"In other news the scenes of chaos would be an adequate description during a villain attack this afternoon. In town Square, a D-rank villain yet to be identified was apprehended today after causing an undisclosed amount of damage. The villain wanted for robbery and assault was apprehended by All Might but not before causing both harm to property and to civilian lives. One teen unfortunately caught-'' the screen abruptly cut off as Izuku lowered the remote.
This was his fault, the sludge villain was apprehended an hour before this but due to his stubbornness he'd set it free. What's more though the reporters couldn't identify the teen, but he had seen the kind of damage his former friend's explosive quirk could do.
"Izuku, sweetie. I've got to head out for work, will you be okay?"
"I'll manage" was all he could squeeze out.
In a single day his dream had been crushed and any remaining hope of becoming a hero would likely be refuted by the fact that he'd caused this mess.
An undisclosed amount of damages meant they were still counting it. People had been hurt. His frie- classmate was in the hospital and was in serious condition if the phone call from Aunt Mitsuki was anything to go by.
Pushing himself up from the sofa he walked to his room ignoring his school bag or the still dripping notebook flayed across his desk.
He allowed himself to flop on to his bed letting out a deep sigh.
"Could this day get any worse" the words crackled as he covered his eyes with his hand, wanting nobody to see his tears despite there being no one else in his room.
Crash
Something in the hallway clattered and broke but the greenette elected to ignore it. He'd been haphazard in leaving his dishes by the sink, but he didn't feel like trying to sort it now.
He turned over facing one way then turning another then turned back to the ceiling trying to avoid the gaze of the man who'd destroyed what little hope he had remaining.
Eventually he turned over completely, remembering the poster he used to have on his ceiling setting for simply staring into his pillow.
His movement covered the sound of his door opening slightly and now with him facing into blackness he failed to spot the being that now loomed over him.
A flicker of rage filled him and with it the creature lunged forward encasing him, preventing any screams or struggling.
That night Izuku Midoriya didn't die.
His dreams did.
But with the death of one dream.
Something else was born.
-10 months later-
"Team H, you are free to proceed!" came the booming voice of All Might, echoing in the huge mock city.
Outside of one building were a pair of students or Team H. Included was Denki Kaminari. He would describe himself as a pretty cool kid, always had plenty of friends in school and with a flashy quirk to boot, he considered himself rather blessed.
He wouldn't be the first hero applicant in his family, his aunt was already rising up the charts able to act as both an enforcer as well as a rescuer.
Denki had a fairly easy set of goals when he'd applied for UA. Get into the Hero course, check. Show of his awesome hero costume design, check. Impress the ladies, not yet, but now was his time to shine.
The day had started great, excluding the slightly mundane lessons. But being taught by Midnight and with his seat being right near the front and centre, he had the best view. And then when All Might came through the door bigger than life and announced that they would be doing battle training.
This was heaven.
Or it would be if the boy to girl ratio was reversed. Fourteen guys to six girls, he didn't like those odds, even if a few of the guys in his class gave the whole asexual vibe, or at least he hoped.
Now back to the battle training, after quickly changing into their hero costumes they had met at ground beta, one of the dozen massive mock cities dotting the campus. They had been tasked with a villain vs hero exercise in pairs.
He could understand the logic behind choosing the pairs.
But
It would have made more sense if he'd been paired with a cute girl.
Given that Mineta had gotten the gorgeous ravenette only irked him. He would have even been happy with Jirou, she was fairly cute and her quirk would have been perfect for this game of hero and villain.
But somehow he'd ended up with this guy.
"My Cape is fabulous is it not, no".
Mr flashy was his partner, not his first choice but there could be worse, or maybe not.
Fwoosh
"What was that"
"Nothing but a trick of my sparkling light".
'Urgh, this guy is infuriating'
But he was sure he saw something.
His opponents were an odd but compatible pair. Shoji was a huge guy and with his quirk to grow extra body parts, arms, ears, mouths, almost limitless potential, for both offence and for scouting.
Plus he was a pretty chill dude. It was still the first week of school but despite his stoicism he was fairly easy to get along with.
Then there was the other one, Midoriya. He was a little strange. More than a little strange even. He was quiet and with the exception of a very select few he'd only seen him talk to himself, either his mumble storms or genuinely talking to himself. No one else wanted to say it but it was definitely weird.
Then there was his quirk, which he still didn't understand. It had to be some sort of enhancer of some kind because that was the only explanation for the skinny beanpole coming in 4th in the quirk assessment test.
"Young Aoyama has been detained"
"What?" His eyes darted around for his teammate but found zero sign of his garish cape. Then he sensed something behind him, the hairs on his neck sticking up, large heavy footsteps approached. The cowardly part of his mind really didn't want to look.
"Hey man, you got me. Can we just skip the jump scare thing?"
A bit of light behind him made it worse as his shadow was overtaken by something that looked monstrous in size and shape.
"I can smell your fear" the voice was deep, impossibly deep for the kid he'd seen enter the building a few minutes ago. "It smells good"
"I-i-i..can we not do this, please. Seriously I don't do scary movies"
"Eyes, lungs, pancreas" something taped him on the back as he listed each organ. "So many snacks, so little time" something wet lapped along the back of his neck leaving a wet feeling
"Mmm, Tasty"
"I give, dude. I give", Denki cried out, whipping his hands up. A piece of white tape wrapped around his wrists loosely and a strange sound came from behind him and the footsteps returned except lighter. From behind him the green haired kid emerged as All Might announced their loss. His expression, somehow neutral but almost as if trying to reassure or sympathise with him.
He simply walked over to a nearby cupboard opening the door revealing Aoyama who looked as white as a ghost.
"Sorry for the scare, I thought getting you to surrender would be better than immediately going to blows".
"Right, smart choice".
Later in the observation room Denki was disappointed to find there were no good camera angles to see just what Midoriya had done to scare him like that, although almost every angle was able to see just how scared it made him.
The only time the greenete had been caught on surveillance Was a brief shot of him in a dark suit a few corridors away, he didn't look much different to how he was now standing next to him, the only difference was a white spider like symbol on his chest.
-A few days later-
The next time he would see his abnormal classmate in action was a few days later when the idea that the hard part of being a hero was getting into UA was turned on its head.
In fact even before it went down his classmate was acting weird, that now Midoriya was now just the weird kid who talked to himself.
"Look I know I said you would get to beat up people but that's still a ways off".
"Only a few years".
"Look I get- (strain). I told you we can't just go around eating whoever you want".
All this came from the greenete as if hearing only one side of a conversation. The next bit he said a little quieter now conscious of those close by as they approached the building they would be doing today's heroics class in.
"Look you know the deal, you will only be able to harm, hurt, possibly very possible-" this part he whispered so quietly as if ashamed of the word he was saying. "-but never, ever good people alright"
Denki really wished he had simply sped up instead of hearing whatever his chuni classmate was spouting.
Walking quicker he was able to catch up to Mina and Hagakure ignoring the eep she gave when he placed an arm over her shoulder as he did the same to Mina.
He played it off when she seemed to admonish him, treating him like he didn't know what he was doing and not to do what he was doing.
He knew what he was doing, and if it wasn't for what happened next, today would have been the best.
-5 minutes later after a very long explanation-
"Those are villains".
Any remaining bits of good mood evaporated at those words from their homeroom teacher.
As pro heroes readied themselves for what was sure to be a lengthy battle and the students' minds went through a mix of dread and working overtime to assess the situation, only one had an odd feeling given the circumstance.
Annoyance
'The deal, you said only bad guys and we can feel it. Our gut is telling us that this isn't some test, that these are the real deal'
"Stop it, we have other options"
'But we crave this'
"No"
'Just imagine the taste-'
"Midoriya, come along were evacuating"
The voice of Iida and the heavy hand on his shoulder snapped him from his internal conversation.
"Right, let's-"
"I apologise, but you won't be getting the chance to escape. We are the league of villains. It may be presumptuous of us, but we have invited ourselves into the home of the heroes, UA high school in order to have All Might, the Symbol of Peace take his last breath".
Rage
An emotion he knew only fueled the symbiote, and at the mention of their teacher it flooded his being. While in classes with the man there was something about his presence that counteracted this but without that, Izuku only felt the ugly emotion.
The flood of emotion distracted him, what brought him back was the moment his feet left the ground and he fell.
The inky blackness faded and he was met with what he assumed was the squall zone. A mini city in a constant state of heavy rain. He extended his hand and a black web-like substance shot out attaching to a nearby building to break his fall. His mind rewound to the small army he'd barely been able to pay attention to.
"Chances are with an an assault team that large they're not going to let us go willingly or without a fight"
'Unlikely'
"Then how would you feel about letting loose a little"
'Say the words'
"Mask!"
'Copy'
From beneath his combat suit designed purely for the defence of his body a slimy substance escaped engulfing his form and adding a thicker layer. No where near the monstrous form he knew his hitchhiker liked to take but it made him feel more like a hero.
Across his chest in contrast to the near total black, a white emblem formed, a feature the symbiote never wanted to explain.
"Hmm, first catch of the day" his deeper voice sounded as a pair of low grade villains came around the corner.
'A perfect appetiser'
-Later-
Tsuyu could almost feel her heart stop as a hand approached her face, set on turning her to dust. Mineta still clasping her hip had also gone still, being so close to someone who was literally dripping blood lust.
She herself felt like a predator had her completely cornered and was ready to snap her neck.
Despite the inability to move she could almost feel like time had slowed, between the beats of her heart she could only watch as the hand grew closer till it rested on her face.
"Game over"
A raspy breath later.
"Tsc, you really are cool...Eraser Head"
Crunch
At the sound of another sickening crunch as their homeroom teacher suffered more abuse at the hands of the towering monolith, Tsuyu tried to back away as the hand tried again to go for her face.
Something was between her legs.
With an explosion of water a black being erupted from the water scooping the smaller young heroes in comparison over its large shoulder.
She would feel relieved if it wasn't for the sound of chewing and screaming.
"Ahhhh, fuck. That...ahhh.!" The pasty villain screamed nursing his hand to his chest as the appendage spewed blood.
"Plleh" a splash came from their side and just before it sank Tsuyu could see what it was, a hand, still twitching.
"You bastard, no one said we'd have a surprise boss, damn it. Nomu, kill it"
"Tsuyu, Mineta, get away from here, I'll hold them off". The voice of their classmate shouted as part of the creature's face peeled back revealing the face of the class' other greenette.
"Mido..riya?"
"Go, now"
'Bad guys get no mercy right?'
"Yeah"
As one they charged forward, meeting the punch from the other creature now called Nomu. Instead of meeting it head on he passed beneath it bringing a fist up aiming straight for its jugular.
A move which would normally result in hefty damage or at least to occupy it but it seemed to brush it off and instead brought its own fist down and beneath the mask of venom, izuku let out a shriek as he arm was shattered.
"Sorry but that won't work" came the creepy voice as Venom traded further blows. "Nomu was designed to defeat the symbol of peace. In order to cause damage to Nomu, it would be most effective to slowly gouge out its flesh, not that you fucking useless heroes would do that."
As another punch was blocked, Venom smiled showing all its teeth. "Oh really" clutching the outstretched fist in one hand and catching the second fist in his other outstretched arm he manipulated his mass keeping their limbs connected before rising up level with the face of Nomu.
"What was it you like to say, Thanks for the meal". And in one chomp his mouth clasped over the other creature's face severing its head from its neck.
The square was silent. Save for the sound of chewing and the loud Thud as the headless body of the Nomu slumped to the ground.
"Mmm, tastes like chicken".
The other villains that had got up hoping to finish their part remained rooted in place.
The sound of a gulp as Venom finished eating the severed head was audible before they turned facing the still assembled villains.
"Now lets bite all their heads and pile them in the fountain"
A panicked eep sounded as Venom's head turned towards said fountain.
"Pile of bodies, pile of heads. Now who wants to go first"
Boom
The sound above interrupted the symbiote's plan as the doors to the USJ were smashed off their hinges. The smoke cleared revealing All Might, and he wasn't smiling.
"I Am...Late?"
After words he couldn't hear from far away the hero disappeared and at speed almost invisible to the naked eye the still standing intruders were knocked out before the crumpled form of Aizawa disappeared from his spot before both appeared a few feet away from Izuku.
"Young Midoriya, I believe you can stand down now, you have done more than enough" he ordered having taken in the situation, in particular the blood still dripping from their mouth.
"No!" The symbiote replied for them. "They still need taking care of", extending an arm out black goo stretched out latching onto the handy villain's chest before bringing him in close.
The smile once more returned to Venom's face as he licked his lips enjoying the desperate sounds coming from Shigaraki. A flailing hand reached our trying a last ditch attempt to turn at least one person to dust.
Before even a single finger could make contact his wrist twisted backwards snapped like a twig.
"Ahhhh" came the inevitable wail.
"Nice try, I might keep your head for the top of my pyramid of severed heads".
A meaty hand clasped their shoulder.
"Young Midoriya, I cannot allow this to continue".
They made to rebuke but before he could say anything they started wailing as pain shot up through the hosts arm.
The appendage fell to the floor releasing Shigaraki as he disappeared through another portal matching the one that had severed the symbiote's arm.
"Ahhhhhh" a twin yell cried out in anguish and pain. In pain at the dismemberment of his arm and anguish at the loss of its prey.
Its grey eyes switched to the unconscious villains before spotting the whisky smoked form of Kurogiri. Snatching the severed limb from the floor shoving it into the stump allowing its biology to repair the limb before dashing towards the warp gate.
Seconds before they were to make contact Kurogiri vanished after speaking aloud a message to the assembled heroes that Venom paid no attention to. The lack of target resulted in the symbiote just smashing a display piece instead.
The ugly emotion or rage once more filled him. Rage he needed to expel. The host, weak from the symbiote's extended use and the brief loss of his limb could do little to stop his hitchhiker as it turned towards a nearby villain who had begun to regain consciousness.
In two steps it landed heavily and immediately latched onto her jacket holding her high above.
"Ahh, something sweet to cleanse the palate" tongue reaching up to latch onto her legs.
"MIDORIYA, STOP THIS RIGHT NOW!" yelled all might
"Or what?"
"Then I'll stop you"
"A challenge, your head will be perfect for our collection". It returned flinging the villain flying into the body of water behind.
And the fight began. All Might getting in the first punch only to find it wasn't going to be easy for him.
"Hee" smiling, the symbiote formed additional arms, two holding onto the hero's while the remaining landed hit after hit onto him, a few heavily striking a certain part of his stomach. "We remember your weakness, we and Izuku hadn't met yet but I can still see that memory, do you remember that day" Venom said barely audible to the pair, flinging all might away knocking over a few villains in the process.
All Might managed to get back up but winced at the sharp pain from the hits to his wound. "I remember, I'm not proud of what I said back then, Young Midoriya. But I said only what I have learned is needed, even those with quirks suitable for heroism don't always make it. Your homeroom teacher can attest to that".
"And yet you said it, on the worst day of his short existence. But it doesn't matter now, for I Am Here" Venom said mockingly.
"Just what are you, this is more than just a sentient quirk"
"We Are Venom" they returned, a part of its face peeling back revealing the pale face of his student staring back at him, barely conscious.
The sight he realised was a distraction as one arm morphed into a blade and the other into a wrecking ball with pointed spikes.
All Might wanted to move, but his time limit was all but extinguished, his wound getting increasingly aggravated. And his heart and spirit, fading ever so slightly. He had made this, somehow. He wasn't sure but somehow the creature that looked ready to slaughter at a moment's notice, had been convinced to play hero for its hosts sake.
He'd seen the entrance exam tape, whatever this thing was, it was exceedingly powerful, yet somehow had followed its host's desire to follow the hero program. But now with its host barely holding the reins it's true colours were showing.
"I'm sorry, Midoriya". He said as the blade ghosted over his neck.
"YEEEEAAAAHHHH!"
A scream of soundwaves intercepted the fatal attack sending Venom back into a nearby wall.
The soundwave continued and from within the attack screaming could be heard once more. From the screeching what looked like a nightmare was displayed. A wiry mess of goo spread out trying to escape the attack but couldn't leave its host. The host himself was clenching his ears enduring the attack but the blood flowing from said ears was not a good sign.
The slime-like substance receded back, disappearing into its host and the attack finally stopped.
All Might turned to the gates of the facility seeing the staff of UA dispersing to begin apprehending the invading forces. It was only as he looked down that he spotted a few of the other students dotted nearby, some looked frozen in place looking at one limp body in particular while others tried their best to be looking anywhere else.
A few not in the other categories had begun running over towards Asui and Mineta and their homeroom teacher who was held in their grasp.
He took in a laboured breath while still doing everything he could to keep his buff form.
"Why that is quite the surprise" came the voice of the mouse/bear/dog-like creature. "I knew he could be capable of many things but I never would have predicted this"
"You knew about that"
"Oh yes, Midoriya brought it to my attention on his first day. About the entity known as Venom and what he feared would come to pass".
"Then why not tell us"
"I had intended to, but then someone broke our gates and priorities changed. Ah Midnight, if you would"
"Of course" she answered, already heading for the downed student. Kneeling beside him, as gently as she could she lifted him up resting his head in the crook of her neck. With a perfectly manicured finger she broke the seal on that part of her costume releasing her quirks mist. The pained expression almost locked on his face relaxed and changed to one of peace. From behind she pulled a set of cuffs placing them on his wrists, noticing a slight mark on one arm where it had been separated.
"You really hung in there kid, but you can rest now. Let the adults handle this".
All Might looked at the principal with a questioning look, he didn't even look back as he gave the answer he was mentally asking.
"Nemuri, though only for one session, was assigned to help him with his problem. Her quirk when used in a specific way is able to put his other half to sleep for a time. A shame really, she saw much potential in him".
A gurney passed by them and with practised movements Izuku was loaded aboard and taken from the facility into an awaiting ambulance.
All Might watched with saddened eyes as the vehicle left under police escort.
"Now then shall we all head back to the school, I believe we still have students to attend to"
"Right, I guess I ought to reassure the people we have the matter in hand"
"But of course, we'll be counting on you, Mr Symbol of Peace"
As All Might took to the podium to appease the reporters who had already caught wind of the situation, a call came to Principal Nezu. Izuku Midoriya had escaped custody and was on the run.
Next time - Only One Truth (Beginning)
Plus Ultra