Things Change pt. 1 of 4

As the gang ate and chatted, they didn't notice they were being watched: Far off, in the bushes across from their little hang-out, he sat and observed.

He was a slightly older teen, maybe actually in his 20's. He had teal hair, bags under his red eyes and cracked lips, the top of which was scarred. He wore baggy clothes of red and blue but what most stood out about him? His shoulders and arms were decorated with hands.

Now normally, like many other people, the fellow was filled with rage at someone using the remains of his childhood home…at least, he was pretty sure if was that…to erect some hangout. If he still existed in the eyes of the law, he'd have thrown them out. Heck, he didn't care for the law too much, perhaps this would be an acceptable time to use his Quirk.

That was until he saw Izuku: Green, broccoli like hair. Freckles. Green eyes…and even if he didn't realize it, radiating power and charisma. And the watched would know those, because…

"So that's the kid Sensei told me about."

Once upon a time and in many another verse, he'd loathe and be jealous of Izuku; so many strong party members, all loyal to him and he to them….

But instead, he smiled.

"Good for him."

And good for HIM as well; he wouldn't be up against an All Might or an Endeavour or even a Stain…no…he'd be up against a REAL opponent.

See, this fellow and Izuku wanted the same thing: To make life better for those around them, Izuku, the fellow thought, just aimed too low: He stuck to the streets, helping civilians and getting no praise, nor ever going after the biggest criminals.

Tomura Shigaraki was aiming much, much, MUCH higher.

By the time Tomura was done; the very concepts of hero, villain, good and evil would cease to be meaningful. Instead, people would just be people.

Seeing that the kids were getting ready to pack it in for the day, Tomura decided to make his own exit.

"STOP RIGHT THERE, CREEP!"

Tomura turned to see some newbie hero or sidekick racing towards him. Evidentally, he'd not been as stealthy as he'd liked...

With a sigh, Tomura grabbed the hero…who turned into dust that blew away.

Now annoyed at having his first sight of his destined rival be sullied by some scrub of the HPSC, Tomura decided to visit a certain…place of less reputable legality before retuning to the bar he called home: Visit his favorite lady, bounce ideas off her and a few other regulars….

"I'll see you soon enough, Izuku Midoriya and friends. Try and stay interesting."

MHAV

Izumi had left the arcade when two of Katsuki's wannabe cronies showed up, deciding to grab a burger and, since it was date night for her parents, a combo for Izuku's dinner later. All things considered, she'd had a good day…

"YOU DIDN'T BUY ANY ACCESSORIES?!"

Until her two best friends showed up.

Now, don't misunderstand; Izumi adored the duo who were now joining her. It was just…well, she meant well, but one was a little like her Aunti Mitsuki: obsessed about doing EVERYTHING to highlight how pretty Izumi was.

Okabe Yoshiko was an incredibly rotund girl with short strawberry-blonde hair and a cute soft face. She wore a typical middle school uniform with a green skirt and red sailor's tie, complete with green stockings and brown loafers.

When she managed to squeeze into a seat, she made the whole restaurant leap upwards for a split second. It was adorable and funny all at once.

"Oka-Chan, give it a rest."

The other girl and sanest of the trio, in Izumi's eyes (the green-haired girl felt she was just too nice) was Himeri Ikeda.

"No relation to IKEA." She'd always say.

Himeri was a tall and podgy teenage girl, just as big and plump as Okabe, with short black hair pale, almost translucent skin with deep, almost pure black eyes that accented her face. She wore a baggy clothing hoodie and parachute pants, all in dulled and muted colors.

"You'd be in the same boat as I am if…!"

"Gani doesn't care for that stuff." Himeri smiled. "Frankly, neither do I."

Yes, you read right; the bored and tired giantess was in a relationship with Izuku's wisecracking skeletal buddy. When asked why, she'd say:

"He makes me laugh."

Himeri then gave Izumi a look over and spied her purchase:

"'ZuZu out with the gang?"

Izumi nodded as she stood up. "It was a…slightly rougher day. I'll be right back, just grabbing nii-san his dinner."

Himeri and Okabe sighed in worry for their friend, mentally prepping for another rant they'd agree with. Himeri mostly because Izuku stopped Gari from becoming a full on thug

AFO

Katsuki and the two 'goons', Fingers and Knuckles, had left the arcade and were heading home.

"Say, Bakugo?"

"Yeah, what?" The blonde snapped as he finished his soda.

"Why do you even put up with Izuku? I mean, I can understand Izumi; she's cute. But her brother is a full on vill…"

That was as far as he got, and Katsuki turned and glared at him and the other extra.

"Okay, #1: Izumi is OFF limits! #2 Izuku not only sees me as just me…!"

"We do too!"

"BULLSHIT! ITS ALL MY QURIK! NOW AS I WAS SAYING, he saved my his life a few years back…"

Unfortunately, before more could be said, a tall shadow loomed over the boys: A shadow belonging to a sickly grinning, yellow eyed monster of mud and sludge

"A perfectly sized skin suit!"

"BAKUGOU, LOOK OUT!"

To be continued….

Hello everyone and Happy Halloween!

This chapter was originally going to be the FULL Sludge villain incident and I apologize for prolonging it. However, the fight is taking a while to get 'JUST RIGHT'…so I decided to break it up and post this here. However, I like to think our glimpse into Tomura, Katsuki and Izumi's psyches has tipped some interest at the very least…Tomura most of all.

Going into this story, Knightmare Lord and I decided to make Tomura more akin to JOJO Stone Ocean's Dio Brando; a bigger thinker and already with the plan of changing the world and existence itself. Looking very forward to exploring this version of him!

Sorry about the wait and hope you're all doing well! Keep safe and once again…

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!