League of Villains hideout, earlier:
Tomura was sitting on a pile of crates, fiddling with his fingers. The rest of the League was simply standing around, listening to the radio they had managed to salvage from a dumpster.
"- for now we're letting him out of the facility he was in and putting him under hero supervision at all times and mandatory psychiatric evaluations. For now, Izuku Midoriya is being taken to a location where he can be rehabilitated in peace." Spinner turned off the radio and laid down on the concrete floor.
"So, Deku's not coming back, huh?" Toga pouted, playing with the ends of her sweater.
"You could've told us what he was, a little experiment. Maybe then we could've stopped All Might from capturing All for One." Dabi shot short bursts of fire into the air as he griped at Tomura.
"Now what'll we do? All for One's gone and Kurogiri is off who knows where doing a personal errand! So, Tomura, what's our plan?" Magne looked at Tomura, who simply stood still for a moment before speaking.
"... We find a way to strike a blow to the heroes. We find a way to crush the public's hope in them." He pulled the hand off of his face, and held it up.
"You are my hand, the one who will guide the League to glory." His master's words echoed in his mind, and he gripped the hand tight. His master had laid out a path for Tomura to follow, one in All for One's footsteps. He would be trapped in his master's shadow, unless he forged a new path for himself. He gripped tighter and tighter until he shattered it into pieces. He looked at the rest of the League, who all took in Tomura's horrifying smiling face.
"Master isn't here anymore. So now I'll be the one to be the Symbol of Evil. Now matter what it takes, how long we have to wait, who we have to destroy... We'll bring down the age of heroes. And as for Izuku... we'll kill him when we get the first chance."
New Midoriya Residence, hours later:
"This place is amazing, Izuku!" Inko walked around their new safe-house, taking in all the features of the place. It was certainly spacious, with a nice yard, three bedrooms, two baths, an office space, and the entire basement was a training area. The movers had all unloaded their items from the truck about a half hour ago, and Izuku helped his mother and Gran Torino unpack everything.
"Remember kid, tomorrow we begin your training. In two days, you'll meet with Dr Suoh for your first session. Mirio will drop by when he can, but don't expect that to be too often. Your probationary period will be three months, two depending Suoh's eval of you. Understand?"
"Yes, sir." Izuku huffed out as he lifted a few boxes to place into his room. He spent the next few hours unpacking all his personal things. Clothes that had been provided by the pros, books found by his mother at a small store, dumbbells given to him by Gran Torino. The only items he wanted to keep from his old room were a few posters of All Might and a few things he had been given when he was a kid. As he finished, he looked around the room. It was new and alien to him, but in time it would be his own. He rubbed his neck where the surveillance collar was. It looked like a simple black choker, but it was lined with electronics that kept monitoring his vitals, position, and whether or not he was using his quirk.
He looked out his bedroom window, and off in the distance he could see U.A. High School. The heroes had chosen this place due to its proximity to the school, and thus several more pros to call in for backup should the need arise. Izuku simply stared, and imagined what he would say to everyone there who he had hurt during his time with the League. He walked down to the kitchen and helped his mother prepare dinner for the three of them. Outside, Kaumi Woods watched from a rooftop and spoke into a walkie talkie.
"Kaumi Woods reporting in. All quiet at the Midoriya's place. Standing by for instructions."
"Acknowledged, Kaumi. We're sending someone to relieve you momentarily. Stand by until then." The Hero Association's contact clarified, and Kaumi simply stood on the rooftop waiting for the next pro to take his spot.
Dr Suoh's Office, U.A. High School, the next day:
Bakugo walked in and slumped down on the couch. Dr Suoh adjusted her glasses and looked at him.
"So, what did you want to discuss today?"
"... Do you know where he is?" Bakugo stared at the ground, and Dr Suoh simply stood still. "I found out he was released, and I went to go talk to auntie Inko, but... she was already gone. I just... I wanted to..." Bakugo knit his fingers together and sat in silence.
"You want to make amends, I know. But for the moment, Izuku needs to try and recover from everything. When he's ready, he'll come find you."
"I need him to know that I'm sorry. For everything." The two of them simply sat and talked until Bakugo got a text.
"Study group at dorms. You in?" - Kirishima. Bakugo smirked and send a reply before getting up. Dr Suoh closed her notebook and saw him leave with a smile on his face.
Midoriya Residence, the following day:
Izuku was currently training against several practice dummies. Gran Torino watched as Izuku made his way through each of his inanimate opponents, finally getting all of them down. Gran Torino clicked his stopwatch and looked at the time.
"Two minutes and fifteen seconds. You're using One for All more effectively than Mirio did that this stage."
"I had a bit of time to tail him during my time with the League. One for All is a state of raw power, and if concentrated into one spot, can be overwhelmingly harmful. That's why he broke his arm when he first used it." Izuku stretched his limbs and grabbed a water bottle, drinking it down. "The distribution issue came to me during my surveillance of him. That's how I came up with the Full Cowling concept. Of course, doesn't mean I'm perfect with it yet."
"I agree. Your style is still stuck in your old methods. You keep attacking like you still have that fire quirk instead of One for All. You need to think outside what you trained for, or your battle reflexes are gonna get you in serious trouble one of these days." Gran Torino reset the stopwatch and walked to the basement stairs. "Anyway, Dr Suoh will be here soon. Get cleaned up and head to the office when you're ready. We'll continue training tomorrow, and your school work after Suoh leaves."
"Alright." Izuku grabbed a towel and wiped off the sweat from his face. He went upstairs to rinse himself off and change into simple clothes for the rest of the day. He walked into the office area which doubled as Gran Torino's classroom for him. He waited for a few minutes before Dr Suoh walked in.
"Afternoon, Izuku. How are you feeling today?"
"Good, bit worn out." Izuku rubbed his shoulder, which was still sore from Gran Torino slamming into him earlier in their sparring session.
"Well, let's get started, shall we?" She placed her hands on Izuku's temples and activated her quirk. She looked into his most recent memories, seeing his training and lessons as well as time with his mother. One memory in particular stood out, a nightmare he'd had the night before.
The ground was littered with rubble and dust was floating everywhere. Several people were laying on the ground, blood spilling out. Some were pro heroes, some were villains, some were students from U.A. On top of a pile of debris, Izuku was on his knees in front of All for One. Deku stood by the villain's side with his knife dripping red.
"This is what you are. Now and forever." All for One spoke to Izuku before Deku slashed at him, and the nightmare ended. Dr Suoh stopped using her quirk, and Izuku simply sat in silence for a moment.
"After it ended, I woke up, and I didn't know where I was. It was like I had been taken somewhere... He's always in my dreams, the other me. He's either the whole dream or just off in the background, waiting for me. I know he's gone, that he was taken with Dark Mind... but he's still there."
"Dark Mind formed Deku out of your worst thoughts and emotions. He may not be a split persona anymore, but he's there in those thoughts. But those thoughts aren't what define you. You are what you choose to be, Izuku. And you're making good progress."
"But... what if I become him again? What if..." Izuku's words simply stopped and he sat back in silence.
"Izuku, if you didn't think THAT, if your first thought of becoming Deku again wasn't "please don't let that happen", THAT would be a problem. Your dark thoughts only have control over you if you let them." Dr Suoh put down her notepad and reached into her bag, pulling out a notebook and handed it to Izuku. "This is for you, it's a journal. Everyday, I want you write in it. About your training, your thoughts, your goals, something as long as you write every day. It'll help you get perspective on all this." Izuku took the journal and he looked her in the eye.
"Do you think I'm worthy of all this? Being trained to be a hero, a second chance?"
"Yes, I genuinely think you are. Given what I've seen, not only of your thoughts and memories, but your actions... I think you deserve a second chance. And your skills and knowledge will help make you an excellent hero. Just remember why you strive to become a hero, why you want to follow this path. Do that, and you'll be fine." Dr Suoh gave him a soft hug, and the two continued talking for a half hour before Gran Torino came in carrying a large binder.
"Alright Suoh, time's up. You should be heading back to the school before too long." The doctor got up and shook Izuku's hand and walked out, allowing Gran Torino to hop onto the chair. "Alright, time for your school work." The old pro and the young man went through the lessons U.A. had prepared for him to get him caught up with students at his grade level. After three and a half hours, Inko called them both to the kitchen for dinner.
League of Villains Hideout, a few days later:
A warp gate opened up in the warehouse and Kurogiri stepped through. Tomura walked up to him.
"Well, did you find what you were looking for?" The young man asked, and Kurogiri looked a bit unnerved at Tomura's new appearance. Without his hand, Tomura's cracked and pale face were utterly horrifying.
"The power master spoke of eluded my search, unfortunately. I was forced to return when several pros almost found me. However, I did manage to recover something from the rubble in Kamino Ward cleanup." Kurogiri reached into his pocket and pulled out a knife. It was a black blade with a gray and red handle with an etching of a blood drop on the base of the blade. It was Deku's knife, the one he had lost when he was overtaken by Izuku. Tomura held the blade with three fingers and turned it over and over. He grinned and walked over to Toga, handing her the blade. Her eyes went wide with excitement.
"I get to keep it?!" She squealed with delight and Tomura held the tip out near her face.
"Only if you use it on Izuku when you get the chance." He smiled widely and Toga took the blade gleefully, running it's smooth side over her cheek. Kurogiri stepped forward and put his hand on Tomura's shoulder.
"Tomura, there is the possibility of us using All for One's backup facility until our numbers increase-"
"No. We need to recruit more people, and I won't risk losing another safe house until we've got a loyal army at our backs. Besides, I think the good doctor could use some privacy to work on more Nomu for us." Tomura sat down on the worn out couch they had found, and Kurogiri nodded his head. Tomura was starting to think for himself, and now he was almost ready to become what his master was.
U.A. High School Conference Room, a few weeks later:
Nezu sat down at the head of the table and sipped his tea slowly. The other teachers, Gran Torino and Dr Suoh all looked over their notes before the principal spoke up.
"So, how are the students doing with their new living situation?"
"They've all adjusted very well, I'd say. Not only are they more social with each other now, but their grades are improving due to the study groups they're having." Eraser Head spoke up, looking over his notes.
"There's been some minor disputes about chores, but that's not a real concern." Vlad King pointed out, and All Might looked at his notes.
"Given their performances in their final exams as well as their current training, I'd say they're all ready for the provisional license exam. They've certainly proven themselves capable against opponents." All Might smiled at the rest of the room and Nezu turned towards Gran Torino.
"And what of our other student?" The principal sipped his tea, and the old pro sat up straight.
"He's progressing quite well, both in training and in his schooling. His skills are impressive for someone his age, but given how he was trained by All for One, I'm not surprised about his fighting techniques. He's adapting to his lesser version of One for All at a good pace for someone his size, and his lessons are progressing quite well." He handed his notes to Midnight, and Dr Suoh spoke up.
"He's also doing better with his rehabilitation. He's constantly doing his best to make sure that he doesn't become Deku again. He's horrified at the idea of going back to that state of mind. He has an incredible determination to prove himself, to all of us and to himself. I do sometimes worry he's trying too hard, but from everything I've seen he's doing well. Spending time with his mother is certainly helping, having that connection remade has helped him gain a sense of purpose." She looked across the room, and saw everyone was in agreement. Midnight handed the folder back to Gran Torino.
"Well, given his scores on the assignments we've given him, he'd rank somewhere in the top ten I believe. He's certainly smart, I'll give him that." Nezu turned to Dr Suoh.
"So, what's your verdict on him?" Both Gran Torino and Dr Suoh shared a glance before turning to the others.
"The boy's proven himself capable, I'll give him that." Torino replied, and Dr Suoh addressed the room.
"Izuku's progress is amazing, especially for someone of his age. In my opinion, I think he might be ready to be given a bit more freedom."
"Very well then. All those in favor of ending Midoriya's probationary period a month early?" Everyone raised their hand, and Nezu sipped more of his tea.
"It seems we are agreed. The monitoring device will be removed in two weeks, and Izuku will be given more leeway with his movements. Also, we should consider the possibility of him joining the rest of the school at some point."
"I'm not sure that's a great idea at this point. I'm all for letting him become more of an official hero in training, but let's wait a bit before merging him into the rest of the students." Midnight spoke up, and Dr Suoh raised her hand.
"While I do believe that Izuku is making good progress, I don't think he's ready to be merged into U.A. quite yet. There're still a number of people here he's hurt during his time as a villain. Perhaps a one-on-one approach with the other students would help. Maybe he could join after the winter break, if he's able to keep up with his current pace in his training and studies." At this, everyone muttered in agreement.
"Very well. For now, Izuku Midoriya will continue his current regimen and when you feel it is appropriate Dr Suoh, we will have him officially join the rest of the school." Everyone nodded in agreement, and they all went their separate ways. Nezu walked up to Gran Torino.
"Do you think he'll be ready to face the League when the time comes?"
"I do. That boy is determined to right his wrongs. If that means taking down the League, he won't hesitate to do just that. Anyway, I've got to get going. I'm having him training in the park next to the house. Figured some fresh air and change of scenery would be a way to shift up his mood."
"Very well. Best of luck to you, Torino." Nezu waved goodbye to him and walked to his office. All Might came up to his old mentor.
"Do you think that he'll be able to handle coming here eventually?"
"Possibly. I just teach and train the boy, Dr Suoh is more qualified to talk about his mind. If she thinks he's not ready, that's that."
"Perhaps I could visit him some time, give him a bit of a pep talk." All Might smiled, making Gran Torino smirk slightly.
"That could work. Anyway, I need to get going or I'll be late. Se you around, Toshinori." All Might waved goodbye as his old mentor walked off.
Nature Park near U.A. High, an hour and a half later:
"Keep it up, kid. You need to be more in tune with your power if you're going to master it." Gran Torino kept bouncing around from tree to tree and Izuku kept dodging and trying to counter attack. Eventually, he saw his opening and took it. As Torino came rushing at him, Izuku sidestepped and delivered a blow to the pro's shoulder, sending him flying into a tree. As Gran Torino landed against the trunk of the tree, he let out a strangled groan. Izuku walked over to him and helped him up.
"You alright? Sorry, I should've been a bit easier."
"I'll be fine. I've handled worse than a sturdy tree in my time. In any case, you're improving with your creativity in battle. We'll pick this up tomorrow. For now, give me a lap around. Make it quick, I believe your mom said she was cooking Katsudon tonight." Gran Torino sat down on the grass and Izuku ran off on the trail. He had been running for about ten minutes before he finally stopped to take a breather. He grabbed his water bottle and downed a good gulp before leaning against a tree. He caught his breath and got back on the trail.
"Izuku?" he froze in place and then slowly turned around to see Bakugo standing ten feet behind him. His mind went blank, and he struggled to think of something to say.
"H-hey, Kacchan." He stood still, frozen in panic at the current situation. He could hear his heartbeat in his head, and his throat was going dry. He fumbled with the monitoring collar and was about to say something when he heard-
"Kid! There you are. What's with the lollygagging? You need to- Oh." Gran Torino saw Bakugo across from Izuku and walked up to the green haired boy. "Go back home, kid. We need to go over your lessons soon anyway."
"...Yes sir." Izuku muttered out as he turned around and began to walk back.
"I'm sorry!" Izuku paused, and turned around to see Bakugo tensed up. "For what I did to you."
"... I am too." Izuku watched as Bakugo relaxed and nodded to him, walking off in the opposite direction. Izuku turned to Gran Torino. "I'll head home and get started on my assignments for tonight."
"Alright, just don't get lost on the way there." Gran Torino watched from behind as Izuku walked ahead of him. He pulled out his cell phone and dialed a number, hoping she would pick up.
"Hello?"
"Suoh, he met Bakugo tonight. I think you might need to talk to the two of them."
"... I'll arrange a meeting for both of them tomorrow. It's probably time those two finally understood each other. Have Izuku come to my office at the school, tomorrow at 3 pm." She hung up, and Torino continued to the Midoriya's with concern for how tomorrow would go.
Dr Suoh's office, U.A. High School, the next day:
Bakugo was already waiting when the door opened. Izuku saw him sitting on the couch and went and sat on the opposite side. The two sat in silence as Eraser Head watched them both from the doorway. Bakugo finally spoke up.
"So, how's your mom?"
"... She's uh, she's doing good. Has more time with me, so she's happy about that."
"That's good."
"Thank you, by the way. She told me you would visit her sometimes with your family, so... thanks."
"... Sure thing." The silence came back, and finally Dr Suoh arrived at the door. She waved off Eraser Head, and the pro pulled her aside. The two boys could hear some muttering, but couldn't make out any actual words. There was a THWACK noise, followed by more words, and the pro hero walked off with a red mark on his cheek. Dr Suoh smiled and walked in.
"Alright. I'll be honest, I'm a bit terrified at how this is gonna go. But, it might be beneficial for both of you to understand the other completely." She held her hands up to their foreheads and activated her quirk. The trio were surrounded by gray mist with the glowing windows of their memories. Dr Suoh walked towards the two of them.
"So, I'm going to be doing something a bit different this time. I'm going to have you two explore each other's memories instead of simply viewing them. This will not only let you see what happened, but all the emotions you two felt in your past will also be felt by you two. You will both know each other completely." She motioned to two now forming swirling pillars of smoke, one green and one orange. Izuku walked to the orange pillar and Bakugo walked towards the green one.
"Remember, you're going to see and feel everything. Every memory, emotion, and thought. So... brace yourselves." She watched as the two of them nodded to her and waved to each other before walking through.
Izuku's Mind:
Bakugo walked through the green smoke and saw himself in a room with a computer screen in front of him.
"I AM HERE!" It was All Might's great mass rescue when he was first really noticed. Bakugo felt a sense of admiration, amazement, and even more so, ambition. The smoke changed to show a man with glasses and a doctor's coat in front of him.
"You should probably give it up." The doctor was explaining to Izuku that he was quirkless. A wave of numbness and disbelief washed over Bakugo, along with sadness. The scene shifted to show a younger Bakugo in a creek, and a hand was outstretched to him. This was the moment when the two stopped being friends.
"Are you okay?" Bakugo always thought that Izuku had seen him as weak in this moment, but all Izuku felt was worried and concerned. Bakugo felt his throat go dry and the smoke shifted to a seven year old Bakugo in front of him, smiling.
"Stupid Deku." Izuku had just gotten beaten up by Katsuki, who himself felt not only sadness from Izuku's mind, but regret from his own. He saw Tomura appear in the image, and it shifted to show All for One. Katsuki tensed up, feeling fear, panic and regret in every part of his mind.
"However, I'm afraid I have other plans for you." He was holding the villain's hand and Bakugo saw black smoke float across the image. Bakugo felt fear and dread, and pain started radiating through his body. Red pulsing flashes were going on as well, and when they stopped, the smoke remained and a voice spoke to All for One.
"Call me Deku." The scene shifted again but the black smoke remained. Deku was sparring with a member of All for One's army, a feeling of determination coming from Deku. Bakugo could feel two different minds at the moment, the darkness and power of Deku and the light and determination of Izuku. The scene shifted slightly, each time showing a different opponent facing him. Bakugo felt a sense of pride from Deku's success, but also fear and sorrow from Izuku's lack of control. Black smoke covered the entire area and Bakugo saw Deku come forward and start fighting him. With every blow his friend's split persona landed, there was a single word he uttered.
"Weak. Powerless. Stupid. Little. Midoriya!" Bakugo felt pain, regret, and helplessness from Izuku. This is what he had to face inside his head, he thought to himself. The scene shifted, and the black smoke covered the image of All for One in a hospital bed, handing Deku a knife.
"You are my hidden blade." Katsuki was torn between the pride Deku felt and the horror Izuku felt. The scene shifted to U.A. where he was looking at student information, planting the device and aiding with data analysis. The scene shifted and Bakugo was looking at himself with the black smoke turning slightly red. He felt rage and anger from Deku, but Izuku's thoughts were of panic.
"Deku?" a burst of fire changed the scene and Bakugo saw Inko in a crowded street in front of him, the black smoke getting a bit thinner.
"Go back! Please, go back!" Izuku's voice cried out, and Bakugo felt overwhelming sadness, pain and grief. The scene shifted and the Sports Festival was on a screen. Bakugo felt a cold analytic smugness from Deku, but Izuku looked on in amazement and pride. Bakugo himself was on the screen, and Izuku's thoughts were of admiration at this. His friend saw him as someone to aspire to be, when the scene shifted and the hero killer was in front of him, with his back facing Bakugo.
"Hero is a title for those who accomplished great deeds!" The scene shifted to Deku meeting the rest of the League: Dabi, Toga, Spinner, Magno, Compress, Twice and others. Deku felt a sense of comradery, but Izuku felt overwhelmingly trapped. The scene shifted to talking with the League, training with some of them and Bakugo felt Deku's pride grow while Izuku felt numb. The scene shifted to the League going into the forest, and then to Muscular's face before a burst of fire flew across it. Bakugo felt a mix of accomplishment from both Deku and Izuku, a single moment where the two personas were of one mind.
"... why did you save me?! Aren't you a villain?" Bakugo heard a boy's voice call out, and he could see the black smoke slightly shrink before going back. Deku felt confused and conflicted, but Izuku felt proud. The scene shifted and Bakugo felt like he was fighting himself in the forest, with rage, fear, hatred and panic swirling together from both voices. A knife fell to the ground, and the smoke fell away completely.
"...Kacchan, please... save me." The scene shifted again to show All for One facing All Might and Tomura across from him. Bakugo felt a surge of anger and spite, but it was from Izuku. Bakugo could feel Deku being forced down into Izuku's mind. The black smoke faded away completely and fire spread across Tomura. Izuku was fighting All for One, blasting him with fire.
"I'M NOT GOING TO BE THE VILLAIN ANYMORE!" he felt pride and defiance at this moment, and the scene shifted to All for One floating in the air above him, red and black tendrils coming towards him. Pain coursed through Bakugo's body.
"I had such high hopes for you, Izuku. But it seems you're no longer worth the effort." Bakugo felt the pain leave, and Izuku felt powerless but at the same time there was a sense of freedom. The scene shifted to All Might's final blow to the League of Villains' leader.
"UNITED... STATES OF... SMASH!" Bakugo felt a surge of pride and joy from Izuku's memory, as he saw the villain laying on the ground. The scene changed and he saw Dr Suoh in Izuku's memories.
"Just remember why you strive to become a hero, why you want to follow this path. Do that, and you'll be fine." The green smoke surrounding him faded away, and he saw Izuku standing in front of him.
Bakugo's Mind, moments earlier:
Izuku walked forward and saw a classroom with a group of kids standing around him. His hands were making small explosions. This was when Bakugo had gotten his quirk. Izuku felt a swell of pride from Bakugo's memories, and he watched as the scene changed. Mitsuki was leaning over him, smiling at him.
"Remember, Katsuki, the best heroes are the strongest. They don't let anything stop them from being a hero." Izuku felt Bakugo's pride and happiness at this, and the scene shifted. He was in a creek, and a younger version of Izuku was looking at him with his arm outstretched. It was the moment that their friendship had ended.
"Are you okay?" Izuku felt a surge of anger and bitterness from Bakugo and the scene shifted to a slightly older Izuku on the ground, dirty and bruised.
"Stupid Deku." Izuku could feel a smug sense of arrogance and pride from Bakugo's mind, and the scene changed to show Mitsuki and Inko talking to each other.
"I don't know, Katsuki told me he hasn't seen him since this morning." This must have been just after Izuku had gone with Tomura to meet All for One. Inko started crying, and Izuku felt Bakugo's regret and shame. The scene shifted to a classroom full of middle school students, and Izuku saw all of them walk out the door. One of them walked up to him.
"Hey Bakugo! Good luck on getting into U.A.! You probably won't need it, though." He felt a surge of pride and accomplishment, and the scene shifted to show the old playground where Izuku had been when he left.
"Are you ever coming back?" Izuku heard Bakugo's voice, and felt a wave of guilt wash over him. The scene changed and he was in Bakugo's room, watching a recording of All Might.
"Congratulations on entering U.A., young Bakugo!" He felt a surge of pride and accomplishment, and the scene shifted to show the League of Villains at the USJ. Izuku saw as one of them was approaching faster. Izuku recognized his Deku mask as it was gripped and blasted apart.
"Not so tough now, are y-" He charged forward, only to be met with a blast of fire pushing him back and onto the ground. As Bakugo got to his feet, he looked on to see the remnants of the helmet fall away and reveal Izuku's face.
"... Deku?" Izuku felt Bakugo's dread, fear, guilt, and regret wash over him as red eyes stared back at him while his opponent smiled.
"You have no idea how right you are, Bakugo." Deku smiled as he swung his knife, and flames filled the vision. The scene changed, and Izuku saw himself inside Bakugo's room when it was dark. He felt fear and guilt from Bakugo's mind as Mitsuki looked at him.
"Mom... do you think I... I can make things right with him?" Izuku felt sorrow, and a single bit of hope from Bakugo. Even after what he had seen, Bakugo wanted to try and make amends. Izuku teared up a little, and watched as Mitsuki stood at the doorway.
"... Maybe. Once he's found." She walked away, and Izuku felt a sense of unease from Bakugo, as the scene shifted yet again. He was standing in front of Deku, who simply smiled at him. They were in the forest, during the training camp attack.
"Hello Katsuki." Then Deku and him began to fight, and a swirl of guilt, determination, frustration and even hope came to Izuku from Bakugo's memories. Deku then dropped the knife and Izuku was staring into his own face. Green tear filled eye stared at him, and he felt Bakugo's sense of hope rise.
"Kacchan... please... save me." Izuku felt determination and hope surge through Bakugo's mind like a raging inferno. The scene shifted to show All Might standing in front of him.
"... Of course, young Bakugo. I promise you, we'll bring back Izuku Midoriya." Izuku stared to cry, his friend had been the one to make sure All Might had tried to save him. The scene shifted to show a TV screen, and All Might was facing All for One.
"Come on, All Might! Don't let him win! Beat this bastard!" Katsuki was yelling at the screen, Izuku felt panic and hope both surging through Bakugo's mind. At that point, the scene shifted to show a news clip of Izuku's face. Bakugo was feeling relief and hope, and the orange smoke faded away and Izuku saw Bakugo standing across from him.
Dr Suoh's Office, now:
Dr Suoh stopped using her quirk and the two were back on the couch in her office as she laid back in her chair, trying to catch her breath.
"Sorry, maintaining something that complex takes a lot of... concentration..." She noticed that both of them were just staring at the ground, both shaking slightly.
"... So, which one of yo-" She was cut off as Bakugo hugged Izuku, who after some stunned silence returned the hug. Both of them were slowly processing what they had just experienced. Bakugo pulled away and put his face in his hands.
"Kacchan... Thank you... for not giving up on me. For trying to get me back."
"... Because it was my fault. You went to him because I... I bullied you because I thought you saw me as weak. But you never did, even when you were him."
"It wasn't your fault I went. The bullying, it was a reason, but it was my choice to go. A choice I've regretted for eight years." Dr Suoh leaned forward.
"Both of you were kids at the time. I think it's safe to say neither one of you were really truly thinking about the consequences of your actions. You're both right in what you're saying, but you should also remember the years you've both spent in your regrets. Your choices and their consequences created your pasts, but your goals shape the here and now. So, what are you two going to do now?" The two looked at each other and then away. Bakugo clenched his fist and Izuku took a deep breath. Bakugo was the first to speak up.
"I'll talk to the rest of 1-A. They should know the real story about you. All of it."
"... Thank you, Kacchan. But I'd also like to try and talk to them myself and apologize for my actions. I need to right my own wrongs on my terms." Izuku sat up straight and looked at his old friend. "Only then can I truly live up to this second chance I've been given."
"... Alright... I am sorry for what I did, how I hurt you. But I'm glad you're back."
"... I forgive you, if you can forgive me." Izuku stared tearing up, and Bakugo held his hand out. Izuku shook it and the two shared a brief hug. Dr Suoh sighed and closed her notebook.
"Well, I'd say we made quite a lot of progress. Let's resume your regular sessions at their usual times." The two boys nodded and walked to the door together. Izuku paused at a picture on the wall of a group of kids in blue school uniform jackets. Two were identical redheads, one looked practically like an elementary schooler, with a black haired guy towering over him. Another was wearing a pair of glasses and the final two were what looked like a younger Dr Suoh and a blonde haired boy with his arm draped across her.
"Is this you?" Izuku pointed to the picture, and Dr Suoh smiled at the photo.
"Yeah, those are my old friends from my high school years at Ouran Academy. We were the host club there, best experience of my life. All the talking to people there, listening to their dreams and experiences actually inspired me to get into the psychology field. Some of them actually help fund the school." she smiled at the memory of the chaotic group they had been, while Izuku and Bakugo walked out.
"I'm sorry you had to go through all that. It felt horrifying." Bakugo shivered, remembering how Izuku had felt during his time with the League.
"I'm sorry you had to face him like that. Whenever he saw you, you were just ground zero for all of his anger." Izuku rubbed his arm.
"I think I handled myself well enough." Izuku smiled to himself.
"What your mom told you, about heroes being strong... that's what drives you, isn't it? Why you have such determination." Bakugo looked down at his feet and then sighed.
"Yeah, I guess. But that doesn't forgive what I did to you. That wasn't me being stronger than you, it was just... anger... But I've learned a lot since then. The doc really helped me out, I guess." He smiled as the pair made their way towards the entrance. As they came out the main doors, a small group ran towards them. Both of them recognized Kirishima, Uraraka and Iida.
"Bakubro, we've been looking for you all-" Kirishima stopped short when he saw Izuku next to Bakugo. The other two stopped as well, and Izuku glanced towards the ground before turning to Bakugo.
"I should-" he muttered out before Bakugo grabbed him around the shoulder and walked to the rest of them.
"Guys, this is Izuku Midoriya... my friend. He was controlled by that villain All Might almost lost to, and he's been seeing Dr Suoh in order to make sure he never becomes a villain again." At this, the trio looked at Izuku, who simply looked away in anxiety.
"...I'm sorry. For everything I did when I was a villain. My actions were unforgivable, and controlled or not, I still hurt all of you. It's a pitiful apology, I know, but I am truly sorry." Izuku saw a hand stretch out to him, and looking up saw the redhead looking at him.
"Hey. I'm Eijiro Kirishima, Bakugo's classmate and best friend." Izuku slowly took his hand and shook it. "He kept talking about you to himself after the camp attack. It's nice to meet the real you." Tenya came forward and held his own hand out.
"I am Tenya Iida, the future hero Ingenium." Izuku simply stared at his hand, and took a deep breath.
"Tenya... I was the one who had Stain sent away during your fight." Izuku saw Tenya's face become confused, and Izuku looked away. "I'm not sorry you couldn't get even. He would've killed you for sure if-"
"Getting even wouldn't have granted me anything." Tenya fixed his glasses on his face and turned to Izuku. "Dr Suoh was quite helpful after the Hosu incident. If I had gotten even with Stain... that would've dishonored my brother's legacy and I would've gone down a path that villains walk. So I thank you for saving my life, and my spirit." Izuku smiled and nodded to him. Uraraka walked up to him and nodded her head.
"I'm Ochacho Uraraka. I'm glad you're doing better."
"Thank you. All of you." Izuku turned to Bakugo and smiled. "I should get going, don't want to miss anything back home."
"See you later, you nerd." Bakugo scoffed, and Izuku smiled at them all before walking off.
"He seems... lonely." Kirishima rubbed the back of his head.
"He looks like someone trying to recover from something horrifying." Tenya adjusted his tie.
"He's kinda cute." Uraraka muttered to herself.
"Huh?" All three of the boys looked at her, trying to figure out what she had whispered?
"Nothing!" She blurted out, her face going slightly red as she walked towards the dorms. As the four of them walked off, Izuku was walking home with a renewed sense of purpose and determination.
"Make amends, right wrongs. So far, so good. I just hope the rest of them will be this easy." he thought to himself as he saw his home come into view. As he walked inside, a man landed on the rooftop across from his place. The blond haired hero folded up his red wings and sat down. He grabbed a walkie talkie out of his pocket and pushed the button on the side.
"This is Hawks. Izuku Midoriya has arrived home without incident. He was talking to some kids earlier, but they all seemed pretty friendly to him. Standing by."
"Acknowledged, Hawks. Your relief will be sent to your location in three hours. Stay put for the time being." The Hero Association came through and Hawks simply sat back until he could take off.
Midoriya Residence Training Basement, a few days later:
Mirio and Izuku were going head-to-head, and so far neither was winning. Neither of them were losing, either. Whenever Mirio would phase through something, Izuku changed his current spot. Whenever Izuku charged, Mirio would always dodge or phase. Gran Torino looked at his watch in disbelief. They had been in a stalemate for ten minutes, and he blew his whistle.
"Alright, that's enough. Both of you take a breather." The two of them nodded and sat down on the ground. Mirio looked over at Izuku, trying to catch his breath.
"You know, you've gotten a lot better with One for All. Last month you couldn't even land a single blow." He chuckled and Izuku slapped him on the shoulder lightly.
"That's because I was still figuring you out. You always keep yourself untouchable whenever you're not completely out of phasing. The only time you're tangible is when you strike, but therein lies your weakness. If you can hit me, I can touch you. That's how you got flipped after punching me last week." He grabbed a water bottle and took a good gulp, tossing another to Mirio.
"So, I should plan to be constantly phasing so nobody can touch me?" Mirio dabbed the sweat of his face with a towel and took a swig of water.
"Not if you want to put extreme stress and tension on your body and mind. And definitely not if you want to effectively use One for All. Just remember what your enemy is capable of, and don't underestimate them. See what their strength is and try to use that to your advantage." Izuku stretched out his limbs.
"That sounds like what the League taught you." Gran Torino spoke up, and Izuku went still for a moment. "It's pretty good advice, actually."
"It was part of my training. Everyday I had to face people who were stronger, faster, or more powerful. I learned to think like they did, watching them fight and breaking down their style before finishing the fight." Izuku sat down on a bench press and wiped the sweat from his forehead. "Of course, it's pretty easy to apply the same tactics to being a hero. You just switch the sides you and your opponent are on."
"... Think like the villains to take them down... Pretty good idea." Mirio smiled at him, and Izuku took a drink of water.
"Understand them completely, and you'll almost always win. Of course, there's the moments and villains you can never really predict." Izuku heard Gran Torino chuckle.
"Yeah, there have been plenty of wild cards in my day. In any case, go again. And this time, one of you is going to win within seven minutes or both of you will run forty laps in the park." Torino watched as the two got ready and pressed his stopwatch, letting the two go at each other.
League of Villains Hideout, a few days later:
The League was waiting for some of their members to return when the warehouse doors opened up. Twice walked in and with him was a young man wearing a green jacket with purple feathers on the top and what looked like a bird's beak on his face. Tomura smiled and looked at the man in front of him.
"You brought us a big fish. Good work, Twice." Tomura walked forward and stopped about four feet from the man. "The Shie Hassaikai's young head. You call yourself Overhaul, right?"
Whew! That took me a while, sorry about that. And this next chapter is definitely gonna take even longer. Why? Because I'm going to be trying to fit an entire arc into a single chapter, that's why. So, chapter 11 will be out... sometime in late-ish January. It depends on how I decide to explore the whole Eri arc, what I keep/change/explore/etc. So, don't expect it anytime soon, also expect spoilers next chapter. Until then, hope you enjoyed and thanks for reading!