Hey guys, I told you I would upload on Wednesday and I did! Barely.

This took a lot out of me and I really hope that you all have enjoyed this journey. I do have some other project notes but I will save that for the end.

As always I own nothing but my plot and I barely own that.

The Cost of Vengeance

Aizawa felt his eye twitch as he read over the report he was handed. He not only knew all of this, but any heroes he trained should have known and expected this as well. With a grunt, he handed the file back to the officer and man saluted before walking out of the alleyway as fast as possible. Looking towards the courthouse only soured his mood further and his scarf quickly yanked him to the rooftops above him. He needed to prepare for tonight's meeting if he was going to prove that his students had let him down instead of the other way around.

Katsuki didn't leave their apartment for the two weeks that followed the aftermath of his rescue. Ochako didn't either but this time she was the one concerned. She had made her peace with everything she knew had to happen and she knew Katsuki would too. She flipped on the television and flipped over to the news. A few minutes later, and the news desk was replaced with live footage of a courthouse and the clammer of reporters each trying to get the story before any of the other reporters could. The noise brought Katsuki out of their room and he slowly walked over to the couch and sat beside her as the court doors opened. Then a group emerged and she gave Katsuki's hand a gentle squeeze when she heard his usual huff. They would both be fine, it would just take some time.

Shoto stopped mid-bite when someone turned the volume up on the television behind him. He turned at the voice talking to the reporters and then he read the text on the screen before turning back to his soba. The promise he had been given almost six months prior had not been broken. The second promise he had been given had been kept as well. With a hum of pleasure at the last spoonful of broth, he left double the cost of the meal on the table and walked out of the small diner without a second glance at the news report behind him. Regardless of whether he agreed with the actions taken there was nothing that could be done now. Justice had been served and there was no point expending any more energy worrying about it.

Talia frowned when she saw Toga kneeling in front of the empty throne. "To- Sakin… You know he isn't there...right?" She winced as the blonde jumped to her feet due to the harsh tone she had started with. "Ra's is gone for a little while."

Toga raised her head and Talia felt a pang of guilt as she saw the redness in the confused girl's eyes. "Why didn't he let me take his place? I was already disguised like him….did he still not trust me?"

Talia stepped closer and put a hand on the girl's head. "He did it because he loves you. He did it because he loves me. He did it because he cares for everyone who stands by his side." She pulled Toga into a hug that was instantly returned with a desperation that made her breath catch for a moment. "He did it because he is Ra's al Ghul. Because Ra's al Ghul's word is law….even to Ra's."

Katsuki exploded through the treeline at the same moment that Izuku's blade bounced off of the wall of ice that had appeared over Tomura. Shoto had woken up first and had understood what was going to happen moments before Katsuki, and that time had just proven invaluable. Izuku held his scimitar loosely by his side and all three of the approaching heroes noted that he didn't sheathe the blade. However, Katsuki didn't hesitate to step closer to him after landing. "You need to put that sword away Izuku."

Uraraka stepped behind Katsuki and grabbed his hand which caused him to relax slightly. "He's right Izuku. This isn't who you-"

"My name is Ra's al Ghul. I am the head of the demon and this man is a serial killer. My duty demands justice." Izuku's words were firm and dismissive, and Katsuki took a half step back until Izuku raised his sword again. Katsuki then launched himself at Izuku, slamming into him moments after he sheathed his blade. The brief embarrassment and anger quickly faded as the two separated and tension-filled the atmosphere once again. Izuku narrowed his eyes and pointed first at Tomura and then Katsuki. "You heroes, will protect a murderer, and attack one who seeks justice for his crimes."

Shoto shook his head. "Killing a murderer for revenge isn't justice."

Ochako nodded and stepped forward. "It makes you just like him." She said it with no hesitation and with such sincerity that Izuku almost felt bad for how hard he laughed.

"In what world?" Capitalizing on the brief moment of shock he stepped closer to Tomura and continued. "Kill one murderer and the number of killers remains the same. But I have killed enough murderers to lower that number. Yet I am not walking around murdering heroes or civilians am I?" He didn't wait for a response before turning and walking a few steps away. "No, I'm not. Because you are right, revenge isn't justice. If you hurt someone because they hurt you then you are nothing more than a victim. But if you hunt them because what they did was wrong, that makes you a protector…..and I would call that pretty heroic."

Katsuki, Ochako, and Shoto all took a few steps towards him to continue the argument before a wet crunch and a distant boom stopped them cold. Katsuki and Shoto both remained motionless whereas Ochako turned and promptly threw up. Katsuki closed his eyes and turned his head away from the sounds of her retching while Shoto prepared to head for the shooter. Before he could, Izuku lowered himself to his knees and held his hands in front of him. "You can choose to chase one of my drones, or you can arrest me and I would not fight you, or you can admit I made the right call and we can end this as friends." Izuku's tone was light and he slowly grinned. "I don't think that any of you will take that last option but it was worth mentioning."

Ochako glared at him, and Shoto shook his head as he reached for the cuffs on his belt, only to be stopped by Katsuki who motioned for the cuffs. Shoto handed them over with a nod before stepping away. Katsuki didn't hesitate once in his steps or when he clicked the cuffs over Izuku's wrists. It was only after he pulled Izuku to his feet and pushed him forwards that he finally spoke. "I'm sorry that I couldn't save you Izuku."

"You helped Izuku become strong enough to survive."

Katsuki shook his head. "No, he died beside his mother. Whatever you have become Ra's, you are not the hero I knew."

The head of wild blonde hair ducking into an empty file room was more than enough reason for Ra's to follow. His smile only faltered at the look of guilt on the frail face waiting for him. "All-Might."

"Ra's al Ghul."

Ra's waved his hand. "Just Ra's is fine. I am surprised you wanted to talk with me. I figured that after my trial that most heroes would be hunting for my head."

All-might rubbed his arm and looked down. "But that is my fault. If I hadn't been so hard, then you wouldn't have become a murderer, and another of my students wouldn't be dead."

The smile fell. "Don't flatter yourself." The words and tone were harsh and Ra's took a breath. "You were right. I tried to be a hero that evening and I failed. I would have died without Ra's al Ghul's power." Ra's turned and reached for the doorknob. "You, Katsuki, Ochako, and Shoto are symbols of peace." He opened the door and grinned over his shoulder. "Ra's al Ghul is the symbol of fear."

Ra's froze as he entered the darkened airplane hangar. "I was left in a cave without a hint of light until light ceased to be anything more than a convenience to me. Besides, I had a feeling we would meet before I returned home."

Aizawa dropped to the ground without making more than a faint thud. "And what makes you think you get to go home?"

"The jury's decision that I acted in self-defense."

"A decision that only happened because none of the heroes present testified against you."

Ra's smiled and raised his hands. "You can check on them if you like, I never did a thing to them."

"Except emotionally manipulating them."

Ra's shook his head. "Then as my shadow, why didn't you stop me?"

Aizawa relaxed his stance. "Why didn't you kill Endeavor?"

"Because that's not how things change."

Aizawa nodded. "I agree."

Ra's jaw dropped slightly and he was left speechless as the pieces clicked together. "You wanted me to kill the League. You wanted-"

Suddenly Aizawa was right next to him. "I wanted to keep my students safe. Do not think I tolerate your actions any more than I tolerated your predecessor's. I chased him out of Japan and if you ever return then I will show you the exact same courtesy."

The surprise only lasted for a moment and then Ra's' grin was back. "Don't worry, everything is in place for you and your symbols to clean up." He walked towards the jet before calling over his shoulder, "make sure you do, and I will have no reason to return on business."

"I don't remember giving you any exceptions," Aizawa growled.

Ra's laughed as he opened the jet's door. "I don't remember asking!

This story has now reached its end and I really hope you all enjoyed this. I am still debating the idea of Izuku's League training as a small story but at least for now, there are a few things currently on the plate before any new stories.

Dreams needs a rewrite. I do not know when but I do want to fix that story, and a re-write is sorely needed.

For Hunter, I need to just sit down and find my inspiration once more.

Hmm, thought I had more projects than that...might have room for that prequel story after all...

Anyways this story is now complete and I hope you all will stick around for the next story that might begin!