Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

He should've expected this.

At the age of four, Izuku Midoriya learned that not all men are created equal; and no matter how hard people try to push; no man is created equal. Especially if they are in the minority.

Izuku Midoriya is in the minority.

His smile falls.

And oh, does falling sound so... freeing.

The wind against his skin, possibly the only kisses he gets on it. Sound would all fuse together to a steady and reassuring hum. The streets would be empty and deserted- he didn't want to traumatize anyone. Would the sky be a deep blue or maybe a blue that sang to the birds. Would anyone see him and just reach out? Or would they not bother, knowing not everyone can be save. He wonders. 

Not yet. There's a loud explosion. Followed up by another one and before Izuku could fall freely, his hero mind wanders down the flight of stairs and to the location of his first villain encounter. It almost felt natural like the other times he sprinted to watch the heroes win to save. Now, this almost seems...set up. Rushing to be in a villain attack-

No.

Second.

Second.

Then again, he wasn't rushing to be in danger in the first place. He isn't even ruining to the second location, his feet just moved on their own to the sounds of a familiar starburst explosion.

There's a group of civilians behind. There's a group of heroes protecting the other civilians but not saving the hostage. Wait, Izuku knows the hostage. It's the boy who gave the idea of falling... and he's in danger. His eyes plead red at Izuku

save me
help me
someone
you?

Pushing past the others there's nothing in the boy's mind except knowing he has to save him. His feet pound against the pavement trying to reaching closer to his friend- save him, save him, save him. His mind caught up to his body as he flings the yellow backpack to the villain who taken him hostage not so long ago. An object poking his eye. For those costly moments before the number one came; the slime villain loosens the hold against Bakugo Katsuki.

Izuku doesn't know if those moments helped Katsuki, but he wishes it did. He doesn't know what he would do if it messed everything up like the heroes scold him for being so reckless.

They yell at him for doing the most foolishness thing he could've done. Of course it didn't help when they caught wind of his quirklessness. All the while, he finds it funny. Funny, they're scolding him for doing their job-save. So yeah, it's funny: isn't it always a priority to save?

Later when Katsuki comes to yell at Izuku, claiming he didn't need his help, the desire to fall doesn't loosen. When Izuku starts to walk back home, the feeling only slightly lets up because he realizes that those key seconds helped keep Kacchan alive.

Sadly, those moments only settle within him before it's pushed away from the feelings of gooey substance, an emotion of shame and failure, all accompanied by a deep rooted gut feeling of annoyance. Except, Izuku doesn't want to carry that around so he'll settle with blaming the goo.

He thinks about how the goo felt and it was only seconds compared to the ashen blond. That the gooey ink lodged into the lungs couldn't have been better for the blonde than the greenette. It also makes Izuku wonder... had he inspire All Might to take action?

Surely, he was there before Izuku. After all he went down the stairs before so he must of heard the explosion. It's why he got there so quickly. Eventually it leads him into a spiraling rabbit hole, only to be interrupted by the same man who crushed his dreams.

Why is he here?

"All Might!" Izuku brightened, his smile was radiant and contagious.

"Young man, I would like to thank you for sprinting in to action, had it not been for you I wouldn't have sprung up myself and who knows what would've happen had it been the fate-" All Might himself was thankful but it wouldn't matter in seconds to come. Months to come, and maybe even years later.

"Oh, um, of course!" Izuku's smile didn't dampen, on the contrary it only seem to radiate even more.

Soon it would.

"Please do not interrupt me." His tone firm and eyes narrowed slightly.

O-oh?

Years of torment taught Izuku well and quick that when an adult uses nothing good was to come, he was more than aware of what's to come.

Before All Might could speak he coughed up liters of blood. It didn't stop him. "Young man, what you did out there was dangerous and reckless and you should've left it to the pros. Do you know how much damage you would've cause had I not been there?"

The young boy couldn't contain his thoughts. There were millions and millions but the question slipped out before he had a chance to think.

"Did you say you were inspired by me?"

"Yes, but that is not the point. Far from it, actually. Besides when I said inspire I meant it as...a way of heroism."

"So my actions were heroic but you're not grateful for them because I'm quirkless- saying the least- yet you still are, because I'm quirkless? I'm sorry All Might but I don't understand. It's either you're grateful for my actions or are simply dismissing me because of my status, which isn't fair of you. So let me ask you one question and I'll quiet down, is that ok, sir?" Izuku had his eyes set on the skeleton of a man and the usual emeralds were nothing more than scarily vivid, clover eyes.

It took All Might a moment to calm down. He wasn't used to not being comprehended. Is that what he felt? Or was it more along the lines of disgust? "Yes, it would be best for you to let your excitement out." He coughed again. Eyes set stone on the green individual.

"All Might, sir, can I or can I not become a hero in today's society without a quirk?"

As soon as he said that, blood rushed to Izuku's ears. He forced his head down-whatever confidence or anger he felt had vanished. His cheeks flourished with a rich pink and his body stood firm. He was trembling inside as he didn't know what to expect. Well he did, just not to this extent. How can one be a hero who smiles kindly and yet smile and laugh down at a person? How?

"No. As I said before on the rooftop; You cannot be hero without a quirk in today's society. What you did, going after that villain was dangerous, you are quirkless, my boy, and therefor inferior to us rest. Had something happen to you, the heroes would've been put to blame as a quirkless teen, such as yourself, gone out. Do you realize their careers could've been jeopardized before the public had even known you were quirkless? The damage would've been done. Not to mention the other young boy would've been in more danger. His quirk is powerful and it helped-"

"He caused the fires, endangering other civilians. And because of how powerful Kacchan's quirk is, it led to the other heroes to help others instead of the hostage. Because of me, Kacchan had the chance to breathe before he couldn't again." Izuku knew that arguing with the number one was beyond stupid. To put it simple. But at this moment, he thought All Might, his idol, was the idiot here, not him. Going back on his words all because he lacked a quirk? Therefor lacking the properties to be classified as a citizen, no, a human.

"Do not cut me off again young man." A glint casted the eyes of the idol. Izuku has only seen it be used against villains. He puffed up again so he got the full experience. It terrified him.

"Sorry." Izuku didn't dare match his eyes with the symbol again.

"Young man, if you have no quirk, you have no status. You're not even considered a person so how can you be a hero? You'll be killed and the efforts made by those who believed in you- wasted. Surely you can take up other respectful jobs such as being a doctor or a policeman." As All Might crushed Izuku's dream, his own form started to deflate and white smoke appeared instead. Again.

"I suppose you do have a point. Though, as you stated; it's because I don't have a quirk that they'll never think twice on hiring me. I'm not even a candidate. So I just thought that maybe I could change the world and be the first quirkless hero. Now, I'm sure there is no point in trying, thank you. If that is all you would've like to say to me then I'll head on my way home now, excuse me."

The whole encounter left Izuku Midoriya with the same taste that villain had left him with. His throat seemed to be covered in raw gooey slime, his skin hadn't felt much better either. Yet this time, it was even bitter and increasingly suffocating.

He guessed it would be the last time he saw All Might, he was soon to be mistaken. As for now, he can have his rest.

(/(°∞°)\)

Thanking his stars, his mother hadn't seen or heard of the sludge villain incident. He didn't want to worry her for the last few days she'll ever see him.

Izuku didn't want to die- no one did.

He had dreams to pursue and people to save. So, so, so many people to save such as the ones others couldn't save or didn't want to. It's a heroes job to save everyone. He knew that, but he also knew he couldn't save anyone if he wasn't to saved himself first.

Countless beatings from peers, a constantly worrying mother just because of something he wasn't born with, and the number one hero telling him what others had try to get into his head.

What happened was only a couple of hours ago but it led to a restless night of sleep and a permanent frown.

(/(°∞°)\)

Something deep in All Might felt heavy- he felt heavy and awful. It was like his own insides wanted him gone for good this time. Forget about the stomach and lung!

For now he won't know it was the vestiges he carried within brewing up with anger and sympathy. He won't know how badly he messed up and how grateful he should be for heroes who saved Izuku Midoriya. To thank those same lucky stars that Izuku Midoriya is a hero.

Where the vestiges lie; many glared at the woman, not truly meaning any of it but angry with the donkey she choose-as they choose as well.

The first holder sighed deeply, "Shimura, I know we also agreed on Toshinori but what kind of fuckery is this?"

There wasn't even a moment of pause before the seventh holder lashed. "I don't know! The damn brat was quirkless once too! What's the problem now Toshi? Hah? Sweet cherries, First, I'm deeply sorry on my successor's narrow mind." Shimura apologized deeply, never did she imagine how cruel her student would be-could be.

He was once quirkless too, and his dream was far bigger than sweet Midoriya. If it was his worry about the little guy getting hurt-understandable; just tell him to work harder. It wasn't that though and it sure as hell isn't impossible.

It wasn't that though. Kami! it wasn't that at all. He told the boy he'd be useless to the heroes and be a bother. He's a hero for kami sake!

A hero inspires others, encourages them, fights for them, and protects them. He hadn't done any of that. The boy had more heroism than All Might himself.

Shimura wasn't the only one feeling this way, the other past holders felt the same. They felt the same anger and horror.

"What do we do now?" Nana asked quietly. She knew what she wanted to do: help Midoriya Izuku to become the best hero there is. Ever will be. She took a deep and closing her eyes temporarily. It was quiet until she drew her breath out. "...I for one, know what I want to do; I want to help him become a hero, the greatest one to ever live."

"He will become a hero with our power- no his power."

"We train him to be a hero."

"We help him become a hero."

"Train him to become the best fucking hero."

"Lead him to his dream of becoming a hero."

"One that will serve hope and love, but he won't be the only symbol. It's too much to bare."

"I agree with First, look at the donkey now. He got to chase his dream and accomplish it. Even so he doesn't have much time left. When he's gone who will step up? The heroes? Certainly they'll try but who can agree on one so quickly? Who will carry the burden? The one All Might and Sir Nighteye have chosen?" The Fifth user spoke angrily.

"He's a great kid, don't get me wrong." Shimura sighed, "but he isn't...history will only repeat itself. Besides, they've only chosen him for his outstanding progress with his quirk. He has a good heart but there's nothing more."

"But a quirk isn't what makes the hero. It's their heart. I'm sure Mirio has a wonderful heart, but where do we stand?"

"I don't know about you all but I stand with Midoriya-kun." Nana announced. Shortly after, the others agreed. Well, all except one.

"First?"

It took the first user some time to announce his own ideas. It didn't disappoint them in the slightest. "We train him with One for All, allow him to access all of our quirks, get him into UA, show All Might how wrong he is, and help him become the greatest hero of all time. We become Midoriya Izuku's heroes. Plus Ultra or whatever."

"You filthy Gen Z-er." The second user sighed.

"At least I'm not a sticky Ipad kid user."

"Oh hell no! You two aren't starting shit again!"

While All Might still felt heavy and regretful for some off reason, the users inside ended up arguing about former lives and generations. Ultimately deciding that the next true holder of One for All will be Midoriya Izuku.

Nothing will get in their way.

Mark their words,
Midoriya Izuku will become a future symbol.
A symbol for hope.

"Hey say it!"

...

"Say it you bitch!"

What is this, breaking the forth wall? Fine whatever,

As the school motto goes, PLUS ULTRA!

Chapter Text

Katsuki Bakugo likes to think of himself as the best.

All his life, people have told him such so why wouldn't it be true? He's got the quirk, a loving family-a rich family, people who admire him, a best friend- no, no, not that.

Whatever, it doesn't matter anyways.

Being the best sometimes mean that relying on others isn't a requirement to become the greatest hero of all time.

Look at All Might, he's the number one hero- the greatest (not for long of course) and he has no one besides him. He doing mighty fine.

Well, that's not entirely true.

He did have someone by his side around six years ago or so. He's a fine hero too and his name is Sir Nighteye. They were a good duo- while one of them was brawn the other was the brains.

It made him think that he and Deku would be a pair like that- they'd be unstoppable. It lasted a good couple of years before the duo stopped and became no more. It was around that time where he began to torment his former best friend.

It wasn't always bruises and burns. There would mostly be words of hatred without and fierce sentiment of loathing.
He hates how he could say that.

Abuse is still abuse

What he hates even more is that he only realizes that now.

Now after he told his best friend to go die and pray to even be considered a human. After he burnt his friend so much that he holds an arm to his shoulder. Now after his victim saves him when no one else would or even tried.

He has to apologize and thank him.

He has to.

Before it's too late.

That and because no else has.

No one would.

He may have walked away from Izuku but that doesn't mean he got very far. Because of that, he heard when the damn little nerd shouted 'All Might', he heard when the so called hero told him the same words peers would scream at the kid. Heard his tone and saw his expression.

Course he didn't believe it until the bastard poofed up into his glorious self-a bunch of bullshit is what Katsuki calls it.

While he may not have been present in the past years, it doesn't mean he didn't like to be aware of things.

What happened today because of him, hurt the boy.
What happened today because of the number one hero, hurt the boy.
What will surely happen today because of his caring mother, will hurt even more.

It's all because of him.

Katsuki Bakugo used to think of himself as the greatest.

Now all he thinks of himself is disgusting.

Like the goo had left him.
No, what made him feel the most revolting, is sneering those awful words at Izuku.

૮⍝◜•˕̮•◝⍝ა

There wasn't a time to talk to the nerd.

So he would just have to talk to him after school.

Fuck- no he said he would meet those extras after school. Said they would have a surprise for him.

To be quite frank, he simply thought it was a stupid 'get well' gift. He survived didn't he? There shouldn't have to be a gift at all-the stupid extras knew better.

There wasn't a shitty point to get him anything. Though, the way they've been acting throughout the whole day did make him suspicious.

It wouldn't be until after school would he be sick with the surprise they had in mind.

It wasn't an accident.

૮⍝◜•˕̮•◝⍝ა

Izuku never had any real intention of dying so early.

He never thought a villain could be after him- after all why would they? With his plain looks and status, surely they could do better.

Even with all the years of bullying and betrayal- he never wanted to prove that stupid statistic correct or even add another percentile.

Kami, the simple thought of that makes his stomach churn.

It never even crossed his mind that people would want him gone.

All this for some surprise?

What a surprise indeed.

Two of the closest people Bakugo has aquatinted himself with pulled him out of the class right away and telling Bakugo to hurry along.

His ashen blonde friend followed- out of confusion he's guessing.

When they reach the stairs, Izuku knew what was bound to happen. Unluckily of him, the blonde still didn't even know what was to happen.

Reaching the door of the building with no fence around the edge, the others spoke.

And when they spoke, they all listened.

"Look Bakugo! We're giving you, your wish. Never seeing this Deku ever again. After yesterday, you confirmed our thoughts of just doing his job ourselves. No one cares and it's not the first time. So this won't go on your record- nothing to worry about."

The confusion in the blonde's red eyes suddenly cleared away, his face pale as he stuttered out those words. "..you g-guys don't mean."

They mistook that as happiness.

Izuku Midoriya would no longer be.

They dragged him closer to the edge and the blonde followed quick to stop their movements.

Stopstopstopstop!

"What they hell are you guys doing? This is fucking murder!" He tried to yell out but it only came out as a mere whisper.

Stopstopstopstop!

"Fine, we'll make it look like an accident."

Stopstopstopstop!

I'll leave if that's what you want but please- I don't want to die.

He fell weak to those around him and Bakugo clawed his way in. As close as he was, one of the extras drew his foot out, "You know what? you may not want him dead but that doesn't mean the rest of us don't. You can just carry around the thought, the thought that you started this all."

Stopstopstopstop.

He doesn't want to die. He never did. Falling was just a wish, a wish he knew he could fulfill by bungee jumping or something else. He was too weak to even try. Or maybe he was too strong to even try. He doesn't want to die.

A hard push on Izuku's chest pulled him back into reality. His feet stumbling across the border-almost like he tripped.

His mouth fell dry.

Falling is supposed to feel freeing- not like he's being suffocated in the goo again.

Falling is supposed to be freeing- not like a cage around his shoulders and a brick tied to his foot.

Falling isn't suppose to happen.

He doesn't want to look and his ears fell dead the moment the air seeped into them.

In a faint distance he could taste the nitroglycerin-like-substance from Kacchan's hands. A couple of droplets that don't tune into an explosion and instead fell down due to the pull of gravity. Nonetheless, it brought back the scream that was stuck in his throat. It brought him back to his senses that no, he didn't want to die and if he could taste the burnt caramel from his friends hands... then he doesn't have to die in vain.

Katsuki is the greatest.

He held out his hand to Izuku.

So close.

So close.

So close.

Katsuki is the greatest.

But he isn't the fastest.

Fuck! He isn't the fastest but kami- he swears not to try.

He slows down as pain ricochet from his limbs. It doesn't matter, he has to try. So he forces himself to try harder. It doesn't matter, his pain doesn't matter compared to a life.

The ground seemed to be ever growing, it's when he realizes once more, he isn't the greatest. It's when fear settles in and self-doubt falls into his palms.

Because he would let his friend die.

"Izuku!"

"Kacchan!"

Time just stopped.

And they were paused.

In mid air.

With Izuku Midoriya holding onto the Katsuki Bakugo.

Both alive.

One floating.

All due to Izuku Midoriya, awakening his first use of One for All.

Chapter Text

All Might was with Mirai and Mirio.

They've been at a training center in All Might Enterprise- his hero agency- for a while now. While Mirio works on increasing his muscle mass while using One for All, Mirai and Yagi discuss about the quirks all together.

More importantly, why Mirio seems to be weakening ever so slightly and why One for All doesn't seem to be settling.

His body is rejecting it, bones seem to shatter, and the progress of his original quirk seems to be new all over again.

It's hell and illogical.

Sir was in a deep discussion on possible ways to overcome this, not bothering to check on his pupil or his former partner. He knows they'll both be alright in the future. He didn't need to check with his quirk anyway. 

Too focused on the future, he doesn't seem to hear his student's gasp of air and screams of plea.

All Might, ever so caring, reaches out to his boy and helps him. Before he could ask what happened, he too is being scorched by the pain inside of him.

We do not belong to you and we do not live within you.

Both blondes can feel a fury so old it's traumatizing. It's as if an ancient power is full of disappointment and anger at them- no just the skeleton man- and this is a mere heads-up.

All Might feels a new awakening and mistakes it for a calling from All for One. Why would his own power feel so hot? So threatening? So alive?

Mirio understands what these voices seem to be telling him. It confirms his suspicion from a day ago but he's told them this and they won't listen. He felt it in the middle of the day too. There's a pull within him and he just knows that yes, this quirk is alive and it's not his and won't ever be his.

And that's okay too.

"One for All is alive" He whispers out.

"All for one is alive" Yagi croaks past.

"No."

૮⍝◜•˕̮•◝⍝ა

Izuku fell unconscious afterwards.

Still levitating through the air, but it wasn't him who was controlling the quirk anymore, there was a soft glow of a purple light around him.

Katsuki's wrists hurt but he still grabbed onto Izuku, fearing that if he let him go- he wouldn't come back. He didn't want that, not then or now, not ever. To even think that he may have suggested that in the first place? Oh Kami he felt disgusting. 

When the mysterious quirk pulled them to a safe landing on the ground, the light became brighter and brighter until it engulfed them both.

Now they're in an unconscious state of mind not really knowing what is happening around their world. The two boys who pushed Izuku has well run off when Katsuki jumped after Izuku. There wasn't anyone but them- not even the crappy security system had been able to capture it all.

Truly, they were alone.

In the presence of One for All.

Of six past users.

But together.

To say the least, the world was a strange thing. It was a void if it was anything. Izuku is sure that it has to be something.

Slowly he began to regain consciousness and sees the world he's meant to be in. Taking in the galaxy like sky and a rocky surface, he turns to see five other people to his right. Taking a look to the left are two blurry figures and a Katsuki lulled to a sleep but aware of everything.

The two blurry figures are yellow and gold. So fitting and so imposter like-was it supposed to be? All the rest had nothing in common so why did these two follow suit of each other?

He's getting ahead of himself.

"Izuku Midoriya?"

A soft voice met his ears and his attention immediately fell to a white like figure.

He opened his mouth only to find it covered along with the rest of his body, all except for his eyes. Eyes so vivid, filled with a young mischief, eyes in which the color compared to his own, staring straight at him. Even if he could talk, nothing would surely come out.

"Ah, I guess that's my bad. Let me introduce myself to you, I am Yoichi Shigaraki, the first wielder of One for All and you will be the ninth. The true ninth holder of our quirk. The people on your right will guide you to greatness, as will I. The blonde by your feet will also help. Though he hasn't exactly opened his eyes, he is aware as my friend is telling him the exact thing. Under different circumstances, we wouldn't have met this early on and you would have a different guide but this is a nice shake of things.

"As for the two on your left, they look quite similar, no? We thought so as well. While I shouldn't be outing others, the yellow one is Yagi Toshinori-alias; All Might. The golden retriever besides him is Mirio Togata-alias Lemillion. The 'ninth' user of One for All."

Ninth? But didn't you say I was the ninth? And what's this about All Might-

He hears the man chuckle and if his face wasn't covered in a milky black fog, he would turn pink.

"Don't be ashamed, you are correct, Izuku. You are the true ninth. First let me explain the origin of this world and us as a whole. We are the vestiges of One for All, a quirk made to defeat All for One, also known as my brother..."

The white haired man shares the story that has been passed down from the beginning. A story he didn't have to share with the second or third but the rest that came. His eyes sadden at the mention of his lost brother. A power he had been blessed with had been tarnished with selfish desire.

He tells him of his own sickness, a reason why he's so frail but healthy in spirit. He explains how powerful this quirk is but to not panic as they will guide him through it all. Tells him it's a great burden but shares advice he's gain over the centuries.

"Great power is always a burden. Having people you trust and love who will support you in your lowest, making you stronger will ease it. Sharing burdens is hard, but I know you'll have the strongest with you."

Izuku doesn't know if he's ready but that's just last minute second guessing. Deep down he knows he can become the greatest. Izuku Midoriya doesn't refuse, instead he listens to the advice Yoichi gives him and memorizes it like he would with any hero knowledge.

But what about All Might and this Mirio guy? and Kacchan?

"See, I knew I was forgetting something. Right, we'll had I been another I wouldn't really share this much with you...but pettiness is just so flavorful. All Might, he was quirkless once too-now before you get angry, trust me we raised hell with him- he isn't going to be around very long. His power has been decreasing ever since he gave it to Mirio. But it's been decreasing before that, All Might fought with my brother five or six years ago and it left him very frail. As for Mirio, he's a nice guy with a great heart but we just don't... history will only repeat itself. My brother is still alive despite what the donkey says. Mirio would die young too and we can't have that. Too many had to have such fate because of this. This quirk has been rejecting him and we have too. We are alive, Izuku. "

Because of that, you all don't want him either. That only raises my question even more, why am I so special? I'm quirkless and I've only ever gotten in people's way...

"That's where you are wrong. When you jumped into action to save Kacchan over here, you had more heroism than everyone there combined. Saving people is what matters the most and technically yes, that's what they were doing too but it wasn't enough. Kacchan here would've been gone had you not save him. You had no plan, sure, but once you sprung your backpack at that liquid fellow, it was clear that you did have one. A little shaken, perhaps, but you are young. We all admire your courage which is why we want you and chose you to be with us. We will live within you and belong to you so long as you will have us."

As conflicting as this all was, there wasn't anything more that Izuku wanted to do than to save people. He accepted it with grace and potential.

"Welcome, Izuku Midoriya, this is your hero path."

Tears sprung into his eyes. He shook with excitement and happiness. His smile might've been wobbly-but Kami, had it been beautiful.

"Before we leave, you will be training under Nana Shimura's quirk-float. Change the name if you want or keep it. To Nana she doesn't mind but would prefer you to keep it-she's very furious with Yagi. One last thing, you are free to tell anyone you trust and love, so don't be scared. Besides there's this bozo who will know about it too. For now, until we meet again Izuku Midoriya."

The bright light returned.

The purple was fierce.

But it was the other colors that had left him with hope.

White so pure
Reds so strong
Yellow so bright
Blue so calming
Purples so determined
and Green so hopeful.

Yes, Izuku Midoriya is true holder of One For All; he is the ninth.

૮⍝◜•˕̮•◝⍝ა

They returned in Izuku's room with a small thud.

On Izuku's part, he landed on Katsuki. Katsuki had an ungraceful fall and Izuku landed right where it winded him. If the second user chuckled than that was only for him to know. To him it was a mere coincidence. Course, the others knew all too well.

Izuku scrambled to get off and straighten himself out, wheezing for air. He couldn't get enough of it.

What had happened to him in the past day and today had all caught up to it and he doesn't know how to handle it. It was the worst and best day all combined but now he might not even get to experience more great days because he's not getting enough oxygen!

"Hey, hey Izuku, I need you to follow my breaths okay?" Katsuki began to hold his breaths for long periods of time and then releasing it slowly. Repeating it however long it takes to get Izuku to be okay again.

It wasn't long 'til then, "T-thanks Kacchan."

"Don't mention it, nerd."

The atmosphere turned stale then. Neither not really knowing what to say or even how to say it. Millions of thoughts running through their heads but nothing out through their mouths.

Was Izuku supposed to apologize that because of him, they might've died? Been dead? Got pulled into another world? What was he supposed to do? Was Kacchan holding back yells? Punches? Explosions? Would he actually die now? What was to happen? Would hate follow them as it had in passing years? Did he blame him?

"Hey, hey, no stop it right there. Look, Izuku, slow down your breaths again, okay? There you go... fuck. Okay listen here nerd, because I'm only going to say it once.... fuck it shouldn't be this damn hard!" The ashen blond shook himself right and prepared to tell his friend words he shouldn't even have to say, "Deku-no, Izuku, I'm sorry. For everything, all the hell I've put you through since we were four, from yesterday when I sis those kami-awful words to you, and or now when those extras had that type of thinking. It's all my fault and you shouldn't have ever go through this bullshit."

Throughout his speech of regret, Katsuki hadn't once look into Izuku's eyes. Too fearful that it would be too late. That Izuku's eyes wouldn't glisten anymore. Too afraid to lose his friend.

Are they even friends?

For the longest time, Izuku didn't respond. Not because of how angry or annoyed he was at the blonde but because he was too shocked.

Eventually, he knew Katsuki would learn what he did to him was unforgivable. Because, truly, it is. Izuku just never expected it to be so soon.

"I...look, Katsuki, what you did to me is truly unforgivable. The abuse I've put up all these years? I have scars! Kami, I honestly shouldn't be forgiving you with all that you've done...but I do. Kacchan, I've always told you you'll be a great hero and I still believe that. I forgive you, Kacchan."

"Why? You know all of this yet you choose to forgive me? Even I'm not asking for your forgiveness!"

"Because you regret and you save. Not to mention how others encouraged you and never told you it was wrong. Others I wouldn't forgive because they still don't know or even recognize the harm but you do. What happened today was not your fault, no matter what our classmates said or do. They chose to push me off the roof, what you choose to save me. For that, I'm thankful to you." I'm not ready to die yet- Was painfully left unsaid but not forgotten.

"Please, as if you have to thank me. After yesterday, I think we're equal."

Equal...

O-oh.

He had forgotten how nice that word feels.

"I guess we are."

They settled into a deep silence, both looked around the room. Having All Might posters almost everywhere... kami.

"What now?" Izuku asks.

"For one, we take down this shit from your walls. Fucking All Might? I still can't believe how much of a shit person he is. A fucking hypocrite at that too."

"You heard?"

"The second user told me about him too. All of them are pissed but that's not how I found out. When I left, I didn't get far so I heard you cry out his name. Couldn't believe it but heard your conversation. When I saw him not be a skeleton, that's when I knew he's a fucking bitch." Katsuki growled as he began to tear down the posters-carefully though. These were worth a hefty amount of money and they might as well get some bank out of this.

"O-oh yeah. You know, it's not even the first time he said something like that. I was also suffocated by the slime monster not too long after what.. anyways, he saves me and gave me his autograph and everything. I had to ask him if being quirkless I can become a hero so I latched onto his pants... the slime fell out-sorry by the way-and he said some...words. Left me on a roof too but he didn't know." Izuku was taking down the merch from his side of the room, not paying any attention to Katsuki.

He only stopped what he was doing when there was a sizzling sound with tiny pops. "K-kacchan?"

"He left you where? After he said what? That's it-"

Before he could say anymore two vestiges appeared in front of them, Yoichi and the second.

Yoichi had a hair tie in hand, pulling his shoulder length hair up, "That's it! I'm turning to the dark side real quick-hold me back Second or the blonde donkey will catch these hands!"

The second looked slightly amused but more concerned when he saw where they were, "Yoichi, now is not the time."

"Like hell it's not-oh hey Izuku, Kacchan...oh fuck."

"Fuck indeed, not let's get your unstable ass back into the void."

"Wait-no!"

Izuku and Katsuki turned to each other and for the umpteenth time that day, they stood still, not knowing what the hell they were going to do.

"What the fuck, Deku?"

"I-I don't know, Kacchan."

Chapter Text

"They want me to clean this beach by the time the entrance exam comes?!"

Izuku was out the next day getting ready to train his body for the entrance exam. The Vestiges had a perfect training spot for him to get started, then he could move on the the hard stuff.

When Izuku read the note, he thought of simple body building exercises. Not cleaning Daogbah Beach by himself-in ten months or so. He would also have to start running for a mile a week and slowly add another mile, on the sand, with some weights.

Come on Hero! You've got this!

The voice oddly resembled the First-Yoichi Shigaraki. And holy hell does that freak him out.

He hears laughter in the inside depths of his mind and rolls his eyes. Not wanting to say more, he does take Yoichi's words of encouragement to heart and gets ready.

He stretches first so nothing aches too badly after the workout and slowly begins. Slowly, slowly begins.

While the work is more than tedious he bares with it. Anything to get closer to achieve his dream. Anything.

Slowly, the week passes by and Izuku finds a routine that works for him. Asking his mother to change up his diet and working out with Kacchan every other day.

Their relationship mends and before long, Katsuki has also been roped into helping Izuku train. Katsuki also has gotten the two boys expelled from Aldera Junior High- who would say no to their rising 'star' pupil-no one: Katsuki is more than aware of the bullshit it brings but there are benefits: it helps Izuku out greatly.

As for the Vestiges and their notes, or in Yoichi's and Nana's case, calling him through the telepathic wave length via Izuku's mind. Each time they do, it sends a shock through his spine. It's not unpleasant feeling, if anything it's more comforting affectionate.

Today, Katsuki is helping, and the Second had informed Yoichi about Katsuki's new routine.

"Haah?"

"Second told Yoichi about an upgraded workout routine for you. He said that you should practice on moving swiftly through the air and have a more lean body than a bulky one. I honestly agree, I mean think about it Kacchan; you already have a strong quirk but it would better benefit you if you could move through the air like a missile. It would also help with your wrists which is the main drawback of overusing your quirk. Second said something about working your wrists out but I'm still confused about that and how you could exactly do that.

"Anyway, the workouts we've been doing would better suit me due to the nature of Nana's quirk, float. Having a stronger pack behind the punch would better serve my mission. She also says to work on my thighs so I guess I'll do that too! So yeah, Nana wrote the list this time-said Yoichi has chicken writing."

Katsuki took time to comprehend the benefits all that would serve him in the upcoming future. All that was left to do is grumble at the drawing Second had to have drawn. Fucking prick.

The days continued, and Katsuki had been doing yoga instead but also running alongside Izuku. He occasionally helped Izuku out with the trash but left him to do the most. Izuku, on the other hand, he had built his stamina, muscle mass, and oddly his height. Still short than Katsuki but he proudly stood at five-seven. A small improvement!

At the moment, the boys were taking a break from cleaning the beach. Izuku had been scribbling in his notebook about the number three hero, Hawks. The hero had been in a battle between a notorious villain who had a Hot Metal quirk. 

Hawks did win, but the villain had gotten a good hit in and caused enough property damage (civilian destruction too) to cost the Red-Winged hero a hefty amount-not that he would notice but still. Playing back video footage, he notice how tiresome the hero looked and after the fight he looked annoyed at himself.

The villain, he looked decently pleased despite getting caught. It was beyond disturbing.

For the life of Izuku Midoriya, he couldn't figure it out. Why is the Villain so pleased? What connection do they both have? What made Hawks, a cool and level headed hero, so irritated? What is he missing?

"Hey, Kacchan?"

"What is it Deku?"

"You've seen Hawks' latest fight, right?"

"Where are you going with this?"

"Why does the villain seem so proud and Hawks looks annoyed?"

"Hawks does not look annoyed-"

"But he does! It's brief, yes, and hard to tell but the quiver of his lip, slightly turns into a scowl before returning to his lazy smile. And the Villain, Hot Metal, looks cocky while being detained. The fight itself seemed to be pushing Hawks to some sort of limit, especially with his wings, some burning-which I wonder if they have a certain heat temperature before they burn, would it burn him too-could he feel the heat if they aren't attached and if so could he train them to withstand such heat blasts-"

"You're getting off traffic."

"Right, so my question; If a level headed hero showed emotion-different from his usual... what makes this D-ranked villain so special?"

"...Why not study the villain instead of the hero this time?"

"Why?"

"Oh come on, you stupid Deku! Hawks is closed off to the public even with a flirty personality. It means he's untouchable. But the villain, not only could you find the answer, but also learn how to counterattack villains like him. Even if you don't find what you've been looking for, you still gain; hero analysis for the future and all."

It-it does make sense. It actually makes a lot of sense. Hawks is untouchable, he's aloof, even with his embarrassing attitude but untouchable nonetheless. On the other hand, this villain with a bravo personality wouldn't be clever enough to hide everything.

It still seemed wrong.

It isn't his issues and he shouldn't put his nose where it doesn't belong. But the idea is just so intriguing. Finding more about Hawks, writing about villains and their quirks is fine by him.

"...I'll just write about the villain. Hawks has his own issues and putting my nose in his business is rude."

"Alright."

The two continued to train while in a close area, Two Pros and a student watched over them. All knew about the green haired boy, one couldn't exactly forget the child who rushed in to save his friend.

As the three continued to walk closer to the beach, they overheard the conversation between the boys.

"Hey Deku?"

"Y-yeah Kacchan?"

"How long have we've been doing this for?"

The green haired boy stopped as he gentle out down the microwave, "Well the sludge incident happen a month and a half ago... so about that much."

"Damn. How much of the beach would you say is clean?"

"Out of percentages... maybe less than five? Now stop sitting around we've got work to do before the entrance exams."

"Don't tell me what to do! I'll kill you!"

"Yeah, yeah, kill me later, help me now."

Katsuki grumbled but helped his friend out. Occasionally laughing when Izuku would slip on the sand. While working around each other, the other three got close enough to see the difference of one-hundred percent, and ninety five.

They decided to watch them a bit.

All Might just waiting to see the boy trip up so he could swoop in and save him yet again-proving his point once and for all.

Sir wasn't too sure. Wasn't too sure about how to feel about the green haired boy all together. He's heard about the incident from All Might. Thought the brash blonde was too pessimistic and rude, but correct. As for the ashen blonde, he saw a spiteful and unmanageable kid. Didn't like him on the spot. Yet, here they are working together, to clean the filthiest beach of all of Japan.

Probably community service and fame.

Mirio? Well, he thought they were impeccable. He saw two young boys, training to be heroes and instead of doing regular weight lifting, they decided to help out the community. When they got in into UA-or any hero school for that matter- he would be a proud senpai. His eyes lingered on Izuku for a little bit and faintly noticing a soft purple glow. He-he couldn't be... ahh, it doesn't matter. Sure he would feel disappointed and futile to Sir and All Might for not having OFA but if it truly belongs to someone else- maybe even the boy- then he would be okay. But, the boy couldn't possibly have it. How would it even have transferred?

The sun had slowly started to set into the ocean-Izuku slipped once more. All Might would have his wish. He watched the boy like a hawk. Saw that he was trembling from carrying a small fridge. Saw his foot slip and his friend look away for a split second.

Doing what he does best, he swooped into action and saved the boy once again-saving the boy from being suffocated.

"HaHa! Never fret for I am here! Saving you!"

He was met with a wave of off silence.

"Does he not know how to speak in full sentence?"

Said man coughed blood.

"Kacchan!"

"It's true-"

Izuku decided to ignore Katsuki before he laughed. "Ah, thank you for that." It was clear that the both of them were waiting for the man to leave.

With his inflated ego, All Might clearly didn't understand and went to lecture the poor boy. "You have to be careful now, young man."

"Sure."

"With your...status we wouldn't want others to worry now!"

"Mhm."

Had All Might not perfected his smile and trademarked it, he surely would've let his emotions get the best of him. Thankfully, to his aid, came Sir Nighteye and Mirio.

It led a a full fanboy breakout on Izuku's part.
"Oh My Kami! You're Sir Nighteye and you're the boy from the UA festival with uh...no pants? Well now with pants and all that which un speaking of which is that part of your quirk? I know they mentioned it being permeation but why would your clothes be like that unless you slip out of matter which does explain a lot of things- O-Oh and you Sir Nighteye, your work in stopping the latest drug trafficking order with Sidekick Burnin was so cool!"

Everyone except Bakugo had looked shocked. All for different reasons but shocked nonetheless. It was only until the gremlin laughed and Izuku turned bright pink, that Mirio decided to break the ice. "Yeah that's me! To answer some of your questions, my quirk does cause wardrobe malfunctions because I phase trough matter. My hero costume is getting a new upgrade though! They got a piece of my DNA to make it possible."

Smiling, Izuku asked again for a signature. In return, Mirio turned a warmer shade of rose but gave it to him, "I-I never had someone ask it from me."

"Well then I guess I'm the first!"

Katsuki was off to the side wondering how Izuku isn't intimidated by the person who wields the damn quirk. He knows it's him but why isn't he acting closed off? Whatever, he could deal with the other One for All user, he had bigger fish to fry and if the donkey opens up his mouth one more damn time-

"How about you young man! How are you doing after the incident a month ago?" All Might tried again. He knew it could be a mistake but maybe the explosive boy was extra explosive today.

"Fucking fine."

All Might quickly realized that it wasn't.

"Kacchan, don't be mean! He was checking up on someone who he deemed worthy." The concern laced within the freckled boy was so real that they may have not realized the meaning of his words. "He's a hero Kacchan, like any other hero, they check up on those with strong quirks. So don't be so bravo." Izuku ended up scoring his friend with a a phony frown.

Katsuki couldn't hold back his laugh and he doubled over with it. Mirio didn't exactly know what to do, he thought the boy was kind with rainbow smiles-a sun in Tamaki's words.

He is, but who doesn't enjoy a good petty moment. As Yoichi would say, pettiness is just so... favorable.

So if he, Mirio Togata, quickly shut his open-gapped-mouth to hide a small snicker... well who is to blame?

Sir Nighteye and All Might didn't think the situation was funny. Not by a long run. "How dare you speak to a hero in such manner! How dare you speak such lowly of heroes for that matter!"

Katsuki couldn't have Izuku be singled out, he couldn't let them disrespect him the way he did not so long ago. For that, he had to sober up his laughter. "Was that not what had happen? Isn't that the reason you three came here? Don't think we didn't see you sitting on top of that hill. All Might here came right as the damn nerd slipped and proceeded to scold him as if what he had done was wrong. Shouldn't he had asked if Izuku, a civilian, was okay?"

The man in the grey suit looked furious. His yellow streaks could turn white but it wasn't him who lost his temper quickly. "I have done no such thing." Quickly to try and defend his honor too.

"So you didn't leave me up on roof after you crushed my dreams and being a complete hypocrite."

"All Might what does he mean by that?" Sir had a steel look in his eyes as he glared at the two teens. Kami, this only complicates things even more! What if there were to be press around? It would ruin his Symbol of Peace image.

"The first part or him being a hypocrite?" Katsuki snorted. It was anything but amused and as he watched Sir Nighteye loose color at his latter words, well he knew the answer. "Seeing as you got stiff at the latter, that is what you care most about."

All Might sputtered in defeat until he realized-"Do you know as well? Who else did you spill this too? Are the reporter here waiting to get a good shot of this? Are you that insecure and hurt about the truth that you've decided to ruin a whole image-one that everyone can respect and trust?"

Izuku had never felt so angry before in his life and neither have the vestiges-but they knew they couldn't come out to play yet so they let their ninth win his first battle- "How dare I? How dare I?! I haven't told shit to anybody and if your fucking secret gets out it's because you came running after the incident, yelling like a madman-do you want to trade mark that too- not even a minute before Kacchan had turned the corner. So try and spin your fucking lies- try and say that you do care about the quirkless when I have a witness. Witnesses at that- but I'm sure they won't say anything. You have an image to obtain, don't you? Now if you would leave us alone, that would be much appreciated. I don't know if you've noticed, but we've been cleaning out the beach for more than a month and we would love to remain secret because unlike you, we have no interest in the media. Besides, I'm sure your successor has many, many questions for the two of you."

Who do they think they are? Heroes? Heroes aren't supposed to act like pricks, they aren't supposed to pick and choose on who they want to save and who to leave in the damn dirt. Both held respectable positions in the heart of Izuku and Katsuki but after today? After they truly shows who they are? As-fucking-if.

If anything, Mirio only seems worthy of being a hero. He looked disgusted but not at them, but at his mentors.

Izuku pities him, truly he does. He looked ashamed at himself for ever coming close to both men, but what could he do? He's a child and as a child like him...who would believe him? Who would believe any of them over their precious Symbol of Peace and his former sidekick. He's trapped.

That only makes him angrier. How long have they been fooling people? How long have they fed them their lies for a fake promise? To look down on people? If that's the reason in which villains become villains-then he wouldn't be surprised.

He knew this world was not equal. That no man was created equal and none of them will ever be equal to another because that's just the way his world is.

But he promises to change it.

To change it so that it is equal.

He knows it'll be hard. Impossible even, but it isn't. In this society, quirks determine peoples status-the better the quirk for hero work the more love one receives. The stronger the quirk is for villainy...the more feared and abandoned they are. It's a complicated hierarchy that shouldn't have even been implanted.

Izuku promises to make a world where everyone is equal.

He promises to save.

To save everyone

Not pick and choose.

He'll have to start with himself.

It may take some time.

But when he reaches it, he'll push farther.

He's a hero and heroes save people.

He'll save civilians, heroes, villains.

"Kacchan,"

"Yeah Zuku,"

"I want to save people."

"I do too."

"I want to save everyone."

"Everyone?"

"Everyone."

"Tch, we'll then you'll need help by with people who share your goal."

"Thank you...They're bunch of dicks."

"You can say that again!"

On that beach, on that day, at that very moment, the two promised a world of new.

And it's a fucking promise that they'll keep.

Chapter Text

Yoichi and Nana watched over their two boys. The Second not far behind, keeping tabs on the explosion boy. Not all with fond smiles but the sentiment is there.

"They've both grown so much over these past ten months." Nana warmly stated. "Their friendship for one, but also their thinking and views on the world around them. So attentive and keen for young boys."

"A lot has happened to them. Both being throttled, attempted murder on one, then being in the presence of not one-but two idiots? It's a lot, sure, but in a way it's better for them. They'll know what to expect when certain times come. It'll help them to react better in situations when they're pros. Help them to not hesitate." Second grumbled out. Chin jutted forward with a small foe scowl.

Clearly, he's still pissed about the incident nine months ago. Rightfully so, the two had nothing to say to them and left them to be after harassing them. It didn’t settle nicely among the seven other holder and every once and while, Yagi could feel the heated gaze of them but never pinpointing who it was.

Yoichi chuckled out, "You're right, but they're still kids. Kids shouldn't have to grow up so quickly." Kami knows the emotions laying deep within those words. "Though we can't change that now, I suppose! All we can do now is lead them towards a path of true heroism. By doing so, Nana, if you will." A sly smirk played Yoichi’s lips; very mischievous.

Whenever Izuku has accessed Float, for training purposes, Nana has allowed him too. Izuku hasn't fully accessed One for All-not the whole power and strength of it. Instead of green, he glows purple. Indicating that, no, it's not his: yet.

Today, and forevermore, Nana will be giving her strength, her power, herself, to Izuku. Due to the transferable aspect of One for All, the vestiges can do this at will. No one can force them.

What Yoichi is asking of Nana is just that. The transfer of her Float to him, the new owner. Float is still in Nana and always will be, it's hers. But now, it's also Izuku's.

"Do your best hero."

"Don't fucking kill anyone."

"Smile brightly!"

૮⍝◜•˕̮•◝⍝ა

Smile brightly!

A new warmth spreads through Izuku.

It wasn't same as the one before when the vestiges would communicate briefly with him. That one was warm and caring, but it wasn't this.

No, this-this was love, comfort, support, zest, trust, and pride.

All of these views of sentiment were overwhelming but welcomed. It was more than welcomed. Izuku doesn't remember a time when everything just hit.

Kami, he really is lucky, isn't he?

In true Midoriya fashion, tears sprang from his eyes like rivers flowing freely from dam. His body tingled like people were wrapping their arms around him. And the empty feeling in his body just flushed right out of him.

Is this what he was missing? Was he truly meant to have this quirk? Was he something people were searching for? Is he this loved?

Yes, yes, yes, yes!

"K-Kacchan?"

Izuku felt strange.

His face felt tight but radiant.
He knows this feelings.

"Yeah Nerd?"

"I'm happy."

While Izuku sat back and watched the sun rise, Katsuki turned to his best friend and almost screamed in the outermost joy.

How he longed to see his friend smile so freely and with a purpose again.

"Me fuckin' too."

૮⍝◜•˕̮•◝⍝ა

“I’m not defenseless anymore, yeah! I’ve got to remember all the work I’ve put in. Thanks to Nana and the others, I’m actually gonna be a hero!” Izuku was muttering quietly alongside Katsuki.

Together, they were walking the path towards UA. Almost there. Katsuki was a bit ahead of Izuku, Whether is be anxiousness or excitement, he was walking faster than the smaller one. When Izuku was ready to catch up, it was no surprise that he would end up tripping over his feet.

“Or I’ll just die.”

Before he could hit the ground and embarrass himself even more, something touched his bag and his gravity lifted.

Incoherente words scrambled out of his mouth, course they weren’t understandable so they didn’t matter much. Off to the side, Katsuki finally realized that his friend wasn’t near so in search for him, he saw what could’ve been and couldn’t hold back his snorts. “Stupid Deku.”

“Heh, are you okay?”

More incoherent rambles curtesy of our dear, Izuku;

The person laughed a bit before continuing, “I stopped you with my quirk, I’m sorry I didn’t ask first. But I figured you didn’t mind me catching you. This is all super nerve wracking?”

“I-I…I uhh..”

Good job Izuku! Not only have you managed to fall but you can’t even talk to a girl. Come on shoot your shot if your nervous.

The girl said her goodbyes and went inside. Izuku stayed out until arms grabbed his shoulders and steered them in the same direction. “Come on Deku! We’re gonna be late and I’m sure Yoichi would trade you more if we did.”

“Y-yeah, your probably right.”

૮⍝◜•˕̮•◝⍝ა

“No-Deku, I swear to kami, if you even mumble and fanboy over Present Mic I will kill you.”

“B-but it’s Present Mic! I listen to his show everyday and it’s so cool-“

“Did you not just hear me?”

“No I did. I just thought that I would still fanboy over him even if your threats weren’t fake.”

“What did you say?!”

૮⍝◜•˕̮•◝⍝ა

Izuku was panicking.

No, he was beyond panicking, he was on the verge of hyperventilating. And possibly whatever comes next after that.

It didn’t help that everyone practically wrote him off. Sure he's gotten close to taking down some robots but most times he's just been helping those who've gotten hurt. He was positive that UA wasn't counting rescue points-

Rescuing is a form of heroics, Izuku

Yeah! I think it’s the most important one out there, squirt.

Well yeah, but if the test is made for flashy quirks, then where does he fit in it. He wants to save people and to actually do that, he has to get into UA first!

Patience, Izuku. Besides there are other hero schools, like the one in the West.

Right, right. This isn't his only chance but he'll be damned if he doesn't make it the best one.

Izuku continued to help those around him, getting them back to their feet or out of harm's way. He helped a purple haired boy with eye bags and gave him some ideas on how to better his chances.

He'd occasionally run into great opportunities to get points but people always seemed to be quicker than him and really wowed the crowd. It's fine though, if helping people is all that he can do for now then so be it.

Out of no where he felt vibrations from the ground. At first they were small. He didn't think it was a kid's quirk-they'd already have used it. When people started running away from the problem he was quick to follow suit... but that was before he heard the cry of a girl.

His feet moved before his mind did, before his heart did. Thanks to the training on the beach, he got there in no time. "Can you get up?"

"No, I'm stuck" The girl whimpered in pain.

He watched as the robot-the zero pointer- came closer. A simple and possibly awful plan formed in his head and he quickly acted on it. Removing the bolder from the girl first he then lifted into the air and readily kicked joints of the robot- all random to the eye... but planned out to those who knew what to look for. All that was left to do was to knock over the giant bully.

Taking a bit of a head start, he floated to the head and smashed it to pieces.

And down,
down,
down
it went.

To Izuku, he saw flashes of purple to aid him and he smiled a real Izuku Midoriya smile, he smiled to the girl and reassured her "It's alright now, let's get you some medical help though."

But that was just to Izuku.

Everyone else saw bright lights of green and a dazzling smile that followed suit. They weren't in any type of danger, but the spilt second fear that they felt? The smile put them to ease.

To the teachers who were grading the performance they saw a boy full of potential with more points than another boy in a different testing unit. Said other boy had gather enough villain points and a small amount of rescue points. While they were amazed, Izuku was the first to enter UA in just Rescue points alone. He would be the first in many, and while they didn’t know it yet, they had just seen the start of a new era.

It was certainly unbelievable.

If All Might had anything to say about it. Such a shame that he couldn't. Whether it be of shock; he just seen the boy who he left of a roof and told him he couldn't a be a hero because he's quirkless, use his mentors quirk. Or whether it be because the Vestiges all held him back from doing so, but how would he even know?

Then something ugly settled within him. Even uglier than his already stained thoughts, because he felt All for One rumble underground again. This-this boy! uses a quirk when he was quirkless? Of course the boy went to seek out his enemy and bring shame to his mentor and himself.

He didn't even know All for One's name you stupid fucking donkey! How self centered could you be?!

Great! And now he's hearing voices in his head.

Doesn't matter. No, because All Might is here and he will uncover the truth about Izuku Midoriya and prove that he is nothing but-but a villain!

ಥ_ಥ

"I swear to God, I will fucking castrate him and then run him over with a bus."

"Yoichi, no."

"Yoichi yes!"

ಥ_ಥ

Katsuki waited by the gates to walk back home with Izuku. He was in a great ass mood and honestly, nothing could bring him down. He knows he's gotten enough points to get in-just villains and possible rescue points.

Right as Izuku rounded the corner, there was a girl walking with him. As they grew closer he heard her thank him before she left by speeding up. "Hey Deku! Who was that?"

"Oh! Do you remember the girl who slapped my shoulder right before I fell? Yeah well her name is Ochako Uraraka and I might have saved her from her potential death?"

Katsuki blinked in mild surprise.

Did he expect the nerd to actually find trouble during the entrance exams? Mildly, yes.
Did he expect the nerd to get hurt? Yes.
Did he expect the nerd to actually save someone? ...not exactly?

"Ok. So how did you do on the practical exam portion?"

Instantly, he see's Izuku's mood dampen with tears threatening to slip out. "Look, I didn't get any villain points which basically confirms my failing trying to get into UA's Hero Course. I spent the entirety of my exam helping others out, which actually I met this really cool purple dude-not the point Izuku! And so then, the zero pointer comes out, right? And Uraraka got stuck under some rubble. No else was moving to save her and my feet just kinda moved on their own so I ended up saving her, defeated the zero pointer, but probably failed."

When Katsuki didn't say anything, not even an insult, Izuku looked from from his unsheded tears and saw Katsuki look at him like he's the dumbest person on the planet. "You dumbfuck."

"I know! Is houkdve gotten more villain points-"

"No! I'm saying that your probably did better than the rest of these fuckers! Heroics isn't just about defeating yeh bad guys, it's about saving people, Deku. And that's what you do best. I'm not saying you got in because of those rescue points because maybe you haven't and this school is just as biased as every other one out there, but it's also UA, they have a fucking chimera rat thing as a principle. Discrimination doesn't really seem to be effective here."

"Y-yeah, you have a point."

"Course I fucking do. Besides, didn't you save round cheeks over there? If they don't give you some shitty points because of that then I have no idea what's in store for us."

"Hell maybe."

"That's the spirit! Now let's go home, Auntie and the Old Hag should be making something for us."

"Better to not keep the waiting then."

૮⍝◜•˕̮•◝⍝ა
It wasn't until a week or two that the boys gotten their letter from UA. The two of them decided it would be better to open them in their own home and then latter meet up at the beach to tell each other the news.

Inko Midoriya came rushing into Izuku's room. The boy was taking a nap after the day of training he had with Float. Nana is a harsh instructor but he loves her either way. It took a while for Inko to get Izuku to wake up but when he did he opened the letter groggily,

"Do you want me to leave?"

"N-no it's fine, Mom."

The nerves were strong enough to wreck him but he had to do this. It would decided the line of his fate, not set in stone, but the beginning of a great story.

"Congratulations Izuku Midoriya for passing the written exam with one of the highest scores! However, in the mock-exam you did not aquire a single villain point to get in the Hero course. Good thing we don't just look for villain points! You, Young Midoriya are the first person to get into the UA course with the most rescue points and get first place altogether! Welcome, Izuku Midoriya, this is your hero academia."

He could feel the warm embrace of his mother'a touch. It comforted him in so many ways and he couldn't help but cry at all of his accomplishments from the past ten months 'til now. He couldn't wait to see his lucky stars and OFA family help guide him to greatness, he couldn't wait to see all of his blessings. So he cried and cried and his mother cried along with him.

In her heart she felt great guilt and though she doesn't want to ruin this moment, she just has to get these words out.

It's been eating her away for the past ten years of her life. No doubt, eating him away too.

"Izuku?"

The boy sniffled out a yeah,

"I...I know those words I told you when you were four hurt you. Those words I cried to you after you asked me if you could be a hero. I know those words hurt you because they hurt me more, knowing that you took them as me thinking you couldn't be a quirkless hero. But that's not why I cried out useless sorries- it's because I'm sorry that I failed you as a mother. Your dream is to become a hero and I felt by not giving you a quirk-just tore it apart. I know more than anyone else that you can become a quirkless hero, you'd make your mark on this world and I would be the proudest mother out there. But there was guilt and I knew nothing else than sorry. Izuku, baby, that was then and if you'll allow me to right those wrongs in the past, I promise I'll be supportive of you in any way that I can. You're going to be a fine hero and an even greater young man."

The green haired boy sat with happiness and relief as his mother finally told him what she really meant. All these years thinking she wouldn't-couldn't believe in him when it was all of the opposite? It was so freeing. To have her support and love. To hear her say the words he always dreamt of?

"I-I can?"

"You're starting your path now, aren't you?"

Large masses of tears ran down Izuku's face as he pulled his mother into a bone crushing hug, "T-thank you."

Izuku?

You should probably tell her.

Yeah, he probably should.

"Mom?"

"Yes, Izuku?"

"I-I'm not quirkless anymore."

"H-huh!"

"W-well you see, it started at school when uh Kacchan told me to take a swan dive off the roof and pray that I'd get a quirk in the next life- N-no! I swear Mom we are okay now and he didn't even mean it...it's a long story, do you have time?"

Mother and son were together in a room with new heroes surrounding the walls, some walls were covered in paintings done from the Vestiges. Some were works of art and the others—Yoichi—; looked like they were drawn by a five-year-old. Inko laughed and cried and felt guilt and pride, but she was there for son as she would continue to be.

"So are you really okay with Katsuki?"

"I'm positive, mom."

"Okay...but I still want to have talk with the boy so you tell him that. Now go meet up with him, I think you've kept him waiting enough."

Flashing her a smile in which she easily returned, he ran out in his favorite red shoes and towards the beach.

The sun was setting and the ocean glistened. He could see the faint outline of the explosion boy and he ran faster with more pride in his step. Izuku was beaming with joy and nothing could tear that apart.

"Kacchan! I got in Kacchan! I did it!"

"We'll no shit, Deku. I told you, it could’ve also based on rescue points."

"Very wise, Kacchan."

"Oh shut it you Nerd. Anyways I also passed but got second best score, wonder who the best who topped me is."

"Your wonderful best friend, that's who."

Red eyes set on green ones, giving him a minor warning before they chased around like cat and mouse. The beach was near empty, saved for six vestiges and two boys having the time of their lives.

"Wow, he has such a stunning smile." Nana pulled out one of her own striking smiles. Her eyes fond with love and happiness.

True to Second's behavior, he grumbled out "It's too fucking bright." but nonetheless was he proud of the two.

"I'm so proud of him. He's gone from barely ever smiling to beaming constantly and it's an improvement that I want to continue to see." Yoichi was grinning, "Hey kid!"

"Yeah?" Izuku responded, halting in his actions before tumbling down as Katsuki tackled him. "Ah get off Kacchan!"

"Smile brightly!"

The freckled boy simply followed directions before adding, "And what if I lose it? Will you help me find it."

"Every step of the way!"

The small family gathered around last time before they vanished. Not forever-never forever. They belonged to Izuku and they lived within Izuku just as Izuku belonged to them and lived for them. As the sun finally set, those left with a hoorah and encouraging words.

"Has One for All truly settled within you?"

"Not fully, no. But it's much stronger than before and more of my own than Nana's."

"How long do you think it might take?"

"I'm not sure, but I'm not too worried over it. We have time and this just means I have more time to make it my own...and fuck with All Shit."

"That's a crappy insult."

"Oh you try and come up with one."

"Bet."

"No."

"Yes."

"Yoichi! Why did you teach Kacchan your slang?"

Chapter Text

Three men were talking amongst themselves, getting ready for a new awakening in the hero society. All in good spirits, awaiting for the day they would take back what was rightfully bestowed upon them. 

Though they weren't sure of what they were going to do, they just knew how they were going to execute it. Prideful and thunderous. 

Two men as old as time could tell and a younger one. So, so, so young. Course that's another story for a more probable time, this story however, involves three men. 

"Doctor, how long until I can see again?" 

One of the ancient ones spoke, voice deep and full of boredom. Fingers tapping a second apart, legs cross dainty, and smile so polite. 

"If we get him at last, then I'd say very, very soon, your highness." 

The other one of the two chuckled madly. Plump figure shaking with glee as he thought of all the ways he could rob the hero of his eyes. 

"The school year is starting soon" The youngest of the three spoke quietly, "And All Might is a teacher this year, if our informant intel is correct. The media will surely hear soon and we could plan a... distraction." Hands surround his neck and charred skin breaks off. 

"If you wish to speak, speak up loudly." 

"Yes, sir." 

"Good. Now, what was this about All Might being a teacher now?" 

"Our informant got word of his teaching position at the school. When the media gets ear of this, the gates will be flooded with those pesks. What better way to get in while others are too?"

Blind man says, "Only fools rush in." 

૮⍝◜•˕̮•◝⍝ა

"Izuku, are you alright?" Masaru Bakugo gently puede from the rather confining room. 

The boy looked surprised but gave a dopey smile, "Hm? Oh yeah, I'm doing pretty great." 

Good going kid, you've traumatized the nice man. The man who drinks his 'respect women juice' every gosh darn morning.

Oh shut it, Yoichi. 

The man looked uncertained and tried to look for any misleading signs but when he didn't find any, he let himself breathe. 

"Katsuki." 

Both boys looked at the silent Bakugo. The Bakugo who shouts more than her son. She's quiet. 

Katsuki doesn't answer her but doesn't look away. He knows. It's rooting from his actions and his words. He knows because it's the one of the few things he could take back-he can't. Kami, does he know. 

"Why."

Was he to answer? It's not only to Mitsuki but to Masaru and Inko. Well they don't matter. 

Because as long as Izuku forgives him, then he'll be okay. And Izuku does forgive him. He knows why Katsuki was the way he was taught to be. He knows why Katsuki even thought to start it all. He doesn't understand how it correlated but understand enough to not be lost. 

"Because this society wasn't made to be equal and Kami fucking hell was I taught that early. It doesn't excuse what I've done. I know it doesn't and I'm not and won't try to ever deny my actions or words. I'm just... I'm just sorry." 

૮⍝◜•˕̮•◝⍝ა

Three adults stood still.

It wasn't because of his apology. 

It wasn't even because of the victims warm heart in comforting his ex-tormentor. 

It was simply because they hadn't realized. 

The adults didn't realize. 

Inko sat shocked. A woman who wore her heart on her sleeve, protective and kind, who wasn't afraid to cry at any give moment...didn't show and ounce of anything. 

In her mind, it was a whirl of everything she could announce. She was furious at Katsuki, for hurting her baby. She was furious at herself for not showing her support in Izuku's dream earlier. She furious at the way Katsuki treated Izuku for years, a whole decade before she actually knew who it was. She was furious at herself for not knowing quicker. She was furious at Katsuki because of society he almost ended up like a fucking prick. 

She was furious at herself for letting society control her like this too. 

She's absolutely incandescent with society. 

Mitsuki wasn't much better. 

Like Inko, she too was calm on the exterior but even more tearful on the inside. 

She let her son down, her best friend down, her husband, and especially the little boy who is looking at her with concern. 

How could she let it get this far?

How could she have even let it start? 

What type of mother is she?

To have her son be so cruel and sometimes encourage him? Not to hurt others-kami no. But to know his strength and to be better to a point where it's just inflating his ego? He must've copied her harsh ways too. A child learns through their eyes. 

She couldn't just blame herself. 

A child learns through their eyes. 

A community is full of learning opportunities. 

Society taught them wrong. 

Masaru was quite different. He had tears streaming down his eyes and words of hatred to yell and shout at the worlds. To make it pay for hurting two little boys who shouldn't have to learn how cruel life can be. He's disgusted with himself for not being strong enough to tell Katsuki better. That's on him and he knows it. But he knows that its not just his fault. A good majority is-he’s his parents! but it's not entirely his. He can do better and he will do better. 

So it's not surprising when Masaru is the first to break the silence,

"Katsuki you will be put into anger management therapy and your phone privileges will be revoked until school starts."

That's not enough.

Nothing will ever be enough to repay and take away Izuku's scars, and oh how he knows it. 

"Okay." 

Izuku throughout this all was still stricken. Was this truly happening? After years of bullying and harassment...would it truly be over? What if at UA people see him as the same? 

"Whatcha thinkin' about, Nerd?"

Izuku sat blankly, staring at Katsuki with a small huff of annoyance in his round cheeks. "Will it finally be over? The b-bullying-I mean. Sure, you may have gotten rid of the guys who tried to push me off a roof-which thanks by the way, I don't think I said that yet- but what if at UA...what if it's still the same?" what if you go back to hating me was left unsaid but by the way Katsuki's face morphed into a guilt and sadness told him that he understood. 

"Wait! Tried to kill you?"

"Katsuki did what?"

"Wait he was...Did you kill them instead?!"

"UA will be different. For starters, we're going in as friends. And if shitty extras decided to bring that shit with them to a hero school then I won't have to use my privileges to just protect you. And if that doesn't work, then I'll just have to protect you all on my own-twice as much work but you've always been a handful so." Katsuki held Izuku's eyes, trying to get him to understand all that there is. 

Izuku isn't alone anymore.

He isn't a weakling (though he never was one).

People can't be bullies at UA without thinking they won't get caught. 

And if UA turns out to be shitty? Well fuck them in the ass because Katsuki will have to take things into his own hands. 

"Y-Yeah! You're right." 

Sunshine smiles were beginning to be a constant again. It was enough to melt whatever tension there was at the moment. 

Course it wasn't enough to get rid of a small detail they almost forgot to say. 

"Are we not going to fucking talk about Katsuki potentially killing two classmates for almost killing Izuku? And how the fuck did no one die?" Mitsuki was furious at that point. She had just made aware that her child is-was-a bully and now friends again with the victim and she had to learn that the victim was almost killed but her child killed the others-probably?...even her words don't make sense anymore. 

"Oh! did we forget to tell you-"

"Wait..have you told Auntie about you know what."

"Hmm? Oh yeah I did. The others kinda urged me to too."

"...How are we gonna explain this to my old hag and old man without it then." 

"We'll they could always just know..."

"Are the others okay with that?" 

"Yeah, honestly right now Yoichi-"

"Is wanting chaos."

"Yeah exactly! Okay story time! It all started when Katsuki said-" 

The rest blurred from there. There were multiple pauses within the story telling but once everything was layer out bare-that's when they will start to heal and become better. 

However, Mitsuki didn't think that what her husband was enough punishment so ultimately decided-

"What? Fuck no!"

"N-no, no I think this is a wonderful idea, Kacchan."Izuku sat smugly with glee written in his clover eyes. "You, continuing to model for Auntie and Uncle? Something you absolutely hate as punishment? This feels like christmas for me."

"I will end you." 

"Try again!"

"You little shit-"

"Sure, but now you’re a little model again." 

The two stared at each other before Izuku sprung up and darted around the room. Laughs following him whenever. 

"You know, Mitsuki, I have been reading stuff on your blog. You know comments and if my memory serves me correctly then people have been wanting the duo to return..."

"Mom!"

"I'll see after Bakugo serves his punishment."

"Kacchan I swear to Kami, if you say a single bit of this-"

"Who knew you were cut out for modeling?"

This time 'round, it was Katsuki who was running for his life. Weaving through anywhere to get away from the floating bunny. When Izuku almost caught up to him, Katsuki let out a small explosion and Masaru had a bit enough for the day. 

"No quirks allowed in the house, boys!"

"Sorry..." The two boys were quieted immediately. Flushed faces from not only getting scolded by the nice man, but also from the laughter waiting to be spilled. 

It’s not exactly something, any one of them would have ever thought would be said. 

૮⍝◜•˕̮•◝⍝ა

"Yoichi, I don't like what I'm feeling." 

"He's moving too quickly after all the years." 

"He's just a kid-and the way that he's moving?" 

"Do we have enough time?"

"Shouldn't we think of protecting the kid first?"

"I think we should tell him." 

"It's too late now to do anything brash. Though, I do agree we should tell him." 

"Your right, Second and Third. Nana, I agree with you, whatever this feeling is-it's not good and I don't want Izuku to face anything like it. Now-well now it seems like he’ll have to. Look, this is what we'll do; We tell him and Katsuki, they can warn their parents- it's only right. We don't take away One for All but we train him even more without exhausting Izuku. We plan on what do when they finally strike and continue from there-it’s bound to be a warning first. My brother just loves his games. Though, I... I don't know what my brother is planning this time-well world domination for one- but this is new. What I do know, is that we will do everything we can to protect Izuku from all types of harm that we can."

"Agreed."

Yoichi sat back while half of the past holders of One for All start planning on how to attack All for One. The other half are working on how to better protect Izuku. Damnit! Yoichi has a kami-awful gut feeling for this school year. 

His brother is stirring something worse than evil. 

He just knows it.

Looking past his friends, he watches over Izuku. He sees that he's walking with Katsuki in their brand new school uniforms. 

He sees Izuku poke Katsuki until he blows up and laughs some more. When they stand in-front of the tall building he reaches out

"Be careful, Izuku. This year has a lot in store."

૮⍝◜•˕̮•◝⍝ა

Be careful, Izuku. This year has a lot in store...

Whatever playfulness Izuku had was jutted out and replaced with anxiety he's had all morning. "You felt that too, Yoichi?"

All of us did. 

"Tell Second to inform Katsuki... I don't think I can."

Sure thing. 

Izuku stood paralyzed in front of UA with a mix of emotions. 

Fear, anxiety, sadness (reason unknown), but also bravery and courage, determination and happiness. 

This school year may not have started yet. 

But that doesn't mean others haven't started their year.

A dark future looms by up ahead in the future. 

Trials and tribulations will occur and Izuku will have no choice but to face them. It will be exhausting and tragic-heart wrenching. It’s something all heroes will have to do, it’s a given, but for now? Izuku just needs to focus on what's ahead of him and get stronger.

He won’t wait forever.

Miles away from him, an old ancient evil smiles ever so brightly- "My, my! Isn't this news to me."

Chapter Text

Aizawa is a simple man with simple needs. Except he isn't a simple man-he does have simple needs-but he is far from a simple man.

Aizawa is a man who grieves from a loss from when he was a teen. He is a man who watches everything that passes by on the five pm news. He is a man who knows what it is to lose .

Some say he's harsh and downright mean. The strictest teacher among the others, here at UA. Maybe it's because they've never seen a genuine smile. They're terrified of those logical-ruse grins.

Though, what did they expect? He's an underground hero who knows the way that the world runs and how discriminatory it is to those who are different. He's different!

It wasn't a shocker when he expelled a whole class. It was less of a shocker when he took all that free time to hurry himself in work. He's been helping Tsukauchi with figuring out if the underground boogie man was still alive.

Being an Underground hero gives you information beyond that of what the Spotlight heroes can acquire in their own. He's heard rumors about this vulture. He's heard him steal quirks and kill them ruthlessly. He's seen the effects of losing a quirk. He's seen how frágil they’re treated-how they treat themselves. All because of a man who took your worth away.

Of fucking course he's grim.

He's got even more so after learning that the boogie man is no rumor, is no folk tale, is no myth . He is a man with a legend, a tale that has no end, a man who lost his path.

He's no villain in some comic book- he is a monster from deep in the underground.

Aizawa has grown more dark circles and more stubble hairs. It doesn't matter-they've gotten closer to finding more about the boogie man on Elmer street.

It was ten months before the entrance exam when he got a call from the good Detective. It's where he learned there is no rumor but a fact of the monster. It's where he learned the truth about All Might and his concern with his possibly-failed-assassination.

From then it was only a matter of time where he started collecting evidence and stories from coworkers and villains in the dark. Those who've been able to tell him more than just whispers of words they hear can never finish the story. All had stopped at a point and their minds turned blank and they've grown pale and and-

Two died.

The others in grave danger.

They had perfect health conditions.

He shouldn't be digging this deep.

He should've been dead or his already.

But why end a game so short?

Aizawa shivered.

૮ ⍝◜ • ˕̮ • ◝ ⍝ ა

Ten months past and he sat in the dark room with the other teachers who are grading the entrance exam.

He stands next to Yagi Toshinori: now he isn't fan of the skeletal man-far from it. But he holds respect for the Symbol of Peace, a man who has single-handed kept the peace of Japan for more years than he's been alive to tell.

When he senses the man stiffen, he looks over to the screen where a green boy helped a purple-haired boy and carried on after checking to see if the other was doing okay.

It got worse when they saw an ashen blonde explode another robot with a wicked grin styling his youthful face.

What could these two have done?

Nezu then decided it was a good time to press the Zero-Pointer button. As expected, everyone ran.

There was a commotion at the site where the green haired boy saved. There was a cry from a girl and before he knew it, the robot was struck down by the same boy with freckles and a cheery smile.

But that wasn't what caught his attention.

He saw an illicit glow of green but lightning illuminating purple. He also saw All Might grow furious,

"He's quirkless... no! All for One!"

The small mutters were never intended for the shaggy hero to hear but he did and couldn't help but tense under such speculation as this.

Quirkless?

Where are those-

Izuku Midoriya

Date of quirk registration...

10 Months ago

He close the booklet and stormed out of the room.

He's never been happier than a kid getting into the hero course.

Something is wrong here and Aizawa will be damned if he doesn't figure it out. If what All Might was saying back there is true than all the better.

A monster of two centuries will finally be taken down-once and for all.

All he has to do is wait and see if he is in his homeroom. Then all that was left to do is wait.

The kid would surely mess up and everything will fall with him.

But what if he's wrong?

No matter, he doesn't let biases sway his mind.

Not like the kid would know even if he does mess up.

Midoriya is a child and Aizawa is an adult with years of practice of stealth, poker-faces, and everything else. Midoriya wouldn't compare to him.

But what if he's wrong?

No, no.

No.

૮ ⍝◜ • ˕̮ • ◝ ⍝ ა

"Take your feet off of that desk now."

"Hah?"

"It's the first day and you're already disrespecting this academy by scuffing school property, you hooligan."

As it turns out the blue haired dude was in both Katsuki's and Izuku's class. He stood over Katsuki’s desk with hand motions pointing at the disrespect Katsuki is causing. He's as stuck up as ever but it seems like Katsuki hasn't gotten rid of his foul words...

"You're kidding me right? Your old school put a stick up your ass? or were you born with it."

"K-Kacchan stop antagonizing our classmates-"

"Can it Deku! Isn't he the dude you were telling me about?"

Izuku blushed a furious red before shakily replying, "Not now!"

The blue haired boy simply didn't know what to do, but as he turned to look at the new incomer he realized who exactly he was looking at.

"You!"

" A-h me?"

"Yes you! I would like to deeply apologize for chastating you at the exam. You also realized there was more to the practical exam, didn't you? By saving that girl and all those other people! How heroic of you... as for you friend here. Are you sure he's in the right place?" The boy stiffened like a box and titled his head away while apologizing to Izuku.

It seems like he doesn't know how to handle people very well if he's off asking questions about others like that.

Before Katsuki could explode, Izuku interrupted "Let's start over shall we? I'm Izuku Midoriya and my friend here is Katsuki Bakugo. And he's one of the most heroic people I've met so please don't say things lik ethat about him."

"I see." He took a minute to recognize his errors before straightening out, "I am Tenya Iida from Soumei Private Academy."

Katsuki didn't grumble anything out coherently but did incoherently say that he'll have fun tearing apart the boy.

"Kacchan!"

"Hey! I know that voice, it's you from the practical exam. Thank you for saving me and all that but oh my goodness I can't wait to see what our teacher is like. And I can't wait to meet everybody! What do you say Midoriya?" It's the girl-Uraraka! Izuku was surprised that she too-was in his class. It must be his lucky day to know more than one person here who doesn't hate him!

Izuku was going to respond but a dull voice carried over his squeak of a reply, "If you're here to just make friends than you can pack up your things and leave."

"Enh.."

They all scrambled to their seat where their homeroom teacher was waiting. "Welcome to UA's hero course." Aizawa sounded dead and void of anything living but deep inside he felt something stir as he looked straight ahead at the freckled boy and his friend.

Izuku Midoriya and Katsuki Bakugo.

"Put on your gym uniforms and head on outside."

Not wanting to waste more time the students of Class 1-A hurried to their respective locker rooms and rushed on outside-like told.

"What about orientation?"

Uraraka was brave to question.

"You can't waste time on pointless ceremonies. Here at UA, teachers have freedom to do what they please to run their classroom, this is mine. Now, all of you have been taking standardized tests since elementary but without your quirks."

He took a moment to pause and look at each one of his students. Some panic while others looked hyped as they quickly figured what was about to happen. Good, some know the hardships and the others…let’s hope they can learn.

"The country is still trying to pretend that it’s created equal and all of us are too. But those born with the most power excel while the others are left behind and looked down upon-" Maybe Izuku could look up at this teacher.

He seems aware.

Maybe he'll be different.

"It's not rational. One day the administration of educators will learn so but until then. Bakugo, you got the second highest score on the exam, what was your farthest softball throw in Junior High?" Aizawa's little speech came to an end but all Izuku could think is... what about those who are quirkless? He just mentioned those with weaker or mental quirks but not those without it. Izuku will give him the benefit of the doubt.

"Sixty-seven meters, I think."

"Try doing it with your quirk."

Bakugo grinned atrociously,

"Anything goes, just stay in the circle" Aizawa stood off to the side and impatiently said, "Come on, your wasting our time."

"Alright then, you asked for it..." Moving into a better position, he thought about the best way to improve the score-add a little bit of heat. More power and more dramatic flare, " Die !!"

Die?

Izuku didn't think Kacchan would scream it out but here he was, smiling for the antics of his loud friend. He just knew he would go far.

You will too, kid. Believe in yourself.

Y-yeah, you're right Nana...You're right.

705.2

"Woah, seven-hundred and five meters?"

"That looks like fun! I wanna go."

"That's what I'm talking about. Using our quirks as much as we want!"

"You think this is fun? Aye? Well why not add a curve ball in there. Whoever gets the lowest score is expelled. No buts and ifs. You have three years to become the best heroes you can be, this isn't going to be all fun and games. Welcome to UA."

Izuku stood petrified. Shaking as the words of Nana washed over him. He couldn't do it, he won't be able to, what if what if what if what if-

No! You are not going to end up last, you got that kid? You're going to show them how capable you are and your worth here and now. All you have to worry about is why your teacher is staring straight at you...?

What?!

N-no this cannot be happening.

Why is he...

No he couldn't possibly know. It can't even be a single thought-it shouldn't even be a thought in Izuku's mind.

૮ ⍝◜ • ˕̮ • ◝ ⍝ ა

Aizawa doesn't have biases.

He is a straightforward man.

Aizawa is a simple man with simple needs and simple orders.

Aizawa isn't biased and he sure as hell isn't unprofessional.

So why is he shooting daggers at Izuku Midoriya?

Simple.

It's because it's all bullshit.

Aizawa has never been a simple man with simple needs and wants and wishes. Simple orders be damned because Aizawa is still a man who doesn't know how to grieve or look beyond.

The only thing to question now is if he will ever learn to look above the horizons.

Welcome to UA indeed.

Chapter Text

Izuku couldn't understand why the man was busy glaring daggers at him and why he seemed so familiar. While others students went to take their part of the exam, he was busy thinking of his new teacher. 

It wasn't until it was his turn to do the long distance jump did he finally realize. Too bad it caused him to drop his hold of One for All. 

It's okay though, he got the best score for it. 

But because he dropped One for All, it meant that he fell on his bum in front of everyone. Had he not realize the man's hero alias, Izuku would surely freeze up and pass away respectively. 

"Ah! You're Eraserhead! Kacchan, I finally figured out who our teacher is and why he looked so familiar." 

Izuku beamed at his friend who momentarily looked shocked but snickered anyways. "Yeah, he does look like the homeless hero."

Aizawa was flabbergasted. 

In all of his years of teaching, there wouldn't be a single soul who figured his identify without he-himself-telling his class. And that was always at the end of the exam, early on if the kids were too excited and caused him to use Erasure. 

Has this been another, they would surely let their shock be known. Aizawa wouldn't.

"Who is that?" Some of the students whispered. 

"I think I've heard of the name before from my parents." Yaoyorozu mutter quietly with Todoroki nodding besides her. 

Normal responses, he supposes. 

"Yes, I am." Course it's wasn't a question but he felt he needed to clarify. "For those of you who don't know me; I'm Eraserhead, an Underground hero. Based on your responses, as well as past students responses, I'd say I'm doing a pretty damn good job at my job. Midoriya, if you don't mind me asking, how did you know?" It wasn’t everyday that he would be spotted by a fanboy. 

His glare was full force but Izuku didn't mind it one bit-too excited that he finally put together the puzzle. "Hmm? Oh, w-well you looked r-really familiar and I couldn't figure it out until now. I remember searching you up after I found something about another Underground hero. You two worked along side to defeat a trafficking ring down in Tokyo which is out from your routine schedule but your quirk was needed to detain the main suspect. Though looking back into it, it would've also made sense to bring someone like Midnight along but you and Ms. Joke absolutely did an amazing job. And because Ms. Joke was there it helped the situation an insane amount so it's understandable why she went instead of Mindight..." 

In true Izuku nature he went on a rambling rampage, one that wasn't articule. The small insider of his brain stunned Aizawa and he didn't know what to do it. As he was about to use his quirk on the boy- to shut him up and definitely not see how he would react, possibly gaining useful information- Katsuki came to Izuku's rescue with little knowledge of him knowing so.

"Oí, you're creeping them out, Nerd."

Like magic, the freckled boy snapped out of it and blushed. "Sorry."

"Right... Let's just get back to finishing those tests." 

Some tests were easier for Izuku to complete than the others. And by complete, it's really just knowing that he won't get the worst score out of the rest of his class. 

Finally it was time for his turn at the ball throw. He knows his arms are strong and can possibly throw around hundred meters but if he has the chance to possibly kick it. It's a ball throw. 

It'll be fine. 

Just like he imagined, his score was not disappointing. Thanks to all the muscle workouts and a sturdy position, the ball traveled farther than his original calculation. 

All in all, Izuku felt pretty confident in his physical abilities-with or without a quirk. 

So why did the score board say he got last place?

20: Izuku Midoriya  

૮⍝◜•˕̮•◝⍝ა

Of course Aizawa has access to all of the scores and could easily placed them wherever he pleases. Though he hasn't done this particular nasty trick in a long time he decided to pull out most of his teacher tricks. 

To know if they have what it takes. 

Now he's testing to see if Midoriya had what it takes to even be somebody in this society. 

No help from others whatsoever.

Soft murmurs restlessly arose from his new class. Some in disagreement and others in worry. Or in Katsuki's case, pissed. 

Everyone was talking except for the body who was bound to be expelled. 

Better luck next time he supposes, especially if he doesn't speak up now.

Time is ticking sweet Midoriya. 

Tick-tick-tick

tock-

"I think you have a mistake." 

Oh? 

"Excuse me?"

Now here is where the real exam.

"I-I mean, I think there was an error in your exam." 

He saw others nod in small agreements, not really noticeable but there if one catches it. 

Well this just got interesting. 

Aizawa didn't responde verbally, he decided to quirk an eyebrow, urging Izuku to continue. 

“Based on the ranking of the exam, the way each of my classmates were ranked were based on how well they did for each exam. Though you never showed us the results for each person-that’s simply how it is and that’s on simple observation. Though, if it were just that than Yaoyorozu would’ve gotten a smaller rank, instead she didn’t so you obviously took into account on how well they used their quirk and how familiar they are with it.”

There it is-

There is Aizawa’s grab 

“Familiar?” Though his tone was as no tone as ever, though there was no usage of his quirk, though there was no sign of any evidence that he could be onto Izuku. 

There wasn’t any to suggest that he wasn’t and why he singled out that simple word wasn’t to indication to call Izuku out. 

In Izuku’s mind he was thinking of a way to not panic and come up with anything. It’s times like these where lying would come useful, good thing he had to lie to his mother for so long. Lying is just another language Izuku speaks fluently. How sad. 

“Form of expression.” 

Aizawa knew it was a lie and the kid knew that he knows. But it does stray him away from the truth or possible truth. Not bad. 

“Right. You say I made a mistake?”

“Yes. If not y-you then your tablet most definitely that or another option that I won’t publicly say. At least not now.”

“Is that a threat?”

“Of course not, but I wouldn’t think Nezu would be pleased to hear that one of his workers ended up being so discriminative despite preaching about the injustice in society.”

“How am I being discriminative? If anything, wouldn’t your skills be to blame for your failure?” 

Izuku stilled. 

Not because he didn’t have anything to bring up but because throughout the whole conversation he wasn’t fully in control of his body. 

Nana decided it was ideal to take over-partially. It would explain his sudden confidence boost and little stutter. 

But Izuku heard and stilled at that simple word. 

Failure. 

He just knew; Aizawa wouldn’t be different from past teachers. 

It would be fine had he not been a hero or even a teacher at UA, but he is and he could possibly be a danger to other students. 

Izuku had been through this enough to know what to do. Or, to please others. 

If that’s the way it had to be-

No. 

No?

No. Izuku, Squirt, you’ve dedicated yourself entirely for this past year to even make it into the school and now that your bitch-ass teacher is trying to stop you, you give up? That doesn’t sound like you or like your new school’s motto. 

Then what do I do? He clearly knows something-it could be that and if he does then we’re all in jeopardy. 

J-just let me take over.

Is that a good idea? Wouldn’t your voice come out instead of mine?

Possession is a fine art that Yoichi and the rest of us have practiced. You’re in good hands Kid.

If you say so. 

૮⍝◜•˕̮•◝⍝ა

Katsuki knew that Deku wasn’t Izuku. 

He also knew that one of the Vestiges must’ve possessed or gave Izuku the confidence to blackmail their teacher. 

He also knew that if they didn’t help Izuku, then he would’ve done so himself. Because if he wasn’t sure about all of this, he knew that whatever that scoreboard says-is a bunch of bullshit. 

How is it possible that a boy who passed multiple tests with one of the highest marks- came after a boy with purple balls for hair and an invisible girl. Which, he’s truly just mentioning the purple ball-freak. For all he knows, the girl could be super jacked with freakishly long legs and a sturdy build to help her in all of these tests-it’s quite possible. But the purple freak? He’s the shortest, most perverted, scrawny chump here. 

If Katsuki didn’t see all the training Deku made himself go through or even just the muscle, then sure-maybe it’s possible.

But the damn Nerd has thighs almost rivaling Mirko’s and arms that could be considered as lean. 

Maybe he didn’t beat the Octopus guy but he didn’t exactly fail the test either. So what the hell is this homeless hero’s deal? 

“I know this yellow caterpillar did not just say that-“ 

Yoichi.

Fuck.

“What he-I mean to say is that saying that about your students is very toxic.” 

Looks like someone got to Yoichi, most plausibly Nana getting control. Katsuki is just thankful Izuku doesn’t sound like either of them. But there’s something in his eyes…

 Is that?!

૮⍝◜•˕̮•◝⍝ა

Nana is absolutely vivid. 

But she is classy and knows how to deal with people. 

She dealt with All got One before her fated battle anyways. 

“Toxic?”

And Aizawa still has the audacity!

“Yes, we as kids are still very influential and impressed by our environment. It’s one of the reason why everyone is so against quirkless people, which I noticed you didn’t mention in your speech about the inequality in our country but more specifically, our education. Why is that?” 

Is it dangerous that Nana has decided to bring in this topic? More risky than fighting All for One head on without a plan she’d say but she’s dead now so her life is gone. This is Izuku’s and if he hasn’t gained the necessary confidence-then she will help protect his future. 

She’s a hero after all. 

“What are you trying to say?”

“I’m not saying anything that you haven’t implied.”

“Get to the point, Midoriya. This whole conversation has been illogical and very time wasting. Quite frankly, for this simple discussion I should’ve had you expelled minutes ago.” 

“But you haven’t and that’s another ruse of yours, isn’t it? I digress on that discussion: why did I get the lowest score when everyone here saw that I did better than the small one over there.” 

“Hey!”

Nana glared right back at Aizawa. His stare was unnerving but he didn’t have to deal with centuries-old monsters. 

It lasted quite a while until he broke off. 

Something must’ve happened. 

She let go quickly. 

Everyone around saw regular Izuku. 

Katsuki saw Nana’s sweet eyes hold anger and ruination flicker from green to purple. A glance at Aizawa-he saw too. 

“To see if the target was serious about becoming a hero and defying a teacher’s stance of power.” 

He remained as passive as ever but with a new jitters crawling up his skin. This kid…

“How many did you expel with that?”

“Every single kid I’ve asked, all except you.”

…

A smile broke into Izuku’s plump face. Eye shinning with each and every color. “Thank you sensei!” 

Aizawa nodded and told them to go change and meet him back at homeroom. 

Izuku may have been beaming and glistening with happiness (and possibly activating his quirk just enough to make him float) but it was to be expected of him. 

His classmates surrounded him and questioned how he did what he did. He simply told them he was possessed and couldn’t have done it otherwise. It wasn’t a lie but it never seemed like a truth. 

He’ll be fine. 

Aizawa on the other hand was piecing together more and more theories. Midoriya had mentioned the word familair, he accused him of being a prick who discriminates and even asked him why he didn’t mention quirkless people. And the last piece of information-the most vital one- is that his eyes flashed purple and saw people standing inside. It was so quick though that he could’ve imagined that. 

But it was right there. 

What the hell is this year going to look like and why is it possible one of his students have been talking with the underground boogie man? 

It’s fine. 

He’ll just have to think logically and proceed with caution. 

He’s a hero for kami sake. 

And heroes exterminate all possible threats. 

Nezu will surely love to figure out this enigma. 

Chapter Text

The vestiges may have felt a little guilty. 

Actually they felt really guilty for what was happening to the two boys who they're suppose to protect. 

And they failed them. 

They went too far with scaring Aizawa. 

They don't regret the action but the consequence it had. 

After classes were over, both boys were called to Nezu's office where they saw All Might (in his deflated form) with a man in a fedora walking out of the office. It immediately put them in high alert. 

It's fine, it's whatever, its-its... it's concerning. 

But there wasn't anything else they could do now except wish for the best. 

And possibly end up talking with Nezu. In hopes he'll believe them and wish for them to succeed. Hopefully Aizawa didn't tell him about the incident earlier in the day but the way All Might glanced in their direction-he most definitely did. 

Great.

More air to fire to make a bigger flame. 

When the two finally reached his door, Izuku gave a small knock to notify of their existence. Course it wasn't needed, the chimera knows all. 

"Come in boys!" 

Nezu called out in his cheery voice. As they entered together they were quick to focus in on the files on his desk and tightening grasp on his cup of tea in fine china. 

Izuku thought to himself—this would be the final place he ever took another breath in. To write a note to his mother and apologize for everything that he put her through. There was absolutely no way either Katsuki or Izuku would come out unscathed or while. That's just the reality of it.

 "Y-you w-wanted to s-see us?" Izuku stumbled over his words and not quite meeting Nezu's eyes. 

It only served more of an intriguing factor in this case but did not affect Nezu the slightest. He, unlike Aizawa, had no biases, not until he knows all the facts. 

"Yes! I've been made aware of your situation Midoriya. Going fourteen years of your life presumed to be quirkless and then at the age of fifteen you suddenly gain one. Never to be heard of from another; the latest being seven years old. Care to explain?"

"He doesn't have to explain jackshit to you or to anyone else. And why play all these mind games, you're one to get straight into things, so what's up with this?" 

"Please do try to refrain from using vulgar language, Bakugo. Though you do have an excellent point so let's just get straight to it, hmm?" He smiled politely as if asking them for permission. They didn't respond but that didn't stop him from not taking action, "Have you or have you not been in contact with All for One." 

"How do you know about All for One." 

"Please, I'm one of the highest mammals in this time period. I simply would have to know about the existence of one of the most vile villains of all time."

"Fair."

"You didn't answer my question."

"You have a theory. I-I want to h-hear it." 

"Now, how is that fair."

"L-life has b-been unfair t-to me as m-much as it has b-been t-to you. There's a simple way to live. I had to learn that the hard way, this is simply just making sure I see another."

"I suppose you are correct. The quirkless have to have some sort of defense if they don't want to be killed, don't they."

"If they don't do it themselves." Izuku muttered evenly and his eyes shy away from Katsuki. Though the friendship have mended and he has forgiven the explosive boy, the words hurt. And on that day in that instant-it felt like a dagger piercing through his heart repeating the action but each time, it was all the more painful. He couldn't help it. 

"I see. This seems to be a sore spot, one that I do wish to look further into but for now let's settle on all that there is with One for All and All for One. Matters such as; bearing the quirk. How can that possibly be when there is already a holder. Is it possible that All for One had a hold of it and you simply were there at the right time and place? Or is it something more magnificent." 

Izuku shared a look with Katsuki. 

It was obvious on their clear disagreement; the matter of whether or not telling the mammal or not. Katsuki urged it, surprisingly: Nezu is one of the smartest creature to have roamed these lands and would be a great help. 

Izuku was highly against it; for fears of bigotry and pent up anger, fear of getting expelled, fear of the man who bared it once before and the current holder who doesn't even have a firm grasp. 

Izuku knows the great advantage of Nezu being in on the secret and possibly even trusting them-he holds unbelievable amounts of power that one could never dream of denying. But he also knows what fear is like and for once in his life-he hasn't felt it all because of the power he was graced with. Call him selfish, but he wouldn't dream of ever departing with it. With them.

Now that they call, they don't call to him. They call to the boy next to him and instead, take over the body they rest in. 

It's a weird experience to say the least; and at first, Izuku doesn't realized what has happened until it's too late. 

"No, no, no. Please, no. I finally have something and think will ruin it! Please!! You don't k-know what it's like to be useless just because you are quirkless! H-he, he won't understand because no one does! He'll think I'm a thief and throw me to the wolves and prison and-and- Yoichi Please! You have to let me go!" 

Izuku wasn't even fully in the universe that is One for All, so he couldn't even see Yoichi but he felt him and the rest of them. He felt their hands on his body so he won't be able to come back to his body and stop Katsuki. 

It wouldn't even matter at that point: Katsuki told everything to Nezu. And he made it fucking clear that he wasn't to speak until after he's finished all because The Second came and told Katsuki what to do and to do it quickly. 

I'm sorry kid, but I swear this is for the best for everyone. 

"What, so you don't think I'm worthy anymore-"

No! That's not what we're trying to say-

"O-oh save it! This hasn't been the first fucking time his has happened to me. You could've gone back to Mirio and let me. Maybe then I would've still been a student at UA. But now my dreams are ultimately crushed. Kami! I-I should've known it was only a matter of time..."

Kid! We don't want him, we want you! We've told you this and we will keep on telling you until you truly understand! We won't betray you or leave you stranded. 

"Lies!" 

Izuku's possessed form broke as he cried streams of tears. The two who were fully present weren't expecting him to return so quickly. Nor were they expecting him to cry, maybe aware?

Izuku rushed to collect his things and maneuvered around the fallen things-seems like his quirk had gotten grasp from the past users. 

...

No, it's not his.

He stole it from someone who would be a great hero. 

"Midoriya, if you would just wait a bit-"

"What so I could be publicly be humiliated by everyone in this Hero school? Thanks, but I'm good." 

"Why would you be humiliated?" At Nezu's genuine confusion, Izuku stilled and turned to him with a dazzling smile. A smile he used to cover up bruises and burns and words full of detest. 

Izuku looked him dead in the eye and never stuttered, "I'm a useless Deku, one who couldn't even be born with a quirk. Maybe I should take a swan dive off of a roof and pray for a quirk in my next life. Since clearly, I'm being expelled for 'stealing' All Might's protégé's new quirk." 

"You're not being expelled, Bakugo has explained to me the situation." 

"Oh so you believe him?"

"As I would believe you."

"Don't lie to me." 

"Midoriya, it's as you said before, we are both victims of this cruel society and it's prejudice norms. But I believe you can change it, Bakugo as well and maybe others. You have the heart to be a hero so let me take you under my paw and help hone these skills you so brilliantly possess. This is your hero academia after all." 

Izuku didn't know what to believe but he's been let down so many times in his life that he didn't want to take it. But he's selfish—selfless—and so he takes the chance because he believes in Nezu and his words. He wouldn't lie-not to a boy who has lost too much already. Not to someone who shares pain of abuse too. 

"O-okay."

"Wonderful! Now Bakugo I would like to stay and talk to you about this even more, Midoriya you could visit the support labs in hopes to find something you would like. I will be telling your homeroom teacher to start to introduce support weapons, possibly used for a rescue training..." 

Izuku nodded and left. Too drained to even think of what has happened in the last few minutes. Though he supposes it's okay. 

Kid?

"Not now Yoichi."

I-

"Yoichi."

Okay... we understand. We'll be here whenever you need us so... just leave a message? 

Izuku didn't respond this time. He didn't want to, too bothered by his emotions-emotions he barely felt because that's just not who is as a person. And now there was too many of them and Izuku couldn't be bothered to sort them out; he swallowed them for later. 

Bad coping method-maybe. 

But it's what he knew and what was familiarized with. 

Familiarization is comforting, no matter how poisonous it is. 

His eyes stuck to the ground. His shoulders up to his ears and he tried his best to make himself as small as possible. 

When he finally made it to the support class, there was a loud boom followed by a deep-lunatic chuckle and pink hair. 

"Woah ho ho! I think this is the one, Sensei!"

"Y-you blew it up though?" Izuku's soft voice surprised him as well as the pink haired girl. "Un-unless it was supposed to do that and if so then umm-well congrats?" 

The girl stood still and her eyes focused on Izuku, the longer she stood staring the longer he wished to not have said anything. 

"You! I like you, let's make babies together-"

"Huh?!"

It wasn’t Izuku’s voice that cut through the smoke, it was Katsuki who, by the looks of it, seemed to have finsihed his discussion with Nezu. 

Great. 

"Hmm...seems like this fellow needs you for something. The name is Mei Hatsume, future owner of Hastume Industries. You two seem like hero students by the looks of your uniforms so come by and see me if you ever need some support gear. I have babies to make so toodles."

With a bang she came and a bang she left. 

Huh...

"Deku?"

Izuku flinched. 

"Izuku?"

"What Katsuki?" 

Oh. 

"Are you good?"

Izuku finally turned to see his friend. Red eyes already trained on him and when viridian eyes met his, well, the former flinched. 

"What part of this makes you think that I'm 'good'? Hmm?"

"Things didn't turn out shitty."

"But what if it had Katsuki? What then, because the most probable explanation that I could think of is me being thrown into Tartarus for supposedly stealing a kami-damn quirk. Or maybe I would've gotten the death sentence right away because if a quirkless freak can steal quirks from Symbols then maybe I'd finally be acknowledged but for all of the wrong reasons. And if that's not enough, they would surely massacre the rest of the quirkless population. Good riddence, huh? So no, Katsuki, I. Am. Not. Okay." 

Izuku didn't wait for Katsuki's reaction or response. Maybe a year ago he would've been terrified of even talking to Katsuki, but that was then and this is now. And now? Well, Izuku is tired and pissed. 

He ran straight out of UA and onto new streets. 

With no sense of direction or sense of safety regarding himself. Not like he had much before. 

If he survived junior high, then surely he could survive lonesome... streets. 

O-oh…

Chapter Text

Katsuki was pulled aside once more. 

By Nezu.

Which he should've expect; they didn't talk about the suicide baiting. It strictly just One for All business. 

He isn't worried though. 

Not for his sake, at least. 

He didn’t think he was hero material-not after that. Izuku however? He was destined to become one.

So he may not care about his own standing at the school he is worrying greatly for his friend. A friend he just got back after all these years of abuse he out him through. The world has been too unfair and unkind to the small boy, Katsuki is part to blame (he doesn't know he wasn't the ringleader he chose to believe and was thrusted the title) and Kami-he never fails to remember that. 

The boy was too distraught to notice another figure. A figure who looked over at the boys in the midst of their discussion and after the Chimera pulled his aside. 

It wasn't on purpose-they we're simply checking up on the explosion that was on their way out of campus. Call it good or bad timing-it's undecided still.

Nonetheless that is the fate of that decision, the hero went to follow the distraught boy while the other was in the possession of the principal. 

૮⍝◜•˕̮•◝⍝ა

Izuku knew he shouldn’t have reacted that way. Much less in an open area where anyone could hear—where they could hear, but it wouldn’t matter now because what is done is done. 

He’ll just… have to live with the consequences. 

Like always. 

It’s always his fault. 

Nothing will ever change.

He’s always been the cause of destruction and that will never… that will never change. 

Izuku’s panicked running came to a fast jog in which decreased as he ran out of air. Each time he turned a random corner, he was met with less and less people. It wasn’t until his final turn of corner where the population was visibly dead that he finally noticed, everything. 

Or really, the lack of anything. 

But his mind was too occupied, remembering all the torment he was put through from the age of four all the way to fourteen, to even notice the gravity of the situation. 

It’s okay, though. 

Everyone who appeared from the shadows did know the gravity of the situation. Why, they knew it all too well. That’s what makes it fun; when everyone was on board. 

૮⍝◜•˕̮•◝⍝ა

“Bakugo.” 

The blonde stayed quiet, too quiet. 

Had it not been for his tight position and small movement-indicating he’s breathing, he very well looked like a corpse in an office. 

“Bakugo.”

“What!” 

The blonde never stays quiet for long. 

“Would you like to explain to me what just happened out there?” 

“No.” 

“Bakugo.”

…

Nezu wasn’t expecting for the boy to look at him, he wasn’t expecting shaking shoulders or red eyes and nose, he wasn’t expecting a venting session, he wasn’t expecting the truth. 

But just because he wasn’t expecting doesn’t mean he didn’t react as an adult should. 

He may not be the biggest fans of humans but that’s a small detail in the grand scheme of things. It paled in comparison to his duty as an educator, as a  principal; as a hero. His duties lie in helping civilians but even then, that wasn’t his first priority. No, that goes to helping his students. 

“What do you want me to say?! Huh! That I bullied my childhood friend so fucking awful to the point where everything else became a blur in my life? I can’t remember a time where I wasn’t scowling at everyone around me-well no that’s not true because I smiled when I told my best friend to fucking jump off of a roof and pray to Kami that he may get one in his next life. And if that wasn’t enough, everyone else thought it was a good idea to follow my lead and act upon it and no fucking cared. Hell! I never even meant that shit, but when they came so close to killing him… it looked like he decided that on his own! We’re back to being friends now but that doesn’t matter if he can’t return to how it was before everything went to shit.

“I may be blaming the world for never teaching me no or what’s right from wrong-but I will always blame myself first for what happened. If it wasn’t for me then he would still have friends and be on his way to becoming the first Quirkless hero. Kami knows this world needs it. Fuck! It’s all of my fault!” 

Katsuki let out tiny explosions but was quick to wipe away any excess substance from his hands, he was quick to wipe his tears but they couldn’t stop; bawling on the ground with his shoulders shaking and repeating sorries. 

To who? 

Izuku?

Nezu?

Himself. 

He expected to be expelled right after he composed himself. Whenever that would happen. 

Just like his friend, he too was oblivious to his world, but unlike his friend… 

“Katsuki.” 

The boy sniffled an incoherent response. 

“Katsuki, forgive me for not using your family name but this situation seems like it’s needed.” The boy snapped his head towards the chimera when he felt a warm paw rest on his shoulder, “Now I won’t say what you did was okay and that you didn’t know better-while you didn’t, it still is never okay to push someone to that extent. I won’t list the possibilities of what could’ve happened because you clearly know more than I do in this situation.”

“Then what will you say?” 

“That you aren’t expelled. Izuku seems to forgive you, so mature, but he doesn’t seem to be able to move past that. Based on what you’ve been telling me, it also seemed like everything was moving very fast for him and when a moment of his old life came to resurface, well we saw what happened, didn’t we?”

“Why won’t you expel me? I’m no better than a villain. Izuku is still hurting, all because of me!” 

“Because of culpability. You feel guilt and seem to be trying to better yourself. It’s horrible that it took you this long but it’s better to be late than to never have an awakening moment. However, I do wish to hand you over some therapy recommendations if you haven’t seemed some out already.”

“I’m in anger management therapy already but I’ll tell my parents to just add me in therapy too.” Katsuki wiped his eyes again, face flushed from crying so much and his voice was hoarse.

Nezu clapped his paws together and continued, “Wonderful, but do ask of Ms. Midoriya to seek help for Izuku as well.”

“Okay.”

“Good, now to finish our talk…” 

Bakugo flipped faces rather quickly but this was no time to question silly things such as that. “All for One is still kicking the hay.” 

“How are you so confident in this?” 

“Izuku has One for All.”

“Simple as that?”

The blonde took a moment to look for the correct words. There wouldn’t be any and they sure as hell shouldn’t be filtered. 

“Not exactly. Despite what the fucking donkey believes, the quirk is alive. The past users of it may be dead but spiritually, they are very much alive. After the first time Izuku used the power to save us from dying, the First and Second user came and appeared. Before you ask, it was due to Yoichi-the first- finding out what All Might just did prior to that day. The Second tagged along and noticed the change of environments. They disappeared after that. There was one or two more incidents like the first one but yeh most recent ones were that of today.”

“When Aizawa saw the previous users in Midoriya’s eyes and when he was paralyzed just now?”

“Exactly. Though this would be the first time of possession.”

“The quirk is alive.” 

“One for All is not just a quirk, it’s more than that. If it could feel Izuku when he saved me from the Sludge Villain, then they sure as hell know if the lunatic brother is alive or dead.”

Nezu’s eyes harden and his smile widens. 

Katsuki wouldn’t say he was terrified because he wasn’t, at least not at his principal. He would, however, say he was frantic of what was bound to come. Something always came.

Nezu wasn’t much different. He knows most of the cards at hand but not all because of the quirk in question. It didn’t help that the man they were looking for is a God among those in the underground but even they didn’t know his whereabouts. So even if his grin showed fearless bravery-ready to take action, his fur stood on ends and his tail was stiff; true to heart. 

“This game has gotten a lot bigger than I had anticipated.” 

“What happens now? There’s still two respected heroes who want us gone and possible maniacs after Izuku.”

“Teachers may have a freedom of running their class but I’m still the principal and have decided to take you both on as my students after classes: my jurisdiction reigns over both. As for the villains, well you both will learn to fight smarter and stronger. And if such a time comes when we need students to fight head on, you both are very influential. May that day never come.”

“Knock on wood.”

“Knock on wood indeed.” 

૮⍝◜•˕̮•◝⍝ა

“My, my, my! What a wonderful present his majesty has brought to our neck of the woods.” The shadows talked and Izuku had no choice but to listen. Skin cracked as a yellow smile took place from the dark. “What a perfect present.” 

Izuku was as oblivious as Katsuki was, but his friend would be okay…

He always was. 

Would he?

Chapter Text

Izuku is no stranger to fear or danger. 

Not that he actively goes out to fight or puts an end to injustice situations; he's the one who heroes need to save. 

Maybe not the heroes who are official or pro, the ones with flashy quirks and fit bodies with a persona to fit the image, but the heroes who wear no cape and hold a helping hand out. 

The ones who show kindness and consideration with love sewn onto their glassy eyes. The ones where people take too much from and end up making an actual glass-like figure. The ones who either are taken advantage of or go unnoticed by society. 

He's always been in need of that hand. 

But things don't always go in the way a movie does. While there are some people who end up getting that hand that's desired, there are others who slip through the cracks. 

The ones where people stare and watch in horror but aid in nothing but view. Those are the ones who fall father. Then there are the ones who do get help but it's all in vain and fruitless kindness. There's no warmth or care-it's all fake. There are those who lay in streets, skin to bones, shivers running like a mother's hand, and result in violence. 

No villain in born, they're all made.  

At least, that's what Izuku believes. 

He's no stranger to hatred, he's an acquaintance with it—never going beyond acquaintances. He's familiarized with it. 

Danger likes to follow him like a child follows candy. It's greedy and taunting, but never causes true harm. Well no, that's not entirely true; it is if one is to turn a blind eye on the dark lulling thoughts or sharp flowers and twisted ways and-

He's known fear when he was young. 

No visual memories of his father but the emotions imprinted on him and his mother and the way he heard all those things being shouted at her- he's gone. 

Peace eventually settles in but it doesn't stay for long. 

Since he heard that traitorous diagnosis; fear crept up on him whenever he walked to school and returned from. Kids are mean, after all. 

Then there are those times when his mom took an extra night shift as the law firm she works at and forgot to inform her son. 

Like fear and danger, abandonment is no foe.

And though these experiences gained up in him over the past years, it doesn't mean he's grown a tolerance against it. 

It simply means he's aware. 

That's all. 

So when a group of low life thugs come barreling in and crash into Izuku (or the other way around, according to them) there's not exactly a lot of shock. 

Just fatigue. 

"What a perfect present!” The last one of the three grumbled. 

The group of three consisted of two mutant quirked people and the other with sharp teeth and paper-white skin.

One of the mutants had purple skin and red hair with stripes running down it bigger-frames body. His teeth were sharp and the claws didn’t exactly make the knock off version of a Monsters Inc character, look ready for hugs. The other wasn’t much better, very much impersonating a character from another Pre-Quirk Era show on Cartoon Network. …Yoichi had a field day during those ten months. 

The last of the group-the one who spoke- was more threatening like. Nothing to do with his quirk but everything to do with the aura he emitted. His yellow eyes contrasted against his white skin. He looked like a phantom. 

“I-I’m sorry, I wasn’t looking where I was heading. If-if you’ll e-excuse me…” Really, Izuku should’ve known that bowing and then side-stepping would work on no one, especially no thugs. He did it anyway but got blocked by the three. 

“Now where are you heading? It’s quite rude to leave in the middle of a conversation.” The man turns to the others who nod with greed. Their impossibly sharp smiles turn even sharper. 

“A-ah I re-really need to get back h-home and my mother will worry so.” Excuses won’t work, Izuku. 

“Nonsense! We won’t keep you long.” 

“Exactly! We just want to have some fun, hero.” 

“You go to Yuuei so surely you would know formalities.” 

How did they…his uniform. 

Slightly different from those in different apartments but anyone on the streets would recognize the familiar dress code of the famous academy. Izuku couldn’t lie even if he wanted too. Nor was it a time to speak it seemed. How else could he escape this rising situation? How. Analysis could only get you so far and without a proper license to make use of the quirk…

“Cat got your tongue, hero? Whatever, I have a feeling our little meeting will be interrupted one way or another so I’ll make this quick, got that punk?” The man walk closer to Izuku and bent down to meet his eye. “His majesty is well aware. He knows.”

No…no he couldn’t possibly know. Just-just play stupid Izuku, you got this. “Knows what? Who is he?”

“I think we both know who I’m referring to, Izuku. Just know that quisling people always have the most fun.”

Quisling? 

Izuku was struck with horror. 

It hasn’t even been a week and there’s already a possible traitor and if there is one, what’s their goal? What motif could they possible hope to achieve? Is it someone? or is it simple power? 

But if they’re infiltrating UA…wouldn’t they already possess such power? 

“Looks like you understood the gravity of this kid.” The man smirked red. His posee following suit and to make themselves seem bigger, they puffed out their chest and the aura around them changed. 

“It hasn’t even been a week into this new school year, what could they possibly want.” There was no smile on Izuku’s face, nor was there any indication of any other emotion other than anger painted so thinly. “If it’s power-there are other ways to gain it. If it’s someone then wouldn’t that eliminate the person? There isn’t anyone new except the first years but if they’re targeting someone then it could be a teacher who would know of changes in the school year. But my real question is, why tell me?”

The man didn’t look nervous as the freckled boy talked and talked. He didn’t flinch when he got half of the truth, what he did do was grin a cheshire cat and twist it with horror and pain. “Because everything hurts more when you know you could’ve done something and end up failing and losing everyone.”

The Monster’s Inc wannabe stepped up and carried a grim response, “Hero, I don’t know if you know this, but villains aren’t created-they’re born.” 

This caused the two others to flinch and reel back. The man of the hour held back a bit- seems as if his life flashed before his eyes. “Don’t take it personal, punk. But that’s just the way of the world.”

“And if the boss is correct about you, then surely you know how twisted the world really is. Hell, it’s woeful and lousy that it’s enough to make people change their morals.” The third one spoke. His face expression held anger and resentment but his eyes were a true indicator of what he felt. What they all felt. 

Had this been another life, Izuku would think not twice of their words: villains twist their words to gain sympathy and then take the knife. 

Had this been another life, Izuku could possibly be the one to share these words: gain power not through violence but words. 

Had this been another life-there are so many what ifs and possible universes. But that’s all in another life and not the one where Izuku lives in. 

Izuku noted this: possible gain sympathy towards villains and he may think the same in theory, but what he truly knows in this current moment, is that everything he once believed-is nothing but a big fat lie. 

He won’t share his new thoughts with them-they could serve as a double edged knife. What he will do is comment once more and turn away. “I’m guessing you all won’t share with me who the possible fiend is but that’s fine. Thank you for sharing this with me and if it helps, the monster may have captured you but who you once were doesn’t seem to have strayed so far.”

As the boy walks back to the heart of the city to catch a late train, he’ll keep to himself lost in his mind once more. 

He’ll let the vestiges comfort him as he accepts the written fates of those who stooped low in return of acceptance. 

Kid? 

“I-I…”

Is this about a traitor at school, Katsuki, or is it about villains in general.

“It’s a little of everything. I’m angry at Kacchan-“

But you forgave us? Do you not…

“No! I mean yes! Look, Nana, I’m hurt by what you all did. Being quirkless I know what to expect from the majority of people, I mean you know what Kacchan did in the past years. It’s just…with him it felt as if he’s betraying me all over again and abandoning me…it’s hard to explain.” 

That’s alright kid. And we’re sorry for putting you through that but know we won’t betray or abandon you-ever. We love you dearly. 

“Thanks, really.”

Now, what about those folks.

“We’ll the traitor thing seems so surreal. I worry that if I were to bring it up then it’ll only be against my favor. I want to help people but if they’re write me off as the traitor then there’s no one to help the world. All for One has something sickly up his sleeve and I don’t want to take risks as it is now. Besides, what is something happens and they’ll think I was the source?”

That’s a tough one kid. You’re in a position where the scale with tilt to either side. It doesn’t help that both Toshinori and Aizawa are resentful and hesitant towards you and if something were to occur… they have connection. But if you don’t say something-it’ll be just like they predicted.

In my line of hero work, not being able to help people always took a toll on me. Banjo also agrees… we’ll discuss this and then I’ll tell you. 

“Thanks Nana and the others. As for the last thing… when he first said that I was taken back. I’ve always heard or read in manga and comics that Villains stents born Villains-sure there are an odd one out who’s a lunatic-but most are born as any other person. Then I realized that he didn’t mean born as in baby but similar to created. To have them say it and acknowledge they weren’t always like this? Nana, why is this world so cruel.” 

Izuku shook with tears. His sobs were ugly and his nose was runny, his face was down on the mattress and all he wanted was his mother. He wanted her loving nature to hold him and to whisper reassurances, to tell him everything will be okay even if it may be a white lie. 

Alas, Inko took an extra shift at the law firm she worked at so that left Izuku alone. Funny, he isn’t a strange to that either. 

The vestiges huddled around the tear stricken boy. They’ve seen him cry; for others and never himself except once or twice. They’ve seen him cry tears of joy but this wasn’t joy. It’s grievance for those who were deemed as useless (much like he was) and thrown away, only to be saved by others who were written in similar manner. 

Nana believes he’s too young to know the dangers of the world. Like Inko, she too was a mother and whenever her baby was hurt, she was there when she could. Like Inko, she was willing to shield him from the world.

Nana made some mistakes along the way-one of them was never saying goodbye- but she hopes to mend those issues and comfort the boy she’s grown close to and sees as a second son. 

She doesn’t realize she manifested into his room. She doesn’t realize she was stroking his curly forest hair as he cries into her lap. A soft smile adorned her face and her eyes were pulled in worry and an equal sadness. 

“I don’t know why the world is cruel and painful but what I do know is that there will be people to help change that fact. Izuku, you may be young but you are more than aware. Awareness is good I think. It’s even greater when someone has a better chance to fix the cracks. I’m sorry if it seems like I’m forcing such responsibilities onto you, trust when I say it isn’t my intention. We understand it’s all too much too soon, so take it easy and let us do the hard work for you.”

The boy didn’t respond verbally, he just weeped harder and held Nana, scared she’ll leave. 

She fears the same, so she simply held him a bit closer and hummed a soft tune her own mother taught her. 

“Rest now, my child. Tomorrow is a new day and surely a hero will rise. We’ll protect you and won’t ever depart. So rest freely.” 

Chapter Text

Nana let her hand run through Izuku's curls. She felt him sink deep into her and clutch her shirt tightly. The small act…It made her remember a lot of things; for instance, the memory of her own child clinging onto her after a rough day... 

The other would be the moments from the past few weeks: they've all noticed him struggle a little bit more than usual. They watched him hurt more with each day. Whether it be stress from a new life or just trying to adjust. 

Ten months seem like a long time, but compared to a decade of being told you're worth is no more than a penny on a side walk, it's draining to be placed in a position where your worth is priceless.

To be told you're nothing to everyone and then having to struggled to come to terms with that-it's false. Every hatred-laced-lie is just that: a lie. Having nothing to having everything in the palm of your hand is extremely overwhelming. Learning to change and grow when everyone else had time to learn a little bit more about themselves as they weren't brutally attacked for just living. 

Izuku's shoulders were hunched whenever he was alone. His mind often wondered and he pinched his skin to make sure this isn't some cruel nightmare dressed in sheep clothing. He couldn't accepted that this was all his. This was his new life. 

It's a blessing. 

It's new. 

It's everything he wasn't ever accustomed to. 

Izuku lived in a routine of life. The biggest changes in his life were his father leaving and then Kacchan leaving him too. 

Even then it wasn't as big as it is now. 

He doesn't remember much of his father and since he already left—when his best friend went too, it didn't seem all that surprising. 

He always thought it made sense. 

If his dad couldn't stay after he was deemed useless, then why would his best friend be any different. 

So no, Izuku wasn't used to change. 

He wasn't terrified of it, but he wasn't expecting to be thrusted with it all either. 

It all got so overwhelming. 

Too much. 

Too fast. 

And to think they just watched? 

It's sickening. 

Three of them were pro heroes. The rest weren't, but Kami knows that they know better than to just sit around when they have the chance to do something. 

"I'm so sorry for not intervening earlier. I should've known better to let you handle it all. I'm sorry I couldn't be you're hero but I'll make sure to be there for you now. We all will. So just rest, sweet boy. We will take care of thing. I promise." 

Her fingers never stopped running through his green curls. His grip never loosened, he never even stirred when she tensed at the sound of keys jingling at the front door nor did he move when his mother came and kissed him goodnight. 

Obviously, Nana knew Inko wasn't ever going to see her. It wasn't possible-it was barely possible for a holder to see them in physical form without the star-lit room. 

She still held her breath as the mother took one last look at her son before going to her own room. 

The breath stilled-she hasn't exhaled. Not after she saw the prominent worry lines in the mother. She saw tears ready to be leaked—oh-oh she also knows how stressed he is. 

The night carried on with owls crying in the distance and cars softly humming around. The wind carried a sweet tune too.

If she has been alive, she too would feel the tiresome aches and cracks in the bones as a regular being would after staying alert the whole night. Her voice would be raw from the soft singing and her hands would cramp from comforting the boy. She wouldn't have complained-never. 

Instead she waits till he wakes and kisses his crown once more before she departs with her promise. 

"I'll be your hero." 

૮⍝◜•˕̮•◝⍝ა

Katsuki was quiet. 

It was a strange thing for Izuku and had he not been pissed at the blonde, surely he would care a little bit more to see what troubles him. 

Thing is, he is pissed. Beyond of what anyone could imagine. At least, that's what he's trying to convey. In his opinion, he's doing a pretty great job...Yoichi has other opinions. Too bad they don't matter at this moment. 

Rude...

Izuku has been ignoring him all day. He walked ahead of the Kacchan, buried himself in one of his new analysis notebooks and put his earbuds in. At lunch, when Kacchan finally got the hint, he let Kirishima pull him away and steered him to his group of friends. 

It kind of hurt Izuku, but anger clouded him a bit more. 

Whatever, he's been alone before he can survive until Kacchan apologizes or something. With his head held high and his shaking hands carrying a tray of katsudon, he made his way over to a lonesome table that sat a purple haired dude. He seems familiar? 

"Hi! Can I sit here?" 

The teen made no sound but signaled for Izuku to sit as he pleased. It was silent as Izuku ate and he debated whether or not he should speak with the boy or not. When he did make up his mind, a new person showed up and stole the seat next to Izuku and across from the lilac teen. 

"Hiya there! I'm Mei Hatsume and you're the kid I spoke to yesterday. Told you to come see me if you need any help with support items. I also heard your class is going down for a training after lunch, Powerloader-sensei was a bit frantic after another explosion— oh but don't worry about it! I fixed it right up." Mei's eyes zoomed in on Izuku with much interest and her hands flew everywhere. She saw his eyes widen with small fear before she continued, 

“Don’t worry, he approved of it. Now I didn’t get your name so I’m not too sure if I fixed your costume but whoever got a diaper-lookin’ thing better hope they don’t blow up. Haha! I’ kidding-slightly. Anywho, why don’t you introduce me to your friend over here? Actually, better yet, I’ll introduce myself. Hey there lilac stranger, I’m Mei Hatsume, future owner of Hatsume Industries.”  She gave a mega-watt smile and outstretched her ashen hand. 

The boy just peeked up, his head on the table, and looked her in the eye and then at Izuku. With a tired sigh, “I’m Shinso Hitoshi.” 

He didn’t look like he was going to much but when he opened his mouth, it wasn’t what either expected. Yet, it didn’t disappoint. No, not at all. “Well Hatsume, hopefully one day we work together out in the field when I’m a hero. Might have to wait a while before I’m quite there but don’t expect to wait long.” He gave a small smirk before his eyes wondered to an excited-looking- Izuku. 

“D-Does this mean you’re in class B? O-o-oh and I’m Izuku Midoriya, nice to meet you Shinso.” Izuku gave a big smile and his eyes gleamed a little more. 

Hitoshi scratched the back of his neck, not really excited to tell them the next part but he has to make his mark somewhere. “Ah no, I’m in the general studies, didn’t pass the entrance exam. In my opinion it was too biased towards flashy quirks. Though that doesn’t mean I don’t have a chance. At the Sports festival, I have a chance to prove myself and possibly be transferred into one of the courses.” His lilac eyes looked else where and his cheeks flushed when the two didn’t say anything.

It was broken when Izuku beamed even more, “Th-That’s s-so cool you still have a chance. I think you’re right about the test being biased and kind of bigotry, especially to those who have mental quirks in which I’m guessing you, yourself has. And you might be transferred earlier! Aizawa-sensei is very… harsh of his teachings and I almost got expelled… but that was more of a attack maybe.”  It was Izuku’s turn to flush red and rub his neck. He remembered the small bits of yesterday and the way Nana took over to converse with Aizawa. Not the most favorable but definitely memorable. 

“He almost expelled you, why?”

“It’s a complicated story and I’m not sure if I can tell you as of now. Maybe when we become good friends though, it’s be fun to kiss and tell… without the kissing obviously-um I’m sorry if that made you uncomfortable oh my gosh what the fuck Izuku!” Izuku has stopped functioning. 

Yoichi was crying out in laughter as he stopped pulling Izuku’s leg. So what if he kind of possessed Izuku for the shits and giggles of it. It’s not like anyone would know. 

Thankfully, Mei and the kid sort of ignored the mistake, is what Izuku would like to say, she actually burst out laughing and smacked her face against the table. “Oh my gosh! That’s it, if were not friends by the end of lunch then I will quit my work! Also, I look forward to working with you both! So come to me with any suit improvements.” 

Hitoshi looked up in shock before cooking his expression. A small cocky smiled style his lip and a raised brow teased Izuku. “Trying to flirt now? You’re cute but not my type, sorry Shorty. But you both are okay with us being friends yet you don’t even know my quirk.” The mood dampened as Hitoshi lost boyish charm. “You might not want to continue this friendship afterwards…”

Mei and Izuku looked at each other before turning to the boy. “We’ll tell you ours first if that helps.” Mei suggested. 

“Yeah and besides, quirks don’t really matter to me. It’s honestly just the person.” Izuku turned back to his food as he looked at Histoshi. “You seem like a genuine person so of course I would love to be your friend.”

“You say that now.” Histoshi muttered. 

Mei decided enough was enough and turned back to her food and then the shying boy. “Zooming eyes is my quirk. Super handy for my work but not at all flashy.” She turned to her food before signaling for Izuku to do the same. 

“Ahh t-that’s super cool! I will ask you about your quirk later. O-oh my quirk is called Float. I can, well, float. I passed with rescue points…actually, now that I think about it, didn’t I help you you and give you tips?” Izuku turned confused. “I could’ve sworn you did so much better afterwards and it should’ve gotten you enough points due to how close it was towards the beginning.” Had Mei not poked his rib, he would have started to mutter at all the possibilities. Something isn’t right. 

“Don’t know, but I know I got enough to enter the course. Guess someone just beat me by a point or something. Whatever, doesn’t matter now but anyway, my quirk is Brainwashing, I ask a question and can hold them, almost like a puppet.” His voice began to trail off and he waited for the harsh words and cruel judgment. His classmates already started to tease him-not to the extent of bullying but…it’s just teasing. 

He was met with a million questions coming from Izuku but Mei easily voiced over him. “If you were worried about us mocking you for your quirk, stop those thoughts now because we’re going to continue being best friends and you can’t do shit about it. Now, this will change if you go to someone else for support items then I have no choice but to hunt you down and play villain for a second or something so think carefully. Also I agree with Shorty over here, something is odd.”

Mei wondered off into her own habit of muttering and Izuku then droned her out and Hitoshi? Whiplash. 

Whiplash. 

“Right! If I could only see what the lowest score was then maybe I could see what may have happened and if not ask Nedzu about this, surely he would know-“

“Wait.” Hitoshi semi-shouted. It wasn’t enough to gain attention but louder than what he was accustomed to, “You’re not scared? And you are willing to help me sort this problem-that might not even be a problem?”

Mei and Izuku stared at Hitoshi like was stupid and continued with their babbling. Hitoshi just decided to accept it and smile softly but when he realizes Izuku’s last coherent words he did actually scream. 

“Wait! The RatGod?”

This only made Mei scream even louder, “You personally know the RatGod? Are you giving us the short stick already, Shorty? Do you know how well this could make my business? Connections!! Why you little…”

The cafeteria turned to stare at them; some in shock, some in annoyance, and others in concern. It was a nice mix but the three didn’t care. They were too busy in teasing the other, the main topic being the freckled boy who finally seemed to relax. As did the other two, for neither of them fit in their own class but found refuge with the smallest. 

On the other side of the cafeteria sat a blonde just ready to explode and a red head who smiled in confusion. In front of them sat a blonde boy with a lightning streak, a bubbly bubblegum girl, and a dude with black hair who resembled Spider-Man in quirk. 

“Who is this RatGod?” 

“Shut the fuck up.”

Though he shouted with anger, there wasn’t any fire to them when he directed it to the Red head. Luckily, he didn’t seem fazed by it either. 

Problems didn’t end up fixing themselves at the end of lunch and they wouldn’t until sunset painted the sky, but for right now, both boys seemed content. 

Wait-did you say SpiderMan? Holy fuck-he’s one of my top favorite heroes! Do you know how cool he is with the webs and the actors and holy fuck! 

…

Yoichi, shut the fuck up. You are talking, with AIR!

I will fight you, Second.

Chapter Text

Toshinori was feeling smug. 

He felt terrible for feeling such way, a proper hero shouldn't feel like this at all-it's not heroic. That single reminder didn't stop him, for another voice inside him told him that it's fine because he will finally be victorious. 

Centuries after another, each passing holder-vessel-has all met their doom: fated. Even the poor, sick, fragile brother-whom he did not deserve such fate-became a mere nuisance in the grand scheme of things. But it's okay! Because he is here to be the savior (maybe even for the last time) and let those finally rest alas. 

For that to happen, he needed the bratty thief gone. It doesn't matter if he's young-it's honestly due to him being young that makes this all the most bittersweet. Bitter because its a child who fell into the wrong hands and so quickly. Sweet because he will stop another century-long war and his precious new predecessor will be fine and make his way as number one with no problems and an easy outlet to shine and smile brightly. 

It's also a great help that Aizawa stands with him on this. Even more so after the... incident that occurred yesterday. 

All Might shivered slightly as he remembered those moments he spoke with the younger teacher. 

"You saw What now?"

"People. People were behind his eyes and he seemed to radiate this intense energy that felt dangerous and threatening. You may be correct with his connection with this All for One. Did Nedzu tell you anything after?"

"How many people? Were there seven? And to answer your question, no. Nedzu had not told me anything or has done anything to even move in the direction of holding the boy accountable. It's infuriating and the most he has mentioned about this whole ordeal was this morning when I asked him about the meeting." 

"Seven. Well what did he say?" 

"To not worry."

"How could we not worry? Kami-I knew we should've gotten the Detective on board with us." 

"Soon."

Toshinori prayed for that soon to arrive.

Toshinori should've prayed better. 

He didn't have enough time to have concerns about that, he has a class to teach and a mole to catch. He is a hero after all.

૮⍝◜•˕̮•◝⍝ა

Izuku was in his head. 

After his lunch with Hitoshi and Mei, he felt lighter and happier. It wasn't permanent but it was still there. 

And for once he wasn't overthinking each and every detail, he was actually just arguing with Yoichi. 

Of course it was Yoichi, he was a free spirit and probably an ankle biter. Yeah, Izuku could see that.

Y: Listen, kid, I'm telling you. Spider-man is like top fuckin' tier -ow Nana!- and like I know Iron Man was a fucking beast and maybe, just maybe, Superman was cool-

S: What? No, Batman was cool.

Y: No-and even if he was that cool...We don't take application and inputs from sticky kids. As I was saying, Iron Man is cool and maybe Superman... but Spider-man? I'm telling you, An**** Ga*****, To** Mc*****, AND T** Ho*****?!? Any day... any freakin' day. 

AM: weak—-fragile—-brother—-nuisance—-

I: ...was that All Might?

Y: Nonono, because I know this bitch is NOT talking about me-

Maybe the conversation would've continued had Nana not smacked Yoichi or the door to Izuku's class open and in came said—bitch.

N: Language Izuku!

Y: Yeah!!! hey guys, the little man has finally cursed! celebration time...wait wait the bitch was still shit talking-

Izuku decided to block them out. He knew he should’ve blended it, everyone else around him had cheered but he couldn't bring himself to do the same. Especially after those insulting words he threw at Yoichi. 

Y: aww thanks bud 

Izuku rolled his eyes, obviously aimed at Yoichi but he wasn't in their little world of connections, he was at school and at a view All Might could easily see this little action. 

Fuck. 

Maybe he should check, maybe he didn't see this small little action. With a tiny ounce of courage, Izuku sets his eyes to the grand figure only to slightly reel back at the gaze that was already set on him. 

Great. 

Luckily (or unluckily, fate shall be decided later on), All Might decided to ignore this and excitedly stated what they should be doing to be the best prepared for the field. 

Soon, they were at Ground Beta in their hero suits and sunny smiles. Kacchan had walked out before Izuku and even if the latter was still angry with his friend, he couldn't help but admire his suit. 

Course, he already knew how it looked and the small features of it but to see it on Kacchan? He really did look like a hero. 

Izuku on the other hand, had walked out a little later than the other boys, his costume fitting him snuggly and making him look like a hero. 

Any other time, he would feel like the world’s eyes were on him-waiting to see him crumble under their stare and mock him every chance they’ll get. He would feel shameful and ready to slip into the shadows until he knew it was okay to come out again. 

Which makes this moment for him all the more  vigorous. His head held high and his strides matched him perfectly. The darker shade of green-borderline teal- made his tan skin glow. The outlines of white lines on the sides of it made the other white accessories pop with a thundering crack. The red belt nicely contrasted the two other colors and yet, perfectly matched along with them and his vibrant shoes. 

He had a one-piece body suit with a halter neckline; perfectly showing his muscles and freckled skin. For the bottoms, they were baggy cargo pants that weren’t constricting of his movements-he’d taken a liking towards utilizing his legs. 

Though it may have been simple, it was enough to satisfy. Izuku was proud at what he, the vestiges, and Kacchan have created. He was especially content with the nine buttons on his body suit-Yoichi is an influence. 

Y: Thank you!

S: …who the hell are you talking to?!

Izuku let a small tug adorn his lips and a equally small chuckle escape his mouth. 

“They say the clothes make the pros, young ladies and gentlemen, and behold—you are the proof!” All Might grinned as his eyes passed over to each kid. It only tightened when he stopped at Katsuki and Izuku. “Take this to heart, you are all now Heroes in Training!”

Infront of him stood all twenty-proud members- of Class 1-A. All sharing the sentiment of relief and pride. Some more than others…

Y: Burn…

N: Yoichi, stop. You’re freaking the rest of us. 

“You all look so incredible! Now, shall we get started you zygotes?!” 

In little time, All Might explained the process of the battle exercise and the importance of it. “Most crimes you see are outside, that’s due to the media having access to record and broadcast it all. However, that doesn’t mean the toughest villains you’ll endure will only ever be publicly casted, the real crimes lie in the shadows where monsters hide. It’s statically proven.” Even if his darken gaze, Izuku knew that last part was aimed at him. Of course…

All Might didn’t stop there, he mentioned examples for those who didn’t realize or couldn’t imagine such crimes—it was just a cover up for those who saw that steady gaze. 

“For this exercise, you will be fighting two on two all indoor battles-“ Whatever All Might was going to continue with, was cut off by Asui, “Isn’t that a little advanced?” 

It reminded Izuku of his run-ins with All Might/Toshinori. As much as he hates to admit it, he was anticipating violence towards the girl. Any type of abuse, physical (like she was a villain) or verbal (like he had once done). When none came, he realized that it’ll only ever be him. That should be good! N-no o-one had to suffer. 

“The best learning experiences are those you learn on the battle field!” 

Izuku had mixed feelings about this response; is he technically correct? yes. Aren’t they still young and don’t even know restraint? yes. Does he believe All Might would realize this? not really no, he’s way too dense and stuck in the past. 

Others seemed to be agreeing with Izuku’s inner thoughts; All Might was bombarded with questions upon questions. 

“Sir, will you be deciding who wins” Yaoyorozu questioned thoughtfully. 

“How much can we hurt the other team?” Kacchan, everyone, everyone, Kacchan. 

“Should we worry about the losers getting expelled like Aizawa-sensei form of… teaching? Uraraka sounded small and panicked but held together.

“Is this based on chance or competitive skill?” Iida raised his hand and his yell was muffled by his robot face covering.

Could be be considered a look alike of a knight? No, that’s more of Aoyama.

Speak of the glittering boy and he shall twinkle a question out. Yoichi, you are ok thin ice. 

“Isn’t this cape très chic?” 

In all honesty, All Might should’ve expected this (in humble Izuku’s opinion) ((no he was not being petty he’s simply stating facts.)), what did the donkey expect? Immediate knowledge on how to deal with teens who just got out of junior high and into a famous high school to follow their dreams? Or his favorite thing, fame?

“I-I wasn’t fin-finsihed t-talking.” The hero muttered deeply, barely audible. “Long explanation turned short-for your convince; there is a missile the villain team will hide and protect inside this building. The hero team will try to stop them before time runs out. To do that, the hero team must recover the stolen device or capture the evil-do’ers. If not and the time runs out or the villains capture the heroes, the point goes to the villains. Now time is sensitive so we pick teams by choosing lots!”

Iida stood a bit flabbergasted and questioned the hero “Isn’t there a better way?” Much to the heroes annoyance but he didn’t let it show.

Thankfully, Katsuki came to his rescue (on second thought, maybe All Might wasn’t lucky) “Think about it four-eyes, heroes often have to pair up with others and deal with it to win. Not that hard.” 

Iida thought about it shortly, “I see, life is full of surprises, forgive me for my rudeness.” Just as Izuku softly whispered “Or maybe he’s just a shit teacher.” 

Katsuki was close enough to hear and chuckled. Izuku flushed a bit before returning his focus to the blonde donkey. 

“No sweat! let’s draw!”

Teams: 

A: Izuku Midoriya and Momo Yaoyorozu

B: Mezou Shoji and Shoto Todoroki 

C: Minoru Mineta and Iida Tenya 

D: Katsuki Bakugo and Ochako Uraraka 

E: Mina Ashido and Rikidou Sato

F: Yuuga Aoyama and Ejiro Kirishima 

G: Koji Koda and Tsuyu Asui 

H: Denki Kaminari and Kyoka Jiro 

I: Funikage Tokoyami and Hanta Sero

J: Mashirao Ojiro and Tooru Hagakure 

“I declare the first two teams up against each other are… these guys!” Shown in All Might’s hands, are the two rubber balls- D and A. “I declare team A to be the villains and D to be the heroes! Everyone else follow me so we can watch from the monetary room.”

A sweet chorus of ‘yes sir’s’ aired through and all that was left were two teams. Friend against friend and an unspoken rule of giving it their all. 

Katsuki, one to never back down from a challenge, glared at Izuku. And Izuku, who newly gained an unstable amount of confidence, matched his glare and turned into a smirk. “Good Luck, Kacchan.” 

“Bad guys you can go ahead and set up for five minutes, then the good guys will be set loose.” 

Yaoyorozu and Izuku set their way inside before being stopped by All Might, “Young heroes-“ Isn’t that painful to say “The key to this success is to think like a villain-from their perspective. Only then will true heroes reign. Good luck!” 

Yaoyorozu firmly thanked him and continued alongside Izuku. As they made their up the stairs Izuku was fully panicking. “Oh my Kami! why did I say that to Kacchan, now he really is going to kill me. And it’s not even purposeful!” Izuku meant for it to ring inside the universe of the vestiges but accidentally let it out in the open—and Yaoyorozu caught it all. 

“Midoriya? Are you alright?” Her concern glance shit him up. “Is there something wrong?”

Izuku slipped into his nonchalance state and dismissed it, “Ah-ah d-don’t worry ab-about it Yaoyorozu! I-it’s nothing!” Tried to…

She stared at him for a second, like she was second guessing herself before she sighed and whatever conflict in her head just settled. “I’m sorry for possibly intruding in business that doesn’t concern me, but if this is something that could affect our grade… maybe it’s best to talk it out? If it’s something that’s got you worked up then…” 

Deep down Izuku didn’t want to speak. She was right, it didn’t really concern her, but this will affect their grade and she seems very serious to exceed. “N-no, you’re fine. Well, k-kinda o-overstepping it b-but your fine. Uhh, Kacchan and I got into a fight last night and now I’m angry at him even if I know he did this with good conscience.” 

Yaoyorozu continued to glance at him before talking again, “I’ve not known you too for long but I can tell your type of character and partially his. With yours, I can’t seem to see you to be angry for long… so whatever this issue is then I’m sure you’re responding just as you should. It also seems as if Bakugo understood this, he’s giving you space whether you want it or not.”

“But…”

“But it’s because I see you to not be an angry type l-as he is one- that maybe you should try talking to him again. Or let him come to you and be open about things. You both seem to be great friends, don’t let miscommunication meddle in.” 

Izuku thought about Yaoyorozu’s words. How she said it’s okay for him to feel like this, how she believes his character is and Kacchan’s, and their friendship. She was right. He didn’t want to let this issue crack the friendship they’ve been rebuilding and finally come to a better stance. He’s angry, yeah, but he’s mostly terrified. Of everything! 

He doesn’t want to be scared anymore. 

He wants to be free. 

“You’re right, thank you. Now, how about we discuss our battle strategy?” Izuku gave Yaoyorozu a wild grin and she stepped back in surprise before her determination settled in. 

“I have a couple of ideas.”

“I’m all ears.”

Chapter Text

Ever since Katsuki been a little boy, he's always had one dream. It was a dream that he's held on for so many years and never had it wavered. It was the type of dream that seemed so unrealistic, so unobtainable, so far—that he always dreamt that the one in a million, would be him. 

It was as if the stars aligned just right the day he was born and it blessed him with such luck and power, it had to be true. 

And the luck and power hadn't run out, it hasn't even made a dent, no scratch, no marking, no nothing. 

So that dream that would only ever stay a dream to those who didn't believe-it was his.  

Many people dreamed a same dream, they walked the footsteps of those before them, they've cracked and perused, but broken china won't ever be repaired quite like it was before, once they realized that... well the dream died.

They let it die. 

Katsuki hadn't broken yet and he didn't plan to do such thing any time soon. It was a dream he held for so long and even if he were to be broken, it's still his dream and it's still a reality he will die trying to accomplish. 

"So what's the plan, Bakugo?" 

The rosy girl stood next to him, a face of slight hesitation crossing her eyes, but her voice stood strong and determined. 

"Win." 

૮⍝◜•˕̮•◝⍝ა

Sweet sounds of children laughing, cheery bright smiles, and sunny blue skies are all things that made Uraraka gleeful and understand how beautiful it was to create such a tone with everyone at such a young age . 

It was her dream to let people continue to be cheery and live with memories of sweet laughter, not dreadful tears nor terror-filled-screams. She didn't know how to accomplish it but she did think heroes were pretty cool. 

As she got older she learned to save money and only spend on what's needed, not wanted. She grew older and saw how her family struggled as business grew poorer. Because of that, her dream changed and her goals shifted. 

At the age of ten, she knew what she wanted to be when she grew up. 

When Uraraka got buried under rocks at the entrance exam, she was more worried about her parents financial aid than her well being. She was worried about possible medical bills and not getting into the top school for heroics, her self being be damned. 

Over and over she kept thinking why no one saved her, why did they all ran away, didn't they see her helpless? Where was the hero? 

She cried hopeless tears, so when Izuku flashed by all she saw was glittering green. She felt relived and hope but it was wiped away when she heard him say he didn't receive a single point. She felt guilt then. 

They soon got to talking and she departed feeling a little bit better and prayed to what every deity was willing to hear that Izuku would be a hero. Letting them be friends in the same class was a little greedy but she still prayed. 

She's happy she did when she saw him talking to two of her other classmates. She was happy even with missing the orientation of the school, she was happy proving her strengths to the others but mostly to herself. She wasn't happy when her teacher made a dig at Midoriya's ‘lack of growth’. 

There was a small purple pervert who scored higher than the boy who defeated the Zero-Pointer. It didn’t make sense and there was obviously some tension; no one missed the sudden shift in their classmate nor the tensed teacher.

When Uraraka looked to her right, she saw Bakugo tensed and ready, ready for what? she didn't quite know. 

After that day, she came to her little apartment that was close to her school but far from home, and sat at the doorway. She sat there for what felt like an eternity and went over the past month. 

She hasn't met many heroes, but she's seen them on social media and most don't seem to be kind. They seem like assholes. She went into UA thinking heroes would be different but her first time meeting one...are all of them like that? 

It made her rethink her own personal goals and dreams. She wondered if becoming a hero for money is selfish despite the motif behind it. Uraraka thought she knew what type of hero she wanted to be but now? What type of hero does she want be? 

It came down to a vague idea of pride. Ochako Uraraka aspires to be someone everyone can be proud of for the right reasons. 

She just didn't know how. 

So when Katsuki answers with a single word, she's left dazed but ready. "Any bright ideas?" 

He didn't answer her verbally, instead he gave her a wicked grin and when hers matched his, that's when the plan begun. 

"Deku's smart. And based on how Ponytail got into the class it means she's clever too. We can't expect them to play by the rules, either one of them has something up their sleeves."

"You and Dekiru-" Uraraka starts out. 

Katsuki's gaze was looking at the building in front of them but his focus wasn't gone, "Izuku."

"What?"

"His name is Izuku Midoriya." When Katsuki did turn to Uraraka, he caught her confused. 

"O-oh but you do mean, Dekiru, right?" Uraraka's brows were furrowed and she had a small pout. 

"I call him Deku like useless."

"That's kinda mean..." The pout didn't loosen. 

"Yeah, but the nerd won't let me call him anything else. Weird as fuck but that's him."

"Yeah that is kind of weird. But he presented himself to me as Dekiru, err we'll probably Deku. Anyway, so you and Deku, are you two fighting? It won’t get in our way, will it?"

"That's none of your business, Round Cheeks. Now about this plan,"

The plan was simple. They infiltrate the building, not by taking the front door but through the windows once they found their location. Next they would be ready for battle—it was decided that Katsuki would tackle Izuku and Uraraka will tackle Yaoyorozu. They would obviously win and boom-winners are the heroes. 

Katsuki made sure to not underestimate Izuku, he told Uraraka to not do so either. He knew that Yaoyorozu is smart and thought to himself to not underestimate her either. 

They did. 

Katsuki has Uraraka on his back after finding out her limit. They both decided it would be better to have her save her strength. She was on a lookout for any possible shadows or bombs poking out from the window. 

She found it on the fourth floor and went for the kill only to be stopped by Katsuki, "Wait, throw something at it first. It could be a trap." 

Uraraka did as she was told and when ropes wrapped around air, she felt her face flush. "I see your point." 

"Told you to not estimate them." 

"Duly noted."

They entered carefully and came to realize there were two bombs and only Izuku at the location. Izuku had a small pout but it was all for show. 

"I'm guessing the window trap didn't work out too well." 

Katsuki and Uraraka grinned madly. It was slightly intimidating but Izuku didn't mind, he found it amusing, and wasn't that unsettling.

"So, what do we do now?" Izuku leans on a bo-staff and returns them a mischievous grin of his own. 

"You're really enjoying this, aren't you Deku?" Katsuki didn't waver even if he found this to be a bit intimidating. Whatever, he has to get used to whatever side this is of Izuku. 

"Gotta have fun, Kacchan!" Izuku winked and then abruptly, "Oh, and Kacchan? I'm planning on winning today. Well, no, that's not true. My partner and I, plan to win this." 

That's when the real battle begun. 

Izuku rushed to capture Uraraka, knowing very well that Katsuki would jump at the chance to beat him himself-he was planning on it. 

And as he predicted, that's exactly what happened. Down to the second, Katsuki swerved out of a left hook and dodged a kick to the stomach. He returned the violence with his own starbursts crackles of heat. He barely got a hit in when Izuku turned the tables on him. 

Izuku went to sweep his legs under but at the last minute he spun around and gave Katsuki a roundhouse kick. The metal toe was sure to cause a bruised rib but even then, it didn't fend Katsuki away for long: Izuku didn't expect any less from his best friend. 

He laughed a bit when he thought about the plan Yaoyorozu came up with. It was perfect and he was certain the students back at the base were questioning his lack of care for the young girl. 

He's letting Uraraka come close to the target, the target he's supposed to be defending, and win. Yaoyorozu played with their mind too. 

"They both could fly into the building, so why don’t we set up a trap in the original location of the bomb?"  Yaoyorozu whispered as if the two could hear her. 

She looked nervous and unsure and he didn't know why, the plan seems brilliant, there could be more but she's probably not done explaining. 

"Yeah! That sounds good, is there anything else?" Izuku encouraged her in hopes to hear more about it. 

And it worked, she still looked nervous but there was a gleam in her eyes that told him how serious she is about this. How passionate she is to prove something. 

"What if we made two other bombs?"

"Wouldn’t you have to know what this bomb was made of?" Izuku looked confused but he wasn't not in board with the idea. 

"Not necessarily. They don't know how it looks like so I can make two exactly alike while the other is on a different floor." 

"And for extra protection, you could be there as well and if you have enough..."

"Lipids," 

"I have so many questions and I don’t want to scare you off but after this can I please know more?"

The simple interest and no doubt praise- flustered Yaoyorozu. It’s a powerful quirk, she knows, but no one has had an interest into details like Midoriya was bound to be, "Y-yeah s-sure!" 

"Awesome! Okay, so back to the plan, if you have enough lipids than you could set up traps there too. If we don't capture them then we could always win by wasting time." Izuku talked a bit animatedly, Yaoyorozu noticed. It was adorable how big his eyes were and how passionate he seemed to be. 

Yaoyorozu herself was a bit shy but as she grew more comfortable and excited about this activity, she let her be a bit animated too. 

"What if instead, I stay up here with you but have a capture weapon."

"And the the bombs could have their own capture tape built in so when contact comes to touch and you on standby-"

"We could capture them and win!" 

Katsuki didn't like the laughter, it put him on edge. He also didn't like there was a fifty-fifty chance at instant triumph and that Yaoyorozu wasn't there at all. But he trusted his partner enough to get the bomb while he took care of Izuku. 

The two friends exchanged blow after blow and only stopped when there was a shriek of panic. Katsuki whipped his head back and saw Uraraka trapped in capture tape-

"Young Uraraka has been captured!" 

Fuck.

In the small amount of time he was caught off guard, Izuku took that chance and floated away. It was only then that Yaoyorozu shot that final blow and winning capture. 

"Young Bakugo has been captured, Villains win!" 

Izuku and Yaoyorozu cheered and went to help their classmates out of the restraints. Yaoyorozu unraveled Katsuki and Izuku untied Uraraka. 

"This was your plan, wasn't it?" 

Yaoyorozu didn't expect Katsuki to comment anything but then he did and she was lost for a moment, "Midoriya helped greatly." 

"Ponytail, I know Deku so I know how he thinks. He may have helped but you did most of the planning, didn't ya?" Katsuki wasn't angry and he wasn't disappointed either. Sure he wanted to win but he could bring himself to feel so negative. 

"Yaoyorozu is too humble to take credit but she totally did Kacchan! I only offered the capture bombs and that's it." Izuku and Uraraka walked back to the other two.

"She did? Yaoyorozu, you're so smart!" Uraraka comments, any feeling of regret flashed out of her mind, "And you made these bombs too? Where even is the real one?" 

This time Yaoyorozu didn't hide her smug grin and laughed alongside Izuku, "The middle of the first floor." 

As if sensing a sudden threat, Izuku took hold of Yaoyorozu and floated out of the building right as Katsuki blew up. Izuku would worry about Uraraka but she was also out of the building the moment they took off. Not because she was running away from Katsuki, but to capture them on her own. 

"What the hell Deku!?!" 

૮⍝◜•˕̮•◝⍝ა

The day came to an end and Yaoyorozu was voted to be MVP of today's challenge. She waved it off as if it was nothing but Izuku could tell she was swelling with pride and happiness. The nervousness was gone and was replaced with bits of confidence. She promised to give Izuku more details about her quirk if he promised to be friends with her. 

And a deal like that, who was he to refuse. 

Yaoyorozu also made him promise to sort his issues with Katsuki. She still didn't know the full story but she knew enough to worry about her new friend. "Just explain to him why it upset you so much. I'm sure he will realize how important this is." 

Izuku waited for Katsuki by the main gates. The wait wasn't long, he didn't expect it to be since Katsuki just had to get a kiss from Recovery Girl and be on his way.  He was still mad, less than before but mad nonetheless. 

Izuku was also tired and scared. He didn't exactly feel like getting jumped and be warned of ancient Boogiemen. All he wanted was to talk to his friend and walk home without any problems and for that to happen he needed to actually communicate with said friend. 

Katsuki didn't show his surprise nor did he push for Izuku to start talking about whatever he wanted to talk about. It was a train ride later that he felt the guilt hit like a tidal wave and the words came tumbling out, "I'm sorry." 

Izuku hummed in response. 

"I-I know how sensitive you are about being quirkless and now having a quirk. The change was sudden and I sure as hell know you aren't caught up. You've had years of abuse, abuse because of me, and-and... you're bound to be fucked up in some sort of way. Trust being one of them, huh? Really went downhill." Too caught up in his own head, he didn't notice Izuku wasn't walking besides him anymore. 

He was feet behind and his head was down. His hands were clenched and Katsuki could see his shoulders shake and if that was enough of an indicator that he was crying, the tears he saw fall were.

"You really did fuck up, Kacchan. I know I forgave you about the bullying you've done and it still stands, but it's like you said-I'm fucked up. I knew that Nedzu wouldn't be too discriminative if things turned out to be worse but I felt fear. For the past years there wasn't a time in my life where I felt truly happy. And now that I have you, my mom, your family, and the past holders of One for All? I'm terrified to lose it all because I'm at a place where I'm finally worth it." 

Katsuki knows Izuku is a crybaby. He's known him for his entire life and sometimes swore those tears are a quirk of their own. But after all this time of knowing him, he never knew a time where Izuku cried for himself. 

He felt like shit. 

He didn't know. 

"I already have two heroes on my ass and a possible third one. They're all respected heroes and one of them is the kami-damn Number One hero of Japan!" Izuku finally looked up to see Katsuki. His sight is blurry it didn't matter, he didn't need to see. "And you can't tell me I was worth it before this quirk. I had no one until they came to save me! Kacchan, if Float hadn't manifested in me that day I almost died-your blood would've been on my cold hands. I know you're strong with your quirk, but that d-day... that day was a fucking mess."

Katsuki seemed to have built up his own mix of tears, vision blurred but his voice was strong enough. "I understand your fear. Maybe not like you but I get it and you have every right to feel that way. But that's the only part in which you're correct. We wouldn't have died that day, I would have saved you like you did to me a day prior." 

"You don't know that." Voice wobbly and teary, Izuku still managed the sentence out.

"I wasn't about to let you die in front of my 'Zuku." 

Izuku didn't answer, he didn't know how to. 

"And about you just now having everyone? I wanted to make amends after the Sludge Villain incident. And you've always had your mom and my parents love you." 

"My mom wouldn't have told me she believed in my dream if I've never gotten a quirk and applied to UA."

"We both know damn well applying to UA is something you would've done no matter what anyone would’ve said. We also both know that’s not entirely true either." 

Izuku shrugged because yeah, he had something to prove and a dream that was calling out to him. "The vestiges didn't come until after." 

"They were still trapped in Bitch Might. Besides, they love you so much that they transferred from that Mirio guy to you. I don't even think that's how the quirk works." 

"That is interesting isn't it?" 

"Sure is, Nerd, but don't change the topic. Look, even if you hadn't gotten Yoichi and the others living inside of you, everyone knows you would've made a great quirkless hero. One like those pre-quirk era heroes. Like Iron Man or Bat Man." Katsuki sighed and close the remaining feet between them.

"Don't talk about the Bat." 

"Excuse me?" Katsuki blinked, not really knowing if heard correctly. 

"Yoichi."

Y: I've been summoned?

"Kacchan-"

"You accept your worth and I won't say shit about the Bat." 

It shouldn't be a hard decision yet, here was Izuku wondering if suffering from Yoichi's lecture about Bat Man being something or accepting something he probably should've accepted. 

"Are you seriously thinking about it?!"

"No?"

"Just give the others a break. You also need to gain some confidence." 

"You're probably right." 

"Sure as hell I am." 

The two walked the rest of the way together in peace. Their friendship wasn't strained and there wasn't any fighting, it was an improvement they both had worked hard for. Too many years have they been apart for something silly like a status that shouldn’t even determine’s someone’s worth-someone’s rights. 

"Do you think I need therapy?" Izuku asked after a bit more of silence. Personally, he didn’t think he did, he was doing just fine. 

"Yes."

Clearly, the others thought the same. 
…

“How the hell do you just appear?” Katsuki screams. 

Yoichi smiles like a mad man before ignoring his question and talks with Izuku instead, “The brat is right, Izuku. We all care about you a lot. Also before you ask-and I have to actually answer you or Nana will have my ass- We voted I should be present when Nana isn’t.” 

“Is she not there?” 

“Hmm? Oh yeah no, shes busy being a girl boss and spying on Bitch Might.” 

“Okay then…” 

“Toodles!” Yoichi ruffled the boys hair before departing. 

Katsuki and Izuku shared a glance before silently agreeing to never speak about this again. The final moments of the walk him was strange but it wasn’t because of them, Yoichi just…he just has that affect on people. 

Y: I like to call it style and influence.

S: Yoichi, I swear to- 

Chapter Text

Nana liked to believe she was a good judge of character. Who she let into her life and who she left. 

The moment she met Yagi Toshinori, she believed he was what was right for this world and who could fix the mistakes of the old. Until he wrote what wrongs of world with his own. 

She knew Yagi had turned old and maybe even a little bit bitter. Nana knew when that bitterness had turned into cold hate, she knew when extra punches at villains were just to satisfy and because he could get away with it. The villains knew the image of All Might- the symbol of peace- when they were getting justice beaten into them, it was just that. They didn't see the excess force of their evil doings, and no one questioned him if they did. Who would believe them anyways. 

A once golden glow of electrifying bolts, dancing like fireflies on his skin had just waned until it was in the shadow of a bright young boy. 

Nana used to blame herself. She believed if she just won and continued to fight for him and live for him maybe— maybe he would've continued to be her sweet angel that she used to know. 

For the longest time she was over analyzing and worrying and regretting. The others were worried about her and there came a time when she was about to do something crazy-she doesn't know what she just remembered the feeling. 

One of the others gotten a grasp on her and that hadn't ended as great as she could have handled it. 

"Nana, Nana look. Look at him!"

What for? She thought, why would he want her to see the many failures of her life? She still looked. 

AM: "Why! Why did you leave me Nana?! You had so much to teach me, you had so much to live for, but you went and left. Did you not care for Gran Torino and I? What about the son whom you left behind! How selfish are you?

"I-I know Toshi, I know and I'm sorry." 

AM: "But for you, I'll finish what you never had the chance to complete. I'll end that excuse of a man and tear him to shreds for hurting you. With this power that you gave me, I'll be the hero. I won't be a nuance to society anymore-I'm not quirkless and useless anymore. I'll keep my promises, so watch me from where ever you lay to rest Nana, because here on out-this is my legacy.

"And you know what else Nana? You were right, I was missing something from my goal. Being realistic. No one can save everyone, that's stupid and I will surely die in vain. That gray, you said you weren't sure there was, you were right. There's heroes and there's villains and there is nothing in between. I'll try and not be selfish like you and die on my successor." 

What the rest had hope for Nana-acceptance that this wasn't her fault- was nugatory. They were left with an even more depressed hero in their passing seconds. 

Why couldn't she see how terrible his words were? How is it that he could say those accusing words to her in the afterlife? What could she down differently? 

'Not go after All for One, maybe.' Her mind betrayed her. 

All the years in following Toshi wherever his dream led him too, she saw the little boy disappear and in place of the old she caused a terrible new. 

He was right! It was the worst part of it all. Had she not gone, she would've seen all the accomplishments and smiles he caused, not sham-like stunts for the press. 

It wasn't until she heard him come to terms with his selfish behavior, 

AM: "What am I doing? I've killed a man who didn't deserve that kind of punishment! At the most he just needed a California Smash, but he got death. Nana, don't you see how much you've led me from my dream? I've killed a man because of you, how could you do this to me? 

"Had you not died!" 

It still haunts Nana's restless nights what happened afterwards and what she saw. She saw what was the beginning of this foe Symbol. 

She saw how he broke into the most sinister and twisted smile, his laugh could shake a room, and the walls turned ashy and horrid. 

AM: "No!"

He spoke, his sunken crystal eyes stared harshly at his reflection of a tinted window, 

AM: "How can you blame the women who raised you to do better? She was pure, not like you. So, so, so fake, you're in imitation of a lie! This was always the plan, wasn't it? To become a hero to defeat the written evil and be praised for it. To officially leave the past behind because you're not a nuance anymore! You're not like those filthy rags begging for food on the streets. You live in a penthouse because of what you do. And who's going to believe he didn't deserve such a death? Nana was pure and kind, and you've manipulated her into giving up such power for a cheater like yourself! But pure doesn't win and pure isn't justice. I had to do it."

When Yagi-Toshinori- finished his peace, he winded back his fist and punched the window-image of his face and took the broken glass in his fists and ran the shards over his face. He beat his sides and pulled golden locks from his head. His tattered clothes gave into the image of his declining health. 

So when the camera showed his powered fist into the air and his strained smile, they let out cheers instead of cries. 

The man's family who've been left to watch the news on a pass by from shopping shrieked with pain. The Mother, who was made window, held her own screams as she simultaneously held her heartache and thought what she would do now. They had no money, no husband, with children and a broken down apartment. 

What could he have done to deserve such a death by the Symbol of Peace? He wasn't a criminal! His quirk wasn't even an emitter type! He had bear ears and a tail and looked harmless, he wasn't in any gang, he didn't have bear-like powers! He was putting money into the bank and he left with no life. 

Did he deserve this? Why were people laughing and cheering? This fight was only a couple blocks down the street and there wasn't any commotion. The news says this was a chase, a chase against evil. 

It wouldn't be until a week later did HC come and apologize on behalf of All Might and paid her two million yen. He even wrote her a letter in apologizing for the mix up, says he was still new. 

He's been a Pro-Hero for half of a decade. 

The villain that was supposed to be captured, for a crime not even worse than murder, was captured and obtained legally. Media never covered it. 

The widowed women just sat there with a broken heart but continued to survive for her children. 

Nana watched over them every now and then. 

All Might forgot about it in a month. 

The rest of the Vestiges? well they watched over Nana and help her survive too. 

Nana likes to believe she's a good judge of character, and for the most part, she is. She knows when to leave those behind to better herself and when to let people in. 

She's made many mistakes before, many of which she regrets. Like leaving her baby behind so he wouldn't grown up an orphan, seeking and fighting a century year-old villain and dying. Maybe she should regret giving Yagi Toshinori the gift of One for All, but she doesn't. 

If it wasn't for him, she wouldn't have gotten to meet Izuku and helped him survive. 

All that she wants now, is to forgive herself truly. 

Nothing of what Toshinori caused lays on her shoulders, he was always seeking for a new chance, he was always hiding behind a dream. 

Nana was just an excuse to him, not a mentor, just a stepping stone. 

It hurts, she'll admit, but she can let people go and so she tries. She's not ready now, but she's starting to accept it. 

Chapter Text

"They're going to be under attack!" 

"W-wait what?!"

૮⍝◜•˕̮•◝⍝ა

A couple days before 

"Do you just happen to pick up strays?" 

The sentence alone earns Hitoshi a carrot to the head and two pairs of raised eyebrows. 

"It's a valid question! It's only the third day of school and you've managed to earn yourself two new people." Hitoshi stares blankly at Izuku, not even minding the two-one fidgeting person. "Explain." 

Izuku mumbled something softly before responding to Hitoshi, "Well Kacchan has always been my friend-no shut up, you have- and Yaoyorozu just happened to be the person who joined! She's super smart and her quirk is-" 

Hitoshi grumbled before signaling for the two to come sit with him and Izuku. He picked up his chopsticks and continued to eat. 

"Hey, where's Mei?"

Hitoshi looked up and shrugged, "Said she had stuff to do at her lab." 

Izuku looked thoughtful for a second before realizing that she would be busy especially with her talent. Mei is already outgoing which would be great for getting clients, not to mention, she practically already has two clients and she doesn't even have an actual legal business. Mei hasn't demonstrated her inventions to them yet but the way she's been ranting about them makes Izuku excited for Mei. 

Though, he couldn't help but feel the tense static in the air. He looked up from his food to check that Kaminari wasn't around but was met with thorny expressions. 

"W-what's wrong?" Izuku asked to no one in general. 

Momo decided it was best for her to answer-which he knew was the right choice; Kacchan would've howled. "A-ah nothings wrong per se, it's just new. You and Shinso are close friends but we-or I feel as if I'm intruding here. I'm guessing Bakugo must feel the same since he isn't as loud as he can be." 

"Hah?! What was that Ponytail?" Kacchan just proved her point and realized that before tsking and ate his spicy curry. 

"O-oh I'm so sorry, I didn't even realize this." 

Momo smiled before suggesting they do an ice-breaker. She had in mind a regular question, something simple and not invasive; "What-

"What's your quirk?" Katsuki interrupted. He didn't look like he cared but he wouldn't just ask this just to ask. 

"Kacchan!" Still, Izuku found it intrusive. The glare he gave Katsuki didn't exactly bother the blonde but he wasn't as unbothered as before. 

In all of this, Hitoshi had dropped his chopsticks and and made himself smaller, his whole breezy demeanor changing. "Wouldn't you like to know, hero?" His tone icy but not threatening—it was defensive. 

Now, Katsuki had been taking his anger management therapy weekly, but he was still human who had years of practice with harsh retorts and cheering misguidance. "It's something puny-" 

Really, Izuku should've seen something similar to this outcome in the future but he was too happy to introduce more friends to Mei and Hitoshi. With Kacchan's harsh words (while now manageable) and Hitoshi's drawn back self but lack of reassurance in himself, an accident is bound to happen. 

An accident like Kacchan's blank eyes and still movement, like he was waiting for something but he wouldn't act by himself. An accident like Hitoshi's palling face and quick drop of his quirk and almost bolting out of his seat had Mei not chose this moment to trap him inside. 

"Hey! I'm Mei future owner of Hatsume Industries...pst Izuku, what happened? Why do they looked shocked-"

"I'm so sorry!" Hitoshi blurted, dropping his hold on Kacchan. His frame slightly shaking and he closed himself off even more, his breezy look no longer an image that would he thought of him.

Momo sat back with her mouth wide open but a certain gleam in her eye and she couldn't help herself when her mouth moved faster than her brain, "You have a mind control quirk, don't you?" The smile she gained didn’t disappear even after she realized how impolite that was of her. 

Hitoshi didn't even acknowledge her, too busy waiting for Katsuki's reaction now that he's been trapped by Mei. Worry line decorated his face and it wasn't just him who was awaiting a response from the rowdy blonde. 

When Katsuki fully got back to his senses, he didn't glance at Hitoshi (which seemed to confirm fears of the lilac boy) and turned to his best friend. "That's one hell of a quirk. Have you been under it?" 

The others may be a bit panicked, Mei especially so as she readies herself to pounce of the ruby-eyed boy. "You better not mean that in a degrading manner, cause if you did, we're gonna have problems, ya hear?" 

Even if it isn't the right time, Izuku laughed and smiled. Kacchan wasn't mad about the lack of control or even mind-possessing experience, he was thrilled but he has a reputation to uphold. 

Hitoshi turned in surprise at his supposed friend, fear all forgotten and similarly Mei looked even more enraged. 

Momo continued to be elated but controlled herself to not outwardly express it so openly. Not that it had mattered much anyway, her blurted words still hung in the air, waiting for confirmation. 

"Kami, I'm sorry for laughing Hitoshi, Mei, but I was worried Kacchan was back to his old self! He's not and he's not mad at you, Hitoshi. Kacchan has a bit of a pride going on so he won't voice his thrills findings but I promise you, he isn’t mad.” Izuku’s laughter came to a cease and he took a hand and held it out for Hitoshi to accept. “I promise you, they aren’t like that.” 

Hesitating, Hitoshi accepts the outreaching hand but not before muttering, “You don’t know that for sure.” 

“Of course I do, don’t be silly.” Izuku smiled warmly before turning to his excited peers, “Guys, Hitoshi has a Brainwashing quirk and he’s in the Gen-Ed program here at UA.” 

Hitoshi waited for the screaming, the taunting, the humiliating jeers at him. He’s waiting for every response he’s know since he’s told people about his quirk. Though he’s gotten acceptance and pride from his response, the dreadful mocking outweighed it significantly. 

But this is UA and he-alike with Izuku and so many more-hope to believe that UA is different. 

He hasn’t been disappointed yet,
and he won’t have to be anytime soon. 

“How didn’t you get into the hero program?” Momo asked with genuine curiosity. “I’m sure Midoriya has already told you how useful your quirk would be in the field, which explains why I’m so surprised. I just… don’t understand.” 

Hitoshi faintly looks at her with a bit of bitterness but he couldn’t be mad at her. It wasn’t his fault that she grew up with a good quirk and by the sounds of it, money too. 

It wasn’t him who answered her though, it was the boy who he brainwashed in the first place. 

“Listen here Ponytail, while you got in through recommendations the rest of us thirty-six first years got in through the practical exams. We had to fight robots and Eyebags over here looks like he’s never lifted before.” 

Izuku went to add on about the bias exams and blatant favoritism towards those with powerful quirks such as Katsuki’s, Todoroki’s, Yaoyorozu, and Kaminari’s—but those are just his class, Class 1-B seems to have strong teens too. 

If anyone were to really look or even feel the odd levels they’re in, they could see. They don’t have to be from the hero course, anyone could see it. 

“So in other words, the exam is just a bunch of bullshit.” Mei commented, her cheery voice forgotten and a pour settled on her lips but she wasn’t done just yet. “There could be so many top heroes had these exams focused on strengths other than muscles and Hitoshi is just an example of it. What do robots prove? Raw strength and control? What about the hearts of the heroes?” 

“Actually they do seem to look out for that kind of stuff. I got in solely through rescue points and first place too. Though I still can’t figure out why Hitoshi didn’t get in with us.” Izuku looked lost in thought and the only intel that he was still with them was through the lack of mutters. 

Katsuki and Yaoyorozu looked equally shocked at the last comment from Izuku. Not so much by the rescue points—Katsuki knows well and Yaoyorozu knows it’s something only Izuku could do. It’s more of the fact that Hitoshi could’ve gotten in but didn’t. 

“I-I don’t understand, what do you mean by that Midoriya.” 

Mei decided to answer again with a slight scoff, “Which part, UA secretly being slightly prejudice or that Hitoshi didn’t embarrass his butt with his lanky self.” 

Hitoshi groaned obvious from embarrassment. From what, he didn’t exactly know. It could be that he was stick and bone or that he had a chance. And isn’t taht infuriating? having the brains to do so but something-or someone-just decided he had a villain’s quirk, because that’s all that it comes down to. 

Quirks and quirk status. 

Katsuki looked angry, “You know something, don’t cha?” 

Mei matched his anger, “Possibly.” When a lock of her hair fell into her eyes, she blew it away and then picked at her nails. 

Momo turned and whatever happiness she felt; long gone and forgotten. She herself knew how extremely lucky she had been to be born into wealth and power. She knows she may lack social sense and may come off as prissy (none of which she intends but she’s been sheltered) but she knows what is correct and what is awfully wrong. 

“Shinso could have gone into the hero course but someone stole his chance.”  Her grey eyes looked like steel and her tone is wild with rage. 

Mei shrugged her shoulders and suddenly looked sadden, but why? Why would she look like that? Izuku wondered but he didn’t have to for long. 

“You wouldn’t believe me even if I shared.” 

Izuku with all his bright mind—it finally clicked in his head. His head snapped to Katsuki’s and the latter…his ruby eyes widen and tiny explosions let out from the palms of his hands. 

“Try us.” Izuku calmly yet lividly. 

The internal struggle inside Mei’s mind disappeared when her golden eyes met Izuku’s clover ones. “I-I…I heard PowerLoader-sensei comment something about a student getting more points than this one kid. The one who has a diaper for a costume. At the time, I didn’t know who Hitoshi was and it didn’t really click until our talk from last time. Powerloader complained how amazing a brainwashing quirk would be in this industry and the support items to be created.” 

Mei took a sip from her water before continuing, “He was complaining to Midnight-sensei about it. I was about to ask who because-no filter- when she continued in for him. Said something like, ‘My thoughts exactly! After that green haired boy told him something after saving him, he really took his shot at the exam and destroyed those boys even with his quirk…I also saw the way the purple grape kid touched the females, fucking perv. The kid, I think Shinso? Yeah, Shinso, he got more points in both rescue and villain but All Might just had to go and say something.’ It’s partially why I may have sabotage his costume.” 

Izuku would love to say he couldn’t believe it, but he’s been a victim to the hero’s obvious discrimination towards those with no quirk. He was furious, livid, fuming, he was a mess. 

“I hate that bitch so fucking much.” Katsuki muttered. His fists clapped tightly against the palm. 

“Why does he think he’s so high and mighty? Just cause he’s the Symbol of Peace? What right does that give him?” Izuku whispered hoarsely. 

The three others looked confused and shared looks of concern. 

Hitoshi was the first to break the silence, “What happened before?” 

Mei asked with a slight cheer of happiness but when she realized how awful and probably traumatic an encounter could’ve been, it was gone from her voice. “Y-you believe me? Why?” 

Momo seemed to match their fury all while holding the other emotions. “Excuse my language but, are you shitting my dick?” 

Though it was a heavy conversation, Izuku and Kacchan couldn’t have been more shocked. “Y-you…y-you know Gen Z memes? Holy shit, Kacchan!”

“Ssh, yeah, yeah I get it Nerd. Ponytail, welcome to the club, anyways to answer the other two bozo’s questions. Yes something extremely fucked up happened and no you’re not gonna know…at least for now but that’s Izuku’s call not mine.” 

Izuku decided to shrug a response before he went to say anything but that’s when two alarms went off. The upper class men ran to exits and so did the younger students from his graduating class-a good response to crisis. 

His own class looked confused and so did the group he was with now. Izuku heard Mina ask what was happening to a rushing upperclassman and barely heard his response. 

“Someone…Inside!” 

That’s when he took everybody and rushed them the closest exits. The school alarm still rang but was quieter than before but the other one-why wouldn’t it shut up? 

It didn’t calm down even after he saw it was only the press, the press from this morning who asked about All Might and his teaching here at UA. It annoyed him but people didn’t really know All Might. Guess he had done his job somewhat right. 

That doesn’t matter right now. Izuku had to focus on the task before hand and that’s to stop people from trampling over others and causing more harm than good. 

He let Nana’s power wash over him as he floated to the top of the exit. Izuku sucked in a large breath and exhaled it as he yelled “There is nothing to be worried about! It’s only the press so there should be no reason for all of us to act so wild. Calm down before someone really gets hurt if they haven’t already. Those who are injured go to Recovery Girl’s office with someone to help while the rest of us take action that best fits this situation.”

Later on Izuku would be reminded by Nana: how proud she is of him to earn the title of Vice-President of Class 1-A. She tells him that even if he gave Class President to Yaoyorozu, she’s glad he did what was best for him. 

Nana also tells him to talk more about this issue with Shinso, Mei, and Yaoyorozu. Says she has a feeling they will be great allies and greater friends. 

Izuku doesn’t argue with her on that and decides to sleep with comfort, knowing he helped people today during the break-in; seemingly forgetting the eternal alarm. 

So when he wakes up, he takes the warning about his day ahead at UA as a silly dream caused by the ruckus from yesterday. 

They’re coming! You all aren’t sa-

Chapter Text

The sky was blue. 

There were clouds. 

There weren't any villains out on the street. 

The day started out as peaceful and beautiful.

Why weren't they out?

There's always at least one. 

And what is up with his lungs feeling so tight? 
He's gotten too many concerned looks from people on the train due to his heavy breathing. His shaking hands don't help and his weak knees made him almost loose his balance more than once.

The stares didn't help either; it made the tightness in his chest even greater and his breaths even shorter. 

He was on the brink of a panic attack but then the bus stopped a block from his school and he got up and left. 

And all that tension in the air just vanished; he went to class without a problem. 

He said hello to Mei and Hitoshi, making small talk with them and discussing a movie that's coming out that they all want to go watch. When the bell rings, they all head to homeroom with a content smile. 

Izuku finds it strange. 

The day seems to move normally but that tension and gut wrenching intuition...he couldn't have made that up. There's no way he would've felt that awful for it all to have just been in his head. 

Kacchan takes a look at his friend before question him. "The fuck is up with you, Nerd? Did you get hit by a train?" It's nice to know Kacchan cares so much. 

Still, Izuku musters up a convincing smile but can't trust his voice just yet to answer, he holds in a sigh too. 

In the end, it didn't matter, Kacchan has known Izuku since the day he was born. He's been in his life ever since and knows Izuku more than he knows himself. No he’s not mushy (he totally is) "Right, so you wanna cut the crap and tell me?" 

This time, Izuku doesn't back the sigh and lets his shoulders droop. Yet, he can't find the word to say, which is sort of alright-he also doesn't know how to say them. 

But as the expression goes, Izuku was saved by the bell and soon homeroom begun. 

Throughout the lessons, Katsuki would glance back at Izuku to check up on him but every time he would see the Izuku he used to hurt. It was a mask he wished to never meet again but...but at least...no, no. 

If Izuku is wearing a mask from long ago then something must be up and he doesn't know what it is. What the hell is up with that? 

Lunch finally rolls around and Izuku is playing his role as true as he can be and goes out around the time the others do. He can’t cause worry if he acts normally, now can he. 

Katsuki and Yaoyorozu follow suit. The latter shoots questioning looks at the blonde but the former just waves it off. He can't answer if he doesn't know what's up, now can he? 

Upon seeing the three from Class 1-A, Mei and Hitoshi brighten up only to fall grey again when they see the state they came. 

"Did something happen?" Hitoshi asked worriedly. "Izuku looks half out of it when he didn't in the morning. Was it something BitchMight had done?"

Mei cracks a smile at the insult before raising her own questions, "Izuku? What's wrong?" 

Yaoyorozu held a breath before tapping Izuku on the shoulder, seemingly to get him to break free of whatever hold he had on him. 

A hold that he didn't know he was under. 

His clover eyes looked dull and whispered winds flew in the air. Izuku tasted the inside of his mouth, it was dry and gross. "I don't know. On the ride here I had this awful feeling in my stomach and I could feel eyes on me but no one was watching me. It felt strange to say the least but now I'm here and this day seems so normal bur I can't shake the feeling from the train ride." 

The rest looked thoughtful and some even felt like ants had crawled on them. 

But why?

Nothing bad has happened. 

"I would say not to worry about it but we should trust our instincts since we are training to be heroes. It could be a nasty feeling with no oracle message to discover but that may not be true." Yaoyorozu thoughtfully stated. She munched in her lunch before taking a sip from her tea and continuing, "Though I haven't noticed before...after what you told us I also feel almost strange. Like a sensation of millions of ants crawling on my skin, I can't say I enjoy it." 

Mei snorted but nodded her head in agreement. "Look, I don't have a clue as to what's going on and you may have a trip later on in the day... Powerloader likes to ramble and gossip... but I can try and squeeze in some inventions I've made-no they haven't blown up- and maybe it could serve as an aid?" 

The three shared a thankful smile to their wonderful friend. Katsuki, although he didn't share that strange  crawl, he felt the need to worry. It wasn't exactly wanted but let's say if something were to happen, at least he has the sweaty palms to start a riot. 

Hitoshi was the last to share his wise words "Be careful and don't do anything stupid. I know Yaoyorozu won't but I can't say I trust either of you to not do so... Mei I hope those inventions don't blow up." 

Mei gasped frantically, clearly wanting to lighten the mood, "How dare you insult my babies." 

Hitoshi poked his tongue out before causing a small scene with Mei. 

To say it Mei's plan worked, it wouldn't be an understatement, but it would be remembered as the calm before the storm. 

And of course, that would be the worst. 

૮⍝◜•˕̮•◝⍝ა

"We will be taking a trip so go put on your hero costumes, or not, up to you." Aizawa droned on, "Be out in ten minutes max." 

Suddenly the wrenching feeling back and Izuku couldn't do anything but follow the instructions of his teacher. 

Y: Kid, you've gotta be careful out there. One of the others has been trying to communicate with you but can't so I'm being the middle man. 

"What exactly can I do, Yoichi?"

Y: Fourth says that it's best to just follow instructions for now but warn your classmates to be prepared for anything...what? won't that make him look suspicious? Whatever, yeah yeah, I'll tell him. 

Fourth would also like to say to not do anything stupid but I'm pretty sure Shinso told you about that. Look, Izuku? Nana isn't here but she's also aware of whatever is about to go down but incase BitchMight decides to be a dumbass, you have to save your classmates...you're telling me you don't even know who is gonna be there? Well how am I supposed to know how deep your quirk can go? 

Sigh. 

"D-did you just voice out your sigh? Yoichi, I can hear you. You didn't need to sigh."

Y: Don’t be smart with me. 

"Sure, but back to the main topic, I promise you that I'll save everyone."

Y: And that you won't do anything stupid?

"...what if my feet just take me? I cant promise you that Yoichi!"

Y: Yeah, I figured. Just...we'll be here okay? 

"I Know, Thank you."

Izuku finishes up zipping his costume and leaves before a majority of them. While he does it to be officiant and responsible, now that he is class rep, his true motive is to possibly catch someone who might care. 

Maybe a teacher? Yeah they're heroes they should be able to help but if he runs into All Might then it's as good as not asking for help. 

He only has a couple of minutes to spare before he has to return to his class but thankfully, he stumbled across Nedzu. 

"Hello there Midoriya, shouldn't you be with the rest of your class? Aizawa isn't one to like tardiness, you know." Nedzu's snout twitched and his smile remained the same but his posture said something entirely from his calm persona.

"In a s-second, I promise. But sir, you have to hear me out." 

"What seems to be the issue?"

"I don't know how to explain this without sounding like a nut job but I have a really bad feeling about the trip we're taking. In the morning I could've sworn I heard a voice tell me we aren't safe..." Izuku looks to Nedzu like he's waiting to be told that he shouldn't be so pessimistic. How his feelings don't matter or that it's not even Nedzu's concern but his own to deal with alone. 

Thankfully, once again, it's not like that at all. But the news isn't all too great either, "Thank you for telling me, Midoriya. All Might was supposed to be here too but as you can see, he hasn't even showed up. Last I checked he was with Sir Nighteye at his agency but that's a train ride away from here. Not to mention his hero complexion. What I could do is send in another teacher, would that ease your mind?" 

Izuku's eyes glimmered and he nodded many thanks. "Yes! That would help in case of anything...but could you also be attentive?" 

Nedzu matched his feral grin and sent Izuku away with an agreement. "Very well, do tell Aizawa that you were with me, I'll send a teacher soon." 

Quickly, Izuku hurried back over to the rest of where the class was waiting. A couple of his classmates loitered around and he saw Kacchan and Yaoyorozu discussing something with Aizawa. 

The group paused shortly after they noticed his presence and Aizawa was surly about to call him out on his tardiness but another voiced cut him before he could do so. 

Aizawa stiffened and he looked like he was in despair, 
"Shouta! Nedzu sent me here to help you out with the kiddos since All Might couldn't make it." 

"Nemuri, did you have to come?" Aizawa groaned but the use of Midnight's first name was an indicator that he wasn't too annoyed with the Principal's pick. 

"Course I did, Rat's orders. Anyway, shouldn't we get going? we can't keep Thirteen waiting now can we?" With that Midnight went ahead and made her addition known to the class. 

Some were more excited- Mineta- than the others but all welcomed her as they were excited to learn more about being the best heroes they could possibly be. 

The bus ride wasn't too exciting if not more nerve wracking for three students in particular. If it weren't for Asui's blunt nature, they surely would've gone mad. 

"Midoriya, All Might doesn't particularly like you, does he?" ...It gave them something else to worry about, "And by the looks of it, you aren't crazy about him either ribbit." 

It's a good thing that Kacchan and him are back to being good terms, "Are you questioning him or just stating the obvious?" 

Izuku chuckled shakily before ignoring Kacchan's rough-but protective- tone and answered her statement himself. "I admire other heroes more, you could say." He dodged the confrontation. 

Kirishima was next to add his two cents that overall, helped the trio out. "No way, me too! Crimson Riot is super manly! Not that All Might isn't, but the Chivalrous Hero? I admire him more." Truly a blessing, Izuku thought. 

This led to others commenting about their own favorite heroes, 

Uraraka; "Thirteen is my favorite!" 
Iida: "Ingenium is quite honorable!" 
Jirou: "Present Mic ain't too bad.."
Sero: “That Spider hero from the pre-quirk era was sick!”

The worry almost disappeared and Izuku found himself pleased with just listening to his classmates as they chatted why each hero is more admirable than the other. 

He came up with his own conclusions that each hero that was talked about was worth more than just fanboying over. With each new sentence and therefor, perspective, he came to admire more and more about these heroes. 

But personally, he thinks Nana is the coolest. 

"Alright kiddos! We're here so let's learn some..."

"Rescue training." 

"Right!" 

Stepping into the USJ was interesting for various reasons. One being the facility was enormous and had multiple terrains in which they would all train at, the second being the heroes who will be aiding them on their journey for the day, and third the lights seem to be flickering. 

UA is expensive so why would silly lights be...is that a purple mist cloud? Why-why are people coming out of it? What is this pounding dread in his chest? 

"Is this part of the training?" Kirishima asks almost foolishly, but how could he know this was a day he was sure to remember not because of joy but because of fear? 

Who was to blame them when their first reaction was to assume that they would be saving the masses of people stepping through the portal when it was announced they would be training on rescue techniques? 

What were they expected to feel when Aizawa pleaded  a demand at Thirteen to protect the kids? When Midnight followed Aizawa's lead in defeating the lousy villains to protect them from more than harm? 

Had Todoroki not point out to them the villains must be only at their location, the others wouldn't have truly realize the horrors of the day to come. 

Had Izuku not pointed out the best fighting style for Aizawa and Midnight, the others would still believe they could take them all. 

But there was a reason why quantity can be greater than quality. 

Izuku was next to take charge as he urged Iida to run and ask for back up, 
"But it wouldn't be noble of me to leave you all here!"

"Iida! As Class president I beg of you to do as your told! It's noble I swear, your brother would even agree just go now." Izuku took his gaze a moment off from his teachers to ask Iida who finally seemed to realized it would be the best course of action. 

It's a shame he realized too late and was trapped by the misty foe. When they were all trapped by the villain who brought the others to a supposedly safe place. Too late, too damn late.

Why expect more of heroes, little one? 

"Y-Yoichi?" Izuku whispered trembling, wishing that the First User was pulling another prank—deep down he knew it wasn't that. 

The identity of One For All didn't great him with love but instead an old and familiar emptiness (something he wouldn't have known years ago) greeted Izuku with a bitter grin. 

The odd voice offered a deranged laugh and brought no comfort but an old chill down Izuku's back. 

Not quite, little hero.

Chapter Text

"What do you mean you can't communicate with him? The hell is going on Yoichi!" The Fifth user blared, "Is he just not listening? Did you say something to upset the kid?" and then accuses. 

Yoichi didn't respond, too busy trying to get a hold of Izuku so Nana decided to answer the others. "He means that whatever telepathic connection we've made with Izuku has been tampered with. We can't even see what's going on around him, only Mirio who happened to be laughing it's his friends. We haven't said anything to him, one second we are able to see lights flickering and then the next, all we can see is Toshinori's pick." Nana feels a bit guilty at spitting the venom at Mirio but she's worried about her kid to even let it sink further. Kami, let her kid be alright for once. 

Seeing the gravity of the situation, the five other users quickly rose into panic and a deep unwanted feeling crept on them. All trying their best to communicate to the kid. All wondering what could've happen and all knowing deep down what did happen.

It was Third who finally voiced the one thing everyone despaired the absolute most; "What if All for One got a hold of him?" 

The mere thought of their fatal foe made wince and worry even more. The kid is barely a week into his first year of highschool—Izuku shouldn't have to meet this monster so early on; he's a kid. 

Alas, not everything can go to plan accordingly so. 

Yoichi only confirmed that when he fell to the ground and blood oozed him his head. He didn't look like a semi-healthy and stable user of One for All anymore, he looked closer to death than he already was,

"Izuku is strong. He's more capable than everyone here, he'll keep that promise he made me. He shouldn't have met my brother so early on but here's nothing to do about that except fight for him back." 

Yoichi's viridian eyes radiated and his frail figure was easily dismissed: even in the afterlife, he has as much fight as he had while breathing with the living. 

૮⍝◜•˕̮•◝⍝ა

Izuku didn't know what to feel or how to feel. 

He didn't think there would be a name to describe the feeling of loosing one's quirk—he never had one of his own to begin with. 

All that he can recognize, whatever this is, is nothing but emptiness. A void that is cold and uninviting. 

Back to when he was truly quirkless, it never felt like this. Sure Izuku would feel different types of voids but it's not the same. Back then Izuku wouldn't be satisfied but he wouldn't not be satisfied with his own body, but now it just... as if it's not his own. 

Almost as if he's a puppet on a ripping string. 

The puppet master is holding some sort of taunting victory; laughing because the puppet still has consciousness but with no freedom. 

But no matter the want to just sit and think about and pitty himself over this new found loss, Izuku has bigger things to worry about. He's been quirkless once and he can be quirkless again. 

(of course not! no problem at all it’s not like i was relentlessly bullied throughout my life by everyone i knew

sure, sure i can do this!)

Being too busy in his own drowning thoughts and flooding lack of senses, Izuku almost misses the monologue from the villain. The villain whose supposed name is Kurogiri, and his little posee called The League of Villains. Information like this is crucial, Izuku shouldn't be lost in thought when any second his life could be taken away. It's not just his life either-the lives of his classmates, of his teachers, of his friends. 

(dumb dumb dumb Izuku.)  

What follows next; he should've expect from his childhood friend and a friend in waiting to be made. Katsuki and Kirishima jump at the villain and both attack him—Katsuki's explosion coming closer to him than Kirishima's hardening quirk.  

But none hit their target true and then suddenly, he's no longer with his classmates but alone once more: dropping down to the oceanic landscape, and though there aren't any villains he can see from above the drop itself is enough to cause his to scream. 

All he wants to do right is to be able to use Nana's quirk right now and float away to safety but as he tumbles closer and closer to the water, he starts to feel an unshakable sense of dread and-

Useless. How useless are you that you rely so much on other's quirks to help yourself. 

(Shut up! That's-thats not true. I don't need to rely-)

Izuku's mind starts to fog up with self doubt which makes him blind to his surroundings. Blind to the mutated quirk the human holds (makes him looks like a shark). Had it not been for Asui, he would've been fish food for the mutant close to him. 

Water still clogs his lungs and Izuku takes a moment to replace it with oxygen. When he finally gets all of the water out from his lungs, he's met with both Asui and Mineta. The former seeking to have a more composed stance on the situation than the latter but both question his lack of quirk. 

"It doesn't really function when I get too nervous of frightened by uhh things. And this situation is pretty...worrisome?" 

Pathetic little excuse hero.  

Maybe not the best lie Izuku could come up with at the spot but it's not unbelievable. The two fall for it and soon they're talking about the gravity of this all. Mineta exclaims that once All Might comes then everyone will be saved but both Izuku and Asui disagree. 

"They came here prepared." Asui mentions and then goes on to say how they wouldn't just come if they weren't prepare to fight nail and tooth to destroy All Might. Izuku agrees and as much as he loathes the blonde donkey, the high hopes and expectations from the Leage seems more than just concerning. 

Good to know you're not as stupid as your predecessor. 

(He thinks I'm All Might's predecessor?!)

The three continue to discuss what to do moving forward before they get interrupted by the same mutant that almost killed Izuku. The man splits the ship in half and soon the trio are sinking along with the ship. 

It only raises panic within each of them but only Mineta fears drowns him as a result he throws the purple balls attached to his head. They fall down to the water and the villains surrounding them just moved away...

(why would they… oh! oh my Kami!)  

"They don't know our quirks but we know they're superior in the water." Izuku startles them, his grin full of mischief and a plan forming already. 

And so for the first time that day, Izuku didn't completely feel like a failure and used his smarts to save the group. 

Thanks to Mei-for the support items-they were all able to safely escape the villains and capture them all in the same time. Izuku is both eternally grateful for Mei and her mini-nitroglycerin bombs and Kacchan for letting him (not really) study his quirk all these years and the way that it functions.

A sense of safety and hopeful nothings washes over them but it was only to mock them. Crush their hope and show them that this is yeh world that heroes live in.

It all comes in agony. 

૮⍝◜•˕̮•◝⍝ა

"Iida you need to go now! We're strong enough to hold him back but you've gotta do this for us man." Sero called out to Iida, his voice held strength to those who don't look deeper but for others; there was a clear plead. 

Sero took his focus off of Iida and back to the villain his remaining classmates are facing. He didn't have the strength to focus on the two so he stuck with the one whose caused the most trouble. 

His classmates agreed to helping out the other and got to work fairly quick. It was then did Sero realize that Iida took the advice given to him not with hesitance but with a clear goal in mind. 

Had it not been for the others who helped him help Iida, well the plan would've surely failed again. But luck was on their side for the moment, and as the stronger and more muscly type of heroes in training held the Villain who called himself Kurogiri, Uraraka decided to stall him while helping Thirteen out. 

"What's your goal in this? Is it to just cause a scene at a great school like Yueei or do you bozos actually have a goal in mind?" The gravity lifter shouted, her eyes glossy and her voice trembling but she held her ground all the same.

Personally, Sero didn't think the obvious attempt at stalling would fool the classy-looking villain, but as mentioned before; luck decided to help them out a little more, 

"Wouldn't it be great for this to be the last place All Might takes breath? Though our stolen plans seemed to have met us down by inconvient timing on his part and to you all, now it is up to Master Tomura Shigaraki to decided what we shall play with next." 

Though Sero knew the man didn't have a mouth to even talk out of, he knew deep down in his gut that the villain was smiling sinisterly, and if he had teeth to show, fangs would appear and they would be sharper than the grin itself. 

At least Iida escaped, now he just hopes that All Might gets here soon to save the day and call out his famous catch phrase,

“I am here!”

But for now, his grip on the villain loosens and all he could think about is that All Might is not here. 

૮⍝◜•˕̮•◝⍝ა

Panic surges through Izuku, as he watches his teacher cry in anguish-in complete terror and horror. 

His vision fogs up and it’s as if he can feel him arm being bent in the same direction. It’s as if he can feel his own skull getting smashed repeatedly on the hard concrete with strength that could rival All Might’s. 

He’s paralyzed but as his other teacher cries out for Aizawa, he doesn’t exactly think. His mind could’ve been taken over but it’s not what drives him: his heart. 

His heart is what controls his body. Izuku calls forth a speed that’s comparable to light, to the sound of a humming bird’s heart beat, to that of a quick death. 

It doesn’t matter if All for One fills his head with depressing thoughts about how useless and cowardly the boy is. How All Might should’ve never chose him and that truly, he’d be better off elsewhere-elsewhere being with them. Said he’s only so puny because of All Might. 

It angers Izuku. 

It angers him so much because it’s not him whose teaching Izuku to be better-it’s the rest of the quirk’s successors. He’s only gotten this far because of them. He would’ve been dead had it not been for them. 

But All for One continues to ramble how All Might should’ve never gave him that quirk and that he could give him an even better one that he has prior to this new quirk. 

He just continues to talk and talk and talk and Izuku just snaps and he talks back. 

“You’re a fucking dumbass, ya know?” 

The Handsy-man turns to stare at Izuku. Surprised that he has the guts to talk to him like that with him being in such a complicated position. 

All for One stills but he then laughs and oh isn’t it the most horrifying sound Izuku has ever heard. 

Am I now?

And he just sounds so excited and proud but Izuku can’t take it anymore and in that split moment, he feels his quirk return to him and he runs the miles he’ll be able to, pulls at strength he’s always known to be the other’s, but in the split second-it’s nobody’s else’s but his own. 

Everyone seems to be stuck in time and it’s only Izuku who zips through the air and lands a devastating punch to the monster and then another and then another; but sadly, time resumes and it’s now Izuku who’s gotten close to the concrete. 

But it doesn’t bother him even as his bones crush the other, nor does he mind the his lungs rasping for air, or the way his ribs hurt and seem to poke each other with each breath. It doesn’t bother him because Asui took the moment of distraction to go and slip Aizawa away and back to the group. 

Reliefs only lasts so long before it’s Aizawa’s turn to scream Midnight’s name. 

Not her hero name nor her last name, but her first name in dread. Formalities and protocol be damned because his friend he’s-she’s about to die and he can’t let that happen ever again. But like before, he can’t move. He can’t lift his body, his arm, he can’t even lift his head from stance that allows his perfect view of his friends death. 

Shigaraki’s hand is outstretched toward her head, his feet seem to be nonexistent by the way he flies towards her and the most awful thing about this, is that her back is towards him. And when Aizawa calls her name, she turns faster than Shigaraki but also slower than him and she just…

She accepts what’s about to happen. 

Aizawa’s quirk doesn’t seem to be functioning and even if it was—tears seem to have sprung out when he was looking at her. 

(not again not again not again, please Kami, not ever again

why can’t he move? why must this alway occur? why must Kami hate him so much? why why why why why why why why 

please someone, anyone, please please please please) 

But he too is tired, so he doesn’t see the furry radiating from his student. He doesn’t see the green flow from him, nor the tears that fall from his viridian eyes or the the control of gravity that he holds. 

He doesn’t see him when Izuku defies the laws of gravity, physics, human concept; tendrils shoot from him and he holds life and death in the palm of his hand.

He doesn’t see Izuku save Nemuri from the decay that was waiting to feast. 

He doesn’t see Izuku fall to the ground when his own mission comes to a complete and now he’s at the mercy of the monsters who can’t wait to devour the boy who broke all of their promised plans. 

And yet Izuku stills rises to fight Shigaraki. 

But he’s no longer holding any sort of power or fight that could win the war. Izuku is tired, the type of tired that would’ve let Nemuri rest soundlessly. 

And no matter the tempting call of the sweet black death that has their hand reached out for Izuku to choose and grab, Izuku kindly declines and continues to fight. 

“What no power anymore? You certainly are a strange NPC, aren’t you little hero?” The blue haired man calls out, “Couldn’t you have hold onto this stolen power a little longer or did Sensei really capture your head?” 

“I don’t need a damn quirk to kick your ass, ya fucking Hand Kink Bitch!”

While the two are enraged, the blue haired man still tragically holds the upper strength. 

He has a puppet whose strength is the strength of All Might, 

He has the numbers (which have declined significantly),

He has the quirks, 

He has it all. 

And the heroes in training, the kids who hope to make it one day at the top for the right reasons, the kids who are still just kids… 

They have good quirks and a good hold of them but nothing to defeat villains like Shigaraki,

They have numbers who are scattered facing the remaining villains, 

But they don’t have All Might. 

So they choose to fight with their lives to protect each other and risk it all. 

Bakugo and Kirishima go after the misty villain whose name is Kurogiri, 

Todoroki who freezes the feet of the monster, 

Yaoyorozu who helps Midnight fight the lasting villains as she rushes to help Izuku. 

Izuku who falters each step but smiles because that’s what Nana and the others taught him to do pursue true fortitude. 

That’s when All Might busts the doors open and his figure is not shown with his usual smile. 

Though the relief floods each and every one of them (and fills the villains with the upmost fear) they can’t help but still combat with their lives. 

They only accept it when the hybrid-powered monster flies out of the Unforeseen Simulation Joint and to the sky. 

Izuku doesn’t. 

Because Shigaraki likes video games so he must seek out when to strike at the best moment-at the calm. And sure, it could be greed and impatience, but that doesn’t change the fact that All Might wouldn’t have been able to reel a punch back and send him to the stars too. 

Izuku doesn’t calm for sheer panic still calls: he positions himself in-front of All Might and doesn’t flinch as the other is closer to killing him. 

Only when the sound of multiple bullets (and the splatter of blood and hole through a hand) does Izuku let himself fall. 

He’s in pain. 

He’s sacred.

He’s lonely. 

But he still hides All Might’s true form from Classmates and doesn’t even cry when All Might tilts his anger towards him and scolds him and berates him and and-

Izuku can see Nana, Yoichi, The Second and Third, Hikage, Banjo, and En, all holding their hand for him and he fully accepts. 

It’s not death, don’t worry. 

But it is peaceful all the same. 

In the world where All Might is still furious with Izuku, Izuku passes out and enters the calm where he is with the others. 

They hold him close, 

They smother him with love, 

They congratulate him for his bravery., 

They apologize to him for breaking their promise, 

In which Izuku hugs them a little tighter and cries for the momentarily loss of his new family. 

“It’s okay, you’re here now.” 

Chapter Text

Enchanting. 

Alluring. 

Captivating 

Whispers follow like worshippers. 

High praises call out her name. 

Brassy gossip condemning her.

It's a game. 

And she's winning at it. 

Her name is Nemuri Kayama, alias, R-Rated Hero: Midnight. 

Nemuri is all of those thing and more, according to all the Wiki pages out there, she supposes. She enjoys reading them in her spare time, some are beyond ridiculous to even take seriously. 

Some are downright awful, but so are other hero's pages. It comes with the job. 

While her critics just love to criticize (she really means harass) it's not like she doesn't understands. Everyone in the hero industry gets shit—it comes with the title. 

That doesn't annoy her, 

what does annoy her till no ends, 

is the simple misogynistic fact that is the hate on female heroes. 

Well that isn’t entirely true, 

the women do get praises and love and affection. 

When it’s to the likes of others. 

Shouta has told her countless times about the complaints Ms. Joke has ranted to him about, they're all the same. 

Why do you get more of a pay than I do? We do the same and it's not like we're actual Daylight Heroes? What is this, the twentieth century? 

Time and time again, Shouta agrees with her. He's a wonderful hero, one of the best Underground heroes out there so far, but so is Joke. 

There will be stories she's heard from him about the type of mission that is was, and then she will hear stories from Joke's missions and so many more life threatening contents... and she (along with other female heroes) will continue to get paid less. 

But that's not all, no-no of course that's not all. 

From what she has noticed thus far into her career, both as a teacher and Pro, is that women have to show a little more skin, leave less to the imagination, and smile even as the assault rates rise, and then hide those because Kami knows what the others will say. 

(At least some of us actually come forth with our stories. even then the amount of heroes who just disappeared at the end of their counting... that or their place in the charts drop) 

And sure, Nemuri has always been more confident and open with showing her sexual appeal. Ever since she was a student at Yuuei. 

Her first hero costume was outgoing and Kami did she love it.  She went bold because she hoped to change ideas (that and the costume itself was practical) but then the laws changed (she may or may not be proud of that, she still hasn't decided but is leaning more towards a no) so her new hero costume is still very her. Her persona in costume lives up to the name she chose. It’s everything she could’ve possibly dreamed of. 

Though, there will be days where she sits on her couch reading new articles about other heroes—new ones— and she just blanks. 

She wonders if she's at fault for the change of appeal in the industry. 

And there will be questions from news reporters and town gossipers who ask the very same heroes she

"I don't think so. Or at least in my opinion, I don't believe Midnight had influenced this new era of heroes. If anything it's society. This aspect of it just never seems to change. There's been a study about the costumes. 

…Yeah, I could tell you more! So what the study itself was about is the effectiveness of the flashy costume for Lime-Light Heroes. Now this was also about the aesthetic of a hero's costume so it's not just about us women. Anyway, study showed in women, if one chooses to take a more 'respectable' more kid-friendly aesthetic, well the hero isn't as known. You know the hero Glizty-Pop?

 …Not at all. She was twenty years in but she couldn't get enough publicity and jobs even as a sidekick that she, unfortunately, had to retire.   

She did have a pretty flashy quirk that helped out in the job but her costume was aesthetically pleasing, especially for the kids, but it was marketed too much for the kids. Oh I don't mean to say that it was a bad thing, but you can clearly see that it wasn't enchanting for older folks to keep her career stable.

As for other heroes or even sidkicks, in this case it's not the quirk in general. Their costume could either be too boring or not revealing enough. This goes for male, female, and non-binaries alike. While our goal is to protect the citizens of Japan-the World- this is also a competition. 

There are so many articles and studies... Yes of course! Thank you for having me."  

That day, she thought to herself, How hasn't the world stopped spinning? Because if it's on kindness...

૮⍝◜•˕̮•◝⍝ა

Nemuri sat on the couch while she looked over at Aizawa. Her lips turned into a frown and her legs bouncing. 

She has just gotten Hizashi to take a break and get them both coffee since he's been at the hospital since the attack. 

Aizawa wasn't in any grave danger, sure he looked like a mummy and both Nemuri and Hizashi gotten a laugh at him, it was a pretty awful experience. 

She herself had gotten hurt but not as bad as Aizawa, Thirteen, or Midoriya. 

Kami, Nemuri would have gotten permanently hurt had it not been for the kid. As of now she hasn't heard of him being awake but that's to be expected after treatments from Recovery Girl. 

It had only been a day since the attack so time is just ticking for now. Nothing to get antsy about. 

She couldn't stop moving. 

She couldn't stop replaying Shouta’s screams or the second by second scenes of the hurt he had gotten. Not even when he passed out from the pain and other students had to take him out for his safety. She of course has to stay so she also had the images of Midoriya fighting like a damn warrior for their safety—and good Kami, shouldn't it be the other way around?

Nemuri would forever be grateful for the kid and she knew she wouldn't ever be able to repay him for his kindness and heroism; he'd save multiple lives. 

"Nem?" Though it was weak and the voice who called out for her sounded torn apart, it was the loudest thing in the room. 

"Oh my Kami, you fucking bastard! How are you? Are you okay? Are you hurt-well you are but is there any pain you feel right now? Do you need a higher dosage of pain killers? I should get the nurse yeah..." 

"W-water...be nice"

"Right away!"  Nemuri went to help him with the water before she sighed and pressed the nurse button. "Before you ask, everyone is alive. I won't say well because three of us got the most hurt. Thirteen is recovering right now but they'll be fine, you woke up but you're in a body cast, and then Midoriya…" 

At the sound of his name, Aizawa tensed and his usual scowl was back on his face before it dropped; not fast enough, Nemuri caught it before it slipped away. 

"Hey, what's up with that mister?" 

"I have no idea what you're talking about." 

"No, no, I don't think so mister. The hell was th-" 

Nemuri was caught off by the nurses coming in to check upon Aizawa and she was ushered out by them. She huffed in exhaustion but decided to save this for later. 

It was a bit later than she had planned to storm back into Shouta's room (she didn't think it would take long for the nurses to finish examining him but then doctors came and it took quite a bit of time). 

Hizashi also came back with coffee in which he dropped because seeing his lover, awake in such a state causes that. Which would explain why Nemuri and Aizawa were there alone. The former glaring suspiciously at the latter but not making any movements to start the conversation.

Aizawa let out a tired sigh and asked about the conditions and an update on the whole incident. 

“Thirteen had their suit torn up which was their body, you can imagine the rest. I ended up with a couple of bruisers and a sprained ankle, nothing too major-“ 

“Because you moved out before that villain came at you.” Aizawa muttered angrily, “That kid-“

Nemuri isn’t one to get riled up so quickly, but this was an exception she would gladly make again, “That kid? Shouta, that kid, saved my life the same way he saved yours. I know you were out of it but holy shit… Don’t you dare interrupt me. Midoriya moved in ways that shouldn’t be humanly possible even with quirks. Hell! the only way I can even describe this power is to compare it to All Might during his Golden Era. Maybe even when he was younger. 

“Shouta, had Izuku Midoriya not moved, I wouldn’t be here. I know for a fact that I couldn’t move out of the way… fuck Shouta— I didn’t move out of the way. My glasses turned to dust before Midoriya showed up.” Tears had welled up and Nemuri had to take breaks as she was choking on her tears.

Aizawa hasn’t seen her like this since…since Oboro died. Not since that day when the rain poured hard as it also mourned with them. 

“Shouta, that kid, that goddamn kid, he saved your life. Your head was about to get rammed into the concrete again, and you’re so incredibly lucky that your quirk only suffered by seconds. Shouta, had that kid not sacrificed himself, we both would’ve gotten hurt beyond repair, so don’t you dare call him that kid with such malice and hatred in your voice that I won’t go into right now, because that kid is a fucking hero. And when he’s done with Yuuei, you better believe he will reach heights that All Might will never touch.” 

Short breaths came out of Nemuri and the tears just didn’t seem to end. Her skin was flushed and the apples of her cheeks were stained pink, eyes red, and her posture just broke down. 

“Shouta, had he not been here, I would’ve lost you too. I’ve already lost Oboro, Hizashi and I have lost one already, we couldn’t bare to loose you too.” 

There was silence between them. 

There were tears shed between them.

There were messages shared between them. 

There was a mutual loss. 

There was a mutual fear. 

“I couldn’t bare to loose you too… I’m sorry.”

“I’m not the person who you should be saying sorry to.”

૮⍝◜•˕̮•◝⍝ა

Izuku

“Izuku?”

There’s someone calling him…

Izuku

“Izuku?”

He has to answer them but who could it be? The rest are…not with him? His eyes are seen shut and his body seems to be in a similar state. What’s going on?

Izuku

“Izuku?”

“Wake up, you shitty Deku!” 

The inky black mess was gone in an instant as he felt the urgency in the person’s voice. His vision swarmed with tiny black spots and was equally blinded by the sudden brightness. 

Where was he? 

“You fucking idiot! Kami! don’t do that again.” A recognizable voice muttered angrily, voice sounding raw.

“K-ka…”

The blonde appeared in Izuku’s vision with his rubby eyes watching him expectantly. His brows were pulled to a frown and the usual smirk was nowhere. 

“He doesn’t want to see your ugly face, Boom Boom Boy, he wants water.” Mei announced frantically, “Move outta the way, I’m trying to give him water.” Soon Mei clouded Izuku’s vision as she pushed Katsuki away (they ended up fighting for the line of vision). 

“I don’t think you should be so… you. Izuku just woke up.” A monotone voice pipes up and Izuku pins it as Hitoshi’s. He’s confirmed correct when his wild hair floats into his vision. 

(who else is here?)

“Shinso is correct. We mustn’t cause him stress when he’s just woken up from his coma…fu—“ Yaoyorozu’s soft but composed voice filtered in but his eyes widen at the almost curse word. 

Soon her gray eyes finished the puzzle in his line of vision.

Kacchan, Mei, Hitoshi, and Yaoyorozu. 

And no water. 

Damn. 

Thankfully, Yaoyorozu seemed to notice his dropping eyes that fell to the empty cup Mei and Katsuki were still fighting over. So she ran to get a new cup and propped Izuku up as she fed him. 

“Thanks Yaoyorozu.” Izuku quietly muttered after drinking.

Yaoyorozu smiled a welcome and asked him how he was feeling.

“Tired. But how is everyone else? Midnight, Aizawa, Thirteen, and the rest of our class?” Izuku scrambled out in a hurry, his eyes widened once more in fret. 

Hitoshi was the one to answer him (yes, the two were still at it) “Your class is fine, bruised up as the worst injury. Thirteen is stable and recovering now, Midnight also got hurt but just a sprain ankle which Recovery Girl helped fix, Aizawa is in a body cast but alive. His quirk just being affected by closing his eyes earlier. But Izu? You’re the one who got the most hurt. You worried us.” 

“And not just us but your family too. I’m not saying this to make you feel bad, this will be in our line as heroes we will become, but we just… care about you.” Yaoyorozu usual calm and composed nature cracked and wet tears streamed down her face and her voice cracks near the end.

Which naturally caused Izuku to cry fat tears as well causing Mei to start bawling (which ended her brawl with Katsuki) and Hitoshi and Katsuki to stare at the three idiots. Three idiots all huddled up together. 

“Idiot, I told you not to do anything reckless.” 

And if Katsuki and Hitoshi let out a year or two, well that’s for the five of them to keep a secret and come closer. 

For now they will be able to be kids who seek comfort with each other and find a calm in the chaos, as for tomorrow, well there’s always a calm before a storm. 

Isn’t there?

Chapter Text

Yagi turned away from the door disgusted. His sunken eyes that only showed the blue of his iris, darkened and a scowl adorned his hollow face. 

Civilians who passed him by, steered out of his way and shielded their eyes to the floor-they were only trying to get to their loved ones, and other times he would've reeled in his seething anger but not today. 

Not after another hero betrayed him. 

And he was so sure about Aizawa being faithful but of course he had to stand by what his friends say. No less than that-that woman, a woman who is known to be a show in front of the cameras. 

A bitter thought snapped at him, sounding closely like his mentor's

hypocrite! you've put on a show too Yagi and don't go bashing other female heroes when they're just as strong and important as the male heroes. ya fuckin' donkey. 

Quickly as that thought came it left. He laughed at his silly thoughts, of course that couldn't be Nana. She's dead and she wouldn't ever speak to him like that. 

His anger left for seconds as he remembered his fallen master before remembering the death from the hands of All for One. And his hatred towards the little rascal that is Izuku Midoriya increased by a tenfold. 

How dare he steal the power from Nana, a great heroine and mentor, and then set foot into a prestigious school such as Yuuei itself to not stop there, try to become a hero but let villains in. 

The guy of the young boy. 

All of this and for what?

To get back at him for telling Midoriya the truth? 

He's more pathetic than he fucking thought. 

But there is no way in hell that Yagi will let this stand by. No, he won't rest until the power is rightfully given to Mirio, and both of those bastards are locked up in the pits of Tartarus or better yet—sentenced. 

He rings his friend from the police force and tells him it's urgent to the case of the USJ and possibly the new motion of All for One. 

Yagi Toshinori grins once more as he bathed in the images of Izuku Midoriya's downfall. 

૮⍝◜•˕̮•◝⍝ა

"I'll be fine mom, I swear you, Auntie, and Uncle go do your grownup things and I'll stay here. Besides it's not like I'm actually alone, Kacchan and my other amazing friends are here." Izuku gave his mom a soft  beam and held her hands. "You don't have to worry about me." 

"I'll always worry about you, but I'll go if you're sure." Inko sighed with resign. Her lips curled up softly and she looked expectantly at the four kids who marveled at the sweet woman that she is. "I expect you all to keep my son safe while we're gone, you know, heroes in training and all." 

Mei seemed confused by her statement while Hitoshi looked proud. He didn't want to tell her he isn't a part of it yet because this simple sentence made him all the more hopeful. 

"Ma'am, I'm not saying I won't protect Izuku with my life and all-I totally will...but I'm a support course student, not an actual hero in training like the rest of these weirdos." Mei's eyes zoomed in on Inko. She even tilted her head and even pointed to the tinkering she's done since the morning when they first visited Izuku. 

Mitsuki was the one to answer her with a wicked grin, "Don't sell yourself short kid! You're still helping but even more than that, you're helping the heroes out." 

Masaru finishes for her with a softer tone, "Heroes are all about helping others. Everyone in the support course is a hero in their own way. Even the kids who aren't in the hero course, they still contribute to society and help improve it everyday—or most of them anyways. There's a couple of... grays in the area." 

Mei's eyes go to focus and unfocus a couple of times as she blinks away her tears. Of course she's always known support course students and inventors alike are heroes but to hear that from others—parents of future heroes... "Pssh... I knew that."

The three adults smiled kindly before getting on their way and each kid bid them goodbye with kind wishes and promises,

"Come back safely!" 

"See you soon!"

"I'll protect him, Mamadoriya!" 

"Don't worry bout the nerd!" 

"Have fun!"

Soon the odd group of friends were left alone in the Midoriya residence with a tense air around them. While all had agreed to never speak about the day prior, it wasn't something they could let go so easily. 

"Now, I know we agreed to never talk about our cuddle fest yesterday, but I had to say this. Katsuki gives great hugs." Yaoyorozu dared. A sleek smirk played her lips and the sly spark in her eye told her secrets. 

"Oh fuck off Ponytail!" Katsuki yelled while launching a pillow straight at her. 

She expertly dodged much to Katsuki's demise. 

Hitoshi chuckled softly as he made himself home and perching his head on Izuku's lap. Mei sat snuggly next to Izuku and continued to tinker with her work. And Izuku sat content with all watching his friends.

While the memories of All for One were still fighting to make themselves be heard and One for All's sudden loss at the USJ were yet to be fully absorbed, Izuku would really not. 

But the memories don't seem to understand him.

Instead of the calm and friendly touches his friends give him or the joyous laughter from Yaoyorozu or the screams from Kacchan all he can hear is that godawful shrieks from that monster. All he can see is the twisted pops of Aizawa-sensei's arm and his painful screams, he can pick out the cry from Midnight-sensei too. 

It's not in an instant that he feels poisonous burns from the touches, it's not quickly that the voices are turn from cheery laughter to pain-filled phantom memories; no it turns in a slow motion, the phantom pains, the ghostly shrieks, the loss and the gain of something evil.

His chest feels constricted, his ears pop and the sounds of the ocean from the terrain come full force, and he can't do anything about it. 

Izuku could almost hear the panic from Mei or Hitoshi who sound miles ahead of him but the memory of his laughter sinks him low. 

He can still feel One for All within him—they too are trying their best to calm Izuku down. So no, he doesn't feel quirkless liek he did at the USJ but he can feel the lingering breaths of All for One. 

Shutupshutupshutup Shutupshutupshutup Shutupshutupshutup  

Izuku knows he's not here and it's Yoichi who has a grasp of him but it's just so far. 

He remembers the venomous insults All for One threw at him. He remembers the sickly wicked grim Shigaraki gave him after he puzzled together who Izuku was talking about. He remembers he fangs from that beast and the loud shrieks it gave.

Izuku at this point is hyperventilating and none of them seem to be able to reach him. 

They've given him space but and try to call out to the boy but it all ends in a fruitless attempt. Even the vestiges of One for All have tried their best to gather enough strength to help Izuku out but like the kids with him; no such luck. 

Yoichi mutters something about Nana being away at the best times, full of sarcasm as one can guess, before he noticed Izuku react to her name. 

It gave Yoichi an idea. He wasn't very fawn of it and was more than hesitant to even think about mentioning to the others. 

Yoichi didn't have to worry for long, the others quickly asked if they could call in Nana. Second even asked had her voice not calmed him enough then she could maybe reach out to him in her physical form. 

Still, the idea didn't strike Yoichi as perfect but anything to help Izuku out. 

Even if it means to whisk away the secret. 

Wasting no time to call Nana and she came back with a frown. Though no one told her the real reason so it seemed to have come from another successor. 

Either way, Nana didn't have to have someone tell her the issue of today. Her from stayed prominent but worry lines appeared. 

So she tried to calm Izuku, get him back to breathing, but all attempted just strayed away from the goal. 

She didn't have to be told to take her physical form and appear next to Izuku. While she wasn't expecting a crowd, she didn't have an ounce of her to care about the secrecy of the quirk. Izuku is more important. 

He would always be. 

Nana runs her fingers in his curly green hair and told his hands to meet her chest. She spoke quietly as she tried to get him to match her exaggerated breathing. 

Holding her breath for seconds at a time and slowing removing the air from her lungs, it was a cycle until Izuku could breath by himself again. 

His cheeks were tear stained and eyes were rimmed with red. Even as Izuku had regained his breathing to a normal state, Nana didn't disappear nor did she stop running her hand through his hair. She smiled softly at him and pulled him closer, wrapping her arms around him as he did the same. 

Both were well aware at the starring from the others but none of them made a move to acknowledge them. They could answer truthfully but taht would be later. Later when the lilac boy would see the other figures and would be settled because he had already won. Until then, they'll settle on a lie. 

Katsuki would mutter a name and Nana would respond to him. She would share a knowing smile and save a different one for the three others. 

"I'm a ghost!" Nana would answer them. 

"She's a ghost." Izuku would confirm. 

The rest would know it's a lie but they won't care because she had helped their friend when they couldn't. None would feel guilt because they somehow knew this was bigger than any of them could comprehend, and though they want pry they'll save that for later, for now, they will stay near and help Izuku in the many ways they will once be thanked in returned. 

Chapter Text

She felt as if she failed. 

She didn’t just fail herself, there was Kotaro, Toshinori, and Izuku too.  

What hurts the most is that she’s gotten a redo with all of them because of the next…and history is a funny little thing. 

She didn't think there will ever be a way to make it up to them. She’ll continue to try anyway.

With Kotaro, it had all been in the name of love. 

But love can only solve so many things and can still be called love after so many little-big mistakes. To call it love is like receiving knife. Choose what to do after receiving such a gift; play with it, hurt with it, display it. Still , she doesn't think she'll ever call what she did anything else other than love. 

Then there's Toshinori. A kid who she met, a kid who had a dream bigger than his little body. But the dream had been so close to her own and had a little bit more spunk than her own desires and wishes. She too, had left him when he was so, so young. 

Nana promised herself she wouldn’t leave Izuku so early. 

 Not like she did to them. 

She thought that it wouldn’t be possible; she’s dead.

And yet, she failed at that too.

She promised herself that she wouldn't leave unless he asked her to. It didn't happen and it doesn't even matter that she was forcefully taken away: people were ripped apart from her grasp. 

Course it doesn’t matter! because once it has happened, the second time is no different than the first and the third is not ever going to be a mere coincidence. 

She only hopes Izuku would forgive her. 

When Izuku surged forward with open arms that very same day that Nana had broken her promise— she knew she was blessed even in the afterlife. 

It's wonderful. 

It's cruel. 

It's unfair. 

A few days went by and she decided to check up on Toshinori. Even if he's the cause for Izuku's pain, Nana doesn't think she'll ever hate him and it's hard. Hard because she’s been hurt by him and she continues to care. And that was before she had met Izuku. She isn’t the only one hurting because of Toshinori-they’re far from the only ones. 

She failed him and she feels responsible for the way he turned out. 

She's sure Recovery Girl was quick to heal him (and scold him) but after hearing his close encounter with the five-point-touch villain with a disintegration quirk... she couldn’t help but worry without the guilt of a failed mission. 

But then he speaks and speaks and speaks and he hurts and hurts and hurts. She doesn’t hear—not a soft frequency in the wind.

Had she (and the others) heard about his harsh response and even crueler words he continued to spit at Izuku, surely that worry would vanish. It would be a another cruel memory in the wind.

There she would’ve learned she should've never worried in the first place. That she shouldn’t feel responsible for his recent (and past) actions.

Nana doesn't really know when it first clicked in her mind that Toshinori was not just giving the Good Detective a rundown of the USJ but a rundown of the boy she's grown to care about as well. 

She heard him give Tsukauchi details from their very first interaction to the first time he believed All for One was still kicking up until the day The League of Villains attacked. He gives Tsukauchi his theories about Izuku being a traitor to Yuuei and how he could be in touch with All for One. 

After the Nomu was discovered with having more than one quirk, the last theory didn’t seem so far off. 

Nana was livid for she had heard Toshinori spill lies, lies that we’re ticking-time bombs, but they were lies he believed to be truths and didn't that make it all the much better. Tsukaochi's quirk is to being able to pick out the lies the other spew. 

She's always wondered if he'd be able to know if the lies the third party speaks of would be picked up if they whole heartedly believed in. 

She would never know, at least not right now. 

It was the moment that Toshinori was about to screw with Izuku's life a little more than what pain he’s cause already, that Izuku needed her the most. 

She wouldn't know that if she stayed a second longer than the future could be changed. That it wouldn't be fixed upon lies and lies and falsehood. 

What she does know is that she couldn't leave the child alone anymore. She didn't need to be updated, she had already felt the short breaths and streams. 

Still, Nana knows she wouldn't trade those seconds for  a what if and a rewrite of the future. 

It doesn't matter that Toshinori told the Detective his concerns with Izuku, it doesn't matter that he told him his past quirklessness. If he missed a few details, what were those in comparison to the truths Tsukauchi had written down as just that, truths. 

To Tsukauchi , Izuku is another vile little boy who had been strayed from the path of good. To Tsukauchi, Izuku is nothing more than a mere traitor to a prestigious school and he'll be damned if he doesn't save those other hero kids. 

His quirk registration said it wasn’t updated until ten months ago, but those past years had a mark of quirklessness. (Who else could give out quirks in short time and make a little boy act so monstrous?) Tsukauchi thought miserably to himself, drinking another cup of coffee. 

(Certainly not the petty thieves and thugs they caught at the fiasco.)

If this kid has gotten Nedzu wrapped around his finger than he has to be more cunning then the Rat. Dirtier and more sinister than the man of the century. 

(Izuku won't get away with this.)

૮⍝◜•˕̮•◝⍝ა

Izuku felt a cold anger surge through him. 

He felt guilty for feelings such a way but reminded himself that it's healthy for him to feel such passion. 

The day had been going so well.

His mom made him a quick breakfast and wished him luck with the promise of Katsudon for dinner, Kacchan waited for him so they could walk together to school (not that they didn't before but Kacchan let him rant about a new hero he saw on the news), Hitoshi and Mei talked about going to that movie and making plans to train in combat and the weapons Mei has made. 

Yaoyorozu was already in class when Izuku and Kacchan had made it in there and greeted them with a warm smile and a sweet hug. 

When Homeroom started, Aizawa had shared the news that Mineta decided he couldn't handle the graphic side of heroics and switched out of the class to enter a different heroics school. One that was lesser known but promised him ‘hot babes’... a shudder was shared all around the class. 

He was glad Mineta had left Yuuei, this way Hitoshi was sure to get in (though he shouldn't have to make an effort, he should've been here from the start), he just knows even the greatest power won't be able to hold him back. Not unless they want a war. 

Lunch comes and goes, the hero students tell Hitoshi about the good news and how they'll be able to train in the gyms. Mei suggests that he tries to make his own support weapon as a 'just in case' and who is Hitoshi to not accept the help he's being given: not a fool that's who. 

By the end of the day, Izuku is sure nothing could potentially ruin it. He even has a meeting to talk with Nedzu about the incident and he's not shaking with anxiety! 

But peaceful days are meant for the dead. 

The moment Aizawa had asked him to stay after class and then spoke more than he should've-all due to his injuries- Izuku knew that there wouldn't ever be a day where his life would be blissful. 

It's grieving—almost. 

In the end, Izuku didn't want to respond. Not to the man who blamed him for the attack on his classmates or teachers. This doesn’t mean that he doesn’t.

"All Might has explained to me your involvement with the attack and despite what Nemuri has told me. How could you let you're classmates hurt like that? How could you fail a hero school? Had you not have Nedzu wrapped around your finger then you would've been with the other criminals. In the pits of Tartarus, but seeing as you aren't... Maybe Nemuri might be correct." 

Izuku's eye twitched and he prayed to Kami that he wouldn't snap. But he’s had to deal with too much in such a short time that patience is just another suggestion. 

"Aizawa-sensei, you're a great hero, truly. Before I even entered Yuuei, you were a favorite of mine. You and All Might, actually, but there's a reason why people say that one should never meet their idols. All Might and you have a lot in common. Trust me when I say, that's never going to be a good thing. I have no idea what Midnight-sensei has told you or tried to, by the looks of it...

"I would ask you if you know what exactly you've gotten yourself into—and what you obviously don't feel like removing yourself from—but I won't because I barely do. By default, All Might doesn't either and if he doesn't change then he will never know." Izuku pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed deeply. 

(so much for not snapping)

He knows he shouldn't give out information that will work against him but after that day, he doesn't want anyone else to hurt and bare scars that'll never heal. 

"You obviously know that All for One is not a mere folktale or a rumor old house wives share over tea. You know about his quirk and though I'm not too sure what you know about All Might's, he can tell you I'm sure, just know that he can't take them all. Really, it's all but one. Now if you excuse me, I have to make sure my friend wins the Sports Festival. Like I said before, All Might and you share a lot in common." 

An old chill ran down the spine of Aizawa and seeped into his bones. The type of feeling one might get when a storm will show at the footsteps of their door. It's the feeling he gets before a raid in dark. 

The reminder that he doesn't know all. 

He doesn't think he ever will, not if he doesn't change. 

It shouldn't have taken a child to tell him so.

Chapter Text

Two weeks is a fair amount of time to prepare. 

Two weeks is not enough time. 

Two weeks is all that they have to prove themselves capable to all the warnings others have gave them. 

But two weeks is a start, and that is more than enough. 

૮⍝◜•˕̮•◝⍝ა

When Mei wasn’t making more babies in the school’s lab (or her makeshift lab at home) she was sparring with Katsuki. 

Despite only having her for a couple of days, Power-loader always considered himself blessed on the days Mei wasn’t in the lab. Cementoss on the other hand, was suffering more than he ever thought he would. But then the cycle would resume itself and the two teachers couldn’t wait until the Sports Festival ended. 

On the days when Mei was in the lab, she would show Hitoshi how to make his support item. It wasn’t much of an issue on creating said item, it was more of an issue on how long it took him on deciding what he wanted. She didn’t mind, all the other items were more tools to show off! 

Then there would be days where the three hero students would put them to train on physical power. It wasn’t a glamorous lifestyle, Mei decided. She isn’t too annoyed with it since she likes to think about how her stamina will improve her mobility when creating new inventions for her friends! 

She also really enjoyed whenever she took one of them down. Hitoshi was the easiest and Izuku was the hardest one. But the one who brought her the most pride was taking down Katsuki. 

That day, Mei almost lost an arm but it was more than worth it. 

Now she’s at the comfort of her own home, lounging around in bed as she waits till dawn breaks; it’s finally movie day. 

But as the long hours tick by slowly, her mind doesn’t wonder to the usual place but a more world-confronting setting. 

She starts to think about how to help Hitoshi into getting a placement at the Sports Festival. Which then leads to her being frustrated at that thought in the first place. 

She knows Hitoshi will place-if it’s not written in the stars then damn them, she’ll make a star for him and carve it out for everyone to see. 

She’s just… vexed because he shouldn’t have to worry about getting into the Hero Course! It’s infuriating to know that he got the points required—he had more than a student— but was denied entry due to his quirk? All because of the Number One hero said he was a villain because of his quirk? 

It’s maddening to know how much a quirk affects the world around her and the way people see them. It’s expected that the ones born with flashier powers go into the hero industry. The ones with smaller quirks that’ll be ideal in a certain job unit go into that profession. The ones who have ‘villainous quirks’ are expected to turn into villains—it’s only expected because of the amount of villains there are with a wonderful quirk to suit their evil doings. 

But they’re pushed into that. 

Who decides to wake up—be born—and decided, what a wonderful day it is to be a villain. To have my life be cursed at and only have two options of a way out. Only two places I could ever end up in: Dead or in a Rotting Prison Cell.

Unless they’re absolutely mad—what is the actual percentage? 

The society and their stereotypes…

It makes Mei think back to herself; 

she was alike to many kids. 

Mei wanted to be a hero. 

They told her no. 

So she looked for another way to be one. 

She found out how to be a hero for the heroes. 

Mei will be a hero for her friends who will actually get to be heroes. 

…no. 

Mei will be a hero. 

૮⍝◜•˕̮•◝⍝ა

Sleep never came easy for Hitoshi. 

He gave up on that dream long ago when the bags under his eyes were enough to be blamed on video games at torturous hours of the night. 

On harder nights like these, Hitoshi would let his mind walk around until it got tired and if the sun wasn’t out, he could sleep. 

With a glance at the bold red light from his alarm, telling him it’s twelve past two, he wondered what thoughts would plague the room around him. 

 He ended up wondering what he would do if he placed first in the Sports Festival and didn’t get transferred into heroics. 

Death seemed…unpleasant. 

Villainy is essentially a death sentence so no to that. 

Becoming a hero anyways? 

A sinister grin that could rival Bakugou’s spilt his face. 

Hitoshi had promised himself that no matter what, he would become a hero and he would be the best hero to those who are like him. 

Those who suffer because of a label. 

And he would never turn his back on them. 

He’ll make society eat their words and wish they’ve been kinder to people around. 

He won’t hold any hatred like a knife digging into the skin, but he won’t let it slide either. 

Too many have suffered because of fear that should’ve died with the expectation of normalcy. Too many have suffered due to the fear others brush upon themselves and paint it on others. 

Hitoshi is ready to become a hero. 

૮⍝◜•˕̮•◝⍝ა

Katsuki doesn’t like the nights when the moon is hung low and the stars barely twinkle. 

He doesn’t like how the drumming of his heart isn’t on beat or how he has to wipe his hands on a separate cloth every five seconds. 

He doesn’t like how much he’s reminded. 

He doesn’t like knowing how weak he was for so long all because he couldn’t get passed a stupid fucking label. 

Katsuki has ruined a friendship and he knows how fucking lucky he is to have it back. It hasn’t been quite the same as before—damn nerd finally gotten a spine—but it shouldn’t have been broken in the first place. 

He always think back about each explosion and each ripple in the air. He thinks how any one of those thundering booms could’ve ended Izuku’s life or made it worse than it was. 

He’s apologized more in his head than he had in person but each time Izuku just smiles sadly and tells him he knows and that he forgives him. And to make Katsuki feel better, he says he’ll kick his ass if he returns to his old ways—which he knows Izuku could and will but it’s more to get Katsuki back. 

(sometimes it makes him feel worse and on those days he barely speaks but manages for Izuku. 

cant let him down more than he has) 

Katsuki then fights himself; he knows he can’t change the past so he better make up the future. 

His past actions don’t make him proud and if it continues and ends up being the new Number One, there won’t be anything to congratulate. 

So he’ll continue to make up for it; he won’t change character but he will learn. He’ll learn about the Quirkless society, the way others are belittled for their quirk, and even the way others are stereotyped not because of their quirk, but because of their wealth. 

He’ll learn how to be a hero he can be proud of and a hero younger Katsuki and Izuku would look up too when their workds were still filled with imaginative color. 

Katsuki promises the be the best hero. 

૮⍝◜•˕̮•◝⍝ა

Yaoyorozu knows she can’t complain. 

Not when everything has been given to her on a silver platter with diamonds encrusted.

She knows it’s not her place, but still she can’t help but want to fight. 

She has her own struggles, she knows that nothing won’t ever diminish them because all battles are battles. 

She may not be the most confident or sure; but this is different. 

In matters that she knows she’s correct, she still falters. In concerns that concern her too—she always whispers when they shout. 

But this is different. 

It’s not because she wants to shout until they can only hear her voice. 

It’s not because she’s not trembling. 

It’s not because she knows she’s right. 

It’s because she’s not the only one who wants to shout until ears bleed or cry in frustration at the blank stares and grim smiles. 

She’s always known there’s something wrong with everybody-not in a bad way! or maybe this is in a bad way? 

Point is, she’s always known. 

If it wasn’t for her father whose told her how to grow in powder and strength in a way that won’t cost others; maybe she’ll never have known and never would’ve cared.

If it wasn’t for her mother who didn’t grow up as glamorized as she then maybe she wouldn’t understand others.

If it wasn’t for the history of her family that was engraved into her brilliant mind then she wouldn’t have cared for anything but diamonds and every other gem. 

But she did and she knows and she’s angry. 

Her new friends have only fueled that fire that’s always burning and her friends have only ever made her want to yell back. 

(not at them, never at them) 

Her friends help her find a voice and find her confidence, even if there are still ways to grow. 

But she also sees how she helps them grow as well. 

Yaoyorozu sees how angry they are and she thrives. 

She’s always known that she couldn’t fight a war that’s been thriving since the age of man. 

There’s a reason why there’s power in numbers and if four more numbers appeared; why won’t more sprout? 

Yaoyorozu may not know how she will win against the war nor does she know if she’ll live long enough for the end. 

But she knows what type of hero she wants to become to make it all happen and see the beginning (or continuation) of it. 

Yaoyorozu is confident that she’ll be a hero. 

૮⍝◜•˕̮•◝⍝ა

Izuku is drowning.

He can’t seem to stay a float even if he has a quirk taht let’s him float. 

It’s pathetic. 

How pathetic is he? 

(stupid stupid stupid stupid stupid) 

Izuku has dreams but as he lays awake they don’t come and if they don’t come then they won’t come true. 

Izuku has dreams bigger than he could imagine and he knew he could make them turn into a reality but as the long night grows thick, he isn’t so sure anymore. 

He can hear the Vestiges crackling with reassurance and he wants to hear them clearly. 

But he can’t. 

So the lonely night reminds him of lonelier nights. 

He thinks about the past; it’s blurry and he doesn’t want to continue to think about it but each time he closes his eyes it’s even more vivid and he’s back there. 

He thinks about the past couple of days; a ghostly smiles dawns his face. 

He remembers the face Katsuki had made when Mei took him down on her first try, even if she wasn’t really trying. He then remembers how Katsuki had almost burned the entire left half of the building and how he almost took out Mei’s arm with it. 

Vivid pictures flash of his friends smile and crackling laughter. 

He remembers how Yaoyorozu was beaming when her hunch about a murder was correct and how she let herself be free for those moments. 

He remembers how fast Hitoshi has been improving and how certain he is of his capabilities. 

Izuku wishes he would be certain too. 

Izuku has dreams; they’re painted with oil and are blurred with his uncertainty. 

It’s a beautiful mess 

a mess he wishes to comprehend. 

He’s the artist and everyone else seems to admire the work, but it’s all blurred and oh how he wishes he could admire it too. 

He’s dreamed to a hero and that painting was blurred for an eternity until they arrived. It was clear but now it’s resumed to it’s original state. 

He was happy for those clear moments. 

Now there’s a new painting, one that’s even more complicated than the first and the oils have been smeared together. 

His fingers are stained and sweat is mixed with tears. 

The painting isn’t complete and he’s loosing it. 

He’s awake while he dreams and as he dreams he paints and as he paints, he paints awake. 

There’s too much going on. 

How could he have dreamed to change everyone’s mind in a short time? 

He wasn’t able to before and even now when he has a slightly bigger chance… how will he know they will listen? 

Now that he has the blessings of seven others and four more to count, why can’t it be enough? 

Izuku is painting and he’s smearing oil everywhere; wishing to be able to comprehend why it looks the way it does. 

Izuku dreams too big. 

Izuku slips into a dull sleep. 

Izuku paints a picture. 

Izuku dreams to be a hero. 

૮⍝◜•˕̮•◝⍝ა

Two weeks isn’t enough time. 

Two weeks is nothing in comparison to two billion years. 

Two weeks is all that they had. 

Two weeks was then and the two weeks in waiting has come to an end. 

Two weeks was a start. 

Two weeks is enough. 

Chapter Text

Two hours.

He knows he has two hours left to recover and maybe-finally- catch his breath. 

But then he remembers this will be the last chance to prove himself more than a quirk, he remembers that his body is slowly dying, he remembers that it's not him who they want but someone else, and he remembers how much he's got to loose. 

And then suddenly he remembers how hard it is to breathe and those two hours? 

Mirio has half of the given time and he's counting on the last sixty before he shows the world how strong he is and that he is here. 

For the time being. 

He knows that if he continues to take the quirk of another— someone who could be greater than both Sir and All Might...he won't be able to say that for much longer.

૮⍝◜•˕̮•◝⍝ა

Amajiki Tamaki had thought the sun to be a star far far into space; that was before he met his sun, Mirio Toogata. 

Even as a young child, he’s known nothing else could illuminate like the blonde boy. And as the years grew longer (not that he had minded), Amajiki spent more time with Mirio, and his first impression of the boy hadn’t changed a bit. 

Over the years he’s seen Mirio grow. Amajiki has learnt everything there he could about him and yet, when the second half of their second year had come… he’s never seen the beginning of a dying star. 

Maybe it wasn’t noticeable in the beginning, maybe he over-analyzed something that wasn’t present, maybe he was just too scared of loosing his friend who seemed to spend more time with All Might and Sir Nighteye (he’s proud of his friend, don’t get him wrong but… what could possibly take all of his time? )

Soon, the brilliance of the Mirio just flashed: a solar flare. 

It seemed that Mirio had gained a new quirk but that couldn’t be possible— there’s no such thing. 

His mind told him that superpowers shouldn’t have existed either but he’d much rather not dwell on that aspect of the world. 

The year rolled by and his smiles seemed to be forced and the eye bags seemed to be deepen. 

Amajiki had asked why that was; 

“Just regular old stressin’! Our final year is about to begin and then we’re off to being heroes.”

Which resulted with Amajiki pain idling and Mirio helping him calm down. 

It wasn’t what Amajiki had in mind but if it gave Mirio something common to stress on then he would… he would still be stressing for stressing out his friend who was just stressing about something stressful. 

Two weeks after that panic, but nothing had bettered. 

(It was the opposite. 

It shouldn’t be the opposite. 

Why is it the opposite)

They were training in the gyms when Mirio had felt fragile and fallen. He didn’t wake for an hour or two but that wasn’t even the worst part. 

When he did awaken, his eyes looked vacant but strangely proud. Like a dream had been accomplished but was he still dreaming? Phantom pains started to howl as the sun started to set and Recovery Girl had to sedate him (her quirk didn’t work on ghostly pains). 

Amajiki never wanted to see Mirio in such pain ever again. Not until they will be forced into the world of heroes. Not until their chosen paths had finally opened for them. 

But as he walked further into a hall of the stadium he heard familiar cries of agony and he sprinted faster than he would ever like to have imagined.

Turning the corner and entering a room he saw his friend hunched over in pain with tears streaking down his face but for some reason, he didn’t think it was due to the blossoming bruises on his pale body.

No, it’s not due to the colored shapes decorated on his body—it’s because of the boy who is doubling over with different kinds of tears on the screen. The caption on the bottom of the screen reading Present Mic’s bellowing announcement. 

“Here ya have it folks! The winner of the first tournament in the First-Years’ Sports Festival; Izuku Midoriya of Class 1-A. What makes this a hell of a win is the fact that Midoriya didn’t use his quirk that was perfectly suited for this trial. He could’ve just flown above everyone!”

“Shouldn’t it be counted as a flaw in his thinking? Did he feel so entitled, so snobby that he felt he didn’t need to use his given quirk?”

“… You’re a bummer Eraser. Not going to focus on that flaw thinking—good job to Midoriya and to all of the moving contestants! Plus Ultra everyone! 

“Now, moving onto the ads of this funding; Balding? Feeling depressed because of that? Well than you should use Hairy-Again!…”

A wet cough brought Amajiki to the present; it was followed by a hacking laugh.

“To think that All Might and Sir aren’t they only flawed ones.” 

“Mirio! A-are you o-okay? You’re bleeding…” Amajiki frantically called out while grabbing rolls of paper and handing them to Mirio.

“Have to be.”

“No you don’t.”

“You don’t understand…” Mirio said, still weeping. “I don’t get to have a choice. I have to be better.” 

“Than who?”

Mirio laughed but it never had sounded so disgusting. “Nevermind.”

Now this would be the part where Amajiki would back off and just focus on helping Mirio feel better but that was before he saw the blood-stain clothes. Before the purple flowers on his skin. 

Instead, he dragged Mirio down to the couch in the room and got the paper towels to dry up the blood. And once he finished with that, he looked straight at a dying star—not with sadness but with anger. 

(never directed at him, he loves him too much to even be angry with him) 

“No. You listen to me right now, Mirio or I swear to Kami, I will bring Hado into this.” 

Mirio looked slightly panicked, good, Amajiki thought. 

He blessed air through his nose and continued. 

“I have known you for a decade now, a couple years more-do you know what that means? It means that I know when something is bothering you and I’ve been knowing something has been eating you up—and by the looks of it, I’m not just speaking figuratively.”

Mirio went to open his mouth but was silenced by the withering glare set on Amajiki’s face. 

“Maybe that makes me a bad friend, a bad friend who knew their friend was suffering but did nothing to lessen the burden and as much as I would love to take all the blame for it. I can’t because you hadn’t let me know, you still don’t want to let me know. But you can’t continue this— you have two options here. Either you tell me or you’re not taking part in the partnership-battle.”

Mirio eyes harden for a second and a scowl ready to take place. “You can’t do that!” 

“Then tell me why!”

Again, Mirio stood silent; Amajiki had never raised his voice. Especially to him. 

Everything rational told him to walk it off and hide it and push him away, but voices told him to stay and finally talk to someone who would listen. 

He knew better than to ignore them. 

“You know my quirk.”

“Where are you going with this?” Amajiki stared tiredly at his friend. 

“So you know that Super Strength and everything else Super was never a part of it.” 

“It’s like you have a whole new quirk, crazy isn’t it?” When Mirio didn’t laugh but instead turned to the side to hide his reddening ears, Amajiki was almost sent into a panic. “M-Mirio?

“It should be impossible. But then there were two brothers and a hidden quirk…” Mirio tells Amajiki about a quirk called One for All and the man who is called All for One. 

He tells him how his power is what led him to meeting the Number One hero and his former sidekick by luck. The rest was his aesthetic and raw Power.

He doesn’t falter when he gets to the damaging side of the two quirks he has now even if the pain intensifies. Maybe he doesn’t smile as he talked about the first months before pain became his waking alarm but he doesn’t grimace when he tells Amajiki when it had settled. 

He then asks if Amajiki remembers the Slime Villain they watched on TV some months ago—Amajiki says he does and asks how does it add to the story. 

The first question since Mirio begun. 

“Do you remember that flash or green and then yellow before All Might won?” 

Amajiki nods confusingly but widens his eyes in relaxation to the familiar green he just saw on TV in the room they’re in. 

“No…”

“That was the day I felt a cold leave my body. But it wasn’t awful. Honestly, I felt so relieved and free that I performed better in months!”

“B-but how? If One for All can only be given through DNA? How does that Midoriya kid have it now?”

“I never said anything about him having it-“

“Mirio, just because the actual Sun is dense, doesn’t mean you have to be too. It’s not that hard to figure out.” 

“…Moving on, the following day I felt that same relief and I can’t remember when but I was training with Sir and AllMight when J just felt the quirk become alive. Er.. maybe not become, I think it always has been but anyways, I mentioned this to nobody in general but All Might also felt the buzz. Except, he doesn’t believe that One for All is a sentient quirk, he thinks it’s just a regular and common type of emitter quirk.”

Amajiki stared at Mirio in panic, “D-Don’t tell me…”

“He thinks Midoriya is connected to All for One.”

“Sir does too and clearly, Aizawa thinks poorly of the kid.”

Mirio laughed with tears caught in the back of his throat. He wipes his teary eyes and smiled weakly at Amajiki. “Seems so.”

Amajiki’s anger comes back again in form of a bone-crushing hug and whispers to Mirio his worries. “We have to help him. But first you, you cannot participate in this years battle. You’re too weak.”

“One for All seems to agree.” 

Quickly, Amajiki pulls back and holds Mirio by the shoulders, “That’s not it. Mirio, you are one of the best rising heroes in this school—in all the competing schools and it’s not because you have a legacy quirk in you. If One for All is slowly tearing you apart is because they know as well. They know you can be a hero with your born given quirk. And if that’s not it, then let’s look up the past holders and see if they had similar pains. But it will never be because they think you’re weak or not worthy. You’re the sun, never forget that.” 

“And you’re the sun eater.”

 They smiles as warm as the sun to each other before Hado breaks in and screams, “You’re still not competing in the Sports Festival Mister!” 

Mirio looked close to death but was saved by Amajiki’s laughter. But no matter what warmth his sun had brought to him, Mirio still wished to participate.

“I have to show the world that I am here.” 

The two friends besides the blonde looked at each other before sighing, “Then rely on us.”

Mirio didn’t looked convinced but a warm voice of a woman whispered in his ear, “Heroes should never be alone in the times of need. And Pillars? They don’t balance by themselves. Take their hand and I’ll make sure the world knows that you are here. All of you.” 

The whisper didn’t come in regular sounds, not like they did with Izuku. 

And deep down, this will possibly be the last time it’ll whisper such comforting words but that’s okay. 

He’s fine being comforted by his friends and singing wind. 

“We are the Big Three.” 

They shared a moment before Amajiki realized he couldn’t just back out like he had planned before. He shared his thoughts with Hado and Mirio who laughed and raised him high. 

Together they went into their final Spirts Festival as students and came out as future heroes with promising duties to fulfill. 

Each one of them with a medal to claim and a healthy smile to accompany such a win.

૮⍝◜•˕̮•◝⍝ა

Izuku smiled and thanked Nana for helping Mirio out. Based on the final battle between the three, Mirio looked like a radiating star amount his friend who helped him claim first place. 

Y: Good luck kid! I better see you claim victory too, you have to redeem yourself for that speech ya did.

“Oh shut it, Yoichi.”

The Vestige inside cried with laughter but hugged Izuku and whisked him away to the second trial of his first ever Sports Festival.

Midnight stood on stage with a cheeky grin and told the students what they will be participating in; 

“A Calvary battle! First place winner has ten-million points up for grabs, are ya ready? Then start your planning.”

Chapter Text

Yuuei decided to give the students a break before the next set of challenges; a way to catch their breaths but most importantly, to host the Third year's final Yuuei Sports Festival challenge games. 

To give them one lasting hoorah and to give them the best chances at getting a signing with a well known hero. 

Izuku couldn't be happier. 

He made sure to hold his smile even after Aizawa has said those insulting words. Even laughed it off when some of his classmates asked him what the hell that was about. He didn't even break character when Monoma poked fun at him. 

Izuku couldn't do anything but laugh and smile like it was a joke. 

Because that’s what it was at the end of the day. A sick joke that hurts but is not true.

Besides, he couldn't afford to show such weakness at a world-wide broadcast. Not when he has bigger things to worry about than his well-being.  

Like the fact that Aizawa saw straight through Izuku and called him out because of his lack of quirk. 

Y: No, kid we've talked about this. This is your quirk now and no one will ever be able to take it.

"But what about Mirio..."

Y: You and Mirio are a special case, that's for sure. And at the end of the day, you both matter, your well beings matter. Aizawa has no right to call you out on matters he has no idea about. 

Izuku choked a humorless laugh, ready to respond back when Katsuki slung his arm over his shoulder and muttered, "You can't talk to Yoichi here. People will stare and Aizawa has given you enough shit to worry about for now." 

Katsuki led Izuku out to a waiting room where all the others gathered up. He gave a nudge before pulling up a chair and sitting down. 

He continued to whisper "Don’t think I didn’t noticed that shit-ass smile you pulled. It doesn’t matter if it was given, it’s yours now." Katsuki sighed deeply and then turned his attention to the friends around them, “We’ll talked about this later, Deku. For now, as much as I would love to shit-talk our teacher, we have bigger fish to fry in this hell.

There was a collective nods around the room before Izuku decided to pull himself together and talk strategy with his friends. Kacchan was right afterall; there will be time to talk about what’s his and not but time is ticking down for them regarding the Sports Festival. 

"Based on past Sports-Festivals and the one going on for the third-years, I can safely say that a sort of team exercise will be next. Maybe a battle to give investors a feel for the heroes they will be choosing to invest in." Izuku tells as he runs a hand through his unruly mossy hair. "Until we know what our goal is, we can't really plan much. What we can do for now is make teams and a plan to get into the third challenge." 

Izuku holds his gaze with each member of his odd group before asking if there's anything else he may have missed. 

Momo turned to open the talk and discussed the topic of the teams-to-be-made. "There's usually a fixed number of people in a team and based on the number of passing students—which there's forty-two in case any of you had forgotten. My guess is that there's a limit of three to five people to a group."

Everyone settled on that thought, each of them thinking what would benefit them the most. How can they make use of what they’ve been given. 

Finally, it was Mei who actually voiced their concerns and a resolution that would fit everyone's needs. "Well, we obviously can't all be on a team together. For starters, we would've overpower them-not to toot our horns but we know everything about each other in terms of quirks and the usage of them. We know how to work as a team. They others are new." 

Hitoshi added on, "Besides, the whole point of the Spirts Festival is to show our own strengths. For you heroes, you need to prove to the others you can hold your own battle. Whereas Mei or I need to show we belong in this hero universe. It's been a better start for Mei since she's in the Support course but present and future inventors need to know she isn't playing around. Being on the same team won't let us prove to the world we mean business." 

Hitoshi's eye burrow into a pinch and his fists clenched and unclench repeatedly. "Not to mention, being on the same team as Bakugo won't really help me. I need to be on the same level as you all. I can’t prove that I belong if I get overshadowed." 

The air never stiffened but it wasn't needed to show how important this is to Hitoshi. How important it is to the rest of them as well. 

How important it is to their drive; changing the perspective of the world's view on quirks. 

Izuku sighed, he doesn't really want to spilt up but in the end, it's for the best. "Who's going with who?" 

In the end they agreed into have a team of two and three. In a group would be Yaoyorozu and Kacchan seeing as their goals align pretty close and they don't exactly want to separate completely—there is valuable strength in trust. 

As for Hitoshi, Mei, and Izuku, they decided three is a charm and anyone who is left willing to bare the fate of ten-million is more than welcome to join. 

Eventually, there was a brave soul with an even braver goal in mind, she expressed how desperately she needs to show the world that she isn't a little girl with a dream like any other. She needs to show them how strong she is so she can help her parents even quicker. 

With the help of Ochaco Uraraka, they managed to move into the next round with the placement of third. 

For a while, Kacchan had trouble with his own team before he and Yaoyorozu decided to fight fire with the creation of even bigger explosions of madness. Monoma had it coming, Izuku would say. 

Yoichi was thriving when a certain explosion threw Monoma out of bounds. The rest of the vestiges cheered the blonde and the raven haired pair.

As for the first placed team: Team Todoroki who managed to snag Izuku's ten million away from him. But Izuku has always been a fighter and due to the nature of his heart, he had really sealed Todoroki's declaration of war with his own. 

"Objectively speaking, I'm stronger than you. But it seems that All Might and even Aizawa have an eye on you, I wonder why. Course that holds no importance to what I have to do."

"And what is that?" 

"Beat you. I'll show everyone what I know to be true." 

Izuku didn't have time to clear up Todoroki's suspicions nor could he respond to it until time came for his speech. 

So if that wasn't enough to tell Todoroki he's serious about winning, than maybe playing chicken with him was. 

These thoughts led Izuku down into spiral with no handles and a current that was stronger than the force of gravity as he thought of his encounter in the Calvary Battle.

When Izuku had gotten within the breathing proximity of Todoroki, he saw the mismatch of heterochromia eyes widen with disbelief before being set ablaze— much like his left side in only matters of seconds. 

When they separated neither could grasp the concept of what had happened, but that didn't matter. 

Each were whiskered away by their teammates and off into the saying of the next and final challenge. 

Midnight announced it will be a one on one battle between the final contestants and showed who would he paired up with who. 

First rounds;

Izuku Midoriya vs. Ibara Shiozaki 

Hitoshi Shinso vs. Denki Kaminari 

Shoto Todoroki vs. Hanta Sero 

Tenya Iida vs. Mei Hatsume 

Mina Ashido vs. Yuga Aoyama 

Momo Yaoyorozu vs. Fumkikage Tokoyami 

Ejiro Kirishima vs. Tetsutetsu Tetsutetsu 

Ochaco Uraraka vs. Katsuki Bakugo! 

“For now we will have a couple of minutes for a break time. In the mean time please relax or watch the final battle of the third years. Who will rein victor? Shall it be Mirio Toogata or Hado Nejire!” Midnight purred and whipped her tassel before getting off of the stand and making her way to the booths. 

Hitoshi and Izuku—already being so close to each other— grinned manically at each other with the same though running widely in their head, “You better not hold back on me.” 

“Right back at ya! May the best fighter win.” Izuku cheerfully said. His spirits were high as he knew better than to give Hitoshi an easy win. 

He knows better than anyone else how important this is to prove Hitoshi is more than his quirk. He has children watching him and if next year they see him in the hero course—then maybe they have a chance at saving people, starting with themselves. 

Mei jumps to greet them (where she had ran off to, they didn’t know and didn’t want to question the free will of their friend) and hangs onto their necks as the last two make their way to the lunch area. “Hey hey! Don’t underestimate the other two hero students! The blonde seems super power and the girl doesn’t seem to hold back! She lectured me about God or something? And that was right after I said something about making babies with her! Can you believe it?” 

Katsuki howled with laughter and Momo wasn’t too far behind when they got closer in range to hear Mei’s complaints and watched the hurt on Mei’s face form. But what got them was the straight up confusion she displayed. 

Now that the group was one again, they finally started to make their way into the building but were stopped by mismatched eyes and a scowl. 

“Midoriya?” Todoroki called out to the shorter boy. 

Izuku tensed under the tone of his classmate but answered him with a questioning hum. “Yes Todoroki?” 

“Can I speak to you? Alone?” 

Izuku is beyond confused but the look in Todoroki’s eyes made him realize something. Or rather, he started to sense there was more to the declaration of war. He wasn’t too fond of that idea but there weren’t any other explanations. 

So he followed the stuff boy into a darkening hall and stayed there.

There he would realize more of the puzzle that was Todoroki and why the declaration was that instead of a friendly challenge. He would see more and hear more of his classmate than he ever had in the past month but there he will also find a determination like no other. 

Until then, he shrugs to his equally confused friend and follows Todoroki. 

Chapter Text

Shoto Todoroki can never remember a time where he felt safe. 

He can never remember a time when coming home was filled with harmonious joys of laughter and melting hugs. 

He can never remember a time when he was with his entire family. 

Shoto Todoroki can never fail to not remember a time where he felt unsafe. 

He can remember tears swelling in his eyes when he was forced to come home from short hours of school. Soon those days would cease to an end as he would be pulled from school to enter homeschooling. 

He can remember a couple of times when he was with his mother, sitting and crying in her lap. Wishing he was someone else but the man on the screen always seemed to make him forget such a silly wish. 

He can remember less than a hand full of times where he was allowed to be a kid for a couple of seconds with all three of his siblings but those times would also fall short. 

He can remember the fear he chooses to ignore every time he sees his father’s scowling eyes and line-yanking sneer at his miserable mistakes. 

He remembers a day when those fond and soon to be forgotten memories died. 

He remembers when a silver cage settled between his body and forger blocked him from anyone. 

No contact, no warmth. 

No joy, no memories. 

Heavy, heavy, heavy, heavy—

Shoto Todoroki was only eight years old. 

He was only eight when he started to forget and only remembered. 

૮⍝◜•˕̮•◝⍝ა

Enchanting, 

Enchanted, 

Shoto should’ve known there was more to Izuku Midoriya the moment he accepted his declaration of war. Even more so, when he confronted him on live television with words that everyone would be left in confusion—everyone except him. 

When the time came to close the first of the three challenges, he should’ve watched him closer. 

Maybe then he would seen Midoriya lag behind, not because he was tired, but because he had a wicked idea that propelled him further than the rest were and when he soared the air like dove; he never bothered to use his quirk. 

In reality, it should’ve angered him that he was not being taken seriously; Aizawa had even suggested it. 

Instead he was being allured by lightning glows of green and blinding white smiles. 

Shoto stopped himself before he could expand more to his thinking. 

But then the next set of challenges started and Shoto managed to redeem his failures in round one by stealing the ten-million point headband from the kid with gravity-defying hair. 

Surely, victory would follow like a duckling to its mother. 

And to his team mates, it did. 

Oh how he wishes to be apart of those happy lit smiles and cheering howls but all he could feel was disappointment and disbelief. 

This was no victory-no victory at all. 

For Shoto Todoroki had broken his promise to himself but most importantly, his mother.

There were mere seconds on the clock and the crazed mind of his classmate had yanked his teammates into helping him steal those ten-million back. 

While all of them had looked ready to fight and bleed—why did Midoriya look enchanting? 

Was it those same lightning green strikes? Maybe it was that feral smile? Was it the memories locked behind jaded emerald eyes? 

Or maybe it was the fact that when he stepped too close—

(too close for comfort?

too close to home? 

too close?)

—that Shoto lit aflame like millions of sparking start-bursts in the night sky that finally made Shoto see Izuku Midoriya. 

Whatever it may be… it made Shoto Todoroki loose control and blast wicked heats of flames. 

It made him fear. 

What if he looses himself? 

He had no control then-it had been a mere reflex because he was pushed into a position where he would loose—

“Do you want to become a hero, Shoto?” 

He pulls Midoriya from his cluster of friends and asks him a question. 

“You’re aware of Quirk Marriages, yes?” 

Shoto Todoroki will never remember a time when he regrets spilling more than he planned.

Except for this one time but even then…

he always did want to fly like a dove; free. 

૮⍝◜•˕̮•◝⍝ა

Izuku wasn’t blind to the silent storm inside Todoroki’s. 

It was always consistent but they weren’t close so he could never intrude. 

And when Todoroki’s mouth falls limb and all it can do is run because he has so much to say and so much to cry and so much to feel-

Izuku won’t speak. 

He’ll listen and when his heart cries out to comfort the hurting boy he’ll stand in his place and let him speak because he knows, he knows, this is the first and maybe only time anyone will let him speak until he falls short. 

Todoroki first explains the reasons of a quirk marriage and how it benefits those who go through with it; the reason why they banned it in the first place along with the theory ‘Quirk Doomsday’. 

But it doesn’t stop there because he talks about siblings he never got to properly meet like any other because every time he was with them—even for a spilt second— well, he never knew what would happen with them. 

He then speaks of an older brother whose eyes were as blue as Eiji Todoroki and fire hotter than both of theirs combined. Todoroki thinks he was Eiji’s first prodigy but of course he wasn’t enough—he had two others before him. 

Todoroki weeps how he doesn’t really remember him but can only feel a cold heat, much like his fire or so he was told, but what he does remember (in much sadness) is of an accident. And accident that killed his brother and so he was left with two ghost-like-siblings. 

“Really, I guess I do have all three siblings in which all feel ghostly even if the first is actually gone.”

Izuku feels choked up. 

Still, he listens. 

And it gets worse. 

Todoroki reaches for his scarred left half of his face (consciously or unconsciously) and grimly starts anew. 

“It wasn’t her fault. I don’t blame her, I blame him.” 

Even in telling a grim story, he still holds imaginable kindness. 

He continues. 

His hand grips his red hair and yanks it—he stops as quickly as he starts and tears well up in his eyes. 

Todoroki said that baring children for them only to be wasted and thrown away—even she wasn’t allowed to comfort them— tires a grieving mother.

When Touya—his dead brother’s name— died something just snapped and never really snapped back inside of his mother. 

Todoroki said he doesn’t remember days of his infancy much, but this day, this nightmare hell of a day… he remembers every second from his waking to the blackout from pain and the day he learned of his mother’s disappearance (she’s in a hospital now, Todoroki mentions).

“She said my left side was unbearable.” 

When the moment caught up to Todoroki, he stilled and quickly finished and told Izuku of his reason of wanting to beat him. 

“I see that All Might has his eye on you. Whether it be good or bad, doesn’t change that fact.” 

“…Todoroki…” 

“I will win the Sports Festival with my mother’s power only and with my victory, prove to my father I’ll never need his power to become a hero. 

“Do you want to become a hero, Shoto?”  

Even in Todoroki’s composed statue, Izuku watches the cold lock back in place and the security tighten around a little more. The storm doesn’t fade or enhance. 

Before he can round the corner, Izuku shouts at him why he wants to become a hero.

“Todoroki! I cant let you win because I have my own wishes to come true and while I may need them to become a reality… it’s not for my own gain. Everyone out here has a wish too… and while I understand you, I can’t understand why you would think such a thing. So I ask… do you want to become a hero, Todoroki?” 

Izuku could almost feel the temperature rise and see dancing sparks before they’re extinguished by the same ice Todoroki had always carried. 

He knows he touched something within Todoroki, he sees the way his body tensed and fights for it to continue to still and even when he manages, he still sees how he longs to speak so freely again and yet… 

Todoroki continues to walk.

Izuku finds himself enchanted by Todoroki but not by his feelings. 

૮⍝◜•˕̮•◝⍝ა

Izuku fights with Ibara Shiozaki. 

They’re the first round and Izuku is awed by her quirk and her hold. 

But then he remembers how Mei tried to talk to her again and the girl may have cursed her in God’s language—which he doesn’t know how it’s possible if the god is supposed to be kind… 

So while the fight is exhilarating, he cuts through the vines with a mighty kick as he soars through the ring with Nana’s quirk. 

“Izuku Midoriya advances to the next round!”  

The next fight is Hitoshi against Kaminari. 

Hitoshi grins savagely as he stands tall even as Kaminari sparks up with his lightning. 

While Izuku stands far from the ring, he still manages to catch a slight fluster on Hitoshi’s face and soon, the red face of Kaminari. 

He wonders what Hitoshi said to trap Kaminari so quickly and finish their fight just as quick. 

´͈ ᵕ `͈ 

Down in the fighting ring, Hitoshi stands tall as he walks up to meet Kaminari half way. 

While he lazily smirks at his opponent and the other flirts with no hesitation, Hitoshi isn’t sure if he should follow through. 

Sure, it’ll grab anyone’s attention and a quick response but he’s also… putting himself out there fairly quick. 

Whatever, it’s an easy win. 

“Are you ready? Start!” Midnight calls out before backing up a bit from her stand. 

Kaminari grins, “You’re not in any hero course? So don’t be too upset that I win this with One Million—“ 

“You’re kinda cute. Would you like to go on a date sometime?” Hitoshi calls from where he stands. He can feel a rosy flush on his cheeks but his gaze is set on the blonde who seemed to… short circuit. 

He watches the blonde be confused for a moment before his face is red and he quickly scrambles into accepting the Lavender boy’s proposal, “Yes!-“ 

Hitoshi may feel a tad bit guilty that he brainwashed Kaminari but, all for the sake of winning. Besides, if the boy doesn’t want to accept the date anymore than oh well. 

 “Walk out of bounds and loose for me.” 

But much to his surprise and the surprise to all, after Present Mic calls for Hitoshi’s quick and effective win, when Hitoshi drops his control over the blonde (and hides from Midnight’s squealing delight) Kaminari rushes back and Hitoshi drops. 

“Woah! Is this some sort of poor sportsmanship?”  

Hitoshi opens his eyes, waiting for a furious eyes or abusive punch but is met with the same red face from earlier. 

“I’m sorry that I lost but I hope it doesn’t change your mind about going on a date with me!” The blonde launches to a mumble, thankfully Hitoshi has been around Izuku long enough to catch the fast words. 

“If you’re still okay with it?” 

“I am!” Kaminari shouts before burning bright red again, “I-uhh… I’m Denki Kaminari.” 

“Hitoshi Shinso.” 

“Can I pick you up from after this event and take you to a cafe or something?” 

“It’s a date.” 

Right when those words left Hitoshi’s mouth, it was his turn to fall limb. All he could feel was a warmth on his lips before the cold took over and Kaminari rushed him out of the ring. 

He could hear the shouts from various Pro’s and even some from his classmates but he chooses to ignore that in favor of the blonde standing in front of him. 

“I’ll see you soon Shinso!” Kaminari grins and hastily runs away.

Hitoshi is left in a hallway with a burning face and a mind that falls blank. 

“Holy shit.” 

´͈ ᵕ `͈

Todoroki isn’t sure what happened before his round. He saw the affectionate display between Kaminari and a kid Midoriya always talks to but… why now? 

Whatever, he doesn’t need any distractions. 

“Do you want to be a hero, Todoroki?”

Shoto is paired against Sero and when Midnight gives them the signal to begin, Todoroki is reminded of the silver cage and the heavy, heavy, heavy metal it’s made of. 

He traps Sero in an iceberg. 

Even as he holds a heated up hand to the placement of Sero, he knows it was another act of loosing himself. 

He lost control again. 

Only this time, he isn’t left feeling disappointment or anger. He’s left with a sadness the pulls his stoic face into a frown.

”Do you want to be a hero, Shoto Todoroki?”

Todoroki focuses on freeing Sero and even if he wasn’t, he still wouldn’t have noticed Izuku up in the stands focusing on the frown.   

He didn’t like that, Izuku decided. 

Chapter Text

In another life, Izuku and Hitoshi would fight as strangers. 

Izuku would've been warned of a mysterious and dangerous quirk and when he heard the sharp knives behind the quirk— well he will wish to make a friend. 

And though he was warned to not utter a word. 

To not whisper or groan a word. 

He would and he would fall victim to Hitoshi's brainwashing quirk and panic would settle in with despair because he blew it. He would be paralyzed and to be used like a puppet. 

"Lose for me." Hitoshi would say. 

And as any puppet? Izuku would follow the command. 

And as he grew closer to the empty hall, he would see eight whisky figures with colors to claim of their own. One of them would look like his hero- All Might. 

Izuku would not know about these whisky figures and why they seemed familiar and he would not know why one looked like All Might. 

But he would feel his quirk power through his veins and his hands move—they were not movements of his—and he would then fight Hitoshi like a desperate man. 

He would rein victor. 

Maybe he wouldn't leave with a friend but he would leave knowing Hitoshi wasn't angry with him, he was however, confused and intrigued by Izuku.

In that world, Izuku would learn more about a Man with sunken lost eyes and a Name. He would leave the Sports Festival confused.

Had that been this world... well, this one wouldn't have been possible. 

In this world, in this life, in this universe; 

Hitoshi and Izuku fight. 

There's only two similarities these worlds share; the beginning and the end. 

Izuku falls victim to words Hitoshi harshly speaks and though he knows he doesn't mean them—

(he wasn't born this way. 

this isn't his power.

no he wasn't blessed until recently. 

no izuku is no natural born hero. 

nononono, izuku is not) 

Izuku will forgive him for words he speaks with no knowledge because he's all too familiar with jealousy and anger. 

He won't think when he breaks his own promise to not rebuttal. 

Izuku will drop from the air and though he is safe, his mind is not. 

Disappointment courses through him as he moves with Hitoshi's words: 

He isn't enough. 

He will never be enough. 

With this power he was given. 

With this power he was blessed. 

For seconds he won't see the solid bodies at the tunnel.

When his white eyes stare straight and his body moves antagonizing slow, he will see Kacchan first and wish he could frown. 

But soon he notices Yoichi and Nana. 

Soon he sees the rest of the vestiges who bear grim expressions, scared expressions, empowered expressions. 

He will see the Second stand next to Kacchan and grin ever so slightly as he rests a hand on Kacchan's shoulders. 

He will see Hikage Shinimori, The Fourth, with half of his face covered but meets strong eyes. 

He will see Nana flicker with every emotion but none that hold disappointment. 

And of course, he sees Yoichi. Though he holds no playful youth and instead shoulders years of wisdom, he will still hold his hand out for Izuku to meet. 

"We're counting on you, Ninth." 

The second time two worlds meet is the end of Hitoshi's and Izuku's battle. 

Power surges to Izuku's fingers—power like All Might once held in naive youthful times. 

Power that Izuku is not aware of. 

Power that breaks his fingers and trance. 

Power that gives Izuku the chance to win against Hitoshi and when the leave together— Hitoshi is not angry. 

When they leave the platform, there's an obvious problem when Hitoshi hasn't said a word. 

But that's the one problem Izuku is aware of. 

He isn't aware of indigo-violet hair that belongs to Kayama, of Kacchan's obvious fearful stare, of All Might's shadow flickering between a whispy image, of Mirio's similar state one, he isn't aware of a two toned-hair boy whose gripping hands clutch the wall of where he stands—out of sight.

Shoto Todoroki had seen ten godly figures. 

Why was one of them Izuku Midoriya? 

૮⍝◜•˕̮•◝⍝ა

The battles went on. 

Todoroki had won against Iida (who Mei graciously let). 

Yaoyorozu won against Mina (Yaoyorozu won in the last second against Tokoyami and didn't that fight leave everyone of their toes?). 

Katsuki won against Kirishima (yet they both left smiling like doofuses, although Katsuki's grin was more feral and death-like). 

Now? Now was time for Izuku to face off against Todoroki. 

To make matters worse than they already are, The Vestiges hasn't appeared since. 

Nana hadn't spoken her soft strung words that holds a fire and Yoichi has been absent of his awful humor.

Had it not been for the quiet hum of One for All, Izuku would've thought that All for One had taken over again but even his voice was lost in the void. 

Izuku stood from his spot where he sat in the quiet waiting room of Recovery Girl's clinic that's close to the stadium with a weary grasp. 

He thanked her for healing him and left before she could say anything about that splurge of power he emitted a couple of minutes prior. 

As he was making his way towards the field he runs into Endeavor. 

And the man (he's no hero to Izuku) just drowns in useless talk saying he better give Todoroki a victorious win—one any top hero would be begging to have the kid on their team. 

Izuku hadn't planned to talk but when the man continued and had the nerve to bring up this absurd super strength that appeared during his match with Hitoshi—comparing it to All Might’s: Izuku had just about enough. 

"Sir, Is there anyone whose quirk could compare to mine? No? Todoroki is the exact same. His quirk is his own and what he chooses to do with it will be on him. So I ask of you to stop comparing us to prior generations, we are not them and will never be them. Todoroki is no different, he wasn't made to be a fill in for one's own failures. Now, if you'll excuse me." 

With that, Izuku felt the his back be engulfed of flames. 

Flames that are tame but enough to scare any one of the street. Flames that are meant to be a threat but all Izuku could feel was the heat of a coward. 

There wasn't any trouble after his run in with Edeavor and there wasn't a need for it either. 

His fight was with Todoroki. 

And so it begun when Midnight raised her whip and thunderously stroked it down with a yelp to begin. 

For the first couple of minutes it was monotonous. 

Each raise or stomp Todoroki created had unleashed an unforgiving ice wall. It was clear Todoroki was aiming for an easy win like he had won with Sero, but Izuku wouldn't let him win. 

Not like that. 

And when he saw the boy with dual eyes falter as he continued to send armies of ice (that Izuku had flown over but never seemed to reach Todoroki), Izuku grew to be livid. 

How dare he? 

How dare he not use a power he was born with? 

How dare he not see everyone else as an equal? 

How dare he continue to hurt himself? 

How dare he fall so low for petty revenge? 

How dare he not use his quirk? 

It's his, isn't it? 

It doesn't matter if it could've been given or blessed upon him like One for All had been to Izuku. 

It's his quirk! 

How dare... he. 

How dare Izuku think of One for All as another's? 

How dare Izuku not accept his lucky stars, not accept a greatness and power he was chosen? 

He was chosen for a reason. 

For that reason, he was given One for All because he is worthy, and because he is worthy—it's his, isn't it? 

Like a comet raining down, Izuku similarly flares and shines as bright as the tail of it and when Todoroki sends another ice attack, Izuku waits till the last second and when it comes to encase him; he breaks it. 

Green lightning dances on his skin like gleeful stars dancing and shinning in the dark of the night. His arm throbs and he feels bones shatter but he finally gotten a reaction out of Todoroki. 

Ice after ice-it doesn't matter if Todoroki is being encased in his own ice- Izuku bursts it and it shatters into millions of shards. Todoroki doesn’t stop sending them until they’re feet apart and they both leave their powers alone to fight one another. 

"Do you have any idea how hard everyone here is working? Do you have any idea of how presumptuous you're acting? I know it's not you intention but it's can't be helped but acknowledged." Izuku all but screams. He sends blow after blow—sometimes hitting his target and the others demised from blocks.

"You know nothing!" The other growls as he dodges Izuku’s thrusting hits. 

"I don't? Maybe you're right and maybe I'm being too invasive but you have no idea!" 

"So what if I'm using half of the quirk I was born with? What if I choose to use the half that my Mother blessed me with? Huh? What comes next? You have no idea- I will beat my ass of a Father using my Mother's side." 

Kami— goodness bestowed upon Kami. 

For a second Izuku couldn't think straight and without the clearness of his head, he activates the newly awakening splurge of One for All. 

Todoroki catches himself before he's blown out of bounds but he races back to Izuku and their at each other's throats once more. 

"Why can't you see it's only hurting you? Any damage you see on my body is due to my own faults! You haven't gotten a hit on my because of how slow and frozen your body is." 

"Shut up!" 

"You were born with two quirks in one. They may be a split in appearance, they may take after your parents but they're still yours!" 

"If we're talking about quirks, why haven't you used this strength of yours? Didn't you say it was unfair to fight others with only half of it?" 

"That's because my quirk is Float! Not this strength that seems to break everything! Even if it was—" 

Izuku was cut off by a blow to cheek by Todorki who looked mad. Mad with anger? Perhaps, but mad in every other sense? Todoroki was crazed. 

"Don't you dare say you wouldn’t use it because that's what your trying to get me to stop doing." 

"Then how bout this? We stop acting like immature children. I don't know about you Todoroki... but it's my dream and life's mission to become a hero. I will be a hero using my own quirk. 

"So I ask you once again... Do you want to become a hero, Todoroki? These powers we've been granted... what's mine is mine. So, it's your quirk isn't it? Not anyone else's, not your ass of a father or your hurting mother- it's yours! It's your power-not his! So use it and fight me!" Izuku snarls a grin. 

It's the type of grin that would send shiver down anyone's backs, the type that would be threatening, the type that maniacs would be caught dead before wearing. 

And this grin does send shivers down Todoroki's back but not in the way of a warning. It's the type that reassures Todoroki that he can become the hero he will be proud of—damn everyone else. 

"Do you want to be a hero, Shoto?" 

And when Todoroki is finally set free from that silver cage, he lights up and joins Izuku's comet. 

Izuku is thrown back by the heat of flames but catches himself using Float—not really distancing himself but enough to get away from those beautiful colors Todoroki has made. 

It may have been seconds, but he was a moth to Todoroki’s flame. And despite the gravity of the fight, despite the roar of the crowd, despite everything… Izuku couldn’t help but admire those beautiful colors Todoroki painted. He couldn’t help but admire Todoroki. 

Soon, Todoroki is sharing that crazed grin and tells Izuku, "You're insane, helping you're opponent instead of using a weakness as their downfall." And as he raises his left arm, Todoroki tells Izuku he's forgotten to tell himself; "I want it too, I'll be a hero." 

Both stand equal in a ring of extreme heat and cool air, an explosion waiting to ignite, teachers panicking as the two race to each other with new found strength to use at their full force... 

Both crash and burn as a new light emerges from their position—having been from maximum temperatures mixing with each other... 

Both injured... 

Izuku is found unconscious and Todoroki is reigned victor-moving onto the final battle. 

In another life, he would stay where he is whether he didn't know what to do or was too shocked at the state of which their match ended. 

In this life, he races towards the Clover-eyes boys with constellations waiting to be connected on his face. He races towards the boy who is quickly being hauled by robots and when they refuse to let him carry Izuku, he races with them to Recovery Girl where she will scold him for his recklessness before turning to boy who she will be preparing for surgery. 

There he will wait until he will be forced to fight against Katsuki. The boy who finsihed his match with Yaoyorozu strikingly quick.

There he will loose the final match and though he knows he should be concerned for what his father will have in store for him when he reaches home... he's plagued by the thoughts of Izuku. 

A boy who risked his own goals to a boy he barely ever talked to. A boy who didn't wish to make friends. 

A boy who never used his fire and even if he didn't in his match with Katsuki, that's alright because now he understands. 

He'll make sure Izuku is fine before returning to the stadium to accept his award. 

What he didn't expect was to race back to Izuku along with the champion of the Sports Festival, he didn't expect to find Yaoyorozu, the girl who toyed with Iida, and the boy who bested Kaminari. 

All of them wait for the news of their friend, shoulders hunched and worry sewn across their faces. 

Todoroki feels awful. 

He may not be the best at picking up social ques or even understanding emotions from others but he can clearly see the worry he's thrusted on this tight group of friends. 

"I'm sorry." 

Head turn to him before Hitoshi asks "What for?" 

"I caused him to go into surgery." 

Yaoyorozu seemed to have wanting to tell him it's not his fault but it's Katsuki's voice who ring in his ears. 

"S' not your fault Candy Cane. What you were battling was something new to Deku and the fucker didn't know how to control shit. Besides, if anything he should be apologizing to you for being so damn nosy." Katsuki is turned away from the group with his son shoulders reaching his ears before muttering small little 'stupid deku' and 'damn nerd'. 

It doesn't do much to comfort Todoroki but thankfully, to both Katsuki's and Todoroki's rescue, Mei quickly pulls Katsuki back to the group with a cheery grin. 

"What Boom-Boom man over here is tryna say is that Izuku is a feisty little guy. He also would totally risk everything for the sake of a friend! Now let's all be quiet now so Recivery Girl can tell us about Izuku." 

Recovery Girl, who had appeared, explains that Izuku's hand will never be normal again. Guilt swamps Todoroki but before he can apologize again— this time to Izuku—Izuku catches it and tell the group he's totally fine. 

Recovery Girl scolds him for not taking things so seriously but ultimately understands. She just couldn't risk saying anything in front of the group. 

Soon, they're all rushed to the ceremony where All Might (much to every's minus Todoroki's dismay) hands out medals to congratulate them on their winnings. 

When All Might gets to Izuku and therefor-Yaoyorozu who also placed third- he whispers in Izuku's ear "Don't think I didn't see that new quirk of yours, boy. Seems awfully familiar." 

Others will assume All Might is encouraging the boy but those who were around Izuku will know much better. 

As for Todoroki who catches those spiteful words, watches as Yaoyorozu clenches her hand into a tight fist but places a gentle smile as she's given her award. 

Todoroki is confused but never lets it show on his face or with his body, he'll accept the award and answer the right words. Just as he’s been forced to learn.

As for Katsuki, he's sitting down looking bored and when All Might tries to raise him from the ground, Katsuki will just yank the medal from his hand and tosses it to Izuku before moving closer to the boy. 

Finally, the Sports festival has come to an end but just because it has, doesn't mean battles have been won. 

Todoroki walks quietly by Izuku’s side and listens to the many rambles of his about their classmates. Todoroki is content with just hearing the boy ramble but like before, he can sense a certain unease oozing from Katsuki and Hitoshi. 

He didn’t think much of it until Hitoshi suddenly blurts out questions that seem impossible. Its impossible- but if that’s the case then why has Izuku paled? Why has Katsuki stop dead in his tracks? 

It takes him back to when he was taking a breather behind a wall of the tunnel. He wasn’t planning on snooping but when light streamed and then people  appeared… it has to be impossible.

The group seems to be too shocked to notice the coming figures of Kayama and Nedzu. The shock doesn’t fade but instead grows more when Nedzu asks of them to spend their day at UA tomorrow. 

"Hello students! Congratulations on the amazing win from today, I hope you're all doing fine.As for why I’m here, if you can, please clear any schedules you have because tomorrow I shall be expecting you all to join me for a cup of tea at ten in the morning. There, we will answer your questions."

And when the group finally parts and Todoroki is alone again, he’ll wonder why Izuku seemed to be a godly figure like the rest of those people. He’ll wonder if this was the last of any peace. He’ll wonder how the impossible seemed to be possible in the midst of everything. 

When he wakes the following morning and walks to UA, he’ll learn that if there’s a wish then the impossible is merely a limitation. 

Chapter Text

Yoichi couldn't stop pacing around the Void. 

It didn't help that Nana went away for a bit to spy on Toshinori but that's a different matter. Honestly, he feels for her. She's been flipping between following Toshinori and making sure Izuku is okay. 

It helps that he's always there for Izuku but he doesn't have that soothing, nurturing, touch Nana had been graced with. He doesn't mind though, comforting people wasn't his forte and he'd much rather not have Izuku die from dehydration from all those tears.

He's getting sidetracked. 

As of now, Izuku and Katsuki were making their way up to meet with Nedzu and the rest who were invited. It's be fine but there's this yucky feeling in the pit of his stomach and he's been cursed (or blessed) with an accurate intuition.  

Something's not right. 

As it is now, he should warn Izuku not to blabber so much about the true nature of One for All but that wasn't what made his stomach churn with disquiet. The more he thought about it, the more he paced. 

The others started to think of him as the bane of their uneasiness and they wouldn't be too far off. 

It only hit Yoichi when Izuku opened the door and there was an uninvited guest in Nedzu's office. 

"Izuku, don't panic about the man in the trench coat. Nana told us about this Detective dude and I'm sure that's him, his name should be Naomasa Tsukauchi..? Yeah something like that." 

Yoichi didn't stop pacing until Second hauled him down and threaten him with playing CocoMelon until his ears started to bleed. Of course, Yoichi surrender before the sentence was fully said. 

The other stood in mild confusion, not new to the threat Second held over Yoichi but the threat itself. 

"I'm still confused about this... Cocoa Melon?" 

At that, Second turned uncharacteristically excited but Yoichi slapped a hand over his mouth before he could say anything. "We do not speak of that wretched franchise. It's terrible—like worse than Batman terrible." 

"Oh speaking of Batman, didn't a new movie come out around this time like a century or two ago? I lost count of time..." Hikage mentioned with a slurp from his noodles. "Wasn't that dude from Twilight... in it." 

Yoichi, now distracted, turned to Hikage with a gleeful intensity, "He would've been a pornstar if Batman failed." He was about to say more but Izuku's voice caught his ears. More importantly, the tone of Izuku's voice rang in his ears.

I: Yoichi? What do I do now?

"Sorry kid, the others started talking about Batman, fill me in real quick." 

I: The Detective called me out when I mentioned my quirk—or we'll part of it. Nana's part...err Nana's and I's part of Float. And I don't want to say anything more in case he'll turn it against me. 

"Fuck, do you guys remember the Detective's quirk?" 

I: Kacchan is covering for me right now, we think it may be a sort of detection quirk. Maybe like lying? He flinched when I said Float is my quirk so it could be that? 

"Lie detection!" Hikage snaps his fingers in recognition, "He can call people's bluff!" 

"We'll, you're right about it being Lie Detection. That's the name of it as for what to do next... take things slowly. If you don't want to mention that you were quirkless-then don't. And if that's the case then start with how we met you." 

I:... What about Kacchan?  

Yoichi stood blankly, not really seeing the point Izuku is trying to make. "...what about Katsuki?" 

I: You know what happened that day... it doesn't matter if he regrets it. Suicide baiting? There has to be some sort of punishment for that.  

Fuck. 

That's what he meant by Katsuki. 

Okay, okay there's no need to panic. 

How can he not panic? He doesn't want Katsuki to get in trouble! It could set things back for him and Izuku, he's also in therapy now because of his parents!

"Hey, Izuku, listen to me for a bit, okay? What happened before you stepped in to save Katsuki—well it doesn't change anything. When we decided to choose you, it wasn't out of pity or whatever you may think it was. We chose you because we liked your spunk and courage—and if Nana were here she would say some shit like the kindness of your heart. So just mention how you stepped in to be a quirkless hero and save your friend." Hikage stepped up and Yoichi is thankful for him along with the others who nodded with what he was saying. "That whole day was youre beginning, yes, but it's not needed at the moment to tell this Detective Tsukauchi." 

Spunk? What era was Hikage from? 

I: Hikage? No time for that, but uh thanks! I'll try not to give too much away at least not with the Detective...

Hikage shrugged and continued to slurp his noodles- where he even got them, Yoichi would love to know. 

"Fine by me, 's ups to you kiddo."  

When Izuku started to share his story and his more than unfortunate awakening of One for All, Yoichi decided to study the other's reaction. 

Katsuki, who knew and was witness in this particular story grumbled how he should've done more to those pests. 

The Detective looked rather green and the Hero Midnight almost looked murderous. Her lips were pulled to a tight frown and really, who could blame her? 

As for the remaining kids, they were in different levels of shock and horror. Hitoshi looked the worse as he remember the cruel words he threw at Izuku a day ago. 

I: That's the day I got my quirk... I call it Float but it's true name is One for All.  

Soon enough, Yoichi was in full panic mode again but thankfully, Nana also reappeared in the Void. 

"Oh did the meeting already start?" 

Yoichi paused to answer Nana before continuing to pace around. "By the looks of it, seems as if he finished telling his story of how he got One for All. Oh also, Tsukauchi is there too so do what you will with that."

Tsukauchi: Right, but this still doesn't explain of how you obtained One for All. It's DNA transfer and that method of transfer only. Not to mention, you seem hesitant to bring up your past quirk—but funny enough All Might didn't forget to mention it, or lack of. 

Katsuki: Your a detective, put these damn fuckin' clues together and make an inference of why Izuku doesn't want to talk about his past more than he has to. Not to mention, you have a Lie Detector quirk and you're still making bullshit claims? 

Nana quietly mumbled to Hikage, "I don't like where this is going." 

Hikage sighed and murmured back to her, "Me neither but these boys know how to handle themselves." 

"Still..." 

Tsukauchi: I never once mentioned my quirk, so how do you even know of it. 

I: You flinched whenever we lied, it's not that hard to guess. 

Tsukauchi: Is it? I haven't met a single person who could've guessed that easily. You sure it isn't another quirk All for One handed you? 

From the corner of Yoichi's eyes he saw Nana's familair purple glow before turning to her. Thing is, she wasn't there next to Hikage. 

He turned his muddled look over to Hikage whose eyes were widened in harrow. Shakily, he pointed over to the spot in the Void that allowed the Vestiges to look after the other in the physical world. 

There he saw Nana going off, not really taking notice of her new location or the fright the people held around her. 

"Can you believe the nerve of him, Hikage?" Nana waited but as time went on and she heard the whine of Izuku, she quickly asked for Hikage again only to be met with that same stillness of nothing. "Izuku? What are you... fucking hell." 

Despite the unfortunate circumstances Nana brought upon Izuku, Yoichi couldn't help but laugh at her misfortune. It didn't help that Izuku was hiding in his hands or that Katsuki was besides him cackling up a storm. 

Course, he should've know with the extreme sense of emotion emitted from him, he too would be teleported to Izuku and Nana. 

"Holy fuck! Nana, did you seriously get so pissed that you appeared with Izuku?" 

Even in his fragile built, Yoichi never looked more youthful then he did while laughing alongside Katsuki. The two were quickly turning red due to the lack of oxygen. 

"Kami, please kill me now." Izuku pleaded and didn't that sober Yoichi up quickly. 

In his mind he thought that he was back in the Void with the others and not interrupting the critical meeting. "I'm going to kill myself." Sighing, he pulls himself u p and makes his way to stand behind Izuku. 

The kid was rosy with color, no doubt due from both Nana and Yoichi's sudden appearance. 

Knowing the termolie running rapid in Izuku's head, Yoichi placed a comforting hand on his shoulder and reminded Izuku that he wasn't alone. 

Nana mirrored the expression and pulled Katsuki up and ruffled his hair before turning to Nedzu, Midnight, and finally resting on Tsukauchi. 

"Please to meet you, I am Nana Shimura. This over here is Yoichi Shigaraki. We are the first and seventh holders of One for All. And Detective? We know about your quirk and how it works; we both know I'm telling the truth of who we are so let's get straight to the chase." 

Being a former Pro, Nana was no stranger to a strong voice that holds authority and many will make the mistake of ignoring such a call. It's one of the reasons she was so loved in her time of serving. 

Todoroki, who stood quietly to the side questioned "What is One for All? And how is Izuku a part of it?" 

Yoichi, ready as ever to answer the kid, was beat by the call of Tsukuchi, "A quirk that Izuku stole." 

At this point, Yoichi was over the detective but he had to place nice. He knows how valuable he is to Izuku if they just make him understand. So he calmly asks the Detectuve to shut up. 

"Kindly, I ask you to shut up. You and Toshinori have no idea of what you're talking about. Kid, to answer your question, One for All is a quirk that can be transferred. In the regular case, it's handed over with Dna but with Izuku, the other five of us-excluding Toshinori- decided to hand it over to Izuku. We believe he is a much better fit of our power than that of Toogata." Or as kindly as Yoichi can get when he's vivid. He narrows his eyes at Taukauchi and clicks his tongue as a form of detest. 

"Toogata?" Yaoyorozu questioned, tilting her head in mild confusion. "Isn't he the winner of the third year's Sports Festival of this year? What does he have to do with this?" 

"No, hold on for just a second. How do we really know you're who you say you are and not some villains trying to get the better of us?" Midnight says while raising her sleeve, she has a glare set on Yoichi. "Besides, if this thing about One for All and the Underground Boogie Man is... connected, is it really safe for the children to be here?" 

Nana, who was now besides Izuku, answered her, "Detective Tsukauchi can answer the first one, as for the kids, we were actually going to ask them." She turned to the group who had gone jaw-slacked but regain composure when Nana directed her attention to them. "The talk that's about to happen is a top secret that even some of the Hero Commission known nothing about. It can put the lives of your family in danger so it's up to you all if you choose to leave, and if you do, just know we won't hold any of it against you." 

At this, the kids looked perplexed. They want to know more about why they're even here in the first place but is it worth it by putting their families in danger? 

But that brings up another question; if they leave now, they'd be leaving Izuku... and if this is truly more than them then how could he stand alone? 

The four looked expectantly at the rest and it was Mei who voiced their thoughts to Nana, "Ma'am, if you'd allow us then we'd like to hear about this Boogie Man." 

"You all as well." Hitoshi adds

Nana smiled and nodded. Kind eyes were replaced with a calm type of ire emotion and it was aimed at the man in the trench-coat. "So Detective, did that quirk of yours tell you that we've lied? No? I wouldn't expect it." Taking a breath in, the air around Nana dampened even more. "Now you listen here, the prior status of Izuku's quirk is none of your business. Toshinori may have told you that but you have no right in sharing what isn't yours. I understand that you want to protect your friend but if you're going to incriminate a child then you've failed at your job." 

Yoichi decides to take over and continues, "Your accusation of Izuku stealing One for All is absolutely witless. You know well that One for All is Dna transferred but that's not all. In order to be given my quirk, both parties must be willing to give and to receive. Something that Toshinori made clear to Izuku that day he left him on the roof. 

"On top of that, Toogata had already been given the quirk way before he met Izuku. So not only would Toshinori have no access to grant Izuku such power he wouldn't be able to take it back." At this, the man in the trench-coat gone pale with the words Yoichi sprouts. It didn't go unnoticed by Yoichi either. 

"Based on your reaction, you didn't know of his plans or you did but never thought he'd act upon them. Call it a gut feeling or superstition—I'm going with the latter." Even in his frail state, Yoichi was beyond intimidating. 

Izuku, who finally found his voice again, spoke to Tsukauchi and by default, everyone else too—especially Midnight whose friends with Aizawa.

"Detective, I'd like to finish on a happy note but before that... I never planned on stealing One for All and never will. Neither Toshinori or Mirio gave me it either—the vestiges did and they've continued to allow me to use it seeing as they believe I'm the true holder. The ninth. It wasn't from Dna either, it was by their wills and their spirits that continue to live on. The quirk isn't an emitter type, it's a sentient one." Izuku steadies his voice once more and closes his eyes to keep the courage. 

When he reopens them, his eyes glow in multi-color rays and he just knows that Detective Tsukauchi has never felt more guilt and repent in his entire life up until now. 

Tsukauchi bows in an apology, "My job is to protect the citizens of Japan. I thought that if I stayed behind All Might's back then I'd be one step closer to fufilling my mission. Along the way, I must've stopped protecting others and started to worry only for him. This doesn't excuse my actions and I shouldn't have to be told of my mistakes but I'm grateful nonetheless." 

Nedzu hums in agreement and tells Tsukauchi, "You can continue your help for the citizens by telling Toshinori of what we've discussed today. Having that quirk of yours will aid us as he won't be able to dispute. Then, you tell him to stop being so reckless. Not with his time but with his causalities, the law is the law and no matter the status of a person, they must be held accountable. Given the position of All Might however will be more troubling but you are the law so do what you can." 

"Yes sir. But if you don't mind me asking, Midoriya, why don't you tell Toshinori yourself?" Taukauchi knows, he knows perfectly well but he doesn't want to believe it.

"Ah, he wouldn't-he doesn't... In the other times I've seen him he's been truculent with me and Kacchan. I can't say that I've tried but even if I did, well... he's quite mulish." Izuku answered, rubbing his neck and almost looking shamefully at Tsukauchi. 

Being friends with Toshinori, Tsukauchi doesn't need his work to tell him that was the truth, so he nods gravely. Toshinori's isn't just Tsukauchi's friend, but his hero too—he didn't want to believe. "If you'll excuse me, I'll be heading my way seeing that I still need to track down the League of Villains." With that Taukauchi tilted his hat in a parting manner, apologized once more to the three members of One for All and left. 

To say the departure was dull would be an understatement but it wouldn't stay for long. 

In no time Hitoshi, Mei, Yaoyorozu, and even Todoroki we're jumping with questions. Their voices rising above the other and even getting into small arguments with the other.

Midnight, who was no better than the kids, was on Nedzu's tail with her own questions and still was warily looking at Nana and Yoichi.

The meeting wasn't at all successful with them. If anything, they were left even more so in the dark. But that's how Nedzu intended the first half to be. 

The Detective didn't need to know everything about Midoriya. He'd only send the information that All Might needed to know.

In all honesty, Nedzu didn't believe All Might would believe what had happened which isn't favorable-no, but it wasn't a lost cause. 

Lev Vygotsky had an interesting theory dealing with children. And though Nedzu is dealing with growing teens, some theories are still prevalent because of the interest and studies behind. Nedzu knows how important this new generation of heroes needed a change, an extra push, so that's what he'll do. 

Midoriya is the key to that extra boost but if All Might had every pawn then Midoriya wouldn't hold status in the board at all. He's fall victim to the king and shown as a traitor to all.

So, he let the man leave with only a pawn or two. 

Leaving the rest up to Izuku and Katsuki and hopefully by the end of the day, leave the building of the foundation to the kids.

For now, he leaves Izuku with his own chess board and he'll let him assign his friends to each character. 

"What did he mean 'lack of quirk'?" Todoroki asked quietly. 

Nedzu grinned. 

"He means that I wasn't born with a quirk. Medically, I'm quirkless. Governmentally, my quirk is called Float. But you will all know it's true name of One for All."

Chapter Text

Izuku thought he would be past everything he went through. 

He thought that having his life be flipped upside-down would make him forget about all the abuse he had to endure leading up to this very moment. 

He thought that maybe, just maybe, after getting his best friend back and finally getting a quirk...that maybe, the past ten years would have just been a nightmare. 

But it's a nightmare he lived. 

It's because of that nightmare is he willing to go beyond and change the future for newer generations. 

It still hurts. 

It hurts as he retells his story, from birth, to the day he found out not all men are created equal, to the day he almost died. And soon, he lets his friends memory catch up to where they stand in Nedzu's office.

The silence was choking. It had a firm grasp on everyone, even those who weren't alive or entirely human. 

Hitoshi grumbled incoherent words before he manages to shake them out, "Wow, that's fucked up." 

Yaoyorozu, being raised to be proper, turned red at the horrid words coming from Hitoshi's mouth in the presence of two authority figures. "Hitoshi!" 

But it seemed to break the tension from everyone's shoulders, all except Izuku. 

With memories fresh from agony and aching blemishes that seem to throb worse than ever, why wouldn't those words be aimed at him? Surely his friends wouldn't think differently now—but they're not like that. 

Aren't they? His best friend turned on him. 

They would see that All Might may have some truth in his grasp, he's the Number One Hero for a reason. And Izuku is just... a worthless, quirkless Deku. 

"Midoriya?" A soft monotonous voice calls. 

His eyes flicker the person who called his name— Todoroki. 

"Y-yes?" 

"Are you alright?" 

"Oh me? Uh, yeah, yeah I'm totally-totally fine." 

Todoroki didn't look sure even if his expression was the same throughout his questioning. "I don't think Shinso meant those words as an insult to you." Todoroki paused and pursed his lips a bit before accepting the words in his head, "I don't think anyone here sees you any different. Maybe more stubborn?" 

Katsuki huffed besides Nana, "You got that right Half n' Half." 

At the name, Todoroki paused again but said nothing. 

The remaining three friends realized their mistakes and quickly reassured Izuku that their view of Izuku hadn't tainted and that they still think of him as their friend. 

Friends with dying questions but friends nonetheless. 

Mei, the ever curious one was jumping from questions. "What is One for All and how do Mrs. Shimura and Yoichi over here all come together as one?" 

Determining that Izuku should have a break, Yoichi set to explain the young group of heroes and heroes-to-be the true story of One for All. "The origins take place about two centuries ago—close to the beginnings of a new era; Quirks. In my time, it was known as Meta Abilities. My brother, All for One or the Underground Boogie Man, was born with this power quite unlike any other—certainly not like that glowing baby. He was born with the quirk that allows him to take other's quirks and distribute them, along with being able to use them." Yoichi sat down next to Izuku, a sort of looking for support. 

"Is that why All Might seems to be so angry? You've mentioned that he believes Midoriya stole One for All even if it's not possible-unless granted with permission-he thinks that All for One, your brother is in contact with Midoriya..." Midnight asks, finally tame. Her glasses are perched above hair and she fiddles with a lasso she found in Nedzu's office. 

Something seemed to spark in Todoroki, "Is that why All Might was so... vile with you Midoriya? Back at the USJ?" But the more he realized, he wished he's stayed oblivious. 

Even if there weren't any secrets left to distribute, Izuku wasn't sure if Todorki knowing is the best thing. "What exactly did you hear from that...?" 

"Not much but after interactions with... him, you tend to learn a thing or two." The two shared a look that didn't go unnoticed by anyone. Katsuki's snarl didn't leave a pretty picture behind either. 

"Todorki? Could we talk after this?" Midnight quietly asks. She's threading on thin string—something she's not new to but it never gets easier. 

In response, Todoroki tries to seem nonchalant but his shoulders are too high and if anyone looks closely, they would see the blue fingertips. 

To try and ease his nerves, Midnight smiles; a civil and almost fond type. But she too, registers how important the attack on the USJ was, more now than ever. 

"Speaking on that Topic, the USJ... The adult who attacked and planned the entirety of it, his name was Tomura Shigaraki. You're name is Yoichi Shigaraki." 

Nedzu, now turned his feral grin deadly, and asked the question Midnight was too afraid to ask. "Did you have any idea about this, Yoichi?" 

Both Yoichi and Nana looked taken back which didn't calm Nedzu's pointed strands of fur. "Sir, I didn't even know the name of the villain who attacked your school." 

It was Yaoyorozu's turn to question the pair of ghosts, "But aren't you with Izuku at all times?" Her grey eyes narrowed, "Wasn't Nana with Izuku during the first day of school? Her voice resembled that of the women's during Aizawa's practical exam." 

"Does that mean you guys can possess Izuku?" Hitoshi asked, mindful of his quirk. His emotions being heightened wouldn't serve anyone any good. 

"They weren't aware of that because they weren't with me that day. Or really, during the entirety of the attack." 

Izuku stood from his spot next to Yoichi and looked everyone dead in the eye, "That day, All for One broke into my mind or the Void or something of One for All." 

The rest turned to look at the ghosts, and Nedzu asked, "Is this true?" 

"We still have no idea how he could've even entered. We tried our best to take control back but he had this hold..." Nana calmly says. Her hair now in her face, and her costume flickers to that of a dirtier and more splatter one. “He had Izuku.”

"All for One doesn't know about Mirio though. He think that All Might choose me and that we have a good relationship as a mentor and mentee." Now in an analysis mode, Izuku bites his lips in order to stop his mumbles—not sure if anyone would be able to follow along. 

"Can we go back real quick? Half of us still don't know about One for All as a quirk and it's getting kind of confusing." Hitoshi shared. 

"Ah yes! Okay Long story short, All for One is my big bad brother. I was deemed quirkless too but my true quirk was one that wasn't physically present. So my brother kind of forced one on me and..." Throughout the story of how One for All came to be and what exactly is it, Yoichi made sure to pause in between, letting the kids ask questions or just take breathers. He noticed that it helped Nedzu and Midnight out greatly as well. 

"So before Izuku, every pass down of the quirk was through Dna?" 

Nana and Yoichi nodded, "Still, some of the vestiges ask us how we all managed to pass this down to Izuku. We call it a firm will of us all." She was back in her hero costume and sporting a beam. "Even possessing. None of us had ever been able to take over the other's body." 

Yoichi nodded, "I've tried multiple times taking over Second's body. Never been able to, but when I try to do so with Izuku it's like there's a handle and I just grasp it and suddenly, I'm seeing through his eyeballs." 

"Please try and be a little more serious, Yoichi." Izuku mumbled. "Being possessed is also very draining. Who would've thought." 

"There a slight tension in the Void too, so we try to minimize the need for ghostly possession but we have spirit so therefor we have emotions. Besides, we don't want to harm Izuku—there’s already so much he's willing to bare that it's not fair. He's only a kid, they're only kids." Nana reached out to smooth Katsuki's wild hair and had she been anyone else, he would've exploded her into a new century. 

"That's why I'm not letting this Nerd be isolated." Katsuki grumbled and slightly leaned into Nana's touch. 

Mei chirped a new idea "What if I make this invention that'll help decrease that tug on you all? To minimize the hurt but also make the contact so easier to access!" 

"Kid, that'd be great but you'll be fighting the supernatural. Learn more from your teacher and then we can talk." Yoichi snorted, looking doubtful and hopes to shoot Mei down but she just looked all the more ready. 

Mei and Yoichi got into a discussion not long after that, the latter trying to keep the explosions to a minimum of Katsuki and Mei was just... feral. "You'll see one day!" 

"For my sanity and the other's please, no." 

Hitoshi, a victim of Mei's, was trying to help Yoichi in his battle against Mei. But she's very persistent and keen on getting what she wants-not in a bratty way but more of a determined manner. 

Izuku was feeling less tensed and really let himself be surround by natural chaos brought by his friends. Even Todoroki, Katsuki, and Midnight were conversing more. Though, they were discussing more about the USJ and Nedzu tagged along every other comment. Really, he just enjoys watching the mind of others unfold. 

So that leaves Yaoyorozu. In her mind, words came together like complex chemistry equations to her—for others it’s difficult to understand but to her it’s a game. A game she always wins and loves to learn all the challenges. 

“Izuku?” 

Izuku hums, turning his attention to her. 

“Could you just confirm this for me?” She waits for his acknowledgment before continuing, “One for All is a quirk that is passed down by Dna—the purpose being to take down its evil parallel?” 

Again, Izuku nods only a tad bit slower, “Yes.” 

“It’s worked like that for generations, excluding you who miraculously got greatness thrusted upon. What happens to Mirio? Is he okay?” She has a quizzical expression on her delicate face and fierce eyes pondering. 

Is it really Izuku’s business to tell her if his state? Is that fair of him? Mirio has been nothing but kind to him, he can’t be an ass. “There’s a pattern and Mirio is another sequence. That’s all I’m going to say, as it’s not really my place to even share.” 

She smiled understandingly, “Alright. So another thing that excludes you from the bunch is being able to be possessed—it’s drains you from your energy though. Could that be fixed and would you come to rely on it?” 

“Honestly? I would like to train it, see if it could be trained in case of anything but come to rely? No. I’m still learning to accept that this is mine, my fight with Todoroki helped me realize that but it’s all too much.” 

“Could I help you? Gain confidence I mean… it’s a hard concept for me to grasp as well. You helped a bit with our battle in Ground Beta and even though I won against Tokoyami… I- just…” 

“It’s hard. Our cases may be different but they’re equal in value. So let’s learn together Yaoyorozu!” Izuku gave her a gorgeous smile and it made her feel safe in her doubts.

Yaoyorozu wonders how All Might ever told Izuku he couldn’t be a hero. Anyone can see from a mile away that fate decided to take the wheel on this choice of Izuku’s. Easily, she returned the smile and asked him to call her, “Yaomomo, please call me it.” 

“If All Might isn’t a hero, not a true hero… then who is?” 

Whatever conversation the room held quickly quieted. The attention that was divided was turned to the boy with mismatched hair and eyes. The boy who has a close-off expression but one that begs for help. 

What is a hero? Izuku thinks. Who was Todoroki’s hero and why did it have to be All Might? 

Mei and Hitoshi asked about his father but Katsuki shut them down by saying with all the collateral damages and deaths, what hero let’s that happen? 

Izuku, Nana, Yoichi, and Yaomomo stood mute off to the side, all trying to find the best words. While Yaomomo didn’t have the full story of Todoroki’s, she knew plenty from formal events they’ve attended. As for the three One for All holders, none of them knew how to properly put into words that of a hero. 

“A hero is someone who helps people. A hero is someone who puts their life down for the others when danger can’t be scraped by, not saying they should do so in every instant… but they know how to pick and choose their battles. 

“A hero is someone who is selfless with deep kindness. A hero is someone who doesn’t sit around and does everything but take action. A hero is someone who is courageous and determined. A hero is someone who fights for their loved ones and even those who have their differences…

“A hero is someone who saves. I’ve met many heroes in my life and the most recent one being Midoriya. I never got to properly thank you for saving not only my life but Shota’s as well. Along with your classmates, I know Shouta hasn’t been the kindest to you and I promise you he isn’t truly like that… you still fought that Nomu and Shigarak—Thank you Midoriya. I can’t wait to see you become a Pro, to inspire hope among others with that smile of yours.” Midnight took a steady breath and focused back on Todoroki. 

“So, Todoroki, to answer your question. A hero is someone with pure intentions, a hero is what you make one out to be—not what everyone else wants one to be. A hero is someone different to everyone. I know I’m contradicting myself at this point, but I hope you understand.” 

The kids knew the women with dark violet hair was their teacher, Midnight. They knew it was her because of her voice, from the introduction at the beginning of the day, they knew. 

They knew she was a hero. 

But they didn’t know why. 

She didn’t have to tell them, they just knew. 

“Midoriya?” 

“Yes Todoroki?”

“I told you I want to be a hero, didn’t I?” 

“Just like I told you I want to be one as well.” 

“Don’t exclude us ya fuckin’ Half n’ Half!” 

૮⍝◜•˕̮•◝⍝ა

The Monday that came, Katsuki and Izuku were swarmed by people—all congratulating them on their wins. They tell them how excited they’ll be when they become fully fledge sidekicks. Really, a mistake on their behalf’s. 

Izuku has to stop Katsuki from him from attacking the poor civilian who mixed up their words. Still cut didn’t stop the stringing curses left behind even after they left. 

When they arrived, each said a hello to their friends and then head off to class where Aizawa awaits. The bell rings and on the board is a list of the number of requests of internships. 

People like Todoroki or Bakugo, Yaomomo or Uraraka each have requests ranging from hundreds to thousands. It was insane and hard to accept. 

Others who weren’t as lucky get lists from the school. Still, it’s not the worse, they’ll learn from these heroes like the others.

And for Izuku who gotten two requests… Nana asks him to not go with a man named Gran Torino. She doesn’t explain why but Izuku trusts her.

Yoichi begs for him to choose his only other option. He’s also quieted down by Second but Izuku much rather not think about that. 

So he focuses on the messy and bold handwriting from a Pro in the Top Ten. 

Come join me for your internship, 

Mirko. 

Chapter Text

Rumi Usagiyama, most commonly known as the Rabbit Hero: Mirko, was just about done with UA’s Sports Festival. 

“I’m leaving.” The rabbit hero stood from her cramped spot next to another hero and quickly made her way towards the exit. 

She hears the culprit who dragged her out to this odious place, of course it had to be Hawks, another Pro. “But the third years haven’t even finished their second round of activities!” Still, Hawks went to match her pace and smartly led her to another stadium where they’re holding the First Year’s. 

“It doesn’t matter, most of those brats have places to go after they graduate. I’ll be stuck with a snobby one—both kinds of snobby.” Rumi huffs, not really knowing Hawk’s trick. 

“What about the First years? Especially that class who faced off villains a week into their year. They’ve got to have some… retaliation.” His lazy smirk only causes Rumi to stomp a crack into the floor. 

“They’re First Years! What kind of guts do they have? Hell, I don’t even understand why I have to get a kid to fucking intern with me.” 

Hawks sighed, he’s gone over the reason so many times with her in the past hour alone, “To up your rankings.” 

“I don’t care about the rankings!” 

“That’s not completely true but your opinion doesn’t matter when facing the Commission.” 

“HC is full of shit.” 

Kami, how Hawks wishes he could agree verbally with her, but alas—the Hero Commission is jackshit. 

“Just watch them for the first battle and if they don’t impress you then I’ll see what I can do for you.” Hawks lends out a feather-waiting for the Rabbit heroine to shake but she just has to make it difficult. 

“You know what I think when teaming up.” 

“I also know how important it is to you to make it in the top five.” 

“… Agree to buy me a bag of carrots then I’ll shake.” 

Knowing Rumi would’ve won either way, Hawks is left with no other choice but to damn his pride. And possibly any working relation with the Commission (course he knows that dream was dead the moment his parents sold him but oh well, a bird can dream). 

The two youthful heroes quickly snag seats—an equal distance from the exits to the field and just in time to start the introductions of the classes. 

The mic switches to the R-18: Midnight, “Now introducing the representative of the students, Izuku Midoriya of Class 1-A!” 

૮⍝◜•˕̮•◝⍝ა

The cheering crowd filtered Izuku’s ears but even then, he still manages to hear a girl that complains-he’s only the number one in the practical exam, not the studies section. 

He notices she’s from the section Hitoshi stands at and any anxious fears he has about speaking publicly stops- he has an idea. 

“H-hello! Before I begin, can I invite the person who for the highest score during the written portion of the exam to join me here?” Izuku wills his voice to not shake as he asks Midnight permission. 

Clearly, this has never been as he waits a bit for her approval, “I don’t see why not! Come forth, young one!” 

The girl from earlier is pushed onto the steps by her cheering classmates and she looks quizzically at Izuku who warmly smiles at her. She breathes a little easier.

“Thank you, can you present your name?” 

“I’m Toshiko Ichika of Class 1-C! Uh… why am I up here Hero?” The girl, Ichika, presents. She looks flustered but smiles either way. 

“Great question! Why request her Midoriya?” Present Mic calls out from the booth, confusion lacing his voice but it still carries a cheery tune. 

Izuku looks below at the students and then turns his stare at the others above, his eyes miraculously reaching to where two heroes sit (one who is enjoying the show more than the other). 

“I represent the hero side of this year’s Sports Festival, Ichika represents the other studious and hardworking part of UA. Together, when we will be wiser and stronger and therefore older, we will make up Japan’s running population. Heroes must often work together with other heroes to defeat villains, that’s what society knows. And I’m sure they realize how closely they must work with policemen or firefighters, medics, there’s so many other people running things behind the screens. Let us not split and focus on one party.” Izuku feels the heavy drum of One for All and he’s never felt more alive than this moment right here. 

Ichika, now finding her own strength speaks up, “The hero-in training besides me is correct. While Class 1-A and 1-B, along with the other heroes filling the other classes are keeping our streets safe. The others, such as myself, will be working hard to keep the shadows secure!” 

“Everyone here is working to achieve a better tomorrow! So I ask of you, don’t only focus on the rising heroes, look at the other departments despite their schooling here at UA or their quirk—which is another topic to discuss but I know I will rant so… My graduating year, let’s all do our best and go~” The entirety of the First years spirits raise and Izuku grabs Ichika’s hand and together they shout

“Plus Ultra!” 

૮⍝◜•˕̮•◝⍝ა

Hawks sits back as he watches the kids gleam with excitement and eagerness as they prepare for the upcoming battles ahead. 

He turns his head to look at Rumi and slightly opens his mouth in shock; she’s completely attentive to the kid with bright green eyes. 

They glimmer with zeal, even more so when the kid speaks yet again, only this time, he doesn’t notice his voice is still in perfect range for the mic to carry through. 

“… I’m just wondering, what score did you get on the exam?” 

“Oh yeah, I got a perfect score, crazy huh?” 

“Holy shit your fucking smart!” 

The crowd was silent for many reasons yet again; the shock of a bright student, the surprise from the outburst of a fairly scrawny kid who apparently got the highest score in the entrance exam, the obnoxious laughter that blossomed from Rumi’s belly. 

“I want that kid!” 

Rumi didn’t change her mind even when Izuku never touched his quirk during the first battle, her want only increased when she noticed it too. 

“He didn’t even use his quirk though, what if you don’t like it or can’t hone it?” 

“The kid literally just said to not focus on quirks ya brainless bird.” 

So when Izuku won first place that round, Rumi gleefully cheered the kid on. Even when others shift in their seats when Eraserhead points out the kid’s ‘flaws’.

During the second match, she carefully watched as the kid hold balance while kicking opponents who got close to their running team. And when Izuku took flight, her eyes stayed on him, waiting for anything to happen. 

During his match with the Brainwashing kid, she watch him break free from the enchantment, eyes barely catching the flickering lights from the tunnels, before watching him kick ass. 

Rumi then watched him help up the kid and watch them laugh like friends. 

Then, during the tense match with the Todoroki kid (probably Endeavor’s, she thinks) she strains her ears a bit to catch their yelling words. Maybe not the best course of action but she wickedly grins when she hears the kid call out to the other, “I will be a hero using my own quirk.” 

The grin only gets gloriously crazed as the other shouts back those same words.

So she whispers a promise to herself and whatever damn Deity or God is out there, “Izuku Midoriya will be my intern, mark my words.” 

Hawks pales at the future sight. 

૮⍝◜•˕̮•◝⍝ა 

Izuku wasn’t sure how to feel about the offer. 

No, that came out wrong. 

Izuku knows how he feels about the offer, it’s just insanely intimidating. Like come on! the one time Pro Hero Mirko chooses a student to have them as her intern it’s Izuku himself? Not only that, but another Hero, Hawks sent out a message along with his offer with Tokoyami. 

“You’re saying he sent you this message to tell me about my offer from Mirko?” Izuku stumbles. “I-I.. Huh?” 

Tokoyami nods too, not really understanding the character of Hawks, “Yes, it took up a fourth of the page he sent me. I don’t know why…” 

Even with Tokoyami’s slow and steady words, Katsuki hears the words like a screeching shout, “Hah?!” 

This of course draws the attention of Izuku’s other classmates which rattled Izuku but thankfully Aizawa’s voice fills the room again. 

“Quiet! I wasn’t done with the announcements… now that you’re all quiet, I would like for you to meet your new classmate. You may enter.” 

Izuku brims with total anticipation just wondering what type of quirk they have, how they use it, what the draw backs are. He barely contains it when he spots familiar lavender hair. 

“I’m Hitoshi Shinso, please treat me well.”  

Aizawa fully gets in his sleeping bag before the chaos erupts, not wanting to deal with the mess of the children. He’d much rather let Nemuri tell his class what they’ll be doing.

“Aye Mind-freak, what gives?” Katsuki explodes, “Think you’re somehow better than us, eh?” 

“Hitoshi! It’s so nice for you to join us, you’ll be sitting in front of me and behind Izuku!” Yaomomo stands and greets vivaciously. Iida immediately goes to say how improper it is to use the first name of a stranger and a crude name to address him.

Izuku comes to the defense of his classmates, “It’s okay Iida, we’re all friends! Even Todoroki but it looks like he’s sleeping.” 

“Then we must quiet down to let our classmate sleep.” 

“Woah there Iida, ya seem a bit grumpier and stuck up more than usual…” Kaminari carelessly expresses. He’s shocked by Jirou who uses her earphone jack to shut him up, “O-oh fuck… sorry Iida, carry on Mr. Exit-Sign.” 

There’s a tense silence before Katsuki causes a commotion again, “Deku! What’s this about an internship with Mirko?” 

“Why? Are you jealous, Kacchan?” Izuku teases before scooting back to get away from the line of fire.  Katsuki grumbled something about showing him jealousy as he gets closer to Izuku. 

“Mirko? Doesn’t she make a deal about not taking up interns? Of teaming up in general?” Hitoshi adds from his seat behind Izuku. 

“Yeah actually, that’s why I’m so… surprised.” Izuku opens up his letter again before it gets stolen by Katsuki. He sighs but turns to Yaomomo and Hitoshi, “I’m glad you’re finally here, Toshi! But why didn’t you tell us?” 

Seemingly comfortable, Hitoshi’s head makes connact with the desk as he mumbles out, “Nedzu wanted it to be a surprise for you both. Usually, the President and Vice Pres are told beforehand but since you both hold these positions-congrats by the way-he thought that this is a nice gift.” 

“Does this mean you have internships to look forward?” A new voice joins, Todoroki‘a voice. 

Hitoshi mumbles his answer quick and quietly, 

“It’s fine if you don’t want to say it, Hitoshi.” Yaomomo tells only to be shot down by Katsuki, 

“Nope, he didn’t tell us about him entering and I don’t care if it was the Rat’s doing, you’re telling us now.” Ruby eyes glare at Hitoshi, making him uncomfortable with guilt.

“Eraserhead.” 

“Aizawa-sensei!” Izuku shouts before realizing his mistake and quickly added, “No one’s dead you can continue sleeping.” 

Y: He’s gonna hate you more, now that you’ve interrupted his beauty sleep.  

“Oh shut up Yoichi.” 

“Does he talk regularly.” Yaomomo asks, “Is that a common thing.” 

Izuku shrugs, knowing Katsuki will answer for him. “You’ll never get used to it, if that’s what you’re really wondering. He’s a fucking menace.” 

The small group turns to Izuku who defends his ghostly pain in the ass, “Kacchan’s right, Yoichi’s a menace even in the afterlife. But those mumbles are similar to my regular ones so I hope they don’t bother you too much.” 

Y: I feel so cherished.

Opting to ignore him, Izuku zones back into the conversation.

Todoroki nods understandingly before bringing the topic back to Hitoshi, “So you’ll be interning under Aizawa-sensei, are you excited?” 

Hitoshi curses swiftly, “I was hoping you’d all forget about that, I know about your… or our vendetta against him but he also helped me get into this course.” 

“That doesn’t answer Icy Hot’s question.” Katsuki turns his attention to Hitoshi, “‘S fine if you say yes, we won’t hold it against you. Knowing this damn Nerd, he still has some awe in him left for All Might.” 

Izuku flushes but doesn’t deny Katsuki’s words, “He saved people—genuinely before. We’re not talking about me though, are you excited Toshi?” 

It took some time but Hitoshi finally admitted, “He was my hero for so long, that child in me is excited.” 

“Then we’re all excited for you.” Yaomomo saves. 

Todoroki hesitantly taps Izuku shoulder, making the boy turn to look at his new friend, “Do you think I should go with Endeavor for my internship? I don’t know much about this vendetta against Aizawa-sensei but if Hitoshi is still excited and you still have a bit of respect for All Might… Do I have to forgive?” 

“No, you do not have to forgive if you don’t want to. That’s up to you and only you. Hitoshi and I… it’s slightly different. But if you want to talk more about your other options maybe that could help you decide?” Izuku tilts his head slightly. He takes notice of Todoroki’s thorny’s face. 

“There’s Hawks, Best Jeanist, Edgeshot and a couple more but those are the heroes most known as of now.” 

Before Izuku could answer the door opens wide and Midnight comes strutting in, “Before you guys can really look over your choices, let’s talk about Hero names!” 

૮⍝◜•˕̮•◝⍝ა 

The heroes-in-training don’t have much time to talk after that and when they depart to grab lunch, Mei spends the entire time talking about of the support gear she’ll make for her friends.

Even Todoroki, who newly joined the group, she takes on the challenge and asks him to change his hero suit. Something that doesn’t need much convincing. 

At the end of the day, before they separate they agree to meet up at a café the following day after school. 

There they discuss their options and decides their top picks. 

“So Katsuki will go with Best Jeanist,” Mei begins, taking notes on her sketch pad, “Good luck. Toshi will go under Eraserhead—I hope to see you next week in one piece. Yaomomo will choose Midnight… why not Uwabami?” 

Yaomomo struggles to start, clearly not wanting to diss the heroine, “I’ve read some thing online and saw she doesn’t really… there’s been some cases where quirk discrimination appeared with her name tagged. And past interns don’t really enjoy standing in a photo shoots or interviews for hours on end, also I believe that Midnight-sensei could show me how to gain a new outlook.” 

Mei nods understandingly, “A friend from the support course told me her sister interned under Uwabami, she was heavily focused on the glam side of hero-ing. Well, I’m sure Midnight will whip ya up to shape! See what I did there?” 

The table groans in her umpteenth pun of the hour, “No one? Fine, next we have—Todoroki… Can I call you Shoto?” 

“No.” Todoroki blinks. 

“But it’s your hero name?” Mei whines, “Whatever, what about Todo?” 

“No.” 

“Fine, I’ll call you Roki.” 

“I think Sero beat you to that name.” 

“You’re new name is Roki, now if we can continue, you chose to intern under Endeavor?” 

“I don’t think Hawks could show me what I need to learn and even if Endeavor is… spiteful, at least I know I can train my flames with him.” 

“Make sure to burn him Roki! Now, Izuku, you are going with Mirko!” 

Izuku, dumbfounded, nods in question, “But I haven’t wrote anyone’s name?” 

Yaomomo, takes over—knowing Izuku will be more willing to listen to logic. Her logic might be biased but so be it, “Yes well, Mirko seems like the best fit to meet your goals, she’s also strong.” 

“But she can’t fly.” 

Hitoshi answers for Yaomomo, “Neither can this Gran Torino. Besides, he sounds grumpy.” He slurps on his milkshake while giving Izuku a deadpan stare.

“That’s rich.” 

“Oh don’t act like you weren’t gonna choose the Rabbit, Deku. It’s a once in a lifetime chance and you still have shit on her in your notebooks.” 

Izuku raises his hand to his face and gives himself a little pat, “Besides the point.” Izuku drinks a bit from his coffee before continuing, “I just… what if I disappoint her? And end up messing everyone’s chances of ever interning under her again-“ 

૮⍝◜•˕̮•◝⍝ა

“So you were peered pressured into choosing me?” Mirko thumps her foot, almost sizing Izuku up. 

Izuku stand stiffly in his hero costume, not really sure what caused Mirko to ask him so abruptly, “No. I was always going to choose you, truly, it’s just… I don’t want to not meet your expectations of me.” 

“Wow kid, your definitely different from your Sports Festival appearance but I’ll take it.” Mirko grins, “Wanna know what made choose you?” 

“I-uhh.. sure?” 

૮⍝◜•˕̮•◝⍝ა

“You chose me because I cursed in live television that streams throughout the entire world? That’s your reason!” 

“That and you’re pretty weak so I get to build ya back up after I demolish you!” 

“Where can I sign my will?” 

“That’s the spirit! Get ready kid cause this entire week is gonna be hell, but I have a question; What’s your name?” 

Izuku stares blankly at her, insults threatening to spill from his mouth (Katsuki has a strong influence), before Nana knocks some sense into him, 

N: She means your hero name!

“Oh! I’m Deku, nice to meet you…”

“Mirko! The Rabbit Hero: Mirko!”

Chapter Text

Shoto didn't want to go to Endeavor for his internship. 

He doesn't want to spend a week with his father while he pretends every training doesn't leave him in bruises—bruises that are refused to be healed, bruises that taint his heart a little more with each color—all while they're passed as intense training. 

Because that's what it is, isn't it? It's just training. 

If it's Endeavors kid, then who are they to call out the Number Two Hero? So what if those fiery blows look more wild than he is to attack a villain? 

It's Endeavor's kid. He's the parent, he knows his kid the best. 

Shoto was starting to loose hope for heroes. He was truly starting to forget his reason of why he wanted to become a hero in the first place. It all comes down to the yearn of saving. 

He remembers reading something from long ago, someone named Aung San Suu talking about fear. 

Fear leads to corruption. Not corruption to fear. 

And being a just person in a world of corruption leads to the eventual copy of everyone else. Fear fuels. Fear rules. 

It leads him to wonder the motif behind his Father's constant rage. 

Was he born good? Was he still born in a time when people wanted to be heroes for all the right choices and never the greed? 

If he was good, why'd he turn bad? Was it the fear of never being enough? The fear of always being behind the shadow of an untouchable figure? A sort of God? 

Whatever it is, it has led to the coming of a monster in name of a hero and a father. How could the world be so cruel to let such matters happen? 

At least, that's what Shoto thought before meeting Izuku. 

After meeting an enigma that is Izuku, Shoto wouldn't say he remembered his want of being a hero. Because even if it felt like he forgotten such cause, it never slipped from him; his mother having taught him kindness before the terrible accident. 

Kindness can be wilted but never killed. 

And yet, one thing that stayed the same was his constant fear of interning under Endeavor. Under Enji Todoroki. 

He wouldn't say he was being obvious with his pleads of pray. He knows he doesn't give any intel with his facial expression (feelings long been muted), so why is it that Midnight-sensei actually kept to her promise in seeking him after the One for All meeting?

"Todoroki! Can I speak to you?" Midnight-sensei's voice called for him after class.

There was a moment where Todoroki paused in confusion, he didn't think he did anything wrong but he wasn't allowed to go out much (at all) so maybe it was something he didn't realize? 

Izuku bumped his shoulder and smiled shyly—a clear reassurance, “I’ll wait for you by the gates.”

"I wanted to talk to you about a little comment you made the day after the Festival. Is there something that I, or any of the teachers, should know about?" 

So that's what this is about. 

"I haven't a clue of what you're trying to say, Midnight-sensei." 

Todoroki sees the internal struggle Midnight is trying to suppress and almost gives her kudos for trying so hard. "Are you safe with your parents?" 

Maybe he could give her a bone. "As safe as I can be with the Number Two hero for my dad. If you'll excuse me, my... friends are waiting for me." 

All too aware of temperatures, Todoroki feels the air freeze and shivers slightly. But if it came from him and not the quickly angering teacher behind him, he won't know where the icy atmosphere came from. 

૮⍝◜•˕̮•◝⍝ა 

Kayama would like to state she's more aware of others than she lets on. She's smarter than most think and her hero persona is really only her hero persona. 

She became a teacher to see the next generations flourish in ways her own could only ever dreamed of. She wants to protect them as long as she can. 

She became a teacher to be a new type of hero. 

But it's like Oboro's situation all over again.

She was too far to save him. 

She knows Shota was the one who was actually there and that's why he shoulders so much burden, but she can't help but feel like she could've done something more. 

Oboro shouldn't have been a victim so early on. 

Todoroki shouldn't be a victim. 

She fears that he's younger than Oboro ever was. 

Their situations don't compare and they never will. But they were/ are still hurt because of people in society. People who failed to saved them. Fearful people.

"What's wrong?" A familiar gruffly voice sounds, "You look more tense than normal. Was it another creep that tried to hit on you?" 

Kayama huffed a small laugh, "Nothing out of the norm, but no. It's something else." She stretches her body lazily and fully turns to Shota, question in mind, "How would you describe Todoroki?" 

She watches Shota widen his eyes in confusion before trying for shield himself, "He only started branching out to others. Before that he was very... cold-pun not intended- towards the others. I think I overheard Mina talking about a declaration of war between Midoriya and him. Why do you ask?"

Shota narrows his eyes at her, knowing she knows more than what she is willing to say, "Kayama, if this concerning one of my students-" But really, he made yet another fatal mistake. 

It hasn’t been long since the revealing meeting. And truthfully, she still can’t wrap her head around some blowing views Midoriya, Nana, and Yoichi made. 

She, herself, has viewed All Might to be this figure who is worth of all praises known to man. He’s saved countless of heroes and that on video with over a billion likes of his debut in Japan… his smile! 

But then he became a regular at UA, only visiting Toogata, and soon his teacher position became real. And along with it, who Toshinori Yagi is. 

She was disillusioned. She should’ve stayed with her ideology that men are shit. But she was a fan. 

And during that meeting, she also learned how cruel her friend has gotten. It disgusted her, and it still does. But she made a promise to Oboro to look after Hizashi and Shota, she’ll follow through with it even if it kills her one day. 

"Oh so now you care?!" Eyes narrow back at Shota and rage shakes Kayama, "What about Midoriya? You still haven't apologized to him and you targeted him during the Sports Festival! Had you not, I wonder how many offers he would've gotten. You can't go and pick favorites Shota!" 

"It's not about picking favorites! He's dangerous!" Fear has taken over again, it would seem. 

"What's more dangerous is you dragging him through the dirt! What are villains supposed to think when they see a hero so clearly singling out a student? Have you thought how this could affect him in the future?" Kayama raises to her full height, though it’s not much, it’s still threatening.

And when she saw the sudden look of horror drawn to Shota's face, she knew he never thought more than his own fears. "But he's siding with them..."

Where corruption blooms from. 

He’s been a victim too, but he’ll have to face them first before she can ever start to think of helping his gain lost trust.

"In what? How is he didn't with the others?"

"He just is. All Might-"

"When we're you ever one to side with that Donkey? Don't you see how terrible your recent choices have been? I know you usually don't care about your bunch of kids, but this is no ordinary group, Shota. This group-this group will far surpass all of us. We need to be there for them. We can talk more about Midoriya later, for now, it's Todoroki who I'm almost concerned about." Kayama takes a minute to blow out the temper she's gained. 

"Right, Midoriya isn’t our only concern.” Shota let’s out an exasperated breath, “So what was it that made you start to worry about him." 

"It kinda dips in to the Midoriya situation. More specifically, how All Might has been treating Midoriya. Todoroki asked what a hero is. And when I asked if there's something we should know, asking how he is with his parents, he said something ominous." She breathes out a sigh before flickering her eyes back at Shota, "He told me, 'as safe as I am with the Number Two Hero as my dad' but Endeavor is prickly. You see how vicious and wild he is with villains." 

The two tense in further realization, "Didn't Endeavor yell something about finally using his fire side?"

Shota seemed to age in matter of seconds, "When Todoroki went to turn in his Internship paper, he was holding it with white knuckles... I could ask Shinso more about it seeing as he’s interning under me."

"And Yaoyorozu under me." Kayama rubs the area between her brows and almost like nothing occurred, she switched back to her Hero persona, "Well, my shift almost starts so we'll continue this later, Pretty Boy!" 

As Kayama turns into Midnight, her worries don't disappear. She'll think if she had never joined the USJ and learned a little more about Class 1-A, then she'll never know about what lies beneath the surface. 

She may have gone into teaching to be a new type of hero- a hero that is often overlooked- but she can only be that type of hero that serves when she can clearly see the signs of endangerment or when the student will let her. 

She only hopes she can get to Todoroki and Midoriya before they become another Oboro. 

She misses Oboro. 

૮⍝◜•˕̮•◝⍝ა

Todoroki didn't want to go to Endeavor for his internship but as he exits out of the limousine his Father oh-so courteously sent out for him, he can't help the threatening bile rising from his stomach.

He feels a sudden urge to run. 

Run from Endeavor, run from his internship, run back to his mom whom he just visited after the Sports Festival. 

But he stays because he knows he has to. 

He stays because even though he knows no one will help him in the hands of Endeavor, he can learn from others and use it to the best of his advantages. 

He keeps his ringer on at all times. 

In three days time, he’ll be blessed significantly for doing so. In three days time, Endeavor will eat his words. And in four days time, Shoto will learn a little more about the world. 

He doesn’t want to go to Endeavor for his internship but he won’t regret his choices, simply because they’re his. 

He’s fearful. But he’s courageous because he’s fearful.

He’ll make sure to become a hero. 

Chapter Text

After the greetings of both Izuku and Rumi, the latter decided it was best to test him on his strengths and weaknesses to get an understanding of what to work on during his stay. 

Even if she may have watched the Sports Festival and then rewatched the Festival more than once but she also knows that many factors could've limited his ability whether it be due to stress, anxiety, or some other reason, she doesn't really think it's fair to either of them. 

So that's what she did, she tested his physical abilities like any old school fitness exam. In a way to see any improvements from the day he entered Yuuei and most recently, the Festival, she emailed the Principal for his records. 

(She will not admit the reason for an email instead of a pop-up visitation was just from the mere fact that Nedzu scared her even just a little bit-a lot a bit)

"So you definitely improved since the first week of school but not much since the Festival-but that's expected. Now we'll be testing your flexibility! Any acrobatic talents you have, kid?" Rumi pauses from her writings to look at the now comical facial expression of Izuku. 

Acrobatic skills? He could a couple of flips but that's only because Nana urged him to learn.  

"I wouldn't say I'm flexible but I'm not to the point where I would tear a muscle just by trying." 

"No matter, by the end of this you'll be able to move more freely. You'll come to learn that using your legs is great, I saw that you've got that covered but with the little training you have, it won't be enough." Rumi pulls her hair into a ponytail and sharply grins at Izuku. "My plan for your week with me will be improving everything physical about you. We'll diminish your weaknesses and if you prove yourself capable to me, then I'll invite you back her during your Internships." 

Izuku, was left feeling excited but nervous and eager to prove himself worthy. If she saw something in him, he can't fail her. 

The next hour made him drop that smile and whatever wishful think he had and in turn, replace it with a frown full of aches and pains. "Please tell me we finished." He groaned out. 

Rumi laughs at his despair before allowing him a break. She tells him to stretch again to make sure his muscles won't tense and lead to an injury as she's doing the same. 

Izuku, ever thankful, lays on the ground and stretches like he's seen volleyball players do on TV and does some stretching exercises that Banjo taught him to do. He decides to pay more attention to the Vestiges than Rumi, thinking he wouldn't get too lost in the Void. 

Yoichi: I feel like it's been forever since we last talked. 

Nana: Oh shut up, you just haven't been present enough here to even talk with Izuku. 

Yoichi: I was spying! 

Nana: I'm constantly spying on Toshinori and I still make time for Izuku. 

Yoichi:... Izuku!

Izuku: No. 

Yoichi: You haven't even heard what I was going to say. 

Izuku: You we're going to complain about Nana. Which, by the way, what we're you doing this past week? 

Yoichi: That's for me to worry about. 

Izuku: What does that-

A blunt force hits Izuku and forces his consciousness out of the Void and back to Rumi who reels her hand back from throwing a small stress ball at him, "Are you concussed?" 

There's a slightly stung to his cheek due to the force of her throw and it takes him another few seconds to really come back to his reality. "Ah no, I'm fine. I just... tend to space out a lot?"

"Is that a question or an answer?" Rumi looks slightly worried at him before huffing, "You understand that you have to fix that spacing problem of yours right? It could easily get you fatally injured out on field." 

Izuku hums with a bit of nonchalant tone,"I-I know... and I'll get better." He truly hopes his words become a reality, he's worried about his own way of thinking too. But it's been engraved with scars on his skin. 

Rumi doesn't soften her gaze, she wants him to really understand how serious his life is (she doesn't think it matters to him and it makes her worry). 

And Rumi doesn't believe in beating around the bush and maybe it's better to let him learn on his own, but that's another terrifying thought on its own. "You don't value your life, do you?" 

It wasn't a question and yet Izuku tries to justify. "Of course I do! But if it were to be me and an innocent then it would obviously go to them." 

She clicks her tongue and gives him a pointed stare, "Why not both?" She hates how she was right. 

"Well, if there would be a case in which that would be an option..." Izuku drags, not being able to look in her red eyes. 

"You have to make it an option. Saving others is fuckin' important, it's what makes a hero! But disregarding your life like it's useless?" Rumi huffs and throws a punch at a sand bag, "That's no way of living and if it weren't so late in the evening then I would have taken you out on patrol. Maybe getting you on scene will help you learn something about caring for your life as well as the others."

Izuku didn't know what to do.

He's always been told that his life in nothing to that of the other besides him. At first, he never really believed it, but as the years went on and as the injuries got deeper, and he started to question his and eventually? 

When he looks in the mirror, it's hard to look at his eyes and find anything close to worth saving. 

It's gotten better over the past ten months. Now that he has the Vestiges (even if most can't communicate yet, their comforting presence is enough to ground him on the worst days), Yoichi and Nana are enough to keep him sane on his feet. He's so grateful. Especially now that Kacchan is back to being his best friend and when he entered Yuuei... 

But years worth of hurt doesn't disappear overnight.

Those scars on his body, though not physically there, the mental image has him rotting. 

"I'm still alive." 

"But for how long?" 

૮⍝◜•˕̮•◝⍝ა

The next morning comes and Rumi drags Izuku from the comfort of the bed he was given, and into the indoor-home gym Rumi has built. 

"It's too early."

"The sun is out."

"I said what I said." 

Rumi steals the comforter from under Izuku and he goes stumbling and tumbling down. Luckily, he catches himself before whipping around to glare at the laughing rabbit. 

He puffs his cheeks out before deciding it was best to leave her be. So, he gets ready with his morning workout routine and by the time she bid the laughter away, he was ready. 

"What's first?" 

Rumi flashes a grin and points to the weights, obviously thinking and observing the small muscular arms Izuku has. "Weight lifting and then some K-pop dances. They're an absolute killer nightmare in the beginning but they help." 

Izuku catches her thoughts and instead of awarding her with a cheeky grin, he groans in feign, as he walks over to pick up the heaviest bar, a bit over three hundred. But three hundred is a walk in the park to him so he lifts a another that has the max of two hundred. 

Ever so humble, he turns around to complain to Rumi, "Is this all you've got? I thought you were stronger?" He feigns innocence with his doe eyes and pouts. 

Rumi was in a mix of complete shock and joy. Shock because Izuku doesn't look like he's a boy made of muscles— how the fuck can a small fry like him lift five hundred without breaking into a sweat? "Just do your reps and we'll get moving to those damn fuckin' dances." She laughs, this is a reason why she chose him, he's more than what he presents even with all the nerves bundled up. 

It's Izuku's turn to dissolve into a bubbly laugh and by doing so, he accidentally drops the weights but Rumi is quick to the save and shows off her strengths of fast reflexes and muscles. "I'm the number five hero for a reason." She flexes her strength a bit more before they give out a bit.

"I thought you were the fifth because of sexist HC members along with the flawed society." 

Again, Rumi was stunned but couldn't help the quirk lift of her lip, "Damn kid, you're lucky we're in here and I've found every recording device or you'd never get your Hero License." 

"Well I don't really care about that so." Izuku mutters. 

"Well me neither,  but you've got to use what you can to get what you want sometimes. And if it involves stepping on top of people then so be it." 

Izuku thinks those words over and over before he decides to leave that conversation for another day, "Okay... but I didn't hear a no." 

"That's cause it's true, Shrimpy. To some extent... at least the heroes above me earned their spot. Most of them anyways." Her voices pauses as she's not sure how much she should say. "But haven't you noticed the few amount of girls in the hero course? I would say it's different in every school but when I went to school, there were even fewer." She decides to lead to another problem that relates to her position in the hero ranks. 

It's one that she advocates along with many others and wishes to teach the young while their minds are still open to change. 

Izuku looks thoughtfully, trying to find the right words so he won't offend the hero, "The portrayal in the media doesn't help with that either. Along with the uptight quirk standards for heroes in general, well it would make sense if they were off-put by it." 

Rumi hums in acknowledgment, thankful she wouldn't have to beat some respect into her pupil before turning to leave towards the kitchen, "Most of us are sexualized way before becoming a fully-fledged hero. There's so many stories and not enough coverage of them. I bet with these week-studies coming around that if any of your female peers get some light shined, then it's only a matter of time before the press starts to rave." 

Disgusted by the thought, Izuku frowns and doesn't comment anything. He lets Rumi take the lead in making the breakfast for today and he sits on the seat near the kitchen counter and pulls out his notebook. 

Different than the other notebooks, this has all his goals of when he and Katsuki make it big in the hero industry. Course, now he has to add the other names who will help make it possible and write more concerning thoughts he wishes to fix someday soon. 

He's always known the gender identity difference in the hero industry was unbearable at multiple times throughout his years of existence. It's hard to not find other issues when you've found one. At this point, he's just wondering why he wasn't disillusioned by the mess the hero society, still he's glad that he wasn't. 

With quirkests in every corner he stepped, along with the usual hate and other discriminative outrage from crowds... the innocence of others can only last so long. 

He's deep into his own thoughts when the blare of a smoke detector shrieks and blackening smoke fills his vision. Quickly, he uses Float to turn off the detector and rushes to help the Rabbit Hero with the ashen pot of, "Tell me that wasn't supposed to be boiling water."

The Rabbit hero would've had red cheeks had her beautiful skin not cover that embarrassment and yet, she couldn't hide it as her ears flopped upright and she let off a powerful thump to the ground, breaking the tile off the floor. "I may have forgotten that I can't cook." 

"How have you survived?" Izuku laughs as he starts to prepare the brunch meal, "Weren't you taught how?" 

Rumi moves from the kitchen at a reasonable distance and gets her laptop to do some work. "I was but they soon gave up when I burned the pot on the second day." She replied with before resuming to her stacking work. 

She quickly gets distracted though by the open journal that has been titled as 'Step One of All to Rewrite the Hero Society' and then in parentheses, '(For Better Flexibility and Maximum Success, Ask Nedzu to Review)'. It was wide open too, so she couldn't just not not take a peep inside.

Even if the plan (clearly scribbled in its beginning stages) was thoroughly well-thought out and maybe she should probably (most definitely) take this up to her advisors, she did none of that and instead, added her name to the growing list of supporters. 

Just another reason why she did good in choosing the brat. He has goals and is determined. While he may have a long way to grow and go, she would hate herself if she turns a blind eye on an already formable hero in training. 

Once doing so, she resumed to her work like nothing had happened and when Izuku has ran back to where she sat and quickly closed the notebook and hid it in (midair? what the fuck?), she hid her smirk and continued with the paperwork. 

"Hey, Kid, after you're done eating get suited up cause we're taking this internship to the city." 

Izuku didn't verbally respond but the gleam in his poisonous eyes did all the talking. 

So that's where they are now, chasing after two villains who thought is was a smart idea to steal from a charity that Mirko and Deku happened to be walking pass by.  

Mirko told him before hand that she would do most of the work but if she were to give him the que, then he would be allowed to help her in the arrest of the criminals. Course she expected him to stay to listen to the plan she would've made and in doing so, let it be a safe arrest. 

And she had given him the que in chasing the second villain but he didn't stay, he just ran ahead. She can't get too mad seeing as the villain was about to take a hostage in which Deku had swooped in to save. 

(Not the best execution, but good job kid) 

To Izuku, he thought it would've been a simple 'let's split up and you go one way while I go the other' type of situation. Defeating the villain wouldn't be hard or dangerous because, by the looks of it, he had some sort of a rope quirk in which he was using to swing around posts and to steal a couple of more jewels from stands. 

But then he almost kidnapped a hostage and he could hear Hikage reprehending him about the stupidity of underestimating a criminal.

Before nerves could get the best of him, Izuku did what he felt best in and started to activate Float and in doing so there was a boost of speed to add that helped him catch up to the villain. Hikage was still screaming at him to be careful but the connection between them two wasn't at its strongest. In the end, it wasn't enough, but that was to be expected of a newly trainee. 

It won't stop him from beating himself up about it. He could do better, he knows it. So why is it so hard to save? 

Yoichi and Nana screamed in his mind encouraging words but in all honesty, it kind of made him loose focus—the villain noticed that. Hikage did too. 

In an instant, Izuku changed positions from being the predator to the prey. The villain used the ropes to steer him in the direction of Izuku, barreling speed with a dagger pointing at the lower half of Izuku. 

It would've given him no time to move out the way seeing as the villain isn't slacking in speed.

He couldn't help but think of all his achievements as the world turned angsty and slow. Even if the moments where he wish to be untrue and just some bad dream... does he really value his life to be nothing but a spec of another nothing?  

It was now that Izuku really realized the sake of Rumi's words yesterday evening. About him disregarding his life so nonchalantly. There wasn't any danger to the people around him, they weren't a focus to the perpetrator; but Izuku was and it was because of that, that he may never get to see his plan come into action. See it bloom into greatness. 

No. He has to make living an option. There will be an option to live until he's wise and an option where he successfully deaf ears this round of petty criminals. 

It was four seconds until the villain would come crashing into him that Izuku felt a sort of warning in the back of his mind. A warning that someone else was coming from the left of him and they were coming in quick like the villain in-front of him. 

What if he just... let go? He knows that serving wouldn't help, but what if he were to drop at the last second. When the two would meet and because of their different trajectories, neither would get hurt to a fatal degree. 

And so he did, he dropped when the second to last second came and he let go of Float. Having been so high in the air helped him achieve this plan of his despite the recklessness of it. 

Still, it worked. The two came crashing down without the aid of their quirks to help them catch themselves from the high fall. And Deku is a hero just like Izuku is, so he catches one of them and right before the fall of the other, Mirko comes and braces herself with her strong thighs to cushion the fall. 

The two heroes were panting but safely secured the villains in suppression cuffs and handed them over to the police. 

Mirko was just about to congratulate (and scold) Deku when her phone rang with the hellish familiarity of a certain ring tone. It was a call she wasn't to miss because it meant business, "Sorry kid, I'll be right back, this call is important. Would you mind giving the details to the cops over there?" 

Deku shook his head in a manner that meant it wasn't any issues and gladly started to walk over to the policemen. That's when the media swarmed him and asked him the questions of "Are you a new hero debuting?" or "What's your hero name?", there were other questions but he deemed them as more than unnecessary.

They were like a moth drawn to flame and Izuku being the flame. Burning so brightly by the attention, he didn't know how to answer and only ever wished for Rumi to quickly finish the call. 

"So what did Mirko do then?" 

"Excuse me?" Izuku pauses, his green eyes flashing at the plump and greasy, reporter. 

"You caught both of the villains with a plan, and she did what? Lead them towards you? It's no wonder there's so few female heroes in the industry, they should just stick to female roles."  The reporter snorts, unaware of the quickly angering teen and the shock from the others around him. 

Such open disrespect, an audacity like that of a tyrant pig. 

Izuku smiles a stinging sweet smile and dares to shoot daggers with his poisonous-clover eyes, "I don't think we've met before. My Hero name is Deku, The Can do Hero and I'm a hero in training under Mirko, a top ten hero. Do you want to know why she's so high up on the charts? It's because she's more than capable in handling two E-Ranked villains, had she not allowed me to help her, she would've easily defeated these two in only a matter of seconds. Instead, she let me take a chance in the capture of the second—the less advance villain of the two because I'm still learning. 

"While I'm thankful to be able to train like this with her, I couldn't have done this capture without her. It was due to my mistakes that the capture was almost unsuccessful, after all. So do not dare to call her anything less than a well deserved hero." Once Izuku had finished ranting, instead of turning pink like he would normally have, he finished glaring at the sweating reporter who had let his mic fall. 

He expected the man to stay in silence, with shame and all, but the reporter had only grown to an embarrassed anger and opened his mouth to verbally attack Izuku. 

Before he could do so, Rumi had swiped in and put Izuku into a small headlock, "That's right, this is my chivalry trainee, Deku! Now, I know you vultures love good press so I advise you that if you don't blur his face, you will be contacted by Principal Nedzu of Yuuei for violating minority rights! Until then, see ya suckers!" 

Rumi pulled Izuku over her shoulders and jumped a kickoff back to her place, only stopping to get more power into her kicks.

When they finally made it to the safety of the home, Rumi threw Izuku off and thumped her foot to gain attention. "Thank you for tearing that old shithead apart. But before you get more praise—what the hell were you thinking? Dropping so sudden like that and charging into a run without my acknowledgment of a plan? You would've gotten hurt had you not—I don't know— gotten this weird vibe with your electric flash or whatever the fuck that is, just let go of your quirk! So stupid! You're lucky that this is your first run-in with a villain on my watch. I don't know what happened before but when you're under my watch, you've got to listen to me. You're under my protection and I don't feel like dealing with any hybrids of momma bears, in any case that you may get hurt. You got it?" 

Rumi sighs and helps Izuku up before telling him, "But I'm sorry for leaving you to those fuckin weak-ass vultures of the press. And with the villains who showed more power than I originally gave them credit for, guess we still have a lot to learn." She punches his shoulder ina. friendly and proud way, "You held up good at the end, we'll go over what you can improve and what to avoid later, but for now, rest a bit cause we're going to Hosu."

Chapter Text

Eventually, night bled in a husky dawn and the events that took place in the peak of the moon bled into his aching bones. 

But at least Iida and Todoroki are safe. 

૮⍝◜•˕̮•◝⍝ა

Ten Hours Before:

Izuku didn't know how to describe it other than a strong pull. It was as if a thousand whispers were playing in his mind in form of a lullaby. Tugging him back into a dream state of haze where his limbs aren't exactly his. 

His eyes were soon plagued with heavy sleep and his muscle gave out quickly after his head hit the mattress first. Izuku hasn't even finished packing for the light trip but at the moment, he couldn't care less about the small details. 

He wasn't worried about possibly being affecting by some sort of quirk after leaving that whole fiasco down the street of the Charity event—One of the Vestiges would've warned him or more likely, forced him to get checked out. 

But since none of that happened, he just let this sudden drowsiness take over. It was calming and more than relaxing. 

He slept peacefully for a while until in his dreams, he enters an alleyway and what covered the red bricks of the buildings were the oxidizing of blood. He couldn't see the figures—they were too blurry, too real, too far away. And if he could smell inside of the dream, he would smell more than the obvious death.

His feet wouldn't move and his whole body filled with lead. His tongue felt lumpy and fell short of any words he wanted to cry out. His heart stung and One for All was the only thing to keep him sane. 

Or not sane. 

Why couldn't he move? 

Green eyes were turned to the bloodied bodies that never seem to finish spilling out—maybe they can be saved still! He knows that if he were to touch them, they'd be ice-cold.  

Look up

He's right there

Don't be another victim

You can still run

Wake up 

He's above 

He's to the side

Be alert 

Wake up 

WakeupWakeupWakeup

Izuku didn't feel like waking up, because that would mean he would've escaped when they couldn't. 

Whoever 'they' are anyway. 

He would've latched on to the sleep tendrils of sleep had Rumi not burst into the room with a five-minute warning before they depart. 

She would've pester him even more had he looked half alive and not as if he'd been drowning in his own sweat. "Are you sick?" She tries, "You didn't end up catching something from those villains, did ya? That would be fuckin hellish." 

Izuku groans but reassures her that he is all well in health. The physical aspect of it anyway, mentally he feels like he's broken a couple of bones and then his brain.

"Right, well hurry up and finish packing because we leave in five. Also, we're going by foot and flight because it'll help improve the endurance and your visual awareness." With that, Rumi thumps away with grumbling a madness of secretive teens. 

Izuku felt like he couldn't talk even when those five minutes were up but it's a good thing because he's catch bugs in his mouth had he not. 

It wasn't until they were a couple of miles away from Hosu did Izuku feel strong enough to talk and ask why they were in Hosu in the first place. "It's kinda sudden, isn't it?" 

Rumi would've answered kindly had she not been in her Mirko persona, but Izuku didn't mind when she finally told him about the call. 

"You would think so, but no. It's the perfect time to catch a true evil. Ya heard of the Hero Killer: Stain, correct? and how he paralyzed Ingenium from the waist down... well the Hero Killer may be slippery for those who just look on the surface, but the Hero Commission and I—along with a couple of other heroes— have been on the hunt for him." 

"Does that mean Ingenium was too? On the case that is?" 

"No, he just got lucky-or unlucky really- to have stumbled across him. One thing led to another and since Stain hasn't killed or brutally incapacitated any other heroes, it's safe to assume he'll stay until another or two captures." 

"... Doesn't he also stay close to alleyways. There's many hiding spots and they're usually far from the heart of the city, making it a perfect spot for villainy to bloom..." Izuku mumbles out a few other statistics he made of Stain back when Iida was more reserved. 

Even if Izuku and Iida aren't the closest of friends and while they may rarely ever talk outside from Class-President to classmate, that doesn't mean that Izuku down any care about the well-beings of his classmates. 

He did take on the role of Class-Pres to ensure the wellfare of the others for a reason. 

"Wait Iida!" 

"Yeah, kid we've been taking about Iida." 

"No, no, not Tensei Iida but Tenya Iida, Ingenium's little brother! He left the Sports Festival fairly quick which was the same day that Ingenium got transported to the Hospital. He's usually very formal and kinda acts like a stick-in-the mud but in a non-aggressive way... not the point! Anyway, ever since the attack, he's been very distant and Uraraka—another one of my classmates— have been stressing to me about her worry over Iida. He's taken the injury very personal." 

"Okay, but I don't understand why you're telling me this."

"Iida took the internship here in Hosu." Izuku stops momentarily, catching his breath as his heart skips a beat. He knew this, but it never really processed. 

Mirko comes to the same realization soon too, she too catches her breath and a twitch of her ears tell her to grant him this, "If you are to encounter the Hero Killer: Stain, I grant you, Deku, permission to use your quirk for self-defense and if need be, to capture him. But really, your usage of power will be to help those in need, but do not forget your own." Mirko smirks a bit, "And if you beat him with a K-pop move, I'll let you earn more than half the credit if I don't beat him up first." 

"Winner gets to make the loser do something?" 

"You're on kid!" 

Soon, they take off chatting about strategy in case of the encounter of the Hero Killer or any villain in general. Since Izuku is still a newbie to all of this, Mirko forces him to send out his location to her, and his class contacts every five minutes. 

"Isn't this a bit too much?"

"When it saves your life, I don't want to hear it pipsqueak." 

They banter a little bit more when both Mirko and Izuku stop their travel. Their bodies fill with an irreversible dread: for Mirko, her ears are high on alert and her red eyes narrow trying to pinpoint where the sound is coming from. And for Izuku, theirs a bottomless pit in his stomach, like a warning almost. It's similar to that of yesterday with the two villains but strong enough to make him remember the nap an hour or so ago. 

"You go left, I go right."

"I'll send you my location!"

"You better! And make sure to write H.K.S so I know what type of emergency it could possibly be." 

Izuku doesn't respond after that. That dread he felt came in force that would've been able to make him double over in pain had it not been for the familiar feeling of yesterday and today. 

The two quickly spilt their ways and Izuku gets further into the city where the fires were higher than the screeches of Nomus running around. The roar wasn't all that inviting but he would prefer to help civilians evacuate to safety with no obstacles in the way. 

But that's when it happened; a Nomu swoops in to the fire and starting raising more chaos in the city. It's fang like teeth hiss with every swing it throws, and with a body that easily towers over even All Might and his large frame— heroes are forced to pair up and think quickly. 

It doesn't matter if the Nomu isn't as powerful as the egotistical man, but the Nomu doesn't have to be. 

If All For One is planning to play the long game (and he irreversibly chosen a long time ago), then he knows the Nomu doesn't have to be superior to Top Ten Heroes—they just have to cause enough issues to cause a panic and that's when they strike. 

"Get out of the way Kid! It's too dangerous to be wondering idly in a situation like this! Don't make it harder for the heroes." A hero Izuku isn't entirely familiar with scolds him while combatting the wilding flames. Another hero jumps in to help her while two others try to beat the Nomu that's entered their territory. 

"Uh-um sorry!" It's then that Izuku turns to leave that hears another frantic scold, but it's one of worry for that person. 

"Tenya! Where are you, Kami, why did you have to run off like that?" And this time, Izuku knows of this hero. He knows because even if he isn't that close with Iida and Uraraka was the one to ask him if he's noticed something off about him, he still looked up the hero who he was interning under. 

Iida is under Pro Hero Manual for the duration of their week internship. Pro Hero Manual is a hero in Hosu City. 

This time, that warning pain makes Izuku double over but he holds his ground and quickly sends Mirko a message like he promised her. 

Deku: 

Iida took off to find HKS—

going to look for him

i'll send you a msg if i can before i fidn HKS send other heroes once i do tho

sent at 21:55pm 

...

Deku: 

foudn him 

back alley liek mentioned 

HKS 

location sent

sent at 22:00pm 

...

seen at 22:22pm 

૮⍝◜•˕̮•◝⍝ა

Izuku didn't think he would find the Hero Killer even if Rumi did warn him of their trip's purpose. He much less expected Iida to be the one to target him and rush to end his life over saving the lives of other civilians or the injured hero in the Alley Way too. 

But he did and he can't afford to loose any distractions to concerning matters. There's two injured people who can't move with a Murder in front of him. 

Even if he may not get out of this intact, he'll try his damn hardest. The villains from earlier made him realize a couple of things. None he was too fond in admitting a couple of things to himself but he had and now he has to complete that small promise he made himself and Rumi. 

The bottomless pit in his stomach aches a bit more with warning bells all around whenever he flew and took a wrong turn. It was a guiding tool and for all of its hurt that's it's causing Izuku, he's ever thankful for the aide. 

Hikage: It's called Danger Sense, it's my quirk. It'll help you navigate your fight with The Hero Killer. It's not much to help fight in a battle but it never let me down. I've honed it down in hopes to serve the next welder's well with the promise to defeat All for One 

If people were to see Izuku— no Deku— they would see sparkling lightning green with a blur of madness. Almost like a shooting star. 

He lets Hikage's quirk lead him to Stain, fully believing that he will get there in time to save Iida but the closer he gets, the nastier the feeling he's overwhelmed with. 

Deku:

HKS: location attached 

sent at 22:01pm

...

Seen by Todoroki Shoto and Three Others

But it's right after he sends the text message that he lifts his head to see Stain right about to pierce Iida with the head of his swords. 

A manic smile lifts the laughter that emits from him even if his words are that in a false concern (or maybe another warning) "I really am against hurting children, but if you were to grow up one day to be just as spiteful, had I let you live, not only would you have tainted this world in mal, but I couldn't bare to live with myself." 

Izuku would explain the next following moments as a surge of immense energy. He wouldn't say he's piqued and he wouldn't say that he's not not quietude— but it's like a thundering lightning underneath his skin. Like his senses are heightened and he can see clearer, he can predict the moves of his opponent. 

"Still, this seems like it's far from your prophecy, wouldn't you say, Hero Killer?" Izuku kicks up the sword with the iron soul of his shoe in a move similar to Mirko's— a move she's drilled into him because it's 'a necessity', guess it really is. 

"Midroiya? What are you doing here? Get out of here, this has nothing to do with your concern, this is my battle as a hero!" 

"Well, I don't really think that's true. Being a hero is about lending a hand when you don't have to, isn't it? So that's what I'll be doing, I'll save you, Iida and Native! so don't you fear, I'll protect you both!"

The man who stands hunched over and ready for anything grins largely. He lets his posture relax a bit before hunching over again with a new target in mind. 

"You seem to understand. I'll be the judge of your life, so be prepared to turn up dead like your friend will be in just a moment here." 

Still feeling that beating drum of One for All down to his toes, Izuku forces him to relax and quickly go over everything Mirko has taught him. 

One: 

Let go and then Steal yourself

- be prepared for an unfair fight but never let go of your purpose. 

Two: Keeo your eyes on the target

- they're easily slippery, there a reason why some criminals are higher ranked than others. it's the same as other heroes, but don't let that fool you, everyone has their weaknesses. 

Three: Exploit their weakness.

-some may call it fighting dirty, but life and death don't care about either one. it comes down to courage to fight dirty that makes a change in survivors.

-keep in mind you are a survivor as well, the longer you live, the more peopl you help

Izuku won’t know the lasting hurt from this fight will cause him. But even if he was warned of that, he wouldn’t mind fighting this particular Idealist. It helped him further on with a little of everything and a little of everything is the smallest of anything. 

Either way, he will always fight with more than he can carry, usually hurting himself, it’s wrong to dive in head first, but most times he doesn’t mean it…

His feet just move and when they touch solid ground again, they clank in heaviness

Chapter Text

Izuku wasn't entirely sure he was in his body. 

But he knows he was because he always heard the others whispering and sometimes yelling; it always felt muffle: in what seemed to be in his ear, but he felt the power in his bones. And when those voices finally calmed... well, he was still moving. 

૮⍝◜•˕̮•◝⍝ა

An Hour Before:  

Mirko sat down on a high city building and Izuku mirrors her. 

Maybe it wasn't the best time to sit down and plan strategies, but she'll be damned if Izuku were to find Ex-Vigikante Stendal, now properly known as a Villain; The Hero Killer: Stain. And fuck her if he—by some unlucky luck- finds him and he becomes death number eighteen. 

"First tell me everything that you know about the Hero Killer." She questions, keeping one ear faintly trained on him while she forces her senses to enhance to seek out any danger. 

Izuku wastes no time in getting out a notebook he made specifically for villains, bless Nana and the others for telling him to focus on the analysis of Villains. "He was a formerly well-known vigilante by the name of Stendal, probably taking the name of a famous writtera couple of centuries ago... After an encounter with another high-known and well respected vigilante, by the name of Knuckle Duster, people stated that his morals became loose. Soon, he killed his first victim and quickly followed many others..." He rants more about statistics he found and made before shutting himself up and apologizing to the Rabbit Hero, "...You probably didn't want to hear all that, sorry..." 

The quick change from an analytical genius to the more reserved side of Izuku that she's been recently finding almost made her snap her neck in two. It's frustrating seeing a brilliant mind and soul be so... hesitant. But she can't focus on that just yet, there's a mission. 

"Maybe not right this second kid, but you'll have to tell me more about your analysis after our mission, cap-ish?" She waited for him to signal an understanding before bringing the topic back to hand, "What about his quick, you know anything about that?" 

Izuku nodded and flipped a couple of pages before skimming his notes and then tossing the book to the side where it seemingly disappeared... "Not really no!" 

"You have a whole book and pages filled with him but nothing of his quirk? How is that possible?" 

"That's what I'm wondering too” He says while hitting his pencil, “There's nothing about his quirk from victims. Though they usually start how he fights—close combats and he loves knives and sharp items— if victims were to figure out this enigma, they'd most likely lie six feet under."

"That would make sense—why keep someone alive when they have a 'purpose' to fulfill."

"Exactly, but that also highlights something else: power. Stain is powerful because he's elusive. His shadow is that of blood. From those who've lived, they share how strong and quick and efficient he is. But if he has killed seventeen other heroes, at least one of them would have figured his quirk by now.

“He doesn't kill just to kill, he believes in this purpose, as you so called it. Now it all comes down to his quirk—something that no one knows of because of these deaths. stain hasn't been captured because no one knows how to capture him. So, if one of these possible survivors were to know something about him and lived—his call would be cut short. And it's only cut short if the others have an advantage over him. So, they must die to ensure a 'cleansed society"." 

"And the theories that people have made up about his quirk! He wields blades and he's quick—it could be slicing someone and they become victim of his...but there's usually a blood trail that follows like a shadow so... maybe blood?"

"But how—that's the million dollar question." 

"He fights in a close combat style. That's taken noted because of all the daggers and katana but they can be thrown. Thankfully, we have survivors. We're both malee-combat fighters so we risk death because we don't know how his quirk works or who he truly goes after. Can you send shock waves like you did at the Festival?"

"It was a one time thing..." Izuku hums, casting his eyes towards the living city. 

"Fuck… you know what? Let me show you how to use my Luna moves and what better one to start than the one you kept falling on your ass with..." 

"Luna Ring?" 

"That's one Pipsqueak!"

૮⍝◜•˕̮•◝⍝ა

If Izuku were to attempt to use Luna Ring, Mirko would cry because of his failure.

But he won't let Iida suffer in pain—he can't not try. 

So he'll do what he does best. 

He's an analyst at heart and that means he's been watching heroes for as long as he can remember. And though most are trained to handle villains in similar ways, and it soon turns repetitive, he's lucky that the Vestiges had him watch villains too. 

They don't have to follow the rules after all.

He'll use the strength from Luna Ring, but he'll move efficiently like Kacchan and Nana move, he'll use a trajectory like that of Aizawa-sensei, but he'll make it his own. 

He will become a hero. 

"One for All; Full Cowl—Shooting Rings!" Izuku soars through the air in a lunge for Stain and shouts just that. 

He used One for All to soar like Nana had shown him all those times before Yuuei. He pushes off with his leg muscles like he's seen Mirko do many times and when he's finally in the air, he lets himself be weightless and pictures the flexibility that Katsuki carrie's when he flies through the air. But he also carries all of their strength, so when it's time to complete the ring, he drops his body's weight into his legs and aims to hit any limbs and close to the head. 

Stain manages to move out of the way for most of his Rings, but the few that manages to slip by him, end up knocking his balance. 

Izuku would've wished there were more targets hit but he can't complain. 

Stain, greedily laughs in the pain and comments, "Not bad, Kid, but you're too obvious." With the speed of lightning, he pulls out a couple of his daggers and aims them towards Izuku. "Couldn't your mentor teach you more?" 

The knowledge Stain has surprised Izuku, but needs to keep on moving, no way is he letting this man get the best of him. "She taught me more than I could've ever asked for in two days." 

"Like the corruption of the Top Heroes? By going out of their way to capture someone whose doing this world a favor, instead of helping others around them."  Stain snarls and lunges forward to Izuku, but when the latter goes to move, the former dives out and changes direction to the two paralyzed heroes. 

Izuku doesn't let that happen and goes for another Lunar move that Mirko hastily taught him. He doesn't have time so twist the move into his own and so he simply calls out "Luna Fall!" It manages its purpose of a heavy grip on the villain to the ground (serving a great distraction) and he rebutted Stain's fruitless claims. "Not that it's any of your business, but she's taught me more than that. She's taught me to value my life while being there for others." 

Stain hums, not really sure if he can trust his opponent’s words. He makes no move to reach him but he also doesn't make a move to attack the fallen victims. He just stands. 

Except he doesn't need to. 

He snatches the dagger in his hand and takes a long lick of the blade—Izuku feels his nerves bundle up and give out. He falls to the ground heavily. 

"Your friend won't live much longer, nor would that other phony hero, but you? Believe it or not Kid, but I truly don't like to spill more blood on my hands than necessary," Stain drags out slowly first, his words teasing and his eyes have gone from that bloodlust red to a ghostly white, he smiles, "But if it's necessary, then so be it."

"Where are you... going with this." Movemovemove— why won't he move?, Izuku sobs a beg to himself, There still so much I have to do. Movemovemove—

"I think it's important to value one's life too. How else can they help others? You've understood by now, I'm sure, and for that, you will live. But the two will never learn the basic principle of being a hero." His moves are linger and faster, he's done playing. "Seeking out a Villain? For revenge? Surely you know you've strayed far from the world of heroes. And you Native? Only taking Spotlight tasks for what? Money? Fame? Pathetic." Finally, Stain moves quicker than any of them would like. 

Izuku forces himself to look at the others while simultaneously trying his best to move anything. He begs the man to stop, to give them another chance. But he doesn't budge and he never will. 

It's not supposed to happen like this. 

Mirko is supposed to be there will him. Not Iida or Native—they’re not supposed to die. They weren't supposed to be here at all. Iida is right there and he can't even save him? How can he call himself a hero? Much less call himself worthy of possessing One for All? How?

Izuku closes his eyes sorrowfully, not wanting to see the blood shed of a hero and great hero to be. It's just not fair. He should be the one closest to death—not them! 

And because of this, he misses the racing ice of Todoroki and the instant heat that soon follows. "You should send a better message, Midoriya, I almost got here too late." 

Todoroki stands there with his left side heated up, making the dark alley way glow up like hundreds of small fireflies. There’s ice creeping up on the right side of his forearm and small sparks dancing across his skin. His tone is considered as nonchalant but Izuku can detect the small twinge of worry. 

Before Stain can recover from his shock, Todoroki makes a ramp of ice that carries the rest to safety. "I told Endeavor to send any stray heroes our way once I figured out your cryptic code. Can you move?" 

Izuku flushes in embarrassment, "N-no. He must've cut me. Iida said that, that's when his own paralysis began but that doesn't make sense... just—just don't let him cut you!" 

Todoroki mutters an okay and goes to attack Stain again. Not frightened by his eery look, he send shards of icy glass towards the crazed man. Rarely ever using his fire, the three who lay on the ground can only watch in awe at the two fighting. 

It's terrifying but Todoroki shows to hold his own in battle. 

Still, Izuku can't just let Todoroki exhaust himself while fighting this Stain—

Yoichi: Stain? Oh, I see, very funny Izuku.

Izuku twitches his lips up, he thought it wa a pretty funny himself. Never-mind that, Izuku tries to move his fingers until he's freed. 

Soon, he joins Todoroki and they bounce off ideas of each other of the possible quirk the Villajn may have. 

"A time limit? But of what? The more people he's incapacitates, the less time? Does cutting them have a factor?" Izuku mumbles as he soars through the sky again. 

"Not possible, he grazed my cheek but I can still move." Todoroki comments as he dances around Izuku to get to Stain, "What about blood? Could that be part of it—" 

"Stop! You two need to run far away from here! This is my battle, this has no concern over you, just let me be!" Iida cries out but is promptly ignored by the pair.

"Maybe blood type? He ingested some before I was down..." 

Native puts in his two cents and so does Iida (still very unwilling but it serves for the greater good at the end), "I have O.” Todoroki comments while sending another glacier at Stain. 

"I do too." Izuku comments as he tries to get close to Stain while also trying to avoid any knives. 

Stain throws them a bone and really tells them what his power is but that's when Izuku gets the most fearful. 

He is actually going to kill them. 

Todoroki seems to recognize the greying gravity and he readies himself for the worst. He tell Iida what he should be doing instead and look to his right to find Izuku. "You've got a plan?"

"Not really, but I'm sure we can do until help arrives." 

And they do. 

Together, they fight like they've trained for years. In a way that they communicate so easily with each other, they're bodies are synced and balanced with one another. Todoroki sends his ice while Izuku counters from the back. 

And when Izuku falls for the improvised Luna moves, the force from them send pressured air and that’s when Todoroki come sun with his flames. Though they’re far from tamed and trained, they still manage to burn a couple of hairs.  

It toys with Stain’s plans and they grin because of that mere fact. They're not sure if they will win, but they sure as hell will try. 

It was getting deadlier by the second and if Iida had not ran to join the chaotic battle, surely, one—if not both, would've gotten seriously wounded. Stain had managed to grab the upper hand again by licking drops of Izuku’s blood from the other daggers he grabbed.  

But Iida manages to stand tall again and he pushes himself through the mental and physical pain he’s collected over the past days. He assists Todoroki in getting Stain to come to an immobile stance and when Izuku moves again, together, they gang up on Stain and both Izuku and Iida go for the final blow. 

Izuku uses his Full Cowl; Rising Rings, a tribute to Luna Fall, and Iida slams down his foot in a forceful fashion. It doesn't finish the man, but Todoroki has got that covered with the ice encasing Stain all the way up until his head only peaks through.

They fall in shortening pants of breath, trying to figure out if they’ve really just captured and beaten a well known S-Ranked Villain.

Had it not been for their pain-filled injuries, maybe it’ll all seem like some fever dream. 

But their injuries shock them like hot, searing, fire and it lets their mind wake up from the haze. 

Iida goes to find some rope while Todoroki walks up to Native, leaving Stain in Izuku’s shaking hands. 

Luckily for Izuku, Stain seems to be less conscience than beady-eyed so it lets him keep his pounding heart at bay. 

He knows that’s the danger is over, so why is Hikage’s quirk at an all time high? 

“Every single one of you should’ve fallen victims by hung hand—all but you.” Stain slowly growls, causing Izuku to jump in a startling fright, “Every single fake should die.” 

Trembling, Izuku meets his eyes, “You’re-youre wrong.” 

Stain laughs up blood, “Am I? You’re friend admitted to purposefully seeking me out when those Nomu’s started attacking the city. Your other friend, the son of Endeavor—shall I say any more?” His eyes blink back fatigue and the red slowly fill in his pupils again.

Danger Sense is still rushing with a feverish heart but there a calm to it. And maybe it’s because there’s no fear lying in Izuku’s heart anymore, and maybe it’s because that fear has been replaced with a protective anger, but Danger Sense just drums. 

“You are because they’re—we’re still children. We’re children who make stupid mistakes, Iida has just committed one of the mst idiotic ones to date but that doesn’t erase the simple fact that he’s still a child! He’ll grow and he sure as hell knows better now—he knows he’s as good as a dead man walking if Shoto and I were to be gone.” Izuku hisses, eyes colored in his electric clover signature. 

Stain pants out a reply, “He’s well…o-over the age…of knowing better. And-what-what about… the Endeavor’s ch-child?” 

“They’re not chained to their actions nor are they chained to the actions of the ones before them.” 

The rage comes to a defeated simmer. His eyes trained on his friends who help one another and promptly, Danger Sense quiets down. A sadness fills him.

He looks back at Stain. 

Stain passes out shortly after. 

૮⍝◜•˕̮•◝⍝ა

Rumi could feel her muscles pull with a cry as she finishes up helping a small section of Hosu before checking her phone. 

With the sobs of the Nomu, she couldn’t hear it buzz or ring and she grew concerned over her Intern real quick. Her gut churned with each second as passed and she couldn’t check in with Izuku. 

Her gut was right. 

She should’ve known better than to leave the child alone in a city busy with Nomu’s—the same ones that attacked his school not so long ago. 

She knows the dangers of the rising League and she still let him wander? Stupid. 

Deku: 

Iida took off to find HKS—

going to look for him

i'll send you a msg if i can before i fidn HKS send other heroes once i do tho

foudn him 

back alley liek mentioned 

HKS 

location sent

sent at 22:00pm 

The hour read Ten Twenty-Two. 

Rumi would surely hiss in pain the following morning but the hero in her shushed that pain and easily fell Rumi and Mirko entered. 

Mirko slid a fearsome smirk to her face and pushed through the pain and dictated her body move even faster. 

To hell with the other right now, there’s other heroes to help them. Right now, what’s the most important thing to her, is reaching that Pipsqueak and helping him. 

She knows he’s strong but he’s still a kid. 

A kid who has been thrown to the wolves—Kami! How could she be such an idiot? 

She doesn’t stop when the media find her. Instead, she travels faster to loose them and thank her fucking luck, she manages to do so and while evading them, she stumbles upon three teens and two adults. 

One who carrie’s her intern and the other adult who is being dragged by the two other teens. 

She sees other heroes start to come but she moves past them and lands with a heavy thump to the ground. 

She barely glances at the Villain before rushing to Izuku and examining him for any fatal injuries before releasing him from Native’s arms and letting him lean against her own. 

“You had a trip, didn’t ya?” She tries to joke while looking over at the other kids for any injuries of their own. 

She would be a fool to think they would’ve gotten out unscathed. She finds a mini Ingenium with a bloodied arm and the Todoroki kid to be holding an arm with multiple scrapes across his body. 

Soon, other heroes start to swarm them with whispers and shock filling the sweaty night air. 

It pisses her off. 

They’ve just been congratulating them and reprimanding them for defeating Stain without the help of a Hero instead of asking if they’re okay. 

If she didn’t know Native had called the ambulance beforehand, she would tried her damn best to get these kids to medical help as quickly as she could. 

Protocol be damned. 

An old man in a yellow cape came soundly and stopped in front of her Intern with a scowl in place. She new he was ready to yell at Izuku—as if he’s on good-old-friends relationship. 

Izuku looked uncomfortable and seconds away from passing out. But his fatigued took over his mind and he was getting ready to answer the Old Hero before he closed his mouth shut and turned to look at the sky—like he’s waiting for something. 

Rumi felt her gut clench again and she too, look towards the sky. Her ears ruffled as a far away sob tore through. The gut feeling clenched painfully. 

Being at the heart of the city for so long let her know that cry by the ruffles in her ears. She was quick in getting others away but she had failed to get Izuku to safety yet again. 

Before she could turn on her heel, Izuku was being lifted by big talons of a Nomu. Wings batted them away from the surrounding heroes quicker than any quirked hero could’ve gotten. 

Rancor filled her from the tip of her ears down to the toes. She was furious with herself for not prioritizing Izuku when she felt the change in the night, for even letting him venture on his own on this particular night, and she was fucking pissed that these so called heroes even stood there like motionless idiots. 

She readied her thighs to jump rather than ever and in doing so, she only gets about a building high before she’s used as a mere stepping stool by the Villain that Izuku defeated. 

She lands harshly. 

Her usual smirk is replaced with a scowl and she readies herself to lunge at the Villain who falls gracefully with her Pipsqueak. 

“How dare you call yourselves heroes? I was conscious enough to hear all those yells you threw at these kids—kids who did your job better than yourselves! And they don’t look the best, and yet, the Hero who I was going to kill tonight called them an ambulance and none of you checked to see if it was on its way. How pathetic!” Stain yells while holding Izuku’s head, shielding any organs away from harm of any other Nomus. 

“You heroes must all be purged! Everything that I do—it’s not meaningless, you all have turned a noble word into that of something to be thrown around.” 

“Why are you all standing around like fools?!” A new voice joins, Stain flickers his eyes toward it—Endeavor. 

Stain smiles and hunches over Izuku, “Endeavor! You false hero! You try to fight me when there’s so clearly a child in my hands! My hands that he just killed that Nomu! Why must these streets run with the blood of hypocrites? Hero? Hero? I will reclaim that word to be as just as it once was! Come on! Just try and stop me you fakes—there’s only one hero out there who can kill me; All Might is worthy of doing just that-” His will lusts out in a furry of malice. He salivates as he calls out his own hero. 

Mirko and Rumi collide into one—they’ve both had enough. “A-actually… All Might is a fake too…” Her ears strain as she catches the words that spill from Izuku’s mouth.

Stain snaps his neck and looks down at Izuku, “Excuse me?” 

Mirko, for all that she would love to hear shit being spilled, takes this moment to spring into Stain with a, “Luna Fall!”. It knocks the living breath away from him and cause him to fold over Izuku. Quickly, she flings his body out and pulls Izuku towards hers. 

“I’m so sorry kid—you shouldn’t have had to fight him. I shouldn’t have left you…” 

Izuku is momentarily shocked, why is she apologizing for his reckless behavior? Why is she wasting her breath over him? He feels nothing more than a Deku right now. 

He feels tears well up into his eyes and exhaustion takes over. He’s glad that the other heroes are only waking up to their senses now that he’s back to the safety of The Rabbit Hero. 

“I-I’m so-sorry…”  

She shushes him as let’s him rest against her before she secured the arrest of The Hero Killer. The scowl is back on her face as she walks over to the other heroes and heroes in training. 

They step back at the sight of her scowl and her scolding ruby eyes. It doesn’t help that she carries Izuku likes baby while dragging Stain like a sack of nothingness. 

And oh how she would love to yell into the night at the heroes who filed more than these children tonight, but she has too and she would much love to not be a hypocrite as well. 

So, she walks over to the Mini-Ingenium and the Mini-Endeavor, though she can clearly see the kindness he holds in light instead of the greed of his father. 

“The ambulance will be here shortly, but are you alright?” Her tired voice seeps out. 

The two shake their head a no and their eyes fart over to their sleeping friend. She chuckled a bit, “He’s just sleeping. He’s plenty strong, cause if he weren’t, I’d never of chosen him… You three did good tonight. Despite of your purpose, Mini-Ingenium, you’re still standing here tonight. So learn from this, ‘Kay?” Tears well up in Iida’s eyes before he hastily wiped them away and looks down in shame. 

She keys him be and looks over at Todoroki whose eyes never have left Izuku’s slumber body. “I can see why Izuku chose to mangle his arm over you, Kid. You’re not a dick like your father and I’m sure you never will be. Thanks for coming to help my Pipsqueak. And if you’re tired too, just lean against me… you too Mini-Ingenium.” 

Mirko waits a couple more minutes before the paramedics arrive and she doesn’t let them say no to her in riding in the back with Izuku. 

She’s not going to let him out of her sight again tonight. The night is still young and her gut hasn’t let up just yet. 

It isn’t until they’re safe in the corridors of the hospital does she let them whisk Izuku away and she runs to get some clothing. 

Anything to get out of her hero costume. 

She doesn’t need the media to follow her again, only to see on if her biggest failures. She lucky that Izuku doesn’t seem too hurt and it’s really only a couple of slaves that Stain painted on him, but the mere fact that it did happen? She feels disgusted. 

What kind of hero is she? 

Chapter Text

The last few days have been close to hell for Katsuki. 

Not in the sense that his bones are aching and he's close to passing out on the floor after every training session. No, that would be a walk in the park. 

It's hell in the way where Best Jeanist has tried nonstop to get his wild hair into a nice, side, sleeked hairdo. And getting his ass in tight fuckin' jeans. There's also the multiple times of daylight (and nightfall) where Jeanist is constantly up his ass (so what if Katsuki purposefully didn't do something because he thought it was beyond stupid, it shouldn't matter that much). 

Of course he knew that interning under a big hero like Best Jeanist wouldn't be a place where he could run things, but he also didn't expect to be kept on a tight leash. 

Besides, getting used to adult figures like that is still hard to understand despite of the therapy he's been receiving. After so long of running them, having an adult figure who cares more than just the main goal is new. It won't be erased so easily. 

"You're too brash, loud, and most of all, prideful. These could be good things in that of a light of hero, but that's only to a certain extent. An extent that you overrule on a constant daily." The man had told him, "During this internship, I will be focusing on you the most. Don't think you will be with another." 

It took all of Katsuki to hold back any explosions he had in preparation for the equally prideful man. He knew Jeanist wanted to be proven right and that's far from what he'll achieve. 

So he spends the rest of that day listening to the useless words of the Pro and actually responds to a couple of messages from Kirishima and Kaminari before moving to the texts of his Dad and Old Hag. 

His Dad's is the standard 'proud of you!' and 'don't over work yourself' bullshit that he needs to be told. His Mom's texts are more of a warning to not make things hard for the heroes to which he disregards before scrolling to the very bottom: 

Old Hag

Stand your ground, Kiddo

But don't be an ass

sent at 16:25pm  

He totally doesn't give them a call. 

૮⍝◜•˕̮•◝⍝ა

Jeanist ended up focusing his majority on him after-all. 

Katsuki thought he was bullshitting him. 

And when he band him from using his phone until after training, he really thought he was bullshitting him. 

Training lasted until ten at night, so he clearly has to be messing with him, right? 

He was, in fact, not bullshitting him. 

૮⍝◜•˕̮•◝⍝ა

On the third day of Katsuki's stay at Best Jeanist's agency, he's pissed to say that his hair finally got tamed. He was also forced to wear those horrendous jeans that terribly clashed with his hero outfit. 

However, in another retrospect, at least he now knows the pain his parents feel whenever they have a client who clashes patterns and fabrics with something entirely tragic. 

He also owes his mom a favor now. 

"You're scaring children." Jeanist said after the third time children ran away from Katsuki, "Lose that scowl and start being more polite." 

"I don't give two shits about popularity! All that matters is getting to the top—beating All Might and his stupid ass." Katsuki grumbled while trying to adjust his jeans. He now wears a permanent scowl (the reason why children run away from him).

Jeanist sighs as he continues to sign pictures and papers for little kids before using his quirk to hold Katsuki, "Again, another property to admire but you will soon learn you must have the likings of others to be raised to the top. They are the ones who let you have what you earn."

Katsuki doesn't say anything after that. He doesn't lose the scowl, it still frightens the children, but at least he has something to occupy his mind. 

Jeanist seems to be pleased with that but he does make a mental note to remember it from now and to revise it with the others later that day. 

He also makes a mental note to tell his secretary to plan ahead for the later meetings, knowing that Katsuki will have something to say. 

And it's not like what Katsuki says is pure stupidity. Not even in the slightest. 

Jeanist always seems to think about what the Explosive Intern says and what he really means when he finds himself turning, trying to get a wink of sleep. 

૮⍝◜•˕̮•◝⍝ა

Jeanist was right to plan ahead. 

Though, loosing sleep is never his favorite, he's rather thankful he did on this particular night. Despite the new finishing he learned of Katsuki. 

"Why can't my name be King Explosion God?" Jeanist is brought back by the yell of Katsuki. 

"Because it instills fear in the people." He sighs and holds a now raging Katsuki, up by the threads of his hero suit. A rather fine material, he's almost proud to say. 

"Then it'll have that same effect on the villains!" Katsuki tries to reason, "Besides, everyone keeps on fuckin' saying how we should stick close to who we fuckin' are—why is that fine with anyone else but a damn problem when it comes to me?" He grumbles. 

Jeanist skips over that part though, knowing that it wasn't supposed to be heard, at least, not by him. He does however, return the strands of the threads in his costume. 

"Names are important. While I do agree you should stick as close to who you are as a person, I also think you should try to have your name imply your goal of your heroine identity." Jeanist starts, pausing only momentarily, "If you can't think of a name by the time that Hero Studies come, then I shall let you choose that rather... loud name be your representation of a hero. And while you may have until your third year to set in stone your choosing, remember names tend to stick when the image of the hero is rather present in the lives of civilians." 

Katsuki looks away, brows furrowed but almost restful. Right as he begins to speak, his phone—usually on silent— rings a couple of times before it silences. 

Now, he wouldn't think about looking at his phone, especially when he's having a one on one training with Jeanist, and that's usually because he's set the notifications to be silenced unless it's that of an emergency. 

His phone rung at least three times. 

So naturally, when Jeanist uses his threads on his hero costume, he sets off an explosion and dives to his phone. 

Deku:

HKS: location attached 

sent at 22:01pm

seen at by Bakugo Katsuki and Three Others 

"What the hell does HKS even mean? The hell Deku?" Katsuki mutters under his breath, only to be cut short by Jeanist. 

"What did I say about phones?"

"It's past ten! Besides, this is important!" Katsuki rages, still trying to put together what HKS could mean. 

Jeanist tightens his grasp on his quirk, "Twenty more minutes of training." 

"What the fuck?!" 

Katsuki doesn't put together what it means until had way in his training. His control slips and it leads to an ashes half of the training room; "He found the fucking Hero Killer Stain!" is what's mixed with his explosion. 

But before he can storm out the room and blast himself all the way to Hosu, Jeanist catches him and asks him what the hell that reaction was. 

He's only mildly covered in soot. 

"He found the Hero Killer. And knowing where Four Eyes has gone to his internship, my guess, is that he found the fucker first." 

"Your classmates?"

"Who else?" 

"What's the issue then? Wouldn't their instructors be with them? This shouldn't concern you, Bakugo."

Katsuki fixes him with a glare that directly questions his intelligence, "If that were to be the case, then why is there a damn message on my phone? It's a damn SOS call!" 

"Then their work would be called Vigilantism and Villainy at the extreme." Jeanist internally cringes at his words, already knowing the type of reaction he'll get from the blonde. 

But it wasn't how he thought it would play out. 

He expected more yelling and thrashing around—possibly even racing himself to go all the way to Hosu. Though his arms would face the consequence of such power... he wouldn't expect anything less. 

Instead, he's met with an eerie calm lour from his intern. His posture is straight and his eyes set dead on him. There's no scowls or frowns, no angry lines tugging at his youthful face, just his eyes communicating more than he thinks Katsuki could ever. 

"If something happens to them, someone is going to die. And tomorrow, I don't care if I have to escape your agency, but I will be getting in the next bullet train and dragging your ass to Hosu if I have to, understand?"

Katsuki walks out after that with his phone in hand. 

Jeanist doesn't argue. 

He knows he had that coming and he prays to Kami and al the other deities, let those kids end up safe. 

૮⍝◜•˕̮•◝⍝ა

Katsuki didn't end up taking the next bullet train to Hosu. Actually, it was Jeanist who woke him up early in the morning and drove him towards the hospital. 

They didn't chat but that was to be expected. 

Katsuki didn't feel like blurting out anything that wasn't meant to be heard. He and Izuku grew up as friends, so it's only natural that they pick ip on each other's mannerisms. 

Mumbling and cursing being an example of the two. 

It was torture riding in that small car though. For a tall guy, Jeanist picked out one of the tiniest cars known to man, and when Katsuki question him about it, he said that it was one of the few cars that survived the Pre-Quirk to Quirk Era. 

Like many, there were thousands of people who ended up hating all those Quirkless folks and so therefore, they hated everything that came with them. Even the inventions that help make their lives easier (and definitely lazier).

"So how bad is it?" Katsuki asks after a while, not having anything to do without panicking more while stuck in traffic. 

Jeanist sighs, obviously about deciding if he should tell the blonde. 

Being one of the top heroes has let him many advantages, the secret of the Hero Killer is no different. That doesn't always mean that he's crazy about the details and what others did to grant him this insider. 

"Three students were injured last night due to the Hero Killer. Your classmates," Jeanist puts the gears into shirt, "None being fatal, luckily, but it was the Hero Killer's biding." 

૮⍝◜•˕̮•◝⍝ა

Izuku couldn't get any sleep. 

He's counted sheep, he's flipped his pillow over and over, he thought about getting up but decided against it—worried he might wake the snoring Iida or the painfully quiet side of Todoroki. 

Or what he thought was a quiet Todoroki. 

"Midoriya." 

Izuku tried to quiet down his peep of shock and tone down his bright red face, because surely, Todoroki will be able to see that rosy tint when the moon won't even shine through the glazed windows. 

"Sorry, did I wake you?" Izuku whispered after finding his voice. 

Todoroki opened his dividing curtains and faces Izuku, "No, I couldn't sleep either..." he then lets his legs rest over the bed and is fully facing Izuku. 

"Yeah...yeah me too." Izuku swallows as he's plagued with visions of Stain but it's not only him. It's his ideals that he can't escape from. The way that they make sense—it shouldn't make sense but it does! It does! 

"I wonder who would've won had Stain been at his best against my father." 

Izuku snaps his head to the boy who tilted his. 

"Stain looked ready to take on All Might." He continues, "Actually, he could take All Might is he knew about the real him..." Todoroki finishes. 

Izuku wasn't too sure if Todoroki had been kidding or not until he saw the small slip-up of a smile the other was trying to hold down. He couldn't help but let out a small chuckle or two. 

"Did I really kill that Nomu?" Izuku whispers hoarsely, "He-it jutst— did I? It looked so familiar..." 

Todoroki doesn't say anything for what seems to be an eternity, "Maybe damage it but Stain was the one who fully completed the action." He waits for Izuku to say or do anything, it falls into a hum, "May I ask why?" 

"Those wings... something about them just reminded me of an old friend? No... he was more of a lackey, trying to torment me. To be honest, I'm not sure what happened to him but there's something in me that's just calling out—you know him, why did you let him die? I-it's stupid, I know." Izuku turns as he tries to tune out the world around him. 

He doesn't even want to hear the Vestiges. It doesn't matter if their words would be of kindness, kindness that could probably lift his spirits up. Or if they wouldn't be enough, he knows Nana would appear like she always does. And if not Nana, then Yoichi. 

"But that's not your fault." Todoroki tries. 

"I-I know..." 

"There's more, isn't there?" 

Izuku finally looks up at him. The lights from the building surrounding them illuminate his clover eyes, "Why did Stain make sense?" Confusion colors Todoroki's face before widening in recognition.

He casts his eyes away and Izuku worries if he broke something that wasn't even entirely formed yet. 

"Because you've been hurt the most by these heroes. The same heroes who he's hunt down." Todoroki starts with a clenched fist, "You have a passion for quirks but that's not all that you look at. So, whether you actively looked out for flaws or not, they'll always leave a foul taste in your mouth." 

"Is it the same for you?" 

"I wasn't hurt by society."

"Maybe not... at least, not in the same way society hurt me... but, you were let down by it too. You're father is an absolute piece of shit, Stain was ready to hurt you because of him. And I bet there's been more instances where people have misjudged you because of hill. It's not fair." Izuku huffs in deep anger (for him or for him?), "I'm sure you've been surrounded by heroes from a young age and if they couldn't read any of the blaring red warning signs... I know this world hasn't been kind to me, as much as I try to downplay it, I can't." Izuku licks his lips, "It's because of that, that I know when others burn too because of others. 

"Todoroki, you've been hurt too- by many." 

Todoroki slowly meets Izuku, "At least we can change?" He may not full acknowledges the blaring truths that Izuku bluntly spoke about, but he doesn't have to for now. It's late in the night and his mind and soul are far too tired to acknowledge the years of boiling pain. 

"At least we can change." 

With their spoken words, it's as if in another universe, their lines have finally intertwined into one. There's hardships written in the stars but there's also youthful success and love. The planets align into a guided perfection, ensuring great power. It's far from done—the work— but it's finally on the right path. 

They try to sleep after that but when they realized that it will be fruitless, Izuku tells Todoroki if he wants to play a game on his phone with him. 

The other boy being abusively sheltered, questions what type of game would allow multiplayer to which Izuku moves over on his bed and ushers Todoroki into laying besides him. 

They end up watching a show once they grow tired of playing on Izuku's phone. 

But as late as the night has fallen to a sleep, and slowly as the stars try to shine through the tinted window of he hospital, they lay their heads against each other in calmness. 

Continuing to watch the show until sleep falls like star dust on them and dances them into a dreaming sleep.

With Izuku's head tucked safely under Todoroki's and a phone laying between the two is exactly how Katsuki barges in to the room when he and Jeanist finally make it through traffic. 

"Shitty Deku!"

Chapter Text

The itch was never ending. 

Constant day and constant nights, Tomura felt this unstableness from the very tips of his fingers all the way down to his aching feet. 

Maybe this was punishment from the gods above (does Sensei control them too?) for not following a simple task and completing it with such fecund results. 

Were the Gods above as mad as him as the man who is his true savior? 

Sensei may be smiling oh so gleefully with oh so little care of everyone and everything around him (cursed be the joy that lit the dying man) but that itch hasn't gone away. 

It's silly of Tomura to think Sensei is the one to cause this insufferable itch (flakey skin, dead skin, raw skin) but each and every time Sensei was mad at him (or the unbarring world that All Might has created-) the itch would intensify. 

It doesn't matter that he's had it since he was five and by then deemed to be a worthless creature among angels... it's silly. 

He knows it's silly.

He knows it's just him hurting and begging for attention. It's jealousy—Sensei had since taught him that from when he was a young, young child. 

A child whose mouth was embarrassingly curious about the world and asked too many questions. Both Father and Sensei had been discontented with such a hideous thing to do (he was only six). His mouth spoke with a mind too bright for his conscious to keep up with; Sensei taught him of the selfish nature Tomura really is. 

(Tenko cried that night)

Tomura had spent a countless days after the USJ itching and begging any God to grant him this one blessing, never did it seem like they cared. 

Until an Angel prayed mercy for him; and Kurogiri helped him subdue this pain. 

Then it flared up ten times worse and Kurogiri apologized countless times and all Tomura could do is scratch out a 'get of my sight' translating to, 'thank you for helping me'. 

The pain left the night of Stains arrest. 

Tomura was sure it would've flared into something deadly ugly. It went away like it had not been there, cursing Tomura day in and day out. 

Sensei must be happy. 

૮⍝◜•˕̮•◝⍝ა

All for One had a name once. 

Yoichi was sure of it.

But now as he walks into the mind of his brother's, he remembers no such thing than the name the man had created for himself. 

So therefore, what Yoichi did to counter him. 

It's lonely, he'll admit. 

Being away from the others for so long. 

But it's the only way to ensure everyone's safety, and the most important one being Izuku. 

Mirio too, but he's more than positive that he'll be just fine by the end of this all. All for One had no plans for him because even he recognizes him being a fill-in. 

He didn't want to worry the others. 

Even if he knows that they know something weird has crept into the walls of One for All. 

He's also quite positive that Izuku hadn't taken notice of the change of person. 

And how could he? He was still able to use Hikage's quirk with no problem at all, be able to communicate with him and the others. He was able to do all that even with All for One in the space of a sanctuary. 

In his sanctuary. 

Yoichi's never felt more suffocated than he has since those days in the vault. 

He’s frightened and scared and all he wants to do is run home to One for All. 

But he's been a hero for far longer than he has of that being a part of family. Besides, heroes protect those in need even when they themselves are scared shitless. And what type of hero would he be if he were to leave his family to the wolves? 

Yoichi continues to walk further into the mind of All for One. 

Feeling when he smiles and shivers and shake. 

Noticing when there's a change of brainwaves and the control of another victim. 

It hurts to leave those in need the the hands of his brother, but he has a kid to look after. 

A family to come home to. 

૮⍝◜•˕̮•◝⍝ა

All for One knew his brother was venturing into his mind. Sure it's been too long for him to really recognize the locations of his moles, or how vibrant his eyes were, but he's always known the familiarity of Yoichi. 

He also knows how smart his little brother is. How daring he is even when he's already wet his pants. 

As much as he hates him for not following in his immortality footsteps, he cannot ignore simple facts. 

In a game of chess, if he were to ignore the chance of a pawn turning into a beautiful queen, well he's played chess for less than a million of times. 

Speaking of chess, he's not sure when the pawn moved to the status of a rook, but here he is, planning the demise of more than one faulty hero. 

Of all the One for All users he has to end the lives of, he's never met one so youthful and so advanced then he has with the mere small hero. 

How All Might had slipped him his brother's quirk is beyond him. After them being an obvious mentor and mentee— really, he's ashamed of himself. Has he gotten so slow in the years without his eyes? 

Never-mind that, he has planning to do. 

And discipline to work on as well. 

He sighs deeply with the help of his ventilator as he communicated with Tomura through the device of TV screen. 

"Is there any other updates?" 

"Other then the capture of the Hero Killer, no. He's stolen our attention, along with that stupid Bunny Hero and that douche of the Flame Hero, Endeavor."

"Weren't they fighting the Nomu's, wasn't that in your report?" All for One rusts, voice now filled with new found anger.

Tomura scratched and scratched. 

"They were! It took up most of their time so I don't know why they didn't included that part of yesterday night: those pesky hero brats were the ones to take down a supposed untouchable." 

This was news to All for One. 

He hadn't managed to take over the mind completely of Midoriya-not until the almost capture of him from the Nomu. 

But even then, he wasn't in total control and the second his brother saw his presences in there, he was gone. 

His shadows lingered and he's hopeful he accomplished his partial mission but damn him. 

"What is it that you don't understand then, Tomura?" 

"How naive the people of this society truly are." 

"Well, it starts with false hope."

"And then what?" 

All for One supposes he has time to tell the story of his origin. 

It's lengthy and he most definitely has bigger plans to finish. Tomura isn't a priority, that's Kurogiri's job afterall, but it doesn't hurt to brag his boastful days of an almost complete take over. 

Oh the sweet cries of babies with the shrieks of the frightful. 

As he tells his story, he doesn't even remember Yoichi or his own infiltration into All for One's mind. 

He doesn't realize the stopping suffering of Tomura or the border and glazed over eyes. 

He just talks of the great power of a King and his horses and bishops. 

Izuku Midoriya will pay, he will. 

But until then, he does need to nurture the minds of tomorrow.

૮⍝◜•˕̮•◝⍝ა

There is an obvious explanation for this whole mess. 

Truly there is. 

It's obvious that Gran is withholding Midroiya from him because he's already taken care of the two-faced young traitor. 

There couldn't possibly be another reason for Gran to be without the child. 

It doesn't matter that he may or may not have seen the kid with the one of the top ten heroes walking down the streets of Tokyo a few days ago. 

No, no that's absolute nonsense. 

"Where the hell is he?" 

"I know I didn't raise you to yell ungodly things at six in the fucking morning, Yagi!" 

"You didn't raise me!"

"No wonder, you grew up like a spoiled brat. Now get inside before you get me evicted." 

With whatever is left of Toshinori's sane part of his brain, he quieted down and allowed to be dragged (was entirely dragged out of will) by the old man. 

There is where his fury grew to the size of the United States and he cursed himself for not drafting and avenging Nana with his first fight against All for One. 

Of course, would never admit to his swollen mistakes, that's much too unhero like of him. So instead he does what he learnt was best, 

"Why didn't you make him your intern?"

Blame others. 

Gran yanked on Toshinori’s ear, "Maybe because it's not my choice of where the boy goes to his internship. If he wanted another hero then that's fine by me, less of anything I have to worry about." He started heating up some Taiyaki, just counting down the seconds before Toshinori blows a fuse. 

Five seconds.

Gran set the plates down on the counter before turning to Toshinori who had foolishly used One for All to puff up into the intimidating All Might. 

"Why in the world would you let that happen! We know that All for One is alive and you want to let that child roam free? He is dangerous!" Toshinori cried out and quickly coughed up blood. 

"That child, is no monster. If anything, Nana had let him have Float because he's deserving." Gran argued, turning his back to Toshinori to get the Taiyaki out of the microwave. He doesn't speak to him, instead, he lets him blabber on cursed and wretched things about the poor boy. 

He favors turning the TV on instead. 

And really, it's an honest mistake. 

"Breaking News! Hello citizens of Japan! We interrupt your program due to the importance of this message, s without further ado; We've just received news of The Hero Killer's arrest from last night. 

"Due to other unfortunate circumstance in Hosu, we didn't know about this capturing news until early morning and didn't confirm until now. 

"What makes this arrest so spectacular, is the effort made by rising hero—in terms of ranks— Mirko and her first ever Intern, a UA first year! Now, we won't mention names because of the case and to keep the privacy of the minor but just know that UA is known for making some of the top heroes, and if this young kiddo achieved this with the help of Mirko, then he is definitely one to watch out for! Later we have..."

The silence was unbearable. 

Gran sent a quick prayer to Nana before focusing back on Toshinori, "Yagi-"

"You knew. You were there last night and so you knew! You didn't dare do anything? I don't think you understand how dangerous that boy is!" 

"From what I've seen, that boy is as harmless as a moth! And if I don't know something, it's because you never told me. I am one of the few people who know about One for All and Mirio. I didn’t even know when you finally chosen someone to pass on the torch of this miracle until you and Sasaki dropped the poor boy off. 

"Are you even treating him correctly? It wasn't even a month ago that I've seen him and by the looks of the Sports Festival, he looks way worse than before. He looks ill and a shadow of a man you've become. The only reason why I know that he isn't is because he isn't selfish like you. What happened Yagi?" Gran finishes with a tug of the ear and slamming him down on the couch. 

Both men breathe heavily before Gran is thrown off by the force of the small man Toshinori once was, "Do not bring Mirio into this! He is the one to finally defeat All for One, now that I'm no longer in my prime. That-that Midoriya kid will just be another foe to stomp on."

"But why? Why do you say these things? Why say that he stole Nana's power when it's so obvious that, that was never the case! You idiot!" 

"Because I never gave him One for All! He was quirkless once too, destined to nothing but a fall from a building. A building in which he made me stop at because he outfit let go while in the air-"

"Did you want him to die?" 

"Not then but maybe now?!"

"Yagi! He is a child!"

"A child born of my enemy! The one who took Nana away from us both!" Toshinori pauses before looking at the TV again, now seeing a clip only heroes have been granted permission, 

"That clip was seconds after Stain saved or captured the hero student from UA. Even in video, we really see how hysterical and terrorizing the villain truly is. But what stands out the most is the equally frightening strike back of Mirko, truly a hero she seems."

Gran turns to the TV and then back at Toshinori, "I didn't tell you this because we've been sworn to secrecy—the heroes who truly knows what happened last night. And from what I know is that kid—Midoriya, went to save the Iida's kid. Endeavor's child came soon after and the three of them defeated the Hero Killer." 

Toshinori was close to putting his two cents before Gran walked his mouth shut, "You asked, so shut your big mouth. Afterwards, when that Nomu came, it was obvious that both Midoriya and Mirko were waiting for something, a gut feeling. Everyone else was still trying to do something after Mirko yelled at them but us three... 

"The Nomu came to swipe him up and Mirko was fast to react but Stain—he is a slippery one. And you saw everything else. Yagi—that boy has been blessed by One for All. Not curse by that of an ancient man."

"He stole One for All."

"You gave it to Mirio before, it's only passed down by DNA. You cannot take what hasn't been truly given."

"Then how do you explain him? Float?"

Gran pauses and stops to turn fully at Toshinori, "Nana had said something about the Quirk being alive, perhaps they saw the true ninth in him. I'm not saying Mirio isn't heroic—that boy carrie's sunshine within. But some things are just written in the stars or they've paved their way into starlight." 

"That boy… He is no hero."

“And I fear you no longer are one.” 

The two stayed in a strained silence, neither wanting to admit the horror of truths. So they stayed angry, at each other and at themselves. 

All for different reasons. 

Chapter Text

A couple of things happened after Katsuki yelled bloody murder into their hospital room. 

One being the scrambling mess Todoroki and Izuku were after getting caught in that more than friend-friendly position and then each going on their phones as if nothing had happened. 

And that was during the time Hakamada, or Best Jeanist, safely pulled back Katsuki to give the two boys the time to ease their minds. He also used this time to comb Katsuki's hair back into the neat side part that was there not too long ago. 

All his hard work, gone. 

On the bright side, Katsuki's hair was tamed down exceptionally and as much as he would love to tease Izuku about what just happened, Izuku took a picture of Katsuki's hair and threatened to send it to the family group chat. 

Todoroki's was looking amused throughout the entire situation while Hakamada stood quietly in a corner looking at the interaction, studying the way Katsuki's whole demeanor changes. 

The way he relaxes and that scowl is no longer permanent. And though he notices that his foul language doesn't disappear, there's rarely any bite to it. And if there is, the boy catches it and his eyes turn a bit redder in what looks to be guilt before going to their standard firm gaze. 

It's interesting.

"Wow Kacchan! Your hair has finally been tamed, imagine what your Auntie Mitsuki would say about it?" Hakamada notes the little Green Boy, presumably Deku, (why would a parent name their child useless?), grin with clover eyes filled with a poison. 

His intern immediately stops his banter with Endeavor's kid before slowly turning toward the freckled boy, "Excuse me?"

"You heard me, Kacchan. How do you think Auntie Mitsuki would react to your new look?" A small condescending smile appearing on his face. 

Katsuki could barely register the type of gleam that suddenly appeared on Izuku's face when the door to their hospital room opens with a loud bang. 

And enter Inko Midoriya, Masaru Bakugo, and of course, Mitsuki Bakugo.

Hakamada could only describe the next moments with a single word; chaos.

But even in all this mess, he has the chance to meet his Intern's parents and the people who have gradually surrounded him in either reunion or a tag-along. 

૮⍝◜•˕̮•◝⍝ა

Izuku was exhausted by the time the sun had set to it's highest position in the sky. 

After the small little reunion, discussing why Iida hasn't woken up throughout all of the shouts and it was very concerning. Thankfully, after the Iida's own family came to see him, they told the rest of the group of the heavy sleeper and deeply apologized to Izuku and Todoroki. 

Iida soon woke up a bit after that and properly apologized once again to which the boys waved it off, "You would do the same," The two boys easily answer. 

Though it couldn't ever erase the guilt that had formed in the pit of Iida's stomach, he felt his shoulder release the tense stance they were in. 

Then, not too long after that, the Police Chief came and wanted to talk to the boys about the prior night's actions. 

Besides him stood Manual and Mirko, Endeavor long gone even when called to the small briefing for the future of his son. 

Todoroki was much more relaxed once he heard the news of his disappearing father. 

Izuku wasn't too fond of the Flame Heroe's lack of parental worrying and therefor, lack of care. He would have to ask Nedzu about some advice it seems. 

"So what? You'd rather us obey the outdated laws, ignore the people in need when we're supposed to be Heroes in Training, all so a couple of people won't be mad? That's the entire reason of why the Hero Killer was even born!" Todoroki's furious state shocked Izuku out of his dazed state. 

Sensing the growing anger of his friend, Izuku reaches out to hold him back, even if it's by the arm. The small touch of familiarity was enough to startle out Todoroki from his reddening haze but the scowl was ever lasting on his face. 

He's had more than enough from authority figures trying to mark the path for him to move along in the world. Blindfolding his senses and pushing their ideals onto him, as if he's some sort of doll. A doll clearly made for fighting, but violence will never be the first resolution. 

Mirko stepped up soon after the outburst to clarify a couple of things, "You're not wrong kid, but that's not what the Chief is talking about, so just hear him out. Kami knows I should've done so early before." 

Todoroki turned back for a confirmation from Izuku, not knowing who he could trust anymore but at least the boy hadn't let gave him a chance to let him down in the small days leading from the Sports Festival. 

The Chief, Tsuragmae, woofed out a belly-laugh—quite literally and figuratively, "That's quite an opinion that I have to agree on with you, boy. But that's not exactly why I am here; To be honest with you all, I along with a good amount of others who know about this incident are thankful for your actions. Only the ones above us would've truly known about the blood shed that would've fallen on our hands hand you three not capture him. And for that, you have my greatest gratitude." With that, Tsuragamae bowed from the waist down. 

The boys stood in an almost paralyzed shock, none really knowing what to do. 

But the Chief wasn't done there, "You do have the option however. In letting the public know of your heroic deed, there comes praise but the law is the law. What you three did would be considered as vigilantism which, I'm not too sure if Yuuei has already covered the Vigilantism unit, but it's punishable with severe jail time depending on the actions taken. 

"Then there is the other option in which we will sway the story to appear as if both Endeavor and Mirko teamed up on the whim to take down the villain. While you may not get the fame most unfortunately seek, you will not be in the harm of the law this once. Your school will deal with you respectfully, but at least you'll still be given the chance to legally and truly become heroes this world needs. If you ask me, I would prefer you three take on this solution rather than the other, it only seems fitting for such promising young heroes like yourselves." 

In the end, the three agreed to let Mirko and Endeavor take the credit. It was only sour when they realized Endeavor would gain more support from the citizens but at least Mirko would too. 

For the three, the quick approval from others was far from necessary, at least for now. They'd rather gain true support from the constant showing of their actions and idealism.  

In the next couple of hours is when they finally let the three be released from the hospital. 

With Iida's parents already being there, they quickly signed the papers, apologized to Manual once more, and left with their boy. For everyone's sake, they decided to keep Iida on close by— right next to his brother who gave him a couple of scoldings himself. 

But that story ended with many tears and two young heroes sleeping their worries away. The rest knew they'll be alright but finally, the two also knew that for a fact. 

As for Todoroki, Natsuo and Fuyumi both came rushing to the hospital to seek their baby brother, each worrying a bit of their own but also congratulating him for being so brave.

Maybe it's not the best thing to say, especially so soon, but neither knew how to confront and comfort their brother. They're frightened with the scare of almost losing another Todoroki, but for the sake of Shoto... "We're so happy you're safe! Let's get you back to the house so you can relax before.." he comes back. 

Todoroki's story ends with the comfort of his little family. By some miracle, Endeavor was whisked away for some important meeting concerning the next steps of his career now that it's been seen of this new team up. 

Most would agree it's a terrifying waiting, seeing when the monster comes out from the bed at night, and the Todoroki's would agree. 

But they would also agree that they'd much rather stay close together in these times, and since they're finally older, maybe they can finally help their baby brother. 

As for Izuku, his story won't end here, not yet. 

A nurse will carry him down to where his mother stands and fills out papers so Izuku can finally be released of the hospital. Besides her is Rumi, her ears pulled down and small shade of pink colors her cheeks as she tries to apologize to Inko. 

He hears a lot of chatting so he wonders who else could be there, and when the nurse finally pulls him to where everyone else in the room stands, he'll try to pinch his skin to make sure he's not dreaming before the nurse pulls his hands away and smiles warmly at him, "It's real kid." 

That's when his mother will finally take notice of him and rushes to him. The two crash into each other in a tear-filled hug while Izuku tries to comfort his mother, knowing it'll be fruitless. 

Still, he does it to comfort himself. He wraps his arms around his Mom and tells her, "I'm okay now" 

The people around them give the Midoriya's some space and talk lowly between themselves. It's not long before they include the rest of the visiting guests. 

To Izuku's surprise, Katsuki stayed until his discharge along with his mentor, Best Jeanist, Mirko began to apologize to his mother once more, and even Mei, Hitoshi, and Yaomomo sent their own little get well gifts. 

His Auntie and Uncle being there with his mother was as much a surprise but the lack of scolding from Mitsuki did shock him a bit. 

"Please forgive me for my lack of attention to your son! Had I followed him instead of letting him go on his own, he wouldn't have gotten hurt, but even so, I hope you are proud of your son! He has a bright fuckin mind, and I hope you allow him to continue to study under me!" With her ears flopped on top of one-another, Rumi was full of regret but a passionate hope. 

She saw the footage caught by a security camera of yesterday night, and even if she grimaced more than once and wished to have changed things, she also was very proud of Izuku. 

She's proud of how quick he was to get Iida and Native out of the way, how he kept sending messages to multiple people, thought to distract the man, and when all else failed, when battle came, how quick Izuku was to learn some of her killer moves. 

But it doesn't stop there, because when the Nomu caught up to her pupil and after Stain 'rescued' him, he held his ground and even stood up to shame the idol of the man who saved him. 

Rumi would no doubt kill, to try and teach (or even get to be apart of) Izuku and his growing of becoming a true Hero. 

There's no doubt that the kid still needs to learn more things, but Rumi now has an idea of how she can help him and keep him safe if Inko Midoriya will alert her. 

"Miss Mirko? There's no need to apologize, being this boy's mother, I know the type of trouble that swarms him. As terrible as it sounds, danger would've found him one way or another." Inko softly lifts Rumi up and grabs her hands, "Thank you for teaching him things to help defend himself." 

In the end, Inko allows Mirko to continue to train Izuku even after the week of Internships are over. 

She tells the heroine how proud she is of Izuku and she knows if he continues to learn from her, the world will be just as proud. 

She also ends up apologizing for any future scares Izuku will cause to which Izuku whines while Katsuki crackles up. The two boys end up bickering with stupid smiles on their faces before they depart again for their own internships. 

There's really only a day and a half—not counting the weekend— left of the studies but the determination of Izuku and Mirko, it's enough to cause a big bang. 

And really, that's all they need to start with this journey, even if it's far from the end and neither know what's in waiting in the near future, that can wait. 

When the sun sets for the day, Izuku is back with Mirko learning k-pop dances as a way to step back into the small routine of the week. 

"If you're still up for it, I can show you how to perfect your own Luna Fall, Pipsqueak!" 

"Full Cowl— Shooting Rings." 

"What?"

"What?"

"That's a long name..."

"And?"

"... Villains can counter it if they know it's coming."

"Then I won't say it?"

"It doesn't work like that."

"Why not?"

"B-because it doesn't!"

"Lame."

"Oh shut it kid, you'll thank me when the shorten name saves your ass."

Chapter Text

When Inko had returned that night back to the small comfort of her home, she fell straight to her knees and began to weep for her child. 

She sobbed because she knew that this was only the beginning of a brutal war. A war she wishes would only be that of a simple game where people lose but not die. She wishes and wishes for so much more.

Though she doesn't regret allowing Izuku to continue his remaining work study with Mirko, she just wishes she could hold him for a little longer. Keep him safe in the way only a mother can protect. To allow her soul to form again, to know that he's okay (for the time being), to have him return to her.

But she also realized a long time ago that it won't be possible for much longer. 

She realized this when she first saw a starburst burn on her son, she didn't want to connect the dots but when Izuku and Katsuki had come clean, she could only hold him close and pray that Katsuki had learned. 

And her prayers came true but she didn't want to be reminded that her purpose of being a mother is slowly moving forward than when she used to cradle her little boy when his nightmares were too real to only be dreams. 

She obviously still can, but how long has it been since he came sobbing into her room because of these nightmares? 

It's different now.

Especially after hearing about this great evil of All for One and her baby's quirk, One for All, it doesn't help her frantic nerves either. 

But at this point... what else can she do? 

She can be supportive now more than ever, that's for sure. 

She knows this, and really? that's the whole reason why she even let Mirko take her baby for the remainder of the week. 

There wouldn't be any outings with the two heroes, so there won't be any danger. Instead, Mirko asked if she could steal Izuku to help focus and improve his mental state of mind and his social standings. 

She noticed how weak it was, and for a strong kid with a courageous heart, Mirko told Inko how important it was for him to have his mentality at peace. 

"Being a hero is more than just big muscles and flashy quirks. Even then, that's not really why being a hero is all about." Mirko chuckles, "Being a hero is also about begin strong—mentally. Having a strong heart, mind, and soul. When one of them is off balance, the others come crashing down as well, maybe not right away but they eventually will."  

And after all these years of bullying and even the continuation from his old favorite hero and heroes around him, Inko knew what she had to do as a mother. 

To let him go, 

and wait for his return. 

She only prays he'll come home now. 

૮⍝◜•˕̮•◝⍝ა

"I don't understand." Izuku starts, "I thought we were going to focus on the physical aspect of training like what we had done with yesterday?" He hops on one leg while fidgeting with the hem of his shirt. 

"Mediation is focusing on the physical part of the body as well as the mind." Rumi hushes him as she continues to breathe in an exaggerated manner. "To save others, you must save yourself first. And first step in doing so, is protecting and reinforcing one's mind."

After noticing Izuku's confused expression, she decided to take a brake and truly explain what it means to really care of yourself. 

She just didn't expect it to be so hard or for it to end in a movie marathon with teary red eyes. But nothing seems to go to plan these days, not that she's complaining. 

"Sad story turned short, before becoming who I am now, let's just say I wasn't in the best state of mind." Rumi pauses before looking at Izuku, "Kids are just fuckin' terrible, the things they would say and do?" 

She doesn't miss the way Izuku looks as if he's taken back to a time that maybe he can relate more than the average joe. 

"But then going to my high school in Hiroshima, the place has been destroyed since—by the way… I had this Pro-Hero as my teacher. It was only for a year, and she was only a couple of years older than I, but the way she straight up told me to stop sacrificing myself in hopes to prove myself worthy...

"I still remember the day like it was yesterday... It was after a work study that I did. Put me in the hospital for a good amount of days. She came in and visited me, told me how stupid I was for a move that I barely had down, was more dangerous than I expected it to be, and what put me in the hospital bed in the first place. She told me people will take my seriously when I started taking myself seriously. Often times than not, people can tell when heroes are in it for the money and fame than saving people. The way she said it though, many would run I'm sure. But me? Stars in my eyes, she told me not to do it again, and if I chose to do it, she would quit and become a villain. I didn't but she allowed me to practice in case if I ever need to use it. So far, haven't been put in hospital bed because of it." Rumi laughs and stretched to one side than the other. A fond smile lays lazily on her lips before it turned to a small grimace.

"She was so blunt and maybe a little rude, but Kami, for my seventeen year old self—I really needed to hear that. She knew about my dream to become a top hero in the ranks to help others like me, prove to them that we can be stronger, prove to the misogynistic men out there that they suck ass." Raspberry blown, she hums and looks at Izuku once more, 

"She believed in me and because of her I became Mirko." Rumi tells nostalgically as she continued to remember how dramatic she came off as during her early years in high school. She grimaced at all the memories that were painfully embarrassing too.

Always wanting to show others whose the strongest, who can do it all, who will be a hero. A top hero. 

Then when she came home to her family, she reverted back into that mindset that held her back far longer than she would like to admit. 

"Who was your teacher?" Izuku asked, having a small group of people in mind, "Are they still a hero?" 

And Rumi just laughed, "I probably shouldn't say this, but holy fuck kid. No, she's not a hero anymore. Didn't die or anything like that... just became the opposite. She's in Tartarus now, Lady Nagant." 

"L-Lady Nagant?" Izuku whispered, eyes wide and fingers itching to write. "Holy Shit! Really? I-I have so many questions-" 

"Questions of which I'll answer later—maybe— not the point!" Rumi thumped her foot and pointed at Izuku, "My point is, you need to tell whatever negativity is in your head to fuck off!" 

Izuku turned red and almost let out a chuckle due to Yoichi's exaggerated offense, 

Yoichi: Well I never! 

Nana: Never had a brain...

Hikage: Oh shit! You tell him Nana!

Wanting to get lost in the Void, Izuku tunes Rumi out without really realizing it, but once he does, he kind of wishes he really left this world. 

He thinks, if he had, then he wouldn't have to see the withering expression Rumi changed to. Nor would he have try and lie straight through his teeth. 

He’s lied for so long, he doesn’t hesitate to do so anymore. Besides, if it helps him to not worry everyone around him, then where’s the harm in admitting the small fractures of pain he’s dealt with?

He doesn't want anyone else to worry about him! It's really not that big or a deal. 

If being bullied for majority of his life ended up affecting him, so what? It's not like he's in the same position as before. He can defend himself if need be... he's sure of it. Kids can be cruel. 

And so can Adults.

It's doesn't matter, he doesn't matter.

So of course he's gonna tell her, "I'm Okay." And then come up with another excuse to hide his wandering mind. 

His eyes may have been cast down and off to the side, and sure his lips twitched a bit higher and his voice came out a bit squeakier, but that doesn't mean he wasn't telling the truth. 

He just forgot to change "I'm" to "I will be". 

"You don't have to lie to me kid. You can trust me." 

Can he? 

Can Izuku really trust Rumi?