CHAPTER 8, IS FINALLY DONE!
And Holy Cannoli, Why do you guys like this so much, I'm crying!
Also, The Quirkless Hero Dekiru has a TV Tropes page! I can't believe it myself but it's still there! posfiewngopiwo nrgobrg.
Thank you so much for reading this fic, and for commenting. I hope you enjoy!
"Okay, I get you like dark and creepy spaces at night," Sero muttered as Kaminari led him through the narrow back alleyways. "But why did you have to drag me into this?!"
"Because I need a witness just in case I do see him," Kaminari replied with an eye roll. "Like anyone would believe me if I told them I saw the actual Hero Killer!" Sero stared at his blonde-haired friend for a moment, just stared blankly as the cogs in his mind processed what had been said to him and then, only just then, did the connection snap into place.
"ARE YOU CRAZY?!" Suddenly, Kaminari was being shook harshly so that his head rolled back and forwards at almost neck breaking speeds. "WE'RE HERE JUST SO YOU CAN GET A GLANCE AT THE MOST DANGEROUS FREE VILLAIN IN JAPAN?! A VILLAIN WHO, YOU SHOULD KNOW, KILLS HEROES LIKE US FOR A LIGHT WORKOUT AND WE AREN'T EVEN HEROES YET! DO YOU HAVE SOME KIND OF CRUSH ON HIM HUH?! HUH?!"
"What?!" Kaminari was leaning backwards, forced so by Sero towering angrily over him. "NO! IT'S NOT LIKE THAT! I'm just… ya know… fascinated by him…"
"You're… fascinated…"
"Yep."
"… By a… Hero killer?"
"Yeyo."
"Kaminari, do you think you've made the wrong career choice?" Sero asked seriously. He was answered by a mix of spluttering and mumbled sentences. Just as he was about to open his mouth, Kaminari slapped a hand over it, shushing him out of the blue.
"Quiet, I thought I just saw something!" Kaminari told him in a hushed, scared whisper. The cello tape Quirk user rolled his eyes and was about to remove the hand when a glint caught his eye. Both boys were silent as a figure stepped out of an alleyway, some kind of liquid dripping from the end of a metallic object. Despite the darkness, the silhouette that was made by the moonlight was unarguable in nature. Jagged ribbons of fabric, multiple shining blades and eyes that pierced the soul of those who glanced at them, it was the Hero Killer.
The two shivered silently, trying their hardest not to be heard or seen. If blood was still rolling off of his blade, then he'd just attacked someone. It was fresh, not dried and crusted. Quite possibly, hidden in the alleyway the villain had exited from, was the dead or possibly dying form of a hero. Stain turned his head in their direction, red eyes glowing like a cat's. Both boys clutched at each other tightly, sweat rolling down their faces as they tried not to be seen.
Please don't look this way.
Please don't look this way!
Stain turned away from them, almost as if he heard their mental pleas. They remained frozen until the clacking of boots against concrete were near enough impossible to hear before they ran towards the alleyway the villain had exited from. The boys skidded to a stop as they saw a downed green figure with blood pooling around the body.
"Sero?" Kaminari had frozen in place, knees trembling as his friend took to action. Sero got closer, and as he did the green turned into a hero's costume and a familiar one at that. It was the same green costume that was worn by their school's Quirk Guidance Counsellor.
"Dude, get here quickly!" He yelled with urgency in his tone.
"Huh?"
"It's Dekiru!" Kaminari ran as quickly as he could, sliding into a kneel by Sero's side. The black-haired teen turned the hero's still form over, only to be graced by the freckled face of a fellow teenager.
"Or it's a cosplayer who played hero…" The electricity Quirk owner commented in the wrong place at the wrong time. Sero's patience had worn thin now. It didn't matter who it was, the boy had a stab wound and had been bleeding out for some time, so time was of the essence to save his life.
"WHO CARES?! HE'S BLEEDING OUT! GIVE ME YOUR JACKET!" Kaminari followed instructions instantly, quickly taking it off before handing it over. Sero bunched it together and pressed it against the wound, wincing as a cry of pain rose from the unconscious person. "Do you have your phone on you?!"
"No. That's why you were here, as a witness." Kaminari's answer caused Sero to groan, as he too had forgotten his phone on the way out since he had put it on charge. "Hey, his phone still works… sorta." Sero couldn't believe his eyes as Kaminari was holding a bloodstained phone in his hands as if it wasn't just lying on the ground of a crime scene. The lit screen illuminated his face and the surrounding area, giving the two some light to work with.
The phone was already on, down to 5% battery following a bunch of missed calls from the owner's mother. Kaminari noticed that the emergency number for the police was in the process of being typed out, presumably around the same time the costumed kid got stabbed. He was about to complete the number when another call suddenly came through, the ringing causing Kaminari to jump in shock. Ignoring Sero, he glanced at the caller ID, thoroughly confused and bewildered as to why a cosplayer would possibly have All Might's number. Quickly, as to not waste any more time, he answered it.
"Hello?" There was a spluttering on the other end, whomever it was had not been expecting to hear his voice.
"Young Kaminari?" It was definitely All Might, the hero's voice easily recognisable to a student who was being taught by him. "Why are you answering this? How did you…?"
"Look, I'd love to stop and chat but some kid in cosplay has your number and they've been stabbed!" All Might's rambling ended immediately, on which Kaminari continued. "I'm here with Sero and he's used my jacket as pressure against the wound but this phone's about to die and so is its owner if help doesn't get here fast, okay?!"
"Alright, I'm on my way," Relief flooded through his body almost instantly. All Might was coming, the boy would most likely be okay. "Put the phone on speaker and continue to talk to me. How did you find the kid, and where are you?" Kaminari did as he was told, only to regret it as Sero took over speaking.
"This idiot was stalking Stain and we saw him pacing around the alleyways," Sero glared at his friend as he spoke, albeit knowing All Might couldn't see his annoyance at the other's stupidity. "Once he left, we found this boy and originally thought he was Dekiru cause of the outfit but he's too young, he's like our age. Speaking of, how does this guy have your number?"
"Now is not the time, Young Sero!" All Might was shouting over the wind pressure made from his Quirk, most likely since he was making his way over to them. "But he is a big fan of mine and I could only award his dedication to hero outfit remakings with my phone number."
"Fair enough," Kaminari shrugged his shoulders. He'd heard of heroes supporting really good cosplayers before, so it wasn't too far of a stretch to think that All Might would do the same. After all, All Might was the Number One hero and probably had given his number to many civilians before, from either rescues or to dedicated fans. He was the sort to support his fans, from what the boys knew about him. "His costume is convincing…"
"Focus!" Sero yelled. "We're trying to save someone's life here!"
"And you boys are doing great!" All Might interrupted their argument before it had even had the chance to begin. "Now please can I have a location?!"
"Musutafu, in the back alleys near the rundown cinema?" Sero remembered the grubby place which was next to the entrance way to where they currently were. The back alley was a marginally straight path through, minus the one exception which the two boys were currently now in. It wasn't the most secluded of places but according to Kaminari, it matched Stain's reoccurring traits to a T and, lo and behold, they found him and a potential murder victim in the process. Why had he let himself get dragged into this? At least his Hero first aid training course hadn't gone to waste. "Please don't be too far…"
The concrete snapped and broke from the weight of over 500 pounds hitting it with a tremendous force. Dust cleared to reveal the Number One Hero himself, with a small forced smile on his face. All Might was here and that meant they could rest easy.
"I should be telling you off for trailing villains," The stern and threatening undertone to All Might's voice was not unnoticed by either of them. "But I have more pressing matters to attend." The hero picked up the stabbed boy, cradling him gently in his massive arms. "Now, I must be off to get this poor lad some help. I will see you both, TOMORROW IN CLASS!" With that, All Might took off in a giant leap, leaving the two teens behind in his wake.
"Wow, he's incredible…" Looking to his hand, Kaminari realised the phone was gone, and with another look, realised it was now in the back pocket of All Might's golden teaching suit. "HOW DID HE DO THAT?! I DIDN'T EVEN REALISE HE'D TAKEN THE PHONE!"
"That's All Might for you," Sero sighed. "And on that note, I'm leaving. See you tomorrow."
"WAIT, DON'T LEAVE ME HERE!" Kaminari's cries were ignored as Sero turned out of view without a second glance. That was enough near heart attack moments for one night and staying with Kaminari would absolutely trigger another one.
OwOwO
Toshinori waited, clenching his hands into his suit's trouser legs. He'd received a call from Inko Midoriya that Izuku wasn't answering his phone and was late to return from his patrol. Considering how much of a mother's boy he was – Nemuri was constantly repeating that to everyone during breaks in the staff room – it was instantly a cause for concern. So, then he tried to contact Young Midoriya, only to find that he had been found stabbed by Young Kaminari and Sero who – luckily for both himself and Izuku – thought he was a cosplayer and brought the lie he had to tell them to stop Dekiru's secret identity from being revealed. Now, he was waiting for the rest of the U.A. teaching staff to show up, as Recovery Girl was already there with a distraught Midoriya-san by her side.
Seeing Izuku in that state, pale and covered in his own blood, unconscious and unresponsive to the world, it reminded Toshi of Nana. More specifically, how she was found after her death. Seeing a child in the exact same position, a child who had gone above and beyond to help others and show the world that anyone could be a hero, was devastating. The world could have lost a hero, U.A. could have lost a staff member but, most importantly, a mother could have lost her child. If it wasn't for Kaminari and Sero, then Izuku wouldn't be alive right now. Those thoughts pained Toshinori to even bear thinking about it, but it was true. However, he'd have to have Aizawa keep an eye on those two, just in case they get suspicious.
"YAGI!" A yell startled the hero, as Kayama rushed into the corridor in civilian clothing, followed by Nedzu, Aizawa and Hizashi. Tears were cascading down her face, she latched onto his jacket when she reached were he was standing. "Is he gonna be okay? Is Izuku gonna be okay?!"
"I don't know!" He tried to answer he back as she sobbed into his shirt. "They took him off me as soon as I brought him in."
"Is it true then?" Aizawa spoke up, eyes narrowing towards the number one. "Did the Hero Killer really attack him?"
"If so, then this won't do well at all," Nedzu added, his arms hidden behind his back. "The attack on Midoriya would bring scrutiny to U.A, if the press got wind of this."
"They won't," Toshinori answered. "They can't, not if Dekiru's identity is going to remain safe." Taking in the confused glances, he sighed but continued anyway. "Two of Aizawa's students found Midoriya with his mask and mouth guard off. By the looks of it, they were cut off in the fight. We're going to have to find a way to keep them away from knowing why Dekiru is on sudden leave or they might link the incident to that and figure everything out!"
"Which students?" Aizawa asked in the same tired tone as usual.
"Kaminari and Sero, why?"
"Eh, we're good. They'd believe anything you told them."
"I hope so." At that moment, the doors to Izuku's room opened, and Recovery Girl stepped out. Her expression was unreadable until it upturned into a crooked smile.
"We're in luck. They needed to do a blood transfusion, but the weapon missed all internal organs and major veins or arteries," her smile widened at the relief filled sighs that followed. "I have offered the usage of my Quirk if an IV drip is used, but even then it'll take two days for the wound to close up and heal. He was very lucky."
"That's odd," Hizashi was unusually quiet, considering his usually loud and obnoxious nature. "If it was Stain who attacked him, then why wasn't there any extra damage? Like as in showing that Stain was trying to kill him?"
"Perhaps our Midoriya proved himself worthy of sparing," Nedzu commented, bright and cheery as usual despite the situation. "It is a possibility however, we should be grateful that he should be up and healthy again within a matter of days thanks to Recovery Girl. We are truly lucky indeed."
"LUCKY!" Kayama was still crying, having soaked Toshinori's shirt and having had used his tie as a tissue, she turned from distraught to 'I want to murder someone' in a second. "IZU-KUN IS HURT, BADLY HURT! HE WON'T BE UP FOR THREE DAYS?! DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH STRAIN AND HURT THAT'S GONNA PUT ON INKO?!"
"Kayama…" Hizashi was silenced immediately by sharp long nails at his throat, Kayama's aura blazed like a wild fire of darkness.
"Don't say a word, do ya hear me? Or else…"
"OKAY! OKAY! JUST LET ME GO, WOULD YA?!" The skirmish between the two ended abruptly as Inko exited her son's hospital room in silence.
"Inko…" Kayama near enough whispered, running up to her best friend, only slowing to a stop right in front of her. "Are… are you…?"
"I'll be fine," It was obvious she had been crying, confirmed by the stained trails down her cheeks. Inko was not fine, she was just putting on a brave face. "My baby needs me to be strong right now, and I know he'll be fine…"
"And Hisashi? Did you get in contact with him?"
"Of course, he is as worried as I am," Inko wiped her eyes with her pink cardigan. "But his work demands him to stay in Europe. He's going to call me every day for an update though."
"For now, all we can do is wait," All heads turned towards Nedzu, whose face was contorted with unusual seriousness. "Midoriya will pull through, with Chiyo's help. I believe in that boy, as I'm sure all of you are as well. Until he wakes up, we won't know the true story of what happened in the alleyway."
"Is it true?" Nedzu's beady orbs met the glossy ones of Inko as her form shook. "Is it true Izuku fought the Hero Killer?"
"We don't know with one hundred percent certainty but, from what we know," The Principal of U.A. hung his head down low. "The Hero Killer: Stain was the one to wound him, though to what extent they fought, we have no idea. The main focus now is to keep Midoriya's identity as Dekiru a secret. If word was to get out that a mere child, a Quirkless child at that, is a professional hero, the media would be in an uproar. For the sake of Midoriya, we must do whatever we can to keep his secret safe. No matter what the cost."
"If I find out any of you said a word about this, to anyone outside of the group of people here," Kayama snarled, glaring at almost everybody she could. "Consider yourselves dead, got it?" Her attitude shifted completely as she wrapped an arm gently over Inko's shoulder. "Come on, Inko, you need to rest. Izuku wouldn't be happy if he woke up to find you a walking skeleton like Yagi over there."
If Toshinori had taken offence, he didn't voice it as the two ladies exited the corridor to eat and to sleep for whatever would come their way tomorrow. Chiyo shook her head sadly, sighing softly as she too followed in their example.
"I'm guessing," Aizawa was the first to break the silence, much to the other males' surprise. "That the USJ is still on tomorrow, despite everything."
"Why, Aizawa," Nedzu's eyes twinkled, something that invoked fear into those around him. "Why would you ask such a daft question? Of course, yourself, Yagi and Thirteen will take 1-A to the facility for their trip. It should… take their mind off of our missing staff member, shouldn't it?"
"That's one way of putting it," The erasure hero scowled slightly. "And for your information, I was talking about the break in, not the attack on Midoriya."
"Everything will go ahead as planned." Nedzu was smiling, a rouse to hide his inner most thoughts and feelings. "Gentlemen, I suggest we all get a good night's sleep. After all, our students need us at our best to help make their education be the best it can possibly be."
Little did they know what the next day would bring, and the consequences of not heading a warning properly.
OwOwO
Izuku hadn't expected to wake up, not after feeling everything fade to black, every limb turn numb. It was quite a shock to hear the beeping of a heart monitor, see the bland paleness of a hospital room, feel overly washed sheets – fluffy and warm – covering his body. A dull throb resonated from his stomach, probably where he was stabbed. With a wince he pushed himself up, not the smartest decision in the world but his mind wasn't truly aware of his surroundings just yet – which meant the stack of cards on the bedside table.
Despite Kayama's warning, word had got out to the teaching staff of U.A. – who all in fear of their lives signed a pact to keep his identity a secret – and they had all seemingly sent him get well soon messages. From simple shop brought cards to elaborate message masterpieces (Nemuri) to simple get better messages on a piece of paper ripped out of a notebook (Most likely the handywork of Aizawa). As for Toshinori, well, his was an All Might card (The front of the card said "I hope you feel ALL MIGHT soon!") With an apology for not saving him sooner and hoping that cleaning/charging his phone was a suitable repayment for letting a college nearly die whilst he was enjoying a nice curry.
Reminding himself to scold the number one hero for being so selfless, Izuku used his non-injured side to pick up his phone, just glad his limbs were responding to him after an unknown time of unconsciousness. Turning it on revealed three days had passed since he was attacked. Well, three and a bit days, to be exact. Thanks to the cards, he already knew that Recovery Girl had been coming in everyday to heal him, which could explain why he had been asleep for so long. Getting him fit enough to return to his job, all whilst keeping his secret identity from the public was obviously U.A.'s goal. Nedzu was probably the mastermind behind it, but all the teachers seemed to be in on the act. Just as he was about to scroll through the news articles, one caught his eye immediately.
"USJ Attacked by Villains. Is U.A. No Longer the Mighty Hero School it Once Was?"
The USJ was attacked?
When?
How?
Why?
Tapping on the link brought him to an article made three days ago, the day after he was brought in. In it, it explained how an organisation calling themselves the League of Villains attacked the USJ during the trip there by Class 1-A – Aizawa's class he realised in horror – with a mission to kill All Might and maim some kids along the way. There was only one student casualty – broken bones, most likely Shinsou then – with all three teachers injured in some form. Both the student and All Might were taken to the U.A. infirmary whilst Aizawa and Thirteen were taken to hospital due to more severe injuries.
The exact same hospital HE was currently admitted to.
He had to see them, he had to make sure they were okay!
Izuku tried to move, to get out of bed, but pain shot through his body, forcing him to lie back down. He may be in hospital but he wasn't fully healed yet. With a groan, he slammed his head back into his pillow. Both Aizawa and Thirteen had been injured to near death, and yet here he was unable to move because of an already healed stab wound. He was weak, no wonder it was easy for Stain to fool him.
"I can hear your negative thinking from out here, stop it." Turning his head, Izuku was shocked to see Aizawa standing in the doorway to his room, bandaged like a mummy but still as tired as ever.
"Aizawa…"
"Stop it," The hero took a seat beside his bed, any emotion hidden by the white wraps around his face and arms. "I guess you've seen the news by now. Kids and their phones, it's like you can't live without them."
"I've been unconscious for three days!"
"And you needed it," Aizawa grunted, glaring Izuku into silence before he could argue back. "Midoriya, get it into that skull of yours, you were stabbed, left to bleed out to death, you almost died. If it wasn't for Recovery Girl, you would still be in a comatose state."
"You almost died too," Izuku reminded him, a hidden bitterness lay on his tone. "At least you managed to protect someone whilst I almost died for nothing." Aizawa immediately realised what the teenager was insinuating.
"Midoriya…"
"No! Because I didn't do my job correctly, because I didn't make sure he was down, the Hero Killer is still out there!" Tears began to well up in his eyes. "Because I wasn't concentrating, someone else will die, another hero will lose their life! More people will be hurt, physically and emotionally! It's all my fault…" Izuku took a deep breath in, steeling himself as he rubbed his face free of the stinging waterfalls. "Do you think I really should still be a hero?" Izuku was expecting a nod in agreement. What he wasn't expecting was a smack to the face thanks to a cast.
"Midoriya Izuku, don't you ever sell yourself short like that ever again, do you hear me?" Aizawa was glaring, anger pouring out of his eyes. "You are a hero, and the fact you're alive proves to me that even the Hero Killer himself thinks that. He LED people to you so you could be found and saved. He's never done that before, ever. The fact you stood toe to toe with him and only came out of it with one injury, ONE, speaks volumes about your capabilities. And don't get me started on what you've achieved in two years that most heroes wish they could achieve in their lifetimes. You are a symbol to a minority that need someone to look up to. For the Quirkless, you are a beacon of hope, a sign that they aren't useless and that they can be whoever they want to be."
"But…"
"But nothing, Midoriya." The erasure hero sighed heavily, leaning back into his chair further than before. "You know my track record. I don't encourage anyone with zero potential to continue on the path to becoming a hero. I have one student currently who is exhibiting traits of that which I hope will rectify over time. If I thought you had no potential, I would have told you to stop being a hero and find a mundane job. But you don't. Every teacher at U.A., Nedzu, even All Might believe that you are a hero and heroes are people too. We make mistakes. See what happened with All Might and the Sludge Villain, it almost led to a kid dying. You made a mistake, an error, and you can learn from it. I hope you never encounter the Hero Killer again, but if you do then you'll know to be more careful. And that applies to all villains, not just him."
"I…" Izuku's voice shook, as he forced himself to believe what he was being told. "I guess you're right…"
"I am right," Aizawa stood up, looming over the younger hero. "I've been at this job longer than you have kid, and with U.A.'s teachings to back me up. Sure, I never had a Pro Hero as a father and contacts to help with equipment. Nor did I go out of my way to train myself to fight until U.A. You did all of the above and learnt as you went along. For a new, upcoming hero, I expect great things from you, even if you are just the U.A. Quirk Counsellor. Remember, you are just here for the Quirks, Hound Dog has the guidance side of things covered. Now, get some rest, U.A.'s still shut tomorrow but we're due back the day after."
"… Aizawa…" By the time the pro had managed to get to the doorway of Midoriya's room, a quiet voice caused him to turn back.
"What?"
"… Thank you," A dazzling smile graced Izuku's face, fresh tears falling down his cheeks. "Thank you for helping me... for making me feel better." Aizawa smiled back, despite being glad it was hidden by three layers of linen.
"Any time, Problem Child." The choked sound behind him, followed by a string of arguments that he – Midoriya Izuku – was not anywhere near as problematic as any of the students caused that smile to widen, even though it hurt his face. However, Aizawa lost it upon reaching his own hospital room. If Midoriya was already doubting himself, the cracks of doubt were already there. It wouldn't take much for the cracks to spiderweb until everything broke into a million pieces, with Midoriya's confidence plummeting down with it. He just hoped that the Hero Killer wouldn't strike again, even though he knew he was wishing on false hope.
Stain would strike again, and because of it, the world may watch as a hero figuratively – and in another case, most likely literally – is lost forever.
