Chapter Text
It started with a war.
Aizawa had watched the best and brightest of his hell class be pushed down, dragged through society like a martyr and condemned by the HPSC. He watched how the public rallied at the first witch hunt in years.
Midoriya Izuku.
Of course, it was the problem child. The only one who had such a bright future as a hero with his compassion and drive, only to get his wings clipped and forced under. They had told all of the faculty at UA that he would never become a limelight hero.
He would get his license sure, but only if he worked underground and followed a strict set of rules. Which the greenette had accepted because he only wanted to help people. Aizawa sighed as the memories flowed through his head.
Yaoyorozu Momo.
Now that had been a surprise. Her confidence had failed her during the first year, but she regained that strength during the war. Losing Midnight had sparked something in the young girl. Creati became a literal goddess on the frontlines. But once again, the HPSC and the public pushed her back. Demanded she remains in support, and let the real heroes focus on fighting.
Aizawa had spat fury for her but had been overruled. He hated it, and bowed low to the teen in apology. She had simply smiled and thanked him for trying. Why couldn’t they do more?
Shinsou Hitoshi.
Now, this one had hurt. Watching his protégé fall from his place in heroics. His quirk was deemed ‘dangerous’ and like the problem child, had shackles in the form of rules. Hitoshi had swore at the HPSC but signed anyway, exactly like the problem child. He had only wanted to help.
Even now, as he sat in his quiet apartment with a strong drink. He missed them, terribly. It had been almost six years since he last saw the three. Three years of radio silence. Of course, some of the other hellions had spoken up of their worry for the missing trio. But something told Aizawa that the war was simply the beginning.
All For One was gone, and the vacuum of power had shaken the underworld. No one moved, breathed or planned when the literal power of God in the form of a young teen was still around. But with Midoriya missing for the last few years had brought the darkness back out.
If there was one thing that didn’t fit, it was the whisper of some Villains in the dark void of the underworld.
The first?
Hades. The God of Death. People spoke of a shadow that haunted the darkest parts of Japan. A man who commanded and shit got done. No one would break this man’s rules in his presence, from the whispers people ended up wishing they were dead.
He ignored the whispers that Hades was kind towards Quirkless and weak Quirks. Often doing retribution for those harmed by ‘heroic’ Quirks.
The second?
Hypnos. The God of Sleep. Now this one was weird, people didn’t speak of Hypnos often. Not many remembered meeting him at all. They all spoke of a spite-filled man who whispered to the shadows. Who led the charge against other villains that attacked the safe havens. The only times he ever got information on Hypnos was when it was in parallel with Hades. The two were a team, focused and driven.
He ignored the whisper that maybe this wasn’t a villain at all, but actually a vigilante that the HSPC didn’t want to deal with. Aizawa wished his gut was wrong when he pictured Hypnos being Hitoshi.
The last, and most dangerous of the three?
Persephone. Goddess of the Underworld, her name was literally Bringer of Death and it was oddly apt. From all the information on Hades, it all led back to Persephone. They weren’t a couple, that much was obvious, but they were close. It was even worse when you connected the fact that Persephone controlled both Hades and Hypnos.
She was the leader, and that made him frown and tap his glass. Because that also meant she knew what they could do and what she had to do to sway the underworld. Persephone was the new ruler and the criminals were all terrified.
Persephone had intelligence that rivalled All For One.
Persephone had power that rivalled All For One.
Persephone had a following greater than All For One.
Persephone was the new All For One.
Fuck.