Present

Something was off.

As Izuku slowly blinked his eyes open, the sterile white walls of the hospital room came into focus. It took a moment for him to remember where he was – the last thing he remembered was after what felt like an eternity, was the fact he was finally left alone to sleep.

For the last few hours of visiting, Katsuki never left his side. He was fiercely protective of his childhood friend, lashing out at anyone who dared to approach them. Katsuki's temper flared at the hospital staff, classmates, Izuku's family, and the guards. His behavior became increasingly erratic, creating tension and chaos in the already stressful environment of the hospital.

Security was called multiple times to intervene in Katsuki's outbursts, but he refused to back down. He was determined to keep Izuku safe at all costs, even if it meant alienating everyone around him. In a desperate attempt to maintain order, hospital staff ultimately made the difficult decision to escort Katsuki out of the building. Izuku was beyond confused over Bakugo's sudden protectiveness towards him. It left him feeling perplexed and uncertain. After all, for as long as he can remember, Katsuki has always been the one to bully and belittle him. Now, however, it seems that Katsuki is going out of his way to keep Izuku safe, even going as far as to get himself kicked out of the hospital to protect him.

Izuku can't help but wonder what had sparked this change in Katsuki, and if it had to do with Izuku being in the coma, but as his mother put a tray with food in front of him with a glass of orange juice, he put the thought aside and thanked her for the food.

"You deserve a good meal after that long 'nap'," she said, trying to joke lightly, but Izuku could tell it didn't match her tone as she wanted it to. She sat down on the chair beside his bed.

"Will Bakugo revert to his old ways once we're out of the sight of their classmates?" Izuku couldn't help but wonder to himself out loud as he dug in, his eyes heavy with sleep and his mind foggy from the medication.

His mother spoke up. But Izuku didn't hear her, lost in his daze as he tried to shake off the remnants of a restless night.

He mumbled a response, not quite coherent, as he rubbed his eyes and tried to focus on his surroundings. His mom smiled gently as she sat beside him, offering him comfort and support as he slowly returned to reality.

His mother watched him from beside, the comforting aroma of breakfast fills the room, and he can't help but smile at his mother's thoughtfulness. She sits across from him, her legs hanging swiftly and her eyes filled with love and concern as she reaches out to squeeze his hand. "Good morning sweetheart."

"Mornin' mom," Izuku said with his mouth full as he dug into the pancakes she made him, the warmth and love in the food washed away the remnants of fatigue that had been plaguing him. He felt his energy returning as he savored each bite, knowing it was going to be a rough day.

"Do you remember anything yet?" Ink asked, her tone light as if she was careful not to upset him. When Izuku stopped eating, looked out the window and shook his head, she smiled sadly, squeezing his hand again. "You got this my baby, but if you ever want me to come and pick you up you know I'm always a phone call away." She repeated herself for the 100th time this morning and he couldn't help but give her a small smile. "And if you remember anything, anything at all, be sure to come straight to me first, not the authorities."

Izuku frowned, looking up at her quickly when she said this. "Authorities? Why would you want-" Before he could continue to question his mother, a voice interrupted him. He turned and looked over at the figure at the door.

"Izuku has me," they growled, startling Izuku by how his voice was. "I can bring him back just fine, he won't get captured again on my watch." He saw that it was Bakugo, his childhood friend and former rival, his gut turned; Bakugo was leaning on the wall beside the entrance door, watching the green-haired comrade. Izuku could see the worry etched in Bakugo's eyes, but his face showed an expression he couldn't read.

"M-Mr. Bakugo!" Inko exclaimed, getting up and bowing as she greeted him. He gave a curt nod before he strode into the hospital room, his usual fiery demeanor softening as he got closer. "I-I hope you had a good night's rest."

"I did, Midoriya. I appreciate the dinner." Bakugo bowed in a welcoming manner as well, smiling as they hugged. Izuku frowned at the sudden kindness towards his mother from Bakugo, but he held back from asking. He'd mention it later.

Inko gives him one of her slight "I love you son" looks, and sits back down. Bakugo turns away from his mother and more into the room beside Izuku. He put his hands in his pockets and looked down, eyeing Izuku's physical state. He felt a pang of guilt and worry wash over him, but he pushed it away quickly. He approached Izuku tentatively, unsure of how to start the conversation. "Hey, Deku," he began softly, using the nickname only he was allowed to call him. "Let's go, nerd."

Izuku looked back over at his mom who gave nothing away. He then plastered a fake smile up at the blonde and nodded. "Okay, Kacchan."

Something was off. Definitely.

Past

Izuku Midoriya had been patrolling the streets as All Might had taught him, always vigilant and ready to intervene in case of any trouble. Little did he know that trouble would soon find him in the form of a group of villains who had been watching his every move. As he turned a corner, he was suddenly surrounded by a group of masked individuals, each armed with weapons and ready to strike.

Izuku's heart raced as he tried to assess the situation and come up with a plan to escape, but before he could even react, the villains lunged at him from all sides. He fought back with all his might, using his Quirk to try and fend them off, but they were relentless in their attack. Despite his best efforts, Izuku soon found himself overwhelmed and outnumbered.

The villains managed to subdue Izuku, binding his hands and feet so he couldn't escape. They laughed triumphantly as they dragged him away, their sinister intentions becoming clear as they taunted him with threats and promises of pain. Izuku struggled against his captors, but it was futile - he had fallen right into their trap.

As Izuku was taken away, he couldn't help but feel a sense of defeat wash over him. He had been so focused on being a hero and helping others that he had let his guard down, allowing himself to be ambushed and captured by those who sought to do him harm. Now, he could only hope that help would come in time to save him from whatever fate awaited him at the hands of these villains.

A few hours later:

Izuku slowly opens his eyes, the darkness enveloping him like a suffocating blanket. The cold permeates his bones, causing him to shiver uncontrollably. Blood stains the floor beneath him, its metallic scent filling his nostrils. Panic sets in as he tries to remember how he ended up in this nightmarish place. As his vision starts to clear, he sees a familiar figure standing in front of him, bathed in shadows.

Remembering the events from previously, Izuku's heart races as he realizes the gravity of the situation. Shigaraki's cold, calculating gaze locks onto him, sending a shiver down his spine. The villain's presence fills the room with a palpable sense of dread, and Izuku knows that he is in very real danger. With a sinking feeling in his stomach, Izuku braces himself for whatever horrifying fate Shigaraki has in store for him.

"So you're the one that boss wanted." As Izuku struggled to comprehend his surroundings, Shigaraki spoke in a chillingly calm voice. "You're not very impressive to me." His voice hinged on jealousy and hatred. There was a grunt of annoyance and he spat. "He's interested in you."

Shigaraki's resentment towards Izuku is not solely based on the orders he received, but also on his personal feelings of inadequacy and jealousy. Seeing Izuku as a potential threat to his power and authority, Shigaraki's sense of superiority is threatened, fuelling his animosity towards the young hero. The idea of training Izuku as an apprentice to All For One is a bitter pill for Shigaraki to swallow, as he must confront his insecurities and fears of being replaced.

His inner turmoil and conflicting emotions add a layer of complexity to Shigaraki's character, showcasing the internal struggle between his duty to his master and his personal feelings towards Izuku. He scratches his neck again, his nails digging more into the skin as he stares with wide eyes at the boy inside the cell. The scratches on Shigaraki's neck serve as a physical manifestation of his deep-seated anger, a constant reminder of the unsettling task he was forced to undertake.

Before Izuku could even begin to formulate a plan of escape, Shigaraki swiftly delivered a powerful blow that sent Izuku spiraling into unconsciousness. All he could do was succumb to the darkness and prepare himself for whatever awaited him in the clutches of the League of Villains.

The last thing Izuku saw before everything faded to black was Shigaraki's twisted grin, etched with malice.