The Day Izuku Midoriya Went Missing - Mun Drabble #1
Katsuki, All Might and Inko
[[ Obvs, I do not want anyone to feel pressured to write in this verse if your muse is featured but in my "story line" for my Black Swan verse, this is what happened when Izuku disappeared. If there is a Katsuki, All Might, etc interested in writing in this verse, we do not have to follow this canon, it's just my default canon. Enjoy ! ]]
A well aimed swift kick to a rock sent it smacking into a light pole, ricocheting in a random direction as the metal rang. Too bad that wasn’t the dweeb himself. An annoyed growl slipped in between light panting as he returned to his sprint.
Gotta get this shit straight! I didn't need his damn help or anyone's back there!
Bakugou wouldn't get a wink of sleep until that nerd knew damn well he was fine on his own. The stupid record would have been set sooner had Deku not scampered off like the scared loser he was. What was he thinking, running at him and the sludge monster like that? The twerp was lucky All Might showed up when he did or he’d be dead. Recognizing that he neared Deku’s home after turning this next corner, he ran faster until steering around the edge. “Hey Deku–!” Staring down the long path between residences, well illuminated by the setting sun, no doubt he couldn’t miss him, the green haired failure wasn’t in his scarlet sight.
“Tch.” Hands shoved into his pockets as he marched down the dirt walkway, teeth still clenched. Deku probably ran home crying to his mother. After those pro heroes chewed his ass for being a complete idiot, Death Arms wailed on him the most, the dweeb looked ready to bawl his eyes out. Pathetic. He huffed as stiffened shoulders slumped. Mulling over it again, memory sharp as whip like his tongue, Deku kept his head low, arms hanging at his side and eyes almost closed.
“Stupid.” Knowing the nerd took this route home, Katsuki searched for that shitty shade of green again. He couldn't have gone that far unless he really did run. A weak body like his couldn't keep that up though.
So why the hell can’t I find you, Deku?!
A rustling by a gate caught his attention, throat ready to unleash a few insults as he picked up the pace again, noticing smoke wisps rising. Did the nerd hear his yelling and try to hide from him? “Get out from behind there before I drag your scrawny ass out!”
“Hold on there, young man.” Instead of the puffy eyed weakling he expected, an older blond man stepped out into the clearing with his hands raised and an awkward smile across his gaunt face. “Easy.” Expression shifted into a surprised delight as he walked closer, as if getting a better look. “Wait a minute. Weren’t you on the news today? Bakugou, yes?”
“Huh?!” Did the whole fuckin’ country know?! Katsuki’s face twisted for a moment, staring at the weird stranger. The man appeared as unimposing as Deku, basically a lanky skeleton in baggy clothes but he was much taller than that runt. “Who’s askin’?”
“Um. The name’s Toshi.” A pause.
Ya think that means anything to me? I ain’t tellin’ shit.
“So … there was another young man who was with you, yes? Midoriya?” Toshi cleared his throat, subtly wiping away a line of blood from his mouth then wore a more confident smile. “I was looking for him. He has a school uniform like yours, freckles and green hair?” He pointed to his own blond fringes, waiting for an answer. It didn’t come. “Do … you know where I could find him?”
“What the hell do you want with that loser?”
“Er–” Maybe they weren’t as close of friends as Toshi first suspected? “Uh. I wanted to commend him on showing a true act of heroism today.”
An eye twitched as a snarl briefly flickered. “Are you fuckin’ serious?”
How brash! “I-I’m sorry?”
“The hell are ya on about?!”
The snap sent Toshi back an inch. “W-well, today with that villain. He was an inspi–”
“Damn Deku almost got his useless ass killed back there! What kind of act of heroism is that?!”
“Young man, listen to me-”
“He did absolutely nothing!”
“Now wait a-”
Rough voice howled over the plea, inching closer to the emaciated figure. “Instead of commending him, how ‘bout ya condemn him for being a dumbass without a fuckin’ plan! He was a god damn liability back there! It pisses me off that a defenseless shit nerd like him–”
“That’s enough.” The two simple words, not uttered from the rail thin man but summoned from someone stronger, somehow shifted the air between them. Just two words but, like arrows pinned to his flesh, they prevented Katsuki from moving as Toshi’s presence suddenly changed. With that smile gone and replaced by a sharpened stare, not of intimidation but determination, demanding Bakugou to back down, the atmosphere weighed heavier. Toshi had not moved a muscle but it felt as if he took a stance against the foul mouthed teen.
The older man didn't look anything more than a desecrated corpse but Katsuki's senses rose an alarm, warning him he stood before the embodiment of power, akin to something regal, deserving respect but also threatening if not. The fuck was this coming from? As that blue stare pierced, silence lingered with only the light crinkling of leaves in the wind. Toshi never broke eye contact as he finally spoke but in a softer tone. “With an ability like yours, you want to be a hero too, don't you?”
Tch! Able to move again, seriously what the fuck? , he adjusted the strap on his bag. “Yeah and?”
“If you found someone in danger, you wouldn't hesitate to save them?”
The snarl returned with furrowed twitching blond brows, instantly knowing where this was going. Damn adult trying to make a point. He knew this angle all too well as his glare shifted to the side with a disgusted sigh.
“Would you?”
“Yeah, I'll save their helpless ass.” A shrug. “What's your point?”
“What if you were quirkless? Would you still step in or wait and risk losing them?”
“?!” What if he was—? A rebuttal caught in his muffled growl but he soon swallowed it. Bakugou didn’t have to answer to some bullshit from a hollowed out bastard.
Toshi didn’t pry, reading it clear across the young man's face. “He tried to save a life,” your life, “whether you believe that or not.” His firm posture relaxed as his words took a role of sincerity with a friendly smile. “I want to speak to him.” Katsuki knew he was genuine as he detected a hint of urgency, but it didn't stop his lighter growl. “Just for a few moments. Please.”
Scarlet eyes rolled as he spat. “Fuckin’ hell.” A long exhale later, Bakugou returned to his mission, finding where ever the fuck Deku was, walking passed the withered man without a second look.
Toshi watched Katsuki stomp off with a slight frown but held no ill will against him. Young Bakugou wasn't obligated to help. Worth a shot as he sighed quietly. He would have to seek Midoriya by other means. Tell that young man he could, in fact, be a hero. Tell him that what he did today–
“Oi! Forehead! Ya comin’ or what?”
“Wha?” Facing behind him, Toshi found Bakugou glaring over his shoulder before walking again.
“I ain't waitin’ all day.”
“Yes. Y-yes! Many thanks!” He immediately ran and caught up, surprisingly fast for a bag of bones, his face brightening with a larger grin.
—
“Katsuki! It's so good to see you!” Finding Izuku's friend at her door was always a pleasant surprise for Inko. Happy her boy still had someone he knew well at his side, Katsuki was always welcomed at their home. “And uh…” She looked over the older blond gentleman beside him, not recognizing him in the slightest. “I'm-I'm sorry. You are … ?” He didn't look like one of their teachers?
“I’m Toshi. It's a pleasure meeting you.” Another friendly grin and his hand patted Bakugou's shoulder. “I wanted to tell your son how impressed I was when he saved this young man's life!”
“HA?!” Hand swiped the other's away like an intruding insect as his shoulder jolted back. “I didn't need saving!”
“Oh! You mean on the news today? I heard about–” A gasp. “Wait, that was you captured by that villain, Katsuki?! You must have been terrified! Are you okay? Have you spoken to your mother? Do you want me to call her for you?”
“I wasn't scared! I'm fine, she's fine! I didn't–ugh!--whatever!” As a means of getting further away from the questioning and Toshi, who snickered under his breath, Katsuki headed inside, slipping off his shoes and walking up to the door labeled with Izuku's name. “Is the dam– I mean, is ‘Zuku here?”
“No, not yet.”
Damn it. He noticed those red shoes missing by the door but he figured the weepin’ nerd forgot and just ran to his room. Katsuki then heard Inko muttering under her breath while shifting her gaze to the clock.
“Which is strange since he usually would be home by now but with roads being blocked off and such, he may have taken a different route.” She perked back up. “Toshi, why don't you come in too and I'll make us some tea while we wait?”
“We would be honored to wait.”
“Don't speak for me, Forehead!”
Inko laughed lightly while Toshi followed suit, though she leaned out of the apartment, expecting to find Izuku in the distance as she checked briefly before closing the door. He'd call if there was any trouble. A few moments passed and she placed a tray of steaming cups on the dining table. “Here. Be careful though. You know it's hot.” She held one herself, blowing upon the rim and looking at the gentleman again. “So … what exactly did you want to talk about with my son?”
“I'm so glad you asked.” Toshi's grin formed bigger than before, reaching to his sunken but clearly earnest eyes. “He did something amazing today. There were heroes on the scene of the attack but out of everyone, it was your son who acted. I wanted to let him know he's worthy of … becoming someone great.”
“Mmph!” A muffle as Katsuki bit the cup’s rim to stop himself from protesting and forcing himself to drink.
“Ah, Katsuki, are you okay? It's still hot.”
“ ‘m fine.”
Well, if he was sure. Her attention returned to Toshi, blowing on her tea then staring down at the rippling liquid. “That's awfully sweet of you to say and I can tell you're sincere but my boy,” a pause, “he's quirkless.” Even though her and her husband had quirks, a part of her wondered what if he didn't? The chances were incredibly slim but every jump for joy, every smile at a video, every time they played hero together, a part of her couldn't help but wonder. It was a mother's duty to hope for the best but expect the worst. “He's always wanted to be a hero, ever since he was little but …” That doctor visit.
Sorry, kid. It’s not going to happen.
No, she couldn't think like that. Her boy was kind and more importantly driven. Today proved that. As much as she wanted to scold Izuku for putting himself in danger, her eyes glanced at Katsuki. “But he keeps trying.” A small smile. “He's been really quiet lately so I know he would love to hear that. Thank you.”
That hadn't gone unnoticed by Bakugou. The nerd had been eerily unresponsive the past few years to the point Katsuki had burned through his clothes just to get a reaction outta him. Today he had been lively, only a few moments, talking about joining UA but, Kastuki shut that shit down again. Deku had to face reality and stop trying to get himself killed. Without a quirk, he couldn't defend himself and would never take down nor defeat any–
“So, Katsuki,” settling her cup after finally drinking, “what did you want to talk to him about? It's been a while since you last came over.”
Biting the ceramic lip, he drank again to avoid answering the question for as long as possible. After the final swallow, he sneered but lowered his voice. “Wanted to see how he was doin’. He seemed shaken up ‘bout bein’ yelled at by those pros.”
He was met with her tender gaze and warmer grin. “Looking out for him as always.”
“Yeah, whatever.” Scarlet eyes averted but to Toshi who also looked at him fondly. “What are you starin’ at?!”
“Oh, nothing. The tea is really good.” As proof, he lifted and took a long drink. He is sort of well behaved around Inko.
When the sun finished setting, Inko checked the window again, ignoring the beauty of the stars which replaced the day. Hand clutched her chest as her eyes welled lightly. “He's never been out this late. I'm-I'm getting worried.”
Bakugou threw his head back and huffed, aggravated, digging for his phone and deciding to give the dweeb a ring. “He's probably hidin’ somewhere crying. I'll get his ass and bring him back, don't worry.” Upon placing the phone to his ear, he expected a few rings then a sniffling answer or maybe a text message reply if Deku choked on his tears too much to even say a damn word.
Katsuki didn't expect the call to go straight to voicemail. “Huh?” Wait. Hold on. He tried again, hitting the redial button. It didn't even ring. Straight to voicemail. What the hell?
“What's wrong?” Her hand clenched tighter. “Is-is he not answering?”
“He-” Katsuki didn't contact him that often but he always, always, answered. Without fail, Izuku answered. Phones only went straight to voicemail if they were turned off or their battery died. Did the nerd forget to charge his phone? But that didn't explain why he wasn't home yet. Unless he took a wrong turn and was lost? No, he could have found a hero or police officer if— what the hell was going on? “I'll call for a few more minutes.”
A few minutes … turned into a few hours.
Toshi reached out his hand, wishing to stop Bakugou and check his phone himself. “Are you sure you're dialing the right number?” Why else wouldn't young Midoriya answer? It may have seemed like an oversight on Katsuki's part but … worry caused the rational to think of anything for an explanation no matter how ridiculous.
“Huh?! You think I'm a moron, you boney bastard?! Of course I'm dialing the right number! It's saved to my phone and even if it wasn't, I know Deku's fuckin’ number by fuckin’ heart!” 200 times. He called Izuku's phone over 200 times and the result was the same. “Stop sending me to voicemail and pick up already!”
As much as she didn't want to believe it, as badly as she refused to face the possibility of something happening to her son, Inko had been on the phone as well, to the police. “He's-he's only 14! Where else could he possibly be?” She patted her eyes over and over with a cloth, trying to steady her breath. “His only friend is-is right here in my house! P-please! He's missing! You can't expect me to wait around until he turns up tonight! His name-his name is Izuku Midoriya. He has freckles, green hair, green eyes, a little over five feet tall! P-please, you need to send someone to find him!”
Anger, frustration, rage, fear burrowed deeper and deeper into Katsuki the longer he kept calling, overhearing Inko and yelling. “Don’t be fuckin’ nice ‘bout it! Tell them to stop DRAGGING their useless asses and send a police bastard to find him!” Straight to voice- “FUCK!” Damn it all–what the hell?! Why hadn't he come home yet?! Why wasn't he answering?! Did something actually happe–He growled, slamming that possibility to the back of his mind. Not the kind to give up, he dialed again, ignoring the tightening in his chest.
“H-hello?” A feminine and nervous voice answered.
“ ‘Bout damn time!” Toshi and Inko immediately surrounded him. “Ya have any idea how many times I’ve called you? Where the hell—” He stopped. That wasn’t Izuku. “Who the hell is this?! Why do you have Deku’s phone?”
“I'm sorry? This is Tsuniken from Goldsake Pawn Shop.”
Pawn shop? What the fuck was Deku's phone doing at a Pawn shop?! “Why do you have his phone?”
“I just turned it on since I was about to clear it but it suddenly blew up with notifications from someone named Kacchan then you–”
“God damn it! Tell me WHY you have it?!” Black smoke gathered and seeped from his non dominant hand, tensed fingers trembling as his sharp scowl focused on the screen displaying the name ‘Deku’. “Did you steal his phone to make a quick, lousy buck?!”
“No! He sold it to me.”
?! “What? Is he still there?!”
“No. He left an hour or two ago.”
“Where are you located?”
“Beg par-"
“Where THE FUCK is your shop located?!” A heartbeat. In less than a heartbeat, the instant he heard, Katsuki slammed open the front door and shot off the apartment balcony. Explosions disrupted across the night as Toshi ran right after him, stopping at the guard rail.
“Young Bakugou! It's ill advised to use your quirk—” But Toshi knew his heed couldn't carry over the eruption of multiple bombs, their flashes fading the further the hellbent teen soared out of sight. “I'm … many pardons, Miss Midoriya.” He bowed quickly. “I can-I know someone who can help. I'm sorry. I need to go.”
—
Hinges nearly broke from the door frame as Katsuki bolted inside the pawn shop, finding Deku’s phone within the counter then locking fierce eyes with the woman behind it. “You…” She had no time to even address him as he panted, darting towards the display case. “You… are you going to tell me …. everything.”
“I-I am sorry,” the brunette stumbled back, “about what?”
“Don't play stupid with me!” Hands slammed onto the glass. “You're fucking Tsuniken, aren't you?!”
“Y-yes but I don't know what-”
Katsuki jabbed at the phone behind the display case, nail scratching the glass. “You're the one who has Deku's goddamn phone! Tell me what happened!”
She leaned back, visibly shaken up. “There’s not-not much to tell. He-he sold me his phone. I gave him the money and he bought some playing cards then left.”
As she prattled on, his snarl let up. That didn't sound like Deku. “What did he look like?” Maybe some shitstain scumbag stole his phone and sold it? That wouldn’t explain why he wasn’t home unless he was roughened up and left in a ditch–? Stop it–Damnit!–what the hell was going on?!
“Um. He,” she pondered nervously, “was plain looking but he had on the same uniform as you. M-messy green hair, a backpack, really bright red shoes.”
Fuck, that was his Deku. He backed off from the counter, unintentionally giving Tsuniken much needed breathing room. Why would he do this? His heart drummed louder, his outfit constricting as his chest rose and fell rapidly. Somehow, he felt colder. Why would he–?
“But his eyes, they looked-”
“What about his eyes?!” Twisting a fistful of her sleeve, he yanked her closer.
“Hey, you can just grab-!”
“Tell me!”
“His eyes, they just looked really–uh–I don't–”
“What about his eyes?! Tell me! WHAT WAS WRONG WITH HIS DAMN EYES?!”
“They looked vacant!” She flinched. “Empty! Dull! No light in them! The kind of look people under brainwashing have!”
Brainwashing?! He released her, palms pressing against the glass to stabilize himself, his breaths becoming more ragged. No. Why would someone want to brainwash– That-that would be the only reasonable explanation though. Izuku would never willingly sell his phone and then disappear. Head snapped behind to the entrance then back at Tsuniken. “Was he alone? Was anyone with him? Which way did he go?!”
Despite his aggressive demeanor, despite not knowing this boy at all, the desperation in his widened eyes and scrappy voice compelled her to speak. “I'm sorry.” She knew something was wrong here. “He-he was alone, there was no one else and I-I told you! He-he left hours-"
“TELL ME WHICH WAY!”
“W-when he walked out he made a right!”
Then came the second time Katsuki nearly ripped the door off its hinges.
Few people still wandered the streets at that hour. Those noticing a blond teen rushing towards them barely leapt out of his way, cursing at him for reckless behavior but their swears never reached his ears, the mad beating of his heart drowned them out. Thoughts raced for a solution, muscles burning along his limbs and his breath labored harder as he sprinted faster than what his body was used to.
Where are you? Where are you? Why can't I find you?
Katsuki had nothing but a direction to go off of. A direction and calling his name “Izuku!” hoping he would answer. “IZUKU!” Eyes scanned and scattered across the different buildings, the passing cars on the street, the people walking the sidewalks, looking, searching, hoping to find … anything! Checking the alleyways, he slammed dumpsters to the side, he flipped over any curled up sleeping body, he ran deeper and turned around the dark corners and found … nothing.
Where the hell are you?!
Why did Izuku go in this direction? What was in this direction? The pawnshop had been a ways from Izuku's home so he must have been driven there? Right?! Katsuki’s shortness of breath went unnoticed, but not by passersby. Some approached to stop the frantic adolescent, but he ignored their concerns, ignored them when they asked if he was okay. Rather, he ignored them because he didn't hear them. If they weren't Izuku, they didn't exist.
As strained legs never stopped chasing someone who wasn't there, Katsuki found no trace of Izuku. No yellow backpack, no burnt notebook, no soft whimpering, no shade of green.
Wait for me! Kacchan!
You're so lucky! Your quirk is amazing, Kacchan.
Are you hurt? I was worried you might have hit your head or something.
I've wanted to be a hero since I was little. I may not have a quirk but I can still try my hardest, can't I?
“Stop it!” He ceased moving, grabbing tight, fistfuls of blond hair as his legs trembled, begging him to not continue. Jaw dropped to catch his breath, but he gasped faster and faster, choking on the air while his hyperactive stare scoured off in the distance, expecting to see him. Expecting him to step out of a door or suddenly walk onto the sidewalk or call out to him from behind or place his hand on Katsuki's shoulder or something—-anything to assure he wasn't—Izuku wasn't—
G o n e.
Slowly, fingers slid from clutched strands, arms lowered to his sides, weary gaze staring at nothing in particular, still wishfully thinking—expecting a green haired boy to somehow suddenly appear before him.
… Why can't I find you?
Pressure built hotly around his aching, throbbing head as did his eyes, a contrast to the cold pangs piercing into him. Over and over again, spikes forged in ice crashed into his body, clawing at him to fall.
As if impaled by the feet, he forgot his shoes at Inko’s, fire shot through his legs once he took a step again, his body warning him ‘Enough.’ Bakugou ignored the plea, the threat of collapse and ran further into the long night …
… stopping once he found what was so significant about Izuku turning right. A clue but not one he hoped for. Vision blurred and Katsuki rubbed his eyes to see, for confirmation he truly saw what he found. “No.”
He found … a train station. “No.” If Izuku was brainwashed, if he left hours ago, if he went in this direction. He could be anywhere by now! Why the fuck would anyone take him? If that pawnshop keeper suspected Izuku was under the influence of a quirk, why didn't she notify the police? Why did she let him go? Scenarios played out over and over as small crowds shuffled between entering and exiting the station. How could these idiots be so blissfully unaware that something was wrong?!
Cooler wind chilled the damp trails along his cheeks, sniffling nose red by more than the nip in the air as the ache, like a dull knife, sank deeper and deeper in his head with every step he took. No matter how hard he pressed his hand to his skull, he couldn't reach to yank it out of his pulsating head. Beads collecting beneath his chin fell once heavy enough as he staggered to one of the ticket counters, an employee waiting behind glass.
“H-hey…” Barely audible as he swallowed, mouth dry from his efforts.
“Yes. How can I–” The worker initially looked up with a habitual smile but it dropped, their expression shifting to concern. “What's wrong?”
Katsuki paid no attention to the employee’s sudden change in tone, reaching for his phone. “I… did you … today. Did you see this kid?” Before selecting the photo section on his phone, he swatted droplets from the screen then cleared his blurred vision again. Flipping through the album, scrolling past photos of events, UA mock scores, and his family, Katsuki realized he did not have a photo of Izuku. “...” Why would he though? “Um, the kid. He would have been wearing the same school uniform as me.”
“I'm sorry. A lot of students use this station to get home but,” that shift in tone again, “what happened to you? Are you going to be—”
“Listen!” Bakugou tried not to raise his hoarse voice but this worker wasn't cooperating with him! “It wouldn't have been during the day. It would have been within the hour. Please.” Another swallow as he cleared his eyes again. “Please. He-he’s a runt, shorter than me. A mop of curly green hair down to the root, stupid green eyes that light up when he … when he smiles. It's never a fake smile. He has–has freckles on his face and all across his back. He reeks of apricots, has dumb dreams of becoming a hero when he can’t even fuckin’ defend himself!” Hands balled into fists as he sneered harder, so badly wanting to punch something but he forcefully released, his words choking. “He-he has a burn mark on his-on his right shoulder. It's a handprint. A-a left handprint.”
Katsuki’s handprint.
Teeth clenched harder, hurting his jaw while forcing a lump down his throat---why was it so damn hard to speak!? Katsuki let out a shaken breath, mouth still parched. “Have-have you seen him?”
For a few moments, the worker watched the distraught boy before them begin to crack. Not answering, they searched through their desk and reached into a drawer. “Here, use this.” And offered a cloth.
Bakugou didn't hide his snarl. “W-why the fuck do I need that?” Were they not even listening? That wasn't what he asked for!
“To … dry your eyes?”
“What?”
“Young man, you're crying.”
“?!” A hardened glare soon took over, his fist balled against the glass partition. Katsuki didn't give a damn about crying! He wasn’t the one the worker needed to concern themselves with! “I don't need that! I need to know if you saw him?!”
At a loss for words, the employee recoiled slightly. “Young man,” they waved at the crowds behind Katsuki who glanced, “we have many people who use this station on a daily basis. Especially on a weekday. I'm-I'm sorry that–”
“Cameras.”
“Excuse me?”
“You have cameras everywhere, right?” All train stations were equipped with cameras mounted on walls and inside the trains themselves. If he found the footage with Izuku, brainwashed or not, he could track him down that way. “I need to see them. I need to know where he went!”
“I'm sorry. I can’t authorize--"
“I said I need to see them!” Palms rose as a countless number of smaller explosions fired off in rapid succession, drawing the attention of civilians around him.
The worker stood from their seat, hands up in defense. “Please! Please understand that I can't just--"
“My idiot has been missing for fuckin’ hours!” The explosions rang louder, brighter and faster as Katsuki raised one hand higher. If it weren't for his power constantly detonating, his intense but broken voice would have wrenched everyone's attention too. “He could have been kidnapped! He could be anywhere right now! I need to see where he went!” Willing to shatter the glass, the worker's reluctance pushing him to, he reeled his arm back to strike. “Show me the fuckin' footage or el–?!”
Something stopped him from making contact. Something like a steel clamp restrained his arm completely. Katsuki immediately twisted around, readying his other hand to blast apart whatever THE HELL grabbed him. “What?!”
Gripping Bakugou's wrist, not budging as the teenager yanked in his grasp, All Might stood right beside him. His fans, normally taking a chance to clamor around him, froze in place, watching with hands over their mouths, some holding their chest. Like many children, The Symbol of Peace was Katsuki’s idol, looking up to him with ambitions to surpass him but now, in his hysteric state of mind, he didn't see All Might. Bakugou saw an obstacle.
“What the fuck are you doing?! Let me go!” His body, again, begged him to take a break but he jerked back, futile in freeing himself.
Knowing his full strength and knowing he already reached his limit from defeating the sludge villain earlier, All Might’s hold was only firm, not painful. “You need to calm down, young man. This isn't–”
“Let me go!” A cloud of black smoke followed a powerful blast as Katsuki struck against the arm holding him. Not even a burn mark was left on the pro's skin. He struggled again, clenching his jaw and squeezing his eyes just as hard. “Let go! My friend is missing! He-he could be dead by now for all I know!” The word alone brought another flood of tears, the reality clutching his heart tightly, as if trying to stop it. “You NEED to let me go!”
Unfazed from the explosion, All Might waited to help the boy relax from his frenzy. He knew desperation when he saw it, not holding a thing against Bakugou for his actions. “I understand what’s going on but you need to calm down. This won’t bring him closer to us. I know you’re scared and you just want to find–?!” To his surprise, it seemed Katsuki's feet went out from under him, his entire body limp as his head dropped. For a moment, he assumed the boy gave into exhaustion but All Might heard him mumbling something. Carefully, he lowered the distraught young man, kneeling beside him and … releasing his wrist.
Katsuki held himself like a vice, curling inwards as his head almost reached the floor, his entire body shaking, sweat and tears falling from his face. All Might leaned closer, catching Bakugou's words between shorter and shorter gasps of air, his voice woefully raw. “I need—I need—I need—I need—!!” Until it was nothing but a fight for air, panting with a dry throat, his breaths raspy. Katsuki clutched at his uniform, unable to even feel his fingers, his shoulders trembling in their struggle. “I—I—Izu—!” Was all his scratched throat managed before grabbing at his heart and falling into a fit of choked sobs. Waves of heat and ice collided, this goddamn headache fracturing his skull in two, as he failed to say the name of the only person he needed.
People’s worry for their own safety shifted to concern for the distressed boy, offering assistance but Bakugou never registered what they said. “I have it under control, please go about your business.” All Might called out then rested his hand on Katsuki's back. “!!” Shocked by how rapidly his heart raced … and to think this was the same teenager from hours ago. They must have been close. During times of a panic attack, the one suffering needed assurance. “You're not alone.” Bakugou immediately faced him, crimson eyes completely fraught but pleading. “I'm right here.” His palm stroked from shaky shoulder to shoulder, comforting as best as he could. “The police have already begun their investigation and I'm going to help. We will find your friend.” Such firm words from the Number 1 Hero should have quelled Katsuki from his catharsis but not until he saw Izuku, would he ever know peace again.
Izuku Midoriya … never came home that night.
The truth of last night hit Bakugou hard the following day, eyes lingering upon Izuku's empty desk. His classmates blamed him, his bullying well known, but those assholes also were also shit to Izuku. They had no ground to stand on as Katsuki only acknowledged them by giving the middle finger. They didn't know jackshit about what happened. As he stewed in silence, ignoring the whispered bullshit behind his back, and the teacher trying to redirect everyone’s attention, he made a vow. Technically, two. One, he would not stop to find Izuku. The second, he would never lose another person, not on his watch.
Along with the heroes from that bleak day, Katsuki had been called in for questioning as he was technically one of the last people to have seen Izuku alive. He also faced repercussions for disturbing the peace, his acceptance into UA surely thrown but thanks to All Might, he was still allowed to attend the entrance exams in ten months.
Civilians registered with any type of bodily or mind control were also interviewed, many with verified alibis. It was suspected that the colleagues of the sludge villain sought revenge against Izuku. Those questioned held no known ties to the villain. Questioning the monster himself proved useless as he reveled in the tragedy. As promised, All Might adamantly searched for the missing teen despite other pros feeling this was something for the police to handle. As far as anyone knew, there had been no definitive proof the villain was involved. Footage from the pawnshop, streets and the train station had finally been released but only viewable to the proper authorities. Just as Tsuniken said, Izuku came into the shop, dressed in his uniform, backpack, red shoes and all, offering his cellphone in exchange for cash. As she counted the bills, he looked at the display cases and pointed to a deck of cards, purchasing it. He stood mostly still, very patient even as Tsuniken counted the money twice. With his head lowered, they couldn't see his eyes. After a little over an hour passed, Bakugou appeared. A few clips had been found of Izuku walking the streets by himself, no one close but that didn't mean he wasn't alone. Someone could have been in the shadows as night footage wasn't the clearest. At the station, they found him purchasing a ticket but no record had been kept of his name as he paid with cash. All the while, he never looked up, walking with no hesitation as if guided by some unseen force. The camera inside the train recorded Izuku boarding, the police focused on his spot and waited for him to leave. However, as mixed crowds entered and made their exit, blocking their view to Izuku, they never saw him depart. Another quirk user could have been involved outside of Brainwashing as he left without their notice.
A plea conference was held, spreading the word and hoping someone saw him and praying whoever took him would watch and bring him back. Inko stood before the podium, surrounded by mics and reporters with their flashing cameras. The attention was overwhelming but she swallowed through her tears. “Please give me back my baby. We're not well off and we don't have any connections. So why did you take him?” The Bakugou family were right there with her, Mitsuki holding her, keeping her together for support. “If you're mad that he played a part in that villain's arrest, I'm sorry! He's-He's always wanted to be—I'm sorry! He-he just wants to help people. He just wants to help! Please, give him back. He's my only son. He's my only baby! I'm begging you please—Give back my baby—!!” Inko collapsed into Mitsuki's arms, her weeping drowning her words before they surfaced. Masaru went to her side as well, the podium left empty as the reporters began questioning, cameras flaring. However, someone else soon stood before the mics. Katsuki. His scowl present, giving no fucks to the accusing questions as they knew he was there the day Izuku went missing. “Whoever took him… you're an idiot. He's useless to you. He doesn't even have a quirk. What good is he for?” Callous but true. “Give ‘em back. Even if he's dead, give 'em back or I'll pry his body outta your cold hands myself.” A huff. “That’s all.” He ended and left the stand, stopping by Inko as she sobbed into a cloth. Mitsuki hugged Inko tightly and stroked her back as her wet eyes caught Katsuki’s red. Inko reached out a hand and feebly held onto Katuski’s before grabbing it, as if she was holding Izuku’s hand instead. Her words choked but she managed a few. “Maybe… if-if you two had walked home together that day…” His eyes widen for a moment as her words become lost again. “I’m sorry. I can’t—” “It’s okay. Let’s get you out of here.” Mitsuki and Masaru helped take Inko back and away from the media, leaving Katsuki alone with those words suddenly haunting him. If they had walked home together… There was only so much a highschooler, barely about to turn fifteen, could do on his own. One without any proper leads. Often he returned to the alley way where the sludge monster attacked. Replaying the scene. Izuku with his head down, not even flinching when Death Arms and the others berated him for his actions while Katsuki received praise for his bravery. He stayed behind to give a statement but he gave a final glance, Izuku bowing his head to the pros, turning from them and leaving the alley.
If he had known that would have been the last he had seen of him…
A few months later, when summer turned to fall, something … unnerving began to happen. People … began to go missing. But not regular civilians, no. These were sidekicks. Some seasoned and some students who graduated, just starting on the field with a pro. It began with four but as autumn leaves fell for bare winter trees and then spring drew the entrance exams closer, a total of ten sidekicks had gone missing. It happened when they were most vulnerable, after hours and never during their patrol with a pro hero. Some suspected it was whoever took Izuku as the similar patterns did not go unnoticed. They never made it home, their body was never found and there was little to no street footage. Undercover police and heroes began to catch whispers of someone named The Black Swan as the one responsible but there had been no concrete evidence. Few eyewitnesses came forth, stating they spotted an elegantly dressed woman with black feathers in close proximity to the missing heroes but nothing confirmed.
Just … sometimes, she was spotted on the arm of a man with terrible facial burns or shopping with a blond high school girl.
Katsuki made note of any leads but couldn’t give too much thought during his entrance exam, listening to the rules from Present Mic while sitting beside a tired looking student, his purple hair standing straight. Letting loose on the UA robots racked him up plenty of combat points, 77, but he hadn't run into the fourth one. Being worth zero points, it was beneath him. Until, the giant hunk of metal erupted from below and forced everyone else to flee. Not him though. It wasn’t worth shit but he refused to run like the cowardly extras around him. He took his time for sweat to build along his palms, ready to blast apart the large garbage can as it steam rolled closer, increasing his wild smirk but he heard a scream. Among the billowing dirt, Katsuki found a girl with a round face caught under rubble and right in the robot’s path.
Something ignited in him. Something possessed him. Something whispered...
Never again.
Without a second thought, he shot over the rooftops, meeting eye level with the monstrosity as his fire and yelling stopped the others in their place. They immediately whipped around, in awe, gaping as his open palms detonated with power like a pissed off jet engine, incinerating a massive hole through the robot’s head, collapsing it into pieces. Not until he touched down, did he feel a shock of stabbing pain through his arms. The fuck was this? He hissed and grabbed at his bicep, turning his other hand as it shook. A scowl later and he forced a fist, standing straighter and ignoring whatever the hell that was. Don’t ever lose someone. Never again.
No surprise he earned a letter from UA after the exam. Inko, along with Katsuki’s parents, had waited excitedly for him to open and read the results. They had been inviting her more often. They didn’t expect a video message, they also didn’t expect All Might to announce joining as a teacher at UA. “Well, that’s a surprise.” Mitsuki commented but Katsuki rolled his eyes, wanting to hear it from No.1 that he got in. He smirked from the words of his acceptance however, the additional news dropped his smile.
It wasn’t bad news, quite the opposite but he didn’t see it coming. “That’s right.” All Might’s booming voice continued, hand wavering at the screen displaying the point system. “We were grading on more criteria than vanquishing villains! It’s true, you earned the highest of 77 villain points but there was another factor in play. Rescue points!” “I–what?” “Congratulations, Katsuki Bakugou. Thanks to saving those around you, you have earned the highest entrance exam score in UA. 137 points! Welcome. Again, we are so proud to have you.”
That news traveled across the school, something he didn’t realize at first as he found Class 1-A, the seat behind his vacant gave him pause. Izuku. His brief illusion of the nerd sitting there broke when the dude with the tired eyes came in, Katsuki learning his name being Shinso once Aizawa sensei forced them outside for an aptitude test. He normally wouldn’t bother remembering names, he still didn’t care but the moment he learned the guy's quirk was brainwashing, he paid a little more attention.
Ain’t no way in hell he could prove anything but he had to ask. The opportunity presented itself once he and four eyes were paired with Shinso and pink cheeks in a villain and hero test. When Katsuki went off on his own and isolated Shinso, he spoke first. Turns out tired eyes was also pulled into questioning during the investigation despite being a teen just like Izuku. Solid alibi too. “Shit.” Not that UA would accept Shinso if he was involved, Katsuki knew better than to grasp at straws but he meant it, he would never stop looking. Even as villains invaded the USJ, he felt no danger but an opportunity for answers. Sweat quickly beaded along his hands, the only one fast enough to check on the others when one of the villains separated everyone. Kirishima made a comment of him being terrifyingly precise, so focused, it “felt a little scary.” defending everyone. He made it to frog girl, Shinso and the small fry in time as his arms began to pulsate with heat. Ignoring the stabbing again, he worked out a plan. “Our teacher’s gettin' his ass handed to him so I’m going to say this once and you better pay the fuck attention!” He quickly pointed to each classmate. “Brainwash those bastards in the water, you throw all the balls you can at ‘em, I’ll blast them with an explosion and you get these two off the boat, got it?” He allowed them a moment to nod before crouching on the rail and launching into the air. A pinpoint explosion caused a whirlpool in the center as the sticky spheres clumped the enemies together. The shockwave also caused a much needed distraction for the freak covered in hands, allowing Mr. Aizawa a moment to recover. Not enough. That brain thing, Nomu, caught Mr. Aizawa, breaking his arm. Katsuki felt that spark again, a match striking then blazing. Something stopped him however. That stabbing skyrocketed up his arms but it shot through his head this time. Fuck, not now! Move dammit! He readied himself to attack the large beast but a figure flickered in the corner of his eye, that freak lunging at the frog girl. Move! She’s going to die if you don’t fuckin move!
That crusty-faced villain suddenly stopped short of touching her, craning his head towards Aizawa, who, despite the blood and fractures, still chose to fight. Another match struck, burning brighter this time. He shot and slammed his hand with direct contact on skin, an explosion ringing throughout flesh as smoke coated the area. It wasn't the freak though. That Nomu thing got in his way! This time, he snarled at the second wave of hot daggers slashing up his limbs. Why the hell was this happening? He sneered even louder as the monster raised both of its fists, intending to crush Katsuki under them.
An unmistakable voice struck fear across the villains as the door busted apart, All Might stopping everything. “I am here!”
After the attack on USJ, Katsuki was no closer to figuring out who took Izuku, none of the losing bastards recognized him nor taunted him for having the nerd. He did get one answer. Pertaining to his quirk seeming to backfire on him. According to the old medicine hag, he had been overusing it, pushing himself too hard beyond his limits. Of fucking course…
Inko accepted every invitation with the Bakugous, Mitsuki worried about her being alone without Izuku, the biggest event they looked forward to being the Sports Festival. It amazed her how Dark Shadow helped Tokoyami break free from the brainwashing quirk since they didn’t share a mind. Todoroki had also been a showstopper displaying his ice and freezing nearly half of the stadium instantly. She could have sworn he had fire but he never seemed to use it in battle. Not even once. She focused on Katsuki, cheering for him and feeling a sense of pride when he won first place as he promised. Though, she couldn't stop herself from wondering, what if Izuku was there? He was eligible, despite quirkless as he was but, her mind drifted to what if he was still here?
The reports of The Black Swan or Miss Swan were thought to have died down but her name reached across Japan when a pro hero went missing. Not a sidekick but a real pro hero. Death Arms. He missed a scheduled dinner with family. They didn’t suspect much, expecting him late as he mentioned changing out of uniform but he never arrived. His last whereabouts were unknown after leaving work for home. When the Hero Killer Stain had been captured, thanks to Bakugou piecing together four eye’s real reason for choosing Manual, they thought the disappearances would stop. They were wrong. Stain and the Black Swan were not connected but the Hero Killer revealed he had tried tracking her down as well. Wanted to know her motives. Authorities were skeptical but sometime after Stain’s arrest, another hero went missing, Slugger. Then another, Backdraft. Katsuki quietly noticed the three pros were the ones also there during the attack … the day Izuku disappeared. It couldn’t have been a damn coincidence.
Training with the Wild Wild Pussycats pushed the whole class into breaking their limits but they never expected villains to infiltrate them. Katsuki noticed the boy Kota gone, setting another internal alarm bell and finding him before a murderer out for blood. He rescued the boy after nearly setting the muscles of the villain on fire. He didn’t invade the camp alone, other villains were out trying to cause as much harm as possible. As Katsuki darted between the clusters of classmates, trying to keep them safe, he hoped to come across the Swan. He had been reckless, getting caught and taken away. The so-called League of Villains, with freak face as their leader, offered a position for Katsuki to join. Hell to the fuckin no! With some quick thinking from Momo, All Might and other heroes located him. By some other quirk, he and the rest of the league were taken away. Stuck at Kamino, Katsuki felt like a burden to All Might when fighting some nutsack face named All For One. Tired eyes, ponytail, icy hot, four eyes and Kirishima, as stupid of a stunt as it was, they pulled a feat together and managed to get Bakugou’s ass out of there. Watching the broadcast, even when coated in blood, Katsuki recognized that lanky figure from almost a year ago, the guy he shared tea with was All Might? With the last of his strength, despite All For One’s efforts to humiliate and weaken All Might’s resolve, he obliterated the menace with a devastating smash. It wasn’t stated if the villain was killed in action, just that the League had been disorganized and gone quiet. Katsuki blamed himself for All Might’s lost of power, losing Izuku and almost losing his classmates but Mr. Aizawa had brought him back down. Heroes continued to go missing as agents pieced together Miss Swan’s use of suit cards. They seemed to correlate to certain heroes but deciphering which hero was which card came too late. Usually after a pro went missing. As Katsuki attended UA, his family continued celebrating his achievements with Inko. For Izuku’s birthday, it was her turn to invite them. She made a small cake, asking Katsuki to blow out the candles through a few tears but she kept smiling. Inko gave Katsuki a special gift she had intended for Izuku but knew her boy would want his best friend to have it. A signed All Might hero card. “I ain't takin’ that.” Accepting it felt like accepting Izuku was dead. “But I’ll hold onto it for him.” Afterwards, he needed a moment in Izuku’s room again. Sitting upon the bed, he gazed at the dresser, closet and desk, not expecting to find anything as Inko left it untouched. The police also thoroughly combed the area for any clue if Izuku planned on leaving. Of course he didn’t plan on leavin’! He didn't take anything! All he had was his damn backpack and stupid notebook— what? He stood up, staring at the shelves near the window. The top row held All Might figures, another held books, another origami and another — Katsuki didn’t give a damn about the nerd’s notebooks but his jaw went slightly slack as he noticed the other 12 books were absent. He didn’t know why or what or how but he knew only one person who treasured those hero notebooks. “...You’re alive.”
As the years passed, during his internships, during his work studies, during anything which took place outside of Musurafu, he searched. Even if the police called off the investigation due to exhausting all resources, he held onto that sliver of hope of finding him, even in the form of missing notebooks. Even after Izuku was declared legally dead, he chalked him up as a missing person. He never stopped searching.
Why can't I find you, Izuku?
11 years.
It would be 11 years since the day Izuku went missing that Katsuki would finally see him again.
