Izuku Midoriya was in dire need of a nap. Or at least, an opportunity to lay down and do nothing for a period of at least sixty uninterrupted minutes. However, this was a leisure he was not to be afforded, considering he was walking in full hero regalia to the headmaster's office, flanked by Blackmore on one side and Shotaka Aizawa on the other. His hands were folded behind his back, his coat flapping dramatically behind him as he marched forward into what could very well be yet another battle.

He hoped it would not turn into something so dire. He hoped the headmaster simply wished to discuss something cordial, like the state of his class. Izuku paused for a moment internally, wondering when he had begun to consider his class his responsibility, rather than just his friends and peers.

"Most likely when you broke some nineteen limbs in their defense." Funny noted, voice alive with quiet mirth. "I believe a sacrifice like that earns you the right to be at least a touch possessive."

Izuku said nothing in reply, not wanting to look like a madman in front of his homeroom teacher and his… butler. Yes, they had agreed upon butler, given that 'manservant' was a little too slavish for Izuku's tastes and 'aide' didn't really explain their relationship and also translated very poorly when spoken aloud. As such, Blackmore became his butler, and life became just a little easier.

Speaking not of easiness but rather a lack of it, Izuku sighed when he saw the headmaster's office doors. He had hoped to delay this for as long as possible; Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap was immensely powerful, and it was possible that the headmaster would want Izuku tested to discover its upper limits. A Quirk of this power would have him watched like for the rest of his days, and even All Might's mentor status probably couldn't save him from curious government scientists wanting to dissect him to discern how he did what he did.

Blackmore drew up straight when they paused in front of the doors, Shotaka giving him a sideways glance before turning back to the door. Izuku swallowed, before raising a hand to knock. Right before his gloved knuckles could make contact with the dual wooden doors, however, they swung open with a quiet whirring of machinery. Cameras, then. Wonderful. He was likely being recorded.

He stepped inside, Blackmore and Shotaka following. The office was an impressive space, the far wall dominated by a vast series of glass panels forming a single gargantuan window. The two walls to their left and right were lined with a series of life-size statues, depicting various famous heroes. Endeavour was represented, and of course All Might stood tall and proud in the far corner by the window. The centre of the room was taken up by a great wooden desk, easily larger than Izuku's bed, occupied by a single individual.

An individual who appeared to be some sort of strange, white-furred fusion of mouse, bear and… perhaps a dog? Izuku wasn't sure he'd ever seen an animal quite like it before. He realized a moment later it was wearing a finely tailored black and white suit, with a pocket watch in its right breast pocket.

"Ah, Mr. Midoriya!" the creature squeaked, in what was definitely a human voice. "So good to see you. And young Mr. Blackmore at your side, of course… and of course, the woman of the hour, Miss Aizawa! You of course know me as Nezu, the adorable headmaster of UA!"

Izuku looked at Blackmore, who himself seemed contrite. Ah, he knew then. And was likely told to say nothing. Understandable, at least; he had wanted to join the class with Izuku. That had likely been a condition of his sudden entry into 1-A. Confidentiality. Funny certainly appreciated it, though he was also a little set aback by the appearance of the headmaster. Izuku, for once, adapted faster; he had seen mutant-Quirks before. He was in class with Shoji, for goodness' sake; the boy had six arms! That could turn into eye-stalks or long ears or mouths!

Nezu, as his name apparently was, gestured to a set of chairs in front of his desk. Three in total, likely set up in anticipation of their arrival. Izuku took the middle seat, Blackmore remaining at his left and Shotaka slipping into the chair at his right. The three sat silently for a moment as Nezu slid back into his own (likely very well-padded) chair, and the four sat in the quiet for a short while.

"I trust you are well, Mr. Midoriya?" Nezu asked, sounding genuinely concerned and therefore surprising Izuku a little. "I heard the battle in the USJ was quite trying for all involved, yourself most certainly included."

"I'm fine, actually." Izuku replied, fighting off his nerves and nodding. "I… this is why you brought us here, isn't it?"

"Among other things, of course." Nezu smiled. "First young Blackmore arrives, informing me that he is in fact from another timeline and dimension entirely, brought across by a power called, and I quote, 'Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap'. This happening the morning after you displayed a previously unknown warp Quirk of questionable origins, using it to succeed in a training exercise despite having a broken arm."

Nezu glanced at Shotaka before continuing.

"And now I am informed that not only is one of our homeroom teachers, not to mention a former student, suddenly the opposite sex they were that morning, I am also told that Izuku Midoriya managed to battle a monstrous multi-Quirked creature to stand still, breaking his own limbs many times in the process and somehow always standing back up fully intact." Nezu said, a single sentence that didn't seem to strain him at all. "It is curious then that all these things happened in a single week, all of them involving you, Izuku Midoriya, either directly or indirectly. So I want to ask you…"

Nezu leaned in, and despite being the size of a stuffed toy a child would snuggle with, he seemed to loom over them all. Izuku swallowed.

"What is Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap?" Nezu asked. "How did you acquire it? And most importantly; what can it do?"

Izuku looked at Blackmore, who simply nodded. He glanced at Shotaka, who was sitting and watching the proceedings with narrowed eyes and an overall watchful gaze. Izuku took a deep breath, before nodding.

And then, he began to explain.

He started with Funny's sudden arrival and abduction (rescue, Funny corrected internally) before his gaining the power, being given it by Funny. He explained his defeat of Bakugo and Iida, his victory in the training battle. He told him about Blackmore laying on raindrops, and of their first conversation. He told Nezu about the dreams of infinite worlds, about the fact that he could, in a way, feel the infinite light of his soul across infinite universes, all of them accessible using his D4C. He told Nezu about the mechanics of his power, the need for two objects or one object folded, about how he had bent the rules using the loose and flowing coat.

He told Nezu about the rigours of the USJ battle. About his ability to pass on D4C to other versions of himself, and about how he had continuously sacrificed his own body to keep the monster from hurting anybody else. How he had swapped Shota Aizawa for Shotaka, in a desperate bid to save the man's life. How he had held the line until All Might's arrival, how he had switched one last time to ensure he could back the man up if need be.

And he finished by admitting the Valentine was still in his head, still watching and listening and speaking, now a part of D4C the same way it was a part of Izuku.

And through it all Nezu was listening, nodding his head and occasionally requesting clarification on a certain topic or question. He asked little, however, and spent most of his time listening and nodding. Blackmore interjected at one point, noting that he had been following Izuku for some time, unsure if the other boy was aware of his coming due to D4C or not. Shotaka also added that she had agreed to replace her other self when she heard Class 1-A was in danger in this universe.

"As far as I can tell, this was the only universe where the League of Villains attacked the USJ on this day." Izuku declared. "In my original universe, we simply went through the different zones and performed rescue training. The worst that happened was Snipe-Sensei accidentally hitting one of the faux-villains with a bullet through the arm."

"Snipe was involved with the USJ trip in your dimension?" Nezu asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah, in my original universe Snipe-Sensei is our homeroom teacher." Izuku replied, nodding. "I seem to be an outlier in that regard; most other universes still have Aizawa-Sensei as their homeroom teacher, although sex obviously switches sometimes."

"Intriguing…" Nezu rubbed his chin, before looking at Shotaka. "I suppose the evidence before speaks for itself. I may not have a Quirk that informs me of falsehoods, but I like to think I can tell when people are being honest with me. You are telling the truth… and that means I'm going to have to make a few changes around the school."

He looked at Blackmore and Izuku, nodding.

"The two of you are dismissed." he declared. "Young Midoriya, I am most impressed with your conduct during this meeting, and do not think you won't be commended for your valiant actions today. And Miss Aizawa, would you remain here for a while? We'll need to go through some paperwork and of course inform your coworkers of the shift. I trust our staff roster hasn't changed in your original dimension?"

Shotaka groaned, rubbing her temples with her hands while Izuku smiled apologetically and stood up. Blackmore stood as well, but Izuku hesitates before walking away. He turned and placed a hand on Shotaka's shoulder, smiling at Nezu.

"Actually, sir, maybe I should stay here?" he asked politely. "It is my fault that Aizawa-Sensei has to go through all this. I should probably stay and help with any trouble it brings. Responsibility for your actions and all that."

"Humility is crucial to earning this one's respect." Funny advised, referencing Nezu. "He is a modern Chiron, a trainer of heroes. It makes since that he would respect those who respect others."

"Shall I remain too, sir?" Blackmore asked, and Izuku shook his head.

"No, Blackmore, head home and tell my mom I'll be a little late today." he replied. "Don't let her panic about the USJ battle please. You know how she can get when she's worried about me. Help her with dinner, she'd like that."

"Of course, sir." Blackmore bowed, before withdrawing.

Izuku took a seat next to Shotaka, who was giving him a look that contained the shadow of a grateful smile. Izuku said nothing, but he did smile back, before looking at Nezu and nodding.

"Alright…" he said softly. "Paperwork."

Shotaka groaned again.

Blackmore, meanwhile, made a quick trip to the bathroom. Not to use the toilet, heavens no; he wanted to wash up a touch. He had put himself through quite the ordeal today, fending off villains and being stuck inside the downpour zone because of its domed roof and his own inability to find a door… he shook his head, sticking his hands under the stream of water and scrubbing them clean, his black gloves in his jacket pocket and his mask at his hip once again.

He scrubbed them clean for a long minute, using a bountiful amount of soap, before shaking his hands clean and hearing a door open behind him. One of the stalls, he surmised. He had thought himself to be alone. He wiped his face, and then froze the water with Catch the Rainbow and took a step back, into the other person.

"Ah, many apologies!" he darted forward, letting the frozen water fall into the sink and thereby drying his face, before noting that there were two interesting bulges pressed against his back. His eyes went wide and he whirled around, seeing a young woman of average height standing behind him, with what seemed to be green vines growing from her scalp rather than hair.

Blackmore blinked, before looking around. He had never known gender-segregated restrooms before; he had never known public restrooms before. Most places of business were lucky to have a single toilet inside; the idea that he had accidentally entered the women's washroom rather than the men's was unfortunately unsurprising to him. He swallowed, bowing his head.

"I am so very, very sorry…" he began, backing toward the door as he spoke. "I have erred severely, the fault lay entirely with me. I will endeavour to extricate myself immediately…"

He did so, turning and streaming out of the room in liquid form, reforming into a solid outside the door and then turning to smack his forehead into the wall. Once, twice, three times, just as mother taught him. It was the only way to keep his fool brain straight, he reminded himself, blinking away the spots in his vision before repeating the action, driving his face into the wall three more times.

"Damn it all…" he groaned, rubbing his now bruised forehead. "Why can't I just be normal for a second of the day?"

His mother's question, not his. She had not been all too fond of her only son's more defective traits, such as his lack of social acumen or inability to discern right from wrong until after doing some deed that fell into one of the two categories. He squeezed his eyes shut, before moving to slam his head into the wall one more time. Seven was a good number, a lucky number. Ringo had sworn by the number seven, the cowboy's lucky seventh bullet.

Blackmore missed Ringo. He also missed Mike O, and of course he missed President Valentine. They had all been kind men, far kinder than a defective thing like Blackmore deserved. As was Master Midoriya, who had forgiven Izuku in spite of his stupidity and inability to escape a simple metal dome. He was an idiot, a worthless manservant who couldn't even stand by his master's side when he needed it most, in the face of great danger.

Before he could bring his head into contact with the wall, he felt something wrap around his forehead, pulling it back and away from the wall. Blackmore stumbled, turning to liquid and catching himself by reforming on his own two feet, before seeing the girl with the vine hair standing a few feet away, several strands of her vegetation-hair outstretched. Had she stopped him? What did she want?

"Please stop that," she said, her voice soft, serene to Blackmore's ears. "It would not be good for you to hurt yourself."

Blackmore swallowed. This girl… more specifically her voice, so calm and kind, filled with such gentleness and goodness, her posture so demure and yet so self-assured, her look of concern… it reminded him, and he begged forgiveness for this trespass… it reminded him of when he had attained a piece of the Holy Corpse, and had witnessed the face of Christ.

"I apologize again…" Blackmore said, rubbing his forehead with one hand as he bowed again. "I intruded upon you and violated the sanctity of your privacy. I understand that you are likely cross with me."

"Why were you in the bathroom?" the girl asked.

"I… I wasn't aware it was a women's washroom." he replied. "I simply wished to clean myself a little and take a moment to reflect. Today has been… strenuous."

"You're from Class 1-A, aren't you?" She took a step forward as she spoke, closing the distance between them and reaching up to touch a hand to his forehead. "I don't know your name, but I've seen you in the halls. I am Ibara Shiozaki. Are you hurt?"

"No more than I deserve." Blackmore replied, shaking his head and noting that her hands were soft, but firm in the way they explored his injury. "I… I apologize again."

"You just wanted to wash your hands." she replied, a smile gracing her features and shining upon Blackmore like a ray of the sun's light. "But… what do you mean, 'no more than you deserve'? Surely you don't think you somehow deserve pain?"

"I have erred twice today." Blackmore replied, shaking his head. "I failed to stand beside my master when he needed it most, and after that I threatened your dignity due to my inability to look where I am going. It is the place of a servant to-"

Ibara, this ever-so-strange girl, placed a hand over his mouth, silencing him. She shook her head, the expression on her face severe and serious as she stared him down. Blackmore did not try to argue, or pull away. He wasn't sure he could while she looked at him like that. Or, indeed, if she looked at him at all. She radiated a sense of calm, of peace, one Blackmore felt deep inside. It would have shook him to his core were it not also making him feel so utterly still and steady.

"No one deserves to suffer." she said, shaking her head slowly. "Not a failed servant, nor the greatest villain. Penance is not what you should seek; it's pain will do nothing for you. And there is no greater pain than that which a guilty heart feels. Do not seek punishment, seek forgiveness. And if this master of yours believes you somehow deserve to be in pain…"

Her eyes grew cold for a moment.

"Then he and I will share words." she concluded.

She withdrew her hand from Blackmore's mouth, and he blinked twice before bowing again, this time at the waist.

"My apologies, a hundred-fold." he said. "I…"

He fell silent when he felt himself being straightened up, before Ibara Shiozaki wrapped him in a tight hug. Blackmore had not been hugged in a long time. None of President Valentine's men, nor the President himself, were the hugging type. Izuku Midoriya and his mother were kind, but he avoided their physical affection. He was a servant, not a friend, even if Master Midoriya insisted he could somehow be both.

Blackmore felt warm inside, safer than he had ever felt before. He let his posture slump a little, leaning into her, and she only tightened her grip.

"Don't be sorry." she said, voice soft. "I have a feeling this was meant to be. You needed to hear what I had to say."

Blackmore just stood there, eyes closed and head bowed, all his concerns and guilt slipping away for a moment. He put his arms around the girl as well, and after a long moment they both pulled away. She smiled at him, and he felt a pang of something he didn't recognize in his heart.

"Go in peace, Raymond Blackmore." she said, bowing her head.

"And you as well, Ibara Shiozaki." Blackmore replied.

The two walked their separate ways, and Blackmore felt as though he were floating on a cloud. He was so out of it, in fact, he never even pondered how it was a girl he had never spoken to before or even seen knew his full name.

Author's Note:

Ibara is second-best girl, and that's only because Kyoka has purple hair and purple is my favourite colour. Yes that's a silly reason and yes I'm biased in favour of tsunderes. Leave me alone.

Izuku needed to explain some things and Blackmore needed a hug. Those two were just involved in some crazy shit and everybody needs a break, right? Honestly, that entire second scene just sort of happened; I wrote it off the cuff, having not intended for it to go that way. But Blackmore is a good boy, and good boys deserve hugs and emotional support.

I lied in the last AN, I suppose; it's gonna be a little bit longer before we get my second favourite Jojo's character in here. Don't worry; they'll show up eventually. I might postpone their arrival until after the obligatory shounen tournament arc, but I'm still debating that. Maybe just a teaser before the big event, I'm not sure yet.

Once again, thanks for all your support, and I hope you enjoyed!