ALRIGHTY, so it's update time, and I'll admit this one is a breather after that big ass last chapter.

But hopefully, it'll still be fun.

Anyways, read on dear readers, and stay tuned for an awesome bit of news!


"It has been labeled the worst terrorist attack in recent history," The grim-faced news reporter announced. Behind her were scenes of ambulances and people being loaded into them. Behind them was the wreckage of what had once been a storefront but was now nothing but rubble. "Thankfully contained by the efforts of several hero agencies working in tangent with one another, the monsters unleashed upon the city were defeated or destroyed. Endeavor and Hawks, the number two and number three heroes, were said to have coordinated most of the efforts within the city, and even more shocking, was that the so-called Heretic Killer himself was apprehended attempting to kill the well-known hero Ingenium, who happened to have been chasing a lead at the time of the event."

Izuku blinked at the screen mounted in the far corner of the room, then looked over to his right.

The room they'd been placed in had enough beds for another four people, though only two were currently occupied. It was your typical hospital ward, with clean pressed sheets and machines above beds and the slight smell of sanitation masking sickness in the air. Their room wasn't so bad though, it was high up and someone had cracked one of the windows open, so a welcome breath of fresh air could circulate throughout.

Though Izuku could still taste the lingering ash on the breeze.

Shoto was still asleep, even though it was already mid-morning in the hospital, almost coming into the early afternoon.

Around his arm, his stomach and across his right thigh were tightly wrapped bandages. All places where metal had sliced into his flesh and he had continued on regardless, despite the blood loss and pain. He was thankful though, he could still use the limbs and still had feeling in them, though they hurt quite a bit.

Really, he was more exhausted from his heightened use of Nemesis than anything else.

"Don't blame us, it wasn't our fault we didn't dodge fast enough," Nemesis hissed through his brain as Izuku's gaze lingered on the bandages across his arm, "We need to recalculate how much power to use when moving."

He rolled his eyes and looked to the window. It was a sunny day, though he knew it was deceiving. Outside those walls was the aftermath of what was quickly becoming known as 'The Battle of Hosu'. A night of blood and pain when monsters had been unleashed across the city.

The news had been doing nothing but reporting on it since it had started in a good old-fashioned twenty-four-hour news cycle. Though he couldn't blame them, after all, twenty-three people were dead, over a hundred more injures with several still in critical condition.

Twenty-three dead. He sighed heavily and placed a head into his hand, his fingers brushing over the pointy stump of one of his horns. They had faded the moment he had relaxed his power, and it seemed, to his great irritation, that they now only grew when he let Nemesis's flame flow.

He thought he would look kinda cool with a pair of badass horns. Now he was realizing he had the horn-equivalent of that mid-puberty kid who couldn't grow a beard yet somehow still had hair on his upper lip.

Still, the weight of the attack was on his shoulders. He should have tried to deal with Chizome faster, to rescue Ibara and Ingenium quicker, maybe he could have saved more lives and… He shook his head.

The heroes had a literal Archangel fighting on their side and still those people had died.

"Right now, while not confirmed by authorities, public blame is being placed on the mysterious Heralds of Eversoris, who are believed to have coordinated with the Heretic Killer in a series of religiously motivated murders in several cities, starting with U.A. and culminating in last night's attack."

He glanced back to the screen as it showed a picture of Chizome Akaguro. He honestly had no idea if the Heretic Killer was in league with the Heralds, but he somehow doubted it. He had been like Ibara but on steroids. A faith so powerful that it took over his entire life and narrowed his thinking so much that anyone not on his level was the enemy.

Even his own sister.

"Family is complex," Nemesis whispered within his blood, "Ours especially."

Izuku almost smiled, "Was that a joke?"

"Izuku?" The boy turned suddenly to see Shoto slowly propping himself up on his hospital bed. He blinked sleepily and rubbed at his eyes as he looked to the teenager. "Did you say something?"

"Erm, kinda," Izuku's bravado from the following night had left him. Last night he was all blood and fire, claws and fury and gritted teeth. Last night he couldn't have afforded to be misleading about his internal conversations.

Now he realized those chickens were going to come home to roost.

Shoto, thankfully, didn't press it and instead he sat up, wincing at his arm, which was tightly wrapped in bandages, and then looked up to the TV screen hung in the corner of the room. He watched in silence for a few moments before Izuku braved out, "Sleep okay?"

"No, not really," Shoto bluntly replied, "I had nightmares."

"Oh, I'm sorry."

"Don't be, I have them often."

"I do too, but lately they've been letting up," At least for the last two nights they had. Union with Nemesis had brought a more peaceful mode of sleep, thought it was still a little restless. There was a pause. "How's your arm?"

"It hurts."

Well duh, "Right."

"How do you feel?"

"Fine, I wasn't as badly hurt as you or Ibara," He grabbed the remote from his bedside cabinet and lowered the volume on the TV to an almost mute before adding, "Ingenium is going to pull through. Tenya texted me before and told me his spine is going to need some rehabilitation, but he'll be alright, though there's a serious chance his career is over."

Shoto paused and looked down, considering this, "That's… a shame. I wish I had gotten there sooner."

The air seemed to stall again, and again Izuku felt that odd awkwardness he always seemed to feel around Shoto. It didn't help he had no idea how to approach him in conversation, but then again, he'd never been especially gifted in the art of conversation either.

Izuku was about to further the inane conversation with talk about how many had died in Hosu, a wonderfully grim topic starter, when his ears suddenly twitched. Someone was coming, no, someone was storming down the hall towards them.

He turned his head and, less than a second later, the door burst open.

"Oh great, it's her."

Ibara stood in the door. She was dressed in some oversized t-shirt and a pair of sweatpants, both the same plain gray hospital issue that Izuku and Shoto wore, but an area up around her neck and down her forearm was completely covered in bandages. Izuku however, noted that she had something around her neck. A cross on a simple chain.

And from the second she stepped into the room her eyes locked onto Izuku.

The boy felt his fire jump up in response, ready to leap to his hand the second she tried something. Nemesis was growling in his blood like an angry wolf, though at Izuku's inner focus he reminded his Fallen-self that this was a hospital, they were all hurt, and it would be a really dumb place to start a fight.

His Fallen-self quietly reminded him back that this was Ibara. The same woman who called the Heretic Killer her brother and was on the knife-edge of being just as blindly fanatical as he had been.

And yet she no longer had her faith. She no longer had that static-charge surrounding her, like a breaking storm, and she was no longer so threatening because of it. Still, Izuku felt his nails lengthen just a little and he gripped the sheets of his bed tightly.

For a tense moment she simply stood in the doorway, her deep green eyes reflecting the chaotic hurricane of emotions within her, even if her expression remained solid and stony. Then she stepped further and, with the use of one of her vines, closed the door behind her.

"Nemesis."

"Evangelist." Izuku's voice echoed slightly in his reply, and he heard Shoto shift to the edge of his bed.

"From the moment I met you, from the very second I laid eyes on you, I knew you were of Hell," She moved to the center of the room, though closer to the one free bed than to any of the boys, "And yet."

"And yet?" Again, Nemesis's words came through Izuku's lips. He didn't bother to stop them.

"And yet last night you saved my life."

Those were words he had never thought to hear from Ibara, and a small swirl of arrogant pride moved through him. However, it was accompanied by the weight of the situation at hand and the circumstances of that rescue. Yes, he had one over Ibara now, but the cost for her…

"Why?"

Izuku frowned at the question, "Because it was the right thing to do."

Ibara's eyes narrowed even more, "Tell me the truth, monster."

"That is the truth," Izuku and Nemesis answered in return, "We want to be a hero."

"Your very nature demands otherwise, now tell me the truth," Ibara insisted, her fist curling, "What do you want? Money? Power? Do you want to control me like you control your acolytes?"

"They are our friends!" Izuku snapped suddenly and found himself on his feet, "And you don't owe us anything!"

Her hand moved out, and already vines were curling into her fist.

Yet before it could go any further, Shoto suddenly spoke up, "You're doing it again."

"W-what?" Izuku blinked and turned back to the young man, who had moved to the edge of his bed.

"You're saying our, we. Like there's two of you," Shoto blankly pointed out, "Why?"

Izuku hesitated, then suddenly realized that Ibara was waiting for an answer too. He looked from one to the other, puzzling over just what he should say.

"Tell them," His Fallen-self urged, "The Ice Prince is already cursed, and if he does not know we should let him know. The Evangelist already knows and is too weak to act no matter what we do."

Izuku twitched a nod before letting himself fall back onto his bed, the mattress bouncing under his weight as he looked to his feet. Even his toenails were unlight black and sharp.

"Nemesis and I… we're kinda two halves of the same whole," He admitted softly as he looked to Shoto, "One half-human," Then he looked to Ibara, "The other… Fallen."

Ibara's eyes grew wide and her mouth fell open in shock. Then she seemed to steel her nerves, "You're lying, that's- that's imposs-"

"Yeah, yeah, I know I've heard it before," Izuku quickly interrupted with a raised hand, "But it's true. It's why your faith didn't set me on fire, it's why you couldn't exorcise me. I'm not a demon, we're half-Fallen, half-human."

"You- you told bro- Chizome that you were the son of Lucifer," Ibara stammered out, "I-I thought you were simply goading him."

"Yeah, well, it was a bit of both," Izuku shrugged, then quickly added, "And before you say anything, no, I'm not going to follow in my father's footsteps. I actually want to do the exact opposite of that. We both do."

"How can I possibly believe you?" Ibara practically spat out, "If your bloodline is true-"

"Because, Ibara. Because blood doesn't make a person who they are," Izuku's voice echoed lightly once again, "Because at the end of the day, only actions matter. We want to be a hero. We want to save lives and do good in this world. We reject our father heart and soul, and we'll forge our own path in defiance of him." He hesitated for another second before adding, "Think of me like Azrael. Unforgiven, but trying really hard anyway."

Ibara fell silent, though Izuku could see the cogs working behind her eyes. She was debating if she believed him. If she should attack him here and now and end him before he could do any more damage to the world. Izuku felt his scars heat up and his blood pump faster.

"Is it true?"

The fire came to a screeching halt and he again turned back to Shoto. Shoto who knew nothing of the worlds that battled from the light and shadows. Shoto, the civilian in the cold war taking place before him.

It was so easy to get caught up in the flowery speech of the divine and undivine that he'd momentarily forgotten how it must sound to those not in the know.

"I- erm-"

"Believe or don't believe, it doesn't make the truth any less true," Ibara answered swiftly.

"Is it true?" Shoto repeated the question, his eyes hardening.

"Yes, it's true. Archangels and Fallen Angels exist," Izuku finally answered, a part of his heart hating himself for having to deliver this heavy burden onto the teenager. Knowing the existence of the worlds of Hell and Heaven, knowing the truth of it all, was a soul-wrenching weight to carry.

That is if he didn't immediately call him insane.

"Good."

His answer shocked the other boy and girl in the room.

"What?"

"It means my mother isn't insane," He replied as if it was a completely normal conversation.

"I… okay?" Izuku was utterly unsure what to say to this, though his eyes flicked to Ibara. The vines were slowly vanishing from her hand and the tension in the room relaxed.

Which was good, as no less than a second later, Izuku once again heard feet pounding down the corridor towards them. This time there were several, and they all sounded varying degrees of pissed off.

He turned, and just as he did so, the door flung open. Ibara jumped, her hair rising up suddenly, and Shoto… well he continued to sit there, having no real expectations of anything demonic coming to kill him, unlike the other two teenagers in the room.

In entered four people. The first was the pro-hero Manual, still in his battle-worn hero uniform, who had a few bandages of his own, but nothing as serious as the students. Second was an unharmed looking Hawks, who again seemed to tower over the others despite being no taller than the average person. His eyes locked with Izuku and they frowned deeply.

Izuku and Nemesis both curled away a little at that frown. He was in deep trouble, and they both knew it.

The third was a man whom Izuku had never seen before. He was taller than the pro-heroes and dressed in a sharp black suit and red tie. He was somewhat portly, though well-kept and he had the head of what looked to be a bloodhound. He also had a police badge on his upper jacket pocket and held the air of someone who was more than used to barking out orders, maybe even literally.

And the fourth… was Lucifer, King of Hell. Of course, he didn't look like Lucifer, King of Hell, he looked like Hisashi Hokori, slimy and cunning UA lawyer. Dressed in his usual dark-colored suit, he came to stand just beside the dog-headed man, his hands behind his back and his eyes looking across the room before landing on Izuku.

Father and son shared a glance. For a moment Izuku could see the sudden rush of worry, of joy and of relief flooding into that gaze which was so terrible and blasphemous. Then it was gone as his father forced his mask on and broke the eye contact.

"Izuku!" Hawks cut the air as he strode towards his intern. Within a second he had clasped his hands onto the boy's shoulders and was looking at him dead in the eyes. His own sparkled as always, but there was a deep irritation there that Izuku couldn't escape, "What the hell did I tell you about engaging in combat!?"

"I-I'm sorry, Hawks!" The boy stammered out, "But I-"

"Ibara!" Manual cut him off before he could continue, and he took the opportunity to break his eye contact with the Archangel and look over to the girl. He was surprised to see her cower back and bow her head as her mentor stood before her, his hands on his hips, "Ibara do you realize, do you even understand, how much trouble you've put yourself in? Did you have any idea of what would happen when you went running off on your own?!"

She only bowed her head lower, "I'm sorry, Manual-sensei."

"Sorry doesn't cut it!" The man barked, and almost everyone in the room flinched back. For someone who wasn't a picture of muscle or power, Manual was still somewhat scary in his own way. He had the air of a father angry at a child which in many ways was one of the most terrifying kinds of anger to witness.

And yet his next words were not the shouting of a man scorned but became soft and calm. He reached forward to put a hand onto Ibara's shoulder, and the girl suddenly looked up. A smile was on his face as he sighed and shook his head. "You could have died, Ibara. And I would have never forgiven myself. But you're alright, and I guess that's all that really matters."

"M-Manual-s-"

"Ahem!" All eyes turned towards the dog-headed man by the doorway. "If I may?"

"Oh, sure," Hawks suddenly stood back, though he kept a tight hand on Izuku's shoulder as if he was concerned the boy would run at any moment, "Go ahead."

The man stepped forward and placed his hands into his pockets. He looked oddly disarming, and yet there was a seriousness to him that was hard to ignore. "My name is Kenji Tsuragamae, and I am the acting Police Chief. I've been led to understand that you three students were the ones involved in the confrontation and capture of the Heretic Killer, Chizome Akaguro."

The students shared glances before Ibara stepped forward. "I confronted him first, Mr. Tsuragamae. I hunted for him, purposely wishing to bring him to justice by my own hand. I found him about to kill the hero Ingenium, and I attacked. He defeated me, and then these two found me before he could…" Manual placed a hand on her shoulder, and the girl took a moment, "Before he could kill me. They saved my life, and Ingenium's. It was my fault overall, and I take full responsibility for my actions."

"A brave statement, Miss Shiozaki, but I believe all three of you fought him," The dog-headed man continued, "You all used your quirks in combat, is that true?"

They had all given statements to the police once they had arrived to help, though Izuku had done so nervously. He knew the costs of using his quirk without a license. He looked to the Archangel, but his uncle did not match his gaze. Instead, however, he simply squeezed Izuku's shoulder tightly, yet it held the air of comfort and strength.

And Lucifer simply stood, a stern expression on his face… yet a slight, smiling arrogance was playing like a dancing shadow on his lips.

"We helped apprehend him, yes, and we defended ourselves," Shoto suddenly spoke up, pushing himself from his bed and coming to stand on his feet. Izuku was impressed. Shoto was the only one there without any kind of representative, yet he was willing to confront the police chief alone.

Maybe Hitoshi was actually on to something.

"But you used your quirks, yes?"

Shoto nodded. "Yeah."

Kenji huffed, "I see." He paused and then put his hands into his pockets, "As a society we banned the public use of quirks, in order to keep society in line and equal. Heroes are allowed to use their quirks openly only because of years of training, and with the official license from the government. Even police officers are under strict restrictions on how they can and cannot use their quirks."

"But- we were attacked!" Izuku couldn't stop himself, and fire spiked through his blood, "We were trying to save people!"

"Be that as it may, the law is the law." Kenji frowned over to the boy, "And no one, not even heroes, are above the law. You are not heroes, you don't even have your provisional licenses."

"Ingenium would have died without us defending him! Not to mention Ibara!" Shoto snapped, his own ire rising. His fists clenched as he glared at the police chief, "You can't just-"

"Now hold on, young Master Todoroki," Lucifer spoke, and it was if a slice of shadow had curled into the hearts of everyone in the room. Well, perhaps with the exceptions of Hawks and Izuku. Yet despite the shiver that ran down the spines of those affected, all Lucifer did was raise a hand and place it on the Police Chief's shoulder.

The Police Chief stiffened, and Izuku caught a sudden flash of fear through him.

"As Mr. Tsuragamae was explaining, quirk usage without a license is illegal. However, we cannot ignore the heroic actions of our students in this terrible event." He raised his other hand, as if bestowing gifts upon the room, "And, after a very productive talk, we have come to an agreement. Isn't that right, Kenji?"

The dog-headed chief nodded stiffly, and while it was obvious how uncomfortable he was with the touch of the lawyer's hand, he seemed to continue enduring it. Part of Izuku was quietly horrified at the implication, and he wondered just what Lucifer had done, or had threatened to do, to the man.

And yet another part of him had to admit… it was almost a little funny to watch the Police Chief squirm under the relentless aura of his father. In the end he settled for shooting Lucifer an annoyed glare that silently tried to tell him to stop it.

Lucifer caught the look, twitched a smile, and then ignored his son.

"We have," The police announced with a controlled tone, "The Police will not press charges against you, any of you, but in return you must all sign non-disclosure agreements as to the events of what happened in that alleyway. As far as the world will know, your father," And he looked to Shoto, "The hero Endeavor, will claim victory for defeating the Heretic Killer.

Lucifer patted the Police Chief on the shoulder and stepped back, "Good boy."

Hawks suddenly coughed and to Izuku it sounded suspiciously like a laugh.

"So, in conclusion, as long as you keep quiet about it, so will we, and between us all I can expect to see three very promising heroes continue their careers without incident," Kenji gave them all a short bow of the head, "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a ruined city to keep clam." And with that, and one more slightly fearful, lingering glance to Lucifer, he left.

"Well!" Manual smiled the second the man was out the room, "That was lucky!"

Ibara didn't reply. Izuku could see her hands clench into fists, then she looked down and away.

He looked to Shoto, who seemed equally relieved. And yet there was still a tension to him, as if other things were playing on his mind now the threat of expulsion was now gone.

Before he could talk to either of them, or talk to anyone, Lucifer suddenly announced, "Now, if you don't mind, I need to conduct private interviews with each of you for UA's own records." Almost predictably, his eyes landed on Izuku and he nodded, "Izuku, would you care to speak first? Hawks may join us if you wish, I believe your mentor deserves to know how well his training has paid off."

"'Course I'll join you," The hero gave a smile that was the picture of fake, "I just love talking to lawyers."

Izuku felt nerves spike within his stomach, though he also felt the comforting strength of his flame. He was going to speak to his father again. He hadn't talked to him since their quick and emotionally heavy chat in UA. He wasn't sure if he even wanted to talk to his father again, and yet he knew that there was most likely a degree of truth to his claims about UA wanting their own records.

He was just being a dick and using it as a way to force his son to actually communicate with him.

Izuku took a breath and looked to Hawks. The Archangel glanced at him and winked. Well, at least his uncle would be there to protect him, that was a slight bonus.

He glanced back over to Shoto, "I'll, erm, be back in a few minutes, okay?"

"Take your time," The teenager announced with a shrug, "We've all got to take our turns, right?"

He moved from the bed and, with Lucifer before him and Hawks behind, they exited the room as Manual chatted animatedly to a silent and reserved looking Ibara. For a moment Izuku wondered if she knew about Lucifer and Azrael, if she knew who they really were, before deciding there was no way she could have.

After all, Azrael was an Archangel, and she'd probably be dropping to her knees and begging for forgiveness if she thought he had some kind of hotline to heaven. Not to mention what violence she would attempt to unleash on Lucifer.

They walked a few doors down in silence, fire spiking nervously along his scars the entire time, before entering into another room, this one completely empty.

Izuku and Azrael moved into the middle as Lucifer held the door open for them both.

The door clicked shut.

Izuku began to turn, already complaining, "Look, I don't care what-"

Lucifer grabbed him.

For a second fire flew into Izuku's blood and unlight rushed along his arms. He had to fight off the monster that was his father and jump back and do whatever he could to-

Then he realized Lucifer was hugging him.

"You're alright," The man breathed into his ear as Izuku froze on the spot, fire still boiling in his blood and his Fallen-self reeling at the very touch of the King of Hell. And yet, the Fallen Angel would not let go, even running a hand up behind Izuku's head and gripping a handful of his hair, "You're alright, you're alright, you're alright."

"What are they doing?!"

"I- Erm-" Izuku stammered, then looked to his uncle, silently begging for his help.

Azrael stood to one side but rather than rushing over to drag Lucifer from Izuku, he seemed just as frozen as Izuku himself. His dark eyes were as wide as dinner plates as he simply stared at his sibling.

Lucifer smelled of the night, of darkness itself, and his touch seemed both hot and cold. Izuku wished he could shove him off, but just as Lucifer seemed incapable of letting go of his son, Izuku seemed incapable of moving.

And what made him truly sick, was that some small part of his heart felt… glad of the embrace. Some traitorous little bit of his soul felt relieved to be hugged by his monster of a father. Even worse was that he wasn't quite sure which side of his soul that belonged to.

"L-Lucifer?"

As if a spell had been broken over him, the King of Hell finally released Izuku, taking him by the arms and moving back. He blinked at Izuku, and the boy swore he could have seen tears in those eyes, before he glanced back to Azrael.

"I'm- ahem- I'm sorry I just- I-"

"You hugged him."

"And I apologize." Lucifer stood up suddenly, casually straightening his jacket.

Azrael however was grinning so wide it threatened to tear right off his face, "You hugged him."

Izuku was brushing himself down as if his unholy father was coated in mud and he didn't want any on him. He felt as though his own personal space had been violated and a hug from the devil was the last thing he had wanted to get today. His wounds now ached even more, and he had to internally convinced Nemesis to calm their fire. They weren't in real danger after all, it was just… weird.

"Well, he's my son, and he's safe, so I think-"

"Gimmie a hug, Lucy!" Azrael was advancing on Lucifer, his arms held wide, "Come on! Bring it in! Gimmie a big ol' huggy hug!"

"Touch me and your wings won't be the only blood-stained thing about you."

"D'aww," Azrael was practically pacing after the retreating King of Hell, who was now circling Izuku in an attempt to avoid Azrael's embrace. "You're getting all soft now you're a dad!"

"He's not our dad," Izuku hissed, his voice echoing, "He's our father, nothing more."

Azrael stopped pacing after Lucifer, who retreated over to one of the beds and took a moment to glare over to his sibling before looking back to Izuku. He looked earnest and tired and worried and relieved, all the emotions he seemed to have hidden back in the main wardroom.

"Izuku, I…" The Lord of the Fallen started, the paused, "I wanted to just… tell you how proud I am of you. For defeating the Templar, for defying the Hell in your blood and rising above the fate your Bastard Grandfather would have placed on you."

From behind Izuku, Azrael scoffed as he slumped down onto one of the beds.

Lucifer shot him a warning glance, then looked back to his child, "And I mean that, honestly. I can see how you've found balance with your Fallen-self. Your soul swims as one, with one purpose." He smiled softly and placed a hand to his chin, "Though I see you still have a long way to go to true unity."

"No thanks to you," Nemesis snapped back through Izuku's lips, his eyes glaring to the King of Hell.

"No, no thanks to me," Lucifer nodded, his smile turning sad. It picked up, however, when he added, "Your mother knows you're safe, by the way, though she doesn't know how far you've come in finding balance. She'll be proud of you too."

"Great," Izuku snapped, having already texted her earlier that day, "Can we go now?"

"Well, I do need a statement from you. Though I admit, I'm looking forward to basking in my own child's tale of triumph," Lucifer chuckled as he reached into his pocket to draw out his phone. Izuku suddenly noticed it was the same make as Azrael's, the one made by Membrane Labs. He casually wondered if he could demand one from his father, as the start of a back-payment of fifteen years worth of birthday presents.

"Make it fast," Izuku folded his arms, "I want to get back to people who I actually care about."

"Oh, so you and that Ibara girl are close, huh?" Azrael teased, causing Izuku to turn, his face going red.

"What! No, I- I mean-"

"Or is it that handsome Todoroki kid? You into the brooding types?"

"No! He's not-"

"I understand what you mean, Izuku," The boy turned back to his unholy father, who glanced down to his phone as he spoke, clearly avoiding any purposeful eye contact, "Though I was thinking that, perhaps, we may go… eat dinner later."

Izuku's eyes narrowed to almost slits, "… what."

"You just won you first major battle! And it is within our Celestial traditions to celebrate victories! Not to mention I would enjoy furthering any inquiries you might have concerning the realm of the divine and undivine, and I can get to know my child a little better." Lucifer spread his hands out as if casually proposing something at a business meeting and looked back to Izuku with a snake-like- yet somehow genuine smile, "Now you're more in touch with your Fallen-self, I would imagine you would-"

"No."

Lucifer blinked, "… no?"

"No," Izuku snapped again, his hands curling into fists, "We're not having dinner with you just because you think we should be best friends now we're in sync."

"Izuku I really insist we-"

"No, you don't get to insist anything," Izuku pointed an accusing finger at the man, even knowing what kind of unholy power he possessed, "You don't get to decide when and what I do with my time. Ever. You're barely a stranger to me."

Just for a tiny, tiny second, Izuku swore he saw hurt whisper through Lucifer's damned freezing-burning gaze. And he would be lying if he wasn't glad of it.

"Woah now," He turned again as Azrael raised a hand to his chin, "Don't be so hasty, kid, I mean," And he wagged a finger at the teenager, "You're still technically my intern until Sunday afternoon. Which means you go home tomorrow, not tonight. Which means tonight you're coming back to the agency with me."

"… so?" Izuku wasn't in any hurry to run home, even if he wouldn't mind seeing his mother again and sleeping in his own bed after such a chaotic night. Yet he also didn't want to spend his time hanging around his father, whom he hated, or imposing on his uncle, whom he liked.

"So! So instead of going to some dumb stupid dinner with this loser," And Azrael poked a thumb over at a scowling Lucifer, "We can all go back to my place and party! Like- like-" His eyes suddenly lit up, and Izuku could almost see a golden glow wash across his divine uncle, "Like a family reunion!"

"There will only be three of us," Lucifer sighed out, though there was a smile playing on his lips, "That's hardly a reunion."

"Oh, come on, Lucy! I wanna celebrate Izuku's first big win too! He's come so far, I'm proud of him!"

Izuku had to admit, he and Nemesis both shared a sudden spike of fire-hot pride at this. He hadn't thought much of it, as he'd been laying in a hospital bed dreading the reaction of his uncle for most of the day, but he had won.

He had fought, and he had won. Maybe not entirely without help, but he had done so without needing to be utterly propped up by another. He had fought with claw and fire and had come out on top.

He had won.

Holy crap, he had won!

Suddenly, he really did feel like celebrating.

As if seeing the realization cross over his nephew's face, Azrael grinned wider and looked to Lucifer, "Et victoria ad bibendum, sibling! It'll be just like the old days! Except, you know, without everyone else. Or all the fighting. Or the legions trying to out-do one another in stupid dumb stunts." He paused for a moment and mumbled, "I'm still afraid of platypus'."

Lucifer paused for a long, long moment, as if considering his words. He raised a hand to his chin and ran it over the stubble that was there, another thing that Izuku noted made him look more tired and worn out, before looking to his son, "If you would rather, than I will agree to this… reunion."

"I-"

"Oh, he doesn't have a choice in the matter," Azrael cut in suddenly, causing Izuku to look at him with wide eyes. The Archangel fixed him with a hard look, though his smile stayed on his lips, "You disobeyed a direct order."

"Yeah but-"

"I get that you did it to save others, and that's acceptable, but you're still going to be punished," And he wagged a finger at the boy, "Your punishment? Partying all night with me and your dad."

"He's not our dad," Nemesis grumbled out before looking over to Lucifer, who seemed to be greatly amused by this.

"Ah, well, who am I to go against a punishment handed down by your mentor?" Lucifer sighed dramatically, "Looks like I'll just have to show up regardless."

"… greaaaat."

He really, really wasn't looking forward to this. Spending all night with a drunk Lucifer? That's if they could even get drunk. Otherwise he'd still be spending more than ten minutes within Lucifer's presence… but at least Azrael would be there too.

"We do deserve to celebrate our victory," Nemesis mused through his blood, "And with our divine Uncle with us, perhaps we may find a way to tolerate our damned Father's presence," His eyes moved to Lucifer for a second as his Fallen-half continued to whisper, "Besides. The Fallen King and the Unforgiven Archangel in one place? There could be much we could learn."

"Take what you can…" Izuku mumbled to himself.

"Now," Lucifer continued, again raising his phone, "Regale us with your battle story, Izuku. Tell us how you defeated the Templar Knight, and earned your first of many victories."


Izuku returned to the room alone. After telling the story in full, Azrael had told them he needed to go out and sort out some paperwork and "hero stuff" as he had put it. Lucifer had offered to walk Izuku back to the room, but the boy had quickly refused. The less actual alone time he had to spend with his father, the better.

When he returned to the room, he did as he had been asked and told Ibara she could go give her statement, and with Manual at her side, she left without a word.

That left himself, alone in the room, with Shoto.

The teenager was sitting back onto his bed, the pillow put up against the headboard and his eyes fixed on his phone. He was scowling as he typed, though Izuku didn't know why. Perhaps it was something to do with his father, after all, in the few moments he had seen them together it was like watching two strangers who had nothing in common trying to co-operate.

He felt bad for Shoto. Sure, they shared crappy fathers, but at least he could hold a conversation with Lucifer.

Oh God, did he just compliment the King of Hell? Ugh. He shook the thought off as he made his way to his own bed. Maybe the painkillers were messing with his brain.

Taking the pillow from his own bed he copied Shoto and put it against his headboard. Soon, after pulling the blankets up around his legs, he got himself comfortable.

Izuku allowed himself a moment to relax, taking a peaceful pause in the madness that was his life. He felt fire ghost through his blood and while Nemesis was never truly relaxed, it seemed for a moment that even his Fallen-self was letting their guard down. If just a little.

They had come out of their fight with the Heretic Killer in one piece, and with a well-deserved, and long desired, victory under their belt. Their new agreement and fragile union had been tested, and it had come out of battle unbroken. Yes, there was room for improvement, but that would always be the case.

One day, perhaps, the 'we' would go away, and there would only be the 'I' of a truly unified soul…

The slamming of the hospital door woke the teenager with a start, his eyes jumping open. Almost instantly fire spiked through his blood as his Fallen-self leapt to his defense, yet it faded a second later when there was no immediate danger in sight. He had no idea he had even closed them. He hadn't even realized he had even started to drift off.

Had he really been that exhausted?

It took him a moment of groggily looking around to notice Shoto. The boy had slammed the door shut and was storming through the room towards his own bed where, to Izuku's surprise, he began gathering his things together. He must have just come back from his own interview with Lucifer.

"Shoto?" His voice was groggy with sleep, "Where are you-"

"My dad sent a car over. The hospital contacted him and said I was up, and apparently if I well enough to give a statement to a lawyer, I'm well enough to come back to the agency."

The bitterness he spoke with was harsh, angry, hurt.

"Such hatred," Nemesis whispered through Izuku's mind, "Such utter hatred. There is no forgiveness within his heart for his Father. Maybe we can learn something from him."

Izuku held back a snarky comment. He had no intention of ever forgiving Lucifer for anything any time soon, despite Azrael's encouragement to do so. Lucifer was a deadbeat father at best, and an indirect tormentor at worst.

He would never forgive him.

"Oh, okay… I'm sorry."

"Don't be," Shoto bitterly snapped out as he grabbed his things, "It's got nothing to do with you."

There was a second where only the sound of the angry gathering of clothes could be heard before Izuku suddenly announced, "There's something wrong with your soul."

This caused all movement to stop.

Izuku wasn't even sure why he'd said it. It had just… slipped out. And yet with everything that had happened, he had learned that it was better to address the problem head-on instead of just… ignoring it. He had his chance, here and now, to talk to Shoto alone before they had to return to class.

He might as well take it.

Shoto turned and looked to Izuku, though it wasn't with the angry shock Izuku expected. Indeed, as Nemesis coasted fire through Izuku's scars, Shoto looked to him with eyes that seemed… accepting? Almost acknowledging, as if Izuku had spoken words that he had always known, deep inside.

"How so?"

Again, Izuku was surprised at his lack of mockery or irritation at the accusation. He was surprised even at the answer, and yet, he kept his face as understanding as he could. He didn't want it to seem like an insult, only a caution, a warning, and maybe even as a thrown rope that Shoto could latch on to.

He wanted to help.

"I don't know," Izuku admitted as he straightened up in his bed, coming to sit at the edge, "But I first saw it during your fight with Hitoshi in the Sports Festival, and I saw it up close when we were fighting Chizome. It's like…" He paused for a moment, looking for the right words, then he moved his fingers in a line as he spoke, "Like a hairline crack across your soul. As if someone took it apart, then put it back together again."

Shoto looked to Izuku with a narrowed gaze, though it was more thoughtful than angry. Though, whether Shoto realized it or not, his hand moved to touch that dreadful scar, and his vision seemed to grow distant as memories, painful memories, played before his mind's eye.

The silence was broken by the buzzing of Shoto's phone and now his brow furrowed in frustration. "The car's here," He grabbed his clothes and began moving across the room. However, before he left, he paused, standing in front of Izuku, "I'll talk to you again soon, Izuku," He hesitated again, "And… thank you."

"Oh, erm, sure?" Izuku wasn't sure what the boy was thanking him for, but he supposed he could take it.

And with that, Shoto left, leaving Izuku alone. He was sure that Ibara wasn't going to return, no doubt Manual would check her out to go recover at his place, meaning that for the rest of the day he had nothing better to do but sleep and heal up.

As he made himself comfortable once more, he thought about everything that had happened in what was, possibly, the second most eventual week in his life. After all, dying and going to Hell was surely the first. Well, murdering someone came second, right? So third. Third most eventful week in his life.

He had learned so much and come so far, and yet the more he learned the more he realized just how much more he had left to go.

As he let his eyes droop again, he heard the voice of his other-self whispering through his blood, "Our journey is just beginning, but from now on, we will only move forward."

Yes. From now on, they would only move forward. Forward, to wherever this road of shadow and flame would lead.


SO, as I said, a small breather chapter but it was fun to write. Ibara seems to have entered some kinda cooling period on Izuku, though how she's gonna work that out with Katsuki waits to be seen. Well, that and the fact her faith has been broken. Also, Shoto has been invited to join the crew!

But the big point is obviously CELESTIAL BEING FAMILY REUNION... FEATURING 3 MEMBERS OF SAID FAMILY. What a reunion. Anyway, I can tell you all right now the next chapter is FUN. And not my usual "things are going to go bad" fun, but ACTUAL FUN. It has expanded lore! Father-Uncle-Son bonding! Copius amounts of drinking! And even a fantastic special guest from someone who has been oddly absent from UA...

I also said I had some big news, so here it is. I HAVE A DISCORD NOW! You can all finally shout at me in real time! I'm going to be putting the link in the little footer at the bottom of each chapter. For those on ... I dunno what to tell you. Go look up this fic on AO3 to get the link.

So as always, thank you all for reading thus far, and I'll see you next update!