CHAPTER 10:
DREAD
They say that waiting is the worst part of a battle, that tense moment, like the so-called calm before the storm. Having been a veteran of many, many battles, as human, vampire, and wraith, I can tell you that it is far from the worst part of battle. The worst part often involves some grievous injury, or falling into some humiliating situation.
However, I will agree that waiting can be agonising in its own way. You anticipate the coming clash in many ways, often considering your own defeat and demise. Samuel Johnson once said that the prospect of being hanged in the morning focuses the mind wonderfully, but another author of this world, Terry Pratchett, pointed out that the mind tends to focus on the fact that you will be hanged(1).
Izuku, for all his nervous nature, had his own way to focus away from his fear and anxiety. Analysing Quirks, and those fighting with them, helped bring his mind under rein. It meant he could focus on that, rather than on his coming match with Katsuki Bakugou. This wasn't out of fear of Bakugou: despite the little bastard's desire for Izuku's demise, Izuku knew he outmatched him in many ways. Izuku had formulated ways of stopping him since the sundering of the vestiges of their friendship. No, he was just nervous of demonstrating to the world why he should become a Hero.
Even so, he had little way of knowing that events elsewhere were coming to a head, something that would impact him and his friends…
Himiko smiled to herself, having enjoyed the fight between Izuku and Todoroki. As much as she had faith in her boyfriend, she also knew that Shouto would be one of his toughest opponents. She was sitting between Itsuka Kendo and Ibara Shiozaki. "Your boyfriend did well against Todoroki," Itsuka observed.
"They were both holding back," Himiko said.
Neito Monoma decided to make himself known. As much as Himiko hated the smug bastard, he seemed genuinely curious rather than his usual condescending nature. "How so? It's obvious Todoroki held back his fire abilities, but Midoriya…well, leaving aside not using any lethal abilities, he didn't seem to be holding back per se."
"He could have ended that sooner," Himiko said, shooting Monoma an annoyed look. "I think he wanted to give Todoroki a fighting chance, and to be fair to Todoroki, he's a skilled fighter. You'd have to be, with Endeavour training him. He'd probably curbstomp me in a fair fight. The way he used that ice is the result of years of training. Now, you can copy Quirks, and so can I, but it doesn't mean we can use them as well as those who've had them all our lives."
Monoma harrumphed quietly, but Itsuka shot him a warning glance. Ibara, meanwhile, asked, "Himiko, what do you think will happen when Bakugou goes up against Kirishima? I believe the term would be 'immovable object versus irresistible force'."
"True. It really depends on whose Quirk outlasts the other," Himiko said. "Bakagou, despite what I call him, isn't stupid. Hotheaded, yes, but stupid, no. At least when it comes to fighting, anyway. Dear Izuku has been studying Bakagou for years, long before they broke off their…well, what passed for their friendship. It was entirely one-sided, really, with Izuku looking up to Bakagou…and Bakagou looking down at him, for being apparently Quirkless."
At this, Monoma looked thoughtful. "Quirkless? Or so he thought? Well, we live in a society which looks down on those with less than stellar Quirks…or no Quirks at all," he said, his tone oddly sympathetic.
"And those with flashy Quirks, no matter how destructive they may be, are put on a pedestal," Himiko sneered. "I mean, look at me or Hitoshi. Our Quirks are considered those of Villains. But Bakagou? He could demolish an entire house, and the mouthbreathers would applaud." Himiko chuckled bleakly. "Sorry, Ibara, but being virtuous is optional to being a Pro-Hero."
"I am not blind, nor am I naïve, Himiko," the faith-driven teen said. "I am more than aware of Pro-Heroes who do it for fame or riches. Indeed, that is partly why I decided to become a Pro-Hero. I wanted to show that one could rise to the top and still be virtuous."
Himiko nodded absently, though she felt her vine-haired peer was still naïve, to some degree. "Personally, I think the next matches after that would be more interesting. I've got to face off against Yaoyorozu, and Iida's got to fight Tokoyami. Now, Yaoyorozu's not too shabby with close range combat, especially if she has time to create a weapon with her Quirk. As for Iida…"
"He was a formidable foe," Ibara remarked. "But I would have expected no less from a scion of that family. Still…despite his attacks, he seemed distracted."
"Distracted?" Himiko echoed. The rather stiff and straitlaced teen seemed to be the very definition of focus, so whatever distracted him, assuming Ibara was right, was something strong…
Izuku was noticing the same thing, even as the match between Bakugou and Kirishima began. Tenya was beginning to worry him. "Hey, Iida, are you okay?"
"Hmm? Sorry. I called my brother earlier. He was busy with work, patrolling the streets of Hosu, so he couldn't watch my matches. I tried calling my parents a little while ago, but they didn't answer."
"Hosu?" Izuku frowned, trying to think about why that name sounded familiar, before he paled, half-remembering a report on the news last night. "Wasn't the Hero Killer thought to be newly-arrived in the area?"
"I believe so," Tenya remarked.
Izuku shivered. Ever since Hitoshi brought up the Hero Killer, Stain, Izuku had done research on the infamous Villain himself. There was little known about him, but what was there scared Izuku. The only known photo of him was a blurry screencap taken from a CCTV camera, showing a lean face swathed in bandages, and a shock of messy black hair held back by a bandanna. The way those bandages clung to his face suggested some sort of deformity or injury, and he carried a small arsenal of knives and swords with him.
Izuku had read a rumour on one BBS that Stain was originally the Vigilante Stendahl, who had dropped off the radar shortly before Stain appeared. While that was a possibility, Izuku couldn't be sure they were the same person, though the hypothesis held some merit. Stendahl was fond of using blades, and there were rumours of a Quirk that Stain could use to his advantage.
Still, he hoped Ingenium would be safe from Stain. Stain's manifesto was apparently railing against Pro-Heroes who did their work for fame or fortune, and Ingenium was noted for his charity work, above and beyond the call of duty. Then again, if Stain was really as insane as he was rumoured to be, he probably didn't give a shit.
Izuku looked at Bakugou as he began wearing down Kirishima. He shuddered as a highly attractive image of Stain standing over Bakugou's mutilated corpse flashed through his mind. Izuku fought that down with a grimace.
Lately, he'd been viewing Bakugou more and more as a lost cause, someone who was sinking ever more into his own ego. Maybe it was Bakugou's vicious beatdown of Hitoshi. Izuku knew that if Midnight hadn't intervened, Bakugou would have done worse, even killed him. As it was, Hitoshi was still being kept under observation by Recovery Girl, and Izuku was trying not to worry about his friend.
But Bakugou…Izuku realised that the boy was little more than a barely-restrained mad dog. Intelligent, yes, and surprisingly patient, despite his hotheadedness. But Izuku knew that Bakugou was getting worse.
Still, Izuku didn't intend to draw out his fight with him like he did with Shouto. He respected Shouto as a person. All he respected about Bakugou was his strength and skill. He intended to finish his bully swiftly.
Still, it wouldn't be that easy. Each Glyph did need a brief window to activate, and telekinesis might not work, if only because Bakugou was good at using his explosions to manoeuvre in mid-air, and it might allow him to break free. But if Bakugou still led with a right hook, then Izuku would have a chance to deal with him quickly. Countering that would give Izuku the chance to follow up with whatever he wished. Maybe the Force Glyph might work. Anything to end the bout swiftly. The longer the match dragged on, the more Bakugou would sweat, and as his explosive sweat was the basis for his Quirk…
Using the Rope Trick Quirk was out of the question. He hadn't used it on Shouto in case Shouto decided to use his fire Quirk to burn it away, pride or not. And Bakugou had seen him use it anyway, during the time Izuku saved them both from the mugger with the Soul Reaver.
Izuku nodded. He had a basic plan. And he would ensure he won against Bakugou swiftly, out of necessity. In truth, Izuku wanted Bakugou to be humiliated all the more for what he did to Hitoshi, but prolonging the bout to do that wouldn't work out. Maybe it would make the explosive teen hate him all the more, or maybe it would serve as a much-needed wakeup call.
The fight between Bakugou and Kirishima came to an end, with Bakugou standing triumphantly over Kirishima's battered form. He then turned and left once his victory was announced. He looked up at Izuku, and smirked. You're next, Deku, he mouthed.
Izuku merely looked down at him, his eyes hardened. He knew that would rile the explosive teen no end. The thought of being looked down upon by anyone was a massive no-no to Bakugou. Even though Izuku, until their friendship had finally been sundered for good, had done nothing but look up to Bakugou. And Bakugou had abused that goodwill, up until he denounced Izuku as a Villain.
You'll learn, Bakugou, Izuku vowed. You'll learn that you're nowhere near the top of the tree. And you destroyed our friendship. Well, you reap what you sow…
It was a shadowy alleyway in Hosu, but the shadows didn't hide the blood lacing the area like gory graffiti. A shadow moved around a sprawled, supine form in what appeared to be armour. "I don't take that much pleasure in this, Ingenium," rasped a voice. "You may be a fake Hero, but you're better than most. You just had the bad luck of coming across me while I was dealing with them."
His audience couldn't respond, being unconscious. The figure moving around Ingenium gave a shrug, before continuing with his work. "They came to me, you know. Forms burning with green fire, looking to make me their slave…" A convulsive shudder wracked his form. "Hash'ak'gik…Hash'ak'gik…he torments me still…he and his underlings. They'd never believe me, the threat they pose to the world. Even now, I wonder whether I'm defying them, or just doing their work anyway…"
No response once more. The shadowy figure sighed. "You, I'll let off lightly, as a warning. Crippled…but if you're a true Hero, then you'll find a way to make it work. But this one…there's worse out there than fake Heroes. No, there's those who willingly sell their souls to them. THEM! THOSE WHO CLAW AND SCRATCH AT THE WALLS OF REALITY, EYES BURNING WITH THE GREEN FIRES OF MALICE! Or slide their tentacles into the hearts and souls of men, false gods who hunger for death!"
The echoes of his screaming died away, and he panted. "Damn…got carried away there. Someone probably heard that. Oh well…I'm nearly done…"
Minutes later, the police and a few Pro-Heroes were on the scene, looking over the crime scene in horror. The perpetrator, watching on from hiding, knew what they'd be seeing. Ingenium got off lightly: he could be saved if taken to hospital quickly. But there was another, a man he knew worked for Detnerat…and for the true enemies of the world. That one, he had took his time with, and it was while dealing with him that Ingenium chanced upon him.
The Detnerat lackey, he had turned into a variation of the Blood Eagle, his lungs pulled out through his mutilated back, but aside from that, he had forced the man against the wall, and painted skeletal wings on the wall behind him, in the man's own vile blood. It was a message to those he intended to go after in earnest. Even if he was the only one he could count on for his crusade, he would not falter.
Still, there was some hope. Just before his encounter with Ingenium and the Detnerat peon, he'd seen, on a massive TV, the UA Sports Festival. He sneered in contempt, a new batch of fame and fortune-seeking fools who would meet their end, either by his blade, or at the hands of a Villain, or worse, influenced by the very enemies of the world. And yet, he saw, during the battles, a boy with a shock of green hair, wielding a sword of energy. The voices that plagued him had been stilled into fury by the sight of it. Fury…and fear. The Soul Reaver.
As he perched on a nearby rooftop, he sensed something appearing behind him. He whipped out one of his blades, and aimed it at the interloper. "That's far enough," he rasped, turning his head slightly to peer balefully at the one intruding on his vigil. A dark, smoky mass, constrained only by a natty suit, like that of a bartender, and glowing eyes.
"My apologies," the entity said, his voice deep, but his politeness sincere enough. "I am Kurogiri. Your reputation precedes you, Stain the Hero Killer."
Stain's eyes narrowed. "I'm sure it does. Your body may seem insubstantial, but I know there's something there, and my blades thirst for blood. So get to the point, Kurogiri, or I'll stick you with this point."
"Very well. I am charged with the stewardship of a young man whom I wish you to meet. Once you two have met and said your piece, you may leave. I will even let you escape here first, before contacting you again(2)."
"…That's it? I heard rumours about you being involved with that impulsive attack on UA," Stain rasped. "Still…I won't say no to a free ride…as long as I make myself clear that any treachery will end poorly for you."
"Understood," Kurogiri said, before his glowing eyes went over to Stain's latest message. "I find myself curious, though…who are the Hylden?"
Stain grimaced. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you. Let's just say that Heroes and Villains are just sideshows compared to them…"
CHAPTER 10 ANNOTATIONS:
So, some more discussions with Izuku and Himiko, and now, we finally have Stain…only, Stain's a little different to canon. Instead of being the brutal Hero Killer from canon, he's got a somewhat higher purpose…though he's even more insane. He's got a bit of Rorschach in him now, only he's been touched by the Hylden. We'll learn details later.
Review-answering time! Dragon Man 180: He has met Eri already, but he hasn't thought about that. Remember, Shouto, thanks to his father, is a bit socially inept. He might make her a little unicorn ice sculpture, though.
WearyCurmudgeon: The speech is actually something of a logical progression for this version of Toga. In the canon manga, she expresses a desire to live the way she wants, though that seems to be born of the despair from her Quirk, and thus her, being treated as monstrous. I think she really wants acceptance (something driving a few League of Villains members, like Magne and Spinner), and because Izuku gave it to her early on, it helped change the direction her character was taking. Here, she's basically able to say "Fuck you" to a society that forced its own preconceptions onto her. Toga has already gained acceptance from many. Izuku, Hitoshi, Janos, All Might, Inko, her classmates as well as her friends in 1-A…you get the picture, I'm sure.
Okay, so, Harmony Gold are behind Robotech, amongst other things. Good to know. No wonder Macross rights are a mess. I heard about them through a dub they tried of Dragonball, but I forgot they were behind Robotech...
LoamyCoffee: I agree that Sir Nighteye's canon self is an arsehole (admittedly, I'm not that far in either the manga or anime yet), but I believe part of that is because he's sceptical about Izuku's potential as All Might's successor. Here, because Izuku is not (and All Might has gone with Mirio), plus the influence of Janos and the closing of the Overhaul case, has made him…I hesitate to say a lighter character, but he's a little more open. Still stern and harsh, but he holds a soft spot for Eri in particular, and he thinks Janos' project of taking in people with bad pasts and helping them is a worthy one.
I can't remember whether that was a deliberate 'we' for the Hylden, or else for the Flames of the Hylden. Sorry. As for Dabi…well, let's just say this Dabi is a lot more clued-in. Rather like Stain, as you've just seen…
1. This comes from one of my favourite Discworld novels, Going Postal.
2. There seems to be a gap of several days between Stain's attack on Ingenium, and his 'debate' with Shigaraki, given that Stain and the Nomu attack Hosu during the internships, at least some days after the UA Sports Festival. This is my attempt to address this continuity error: Kurogiri makes the initial contact by this point, but offers a longer meeting at a later date, which Stain accepts.