"Tell me again Strange, why do we need to establish a relationship with them?" A man in a suit asked Hugo Strange as the two were walking down an old semi-abandoned alley.
Hugo Strange was wearing a brown trenchcoat with hat, as he held his hands behind his back. "Mutual Benefit...There is no doubt that if we manage to strike a partnership between the so-called League of Villains and our association, that it will bring benefits to both sides." Hugo Strange said in his usual calm tone to the ma next to him.
"Mutual Benefit? I doubt the others would want to work for them, and I have a feeling that you cannot provide all of the benefits to them alone." The man said. Hugo Strange may have a lot of resources to work with, but he is unable to provide everything solo for them, or at least he thought so.
"Incorrect. I have more than enough ways to provide them with benefits on my own, but I doubt that I am going to be the only one. A few of Gotham's criminal masterminds may be interested in involving them with their plans, Crane most likely included. But there are a few who do things solely for the purpose of chaos and may be interested in joining the League on their operations." Hugo Strange replied.
It did make sense a bit, a few of them may, in fact, want some of the League's members involved in their plans if this partnership comes to be, but the question was on how Strange would benefit from this "And how are you gonna benefit?" The man asked.
"For now I seek DNA Samples from individuals with powerful quirks. Crane has promised a demonstration of his new toxin, as well as a blood sample tonight. And no doubt that if this partnership comes to be, I will get my hands on more powerful ones." Strange replied. Everything in his laboratory was ready for quirk research, and now he only needed a blood sample.
"From the intel Riddler gave you, ever since their attack on that school facility they have exploded in popularity in the criminal underworld, they even got a significant rise of memberships in their organization." The man said.
"That is correct, and the quirks they possess can be extremely lethal, and if the bond between our two associations is friendly enough, I may even get a sample of their blood for research." Strange replied. But they first had to establish the partnership for these views to come true, and he was unsure of what the leader would think.
"Then why are you bringing me with you? I am not skilled when it comes to negotiations like you are." The man asked the professor.
"These streets are filled with low scum, and you are here for protecting me in case any of them attempted something that they would regret." Strange replied. He was not stupid enough to wander into a section of the area that was filled with criminals without protection.
The two of them stopped in front of what seemed like a small bar, as Strange started casually going down the small flight of stairs towards the entrance, with the man behind him following after.
As Strange opened the door to the bar, he quickly looked around and inspected the area. It would look like a normal bar to anyone, but he very well knew with who this bar was affiliated with.
But one person sitting at a booth caught his eye. It was a man with silver hair and purple clothes. This man matched the description the Riddler gave him a few days ago. "Stay Here" Strange told the man next to him, to which the man just gave a slight nod.
Hugo Strange started making his way to the booth Giran was sitting at. When he got close enough, he picked out a seat right across from the villain. "Giran, am I right? I was told that you could get me in contact with a few individuals." Strange asked.
Giran tapped his foot on the ground with a glass of Alcohol in one hand and a cigarette in the other. Giran turned around and held his cigarette in between his two fingers, looking at Strange with his usual smirk. "Yes, that would be me. How may I be of assistance?" He questioned, setting his glass down on the table and smoked once more, fixing his collar and adjusting it.
"The male who organized that attack on the USJ Facility. Let's just say I have some business to discuss with him. Name is Dr. Hugo Strange" Hugo Strange says looking up at Giran to look him in the eyes through his glasses, if he was to succeed in his plan here in Musutafu, it is beneficial to ally the League of Villains, both groups can have something to benefit from the other
"I must say it's a pleasure. Giran as you know." Giran sighed and smoked a little once more, exhaling lightly. "Now tell me, as I asked just now. How may I assist you? It must be a pretty important matter if you came to me." Giran told him but seriously speaking, Giran was curious about what this Hugo Strange came for him to talk about. Partnership? Recruiting league members? Tips?
"I am the leader of an association of villains, and I and my associates are not from around here, I would like to talk with this man on a partnership between the two organizations, I am sure both groups have something to benefit from the other." Hugo Strange says as he then looked down again, adjusting his glasses "You may have heard about the villain Scarecrow and his attack a couple of weeks ago on the jewelry store, Mr. Scarecrow is a member of our association but unfortunately he could not come with me today, for he has his own plans for tonight." Hugo Strange commented, if Giran was to know Scarecrow was one of their associates, he would know they are not some rookie organization like there are many around the city, he sincerely hoped Giran would lead him to the man who organized everything, Tomura Shigaraki.
Giran remembered hearing of Scarecrow. As soon as he heard about the man on the news it piqued his interest. Giran looked into his eyes and tapped the table with his fingers. "Plans you say? I must admit, a partnership with a group such as yours may benefit the league of villains. I'm listening. What does he have in mind for this plan? I want to know more about this before I inform Tomura of your partnership request." Giran said and took a quick drink from his glass before setting it back down on the table.
"At exactly 11 PM he will enter a restaurant and use a new toxin he invented on the hero Death Arms. This will make the hero start killing everything he would see in his way, the massacre will be great." Hugo Strange told the villain. Of course, he still had further plans after this, but those plans he will discuss with Tomura if he got a chance to meet him.
Giran let out a small chuckle as he heard that "Making a pro hero kill innocent civilians? That is the first time I ever heard of a plan like that, I must say I am impressed." Giran said as he smoked once more. "Scarecrow must have a very impressive quirk to go through with these acts, tell me, what is his quirk?" He asked.
"This may come off as a surprise to you, but Scarecrow is quirkless." Hugo Strange said a she looked up at the villain once more. Considering that people without quirks are seen as pretty much nothing in this universe, he was eager to see the reaction of Giran to this fact.
Giran's eyes widened a tiny bit as he heard him say that "Quirkless you say?" He said with another small chuckle "Then tell me, how is he able to produce that gas of his he uses as his primary weapon?" Giran asked, of course, he still partially did not believe that he actually was quirkless, but was still open to arguments.
"Scarecrow was always a genius chemist, who primarily studied fear throughout his lifetime. He came up with the formula for the gas he calls "The Fear Toxin". The toxin makes anyone who is exposed to it will start hallucinating their greatest fear right in front of their eyes, in un-imaginable realism." Hugo Strange explained.
"I have to say, I'm impressed. Never has there been a villain who was quirkless except common robbers which are taken down easily. Scarecrow might just change the way quirkless people are seen in the criminal underworld." Giran said. "And I assume that you are quirkless, as well?" The male asked.
"Correct. An individual does not require a quirk to achieve greatness, everything someone needs is the right material, and right intelligence." Strange commented.
Giran gave the doctor a slight nod. This was indeed very fascinating for him, and he had high hopes of cooperation between these two villain organizations. "Very well, allow me to call Tomura and we shall discuss this." Giran said as he stood up from his booth and made his way into a back room where he would contact the leader of the League of Villains.
Hugo Strange stood up from his seat as he watched the villain enter the back room with his phone out. He had already made a good first impression, for the villains, and he was determined to keep it that way to form the partnership.
He walked back to the entrance of the bar where he told the man to wait for him. "How did it go?" The man asked the doctor as he approached him.
"It went fairly well, as I expected. Now we just need to wait for him to give us the information on the decision Tomura Shigaraki made on meeting me." Hugo Strange replied.
Giran ran a few fingers through his hair and got on the phone with Tomura. Tomura was lurking in the alley when he felt a vibration in his pocket and of course, answered when he saw who it was. They spoke, Giran and Tomura spoke back and forth for a few minutes before Giran hung up. He exited the back room and walked to the exit where he was greeted with the sight of Strange. "Well, . Tomura accepted your partnership request. We will begin working tomorrow but he wants to speak with you currently, and for you to meet the other league members."
Strange was a bit surprised when he heard that statement. He expected first for him and Tomura to meet, and then he would decide on the partnership. But he was not complaining, this was even better. "It would be an honor to meet the other League members." Strange replied.
Strange then turned his head over to face the man next to him, then back at Giran. "I would like to introduce you to my right-hand man, Basil Karlo...Or as we call him, Clayface." Strange said as he stretched out his arm slightly towards him.
Clayface looked over at Giran, giving him a slight bow and placing his left hand to where his chest was. "It is a pleasure to meet you." He said in a respectable tone, before standing upright once more.
Giran smiled at how polite he was. "Manners. Nothing like our members, such politeness. It's a pleasure to be working with you and the villain group Clayface. I must take you two to our little special place. Follow me you two. The members are waiting." He said and spun on his heel, looking back at them in hopes they would follow him.
Hugo Strange and Clayface followed Giran through the streets to where the hideout of the league of villains was, Strange was intrigued to meet Tomura Shigaraki in person, he kept thinking about ways they could work together, and how both groups could benefit from the other, he let out a small and quiet chuckle as he thought of all the possibilities, Clayface also kept wondering who the other members were, and had a feeling that he would be seeing them a lot.
Giran led them to what seemed like an ordinary building. He went down into an alley next to it and opened the side door "Come on now, this is it." Giran said as he stepped into the building.
Strange had mixed feelings about this supposed hideout. It is perfectly camouflaged as an ordinary building, but yet is located right on a street with thousands of people passing by every day. Either Tomura Shigaraki is very ignorant or very brave.
Giran led the two up a small pair of stairs as he then stood in front of another door. "This is it..." Giran muttered out before opening the door to the room.
On the other side was a small bar-like area, that looked pretty fancy. Kurogiri was behind the counter cleaning some glass cups, as he then looked over to face Giran. Tomura Shigaraki was sitting on one of the barstools, his body was already facing the door since he expected Giran to arrive with their new guests.
Next to Tomura was a man dressed in a black and white suit, the man also had some sort of weird red circular braces on his wrists. Across the room there was a female dressed in what looked like a school uniform, sitting on one of the tables.
"Toga, Twice, and Kurogiri, I'd like you to meet Dr. Hugo Strange and his right-hand man Clayface. We are forming a partnership with their villain organization." Giran said gesturing towards the three fo them.
Hugo Strange looked around the bar and at all the villains that were present in the room. The professor gave a slight bow and put his hand over his chest as a sign of respect "It is an honor to meet all of you." The doctor said before standing upright once more.
"It's a pleasure!" Toga said enthusiastically, glancing over at Strange as well as Clayface. She started wondering what kind of quirk the two of them possessed, that was if they even had one in the first place.
Twice stood up from his seat and walked over to Hugo Strange, stretching out his arm for the two of them to shake. "I can tell it's going to be great working with you and your group ." Twice said in a calm voice.
Hugo Strange accepted the handshake from Twice and looked up at him "The pleasure is all mine, Twice." The Doctor sai din his usual tone. Giran did not yet state who the names belonged to, but he quickly figured out based on the names, as well as the appearances to who they belonged to.
Twice then let go of Strange's hand and walked over next to Toga. For now, he seemed to like this new guy, but as well as Toga, he was interested in what their quirks were.
Tomura Shigaraki was carefully observing Hugo Strange the entire time, observing his body language, tone, and even the manners he possessed. "Manners...That is something you do not see often in the League of Villains" Tomura said.
"Manners are exceptionally important in every manner, manners themselves tell you a lot about an individual." Hugo Strange replied as he looked over at Tomura. He then extended his arm in the direction of a bar stool on the right side of him. "May I take a seat?" The Doctor asked.
Tomura was impressed with his manners, as well as his tone of voice. He looked like an individual who knew a lot of things, as well as is extremely careful, for now, Tomura was impressed. "Be our guest..." Tomura replied, slightly scooching over to the side to give him more space. He was intrigued to find out more about him.
Hugo Strange gave a slight nod to Tomura as he made his way towards the counter of the bar, as he sat on the barstool on the right of Tomura. "So you are Tomura Shigaraki, the one who organized the attack on the USJ Facility in order to kill All Might? I have to say, I'm impressed." Hugo Strange said. Of course, he was far from impressed considering how it failed, but he did not want to make Tomura angry.
"Weeks of planning...Recruitment...All have gone to waste. The heroes may have won the battle, but the war is still raging on." Tomura replied. "But enough about us...I want to know more about you and your group." The villain said turning over to face the Doctor.
"Our association is about Twelve strong, with a few associates who also got interested in our cause. As you may have heard, the Scarecrow is also part of our association." Strange replied.
"The Scarecrow..." Tomura muttered out. "He has taken the interest of the media almost instantly...But I'm not that impressed, any casual goon could rob a jewelry store and get away with it. But the fact that he managed to take down Kamui Woods all by himself is already an achievement." Tomura explained.
As the two villains were talking to each other, Clayface was just hanging by the exit door, leaning against a wall with his arms crossed. Toga and Twice got interested in the male leaning against the wall, and decided to approach him and ask a few questions.
"So, you are Clayface, huh?" Toga asked as she walked down towards him with Twice by her side.
Clayface just gave a slight nod to the female. "That is me..." Was all he said as he perked his head up a bit to face the two villains.
"So, we've been wondering...What exactly is your quirk? As well as the doctors." Twice asked with a curious look on his face, though it was hidden because of the mask.
"The doctor? He does not have a quirk at all." Clayface replied.
"Wait Really?!" Both of them said in response and quickly turned their heads towards Hugo Strange, who was still talking to Tomura Shigaraki. "Wow, that is so amazing." Twice replied.
"And as for me? My power is simple. I am made up of an Orange substance I call Clay that I can manipulate at will on my entire body." Clayface replied.
"Ooooh, sounds fun! Can you give us a demonstration?" Toga asked excitedly.
Clayface just let out a low sigh as he straightened out his hand, as it slowly started morphing into an axe at his will. "I can also choose to harden it at my will, so it can feel like a real axe." Clayface replied.
"Wow! Your quirk is so amazing! What else can you do?" Toga asked. This seemed like a powerful quirk, and she was sure that Clayface was proud of it.
"Since my entire body is made up of it, I do not require food, water, or oxygen. In fact, I can't feel pain at all, and all the wounds quickly regenerate in the blink of an eye." Clayface replied as he looked down a bit with his hands still crossed.
Toga was intrigued by that answer, and she was eager to test it out. The female pulled out her trusty knife and looked at Clayface once more. "May I?" She asked in a joyful tone.
Clayface took a look at the knife Toga was holding, and let out another low sigh. "Fine..." Was all he muttered out as he closed his eyes once more.
Toga took a few steps closer towards Clayface and pulled back her hand, holding the knife. She then stabbed Clayface in the chest with it at full force. As she then pulled it out, she noticed the hole she made in the chest, and everything inside of that hole was clay, as well s bits of it on her knife. The hole quickly regenerated back like it was nothing.
"That is so awesome. You are truly blessed with a powerful quirk, not to mention you ar eon our side!" Twice said enthusiastically. He was impressed by how Clayface did not even react to the powerful stab in his chest, and it all regenerated back like it was nothing.
Clayface just let out a small silent chuckle as he heard those words from Twice. "Blessed..." He said in a sarcastic tone.
As Hugo Strange was talking to Tomura Shigaraki, he looked at the time on his wristwatch "It is time. Please, if you are able to, turn on the TV at the news channel" He said as he then looked up at Tomura.
Tomura got a bit curious about what he meant by that, and he already had a feeling that a crime was being broadcasted. But he was going to play along, to see what this was all about. "Kurogiri..." Tomura muttered out.
"Of Course..." Kurogiri replied. The mist villain took the remote from the other side of the counter, aiming it at the TV on the other side of the room, as he then turned it on.
"Breaking News! There was a brutal villain attack on the Kowu Restaurant recently, Police are suspecting that the recent villain, Scarecrow, was behind this attack. There is no doubt that there have been casualties and those who were brutally injured. The pro hero Death Arms has been put under arrest and according to witnesses, he had been wrecking the entire place." A reporter said on camera standing in front of a restaurant with police and paramedics all around.
Tomura just chuckled at the news of this "Impressive if I'm being honest...Good old Death Arms will be traumatized for the rest of his life after he finds out what he did there...But then again...I recognize when someone has some sort of plan or is preparing something. Tell me Strange..." Tomura said as he turned around to face Hugo Strange once more. "What is he planning?" He asked in his usual dry tone.
"You have most likely already figured out that his plan involves that new toxin of his...Makes people extremely violent. His plan will be enacted tomorrow night. Scarecrow will poison the water supply of the entire region through the main water facility. The toxin, when mixed with water, can go through even skin and infect individuals. Anyone who drinks, washes their hands, or even takes a shower, will be under the effects of the toxin." Hugo Strange replied.
Tomura was left speechless for a few seconds. This was one of the greatest plans he had ever heard of, the League's goal was to crush hero society entirely, and to him, this was the opening they were waiting for. "Yes...Yes...When multiple pros go under the effect, they will start slaughtering everyone in their sight with their powerful quirks...I can just imagine what kind of chaos All Might could do if he fell under the effect." Tomura said in a bit more of ah enthusiastic tone.
"Precisely..." Strange replied. "Let us get to the main point of the partnership. As I explained to you just now, I require DNA Samples from quirk users, then I could extract their power and make a serum...So that anyone who gets injected with it, will get that exact quirk. This serum could have mutual benefits for both the League and our Association." Hugo Strange said.
"Getting blood samples from the heroes? Shouldn't be hard...I am confident that we will be able to acquire a few through future operations. And if this serum gets developed, I see many ways we could benefit from it, especially if it is the quirk from a powerful Pro." Tomura stated.
"Indeed. I also have a lot of resources that could supply a few of your operations, as well as reinforcements for any of your operations. I am also confident that my associates may also ask for the assistance of you and the other League members, for help in their plans." Hugo Strange said once more.
Tomura listened closely. All of this sounded good for him. They get blood samples for Strange, both organizations will use the serum, as well as Strange sending resources and reinforcements for their operations, and if any of the other villains requested for the other League members to be part of their plans, he would allow it. Yes, this all sounded good. "This will be a glorious partnership, and with the two of us collaborating, nothing will be able to stop us." Tomura said.
"It will be a pleasure working with you and your League, Tomura Shigaraki." Strange said as he held out his arm for a handshake.
Tomura accepted the handshake and reached out with his arm to shake Strange's, but of course, making sure that his pinky finger does not touch his hand. "Same to you...Partner" Tomura said as he let go of his hand. He was surprised with how well this was going, he was expecting them to constantly argue about plans, but the two of them seemed to be getting along just well.
Hugo Strange then stood up from the barstool "I think it is time for us to go, I have a lot of work to do after Scarecrow's attack. It was a pleasure talking to you Tomura Shigaraki, and may our partnership bring glory to both of us." Hugo Strange said as he approached the exit door with Clayface by his side.
Tomura gave the doctor a slight nod "See you around Strange." He said in his usual dry tone.
Strange opened the exit door and started heading out, with Clayface right behind him, as he closed the door behind himself.
"It is impressive, how one man, who is also quirkless, to manage to do so much damage." Kurogiri said referring to Scarecrow, as he cleaned the cups as usual.
"Strange seems like a wise man...And most importantly he has manners, unlike other villains. I look forward to working with him in the future, this is a night all o us will remember." Tomura stated with a dry chuckle.
An hour had passed ever since Hugo Strange and Clayface left the hideout of the League of Villains. The two of them entered a dark alley, as Hugo Strange approached a large dumpster. He had his signature black gloves on, so it was no problem for him to get his hands dirty.
As he opened up the dumpster with both of his hands, he noticed a yellow plastic bag on top of all the garbage. "Just like we agreed on." The doctor stated as he pulled out the plastic bag from the dumpster.
He opened it up and found something covered in Toilet Paper. He unraveled the paper, and there was a vile of blood underneath. The doctor took the vile in his hands and took a closer look at it, it was the blood Scarecrow managed to acquire from Death Arms.
Death Arm's quirk was not something special, since it only gave him enhanced strength, but this was definitely a start for Hugo Strange. If he managed to turn his quirk into a serum, he will have his very own Venom-like formula.
"Let's go back to the laboratory" Strange said as he started walking down the dark alley with Clayface by his side, but then there were footsteps heard from behind the two.
There were three men getting closer to them. "Hand over everything you got..." One of them said as blades started poking out of his flesh. The other two robbers were attempting to look intimidating.
Hugo Strange did not even attempt to look back, he just continued walking "Deal With them..." He ordered Clayface.
Clayface gave the doctor a slight nod as he started to slowly approach the three of them "I really do not want to do this, so I am giving you a choice...Turn back, or there will be consequences." Clayface said with his hands behind his back.
"HA! What is a weakling like you gonna do-" The robber was suddenly cut off as he started to make choking sounds, as blood started coming out of the mouth, the same thing with the other two robbers.
There were three clay spikes coming out of Clayface's body, each of them had impaled a robber through the neck in the blink of an eye. "I should stop trying to suggest for you to go, in the end, it always ends up this way..." Clayface said in a disappointed tone as the part of the spikes inside of their necks suddenly expanded almost instantly, cutting off their heads from the inside.
The heads of the robbers fell down onto the ground as blood was gushing out of their necks, with the bodies following after relatively quickly. The spikes retracted into Clayface's body then soon enough.
The villain just turned around and started walking in the same direction Strange went, eventually catching up with him, walking by his side. "Aren't you interested in taking their blood?" The villain asked.
"I am not interested in the quirks of common street thugs, my attention is shifted more towards the pro heroes with strong quirks." Strange said as he adjusted his glasses "That was relatively fast, the serum I provided you powered up your power drastically." The doctor said. "But let us focus on th emain objective for now"
"We have a lot of work to do."