Q&A

Zimrith chapter 24 . Jun 25

I love how this story is developing and look forward to seeing where you take it, on that note, I am not sure if this has been asked before or not but what Daedric artifacts does Izuku have, The idea of a prankster Serana with the Wabbajack is both terrifying and potentially hilarious, on top of that if I understand it right then the nomu is for all intense and purposes undead.

Answer:

Well, the Daedric artifacts are going to be a surprise but I agree Serana with the Wabbajack would be funny. But the Wabbajack is quite lethal and too unpredictable to use on allies. So her Wabbajack prankster days will probably be within Skyrim. But who knows, maybe she would use it on some items during her time at UA. Maybe like Aizawa's coffee just before he drinks it.

Chapter 22: An Offer Of Freedom

Notes:

I want to thank ShotgunJack545 for proofreading this chapter. It was a big help and I am super grateful for it.

I recommend you check out his works in my Discord under 'promote your work' and encourage you to do the same.

Lydia and Serana took Momo from UA in the hopes of getting some needed clothes and other essentials that she would need. The two dragon slayers quickly realized that they had no idea how exactly to do that. Lydia and Serana only really went out with Izuku, and that was to local shops and eateries that were located close to their apartment. And none of those shops sold what they needed. What made it worse, was due to Momo's isolated life(due in part to her parents), she was equally lost.

They continued to wander for some minutes before getting the idea to call Rumi. Something she accomplished after fumbling with her phone; technology was still incredibly odd. When the woman answered, Rumi suggested meeting her at a pizza joint. Feeling a little peckish herself, and knowing that Momo didn't have a chance to even get halfway through her meal at lunch, she agreed to meet up with Rumi. It took convincing Momo a little bit, especially since she apparently didn't know what pizza was. Lydia only knew what it was due to Izuku making it for her during her time in Skyrim, and she was quite eager to eat the real thing. So after explaining what it was, she dragged the two to the pizza joint and sat there waiting for Rumi. Around thirty minutes later, Rumi stepped into the restaurant with an extra guest in tow.

"Mitsuki, what are you doing here?" Serana asked, to which Mitsuki let out a long sigh before she spoke up.

"My brat attacked one of his fellow students in his class, and I was called in. Principal Nezu says he has until the end of the sports festival to shape up or he'll be expelled from UA entirely. Luckily I was able to talk with him and get his assistance in selecting a Juvenile Villain Rehab Program. The rat was quite shocked that I was willing to go that far to make sure my brat was a proper member of society. He was even more shocked when I told him I was already looking into options. So much so in fact, that he made me an offer; if Katsuki doesn't shape up, then he goes to a rehab center, if does well he can reapply for the Hero Course next year. Anyway, I came because I heard you needed help shopping. Rumi didn't tell me much, just enough to know that she's in a similar situation to Himiko, and has lived a sheltered life. So I'm guessing she's going to need a full wardrobe and essentials, correct?" Mitsuki said as she sat down.

Rumi winced upon hearing what Mitsuki was actually planning to do with her brat. Juvenile Corrections in Japan are equivalent to high-security mental asylums. Rumi knew what Mitsuki was considering after hearing what he did to Izuku the first time. But the fact that she was actually looking into options before what happened today meant she really thought her brat was going to become a villain. Rumi couldn't help but think about how tough it must have been for her to realize that. Honestly, she admired the fact Mitsuki had the balls to actually do something about it. A lot of parents don't have the will or the courage to do what it takes to make sure their child doesn't end up like another villain or criminal. So deciding to give her a break and make sure the topic didn't come up again, she finally opened her mouth. After all, they were here for Momo and not to talk about her brat.

"Yeah, I thought it was a good idea to bring her since my fashion sense is equivalent to having comfortable sweatpants and a T-shirt." Rumi said as she gestured to her outfit which was just baggy sweatpants, a t-shirt, and a baseball cap to help hide her ears.

"But I think you look nice, and your clothing looks more comfortable than the things my mother makes me wear." Momo said innocently. Which made Rumi and everybody else wince internally.

Rumi couldn't help but to pity the girl, how sheltered was she if she thought simple clothes looked good? Not to mention the fact that she was probably never given the freedom to wear anything that she wanted to and was forced to wear uncomfortable clothes that her parents forced on her. Yep, Rumi could already see that they were dealing with another situation similar to Himiko's. Although it's probably going to be much worse since the girl obviously didn't realize that she was being abused. Rumi could see it now, a whole lot of confusion buying the simplest things. Not to mention the confused tears and emotional turmoil that would come with it.

"Oh honey, we have a lot of damage control to do. Don't worry, I know a good clothing store that sells nice and comfortable clothes. But if you really think you'll like clothes like what the tomboy is wearing, we can do that." Mitsuki said; which got a, "Hey, who are you calling a tomboy," from Rumi as everybody else just burst out into laughter. Momo just sat there confused and a bit lost. Seeing this, Lydia decided to speak up.

"Why don't we order some food while we discuss what exactly we need to get?" Lydia said, receiving nods of assent from everybody else as well as a growl from Momo's stomach, causing the ravenette to blush.

After teasing Momo for a bit, they placed their orders. Lydia made sure to order a large portion of various dishes which was practically half the menu for herself and Momo. Mitsuki was a little confused about why she ordered such a large amount of food, but after explaining it to her, Mitsuki promised that she would make larger portions for the two of them if they ever came over to her house or when she came over to cook. Momo was still getting used to the fact that she could eat a lot more than what was normally allotted to her, and was quite intimidated by the large amount of food that was delivered to their table. It took a bit more convincing, but they were able to convince her to eat as much as she wanted. The girl practically lit up when she started eating the food, apparently she had never tried anything that her parents considered peasant food, so the experience for her was a unique and enjoyable one.

After they finished eating and paid for their food, they got into Mitsuki's car(which was an experience for Lydia and Serana). The car ride reminded Lydia of the time when Izuku was experimenting with Dwemer Tech to build a steam-powered wagon. His steam powered wagon worked, but he forgot about the fact that it needed breaks and it crashed into the side of a mountain. 'At least the car that they're driving has them.' Lydia mused to herself as she attempted to hold back a laugh from remembering that event.

When they finally got to the shopping district, their first stop was a clothing store. Serana would have gone in with the group if she hadn't spotted a man walking into an alleyway after drawing a symbol on the wall with chalk. It was the incomplete symbol of the Thieves Guild that was repurposed for Izuku and her spy Network. Telling Lydia that she would be gone for a bit, she went towards the alleyway in which she saw the symbol, and after finishing the symbol she entered the alleyway. As she entered, a dark figure wearing gray leather armor that was identical to the Thieves Guild appeared.

"Whatever it is, Dabi, it better be important." Serana said, a little annoyed.

"Chill boss, it is." The now named Dabi said as he pulled down his hood, revealing a man covered in burn scars that appeared to be healing. Sighing she waved her hand in a gesture for him to continue.

"There's a group calling themselves the League of Villains. They're using the old and long dead king of the underworld's resources to gather a large number of villains. They're attempting to do so slowly, and if it wasn't for my contact it would have gone unnoticed. If I'm right, it's going to take at least a week for them to gather the manpower they're looking for." Dabi said ,which causes Serana's eyes to widen before narrowing.

"Do you know what they're planning, and how they were able to get their hands on that man's resources?" Serana asks, frowning.

"I don't know what they're planning, only that it involves UA, and the king of the underworld. Some people say that he's still alive but just in hiding, some people say it's one of his old lieutenants that's behind it. Now that you have your information, can you give me any updates on your end of the deal?" Dabi said nonchalantly as he leaned against the wall of the alley.

"Yes, I have an update. We have all the evidence we need to put him behind bars, but we can't expose him right now." Serana said with a sigh.

"Why not?" Dabi asked angrily.

" Because your mother and your siblings are in the way and if we do it now they'll be caught in the crossfire." Serana said sternly, causing Dabi's anger to disappear immediately as he freezes up.

"How did yo-?" Dabi started to say before Serana cut him off by continuing. A devilish smile on her face.

"How did I know? Oh, that's simple, we do our research on every recruit that we bring into the guild, and our little deal helps narrow it down." Serana said, but seeing the fearful look on his face her smile dropped and she got serious.

"Look Dabi, I have no intention of harming your family, I just want to help. After all, I know what it's like to have a maniac for a father." Serana said, causing Dabi to wince. Everybody in the upper echelon of the guild knew of their boss's origins and backstories. So he knew how her father was a real piece of work.

Dabi sighed, "It's all right, I just wasn't expecting anyone to figure that out. But since you know, do you mind keeping an eye on my brother for me." Dabi asked.

"Yeah, I can do that. Especially since it's my job to do so." Serana said with a smile before walking away.

Inside Tartarus

Kaina Tsutsumi, also known as the former pro-hero Lady Nagant, was sitting in her cell reading a book that appeared in her cell 3 months ago. It was strange, it just appeared right next to her, with a note attached to it. It also appeared that no one was able to see it but her. She wasn't confronted by any of the guards about it and during the times when they searched her cell they completely ignored it like it didn't even exist. So she really didn't need to hide that she was reading something.

At first glance, the book appeared to be a fantasy novel that told of the time when a quirkless boy was pushed down by society and found himself transported into another world. It told a story of how he ended up saving that world, how he made friends and allies alike. It told of his many triumphs and victories. But it also told of his regrets, his failures, and his mistakes.

Even if she hadn't read the note that was glued to the back of the book, she was smart enough to tell that whoever wrote this book had far too much emotion poured into its words for the story to be a mere fantasy. It was too autobiographical and too vividly descriptive for it to be a fantasy story. Hell, she can make her arm into a goddamn gun, and some people could do even crazier shit with their quirks. So dimensional travel really wasn't too hard to believe. Closing the book and looking at the note, she read over the words once more. She did it every time when she would reread the book, and this time was no different.

" Dear Kaina Tsutsumi, this book is a gift to you to help prepare you for my arrival. I know who you are, I know what you have done, and why you have done it. I do not blame you, nor do I judge you. You were used as a tool for the Hero Commission and the second you questioned what was right the commission tried to kill you; you were quicker. Instead of killing you and ending your despair they threw you in a cell and charged you with crimes that you did not commit.

We both know the current Hero Society is corrupt, and as long as it remains standing, society cannot be fixed. I wish to change and fix this world so people like me and you will not suffer the same fate. This book is a written account of my life, all the way up to the point of my return. Please read its contents in its entirety, then pass your judgment on me. In these pages are my victories, my failures, the stories of the people I saved, and the stories of the people I have killed. When you have finished reading, ask yourself; if you could go back in time, would you choose differently when offered the choice to join the Commission? Would you deny their offer and willingly give up all the knowledge you had of the truth of this world in exchange for being a sheep in it instead?

Signed

The Dovah-Kiin"

Flipping over the book to the front, Kaina sat there for a second mulling over the question like she did every time. Ever since she received the book 3 months ago she asked that same question to herself. Did she regret what she had done? Absolutely. Would she go back and choose a different path, knowing what she knows now about the world and the commission's lies will all be gone and lost? No, she couldn't. Because she knew if it wasn't her it would have been somebody else that the commission got their hands on. Somebody more malleable, more gullible. She could never wish that fate upon anyone else. So it's better for her to carry those burdens than for another doe-eyed child to be used as their tool.

Sighing, she decided to get comfortable in the corner of her cell, (because this prison didn't believe in beds) and opened the book back up to the first page. But before she could begin again, the many locks to her cell opened and slowly the heavily reinforced doors opened as well.

"Prisoner 772 exit your cell and present your hands." One of the guards outside her cell said.

Without any hesitation, she immediately got up after pocketing the book. If this was going to be another inspection, she should have plenty of time to read the first chapter of her book again as she waited for them to finish. But what she wasn't expecting was to be moved to the upper levels of the prison and into a meeting room where her handcuffs were removed. What was even more confusing was the fact that every guard left the room, and the camera in the corner was shut off. For a couple of minutes, she sat in one of the chairs, waiting, then the door opened again, and a man wearing medieval-style armor walked in and sat down.

Before she could say a word, the man raised a finger up to his mouth in the universal gesture that meant to be quiet. She complied reluctantly but remained on guard. The man waved his hand and a large discharge of energy came out of his palm, within seconds the walls were covered in a purplish color. Shocked at the site, she was about to ask a question before she was hit by a green ball of energy freezing her body completely. It was like every part of her body went stiff and the only thing she could move was her eyes. Moving towards her, the man lifted up her short hair and spoke.

"I apologize but the commission planted a bug and kill switch at the base of your skull. If I did not act immediately they would have terminated you. I am going to remove it and then we can talk." The man said apologetically as he cut open the back of her neck, surprisingly it didn't hurt.

But she shouldn't be surprised, it was something that the commission would absolutely do. So if anything, Kaina was grateful, even though the feeling of him digging around in the back of her neck made her stomach churn. After a minute the man removed the device that was embedded in her neck while somehow healing the freshly made wound.

At first, she thought that this man was working for All For One, since he seemed to have multiple quirks. But then she thought about the book that was tucked away in her jumpsuit and hope blossomed. If this was the man from the book, then what he used must have been magic. As he sat back down in the chair her muscles loosened, allowing her to move again.

She looked at him as he examined the device that was previously embedded in the base of her neck. She also found herself examining it because it was rather big to be placed there, and she honestly wondered how the commission even put it there in the first place. Summoning a chest out of nowhere he threw the device in and within seconds the chest disappeared. Slack jawed and speechless, Kaina stared in shock at the empty spot where the chest sat a moment ago. She would have remained like that if the man hadn't spoken up again.

"Now, since your life is no longer in danger and there are no unwanted ears listening in, I am willing to answer some of the questions that you undoubtedly have." The man said, causing Kaina to look at him curiously as she rubbed the back of her neck where the man cut her open. There was no pain but her fingers roamed over something that felt like a scar. Oh well, that really didn't matter, what mattered right now was getting answers.

"Okay, first, who are you, and second, was it really necessary to paralyze me?" Kaina asked, a little annoyed. If she was right, then this man knew a lot about her already and probably knew that she would have gladly had that thing removed.

"I apologize, but the only spell I knew that had the possibility of blocking brain signals was the one I used on you. The device was designed to monitor your brain waves in the case you decided to betray the commission, and if you did, it would have alerted them. It would have done so by activating a transmitter that would send your active thoughts into a beacon that links up with the HPSC's intelligence department. If the device cannot link up with that beacon for some reason, the safeguard in the device would trigger the kill switch and you would be dead. So I had to act quickly once I put up the barrier before you had any 'traitorous' thoughts. I also had to make sure you couldn't move a muscle, so when I removed it, I didn't cause any permanent damage. As for your first question, I will only tell you my alias, unless you decide to accept my offer. As you probably already guessed, I am The Dovah-Kiin, and it is a pleasure to meet you, Miss Tsutsumi." Izuku said politely and as calmly as possible. After hearing his explanation and understanding the reasoning behind his current actions, she decided to ask the question that's been eating at her ever since she received the book.

"Okay, my next question is, how did you get in here and what do you want with me?" Kaina asks suspiciously. Don't get her wrong she was grateful for this guy removing that bomb. But her training as a Commission agent was still very much ingrained into her even though she is loath to admit so. That training includes a heavy amount of suspicion and paranoia, among other things, including the ability to determine if somebody was lying.

" Before I tell you about that, I'll tell you how I got in here. You see, I was able to get into the HPSC's black box database and copy every single file. It is because I have that information that I found out about you. It is also the key to getting you out of here, and to have your hero license returned to you. I also paid the HPSC President a lot of money not to go searching for you until after your release, at which point it would be too late. So, by the time you walk out of this prison, you'll already be established as a free person, and if the HPSC tries to frame you again or go after you... they will receive an anonymous message from an unknown source politely telling them to fuck off, or the information that I have will be delivered to every news outlet in the world. As for the reason why I'm here and what I want? That is simple, you have a unique skill set that is unmatched in the world." Izuku said seriously, which made Kaina scowl.

"So you want another assassin, right?" Kaina asked angrily, there was no way in hell that she was going down that path again. She has enough blood on her hands to last a lifetime.

"No, I do not want another assassin, what I need is a protector." Izuku said seriously, which made Kaina freeze up in surprise. Then she started chuckling.

"A protector, a protector, you want somebody who specializes in assassination to act as a protector? Somebody with enough blood on her hands to drown a small village in it? I'm a killer, that was what I was trained for. So don't make me laugh, please." Kaina said darkly. But the man was unfazed and undeterred and as he looked at her, she could see understanding in his eyes. Remembering what she read in the book she knew this man had more than his fair share of blood on his hands. This man in front of her had just as much, if not more blood on his hands than she did, and just as many regrets.

"As I said in the note, I plan on taking down the HPSC but the only way to do that safely without destabilizing society is to slowly remove their power and influence. That is a slow process and there's a lot of people I care about. The commission will send their goons after them so they can get to me. You know how they operate, the tricks of the trade, and what to look for. Because you were an assassin yourself you can easily spot another assassin. Those skills are what I am looking for in a protector. We both want the world to change, so why don't you help me change it? I will not ask you to kill, I will not ask you to dirty your hands in this quest. All I'm asking is for you to protect the people who cannot protect themselves." Izuku said with a determination and passion in his voice that really struck home for Kaina.

Her thoughts drifted back to a time when she was a teenage girl who loved stargazing as she dreamed of becoming a hero. Maybe she could be a hero this time. But there was that little voice in the back of her mind that was worried this man was just going to use her like the commission did. Either way, before she made any decisions, she was going to need more information.

"Before I agree to anything, I need to know your plan." Kaina said as she leaned back in her chair with her arms crossed in front of her.

"That's fair I suppose. My plan is simple, I'm going to make the existence of quirks meaningless. This society runs on quirks, the day that your quirk manifests is when your place in society is determined. If you have a weak or villainous quirk you are pushed down and shoved aside in the hopes you become a villain. And statistically speaking, 70% of villains are victims of this vicious cycle. Not to mention the quirkless are treated as less than dirt in the hopes that they will off themselves, there is a reason why the suicide rate of the quirkless is 89%. The commission's power is sustained by maintaining this hero society, by having heroes fight villains. Villains are created due to the vicious cycle that was created and maintained by the commission. Now ask yourself what would happen if somebody breaks this vicious cycle and offers those people an out? I'll tell you what happens: villain rates decline, heroes will have fewer villains to fight and the hero Commission will collapse in on itself. After all, what is a hero without a villain to fight? As the hero commission collapses, a new organization will form and slowly tear away what little power that the commission has left until there's nothing left to tear down." Izuku said with determination and passion in his voice, but Kaina was not fully convinced.

"And how would you break this vicious cycle?" Kaina asked as she raised an eyebrow.

"By teaching magic of course." Izuku said as he smiled behind his helmet. But seeing the confused and befuddled look of Kaina he continued.

"There are only two ways to break this cycle. You either remove quirks completely from society, or bring about a power that anyone can learn that is just as powerful and versatile as any quirk into society. Magic will act as an equalizer for society, for people with weak, villainous quirks, and the quirkless can learn magic and gain the same power and respect as people with powerful quirks. Instead of society determined by a genetic lottery, it will be determined by hard work and determination. By teaching magic I can give hope to the powerless and teach them to be strong. By teaching magic I will break this cycle. By teaching magic I'll create a new organization that will focus solely on improving society, not maintaining the status quo. So, Kaina Tsutsumi, will you join me and help me create a better world?" Izuku said as he stood up and held out his hand towards Kaina. Kaina hesitated for a second, before she slowly reached out and gingerly took his hand.

Author's notes:

I hope you like the story, leave a review if you have any suggestions or ideas. This is cross-posted on Archive of our own.

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