Level Zero - Villain!Bakugou Rehabilitation

11 || Childhood Cruelty

Uraraka Ochako's POV

"Deku." Ground Zero's voice came out as more of a growl than anything else, and Ochako froze on the spot.

She had grown up with tales of this Villain, heard stories about his doings, and seen him appear on the local big-screen televisions around town.

Never having owned one herself due to her somewhat humble household, she would tune in on the world's News Broadcast's once a fortnight or so, if she had the time. But every time she saw the current Villain Rankings that came on, for the public to be aware of she assumed, she could see him.

Ground Zero.

His masked face sneered down from the very top of the list without fail, along with the motto; 'If you don't step forwards, you'll never get anywhere.'

Whether it was for a murder, sabotage, vandalism, or a new conspiracy, it didn't matter. He was always there.

His name had become one that mothers would tell children to get them to behave, blowing his 'accomplishments' and Villainous deeds way out of proportion.

Once, when Ochako was little, her father had had an extremely rare moment of pure anger at her and told her that if she didn't do as she was told Soramitsu Tabe would come and take her in the night. This had terrified her, and she had behaved well.

To Ochako's knowledge, the same stories were being told even now, except this time featuring the No. 1 Pro Ground Zero. Pro Villain, that is.

Ochako didn't know how long he'd held that place in the top ranks, but it was certainly more than a year. Considering how murderous she knew other Villains could be, this was an impressive feat.

But then he had joined her class, and Ochako realised just how young he was. In the same year as her for sure, which means he'd have to have been killing people since childhood. It was more than enough to chill Ochako to the bone.

He had approached no one, and spoke only when spoken to directly to by a teacher. In fact, this little outing after school hours was the first time Ochako had heard the boy speak around her since that awful fight in the cafeteria!

And the pure loath behind his eyes was enough to have her incapable of moving.

Up until now, Ochako had thought of him in almost admiring terms. She liked the way his hair stood up all over the place, it reminded her of Midoriya's green locks, and she was revered by the flawless way he fought.

(Stop that shipping you nasties that's not what she means)

But it had seemed to escape her mind that the reason Ground Zero had those skills was to hurt other people, not help them, and him being that good had most likely brought about the end of numerous other Heroes.

Ochako supposed this confrontation between her closest friend and her new classmate had given her a much needed reality check.

For indeed while she had stood there in contemplation, the harsh words being traded in front of her had escalated into something edging on a fight. The two had somehow drifted a good few metres away from her, and Ochako's eyes widen as she realised what was happening.

Zero had Midoriya's collar in a balled up fist, and was shoving him against the wall behind them. Midoriya had his hands up in defence, waving them around and trying to placate the infuriated Villain.

It was safe to say that wasn't working.

Ochako took a stride forwards, more than ready to get the Villain away from her best friend, using force if need be. However, a hand shot out, stopping her from progressing any further. Ochako's brows furrowed in confusion.