Chapter 5
A week had passed since Izuku's eventful night out. The court case against him had been organized thoroughly during that time. Izuku sat, Quirks repressed and limbs restrained, before a judge. To his right, the prosecution, consisting of the more elderly Sir Nighteye. Further left, a jury of Quirked and Quirkless citizens staring at him with fear. Behind him was almost every high ranking hero in Japan, including Lemillion and Ground Zero. Bakugo looked ready to attack at the slightest move Izuku would make. Lemillion looked uncomfortable being there. Despite their clashes, Mirio felt something more akin to pity towards the villain known as Deku and believed that if he had been given the chance, he could have been a hero. Add to the fact that one of their fights resulted in the villain talking about what happened the day Izuku met All Might. He was also uncomfortable knowing that Izuku held some of the last remnants of All for One, which would make them supposedly arch enemies like All for One and All Might. The only person Izuku had wanted to see in the room wasn't there.
Judge: This court is now in session. Does the prosecution have an opening statement?
Sir: Yes, your honor. Ladies and Gentlemen of the court, we are here today to put away one of the most dangerous villains to still exist after All for One. He is an accessory to the crimes of the League of Villains, has himself viciously attacked the heroes of then and now in their beginning careers, and has even scarred Ground Zero due to a personal grudge.
Izuku hadn't lied when he said he wanted those who hurt him to hurt like he did. In his fights with his childhood friend-turned-bully, Izuku had given the now tied Number 1 Hero several scars, which were concealed under his hero suit. Their fights through the years were some of the most destructive anyone had seen. In many of them, Izuku would lose himself to anger, attacking Bakugo with murderous intent.
Sir: I would ask the members of the court to reconsider his standing in Tartarus, keeping him on the same form of restraints as All for One had. No contact with the outside, no working off his deeds. He escaped from one of our most heavily fortified prisons in the world… is this really the type of man you would want to be allowed freedoms such as a phone call?
He nods to the judge, signaling he was finished.
Judge: I understand the defense has a statement?
Izuku stands alone. He had claimed that he would be "defending" himself before the court had been set in motion.
Izuku: I plead guilty, your honor. I was well aware of my actions the night of my breakout and will give myself to the judgment of the court.
Many were shocked to hear this. A villain claiming to be guilty? He didn't want to defend himself?
Bakugo: Coward…
Judge: Izuku Midoriya, while you are on trial, your defense has been taken out of your hands by your council.
Izuku: My council, your honor?
Izuku was confused until the doors at the back of the room opened. Shuffling in, uncomfortably dressed in a suit with his graying hair pulled back into a bun, was Shota Aizawa, but Izuku knew him personally as EaraserHead. He held a large briefcase as he made his way to the defense table.
Izuku: Eraser-
Aizawa: For the record, this wasn't my idea.
Also walking in, taking a seat right behind the table for the defense, was none other than Ochako, in her super suit.
Izuku: Whispering You came?
Ochako: Whispering Of course. I had to call in a favor, but I knew you would claim to be guilty. I called the best thing I knew to help you.
Izuku: Whispering Thanks, Ochako, but- Wait… What do you mean THING?
Judge: Does the defense have an opening statement?
While he wore a suit, Aizawa still wore his binding scarf, from which Principle Nedzu himself pops out.
Nedzu: Indeed your honor!
Needless to say, everyone in the room was in shock, save for Uraraka and Aizawa.
Judge: Uhh… The court recognizes… the esteemed… Principle of UA High… Dean Nedzu…
Nedzu: And it is an honor to be recognized, your honor. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Jury and of the court in its entirety, I would like to submit the option for a plea deal regarding my client.
Judge: And the details of this plea?
Nedzu: Despite imprisonment, the defendant was not idle in these past many years and has even aided hero society more than you may realize. With the evidence I've brought, I'm positive that you may all see the defendant in a new light.
He bows from his place in the scarf.
Judge: Very well then… Sir Nighteye, you may begin.
Sir: I ask the villain Deku to take the stand.
Izuku stands, guided by 2 guards. While he goes up and is sworn in, Sir and Nedzu… converse in hushed voices.
Sir: What do you think you're doing!?
Nedzu: I am defending my client. That is the job of a lawyer.
Sir: Are you even certified to be one!?
Nedzu: I'm certified for a great many things, Mirai.
Sir: Ok, allow me to reconstruct my question… WHY are you doing this!?
Nedzu: Izuku Midoriya is more valuable to us as an asset than as something to be thrown away with the rest of the League. You've seen his file, read the reports, and despite your history with him in relation to Togata, you must admit that he has his uses.
Sir has to keep himself from snarling in frustration as he straightens himself out, approaching the bench.
Sir: Izuku Midoriya, can you describe your actions the night of the incident.
Izuku: Yes, I can. I broke out of Tartarus at night… I believe some time around 9 in the evening… and in the process, I put many guards through pain in my efforts to escape.
Sir: So you admit that you assaulted the guards and broke out of confinement?
Izuku: Yes.
Sir: Afterwards you inducted a minor, the son of the hero Uravity, into an investigation that interfered with police work?
Izuku: … Yes.
Sir: After which you caused damage to public property with another well-known villain, illegally using your Quirk in a multitude of ways?
Izuku: I did. I would like to say that for the record, I had no plans on escaping custody after the apprehension of Himiko Toga.
Sir: Really? And exactly what were your plans for after her capture? And remember, you are under oath.
Izuku: I'm well aware I'm under oath. I have nothing to hide. I planned on turning myself in. Even if I had to go to the nearest police station or walk all the way back to Tartarus to do so.
Sir: Do you really expect us to believe that?!
Nedzu: Objection! Pressuring the witness!
Judge: Sustained.
Nedzu: If the court had read the files on the 1st instance of Izuku Midoriya's arrest, they will see that Izuku has already done exactly as he said he would do. The day of that arrest, Izuku walked before the gates of the prison, got on his knees, had his hands behind his head, and surrendered himself to police custody without resistance.
Everyone looks into the notes they had, seeing that was what happened. There were even security photos about the event.
Sir: Alright… I'll give you that, you had given up without a fight. Do you regret the events that occurred during that night?
Izuku: No.
Sir: No?
Izuku: I only regret that I caused pain to the guards who were doing their job. If I could have done it without harming them, I would have.
Sir: You would have still attempted to escape if you could have done the night over?
Izuku: Yes.
Sir: No further questions, your honor.
He takes a seat as Nedzu hops out of Aizawa's scarf and goes to the stand.
Nedzu: Midoriya, why did you find it so important to escape from the prison?
Izuku: I had heard that Uravity had been kidnapped and I wanted to save her.
Nedzu: Really? A villain such as yourself would break out of the most heavily fortified places on the planet just to save a hero?
Izuku: She's a good hero… one of the best… and she has a son to take care of… as someone who only had reliance on his mother as a child myself, I had to save her… if not to save her life, then to save the mother of the child who was left alone due to the actions of Himiko Toga.
Nedzu: Interesting… Tell me, Midoriya, how did you spend your sentence until the events of the night in question?
Izuku: Well… I did as all the other prisoners did, although I was more isolated because of the danger of my Quirk. I was given the opportunity to better myself which was presented to me by Detective Tsukauchi.
Nedzu: Commissioner Tsukauchi, now.
Izuku: Huh… he was promoted while I was detained?
Sir: Objection! Relevance?
Judge: What was the opportunity?
Nedzu: On the files that I have brought- Shota, if you can be so kind- I have a list of cases that the commissioner has handed to Izuku Midoriya to solve. His mind is incredible and with it he has solved over 300 crimes that were active and 400 cold cases while incarcerated.
Aizawa passes several, largely stapled together, stacks of cases Izuku helped to solve while in prison.
Nedzu: Everything from murder, to petty theft, to domestic violence, to super human-based crimes. He solved them without having to use a single Quirk.
Judge: Impressive… although, what relevance does this have to the case at hand?
Nedzu: It has to do with the plea I would like to issue. I would like to take the part-time responsibility of Izuku Midoriya, to use his mind for the good of heroism.
Izuku: What?
Sir: What?
Bakugo: FUCKING WHAT!?
Judge: ORDER! I will have order in my court, Ground Zero!
Bakugo: You can't possibly be considering this!?
He marches up to the stand.
Bakugo: He's practically asking for Deku to get parole for breaking out of prison! Am I the only one who thinks that's absolutely batshit insane!?
Judge: Ground Zero, take a seat or I will have you held for contempt of court!
He glares at Izuku and Nedzu before marching back to his seat.
Judge: You said Part-Time responsibility. What do you mean by that?
Nedzu: While I watch him as he does work for the hero community, mostly in a teaching position and the sorting of files, all while in Quirk suppression braces, so he can only use his Quirk at the minimal level for emergencies, his domestic responsibilities will be placed in the proper care of a Pro-Hero.
Sir: If I may interject, which pro-hero would be brave enough-
Bakugo: OR CRAZY ENOUGH!
Judge: Ground Zero, last warning!
Sir: To house him and watch him?
Nedzu turns to the court, lifting a paw for Ochako to stand. She smiles a bit at Izuku as she does.
Izuku: Urara- Uravity… you… you would-
Uraraka: I have the space and security measures on stand by, your honor. I have a thorough understanding of the defendant as well as the Quirk he possesses. Like Nedzu, I also believe that Deku doesn't have to be the name of a villain. Given enough time, it could stand for something greater. Plus, I still think it's kind of cute for a villain's name.
Izuku was shocked and tried not to tear up as she said her piece.
Judge: Hm… The court will take the plea into consideration… for now, we will review other evidence and previous data on the defendant.
Izuku had taken a seat from the stand, watching witnesses come and go. Commissioner Tsukauchi, who confirmed his work with Deku, a teenage Eri, who acted as a witness as someone saved by Deku from Overhaul and company before the heroes put their own rescue plan into motion the day after, another teenager in the form of Kouta, who was saved by Deku from Muscular, even though Izuku hadn't received his Quirk from All for One yet, to several heroes who were either unsure on their stance on him, blatantly believed he should be locked up on the principle of being a villain, or supported the idea of Nedzu's plea. Further reports of the night had been stated by the hero, Tsukuyomi, who was ordered to observe and follow Deku after being seen on the streets approaching the crime scene with Tsukaeru. He didn't intervene because he knew he didn't have the power required to restrain him. He had followed using Dark Shadow in secret instead, to make sure Tsukaeru was actually safe. The court case had lasted 2 more days before the jury had reached a verdict and passed their agreement to the judge. Everyone stands with a nervous energy in the air around them.
Judge: The court has made a decision… Izuku Midoriya, AKA Deku, you are guilty of the terms of your arrest… but the court is in favor of Dean Nedzu's plea. You are to live out your sentence under the work of the dean, while wearing Quirk Suppression bands. You will be monitored 24 hours a day by anyone with a Pro-Hero license. You will be under the primary watch of the dean and the Pro-Hero Uravity and any misuse of power or signs of villainous activity will lead to your immediate re-incarceration. Am I understood?
Izuku was once more shocked at the turn of events, eyes widened and jaw dropped, almost unable to speak.
Izuku: I-I- Y-O-I-
Nedzu: I believe that may be a yes, your honor.
Judge: Then this court is adjourned.
He bangs his gavel down and everyone begins to disperse. Sir Nighteye passes Nedzu in Aizawa's scarf on the way out.
Sir: I hope you know what you're doing.
Nedzu: I am. I'm giving a villain another chance at life… and I'm reuniting a family.
It took another day to set everything up. Izuku was placed in mechanical arm bands the length of his forearms and suppressed nearly 90% of his overall power. They unfortunately lacked more powerful bands that allowed for the freedoms he would now have while keeping him under control. While being processed out of the prison, he was given a pair of sweatpants, along with a simple, black, long sleeve shirt. As the gates opened, the first thing that he noticed was Ochako standing in front of a car, dressed in her uniform again. This would be the first time they would be together in years without having to watch what they said. For a minute, they just stared at each other, trying to figure out what to say.
Izuku: … You… you look… good…
Ochako: Y-yeah… so do you… black is slimming…
Izuku: "You look good"!? That's all you can say!?
Ochako: I can't believe I just said that!
Izuku: Are there… any stops we have to make before we head to… your home?
Ochako: No… no, we can go straight there… Tsukaeru is waiting…
This made Izuku tense up.
Ochako: … I told him.
Izuku: What!?
Ochako: Izuku, after everything that happened, I had to! He would have figured it out anyway! In a way, it's your fault!
Izuku: My fault!? What did I do!
Ochako: You made me give birth to an over-analytical super genius!
Izuku: Well, how do you know that's not YOUR fault!?
Ochako: I'm not the one who made over 50 different journals worth of Quirk studies! Besides, he got my taste for sweets and my squishable cheeks!
Izuku: I hope you haven't been feeding him sweets for every meal! He needs a balanced diet!
Ochako: You think I'm incapable of feeding him!?
Izuku: I did not say that! Don't put words into my mouth!
They're both panting from their ridiculous argument. Izuku snickers a little, and Ochako does the same. Soon, the duo are laughing as they get in the car.
Izuku: What was that!?
Ochako: Parents argue over dumb things sometimes and they end up spinning out of control into other subjects. It happens with my parents, even now.
Izuku: I… uh… wouldn't really know…
Ochako: Oh… sorry…
Izuku: It's ok… So… how did he take it?
Ochako: He was… understandably shocked… He honestly took it better than I thought he would… He did take some time to think after I told him… and after we cried a bit… a lot…
Izuku: Now THAT sounds like me… and mom…
They drive in silence after that as they reach the apartment complex. Neighbors and passersby steer clear of them, mainly because of Izuku. They reach the Uraraka apartment and Izuku freezes.
Ochako: You ok?
Izuku: … You know… meeting him was way easier when I had more pressing concerns… What am I supposed to say? What am I supposed to do? Do I hug him? Shake his hand? Let him punch me for the lies and the criminal record?
Ochako: Izuku…
She holds his hands in hers.
Ochako: He doesn't hate you… I know that much… he's just confused… and scared about what this will mean for our family… and I do mean OUR family. You're his father and when he called for help YOU came… That has to mean something to him and to you…
He takes a deep breath and nods for her to open the door. Inside, there was no fanfare, no shouting, no "Welcome Home", no cake, nothing thrown his way. Tsukaeru just sat at the table, head shooting up towards them as he was brought out of his own thoughts. His parents stepped in and closed the door. They all stared at each other, wondering who was going to make the first move.
Tsukaeru: … Um… I… I don't…
Izuku: Yeah… I know… Me neither…
Tsukaeru: … You're my dad.
Izuku: I am…
Tsukaeru: But you're also a villain…
Izuku: … Yes… I am…
Tsukaeru: … You lied to me… both of you did… to protect me…
Ochako: Which we're sorry for…
Tsukaeru: … Thank you…
Izuku's eyes widened in shock.
Tsukaeru: Thank you for… giving me… a normal-ish… life… but, now that you're here… I wanna know everything…
Izuku: … Ok… What do you want to know?
