Chapter 7: Fallout

Izuku stretched as he woke the following morning. He reached for his phone and smiled when he saw a text from Ochako wishing him good morning and asking him to be safe. He gave a little laugh before telling her to be safe too.

He quickly got up and dressed and headed to the paper. As always it was wild activity in the bull pin. Kohei snapped his finger at Izuku as he walked in and pointed to the office. "You snapped, chief?" Izuku asked as he walked into the meeting.

"A few special assignments for this weekend's holiday edition," Kohei stated, "Double sized anniversary edition."

"I don't have all I need for the Uraraka set up story yet, sir," Izuku said.

"Good, I don't want to be shut down for hearsay," Kohei snapped, "Midoriya, I want you and Arima to do an interview with Earphone Jack and Chargebolt. You two can team up your music composition and hero analysis to get all the info out of their lives as musicians and heroes as well as an early review of Earphone Jack's Christmas album." He then pointed to Izuku, "But keep your ears open, Midoriya. If something comes up on that insanity with the heroes yesterday, I want you on it like white on rice. Understood?"

"On it!" they both said and moved to leave the bullpen. "Nice to finally work with you," she said to Izuku, "Kaori Arima, I'm driving."

Izuku shrugged and followed her to garage to get into her car. The two discussed what they knew about the couple as they made the drive to Chargebolt and Earphone Jack's home.

The two reporters walked up to the front door and Izuku rang the doorbell.

"Welcome, you must be the reporters?" a woman answered wearing a ventage rock sweatshirt and yoga pants.

"Hello, Mrs. Kaminari," Kaori smiled.

"Come in, come in, and please call me Jiro, everyone else still does," Earphone Jack smiled, and stepped to the side to let them in, "My husband is baking cookies for us."

Jiro led them into her living room, and they took seats. "I'm Kaori Arima and this is Izuku Midoriya."

"Ahh, You're the legendary pianist Kosei Arima's daughter," Jiro smiled, then turned to Izuku, "And you, you're Ochako's boyfriend."

"I see you've kept in touch with your classmates, at least one," Izuku nodded.

"We went through a lot, not hard to bond," Jiro nodded, as a blonde headed man walked in carrying a tray of cookies.

"Hope you all came hungry!" he said, bringing the tray and placing it on the coffee table between them.

"Denki's cookies are to die for," Jiro said, taking one for herself.

"We're here to talk about your rise to stardom, how it effects your lives as heroes, and your new Christmas album," Kaori smiled, taking a cookie too.

"The album is something I've always wanted to do," Jiro said, before glancing to Izuku, "By the way, Ochako loves anything pink, but she goes nuts over martial arts weapons and purses."

"Thank you… um…" Izuku scratched the back of his head, "So… what's it like to blend music and heroics?"

"Wasn't as hard as you think… or as I thought at one time, I had a passion for music and for helping people," Jiro took Denki's hand, "Someone helped me see I didn't have to decide. I could have both."

"Which led to your first-year performance," Izuku nodded, "Hero Too."

"You know about that performance?" Jiro blinked in surprise.

"I've always been a hero fanboy, and always wanted to come to UA. On top of that Bakugou and I were… kind of friends at the time. I think he wanted to show off, so he invited me to come for the performance," Izuku explained, "I still remember how incredible it was."

"Thank you! I'm pleased you enjoyed it!" Jiro smiled.

The two reporters continued to talk to the couple about their work as heroes as well as her work as a musician.

"Oh, that don't look good…" Denki said, and reached for the remote to unmute the TV.

The others glanced and saw a news report breaking in of Endeavor being arrested.

"In the wake of the unusual event that happened yesterday, the heroes involved in the attack have been more heavily scrutinized. With testimony of his children, Enji Todoroki, now formerly Pro Hero known as Endeavor, has been arrested on multiple charges of domestic violence, child abuse, spouse abuse, as well as bribery and workplace violence." The voice on the report said, as they saw Endeavor being placed in the back of a police car. "Also, Keigo Takami, the pro hero Hawk, has been taken in for questioning with connections to various criminal underworld organizations. And Yu Takeyama better known as Mount Lady has been brought in for questioning as well, after various photos and video of her in sexual activity involving other pro heroes and even villains were found. Tenko Shimura is expected to make a public announcement within the hour at Shimura Tower…"

"The Chief will want you to cover that," Kaori said, glancing to Izuku.

"Right! I better go," He stood up, and quickly blurted out that he'd call a cab.

Just a block away from the Shimura building, Izuku rushed out of an alley, putting his glasses on.

He quickly moved into the crowd of reporters to listen as Tenko Shimura stepped up to the podium. "Thank you all for coming on such short notice," Tenko gave his winning smile to the group. "As you all know, several Pro Heroes have been determined to be compromised, morally or otherwise, some, as Endeavor's case, I'm sorry, Enji Todoroki's case, have gone back for many, many years, right under the Commission's noses."

"This has been a shocking and heartbreaking turn of events for all of us," Tenko sighed, "And with a heavy heart, and teary eyes, I must announce that in agreement with the Japanese Government, I am effective immediately disbanding the Commission of Professional Superheroes. All Professional Agencies and Educational Institutions such as UA High, Shiketsu High, Ketsubutsu Academy, Seiai Academy, and all others will fall under the control of the Shimura Company. This won't be a permanent change," Tenko said holding up his hand, "But until we find a new Commission membership with new rules in place for accountability, I will personally see that our Pro Heroes will be at their peak focus and ability."

"There will be no more questions at this time, I will have another press conference when more information becomes available," Tenko stepped away from the podium, "thank you."

He stepped away from the stage toward Eri and pulled a cigar from the bag she was holding for him. He lit it and smiled, "I love it when a plan comes together."

"This was part of your plan?" Eri asked.

"Sped up the timetable, but we've taken control of the heroes as well as the villains, my dear," Tenko smiled at girl he had saved years ago. "And very soon, all of society." He noticed her frown, "Don't frown, my dear. In my society, men like Overhaul won't exist."

"Nothing can stop me now," He stepped past her, "Not even Superman."

"This is bad as it looks, isn't it," Izuku heard Ochako on the other end of his cell phone.

"I don't trust him, I don't know what his endgame is but I can tell he's moving toward it," Izuku replied as he moved toward his mom's apartment building.

"He's called for the agency to meet tomorrow," Ochako said softly, "I'm nervous, Deku…"

"Just answer and get away from him as quick as you can," Izuku said, "remember, you're a hero."

"I'm a hero. Right. All Hero. Fearless and all that," Ochako's voice quaked, "if I keep saying it between now and then maybe I'll believe it."

"Well, I do believe it," Izuku smiled as he approached his mom's apartment and put his key in and opened the door.

"Thanks, Deku. It means a lot," Ochako's smile could be felt in her words, "Talk to you later."

"Bye," Izuku hung up, and spotted All Might sitting in the living room, sipping on tea.

"Toshi?" Izuku asked.

"Just got in town and heard what happened," the weakened form of All Might said, "Your mom went for groceries. Should be home soon." He sighed and glanced up at the young man. "I … I wanted to talk to you about something."

Izuku sat down across from All Might. "You know about my power, One for All," Toshinori said.

"And I told you, I'm not going to take it from you," Izuku said, "I don't even know if I CAN. And if I do, it would be too much power for one person."

"As if you aren't used by now to using great power wisely," Toshinori laughed, "But for once, Young Midoriya, that is not what I wish to discuss."

"Then what is it?" Izuku asked.

"Someone took control of Endeavor," Toshinori sighed, "Hawks and Mount Lady aren't known for their strong mental prowess, and with the strain Eraserhead's career has placed on him, not unusual to consider there either. But Endeavor is the number 2 … was the number 2 hero for a reason. He is focused and he as a strong mind. The fact someone could control him… troubles me."

"I need you to promise me, Izuku…" Toshinori locked eyes with the younger man. "Promise me."

"What is it?" Izuku swallowed hard.

"If what happened to Endeavor happens to me, promise me you will stop me," Toshinori ordered.

"Toshi…" Izuku breathed.

"Promise me, Izuku," Toshinori pleaded, "One for All cannot be used to hurt people… and if I am taken control of… I fear you may be the only one who can stop me. So, promise me. You won't hold back if you must come against me."

"I promise, Toshi," Izuku smiled, "But I know it won't come to that."

"I hope it doesn't, but I wanted to be sure… if it did…" Toshinori nodded.

The next morning, Izuku walked to his desk at the Bullpen and to his surprised there was an envelope. He narrowed his eyes at it on his desk, then slid his glasses down on his nose so he could look over the rim. His X-ray vision looked past the paper to see a small recording device.

"Hmm," He opened the enveloped and went to the closet to see what was on the device.

He couldn't believe what he heard.

To Be Continued…

could have taken it longer, but had to leave it there. perfect cliffie. until next time!