Chapter 33 - Hero Killer: Stain [Pt.1] 

As you sat with Best Jeanist, discussing the nuances of public image and hero responsibility, your phone suddenly buzzed on the table. The soft vibration cut through the serene atmosphere, and you instinctively picked it up. The screen displayed a message from Izuku:

"Meet us at [location insert]. Please hurry."

A chill ran down your spine. Izuku's messages were rarely so abrupt or cryptic, and his tone practically screamed urgency. You reread the message, dread creeping into your chest like an unwelcome shadow. Something was wrong.

Best Jeanist noticed the shift in your demeanor and glanced up from the file he was reviewing. "Are you alright, L/N?" he asked, his sharp gaze softening slightly with concern.

You nodded, though your grip on the phone betrayed your unease. "Yes... I just need to take care of something. I'll be back soon."

Before he could reply, you were already on your feet, moving toward the exit. Once outside, you wasted no time transforming into your dragon form. Midnight-black scales shimmered as your wings unfurled, catching the sunlight. The powerful sweep of your wings lifted you into the sky, the wind rushing past as you soared toward the location Izuku had sent.

With each beat of your wings, the weight in your chest grew heavier. If Izuku had sent such a frantic message, it could only mean one thing: danger. And knowing him, he wouldn't have reached out unless the situation was dire.

The cityscape blurred below as you flew faster, dread twisting and knotting in your stomach. You could only hope you'd reach him in time.

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You landed with a powerful thud atop the worn rooftop, your dragon wings folding protectively behind you. The gust created by your descent scattered debris, and you positioned yourself instinctively between Izuku and the figure standing before you. The man was imposing and sinister, his muscular frame hunched as though weighed down by the atrocities he carried. His flat, triangular face bore no nose—a deliberate mutilation—and his extraordinarily long tongue, marred with rough papillae, flicked out like a serpent's.

Stain. The Hero Killer.

His unkempt black hair fell in jagged strands over his bandana, adding to his menacing aura. His small, crimson eyes glinted with a sharp intensity that sent a chill down your spine.

"So," he began, his gravelly voice filled with a twisted amusement, "you're the one they call Y/N L/N." Stain tilted his head, appraising you with a look that made your stomach churn. "Shigaraki mentioned you. But seeing you now..." His tongue lashed out, tasting the blood smeared on his cheek. "You're even more impressive than I imagined."

Behind him, Izuku struggled to speak, his body unnaturally stiff. "It's... good to see you," he croaked, his voice strained and weak.

Your golden eyes flared with fury, locking onto Stain as you growled low. "Stay away from him."

Stain smirked, his scarred face twisting. "Protective, are we? That's fine. I'm used to dealing with heroes and their misplaced loyalty. But you're different, aren't you? Not fully one of them... not fully human. You're something else entirely."

His hand moved to his blade, the motion deliberate, as if savoring the anticipation. "Shigaraki wants you," he said, his tone calm but laced with malice. "And frankly, I don't care for his games. I'll do what I always do—purge the unworthy. And as for you..." He gestured toward Izuku, his smirk deepening. "You should've stayed out of my way."

Your wings flared wide, shimmering in the fading sunlight, a clear warning. "I don't care what Shigaraki wants. You've already made one mistake coming here, Stain. You'll regret making another."

Stain chuckled darkly, his tongue flicking out again. "Big words for someone who's about to bleed."

The tension in the air was palpable, the rooftop now a battlefield poised to erupt. You shifted your stance, claws flexing, ready to defend Izuku with everything you had.

Stain let out a low, guttural chuckle as he unsheathed one of his jagged daggers, the blade gleaming ominously in the dim light. His movements were deliberate, almost mocking, as though savoring the moment. The bloodstained weapon caught the last rays of the setting sun, a grim reminder of his deadly intent.

"You're in for a thing now, sweetheart," he sneered, his voice dripping with venom. His crimson eyes locked onto yours with an unsettling hunger, his long tongue flicking out like a predator tasting the air before a kill.

Your wings spread wide, a shimmer of power rippling through them as you stepped forward, placing yourself protectively in front of Izuku. The faint glow of your dragon aura surrounded you, casting a silvery-blue light that danced across the rooftop.

"Let's see who's really in for it," you growled, your voice low and brimming with defiance. Your claws flexed, glinting dangerously as you prepared yourself for the inevitable clash.

Stain smirked, his scarred face twisting into something almost feral. "Good. Show me what makes you special, dragon girl. Prove to me you deserve to stand among the heroes you so blindly defend."

Without warning, he lunged, his dagger flashing as he closed the distance with a speed that defied reason. You barely had time to react, parrying his attack with a swipe of your clawed hand. The impact sent sparks flying, and the force of the clash made your muscles strain.

"You're fast," he admitted, his tone almost approving, "but speed alone won't save you."

You snarled, your golden eyes blazing as you countered with a swift strike, your claws aiming for his exposed side. Stain twisted away at the last second, his agility matching your own, and retaliated with a sweeping kick that forced you to backpedal.

Behind you, Izuku strained against whatever force was paralyzing him, his emerald eyes wide with a mix of fear and determination. "Y/N... don't let him—"

"I've got this!" you snapped, cutting him off. "Just stay down and let me handle it."

Stain laughed again, his voice echoing in the tense silence. "Bold. I like that." He raised his blade, bloodlust gleaming in his eyes. "But boldness doesn't mean a thing when you're outmatched."

You felt the weight of his words settle over you, but instead of fear, they only stoked the fire within. Your dragon instincts surged to the surface, your body moving with a fluidity and precision born of countless battles.

This wasn't going to be easy, but you weren't about to let Stain—or anyone—hurt the people you cared about.

With a roar that shook the rooftop, you lunged forward, the battle between dragon and killer igniting in a flurry of steel, claws, and unyielding determination.

Before you could react further, a sudden wave of fire surged past, forcing you to leap back with a startled shriek as the flames brushed dangerously close to your tail. The faint scent of scorched scales filled the air, and you quickly landed, patting at the singed tip of your tail. The sting was mild, but the irritation burned hotter than the fire itself.

"Oi, Y/N, get out of the way!" Shoto's voice cut through the chaos as he strode into the alley, his left side ablaze with flames. His intense gaze flicked to you briefly, softening with apology. "Sorry about that," he said, his tone quieter as he noticed you tending to your tail.

You glared at him, your sharp growl a clear reprimand. His sheepish expression didn't last long as his focus shifted back to Stain, who stood unfazed amidst the tension, his daggers gleaming ominously in the dim alley light.

A strained groan pulled your attention to Iida, who was lying on the ground, unable to move. He looked furious with himself, his usually composed demeanor shattered by frustration. "Stupid Hero Killer," you muttered, your voice thick with disdain as your golden eyes locked onto Stain. The predator-like man cocked his head, clearly amused by your defiance.

With a casual flick of his wrist, Stain sent one of his daggers whizzing through the air toward you. You braced yourself, wings spreading instinctively, but before the blade could reach its mark, a spark of flames intercepted it, sending it clattering to the ground.

"It's not safe here, Y/N," Shoto said firmly, stepping in front of you protectively. His flames flared again, casting sharp shadows against the alley walls. "This fight isn't just about you. We need to handle this together."

You huffed, irritation bubbling at the idea of being sidelined, but you knew he was right. Sighing, you shifted back into your human form. Stain's reaction was instant and telling; his sharp intake of breath and widened eyes betrayed his surprise.

"Well, well," Stain drawled, his voice laced with dark amusement as he eyed you with a twisted grin. "Now I see what Shigaraki's so obsessed about. Damn, girl." His laughter echoed in the alley, a chilling sound that made your skin crawl.

You clenched your fists, ignoring the unsettling weight of his gaze. "Whatever Shigaraki wants," you said coldly, "he's not getting it. And neither are you."

Stain's grin widened, his daggers spinning in his hands. "We'll see about that."

Beside you, Shoto's flames roared to life, and the air crackled with tension. The battle wasn't over yet.