Chapter Text
“You wanna be a hero so bad? I’ve got a time saving idea for you. If you think you’ll have a quirk in your next life… go take a swan dive off the roof!”
I could just go back down, he thought, take the stairs, go home.
“A pro should always be ready to risk his life. Without power, can one become a hero? No, I should think not.”
Or…
Izuku stepped up onto the ledge of the building, peering down to the street below.
Maybe Kacchan was right.
He was powerless. Worthless. Useless.
A nobody.
Nobody would miss him if he just… stepped forward. It was so easy. Just one step.
“Yes. You could do that.” A deep voice said nonchalantly from behind. Izuku kicked a rock off the ledge and watched it fall, not as surprised as he could be that someone else was up here. He was about to jump anyway, why should it matter?
“Or.” The voice prompted. “You could let me give you a quirk.”
Izuku blinked several times before turning around to make eye contact with the mysterious figure.
“You could come work with me and prove to all those wannabe heroes that they are just as worthless as they made you feel.”
Izuku looked at his rooftop companion. Was that something he could truly offer? Would he even want take him up on it?
“If you’re just going to jump anyway, you might as well.”
---
“He’s awake.”
“Good.” Izuku put on his jacket, standing up from his seat.
“The gloves actually worked, the second he realized he couldn’t make explosions I swear he almost pissed his pants.”
“Of course they worked Dabi, if you’re just going to state the obvious, go stand in the back and don’t speak.” Izuku shot a glare over to the tall, black-haired villain. “I don’t have the time, nor the patience to hold your hand through this.”
Izuku walked up to the window of the holding room, it was a two way mirror so Deku knew that while Katsuki couldn’t see him, he could see every panicked glance, every uncomfortable adjustment, every bead of sweat falling off of the blonde’s forehead. A sly smile played at the villain’s lips as he turned to walk toward the door.
When Shiguraki had told him about his plan to raid the UA training camp, of course Deku had one specific person in mind. He didn't want to kill him, just shake him up a little.
Deku's brow furrowed as he watched the explosive blonde through the glass. He was very clearly trying to stay calm but failing immaculately. Izuku chuckled to himself, savoring the moment. Katsuki Bakugou, his childhood friend and tormentor was now tied up and flailing helplessly at his mercy; there was something almost poetic about it. He grinned to himself and took a moment to fix his cufflink before meandering over to the door and turning the handle abruptly, watching Kacchan’s face pale as his eyes snapped to the door.
Allowing himself one last moment to watch the abject horror on Katsuki’s face before he went inside, knowing full well that Bakugou would try to put up a steely exterior for whatever villain was going to walk through that door. Midoriya pushed the door open, leaning on the frame and just watched as his ex-friend’s face transitioned from defiance, to confusion, to recognition, to panic.
“D...Deku?” Midoriya couldn’t help but smirk a little as he watched the blonde’s eyes grow wider and wider.
“Kacchan. It’s been a while.” Izuku pulled on his white gloves, adjusting them as he strolled into the room.
“You… I don’t… D...Deku? What…” Katsuki stuttered, obviously trying desperately to gain any type of control over himself again and failing.
“Yes Kacchan, it’s me.” Izuku closed the door behind him and walked forward so he stood right in front of the blonde. “I’m surprised you recognized me.”
Katsuki blinked a couple of times before finally seeming to come to terms with the situation at hand. “What? Why wouldn’t I recognize you? Why are you here? Did you get your nerd ass kidnapped too?” Izuku smirked, sitting cross legged on the floor in front of Bakugou.
“You’re smart, you tell me.” Midoriya teased, looking up at Katsuki from under his brow.
“I…” Bakugou started before snapping his mouth shut. At least he was remembering something about his hero courses, Midoriya mused. One of the first things you were supposed to do in a hostage situation like this one was to get as much information from your kidnapper as possible without giving away too much information about yourself. Izuku had caught Katsuki off guard and he’d already given away too much; his emotional state, his lack of information about the situation, and his recognition of his captor.
“You disappeared after middle school.” Bakugou stated, putting his game face on. It was cute, Midoriya thought to himself.
“Yes.” Izuku grinned, holding onto his ankles as he watched Kacchan process the information piece by piece. He could just tell him everything, but that wouldn’t be as fun. He had a message to get across but he was confident in Katsuki’s abilities to determine what that might be.
“And you weren’t kidnapped.”
“No.”
“But you’re here.”
“Am I Kacchan?” Izuku giggled, he could practically see Dabi rolling his eyes at him from the other room but he couldn’t help it. He was determined to have some fun with this.
Katsuki’s mouth contorted into a scowl as he clenched his teeth, obviously trying not to lose his cool again. “Got a fucking mouth on you now, don’t you?”
Izuku didn’t say anything but rather grinned widely, sitting up on his knees and tilting his head to one side.
“Are you with the League of Villains?” Katsuki grumbled, his eyebrows contorted as he spoke, almost like he was afraid to hear the answer.
“I am! Great work Kacchan!” Izuku stood up, walking over to the chair where the blonde was tied up. “I knew you’d get the answer if you applied yourself.” Katsuki clenched his jaw and narrowed his eyes.
“What’s wrong Kacchan?” Izuku pouted, leaning over slightly so he was nearly nose to nose with the blonde. “You look like you want to say something, are you upset?” Izuku pouted, batting his eyes.
“Why.” Katsuki got out through gritted teeth, turning his head to get some distance between them.
“Why what Kacchan? Why did I join up with the League?” Izuku feigned ignorance, backing up a little so Katsuki could look him in the eyes again. “It’s simple.”
Pure unadulterated rage spread across Katsuki’s face at that comment. “How the fuck is it simple? How does a hero worshipping nerd like you just do a 180 and decide to join the League of Villains, huh? How the fuck does that make any sense?” He spat.
Izuku grinned slightly, letting his eyes flit up to meet Katsuki’s ruby ones. “Well, after the two people I looked up to the most let me down, I didn’t have anything else to worship.”
Katsuki’s angry eyes followed him as he walked over to the two way mirror, glancing back at him in the reflection.
“All Might told me I could never be a hero, and then my best friend told me to take a swan dive off the roof.” Izuku could never have missed the way Katsuki’s face melted from rage into horrible realization. “I almost did it you know.”
Izuku turned around and walked back up to Katsuki, leaning over to look into his eyes. “I was on the roof, about to jump when I heard a voice, telling me not to.”
Katsuki’s brows furrowed together and he opened his mouth like he was going to say something but no words came out.
“Long story short, I’m here now.” Izuku shrugged, standing up and tilting his head slightly. “And when I heard we were kidnapping a UA student, oh I just knew it had to be you. I missed you Kacchan.” Midoriya felt pride surge in his chest as Katsuki’s face paled.
“At any rate,” Izuku started up again, lifting his hand and gesturing for Kurogiri to come in. “I’m not gonna hurt you, I just need you to deliver a message for me. See, we are gonna take down the corrupt hero society, the same one that let you turn into a monster because your quirk was strong, and the same one that didn’t give a shit if I killed myself or not.”
Kurogiri made his way across the room to stand behind Katsuki. “I would tell everyone myself but we don’t want to start a public panic, yet. And in complete honesty, you all don’t stand a chance, so we figured we’d give you a heads up.”
Dark smoke started to fill the room as Kurogiri started to create his portal. “I doubt All Might will remember me, but I still need you to tell him this.” Izuku turned on his heel so his back was facing Katsuki again.
“Tell him that Izuku Midoriya is going to destroy hero society, and that it’s all his fault.”
Katsuki’s eyes widened as Kurogiri placed his wispy hands on either of his shoulders.
“Oh.” Izuku held up a hand, signaling for Kurogiri to wait. “I guess it’s not entirely his fault, is it Kacchan?” Slowly, Izuku turned his head to look over his shoulder and clasped his gloved hands behind his back. “It’s yours too.”
The last thing Katsuki saw before he was warped away was Deku, Izuku, walking away, back toward the door he’d come in through. Not even taking one final glance back.
And then everything went dark.