Thanks to 'Heartfanglives', 'A friendly dude', and 'equinoxhun' for the reviews! I think this might be a last chapter for quite a long time, since, you know, exams and stuff. I hope I will be able to make a few chapters in between, smaller than this one. So, uh, I hope you enjoy!
Esuha business district. Tuesday, 7:14 PM.
"I had a family too"
Izuku looked at the smoking weapon in his arm and made a shaking breath.
He did it.
He actually felt somewhat calmer now.
Time for a little breather. The threat from within was eliminated.
Even if it did not bring him joy, it did bring a bit of stability for the Commission and its enforcers. Who knew how much information was given to All For One before the spy received the bullet?
Maybe this doctor was even behind the failures of HPSC in last months. Will be difficult to prove now.
Izuku leaned on a wall, and slipped into sitting position.
One target down. One more to go.
He got his phone and dialed the Vice-President again, still glancing at the body. He still was afraid of a repeat of what happened to the fire user months ago, in the forest. Who knew if he was a living bomb as well?
Izuku had enough will to live to be wary.
His eyelids never felt this heavy, and the headache was getting worse.
"Midoriya, how did it go?"
"I finished him. He told me the name of the executor. Someone named Hiromi Agakugo, from Oosaka…whoever that is."
"Noted. The team was sent to get you"
Izuku noticed an armored vehicle with HPSC insignia already parking at the end of the sidewalk. He gave out a tired laugh.
"You work fast"
"Only the best for my employees, young enforcer. Emiya-kun will take care of the rest"
"Wait…"
"What is it?"
"I…wanted to make sure we pay the life insurance for this guy. His family might need it. I'll tell you when I get back."
"…I'll see what I can do. No promises"
Izuku saw the tanned man getting out of the car with a few other enforcers. Seeing the leader of his squad, Izuku closed his eyes and smiled weakly. Even his hand didn't hurt that much for some reason.
The man approached him.
"Stupid brat…" he said quietly, lifting Izuku. "…Don't scare me like that again."
Being carried like that…felt much better than a cheap bed.
"Sorry, Emiya-san…"
"You promised not to leave, remember?"
"It was…like, five months ago? And…I am here, am I not?"
The tanned man sighed.
The whole incident was a giant shock to him. He was not notified that Izuku was alive until yesterday evening. During those few days, he turned even more grey. Even his girlfriend was not sure how to help him.
He was afraid he lost them all. The reminders of his past life, of something that could be, hardly, but considered a foster family. And yet, one ember from this fire was in his arms right now, alive and sleeping.
Hospital. Wednesday, 7:41 AM.
"Oh god, what happened to him?"
"Got a nasty burn what…three full days ago."
"*Sigh*…please tell me he at least was changing the bandages."
"I don't know. Oi, brat!" Someone snapped fingers near his ear. "I know you are awake. Talk with the doctor."
Izuku barely could open his eyes. It was too bright. Covering the source of light with his hand, he finally opened his eyes.
Next to him was standing Emiya in his sleeveless combat suit, and a man with round eyeglasses and grey hair, in a white shirt.
"Where am I?"
"Tokyo Hospital, Hero level" answered Emiya.
Oh shit, this will be a drag to pay. Izuku groaned and fell into the comfy pillow again.
"Midoriya-san. Tell me about the wound. I can see symptoms such as photophobia and a fever. I can only assume that you have got an infection in your wound."
"I got caught in an explosion. I…I got my hand bandaged withing an hour…It was on Saturday"
The doctor was writing down the information.
"When did you change the bandages?"
"Uh…Monday?"
"Did you use any antiseptic?"
"No"
"Any creams for burns?"
"No"
The man sighed.
"Okay. Now, we will need to unwrap those to assess your current state. Here"
The doctor made an injection into his left shoulder.
"This will get into effect in the next few minutes. Emiya-san, I shall ask you to leave for until we are finished with assessment."
"Hmph. As you say, doc"
Emiya left the room.
"How is he?" Asked Yaoyorozu Ichirou on the phone.
"Holding. But the injury is most likely way more serious than he thinks."
"I'll pay for treatment, he shouldn't worry."
"Then let's hope your money can get him his health back. Is your daughter running here already?"
"You are joking, right?"
"Not at-"
"We are both half-way there"
"Feel anything?" Asked the doctor.
Currently he was cutting through the bandages. The young operative showed the doctor a place where he could cut it while not touching the wound beforehand.
"No, it doesn't hurt" Said Izuku with his eyes half-open. He was actually quite scared, but whatever drug the doctor used helped.
"Oh, sh-"
Izuku almost woke up fully at those words. He was about to stand up from his lying position to look, but the doctor softly pushed him back on the pillow.
He felt the bandages getting off.
"What is it, sensei?"
The doctor didn't answer.
"Hana, turn off the lights." The doctor said to his hesitant assistant. He himself went for the curtains.
"Sensei?" Izuku asked again.
"Wait a moment, Midoriya-san. Don't get up yet."
The room lost all sources of light.
Suddenly, doctor's eyes glowed with white and Izuku could see them looking at his arm.
"This is my quirk. X-Ray. Neat, but I can't see everything with this. Because of that, Midoriya-san, I will carefully touch your arm in several places. Tell me how well you can feel it. From 0 to 10"
"O…kay?"
Doctor touched the inner side of his elbow.
"10"
Outer side of the elbow.
"Still 10"
Izuku waited…and waited.
"Sensei?"
"Uh-huh. 0 from this. And here?"
"Wait, you touched me?"
"Yes. Midoriya-san, can you feel my hand?"
A sense of dread filled Izuku.
"No."
"And here?"
"No…"
He was breathing faster.
"S-still no"
"As I thought" Said the doctor with his eyes no longer glowing. The assistant turned the lights on "….Midoriya-san, I'm afraid to tell you this, but about…twelve percent of your left hand is necrotic. Luckily, the infection did not spread much further, and we can still fight it, but your arm…"
Izuku covered his face with his right hand. He was glad that the drug made it harder to think straight.
"D-do what you must…sensei."
"I'll schedule your operation on this evening. However, this is not the first case of something like this in our hospital. I can and will advise you to get a replacement for you arm if you wish to continue your work."
"… Replacement? You mean…something like a prosthesis?"
"Yes, exactly that."
"I don't know if I can afford it, to be honest."
"Not everyone needs a prosthesis that can withstand Miruko's kicks, my boy. I'm sure we will find you something affordable. You are not in a rush with this."
Izuku nodded, looking at the Tokyo city from his lying position.
Doctor wrapped his arm in a new set of bandages, making sure to fixate the arm in one place. He and his assistant got to the door to find Emiya talking on the phone.
"You can see him, but please, don't touch his left hand. I will return in a few minutes to make another injection."
Emiya nodded and went inside.
"What did he say?"
Izuku couldn't believe in what he heard, and made a few nervous laughs.
"Well, I will lose about twelve percent of my arm today. It is basically dead"
Emiya's eyes widened.
"…Are you going to get a replacement?"
"I don't know. How much does it cost nowadays?"
"That, my boy, is not a question you need to ask yourself." Said incredibly familiar voice over Emiya's phone.
"Yaoyorozu-san…"
"Don't worry about the price. Better tell me all the wishes you have for it and in what color!"
Izuku sweatdropped.
"Are you serious?"
"Of course"
Emiya looked at Izuku.
'Why would you even ask?'
Izuku shrugged.
'Never know with him'
Izuku winced, and clutched his head. His headache was returning.
He frowned. If he wanted to continue his career as an enforcer…he will have to get a replacement for his arm.
To make it serve as a reminder of how close to death he was, and that he failed. Something he will never tolerate again.
"Make it black, Ichirou-san."
The doctor returned, and Emiya left again.
Hospital. Wednesday, 2:41 PM.
It was quiet here.
With his arm properly bandaged and fixated in one position, Izuku stood up and approached a giant window in his room.
His lips started trembling as he was looking at the message on his phone. He sat down and leaned on the bed.
The funeral will take place tomorrow.
He looked around the room, trying not to look at the dreadful words. With him finding the spy and with the news about his arm…he could distract himself. But not anymore.
He will make them pay. Every single one of them. The spy was only a start.
The door opened and Izuku quickly wiped away his tears. It was Emiya, again.
"Brought you some food" He said.
"S-sensei said that I-I can't have any…like, for a full day after the operation. I will throw it up anyway."
Emiya frowned, looking at the state of the young operative.
He put the food into the fridge and approached the teen. He sat down near the bed and looked into the window. The view was beautiful and who, if not Emiya, could see it.
"I know how it feels" he said, not turning to Izuku.
The teen made a shaking breath.
"I-I know I couldn't do anything about it…I-I just need to endure it. But it's…it's…"
"Hard" finished Emiya.
"Yeah…and feeling responsible for it doesn't help either" Izuku was breathing deeply, containing himself.
"You know who is responsible."
"And yet the feeling is still there"
"…"
Both of them sat in silence, looking at the city through the window. Emiya was trying to find something to say, while Izuku was contempt with grieving in silence.
"What are you going to do?" Wondered Emiya, still looking into the window.
"W-what do you mean?" Asked Izuku, rising his green eyes to the squad leader.
"You need a place to live."
Izuku's lip trembled a bit again.
"I don't know…I-I guess I'll find a place. Somewhere close to UA, if I return as a representative. Or to the Headquarters, if I don't return. My payment allows it. I just haven't decided yet."
"No."
Emiya grabbed teen's head and pushed it to his shoulder.
"Idiot. You can't stay alone right now. Either come to live with me for some time, or go to Yaoyorozu family. That's what I'm asking. You won't manage alone."
You won't manage alone. He heard those words before. This small sentence that brough both hope and dread to the teen. A desire to be around people who he could rely on, but at the same time fearing of anything happening to them.
The longing for companionship never faded away. During his childhood, early teens…even now. It was always there.
And now, this desire is fighting his fears of losing those he considers close.
But…
Mother was right.
Emiya is right.
Where would he be if not for the people around him?
And yet, he didn't know which side of him should be victorious.
"O-okay. I'll think about it."
Emiya lifted his hand from teen's head.
"Yaoyorozu said he made an order for the replacement already. He even got your sizes somehow. It will be ready and delivered on Thursday in the afternoon."
Izuku smiled weakly.
"…I need to thank him."
A knock on the door was heard. Emiya looked at it, while Izuku continued to stare into the window.
'Speak of the devil'
Emiya stood up to open the door.
"I'll leave you two alone"
Yaoyorozu residence. Wednesday, 7:31 AM.
"Our correspondent managed to ask a few questions to the homeroom teacher of class 1-A, professional hero Eraserhead."
The screen of the TV switched to Aizawa. USJ, people in black uniforms and armored vehicles could be seen behind him.
"Eraserhead, can you tell us anything about the attack?"
"It was obviously a planned act of terror against the students. Was the villains' plan was to harm the students, or to cause fear of possible attack in the future, we don't know. If it's the latter, then they clearly underestimate the students and the spirit of the new generation. Also, I must commend the quick response of Hero Commission. Thanks to them, and the quick response from our systems of defense, the students came out unharmed."
The screen turned back to the newscaster.
"In light of these events, the approval ratings of the work of Hero Commission jumped by 9,38%. Now, to the other news..."
Ichirou put the phone back with wide eyes. He turned to Momo, who was watching TV.
How to even approach this topic?
"H-honey?"
"M?" She asked, not even turning to him.
"I...think you should skip the school today."
With her eyebrows raised, she looked at her father.
"Something happened?"
"Izuku is in hospital"
She stood up from her chair with her mouth agape.
"W-what happened? Did he return?"
"Return? What are you talking about?"
"But...isn't he in..." Momo's eyes widened in realization. She was lied to, for one reason or another. Whatever. It doesn't matter right now.
"Right now, he is being treated in a hospital."
"Father. You still haven't told me what happened"
"..." Ichirou was clearly doubting what he could or could not say.
"Father?"
"There was an attempt on his life. His home is destroyed, and his mother was killed in process"
With the same agape expression, Momo's legs wobbled and she fell back in her chair.
"…Dear God"
Ichirou was already leaving, but stopped in the entrance to the corridor.
"I'm going there. Are you coming?"
"..."
No answer.
"Momo. Are you going?" He asked again, losing patience himself. Her eyes finally focused.
"Y-yes." She cleared her throat. "Yes, I'm coming"
"Then come on. Change your clothes. The plane is leaving in 40 minutes"
Tokyo Hospital. Wednesday, 3:01 PM.
Izuku turned to see the newcomer. It was Momo.
"Hey…" he greeted with a sad smile.
She glanced at him, bandaged, sitting at his bed with puffy red eyes. Her heart was breaking at the sight.
"Hey…" she greeted back. She left her bag at the door and approached him, sitting down on the bed.
She put a hand on his shoulder and squeezed it slightly.
"How are you holding?"
Izuku made a shaking breath, looking down. He felt warmth spreading through her hand, calming him.
"Could be better…and you?"
"Same…When I heard about what happened, I felt weak in my knees. They told us you were abroad with Emiya-san and others."
"Really?" He asked with a weak chuckle.
"Yep. You were helping Chinese police forces catch our villains."
He breathed in shakily and smiled weakly, flexing his left hand a bit.
"So…what do you think? About, well…moving in." She asked him, her eyes running between his face and the city behind the giant window.
Izuku looked down, blinking a few times.
"I-I don't know…I need to finish everything here. The amputation…the prosthesis…and work. It's not finished yet."
"Of course. I'm not forcing you to decide now" she massaged his shoulder slightly.
Izuku's lip trembled, and he quickly wiped away his tears.
"Y-you know, she really wanted to meet you"
"Me too"
She saw him shaking again, but he was not breaking into crying. Still, the image hurt Momo as well. Her beacon of confidence. Fire of life, so close to be extinguished.
'Poor thing…'
Silently, she leaned forward and hugged his neck from behind.
"M-Momo?"
"Y-Yes?" she asked with her own lip trembling a bit.
"Sorry. I-I might stain your sleeves…"
"I don't care"
Izuku pulled himself closer into the embrace. He made a few calming breathes and stopped shaking.
"Remember what you said to us after USJ?" She asked him.
"I said a lot of things then"
"Don't let this be your downfall, Izuku."
"It won't…don't worry. I'll get through."
"Good. Because 1-A is waiting for your return."
"Even Todoroki?"
"Hah…Well, class 1-A minus Todoroki. I think. I don't know with him"
"What is even his problem with me?"
"I don't know, but he seemed to dislike your replacement even more."
"Really? Who did they send, by the way?"
"Someone from PR department, can't remember his name."
"Hm…so they decided to not really replace me. Enforcer branch and PR department aren't really comparable"
"I guess so…"
Two of them were sitting in a comfortable silence, and only muffled words of people talking behind the door were trying to break it.
Izuku closed his eyes.
It was warm. Why was it so warm, damn it…
Cemetery. Thursday, 11:14 AM.
Momo quickly opened the car door and let Emiya push Izuku out of the car on a wheelchair. He had an operation not even twelve hours ago, but was adamant on leaving the Hospital for the funeral. Luckily, Izuku's course of treatment allowed to take a doctor with them, in case anything happens. Healing quirks of some Tokyo Hospital personal allowed him to recover enough to be here.
His arm was bandaged, and two of his fingers were now absent.
Momo turned right and noticed a group of people approaching.
"Bakugou-san? What are doing here?"
Red-eyed teen looked at her for a moment, before continuing on his way, followed by his parents.
He approached Izuku and stared down at him, sitting in a wheelchair. Izuku's gaze was as piercing as Bakugou's on his bad day.
"Make them pay" Said Bakugou.
"All of them will."
Bakugou nodded, and stood close to Izuku silently. Now it was Mitsuki's turn to talk to him.
"Izuku, I know the relationship between you and Katsuki didn't go the way I wanted, but...Listen. If you need anything, you can always count on us. Ok? Remember it."
Izuku smiled weakly.
"Thank you, Bakugou-san"
Izuku looked around. He was glad that he could at least be here in that moment. If the spy was not killed at this point, he wouldn't be able to be here.
And, also, he was quite afraid that there wouldn't a single person for his mother if he didn't come. His father didn't have any alive members of his family long before Izuku was born, as well as his mother.
Apparently, he was wrong. At least, Katsuki and his family would be there.
A black retro car parked close to the entrance. From the driver's seat appeared a tall, lean man with glasses. His hair was mostly dark green, with little flicks of yellow.
"Sir Nighteye?" Asked Izuku.
The man approached the entrance, to curiosity of the present people, and stood next to Midoriya.
"I can finally meet you in person, young Midoriya. A shame that it had to happen under such circumstances. I'm Sir Nighteye, as you already know." Mirai extended his hand.
"Good to meet you too…" They shook hands. "But…what are you doing here?"
"For the funeral, just like everyone else"
Of course, Mirai knew Inko. Hisashi worked a lot with him, and meeting his wife was a question of when, not if. But, after Hisashi's death, Mirai distanced himself because of his guilt, and Inko did not want anything from the Commission or hero related to find her son.
"Also, I wanted to tell you to call me later today. It's about work."
"As you say"
"No/No" suddenly said both Emiya and Momo, and glanced at each other.
"You are not recovered yet." Said Momo with almost accusing expression. "You can't work now"
"No, listen-"
"She is right, brat." Said Emiya. "You still have the installation today. Think about this first"
'I know for sure you will want to participate in the operation' Thought Emiya with narrowed eyes.
Izuku made a deep calming breath from being interrupted.
"Can I talk now? I'm not recovered, that's true. But that just means I will limit my physical activity. No one said about anything else"
Izuku slightly nodded at Sir Nighteye, who slightly nodded at Izuku.
Emiya, noticing it, sighed in slight frustration.
Izuku in a wheelchair, Emiya behind him, Sir Nighteye, Yaoyorozu and Bakugou families, dressed in black who could, were standing in a half-circle around the monument.
Izuku made a shaking breath, but nothing else. He was silent for most of the day.
Momo glanced at Bakugou. It seemed that he and Izuku knew each other for a long time, and the relationship was not exactly good.
Izuku was holding bravely, in her opinion. Compared to him yesterday, he was much calmer. The sadness didn't leave his eyes, though.
Sir Nighteye approached Izuku.
"Midoriya-kun. Don't forget to call"
Izuku nodded.
"Of course. If you need to go, I'm not holding you"
Sir Nighteye nodded and left.
Emiya got a call on his phone. He listened for a few seconds, hung up and leaned down to Izuku.
"The hospital got everything. They are ready for the installation."
Izuku frowned and looked at his left arm that had only three fingers.
"Let's go…then. Thank you, everyone, for coming. It matters a lot to me." Izuku wiped a tear "You should go home now. Momo, Katsuki, you two still have lessons today. Don't miss them."
Emiya got the handles of the wheelchair and started pushing it on the way out of the cemetery.
"You ready?" He asked Izuku, when both of them were far enough from others.
Izuku snarled.
"Like never before"
Tokyo Hospital. Thursday, 8:14 PM.
Sun was setting already, which was very noticeable in his window. Doctor checked Izuku's temperature, and his overall state.
"There are some signs of fatigue, but you are holding greatly. I think now you can start working with your arm, to help your body solidify the neural connection."
The doctor removed the wrap from Izuku's arm.
As the fabric fell one could see a cold black metallic sheen almost blue under the hospital lights. Starting from a few inches below Izuku's outer side of his elbow to his pinky and ring fingers. The metal part of his arm faintly pulsed every so often a green hexagonal pattern up and down the metal.
"Quite a beautiful design, even though I personally prefer those that are…not so noticeable." Said the doctor.
Izuku rolled his hand into a fist. The surface of his new fingers didn't feel too cold. Maybe they were covered in something to decrease the heat exchange with the air. And yet, he couldn't feel anything with them.
That was enough, though.
It wasn't his real hand, of course. And yet, with a slight, tired smirk, Izuku was already imagining the expressions of 1-A and 1-B when they see it. He hoped it wouldn't scare them too much. They are still inexperienced kids, after all.
Izuku knew that the current head of the enforcer branch of HPSC had a replaced lung and a metallic arm. Maybe he could ask him a few advices about consequences of using prosthetic limbs.
"Of course, I should also warn you that feats like super strength won't be suddenly available to you." Doctor said "Any action you do with your arm will still affect your other muscles. No one cancelled Newton's third law…though, I guess your fist might have a stronger punch now."
"Thank you, sensei"
The doctor left, leaving Izuku alone. He approached the fridge and took what Emiya cooked for him for today.
Placing it in a microwave, something Emiya would cringe at, Izuku got a cup of tea and approached the window.
The busy city was slowly getting darker. Street lights turned on. It seemed that this city didn't sleep even at night.
Taking a sip, he glanced at his left arm again.
He ignored the microwave signaling as it finished heating the food and got to the terms of use and instruction near his bed.
The arm had a battery that will have to be changed now and then, depending on how much stress Izuku will put into it. It was standardized, which meant they weren't exactly expensive as well. The arm also could grow a bit, so Izuku won't have to change it every year.
The real drag were suppressants that will help with his body rejecting the prosthesis.
Seeing a particularly interesting feature, Izuku made a fist and pressed the prosthesis in a particular place.
A small segment of his arm slid back, startling him a bit, and a very small free space was seen inside.
Hm. Maybe he could use it to contain some bullets for an emergency.
He glanced inside his arm.
…Maybe even his pistol in disassembled state could fit in. It also had a socket for a micro data storage inside.
Hm…maybe an extendable blade? That would be cool…No. If the arm is damaged too much, the blade could damage the artificial blood vessels inside.
Izuku sighed, returning the part back. At least it didn't have a say sauce dispenser in his fingers. He saw it in a movie once, while going through channels.
Getting his phone, he dialed Sir Nighteye.
"Midoriya-kun?"
"Yes, that's me" Said Izuku, staring into the city once more. "About the work."
"Yes. I've contacted police in Osaka. They found four Hiromi Agakugo living there. None of them rise any particular interest."
"Well, just like always." Commented Izuku.
"Precisely. I will establish a hub in local police station and start the investigation there. I'm getting people to watch after them."
"I'll join you once I get out of here. Give me two days. I will be able to walk away for a few days on a condition that I return and that I will limit all the physical activity."
"Understood. How's your arm?"
Izuku raised his hand. Little flicks of green were running down the metal part. He suddenly clenched his fist, as if he caught something.
"Working."
"Good. I'll send you the address tomorrow evening."
Izuku was running.
Everything was on fire. Debris was falling around him.
Wherever he ran, the fire did not stop. Suddenly, it engulfed his arm.
"Aargh!"
"Midoriya!"
On the way to Osaka. Saturday, 9:14 AM.
Izuku opened his eyes suddenly and found himself clutching onto his left hand in pain.
"Midoriya" Said Emiya on his right, handling him an injector with a suppressant with one hand, while keeping another one on the wheel. "It's time for one"
Two of them were in a silver car, issued to them for the mission. Commission needed to find the one behind the attack on one of the enforcers. Both for Izuku to bring his vengeance, and to calm other enforcers, as well as their families.
And, because of it, they were going to Osaka incognito. If the enemy sees a column of vehicles with HPSC insignia, they might get restless.
Behind Emiya's car was a truck with Black Knight.
Izuku made an injection and the pain stopped. He sighed in relief and ran his hand through his unruly hair. The tips of it were turning green again.
"Only a few months of this" He whispered, flexing his arm. "A small price to pay."
"Remember, no physical work for you during the mission." Reminded Emiya, turning right. "You are not recovered in the slightest"
"Yes, yes. I'll be using elevators instead of stairs. Not a huge loss." Said Izuku, turning to watch the scenery from the window.
"No. That also means you won't be participating in the operation itself."
Emiya expected Izuku to be angry at him. He didn't expect the teen to actually smirk at those words.
"Oh, don't worry about that. I have an idea already. He will get what he deserves. I'm more interested in another thing."
"Hm?"
"The sports festival starts on the next Saturday and will go until Monday. I want to finish everything here before returning to UA."
"You decided to return?"
"Yeah. I can't just sit and do nothing once I'm done here. Imagine their faces when they see the arm."
Emiya smirked.
"What if someone leaves because of it? When they see what this work can lead to."
"If they are scared because of it enough to leave the hero course, then…I would call it a natural selection. They wouldn't last in hero work."
Emiya nodded.
"As you say. You are the chief fanboy here, after all." He said.
"I don't remember taking courses in basics of hero fanboyism."
"Tsk…when did you get this sly with words? Where's this small, stuttering boy that was embarrassed every time I opened my mouth?"
"He spent too much time with the grumpy leader of his squad."
"Ha! Okay, I'm giving this one to you."
"Learnt from the best" Izuku said. "You know, I think I might actually get you next time we train with creating distance from the enemy. Now, I can block your swords with my left hand."
"Welcome to try. Will you mind if I ask Yaoyorozu not to pay for the repair works?"
"…Not at all. Try a better intimidation method." Said Izuku with a smirk. Emiya glanced at him and chuckled.
'That brat…'
Izuku's smile was gradually turning into a frown. He remembered hearing someone when talking with Emiya over a video call.
"Emiya-san…you started seeing someone, didn't you?"
"Yes. One girl I knew from school. She is quite scary, but actually a big softie inside. She wished you a quick recovery, by the way…"
"Oh, that's nice from her."
"…and also sent a death threat if you ever scare me like that again."
"Heh. Sorry"
"It's fine. Why did you ask?"
"How are you not afraid of anything happening to her?" Said Izuku.
Emiya glanced at him again. He was lost in thoughts for a moment.
"Hm…I understand why you are asking this. Interested in that Yaoyorozu girl?"
Izuku blushed with a frown.
"Let's hypothetically say that yes, I'm interested."
It was strange talking about it with Emiya of all people.
"Two reasons. The cases of attacks on the HPSC workers are quite low…I mean, I know only about two cases like this, including yours. We don't have such a big target on our backs. Villains usually target the heroes, and even that is actually quite rare. Heroes need to fail at the capture, and find an especially stupid villain to risk being caught again. And the second reason…Hm."
"What is it?"
Emiya's grip on the wheel intensified.
"…She can beat me in a fight"
Izuku's eyes widened.
"Wow…"
"Uh-huh. Strong as hell. She's not a hero, but she knows wrestling and has a strong amplifying quirk."
"…I never knew you were a sub, Emiya-san"
"What was that?!"
"Nothing… I just didn't expect you of all people to be a sub."
"Stupid brat, you are lucky I'm driving!"
Izuku chuckled a few times. Emiya's blush was like a gift from God.
He managed to embarrass Shirou Emiya, the tough leader of the recon squad!
Still, his words were important. They gave Izuku hope, which he desperately needed.
"But…what if something happens to you? Are you not worried about her feelings in that case?"
"I do. But I won't let that stand in a way. She knew what she was getting into."
"I wish I had your confidence, Emiya-san"
"Yaoyorozu is a future hero. If she was there for you at your lowest, I think she understands what relationship with you can lead to."
That…was actually a good point. Izuku was worried about what people would experience if something happens to him, but he did not think if people were ready to risk that.
Izuku frowned…Maybe that was what his mother was talking about when she said she didn't regret anything.
It was their choice.
"Emiya-san"
"What is it?"
"I'm moving in with Yaoyorozu."
Police station in Osaka, Nighteye's tempopary base of operations. Saturday, 3:14 PM.
Emiya pushed Izuku in a wheelchair into Nighteye's temporary base of operations.
The hero looked at him with a frown.
"I guess I rushed with my invitation" he said, standing over the table with a map.
Behind him was a set of screens with live footage from his people.
"He promised to behave" Said Emiya.
"And I can walk if I need" Added Izuku, standing up and flexing a bit. Nighteye looked at his left arm, but it was covered with a long sleeve shirt and a glove. He could see faint pulses of energy, though.
"Then I'll tell you the current situation. Currently, two of the suspects are being watched. Nothing particularly interesting was found so far."
"And yet, we can't be sure. You weren't watching after them for long."
Nighteye adjusted his glasses.
"Yes, I understand that as well. Third suspect was found just before you two arrived. I've sent Lemillion there. UA allowed me to take him for the mission."
The only hero in the room got the remoter and turned on a large screen on the other side of the quite crumped room.
Osaka, city center. Sunday, 3:18 PM.
"Mirio" said Nighteye over the radio. "I see you on a street camera. Nod if you hear me"
The young hero, patrolling the street, was smiling as bright as ever. He nodded.
"The suspect is in three hundred meters. You will meet at the pedestrian crossing in between. It should be red at that moment"
The trio was watching as the young hero was walking in the required direction.
"There" Nighteye pointed to the agents the suspect.
The man was wearing a black shirt and pants, and had a cigarette in his mouth.
"Mirio, he is in black, and has a cigarette in his mouth." Mirai said on the radio.
"Why isn't he answering?" Wondered Emiya.
"Too noticeable" Immedietely replied Midoriya.
"Too-Yes." Agreed Nighteye, glancing at Izuku. "Right after committing a crime and successfully retreating, having a hero looking directly at you and saying something over the radio would scare."
Mirio was trying to slightly glance around, but he could not understand who Sir was talking about.
When the traffic light turned green, he continued on his way forward.
The group watching after Mirio noticed him missing the person. The man calmly got around Mirio and continued on his way.
"Wait, he missed him" Said Emiya.
"And we can't have him going back in a middle of crossing the road" Said Midoriya, a bit frustrated.
The man with a cigarette in his mouth simply crossed the road and went further.
"Mirio, what happened? Give a sign"
Mirio shrugged.
"And what's that supposed to mean?" Asked Emiya, crossing his arms.
"Find a place and report" Said Nighteye.
A few minutes later, Mirio was finally far enough.
"Sir, I do not know who you were talking about"
"What?"
"I didn't see a person in black and with a cigarette."
Emiya groaned.
Izuku, on the other hand, sat back in his wheelchair and put his gloved hand to his chin.
"Maybe it is his quirk?" He asked.
"Explain" said Emiya. The idea of fighting an opponent he couldn't see wasn't exactly thrilling for him.
Izuku's gaze was focused on the floor when he began.
"Let's think about what we saw from the very beginning. The idea of…Mirio, right? Missing the suspect has to do with Mirio not seeing him. But we did see him with a street camera. It is…close to invisibility. However, invisibility by itself is a power to control light, making it flow over you. Usually, people with invisibility quirks have only their bodies affected. But, sometimes, they can create stable fields of invisibility around a particular place – usually not big – or around themselves."
"But we could see him, which excludes invisibility," Said Emiya. Izuku looked at him with a raised eyebrow.
"I only said that it is close to invisibility. What can a machine see that humans do not? The spectrum of light that we can see is not that big. That leaves us with UV, X-rays, IR, and a few more which we won't take into account. Hm…we must also consider that we have a street camera. It has lenses. To avoid glare, sometimes a special lens that polarizes the light is used. So it is either some form of being hidden in a special plane of polarized light that happened to have exactly the same angle as the camera, or IR. I'm more inclined towards IR. Come on, Emiya-san, with your vision, you should be the one lecturing us on optics, not me. This is school program."
'What are they feeding their agents in HPSC?' Wondered Nighteye.
"IR spectrum sounds possible. Cameras need to work at night, and to do that they use IR." Said Nighteye. He got to his computer and downloaded last few minutes of footage from the camera, and turned it on the big screen,
He stopped the footage at the moment before the suspect started crossing the road.
"Can you see anything, Emiya?" the hero asked.
"Tsk, the resolution is garbage" Answered the older operative. Seeing every pixel this close was quite hurtful.
"We work with what we have"
Emiya sighed and turned to the screen, and actually narrowed his eyes.
"Yes. I see that air around him, in an oval shape, is one-two tones different. Pushforward a few frames"
Nighteye complied.
The man from the footage made a few steps and the video stopped again.
"Yes, it is there and moves with him" Finished Emiya.
"So…he can create fields of…whatever, let's call it invisibility for simplicity's sake." Izuku said, sighing. This man, whoever it was, was the prime suspect right now. Young enforcer couldn't wait until he gets to him. "We should use the footage from cameras to find him and create a general path of where he was going."
"And we will have to get a documentation on every building in that area" Said Nighteye, lifting his glasses and rubbing his eyes slightly.
"Osaka is an economic hub…and has ports for ships." Said Izuku.
"You think they can be hiding at some warehouse close to sea?" Asked Nighteye.
"It is likely. Osaka is the economic center of our country. If the villain mostly operates here, then we should assume that it is due to his role in operating the economy of the organized crime. For example, getting goods from ships. This quirk…it is quite useful in staying hidden and hiding something. And if he can create fields of invisibility, he could be hiding in plain view, as well as…other people of his group, if there are some"
"And yet, warehouses still have cameras. If we could access them, we would get the picture." Said Emiya.
"Yes, that's right" Said Nighteye. "But I think I understand where this is going. If I were in such position, I would have cameras, but the security would be the isolation of any footage from it."
Izuku nodded.
"They still need security. They still need cameras in case somewhat gets greedy enough to steal. However, the whole group, if there is one, would quickly get caught if one could access their cameras. Which means…"
"The security system is absolutely isolated. Only local network, and nothing more." Finished Emiya, nodding.
Izuku nodded.
"We must check the places that could be used as storages, but don't have an accessible security network. It might be warehouses close to sea, in the industrial area, maybe even groups of apartments that are rented close to each other by one person…or whose bills can lead to one person eventually."
"Well…for once, I can't say I will help much here" Said Emiya. "I can't work with any equipment that is used to enhance vision. So, some IR binoculars won't work for me."
"I shall start on the path of this person. I need you two to find someone who might try to hack into network of the places around what I find. If we won't be able to, then we inspect the building ourselves."
"I know a guy." Said Emiya and called Technoblaze.
Osaka, Hotel "Kyoto". Monday, 1:12 PM.
"Got him" Said Nighteye when he got to Emiya's and Izuku's hotel room.
Izuku smirked.
"Where was he?"
"Exactly as you thought. Warehouse in port area. The building was empty, but when we used the IR binoculars we found a group of people there, working. I've asked for a equipment that will allow us to see them."
Nighteye handed them the printed pictures.
"There were two cylindric containers, and some other stuff with boxes. Can't be sure. Around twenty people in there."
Izuku and Emiya glanced at each other.
"A container like this contained Black Knight once" said Emiya.
"Another beast like the one from USJ? No…" Izuku hummed for a moment. "It's not the same. That thing could fight with Allmight for some time. If they could, they would bring more. But…there wouldn't be a point in sending something that would be like a pest in comparison."
"We are bringing Black Knight, then" Said Emiya. He turned to Izuku. "And who else?"
"Hm…there's a lot of people. Maybe Endeavor?..No, there will be a lot of ours, they could get hit. Sir, how many of them were armed?"
"Not many. I guess they rely on their quirks more."
'Calling Allmight is out. Who knows how many hours he has after teaching classes today. Rykyuu has the same problem as Endeavor. The area of her attacks is too big. We can't risk that. We need something to quickly dispose of the enemies with pin-point accuracy, and fast…not just fast, but strong as well.'
Strong, fast, and with small area of effect.
Izuku smirked once more.
Osaka train station. Monday, 8:21 PM.
A woman with tanned skin, long white hair and rabbit ears exited the train. She was wearing simple civilian clothing, a cap, and tried as hard as she could to say hidden, despite her frustration.
She looked around.
Emiya approached her.
"Rumi Usagiyama?"
The woman looked up at him and pulled down her face mask.
"Took you long enough" she huffed with her arms crossed.
Sighing, Emiya went towards the car.
He hoped Izuku knew what he was doing.
Docks. Tuesday, 1:19 AM.
Izuku positioned himself on a roof of a high building, looking at the warehouse through new scope on his sniper rifle.
This one should make seeing the enemy possible.
Emiya stayed on the ground to control the Black Knight.
Rumi Usagiyama, or more commonly known as Miruko, lifted the device off her eyes for a moment. Damn it, how was she supposed to work in those?
Invisible enemy, my ass. Those bastards can be creative, she had to give them that.
Emiya, standing next to her, said over the radio.
"Start on three, two…one! Move, move!"
The vehicles turned the lights on and started moving towards the metallic shutter of the warehouse, breaking the fence.
They didn't stop and went directly through, bending it.
"It's heroes!"
Miruko flew past the stopped armored vehicles in show of incredible speed.
Grinning to herself, she kicked the first enemy into oblivion before he pointed a gun at her.
"First blood!" She exclaimed, and jumped to another villain that started emitting fire, destroying the thin invisibility barrier. Ha!
'Try harder!' She thought with a grin when her kick connected with the guy.
Why was she complaining again? This is fun!
A group of uniformed operatives emerged from the vehicles and from broken the broken entrance. All of them had a head equipment that allowed them to see in IR spectrum.
A villain who started levitating, destroying his own invisibility barrier, was about to launch a lightning bolt into Miruko when he was suddenly shot down.
His lightning missed, and impacted an invisible container which exploded, creating a chain reaction from other containers. That lead majority of villains in the area becoming visible.
A man appeared on a balcony, looking at the chaos with a grin.
"Release the Nomus!"
One of the villains that heard the man and ran to a button.
Alarm sounded, and the two containers opened.
Two giant figures with their brains emerged from them. One was bigger, did not have a mouth and was pale yellow and color. Another one had a pair of wings while being pale cyan in color.
The cyan one got into air, while the bigger one punched one of the operatives, sending him into a farther end of the warehouse.
Emiya turned to Black Knight.
"Go, kill those two things"
Black Knight started moving, drawing a big, black sword on his way. The black fog around him intensified and spread over the sword, creating a glowing red pattern of lines on it.
He launched himself at the bigger Nomu when it was about to attack another operative.
Nomu caught his blade.
Two unintelligible beings stared at each other for a few moments. Black Knight's visor started glowing bright red, and his head started twitching.
"WAAAAAAA" It screamed in both agony and rage.
Black Knight put more strength into the blade, forcing Nomu on its knees and cracking the floor beneath them.
A flying Nomu was about to grab him, but he was intercepted by Miruko mid-air.
"Tough boy aren't ya?!" She shouted with a grin. She jumped between walls with incredible speed only to suddenly change direction and kick the flying Nomu into the ceiling.
There was a shootout around them.
One of the villains injured an operative with a spike of ice, but received bullets in return.
"Fuck!"
"Get him in the back!"
The man on the balcony was clapping at everything that was happening in the warehouse.
Black Knight left the blade in Nomu's hands and punched it two times in gut, and once into its exposed brain.
The beast stumbled, and the personal Nomu of HPSC, Black Knight, caught his falling blade and in a round swing decapitated the enemy.
Blood started spraying into every direction, but Black Knight did not acknowledge it.
He turned to the second Nomu and threw his blade at it.
Cyan Nomu expected an attack from Miruko, so when its wings were suddenly chopped off it was not prepared.
Upon landing, Black Knight was on it, and started punching its head, since the blade was unavailable. He did not stop until there was barely anything left.
The fight slowly stopped, and a few villains left stopped attacking in attempt to surrender.
The man dressed in simple black clothing, with a cigarette in his mouth, came to a lower level of the balcony…just bellow the window in the roof.
"Hah! You guys certainly deserve the rating you have! To find us in such a short time after-"
Suddenly, a bullet pierced man's chest. He looked at it, and, after a few moments, he and the balcony he was standing on, exploded.
"For my mom…" one could hear a whisper.
Izuku shot a bullet, piercing the villain. He didn't get the head, but it was fine.
He reloaded, and an empty shell flew from the rifle.
"And for my home"
Izuku shot again, for a good measure. The balcony was destroyed, as well as most of the villain.
"Not such a fan of explosions now, are you?"
But he was not finished with them. It was not done until the one behind the spy and that villain is no more...as well as everyone affiliated with him. In one way or another.
Part III: Vengeance
Status: Complete
