Chapter Two

.*- Time: Present / Location: LOV Training Ground-*.

The sun beat down mercilessly on Izuku, his hair damp and skin shining with sweat as he swung his weapon fill his full strength. A satisfying thump echoes around the field as his opponent's abdomen slides off its legs and hits the ground. Touya lets out a low whistle as the number of destroyed training bots increases once more. 'What is this kid made of? He's been non-stop training for almost three hours now and he's not showing any signs of tiring..'

Not to mention each battle was supposed to be exponentially harder than the last since the bots are built with a collective data system and learn from each of their failures. They're designed to be able to adapt to their opponent and give them an actual challenge in battle, but it seemed as though they would never be a match for the teen in front of them.

'How did he do it? Did he predict their movements? Or did he just prepare for any possible attack?' In the back of his mind, Touya knew better than to try and figure out the kid and how he worked. He was an enigma even to All For One, so what chance did Touya have of seeing how he ticked? He dismissed the thought with an amused huff.

-(POV switch)-

A pair of piercing eyes watches Izuku in slight awe as he moves gracefully around his target, striking here, dodging there. His blade glints dangerously in his hand as he seems to dance around each attack the bot throws at him. Block. Jab. Pivot. Strike. Repeat.

"I'm curious about something Izu-Chan." He instinctively turns to make eye contact with who addressed him, his eyes landing on the relaxed form of Toga as she swings her legs back and forth from her perch atop the weapons shed.

Dabi is leant casually against the fence surrounding the training ground seeming bored, though his eyes showed his interest in the new topic.Izuku dropped his fighting stance in favor of tilting his head as a sign for her to ask whatever was piquing her curiosity. She smiled and turned to face him better as she pulled one leg up to rest her chin on her knee. "You used to know that boy, Katsuki, right? You two used to be friends?" Midoriya nodded. "Aren't you worried the brat might help the pros try to take you down? Surely he knows something they could use against you. A childhood fear or something like that." She tilted her head, golden eyes boring into emerald ones as she awaited his answer.

Izuku blinked owlishly before putting a finger to his chin in thought, hip cocking to the side as he hummed softly. He thought for a moment on how to word his answer. He wasn't worried. In fact, if he were to use one word to describe how he felt, it would be...ecstatic. Izuku was nothing, if not patient, and he used that to fuel his plans. For so long he had yearned to get revenge on the boy who'd made his life a living hell. Every waking moment he wasn't putting on the facade of 'kind and caring', was spent meticulously adjusting his plan to pure perfection. Finally finding the right words, he turned to face his friends properly.

"If I didn't know him as well as I did, then sure. However I know him better than he's ever known me. In fact, I know him so well, that I knew he'd cooperate to take me down. Why wouldn't he? He's hated me since we were four despite me doing nothing to earn his wrath. Which is why I took that possibility into account when I came up with my plan."

A cruel smile twisted onto his lips, which caused a predatory smile to grace his friends faces in turn. He flings his arms wide, a mad glint in his emerald eyes.

"Don't you know, Toga-Chan? Dead men tell no tales."

.*- Time: Present / Location: Musutafu General Hospital-*.

-Approximately 3 days after the Sports Festival Tragedy-

The frigid morning air only seemed to worsen the feeling of dread settling in the stomachs of all who'd witnessed the catastrophe only a few days prior. One hospital room in particular however, was steeped in a gloomy atmosphere. The numerous 'Get Well Soon!' cards, stuffed animals, and flower bouquets littering the bedside table only amplified these crippling negative emotions. It had been three days. Three whole days and not one clue had emerged to enlighten the police or heroes of Midoriya Izuku's whereabouts.

"Yagi, would you stop that incessant pacing?" The man halted his steps and turned to the doctor. "Surely there must be something we can do?!" Recovery Girl heaves a sigh equal parts exhaustion and irritation at her coworker. One would think the Symbol of Peace wouldn't be so easily ruffled after being a pro hero for so many years. She chalks it up to a combination of frustration and shock as well the overall feeling of helplessness, a feeling she knows he doesn't have much experience with.

"Don't you think I've done everything I could think of? That boy knew exactly what he was doing. He knew what damage to inflict and where for the worst and longest lasting affects."

Chiyo turns back to her patient and brushes a strand of blonde hair away from his face, her appearance looking more worn than it has in a very long time. The sight frankly only made the Symbol of Peace feel even more hopeless. If someone as seasoned as Recovery Girl was out of ideas and energy, what hope did anyone else possibly have?

"There's nothing more any of us can do for Bakugo. A head injury is bad enough, but he lost consciousness while suffering from a severe concussion. It's impossible to tell when, or if, he'll ever wake." The atmosphere was tense and somber as both heroes watched the slow rise and fall of their students chest. The mere sight of the boy was enough to dishearten nearly anyone, with all the medical equipment he was hooked up to. Various IV's stuck into both arms and an oxygen mask strapped to his face, neither teacher had seen the boy look more fragile than he did now. Merely associating him with words like 'fragile' or 'weak' just seemed so wrong. The boy was nothing if not resilient and stubborn, but even he can't prevent events he never expects to happen. Even if he'd had any suspicions his childhood friend had ill intentions, he probably never expected they'd ever come to fruition.

All Might grit his teeth, fists clenching tightly at his sides. He'd make the villains pay for what they did. A small part, in the back of his mind, wondered how such a soft-spoken and kind child like Midoriya Izuku had snapped the way he did. What could've possibly happened to turn such a promising young man into someone so willing to do an act so vile and cruel, and to his childhood friend no less! Whatever the case, Yagi vowed to catch the young man and put an end to his way down the villainous path.

Once and for all.