"Do you think she noticed?" asked a whispering Midoriya as he 'subtly' peeked over the back of the couch at his mother. Ms. Inko decided to shuttle both teenagers to the living room, insisting on cleaning their dinner plates herself. Mina switched on the TV, but found Midoriya's new behavior way more entertaining.

"God, he looks like a perched cat…!" she thought as she stifled a laugh. "No, I think we're good."

"Alright." He slipped off the couch and reached under the coffee table. "Back to this…"

He pulled out two glass jars that were filled with Mina's acid, but it was clear that—"So, the low acidity froze completely?"

Midoriya nodded, pulling out a little dish meant for sauces. "High-acidity is still liquid…" He opened the bubbling jar and poured baking soda into it, rendering it neutral. "Crazy…"

"It's super cool," she muttered.

"Your Quirk is super versatile." He tapped his chin. "High heat could create a smokescreen and low-temperatures could turn pools of your acid into capture-points and defenses."

"You think you can make me some Support Items for it?" she asked.

Midoriya blinked, meeting her eyes. "Hm?" He pondered for a moment. "Oh, uh… Maybe…? Eh, well… Um…" His face contorted, "P… Probably." He slowly nodded before doing so firmly. "Yeah. Yes."

"You came up with something just now, didn't ya?" she chuckled.

He hummed, "A few," before letting out a chuckle himself. "Thanks…" His leg tucked up from the ground, wrapping an arm around it. "That was fun."

"Yeah, it was pretty funny watching you panic like that," she giggled.

"Panic?" echoed Ms. Inko, entering the living room.

Midoriya quickly corrected, "Picnic! She meant picnic!" He turned, standing in front of the jars. "Like, uh… for the… firework festivals during summer break…"

"Y-Yeah! We could have a picnic on… a nice hill so we can watch the fireworks…" Mina slowly stood to match Midoriya.

Inko beamed, "Ooh, that sounds wonderful!" She gestured to Mina. "Your friends could even invite their families!"

"Yeah, yeah!" said Midoriya.

Mina's smile strained slightly. "Totally."

Inko nodded, "Oh, and we could catch up with that, uh… oh my, the, um… the blond boy?"

"Kaminari," answered Midoriya, smiling and nodding. "Yeah, maybe! Have a whole get-together."

"Something to look forward to," she sighed. She then offered, "Ashido, would you like to bathe before bed?"

Mina's eyes darted over to Midoriya for a moment before putting up her hands and shaking her head. "Oh, uh… I showered at the agency, you go ahead."

"Ah, thank you very much," replied Inko. She then took her leave from the teens, letting the lying pair relax.

"Did we have to lie about the jars?"

"Well, let me stop where my Mom starts getting worried, fearful, and/or anxious." He smiled and gestured towards the coffee table. "Oh, Mom, by the way, these are jars of acid." He stopped, letting his arms fall at his side. "…" He wasn't going to say anything else.

Mina giggled, "Okay, yeah, I get it."

They both retook their seats on their couch. Their attention was partially absorbed by the program on the screen. Though Mina caught the deep breath Midoriya took in. He leaned forward, propping his elbow on his knee before plopping his chin in his palm. "Do…" He seemed to fight a sigh. "Do you think Kaminari would still want to see the fireworks with all of us?"

"I think so," she offered. "Is there a particular one you have in mind?"

"I've actually never been to a fireworks festival. At least, not that I can recall. Maybe when I was a kid," he mentioned. "Though, I could always spot a few going off from my window."

"Really?" gasped Mina. "This has to be a huge event for you… Oh, it has to be an awesome one!" She pulled out her phone and began sifting through the nearby town's festivals. "Ooh… Which one? Which one?"

She glanced up and noticed that Midoriya was smiling but it didn't reach his eyes.

"Is there… something else?" she asked.

Midoriya slowly shook his head. "No… no… Uh…" His head tilted, "I guess, uh… Hm, never mind." He smiled again, waving his hand. "It was a… silly thought. Don't worry about it." He then asked, "Did any of those festivals catch your eye?"

"Oh, uh, not yet," she said. "Oh, man, did he finally want to talk about Kaminari…!?" Her search turned half-hearted as she mentally kicked herself. "And I missed my shot…! Gosh, darn-it…!" She deflated slightly as she shrugged, "Maybe the one near Nagaoka Station, I guess…"

Midoriya nodded, "That isn't too far away. Would be fun."

"I curse you, ya stupid… fireworks… festivals…" she grumbled internally. "Appealing to kid-me and distracting me from solving problems…!" She struggled to stop herself from kicking her feet. "Subtly be damned… I should just trick them into a room together and lock the door…" She stopped and took a breath. "…" She then thought, "No… I can't do that… They might start fighting again… Like two hamsters in a cage…" Her head teetered, "I wonder what Kaminari's doing now, anyway…? Wonder if he's putting more or less thought into all of this than I am…"

-XXX-

Kaminari Denki let out a breath as golden electricity roared from his skin. His muscles flexed and fingers curled as it expanded, consuming the air around him. Before, in the split second of his open palms balling into fists, these runaway sparks came to a halt. The expanding sparks slowed again and again; dimming for a moment and then another. His spine began to straighten as he sucked air into his lungs, and those crackling and fracturing arcs began to slowly retract.

Each muscle tensed and his head rose with gritted teeth. His arms twitched as pain rumbled in each joint from his shoulders to his knuckles. The electricity closest to him slipped through his tank-top and sweatpants. Each arc of light sunk into his flesh like burning fangs, seeping into his body and bones. His knees quaked and bent as he struggled to stay upright. He kept his arms tense, trying for more and more, before a talon of light pierced his chest, tapping through his ribs and striking his lung.

The organ withed in response, contracting and expanding rapidly. His concentration broken, Denki fell to his knees and broke out into a fit of coughs and hacks. He felt pockets of his saliva bubbling and bursting into vapors, leaving his mouth in stuttering puffs.

"Kaminari!" cried Hashida Itaru—Bigshot as he rushed over to his intern's side. The big man was in his own lounge/exercise wear and they were both within the walls of the Idaten Agency's gymnasium.

"Dammit…" Denki raised his head with a forced smile. "I almost had it that—whey~." For a moment, that cursed face of his pop from his features like a burp before he screwed his eyes shut, shaking his head.

"And that's where we'll call it a day. It's late, anyway," said Hashida, patting the younger's shoulder. "Though, it proves the theory. By simultaneously trying to absorb electricity while releasing it, you can actually control the range of your attack."

Denki pushed himself on to his feet. "It feels so weird…" He rubbed his biceps. "Like—whey~." His teeth gritted together, bringing his face back to normal.

Hashida frowned, "Don't fight it." He shook his head as they walked towards the locker rooms. "It's a natural part of you. I'm sure some of the ladies find it charming, anyway."

"Charming? W—" He sighed, forcing a chuckle. "They find it hilarious."

"Does that bother you?"

"It's fine – it's just fun and games…" He rubbed the back of his neck. "It's just… last time I got fried was after an argument with a friend… And I just laid there like an idiot, going 'Whey~'."

"You got into an argument like that?"

"N-No, it was… before and then it led into uh…"

"You fought somebody."

"Y-Yeah… I picked it and still lost…"

Hashida chuckled, "Trying to win an argument with a fight? Kid, most people don't act like they're in a shonen manga."

"I—whey~." He coughed, "I realize…"

Hashida waved his hand, "Well, what was the argument? If you don't mind my two-cents."

Denki scratched his cheek, "Uh… You know… Midoriya Izuku?"

"Midoriya… Izuku…" The man tapped his chin for a moment, pondering. He then blinked before nodding, "Ah, little Savior, I remember him."

"Savior?"

"Yeah, it's a nickname the other sidekicks came up with for him when we were all in recovery after that…", he sighed, "-operation."

Denki slowly nodded, "R-Right, you all would've met…" He chuckled a bit. "Still, though, 'Savior'?"

"He saved Ingenium – the guy's like a big brother to everyone here." He teetered his head. "I know, you haven't gotten to work with him too often since his, uh… hunt's still going on." He patted the younger's shoulder. "But, you'll have time with him tomorrow." He then coughed, "Now, what did you two fight over?"

Denki's jaw shifted, shaking his head. "He… after everything with the Hero Killer, decided to apply for an internship… for a Hero."

"Kid's trying to be sidekick?" Hashida laughed, "He's got the guts for it that's for sure." He cocked a brow. "Too dangerous for him, ya think?"

"Yes," was replied.

"Why?"

Denki sucked in a breath, "He's… Quirkless… He doesn't have any powers. He's way more at risk."

"I think he's the one kid who knows that more than anyone"

"Everyone keeps saying stuff like that."

"It's just the nature of our job, kid," said Hashida. "Quirks determine what we're good at. Our fields, our specializations, but I've done this long enough to know that a Quirk is a third of what makes a Hero. Cause it doesn't matter how flashy or how strong your Quirk is; if you aren't adaptable or clever, you'll drop like a sack of bricks." He shrugged, "If you want someone who agrees with you, well, it's a big agency. I'm sure you could find them."

"Am I just completely in the wrong?" asked Denki.

"You're not wrong to be concerned for your friend." His face contorted, "Fighting with him over it may be where you went wrong."

"Yeah…" Denki's head dropped, sighing, "It's my fault he was out there… If I hadn't forgotten that stupid gauntlet…"

Hashida was quiet for a moment. "…" He then took a breath and said, "Then, I guess I should thank you."

"What?"

"If it weren't for you, Midoriya wouldn't have been out there, and Ingenium probably would've died. 'Cause of that 'stupid gauntlet', instead of losing one Hero, we might've just added two more to the mix."

Denki blinked, "I…" His face contorted, "…"

Hashida chuckled, patting the younger's shoulder. "Get some rest, kid." He did a mock gag. "And a shower, you stink."

The younger shoved the man's hand away, chuckling, "Not as bad as you."

"I'll let you think that," huffed the man. "See you tomorrow."

As he walked through the locker room's doors, Denki nodded, "See you tomorrow, Mr. Hashida…" He made his way over to his locker, pulling it open. "If it weren't for me… Ingenium might've died…? Feels like I'm taking credit for something Midoriya did…" His hands pulled at the sides of his bag before hesitating. "Something Midoriya did… Midoriya saved someone… A Pro-Hero of all people… He's saved more people than I have…" He shook the thoughts away, focusing on getting and heading back to Shiketsu dorms.

-XXX-

"Hey, Boss, you got a phone call from Kamui Woods."

Yu blinked, "Woods?" It was closing time at the agency – almost everyone had left. "You walked Kaguya out," she told Ichimoku. "I'll meet you by the entrance." Once those two were on their way, Yu yawned as she answered the phone, "What's up?"

"Mount-Lady, I received word from Shiketsu about a joint-statement about those articles," said Kamui.

"Oh, you're included?"

"While not the subject, I suppose I am involved in a way." There was a moment of silence before he said, "I wanted to apologize for not noticing sooner. I… should've said something… Or… at least, say the right thing."

"You couldn't have done anything about it." Yu smiled slightly. "But… thanks… I appreciate it."

Another bit of silence, he was probably nodding on the other side. "Oh, and… I planned on requesting Death-Arms to work my patrol a bit. With so much publicity, I wanted to avoid subjecting the interns to it, so we're going to train in the gym tomorrow." He coughed, "I thought you might want to do the same, so I thought you might want to have Mr. Midoriya train here."

"Oh…" Yu teetered her head. "His friend did mention that they have similar gear…" She shrugged, "Um, sure, it could be a good distraction for the day."

"Alright, then," he said. "I'll see you tomorrow."

She nodded, "Good night, Woods."

"Good night, Mount-Lady," replied Kamui.

Yu smiled a bit when she hung up, but that quickly went away when she say Ichimoku standing before the elevator doors, smirking. "What?"

As she approached, he 'bravely' teased, "Woods and Mount-Lady~, sitting in a tree. K-I-S-S-I-N-G~." She continued past him, casually reaching up and grabbing him by his ear. "AH!" He started to cry, "Uncle, uncle, uncle!" as she dragged him towards the elevator.

-XXX-

Akaguro Chizome sat in the back of a van. It had become familiar at this point and time as he traveled in it – lived in it. Its owner was Iguchi Shuichi: a fan and a follower. They had encountered each other often in the digitalscape. Chizome stalked for potential targets, but couldn't help but share his gospel to others online. Iguchi seemed to recognize the folly of today's society – the plague of the faux Heroes. When the Hero Killer first made the news, Iguchi made the connection in one of their chats. At the time, Chizome was going to kill Iguchi until the young man made himself useful.

Iguchi provided intel about patrols, stops, favorite eateries, and bars. At first, Chizome thought it was some trick, a sting operation, but after a few cautious missions. Iguchi's intel proved true and the man, trustworthy. Though, they had never met in-person until recently – only ever interacting digitally. However, due to his failed attempt to maim Ingenium, the city surrounding Shiketsu was too alert and he was in no position to question his luck to be in Iguchi's hometown.

"And now you live out of the back of his van – a murder-hobo and his enabler." Midoriya laid on his back, bleeding out like he had once before.

Chizome had taken to hiding a majority of his gear under baggy clothing, leaving his mask and bandana around his neck, while covering his head with a beanie. His trusty, rusty katana was wrapped in a bag similar to one for a training sword. At the moment, he was waiting for Iguchi to—

A wrapping of knocks connected against the side door of the van. "Everything's ready, Mr. Akaguro."

The door opened and Chizome stepped into a parking lot of some bar under the darkening night sky. "I'm not fond of surprises, Iguchi."

He chuckled, "You will be of this one." He gestured towards the bar. "I found like-minded people—" He quickly added, "They don't know the Hero Killer's here."

Chizome's darkened features lightened as he partially relaxed.

Midoriya sat on the lip of the door, causing a constant drip of blood onto the asphalt. "Were you going to kill him here and now? After all he's risked for you?"

"I work alone," said Chizome.

"Until you failed as a warrior and overall, as a human being."

Chizome extended his arm to slam the van door shut, cutting through the vision's nonexistent legs. "Usually…" He let out a breath. "Are these people worth my time?"

"Yes," replied Iguchi, nodding.

His teeth gritted together for a moment before saying, "Fine." He jerked his chin. "Lead the way."

As they trekked towards the building, Iguchi explained, "It's just three – for now." That caused Chizome's brow to twitch. "One with an impressive fire Quirk, another with a containment Quirk, and the last has a mutation Quirk."

As they neared the bar's violet-lit door, Chizome asked, "You planned for us to meet in a public space?"

"To avoid a fight," answered Iguchi. "We've all been lying low, getting into a fight is the last thing any of us need."

"That containment Quirk?"

Iguchi flexed his fingers, "Requires touch." He nodded, "Saw one of his stage shows."

"Touch…" echoed Chizome. He shook his head before grabbing Iguchi's shoulder; scowling, "What if he tries to capture us? Turn me into the police?"

Iguchi blinked, almost chuckling incredulously. "I doubt he'd raise his hand without you noticing. I mean it's you, sir. You've been evading Pro-Heroes for almost a whole year before the news figured you out." He rolled his eyes. "Some stage magician isn't going to out pace you."

A squelch of blood echoed in Chizome's ears as Midoriya slipped in-between the two of them, facing Iguchi, whistling. The apparition then spun around its soles squishing in its own blood. "I wonder if he would say that knowing you were gonna kill him a second ago…"

Chizome forced his gritted teeth apart. "Let's… meet your friends…"

"Our friends, sir," said Iguchi, patting the taller man's arm. "Hopefully, at least," he chuckled as he stepped forward to push open the door.

Chizome followed, leaving the vision behind. "More people to lead on your little crusade?" He stepped into the bar's entrance. "You know, you were supposed to stop the villains, Hero… But now, you're gonna make more?" He hesitated. "Wow… You picked a name for yourself, didn't you?" It spat, spouting blood and bile. "You really are a fucking stain…" He slammed the door shut behind him.

The inside of the bar was about what he expected – dimly lit and reeking of alcohol and cigarettes. Following Iguchi deeper inside, he found himself stepping towards a booth near the back of the bar. It was occupied by three others. One with dark hair and blue eyes was almost young looking, but his age became lost in large patches of charred skin that consumed parts of his face, jaw, and neck. His clothes were baggy and haphazardly chosen. Another seemed to be older, judging by the way he dressed: a top-hat, dress-shirt, vest, stacks, etc. Though, alarm bells went off at the mask that covered his face. The last one looked to be a cross-breed of man and octopus. At least, that's what the face showed as the rest of his body was covered in a black cloak.

"Those scars… If he was trained by Endeavor… are those scars from training under him…?" thought Chizome. "I recall seeing his son at U.A. 's Sports Festival with a burn scar on his face… He always acted like a bastard to his fans, but he was a good Hero… At least, I thought so…" His teeth ground together. "Another pretender… So close to All-Might's position, but none of his spirit…"

Iguchi stepped in front of the booth. "Gentlemen, sorry we're late." He gestured to Chizome. "This is Kenshi, the man I mentioned."

"Ah, Sako Atushiro," introduced the masked man, standing to take off his head and a bow. "Though, I go by Mr. Compress nowadays," he added as he straightened, extending his hand.

Chizome shook it. "Hi."

"You're the guy who knows the Hero Killer?" asked the burnt-one.

A glare nearly shot at Iguchi, but kept himself in check. "Personally."

"Dabi."

"They called me Innsmouth…", blubbered the mutant.

"Shall we?" offered Iguchi to Chizome.

After a beat of silence, Chizome nodded and they took their seats. The Hero Killer sat next to Mr. Compress with his off-hand slipping into his hoodie. His fingers found the grip of one of his many knives, holding it tight. "So, why're you two interested in the Hero Killer to begin with?"

"I see him as a kindred spirit," answered Sako. "These 'celebrities' claim to be moral and kind. Yet, while children still run from their horrible homes and live on the streets of Tokyo, they live, drink, and eat lavishly. They aren't paid based on the good they do. They're paid based on their captures of 'villains'. So, when they're one short of their monthly quota, they'll pick someone off the street to arrest. Accuse them of committing a crime they didn't, and let them fall before the courts to be mangled in their cogs."

Chizome shared a look with Iguchi who nodded to confirm. "Who was it?" asked Stain.

"Kashi Kashiko… The Observing Hero… Beholder." Sako chuckled, "Apparently, he can remotely link to video feeds of any kind. He was a sidekick for the longest time… Winded up becoming buddy-buddy with a couple of shit detectives, doing favors – accessing recordings without warrants or permission." "All he had to do was lie to those morons, and then I find myself in handcuffs over a murdered girl." His finger pressed against the lip of his glass, tilting it slightly. "I thought the justice system would save me. I thought it was an honest mistake." He growled, "I lost five years of my life before I gave up on being saved…" The cup of water suddenly disappeared; replaced by a blue marble, bouncing on the table. "And I learned the complete truth when I took the little watcher's leg." That marble was shifted between his fingers before flicking it up with his thumb and catching it. "He's not the last – I'm certain of that."

"You?" asked Iguchi to Innsmouth.

"I… used to be a smuggler… Sneaked stuff out of the ports on a normal speedboat. Ran jobs with my brothers and sister," he explained. "We were running cargo out of a port in Nagoya… When some Hero showed up…" He shuddered, "He was faster than the eye could see… He was on the boat before any of us even realized…" He shook his head. "It was so dark I didn't get a good look at him, but it's not like that would've mattered…" There was a lump in his throat as his voice cracked. "He didn't give us a chance to surrender… My… brothers… sister… They evaporated… He hit them so fast, so hard that they…" Whatever sadness was building shifted, turning to a growl. "And he laughed… 'Oops,' he said…" His head drooped, "I was the only witness… He couldn't let me live, but… his mistake was underestimating my Quirk." He parted his cloak and revealed an embedded imprint of a fist in his chest. "I'm more octopus than my siblings were. His attack didn't rupture me from the inside like them, but it sent me flying into the sea…" He took a deep breath. "When I awoke, I was ashore and I could see the coast guard investigating our burning boat in the distance… They never reported our deaths or the Hero involved… Hid it probably – to protect the bastard."

Iguchi reached over and patted the man's shoulder.

"I'm not interested in swapping sob stories," huffed Dabi. "I just want to kill Endeavor, and the bastard deserves it."

"Do you expect the Hero Killer to do it for you?" asked Chizome.

Dabi scowled, "No. I want to do it myself, but I'm not stupid enough to think I can do it alone."

Chizome slowly nodded before leaning back in his seat; fidgeting with the knife in his pocket. His gaze washed over Iguchi, Sako, Innsmouth, and Dabi. "Hm…" He leaned forward, releasing his knife and placing his arms upon the table. "Perhaps you won't… Dabi." He shook his head. "However, you both… are still untested in the eyes of the Hero Killer…"

"And how would we prove ourselves exactly?" asked Sako.

Chizome stood, "There are false Heroes everywhere… And you're all going to kill one."

-\ XXX /-

AN: Oh, we had to swing back around eventually. Initially, it was supposed to be Magne, but I don't Stain would've accepted her as she is just a murderer and thief. Then, I considered Twice, but I honestly wasn't up for writing his dialogue right now. Finally, Innsmouth was enough of a non-character that I felt comfortable enough to go wild with him.

Everything else, mainly just the necessary beats. Wrapping up the experiments, touching base with Kaminari, and setting up the next chapter.

Thank you for reading and criticize away!

Update Window: November 20th - 30th

Intended Due Date: November 20th - 25th