Everything was a mess with the UA and Nezu was feeling the pressure. Besides the lawsuit from the Bakugou, several other parents arrived with several more restraining orders against All Might. He was able to stop them from sending the restraining order here and gave them the address of the man since he is no longer employed by UA. However, the HPSC is getting on his case to rehire him. Fat chance.
He countered that he will not soil the school with someone who has no regard for student life and injured the same student twice in two months and during probation. They had threatened his position as a principal but Nezu was prepared and countered with the blackmail of his own.
Nezu had received multiple files from his spy regarding written witness accounts and videos of All Might killing a quirkless child in the United States, and financial records of the HPSC giving out hush money to silence the people. He even received records of hitmen, receiving payment to kill those who refused the hush money. Stain was one of them, a vigilante who has escaped conviction more than once.
That had scared the HPSC more than they could imagine, despite sputtering that it is nonsense that All Might didn't murder and they did no such thing until the Chimera played the video of the supposed hero clotheslining the boy into a broken metal fence, skewering him through the stomach, lungs, and heart. The key thing was when All Might said, "There is nothing for a Quirkless Cunt like you."
Nezu stared at them with a disarming yet lethal smile as if threatening to terminate him or even kill him. He knows that they know that the Chimera has thought of 50 possible outcomes and ALL of them resulted in exposing their betrayal to the people of Japan if not the world. He only holds one copy of the files, and he sent copies to his most trusted teachers and a civilian, while his spy has the original copy. He also discovered that All Might was banned from the United States and if he ever comes back, Stars and Stripes will personally apprehend him.
They had no choice but to open the investigation but they will not do it alone, nope. They would try to do anything to find no proof, Nezu would make sure of that so he enlisted the Zodiac 13, an agency that values truth and justice and is notorious around the world. Scorpio's Sharp Eye would be able to find missing pieces in files and videos while Cancer's 6th Sense has the ability to detect deception in alibis. If she even gets a whiff of it then they will send the info to Aquarius for revealing. Her River of Truth Quirk is highly sought out in the legal business, and she has brought in many crooks.
The only two who will not be a part of them will be Ophiuchi and Libra, both already busy with other things. Ophiuchi was working on another CPS case that needed immediate action while Libra was working overtime on cases against the No. 1 Hero, minus one when Nezu, Mitsuki, and their lawyers had a meeting and he showed proof that hiring and keeping All Might as a teacher was not his choosing. Now she is lunging at the HPSC, Kami have mercy on their-you know what? Fuck their souls, let Mitsuki shred them to pieces. She would have still shredded him if Izuku and Katsuki told her to spare him. He needs to make it up to them, big time.
Speaking of the children, a majority of them already left after the 72-hour psychiatric hold, and one had decided that the Hero Course was not right for them and stepped down. That left two spots open in 1-A and if this legal situation doesn't force UA to shut down, then the First Year Summer Competition may help find new students.
There are a few children that are still in the hospital. Izuku obviously, but his quirk is speeding up his recovery nicely. However, according to Recovery Girl, his spinal cord has not healed as of yet. This would mean that his quirk does not regenerate nerve damage, or it is taking its time due to the number of calories being used upon regeneration, OR…maybe there isn't the right nutrient in the PPN for nerve growth. Right now PPN is prepared with Vitamin D and Calcium, and it is working wonders as he has another 3 days for full regeneration.
Bone recovery was the main priority so the PPN had a fair amount of Calcium, which would interfere with Omega-3 and Magnesium, while Vitamin D can be blocked by oil or fat-soluble minerals. Recovery Girl had talked to Mitsuki regarding this and agreed to the bone recovery, then they will switch to a more nerve-friendly concoction.
Katsuki had to be on a longer psychiatric hold due to personal trauma affecting his conscience. He doesn't have much on that since mental evaluation has its own laws, but as far as he could see and what he had heard from eyewitnesses, the boy saw his brother nearly die and that triggered PTSD. He assigned Hound Dog to be his personal counselor while at school, and only time will tell if things work well for him or if Nezu will have no choice but to pull him from the Hero Course.
Denki will be out tomorrow since the Klonopin and Sumatripan he took that day had him sleep for about 30 hours due to his size and tolerance. Eevee was with Aries, a female psychiatrist with the quirk Fluff. She can soothe even the most feral creature with just her wool, which was needed for the fennec as she was still aggressive from her Awakening. That Electric Fox form was wild and vicious and it seemed to have its own personality to the point Aries had no choice but request a Sealer to block that transformation until her mind and body could cope with it.
Thirteen only suffered lacerations to her back and left today after Recovery Girl healed her that same day. Aizawa had surgery due to a broken arm, broken ribs, and the orbital floor had been crushed so she had to remove the small fragments before healing him enough for the other pieces to adhere. Other than that he is currently wrapped like a mummy and ordered strict bedrest, lest Hizashi straps him to the bed with his own scarf. He didn't need to see Aizawa's eyes to know that he would enjoy that.
All Might will be at the hospital for at least a month, forced on TPN and tubes still attached to him to ensure total recovery. Recovery Girl had refused to use her quirk to accelerate the healing stating that this was too complex and he was in a 5% survival bracket at best. Even if she healed, there was an increased chance of sepsis, and that is not something she can heal.
He is going to wish for death after the piles of restraining orders and lawsuits awaiting him.
Several days later Recovery Girl switched Izuku's PPN with a formula of Vitamins B-12, B-9, D, C, E, Omega-3, and Magnesium, now hoping this will help with nerve regeneration. At first, it made his stomach cramp, vomit the little food he could eat, and feel feverish or chilled to the bone, but after a day or two his body was able to take the concoction with little to no issues. He does occasionally complain that his hands feel tight or tingly like a thousand needles stabbing him just like the way when a limb falls asleep. Katsuki, once he was able to leave the hold, helped him with that while Masaru and Mitsuki were at work, massaging them with small blasts and heating his palm. Reyna would do this too when neither of his family was able to visit that day.
On the third day, Izuku was in quite a bit of pain radiating from his back, and they had a nurse in who can see nerves and electrical charges. He could see the spinal cord firing down his lumbar spine, slowly moving the cord for realignment. After confirming that the PPN was regenerating the nerves, they gave him codeine for the pain and let him rest as much as possible. Mitsukii did come by later that day for Honey to be with him so he can have some company. She was sure he was about to go nuts from being in a hospital for so long, especially from his past history with those shitty doctors years ago.
The next day the doctors decided it was time for him to start physical therapy, and Reyna had helped him clean up somewhat before going, as being in bed for 10 days sucked. They had first started with back and leg massages to help Izuku's body to loosen up after being immobile for a week, working on his shoulders first, then the blades, spines, and hips. Izuku had to tell them to be a little more gentle at just above the hip as when they gently pressed down his nerves flared like an electrical discharge, causing the pain to linger for some time. Honey was eyeing the therapists with a scrutinizing glare, having unnerved one of them to ask what was up with his support animal.
"Honey is like that to everyone I am uncomfortable with. I am not really a fan of hospitals or doctors due to my past so she senses my uncertainty. She likes Reyna because I trust her enough. This is my first day with you, so my nervousness is being known."
The physical therapist nodded in understanding and continued the massage and stretches before continuing with the therapy. They first had him stand from the wheelchair with support from his therapist, slowly putting his weight on the spine and hips. Izuku flinched at first as the compression hit before intense pain shot down his legs, becoming unbearable to withstand. He was breathing deeply to try to get his mind away from the pain.
They decided that was enough for today and they put a heating compress on the area. Izuku had Honey under his chin, the warmth and purring from his bunny giving him some comfort. He sighed in frustration at the lack of results, the pain was excruciating and he couldn't start walking. The only thing that he did notice was that his legs were now able to feel pain. Was it being immobile for a week that was causing the atrophy, the nerves fighting saying that it is too soon, or was it his mental block saying it isn't worth it?
Izuku can't deny that after what that doctor told him hit him hard, and the lack of feeling in his legs didn't ease his mind. The only thing he was glad about was that he didn't need some adult diapers, but other than that, would he be able to fully recover?
He looked at the arm that sludge villain broke almost 2 years ago, the day his quirk awakened. It had regenerated everything, but his nerves weren't as strong as they used to be. That was another block in his brain that this may be pointless, even if he fully recovers his nerves and function would be limited. He could barely hold his damn notebook for several months. Another issue was he never told his parents or Katsuki of this flaw. He knows his brother would either yell at him for not telling the truth or blame himself for not helping Izuku sooner. He would need to tell them eventually, especially if-
"Midori?"
Izuku looked to his right and saw his math teacher right next to him. "Ecto-Sensei? What are you doing here?" The verdanette was surprised to see his teacher in his civilian clothes, putting on a set of sports prosthetics. Honey glared at him before jumping on Izuku's upper back and began to knead the spine before plopping down again. The duo chuckled at her antics.
"I have therapy here every Wednesday, it helps me not get too stale." Ectoplasm replied, looking through his glasses and smiling. "I still have to work on my leg muscles, otherwise they will cramp like no tomorrow."
Izuku hummed and put his head back on his arms, now that Honey is no longer there and feeling the heat slowly reduce the pain and the vibration of the bunny. "H-how were you able to continue after losing your legs?"
Ectoplasm looked at him with a caring look. "...It wasn't easy, that much is true, Midori, the horror of losing something so fundamental makes you feel like a burden to society." He saw Izuku flinch at the word, and the Pro Hero could sense his fear.
"However, that is just a feeling you need to accept then push forth like daring the world to try to hold you down. I also had support from my colleagues, friends, family…they believed I could continue despite my limbs missing."
Izuku looked at him and saw that he still looked strong, despite what had happened. "What about those who didn't believe? That neurosurgeon told me that the HPSC prefers able-bodied heroes, not damaged."
"That neurosurgeon had no right to tell you that. However, he also had to look at medical facts regarding spinal injury and recovery. He looked at the bleak side, but that was just it, bleak, that does not factor in faith and hope." Ectoplasm sighed as he stood up and began to hop around. "There are also items that may help you reach your peak or better it. See these braces, if it weren't for these, I would most likely be wheelchair-bound. Once you are free to leave, I would suggest going to the Support Course and see what they can build for you. You aren't in this alone, it may take time, but I feel you will become the hero you want to be."
Izuku giggled and smiled, his heart feeling lighter since he came in here. "Thank you Ecto-Sensei. When I come back, can you help me with leg and back exercises? I really don't want to stay in the hospital more than I should."
"I would be honored to, Midori. However, that will not excuse you from my math quiz when we get back."
Izuku sweat-dropped and chuckled nervously, not knowing if his teacher was joking or not. Honey just yawned and continued to purr, her ears twitching as she heard a few people in the room coo about how adorable she is.
—
Eevee arrived at the Bakugou residence to keep Katsuki company while Masaru and Mitsuki were out working. They both needed company after everything that happened at USJ, and she could tell that her boyfriend was worried about Izuku. Normally, they would have him over due to Ophelia being an on-call social worker, but they are currently taking care of another case that is currently under protection. In fact, until the court date of the prosecution, Eevee will be living with the Bakugous, Mitsuki was gracious enough to welcome her.
She would be sleeping in Katsuki's room since the parents had given up on the decency part since it was clear Eevee marked him and he has already seen quite a bit of Eevee's ass more than once. He even gave her a courting gift, which is now in her heat nest. She had never had such a fluffy body pillow that smelled just like him, and it helped ease her frustrations more than once.
She blushed a bit as she thought of having the real thing help her urges before shaking it away as she opened the back door, seeing Katsuku in the hammock trying to get some sun. The fennec drooled a bit at the defined abs before she noticed that he seemed preoccupied or worried.
"Pompom? What is it?"
Katsuki looked at his girlfriend as she climbed into the hammock with him. "Hey, Eeve. I was just thinking about some stuff."
"What kind of stuff? Is it about Izu-bun?"
Katsuki's eye twitched but nodded. "Yeah, I am worried that he may not recover fully after all that. I know that Agneya can heal him, but it is calorie and nutrient-based. He has been in the hospital for so long compared to the instant recovery w-when it activated. It just leaves so many questions."
Eevee shifted into her flame form and pulled Katsuki on top of her, allowing him to lay on her flame collar and chest. "You mean, like if there are limitations? Or requirements?"
"Yeah, like every time he regenerates it slows down, or the organs and limbs can only regenerate once, or can this be as much regeneration as long as he can still produce heat and get calories. I mean…right now he is alive because his flame is surrounding his core. The heart, lungs, the brain, there was proof that if he gets soaked or goes into thermal shock his quirk goes into hibernation to recover slowly. That is the same thing that is happening now. His flames disappeared due to it coursing through his organs and spine, but is it enough?"
Eevee hummed as she gave it some thought. It was true that his quirk requires a lot of calories and nutrition, and when Izuku fell ill, he was barely eating anything, like it was making him nauseous. She had heard due to this he was on PPN to get the nutrition in his system and barely ate anything. "Izu-bun is recovering though, he had therapy today from what Eevee heard. Not sure how it went, but they are allowing him to move."
Katsuki sighed and hugged his girl. "Is it even worth him to continue the course?" Eevee looked at him in confusion. "He was abused for ten years, murdered at 14, ass might nearly killed him with water the first day at school, and potentially ruined his career a month later. It's like no matter what he does, something just gets in his way. How can I protect him if things keep happening to him like this? I promised that nothing will happen to him."
Eevee thought about what her boyfriend had said and it left questions. "Eevee doesn't understand. If you promised Izu-bun that nothing will happen to him, wouldn't that prevent him from living?"
Katsuki looked at her in confusion. "Of course not, I just don't want him hurt or dead. I already failed him several times, I don't want to make that mistake again Eeve." He laid his head back on her chest, taking in the early summer warmth. "I just want him to be happy."
"Eevee doesn't think he would be happy that way." She said and he looked at her in shock and anger. "Eevee means, if you promised me the same thing, Eevee would feel restricted and stuck in a cage. How can Eevee live life if Eevee feels trapped? I am sure Izu-bun feels the same way."
Katsuki gave it some thought as some of it made sense. "I just…don't want him hurt, he died in front of me and I refuse to see that again…s-so much of his bl-blood was spilled, I can't take that."
"So you are doing it for your own sake." Eevee said, causing her boyfriend to flinch at what she had said. She growled at his body language. "Katu-kin is being selfish to protect yourself from something you can't control, causing Izu-bun to think he is to blame."
"W-what? NO!" He yelled, denying the accusation. "He has been killed by a fucking wall, abused by his bitch of a mother, denied medical care by false doctors, he has already suffered so much I can't let him deal with that pain again!"
"You stated yourself that you can't see him hurt anymore and mentioned blood. Eevee even remembers the panic attack you had when he rescued Ochacunt, and you even mentioned the same blood." Eevee glared at him, causing him to shrink in fear. "What do you really fear? Him trying to live a normal life without restrictions, or you refusing to let him go because you want to uphold that promise?"
By this time Katsuki was hyperventilating, his memory in serious flashbacks as each trauma and regret filled him. His stomach roiled and clenched as he blamed himself for abusing and harassing Izuku, failing to protect him from the assholes in school, and failing to notice the verdanette was suffering. Katsuki was shaking so badly, trying to hold these pathetic emotions in until eventually, he broke down as everything reached the boiling point.
"I-It's my fault for killing him in the first place…" He cried, refusing to look at the surprised look of his girlfriend. "My explosions caused the buildings in the alleyway to become unstable and as a result they fell on top of him, crushing Izuku…I tried to help him and all I did was kill him."
Tears continued to flow from Katsuki as Eevee looked at him with caring eyes, hugging him and licking his forehead in comfort. "I had occasionally injured him since elementary school and demeaned him to get the other extras and teachers to leave him alone, yet he would still smile like nothing happened, eventually pissing me off, unsure what the hell Izuku was thinking behind that mask. I became arrogant and a prick to him, hurting him to the point he almost offed himself, and died in front of me. How can I repent when I have done nothing but hurt him…"
Eevee shakes her head. "Eevee knows you believe in fate like Eevee does. This is all part of Fate's plan. It was fate that made you act the way you did to Izu-bun, it was fate that put him into a position with the slime villain, it was also fate that dictated how his quirk would appear. It's all her plan. Your actions towards him makes him the strong person he is today. You are not to blame for his death. It was all part of Fate's plan for him, to give him a new perspective on life. Granted, fate might not have dictated the exact way things turned out, but mostly, it was her plan. Eevee believes this to be true, and Eevee knows deep down, so do you. She has a plan for all of us, it's why we are all here now. Let her choose the path we take."
Katsuki snuggled deep into her fur collar, relishing the cinnamon oatmeal scent. "If that's really its plan then they have a fucked-up sense of humor."
"Eevee did not say it wasn't. Fate has a very odd sense of humor. Eevee guesses their rule would be boring if everything was the same."