Undead Revolution (⛔☁️)

S5 - 5. [Zenith]

It was something he'd really rather not do, but despite his connections to the league, his best bet for help was the heroes. A shame since he wasn't exactly on good terms with them, but he needed them to manage the cleanup. The league could only do so much.

He'd been staying at Teskai's, healing from his tremendous failure. At the hands of the heroes nonetheless.

「A good pun, no?」

Katsuki, fully suited up as Deadpool, made his way to Yuuei High School. He had sent a message to the heroes, summoning them for a meeting.

His identity was hidden in the message, but the promise of a truce would be too tempting for them to ignore. Not that they knew, but his little truce would end the second they finished.

His grudge over losing Francis wouldn't be quelled so easily. It had taken him far too long to track the bastard down.

As he approached the all too familiar gates of Yuuei, he spotted a group of pro heroes waiting for him. Among them were Eraserhead, All Might, and Hawks, their expressions hardening when they caught sight of him. Despite everything, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of sadness. He'd missed interacting with heroes. Especially his past teacher. He'd really missed them, especially since he wasn't actively engaged in a fight with them.

He was free to feel nostalgic. Free to mourn his previous life, free to agonize over his betrayal of his morals.

Eraserhead was the first to speak, his tone as deadpan as ever. "Deadpool"

Katsuki's lips pressed together into a thin line behind his mask. "I require your help"

All Might stepped forward, his voice carrying the weight of his years as the Symbol of Peace. "This wouldn't have to do with Department K, would it? I apologize for letting that guy go, I should've detained him"

Katsuki paused, his posture momentarily relaxing with surprise. "You know about those bastards?"

Hawks, ever the smooth talker, chimed in. "We've been tracking them for the past few months. It wasn't too hard to find the pattern in your ...jobs"

Despite his outward calm, Katsuki's heart raced at this information. "I see" Did this mean that they were just watching? Just leaving Department K to its own devices? They weren't trying to avenge him?

Was that what that meant? Was it?

Eraserhead's gaze was piercing. "I'm assuming you have a lead?"

"Final boss. I need cleanup, I'm done after this" Katsuki clenched his fists, conflicting emotions swirling within him. Was he really, though?

He liked the thrill of the hunts, the screams, the blood splatters. Even if he had to reset every once in a while, it was a good lifestyle.

It was a quick acceptance, but Eraserhead answered first. "That's simplistic. I'm in"

All Might frowned, his expression grave. "Agreed. I can put our differences aside"

Hawks seemed a little more hesitant. "I think it's best if I don't go. I'll be backup, of course, but I'll stay back on this"

With a nod of agreement from the others, Katsuki sighed. "I'll send you what I have"

With that, he turned to walk away. He stopped short, however, when he heard the distinct voice of one of his previous classmates. They weren't close by, but he heard their voice nonetheless.

He glanced past the heroes towards the source of the voice. Aizawa tensed and Katsuki internally recoiled. Walking away, he quietly sighed. He missed being a student at Yuuei.

Returning home felt like a bigger challenge than the upcoming battle. He was so drained, so stressed about everything. His emotions were everywhere, forming a hurricane of torment inside of him.

Once he arrived home, a wave of something hit him, knocking down his walls and shattering his forever-strong resolve.

So he just went to his room, changing out of his (newly redone) suit and into plaid pants and a black, cotton shirt. It felt so different from his suit, so soft and welcoming. He fought tears.

Katsuki had always been good at hiding his emotions, but tonight, the weight of everything he had been through was too much to bear. He found himself standing in the hallway, staring at his mother's closed door. With a deep breath, he knocked lightly.

"Come in" His mother's voice called from the other side.

He pushed the door open and stepped inside. She looked up from her book, concern immediately crossing her face as she took in his appearance. He was just so exhausted, both physically and emotionally.

"Katsuki?" She asked softly, setting the book aside. "What's wrong, baby?"

Without a word, he crossed the room and sat on the edge of her bed. His mother moved her legs over, making room for him, and he crawled up to lay his head in her lap like he used to when he was a child.

For a moment, neither of them spoke. She gently ran her fingers through his hair, a soothing gesture that brought back memories of simpler times.

"I'm tired" He finally whispered, his voice barely audible. "So tired"

"I know, sweetheart," She murmured. "You've been working so hard"

Katsuki closed his eyes, allowing himself to be vulnerable for once. "Sometimes I wonder if it's worth it," he admitted. "All'a this... I don't even know if I'm doing the right thing anymore"

His mother continued to stroke his hair, her touch comforting. "You're doing your best" She said softly. "And that's all anyone can ask of you"

He nodded, though he knew she didn't know even half of everything. There were so many parts of his life he couldn't, wouldn't, share; not even with her. But in this moment, he allowed himself to take solace in her words.

"I just... don't want to disappoint you," He confessed quietly, his voice cracking.

She leaned down, pressing a kiss to his forehead. "You could never disappoint me, Katsuki" She whispered. "I'm so proud of you. No matter what you do, or what path you choose, I will always be proud of you. And I'll always love you."

Tears stung at the corners of Katsuki's eyes, but this time, he didn't fight them. He let them fall, harsh sobs wracking his body. He just wanted all of this to stop. If only Jiang had been the end of this, if only he hadn't had to stray so far from heroism.

If only they'd let him die, if only he'd just accepted it and let the cancer consume him.

But for the first time in a long while, he allowed himself to simply be his mother's son. And in that moment, it was enough.

Word Count: 1114