personal-0004

Black Moves First

Chapter Summary

The game shows the opening move.

But life is not chess.

In this Game, the Villain moves first.

(Updated with final edits, 5/2/19)

Day 1: 6 hours, 0 minutes: (6:00 am, local time)

Game Start

"Welcome to your mission briefing. Until now, you have not known the precise parameters of your mission." Aizawa-sensei stood before the assembled hero team. They were in their costumes, each with some variant of the UA symbol backed by wings added to represent them being part of the same team.

Katsuki stood at the front, looking over the screens behind Aizawa as he took in what information they had. "That's because, in the real world, you rarely know what your opponent is after. One hour ago, when the villains entered the city, the test began."

Uraraka blinked in surprise, hearing mutters and curses from the other heroes.

"The chosen field for this is a place neither class has ever had a reason to visit before; Training Ground F, known among students as the Downtown District. It is a full ten-by-ten block of skyscrapers and apartments, modeled after the likes of New York and downtown Tokyo." He turned and tapped the computer behind him, pulling up a video feed.

"Three unmarked white trucks entered the city at the start of the hour, the villains using them as an entry vector. One of them had a signal transceiver attached to the top, and we believe that is where the video that was sent to you was live-streamed from. Traffic cameras tracked two of the box trucks, but the third—the one with the transceiver—took a back alley and seemed to disappear."

"At this point in time, we have no idea what exactly their plan is, but most Support analysts agree this has the markings of a hostage situation. There are 'civil-bots' in most public places, simple mannequins with basic motor functions and sensors. Keep them alive and safe. They will run from fights and danger, replicating normal civilian reactions, but the villains can and will take them hostage."

The screen changed once more, the video of the trucks vanishing to show one of the trucks backing up and parking at a loading dock. Four figures in loose black jumpsuits, covered with hooded jackets, got out and began pulling cases from the truck.

"This is the back camera from the bank in the city. Soon after that, all camera feeds to and from the bank stopped."

The screen flickered to another unloading; five equally disguised figures stepped out of another truck. All of them were armed with briefcases and carrying boxes of supplies.

"This is the only camera we have access to at the government building across the district from the bank. It seems the villains have split up, attacking multiple locations at once."

The screens changed, the conference table that the heroes were gathered around lighting up with a hologram of the simulated city.

"Paragon, the mission command is yours. Your objectives are to detain or eliminate all villains, while avoiding civilian casualties or collateral damage to the best of your abilities. Your priority, however, is to bring in the subject 'Kingpin' alive for questioning." With that, Aizawa stepped away and the door opened. Katsuki stood, looking at the map. After a moment of consideration, he began to mark it with entry points.

"We'll start with five teams. Leaders are me, Iida, Todoroki, Shiozaki, and Tsuburaba. Keep in contact. Iida, your team is hunting. Find that third van. I don't trust not knowing where it's gone to," he said. "Todoroki, Tsuburaba, your teams are heading for the district. Set up a forward camp and keep an eye out. My and Shiozaki's teams will head out to the bank. If we work fast, we can stop them before they do any lasting damage. Keep in touch, and keep each other updated. Move out," he called out, surprisingly professional for his normal demeanor.

"Heh. Shitty Deku thinks he's going to outmaneuver me…" He grinned, teeth pulled back in a vicious smile. "I'll show you how worthless and beneath me you are."

7 days before the exam

Aizawa Shouta looked at his student, his exhaustion reaching even deeper than normal as he took in Midoriya's distant expression and strange mood. He had barely said anything, just sat there with a cup of tea in hand, staring into the steam.

Just as Shouta was going to start, he was cut off.

"That selection was rigged, wasn't it?" Midoriya's expression was sharp with the focus that Shouta had only seen when Midoriya or his friends were in danger. The intensity of it said that he was on overdrive, mind racing through mad plans and data. He had seen how Midoriya reacted during the USJ attack. He'd also heard about the Stain incident.

"...Yes." He wasn't going to lie. Not now. Midoriya was already exhibiting what Shouta wanted to see. That drive, but not for another. This time, only for himself.

"Fine." Midoriya held up his rulebook. "Are these all the rules, in their entirety?"

Aizawa nodded, "Yes."

Midoriya lowered the book and with a quick motion drained his teacup. A moment of silence passed, the teen clearly considering something, before he looked up and met Aizawa's eyes once more.

"Please, tell me about the objectives."

'Ah, the meat of the conversation.'

"There will be 15 objectives planted inside the city. To pass the exercise, you must acquire at least five of those objectives and escape with all or most of your team. Extra objectives will 'improve' your final score and even contribute extra credit and help raise your grades," he said.

"Each objective is vaguely based on a different crime. 'Killing' a specific civilian target, or acquiring one object or another. Finding a certain document, perhaps destroying a certain server. Beyond that are the two other win conditions that you can complete. Escape the city on the third day or make the heroes unable to continue and/or force them to retreat. If either of those two conditions are met, you automatically pass, even if it's on a technicality."

Midoriya seemed distracted, lips moving slightly as he processed the new data, before he looked back up. "What about loss conditions?"

"There are three. All villains are taken down and captured. You, the Kingpin, are killed or captured by the hero team. Or, you leave before the third day, which would be considered a forfeit."

Midoriya nodded thoughtfully. Then, almost hesitantly, he asked another question. "Where's the test taking place?"

"Training Ground F, the downtown district."

An incredulous pause broke the conversation, as Midoriya looked at him in realization. Shouta could tell Midoriya saw the faint grimace on Shouta's own face. After that, Midoriya went through a quick flash of various expressions. Aizawa caught both confusion and understanding.

"Sensei… when's the last time the villain team won this exercise?"

A pause stretched out by tension. Eventually, Shouta sighed.

"It was back when I was a first-year. I heard about it through gossip and later from hero course classmates. There was a third-year with an overpowered fire and heat manipulation Quirk. He works with Endeavor now. Endeavor himself is quite proud of being one of the only Kingpins to ever win, and even holds the current record. Even then, no villain team has ever won with full marks."

"But… why?" Midoriya asked hesitantly. If Shouta were a betting man, he'd say that Midoriya already knew the answer.

Pausing, he decided to give the clarification anyways, giving a hard glare towards the cafeteria where the rest of the hero course would be.

"Because no hero wants to play the villain. They don't want to be the bad guy. I'm not going to sugarcoat it, problem child. You're going to be outnumbered. Overpowered. The game is going to be stacked against you. Which is a shame, because that makes this entire ordeal less effective."

He glanced at Midoriya, who was now staring into his empty cup with a thoughtful expression.

Slowly, that expression shifted…

"Thanks, sensei."

Midoriya placed the empty cup in his saucer and grabbed his rulebook before leaving.

Shouta couldn't help the grin that stretched across his lips at the look and stance of his student as he exited the door.

This year's Civil War would be interesting.

Feints and Misdirection

Chapter Summary

Iida's team hunts down the third truck, while The Bank presents an unpleasant surprise.

(Updated with final edits, 5/2/19)

Chapter Notes

ART??!?!??!?!

Scarlotis Luna DID THIS

Day 1: 6 hours, 34 minutes (6:34 am, local time)

Tenya looked back, head-counting his team once more. After getting a ride from a van to the simulation city, the driver had dropped them off less than four blocks from where the truck was last seen. Looking back at his team, he mentally reviewed each person and their Quirk.

Uraraka Ochako, his second, Zero Gravity. Shishida Jurota, brawler and scent tracker. Quirk: Beast, gives heightened animalistic senses and strength. Kodai Yui, the team defender, has a moderate growth Quirk, can become a giant. Then his fifth, Tsunotori Pony, with the Horn Cannon Quirk and mutation.

While his team wasn't the strongest, Bakugou had made sure they had enough power to fight.

Soon enough they found the alley, a thin canyon between two rows of buildings.

"Shishida-san, can you pick up anything from the truck's passing?"

The taller teen leaned forwards, crouching as he took deep, long breaths.

"I can smell… exhaust. Exhaust and burned rubber. And look, skid marks. They stopped suddenly here for a bit," he pointed out, kneeling over some darker streaks in the alley pavement.

Tenya looked up and around, the rest of the crew following suit. The buildings on either side of them were windowless, and the alley itself sloped down and back up on the far side. Tenya's eyes tracked along the wall and found something.

"There. A garage door. They never saw the truck leave, right?"

"Iida-san, should we perhaps radio in?" Kodai's quiet presence appeared at Iida's side, looking at him with curiosity, and he nodded in agreement.

Iida tapped the side of his helmet, connecting to the group channel. "Iida reporting. My team and I have found signs of the third truck. There's a garage door down the alley. We want to see if they parked it here."

"The hell are you waiting for, Glasses? Go look. Check in if you find shit, or in half an hour."

"Understood." Tenya tapped the comms and sighed. Bakugou may have tempered his language when directed towards his team, using it for his 'nemesis' instead, but he was still terribly curt and unprofessional.

Regardless, Tenya had a job to do.

"Uraraka, Kodai, please keep an eye on the alley entrances. Shishida, Tsunotori, with me."

The three headed in, eyes peeled.

With careful steps, they reached the garage; a quick inspection revealed it was sturdy. Likely another loading dock of some sort. Checking the digital lock next to it, Tenya turned when he heard Shishida inhale deeply. "The exhaust trail leads here. Shall we knock?"

Tenya grinned. "Of course. Tsunotori-san, would you care to perform the honors?"

The horned girl grinned, skipping backward and crouching."Yes!" she said, and with a skip and a leap, she slammed into the garage door full force, horns shredding the metal so she could enter. As one, both men grabbed the sides of the entry and ripped it to the side, widening the hole for ease of access. They stepped in to join Tsunotori in a ready stance.

Inside the room was indeed a loading dock, the ramp at the far end of the bay leading up to more doors.

"Iida, you guys okay?" Uraraka's voice came over the comms, and Tenya took a moment to look around, eying the corners.

"We are fine, but there's no sign of the truck. Or the villains." Indeed. The very bay itself, while filled with pallets and crates, had no truck present. The room was clean, however. No dust, no debris. It was almost creepy.

"Shishida-san, is the scent still here?" Tenya asked.

"Stronger than ever, Iida. It sat and idled here, I guarantee it," The beastly teen called, inhaling deeply once more.

"Where did it went?" Tsunotori asked, looking around with confusion, unaware of her mangling of the language.

"Spread out. Check for clues," Tenya decided, tapping the radio to contact the girls outside. "Uraraka, Kodai, no sign of the truck now, but it was definitely here."

"What's the plan?" came Kodai's quiet response.

"Uraraka, get a rooftop perch and keep an eye on the alley. Kodai, circle around and tell us what this building is supposed to be. I'd rather not get blindsided by not knowing what to expect."

Two affirmatives later, the line went quiet once more. He looked at the others. Shishida was in the center of the room, trying to follow the scent trail. Tsunotori was jumping up and around the room, checking the boxes and walls for secret passages or weak points.

Tenya was about to tell them to give up and move on when Tsunotori knocked down a stack of crates.

"TSUNOTORI," both boys cried out in annoyance, and she shyly bowed.

"Sorry! Those were really, really light. I got on them, I lost my—"

She paused, looking at where the boxes had been. There, looking like it had been sunken and melted into the floor, was a manhole cover.

Chaos. That's what the T-intersection in front of the bank looked like.

Cars were on their sides, piled up into rough barricades and covered in broken civil-bot bodies. Some of them were still faintly trying to struggle out from where they were pinned, their AI too dumb to realize they were practically dead.

Standing dead center on the wall-like pile of broken steel and glass, glaring down at the people approaching, were two dark figures. One wore a form-fitting black suit with a fedora and a bow tie in red, contrasting with his pitch-black skin and silver hair, which was styled flat and sleek. The other wore a ragged black cloak, but the abnormal shape of his head was clearly visible.

"Kuroiro and Tokoyami," Shiozaki Ibara murmured, looking at Katsuki who stood next to her, eyes focused on the blockade before the bank. "They can't possibly believe they can stop us just by themselves, can they?"

"No… this is a trap." Katsuki eyed the skyline. Around the bank, the skyscrapers had backed off slightly, leaving the building just a bit taller at ten stories than its nearest six-floor neighbors. "I just don't know what the consequence of tripping it is."

7 days before the exam (final class of the day)

Izuku sat quietly at the back of the class, eyes roaming with a strange intensity. He concealed his act behind the guise of reading the rule book. Already, he's found three loopholes that would allow him to stack the deck in his favor, and his mouth moved silently as he thought through Class 1-A's weaknesses. He needed potency, people whose powers would counter the greatest amount of opponents at once. He could already tell by Iida, Uraraka, and Todoroki's attitudes and quiet demeanor, that they were all torn. Though he expected all three would go to the hero side of the fight. With his blessings.

But he could probably get some of the others. Asui would be a good pick, an all-around physical fighter with agility. Tokoyami as well, if only for the sheer power of his Quirk. If he could get Hagakure and Ojiro, that would offer him more options. And with two agility-based fighters he could look for more utility potential, things that would let him acquire his objectives.

He could already tell that Kaminari, Kirishima, and Sero were all siding with Bakugou. But Ashido looked torn, despite her hero name being somewhat villainous: the Alien Queen…

Aoyama was a wild card; his narcissistic personality could veer him one way or the other. But having a glass cannon like him on the villain side would be a stroke of luck. Mineta would be determined by which side had the most 'hot bods,' as he said. Jirou… She was glancing at him and then back to—

Izuku paused, green eyes meeting gray.

Yaoyorozu Momo smiled and nodded.

Well then. That made the entire game change.

Now, he had access to resources.

He smiled back and tapped the cover of his book, grinning.

His eyes roved over the last of the room. Kouda. Undecided. Sato… probably a hero. Shouji… hero. Maybe.

And then Class 1-B.

Yeah. He could make this work.

Hard Counters, Delay Tactics, and Time

Chapter Summary

Conflicts of interest, Threats of destruction, and the Villains play for Time.

(Updated with final edits, 5/2/19)

Day 1: 7 hours, 14 minutes (7:14 am, local time)

In all honesty, Shouto could do without the long silences of the fake city. While it was decorated with cars, and the occasional civil-bot stood or wandered small paths through the streets, the city itself was quiet.

On the corner across the intersection from his hiding place was the short wall and squat building identified as the district's 'government building.' It was a horrendous piece of postmodern architecture, all blocky, brutalist angles and large windows.

He and his team were crouched in an alley while Tsuburaba's team had taken over watch on a nearby roof. A glance back showed his 'capture' squad. Bondo Kojirō, the towering giant with the adhesive Quirk, stood at the back of the group, crouched. One of his teammates, the petite Komori Kinoko, sat on his shoulder, arm already half-covered with moss and small mushrooms as she used her Quirk. She sent the spores towards the building to help prepare to seal it off.

Closer were the other two members: Mineta Minoru, the mini-pervert with the sticky balls, and Sero Hanta, with the tape Quirk.

Looking up, he tapped the small earpiece he wore, contacting Tsuburaba's team. "Tsuburaba, we are preparing to seal the building off. Any sign of the villains?"

"Not yet. There are several downed civil-bots in that courtyard, though. Most moving weakly," Tsuburaba's voice echoed slightly over the radio, but Shouto heard it just fine.

"Understood. Keep me updated." With that, he tapped his comm again and considered how to proceed. He decided a dash to get closer, even if just to the outer wall, would be best.

"Komori, start with the paralytics. Everyone else, medical masks." Sero, Mineta, and Shouto all slid their masks on. Then, with a nod, Tsuburaba turned the corner. Filled with purpose, he began striding out into the street towards the government building, his team falling in a diamond position.

"Contact, front doors. Single target." The crackle of the radio was unexpected, making his team tense as they continued. "He's moving to meet you. Watch out."

The heroes were halfway across the intersection when a figure dressed in matte black body armor and deep blue accents, a long black jacket, gas mask, and hood stepped out from around the corner of the gate, one hand up in a placating motion.

"Heroes, so nice of you to show up!" a muffled and distorted voice called out. Shouto slowed, the rest of his team spreading out behind him.

"Flank and capture. Go–" Shouto began.

"I really wouldn't, heroes." From his pocket, the villain (who was this? Shouto didn't recognize them) pulled a very easily identifiable object. Black plastic, a big red trigger, and a radio receiver antenna.

A detonator.

"After all, the fireworks show we have prepared is… very loud."

Shouto stopped, tensing. This wasn't an assault mission anymore. It was now a hostage situation.

Over the comm, he could already hear Tsuburaba radioing in.

Bakugou would never let him live this down.

Katsuki jumped, using an explosion to twist in midair, dodging back.

The early morning sunlight was their biggest ally and their biggest enemy right now. Kuroiro's Quirk, 'Black,' allowed him to fuse with the 'black air' cast by the shadows and smoke, which made the entire area of space he was connected to pitch-black. That amorphous cloud was wrapped around the middle of the street, centered on Tokoyami. The fact that the streets leading up to the sun-backed bank were cast in shadows meant that they were almost entirely consumed by the shifting and twisting mass of darkness. A glance at the clock told Katsuki he had time on his side, as noon would be approaching, but that didn't really matter because—

He lept over a massive chunk of a car being slammed out of the shadows.

—Dark Shadow was more than powerful enough to rip through anyone in his way while in the shadows. And that wall of cars wasn't a blockade—

A twisted chunk of bus crashed off the nearby walls, shattering a glass storefront.

—it was ammunition.

Katsuki had already ordered Shiozaki's team and his own to start rescuing civil-bots, rushing them to a designated shelter a few blocks away. At this point, despite Katsuki's sincere anger at the situation, all he could do was wait for the sun to rise high enough so they could get close.

He glanced around. His team was the 'hammer' of the squads; Tetsutetsu, Kirishima, Sato, and Rin Hiryu, all physical fighters with some form of strength or durability enhancement. Even now, they were holding the line, catching or deflecting the tossed bits of automobiles, while Shiozaki's more range-and-utility focused support team dealt with civilians.

He hissed as he got a report over the comms from Tsuburaba. Half and Half was stuck in a standoff and they had no idea who the opponent they faced was. All they could tell was that they were male, taller than normal, and didn't show signs of a mutation Quirk. And had a gas mask, so the spores from Shroom Girl wouldn't affect him.

That narrowed it down to maybe one of five possible people. The four Class-B guys who were villains, or Aoyama. It probably wasn't Aoyama, given the figure wore all black and blue.

As Katsuki blasted another flying tire out of his way, he looked up. It was almost nine o'clock now. Two hours and the sun would be high enough to attack again. For now, he gritted his teeth and fell back, barking orders over the comms. He would set up a perimeter, keep the place on lockdown, and see what High Class says.

After all, he had a better plan than to send his most mobile team into the tunnels, where they would be at a heavy disadvantage.

Instead, he would call them over to help with the bank. He could use another flank.

7 days before the exam (after school)

Izuku sat with his back to a tree in the courtyard. He had a few minutes before he had to leave and there was something about the rules he wanted to check one more time…

'Rule 12: Heroes and Villains are not allowed to enlist the support of UA teachers and staff for extra equipment or training for the exam. UA staff are to be neutral and objective observers of the teams involved.'

What was more interesting was what it didn't specify.

He stood and stretched, before turning and almost running into someone.

"Oh, sorry, didn't see you there!"

"No problem," came the quiet voice, as Izuku looked up at the taller boy. He recognized the distinctive six arms and face mask. "I was actually looking for you."

"Shouji-san?" Izuku tilted his head, curiosity in his eyes.

"Could we, perhaps, walk and talk?" Shouji gestured towards the path leading away from UA.

"Of course!"

Shouji and Izuku shared pleasant small talk for several minutes until they were close to the gate and away from people.

"I'll be clear and simple. I want to join the villain team."

Izuku beamed up at Shouji. "Of course you can join! Is there any particular reason why?"

Shouji shrugged, looking off into the trees. "At the Sports Festival, I felt like I underperformed. I was key in the second match, defending my team, but it felt… cheap, particularly when losing. Then I saw you and Todoroki fight and was in awe. You and Todoroki fought like the world was about to end because of ideals. Beyond that, I know you tend to plan and outwit most people in class when it comes to Quirks, and I have a strong feeling you can win this… And I'd like to be on the winning side for once," Shouji trailed off, voice softer for that last part.

He jerked when Izuku grabbed his shoulder.

"Well then," came Izuku's voice, dark green eyes glinting with something akin to sharp glee. "I suppose I can't let you down now, can I?"

Shouji was still off guard when Izuku turned and started walking.

"Come on, villain. Let's see what we can work out before we head home."

After a moment, Shouji was quick to follow his new leader.

Economic Downfall

Chapter Summary

The Villains proceed to the next stage of their plan, leaving the Hero's in the dust.

(Updated with final edits, 5/2/19)

Day 1: 11 hours, 02 minutes (11:02 am, local time)

"Iida and his team are regrouping at the bank." Shouji Mezou looked over the wall of holograms and camera feeds from across the city, his top arms folded across his chest as the lower four deftly manipulated the images on the screens. "Todoroki and Tsuburaba are holding, but Todoroki retreated back to the far side of the street."

Mezou had been impressed by the outfit given to him the day before, courtesy of Mei and Momo. It consisted of deep blue slacks, a crisp white shirt somehow tailored for all his arms, and a black tie. Along with those were a pair of black suspenders, a deep green-and-black vest, a new mask, and a matching hat. His hat was a full-on stetson—broad curled rim, angled pinch, and tanned leather for the band. Alongside his 'boss,' it was clear that he was the muscle, the left hand. The mask itself was slightly different from his usual cloth. It was taller, coming to just under his eye sockets, and made of a tougher plastic material. After taking a few minutes to adjust, it had seemed to practically melt into his skin along the edge, and the note from Hacker and Forgery informed him that it was able to filter the air. That was a nice benefit.

"Radio check," came the voice of Izuku from the table behind him.

"This is Blackout. Nightmare and I are both losing steam. The sunlight has reached the end of the block and is pulling up on the doors. We are pushing our limits as it is."

"This is Hold Up, the standoff's getting tense. We've both taken to resting on our sides of the street, but sooner or later the tension's gonna blow. They keep looking like they're ready to jump the gun."

"This is PR. I got the bank vault open and the objective's been retrieved. Waiting for the ground team to open the exit."

"This is Smuggler. Bank sub-basement is estimated five minutes from contact."

"Larceny here. Beta charges placed, detonation is at your command."

"Forgery speaking. We are still looking for objective 3, but we have number 2 held captive and ready for transport. We require an opening to get underground."

"Confirmed all. Hold positions, update coming in five." Mezou nodded while marking each objective down and looked back.

There, sitting with his mask held up to the light, was Izuku with the other two members of the 'King' team.