813The Amazing Deku
Disclaimer: I don't own Spider-Man or My Hero Academia.
Legend:
"I made this song for you" speech
'Still, I love him so much' thoughts or quotes
'I'm going to kill him' Mandalay/Black Cat's Quirk or All for One talking
"CHOCOLATE!" Symbiote/Kuri talking
Lightz: Welcome back to another chapter of the Amazing Deku, and after a long time too.
Chapter 52: Intermediate Healing
"On September 26 earlier today, several hero agencies and the police district raided the Shie Hassaikai compound. All members of the Eight Bullets, including Heidoro whom we've taken in months ago due to Black Cat's mission, have been captured. Their leaders, Kai Chisaki, Joi Irinaka, and Hari Kurono have been captured as well. Also captured are members of the Villain Alliance: the Carnal Murderer Muscular, Shigaraki's right-hand man Kurogiri, and one Hitomi Yatsu."
These are the words coming from Detective Tsukauchi to Toshinori as he sits by him in Izuku's hospital bed, Inko sitting at the other end listening.
Concerned, she asks, "What will become of them?"
"The Yakuza all await trial. Chisaki, a special case, will be immediately sentenced." That brings a sigh to come from her lips. "For misuse of his Quirk, child endangerment, murder, conspiracy, fraud, and other charges, he gains a special place deep in Tartarus."
His eyes glance to the side. "But since that spot is taken, he'll get a cell just above that one."
"That's not funny," says Yagi to his friend, though he can find himself chuckling at that afterward.
Nevertheless, he continues: "As for the others, for over 100 counts of voluntary manslaughter, 12 accounts of involuntary, and other crimes that are minor in comparison including working with terrorists, Muscular will be detained into Tartarus as well. Kurogiri is an odd case."
"Odd?" The two adults face the detective.
"Some bloodwork brought us something curious, so for the time being we're refraining from total lockdown until we get to the bottom of his makeup."
Yagi taps his chin. That would imply something more is going on with the shadow master. "And then there's Hitomi Yatsu. After the fight, we found her mind had suffered some shock leaving her in a catatonic state. Without it, this minor would be placed in the Tama Juvenile Correction Facility."
Giving a nod, Yagi then asks, "And what about Shimura?"
Knowing he would eventually ask that question, Tsukauchi prepares himself. "After testimony from the Ghost Spider we have in captivity and confirmation from the heroes on the scene, we've seized all of his assets at Astro Corp and are starting to question all of his employees – we're also looking into the background of his employees in case they are also villains like Chisaki."
"Speaking of…" Inko inquires, "now that this Overhaul is in Tartarus, what happens to Eri?"
He could tell she was interested in that. "Well now that he's locked away, we do not need to hide the girl at Height Alliance. We could keep her there at UA and help her grow to control her powers, or you could adopt her as your own."
Turning to face Yagi, he and Inko nod to each other in respective order. She then faces Tsukauchi and says, "I would like to adopt Eri."
Elsewhere in the hospital, Izuku can be found wandering the halls. An attire made new by his girlfriend, he looks better off than when he arrived at this building the first time.
His red shoes stop before the first room. "Kirishima should be inside if Momo told me so…"
The boy sighs before extending a hand to grab the door. Before he could, the door opens up and takes him by surprise. He jumps back away in defense with hands up, staring dead at the two adults stepping out. Though the boy ends up calming down when he sees that they're Kirishima's parents.
"O-Oh, sorry," he says to them, lowering his arms. "I'm here to see Kirishima; I'm a friend of his."
"Well, thank you for your kindness in seeing our son," says the father before bowing to him. The mother follows suit, and they walk away leaving them to be.
Stepping inside, Izuku says, "Hey Kirishi-MY GOD!"
Red Riot sits on the hospital bed wrapped tightly like a mummy. He wears a brace around his arm, has an arm hold for it, and a feeding tube in the small opening by his mouth. That, his eyes, and several spikes of his crimson hair are the only thing telling Izuku that this is Kirishima.
"Yo, Midoriya!" And yet, he's still so pro bro. He does sound a little off though, almost with a lisp.
"Kirishima, you look…" 'Don't say anything stupid!' "… ready to go." 'Damn it!'
"Yeah, I'm pretty wrapped up." Glad that he's not going to talk about that verbal mess up, Izuku sighs before approaching the red hero in training.
"How tough was your fight?"
"Very," he replies, groaning as he stiffens to move. "Docs say I got lacerations, broken bones, a black eye, and I think I'm missing a tooth."
'That might explain his altered speech.' "Too bad Recovery Girl is out of the country. You and the others would be out of here by tonight."
"Nah, I'm proud of these injuries! I got them defending and honoring that little girl you rescued!" Kirishima tries to grin and chuckles. "Ah, it hurts to laugh."
"I guess I better let you rest." Izuku gets up to leave. "I gotta find the others."
"See ya at school."
With that, Izuku makes his exit closing the door ever slightly. He then sighs and focuses on the next thing. "Who's next…"
"Oh good, you're up."
"KYA!" Izuku jumps away and gets on the defensive against, only to calm down when he sees Momo behind him. He groans a bit. "Oh, sorry Momo."
"Are you alright?"
"N-No, not really. Just a little jumpy after what happened…" She takes Izuku's hand and brings him closer.
"Would you care to talk about it?"
"Not now, not here." He clenches the hand holding his lightly. "I just want to see who else is here and if they're okay."
Momo huffs and gives a little pout. "Don't worry, everyone's okay. You've seen Kirishima, but the others in comparison are better off. Amajiki's had a chip of bone struck him in his face, but no scar will be left. Fat Gum has broken bones, but he's good. Also, he's starving. Rock Lock has bruises fighting a clone of Rappa, but he'll be discharged tonight."
"Clone?"
"Someone helping Chisaki had a cloning Quirk apparently, made a copy of the person who fought Kirishima." At that, Izuku reasons that it must be someone with the VA since he wasn't on the list of names captured. "Just another enemy we have to deal with someday."
Sighing, Izuku shrugs and walks with her down the hall. Together again, the emerald boy comes to relax seeing that things are sailing smoothly. The Yakuza are practically finished, Tomura Shigaraki – no – Kotaro Shimura has been exposed for the villain that he is, and his friends have survived. Had his Spider-Sense remained intact, it'd be the ultimate plus.
'Oh well… I'll figure that out later.'
Coming to a corner, the couple is stopped with the appearance of the Black Cat Shino. She spots the two and smiles, ready to greet the boy she likes and his beloved. But, seeing Izuku in the defensive turns her off. "Uh, Izuku?"
"Oh, s-sorry!" He recovers to a less aggressive position so he can interact.
Staring him down, the adult gives a concerned look. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. Just jumpy after what happened."
"That's true I guess…" Shino says, remembering that he technically almost died recently. That would be more than any teenager should be used to.
Momo remains unconvinced, yet silent, watching his mannerisms. There may be more to it than that.
Putting his behavior aside, Shino says, "Izuku, not to intrude on your little time together, but I would like to have some words of privacy with Creati here."
"Eh?" Momo squeaks in surprise, pointing to herself while facing the adult woman. "With me?"
"With Momo?" Izuku repeats surprised that she would be more invested in speaking with his girlfriend. But, maybe the two bonded in a way he didn't know.
"If that's okay."
"No, it's fine," Momo looks over to the green-haired spider, "if you don't mind."
"Well, I guess we can catch up later. Later, Momo." He leans in and gives her a quick kiss on the lips.
"Bye, Izuku," she says, watching him walk away to give the ladies space. The creation girl looks back to Shino, noticing the woman has this cat-like pout. Her nose even twitches like a cat's. "Is something wrong?"
The cat woman twirls her finger and the two walk to the stairs. Upon entering the less populated area, Shino turns around to face Momo. "This has nothing to do with what I was about to ask, but I must say it's a challenge witnessing your intimacy when I can't share it."
"You can't?"
"I may have the okay to share him, but morally I can't touch him. So long as he's still a student, even if he is 16, I still can't express my feelings for him the way you can."
"… we haven't gotten that far yet-" Momo quickly shakes these thoughts away. "That's not important! Why did you call me over?"
Shino faces the teenager more seriously. "I want you to join the Wild Wild Pussycats."
Surprised, Momo almost jumps in her spot staring at Shino. After asking why, the adult continues, "I isolated myself from everyone I care about because of Muscular, but now that he's been dealt with I can return. But, we need new members: Tomoko is on support, and Ryuko is taking an indefinite hiatus."
"She is?"
"So I figure I would add new members eventually, and you have excellent leadership capabilities." With a sprinkle of flattery, Momo flourishes bright red in the face. "You would be a perfect recruit."
"W-W-W-W-well, I wouldn't say you're wrong. I can be pretty meticulous." Momo's stuttering bashfulness brings a familiarity in Shino to the green spider.
"So, that's my offer. Do you accept?"
Returning to her more neutral state, Momo says, "I will have to think about it. I'm still working under Fat Gum, and I was hoping when we graduate Izuku and I could work together in our agency. It would be just the two of us, and Melissa as our support."
Shino opens her eyes with realization, remembering something from earlier. "… oh yeah, that's right. Izuku has another girl helping him," Momo nods, "with your permission." She nods again.
"…have you no control?"
Momo gives a blank stare, some redness forming not from being praised. "That's a different issue."
The adult brings her arms to her waist preparing to reprimand. "That feels like a big issue. I mean, shouldn't there be ground rules?"
"I don't just let every girl who thinks he's hot have a chance; Melissa has no choice. It isn't as if he has an army of girls after him."
"Come on. There's you, me, Melissa, Takeyama briefly," Shino says as she counts on her fingers.
"And that's it!" Of course, Momo has no intention of mentioning the fake Momo at the exam, her friend Jirou, Ashido and Camie if jokingly, and possibly Ochako. No need to fuel that thought process.
"Maybe having you join would be a bad idea; it'd turn into a spider harem."
"I'm not a spider!" Shino points to the younger girl's sternum and proceeds to imitate claws and fangs. "Kuri doesn't count! This is a temporary combination." 'I'll show you a temporary!'
As the two ladies go over their debate, over with Izuku he returns to the room where his mom and Yagi were. He rubs his arms gathering nerves. "I have to get a hold of myself so Momo doesn't worry. I can't be so afraid of everything just because of that."
He pauses as he looks around. This jumpiness and fear of his have been taking over his body ever since he came to the hospital. No, since he left that greenhouse he's been on edge. His spider-sense is gone, one of many things that he's missing from that night. Will it come back? Is he in danger permanently? Is the cause the ethyl chloride?
As his mind overthinks again, he spots his mother and Yagi coming out from the room he was in before with Tsukauchi. Well, he can worry about that at a more appropriate time. For now, he needs to do what he can without it. But what?
Two Days Later…
"HA!" An evergreen bolt of lightning fires at a target sign on a tree. As charred marks form, the shooter standing by a patch of grass with his hand out. Sighing, he pulls his hand back as the lightning retreats.
Yagi approaches Izuku, his arms crossed as he has been watching him the whole time. "You don't seem so happy with yourself."
"It's just…" Izuku looks down at his hands. "Even though I recovered, I still haven't recovered. I think this is my limit with One for All."
"Limit?" The previous user watches as his successor empowers the inheritance Quirk through his body. As electricity sparks around his body, the boy's body quickly spasms and he drops to his knees. Bloodstains the grass and dirt below him. "Midoriya!"
Izuku coughs a few times before his heart settles back into place. After a few seconds, he lifts his head saying, "I can't use Full Cowling anymore."
The boy erects his form holding his heart. "I don't know why, but my heart gives out now every time I course One for All through me. I can't use it the same way as you and the others did again."
"Midoriya…" Yagi scowls, upset at what has happened. Seeing the disappointment and failure in the boy's eyes add more to how bad the boy feels.
Izuku can't believe this is happening to him. Even though he has spider-powers, receiving All Might's Quirk was something he felt strongly for. It was a recognition that the man he looked up to accepted him and supported his dream, despite what he said earlier. Now knowing that nothing he does will ever let him make use of that gift hurts his confidence.
Then again, getting rid of this Quirk was always a plan B he decided upon concluding his grandfather All for One capturing him, but there are problems he needs answers to. Will that fix the problem with his body and return the Spider-Sense? Will the effects of the spider venom – which he isn't even convinced is exactly a Quirk – transfer with the new user like the Blackwhip and Float Quirks? Can someone even withstand the power that gave one man the power to change the weather with one punch added with someone holding the proportionate strength of a human spider?
All of these questions come to his mind now and then as he thought of getting rid of One for All. But more importantly than that, who would be worthy of this Quirk?
These internal conflicts fade back into his black abyss of a head when Yagi pats his shoulder. "Midoriya, it's okay. You still have your unique control of One for All that does not affect your heart. You should be proud of what you can do."
"I am…" Izuku grips his hands into fists. "I… I… I just feel like a failure. After all, I'm unworthy of the power you gave-"
"CAROLINA SMASH!" His mentor's throat chop silences him, for a second, before he proceeds to cough. "And here we have the fine return of the Prince of Nonsense! Just calm down, and find another angle."
Coughing, Izuku asks, "Angle?"
"I'm not much of a teacher. I barely taught you how to use One for All because I figured you could learn all by yourself just like I did. But instead of reenacting my power, you figured a way of using One for All in a completely different way that I never would have thought of. Who would have thought you'd use the excess energy spilling from your lack of control for ranged attacks instead of wind pressures?"
"Wait, lack of control?"
"Focus on what you can do and don't lament on what you can't. I'm pretty sure I've said that before to you, and yet you still need a pep talk to get out of moping." Sullen, Izuku turns blue as those words spear through his chest.
After regenerating from that, Izuku sighs in a groaning way. "Maybe you're right. I'm probably just tired from the constant fighting lately."
"Yeah, there you go."
"Eri's living back at our place now. I can put being Deku aside to spend time with her."
"Of course! Enjoy the time you have with your family."
"And Momo and I can spend nights together."
"Just so long as you have protection!"
That scratches the record. "…protection?" To his horror, Yagi extends a hand to the boy, with two packs of latex rubbers in large size in grasp. Turning into a tomato head, Izuku shouts, "A-A-All Might?!"
"Your mother was incessant that you have these."
"How do you know my size?!"
"She did, and I'm pretty sure you don't wanna know why."
"MOOOOOM!" Well, at least he's not moping about his failure.
Later…
Out in the streets of Musutafu during the twilight hours, Inko can be found with a grocery bag. "Let's see: eggs for breakfast, fruit for me, and apples for Eri… that should be everything for now. Hopefully, Kuri doesn't come back for a bit so I don't need to get chocolate." She shivers remembering the last time the alien went berserk over the confectioneries.
The mother gets a block closer to her apartment. As she does, a figure moves in close. This person inches further and further. Eyes keep on target as Inko walks, breath so low it may very well be nonexistent.
Her bag bouncing, a hole rips in her plastic. The bag of apples slide out and hit the concrete along with a glass cup. "Oh, damn it." She reaches down to pick up the mess, flinching and drawing her hand back touching the glass.
"E-Excuse me, ma'am." A new voice catches her ears. Inko turns around to see a young girl not much older than her son there holding a handkerchief pulled from her skirt pocket. "Do you need some help?"
A sigh of gratitude comes from her voice as she bends down to pick up the fruit. "Oh, thank you. I forgot to not over stuff."
"Yeah. My mom used to make the same mistakes," the girl replies before taking the apples for her. "Is your home far?"
"Not very."
The girl reaches out and grabs more of the groceries, giving a polite and innocent smile while doing so that makes one want to drop their guard. This is just what Inko does, knowing full well what every enemy Izuku has looked like through the use of the alien.
Reaching the apartment, Inko stops just before the door. "Thank you so much for bringing it here with me, dear. My son is on his way down; he'll handle the rest."
The blond girl smiles back and nods, her face turning redder. "No problem, ma'am. I'll be sure to get rid of this dirty handkerchief." She hands over the bag holding the groceries she held to Inko.
Inko watches as the girl prepares to leave. "You take care; night time isn't safe even in these neighborhoods… what was your name?"
She winks to the mother. "Don't worry about that. Bye-bye, miss Midoriya."
Here, the green-haired woman blinks. "… I never told her my name…"
Looking in her direction, the woman realizes that she's gone. Like a ghost in an anime, she has gone with no trace of herself. What are the consequences of what she has just done?
Up in the humble abode of the Midoriya family, the spider hero in training sits in the living room after hi effective training session with Toshinori Yagi. On his lap is Eri as the two watch television. On the screen, the little girl gasps seeing the image of Kai Chisaki being taken away.
She cowers at his sight, digging her head into Izuku's chest. The boy strokes her bright white locks as soothingly as possible, intentionally avoiding her horn. "Don't worry, Eri. He's gone now. Chisaki can't hurt you or me or anyone anymore."
The innocent girl looks up at the older boy, tears threatening to spill. Her face digs down back into his chest, causing Izuku to say, "I promise you Eri, he'll be gone forever. No one goes into Tartarus and ever comes out."
She can hear her muttering. "It's still out there… those things he made from me… they'll just hurt people."
"Don't worry; Shino has the bullets Chisaki made, and she's going to get rid of them." He continues to pat the girl's head, holding her close. 'I hope she does. There's no reason to have them anymore.'
As he wonders this, the front door opens up and in steps Inko.
Elsewhere…
Over at the Wild Wild Pussycat office, Ryuko Tsuchikawa can be found sitting at a computer monitor. The blond earth mover types rapidly on the computer as she keeps her eyes glued to the screen. After a few minutes at work, she leans back in her seat stretching her arms upward.
"Let's see… ice-breakers answered… should be done. Ugh. I hope this works." She then walks away from the desk after grabbing an empty water bottle.
As she leaves, Yawara walks by her as he stretches his arm patting the wound left and wrapped up from the battle before. He passes by the monitor and stares noticing the website she's on. "… My Hero Affairlation… good luck with the dating, Ryuko."
With Tomoko, she sits at a table reading a book. From the corner of her eye, she catches Shino walking by holding a tiny case that would hold USB drives. Noting her calm demeanor, she asks, "Shino, what's that?"
"Hm?"
"Whatcha got there?"
"Oh, these?" Shino opens the case, revealing the remaining Quirk canceling bullets including the sole finished product. "Just getting rid of something."
The woman leaves the room and approaches her office. She reaches her desk and opens it up, sliding the case inside. 'Sorry Izuku, but these are too useful to destroy.' She then closes it up before taking a seat.
While in her thoughts, she focuses on her Wild Wild Pussycat outfit hanging on a mannequin. Next to it is another containing her Black Cat outfit. Her eyes then gaze to the picture resting on her desk showing her, Team Waterhorse, her friends, and Kouta. She picks the framed photo up longingly, saying, "It's all over. Your deaths have been avenged. The Black Cat is now retired."
Tomorrow…
Over at UA High School, now boarding school, Katsuki Bakugo can be found walking down the hallway. Passing by Camie, he makes his way into the first room to his right. Entering in Bakugo finds an office with a familiar redhead sitting at a desk across a carpeted floor.
"Welcome, Bakugo. Please, take a seat."
"Whatever." The ash-blond teenager removes his shoes and enters the room, closing the door behind him rather quietly. He steps over to the stretched out chair and leans back.
The redhead woman gazes her hazel eyes at the hero in training while adjusting her clean blue suit. "I hope you're ready for this session."
"What the hell is there to be ready for?" he asks her rudely. "I'm stuck in a carpeted closet listening to someone tell me why I'm the bad guy for the millionth time without her saying it."
"Welcome to the internet. Besides, there is no need to bash you on the head about a truth that you're now aware of. You're a good child." As she talks, the woman pushes aside her hair. From behind, a little red insect can be spotted attached to the back of her neck.
"Oh yeah, because that makes me happy." Bakugo crosses his arms over his chest.
"Would it make you happy to know it's the last time?" That indeed makes him feel a little better.
"… maybe."
Kei: And finally, moving onto the next arc. But first, there's a loose end we need to pull off before we enter the Society of Assassins arc.
Yusei: Yawn. Hopefully, we don't get deployed to police another fucking riot because of another fucking shooting.
