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

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Chapter Twenty-One - Already Dangerous Enough

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A/n: TRIGGER WARNING!! There is attempted sexual assault in this chapter. I've marked where it begins and ends if you'd like to skip. There is also dicussions of it after, so you can also skim the rest of the chapter if you wish. It won't harm your understanding of the story.

~*~

It had been a week since the battle in Deika City.

"A terrible tragedy unfolded in this once peaceful city. According to eyewitnesses, a group of 20 men and women with a particular grudge against heroes were the culprits. To conduct this premeditated attack, the terrorists used false information to lure heroes just outside the city before commencing their assault. In the face of this sudden threat, the citizens of Deika banded together to fight back. Heroes also joined the battle. Many of the good citizens of Deika lost their lives that day... but when the dust settled, all 20 of the conspirators were dead.

"At the time, president and CEO of Detnerat, Rikiya Yotsubashi was in Deika. Though he suffered terrible injuries - including the loss of his legs - the businessman survived. While some claim that the rampant Quirk use by untrained civilians did more harm than good, many are applauding the citizens of Deika as heroes who heeded the call of duty. With so many mysteries still surrounding this disaster, the investigation continues."

"The public will really eat up any bullshit story, huh?" You mused, swirling the wine in your glass around. Drinking alcohol reminded you or Kurogiri and made you miss him something fierce, but it also brought up memories of when things were so much simpler. When it was just you, Tomura, and Kurogiri talking about how you wanted the world to change.

"Makes it easier for us to fly under the radar for now," Atsuhiro mused, stuffing a piece of sushi into his mouth, "No pain no gain, right?"

"But you didn't do squat," Dabi rolled his eyes.

"Nonsense! I was an expert at running away."

"You not gonna eat this, Dabi?" Suichi asked curiously.

"Go ahead, I hate fish," Dabi waved a dismissive hand.

You smirked, "But you loved chicken, don't you?"

Spinning around on the couch, Dabi sent you a glare, "Watch yourself, or I'll sprain your other ankle and leave you crippled like our dear leader."

In the corner of the room, Jin was crying over a picture of Himiko's - now destroyed - clone.

"Ugh... poor Toga. I'm so sorry...If Toga hadn't shared her blood, Toga would have-" Jin cut himself off with a dramatic sob.

"Knock it off," Himiko called out from a beanbag, "It's creepy since I'm still alive."

Jin's leg suddenly jerked out and knocked the shrine to Clone Toga over, "How about I stop creeping people out? How about that? Ack! Stupid leg! Stop kicking things without permission! I'm a bad boy... please don't hit me. Huh? What the heck'm I even saying?

Dabi observed Jin with a detached curiosity, "I thought he overcame... whatever his issue is..."

"Looks like the forced remedy only made things worse."

Skeptic chose that point to make his entrance along with Hanabata. Turning your head, you reached out for your mask and slid it over your face. You didn't trust anyone in the Liberation Front as far as you could throw them. The only person you took your mask off for was a doctor who Tomura was quick to threaten in your defense.

"It's time, come on."

"Shaddup! We're dining on sushi over here!"

Skeptic bristled in irritation, "It was our money that paid for that fish, yeah? As well as your medical treatments, the video doctoring, and Toga's new coat and Energy's new cape." (Yours had been terribly ripped during the battle)

"It's not your money anymore, is it?" You mused, standing and stretching, adjusting your cape around your shoulders. Your ankle gave a slight pang within it's tight brace, but the dull buzz from your wine counteracted it, "Afterall, there's a new sheriff in town."

Skeptic scowled, and you smirked in response. Hanabata sighed, "Let it go, Skeptic. The Grand Comm- Redestro chose these people for a reason. And an order from Redestro is as good as an order from Destro himself."

The League of Villains followed the pair through the sprawling mansion and down into the hidden anti-chamber within the mountain itself. Tomura and the Liberation Army were already there, with Tomura lounging in a throne-like chair. Only one of his hands had survived the fight, and he was currently wearing it along with his new three-fingered prosthetic.

When the LOV was situated, Redestro came forward to address the masses, "Liberation warriors! I am Redestro! As of today... the Metahuman Liberation Army is reborn. In our quest to enlighten the world with Destro's will, I saw the League of Villains as an obstacle to overcome! Yes, until that day, that is what I believed! I never doubted it! But please understand I was blind to the truth! Bound by my blood and trapped by principles, that is until the day I witnessed true liberation! Have I surrendered? No! I now see that Tomura Shigaraki is a true liberator! It is out of deep reverence and necessity that I abdicate my position. The Liberation Army is revived with Tomura Shigaraki as it's Grand Commander! In light of our commitment to walk a more profound path of liberation, our Liberation Army and the League of Villains will conduct a merger under a new name! The League's Spinner and I devised a new name together. Now, tell them what that is Tomura Shigaraki."

That was the league's cue to step out of the wings and join Tomura and Redestro onstage. All the walking you had done that day was irritating your ankle. You were supposed to be resting it.

"We removed the 'villain' part and extended on the concept of liberation. I give you the Paranormal Liberation Front," Tomura announced the new name the League and Liberation Army would technically be working under (but the LOV would always be the League of Villains to you).

Stepping up to the chair Tomura was lounging in and leaning on it to get weight off your foot, Tomura sent you an amused look, "That name's just a decoration. We're gonna do whatever we want."

"Without a doubt," you smirked, knowing Tomura couldn't see it but would sense it.

Turning back to the crowd, Tomura continued, "Furthermore, I appoint the nine individuals you see here as my lieutenants, who will each be forming teams to suit their separate needs. Next to me, is my second in command and General."

With no need for a specific team and no want for further responsibility over people that could dig up your secrets, you were totally fine with Tomura's decision. You suspected he'd realized you wouldn't want to risk anything when he was deciding the league's roles, too.

Eyes wandering lazily over the crowd, they narrowed in on a spot of bright red. No- it couldn't be- your gaze shot over to Dabi, who was looking exactly where you were. He'd finally let Hawks have a chance. Okay then, you'd need to speak to Skeptic about your plans. With Dabi's past uncovered and somewhat dealt with, Hawks' would have to be analyzed so you could decide how to handle him. Dabi obviously knew Hawks wasn't completely loyal, but he'd let Hawks in anyway. Sentimentality... you knew a thing or two about that.

Once the introductions were made, the army was dismissed to go about their business as they had done before - whether that was within the mansion or at home going about their normal lives.

"Splendidly done sir," Redestro complimented enthusiastically, "Something to drink, perhaps?"

"Get lost," Tomura ordered, and Redestro was all too eager to do so. It was... weird, to say the least.

Tomura took a few steps and promptly collapsed. You rushed over to his side, hand out-

"Don't," he hissed quietly, "My Quirk-"

"I can absorb it if it tries to lash out at me," he sent you a look, "I've been experimenting with Twice and Toga, seeing how this Quirk energy manipulation stuff works. Now come on, we can take the elevator upstairs."

"What an overblown new name! Though it's certainly better than 'League of Villains', which always felt so tacky. Hey. I tamed Machia. That's how you wanted me to prove myself, if I remember right."

"You talking to Doc?" Atsuhiro questioned.

From the small radio around Tomura's neck came a crackling reply, "Your memories returned... and you're back to your original self, Quirk included. As promised... I'll grant you power if that's what you desire. However, there's one little final task before we do that. You need to bring me something-"

"Doc, Tomura is due for a round of meds and he needs sleep more than anything. If you contact us tomorrow then we can discuss what you need us to do."

"Oh ho ho! Always such a leader, aren't you? Alright, we'll finish this discussion tomorrow."

"I was fine," Tomura grumbled as the two of you leaned on each other for support to make it to the elevator.

"You're about to fall over."

"So are you!"

"I don't know why people think they sleep together. They bicker just like siblings," Dabi mused.

"Shut up, Dabi!" The two of you yelled out in unison, exchanging a look when you did so.

More than anything you wanted to talk to Tomura about what happened. About what memories came back and what power he thought he was going to receive. But your eyes flickered to the radio around his neck. The doctor was always listening, and no doubts could be said that he could potentially hear. You wanted to help Tomura, but by helping him you might have been hurting AFO's overall plan and that wouldn't be permitted.

"I'm gonna bring the chicken in later," Dabi called out again, specifically to you, as the elevator doors closed.

"Text me where and I'll be there. I'm going out tonight anyway."

The doors slid shut and it was just you and Tomura - and the doctor.

"Where are you going?"

"Dabi mentioned a potential contact within the lower hero ranks. I was planning on meeting with them tonight."

"You still have an ankle brace and you don't have a hold on your new Quirk yet, what if it's a trap?"

"My energy Quirk can be long-range, I don't need a second Quirk to fight. Besides, Dabi wouldn't be sending me if it was a trap, you know that."

Tomura remained silent and you rolled your eyes. When the elevator opened, you helped Tomura to his room.

"Himiko wants to have a movie night at twelve, so you have four hours to take a nap before she comes in here to drag you out."

"I don't-"

"Yes, you do. I'll see you later," after stopping in your room to take some painkillers and change your clothes, you took a peek at your phone to see if Dabi texted where to meet.

Kind of a Cult

BurntChickenNugget: meet in the living room on the first floor

HarleyQuinn: Oooo!!!!! What's going on?!?!

BurntChickenNugget: come down to find out

DIYCosplayer: This isn't when you finally snap and kill us all, is it?

MultiplePersonalities: im ready for death!!

MultiplePersonalities: No I'm not please don't kill me

BurntChickenNugget: there's a new recruit. hurry up

DoubleQuirkedUp: I'll be there in like a minute

LoseMyMarbles: For once you'll be the last one at a meeting, it seems

CultLeader: everyone shut up, you're annoying

"Energy-chan!" Himi met you outside the living room and put your mask on for you, "You'll never guess who Dabi brought in!"

There, smiling and laughing with the rest of the league was the #2 Hero Hawks. Dabi stood back a bit to let Hawks get familiar with the rest of the group, but his eyes remained on the hero. The LOV seemed to be relaxing but was still a bit tense. If Dabi hadn't been there to vouch for Hawks he would have been attacked immediately.

Color me surprised, you thought sarcastically, having known who Dabi was meeting with for weeks.

"Hi," Hawks' eyes landed on you and he bowed - deferring to your higher position. Smart move. If you weren't as smart and had a bigger ego then you'd be flattered, "It's an honor to meet Shigaraki's second-in-command."

"Just Energy is fine," you replied dryly, "It seems you finally gained Dabi's trust."

A hard glint entered and left Hawks' eyes. If you weren't watching for it you'd have thought it was a trick of the light.

"I'm surprised you knew about me. Everyone else seemed surprised," Hawks chuckled.

"Energy knows everything," Shuichi shrugged.

(Not everything. What were Tomura's memories? What was AFO planning? What power would Tomura get from the doctor? What would Katsuki say when you talked to him tonight? When would your goals finally be accomplished?)

"Really?" Hawks tilted his head innocently, but the hard glint flitted across his gaze again.

"Oh yeah! Energy is always the one to figure things out. It's scary! Energy must be magical!" Perfect. Twice was telling Hawks exactly what you wanted him to hear. If Hawks focused on you, then he wouldn't go after the other, more trusting, members of the league. Less risk of a leak that way.

"So it's true that you're the real brains behind the operations?" The question sent chuckles around the group, but Hawks' voice was just serious enough for you to know it was a probing question.

"If I was, then I would have overthrown Tomura a long time ago," you made sure your tone was light. Turning to Dabi, you tapped your wrist as if you were wearing a watch, "I'm going to head out and meet that potential recruit you told me about."

Dabi stared at you for a few seconds, and you wished Hawks wasn't there so you could take your mask off and send him a look he'd understand. But Dabi, ever observant, picked up on what you were asking for.

"Have fun with them."d,

"Oh, I'm sure they won't be as much fun as the Number Two Hero," you chuckled, "I'm excited to see what you can do for us Hawks."

"It was nice to meet you."

Exiting the living room quickly, you tracked down a Front member and asked them to summon someone who could drive you to the nearest train station. You didn't trust anyone enough to drive you directly to Musutafu.

By the time you stepped out of the mansion, there was a car waiting. The driver handed you a slip of paper with a number on it and said you could message them when you got back. You thanked them and took off your mask as soon as you got out of the car, slipping it into a large hidden pocket on the inside of your jacket.

I'm on my way

SnapCracklePop: How close?

  I'll be there in around 40 minutes. Just getting on the train but I'll take it straight to Musutafu

Excited to see me?

SnapCracklePop: Excited to arrest your ass

Suuuuure. See you soon

Danger. Danger. Your instincts suddenly screamed.

There was one other person on the train with you. A man. Late 30s to early 40s. His Quirk core was a swirl of black and white, like an old-timey hypnotism tool. The idea made you uncomfortable.

Often, you'd forget that you were a fifteen-year-old, especially when you weren't wearing your mask. Most of the time you felt larger than life and older than your body. With Katsuki you felt like a teen with a crush, but you'd just spent a week being Energy- second-in-command of the former League of Villains.

Keeping a close watch on the man, you scrolled through your phone and messaged the league in the chat for most of the ride. Finally, after a grueling 30 minutes the train slowed.

Standing up, you quickly stepped off the train and onto the platform. Making haste through the small crowd of college-aged kids around you, you hurried onto the street. The man was still following. Reaching into your pocket for your mask, you bit your lip. Tomura wanted the league to lay low while new plans were being made under a new name. Energy couldn't be seen in Musutafu- it'd be assumed that a new attack was being planned on UA.

"Shit," you murmured, searching for a secluded place to take care of the man. There was an alleyway several feet ahead. Thankful for it, you hurried to slip into it.

"Hey!" The man grabbed a fistful of your hair and yanked.

Spinning around, you landed a strike to his throat. He coughed and gasped for air. Stepping back and activating your Quirk to knock the man out and be done with it, the world stopped when the man lifted his head and met your eyes.

Your mind fell into a pit. Clawing at the sides, you desperately tried to crawl out. Some form of hypnosis Quirk was keeping you trapped. You should have known based on the core!

Vision split between your mind and what was actually happening to your body, you grew nauseous for multiple reasons.

~*~ BEGINS ~*~

Hands reached out and stroked different areas of your body, starting above your shirt but quickly slipping under. The man wasn't wasting any time. The thought genuinely terrified you.

Desperately clawing at the pit your mind was stuck in, you struggled to find a foothold.

"Practically asking... alone... bitch..."

Bits and pieces of what the man was saying got through to you. Insults and claims of how you were practically begging for this to happen. That motivated you even more.

"(Y/n)'s quirkless, they're practically asking for it."

"If (Y/n) can't defend themself then they shouldn't be asking for us to beat 'em up."

"Quirkless people are always looking for attention."

"Poor kid."

"Poor kid? Quirkless kids shouldn't play with kids with Quirks. They're too fragile. Trying to play games is practically asking to get hurt."

Screaming, screeching, you released the pent up resentment and anger from all those years of being told that you deserved what you got. The ground beneath you rose and before you knew it you were out of the pit. Shaking your head, you faced the disputing man in front of you who had his hands on the button of your jeans.

~*~ ENDS ~*~

Clenching your hand into a fist, you sent a superpowered punch at the man's head. He slammed into the ground, blood immediately flooding from the wound you created. Holding out a shaking hand, you sucked out every bit of energy the man had, killing him.

Falling to your knees, you turned your head away from his dead body and threw up the sushi you had for dinner. Spitting out the rest of the bile in your mouth, but not getting rid of the awful taste, you shakily looked back at the man.

Placing your hands securely on the ground, you released the energy you'd absorbed from the dead man. Your vomit was quick to evaporate in the heat, which was both disgusting and convenient. The entire block was in a power outage though, thanks to your sudden release.

Glancing back to the dead man beneath you, you pulled a pair of winter gloves from your pocket and looked over the man's body, pulling off any pieces of hair that would potentially identify you as the missing (Y/n) (L/n).

Getting to your feet, you stepped over the cracked asphalt around you and back onto the street. Sucking in a deep breath, you held it for a few seconds and let it out slowly.

SnapCracklePop: Where are you?

Almost there

Katsuki was waiting on his bed when you got there. When your feet were steady on the ground, you pulled your mask out of your jacket pocket and threw it on the desk. Your jacket was dropped to the ground. Staring at it for a few seconds, you shuddered and wrapped your arms around yourself as if being cold was the problem.

"You have blood on your hands," Katsuki stood quickly.

It was just your dominant hand. It must have splattered when you punched the man. A cursory glance at your discarded jacket revealed splattered blood up the sleeve.

"There was a man and he- I just- his hands," struggling to get the words out, you were extremely thankful with Katsuki's perceptiveness because his eyes widened and he cursed under his breath.

"Did he..."

"No."

"Motherfucking piece of shit. A man thinking he can do whatever he wants. Bullshit. Is he dead or just injured?"

"Dead. It'll look like a mugging, like he was beaten to death. Are you... upset?"

"You think I have the right to be upset? That was part of the deal, right? We deal with shit we don't like to see each other. Why are we even still doing this, anyway? I thought you'd run after-"

"Can we talk about that after I shower? Please?"

Nodding, Katsuki went to his closet and emerged with an outfit reminiscent of the one he gave you when Magne died (which you had yet to return). Handing the pile to you, the two of you took the elevator to the first floor.

Stepping out, the two of you made it a few steps before panicking. There were voices, two of them. The bathrooms and laundry were down the hall, there wasn't time-

Acting on a survival instinct you didn't know you had, you slammed your back against the closest wall, forced Katsuki's hands into a kabedon position, and kissed him.

With a pit forming in your stomach and too recent memories flashing through your mind, you sought out something to ground yourself before you attacked Katsuki.

Carmel. Katsuki always smelled like carmel. Katsuki wouldn't hurt you like the man attempted to. The only thing touching you was his lips. He was kissing you but going no further. You were safe.

"Kacchan!"

You'd nearly forgotten the reason you kissed Katsuki in the first place. Midoriya and Todoroki were right there, holding hands. Oh shit. Oh shit! No way! You knew something would happen when you watched the Sports Festival.

"Deku," Katsuki managed.

"We were just- um- I ran into Todoroki-"

"Nightmares," Todoroki provided lamely, as if he wasn't still holding Midoriya's hand.

"This never happened," you stated, drawing their attention to you.

The pair nodded and entered the elevator without another word. As soon as they were out of sight, Katsuki stepped back.

"Making me do that after what just happened? You're a damn idiot."

"The guy didn't get very far and he's dead anyway. Besides, he isn't you."

Katsuki stared at you for a few moments, "It can still hurt, even if they don't get very far. It's still valid, you know that right?"

Sucking in a sharp breath, you turned and hurried off to the bathroom. Quickly locating the soaps in the cupboard, you stripped off your clothes and stepped under a stream of scalding hot water.

Tracing your hands over where the man had touched you, you stopped quickly in favor of hugging yourself tightly.

Helpless. Weak.

Reaching out for the body wash and scrubby, you weren't gentle when you ran it over your skin. You scrubbed as hard as you could in the areas you were touched.

Sobbing once, you dropped to your knees. Very few tears came out after that. All you could manage was frantic breathing that made you light headed. Struggling to reach the faucet, your fingers brushed against the handle and you pushed it to a colder setting.

That cleared some of the steam away and made it a bit easier to breathe. Calming down slightly, you managed to get some shampoo in your hair before you fell into another wave of panic.

When the water felt overstimulating, you were quick to finish washing up and turn it off. Wrapping a towel around yourself, you picked up the pile of clothes Katsuki gave you and slipped them on. You'd be throwing your old ones away.

Katsuki was holding a steaming mug. Following him to the elevator, the two of you remained silent until you were back in his room. Instead of taking your normal spot on his desk chair, you sat across from him on his bed.

"Here," Katsuki handed you the mug, not commenting on the change from your normal spot.

"Hot chocolate?"

"The class stocks up. Helps with nightmares more than tea."

It made sense, considering how infamous 1-A was when it came to rotten luck.

Sipping the hot beverage carefully, you allowed it to ground you. Scooching over to Katsuki, you grabbed one of his hands and threw his arm over your shoulder. He didn't say or do anything about it right away.

"You're okay with this?' There was genuine concern in Katsuki's voice and it warmed you more than the drink.

"You'd try to kill me but I know you'd never assault me... I kind of trust you, Katsuki," you revealed, relishing in the flush that overtook Katsuki's cheeks, "That um... it happened before. When I was twelve there was some guy that got drunk at the bar. Kurogiri stepped into the back for a second and the next thing I remember is the guy being dust on the floor. Tomura said he was trying to drag me out the door."

"You blocked it out."

"Trauma response. None of us knew what happened between Kurogiri leaving and Tomura arriving. AFO might know since he was always watching, but he's never said anything about it."

Arm pulling you closer, Katsuki offered his silent support in the form of simply being there while you processed.

The two of you talked about what happened with the Liberation Army while you drank your hot chocolate. The reveal of your trauma Quirk spawned a buttload of questions from Katsuki, who was probably thinking about Midoriya while he was asking them.

When your story was finished and your cup was empty, you sighed and stood.

"The trains will stop running soon. I should go-"

"I apologized!" Katsuki announced abruptly, "To De- Izu- Mi- I apologized for all the things I did. Everything I said and how I treated him. I told him I'd be an actual hero someday."

"Katsuki, what you did tonight was hero work. Someday is closer than you think." Taking a few steps toward the window, you paused when you remembered the one subject you hadn't spoken of yet, "I don't want things to change, but they can't exactly stay the same, can they?"

"It's dangerous and stupid. It can't happen. This is dangerous enough."

Smiling slightly, you blinked until your vision was no longer misty, "It is, isn't it? Our livelihoods are too, but you're right. I shouldn't have brought it up. It was impulsive, anyway."

"(Y/n)-"

"I really need to go. The last train will be leaving soon."

Jumping from the balcony, you hit the ground and bit your tongue on the landing. The blood pooled before you spit into the grass.

The aftertaste of hot chocolate was gone. Carmel wafted into your nose. It wasn't so soothing anymore.

~*~

When you got back to the mansion, the entire league was in the living room on the LOV's floor. That's when you remembered that you were supposed to have a movie night- which should have started forty minutes ago.

You grabbed Himiko first. Atsuhiro was next, then Jin, Shuichi, then Dabi. You guided Tomura gently to the ground since he was still super injured. (You gathered the group in the order of easiest to hardest to convince to join the cuddle pile).

"Why am I being forced to suffer like this?" Dabi complained but didn't get up. An invisible barrier had broken when you talked to him about his past and Hawks back in the forest. You were closer.

"I killed someone tonight." There had been accidental deaths before, but you'd only deliberately killed two people before. It was always a strong blow.

"Ooo, was there blood?"

"He tried to rape me," it was the first time you'd said the words out loud, but your brain was so tired that you were disconnecting from the event.

The room fell silent. Then, two different hands reached out and grabbed yours. Himiko and Shuichi. You gave them each a squeeze. You were glad that no one had asked about your new clothes. You didn't have it in you to come up with a lie.

"Did he suffer?" There was a rare bite in Atsuhiro's voice.

"Dunno. He'll be all over the news soon. After I crushed his skull I sucked all the energy out of his body and caused a power outage. He had a hypnosis Quirk."

A hand fell on your shoulder. Dabi didn't seem so upset about the cuddle pile anymore. Tomura hadn't spoken, but when you looked over his eyes were alight with a fire reserved for All Might.

Closing your eyes, you felt okay. Dirty still, a bit weak and heartbroken, but okay. After all, you were surrounded by people who'd been through the same.