The new finger prosthetics worked well enough that Stain was able to hold a sword, but it was far from perfect. The doctor who'd implanted them promised he'd get used to them soon enough, but he didn't want to get used to it. He needed a constant reminder what weakness cost you.

For now, he'd spent his time healing by overseeing Dabi's training. Endeavor was scum, but he had trained his son well and there was a lot of talent to cultivate. The first thing to do was train him use his hands. The boy relied too much on his Quirk. Overspecializing was for insects.

Stain circled Dabi with the help of a cane while Dabi beat the snot out of a punching bag. Dabi had talent. His form was next to perfect only after a few weeks.

"That's enough. We'll miss the opening ceremony." Stain said after looking at the time.

Dabi wiped the sweat off his face.

"Didn't think you'd care about the U.A tournament."

"All Might will be there." Stain said.

"You really look up to him, huh?" Dabi said.

"What about it?"

"It's just… you didn't object to the plan to assassinate him."

Stain snorted.

"Some mad beast couldn't kill All Might. Ever. I wanted to see how the students would fare. Better cull the weaklings without resolve now."

Dabi grinned.

"Mad beast? Do you mean Tomura or the Noumu?"

"Which one do you think?"

Kurogiri opened a portal for them. They stepped through it to the bar… and Stain saw himself taking a selfie with Toga. Dabi stared slack jawed at his two mentors. Kurogiri continued cleaning the glasses behind the bar table.

"Cheese!" Toga said to her phone while giving a peace sign with the other Stain.

"What the hell?!" Stain howled.

"Baby Stain!" Toga said.

Stain pointed his cane at the doppelganger.

"What the hell is that?!"

Someone flushed a toilet and the bar's restroom door opened. A man in a black and white mask peeked out. He had the physique of a boxer, but seemed twitchy.

"That's one of mine." The man said.

Toga jumped on the masked man's back and laughed with delight.

"This is Twice. He makes clones." Toga said.

"As long as I have the measurements." Twice said.

Stain gripped his cane harder.

"How did you get my measurements?"

"He didn't. I did." Toga said.

Dabi took the towel Kurogiri gave him to dry his face and sat next to the counter. Stain let out an annoyed sigh and then stabbed the clone. Twice made a horrified scream and knelled next to the melting clone.

"What the hell is wrong with you?! I promised Toga she could do that!" Twice said.

"Yeah. Ya big killjoy." Toga said.

Kurogiri finally put the glass down.

"Why must we always argue? Let's introduce ourselves like professionals."

"Fine." Twice said and offered Stain his hands: "It's a displeasure to meet you, Stain."

Dabi stepped up to Twice.

"Don't you know who you're talking to?" Dabi said.

"An ass who wouldn't give a poor, innocent girl a selfie." Twice said and suddenly clutched his head like he was trying to prevent it from splitting in two: "I'm sorry. I don't know why I said that. It was rude. But you're still a dick!"

"Great. Another lunatic." Stain said.

"Don't listen to 'em, Twice. Yer great." Toga said and patted Twice on the back.

"I guess that's the best I can hope for. Anybody want a drink?" Kurogiri said.

"Apple juice on the rocks." Stain said.

"May I suggest something a bit stiffer for the occasion?" Kurogiri said.

"No. Orange juice hurts my teeth."

"I'll have a beer." Dabi said.

"He'll have apple juice too. Booze slows you down."

"I'll take a milkshake." Toga said.

"A cognac for me." Twice said.

Tomura walked in carrying a laptop and gave Twice an annoyed look.

"Who the fuck are you?"

"Tomura. That is no way to talk to our new comrade." Kurogiri said.

"I like your hands." Twice said.

"Piss off."

"Fine!" Twice said and crossed his arms like a petulant child: "They make you look dumb."

All for One's voice came out of the laptop.

"I must apologize for Tomura. He's still a bit sore after some amateur dentistry. How are the new teeth holding up by the way?"

"… fine." Tomura said.

"That's my boy. And who's the new face?"

"I'm Twice. I make clones."

"I'm All for One. I write the paychecks."

"You don't pay us, master." Kurogiri said.

"Don't get cute with me, Kurogiri. I hate it when you get cute with me. Now has everyone picked their favorites? Are we ready for some gambling?"

Dabi smiled like the proud big brother he was.

"My brother will win. My moneys on him."

"Like hell he will. My Izuku-Izuku will smack him so hard he'll think Endeavor came home drunk. My moneys on Izuku-Izuku." Toga said.

"Piss off, Toga." Dabi said.

"I will follow Mr. Dabi's example and put my money on the young Todoroki." Kurogiri said.

"Same." Stain said.

"As long as he burns that Midoriya brat's dick off my moneys on him." Tomura said.

"No one's burning my property." Toga said.

"You people are a bunch of sheep. Try living a little. I bet Izuku-Izuku will win." All for One said.

"But Sensei…" Tomura whined.

"No buts, Tomura."

"Welcome to the winning team, true believer." Toga said.

"Happy to be aboard, lass."

"What about you, Mr. Twice?" Kurogiri said.

Twice had been staring at the TV that showed people gathering to the stadium and flinched when he heard Kurogiri calling.

"What? What?"

"Who will you be betting on?" Kurogiri said.

Twice looked panicked and glanced back at the TV.

"Who's the kid at the podium? With the eye-patch."

"That would be Katsuki Bakugou. He must be the class valedictorian if he's giving the opening speech." Kurogiri said.

"What's a valedictorian?" Twice asked.

"He has the best grades." Kurogiri explained.

"Then I bet on him." Twice said.

"Yer loss."

"What happened to his eye?" Twice said.

"Lil bitch pissed me off." Toga said.

"Shut up and turn up the sound." Tomura said.

"Seconded." Stain said.

"Word." Dabi agreed.

Kurogiri picked up the remote and suddenly the voice of Present Mic filled the bar.

"Ladies and gentlemen! Boys and Girls! And that colorful rainbow between them! Welcome to the annual U.A tournament! This is Present Mic live with Eraserhead!"

"Happy to be…" Eraserhead said.

"And we'd like to apologize in advance to your socks, because they're about to get rocked off! But first some words from this year's rising star, Katsuki Bakugou! Can I get some applauds?!" Present Mic howled.

The thunderous clapping made the bar shake.

The feed turned to Bakugou and Stain pinned him as a belligerent dick. He memorized the boy's face for future references.

Bakugou tapped the mic before leaning closer to speak.

"To everyone here, I have only one thing to say. I'm going to win and there isn't anything you can do about it."

Bakugou waited for a moment to see if anyone dared to object, but everyone was stunned silent. Then he pulled out a letter.

"Next I'd like to send a message on behalf of one of my classmates."

Bakugou ripped open the letter and read it quickly. His grimace would have spoiled milk and he turned to glare at someone in the audience. Then he manned up and started reading with barely contained rage.

"To Himiko. This is your Izuku-Izuku. I don't know if you'll hear this, but we have to talk. You told me to have fun, but life without you is no fun at all. You also said that you wanted a hero to chase you. Well, here I am. If you want to cut this off, at least tell it to me in person. Just call me. I miss you. A lot. Like a ton. Sincerely, your Izuku-Izuku. PS. Mom misses you too. We're having curry tonight if you're interested."

The letter caught on fire after Bakugou was done and explosions went off in his fingers.

"That fucking good enough for you, Deku?! You shitty fucking nerd! When I…!"

The feed cut suddenly back to Present Mic and Eraserhead, but both seemed to have forgotten the script. Everyone in the bar had turned to stare at Toga. The only sound was All for One laughing through the laptop like a douchebag.

"That fucking good enough for you, Deku?! You shitty fucking nerd! When I get my hands on you, I'm going to skull fuck your soul!" Bakugou yelled into the microphone.

Izuku sank deeper into his seat. Now there was the Bakugou he knew and tolerated. Oh, how he hadn't missed him. Kirishima poked him on the side and grinned like he was in on the conspiracy while teachers ganged up on Bakugou and dragged him out of the podium kicking and screaming.

"You two were super manly." Kirishima whispered.

"… thanks." Izuku said and leaned closer to Kirishima: "Why… is he still wearing that eye-patch?"

Kirishima's smile had an embarrassed edge to it.

"I thought it made him look really cool."

The students started to disperse and get warmed up for the first leg of the tournament. Izuku waved to Asui who turned away and ran off. For some reason Izuku felt like he had done something wrong.

"Midoriya. A moment of your time."

Suddenly Todoroki was standing before him tall and terrifying. All Izuku could do was nod and follow him. Oh, fuck! Had Todoroki noticed Izuku staring at his rear? It had been just that one time! Was it too much to ask for him to go one day without embarrassing himself?

Todoroki led him to an empty hallway and suddenly slammed his fist to the wall.

"What the hell are you doing?! Is this all just a game to you?!" Todoroki said.

"… what?"

Todoroki grabbed his shirt and almost lifted Izuku off the ground.

"You actually had Bakugou use his speech to help you pick up a chick!"

One for All flared up and with it Izuku's temper. He pushed Todoroki away.

"Don't talk about her like that."

Todoroki straightened his shirt without taking his eyes off Izuku. One of them... the one surrounded by scars looked... fake somehow. The color was just a bit off and Izuku wondered if he was wearing a fake eye. Like Bakugou.

"You think you have time to run after girls when you can't even control your Quirk?" Todoroki said and tapped his eye that was surrounded by an old burn scar: "I might have only one good eye, but I'm not as blind as the others. I can see through bullshit just fine. "

"… did you bring me here just to tell me that?"

"No." Todoroki said and suddenly his stoic features looked almost feral: "I brought you here to tell you that I despise you and everyone like you. You were born with such a great Quirk and use it to crush anyone you don't like. Like a villain."

"I never…!"

"Everyone saw you break Bakugou's hand. All that power and you can't even be bothered to master it. You think that power justifies everything. Just like my father."

"… Endeavor?"

Endeavor was the second greatest hero in Japan. How could his own son talk about him with such contempt? Just mentioning his name made deep lines appear in Todoroki's forehead. The hallway grew colder when Todoroki activated his Quirk.

"Pray you don't run into me when it's time to get serious. I will break you. The only thing your kind is good for is as warm-up for my father."

Todoroki left him in the cold hallway. After Izuku was sure he was gone, he followed him back to the stadium.

Even when the race started the look on Todoroki's face was all he could think about. His words wouldn't stop ringing in Izuku's ears.

They were an unexpected source of strength.

The race felt like a run to hell and the group battle after that was purgatory, but Izuku barely noticed. After the shock had faded Todoroki's words had made him… angry. It wasn't the foaming rage that had enslaved him and made him break Bakugou's arm or drive Stain through a wall. It was cold wrath that made him focused and strong.

Every time he was in danger of falling behind or ready to give up, the look… the disdain on Todoroki's face made him push his body further. What the hell did Todoroki know about him?! What right did Todoroki have to judge him?! Himiko was God only knew where! If Bakugou had to put up with a bit of humiliation for Izuku to find her, so be it.

When the first two courses were done, Izuku sat down alone in the hallway and tried to cool down. He went through his phone, but there were no new messages from Himiko. How could that be? Half of Japan had to have heard Bakugou's speech.

Or maybe… maybe Himiko didn't want to see him.

Those grand gestures looked romantic on TV, but in reality, they were just weird and creepy. Oh God. How badly had he just embarrassed Himiko? If it had been him, he wouldn't be able to show his face ever again.

A massive hand slapped Izuku's back. How could someone Mr. Oguro's size move so quietly?

"Great show, pipsqueak. I'm almost proud."

"… thanks."

"Hell of a way to catch the world's attention. Himiko must be some girl."

"… she is."

Mr. Oguro laughed.

"I think this moment is as good as any to talk about payment."

"… payment? What… For the lessons?"

"What else? The pleasure of my company came for free." Mr. Oguro said.

"… I… I get an allowance. It isn't much, but…"

Mr. Oguro laughed even harder.

"I don't steal pocket money from kids." Mr. Oguro said and shoved a shirt in Izuku's hands: "Wear that when you're kicking ass out there."

It was a plain white t-shirt adorned with the Demon's Den's logo.

"Free advertisement. Not a bad trade off, wouldn't you say?"

Izuku smiled.

"… sure."

The hallway felt suddenly warmer and Mr. Oguro's expression turned grim.

"Boy."

The voice was deep and gruff. The voice of a man who was used to barking orders and having them obeyed. The number two hero in Japan was as tall as Mr. Oguro and every bit as buff. The flaming beard that made him look heroic on TV was just sinister in person.

"… Mr. Endeavor?"

Mr. Oguro blocked Endeavor's path to Izuku.

"Can we help you?" Mr. Oguro said.

"I'm here to speak with the boy. Alone." Endeavor said.

Mr. Oguro gave Endeavor his wolfish grin that looked now like a threat.

"You don't strike to me as a man to be left alone with a kid."

The flames on Endeavor's face burned a bit hotter.

"What are you implying?"

"Thought I was pretty clear, number two hero. How's the family?" Mr. Oguro said.

"Mr. Oguro. It's… alright." Izuku said.

Mr. Oguro looked at him for a while, but then nodded.

"I won't be far."

While walking away Mr. Oguro flipped Endeavor the double bird when he wasn't looking.

"…sir?" Izuku said.

Endeavor leaned in to look at him closely.

"You don't look much like All Might. Aside from your Quirk you must have taken after your mother. You're so much shorter than him. How old are you?"

"… almost seventeen."

"Hard to believe."

"… can I help you?" Izuku said.

"Heard you broke your classmates hand." Endeavor said.

Izuku felt a sting in his chest.

"… it was an accident."

"That's how the story goes. You were lucky that your… All Might was there watching your back."

Izuku's hands turned into fists. He didn't like where this was going. Suddenly Todoroki's resentment started making a bit more sense.

"… what do you want… sir?"

"I want you to knock some sense into that boy of mine. Have your ever seen him use his fire Quirk?"

"… fire Quirk?"

Endeavor growled like a dog.

"That's a no then. I gave that stubborn brat two Quirks and he spits on my gift out of spite. I want you to show him how the world really works. Break his hand if you have to. Do this for me and there will be a job waiting for you in my agency when you graduate."

Izuku stared at Endeavor slack jawed. He was the number two hero in Japan. Izuku had grown up admiring him. He had Endeavor's posters on his wall. He had even begged mom to buy his action figure. He'd used to play that he and All Might went to adventures together. Now he felt sickened for having ever put money in that man's pockets.

"…he… he's your son."

"That boy is an investment and I'm tired of waiting. I wouldn't ask this from just anyone. You have what it takes to make it in this business. I could be a useful ally. Or a terrible enemy." Endeavor said and started to leave.

"And a terrible father. I'm not the only who looks small next to All Might." Izuku said.

Endeavor froze when his mind processed what his ears couldn't have possibly have heard.

"What did you just…"

"You heard me. Screw you." Izuku said.

Endeavor came closer.

"Pipsqueak. Their waiting for you." Mr. Oguro said and stepped between him and Endeavor: "If you want to spar, I should warn you, Endeavor, I don't go down as easily as a child does."

Mr. Oguro and Endeavor stared at each other for a long time.

"Was that a threat?" Endeavor said.

"No. A warning. This is a threat. Leave or I'll fuck you up. Notice the difference?"

Endeavor's flames flared up and for a moment Izuku feared that Mr. Oguro would end up as a charred corpse. The moment passed, and Endeavor turned his back on them.

"… shit." Izuku whispered.

"Never heard a more apt description of Endeavor, pipsqueak." Mr. Oguro said and then grinned at him: "When you were having… your business meeting a classmate of yours asked me to pass you a message. Blondie with a tail."

"… Mashirao?"

"He wanted to warn you about your opponent. The dude asked something from the tail boy and when he answered it was lights out. All he could remember was an overwhelming desire to obey."

"… okay."

It had to be a mind control Quirk of some sort. Speaking up had to be the trigger.

"Don't forget the shirt." Mr. Oguro said.

Izuku realized he had been clenching the shirt Mr. Oguro had given him and it was now moist from cold sweat. He pulled off the top part of his uniform quickly. Then he saw the look on Mr. Oguro's face. He looked down… and saw Himiko's bite marks on his shoulders.

"… this… this… it… not what it looks like." Izuku mumbled.

"I hope it is because the only alternative I can think of is that you were attacked by a particularly dull-toothed vampire. Don't sweat it. What you do at night is none of my business. Just try not be too rough."

Tell that Himiko, Izuku thought when he pulled the shirt over his head.

He should have worn a helmet when Himiko took him to her apartment for the first time.

"And Izuku?"

"… yeah?"

Mr. Oguro threw a punch.

"Remember. Use your whole body or you'll hurt yourself."

"Yes, sir."

His opponent was already waiting for him when he walked up to the arena. There were so many people in the stadium. How many more were watching them at home? Suddenly Izuku wished he could take a leak. Real bad.

His opponent, Shinsou, paid the audience no heed. He looked so… tired. There were deep shadows under his eyes and his purple hair was a mess like he had been just dragged from bed.

"Fight!" Present Mic said through the loudspeakers.

Shinsou gave Izuku an exhausted smile.

"What luck. First round and I go against the crazy kid."

Izuku kept his silence and started walking up to Shinsou. Shinsou yawned.

"You are the crazy kid, aren't you? The one who broke the little rage bombs arm?" Shinsou said and his lips curled to a bored smile: "Must be nice having such a powerful Quirk. You get to do everything you want, and no one can say anything. We failures just have to watch on with envy and fight for scraps."

Shinsou looked around the stadium.

"They didn't think I'm hero material with my Quirk. Apparently, I'd be more suited for villainy. Had to make do with being in support. You know what it's like having everyone laugh at your dream? Or when someone like you is more suited to be a hero than me?"

Some words cut too close to home. Izuku stopped and… for the first time saw Shinsou. He knew the desperation in his eyes. And the pain. Too well. Why? Why did he have to stand between someone and their dream? Why did he have to be Bakugou to someone?

Shinsou looked at him and smiled wider.

"How could you? With a Quirk like that you were born to be a hero, crazy kid."

Shinsou had sneaked past his defenses and now drove a dagger through his heart. Something snapped inside Izuku.

"What do you…!"

It was as Mr. Oguro had said. One word and it was lights out.

"Thanks, crazy kid. You can walk off the arena now."

And there was the overwhelming desire to obey. Izuku started walking towards the edge.

"That's fucking it!" One for All growled in Izuku's ear.

Izuku fell through darkness and for a moment he feared that Kurogiri had come back for him. Instead of Tomura's feet he hit the ground in a ruined city. The streets were cracked, and the fallen buildings were on fire. The smoke had blocked out the sun and all he could taste was ash and dust.

A man sat among the rubble.

He had been handsome once, but was now in worse wear than the destroyed city. His face was too hard and ragged to be anything, but intimidating. He had the body of an athlete who had pushed himself too far and was now paying the price. The dark hair was long and unkempt, the beard scraggy with hints of gray. All Izuku sensed from him was pain. He was a man in terrible pain. There were scars in him that the eye couldn't see, but everyone would notice.

The man got up and even with a sturdy leg brace he walked with a noticeable limp.

"Hello… young successor." One for All said.


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