Part 2: Chapter 13

Bakugou felt sick. Not that it wasn't his usual feeling when he saw Kakurete, but this time it was worse.

Izuku was dressed in black and was giving a speech. It was a funeral speech and it was being televised. "We cannot let violence dictate our lives," he was saying.

Katsuki clenched his teeth. He was willing to bet both hands that Izuku was the source of the violence. The Police had found a ruined graveyard, two bodies and blood and not all of it belonged to the bodies.

The perpetrator wasn't there and there was no CCTV footage of anything.

Bakugou snarled at the screen. He knew what had happened. He'd told Kirishima but the Special Forces Officer had simply shaken his head. He hadn't even questioned Kakurete. He wasn't there, is what Kirishima told him.

That might have been true. But Izuku sure as hell knew what went down. He'd ordered it. Of that, Katsuki was positive. And now… Their last hope of legitimately defeating fucking Deku was gone.

"We must continue to be vigilant. We must continue to let the law deal with the issues we discover in life."

Oh he did not say that! Katsuki snarled at the TV.

Fucking Deku had not just implied that Toogata was out being a vigilante when he was killed! Except, Bakugou knew what he'd heard, and he knew what others would hear… Without a perp, the press were going to have a field day. They would run so many stupid stories… Katsuki knew they would because that fucking Deku would tell them to!

It didn't matter what Toogata had been there for, by the time shitty Deku's press was through with him, he'd be the losing vigilante in a fight against…

"Fuck!" Bakugou swore with some heat.

It could very well be him. Deku's press could spin the story that Toogata had gotten into a fight with him. "Shit, shit, shit!"

That explained Kirishima's look.

When Bakugou had become a vigilante, he had known he couldn't rely on anything except cash. He had a cheap apartment in a bad part of town. His reputation was enough to keep things safe. His reputation and a few well timed beat downs. But he still focused on getting anything at a bargain price. It meant it was easier to replace and he could spend more on items for heroics. Not that he needed much but he had priorities, such as several special soak pads for his sweat… and a few other surprises in the event he had to get serious.

However it did mean he was a loner. He didn't have a fucking alibi for the day that Toogata was killed. Nothing that would hold up anyway.

Kirishima hadn't given him a warning, which meant shitty Deku hadn't started that campaign. That meant he had some time. That was good. He couldn't come up with an alibi but he could do other things.

He shook his head, snorting. He should have known he'd be in this alone. He should have refused to meet with the others when Aizawa had invited him. They hadn't known what they were getting into. They thought that shitty Deku was just another villain. They didn't know he was far more than that. And now, it was down to him.

Bakugou rolled his shoulders. Well, it had always been up to him.

Fucking Deku… Katsuki looked back to the screen. Deku was still speaking. While he didn't know Mirio that well, the fact that he had been a Candidate for the House of Representatives meant at least some of the politicians were there. Shitty Deku, as one of the youngest had been invited to speak. They invited the murderer to speak and Bakugou could tell from hs posture that Deku fucking thought he'd won.

Over his dead body. No, wait! Over Deku's. The fucker had had his own way long enough.

His phone pinged. Bakugou growled, but grabbed it. It was a message.

A slow smile spread over his face. The message was encrypted but he had been waiting for it. He finally had a lead on Dabi. It was time to take the fight to him.

-afop-

"You know, it's been really annoying. Did you have to take him?"

Kasen paused in the hallway. He was aware his boss, Dabi, had another boss, but it was one of those unspoken things. Dabi hardly ever spoke about, or to his boss. So with the question from Dabi, Kasen couldn't help but wonder if the man was here, or if Dabi was on the phone. His eyes scooted over to the door.

Dabi's office overlooked the fighting pit but he was in the corridor on the far side. The door was open a crack or he wouldn't have heard anything. The office had the best sound proofing of the entire building. He nearly peed himself when he saw the outline of another person there.

Shit, shit, shit! Kasen thought to himself, his eyes like saucers. Dabi's mysterious boss was right here. The League's Leader was just there! The ultimate criminal mastermind who ran everything from the deepest fucking shadows… A man no one knew, but everyone respected, because it was rumoured that if you offended him, then you just disappeared. No questions asked. This was the man who ran the underworld with an iron fist.

He didn't know if he should faint or scream or cry. He did know that he was going to listen as much as he could. This was… This was an unexpected opportunity.

The man sighed. Kasen couldn't see anything but his outline. The door wasn't open enough for much more than that and he was thankful he could see that much. It was like he was in the presence of God.

"High End has been on my back to have another good fight," Dabi clarified his complaint to the boss. They were obviously discussing the League's affairs.

Kasen almost shuddered at the mention of that monster. It was huge, stupidly strong and obsessed with fighting. Of course, it did great in the fighting ring but Kasen wasn't sure it could be called human. And he didn't like the way it looked down on them all as if it would as soon as kill them as simply let them be in the same room.

"You said you had someone coming through the ranks?"

"Yeah, he won the Osaka round the other day," Dabi said.

The villain was proud that he could follow the conversation. He knew who the boss was referring to. Dabi ran fighting rings all over the country. They were all heats to get into the main underground fight, where the fighters eventually faced off against High End. The fact that the monster hadn't been defeated in years just made it the goal of all the wannabes. There was always more morons who had more balls than brains willing to fight and die. Most of them died against High End. That's what underground rings were about.

"Is he any good? I mean really good?"

"Maybe?" Anyone who went up against High End had to be really good or they wouldn't survive. Most didn't anyway.

"Accelerate the ranks then?" The boss suggested.

"I'll think about it," Dabi said. "He should be coming here later today," the Acting Leader shrugged. "I'll decide then."

It was an interesting dynamic. Kasen hadn't expected to hear that Dabi could say no to a suggestion. He always thought the boss was absolute.

"It's up to you. You are in charge of the fighting rings," the boss said.

It couldn't be that simple, could it? Would the mysterious Head of the Underworld really just let Dabi do what he wanted because he'd been put in charge of that aspect? That was…

That was the level of trust that existed between Dabi and his boss, Kasen realised. Dabi was the acting head. The public head of the Underworld, so of course the real boss trusted him.

"How are you going with ExplodoKill?" the boss asked.

Dabi huffed. It was audible from where Kasen was standing, looking at the outline of the boss. "With Mustard and Ujiko gone and Twice captured, I'm going to have problems with what you want."

"I can't get Twice out," the unknown man said.

Kasen remembered that Twice was in Tartarus. It made sense that there were limits, even for his ultimate boss.

"I still want to kill him," Dabi assured the man.

"Oh, I don't doubt that."

Dabi sighed again.

"What is it?" The boss asked. He sounded genuinely concerned.

"I know you said we could go wild against him," Kasen heard Dabi begin to explain. "But I don't think many of us want to come out again."

"Ah."

Kasen didn't know how he knew it, but he could just see the understanding look on the bosses face. It was in the depth of that single syllable.

"You aren't surprised!" Dabi accused

"I had accounted for it. You've had ten years of peace, and profit," the boss said with a chuckle. "Why risk that on a vigilante? Especially when it's just going to bring unwanted attention."

"That makes us sound selfish," Dabi objected.

The boss laughed again. "Villains are selfish!" he told the Acting Leader.

"Yeah, but you ordered us to kill him."

"No. I said if you wanted to run wild, then you had to kill him."

"Except he's been killing us regardless!"

"He never stopped looking for you all," the boss said.

"Fuck," Dabi growled. "We fucking lost Twice, Ujiko and Mustard because of him."

The boss said nothing.

Kasen didn't know what was going on.

"We will get him," the boss said finally. "Eventually. I can make a plan if needed."

"You said you'd judge ours," Dabi said with an odd lilt.

"That was before he got so aggressive."

"He's not going to be a danger to you?" Dabi asked suddenly.

The man was silent for a few moment. "He'll probably take a crack at me," he replied with a theatrical chuckle.

Kasen was reassured just hearing it. The boss was confident.

"It's about all he has left, since I've taken out the rest of the problems."

Dabi snorted a response to that. Kasen wondered exactly who the boss was talking about. There was no question that he was talking about murder. It didn't bother Kasen. That was just an occupational hazard of the industry but whoever the boss had taken out must have been special, simply because they warranted his attention.

Though there was another implication with the response. Someone out there, who wasn't the upper echelons of the League knew who the boss was. Who the hell could learn that? And how? Kasen knew most new League members, as soon as they found out that Dabi wasn't the highest boss, tried to work out who that real boss was but no one ever did.

That someone had… that an enemy had worked it out, Kasen wasn't sure what he thought of that.

"How did he find out about you anyway?" Dabi asked. It was the question Kasen wanted to know as well.

"I told him."

"What?"

That was Kasen's reaction as well!

"We grew up together, Dabi," the boss continued. He didn't sound annoyed. "He was always going to know I am me."

"You know that isn't possible!"

"Oh, it's possible," the boss laughed. "You just haven't worked out how yet."

"You can't be younger than me!"

"Why not?"

"Imoku! You are forty-eight and a Member of the House of Representatives, you are not the same age as my younger brother."

Kasen froze at sentence. If he thought his eyes had been wide earlier, they were stretched tight now. He knew that name. He'd been around Dabi long enough that he'd learned more about politics than he ever wanted. He knew the name of Imoku Kakurete. Suddenly Dabi's interest in politics made perfect sense… But…

Fuck, fuck fuck! He wasn't meant to hear that name. He wasn't meant to hear any of this. His throat tightened.

Kasen scrambled away from the door. He hit the other side of the corridor, still scrambling.

The noise was his undoing.

"Shit!" That was Dabi. There were quick steps and the door was flung open.

Dabi glared at him. There was murder in the fire villain's eyes. Kasen was reminded that while Dabi was pretty cool to work for, he was still a villain. Behind him another man appeared. Kasen's eyes fixed on him. His eyes were green, to match his hair and he appeared calm.

Then the green eyes dismissed him. This is what it felt like to be an ant. He gulped, trying to moisten a mouth that went dry.

"I think we have larger problems," Imoku murmured, putting one hand on Dabi's shoulder.

Kasen couldn't follow his gaze. Dabi did.

"Fuck," the fire villain said before he threw a gout of flame down the corridor.

It was only because Kasen was already against the wall that it missed him. The fire was blocked by an explosion.

"Fucker!" there was curse and Kasen wrenched his eyes away from Imoku to look down the corridor.

Even with Dabi's display of power, the Representative… The League's Leader seemed calm. Kasen didn't know how, especially when he saw who was here.

ExplodoKill! What was the vigilante doing here, with a wildly pleased grin on his face? Dabi sent another gout of fire towards him before throwing himself backwards and slamming the door to his office.

It wasn't what Kasen expected though the motion made sense. There was only one reason ExplodoKill would be here and they had to protect the boss. The vigilante stormed down the corridor. His eyes were red and burning and he snarled at the door. Kasen was ignored. He didn't know what the thought about that.

"Deku!" ExplodoKill screamed.

They weren't going to hear him. Not in Dabi's office. Kasen wasn't sure what to do. Just a moment before he had been under a death gaze, now he was forgotten.

No, not forgotten. He'd be dealt with later. He felt cold. Fuck! He never wanted that. But Kasen knew, as soon as the vigilante was dealt with, he'd be next. And he had no doubt that the boss had already worked out how to deal with the vigilante.

Unless he dealt with this situation first… Which would prove his loyalty. Which would save his life.

Kasen looked up from where he had fallen against the wall. ExplodoKill's back was to him. The vigilante was screaming at the door. His quirk was making explosions in his hands. Kasen watched as he slammed his hands into the door. Burn marks appeared on it but the structure was solid. It was designed that way.

The vigilante wasn't paying any attention to him. Good. Slowly, Kasen reached around his body. He didn't have a powerful quirk, at least, nothing powerful enough that he wanted to risk attacking ExplodoKill in the back with it. His quirk was one of those ones deemed worthless. So he'd joined the League. There had been those who had only focused on quirks but generally the League focused on results. He'd given them results. Just not with his quirk.

Still, today, his gun felt cold in his hand as he clasped it. He pulled it out of the holster he kept it in. It was in the small of his back. Kasen brought his hand around. He was slightly surprised by how steady it was.

He lined his gun up, aiming for the centre of ExplodoKill's back. He would definitely be rewarded for this. The vigilante was concentrating on the door, sending explosion after explosion at it. Dabi was no fool. His office was reinforced. All it was doing was leaving burn marks on the door and the panels beside it.

Kasen squeezed the trigger.

"Urgh!" An explosion threw his hand off, and then he felt something hit his head. The gun clattered from his hand.

He blinked at the new angle, trying to work out what had happened. He looked up at the vigilante. ExplodoKill was turned towards him now. His red eyes were mad. Kasen realised what must have happened. The vigilante had thrown off his aim and kicked him. All in the one movement. He couldn't even groan and everything hurt with that one kick.

"Actually, that might be useful," the voice belonged to ExplodoKill. The vigilante bent down to pick up his gun. "Thanks fucker!"

The world went dark.

-afop-

Dabi's office might be soundproofed but Izuku could still hear the explosions from Katsuki against the door. Dabi had slammed the door and the locks were holding but it was only a matter of time, and they both knew it.

"I guess he's taking a crack at us both," Imoku said, referencing his earlier conversation with Dabi.

"Call Kurogiri!" Dabi urged. The villain didn't find this funny.

"I'm not completely useless," Imoku defended, creating a shower of sparks. It was a forcible reminder of what he had done to All Might.

"You can do that to him?" Dabi demanded.

"Maybe," Imoku was forced to admit. "There are a lot of sparks in the human body, and it takes me a while to isolate the right ones," he explained. "That's why I had to talk to him."

"Then call Kurogiri!" Dabi countered.

Imoku glanced over at the window. There was floor to ceiling windows that overlooked the fighting ring in Dabi's office. "Can't we call High End?" He made the counter suggestion, wincing as a particularly loud explosion actually rattled the door.

Whatever Dabi had constructed wasn't going to hold against Bakugou when he was this determined.

Dabi cocked his head at that before he grinned. It wasn't a nice grin. "It would solve the problem," he admitted. He moved to the side wall and Imoku watched as he tapped a series on the wood panelling. There was nothing about the wood to say there was anything different, but Dabi then stepped to the side, away from the windows and pushed at one of the panels. It gave away.

"Ingenious," Imoku murmured. Just touching the wall wouldn't open it which meant no one would find the passage without knowing it was already there, or taking down the entire wall.

"Go!" Dabi insisted, gesturing for him to go through.

Izuku wasn't afraid of facing Katsuki, but he would much rather it be on his terms. He crawled into the passageway and was pleased to see that there were several lights in there. They were tiny led lights that gave just enough illumination to see by. He kept crawling.

This suit was being burned when this was over. Izuku grinned to himself. He'd sacrifice a suit any day to have Bakugou brought low.

"Go left," Dabi said from behind him.

Imoku obliged as he continued crawling. The passage wasn't that long but he knew it wouldn't come out close to Dabi's office.

"How many passages do you have?" Imoku asked over his shoulder.

"A few," Dabi admitted. "I had this building set up to my spec," he explained.

They crawled further and there was a thud from behind them.

"I think he's just found the office," Imoku told his underling.

"And we made it to the exit," Dabi replied.

Imoku looked back to see Dabi press against a panel. It gave and Imoku got a vision of some of the seating. It was near the fighting ring. He backed up, and out of the passage, before standing. His initial impression had been right. They were in the seating area of the fighting ring. Imoku looked up. They were also out of the line of sight from Dabi's office.

"Clever," he murmured.

The fire villain grinned at him as he replaced the panel. "This way," he said after it was done, gesturing towards the ring.

It wasn't so much a ring as a flat area. Hanging above it was a cage. The cage could be dropped to provide cage matches on an as needed basis. There was seating all around, except for a few tunnels. Izuku realised those tunnels were there so that fighters could make dramatic entrances.

"Where's High End?" he asked, walking towards the open area.

"High End!" Dabi yelled.

There was an answering roar.

Imoku caught on. "Good fight!" He added his voice.

The answering roar was closer and definitely carried a note of happiness.

"Cheater," Dabi muttered.

Imoku gave him a smirk before looking up towards Dabi's office. His smirk shifted into a grin. Bakugou was visible in the window. Izuku was sure the glass could be set to one way viewing but his old friend wasn't caring about that. His grin widened as Katsuki drove a fist into the glass.

Oh! Bakugou was so predictable.

"Fight?"

The question came from High End as the Noumu strode into the ring. He hunched over and looking around eagerly for his opponent. "Where fight?" High End demanded.

Imoku pointed for the Noumu's benefit.

High End looked upwards, the light of his eyes narrowing as he saw Bakugou.

"No need to go to him," Imoku warned when High End's arms began shifting into wings to accompany the jets that appeared on his shoulders. "He'll come here."

Katsuki confirmed Izuku's words when he slammed his fist into the window. It was powered by one of his explosions. Cracks appeared in the glass.

"That's reinforced!" Dabi objected.

"There's a reason he's been a pain," Imoku said softly.

"Fuck it!" Dabi growled, then turned towards High End. "Kill him!" He ordered.

The Noumu looked at Imoku, who nodded his confirmation.

Another hit impacted the glass. It shattered. There was enough distance that they weren't showered with it. "Deku!" Katsuki screamed.

Imoku winced. He had forgotten how loud Bakugou could be. The vigilante jumped down, slowing his descent with well timed explosions.

"No need to yell, young man," Imoku said in his most pissy tone. He knew it would annoy Katsuki more.

"Fucking Deku!" He growled as he landed. "Cut the crap!"

"Are you really sure you want me to, Kaaaa-cchan?" He drew out the old endearment.

"You've had your way too long," the vigilante growled.

Izuku laughed. "You don't even recognise the gift I gave you, do you, Kacchan?" he asked, this time saying the old name normally.

"Gift, you fucker?"

Imoku smiled. Dabi was looking at him as if he was insane and High End was just waiting He knew he'd get to fight soon. "Ten years, Kacchan. I gave you one year for every year that you bullied me, so that you could live with the knowledge that I was better, that I have won. You've used those ten years to try to take me down, and you've failed!" Imoku shook his head. "And now, it's time for you to leave."

Bakugou laughed. "Ten years for you to gain an inflated opinion, Fucking Deku!" He growled. "And a night for me to rip you a new one."

"You won't be getting out of here," Dabi announced.

"Shut up," Katsuki spat back, and Izuku was surprised to see the gun in his hand. It was not something he thought Bakugou would use. It was aimed at the fire villain.

"That's-" Dabi recognised it.

"The fucker who was listening in," Katsuki confirmed.

Dabi growled and Izuku watched, almost in slow motion as Dabi snapped his hand up, fire already forming a gout to hit Bakugou.

But Kacchan was not one to hesitate.

The bang echoed through the ring but was quickly drowned as Katsuki cursed. He made a throwing gesture, and Izuku recognised the gun as it was cast away. Bakugou shook his hand. He'd been burnt. Dabi's fire had hit him, or the gun at least. "Ha!" He barked.

Imoku looked towards Dabi. The fire villain was still standing but there was a shocked look on his face. And a perfect hole in his forehead. His body crumpled.

He felt a smile stretch his features as he turned back to his old friend. His expression was enough for Bakugou to pause. "Thank you," Izuku said easily.

"What?" Katsuki demanded.

"Thank you," Imoku repeated, still smiling. He held up one hand, making sure the gesture wasn't threatening. "You've taken out Compress, Twice, Mustard, Ujiko and Dabi," he ticked off the League members on each finger as he spoke. "And they were the ones I had doubts about, so thank you. After all, as their boss, it wouldn't have been proper for me to do it, would it?" He asked laconically, already knowing his words would anger the vigilante.

Compress was independent. He would have gone his own way. Twice probably wouldn't have meant to betray him but couldn't have helped himself with his nature. Mustard had come into villainy too young and had been content to be one of BioSimip's suppliers but he hadn't been careful! Ujiko was operating her own businesses, at the expense of his and Dabi… Well, there was every indication Dabi had been content but the villain was showing signs of resentment at only every being number two. His acceptance of Toga's half brained plan was proof of that. He had been looking, unconsciously perhaps, for a way out. Not that Imoku wouldn't have used him for longer but sometimes, sacrifices had to be made.

"That leaves others," Bakugou snarled.

Izuku chuckled. "Himiko?" He shook his head.

It was amusing to see that Katsuki grimaced at the name. He knew what Izuku was saying. Toga was loyal to him.

"Kurogiri?" Izuku named the next League member. He tutted at Bakugou. "I am the last of those chosen by Sensei," he told his old friend. It was explanation enough.

"Spinner?" Bakugou said the name, conceding the warp villain's loyalty.

At that, Izuku actually laughed. "Spinner watched me kill Stain's perfect hero, All Might," he said. It didn't need much more explanation than that. If Spinner let All Might die, then he was no longer truly loyal to Stain but was loyal to Izuku.

"Fucking Deku!" Bakugou roared as he charged. There was nothing left to say.

Izuku didn't move. High End did. The huge Noumu simply stepped in front of him and all Izuku felt was the wash from Katsuki's explosions. They tugged at his pants but nothing more.

"Have a good fight," Izuku wished High End. "I will watch from over there," he said, indicating towards the tunnel the Noumu had appeared from. It would provide the most cover for him because he knew, even with High End here, Bakugou would be gunning for him.

The Noumu said nothing but Imoku knew he had heard. As he moved, the thought of what needed to be done. Before he left, he'd have to check if there were camera feeds here. He didn't think there were, but better to be safe than sorry. Or he'd ask Kurogiri.

High End swung one arm at Katsuki. The vigilante dodged, thrusting his uninjured hand towards the Noumu and exploding it. One thing Izuku could say about Bakugou was that his old friend knew when not to hold back. He wasn't now. The explosion was powerful. Izuku saw it actually scorch and burn High End's abdomen. The Noumu felt it as well. It didn't hiss even as the muscle and skin healed, it was the opposite. High End was excited.

"Fight!" He told Bakugou in a happy tone. "Good fight!"

The vigilante took the initiative, throwing punches and enhancing each with explosions. "Get out of my way!" Katsuki screamed.

Oh yes, his old friend wanted nothing more than for him to be on the receiving end of those punches but High End wasn't going to allow that.

The Noumu closed with Bakugou. Imoku couldn't see much but he could hear the continuous detonation of explosions. He saw High End's skin char and blacken and heal again and again. His eyes narrowed. It was definitely slower. Maybe he should help… he could stop an explosion or two, but he knew High End would not approve. Instead he focused on Katsuki. Stopping a heart was a difficult job, he had to get a feel for the currents in Kacchan's body.

He was sure that High End would win, but Izuku hadn't got to where he was by not being willing to plan for contingencies.

"Fucker!" Bakugou snarled, jumping back. He pulled something from the belt he had on.

High End let him go. Imoku had seen the Noumu fight in this ring before. He tended to allow his challengers to try a few things. Even though Imoku had ordered him to kill, he imagined High End would revert to his norms here. Now that Bakugou had cleaned up the League, it was time for him to move on. It would happen, Izuku just had to be patient and to enjoy the show.

Still, he had time to plan. He'd have to replace Dabi. He could have worked with it if Dabi had survived today but he hadn't so that meant there had to be a replacement. It would be slightly difficult. Dabi was the established Leader of the League to the underworld's masses. A smile stretched across Imoku's features. He still had Kurogiri, Himiko and Spinner. They would support him. And if none of them wanted the leadership position, they could promote someone.

It would be a challenge to keep that unknown in line. It would be fun. And he'd need something to do, since most of his enemies had rather courteously managed to die. After all, it wasn't like controlling the current Opposition Leader, and likely soon to be Prime Minister, Yatou Rida was going to be difficult.

Dabi had been complacent today, given that underling had been listening in. Maybe that underling could be the leader? Imoku snorted. Probably not. He needed someone more bold someone not afraid. It didn't really matter who, or if they wanted to betray him, he needed the challenge. Besides, it's not like whoever was chosen wouldn't trust him.

Izuku turned his attention back to the fight in time to see Bakugou charge at High End. The thing he had taken from his belt was in one hand and Izuku had a sinking idea he knew what it was now.

It was confirmed a moment later when there was a huge explosion. Imoku shielded himself as best he could but in the tunnel he could still feel the blast of air and the wash of heat. High End roared from within the explosion. Imoku hunkered down, shielding his eyes as the explosion seemed to go on forever. What had Katsuki done? Usually his explosions were quick, and while Kacchan could generate them one after the another that required a lot of sweat. It wasn't that hot in here. So what had he done? It had to be something to do with whatever he'd taken from his belt.

Eventually the explosion faded. Izuku felt his eyes widen as he watched High End fall to his knees. The Noumu fell forward onto its face. Bakugou turned his eyes to him. Izuku could read the dismissal in the red orbs but he knew High End wasn't finished yet. As Katsuki took a step towards him, High End moved. His large hand gripped the vigilante's ankle. Bakugou was quick to react. He spun, slamming his hands down on High End's arm to explode the offending hand from his ankle.

It worked, but High End then rose, holding up the stump of his arm as the bone, muscle and nerves reformed. "Good fight!" the Noumu cheered, unconcerned with the healing state of his skin and hand.

Imoku wasn't as relaxed. It was definitely too slow. He'd seen High End fight for years, and this was noticeably slower than it had been. Still, Izuku was confident the Noumu had what it took to kill Bakugou. He might be deteriorating with his healing, but Imoku could feel that High End was more stable when he spoke to him with his quirk active. He would have to deal with it later.

High End swung again at Bakugou with his newly formed hand. Katsuki responded as he always did, with an explosion. It peeled the newly formed skin back.

"Do you want a hand?" Imoku yelled to the Noumu.

"No!" came the instant response.

Izuku laughed. He had expected that reply.

"Wouldn't work, fucking Deku," came a response from Bakugou.

Imoku didn't say anything. He knew what Katsuki was referring to. The first time Bakugou had confronted him, he had stopped him from producing sparks to create his explosions. That was over ten years ago. Bakugou had obviously learned some new tricks in the meantime. That was okay, he had as well.

High End caught Katsuki with a punch. The vigilante was punted back until he hit the first row of seats that surrounded the ring. He crashed into them, tumbling further back into the next few rows until he came to a halt. Bakugou was all limbs.

He growled as High End strode towards him. "Fucker!" Bakugou growled.

Imoku couldn't help his widening eyes as he fished in his belt again. He focused his public quirk on his old friend, feeling the sparks in Katsuki's body. There were so many and he couldn't get a lock on them. He wasn't meant to. He really had to stretch spark to affect something that was really so subtle. It was far easier to affect Bakugou's hands. The spark was bigger. But he would do whatever it took. He, Imoku Kakurete was walking away from today.

Shit! He thought to himself. The expletive wasn't that refined but Bakugou was so predictable. The previous explosion had affected High End, and in the vigilante's small mind, that meant a bigger explosion was obviously better. High End would recover, so long as his head wasn't too badly damaged, but Izuku knew the look on Bakugou's face. He was going to make the biggest explosion he could. It wasn't hard to figure out what the things he pulled from his belt were. They must be concentrated sweat pouches or something similar.

"You are dead fucker!" Katsuki screamed as he got up and charged towards High End. Imoku noticed something different with the way he ran. His fists were holding something and… There was a glint on his glove. A knife, perhaps?

The Noumu meet Bakugou's charge. The creation wasn't afraid. Imoku thought that it didn't know how to be afraid. He could see that there were more of the explosive things in Bakugou's hands and Imoku focused on nulling the spark but there was something wrong.

"Ha!" Bakugou laughed an instant before impact with High End.

If Imoku had thought the explosion earlier was bad, this was worse. He was forced to hunker down in the tunnel, shielding his head with his arms. Something still hit him that wasn't just the shock wave. It was smaller and denser, and stun, almost like hail. The whole building shook. The noise was incredible, and Imoku could hear smaller, secondary explosions forming.

Then he heard something splatter. It wasn't a single noise but continued, as if there was a gentle pitter patter of rain. Izuku looked around. He didn't have to look far. There were little things falling to the ground at the entrance to the tunnel. There were some on him, those that had been flung more horizontally.

There was the sickening smell of burning flesh. Izuku gagged. It had been years since he'd smelt it but it brought back memories. It wasn't much of a comfort that it wasn't his flesh burning this time. Izuku swallowed hard, pushing down the nausea he felt at the reminder of his past. He thought he'd gotten over that.

He would be getting over it very soon. Just as soon as Katsuki was gone for good. It was a catharsis he had been looking forward to for a while.

The smell didn't linger, though the pitter patter of rain did. That was a problem. Imoku knew what it meant. If Kacchan had done it right, it wouldn't be High End making the kill. Imoku focused. He knew what the glint on Bakugou's glove had been for now. It had been a blade, possibly one that split to make a hole, so of course his old friend had done it right. Ten years wouldn't have been enough to change that, and for Bakugou, Izuku knew he had always had the thought that there was no kill like overkill. His blade would have made an opening, so he could force his fist actually into High End. This explosion had come from within the Noumu. The pitter patter was the bits of High End raining back down into the ring.

Well, that might have worked on High End, but Izuku preferred the subtler approach. He suspected Kacchan would be wanting evidence of his supposed corruption. He wouldn't make the same attack.

The explosion faded as the pitter patter did. Imoku was prepared for the result. High End was… It was a misnomer to say he was down, or rather he was down to his legs. They were still standing but as Imoku watched, they fell. The black skin on them lacked the sheen of the living. It was darker and almost granular. Carbonised. At least on the outside. The rest of the Noumu's body couldn't be seen. Imoko looked around for High End's head. If it survived, then he'd have to kill Bakugou, but he'd still have a champion for his fighting ring.

The smoke cleared and allowed him to see Bakugou was holding it by the skin flap.

"Impressive," Imoku murmured. He was forced to admit that Kacchan had come a long way with his control. When they were younger, Katsuki had just produced explosions. Now it appeared he could regulate the output. In this case, he'd made his explosion bigger (with help) and a hell of a lot hotter.

Bakugou held up High End's head and put his other hand behind it.

Izuku knew what he was about to do. The explosion was destructive and Imoku looked down at his suit as another part of High End splattered against him. The suit was already dusty but now it was also covered in charcoal. He doubted it could be laundered.

"Your turn!" Katsuki growled. He didn't bother to hide how happy he was.

"You really think I'll just let that happen?" Imoku murmured.

"Arrogant fucker!" Bakugou snarled, and released what was left of High End's head as he strode towards Imoku. Small explosions appeared on his palms but Izuku could see the strain it was causing. Kacchan was getting tired.

"Do you really think you will survive this?" Izuku asked, reaching out to suppress the explosions on Katsuki's palms.

The vigilante grinned at him. "That's not going to save you, Deku!" He crowed, triumphantly.

Apparently Bakugou hadn't been lying when he'd earlier said it wouldn't work. He had learned some new tricks in the last ten years. Well, so had he. All he needed was a moment and he didn't care how he got that moment. And there was one thing that had always angered Katsuki more than anything else. Something that he always dismissed. It would give that moment.

Izuku sniffed, swallowing hard and letting his eyes go wide as he looked at his old friend. The expression was, frankly, pathetic. It was truly one Deku would have made. Izuku sniffed again, letting tears form in his eyes. "I had… to, Kacchan," he managed to say, the catch in his voice making him stutter. The tears escaped, making slightly cleaner trails down his carbon stained face.

"They forced me," he continued voice breaking as he cried.

Bakugou continued advancing. "Fucking Deku! That won't work!" He didn't appear moved. It was time to bring out the bigger guns.

"Kacchan," Izuku cried, before he sniffed, bringing up one hand to use the heel of his hand to wipe at his tears. All he did was smear them over his face. "Kacchan, please. They were going to kill…" He paused, best not to mention Inko. That would spark Kacchan's anger, not his disgust, but he could still work with the statement. "They were going to kill you," he begged, crying. He looked up at Bakugou. "Please, Kacchan. Help," he gasped, "me," Izuku finished brokenly.

That did the trick. He could see it in Kacchan's eyes. The vigilante had the slightest doubt, and he was close enough.

"Please," Izuku said again, eyes still streaming tears and his expression locked into one of deep regret. "Help me," he repeated, stepping forward.

"Deku!" There was a softer note in Katsuki's tone. It was laced with disgust. Bakugou always hated crying but the explosions in his palms became smaller.

It was his moment. Izuku moved. Unlike their last physical confrontation, they were roughly the same height but Imoku had the advantage. He lunged forward, keeping his expression pathetic. One hand went to Bakugou's chest. He hadn't managed to isolate the right signal but that was okay. That was the subtle way that didn't leave an outside mark. He could still use that trick. He released a shower of sparks, driving them into Katsuki's body. It was like a defibrillator.

Bakugou was caught off guard for that singular moment. He stiffened in pain but retaliated. "Fucking Deku!" he managed to scream, and slammed his hands on Imoku's back, exploding them.

The politician winced at the pain before he snarled at his old friend, and pushed his sparks harder. He could feel his own flesh burning, but he could also sense Bakugou's heart stuttering.

The vigilante staggered backwards, grabbing at his chest. "Deku! Fucker, you couldn't have won in a fair fight." The vigilante choked the words.

Imoku rolled his shoulders, judging the damage on his back. He was definitely going to blister. Bakugou pulled at his shirt, exposing his chest. There was a hand shaped burn over his heart. Izuku moved forward, punching Katsuki again. A right hook. The vigilante tried to block but couldn't and fell backwards. Izuku went with him, pinning him to the ground as he sat on his old friend's chest, his legs hooked around to pin Bakugou's arms. Even in pain, Kacchan snarled at him.

Izuku punched Katsuki again. It was a sucker punch, given that Bakugou couldn't defend himself. He didn't care. It felt good.

"I know, Kacchan," he told his friend, all trace of tears gone. He definitely knew it. In a pure fist fight, he had a chance but once you introduced quirks, Bakugou's was stronger. Izuku had learned long ago to never rely on quirks. "But do you know what the most important lesson you ever taught me was?"

Izuku put his hand over Katsuki's face, careful to avoid his biting teeth. It would require another application of his quirk to make sure Bakugou died. His heart rate was probably returning to normal now.

"I taught you nothing, you fucking Deku!" There was indignant rage in his voice. Imoku could tell Bakugou was pissed at being tricked. Well, to the victor went the spoils, and he was going to be the victor.

"No, Kacchan, you taught me the most important thing anyone has to learn!"

"What?" the vigilante demanded.

Izuku leaned forward, careful not to shift his weight enough that Katsuki could buck him off. "Life isn't fair," he whispered, before letting another round of sparks attack Bakugou. This time they were in his brain. Through Spark, Izuku could feel the way his sparks interacted with the currents in Katsuki's brain. He could feel the way they were interrupting them.

Bakugou convulsed. It was uncontrolled. He began foaming at the mouth. It was not a pretty way to die but then there wasn't really any pretty way to die. There were peaceful ways to die, and those that weren't so peaceful. This was not peaceful either. It felt as if Bakugou was still fighting him but Izuku knew it was only the physical reaction.

He stood up, tugging at his jacket to settle it correctly as he looked down at Kacchan's body. Izuku closed his eyes briefly. There were a lot of memories running riot through his head at the moment and he pushed them back into a semblance of order. Too many childhood memories had come to the surface now.

"Good bye, Kacchan," he said softly before he looked up and around the ring. There were some small fires burning and there were bits of High End everywhere, but the Noumu was not reforming. It was dead. The place was a mess. The glass on Dabi's office was shattered and the fire villain's body had been driven into the stands by the explosions.

With the noise and the exposure, the police would be here soon. Imoku reached into his jacket pocket, feeling for his phone. Thankfully it was still there. He pulled it out. It was still in working order but he expected that. It did have a heavy duty protective case and was hardened against electrical shocks. There were enough people with electrical quirks that such hardening had become common enough. He taped the number from memory.

"Kurogiri," Imoku said, when the warp villain picked up.

"Imoku," the other man greeted him.

"Transportation would be appreciated," Imoku didn't waste time with explanations. The faster he was out of here, the better. "Two portals," he added, remembering Dabi's underling who had been listening in. If he was still alive, then he would need to be dealt with. "The corridor outside Dabi's office, and the fighting ring," Imoku gave the locations, knowing Kurogiri would know them.

As expected a portal opened in front of him. Kurogiri's eyes formed within it. Imoku nodded at the warp villain before he stepped forward without hesitation. Looking back meant regrets and he had none, though he was slightly surprised that it ended today.

But it was over.

Imoku frowned slightly as plans ran through his mind. Mirio wasn't the only one who was campaigning for the return of heroes but he was the most serious threat, and he was gone. The others could be brought into line easily enough. The government would change at the election and the incoming Prime Minister had been turning to him for solutions since they met. With the loss of Dabi, Twice, Mustard and Ujiko the League was now ready to be remoulded. Those members had been a liability. The ones he raised up wouldn't ever be able to identify him. Imoku was sure that they would chafe at his control but it was merely a matter of control, and he would control them. And Kacchan...

A few years ago, he would have smiled. He would have felt as if a weight was lifted off his shoulders. He would have felt free. Now, he felt nothing of that. Katsuki was dead. The world would simply know that the vigilante ExplodoKill took on something that was too much for him.

Imoku would know the truth. That he had attempted to pull him down, to once again dominate him as he had in their childhood. But he had turned the tables, and this time, it was Izuku who had dominated, because he had the power.

Imoku smiled. Sensei had been right. It was about power and once you had power, it was about how you used that power. Bakugou had obeyed his power. Not just the quirk Sensei had given him but the plan he had laid out.

Now, when he looked into the future, Izuku could see his power. Others could see his power. And they knew, he would use it. Because it took power to make the choices and the sacrifices necessary to save everyone. At least, everyone who could be saved.

And that was his choice to make.

-afop-

Now, now my good man, this is no time to be making enemies. (Voltaire on his deathbed in response to a priest asking him that he renounce Satan.)

What I really hope Bakugou thought because he needs all the friends he can get.

I have a couple of alternate versions of the last bit but I'll post them as chapter later.