Chapter Text
Dabi breathed in the smoke, relishing in the chaos as he stood in one of the many alleyways of Hosu City.
He knew Endeavor would be here, on the hunt for the Hero Killer, but he never thought he would see an attack from the League of Villains in person.
What he thought was a mere joke group led by some dumb child turned into something more.
Especially when he saw white hot flames incinerating one of the glassy eyes villains with exposed brains.
Though he couldn’t help the disappointment when he saw the other fire and ice kid from UA.
When he thought for sure Izuku would have gone to intern under Endeavor, because surely he would have seen the opportunity that Quirk of his would have brought him.
“It looks like our fateful meeting will have to wait another day,” Dabi said, turning to go deeper into the alleyway.
Though perhaps he should look into the League of Villains, especially if they have plans to attack UA again.
“I will take back what you stole from me.”
–
“Where did all of this fire come from?” Izuku asked, looking around before stopping when he saw Manual doing his best to put out the fires with water coming from a damaged fire hydrant.
Manual, whom Ida was interning under, but there was no sign of Ida anywhere.
“Ida! Where did he run off to?” Manual shouted, confirming Izuku’s suspicions.
“He’s going after him,” Izuku whispered. “Did you see where Ida ran off to!?” He shouted back, because that was all he needed.
He needed to make sure his friend wasn’t doing what he thinks he’s doing.
Revenge is not the answer!
“He ran that way!” Manual shouted, pointing in a direction.
Izuku nodded and looked at Sir Nighteye and Togata-kun.
“I’m going to go search for Ida! He got separated from Manual during the chaos!”
“Lemillion, go with Sunshine! I’ll see if I can help with evacuations!”
“On it!”
At least he wouldn’t be alone.
But Izuku still prayed that Ida would be fine.
That he was wrong and his friend honestly was just separated in the chaos.
–
Had he not been paying attention to his surroundings as his sword hovered over his would-be murderer who lay paralyzed on the ground, Stain probably would have been frozen in a block of ice or punched by a young man who popped out from under the ground.
Instead, he had the foresight to jump out of the way as a large wall of ice blocked him from reaching his two targets.
Though he could hear voices from the other side of the wall.
“Ida, are you ok?” One of the voices asked, running towards who he could only assume to be Ingenium’s vengeful little brother.
So he had backup on the way, perhaps he should take his chance to flee?
“Todoroki, what are you doing here?”
Interesting.
So Endeavor’s kid is here.
“Me? I should be asking you that! What were you thinking, going after a serial killer like that? Are you trying to get yourself killed?” The Todoroki boy shouted, his voice a little higher than usual.
As if he was on the brink of tears at the idea of someone dying.
“Looks like Native is still alive!” a different voice shouted, probably the one from the boy who almost punched Stain.
Somehow he knew this was a bad matchup, and he should cut his losses here, but he also felt his blood start to pump.
It’s been a long time since that fateful night in Naruhata.
When he came face to face with Knuckleduster.
“Will you prove to not be fakes?” He asked, jabbing a knife into the ice and using it to propel himself up and over the wall. A wide grin on his face when he dropped down right as the boy with green hair had put something back into his pocket.
He then decided to dive for him first, because he figured that boy might be the bigger threat.
Especially if he also inherited fire.
One blade poised for a more direct attack, while his second was prepared to strike the other boy or gain a quick nick just as a precaution.
However, the Todoroki boy brought a hand up and grabbed the blade with his gloved hand.
Only for said gloves to turn to ash as he grabbed the bare metal with his bare hand, the blade following just like the glove.
Without a chance to get a drop of blood, Stain was forced to back off.
But he couldn’t help the look of confusion on his face, and he could tell that Ingenium’s little brother and Todoroki’s companion were also confused.
“I got to do a lot more practice with Temperature Regulation after the Sports Festival, now I can make my hands so hot that they turn anything they touch to ash,” the Todoroki boy explained, before staring at Stain and then all of his blades.
As if a eureka moment just hit.
“It’s blood. You have to cut your victims to paralyze them, and based on how your tongue looks,” he continued before nodding at his companion who disappeared into the ground once more.
“You have to get a taste of blood to paralyze your victims, but when put up against those with Quirks that can either keep you at a distance or stop you from even cutting them, you’re at a disadvantage,” he finished.
Stain frowned.
It was as if this boy was now staring deep into his soul, tugging at a large part of Stain.
Though the tugging soon stopped as the boy took a step back, but still standing so he would shield the two fakes.
“You also prefer ambush tactics, keeping your foes off guard or waiting for them to slip up and make a mistake. Reminds me of our homeroom teacher,” he continued.
At that moment, Stain realized what this boy was trying to do.
–
“You’re stalling,” Stain said, as if it just hit him.
Izuku knew it was obvious, but he still didn’t think it would take the Hero Killer this long to figure it out.
Even then, he wasn’t sure if anyone would actually come.
The only people he knew who were in the area were himself, Ida and Togata-kun who were with him, Sir Nighteye who was too busy running evacuations, Midoriya who didn’t let Izuku add him to his contacts, and finally…
He quickly dropped down when he felt the oncoming heat as fire shot straight at Stain.
“When this is over, you are grounded. Got it?” His father, Endeavor, said as he stepped into view.
Izuku only nodded as he stepped out of the way, seeing his father create a flaming javelin to throw at Stain.
He knew this fight would be over in seconds thanks to how quickly and efficiently his father works when it comes to taking down villains, so he turned his attention fully on Ida and Native to make sure they were truly ok.
“Why did you have to interfere?” Ida asked, though his tone was more broken than angry.
“Because you’re my friend, and I care about you,” Izuku admitted as he crouched down to help his classmate stand up. “Plus you’re still our Class Rep, and I don’t know how we could possibly go on if you were to die.”
“I’m not worthy of that position anymore. I gave in and started down a path of darkness. I don’t know if I could possibly call myself a Hero, especially when I used my brother’s name. I tarnished it by seeking vengeance.”
Izuku blinked before looking at his friend with a smile.
“It’s ok that you don’t forgive him, you do have a right to be angry. I know there are a few people that I am angry with, that I probably will never forgive fully, but I also know not to dwell on what happened. I have to ask, what would your brother want you to do?” He asked.
Ida remained silent as Togata-kun stepped up behind them while holding Native up.
“Sunshine is right, there are a lot of people who do things that are downright unforgivable. So you shouldn’t have to forgive and forget, but instead use this experience to make yourself into a better person,” Togata-kun said with a large smile. “Also don’t be afraid to tell jokes and have a good laugh! You could stand to loosen up!”
His friend didn’t say anything further, which was concerning.
Though when Izuku looked, he noticed Ida had passed out with the remnants of tears on his face.
“I guess we should wait for the ambulance,” he said, right as Midoriya suddenly ran in.
“Finally- I finally made it!” He panted, right as Endeavor stepped out of the alley with an unconscious Hero Killer restrained and being dragged behind him.
He didn’t even look at Midoriya as he made his way right over to Izuku, looking him over before noticing the missing gloves.
“What happened there?”
“Experimented with my Quirk, it was a move I was developing on my own after the Sports Festival because I noticed I would need to have moves with more finesse,” Izuku admitted, looking down at the palm of his hands where old burn scars were perfectly visible.
Though he realized this might be his father’s first time actually seeing them as he grabbed Izuku’s hands and stared down at them.
Mouthing a single word, one that was almost like a curse.
“Those were from the day my Quirk came in,” Izuku quickly said, not wanting any assumptions to be made.
Because he doesn’t know how to handle the fact that his father was starting to actually give a damn.
“Right, the ambulance should be here. I suggest you also get yourself looked over,” his father said, albeit awkward as he turned away.
Probably not used to this either, especially with the distance he put between himself and his family.
–
Mirai was absolutely livid when he was called into the hospital.
Fortunately there was a limited number of casualties, but still too many moving pieces for him to be able to use his Quirk effectively.
So of course he delegated things to more capable people, and had Mirio put in charge of making sure Todoroki stayed out of trouble.
How was he supposed to know that they would actually encounter the Hero Killer?
(He would deny that he could have used his Quirk to prepare them, because he knows that it wouldn’t matter what he said. All visions he saw came true, so it’s better to use it for more important things. Especially since he can only use it effectively once per day, and he knew Mirio was capable.)
Chief Tsuragamae stood outside of the room with Manual and Endeavor standing next to him, waiting for Mirai to arrive.
“What is the meaning of this?” Mirai asked, hoping to god that Mirio did not get hurt.
It would also be bad if Todoroki got hurt, and seeing that Endeavor was right there he almost feared the worst.
But the man did not look beyond reasoning, so he figured Todoroki was fine.
“We’re here to talk about punishments,” Chief Tsuragamae said. “I already talked with the students in question, and they agreed to the terms.”
“What punishment? They happened across Stain, but did the smart thing and called for backup. It’s not like they engaged him in a fight,” Mirai said.
Only to be met with silence.
He huffed.
“Well Mirio should be in the clear, since he does have his Provisional License and full permission from myself to engage in Heroics. Plus this could be listed as an emergency situation, correct?” He asked, confident that his intern was still well within his legal right to act.
The police chief shook his head.
“In most cases you would be correct, however there was the involvement of unlicensed minors. One of which was supposed to be under your supervision, but instead you sent Togata Mirio with Todoroki Izuku away where they both encountered Native, Ida Tenya, and the Hero Killer. Tell me, how does that look in an official report?” He asked.
Mirai froze.
“Fortunately Endeavor was there to make the arrest, so we don’t have to come up with a cover story to protect these kids,” Chief Tsuragamae continued. “But as you were the adult responsible for Todoroki, you will be put on probation. Meaning you will no longer be allowed to take on any interns for the foreseeable future, and Endeavor will be taking over the case that you were investigating until you are allowed to resume work.”
“What will that mean for Mirio?” Mirai asked, though he knew the answer already.
“Your current intern will have his Provisional License suspended and be put through remedial courses, and afterwards the Hero Public Safety Commission will match him up to a new Hero Agency where he will be able to continue his Work Study until graduation.”
After taking a deep breath, Mirai gave a nod.
As much as he hates it, and he knew this was his own fault, there was nothing he could do about it other than lament.
Perhaps he shouldn’t have sent that offer out to Endeavor’s kid after all, which was a shame.
He seemed like such a nice and mild-mannered boy.
Endeavor walked over and set a hand on Mirai’s shoulder, but when Mirai looked up he froze at the cold glare he received from the Flame Hero.
“I do not want to ever see you again, especially after the neglect you showed to my son. Got it?”
Mirai nodded and quickly backed off.
He then watched as Endeavor asked Chief Tsuragamae if he could take his son home now that things were made perfectly clear.
“Actually, mother is on her way to pick him up.”
Endeavor suddenly froze.
“Then I better get back to work.”
Interesting.
Was Endeavor afraid of his wife or something?
–
Right as Rei arrived at the doors for the hospital, she could see her husband already stepping out.
She only raised an eyebrow, arms crossing over her chest as she stared him down when he noticed she was there, as it has been years since the last time they actually talked face to face.
“Enji,” she started, voice colder than ice to show her displeasure.
Though it wasn’t from actually seeing him, truly she only felt cold indifference towards her husband at this time instead of the fear from before.
“Izuku is safe and unharmed, but why didn’t anyone tell me he burned himself when his Quirk came in?”
Rei raised an eyebrow.
“Why do you think?” She asked, knowing that Enji was probably thinking of Touya again.
Her husband always had their eldest son on his mind, even when he was away. She could easily tell from the look on his face.
Enji stopped when it seemed to have clicked.
So it looks like things can get through his thick skull.
She decided she might as well give him a bone.
“Those burns weren’t from Izuku’s Quirk. Fuyumi and Natsuo saw what really happened and told me the truth, but I decided not to tell you because at the time you showed zero interest in any of us. Even when Izuku did get his Quirk, you were still so focused on yourself that you delegated one of your sidekicks to help train him. Fuyumi and I had to help him with his ice, but he mostly taught himself how to use that fire of his because his father wasn’t interested.”
“Rei I-”
“No Enji. You left all of us in the dust, left me to raise all of them on my own because no one got the Quirk you hoped for. I was the one who helped Fuyumi cope with the fact her family was breaking apart. I was the one who comforted Natsuo when Touya ran away from home! I was the one who held Izuku! I patched up the burns on his hands the best I could because Touya thought it would have been funny to try and set Izuku on fire! You know why that happened? Because you left!”
Rei didn’t think she would lose her temper like that, especially as frost formed around her feet and bits of ice clung to her husband’s chest from where she jabbed him in the chest.
Normally she kept herself cool and collected, calm because it’s what her children needed, but something about seeing her husband finally giving a damn set her off.
Taking a deep breath to collect herself, Rei turned to go into the hospital to pick up her son.
However, she glanced back to see Enji remained frozen where he stood.
Processing what she just told him.
She could feel a flash of pity directed at this man.
“Let me ask you this. Do you only care about Izuku because you finally saw his Quirk, or did you decide you wanted to actually be a father?”
With those words spoken, she went into the hospital and smiled when she saw her son run over to greet her with a hug and an apologetic smile on his face.
“I’m not mad at you, Izuku,” Rei said, running a hand through his green curls as she hugged him close. “Though unfortunately I’m going to have to agree with Enji, you are grounded.”
Izuku looked up at her and nodded.
“I figured that would happen,” he said. “I’m sorry if I worried you, but my friend was…”
“Next time, please be more careful. The world would be a dull place without its ray of sunshine,” she whispered, pulling away from the hug and smiling at her son.
“But you did the right thing, saving your friend. I only ask that next time something like this happens, please try to think more carefully. Find the best way to save as many lives as possible, including your own.”
Her son nodded, already reaching for another hug.
Rei couldn’t hold back her laugh as she pulled Izuku into another hug.
“Alright, alright. Let’s go pick up some snacks to bring home to Fuyumi and Natsuo. I’m sure this will get them to forgive you. Especially after that text you sent with only your coordinates.”
“So that’s how he figured out where we were,” Izuku mumbled quietly, following Rei outside.
She hummed, remembering how she insisted on her dolt of a husband keeping their children’s numbers saved and vice versa.
Because while her husband was a terrible father, he would at least do his job as a Hero and save anyone who was in danger.
But it seems Izuku didn’t think Enji would have bothered.
Perhaps this was a sign that things would finally change, and Fuyumi would get her wish?
“Can we get ice cream for Fuyumi?” Izuku asked.
“Of course, do you want me to keep it cold or will you?”
Her son beamed like a true ray of sunshine.
“I should probably do it, because I want to make it up to her.”
“Sounds good,” Rei said.