A Different Path

Chapter Three - The Fights Begin

Finally, Deku emerged from the labyrinth of small alleyways to reach a large clearing surrounded by tall factory buildings. This is perfect, he thought. Now, to put his plan into action. The steps were pretty simple in theory:

Make it to a large open space

Make a lot of ruckus to draw Tomura into the open

Engage in battle with Tomura and tire him out

Immobilize him and then wrap him in the capture cuffs he was provided with by Mr. Aizawa.

Easy peasy, right? Even Deku knew it wouldn't be that simple, but it was the best he could come up with given the situation. Since step one was complete, Izuku began to put step two into action.

He began making a lot of noise, calling out into the open, taunting Tomura, while also banging against the metal pipes strewn about the clearing.

"Hey Tomura. I am right here! Come out and get me!"

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Tomura was getting irritated now. Where was this green-haired brat? He had to be around here somewhere. He felt as though he had been wandering this maze for hours looking for his last opponent. It was just then he heard distant screaming as well as the sound of metal clanging. Well, isn't that interesting, Tomura thought. The kid must have realized that Tomura wasn't exactly skilled in 1v1 combat and was trying to draw him out into the open. Pretty smart.

If he had more patience, maybe Tomura would have ignored the boy's taunting and waited for Izuku to enter back into the maze to search him out. However, he didn't have that patience. Tomura followed the racket to the clearing containing Izuku. From what he knew, the boy had some sort of super-strength quirk, if it wasn't one-for-all. If it was one-for-all, Tomura knew it was underdeveloped and weak within this boy. Nothing like the powerful quirk his uncle has. He simply had to bait Deku into close combat where he could grab his arm while he threw a punch and it would be game over.

Tomura emerged from his hiding place into the clearing, and spoke:

"Well, well, well. If it isn't Izuku Midoriya. You know, my uncle talks a lot about you."

The boy looked surprised, as though he wasn't expecting Tomura to emerge from the shadows and taunt him like this. This pleased Tomura, so he continued:

"Personally, I don't know why he is bothering with you. I saw you at the sports fest. You can't even throw a punch without breaking your arm. There is no potential in a person who has to break themselves to fight"

Tomura saw the boy clench his fist as his face twisted into a scowl. Perfect, Tomura thought, just a little more prodding and we're good to go.

"Honestly, my uncle always has had a weakness for helpless people. It's why he is a hero after all. Still, I have always considered it one of his greatest weaknesses"

Tomura wasn't sure he actually believed his words, but he knew they would strike a nerve in the selfless hero in training. And boy did it.

"You take that back!" Deku screamed as he charged towards Tomura.

Deku threw a quirkless punch and Tomura dodged the clumsy move with ease.

"Really? That's all you got?"

Tomura tried to grab for Deku's arm but the boy dodged just in time.

"Damn", Tomura seethed through gritted teeth.

This clumsy one-on-one went on for a while. Each seemed to just barely miss each other as they brawled. That was, until finally, Deku had enough and caught Tomura off guard with a one-for-all charged finger flick and Tomura went flying back into some pipes before crumbling to the ground. Instantly, all the anger flooded from Deku's body as horror replaced it. Deku realized that Tomura was not moving. Deku ran to Tomura in a hurry, dropping to his knees next to Tomura's crumpled body.

"Oh my god, Tomura are you ok? I'm so sorry"

In an instant, Tomuras hand shot up from where he was laying and grabbed Deku by the neck. Deku made a strained sort of gasp as Tomura squeezed his neck harder. Small amounts of decay spread over Deku's neck from Tomura's uncovered fingers, causing Deku to cry out in pain. Tomura lifted his head to meet Deku's eyes and smirked.

"Only a fool would approach an enemy like that. Not everyone is as honorable as you heroes, you should do your best to remember that."

Tomura released Deku's neck and the green-haired boy dropped to the ground gasping, holding his neck as his surface-level decay wounds began to leak small amounts of blood. They were minor and could be fixed by Recovery Girl easily, but damn did they sting. Tomura made his way to his feet, wincing at the pain that shot through his entire body. Jesus, that finger flick felt like it broke everything in his body. Tomura looked down at Deku and spoke again:

"You're a good kid Midoriya, but you're too trusting. You see too much good in people. The world is full of dangerous people, and until you realize that, you will never truly be prepared to be a hero."

Deku looked up at Tomura, saying nothing, but the look on his face told Tomura that the boy understood. Tomura began to limp towards the exit of Ground Gamma, with a heaviness in his heart he couldn't quite understand, but damn did it make him itch.