Author notes: Here you go next chapter... yupiii! I mean... great! Ughhhh... -Speech- "quoted or custom name of something" (-Hunt Or Be Hunted-) Time skip or change of prespective Chapter 2: Motivations and convictions Thankfully, the doctor's secret base wasn't far away from his home, so he had time to arrange everything in his head in the right place. So, to put it simply, somebody beat the shit out of him, and it was probably Katsuki and his goons. Then he met the shark guy and saved that woman... and he met Knuckleduster. He met goddamn Knuckleduster, one of the greatest heroes Japan has known. He was actually one of his two most favorite ones. He always respected his fighting style and manner of being himself. He was always sure of himself, he always had a smile on his face. He beat bad guys with powerful quirks left and right and... to this day, nobody actually knows what his quirk might be. He seriously thought his quirk was his brass knuckles or something like that, but it appeared to not be an issue. Maybe it has something to do with his reflexes? No. Probably not. He deflated visibly. What is he thinking about? He is again distracting himself from the most important thing that just happened. Somebody believed in him, and it was his idol. But he didn't know he was... Deku... quirkless, defenseless Deku who cannot hurt a fly even if he wants to because of how much of a loser he is. And what is the worst of it, he behaved like some sort of lunatic, jumping up and down, and then leaving without a word. What is worse is that halfway home, he figured out he still has handcuffs on his hands. So he rummaged his pockets again and thankfully found the keys he was looking for. Here he is, walking again next to the memorial on his way home. How long was he even there? His wounds were completely treated. He was sure he cracked some ribs that time. -Dang, my mom is so going to kill me.- Hu murmured and fasten his walking. He again thought about that day that still haunts him in his dreams, and well... supposed power of All Might that he now has. He didn't tell anybody about this, who would believe him anyway. From that fateful day, he tried anew everything just to unlock this impossibly strong power with no success. Maybe he was mistaken? And all of this was a ruse? A trick of his desperate mind. Wait, I am actually not that desperate. Right?... -Right?...- He asked himself softly while looking at his apartment door. He sighed and rummaged his pockets for keys. Damn it. He lost them probably in that alley, no, his mom cannot afford another exchange of locks, he cannot do that to her! He opened his yellow All Might backpack special edition and sought it for his phone. Huff, at least the phone is intact and his books are seemingly in place. - Oh, there they are. - He said, looks like somebody put his keys inside after all. Probably Knuckleduster did. He blinked. He still could not believe what happened to him in the span of those few hours. He felt a hand on his shoulder. When he spun around carefully, he saw his mother's worried face. He tried to smile awkwardly. -H-Hi Mom!- He said, but after a harsh glare from his mother, he entered the house, leaving his boots behind, and went into his room. He unloaded his books onto the shelves and desperately tried to formulate a plan. But when he was halfway through organizing his items, he found a note from Knuckleduster. In the note, Knuckleduster suggested that it would be a good idea to use a public phone instead of his private one, to "never be too careful." He fully agreed, as he wouldn't want to be seen as an apprentice of the infamous vigilante. He blinked. -Wait, do I seriously consider this?- He asked himself, falling into a storm of muttering that he couldn't fully comprehend. How did it even happen? One day, he just met someone who told him he was a hero and offered to train him, and this person was none other than Knuckleduster. And how did he react to that news? He just left without a word, while taking the note. What is wrong with him? Is this his trauma speaking again? His mom couldn't afford therapy, so he didn't really have any choice. Sometimes he just zones out, which is helpful when dealing with Bakugo. It discourages him greatly when his victim isn't screaming bloody murder. -Freaking psycho...- He murmured and turned around to go talk, but it seems his mom beat him to it. She stood in the doorway with her standard worried expression, arms folded, and tapping her foot. - Who is a psycho honey?- She said and he turned to a mess of stuttering again. -No y-you s-see m-mom I have found t-this w-woman in that alley and I couldn't just help myselfsoijustrunnedstraightforwardandstoppedsharkguyandrunnedawayandihavecompletlythisinmymindisweariamsayingthetruth...- His mom stopped his mutter storm by hugging him and he flinched, then calmed down and melted down in her embrace. -Oh Izuku, my baby, you must never do things like that again.- She held him still. Well, it seems like she understood him even if he couldn't. Damn it, now he doesn't even know what she knows. But his thoughts already drifted away, as always, towards the very confusing vigilante who just saved his life and offered him a chance. Does he really want to trust him just like that? What does he even want to train him for? He is not stupid enough to actually came after wanted vigilante. Is he? -Hunt Or Be Hunted- He doesn't even know what the hell he is doing right now. He should be on his way home, studying, or watching All Might videos all day like he always does. But something didn't let him slide that opportunity. It was a once-in-a-lifetime offer that will change his life. However, he has to, so he just stares at the nearby public payphone as if it is some dangerous creature trying to bite him if he gets too close. -Jeez kid, for fuck's sake, call her already! What are you waiting for? This phone won't bite ya,- said some homeless man, completely misunderstanding his dilemma. This made him jump and go 'Eep,' causing his face to turn red as he collapsed into a flurry of excuses. After composing himself, he realized that the homeless man was already asleep, so his explanations were wasted on him. - Sigh - He has to? He will never forgive himself if he does not do that. Hardening his resolve, he grabs the phone and dials the number, paying for the service. For a while, the phone just beeps, and suddenly there is a connection. -Finally, kid, I do not have all day for you. I am actually proud; I thought you would never manage to pick up this damn phone,- he said and chuckled. Izuku became increasingly flustered, but when something clicked, he just stood still. -Ahh... I said too much for you, kid? I do not have time for pointless bickering and staring contests, so get up to the car already, and we will be on our way,- he said from the phone and the car behind him. How the hell did he even sneak up behind him with a car? No, this just feels wrong! Is he going to be kidnapped?! Knuckleduster is in a classical American car, looking at him intently through the glasses, wearing what he always wears but without his mask. When he looked at the car, he was almost sure it was a Ford Mustang Mach 1 from 1969. It was purely museum-like and an ancient car, even its plates were colored for cars that are antiques. He just lifted his glasses and looked at the poor trembling kid. -Listen here, short stuff. Are you going or not? I promise you that when this is all over, you will return to your mother in the evening. I can even drive you back, discreetly of course. You wouldn't want to be caught in the things I do in my second identity, would you?- He said, sounding bored as if he was reading a book. He didn't hesitate anymore and went from the other side to the open door and sat down, fastening his seatbelt and drilling holes into Knuckleduster's head. He just raised an eyebrow and started the car with a tire's swish, causing Izuku to slam down into his seat. He looked at Knuckleduster, who wasn't using seatbelts at all. Furthermore, he was smoking a cigarette, but at least his gaze was focused on the road. Izuku audibly gulped. Something told him this is going to be one of the longest days of his life. -Hunt Or Be Hunted- Katsuki couldn't believe what he had just seen with his own eyes. One thing was certain - that nerd at school today was even weirder than before. He didn't even flinch at Katsuki's attempts to mock him, and what was even more interesting was that he didn't respond when the teacher gave Deku a traditional detention and threatened to call his mother. Deku just stared at him blankly. When school ended, he sprinted out and took a completely different route than usual. And then, he started talking on the phone. A fancy-looking car stopped, and a guy who looked like a gangster spoke to him. Deku got into the car and drove away with him. -Just what the fuck did I witness? Did Deku just get kidnapped? - Katsuki stood there for a while, looking around for someone. What gives? He is just a shitty useless Deku, I guess this nerd will finally do something useful and give this world a favor by stopping breathing. But Auntie Inko would be sad, and when Auntie Inko is sad, his old hag would not leave him for months. He sneered, I guess my first heroic deed would be taking you to justice shitty Deku. Just wait. Somebody will finally put this nerd in his place. So he took out a phone and dialed a number. -Hunt Or Be Hunted- Izuku didn't know what to think of this place. This was a freaking dump. Did he just make this overexaggerated entrance just to drive him up to the Takoba Beach? Seriously, he could just go there on his own. And the way he was driving, he still held his lunch, trying not to puke from this rollercoaster. Now Knuckleduster was just standing before him, laughing uproariously at him. -What? Do you expected some dojo or secret garage ring or something kid? If you are, you got quite the imagination, most of us began exactly here, born in the stink and rust, hardened by work and strict discipline ending on a strong drive. But the question remains... do you have one?- After this speech he extanded his hand towards Izuku. He clenched his fists and met his gaze with steel determination. But as he was about to take a step forward, he got punched straight in the face, causing him to roll back and see stars.-First rule, kid, always be vigilant. In our line of work, we always need to watch our backs. second...- As soon as Izuku stood on his feet, the person came up behind him and shuffled his legs with a kick to the correct position.-You need to position your legs. The most important thing about throwing a punch is not to recoil from your own blow.- And the hellish training began in earnest. -Hunt Or Be Hunted- He was lying on the ground, bloodied and bruised, but he felt strange. He didn't feel like that after being ruthlessly beaten down by Bakugo. - -I just beat the shit out of you for the eighth time today and you are smiling. You are goddamn mad, you know that?- Knuckleduster asked, mirroring Izuku's expression with his own. The teen gasped and felt himself being fireman-carried towards the car. - Do not worry, kid. This time, and only this time, the doctor is going to take care of your well-being,- he said while smirking in a Bakugo-like way. But it wasn't directed at anyone; he just had that kind of smirk and managed to not look like a psychopath. Well, maybe a little, but Izuku wasn't scared of that expression anymore. Maybe the first time and the first spar and the rules were like that, but soon, without himself knowing, he was grinning as madly as Knuckleduster in person. . -It's not like you could beat me or anyone else. I bet even those twigs from drugstafu would kick your ass as you are right now. But you have drive, and that is what is most important. And don't expect to make major improvements yet. This is your first day, short stuff, so keep your expectations high but not too high. Are we understood?- Knuckleduster lectured, and Izuku just grunted in affirmation. Izuku glanced halfway towards the trash bin that they had filled up with junk from the beach today. His stomach swelled with some sense of pride. Knuckleduster released him, and he soon saw the same lizard doctor who had helped him when he was beaten by the shark villain. But this time, he was dressed in a hoodie that hid his face, making his glowing reptile eyes shine in the dark, creating a menacing aura around him. However, when he saw his All Might collection and everything that this man had done, he didn't feel intimidated in the slightest. -You are good? I do not have much time kid, get this shirt off.- Lizard doctor said making Izuku raise an eyebrow and looked at Knuckleduster that just grinned at him. So he shrugged and did as he pleased, the next thing was most suprising thing he ever expireneced in his life. Lizardman started gagging. Izuku nervously fidgeted in place, looking between the gagging lizard and Knuckleduster, who was grinning wider and wider, nearly splitting his skull in half. Then he felt like he got splashed with sludge all over his body. It reeked like a corpse, if he knew how decomposed corpses reeked. Instead, he just gagged and almost threw up too. -What the hell, man?!- Izuku asked. And as soon as he said those words, his bruises, cuts, and fractures healed instantly. It was like a miracle. -Never mind, this is awesome!- Watching the change of mood so rapidly could be very concerning for someone else, but for Izuku's case, it was normal. So the Lizard doctor just laughed in his raspy way at the young boy's antics. -You know, many people have said many things about my quirk in my life. One said it was disgusting, others said it was villainous, and even one said it was interesting... It's bad that he wanted to vivisect me too.- He smiled, showing off his impressive fangs.- But this is the first time somebody said it was awesome. You are one of a kind, kid.- He ruffled Izuku's hair, muttering something about fluffiness and broccoli. He quickly had been purse snatched by a knuckleduster who took him under his arm like luggage. -Enough of this, kid. It's time to take you home.- he said, and they drove the car towards the road. Soon enough, Izuku was at the doorstep of his house, grinning like a little kid who got everything he wanted for Christmas. He fidgeted with his keys in a happy manner and opened the door. -Mom! I'm home!- he shouted cheerfully, skipping to the living room. But when he entered, he saw his mom sitting on the sofa, and in the armchair was a man dressed in a trenchcoat that reminded him of old detective movies. His face moved towards the man on autopilot, and he looked him in the eyes.-Ahhh, Midoriya-san, what an interesting time you have arrived indeed.- he said, nodding his head in acknowledgment while gesturing to the seat next to his mother. For a while, they just stared at each other, he at the man in the trenchcoat, his mom at him, and he at his mom. And it continued like that until his mom spoke. =Izuku are you in a gang?- -WHAT?!- -Hunt Or Be Hunted- -WHAT?!- He yelled and he swore; his scream almost shook the entire room. At this point, his mouth just hung open in bewilderment. Trenchcoat man took this as a sign to introduce himself. -You see, Midoriya-san, my name is Naomasa Tsukauchi, and I am a detective who takes care of gangs such as the Red Monkeys and Gators. We also have sufficient proof that you may be acquainted with someone from such places. I would like for this to be quickly over, so my quirk is a lie detector, and I will use this power to aid in the interrogation. May we continue?- His mom was already leaking tears like there is no tomorrow. -Oh, do not worry, by the way. We only want to hear you out as a witness,for now. So?...- - I, uh- Izuku slapped himself on the head in an exasperated manner. - I do not belong to a gang, and I do not believe that my mentor belongs to one either. - He says with unwavering conviction. In Naomasa Tsukauchi's mind, this rings true. He nods. - Why don't you believe that this person is affiliated with any gang? Can you provide us with contact information about this person? - Naomasa Tsukauchi asks, raising his eyebrow. Izuku stills his resolve.-No, I know he would be one of the people to stop people like them first, and no I cannot.- Izuku says. detective raises eyebrow even further.-My I infrom you that witholding any information...- Detective begans but Izuku beats him to it. -No, I canot because this person doesn't uses phones like that, and he is not a gangster.- Izuku says gritting his teeth trying to crawl out of this hole. Naomasa just stares at him for a while then sighs when it registers as "truth" or what this kid belives as truth. -Do you know what "short stuff" means in gang codes? That means package is here, your mentor uses an obscure cars that those types of gangsters are using. their recognizable feature are mainly steel knuckles.- Izuku actually giggled. Naomasa just watched him in some kind of amusement. -No, I think Iwao-sensei calls me short stuff because I am actually short and he would never use any steel knuckles he is saying they are way to light to carry into a fight.- Izuku says before catching himself in the act. Naomasa eyes widen in recogniction and then... he just sighs. -Listen here, kid. If it were anyone other than me, you would be in deep trouble. But for now, I have to get going. I can assure you that I will take care of things on my end.- He said while standing up.- And if your mentor is the person I think he is, I would have a serious talk with him about his choice of locations.- He looks more tired by the second and scratches his face, mumbling something about "being too tired for this shit" or something. - I thank you both for your cooperation, and I think I already got what I needed to know. You do not have to worry, Inko-san. I believe your son will understand, and this will be the first and last of such misunderstandings. I wish you both a good night.- He said while leaving the house, and Izuku's mom locked the door with a click. He didn't need to see the angry expression on her face to know he screwed up. -Izuku, you are grounded.- she said as a statement.- -Why didn't you tell me about meeting someone? You don't even know him. What if he wants to hurt you? You know, when they were checking recordings with me and I saw you jump into that car, my heart almost stopped right there.- she said, sounding increasingly teary, making Izuku feel the same. He didn't have anything to justify that. Secondly, it was just unfair to his mom. -I' am very s-sorry mom, I-I j-just wanted to get stronger.- He said lunging at his mother and locking her in a bear hug and she returned the gesture almost cracking Izuku's ribs in the process. And so they were there trying to talk above eachother and exchange apologies over, and over, nothing special classic Midoriya house expirience. -You... you know mom I just... just want to be stronger that's all.- He began anew after they calmed down sitting already on the sofa. In the TV news channel talked something about death of Water duo od heroes, they unfortunetly died apprehanding a villain. It was sad day indeed. -I just don't understand you honey why do you have to do something with such people? Why don't you tell me just to sign you on combat training. We have money.- She said desepertly trying to understand her son. Izuku sighed.- You know before I meet him I was attacked by a villain... -Seeing his mother mortified expression he started stumbling on his words over again. -You see It was more like I attacked a villain because he was about to hurt a woman in that alley, I threw a rock straight in his eye and let victim ecape, but before I could move that villain was already in front of me. That's when my sensei jumped in.- He said and then swallowed his tears.- I want you to promise to me, that you will not say nobody who he is, ok mom?- He asked and she frowned and almost looked angry. Then it was her turn to sigh. -You know it honey I always want best of everything for you, if you trust this man so much... I will let you be meeting him... of course if he is not engaged in anything detective Naomasa previously suspected.- She shot him a harsh glare at which he curled in himself like a kicked puppy. He fully deserved that, and he was sure of it.- And for a one condition I will met the man in person and see who he really is as a person.- She said, Izuku was about to object but seeing his mother furious glare he knew good mom for today was over. So he bowed and muttered an appology to his mother for trouble and went to bed. And went asleep instantly. -Hunt Or Be Hunted- He was never actually grounded in his entire life, so he didn't know what grounded kids were supposed to do. So he went studying, but then he remembered he was at least a whole semester ahead of the class. Well, that's what happens when you don't have friends or distractions, I guess... Maybe he could learn how to fight on his own? No, Knuckleduster said I shouldn't perpetuate wrong habits when it comes to form. He said he already knows more or less what I would need, and later on, I could create my own fighting style when I am ready. So here he is lying on the bed, watching the ceiling. He tried every possible position on the left, on the right, on his stomach, on his back, yet he couldn't feel comfortable at all. He is just too worried. He seriously messed up when he accepted Knuckleduster's offer without checking if someone was following him. Probably that detective and the police were already at the scene. On the other hand, it was really unfortunate that the detective was working on a similar case nearby. Not bad in itself... he was hunting villains! But it was very unfortunate for me. Now I've lost my chance, so none of this matters. Then he heard screaming. He quickly got up from his bed and sleepiness disappeared like it never was there, he peeked out the window of his room. It had a view of an alley. Alley where three thugs cornered school girl around his age. She was wearing sweater and a miniskirt. Besides circumstances blush creeped in on his face when he looked at her, what to do? Do I jump? But when I asked sensei about parkour lessons, he told me later and I need required fitness for this, but I can't let them hurt her like this! What to do? What could I do? Fuck they have knives! -Hunt Or Be Hunted- Toga Himiko wasn't having a good time, though she wouldn't admit this to herself, she bitten much more than she can chew at this moment. One cutsy guy with counter reaction quirk that can predict anyone that he looks at or whatever, the second one was already bleeding all over the place, he looked so nice! He would look nice, but his blood is nasty green, completly not cute, and doesn't taste like blood, I call him Puke, he looks green also, the third one was the cutest of them all, he would looks so cute with blood all over the place but he couldn't bleed, he is chipped like a rock. Himiko pouted, it definetly wasn't her day. -Come now bitch, it will be quick and painless...- Said the speedster while gritting his teeth and looking at her with wobbling insane eyes. Completly not cute when not on her face but someone elses. What's worse this person doesn't want to bleed. Which is even worse. The rock guy came closer, he looked like a granite statue.- What do you are kidding boss, this will be anything but painless!- He roared sure of himself. All of them took step closer and Himiko took step back and hissed like a cornered cat. Her pupils turned to slits and she looked even more animalistic than before, and she wasn't blushing, no, not anymore. And then staring contest continued. Himiko at rock guy, puke guy at speedster, speedster at Himiko. Completly not cute, not at all. *THUD* And on one of the thugs something collapsed like a sack of potatoes, or rather someone. Everybody froze, beucase just before their eyes like an angel from heavens Brocoli bean dropped on the speedster guy knocking him out instantly, he didn't looked muscular, he was rather thin mind you, so it wasn't a big achivement either. -Holy shit! they got the boss man!- Said the puke guy, and that was the last thing he said because Himiko just slitted his throat painting whole alley with green puke like blood, the rock guy started panicking and she used occasion to strike at his neck. she used her trusty knife and chipped at his neck but it didn't helped much, he was made of rock. Literally. So the dance continued she quickly dashed and tic- taced between walls to get to striking postion and stricked him everytime in his worst guarded position. Making incredibly annoying scrapping sounds. SHLING! CLANK! IIIKK! She was bouncing between walls up and down, left and right. -Hunt Or Be Hunted- Izuku was frozen in place at the display of martial prowess and pure wilderness that radiated from the bloodied school girl. She had a perpetual blush on her face, even as she was stilling her face in concentration, the only thing on her face was... pure... unending... pleasure... He shivered at the thought of being on the receiving end of that treatment. Then she started bouncing between the walls, making annoying scraping sounds when she hit the rock guy's skin, ripping his clothes with razor-sharp blades. It seemingly gave her no progress on killing him, but he was starting to stumble on his feet from the force of the blows. Up and down, left and right, it reminded him of someone... a certain memory that flashed with a yellow costume and an arena-like training hall. Izuku was in the middle, dodging his blows... -Get yourelf together Toshi!- Said Gran Torino. Gran Torino? Who is that? Why do I remember him? Its not my memory... Then it clicked and I again was in that alley and scraping sounds returned in full force, the girl was panting from exhaustion, the rock thug also didn't looked any better. Then idea strucked me. I crawled from my crouched postion on the uncouncious speedster thug and crawled under Rock thug feet and yanked him hard by his shoe. I just did it! Like sensei said! I do not have strenght like him so I need to use other fighting styles to compensate for that, It was called Aikido, it was using enemies strenght to your advantage, basically, this techinique was known before dawn of quirks but with it, came some corrections. I was never more proud of myself, wait, why do world is turining darker. Then I looked upwards and saw a collapsing back of the villain on me. Oh shit. -Hunt Or Be Hunted- Toga Himiko was confused right now. On one side, non-cute guys were pretty cut up and bleeding on the floor. However, when the rock guy was tripped by the cute green bean and fell down on him, she felt worried. But it wasn't worry about herself - worry about eating, finding a place to sleep, her safety, or worry about bad heroes that might find her someday. It was different. She was worried about someone else, but not in a way that she couldn't cut him up anymore. It was... strange. She couldn't place down her feelings anymore so she focused on the task at hand and skipped a bit while humming her childhood lulaby. -Na...na. na... na na..- She came down to the groaning rock guy and bended towards his face. She knocked at the rock guy head making dull thuds, guess his head is really empty. -Hello! Cute pizza service!- She squealed. Guy opened his eyes in confusion.-W-Wha...- He never finished that sentence. -... served at the side with blood mixed with eyeballs.- She said giggling. I plunged my knives in the guys eyes making delightful cute squishy sounds. She moaned in delight plunging herself into a spasms of pleasure when she licked blood from her knives, but light groaning waked her up from that state, she pouted who dares to interrupt her lunch? Growing girl like her needs nutrients! She looked down on her feet and saw crawling bellow rock guy some hands.- Oh.. its you.- She said and kicked rock guy away still being on her blood high. But it costed her some and she stumbled falling first into her green bean savior. -Oh you are so bold green bean-kun!~- She purred seductivly while flashing with her eyelashes. Then she glanced at the boy,green eyes meet golden ones with vertical irises and she squealed in delight, he looked now more like tomato than a green bean now, she was pretty sure if his hair could blush they would be red too. And then he went limp. -Hunt Or Be Hunted- He was enevloped in unending overwhelming light, and before him stood a figure, that for some unknown reason to him felt similiar, but he couldn't put it why. -If you have to save someone, That means the have gone to something terrifying-He saw back of a woman dressed in hero costume with bellowing cape bindided to her back.-Remember that real heroes not just save lives but a person's heart too.- She turned her face towards him but it was so bright...-You know what I think? No matter how scared you are..- His eyes seem to adjust to the brightness and he sees a beautiful lady that reminded him of his mother very much. she takes her fingers and tugs her cheeks to make a smile.-You should smile to show thing will be ok. In this world the one who always smiling...- The light started fading and he heard one last sentence. -Are the ones that are the strongest. -Hunt Or Be Hunted- Himiko was tugging the unconcuious cute boy through alley by his hands trying to avoid glass to not hurt him, though she really would like see him bleed, but she also doesn't at least not now, when he is splashed with Rock guys blood already, it has to suffice to her for now. She was humming softly to herself while she was placing him on the old and rusted cart. Then when she placed him inside he suddenly gripped her hand with suprising strength. She instinctivly reached for her knives but she saw his expression and he was smiling kindly with closed eyes. -Don't worry, you are safe now, everything will be alright.- He said and went uncouncious again. She didn't know why but some tension left her body and her crazed look and blush disappeared from her body for a moment. Just a moment. And she felt different now. It was strange? How can someone smile like that? It almost felt like... her mother's smile... The one before she became this thing, this monster... and they didn't loved her anymore, they told her she was a freak... she needs to be treated, and she really tried, really, really tried... until she couldn't. She wanted to see someone smile like that to her again. And just now she came to that realization. And she dropped the cart and started crying, ugly crying. And she wanted to turn this boy to a slushie for herself. Guess she needs to find someone cuter now. Because now, she don't know why, but she can't do this to him, not like the last times, this time it was different. -Hunt Or Be Hunted- Izuku felt like he had been hit by a train in the head, or Kacchan... well, both had hit hard. No, you don't want to know how I know that. He felt stiff and ached from lying on the floor. He looked around and realized he wasn't on the floor anymore; he was in a cart. Wait, a cart? He looked around some more, realizing that someone had moved him somewhere. He had been in an alley near his home, but why? He slowly turned towards his window, which was open. Then his memories flooded back, and he understood what had happened. Where was the girl? What had happened to her? Was she safe? He looked around and saw three motionless bodies of villains. He held his mouth to prevent himself from vomiting. He didn't know if it was from the stench of puke-smelling blood, the smell of actual blood from others, the sight of the bodies, or from what had almost happened to him. -Stay right here! Hands in the air!- Somebody yells. Izuku jumps upwards and 'Eeps'. And lifts his arms up trying to stay still. Somebody walks up to him and kicks his knee and he wobbles on his knees. He gets his hands bonded with quirk supressing handcuffs and gets dragged towards the police cars. He don't tries to say anything because he know he will just release pointless stutter and it will not help his situation. Hmm, not at all... damn it! He stutters anyway, damn his loose tongue. . They lower his head and move him inside the car. His heart beats so fast he thinks it would explode out of his chest. But before he could succumb to uncounciousness again somebody knocked on the window. And he saw face of nobody other than Naomasa Tsukauchi. I start to laugh nervously. -My mom is going to kill me.- -Hunt Or Be Hunted- When we arrived at the stations I was send straight towards interrogation room with Detective Tsukauchi. I think he loves me already. Then doors close and I plop down to a chair and Detective gives me a tired glare. Who I am kidding I am dead. -Yeah, you are dead kid.- He said. Damn it I muttered it out loud again! - Just get me straight to the point.- He clicks on the recording device. -My name is Naomasa Tsukauchi I am detective with a lie detector quirk. Izuku Midoriya are you ready to answer my questions?- He asks me tiredly and a visage of some homeless person with red eyes and a scarf flashes thorugh my eyes for reasons to me unknown. I nod and gulp so audiably it probably registered on the recorder. Wow even it echoed. Nice. He just looks at me unamused and then comes to ask first question.- So first maybe you could explain to me why were you in the alley next to your home cowered in blood and surrounded by bodies?- Naomasa asks going straight to the point not wasting any time. He isn't the one that goes with protocols huh? -I was there... because I heard somebody needing help...- I said Naomasa raised an eyebrow and ushered me to continue. -... And... well there was a girl surrouded by three villains, one with speedster reaction quirk, the second one was mutation type quirk with puke like blood, that also smelt like puke... ewww... and there was a man with mutation quirk that turned his skin into a rock. They came to attack her and she was dodging so I jumped from the window above.- Naomasa was nodding with my explanation while sipping his coffe that magically appeared in his hand for some reason. But when I came to end of my explanation he spitted it out in a stream mid sip. He looked at me like I was some crazy person. He looked at me like he was expecting something. So i shrugged looking around nervously. Wait I didn't stuttered as much! Great progress! Wait I probably jinxed it. Dang it. -Y-you see if I would do n-nothing she m-might have died t-there!- I hastily tried to explain myself waving handcuffed hands around. It elicited a short laugh from the detective. Now it was my time to be confused. -Ahh kid, you remind me of a person I know long ago...- He said his eyes glazed over.-... I hope whenever you are Yagi you are happy.- He said clearly lost in some fond memories. Izuku didn't know why he felt that way but he felt like he wanted to say something, that he is here, and he doesn't need to be sad about him, because he is fine and that he is here. It was strange, it definetly didn't belonged to him. So instead he just said. -Yagi? Like Toshinori Yagi? Secretary of All Might?- Izuku said in almost religous reverence. Detective quickly returned to reality and with harsh glare, the moment was cut short and was over like it never was there. -Yes, now young man, may you continue our interrogation, We do not have all day.- He said like a switching from understanding detective to bad cop with bad day. Izuku gulped audiably. And began explaining, oh explaining he did. He said everything from the begining to the end, he would told his entire life if detective didn't stopped him.-So let's get to this straight.-He reched under the table to some cleverly hidden compartment and gave him a photo of a a school girl, that had golden cat like eyes, doll like face and she was flashing a smile with a sharp canine tooth.- Is this the girl you saw in that alley?- He asked and Izuku nodded. At which detective just sighed. -I don't know if you are stupidly brave or bravely stupid young man, but this one right here is Himiko Toga, infamous among police for her brutal murders with a knife, apparently she has unhealthy fascination towards blood, mainly unhealthy to her victims... and everybody that comes her way.- He end with dramatic pause making Izuku break record of gulping in one day by wide margin.- You just ran into A rank villain right there, you got a lot of luck back there. Not many can say they had an encounter with Toga Himiko and lived long enough to live to tell the tale, in addition to that if she considered you "cute" you are as good as dead.- Said detective making Izuku go pale.-Ahh, i guess she already did, but guess what young man, we don't have enough police force just to babysit you and your mother right there.-He said while sipping his coffe and not looking directly at him.- And what I am supposed to do with you young Midoriya?- He asked rhetolically while raising his eyeborws. Silence cointinued and Izuku gave a good impresion of coy fish at this moment, opening and closing his mouth from time to time. And going paler by the seconds. Finally Detective sighed and grumbled something about "youngster this days" -All right Midoriya what can I do in your situation to just increase patrols in the region, getting under attention that we have A rank villain here on the run. I can even say local police that you are being targeted, but I cannot give you anything official. Are we understood?- He asked and Izuku nodded his head so much it looked like a fan for a moment. -Now when it comes to your mother young man...- He said. Shit. -Hunt Or Be Hunted- It was already begining of the week, monday, fuck mondays, I hate mondays, who ever liked mondays? Izuku Midoriya sighs and goes through the gates of the school, but instead of being thrown around and thrown at people just stare at him. Strange. Why do they only stare? Even flying todler is looking at me fearfully, what is going on? And long fingers... he is staring at me from behind the tree. What happened? I shrugg and just enter the school and go through my usual rutine, check for pranksters around,open the school locker, stand away if something foul is on the way, I learned after one time somebody with a pimple quirk left a detachable pimple inside and it exploded right onto my face, gross, I shuddered at the memory, leaving some of my stuff and equipping my school flip-flops I was ready to go to class, but those stares... wait... Bakugo, he probably was the one that was spying on me. I facepalmed, well that is not good, I suspected that, but today's situation certainly is a proff of his involvment. Suddenly some goons came at me from both sides, well fuck me, fuck my life, fuck this school, fuck everything. Damn it, why do I swear so much, Knuckleduster have too much infuelnce on me, and I meet him one time only, maybe I picked it up from this angry pomeranian? Ehhh here they go. -Hey Deku, I heard you are hanging around with a gang.- One of them says. The other fidgets with his hands like he is about to do some conffesion. -I want to ask you something...-He came closer to my face.-... you got some good stuff? I will pay you. Seriously.- I look at them with astonishment, one look like he was birthed by potato and with mother as tomato, the other looks like a humanoid chuaua, well maybe because of his quirk. But the first one has this pimple quirk so the only reason he looks like that is because he is just so fucking ugly. -This... is going to be interesting day.- Yeah an interesting day indeed. -Hunt Or Be Hunted- Why do I am even here? I asked himself this question. Why I am in the class that doesn't teach me anything new, I am already ahead with at least semester, I have to look at this rabid pomeranian and the looks he gives me, like he was watching some intriguing insect, he is really like a caveman, "unga then unuga" type of guy. I really hate him, I realized, I really hate them all, why does it took this long to realize that? Does it began with the notebook? Or the beat down at the memorial? No... it was far earlier, before All Might's death, my eyes turned glassy, when I was just a little kid I was enjoying watching this one wideo with All Might saving people from a villain attack, and him laughing. Now this wideo just leaves him with feeling of bitterness and sorrow, for not doing more, for being this weak, maybe if he distracted this villain long enough All Might would still be alive. What a failure I am. I gripped my desk enough to my knuckles turn a bit white. -Yo! Deku! Do not worry much, maybe your boss agree for oral agreement on the next bach!- Somebody joked, and it was one of the many, after they came to knowledge he meet with Knuckleduster, and obviously he keept them in this false truth, becuase the what actual happened was much more unbelivable and also dangerous for his sensei, he didn't wanted for him to go even more trouble than he already is. Though they might never see eachother again. It made him even more sad. I'll show them all, just they wait. In my thought's I already were on one of Knuckleduster's trainings. Yeah that's better, I need to figure out how that girl made that move, maybe ask him about it, maybe I could do it to? And from what I saw it wasn't her quirk, so it's also possible for me. Teacher was saying something to me and class exploded in snickers and banter, Katsuki was talking something to me. The only thing next I heard was ringing of the bell for the ending of the lesson, so I got up and slided everything to my backpack. Angry pomeranian was screeching something about looking down on him and teacher talked something about principal so I flipped them off and left the class in a hurry. What Izuku didn't noticed was a face of abosulte astonishment everybody had in the class ranging from teacher ending on the flying toddler. Katsuki looked like he swallowed something and was trying ot choke it out, teacher looked like coy fish that tried to breath. Long fingers was clutching his head in disbeliving, longneck rolled his neck in a knot by mistake making himself blue from suffocation. Flying toddler accidentaly flew and landed his head in a trashcan. And everything ended when one of the pimples on the pimple quirk guy exploded. Then there was only pure chaos.