[EDIT: 5/18/2021]
A home-invasion at the Yaoyorozu Estate? Tsukauchi thought with a frown as he drove over to their location with his cat-like partner in the passenger seat.
The Mustafu Police Department got a dispatch call from a young man saying that his friend's house had been involved in a home invasion, with that friend being Yaoyorozu Momo. The boy also said that they needed an ambulance, since there were three unconscious boys and that he himself was hurt, due to being shot in the arm, and the other stabbed in the leg.
The name Yaoyorozu was well-known in Japan. Mr. Yaoyorozu owns a hi-tech support gear company, while Mrs. Yaoyorozu was in charge of a bio-pharmaceutical company that made certain remedies for different kinds of Quirk users. To hear that their estate was robbed, while their daughter and her friends were inside and in harm's way...well, Tsukauchi can only hope that none of these kids were hurt too bad.
Hmm...Yaoyorozu Momo. She's a UA student in Class 1-A. Toshi teaches that classroom at times. Tsukauchi's eyes narrowed. His successor Midoriya Izuku is in that class as well…
His cat-headed partner sighed irritably. "Damn, this day just keeps giving us one surprise after another. The Yaoyorozu Estate being ransacked while their daughter and her friends are in there? Sheesh, this day never ends."
"Hmph, yeah," Tsukauchi nodded. "I just hope the daughter of the household and those kids are okay. The dispatcher said the boy who called 110 told her the estate was in total disarray."
"I just hope there weren't any casualties. Are there any more people that need medical attention besides the kids? I wouldn't imagine the Yaoyorozu Estate would be completely empty."
"That's what I'm hoping and praying."
The cat detective shook his head. "Man, I got to say, whoever these robbers were, they're pretty bold in attacking one of the wealthiest families in Japan."
"Yeah. A little too bold, if you ask me…"
"Hmm…"
They were silent for the moment in as they drove to their destination.
"...You think this home-invasion could be related to the same guy?" the cat detective asked his partner.
"...I hope not," Tsukauchi said somberly. "If it is, then those kids are extremely lucky to be alive…"
They continued to drive in silence after that haunting statement.
It took them exactly eight minutes to get to the Yaoyorozu Estate. Along with the detectives, there were more officers, EMT's, and paramedics that trailed behind them. When they finally arrived at their destination, driving past the stone walls to the gate of the home, the security gate was wide open. That right away was the first sign that something was wrong. Once they drove into the property, they could see that everything outside around them looked...empty.
That is, until someone came out of the large front double doors of the estate. It was a young man, limping as he was holding onto his chest, his face beaten and bruised. He also had a green mop of hair...
Tsukauchi's eyes widened at the familiar face.
Wait...that's Midoriya!
The detective almost slammed his brakes, but held back the urge to do so. Instead, he kept his cool at a minimum, and quickly parked at the front mansion's entrance of the looped driveway that circled around the grand fountain of the property. Soon, all the other police cars, EMT's, and paramedics were parked and scattered everywhere on the driveway and on the grass of the Yaoyorozu vicinity, with the luxurious home now looking like a crime scene.
Getting out of his patrol car, Tsukauchi rushed his way up the grand stairway to Izuku, with his feline partner behind him.
"My word! Are you alright?" Tsukauchi asked the greenette in concern.
Izuku recognizes the detective as Tsukauchi Naomasa, which he refrained from saying his name so anyone who was present won't somehow make the connection to All Might.
"U-Uh, yeah! I'm-" He grunted as he held onto his chest where his left rib was. "I'm...I'm fine."
"My goodness, kid, you look like you've been hammered," Tsukauchi said, stunned. "Are you the one who called 110?"
"Yeah," Izuku nodded. "Thank God you're all here. Follow me. The others are tied up by some whip material that one of the Villain's used. There are also three more that are unconscious."
"One of the Villains?" Tsukauchi asked in surprise.
Naomasa's cat headed partner caught up to the two and also asked. "There was more than one Villain?"
"Yeah. Right now though, we got to help my friends. Follow me!" Izuku told them.
Tsukauchi nodded, his expression serious. "Right. Okay then, lead the way."
Izuku led the cops, paramedics, and the EMTs to the Yaoyorozu great hall, with the paramedics and the EMTs treating the other kids. Upon seeing that the whip bind was some sort of tough material, they decided to bring in the jaws-of-life to weaken and crush the material that was wrapped around the girls. The paramedics also got stretchers to place the three unconscious boys on, and led them to their designated ambulances.
Once Mina and Tsuyu were set free, they were led by the police to tell them their account.
"It was like...so scary! I've never been held as a hostage before!" Mina said to the officers, wrapping her arms around herself as she shivered at how close to being in serious danger.
"They were really well experienced," Tsuyu told them. "They took us down and captured us in a matter of seconds, *ribbit.*"
When they freed Jirou, they helped her up, but she then asked them, "Hey, the guy who had electric blonde hair, where did you take him?"
"He's fine, young lady," said one of the male officers. "He's in one of the ambulances."
"Oh, okay. Um...can I, uuuh...see him? Or is that against EMT policy or something?" Jirou asked them a little sheepishly
The other officer, this one being a female cop, smiled at the young girl. "Of course you can. Just as long as you stay clear away from the EMT's doing their procedures on him. Can you walk, though?"
"Oh yeah, I, uh, I can walk." Jirou said as she staggered a bit to get her legs to feeling again.
"Here, let us help you get to him," the male officer told her as she held onto her. "We know which ambulance he's in, anyway."
Jirou thanked the officers as they made their way to the ambulance where Kaminari was being held.
Meanwhile, more EMTs brought in two stretchers to carry Todoroki and Iida, while they used the jaws-of-life on the whip bind that was wrapped around Ochako. When they got over to the two boys, they both groaned back into consciousness, with Todoroki and Iida both sluggishly grabbing their own heads to ease the pain of the hit they received, as well as drowning out the noises that they were hearing from the roaring sirens of the ambulances and cop cars.
"Ugh...what...what happened?" Todoroki asked, feeling the pounding headache that erupted in his skull. He then felt the rising pain of his shot arm, grunting in pain as the bullet wound was still bleeding.
"Ugh...my head…" Iida murmured, getting his bearings together as he felt around on the floor for his glasses. Once he did, he put them on and winced at the piercing pain in his leg. Grasping onto his bleeding stab wound, he tried to pick himself back up, but to no avail.
"Iida! Todoroki! Are you two alright!?" Ochako asked them as soon as one of the EMTs crushed the whip rope off of her.
"Todoroki! Iida! Are you guys okay?" Izuku was hobbling at them at an awkward pace, determined to reach his friends as soon as possible despite his injuries.
Shouto and Tenya both winced at their wounds and from the hammering headache that came from their concussions.
"M-Midoriya...Uraraka?" Iida looked up and saw the scene unraveling around them once his vision came back to him. "W-...Wait, what happened here?" he then saw Izuku's face and gasped in surprise, "Midoriya! What happened to your face!?"
"Huh?" Todoroki blinked and looked at Izuku as well while grasping his arm. His eyes widened at the state his friend was in. "Midoriya? What the hell happened to you?"
"That doesn't matter right now," Izuku assured them. "What matters now is that we get you guys treated!"
"But-" Todoroki grunted in pain, clutching onto his arm.
"The kid's right, Todoroki," one of the EMTs said. "You and Iida need some medical attention."
Iida looked down at his wound. "My word, I feel so...blindsided."
"I hate to say it, but we pretty much were," Izuku agreed with a frown. "It's not our fault, though. Those villains just ambushed us out of nowhere."
"Damn..." Shouto gritted his teeth through the pain in his arm. "They knocked me out way too easily."
"Me too…" Iida said in shame. "They took us severely off-guard."
"Yeah...they really knew what they were doing," Ochako said gloomily as she was helped up by EMTs.
Izuku frowned further, his eyebrow furrowed in thought.
That…'Joker' guy. He thought up the whole thing...and he knows all about us...at least I think he does.
"Hey, is Yaoyorozu and everyone else okay?" Todoroki asked Izuku while he was being helped on the stretcher.
Snapping out of his thoughts, Izuku gave out a reassuring smile and nodded. "Yeah. Yaoyorozu, Tsu, Ashido, Kyouka, and Kamanari are all doing good, although Kaminari got knocked out by one of the Villains. I think I saw Kyouka checking up on him right now."
"Goodness…" Iida mumbled. "To think we were taken down so easily. That's definitely not befitting of a Hero in training..."
Meanwhile, there were more EMTs running around, checking for survivors or others still in bondage. Momo's expression remained grim as they got her out of her tough bindings.
"Thank you," Momo said softly to the EMTs. She then made her way to Izuku and the others, frowning as she looked at their injuries.
"Yaoyorozu! Are you alright!?" Iida asked the vice-representative in alarm.
"Are you okay?" Todoroki asked her as well, his expression showing worry on his face.
Momo just smiled at their concerns. "Thank you for asking, but I want to know if you're all both alright? You two have been hit pretty hard on the head, and are injured quite badly."
Iida saluted, wincing from the pain in his leg. "It is no worry, Yaoyorozu! The only thing that's wounded is the Ingenium name." He gritted his teeth at the pain in both his head and leg as he held onto the former, and held the latter with his other hand.
"Yeah, I'm fine too," Todoroki said, wincing at the sting from his bullet wound. "I just...wished we could've done something." He looked at Yaoyorozu. "I'm...sorry we didn't do anything sooner."
"Indeed. I was just so taken aback," said Iida. "Whoever these Villains were, we've definitely underestimated them."
Momo frowned at the mention of the criminals, glancing down at the floor to hide her shame. "That we did…"
"Hey, guys! Are you all alright?" Mina's voice called out as she and Tsuyu approached the teens.
"Yeah. That was really scary, *ribbit*" Tsuyu said. She turned to Izuku, her face full of surprise. "Whoa, Midoriya! You look like crap!"
Mina looked at Izuku as well, and she cringed. "Whoa, Midori! The leader did that to you?"
"Yeah…" Izuku frowned in disdain upon thinking of that man.
"The leader?" Todoroki asked, his face expressing a little bit of shock.
"My word," Iida said stunned, "What was his Quirk?"
"He…" Izuku paused.
Wait...should I say he's Quirkless? Was he even lying about that?
"Midoriya?" Todoroki said, noticing the bothered look on his face.
Momo looked at Izuku, wondering what he was going to say about the crazed crook.
"...I...don't think he showed us his Quirk," Izuku stated.
"He didn't use his Quirk?" Iida asked.
Momo and Ochako both looked at Izuku in confusion.
"But...didn't the leader say-" Ochako said in question, but Izuku cut her off.
"He could just be lying to us to throw us off-guard," he said as he turned to Ochako. "There's no way he…" Izuku looked uncertain, but he trudged through. "There's no way he could've done this without a Quirk."
"Wait, without a Quirk?" Todoroki said, a little bewildered, with Iida being shocked as well.
"I'm sorry to interrupt you kids, but we have to get these two some treatment," one of the EMTs cut in as he lifted up one side of Todoroki's stretcher.
"Um…" Iida winced at his leg wound. "R-Right…"
"Hold on, Iida, we'll get you something for that," said the other EMT staff as he got to the other side of Tenya's stretcher. Todoroki was carried off as well, leaving the rest of the teens behind.
Once they were gone, the girls all turned to Izuku, a confused Mina looking at him as she asked, "Why did you say that, Midori?"
"Yeah, *ribbit*, the leader clearly said he didn't have a Quirk...right?" Tsuyu asked that last part with uncertainty.
"Yeah...the leader wouldn't say that just for shock value...would he?" Ochako asked no one in particular.
Momo put her two cents in. "Midoriya, while I can see why he would lie, I don't think it's too outlandish for a Quirkless person to beat another individual who has a Quirk."
"I know. I just…" Izuku frowned. "...It's just...it's kind of...well, it's just...scary…"
Is it, though? A Quirkless villain? If there can be a Quirkless villain...could there be a Quirkless hero?
Not dwelling on that thought, at least for now, Izuku looked at Momo. "I mean, yeah, you're right, Yaoyorozu. Quirkless people can be...can be somewhat dangerous threats...if they turn evil, that is." He winced a little bit, disturbed by that possible fact.
Momo seemed to notice his expression, as well as Ochako. Tsuyu and Mina blinked at Midoriya's demeanor, a little confused. Momo, however, thought of an earlier conversation she heard between Midoriya and the clown mask leader.
I bet you would know a certain thing or two about being Quirkless...right...kid?
But...Midoriya has a Quirk… Momo reminded herself. He clearly does, even though he still has no idea how to use it. At least, he doesn't act like he does, and the only thing he can do without breaking his limbs is running at superspeed…"
"Either way," Izuku continued, interrupting Momo's train of thought, "the leader…" he narrowed his eyes as he remembered his name, "...the leader called himself the Joker."
"Joker…" Ochako remembered that name. How could she? She was focused on Midoriya and on how the leader was brutally pummeling him. He said the name clearly when he put the gun in…
She grimaced at the memory.
"Joker…" Momo repeated as she looked at the floor bitterly. She heard it well enough while she was still in her bindings, looking helplessly at Midoriya being beaten by the masked leader.
Joker.
That man certainly lived up to his moniker. He played with us like we were fools, turning us into his own sick jokes…
Not wanting to let her train of thought spiral downward, Momo refocused her attention onto Midoriya.
Midoriya always tells me that I shouldn't think that way about myself. If he can remain positive and smiling, then so should I, Momo told herself with a nod.
"Joker?" Mina asked skeptically. "That's his Villain name?"
"Well, I'll tell you one thing, he wasn't good at telling jokes, *ribbit.*" Tsuyu said with a mumble as she looked down. "He was definitely no Ms. Joke…" She then looked back up at them. "Okay, just so everyone knows, I don't mean that in a pun whatsoever. I think we're all too traumatized to even kid around right now."
"Yeah…" Ochako turned to Izuku. "Are you sure you're okay, De-...uh, Midoriya?"
Izuku turned to smile at Ochako, or at least was trying his best to do so without tearing up. "Yeah, I'm...well, like what Tsu said, I'm just a little scratched up, but what matters is that we're all okay."
The girls all reluctantly nodded at that.
"Still, if he was lying about being Quirkless, then... what is his Quirk?" Mina asked.
Humming in thought, Izuku tried to come up with something...but couldn't think of anything that revealed the Joker's Quirk. The only thing that he could think of is when he pulled off his clown mask halfway to expose that...that twisted smile, he saw a glimpse of his skin...it was stark white. And he had red face paint that covered his lips in the form of a long upside down triangle that contrasted his yellow stained teeth…
He shivered at the image of that smile. It was a smile that showed pure enjoyment in what they do, like an unnatural enthusiasm of wanting to harm others, a sick pleasure whenever someone sadistic takes a person's life…
Izuku didn't think people like that exist...except maybe that Shigaraki guy, but this man took it to another level...
This man, Joker, just radiated pure evil.
"Excuse me."
The green haired boy and the girls all turned to Detective Tsukauchi Naomasa, who came up to them with a notepad and a pen in his hands.
"Oh, hey!" Ochako said with a smile. "You're the same Detective from the USJ incident!"
Tsukauchi gave her a sad smile in return. "That I am, young lady. I do hope that we could've met again in a happier circumstance, but I guess that wasn't meant to be."
He cleared his throat as he turned to look at the rest of the group. "I apologize for approaching you kids with these questions especially after such a traumatic experience again, but I have to collect as much data as I can about these criminals. I'm Detective Tsukauchi Naomasa, by the way, but you can just call me 'Detective' if you want. Now then, can anyone start from the beginning of this crime?"
He gave them a reassuring smile, before turning to Izuku.
Midoriya blinked, before he realized that he was starting with him. "Oh, yeah, uh, right. Well...they were all wearing masks mostly. Clown masks."
Tsukauchi's eyes widened at this. "Clown masks, you say?"
"Yes, Detective," Momo nodded. "They...They've broken into my home and took our money...and...and killed…hopefully not all of my...I mean, thankfully, my parents weren't here at the time, but-..." She looked down with tears in her eyes.
"Hey, don't think about it, Momo," Tsuyu said with a sad frown.
"Yeah, don't...don't think about it." Mina bit her lip. She had no idea what to say or how to say it to try to comfort her friend. What could she say anyways?
"Momo…" Ochako tried to comfort her by slightly holding onto her shoulder.
Izuku chewed on his lip as he felt unsure what to do either. There was no doubt that Momo was feeling terrible for her servants, who must've been more like a family to her at this point, especially the butler she mentioned she had when she was four.
Seeing Momo fight so hard to hold back her tears broke his heart. Times like this, he felt Quirkless; wanting so desperately to do something, but he just didn't know how.
Tsukauchi frowned as he watched Momo struggling to keep it together. "It's alright, Miss Yaoyorozu. You don't have to tell me anything if you're not ready."
"...Thank you." Momo nodded with a choked sob.
Poor Yaoyorozu… Izuku wished he could say something to ease her pain, but he just stood there dumbly, not saying anything as he didn't want to risk upsetting her more.
Naomasa was also feeling pity for the girl as he stood there, his frown growing deeper.
This...this bastard...whoever this criminal is, he didn't need to do this to the poor girl. No doubt she, Midoriya, and the other kids will be left with all sorts of scars after this.
"Excuse me, Detective?" Izuku broke the awkward atmosphere by clearing his throat. "I can try to answer whatever questions you might have. I...the leader talked to me one-on-one, as you can see."
"He did?" Tsukauchi's eyes widened another fraction in surprise and horror.
"Yeah. He was wearing a purple suit, while the others were wearing black suits. But they all had clown masks on, including the leader. Also, one of the leader's henchmen was a woman," Izuku ranted as he racked his memory of every Villain that was there.
"Hm. Why don't you follow me and tell me the details, young man?" Tsukauchi asked Midoriya, his eyes jerking to a more private spot.
"Oh, sure," Midoriya nodded. He told the girls that he would be right back, then followed Naomasa.
Once the two were out of earshot and out of view of the rest of the authorities in one of the hallways of the Yaoyorozu residence, Tsukauchi went straight to the point. "Are you okay, kid?"
Izuku smiled weakly. "Yeah, all things considered."
Naomasa frowned. "I'm sorry you and the rest of the kids had to deal with what happened, Midoriya. No kid needs to go through what you've all been through."
"Well...I just hope everyone else is gonna be okay after this...e-especially...especially Yaoyorozu." Izuku frowned, remembering her face when she had to recall everything that had happened.
"Hmm…" Tsukauchi then sighed. "Well...what's important here is that all of you kids got out of this alive."
"Yeah…" Izuku looked down at the floor. "...I think I was almost about to...to be killed by the leader."
Tsukauchi looked shocked at hearing that info, but intended to hear what Midoriya had to say.
"We...We were ambushed. His henchmen...I think there were ten of them. They all took us down easily, and knocked out three of my friends. ...They-They had guns...they took us hostage. The leader...he taunted Yaoyorozu. She...She created a gun out of her, but that wasn't enough." Izuku's eyes narrowed. "He then...He then let his henchman, who had a Quirk with a rope-whip ability, tie up Yaoyorozu...and he...he almost was about to...to carve her face with a switch-blade."
Tsukauchi made a slight gasp, his eyes wide at that detail.
My goodness...whoever this man is, he's truly a monster.
"But...I told him to leave her alone." Midoriya continued. "And then..he came at me...taunting me…" He looked up at the Detective. "I couldn't do anything. Again, his henchmen had guns and...they would've killed them if I even tried anything. And…" Izuku looked down at the floor as he recalled one thing that Joker said.
I bet you would know a certain thing or two about being Quirkless...right...kid?
"...He...He said some things...about how I would know about being Quirkless…"
If Tsukauchi wasn't shocked before, then now his heart stopped upon hearing that. "What?"
"I don't know...he said he analyzes people...but I don't really think he knows that I...well, was Quirkless."
"...That's...disturbing."
"...Yeah."
"...You don't have to tell me any more, Midoriya, if it's hitting you close to home or...anything."
Izuku shook his head. "No. It's okay." He looked up at the Detective. "I mean, it's your job, right? And besides...it's just mostly him beating me up pretty bad after that point..."
Tsukauchi looked at the boy with absolute sympathy. Anger began boiling inside the man as he thought about how this criminal...no, this Villain, would harm these kids.
"Well...I'm sorry you had to go through that, Midoriya."
Izuku looked down again with a solemn frown and sigh, "Yeah…" eyes narrowing, he then said, "The leader...said his name was Joker."
The Detective blinked. "Joker, huh?" Putting his hand on his chin, he thought of another question that he should ask Midoriya about. "Hm...Midoriya, may I ask you one last question about this...Joker?"
Midoriya looked up at Tsukauchi, "Um, yeah, sure. Go ahead."
"...What was his Quirk?"
Izuku's eyes widened just a bit. "Um...he…" looking down, he muttered, "He didn't...show it to us."
Tsukauchi looked at the green haired boy, staring at him as he noticed his demeanor and tone...
"...Are you sure about that?" he asked.
Midoriya's head shot up to look at the man, eyes now slightly wider again, mouth partially agape.
"Wh-What?" Izuku said in confusion.
"I mean, you sound like you're telling the truth, but...there's some parts of what you said that didn't...sit right with me." Tsukauchi told him.
"Uh...I-...well..." Izuku frowned dejectedly. "...You're right...how did you know?"
Tsukauchi smiled kindly. "My Quirk is being a lie detector, believe it or not."
Now Izuku blinked and looked interested. "Really?"
"Yep. It's pretty handy in the force. And I wouldn't be called Detective for nothing." Tsukauchi softly chuckled.
"...Wow...that's...pretty cool." Izuku blinked again, impressed.
Now Naomasa chuckled a little sheepishly. "Well, I'm glad someone thinks so." His expression looked serious again, "But still...what are you hiding, Midoriya? If it's something about this Joker, we may need to know."
"Well…" Izuku thought about it for a little bit.
I mean...I can probably tell Mr. Tsukauchi about this...I mean, there's no reason for me to hide it. Besides, I'm terrible at lying anyway…
"...The leader, Joker, said...he was Quirkless." Izuku told the Detective.
Tsukauchi froze at that statement. "...He is?"
"That's what I don't know. He could be lying, but...if he is Quirkless, then...he did a really good job leading his henchmen to carry out this whole thing," Izuku said as he frowned.
"...Hm. This sounds...really troubling." Tsukauchi slowly said.
"Yeah..." Izuku went silent for a brief second, when he mentioned. "The henchmen did have Quirks though, but they were using guns...that's kind of a rare thing nowadays."
"Hm. Yeah...judging by the victims' wounds, they either looked to be caused by gunshots or knife wounds. They may have used their Quirks at one point." Tsukauchi lowered his head to mutter, "Our guns laws are pretty strict, so they must've got some smuggled guns from other countries."
Midoriya gritted his teeth in frustration. "I...I really wish I could've done something...something to help save these people from getting killed...I wish...I wish there was something I could do to make Yaoyorozu not feel like...like she was to blame for all of this, or...or something…"
Naomasa stared at Izuku, feeling really bad for him. He frowned at how he looked so defeated and hopeless...he wished All Might was here to pick this kid back up.
Hmm...speaking of, maybe I should call him...or he could be watching the news right-
RIING! RIING! RIING!
"Hm?" Tsukauchi looked down at where his cell phone rang and vibrated, in his pocket. He fished it out and looked at the caller ID.
[Yagi Toshinori]
Naomasa couldn't help but smile softly at the screen. He directed his attention to Izuku. "Hey. Why don't you go back and check on your friends, Midoriya? I gotta take this call."
Midoriya looked up at the Detective and blinked. "Oh, uh, okay, sure." he nodded and made his way back to his classmates.
Once Izuku is about a good feet away from Tsukauchi, the man pushed the 'accept call' button. "Hello?"
"Naomasa! Oh thank goodness you picked up! I'm watching the news! The Yaoyorozu Residence, right? I heard Miss Yaoyorozu and eight more kids were in a horrible home invasion! I want to know if any of those kids are alright!? And is...i-is Midoriya in that estate as well!?"
Tsukauchi sighed solemnly and said to the Number One Hero. "All Might...don't freak out. Now, the situation is contained, but...as for who is in the Yaoyorozu Residence..."
Kaminari woke up with a pounding headache.
"Uuugh...dude…" Kaminari slowly opened his eyes as he sluggishly raised his hand to the side of his throbbing head. He felt some bandages wrapped around his head from where he was slammed on the table by that thug.
"Kaminari!" A familiar female voice cried out next to him.
"Huh?" he looked over to his left and saw Jirou, sitting next to him with a worried expression on her face.
"Kyouka?" Kaminari said in surprise.
Jirou gave out a sigh in relief. "Oh man, thank God you're alright."
"Uh...yeah...I-I mean...wait, wha-" The pounding in his head came back. "Eergh…" Denki grabbed the side of his head.
"Whoa, hold on there, Cowboy." Jirou said as she put a hand on his shoulder.
After cringing and clearing the pain away from his head, Denki looked down at Jirou's hand on his shoulder. He blinked at it. "...Uh...what...what happened?"
"Simply put; you got your head bashed in by the big guy holding you down." Jirou said with a sad but relieved smile.
"Oh…" Kaminari winced. "Man, it felt like it did get bashed in."
Jirou frowned at Denki's discomfort. "Quickly, what's two plus two?"
"Huh?" Denki turned to look at Jirou incredulously. "Are...Are you serious?"
Jirou sighed irritably. "Just answer the question."
"Uh...okay. Four."
Jirou nodded. "Okay, at least your head's functioning. But just to be on the safe side-" She held up three fingers. "How many fingers am I holding up?"
"Um, Kyouka?" Kaminari glanced at her other hand that was still on his shoulder. "Are you-?"
"Kaminari, look at my fingers! How many are there?" Jirou said with a little force.
Kaminari flinched and said, "Uh, um, three!"
She sighed in relief. "Okay good. Brain's definitely working."
"Um...of-of course it is. Why wouldn't it be?" Kaminari blinked. Thinking that sounded rude, he backtracked. "I mean, I, uh, I appreciate the concern, but…" Then a thought came to him, and his eyes went wide. "Oh man! Wh-What about Midoriya!? Or Yaoyorozu!? O-Or you!? Or everyone else! Are you all okay!?"
Jirou smiled at the blonde. "Yeah...yeah, we're all fine, believe it or not."
"Really?" Kaminari looked relieved, "Oh man, well that's good. But...what about the Villains?"
"They…" Kyouka looked down in bitterness. "They got away."
"They did?"
"Yeah...took all of Yaoyorozu's money...hopefully not all of it." Jirou muttered.
"Oh...man...that...that really sucks..." Kaminari mutters as well.
They all sat there for a while…
"...Damn it!" Kaminari exclaimed in frustration.
Jirou looked up at Denki in surprise. "Whoa, hey. What matters is that we're all okay."
"Yeah, but...I heard the guy who held me down was made of rubber...must be his Quirk." Denki gritted his teeth. "Damn it, I couldn't do anything to him 'cause of his freaking Quirk! Fuck, I feel so useless!"
"Hey, no, don't worry about it. We all felt that way, really," Kyouka told him.
"Yeah, but...man, this wasn't like the time at the USJ. We really became hostages this time."
"Yeah…" Jirou looked back down with a knowing frown on her face.
They both went silent again for a while, stewing in their pain and misery.
Denki glanced back at Jirou's hand. Upon seeing that it was still on his shoulder, he blushed a tiny bit.
Jirou looked back up at Denki and noticed his gaze. She turned his head and saw that she still had her hand on his shoulder…
"...Oh! Uh, s-sorry!" Jirou said as she let go of his shoulder with a blush.
Denki blinked at the purple-haired girl. "Uh...it-it's okay. It…" He looked down as he blushed. "...It, uh, it felt nice."
"Oh…" Jirou looked awkward all of a sudden as her face was still red. "Um...do you...like, want me to keep putting it there or...something?"
Now Kaminari was getting redder in the face. "I mean...you-you can do whatever…"
"...Okay…"
They still sat there in silence…
"...Hey, uh...Kaminari?" Asked Jirou as she looked up slightly from the ambulance floor at him.
"Uh...y-yeah?" Denki replied as he looked back up at Jirou.
"...Do, uh...I mean, did...did you...uh…" Jirou scratched her cheek. "...Did you mean it when I said I was...a cute girl back there?"
At this point, Denki was regretting saying those words back there as he now began to sweat and blush. "Uh...w-w-well…"
Jirou looked away as she started to play with her ear jacks by twirling them, looking shy as she blushed.
"...Yeah." Kaminari answered.
"..." Jirou turned to look at him in wide-eyed surprise.
Denki felt like this was the point of no return. "Y-Yeah...I think you're a...very cute girl…"
"...Your heartbeat's going like crazy," Kyouka mentioned.
"H-Huh?" Kaminari blinked, a little confused.
"U-Uh, I-I mean, m-my, uh, m-m-my ear-jacks can-um-" Jirou anxiously tried to explain, but then-
"FEAR NOT, YOUNG ONES! FOR I AM HERE!"
Both blinked at the exclaiming voice of the familiar Pro Hero.
"...All Might?" they both asked one another.
"All Might!?" The girls and Izuku exclaimed.
Standing before them outside like a god that had just ascended from the heavens was a casually dressed All Might, with a simple white t-shirt and jeans with a pair of sandals. He stood there rigidly, with the noticeable lack of smile on his face.
"Yes! It is I!" All Might announced with an angry frown. "I just saw the news that one of my students had been attacked inside their own home, with these thugs endangering the rest of my other students as well!" He looked down at Midoriya and the others. "I also have been informed that three of my students have gotten some serious injuries…"
He then focused on Izuku.
"My word...kid, you look terrible…"
All Might's fists clenched tightly in anger.
"Please...tell me what happened here, young ones," All Might said to them, while still staring at Izuku.
Izuku frowned, and nodded slightly.
"Mr. All Might!" Mina spoke up first. "It was awful! We were just minding our own business having a study group at Yaomomo's home, and then these creeps just came out of nowhere!"
"Yeah! *Ribbit*" Tsuyu continued for Mina. "They were like, eleven of them! They were all wearing clown masks, and carried guns!"
"They took us hostage!" Ochako added in a frenzy. "It was so scary! They got us contained and knocked out Iida, Todoroki, and Kaminari, and…" she shivered just thinking about it.
"Yes, and…" Momo started to tear up, her hands close to her chest. "They...they killed some of my staff...my workers...including my butler," she closed her eyes shut as she had the image of her butler burning in front of her.
All Might stood there like a stone as he heard their accounts, unseen rage boiling inside of him as his face was stoic and hard.
"...I'm so sorry..."
Momo's tears started to run down her cheeks as her eyes were still closed. "The leader...even threatened me...for his own sick amusement…"
Izuku looked at Momo with such sympathy. He just couldn't stand to see her like this, so hurt, so broken…
Before he could say anything, Momo continued. "But…" she then turned to Izuku with a slight smile. "...Midoriya-"
"MY BABY!" A frantic woman yelled from the growing crowd of the news reporters.
Izuku jumped in surprise and blinked in shock. The girls also shot up in surprise. All Might looked surprised as well, blinking as he turned to the source of the yell. It seemed to come from the crowd of news reporters and officers that were blocked off by the yellow tape and police barriers.
"MY BABY! WHERE IS HE!? SOMEONE JUST PLEASE TELL ME!" yelled the same woman's panic-stricken voice.
"..." Izuku recognized that voice. "...Mom?"
Momo looked at Izuku again, this time in confusion. "Your mother?"
Ochako blinked. "Your...mom?"
Mina and Tsuyu looked at Izuku with questioning looks.
"...Yes...that's...my mom." Izuku said in embarrassment, feeling like he could actually die right now.
"Oh? Your mother?" All Might asked curiously.
"WHERE IS MY BABY!?"
"Ma'am, please, just stand back from the crime scene, we-"
"STAND BACK!? FROM THE CRIME SCENE!? WHAT IF MY SON IS HURT IN THERE!?"
"Ma'am, we urge you to-"
"WAIT!" All Might bellowed to the authorities. "Let the parent of one of my students come see her son!"
The voice of the police officer sounded shocked, "What!? All Might, I-I don't think-I mean, this is a cri-"
But before the officer can finish, the woman sped through the crowd, possibly knocking down a few people while she's at it.
Inko Midoriya came into the scene, her attire a cardigan sweater with a shirt and a skirt, along with a red coat draped over her form. She looked spaztic as she tried to find Izuku, and when she did…
"IZUKU! MY BABY!" Inko yelled out to her son, and sped so fast that Tensei and Tenya would've been in awe of such speed. Speaking of Tenya, Iida and even Todoroki both peeked out of their ambulances to see the commotion. Kyouka and Kaminari both looked out of the ambulance to see what's happening as well, with Kyouka holding onto Kaminari to steady himself.
As soon as Izuku was about to say 'Mom', Inko went over and almost knocked him over with a parental glomp. Thankfully, Izuku kept a steady stance from his mother's tackle of a hug, but he was now constricted by Inko's crushing embrace.
"Oh, my baby! Oh my goodness, when I saw the news, I...I just dropped everything and rushed over here! I didn't know if I was speeding on the road, but that all didn't matter at that point! Oh, my baby boy! I'm just so glad you're alright! I just saw the name Yaoyorozu residence on TV and it all clicked, and...OOOOH MY BAAAABY!" Inko bawled uncontrollably as she hugged him tightly, sobbing into Izuku's shoulder.
"M-..Mom…" Izuku couldn't help but let his eyes start tearing up, instantly forgetting about the embarrassment he was feeling as he had the most important person in his life hugging him fiercely. He hugged her back and felt relieved that he can actually hug his mom again. "It-It's okay, mom...I'm okay…"
Inko kept sobbing and when she released the hug to look at her son, she gasped, "Oh my gosh, Izuku! Your face is all hurt! It's...it's...oh, who in the world would want to hurt my poor baby!?" she bawled uncontrollably again.
As All Might looked on at the mother and son scene from the sidelines...he couldn't help but feel...melancholy and somewhat nostalgic about what's playing in front of him. It didn't help when Izuku's mother's hair was in a side ponytail, looking like…
...Nana...
As Izuku kept reassuring his mother, the girls looked on at the mother/son moment.
"Wow...Midori certainly has a good mom…" Mina said as she blinked at the mother and son.
"Yeah…" Tsuyu smiled, "That's really sweet. Midoriya's mom looks like she really does care about her son."
"Aww…" Ochako smiled at the scene, tears forming in her eyes. "This makes me want to see my parents again..."
Momo looked on at Midoriya as he comforted his mother. While she herself was touched by the interaction between mother and son, she couldn't help but think back at Izuku's face before the authorities came, when he was tearing up as he looked at his phone.
Wow...he must have a very special relationship with his mother. Momo thought with a warm smile. I wish I could have that kind of attention with my parents...I mean, I do, but...my parents aren't always around… She looked down, frowning slightly. I almost put Midoriya in danger...I...I have to make it up to his mother...
The young heiress walked up to the pair, while Inko made sure there weren't any more wounds, cuts, or scrapes on Izuku's face. As soon as she was close to them, Momo spoke out to Inko. "Ms. Midoriya?"
Inko and Izuku turned to look at Momo, blinking their tearful eyes at the girl.
"I just...want to say..." Momo frowned at how she felt like this all could have been avoided if she did something. "...I'm so sorry for putting your son in danger. I'm...I'm also sorry for putting everyone else in danger, and…" She took a shaky breath, feeling the tears form up in her eyes again. Momo then bowed to Inko in apology. "I'm just so sorry! I feel like I should've done something to make everyone safe! Please forgive me for putting everyone, including your son, in harm's way!"
Izuku stared at the young woman, blinking at her apology, as well as Inko. The latter then smiled sweetly at her and said, "Oh dear, don't blame yourself. You must be the Yaoyorozu girl, right?"
Momo stood straight back up after the bow, her face looking like she's about to shed more tears. "Y-Yes ma'am. I'm Y-Yaoyorozu M-Momo."
"Oh my, don't cry, Sweetheart," Inko reassured her. "You have no reason to blame yourself at all. These criminals just attacked you while you were all studying." She frowned. "It was absolutely despicable what these people did. They should have never robbed and invaded your home, as well as harmed you, my son, your friends, and everyone else inside."
Momo nodded as she sniffled, biting her lower lip as she tried not to break down in tears again, her body shaking a bit as she croaked, "In...Indeed."
Inko smiled warmly. "Oh, you poor dear...where are your parents, if I may ask?"
"They...They're on business trips right now…" Momo looked down at the ground in sorrow, "My servants...they all got...they all got hurt...really bad..."
Inko frowned in pity for her. "Oh dear…"
Yaoyorozu sniffled again, wiping the tears from her eyes with her hand. "I was...I was gonna be...be carved up by the leader for fighting back."
Inko put her hands to her mouth in shock. "Oh my goodness!"
"Yes...but…" Momo then turned to look at Izuku. She started to smile warmly at him and said, "...Your son came in and...told the leader to stop."
Izuku blushed a tiny bit at the look Momo was giving him. He looked down as he rubbed the back of his head sheepishly.
Inko blinked at Momo looking at her son that way...
...Hmm…
But before she can analyze this any further, what the girl said registered in Inko's mind.
"Wait! You stood up to the leader of these crooks!?" Inko asked her son incredulously.
Now Izuku's face became a little redder as he kept his eyes on the floor. "I...well...he was gonna hurt Yaoyorozu..."
...Inko put two and two together.
She gasped, "Oh my-Izuku-Honey! That's what happened to your face!? You spoke up for Yaoyorozu and the leader beat you up because of it!?"
"Uh...yeah," Izuku admitted, but he looked at his mother with a serious expression. "But if it's to save any of my friends, then so be it."
Inko and Momo looked shocked at what he said.
"I mean," Izuku glanced down and corrected himself, "A Hero is supposed to help the people from getting hurt...and I helped Yaoyorozu from getting hurt...as well as everyone else. And...if I was hurt in the process of saving everyone...then all that matters is that they're all okay...and thankfully, they, as well as Yaoyorozu are," he looked up at his mother, "I know I got myself hurt, Mom, but...I wouldn't think twice if it's to save anyone from danger. It's what I wanted to be when I was little…"
Inko then had tears well up in her eyes as she remembered saying those dreaded words to her own son when he asked if he could be a Hero even without a Quirk.
I'm so sorry!
"...Oh, Izuku-Honey...I'm...I'm so proud of you…" Inko said, tears falling down on her face.
Izuku's eyes welled up with tears as well. "Thanks, Mom."
Momo looked on at the exchange, having tears in her eyes, but for a different reason, as she smiled at the boy that saved her life.
SNIFF! SNIFF-SNIFF!
Hearing the loud sniffles, all three of them turned to the source of these noises.
The crowd of news reporters and officers, as well as Kaminari and Kyouka, and along with Tenya and Shouto, turned their attention to the sound also.
The girls, Tsuyu, Mina, and Ochako, all noticed where the sniffles came from. However, Ochako only looked at who made the sniffles a little later than the other two, as she gazed at Izuku, his mother, and Momo for a moment...she felt a little envious looking at how Izuku was blushing towards Momo and how Momo smiled at him.
Tsukauchi, once coming out of the mansion as well, saw something quite rare that he only saw on occasions.
It was All Might, who was the cause of the sniffles, clearly touched by what Izuku had said.
One of the female news reporters looked on at the weeping Number One Hero, until she whispered to one of her cameramen, "Hey, Daisuke! Point the camera over here!"
The cameraman nodded and aimed the camera at her.
"Hello, I'm Matsumoto Fujiko at Channel M4 and you are witnessing the aftermath of a horrible home invasion at the Yaoyorozu Estate! Behind me-"
Back to All Might and the kids, plus Inko, the former wiping his tears away.
"All Might…?" Izuku asked him, a little worried.
"...Oh my. I didn't notice All Might over there." Inko said to herself, a little embarrassed.
As soon All Might wiped away his last tear, he looked down at Izuku, his eyes looking teary and red.
"My boy...you...you have the makings of a true hero."
The crowd all gasped.
Inko and Momo gasped.
The girls gasped.
Kaminari, Kyouka, Iida, and Todoroki all looked on in shock at the statement.
Izuku, however, blinked in stupefaction as he gazed up at All Might.
"My boy...Midoriya, is it?" All Might asked.
"Uh...y-yes…?" Izuku knew what he was trying to do, but it still felt weird that All Might had to act like he didn't know anything about the boy.
"Well, Midoriya...your words touched my heart. You certainly understand the real meaning of being a Hero." All Might smiled at Izuku. "I am honored to teach you at UA. And I hope to give you as well as the rest of my students the wisdom on how to become a true hero. As of today though...I can safely assure you that you will become a great Hero someday...indeed."
If Izuku wasn't tearing up before, he certainly was now. He already heard it once from All Might, but to tell him again in front of a crowd of people this time...
He felt like he didn't deserve this.
"Th-...Thank you, All Might," Izuku said, with a shaky smile, more tears forming in his eyes.
All Might nodded with an encouraging smile.
Inko was speechless...but happy at the same time. Her son's hero, All Might, the All Might, told him that he has the makings of a true hero! She feels so happy for her baby Izuku! It made her cry all over again…
I really need to apologize to him about saying that he couldn't be a Hero…
Momo looked on in awe at this exchange between student and teacher...she couldn't help but smile at this tender moment between them…
Yes...I do have to be stronger...stronger like Midoriya. She glanced at Izuku, who had tears coming down his eyes. Her smile became warmer.
Midoriya...you truly are a real hero…
Meanwhile, in the Bakugou Residence…
"There you have it folks!" said the news reporter, "All Might himself said to one of his students that he has the makings of a true hero! An amazing compliment in itself! Whoever this kid is, he must've done something to save not only the kids present, but the Yaoyorozu heiress herself! Not only that, All Might-huh?" she looked to her right, seemingly someone getting her attention. There was someone who whispered in her right ear, and upon exiting out of the shot, the reporter said, "This just in, we think the boy's name is Midoriya! ...Uh…" she looked to the right again, looking like she's comprehending someone talking to her, "...Izu...Izuku? Oh! Um, okay!" she looked at the camera again, "Yes, the boy's name is Midoriya Izuku! It would seem we don't know his Quirk at this moment, but having All Might tell him he has the makings of a not just a hero, but a true hero, is definitely huge praise from the Number One Hero himself!"
"Izuku?" Mizuki said as she watched the TV on the couch with her husband, Masaru.
"Oh, that's Inko's son, right?" Masaru asked his wife.
Mizuki grinned, "Well, what do you know? It is! Well, good for him! And Inko is there as well! Heh, I always knew Inko's boy has that Hero personality! And All Might himself telling him he can be a Hero? Well, hell, that's the real deal there! Izuku is gonna go places, I'll tell you that much!"
"Uh, yes...like Katsuki, right?" Masaru timidly said.
"Tch, if he can clean up his attitude, maybe." Mizuki scoffed.
Unknown to them, Katsuki was standing a little ways from the TV room. He was about to go to his bedroom, when he saw the TV…
...He should've just gone upstairs.
He heard the words clearly from All Might.
"You have the makings of a true hero."
True hero.
True hero.
True hero.
...Deku...a true...hero...?
All Might said it to him. Of all people...
And Auntie Inko was there... she was so happy for him also…
Even his own mother said she was happy for that...that bastard.
Katsuki gritted his teeth in anger.
Once again, my old hag doesn't believe I can be a Hero…
Clenching his fists tightly that they might go white, there was a rage boiling inside him.
...Damn you, Deku. Just...fucking...DAMN YOU!
Not wanting to cause another commotion in his home tonight, he just quietly went upstairs to his room.
Bakugou closed the door, leaving himself alone with his thoughts.
"..."
He then started to punch and swing his arms in the air blindly, pretending to beat up someone, or maybe just releasing some steam.
Either way, once he swung his arms around wildly, he began to curse out the one person he can't stand.
"Fuckin shit! Fuckin piece of shit! Stupid...shit! Damn fucking pebble! Fucking stupid...Deku! Piece of...piece of…"
Bakugou stopped punching mindlessly in the air...and started to tremble.
Katsuki choked a sob, tears beginning to form in his eyes as he had them shut. He roughly began wiping his eyes with his arm.
"No! Don't you fucking cry! Don't you dare fucking cry!"
But it was no use...as tears escaped his eyes and later fell on the floor of his room.
Sniffling, Katsuki just asks himself, "What...what am I fucking doing wrong? How come Deku gets all the fucking damn praise, but I just...but I...but I just get nothing but shit!"
Calming down his anger, Katsuki then went over to his bed and sat on the side of it.
"...What do you have that I don't have, Deku?" Bakugou asked in a dejected and breathless tone.
Next chapter will be more aftermath and then...the next day in school...uh-oh. D:
Super-extra big thank you to Lucius Walker for beta-ing this chapter! I really appreciate it, my man! 8D Thanks! :)
Tell me what you all think of this chapter! ^_^ Don't worry, Joker and his goons will come back soon in the very near future! ;)
Leave a review, a fave, and a follow! I love to know what you think of this story so far! :)
Until next time, keep on rocking everybody! ^_^
-TSP