Izuku watched the hero fight in front of him with a calm face. The drink in his hand idly forgotten as the muscle bound villain tried in vain to fight against the flying telekinetic hero. The crowd around him cheered on the hero's name, not that he bothered to listen. The hero was constantly talking, spouting about their latest heroic acts and a potential team up with another hero sometime in the future.
All the while fighting a several story tall villain with biceps the size of cars.
Izuku had to resist the urge to frown at the hero's pack of care. One wrong move could harm all these people, whether it be falling debris or the villain themselves. Taking a deep breath Izuku stepped forward, almost slinking between the crowd, before he gained a front row seat to the fight. He shook his head as he watched the fight continue. There was at least seven different opportunities for the hero to already finish the fight, yet he just kept talking and delaying the fight.
Izuku walked away as the villain finally fell to the ground. He resisted the urge to roll his eyes as the people kept cheering the hero's name. 'They don't even realize how dangerous that was.' he lamented while almost glaring back at the fight. The police had now showed up, dispersing the gathered crowd, and were occupied with restraining the villain. The hero was busy with a review with one of those parasites from the news.
Izuku turned away and doubled his pace, ready to fix his steadily sorrowing mood. Taking a sip of his coffee he moved forward, his knuckles turning white as the cup crumbled in his grip. He ignored the slight sting of the hot liquid as he reached his facility.
The door opened for him and closed without any command. Hard working machines ran with gentle hums, converting materials into machines of grand design. the facility lit up as he moved forward, acting almost like a guide as he entered his main office. A quick throw sent the ruined cup into a nearby trashcan as he sat down at his desk. Screens lit up as he tracked orders, shipments, and blueprints through the display.
He smiled as the logistics of his facility showed all was well. He wasn't short on any materials, none of his machines were damaged, and the orders were still manageable. A P.A.M. Unit drove up to him, a calm hum used as a greeting. He ran a hand to the machine's head, almost petting it, before he pulled out his phone. "Well, about six more days until I can continue on the other side. What to do today?" he muttered before looking back at the P.A.M. Unit.
As if the world was giving him an answer someone knocked on the main facility's door.
Izuku just turned, his hand running to the keyboard as a screen changed its display. As he looked out he saw a lone figure standing in front of the door, his body rather bandaged yet his spikey blonde hair was still prevalent. He watched as Bakugou knocked again before looking up. "Midoriya, I want to talk." Bakugou said as Izuku's brow was raised.
'When was the last time he called me Midoriya?' he inquired before sending a quick command. A few P.A.M. Units drove out and followed him as Izuku walked towards the entrance. Looking at the door he remembered how his last few encounters with Bakugou had gone. "Let's see what happens this time?" Izuku asked himself as he let the door open.
Bakugou stood still, bandages and a small leg brace prevalent on his form, a weary smile on his face. "So you did open it Midoriya." he said. "What do you want Bakugou?" Izuku asked. "A couple things. I know you won't accept an apology from me, but my last week has been rather eye opening." Bakugou said. "Have you been getting into fights?" Izuku asked. "Yes, been beating the shit out of gangsters and muggers with my bare hands." Bakugou said.
"Have you been venturing into vigilantism?" Izuku asked. "I have done nothing but beat the shit out of criminals for the past three days." Bakugou responded. "Why are you here?" Izuku asked. "Look, I've been a shitty fucking person, and I know that no apology will make it up to you. So if you want to hit me for being a shitty person here's your chance." Bakugou said. "That isn't what I asked Bakugou." Izuku stated.
Bakugou looked him in the eye before his face was lowered, a low mutter left his mouth. "Would you mind repeating it?" Izuku asked with annoyance. "It'll be the hag's birthday in less than a week and I need a present for her. She was jealous of auntie's robot, the one you made her, and she's been on and off about buying one for herself." Bakugou said while holding out a pile of cash. "You've swallowed your pride Bakugou." Izuku said as he skimmed over the stack. "Fuck you, this is more difficult for me than you realize." Bakugou said.
Bakugou took a deep breath and closed his eyes before staring down Izuku. "Look, this isn't about me. I've been a fucking disappointment and I want to make it up to them. Would you be willing to accept my purchase. This wouldn't make us friends, or clear away all the foolish shit I did, I know that I don't deserve it." Bakugou said as he held out the cash to them. Izuku looked at the pile, then took it from Bakugou's hand. Quickly counting it he handed a part of the pile back to Bakugou. "One P.A.M. Unit, is there a specific spot you want it to be delivered to?" Izuku asked. "Dad's work, sometime after one p.m. while he's on his lunch break." Bakugou said. Izuku nodded, making a mental note of it. "You have my work, it'll be there." Izuku said. "Thank you, Midoriya." Bakugou said as he pocketed the rest of the cash.
"Anything else?" Izuku asked. Bakugou shook his head and began leaving. Izuku just watched as his form disappeared along the back alleys. 'Should I call Nedzu, he's been rather busy with his vigilante recall program and the exosuits for U.A.'a new Quirkless students?' Izuku pondered as he let the door close. He calmly walked back, returning to his seat and typing away the newly added order.
Izuku felt a chuckle leave his throat before he shook his head. "It looks like Bakugou is actually changing." he muttered before the nearest P.A.M. Unit beeped in response.
Stain let out slow and pained breathes as the underground doctor continued their lecture. The rest of the Disciples were in the background, some were arguing, other simply looked at him with concern. Akaguro didn't care, so what if he had lost an arm?
Nothing would stop his ideals.
The doctor seemed to notice his blank expression and promptly slapped him across the face. "Listen, you had a run in eith the Noumu Hunter. You lived to tell the tale but lost your arm in the process. I have very strict orders for you Stain." the Doctor gave little care that they were faced with the Hero Killer and his students.
Not that they had anything too fear. The laws of the Underworld stated that anyone who killed a Doctor, especially in their own location of business, would be blacklisted and killed if they tried to enter another Doctor's site.
"I know Doc." Stain said calmly. "So, no hero hunting, no villain hunting, and no vigilante missions." the doctor lectured. "I know, I have a team that can do that." Stain said while gesturing to his Disciples. "Well good, It'll take months before I'd call you safe to go back to fighting. The bloodless alone would take weeks to recover from, not to mention your broken bones and missing limb." The doctor said while gesturing to Stain's injuries.
"Yeah, it's a shame." Stain muttered as the Doctor's expression lightened up. "Well, I'll only charge you half price today. I lost some of my family to Solar Flare's negligence, so consider this returning a favor." The doctor said. Stain nodded before he gestured to Spinner and Willow. The two Disciples left the others and handed the doctor a was of cash. "Good, now I have other patients to attend too, good night." the doctor said while directing them out.
"Don't let him do any parkour, or training until he's healed. If his wounds reopen then I'm charging full price for restitching." The doctor warned as the Disciples nodded. "See yah Doc." Stain said as he led the others down the street. The Doctor just waved them off before he turned to his next patient.
Stain kept going forward, he had no painkiller running through his veins yet he didn't care. He had his nose cut off without any form of pain killer, this is nothing. The loss of his arm though, that's more of a problem.
That... thing, the Noumu Hunter changed, almost like a Caterpillar that turned into a butterfly. It was far more human that before, yet it also seemed stronger. It was only thanks to his highly toned battle instincts that he just lost a limb rather than his life. The thrashing the beast gave him the moment he cut off his arm to save the rest of his body, that was something else.
He imagined that the one to push him to such desperation would be All Might, yet such an honor was stolen by this creature. His stump still ached, the phantom pain of the needle like tail stabbing between the two bones of his forearm, and the rapid liquidifcation of the muscles before he had separated the two parts in an instant. Before he could even jump back all that was left of his left arm had been the armor and clothing he had worn.
He would have to retrain himself, push himself even harder to counter such a loss. His whole style of combat would have to be changed. But that is for later. He'll listen to the doctor's orders, he knows his body will fail if he ignores them, he had others who can carry his will.
As they enter their base of operations the others give him a wide berth. He only flashes them a quick smile before he passes out on the couch, his consciousness quickly embracing the calmness of sleep.
"So, what's the next step of our plan?" Dabi asked as he threw small pieces of candy at Toga, who was catching them in the air with her mouth. "Simple, we need to buy ourselves some time and lay low." Tomura replied. "Really?" Dabi asked. "Yes, we just lost our main base and the majority of our players. We've been debuffed and need to regain our strength before we can try anything else." Tomura explained. "Any idea for recruits?" Dabi asked.
"No idea, how would we get enough attention to illicit more recruits?" Tomura asked. "We could kidnap someone, but from U.A., but still prominent." Dabi suggested. "Who? we can't afford a big risk." Tomura asked. "How about someone in the support industry, maybe one of those inventor's hit by the Mole." Dabi suggested. Tomura looked at him for a second.
"Dabi, I think you're onto something." Was all Tomura said before he pulled out a large sheet of paper.