Trigger warning: This chapter contains mentions of Suicide, Suicide baiting and child abuse, the sections containing this are in bold.
Katsuki didn't feel any different, then again, Midoriya (he couldn't bring himself to say his name) said the power was the ability to gain more power, not any of the man's already collected strength. His train of thought came to a stop as he turned the corner, eyes resting on the back of a green haired girl's head. Taking a deep breath, he moved round the park bench and flopped down next to Shiozaki. She looked up from the book she was reading, apparently not having noticed him. "Good afternoon, I hope it wasn't too much trouble finding this place. Its rather out of the way."
His gaze flicked to the tree line surrounding the bench: "It's fine, better than some extra showing up." Silence fell over the clearing, only broken by the occasional hubbub of the wildlife. Finally, Katsuki spoke again, his voice notably quieter than usual. "So... what, we just talk about our problems or some shit like that?"
"That was my idea, though I suppose it's not that easy. I simply thought it would be good for you to speak to someone, however your words earlier made me realise I too require such a thing."
He snorted at that, though there was no humour behind the noise. "You're more like the nerd then I thought, not giving a shit about your own wellbeing." Her posture straightened at the mention of the nerd... right, well, in for a penny... "The nerd, I-Izuku Akatani, he was a quirkless kid I knew for most of my life. He was obsessed with heroes, wanted nothing more than to be one. It... made me feel like he was looking down on me. I thought that he was weak, that he didn't deserve to even try. It was ten months ago, he was killed in a kidnapping. It was the day I-"
He choked on his words, barely noticing the hand that made its way to his shoulder. "I told him that if he wanted a quirk, he should k-kill himself and hope he got one in his next life." His head dropped to his hands, tears beginning to run down his cheeks. "A-auntie I-Inko couldn't take it anymore after he died. S-she- God..."
Two arms wrapped around him, halting his spiral. The boy barely heard the whisper of "You don't have to say it." over the thoughts barrelling through his mind. He had told someone at least, that meant something, right?
It took a few minutes for the boy in her arms to calm down, however when he did recover, it only made her worry more. He had sat up straight, then his expressions instantly reverted to normal, as if shrugging off an emotional breakdown was just something normal for him. "Sorry, you shouldn't have to deal with my shit."
"I asked you here so you could speak about your problems, did I not?"
"Right..." He leaned back in his seat, looking up at the clouds that slowly began to drift in front of the sun.
"I suppose I should say something as well, as per our agreement. I'm sure you can tell that I..."
"Have a worse sleep schedule than Eraserhead?"
"I-it's not that bad! Regardless, that is due to me being- or at least I was- religious. But then the demons came around and I... With what we've been told about where they come from, I'm just not sure I can agree with my past self anymore."
She took a few moments to contemplate her next words: "My entire family have always been very faithful, most of them don't really believe what we've been told about the demons. I haven't told them about my thoughts yet, they've always been very... strict about my opinions."
"You don't mean..." A nod was all the response she gave. "We've both got a lot of shit going on don't we."
Ibara giggled at that: "Yes, we do have 'a lot of shit going on.'"
"Quiet down, we're here." Aizawa's monotone voice caused the class's chatter to cease, the teens beginning to exit the bus. What greeted them was a large dome made of metal and glass, in front of its large steel doors stood a hero in a suit that resembled an astronaut's.
"It's the space hero, thirteen, It's so good to meet you!" One of his classmates called from the back of the group.
"I see I have a fan. As you have just heard, I am Thirteen, the one who built the training facility you are about to enter. You see my quirk is incredibly useful for hero work, however I could just as easily use it to kill." The class's idle whispering ceased. "Many of you have amazing quirks, but if you're not careful, you might cause immense harm to the innocent."
"Stop it, Kacchan!"
"That's why you are here today, to learn how to use your powers to help people, not just hurt villains. Now, this way please." The hero led them through the large doors and into the enormous facility. "You see thi-" They were cut off as the doors behind the class slammed shut, a large black and red portal forming above the centre of the USJ.
Demons poured from the portal, their numbers far greater than any previous attack. The horde kept advancing for what felt like hours, before finally, what must have been five hundred of the creatures stood inside the facility. A finale figure emerged from the portal, though they were not a demon. The man hovered in mid-air, his grey eyes staring down at the students. White hair reached down to the shoulders of his light grey jacket, swept back to avoid his eyes. His most defining feature was the black and purple mechanical mask that covered the bottom half of his face, amplifying his voice for all to hear.
"Good afternoon heroes. We have invited ourselves here to crush those who wish to keep the strong from their rightful place. We are the league of villains..."
"And I am Nine."