Chapter Text
Emerald
Chapter 1
The child was small, maybe only five years of age, and was obviously terrified. Wide emerald, green eyes filled with terror and tears that he just knew would haunt his sleeps for years to come. Even from where he was standing behind the Number One Pro Hero, All Might, Eraserhead could see how the small boy was trembling and choking on silent sobs as he tried to force his eyes to remain on the Heros before him as they stared down the Villain that was holding him hostage. Those eyes trying, and failing, not to look down where a young woman-who looked so painstakingly like the little boy-laid motionless in a pool of growing crimson. Having risked her life in a vain attempt to rescue her son from this Villain, only to be cut down right in front of the very son she was trying to save.
"Give it up now, Heros. Surely you don't want me to waste this little brat just like I did the woman." The Villain hisses, poising a sharp, bladed fingernail near the little boy's throat. Pressing just enough that a bead of blood pooled on the Villain's steel finger before slowly trailing down, causing the boy to whimper at the painful pinch, those fearful eyes connecting with Eraserhead's in a silent plea for a help. A plea that he wasn't about to ignore as he shifted his stance to prepare an attack the moment All Might gave the signal.
"You're completely surrounded, Villain! Release the child and face the consequences of your actions." All Might growled out, shifting his stance and Eraserhead twined a hand around his capture weapon, hating that his quirk was useless in a situation like this. The Villain had a mutation-based quirk that gave him steel like fingers, leaving him unable to stop him from using them since they were a natural part of his anatomy instead of quirk activated. It also didn't help that this asshole was riding a high thanks to the new drug Trigger that was circulating, causing him to be bolder and daring in his attempt of robbing the bank, as well as increasing his stamina, strength, and endurance. This wasn't the first Villain he had fought that was using the drug to boost their abilities, but it was the most annoying one since he had taken a child hostage. An ultimately cowardly move, especially since he had already established a larger threat by placing a bomb inside the bank that he controlled through a remote that was somewhere on his person.
"Or I could slit this brat's throat and detonate the bomb I planted back there. You already know what will happen if I do that, don't you Number One. Yeah, you might capture me, but you'd have failed to save thousands of lives by doing so, both civilians and Heros alike. Now, if you just let me take this quirkless little brat as a shield, I'll toss you the detonator and be on my merry way... You'd save a lot more. For now, anyway." Eraserhead gave a scoff, no self-righteous Hero would-
"Fine."
"What!?" Eraserhead stared at the Symbol of Peace before him, feeling his eyes widen as All Might stood from his fighting stance and raised both of his hands in surrender as the little boy released a whimper that shattered Eraserhead's heart as the Villain cackled before jumping backwards, the kid still in his hold, while tossing a small remote to the rooftop that All Might dove for. Releasing a curse, Eraserhead darted forward in an attempt to go after them but found himself being picked up into the air as All Might caught him around the waist and the tossed remote in his other hand. He felt his eyes widen as the Villain and child dropped out of his line of sight, a wail from the child being cut off so suddenly that his skin crawled as nausea clenched at his gut.
All Might had just accepted a deal with a Villain. Had allowed a Villain to escape with a child! They were letting someone dangerous escape with a helpless child! His eyes dropped to the woman who still laid in the pool of her own blood. A mother who had sacrificed her life in an attempt to save her son. A mother whose eyes had looked so hopeful in their last moments when she had seen the two Heros arrive. A mother who no doubt had thought that they would succeed where she had failed. A mother whose death he wasn't going to allow to be in vain!
He began to struggle in the strong hold that was wrapped around his waist, twisting all that he could to try and wiggle free. Releasing a hiss when All Might tightened his hold before shifting so that he could speak to Eraserhead easier. Eraserhead wanted to slap that smile off the so called Heros face, there was nothing heroic that this man had just done or agreed to!
"We can't risk so many lives to save one quirkless child. We have to sacrifice the one for the many." All Might sounded, and Eraserhead slammed his foot back, dropping to his feet as the Symbol of Peace gave a surprised grunt and released his hold as the kick landed squarely on his inner thigh, just enough to knock the Number One Hero off balance. Eraserhead took off, scrambling to see which way the Villain had went with the child, jumping from the ledge just as the Villain had done, and landed on the roof of the next building to look around. Breathing hard as he saw...nothing. Not a sign of where the Villain had gone or any sound from the small child that had cried out so desperately just moments before. Gritting his teeth, he took off running, jumping from rooftop to rooftop, his eyes scanning the alleyways below, looking for any sign or hint as to where they might have gone. He refused to believe that it was too late! He refused to believe that the last he would ever remember of that child was terrified emerald eyes begging him for help!
I won't stop. I have to find him. Where are you? Where did you go? Where? Where? Where!? His foot slammed into the ledge of a building, releasing a curse he maneuvered sideways and slammed into the rooftop, releasing a grunt as he was winded from the impact before tucking into a roll to minimize any damage. Laying on his side just a moment to regain his surroundings before unsteadily getting to his feet. Breathing heavily as he stared wide eyed around him, his throat clogging up as his eyes began to burn before he screamed as loud as he could. How could he have failed a child? How could he have let this happen? How could All Might have allowed this? They could have fought and won! They didn't have to sacrifice the life of a child! What good was it to become a Hero, if they couldn't save one innocent life that hadn't even begun yet?!
"I will find you kid. I swear." He croaked out, collapsing onto the rooftop as exhaustion took hold of him. Making him realize that not only had he spent some time jumping around, but that he had been using his quirk unintentionally even though it was no help in the situation. Rolling onto his back and breathing heavily, he raised his arm to drop it across his eyes before gritting his teeth. He didn't care how long this took or who he pissed off, he was going to find this kid.
---Eight Years Later---
Shouta Aizawa slowly opened his eyes as he heard the Detective's office door open, pushing past the agitating burn in his eyes he straightened in his seat while giving a small grunt of thanks to the small cup of coffee Detective Naomasa Tsukauchi handed him before dropping a thick stack of folders onto the desk between them. It was the same stack of folders that Aizawa asked to see each and every time that he came into the man's office. Already knowing that there wouldn't be any updates but refusing to allow the case to go cold. He remained quiet as the Detective took his usual seat behind the desk before giving him a tired smile that Aizawa merely blinked at in his usual greeting.
Taking a sip of the poor excuse for coffee, he reached toward the stack and grabbed the manila envelope, flicking it open with practiced ease and peered at the small picture that was paperclipped in the center. A small five-year-old boy beamed up at him, slightly tanned skin from days playing outside where the sun had littered freckles across his cheeks, curly green hair that only slightly fell into emerald, green eyes that shined bright with happiness and joy. It was a far cry from when he had seen those emerald eyes filled with fear, tears, and devastation as the Villain had escaped with him from that bank rooftop. Even after all these years, using every resource that had become available to him after turning to Underground Hero work and cashing in every single favor he had ever earned, he was still no closer to finding Izuku Midoriya. Yet, he still refused to let go. He refused to let this child be lost to this world. Just a child that was a failed rescue attempt from Heros, just a small sacrifice to the greater good. Which he wouldn't even been known for that, since there was no one left to think about Midoriya except him and those he made sure were to remember.
He had lost count as to how many people had told him to just stop. To just let this case go, because it hadn't mattered. The kid's only relative had been his mother, who had given her life in an attempt to rescue her son. No relatives or grandparents and a father that they could never even find a name for. They said that because the kid was quirkless that there wasn't a chance he was even alive now, since that outcome was so rare nowadays and usually only led to the quirkless person committing suicide because the world was far to advanced for them to live in. When he knew damn well that what they were really saying was that the world was too cruel to even accept them. Quirk discrimination was something even he himself knew all too well, and even still he couldn't even begin to fathom what society would do to a child that was quirkless, he just knew that it wouldn't be good.
A few had said that he just needed to get over the failed rescue mission, and he could only scoff at that. Since that hadn't even been the point of this at all, he didn't care about the mission, or that All Might had swept the whole damn thing under a rug so as to not tarnish his reputation. He was an Underground Hero for crying out loud, he didn't give a damn about what the public thought about him, but he couldn't just sit by and allow a child to be kidnapped like this. He became a Hero to help people, and he would never stop trying to find this kid. Because sure, the kid may not have anyone alive to worry about him, but that was the part that drove him to go further and push all the harder to find him. If the kid didn't have anyone, then he would be that someone.
Imagine, living in a world that you're still alive in, only to know that there's no one to even care about you. To even wonder if you're okay. To have absolutely no one. Aizawa had experienced that before and knew just how damaging it could be. He had been lucky that his now husband had been so persistent during their time together at UA to never leave him alone, or there was no telling how he would have ended up. If nothing else came out of this case, he wanted to at least let the universe or whatever may be watching over the poor excuse of the human race, that someone did care about this kid and was willing to go to every length possible to find them. It was even a promise he had voiced at the kid's mother's gravesite, the funeral and everything he had paid for as both an apology and a promise to Inko Midoriya. Every year he visited her grave, leaving offerings and blessings, and reinstating his promise to never give up until he either finds her son or what happened to him.
"Have you heard about the new Vigilante that's been helping out?" The sudden question from Tsukauchi had him looking up from the photos that they had developed to show what Izuku Midoriya might look like as the years went by, blinking slowly at the Detective before giving a small hum and looking back down. Going over the quirk status, blood type, and last known suspected bodyweight of the kid. All information that he already memorized but still looked over anyway, more to feel like he was doing something while also looking for anything he might have missed with any cases that could potentially lead to Izuku. Cases of children going missing, being kidnapped, trafficking rings broken up but there were never any children that were recovered that looked like Izuku.
"Midnight and Mic were telling me about him, both of them had a run in with him last week. Said he wasn't too thrilled that the media finally caught wind of him and gave him the name 'Emerald'. They couldn't stop laughing as they explained that he was pouting and grumbling how the name was plain and too on the nose and that he hadn't even wanted to be known about." He muttered, recalling all too well how his husband had been crowing in delight upon finally meeting the newest Vigilante around town. Saying nothing but praises about the young man's capabilities and that he only wished to get closer to see how old he actually was. According to Mic, he suspected him to be around high school age, and Aizawa wouldn't be surprised if that was the case. There were plenty of kids that couldn't make it into the world of Heroics due to academic reasons, and usually dropped out. Those with more common sense went on to work with the public in different ways, while others got the foolhardy idea to become Vigilantes in a desperate attempt to keep their Hero dreams alive. It was all illogical in his own opinion. Sure, he didn't care one way or another with Vigilantes, and had even worked well with a few, but just didn't understand why people were so desperate to become Heros when they obviously weren't ready.
"That's pretty on the mark with him. He's the only Vigilante I've known that doesn't want people to know about him. Although, he's made quit a ruckus in the Undergrounds. You heard how Hair Trigger, and a good portion of the Triad Gang were taken down, right?" Aizawa looked away from the portfolio in his hands, curiously meeting the Detective's gaze and rose an eyebrow as he saw the amused look on the man's face. Going through a quick mental overview how two of the strongest gangs, and the top distributors of the drug Trigger, had seemingly fell almost overnight just a year ago.
"From the rumors that I heard it was because of infighting between the gangs and it eventually led to their own personal downfalls." He muttered, frowning at the 'I-know-something-you-don't' look that came over Tsukauchi's face. Slowly closing the folder and adding it back to the pile as he gave the Detective his undivided attention.
"So, only a few people are allowed to know this, and I finally was able to pull some strings to get the authorization to let you in on it as well. Emerald isn't a new and upcoming Vigilante. He's been working behind the scenes for quite some time now and was only recently brought to the public's attention because he saved a news reporter a few months back. We've known about him for a while and had previously dubbed him as Hacker among the precincts. All those cases that you've helped bust with Trigger, or trafficking, or even taking down hard Villains where it seemed like they had no weaknesses, all of it was him. And it was Hacker, who gave a whole boat load of information about crooked cops working with the gangs, as well as political heads, and even Pro Heros that were working with Hair Trigger and Triad Gang. Covering for the gangs but still making enough of a public appearance that it seemed like they were taking care of it. He gathered all of that information and left it at our door, allowing us to take the gangs apart piece by piece until it all came collapsing down with him still helping by not allowing them to figure out what was going on. That whole commotion that happened last year was all thanks to this kid." He stated, and Aizawa found himself leaning back heavily into the chair as he registered what he had just heard. A child had been the reason that two of the most notorious gangs, gangs that have been giving the top Pro Heros issues, were taken down along with so many other corrupt people that were sponsoring them. First by just hacking into the gangs' system and leaking information to those who could be trusted with it and now actually stepping out into the night life to be more hands on. Had something shifted that he couldn't work just behind the computer anymore, or had he always helped guard the streets as well? Was this really just a possible high school kid? He doubted it, unless the kid had some sort of quirk that increased his intelligence or something similar to Nedzu's quirk. Low possibility but not impossible. Either way, his quirk had to be something incredible.
He was quiet for a moment as he processed that, both impressed and feeling a bit worried for the kid. There was no way someone pulled something like that off and didn't make enemies or paint a target on their back, but soon looked back up with a frown pulling at his features.
"Why are you telling me this?" He asked, watching as Tsukauchi leaned forward and tapped at the folders between them, and Aizawa felt his eyes widened as it clicked. This kid had done what Pro Heros could not in so many ways. Was able to reach and look into areas that had been unknown to them and delivered the information without anything in return.
"I've also asked for Emerald's help on a few other things while he was Hacker. If there's anyone that can find anything out in this world, it would be him. But be careful. He's a bit of a trickster and loves riddles and what not. So, he might not help you straight out until he trusts you enough." He stated, and Aizawa picked up the file once more to take the picture of Izuku Midoriya before standing.
"Yeah, well I'm a teacher for a reason so it shouldn't be too hard to figure out his games. It's the only lead I have, and I'll take it." He muttered, giving a nod to the Detective before exiting the building and rushing into the night. He had a Vigilante to find while he patrolled.
He wasn't too fond of the name the media had dubbed him, Emerald. Honestly, it was too on the nose and no doubt it was because of the way that he dressed. Nothing but dark green and black, but he couldn't really blame the news woman that had the honor to give him the name. He hadn't said anything, so it was obvious that she would think of something since it had to be catchy enough to be newsworthy. He also wasn't going to say that he was regretting saving her, because he wasn't- even if it had meant that word was getting around about him now. Besides, if push came to shove, he could always just go back to being Hacker for the precincts and Pro Heros that had managed to reach out to him for help in some cases that were proving too difficult because their reach wasn't far enough or being blocked by those with more power.
He honestly never thought that this would be his life after everything that had happened and found it both a little sad and a bit ironic. Being the downfall of one of the gangs that had tormented and tortured him for years and bringing another down with them merely because they had thought to put their noses where it didn't belong. Finding out that the Pro Hero Safety Commission, some high-level political figures, and even some Pro Heros were involved with those damn drugs and much worse stuff had been something as well. It had been satisfying to see them try to dig themselves out once everything was exposed, and while some had managed to just barely dodge the bullet, they were now minding their ps and qs since he was still watching over them. More than ready to bring them back into the spotlight if they even so much as thought about putting another toe out of line.
The target on his back would no doubt be large with everyone who wanted to get back at him, but one couldn't hit a target if they didn't know where to aim. During the day it was like he didn't exist, whereas at night no one ever got close enough to even figure out who Hacker- or he now supposed it was Emerald-was. Sure, there were a few Pro Heros he was willing to talk to, to help with their patrols or give them back up should they want or need it. But he still wasn't foolish enough to get close enough that they could find any distinguishable features that would alert them to who he was should they meet on the streets by chance. Although the game that they were playing were now filling him with amusement.
It was something that Midnight had started when he had assisted her in capturing a few thugs that had decided to try their luck against the Heroin. He had watched from afar at first, seeing that she had it pretty much handled until another had joined in with a wind quirk that had left her quirk at a great disadvantage. He had merely dropped in on the man, a hard hit upside his head with a pipe-nonlethal of course, he wasn't out to kill anyone-had put the wind user out of commission so Midnight could wrap the others up nice and easy. She had gushed from a distance at how quick thinking he was but had also announced that he looked far too young to be out on the streets and tried to shoo him away. They had bantered back and forth for a little bit, until the woman had finally given a huff and offered up a bet. He had been intrigued so had decided to hear her out, smiling as she suggested that if she could guess his quirk, then he had to follow her orders to go back home.
He had accepted, sitting on a ledge as she went over the rules. She would ask three questions, yes or no answers only, and if she could eventually guess his quirk correctly-not just a vague guess either, but straight down to what his quirk was-then he had to put the street life behind him and just continue through the computers. And that she was allowed three questions each time she saw him. As to how she had already figured out that he was Hacker he wasn't sure, but suspected that it had something to do with Detective Tsukauchi. Either way, he had agreed, already knowing that there wasn't any way that she would be able to guess his quirk, so had merely smiled and told her to go ahead.
Without surprise she hadn't even been close, giving off a huff as he had announced that her questions were up and that she had been wrong in her guesses. Which had led him to continue on his nightly patrols, and only to find out that she had mentioned the bet to other Pro Heros as well. He hadn't been worried about any of the Pro Heros guessing his quirk, and each one of them had said that their wish was mostly the same. He stops patrolling at night and leave the Pro Hero work to licensed Heros instead of this whole Vigilante nonsense. It was the same with each, none of them getting close. But it had been Present Mic that had caused him to sweat a little, that man wasn't like the other Pro Heros, he was far more perceptive. Thinking long and hard on questions that could narrow down all possibilities, and if he kept that up, he'd probably be the first to realize that Emerald was quirkless. What was worse, was that he hadn't announced what his wish would be yet. So he may or may not be limiting contact with Present Mic just to try and bide more time as a Vigilante, even though through legal means of the definition he wasn't a Vigilante either.
The faintest of scuffs sounding behind him had him jerking forward, jumping off the ledge and onto the neighboring rooftop before spinning around in a crouch as he scanned the rooftop he had just jumped from. His entire being freezing as he spotted Eraserhead standing in the center of the rooftop he had just vacated, dark eyes going from where he had been standing, to where he was now crouching on the neighboring roof.
"You have quick reflexes and impressive awareness, kid. I'm both impressed and concerned." He muttered, and Emerald slowly let out a breath before shifting in his crouched position so that he could still spring away, if need be, and to also make it harder for the Underground Pro Hero to gauge an accurate age based on his height. The dark green and black clothing he wore covered him nicely, as well as the dark mask and goggles he wore, but they didn't hide his small frame, so crouching allowed him to give an illusion of being a bit older than he was.
"Eraserhead. To what do I owe the visit." He made sure to keep his tone even, giving no hints of pitch or bass in his voice. Almost robotic in the sense as he raised a hand to pull at the seam of his hood, making sure that his hair was covered and shadows casted over his face before lowering his hand once more. Unconsciously sliding it along the knife strapped to his thigh, the pouch of marbles that hung by his side, and knocking his wrist against the foldable pipes he had fashioned. All his weapons were accounted for, nothing was left over there that Eraser could pick up for prints. He was fine.
"You know who I am?" The surprised tone from the Underground Hero brought a small twitch to his lips, always loving how Underground Heros reacted to him knowing their names. They were Underground for a reason. There was supposed to be limited knowledge on them, but that was limited knowledge to civilians, and he wasn't a normal civilian.
"I do. Out of all the Underground Heros you're probably the one I have the least amount of information on. Just knowing the basics of your quirk, fighting style, and that you teach at UA. Also, that you've been digging around for a case that was supposed to be erased from existence." He saw the tension that straightened the older man's shoulders, shifting slightly as the Pro Hero looked ready to pounce before relaxing as Eraser merely crouched in his spot on the roof. Emerald blinked, lowering his head slightly to study Eraserhead closer, seeing no threat or anything suspicious about him.
"Just that little bit is far more than a lot of people should know. Now I see why Tsukauchi sent me your way, you really could help." He muttered softly, and Emerald felt his jaw tighten as he continued to meet the older man's stare. He could easily guess what the man was talking about, no doubt wanting all the information there was to dig up on the case that was swept under the rug eight years ago. About the case that could have been a big blow to All Might's career but had been carefully constructed to make society believe that it had been a huge success with no casualties and quickly pushed aside. Making sure to keep his tone as neutral as possible, he crossed his arms over his knees and balanced on the soles of his feet.
"I'm assuming you're wanting information about the case from eight years ago. The case about the child that was taken from the scene of a Villain attack where one woman was killed, and All Might traded in the child's life for a detonator that turned out to be nothing more than one big fake-out. That the bomb that was planted was nothing more than a dud and that there was no threat to anyone else other than the child himself." He stated, watching as Eraser stared at him with wide eyes before nodding.
"Yes... If you know that much, then that means you know that All Might..."
"That All Might had it all swept under the rug. Making it seem like the bomb was indeed a threat that he was able to neutralize while hiding the fact that an innocent woman was killed while trying to save her child from the Villain, all while also letting said Villain get away with the child. Keeping all of that in the dark by saying that the Villain was off the scene when he arrived but that no one was injured, and the bomb had been simple enough to defuse. That if the real story got out then the Number One Hero would be defamed and brought to shame." He announced, watching as Eraser gave a nod. He waited, wanting to see if this Hero would defend the Symbol of Peace.
"Do you know what happened to the child? I've been looking for any and all information I can on him." He slowly blinked at that, giving a hum as he tilted his head to watch Eraserhead. Looking the man in the eyes to see nothing but sincerity and released a small click of his tongue. Knowing that just because he was looking for the child didn't exactly mean that he cared about the child. If the child was alive, then they could be a threat to the Symbol of Peace if they ever felt the need to tell the truth of that day. He didn't know why Eraserhead was going to such lengths to know about Izuku Midoriya, or what happened to him. If he could just find that part out, then he'd be able to figure out why he was going to such lengths.
"You were there that day to and allowed all of that to get covered up. Now why should I..."
"I only allowed it to get covered up because the Commission threatened to pull my license if I spoke a word against any of it. I couldn't let them pull my license because if they did then I would have no way in trying to locate the kid. When I find him, or if I find out what happened to him, then I will release that story and won't care what becomes of me afterwards. I just need to keep my reach and the resources for the time being." Eraserhead snarled out, causing Emerald to stare at him before relaxing with a soft sigh. Oh, what he wouldn't give to tell him about everything that happened on that day, but he couldn't just yet. Because he knew that Eraserhead could just be saying this to try and get his help. He needed to be a hundred percent that the Pro Hero in front of him was truly doing this for the right reasons, and not just trying to find the kid in order to make sure that he stayed silent.
"You've been looking for eight years. Do you really think that he's still alive? He was taken by a Villain that had been a part of the Hair Trigger gang. There is no telling what all they put him through, especially since they tested that despicable drug in so many ways." He asked, watching as the Pro Hero looked down for a moment, before inhaling and slowly exhaling. A hand coming up to push long black hair away from his face before he looked back up. Dark eyes looked tired. They were filled with honest worry and Emerald could only tilt his head slightly at the pure determination that he also saw within them.
"I know the probabilities of him still being alive are slim, and that he no doubt went through a level of living hell that no one else could ever come close to understanding. He was just a kid, no older than five. Thrown into a side of the world that would be hard for anyone, and even harder for someone without a quirk. There's a multitude of things that could have happened to him, and none of them merciful when involved with that gang or the drugs that were at their disposal. With my reach, all my connections, all my favors... I've heard neither of him still being alive or being found dead. Only the possibilities of what he could have gone through between testing with Trigger, and the possibility of being trafficked. But still, until I either learn that he is alive and see it with my own two eyes or that he is no more among the living, I'm not stopping." Emerald wasn't surprised to hear the conviction in the Pro Heros voice. Having heard from his own sources how much Eraser had done over the years to even find a crumb of a trail that would tell him what happened to the kid. The gang members he had interrogated and the missions that he had weaseled his way into just to try and find something.
He knew that the smartest move would be to tell the Pro Hero to just give up, that the child was dead. There was no way that a quirkless five-year-old could survive anything that Villain and gang would have put him through. That he was just going to drive himself mad trying to find answers when the most obvious one was no doubt the outcome anyway, but something was nagging at him to see where this would go. Something was telling him that of all the Pro Heros he had come across, he could tell Eraserhead. Or at least, could give him the crumbs that he was so desperately seeking so that he could find the answers for himself.
"And what will you do? If you find out that the child is dead, what then? Or if he is somehow alive, what will you do? What could you do?" He watched as the Pro Hero straightened, dark eyes flickering over his goggles as the Hero tried to get a read on him. As if trying to figure out why he himself would care so much about this kid to the point he would go to such lengths to protect any information that he may have on him.
"If I find that the child is dead, then I'll hold another burial and get a plot for him next to his mother. I'll find something of his to put in the grave, if need be, but that woman gave her life for him and if he's no longer of this world as well, then the kindest thing to do would at least lay them to rest together. If he's still alive, then I will do everything in my power to help him in any way that he needs it. No way he wouldn't come through a living hell of eight years without scars be they physical or mental, so long as he wishes for it or allows me to. And with either option, after I find the truth, I blow that whole case open and expose everything that happened that day. Consequences be damned." Emerald watched as Eraser met his gaze without flinching, nothing but brutal honesty in his gaze. Giving a soft hum, he slowly turned to look out over the expanse of the city, streetlights casting lights onto the buildings, some office and apartment lights still on. Giving a sparkle to the otherwise dark night.
It was peaceful, hardly anyone out and about. Even the smaller nuisances that usually caused trouble was quiet tonight. Something that could easily be disrupted or pushed into mayhem with the right motivation or a news outbreak saying that the Symbol of Peace not only lied to society to protect him image but had been tricked into sacrificing the life of one innocent child when no other life was in danger. That instead of fighting for all lives possible, he had quickly given in to the first bargain instead of even trying to find a way around it so that everyone was safe. It would ruin the Number One Hero and could very well throw society into a state where they wouldn't fully trust anything heros may say.
"You'd really risk the possibility of bringing down the Number One Hero's image for a single child. A quirkless child that may or may not even be alive. Even if it meant disrupting the peace that All Might has created, and possibly making it to where people won't trust anything that Heros say." He whispered, keeping his eyes out over the city.
"I would. I know a lot of people think me crazy for it. But what happened to Izuku Midoriya was unfair and was something that could have been prevented if we'd actually fought instead of All Might taking the bargain." Emerald tilted his head. Not missing how Eraser's tone had changed when he had mentioned how he was there too. It was full of pure, honest guilt. He truly feels like it was something he could have prevented. Something that he needs to atone for in any way. Even if it means eventually bringing what truly happened that day into the light. Eraserhead was someone he could trust with that information, but he needed one last thing...
"But does he really matter so much as to cause something like that?" The silence that stretched between them was thick, and he flickered his gaze over to the Underground Hero. Tensing as he saw glowing red eyes focused on him, as black hair levitated above Eraserhead. Moving slowly, he faced the Hero again, looking him over as he took in the glare and twisted snarl that was directed at him.
"His life matters. It has always mattered! Even today, it still matters. Quirkless or not, he is still a child that once had dreams, and still has a possibility to still live them. If I have even a sliver of a chance to give him that opportunity..."
"What if he wanted to be a Hero?" He knew that question would stall-
"Then he'd make history being the first quirkless Hero!" Emerald stared at Eraser in shock, not flinching at the glare or anger that was building up on the man. The Pro Hero before him honestly and truly thought that someone who was quirkless could be a Hero. There hadn't even been any hesitation in his answer. His glare was enough along with his words that Emerald knew that he fully and truly meant what he had just said.
Relaxing his shoulders Emerald couldn't stop the laugh that began to bubble in his chest, missing how Eraser blinked and slowly began to relax as his laughter grew and grew until he was clutching his sides. Swiftly looking away as he began to calm down, he swiped the tears of mirth that was sliding from his eyes before looking back at Eraser, the grin on his face hidden beneath his mask as he stood.
"Very well then, Eraser. I'll find all that I can on this Izuku Midoriya, and I'll be in touch with anything that I find. You've interested me enough that I think it will be a good investment to see how this all plays out, but on one condition." He stated, watching as the Pro Hero blinked, not missing how those dark eyes had quickly scanned over his form as he had stood. The surprise in the man eyes told him that Eraser realized that he was far younger than any of the other Pro Heros had previously thought but wasn't too concerned about it as the Pro Hero slowly got to his feet as well.
"And what is that condition?" Emerald smiled once more, stuffing his hands into the pockets of his hoodie as he tilted his head to the side.
"You join in on a bet. Every time that we meet, you have three questions that you can ask, only yes or no. Use these questions to try and guess my quirk. If you succeed in guessing correctly, then I'll do whatever you tell me to do so long as it is within reason and something I'm actually able to do. Sound fair enough?" He watched and waited as Eraserhead seemed to think about the offer, before giving a small nod.
"Seems fair enough, so long as it doesn't mean that I have to win the bet to get the information I'm looking for." He muttered, and Emerald shook his head.
"No, no. Nothing like that. Any information I find out about what you're wanting I'll give to you with no strings attached. I just want to include you in on the bet because it seems like it would be interesting. So, do you have any questions for me tonight?" He began to sway slightly as he waited, blinking with a smile on his lips as Eraser shook his head.
"No, I'll think of some questions for the next time though. See if there's any intel I can collect on you to give me a boost. Something tells me I'm going to need to put my all into this." He muttered, causing Emerald to release a chuckle before giving a nod.
"Very well then. I wish you the best of luck, but I am curious. What will you be telling me to do should you win?" He tilted his head as Eraser seemed to think for a moment, huffing as the man gave a shrug.
"Not sure yet. I'll think on that as well. Until next time, Emerald." He gave a hum and nod before spinning around and taking off across the roof, glancing back to see that Eraser was merely watching him leave. That was fine, especially since when he went to jump to the next roof, he merely dropped down into the alleyway before taking off. Looking over once he was far enough away to see Eraserhead standing on the ledge of the building he had dropped from, eyes scanning the area but not finding him as he slipped into the shadows. Out of all the Pro Heros, Eraserhead had always been a favorite of his, and now that he was going to be seeing more of him, he was actually feeling excitement that he hadn't felt in a long time. Now he just had to be careful on what information he gave the man until he was certain that he was someone he could trust fully, and wasn't just spouting some nonsense because he wanted a clear conscious from that horrible day eight years ago.