(A/N: It's the start of Hosu! Just wanted to let you know we're going to have several pov changes this chapter. There's also a scene change as well part way through starting at [Hosu was in chaos.]. Hopefully that will help from it being too confusing. :) Enjoy!)
...
Tenya was confident in his placement of choice for his internship. Hosu may not be the biggest city and Manual wasn't the highest-ranking Hero he had received an offer from. But the city was where his brother was hospitalized and his mentor for the week was more than happy to allow him to visit Tensei briefly when they were off the clock. Plus, although the patrols were uneventful for the most part, he was still gaining valuable experience for the future.
The city was quiet and the people were going about their business. As were the mentor and his charge as they walked their patrol. However, in this peace Tenya knew there were those that broke the law hidden in the shadows. Committing crimes that hopefully would be quickly discovered and stopped by the proper authorities. Unfortunately, Hosu was currently host to one of the more elusive Villains.
The Hero Killer Stain.
The engine user wasn't sure how to feel about the Villain. On one hand he had attacked his brother. Wounding him badly but thankfully not permanently or fatally. On the other that same man had called the ambulance that saved his brother himself. Helping to ensure Tensei would make a full recovery. Serving as Ingenium's attacker and savior all at once. Tenya was conflicted between feeling resentful and grateful.
One would think he would want revenge for what happened to his brother. Thinking that was the reason why he had chosen Hosu in the first place. Even Manual did as he had asked him when he had first arrived if that was the reason he had picked him out of all his other offers. But Tenya assured him he was not. Yes, he was angry at the Villain who had hurt his brother who he looked up to so much. Tensei was the best big brother anyone could have and was the younger Iida brother's inspiration to be a Hero.
But revenge was not a heroic act. That was taking the laws into his own hands. The aspiring Hero didn't have the authority to do such a thing. Not even the Pros did. With the Hero license, that certification gave those who qualified permission to use their Quirks to stop crime and protect people from those who broke the law. But when it came to arrests or dealing out punishments, those fell under the purview of the police and the justice system. If a Hero were to do that, even with a license, it would be classified as Vigilantism.
Tenya wanted to be a Hero, not a Vigilante. He aspired to be a great Hero just like his brother. Tensei was someone who was humble when it came to his career of saving people. Acting as leader to the many sidekicks who followed him. However, he didn't see himself as above anyone, but rather equals. Even saying they supported him because he wasn't 'great on his own' as he had said during one of their family meals once. That they were looking out for him as much as he was for them. All of them working hard to be the best Hero team they could be to help people together.
That's the kind of Hero Tenya wanted to be. One who could rely and be relied on by others. Part of a team working with the up most efficiency to do their part in preserving the peace inspired and brought about by All Might. Continuing the Number One Hero's great work. Having the man as a teacher was so inspiring. Even though his teaching style was…unique at times. But as Izuku had pointed out during their Battle Training, Tenya was sure that All Might had some hidden lesson in the way he runs his classroom.
That's how life was, right? Every experience had some gift of wisdom. Adding to one's knowledge to use in the future. To avoid past mistakes and make better choices. Which was what Tenya was doing or trying to. Yes, he hated that Stain had attacked his brother. But he was grateful that he had called for the aid Tensei needed. Besides, it wasn't like the Hero Killer had targeted his brother specifically, but rather was a victim of circumstance protecting another Hero.
The leaked recording was what had sparked his conflicting feelings. Initially he had been filled with rage for the Hero Killer. Attacking his brother while out on patrol. Adding Ingenium to his list of victims. The only thing that had prevented him from going on a rampage in search for Stain was that Tensei would make a full recovery. It would take time but with healing and physical therapy, Ingenium would continue to save the world one person at a time once more.
Until then, as his brother requested, Tenya would take up the moniker to keep the Hero name Ingenium alive. A duty the younger Iida brother accepted with pride and honor. Because of this as well as the fact that the Hero Killer hurt yet saved his brother, Tenya would not sully the name Ingenium with the selfish act of revenge. The 1-A class president liked to believe he was better than that.
So, no. The aspiring Hero would not seek revenge against the Hero Killer. He didn't even entertain the idea of even seeking out the Villain. Because if the murderer could elude capture from Pro Heroes, what chance could a mere intern just barely starting his Hero career have? That would be the kind of arrogance that would have possibly come out if he had been blinded by hatred for the man who had attacked his brother.
Finding Stain was not his goal, but apparently there was some kind of universal force that wanted him to. Though he didn't know that yet. The chain of events leading up to the destined encounter began when Manual received a distress signal over the com while they were on patrol. The Hero answered the call with a touch to the earpiece in his helmet.
"What? Villains are attacking?" the Pro exclaimed, sharing a concerned glance with his charge. "Understood. We're heading there right now." He hung up the call before turning to the intern. "Stay close. We're running."
Dutifully the young Ingenium followed Manual as they ran. Along the way they saw Native who was also heading to the scene but at a slightly slower pace. Though Tenya didn't hold it against him as the intern had a Quirk meant for speed. Plus, he and his mentor were wearing more proper footwear for running while the other Hero had open-toed sandals as part of his Hero costume. But it wasn't his place to question the other's clothing choices.
The mentor and student pulled somewhat ahead intent on getting to their destination as soon as possible with the other Hero following behind. However, the speedster heard something that made him stop in his tracks. From behind him, he heard a cry of distress that was quickly silenced. But when he turned around no one was there. Which was odd because Native had been just behind them a moment ago. Tenya searched for the Hero but couldn't see him anywhere. He looked towards his mentor who hadn't noticed he had stopped.
"Sir, someone is in distress," Ingenium called out.
"I know," Manual answered without looking back and pulled further ahead. "That's why we gotta hurry."
"But, sir, I…" Tenya tried but his mentor kept running.
The situation had him conflicted much like his feelings about Stain. They had been on their way to a Villain attack. But there might be someone in trouble right here. Should he leave it and join Manual leaving a possible victim in danger? Or should he see if his help was needed here? Preventing potential harm to another.
What would Tensei do? No, what would Ingenium do?
His brother was a Pro. A Hero named Ingenium. Even if Tenya was temporarily using the name, the moniker Ingenium stood for the beliefs Tensei had instilled in it through hard work, supporting others, and saving every person he could. The younger Iida believed whole heartedly he knew what Tensei would do in this situation. Especially since he had done so before.
Ingenium would save Native.
...
The sounds of screams and explosions in the distance made the Hero Killer click his tongue in irritation. That idiotic man child was making a scene. Most likely seeking attention as the adult sized toddler he was. So noisy and annoying. Even if the handy man had some kind of sprouting of a warped conviction, this senseless act of violence made Stain regret leaving him alive. But no matter. He would dispose of him later. For now, he had more important work to finish.
"You got away from me before, Native," Stain sneered at the fake before him. "But there will be no Ingenium to save you this time."
He finally had his prey paralyzed and pinned to the alley wall with his hand clutching the other's face.
"My body…I can't…move," the false Hero sputtered out somewhat muffled because of said hand. "You bastard. I'll…kill you."
"Not exactly the words of a Hero," the Villain said with derision. "But then again you are one of the fakes infecting the current corrupt system. Either way, as a chosen sacrifice to my purge, you should choose your last words with more care."
Bloodcurdle rendered the faux immobile and powerless to escape his judgement. On his sad excuse of a Hero uniform was a blood-stained patch on his chest. Right where Stain had obtained the life liquid he needed to do his work. And with the knowledge that the false Hero's blood type was B same as him, he knew he had up to eight minutes to work with. Plenty of time to pass his judgment.
Or, so he thought.
"Stop, Villain!" a voice called out.
Stain let out a growl as he turned to the interruption without releasing his hold on his target. Only to be met with a sense of déjà vu. For at the mouth of the alley stood the spitting image of Ingenium.
Have my mistakes come back to haunt me?
But wait, something wasn't right. The armor. The design of it was different. Also, the voice sounded younger than the one from the Hero who had confronted him before.
A child? What is this corrupt society coming to if they are sending children to confront Villains alone?
"Who are you, child?" Stain asked as he eyed the newcomer. "You should run away from here. This is no place for children."
...
Tenya had not been searching for the Hero Killer. He only entered the alley because he believed someone was in distress. All in effort of offering any aid he could. But it seemed those of the current Iida generation were destined to confront Stain and rescue Native from his bloodthirsty Hero attacking clutches. For the Villain in front of him could only be the Hero Killer.
A man carrying a plethora of blades on his person. Armored for combat and sporting a blood-red scarf. Not to mention the Hero pinned up against the wall. Currently immobile for some reason even though he had been maneuvering just fine only a moment earlier.
Perhaps a result of the Villain's Quirk?
There were speculations of what Stain's Quirk was in the media but nothing concrete. In fact, most information on the Villain was mere speculation. For the man known as the Hero Killer was an enigma. No firm confirmation of who he was under the ratty mask or what his Quirk could be. However, there was coverage on his various crimes. Or at least the after math.
In the seven cities the Hero Killer has appeared, he had attacked at least four Heroes before moving on. Whether they were killed or left injured but alive seemed haphazard, but there seemed to be some form of pattern. Meaning that, if he wasn't just reading into things, with Tensei having been the only one attacked so far in Hosu that Stain would continue operating in the city.
Which was why Tenya had figured the Villain had to be somewhere in the city but not necessarily in this alley. The one he happened to enter to see if there was anyone in need of aid. To check that the Hero that had been following them was alright. But he very much was not. Having once again fallen prey to the Hero Killer.
Was there a reason for that? For why Stain went after the same Hero twice? The article that leaked the emergency app recording had speculated if the Hero Killer had more of a motive than just mayhem and murder. Or was it merely because Native was the one that got away? Filling the Villain with a compulsion to complete the unfinished work.
Tenya couldn't allow that. Couldn't let Stain hurt this Hero making his brother's efforts a waste. No matter what Native had done or didn't do. No, as the current Ingenium, Tenya would protect Native no matter what. Tensei had and so would he. It was what a Hero would do. With this resolve, the engine user prepared himself mentally for a fight.
"I am the younger brother of the man you attacked in this city," Tenya replied, standing tall. "He is a fine Hero and put his life on the line to save that man. I cannot allow you to put any more lives in danger. For I am Ingenium and Ingenium is a Hero who saves people."
...
Ingenium, huh? Stain thought as he eyed the young Hero.
So, he was related to the Hero. The one the Villain had not wanted to fight but was forced to. Inserting himself into business that didn't concern him just the same as the boy before him was doing now. Willing to put himself in danger for the exact same fake who didn't deserve such charity. It was infuriating to have his work interrupted by the same named Hero. And yet…
"Heh. Brave words, young Ingenium," the Hero Killer said, irritated but amused by the Hero fledgling's misplaced bravery. "But if you know who this fake is, I wonder why you would believe he deserves saving."
"He is the Hero my brother protected from you," the armored teen pressed.
"He is the coward who ran away with his tail between his legs," Stain shot back with a growl. "Leaving Ingenium to fight me alone."
The Villain added pressure to the hand clutching Native's face. Roughly pressing the false Hero's head against the wall drawing out a pained whimper.
"The same one who didn't report his involvement in the incident until he was called in to do so," the Hero Killer sneered as he glared at the fake but kept the child in his sights. "Time in which, if I had not done what I did, Ingenium may have been no more. So, tell me, child..."
Blood red eyes slowly turned to the young Hero who desired to stand between him and his prey.
"…is this false Hero still worth saving to you?"
Although the boy was armored from head to toe and he could not see his face, the tense silence was enough to sense his internal conflict. Clearly possessing a firm yet somewhat naïve Hero code. Oddly but refreshingly having no outright desire for vengeance against him for attacking his kin. Though again he couldn't see the young Hero's face. Unable to look into his eyes to see his true intentions. For, as they say, the eyes were the windows to the soul, right?
"I do not know why you are so adamant to hurt this man," Ingenium said, seeming to have come to a decision as he maneuvered into a fighting stance. "But my brother saved him from you and so will I."
"Then it is to be a fight," Stain replied with narrowed eyes sizing up his opponent while preparing for whatever move the younger made. "So be it."
In a flash of movement, the young Hero shot forward with a kick. The inhuman speed of the attack indicated to the Villain where the power of his Quirk resided. In his legs. He was fast much like his brother, but Stain had fought and won against the elder Ingenium. The younger and less experienced one would be no match.
The Hero Killer easily dodged the Quirked kick. But he almost didn't evade the second that followed. Almost. At the last second, he jumped up into the air and rammed one of his spiked boots into the child Hero's shoulder. Then with the other he stomped the armored boy down to the ground. Using his foot to pin the other's helmeted head down, Stain stabbed the tip of his katana into his downed opponent's shoulder between the plates of armor. Not all the way through as he did not want to hurt the boy but enough to draw blood.
The young Hero grunted in pain as the Villain brought the bloodied blade up to his mouth and licked up the crimson droplets with his long tongue. Stain could feel his Quirk taking effect within him as well as through the contact of his foot on the other's head. Carefully he removed his foot and lowered his sword as he crouched down near the boy.
The Hero Killer didn't know the other's blood type but knew that he would have at least a couple minutes without physical interruption. Enough to complete his work even though he hadn't wanted to fight or use his Quirk on a child in the first place. However, this child had fought bravely, if naively, in an attempt to save another and he wished to see the face of possibly another future true Hero.
Battle roughened hands gently removed the boy's helmet and set it aside on the ground. Beneath it was indeed a younger version of the unmasked elder Ingenium. This he knew because of the media coverage providing pictures of the Hero's likeness. They both possessed similar features of dark blue hair, blue eyes, and a sharp facial structure. Though the one laying paralyzed before him wore skewed glasses over eyes filled with fear. The kind of fear a child experiences when faced with real danger.
So young.
Stain let out a sigh as he looked down at the boy. Still a child much like the Little Hero. He had potential what with his desire to protect even though the fake didn't deserve it. Though he still had much to learn as he had come into this fight without backup. Still a fledgling but one with the potential to grow into a decent Hero. Which was why he would let him live.
"I will not harm you more than this, young Ingenium," the Hero Killer declared to the paralyzed child. "But I have a duty to fulfill."
Those terror-filled blue eyes watched him as he slowly stood up.
"No…don't," the young Hero pleaded, shaking in his attempts to break from his Quirk. Futile but commendable.
"You may have come to save another," Stain said as he stalked toward his recaptured prey while drawing his katana once more. "But I allowed this fake to get away once before. A mistake I will not let happen again."
The Hero Killer reached down to the false Hero slumped against the wall. He pulled him up by the collar and pinned him against the wall once more. Wanting the fake to look his judge, jury, and executioner in the eye. Force him to reflect on his misdeeds that sully the noble title of Hero with his unheroic acts before meeting his makers.
"Now look away, child," Stain commanded in warning while keeping his focus on the fake. "This is not something children should witness."
The Villain raised his katana to strike as the young Hero closed his eyes tight. Powerless to do anything to stop the Hero Killer from passing his judgment.
...
Hosu was in chaos. Izuku and the other two stared at the horror of the scene. It was like the flip of a switch. In the light of day, the city had been quiet and peaceful. People had been milling about their business while they had been patrolling. Then as soon as the sun set those same people were running around screaming as not one but three Noumu terrorized the streets.
"Oh, hell no," Hitoshi said. "I did not train my Quirk enough for this."
"Both of you, stay close," Eraserhead commanded as he broke into a run with the interns in tow. "Focus on helping civilians, but if you need to, you have my permission to fight to defend yourselves. Understood?"
"Yes, sir," the interns replied as they raced towards the chaos.
The city was on fire. The Noumu were tossing cars as if they were toddlers throwing toys in midst of a tantrum. They were howling and screeching while attacking at random. One even chased after a Hero and crashed into a passing train. The Erasure Hero stepped into action pushing past the flashbacks of fighting a similar beast that threatened to make him falter in his task. Not allowing them to interfere with his Hero duties as he shot out his capture weapon to go aid the Hero on the train.
As instructed, Hoax and Edge focused on helping the frightened people. Pulling them to safety and instructing them to head to safer areas. Using the permission to take action to save the civilians from the rampaging monsters. While Eraserhead and the other Hero managed to drag the four-eyed Noumu back to the center of the chaos to keep it localized despite the creature's immense strength.
Hitoshi's Quirk had no effect on the unintelligible and inhuman shrieks coming from the monsters. Izuku wasn't fairing much better with his Support Items. Though they both did manage to literally pull people to safety with their own versions of Aizawa's capture weapon with the limited training they had. Thankfully the move was simple enough to work on the fly.
The greenette didn't use his fire mask because there was enough fire as it is with the random explosions going off. He also didn't want to get too close so his escrima rods were out even if he connected them into a staff. His Jet shoes allowed him to easily maneuver around though. The only weapons he had that were in anyway useful were his bombs.
The flash bombs had no effect other than to enraged the Noumu more. At least the ones with eyes. The biggest one had none at all and was blindly raging. The explosion ones were out for the same reason as his fire mask. And a smoke bomb would be no help in this situation. Nor the glue that would hinder the Heroes as well and potentially have no effect on the mighty Noumu.
But there was one bomb that might. The newest one to his arsenal. The capture bomb. It had worked wonders in testing and the original inspiration had worked well on Tenya during his match against Mei. Surely it would help in this situation to hinder the Noumu in some way. However, the nets that worked well against a regular opponent proved ineffective against these modern-day monsters. The Noumu simply ripped its way out of the net as if it was nothing. Leaving the greenette with no real way to help the Heroes' fight against the Noumu other than to focus on civilians. And so, the interns did.
As time passed less civilians were endangered as they worked on clearing the area. While more Heroes arrived to corral the Noumu. But it wasn't going very well. The biggest Noumu with blackened skin much like the one at the USJ was beating back every Hero that got close to it. The lanky one that had attacked the train earlier with pale skin and four eyes swiped at anyone within reach. While the one with wings had a Hero in its bird-like taloned feet as it hovered above the chaos.
All in all, it was a mess. And it was about to get worse.
"Tenya!" a voice cried out in the cacophony. "Tenya, where are you?!"
The 1-A homeroom teacher and students searched around for the person calling out for their fellow UA attendee.
"There!" Izuku shouted with a pointed finger once he spotted Manual.
The three ran over to the Normal Hero who was frantically calling out for his charge.
"Where's Iida?" Eraserhead asked upon reaching him.
"I don't know," Manual answered looking and sounding distressed. "One moment he was behind me and saying someone was in distress. I thought he meant all of this, but next thing I knew he wasn't there anymore when I got here. Damn it! Why'd he run off on his own?!"
Fires raged around them and another Hero called for Manual to help put them out. While ripping a fire hydrant from the ground as if it was nothing. The Normal Hero cursed again as he ran over to use his Quirk on the now gushing geyser of water. Aizawa was pinching the bridge of his nose in irritation at his student's reckless decision to disappear at a time like this. Hitoshi was worried for his friend while Izuku had a concerned but contemplating look on his face.
...
"Eraserhead," Edge spoke gaining the Shouta's attention. "I have a way we can find Ingenium."
The Erasure Hero eyed his intern then asked, "How?"
"I, uh, I was worried about Tenya-kun working in Hosu," Midoriya replied, his confidence wilted a bit. "So, I happened to place a tracker on his Hero costume when we were all at the train station?"
It ended up sounding like a question at the end as he hadn't planned on telling anyone he had done that. It was sort of a breach of privacy since Iida hadn't said he could do that. But it had been done with the intention to make sure his friend was safe. And now they could use it to do just that.
"Problem child," the tired man sighed though he wasn't too surprised he had done such a thing. "Alright. Let's…"
He was cut off by a loud crash as the four eyed Noumu broke through a wall and stalked toward a couple of the remaining civilians. Not good. And the other Heroes were too busy with the other Noumu. Really not good. Crap. Eraserhead couldn't turn his back on this but they also needed to find Iida. Double crap. They'll have to split up.
"Edge, go find Ingenium," the Pro Hero ordered. "Hoax, go with him as backup. Once you find him come back here. Use your Quirk or Support Items only if you need to. Got it?"
"Yes, Eraserhead!" they confirmed with a nod before running off. Leaving him to fighting a Noumu alone.
Again.
He ran forward and lassoed the Noumu with his capture weapon. With all his strength he yanked the creature away from its targets. It struggled against the bindings but the man refused to let it get away from him. He pulled and pulled inching the screeching beast away from the civilians. His sole attention on keeping it away from the innocents. Even ignoring the notification he got on his goggles other than to see it was a signal from Midoriya. Perhaps to let him know they had found Iida.
Good.
He was so focused on his task that he almost didn't see the blast of fire coming his way. Almost. On instinct, his reflexes kicked in at the last second unwrapping the Noumu as he jumped away. The creature became engulfed in flames screeching in pain. Shouta looked over to see none other than the Number Two Hero himself.
What is Endeavor doing in Hosu?
"I came in search of the Hero Killer," the flaming man said. Ah, that's it. "But it seems I'll have to settle for dealing with you."
The fire wielder shot out another blast of flames. The Noumu shrieked in pain while clutching its head. The sound was loud and piercing. Similar yet very different from Hizashi. His husband's Voice Quirk made him cringe at times though mostly from annoyance. But this sound sent a constant shiver of unease down his spine. It was haunting and didn't sound human.
The civilians thanked the Number Two Hero for saving them as if Shouta had done nothing. Not that he cared about the credit. But this was a man who was a so-called Hero that they had started an investigation on based on allegations of abuse. And though he had never had the chance to see the man in action before this, seeing him holding nothing back with civilians so close made the allegations seem more plausible.
Endeavor acknowledged them with a wave of his hand and a smug smirk as he continued shooting his flames at the burning creature. Or was it. The flaming Hero himself mentioned how he had been using 'low temperature warning shots' that 'always KO'd his opponents'.
That's a 'warning shot'?
But the beast persisted with no signs of much charring. Something wasn't right. If he were to guess, he would assume this Noumu as well as the other two terrorizing Hosu had multiple Quirks much like the one from the USJ. A motley of powers shoved into one body resulting in the brain-exposed but mindless creatures before him.
The Noumu was twitching as the flames sputtered out. Its mouth gaping open as if in a silent scream. Appearing to be in pain yet not as there was no visible damage from the 'low temperature' attacks from Endeavor. The result was unsatisfying for the flaming power house who moved to use even more fire. Only for the Noumu to release his own flames back at him in a blast of heat.
Absorption and release, maybe?
Eraserhead shielded his face somewhat with his arm from the increased heat while Endeavor merely swiped the fire out of his way. The Noumu's muscles were twitching and convulsing as it crouched on the ground. Then it suddenly buffing up similar to how All Might transformed into his stronger form. The creature leapt into the air and aimed for the flaming man. Endeavor in turn raised his hand to blast it with another fire attack.
As the Noumu bore down on Endeavor, the creature's mouth was gaping open but no sound came out. Odd. It had been screeching before because of the earlier attacks. But now nothing. The Erasure Hero studied the Noumu to see why and noticed something starting to form out of his mouth.
What the…?
In an instant, dozens of fleshy tendrils of tongue exploded out of the Noumu's mouth. But only for an instant as Quirk erasing eyes flashed red making them disappear. While at the same time turning off whatever Quirk was protecting it from Endeavor's fire. Meaning it had nothing to avoid the damage from the flames now engulfing it shooting out from the Number Two Hero's hand. The shrieking came back as the beast burned until it fell silent as it crumpled to the ground.
"Hmm, I guess it was only a matter of time," the Number Two Hero commented before finally noticing Shouta. "Don't worry. It won't hurt you now, civilian."
"Hero," he corrected, earning a confused scowl. "Underground Hero specifically. Designation Eraserhead."
Endeavor let out a huff before saying, "Never heard of you. But no matter. There is more work to be done."
Kind of stating the obvious, Shouta thought as the other Noumu were still rampaging nearby.
"It's already been two to three minutes," Endeavor commented with a scowl. "The other Heroes should have dealt with the situation by now."
Shouta didn't agree as he glanced down at the charred heap of roasted Noumu on the ground. It had taken the Number Two Hero using deathly force to take just one Noumu down. Did he not realize not everyone had a strong physical Quirk like him?
"Leave this one to my sidekicks," the flaming Hero ordered as if he was in charge. "If you are a Hero as you say, I have an address for you to investigate. My son foolishly ran off before I could show him what it means to be a Hero."
Todoroki is here too? Fuck.
These problem children were going to give him early grey hairs. But he accepted the task before rushing off to the given address. As he ran, he checked back to that signal from Midoriya. Odd. It was coming from the same location Endeavor had just given him. Something more had to be going on than just finding Iida. His problem children could be in danger for all he knew.
Double fuck.
The Erasure Hero ran.
...
Tumblr blog name: ja0-s-blank-canvas-fic
Notes extension: post/662327385275957248/part-2-chapter-29-hosu-chaos-reigns