A/N: (Thanks to Morbius20 and Gaspacho for betaing this chapter! Caught so many mistakes I feel slightly self conscience, but alas thank you!)
December
Sweat dripped down his chin. His breaths exhaling roughly and abruptly, each movement eliciting a small grunt and exertion of air. Every blow he launched reverberated loudly throughout his room with a crack, which was thankfully soundproofed.
Right cross.
Left hook.
Jab
Jab
Bob
Weave
Hook.
Every blow sent another shockwave through the room, threatening to blow away the papers at his desk after every hit. But the shirtless man would not stop his barrage on his bag, a quirk-duty punching bag. Green eyes burning behind enclosed fists held up in a guard, his head lowered.
With his muscles rippling, the man shifted his hips leftwards in an instant, pushing his body forward with the ball of his foot with wind kicking up all around in the small room, the man's green eyes lit up with an emerald flame, entirely dead set on the bag. The air around his knuckle practically began to steam.
Crash!
His knuckle hit dead on, imprinting against the bag so deeply that it shot up to the ceiling. Izuku stayed outstretched in that position for what seemed like eternity, his fist practically smoking from the speed he struck at.
'This bag is 500 pounds.' Izuku mused at his strength, still amazed even after all this time. The young man recentered into an even stance, putting his fists to the side and taking in a large breath before continuing his boxing routine. His heart falling to a calm rhythm within seconds as a testament to his fitness level, Izuku launched another blow instantly to spike it back up. He liked to imagine this bag to be his former best friend and tormenter, it gave a little extra oomph to his blows.
Without knowing thanks to the sound of his impacts, the door to his room slid open suddenly. A blonde head curiously peaking into the room with a tray of food, Izuku was none the wiser.
'Where is that man, he missed lunch again! I swear he takes so little care of himself sometimes, well… He is 2 years younger than me, that has to make a slight difference in maturity right?' Melissa mused to herself as she entered through his door, creeping through the hallway that led to her friend's living quarters.
'I'll get on him for sure, then he'll apologize and-' She stopped dead in her tracks, the sight of a shirtless Midoriya Izuku suddenly filling her view and causing a prominent burst of red blood cells on her face. She instantly turned around the corner and practically latched to it in fright, her face beat read. The glasses wearing blonde felt her heartbeat grow incredibly high, much like our resident webslinger's had been previously.
'I didn't know he was shredded! Gosh!' She'd always thought he looked more muscular than he seemed at first, she peaked her head around the wall to confirm. Her face continued to flush at the sight of a completely shirtless ripped man, pale skin blemished with slight freckles over his back and neck. Blue eyes followed the contours of his body, Melissa sighed and shook her head.
'Get it together girl, that's your best friend and you sure wouldn't like it if he was looking at you like that… Or maybe you would, but it's a respect thing!' she inwardly lectured herself before taking a heavy breath.
"Ahem!" The sounds of fists hitting a bag shut off with a slight yelp.
"Erm, Melissa? Is that you?"
"Yeah, are you naked?"
"What! No! I'm just uh, getting some HIIT in! You can come over here, I'm finished anyways." He really was, he found practicing against a bag was more good on his conscience than beating on strangers in a ring… But there was another reason he didn't want to go to that fighting ring again…
Melissa turned the corner with the tray of food and drink, rice, chicken with scallions and shrimp, and a glass of water for a beverage. Taking in his room, it really was bland… But functionality over form right?
Izuku smiled at the sight of his infatuation, her lovely figure filling his view and handling the tray with an incredibly flushed face. His gaze on her contributed to that flush, her snapping caused him to lose focus.
"Eat your food goofball, how else will you keep those muscles?" He snorted and shrugged, reaching for the bowl and chopsticks. He instantly began to consume the food, even with extra large portions it seemed like nothing to the man who's metabolism had only skyrocketed even further after his bodily change.
Melissa kneeling with her knees spread out had seen far worse eaters in America, she only giggled at his enlarged cheeks, "Look at you, you've come so far in a month since the expo, back then you could barely look at me without stuttering." A slight flush came over his face as he was eating, he quickly swallowed.
"Y-yea, I can't describe it perfectly but it's easy to just relax around you naturally, and plus' you're my best friend, I don't have to feel nervous as much you know?" She nodded, grinning at the food stuck on his face.
"Here." She grabbed a napkin and brushed off the rice grain on his bottom lip, eliciting a small blush from the larger man.
"Thanks, for the food and everything, I don't know where I'd be without you Meli." He smiled at her with that sweet innocent smile of his and she gave him a thumbs up.
"Well you'd probably be starving by now for one, seriously dude this is the 5th time since… you know, and you've missed lunch every day since then. Are you still paranoid about the police?" His face got more solemn, the webslinger shook his head.
"I told them e-everything so I'm not exactly afraid of them but…" he lied slightly, looking at the ground.
"I still regret that day, it's hard to think back hearing his shaky voice telling me to run away… And I listened without a second thought to consider if he would live, and now he's dead and the hero killer roams free…" a shadow appeared over his face, blotting out those light filled green eyes Melissa adored.
She touched his hand and scooted closer, their knees touching. "I know it hurts Izuku, and it touches my heart that you care about someone who you've never met, someone who tried to arrest you for Christ's sake. But that's just how it is, heroes risk themselves, they have the responsibility to risk their lives for us citizens…" Izuku frowned.
"But who saves the heroes then? Other heroes? Why does a piece of paper make someone responsible or not? Your dad told me that responsibility comes with great power but what does that really mean?" Izuku stared at her glimmering blue eyes with such passion, she wanted to give him the perfect answer.
"I'm not sure, but you could always ask him! Even though he has been irritable lately... " A chipper response followed by a a less chipper observation, Izuku laughed inwardly, oh he knew.
"He said he was meeting with Detnerat through a mutual shareholder, Yotsubashi is supposed to be returning to Japan next month I think, that must be stressing him out."
"Yeah, you're right, Papa wants to make an alliance with Detnerat, they do create fantastic personal designs for quirks, whereas we are more generalized which is what Papa wanted originally… but he's not sure it will stick."
They sat in silence, Izuku gleefully devouring his food and rubbing his stomach afterwards.
"Y'know, I did a bit of Kendo when I was younger... I could show you sometime." Izuku's eyes slightly widened. "Really? I never thought..." Melissa didn't seem to be someone who'd fight another person..
"Well, no use moping in here I guess…" The shirtless man stood up and put the disposable tray on his desk, cleaning himself off with a gym towel before slipping on a loose fitting shirt.
Melissa stood up, "Well, shall we go?" Izuku was downing his water bottle, each chug eliciting a bob of his Adams apple, Melissa couldn't remove her eyes.
Finishing his drink, "Yeah." His eyes never left hers.
Melissa blinked twice with a small flush, "Right, w-well come on." She turned quickly and began walking forward, exiting his room. Izuku smiled at her retreating form, taking another drink of his water bottle before following.
The elevator door shut tightly.
The silence was deafening, Melissa took a small peak at her friend. "So… excited for the festival?"
"Mhm."
He continued, "Your dad wants me to go with you." Izuku said, shifting his shirt slightly with a small tug.
"Oh really? I wouldn't mind, he'd probably want me to go with some hired guards otherwise." Izuku smiled at that, David knew his daughter so well.
He was thankful for the elder man, his boss was a real leader, he knew everyone like the back of his hand and knew exactly what to say. But… he was getting more aggressive and irritable lately…
The elevator stopped with a ding, the door opening to reveal a new figure. The man standing at the entrance wore a suit, his posture prim and proper. The man's face was mostly covered by dark hair, which was long and straight, pointedly so. He heard a slight gasp from Melissa, and turned to look at her oddly smiling face.
Izuku felt something odd from him, the air shifting for a second or two… The man looked at him with disinterest, like he wasn't fit to scrape the dirt off his boots.
'Who is he…'
"Mister T!" Melissa shouted out, her eyes lighting up… Oddly.
"Ahh, hello again Melissa my dear. How pleasant for us to meet before my departure." His voice was calculating, precise. It portrayed none of the emotion that his words would usually inspire.
The man allowed a small curve of histhe mouth, a smile, or what appeared to be a smile. "Oh, and this must be the next fabled quirkless Inventor, Midoriya was it?" Izuku stood there awkwardly, expecting a handshake of some kind.
Melissa nudged him, "Oh! Yes, it's nice to meet you Mr… T." If Izuku was honest, he didn't know who this man was.
"Chikazoku Tomoyasu, I'm the chairman of Feel good Inc, a pleasure I'm sure, but let's be on our way shall we? I'm just now leaving and I'm afraid I need to get home." The man's callous voice had Izuku on edge, his body moved with such precision that it was akin to a puppet.
"Yeah…" He clicked the button for thewhat level the man wanted.
"Mr. T, you're as cold as ever…" Melissa had this odd ability to seem cheerful and happy go lucky one moment, only to transform into a calculating genius the next second. Fortunately, the man didn't seem to notice.
"Apologies my dear girl, I simply haven't had the privilege of social interaction recently, evidently I'm on my toes when meeting others." Melissa snorted, turning back into her usual mood.
"Just kidding, Mister T."
The rest of the time was spent silent, the two men on edge for different reasons.
"So… I hear Shield has allowed another quirkless into his ranks hm. Interesting development but given your status Melissa, I'm not surprised at his bleeding heart towards this young man." Izuku frowned at that, it sounded like Chikazoku was talking down about him in some roundabout way.
"W-what are you implying sir?" Izuku piped up, his eyes slightly narrowing.
"Oh nothing, I meant no offense, quirkless or not…" Izuku began sweating, a sudden surge of killer intent rising from the man next to Melissa rattling him to the bone.
"You're a valuable asset, either way."
...
Liar.
Izuku's spider-sense was activated.
The two watched the man exit in silence, his quiet footsteps echoing throughout the hall he stepped into, continuing on his way to the helicopter waiting for him.
…
"I hate that guy."
Izuku whirled around at her statement, perplexed at her uncharacteristically venomous voice.
"M-melissa!" She scoffed.
"He always gave me the creeps as a kid, I don't trust him but I have to smile and act friendly because he and papa are old friends and business partners. And he's been acting a lot weirder since..." A sigh, the elevator rocking back and forth slightly as it went down.
"I'm just shocked, erm. I never thought you could hate someone, you're too kind." The blonde beauty giggled melodiously.
"You charmer, come on." The elevator finally stopped.
David Shield was reading by his desk, his mind slowly processing the day and calming itself., Hehe was still guilty for how he blew up at Izuku but… he really did have a lot on his plate.
Ring!
Ring!
His phone vibrated suddenly which elicited a sigh of annoyance from the super genius, he reached into his pocket and took out the mobile device; an unknown number was on the screen of the mobile device he took out of his pocket, causing David to frown.
"Hello? How did you get this numb-"
"Hello, Dave."
His heart plunged into ice at the demonic voice reverberating throughout the call.
That voice.
"You… You…"
"Yes yes, I am rather terrifying aren't I?" A distorted dark sound of laughter followed.
"How… What's the game now? Trying to threaten me? Good luck you son of a bitch!" David stood from his desk and launched his chair away, fury evident on his face, 'I have to trace his location! Damnit!'
"Calm yourself Dave, you weren't this angry the last time I met you…"
"What… Do you want." The inventor gritted out.
"Well well, I had to see how little Dave was doing, last I recall you were selling gear to my enemies, you/we love profiting off war don't we? Why so angry, without me how would you have ever gotten where you are today?"
"Nothing's free, don't try to claim a moral high ground… Redestro." David could recognize that voice anywhere, the illusive figure of Redestro covered in a dark slimy substance that seeped from his skin and distorted his identity and voice. The S class villain had contacted him, but for what?
"Oho, I wouldn't do such a thing old friend! I have a reputation to uphold after all. However it does seem odd how I'm calling you like this no?"
No response.
"Let's just say this."
"I caught your little hero."
David scrunched his eyes up for a second, the clock in his office ticking by for a second or two before it clicked.
His face paled.
Beep!
He couldn't speak, couldn't breathe. David propped himself up against his desk, sweat pooling under his chin and dripping into the wood below. He put a hand against his face, restraining his shaking and rage.
"I… I need to contact them." His eyes closed and his shaking intensified.
"DAMNIT!" He slammed a fist onto his desk, splintering it and drawing blood.
The phone being held up to his face retracted back into the shadows, helmet wearing men with zero discerning features stood at the side of the shadow lined room, hiding away from sight.
Redestro was smiling, his face appearing friendly to any who didn't know him.
The villain clapped twice, his request instantly being understood by his zealous followers. Two men lept into action with practiced precision, one walking forward with a glass of champagne to refill it, and the other speaking through an earpiece. Without words, this man cloaked in shadow got what he wanted.
A knock came against the entrance to his chambers within which Redestro sat on his throne, the only part of his face being visible was his sickeningly sweet smile.
"Bring her in." A simple command.
The door bursts open, two guards seemingly carrying something… Not visible to the eye. "Eep!" A high pitched voice echoed out through the chamber as the two men threw whatever they were holding to the ground.
The grand leader was still drinking from his cup, he quickly gestured to another zealot.
"Damnit! Take these things off me!" The figure was revealed in the light, constrained by two cuffs but otherwise invisible. Her raging movements had to be restricted by the two guards.
Their leader finished his glass, inspecting the object that had been delivered just seconds ago. A firearm, he looked up and down the barrel with fasciation, admiring the craftsmanship.
Bang!
The thrashing ceased for a small second, the outstretched gun smoking from usage. Redestro calmly lowered the weapon before handing it back to the zealot who'd given it, a sigh exiting his lips as the body clumped to the ground.
"What…" Her eyes shot open.
'I'm alive?'
She plucked something from her arm, a dart.
"I'm sure you're confused my dear Hagakure, I didn't shoot you to harm you, but I could not have you running around with that invisible quirk of yours any longer. I used a dart, courtesy of our Yakuza friends back in Japan." Her eyes widened as her formerly invisible body slowly revealed itself.
"What the! What the hell did you do to me, you long nosed bastard!" The formerly quirked woman roared out weakly even though she knew exactly what was happening, her body going into a state of sluggishness as the two guards relinquished their hold on her. Tears pooled in her eyes as her quirk faded from her entirely.
A hand came crashing down against her revealed cheek, causing her to crash against the ground weakly.
The formerly invisible woman was wearing a skin tight bodysuit, her hair falling down to her shoulders and in an ephemeral cyan color, for the first time since she turned four, people could see her.
"No…" Her mouth was having issues functioning.
A sudden mass of killing intent filled the chamber, she shivered at the feeling. It was hopeless, she was going to die here alone without anyone knowing.
"SUBORDINATE!" The shadowed man raised his voice with a slight edge, standing from his throne calmly. Every man and woman in the room stood a little straighter, countless years of mental training and discipline compelling them.
Redestro calmly approached the guards and their captive, his sickly sweet smile and gleeful expression never once leaving his face.
"Subordinate." His gentle words were like honey on the ears, the man who struck the heroine with a scathing hand stood at his commander's attention.
"Permission to speak is granted, now tell me why you struck our lovely friend here?" With the towering form of Redestro smiling down at you, his face shadowed… Terror would etch itself into the heart of even the most courageous individual.
"I… Could not bear to hear her badmouth you, sir… I apologize." The young man spoke, his voice revealing youth and corroborating with his height.
…
"Very well, come here." Redestro held out his arms to the young man, inviting him to be held in front of everyone.
Redestro released the young man, he was no older than 15. Kneeling down and placing his hands on the boy's shoulders, the grand commander smiled. "Take the rest of the day off young man, and temper that anger will you?" He clapped him on the shoulder once, the boy blinked twice before saluting and exiting the chamber.
"Such youth…" Redestro felt tears flow down his face, emotional at having someone so dedicated to him and his cause.
The heroine on the floor watched the scene, curiosity flooding her mind. Her eyes followed the young man who'd just hit her, leaving without a word.
'Where did that killing intent go…'
She felt a presence in front.
A large hand grasped hers and helped her up, "You thought I was going to kill that young man?"
She nodded dumbly before glaring, "You… you've tortured my friends before, I wouldn't put it past you." Her scathing remark elicited a laugh.
"And I would torture them as many times needed, you are all my enemy after all so don't be offended, such is war, such is my war. The false dichotomy of your system, coercion based society that stifles brilliant lights in the name of norms and tradition, it's all corrupt, and I will do anything to destroy it." He whispered the last part into her ears, she felt her heart drop.
The grand commander stood up, "Well! As long as you give up on relaying what you've learned to your scoundrel friends back home, I'm sure we will have no problems. You didn't really think you'd go unnoticed by our sensor quirks did you? You could've died!" He faked being aghast, his prisoner seething from her kneeling position.
"That's what being a hero is, I'm willing to die for my fri-" She was silenced, a finger shot to her forehead in a burst of speed that she had no hope of reacting to.
Redestro was not smiling anymore.
Covered in a brown liquid skin like substance, stress marks stretched along the contours of his face. Hagakure felt her heart skip a few beats, the raw power building up on her forehead drew tears to her eyes.
"Are you? Depending on your answer, I could eviscerate you with a mere gesture. Tell me hero, is this failed sense of morality… is it something you're willing to die for? Do you want to live?" She swallowed, the sweat globs on her brow and chin growing as she felt the pressure grow on her forehead, she released a choked sob.
"DO YOU WANT TO LIVE!" His transformed voice released a gust of wind, her hair blowing back along with any tears. The room rumbled with power, glass shattered on the floor. The shaking form of the heroine they'd captured finally gave her answer.
"Yes! I want to live!" Her voice cracked, her scream echoing throughout the chamber several times as the heroine devolved into a weeping mess.
…
"Good, then you will." Redestro recalled his quirk, his face reverting back to the cheerful one he wore most often. Standing up, he removed his finger from Hagakure's forehead, her shaking sobs racking her body for a second before she fell down to the floor, her tears pooling on the ground below.
A snap, the one guard left picked her up in a bridal carry, "Take her to a room, make sure she's taken care of." He saluted, watching the two exit the chamber.
Redestro felt a buzz come from his earpiece, his mood returning, "Skeptic?" He questioned.
"Yes it's me, I've learned of a strategic attack plan we could take." A calculating voice echoed into his ear, eliciting a wide grin.
"Oh?"
Redestro smiled from his balcony, the fresh American air soothing his mind and stress.
"A festival huh?" Seemed like a perfect homecoming party.
"Seems I'm coming home early then!"
He flipped open a device, "Sam?"
"Aye, I'm here big man."
"We're accelerating our plans early, don't get comfortable, act as normal but be ready!"
A man on the other line smirked, his perfect white teeth reflecting in the shadowed room he sat in. "You know me, I never stop moving. I'm ready for anything."
"Good, remember-"
"Yeah yeah, I know."
"Perpetua et firma libertas..."
"Perpetua et firma libertas!"
A/N: (Izuku hasn't found his true motivation for heroism yet unlike canon, it was self evident what a hero should be and represent to him under the golden age of All might, but here? That concept of heroism hasn't existed, yet. Izuku is a young hormonal man with repressed anger at the world for hating him for so long, Canon Izuku is the idealized version of how we think we'd react to getting powers after years of torment, but in reality… it's darker, more complex than immediately doing the best you can as a hero… But he will grow, I promise that.)