Chapter 36: YoU bEtTeR sToP-

It was the feeling of being weightless.

As Izuku fell through the portal his senses were all but lost until he felt a pair of hands grip his shoulders roughly. The hands pulled him backward and Izuku looked back to see Stain behind him, trying to figure out exactly what was going on.

"Damn League-" He muttered under his breath as they continued to fall.

All too soon they came out the other end and landed on the hard ground. Izuku landed first with Stain falling on top of him causing him to let out a pained groan.

"Get off of me old man-"

"Shut up you ungrateful child."

"Ah, welcome. We've been anticipating your arrival." A new voice called out and Izuku shot his head up as he shoved Stain's tired and wounded form off of him.

The voice came out scratchy and a bit whiney, almost as if the guy was on the younger side. Not that Izuku had any room to talk about being young. His eyes met the amused red ones staring back at him.

The guy's face was something else and Izuku had to fight to not react in any way. His skin was sickeningly pale and covered in scars from what looked like constant scratching if the fresh wounds on his neck that he was itching at were any indication.

His skin was also extremely dry, like the guy very obviously needed to invest in some moisturizer. Maybe Izuku had some in one of his pouches, he often forgot what all he put in them.

The guy stood up from where he had been sitting at some bar and Izuku's theory about his being young was confirmed by his shorter stature and thin body. His red shoes squeaked as he walked forward and Izuku found himself grimacing at the staple that the two of them shared.

He knelt down to Izuku's level, some of his light blue hair falling in front of his face as he looked at the boy still on the ground.

"My name is Tomura Shigaraki. It's nice to finally meet you Serpentine."

Shigaraki…why did that name sound familiar?

Come on Izuku, think! Why did he feel like he knew that name? Why, why, why-

Oh sh-

"You're the one that led the attack on UA."

"Guilty as charged," The man-child?? replied with a smirk as he stood back up and walked over to the bar. "So, you've heard of me then, that's good."

"Shigaraki-" Stain's coarse voice came out as a growl as the man began to get to his feet, ignoring the various amounts of injuries he had from their fight.

"Stain, welcome back. I knew you'd come around eventually."

The hero killer's expression tightened into a scowl and Izuku felt himself instinctually want to shrink back at the shear intensity of the bloodlust rolling off of the guy.

The guy-Shigaraki-sat down on one of the bar stools and another figure came into Izuku's vision as they made their way behind the bar and began to make a drink. "Tomura, it might be wise to get to the point before things turn ugly." The guy seemed to be made of that same mist stuff that they fell through to end up there.

He must've been the portal villain that Eraser was talking about.

"Now, now Kurogiri, that's no way to treat our guests." Shigaraki turned his attention back to the two of them, "Would either of you like a drink?"

"No thanks, I actually prefer to dehydrate around people that I don't trust."

Izuku heard Stain groan beside him as Shigaraki let out a scratchy laugh. "You're funny Serpentine, I like you already."

As the words left the villain's mouth, Izuku couldn't help but gulp in fear. Of-freaking-course he would gain the favor of yet another criminal. Maybe it was just his winning personality and golden sense of humor that seemed to make him irresistible. He'd have to talk to Eraser to figure out how to be more unlikable. He could learn a lot about that subject from him.

"What do you want Shigaraki? I already told you that I am not interested in your little League of Villains."

"Oh, but we're interested in you. Actually, we're quite interested in both of you."

Izuku's body stiffened.

"Things get around and rumors of the young vigilante's skills have been circling about for some time now. And I assume that under your guidance he has only grown in his abilities."

"Who said that I'm under his guidance? I freaking hate this guy-"

"And I would never train someone so intolerable-"

"Oh, drop the act. I've got eyes in a lot more places than you might think."

Stain and Izuku's eyes met quickly, before turning back to Shigaraki's. "Alright, just tell us what you want."

"I want you two to join the League. Our members have been growing, but for what we wish to accomplish, we need the best. Hero killer, your reputation speaks for itself. And Serpentine…well, let's just say that I have a good feeling about you."

Goosebumps trailed up Izuku's body as he stared at the crazed eyes of the man in front of him. He had never thought that he would ever be sought out by villains. He really wasn't all that great, in fact, he was still trying to wrap his mind around Stain taking an interest in him.

"Right…well I'm sorry, but I'm afraid that I'm gonna have to pass on that one. Hope you find someone though-"

Izuku's words were cut off by the sharp glare Shigaraki shot at him. "I would think long and hard about your decision boy. Believe me, you do not want to make us your enemy."

"You already are. See, I don't take too kindly to people who infiltrate and attack the school where my favorite hero teaches. I'd like an apology for that actually, I'll deliver it to him myself."

"Why you little-" Shigaraki stood from his seat and began to make his way towards Izuku who was now on his feet and prepared to stand his ground.

"Serpentine-"

"Tomura, it is impolite to kill those we're trying to make our allies." Kurogiri's voice called out from behind the bar. The guy looked so done with the entire situation, Izuku actually kind of felt bad for him.

Shigaraki's face was inches from Izuku's, so close that he could feel the irritated breath leaving his mouth. "Fine." He took a small step back. "Serpentine, if you were to join the League you would no longer have to hold back. I can see it you know, all of that pain in your eyes. You must've really been through it to be where you are now. Don't you want revenge on all those who wronged you? Everyone who hurt you? I can give that to you. Join me and I can lift you up higher than you ever thought possible and together we will-"

"I thought I made myself perfectly clear when I said no the first time." Izuku seethed at Shigaraki who was glaring back at the boy. "There is nothing that you could do or say to make me want to join your little merry band of men, sor-"

It all happened in an instant. Izuku hadn't even seen the guy move, and then his hand was around his throat.

Pain erupted from where his fingers wrapped themselves and Izuku couldn't help but let out an agonizing scream before he couldn't anymore, and then his body crumbled to the ground. He twitched in pain as he felt every cell of his neck and throat being ripped apart and the pool of warm blood that oozed from him.

He could vaguely hear Stain's enraged voice and Kurogiri's scolding one before everything was whisked away to black.

Stain couldn't believe his eyes. The kid he-

He had just been killed right in front of him. And he wasn't able to do a thing about it.

If it wasn't for that fight he had earlier and his stupid emotions getting in his way…The only reason why he was beaten was because he unconsciously held back against the kid and was overwhelmed. Damn him for making him care about him so much.

If it wasn't for that fight, then he would've been able to take out both Shigaraki and Kurogiri and the kid might not be laying in a pool of his own blood with a half-disintegrated neck and lifeless eyes staring up at him.

He slowly rose his gaze to a wide-eyed Shigaraki who looked to be somewhat remorseful. He looked down at his shaking bloody hand and then back at Serpentine's small body. "That was an accident…"

"Tomura, we've talked about this-" Kurogiri sighed, still behind the bar, "You cannot allow your emotions to control you so much, it makes you reckless and impulsive. Both traits that are unbecoming of a leader."

"It wasn't my fault! He was pissing me off with all his self-righteous talk and-"

"That was a mistake…" Stain's voice came out shaky as he looked back at the boy and then to Shigaraki, "One that you will pay for with your life." Without any more hesitation he lunged forward and brough out one of his many hidden blades that those children failed to find.

It was as if all of his strength had been returned to him. He couldn't feel any of the pain or exhaustion he had before…perhaps his adrenaline was coming back for round two. Whatever the cause, he wasn't about to waste it. And he refused to lose a second time tonight.

He slashed out to which the man dodged messily, and Stain quickly turned his body in order to land a kick to the guy's side that sent him across the bar.

Shigaraki coughed as he wearily got to his feet. The man already struck Stain as someone who was weak and unstable, so this would be like child's play even in his weakened and injured state. He came at the villain once again and had a very clear shot until he rushed through a portal that suddenly opened right in front of him and spit him out on the other side of the bar.

"Kurogiri-" Stain seethed.

"I'm afraid I cannot allow you to kill young Tomura. Master would not be very pleased with the death of his successor."

"I don't give a sh*t about your da*n master."

He went to launch himself at Shigaraki once more when a loud gasp drew everyone's attention to the boy who was supposed to be dead on the floor.

Serpentine shot up and grabbed at his now intact throat and took in what was happening. His eyes fell on a wide-eyed Shigaraki, and his face turned sour. "Dude," He chastised, "That was freaking rude."

"I-" The villain tried to speak but was unable to form a proper sentence.

Honestly, Stain wasn't in much better shape. He knew that he had seen the kid die that night with Conductor, but he opted to simply not question how we was walking around just fine. He couldn't exactly ignore it now.

"Kid-"

Serpentine's eyes zipped around the bar until they landed back on Stain's wide eyes. "You know what? I think I left my oven on, better go check and make sure-" He jumped up and tried to shoot towards what he probably assumed was the exit until Kurogiri floated in front of him to block his path.

"I'm afraid we cannot allow you to do that."

"Look, I'm really just trying to get out of your guys' hair. If you would just step-or float-aside, whatever it is you do, then I'll be on my way."

Shigaraki let out a small laugh as he slowly came back to himself. "Well, well…that is interesting. Tell me Serpentine, what is your quirk exactly?"

"I'm still figuring out myself, why don't you come back in a few years, and I might have an answer for you."

"You know my master…he really loves quirks. You could call him a bit of a collector."

"What is that even supposed to mean??"

"I think that he'd enjoy a talk with you, don't you think Kurogiri?"

"I would have to agree."

Stain stepped in front of Shigaraki, blocking Serpentine from the villain's field of vision. "I think that it would be in your best interest to let us go. Wouldn't want things to get…messy." The two men stared each other down, neither of them one to accept defeat easily.

Izuku saw Stain's hand twitch towards where he probably had a knife hidden as Shigaraki's own hands twitched with the desire to destroy the obstacle in front of him.

He knew that if he let this go on any longer, then there would be a full-on blood bath, so he quickly made his way between the two and lightly shoved Stain back a few steps. "Now ladies, there's no need to fight over me-"

"You little brat-"

Izuku shoved Stain back another step and reached into one of the many pockets of his pants to pull out the knife he had hinted at earlier and thrust it into the man's hands. "Now!" He quickly unsheathed his twin blades and took a swipe at Shigaraki's outstretched hand, merely nicking two of his fingers, but it was enough to get the guy to back off for a second.

He hissed in pain as he cradled his hand into his chest and Izuku turned to run away, seeing Stain trying to take down Kurogiri.

"His quirk is some type of portal thing made from the mist of his body, but that can't be all that he is. He has to have something tangible that we can exploit!"

Listening to Izuku's advice, Stain quickly found some sort of metal shield around the man's neck and took swift advantage of it. He grabbed the metal shield and used it to throw Kurogiri to the other end of the bar before he kicked down the closed door and beckoned Izuku to follow. "Let's go!"

The two of then tore down the long hallway and didn't let up on their sprinting for even a moment. It was a second before Stain felt comfortable enough to divide his attention slightly and turned to the kid who was easily keeping pace with him even though he was running with all that he could muster at the moment.

"WHAT THE * WAS THAT!?"

The kid jumped slightly at Stain's sudden yelling and turned to the guy with large eyes. "You're going to have to be more specific-"

"YOU DIED!"

"Oh, that's what you're talking about?" His body immediately relaxed as if this was something that was perfectly normal, "Yeah, that happens sometimes."

"THAT-You're telling me that you've died and came back multiple times!?"

Serpentine merely shrugged, "It's kinda my thing."

"Is that what happened with Conductor? You died but came back because of your quirk or something?"

"Hehe…yeah...sorry about that by the way. I didn't know that you were there and I'm sure that it wasn't something that you really wanted to see-"

"Are you seriously apologizing for dying right now?"

Even from beneath his mask, Stain could see the blush that grew on the kid's cheeks. "Sorry-"

"You've gotta be kidding me…"

"Look!" Izuku interrupted whatever rant Stain was about to go on as he saw a door that looked a lot like an exit to him. Especially considering it had a big red EXIT sign hanging above it.

The two of them barreled out of the door and kept on running. As long as Kurogiri was around they wouldn't ever be able to let up. Izuku didn't know the specifics of his quirk, but it was clear that it was incredibly useful and possibly dangerous if the stories from the USJ were any indication.

They ran and ran until they began to recognize the area around them. They were in the Kamino Ward district. City lights shined in front of them and before they knew it, they could see the still bustling city despite the hour of night it probably was.

Izuku slowed down to catch his breath and Stain followed suit, making sure to take in all of their surroundings in the case there was anymore danger. The boy reached into his pocket and smiled under his mask when he found that his phone was still there.

He took it out and dialed the first of the only three numbers he had on speed dial.

It wasn't even one ring before the other line picked up and a very frantic voice answered out. "Hello? Izuku!? Please tell me that's you and that you're not captured by the League of Villains-shUT Up Shinso! I'm talking to him right now-"

"Calm down Eraser, it's me and I'm not captured by the League of Villains. I just escaped actually…."

"WHAT??? WHEREAREYOUTELLMERIGHTNOWANDI'LLBETHEREINNO-SHINSO CALM DOWN HE'S FINE AND-DON'T YOU DARE GO OUT THAT DOOR-IZUKU I SWEAR TO YOU THAT WE'LL TAKE DOWN THOSE LEAGUE MOTHER-"

"Eraser chill out! Everything's good now. I'm in Kamino and should be home in about two hours if the train isn't too far out."

The line was quiet for a second. "No, no-you need medical attention. I heard all about your little adventures in Hosu."

"No Eraser. You know why I can't go to a hospital. It's not needed anyway; I don't have any more injuries to treat-"

"What do you mean you don't have any-OH MY GOD YOU DIED AGAIN DIDN'T YOU!?"

"It wasn't my fault this time!"

"I CAN'T LEAVE YOU ALONE FOR TWO FREAKING SECONDS WITHOUT-SHINSO I SWEAR TO GOD IF YOU STEP OUTSIDE OF THAT DOOR I WILL GROUND YOU UNTIL YOU DIE I DON'T CARE THAT I'M NOT YOUR FATHER-"

"Oh my- fine! If I go to a hospital, will you stop freaking out?"

Another quiet pause, "Maybe."

"Alright, but I can't let my identity get out."

"Of course. Meet me at one in Hosu, it's known for treating heroes and keeping their mouths shut. It's also where the other two boys that went against Stain are."

"Shoto's there?"

"Shoto-?" Eraser's voice faded from confusion, "HAVE YOU BEEN CANOODLING WITH MY STUDENTS!?"

"What?! I haven't been canoodling with anyone! Shoto and I are just friends."

"I-you know what? We'll talk when we get to the hospital. Get on the first train to Hosu and text me every thirty minutes so that I know that you haven't been kidnapped again, got it?"

Izuku let out a huffy laugh and smiled to himself, "Got it."

The two of them ended the call and Izuku turned to look at Stain, who was still watching everything around them like a hawk. "So, what are you gonna do now? You're technically free I guess."

"Hmm," The hero killer hummed to himself as he took one last look around and then looked down at Izuku. His pointed expression softened, "I think I'll lay low for a while. The League is clearly trying to plan something, so I think that I'll try to do what I can to stop them from the shadows, but I don't think it's a very good idea for me to resurface just yet."

"Good. We could all use a break from you and your-" His comment was cut off by a rough hand ruffling his hair. "Hey-"

"I'll miss you too. I expect that the next time we meet, you'll be well on your way to being the hero that I know you can be. Don't let me down."

And with that he was gone.