this has been a long time coming, but nothing ever felt... satisfactory so I might as well get it out of my system and upload it. Better out there than gathering dust, I always say.
Izuku did it! He did it! He can't believe how he could've been so blind and missed one crucial single detail about One for All! Nevertheless, after their breakfast, he felt a big improvement from all of the times he did it on his own. He felt whole in a sense now. It was difficult to put into words, but that was the gist of the sensation. It was a eureka moment so to speak.
There was still a struggle to control the power, sure, but an achievement was an achievement. This marked a new milestone for him in mastering One for All. It wasn't as difficult as before with One for All spread evenly throughout his being. It didn't feel like containing a whole lake or river on individual parts as it was before.
Full cowl, he decided to call the new form he discovered.
After spending the whole day training—more like one-sided sparring because Gran Torino was sprightly and faster than his age would suggest—making use of the newfound power he discovered. He was somewhat getting used to the flowing power in all his being, but still, it fell from his grasp like a slippery object.
All that was left was to improve his coordination of his Warp and One for All and he'd be on his way to discovering his path with the given legacy as the ninth holder. That was another problem for another day though because he still had to master this newfound power. To not let it slip and become unstable in the worst of times like when he was about to attack or when he's in the defense.
"You still have a long way to go, but," Gran Torino said over a wide grin and gave him a thumbs up on their patrol after eating their breakfast. "You're getting there now."
"Getting there," Izuku muttered while smiling. After yesterday's training and getting thoroughly trashed by his mentor, it was all the good news he could get.
The next day, after a healthy breakfast and another training, they patrolled the streets. The city was not as bustling as Musutafu or Hosu so much that it wasn't hit with large villain attacks, only the occasional small gang violence and crooks. That was according to what he searched of this place at least and experienced now, which served as good field training if they ever encountered a bigger one.
All around them, the people greeted them courtly with hellos and a bow and the two of them returned the greetings with smiles. Gran would even go as far as letting the hero have photographs with them despite not being familiar with the old man but some clearly recognized Izuku as the UA student from the Sports Festival.
"I can see why Toshinori chose you, Izuku."
Already on a first-name basis? He wondered but then thought nothing of it. It's not like he said his name badly. Plus, even after just three days of being under the old man, Izuku felt he had already begun to understand him.
Chuckling, he looked up at the now-darkening skyline. He thought he would get bored with patrol but he was surprised he had such a fun experience with it.
"To be honest, I still don't know why Toshinori-sensei chose me of all people. I knew the reason why, but me of all people? Sometimes I think it's because warp quirks are rare as they get and would make a great combination with it."
He was told of the reason why, but it just really seemed surreal for him when he thought about it sometimes.
He shrugged. "Sometimes, I think it was just luck since he just saw me use my quirk to rescue Kacchan." No matter the reassurance of his mentor, this thought of his still plagued him from time to time when he thought too deeply about where he was now. The legacy of One for All was just too much for him to think that he's the one bearing it now.
He glanced at All Might's mentor and saw he looked at him with a puzzled expression. "He didn't tell you how we met, did he?"
"Nope." Grinned the man as he replied. "Partly I just sent in the internship and let him rattle himself out and the other one is to see the successor for myself."
"So," he said as a small wry grin found itself on his face. "How did I measure to All Might and Nana then, Gran Torino-sensei?"
Mischievously smirking, Gran said, "That would be telling, would it? Besides, it's better to measure your own worth from who you were yesterday than to others. I'd banish those thoughts if I were you, Izuku."
Another thought occurred to Izuku, if Toshinori-sensei didn't tell Gran Torino then... "How'd you know I'm the successor, Gran Torino-sensei?" He laughed remembering their talk about Gran Torino. "He was practically shaking when he told me all about you."
Gran huffed in clear pride. "Good. That man needs to remember where he came from and be kept on his toes. I won't allow him to be complacent like so many others. He rarely visits me." He couldn't help but chuckle when he heard the man grumble at the last part. "Kid, I trained Toshinori myself and saw Nana use it many times. I'm one of the few people who know One for All like the back of my hand."
"Anyways," Izuku said going back to the topic before he forgot. "You heard of the slime villain attack on Musutafu last year right?"
"Yeah, I've heard of it, though authorities weren't clear when they reported it. A cover-up if I've ever seen one."
"We met before that when he first rescued me from the sludge monster," he told the older man. "The second one was in the market when the Sludge Villain Attack happened. I rescued Kacch—Katsuki," he cut himself off from saying the name knowing the man had no context of who he was. "From the villain. He introduced himself as Yagi Toshinori then took me somewhere where we talked and told me about One for All."
He shook his head thinking that the situation was so absurd it was highly unheard of. A passable quirk, not one of the people from All Might forum or anywhere ever hypothesized that. It was a surreal concept that seemed improbable, but here he was now proven wrong. "That was when I accepted the power. How fortunate right? Anyone could have done what I did and received One for All."
"What ifs and what could be are useless thoughts and don't think about it too much. Just put your thoughts on the here and now." The man kept silent as he walked matching his pace despite the height difference. "Just ask yourself this; did your body move on its own when you rescued your friend?"
Months ago, All Might asked the same thing. His answer to that was a definite yes and it would remain the same in his entire life, he was sure of it. His body moved on its own and he risked himself being declared committing vigilantism just to help Kacchan. He nodded slowly. "The heroes were slow. I could see my best friend suffocating from the sludge villain. Knowing I had the ability to help, I had to do something. So I did."
"You answered your own question kid."
Izuku stopped to turn to the older man. What did he mean?
"I'm sure Toshinori told you this." His expression must've said his thought for Gran beckoned him to follow him to continue their patrol, which he did. "Putting your vigilante act aside, all hero starts with their body acting on their own in times of peril without a care for the self. You can be surprised by how rare that attribute is. Not just anyone can have that, kid. Toshinori saw that in you and saw your spirit."
His cheeks heated at his mentor's words. "But—"
"But nothing. You don't have to doubt or prove yourself to anyone as to why Toshinori chose you. You just need to prove it to yourself now that Toshinori passed it on to you." Gran Torino silenced him with a raised palm. "He may be a little obtuse when it comes to teaching, but he has a way of finding a way to look into people's hearts. He trusts you to continue the legacy of him and his predecessors to fight for the peace we have now, that's why I trust you too. Never doubt why he chose you in the first place."
His heart fluttered in joy at the older man's words. He knew that fact, but it was easy to doubt himself when he's surrounded by amazing people who could be a better legacy for One for All. Todoroki and Iida came to mind immediately. Two of his peers that had could be better suited for it than him—one hailing from generations of hero family, the other wielding great two powers of nature itself.
Inside of him, he shuddered at the thought of carrying the weight of it all. The insecurity of how he, still sixteen years carry off something great as One for All. He often saw a hero turn to something undesirable due to something, what if, he swallowed heavily, he became one of those?
Izuku remained silent and let his thoughts wander about Gran Torino's words while they patrolled the street in peace. But just as they were returning to the agency, civilians screamed. A villain in normal clothes came dashing out of a convenience store wearing bags on their back that he was pretty sure what was inside it. Their eyes widened upon seeing them and ran the other way.
Gran Torino gave him a knowing look and he nodded in return. Full cowl activated he dashed and appeared in front of the two, hands ready to grab them. The two activated their quirk causing the left one to shine and the other to form a small circle of energy shield on his chest and arms causing Izuku to fly to the wall on the right when a glowing fist hit him. He bounded back to them before warping, this time landing on the shield guy who now covered the two of them in energy barriers. With the strongest enhanced punch he could do, Izuku cracked the shield in one hit landing on the shield quirk man and pushing him to the ground before he swept the feet of the other making him fall backwards.
They tried to stand but Gran Torino landed behind them and stepped on their back tying faster than a man his age should before calling the police.
"After dinner, we'll head to Hosu for patrol," Gran Torino said while they were eating. The man lived a simple life and his choices in food described that easily. All he had in his refrigerator were ingredients one could easily cook.
"Hosu?" He cocked his eyebrows curiously as he looked at Gran. "Why there?"
"I'm sure you've noticed but there's less crime here. You won't get experience just by training alone or by just being in this city. You need field experience," Gran Torino said knowingly.
That made sense, he supposed. Nothing like live testing to try out his Full Cowl, huh?
Just as said, after they ate, they dressed up quickly and rode the train. Around them, people murmured asking who they were but they paid them no mind and went about discussing the protocols regarding what to do after stopping crimes.
The train shook and a thundering crash sent them sprawling to the ground. He froze and gazed at the tall and lanky muscular dark creature before a sprawled hero. "Noumu!" he said.
"Get the people to safety!" Gran ordered quickly before kicking it out of the train and crashing into a building.
"Gran Torino!" He hoped the man was okay after that strong impact.
He blinked away the stupor and pulled people from the large hole and into the safety of the other train cars. "Hurry up." He gently pushed them while watching the dark skies from afar glow bright red as dark ash clouds flew into the skies in the middle of the night.
An attack on Hosu? It was League of Villains no doubt. Only they could have something like a Noumu in their ranks. Why attack the city though? If that Noumu was as strong as on USJ, then the heroes were in trouble. It took all of All Might to defeat it! He hoped that the Noumu he saw was the only one!
After instructing the passengers to stay, he jumped off the train flying high in the sky where he could see the intensity of the flames going wide in the city. The roads were clogged by hastily strewn cars as people ran screaming in panic in their bid to run from the ever-growing flames.
He curled himself as a small warp opened before him and a second later, he approached closer to the burning part of the city. He landed softly on the ground as he fell from his warp.
"Excuse me!" Izuku grabbed an older man in his forties. "What is happening."
"Monsters, hero-san! They're attacking the center of the city."
Izuku let go of the man and looked at the flaming part darkly. He hoped he wasn't right about the Noumus.
Activating Full Cowl, he came dashing to the center of the calamity as quickly as he could while keeping an eye on the civilians as best as he could. Sirens blared in the distance and he had to turn off his transceivers because of the amount of emergency broadcasts. An Ambulance found itself stuck in the middle of the road and he landed in front of it, then putting the cars to the side with a single One for All powered push.
"Sorry! But the Ambulance takes priority!"
"Thank you, hero-san!" He heard someone say just as he left bounding to his destination.
He bounced off the buildings to get there to conserve his energy to help the people who would definitely need help. Every once in a while, he would warp himself to make his travel faster and on his way, ambulance, police car, and firetrucks headed toward the fire, but the existing traffic made it hard for them to do so.
Soon he got to the center of the fire and froze. The situation was worse than it looked from afar. His chest tightened and his breath hitched. The thundering steps of a shadow loomed on him once more with its hands ready to strike him down.
No! He slapped himself blowing the image away and clenched his fist to stop the nightmare of the Noumu looming over him back on USJ. You can do this.
Vehicles were strewn aside, buildings in fire and worn down from the battle, and civilians running in fear while the heroes held them back with some stopping the raging fire. What was before him was a level of villain attack that was only seldom seen. Izuku reflexively wrinkled his nose and squinted his eyes from all the smoke but relaxed for a second when the air filter worked. He could breathe but not clearly see what was going on. So, he punched the air clearing the smoke away much to the other's surprise.
Multiple Noumu's fought heroes with them struggling. A winged Noumu flew carrying a hero and blowing the flames at the heroes, and the second was battled by twin heroes in strength as the others were just easily thrown and beaten sending them flying. A metal helmet man in a knight-like getup together with a horned hero approached and punched the muscular Noumu only for their punches to have no effect. They were just two villains and yet these pros had such a hard time facing them!
One hero slumped against the bus unmoving. He wasn't sure he was alive, but he hoped the man was before he opened a portal and carried him somewhere safe. Some heroes backed away shouting orders to civilians. "Hurry and escape!"
"Kid, focus! Eyes on me." Her order cut through Izuku's mind. "Stay away and let us handle this!" A female hero said with her arms opened wide to her sides. "You handle the evac."
"I can help!" He insisted. He can help! He knew a thing about this Noumu's and he wouldn't let the helplessness deter him. "I can help!" He said despite the orders.
"No!" shouted the woman looking at him and then at the running people. "Handle the injured first. I permit you to use your quirks. Can you make sure they get to safety."
Izuku nodded without reluctance before turning and running towards the mass of thirty or so people on the road away from the fight. More were still headed toward the evacuees. He didn't look back and did his best to ignore the grunts, screams, and fighting in the background.
"Everyone that can carry the injured, please do so and form a line! Severely injured first then, seniors, women, and children, then men." He told the people.
People murmured but he was grateful that they did as he said.
A limping old man got his attention. "Oji-san, please get on my back."
"Are you sure, boy?" Asked the old man and he nodded surely. The old man did so when he knelt in front of him. "Thank you," he heard him mutter.
"Look out!" Izuku quickly turned in the voice's direction when a Noumu charged towards them. "Hold on, everybody!"
Arms raised, he thought of the wide entrance and parking lot of the Hosu General Hospital. Warps swirled all over them from above, beside, and in front. The swishing sounds of his quirk covered the roar of the rampaging monster. Izuku slumped, but he gritted his teeth and forced himself to stay standing. "Everyone! Enter it quickly! No pushing! Don't worry, the villain won't get through it. The heroes will handle the villains! Now go!"
He pushed the people forward to hasten their
Outside of them, he felt the punch of the brute monster punching his portals to no avail since it was redirected elsewhere. Where are the heroes?!
"Don't let it disrupt the evac!" Someone farther ahead screamed. Cover the Warp kid!"
Hold on, everyone.
Only when the last of the people entered that he ran and make the gates disappear after he passed through. He fell on his knees breathing fast on the pavement as his limbs shook in their struggle to keep him in his position. "Someone call a nurse! Okay, slowly oji-san." He felt the old man on his back get off with the help of another.
"Thank you, young man." Izuku turned and returned the smile the old man gave him.
He didn't look as to who ran because his vision was seeing double and opened his glove compartment for an energy bar.
"Thank you, hero-san." Another one said, this time a young woman about twenty or so.
"I'm no hero, just a UA student interning. Call me Breach. And don't mention it." He smiled despite the effort it took to sit on the pavement. He breathed after taking a bite.
Minutes later, the door opened and footsteps came rushing out of the hospital. "Sort them according to severity. Nurse, get more gurneys."
"Are you okay, hero-san?" A nurse said as her hand checked all over him helping him out and putting him on the nearest bench. Izuku raised his palm and shook his head.
"'m fine. Just… bit tired 'cause of my quirk. Takes a lot of energy." He constantly breathed deeply. "A rest will do."
"I'll get you some food and water then hero-san."
Izuku didn't even get to thank the nurse before she ran. He sat there looking at the nurses and doctors check up on the civilians. Every second there was a gurney going inside while the others were given food and water by the guards.
He needed to come back as soon as he was done energizing himself. There could be more people that needed help.
The nurse came back with a tray of food and a large plastic bottle of water. "Thank you very much," he said bowing to her before she left. Izuku didn't waste time and devoured the food without a second wasted. When he was done, he put the tray and food aside and stood.
"They're safe now," he muttered before he entered his warp.
"Kid, look out!"
He turned only for his eyes to widen. Quickly, Izuku jumped back and appeared away from the muscular Noumu whose hand was being held back by the woman, an elastic hero wrapping herself around it, and a water whip holding the arms held by the light blue with fish gill helmet one.
There was no need to restrain himself. These Noumu's were not sentient and only followed Shigaraki or someone's command according to Aizawa-sensei.
"Hold it for a minute! Trust me, please!"
The heroes nodded and gritted and held back the monster.
"What do you mean restrain it!" One of the twins asked shooting the flight-type villain with projectiles. "We—"
"Agh!" The metal-masked man screamed as he was punched and kicked sent skidding back. He flinched at the metal knee pads of the Noumu burying into his guts. The muscular Noumu didn't waste time and elbowed one of the heroes flying.
"Flying villain inbound!"
One for All surged through him as red electricity arced on his body. He jumped and appeared behind the flying Noumu kicking it down to the ground with a crash and dust all over. Izuku didn't wait and summoned two warps on both sides. With a clap, he swallowed the wings with his quirk cutting it in the process without any reaction from it much to the shock of the heroes.
Extending his open palm arms forward, the sound of warps echoed in the air and wrapped the second Noumu until it quickly reached their waist. The warps closed when he formed a fist until it locked in on them. He flinched at the sharp sound cutting the flesh in half much to the shock of the heroes who gasped as the wingless type's arm snapped off and put it along with the torso elsewhere while the strength of its upper body lied unmoving on the ground. They let go of the monster.
"Kid! You killed them!"
"You don't understa—" Something flapped and he saw movements. His eyes widened when sharp bones from the wings connected with the now fallen monster and the land-bound half-body heading towards them—towards the lower body like some flying monster. The muscular one crawled towards its body fervently without a hint of desperation.
The others ran to intercept, but the winged one screeched with sounds capable of breaking glass.
"Look out!" The light blue hero screamed amidst the ringing.
Izuku ducked as the thing came swooping in and someone cried. The winged beast carried the rubber lady in its arms and the lower body in another. He thrust it back in place making it rain black blood and he gagged holding back the bile when the tendrils from the upper and lower body connected the two disconnected parts until they were once again one.
"What is that…" said a man, his voice wavering. "Monster."
"That's why we need to restrain it right away!" He hissed, not keeping his eyes away from the flying Noumu. They didn't know what abilities it would have so it was important to restrain it while they could! "No words can make it stop. It follows the orders of the League of Villains. How can we make it let her go?" He asked the others.
"Don't worry about us. Now that we know, we'll find a way to hold these two. Find Native, he was supposed to be here. I'm worried he might've encountered one of these things. If you see him, you've got our permission to use your quirks and help him. If he's fine, then tell him we need every hero here." The hero with a water quirk said turning to him.
Izuku turned abashed at being found out as still a student. He looked at the man hesitantly, wondering if he should do as he said knowing the intent behind their orders. They'd need all the help to defeat it, even from him, a young student or not.
"Don't worry, we got this. Go!" He then told Izuku where Native told them where he was some time ago. Izuku, looked at them hesitantly, before nodding and dashing.
He jumped between buildings and felt great that he was getting the hang of Full Cowl but he slipped and nearly landed face-first on the ground when his body protested. On his way, he turned on his hearing device and deliberately warned the people in worry he found to escape as he focused on clue about the hero.
Where is Native?
There was a lot of space to cover up so that he could come back to the Noumus soon enough.
He'd just have to search the streets around the location where he was manually. No need to tire himself more in this situation since people may still need help elsewhere. So, he searched but all around he found no trace of the hero. Did he already encounter a Noumu? Was where his thoughts went to. If he did, then the signs should be there, considering how reckless those monsters were. But there were none. Zero signs of any wanton destruction.
Izuku went to the other roads and streets by going through the alleys. Every road around, he searched as fast as he could in hopes that the hero didn't encounter any Noumus.
He didn't know how long he spent searching, but he paused from grunting voices and sounds of something hitting objects.
Someone needs help! But where was it? He followed the sounds as best as he could and if his guess was right then, it was just around the corner.
So, he ran and turned left, and there, lying still on the ground was Native, dressed like one of those native Americans. Before him was, a man in red shrouded in darkness with numerous blades and emitting an aura that had him breathless and his blood still. His efforts were paid when he saw two people, the one on the right kicking the other down. He knew it!
Who…. is this?
Was Native…., no he shouldn't think that. "Stop!" he said to the man.
A single look from this man had him shaking more than he already was. Sharp cold eyes stopped him in his tracks. Who was this…?
"This is no place for you kid, go home," he said. The deep voice chilled him to the bones and those sharp eyes felt like it gazed into his soul with its silent glare alone.
Gulping, he moved his fingers only to stop when the man said, "I wouldn't do that if I were you. My blade is faster than you could warp him away from me."
He knows! How did he know what he was about to do?!
Take him if you can, Izuku thought the man said.
He didn't doubt his word, but still, he'd have to find another way to save Native from this man. If this was who he thought it was, then the situation got worse since there was only one person who he knew in Hosu and killing heroes. If Ingenium, a pro hero, was defeated by this villain, then no doubt his chances were low. He just needed to get the injured hero out and then escape.
How sure was he that this was the Hero Killer? Hundred percent because Stain was still on the loose in Hosu and he couldn't imagine the perfect time to attack than on this night of chaos. Plus, all of Stain's victims were reported to have been in isolated places with few or no people at all. The fact that he passed by them was good—or bad!—luck for him.
"Heh." He grunted forcing a grin on his face and trying to keep himself upright. The evacuation still left him empty. He hoped Stain didn't see his other hand slipping into his pocket for his phone before he took his stance with his phone hand behind him. His fist shook to a more controllable stance this time when clenched. "I—I'll take my chances. I'm an aspiring hero, it's my job to save people. I couldn't be a hero if I can't save one, can I?" Eyes set determinedly, he replied to the man.
Stain shook his head and replied, "I warned you, kid."
Izuku dashed forward Full Cowl on full power bouncing along the walls. A momentary gasp came out of him when Stain was already on his way ready to swing the sword down but he spun midair and willed with all his might for his warp to take him away. The winds blew on his ear as he fell to the ground rolling and then skidding. Something followed him down and he knew it was not good so he turned raising his hand as something clanged on the ground behind him.
Stain was already onto him, landing on the ground, and swinging his old katana faster than he could follow. He evaded as best as he could, but it was getting close! When the vigilante swung his weapon, he jumped back holding open right hand out and the other to his waist forming to a fist. His fist punched the air with the hand appearing at Stain's side only for his opponent to slightly move with the knife on the other hand and throwing it at him. He pulled back out and sent waves of warp all around him only to pull back tilting his head to the side when Stain threw another knife at him.
He dived back and for a second, his vision darkened but when it returned, he could feel the ground on his foot as he then balanced himself as he skidded to a stop before Native.
With his fists ready, he let loose strong blows that made winds howl in Stain's direction. Not wasting time, he gritted his teeth for what he was about to do.
He imagined the clean white halls of Hosu General Hospital. The benches near the admission as he looked at the unmoving hero for a second before turning when he heard the gentle taps of something. Multiple warps surrounded his front in all directions and he hoped it would keep the vigilante away for a second before another appeared below the hero. A knife went past him, but he ignored it in favor of his concentration. It was all going to plan when he froze.
All around him, the portals disappeared leaving him standing defenseless before Stain. "What's… going on," he said glaring at the approaching villain brandishing his sword.
"Not bad." He smirked after licking his knife. "You've got a strong heart, kid. A strong will to face me alone despite the odds when others would have cowered before me. Stay there and I promise to let you go after I end this fake."
Izuku's eyes widened, that was how Stain killed his victim! Immobilizing them by licking their blood and then going for the kill! Where was he cut then? He then saw a tiny cut on the fist he used to nearly punch the vigilante. One small cut was all it took to render him still.
Not on his watch! No one would die! Move! He moved, or tried to, but his body denied any orders he had.
He could still talk, delay him! "Why are… you doing this."
Stain stood before him and looked at him directly in the eye. The gaze alone says it all, he was just toying with Izuku. "The word hero has lost its meaning. Villains run amok because they care only for fame, money, or the thrill with no care for what it means to be a hero. I aim to purge this world of fake heroes until only heroes like All Might remain. To return heroes to their roots."
His thoughts went to Endeavor for a second before he shook the thought away. Until he sees it for himself, heroes like Endeavor will be a dime in a dozen amid all the heroes out there. Come on! He willed One for All and his Warp but still, he remained locked in place.
"A hero is a job like being a policeman is! They're just being paid as compensation for their service to the community." A hero is just as risky and dangerous a profession as a fireman, policeman, or even a soldier."
"The hero became a job. A status for anyone to use to climb up in life losing its original meaning. A hero should be a job for those willing to help and bear anything without exchange." The man leaned forward until their faces were an inch apart, the man's hot breath on his face. The intensity of the boring red eyes made him shiver. "That is my goal. To cull the unworthy heroes."
That won't do! He won't let anyone die on his watch! Move! Come on, Izuku! Move! He grunted and moaned for all his attempts. He could hear Stain's footsteps away from him and closer to Native.
"Who are you to decide who's unworthy or not?! You don't know them personally! Ingenium only wanted to help people. Why would you cut his dream and life in half. Who gave you the right, Stain!"
His anger blew up thinking about Iida, his friend, crying and despondent with the loss of his brother's mobility. "Who are you to decide that Stain!? No one decides that for others."
Stain's steps stopped, and Izuku expected him to say something, anything really, but no. His steps continued to the down Native. Damn it! Stop! Stop it! He clenched his fist, but nothing. A movement of foot, but still no. Only numbness in his limbs!
"Stain!" Someone screamed. Stain grunted and flew rolling past him at high speeds. "Midoriya-kun! Are you okay?" he asked putting a hand on his shoulder. "You worried me when you sent your location without reason."
"Iida?" He asked. If he could move, he would've turned his head but he was stuck! This was the worst thing that could happen. Tensei-san's killer was right here! He hoped that it was any of his classmates that went for him and not Iida of all people! "I can't move and use my warp. You'll have to move Native out of here. And don't let him lick your blood or he'll paralyze you."
"Heh, heh, heh." Stain chuckled. "Good observation. But is your friend fast enough to escape me?"
"Yes." Izuku glared at him confident at his friend's ability. He knew Iida was fast, but he didn't know what else Stain could do. As soon as he could move that is, he needed to transport the injured Native. "Run, Iida. Take him with you."
"I can't leave you here with him!"
He ground his teeth. Now was not the time for his friend's stubbornness! "Leave me! His target is Native, not me! Go!"
How long does his quirk take effect? There has to be a limit on how long he can immobilize others! Does the difference in blood type, amount of blood, or even time limit when the blood was ingested affect it? The answer for Izuku was a sure one of those, yes—maybe even all three of them at once—, but he can't be wholly too sure. Surely there was something more to this than what was shown.
"Another fake in our society that needs to be culled."
"Fake hero….," Iida muttered. "All my brother ever did was be a good hero as he can. He did it not for praise, fame, or money. All he wanted was to help! Is that what you call fake!"
"Heh." Stain grinned. "I let Ingenium live to send a message. I saw his clear desire but he came between me and a fake. Such is life. Things happen even without one intending to."
The sound of gloves stretching and tightening reached his ears. He was sure that if he looked behind, his friend's fist tightened ready to punch anyone.
"Run Iida!" he pleaded. Revenge would not bring back what happened to Tensei-san! "Please. Don't lose yourself at this time."
"I see now." Stain in disappointment shook his head. "It's disappointing to see a young one such as you prioritizing your revenge over saving his life, unlike your friend."
"You made me this way, Stain! I'll stop you in the name of Ingenium! In the name of my brother!"
"Oh, so you're his brother."
If only Izuku could move, damn it all! "Run, Iida!"
Wind blew past him and he cursed himself for his weakness because his friend was about to suffer from his mistakes once more. Thuds and grunts came behind him. Izuku would not let Iida suffer! He once again tried to move, my finger's twitching! "C'mon!" He gritted.
Hang on, Iida! Slowly, his body's movements slowly recovered from the tiniest movements of his toes to his buckling knees. All of his efforts were rewarded when the red electricity arced all over his body once more. He turned and dashed Full Cowl flowing in him then appeared above Stain with an axe kick.
The kick thundered and sent dust and rocks flying from the ground, but he was not done yet! He jumped towards his left then towards the sky, a single glance was all he needed to see that Stain went for him faster this time. Izuku was faster when he now appeared in front of Iida and Native.
Iida stood there wide-eyed, but he created multiple portals all over covering them. Ignoring his slumping and protesting body, Izuku grabbed the unconscious Native and threw it on one of the warp gates.
He quickly turned and chased after the villain jumping at the walls, meeting him as Stain dashed towards them.
"Run, Iida!" he ordered, before running forward at one of the warps. The first thing he saw was the sky and the ground below him. With a press of a button, a grappling hook shot from his belt and into a wall pulling him and then passing by Stain. He grabbed a metal railing and his legs curled in preparation as he released the hook shot, kicked the wall, and pushed downward with a One-for-All powered kick. Jumping to the other wall then to Stain who was behind Iida who ducked. He cocked his fist back and ready to punch as he neared their opponent.
When Izuku punched, he was not shocked that he evaded his strikes by sidestepping midair out of his sight to the right. Not one to let another paralysis happen, spun and a loud thud met his ankle before hearing a grunt just as he landed. He winced as his legs flared painfully when he landed. One moment he was on the ground, the second, Izuku rolled—wincing constantly— and stopped when he dug his hands into the ground and held to it.
Someone screaming? Iida! was his first thought.
His vision went wobbly but he could see Stain far away with his sword piercing the pavement. He shivered from the coldness throughout his body as he stared at the vigilante all the while heat radiated from him exerting too much, but ignoring the protests of his body. Iida was not going to let this one go, and may even go as far as to avenge his brother no matter what happens.
"Why are you protecting the fakes. They are needed to be culled for the rise of new heroes."
Ignoring Stain, he glanced at the side shaking his head to see Iida still there. The only consolation was that Native was gone. Though he had to apologize later for harshly throwing him in his haste.
The thought of Iida doing something he'd regret didn't sit well with him. "Iida," he calmly said. "Run."
"I'm sorry, but I can't, Midoriya-kun. For the sake of others, I have to stop Stain here and now. We can't let him have another victim"
"Run!" Damn it! He had to be stubborn, it had to be now.
With narrowed his eyes, Stain pointed the sword at them. But he knew it was for Iida. "For others? Or for your revenge, Ingenium's brother."
"It's true, that there is the desire for revenge in my heart," Iida replied. His voice shook, and just from that he could feel the anger emanating. "But it is not a hero my brother would be proud of. I won't let my emotions sway me anymore. I want to make my brother proud! I, no, we will stop you harming others like you did Tensei-niisan!"
The pressure, he breathed heavily, came back on the double this time that he even heard Iida's breath hitched. "A petty excuse for a fake like you! Fakes cannot be reformed." Stain disappeared in front of them.
Move Izuku! His eyes roam their narrow battlefield, before dashing forward while crying silently about his leg, arms ready to strike where he knew Stain was going.
Iida! He thought as his eyes widened before turning, going to his friend who avoided Stain's vicious blade attacks. From behind, Izuku elbowed Stain but he ducked and lost his balance, and was sent flying back all of a sudden. He reached out to a small warp with a firm to the wall somewhere around. He smacked his hand into it with gritted teeth as he did so leaving a skid mark elsewhere. His speed slowed until his back hit the wall softer than what he was supposed to receive before falling to the ground and breathing heavily.
Stain and Iida fought swords against hand. His friend was skilled at melee combat, but his severe disadvantage against Stain's vicious strikes was clear. Izuku went back to the fight even with his fatigued body screaming to stop. He punched and kicked, but Stain ducked and one minute he was fighting, the second he was flying one more screaming from the pain in his abdomen and back.
With great effort, he dislodged himself from the wall and fell to the ground gasping for air for a second. His mind said to give up and let his body rest, but his heart grew more determined even with the pain as he forced himself to get back up and rushed back to Stain.
He didn't know how long the fight lasted, but he and Iida panted—more him than his friend—with Stain only looking rugged but otherwise fine. Their adversary approached once more, and he ducked, uppercutting the enemy. Stain's sword swung down against him, but relief swelled in him when a kick sent the arm away from him giving him time to kick him below. Stain jumped back but he was onto him with the combination of Full Cowl and warp in an instant going behind him with a vicious punch.
A sword met his hand, but he willed a warp swallowing the sword on the other side and his hand on the other causing Stain to grunt and hunch forward as his hand hit him on the body followed by an uppercut.
Iida screamed making Izuku jump back as Stain then flew up. Bounding between walls, he took the open chance to strike their opponent. With his Full Cowl on its most powerful, he uppercut the still vulnerable Stain while he saw Iida from above with a downward kick.
Stain spun and Izuku flinched when a blade cut his suit and grazed his skin. Damn it, no!
The numb sensation returned but managed to wave his hand before he froze and the wind whirling on his hearing like a stirring storm. He grunted with Iida when he hit the ground back first.
"A nice but futile attempt," Stain said landing in front of them.
"Iida!" he screamed feeling his friend's pain just from the scream alone. "Stain!"
"Do not worry, I'll make sure he dies swiftly without pain."
I'm sorry I got you into this mess, Iida. The edges of his vision blurred and brimmed with moisture but his fist tightened. No more! He had to do something!
He screamed defiantly at the top of his lungs. He was not as powerless as before! The familiar red arc of electricity from One for All coursed through his body and little by little his limbs regained their movements. "I won't let you hurt him or anyone else!"
A scorching thick wall of fire bathed the alley in red and orange followed by a continuous blast of recognizable chilling large silver-white ice and a dark shadow. Footsteps clanged against the pavement. Two pairs? He thought unsurely.
"Midoriya, Iida." He sighed in relief hearing Todoroki's calm voice. "Are you okay."
His eyes widened at that voice. "They are, thanks to your timely arrival."
"Can you move, Izuku?" Another voice said.
He recognized that voice. Slowly he looked up and the hooded form of "Haimawari-san? You're the Muller?" he asked despite his hoarse voice and situation. Stain first, questions later.
Wobbling legs stood unevenly while his body shivered. From anger, defiance, fear? He didn't know, but he was shivering so and brimming with energy despite his body's protests.
"Call me Crawler," he replied somewhat cheerfully going to stand in front of him with Todoroki making his somewhat form-fitting red All Might hoodie clear "Even after all these years. I never thought I'd meet you again Stendhal."
"It's a shame you protect these fakes, Crawler."
"Isn't that a hero's job? To protect even heroes, Stendhal." Was his somewhat carefree reply.
A small smirk formed on Stain's lips. "That's what the brat said too. But you won't stop me like last time. The unworthy will be culled!"
Stain dashed forward. Crawler held on his hands just as a tall wall of ice rose in front of them. The ice cracking resounded within the small space of the alley and a clean-cut ice block was sent flying back towards them.
Izuku held out a hand ignoring his weakening body. Behind them, it crashed into the ground at the same time Stain rushed towards them.
Another ice wall formed between them and the vigilante but the other man's dark figure cut it in half and then jumped into the air, to which Todoroki blew with fire. Crawler slid on the wall, Izuku had the mind to open a warp for him as he approached at high speeds. Crawler entered it and came out above and behind Stain intercepting him with a kick.
When the fire stopped, a knife came flying towards the three of them which was blocked by Todoroki. He wobbled at first, but he took the left side and ran then fired his grappling hook ahead to pull him along with a Full Cowl push towards the Crawler and Stain who fought in melee.
Izuku slid and swept the foot of Stain, who jumped as heavy footsteps joined in with Iida grunting loudly. Izuku followed with an upward punch, but he hit nothing but the air.
"Midoriya!" Iida screamed holding back a knife with his armored fist. Hands grabbed Stain from behind and thrown back far away from them.
"Move!" He didn't have to question Todoroki's words and jumped to the side as a block of huge ice went towards their foe only to be cut by a sword. The defense built by Todoroki didn't stop the vigilante from jumping above the wall but Crawler rapidly rapidly fired white spherical energy things from his palms.
Two small warps appeared near Crawler's hands making rain all around Stain. Izuku met Stain head-on, not even deterred by his sharp determined glare, he kneed him but his opponent caught it with his free hand as they fell towards the ice. He punched the other but he grunted when he fell to his side.
Second later, he was looking up and seeing the sky. He turned screaming, "Smash!" at the top of his lungs. A white blur came rising towards the sliding vigilante confronted by Crawler.
This time for sure! He pumped what little energy he could muster. His fist met Stain's back sending him down meeting with Iida's kicking strike from the left and Crawler's fist on the right.
He appeared and landed kneeling on the ground just behind Todoroki in time to see a huge dust cloud forming. after a loud impact. His wary eyes kept on it with vigilance because he wouldn't believe that it was enough to stop Stain.
When the dust dissipated, he ran eyes wide towards a downed Iida supported by Crawler. No pain stopped him from checking on his injured friend. "Iida!" he screamed noticing the red liquid flowing down on his legs. He grabbed his first aid kit and put pressure on the wound all the while ignoring and sensation his body felt, the burn of his every muscle, and the lave in his chest. "Are you okay?" he asked as he did so.
Iida winced and smiled at him who even with his ragged look, still was prim and proper. "I'm fine, Midoriya-kun. Just my leg." His gaze turned to the fallen tied-up vigilante. "I'm sorry for worrying you. I'm sorry for putting you in more danger."
"You should worry about yourself more," Todoroki commented and when Izuku glanced at him, he was looking at his leg. "I'll strip Stain of his weapons."
Izuku glanced at his leg offhandedly. "It's not as deep as Iida-kun's."
"Urh…." All heads turned to Stain when he groaned standing up. Izuku froze. Even with the four of them, Stain can still stand up?!
"Get out!" Todoroki shouted.
With every step, it echoed in the calm they earned. The man walked, hobbling and waving like the ocean current. He ignored Crawler and Todoroki in front of him while he recovered his strength and the lost air in his lungs.
Stain mumbled something, and he wasn't sure he would like to hear it but the man knelt before him.
"Save…"
"Save… save?" He managed to speak letting his curiosity get the best of him. With a sharp yet determined look on his face, Stain muttered something as he gripped his shoulders so tightly that Izuku winced.
Stain muttered something, an address. Who did he want to save? The thought of Stain wanting to save anyone was beyond crazy or impossible for Izuku but pushed the thought away.
"Her." Stain fell a second later letting go of the gauze he held and catching him.
His brows furrowed and a million thoughts came to him as to what the relation of her to the infamous vigilante was. Mother? Sister? Aunt? Or god forbid, his kid? Why did he want her saved anyway, that was what was running through his mind. It's possible, or most likely, that someone was after those close to Stain after what he did to all those heroes. Just like Iida, he frowned at that dark thought.
Whoever it was, related to Stain or not, he'd save her.
It has been long but yeah, I've outlined a lot for this story that hadn't been written yet. The scenes and the words only existing in my mind for now. lol But I'm slowly writing it.
note: re-edit this in the future.