Angel: I am doing an early upload because I'm doing a shoutout to Annie walker from Artstation, who you guys NEED to check out because there is something on there I implore you guys to see ;D And it's great, I hope you guys enjoy it as well. And if anyone is looking for an artist or just want a commission, seek her out! There'll even be a discount~! Give her some love just like with the Youtubers! If you are interested and wanna talk to her yourselves, her Discord is anniewalker090 or even talk to her on Fanfiction by anniewalker09. Once again: anniewalker090 on Discord or anniewalker09 on Fanfiction.
Thank you to Annie for the art, and I hope everyone likes it!
"All Might told me there'd always be people beyond our reach. That we can't protect even though we want to," Izuku spoke up weakly, the others frowning. "Which is why we have to save the people we can reach. I...was so close to being able to save them. I...needed to save them," His voice broke a little from the fresh memory. "Had to. That's part of the entire reason I have my Quirk. The other part is my sister. She was one of the few that kept supporting me back when we were kids..." He almost let it slip that she supported him when he was Quirkless...
The tears went down his face as...sadly, his teacher ended up being right. He felt useless at being unable to save his childhood friend and his sister in the same day... "My body...wouldn't move...I couldn't save people who were right in front of me, and one of them was my own family!" He squeezed his eyes shut as he continued to cry. "Someone who hid her Quirk for years of her life just so I wouldn't suffer! Someone...who I couldn't go to UA without...and since I failed...they're gone."
The others couldn't help but cry a little too, even Shoto. They could tell that Izuku cared and loved his sister very much. Looked up to her even just like with All Might despite not being a pro hero. For Izuku...in a way, she was one, despite her being against the idea from the start. Just by looking at him, they could see that it felt like someone stole away part of Izuku himself.
"Alright...then let's go get 'em," Eijiro spoke up in determination.
"We have to leave this to the professionals!" Tenya suddenly snapped at them. "It's not the right time for us to get involved, idiots!"
"Maybe, but all I know is that at camp, I couldn't do anything," Eijiro argued back furiously, gesturing to himself. Like Izuku, he too was blaming himself for what happened. "I heard my friends were targeted, and I just stood by. Helpless. So if I stand by and do nothing now, how'm I supposed to call myself a hero or a man?"
Ochaco shed fresh tears, shaking. She honestly felt the same way...she couldn't call herself Izuka's best friend because she felt like she didn't deserve that title...but what was she supposed to do?
Eijiro whipped around to Izuku, holding out his hand. "Come on, Midoriya. They're both still within your reach! We can save Bakugo and Mido!"
Izuku sweated at the opportunity he was given...he knew of the risk, obviously. But he also thought of what he could do if he went along with it. It was Katsuki and his sister...so what was he going to do?
"So, let me get this straight," Mina spoke up after the brief silence. "You're going to get Momo to make you another receiver, track a bad guy, and then try to save Bakugo and Mido all by yourselves?"
"Yeah," Eijiro nodded without any hesitation.
"The villains who attacked the camp planned to kill some of us," Shoto reminded the classmates. "But they took Bakugo and Mido alive. What we don't know...is how long they'll let either of them live. That's why we're going after them," He looked towards the ground. However, he was also doing it because he wanted to for Izuku. He still thought of Izuka as a great person, so he couldn't just let her die by villains.
Tenya gritted his teeth, looking up after inhaling. "Have the two of you lost your minds?!" He yelled at Shoto and Eijiro.
"Hey," Mezo stepped in between them. "Calm down. I get how frustrated Kirishima is. And how Todoroki feels since he couldn't grab Bakugo, and wants to repay back Mido for misjudging her at the Sports Festival. I'm upset too. But...we can't let our emotions get the best of us. Right?"
The two boys stayed silent, Eijiro looking away. He did have a point that Shoto looked down on Izuka during the Sports Festival for a while. Shoto felt like he never properly made up for it...and he knew that Izuka wouldn't think too much of it. But he wanted to be a better friend to her, to be able to support what she had done so far.
"Um, we should just leave this to All Might," Yuga spoke up timidly. "Mr. Aizawa only gave us permission to fight and use Quirks at the training camp."
"Aoyama is correct," Fumikage turned towards Eijiro, Izuku, and Shoto. "Though, I'm part of the reason we failed. So, I can't talk."
"You guys!" Eijiro looked at them angrily for them not agreeing. Maybe he was just furious that they weren't on his side, but he would've hoped that they'd see his side of things.
"Listen," Tsuyu spoke up gently. "We're all shocked that Bakugo and Mido were taken from us. Some of us devastated for Mido because...we all worry for her safety as well," She glanced specifically at the silent Ochaco and Izuku. "But we have to be rational. It doesn't matter how noble your intentions. if you go out there trying to find the bad guys, knowing you're breaking the rules, then you're acting like villains, not heroes."
Izuku frowned deeply, looking at his bed. Everyone else stayed silent, whether they agreed with her or not. It was a tough call to make no matter what they chose...if they went after their classmates, they could get hurt and punished. If they stayed, they'd be racked with guilt for not doing something, even if more agreed that it was the right decision...
It continued to be silent until a knock was heard at the door. Yuga gasped, turning to the door as it opened to reveal the doctor. "Sorry for interrupting you guys. But I need a moment alone with Midoriya."
"...Sure," Hanta agreed awkwardly after a few seconds. "Let's bolt. I wanna see how Jiro and Hagakure are doin'."
"Good idea," Mashirao gave a weak smile.
Ochaco gave a weak nod, holding up a hand. "Yeah, okay. Feel better, Deku."
He nodded and gave a small smile towards his classmates. "Thank you for visiting me."
Eijiro approached him before he left. "We talked to Yaoyorozu yesterday. If we're doing this, it's tonight," He informed, although Tenya overheard them. He came to a stop, listening closely. Neither Izuku or Eijiro seemed to notice him. "Look, I know you've got some pretty hardcore injuries. So, I don't know if you can go. But I wanted to invite you, since you probably feel the worst. Plus, it is your sister, and I can understand how you must feel right now." Izuku gave a small frown, looking at his arms. "We'll meet in front of the hospital after dark."
Tenya walked off without a word, Eijiro nodding at Izuku and leaving.
Ochaco was the last one to leave, and she looked over her shoulder. The green-haired boy gasped as he could see the desperation in her eyes...that Izuka would be brought back home safely, whether he went through with this plan or not. And she didn't care if he did, as long as it meant...that her best friend was brought back. She then closed the door as he let out a small breath of air.
"Recovery Girl performed some pretty strong healing on your arms while you were unconscious," The doctor explained to Izuku, his casts off. Even though she said she wouldn't heal injuries like this again...she did understand the situation at hand. So she was willing to do it for him this time, especially since his sister was missing. "So you should be able to move them around fairly well," He then turned to the boy with a small frown. "But they were seriously messed up." Izuku frowned towards his right arm, which like his right hand, had some more scarring. He even had an injury so bad that the skin couldn't heal. "You've done absurd damage to your body in the last few months. And frankly, this is a whole new league of trauma."
"You mean...I was hurt a lot worse this time?" Izuku asked him slowly.
"I took a close look at your charts. Your past injuries were bad. Splintered bones and ripped muscles that were painful, sure, but could eventually be repaired." A nurse was patching up Izuku's right arm. "This time...the damage was devastating. Usually, a person's body has limiters that keep it from using more than 80 percent of its power at any given point. But in a crisis situation...it's possible for those limiters to fall away, allowing someone to use 100 percent. We call it hysterical strength. The reason we have those limiters in the first place is because our bodies can't handle that type of strain. You had this hysterical strength. And because of that, your power ended up overcharged...for an extended period."
He reached out his tablet for Izuku to see, and it was of his X-rays. There was a mark over his right arm. "It's bad for your bones and muscles to get battered, of course, but it's worse for your ligaments. Ligaments protect the joints, and yours have seriously degraded. In other words...if you sustain this type of injury...even just two or three more times...I don't think you're going to be able to move your arms anymore."
Izuku let out a devastated gasp. He didn't realize it had gotten so bad...and he had to use the amount of power that he did to save Kota. But if he kept going at the rate he did to save someone...he wouldn't be able to use his arms. And how was he even going to tell his mother this, or Izuka when she was rescued?
"For now, focus on rehabilitation," The doctor advised the boy. "Use them a lot, even if it hurts, and we'll leave the rest to UA. I'll discharge you today, so you can go home and take it easy. Take this seriously."
"...Right," Izuku murmured while holding his arm. "Thanks for your help, Doctor. I'm sorry for any trouble I caused."
He looked away with a small smile. "Recovery Girl is fed up with you. But, hey, I get the impression that's nothin' new," He then held out a letter to Izuku. "Also, don't forget you did save someone." It was a letter...from Kota. "Healing begins in the mind. Try not to worry. Stay positive. Including for your sister. I...know she was one of the victims, and I pray for your sake that she's returned home safely. Give this to her when she is," He handed him another paper, as Kota had written a letter for Izuka too.
"Thank you, sir," His eyes saddened a little, as he didn't even want to imagine what Izuka was going through with the League of Villains.
Later, Izuku was on the roof of the hospital to read the letter from Kota. He wasn't going to read Izuka's, he was saving it for when she was back home safe.
Dear Mr. Midoriya,
I'm sorry I punched you in the balls. Thank you for saving me, even though you'd just met me. Please get better soon so I can thank you in person, okay?
Kota.
The wind blew in some of the hospital sheets that were drying out. He stood in silence as an airplane took off to the sky. He wasn't expecting this at all, given that Kota was terrified at the time. And he kept dismissing Izuku's attempts at trying to help him...
"Kota," He murmured to himself, and then gave a look of determination. Then his phone went off, and he answered it. "Hi, Mom. Yeah, I was discharged, but there's something I have to do, so I won't be home until tomorrow or so," He then paused as his eyes saddened. "Yeah...yeah, I was there when Izuka was..." He faltered as he couldn't even finish the sentence. He sniffed a little, wiping away the tears in his eyes. "But I promise, Mom...she'll be brought back safe and sound. Yeah. I can move now, at least. My body feels kind of run down and sluggish, though, even with all the healing they performed on me." Most of the food that he was given he ate, and his backpack was full of his things. He took a bite out of some apple slices. "I heard it's because UA wants a close eye on the students. Well, that, and they want to keep the media out as long as they can."
"...Izuku," Inko spoke up tearfully, getting his attention. "Do you and your sister...really have to go back to UA? I'm just so scared about what's going to happen to my baby girl...why would they do this? I'm so scared, Izuku..."
He paused at the question, and...he didn't have an answer unfortunately.
"There's a call for you, Endeavor, sir," One of his staff stated while he was in his hero office.
"Who is it?"
"A Mr. Tsukauchi from the police department," She informed and he took the phone.
"I'm listening."
"We would like to request your assistance, sir," Naomasa stated plain and simple.
"I've received an emergency summons," Best Jeanist informed his sidekicks at his own agency. "And must leave this place in your hands. Be strong as heavyweight denim without me, smart as tailor-made suits. Keep the fabric of society safe."
"You got it, Best Jeanist!" They all replied in unison.
Edgeshot jumped off of a building, using the roofs of them to get around. He was called in, as well as Gang Orca, Gran Torino, Tiger from the Pussycats, Kamui Woods, and Mt. Lady. Mandalay stayed behind to take care of Kota, since this mission was personal to the hero team.
Later that night, Eijiro and Shoto were waiting outside of the hospital. They then remembered their conversation with Momo earlier.
"You...want me to make a new receiver?" She asked them slowly once she heard them.
"Yes. Please!" Eijiro pleaded with the girl.
"You must know what we're planning," Shoto spoke up and she turned away, a tear rolling down her cheek.
"I do...Let me think about it."
They hadn't heard from her since, and they hoped that she would agree. Izuka was a dear friend to her, and they could tell that Momo felt like she couldn't protect her. "...I wonder what Yaoyorozu decided," Eijiro spoke up a few seconds later.
"No matter how much we wanna go after them...it's her choice," Shoto responded and the doors opened a few seconds later.
"She's here!" Eijiro looked up in surprise as Momo silently arrived. Like Izuku, she was also ready to be discharged today. She had a bandage over her left eyebrow. She then glanced over her shoulder, both boys gasping as they saw Izuku as well behind her.
"Midoriya..."
The two then came to a stop in front of them. "So, how 'bout it? You decide?" Eijiro asked the both of them.
Momo gave a hesitant look, looking towards the ground. "I think that-"
"Hold on." They all gasped to see Tenya approaching them. And he didn't look happy with any of them.
"Ida..." Eijiro murmured, wondering why he was here.
"Why are you here?" Izuku spoke the question the four were thinking.
"You. Why did it have to be you two of all people?" He spoke up angrily, gritting his teeth. "The ones who stopped me when I acted recklessly. Who received amnesty with me after Hosu. Why are you trying to make the same stupid mistakes I made?! Didn't you learn?"
"What are you talking about?" Eijiro approached him, and Shoto held him back. He gave his classmate a look to not ask further, since the rest of Class 1-A didn't know what Tenya did and why. And thankfully, Tenya seemed to realize that as well.
"We are still just students. And UA's in a bad position as it is. Anything we do will reflect on our school!" He seethed, shaking a little. "Don't you get that?!"
"Ida, we have to," Izuku then approached his friend. "I know you don't like us breaking rules, but-"
Tenya seethed and then PUNCHED Izuku right in the face! Momo, Eijiro, and Shoto gave looks of disbelief at what he just did. He may be aggressive a little when it came to the rules, but never to the point of hurting someone. "I'm frustrated, too! And concerned, obviously! I'm the class rep, dammit! I'm worried about all my classmates. Not just Bakugo and Mido. When I saw your injuries, all I could think of was my brother in the hospital," His voice broke a little just by mentioning it, and he didn't want his classmates to go through the same thing either. Or for Izuku to feel what he did seeing a sibling suffer. "What if your bodies end up irreparable, just like his, because I didn't step in? Have you not stopped to think about where I'm coming from?!" He stepped forward to grab Izuku by the shoulders, hoping that he would listen. That he would turn back around and just leave it to the heroes. Even if it was a fleeting feeling. "Or are you saying...that you don't care how I feel? And what would Mido think if she knew about your decision?!"
Izuku didn't say anything at first, since he knew this was hard on Tenya to understand. But...he also remembered his mother's worries over Izuka, and also the cries of both Ochaco and Momo. And...how he couldn't watch them cry anymore if he could do something to help them. "Of course I do. But that doesn't mean I can just let my sister die..." He murmured in a broken way. "What would she think? She'll smile, because I'm doing what I should. I'm gonna get her out of there."
"Will you really succeed if you're doing something that'll risk her life?" Tenya gripped his shoulders desperately. "Trust me, I understand your sister is dear to you. But if you care about her safety, you can't do what I did!"
"I don't care," Izuku mumbled, his bangs hiding his face.
"I do!" Tenya screamed at him in frustration, the others frowning deeply. "And if you get into trouble, she suffers even more. She would want to return home safely, but she wouldn't be able to if you're not there, would she?"
"I have to do something. I have to make this right," Izuku gripped a shaking fist. "You'd rush in there if it was your brother." And he had no doubt that if she were in his position, she'd choose to save him as well, even if it was a stupid decision.
"Ida," Shoto spoke up, getting his attention. "You've got it wrong. We don't expect to face them head-on and win." Tenya looked at him in shock. "We'll get them back without fighting." After what happened at camp...they already knew that they weren't going to win if they just barged in starting a fight. And they couldn't handle any more injuries, anyway. At least if they would get in trouble...it'd be because of their decision, not because they broke any rules regarding their Quirks.
"Yeah, we'll be stealthy," Eijiro spoke up, trying to assure his classmate. "I'm talkin' covert ops here. We can rescue them without breaking the rules."
"I trust in Todoroki's judgment," Momo clenched a fist. "But...still. Things could always go wrong. So I'll join you as backup. I'll stand behind my classmates."
"You can't be serious!" Tenya exclaimed at her in disbelief.
"You're the best," Eijiro smiled in relief towards the girl, and she nodded.
"If it means Mido is back home safe...I'll do all I can to help her. And for Uraraka, too. I know that she's very distressed about the situation as well...Mido's a best friend to me, Ida. I can't just sit by and think about what I could've done," She spoke up breathlessly, Eijiro nodding with a small smile. He could understand her stance on the matter.
"...I know I'm hurt," Izuku muttered quietly and they turned to him. "But if I can still move at all...then I can't just sit still. I have to reach out and do something," He then looked up at Tenya pleadingly. "Cause all I can think about is saving them. And I know...that my sister doesn't want me to go through with it deep down. But I can't just pretend like she's not in danger..." His eyes shook a little.
Tenya gave a small gasp, seeing that Izuku was holding his ground on this one...and that even if Tenya disagreed with this plan, he was still going to do this.
"There are stories about every hero. How they became great. Most have one thing in common. Their bodies moved before they had a chance to think. Almost on their own."
The class rep closed his eyes, frustrated...but he couldn't let Izuku do this on his own either. "We'll never agree. So I'm going to come with you." They all gasped at his answer.
After the USJ and Hosu attacks, we thought we'd seen true evil. That the worst was over.
Naomasa stood in front of the pro heroes he had called in. "We've gathered some of our finest heroes here today. Now, let's talk strategy."
Meanwhile, with the League of Villains, they were having a chat with Katsuki and Izuka. "I'll ask you one more time, Katsuki Bakugo and Izuka Midoriya. Aspiring heroes. Will you two join the League of Villains?"
Izuka hung her head a little, closing her eyes. "...When you cornered my brother, we talked to the police when you left. I was asked what I would've said to you if you asked me what was the difference between you and Stain," Shigaraki looked up attentively since she wasn't anywhere near her brother when that occurred. So he was a bit curious to hear what she had to say about it. "I said I could express gratitude to him since he saved Izuku. Which is something I'll never say about you," She looked up with a glare, though she was still terrified inside. "I want nothing to do with someone who targeted my brother in that mall and tried to hurt him," She growled up at him.
Katsuki slowly gave a small grin after hearing her, knowing that she'd never go through with it. Not that he was worried. "Go throw yourself into traffic," He retorted back, the leader narrowing his eyes.
But something far worse...was about to begin.
"Oh, that's rich coming from you. Then I guess you don't care what happens to...her," Shigaraki pointed right at Izuka, who recoiled back in a bit of fear. Any of the villains she was looking at was capable of killing her in no time flat, so this was already not a good sign...
He's not really going to do anything just to make him agree, will he? Am...I really that important to Bakugo that he'd even do something like that? She glanced at him questionably and he didn't look up towards her.
Katsuki gritted his teeth angrily at the threat, keeping his eyes on Shigaraki. "You go to hell," He growled in a low tone.
"That's where she's going," Shigaraki glanced towards Himiko, who giggled happily. She went over to Izuka from behind and pushed her chair away from Katsuki. He looked at them wide-eyed as Izuka then started to panic, breathing heavily. She had already seen what she had done to Ochaco, was she going to get her blood sucked out of her? Or even be killed by Himiko, who'd probably torture her first?
"Wait, no! Let me go!" The girl cried out in horror at what could happen. She could die today and she didn't want things to end like this. Himiko continued pushing her towards outside and Izuka struggled with her restraints harder. "Stop!" Katsuki himself was trying to break free because if he let her go out that door, that would mean the end. The other villains just watched with straight faces while the boy growled.
"Damn it!" He snarled as Himiko kicked the door open and led her outside.
"Bakugo! Bakugo, I need you!" Izuka cried out, tears falling down her face as he was the only person that could help her right now. And this feeling of wanting to be saved by him...she didn't think she would need it until this day. "BAKUGO!" She shouted, her eyes squeezed shut, not wanting to see the horror that she might be put through.
"Damn it!" Katsuki moved his arms around trying to loosen up the restraints, but it was of no use. There was only one way to remove the shackles, and it wouldn't be with his Quirk unfortunately. They blocked out his ability to use them as long as he was wearing them. And the same thing went for Izuka. "MIDORIYA!" He screamed while Shigaraki let out a small chuckle from their screams.
"I wish you luck trying to break out of those. Toga?" He looked up at the blonde.
"Heh heh, finally some deserved girl time!" She walked up to the door, about to close it. Izuka's skin paled a little as she could only stare, panting out of breath.
"You psycho, you touch her and I'll kill you! Get me out of these damn cuffs!" He pulled and struggled still, though for some reason, none of the villains seemed inclined to stop him. They all just continued to stare at him. Himiko just smiled and then closed the door, and a few seconds later, the girl's screams were heard. His heart twanged at the thought of her being hurt right now, and all he could do was listen to it. "IZUKA!" He screamed at the top of his lungs, and then growled at the villains. "What the hell do you want?! Why are you doing this?"
"You know exactly what we want," Shigaraki responded, leaning back with his arms crossed.
"I'm not joining you," Katsuki hissed in a low tone. I don't give a damn if they hurt me, but I can't handle her screaming.
"Oh, then I guess she's dead," Shigaraki snapped his fingers and Izuka screamed again from outside.
"Screw you!" Katsuki's lips quivered a bit as he moved down his head. "Izuka...the past few months...I wish I could forget. But I can't...deep down, I don't hate you...I never did. In fact-"
"Alright, let her out. Don't wanna hear that crap," Shigaraki looked up and Katsuki was utterly confused. He flinched in shock once the door was opened by Himiko. Izuka was perfectly fine, no scratches or blood on her. She was breathing heavily with wide eyes towards him for what he said and he stared back at her, frozen in place.
"The screams were prerecorded," Dabi revealed as he was holding up a radio. He pressed play and a generic scream was heard. It almost sounded like Izuka, but the voice was a bit higher. Which Katsuki didn't even notice because he was too concerned over the girl.
"Aww," Himiko looked a little disappointed, sagging her arms. "I wanted to taste her blood but instead I found out something fun to talk to her about!" She grinned while holding a knife to Izuka's neck, the girl sweating while her lips quivered. Himiko then leaned into the girl's ear. "I smelled it off Ochaco, and I knew you had it. You have a crush too! And you're already starting to act just like him."
"Get the hell away from her before I explode your crazy face," Katsuki growled, ignoring what she said.
Izuka's eyes widened as she shook a little, so confused. She didn't even know what that meant or it was supposed to mean anything. But the way Himiko was talking, it was unnerving to say the least just like with Ochaco. "It's like I told her. You start acting like him, and want to be him, but you've already taken the step to push yourself to be like him!" She then pressed the knife harder, Izuka squeezing her eyes shut and shaking. Himiko pressed the knife a bit harder so that a little blood came from the tip. "Aww, why so shy, Mido? We're just hanging out like a couple of girls do..." She licked her lip as Izuka moved her head away. "We're having fun."
"I don't know who told you that...but you don't get to call me Mido...!" Izuka choked out a little. Himiko touched her blood with the tip of the knife and then licked it, smiling. "What is wrong with you...?" The girl murmured in disbelief.
"I SAID GET AWAY FROM HER OR I'LL KILL YOU WHEN I'M OUT OF THESE CUFFS!" Katsuki screamed and Shigaraki waved a hand.
"Let her go, you're getting him too loud."
Himiko whined and moved the knife away, rolling Izuka back inside. Izuka was left a panting mess, sweat going down her face.
What the hell was she talking about? Did she mean Bakugo? Just because I've acted like him a little bit? That doesn't mean anything...she's crazy, even if there was something bigger there, I'm not even focused on that, I just wanna go home.
Izuku, Tenya, Momo, Eijiro, and Shoto walked in silence away from the hospital. The plan was set, and they were ready to go. "Midoriya," Tenya spoke up and he came to a stop, turning around. "I shouldn't have hit you back there. I'm sorry," He glanced away, as he couldn't even look Izuku in the eye. "Forgive me," He bowed his head a little. "And when your sister is returned safely, I'll explain myself to her as well."
"I have some concerns, Ida," Momo stated from behind. "What exactly is your justification for changing your mind and joining us?"
"Hey, it's fine," Izuku held up his hands in a panic. "You don't need to apologize or tell Izuka yourself."
Tenya then stood up straight. "To be clear...I'm coming because I don't condone your behavior. It's as simple as that. If there's even a hint that physical combat might break out, I'll make you retreat immediately," He pushed up his glasses. "So in other words...I'm your watchman!" He pointed down at Izuku, who recoiled back in a bit of fear hearing this.
"Exactly what we needed," Shoto remarked to himself.
"The same goes for me," Momo narrowed her eyes a little. "Rescuing Bakugo and Mido is a job for the pros. Objectively speaking, there's no reason for any of us to go after them," She reached into her skirt pocket. "However..." She pulled out another receiver. "I understand how each of you feels, so I'm compromising. Don't forget that."
"Right," Shoto remarked, staring at her curiously. "But we also understand how you feel deep down too, Yaoyorozu." She blinked at him in confusion.
"Understood," Eijiro nodded his head. "And we know that the other part of you that's not compromising...wants to save Mido too. I know you two are close, so I won't pry about it."
She gasped a little and then looked away with a frown. A rescue without us fighting...it's not plausible. She watched the four boys taking the lead. The others are so driven by frustration that they're blinded. But...once they see the situation first-hand and realize how difficult it will be She walked after the four. They should understand their plan is completely unrealistic. And I'm being unrealistic in some way too. I'm also being driven by my worry over Mido.
They then took a train while still following the receiver's location. Which thankfully hadn't moved since they started. "The coordinates indicate Kamino Ward, Yokohama City in Kanagawa Prefecture. Our travel time will be about two hours from here," She informed all of them, Eijiro and Shoto having a meal. "We should arrive around ten o'clock tonight."
"So, um," Izuku looked up at the two boys across from them. "Did you tell the rest of the class about this? Do they know what we're doing tonight?"
"Yes," Shoto closed his eyes. "And they tried their best to talk us out of it."
"Yeah, even Uraraka ganged up on us and tried to get us to change our minds. But just like with Yaoyorozu, we could tell that part of her wanted to come," Eijiro informed the green-haired boy.
"I just don't know, you guys," A tear fell down Ochaco's cheek. "Think about what Bakugo would want. We'd just make everything worse, I'm afraid. And what if Mido gets hurt...?" She sobbed a little.
Izuku frowned deeply after hearing this. He could tell she felt terrible deciding that, but he could also understand why she couldn't go through with it. She would be risking Izuka's life no matter what she decided. And he could imagine that she was debating whether or not she made the right choice.
"Anyway..."
Izuku replayed the events in his head again.
"KACCHAAAN! IZUKAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" Izuku leaped to try and catch up to them. Izuka let out a weak gasp, knowing he'd try and save them, but...he couldn't. Not this time, and she didn't want him to fall into the portal either. Not with his injuries.
"Stay back...Deku!" Katsuki almost pleaded, his eyes wide. It was for Izuku's own good...that he could agree with Izuka in a rare instance.
"Little brother...I know this will be hard for you to do, but...please don't come after us..." Izuka squeezed her eyes shut, shedding a small tear. Both of them completely disappeared.
Shoto swallowed his bite, closing his eyes. "Just to make sure. You know we're going against everyone's wishes and being completely selfish by doing this. We can call this off if we want to."
"Does it look like I wanna turn back?" Eijiro retorted back to him. "Bakugo wouldn't think twice about going after the villains if he were here. And Mido would be scared, but she'd eventually agree too!" He gritted his teeth angrily. If he turned back now, that meant he would be giving up going after his friends. And that was something he never wanted to do.
"What about you, Midoriya?" Shoto looked towards him.
Izuku frowned, looking at his hands. "He's my friend, and she's my big sister."
"Meddling where you don't technically have to is the essence of being a hero."
His eyes softened a little, remembering what he told his mother regarding her question. "Mom...All Might gave me everything, trained Izuka just to help her get control of her Quirk. He trusted that I'd make the most of my Quirk."
He looked up in determination. "I refuse to turn back. My sister's life is in my hands from here on out."
Eijiro nodded sharply in agreement, Momo turning away. "I see. Alright, then," Shoto stared at him in understanding.
The train continued the trip and they finally arrived in Kamino Ward. "So this is Kamino Ward," Izuku murmured in a bit of awe. It was a bustling city full of people out at night. Up until now, none of them had visited Kamino.
"It's so crowded," Shoto commented at the hundreds of people in the area.
"Those villains are hiding somewhere in this city," Eijiro ran off without another word. "Just tell me where to go!"
"Wait a second!" Momo yelped at him in alarm. "From now on, we're going to need to be extremely careful. These criminals already know what we look like, remember?" She gestured to herself; if they just barged in, they'd be targeted since they had met the League twice now. "We have to consider that we could be attacked at any moment." Not to mention that anyone from the street would recognize them, giving them too much attention.
"Yeah, you're right!" Izuku nodded and made a noise, crossing his arms together into an X. "Stealth mode!"
"You're standing out even more, Midoriya," Shoto pointed out to him.
Tenya rubbed his chin in thought. "We won't be able to scout effectively if we're recognizable."
"Kay, so what should we do?" Eijiro rubbed the back of his neck.
"I have an idea," Momo blushed in a bit of embarrassment, pointing towards a clothing store. "Though it is a bit old school."
Izuku went first, wearing clothes that made him look like a thug. He was even given a fake beard. "Yo, fool. What chu lookin' at?!" He barked, trying to sound tough.
Then it was Shoto's turn as he had a wig, but it didn't hide the white part of his bangs. "This is me, incognito."
Momo had on a dress and a wig, and sunglasses. "Now we'll blend in perfectly."
Tenya looked like he was from a barber shop, his hair combed back and having a fake mustache. He also had no glasses on. "I feel so ridiculous," He muttered while adjusting his bow tie.
Eijiro was dressed a bit more casually, with fake horns on his head. His hair was also down. "I dunno, I kinda dig it." The five then stepped out of the store.
"Watch it, you punks!" Izuku snarled, though feeling a bit awkward doing this. "Get lost!"
"That's all wrong—you gotta stick your chin out more," Eijiro warned his friend.
"You talkin' ta me?!" Izuku asked a bit more aggressively, sticking out his chin.
"That's it!"
"We're just a few scoundrels cruising for hot girls!" Tenya yelled, though that might've been a bit over-the-top.
"Close enough!" Eijiro gave him a thumbs up.
Momo gave a small proud grunt. "Great disguises. We'd stand out in this district dressed like kids."
"Yaoyorozu?" Shoto looked towards her curiously. "Couldn't you have used your Quirk for this to save money?"
"Well, technically," She gritted her teeth at him. "But that's against the rules! If I started making everything, think of the impact on the economy," She then clapped her hands, looking a bit too excited to be helping out the economy. "We must ensure the flow of commerce! That's right! It's our civic duty. As citizens!" She gave him a wide smile.
"Sure."
Eijiro glanced at them, as he could guess why she really didn't use her Quirk. So the rich girl just wants to go shopping, huh?
Momo then led the way. "Everyone. Our destination is this way."
"Whoa, it's UA High!" She flinched in alarm, freezing up.
"Huh?!" Izuku turned around, gasping. Thankfully, they weren't found out...but there was an emergency broadcast press conference going on right now. The guests were all Principal Nezu, Mr. Aizawa, and Vlad King, the latter two in suits. Mr. Aizawa even had his hair tied back, and Vlad had no gear on.
"Let's return to a short clip from the UA High School press conference that just wrapped up."
"Mr. Aizawa," Izuku whispered as he and the others scooted their way into the crowd.
"And Vlad King and the principal!" Momo whispered from behind.
"We are here to apologize," Mr. Aizawa spoke up first. "A recent incident allowed harm to come to 27 first year heroes. And we staff were ill prepared. We take responsibility for any trauma caused by our negligence. It's our duty to train heroes...but also to protect heroes in training," The three men then bowed their heads, Izuku looking up in shock. They knew that this would happen eventually, but so soon...?
"This is crazy," Eijiro murmured to the others, who were just as shocked as well. "He hates being on TV."
It was well-known to them that Mr. Aizawa hated anything to do with the media. It was one of the reasons why he wasn't so keen of Izuka during the first semester. So for him to even agree to this press conference was a big deal.
"I'll take the first question," A reporter spoke up from the crowd. "Since the beginning of the year, UA students have had four encounters with villains. This time, there were students who were gravely injured. How did you explain this to their families? And what are some of the specific steps you're taking to ensure their safety in the future?"
Izuku clamped his mouth shut. The media should know what UA's basic position is since they didn't cancel the Sports Festival. They just want him to look bad. He clenched an angry fist, knowing that the villains anticipated this by attacking them. Well...they got what they wanted in the end. But he wished that it wasn't like this...that they could turn things around for their school. However...it was hard to get past what had happened between UA and the League during the whole year. And he hated that this was the result.
"They're treating them...like villains," He murmured sadly to his friends.
"We will increase patrols around the school grounds, and review security measures within the school," Principal Nezu answered this time. "The safety of UA's students is our main priority, make no mistake about it."
The crowd watching the press conference didn't look pleased with this answer. "Ugh. What are these dudes thinkin'?" One of them asked in distaste.
"They're gonna get those kids killed."
"They should be ashamed."
Shoto and Momo frowned towards the crowd of people, glancing at each other. They felt both awkward and a bit unnerved to be hearing things like this.
"Increased patrols? Gimme a break."
"What about the rest of us?"
Izuku, Tenya, and Eijiro glanced around at what they were hearing from a lot of people. They could tell that...no one had any support for UA anymore. And the worst part was, this was only the first step to that distrust. They couldn't imagine what would happen in the future...
The mood was changing. You could feel it in the air. People were turning against heroes. And if we didn't do something...it was just going to get worse.
Shigaraki then turned off the TV, turning around to Katsuki and Izuka. "Isn't that strange? The heroes are becoming the bad guys. Seems like they're not dealing with this very well at all. So much criticism." The others looked rather pleased by this, though. Izuka bit her lip nervously towards them, her small cut still bleeding. "But everyone makes a mistake or two, right? It's not like they're supposed to be perfect. Modern-day heroes sure have it rough. Don't you think, Bakugo, Midoriya?"
They didn't say a word, some sweat going down Izuka's cheek. She knew that this was going bad fast. No one was even sugarcoating it that they were blaming all of this on UA.
"Once a hero receives payment to protect people, they aren't a real hero anymore," Spinner remarked, giving a small smirk. "That's what Stain's actions taught us."
"A hero in this current system only cares about money and glory. And since society buys in to those idiotic rules, anyone deemed a loser is shoved aside," Shigaraki then stared at Izuka. "You know exactly what that's like, don't you? To be deemed inferior no matter how hard you try? Compared to your brother, people consider you trash."
She gritted her teeth at him a bit. He watched the Sports Festival. Is he seriously believing that I'm like them?
"So, we want to pose some questions. What is a hero? What is justice? Is this society truly fair? Soon, everyone will be asking. That's when we'll know we've won," Shigaraki spoke up again to the two. "And you like winning, Bakugo, don't you? And you don't think society's been fair to you, Midoriya," He glanced at Izuka, who flinched.
Katsuki gave him a small growl, neither of them saying a word. "Dabi. Let 'em go."
"Huh?" He turned around to the leader, knowing that was a bad idea. "You know they'll just fight."
"It's fine," Shigaraki gave a small shrug. "We're recruiting them, so we should treat them as equals. Besides, they're smart enough to know they can't take us all, right? After all, UA students are so clever."
Izuka furrowed her eyebrows, closing her eyes. He was unfortunately right that 2 students couldn't win against them, but she didn't wanna sit there and listen to this. Or to be compared to her brother either.
"Hey, Twice," Dabi glanced over his shoulder. "You do it."
"Sure thing! No way," He responded a bit hesitantly.
"Do it," Dabi ordered him again, and his tone suggested he wouldn't ask a third time.
"Oh, man," Twice walked up to the duo.
"I do apologize for such forceful methods," Compress spoke up from the corner. "But please understand that we aren't some kind of unruly mob committing crimes without a third act in mind. We didn't kidnap you by accident."
Shigaraki stood up, walking over to untie Izuka. "Even though our backgrounds are different, everyone here has suffered. Because of people. Rules. And heroes who try to hold us back. I'm sure you're both the same. And while I have your attention...what exactly is the relationship between you two?" Shigaraki glanced between the two of them. They looked up at him wide-eyed; their reactions weren't exactly convincing him that they didn't have a connection. Izuka clamped her mouth shut, looking away as she wasn't going to tell them a damn thing. She could tell by Katsuki's sneer that he wasn't going to answer that question either. "Lovers? Or friends? Nah, he wouldn't react like that if you were. Seems you're a soft spot. I wish I could puke. Don't you just feel the potential if you were here with us together?"
Once they were both freed, they knocked back Twice with their knees, the chairs falling to the ground. Both of them raced up to Shigaraki together. Izuka then slapped him across the face and Katsuki yelled, firing off an explosion afterwards. It was so strong that the hand over Shigaraki's face flew off amongst the smoke, falling to the ground.
"No, but did you feel that?!" Izuka growled angrily at him, even shocking the other villains since they hadn't seen her be like this before.
"Shigaraki!" Twice cried out in concern for their boss.
"The two of us are done listening to your endless talking," Katsuki spoke up with a growl, neither of them looking up at the villains. "Can you not get to the point, or do you just like your own voice? Basically, what you're saying is you wanna cause some trouble and you want us to join you." Shigaraki had a red mark on his face due to the slap. Twice stood up in shock. Katsuki then glared up at the two. "Well, screw you."
"Did you see what he just did? Man, it doesn't get any cooler than All Might!" Katsuki was watching the fight from outside Oshima Electronics. Izuka glanced up at him, blinking in surprise at his behavior. "That's why he's the greatest. No matter how much trouble he's in, he's always the winner!"
Katsuki then gave a big grin. "I like to win. I wanna win just like All Might. No matter what you have to offer us...that will never change, do you understand?" He kept that grin on his face, his eyes piercing right at them.
Izuka then clenched a shaking fist, looking up at them fiercely. "Even if people don't believe in me and what I can do, I don't fit into your way of thinking. Us being the same, there's where you're wrong. I don't care what anyone says, the fact that you want to harm people and you're using my DNA to do it disgusts me. And to that, I offer back a second screw you."
Izuka continued to sob sadly at the situation between her and her brother after telling her family of her Quirk. "Even when things seem like the end, all Might always brings hope. He's the greatest hero in the world...because he's the shining hero we need..."
She glared up at Shigaraki. "I like to make sure people are okay. All Might does that too. And him teaching me is something I'll never take for granted. So you can take all of that us being equal and recruiting crap, and shove it up your own ass."
"Hah!" Katsuki smirked at her being like this. Plus her going up and slapping Shigaraki was bold too. He could be proud later, though. "And we're not stupid. You'll just kill the shorty for her DNA. If you take another step towards her, you're dead."
Shigaraki silently stared down at the hand, his eyes wide. "Father..." He murmured at the hand.