"So, what do you think our odds of winning are?" Uraraka asked, stretching as they waited for the clock to tick down.
Kazuma shrugged. "Honestly? Not a clue. I mean, if we had to knock out Midoriya or Iris' team, I'd say we were boned. But I have no idea about anyone else, except maybe Todoroki's bunch. They're good, but, well, I mean, not on Iris or Midoriya's level."
"We do get to start right on top of all the balls," Uraraka observed. Their team had by far the most points, mostly because of Kazuma's stupidly good luck.
"Yeah that's kinda a pain. Sorta paints a target on our backs," Kazuma sighed. He eyed Darkness. "You know this is 'dodge' ball, right? You're not supposed to get hit."
"I understand," Darkness agreed, taking up a ball in each of her hands. "I no longer require strong foes to satisfy my urges."
"That's what I'm for!" Dark Shadow cackled.
Tokoyami flushed, then nodded. "Dark Shadow, keep those balls from hitting us. You shall be our shield."
The final seconds ticked down, and the horn sounded. Kazuma immediately hurled a ball at Subaru. He didn't know why, he just didn't like the guy's smug face very much.
However, the ball vanished in a massive shroud of shadows that surrounded Subaru's team of himself, Rem, and Ram, and of course Emelia. A moment later, a stream of balls flew out of the shroud. Kazuma realized someone was teleporting the balls into the shadows, then they were hurling them back out indiscriminately. He let out a cry and hit the dirt.
Dark Shadow managed to repel the balls from Team Subaru. However, Kazuma had been right about his team having a target on their backs. Everyone seemed to be targeting his team, and though Uraraka and Darkness were returning fire, they really didn't seem to be having much of an effect.
Kazuma stood up, only to get knocked right back down to his feet as the very ground itself shook. He turned just in time to see a giant sized Sato from 1C slam his foot down again, sending dozens of balls leaping into the air. Then Jiro strummed a chord on her guitar, which caused a massive shockwave of sound energy to send the balls flying through the air throughout the arena.
Kazuma could only lay in the dirt and gape as his fellow students began to unleash some of the most frankly ludicrous powers he had ever seen in his life. Dozens of plant monsters sprang up around Shizaki's team, catching the balls and hurling them back. Naofumi conjured up a shield that sucked in dozens of balls, then Raphtalia and Filo along with that kid with a tail started to throw the back. There were half a dozen other teams pulling off ludicrous stunts, from the telekinetic girl stopping balls in mid flight to the French kid firing off dozens of laser beams.
And then, Team Midoriya and Team Iris decided to start taking things seriously. With a bellowing roar, a great dragon swirled into being, its wings flapping to repel any balls that started to get close to Iris's team, Bakugo cackling maniacally on its back. As it did so, Iris began to hurl balls with such force Kazuma was fairly certain they could kill someone if they hit. Except that Midoriya was catching them in mid air and sending a rain of balls down the rest of them.
With a cry, Darkness tried to shield her team along with Dark Shadow, and Kazuma scrambled around, trying to use his Evasion and Luck along with a hastily activated Lurk to avoid them. He was doing pretty good too, until he noticed a laser dot on his back. He turned to see a grinning Hatsume with dozen of balls loaded into her railgun. Kazuma dodged most of them, but he ended up flat on his back when one ball caught him square in the chest.
He could only gaze up into the sky as Iris's team flew around on the dragon, raining down balls from above, as Midoriya dashed around like a green blur, slamming balls into anyone who tried to resist. He glanced to the side and saw the rest of his team down in the dirt. Uraraka looked dazed, Tokoyami looked upset, and Darkness jumped back up and did her best to get hit with more balls until Megumin started yelling at her over the PA system to stay down once she was hit.
In the end, the alarm blared again after only a few scant minutes. The four teams left standing were Iris and Midoriya of course, along with Todoroki's team that had forted up in a massive icy fortress and mostly sat the whole thing out, save for spewing out balls at anyone that got close to them. And, to Kazuma's irritation, even if he didn't know why he was annoyed, Team Subaru.
"Well, that was disappointing," Kazuma muttered, standing and dusting himself off. "From first place to dead last. Oh well."
"That was invigorating," Darkness said, grinning as she helped Tokoyami back to his feet. "I am disappointed our fights are over, but honestly I do not think we stood much of a chance in the final round regardless. I have learned much in the past months we have been here, but I do not think I am ready to face our classmates."
"Yeah, kinda disappointing though," Uraraka sighed. "We're sorta held back by the whole parameters. Not like I can suplex someone into the stratosphere or use our little anti-gravity bomb for dodgeball."
"Well, considering that means Bakugo couldn't, you know, use his dragon to eat us or something, I think that's a fair trade," Kazuam said, watching as the great red wyrm landed, then transformed back into Bakugo's axe. "Sheesh. I just wonder what the next round's gonna look like."
"Well be right back folks, after a brief message from our sponsor!" Present Mic's voice declared as Izuku and his team headed to the waiting room to take a break before their matches.
"I AM HERE!" All Might's voice boomed. "TO TELL YOU ABOUT WIZ'S WONDERFUL SNACK SHOP!"
Inside the break room, Izuku reached for a bag of sauerkraut and mint flavored pretzel sticks, provided courtesy of Wiz.. He normally wasn't much of one for junk food, but it was hard to say no to Wiz when she offered. Plus, they were All Might's favorite brand. That had to mean they were good. Even if the flavor was a bit weird.
He split the bag with Mei as they set to work on running a few checks on her power armor to make sure it was all set for the final round. Unlike everyone else, Mei seemed to enjoy the oddly flavored food, which just reaffirmed to Izuku that they were actually delicious, despite what his taste buds thought.
"Our baby is the cutest now!" Mei declared once they were done with the refit. "It has energy shielding, a built in laser, a railgun, and a jetpack, and hoverboots!"
"It's pretty incredible," Izuku agreed. "With something like this, I could have been a hero even if I were quirkless."
"Well, I know I am not as good at being a hero as you, but I will try my best!" Mei promised. "But you are the one who will win I think."
"I don't know, some of the others are pretty strong. I couldn't beat Iris the last time we fought," Izuku pointed out.
"Well, this time you will, because I have the strongest husband in class," Mei said, and kissed a blushing Izuku on the cheek.
They both turned to look as pairings were announced for the first round. Mei would be fighting Kaminari, while Izuku was up against Yunyun. He nodded, making a fist. He could do this.
Izuku's match was first, and he strode out into the spotlght, letting One For All surge through his veins. He bowed to Yunyun as she nervously stepped into the ring.
"Oh, h-hi, um, one second, I have to do this," Yunyun told him. Izuku paused, frowning as Yunyun scurried to the center of the ring. Then he groaned and closed his eyes as she stood up on one leg, pointing one hand to the sky.
"BEHOLD! I am Yunyun! Chief Archwizard of the Crimson Demon Clan! I am she who wields Advanced Magic, and will one day return to Belzerg to restore my tribe to glory through my dark powers! Today Ishall triumph at the UA Sports festival!
The crowd fell silent, uncertain just of what was going on. Megumin, however, was thrilled.
"THAT'S MY RIVAL, YUNYUN, CHIEF OF THE CRIMSON DEMON CLAN!" Megumin shouted into the mic, making everyone wince and cover their ears. "JUST YOU WATCH! SHE SHALL WIN TODAY, AND BRING GLORY TO THE CRIMSON DEMON CLAN, MIGHTIEST USERS OF MAGIC IN THE ENTIRE WORLD!"
"That's because there IS no magic in the world, remember?" Present Mic's voice hissed.
"Ha! If there can be goddesses, then I, Megumin, shall channel the dark power of Hell itself, to-OW OW OW! Eris, Aqua stop it!"
"Anyway," Present Mic sighed. "Fighters, ready?"
Izuku fell into a fighting stance as Yunyun hurried back to her side of the ring.
"Begin!"
Power raged through Izuku's body as he shot forward. He was just going to give Yunyun a shove; he didn't want to hurt or kill her, even with Aqua there. He drew back his fist and-
"Teleport!"
The next thing Izuku knew, he was outside of Wiz's shop, blinking in the sunlight. He looked around, baffled. Then slapped his face with his hand. Of course. You just had to ring out your opponent. He shook his head, feeling foolish, and turned to jog back to the stadium. Hopefully no one thought Yunyun had sent him to the moon.
"This is the place, ja?" Tanya asked, looking up at the sign for the seedy bar.
"Yes, Frau Gleb," Stain agreed. He was dressed in a hoodie and ball cap, with a medical mask and sunglasses on. He had with him two of his recruits, a girl with shapeshifting abilities known as Himiko Toga, and a scarred man known as Dabi, but who Tanya's sources suspected was really Touya Todoroki. A delicious irony, that. Both were known serial killers with large bounties on their heads, but they had sworn themselves to Nazarick when Stain had gone recruiting.
Tanya disliked recruiting thugs and miscreants, and hated criminals. They were disorderly, disruptive, and did not follow orders well. She had enough trouble with that already.
"Wow, a bar? Kinda a dumb place to have your headquarters, isn't it?" Aura Bella Fiora laughed, making a face as she got out of the black van. On most worlds, she'd have needed to wear a disguise to hide her odd eyes and ears, but on this Earth, such was not necessary. Pointed ears and strange eyes were nothing remarkable in a world full of quirks.
However, Tanya had insisted that she wear clothing appropriate to this world, and as such Aura had on a t-shirt and jeans, as well as a ball cap that was irritatingly worn backwards. Tanya would have preferred to bring Mare, but he and Visha had other work to do today.
"Then lead the way, Herr Rot," Tanya ordered. "Let us see what this 'League of Villains' has to offer us."
The door to the bar was guarded by a four armed heteromorphic type with grey skin.
"Who the fuck are you?" he growled, standing up from where he had been leaning against the wall. Sloppy. There was also only a single security camera. Whoever this League of Villains was, they did not seem to take operational security very seriously.
Stain removed his mask and hoodie, giving the guard a grin. "I am Stain. We have come to talk about your recruitment notice."
"Holy shit, the Hero Killer? Fuck, boss'll want to see you," the guard said. That was it. No further establishment of credentials, no pat down for weapons, no check for an ambush. Amateurs. The guard opened the door.
"Hey, boss, Stain's here with four more recruits!"
"The Hero Killer?" a voice rasped. "Very well. Bring them inside."
Inside the bar were dozens of low life scum, sitting at tables drinking, or playing cards or snooker. They all looked up when Stain came in. A few sat up, but others ignored him. Didn't they realize they were letting potential enemies into their midst? Tanya almost wanted to walk away: she could do without idiots in her command, but she also wanted more muscle. She needed to make a probing attack against Aqua and her cronies, and these fools would be suitable for such a thing.
The supposed leader of this band of misfits sat at a large table in the corner, a severed hand covering his face. Tomura Shigaraki. He was a child, playing at leadership. He wasn't who Tanya wanted to speak with, but he was a first step.
"Well, I'm surprised to see you here, Hero Killer. Rumor had it you died or quit. Especially after your last two victims were revived by that damned phony goddess," Shigaraki growled.
"Aqua is no phony," Tanya said crisply, taking her gloves off her hands and tucking them into her jacket pocket. "She is the real thing. You vould be vise not to underestimate her, Herr Shigaraki."
Shigaraki cocked his head to one side. "Who is this little girl? Quiet your followers, Stain. You and I will speak alone."
"You are mistaken. Frau Gelb is our leader. I am merely her loyal servant," Stain replied, his tone flat. He rarely spoke with much emotion these days, a consequence of being a Greater Undead. He did not rot or decay, as a lesser undead would, but his emotions were dampened. That was fine by Tanya: most humans were far too emotional.
"Really?" Shigaraki asked, his tone amused. "You follow this little thing?"
"Size matters little, Herr Shigaraki," Tanya said evenly. "So, you hate the gods, do you? Perhaps we can make common cause against them."
"What I hate," Shigaraki hissed, rising to his feet, his fingers twitching slightly, his red eyes burning with the light of madness behind the dead hand of his father. "Is the people of this world who exist behind their facade of lies, built on the back of All Might. He should have stayed dead. Now, I'll just have to kill him again."
"All Might is the tool of Aqua. He has become her mindless pawn. Such is the fate of all those who worship the gods," Tanya said.
"Hey, fuck you bitch!" a man with a sharklike head growled, standing up from his card game. "I worship Eris, and I-"
The shark man never finished that sentence. Aura darted across the room in the blink of an eye, reached into his chest, and pulled out his still beating heart. She crushed it in her hands in a spray of gore before the fool realized he was dead.
"Who else?" Tanya snarled, her gun appearing in her hands as the corpse fell to the ground. "Who else traitorously vorshipps those false gods!?" Despite herself, she could hear her accent coming out strongly in her wrath. And to think; her Japanese had once been perfect.
There were cries of outrage from the villains in the bar as Tanya's group readied for battle, but Shigaraki didn't react with rage. Instead, he cocked his head to one side, like a child who had just found an interesting new show to watch. "You seem a rather militant atheist, Gelb. What, exactly, provoked that reaction? Do you wish to tear down religion so much?"
"I hate all the gods for vhat they have done to me and mine," Tanya snarled, readying a teleport spell. "But the traitorous members of mankind who vorship them are little better. The gods can see through their eyes, hear through their ears. You hate All Might? Well Aqua can learn of your actions through those of your men who follow her, and she vill tell All Might of their every deed. Then, he will hunt you all down. Now who else among you vorships the damnable goddesses?"
"Kurogiri, answer the woman's question. I would like to know myself," Shigaraki whispered, his voice soft and calm, and all the more dangerous for it.
Silently, the bartender pointed to five more thugs in the bar, one of which was sitting near to Shigaraki himself.
The woman near Shigaraki flinched. "Now wait just a-"
Almost casually, Shigaraki reached out, grabbing the woman's head in his hand. With a scream, she dissolved into dust. "Kill them."
The other villains fell upon their former comrades with a will, ripping them limb from limb with remarkable alacrity, considering they had been allies a moment ago. A few more were slain as well, with their supposed friends outed them as faithful to the gods. Savage and undisciplined. But deadly. Best used as shock troops then. Tanya would have to stiffen their spines for her planned assault.
Once that was done, Shigaraki sat back down, scratching at his chin. "Alright. Why don't you sit down and explain to me just why you're here, Gelb. If you seek to tear down the society of fools built on the lies of All Might...perhaps we can help one another."
With a quick hand signal, Tanya got Stain and his followers to relax. Aura gave a disappointed groan: she'd have been happier slaughtering this entire group of fools. "Man. Hey, you, shadow face. You got a washcloth? That jerk made a mess of me when he died."
Ignoring Aura's theatrics, Tanya sat down across from Shigaraki, folding her hands on the table. "I will be direct: I am looking for allies to eliminate the two goddesses and their primary followers. In this, I believe ve share an objective, as All Might is a primary target."
"Yes," Shigaraki hissed, still scratching at his neck and chin. "We had a plan all set to spring a trap on him, but somehow they found the hole in their security we were exploiting and closed that opportunity for us. We were planning on striking at him when he was alone, isolated, but we haven't had the chance. That, however, will soon change."
"Oh?" Tanya raised an eyebrow. "You are planning an operation?"
"We've stumbled upon information that All Might will be taking the first year UA students to a summer camp at a remote location in the next few weeks," Shigaraki told Tanya. "We also seem to have recently created a few more opportunities to join our organization."
"Ah, you misunderstand," Tanya said, giving Shigaraki a cold smile. "Ve are looking for allies, not to join. I am villing to conduct a joint operation, but I am merely the representative of a larger power."
"Oh?" Shigaraki asked, his hands slowly lowering to the table, where they slowly rested on the wood. "And what power is that?"
"An extranational one. A power that does not vish to see your nation under the sway of the gods," Tanya answered calmly. "Ve do not seek dominion here. You vish to topple the Japanese government? Ve can provide you vith aid in this. You merely vish to bring fire and blood to All Might and his friends? That is an acceptable goal as vell."
"I would know who it is you serve," Shigaraki snarled, his hand suddenly darting out for Tanya's face.
She moved like lightning, dodging to the side as she pulled her gun.
TOMURA SHIGARAKI. PLEASE, FOR THE SAKE OF AN OLD MAN, DO NOT HARM THIS WOMAN.
There was a collective intake of breath from the various low life scum in the bar, and many of them froze as a black portal opened up on the far wall, and a tall man in a black mask slowly strode through.
"She is arrogant, domineering, controlling! She wishes to turn me into a puppet, just as All Might would do!" Shigaraki hissed, still reaching for Tanya despite the fact that she was now out of the booth and had rolled to a kneeling position on the floor. She stood up slowly, turning to bow slightly to the new arrival.
"Herr All For One. I vas hoping to speak with you."
FRAU GELB. THE UNDERWORLD IS ASTIR WITH YOUR MOVEMENTS, the Shadow King rumbled as he walked over to loom above Tanya. I WOULD SPEAK WITH YOU AND YOUNG SHIGARAKI IN PRIVATE.
"Master, you told me this operation was mine," Shigaraki whined, sounding like a petulant child instead of a dangerous gang leader.
THINGS HAVE CHANGED, YOUNG SHIGARAKI. I BELIEVE THIS WOMAN MAY BE ABLE TO ANSWER SOME OF THE QUESTIONS WE HAVE HAD.
"I would be happy to discuss any plans for a mutually beneficial alliance, and am fully empowered to act on behalf of my own organization," Tanya said neutrally. All For One was dangerous. She could kill him if she had to, but she'd prefer not to take on such a powerful foe alone and unsupported. Fortunately, should anything happen, Visha and Mare had her location fixed with a tracking beacon, and could teleport in with the company of Gottjager for extraction. Even death wouldn't stop Tanya from attaining her vengeance against the gods.
THEN PLEASE, STEP INTO MY OFFICE.
A new portal opened, and Tanya stepped towards it. "I expect you to behave as a guest, Mauchin. No killing unless it is necessary."
"You are just no fun," Aura grumbled, but walked over to the bar and hopped up on the stool. "I want a milkshake!"
"We only serve alcohol," Kurogiri informed her.
"Well get me a milkshake! Who do I have to kill to get some service? Milkshakes are necessary!"
With a heavy sigh, Tanya walked through the black portal. She found herself in a laboratory of some kind, flickering lights on monitors and tanks full of dark fluids with shadowy shapes inside of them.
"Some sort of bio-engineering experiments?" Tanya asked, looking around with mild interest. "Creating some sort of quirk based veapons platforms?"
"How do you know about Nomu?!" Shigaraki growled, taking a step towards Tanya.
SHE IS FISHING, YOUNG SHIGARAKI. NO ONE SAVE US KNOWS OF OUR PLANS. COME. LET US TALK. All For One stepped over to a circular conference table that was bathed in harsh fluorescent light from above, and Tanya took a seat, her legs dangling slightly from the tall straight backed chair. Even after two centuries, she was still occasionally irritated at her height. If Visha didn't seem to find it charming, perhaps she would have done something about it by now.
"Before ve begin, I believe it best if ve clearly establish vhat our operational goals and objectives are," Tanya said, taking out a pen and notepad. She had gotten used to the low tech options over time, even when she was back in worlds with proper electronic records keeping.
SO FORMAL, AND STRAIGHT TO BUSINESS. BUT THEN, THAT IS WHAT I WOULD EXPECT FROM SOMEONE WHO IS PRETENDING TO BE A GERMAN. WHO ARE YOU REALLY, GELB?
"A representative of a power opposed to the goddesses, and dedicated to eradicating them and their followers," Tanya stated crisply. "My supposed national origin is not of your concern."
OH, BUT I THINK IT IS. FOR YOU SEE, I DO NOT BELIEVE YOU ARE OF ANY NATION. I BELIEVE YOU ARE LIKE THESE SUPPOSED GODDESSES, AND LIKE ALL MIGHTS NEW PROTEGES. YOU ARE OF ANOTHER WORLD ENTIRELY.
Shigaraki's eyes narrowed. "You think she is another alien, or time traveler? One of those other worldly beings?"
"This is an odd theory, Herr All For One," Tanya replied, keeping her tone even and her expression neutral. "Vhy do you say such outlandish things?"
MY SOURCES WITHIN THE GOVERNMENT INFORMED ME OF SOMETHING ODD HAPPENING AT UA HIGH SCHOOL, ALL MIGHT'S NEST OF SYCOPHANTS. AT FIRST, I DID NOT BELIEVE THEIR WILD TALES OF GODS AND DEMONS AND ALIENS FROM OTHER WORLDS . BUT RECENT EVENTS HAVE PERSUADED ME THAT THEIR TALES ARE NOT SO FAR FETCHED. WHAT ARE YOU, GELB? AN ALIEN? A DEMON?
Tanya considered for a moment, then told a carefully crafted lie with just a hint of truth. "I am indeed from another vorld. One similar to this one. Originally, I vas an officer in the army of a nation much like yours. The gods brought var and destruction to my people, killing all those who served under me. I made a deal with what you would call The Devil, and since then have hunted gods on his behalf. Ve seek allies for our crusade."
I SEE. AND YOU WISH TO USE US AS FODDER FOR YOUR WAR?
"Ve seek allies. Ve would free this vorld, but ve have no interest in ruling it. To hunt gods is a dangerous game. To go alone is foolhardy. Local guides and allies vould ease our vay. You know this All Might, his strengths, his veaknesses. Aid us, and ve vould not be ungrateful. There are rewards for those who cast off the yoke of slavery. Freedom, and more."
I SEE. WE HAVE A PLAN TO DESTROY ALL MIGHT, AND HIS BROOD OF VIPERS. HOWEVER, MORE STRENGTH ADDED TO OUR OWN WOULD BE BENEFICIAL. WHAT CAN YOU OFFER?
"I can commit to a company of Gottjager. They are battle hardened veterans vith military grade equipment and quirks. As vell as myself, and my three commanders, along with Stain and his Zealots, who now number about fifty individuals of varying strength," Tanya answered. Many of those 50 were actually greater undead. It seemed that raised corpses kept their quirks, which made them very useful weapons indeed.
THAT IS A START. LET US DISCUSS FURTHER.
After several hours, Tanya bid All For One farewell, then teleported away, messaging Aura to head back to their base with Stain. Instead of returning directly there, however, Tanya arrived at the safe house located on the island of Okinawa. She had other matters to attend to.
"Ma'am!" Visha gasped, popping into existence next to her. "How did the negotiations go?"
"They went well. No need to be so formal, Visha. We are alone," Tanya said, relaxing slightly to see her oldest and only friend safe, and switching to German. It was the language she shared best with Visha, and these days, the one she thought in most of the time as well.
That made Visha smile, and she leaned in to Tanya, wrapping her in an embrace, and pressing her lips to Tanya's. "I'm glad you're safe. These quirks, they worry me."
"Yes. They are dangerous," Tanya agreed when they parted. "Come. I need a shower, and something to eat before we begin our planning session. Did Aura behave herself?"
"She only killed one idiot that tried to molest her," Visha told Tanya. "I told her off, but I think it was justified. These locals must know to fear us."
"If an idiot attempted something with her after watching her pull a man's heart from his chest, they deserved it," Tanya snorted as they stepped into the house, taking off her shoes and coat. She was about to turn to the kitchen, when she caught the look in Visha's eye.
"You are worried. Do not fear. Our hunt is coming to an end," Tanya told her.
"I know, I just...this world, it's like the one you first came from, isn't it? Back when you were…" Visha trailed off, looking worried.
"Do not think of such things. I am not that individual anymore," Tanya whispered, taking Visha in her arms and drawing her lover close. "I am your Tanya." Even after all these years, it felt odd to say that. How long had it been since they first made love, the night after they had killed Being X? Well, that had not quite been making love. More two desperate, wounded people, reaching out for something, anything, to hold on to in a world that no longer had any foundation. They had slaughtered their own people, reducing the population of their own world from what had once been near two billion souls to perhaps a few hundred thousands.
And they had done it again. And again. Across a hundred worlds. More than Tanya could clearly remember. But it didn't matter. She had Visha. As long as that was true, she could do anything. Would do anything, to keep Visha safe.
Any price would be paid. She had spent too much to invest any less.
Author's Note
This chapter once more brought to you by the folks on my discord, who voted for this story. If you want to choose what story I update next, you can join and vote as well! New poll in a day or two. just add this to a discord link /rxchY3Dn