Echo Chamber

Chapter 20

Chapter 20

"Hey kiddo, want to go on patrol in Hosu today?"

"What? Can we?" Izuku asked as he looked at Ms. Joke in shock, sweat dripping up his face.

"Yeah, you've been checking your phone obsessively for the past few days, it's not healthy," the woman said, "So I called Manual and warned him that one of his interns was going to do something dumb. Apparently, he already had an idea that it was going to happen."

"He did?" Izuku muttered, before shaking his head, "Of course he would, he's a Hero! He would be able to figure out that Tenya went to him to try find the Hero Killer."

"Yep, so I called in a favor," Ms. Joke replied, "We're going to fly over there this evening, do an aerial patrol of the area."

"Wait...really? Why?" Izuku gasped as he lifted himself up again, hanging upside down from the bar by his knees, "Isn't that too much? Helicopter fuel must be expensive!"

"Oh, it is, but I was going to do it anyway!" Ms. Joke laughed, "I told Shota I would give you the full Hero experience, and I'm going to! We're just changing the order around a little!"

"Awesome!" Izuku breathed as he finished the exercise, dropping off the bar and flipping himself over, "I'm going to go have a nap now so I'm not tired for tonight! Is that alright?"

"Sure thing, kiddo! Just don't sleep too long, you'll mess up your sleep patterns!"

"Sure thing, mom!" Izuku laughed as he walked out of the room.

The man smiled as he watched the small blip on the screen, moving across the map as it headed towards Hosu.

"Another day of patrolling, sorry it couldn't be more exciting," Manual chuckled as he led the two interns through the streets, the evening sky slowly darkening.

"No, it's better this way," Iida muttered as he looked around.

"Tenya," Manual said quietly, drawing the two boys' attention, "I know why you're really here. I mean, I had my suspicions, but they were confirmed this morning."

"What are you saying, Manual?" Iida tensed, glancing between Shoto and the Pro.

"Just that...you shouldn't let yourself be motivated by personal grudges," Manual answered, before giving the teen a nervous smile, "Not that I'm saying the Hero Killer should get off scot-free! It's just that...well, that's not what Heroes do, you know?"

"I...I understand, Manual," Iida replied, bowing slightly, "Thank you for the lesson."

"Not a problem! It's why I'm here!" the man chuckled, "To help teach you guys!"

"I have learned a lot," Shoto nodded, "I had no idea how hard paperwork could be. But it is fulfilling to get it finished."

"Oh! Tell me about it!" Manual laughed, "I was buried in the stuff when I first started as a Sidekick! I swore I'd never dump my paperwork on my staff when I got my own agency!"

Iida watched as the two chatted, his fist clenched as he thought over Manual's words. Even if they made sense, the pain inside him wasn't going anywhere. And he was sure it wouldn't until he knew that the Hero Killer had been brought to justice. However it happened.

Overhead, a brightly colored helicopter flew through the air.

"So, this is Hosu," Shigaraki growled as they walked out of the portal on top of the water tank, "Livelier than I expected."

"I will reform this town," Stain cackled, licking his lips as he grinned, "But to do that more sacrifices are needed!"

"Sacrifices?" Shigaraki muttered, "So you're going after more Heroes?"