The awkward moment was brief but Spinner said Izuku could keep Yoshi before subsequently choosing Luigi for himself. Himiko picked Toadette and Dabi went with Bowser while Compress and Magne shared they preferred Waluigi and Daisy respectively. For now, they were fine with watching while waiting for a turn. It would be interesting to see how they played and reacted to the game.

Round after round, they went with the last place player being replaced with one of the ones waiting. Dabi would curse, Himiko would pout but easily give up her spot, and Izuku would carefully hand off his own. Compress and Magne would be more composed more playing for fun than to win. The only one he hadn't seen was Spinner who just kept on staying in the top three no matter who he raced. In fact, he had won a majority of the races and it was starting to really piss a certain scarred man off.

"How the fuck are you better at driving in-game than in real life?" Dabi growled as once again Spinner passed the finish line first.

They were playing on Rainbow Road which honestly Izuku and his friends usually saved for a torture round or a final decider of who was the best for the gaming session. But the League was more 'go big or go home' choosing the more difficult tracks to play most of the time. A Villain's version of 'Plus Ultra' maybe? Spinner had so far won five straight games in a row driving like a mad man but still skillfully traversing the hell map.

"Grand Theft Auto translates better to other games," Spinner grinned at the burnt raisin who glared at him. "Real life though, traffic laws get in the way."

"Bullshit," Dabi snapped.

"Just admit you suck," Himiko chimed in to tease and earned a middle finger from the scarred man.

Spinner was the most skilled out of all of them. The rest weren't terrible but Dabi was the worst out of the group. Izuku could hold his own having played a lot of Mario Kart since hanging out with his best friends. Himiko channeled the manic vibe of Mei but cared more about sabotaging everyone than actually winning. Magne and Mr. Compress were more chill as they had fun watching the drama as they played. But Dabi was competitive and his temper reminded Izuku of the explosive blonde still sitting at the bar.

Bakugou hadn't moved from his spot though Izuku didn't blame him. He at least could semi trust that they wouldn't hurt him, but the same could not be said for Bakugou. They didn't actively target him during the training camp attack. He was just here out of bad luck and an urge to get to Izuku. To possibly even save him? It was why his childhood friend had turned bully to him all those years ago. Not wanting him to become a Hero so he wouldn't get hurt. Hypocritical in his execution by hurting him with his Quirk and his words, but the Quirkless teen guessed there was some sort of sentiment there?

Izuku liked to assume it was a desire to save him that had burned in his red eyes as Bakugou had raced towards him that night. Only for them both to fall through the warp gate and ending up a heap on the floor. Now they were both here against their will and it was only because Izuku asked that the explosive blonde wasn't tied up right now. Though one wrong move from him could change that. So far though, Bakugou was behaving and so was allowed some freedom.

"Damn it!" Dabi cursed, getting hit by a red shell from Himiko.

"Out of my way, you burnt piece of bacon!" she taunted as her Toadette raced past him.

Aw crap. That means she's behind me!

Izuku was comfortably in second making his way to first as they were running their second to last lap. His Yoshi was racing behind Spinner's Luigi with a banana ready to drop as he passed. But with the sabotaging blonde menace herself on his tail, he felt that she needed to be stopped first.

"I'm coming for you, Izu~!" Himiko chirped, hot on his tail.

Izuku played up his worry until she was positioned just right behind him before saying, "Sorry, Himiko-chan, but I've gotta…split!"

The banana was released and not a second later she ran right over it.

"Damn it!" she cursed just like Dabi had as Toadette spun out and fell over the side.

"Greenie's got some skills," said scarred man commented with a grin, thoroughly entertained by the dose of karma as he tried to catch up. "Thanks for the revenge, kid."

Despite the red shell, he had managed to recover quickly and was now in third place. Though knocking Himiko off with the banana had him helped.

"No problem," the greenet smiled innocently. "Here. Have a present."

He then dropped a second banana sending Bowser spinning too.

"Fuck, you got the triple?" Dabi swore as he fought to keep his spinning kart on the track.

The Quirkless teen gave him a playful wink before focusing on his task to outrun Spinner. They were nearing the start line and about to enter the final lap. As they rounded another corner, a row of item boxes was waiting for them. In hopes of something good, he dropped the last banana and ran through one of the boxes.

Green Shell! I can work with that.

Izuku shot the shell off and it started bouncing against the walls but Spinner managed to avoid it. Damn. The race went on and the teen managed to get a few more bananas and another green shell. But he still found himself trailing after the lizard man whose mad racing style was helping him evade any of the obstacles that would place him at a disadvantage. If nothing happened in the next minute, Luigi would once again claim the win.

Please, something good! Izuku internally pleaded as they approached another row of item boxes.

He was hoping for one of the shells preferably either the red or shiny one this time. Or a mushroom would be great for a speed boost. It was the final stretch and any kind of boost would be helpful. Even one of the flowers whether fire or boomerang would be welcome, but it wasn't what he got.

Super Leaf? Seriously?

Sure, the item gave a him somewhat of a defensive boost, but he had been hoping for something more offensive. But then out of the corner of his eye, he noticed that Himiko had nabbed herself a Blooper back in fourth place. They were approaching a rather tricky part of the track which was the worst place to get inked.

Not good.

But then he noticed the banana he had dropped before just waiting to trip someone up. Like a certain green hatted handyman?

Perfect, he thought grinning as he equipped his item.

"Eat my dust, Hero," Spinner jeered as he entered a tricky corner only for his camera to get splattered with ink. "What the hell?!"

His visual was impaired so he couldn't see the previously dropped banana and spun out of control. Izuku was blinded as well but raced past him spamming his tail swish to push away any other hidden threats. His Yoshi easily took first place followed by Dabi's Bowser in second, Himiko's Toadette in third, and Spinner's Luigi ending up in dead last.

"Way to take down the king," Dabi jeered, grinning at the lizard man's loss.

"Thanks, I guess," Izuku said, bashing rubbing the back of his neck. "Though it was more thanks to Himiko-chan's last-second attack."

"It was a nice use of Blooper," Magne commented from the side as Compress nodded beside her in agreement.

"Don't forget your skillful use of bananas!" Himiko chirped while clapping her hands together even though she had been one taken out by said bananas. "You kicked all of our asses with those."

"Ah, yes the bananas," Dabi said in an amused tone as he reached out to ruffle Izuku's hair. "Hail to the Banana King."

"All hail the Banana King!" Himiko cheered while the greenet swatted the scarred hand away.

Dabi took the reaction as a challenge and nabbed the teen bringing him into a head lock. Izuku tried to wiggle out of the hold but found himself stuck. Leaving him to the man's mercy which wasn't much as he started giving him a noogie. Izuku continued to struggle as the others chuckled, or in Himiko's case outright laughed as she snuck a picture, at the situation. Well, everyone except Bakugou who stared confused as fuck as to how they got to here.

"Well, well, well."

The scratchy voice cut the oddly lighthearted air making everyone freeze. Almost comically, they slowly turned as a group to see Shigaraki watching them with his hands on his hips. His tone was indiscernible and the signature disembodied hand hid his face and therefore his reaction. They watched with baited breath as a dry hand slowly reached up and gently grasped Father.

"What do we have here?" the young leader said as he revealed his hidden smirk happy to see the admin getting along so well with the League. "I see we've made ourselves at home, eh, Little Hero? Starting to feel like a part of the party, Izuku?"

Hearing Chizome's nickname and his first name from the Villain who was behind his kidnapping, as well as so many other painful moments of his life, still sent a shiver down his spine. Along with the implications of him actually fitting in with his little troupe. Though there wasn't anything against them as people as he was getting to know them. Looking past the curtain the term Villain that shrouded them to most to see the person within.

They all had their pasts and struggles they had faced. Himiko forced to conform to fit in society's box. Dabi and his boatload of family issues. There were also his guesses as to the others. Spinner for how he looked, Magne for just wanting to be herself, and even Shigaraki had to have something pushing him along this evil path. Some kind of motivation in his past other than being raised by All For One to hate Heroes. Though exactly what those were remained to be learned.

These people labeled as Villains weren't necessarily bad guys but definitely ones who either did not make the best choices in life or couldn't. Depending on how you were raised, the understanding of what was good or bad could become skewed. Prime example of that was Bakugou and all he did growing up. Encouraged by everyone believing him to be a destined Hero while they pointedly turned a blind eye to Izuku's own suffering. Resulting in an aspiring Hero acting like a Villain.

Who knows how any of these people would have turned out if they had a different upbringing. No judgement for their appearance or who they were on the inside. Allowed to live their life without having to suppress a part of themselves. Or even given their own choices in life and not forced to follow another's planned path. But instead, they were here. One way or another, this group of misfits found each other and were willing to fight for everything they were denied.

Oddly but also not, Izuku could see himself fitting in with them.

Well, sort of. Not him as he was now but if his life had gone a different path. If he hadn't been so stubborn or had neglected to learn to defend himself. If he had let Bakugou's words along with everyone else's get to him. If All Might hadn't saved him from that Sludge Villain.

If he hadn't met Chizome.

There were too many what-ifs that could have changed his life forever. But it does not do to dwell on what could have been because it did not change who he was now. Izuku was a Hero who was starting to see where these Villains were coming from. Could see them more as actual people. But it did not change the fact that they were Villains by their own choices despite all their hardships. That they willingly attacked children and most likely all of them had killed someone at least once in their lives. Izuku could not and would never do that.

The Quirkless teen didn't know how exactly to respond to Shigaraki though his question was more of a tease than anything else. He carefully freed himself from Dabi's arm and quietly handed his remote to Himiko not feeling like playing anymore. The carefree atmosphere was gone. Crumbled to dust by Shigaraki's mere presence at the reminder of why they were there and who was responsible for it. Izuku felt ashamed to have forgotten even for a second that they were being held captive by the League of Villains.

"Oh, don't stop on my account," Shigaraki said, still grinning though it did lessen seeing the admin's less than enthused reaction. "By all means, continue."

But the moment had been broken and Izuku couldn't see it coming back. Instead, he quietly looked down at the blankets around them internally scolding himself for forgetting himself and his situation. And not just his but Bakugou's too. They were in this mess together. They could only hope to get out of it together as well.

Himiko looked on saddened by Izuku's sudden change of behavior. She had been enjoying herself so much then Shiggy had to show up to ruin the fun. That wasn't always the case because he was fun to play with normally. His reactions were so funny when he was losing and she loved to push his buttons. His trash talk was hilarious too when he was being all cocky and winning. But right now, he was being a real bummer. Though she couldn't blame Izuku too much for all he's said so far about wanting to be a Hero and not a Villain. Sure, Himiko wanted him to stay but it was becoming clearer that might not actually happen if he could help it. Guess she would have to enjoy her time with him while she could.

Dabi also was eyeing the Quirkless teen. It had been kind of fun for a moment there. Like Izuku was the new younger brother of their little group. But the boss was back and with him the reality of the situation. The kid was here to be recruited to their ranks but he no way expected him to actually accept the offer. There was too much Hero in him to join them as Villains. And to be completely honest, Dabi didn't want him to stop aiming for that.

Someone's got to take my shit bag of a father down.

Who better than the one who sicced the Hero Killer on Endeavor in the first place? Sure, there were other people at play but it was Izuku's meddling that had prompted it all. It might not be how Dabi would have gone about getting his revenge but he guessed going the legal way could be fun. Heroes burning other Heroes with their own bullshit. Gathering each piece of evidence like kindling to build a pyre and roast his bastard ass for all to see.

The others felt for the boy who had been so happy and carefree just a moment ago. The joking and teasing with them was now replaced with melancholy. Magne wordlessly collected the spare controller from Himiko and Spinner tried starting another game in an attempt to smooth the situation. But no one's heart was in it anymore as they all drove on the new track not really caring to actually race.

...

The awkwardness was obvious to everyone and it annoyed Tomura to the bone. He huffed in irritation and turned away to face the bar while replacing Father on his face. He was met with a pair of red eyes glaring at him.

Oh, right. The explody fire type.

"What?" Tomura asked as he glared back and crossed his arms. "Too good to play with the others?"

"I don't play games with lowlife Villains like you," Bakugou snapped, trying to reign in his temper but couldn't help the bite in his voice. He didn't want to piss off their captors but he was also pissed himself and wanting to explode his crusty ass.

The young leader clicked his tongue in further annoyance. Acting all high and mighty like they were beneath him. Much like how he was during his little speech before the Sports Festival. Claiming that he would be the best and end up on top. But he didn't and hadn't even been the decayer's first choice for recruitment.

Tomura had played around with the idea after Izuku mentioned him and his tendency to curse during their little meet-and-greet at the mall. The anger and power would be fitting for a Villain but ultimately the admin was who he had his eyes on. The only one he very much wanted in their party from the nest of Herolings. The only one that mattered. Bakugou ending up here had been a…bonus of sorts or at least it seemed at first. Now…not so much.

"Watch your tone, boy," Tomura growled, his arms lowering to expose his hands. "Or you might find our hospitality less…pleasant."

"Pleasant my ass," the blonde teen barked back. "You had me chained to a fucking chair."

"Only until you agreed to be civil," the decayer replied with a sneer. "But we could easily lock you back up if needed. Don't test my patience."

...

The room was silent as two pairs of red eyes stared each other down in challenge. The game was long forgotten as everyone watched the drama unfolding. The League members were curious how it would unfold. While Izuku was tense with worry and silently prayed to the gods that Bakugou would keep his cool.

Please don't be brash!

It was during this staring contest that Twice and his Compress clone showed back up.

"Wha…?" Twice started to say but was quickly shushed by Himiko who then waved him over. He quickly sitting down while the copy moved to stand near the original. "What's going on?"

His tone was at a whisper but it was as loud as a yell in the quiet of the room.

"Shh," she whispered. "Just watch."

The blood drinker was watching them with a smile on her face though that seemed to be her default. Izuku had only seen her not smiling for brief moments before it came back, but he wasn't paying attention to her right now. Green eyes could not tear themselves away from his childhood friend staring off with the leader of the League.

Please, just please.

Bakugou, as if he could hear his silent plea, caught sight of Izuku without breaking contact with Shigaraki's gaze. Despite it being out of the corner of his eye, the Quirkless boy's worried expression, for him no less, was enough to remind him of their predicament. That they needed to be calm and patient so they could get out of here. Well, this was as calm as he felt he could be considering the circumstances. But for D-Izuku, he would try harder and forced himself to look away first.

"Heh, smart move," Shigaraki jeered, thinking he had won. "Don't think too highly of yourself, Ba-ku-gou~. You are strong, but your Quirk only gives you a buff. You are not OP and we can nerf you if needed. And it does not make you better than any of us."

An irate blonde eyebrow twitched and the Villain noticed. A sore subject, perhaps? It wouldn't surprise him with the kid's ego. Sensing a source of amusement, Shigaraki continued.

"What was it you said before the Sports Festival?" the decayer said in a taunting tone now enjoying himself while tapping a thoughtful finger to his chin. "That you would be the one in first place? Just think of how that worked out for you with all your yelling and posturing."

It was like he didn't know when to stop or was wanting to set Bakugou off. Or both. Yeah, probably both. Izuku gulped nervously and prepared to defend his fellow Hero-to-be at a moment's notice. He would not just sit here and watch his childhood friend get decayed.

"You did put up a good show, I'll give you that," the Villain relented with a shrug. "Though I didn't consider you until my first little chat with Izuku. To me you seemed more like a yapping puppy suffering from small dog syndrome. But after rewatching your matches, I could see some potential as a part of our party. A berserker perhaps?"

"Fuck off, crusty," Bakugou growled, not appreciating the 'compliments' coming from him. "There's no way in hell I'll join your 'party'. I'm gonna be a fucking Hero, not a shitty Villain like you."

"Really?" Shigaraki jeered. "With your attitude, I think you'd make a better Villain than a Hero. You're nothing like that sappy Ass Might."

"I said fuck off!" Bakugou snapped, unable to help the instinctive explosions he let out to force the young leader back.

Many things happened at once. Shigaraki shot his hands forward in anger ready to decay the defying teen without a second thought. Bakugou in turn aimed his own hands to defend himself. The others quickly stood ready and waiting to act but none of them as fast as Izuku who leapt forward to get between his childhood friend and their captor. Well, perhaps not as fast as Kurogiri who, long used to these kinds of antics, formed portals where needed to redirect any Quirk use out of harm's way.

"Stay back, Shigaraki," Izuku demanded, green eyes staring the Villain down hard. "You're just trying to pick a fight."

The decayer seethed breathing heavily in his anger at the situation. Their bonus was turning into a griefer instead and the admin was trying to protect him. Going against him and even trying to order him around. Again. It pissed the young leader off.

Shigaraki took a step forward suddenly despite his hands being hidden in the warp gates. Izuku, on instinctive, twitched his hand to his pocket but managed to stop himself before he drew the knife. Of course, with the Villain's focus on him, the movement did not go unnoticed.

"Hmm, what were you reaching for there, Izuku?" Shigaraki questioned, his anger mixing with intrigue. "Did the kitty manage to find himself some claws? Can't have that. Give it here, admin."

By now, Kurogiri had released everyone from his Quirk which freed the decayer's hands. Izuku tried to stay out of his reach refusing to give up Chizome's knife to him. The Quirkless teen didn't think he could stand to see the Villain destroy it like all of his other gear. Those had been bad enough but at least they were replaceable. But the knife? It was special to him. Unique. With no way of replacing it because there was zero chance of him ever being able to see Chizome ever again. Especially not anywhere near any weapons.

But Shigaraki was adamant at getting whatever the admin was hiding. He kept lurching forward but the boy would dodge him over and over. Well, at least this was giving him some more insight on the kid's fighting technique but this game of cat and mouse was starting to piss him off more than the blonde extra had been.

"Stop moving and give it to me, Izuku," the decayer demanded, lunging for the boy again.

"Stay away from me!" the Quirkless teen shouted, moving to avoid him but managed to trip on one of the unseen blankets.

It was enough of a slip up for Shigaraki to grasp Izuku by his right wrist but in his rage, he wasn't paying attention to his fingers. All five came into contact with the boy's skin and the affect was instantaneous. At first all he felt was a cracking sensation like glue drying on your skin and then flaking away. And then the pain came crashing down as his skin disappeared revealing the tissue, blood, and bone beneath.

"GAAAAAH!" Izuku cried out, kicking the Villain in the stomach to force him away.

"IZUKU!" was cried out at the same time as, "BOSS!"

But who exactly was shouting Izuku didn't know or care as he passed out from the pain.

A flurry of movement followed as both Dabi and Himiko dove for the Quirkless teen. Bakugou did too but was stopped by the copied Compress while the other Villains went to Shigaraki. While they were busy with the young leader, the two attending to the injured boy had the same idea as they reached for the hidden knife. Himiko was quicker though and managed to snatch it from her friend's pocket before the others saw.

"Hands off, psycho bitch," Dabi growled, igniting his hand to ward her away. "It ain't yours."

Though he didn't even know how the crazy blonde was aware of the knife at all. This kid was shit at hiding things apparently.

"I know," Himiko replied, smiling like always. "It's Izuku's."

The two stared each other off.

"How do you know that?" Dabi asked, narrowing his blue eyes suspiciously.

"I could ask you the same thing," she shot back boring her own cat-like eyes into his. "I found where he tried to hide it during his shower."

The fire wielder let out an exasperated sigh while running a hand through his dark hair. Freshly dyed the night before.

"This idiot kid," he whispered making the girl giggle.

"Don't worry," Himiko insisted. "His secret is safe with me. Besides, between the two of us, who would be less suspicious carrying an extra knife?"

Dabi thought for a moment before relenting, "…fair point. Just keep it safe. It means a lot to him."

"Again, I know," she replied with a wink before hiding the knife in one of her many hidden pockets.

The exchange was short but informative to the pair. They both knew of the knife and both wanted to keep it away from Shigaraki's wrath. Together, they silently agreed to do all they could to protect Izuku.

Dabi and Himiko turned back to the others but stayed close to Izuku. Neither wanted to try moving the boy so as to not hurt him even more than he was. His wrist looked in bad shape not surprising from their boss's Quirk. Decay was destructive and even deadly if he held on long enough. They didn't think he had meant to use it on Izuku but that didn't change that it had happened.

Twice was fussing over Shigaraki who was staring down at his hand in betrayal. He hadn't meant to but still managed to damage the admin. This was going to hurt his recruitment strategy. A silent observer thought so as well as the monitor on the bar turned on suddenly with the words 'sound only' showing.

"SHIGARAKI TOMURA," a booming voice called out, the air stilling in its authority. "WHAT. HAVE. YOU. DONE."

...

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