AN: Guys I'm sure you have a lot of questions following the last bit of the last chapter. But you can't think of this story completely in the confines of reactions in the show. Without Izuku around, Bakugo probably wouldn't be a volatile. In fact, the vast majority of his rage is directed straight at Izuku. Sure, he comes across as a bit arrogant, but arrogance is not inherently malicious. Plus, I'm pretty sure All Might's original plan was to pick his successor based on the winner of the Sports Festival. I don't remember when it was said, I'd have to go back and rewatch. I guess my point is, you have to factor in the fact that with most of these characters, any Izuku-lead growth they have had hasn't happened in this story. Yet, in some cases. But with like Bakugo, without Izuku around to "hurt" his fragile ego for whatever perceived slight, which I assume is anything from breathing too loudly to making him look like a mitch, he would probably be a hell of a lot more docile. And if we know anything at all about All Might's character, is that he isn't perfect, and he does make mistakes. I also took a slight liberty from canon(I KNOW PLEASE DON'T SHOOT ME GUYS). If you read that last section carefully, you know what it is. But seriously guys, have a little faith in me. I'm sure some of you are familiar with Chekhov's Gun. That is probably the most recurring literary device I use. So keep that in mind before you become unhappy with something in the story. I try to be detailed, but I want those details to matter. Like I've said, I know I'm a new player in the community. But have faith in my vision.
One more thing, symbiotes are a lot more similar to One for All than I'd actually anticipated. Ability imprinting and retaining. Seriously. I'm surprised at how fitting it is. Anyway, on with the show!
Chapter 7: You're Hot and You're Cold.
Chaos. Pure, unadulterated chaos. Fire and smoke permeated throughout the entire city. Oxygen become thinner. Screams of terror echoing in the night. This was supposed to be a peaceful city, not a damn warzone. As Shinsou cast his eyes to Shouto Todoroki, who looked out upon the damaged city, he couldn't help but wonder how things had snowballed this badly. Suddenly, a huge explosion ripped through the city a few blocks over.
"What the hell was that?!"
Xxxxxx
A few hours earlier...
"Okay, Hitoshi. Today is the day. We have to get Todoroki on our side. He's the only shot at legitimacy that we have right now. But you cannot use your quirk except to help me get away, Shinsou. After that, nothing explicitly. I want him to join us of his own volition. And turning him into a mindslave is not he way to do that." Izuku stood on a rooftop with Shinsou, looking down at Shouto and his father, the Flame Hero Endeavor. Izuku was wearing his full Venom suit, minus the mask at the moment. Shinsou stood wearing a black turtle neck, a kevlar vest, black fitted gloves, and black combat slacks with matching steel toed boots. In his, hand, he had a cut up ski mask that only covered up his hair, and the top part of his face, ensuring his voice wouldn't be muffled(AN: Think Dread Pirate Roberts from PB or Daredevil's outfit for most of Season one). On his hip, he had a taser holster, and a megaphone clipped to his belt.
Hitoshi waved off Izuku's concerns. "Relax, man. I'm not an evil genius. Just a genius." He gave a wry grin.
"That's what I'm afraid of." Hitoshi and Izuku shared a laugh, trying to calm their nerves. This was their big moment. Izuku was going to have to convince Shouto of their aims while Shinsou basically led Endeavor away to do...whatever Shinsou made his puppets do for his own entertainment. While they originally planned to have Izuku fight Endeavor, Venom explained that one of his main weaknesses was to fire, which would put him at a severe disadvantage, which is not something they needed at this stage, especially against the number two hero.
"Alright, Hivemind. It's showtime." Izuku spoke, his vocal cords deepening as his mask formed.
"I seriously need a better name." Hitoshi muttered under his breath.
Xxxxxxx
"Shouto, pay attention! You're being seen with me is important to your image. I won't tolerate inattentiveness." Endeavor spoke harshly to his son. Shouto was annoyed that his father had used his influence to ensure that no other pros offered him internships, thus ensuring he had to go with his bastard of a father.
"Whatever. Let's just keep going." Shouto thought he saw something following them on the roof tops, but every time he looked up, he saw nothing. He shook off the feeling and continued on.
"Excuse me, Mr. Endeavor but I'm a huge fan! Can I get an autograph? All Might has nothing on you!" A semi familiar voice interrupted his thoughts, directing his attention to a guy wearing all black.
'A Goth? Maybe. But why is he wearing combat boots?' Before he could say anything, his father spoke out, in the fake manner he always used when talking to fans.
"Of course you can!" Suddenly, his father stiffened.
"Follow me." The boy's demeanor had shifted, and set Todoroki on edge. Before he could ask what's going on, the guy in black handed him a piece of paper.
Relax. This isn't a kidnapping. We just needed to get your pompous ass of a father away so we could talk to you.
Confusion set in Shouto's expression, but as he looked up to address the boy who was leading his father away like some sort of zombie on a leash, he found he was alone on the sidewalk.
"Shouto Todoroki, you're a hard man to approach." A deep voice rumbled from behind him. Shouto spun around, backing away from the figure that leaned against the building behind him. The figure was dressed in all black, a white spider symbol on his torso. A manic grin was in place on his mask.
"Who are you? Are you with the League of Villains?" Shouto demanded, gearing up for a fight.
"The League of Who? And how the hell do you not know us? We're practically plastered on every news channel except for when they talk about the Hero Killer." The figure spoke, never once taking its eyes off Shouto.
"You. You're Venom." At this, the figure's grin seemed to widen, but that's impossible for a mask.
"Our partners said you were smart. But they also said you'd be harder to talk to. Frankly, We don't find it too difficult."
"Don't presume that you know me." Shouto said harshly, becoming unnerved. 'Why the hell does this guy refer to himself in the plural sense. Dissociative Identity Disorder maybe?'
"We know you hate your father. And we know you want to be a hero outside his shadow."
Shouto froze. This person knew about that?
"Huh, Hivemind's guess was correct."
"Enough chat. What do you want exactly?" Shouto growled out.
"Simple, really. We want you to join us in being heroes. That's it."
Whatever the hell, Shouto had expected Venom to say, that was about near the bottom of the list.
"Come again?" The figure chuckled at his disbelief.
"Come now, Shouto. Despite our label as a Vigilante, we don't kill. For all the comparisons to the Hero Killer, we are nothing like them. The only difference between us and heroes like your father is a little piece of paper that says 'Government approved'. We believe heroes have lost their roots, in that they focus so much on making money, that saving people has become an after thought, an added bonus." Venom took a deep breath, before continuing "Shouto, we extend to you an invitation to join the Outsiders.
Xxxxxxxxx
Elsewhere in the city...
Two figures stood on a rooftop, looking down on the city with disdain in their eyes.
"Kurogiri, unleash the Nomu."
"As you wish, Master Tomura."
xxxxxxxxxx
"The Outsiders?" Shouto questioned, having never heard of the team before.
"That's right, Shouto. Don't mistake us. We don't want you just because you're the son of Endeavor. Not in the way you think. " Venom replied calmly, arms still folded.
"What do you mean?" Shouto questioned, intrigued by the proposition.
"We want you because the fact you're level headed, quick on your feet, and your quirk is powerful. And last but not least, you have a sense of justice. Just like us."
"You mentioned needing me because of my father. Why?" This answer would make or break the deal. Both parties knew this, and took steps to ensure the advantage.
"By having you on our team, we gain legitimacy. We aren't just a bunch of rabblerousers upset with the current hero system. If the prodigal son the the second highest hero rebels against the system itself, it's going to make people talk. It's going to call into light the decision making of the powers that be. At worst, they're forced to legally and formally accept us as real heroes, else risking public backlash. At best, we start a revolution in the field of heroes, and a return to the root of it all." Shouto was enraptured by the words of Venom. This was a man with vision, and a plan to achieve that vision. Shouto idly noted that Venom reminded him of All Might to a degree, with the way he spoke of justice.
"Before you decide, take a few days to think about it. If you agree, come to LeBlanc coffee shop in Midtown Mustafa in exactly two days, after school ends. Our group will be waiting for you. However, we ask you not...judge our normal appearance."
Shouto sweatdropped at this, but nodded anyway.
Xxxxxxxx
"Hmm, what should I have you do next?" Hitoshi mused to himself as he looked at the visage of the number two hero. Currently, Endeavor was doing jumping jacks in the street yelling 'I'M A STAR', while several onlookers watched torn between confusion and amusement, including a number of pro heroes. Before he give another command, several creatures landed in the middle of the busy street.
'Oh crap... those look like the creatures that were involved in the USJ attack.'
"Endeavor, forget your memory of me, and resume your normal actions!"
Endeavor went straight, falling out of Hitoshi's control. Seeing the creatures, his eyes narrowed.
"Finally, a chance to prove I'm better than All Might. Heroes! To ME!" And with that, Endeavor and the pros jumped into the fray.
Xxxxxxxx
As Venom turned to walk away, they heard a loud crash, followed by screams, and several small explosions, with fire shooting into the sky from a few blocks away.
"Shit, that's the way that Hivemind went." Venom spoke, concern leaking into his voice in regards to his friend. He then looked to Todoroki. "Looks like we're getting a crash course in teamwork earlier than we thought."
Shouto only nodded, before activating his ice, and turned to where Venom had been a few seconds ago. A voice made him shoot his head in the direction of the flames. He saw the figure of Venom shooting up into the air, swinging from building to building with black tendrils.
"Try to keep up, Shouto!"
As Shouto looked up, he could only think to himself. 'Pretty cool', before he shot off down the street using a bridge of ice.
As Venom looked back to see Shouto following him in a creative manner, he too thought that Shouto was pretty cool too.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Hitoshi was trying to get in touch with Izuku, but he wasn't answering his phone. Just as he was about to call again, two figures landed beside him.
"Man, Venom, took you long enough. I take it your chat with our friend here when well?" Hitoshi questioned his friend curiously.
"For the most part. He's agreed to meet up with us to talk more, at least." Came the cool response of Venom, to which Hitoshi nodded. They really couldn't expect more at this point, not when things were going to hell in this city.
"Venom, what's the plan here?" Shouto questioned, clearly antsy.
Venom sighed, before glancing around the street, looking for factors they could use to their advantage.
"Okay. Hivemind, I want you to use your power to control anyone who hasn't evacuated yet for whatever reason. They can't stay here. Shouto, you're guarding Hivemind, and taking stalling any of these things that get past me." Both Shouto and Hitoshi froze at this.
"You mean you're going to stay and fight them? The pros will turn on you as soon as the creatures are down!" Hitoshi spoke harshly. Venom turned enough to regard him for a moment.
"We don't have a choice. Otherwise, people are going to die. Besides, let them try." Venom looked back, his mask's grin widening impossibly further, before he rammed into the nearest Nomu, sending them tumbling into a nearby building.
"Damnit Izuku, you better not die. Mina will melt my face off if you do." Hitoshi muttered, before turning to Shouto. "Well, you heard the boss. Let's do this." He turned to face a crowd of onlookers. "Hey guys, what would you do if I said I think Dragon Ball GT is better than Z?"
As he was answered dozens of angry voices, he could only smirk and think 'Gotcha.'
Shouto on the otherhand could only wonder what the hell he'd gotten himself into.
Xxxxxxxx
Venom assaulted the creatures braincase, slamming into with a downward elbow, before shifting into a backflip kick, sending the creature upwards. He slammed a fist into the creatures face, before shooting two webs at the ground below, and grabbed onto the creature with his legs, and propelled them towards the ground, the creatures head hitting the ground with a sickening crack. It groaned before losing consciousness, or the will to fight. Venom wasn't sure which and he didn't particularly care. Not when he had people to save. He dragged it out and webbed it to a nearby by wall. "Sit there, while we go deal with the rest of the party crashers."
Venom was about to say more, when his spider sense went wild, causing him to reactively dodge out of the way of a flaming fist.
"Venom. You're under arrest." Endeavor growled out, annoyed that he hadn't taken him out with one punch. Somewhere else in the country, a bald man sneezed, before going back on the hunt for egg sales.
"You know, funny enough, Charizard, I'm pretty sure you can't arrest anyone, let alone someone helping you do your job." Venom retorted dryly. "I'm even more sure that if you'd actually hit me, you'd be under investigation for assaulting a private citizen, since I'm only wanted for question in regards to brawl case."
Endeavor's face paled, before he withdrew his fist. "Fine, what are you here for?"
"I thought I'd take a walk in the woods."
"Long way from the forest."
"Took a wrong turn in Albuquerque." Endeavor twitched, but said nothing. His eyes, panned to the two remaining creatures.
"How much do you know about these things, Venom?"
"I don't. Other than the fact they can be taken out, that's about it."
"They're called Nomu. They're human weapons created by the League of Villains. We think they're geared towards killing high profile heroes. Each has multiple quirks. We don't know how though."
"That's problematic."
"The good news is they don't seem to be capable of analytical thought, and the quirks they have aren't particularly dangerous on their own, at least to pros. However, when you combined them all, that's when things get dangerous." Endeavor explained, ensuring he was thorough and loud enough that the pros with them could hear.
"We don't know how many have been unleashed in the city so we need to wrap this up fast."
"We are in agreement, vigilante. But after they're down, you and I shall have words."
"Only words? Not sentences?"
Endeavor's growl and the groans of nearby pros was Venom's only answer.
Xxxxxxxxxx
"Man, I feel like a dude playing an RTS." Hivemind commented as he forced the civilians to march in a double file line. Shouto just looked confused, but said nothing. They continued to work at getting the people to safety, with Hivemind antagonizing, and controlling any other civilians they came across.
Xxxxxxxx
Endeavor was going toe to toe with a strength Nomu, gripping hands locked with the beast's in a struggle of pure strength. He roared in anger, before forcing the creature to it's knees, before activating his flame shroud, and burning the creature. It clicked its teeth, before shoving Endeavor to the side, then rushing to a pro who wasn't paying attention. Just as it reared it's claws back to slice the pro to ribbons, a black blur slammed into it, forcing back towards Endeavor.
"Pay attention to your surroundings, man. These things aren't pushovers." Venom spoke to the hero he'd saved, before offering a hand to help him up. The pro hesitantly took his hand, but before he was pulled to his feet, a massive explosion ripped through the city, and the shockwave forced them to the ground again.
xxxxxxx
Elsewhere...
Bakugo stood facing the Hero Killer Stain, glaring at the man who'd dared to call him unworthy. He'd even said that fucking Izuku was a true hero, while he was just a pretender.
"You're really startign to piss me off, Stain." Bakugo growled out. He'd been lucky not to get cut and neutralized like that damn extra Iida. "But you're going to find out just how special my quirk is. He may have said to not use it yet, but he doesn't know how strong I am!"
Orange Bio-electricity swirled furiously around Bakugo's right arm, his palm facing towards Stain. "NOW DIE, TRASH!"
As the Explosion went off, Bakugo noticed something wrong with the chain reaction, indescribable pain setting in his arm, making him scream, before everything went dark.
Xxxxxxxx
"What the hell was that? Was it the villains?" One of the random pros asked to no one in particular.
"Focus you fools! We cannot worry about that right now. Our focus is on the last of these creatures right now." Endeavor's tired voice snapped their attention onto the last Nomu standing, which was currently fighting Venom.
'Hmph. Can't let that punk upstage me.' Endeavor thought, before using flame expulsion form his shoulder blades to rocket him towards the Nomu. "Stand there or get out of the way, Venom, I care not. But that creature is going down NOW! SUPERSONIC NOVA PUNCH!" Flames coalesced around Endeavor's fist, before they slammed into the Nomu's stomach, rocketing it through several buildings until it settled in the rubble, unmoving.
"Damn, old man. That's some right hook you got there."
"And don't you forget it. We'll settle things eventually, vigilante. But today... isn't that day." Endeavor gave a nod, and then ran towards the site of the explosion that had rocked the city minutes prior.
'I want to help more, but I need to take Hitoshi and get back home. Mom will freak if I'm out any later than this!'
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Pain. That's the first sensation that Bakugo awoke to. The first sight he saw was his mother sleeping in a chair, and All Might standing in the corner beside him.
"You're awake, Young Bakugo." Came the Symbol of Peace's words, his voice betraying nothing.
"I suppose this is my fault. My gut told me you were not the person to entrust this power, but the Headmaster ensured me that the Sports Festival was a worthy test of a successor." He ran a hand through his hair.
"I'll be frank kid. I've decided that you should give me back One For All . You're too volatile, and you did exactly the one I told you not to. You combined One for All with your explosions. Do you have any idea what you've done? You killed the Hero Killer in the blast. You scarred Young Iida's face. You blew off that pro's leg. As of now, you're on probation within UA until further notice."
Bakugo tried to pull himself up with his right arm, only realize he couldn't feel his right arm. He looked over, before he started panicking.
"Where is it?" All Might couldn't look at Bakugo, unable to stomach the panic seeping across his features.
Bakugo screamed, frantically "WHERE THE FUCK IS MY ARM?! HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO ME?!"
As he began to thrash in his bed, he yanked out a few hairs and threw them in All Might's face. "TAKE BACK YOUR FUCKING QUIRK!"
To be continued...
Yeap. Told you guys you had to trust me. I don't do anything without a reason. You'll eventually come to trust me on that. Shout out to my buddy Eskimocore for helping me with Venom knowledge. And you'll notice that Izuku was making quips and being sarcastic. This was intentional. I want him to slowly develop similar to Peter in that regard. Acting more confidently due to the enormous gift of anonymity. Izuku is still the lovable ball of awkwardness we know and love. But I want him to slowly become more confident as Venom, and not even realize it's happening. Well, that's pretty much it for today guys. Raizen out.
Edit: Poll is live for the Todoroki pairing. For anyone who feels I'm being exclusionary of the LGBT, I do intended to have a same sex pairing somewhere in here, I just haven't decided who. Anyway, go out and vote. And please, choice four is only for plausible romances. I'm trying to keep this as canon compliant as I can.
EDIT 2: CREDIT TO SHINSOU'S NAME REPLACEMENT GOES TO RIIZZE, WHO CAME UP WITH HIVEMIND. I loved it so damn much.