Izuku ran up the mountain path to Kouta. The boy looked like a deer caught in headlights. Too scared to move or even think. Izuku knelled in front of Kouta but the boy didn't even seem to notice he was there.
"… Kouta. We… need to get back to the compound."
If Kouta could hear him, he gave no sign of it. He just stared past Izuku, blinded by terror. The situation would have been too much for any child to handle. Izuku didn't even dare to think how much worse it was for someone who had already lost his parents to villains.
In movies heroes slapped people back to their senses when they fell into shock. Izuku hugged Kouta instead.
"It… it will be alright. I'm here." Izuku said and he hoped he sounded more confident than he felt: "… ready to go?"
Kouta wiped tears from his eyes and nodded. Izuku took Kouta's hand and started the walk back to the compound. Then he saw someone walking up the mountain path towards them.
The man was a tall, blonde gym-rat in a red tank-top. He had a vicious facial scar that would have put Todoroki to shame. His left eye was gone and replaced with a prosthetic that made Izuku's skin crawl. And not just the prosthetic. There was something… terribly wrong about the man. Even Stain hadn't made him feel like this. When Stain had looked at him, he had at least seen a human, but this man… Then Izuku realized what it was. The man had a glare like a Noumu's. The look of a predator. Someone who didn't see people. Just food.
The man stopped and looked at them for a while. When Izuku pushed Kouta behind himself, the man started laughing.
"Am I in luck?! I come looking for the Water Horse brat and who do I find?! All Might Junior himself!"
Kouta fell on his knees and started gasping for air like he was suffocating from fear. Bile rose in Izuku's throat. He remembered the description given of Water Horse's killer. Tall, blonde villain calling himself Muscular. Extremely dangerous. Do not approach. If sighted call for help immediately.
Izuku activated One for All and grabbed Kouta. He tried to run back the way they came but Muscular was fast. Too fast for someone that big. His punch hit Izuku in the back and sent him flying. Air was punched out of his lungs and the pain almost made him blackout, but he managed to shield Kouta when they hit the ground. Muscular hit harder than anyone he had ever faced.
Izuku tried to get up, but his whole body was convulsing, and the tiniest movement send out waves of pain.
"Going already? Come on All Might Junior! Would your daddy run?" Muscular said and grinned at Kouta: "Your parents didn't run. Not fast enough anyway."
Rage made Kouta forget his fear for a moment and he activated his Quirk. A whip of water hit Muscular, but he just laughed it off.
"Give them back!" Kouta shouted with tears in his eyes.
"Even if I could, I don't think you'd want them back after what I did to them. It was a closed casket funeral for a reason." Muscular said.
Izuku tried to get up again and failed.
To give everyone a chance to rest after a hard day of training, The Wild Wild Pussycats had arranged a test of courage in the woods. Tiger and Ragdoll were watching over the proceedings as students entered the forest in pairs.
While Shouto was waiting for his turn to take the test of courage, he had to make do with a test of patience. Even a saint would start considering body dumping locations after fifteen minutes alone with Shinsou.
"Man, why couldn't I do this with Tsu?" Shinsou said.
"Can't imagine why she'd rather pick Tokoyami." Shouto said.
"Hey, hey. Don't take it out on me that you can't do this with your crazy kid. You must be pissed. Alone in a dark place with the crazy kid and no one notices if you take some liberties with him."
Shouto rolled his eyes.
"Could you please stop implying that me and Midoriya are… you know."
"Banging behind the shed? You're not? Huh. Guess I still have a shot." Shinsou said.
Suddenly the forest started twisting and turning until it resembled something out of a nightmare. The trees had turned black and swollen and their branches looked like arms ready to grab anyone who dared to walk under them. The paths had transformed into a labyrinth. Then the sirens started blaring and Aizawa-sensei's voice echoed through the loud speakers.
"The faculty is under attack by villains! Everyone! Get inside! Bolt the doors!"
Tiger and Ragdoll were already moving when Shouto and Shinsou were still staring at the mutated forest. Tiger shook them out of the trance.
"Both of you. Back inside."
The command was strong and firm like a mountain. Few words could fit a big promise. Everything would be alright.
Then the black mist started forming around them.
"But dad! We're not sleepy yet." A voice came out of the mist.
Two figures stepped out of the portal. One of them was a tall, muscular man with long hair and thick lips. There was something feminine about him. The other man had the build of a bruiser and a mask shaped like a bird of prey.
Tiger stepped between Shouto and Shinsou and the intruders.
"Ragdoll?" Tiger said.
"They're not alone. I sense at least a dozen more." Ragdoll said.
Tiger turned his attention back to the villains.
"Who are you?"
"Magne. The mistress of magnetism and the new big sis of The League of Villains."
The man with a bird mask cracked his knuckles.
"Kendo Rappa. One of The Eight Bullets of Shi Hassaikai. Here against his will."
"Come on, Kendo. Don't be like that." Magne said.
"Piss off. Fuck Overhole and fuck him for making me fight kids." Rappa said.
"Well, I on the other hand am more than happy to be here. Big fan, Tiger." Magne said.
Behind his mask Rappa was smiling.
"Wouldn't want to make you fight your idol. The big cat is mine." Rappa said.
Shouto hadn't thought anyone could move so fast without a speed enhancing Quirk. Before Shouto had even time to think, Rappa had closed the distance between himself and Tiger. He swung his fist… and his punch went straight through Tiger.
"What the hell?" Rappa said.
Tiger's body had folded around Rappa's fist like rubber. When Rappa tried to hit him again with his free hand, he just trapped himself further. Tiger turned to look at them.
"Run!"
A terrible scream filled the night. A gigantic dark shadow of a demonic bird rose above the forest and blacked out the stars. For a moment such things like heroes and villains lost all meaning. Everyone just stared at the monster that had hatched in the forest. Shinsou was the first one to break the silence.
"Oh shit! It's Tokoyami! He's lost control!" Shinsou said and grabbed Shouto's arm: "Todoroki. You have to get me there or we're all fucked!"
"Leave this to us. Get back inside." Tiger said.
"There's no running from Dark Shadow! I'm the only one who can calm him down." Shinsou said.
There was fear but also terrible certainty in Shinsou's voice. It was enough to convince Tiger.
"Ragdoll. I'll handle these two. Keep them safe."
"You got it, boss." Ragdoll said and led them into the forest.
Tsu walked through the forest with Tokoyami and waited to see what surprises The Wild Wild Pussycats had come up for them. Tokoyami tried so hard to be the cool and smooth badass he desperately dreamed of becoming but he looked around a bit too frantically and flinched way too often when there was an unexpected sound.
"I fail to see the point of this activity. There is nothing more terrifying than us in these woods." Tokoyami said.
"It's meant to be fun." Tsu said.
"These are games meant for children."
"I'm sure The Pussycats put a lot of effort into it." Tsu said.
Someone was walking in the forest and Tokoyami almost jumped out of his feathers. Tsu tensed up and waited to see a bed-sheet ghost.
Toga stepped into the forest path.
"Okay. I'm here now. Who's ready to get this terrible party started?" Toga said and then stared at them: "The hell, Tsu? Ya could have come here with Izuku-Izuku and ya settle for Tokoyami?"
"Wha…" Tokoyami said.
"No offense, Tokoyami. Ya are a nice dude, but we all know the score." Toga said.
"I… what… you… is… is this part of the test of courage? Is… is this someone's Quirk?" Tsu said.
"Ya guys are having a test of courage and ya didn't invite me? What the hell guys?!" Toga said.
"Tsu, I am fairly certain that is the real Toga." Tokoyami said.
Tsu swallowed. She had to stay calm. She couldn't let her personal feelings get in the mix. She was a hero. They had to know why Toga was here and if she brought friends. She nodded to Tokoyami who started to circle Toga blocking any possible escape routes.
"What… happened to your arm?" Tsu said.
"My arm?" Toga said and looked down before screaming: "When the hell did that happen?!"
After a moment of shock Toga started laughing.
"Just fucking with ya. Left it home so we'd have a fair fight." Toga said.
"You may come to regret that." Tokoyami said.
"What are you doing here? To fight?" Tsu said.
"I'm here to see Izuku-Izuku. My Izuku-Izuku." Toga said and looked around: "Where the hell is he? I really need to talk to him. Like super bad."
Tokoyami's face hardened but not as much as Tsu's. Screw the intelligence gathering and screw Toga. She could tell them everything she knew when they'd apprehended her. She was a dangerous villain, so some excessive force was to be expected.
Tsu jumped at Toga and Tokoyami sicced Dark Shadow at her. Toga's grin looked like it had been carved with a knife. She pulled out a sword faster than Tsu thought possible and slashed. The swing was fast but clumsy. Whoever had taken Toga's arm had also robbed most of her skills. Still, she could have taken Tsu's head off if she'd wanted. Tsu backed off and hoped that Tokoyami's Quirk was enough to handle Toga.
The world started splashing around in Tsu's eyes and she couldn't find a firm foothold. It felt like she was drunk and Tokoyami had the same problem. He could barely stand and controlling Dark Shadow had become next to impossible.
"Thanks, Sakaki." Toga said.
"Happy to help." Said a man wearing a bird mask.
Sakaki was sitting next to a tree and sounded as drunk as Tsu felt.
"Are ya drunk?" Toga said.
"Hey. My daddy didn't need to be sober to beat up kids and neither do I." Sakaki said.
Toga turned back to face Tsu.
"See what I have to work with?"
"… you… hurt him." Tsu said while trying to get back to her feet.
For a moment something in Toga shifted. Changed. She looked… sad. And alone. It wasn't fair. Villains weren't supposed to… feel things like real people.
"How bad?" Toga said.
"What do you care?" Tsu said.
"Hey, Toga! If your boyfriend isn't here, kill these two and let's move on!" Sakaki said.
"Where's the fun in killing 'em? I wanna fight 'em again. I wanna see 'em come after me. Tell Mimic to do his thing." Toga said.
"If we do, everyone knows we're here." Sakaki said.
"If I know Magne, they already do. Do it. Tell him to find Izuku-Izuku fast. Before Muscular does. The dude's a douche." Toga said.
"Fine." Sakaki slurred and pulled out a radiophone: "Mimic. It's Sakaki. Do it. Find the kid."
Suddenly the forest started… changing like reality had fused with a dream. The forest… wasn't just a forest anymore. It was what every lost child thought a forest was. The trees looked like monsters ready to nab you. All paths ended in dead-ends. Every shadow hid a hungry beast looking for its next meal. Wandering in was easy. Finding a way out was impossible.
"Now this looks more like a haunted forest." Toga said.
Tsu gathered all her willpower and jumped at the man called Sakaki. Whatever his Quirk was, it made her feel drunk and cost a lot of accuracy, but she had been hopping around all her life. If a drunk man could walk up a flight of stairs she could hit one drunken villain. Tsu kicked him. Sakaki was sober enough to meet her kick with his own to block it.
Big mistake.
When people looked at her they only saw someone who could jump really high. It was easy to forget how strong her legs had to be for that. The impact shattered Sakaki's leg like a twig. The pain made him lose control of his Quirk and Tsu sobered up immediately. As did Tokoyami.
They turned to face Toga.
"Well, someone might say this ain't fair." Toga said over Sakaki's screaming.
"Life isn't." Tsu said.
"True dat." Toga admitted and disappeared behind trees.
"You cannot run, Toga." Tokoyami said.
Suddenly Toga appeared behind them. How could anyone be so fast and silent? She left a deep cut in Tokoyami's leg. The kind that hurt.
"Who's running?" Toga said and disappeared again.
Tsu looked around frantically. She felt like a blind child trapped in a cage with a serpent. Any second Toga could step out of the darkness and strike.
"Ya having fun, Tsu?" Toga said from the shadows.
"Don't call me that!" Tsu shouted.
"Why? Aren't we pals?"
Tokoyami left out a scream.
"Come on, Tokoyami. It ain't that deep. Man up… or bird up or whatever and deal with it." Toga said.
"Cannot… control it. My… Quirk…" Tokoyami gasped.
Dark Shadow exploded.
Tokoyami's Quirk was easily the most volatile one Tsu had ever seen and sometimes she could swear it had a will of its own. Darkness and strong emotions made it stronger but now it had managed to tear its shackles and become its own master. Dark Shadow took the form of a giant bird that stood over the trees… and looked at them.
Dark Shadow bared its talons and attacked.
It made no distinction between friend or foe. All it knew was that its master was in danger and he had to be protected. As long as there were people standing, it would not rest nor stop.
The drunken villain was swallowed first by Dark Shadow and then it began eyeing Toga.
"Hey, Tsu?! Ya wanna have an unlikely team-up?" Toga said.
"Go to hell!" Tsu shouted.
"Eventually. Until then can ya distract Tokoyami while I run away?"
Some people just couldn't keep their traps shut. Toga's constant chattering revealed exactly where she was and Tsu jumped at her. Toga wasn't easy to surprise and she got ready to greet Tsu with her sword.
Tsu spat at her.
Her Quirk didn't just make her look and jump like a frog. Collecting toxins in her stomach and then spitting them out was the perfect trump card in a fight. She hit Toga square in the face. The toxins weren't powerful enough to blind her, but she'd spend the next few days wishing she's never crossed Tsu
Tsu caught Toga in her tongue while Toga was trying to wipe the toxic spit out of her eyes with her remaining hand. Tsu threw Toga right into Dark Shadow's path.
"Don't worry. You'll live. Maybe." Tsu said before Dark Shadow swallowed Toga.
After a celebratory smirk Tsu dodged Dark Shadow's following attacks and tried to get closer to Tokoyami.
"Tokoyami! Can you hear me?!"
For a moment the darkness parted and Tsu caught a glimpse of Tokoyami trapped inside Dark Shadow.
"Tsu! Run!"
That was all he could say before Dark Shadow swallowed him again. Had Tokoyami been carrying such a terrible burden all this time? All her friends shouldered so much pain and she couldn't do anything to help them. She kept trying to reach Tokoyami while staying out of reach of Dark Shadow's claws, but every attack was faster than the last and came closer. Tears started streaming down her face when she realized she'd have to leave Tokoyami behind.
"I'm sorry, Tokoyami! I'm sorry!"
She turned to flee. She had to get Aizawa-sensei. He could subdue Dark Shadow with his own Quirk. But there was nowhere left to run. The forest had twisted itself into a cage and trapped her in with Dark Shadow.
"Tsu!" Todoroki shouted.
Walls of ice cut down trees and cased Dark Shadow but even that could only slow it down. Todoroki ran towards her with Ragdoll. Shinsou dragged behind them but was able to keep up.
"You okay?" Todoroki said.
"We have to help Tokoyami!"
Ragdoll looked at Dark Shadow that was struggling against the ice. Cracks had already started to appear, and the struggle just made Dark Shadow stronger.
"Not sure how we're supposed to do that. If we get Eraserhead…"
Shinsou finally caught up to them and fell on his knees trying to catch his breath.
"God, I'm out of shape." Shinsou said while huffing for air.
"You said you had a plan." Todoroki said.
"Yeah. Nice one keeping him in one place, Tsu. When I do this, don't talk to me. Can't risk losing control, lover boy. Release Dark Shadow." Shinsou said.
Even Todoroki's scar turned pale.
"You're insane."
"I think that's the crazy kid's shtick." Shinsou said.
"You must be crazy if you think I'm letting you…" Ragdoll said
"Should have thought about that before you brought me here. Not much of a choice now. Try to find the guy who messed up the forest." Shinsou said.
"Shinsou." Tsu said.
"Yes?"
"If you die, I'll never forgive you."
"Sounds fair." Shinsou said.
Before Todoroki had time to release Dark Shadow from its ice prison, it broke out on its own. Shinsou walked to meet it and Dark Shadow trapped him with its claws. Dark Shadow opened its maw and prepared to eat.
"Do that and I'll haunt you forever, chicken little! You hear me?! Forever! Even when you're taking a dump. You can't believe how awkward I'll make things for you!" Shinsou yelled.
Shinsou tried to sound nonchalant and humorous but his voice was colored by fear and pain. Dark Shadow had already drawn blood.
"… Shinsou… you fool." Tokoyami said from inside Dark Shadow.
Shinsou grinned.
"And that's all I need to hear. Dark Shadow. Put me down."
After some hesitation Dark Shadow stopped. The Quirk seemed to be at war with itself every moment, but eventually Dark Shadow followed orders that had Shinsou's Quirk behind them. Sweat poured down Shinsou's face and his hands were trembling.
"You're a… tough customer." Shinsou managed to say.
Dark Shadow peeled back enough to reveal Tokoyami. His features were usually hard to read but now his fear was plain to see.
"Shinsou… are you… okay?" Tokoyami said.
"Never better." Shinsou said while his nose started bleeding: "This should get me… at least a few groupies."
A blood vessel burst in Shinsou's eye and dyed it red. His skin had gained a blue tint.
"He won't hold on forever. Did you find him?" Todoroki said.
"Yes." Ragdoll answered.
"Hear that, chicken little? Want to go say hi… to that performance artist?" Shinsou said.
Dark Shadow took flight and soared through the sky when Ragdoll pointed them to the right direction. Shinsou was too weak to move and Tsu had to carry him to Dark Shadow's back. And he kept growing weaker fast. Red had colored both of his eyes by now and blood was gushing out of his nose.
"There!" Ragdoll shouted and pointed down in the forest.
There was no time for finesse and Dark Shadow crashed down on earth talons first and devoured the villain controlling the forest. Todoroki jumped out the moment they hit the ground and surveyed the surroundings to make sure the villain didn't have back-up. How necessary that was, Tsu couldn't say. The mere sight of Dark Shadow should have driven any villain away.
"… nice one. Go… back now." Shinsou said and Dark Shadow returned inside of Tokoyami.
The swallowed villains fell out and Todoroki trapped them in ice. Sakaki and the villain… had his name been Mimic? Two villains were there, but Dark Shadow had swallowed three. Where the hell was Toga?!
Dark Shadow ate a lot of energy and Tokoyami blacked out the moment he was back in charge. Shinsou wasn't so lucky. The moment he let go, Shinsou started convulsing and his eyes turned around in their sockets. Red foam started forming on his lips. Tsu, Todoroki and Ragdoll acted fast and pinned him down before he tore anything in his violent trashing.
"We… we need to find Izuku. They're here for him." Tsu said while holding Shinsou.
"Where is he?" Todoroki said.
Pain. So much pain. Izuku couldn't even move without feeling like his limbs were being torn off. How could anyone be so strong? Muscular didn't even try to beat him. He was just having fun. The worst part was that Izuku knew he hadn't even gotten serious yet. The real target of the beating was Kouta who was reliving the death of his parents every time Izuku let out a scream.
One for All wasn't enough. Muscular could just grow his own muscle mass to match Izuku's strength and then surpass it. Every hit reminded him how weak he was.
"What's wrong, All Might Junior? Do heroes give up so easily? Don't you want to make daddy proud?" Muscular said.
Muscular laughed. Izuku was a child again and Bakugou had cornered him after school. Preparing to beat the shit out of him. Muscular even looked like Bakugou with his blonde hair, fake eye and brutal smile. Deku! Deku! Deku! He couldn't win. He couldn't do anything. He…
Kouta was crying.
A child was crying… and he was the only one here.
No! Not Deku! Not Izuku Midoriya! Agro!
A monster was torturing a child. He had wanted to become a hero, so someone would be there when a child called for help. The way no one had been there for him. All Might had kept fighting even when a demon had punched a hole in his gut. This was nothing. Nothing!
If Muscular was facing Deku he would have already won. Izuku Midoriya would have done a bit better. When Deku would have fallen down and cried, Izuku Midoriya would have gotten back up and kept on fighting until he could no longer move. He'd fight to the bitter end and then some. Too bad for Muscular he wasn't dealing with Deku or Izuku Midoriya.
"Maybe I should fight your daddy next." Muscular said.
Agro forced himself back on his feet. Muscular even laughed like Bakugou. Now he was pissed.
"No. You won't." Agro said.
"Oh? Why's that?"
"Because you're a bully and a coward. You only pick fights you know you can win." Agro said.
Muscular laughed more.
"You're killing me, kid. Fine. Bring it on. Give me your best shot." Muscular said.
"How kind of you." Agro said and picked up a rock: "And even if you weren't a coward, you wouldn't face All Might."
"Does the tough guy act fool anyone?" Muscular said.
"You'd be surprised. Last chance to surrender. After that I get really nasty." Agro said.
"Sounds good, but… what if I just kill the both of you, All Might Junior? Fuck the orders." Muscular said.
"Agro."
"What?" Muscular said.
"My name is Agro."
Agro squeezed the stone until it cracked into shards. He gave Kouta a smile.
"Just a little longer. It will be over soon."
Agro threw the shards.
He'd read somewhere that flaying was the most painful thing you could do to a person. The pain was so bad the shock alone could kill you. Judging from the way Muscular screamed when the shards tore his skin and muscles, there was a grain of truth to it. The pain kicked Muscular's entire nervous system out of joint and all he could do was scream and curse.
"You fucker! You motherfucking bastard! I'll kill you! I'll kill your entire fucking family!"
Agro slapped him.
After flaying, whipping was a close second in the list of terrible things people could do to each other. One for All turned Agro's hands into steel whips and a simple slap drew blood. Muscular screamed again. Louder.
The thought of more pain was finally enough to force Muscular into action and he threw a punch. He grew more muscles and tried to desperately to catch Agro, but fear was no longer on Muscular's side. He was so slow next to Kouichi and Gran Torino. The extra muscle just made him a bigger target. Agro had all the time to dodge and counter-attack. A slap in the face tore Muscular's cheek open and he lost all concentration. The deformed muscles melted away.
"No! No! Please! Mercy! I'm sorry! Stop!" Muscular begged.
"Mercy? Stop? Would you have stopped? Would you have given mercy? How merciful were you to Water Horse?" Agro said.
Muscular was no man. Just a mad animal and you put mad animals down before they bit anyone else. If his hands could be whips, they could be used as sickles as well. One solid chop in the neck and Muscular's head would…
No!
He was Izuku Midoriya! Not One for All. He wouldn't become like him. He was a hero. He'd stay a hero.
"… stay down." Izuku said.
Muscular started crying.
Izuku turned to Kouta. He looked… so scared. Scared of him. Izuku was covered in blood that wasn't his. He still had a long way to go.
"… I'm sorry you had to see that. It's… over."
Slow clapping filled the night. A man dressed like a stage magician was standing above them on a cliff. The white mask glowed in the moonlight.
"Bravo, Agro. Bravo. I see how you managed to woo a girl like Toga. It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Agro. I'm Compress. Mr. Compress."
Izuku pushed Kouta behind his back. Muscular looked at Mr. Compress with a mixture of relief… and rage. The beast didn't like it when others saw him humiliated.
"… did you come to help your friend?" Izuku said.
"Believe me, Agro. Muscular and I aren't friends. I have no love for serial killers." Mr. Compress said.
"… doesn't stop you from working for All for One." Izuku said.
"Are you sure I'm working for him?" Mr. Compress said and then pointed his walking cane at Kouta: "Run along, child. You don't need to see the bad things we grown-ups get up to."
"… Kouta. Go." Izuku said.
"… I…" Kouta said.
Izuku smiled.
"… it will be alright. Go."
Kouta ran.
Suddenly strong arms grabbed Izuku and started squeezing him.
"You're dead." Muscular growled.
Muscular's head disappeared. His grip on Izuku loosened and he fell into the ground and then over the edge of the mountain path. Izuku stared into he darkness that had swallowed Muscular.
"… you… you killed him?" Izuku said.
"You must be mistaken. When I meet All for One I'll tell him you killed him."
Izuku took a boxing stance. What the hell was this monster's Quirk? Whatever it was, he could kill Izuku any moment he wanted. He was so tired, and the adrenaline wouldn't keep the pain in check for long.
"You're a brave man, Agro. I respect that, but… are you sure you want to be a hero? All your life you have been force fed ideals and you're even the son of All Might. Such pressure to be a hero." Mr. Compress said.
"… I'm here… because I want to be."
"Such resolve. Try to relax. It will be over soon." Mr. Compress said.
Izuku shrank… folded into a ball. There was no pain. Only darkness and then nothing.
