Not that great of a chap. Sorry for being late. We just opened our new shop, and I have some work there. But I'll upload within one to two days gap. Thanks for the amazing support.
The next day, was class off. To cope up with their normal routines again after all that happened. USJ inflicted a harsh impact on both class A and B. In less than 24 hours, many of them gone through a counseling session, which helped them ease up slightly. In those 24 hours, they realized how precious the life they never gave as much value before. At USJ, they couldn't even think of anything straight. Most of them was thankfully completely unharmed, while some had minor bruises or scratches. For them, their teachers suffered. All they did was defend and follow Eraserhead' commands. Izumi had a hard time convincing her mother, she had no injuries and was out of harms way from beginning. She' used to lying though. Being once a rebellious ticking bomb she was few years old, Izumi did lied to her family when the truth is a bit more harsh. Thankfully in the end, Izumi was off the hook and staying on U.A dorms. Her friends did the same. They believe sticking with one another in situations like this is a true quality of being a hero.
Izumi was on her bed staring at the white ceiling thinking of all the 'what if's. Like, what if they never gone for the rescue practice? What if they stick with Aizawa? What if Allmight couldn't be there? What if Aizawa didn't have activated his quirk when Shigaraki was almost touching Tsu' face? What if the villain' didn't even show up? What if they managed to kill Allmight? In thousands of what if', one stands out the most.
'What if Greenflame never came for the rescue?' A question... a single question she didn't want to be answered. A one possible scenario may have happened. They dying in the end along with Allmight and teachers. The villains were brutal, not holding back with their attacks. The intentions behind villain' strike were to kill them. Even they saw the unbeatable and mighty hero Allmight almost dying in the hands of some brainless thing that still gives them nightmares. Greenflame did his entrance later on. Izumi shiver at the thought of him. She can't believe that they saw him before they finds that, he' the most dangerous 'vigilante' behind the unsolvable massacres. Within few minutes, he destroyed a strong group of villains that somehow managed to make Allmight fall on his knees. The strong 'vigilante' was the one presented a beautiful flower to 'Izuku' at his birthday and they didn't even knew. But at both of their encounters, Izumi felt different auras radiating from man. At cemetery, he had a confusing yet comforting aura. But at USJ...he radiated a aura of terror. Even villains were afraid of the man. Izumi signed up in a site mainly created after 'Greenflame'. People there, shares their thoughts, experiences, claims and tales. But following articles never was accurate it seems. They thought at first, the vigilante is some sort of mutated fire man with no physical body and Izumi even checked comments of thousands of people that has many unique yet weird theories. Seeing in person, Izumi decided one thing. Delete her account she separately created for the site. Last thing she could rely on is probably the false news an individual can see there and mistook the realities. The one thing everyone knows, the vigilante wield some sort of fire quirk with uncountable perks. The next what they know of the mystery of the black ashes. At least Izumi and others saw how the black ashes are made.
She laughed at her pathetic excuse, because...she back when heard of the 'vigilante' fire 'quirk', did some comparison between her fire quirk and Bakugou' Explosion with 'Greenflame'. She hate to admit, but... her BURN is nowhere near as powerful as the base power of his 'quirk'. That's another reason why she'll do as he tolds them to. Be a true hero, who the society looks up to. After all, she already on the same path as 'Greenflame. Difference is that...he's way far at the front of the tracks. It'll take god knows how forsaken years, when she'll fulfill her promise. She doesn't want a challenge with him either. All she could do is, work up to the point, where she can at least see the finish line of her goal. Thinking of all random things, one thing stuck in her mind. Few words precisely.
'YOU SHOULDN'T BE AFRAID OF SITUATIONS LIKE THIS. BE THE HEROES THE SOCIETY WANTS. FAKE HEROES HAVE NO MERCY FROM ME. SO THAT FEAR IS YOUR OWN BURDEN, HIDE THAT BURDEN WITH A SMILE WHEN YOU SAVE PEOPLE.'
Those line are almost the exact of what Izuku used to say. The words she once didn't paid much attention to, thinking that's bunch of hot breath Izuku wasting. After he' gone, those words really started to click on her like a reminder. And she didn't miss the reference Greenflame hid in his words. Not hid but few different choices of word with more commanding and strong touch behind it that forced everyone to consider his words. Sure they'll listen. Having the Greenflame on you trail behind you isn't gonna be more fun. But as true future hero, Izumi not gonna fulfill her goal in fear of Greenflame coming after her. No. She'll fulfill it because she wants and needs to. For once in her life, she wants to do something that will help the society live peacefully with no threats lurking behind.
Staring subconsciously up at ceiling, Izumi heard her phone went off with a notification popping up. She sighed reaching for her phone next her still staring the ceiling. She brought the bright screen to face it and she read the digital words. 'School assembly meeting. All students are requested to attend in fifteen minutes minutes at the assembly ground. Uniforms aren't required for the first years getting day off.' That's what it says.
"Wait. I thought we're getting a day off. Umm..that's weird." She mumbled and then she heard a knock on the door.
"Izumi, can we come in?" Ura' voice came. Izumi sighed adjusting her slightly wrinkled black skirt and white shirt with black floral designs.
"Burst in already." She said sarcastically, so her friends won't notice her tired posture. Well, she doesn't think others are doing any better.
Ura and other girls came in with confused faces. A clear indication, they have no clue about the notification either. "Hey, do you check out the message?" Mina asked with a finger tapping on her chin.
"I did. You guys got a clue of why there's an assembly today? I thought it was a free day." Izumi replied and other girls shook their heads a no.
"I guess we know maybe. I have this feeling, it's gonna be something relates with yesterday's events. I think we should get ready to see others showing us pity." Jiro said a bit frustrated. The punk girl was mad because she couldn't do anything yesterday to deal with the villain, she, Momo and Kaminari faced. The electric boy, even when gone yey-mode, he was useful.
"Why don't we let teachers explain us? Kero." Tsu suggested the logical idea.
"What other choice we have anyways?" Toru said in her usual bubbly voice.
"Tsu' suggestion is best. We must hear out our teacher' point of explanation. Coming up into conclusion is pointless." Momo blurted out suddenly shifting behavior to a more professional one.
"Don't you heard our Vice rep? Get your legs moving ladies." Mina butted in with an air fist bump. And nobody knows why she' getting so excited about.
They nodded agreeing and left the room and met up with Iida and Kirishima. After a earful from their robot like Rep, they finally made it to assembly ground. Class 1-A had their eyes open wide after seeing the students gathered at assembly ground. They didn't expect to see 2nd and 3rd year students will be here. Usually, assembly are held differently for all the three years. Seeing them gathered all at once gave them enough idea of how important and serious meeting this will be.
Suddenly everyone gathered flinched violently at a loud sound. More like a bark. "ATTE..GRRR WWRGRRE STGRWWRGGGRRRR...NEZERWRGGGRRG GRRRR." Hound dog barked. Students sweat dropped and didn't even realized, it was an announcement.
"Are we suppose to do something? I don't get anything. You?" Kaminari said.
"Was he speaking? No way I missed that part." Sero replied.
"Why was he even 'speaking' in the first place?" Kirishima asked dumbly and others shook their shoulders.
Izumi stood there unable to process what's even happening. First they were here on assembly when today was day off. Then this. She won't be surprised if something more weird happens.
Hound Dog nodded leaving the podium which later take hold by Midnight who surprisingly lost all glow and color of her face. Exhaustion and frustration can be seen clearly on her tired eyes. Well at hospital she was having her chill time walking around asking for their well-being. Now her appearance clearly resembles Aizawa'. Speaking of Aizawa, they couldn't see him anywhere. Midnight takes a hold of the mic and spoke. "Now, now. The notice was short we know. Principal Nezu wants to speak to all about an important event. Do not come up with any ruckus. Principal will be here in a minute." She announced what Hound Dog intended to announce before.
"Events?" Izumi wondered out loud and her friends had her full attention.
They discussed random things about the topic and Izumi notice their mouse like principal along with a bandage covered Eraserhead, vlad king and Allmight followed by rest of the teachers. Nezu chuckled seeing his students were still as active as ever. Lowering the mic, he cleared his throat silencing the crowded students. "Good morning' students. As you see and confused about me. I'm a dog, a mouse a bear, what am I? I being your principal, here for a talk that's right." Nezu started with a rhyme. The students sweat dropped again and Nezu cleared his throat again. "As midnight mentioned about the short notice of summoning all of you here. Don't worry, it'll be a few minutes talk. Basically, I've heard you kids talking about this meeting having a connection with the USJ incident. But no. I summoned you all here to announce the tradition of our school. 2nd and 3rd years may understand. Not being so dramatic, we're having the sports festival just like any other years." Nezu said in his usual happy-go mood.
'Sports festival? Like, the big tournament that surpasses Olympics?' Izumi wondered.
Students all froze on the spot. Unlike before, students seemed more unsure than happy. Hearing or experiencing a villain attack, they don't know how to feel about this. What if villain attacks again? There must be countless people gonna buy ticket for the seats, and they are afraid if any villains sneak in with regular spectators. Seeing their unsure and wary expression, Nezu figured out what's going on in their minds.
"The sports festival is getting closer and we did already beef up securities and even arranged many pro hero assistance of guarding the arena. Like always, first years is at the center of the attention. Being inexperienced, I'll suggest you kids ask for any friendly advise from the seniors." Nezu stopped and that's it. Izumi was confused of why they are called here anyways. Only for a few two minute speech or announcement? Shouldn't they just sent the notification on their phones or something.
Izumi was just fuming. She was comfortably on her bed relaxing and they just ruined. While she's having an inner beatdown, she felt she's being watched. She's sure someone is staring at her. Then it's gone. 'oh, it was nothing.' She said only to have the feeling come back and leaves and again come back.
Sweating slightly she looked around curiously until she saw it. Allmight was looking away from her and look at a senior student with blonde hair. Izumi raised her brow confused. It's not like other teachers aren't watching every one of them, but Allmight' on it looking between both her and the big boy. He has a bit strained calculating expression. He's contemplating or having a comparison of them. Finally when Allmight looks at her again, he saw her already staring back at him. Like nothing happened, Allmight looks away. 'What the..' Izumi wondered but shook it off.
She then noticed Allmight nodding at Nezu who looks at the boy and Nezu smiled. She even saw Aizawa is tired but pained eyes exchanging looks at nothing in particular including Midnight and Present Mic. The unnaturally dead aura surrounding them, made her question, what happened last night. After they left hospital. Well how in the first place they are fine all together and walking? Aizawa is mummified, covered in band-aids. Allmight even, had a life threatening health condition. And there they are, fit and walking. Tired but walking.
(LAST NIGHT WITH HEROES)
"TELL THE TRUTH.." Aizawa desperately shouted leaning his forehead against the glass cell barrier. He has a slight glint of tears forming his eyes as he stared at the mist villain. Police guards spectating the scene looks each other confused glances watching Eraserhead literally banging his head on the glass yelling at kurogiri.
"Eraserhead,Present Mic Times up. Time to leave." The officers commands starting to concern. Aizawa's hands were wrapped in a cast and for his defense, his capture weapon securely wrapped around his neck. Present Mic soothingly rubs Aizawa' shoulder in a calming manner which did the trick. However the ruckus only effected kurogiri less. He pointed out his story and denied the fact of being someone named Oboro Shirakumo. In fact, Kurogiri didn't even knew this two heroes.
"Sho, hey. Please calm down..Please." Mic cooed hugging Aizawa sideways, having his own set of tears flowing. "Maybe we're the one with no proof. Come on, we cannot break rules here, right?" Mic soothingly seasoned and stood up lifting up Aizawa along.
Aizawa protested at first but complied eventually. Can't have police charge them too. Aizawa nodded and let Mic help him to stand up. Before a leaving, Aizawa gave Kurogiri one last look and sighed in both defeat and frustration. Did Greenflame lied? If did, then why? And how? Oboro Shirakumo was never a famous person to begin with to think, Greenflame maybe got info of his existence. But claiming a villain is their lost friend, confidently and believably. Aizawa did somehow trust his words. If not, he wouldn't have just ran out of his hospital bed wounded. After a long one sided conversation, Aizawa got nothing which made him overthink scenarios and somehow still cannot dump the idea of Kurogiri being Oboro.
Walking out of the entrance Tarturus, Midnight was on them in a second surprising them both. "I heard what's going on. Is it true?" She asked in a low voice.
"We don't know either. Shouta, was going crazy when we got here. All we have is the belief." Mic replied sadly.
Before either of them could continue their conversation, Aizawa walked away confusing the other two. "Sho, where are you going?"
Aizawa didn't reply or looked back. He just walked away knowing they'll follow him. He needed answers and fast. Relying on Kurogiri' answer is out of option now it seems. Aizawa in this matter, knew what he had to do. Right now, only one person can answer him and that is...
He heard footsteps behind him and a tight hug came from behind and carefully envelopes him. Mic cooed comforting words in Aizawa' ear trying his best to calm the sleep deprived hero.
"Where are you going Eraser. You need rest now." MIdnight said coming face to face with him. Aizawa looks a her and took a deep breath.
"To get my answers." He replied simply.
"How?" Mic questions his husband.
"Are you thinking what I think your thinking?" Midnight mumbled enough for them to hear.
Aizawa looks at her and nodded. "Yes. First I have to get a hold of Greenflame. You know the rest." Aizawa replied eyes cold and harsh. Once he lost his best friend, the reason he become a hero. Can't have lose that best friend again. Situation matters too though. If Greenflame is lying, Aizawa will lose his mind all together.
"Find him? Remember we searched forever and still couldn't find him. I doubt we'll find him that easily." Mic said.
"Well, just think. Even if we are successful catching Greenflame, what gives you the idea, he'll open his mouth?" Midnight reasoned.
Aizawa shook his head at her. "I can't guarantee the possibilities, but to find him first, we should search for villains or something. At least our confrontation rate is not a 0%. I have this feeling we find him." Aizawa said and jumped up using his capture weapon to sling across the city faster. Without using his hands, controlling capture weapon was tough. Still manageable.
Aizawa mainly used his scarf, and legs while his hands were out of stress inside the cast. His trained yet tired red eyes roamed around the city outlines, making out a possible activity here and there. Last times encounter, Aizawa knew another specially of Greenflame. He has a motorcycle so loud scary, and focused mainly on sounds around him.
Finally one sound caused him halt mid flight and hang there on a ledge a tall skyscraper and hold his breath. A technique let you even hear the flap of a butterfly wings. If only your well trained and focused. Aizawa slowly looks around and heard the same noise.
Noise of a small blast.
(FEW MINUTES EARLIER)
The echo of the bike engine bounced back off the walls the narrow pathway, Izuku sped through the night breeze in his black hellcycle. People are in their houses and barely even people can be seen side of the road. Not that he cared much. Until they are in their safe zone, out of harms way, he's not slightly bothered by it. Why being so nosy and overprotective? At least he can sense, there is at least one strong soul in every household. And knew both children and woman are safe with the owners the said souls. All matters are their safety.
Izuku had his hood down letting his white fluffy hair caressed by the cool atmosphere and he had this wide smile plastered across his face. Riding his hellcycle freely around the city is a refreshment for his hell form. A one good bike ride gives you the excitement and energy you'll get when you're at an amusement park. He was also happy about some kidnaped kids can finally go back to their houses. The Rider gone berserk and destroyed the hidden lab and murdered the assholes there making sure the kids did not see anything. He sent them through his fire portal to a police station, so the officers could identify and contact the parents of the children. He could help them easily by himself. But scaling a police officer' sense of protection as well as to figure if the police has the stained soul or not. Thankfully, the officers there was so kind and helpful, which Izuku appreciate. Otherwise, the station probably just ashes by now.
Izuku made sure there are no cameras around before he let his hoodie drop few minutes ago. He can see the whole city while riding his bike, because his pet raven is a living satellite that follows him around while still in the air, unless he wants it close to him. His bird really loves him and was a loyal pet friend who will do anything to guide it's master. It was pointless though. But still Izuku let it guard him and have a eagle eye shot of the city.
Izuku stopped at the red light, while putting his hood back on. Around these traffic areas has many cameras that may record his face and reveal his identity. Izuku looks up at the red light waiting for it to turn green. But instantly his head shot towards his right. Someone' being hurt. And that someone is someone dear to him.
Growling he speed up his hellcycle not even caring about the traffic light. There were few cars here and there, driven to the owner' destination.
(MEANWHILE)
"...Hand over your wallets, jewelry. Hand it over in five seconds before I shoot you." The criminal with blade nail ordered pointing all ten of his fingers pointed at the two ladies.
The first woman had a pissed look on her sharpen features and her red pupil stare hole through the criminal. He felt nervous but held on tight with his blackmailing. The furious looking woman had ash blonde spiky hair and red eyes and natural pink lips and pale skin. Her hourglass body were covered by a red knee length pencil skirt and white under shirt along with red jacket. She tightly gripped her purse not even having mercy on her own belongings and sent staring daggers at the nervous looking villain.
Meanwhile the other woman was doing the opposite the ash blonde haired woman. She had grassy green hair locks tied into a ponytail and has the same color eyes. She' a bit chubby and short and wore a similar outfit like the other woman. Difference is her skirt and jacket are light blue and pink under shirt.
"Please, leave us be. We cannot hand over our money. Our children are at hospital. Pl-" The short woman pleaded and was cut off when the man shot one of his nails at her. Thankfully, his aiming skills was worse and missed her entirely by a bit inch. The sharp nail hits a post and created a visible dent there.
"I DON'T CARE ABOUT YOUR DAMN KIDS. HAND OVER YOUR WALLETS OR ELSE..." The criminal shouted threateningly. The blonde woman' eyes twitches.
"LIKE HELL WE DO THAT DAMN. LEAVE US OR WE HAVE WAYS TO DEAL WITH YOU." The blonde bluffed hoping to take him off guard. A one good bitch slap would be enough for him. At least her bitch slap is that powerful.
The criminal panicked but accidentally shot some of his nails which didn't hit the two because they moves backwards. "Shut up, dammit. I won't say it again." He said regaining his composure.
"What do we do, Mitsuki?" The short woman asked fearfully at Mitsuki.
"Bluff some more. This guy is poop head. No big threat." Mitsuki whispered back. They two thought of anything and the villain carefully moved closer to them. The villain shot his nails again which accidentally hit a LED commercial board and hitting something which made the board explode. The explosion was small but loud. The two woman flinched at the voice.
Before the villain could move closer they saw a black figure coming out of the left and kicked the villain in the head making him cry out and fall on his back. Mitsuki and Inko stared at their savior relieved and thankful.
"Mr. Aizawa." Mitsuki acknowledges the man by respectfully bowing and Inko did the same. Aizawa looks back at them and nodded.
"Are you hurt?" He asked in his tired voice. The two woman looks at Aizawa when they heard him ask.
"We are. But you sure you are okay?" Mitsuki blurted out earning a nudge from inko.
"That's rude." Inko scolded her best friend who shrugged.
"Yeah.." Aizawa replied anyways. But then they heard shuffles and turned to see the villain is up. This time pointing a pistol at them.
"On your knees. Including you hero. I won't hesitate shooting this thing." The villain black mailed. "And don't even think of attack me." He added pointing at Aizawa.
"Gun down. There' no escape." Aizawa spoke carefully and the villain struggled to maintain his composure. That's when his spirit vanished when hearing the load sound of a bike which slowly came to their sight across the road. The black motorcycle got closer and stopped at the other side of the road and the rider got off it.
The three and the villain knew who the man is. But the two woman knows him as someone who came to give respects to Izuku at cemetery.
The villains shivered. He did heard of the massacres and even knows the 'vigilante' roams around on his bike. Seeing the hooded figure, he instantly knew who was this man.
The villain alarmingly pointed his gun at Izuku with shaky arms. "Don't move-" His sentence was unfinished when his iconic fire chains emerges from the ground and ripped the villain apart and eventually turning him into ashes.
Mitsuki and Inko had their eyes wide open noticing the black ashes, realizing who or what the figure is. That same man was at Izuku' grave, is non other than the most feared vigilante, 'Greenflame'. A mass murderer attended an important gathering at the cemetery? To pay respects?
Izuku did his job before anyone knows it and walked back to his bike, only to stopped by something wrapping around him. Aizawa concentrate his capture weapon, having a hard time controlling it. Now here's the man in flesh, he so urgently looking for. And he needs answers.
Izuku turned around to look at the three and finally at Aizawa' eyes and read his thoughts. He even looked longingly at his mother even though she won't recognize him. "You need answers I see." Izuku said not really surprising the underground hero. Greenflame knows everything.
"Yes. You know why I'm here then. Now tell me the truth. I want the answers. No lie'" Aizawa ordered tightening his capture weapon hold on Izuku who chuckled.
"You already heard me. The dead body holds a pained and trapped soul. I'll free that soul sometimes."
Izuku burned the capture weapon and rode off his bike leaving the three behind.
Hope you guys didn't mind reading the chap. I wasn't sure why it turned out not so great