|Chapter 11: Brighter Future
Internships, Day 3 – Hawks' Agency
Hawks had a semi-serious expression on his face as he looked at Izuku and Tokoyami. It was late afternoon and they were about to take off to Hosu. The two teens both had a feeling something bad was going to happen.
"Do you two know your patrol routes?" Hawks asked, wanting to make sure that they were as prepared as possible. "We can go over them one last time if you need to"
The two teens shook their heads. "We know them."
Hawks nodded before walking to the elevator. "Alright then, let's not waste any more time." He said before opening the doors.
The two boys quickly got up and went over to the elevator.
Skies of Japan
As the three flew through the skies, Izuku and Tokoyami both spared each other a glance. They could both sense their bad feelings getting worse as they neared Hosu.
Hawks saw this and decided to question them. "Are you two alright?" He asked.
Izuku felt a ping in his head and adopted a worried look. "Something bad is happening."
Tokoyami nodded. "I can feel the darkness growing; and it is not because of the setting Sun." The three could feel the Sun's light on their backs getting weaker and the cold air become stronger.
Hawks sighed. "I don't like this either." He said. "But it's just for tonigh-"
The winged hero cut himself off as the clouds parted and they saw Hosu. Instead of the artificial lights of the buildings, they were met with fiery blazes across the entire city. A familiar screech filled the air and the screams of civilians rang out across the city.
Wordlessly, the three instantly shot down towards the city. Hawks' eyes flickered to his peripheral vision and he saw two winged creatures carrying civilians.
"Nomu!" The blonde pro called, changing his trajectory to go after them. "I'll take those two, you both have my full permission to use your quirks!" He exclaimed. "Fight off any other villains or Nomu you find and keep the civilians safe!" His wings came in front of him to block an air blast from one of the Nomu before he flew out of sight.
The two boys looked at each other and nodded. They landed on the ground and quickly observed the scene. Three Nomu a while away from them stood back to back around a fountain while fighting off a wave of pro heroes. Seeing them fail, the two quickly rushed towards them.
As they ran towards them, they quickly analysed what they'd be going up against. One of the Nomu was as large as the one they faced at the USJ, with the exception of its obsidian colour and lack of beak.
Another one of the Nomu was a lighter grey and had a more lanky and slim build compared to the others. Its most prominent feature was the large webbed-tongue morphing around its body to protect itself from the heroes.
The last one seemed the most dangerous. It skin took a vibrant turquoise pigment and it had multiple arms, each one morphing into either chainsaws, hammers, or drills.
The heroes weren't on the defensive but it was clear that they weren't doing any damage. Wordlessly, the two activated their quirks. Izuku let out 15% of One For All before rushing up towards the tool-armed Nomu. Tokoyami flew behind him; Dark Shadow relishing in the dark.
The greenette sent a double legged kick towards the turquoise beast as he reached him, knocking it back into the fountain. Tokoyami strafed around to the side and attacked the lankier Nomu, Dark Shadow ripping through its tongue with its empowered claws.
"Hey, kids!" A pro called out. "What are you doing here? Get out before you get hurt!" She shouted.
The two boys didn't bother explaining anything and continued their onslaught of attacks on their respective Nomu. Dark Shadow picked up the lanky beast with both of its claws before slamming it down on the ground. Izuku flipped over the turquoise Nomu and delivered an axe kick to the beast's back; the shock from the blow breaking its spine.
After their attacks, Izuku and Tokoyami regrouped and carefully observed the beasts in front of them.
"What the hell?" One of the heroes said in shock.
The other heroes couldn't help but agree with the sentiment. "We've been fighting those things for like ten minutes."
Anything else the heroes wanted to say was cut off as the downed Nomu's broken bodies began to move. Their disfigured forms clicked and morphed back into place before they stood up. The two teens sighed and got back into their stances after hearing the beasts screech.
Dark Shadow grew even large and began to cover Tokoyami's form and Izuku began to float off the ground. Neither side made a move until a loud voice could be heard.
"Flashfire Fist!" A sudden jet of flame blew back the black Nomu.
"It's Endeavour!" One of the heroes sighed in delight.
A wave of ice followed by a pillar of fire knocked back the other two Nomu and a familiar face slid next to Izuku and Tokoyami.
"Shoto." The two teens greeted their heterochromatic friend.
Todoroki smiled. "Izuku, Tsukuyomi." He greeted back.
"So you're here with Endeavour?" Tokoyami asked.
The ice and fire user nodded. "He thought I could use the experience." He explained,
"Hawks had the same reason." Izuku said.
A loud screech in front of them reminded them of the Nomu and they got back into stances.
"We may converse later." Tokoyami stated, Dark Shadow wrapping itself around his form.
Endeavour had flown off with the black Nomu, leaving the two with the turquoise and grey ones; both having healed from their burns and frosts.
"Fine with me." Izuku said, shooting off towards the tool-armed Nomu. Tokoyami and Todoroki shot off to battle the grey one.
The other pro heroes could only watch in astonishment at what followed.
Izuku danced around the turquoise beast with relative ease. 'Did this thing get faster?' The greenette stomped the ground in front of him, trapping the Nomu's arms as it tried to thrust at him with a pillar. He then quickly jumped over the stone and sent a powerful kick to the Nomu's face, sending it flying away.
With Tokoyami and Todoroki, the raven boy held tight on the grey beast's arms with Dark Shadow and was spinning it around. His half-half friend was summoning a number of ice walls that the Nomu continued to smash into.
"Tsukuyomi, I need to heat up." The heterochromatic teen called out, feeling the frost take over him.
Tokoyami needed no further instruction and slammed the Nomu on the ground before sending it skywards. Todoroki lifted himself up slightly with a pillar of ice before sending a powerful uncontrolled wave of fire towards the beast; its charred body cracked the road on impact.
A second impact caused a small crater as the tool-armed Nomu crashed into the ground; the crater became debris and rubble as Izuku followed up with a powerful punch to its face.
The three teens looked at their respective opponents then at each other. They nodded and began to observe the rest of their surrounding and found the other pro's helping a number of civilians. Not having any rope, Todoroki decided to freeze the two Nomu in place with darker ice than his usual.
"That should hold them long enough for the proper authorities to arrive." The dual-quirk user said in his usual monotone voice. "Probably enough to cryo-freeze them, actually."
Izuku smiled at his friends before a sharp pang in his head made him stumble. The two other teens saw this and went to check on him, weren't able to take more than two steps before Izuku suddenly shot off. '
The green-haired teen continued to bounce around the alleyways of the city until he felt his danger sense spike hard. He took a hard left and paused at what he saw; there was a dark figure holding a katana above a familiar suit of armour.
"You seek revenge over the life another… You are the furthest from what a hero should be…" Izuku stopped standing and moved forward. "Your blood is an offering to a brighter future." The figure sensed something approaching him, fast.
The figure was suddenly blown back as Izuku sent a 5% double-legged kick to his chest. "Hell no!" The figure landed on his back and Izuku landed in front of his downed classmate. "Are you okay, Iida?" Izuku asked, turning to his friend.
"Mi-Midoriya…" Iida said, shocked.
"Can you move?" Izuku asked, checking over his friend's injury.
Iida saw the figure begin to stand again. "No, he paralysed me with his blades." Izuku took this into account.
A light shone on the dark figures face and Stain was revealed. "It's you." He said. "The one Shigaraki showed me."
Izuku turned back to face him, in doing so he saw another figure in the alleyway. It was the hero Native. 'Crap, someone else is here!' He looked the Hero Killer directly in his eyes. "Stain." Izuku greeted. "I'm afraid I can't let you kill these two."
Iida tried to move. "No, Midoriya!" He shouted, getting a confused look from Izuku. "This is my fight not yours! Just get out of here!"
Stain laughed, the sound of his voice echoing in the alleyway. "Your friend is trying to save you, Ingenium." His venom laced voice silenced Iida and he turned to Izuku. "I'm afraid it's my duty to kill these two." He began. "If we clash, the weaker shall be culled." The man's eyes poked at Izuku's soul.
'This guy is serious… those eyes aren't that of a regular villain… those are the eyes of a murderer.' Izuku took a stance and kept 5% of One For All washing through his body. 'Any more than this and I'd probably cause too much damage.' "Than the weaker shall be culled." He said to his adversary. "Even if it means me."
Iida continued to struggle. "No, Midoriya! Don't get involved in this! Just run away!" He shouted.
"No!" Izuku shouted back with a firm voice. "I'm not gonna be a hero that runs away from fights I don't think I can win; I'll save you even if it means putting my life on the line." Iida could only stare at Izuku after his words.
Stain was also staring at Izuku but he had a manic grin on his face. "Good, good, good… you seem to understand… Let's test your conviction." The Hero Killer rushed forward towards Native with his katana raised.
Izuku's eyes widened and he spiked 10% of One For All. Stain thrust his blade forward and blood stained the walls of the alley. However, instead of the lifeless eyes of Native, Stain was met with the fiery eyes of Izuku who held onto the blade piercing his right shoulder.
The Hero Killer's smile became even more crazed. "So you do have conviction." He removed his blade from Izuku who held onto the wall. "Know that you accepted this." Stain licked the blade and Izuku became paralysed.
'Damnit.' Izuku saw Stain raised his blade and felt it slash his left side. "Argh!" The Hero Killer lifted his sword again and struck at the right side of his chest.
"Midoriya!" Iida shouted, tears joining the pool of blood he laid in.
The Hero Killer brought his blade back up, an almost apologetic look on his face. "I won't enjoy this but you're getting in the way." Stain let his blade fall but was sent flying down the alleyway again by a dark claw.
"Midoriya!" Tokoyami and Todoroki shouted as they ran up to him; the bird boy also had Dark Shadow grab Iida. Todoroki slammed his right foot on the ground and a wave of ice separated them from the Hero Killer.
The fire and ice user could only look at the green-haired boy's form in horror. "What happened?" He asked after gaining his bearings and grabbing some medical capsules from his belt.
"He paralysed me with his quirk before slashing me." Izuku said; he winced as his wounds were cared for. Todoroki cauterised his wounds lightly before applying bands to cover them up. "Thanks, Todoroki, Tokoyami." He said.
Todoroki smiled. "Don't worry, Midoriya, we've got you."
Izuku suddenly felt his body twitch and he began to move. "Wait… huh?" He said as he stood up properly, confusion evident on his face.
"Was there a time limit?" Tokoyami asked.
"No." Native said, bringing attention to him. Todoroki began to treat his wounds as well. "Thanks, kid." He said to his healer. "If it was a time limit then your friend should've been the last one to be moving."
Izuku racked his brain for a bit. "I think I got it." He said, getting everyone's attention. "He ingests our blood to paralyse us." Everyone nodded. "So either it's harder for him to paralyse more than one person at a time, the time is reliant on how much blood he takes in, or it has to do with our blood type."
"If it's blood type then I'm type A." Iida said, still trying to move.
Native grunted as the last of his wounds were cared for. "I'm type B."
They suddenly heard the clang of metal against metal. "Impressive…" The ice wall that Todoroki created was suddenly slashed into several pieces and a small knife dug itself through the ground next to Native. Stain had a wide grin on his face as he landed. "You got it on the dot, kid, it's blood type." He brought out two of his blades.
Izuku and the others got into stances. "Not that it matters that we know it." The greenette said.
Todoroki was slightly tense. "How the hell did he break that ice wall, he's only got swords." 'Is the paralysing only one part of his quirk?'
Stain heard him and adopted a frown. "Of course you wouldn't understand." He said, confusing them. "Quirks are not strength. Anyone with the right will can do what I can, even quirkless people can reach this level." Izuku felt those words hit him hard. "Society has forgotten that a hero isn't made by their quirk." The Hero Killer brought his blades up. "It's my job to remind those that think otherwise and purge the heroes who don't deserve their title." His form became a blur as he shot forward, destroying the second ice wall Todoroki created with ease.
Izuku crouched to grab the small knife that was in the ground next to Native and brought it up to block the Hero Killer's strike. "Tokoyami!" He shouted.
The raven boy immediately reacted and knocked Stain back again. Todoroki followed up with a blast of fire this time. Stain dodged and landed on one of the walls. He bounced around the alley and kept up a barrage of strikes and throwing knives.
While this was happening, Iida could only watch his friends fight for him. 'Why won't they listen?' "Just leave! This isn't your fight!" He pleaded.
Todoroki sent another wave of fire which was dodged. "Get up and make us!" He shouted, getting a shocked look from Iida.
Dark Shadow blocked a hit from the Hero Killer for Tokoyami. "I understand the darkness in your soul, Iida, but do not let it taint your character!"
Izuku dodged another knife. "If you want to be a real hero then help us instead of telling us to run!" He shouted.
Iida looked at his three classmates, friends, with teary eyes. He remembered what his brother told him when he visited him at the hospital. "Please, take up the name Ingenium." His face grew serious and his engines roared like lions and he shook the tears off his face.
Stain finally found an opening and rushed at Tokoyami's back; swords ready to pierce through the raven-boy. However, he was once again knocked back; this time by a powerful kick to his face.
"I'm sorry, my friends." Iida said, standing properly. "You are all right."
Stain stood up with a scowl. "Don't bother changing for appearances sake, you're still a fake." He said, bringing his swords up again. 'Four against one.'
"You're a psychopath." Todoroki stated.
"Don't listen to him." Tokoyami said.
Iida shook his head. "No, he's right." He said, getting a confused look from his friends. "I don't care though; I can't have you three fight this for me."
Izuku let 8% wash his body. "Let's finish this." His eyes seemed to shine like a light in the dark alleyway.
Iida sped up to Stain with rapid speed. "Recipro Burst!" His kick shattered Stain's blades.
'He's faster.'
Izuku was next, sending him up in the air with a powerful palm.
'Stronger.'
Tokoyami came up and had Dark Shadow slam the Hero Killer into the wall.
'Ferocious'
The three teens then all launched at him; each attack aimed at his ribs. "Argh!" Stain could feel his bones snapping as the three attack converged on him, sending him further into the wall.
The three teens backed off and Todoroki finished the combo by freezing him on the wall.
"Holy shit, you did it." Native said in disbelief.
"Holy shit, we did it." Todoroki said, also in disbelief.
The four teens stood for a minute, staring at the frozen Hero Killer, before moving to detain him.
"Do we have any rope?" Izuku asked.
Native grunted as he found the ability to stand up. "Yeah, I got some." He said, bringing out a lasso.
"Excellent!" Iida exclaimed, taking the rope from Native. "Uhhh, Todoroki, could you remove the ice?" He asked.
Todoroki put his left hand on the ice and it melted away quick, Iida then proceeded to wrap up the Hero Killer. After double-checking everyone was okay, the group left the alleyway, Dark Shadow carrying Stain.
As they entered the streets of Hosu, they were immediately rushed by a group of heroes.
"Hey, kids, are you alright?" One of them asked; they all came to a halt. "We heard a lot of fighting while sweeping the area, what hap-"
The hero was cut off by a female hero. "Woah! I-is that The Hero Killer?" She asked, dumbfounded.
"Call the police." A hero with a red helmet quickly said before his eyes roamed over the teens and their injuries. "And get an ambulance as well, fast as they can."
"Right!" Another said, quickly grabbing his phone.
The four boys, seeing that there was no more danger, decided to take a breather. As they did, Iida walked in front of them and got on one of his knees.
"Iida, what are you-" Tokoyami was cut off by the blue-haired boys next words.
"I'm sorry, my friends." Iida began. "Because of me, you all got hurt." Tears fell from his eyes. "I couldn't… see through my anger… all I wanted was revenge… and you three paid a price for it."
Izuku had a sad look on his face. "I'm sorry as well." He said, getting a confused look from Iida. "I shouldn't have let you off as easy as I did at the train station three days ago. I could see something was wrong, but I didn't do anything."
Todoroki looked down at Iida with a sympathetic expression. "I also know what it feels like to try and get revenge against someone who hurt a family member." He put a hand to his scar. "It can make us do rash things."
Tokoyami laid a hand on Iida's shoulder. "Do not worry, friend, we shall help you with your demons."
Iida looked up at his friends and nodded. "Thank you." He said, tears still in his eyes.
Izuku smiled at Iida until he felt his head signal something moving in on him, fast. "Wha-" The green-haired teen didn't finish his statement as he was cut off by a loud screech.
"Nomu!" Tokoyami yelled.
Todoroki grabbed Iida. "Get down!"
Everyone ducked for cover except Izuku, his injuries making him slightly groggy. "Wait a min-" The greenette was once again cut off as the winged creature rushed down and grabbed him with all four of its arms; its blood spraying everywhere.
"Midoriya!" His three friends shouted.
"Did this thing just get here from a fight?" The female pro asked, blood staining her cheek.
Tokoyami summoned Dark Shadow. "We must save him!"
Before he could though, Stain licked the blood off the female hero's cheek and brought out a knife. The winged Nomu suddenly stopped flying and began to fall.
Izuku finally regained his senses. "What?" He asked.
Stain cut off his restraints and began to sprint at the falling Nomu as fast as he could. He leapt high and was above the Nomu. However, as he brought down his blade, a second form crashed into the Nomu with him.
The winged creature began to fall to the ground faster and the second form took hold of Izuku. They all landed and the other figure rolled away from Stain, the latter standing atop the now dead Nomu.
Izuku looked up at his saviour and saw a red pair of wings. "You alright, Izuku?" Hawks asked, looking down at him with a smile. He looked as though an explosion had been set off directly in his face.
Izuku could only nod dumbly, his brain trying to catch up with what happened.
"The heroes who don't deserve their title.." Stain said, getting everyone's attention. "And the villains who abuse the power they are given…" He pulled his blade out of the Nomu's brain. "Should all be purged…"
All of Hawks' feathers from his left wing shot off his back and positioned themselves in front of him while his right wing wrapped around Izuku. Nobody moved, simply looking at Stain who was breathing heavily. However, they were soon brought out of their trance as loud footsteps approached.
"What are you all doing bunched up in a group?" Turning around, they saw Endeavour stalking towards them. "The villain should've come this way." He stopped suddenly when he saw the Nomu he was chasing on the floor. His expression changed dramatically once he saw who had slain it. "Is that…"
Stain turned around with cold, squinted eyes. "Endeavour…" His mask fell off his face and he stood up fully to face the flame hero. "… You fake…" Everyone could feel the atmosphere shift. "This street must be stained with your blood!" The moon seemed to turned red and the pressure became almost unbearable. "I must take back what it means to be a hero!" Hawks held the biggest feather he had and got into a stance. "The only true heroes I know… are this kid…" He pointed back to Izuku. "And All Might!" He brought out another dagger. "… They are the only ones worthy of ending my life!"
The world disappeared as Stain's bloodlust washed over them. One of the pro heroes fell down, unable to stand through the pressure. The others weren't faring well either as they could only watch as he walked towards them.
…
The sound of a knife hitting the floor was heard and the world reappeared. Everyone was confused until they looked at stain.
"Is he…" Tokoyami began. "… Unconscious?"
The Hero Killer's eyes had rolled back into his head and he stayed standing. It was almost as if he was dead. Todoroki and Iida both fell to the ground, wide eyes ever present on their face. Hawks eyed Stain's unconscious form and only let his feathers back to their place after he determined it was safe.
The sound of sirens filled the streets as cops and ambulances arrived. Stain was apprehended and put into one of the ambulances, tight restraints on his hands. Izuku was also rushed to the ambulance once they saw how deep his cuts were.
The Next Morning, Hosu General Hospital
"Did you all get any sleep?" Iida asked, tiredly rubbing his eyes as sunrays invaded the room.
Izuku was sprawled out on his hospital bed with a done look on his face. "Barely."
Tokoyami had an annoyed look on his face. "Someone thought it would be fun to talk about the fight all night long." Dark Shadow gave a sheepish chuckle.
"Yeah, me neither." Todoroki said, sitting up on his bed.
"I'm surprised we're all still alive." Izuku also sat up.
Tokoyami gave him an incredulous look. "I am surprised you still live; those cuts were of no laughing matter."
Iida nodded. "I got stabbed as well but what he did to you was the worst thing that happened to all of us."
Their conversation was brought to a halt as the door opened.
"Sweet, you're awake." Hawks said with a big smile on his face.
A hero with a blue and white outfit that resembled a fish walked in behind him.
"Manual…" Iida said with a surprised face.
"I have a lot of things to say to you, kid." The water hero said with a stern look. "But you've all got a visitor first." He stepped out of the doorway.
A large man in a black suit walked in; his face resembling that of a dog.
"This is Hosu's Chief of Police." Hawks introduced. "Kenji Tsuragamae."
The four students all went to stand before he spoke. "You may stay seated, woof."
'Woof?' The four thought collectively.
"You are the Yuuei students who brought down the Hero Killer, correct?" The police chief asked, receiving nods from all four of them. "Regarding the man we arrested, he had severe injuries; broken bones and cuts."
'What does he want?' Todoroki thought to himself.
"As students of Yuuei, I can assume that you kids know that when quirks first emerged, the police had to ensure that quirks weren't used as weapons." The four nodded again. "The role of 'Hero' came to fill in that gap, woof." The dog man continued. "For any unregistered individual to use their quirk against another and to cause injury, without permission from a supervisor, is in clear violation of our laws."
The four teens instantly understood what he was saying. Before he could finish speaking, however, Hawks spoke up.
"Before you go around punishing anyone, please know that both Midoriya and Tokoyami had my full permission to use their quirks." Hawks said, a 'way too early for this shit' smile on his face. "They acted well within reason and their temporary rights."
The dog-man had a surprised look on his face. "Woof. Well, the other two still must receive stric-"
He was cut off again, this time by Izuku. "Actually, they still acted within the law as well." The greenette said, getting a confused look from the chief. "Todoroki was brought here by his father, he had permission to use his quirk as well."
The heterochromatic teen nodded. "It's true, I was."
Izuku continued. "And article one, subsection four of the Quirk/Meta Ability Constitution (2103) states that any individual may employ the use of their quirk if it is used in the context of a life or death situation or to protect either themselves or others." Hawks had a shit-eating grin on his face. "If Iida hadn't fought the Hero Killer, Native would've died. I think that's a just cause." He finished.
The chief stayed silent before he adopted a smile. "Good to see a hero student that remembers their theory. Woof." He bowed in front of them. "On behalf of the city of Hosu, I would like to thank you four for what you did; I hope you all recover well. Woof." The chief exited the room promptly.
Hawks looked to Izuku and Tokoyami and gave them a thumbs up. Izuku smiled lightly back while Tokoyami gave an exasperated sigh.
Hours Later
The four teens were all released from the hospital after a final check-up and were given the go-ahead to leave. Iida stayed in Hosu while Todoroki was picked up by a rather loud driver. Izuku and Tokoyami had changed into normal clothes, with the exception of Tokoyami's cape.
As they flew back to Kyushu, they thought about the last few days. In less than a week, they had grown incredibly and survived against impossible odds, and they still had two days left. Hawks watched as they flew in front of him with a smile. 'The world's got a bright future with these ones.'