Blank Canvas: Convictions

by jokeraddict0

Part 2 of Blank Canvas! Izuku and Hitoshi have done it. A Quirkless and a Villain have faced every challenge and set back and have successfully fought their way into the Hero Course. Now all that was left was to become Heroes and make a better world. If the world lets them that is. Will their convictions hold out? Only time will tell!. (Tuesday updates, Tododeku, mxm)

36. Controversy

(A/N: I've decided to fix the -nette/-net thing when it comes to genders in this. Got part way through editing part 1 for that and other things. To save myself work in the future, I'm going to start using them now in this part. :) So if you notice that change, that's why.

Warning for mention of suicide in the paragraph starting with [While in prison...]. It's in the second sentence but that's it.)

...

Following the Hosu incident, reports of the defeat of the elusive Hero Killer spread across Japan like wildfire. Igniting a slew of reactions to how the Villain was captured and namely who had been accredited to such a feat. Out of everyone in the entire world, no one had expected that Stain, a Villain of infamy who had attacked numerous Pro Heroes, to be taken down by a single Quirkless teenager.

Part of the population roared in protest not wanting it to be true. Conditioned thinking that such a thing had to be impossible inciting claims of conspiracy or coverup. A Quirkless first year high school student taking down a hardened Villain that even the Pro Heroes couldn't defeat? Preposterous. It clashed with everything they had ever known when it came to Quirks and Heroes. Surely a strong opponent like him would have necessitated a strong Quirk to take him down. Like All Might or Endeavor.

On the other side were his supporters. Thankfully a larger number with the combination of those who believed in him regardless and those who saw his efforts as impressive even without a Quirk. They countered the naysayers again and again with the recorded footage of the end of Stain. The images of one Midoriya Izuku aka Hero-in-training Edge shooting out his capture weapons and restraining the Hero Killer. Being the only one out of everyone there, Heroes and interns alike, to actually do something.

There had been no hiding his identity even if he was a minor. This was an entirely different situation compared to the USJ. That attack had been on private property and even then, there was no documentation of the incident for the public to see. However, with Hosu, that had been out in public for anyone to see and with that video spreading around meant countless more people had seen exactly how he eventually captured Stain. Unable to outright deny what they saw with their own eyes.

The public was in an uproar whether for or against his actions. Those who supported him showered him with praise across social media. Congratulating him on his defeat of the Hero Killer. Many saying they weren't too surprised considering he had won the Sports Festival Quirkless. Relying instead on physical training as well as Support Items to more than make up for a lack of natural power. So to them, his take down of Stain sort of made sense.

Then there was the added slip of Nezu 'accidentally' revealing Izuku's cleaning of the beach during a press conference addressing the situation. The chimera had been planning on revealing that as a form of PR for his personal student for a while. Knowing that it would be good for his public image even though he hadn't wanted people to know about it. Izuku had rolled his eyes when his mentor played it off on live television as an accidental slip up telling them his student had wanted to remain anonymous.

That had brought forth many of the people who had started to help keep the beach clean. Revealing they had seen his small acts of community service when he went to check on the beach and had felt inspired to do the same. Now finally able to connect that it was just a continuation of his hard efforts of cleaning the entire beach unasked and unknown.

It served as great fuel for those who supported him to defend his honor in their own social circles. Countering those who said it was all a want for attention by pointing out if it really was then he would have come forward when the news had first hit. Adding to the active arguments and discussions going on about the Quirkless boy who had managed to do what no other Pro Hero had been able to do.

Yet despite the mounting evidence of the young Hero-in-training's potential and drive, the naysayers still protested. Pushing back against every argument that clashed with their long-learned beliefs. Those with the strongest Quirks became the best Heroes. Many of which had been attacked and either taken out of commission or killed by Stain. No matter what visual evidence there was that Midoriya Izuku was the one to take down the Hero Killer, they still didn't want to believe it possible. Because if it was, the established social rules of this society wouldn't make sense anymore.

That was the civilian side of all this. Protestors and supporters warring with each other with words like two fronts with strong opinions at war. Firing shots back and forth with no end in sight. The civilian led battle raged on while other sides of society had their own mixed reactions to the news.

For the Heroes, it made some of them question their own motivations that drove them. Many feeling they had to step up their game if even a Quirkless teen was able to act like a Hero. Serving as motivation to be better. While others, like Endeavor who was still bitter it hadn't been him, wrote it off as a one-time fluke and nothing more. Either refusing to ignore the achievement for what it was or sneering that a Quirkless person had the audacity to think they were equal to the likes of them.

The Number Two Hero was a mixture of both though he did not voice that publicly. His PR team was working hard enough suppressing that slanderous and incriminating claim the Villain had spat out in his final speech. Him, Endeavor, abusing his own family? What nonsense. Enji was doing what was necessary to push his masterpiece to follow in his footsteps and even surpass him one day. To do what he could never do and beat All Might. All that he did was for the sake of the Todoroki legacy.

Then there was the Villain side. Many criminals scoffed that the infamous Hero Killer had supposedly been taken down by a mere teenager. A Quirkless one at that. Questioning if Stain had really been one to fear after all. Though they hadn't been worried about him too much after his debut as he targeted Heroes not criminals. While others took from this that it was unwise to underestimate anyone in a fight regardless of their Quirk or lack thereof. If a Quirkless person could take down the Hero Killer, then that meant any Quirk that was considered 'weak' could be a danger.

But no one could deny the power of the Hero Killer's convictions. The ones captured in the anonymously posted video that presented Stain's life story and motivations. Coming back again and again no matter how many times it was taken down by order of the Hero Commission. A mix of the Hero Killer's final speech and capture, a number of photos taken of him before the Hosu incident, and a voice over explaining how the man became the Villain he was today. Many times found with the leaked emergency app recording from when the Villain had attacked Ingenium tagged on.

The reactions to this video were mixed as well. Most civilians and Heroes finding it terrifying and a show of how messed up someone could get. Though there were those that started debating what exactly Stain's motives truly were. Bringing up old arguments and theories from when the recording had been first released. Many starting to doubt that the Hero Killer was as much of a 'mad dog' as the Hero Commission was painting him to be in the media.

It was a part of the narrative the Hero Commission had been able to control unlike the reports of the Quirkless teen's take down of the Villain. The police had made their report to the media before the Commission could do anything. Nor could they refute such claims with that damn video floating about serving as visual proof of the act. All they could do was mark this young aspiring Hero as someone to keep an eye on. To see if he proved as an asset or a hinderance to their goals and deal with him accordingly. It wouldn't be the first time they had taken hold of a young Hero's future after all.

The official reports stuck to admonishing Stain as a fanatical murderer who only wanted violence for violence's sake. While also making connections between him and the League of Villains because of the rampaging Noumu appearing in the same city. As well as the captured footage of Shigaraki and Kurogiri watching the chaos from atop a water tower. Many also cited the out of context sight of the dead Noumu near Stain during his rant as proof even though the blood consuming Villain had been the one to kill the creature.

But in less official parts of the media, questions were being asked if that were actually true. Speculations popping up of whether they were actually connected or if it was just a coincidence. Though such uncertainty didn't stop some from being influenced or inspired by the video. Such as a blood covered teenage girl listening to it as she skipped away from her latest snack. Or a green scaled recluse who was suddenly filled with purpose from the Hero Killer's words. Both finding inspiration in Stain and they weren't the only ones.

A certain scarred man clicked his tongue in irritation as he stood in the streets watching a public report. Angry that his efforts to find Stain and give him what he knew of Endeavor had been a waste. Because how could the Hero Killer bring that bastard down if he was in police custody? And it was all that Quirkless kid's fault. The anger he felt toward this Midoriya Izuku made him want to incinerate every image he saw of that meddling fucker.

But Dabi wouldn't let this set back stop him from tearing down the Number Two Ass. No, Endeav-whore must be destroyed for all he's done. One way or another. Perhaps the Hero Killer wasn't actually associated with this League of Villains, but the scarred man started to play around with the idea of joining anyway. It would be a means to an end more than anything else.

Then there were those who had a specific interest in the Quirkless teen. The young leader of the League of Villains glared at the newspaper in his hand eyeing the report on the capture of Stain in irritation. This wasn't how it was supposed to happen. They were all supposed to forget that griefer and focus on his Noumu. But they didn't. No, that bastard's stupid face was plastered everywhere while Tomura's contribution to the havoc in Hosu was brushed over as mere speculation of his possible connection to the League. A lowly sideshow while Stain still held the main stage.

The decayer crumpled up the newspaper and threw it away before slamming a fist onto the bar top in annoyance. Kurogiri silently watched his charge as he grumbled his frustration. Not only did the Noumu not make the front page, but they were nothing more of an after thought with the Hero Killer stealing the spotlight. Then there was the fact that Midoriya Izuku was wrapped up in all this.

Tomura carefully took out the picture of the Quirkless teen out of his pocket. Red eyes stared at the picture of the possible admin with brows furrowed in irritation. His desired recruit had been credited as the one to take the Hero Killer down. An action caught on video and broadcasted for the world to see. Very much acting the Hero he so annoyingly wanted to be though Tomura suspected he hadn't actually fought alone. The stats just didn't add up for that miniboss fight. Then there was the matter of him being the one to clean up some stupid beach and people raving about it for some reason. What's the big deal? It was just a fucking beach.

This tendency for altruism and the kid's wanting to play Hero in this messed up society were adding to the difficulty level of this recruit mission. But the decayer wouldn't be deterred so easily and saw it more as a challenge to conquer. Plus, it would be a blow to the Hero Killer's ego and a further 'fuck you' to Stain by corrupting his precious Little Hero. Midoriya Izuku would join them.

...

Through the dark monitor on the bar top, All For One observed his protégé in contemplation and amusement. This had certainly turned out to be a more interesting series of events than he had expected. The attempt to recruit the Hero Killer had led to quite a 'riot in Hosu' as the media labeled it. Inspiring Tomura to sate that itch for violence by releasing Noumu in the same city as Stain. All in an attempt to rain on his purging parade which seemed to more or less fail.

But no matter. His ward could fail again and again and still All For One would be there to help him start over as many times as it takes. Offering young Tomura a lending hand much like he did when he had first found the boy abandoned by the world. A pawn turned protégé who just so happened to be the grandson of one of his younger brother's foolish followers.

All For One couldn't wait to reveal that delicious bit of irony when he eventually confronted All Might again. Perhaps it will be as strangely sweet as how he felt when Tomura had reported that the Hero Killer somehow knew his son. How exactly the century old Villain didn't know nor could he outright ask his own child about it. Not in the role of Hisashi anyway. But perhaps he could as All For One some time in the future. A reveal he had been contemplating for a while now.

He had allowed his son to play Hero much like how he let Tomura play his games. Letting them live out their fantasies as they like only to eventually join him back in reality. Tomura was destined to be his successor having been long molded into the loyal follower he was today. Indebted to All For One for everything since the man had first found him and took him in.

As for Izuku, he owed so much more. His very life in fact as he lived only because All For One had wanted to create a child. An attempt to pass on the man's genes as well as his Quirk. The latter unfortunately didn't happen but no matter. All For One had plenty of Quirks for his son to choose from once he was by his side where he belonged.

But now wasn't the time for such things. He couldn't drastically change how he treated the boy as Hisashi. The father had always voiced his negative opinion of Heroes freely with his son but never pressed his views on the boy. Wanting his child to learn for himself the truths of this world. Lessons he surely had learned from the many years of Quirk discrimination he had experienced. Drawing him closer to his father's side.

Then again, there was that mysterious person who had encouraged Izuku and brought renewed determination to follow his childish dream. The boy had never said who it was exactly but with this new information in regards to Stain knowing his son, All For One could hazard a guess. An added twist to the irony of the situation. Of the son of All For One being turned down by All Might only to be brought back up by the Hero Killer. But despite these influences, All For One knew where his son will eventually end up. Standing beside the manipulator of Quirks and together with Tomura they would rule this world.

All For One would allow this farce to continue for now though. Allow his son to dream just a little more under the scrutiny of this judgmental society. Observe how the current public opinion of the notion of a Quirkless Hero affected the boy. It was a notion that All For One had no care for either way seeing the entire idea of Heroes as superfluous. All that mattered to him was power he could use to manipulate others. Becoming the puppet master of the world as he was destined to be with his son and ward by his side.

...

While the conniving father considered his child's future, yet another Villain had their own thoughts in regards to the Quirkless teen. Kai wanted to Overhaul the imbecile who had unleashed those Noumu in the city. The same one where the rarity that is Midoriya Izuku had been. Those rampaging creatures had put such a pure being in danger. One even having plucked him from the crowd like a delicate flower in a savage hand. Thankfully the angel was saved from the monster's clutches though he didn't approve of how that had been accomplished.

Kai was conflicted on how to react to the Hero Killer. On one hand the Villain had saved the Quirkless boy keeping such a rarity in this world. But on the other he had been rather rough and handsy with the angel existing among them. Midoriya was someone to be cherished in this diseased world. Remaining pure among the infected. His only flaws being the freckles on his cheeks looking like specks of dirt and green hair reminding him of the uncleanliness of nature. Then there was the issue of him being tainted by the Hero syndrome. Though that could potentially be cured as well.

But regardless the boy was safe now though Kai disliked that he was surrounded by Heroes. Further infecting him with their filth. But there was nothing he could really do to fix that. Not now anyway. The young leader of the Shie Hassaikai had strongly contemplated taking the Quirkless boy in after having learned about him. Wanting to offer him a safe place and protect him from the corruption of this diseased world. However, with this renewed bout of media attention it would be unwise to take him in now.

Midoriya was currently in the spotlight for taking down the Hero Killer. Credited to having done it alone though Kai highly doubted that was the truth. Footage of the capture also showed other fledgling Heroes who sported similar injuries. Most likely having been also foolishly engaged in the fight using their infection caused Quirks. One only needed to have eyes willing to see past the lies of the controlled media to guess the truth. But this corrupted society was too blind and accepted the story as is.

But Kai was not. He saw many truths of this world. Such as Quirks were a disease that needed to be cured and that the Heroes were covering something up using Midoriya as their poster child. The Quirkless teen could definitely hold himself in a fight, no question about that. But Kai highly doubted he could have stood up against the Hero Killer alone. Not because he was Quirkless but rather the drastic difference in their fighting experience.

The young boss had heard of the Villain's exploits. A fellow cleanser of this world though Stain went after the infected Heroes while Kai's focus was on Quirks themselves. Wanting to rid this world of their disease and bring back the purity of when the world was Quirkless. With Midoriya, that was one less person he needed to cleanse.

Stain was a Villain of skill which was obviously apparent by his number of victims. Attacking Hero after Hero while eluding capture with ease. Most likely with the help of yet another disgusting Quirk. Kai's skin itched at the thought not wanting to even contemplate what sort of abomination of a power the Hero Killer possessed.

Midoriya on the other hand was still young. A little bird that was still learning to fly. It would have taken more time for him to be on a level to actually go toe-to-toe with the more experienced Villain alone. Though Kai did not doubt that he had fought his very hardest in that fight. Midoriya was Quirkless but he was strong on his own.

It was an element of the teen's character that Kai wasn't sure how to feel about. On one hand, Midoriya was using this strength to foolishly become a Hero. But on the other, it meant that the boy could defend himself which pleased him. Though Kai would rather protect the little bird from the world that threatened to corrupt him. Have the opportunity to cure him of his Hero syndrome thereby cleansing the angel of any and all sickness so he could transform into his purest self.

However, no matter how much Kai wanted to bring Midoriya to his side, he couldn't. Not now. Not with the amount of attention the Quirkless boy was receiving. It would be counterproductive to his current endeavor. The project was coming along despite the reluctance of the one who provided them with the material for the Quirk-Destroying Bullets. The girl was growing more stubborn as time passed. He would have to do something about that.

Despite her resistance, the bullets were close to ready for distribution. Once they had further perfected the formula, Kai planned to have some samples to be handed out along with the other drug the Yakuza group dealt in. Trigger was a drug that gave one's Quirk a boost increasing their power. In turn giving those infected Heroes a stronger enemy to fight. Making them want a way to do away with the troublesome Quirks quickly.

The samples of the bullets were meant to be but a taste. Start on the criminal side of wheeling and dealing. Getting the word out. Eventually the Heroes would want this power to take Quirks away with a single shot. There by pushing the Villains to demand the same. Allowing them to cleanse themselves with a taste of their own medicine. The Quirked using the results of a Quirk to render the diseased Quirkless. Bringing about the cleansed world Kai desired by their own tainted hands.

All that was enough to keep the young boss busy. He very much didn't need the attention he would get if he did bring in the Quirkless teen now. The proceeding of his plan was more important than his personal desire to protect the little bird. Besides, the boy was safe for now so he could be patient.

Perhaps in the future they could meet and Kai could convince him to join his cause. Surely Midoriya could understand the detrimental effects Quirks have had on this society. Coveting these diseases disguised as special powers while reviling those who are the purest in this world. The Quirkless were few and far between now-a-days. They should be cherished not chastised. As Kai wanted to do for Midoriya.

For now, Kai would be patient and focus on his current project but still keep tabs on the little bird. Once his plan was in effect and the media attention had died down around the Quirkless teen, he planned to approach the boy with an offer. To join him and together they would create a world of purity. Then, with the boy by his side, Kai would finally be able to give the angel the adoration he deserved and cherish the rarest of treasures in this world.

Until then, Little Bird, take care.

...

Midoriya Izuku had supporters popping up out of the Villain woodwork for one reason or another. Stain seeing a true Hero, Shigaraki a potential ally, Chisaki a partner to join his cleansing mission, and of course All For One himself with a desire and self-assured belief that his son would eventually be by his side. But not all Villains wanted to lay claim to this Quirkless teen that was shaking up the status quo.

Yotsubashi Rikiya sat in his office as he was reading the latest news related to the recent events in Hosu. His black pinstriped suit, green button up shirt, and green tie were pressed, prim, and proper. Even his shoes were buffed and shined to perfect. A receding head of swept back orange hair, a long thin nose, and pointed chin were among his other features. On his face he wore a well-practiced smile that hid the building stress underneath. The only indication of his inner agitation were the dark splotches that were spotted along his temples. For others may be pleased with this rising aspiring Hero challenging the current norms but Rikiya very much was not.

The man was the CEO of the Detnerat Company running his business with an iron but supportive fist. Publicly appearing as an astute business man across the media, but that was not all there was to the man. Rikiya was also the leader of the Meta Liberation Army where he was known as Re-Destro carrying on the legacy of his ancestor.

In the time when what were now called Quirks were first manifesting, the world had been in chaos. Back then such powers were known as Meta Powers and those who possessed them were seen as freaks of nature. Violence and protests against those with such supernatural abilities were common. Yet there were still those who hoped for a more accepting world.

Rikiya was a descendant of Totsubashi Chikara also known as the infamous Villain Destro. Chikara had been born in a judgmental world and his own mother begged for society's mercy. He was only a child after all and had no choice in being born with a Meta Power. To her it was simply a quirk of personality and did not define his whole being as bad. It was in fact from her plea that the modern term Quirk originated though her words initially had fallen on deaf ears. Society choosing to reject the changes to their reality not wanting a disruption of the status quo.

It was during this time of turmoil that the mother was murdered for her support of her son's uniqueness. Her death became a stepping stone for Chikara to become Destro and advocate the liberation of those with Meta Powers. Especially when the government used his own mother's words turning them around to force a control system to suppress the use of such powers besides the chosen few.

This suppression was seen as an outrage to Destro believing that the free use of Meta Powers was a basic human right. Who was the government to control them and demand they not use what they were naturally born with? It was a violation of their rights for such legislation to pass and the Meta Liberation Army fought for years against such oppression. But unfortunately, in the end Destro was defeated and the army was disbanded. Or so the public believed.

While in prison Chikara had dedicated himself to writing a book about his life and to showcase his ideals. And though he committed suicide upon completion of his book, his words lived on and spread with every copy that was sold to this day. Bringing more and more people to the Meta Liberation Army's cause.

Rikiya was the currently leader of their secret organization. Helping to guide his followers to embrace the words of Destro and live their life by them. Always pushing themselves to better their Meta Powers to be ready for the day of liberation. Because in a world of superpowers, strength was key. If you have no power, you have no right to a higher position in life. Survival of the fittest. Only the strong will continue on and the weak weeded out by natural selection.

It was for this reason that Rikiya was currently annoyed at recent events. The strong were the ones destined to prevail despite society's blanket insistence that one should not judge someone by their Quirk. Or in this case, a lack thereof.

Midoriya Izuku was throwing a wrench in today's well oiled but still rusty machine. According to the Meta Liberation Army's ideals, those with strong Meta Powers were at the top meaning those who were weak or without were at the bottom where they belong. And yet this Quirkless brat was becoming an annoying contradiction to that fact.

First it was the Sports Festival though Rikiya hadn't paid much mind to it at first. He still would watch the live coverage for possible new recruits but ultimately had brushed it off as a fluke. A Quirkless teen winning over all those with strong Quirks like that? Ridiculous. Besides, the boy had relied on so many Support Items that there was little proof he could hold his own in a fight without them. Even the finale there was most certainly some sort of gadget at play as he had kept reaching into his pocket.

But now there was this latest incident. Hosu in chaos with fires raging and Noumu rampaging mindlessly. All thanks to that irritating little League of Villains that popped up out of nowhere. Rikiya was still unsure how to feel about the budding crime group. The attack on the USJ was childish and brash. Hosu was no different as it seemed all to be for the sake of chaos rather than having any actual message. Merely a child playing a game with dire consequences.

At the same time there was the Hero Killer roaming about. Rikiya had no qualms with Stain. He was using his Meta Power as he saw fit after all. Who was the liberating leader to admonish his efforts to live his life and use his power as he wanted? It aligned quite nicely with the Meta Liberation Army's ideals even though the publicity around his actions were of a negative nature.

Fortunately, with the help of his underlings they were still able to take what they had on the Hero Killer and spin it in a different light. The executive director of Shoowaysha Publishing, Kizuki Chitose, and a board member of Feel Good, Inc., Chikazoku Tomoyasu, were a couple of the army's leading members. Known as Curious and Skeptic respectively, together they gathered information on Stain and unleashed the video circulating through the light and dark corners of society. Spreading the Hero Killer's words across Japan as lead up to society starting to question the rules over Quirk use and the role of Heroes in this world. As well as to perhaps inspire others to take their lives and their Meta Powers into their own hands.

However, despite the video stirring up the people, the reports of this Midoriya Izuku defeating the proclaimed Villain was doing so as well. Not in the way Rikiya wanted. The Quirkless brat was defying decades of instilled belief that only the strong survive. What kind of strength could a powerless child like him have with no Meta Power to speak of? Humanity was evolving into a higher form. In the world that Rikiya strived for, there was no room in it for the Quirkless. Having nothing of value to bring to the table.

The situation was irritating. A Quirkless nobody becoming a sort of symbol for those who are weak. No natural power to speak of and relying on Support Items to get by. Just like the festival, it was the use of Support Item that helped the boy 'capture' the Hero Killer. A part of the video he had not wanted to include at first but Curious insisted it was vital in order to tell the whole story.

For some reason or other, the police informed the media and masses that this Quirkless child had been the one to take the Villain down alone. How naïve of those who accepted this at face value. One only had to look closer to see that there were others who could have fought as well with the other battered teens featured in the video. Perhaps this powerless boy did fight in someway but there was no way he had done it all alone as they claimed.

It was annoying how blind people can be. Seeing only what they wanted to see and then moving on to live in a world of lies. Allowing themselves to be herded around like sheep by a government that wanted to suppress their right to be all they were born to be. Controlling the people by restricting their uses of Meta Powers under the guise of keeping the peace.

Heroes and Villains lived outside of these suppressing rules. The former as special permission to be suck ups to those truly in control of this society. Such as the Hero Commission who regulated the Heroes and claimed to keep them in check. Little did they know that a fair few of so-called Heroes were also members of his army. Willing to put aside their government duties to uphold Destro's ideals.

Villains were the ones who stepped outside of societal norms. Using their Meta Powers how they saw fit though many of them in a selfish way that would not better society. Rikiya approved of their use of their powers but they lacked the ability to add value to this world. Merely living for themselves and no one else as they committed their criminal activities.

Unfortunately, due to the laws the Meta Liberation Army was labeled Villainous much like Destro was during his heyday. But those who believed in Destro did not see themselves that way. They were warriors ready to fight for the liberation of Meta Powers. Every one of them willing to put down their lives for the cause. They all trained their powers to be as strong as they could be for when the time came to strike.

However, this one Midoriya Izuku had no power to offer the Meta Liberation Army. He was a relic of the past living in a world every pushing toward the future. For now, he was still an insignificant bug flying around Rikiya's business. Either his fleeting moment to shine will snuff out on its own or Rikiya would have to squash him for his insolence of presenting a challenge to Destro's teachings. As the saying goes, the strong will always prevail over the weak.

...

Back at the hospital, Izuku and the others woke up the next morning to a bright sunny day. The medical staff wanted to run some last-minute checks so they were stuck in the hospital until they got the all clear. In the meantime, families and friends were called in private to assure them they were alright. Izuku's phone in particular was flooded with texts that had transitioned from ones of concern to ones of shock as the news broken out. He made sure to message them back to assure he was alright. Especially Mei who spammed his inbox with her worries, freak outs, and of course showing off her babies she was working on.

The greenet had to struggle through a sob fest shared with his mother over the phone. Assuring her over and over that he was fine. She was happy he was and was proud of him, but still worried that he had been in danger in the first place. Knowing it comes with the trade of Hero, but the mother couldn't help be worry about her baby. Izuku was glad to hear that his dad had been able to help his mom through most of her parenting panic as she had watched the chaos in Hosu unfold. Not there physically to comfort her but doing his best with his words. Much like Izuku was doing now for his mom until he got home.

He wasn't the only one to contact his family. Tenya called his parents before being escorted to spend some time visiting his brother who was in the same hospital. Shouto called his sister and asked her to tell their mother that he was alright. But he made no attempt to contact his father and left it to someone else to deal with the old man. As for Hitoshi, Izuku wasn't sure how his friend's family was handling it as the brainwasher didn't seem to want to talk about it. Simply said he had contacted them and left it at that. Bringing back wonderings of what the brainwasher's homelife was really like.

The teens spent their time left at the hospital reflecting on what they had been through. Their fight with Stain had certainly been an experience unlike anything they had before. Besides the USJ attack for three of them, that had been their first exposure to what a Hero truly faced. It had been terrifying but thrilling at the same time. But rather than deter them from this path, it invigorated their want to become the best Heroes they could be.

Shouto had felt compelled to apologize to them for unintentionally breaking the Hero Killer out of Hitoshi's hold. If he hadn't just acted on instinct, they wouldn't have had to fight the Villain at all. But it was due to his error that they had to anyway. All of them, especially Izuku, were quick to assure him they didn't blame him for what happened. That it was a mistake though an understandable one considering how much he had grown to rely his right side. But it was something he could use as a lesson to learn from to be better in the future.

The group of four teens were finally able to leave the hospital that afternoon thanks to medical staff's care along with Recovery Girl's treatment. Their wounds were essentially all healed up with only the concussions Hitoshi and he had gotten that needed further observation. Shouto's arm was fine and Tenya had been spared any permanent damage to his own. The doctors had been worried about his brachial plexus in his shoulder but thankfully the wounds inflicted by Stain had been shallow and the network of nerves was intact.

When they were finally released, the group went their separate ways with their respective mentors. There were still a couple more days of the internship so they would finish the week with lighter workloads. By orders of Aizawa who had said they had 'enough patrol experience' for one internship. Once again labeling them 'problem children' for having fought the Hero Killer.

Manual assured to keep Tenya on light duty most likely at a desk or short patrols. The teen didn't mind as it would still be good experience to gain for his future. It would also give him time to really think about everything that had happened. As for Shouto, neither Aizawa nor Izuku were happy about him going back to his father's agency. But unfortunately, there was nothing they could do until they had gone through the evidence and found just cause to remove him from Endeavor's custody. Which hopefully would be sooner rather than later.

As for Hitoshi and Izuku, they returned with Aizawa to his apartment to finish the rest of their internship. As well as to allow their mentor to keep an eye on them and any symptoms that may come up connected with their concussions. Planning to keep them occupied with lighter activities until he was certain they were full recovered.

...

Upon arriving at the apartment, they were met by a worried Hizashi who was quick to greet and then proceed to fuss over all of them. The tired man long used to his husband's antics brushed him off with a roll of his eyes, but he did still give him a comforting caress of his arm as he walked into their home. The teens however were not immune and so now had to contend with the doting of the enthusiastic blonde.

The loud man helped the boys settle in but made sure not to smother them. Not too much at least. Though Hizashi did sate his need to shower people with gifts by giving them some merch for his radio show. Such as Put Your Hands Up hoodies to go with their Eraserhead ones from earlier in the week. He also gave Shinsou a pair of sunglasses which the purple haired teen immediately put on as Izuku was beaming like the sun at the Present Mic pen case he was given. A great replacement for the All Might one he had before.

After that, the blonde man seemed to calm down with his fussing though not entirely. Still feeling guilty of leaving them to the disaster that happened in Hosu. Not that he could have predicted that but still. Hizashi left the boys to change into comfier clothes and joined his husband in the kitchen. Shouta turned to him and was immediately able to see past the ever so slightly forced smile. The tired man pulled his husband into a hug and gave him a reassuring kiss before pressing their foreheads together. Whispering words of comfort to sooth the blonde's guilt. It wasn't his fault that Villains decided to make Hosu their playground of violence.

Feeling guilty about something out of his control was illogical and Hizashi knew that, but he still couldn't help feel he should have been there. His mind was rolling with 'what if's of all that could have gone wrong. How any of them could have died or been more seriously injured. Stirring up his ever-present paternal instincts that made him want to wrap his husband and their two temporary children in blankets. Shower them with plushies and surround them in a world of softness.

So many things could have gone wrong. There was always a possibility of a Hero not returning home. It was a profession full of hidden danger with no guarantee of winning every fight. Making each day they came home to each other relatively safe and sound a blessing. Because they both knew from personal experience that a life could be snuffed out in an instant. The two men stood there finding comfort in the whispered words and physical assurances from their partner in life that the other was still there.

Their moment was interrupted by a clearing of a throat. Both Heroes turned to see their charges for the week in the newest gifted hoodies. Shinsou was giving them an amused smirk while Izuku smiled warmly at the pair. It was nice to see the couple supporting each other. The attention was too much for the Underground Hero though who tried to pull away immediately, but the blonde wouldn't have it and snuck in one last kiss to a stubble covered cheek before letting his grumbling husband go. The three snickered as the tired man tried to hide a flustered face in his scarf.

The rest of the evening was spent in domestic comfort. Hizashi made them a delicious dinner as a further welcome back. The four then relaxed in the living room with the blonde and the two boys on the couch while Shouta took the floor in his sleeping bag. He was allowing them more time to recover before getting back to training. Though tomorrow wouldn't be as physically strenuous as the rest of the week had been.

The tired man napped while Hizashi and the teens chatted as a movie was playing in the background. DJ being the attention whore that he was had curled up between the two boys. Soaking up the pets to his soft orange fur and ear scratches coming from both sides while Hizashi took pictures because it was too cute not to. He also took one of Esp as the white cat had deemed the caterpillar man a perfect place to lay on. A common occurrence but still adorable every time.

...

Eventually the movie ended and the teens went off to bed with DJ trotting off after more pets. They were quick to change and brush their teeth before settling on their futons. The insomniac was surprisingly able to fall asleep relatively quickly. Though having a cuddly cat curled up on him had probably helped. As for Izuku, he couldn't seem to fall asleep no matter how much he tried to relax.

He just couldn't get his mind to stop thinking about all that had happened. The past two days had been quite the rollercoaster ride. A morning of training and an afternoon of patrolling that that had transition to an evening of chaos. The rampaging Noumu had been bad enough but then they had to fight the Hero Killer? Not how he had expected the day to end.

Izuku had known that he would have been at odds with Chizome if they were ever to meet outside of their talks. But he had never expected that confrontation would happen when he was still learning to be a Hero. The Quirkless teen hadn't wanted to fight the man who first believed in him, but as a Hero-in-training, he knew that he had no choice in that moment. In that alley they were not meeting as Chizome and Izuku but rather Stain and Edge. Villain and Hero. Neither refusing to stand down from what they believed was the right thing to do.

Fighting the Hero Killer hadn't been easy and took a joint effort to take him down. Not that the public would ever know that. No, they were under the impression that Izuku had taken the Villain down himself. Which the greenet was still not happy with because they all deserved the credit. Not just him. But he understood why they were keeping the others' involvements a secret. Still didn't mean he had to like it.

The biggest thing though that was currently plaguing his mind was the fact that there were people who now know about Chizome and him. Izuku had for sure thought that his Hero career was over before it had really started. Because how could someone who associated with a Villain like he had still be allowed in the Hero Course? But once again he had been surprised by his teachers who actually cared. Even the detective had shown his own care for Izuku's future. Helping them keep his relations with Stain a secret except from those involved in the fight.

It still didn't seem real. Izuku still expected someone to say 'syke' and pull the rug out from under him. Because he didn't feel like he deserved to be, well, not forgiven exactly but allowed to continue following his dream. He had expected to be arrested for what he did or rather didn't do. But he wasn't. Nor was he being expelled or kicked out of the Hero Course. No, they were allowing him to stay and learn. There were still going to be some sort of punishments from Aizawa as well. The greenet didn't know what they were going to be but he would accept them without a fuss.

The fact that he was only getting such a slap on the wrist for associating with a Villain without turning him in was what was keeping him up. Izuku couldn't get his mind to settle down as he mulled over his situation. Feeling unworthy of their mercy and that they should have been just as harsh with him as they had been with Bakugou. It wasn't fair if he got special treatment. A part of him was grateful of course but the other kept thinking he didn't deserve such light consequences.

With a huff, the greenet quietly got up and left the room for the kitchen. Perhaps some water would help him wash his endless thoughts away. The hallway was quiet and dark leading Izuku to assume his teachers were already asleep. However, that wasn't the case as he got closer to the kitchen. Yamada was nowhere to be found but Aizawa was still up. Sitting at the couch doing some late-night work with Esp curled up by his side. The hobo man was idly running a hand down fluffy white fur as he worked. Izuku tried to quietly retreat but tired dark eyes looked up and spotted him anyway.

"Problem child," the deep voice of his teacher called out. "What are you doing up?"

...

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Notes extension: post/666137939946962944/part-2-chapter-36-controversy