Izuku smiled when he saw the common room jump to life with boundless energy. The dimension traveler grinned when he saw Denki Kaminari being turned down by a somber Nejire Hado, and grinned when he noticed Nezu walking and talking.

Now that everyone he knew came back from Tartarus, they had an even bigger job to do.

Find and recruit the exiled.

Considering that there were only sentences that began with "last seen", there wasn't much to go on.

However, it was a start.

Izuku called Kaminari, Kirishima, and Asui to an office, ready to start the planning.

Three hours later, the small group knew what they were doing.

Tsuyu's position was to travel with Izuku, and the two were to travel through Musutafu, Hosu, and Tokyo, as well as any neighbouring towns and cities.

Kirishima and Kaminari were to remain in their location, and train the heroes and ex-villains, and prepare them for the inevitable battle with the so called heroes of today.

Izuku placed faith in Kaminari since he seemed to have a level head, even after being imprisoned for months. Another factor was that the Kaminari in this world was excellent at martial arts.

It was weird, but proof that everything with the heroes was not the same as his world.

Izuku and Tsuyu talked for a bit, then went to bed, since their next few days would be filled with recruitment and training.

{The next day}

Izuku and Tsuyu, dressed in uniforms required by Japan, walked into the streets of Musutafu. They entered a train station, and paid for tickets leading to a mountain resort near Tokyo.

There were rumors of a man who mimicked the animals he consumed, bringing on the legend of the mountain chimera.

Izuku immediately knew this was Tamaki Amajiri, their first recruit.

There were two others they knew were in the area, all separated by their own accord.

Tsuyu informed Izuku of a blackened forest, which contained so much mystery that you would end up stranded once entered. Izuku assumed this was Kurogiri.

The last recruit was a simple traveler. He was known to be a kind soul when you were genuine.

If you were not, you didn't live to tell the tale.

Izuku knew this had to either be Naomasa Tsukauchi, or some dude who was insane.

Before they could even think about the third recruit, they needed to focus on Amajiri.

The train ride was rather peaceful. Other than voicing that All Might was the best hero, everything went according to plan.

All that waited was the remainder of the four hour trip.

"Hey, Green."

Izuku broke out of his thoughts. "Hm?"

"Can you answer some questions for me?"

Izuku eyed her nervously. "Uh, sure."

Tsuyu hesitated for a moment. "What... what was I like back on your world?"

Izuku blinked. He looked at her, noticing she was actually curious. "Well, you were kind, caring, just amazing at being a hero. Even if we were heroes in training, you were just awesome."

"You said I was blunt?"

Izuku laughed. "Unbelievably so. It was a part that made you, well, you. You spoke your mind, left nothing out. It's what made me-" he cut off, realizing he almost slipped up.

"It made you what?"

Izuku shook his head. "It's nothing. It's not really important to your question."

She gripped his hand, causing him to turn red at the sudden contact. "It's as important as the rest of the question, ribbit." She sent him a familiar smile.

Izuku smiled nervously. He looked at her. Well, it's not like the Tsuyu I know is here. He took a deep breath. "I- I may have had a small crush on you in my timeline."

Tsuyu paused, surprised. "Oh." She slowly turned red.

"What is it?"

Tsuyu turned to him. "Well, no one's ever, well, admitted that to me before."

"I'm sure many people have crushes on you."

Tsuyu looked into his eyes. "No. No one has admitted having a crush on me. Sure, men come to me to have a good time every once in a while, but that's because they see me for my body, not for me." She shook her head. "Let's continue with more questions."

Izuku nodded, his expression faltering after hearing her speak. "Sure. I have one for you."

"Ribbit."

Izuku leaned forward, looking back and forth to ensure that no one was listening or in range. "You told me that the dictatorship started a year before entering high school, yet people know me. Some don't remember me, like Katsuki, Kaminari and you, but Todoroki Shouto does. Why?"

Tsuyu looked confused. "You mean you don't know?"

It was Izuku's turn to be confused. "What do you mean?"

"You and Todoroki were acclaimed to being best friends before this all started. Inko didn't tell you?"

Izuku shook his head. "I had no idea." His brows furrowed. "I'll ask her about it."

"Also, ribbit."

Izuku looked back to her. "Yeah?"

"The school year was about to start when things really went downhill. I was supposed to be in class 1-A, ribbit."

"So that's why mom didn't blink when I questioned her about 1-A."

"Yes. A bunch of the 1-A students, UA students, and staff tried to fight, but we were either captured, sent into exile, turned, or killed. There was a hidden option a few of us turned to, which was the liberation front, founded by the commander, ribbit."

Izuku nodded, soaking in the information.

"Who was-"

The doors meters away from them opened, exposing two well armed guards in plastic shields. Each wore a scowl, and looked around for any form of trouble.

Tsuyu immediately leaned against Izuku, whispering a quick "play along" in his ear, while sighing contently.

One guard stared at them suspiciously, until he turned away from them.

"It's just a couple of lovebirds. Nothing major."

The other slapped the guys shoulder in amusement. "You jealous of what they've got?"

Tsuyu and Izuku sighed in relief when they heard the doors closed and the voices diminish.

Tsuyu sat straight, no longer against Izuku. "Sorry about that, ribbit."

Izuku smiled. "Dont be."

The frog like girl looked out the window. "We're almost there, we need to be careful of what we say."

Izuku nodded.

Eventually, the two arrived at the mountain, Izuku smiling at the sight. It was very much like his spring trip to the lodge with 1-A.

He shook his head, and smiled at Tsuyu. "Let's go." His partner nodded.

They checked in and placed their items in their room, then walked out to find the cave Amajiki resided in. Both constantly on the lookout for enemies, and they eventually walked to a large cave.

The two looked at each other and nodded. No time like the present.

They lit some torches and walked in. The cave was unusually warm, and it was naturally quiet.

Well, it was quiet.

RRRRAAAAHHHHHHH

Izuku and Tsuyu jumped, making sure not to make a sound. They looked around, and both audibly gulped. The sound came from a deeper part of the cave.

The cave stretched longer than they expected. As they walked, both noticed there were rarely any animals. There were barely any bats in the cave, which was highly unusual. Izuku started to ponder why they hadn't seen any animals or signs of life yet.

Then, it dawned on him.

"Tsuyu," he started, glancing towards her. "Amajiki's quirk is to emulate animals that he's consumed. He could enable more than one at a time. Be careful." He looked ahead, briefly noting her nod in affirmation.

They kept walking.

It turned out that the cave wasn't long. It was deep. Izuku furrowed his brows in irritation. They were walking into the ground, rather than on it. It made him wonder just how powerful Amajiki really was in order to dig a cave this huge.

Tsuyu didn't know who Amajiki is, but she was sure that she was going to kick his ass once they reach him. She was not equipped to go bouldering today, and it looked like they would have to in some areas. She hated rock climbing. It hurt her tongue since she always resorted to using it for climbing.

Three hours later, they were ready to take a break. Both were sweating profusely, already ditching some light shirts and equipment.

After the water break, they continued. They moved faster now, having cooled down somewhat, and they eventually reached tunnels.

The tunnels looked well built, and it split down the middle, forming two entrances. Izuku and Tsuyu glanced at each other and split ways there. There was a silent agreement that they meet at the entrances when done.

It was much to Izuku's luck that he reached a small area adorned with candles and food.

However, it was his misfortune that he spotted thousands of skeletons that were both animal and human. Looking closely, he grew more curious at the name tags that littered the area.

All were from the lodge he and Tsuyu were residing in for the weekend.

"Leave."

Izuku paled when he heard a raspy, angered whisper from behind him.

"Or you can stay for dinner, heh."

He froze when the same voice whispered in his ear. He shook when he felt a slimy...thing… Brush against his arm.

Izuku was shaking uncontrollably, his eyes quivering as he waited for death. Unwillingly, he turned around and gaped in shock at the sight in front of him.

In front of him stood Tamaki Amajiki in the flesh, or whatever he was covered with. Amajiki's skin was decorated with welts and scars. On his head were long, filthy horns that spiraled out of control, vaguely representing ram's horns. His hands were no longer human, as they became squid tentacles. His ears were flopped like a dog's, and his teeth were a sickly piss yellow, all sharp and elongated like a sharks.

They most unnerving part of him were his eyes. They were stark white, a contrast to his long, shaggy black hair. The man was blind, only going by his other senses.

Izuku couldn't move. His theory with the skeletons was just confirmed.

Amajiki no longer ate animals that weren't human. Oh, God.

He ate anything that moved.

"Midoriya, come in! I reached a dead end, how about you?"

Izuku panicked. If Amajiki couldn't see, it meant every other sense became enhanced.

Amajiki didn't move yet, "gazing" curiously at Izuku.

"Is that you, Mirio?"

Izuku refused to speak. If he did, he would be dead. Luckily, Amajiki couldn't hear Tsuyu through the earpiece.

"Midoriya, come in! How is it going? Talk to me, ribbit."

"Is Nejire with you? If she is she must be running around, collecting as much information about the cave as possible, heh." Izuku cringed at the tone deaf chortle that escaped the blind man's lips.

Izuku knew he had to act fast. He tip toed away from Amajiki, and walked very slowly to the entrance of the area.

Amajiki turned his head left and right, concern knitting on his features. "Mirio? Are you there?" Tears started to fall from his face. "Please talk to me. I missed you and Nejire so much."

Izuku continued to move, panic setting in. At this point he wanted nothing more than to sprint away, but the blind man would catch up to him in an instant, if the bones of human and animal alike were something to consider.

Izuku failed to notice the skull by his foot.

He froze when the human remain rolled on the floor, loud clanks emanating from each roll of the skull. Izuku tentatively turned to the blind man, and almost screamed.

Amajiki's empty white eyes were inches from his own, a scowl forming on the crusty lips. Izuku almost cringed at the raw smell that came off in waves from Amajiki, his breath not smelling much better.

Without warning, Amajiki's tentacled fingers moved up and down on Izuku's bicep. Izuku's breath hitched, his lungs seemingly malfunctioning.

He relaxed slightly when Amajiki removed his tentacle, confusion in his scowl.

All emotion turned into pain when the same tentacle slammed into his abdomen, sending Izuku flying to the opposite wall of the cave.

He looked up to see an enraged Amajiki.

"You're not Mirio." He growled. With no hesitation, he shot towards Izuku, who scrambled to his left.

Placing a finger on his earpiece. "Asui! I found him!"

"Great, can he be convinced to join our ranks, ribbit?"

Izuku leaped forward, hitting the ground hard. "He's blind, delirious, and cannibalistic. You tell me!" The air in his lungs were forced out when a crab claw slammed into his back, sending him back to the floor.

"Shit. Get out of there!"

"That's the plan!" Izuku ended the conversation and booked it to the entrance. There was no use fighting Amajiki. He was too strong. Sure, he might have a shot at fighting All Might, but that's in the open. In a cave with a cannibal? No chance.

He gasped when Amajiki appeared in front of him, effectively blocking out the opening with his body. "You're not going anywhere!"

Izuku flinched. "I really don't want to fight you, Amajiki!"

The cannibal only roared at rushed him. Izuku weaved through tentacle after tentacle, and kicked Amajiki in the stomach, stunning the blind man. Izuku took this moment to run. Finding an opening, he rushed passed Amajiki and used full cowling to escape.

Tsuyu flinched at the numbers of roars echoing from the tunnel Izuku wandered into. Looking closely, she spotted flashes of green coming closer…

She was grabbed by a blur, the view of tunnel becoming smaller, until they were at the opening of the cave they were in. Looking to her right, Izuku was on his knees, panting and dry heaving.

"Midoriya, what happened?"

"I-"

He was cut off by an animalistic roar closing in on them. Izuku looked at Tsuyu. "I'll tell you in the lodge." Tsuyu nodded and the two ran off, not wanting to face the monster that lied within the cave.

"So Amajiki is a lost cause, ribbit. Next, we need to find Kurogiri." Tsuyu looked down at the clipboard in hand, scanning through notes on the nomu.

"They say he resides in the forest in this area." Izuku mused. "So it'll be best if we leave now." Tsuyu nodded, grabbing a protein bar from her pack.

The duo didn't notice the eyes watching them.

As they left, Izuku paused. He felt a small tension in the air, almost like…

He shrugged his shoulders, the thoughts gone. He didn't have time for this. He needed to find Kurogiri, and hopefully he wouldn't be like Amajiki.

He ran up to his partner, who only walked. Both were silent, neither knowing how to converse after the cannibal happened.

Eventually, after asking around, they arrived at an isolated forest that was located a good ten miles (American terms) away from the lodge. Both noticed how dark the forest was, despite the afternoon sun beating down on them. This had to be it.

The two had a plan. They would link arms throughout the entire ordeal so they wouldn't be separated. Since Kurogiri had only one weak point, they had to be careful not to touch him where it was gaseous.

"Kurogiri!" Izuku screamed. "We need to talk to you!"

Tsuyu thought he was crazy for being this direct with someone who may not even be there.

She looked around, her eyes scanning the environment. She noticed there wasn't a trace of animals in sight, much like the cave, but this time it could be that they were teleported somewhere and couldn't return.

"Talk...to me?"

Tsuyu flinched at the sudden voice. It was deep, somewhat regal, and the tone was as wispy as the fog in the forest.

Izuku nodded. "Yes. To you. Could you solidify just for a second?"

Tsuyu was amazed that Izuku was calm and collected throughout this entire ordeal. She expected him to turn tail and run after Kurogiri answered.

"Fine, I'll humor you once, considering I don't receive too many visitors."

Tsuyu's eyes widened just slightly as she watched some of the gas form into a humanoid shape, a metal collar on its neck. The being had bright, glowing yellow eyes, and it appeared to be wearing a tattered dress shirt with pants of a similar look. The best he wore was muddied and grey, and the tie was almost nonexistent.

"What can I do for you?"

Izuku smiled gently. "Kurogiri, we need you to know we won't hurt you unless you attack us."

"Understood. You only get one chance."

Izuku nodded. "Alright. How would you like to help defeat All Might's regime?"

"Do tell."

"I have a power that is much like his. We are gathering an army of people to chop down the regime, so that Japan, and the world, will be freed from the tyrant."

Kurogiri paused. "What would my involvement be?"

"We would need you to warp people to locations as well as kill off the enemy. I know that you have the ability to warp body parts off of others. You could do the same once more."

The warp user didn't respond for a minute. Izuku started sweating. Is he against me?

"How do I know you're telling the truth?"

Izuku blinked. "Well, you don't. However, I come from a world much like this one, one where you are a villain that is reliant on. You worked with Tomura Shigaraki, in the league of Villains and for All for One. I know you're a Nomu.

"As much as I hate it, I am playing a part to bring All Might down. In my world, he is a hero. The number one hero, actually. He was my idol. I practically worshipped the guy. He influenced how I saw heroes and why I strive to be one. It was just last week when I was sent here. Now, I'm taking him down."

Izuku looked at Kurogiri with determination in his eyes. Every ounce of what he said was true, nothing was left out.

Kurogiri just stood still, thinking over what the boy said.

"Fine. I'll help you. All Might sent me out here, so I will he'll bring him down."

"Count me in as well."

All three turned to the new voice, which belonged to a man with a long scruffy beard. He wore a tattered trench coat, and his hat matched the coat.

The man smiled. "The name is Tsukauchi. A pleasure."