Should he feel disappointed?

His left hand was wrapped up in a cast, resting on a stand. What's life supposed to be like after all this? He felt tight binds constricting against his movement as he tried to sit up. It was so nice… It's over now… He had to go back… His blanket fell, revealing a hospital gown; which was in line with the surrounding hospital room. What was he supposed to do now? A room that flashed in his mind, at least a dozen times. Which left him unsure if he was ever actually awake or in just some strange dream… Maybe… Maybe none of this was real… He blinked, movement catching his eye. Like some fading synapse firing off one last time… It was a bellowing curtain, flapping after a gust of wind. Would that be better or worse? After the wind weakened, the curtain began to fall.

There was a man standing in the corner of his room.

His eyes darted around himself, sifting for something. He was a hand down and surrounded by heavy equipment. Nothing he could use; nothing he could do—Maybe none of this is real… Izuku stopped, a sense of calm washing over him. The adrenaline spiking his veins weakened and dissipated as his gaze slowly drifted back to the corner. He was tall and lanky, muscle protruding from bone. Face; flat, only defined by the folds and wrinkles of a white bandanna. A red, dirtied scarf hung from his neck, settling just like the curtain before him. His black top and pants were stained with dried blood—his blood.

With a voice, deep and guttural, "You're… alive…" he said with a smile too wide for his face.

"Hey! Did anyone check this—" a feminine voice, laced with concern and panic, swung in with rushed steps. Izuku's eyes swung to see the nurse rush in, only to see her fall to the ground—eyes nearly popping out of her skull. A screech of horror ripped through the room, echoing off the walls and ringing louder. His gaze snapped back to the figure, only catching the trailing wisps of a white bandanna and a red scarf. The woman's scream brought others and more. She was pointing at the window, "W-We're…" She swallowed, "We're on the thirtieth floor!"

Another nurse, male, stepped further into the room, crunching the shattered glass on the floor, "W-What… the hell?" He kept his eyes on the window, waving his hand at Izuku, "Are—Are you okay?" The nurse finally turned their head, "Did they hurt you?" Their look of fear and concern shifted, turning bewildered.

Because, while not large or wide, Midoriya Izuku was smiling.

-XXX-

Kaminari Denki played with the phone in his hands. It wasn't his; it was Midoriya's. Weird to keep, he knew that much. Turned out he was forgetful. He took it from the locker room, left it in his pocket, and forgot to hand it over. Because of course he did. Of course, he'd make the same damn mistake that led to this mess. His blood boiled and irritation pulsed throughout his body.

"Your friend is in the hospital," was what the police officer said. They had arrived that day to question them: teachers, heroes, and himself. "How did Midoriya get off of school grounds?" "Who was meant to be watching him?" "Who allowed this to happen?" "Why did he leave school grounds in the first place?" Of his own volition. Dr. Yaritezawa. Everyone. Denki forgot the stupid-ass gauntlet.

When Denki ousted himself as Midoriya's why, the teachers kept a close eye on him. He was a technical accomplice to Midoriya' escape, after all. Not to mention, he took school equipment – dangerous equipment off school grounds. And in the end, instead of owning up to a teacher about his mistake, he let Midoriya, who was already injured, rush off to go get it for him.

"Kaminari," softly called Yaoyorozu. "Class is gonna start soon. You should put that away."

Denki blinked, looking up at her from his classroom seat, "Yeah, gotcha, Yaoyorozu."

She gave a light smile as he tucked the phone away, "Thank you."

Denki could feel her eyes linger on him; Shinso's, Jirou's, and Ashido's, too. It'd start off as a glance and then shifted to a longer gaze. Those looks would break eventually, and Denki would wonder if they were worried about Midoriya. He assumed they were – just out of concern if anything else. However, anytime they talked to Denki it was more about him, trying to make him okay. Like making him push away the harm he caused would somehow make him feel better. Midoriya was in the hospital because of him. Whatever condition, whatever injury was his fault.

And Denki couldn't forgive that.

-XXX-

"So, Midoriya got caught up with that villain thing going on?" "Midoriya's Quirkless, it's insane that they let him get anywhere near that." "Who was the villain?" "Where's Midoriya?" "Is he okay?" "Maybe, he's dead~." "Not funny man." "Why did he sneak off campus?" "Do you seriously think he's dead?" "Where were the Heroes? Why were so many of them just sitting around on bleachers?" "That's real bleak, I hope he's okay." "Why was that going on so close to the school?" "Why didn't they tell us? I wouldn't have come into school that day, man." "He's probably fine – there must've been some Hero, ya know?"

"You know, I heard it was the Hero Killer." "That dude – the fucking murder-hobo?" "Yeah, he was on the news." "What is that guy's deal, anyway?" "I don't know something about true Heroes – a few of them don't count so he's gonna… well, kill 'em." "I can't believe you told me that – god! What happens if he's still around!?" "Nah, they'll catch him." "News says he's still on the loose." "So that's who Midoriya ran into?" "I guess innocent bystanders aren't true heroes, huh?" "Yeah, he's just some villain with a gimmick." "A gimmick he can't even keep up with." "What a joke."

"Wait, Midoriya ran into who?" "He's alive?" "I don't know." "Dude, imagine getting caught up in a Hero Operation to catch a serial killer." "Aw, man, I'm curious now." "He must've run into a few Heroes, too." "He's in the Support Course, right?" "Yeah, he's a first year too." "Man, I wonder what happened…"

The voices in the cafeteria piled onto each other, becoming a mass of noise. The usual group was together again, trying to eat, as the rumor mill ran around them. Shinso Hitoshi was able to ignore it with ease. While, irritation thy name was Kaminari Denki. Jirou was quiet, and Ashido was searching for something to say. She had just run out of phrases and words for the group. Trying to uplift the group felt increasing inappropriate as each hour passed.

The Sports Festival wasn't that long ago – two days, give or take a few hours. Two days wasn't that long; the rational part of their brains knew that. He couldn't know what everyone else felt, but it bothered him. Even though, they knew he was in the hospital – they had no idea what his condition was. Was he doing well? Was he getting worse? Could he still walk? Hands still work? So many questions that came with no answers. Teachers hadn't said anything, and the media embargo prevents the news from revealing several details.

A Shiketsu student saved the Pro-Hero, Ingenium from the serial killer known as Stain, the Hero Killer.

Midoriya wasn't named. The hospital he went to wasn't named. His condition was never stated. If he were… gone, the news would've said something – at least, he hoped… But, who knows if they're even allowed to speak about Midoriya's condition without permission from the guy or the school. Would they get to know?

He bit his cheek before refocusing on the meal in front of him. "All these maybes are giving me a damn headache…"

Ashido pushed a smile, "So!" She blinked, looking between everyone, "Um…"

"Recent events are off the table… Support Items and Hero costumes were off the table… Heroes were off the table – villains…" thought Hitoshi as he picked at his food.

"Math class was… pretty rough, huh?" said Ashido weakly.

"…"

Jirou's voice popped up, "I…" She pushed a chuckle, "I still can't believe there will be section of the test where we can't use our calculators." She shook her head, "Those guys have been saving my butt this whole time."

"Right?" concurred Ashido.

Hitoshi offered, "I still think literature's dumb." He shook his head, "Something as subjective as a poem turned black and white with a right and wrong answer." He gave a smile, "It's annoying."

Ashido nodded, "Oh, yeah, I mean what happens if I think the yellow curtain is just a yellow curtain and not some representation of poverty or somethin?"

"Yeah, it's dumb…" said Hitoshi.

"…"

"…"

The conversation had lulled once again…

Until, "Hero Art History is just a weird subject…", Kaminari chimed in. He hadn't touched a thing on his plate, nor did he even look up from it.

"A bone…" For the sake of the group, it was tossed, but Hitoshi could tell that another wouldn't be given freely. He was sure they all knew that much.

Even so, Ashido nodded, "Right, but… uh, honestly, I just think that Mr. Takehiro is just kinda… boring about it."

"He could stand to make it a bit more interesting," suggested Hitoshi. With that, the group fell into a rhythm, talking about the mundane. They kept it going for as long as they could; distracted themselves from the suffocating thoughts that pilled in the corners of their minds. "Better than nothing…" Hitoshi thought.

-XXX-

Ridiculous, it was absolutely ridiculous! First, her boy winds up in a hospital after slipping off of school grounds and getting attacked by a villain. Now, after a long conversation with a doctor about how well he's doing, she finds that his room has been cornered off by police tape and that he's been moved to another room! How much had to happen to him!? How much danger was he in? Did they have to move? Was it the same villain? A robber gone insane? "I mean, who robs a hospital…!?"

Midoriya Inko rushed towards the door; nearly collided into the doorway as she skidded to a stop. She panted as her eyes rose. That was when she saw him, sitting up in his hospital bed – awake and even smiling. "Hi, Mom," he said as if nothing was wrong. As if he wasn't in a hospital gown with a discolored thumb and a permanent scar across his chest. As if he wasn't just attacked by a villain. As if the room he was just in hadn't been broken into. It was as if they were in that apartment that they lived so much of their lives in. After a long day at work, she'd come home to him and he was fine, greeting her. He was fine…

He was fine.

A lump pooled in her throat as she stumbled into the room. "I-Izuku…" He was alive. "My baby…" Her lip quivered as a smile crossed her face, "You're okay!" She rushed to his bedside as tears welled in her eyes, toppling over. "Thank god!" His face was blurred by her tears and soon she couldn't see a thing when she wrapped him in the tightest hug she could manage. He was wider than she remembered – burlier too. It made her question the distance between. How it was growing and how vast it could become.

"M-Mom…", he said.

She thought she saw it, but now she heard it. "Why did he sound so surprised…?" It made her hug tighter; it made her heart sink. Was it the time apart? Was it something she said? She did? Inko couldn't help but remember the first time Izuku broke: that night in front of that computer – "C-Can I be a Hero, too?" His voice echoed throughout her mind.

And it reverberated in her ears, "Mom, hey." She raised her head. He looked guilty, hiding it behind a smile while tears welled up in his eyes, "I'm sorry… I…" His smile grew as he pulled her into another hug. "I'm okay – I'm fine." As they embraced, she felt the droplets stain her cardigan, "I'm here." He held her tight as did she, "I didn't… I…"

She smiled into his shoulder, "You're okay."

He took a breath, "I'm okay." They remained in the hospital room, rocking back and forth. "We're gonna be okay."

-XXX-

"Why…" questioned Iida Tensei.

His arm was still bandaged, but had been cleared for leave by the hospital. He couldn't bring himself to wear that armor again – it was… too heavy. Though, the exhausts in his arms revved as he stared at the police tape. Midoriya Izuku's room was cornered off, under investigation of a break-in. One of his sidekicks was outside, looking for traces of the villain. Knives were used to descend the building from the rooftop – specifically from the helipad. The aircraft parked there was found with its own set of puncture holes.

"Stain…" Was he targeting Midoriya? Why risk exposure? There were so many Heroes in this building and this villain still managed to invade and elude. Then there was the 'dedication'. To hitch himself onto a helicopter, just to invade a boy's hospital room and leave without a single thing gained, seemed the process of a mad-man.

"This is the face of a True Hero!"

Tensei gritted his teeth as his hands balled into fists, "I couldn't protect Midoriya then…" He glared past the yellow tape and out that window, "I will not fail again…"

-XXX-

He was alive.

Usagiyama Rumi could live with that. Now, she wasn't in the hospital – she didn't need to be. She was nearby, listening – heard about the surgery's success and the Hero Killer's break-in. She was hopping from building to building, sifting through alleyways for the villain. The fact he slipped past her again was vexing – she had give him props for using the cover of a helicopter. Though, the fact she couldn't find him now was fury-inducing.

It was a pang throughout her body – a need. She had to catch him, but to not make up for her error, no. She had to catch him because he was a bad guy, asshole villain. Not because she failed, no. Rumi would kick Stain's ass and any other villain unlucky enough to walk the streets. Doing that, stopping him and anyone else, was the only thing she could do. She wasn't the nursing type – she couldn't play mentor or counselor. She kicked ass – that was what she was good at and what she'll do.

And if that made the pang go away, all the better.

Rumi did her part to save the b-… Izuku. She got him to the hospital and got Recovery Girl there. She did more than any other Hero that day… "If I were just a bit faster… maybe…" No, there wasn't a point in that. "Maybes are pointless… Can't change the past…" She knew that; she agreed with that.

However, that fact did very little in settling her boiling blood.

-XXX-

Akaguro Chizome, Stain, The Hero Killer, ducked into an abandoned apartment complex on the outskirts of the city. In spite of its decrepit status, its metal walls still held sturdy and the heavy shutters at each entry point made for good barricades. "A Quirk Containment Center…" recalled Chizome as he broke into an apartment. He took his knife and cut a hole into the wall, accessing the security's wiring. A spark between two wires caused the security to partially activate. The metal shutters were released, slamming into the ground with a thud and creak.

He stepped away from the door, looking about the room. "Safe enough… for now…" The stunt he pulled garnered a lot of attention, no doubt. Those false Heroes will be on high alert for a time, but they'll think him gone eventually. "Complacent fools…" They'll let him escape just to preserve their precious status quo. They'll refrain because those Commissions will ask them to. "Like how that school didn't warn its students…"

It was a risk all the same – in spite of his confidence. It placed him at a center of those faux characters. They may lack the ideals of true Heroes, but they're still dangerous in numbers… "What a dumb risk…" He knew that, but he had to know.

In a world filled with fake Heroes, the true ones are few and far between. A boy without a Quirk still placed his life at risk for the sake of others without hesitation. Even if the person he saved wasn't worthy of him. The boy had even smiled in the face of certain death. Midoriya Izuku, a true Hero, nearly died by his hand…

"He was in the way…" Chizome thought. "He may be a rare diamond in the rough, but the mission must come first," said Stain.

"Even if he is the thing you're trying to stoke…?" said another.

Stain's teeth ground together, "Not all who are worthy will see that light…"

The boy, Midoriya stood in the living room, "But, it's your goal to make sure they are…" He sat before the TV screen, "To rid the world of the pretenders… Make way for the pure and true…" His body still stained in his own blood. "Or is a mere inconvenience enough to earn your blind eye…?"

"No…"

Blood pooled at the boy's feet, "And yet, that's what you did…"

"Stop…"

Midoriya stood as his thumb hit the stale carpet, "Instead of preserving the True Hero, you saved yourself… Even that actor, Ingenium, put the boy before catching you and saving himself…!"

Stain turned, "Who else would carry out my mission!?"

"Better anyone else than a pretender!" shouted Midoriya, spitting blood.

Chizome threw his katana, "Shut up!" sending it through the air and into the TV screen. The man panted before a growl escaped his lips. He turned away from the living room and stomped into the apartment's bedroom. The sheets were coated in dust; bugs and rats dashed out from underneath it when he collapsed into it.

It was the lack of sleep. It had to be. So, he will rest 'less he let doubt cloud his mind. He will rest and then carry out his work… But perhaps, he shall do so unalone…

-\ XXX /-

AN: Ta-da~. Welcome to Compulsion Season 2: Rebirth! A literal title and a little reference to the DC Comic run that was... like a few years ago. Now, there's some experimentation with the narration with this chapter. This mainly focuses on the aftermath of the previous - well, further aftermath. Several people have been affected by the event with reasons already evident and some that we will explore later... I still haven't decided on which order.

Then we will get to the meat of this season, heh-heh-heh... That'll be fun. That being said we will be in slice of life mode for a bit longer - got to hit a few beats before we get to adventuring.

A new cover has been made, but I realize it was a bit of a spoiler so I'll put it up once we reach the point where it isn't.

I do intend on dishing out my own world-building as well. I probably could've fit it into last season, but it had enough content as is. I gotta save stuff for later.

Honestly, rambling because I feel like I got more to write, but I have a headache so I'm gonna stop here.

With that, thank you for reading and criticize away!

Update Window: May 20th - 30th

Intended Due Date: May 20th - 25th