Chapter 35 - Encounters

Tomura Shigaraki was pissed off. Very pissed off.

If one was to observe Tomura Shigaraki, then one would argue that this was hardly unusual. However, not many people knew Shigaraki like Kurogiri did. And his current disposition was beginning to worry him.

Shigaraki was leaning on the bar, brooding and staring at a photo he held aloft in his hand. Clutched tightly in his other hand, so tightly that it was beginning to bleed, was a black shuriken-like object, carved in the shape of a bat. The photo was of the boy who had taken second place in the UA Sports Festival, the same one who had stabbed him with the very shuriken he was holding. The boy had shown considerable skill and ability during their attack on the USJ. He managed to catch them both by surprise, rupture the armored plating around Kurogiri's neck, and fend off their forces long enough for All Might and the UA teachers to arrive. It was obvious that this boy acted as a ringleader of sorts, and was able to inspire the others into action easily. The Sports Festival had showcased this further, demolishing any doubt about this young upstart's abilities and skills from even the most seasoned of Pro Heros.

But it was the capture of the Hero Killer by the hands of this boy, Izuku Midoirya, that had truly pushed this boy into the interest of the League of Villains. For a young quirkless boy to take down one of the most dangerous criminal assassins the country had faced in years, one who had already killed and crippled dozens of pro heroes without effort, was earth-shattering. Even The Master was impressed by this demonstration. This was a fact most shocking as he was really only interested in powerful quirks. And considering that the boy did not possess a quirk of his own, to garner the Master's respect is a feat not achieved by many.

But Shigaraki did not share his Master's feelings on the matter. The boy had hurt him. Humiliated him. Nobody who paid Shigaraki such disrespect lived for long. But the Hero Killer added a new wrinkle to the equation. Everyone was fawning over how great this Izuku Midoriya was, but many were also admiring the Hero Killer's strength of will and tenacity to fight against a system of false idols. Every day he was garnering more and more popularity, and it was all the government could do stem the inevitable tidal wave of copycats and villainous hopefuls that would befall them. A wave the League of Villains had every intention of riding. But Shigaraki was undeterred in his hatred of the Hero Killer. Stain's words continued to echo in his head: you lack conviction.

That pissed him off.

The young brat Izuku Midoriya, the Hero Killer Stain, and the worst of the lot: All Might. He hated them all. He wanted them dead, and they were so close he could almost feel them with his fingertips, but still annoyingly out of reach. He felt his blood boiling in his veins as he continued to brood over the picture of this brat, this quirkless upstart, and all that he represented.

"Are you curious, Tomura Shigaraki?" Asked Kurogiri suddenly. "About the boy?"

The bell above the door jingled before Shigaraki could answer. Someone had entered the bar. "Shigaraki," came the familiar, drawling voice of Giran. He walked into the bar with an annoying smug look on his face, his speech slightly skewed as he tried to hold the lit cigarette between his lips. Giran was a broker who allied himself with the League years ago, supplying them with resources to fuel the Master's war machine. "You've been the talk of the town for the past few days," He continued. "I hear you're onto something big -"

"Who are they?" Shigaraki interrupted.

Giran's smug look was undeterred, stepping aside as two individuals entered the bar. One was a tall male, between mid to late twenties in age. It was difficult to tell, as most of his exposed body seemed to be a mix of purple patchwork skin sewn onto his natural epidermal layer. He carried himself in a aloof manner, as if he was here against his will. Standing beside him was a young woman, in her late teens to early twenties. She wore a school uniform with a large, ill-fitting sweater. She bounced up and down in an excited, bubbly manner, like a young schoolgirl would, but Shigaraki wasn't fooled. Her lips were curled into a twisted smile, and her eyes suggested a mania that Shigaraki was all too familiar with.

"I have to say, you look much more gross in person," said the man bluntly.

The girl jumped up and down excitedly. "Wow! You're the hand-guy!" She said. "You're friends with Stainy, right? I want to join too! Let me join the League of Villains!"

Shigaraki scowled. He clasped the picture tightly in his hands, which disintegrated to dust in an instant, and pocketed the bat-shaped shuriken. "Kurogiri, get rid of these two," he said, dismissing them with a wave of his hand. "They're everything I hate in one set: a brat and a rude guy."

"Giran brought them all this way," said Kurogiri. "Let's at least hear them out, Tomura Shigaraki."

"I don't care what you do with them," Said Giran. "So long as I get my commission." He gestured to the girl: "This one's name and face were kept quiet by the media, but she's on the run as the suspect of a series of murders."

"I'm Himiko Toga!" She said, as if introducing herself to a classroom. "Life is hard. I want the world to become an easier place to live. I want to become Stainy! I want to kill Stainy!!" She said, shaking with excitement at her last words. "So let me join the League of Villains, Tomura!"

"Is she crazy?" Said Shigaraki.

"She's coherent...for the most part," said Giran. "I'm sure she'll come in handy." He motioned over to the tall man next to him. "This guy hasn't committed any flashy crimes, but he holds fast to the Hero Killer's ideals."

"I don't know about this," Said the tall man. "Do these guys really have a just cause?" He looked over at Toga. "And don't tell me you're going to let this crazy woman in, too?"

"Seems to me like this crazy lady has already accomplished more than you," said Shigaraki. "The least you could do is give me your name like an adult."

"I'm currently known as Dabi," the man replied.

"I meant your real name," said Shigaraki, his annoyance growing.

"I'll tell you when it's time," said Dabi stubbornly. "I carry out the will of the Hero Killer."

Shigaraki grunted in frustration, getting to his feet. "You say that like I should care," he snarled. "Everyone's so hung up on Stain. It's all 'Stain, Stain, Stain....'"

"Shigaraki -" Kurogiri said warningly.

"It pisses me off."

Faster than one could blink, Shigaraki rushed at the new arrivals. Toga pulled a knife from her oversized sleeve and thrust it towards the attacking Shigaraki. Dabi lunged forward towards Shigaraki, his own hand outstretched in attack. There was a flash of dark purple smoke, and everyone's attacks were harmlessly redirected away from their targets.

"Please calm down, Tomura Shigaraki," said Kurogiri. "If you wish to achieve your ultimate goal, we must increase the organization's numbers. We are now in the spotlight, and this is our chance."

Shigaraki relaxed, his hands dropping to his side. "Shut up," he said sullenly, walking past Dabi and Toga.

"Where are you going?" Asked Kurogiri.

Shigaraki didn't answer, simply walking out the door. Giran cleared his throat, scratching his head. "I hate to complain about a client, but. . ." he said awkwardly. "He's young. Too young, if you ask me."

"I thought we were going to die," said Toga cheerfully.

Dabi scowled. "He makes me sick."

"I'm afraid we must reconvene later," Said Kurogiri. "We will provide you with an answer at a later time. But, I believe that he knows what he must do. Otherwise," he added ominously. "Instead of leaving, he would have killed you."

The atmosphere in Class 1-A the day after the Final Exams was heavy, to say the least. Many of Izuku's classmates, particularly the ones who had failed in their practical exams, were already losing hope at the chance to attend the summer training camp.

"If we failed our exams, we won't be able to go to the summer training camp," Said Kaminari sullenly. "We'll have to make it all up in summer school."

"I'm worried too," said Sero. "My team only passed because of Mineta. I was knocked out for the whole thing -"

The door to the classroom opened with a bang. "Everyone shut up and get in your seats." Said Aizawa. He stepped to the front of the room as the class all hurriedly clambered into their seats. "Unfortunately, there were those who did not pass the final exams. Accordingly, for the training camp in the woods," his mouth twisted into an uncharacteristic smile. "Everyone is going."

The class was in uproar.

"We're all going?!" Said Kirishima excitedly.

Aizawa nodded. "While there are some who failed the practical exam, no one failed the written exam," he said. "The training camp in the woods is designed to help you get stronger. Those who failed the exam need it the most." The smile returned. "It was a logical deception. However," the smile vanished. "Failure is failure. We have prepared additional lessons for all of you who failed the practical exam. In all frankness, these lessons will be tougher than ones you would receive in summer school, so you better not slack off." For the rest of the day, the class was buzzing with excitement about the training camp. Even the thought of extra lessons for those who failed was not enough to dampen their spirits.

Class 1-A had a lot to do to prepare for the training camp. The group decided to take a trip to the local Kiyashi Ward shopping center to get the supplies they needed. This was the first time they all spent time together outside of training and study. Izuku accompanied them, but somewhat reluctantly. Bruce and Alfred had already supplied him weeks ahead of time with what he needed for the trip, and he still wasn't used to the attention he was receiving from the public for his fight with the Hero Killer. With some urging from the others, however, he relented and joined them.

The class chattered about happily as they walked through the center. They decided to all split up and meet back later once they all gathered their things. Izuku expected Uraraka to want to go with him, but left in a rush with the others. She had been acting strangely lately, and seemed to talk to and spend time with Izuku less frequently than she used to. Izuku decided to put it out of his mind, for now. He was now by himself, and he figured that while he was there he could get some shopping done --

"Hey, it's the kid who beat the Hero Killer," he heard a voice say. Izuku looked around, unable to discern where it was coming from in the crowds. A tall man in a hoodie sidled up beside him and put his arm around his neck in an uncomfortably familiar fashion. "I can't believe my luck," the man said. "Running into you again." Izuku tensed. He recognized the voice. Before he could react, he felt four fingers clasp around his throat. He looked up slowly to see the face of Tomura Shigaraki staring down at him. It was the first time he saw him without his mask, but he could recognize him anywhere.

"Why don't we have a little chat, Izuku Midoriya?" He said, smiling perversely.

You could say that Izuku was caught with his pants down. He cursed at himself internally as they made their way throughout the mall. He let his guard down for one moment, and Shigaraki was easily able to get the drop on him. "Just a simple talk," said Shigaraki. "And don't try anything funny." Izuku could feel his fifth finger stroking his throat just above his Adam's apple, sending a chill down Izuku's spine. "The moment I put all five fingers on your throat, you'll crumble to dust in less than a minute."

"Not a private place for a murder, Shigaraki," said Izuku. "A hero will catch you in the same amount of time."

"Maybe," Shigaraki replied. "But not before I've had my fun. I could crumble at least thirty people before I'm caught. And they would all be on your head."

Izuku looked at his surroundings. There were families, children, men and women everywhere. If there was one thing he was certain of, Shigaraki wasn't the bluffing type. Even if he did get caught, the collateral damage would be catastrophic. He had no choice. "What do you want to talk about?" He asked.

"You know," Shigaraki continued as he and Izuku sat down on one of the mall benches. "I still have that bat shuriken you stabbed me with back at the USJ. My hand still hasn't healed completely."

"I should have cut your fingers off," Izuku spat back.

"A lost opportunity."

"What do you want, Shigaraki?"

"I hate everything," Said Shigaraki. "I hate you, and I hate All Might. But what pisses me off the most right now is this stupid Hero Killer."

"He's not with you?" Said Izuku, surprised.

"I don't acknowledge him as a member of the League of Villains, but that's how the news has portrayed him," Shigaraki replied. "That's the problem. Everyone is obsessed with the Hero Killer. The attack on UA, the Nomus I released on Hosu City, everything I have done has been completely upstaged by him." He looked at Izuku. "And then there's you. Everyone is fawning over you for taking him down. Even the Hero Killer himself saw you as an equal to All Might. Why? What makes you so important? What makes him so important? In the end, he just destroyed what he didn't like. What makes him so different from me, Midoriya?"

"Is that what this is?" Said Izuku. "An identity crisis? I don't care what anyone says, Stain is a murderous psychopath who tried to kill my friend. But at least I can understand him."

"What are you talking about?" Said Shigaraki.

"I understand what drives him, what makes him what he is," said Izuku. "In his own twisted way, he wants to follow in All Might's footsteps and bring about a better world. He doesn't kill just because he wants to. But you," Izuku continued venomously. "All you care about is death and destruction. You kill out of annoyance, anger, or even your own amusement. You're wasting your time comparing yourself to the Hero Killer. To me. . ." he stared into Shigaraki's eyes. "You're no better than the Joker."

Shigaraki's bloodshot eyes stared into Izuku's very soul, but Izuku didn't falter. A smile twisted onto Shigaraki's cracked and scarred face, and he began to laugh. "So that's it, huh?" Said Shigaraki. "It's like a weight off my chest."

"What? What are you talking about?" Izuku said quickly.

"When all is said and done, it all boils down to one person: All Might," said Shigaraki.

Izuku could feel Shigaraki's grip tighten on his throat. "How do you come to that conclusion?" Izuku said hoarsely.

"All Might inspires trash like you, like the Hero Killer," said Shigaraki. "And these people smile thoughtlessly because he smiles thoughtlessly, as if there's no one he can't save. It's not about having a cause, or having convictions. It's about taking out the bottom corner in a house of cards. All Might is the corner card. Get rid of him, and it all comes tumbling down." He began to laugh perversely, tightening his grip on Izuku. "I'm so glad we had this talk, Midoriya."

Izuku's mind was racing. Shigaraki was stronger than he looked. If he tried to fight him, people could get hurt. But he wasn't sure how much longer he had until Shigaraki let him go, or killed him. And it was beginning to look like the latter was more likely.

"Deku?"

Izuku looked up and saw Uraraka standing just a few feet from Shigaraki and himself. Fear crept into Izuku's heart. The danger posed by Shigaraki to these civilians was bad enough, but if he made one wrong move, it could cost him his best friend as well.

Uraraka felt bad for running off on Izuku like she did. Ever since her test with Aoyama, she was having a hard time being around him. He must have noticed by now. He was brilliant after all.

Do you like Midoriya?

She shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts. Aoyama didn't know what he was talking about. She respected Izuku , and looked up to him. He was her best friend, but it's not like she was in love with him or anything.

Are you sure about that?

The thought creeped into her head suddenly. She blushed fiercely and shook her head again. She couldn't think about that right now. She had to find Deku and apologize to him. Steeling herself, she began her trek across the mall when she heard a voice adjacent to her.

"I'm so glad we had this talk, Midoriya."

Uraraka followed the voice until she found its source. Izuku was sitting on the bench. Sitting next to him was a tall, slim man with long, unkempt silver hair, covered by a black hoodie. The sight of him made her uneasy.

"Deku," she said, approaching him. The man had his hand gripped around Izuku's throat, who kept his face passive, but she could see a fear behind his eyes that she read all too loudly: run away now, before you get hurt. Uraraka cursed herself internally. If she hadn't abandoned him at the beginning of their trip, he wouldn't be in this situation.

"Hey," she said, trying to sound fiercer than she felt. "Let him go!"

The man pulled away instantly, holding up his hands. Izuku gasped for air, immediately rubbing his neck "Oh, I see that you have a friend here," The man said cheerfully. "Sorry to keep you, I'll be on my way. Try to follow me, and I'll get angry." She heard him whisper to Izuku. Uraraka rushed to Izuku's side.

"Shigaraki!" Izuku said. "What does All For One want?!"

Uraraka looked at the man in shock. "Shigaraki?"

Shigaraki paused for a moment. "Who knows, really," He said. "You should worry more about yourself. The next time we meet, I will most likely kill you." And without another word, he disappeared into the crowd.

Uraraka reported what happened between Izuku and Shigaraki, and the shopping mall was put on emergency closure while Heroes and the Police conducted an investigation of the surrounding area. In the end, they could not find Tomura Shigaraki. Izuku was taken to the police station where he was questioned by the head detective on the case, Naomasa Tsukauchi. When he had arrived at the station, Batman was there waiting for him. An hour passed and Izuku had told them everything about their conversation. Batman had questioned him the hardest, calling him to remember every little detail he could about the encounter.

"It sounds like they aren't as big an organization as we once thought," Said Tsukauchi. "But the part where he wants to kill All Might hasn't changed."

"The Hero Killer rattled his cage," said Batman. "Can you think of anything else, Midoriya?"

"No," said Izuku. "I wish I could have detained him."

"You acted in a manner that prevented loss of life," said Bruce. "Had anyone else been in this situation, it could have been much worse."

"Batman is right," Said Tsukauchi. "Most other people would have panicked. The fact that there were no victims is thanks to you staying calm."

That made Izuku feel a little better. Izuku and Batman excused themselves from Tsukauchi, and they exited the Police station. "Your mother is on her way to pick you up," Said Batman. He pushed a few buttons on his gauntlet, and Izuku heard the engines of the Batmobile roar to life in the distance, then get louder as it drove up to the curb in front of them. Batman looked at Izuku, as if expecting something, but he was silent.

"What is it?" Said Batman.

"It's nothing. . . just," Izuku said, trying to formulate the words. "I thought I would be ready to face Shigaraki again, but he took me completely by surprise. I wasn't as prepared as I thought I was, and if Uraraka hadn't come when she had I would probably . . ." the words stopped in his throat.

"You can't always be ready for any given situation," Said Batman. "In times such as those, you have to be prepared to think on your feet, and find ways to minimize the potential damage around you, even if it means letting the villain get away."

"Izuku!"

Izuku turned at the sound of his name to see his mother running towards him. Her eyes were puffy and wet with tears as she embraced him. "I can't do it anymore," She said. "My heart can't take it!"

"It's okay, mom," Said Izuku. "I'm fine. Batman and the police were taking good care of me."

"Batman!" His mother said, angrily approaching the hulking figure of Izuku's mentor. "You're supposed to be protecting him! Bruce Wayne said that you would keep him from any harm, and nothing but harm has befallen him!"

"Mom, it's not his fault!" Izuku began, but Batman held up his hand, silencing him.

"He didn't need my protecting, Mrs. Midoriya," Said Batman. "It was he who did the protecting. It's because of your son that many lives were spared in the shopping center today." Izuku's mother was taken aback by this. She hadn't gotten the full details on what happened yet, only that Izuku was accosted by a villain. The police had taken her to the station just after informing her of the situation.

"Izuku. . . saved lives?" She said, finding her voice again.

"You must be very proud to have a hero such as Midoriya for a son," said Batman, hopping into the open top of the Batmobile. Without another word, he sped off into the distance. The Police officer who had brought his mother here placed them in the car and escorted them home. The drive to the apartment was quiet. Izuku had a lot to think about. Shigaraki's words kept playing in his head.

"It's about taking out the bottom corner in a house of cards. All Might is the corner card. Get rid of him, and it all comes tumbling down."

Izuku was worried, despite himself. Shigaraki was right. If All Might really was the cornerstone of their hero society, what would happen if that cornerstone was removed. And only a few people knew that this time was fast approaching. All Might's powers were quickly waning. If Shigaraki managed to get what he wanted, and was able to kill All Might, well, Izuku shuddered to think about it. He wished he could have stopped Shigaraki then and there.

He looked out the window of the Police cruiser as it drove through the city. Wherever you are, Shigaraki, Izuku thought. Next time, I'll be ready.