Chapter 33: Keeping Appointments

Arriving home, Izuku quickly went to his room and donned his spider-suit. While he was at Endeavour's development studio, he had been able to learn that Dr. Akatani was staying at a hotel in downtown Musutafu. If he was lucky, he would still be there tonight.

As he grabbed his mask, he suddenly remembered that he had to meet with the League of Villains that evening. In all the excitement, he had somehow forgotten. Crying out in frustration, he buried his face in his hands. How could he have forgotten something so important?

I don't want to miss my chance with the League, but Dr. Akatani takes priority. I just hope that they don't start rewarding me over the breakout at Tartarus. Jeez, that would suck…wait.

He froze, hoodie pulled half over his head and shoulders. New troubling thoughts had emerged.

The League's no doubt heard about the breakout at Tartarus and everyone already thinks Spider-Man did it. Should I take the credit?

He sighed and finished pulling his hoodie over his head. Navigating the social quagmire of being a secret good guy, a double agent working with bad guys, and a public good guy with no powers sure got confusing sometimes.

I'll play it straight. If Mr. Itchy's contacts and resources are as expansive as he said they were, then it's not unreasonable to assume that he could get his chapped hands on the surveillance footage of the breakout. And for as persuasive as I am, I doubt I could explain the sudden absence of four extra limbs.

Drawing his sleeves down over his web-shooters, he walked over to the apartment exit. As he passed through the kitchen, he turned to his mom who was watching television.

'Hey Mom, I'm gonna go hang out with some of my buds, okay? We all promised to meet after our internships.'

'Oh! Er, are you sure that's a good idea, Izu? The police said that everyone should stay put at home.'

He blinked, 'Oh. Aha! Ha ha ha! No, no, no. It's…fine. W-When I was at Endeavour's office, I learned that the escaped villains are already on the run. I should be fine. Just fine.'

He continued to laugh nervously as his mother stared at him. Once his laughter petered out, she nodded and gave him a small, worried smile.

'Really? Okay. I trust you. Goodbye Izu. Don't stay out late.'

'Alright I won't. Er, don't wait up. Bye!'

All Might stood panting in the middle of the parking lot, coughing slightly as water from a destroyed hydrant rained down on him and the supervillain he had just been fighting. Steadying himself, he took in the destruction. The fight had spilled over into the parking lot of an upscale restaurant, or what remained of it anyway. The twisted wrecks of luxury cars lay scattered around the shallow crater his punch had created during his battle. His face hardened at the sight.

Looks like I just tacked on an extra couple billion to my collateral tally.

'Hey…hey…'

All Might looked down. The villain he had just defeated was attempting to rise to his feet. Planting a boot on the villain's chest, he pushed him back down.

'It's over, Rhino. Submit.'

The giant, grey skinned man beneath him struggled against the mounting pressure for a few moments before he succumbed and fell back. As Rhino struggled to catch his breath, he fixed the blue and red clad hero with a hateful glare.

'I an't goin' back in that hole, All Might.' Rhino growled, 'You'll have to kill me first.'

All Might didn't have the energy to argue. Bending down, he delivered a sharp jab to Rhino's chin. With a sharp *CRACK* the blow connected, knocking the Rhino out cold. Grimacing at the pain on his side, All Might straightened back upright and activated the small communicator by his wrist.

'District, come in.' he said.

'All Might, this is District. What is your situation?' came a breathless reply.

All Might couldn't help but smile slightly. He didn't recognize the man connecting him with the local police district, but it sounded like it a rookie officer. It was humbling to think what his voice meant to some people.

'I've managed to intercept the escaped villain, Rhino. He is at Avenue R and 30th. No injured-'

All Might quickly drew his head back from his wrist and coughed into his other hand. Hacking up a thick glob of blood, he spat and wiped his mouth.

I'm almost out of time. I'll need to stop soon.

Turning back to his communicator, he finished his message to dispatch. 'Pardon. No injured civilians. Please send a containment team.'

'Yes sir! Containment teams dispatched. Congratulations, All Might!'

He deactivated his communicator and began coughing again. If he was in his prime, he could have finished rounding up all of the escaped criminals by now. However, as it stood, he would have to trust in the other heroes.

How many more disasters do I have left in me I wonder? This can't go on.

His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of approaching sirens. As soon as he was relieved, he would head home for some much-needed rest. He would need his strength for tomorrow.

Dr. Akatani was silent as he hung up his hotel suite's phone. His whole body felt numb, though whether from the alcohol or the argument he had just had was difficult to determine. To say that chairman Sekkachi was displeased would be an understatement. Enraged, would be a better word. Stain had escaped, and despite his insistence that the deaths at Tartarus were an acceptable cost to pay for a successful quirk manifestation experiment, a few members of the board had disagreed. Violently so.

With a sigh, he slowly stumbled his way over to the minibar. He was in dangerous territory now. He had authorized the experiment on Stain without preapproval from the other members of the board in an attempt to expedite the process. At the time he had believed that if he could demonstrate the effectiveness of his serum, then not even Sekkachi could touch him. But unfortunately, his serum was a little too successful, and as a result there was now a dangerous serial killer turned mutated monstrosity on the loose doing God knows what.

'Dr. Frankenstein indeed.' Dr. Akatani muttered as he fumbled around the depleted minibar.

As he rummaged through the small refrigerator, he felt a cool draft blow over him. Pulling his head out from the fridge, he peered over at the balcony access. The curtains surrounding his window were fluttering softly in the breeze and his balcony door was wide open. He frowned. He hadn't been out on his balcony once since his arrival in Musutafu. Setting down his empty glass on a nearby table, he went to the door and firmly shut it.

Turning, he froze as a blue and red figure emerged from the shadows. For a moment his heart stopped and his blood turned to ice at the sight of the intruder. He had seen what Stain had done to those guards and prisoners.

The blue and red figure stepped forward and he stumbled backward, tripping over his coffee table and landing helplessly on the floor. He felt a cold sweat break out over his body as the intruder drew near. He wanted to run, but his body wouldn't follow his commands.

The figure loomed over him, imposing and terrible. Dr. Akatani could only watch in terror as it drew near.

'What's the matter Doc? You look like you've seen a ghost.'

Izuku looked down at the cowering man with a mixture of pity and contempt. The fearful expression on the balding man was satisfying in a way, he deserved far worse than a little scare for the deaths he caused at Tartarus, but seeing someone react in fear to him still made him uncomfortable.

'What's the matter doc? You look like you've seen a ghost.' he said casually.

A flitter of incomprehension passed over Dr. Akatani's features. He swallowed, his eyes darting back and forth. Izuku sighed.

'It's me, Spider-Man. You know, the real Spider-Man. Not that freak you created at Tartarus.'

Dr. Akatani sat there blinking.

'O-Oh?' he said uncertainly, 'Y-Yes, of course.' he breathed and swallowed again, 'You're wearing a costume. Of…of course.'

He watched as the man shakily stood up. Straightening his rumbled shirt and tie, he brought his hands together and bowed his head slightly.

'To what do I owe the pleasure Mr…?' Dr. Akatani began.

He snorted, 'You've got to be kidding! You think I'd tell you my name? You've been hunting me since day one!'

Dr. Akatani recoiled as though he had been slapped, 'Hunting? No, no, no. My dear boy, I've been searching for you. I'm a medical professional who specializes in quirks you see, and the tragic medical accident you have been afflicted by needs to be examined for any lasting negative effects. I can help you.'

'Uh, huh.' he said sarcastically, 'And I'm guessing your examination will include a little brain surgery. Brain surgery with the oh so minor side effect of my death, but whatever. It's for my own good isn't it?'

Dr. Akatani adopted an indignant look as though such callousness was beneath him.

'I never planned on anything so invasive! Trust me, on my medical licence, I swear I would never perform any procedures on an ill informed, unwilling patient.' Dr. Akatani said solemnly and Izuku burst out laughing.

'Oh, yeah?' he said, shaking his head at the absurdity, 'So, your little experiment gone wrong that's currently up to God knows what in the city knew what he was getting into did he?'

Dr. Akatani scowled slightly, 'The experiment was sanctioned by the government against a known terrorist and subversive. If you do some research into the constitution, it states that criminals convicted of certain federal crimes forfeit some rights when they are incarcerated and-'

'Please.' he scoffed, 'I'm sure everything you did was perfectly legal. I'm not questioning that. It was just evil. Evil and twisted. For a normal doctor, the Hippocratic Oath and hell, personal ethics, supersedes the law.'

A nearly imperceptible ripple of annoyance passed over Dr. Akatani's face at the mention of ethics.

'It is all well and good to have a code. However, scientific advancement has always bore with it a heavy burden of consequence. What may kill twenty today, may save millions in a decade.' Dr. Akatani said emotionlessly. He got the sense that the good doctor had repeated this line many, many times over his career.

'I didn't come here to debate you, doctor.' he said coldly, 'I want to know why I have a body double running around killing people.'

Keeping his eyes on Izuku, Dr. Akatani slowly moved over to the chair and sat down. Removing his glasses, he began polishing the silver framed spectacles on his shirt as he appraised him.

'What?' Izuku said challengingly.

'Oh, nothing. I'm just…impressed is all.' Dr. Akatani said softly. The tone immediately put him on edge.

'What do you mean?'

'You're much different from the other specimen. No abnormal musculature, normal proportion's.' he paused, looking Izuku up and down, 'I'm guessing beneath your suit you look more or less the same since before you were bitten?' Dr. Akatani asked leadingly. Izuku said nothing, but Dr. Akatani nodded regardless.

'Yes. So much different.' Dr. Akatani continued softly as he replaced his spectacles, 'But to answer your question, the "abomination" as you call him was once a prisoner named Chizome Akaguro or Stain. I believe you've met?'

He gasped, 'Stain? That thing was once Stain?'

'Yes.' Dr. Akatani said absently, 'I would have preferred to use a quirkless prisoner, but the only quirkless inmate at Tartarus, one Cletus Kasady, is currently appealing his sentences so I had to make do.' Dr. Akatani's voice was calm and collected. He sounded like he was describing his lunch or his commute to work.

'What on earth possessed you to give more power to a villain like Stain?' he sputtered and Dr. Akatani pursed his lips and smiled.

'Like I said, I had to make do. In any case, he was a prime specimen. Young. Healthy. A bit uncooperative I'll admit, but that is to be expected.'

'But why go through the experiment at all?!'

'Why?' Dr. Akatani said distantly as though pondering the question, 'I don't know very much about you Spider-Man, but I suspect me and you were once quite similar. Like yourself, I was also born without a quirk. Of course, in my generation it wasn't as uncommon as yours but it still made me a minority. As a child, I wanted nothing more than to manifest a quirk, to have some unique outward expression of myself. Something visible and unique.'

'That never happened of course, but I never gave up the hope. The hope that one day I could manifest quirks in others. And why not? I had the intellect, the drive. Even at a young age I would meticulously observe my peers, recording everything I could about them into my notebook. There is nothing magical about quirks you know, they are just errant pieces of genetic code. I knew that with science I could realize my dream. I could enable others to have what I could not.'

'Take you for example, Spider-Man. Based on your behaviour thus far, I would surmise that you wanted to become a hero, didn't you? To help people, to save lives, but because you were born quirkless that dream was quashed from birth…until you happened upon a certain spider that is. And now look at you! I've read enough reports about your activity to know that you are a true hero, maybe not in the public's eye of course, but a noble defender of justice all the same.'

'Are you expecting a thank you?' Izuku asked, his voice raising angrily.

'There is no need.' Dr. Akatani said as a wry smile played on his lips, 'Afterall, I had very little to do with creating you Spider-Man. Well. Your powers and name yes, but not you. How did you manage to get bitten by the way?'

He didn't respond and Dr. Akatani arched his eyebrows, and bowed his head. Putting back on his glasses, he resumed his speech.

'No matter. Anyway, allow me to answer your question without the dialectics. The reason I experimented on Stain was that like any good scientist who makes an accidental discovery, I attempted to replicate my creation with the aid of some…techniques I learned recently from a specimen that was recovered from the attack at U.A. High School.'

The Nomu! He must have been able to reverse engineer the process that created him!

'So what, this was all for the hope of developing medical technology?'

Dr. Akatani chuckled, 'To me yes, but not in the eyes of my superiors. Aside from the military, the government is more concerned with curtailing quirks, not creating new ones. They believe that eventually the general population will become too powerful - too destructive - to control. Even with heroes shepherding them.'

Dimly Izuku remembered the words of the tour guide back at the Quirk Research Institute. They had been looking into ways to manage quirks. Evidently Dr. Akatani had his own plans though. He doubted that something like Spider-Stain was part of the government's grand vision for the future.

'If that's the case, what are you doing making new quirks at all?' he said frowning, 'If the goal is to remove quirks in individuals, why bother with the spider formula?'

Dr. Akatani leaned forward in his chair. Despite his precarious position, he looked absolutely delighted with himself.

'A little deception on my part.' Dr. Akatani whispered, voice trembling with excitement, 'I have led the government to believe that the path to quirk suppression is in understanding its genesis when truth be told, I devised a chemical compound that once administered can permanently disable a quirk years ago.' he chuckled, 'If my superiors only knew, they would be positively murderous.'

Izuku couldn't believe what he was hearing. To think that the doctor his mother had sent him to was so unhinged.

'What did you do to Stain? I mean, actually do to him?'

'Same thing that happened to you really. Increased musculature, speed, reflexes, senses. You should have a better idea of the spider serum's effect than me.'

'So he has all my powers?' Izuku asked despairingly.

'Not quite. He should be a good deal more powerful.' Dr. Akatani said and Izuku felt his face drain of colour, 'I have a little theory actually. The reason why he is so much more spiderlike than you is because he was given sufficient energy to finish the metamorphosis from man to spider. When you were mutated you probably didn't consume enough calories.'

The words caused him to recoil in shock. He remembered how hungry he had been that first few days. If he had eaten more food during his transformation, would he have mutated like Stain had? It was probably impossible outside of a laboratory setting given that he was unconscious for most of it, but even so. While he was trying to wrap his head around this revelation, Dr. Akatani continued.

'In addition, he has the same quirk he had prior to his transformation. If he can sample your blood, then you are paralyzed. Quite a combo for a being with such prestigious teeth, eh? I shouldn't take all the credit though. I acquired some additional material that allowed the quirk splice. Even so besides yourself, Stain is my greatest achievement.'

He glared at the man. Instead of sounding remorseful or afraid, Dr. Akatani sounded downright pleased with himself.

'What are his weaknesses?' he growled through his teeth.

'Well besides whatever weaknesses you have, I would say intelligence. His brain literally rewrote itself during the manifestation event, leaving him with little to no remnants of personality or humanity.' Dr. Akatani sighed, 'I'll need to work on that bit. Not even the military wants an indiscriminate killing machine.'

'Do you have any idea of where he is? You must have put a tracking device in him or something…'

Dr. Akatani shook his head, 'If I knew where to find him, I would have directed All Might his way already. Trust me, I want Stain stopped as much as you do.'

'Oh really? Is he too embarrassing for you?' Izuku asked dryly.

'Something like that. As unscrupulous as the government might be, they don't take kindly to their taxpayers getting eaten.'

'Eaten?!' he cried in alarm.

'Oh, yes. It seems as though Stain's bloodlust and the heightened metabolism imparted by the spider mutation resulted in a gruesome combination, producing a creature of voracious appetite. Have you ever experienced any…temptations?' he asked peering over his glasses at him.

'No!' he shouted in disgust.

However, try as he might he couldn't help but remember the sensations he felt during his hunt for Stain. The way he tasted the air, feeling for his prey as he skulked through the twisting vents and maintenance shafts of the Grey Towers. Could that be how Stain perceived the city now?

'Well that's good. Do you have any further questions for me?' Dr Akatani asked, crossing his legs.

Izuku scowled at his apparent aloof attitude. As disconcerting as his earlier fearfulness was, his blasé professionalism towards their conversation was even worse.

'No. But listen: If I find out that you're conducting any more experiments…' he started in as intimidating a voice as he could, but Dr. Akatani merely gave him a condescending look.

'I am a servant to the government, Spider-Man and I will do precisely what I am ordered and sanctioned by my superiors to do. If you are worried about me making any more spider-men, then you can relax. I think that my insect-based formula has proven itself to be a failure for human test subjects. Er, present company excluded of course. Now, having said that; it is almost certain that the government will order me to conduct more tests in the future. If you have a problem with that then I suggest you take it up with them.'

He let out his breath in a long, drawn out angry hiss. He couldn't very well beat the doctor up, but he should feel some sort of punishment. Walking past Dr. Akatani, who remained calmly seated, he made his way over to the balcony door. Before he left, he turned his head over his shoulder.

'I'm going to go clean up your mess doctor, because like it or not I have a responsibility to this city. However, a word of advice: If you're right about me and Stain sharing the same powers then if I were you, I would run as far from Musutafu as I could.'

'And why is that?' Dr. Akatani said without turning around.

'Because if Stain's transformation was as painful as mine was, then trust me; he'll remember your scent. Assuming you were there of course.'

Dr. Akatani whipped his head around in alarm, but Izuku had already opened the balcony doors. Ignoring the man's cries for clarification, Izuku swan dove down a few stories before swinging himself away. As he swung, he felt a small smile creep on to his face.

At least if I can't beat Stain then Dr. Akatani will get a taste of his own medicine.

Swinging across the city as carefully and quickly as he could, Izuku hurried to his meeting with the League of Villains. Contrary to what he had told his mother, the city was in absolute chaos. While the heroes were occupied with the Tartarus escapees, roaming herds of petty villains had emerged from the woodwork to steal, burn, and bash to their hearts desire. The police had mobilized, but they were badly outnumbered. For every one looter they arrested, five more ran free.

He felt a pang of guilt as he swung above and away from group of rampaging thugs that were raiding a department store. Hooting and hollering crudely to each other, they were steadily demolishing the steel shuttered security gate that protected the store's windows, eager for a taste of the high life.

At least everything's closed. He thought dejectedly while the looters swarmed below. He reasoned that if he stopped and dealt with every group of criminals he came across, he'd be fighting until morning. Assuming he wasn't dogpiled by heroes first that is.

Leaving them behind, he swung beneath the overhead train tracks and followed them to the slums. After a few minutes of travel and several close encounters where police were slugging it out with rioters, he at last arrived at The Den.

Crouching down into the shadows of the rooftop AC units on the building across the street, he watched and waited. It was likely that the heroes had heard that he was sighted at the club last week. If that were the case, they might have staked the place out.

Chewing his lip, he felt a drop of sweat roll off his chin. His spider sense was going crazy.

Izuku cautiously pushed open the door to The Den nightclub. He had been waiting outside the suspiciously silent rave pit for the last couple of minutes before his anxiety got the better of him. He didn't detect a trap, but then again, he couldn't detect much of anything with his spider sense going haywire.

Glancing around the club, he saw that the entire floor was empty and cleared. The only other person in the building was a solitary figure in a luxurious fur coat hunched over in a chair by the bar. Before he could recognize them, the person spun around in their stool. It was Toga. Like before her face lit up in glee at the sight of him and her eyes brightly shone despite the appearance of fatigue that clung to her face.

'Hey, Spider-Man!' called out Toga, 'Come 'er, you troublemaker you!'

He walked over to her while she hummed a merry tune.

'Hi, Toga. How're you? You look…' he paused as she raised her eyebrows expectantly. He was about to say dead tired, but he quickly reconsidered. The last thing he wanted was to cause trouble before the meeting, '…good. Nice coat.' She waved his praise away, blushing.

'Thanks. I just picked it up downtown. Do you really think I look good? I think it might be a little too much for me.'

It was. The coat was several sizes too big for her and the sleeves hung down to the floor, but he didn't hesitate.

'No, it suits you fine. Really, ehm, chic.'

She flashed him a quick smile and he noticed her sharp canines again. Swinging herself back around to face the bar, she slapped the seat of the stool beside her and he reluctantly sat.

'You're too sweet.' she sighed, 'I can't remember the last time I got a compliment. Nobody in school even sees me.' For some reason Toga found this deeply amusing and she burst out into a tittering laughter. He felt his interest pique.

'R-Really? I have a hard time buying that. What school do you go to?'

'Whichever takes my fancy. If I find someone I like, I take a…scholarship with them. Walk a mile in their shoes, meet the family, etc. How about you? What school do you go to? Given your knowledge of high fashion, it must be pretty prestigious.'

'I'm not in school. I'm older than I look.' he said confidently. Toga's smile broadened and her eyes twinkled dangerously.

'Oh? Hmmm.' she said in a clearly disbelieving tone, 'Whatever you say, hot stuff.'

'Anyway.' he said hastily, eager to change the subject, 'Is this place secure? The heroes are swarming across the city right now, and we're not exactly hiding in a church.'

As if on cue. There was a faint clinking sound from the metal gantry far above them. Izuku looked up warily but he didn't see anything.

'We should be safe in here for now.' Toga said dismissively, 'But speaking of heroes, come on, don't leave me hanging; what's going on with Tartarus? I heard you stormed the prison and broke a bunch of people out!'

Izuku hesitated, 'No…It um, wasn't me.'

Toga's eyes went wide in almost childlike confusion.

'What do you mean?'

'It was a copycat.'

Toga gasped, her giant scarf like sleeves flying over her mouth in surprise.

'No!' she exclaimed in a scandalous voice.

'Yeah. It's pretty embarrassing.' he admitted, 'I'm hunting for him right now, but it's a big city y'know?'

Toga nodded vigorously, 'I can imagine. Copycats!' she said, sneering, 'I can't stand them! So unoriginal and lame.'

'Yeah.' He took a deep breath. This was the difficult part, 'Speaking of which, I was sort of hoping to continue my search tonight. Do you know if Shigaraki needs me for anything? I'm kinda pressed for time right now, and if nothings happening then I might just go.'

Toga tittered and slapped his arm playfully.

'Hah! You should! He would be so pissed. But I wouldn't if I were you. I haven't been with the League for very long, but Shigaraki has a bit of a temper. And he's a little…' she twirled her hand as she considered her words. 'Petty.' she declared finally, 'If you snub him, I wouldn't be surprised if he asked me and the others to hunt you down ourselves.'

Izuku nodded resignedly. He had feared as much.

'Alright, I see your point. So, what're we waiting for then? Let's go.'

Toga blinked in surprise.

'Don't you want to hang out a little?' she asked in a hurt voice.

'It-its not a question of if I want to or not.' he said carefully, 'It's just that, I'm busy. I've got a copycat to hunt down. And besides…' he turned around and scanned the empty clubroom behind them, 'I've got a bad feeling about this place…'

She rolled her eyes. 'You're no fun.' she pouted as she pulled out her cell phone.

Toga finished her text message and let her coat drop to the floor. A few seconds later the strange purple mist reappeared with the ominous bartender Kurogiri stepping out of the fog behind the bar counter.

'Miss Toga, Mr. Spider-Man. Shall we?'

The pair nodded and the mist enveloped them.

In an instant, Izuku, Toga, and Kurogiri were gone leaving the empty club behind them. Or so they believed. As the mists receded back into whatever dimension they were home to, a long and low hiss of frustration sounded. Crawling around from behind the stage lights came the vague silhouette of a spider.

Falling down to the floor with a gentle thud, the Doppelganger stalked towards where his tantalizing prey and his companion had been sitting mere moments ago. Hopping over the bar counter, the mutant felt around with his senses, but it was no use. The other had disappeared and the trail had gone cold.

It had been so close! It knew that the other spider was special, it could feel his presence everywhere, setting his senses on fire. So far it had sampled many things since being birthed; but even with their blood fresh in its mouth they couldn't compare to the salivating flavour that the other exuded. Just how much more intense would the taste be it finally had the Other's flesh?

After rooting around for a moment, the Doppelganger rose and effortlessly leapt up to the ceiling. Next time it would be less hesitant to strike.

Izuku, Toga, and Kurogiri emerged in the same storeroom that Izuku had arrived in last week. However, Izuku immediately noticed a key difference. The horrible sense of doom that he had felt bearing down on him was greatly lessened. It was still there to be sure – a creeping sense of unease that he couldn't place – but at the moment, he felt practically carefree in comparison to how he felt back at The Den.

What's going on? I'm in less danger in a villain's secret lair than in an empty nightclub?

'If you would both follow me please. The others are waiting.'

He frowned to himself as Toga skipped on after Kurogiri. Was the nightclub a trap after all? He hadn't seen any heroes. And why would they wait for him to enter and talk with Toga? It was possible they were collecting information, but for some reason that didn't sit right with him.

'Hey, Spider-Man! You coming?' Toga shouted out from the hallway.

He pulled his head out of the clouds. He'd think about this later.

'Yes, I'm coming.'

Exiting out into the hallway, he followed Toga and Kurogiri into the bar. As they entered into the dining area, he saw several new faces that he didn't recognize either sitting at the bar counter or in the booths. From their appearances alone he could tell they were an odd bunch. For starters each one of them was wearing a proper costume, a rarity among the street trash he was used to fighting, and they had a certain confidence about them. Aside from the occasional mumbled word or glance at the static filled television that hung over the bar, nobody was doing much of anything. A few of them glanced at him in interest, but that was it.

He stood by the doorway for a moment wondering if he should introduce himself before Toga announced their arrival.

'Hello everyone!' Toga called loudly, waving happily to the room, 'My name is Toga and this is Spider-Man! Pleased to meet you.'

There were a few indistinct murmurings of greetings though one of the men, who was wearing a half black/half grey mask and a black bodysuit, sprang up from his chair.

'Spider-Man!' the man said with almost reverential fervour, 'I was hoping I'd meet you! I must say, you're a lot smaller than I expected, but that just makes you all the more impressive! My name is Twice. At your service, sir!' Twice said warmly, bowing.

That was the last thing he expected. In his experience criminals were rarely so forthcoming and friendly when they were introduced to each other.

'Th-Thanks. I-'

'He looks like a scrawny little dweeb to me.' Twice interrupted disdainfully, 'It seems the rumour mill exaggerated the newcomer. Again. All these fucking children! Is Shigaraki running a daycare or a criminal enterprise?'

Izuku's thanks was choked off.

As if reading his mind, Toga turned and faced Izuku. Crossing her eyes and sticking out her tongue she made a circular motion around her temple with her index finger. He sighed.

Right. Makes sense with this lot.

If the grey and black man was insulted by Toga's rude gesture, he made no sign of it. Instead he turned to her and wiggled his finger mischievously.

'Toga! You little rascal. Delighted to see you again, darling. I must say you're looking as pretty as ever.' Toga blushed and giggled, 'Fucking slut. We'll see whose crazy...' Twice muttered darkly.

Izuku's mouth fell open at the bizarre behaviour on display. He was no psychologist, but he could tell that Twice was a certifiable whack job. Suddenly he found himself rethinking the whole "villain team up" thing.

'Hey, Spidey. C'mon, sit with the cool kids.' Toga said grabbing his arm and pulling him over to where Twice was standing.

Izuku's weak protests were ignored by the girl who plopped him down between Twice and herself. To his chagrin. she immediately pulled out her phone and squeezed herself next to him.

'Say cheese!' she said merrily.

Twice immediately pushed himself up against Izuku, sandwiching him between the two.

'Cheese!' Twice and Toga cried.

'Cheese...' Izuku mumbled.

The camera flashed. Once Toga had taken a half dozen or so pictures she quickly flipped the phone around and scrolled through her album, smiling to herself.

'I'd post these to my Facebook page but they keep deleting my accounts.' she said confidentially to Izuku and Twice, 'It's such a pain.'

'You've probably been flagged for villainy or terrorism.' Izuku stated.

'Nope! Sexual content.'

'O-Oh? Hm.'

Note to self: Investigate clues about Toga's origins on social media.

At that moment the door to the back room burst open and a massive muscle-bound man came strutting into the room. Beneath a shortly cut crop of blonde hair, his face was marred by a large scar where he had a glowing cybernetic eye. He wore a cocky grin as he surveyed everyone. His gaze rested on Izuku and his grin broadened slightly. He scowled as the man sneered at him. He recognized that look. Though he was wearing a mask, he locked eyes with the newcomer. He knew better than to ignore such an obvious challenge.

The exchange lasted only a second before the muscular blonde looked away. Turning to Shigaraki he spoke.

'Sorry for keeping everyone waiting.' the large man said gruffly, 'Well let's get this over with, I haven't got all night.'

Shigaraki stood while the newcomer navigated over to his own booth and filled it with his bulky frame.

'Alright,' Shigaraki started, 'now that everyone is here, let me officially welcome you all to the League of Villains. You represent the highest echelon of villains that Musutafu has to offer and to that end you've all been scouted to join a special team of elites that I'm calling the Vanguard Action Squad.'

The room broke out into murmurs. Izuku bobbed his head slightly from side to side before nodding.

Vanguard Action Squad, huh? I've heard worse names.

'To put it bluntly, I've tried working with swarms of fodder, but against even moderately skilled heroes they're completely worthless. Instead, to accomplish my goals I've decided to utilize seasoned veterans. You've all had run ins with pros, and for what I have in mind that should be more than enough.'

Shigaraki started to scratch his neck absently as he looked around the room. His eyes rested on the static filled television screen hanging over the bar for a few moments before continuing his speech.

'I want to strike at the heart of All Might's legacy. Which begins with corrupting his message. I trust that you all watched the U.A. Sports Festival?'

Most of the gathered villains nodded and Shigaraki continued.

'Well there is one student in particular who's caught my eye.'

Izuku felt goosebumps erupt over his skin.

'His name is Katsuki Bakugo, the first-year champion. I'd like to abduct him, turn him to our cause. I think it can be accomplished, with a little persuasion of course.' He paused and a small smile broke out over his face. 'Can you imagine it? The gold medal winner, the rising star at U.A. turned from the heroic path, and corrupted. It's…perfect.'

'And how do you propose we nab him? U.A. is a fortress.' said a suited man with a top hat and a magicians mask.

'It has come to my attention that after the first term tests, U.A. is planning on sending its first-year hero students on a special weeklong retreat in the mountains for quirk training. They will be isolated and vulnerable there. With a carefully co-ordinated lightning strike, we can abduct Bakugo, kill whatever opposition we face, and then be gone before reinforcements show up.'

A few of the villains looked at each other as Shigaraki continued.

'I won't actually be participating in the mission myself, unfortunately. However, I will be sending one of my Nomu's to assist you. I promise that the Nomu will have sufficient power to be able to go toe-to-toe with any of the heroes. It will respond to the team leader's orders and act accordingly.'

'If you're not coming than who's the team leader?' asked the muscular man in the back.

Everyone went still for a second. Izuku noticed Toga cross her fingers.

'The team leader is…Dabi.'

Several people in the room scoffed and complained as a tall thin man stood up from his stool. He was covered in stitches and burn marks that looked intentionally patterned across his face.

'Thank you. I wouldn't have had it any other way to be honest with you.' Dabi said in a bored voice.

'Why aren't I the leader?' snarled a man in a full black bondage suit, his long teeth flashing, 'I'm an A-ranked villain! This boy is nothing but a punk! I've got the most experience!' Dabi looked over at him impassively, but before he could say anything the muscular man in the back spoke up.

'The most experience? Like hell you do, freakshow.' he said smirking, 'Besides, who cares who's in charge? Let's just move past this bullshit.'

'If anyone doubts my capabilities, I'd be happy to demonstrate my qualifications in person if need be.' Dabi said, gazing around the room before his eyes rested on Izuku. Internally Izuku groaned.

Great, he's calling me out. Now if I don't say anything everybody's going to think I'm a wimp.

'Wait.' Izuku said, gently slapping the counter with both hands and standing up, 'Are you implying that if I beat you up then I can be the new leader? Is that what you're saying? Cause if so, bring it on burn ward. I'll give you some real scars, not that Halloween makeup you're wearing.'

The air in the room suddenly grew tense as everyone looked between the two. As Izuku stared into Dabi's cold, dead eyes he could have sworn he saw a tiny flicker of energy stir in them. Just as Dabi opened his mouth to speak, Shigaraki interrupted.

'No.' Shigaraki said sharply, 'My choice of leader is final. I didn't choose Dabi because he was the most powerful, but because he seems to be the most suited to command. Mustard and Spider-Man are both too young to lead-'

'Hey!' said a muffled voice. Izuku spotted the speaker as belonging to a boy in a gas mask and schoolboy's uniform who was perched on a too big barstool, 'I'm not that young!'

Izuku winced. The kid was obviously still in junior high.

Jeez, do I sound like that?

'-Toga and Twice are too crazy-'

'Yep!' Toga said happily as she and Twice exchanged a high five over Izuku's head.

'-Muscular and Moonfish are too aggressive-'

The man in the bondage suit snarled while the muscle-bound brute in the booth merely shrugged.

'-and Spinner, Mr. Compress, and Magne are just not field leadership material. You three have a propensity to overthink situations. As such I think you are more suited to following orders than giving them.'

A reptilian man with pink hair scowled at this, but the man in the top hat tipped his hat courteously while the woman beside him merely nodded. Evidently, they were perfectly fine with being followers. Izuku settled back in his chair and relaxed.

'Fine.' Izuku said, trying not to sound too relieved, 'I didn't want to be in charge anyway.'

Shigaraki appeared satisfied and continued.

'Good. The camp is scheduled for the first week of July, so we all have plenty of time to prepare. We'll be attacking at night so show up by 6:00 pm at the latest on Friday, July 6th. Hopefully after a week of training both the teachers and students will be too exhausted to put up much of a fight.'

'I have a question.' Izuku said, 'Let's say that Bakugo won't join us. What will we do then?'

'He will.' Shigaraki declared confidently, 'One way or the other, he will.'

He gulped. He didn't like the sound of that but he didn't dare ask for clarification. If he started asking a bunch of questions, he would be too suspicious.

There is no way I'm going to let the League attack U.A. again and kidnap Kacchan, but I can't afford to appear overly concerned. I'll need to figure something out. God, I just hope nobody does anything crazy in the meantime.

Shigaraki surveyed the room for any more questions. When no one said anything, he returned to his booth.

'Alright, you have your orders. We will reconvene in a week to touch base. Make sure you keep your heads down and avoid unnecessary attention.'

With that the gathered villains began to stir. Some rose from their chairs and approached Kurogiri while others remained seated and resumed their conversations from before the meeting. With a great yawn, Toga stretched herself out and Izuku glanced over at her phone's clock in her outstretched hand.

It's getting late. I should head on home and let Mom see me before I go out looking for my Doppelganger.

Standing, he tried to catch Kurogiri's eye to request an exit portal, but before he could Shigaraki called out to him.

'Spider-Man, come here. I want to talk with you.'

He resisted the urge to groan. Ignoring the stares that some of the other villains were giving him, he dutifully walked over to the white-haired man's booth. Sitting down on the seat opposite, he couldn't help but feel like he was about to be chewed out.

'You've been keeping busy.' Shigaraki remarked offhandedly, 'As I recall the last time we spoke you had just finished your assault on the Glass Way Tower and earned the ire of every superhero in the city. As if that wasn't impressive enough, you've gone and broken into the most secure prison in the country.'

Izuku heard a distinct cold note in Shigaraki's voice that sounded almost like jealousy.

'Sorry to disappoint you, but the break out at Tartarus wasn't actually me.' Izuku said quickly.

Shigaraki stopped scratching his neck and narrowed his eyes.

'Explain.'

He quickly told him how someone had been impersonating him being careful to omit any mention of Dr. Akatani or quirk manifestation. Instead he attributed the attack to a maniacal fan of his desperate for fame. As he spoke he noticed that the other villains had quieted and appeared to be listening closely. When he at last finished, Shigaraki resumed scratching his throat.

'Interesting. What are you going to do about your stalker? If he gets wind of the League, he might start to interfere with my plans…'

'I'm going to take care of him as soon as I can.' Izuku promised earnestly, 'I just need to find him.'

'Hm. Try and be discreet. I don't mind you creating a little chaos, but my plan is rather sensitive. If the heroes start to follow you or, heaven forbid, capture you…well. I won't be very pleased.' Shigaraki said in an icy voice. It didn't take a genius to understand what he was implying.

He nodded fervently, 'Trust me, I know how to be inconspicuous. I'll take this guy down before Friday.'

'Good.'

Shigaraki picked up his tablet and he took the hint. Standing, he went over to Kurogiri who was having an animated conversation with Mustard about where he could be dropped off. While they negotiated, he tried to ignore the sneering brute Muscular, who was looming behind him.

Weird. Izuku thought as he felt his skin crawl from the menacing presence over his shoulder, My spider-senses are practically on fire from the gorilla behind me, but it's still less intense than it was back at The Den. What's going on?

As he considered the ramifications of this, Mustard finally seemed to have decided where he wanted to go and he disappeared in a cloud of purple smoke. Kurogiri turned to him expectantly and he got an idea.

'Hey, can you send me to the outskirts of the city? Anywhere will do as long as its remote.'

'Of course.' Kurogiri said, with a small polite bow.

The next thing Izuku knew he was being hurtled through space along the strange dimensional currents the enigmatic barman conjured.