MHA: Dragon's Pride

Chizome Akaguro: previously an aspiring hero student who quickly became disillusioned with how those around him craved the fame and glory of the occupation, rarely ever giving any sort of consideration to the people they were meant to be protecting. So, he left. He became the vigilante known as Stendhal, doing what he could to protect people in his own way, culling those who would visit harm upon the unsuspecting civilians.

But vigilantism doesn't pay for food and water. So he took jobs; requests of protection from unsavory elements, or to cull certain villains. After all, if his targets pay him to cull his other targets, why would he refuse?

It wasn't until he encountered the Naruhata vigilantes that he came to understand how far he'd fallen from his own convictions, becoming nothing more than a killer for hire. So he ended his connection to his former name, Stendhal, and severed his nose so that he would never again forget what he set out to do. On that day, the vigilante known as Stendhal disappeared forever. In his place, Stain rose to prominence, his convictions unwavering, determined to guide people towards the right path using the blood of the fake heroes he kills to point the way.

At this moment, the feared hero killer is-

Sitting at a cafe, sipping from a cup of coffee.

Now, most people would assume that someone who's killed heroes shouldn't be so blatantly out in public, and they would be correct. Except for the fact that no one knows that he's done so. Yes, he would occasionally kill a fake in front of a witness, but more often than not those witnesses were someone the fake was accosting for one reason or another. They would hardly inform the police of his description, if they even went to the police at all.

So, no one knows that Chizome Akaguro actually is Stain. Which is perfectly fine by him- the only interest in fame he has is getting his message to the masses, ensuring that fake heroes do not continue to rise.

He takes another sip of his coffee before sighing, looking up at the large screen stretching across a high rise building. On the screen is another story about yet another fake hero being arrested for her crimes. Uwabami has always been known more for her modeling agency than her hero work, though she was always too well protected for him to target, no matter how much he wished it were otherwise. But now?

It's been more than a year since the HPSC and all of its heroes have come under investigation, and fakes are falling from their gilded pedestals one after the other, revealing the dilapidated framework underneath. Uwabami's crimes themselves at first glance do not seem serious enough to warrant her arrest, but as the news station goes into more details Akaguro can't help but scowl.

Uwabami would often have older teens work alongside her, raising her reputation as someone with an eye for beauty. The truth is that the majority of those girls are the daughters of the people working at her agency, and they were forced into shoots regardless of if they wanted to be or not, nor was consideration given to the opinion of their parents. Many times Uwabami even threatened to fire their family if they didn't agree! She treated them no better than show ponies, then pocketed all of the money that they should have gotten from debasing themselves at her convenience. They couldn't even talk to people about it because nobody would believe that such a well known hero would do something so despicable.

Now though? People are coming out of the woodwork to testify against the woman, and more are expected to go public with their experiences. It's projected that she'll get five years minimum, and up to possibly twenty years depending on exactly what kind of modeling work was done, and whether or not she forced them to do more.

But where does that leave Stain? How can he guide people using the blood of fake heroes if all the fakes are already being brought low? Even the most egregious excuse of a hero, Endeavor, is no longer a concern. The madman had apparently challenged a foe he had no hope of defeating, and perished due to his hubris. A fitting end, in Akaguro's mind. Though he wishes that he could have been there to ensure he suffered in his final moments, after the investigation into his life and career came out.

Hundreds died over the length of time he'd held a hero license; ranging from petty criminals to true villains, rarely with any kind of justification or explanation beyond 'they resisted arrest'. There was no rhyme or reason to when he resorted to lethal force, oftentimes seeming as if he killed on a whim. It was the investigation into his home life that shed light upon how much more frequent such instances have become in the last decade.

A quirk marriage. His eldest killed by his own quirk. His wife maiming their youngest's face after suffering a psychotic break. His wife being institutionalized and isolated after said break. His daughter desperately trying to keep what remained of their family together, quickly barreling towards her own psychotic break. His remaining son filled with vindication, thankfully directed towards his goal of becoming a doctor, rather than something harmful or destructive. And his youngest, actively damaging his own body by refusing to utilize half of his quirk because it is a remnant of his father's legacy. Despite his self-imposed limitation, he maintains his resolve to become a hero with unwavering determination.

Akaguro will be watching him closely; though out of wariness that he will become fake or in the event that he falters, he cannot say.

The man once again lets out a heavy exhale, leaning back to stare up at the sky as he ponders on his purpose, now that it seems to already be fulfilled. So distracted is he, that he never notices the small form approach his table and clamber onto the seat across from him. Nor does he note one of the servers approaching and setting down a cup of tea. It is only when the individual speaks that he comes to know he has company. No ordinary company though, oh no. Instead-

"Hello, Chizome Akaguro. Or do you perhaps prefer Stendhal? Maybe… Stain?"

-Akaguro has the dubious honor of having the Knowledge Hero: Mr. Principal sitting across from him. Though he only acts in that capacity when he is directly requested, given his skills rest primarily outside of direct combat.

'Primarily', though, does not mean 'entirely'.

Akaguro nods his head to the furred animal of indeterminate species respectfully. "Akaguro, please. Stendhal is dead, and the Stain on society is in the process of being washed away."

Nezu glances at the news that is still airing, now speaking of measures that are being taken to ensure the next generation of heroes truly embody the ideals that they are meant to uphold. Specifically, how hero schools are going through their own audits, with more care being given to how they are taught.

Akaguro suspects that the principal of UA showing up just in time for that announcement to be made is no coincidence.

Nezu looks back at the wanted man. "Yes, though it has been a long time coming, if someone were to ask my opinion. I must admit, I had thought the system would have collapsed under the weight of its own corruption many years ago. Why, if it had taken much longer I might have brought it down myself!"

Akaguro chooses to ignore the hero's claim, though he does make a mental note that Nezu has supposedly allowed false heroes to continue to rise despite being able to bring it to a stop. Something to investigate later. For now though…

"Why are you here, Principal? If you meant to arrest me, you would have support, and I would have noticed if more heroes were in the area."

Principal bares his teeth in a smile and Akaguro feels a shiver of fear crawl down his spine. That smile - if it can even be called one - only reinforces the rumors circling in the Underworld that they are not human, but instead an animal with a quirk. As well as the rumors of him having a severe loathing for humanity in general due to being experimented on. Regardless of those rumors though, Akaguro can safely say that that smile does not belong on a person.

"It does not speak much of your capabilities if you underestimate an opponent simply based upon their appearance, Akaguro." Principal takes a sip of his tea, and it's only then, with that mouth of sharpened teeth hidden away, that Akaguro feels the tension in his shoulders dissipate, unconsciously letting out a breath of relief, much to Nezu's amusement. "At least your instincts seem to be in working order. Which means that I did not waste my time in tracking you down."

Akaguro just warily eyes the hero without saying anything, still suspicious as to why he's here. Nezu sighs before folding his paws on the table. "Very well. If you wish to skip the pleasantries then I shall get straight to the point: I wish to hire you to work at UA."

Akaguro doesn't react, just stares silently. After a full minute and another sip of Nezu's tea, he eventually shakes himself out of his thoughts, only to furrow his brows and look at the hero suspiciously. "Apologies, but I seem to have misheard you. Because I doubt that you would truly offer me, a known vigilante and a killer, a position at a school meant to teach children how to be heroes."

"That is exactly what I am doing!" The (apparently mad) educator says happily while clapping his paws before leaning forward. "I feel that a not inconsiderate amount of deaths that plagues newly debuted heroes is due to ignorance rather than skill or power." He continues before Akaguro can counter the claim.

"Many of those who desire to become heroes often see only the idealization of the occupation, rather than the actual duties and risks. Too often do they believe that they will achieve victory so long as they work their hardest- because that is what heroes do. They work hard, they beat the villain, and they continue on to repeat the process until they eventually retire!"

He shakes his head sadly. "They fail to realize that there are some situations in which they cannot win. Situations in which their best efforts will amount to nothing. That they cannot always win, and they have a very real possibility of dying any time they don their costumes. Because, regardless of their capabilities, their main duty is to protect. The villains they face have no such restriction, and are limited only by their own morals. If they are lower than the hero believes, or they overestimate their own abilities…"

"Then they will fall," Akaguro finishes with a sigh, remembering when one such incident occurred himself. He had just culled a fake when an unknown hero stumbled upon the scene, someone new given that he did not recognize them. The fool charged him with fists of magma, but failed to land a hit before Stain had nicked his side with his sword. A single lick and the man was paralyzed. The hero had panicked, then. Begged for his life while tears and snot leaked onto the floor. Disgusted by the pitiful display from a so-called 'hero', Stain had crippled one of his arms. The price they paid for their lack of dignity in the face of defeat.

The hero retired that same day, declaring that being a hero was 'too dangerous'. At the time, Stain simply thought of it as another fake removed, but now…

"They need to realize the reality of their duty," Akaguro states slowly, eyes narrowing on Nezu. "You want me to teach them that they can die, and that if they wish to be true heroes, they must continue on despite that."

Nezu gives him a close-lipped smile. "Indeed. Though I feel that they would also benefit should you instruct them in close combat. With, and without utilizing their quirks. I already have a staff member who can teach them such things, though he is a rather… troubled, instructor. Should you accept the position, you will be placed under watch within a newly implemented 'villain rehabilitation' program. There are already a few test cases who have successfully gone through it, and I expect that they will be making an official announcement any day now."

He holds out a paw with an expectant air, seemingly having no doubt that Akaguro will accept the offer. And, well. He does not truly have a reason to refuse, now does he? Not only will he be able to go about without worry that someone will recognize him, but he will also be able to ensure that the next generation of heroes are truly heroes, rather than fakes.

Especially in regards to Shoto Todoroki.

Chizome Akaguro takes his new employer's paw with the hope that he has finally found a purpose that will last him the rest of his life.