Chapter 39 - The League of Villains

The Summer Training Camp couldn't have been more of a disaster.

Emergency services arrived just after the villains left the camp. They worked on putting out the fires and securing the area. Pixie-Bob of the Pussycats was admitted to the hospital for an injury to her head, caused by the villains. Ragdoll was MIA. There was evidence that she had lost a lot of blood, and was presumed in critical condition, but her location was unknown. On the villain's side, three of their members were captured and arrested: Moonfish, Muscular, and Mustard. The other attackers managed to disappear with the Warp Villain.

Of the 39 students, 15 were unconscious and in critical condition due to the toxic gas, while eleven others had sustained injuries. Thirteen of the students were physically unharmed, though the incident had taken an emotional toll.

And one of them was missing.

The media outlets had gone mad with the news, citing gross negligence on the side of UA High for endangering the students, and allowing one of them to be kidnapped. Dozens of reporters stood outside the gates of UA, demanding them to take responsibility for such a travesty.

Bruce had spent the past few days in the Warehouse, going over the casefiles of the League of Villains. He was throwing every resource he had into finding Izuku. Dick was working with the police to canvas the city of Kamino, where Shigaraki was last located. Barbara was connected to the Justice League computer databank and the Batcomputer, looking into police and city databases, city security cameras, and the underground information network to see if there was any leads on the villains who had surfaced during the attack. Bruce hadn't slept or eaten since Izuku was taken, despite Alfred's protests.

"Master Bruce, you can't blame yourself for this," He said, setting a tray of food on the table next to him.

"Not now, Alfred," Bruce said.

"Sir, please," Implored Alfred. "We are all worried for Master Midoriya, but you are no good to him if you can barely stand yourself."

"Have you spoken to his mother?" Asked Bruce.

Alfred paused. "Yes," he said. "She is beside herself with grief."

"I promised her that I would keep Izuku safe," said Bruce. "I brought him into this. I am to blame."

"Master Bruce, please."

"Every second that Izuku is with them may be a second too late," Said Bruce. "I was too late to save him at the training camp. I was too late to save his friend. I was too late to save Jason. I will not be too late this time. Not again."

The phone on Bruce's desk rang. "Detective Tsukauchi?" Said Bruce, answering the phone.

"Batman," Said the Detective. "We may have found something on the League of Villains. We need you to get down here."

"The training camp was meant to prepare students to handle villain attacks," Said Principle Nezu. "The irony is shameful."

Nezu, Midnight, Present Mic, Snipe, and All Might sat around the U-shaped table in the conference room. The school was closed for the remainder of summer break. Some of the students from Class 1-A and 1-B were still at the hospital for their injuries. Dozens of reporters continued to gather outside the gates, demanding answers, but UA only offered silence.

"We knew the league would resurface, but we lacked a fundamental understanding of their plans," Said Nezu. "They aim to destroy hero society, and they've already started their war."

"Even if we had understood, could we really have prevented this attack?" Said Midnight. "They're moving pieces we didn't even know they possessed. Besides, All Might pretty much put an end to most organized crime here in Japan. We're all rusty."

"We've definitely gotten complacent during peaceful times without realizing it," said Present Mic.

"I will never forgive myself for such cowardly ignorance," Said All Might shamefully. "While our students were desperately fighting for their lives, I was just having a relaxing soak in the bath."

"We shouldn't've had the sports festival right after the USJ attack," Said Snipe. "We wanted to show we were still strong. To have a student kidnapped is our greatest failure as teachers. They've not only taken Midoriya, but society's faith in heroes."

"Every news outlet is currently condemning UA," Said Nezu. "But we're still not sure why Midoriya was their main target."

That had been a common consensus around the room. The best they could guess was that it was because Midoriya had stood up against the League by taking down the Hero Killer. All Might believed it was more than that. All For One was targeting him, and he knew that he and Izuku were connected. He took Midoriya as a calling card. A message that said "I am here, and you can't stop me this time."

"Do you think Midoriya will join them?" Asked Midnight.

"Never," Said All Might. "But who knows how long they'll try before realizing it's futile. They may kill him after that."

"If that happens, it will be the end of UA high," said Nezu.

"I think there's something that has to be voiced now," said Present Mic. "We can't really deny it anymore. There's a traitor at this school."

"Think about what you're saying, Mic," said Midnight.

"I have thought about it," Said Present Mic. "Only the Pussycats and the Teachers knew about the location. But Batman was able to show up without a problem."

"Batman already knew where it was," Said All Might.

"Exactly my point!" Said Mic. "How did he find out?"

"Midoriya has a tracking device in his utility belt."

All the teachers turned to see Batman standing in the doorway of the conference room.

"How long have you been standing there?" Said Present Mic.

"Long enough," Batman replied.

"Wait, Midoriya has a tracker?" Said Snipe. "Why can't we use that to find him?"

"Because they discarded his belt when they took him," Said Batman. "The person behind this is no fool. He took special measures to make sure they weren't followed."

"Damn," Said All Might.

"Present Mic raises a viable point," Said Batman.

"So you think there is a traitor here?" Said Midnight.

"We can't start accusin' people," Said Snipe. "None of us have proof that we're 100 percent innocent. If we start doubtin' each other, we'll destroy ourselves from the inside. Did you just come here only to feed our fears, Batman?"

"Hardly," Said Batman. "I've come to speak with All Might."

"With me?" Said All Might, surprised. "Right now?"

"Now," Confirmed Batman.

All Might followed Batman out of the conference room and into the hallway. All Might cleared his throat awkwardly. "Bruce," said All Might. "I'm sorry about Midoriya. I promise you, we'll find him."

"We may already have," Said Batman.

"What? Really?!" Said All Might.

"Tsukauchi told me about a lead he found after interviewing Aizawa and Vlad King," Said Batman. "And I did some reconnaissance. Two weeks ago an officer was sent around to gather information, and a bystander pointed out that he had seen a man with a patchwork face enter a building that was supposed to be vacant. The villain description didn't bring up any hits in the criminal database, so he wasn't thought to have any connection to the League. But Aizawa and Vlad described one of the villains as having a patchwork face, so we investigated further."

"What did you find?" Asked All Might.

"There's a small dive bar located in the building," Said Batman. "We believe that this is where Midoriya is being kept. But there is also a secondary location."

"Another location?"

"One of the students from Class 1-A, a Momo Yaoyorozu, planted a tracking device on the Nomu when she engaged it in the forest," Said Batman. "Tsukauchi and I visited her in the hospital yesterday. She provided us with a frequency tracker and it directed us to a secondary location. After doing an orbital scan it appears to be some sort of factory, but there are several body signatures present. We believe this is where he's keeping the Nomu."

"My god," Said All Might. "How many of them are there?"

"Hard to say," Said Batman. "The signatures are disappearing and reappearing randomly. We believe that they are made at a separate location and kept there for storage, but we can't be sure."

"What do you need me to do?" Said All Might.

"We plan to strike tonight," Said Batman. "We're gathering the top heroes in the city to assist us: Endeavor, Gang Orca, Best Jeanist, all of them. Gran Torino will be there as well. When that happens, be ready. We'll need your strength."

"You can count on it," Said All Might. "We will make them pay for what they've done."

Izuku was surrounded.

Strapped to a chair in some sort of dimly-lit dive bar, huddling around him were the villains who had escaped with him from the attack at the training camp. Shigaraki was sitting on a stool at the bar counter, staring at a television screen at the far end of the room. On it was a news report going over the events of the past few days.

"It would appear that the principal offenders behind the UA High training camp attack called themselves the League of Villains' Vanguard Action Squad," Said the reporter. "The league was previously involved in the USJ attack and the Hosu incident. We still have no report from UA or local authorities as to if the whereabouts of kidnapped UA student Izuku Midoriya has been located. Authorities suspect Midoriya was targeted because of his actions against the Hero Killer Stain in the Hosu Incident."

"How could they have let one of their students, and a quirkless student, nonetheless, get kidnapped?" Said the co-anchor. "There seems to be some sort of problem with UA's upper-management. Honestly, if I had a child who wanted to be a hero, there's no way I would let them go to UA."

Shigaraki turned off the TV, cackling gleefully. "I'm so grateful to the media for all the free publicity lately," He said. "Isn't it nice, Izuku Midoriya?"

"Maybe you should get your face out there," Said Izuku spitefully. "Let the public see you."

"All in good time," Said Shigaraki.

"What do you want with me?" Said Izuku. "If you want to kill me, just get it over with."

"Oh, nothing would make me happier, believe me," said Shigaraki dangerously. "But they want you for something else."

"Who?" Said Izuku.

"As I said, all in good time," Said Shigaraki.

Izuku suddenly felt a wave of sickness come over him. He was dizzy, sick to his stomach. He felt a rush of vomit coming to his mouth, and he struggled to suppress it, but the effort was futile. But instead of vomit and bile, a black ooze spewed from his mouth and began to swirl around him. Izuku tried to fight, to scream, but the ooze had rendered him silent. It continued to engulf him, and soon he couldn't breathe. His mind flashed to when he was attacked by the Sludge Villain. Despite how far he came, how much he had grown, he felt as helpless now as he did then

Class 1-A were gathered in Yaoyorozu's room at the Kamino hospital. They had been coming to visit her, Hagakure and Jiro, who were still recovering from the incident at the training camp. The class was in a state of complete greif with Izuku's abduction. Despite being quirkless, Izuku represented a sense of strength and security in the class, one that they didn't truly realize how much they relied upon. They had lost more than a friend and comrade-in-arms, they had lost a brother. Without him, Class 1-A felt incomplete.

Uraraka was taking it the hardest. Izuku's absence had left her feeling more bereft than she ever had in her life. She had replayed the incident over and over in her head, trying to think of more that she could have done to save him. She felt helpless and frightened.

"I should have done something," said Uraraka, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"There wasn't anything you could have done more, Ochaco," Said Asui, attempting to comfort her.

"If I hadn't allowed myself to be captured, I could have stepped in," Said Tokoyami. "That's twice in the same night that I have failed my friends."

"No," said Shoji. "It was all we could do to survive this attack. We were fortunate that we all survived."

"But what about Midoriya?" Said Ashido. "Do you think that they'll kill him?"

"It's unlikely," Said Todoroki. "The villain who captured him said that they planned on introducing other avenues for him. They most likely want him to join them."

"Deku never would," Said Uraraka. "And who knows what they'll do when they finally realize that."

The class fell silent. If there was anything they were sure of, it was that Izuku was near incorruptible. But there was no way the villains would simply let him waltze out of their hideout once they discovered that as well.

"Then, let's go get him," Said Kirishima suddenly. Several students around him gasped in collective shock.

"Think about it," Kirishima continued. "Todoroki and I came here yesterday. Batman was here with a police officer, talking with Yaoyorouzu. She said she had planted a tracking device on the Nomu during their fight, and gave them the receiver to track it down."

"You were listening in?" Said Yaoyorozu.

"We didn't mean to, but now we're glad we did," Said Todoroki.

"You're going to have her make you another receiver?!" Said Iida angrily. "Have the two of you lost your minds? It's not the right time for us to get involved. We have to leave this to the professionals!"

"All I know is that at camp, I was useless!" said Kirishima. "I heard my friend was targeted, and I just stood by, helpless. So if I stand by and do nothing now, how am I supposed to call myself a hero or a man?!"

"What Iida said is true," Said Asui. "We're all shocked that Midoriya was taken from us, but we have to be rational. It doesn't matter how noble your intentions. If you go out there trying to find the bad guys, knowing you're breaking the rules, then you're acting like villains, not heroes."

"Midoriya would have risked it anyway," Said Kirishima, turning to Yaoyorozu. "He's still within our reach. With your help, we can still save him!"

Yaoyorozu said nothing. Iida, however, wasn't done. "Listen to what I'm saying!" Said Iida.

"No, you listen, Iida!" Kirishima snapped back. "Don't you care about what happens to Midoriya?! Don't you care that his life is in danger?!"

Iida looked as if Kirishima had struck him. "Of course I care," Said Iida, trembling. "I'm the class rep, I'm worried about all my classmates. But Midoriya . . ." he paused, removing his glasses to wipe his eyes. "Midoriya saved my life."

"Iida," said Todoroki warningly.

"What are you talking about?" Said Ashido.

"The Hero Killer," Said Iida, unable to hold back the tears anymore. "He crippled my brother. I was so obsessed with revenge that I went to Hosu to try and find him. Midoriya knew I would go after him and followed me. That's why he fought the Hero Killer. He saved me from being murdered that day."

The class stared at Iida in shocked silence. "Because I didn't leave his capture to the Heroes," Iida continued. "Because I wanted to kill him myself, I almost lost my life to the Hero Killer that day."

"But he still came to your rescue," Said Kirishima. "He still came to save you, even though it meant breaking the rules, because you were in danger and he is your friend. That's exactly what I'm going to do." Kirishima stood to leave. "If you've decided to help me, Yaoyorozu, meet me tonight outside the hospital. Anyone else who doesn't want to help save Midoriya better stay out of my way." Kirishima slammed the door and marched down the hallway.

"Kirishima, wait!"

Kirishima turned to see Uraraka following him. "Deku saved me too, when we first met," She said after she caught up with him. "He's my best friend. I have to make sure he's safe. I'm coming with you."

Izuku opened his eyes, coughing and gasping for air. He looked around, trying to take in his surroundings. He was no longer in the dive bar, surrounded by villains. He was in a dark room, illuminated only by an array of computer monitors against the far wall. A large chair was placed in front of the monitors, several medical devices and machines were placed around it. Izuku couldn't see anyone in the chair, but he knew he wasn't alone.

"I'm afraid I must apologize," Said a voice from the chair, confirming Izuku's feeling. "The effects of the warping-quirk takes some getting used to."

"Who are you?" Said Izuku. "Where am I?"

"You know exactly who I am, Izuku Midoriya," Said the voice.

"All For One," Izuku said, desperately hoping in vain that he was wrong.

"You are intelligent," said All For One. "As expected from a student of Batman. Brainiac tells me that he is the most dangerous man on the planet. Well, present company excluded, of course."

Izuku started in shock. "How. . . you. . ." He stammered. "How do you know about Brainiac?"

"Brainiac and his exobytes," Said All For One. "The source of all quirks on this Earth. Batman has undoubtedly told you. But did he tell you what happened after Brainiac was destroyed?"

Izuku didn't answer.

"The Heroes staged a coup," Said All For One. "Using the powers stored by his exobytes, they succeeded in wiping out Brainiac's forces. Eventually, Brainiac himself was destroyed, but he was not defeated."

"What are you talking about?" Said Izuku.

"A fail-safe was enabled in his core programming," said All For One. "Should he ever be destroyed, any surviving pieces of his core being would be sent throughout time and space, preventing them from being destroyed as well. So long as a single piece of his original self remains, even the smallest piece, Brainiac lives on."

"You said he talks to you," said Izuku slowly, the weight of what he was saying dawning on him.

"I recovered one of those discarded pieces, one hundred years ago," said All For One. "As soon as I touched it, it became a part of me. It gave me strength, it gave me power. In many ways, I am Brainiac, and Brainiac is me."

"And now you carry on his work," Said Izuku, horrified.

"Oh, I do much more than that, Izuku Midoriya," Said All For One. "I am remaking the world in Brainiac's image. A world where people like you would be a thing of the past."

"People like me?" Said Izuku.

"My boy, you grew up quirkless," Said All For One. "Watching your friends grow powers of their own around you, desperately dreaming one day that you would be given a quirk by some miracle. I'm here to make that miracle a reality."

"By forcing quirks onto people?" Said Izuku. "Not everyone wants them, or even needs them."

"As you have demonstrated quite admirably," Said All For One. "Considering the fact that you even refused my dear old brother's quirk. A quirk of true, unbridled power. And you even brought the Hero Killer Stain, and the Sludge monster that killed your friend, to Justice. And all without a quirk. I have to say, you have impressed me, Izuku Midoriya. You truly are a champion of justice."

"What do you want with me?" Said Izuku.

"I have big plans for you Izuku Midoriya," Said All For One. "You are going to help me destroy the Symbol of Peace. You, All Might's would-be successor, will be his ultimate downfall."

"I would rather die," said Izuku.

"That would be wasteful and unfortunate," Said All For One. "Did you know that it takes several days after the body dies for the quirk to die with them? I have many friends in high and low places. When someone with a powerful quirk dies, I usually make arrangements to have the body brought here, so I can assimilate their power. After all, who is going to report a quirk stolen from a corpse?"

Izuku felt sick to his stomach. "You're a monster."

"Come now, Izuku Midoriya, is that any way to speak to someone who is about to give you a gift?"

"What are you talking about?"

"As I said," Said All For One. "It is my mission, my calling, to make the dream of bringing quirks to everyone a reality. Starting with you." He stood from the chair and turned to Izuku, who let out a silent gasp. He had no eyes, nose, or face for that matter above his mouth. Gnarled, scarred skin stretched up over his nose, eyes, and bald head. Several tubes and spouts stuck out from his face and neck. The grotesque mannequin who was his enemy walked towards him. Izuku struggled fruitlessly against his chair as All For One placed his outstretched hand over his eyes.

"Prepare yourself, Izuku Midoriya," Said All For One. "This process can be. . . rather uncomfortable."

Izuku may as well have been in space for all he knew. For over the next several hours, no one could hear his screams.