I don't own anything except any original characters (including the Reader's concept) and/or any original plot

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Chapter Two - Dangerous Encounters

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After giving yourself a few seconds to recover, you rolled over and got onto your knees. Tomura was still on the floor, bleeding onto the wood whilst glaring holes into your mask. Huffing, you pulled the suffocating thing off, enjoying the semi-fresh air that greeted your lungs. The mask was comfortable, providing security from the fear of being discovered, but it wasn't your favorite part of the costume.

"'We should go' I said. 'The heroes will be here soon and we'll be screwed' I warned," You grumbled, stepping around the counter to fish out the first aid kit that was always kept on hand, "But no! No one listens to me. Is it because I'm fifteen? Is that it? Do you not respect me?"

"(Y/n), I swear to god-"

"No I'm being serious. Our first real mission, and I'm being treated like one of those goons," hooking your arms under Tomura's, you took only some pleasure in the pained hisses he let out as you flipped him over to get to the bullet wounds. You looked at the arms first, debating whether to keep them in the skin or not, "Tomura, you aren't alone. Call us friends, allies, pawns, I don't care, but you can't go about things blindly like this. I'm young, I get it, but I grew up fast and I'm here to help you show that society needs to change. So please, trust me."

Tomura was silent for a few seconds, before giving a small grunt. It was the most you would get out of him. Kurogiri cleared his throat, and it was then that you noticed All for One was on the screen.

"Shot in both arms and legs, all those underlings wiped out, even Nomu was beaten. We failed. Those kids were so strong," Tomura informed his master as you pulled out the first bullet - having decided it would be better to remove them - "And the Symbol of Peace wasn't weakened at all. You were wrong, Master. So wrong!"

Sending the TV screen a wary glance, you wished you could see All for One's face. He didn't like being told he was wrong, you knew that well. But he was more than willing to play the long game. Always playing the game and sacrificing pawns knowing he'd never run out of pieces. Perhaps you'd be one of them one day, serving a cause that matched your beliefs like a deformed puzzle piece-

"I need to cut your shirt," you told Tomura quietly, already tearing the fabric to reveal the wound in its entirety so you could wrap it.

"No, I wasn't. We just weren't as prepared as we should have been."

"I agree," the Doctor chimed in, "We weren't ready for them. Thankfully, we failed under that cheap League of Villains name and not our own. What about the creature Master and I created? Where is Nomu?"

"Yes. Why is he not with you?"

"He was blown away."

Two bullet wounds done, you moved down to the legs. Treating wounds was therapeutic in a strange way. It was a skill you picked up quickly after joining All for One. Your mother was a doctor, and your sister wanted to be one too. So the medical field wasn't a stranger to you. It took your mind off of the failure of your first mission. There would be many more. No matter who was lost, who died, who was arrested - as long as the unrest remained, and there were those who wanted change, then change would come.

"What?"

"It was All Might's doing. Without coordinates to his precise location, I couldn't use my warp to bring him with us. We didn't have any time to search for him."

"This is a travesty! And after all we did to make him as powerful as All Might."

"Well, I suppose it can't be helped. Unfortunately."

"Power... that reminds me- if you wrap that any tighter then I won't gain any HP." There was a kid there who tried to protect All Might. He was just as fast as him."

Tomura was talking about Deku, most likely. All of the kids that rushed to help All Might were powerful, and they put up a hell of a fight, but it was Deku that held potential rather than immediate power.

"Oh?"

I cut in, finishing the last wrapping on Tomura, "The students interfered well enough that it made our plans fail. They were more powerful than we anticipated, and they dealt with our goons well enough until the pro-heroes arrived."

"Naturally, you're upset. But this was not a futile mission. We've learned many things. Gather the villainous elite. Take all the time you need. I must remain hidden in the shadows, which is why I need you to be my face. A symbol of your own."

It was too much. What exactly was too much you weren't sure. The entire day was a dumpster fire, it hurt to exist, and All for One always opened a hole in your stomach that quickly filled with dread. It wasn't fear per say, just common sense. Stepping behind the bar, you dug out a bottle of wine. It was the only thing Kurogiri let you drink. You were too young for the strong stuff, he said. So you filled a glass with the sugary red and downed it. It'd help with the pain and sleep in the long run. Immediately, it calmed your nerves.

"Tomura Shigaraki. Next time, you will show the world that it should be afraid of you."

Knowing Tomura was smart enough to keep the wounds clean and not push himself too soon - and that Kurogiri would help him get around - you left the bar. If All for One hadn't addressed you directly already, then he wouldn't for the rest of the call. He always contacted you personally anyway, something about keeping you as close as you needed to be with Tomura.

The back of the bar was less run down than the bar itself, a large part of that was thanks to you and the work you'd insisted be done on it. If it was going to be a home, then it would look like one. The walls didn't have chipped paint, the floors were clean, and the bedrooms were made to be comfy not small.

Stepping into the bathroom, you unbuttoned the front of your cape and allowed it to drop to the floor. You didn't have long before you literally passed out because of the energy drain your body was experiencing, so you'd have to shower quickly.

Setting the water on the coldest setting was a smart idea, given that it jerked you awake long enough to go through the rest of the motions to get clean - ignoring the forming bruises around your body.

When you were finished, you picked up your clothes and made a mental note to wash them later. Stepping across the hall and into your room, you barely managed to pull on some clothes before you were collapsing into bed and drifting off.

~*~

The UA Sports festival was perhaps the only thing related to heroes that Tomura and you could watch together without the potential of something being destroyed. From your frustration or his, it always depended on what the situation was.

Setting a comfortable chair in the bar, you sat down and turned the TV to one of the many channels broadcasting the Sports Festival. Tomura was seated directly at the bar, tipping back a shot. You rolled your eyes. He could never be entirely sober when watching "the future terrors of society showing off their pointless potentials". Kurogiri was standing behind the bar, patiently waiting for one of you to order. But by the end of it, both of them would be in the two other chairs you set up. You'd done this with them four other times, you knew them well enough by this point.

"I'm gonna ask you again to destroy the stuff in the corner before you aim for the TV," you requested, sending Tomura a warning glance whilst pointing out the pile of junk in the corner. You collected it all year for occasions like the Sports Festival.

"Shut up."

"Welcome back to the UA Sports Festival! Where up-and-coming heroes leave everything on the field as they fight to achieve worldwide fame and popularity! This first group are no strangers to the spotlight! You know them for withstanding a villain attack-"

"Ha!" You burst out. Tomura hopped off his stool, went over to the junk pile and destroyed an item at random. That made you laugh even harder.

"The dazzling students lighting up your TVs with solid-gold skills. The hero course students of Class 1A!"

Class 1A walked onto the field. It had been a couple of weeks since the attack, and all of them looked like they had recovered entirely. Even the green-haired boy who couldn't handle his Quirk. Tomura dusted another item.

"Take another shot if you're going to get so worked up. Oh, Kurogiri, can I have some wine?"

"No."

"Damnit," you sighed. A portal opened up in front of you and a can of soda was offered instead. Smiling slightly, you gladly took it and took a sip.

"They haven't been given nearly as much screen time, but this next group is still chock full of talent! Welcome hero course Class 1B! Next up, general studies classes C, D, and E! Support classes F, G, and H! And finally, business classes I, J, and K!"

"Notice how the hero courses got nice welcomes while the other classes were passed off like they didn't matter," you hummed, taking another sip of your soda, "Good going Present Mic."

Grunting in agreement, Tomura settled in a chair next to you like you'd assumed he would. He was holding a shot in his hand which he quickly tipped back and set on the ground.

"Give it up for all of UA's first year contestants!"

The loud noise of the crowd cheering came from the TV, but the bar remained silent. You didn't even dare to cheer sarcastically. You'd get smacked by someone for doing that, and it wasn't worth making Tomura pissy.

The classes gathered around and Midnight, the R-Rated Hero - what was she doing teaching at a high school? - cracked her whip, "Now for the introductory speech! Silence everyone! And for the student pledge we have Bakugou Katsuki!"

The feisty blonde from the USJ sauntered onto the stage. You leaned in a bit closer to the TV, sensing that things were going to get interesting. He had an attitude that the rest of Class 1A lacked, cocky and aggressive in a way that was off putting to the other do-gooders. You liked it.

"I just wanna say... I'm gonna win."

You laughed, and even Tomura's lips quirked up. What a bold statement. That Bakugou had spunk. The entire crowd of students below bristled in outrage, even better.

"Without further ado, it's time for us to get started! This is where you begin feeling the pain! The first fateful game of the festival!" A screen appeared behind Midnight, a randomizer flipping through options as if it hadn't been chosen already, "What could it be?" It stopped on the obstacle race, "Ta-dah!"

"That's original," you stated sarcastically.

"All eleven classes will participate in this treacherous contest. The track is four kilometers around the outside of the stadium. I don't wanna retrain anyone, at least not in this game. As long as you don't leave the course, you're free to do whatever your heart desires! Now then, take your places contestants."

Glancing around the bar, you looked for a little box that seemed to be nowhere in sight, "Kurogiri, where are the darts?"

The man reached under the counter and produced the box. Thanking him, you opened it up and set out the separate colors, sending Tomura a look. Sighing, he stood and carefully picked up the first dart. The first round was always the most boring, considering it was just a general elimination to get rid of the majority of the students.

Picking up the first dart in your color, you threw it at the board across from you, landing right next to Tomura. Even with the handicap of not being able to use all five fingers, he was a master at darts. You'd practiced endlessly to gain the skill he had. It was fit for a villain, but you had fun, and you liked to think that Tomura did too.

"That's Todoroki from Class 1A pulling ahead with a devastating display!"

"Todoroki, isn't that Endeavor's surname?" You asked, stepping back as Tomura went up for his second turn.

"Endeavor, almost as bad as All Might. Using brute force and a dangerous Quirk to nearly kill all the villains he apprehends, always passing it off as necessary. A normal boss, powerful but beatable."

Looking at Kurogiri, his mist moved in what you assumed was a nod. Tomura didn't answer your question, but thankfully Kurogiri did. He was like a second father, a caretaker who - despite having dedicated his life to Tomura - looked after you without question since you arrived. It made you feel slightly guilty, knowing how quickly you took the place of Tomura's second-in-command. Even then, as soon as All for One accepted you, he did the same. You may have been the maternal presence - at fifteen, mind you - but Kurogiri was the one with the money for groceries, or the advice for how to clean blood off the floorboards.

The three of you were alone in a bar that seldom had visitors, and as Tomura went over to the pile to destroy another item when Izuku Midoriya came on screen, you didn't really care. The League would grow with time, but for now, this little group was fine.

"Izuku Midoriya is our champion!"

Growling under his breath, Tomura once again returned to the pile. You'd hoped it would be a peaceful year where some of the pile would survive. You were obviously wrong. But that Midoriya kid was impressive, especially considering it looked like he was using his brains instead of his Quirk.

"The first event for the first years is finally over! Now, let's take a quick look at the standings, shall we?"

Class 1A dominated the top 2, with Class 1B coming behind them for a few places, and a mix of the other classes dominating behind that. The top three were what I expected them to be, the three biggest thorns in our side at the USJ.

"Well, at least now we get to watch the second years. That means you can take your mind off of Midoriya," you informed Tomura, interested to see what activities the upper years would be doing, "What are you guys thinking for lunch?"

Neither of the men answered. Rolling your eyes, you stood and went to the back to stop in your room for your wallet and a face mask. Once it was secured over your mouth, you went back to the bar where Kurogiri was already waiting with a wad of cash for you.

"Thanks," you stuffed it into your wallet, "I'll be back in an hour at the most. I'll text Tomura if it seems like it'll take longer. But I'm sure most people are getting things delivered 'cause of the festival."

With that, you stepped out of the bar and onto the street. Because of the bars "sketchy" location, there were more people on the streets nearby than there would be in the district you were traveling to.

Swiping the train pass, that you definitely got through legal means, to enter the station, you looked over the train schedule. You wanted to go to a restaurant called Ume no Hana in Nishi. It was around twenty minutes away by train, and in a busier area than you preferred because it was so close to the Minatomirai. But it was a "special" day, and still relatively close to Kamino.

Waiting only a few minutes for the train, you stepped on and easily found a seat. Scrolling idly on your phone, you listened to Present Mic's - and occasionally Eraserhead's - live commentary on the upper-year matches that were occurring. Because they were more experienced, the rounds went faster and you knew the first year's second event would begin soon.

When the train stopped, you stepped off and made haste toward the restaurant. Finally stepping inside, you let out an inaudible sigh of relief and stepped up to the counter to order to-go.

There were too many people, too many possible witnesses. But then you reminded yourself that you had nothing to fear. You were a face in the crowd, ordering food at a popular restaurant. Maybe your parents let you take the day off school for the Sports Festival, maybe you were sick and that's why you were wearing a mask.

The food came out, and you were quick to pick it up and pay. Twenty minutes back to the bar and then you'd spend the rest of the day relaxing and complaining about heroes with Tomura.

As soon as you stepped out of the restaurant you knew something was off. There was excited chatter in the streets, and then someone slammed into you. Acting purely on instinct and the fear that you were about to be arrested, you gripped the person's wrist and threw them over your shoulder.

"Wow, that was a quick takedown," a voice quipped from behind you, "And I pride myself on my speed."

Number Three Hero: Hawks. Shit.

"I take self-defense classes," you dismissed quickly, clutching your phone tightly. Who'd be faster? Kurogiri or the fastest hero? "You're welcome."

The man - could he be called that when he was only twenty-two? - chuckled, feathers departing from his wings to pick up the thug, "Thanks."

Not wasting another second, you turned around and left. People were staring now, and you didn't need that. So you walked into the nearest alley and texted Tomura to send Kurogiri to your location. Seconds later, a portal opened.

"It's dangerous to open portals in such public places," Kurogiri warned when you stepped through.

"You know what's also dangerous? Running into the Number Three hero, but here we are!" You fumed, dropping the food onto the bar counter, "He didn't recognize me, in case you were wondering. I guess the mask throws people off. And the fact that I'm fifteen."

"At least you aren't dead," Tomura chimed in, eyes glued to the TV screen and hands on his neck.

"Hands off your neck, I've got food. What's going on now?"

"You missed the cavalry battle. Class 1A seemed to come out on top. Bastards. They've got too much HP for being so young," Tomura stood and pulled his dish out of the paper bag.

"You're telling this to someone who's the same age as them and just as powerful, if not more."

~*~

The final battles were always your favorite part. Every grade, no matter what the other activities were, did one-on-one battles as their final challenge. And this year, they were even better than normal.

There was the kid who could control minds, a perfect villainous Quirk - although he'd probably heard that enough in his life - versus the boy Tomura hated. Then there was Endeavor's son, who froze half the stadium in the first round and shared a fiery explosion with Midoriya in the second. The vibes I got from that were that Shouto refused to use his left side until Izuku started screaming things at him the audience couldn't hear. He hated his father, I could appreciate that.

"Katsuki Bakugou is an interesting character, isn't he? He didn't hold back against that girl at all, and now he's trying to beat up Todoroki even though he's already out."

Todoroki only used his ice in the last round, which made things even more interesting to you, and only further proved your theory about his hatred for his father. Bakugou certainly didn't like that, and his opponent off easier than he would have liked. He only stopped attacking Todoroki's unconscious body when Midnight knocked him out.

"Heh. Such potential, wasted on the trash of society," Tomura murmured, and you knew he was pondering something, "(Y/n), we'll double down on recruiting. I have an idea."

"Don't tell me you want to recruit him," you said incredulously, "Tomura, he's at UA High School, which is the most prestigious hero school in Japan!"

"And yet they tied him up in chains," Tomura motioned to the TV, where All Might was handing out medals, "Look at how he glares at All Might. He destroyed that girl, and attacked a fellow player even after the match was over."

Pinching the bridge of your nose, you sighed. The idea was already in Tomura's head, so there was no changing his mind, "Fine. We'll try something if and only if we have a team that can extract him without fail in an isolated location. Understand?"

"Yes. Kurogiri?"

"I'll see what resources we have."

Since the first year events were over, they'd be moving on to the upper finals. With a break in between, you clicked on your phone and were immediately intrigued by the news notification that greeted you.

"Tomura, have you heard of Stain before?"