Chapter Text
Izuku's POV:
He tried desperately to move mud villain's liquid form away from his classmate, small hands digging repeatedly into its enormous form with tearful desperation. But it was all for nothing, green haired teen had no power to stop it from claiming their lives. He knew that even before trying this, and yet, like a true hero, he persisted. So what if he was afraid and crying, It wouldn't stop him from doing the right thing.
“Kacchan, I just couldn’t stand there and watch you die!” He shouted to his friend, clawing at green monster with even greater desperation. Despite the hope of survival fading within his heart, he didn't back down. Soon the villain would consume Bakugo, and kill them both.
Little did he know that the crowd of civilians and heroes weren't only ones watching him.
''Time out!''
And just like that, everything froze. Izuku could do nothing but stare at frozen monster in front of him, its ugly teeth had already covered lower half of blond's face... Who was also unmoving. He looked around destroyed street and gaped at everything; Fire that was burning minute ago had stopped, not gone out, but literally stopped, just like people. Their expressions, movements, everything! Even heroes themselves were stock-still.
'What is happening?'
''Up here.''
He looked up at faintly shining figure above him, only to find a teen just around his age, maybe older, looking down on him; Green eyes met greener ones. 'A hero?' He didn't look like one, and Midoriya, despite his wast knowledge of heroes, didn't recognize him. He took in his appearance more carefully, black pants, black short sleeved shirt, white flaming hair, toxic green eyes, and... no shoes. He also noticed a strange staff he was holding in his right hand.
He couldn't help but to gape at him. 'Who is he... What is he?!'
They stared at each other for a moment. When silence grew too awkward, stranger finally spoke.
''So you got a name or...?''
''...I-Izuku Midoriya.'' He mumbled quietly, green eyes looking around once more. 'Did he do all this?'
''Da-Phantom.''
Green head teen looked up once more. ''What?''
''My name. Phantom. Nice to meet you?'' He finished awkwardly, moving the staff to his left hand and back to his right hand.
'At least I'm not the only one feeling like this.' Younger thought to himself, trying to calm down his breathing. But he couldn't relax, not with him and his friend still in danger.
''Did...Did you do this? Are you a hero?''
Toxic green eyes blinked. ''A what now?''
''Hero... You are not a v-villain, a-are you?'' Midoriya asked fearfully. 'Please don't be a villain, please, please, please!'
Flame haired teen looked frustrated, observing destroyed street in deep thoughts. As if he just noticed it. ''Ow…'' Understanding flashed on his face ''That's how it goes, huh. He did say it would be very different... but this...'' Phantom mumbled, but younger teen heard him just fine.
''Listen.'' Izuku began with slightly high voice. 'Calm down, maybe he will help you.'
Floating teen returned his eyes on him, and Izuku suddenly felt as if other was assessing his very soul. He tried averting his gaze... but He couldn't move! He was stuck, looking unknown in the eyes. 'Did he freeze me too?!'
A minute passed. ''I'm listening.'' Phantom said, awaiting further elaboration.
''Ah.'' He could speak! 'Was I too afraid or... No. Doesn't matter.' ''Please help Kacchan!'' He gave a deep bow with his request.
He moved towards him, floating beside him.
Now that he got a closer look, Izuku noticed that other was just a bit taller than him, and not Japanese. '...American?'
''Who is Ka-What the hell is that!?'' Phantom finally saw sewage villain with blond teen inside it, looking at it with repulsion. ''That's... disgusting. What is this thing?''
''It's the villain.'' Izuku explained. ''He wants to take over Kacchan's body; Please help him.'' He bowed once more before wiping his tears away.
''The blond one?'' Flaming haired teen asked, guessing.
''Yes.''
''...I see.'' He muttered while landing. ''I think I'll be able to help.''
''Thank you, sir!... I mean Phantom...'' Green haired teen smiled brightly. 'He's not a villain, he'll help Kacchan!'
''Yes, but-'' The staff he was holding suddenly disappeared in a green light. ''Damn it, impatient bastards!'' Phantom growled to himself. He then turned to Midoriya with a sharp look in his eyes.... Eyes that were green just a second ago.
Younger gulped when toxic red eyes suddenly pinned him where he stood. ''I'll help this Kacha guy.''
''Kacchan.'' Green haired teen corrected weakly.
Other continued without acknowledging that. ''I want something from you in return.''
Green haired teen froze, disappointment mustering in his heart. 'He has such power, and uses it for-' He laughed mirthlessly. 'But what right do I have to do be disappointed, Me, a Deku; Quirkless trash like me who can never be a hero. Kacchan was right.' He shook his head, suddenly exhausted, adrenaline which brought him so far wearing off. 'But if I don't agree to whatever he wants... Kacchan will...'
''I agree.'' He said with broken voice, eyes downcast.
''...You don't even know what I want.'' Phantom stated with a frown.
Deku looked up, only to meet empathetic red eyes. A striking contrast to coldness that was in them just a minute ago.
''Doesn't matter. As long as whatever you want from me won't hurt others, I- I'm okay with it.'' Izuku held away tears that were threatening to come out once more. 'I'm useless anyway.'
Phantom looked sorry for a second, but it was gone as fast as it came. He extended his right hand towards Midoriya as it caught green fire. ''Let's shake on it.'' He said softly.
Green haired teen looked hesitant.
''Don't worry, flames won't harm you. Trust me.'' He assured.
Japanese teen stared at sickly green flames for a second. Normally he would be ecstatic to analyze it, his mind would supply questions like: How is he doing all this? What is his quirk? But there was no point, even All might said he would never be a hero. His own mother, Bakugou, All Might, teachers, classmates... They all said it was not to be, so it didn't matter, not anymore. What mattered was that he would save his friend!
He closed his eyes and took flame covered hand in his own. It didn't hurt as he expected. In fact, it didn't hurt at all.
Slowly opening his eyes, he was once again met with toxic green ones. Phantom looked apologetic. ''For what it's worth, I am sorry.''
That was all the warning Midoriya received before his mind went blank.
General POV.
Civilians and heroes were looking in villain's direction. All Might himself was among them. He saw young Midoriya ran in to save his friend, despite danger to his own life. Elder hero's heart beat with admiration. He was wrong, -Hand's clenched into fists- so very, very wrong, the kid definitely was a hero material! He forced his body to transform with pure determination, not paying attention to crippling pain it caused for him. 'I will save him, and tell him that I was wrong. You are a true hero, kid!'
He was finally in a fighting form, but before he could even move a muscle, bright green light from villain’s location blinded him and everyone else. 'NO! Did the villain have explosives?'
Number one hero sprung to action the moment light disappeared. He was there in a second.
''All Might, what is that?'' Kamui Woods asked as he and other heroes caught up with him.
They all stared at greenish block of ice which had frozen the sludge villain, but Katsuki Bakugou and green haired teen were nowhere to be found.