02/05/2023

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The Emperor's Dragon
Emergence 69 - Make Our Own Choices

As soon as Dabi left, Izuku put his hands on his knees and concentrated on his breathing. If he did that, he could concentrate on what had just happened, not what his mind wanted to steer his thoughts to.

The talk with Dabi had gone well. Given the slip of the tongue and the focus on Endeavor, it was obvious the villain had an interest in the Todoroki's. But as Izuku had said, with Endeavor's rank it was likely that they'd have to face him. Izuku couldn't imagine the man just retiring now, not after fighting for the Number One spot for so long because he had to see that it was almost within his grasp.

Dabi's relationship with the Todoroki's had to be strong if he was prepared to give his loyalty for the return of Shouto's quirk. Izuku felt his lips form into a smile at that thought. He liked Shouto's quirk. It would have been useful but… there was going to be a certain amount of confusion with the others, when he gave back one quirk and not the others. He was not going to explain to them why he'd done it but if it ever became necessary then he could simply say that the price for the return of Shouto's quirk had been paid.

That would drive people up the wall with speculation and while he didn't know the exact consequences Shouto could be tagged as a villain, so could Endeavor. That could be fun. He'd have to deal with the consequences when they came. Well, Shouto would. Or Endeavor. Or... well whoever.

And if Dabi betrayed him... he could simply take Shouto's quirk back. Maybe he should arrange for a copy? Except Yakuni wasn't here... He'd have to do it later. Shouto's quirk was useful and powerful but... maybe later he'd get a copy after seeing what came of giving it back.

He could explain now but… thieves and murderers explained and he wasn't either.

Izuku knew the world would call him both. The world was wrong. How was he a thief when he'd simply used his quirk, the same way as so many other people did? And while people would say he'd murdered Tomura he-

Izuku shook away the thoughts that followed. He had not failed his Father! Killing Tomura had not screwed up his Father's plans… He shook his head again.

The talk had also shown him something else. When he'd asked Dabi what quirk the villain wanted returned, he'd immediately known he wasn't going to give back those two. Kaminari's was obvious. While the quirk wasn't that useful to him, he was not going to give back the quirk of the one who had been a vigilante and had gotten no punishment! He'd consider giving back Kirishima's first and he wanted Kirishima's!

Why did he want to keep Bakugou's? He felt a number of feelings at that thought and Izuku knew that he'd be okay with giving Bakugou's quirk to someone, just not back to the hero student. A part of it was based on what he'd seen. Bakugou appeared to be one of those kids gifted with a strong quirk, and an equally strong sense of entitlement. He believed that because he was stronger he was the best and that all he needed to do, to be a hero was to beat the villain into submission. It was an understandable view. That's what the news showed of All Might, Endeavor, Best Jeanist, Hawkes… All the top heroes but…

Bakugou lacked compassion and his arrogance was grating. Izuku hadn't had much to do with him but he had watched the bits of the Sport's Festival that he missed. He knew what Bakugou was like. He'd seen it in all his matches, even the one against Ochaco. And she'd confirmed it! What had she said… Kirishima had to go on the mission because he was the only one Bakugou would listen to…

Yeah, the student was not someone who should be a hero. Well, the HPSC probably thought he'd be a great hero but the rest of the world would just suffer through him.

No, he wasn't giving Bakugou's quirk back but maybe he could give it to someone. A slow smile spread over Izuku's features as he envisaged the chaos that would cause. Maybe he'd see what happened after he returned Shouto's… assuming Dabi could find him an opportunity.

Izuku sighed. He somehow knew that Dabi would find a way. The unspecified but obviously personal relationship would drive him to find a way. And that would secure Dabi's services. For the rest…

Izuku grimaced. He had to find a mission he could use to impress them and gain their trust. But what could he do? He knew what he wanted but…

The thought led back to the one he was trying to avoid.

In killing Tomura he'd ruined his Father's chance of recovery… There was nothing he could do to make that up to his dad. So… he knew what he wanted and he knew what his Dad wanted. The how though remained elusive. He knew his Dad had a plan and he knew parts of it but… He couldn't do it alone.

Izuku felt sick. He might have been able to do it with Tomura… Why had he killed him? He knew why. He'd been angry before he even saw Tomura. He'd warned him not to injure his dad and he had! He'd lead the heroes straight to his Father and then seeing All For One in the older teen… That had simply been the last straw.

Except he should have thought about why Tomura had it. He should have known there was no way Tomura would have had All For One without his Father giving it to him… but… He hadn't thought. He hadn't considered. He'd focused on his anger.

And… Izuku sighed again. He swallowed, trying to get rid of the sick feeling that flooded through him. The very first action he'd taken after making the choice he was sure his Father wanted had been the wrong action.

How did he make sure he didn't make more mistakes?

The empty room offered no answers.

-ted-

Ochaco slipped into the cafe. Cafe Chaya was the same one she'd been to with Izuku. The barista was the same and she nodded to her as she went past, heading to the table that Mei and Hitoshi were already sitting at. She smiled at them. It was hard to believe it had only been four days since she'd been expelled. It was hard to believe she missed them so much in that time.

She slipped into the seat they'd left for her and felt herself relax in a way she hadn't for the past few days. Ochaco felt safe here and it was only because she was relaxed now that she realised. She closed her eyes and just let herself feel for a few moments.

"She's gone," Hitoshi whispered conspiratorially at Mei. The other girl didn't reply but Ochaco could imagine her face. She opened her eyes and grinned.

"I missed you," Ochaco told them.

"It's been four days," Mei retorted coolly. She was very much a fan of logic.

"Four days where I would have seen you each day," she replied. Ochaco didn't need to mention the other things that had gone on in those days.

At that Mei nodded to acknowledge the point. Then she picked up her cup. The tables were small. They had enough space for the cups but not much else. You weren't meant to eat at this cafe, just drink your tea or coffee and then leave. If you were alone, you could probably fit a notepad or a tablet on the table. If you were in a group, then you were here to chat, because the cups took up all the room. Hitoshi had three little cups lined up on the table. Ochaco knew without asking they were three very short blacks. He was already on to the second. Mei had a tea and they'd gotten her some sort of chai thing. At least, she thought it was chai from the smell.

They were silent for a few moments. Ochaco guessed that no one was quite sure how to approach… well any topic from the last four days but perhaps the revelation of the press conference last night and the fact that Izuku hadn't answered any messages since he'd disappeared.

"So what is his quirk?" Mei broke the silence finally. She managed to make it sound like she had an academic interest but neither Ochaco or Hitoshi were fooled.

Hitoshi sighed at the question and took a sip of coffee before he answered. "It's roughly what Daiki Yaoyorozu said it was last night," he told them.

"He told you?" Ochaco asked pointedly.

Hitoshi nodded. "I talked to him after Kamino," he explained.

There was something in his voice that said the truth about Izuku's quirk was not the only thing Hitoshi knew for sure. Ochaco felt vaguely hurt at that. She was Izuku's friend! His oldest friend! He could tell her anything! He'd obviously told Hitoshi more… But… she thought fairly, maybe that was a function of opportunity. She hoped it was.

"So let me get this straight, you get expelled," Mei said, pointing towards her, "and Izuku then goes and takes the quirks of those who were at Kamino?" It wasn't really a question.

"It seems that way," Hitoshi said.

"Why?"

That brought attention back to Ochaco. She made a face. "He was really angry I was expelled," she clarified for them.

Mei gave her a look. It almost seemed as if she might blame Ochaco that Izuku was not there.

Apparently Hitoshi picked up on that as well. "I think he was going to do something anyway," he said softly.

"He hasn't said anything to me!" Mei grumbled.

"He hasn't said anything to us either," Ochaco pointed out reasonably, reaching into her bag to get her phone out.

Mei waved it away.

"He's probably getting a new number," Hitoshi said.

"How do you know so much?" Mei demanded.

Hitoshi sighed. "The morning after All Migh… Urgh," he groaned. "Daiki just told the world!"

"That was his dad?" Mei's eyes widened.

Hitoshi nodded and then he realised Ochaco was nodding as well. "He told you?"

"The morning I got expelled," she said.

"Why didn't I know?" Mei snapped. She was usually so laid back that it was hard to see her get upset.

The two of them were silent for a few moments. Ochaco wondered how she could answer that but Hitoshi spoke before she could. "It's not the sort of thing Izuku wanted people to know," he said. "Would you?"

At that Mei sighed. "I suppose not but…" she thought for a moment. "That means that mask was my baby!" She cried happily.

"You mean you made it?" Ochaco gasped.

"Not that exactly," Mei said. "But I made a life support mask for Izuku's dad," she said brightly. "It could have been fitted under the armour."

Ochaco didn't know what to say.

"It worked so good!" Mei almost cheered.

"You knew Izuku's dad is a villain?" Ochaco ventured the question.

"Of course not! Izuku told me his dad had been injured in an attack and needed breathing assistance… The mask can be used for anyone. Components can be taken off to aid for specific medical issues," Mei said. "It's the same as any support gear. It's all on who uses it," she explained.

"True," Ochaco had to admit. Her hero costume had features to help reduce her nausea, and those adaptations were common enough that some things were available for civilians to buy. Those who got motion sick for example could use some of the same features to help them. The thought that support gear wasn't a villain inevitably led to the thought that a quirk wasn't a villain yet… "Is Izuku's quirk really what Daiki Yaoyorozu said?" she asked.

Hitoshi nodded.

"When did you find out?" Ochaco demanded.

"The morning-"

"Why did he tell you everything?" Mei gnarled.

"I didn't exactly give him a choice," Hitoshi defended his knowledge. "And I think you'll find Izuku will tell you, just as soon as he gets another phone."

"He'd better," Mei threatened.

"He will," Hitoshi said with supreme confidence. "Just, I don't know when. We are probably being watched," he pointed out.

It took all of Ochaco's self control not to look around in response to that. It made sense. They were known to be Izuku's friends but it was somewhat… it made her feel queasy, all without the use of her quirk. She groaned, dropping her head into one hand as she leaned against the tiny table. "I feel bad," Ochaco said.

"Why?"

"After I was expelled, Izuku told me he'd do something but… I had no idea what his quirk was and I had no idea he was going to take their quirks," she said.

"How is that your fault?" Hitoshi asked.

"Because- Hrgh!" Ochaco huffed. She knew what he was saying.

"How?" Hitoshi pressed. "How is it your fault?"

"All right, it's not my fault," Ochaco said what she knew Hitoshi was saying. "But if I knew he was going to do something like that-" she didn't finish. They all knew what she meant. If she'd known Izuku was going to do something like that then she'd have told him not to.

Hitoshi nodded. "You remember last year?" he asked.

"Last year?" she asked while Mei listened.

"Izuku told us his dad had let him go," Hitoshi prompted her memory.

She nodded as she recalled that. Izuku had been tetchy for ages!

Hitoshi sighed and looked to Mei so that she'd feel included. "He never told us what the family business was," he said, deadpan.

Ochaco felt her eyes widen as things became clear. "Oh my god!" she whispered. Izuku's dad was the villain All Might fought. He wasn't a minor villain. He was super strong and that alone said he was going to be an important villain. And.. the scale… Izuku said it wasn't the sign of favour from a villain but… the villain at the camp had supposedly recognised it, which was why she wasn't harmed and…

Was Izuku really a villain?

The world was already calling him one but… Was he really? Daiki Yaoyorozu indicated that he was prepared to ignore everything so long as the quirks were returned since all that had happened was that Izuku used his quirk… and people used their quirks all the time. But, was it really that easy?

Ochaco bit her lip. She already knew the answer to that. She had lived the answer to that. When circumstances dictated, then nothing mattered for the authorities who were eager to be seen to be doing something. She was so confused.

Mei seemed to be far more calm. "If Izuku is going to be labeled a villain, what does he want?" she asked Hitoshi.

The purple haired teen chuckled. "The usual things," he replied, somewhat grandiosity. "The removal of hero society and all that," he said.

Ochaco snorted. The way he said it made it seem so silly but… She'd practically grown up with Izuku and she knew what he thought of heroes. He did want them to change. He wouldn't cry if they disappeared. Except… his desires weren't that bad. The statistics of heroes were bad and… She sighed. It was so complicated.

"I never asked him to," she said softly.

"I know," Hitoshi said. "He was angry about his Father," he indicated. "And… I think it has been coming for a while."

Mei sighed. "So we wait for him to contact us? And then what? We are going to get questioned," she pointed out.

Hitoshi looked at them and picked up the final tiny cup of coffee. He downed the shot in one gulp, putting the cup back on the table. "What you say is up to you," he said. "Izuku knows that and… we are just going to have to see what happens," he added. "After all, it's not like we are making the decisions."

At that, Ochaco nodded. They weren't making the decisions and while they could make decisions for themselves… those made for society… they were made by others. And they'd just have to see where that led. "I just wish-" she paused.

"You wish?" Mei prompted.

"I just wish there was a way we could help him," Ochaco completed her wish.

Hitoshi shook his head and surprisingly Mei did it as well. "He's made his choice," Hitoshi said. "And we-" he didn't say they had to support him but he gave the two of them a smile. "We have to make our own."

Ochaco sighed and then nodded. Unless they wanted to join Izuku in being branded a villain then, all they could do was support him from the light… And he knew that. He'd made it clear to her when he told her to go home and think what it would really mean. And maybe…

She didn't know what the maybe would be but Ochaco knew Izuku was a good friend, and even if the world called him a villain… that didn't change the fact he was a good friend.

Nothing would change that.

-ted-

Many of you have some very good ideas for Izuku but remember he's new to villainy and while he has the pedigree, he isn't going to know the best decisions immediately. This is where AFO would have provided him with a long term plan and contingencies. As it is, Izuku is 16 so while he can think ahead, he doesn't have the decades of experience others do. But at the same time, he's not going to let himself be taken advantage of.

And Ochaco and co are generally on Izuku's side but they also face public scrutiny and worse HPSC scrutiny. Ochaco can probably tell them to shove it, since they will have to acknowledge they burned bridges with her, but if Hitoshi and Mei suddenly turn villain as well... that would look very sus. So for the moment, they are continuing with their education. After all, while people can do well with only a middle school education, most things want at least a High School certificate so education is key.

My discord is on this code: TcBnRN7aDn FFN will remove links but you should be able to figure that out. There's a heap of other authors there, so come along and chat to us all!

-ted-

Loved it? Hated it? Found a spelling mistake? Let me know please!