Chapter 27: Night For Encounters

Chapter Text

An eerie silence filled the rooftop despite the city crying in horror.

The League knew Kagero had a mean side to him, every half-decent villain does, but seeing it take the forefront of his interactions was something that they weren't expecting. He had always presented himself as carefree and aloof but almost disturbingly aware and alert, sure of himself but always just a step before cocky, maybe even a little caring and compassionate, but there was no hint of the sadism that they were witnessing now.

A near predatory look graced his features as he ordered his Nomu, his eyes glowing their toxic green that became a thing of nightmares for those who were unfortunate enough to fall short of his grace. Kagero replaced his mask, the wind blowing enough to tousle his hair, the bangs slightly covering his eyes.

His gaze rested on Stain, "You're free to stay back here while I let the Nomu do their thing, or you can go about on your own, I don't care either way. The rest of you," he addressed Toga, Dabi, Mustard, and Jin, "you're going back to the bar."

Their jaws dropped.

"What!?" they all exclaimed, Toga and Dabi voicing their dissent much louder. Toga took a step forward, her hands outstretched as she placed them on his shoulders, shaking him slightly, "You have to let me play around with the heroes too, Shi-kun! I can get some blood from them! Or… or…" she trailed off, trying to think of her reasons.

"You can't be serious," Dabi complained, "If you're going to let Stain hunt some heroes, let me at them too. Especially if Endeavor's here." He mumbled the last part to himself, but Kagero heard him all the same.

Mustard looked disappointed, but more frustrated than anything, "How am I supposed to learn anything if I don't actually see anything happening?"

"Come on, boss, you gotta let us stay for this. Things were just getting exciting! Take me home! Those things were ugly." Jin added his two cents.

"This is non-negotiable." Kagero removed Toga's hands from his shoulders, holding them together by her wrists. She struggled lightly in his grip, but he held strong. Moving her off to the side a little so could look at everyone, he could see more complaints coming but he glared at them, silencing their protests, "The city is a hot zone now, and the hero presence has increased. These aren't just no-namers anymore. They're a mix of the Top Hundred and independents, none of which are pushovers. My Nomu will be making the news…"

As if on cue, they heard the beat of a helicopter steadily growing louder. They all turned their heads to see it flying closer, the news station's letters displayed proudly on its body, its path pointed directly to the city center. Kagero cursed, calling for Kurogiri to move them. Portals opened beneath everybody, swallowing them whole. When they came out the other end, they found they were on a different rooftop under a covering.

"News response was much faster than I anticipated," Kagero muttered to himself. He raised his voice back up to speaking level, "It's too early for the public to have visual confirmation of my recruitment. You all will get your chance to shine and make yourselves known, but tonight is not that time. Tonight belongs to Stain."

"What if we promise to not be discovered?" Toga bargained. Kagero released her hands, she immediately pointed to herself and used her other hand waving at the others, "You know I can be really sneaky. Mustard should be fine, and Jin can just follow me around! Send Dabi home, he's the only one that can be recognized!"

Mustard and Jin nodded along, both voicing their support for Toga's idea.

"Hey!" Dabi rebuked, "My kills left a scene, but I was never found. I know how to disappear when I want to!

"Enough! Shigaraki, I thought you had more control over your pets," Stain interjected, surprising the group. "I have already deviated far enough away from my original path, and I now have confirmation that the heroes are on higher alert. I cannot afford to be distracted any further, especially not by over-eager children biting off more than they can chew."

"I do apologize for my members being so troublesome, I'll be sure to deal with them accordingly." Kagero coolly replied, his words professional but the tone laced with ice and a promise of punishment. Toga and Dabi's mouths snapped shut, everyone's postures straightening to attention, "Did I not say to only speak when spoken to? You all will be going back to the bar. Now."

A portal opened behind them, patiently waiting for them to enter. Toga, Dabi, Mustard, and Jin all looked at the portal in defeat and slowly walked towards it. Mustard and Jin hung their heads and walked through without any further fuss. Toga tried giving her best pouty face to Kagero as a last-ditch effort, but he didn't budge. Only Dabi had the guts to look back and glare at Kagero before he disappeared, the portal closing behind him. With the only occupants of the roof being himself, Stain, and Kurogiri, Kagero heaved a sigh and shook his head.

"Troublesome, the whole lot of them," he commented. "Kurogiri, I need to see what kind of trouble my Nomu have created."

For the fourth time tonight, Stain walked through one of Kurogiri's portals. This time they emerged on a water tower. Immediately, he walked forward and landed on the platform it was sat upon, crouching down at the edge like a gargoyle. Above him, he heard Kagero sit himself down, his legs hanging over the reservoir's lid.

"What do you think? Magnificent, isn't it?" Kagero marveled. Their skyline was filled with fires and smoke. People were screaming and sounds of fighting sounded out from the streets below. Huge crashes, explosions, glass shattering, everything coming together in a sick symphony. If Kagero wanted to be truly dramatic, he would've waved his arms around on the tower as a musical conductor would a baton on their rostrum.

Stain made a disgusted sound, "Your definition of beauty and mine are something that we look at differently. I see nothing but disorder, chaos, a bid for attention."

"Tell me about your definition, then."

"I see a world where there are only true Heroes. Those that save people to save them, and for no other reason than that. They never stop moving forward, always trying to make the world a better place. They wear their heart on their sleeve and hold themselves accountable."

"That's your dream. I asked about your definition of beauty."

"Can they not be one and the same? Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and in my eyes, beauty is a world where there are nothing but true heroes."

Kagero had to stop himself from audibly snorting. When it came down to it, Stain really was on the side of the heroes. His actions were despicable, but they were done with the motivation of a pure heart. It was ironic that a killer wanted to make a better world.

He hummed in fake thought, letting the sounds of the attack wash over him. Kurogiri stood at attention, unmoving and unfeeling. From below, he saw Stain suddenly tense. He muttered some words before jumping off, no doubt finding the first of many heroes he would kill tonight.

"Kagero Shigaraki," Kurogiri spoke as soon as Stain disappeared, "should we not chase after him?"

"Let him have his fun. He's already served his purpose, we just need to make sure we smile for the cameras."

"What if the heroes catch him? Would it not be better to tie up the loose ends? He knows where our base is, and the faces and names of our new members."

"Stain has only ever been to the bar through use of your portals, and everyone save for Mustard is already known one way or another. By the time the heroes find out anything worthwhile, it wouldn't matter anymore." Kagero rolled his eyes. He was always appreciative of Kurogiri's need to at least attempt keeping everything a secret, but there were times when it felt like he was talking to a ten-year-old who kept asking 'why?'. Rather than go through twenty questions with him, Kagero moved to shut down any further concerns, "I gave Stain the choice of getting away or staying and getting caught. Obviously, he decided to stay. When he suddenly gets surrounded by heroes, well that's just unfortunate for him."

Kaminari wished he had a smoother wake up. He had been roughly woken when their train came to a screeching halt, the conductor announcing over the intercom that they ran into issues on the track and will be resolved shortly. Before the strange calm that comes from knowing it was a temporary inconvenience could settle, the entire train shuddered and bucked as if something slammed into it. The car they were in suddenly burst open, the unconscious form of a hero the cause of it.

Conduit immediately burst into action, looking over the hero before deeming them in good enough health to remain in the car, where they would eventually be helped. With no further words, he grabbed Kaminari and jumped out onto the city, aided by a burst of electricity and Kaminari's shrieks of panic.

Kaminari hasn't stopped screaming since, even after they'd landed and started running around. He was shut up by a pebble hitting him squarely on his forehead.

"Shut up," Conduit admonished, "You screaming not only alerts villains to our position, but it's also adding to the mess that's happening. You're training to be a hero, you don't lose your cool."

Kaminari stared bug-eyed at him before slapping both cheeks, "You're right, sorry. This just isn't what I thought hunting a serial killer would look like."

The buildings were on fire, cars were flipped, crushed, and strewn about all over the street, and he could hear the screams and cries of the civilians who were unfortunate enough to get caught up in the disaster. The two were running around, trying to aid in evacuation and putting out the fires. Everyone they came across were frantic and whimpering, their skin and clothes covered in scorch marks and holes. The more coherent victims pointed towards the city center, talking about brainless monsters.

"That's because we're no longer hunting a serial killer, we're fending off an attack." Conduit responded, his purple lightning snaking around his arms. "Do you know what they're talking about? Brainless monsters?"

Kaminari shifted uneasily and wrung his hands, "Not exactly, but I have a clue. I just really hope that I'm wrong."

"Don't leave me hanging, kid. I don't like going in blind."

"Well there was this thing at the USJ. Big, black, strong, beaked, and apparently had its brain exposed. I didn't see much of it because I was separated from the class, but from what I heard, it's called Nomu."

Recognition dawned on Conduit's face before he frowned, "I heard about that. A massive monster that fought All Might to a standstill. The police recovered it, but it hasn't moved since. Reports say it only moved when it was given a command. Does that mean the League is here too?"

"I really hope not," he shivered, "I still get nightmares from it, and I know my other friend is suffering. If he's here, then I think it's even more important that we find Iida. If not to save him from Stain, but to save him from Shigaraki."

"Shigaraki?" Conduit questioned.

Kaminari stiffened slightly before answering, "Oh. I thought you already knew that." He let out a nervous chuckle, "Shigaraki is the League's leader. I never met him, but some of my classmates did, and from what they're telling me, he's someone you need to stay clear of."

Conduit looked at him suspiciously. Kaminari wasn't the brightest light bulb, but he also knew that he wasn't actually dumb, just distracted. That being said, it doesn't explain why he's suddenly able to relay what is most likely extremely accurate information, when neither of them even have a full grasp on the situation. If he was as removed from the incident as he claims, then the intel would be spotty at best, but Conduit felt like everything would line up exactly as he said. Just who was he dealing with?

"I'll keep that in mind. For now, we need to-" He was cut off by the yellow Nomu swooping down and taking a stab at him. Conduit reacted in time, but only just barely. He raised his left arm to protect his face. The yellow Nomu's claws scratched through his jacket and cut down to bone. Conduit screamed out in pain. His arm started bleeding profusely, but thankfully it went down and not across. He would've lost the arm if it did. He immediately followed up with a lightning bolt that just barely missed, the Nomu banking to the side to avoid it. Conduit stayed on guard while Kaminari frantically looked around the buildings, keeping an eye for a follow up attack.

"Mother fuck-" Conduit gritted out after a few moments. He fell to his knees, using his good arm to attempt to dress the wound. "Chargebolt, you're taking point now." He wrapped his arm in gauze as best as he could, one end in his mouth as he tied it off, grunting with effort, "We'll keep moving towards the center of the city. Hopefully they have a first aid zone already set up so I can get this dealt with. I give you full authorization to use your quirk to make it to safety, and to defend anybody you come across from danger. I'll help out where I can, but you're taking the lead now."

Kaminari was shell shocked. Whether it was from seeing the gauze steadily growing redder, the sudden attack from a Nomu, being called 'Chargebolt' and not 'kid' or 'brat', being given a leadership position, or any combination of the previous, it was unclear.

"Kid!" Conduit growled, his face looking noticeably paler than before. He was losing blood, fast. He stumbled a little as he walked towards Kaminari, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Can't have you zoning out like that here, especially now. Remember what I said about making sure you get the truest glimpse of the dark side of heroics? This is it. Right now, we're no longer teacher and student, but heroes in the field, and you're my only backup. I need you to step up."

An inhuman scream pierced the air again, and both tensed in preparation, fearing another attack from the yellow Nomu. Kaminari still looked scared, but he hardened his resolve, nodding firmly, "You got it. Let's get going."

Everything was going as expected.

After he and Manual went different ways, Iida made his way to his room and set an alarm to wake up again at precisely seven o'clock, which would give him roughly an hour and a half before they were due at the police station for a general debrief and quick sit-down with the heroes that volunteered to help find Stain.

When the time came to leave for the station, he noticed that Manual was acting different, more serious. When he was getting scolded, Iida brushed him off when he said he had been pretty relaxed with things, but it turned out Manual was telling the truth. He still smiled and greeted everyone who stopped them, but as soon as they were gone, his face dropped and the look in his eyes hardened. Before, he was the ideal mentor, friendly and easy to get along with. Now, he was a man on a mission with a single thought in his head. Iida only briefly wondered if that's what he has been like, but immediately stamped that thought out.

Thoughts like those were distracting and often led to doubt. There was no room for that in his mind.

The briefing was short and sweet: Find Stain at all costs, never travel alone, and only use yourself as bait if you're confident in your partner's abilities and speed. They had regretfully little intel on Stain outside of what Manual already explained to him, so they made it a point to proceed with extreme caution and heavy prejudice.

He looked around at the heroes assembled and only recognized a few, but from the tension in the room he could feel the power they collectively had. He caught sight of Endeavor, his idle flames unmistakable, scowling the whole time. Besides him stood his son, Todoroki, whose face betrayed nothing.

Todoroki looked up and met his gaze, recognition and surprise quickly passing over his face before it was lost. He made no move to greet him or say anything outside of a tiny nod, so little that Iida didn't think he saw it. He nodded back all the same, worry only slightly tickling the back of his head at the sight of one of his classmates in a city that had been bathed in blood for weeks now.

He was alright with pro heroes looking for Stain, but something about seeing someone he almost considered a friend so close to the fight rubbed him the wrong way. Todoroki didn't need to be in Hosu, even though it was most likely because of Endeavor. Todoroki didn't need and shouldn't be looking for a serial killer, he should be spending his internship learning how to be a hero from a pro. Todoroki didn't need to have to be prepared to fight for his life, he was too young to even be considering it. Couldn't Todoroki see the risks in being here?

He grunted and shook his head, determined to do everything he could to convince Todoroki to stay away. Before he could take a step or voice his concerns, Manual intercepted him. It was time to go on patrol. Resolved to visit the topic again, he shelved the conversation for a later time and nodded.

Iida and Manual followed their normal patrol route, taking extra time to investigate the mouths of alleys they knew led to Stain's prime kill zone. The night so far had been beyond quiet, not even thugs, drug dealers, or gang members seemed to be out. They made idle conversation, more to help keep themselves awake and alert than anything else.

Periodically, they crossed paths with another hero. They would swap notes, share anything that looked out of the ordinary, and move on without another word.

The sound of a glass bottle rolling around came out of the alleyway they were passing, and both jumped on guard. Manual took point, directing Iida behind him.

"Is everything alright down there?" Manual called out, "I'm the Normal Hero: Manual, if you need any assistance, I'd be glad to help you out."

He looked back at Tenya and hand signaled to him like a soldier would, instructing him to stay alert and watch out for anything or one trying to make a break for it. He nodded in agreement. Iida only knew what he was saying because of his family. Alongside basic heroic teaching and the normal school subjects, Iida was taught hand signals because they were used by heroes as well as the military.

Manual crept further into the alley, checking behind the dumpsters and garbage cans that sat to the sides. Eventually he came upon the bottle that rolled around. He plotted out the probable starting point of the bottle and came out to a dryer vent. He removed his glove and placed his hand under it, feeling the warm flow of the air. Someone must've just started a load and the bottle got blown over by it.

Manual made his way back to Tenya, "False alarm, nobody there." Iida would be lying if he said he was glad it was nothing, so he didn't respond. "Something doesn't feel right, Tenya. Things are too quiet."

"I agree." Iida nodded. He had been ignoring the pit of worry settling in his stomach, and this wasn't helping it, "None of the heroes we talked with had anything to report either, not even the errant criminal or loud drunk."

"I've noticed that too." Manual raised a finger to his ear, activated his comm piece, "This is Manual, requesting an all-around check-in. Has anybody seen anything tonight? We've almost finished our first circuit and we've come across absolutely zero crimes."

Through his own earpiece, Tenya heard a chorus of negatives, everyone stating that they haven't witnessed anything either. He even heard Endeavor's gruff voice reply in, saying that this was a waste of time. The worry was starting to spread.

"What do you think is-" Tenya got cut off by piercing inhuman screams. Suddenly glass was being broken, chunks of the buildings were being broken off and falling to the street. The sounds of parked cars being upended, alarms of all kinds, and fire hydrants bursting filled the air.

Tenya stilled in shock as the city went from a serene quiet to a cacophony of screams and destruction. He looked up and caught sight of a yellow figure flying above them, the body too lanky and unnatural to be a hero doing an aerial swoop of the city. Though short, he saw something he had only heard stories of from his classmates from back at the USJ. Back when he turned his back on his classmates and teachers.

There was no mistaking it. The flying figure's brain was exposed. It didn't look like what his classmates described, but there wasn't a doubt in his mind. Hosu was under attack by a Nomu, which could only mean that the leader of the League of Villains was in the city as well. The same city that Stain has been plaguing for weeks. Stain and the League of Villains must be working together.

Stain will be making his final move tonight, and Ingenium will be there to make sure of it.