomu made from THAT, under his command would surely spell the end for All Might.
"Now… If only the Nomus managed to kill Stain… That would be perfect. Be prepared, Hero Killer. be prepared to be forgotten."
"When we are forgotten we cease to exist."
"You're such a mood, Kurogiri."
"Thank you."
Stain was used to being feared. He was also used to the ire directed at him by the public. Poor sheep did not know any better. But what Stain was not used to was being ignored.
"Now, Iida. I won't pretend I'm good at feelings, or people. But I can listen. So why in the name of the Creations pointy stick?"
Izuku felt something poke him in the shoulder, and a moment later a throwing knife clattered on the ground. He chose to ignore it.
"I don't have to explain myself to you!"
"So you want me to get Uraraka on the phone, wanna explain it to her?"
"Stop rubbing it in my face!"
Three more throwing knives, one at his shoulder, beneath his knee, and one at his neck, presumably trying to cut open an artery.
"Rubbing what? Her number? I'm the class vice president. I have everyone's number." Another set of knives.
"Ok, just give me a sec here." he turned around and faced the Hero Killer.
"I admire your strength, young one. Your quirk is indeed powerful. Tell me. Why are you a hero?"
Stain peered into the blank eyes of the green-haired youth, hoping against hope to finally find a diamond in the rough, a hero, to surpass all heroes. A true prodigy of the cent-
"Oh, that? I'm a hero for fun."
…
"Excuse me, but WHAT?"
"Is it that bad? My conviction was kinda half-assed and mean spirited before, so a friend suggested I take on this one for a time. But-"
"Being a Hero is supposed to be a life calling! A selfless sacrifice of one's own health and time for the sake of others, to make the world a better place!" Stain was starting to see red. Whether that was due to rage, or a burst blood vessel, he did not care.
"Hey, now, I get that, but c'mon, Heroes have families and hobbies, and their own lives, they should-"
"They should throw all that away, for being a Hero is the greatest honor and the greatest sacrifice a person can make! And yet they demand to be paid for it and compete in pointless rankings. Fakes the lot of them! But you! YOU ARE DOING THIS BECAUSE IT'S FUN? DO YOU THINK LIFE IS A FUCKING GAME?"
"Well, with my luck, I'd expect my game guide would be a snarky gremlin, but no. I don't think life is a game. But I also don't think anyone has any right to demand one person give himself fully because of his choice of profession. It is ok to be selfish if it's not hurting anyone!"
"Heroes taking time off is hurting people!"
"Heroes are not deities responsible for every John, Dick, and Harry out there! They are regular people, who have needs, wants, and dreams! They get hungry, tired, hurt, they need a break! You know what, I'm done. Iida, we're going to find an ambulance, and then I'm going back to Nejire and Ryukyu. How can one evening turn a day into a shitshow?" Izuku turned around and seemed to fumble with something in front of him.
The stain was done with this kid. He just didn't get it. He pulled out his blade and charged the kid. Showing his back to him was his last mistake. He watched as the silver edge advanced towards his victim's unguarded neck. Until that victim turned around, and opened its mouth for parting words.
SWISH!
CHOMP!
SHATTER!
Both Stain and Izuku looked in horror at the remains of the sword falling from the mouth of the green-haired hero in training.
"Oh god no! No FUCK FUCK FUCK! NO! I am not getting aids because I bit into a blade of a serial killer! Iida, you're the kind of guy to have wet wipes on hand, right? Where are they?"
Iida wanted to answer, but he was too busy. As the rant between Stain and Izuku went on, the voice in his head got louder.
"You have to kill them both!"
"I don't want to!"
"But you must! For Ochako!" Normally this would have sent Iida over and he'd start raging on. But it's surprising how much clarity a near-death experience can bring.
"Why would killing him endear her to me? If she loves him, won't killing him do the opposite and drive her away?"
"No! It'll show her that you are prepared to do whatever it takes to get what you want! Even Midoriya said that it's ok to be selfish!"
"If you're not hurting anyone! And when my life flashed before my eyes, it occurred to me that we never asked them if they're dating!"
"Why would you ask them? I know. Is that not enough?"
"No! I must know for sure!"
"Silly Iida. I AM you. I am your fears, nightmares, and terrors. I am the better you, that will not let some broccoli kid stand in the way of his happiness. It is all his fault That we don't have Ochako, that Stain is still alive, that our brother was hurt-"
Now Iida knew for sure. The voice, or better, he was full of shit.
"Izuku!"
"Yea? You found those wet wipes?"
"No! I mean, I have them, but that's not important right now. Did you and Ochako ever date?" There. He asked. What now?
"Now you realize I was right and kill-"
SHATTER
"Aaaargh!"
Izuku was staring at him as if he grew a second head. Stain did not let the chance slip and shoved one of his knives violently into the greenettes kidneys. The blade shattered like all others, and Stain got a few shrapnels stuck inside his hand.
"For fuck's sake, Iida. Don't just say that. Now we have an injured villain. Do you have any idea how much paperwork a hospital has to go through to treat a villain? Or how much it costs the Hero organization to arrange said treatment? Were you listening to anything Manual taught you?"
"Answer the question! For the sake of my fucking sanity, answer it, before the voice speaks again!"
Whether it was because he used a swear word, or because he was genuinely concerned, Izuku decided to spill the beans.
"We kinda did. But that was because she felt awkward around you, and wanted to get used to the company of boys, so you could hang out more. It was nothing but platonic."
It was as if the dark filter over his eyes had shattered. She wanted to hang out more? She felt awkward around him? He thought their outings were perfect! Then again, he might not be the best judge as far as social interactions go.
"I… I think I need help."
Stain just had about enough of being ignored. He threw himself at the Izuku with the ferocity of a wild animal, and unleashed a flurry of slashes with his good arm, breaking knife after knife. He then performed a high kick that collided with Izuku's raised forearm, and a sickening crunch echoed through the street.
"Ok, you need to stop. I am not getting sued for use of excessive force, even if I have an out."
"Fuck you." Stain used his good arm to lift himself and perform a sweeping kick. Izuku jumped over it, and reached into one of his pouches of some zip ties.
"I, Emerald Fist, a hero in training hereby place you under arrest, on the authority of Hero Ryukyu."
That surprised Stain, Iida, and Native, who everyone forgot was even there.
"Ryukyu is not even in this city!"
"No, but she's on her way. I texted her that one of my classmates found you while trying to search for Iida. She permitted me to defend myself, and to send her the location. She can fly wicked fast. Should be here in about half an hour."
"And you think I'm gonna just sit and wait?"
"Yes. Good night."
"Wha-" A chop to the neck, and Stain was out. Ryukyu arrived in 26 minutes instead of 30, and with sufficient restraining gear. And on her heels arrived Manual, Endeavor, Gunhead and-
SLAP
"Now you listen here Iida Tenya! For the last 45 minutes, I was sure you rushed straight to your death and afraid Izuku would be too late. I did not spend a week of my afternoons with his blank face just so you could go impale yourself all willy nilly. From now on, you are gonna tell me when something bothers you, you and I are gonna go for mochi and orange juice after you're all healed up, and you are going to hold my hand when we come and go to school ."
Iida could only nod before he was escorted to the hospital. And despite him being completely fine, Izuku was still checked over by a field medic. Who kept trying to poke him with a needle.
"Ma'am, I am fine, I was not injured in any way, please stop trying to take my blood."
"But I need it."
"What?"
"I SAID I NEED IT!" the nurse flashed a blade from somewhere, Izuku didn't care where. He was just done. He grabbed the hand holding the blade, and raised it above their heads, before leaning in close.
"Hello, nurse. You better listen now. Stain tried to stab/impale/slash me a good few times. And while I barely felt any of it, I am fed up with it. SO, since I highly doubt they just let nurses stab patients and the fact that your clothes are melting, I'm gonna assume you wish to retreat. Goodbye, and may we never see each other again."
The nurse hissed at him before fleeing into an ally, and into the cover of darkness. The next hour or so passed in a blur. Gran Torino with a bandaged leg asking for Mirio's phone number. Endeavor looking scuffed but no worse for wear asking who his parents were. Ochako also thanked him, with Iida behind her bowing repeatedly. Last he remembered talking was Ryukyu, asking him to climb on her back.
All of a sudden he was back in his room at Dragon's Lair, just about ready to tuck in. But once again his room contained something tall and blue.
"Hi, Izuku. Can… Can we talk?" He wanted to say no. He wanted to push her out, and maybe slam the door. Her eyes held the look of concern. He hated that look. it meant he got hurt. It meant people wanted to help. He didn't want help. He didn't need it. He did fine on his own. But, this was Nejire. And she was his friend.
He sat on his bed, before patting the spot next to him. For a moment it was like they were back in the park after Nejire finished the training he gave her.
"So. Defeating your first villain. How did that feel?"
"Surprisingly underwhelming."
"You're talking like Stain was some mugger."
"I survived explosions. Knives don't scare me." She had to admit he had a point.
"Then what does scare you?"
This brought the conversation to a halt. What was he scared of? He survived explosions, punches, blades, fires, being frozen, being stabbed. Was there anything that scared him genuinely? Yes, there was.
"I'm scared of my dad returning."
"How so?"
"As long as he's away, it means he might have left for a reason other than me being quirkless. But now, with the Sports Festival, and now Stain, if he comes back now, thinking I have a quirk, I seriously doubt I'll be able to resist decking him in the face. And if I do… I don't know if I'll be able to hold back."
Nejire decided that was enough talk. She pulled him down on the bed, and they just stared at the ceiling. Eventually, Izuku drifted off, completely unbothered by her presence. He felt oddly comforted by it. His last thought before his mind started painting pictures of hippos and ice cream fishes were:
"Having a friend is surprisingly warm."
I hope I did an ok job wrapping this up. Because it was rough. But that is Stain arc. The next chapter will most probably me filler or half filler. Something. but that doesn't matter, does it? It's in the future.
What I want you guys to do is tell me your favorite moment of One Punch Deku. I am curious to see what you guys enjoyed the most, so if you decide to share that with me, I will be most grateful. Alright, I think that's about it. READ. REVIEW. Let me know what YOU think, and we'll read each other next time. NPGamer out.
PEACE!