Enjoy the updated chapter.
My Hero Academia Untold: The Fafnir Knight (Remastered Edition)
Saga I: Dusk
Arc I: Origins
Chapter III: Deceptions in the Shadows.
"Nothing is easier than self-deceit. For what every man wishes, that he also believes to be true."
― Demosthenes
"Sir...are you sure you want to do this?" His subordinate asked carefully over the phone.
The man stood silent as the meeting was currently at a recess. Kai Doumeki had only gotten this particular offer within hours of his invitation to the meeting, all while he was still grieving over the loss of his former friend. The two may not have spoken in years, but now he was part of the committee deciding his fate. Less than three days ago, the announcement was made to all the department heads who lead the newly formed committee. With less than half a day left, this was the only solution that could work in his favor. It was time for Kai to get what he was owed.
"There is still a chance we can back out of this, sir."
Kai again remained silent.
His rival on the force had warned him years ago not to allow a friendship between Pro-Heroes and the Police to exist. It should have been kept professional to avoid appearing like one is showing the other favoritism.
No, he had already learned his lesson well.
"There is no going back from this, but if you want to," Kai offered calmly, "then you should give me the files and leave. Just request for a transfer before you do."
He could hear his subordinate now contemplating his next move.
Everyone gathered again for the third time on the third day this week. An emergency meeting had been called for all police chiefs of the local city police departments surrounding the incident site. The meeting was held alongside the members of HUC, the Heroic Licensing, and Regulations committee. The Hero Public Safety Commission and, finally, the Prime Minister's Cabinet members.
This even included the Minister for the Department of Heroics.
The air was thick and heavy with white smoke again as many members had cigarettes lit and smoldering. Several committee members had resorted to drinking on the job due to their stress despite minimal protests from their peers. For three days, three goddamn days, they had met, deliberated, argued, and debated about the situation at hand. All Might, the World's Symbol of Peace and Justice, had just been critically injured from a large-scale battle of cataclysmic proportions against his greatest foe, All For One.
All For One had been successfully repelled but between the damages and All Might's injuries. The makeshift committee needed to craft a story to explain the event to the general public. However, one underlying key issue made the situation so difficult to accommodate.
The death of Hisashi Midoriya. Who was better known as the Pro-Hero: Draco Knight.
Draco Knight was one of the few Pro-Heroes at the scene and had backed up All Might in the intense battle. When the dust settled, All For One was gone, leaving naught but death and destruction in his wake. While All Might was left holding the mangled corpse of his long-time fanboy in his arms. Hisashi's death was the root of their stress.
The Operation began as a collaborative mission to finally rid the world of All For One. It was devised to try and pit All Might against him, with the remaining heroes staying out of bounds. To serve as either backup for the battle or to serve as crowd and damage control. However, things did not go as planned. The battle had soon turned into a disaster that ended with heavy damage to the city. It also included several casualties, including heroes, villains, police, and civilians.
All Might's present absence could be easily explained away with him on vacation, touring with foreign agencies. They were quick and easy covers that were only made easier since All Might had no sidekicks or immediate family keeping close tabs on him. Yet, the situation with Draco Knight, however. Threw a wrench into all of their possible cover-up stories for the incident.
For his death couldn't be covered up so flippantly, not without questions popping up from the general public and not without risking some form of the truth coming out. Now, if he were a minor pro-hero, it could have been dismissed or brushed aside by the media. However, Draco Knight was ranked Nine nationwide. A Pro-hero that high profile already had the media's attention 24/7.
It didn't help that when a Pro-Hero was killed in action, general protocol mandated that a public announcement be made within three days after the death.
Today was the final day before the announcement had to be made; the time was around five o'clock in the afternoon. A statement had to be made tomorrow morning by law. Among the committee members was the local section chief for the Musutafu Police Department, which happened to be located in Draco Knight's hometown.
Tuning out all the voices around him, Kai Doumeki had been a police officer for several years and was there for Draco Knight's debut fourteen years ago. Their relationship had once been close, in-between disputes with his department and most of the hero agencies in the city.
Draco Knight was one of the few Pro-Heroes that made conscious efforts to bridge and improve relations with the Heroes and the civilian police. Yet, despite his efforts, he wasn't without flaws, especially with the incident seven years ago that forever shook the relationship between the two men. Many had known that Kai had once covered for Draco Knight during a prior incident. It had cost him dearly, including the chance of a promotion that had been snatched away from his grasp.
And now that Draco Knight was dead, he had everything to gain. Kai was going to cash in on the favor. When it finally came down to him waiting to present his case with evidence, there was a window of opportunity for his plan to come to fruition. A sudden knock on the door silenced the room, and a voice from one of the door guards called out to everyone inside.
"Excuse me, gentlemen, I have a Detective Sergeant Hajime Tanaka here to see Section Chief Doumeki."
The members faced the large grizzled guard; with murmurs and mumblings about this change of events. Kai paused for a moment, adding an air of drama before answering in a commanding voice, refusing the committee to stall.
"Send him in."
"Yes, sir."
He walked in; tall, head-shaven detective in glasses wearing typical civilian clothing. He needed a moment for his eyes to adjust to the dim lighting of the smoky room. Hajime needed a minute to spot his supervisor. The detective wasn't fond of the smoke and found the present atmosphere unpleasant; however, he knew to keep such comments to himself considering his station. He wasn't happy with his current job assignment, and what he was about to do only compounded these feelings.
The documents he had on hand and how he acquired them had left a bad taste in his mouth. He knew what he was involved in would haunt him for the rest of his life. But, in the end, he owed his Chief his loyalty. Hajime walked up to his superior and handed the documents to Kai with a simple, "Here are the files you requested, sir, including the additional special records."
He was hoping the moment that Kai would start reading the documents, he could simply leave and wash his hands of his role in this unsavory endeavor. Unfortunately, Kai had other plans for the young detective when he motioned Hajime to stay where he was.
'Damn it.'
Kai took his time to read over the documents, knowing full well the other committee members looked at him with a mix of suspense and contempt for interrupting the meeting.
'Just as planned.'
Once he reviewed everything and was satisfied with what he had on hand. Kai rose from his seat; while motioning with his hand to have Hajime follow him to the nearby document camera connected to a projector. He simply handed back said documents to Hajime to project them onto the screen, much to his chagrin of being used to further Kai's ambitions.
On the other hand, Kai simply sat down on the seat next to the projector. He cleared his throat as he got ready to speak while Hajime started with the first document on the projector.
Quirk Registration Documentation Form #111892T-9RF01
Hisashi Midoriya
(Izuku Midoriya #541786T-9RF03)
Quirk: Dragon Shift
Type: Hybrid, Emitter/Transformation/Mutation
WARNING: NATIONAL SECURITY AUTHORIZATION IS REQUIRED TO VIEW
PER THE HERO PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION
VIOLATORS WILL BE PROSECUTED
INFORMATION REDACTED IN COMPLIANCE WITH HPSC REGULATIONS
Description: The user can transform or "Shift" limbs or the whole body with those that partly resemble a classical European Dragonlore. Or, to be more accurate, those of a reptilian nature.
The skin can be turned into hardened scales with the coloration matching the primary hair color.
(Hisashi was confirmed to have black scales, while his son was confirmed to have green ones.)
Hands and feet can be altered into armored claws for offensive attacks. Certain joints such as elbows can gain spikes from more pronounced bone density. The teeth of the user can become sharp and pointed during their transformation.
The more drastic the shift, the higher the energy output. More drastic shifts also allow for changes in height and weight as muscle and bone density. Adjusting the energy output provides a considerable speed, strength, and agility boost. Individual limbs can be transformed independently.
Higher density scales dubbed "Plate Armor" have been confirmed strong enough to repel several types of blades (See incident 1678V-Stend)
Eye color can change following energy output or "Rank," as dubbed by Draco Knight himself.
Confirmed Colors
Natural -No output- (0%)
Blue "Page"(1-39%)
Teal "Squire" (40-69%)
Silver "Knight" (70-90%)
Glowing Gold "Dragon Knight mode" Glowing Red "-Information redacted-" (91-100%+)
Irises can change shape, and the Sclera can become black upon reaching 80% output.
Contrary to popular belief, Dragon Shift does not produce additional limbs such as wings or a tail. However, it is theorized that if the user had these limbs naturally. Then they would be able to transform them as well.
Medical details: The higher the energy output, the more stamina is used.
This can make stamina-based recovery quirks ill-advised until the user's endurance is restored to safe levels. In addition, even minor cuts can become large gashes that can cause extreme blood loss when the user transforms back.
Shifting can escalate the injuries to include compound fractures* (See incident(s) 11289r-Fu, 7812v-PK.) If transforming is rushed or if the limb in question is at an awkward angle.
The fully armored "Dragon Knight Mode," the Quirk's trademark ultimate form, could completely wipe out Hisashi in about nine minutes at his peak; pushing beyond that, and the user could run the risk of being rendered unconscious or escalate into -Information redacted-
-Information redacted-
-Information redacted-
Should -Information redacted- be engaged. Quirks that were induced like those possessed by The Pro-Hero Midnight had proven to be very effective, as shown during the -Information redacted- incident dated seven years prior.
Additional cases of -Information redacted- include the following.
-Information struck from the record-
-Information struck from the record-
-Information struck from the record-
-Information redacted-
Family History related to Quirk:
-Information redacted-
-Information redacted-
-Information struck from the record-
-Information redacted-
Quirk confirmed from the maternal parental line.
-Information redacted-
Questions regarding conflicting details regarding parental heritage should be sent to Detective -Information redacted- of -Information redacted- Task Force at -Information redacted- city.
Immediately, like the cork popping from a champagne bottle under pressure, the room broke into a loud frenzy.
"Chief Doumeki, what is the meaning of this?" Asked one of the other police chiefs.
"These records are supposed to be sealed, Doumeki! Pulling these files without our leave is a grave misuse of your authority!" Said another man with copper-colored hair from the HSPC.
"Is this Draco Knight's quirk registration form?" Asked another, hoping for solid clarification on what he was currently viewing.
"Gentlemen, please," answered Kai with authority, silencing the room. "I believe I have a solution to all our problems right here."
"Explain yourself, Chief Doumeki!" Demanded a member of the ministry.
"I am the Section-Chief of the Police Department from Draco Knight's hometown. If there is anyone here in this room that truly knew Draco Knight, it is me," Kai began again once he was sure he had their attention. "This includes several things that were off the record."
Instantly, the tension in the room grew. Kai had tried to keep his voice neutral, but an air of frustration was now evident.
"Very few realized that Draco Knight had very destructive powers. However…" As he spoke, he motioned to Hajime to display the following image. "An off-the-record incident from seven years ago is proof of this."
Click
The room began to mutter and whisper with questions.
"Looks familiar, doesn't it? The destruction isn't as great, but it is similar to what we witnessed three days ago, is it not?"
At last, he had arrived at the point that he wanted to get across to the members of this meeting.
"Doumeki…are you suggesting we pin this whole thing on Draco Knight?"
"Am I suggesting that we should say Draco Knight went rogue?" Said Kai staring at the committee member. "No, of course not. Instead, what I am saying is that we should, in fact, give full credit for the operation to him."
"So we just take All Might out of the picture completely?"
Slowly but surely, the congregation pieced together Kai's plan.
"If we do that...the destruction would go on his record, and the lost lives and damages would fall squarely on him."
"His legacy would go down in disgrace!"
"I don't think his agency would be able to even afford all the costs."
"As estimates stand, his wife, Inko Midoriya, now legally owns his agency and would be responsible for the costs."
"We can take a good amount of the cost out of the planned reward money for the operation. Yet even with that. The Drake's Den would most likely be liquidated to just settle a fraction of the costs."
"That would be horrible for his family and all the sidekicks under his employment!"
"KAI!" Another Section Chief, Kaoru Kiryūin, stood up and pointed a stern finger, looking at Kai squarely in the eyes. "There is an ulterior motive for this, isn't there?! I will not stand for something like this! Mark my words; I will ensure Internal Affairs looks into this!"
Amidst the chaos, Kai had prepared for this. He knew some of his rivals in the justice force would take this chance to try and take him down a notch. This is a dog-eat-dog world, with Kaoru being the greatest threat to his plan.
"Gentlemen, gentlemen, please," Kai responded, gently rising from his seat. "Let me make one thing clear: I have nothing against Draco Knight. This has nothing to do about my personal feelings towards him," through his calm demeanor, Kai lied through his teeth. He then pointed back onto the projected screen of the damages made years ago.
"This is to prevent a panic among the citizens with our number one hero, All Might. Who – might I remind you – is currently still in the middle of surgery," Kai let out an exhausted sigh and bit back the bile that was building in the back of his throat. "Our number nine ranked hero is dead, and right now, the goddamn media at our door is not helping with that battle being the absolute shit show it was. This solution that I am proposing should take care of all our issues in one fell swoop."
Many members could see the rationale behind the plan to solve many of their concerns. However, the morality of the decision still rang wrong in their hearts. Kai remained undeterred, taking the chance to strike while the iron was still hot.
"Gentlemen, we need to put this to a vote, and we have very few options left. We either announce Draco Knight's death with a half-baked plan that would be dissected by the media to uncover the truth, or!" Kai slammed the table before him. "We essentially tell most of the truth and simply leave All Might out of the picture. Now, shall we put a vote on this?"
"His death in battle wouldn't be inaccurate..."
"I'm just tired of all of this!"
"We are out of time..."
Kai's mouth curved into a sly grin.
His victory was assured as the votes were tallied. The truth is that he had shaped and secured a positive step in his future. In the final tally of the thirty-four individuals who could vote, the results were a resounding twenty-eight voter approval to six.
Kaoru was among the six to reject Kai's proposal.
"Very well," the meeting foreman announced. "The votes are in. Even to those who ultimately opposed this plan, a gag order is now in place for this incident. The 'official story' will be carefully rewritten to suit the committee's decision."
Bang!
With the strike of the gavel, Draco Knight's fate was sealed.
"This meeting has been adjourned."
When Kai returned to his home office hours later, he saw that his wife had left him a new bottle of his favorite rice wine on his desk. He had put an order for this beverage a few months ago, as the makers of this favored and expensive brand often only made limited quantities per year. With an accomplished smile, he grabbed a small ceramic cup set from the cupboard to the left of his desk and poured a measured amount from the new bottle.
"What better way to celebrate a new future, eh Draco Knight?" He toasted to the night sky from the window behind his desk. He sipped slowly at first, but after a moment, he followed quickly with one swift movement as he downed it quickly. The beverage was usually meant to be savored slowly, but today, the drink tasted strangely bitter to him. But before he could ponder why this was the case, he heard his cellphone ring in his pocket. He pulled it out and saw a familiar name on it as he answered.
"Mr. Anno," he greeted pleasantly. "It's good to speak to you, sir...Yes, the plan went without a hitch. I can see the headlines tomorrow – without a doubt, this is your chance. The New Conventionalist Movement can finally get its head start from here on out."
"Now, about the few possible problems in the foreseeable future..." Kai continued as he pondered a few details about his immediate future. "Yes, I think a new office would be nice and allow some protection against a certain someone."
When the call ended, he cleaned up the cup he had used earlier and placed the bottle away for safekeeping.
"Maybe it will taste sweeter when I can celebrate properly..." He said with a small sigh. "For a real special occasion."
Kai sat on his chair before spying a piece of paper in the cover of his eye. Upon closer inspection, it appeared to be an old, dusty photo. He pulled it out and nearly gasped, knowing this photo too well. It was when he was still a young trooper who bore fresh scars on his face, years after joining the force. A dark-haired boy with bright golden eyes was in his arms, wearing dirty, torn-up clothes and looking nearly half-starved. It was the boy he had once found and saved from the streets, a rough and troubled boy who grew up to be a hero...
A boy, he just now damned.
-One week later.
In what is considered the best and privately-owned hospital in the country, Naomasa Tsukauchi stood in the waiting room, waiting to enter the intensive care facility. His friend, Toshinori Yagi, had finally awakened from a short-lived coma after an exhaustive, life-saving surgery. Toshinori, better known as the Pro-Hero All Might, was ranked First in Japan and the widely acknowledged World's Symbol of Peace and Justice. Naomasa was more than just nervous.
It had been four days since the press conference announced the official report of the destructive battle that caused the death of Draco Knight.
He wasn't sure if the doctors had already informed All Might of the result of the battle. Or if the man was coherent enough to even comprehend what had happened while he was under. Then again, those in charge of treating All Might had been grounded and placed under lockdown. Assuring his complete privacy and security during his stay. There was also the subtle notion for the hospital staff to remain silent.
As this was a matter of national security.
"Detective?" Called a voice from ahead.
Naomasa looked up to see All Might's physician. "He is ready to see you. Please try not to excite or agitate him for now; he is still recovering."
Naomasa paused, then nodded before slowly bowing to the Doctor in thanks before walking in. He knew All Might would be angry once he heard what the committee had done. Just how much is what Naomasa wasn't so sure about, and the very notion of that terrified him.
"Tsu...Tsukauchi?" Naomasa had to pause as if he wasn't sure what he saw was real.
"All Might?" His eyes widened as he saw the skinny, weak frame of The World's Symbol of Peace.
"I know, my friend." His voice was tired, raw, and somber.
"It seems like it's finally the time to look for a proper successor. Nighteye always had good points in matters like this," he finished with a light, ironic chuckle. Toshinori could barely crack a rueful smile.
Naomasa would use this moment to sit next to Toshinori, dreading the news he would have to break to his friend.
"All Mig –"
"Draco Knight is dead."
Naomasa stopped again; it was a clear statement, not a question. All Might ready knew something was up already.
But just how much did he know?
"I…I made a mistake during the fight. By the time everything was settled, I knew it was too late... I'd be dead right now if it wasn't for him." Toshinori's voice had finally broken; his eyes were hidden.
This was when Naomasa knew that the news he was about to give would only make everything worse for his friend. But it needed to be done.
"All Might…"
Toshinori looked at his friend, eyes widening as he heard those accursed words.
'Those sons of bitches.'
Izuku lay in his bed, as he had for the last week. Another warm spring day had arrived, perfect weather for training – but not today. Izuku wasn't sure of himself anymore, especially right now.
It seemed silly, almost laughable to him. He knew perfectly well that something like this could have happened. It was the unspoken part of being a Pro-Hero that sooner or later, something big would happen. That the risks involved could get one injured or killed. Izuku had already been through sleepless nights with his mother before. Whenever his father or cousin had gotten severely injured on duty.
He remembered the days when he would happily assist his father around the house during the worst of his recovery days, but this was different. Izuku still couldn't believe it.
He didn't want to believe it.
He just couldn't accept that his father was really gone.
His thoughts were flooded by all of the memories with his family and friends. From all the training, tours to various hero agencies, to flashbacks of serving the community and following All Might's example. The boy remembered how his father would, on slow days, get with his sidekicks on shift that day to help with several community service projects. Often leading the charge with Izuku in tow with an infectious enthusiasm that could get even some of the more resistant sidekicks to willingly join. However, Hisashi was often disappointed in Katsuki's unwillingness to join his community service projects. Despite that, he was training him with Izuku. However, he would, instead, use it as a lesson for his son to learn as he got older.
"Listen, Izuku, when it comes to Hero work, it isn't always about being flashy, capturing villains, or saving people. Service can go a long way, even if it's just community service. A true Knight, like a True Hero, will always be a servant to a cause. Katsuki has yet to learn the importance of this lesson, and while one day he may come to understand – you, Izuku, already know why we do this. This will allow you to focus on the other aspects of heroism so that you can become the best hero you want to be."
A gentle knock at the door stirred Izuku out of his nostalgic recollections as his mother's voice called out to him.
"Honey? Are you ready to leave?"
Izuku stared at the door and the All Might poster hanging on his end of it. Part of him knew that he would have to walk through that very door and head out to say goodbye to his father for the last time. Yet, a part of him held a childish belief that if he stayed...that if he stayed put and didn't go, he wouldn't have to accept the truth.
That his father was still alive.
'He could be out on a secret mission.'
'He could have moved to work overseas.'
'Maybe they were just getting divorced, and this is how mom wanted to cope.'
All of those ideas would have been better than the truth as he tried to reason with himself. Until his thoughts turned against him.
He's gone.
'No!' Izuku could start feeling the tears build up in his eyes and blurring his vision as he tried doing everything to try and stop them.
You need to face reality.
'NO!' The heat of his breath mixed with his quiet sobs was quick to make him sweat. Hot tears were already bearing down his eyes rolling on his cheeks, burning him.
He's dead.
The dam inside him broke. Izuku could hear the door open with Inko entering slowly, dressed in a simple, formfitting black dress and holding onto a box of tissues. She had been crying as well, but today was the day she needed to be strong, at least until Hisashi was finally put to rest in the family grave. Upon seeing that her son had been dressed, she knew he struggled to leave. He was physically ready to depart, but he could not accept the truth mentally. She walked close, slowly extending her arms to wrap around her son gently. She placed his head on her shoulder to allow him to weep.
"Inko, dear are you…oh – I'm so sorry," said a voice by the entrance. Ryūko had been staying at the Midoriya household for the last few days. Assisting with the funeral preparations and serving as one-half of the Midoriya family honor guard until after the funeral.
"Izuku dear, I know this is hard," Inko spoke softly. "The sooner that we do this, the sooner we can begin to heal."
Izuku held his mother tightly as he continued sobbing into her shoulder. After a few more minutes, Izuku stopped when he was ready. He looked at his mother, who began wiping away the remaining tears.
Before Izuku could speak, Inko spoke as if she had read his mind.
"Katsuki is here along with Mitsuki, Masaru, and even Yū; they're all here and are waiting for us to come down. We won't be alone in this, Izuku. Many people, heroes, and civilians alike loved your father," She paused as she figured out what to say next. "And while things will never be the same, it will get better in time."
Izuku wanted to deny her words but knew he couldn't. He just wouldn't fully accept them yet. Finally, the boy simply nodded, and the two began their journey to see his father laid to rest.
Ryūko remained silent the whole time and simply walked alongside her relatives. Katsuki Bakugou was sitting in the living room of the Midoriya household with his parents, dressed in a small frame dark suit with a black tie. The boy despised wearing formal clothing like this, but this was an important day. It was the funeral of his mentor, his master, and his best friend's father.
The man Katsuki had grown to call Uncle, so he would act the best he could today.
He looked around the house he had practically lived in once he started his quirk training. He remembered the day that he had basically begged his uncle Hisashi to train him. Something he never thought he'd let himself do, but it wasn't every day you could have one of the top ten Pro-Heroes in the country train you when you want to go Pro, right?
"Katsuki, get up; it's time to go," His mother's voice perked him up.
Katsuki looked up to see his best friend coming down the stairs. Izuku climbed down slowly; his eyes were hidden under his hair, followed by Inko and his cousin Ryūko.
Katsuki's cousin, Yū, sat nearby in her formal Ketsubutsu Academy uniform, stood up, and joined Mitsuki to give Izuku a hug. He returned halfheartedly, following Masaru and placing a warm hand on Izuku's shoulder. Katsuki even drew Izuku into a rare hug. He wasn't the best at expressing these kinds of emotions, but he knew his friend needed this.
"If we are all ready, ma'am. We can head out now," said the Pro-Hero Ingenium as he entered the living room. He served as the second half of the Midoriya family honor guard. Tradition called for the lead sidekick and, if available, a former sidekick or intern who had gained their own agency.
"We're ready," said Inko firmly.
With that, Ingenium and Ryūkyū would exit first to lead them to one of the limousines that would take them to the temple near the Midoriya family grave. Everything was quiet, and even the wind kept still, except for the light footsteps and lighter breaths.
The ride to the shrine was quick. On the way to the temple, Katsuki's mind would wander off to the good times he had with Hisashi. The holidays, the training days, the tours to various hero agencies with Hisashi. These memories threatened to bring tears to his eyes, finding himself reaching out to hold the hands of both his parents, grateful that they were still with him.
Despite all the madness, they all could drive into each other at times, but he still loved them.
"We're here."
Despite Draco Knight's high rank among Pro-Heroes, the funeral and wake were planned to be simple affairs. While this was more due to his humble nature when his Last Will and Testament had been read. Few realized that the funeral and the costs from the battle were financially draining everything for the Midoriya family.
Inko had worked as one of the marketing managers for Hisashi's agency before getting pregnant; now legally owned his agency postmortem. Unfortunately, she was already planning to sell their old home to move to the small apartment on the edge of Musutafu. Inko knew it would make Izuku sad to leave his childhood home, so she at least ensured that their new home would still be close to UA since Izuku still had dreams of going there.
There was, however, one more benefit to their relocation. The Midoriyas were moving closer to the Bakugou family, who had been long-time family friends. Ryūko had been a great help to the Midoriya family, getting things organized for her new boss, as temporary as it was going to be. Alongside her, all of Hisashi's sidekicks had chipped in money-wise as much as they could. They all knew The Drake's Den was going to close regardless of the outcome, but the Midoriyas would be in the red for quite some time afterward.
So for their time with the late Pro-hero, they returned the favor the best they could to Hisashi's surviving family.
As everyone arrived at the shrine, they could see other mourners in attendance. This included Pros and Sidekicks alike -even Pro-Hero Endeavor, along with his whole family, had arrived in civilian attire. Ingenium would split from the group to join his pregnant wife, Fuyumi. While the main party entered the temple, they could see the shrine had set three pictures of Hisashi Midoriya. The first one; was in his Hero costume, the second in civilian clothing, smiling; the final was his official Hero License Portrait as tradition called for.
As the service continued, the smell of burning incense; helped put many mourners at ease. Inko and Izuku were seated next to the shrine by the monks who tended the Temple grounds. The monks continued to help arrange the guests into neat rows to begin the ceremony. This would go on for hours as each guest took a turn to burn incense at the shrine. Offering their prayers to Hisashi's soul was followed by bowing deeply to his surviving family, then returning to the crowd.
Izuku, still in a somber mood, paid little attention to all the guests except for one man who did catch his eye. He was wearing a dark suit that seemed far too big for him, painfully thin with blond hair and sunken in blue eyes that seemed familiar to him. He seemed very weak, given that he was using crutches to get by and was being assisted by a police officer wearing his dress uniform.
Izuku didn't know why his attention was drawn to this man, but something told him he was different from everyone else. While filled with grief, this man's eyes had something else hidden behind them, a look of guilt, like a child waiting for reprimanding after being caught red-handed. In the end, Izuku would also end up paying little attention to him. After all, he didn't want to seem rude to the remaining guests.
When the ceremony concluded, most of the guests had left the temple. Izuku, Inko, Ryūko, the Bakugou family, and Katsuki's cousin, Yū, remained to eat, drink and speak fondly of Hisashi. When they all left to return to the Midoriya household, the guests were welcomed to stay the night. The Bakugous gladly accepted, knowing the family needed the support and company.
However, it was here that Katsuki knew something was off with Izuku. He saw something he wished he could have ignored before everyone went to bed. He had overheard Inko speaking with Izuku,
"Honey, even after all of this...do you still want to be a Pro-Hero?"
Izuku looked up with determination, but Katsuki knew better when he saw Izuku's face. No, not his face, but his mask bore a hollow smile and dull eyes.
"Yes," He finally answered.
His answer seemed enough for Inko. But when she left him alone, Katsuki could see the changing shift in his friend's face. The expression of uncertainty, as Katsuki and Izuku had only ever shared the dream of one day becoming Pro-Heroes. For Katsuki, he had zero doubts, but he could see the increasing doubt and insecurity Izuku had at that moment.
He wasn't wrong; Izuku was hurting as he felt he had just lied to his mother.
There was no doubt in his heart that all he ever wanted in his whole life was to be a Pro-Hero, just like his father and their idol, All Might. It was the only future he could ever see himself in. But what pained him was the small, persistent hole of doubt slowly gnawing inside him.
Did he even have the heart to become a Pro-Hero?
Right now, Izuku wasn't sure of himself.
And that very idea terrified him.
The Doctor moved swiftly to make sure his master was comfortable. The battle had taken so much out of him. It was only due to his great power that assured his continued survival. The labored breathing of his master made him uneasy. His master groaned and spoke with a slight hiss, making the warm room feel cold.
"Doctor..."
He slowly turned to him.
"Yes, master?"
"What is the progress of the Crowning Project?"
The Doctor seemed to breathe easier now; the master still had his senses to check on such an important project.
Needless to say, choosing a potential successor now was more important than ever before.
"Progress is going smoothly, master. We are ready to begin the next round of culling. Yet, the boy you brought in is leading the pack," He answered, grabbing a remote to turn on the mounted monitor on the nearby wall.
The master couldn't see the display of all the kneeling children. They knelt, giving their patronage before the screen in front of them, with several researchers and guards seen on the sidelines. In the front row: the eldest and currently favorite child stood Tenko Shimura, or "Tomura Shigaraki" as he goes by these days. He was the first among them and the leader over all others, a clear sign of his ranking.
"Good, I fear the Villain Factory will try to break from my grasp soon. Tomura, you will be leading my remaining heirs; keep them in line and remind them who they serve."
Behind Tomura were eleven other children, all hidden in the shadows and behind the amalgamation of figures of different shapes and sizes. Once they numbered a few hundred, now only eighteen remained. Yet, all these children had one thing in common. Their eyes glowed in the shadows, even in the void of darkness. Ruby-red or golden-yellow, these were eyes who all competed to become the next master, from titles that ranged from The Emperor of Darkness, The Cardinal Emperor, or The King of the Underworld.
All of these titles were meaningless, however. At least when compared to the Title, they were fighting for and the power that came with it.
All For One.
Author's Commentary
*Compound fracture: For those unfamiliar with the term, a compound fracture is when a broken bone sticks out of the skin. Looking up pictures of compound fractures is not recommended if you have a weak stomach.
(I've seen a lot of shit while working in the medical field.)
Hope you've enjoyed the chapter.
with love,
-ZX