The following day, Dabi was transferred to prison, with a posse of heroes escorting him, Endeavor being one of them.

He was not going to Tartaros, however. His cooperation and seemingly clean record of the past few months rendered him a lower priority threat. That prison was reserved for the worst of the worst, the most deadly of villains.

Some of the officers on the case remarked to Endeavor that if it hadn't been for him killing Sandman, he might get off lighter when he had his trial. The only other people he'd killed had been petty criminals who didn't have many people to press charges.

Someone asked him why he'd killed them while in questioning.

"I was crazy," Dabi said.

https://youtu.be/9QNpo7x-ht4

[Dabi right now--Crazy back then vine.]

The lawyer looked up. "That's your whole reason?"

"I had some ideas about who was worthy," Dabi said dully, "I killed people who weren't."

"Why did you only start doing that after joining the LOV?"

"If you mean 'did they put me up to it?' then no," Dabi said.

The person looked up. "You know, you might get less if you pled that they pressured you into it."

"That would be stupid," Dabi said. He smirked wryly. "Look, whoever you are, we both know I'm going to prison. It won't matter who put me up to what. I can say the LOV didn't order me to kill anyone. They didn't stop me either. That's not really an issue. I was free to do as I wanted, and I wanted to kill those men."

"But you stopped," the lawyer said.

"Yeah, I stopped," Dabi said.

"Why?"

"I made a promise to someone." Dabi looked down. "A friend."

"Who is that friend?"

"I'm not going to say."

The lawyer looked frustrated. "If they could testify on your behalf--"

"Why do you want to help me go free anyway?" Dabi said, glancing toward the one-way mirror, "To get my Old Man less of a bad rap? Because you're being paid to? I might be reforming, but I ain't gonna sit here and play this game with you, and you can take that and shove it up yours."

The lawyer sat back. "That attitude will not fly in court."

"I don't care," Dabi said.

"You admit you were crazy," the lawyer said, shutting their file, "You're saying you're not crazy now."

"Not as crazy," Dabi said.

"If I could ask you honestly if you're sorry for what you did, would you answer?" The lawyer leaned on his hand.

"For the record?" Dabi said.

"For my personal curiosity, if nothing else," the lawyer said, "I've had people lie, make excuses, or even brag about their crimes. I've never had someone admit to it the way you just did and say nothing else about it."

Dabi chuckled. "Guess I'm special... Well, one way to be."

He looked at the table. "The truth is I stopped thinking about being sorry for it. I regret I did those things. I regret going insane... I realize now I let it happen. But since I've been on the path to reforming, whatever that really means, I've given up thinking about the past as much. I was trying to make changes that would matter. I might have obsessed over killing those people before. I used to think about it...all the time. I thought about the suffering of people until I went mad... I guess it was not thinking about it that made me a little less crazy."

"So you don't think about what you did being wrong?" the lawyer said.

"I've...asked forgiveness," Dabi said slowly, "Not from you jackasses. I couldn't care less what you all think. From God, from who I could. I'm trying to do it differently now. Not kissing up to all of you mooks but my way. What I think matters. I didn't turn myself in because I care about the law. I did it because I was tired of people suffering because of me. You don't have to buy that. I wouldn't if I were you." He tilted his head. "But that's the truth."

"We might get a truth quirk person in here to test that," the lawyer said, shaking his head, "and, if half of what you just said is true, I'm going to write this up as the most unique case I've ever heard... What brought about this change?"

"Would you believe me if I said there was just one person who didn't judge me for having problems?" Dabi said, "And who told me there was hope. Sounds sappy, doesn't it? But I guess we want what we want, deep down, and nothing really changes that."

The lawyer nodded slowly. "We want what we want, huh? You'd say you wanted hope?"

"I'd given up hope. I thought nothing would ever make anything better," Dabi said, "but maybe there's something that gives life meaning, even if it's not getting what you thought you wanted. There might be something better."

"Like going to prison."

"At least I'm going because I chose to," Dabi said, "If you choose something, it doesn't feel as sickening..."

"I...want to quit..." the lawyer said.

* * *

The same lawyer told the people who asked that Dabi would be utterly useless in prison. "There ought to be some kind of Public service he can do instead. Prison wouldn't teach him anything he doesn't already know, if he was being honest in there."

"But he must pay for what he did," said one officer.

"What better payment is there than doing good for the rest of his life?" the lawyer said, "I never really believed in miracles, but...if that criminal in there is serious, he is a gosh-danged miracle. I'd like to know who accomplished that."

"You think what they've been saying about him helping out in that nomu crisis and the Meta thing was true?" a woman officer asked.

"I'd believe anything at this point," the lawyer said, "I just hope the trial is brief. I can't imagine anything more tiring than listening to it." He walked away.

* * *

Dabi's trial was set for a month later. That was pretty fast for an official trial.

Talk died down a bit now that he'd been in custody for a week or so.

The UA kids had other stuff to focus on.

Ibara finally visited the school again. Her parents were desperate to jog her memory. They had told her the truth...and she'd seen pictures and papers that convinced her it was so. Some things had begun to come back to her.

Walking around her class, most of her memory did come back, painfully at first, but then it eased up.

"Does this mean you'll finally be coming back to school?" Kendo asked, "Because we miss you, you know."

"Yeah, come back!" Tetsutetsu said.

"You should," Awase agreed.

Pony agreed too.

Ibara smiled faintly. "I...I'm going to think about it."

"What's there to think about?" Tetsutetsu said, "You're not going to let this get you down, right?"

"Tetsu!" Kendo smacked him. "Don't."

"But you still want to finish the year, right?" Awase said, "You shouldn't get too far behind."

Ibara nodded. "I know I need to decide soon. My parents said they would support me either way, but it also might be good to spend more time recovering."

She clasped her hands. "I'm sure God gave me this chance for a reason."

They all looked at her oddly.

"Uh...sure..." Awase said.

Ibara walked out of the room.

"I swear, she's odder than Miss Likstar and Mr. West sometimes," Tetsutetsu said.

"But they do get results," Kendo said, "Look at Monama. First he stops ragging on 1-A as much, and now he has a girlfriend!"

Monama was texting Medea at that very moment, but he looked up and frowned. "Jealous, Kendo?"

"No, I just pity that poor girl," Kendo said.

"She's the cute one, right?" Awase said, "'Cause dang, Monama, I never thought you'd get her."

"Oh, don't be such a dip, Awase. Looks are not everything," Monama said.

"I guess that's why she's dating you," one of the other guys of the class said.

"Oh, ha ha." Monama barely reacted.

"I guess love is a powerful thing." Kendo was amazed. "I mean, I still feel sorry for her, but I kind of hope she sticks around for a while. It would be good for all of us."

* * *

https://youtu.be/GP4okspbfMM

Ibara wandered back out to the main walkway and towards the dorms.

"To think, I forgot all of this," she said.

Iida came speeding by on his way to the dorms but skidded to a stop.

"Miss Shiogazi? You're back?"

"I'm...visiting," Ibara said a little shyly, "trying to remember."

"Oh...I hope it's going well."

"It is. I think I remember almost everything," Ibara said. She bowed. "I owe you an apology for the trouble I gave all of you trying to rescue me. I truly was confused."

"Oh, it was no trouble," Iida said, though it had been, "and you came around very quickly, really. Nothing to apologize for."

"I also want to thank you for your patience," Ibara added, still bowing, "and assistance."

"Of course," Iida said, "No thanks necessary. It's what we students must do for each other."

Ibara straightened. "I thought you would say something like that, because you never see it as any trouble to help anyone else, but nevertheless, I must express my gratitude. Some time if I can return your kindness, I will."

Iida adjusted his glasses. "Again, there is really no need."

"I insist," Ibara said.

"If you would feel better about it, then some time perhaps," Iida conceded.

There was an awkward pause.

"I forgot how big UA is..." Ibara said, "I mean, literally, but also it feels like it's been months since I was here, even if it's only been about a week and a half..."

"I'm sure your class is glad to have you here again."

"They want me to come back." Ibara glanced that way. "But...if I may confess something."

"If you feel it's right," Iida said, awkwardly, but luckily, Ibara and him spoke so similarly that she didn't take offense to it.

"I have been thinking a lot about what happened to me," Ibara said, "and that, if I could be convinced so easily that heroes are bad, once my memory was removed, then there may be some things I have never considered."

"But it was lies," Iida said.

"I'm not so sure it all was." Ibara put her hands under her chin. "If I did come back, I do not think I would ever feel the same about it. If that means I would not want it anymore, I don't know. I don't think so. But I may want something different. I wanted to help people, but heroes don't help all people. So many people are very miserable, and heroes do nothing to help them. I don't want to neglect that."

"I...see your point," Iida said, "Though I do not think we can help every person out there..."

"I suppose it's just the kind of people you want to help," Ibara said.

"That reminds me of how Miss Likstar talks," Iida said, "I suppose there is something in it."

"You don't like Miss Likstar, Iida? Isn't she a kind person?" Ibara said.

"I...don't dislike her," Iida said. As of last week, he did not say. "I just find her unruly... If there is a time for that, it's a new idea to me. I don't know how to feel about it. But I owe her for safely returning you to us all, so she has my undying gratitude also."

Ibara reddened a little.

"I do agree she's a kind person," Iida said, "just a little different."

"Different isn't so bad," Ibara mused.

"Perhaps not." Iida could not have imagined saying that a year ago...but he'd seen a lot this year.

[So he can learn! Hallelujah!]

"I should go back," Ibara said.

"I can walk with you, if you want," Iida said, "Oh, I mean--"

"That would be nice. I'll know nothing will happen to me that way." Ibara smiled.

Iida kind of blushed there.

[AWWW.]

* * *

"And you're sure they won't find you." Mirko held the phone with one hand as she opened the fridge.

"Oh, positive," Ren said, "Intelli is on this. Everyone's doing just fine. Tired of being away from home though. Thanks for putting up the bill."

"Well, I could afford it more than nuestro padres," Mirko said. [Our parents]

"Verdad [true]," Ren said, "Mama was even saying she was glad you helped out."

"I'm sure followed by how shocking it was." Rumi made a face.

"Eh, you know she just says that out of habit now. We all know better," Ren said, "Mama just...doesn't know what else to say."

Rumi bit her lip. "It doesn't bother me anymore. I'm not a kid, after all."

"You know we can't stay here forever, though." Ren changed the subject mercifully.

"Yo se [I know]." Rumi shook her head.

"Papi says maybe they will just go to visit Tia Dolores after all. He has some vacation time. Maybe we can clear all this up. Out of sight, out of mind. I doubt the ninja would chase them that far. It's mostly me they would want. Kayla thinks so."

"I'm sure." Rumi rolled her eyes. "But where will you go?"

"I don't know. Maybe I should just finally move to the campus," Ren said, "It'll take a bit to set that up though. But I'll figure something out."

"And your injuries?"

"All healed up. That Yaoyurozu girl is talented. And the doctor took care of the rest. Nice lady."

"Just be glad Aizawa got her to make a house call," Rumi said wryly.

Shigaraki entered the room, looking for something. She turned, avoiding eye contact. "Anyway...I should probably go."

"No rush," Ren said, "but knowing you, you're always in a hurry. Working getting easier, yet?"

"Almost healed up." Rumi eyed her foot. "I should have got a Recovery Girl, but it'll be fine."

"I heard that Shigaraki was sick," Ren said, "and that you punched Hawks for being happy about it."

Rumi frowned. "That's not what happened."

"Oh, no? I thought it was a funny story," Ren said, "Bakugo said you did."

"And you believe him?"

"Well, he's not one to exaggerate much," Ren said.

"You know what? I'm done with all of you and your bulls---. Bye," Rumi said.

"Hey, Rumi, don't be like that. It was just a jo--" Ren was cut off by her hanging up.

Rumi was steamed. Everyone liked to rag on her these days.

Hawks was just pissing her off, that was all. Stupid Bakugo.

She wouldn't have cared about any of these events if everyone didn't keep making jabs about it. She didn't like being ribbed, though.

And Compress and his stupid... She shook her head angrily.

Of course her embarrassment was completely one sided. Shigaraki had absolutely no sense of the situation. That's why it was dumb to let Compress get to her with his snide remarks. He was ridiculous.

It was ridiculous to care!

She kicked an innocent wall angrily.

"You know what it is?" she said to herself, as she sat down with her snack, "It's the internet's fault. You deal with people making remarks like that for years whenever you're on the news, and then you just expect a flood of it if anyone starts in in person." She chewed on a carrot moodily. "Compress is just trying to get back at me for before. I'm not gonna let him."

She shook her head. Ren just got her thinking about it again, that was all. She felt better now that she'd just called it out.

[Whether she's kidding herself or not, I can completely relate to the internet giving us weird expectations in this area. I have the same problem.]

On that note...she really should just ask Shigaraki something.

She sighed and went to find him.

Medea was bugging him about using chapstick.

"Just try it," she said, "Come on."

"Go away."

"You will never get a girlfriend with that attitude," Medea said.

"What the h--- do you mean by that?" Shigaraki said.

"Forget it," Medea said, "I'mma just go practice." She saw Mirko coming. "Before you say anything."

"Great, maybe you'll actually dodge today," Mirko said.

"Maybe I'll actually hit you," Medea shot back, leaving the room.

"That's what I like to hear," Mirko said.

"Threats?" Shigaraki said.

"A fighting spirit...so same thing," Mirko said.

Shigaraki ignored that.

"All right, this is going to sound weird, but," Mirko just took the plunge, "Ren might need a hiding spot for a bit. Since he already knows about all this, I thought maybe he could come here for a while."

Shigaraki actually stopped the game he was on. "Ren? Here?"

Why did he sound so hostile? Normally he'd just sound bored--guy didn't really emote.

"I mean, the ninja can't find him," Mirko said, "Plus I could keep an eye on him in person. then."

"Or he could keep an eye on you," Shigaraki said something very weird.

"What?" She didn't understand what that meant.

"No deal," Shigaraki said.

[Design by onerose, original template by original creator.]

"What do you mean no deal?" Mirko's ears went back. "It makes sense, doesn't it? Something against Ren, now?"

[Image by the same, edited by me.]

"In a word? Yes."

"And just what is your problem with my brother?" Mirko said, "I'd say it's because you hated me, but I'm here already."

"As much as that would be a good reason, it would be kind of stupid under the circumstances. This is not personal."

"How is it not personal to say Ren can't come?"

"For one thing, Ren would not want to," Shigaraki said.

Mirko frowned. "I don't think he'd care."

"He'd care." Shigaraki was oddly confident about this. "He'd be mores likely to just demand you go to wherever he's going now."

"Demand? Me?" Mirko said, "Uh, just who do you think is the older sibling here?"

"Why does that matter?" Shigaraki had no clues about sibling dynamics except his own...and it was kind of unique. "And I don't like the idea of having someone who's threatened the League around watching us and learning all our weaknesses."

"Someone who's...what?" Mirko said.

Silence.

"When did Ren threaten the League?" Mirko said.

Silence again.

"You'd better tell me what that meant, or I'm calling him back," Mirko said.

"Go right ahead."

Mirko clenched a fist. "So he can tell me his version?" she tried.

That did the trick. Shigaraki glared at her. "Your ever-so-pleasant brother has basically promised all of us a quick death if anything happens to you."

"He did what?" Mirko almost shouted, "Does he think I need him to do that?"

"Apparently he underestimates your ability to defend yourself," Shigaraki said.

"Well, he-- yeah--. Wait what?" Mirko said.

But the remark was not repeated.

"Well, anyway," Mirko ignored it, "Ren's just being a little s---. He's not really the type to hurt anyone...I think."

"That's reassuring."

"Well, if nothing happens to me, then he has no reason to be concerned."

"Just how much of his 'concerns' did he tell you?" Shigaraki had a different question.

"Uh...I don't know, probably all of them." This was not what she wanted to talk about.

"All...and you're still here?"

"What do you think I am? A pansy?" Mirko said, "Ren couldn't have told me anything I didn't already think of. Unlike what all of you seem to think, I'm not stupid." She crossed her arms. "But you have to risk something to get something... Huh, now I should like Dabi. Weird." She shrugged. "Anyway, it's too late now to go that route. I never wanted him involved in all this, and it's my carelessness that got him into it...but I won't let it go any further."

"Well, if that's what you want, he should not be around here," Shigaraki said.

"I know," Mirko admitted, "I just can't think of anything else. But you're right. It's a bad idea. And he won't agree to it. Can't have him watching me like that anyway."

"Did you just actually say I'm right?"

"Don't get used to it. It was just obvious this time," Mirko said, "Though you seem to have an oddly good read on Ren's character..." She thought it was weird.

"I'm used to people threatening me," Shigaraki said by way of explanation.

"So who isn't?" Mirko said, "Try being a hero sometime--uh, nevermind. Realized it as soon as I said it."

"Actually, I have a question," Shigaraki said.

"Sure." Why not?

"With your violent tendencies, you could just as easily be a villain. So why choose hero? You don't even like heroes."

"I..." Huh...that was kind of true.

"To beat them at their own game," Mirko finally said, "show them up... I mean, they don't care about villains. To make any kind of impact, you have to compete in their field. The whole villain idea never appealed to me. Didn't seem like enough of a challenge."

Enough of a challenge? That was just insulting, Shigaraki thought.

"It's funny, the way you say that it sounds like you thought about it," he said.

"Oh...well, sure," Mirko said, "What kid doesn't think they could go either way?" She forgot again who she was talking to. "And then you get those idiots in hero school who definitely chose the wrong career. Why the sudden interest?"

"I fine the hypocrisy entertaining."

"What?" Mirko said, "Arrogant prick! You know who's the real hypocrite here? You."

"In what way?" Shigaraki got mad.

"It's pretty hypocritical to criticize pro heroes for all being the same and then say if someone is not the same, they're the hypocrite," Mirko said, "So we don't all have the same motives--that's just life. Get over it. Does everyone in this League have the same reason for being here?"

"No--" Shigaraki began.

"And are any of them less a member because of that?" Mirko challenged.

Silence.

"That's what I thought," Mirko said, "Hypocrite." She knew she'd finally won this one. It was hard to argue that point.

Shigaraki slowly realized he didn't have an argument anyway.

"Suck it," Mirko gloated, "Well, anyway, I have a kid to train. And no, I'm not making her into a hero, for the record. Maybe she'll just be her own thing, who knows. Jackass." She sauntered away.

Shigaraki was left with his wounded pride at having lost an argument on his favorite complaint about society.