"No fractures, fortunately. Mostly just blunt force trauma along the limbs and torso, assuming the head injury was from a fall rather than a dedicated attack."

"Meaning all injuries that would be obscured unless the victim purposefully showed them."

"Seems like it to me. Think you could track down the people who did this?"

"Already halfway there. We're not exactly talking master criminals."

Awaking from his pain-induced slumber, Izuku paid less attention to the invasive analysis than he probably should have. After all, thanks to a concerning level of visits to the Aldera infirmary, Izuku had long gotten used to doctors being a bit more intrusive than he would've liked. When their quirk could heal any minor injury through saliva, it was either push through the disgust or walk home to a horrified tirade from his mother. Therefore, it took several moments before Izuku realised that the hands running along his body were far too young to be Doctor Kurashiki, and decidedly too strong at that.

"Still, I'd rather hear it from the victim's mouth; makes life so much easier." An unfamiliar voice chimed in. "Come on then, I believe it's time you opened your eyes. Don't think we didn't notice you wake up."

Even so, Izuku didn't give up his ruse so easily, only hesitantly allowing his eyes to flutter open after several moments. Rather than the harsh light of the infirmary, however, it was a pleasant visage that filled his sight, a confused noise involuntarily passing Izuku's lips. At the giggle his expression elicited, that confusion quickly turned into embarrassment.

"Who… Who are you?" Izuku gradually found the strength to mumble. Barely able to hear the words, the woman let out a low hum.

"Right now? I suppose you could say I'm whoever you need me to be." She said, followed by a flamboyant bow. So exaggerated where her actions, Izuku couldn't stop the small smile that blossomed on his face. "A police officer, a confidant, a friend if you'd let me. No matter what though, the name's Léa Takao – at your service."

Unfortunately for Léa, however, it seemed the latter half of her introduction went unnoticed by Izuku. Gone was the tiny amount of rapport she had tried to cultivate, replaced by a solemn concern that should never grace a child's face. Faced with such a poor reception, all Léa could do was rise awkwardly from her bow.

"You're a police officer? Then, are you here to… arrest someone?" Izuku spoke, the question practically dripping with fear. While that alone wasn't immediately concerning - healthy respect towards authority was commendable after all - Izuku's current condition made interpreting such an attitude positively rather difficult. It took a second for Léa to find the right words.

"Well, it depends. If my instincts are correct, probably not." She replied, turning a blind eye to the way that Izuku quite visibly deflated in relief. "I think you should be worrying more about yourself than other people right now, though. Something tells me you didn't just randomly decide to take a nap in that library. Not exactly the most comfortable of carpets."

"…Would you believe me if I said I got myself into an accident?" a minute's silence passed before Izuku posed his question, bringing out a light-hearted scoff from Léa.

"Do you want me to?"

"…Yeah."

"Then no, not really."

"…That's what I thought."

Léa's found a bitterness pervading her before she could blink. How many times had she witnessed such a scene before? It was one thing when a victim of bullying tried to act against it, or at least tell someone that something was going on. Victims like this, who were prepared to accept the abuse set upon them, maybe even considered it justified? They were an entirely different beast. There was only so much you could do when the injured party refused to recognise the injustices they faced.

Unfortunately, Izuku was far from alone in that regard. With Quirk discrimination still as rife as ever, a disturbing number of people were more than happy to consider the denunciation of the Quirkless as a norm. Faced with such indifference, it's only natural that a growing number of abuse cases were going unreported – after all, what was the point if those in power held the same mindset? As a result, the bullies responsible end up getting away scot-free and the downward spiral continues. As a police officer – no, as a decent human being – Léa couldn't help the frustration welling inside her. Such was why she forced her hands to cease their fidgeting, turning a gentle expression onto Izuku.

"Look, Doctor Kurashiki here has told me a lot about you, Izuku. About how this isn't the first time this has happened. How this probably won't be the last unless someone does something about it." She said, a hint of poison colouring her words. "Is that really what you want? To protect whoever did this so they can just do it again without ever facing the consequences? 'Cause that sounds to me like a pretty raw deal."

"I, I know it looks bad but… it's not like anyone was trying to hurt me! It's just… when you play heroes, you always want to use your Quirk, right? I was with some friends and they, they just kind of… forgot that I can't really do that." Izuku tried to object. The depreciative chuckle Léa spat out in response came automatically. If nothing else, it meant that Izuku was fully aware of how reprehensible the actions of his assailants were. That was one step further than quite a few of the victims she had come across.

"Friends, huh? Doctor, how many times has Izuku come here?" she called out without missing a beat, refusing to break eye contact with Izuku as the man in the corner fumbled for a second.

"Oh, I couldn't say off the top of my head, but we're talking somewhere around eight-nine different occasions." He eventually mused, an unnatural solemnity to Doctor Kurashiki's tone despite his nonchalance. The wince that Izuku gave did not go unnoticed.

"Is that so? See, that would say it's closer to indifference than ignorance, especially if you're gonna call these people friends." Léa said. "I mean, ignoring the fact that you shouldn't be playing around with your Quirks in a library of all places – or anywhere, really – that this happened more than twice is a pretty glaring sign. That kind of argument isn't exactly going to stick."

Izuku tried to speak up again, he really did. After a minute of fruitless endeavours, however, it was clear that any fight left in him had disappeared. What was Izuku to say? That it wasn't serious? His wounds had already proved otherwise. That they felt bad about it? Well, then they wouldn't have left him alone in the library to fester. Dismissals like that would barely work on a complete bystander, let alone a trained professional who had clearly done their research.

"Look. Izuku Midoriya, I've already confirmed that you're a victim of Section Forty-Seven Assault due to Quirk Discrimination. I understand if you consider these people friends, but the facts can't be denied." Soon spoke Léa, jolting Izuku out of his thoughts. "The question is whether we let the people responsible get away with it and as a police officer, that doesn't sit well with me. After all, if you let whoever did this go free, then innocent people are going to be hurt. Innocent people including you because they'll have no reason to stop. Now you have someone like me on your side though – someone with real authority – that can change. A couple of names and they won't be able to hurt anyone else."

It was a manipulative move, to be certain. Léa knew that full well. A little manipulation in a situation like this, however, was hardly a bad thing. Already, Léa could see the remnants of resolve within Izuku start to crumble. One more blow at most would more than suffice. Even so, Léa had to give her begrudging respect. Whoever managed to inspire such equal parts fear and friendship as a child was truly a worrisome character.

"I know! I know. But…" a part of Izuku screamed at the ridiculousness of what he was about to say, yet that didn't stop the rest of him from believing it still. "Even if Ka-they get a bit violent, the point they were trying to make is still true. I'm not really in the best position to be a hero."

"And you're going to listen to them? The kids who thought that beating someone up specifically because they were unable to defend themselves was a good idea?" Léa immediately spat back incredulously. Even Doctor Kurashiki seemed a little taken aback. "Wait, let me guess. People are positioning whoever did this as the most likely to become Pro Heroes and any negative marks on their records would 'ruin their potential' or something, right? Excessively violent and willing to abuse those weaker than them; they must think the job was practically made for them. Well, let's make this clear. They're nowhere close to what's expected of a hero, so don't listen to a thing they say. Any hero academy could tell you that much."

"Then…" an explosion rocking the building put a sharp end to Izuku's answer, Léa rushing over to the window to find herself staring into a giant eye. There was barely a moment for her to flip back before that eye was replaced by a fist, brick crumbling like sand as fat fingers forced through. "A-a villain? Here?"

"HIBIKI!"

"…You're kidding me, right? You're kidding me. A villain attacking right when he's about to tell me their – this has to be a joke." Far from Izuku and Doctor Kurashiki's concern, however, the sound of Léa smacking her palm against her face made her irritation evident. Having just nearly met an early death had it not been for her nimble reactions, the contrast couldn't have been clearer, especially when her other hand was flicking across a phone's screen with practised ease. "What, do you think you're making things dramatic or something, stopping me from hearing their names? I already know who's responsible! I don't need their names to point them out! For goodness - Doctor, any clue who Hibiki might be?"

"Er, maybe a first-year?" was the elderly man's response, spoken from the ground as he clutched at his chest. Considering this was the first time there had been such a blatant villain attack during his Aldera career, his shock was perhaps warranted. "A Hibiki hasn't come by the infirmary yet! If she's going to be anything, it's a first-year."

"Okay, fine. I've dealt with worse." Muttered Léa, the ending of the rhythmic beeping in her ear eliciting a sigh of relief. "Goodie! You remember that school I said I was going to investigate? I need you to clear the two closest train lines! …Listen, I don't need an opinion, I need them closed now!"

"You came to investigate this place?" Izuku subconsciously remarked, yet a white gun suddenly forced into his hands quickly caused the question to die in his mind. When that was followed by what could only be described as a toy train lacquered in azure, that question was easily replaced.

"Time and a place, Izuku. Right now, I need your help." Léa rushed. "They said you couldn't be a hero? Well here's the chance to prove them wrong. I need you to take Jail and slot it right onto here. Then, grab this bit back here and twist the whole thing downwards. Then aim towards… that railway over there and pull the trigger. You get all that?"

Not at all. In fact, he probably wouldn't have had a clue even if there wasn't a rampaging giant eager to distract them. That wasn't to say that the instructions in and of themselves were particularly difficult, but the sheer fact that an adult gave a fully functional weapon to a child without hesitation was nevertheless alarming. Regardless, it wasn't as if Izuku had a choice not to comply as a pair of delicate hands sent his own into motion, the train he held slotting onto the side of the gun without issue.

JAIL!

PATRISE!

If there was anything Izuku was expecting to come of his actions, it certainly wasn't the rock-like music that bellowed from the gun – the VS Changer, if Izuku had heard correctly. From the looks of it, the attacking villain agreed; the tunes sent the giant reeling back in surprise, if only for a moment. A moment, however, was all that was needed.

"And now, twist!"

"R-right! Pull this grip and - twisting!"

ICHI NI TSUITE! YOI!

HASHIRE, HASHIRE, HASHIRE!

HASHIRE, HASHIRE, HASHIRE!

The giant threw his head back as a hologram shot past him, the barrel of the VS Changer extending to disproportionate lengths as if it were to pierce the sky. Caught completely unaware, Izuku nearly dropped the weapon, only the fact that the hologram would crash to the ground alongside it managing to keep his aim steady. Léa had yet to scold Izuku, so the fact that it missed the villain surely had to be intentional; better not to screw it up for such a menial reason as surprise.

"Steady aim, huh? Better than I expected, especially under pressure." When had a golden gun appeared in Léa's hand? Its hefty size and gaudy colouration meant it wasn't exactly the most conspicuous of weapons, yet there had been no sight of it before, nor of anything that could be storing it. In hindsight, the same could be said of the VS Changer. Taking into account how the golden gun was currently keeping the giant occupied though, Izuku was hardly in a position to complain. "Now then, pull the trigger and let her rip! Oh, and, er, do mind your fingers."

"My fingers? Why?" Izuku couldn't help but parrot. A sharp bark of laughter soon followed.

"Because when Jail gets launched, I don't want any part of you to go with it!" came Léa's boisterous reply. Almost instinctively, Izuku tilted his head.

"Jail? You mean the train?"

"Yeah!"

"As in, the upside-down train?"

"Just do it!"

"O-okay!"

SHUTSUDON!

SHICHI-JITSU-GOU-KEN!

At speeds that would make a bullet train envious, Jail shot down the runway formed by the VS Changer's hologram. A spiral that formed partway spun the steam train into an upright position, yet from how it rocketed past the villain, it didn't seem to matter at all. Concern blossomed on Izuku's face, a concern that lasted all of five seconds before a miraculous transformation swept it away entirely.

In but three pulses of inexplicable power, what had once been the size of a toy grew exponentially. By the time Jail finally leapt off the VS Changer's hologram onto a nearby railway line, no other steam engine could compare. Sure, the azure shine to its body and the giant trigger attached to it may have been unconventional, but they did little to diminish the awe of Jail. That it had once been able to fit on the side of the VS Changer was near unthinkable.

"Alright, good job. Time for phase two." Izuku barely had time to breathe, however, before a second train was shoved into his grasp, this time bearing a more modern design and an equally standout crimson colour. The trigger on top of Jail was nowhere to be found, Izuku's palm instead gently nudging against a jet-black dial. "You'll need to input a code this time and then twist it upwards. 1-0-0!"

This time, Izuku didn't hesitate.

CHAIN!

1-0-0!

MASQUERAISE!

The reason as to why the voice that called out or the music that came after had changed eluded Izuku, as did the reason why he had to turn this train upward rather than downward. There wasn't a trigger like the one that Jail had, but its size before transformation had rendered Jail's trigger obsolete. At that moment, though, none of it seemed to matter as Izuku took aim.

GET SET! READY?

TOBE, TOBE, TOBE!

TOBE, TOBE, TOBE!

GO!

CH-CH-CH-CHAIN!

Having witnessed the first occasion, it was clear that the second would be much the same. Such was why the giant reached out to try and stop the train that flew in his direction, only to quickly learn that it was a fruitless endeavour. No matter whether it was flying through air or flesh, Chain would not be stopped, its miniature scale belying the immense strength behind it. The punch aimed towards it was warded off effortlessly, the giant letting out a groan as it was sent stumbling backwards. How fortunate it was that anyone who might have been in the area had already evacuated; who knew what ugly state they would've been had they been caught beneath his mass.

Now unhindered, Chain was free to grow to its true stature, another railway soon bearing its hefty weight. Together, the two trains made for an awe-inspiring sight, particularly given their spectacular entrance. Without a driver at their helms, however, that was all that they were - pretty, if giant, ornaments. The giant seemed to recognise that too, for it wasn't long before his attention reverted to the school building and the beloved Hibiki he continued to call out for.

"Okay, now what do we do?" Izuku asked, the answer coming in the form of Léa grabbing the barrel of her gun and twisting it around. Absently, Izuku couldn't help but note that guns twisting in ways they probably shouldn't was starting to become a recurrent theme in Léa's arsenal.

X-NISE!

KEISATSU X-CHANGE!

"Simple. Those trains need drivers. Two, in fact. Take a guess." She said, aiming her golden gun to the sky and pulling the trigger. Izuku had approximately zero time to stumble back before the police badge that shot from the barrel fell upon Léa, the white police outfit she had arrived in soon replaced in a flash.

PATREN-X!

"Come on then! Brace yourself." Izuku easily realised the implications behind Léa's enthusiasm, but it left him woefully little time to actually react. A now golden arm wrapped around Izuku unopposed, a single jump sending them miles higher into the air than should've been humanely possible. With the wind buffeting his face, it was a struggle for Izuku to cry out, let alone be heard.

"I think this is a bad idea!"

Super hero time! See you next time!