Chapter : Midoriya Izuku XXIII

A/N: And here we are back with Izuku. Let's see what he's been up to since the last we saw him, hmm?

[Indiscriminate Shock: 1.3 Million Volts!]

Izuku watches as Kaminari's electricity arcs across the length of the arena, hurdling straight towards Ibara on the opposite side.

He can't help but smirk as he sees Ibara simply turn away from the incoming threat, shooting a portion of her hair into the ground and detaching it from her scalp. In just a single move, not only has she defended herself from damage, but has set up a path to immobilizing her opponent.

There she goes, advancing fast on the path of becoming a hero. Izuku lets out a contented sigh. At least she seems content where she is. On the other hand…

The camera pans away from the battle's victor and focuses on the loser, displaying a short circuited Kaminari dangling in the air.

Quite a drawback indeed. Definitely need to work on that if I want to keep him on — might come back and bite me at a crucial moment if not.

The camera pans out once more, this time focusing on the energetic and flamboyant students up in the stands cheering their classmates on. The scene is filled with a sort of whimsy and Izuku can't help but think back to his few short days at Yuuei as Michimoto Jakku.

I wonder… Is that where I'd be today, mingling amongst the aspiring heroes of today, if I had never met Sensei? Could I have eventually gotten past what happened; learned to forgive and forget as Ibara always told me? But in that case, would I even be happy? Or would I still just be trudging along, disgruntled about the ways things are? And with only Ibara and Todoroki anchoring me to keep going on?

Izuku shakes his head, shutting the feed of the Yuuei Sports Festival off and putting his phone away into his belt.

He refocuses on his surroundings, reestablishing his quirk's hold over his one kilometer range. He then chides himself for getting distracted while being on such an important mission (even though a part of himself knows that there was no helping his curiosity in seeing Ibara's battle play out, even if he couldn't be there himself).

Once his little internal turmoil is complete, he sets off again patrolling the rooftops, keeping the roaring sounds of arm-bound engines just within the edge of his range.

The reason he's following Tensei Iida — otherwise known as the Turbo Hero, Ingenium — is one that's twofold. The first is because he's a hero from a rich family; one who's appeared at several galas as well as television commercials aimed at society's youth.

Now, there isn't necessarily anything inherently wrong with his actions. Said galas are more often than not for charities when they aren't for the large corporations. And his commercials try to impart a positive influence, even if they are a little tone deaf to what's reality. However, the true problem is one most often ignored: Ingenium finds himself in the pitfall of struggling between the fine balance of heroing and maintaining his public persona.

Hence the second reason Izuku's following the hero: here, in Hosu City, was the last reported sighting of the Hero Killer Stain. Most — even villains — would know to stay away at the first sign of Stain due to his reported viciousness to anyone that he deems unworthy. But Ingenium doesn't feel the same, with he and his sidekicks currently partaking in an ongoing manhunt for Stain.

On the other hand, Izuku rationalizes that a meeting between himself and the individual he perceives as a radical anti-hero is vital. Even with all the risks that such a confrontation will hold. Izuku just hopes that all the stories of Stain's obstinance has been hyperbolized, or else he might be facing a rather unfortunate time.

Nevertheless, Izuku shoves his worries to the back of his mind and heads off… Fortunately for him, he doesn't have to wait much longer.

–It seems that I have finally found you, Hero Killer! I'll give you this one chance to surrender — or you shall face the wrath of all the heroes you have murdered!–

Izuku blinks, absorbing the information from his quirk. Based on Ingenium's words, he's found Stain within the alley he's currently in. Something which Izuku finds somewhat strange, as he hadn't even sensed another individual within the alleyway until Ingenium had pointed it out.

Better just Stain's extremely potent skills and not whatever it is that Nighteye could do. That would be an utter pain to deal with.

As the sounds of metal clashing upon metal begin to take up his attention, Izuku speeds off in the direction of the commotion. Ingenium's a strong hero. He should be able to hold up until I get there. Stain won't be able to deal the finishing blow… hopefully.

It takes a minute before Izuku's within a close proximity to the fight, and by then Izuku can plainly see that things are easily in Stain's favor. Ingenium's armor is splintered and cracked in multiple places, and Stain isn't more than a bit ruffled.

Izuku ducks behind a cooling unit before he's seen, content on listening to the fight rather than risk it ending or being interrupted due to his presence. He listens as Ingenium rushes forward, arms propelling his movements from wall to wall of the alley. Stain simply dodges, displaying an inhuman burst of speed that likely surpasses even Tomura's own.

And that's the clincher. Two knives are thrown as Stain bounces off a wall, each hitting their mark at the back of both of Ingenium's knees, right where the joints of his costume leave him exposed for mere seconds at a time while he's running. Ingenium stumbles, a harsh scream of pain echoing through the air as he slides against the concrete ground.

With another dash of speed Stain appears right atop of the hero, using his foot on the hero's head to keep Ingenium facing the ground. The only reason Izuku doesn't intervene right there and then is because Stain doesn't seem to be emitting any murderous intent — an observation that's proven correct as Izuku senses Stain bend down and pick out one of the knives from Ingenium.

He notes Stain's sheathing of his sword, as well as the very deliberate licking of the blood from the knife in his hand. With his quirk, it's a simple thing for Izuku to notice the resulting stillness that Ingenium's body envelopes right after.

Hmm. Blood-based paralysis quirk indeed. Truly a boon for someone with his cause. I need to be vigilant around him; at least until we're on amicable terms. Until then there's always the risk that one cut will leave me physically defenseless, and I can't have that… Let's test something then.

At the far end of the alley, out of sight from both Ingenium and Stain, Izuku makes the sound of a single footstep with his quirk. A knife instantly cuts through the air from where the sound originated from, a narrow-eyed Stain looking from side to side.

"Don't think that I didn't hear that," Stain calls out, voice gruff, as he unsheathes his sword. "Come out and face me. Or are you, perhaps, afraid to face justice?"

"Not afraid of you, Stain. Just... merely cautious."

Stain turns, raising his blade up to block what he suspects will be a blow. But when nothing comes, and he realizes that he's met by nothing but air, he takes a moment to ponder his situation.

"Disembodied voice…" he mutters, taking a few moments. "I've heard of you. Whisper, correct?"

"Correct. And you're Stain. No doubt about it. Everything from your chin to your getup is exactly as you've been described by the survivors."

Stain lowers his sword ever so slightly. "Your words sound prepared; not established by coincidence. Seems to me that you purposely sought me out. Care to tell me why?"

"Sure. Take it as a bit of curiosity for one, and a smidge hope of you stopping to listen rather than moving to kill me outright. Seems that the latter has been fulfilled. Now all I need is my curiosity to be sated."

Stain growls. "I happen to be in the middle of something here." Stain finishes the statement by further driving his foot onto Ingenium's helmet, inciting a wince from the hero. "Care to wait? My work is as of yet incomplete. And judgement doesn't sleep."

"That's why I'm here, actually. While your ideology and dedication to your cause is something to admire, your methods are anything but. And I don't mean your maiming or killing of your victims. That'd be hypocritical of me, after all. No, I mean your targets."

Stains scoffs. "Just another idealistic and naive wannabe. Look kid, if you think that targeting heroes is wrong, then maybe you should—"

"Don't get me wrong," Izuku interrupts. "There are plenty of heroes deserving of your punishments. I've seen my fair share of them through my exploits; even contributed to one's justified death. But aside from a select few of those on your list so far, I personally believe that most didn't deserve what was done to them."

"And who are you to pick who's deserving of judgement and who's not?"

"I could say the same about you, no? Each of us have crafted their own ideologies through our experiences, yet there is no doubt that said experiences are the result of the society we live in, no? And even if the steps that lead to each of us being here are different, the root cause will always be the same, right?"

Izuku can feel the way Stain's grip tightens around his sword, as well as the way his feet shift ever so slightly into a position ready to spring into action. It's obvious that he's getting Stain in some way; the question being if it's in the right way.

"Where are you, hmm?" Stain asks, looking around. "Why don't we talk face to face?"

"I'd rather not. I don't quite trust you to not stab me the moment you see me, just yet. We haven't had enough of each others' presence to grow and understand one another. So instead, why don't you listen to a little story of mine?"

"What if I'm not interested?"

"Well, you don't have much of a choice, really. But first, you might want to lick that knife of yours again. Tensei's blood type O, in case you didn't know."

"Why you—"

"Don't worry. Our resident hero didn't hear any of that. My quirk handled the discretion of info. I have better manners than letting our enemies know of our secrets, you know."

Stain looks down at his captive. There's no telling if he has been hearing the conversation or not. However, he indeed sees the telltale signs of his quirk losing its hold in the way of twitching fingers and periodic quivers. So he does the next best thing and takes another lick of Ingenium's blood, causing those movements to stop.

"Good. Now we won't be interrupted. So let's get started. I'm sure that you heard of the hero Lady Nagant, yes?"

"You mean that fake hero who went ahead and killed one of her own?"

"That's the cover story, yes. But what if I were to tell you that she was actually employed by the HPSC? That her job was to assassinate problematic individuals that threatened the status quo, whether they be villains of heroes? That she was essentially doing what you do now? Doesn't that blow a whole new perspective into things? About the wretchedness hidden behind even the darkest depths of what is? Of the backroom politics that breed the type of heroes that you despise? Knowing that you're only attacking the symptoms, and not the virus itself?"

Stain licks his lips. "I'd ask for proof, boy."

"And I have plenty of it. But before we get to that, I'm sure that you're wondering: if this is true, then why haven't I released the information to the public? Well, that's because the time isn't right. Can't have myself playing my hand too early now, can I?"

Stain narrows his eyes. "What exactly is it that you want?"

"The same thing that you do. Reform. Change. For the society that is now to face justice and be rebuilt. With everybody's interests in mind, and not just with those that work with people's snug little conformities."

Stain huffs. "And this is what to do with the scum underneath me?" He asks, pointing his sword at Ingenium's prone form.

"Ingenium is a hero with his faults, sure. But one who deserves what you dish out? I think not. There are better targets out there for you; people who've done worse than pose for a camera or who spend a little frivolously on things. People that deal drugs to kids, who provide a nest for criminals or who hurt innocents without care. And I can lead you to them, so you won't be cutting down those who can be repurposed, reformed into something better. Built into proper idols of heroism."

"You think that this fake who's been brought down underneath me can become better? Atone for his crimes and sins and work for the betterment of the outcasts and impoverished."

"With enough time and resources, he can. He can be trained, built up from scratch. Is that truly so unbelievable? Is that not what happened from your transition from Stendal to Stain?"

Stain doesn't offer a response back, merely tightening his expression as a result.

"All I ask of you today is that you spare Ingenium. He isn't deserving of what you have planned for him. But of course... that's just my personal opinion. You're free to come back and finish the job… but only after you have a taste of what I have to offer you. I promise that you'll like what you find. And even then if not, feel free to cut me down. If you can find me, that is."

"Hmph." Stain looks back down at the frozen hero at the base of his feet, then up once again, surveilling his surroundings for the origin of the voice. "Fine. But I'll hold you to deliver what you promise me. Or else."

"I wouldn't have it any other way. I'll find you when the time is right. For now, you can go."

Stain drops the bloodstained knife, the weapon crashing right against Ingenium's helmet and to the ground. "Take note of this day, pretender. You have been spared not due to my pity or due to some saving grace in the form of reinforcements. Instead, it was by the words of an outsider, one seeking to amend my methods. Today marks the day that I may once again find a new purpose and meaning to life, and if so you will be the catalyst of such. If such an occurrence comes to pass, note of your importance. As what has transpired here today may be the most important act of as a hero you will have ever committed. And that is something to truly relish."

With that, Stain takes one last look at his surroundings before dashing off, ricocheting off the walls of the alley and landing on a rooftop, running in the (thankfully) opposite direction of Izuku's position.

After a few moments, Izuku removes himself from his hiding spot and jumps off the rooftop he's on, landing into the alleyway below. Ingenium — not quite free of Stain's quirk, but getting there — visibly flinches upon the impact.

"You don't need to worry, Ingenium. You heard Stain. I'm the reason you aren't crippled or dead. I mean, it wouldn't make sense for me to go through so much unnecessary effort just for me to kill you myself, right?"

Ingenium grunts. "I… suppose."

"Ah. And there you are coming back from your brief state of paralysis. Guess that I better make this quirk, hmm? So… Want me to call for an ambulance?"

A brief bout of silence takes hold of the air.

"What…?"

"Emergency services. Your injuries might not be entirely paralyzing or anything, but that doesn't mean that they aren't life-threatening if they are treated eventually. Hmm… Or maybe perhaps I could call one of your sidekicks over here? There are a few of them around here and there — Enigma to name the closest one."

"If you—"

"I'm not setting up a trap or anything," Izuku exasperates. To prove his point, he crosses his arms and leans against the wall of the alley, completely within Ingenium's view. "Even I still hold a flame to my honor as an individual. And I promise you that I only have your best interests at heart right now. No hidden back stabbings or booby traps at all. That, I hold on my honor. Surely someone like you understands my sentiment?"

Ingenium lets out a sigh. "Fine… Yes, please."

Izuku inclines his head. "They'll be on their way in a moment. Until then: any questions? I'm sure that you're filled to the brim ith them."

"If you're offering… Why help me?"

"Unlike some, you aren't a bad hero. You don't deserve to die. Or for your career to be cut short. You have so much ahead of you — unbridled hidden potential still waiting to burst out. I want what's best for Japan — and your continued existence perpetuates that."

"How does aiming for a better equal you teaming up with Stain?"

"You wouldn't understand. You haven't been caked in mud and forced to wallow through the soul-sucking swamps existent to the so-called lesser peoples. Not with a pampered and carefree life such as yours. But I don't hold any resentment over you for that — we are different people who have lived different lives. You don't see others as inferior to you, and you don't god yourself over others. And that's what matters in the end."

Izuku lets out a hum. "Tell you what; I'm feeling generous. I'll give you a freebee — one that plays the purpose of an olive branch of sorts, and going on to prove my point."

He takes a few steps forward, moving into a crouch right by Ingenium's side.

"Stain isn't done here. Sure, he's backed off for now, spared you, and gave his version of a promise to me to hold off on doing anything until I contact him again. But I don't trust that he entirely will — at least not before one final push. It would be too tempting, with Native being right within his grasp. And let me tell you; Native is actual scum. I'll save you from the details. You probably won't appreciate me dragging a fellow comrade's name through the mud, though."

Ingenium growls. "You're right. I don't. Native's a good man; I worked with him plenty of occasions. I don't know how you got it in your head otherwise."

"But that just shows how good he is at keeping up his persona," Izuku explains.

"Why are you even telling me all this? Because to me it sounds like you want Native gone as much as Stain does."

"It's to prove my point. Native's a stubborn man, one too self-assured of his own capability. He won't want your help. He won't accept your help. And even if you try to force help onto him, he'll know. Because his quirk will make sure of it."

Izuku stands up, and begins to back away. "And look: if you don't believe me, just wait until we reach the aftermath. I'll give you a hint — check behind the bookcase in his bedroom. Fourth book to the right on the third shelf. You'll find all the answers you need there. That being said… till next time, Ingenium. Try not to strain yourself too hard, hmm?"

Izuku finds himself traversing the rooftops once more, making as much distance as he can from Ingenium's position. After all, while the hero himself may be out of commission at the moment, his incoming sidekicks aren't. And there's no telling if he'll tell them to come after him.

After a while, he finds the time to stop, satisfied with the distance that he's made. But his stop serves a purpose aside from him taking a break. After a moment, Izuku turns around and eyes a water tower off in the distance, right around two blocks away. He then raises a hand, waving in its general direction.

His cover blown, Stain decides to stand up. –Hiding right under my own nose– He mutters. –Should have known that you were nearby, ready to intervene if need be–

"Yes. You should have, hmm?" Izuku responds back, placing his voice right by Stain's ears.

Stain hums. –I wasn't going to kill him, you know–

Izuku nods. "I'm aware."

Izuku can sense the way Stain's eyes narrow at that admittance.

–What do you mean?–

"You have a very specific modus operandi," Izuku explains. "Killing versus maiming: they are two different things to you and serve a specific purpose. You have seventeen murders and twenty-three crippled victims to your name. Those numbers aren't a mere happenstance. The faiths of each were planned far in advance, with the severity of the punishment equal to the crimes the individual was guilty of. As is, you planned to cripple Iida Tensei to teach him a lesson — take away his legs, and thus everything that he is. But I couldn't have that; not when he's one of the few that can atone for the, honestly, light crimes he has committed."

Izuku takes out his phone, dialing a familiar number. "Portal please."

"Perhaps he'll realize his mistakes by himself and get off his high horse," Izuku continues. "Or maybe we'll have to teach him ourselves, whether directly or indirectly. In the end, he'll contribute to a greater positive net cause to what we want. We can't just think of the present, after all. There's the future as well to think about."

Stain doesn't respond back, and merely continues to stare down Izuku's form from the distance.

Kurogiri's portal finally opens up behind Izuku, which Izuku slowly begins to backpedal into. "I'll leave you to ponder what has been discussed today, Akaguro Chizome. Until next time."

And with that, the portal closes, taking Izuku with it. And Stain is left on a rooftop blocks away, still and deep in thought.

A/N: And there we have it, Izuku and Stain's first interaction. Slowly but surely, the potential recruits are increasing. And we aren't done yet with. Stay tuned...

P.S. Happy Halloween! 🎃