Beta'd and edited by kylekatarn77 and Poliamida

69. Reforge the Soul

"The soul is placed in the body like a rough diamond, and must be polished, or the luster of it will never appear."

― Daniel Defoe

Something made Bakugo start awake, and he suddenly sat up in bed, breathing hard. He looked down at his trembling hand in the dim light, and snapped his fingers. No. It still didn't work. Something just wasn't there. But his heart was pounding, as if he'd just run a mile. Iida. Damn him, why did he have to-

"Katsuki?" Uraraka's groggy voice said, and she sat up in bed, rubbing at her eyes. "Is everything OK?"

Bakugo glanced at her, then out the window. It was still dark, the stars shining brightly in the night sky. The city itself had gone dark then. "Yeah. It's fine."

He lay back down, and Uraraka put her arms around him. She didn't say anything. She didn't have to. He squeezed her tightly, then drifted back off to sleep.

They both awoke again several times throughout the night. Uraraka once, screaming in terror, then weeping. Bakugo twice again, each time desperate to reach for something that still wasn't there. He did that frequently, more tonight than most, but ever since he'd lost his quirk, he'd felt as though something was gone. Most of the time, Uraraka had been there though, and somehow, they'd gotten through together.

Even Hari seemed to have given up on trying to keep the two of them apart, or any of the couples that had formed in Class 1A. Well, except possibly Izuku and Mei, but that made sense. Still, it wasn't just Uraraka's cries of panic that disturbed the night. No one in Class 1A slept well these days. Tonight was worse than most. Now, 1A had lost one of their own. Not a mentor, not a friend, but one of their own. Iida was gone.

Bakugo and Uraraka got up before the sun, taking turns in the bathroom before heading out for their turn on patrol. Izuku had sent a text message to the class with a schedule on it, organized into teams. Bakugo and Uraraka would be doing the pre-dawn patrol with Todoroki and Yaoyorozu. He was pretty sure that Izuku hadn't set the patrols up like that on purpose, but then again, you never knew with the nerd.

It didn't surprise Bakugo to find Todoroki and Yaoyorozu emerging from her room together. Hagakure had been gossiping about their budding romance for a long time. What did surprise him were the tears on Todoroki's face. He'd thought the other boy more stoic than that. Well. Even Bakugo would probably have shed a few tears if his old man had died. Hell. He'd even be pretty broken up if his mom died.

"You up for this?" Bakugo asked Todoroki as he checked his grenade launcher. He had a fresh supply of ammo, and had a bandolier wrapped across his shoulder. His only other piece of gear was a stun baton and a radio. Izkuku had offered to make him a damn robot suit, but that wasn't Bakugo's style. He looked down at his hand. If he did get his quirk back...best not to think of that now.

"Yeah. I need to do something. Anything. I just...I didn't think I'd miss him this much," Todoroki admitted as they stepped outside, his breath misting before him. The ground crunched slightly as they walked over it, there must have been a frost the night before. Spring couldn't come soon enough.

"He was your old man," Bakugo said, squinting at the shadows, his head always moving. You saw best out of the corners of your eyes, and especially at night, you had to keep your head moving on patrol.

"I hated him. For years," Todoroki said, his tone pained. "It wasn't until...well, maybe yesterday, that I realized I loved him. Despite all of it."

Bakugo sniffed, nodding. The two girls had fallen back a bit, and were talking quietly. Momo had her half mask off, dangling about her neck. That was new. She usually wore it all the time. "Can't say I know exactly what you're going through. But I know what it's like to resent the hell out of a parent. My mom and me, well, we got along better than you and your dad, but I ain't exactly told her I love her in a while."

Bakugo felt an iron grip on his arm, and he glanced at Todoroki, then started at the look of pained intensity in his gaze. "Tell her. If you care for her at all, tell her, now. She's here, right?"

"Yeah, she and dad are shacked up in the gym with a bunch of other families," Bakugo said, frowning. "I'll tell her later."

"What if there's a villain attack? It could happen at any moment. Kurogiri puts Shiguraki and All For One right in the gym. You're mom's dead now. What's the last thing you said to her?" Todoroki demanded, his voice filled with far more fire than his usual icy calm.

"I dunno, something like shut up and stay here where it's safe," Bakugo said with a shrug. "We were arguing, until dad calmed her down, but I had to go."

"Bakugo, the only reason I'm still sane right now is that the last thing I told my father was that I loved him. For the first time in YEARS. I can't even remember when the last time I did that was. If I had said anything else, if the last thing I had done was fight with him as usual...I don't know what I'd do."

Bakugo considered that. "Yeah, OK. You two fine with covering this sector alone? Not gonna stop for another quickie or something? God knows Uraraka and I pulled that shit for a while."

"We didn't, we haven't, look, that's between the two of us. We just talked last night."

"Sure. Just make sure to use protection when you 'talk,'" Bakugo said with a dismissive wave of his hand. "Ochako, come on. Gotta go tell my folks I love them or some shit. You good with your parents? They like you and stuff, right?"

"Ok." Uraraka gave Yaoyorozu a quick hug and a smile, then she caught up to Bakugo, and the two of them turned towards the gym that had been made into a temporary shelter.

"Guess they finally hooked up. Hagakure always knows," Bakugo observed as they made their way across the campus, dawn starting to lighten the eastern horizon.

"Yeah, now if only she could figure out who has the hots for her," Uraraka sighed, stepping close to Bakugo to press herself up against him. Normally he was against that sort of thing on patrol, but he was cold, and she was hot.

"What, Hagakure? Who's got it for her?" Bakugo asked, only mildly interested.

"Nevermind. I'm worried about you. How do you feel?"

"Like I'm freezing my balls off and going to go get yelled at by my mom over some stupid shit," Bakugo grumbled.

Uraraka stepped in front of Bakugo, putting her hand on his chest and looking up at him. "That's not what I meant." Gently, she took one of his hands, rubbing the fingers as she held it up. "I mean, about...your quirk. Do you think she can do it? Mei, I mean."

"God I hope so," Bakugo said quietly. He closed his eyes, leaning down to rest his head on Uraraka's. "I've tried not to think about it. You can't get a quirk back if you lose it. Shit, how many people have even done that? But to actually get it back…"

Uraraka didn't speak, just stepping closer to hug Bakugo. He appreciated that about her.

When he spoke, his voice was raw with pain. "It's just...what if it makes me weak again? What if I get my quirk back, and I just turn into an asshole again? I mean, I know I'm not exactly warm and fuzzy now, but...I dunno. What if I become a monster again?"

Go jump off a building. Shit. Bakugo thought he should have taken his own advise sometimes. Maybe he would have if it hadn't been for Uraraka. What was he without his quirk?

"Then I'll tame you, just like I did the first time," Uraraka said, putting her hand gently on Bakugo's cheek. "You're not weak. You didn't even slow down when you lost your quirk. But you have become a better man, Katsuki. I mean it. Going to go tell your mother you love her? That's not something you would have done a couple months ago, let alone when I met you."

"You probably hated my guts then," Bakugo said with a snort, straightening to look down at Uraraka, a faint smile on his lips. "I was a complete asshole."

"I won't lie, you were definitely not my favorite classmate," Uraraka giggled. "Back then I thought-"

She cut off abruptly, looking away, her face drawn in anguish. "Oh God. I thought, I thought I was falling for Iida. He was...I don't know. It was just a stupid crush, and it didn't last long. But now...He's dead. He's really gone."

Bakugo wrapped Uraraka in his arms. Now it was his turn just to listen.

"He was always a stickler for the rules, you know? But then, it was him who came to us all with that crazy plan of Izuku's to rescue Mei. That was because of Stain, you know? He made Iida realize that sometimes, you have to just do what's right, not what the rules are. Who knew? Stain, actually being sort of a hero."

"I always wanted to be a hero. To make a world worthy of All Might."

It was one of the few times in his life that Bakugo felt pure, unmitigated terror. He actually pissed himself. Everything seemed to happen slowly. He pushed Uraraka behind him, spinning to face the voice as he raised his grenade launcher. Stupid. They were so stupid. They were supposed to be on patrol, supposed to keep an eye out for villains. But he was already too late. The sword came down, slicing through the grenade launcher as he brought it up. He tried to punch the bastard, but another sword came for him. Bakugo leaned into the blow that looked to cut him and Uraraka in two. He couldn't let her die not now.

The corpse like face of the Hero Killer leered at Bakugo, dodging him easily, his blades arching towards exposed flesh. The sword only cut Bakugo's cheek instead of something more vital. Uraraka was screaming, punching wildly for the dark figure, but another sword took her across the bicep. Some unseen force grabbed hold of Bakugo and threw him to the ground. An instant later, Uraraka collapsed beside him.

"No…" Bakugo gasped. "Don't you dare!" He couldn't turn his head, could barely move his eyes as he looked up at the figure shrouded in a ragged cloak that was crouching over him. "Bastard! It's...it's me you want! I'm the shit hero! Leave her alone!"

Uraraka was face down, and could only gurgle.

Stain crouched, his sword reaching down for Bakugo's throat. "Leave her alone! Don't you-"

The sword gently pushed Bakugo onto his back. A moment later, Stain expertly flipped Uraraka over as well, then crouched over them.

"...a good hero. He's a good man!" Uraraka babbled. Her nose was broken again, and her voice was nasally and muffled. "Don't kill him! Please! I love him!"

"Shhh. I am not here to kill you, little heroes," Stain whispered. "I merely wished to introduce myself. No, I kill only those who disgrace the name of hero. But you are the Heirs of All Might. You have proven you care not for fame, nor glory, nor riches, nor even adulation of the masses. You fight for justice. Even when all others turn their backs on you. Perhaps your methods are...unconventional. So are mine."

"What the hell are you babbling about?" Bakugo gasped, desperately trying to move. "You're the hero killer! What, were you sent here to kill Izuku? Togata? Who?"

"All of you," Stain said, his tone amused. His own voice sounded off. Must be that son of a bitch's missing nose. "I was sent to kill all of you. Any of you. All For One did not seem to care who I slew, so long as I painted the night red with blood. Perhaps, if I find some false heroes, I may strike them down. But this is not a night for killing."

"Then why are you here?" Uraraka managed.

"To warn you," Stain replied, sheathing his swords. "They come for you, little heroes. All For One. Shigaraki and his pathetic puppets. And of course, the Meta Liberation army. But more importantly, they sent more than an assassin. They sent spies."

"Why should we trust you?" Bakugo rasped. He felt his toes twitch. Good. As soon as he could move, he was kicking this bastard right in the balls. He'd broken Uraraka's nose. No one did that shit and got away with it.

"Because I offer myself to you." Stain slowly removed his swords, setting them on the ground, then sitting cross legged, his arms raised up. "Arrest me. Take me in. My purpose is complete. The world once more has true heroes. All Might is dead, true, but you and your companions have proven that his spirit lives on. I have claimed enough lives. Now, I must face the justice I always knew was coming. But I do so in the midst of a new, better world. Though perhaps, you well let me pick up my blades one last time. And seek redemption by killing All For One. The man who killed All Might."

And then Stain just sat there, quietly, while Bakugo growled curses at him. Uraraka was the first to recover. She forced herself up, then kicked Stain's swords away. Slowly, she took out a pair of handcuffs from her belt. Stain simply raised his arms up to her, as if seeking a blessing. She snapped the cuffs on. Then she punched Stain square in his jaw. He let out a groan, toppling over. Then he laughed, sitting up and spitting out a tooth. "Was I wrong about you, little hero?"

"Yes. I'm in this for the money," Uraraka snapped, spitting blood in Stain's face. "Just ask him. He actually does this to save people. I do it so I can get rich."

"No, you do not," Stain said quietly, working his jaw. "If you did this for riches, you would not have hurled yourself into battle so many times to save another. Wealth is worth little if you are dead."

"Oh get bent you prick," Uraraka grumbled as she knelt by Bakugo. "Katsuki? Are you OK?"

"Sorta. I can kinda move now. Help me up," Bakugo said. Uraraka got him to his feet, and after another minute he could move. He glared at Stain. "What should we do with this asshole?"

"I don't know," Uraraka admitted. "I mean, he could have killed us. He's killed a lot of people. Why is he here?"

"Hell if I know." Bakugo unhooked his radio. "Hey, someone wake the nerd up. Stain just turned himself in, and I'll be damned if I know what the hell to do about it."

There was a pause, then a burst of static, then Todoroki's voice. "Say again?"

"I said Stain just turned himself in to me and Hurl," Bakugo answered. "You deaf or something, Icy Hot?"

"If this is a prank, Bakugo, it is in very poor taste," Todoroki snapped.

Yaoyorozu's voice came on. "Stain? As in, the Hero Killer? The one who just escaped from Tartarus?"

"No, the kind you get when you shit yourself. Of course it's the damn Hero Killer!" Bakugo barked.

"This is Izuku," a tired voice said over the line. "Repeat that last?"

"Oh for- talk to him yourself!" Bakugo snarled, then jammed the radio in Stain's face. "Say hi, ugly."

"Hello, Izuku Midoriya. I have waited long to speak with you," Stain said, his eerie voice calm and steadily. "Tell me, what is it that makes a hero?"

There was silence on the line for a moment, then alarms began to blare across campus.

"This is Midoriya, all heroes, mobilize! The League is attacking!" Izuku's voice declared over the PA. "Civilians, remain where you are! We are initiating SKYNET protocol!"

"That answer your question?" Bakugo demanded, holstering the radio.

"No," Stain sighed. "But perhaps he will tell me more later."

"He told you plenty, dumbass," Bakugo laughed.

Urarak nodded. "Real heroes don't talk. They act."

From around the UA campus, training robots emerged, including several of the giant type 0 robots. Some of them had been modified with new weaponry such as missiles, lasers, flamethrowers, and other inventions of Mei and Izuku, though most of them were still using their old mostly harmless gear. Even with the added weapons they wouldn't be much more than a speed bump to real foes from the League of Villains, but maybe a speed bump would be enough.

"Machines? What folly is this? They cannot replace real heroes," Stain scoffed.

Bakugo didn't dignify that with a response, instead treating Uraraka's wounds and then his own while keeping an eye on their captive. Stain made no move to escape, simply sitting on the ground while robots crowded around him, weapons pointed at him as they blared repeated orders to not move and that lethal force had been authorized.

After about 20 minutes, the alarms turned off and the robots trundled back to their charging stations. Izuku dropped down out of the sky, wearing his smaller suit. He popped the visor, frowning at Stain. "It's just him. No one else is here."

"Yeah. He snuck up on us while we were on patrol," Bakugo said. "Cut us, paralyzed us, then dropped his swords and surrendered. Just sat there, saying dumb shit. He did say something about a spy, don't know what's up with that."

"Toga," Izuku growled. He crouched before Stain, his eyes narrowed. "What do you know?"

"What you have already guessed. Toga is coming to infiltrate you. How, I do not know. There is one other thing I can tell you: The League of Villains and the Meta Liberation Army are no more."

"What? Did they wipe each other out?" Uraraka asked, sounding painfully hopeful.

Stain shook his head, still sitting on the ground. "No. They have joined together. They call themselves the Paranormal Liberation Front now. Curious is the last remaining of Re-Destro's Lieutenants, Hanabata is yet imprisoned, and Iceman has joined All For One. She is mad, seeking only a good story. She has pledged herself and her soldiers to Tomera Shiguraki's cause."

"Shigaraki? Not All For One?" Izuku prompted. "I thought he was the leader."

"No. All For One has passed his crown to Shigaraki. He now leads the Paranormal Liberation Front. He has...changed. When I first met him, he was a petulant, spoiled child, screaming in frustration at the world. Now, he is something far worse: he is a man who seeks nothing less than the complete annihilation of the current order. He wishes to see the world crumble to dust, and he has the means and power to do so. He is mad."

"Madness," Izuku whispered, standing. He folded his arms across his chest, looking down on Stain. "So, what do we do with him?"

"Kill me!" Stain snarled, raising his manacled hands. "My purpose is finished: evil heroes have been swept away, and the ideal of All Might restored! I knew I would one day face justice! That day has come. You, the heir of All Might, the one who is the leader of the True Heroes, are worthy to end me!"

"I am not All Might's heir," Izuku said with a shake of his head. He keyed his radio. "Togata? Meet me back at HQ. And someone get Nezu and Tsuragamae to meet me there as well. We have to figure out what to do with Stain."

Izuku looked down at Stain, who was scowling. "I'm not going to simply execute a man, criminal or no. It's one thing to kill on the battlefield, where you have no choice. But life is precious, even yours. All Might knew that. I'm disgusted that someone who claims to have followed his ideals would seek death in such a way."

"Worthy," Stain breathed, tears forming at the corners of his eyes. "Truely, you are worthy."

"This guy's nuttier than a bag of almonds," Uraraka observed. "Maybe we should just kill him, Izuku. I'll do it, if you won't."

"No," Bakugo said, his eyes narrowing. "This is an opportunity. The League, or Paranoma-whats-its, whatever they're calling themselves, they think he's on their side. He could be useful."

"That's not for us to decide," Izuku said with a shake of his head. He lowered his visor, then grabbed Stain and hauled him to his feet. "Come on. We'll go see just what sort of justice is in store for you."