The room the creepy doctor had led Tenko to was more than satisfactory. There was a comfy bed that was firm and obliquely a medial grade one. There were no windows in the room, something Tenko hated, but then again, considering to whom this room belonged, the boy in the body of a god did not expect anything less.
There were no comforters on it though, indicating how inhuman All For One used to be, not even a soft blanket, in general, could be found.
So, he had sent out Spinner to go and find some stuff to make Hero-san more comfortable while he got better. There was a plug for the oxygen and a dock for a fancy life support system that had unfortunately been dusted to atoms.
Oh well, Doctor Ujiko had a spare one, he had to, otherwise…
No, wait, he was a villain, so obviously, he'd only made a single life support machine since he'd thought his master would be too powerful to need a replacement… and if he did have a replacement.
Well, props to him for being smarter than the average cartoon villain.
There was a kitchen with a fridge, there were very little food, mostly frozen meals specifically made for the bad guys' palate, it would be serviceable but… it felt wrong to use them since there was no way of telling what had been put in there. There were a few packets of chai-chazuke and some premium quality rice. but Tenko still had sent the still reeling Spinner outside to gather the resources he needed to maintain Izuku, the doctor (he knew what to give to the boy, and Tenko would check to make sure the serum given really was what was on the tin. So he would be kept until proven unworthy.) Spinner and himself.
Well, tenko doubted he needed to eat anymore, what with all the quirks he had inside.
Nevertheless, the boy in the body of a god really wanted to eat again, he could not remember what was his favorite food but… he missed food in general.
Anyway, Izuku now had a better room equipped with all that he would ever need to make a full recovery, there was even a HEPA filter.
But before all of this, Tenko had to 'leave' his Izu with Garaki to make sure nothing inside his body would kill him in his sleep.
Both of his arm's bones were obliterated, Garaki thankfully knew how to change those pulverized bones and torn ligaments, and thus, a cast was printed and put on both arms after the very long surgery, like, days long… He'd even drained this brown, stinky fluid from the young boy's lungs, making his breathing and recovery that much easier.
Also, yes. Tenko had been present for the entire procedure since… Well, he didn't trust the tiny creepy man, at all.
Never again… He never wanted to see this ever again.
His heroic spirit had told him to never trust a man with a fake mustache.
Unfortunately, Garaki could do nothing for Izuku's severed spinal cord. He would probably never walk again.
Well, Tenko's spirit told him it was bullshit. But Tenko also had the feeling that Izuku's body would not be able to handle any more surgeries in the foreseeable future.
It was… a blow, to be sure. But Midoriya-san was still alive, meaning that there was still hope.
"As long as he still feels that there is hope for him, the gombo-kid should make a full recovery." His heroic spirit told him.
'Huh… She's much better now.' Tenko realized, did it mean that she thought he was heroic enough for her to have a conversation with him? 'Oh, that would be great, I want to meet her.'
But right now, Tenko had to focus on washing Izuku's hair, it was matted and, while doctor Garaki had washed some of it away, the (too young) hero was in desperate need of a bath.
And a nice warm bath he would get… since Tenko read that warm steam worked wonders on a congested chest.
But… on second thought, Tenko had the feeling that having the very limp and weak Deku sit in the bathtub would be a terrible idea.
So, sponge bathing it was, then.
Before his surgery, Doctor Garaki carefully cut away what was left of Deku's Hero gears. It looked… sort of new, but definitely war-torn and only good for a museum.
The Boy in an adult's body wondered if they had fought to the death and why?
'Hmm… there had been no one else but me and Deku, still can't believe his name, who in their right mind would call themselves useless… or maybe it means Dekiru… I guess it's alright, but… I think a smiley would've been better since I think his mask was meant to evoke a smile? Where was I? Right, I don't think there was anyone else on the Battlefield, only Izuku and me.' An uncomfortable weight settled in his stomach as he remembered his first thoughts when he saw the Hero.
He had thought that he was an enemy.
A villain.
"But… you were not the villain, I was" He whispered with horror and regret.
Sure, he may not remember his misdeeds. But… he was so powerful, Tenko knew he could bring down the end of the world if he so wished for it. 'Just like Kal-el.'
And how about All For One? The way he had treated Tomura (Tenko) like an expandable minion, something to be used.
'No… I was not… Tomura was not a villain, he was a weapon, a means to an end.' Tenko clenched his fist, feeling angry and sad on the behalf of his other-self.
Well, to be fair, All For one was very evil, (Tenko just knew he was, no one tortured a wounded kid just for fun if they were good.) and for all he knew, Tomura was a good person tortured into villainy, All For One had that particular vibe.
But… Tenko was Not Tomura, and while His previous memories were still glitchy and messed up, he still remembered his Granny's hugs and his Aunty Might's Banoffee and teachings on American style Heroism.
He shook his head. "No… I don't even remember doing bad things. I bet this was Tomura's doing." He grouched. "And Tomura was All For One's puppet, I got rid of him." His brows furrowed.
He felt both happy and sad about it. he was happy the bad man was gone, but he was sad he had to kill him, even guilty.
'You didn't have any choice. Some villains can't be reasoned with.' His heroic spirit told him regretfully. ' A true Hero knows when it's the time to show mercy, and when it's the time not to. It's hard, Tenko, it's very hard. But it's a burden us heroes have taken on… now, if only the whole thing hadn't been commercialized to hell and back… now go one and clean Izuku, I'm sure after all he's been through, feeling a bit cleaner will make him feel mighty better."
"Right." Tenko shook his head as he approached the supine form of the young Hero.
He could feel his heroic spirit shake her head too at the sight. He really was too young.
His ruined suit and support gears had already been stripped away by Garaki, leaving Izuku in a too big hospital gown. The too big bed and all the wires and tubes maintaining him alive just made the young boy look much smaller and vulnerable.
Something squeezed in Tenko's chest… it was probably his heart trying not to break at the sight and failing miserably.
"Oh well, this just means that I'm not a villain like All For One. Bet he never cared for anyone but for himself." The white-haired man groused as he gently stripped Izuku of his gown and began to gently sponge his limbs, removing blood, dirt, grime and whatever chemical Garaki had used to sterilize Izuku.
He worked in semi-silence, sometimes he would speak to Izuku, feeling as if he'd known him, and some other time, Tenko would hum some old tunes that had been lost to history.
"Hopefully, I know you as a friend! I don't think I could live with myself if I was the one who hurt you too badly. You were a mess, Izuku, and not just because you're sick." His smile fell as he redressed the young boy (Tenko had already seen his barren, broken body for a few days, it had lost its ability to make him blush. He was not a creep, and Izuku could not clean himself at the moment… actually, he could do nothing at all.).
"Actually… for all I know, I guess I was the villain who hurt you and… and a whole lot of other people also." He spoke as he watched the once clean water turning blurry and disgusting swirl inside to bowl. "I don't know who this All For One person was, and I have no Idea who Shigaraki Tomura was either but… I'd rather they stay dead." He resolved as he wrung the sponge. "Tomura made mistakes, and if he was a villain… then for every life he killed, I will save a hundred." He spoke with conviction.
Suddenly, he heard Izuku rasp.
The Young Hero raised his head, and indeed, Izuku was awake.
His eyes were still dull with his fever, and Tenko doubted Izuku would be able to speak but… he was looking at him with some coherency.
And then panic set in.
"Ah, no. It's Alright. Everything's all right Izuku, you are safe, the bad guy is dead and the others should be smart enough not to make me mad." Tenko said as he began to gently card his fingers through Izuku's less dirty locks of hair. Trying to soothe whatever fear he had away. As he did so, Tenko began to make gentle shushing sounds, trying to tease away Izuku's anxiety like he did the numerous knots that had infested his hair.
Izuku's eyes cleared up a bit, and his breathing returned to something closer to normal. He opened his mouth to try to speak, but only a wet, gravely couch was heard instead. Tenko helped Izuku sit straighter. Hoping this new position would help him breathe better.
When his Spasm slowed to a stop, Tenko laid Izuku down on another pillow, the poor boy had tears dripping from his eyes and snot smearing the back of the oxygen mask.
"Oh…" Tenko murmured as he gently removed the mask and gently began to whip away the mucus and the tears staining Izuku's face, all the while, making sure the Hero would not panic at his ministration.
He also had to fight the urge to hold the hurt boy in his arms and somehow find a way to merge him with his body, so that nothing could hurt him anymore… but thinking about it, the whole thing was a bit creepy, and for all Tenko knew, with the numerous quirks he had, it might happen…
"Hey, you want to drink some water?" Tenko asked instead, to not fall too deep in this particular rabbit hole.
Izuku rasped again, this time, plenty of eagerness shone in his lovely green eyes. Since his nose was all clogged up, he had to breathe through his mouth, meaning that his tongue must be leather-like at this point.
Gross, and painful.
"Here you go, Izuku. Gently suck it, alright?" Tenko said as he pressed the sponge tip to the greenette's mouth, watching him eagerly suck on it as his wide, expressive eyes rolled in the back of his head in pure bliss.
It… made Tenko all warm and tingly… and happy.
"Do you remember who I am?" Tenko asked gently, hunching his shoulders to appear smaller and less intimidating.
"... T… Shig'rki? No… Shim'ra…" He slurred.
He hummed. " That's right… you slept for four days, and you also underwent surgery for your arms and lungs." Tenko informed the recovering boys. "I was there. everything is fine in your body now, and the doctor gave you a new pair of bones and sinew… it was… gross, not gonna lie." He readily admitted as he gave Izuku some more water. And once again the greenette greedily accepted the offering.
" Water's good, you want some more? Don't take it in too quickly or it will make you sick." The snowhead spoke gently as he watched with fascination as relief washed over the Hero's face. "After that, I got some instant chai-shazuke with some warm rice if you can handle it. It's not much but-"
"W…Where am I?" Izuku managed to ask. "Why… Why 'm still here? Is… He dead? R'lly dead?"
"Well, I don't really know where we are, but I do know that there's a village nearby that's not that bad. I haven't checked it yet since, you know, I don't want to leave you with a mad doctor, Spinner's cool tough." he grinned.
Yeah, the gecko was super nice. Still, a bit shaken by the turn of events, but definitely nice, and Loyal.
Tenko hoped it stayed that way, a Good Hero always had good allies.
"Oh," Izuku murmured.
"And… I don't know why you would expect to be anywhere else, we were alone in the middle of a crater." Tenko mindlessly scratched his neck. "Don't know what happened but." He lowered his face… and thinking better of it, pushed his chair back to offer Izuku his apology properly in Dogeza. " I don't remember why we were fighting, but I know Tomura was a bad guy and… well… I'm sorry, even if I don't remember anything about it." He said as conceited as he could.
The sound of Izuku's laboured breathing and the wiring of his breathing machine was the only thing that filled the room for a good minute.
Izuku then began to cough, but this time, his fit was not as devastating for he finished after the time it took Tenko to get up.
And when the Godlike youth did get up, a pair of calculating green eyes were trained on him, giving Tenko a full view of their emerald dept.
'Oh wow… I love his eyes, they are so pretty! So green!' Tenko tought as he maintained his gaze, letting his easy smile stretch his lips.
Despite looking like something that had just been revived, Izuku was pretty… and Tenko knew he could get even prettier once he got colours and fat back in his cheeks.
Oh, and a smile, something told Tenko that Izuku had a beautiful smile, like the rising sun.
Now Tenko had no Idea what a rising sun would look like… well, maybe he did but, plenty of fear mixed with relief was there with the memory.
"I believe you." The greenette broke tenko out of his reveries. He looked so solemn and so resigned.
Izuku leaned back and closed his eyes.
"Also, the bad guy, All For One's well and truly dead." Tenko continued. "I made sure of that, I even opened a hole in the ceiling so that flies can lay their eggs in the mess left."
Izuku stared at Tenko.
"Wow… your eyes are so big and pretty!"
Like a pair of emeralds.
Suddenly, healthy blotches of red-tinged his face as he seemed to slightly crumple in himself. 'You think I'm pretty?' his whole body asked in a tiny, super shy voice.
The youth in the body of a God gave his own bashful smile, answering the unspoken question in kind, clearing his voice. "Yeah so… The doctor was telling me how Shigaraki could not be easily killed like that. But I knew better since, you know. He needed a respirator, and if All For One really was unkillable and had a gazillion healing quirk, then why-"
"Why did he still look like an eyeless potato?" Izuku gave a wheezy chuckle, and Tenko once again covered his face with the oxygen mask.
"I know, right!" The white-haired young man spoke excitedly. "Like… umm, Doctor Garaki told me I survived Stars and Stripes Laser… not that I can remember it, and I managed to recover from that. But All For One is still soup."
At the mansion of soup, Izuku's stomach decided to inform the world that he was famished.
There was a beat as Tenko weight in the benefit of laughing at the fact that Izuku's stomach spoke of its woefully empty state at the mansion of AFO soup, or not to have him get embarrassed.
"I'll get you some soup." The white-haired young man spoke as he fought not to grin too hard since Izuku was doing a rather good impression of a shamed strawberry at the moment.
Poor kid suffered enough as it is.
He boiled the water and filled a bowl with plain rice, and once the water was at the right temperature, poured it in the purple clay and overly fancy teapot, waiting for a minute or two, then poured the content on the rice, letting it steep as he added some Goma and a bit of dried Tofu to the mix… stuff he had fund while exploring the place.
Nothing was fresh, but it wasn't turning into dust, and nothing had made his poison/ bad stuff detecting quirk warned him against and the doctor said it was fine too.
Tenko also ate a bit of everything, and yeah. It was fine…
Taking the bowl, the superhuman youth returned to Izuku's side, he had his eyes closed, but his breathing was steady.
Tenko gently shook him, only to have the boy practically throw himself off the bed in pure panic.
"Hey! Hey!" Tenko said as he managed to calm Izuku down, gently cradling him in his arms as he pressed the boy's head in the middle of his clothed chest. (He had found an extra suit and tie set… but just a shirt and the pants were enough. And he had also brushed and tied his hair up, so he could see without having his field of vision being reduced because, you know, messy hair was cool and all.) he made plenty of shushing now as he rocked back and forth as he felt and heard Izuku's heart calm down to something that had less chance of bursting out of his chest and running around.
"That's it… it was just me, not a bad guy," Tenko assured the younger boy, who was, quite worryingly, whimpering in clear pain.
"Izuku?"
"Muh… My arms… hurt."
Tenko's eyes grew as big as a pair of toonies. Right, his arms were broken, actually, they had been all but pulverized.
It had been so bad that Doctor Garaki had to print an entire new set of bones and connective tissue for the boy. It had been a long procedure, a day each arm plus emptying the sludge and mucus from his super irritated lungs (and maybe some cancer? Tenko wasn't too sure.)
"It's alright, it's another pair… the doctor told me it would be painful…" Oh… how he wished he could take Izuku's pain away, Tenko would be willing to suffer for this boy's sake.
…
And then… he realized that he had a quirk for that.
'Oh thank God.' He breathed as he selected one of the rare healing quirks he could use on another and pressed a gentle kiss on Izuku's fluffy head and temples. Holding him close to his own heart.
He only stopped when all tension left Izuku's body, and the teen began to mumble and fawn about the fact that this quirk definitely belonged to the Shuenzi family line since it was a touch-activated quirk with the lips as a point of contact and…
"Wow… you're so smart." Tenko breathed out, wanting to show all of his quirks to Izuku to see what he would think of them since, from the sound of it, the no pain kiss was a very simple quirk with a very mild healing property but a potent analgesic effect.
And since the body felt no pain, the muscles would relax, and with those relaxed muscles, the body could then heal more efficiently.
"Wonder if it causes the addition of other side effects to the user and usee…"
"Well, I'm sure we'll be able to find out once you get something in your body," Tenko said as he gently repositioned Inzuku in the bed, adding the fluffed-up pillow again.
"R-right… sorry… I tend to mumble when I'm… everything … and anxious."
"I think it made you loopy."
"Yeah… 'm feeling like… on a cloud… but like… not like the other painkillers… better than opiates… forgot how it felt to be pain-free…" A goofy smile spread to his lips. " Sorry…"
"Why?"
"I panicked badly…"
Tenko gave a small huff of amusement. "Hey, it's alright. Spinner told me you went through a lot, so it's normal for you to still be high strung after a war."
This caused tears to bubble into Izuku's eyes, causing his breathing to become worse.
"Hey, it's alright… it's all over."
"Is it?"...
Well… that's what Izuku's blubbering sounded like.
"Well, I don't want to start a war, and if there's another war, I'll either end it, or just move away from it. Unless I have no other choice, that is." The white-haired man rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "I mean sure, it's not very heroic but… you're my priority right now."
"Why?"
"You're hurt, I couldn't find anyone else trustworthy enough to take care of you." He admitted. "Now, let's get some food in you," Tenko said as he reached for the Ochazuke, noting with satisfaction how the dried Tofu had softened and the bowl was not piping hot anymore, yet still warm enough to be delicious. "Come on, can you open your mouth for me?" Tenko asked as he took a spoon full and gently brought it to Izuku's mouth.( after removing the oxygen mask.)
The little hero eyes the Ochazuke a bit dubious before letting out a small huff and gingerly sipping it.
'Gingerly… I should've put some ginger in it.' Tenko thought mournfully as he kept feeding his sick patient, low-key enjoying the whole feeling of taking care of someone.
Then, Izuku stopped looking guiltily at the soup, and Tenko feared the worst.
"Izu? What is it? You don't like it?"
"No… It's good… just… how much supplies do we have? Have you eaten? You-you don't have to-" But Tenko didn't let the sick Hero fall into a dangerous hole. Instead, he interrupted him by gently shoving more rice in his mouth.
"Izu, I have quirks for that, and I haven't explored the rest of the bunker, but knowing now that the bad guy was planning the take over for years now, I'm sure he has plenty more rations. besides, I sent out Spinner to go look for some grocery places."
Izuku's eyes darkened.
"Izuku?"
"There's nothing left." He said mournfully. "You… the VIllains have taken control of the shipping ports and warehouses, and nothing grows in winter…" he revealed. "I… We may have enough but…"
"Say no more," Tenko spoke quietly, yet with all the authority that was vested to him. "Just get better and don't worry about it. I'll take care of it."
"Why?" Izuku asked, tears still in the corner of his big doe eyes.
"Because I'm a Hero, and a Hero protects people and chastises miscreants." He declared as he drew himself to his full height… despite sitting down. "Now, try to eat a bit more, you also have to take some antibiotics."
Izuku made this noncommittal noise as he opened his mouth for yet another spoonful of Ochazuke, blushing at every praise he received from the Godly young man.
After a good three-quarters of his meal was gone, the pills were taken and some more water was drunk… and more so passed, (to Izuku's great shame.) Tenko decided that, actually, he may have to start another war soon to get supplies to Japan. Since Izuku kept mumbling about the logistics of taking back control of the whole situation.
Tenko was greedily taking notes of all that Izuku was coming up with. Once again, the boy's intelligence was outstanding.
And after the herculean task of care was done, the heroic boy fell into an easy sleep. Exhausted by his healing and whatever emotions took control of his waking time.
Once Tenko was sure the boy was in deep sleep, a steady puff of condensation touching his oxygen mask… and after watching him for longer than it was necessary (He could not help it, Izuku, even with his irritated nose, tear-stained face, flushed cheeks over pales skin and under freckled. The way his chest moved up and down despite its desire to cough out more phlegm… was beautiful, and something the new owner of All for One wanted to care for and protect. and Tenko wanted to kiss the greenette again but… well, maybe it would be creepy? After all, the first time had been a spur of the moment.)
Nevertheless, after pressing another kiss on his forehead, Tenko left the recovery room and made his way to a conference room.
He had called a meeting before Izuku woke up… sure, he'd made everyone wait, but the main character could do that.
When he opened the door to the room, he was met with many people he didn't know about, and a few cameras and lighting rigs.
Tenko wanted to address everyone under him, things were about to change.
"Ah! All Hail One For All, strongest of the strong and God of the Meta-humans." One guy spoke with a grand gesture. He wore a shockingly pristine blue suit, his red hair standing up on his shiny baling head and his nose is way too big for his face.
And he's covered with ugly dark spots.
"Are you hurt? Is that cancer?" Tenko asked worriedly.
The man looked at the tall young man with worried eyes. "Oh… no, of course not… don't you remember? It's my quirk." He gave a fake smile.
"Oh… well, I need to address everyone, there has been some… unforeseen development that needs to be addressed."
"Yes, of course. Like the wonderful neutralization on the Hero Deku. I'm sure doctor Garaki will be able to extract One for All… not sure about the state this quirkless trash will-"
It took everything on Tenko not to kill the man right here and there, instead, he sat on the throne as a cape and a crown was put on his shoulders and head.
'Huh… it's a nice, warm cape, very soft… Izu would love it.' he taught as he appreciatively ran his fingers on the rich, velvety material.
"Alright… and we are live." someone spoke from behind the camera.
'All right… let's do this.' Tenko braced himself for the wasp he was about to harass. "My name is Shimura Tenko, grandson of the great Hero Reimu, also known as Shimura Nana." He began as he took note of the confusion maring everyone's face. "And I am a Hero."
~0~
Back outside, Spinner was taking a break from his errand run, a decent bag of stuff hanging from his broad shoulders.
And as per usual, getting this A-1 Stuff (Since it was clear Tomura would not accept anything else for Deku.) had been harder and more expensive then it would've been just because of looks. "Not much changed… still looking for shit even when considered hot shit by most, but treated the same by others. Not even mad…" he sighed.
And thus was the fate of all heteromorphs.
Suddenly, he felt his Detrenat issued phone vibrate urgently, meaning that… Tenko or Redestro (God, he hated the slim ball.) had something super important to tell everyone, regardless of their availability.
"I swear, it's another piece of Quirkist propaganda-" He grumbled as he opened the app.
And indeed, Tenko was sitting on the throne with his crown and ermine cape.
But unlike the unhinged man-child trying to act like a king, or All for ONe's heavy looming presence that hid behind a veneer of false regality, the man on the throne stood tall, his chest open and his back fully erect. His eyes held steel and purpose and his lips were drawn in a thin line of deep determination.
"My name is Shimura Tenko, Grandson of the great Hero Reimu, also known as Shimura Nana." he paused. As he stared deep into the lens, Spinner shivered. "And I am a hero."
"Oh shit." Spinners uttered covering his mouth as he watched the train wreck happen right in front of his eyes.
"Shigaraki Tomura and All For One are dead, only I am left. If you don't believe me, go check in the collapsed room in the basement, you should see blood, viscera, dust and plenty of maggots crawling around." he continued, unbothered at the revelations. "The hero Deku is under my custody, if any one of you have any type of intelligence, you will know not to touch him, for he is mine."
"Fucking hell." Spinner uttered as he covered his mouth with his fist. Forget the train wreck, the lizard man could smell the shit storm coming in fast.
"Now." He continued. "Over the past few days, I have gathered as much information as I could about all of you. Who you are, your powers, your quirks and your ideals… and I have to say, I am not impressed at all."
A shiver crawled up Spinner's spine.
"You… you have all been gifted with an amazing array of powers and quirks. You are resourceful, charismatic and intelligent… but!" Tenko's eyes turned into steel. "You are wasting all of those gifts on a useless pursuit.
"You are all acting like villains and not any types of villains, but disposable ones"
"Oof." The Lizardman bit his fist and he cringed. "Burn… so much burn, right here."
"Your ideals; to have the strongest quirks you can possibly have… how many babies have you killed for that? How many women and men have you raped and how many mutants have you murdered… and why? What is your Ultimate Goal? What will you do with all this power and wealth? Conquer others? Used all the weak as slaves while you sit on top of the world?" Tenko huffed as he slumped in his chair. " What a pathetic use of time, you, all of you are all lowering yourself to the level of mere despots and abusers. And those types of people?" A chilling grin spread across his features, reminding the spinner that Tenko was… it was what Tomura used to be.
And it showed.
"I will personally hunt them down, one by one, until they either surrender to me or die like the animals they are."
A heavy silence hung after this declaration as Shimura-san let his statement worm his way through everyone's psyche.
"But… this is merely one part of the program I have in store." The God of Quirks sat back in his chair, fingered steepled and knees crossed. "You see, I am a Hero… but I am also only one man. And as a single man, my power to save and protect those in danger is severely limited." he opened his hands. "I may have been able to kill Star and Stripes and All For One… but those were single people with nearly no one around."
"Not only that, but by Shigaraki's action, Japan, and maybe even the world is in crisis, whatever trade routes have been taken over by different factions, refugees are running out of supplies and the medical system and falling apart. People are dying from infection and hunger, they lack food, shelter and clothing."
"And if this keeps on going, then there will be nothing to rule on but piles of dust, ruins and an ever-dwindling population of survivors… you have already destroyed and murdered over thirty percent of the Japanese population." He scowled disapprovingly. "This is unacceptable."
"We are not children playing make-believe wars, and we are not god's smithing whatever we find offensive. Yes, we have power, yes, I could level Japan with a mere flick of my finger if I do so wish… but I am not a villain, not a demon in human flesh.
"I am a man, a human. I was given this amazing amount of power, and as a human, I chose to use my power to protect the weak and to teach the strong how to respect all life." He raised his left hand without his prosthetic. "What you are doing… to exploit and destroy what you find weak and unsightly. I reject it!" He clenched his fist, activating a few quirks that would make it crackle with energy. He looked right into the cameras, making his eyes glow like burning coal. "And I not only reject it, but I consider it a cowardly way! You, who are using your quirks so callously to hurt and reject the weak and defenceless, I reject you all, and I will hunt you… for you are not meta-human."
"No." He grinned. "You, who act as if you were gods walking the earth, smithing the mutant-kind, the normal and weak, are not worth keeping. And I, Shimura Tenko, will hunt you all down until even your families are but dust!"
"Oh Shit." Spinner whispered as his scales pinecones and tears fell from his eyes.
He had thought this new version of Shigaraki would be a wimp…but no, despite his hard reset, what he was seeing was still his commander.
Not only that… but he was a hero…
An actual hero, just like Midoriya and All Might.
"Now, for those, who, despite my change of direction, are still loyal to me, for those whom my new cause sounds true to their heart. Know that I will accept you all with open arms, and together, we will rebuild better japan… and who knows? Maybe the world will follow next?"
Shimura-sama crossed his legs. "But first, I will request all of my loyal followers to meet me at_"
Spinner furiously took note of the time and place, knowing that he wanted to be the first one there to give his vow of fealty to his new liege.
He might sound old school… but it fits the Situation.
once that was done and Shimura-Taisho bid them farewell, Spinner fell onto one knee, his right fist to his heart…
He had found the Hero… the real hero…
The Hero that came after Deku.
~0~
Speaking of Izuku, the young hero was just waking up from one of his better naps, one free from nightmares and the feeling of impending doom that always followed ever since he received One For All and had awakened Danger Sense…
'More like 'extreme paranoia.' Izuku grumbled internally as he did a body check.
His lungs felt… emptier and it was easier to breathe, it was not still a hundred percent but, well, he could work with that. His sinuses were also less agonizingly full, and his hunger pang was less. Having an actual good meal and much-needed medical attention.
Not that his… friends at UA could have known of his wounds and sickness since…
Since, you know, the last quirk he'd gained just so happened to be the one that was active the second-longest had still been active.
As long as Izuku would be in a stressful situation and adrenaline was cruising through his body, then illness, pain and minor wounds (if you could call having his spine broken and his lower abdomen and back thorned to shred by your meteor/role model/teacher a minor wound) would be… paused.
No, it would not heal… but it would not cause pain and it would not get worse. The trade-off though was that the moment he felt relaxed and safe enough… then he would feel it…
And suffer them all.
Izuku knew that he hadn't taken care of his health, during his year running and fighting for his life… and the year before that.
All Might was not the example of self-care, and Izuku had unfortunately picked the bad habit…
And when he realized that he really should take better care of his body, the war started.
"Well… nothing else I can do about that… I hope Tenko will be able to deal with the fallout since, you know, I'm out of the game…"
Silence met him.
"Right… I… Gave up One For All… I'm… alone and quirkless again."
It was… what he did was sinking in right now.
That was it… the dream was over.
He could not fight… he was back to being useless…
In the back of his mind, he realized that his arms were less painful then yesterday, but his legs… were gone for good and the only thing left was the buzz that began after All Might decided to crush him despite the orders to go easy on his student.
Nobody noticed since, by then, Black whip had started to manifest, internally, at least.
So he had to quickly learn how to puppet his useless legs least anyone realized that he had been fatally injured since Recovery Girl had told him she would not heal him anymore… and Izuku had felt the effect of Opiates too often, and unlike some of his peers, didn't feel the need to drown his sorrow if he was going to be puckey and achey for the better part of the next day.
but without blackwhip, he could not make his legs move at all… not even a little bit.
He had given everything to Tomura… leaving Izuku worse off than before.
'Useless… I'm useless… useless, quirkless Deku.'
"No, you don't!" Tenko exclaimed as he practically materialized in the room, causing Izuku to jump and yelp, reviving some pain in his arms and spine. "You are alive, and as long as you are alive, you are important."
Izuku stared owlishly at the tall and … admittedly handsome young man in front of him.
His shirt was but shreds, he bore more… scratches and even his hair was wilder and dirtier.
Oh… and his pants were shredded.
Leaving enough to the imagination but really…
Yep, he was definitely Gay today. Very, very gay.
Not only that but…
Now… Izuku was good at dealing with how he felt. Or so he thought.
The praises he had received were earnest and spoken without any of Tomura's usual snide tones. It was spoken with the same tones of voice as a Hero, and the white-haired man definitely stood like one at the moment.
Meaning, it was the time for tears… and then add to that how… messed up Shimura-san was, how tired he looked…
"Izuku?"
"What… What happened to you." The greenette managed to whisper in horror.
Shimura blinked as he looked down at himself. "Oh, that?" He rubbed the back of his head sheepishly, with a smile that fit his countenance. "I basically told what was left of the Villain's army that they could either change their way and follow me or face my wrath… there was a good chunk of them who wanted to face my wrath." He rubbed the back of his neck. "Had to kill a bunch of em but… it was either that or build a prison… but that would be a bit too risky and even crueller to them," he explained.
"Oh…" Izuku would be a hypocrite to say that he was mad about what had just happened. Since killing villains was illegal, as per the HPSC's ruling.
But to be honest…
He could definitely see the logic behind that… since from what few misjudged men and women he had met during his one year as a vigilante, Tartarus was a fate worse than death.
And really just the HPSC's genetic fridge.
"But… are you hurt." He asked instead, more concerned about what used to be an effectively groomed homicidal maniac turned wholesome Hero.
"Nah. and you're the one to talk to." He shot back. "But enough about me, Izuku, you know you're not useless, right? And why did you pick such a nasty Hero name?"
Ouch.
"It's… not nasty." Izuku defended. "And… I reclaimed it. It's supposed to sound like Dekiru."
"Well, I don't like the idea of people calling you useless. Even as a joke… can you change it?" Tenko asked as he wrung his stained hands. "I like Dekiru a lot, though. It sounds cute and bright, just like you!"
"... but… you don't know me."
"Maybe, but I can imagine you smiling… you have a very bright smile."
Once again, Izuku's cheeks developed a fire quirk, and since his arms were still in a cast, Izuku could not cover them.
Tenko looked at Izuku with a pleased blush of his own.
It was the first time he felt someone look at him like that. And it was the first time someone had openly flirted with him while being sincere.
Oh, Izuku had quickly learned how to spot fakes and bullies. And he had no reasons why he could not trust Tenko.
Unlike Shigaraki, Shimura Tenko was very honest and earnest. He was open and…
Well, What type of Villain would pick up their enemy, save them from imminent death, have them treated for all their wounds and illness., feed them and talk to them…
A smart villain who knew how to gather allies to their cause but-
" a villain?" Tenko repeated, completely scandalized to be called as such…
'Oh, no, what have I done? Izuku you useless idiot you've made him mad, why did you have to mumble? It's a creepy, terrible habit and-" A pair of dry yet soft and definitely dirty hands fell on his shoulders. "That's it, this is how I die."
…
"Izuku…" Shigaraki began… Why did he look so worried and confused? Didn't Izuku just insult him?
"Izuku's it's me, Tenko… I'm a Hero… please calm down, that amount of stress is not good for you."
"O-Oh… right.." The brunette spoke shakily. "Right… you told me that… uh. This morning."
"Yesterday, you slept for the whole day."
"Oh."
"Well, you can sleep more if you want to."
"No, I'm tired of sleeping." And how. He hated not doing anything.
"..." The (admittedly, to Izuku, at least.) a handsome man was looking at him with this unreadable look on his face.
Then… his eyes flashed, and his face fell.
"Oh…" He uttered as his eyes filled with tears.
"What?" Izuku asked warily.
"I… Saw where you were coming from," he said simply as he took Izuku's hand in his. "Just know this… it's all in the past, what they all told you is wrong and…"
"And you deserved to be loved and cherished. Like everyone."
He grimaced and frown as he felt frustration at those overused platitudes. "Then tell me… why are good people suffering?" Izuku asked as he felt his tears well in his eyes.
Tenko stared at him, rendered mute by this one question.
His brows furrowed as he began to gently rub his chin, giving Izuku a full view of what a deeply pensive Tenko looked like.
'Not neck scratching.' He realized…
After a good minute of seeing the handsome young man. (Izuku had a type, after all.) Tenko's broad and powerful shoulders sagged in defeat. "I don't know… I just know I'll do everything I can so I get to see your bright smile again."
~0~
Sometime later, evening, perhaps.
Tenko was happy.
No, scratch that, he was more than happy' he was satisfied.
After he had told the adorable Greenette (seriously how this whole war could have happened when such a cutie pie was around. That's it, Shigaraki, both of them were below human and into the absolute trash territory.) of what he had done about his army… what was left of it. And his plan, the boy's smile had blinded him as if he had gazed directly at the sun.
"I'm proud of you." Izuku had said, appearing much older then he actually was.
He had fretted a bit, only to have Tenko calm him down with food, some congee.
It was the first time Tenko had tried cooking, but, from Izuku's appreciative humms, it was clear the result was palatable enough.
Actually, just to see Izuku smile with a lighter heart was enough to make the Godlike youth feel like the king of the world the way he would eagerly move toward the ladder spoon, how he would close his eyes with bliss, his perfect lips glistening with the saliva he had deposited there each time he would lick his lips after each bite. And the sound of satisfaction he would make…
Oh, this was bliss…
'Forget about having all those quirks and a God-Like body. This, seeing 'Zuku happy's my main goal of life now.'
That, and making sure Japan would not self-destruct because a bunch of overpowered brats decided to play the bully.
…
Actually, taking care of Japan was a burden, and Taking care of Izuku was a pleasure hidden as a duty. It was a blissful duty.
"Tenko?' Izuku broke him out of his ruminations. "What are you thinking about?" He asked, a few grains of mushy rice striking on his upper lips and away from his pink tong's reach.
"How happy I am to be with you, feeding you rice porridge while you get better and better," Tenko answered simply as he went to whip Izuku's mouth with a damp cloth. Enjoying how red he became.
"But… why?" Izuku asked once his face was free from the piece of soft linen.
"Because I like you. I have a good feeling about you."
"But… I'm useless."
"I don't care, you're alive, it's all that matters to me," Tenko assured the young recovering boy. "Besides, how can you be useless if you are conscious? And, while I don't really know you, you feel like a smart person, and you're nice to look at." He readily admitted as he spoon the last of the porridge into Izuku's gaping mouth. Watching it close mechanically, same as the swallow.
He could see Izuku trying to find deception in this statement.
"We… don't know each other." He finally said as he lowered his gaze.
"Why are you saying this as if I'll start hating you the moment you speak? You are a Hero, just like me."
"..." Izuku did not answer.
Tenko felt his heart melt for him and gently placed a hand on his mending shoulder, careful not to jostle the still mending limb.
"Hey, Izuku. I already know about Shigaraki Tomura, All for One and how you and they were fighting on the other side of a war." He gave a gentle, friendly squeeze. "Those men are dead… I am Shimura Tenko, and I don't remember doing anything as Shigaraki."
Izuku stared at him, his gloriously big and green eyes (you could easily get lost in their dept.) begging the hero if this was true.
"Say… how close were Tomura and All For One?" He asked gently, gently moving his hand from Izuku's shoulder to his cheeks.
SO soft despite everything.
"T-they were close… l-like… He would call him Sensei, but… I think he saw him as his father and his God but…All For one was h-his groomer, and You… Tomura was just a tool, a vessel for him. Nothing more" Izuku spoke mournfully as he nuzzled in Tenko's tired and scarred hands.
"Tomura… Shigaraki Tomura would not have saved me on the battlefield. He would not have held me so gently, He would not… he would not have spoken to me the way you did, and he would've dusted me without a thought…" a stray tear fell from Izuku's gorgeous green eyes. "But you… you protected me, you saved me from AFO, you killed him to protect me, and you were here when I woke up from surgery, you feed me, you talked to me… and you waged a war just so I didn't have to worry about others starving while I ate." The boy sniffed as his emotions took over again. "S-Short of my m-mom… you." a shudder coursed through his spine. "You've done more for me in my life then my teachers and my friends."
Once again, a shudder passed through Izuku's solid yet fragile frame.
(Unbeknown to the godlike man. The Hero in green remembered how he had been manhandled by his classmate when they managed to bring him back to UA and height Alliance.
They had shoved and swept the wounded boy off of his feet even before the recovery girl managed to get her hand and cane on him. Carrying him like oversized luggage, jostling his spines worst.
Then came his… shower… and the hard-backed wooden chair.)
"You… your hands feel safe. Even with Tomura… he stopped me in the mall when it was still the time of peace, held my neck and held the whole place hostage…"
"But… why?" Tenko asked, absolutely horrified that his other self could have done such a horrible thing.
"He wanted to talk… to rage about how the attack of Hosu, with all of its nomus, had been his idea while Stain was just… there, you know. Using the chaos as a way to get Native… he survived but… native died during the Jaku war. Like… like plenty of other heroes."
And by how Izuku's voice wavered, some of those heroes were known to him. "I… I caused this war."
"How?" Tenko gently prodded, feeling as if twenty pairs of ears were in this conversation.
"I told Tomura… He asked me why everyone, every media outlet, was talking about Stain's arrest and not about him and the Nomu attack." Izuku's voice had turned as lifeless as his eyes. "And I… I didn't… I didn't want to."
"Breath, Zuku… It's fine, I am here." Tenko soothed as he sat beside Izuku, instantly wrapping the distraught boy in his arms.
"T-there were... S-S-So m-many people at t-t-the mall that day." Izuku's voice was shaking, just like his whole body. " A-And he… h-he t-told me he w-ould K-K-Kill and I panicked A-A-and I spoke… I… I-I-I told him T-t-Tha T-that the reaso w-w-hy Stain was talked ab-b-b-bout m-m-more was because. He-he had a reason to do this… he.. H-H-He had an I-ideal while Y-You, Sh-sh-shigaraki and none and… and."
"Breath… everything is fine."
"H-He kidnapped K-K-Kachan and… and All- All for one Fought All Might and All might lost his powers and Shigaraki got to Deika city and they got an Army… the paranormal liberation front and there was the war and the wars still going on and the Hero's basically lost and it's all my fault, it's all my fault, I should've died that day, why didn't I die!" Izuku sobbed as his breath became stilted and his nose once again clogged up.
"Izu? Izuku!" Tenko tried to break his distraught mumbling but to no avail. Managing to catch some disturbing words like 'Worthless.' 'Should be dead.' 'Worthless Deku.' but worst was how he wanted to be punished, he deserved the pain, he deserved to be hated, he deserved to have lost everything, he should just -
"No!" Tenko roared, and the next thing he knew, a few quirks activated… and he was in a white expanse, with Izuku's psyche trying to rip itself apart out of grief, with thousand of demons telling him how much of a Useless, worthless waste of space and air and how he should just kill himself and make everyone a favour.
And Izuku? In all of this?
Washed out, gray, lifeless as the toxic sludge poisoned him more and more…
'No… this won't do!'
"Away with you! Villains!" Tenko boomed out as he ran at the mob of evil voices and began ripping them apart as he did Re-destro' army not too long ago. Freeing his Izuku from the numerous ghosts of his past mistakes, the green-haired one, cackling madly as if this was all just a big Joke, must be Izuku's latent daddy issues.
"You are unworthy, Mirio would have been better. You are-"
Deciding that he had heard Enough, what to say of Izuku. Tenko grabbed the gangly ghost and turned him into…
Well, not dust, but the evil presence was quickly driven away from the afflicted Greenette.
Once only Izuku was left, Tenko rushed to his side and held the fragile boy in his arms, gently plating a kiss on his fluffy head, praying that one of his quirks would work in this weird place and that Izuku would realize just how precious he was.
But… there was nothing much Tenko could do about it, save prove to his friend this reality over and over again.
…
And thus, he began to talk to Izuku, telling him how amazing he was and how there probably would never be another worthy person. And how he did good at the time, and that he was scared and panicked and thus acted how he thought he should at the time.
Once again, Izuku's question about why bad things happened to good people echoed in his mind.
Still…
"I'm proud of you, Izuku, and I'm sure my Granana and Aunty Cathy would tell you the same thing. You did not panic, you still had the situation under control and you saved an entire Mall full of people, and the only one who knew about it was you and Tomura… the rest were blissfully unaware."
"But… he listened to me… and he started… this." Izuku managed to speak, his voice quiet and filled with sadness and confusion.
"Izuku… did you tell him to start a war?"
Izuku furrowed his brows as some colours returned to him. "No, why the hell would I do that?"
Tenko smiled triumphantly. "There you go. Tomura is… was his own man, Izuku, you were not the one who made him do his actions, he did it himself. For all I care, he could have turned into a reporter or an analyst. But instead, he chose to listen to Shigaraki…"
"Meaning All For One's the one who caused all of this."
"Eh… maybe not… I mean, from what I've read about the Hero Commission, things were already falling apart without the help of… that guy."
"Yeah… hero Society sucks bad…" The poor boy must be exhausted if he didn't even protest this awful truth.
"Don't worry, I'll make sure no one can do the same thing now… and if it happens, I'll take you away so that they won't get at you," he promised as he tucked Izuku's fluffy head of hair under his chin.
They remained like that, soaking in each other's warmth and Tenko wrapping the broken hero in his many healing quirks like one would a security blanket.
He may not know Izuku, but he… sorta knew that everything he had now was because of him.
"Ah… Say, Izuku?" Tenko gently peeled off Izuku from his now thoroughly moistened chest. "What was that Ghost referring to when he kept telling you that you weren't unworthy of what?"
Izuku's eyes filled with tears (Again) as he opened his mouth.
But another voice prevented the heroic boy from explaining, robbing him further of his ability to speak.
"That ghost was telling the truth, nine here never should have been a holder of One For All." Tenko whipped around only to see that he was surrounded by ten chairs, each holding a man ready to fight…
The bald one looked especially scary, actually, they were all staring at tenko with hatred (the first one, the one with the white hair, sickly pallor and… kind of looked like All for One was the one looking at him with fear. Actually… the bald one felt familiar… and his scowl was rather comical in its intensity.)
Tenko hugged Izuku closer, turning his whole body in such a way that he could protect the smaller boy. (why were numbers two and four looking at Izuku in disgust?)
Then… he felt someone tapping his shoulder.
The Boy in the body of a God whipped around… only to see…
"GRANANA!" Tenko, still holding Izuku in his arms, jumped in the arms of his grandmother, feeling as if he hadn't seen her since forever~!
The seventh user of One For All laughed easily as she caught her now-adult grandson, letting him spin her around as Shimura Nana floated him away from the featureless void and to the bucolic cabin he grew up in.
There, waiting with a beatific and caring smile filled with love was Cathleen Bathe, her brown hair and glasses softening her face even further.
She too was a recipient of the loving hug from her adopted Son/heroic mentee.
And for Tenko… it was a dream come true…
He was back home, with the people who raised him with love, affection, a true moral compass and oodles and oodles of Story about the legendary Ninth user, Midoriya Izuku.
His Childhood Hero from Granana's many stories.