Got a little note for you guys at the end.

My Hero Academia: Akio Takeyama

Chapter 23

Yu hated sleepless nights. It felt so uncomfortable to lay in the bed knowing full well her body was rigid in that sense of alertness.

The sheets were starting to irritate her skin and her pillow began to get hot.

"Ugh." Yu groaned turning in her bed for the umpteenth time that late night.

I wish I had something or someone to distract me. Her eyes widened and she shot up as if a lightbulb appeared over her head. "Yeah," she whispered, "Something like a sappy movie or something boring." She rubbed her chin pondering the options.

"Yeah, something educational." She pulled the bundle of sheets off and smoothed out her messy blonde hair. "A documentary maybe."

Her purple orbs went to the phone at her bedside. "Or I could surf the deep webs of social media and watch funny animal videos until I fall asleep." She nodded twice with a huff. The temptation was too strong and now watching a documentary didn't seem so appealing anymore.

She smiled and giddily reached over to grab her phone. Only to freeze at the sudden vibration. She blinked twice before tilting her head and squinting at the screen.

son.

The beginning and the end of the text were filled to the brim with heart emojis.

Oh my god.

Yu's heart almost leaped out of her chest. In that momentary lapse of action, she found herself tumbling forward and falling onto the ground. Whatever pain she felt in that moment was forgotten from the burst of adrenaline, that had her up a moment later, Picking up the phone and swiping her finger against the green acceptance icon.

"Y-Yes," She stuttered, before lowering the phone and facepalming. c'mon sound a little more mother-like. Why would your son be calling you this late at night? She cleared her throat and raised the phone to her ears once more.

A deep breath.

"Akio." His name swept off her tongue gently and calmly. "What's the reason you're calling me so late?" Then there was the worry and confusion laced into her tone as her finger trembled against the back of her phone.

For a few moments, there was silence and Yu wondered if he was having second thoughts about contacting her. So she quickly sought through her mind to find something to say.

she quickly parted her lips to say anything but she snapped her mouth close at the slight shuffle.

"Mom."

What? Yu's lips were left parted and she couldn't quite understand if those voices were coming back, if she just misheard him, or was currently in a dream.

Her lips quivered and she gripped at the phone tighter. "Akio?" She asked once more.

There was a slight shuffling in the background of the call and she waited with bated breath for another answer.

"Can we talk?" Akio's voice was low and raspy.

Yu's legs gave out on her and she fell back onto her bed. She covered her mouth almost letting out a startled cry at how elated she was.

Her shoulder trembled as she fought to reign in her emotions. Still, her words were as clear as day. "Yeah-Yeah," She rolled her shoulders and took a deep shaky breath to calm herself, "We can talk about anything you like."

"Oh," Akio sounded reprehensive. "Um well, how was your day?"

Yu paused as she fought the small smile creeping up her face. She covered her mouth but to no avail, she snorted.

"Are you laughing?" Akio sounded confused.

"N-no," Yu found the situation quite funny. "Just I thought you wouldn't care about my day after..." The laughter died down and she dropped back on her bed with a plop.

"I care more about how your day was." Yu was reminded of that apprehension she had when there was time to make decisions on who she made offers too. He must feel angry about it.

"Pretty okay." Akio chuckled. Hearing him laugh even slightly made Yu's lips curl up into a smile. At least he's trying. The smile on her face morphed into a frown at the realization that Akio is forcing himself. She was elated that he grew the courage to call his mother but, out of the blue, in the thick of the night, and without warning something is off. Whether it was her motherly or hero instincts that kicked into overdrive she didn't know.

She sighed, perhaps she was just going crazy. It could just be that he's stressed out from internships or he just wants to speak with his mother. It must be as hard for him than it is for you. Yu slapped a hand to her cheek, get a grip!

"I'm pretty sure that 'okay' translates to 'pretty bad'." she deadpanned using her hand to reach back and play with her blonde hair.

"You can open up to me." Yu reassured, "What happened?" She asked concern lacing her voice. This isn't a normal call. You wouldn't call me if something wasn't wrong. Then again you wouldn't call me if something was going well either.

Akio hummed and she could hear the light pitter-patter of something in the background. Water? She listened intently. Rain? He must be outside, no, Akio must be near a window.

"Nothing...It's just," He paused sounding reluctant to open up. "Something has been bothering me for a while now." Akio's voice was low as if he was unsure of how to proceed.

Encourage him. Her instincts were making her mouth move without hesitation.

"Akio, it's okay. If there's any way I can help, then please let me." Yu pleaded suddenly feeling uncomfortable with her relaxed position on the bed.

Again, Akio hummed and she hummed along with him.

"I struggle sometimes you know." He gave a hoarse laugh, "I dont understand how I feel half of the time...my friends are the ones who point it out for me."

Keep him talking, "Tell me about your friends." After that, he rambled on and on about his class. Yu sat there shocked at the amount he could drone on about his classmates.

"Tsuyu she's my best friend I guess someone who I feel comfortable confiding in with small things. Bit by bit." Akio chuckled, this time it wasn't forced it was genuine. Yu smiled allowing him to speak on and on about his middle school friend. "All in all she can be pretty blunt and direct. I hate it, but I can tell it's because she cares about me."

"Is she your girlfriend?" Yu teased covering her mouth to stop the laughter from spilling out.

"No, she's not," Akio responded cooly but she could tell that she had gotten to him with the comment.

"Would you like her to be your girlfriend?" She chortled, hearing his exasperation over the phone.

"I regret making this call."

"I mean if you can confide in her but not me then you must like her huh?" Yu stated her hand balling into a fist unconsciously. "And you must hate me."

Yu blinked, Huh? why would I say that? She swallowed a lump in her throat. What had posses her to act like a jealous teenager? Yu knew she had no right to feel this way and yet she was jealous that one little girl would be the first person he would confide in. Yu shook her head and slapped a hand to her right cheek again, the sting jolting her and causing tears to prick at the corner of her eyes.

She opened her mouth "I-I-" Her bottom lip trembled.

Her apology got swallowed as Akio sharply cut in, "I'm confiding in you right now."

"You are?" Yu blinked eyes going wide.

He is.

"T-There is this burning feeling in the pit of my stomach when I talk to you." Akio continues humming again. "It hurts. It feels like I'm angry or confused maybe?"

His voice trailed off, "I don't know..."

Yu unconsciously grabs at the fabric of the white t-shirt near her aching chest. Akio I dont think you know how alike we are.

Her lips curled up into a small smile.

Yu could relate. "I get it too. It feels like something is clawing at my chest and it won't stop." It never went away ever since the first phone call. Every mourning it gnaws at her. Yu would find something to distract herself with when she ever got a small inkling of that clawing sensation at her chest.

But it doesn't help. Yu could recount the hundreds of times she felt the sudden urge to vomit for no reason at all. She could also recount the hundreds of times she would break down into tears for no other reason then that painful feeling in her chest. How many times did she make Kamui concerned? Too many times to count Yu told herself.

That burning sensation when Akio pulled away from her embrace had been ingrained into her. It had been painful-still is. But then she had swallowed it and buried it deep down. After the funeral looking at her reflection in the bathroom mirror became difficult. Complete and utter disgust is all she saw. What else could she see? 'Horrible mother' is her title after all.

You are a failure. "It's who I am." Nothing but failure in every way shape and form.

"It hurts, doesn't it?" Yu asked knowing all too well how much pain he must feel.

She could hear Akio take a sharp intake of breath at her confession.

He sounded surprised. "Really?" He questioned.

"Yes."

"Do you love me?" Akio asked voice dripping with something unrecognizable.

"Akio, I love you with all my heart," Yu whispered into the phone without hesitation and she suddenly felt the urge to kiss him. The disappointment was etched into her tone as she mumbled into the phone, "If you were in front of me I would pelt you with kisses so you could understand how much I love and miss you."

Yu hated that feeling. Telling someone you love them without showing it. Words don't mean anything nowadays. Yu pursed her lips. But, I wonder, if you would say it. Your words mean so much to me Akio. Those three words are all I need. Yu clutched harder at the fabric of her shirt.

It hurts not knowing if I truly have a chance to be your mother.

Yu knew forgiveness is the least she deserves after hurting her flesh and blood. How could you? She thought again and again. How could I leave for so long and ignore the one who truly needed me? Even if it was a couple of words on a stupid sheet of paper it would have been better than nothing.

I don't deserve you. "I-I'm sorry." She couldn't help but apologize. "For everything, I put you through when you were younger. Not being there for you. Not doing more to-"

"I love you."

Her purple eyes widened in shock. The clawing in her chest stopped abruptly.

"Huh?" She was breathless, "W-what did you say?" She covered her mouth eyes shut tight.

Perhaps she was just hearing things.

Until Akio said it again. Her son said it again.

"I love you." Akio's voice was shaky. "I miss you. I dont like being apart from you. It hurts. When you hugged me at the funeral... I never wanted you to let me go." Akio spoke his words taking the breath from Yu's lungs.

There was a pause as Yu covered her sobs with her mouth and Akio took a moment to collect himself.

"And I was afraid of that," Akio confessed losing every ounce of restraint he had on his emotions at that moment.

He let out a frustrated groan, "But I also can't help but still hate you."

And reality came crashing down onto her at that moment.

He sobbed into the phone and so did Yu.

"I would hold you right now if I could." Yu still found the ability to laugh through her crying.

"I'm afraid. I'm not ready to call you 'that' yet. I can't forgive you yet. That's why I'm afraid. I still harbor hate for you...I'm sorry. I'm not ready yet."

Yu jumped up, "And that's okay!" She whispered.

"You can take as much time as you need..." Yu trailed off, which didn't feel right. "No," She shook her head. "We can take this slow."

"Yes, I guess so."

Yu nodded in acceptance. She understood even now she was still happy because her son was giving her a chance. A chance to make it up to him.

"I have to go," Akio said and Yu's body went rigid in fear.

"Wait-wait!" Yu exclaimed, bottom lip quivering, "Dont go! Not yet..." She trailed off rumbling something incoherent and broken. Eventually, she snapped her mouth shut and took deep shaky breathes before rolling onto her side.

"Let's just talk." She offered and Akio sighed.

"About what?"

"About anything." Yu closed her eyes hugging the phone to the side of her face.

"We can talk until we fall asleep."

{x}

On route - Hosu City

Never once did I imagine I would be standing alongside one of the top 5 heroes in existence. I never tried to aim that high...it was too strenuous of a goal. Top 20 would be enough to get me where I needed. Every hero was wise beyond their collective years and did their job well enough, that I know whoever I picked out from the offers would do their best to instill their knowledge in me.

Unfortunately, Endeavor did no such thing. He only threw me to his grunts to pick up the slack. Not that I was mad, Burnin did her job well and I'm happy to be trained by someone considered to be Endeavors second hand when it came to the heroes employed under his firm.

Endeavor insisted we take public transportation. "Even as interns you need to build your reputation as early as possible. That means being among the public allowing them to get used to your presence."

I agreed. In the world of heroes, your reputation and presence are important. Almost everyone knows All Might but a community will know their very own neighborhood hero when they see him. Every time you're on patrol it's okay to strike up conversations with people, help the elderly when you can, and offer your assistance on trivial things; like carrying groceries. It was my aunt's approach when it came to things, and even when she was off duty most of the community recognized her not only for being a hero but being that good samaritan.

Is it a bad thing that I feel so much pride in having loved the fact Lia will go above and beyond for the people around her. For me. Even when she had such a hard day during patrols she found the time in her schedule to be with me. A birthday, school event, or when I just need her by my side.

I can remember her dropping asleep right into my birthday cake she never got to eat. I could tell there were moments she's felt exhausted but even then there would be a warm plate of food waiting for me.

Even when I hurt her.

"How could you!?" Such betrayal and hurt in that gaze of hers. I have no qualms about her hitting me that day nothing but a good slap to knock some sense into someone. It hurt like a bitch though.

That reminds me since I should make sure to get Lia and Toshiko a gift. I think Lia likes those pokemon dolls so I'll buy one of those and Toshiko has been reading a lot of manga recently. I looked out the window of the train watching the clouds move slowly through the sky no matter how fast we were moving. Still, I can't seem to shake that veil over my face. There is much that I still don't know; Who is my father? What did he do to my mother? Why exactly are the events surrounding my birth shrouded in mystery?

But can I blame them for hiding such a sensitive topic? For a long time, I've felt nothing but anger and turmoil.

Questioning the life I lived.

Questioning my very existence.

Questions like those lead to self-hate and then self-harm.

"Lia I did something really bad."

Never again. I won't fall into that sense of helplessness for as long as I live. I promised after all.

{x}

Location - Hosu city

"Make sure your more careful in the future." I patted the small girl on the head smiling up at her mother. "A lot of things could go wrong if you don't listen to your parents." The girl nodded vigorously having taken every little piece of advice I had in stride. I stood up allowing the girl to turn around and jump holding open the small notebook to show her mother my signature.

Her mother chuckled and bowed in thanks. "Yes, thank you for answering my little girls' questions on heroes. I hope she wasn't much of a bother, Chika can be so much sometimes with her questions." Her mother said kneeling to pick up the girl.

I shook my head waving a hand in front of my face. "No, she wasn't a bother at all," I chuckled, "and I'm quite happy she's asking so many questions. The path to being a hero will be difficult and it's good to start early to know if you want to go down this path or not."

Her mother nodded and inclined her head in thanks once more.

She looked at her daughter and waved her hand, "Say bye-bye to mister hero now!" I couldn't hold back my blush as the little girl happily waved her hand in farewell.

"Bye-bye mister hero!"

I'm not even a hero yet.

"Stay safe!" Waving to them as they disappeared into the night. My hand dropped slowly eyes lingering down the path. "I pray you don't lose your mother."

Endeavor and Todoroki stood a good few feet away watching me. Endeavor seemed slightly irritated, crossing his arms as I finally began to make my way back towards them.

"I apologize for the interruption what a-" I stopped mid-sentence suddenly feeling off-balance. I wobbled forward almost tripping on my own two feet at the sudden shock that went through my legs.

I catch myself waving off Todoroki's assistance.

Endeavor kissed his teeth, "Is there a problem?" He asked fingers tapping against his muscles.

I glared at the cement feeling the erratic vibrations of the ground around me. What is happening? Is my quirk acting up? No. that isn't it.

Those signals are too powerful to be anything normal like construction. Something or someone is causing havoc. Maybe another rampage but from multiple area's?

I nodded, "My quirk it's alerting me of danger." I explained reaching up with hand to rub my temples. "It's coming from multiple directions and it caught me off guard."

Todoroki seemed taken aback and confused, "Multiple villains?" He turned to look at the buildings scanning our surroundings.

I looked to Endeavor his brows furrowing deeply as he reached into his pocket. "Tsk I thought I turned this-" Endeavor suddenly paused blue orbs scanning his phone.

My phone suddenly blared with a notification-Todorki and I pulling out our phones to see the message. It was a code red alert - signifying the severity of a situation - which only confirmed my suspicion.

As screams and the sounds of destruction echoed into the skies I suddenly felt cold.

"Monsters are attacking the city."

{x}

"Midoriya is in danger."

I snapped my head to Todoroki in shock. He was holding out his phone showing me a location ping.

Midoriya was away from the center of commotion in a secluded area. Why would he send his location? Was it another Nomu? Panting I looked forward at a street light.

We're going in the opposite direction.

4-2-10 Ekou street in an alleyway. If we keep going at this rate we'll be too far. I pulled back skidding to a halt.

I need to get to my friend

"Endeavor I think my friend is in trouble!" I declared crouching down. Endeavor whirled around on us confusion etched into his features

This will hurt my muscles a bit, but caution needs to be thrown into the wind if I'm going to get to Midoriya quickly.

"Wait! Shota! Takeyama!"

"Send pros to help!" I suddenly shot into the air quickly ascending the building with ease. I kissed my teeth

I could feel my heart pulsing in my ears as I dashed on top of a rooftop, Vaulting over fans, leaping onto another building before climbing down a fire escape to jump down into a puddle.

"4-2-10 Ekou street," I repeated over and over. "Close. I know I'm close."

I scanned with ever passing alleyway for a sign. An object out of the ordinary: a sign of a struggle, broken glass, shouts-anything significant.

Slow. I can't be too slow.

"If you're just a few seconds late,"

I could feel the sweat trickle down my neck as I started to hyperventilate. What if I'm too late?

"Lives are lost."

"If you weren't there to delay that man I don't know what would have become of us."

Don't say that-Tears pricked at my eyes as I ground to a halt. I grabbed at my chest feeling it tighten and squeeze.

What if I'm too late?

What if he's already- flashes of bodies slumped against the wall beaten, broken, and twisted flashed in my vision- dead.

Hard Rocky breathing made suddenly freeze in terror. "You should take care of your friends...because see my son-"

"I'm not your son."

"-a man like a hero killer isn't to be trifled with!"

A dark wispy hand ghosted against the side of my face. "Surely, you must know of my abilities now. The abilities of your father-of the villain that is known as EPIDEMIC!"

Seismic pulse.

My gloved fingers grazed against the red brick wall. My eyes closing to consume myself in darkness.

It was as if something poked at my toe before vibrating up my leg and throughout my body. I could feel my mouth move on my own.

"4 bodies. All active heartbeats- one 120 bpm, 3 others 130 bpm and above. 3 injured." I snapped my head to the left. Feeling my body rigidly turn towards the empty alleyway. There you are.

Hero Killer Stain!

I pushed myself off the brick wall and sprinted. I could hear my heart pumping in my ears, my flight or fight state beginning to activate just as I rounded a corner.

I'm not going to run and cower in fear. While you hurt people. I'm going to fight.

Just as I rounded the corner I got another shock just as I caught a glint from the corner of my eye.

Without hesitating I grabbed the lid of a trash can and raised it.

There was a loud rip of metal as the knife ripped into it. Opening my eyes to be inches away from what would have immediately been my death. If it wasn't for my quick thinking...shit I'm not dealing with any regular criminal.

He anticipated my arrival and almost put a knife through my skull.

I let the trashcan lid slip from my hands hitting the ground with a loud clatter. My Magneta orbs scanned over the scene in front of me. Analyzing and soaking up as much information as I could. A hero was slumped against the wall, limp - conscious but injured - and he must be the one with the highest heart rate from before. My eyes snapped to Midoriya with no visible injuries but unable to move. Iida was on the ground with the hero killer standing over him.

His body was craned, arm outstretched, and blood-red eyes from under his red headband narrowing.

"Another?" He sounded annoyed twirling the sword in his hand with a frown.

Midoriya gasped, "Akio!?"

Iida gritted his teeth eyes going wide in shock. None of them can move. That means I can't go down. Todoroki will be here soon I just need to stall a little more.

"So you're the hero killer." I deadpanned not amused or surprised in the slightest. A man who slinks around in the shadows for his next prey is exactly what I pictured this man to be. "I read an article about what you did and what you will do to unsuspecting heroes."

I swallowed the lump in my throat as I cautiously took a step towards him.

"What are you doing!?" Lida growled eyes rising to meet mines. "Run!"

The man turned to face me, his posture lurching forward and his pupils getting smaller.

"You should listen to th-"

With a clap of my hands, frost emitted from my palms and a flurry of icicles appearing in the space between them. When I brought them apart an Ice spear was now held firmly in my grasp.

I care not for what you want to say.

"Let him go," I ordered making another pillar suddenly shoot out from beside Iida. Forcing the Hero killer to jump forward to evade. Only for another two to sprout up from the ground and lash out towards Stain.

His eyes widened for a brief moment, however, he quickly regained his bearings seemingly unfazed by my sudden assault. With two swings of his blade, he cut clean through the pillars and when he saw them regrow there was another flurry of cuts. He was rendering my quirk useless. There was nothing, but small pieces of rubble falling to the floor and forcing me to create more. Stain turned in the air planting his feet against the alley wall before rocketing off it to the other. His maneuvering made it hard for me to get a clean hit with my pillars each miss gave him another chance to gain ground on me.

I stood my ground as retreating would give him too much leverage. Midoriya failed in close combat and so did Lida. Both were strong in their own right and to be brought down so easily-

"His quirk!" I glanced at Midoriya from the corner of my eye as he struggled to pull himself up. "If he licks your blood-"

"Never let your eyes wander in a fight."

I swung my head to the side a knife whizzing past as Stain descended upon me. I twirled my Spear parrying the swing of his blade.

"His leg!" Lida shouted.

Stain reared his leg back, the spikes on the end of his boot jerking forward to meet my shoulder. The ground at my feet curled up and shot out threateningly towards Stain. It forced him to twist in the air avoiding me altogether. I kissed my teeth knowing he aimed to get behind me. Needing to prevent him from getting too close I willed my pillars to careen around me in sharp confusing angles. Pushing him further back.

That's the goal: keep him at a distance and wear him out. He landed at the end of the alleyway seemingly ready to pounce again. I kissed my teeth. But for how much longer can I keep this up? That last attack would have been fatal if Iida hadn't called it out. Stain is too skilled and erratic in his movements and eventually, he'll overwhelm me.

Todoroki where the hell are you?

Stain dragged his sword behind him pausing to regard me with a cold, but calculating stare.

"That armor you have," Stain paused to swipe his tongue against the tip of his katana. "Barely protected you."

Armor? I suddenly felt shaken to the core. He couldn't have? I tensed up running my fingers across the long gash on my costumes padded chest. Any deeper and he would have cut into me.

He used his kick as a distraction.

"Iida," I spoke twirling my ice spear. "You're an idiot. I thought my class president was someone more dignified and sensible."

"I-I'm sorry. Akio, I'm so sorry."

I know.

"I don't accept your apology." I gritted my teeth shoulders shuddering. "Did you ever think of what your brother would've thought!?" I shrieked fingers curling into a fist at my side. Of course, I knew about his brother. When the news keeps reminding you about it every second it's hard to miss a story like his.

Ingenium crippled. A great hero career cut short because of one's man selfish desire.

The silence was deafening. "Do you know how guilty your brother would have felt knowing that his situation is the reason why you went and threw away your life and for what!? Some petty revenge!?" I spat.

Iida said nothing.

"And here you are protecting a fake." Stain crouched holding his katana in a backhanded grip.

I opened my arms wide, "And here I am," I lowered into a stance, one foot behind the other, and spear raised above my head. "Protecting lives from a man who slinks in the dark like a coward." I spat with venom.

He tilted his head dirty red eyes narrowing at me.

"Coward or not, it doesn't change the fact that I rid the streets of men and women who do nothing but drag the name of heroes through the mud. Using it to only satisfy their greed and not because they want to be part of the greater good." He spoke with little emotion. He slinked lower, muscles tensing, and eyes beginning to grow a dangerous hue.

"Akio he's faster than he looks!" Midoriya hurriedly exclaimed still struggling to move.

I know!

I shifted my foot forward preparing myself for his assault.

...

It makes me sick looking into the eyes of a man who thinks that claiming the lives of hundreds to further his ideology is right.

"It doesn't matter how much you twist your words, no matter if the men or women we all praise as heroes are the scum of the earth! Even if they're using the title of a hero for their selfish desires. It doesn't give you the right to take away a life. Mothers, fathers, and friends-how many people have to suffer until you stop!?" My voice echoed into the air with a resounding weight that for a few breathless moments Stain didn't respond.

Stain long tongue flicked across his lips. "I won't stop until all fakes are eradicated." A sudden vibration of movement sent a shock through my body.

He's going to jump onto the wall.

"You're the only fake I see." I spat frost building at my palm before it solidified into a shield, "At least a real villain would admit deep down that they enjoy this."

A spike in heart rate and the edge of a katana aiming for my neck. What a day.

"Move Akio!"

Not yet.

"I noticed you sit in one place when you use that quirk of yours." His voice was low as he spoke, he suddenly lunged katana twirling in his hand as he raised it above his shoulder, and baring his teeth as he descended. "Do you want to get hit!?"

I gritted my teeth raising my shield before Stain slammed his katana into it chips of ice flying into the air as a result.

Yeah, but you're a close-range fighter and that means you have to come to me!

Suddenly spikes long and jagged grew from my shield. Stain let out a grunt of pain flipping backward off my shield. Cuts adorned his arms and new tears opened up on his body vest.

I could've killed him if I wanted to.

"You got him!" Midoriya yelled in shock.

The spikes on the shield retreated. As I turned to throw my spear to catch him in his descent. Only for him to slice it in half. No matter I'll just make another one.

"You're an emitter type and you can do that?" Stain sounded impressed.

Just as more pillars sprouted from the ground to catch his landing against the wall. He jumped from wall to wall eventually picking up so much speed he was blur making it impossible to land a hit with my newly created pillars trailing him. Sweat trickled down my forehead as I jumped back. Two daggers lodging themselves where I stood. Stain lunged forward again. Two quick thrusts that made me scramble back. I ducked under a horizontal swipe of his katana, spinning and taking the opportunity to swing my spear at his legs. This proved to be a fatal mistake as he raised his foot and caught it against the ground.

"No!" I could hear Midoriya and Lida shriek in dismay.

I could barely react as he dug his sword into my shoulder. I bit my lip to hold back the scream of pain. If he gets my blood I'm going to be paralyzed. In a last-ditch effort, I grabbed the blade and ignoring the sharp edge digging into my palms my quirk activated freezing the blade over allowing me to shatter it.

He kicked me in the stomach sending me flying onto my back. "Annoying."

"Stop this Stain!" Iida shouted as I landed beside him. "I'm the one you want they have nothing to do with this!" Lida cried out. His voice cracked and I could see the tears pricking at his eyes as I struggled to one foot. Only to fall back down the deep cut on my hands preventing me from pushing myself up.

Stain walked up with a low rumble of his throat. "Your right," He drew another katana raising it above his head. "Just stay there while I finish off the fake."

"I'm no fake! My hero name is Ingenium!" Iida declared angrily.

"You idiot," I growled out, grunting as I fought the burning pain in my hands and shoulder as I pushed myself up to my knees. I crawled over to Lida to hover over him. Iida seemed to choke on his breath.

"Akio what are you doing!?" Iida asked in disbelief. I shakily exhaled and let out a hoarse chuckle.

"Lida you're no fake hero." I could barely see as the blood beginning to slowly seep from the cut on my head and over my eye.

"Akio stop this! You are going to get stabbed too!" Lida cried out once more letting out a frustrated growl from his throat.

I don't care if I die here.

My life meant so little to me when I was younger. If my mother cared so little about me, valued me so little, then what value did I have? My purpose for becoming a hero was only to expose her. My purpose was driven by a thirst for revenge. Only to falter in recent weeks.

What is my purpose?

"You didn't only see your brother laying on that hospital bed did you?" My question must have cut deep as his struggling stopped. Blue eyes straining to look up at my own.

No wonder your class rep.

"Deep down you thought of all the heroes who would be crippled just like him. You wanted to make sure no one else ended up like that. And when you saw someone being hurt you leaped into action." I chuckled dryly before curling my lips up into a smile.

Maybe...

"You are a greater hero than I could ever hope to be." My brows furrowed and I snapped my head up to Stain to give him a fierce glare.

My purpose is to die so that you can live.

"Hell be damned! I won't watch the light be snuffed out of the eyes of a future hero carrying on the legacy of Ingenium! I won't let you throw away your life without a chance to get justice for your brother and the hundreds of other heroes!"

I spat at Stains' feet. "You will have to kill me to get to him!" He stood still staring down at me with cold and dull blood-red eyes.

"You're right. Even if I use my quirk on you you're an emitter," He trailed off looking up at the sky. "I rather not deal with any more delays."

Right Stain, you get it now? Even if I can't move my body I can still activate my quirk.

A rumble of his throat, "I hate to spill unnecessary blood, but I will honor your wish as a true hero." Stain said raising his sword high.

"S-Stop!" Izuku shrieked.

I stared into his eyes. The blood-red eyes of a killer-my killer. I could feel myself waver and start to tremble.

Toshiko, I hope you can forgive me.

"Aki! Aki!" Doe brown eyes looked up at me, shoving a crude drawing of me into my face, "It's you! Do you like it?"

Why me? I'm no hero. I have no motive. no reason to become a hero anymore. I held the paper in my hands a small fleeting smile on my face. "But there are so many other heroes why me?"

Toshiko used all ten of her fingers. "They asked me to draw my hero in school today and I drew you because you saved my life of course! Also, you make me smile when I'm sad and you always find time to play with me and watch silly cartoon shows with me and you help braid my hair and- " She stopped talking abruptly a slight gasp escaping her throat. Her bottom lip trembled and she fought to swallow a lump in her throat the tears in her eyes threatening to spill out, "-you remind me of dad."

I don't want to die, I thought as the silver metal glinted bright red and orange.

Wait a moment...colors?

Stain suddenly jumped back a wave of fire passing overhead.

"Midoriya," Todoroki low tone cutting thick through the silence. I craned my neck behind me and there he stood at the end of the alleyway. "You need to give more details in a situation like this."

Grey and blue orbs met my stormy Magneta. There was a slight tug of his lips, a frown, his flames flickering higher than before. "It looks like I'm late."

"H-How-" Midoriya began to sputter out in confusion before raising his voice in alarm. "You're using your left!"

I slowly forced myself up on my own two feet, finding it difficult to breathe as I did so. My pants of breath releasing into the air like a frosty white. My body temperature is not being regulated. It looks like the mechanism on my costume isn't working anymore-most likely broken from the bout.

"Doesn't matter," I stated sharply. I can't believe it. I can't believe I was pushed so far to my breaking point. A fire started to build deep within me. Rage, anger, and frustration all coming together as one. I won't stand for it; stand for the hero killer making me feel so weak! "We got more pressing matters to worry about."

I balled my hand into a fist. The blood seeping through the gaps in my fingers and spilling on the ground.

"Your hands though..." Midoriya worriedly pointed out.

It doesn't matter if I'm hurt with my hands. I don't need to necessarily use them to conjure my pillars or use my ice. Todoroki conjured small glaciers crept up along the walls sliding Midoriya and the injured pro hero safely behind him.

A sudden sheet of ice coated the ground under my feet shooting out towards Stain. His quick reaction allowed him to easily avoid it with a jump. Todoroki rushes forward just as he lands against the wall to throw another wave of fire at him. Already the battle starts anew.

"What are you doing!?" I exclaim, "You need to keep your dist-" I stop to flinch in pain as the ice began to lightly coat my cheek. Todoroki clicks his tongue before pressing his left hand to my shoulder and throwing another wave of ice again.

My eyes widened when I realized the waft of heat encompassing my body. My breath slowly began to lose its frosty form.

"I didn't ask for your damn help." I snapped, my eyes narrowing up at him.

Todoroki's eyebrows furrow and clicked his tongue, "You're careless." He pointed out with a huff. "You were about to collapse."

I kissed my teeth in irritation, he isn't wrong, slapping his hand away, "Fuck off," I curse.

"You sound like Bakugo."

"No, I don't."

"Todoroki dont let him draw blood!" Izuku warns, "His quirk lets him ingest blood to paralyze his opponents!"

Todoroki remains calm the nature of the information not fazing him in the slightest. "Akio," He speaks up the concern etched onto his face.

I glare at him, "That's why I told you t-" I freeze, my quirk pinging me. Dagger! I unconsciously throw my head back, a knife sailing through the air between me and Todoroki. I hear Todoroki let out a small hiss in pain as I look up to see the knife having grazed his cheek.

I suddenly felt bloodlust the hairs on my back stand up. "He's aiming for me!" I yell, just as Todoroki slaps a hand against my chest pushing me back. A glacier erupting from the ground where it impedes stain's assault. Any slower and I was getting hit.

"Above!" Midoriya exclaimed drawing everybody's attention to the air.

Another katana he had thrown into the air. Where does he keep those weapons!?

I raised to my feet slapping a hand to the ground. I have to time it just right. I gritted my teeth as my muscles tense and constricted.

This needs to be powerful enough to catch him off guard. I always imagine something close to a slingshot, if I hold the pressure in a certain place for longer periods with my quirk, and when I release my hold the faster my pillars shoot out.

There is a combustion of flames from Todoroki as Stain reaches in to lick at his wound. I almost lost focus for a second there.

"Burn him!" I instruct.

Todoroki kisses his teeth Left hand aiming up at Stain in an attempt to incinerate him. The torrent of flame from his hand is quick and unexpectantly hot I notice from my distance behind him. As I predicted Stain would jump to avoid being burnt to a crisp and succeeds at reclaiming his katana. Only to have the brick wall hit him in the stomach, although he slices through it, it still sends him flying back towards the wet pavement. He somehow sticks the landing -barely- lodging his katana into the ground to stop himself from being flung onto his back.

Todoroki glaciers missing it's chance to impale him as he retreated further back.

"That was sloppy," I comment offhandedly. What purpose did he have in risking to get that? My eyes trail to the steel sitting as a puddle along the ground. It looks like he's running out of Katana's to throw around so he's going to be more careful as to not lose this one.

"Nice Akio!" Midoriya cheered supportively.

I pushed myself to a stand, "Incoming!" I warned as Stain returned not a second later to keep up the pressure. "Keep him back!

Todoroki cut off his flames before slamming his right hand down against the ground as more jagged glaciers grew against the path impeeding Stain once more.

However, Stain easily cut through them, the obstacle doing little to impede his advancement.

"Blocking your field of vision against an opponent who is faster than you," Stain pointed out as he descended, "Rookie mistake."

"Are you quite sure about that?" I questioned, as the glint of silver had me raising my left forearm ice particles solidifying to create a shield. I'll be his eyes, every sound you make vibrates through the ground and then signals to me what you're doing. It may not be much but It helps me guess what you're about to do next. The stain has always approached this battle with fake and feints. I pulled Todoroki back by the shoulder moving forward to raise my shield as small shurikens lodged themselves into my shield.

It was a success short-lived. As I Failed to realize it was exactly what he wanted. With me shaking Todoroki and moving becoming increasingly difficult gave him the precious seconds of breathing room he needed.

The precious seconds he needed to finish off those that were already injured!

"You're a good kid. Unlike him!"

Todoroki jumped up his arm reaching out with ignition of flames. But I knew already with Todoroki being thrown off balance by me pulling him out of harm's way his flames wouldn't reach in time. I can barely move now, my last attack causing my muscles to constrict and ache. Earlier, I had to push my body to move in front of Todoroki. I won't even have the energy to stand if I activate my quirk again.

"Watch out!" Todoroki and I shriek, but it's futile. He's coming down on Native too quickly for any of us to stop him in time.

Only for a blur of green to swipe him by the back of the collar. "Midoriya!?" I questioned in confusion. It was Midoriya dragging Stain against the brick wall leading him away from us and his target.

Midoriya can move? "His quirk has a time limit?" Todoroki questioned looking at me.

"Has to be. Every quirk has it's drawbacks." I stated, but for how long was Midoriya down exactly?

"No," The injured pro hero shakingly spoke. "He was the last to go down. I can barely move a muscle right now."

Not longer than you two? Than how possibly can he be moving right now if it isn't a time limit.

"Yes," He nodded seemingly understanding my confusion. "I've been down for a while now way before them."

I smiled gently at the hero, "What's your name?" I asked as Todoroki yelled to Midoriya in the background.

His eyes shut tightly, "I'm native," He spoke pain etched across his face. I felt a bit of pity for him. Try to bear with it for a while longer, with a little bit more time and we might be able to properly subdue him.

"Well, we might be a step closer to winning now thanks to you Native." I gave him a supportive smile. Deducing in my head what kind of quirk this man has. He licks your blood and any amount put's you down unable to barely move a muscle but over time the effects begin to wear but it's faster for some. Damn, I'm not as good as Midoriya when it comes to knowing everything about someone quirk.

But what exactly in each person constitutes that change. All I could come up with is the amount of blood he ingests. I clutched my fist focusing on the concrete under my feet. The amount of blood he ingests? It doesn't seem like that is the case.

Midoriya coughs as I turn to him. "Midoriya what you think?" I whisper in a hurry. "Do you think you were freed first because of the amount of blood he ingested?" Midoriya calmly took the scene before him his eyes looking back at Stain.

"Could be..." He trails off, "I think it also might be the more people he uses it on the less effective it becomes or there could even be a difference between the person's blood type."

"Well, if it's the last one I'm type B," He weakly states.

"Type A," Iida adds.

Well shit, "I'm AB." I state.

"Looks like you figured it out!" Stain sounds impressed as he stares at us from his end of the alleyway. "I'm amazed."

"Not like knowing how your quirk works make this situation any better," I mumble looking down at Midoriya.

"You've got a good head on your shoulders so I'm leaving it up to you...what should we do?"I ask. Midoriya takes a breath his quirk beginning to activate. Is that a new form? Did he learn that over the week we were on internships? It doesn't look like it puts a lot of strain on his body to the point where he ends up broken now.

Todoroki sighs, "It feels like we're getting nowhere though. At first, I was hoping to avoid a confrontation and carry those two out of here but he's too fast. If He's able to dodge both my ice and fire. I would have to leave myself unguarded." He explained slight haste to his voice knowing every second we were sparing to recuperate gave him enough time to rest too.

"Yeah, and I'm barely in any good shape either. He fights in an unorthodox manner so even if I was still able to go toe to toe with him with weapons I won't be able to read him." I express my concerns also. Midoriya looks back at me worry coating his face. My last plan of drawing him won't work a second time-can't risk taking another hit.

"I think our best bet is too avoid close combat and wait until the pros arrive." Todoroki deduces and I would agree if only for the fact that they're dealing with the Nomu in the city and probably won't make it before we're cut into smithereens. These are thoughts that I share with both of them.

"We'll probably have to make a stand here if we want to survive," I say which is still risky. I gather the strength to stand tall once more. I might have one burst of energy left in the tank. "Midoriya If you are going in then so am I." Although I doubt Stain is going to make the same mistake twice and not gut me when he gets the opportunity.

"No," Midoriya refuses, "You've lost too much blood. So I'll distract him while you both support me from behind understand?"

I walk next to Todoroki looking straight ahead at our opponent. With a plan like that, I'm not complaining although I know we're still at a pretty big disadvantage here even if it's 3 vs 1. Technically 2 vs 1 if you count that I can't use my quirk effectively.

Todoroki's stands taller resolve hardened, "We can protect them." He states.

"3 vs 1, this won't be easy." Stain muses to himself.

Midoriya tucks in his hind legs and takes off in another amazing show of speed zig-zagging between the walls in other to confuse Stain. I hold out my hand kunai appearing in all of my fingers. As Todoroki conjures a wave of ice at one side slowly letting it creep forward. Midoriya let's out a cry as he surges forward for a strike Stain easily dodging to the side and my kunai flying at him, he smashes them to pieces, but the distraction allows Midoriya a window to escape. Todoroki ice comes in not a second later tearing his path of pursuit from him and forcing him into the air. Trying to predict his movement Todoroki pushes with his fire forcing Stain to keep moving. I take a deep breath shifting my foot forward and managing to make Todoroki's ice suddenly sprout two long tendrils of ice that continue to chase Stain across the ground preventing him from landing. Midoriya dashes in every once in awhile jumping in and out of close range.

But I can tell Stains is beginning to recognize his pattern.

"He's gotten faster!" I yell noticing that all our strikes were beginning to lag more and more as the fight went on.

"No," Todoroki states, "he's getting more Wild!"

Like a caged animal.

Midoriya, unfortunately, misses his strike Stain predicting and countering with a slice to his ankle. There's a moment where I felt nothing but bloodlust as Stain no doubt was about to go in for the kill but Todoroki's torrent of flame prevents him from moving. My ice tendrils following close behind but he adjusts himself in the air as they miss there mark where he proceeds to slice the appendages to bits.

"You have to Run," I hear Iida struggle to say, "I can't...watch this."

"Of course you would say that." I frustratingly hiss at him, "You know that if we run you both die right!?" With Midoriya down now, it's just me and Todoroki.

I angrily slam my hand against the ground ignoring the numbness of my fingers beginning to set in, "If you have nothing useful to say then just accept the fact that we are willing to do what you can't do!"

Todoroki shifts his foot forward join me in a mix of rock and Ice, "You want to make your brother proud!?" Todoroki harshly swings his arm fire beginning to erupt from his left side, "Then stand up and be Ingenium become the hero your brother wanted you to be!"

The Hero killer even with our barrage of attacks quickly zigzagged through the maze of ice and rock Todoroki had conjured before proceeding to prove my pillars were just too slow to keep up with him now. I expanded all of my energy suddenly falling to my knees and hands struggling to hold myself together. I closed my eyes tightly feeling a bit dizzy. I've lost too much blood and I have little feeling in my hands, arms, and legs right now.

It's up to Todoroki now.

"Don't worry I'll keep him at bay!"

I opened my mouth breath ragged and labored, "You say...that but...it doesn't inspire any...confidence in me." It truly doesn't without help he's already going to be at a disadvantage. But what could Akio do about it? Akio takeyama who's quirk relied on his own body being healthy to work properly. Right now I've exhausted all of my strength the blood on my palms and body dripping onto the pavement. Mixing in with the dirty water left on the ground.

"Your wide open!" I open my eyes wide turning to watch Stain with the edge of his sword inches away from slicing into Todoroki. His eyes I noticed as he pulled his arm forward was gone. I realized then that this isn't some psychologically damaged human we were dealing with but a monster.

He's going to murder us all.

"Todoroki!" Midoriya shouted.

It's over.

Suddenly another blur flew past me, the scent of burning rubber filling my nostrils, "Rescipiro Burst!" Iida roared.

There was a snap as I watched Stain's main weapon get dismantled with one kick before the other pushed Stain back towards the wall. He's free of the effects and that means our chances of winning just went back up to plausible. I let a smile prick at the corner of my lips. It looks like he finally found the courage to stand on his own two feet.

"Todoroki, Midoriya, Akio This has nothing to do with you," I can see the sweat dripping off his forehead as he stands fist-clenching against his sides. "I apologize."

Something in his voice changed, "But...As a class president," I saw his blue eyes shine again something fierce and determined," it's disgraceful for me to have you shed any more blood for me!"

Stain let out a low growl, "Stop pretending," He raised his broken Katana blood dripping from the space between his fingers, "A person's true nature doesn't change in a matter of seconds-someone who prioritized his own selfish desires-you're a part of the virus that plagues this society."

"Just shut up." I sneered, "You are a fucking a hypocrite and cant even realize it."

"He's just a fundamentalist Lunatic," Todoroki spoke up, "Don't listen to-"

"No," Blood began to trickle down Iida's white armor, "I have no right to call myself a hero, but still...If I gave up now then the name Ingenium will die."

"Enough!" He roared.

Todoroki flames hit the wall immediately in front of him but I felt Stain. I felt him jump.

"Above!" I yelled.

"I know!" Todoroki called out.

I caught a glimpse of a poof of smoke from Iida exhaust pipes. His head glanced down a look between frustration and surprise gathered on his face. Is something wrong with his quirk?

He whipped his head to Todoroki suddenly, "Can you regulate your temperatures?" Iida asked.

Everything seemed to be going fast, "Not well with my left," He answered quickly, "Why?"

"Freeze my leg for me," Iida said and I felt a sudden weight lift off my shoulders. The pain and numbness before slowly being pushed back as my adrenaline kicked in again. with Todoroki preoccupied with Stain, he won't have the time to do what Iida wants him to do. Finally, I gritted my teeth pushing myself up although shakingly as I pooled together the last bit of my strength ignoring the taste of blood in my mouth.

"You're in the way!" Stain was in the air again throwing a dagger that was aimed straight for Todoroki. No! Suddenly Iida leaped in front of him taking a small dagger to the arm as it sank in with a resounding shlink heard over Todoroki's flame.

"Who said you can interfere!?" I brought up both hands muscle testing from the pressure as a pillar shot up from the ground. It was too little too late however as Stain threw away his other knife this one bigger than the last. It hit its mark slamming through Iida armor and into his arm the power of it impaling it into the concrete. Remarkably, however, my pillar hit Stain in the side knocking him back against the wall.

That was sloppy. I narrowed my eyes. He's running out of options.

"Why won't you stay down!?" He yelled planting his feet against the wall recovering from as if my hit had never even happened. He jumped away when Todoroki there another torrent of flames at him.

"Hurry!" Iida yelled to Todoroki.

"No!" I slid next to Iida, "Focus on keeping him at bay!" I raised my hand over his legs, the ice particles beginning to pool at my fingers and crystalize ignoring how my skin began to turn a nasty shade of purple. Ice began to form around his calf ignoring the exhaust pipes.

There was a beat.

"Stay away!" Stain shouted.

I looked up another blade making its way for me. Shit. Suddenly a green blur flew past with a roar it was Midoriya ripping the knife out of the air and saving my life. I reached over with my left hand taking the handle of the blade in Iida's arm and pulling it out. "It's done!"

He rose quickly, "Thank you...Akio." Iida whispered.

I smiled, "Don't...mention it," I began to falter and fall to my side the very last of my energy spent Todoroki caught me. "I got you." He said.

I took in a shaky breath and pulled myself up to one knee giving him a curt nod of thanks. Watching as Iida suddenly took off in an amazing showing of a spectacular blue and Midoriya propelled himself a brilliant lime green lightning blurring together as they met the Hero killer in the air. Roars mixing as the two collided into him with such velocity that the kick to the side and the face garnered a waft of powerful air.

Todoroki stood his left side building a torrent of flames, "Now Akio one last time."

My lips curled up into a smile, "You got it," I said.

With this, it's over. Everything became quiet as I closed my eyes curling my feet and fingers. Although Stain recovered to take a quick swipe at Iida when his arm stopped just short as I willed the brick along the wall to extend and suddenly wrap around him. For a moment I could see him look at me. Too bad, I thought as Iida's leg came rocketing forward once more crashing through the brick and into his stomach.

"There's a difference between you me!" Iida said pushing his leg forward, "I am a hero and your a criminal!"

Flames enveloped the hero killer burning away at his clothes and body. A poof of smoke trailing off of him as he descended on Todoroki's jagged piece of ice.

"Stand up and fight it's not over!" Todoroki called to the two as they slid on his ice and down beside us. His voice sounded muffled to me I noticed. I think I'm losing consciousness.

I tried to will my body to at least twitch one of my fingers but it wouldn't budge. I felt numb, oddly numb as if this wasn't normal.

I don't feel anything.

"Akio?" The voice echoes painfully in my ears.

"Akio!"

"We need to get him to a hospital quick!"

"Akio hang in there!"

{x}

So uh How was your day? Good, bad, suckish? I mean with coronavirus I won't blame you if you feel like the year has gone to shit. I mean I'm not even going to be able to walk across the graduation stage with my friends on the following month and it sucks. But I hope everyone who has been keeping up with the story so far has enjoyed this latest chapter.

I feel like I struggle to incorporate my character into these cannon scenes a lot and I threw away a lot of ideas because they were just not interesting enough except the main fight with the Hero killer. I did come up with some good responses and quick little conversations between the two that I hope you like and gave some idea of where Akio's mind is at right now in the current part of the story. Now I'm going to work on developing Akio relationships more throughout the next few chapters with of course my priority being his mother first than any other things.

Tell me what your guys thoughts on the chapter! Also, don't be afraid to PM me either!

BTW also will be responding to reviews in the next chapter.