Hello.

We hit 300 followers! I am honestly ecstatic about that. Next stop: 500!

I have a question: should I also upload this story to AO3? I don't know much about the site at all, if I'm being honest. Any suggestions?

I hope you all enjoyed the smut from the last chapter. I know this might make me seem like a prick, but I am very proud of it. It's the most natural one I've written and I feel like it reflects their relationship quite well? Again, feel free to let me know in the reviews.

Apologies; this chapter took significantly longer than any of my previous ones. My computer completely died and I had no good method of writing and devoted my time to fixing it and applying to university.

My PC is fixed now, so chapters should be coming out far more frequently.

'' = speech

' = thoughts

'' 'quote' '' = one character quoting another previous line

[][][] = little transition

{}{}{}= flashback begins/ends

Enjoy!

''No!'' Mina huffed. ''Hero costumes cannot be worn next to a punch bowl!''

''W-What?'' Momo poked her head into the kitchen. ''What's so wrong with that?''

''You're kidding.'' Ashido looked at their planning sheet. Well, scroll. The paper, when rolled out, was longer than she was. ''We can't have us getting punch on our costumes the day before graduation!''

''We have several spares for this exact reason.'' Jirou deadpanned.

''What's the real reason?'' Sero walked past the kitchen, large stereo speakers in his arms.

Mina sighed. ''The smell of punch makes me nauseous now. Since someone spiked it with brandy last time!''

''FUCK YOU, RACCOON EYES!''

''See? He knew what he was doing.'' Mina crossed her arms.

''Well… can't you just get a different flavour punch? One that wouldn't set the nausea off?'' Momo stroked her ponytail as it fell over her shoulder.

''Yeah, just get lemon or something.'' Kirishima said as he hung some lights across the cabinets. Mina sighed.

Izuku walked into the kitchen, oblivious to the small crowd's conversation.

''Midori! Help me out here!'' Mina rushed to his side and hugged his arm, pointing an accusatory finger at the four. ''They're trying to poison me!''

Izuku glanced briefly at each of the four. Momo and Jirou simply scowled; as good of a friend Mina was, she could certainly be far too dramatic. Sero laughed nervously before slinking away to deposit the speaker. Eijiro simply apologised with a wry smile.

''Uh, I just came to throw a plate in the sink.'' He looked down to Mina, who in turn looked up with pleading eyes.

''What, uh, what 'poison' are we talking about?'' He slowly shifted his free arm to drop the plate gently into the sink.

''Mina gets sick from fruit punch.'' Jirou stifled a giggle, though she didn't particularly care if Mina reacted poorly.

''Well, we stopped getting things with tuna when we found out that Mineta was allergic…'' Izuku offered with a shrug of the shoulders.

''Ha! Exactly!'' Mina released Midoriya's arm and flipped them all off. ''And if we can do it for Mineta of all people, then we can do it for me, right?''

The others stayed silent, averting their gaze.

''G-Guys? I'm surely worth more than Mineta, r-right?''

No reply.

''Oh my god.'' The pinkette stared into the floor vacantly.

''A PHONE CALL IS HERE! A PHONE CALL IS HERE!'' Izuku's pocket vibrated.

''Can't you take that later, dude? We've still got party stuff to set up.'' Jirou asked out of optimism.

Izuku checked the caller ID. ''It's Detective Tsukauchi.''

''Ah.'' Jirou pulled her arms back, as if to metaphorically retract her statement.

Izuku quickly answered and jogged to the door. As much as he enjoyed the pleasant atmosphere, Tsukauchi's calls practically screamed importance.

''Midoriya speaking.''

''Good afternoon, Mr Midoriya.'' Naomasa greeted him. ''I apologise for ringing you so soon after your classes are over.''

''No, that's alright. I take it that the topic is urgent?'' The next Number One eyed the stairs to the dorms as he slowly descended.

''Indeed. How soon do you think you could be at Tartarus?'' The experienced police officer asked.

''Escapee?'' Izuku squinted. His brain slowly processed any villain capable of escaping of their own volition.

''No, not quite that dangerous. We're simply moving some inmates- powerful inmates - and require your help in assuring nothing goes awry.''

''I see. Need anyone else besides me? Creati, perhaps?''

''I don't recommend you bring more than one person with you; we don't want the inmates to feel so threatened they do something stupid.'' Tsukauchi said. ''Bring a heavy hitter, if you bring anyone at all.''

Even through the phone, Izuku sensed something he couldn't quite place his finger on. Fear? Tsukauchi was often at Tartarus for questioning but, since his injury, he had been more wary of threats to both his person and his supporting officers.

''I'll be there. Make sure that you have some pros on standby.'' Izuku said as he galloped up the steps.

''Mandalay will be present. As will Miruko.''

''Good.'' Izuku abruptly hung up as he pushed back through the doors. The class turned to him en masse.

''Kacchan.'' He called to the ashen blonde, who was clearly having a not-so-fun time threading extension cables. His childhood friend spun to face him.

''Suit up.'' Izuku made his way to the boys' elevator, with Katsuki jogging lightly to catch up.

''Later, extras.'' Bakugo said to himself as the doors slid shut.

[][][]

Tartarus was an enormous prison complex. It was formed around a manmade island and designed to segregate (for public safety) and rehumanise the most depraved and dangerous of super villains.

The facility, from the outside, appeared to be a giant metal box, with walls that shot upwards from the sea bed to well above the nearby city's skyline.

The only entrance was along a long, reinforced metal bridge that had just two lanes for traffic. Not that many people would be visiting, mind you.

''Heh, feels fucking weird to walk into this place.'' Bakugo, now in his Ground Zero costume, deliberately took stamp-like footsteps along the metal footbridge.

''Well, we were probably supposed to drive here.'' Izuku offered dryly.

''And do what? Get stuck in fucking traffic? Heroes don't spend time checking wing mirrors, Deku.'' Katsuki narrowed his eyes at the upcoming entrance.

''Actually, there are a lot of pros who-''

''Shut up. I don't want a lesson to bore me before an already boring watchdog job.'' Bakugo huffed.

They reached the small door to the left of the vehicle checkpoint.

A guard approached, rifle strapped around his shoulders. He held up a hand to halt them.

''State your business.'' He said with a hardened look.

Ground Zero's mouth gaped. ''Are-Are you fucking kidding? You don't know him?'' He thumbed at Izuku.

''It's okay, Kacchan.'' Izuku held an arm out. ''He's just doing his job. Plus…'' Izuku held a fist out, and the guard bumped it with his own before the two made an 'M' with their fingers.

''Heh, alright. It's you.'' He gave the guard in the small booth a thumbs up, and the metal detector temporarily shut off.

''Good luck, heroes.'' The guard shifted his rifle behind his back and he stepped aside.

''Thanks, Tanaka. If your daughter wants another action figure, let me know.''

''Thanks, Deku!''

The two heroes walked through the detectors, Katsuki in awe at the exchange. Not two seconds after they passed, a figure landed on the bridge with a thud, the mere impact making the structure shake slightly.

''Miruko!?'' Tanaka yelled in surprise. ''What're you doing here?''

''It's alright; she's with me.'' Deku announced.

''I am?''

''She is?''

Miruko and Ground Zero exchanged equally confused looks before turning to Izuku.

''Ahem.''

The three heroes turned to see Tsukauchi.

''Follow me, please.''

[][][]

''This will be the observation deck that Ground Zero and Mandalay will keep view from.'' Tsukauchi stood next to Kanshi Ino, Tartarus' warden as he talked them through proceedings.

''Pfft, so you're risking me not being there to snuff these fuckers out?'' Katsuki seethed.

''As I said on the phone to Midoriya, having too many heroes in their faces might make them jumpy.'' Tsukauchi reiterated. ''And, despite your fine record, you are easily goaded, Bakugo.''

Ground Zero growled but said nothing further.

''How far will the League be moved?'' Mandalay approached the enormous windows of the observation deck, which lay atop the tallest tower in the facility.

''Just to the other side of the facility. To new, specially adapted cells, I might add.'' Kanshi's chest swelled with pride.

''Let's hop to it!'' Miruko said suddenly, a small groan escaping Izuku's lips at the rabbit pun.

The older pro strode confidently into the elevator and Izuku followed behind, the grated doors slamming behind them.

''So.'' Rumi leant her metal arm on Izuku's shoulder. ''You think a little more about my offer?''

Izuku turned red. ''I, uh, can't say I have. S-Sorry.''

''No harm done. It's a big deal, ya know?''

''I have to say: why me?'' Izuku asked.

''You're strong.''

''Is… Is that all?''

''Well what else matters in a fight?'' Miruko raised a brow in confusion.

Izuku sighed as the elevator slowed to a halt, the multi-layered doors squeaking as they pulled apart to reveal the detention level.

''We don't have to be naked to fight.'' Izuku finally allowed his tone to demonstrate his frustrations.

''Hmmmmm… don't we?'' Usagiyama's large ears twitched as her voice dripped with suggestive sarcasm.

Izuku huffed. ''Just focus, please.''

''Hah, yeah.'' Miruko said through a hearty laugh. Izuku walked briskly out of sight.

''Focus on that fucking ass.'' She whispered to herself as she jogged to catch up.

[][][]

''Be careful, Deku. Number 6-9-18-5 is highly volatile.'' The Captain of Tartarus' guards kept his gun trained on the prisoner kept within the thick-panelled glass cell. Izuku laughed slightly as the man in question stepped into view. His patchwork of skin and tissue was more than visible on his arms and face.

''I don't think he'll be a problem, Captain. Care to prove me right, Touya?''

Dabi's blue eyes sparkled as he stepped out of the shadows. ''Of course, Midoriya. Just tell me where to walk.''

The villain smiled. The guards couldn't quite place the emotions. It was a warm smile, and yet there was a hint of arrogance that was difficult to determine an origin for.

Izuku looked to the Captain expectantly. The commanding officer nodded to the guard to his left, who slid a key card in the slot of Todoroki's cell door. The glass door slid upwards and Dabi exited, taking in the sunlight.

The prisoners opposite seemed envious, though they realised quite quickly that his release was only temporary. Izuku ushered Touya past him and into the protective (if not cautionary) of a convoy of armed guards. The 4 guards flanked his every angle, in case he made the ill advised decision to sprint for an exit.

Izuku knew he wouldn't; he'd invested too much time in making sure his family could get their son and brother back. It was working, as far as they could tell. Touya's decision to surrender to his father during the Villain's siege was already telling enough.

Izuku also took time to take in the new facility. There were significantly less villains than when they decided to siege the country. All Might, during his Universe of Smash that killed All for One, had killed hundreds of them.

The lethal order was given across all superhero groups. Not all heroes tried to kill, of course, but if there was seemingly no other action to take…

Izuku's eyes dashed around to find Miruko, who stood atop one of the cells. He nodded a single time before moving onto the next cell.

The entire detention level looked more like a vacation camp than anything else. Each villain had what was essentially a small bedroom; one wall was reinforced glass from floor to roof (which he had never noticed was only about 11 feet up) and the others were thick concrete.

The cells were completely separate from one another. The gap between cells was sometimes up to 5 metres, though this was often to allow patrolling officers to change direction quickly.

These ''Cell Huts'' were almost identical in size and shape, though the next cell that Izuku came to a stop in front of varied slightly. There was very little glass across the outfacing wall. But that was potentially for the best, considering the keen eyesight and observational skills of the occupant.

''Lady Nagant.'' Izuku said as he rapped his knuckles against the glass. The familiar blue and pink hair popped into his eyeline as she approached the door.

''Ah, Deku. I forgot we were moving cells today.'' She rolled her eyes as she stood on her tiptoes to motion to the guard at the door. The nervous man looked through his visor to Deku, who nodded with a confident smile.

The door flew upwards with a whoosh. The former Pro stepped out, looking Izuku up and down.

''Are we going to have a problem?'' He asked with a straight face.

Nagant laughed. ''No. I told you before, didn't I?''

''That you have 'confidence' in me?'' He replied, racking his brain for previous exchanges from his last visits to Tartarus.

''I do. I became a villain to bring about the reformation of a society that was too reliant on heroes.'' She looked forlorn. ''Heroes like me.''

''You chose to become a villain. You were well liked and respected as a Pro.'' Izuku's gaze hardened, refusing to give her the sympathy she was after.

''You're right. And in a way, me choosing that life meant that you could do what I have confidence you'll do.'' She walked back into her cell before scooping a handful of personal items into her arms and dropping them into a bag that an officer held open for her.

''So don't let me down, Midoriya. Do what All Might couldn't.'' Nagant said as she allowed the officers to engulf her and lead her to her new cell.

Izuku briefly peered back into Dabi's room and was pleased to see a guard carefully retrieving his belongings. Most were photos, though one was the small snowman figurine his mother gifted him during their last visit.

The Captain marched onwards, drawing his attention to the next prisoner.

Midoriya, as much as he felt a twinge of guilt about it, was looking forward to seeing this next inmate the most.

''On your feet, 2-12-1-4-5!'' The Captain called out.

There was a quick rustling in the cell that lasted no more than 5 seconds before the door slid upwards.

''Oh! Well isn't this a pleasant surprise!'' Stain smiled widely. Izuku returned the expression.

''Good afternoon, Chizome.''

''I wish they had informed me that you would be escorting us…'' He dropped a novel and a handful of trinkets into the offered receptacle. ''I would've delivered a letter in person this time.''

''A shame; I always enjoy your writings.'' Deku said. And he meant it. Chizome Akaguro was no average villain. His ideals and principles were set in stone. He was mindless at times, and certainly dangerous to the public, but his morals were still intact. Well, in comparison to his fellow prisoners at least.

''May I ask; are you alone?'' Stain seemed sceptical.

''I am not. Miruko is standing above your cell.'' He answered.

Chizome walked outwards into the aisle and turned to face the Rabbit Hero.

''Hmm. A good choice. Two true heroes to keep the animals in check.'' He grinned at the self-deprecating joke.

Another 4 guards led him away, leaving the Captain to sigh. ''I really wish you wouldn't entertain them so much. They aren't here to chatter idly.''

''These cells aren't soundproof, Captain. If they wanted to talk, they would be reaching out to guards. We can't let these fragile minds get worse in emotional isolation.'' All Might's successor met his eyes through the clouded visor.

The older man shrugged before moving along. Izuku looked to Miruko again, who was demonstrating the word 'smug.'

''You hear that? I'm a 'true' hero.'' She announced. He rolled his eyes at her jabs. For a woman who preferred brawn over brains, her jokes were surprisingly well thought out.

The rabbit hero hopped across the roofs and stopped when the Captain did. Izuku walked slowly up the path, not wanting any interaction with the next prisoner.

''Alright, 6-21-5-12!''

The door lifted and Overhaul, still without both arms and a sound mind, walked out. He was mumbling incoherently as he allowed himself to be dragged up the path to the end of the facility.

Izuku scowled at the floor. He had nothing to say to Chisaki after what he put Eri through.

The next cell was a nice one, at least. ''2-1-12-12!''

The door rose and , wearing his prison jacket and slacks as smartly as possible, stuck his head out.

''Ah, Deku.'' He said sourly.

''Hello, Compress. Ready for your new cell?'' Deku snuck a hint of cockiness into his tone.

''I am. I'm used to people being put in tight compartments, after all. I remember a time when I put your friend Bakugo into a marble. Ring a bell?''

Izuku could imagine Kacchan's reaction had he heard that.

''A battle we lost in order to win the war, Atsuhiro.'' He one-upped his villain opposite.

''We'll see about that.'' Sako spat as he wrestled the Captain's arm off him and entered the guard convoy.

Spinner was next, as far as he remembered. It was fitting that the League of Villains have their own little street. Spinner was disappointed to not be placed nearer to Stain, although that was probably for the best; the lizard's obsession with the serial killer had led Stain to dislike his company.

Iguchi's scaly skin seemed to breathe as he did when the sunlight of the open-air prison danced on the surface of it. Izuku, once again, hung back. Whilst admiration was awkward, no matter who from, Spinner's verged on maniacal fangirl. He wondered whether that was due to Stain's perspective or his own. And speaking of fangirl…

''19-12-9-3-5! Vacate the cell this instant!'' A guard stood at the already opened door, yelling in at the occupant.

''No! Get away from me!''

''Just get out here, bitch!''

''HEY!'' Izuku stomped over and pushed the guard aside. He peered into the cell and his angry glare immediately softened.

''Himiko? Are you alright?'' He walked forwards, taking in her sorry state. Her uniform was dirtied and unkempt, though he was confused as to why; her cell was immaculately kept.

''Izu-kun!'' She dashed towards him and wrapped her arms around him. Izuku would've embraced her in kind, but found several guns trained on them.

''Release him, 19-12-9-3-5!'' The Captain shouted.

''It's alright, everyone.'' Izuku raised his arms and brought them down to signal the men to lower their weapons. ''She's not attacking me.''

Toga looked up at him. ''You got taller again.'' She gave him her trademark toothy grin. ''And I love that hair, Izu-kun.''

''Thanks. You wearing that hair bun looser?'' Izuku motioned for the guards to grab her belongings. He wasn't surprised to see a few pictures of himself on the walls by her bed.

''I am! Whaddaya think?'' She twirled for him.

''I think that you need new clothes. How did you get so dirty?'' He ignored her pout and gave her a disapproving look.

''Welllll… I don't have very much to do but stuff that makes me sweaty, Izu~'' She peered around him to look at the cell across from hers.

''Let's just say that Dave over there is going to miss not having me living across the way.'' She giggled mischievously. Izuku's face scrunched up.

''Alright! Get moving, fellas!'' A guard yelled from behind them and Himiko hurried into formation.

She waved behind her head as she walked to her new residence, once again leaving Izuku at the mercy of Miruko's taunts. He faced her, expecting a quip. He was surprised when none came.

Then he realised. Muscular's cell was next.

An extra squad of guards came out of the woodwork to surround the blonde man's cell. Whilst he was under the work of a quirk suppressor, it was simply that; a suppressor. His quirk was difficult to maintain due to his expert usage. It took Deku and Twinkling Star (Izuku simply hated Aoyama's hero name) knocking him unconscious to allow the suppressor to be placed on him.

Izuku didn't charge One for All as he stood in front of the door, though he squared his feet in anticipation of a sucker punch.

The door raised and Miruko, who had joined Izuku at the door, growled.

Goto Imasuji was a shadow of his former self, although that was not saying much. Izuku had made sure that he had rendered him far less of a threat than when he first encountered the Muscle Augmentation villain.

Unfortunately for Goto, that meant having his left arm ripped from its socket. With no bone for muscle to build upon, the most Imasuji could manage was a fleshy stump when in combat. Even that still hurt like a bitch, purely due to the hardening he could force his muscles to go through.

The villain laughed uproariously at the sight of Deku, the hero he had never bested. ''I was wondering who they'd get to watch me. Figures it was you.''

''There's nowhere on Earth that I would rather you move to than down the road.'' Izuku relaxed his shoulders. ''I hope you don't intend to take me on in your condition.''

''Heh, finally dishing out the typical hero lines? It doesn't suit you, kid.'' Goto rested against the wall of his cell as an officer, defended by another who kept his rifle trained on Goto's head, hastily threw any belongings into another bag. ''Although…''

Izuku's eyebrows perked up.

''You seem like you'd be an even better guy to fight.'' Muscular leaned to face Miruko. ''Am I right? Can he take the heat?''

''He can take a lot more than you can throw at him. You're 'armless.'' Rumi beamed venomously at him, pleased with the snide remark.

Muscular grinned. ''You know, I still think I could kick your ass - even with one arm.''

Usagiyama's tail twitched, along with her brow. ''Oh yeah? Well how about we go back to that island you cowards ran to when we kicked your asses last year? No bystanders for me to worry about when I rip your fucking dick off.'' She seethed.

''HAHA! BRING IT!'' Muscle fibres twitched and looped around his only arm as the guards' attention was drawn to the other prisoners nearby, who, at the sight of this potential escape opportunity, were cheering for Imasuji.

''Deku! Miruko!'' Mandalay's voice reached them both. ''Please defuse the situation! Prisoners all over this place are getting riled up!''

Muscular recognised the expressions of both heroes. ''That telepath bitch is here too, huh?'' He mumbled to himself as he cast his gaze to the observation deck.

''Let her know that when I get out of here, I'm killing her little brat.'' He paused, mulling over something in his head. ''Oh! And the one with no powers. The weak little Ragdoll. A fair name.''

The more aggressive prisoners nearby were now banging against the glass of their cells, goading and insulting the officers as Muscular continued to toy with the idea of breaking through the quirk suppressor.

''Dek- Midoriya, please! We can't let him rally them behind him!'' Mandalay pleaded with him. He quickly turned to face her and Ground Zero in the observation deck before sighing deeply.

''Well, bunny girl, want to spar!? How about loser gets a cell in here, HUH!?'' He cupped his mouth with his hand to make sure his voice travelled to as man of his fellow inmates as possible.

Izuku had heard enough. He dragged One for All from his core and into his arms and threw a 70% Smash uppercut at Goto, who could only react with a guttural hack of a cough as he flew upwards through the roof of his old cell, remained in the air a few moments and proceeded to plummet back into the concrete rubble.

The cheers and whoops died down in an instant. One for All's lightning dissipated as he turned to look the line of prisoners up and down. Despite his baby face, his blank expression was more than enough to quieten the criminal crowd.

The guards were equally stunned. It wasn't until the Captain spurred back into life that they even moved.

''Well!? Get this animal into his new cell!''

Two guards took the knocked-out man under the arms and carried him towards the east wall of the facility, his feet dragging along the floor.

''As much as I'd have promoted a less destructive approach, it was less than that monster deserves. Good work, Deku.'' Mandalay said proudly, though the sadness of remembering the deaths in her family seeped through.

[][][]

''Oh, 'sup Midoriya.'' Dabi said as he sat on his new bed. His bag of belongings sat next to him and he took no time in rifling through it to find his mother's ornament.

His room was the first in a long row that connected to the eastern most wall of Tartarus. The assumed logic was that this side of the facility was the furthest from the elevators, meaning that the chances of intercepting a breakout was far higher.

''Hello. How's the new room?'' Izuku asked. He looked to his right down the line; Nagant, Stain, Spinner and Overhaul had already been moved in, though Himiko and Compress were directing officers on how to position their furniture from just outside.

The rooms were quite obviously larger in width. The toilet was a notable difference. In their previous cells, the toilet had been placed behind a curtain to allow for privacy. In these newer cells, they were in a small, separate room that jutted off from the side of every cell.

This, in turn, meant that the distance between cells was even greater than in the majority of the facility. However, he had noticed on the walk to the new cells that many of the standard cells on the east side of the prison remained empty. Had All Might and the Pros really killed that many? Or was Tartarus simply built to accommodate far more villains than he thought?

''It's nice, they gave me a thermostat to help me regulate my body heat.'' Touya finger gunned to a dial on the wall near the door.

So that's what the warden had meant when he said they were specially developed.

''What about you, Nagant?'' He took a step to the right and saw the markswoman sipping coffee at the standard desk that every cell had.

''Hmm. I'd say it's more well furnished. They also have those fashion magazines I've been requesting for months.'' She said as she flipped through the pages of one, never once thinking of looking his way.

Now that she mentioned it… they were well furnished. The floors were carpeted as opposed to the plain concrete floors of the standard cells. The bed frames were of visibly better quality. There was even a small shelf above the beds that the normal cells lacked.

''My cell is much darker.'' Stain spoke quietly as he sat in a meditative pose on the floor in front of his bed. All Might's protege moved on. He had no option but to agree.

''For your eyes?'' He asked as Stain opened them.

''I am happy you remembered. My mind is not so restful in harsh lighting. Having half an eyelid would do that, it seems.'' He jested, a rare but ominous smile curling his lips.

Izuku nodded as he patrolled past Spinner, who thankfully had fallen asleep, his neon pink hair tucked into his pillowcase. It seemed that he too had a thermostat, likely due to his ectothermic body.

The greenette briefly stopped to watch Overhaul. The dark haired man was far different now. He rocked in the corner of the room, eyes open but not seeing.

He watched Compress enter his cell, the magician finally pleased with the placement of the bed and desk. He tilted his head over his shoulder to meet Midoriya's eyes.

''If you have come to mock me again, see it done quickly. I have tricks to occupy myself with.'' He motioned to 3 balls, ideal for juggling, and a table akin to one you'd find in a casino, card dispenser and all, built into the wall.

''Just checking that you're all fitting into your new homes nicely.'' Izuku gave him a sickly sweet smile. It was odd; usually, he would never allow himself the luxury of overconfidence.

''We'll see who's laughing when the man downstairs recovers.'' Compress collapsed onto the edge of his bed.

Izuku was confused. ''You were never one to blindly believe in All for One. He's a brain in a jar and now you choose to hope and pray for his success?''

Atsuhiro scoffed. ''He gave me a purpose. The others may have lost that fighting spirit and, god forbid, are thinking about joining your cause, but I will not. My quirk may not be the most robust in combat, but I will find others to help our cause when I escape. And I will escape. Marks my words, Deku.''

The greenette didn't respond. He didn't need to. Compress was done talking to him.

He took a few more steps and found Himiko, hands pressed up to the glass, smiling warmly at him.

''Hey~ Izu-kun.'' She licked her lips subconsciously.

''Hey yourself. How's the new room?'' He asked as he peered through the glass.

''It's great! They gave me a fridge for my blood packs and there's enough room for a yoga mat! No more popping squats on concrete for this girl!'' She thumbed at her chest as she frosted up the glass with her exhalation.

Izuku beamed, simply feeling happy that she was still finding ways to remain positive whilst imprisoned. He peered into the room behind her, spotting quite a few photographs taped to the wall near the head of her bed.

''Are those… the pictures I sent you?'' He was taken aback. He hadn't expected her to care enough to place them by her bed; it was especially odd considering many of them were class photos. He and Ochako were just two of many faces in the crowd there.

''Mhmm!'' She nodded fervently. A lightbulb clearly went off above her head as she rushed to the drawer of her desk and pulled out a stack of extra pictures. More than he had ever given her…

''Ochako gave me these!'' She held them up to him and quickly flipped through them. There were several selfies that Ochako and he had taken during their final year, a bunch of pictures of them in hero training and, worse of all-

''Wait.'' He tapped the glass with his index finger. ''Was that a picture of me sleeping?''

''Oh yeah!'' She flipped the photo and looked between his appearance in the photo and his appearance before her. ''There's my little cutie-patootie…'' Her eyes seemed to glaze over slightly, as if she was lost in a trance.

''Himiko?''

''Hmm? Ooops, got lost in my own head there, heh heh…'' The look in her eye was gone, though it still seemed that she wasn't entirely there.

''I'll, uh, come visit you next week, Himiko. I can book the games room, if you'd like?'' He said with a hint of optimism. It was either the 'games room' with it's sparse actual games or the normal interrogation rooms.

''Ooooh! We can play darts again!'' She pressed her nose against the glass. ''Do it! Do it!''

''Alright, I'll tell the warden that we want it for a few hours next week, okay?''

Himiko bounced on the balls of her feet, fangs protruding out of her mouth and digging into her bottom lip. He placed a gloved hand against the glass and Himiko mirrored him.

''Goodbye, Himiko.''

''Bye bye, Izu-kun. I love you.''

Izuku smiled wryly. He could never respond in kind. He didn't love her; how could he? He let his hand drop and walked to the right to see Miruko watching the unconscious form of Muscular.

''How's the girl?'' The bunny woman twirled her white locks in her fingers, never looking away.

''Good. How's Imasuji?''

''I don't know how hard you hit him but he hasn't so much as twitched.'' She finally pulled her eyes away and motioned for him to walk with her back to the elevator.

''Feeling okay?'' He quirked a brow.

Rumi's face contorted in annoyance as they walked between the Cell Huts. ''I'm still strong, aren't I?'' Her tone leveled. Unnaturally, as if she was desperately trying to sound composed.

''Is this because of what Muscular said?'' He spoke plainly.

''Yeah.'' She quickly looked him in the eye. ''Don't worry, I still think I could kick his ass. I just started thinking about what it means to really be strong.''

''You think about that a lot?''

''Uh, sure. I mean… I never wanted to think 'bout anything else. Being physically strong was always good enough for me. Never had time to think about the mental side of it at all.''

She sighed deeply. ''Took me losing an arm to learn about being strong up here.'' She tapped two fingers against her temple.

''So what exactly are you asking me here?'' Midoriya pressed the elevator's large red button and the mechanical whirring sound signalled it's imminent arrival.

''Do you think someone can be a hero on perseverance alone?'' She asked, face hardened.

Izuku gripped his chin. He closed his eyes and remembered. Remembering Dagobah Beach, where he trained with All Might for those horrific few months. Remembering the USJ. The fight with Overhaul. The first time he used Black Whip. Eri. Kota.

''Yes. I do.'' He smiled to himself. ''I really do.''

[][][]

''Oh, welcome back.'' Ojiro said briefly as he rushed past with a box full of party poppers.

''Midoriya!'' Iida zoomed towards him and Bakugo, the latter of which was already sneaking towards the elevator. ''Was the mission successful?''

''It was-'' Katsuki sped to the lift and disappeared out of sight. ''It was uneventful, really. Just some prisoner movement.''

''And Stain?'' Tenya's gaze grew harsher.

''I'm sorry. He still refuses to apologise.''

The speedster scoffed. ''I should not have expected it. Perhaps when the Ingenium name regains it's following and respect, he will reconsider.'' Iida turned away and threw himself into the thick of the preparations to distract himself.

''Deku?'' Ochako called out to him.

''Hi.'' He said as he finally took in the hustle bustle of the common room. ''I'll go change.''

He started for the elevator. He turned back to see Ochako following.

''How was it? Tsukauchi need much help?''

He called the elevator and unclipped his mouth piece from his hood. ''I didn't really see much of him. I was mainly just watching and making sure no one did anything stupid.''

''So what was he doing there?'' Uraraka asked as they stepped into the little metal box.

''I'm not sure. He wouldn't usually be the coordinator for Tartarus. Maybe he realised I had connections to the League?''

''Guys like Himiko?''

''Yeah.'' Izuku said before he came to a realisation. ''Speaking of; what's this with the pictures of me sleeping!?''

''Heh… heh… ''

[][][]

Touya impacted against a surface roughly, having been thrown by guards who carried him by his underarms. He wiggled his nose and chin inside the burlap sack that had been placed over his head, only for it to be ripped off, exposing him to the dim lighting of the interrogation room.

The warden, flanked by Tsukauchi and Mandalay, stood at the end of a long table, clipboard in hand.

''Wh-What are you planning, Ino?'' He spat. ''You never pulled that type of shit before.'' Dabi grinned, sinews and sutures straining around his cheeks.

''Todoroki.'' Tsukauchi muttered, voice robotic. He threw a file on the table, followed by a pencil. ''Tell us everything you know about Class 1-A.''

Hello. We had a real humdinger here.

If you're struggling to imagine the cells at Tartarus (they are NOT canon, btw), quickly google Hannibal Lecter's cell. They aren't entirely similar but they're fairly close due to the glass cell wall and the very basic furnishing.

I don't have much more to say that wasn't already said at the beginning. Please do leave a review; I always make sure to take them into account.

Until next time!