Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Mr. Eraserhead,

Hello! My name is Deku and I am a huuuuuuuuge fan of the work you do. I know this might sound strange but I’m emailing you about the Hanata Case you recently started working on. I’ve been following the case for a few weeks now and I noticed a pattern. If my thinking is correct, then Hanata Shinzou will be targeting the Musutafu Children’s Hospital on August 2nd, 2178 at approximately six pm, this is following his attack pattern from Hokkaido as well as Osaka. I think most people don’t realize this was the same person because the attacks were only hours apart.

Hanata has a manipulation quirk. He can control up to twenty-five people with separate commands and one-hundred with the same command. (These are approximations). He doesn’t have to be in the same place. Hanata can be hundreds of miles away and his quirk will still work, he just needs to have seen the person. Hanata was probably volunteering in the facilities that he attacked for at least a week before the attacks occurred. If you look through the volunteer records of each location you should find someone matching his appearance (though not his name, I’m assuming).

You probably won’t trust the words of a stranger who somehow got your school email but I didn’t know how else to contact you and I assumed (As there are probably a lot of confidential emails being sent on the UA server) that this email would be secure enough. That is why I’ve attached my analysis of the case and included steps you can—and should—take to verify this information.

I hope this helps and I wish you luck!

Sincerely,
            Deku.

Deku,

I have reviewed the analysis you sent and I have two questions for you: Who the hell are you? How’d you know I was working on the case?

After reading the analysis, it was obvious that the Hokkaido and Osaka attacks were related but none of the fifty people working the three cases made that connection. We’ve caught Hanata and are investigating any further connections that he has right now.

Your analysis was extremely in-depth and rather impressive. I give you my thanks for it. A lot of lives were saved.

This is my personal email. You were right, the UA email is secure enough but in the future I would rather you contact me here.

-Eraserhead

Mr. Eraserhead,

I am so glad the information was correct! I just noticed the similarities in the attacks and after watching an interview from one of the victims I realized what Hanata’s quirk was! After that it only took a couple hours to figure out the limitations based on the distances between Hokkaido and Osaka and the number of people under his control. When the orphanage was attacked I immediately connected the pattern.

I knew you were working on the case because I saw you with the other investigators who had been on scene right after the Musutafu attack. I’ve always been interested in heros, which is how I knew who you were.

Thank you for taking the analysis seriously. Not everyone does.

I mentioned in the first email that I was a huge fan, right? Do you mind answering a couple questions for me? They’re quirk related so I completely understand if you’re not comfortable with it! I find quirks fascinating and as I don’t have one of my own I can only learn about them by asking other people (most people don’t like it when I ask about quirks :c).

Please ignore these if they make you uncomfortable!!!!

Does your quirk work with a mirror or do you have to maintain direct eye-contact with a physical body?
If it does work in a mirror, could you use that to work your quirk on multiple people? (Since it’s one point of contact instead of many?)
Do you feel anything when you erase a person’s quirk?
How much do you spend on eye drops?

Thanks!

Sincerely,
             Deku.

Deku,

What do you mean not everyone takes your analysis seriously? If the quality of analysis is this well done, then it should be at least looked into. Anything else would be illogical.

You connected the attack on the orphanage to the attacks in Hokkaido and Osaka immediately. You had the case solved in under three hours which took professionals weeks. And you did it all without some type of analysis quirk? That’s impressive and I really don’t say things like that.

Which leads me back to my first question. Who the hell are you? How long have you been a professional analyzer if no one has ever heard of you?

I can’t go into detail on my quirk, especially over email.

I spend way too much on eye-drops.

-Eraserhead

Mr. Eraserhead,

I’ve sent analysis to other heroes and the police before. Usually, I don’t get a reply but sometimes I’m accused of working with the villian. WHICH I WOULD NEVER DO! My only hope here is that my hobby can turn into something that helps people.

I was told that I couldn’t be a hero without a quirk. I figured this would be the next best thing. If I can help save even one person isn’t that enough?

I’m not a professional! Honestly, Mr. Eraserhead, I’m in my third-year of middle school. I’m telling you this because I trust you. Please don’t tell anyone else. Any credibility (as limited as it is) that Deku has would be crushed if it got out (Both that I’m only 14 and that I’m quirkless). I could start over with a new alias if I needed to but I’m rather… attached to this name, as weird as that might sound. I built my resolve around the name.

I want to show the world that Quirkless does not mean worthless. Even if I can’t be a professional hero to do it.

I completely understand! If you’re willing, I can send you the analysis that I have already done on you… if that’s not weird or anything. That might be weird. Oh well.

Thank you again, Eraserhead.

-Sincerely,
              Deku.

Deku,

I fight quirkless most of the time. There is no rule saying someone without a quirk cannot become a hero. It’s just never been done before. There is still some time before the UA Exam. If you train hard enough, you could possibly make it in. Though, you’d have to have some sort of support gear, which will be difficult to get approved. The test is sort of rigged towards people with combative quirks.

I had to go through the sports festival to get into heroics.

I gotta be honest, kid, the skill-level you have for analysis is beyond most professional heroes. That, in itself, is invaluable. Who taught you?

Do you do any physical training?

-Eraserhead.

Mr. Eraserhead,

Do you mean it? I could become a hero?

Sincerely,
             Deku.

Deku,

Kid. You saved an entire hospital full of children. You already are.

-Eraserhead

Chapter Text

Mr. Eraserhead,

No one taught me. I’ve been analysing heroes since I could write. It was only after I was attacked by a villain that I started analyzing villains as well. If I get enough practice, I’ll be able to help stop more villains! I don’t want anyone to have to go through what I went through if I can do something about it.

I go on five mile runs with my mom every morning. I’ve also been taking self-defense classes since I was four because I have no quirk to defend myself with. I recently started free running as well, though that’s not going the way I hoped. I have so many bruises! I want to learn more combat skills, the dojo I go to is purely for self-defense which is not the most helpful (it definitely didn’t help against the slime!)

If I’m going to be a hero, I’d have to use support gear. I wonder what would work best for me? I do like the way you use your capture scarf, but there’s also Snipe’s guns. Hawks uses his feathers for swords too! I could try swords!

I’m also really good with technology. I’m not sure I can tell you the specific skills because… plausible deniability? Or something like that. I’ve never used them maliciously, only to protect myself and other people. But I know that many heroes might not see it that way.

You have no idea how much your words mean to me, Eraserhead. I’ve never met someone who honestly thinks I can be a hero.

Sincerely,
            Deku.

Deku,

I’m going to teach you how to fight.

With your parent’s permission, of course.

It sounds like you’ve already got some necessary skills that we just need to build on. Once you nail down a style, we can figure out what support gear works best for you.

Judging by your last email, I’m going to assume your technology skills involve hacking and I’m going to ignore this knowledge.

Were you one of the kids involved in the Slime Villain issue two months ago? The one that All Might stepped into when the… you’re the green-haired kid, aren’t you? Of course you are.

This might be conjecture and I really hope it’s not true but… did All Might tell you that you can’t be a hero without a quirk? Please answer honestly.

-Eraserhead

Mr. Eraserhead,

!!! You’ll really teach me how to fight???? I asked my mom and she said she would have to meet you first to make sure you’re the real eraserhead and not some random guy involved in “shady shit” (those were my mom’s words). Is there a place and time that would work for you? My mom says she’s free all day this Sunday.

I can neither confirm nor deny my technology skills, Mr. Eraserhead. All you need to know is that my emails are untraceable. Though, you probably (hopefully, honestly) tried that already.

Uh… I am the green-haired kid involved in the Slime Villain incident. I ALREADY GOT A LECTURE ABOUT IT PLEASE DON’T GIVE ME ANOTHER ONE!

I couldn’t let Kacchan die.

I had been attacked by the Slime earlier that day and was saved by All Might… I might have been stupid and grabbed onto his leg when he tried to leave. I just wanted to ask a question and he wouldn’t let me get a word in! ANYWAY, yeah… he told me I couldn’t be a hero. Then he left me on the roof for me to find my own way back… I… I have a lot of feelings about this but I’m working on it.

Somehow the slime villain escaped. When I was walking home it was attacking in an alley. I watch fights sometimes to practice analyzing so I went to see what was happening and when I got there, the heroes were doing nothing and Kacchan was caught in the slime and couldn’t breathe. He looked so scared. I couldn’t just stand there. Kacchan may be an asshole but I’ve known him since I was four, I couldn’t let him die. I jumped in without thinking.

Luckily, All Might saved the day. Again.

It was after that incident that I started looking more at how villains worked. I found six different ways that the heroes present on the scene could have saved Kacchan even without All Might’s help, by the way. I may have sent my analysis to each of their agencies but that’s neither here nor there (nor is it in any way affiliated to the work of Deku). I don’t know if they’ve read it, though.

I think it should be a requirement for heroes to learn to fight quirkless. This whole “Incompatible quirk” BS nearly cost a 14 year old kid his life.

Sincerely,
            Deku.

Deku,

Yeah, I’ll teach you. But if you don’t show promise we’ll stop. You’re a smart kid, I won’t be responsible for you getting killed out in the field.

Please call me Aizawa when we meet. I’m free Sunday. There’s a cafe on 3rd and 45th. Catsfe. Let’s meet there at 1pm. You’re not allergic to cats, are you?

As for the Slime Villain incident… I agree with you. They should not have given up like that, especially as there was a civilian involved. You saved his life by stepping in. I do hope you’ll be less reckless in the future but I won’t lecture you for this incident.

I will have words with All Might.

Also, if you wanted I could follow up with those heroes’s agencies about their actions during that incident. This is the type of thing that gets innocent people killed.

-Eraserhead

Mr. Eraserhead,

I’LL SEE YOU SUNDAY! I am not allergic to cats, and neither is my mom. (Her name is Midoriya Inko).

Also, you really don’t need to talk to All Might about it… I’m not going to say it’s okay because it was honestly the worst moment of my life… but yeah…

I’ll forward you the emails that I sent, I don’t care if you read them, the information could be helpful.

Do you teach your heroics students to fight quirkless?

Sincerely,
            Deku.

Deku,

He left a teenager on a roof after telling them that they couldn’t be a hero (which is false, anyways). I’m having words with him.

I’ll read the documents.

Yes. Maybe not as much as I should, clearly. I’ll talk to Nedzu about adding more quirkism lectures on top of more quirkless fighting.

Also, shouldn’t you be in school? It’s 11 am.

-Eraserhead

Mr. Eraserhead,

!!!! This might be presumptuous, since I’m still in middle school, but I’ve done a lot of research on quirkism. Can I send it to you? I don’t really get to share my work with anyone… I really don’t want to be a bother though so please tell me if I am. I know you’re a busy person.

I’m homeschooled :D Technically, I’m always at school.

Shouldn’t you be teaching?

-Sincerely,
              Deku.

Deku,

I expelled my entire class this year.

Please send the research.

-Eraserhead.

Mr. Eraserhead,

Oh wow. That’s actually kind of impressive.

And nerve wracking. Holy moly. I’m gonna go for another run…

(I’ll send the research) (ALSO! My name is Midoriya Izuku :D)

Sincerely,
            Deku.

Chapter Text

Shouta sighs, looking forlornly at his comfortable sleeping bag, before shutting the bedroom door behind him. He doesn’t usually go out on Sundays, his one day off in the week, but he knows that he has to meet Deku’s mom in order to work with the kid.

A fourteen year old solved three (turns out it was only one case) cases that fifty police and heroes had spent weeks on. There was no way Shouta was letting that kind of brain power go. Especially not when the kid clearly had the guts to back it up.

He’d seen the coverage of the Slime Villain attack. The green-haired kid had been the only one to act after the pro-heroes had backed off. Shouta doesn’t want to think about what would’ve happened to “Kacchan” if Deku hadn’t acted. All Might may have just been too late.

Shaking off the thought, Shouta walks the ten blocks to the cafe in silence. He’d chosen the place because he liked the coffee there. It also helped that the cafe had two cats that loved to lounge around with customers.

None of the people he’s meeting are allergic to cats, thankfully. Shouta’s not actually sure he can be associated with anyone who is allergic to cats.

“Aizawa-San!” A grossly chipper voice calls his name as soon as he enters the cafe. Shouta looks over to see the vaguely familiar green hair. Thankfully, he’d told the kid to call him by his civilian name. He walks over to the table.

“Hello, I’m Midoriya Inko,” A green-haired woman with the same bright eyes as Deku introduces herself, standing up to shake Shouta’s hand. “Thank you for meeting with us.”

“I should be thanking you, Midoriya-San,” Shouta says gruffly. The kid is staring at him with wide-eyes. Shouta feels strangely exposed.

Shouta sits in the empty booth across from the Midoriyas awkwardly. He’s saved from having to make smalltalk by a waitress coming up to take their orders. Shouta orders a caramel cappuccino. He notes that Midoriya-San orders a vanilla latte while Deku orders a peppermint hot chocolate.

“Aizawa-San,” the younger Midoriya—Izuku—says almost gleefully as he leans across the table as soon as the waitress leaves. “I found a video of your winning fight from your first sport’s festival.”

The news shocks him. Shouta hadn’t known there was footage of that fight, let alone it was accessible. He’d figured Izuku had found the footage from his third-year Festival.

“Izuku,” Midoriya-San admonishes softly.

“Mom,” Deku whines petulantly. He turns back to Shouta with a grin. “You didn’t use your quirk at all in the last fight.”

“I didn’t,” Shouta replies because it’s true. He hadn’t needed his quirk in the last fight. Handa-San had been exhausted already from his semi-finals fight and the subsequent healing.

“You also didn’t use it in the first round of the festival and only once in the second round,” Deku adds. He turns to his mom with a grin. “Which means I really don’t need a quirk to be a hero.”

Oh. Shouta can see it now. The guilt in Midoriya-San’s eyes. The pleading look in Deku’s. The kid has gone his whole life without someone believing in him until now.

“I don’t rely on my quirk in a fight,” Shouta confirms, his voice takes on the tone that he uses mostly in the classroom. The one meant to motivate his students. “I’ve seen too many heroes become reliant on their quirks,” He looks Midoriya-San in the eyes. “Your son already has the makings of a hero, Midoriya-San. Please allow me to prepare him for the UA exam.”

He bows his head.

“Okay,” MIdoriya-San agrees quietly. Deku’s grin is all Shouta needs to know that he’s doing the right thing.

The kid has potential and Shouta doesn’t want to see it go to waste.

It’s not like he has a class to teach this year, anyways.

Chapter Text

Mr. Aizawahead,

...I’m not sure what to call you anymore in these emails...

Thank you so much for meeting with my mom and I today. I really appreciate you taking a chance on me. I promise not to let you down!

I sent in my withdrawal notice to the dojo so now my afternoons are clear for training with you! I’m excited to get started tomorrow. I finish my school work at 12:30 typically.

On a different note, do you think you can put in a word with Sir Nighteye’s agency? I sent him an analysis about a case they’ve been working on but haven’t received confirmation that he’s looked at it. This is relatively time sensitive. I believe that the next attack is going to happen Wednesday morning. I don’t know the exact time.

I did not attach the analysis here, I hope you understand why.

Thanks, EraserZawa!

Sincerely,
            Deku.

Deku,

I have contacted Sir Nighteye, apparently the email never made it to him. He’s seen your analysis and will be double-checking the information. He asked to know who you are. I said I wouldn’t tell him. Your identity is for you to reveal if and when you are comfortable doing so.

Please either call me Aizawa or Eraserhead, none of this combination nonsense.

I will see you tomorrow.

-Eraserhead

Mister Deku,

Hello, This is Sir Nighteye of Nighteye agency. I received an email from Eraserhead asking for me to look at your analysis. I apologize for not seeing it sooner, the email went through other employees and was not sent directly to me.

Your analysis was spot on, especially considering that you did not have all the information.

As Eraserhead says he trusts you, I will too.

We were able to apprehend Griever and connect him to his other crimes due to your work. How did you know the vigilantes were in Naruhata? That information is something only a select few pros know.

I understand if you do not have the time to look at this, but we have a case that we have gotten no leads on in the last two and a half weeks. There are several agencies working together on this. If you could take a look at the attached report and let me know what you see, I would appreciate it.

Thank you for your work.

-Sir

Sir Nighteye,

First, I am a huge fan of your intelligence work. Nighteye Agency is the leading agency in intelligence gathering and I know it’s because of your leadership abilities.

Second, if you have the time later I’d love to ask a couple questions about your quirk. I’ve been doing quirk analysis for years and yours is fascinating.

Third, I have my connections. (And it wasn’t that hard to figure out there was a hideout in Naruhata when you look at the evidence).

Fourth, If you look at Mirouta lineage, you’ll find an estranged brother that only Mina Mirouta knew about until this year. He is the one leading all of the robberies. He should be staying in a living-assistance home, I am not sure where though. There was a news article about him five years ago. The family is from Hosu, look near there.

Marco Mirouta has a binding quirk. He can use it on five people at a time, I think. It will stop them from moving for ten minutes. It’s powerful. He used it in the last heist and someone died, as I’m sure you know. You’ll need, at minimum, ten heroes for the next heist. I suggest asking Eraserhead, as his quirk would work well against Marco.

The youngest sister is not involved. She’s quirkless and most likely being abused at home. If you can spare someone to look in on her while you are busting the next heist I would be forever thankful. No one should have to go through what she’s going through just for being different.

The kid is five years old. Please save her.

I’ve attached the rest of my analysis.

Sincerely,
            Deku.

Mister Deku,

If you don’t mind my asking—what is your quirk?

Your analysis of the case and the Mirouta’s quirks was, again, impeccable. We had minimal injuries during apprehension and we were able to save Serai as well. She’s being cared for at an orphanage that works especially with Quirkless children in Hosu.

I appreciate your help with the case, Deku. We all do.

Ask your questions about my quirk and I will answer as much as I am comfortable with. As I’m sure you’re well aware, there’re some things better kept secret.

-Sir.

Sir Nighteye,

I’m Quirkless, Sir.

I’m glad my analysis helped and that Serai is being cared for. Quirk discrimination is rampant, especially towards younger generations as Quirklessness is exceedingly rare. In a world where everyone is exceptional because of what they’re born with, it’s hard to be born without.

Here are my questions:

Does your quirk only work with skin to skin contact or could you say… use a strand of hair to see someone’s future?
Has a future that you’ve seen ever not come true?
(Semi-quirk related). Your quirk seems well suited to underground heroics from what I’ve been able to observe. What was it like working with a lime light hero? (More the keeping your quirk confidential than the working with All MIght thing, as cool as that sounds).

Of course, you don’t have to answer any of the questions but I thank you in advance for anything you can tell me.

(Please rest assured that all of my analysis notes are written in code and the decipher key was destroyed years ago).

Sincerely,
            Deku.

Chapter Text

Izuku has never been more excited for a workout than he is for this. He starts training with the Eraserhead today. A man he has admired for years for his ability to not only fight without his quirk, but to use a quirk many would see as something bad for heroics.

The ability to remove another person’s quirk, even for a limited time, is something that no one would want to go up against. Hero or Villain. Quirks are considered sacred in this society and any threat to them is bad.

The warehouse he meets Aizawa at is on the edge of Mustafa, far enough that Izuku has to take the train. He doesn’t mind it. Izuku practices his free running as he makes his way from the station to the training location. He slips up a couple times, but it’s definitely better than what it was last month.

“You’re late,” Aizawa says by way of greeting when Izuku lands on the ground in front of him.

“I’m five minutes early, Aizawa-San,” Izuku says after checking his watch. “I’m coming from the other side of Mustafa. It takes exactly 25 minutes and I left thirty minutes before the established time.”

“Hmmm,” Aizawa hums. He leads Izuku inside.

The Warehouse is like nothing Izuku has ever seen. It’s clearly set up for Hero training, with high platforms on the far end and several courses set up around the edges. The middle looks like an arena.

“We’re going to start with an assessment,” Aizawa tells him. “So that I can have an understanding of exactly what level you’re at.”

“Okay,” Izuku agrees. He feels nervous. He really doesn’t want to disappoint Aizawa, not after the man has agreed to help Izuku, despite having no reason to do so.

The tests go well. Izuku is in better shape than most of his peers and he’s worked hard to make it that way. He completes each task without complaint, even if he doesn’t understand why he has to do the ball throw.

“Not the worst I’ve seen,” Aizawa says after he finishes the final test. “You’ve got a good foundation, kid. We’ll start with working on your technique and build from there.”

“Yes, sir!” Izuku cheers, barely resisting the urge to salute his mentor.

Izuku finds that he enjoys working with Aizawa and even though his body aches by the time they’re finished, he feels satisfied with the progress that he’s made.

“I’ll have a schedule set for you by the end of the week,” Aizawa assures him. “We’ll be doing some of our lessons at Yuuei, so I’ll need a picture for your guest pass.”

Izuku’s eyes widen as he processes what he’s just been told. He’s going to be training at Yuuei! His dream school!

“I’m going to be honest, Kid,” Aizawa regains his attention. “You’re going to be the first quirkless hero. No matter what, it’s going to be an uphill battle. I hope you’re prepared to work hard.”

“I am!” Izuku assures, because this has always been his dream. He just can’t believe that he’s finally getting the chance to work towards it.

“Alright, you’re dismissed, Kid, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Thanks, Sensei!”

Chapter Text

Ms. Joke,

Hello! My name is Deku and I’m emailing you about the Fera Incident. I recently started to follow the case and I noticed a pattern in the perpetrators actions. Of course, as this information is coming from a complete stranger, I understand if you don’t trust it.

In fact, I ask that you fact check it. I am only one person with only so much of the information. I don’t want to risk your case by unknowingly getting something wrong.

Anyway, when I was reading up on the case I noticed that there were some holes in the information available. At first, it was difficult to tell if this was caused by a lack of information or an error. Then, with the burglary on 5th and Rizak in Hosu last night, it clicked.

Watamaru Mars isn’t dead. They are an accomplice. If you look at their quirk registration, I’m sure you’ll find that they have a Duplication quirk. They can duplicate any object, including human bodies, but what they duplicate doesn’t function. Say they duplicate a toaster, it would look completely functional and until it was plugged in you’d think it’d be operational. But some parts are missing on the inside.

When they duplicate a human body, it appears dead. But some parts would be missing from the inside. Considering the body was burned, it would be hard to test this theory completely, but I bet the fingerprints wouldn’t match the real Watamura Mars.
I’ve attached a copy of the full analysis.

Please let me know if you have any further questions. I really hope this helps, I don’t want anyone else getting hurt.

Sincerely,
           Deku.

Mr. Deku,

This is Ms. Joke!

Thank you for your analysis. We looked into the information you provided and found most of it to be correct. How the hell did you figure this out? More importantly, how did you get my HN email? There is no Hero or support registered under the name Deku.

-Ms. Joke :D

Ms. Joke,

Oh! I have received temporary (and conditional) access to the HN listservs through Eraserhead! I should have mentioned this in my first email. I’m not used to working with support like that.

In fact, I emailed your agency a couple months ago about a case that’s now gone cold. The email was sent to the address provided on your agency’s website. I don’t know how accurate the information will be now, but it’s from this email address.

I have a history of being dismissed by agencies. I do suggest that you look for the email, though.

Sincerely,
            Deku.

Deku,

I just received an email from Ms. Joke asking about your identity. Why?

-Eraserhead

Mr. Eraserhead,

She asked how I got her HN email! Is there something you’d like me to tell people in the future? I simply told her I had temporary and conditional access through you.

Sincerely,
            Deku.

Deku,

Nah. The truth is best.

-Eraserhead

Chapter Text

Mr. Eraserhead,

You have a secure phone, right?
-Sincerely,
              Deku.

Deku,

Sigh. My number is +81 372.737.4323
-Eraserhead

Deku: Aizawa Sensei!

Aizawahead: Problem Child.

Aizawahead: why am I... you know what? never mind. 

Deku: :D 

Deku: Anyways!!! 

Deku: I sprained my ankle :C

Aizawahead: how?

Deku: … walking… I tripped on the edge of the sidewalk…

Deku: Mom says I need to stay off it for two days…

Aizawahead: Kid…

Deku: I am ALLOWED to be clumsy, Aizawa Sensei. If I wasn’t clumsy then no one would stand a chance.

Aizawahead: I have watched you jump from the second story of a building and land with no problems…

Deku: But have you seen me walk down the sidewalk???

Deku: Clearly one of those is easier…

Aizawahead: I have so many questions and want zero of the answers.

Deku: Well I have so many of the answers and want zero of the questions.

Deku: is there anything I can work on for the next two days? 

Aizawahead: your homework. it’s okay to take breaks Problem Child.

Deku: ... I, uh, don’t have any homework?? I mean, technically all my work is home work but I’m ahead in classes again and since the semester isn’t over for another month I don’t have anything... oh! 

Deku: can I write an analysis of your quirk to actually show you? 

Deku: I’ve written about your quirk before but that was a couple years ago...

Aizawahead: sure...

Deku: thanks! 

Deku: OH! I got an email from Sir Nighteye! Finally!

Deku: I’m going to go see what he needs. Bye, EraserZawa! 

Aizawahead: Kid...

Chapter Text

Mister Deku,

I’ve heard others speaking of your work recently and it reminded me that I never answered your questions.

1. Classified.
2. No.
3. Trying but satisfying. I have a lot of respect for All Might and though we’ve gone our separate ways I still wish him well.

In exchange, would you be willing to answer a few of my own questions?

• Who taught you to analyze?
• Where did you go to school?
• Why had no one heard of you before two months ago?

-Sir

Sir Nighteye,

Thank you for your reply! I understand that things are busy, there’s been an increase in drug related crimes in your area recently. It must be difficult to find time for anything outside of work.

It must be scary knowing the future sometimes, huh…

In answer to your questions:
- Me. Myself. And I :D (for the most part)
- Home.
- My emails were largely ignored until I ended up in contact with Eraserhead over the Hanata case two months ago. He’s been helping me get the connections I need to get my information to the correct people.

Sincerely,
           Deku.

Mister Deku,

I lost the bet with my sidekick. I was convinced you’d learned from Nedzu somehow.

If I may, there’s another case my team and I are stuck on. We have too many higher profile cases to work on right now and most of the nearby agencies are in the same boat as us with the rise in crime in the area. Would you be able to take a look?

The information is attached.

-Sir

Sir Nighteye,

Oh.

Thank you for the compliment! I would love to learn from Nedzu but alas, I’m not in high school yet.

I’ll get back to you on the case soon. I’m stuck at home right now so it shouldn't take that long.

Sincerely,
           Deku

Chapter Text

Deku: He
Deku: Thought
Deku: I
Deku: Learned
Deku: From
Deku: Nedzu
Deku: !!!!!!

Aizawahead: the thought of you learning anything from Nedzu is absolutely terrifying Problem Child

Aizawahead: but i do understand why he’d make that assumption. your analysis is scarily good.

Deku: I’m crying

Deku: Why is it that I had to wait nearly fifteen years for someone to compliment me?

Deku: Shit… Should not have sent that…

Aizawahead: Kid…

Deku: can we ignore that?

Aizawahead: … for now….

Deku: thank you

Deku: anyway, I have a new case from Nighteye to look at. Bye!

Aizawahead: good luck, Kid.

Deku: Thanks!

Chapter Text

Sir Nighteye,

This looks like a Trigger case. I’m not sure why no one made note of that, but the actions of Ms. Ketsu—elevated emotions (especially anger), stronger quirk, memory loss—align with other instances of Trigger use, though the memory loss is concerning. However, as you’ll see in the profile I’ve made, it’s likely that this wasn’t a voluntary dosage. If there are other similar cases we may be able to get a better idea of where the providers are operating. Ms. Ketsu is from Hokkaido and was here on a business trip, yes? There’s no note of the last place she remembers being. If you could get that information I’ll start building a case profile. I think this might be more problematic than it looks.

Also, if you can, ask about cases with similar profiles in as many cities as possible. Dating back maybe… five years?
Has anyone been checking for any lasting damage to Ms. Ketsu’s quirk?

I have a few theories on what we’re dealing with, but I’ll need more information if you want me to keep working on this.

Though, since it involved Trigger (most likely) I understand if you need me to step back, as I’m not a hero or a police officer.

Sincerely,
Deku.

Mister Deku,

I was re-reading your previous email and noticed that you said you weren’t in highschool yet. Please explain this.

-Sir

Sir Nighteye,

Uh. I’m in my third year of middle school… Eraserhead knows this! I’ve been training with him for two months now! I didn’t mean to hide this information, really, it just wasn’t relevant to any of our previous conversations and you never actually asked.

But yeah, I’m a quirkless fifteen year old and I completely understand if you’re not willing to work with me anymore.

I will, however, continue to send anything I think might help with a case. My comfort and yours means nothing when there are lives at risk.

Sincerely,
Deku.

Mister Deku,

It would be foolish of me to discount your skills simply because of your age and quirk status. Despite the strength of my quirk, there are many drawbacks and I have spent most of my career fighting quirkless.

In fact, if you hadn’t told me you were quirkless at the start of our correspondence I would have assumed you had an analysis or intelligence quirk.

I do have concerns about your involvement in this case, not because I do not think you are capable, but because I do not think it is safe for someone of your age. However, I will not hesitate to contact you should we get stuck on future cases. Your abilities have already saved lives and we’d be remiss to ignore that.

-Sir

Chapter Text

Shouta glared at the ceiling, vaguely processing his ringing phone as his brain reboots after suddenly being woken at… 5:34 in the morning. God, he’d only gotten in from his patrol an hour ago and he hadn’t even showered before collapsing into bed.

[Incoming call: Kid]

“Problem Child,” Shouta greets warily, only to be met with the barely there sound of sniffles that immediately had him on high alert.

“S-Sorry,” Izuku apologizes, his voice breaking as another stifled sob escapes. “C-can’t… Aiz-zawa se-sensei.”

“Kis, what’s wrong?” He’s already out of bed, capture weapon in its place around his neck. Izuku doesn’t sound like he’s in any physical distress but Shouta knows just how tedious emotional stress can be. When the kid doesn’t respond, Shouta grips his phone tighter and pushes his feet into his shoes. “Izuku, where are you?”

“H-h-home,” Izuku manages after a moment. “I-I- I’m not in danger ‘Zawa.”

Shouta lets out a breath, his tense shoulders relaxing marginally. Problem Child was okay. Deku was fine. Physically at least.

Now he just has to deal with a distraught teenager. His favorite thing after not getting coffee in the morning.

Yeah, he’s totally prepared for this.

“What happened, kid?” Shouta asks when Izuku calms down.

“Nighteye—” if that bastard hurt his the kid Shouta isn’t sure what he’d do. “—I let slip that I w-wasn’t in high school and… he knows my age and that I’m quirkless… a-a-and he still w-w-wants m-my…” Izuku breaks off into more sobbing and Shouta discards his barely there plans for breaking Nighteye.

“So… Nighteye was a decent human being and that made you what?”

“Confused?” Izuku says after a moment. “Happy. Sad. A lot. ‘Zawa-Sensei, I—”

Shouta wants to burn everything and everyone that has hurt this kid. In the few months he’s known Izuku he’s been pleasantly surprised by the kid’s determination. He’s scary smart with a knack for quirk analysis that any pro would pay to have on their team.

Shouta doesn’t care that Izuku is quirkless, sure it’s rare, especially for the kid’s generation, but he’s worked with heroes who can blow bubbles out of the fingertips before. Shouta is a firm believer that it’s not the quirk that makes the hero.

“Izuku,” Shouta interrupts. “You’re a smart, strong kid.”

“‘Zawa!”

“Listen!” Shouta says, sharper than he intends to. “I wouldn’t lie to you about this. Sir Nighteye is a smart fellow, he knows what he’s talking about. I don’t know exactly what he said but he’s right to want to continue to work with you, okay?”

It takes a moment but Shouta feels satisfaction when he hears the soft affirmative response from his student.

“Good,” Shouta grunts. “Now it’s early. Get some more rest, alright. I’ll see you for training later.”

Chapter Text

Sender: Unknown

How?

To whom it may concern,

Whomst?

Sincerely,
            Deku.

Sender: Unknown

Understandable.

Whomst,

This is the most bizarre exchange I have ever had and that is saying something.

If you need my assistance then please let me know. This exchange is untraceable by most sources, and anyone who can trace it will struggle to break through the encryption. The only hero I can imagine that would try with success would be Nedzu himself.

Villain wise, there is no one that I can think of unless there is a new villain in the area.

So know that any correspondence will be safe.

If you could also explain how you found this email that would be great!

Sincerely,
            Deku.

Deku,

This is Nedzu.

I was wondering how you got access to UA’s files. It took hours to track you down, which is impressive. I still cannot find any information on who you are after two additional days. This is the most intriguing puzzle I’ve had in years.

Nedzu.

Nedzu,

This makes so much more sense. If you’re worried about UA’s security there is no need to be. I’m sure you noticed the extra protections I left, especially around student files and teacher schedules as I’m sure those getting out would leave UA especially vulnerable.

I think, if my judgement of your character is accurate, that you would rather figure out how I did it and who I am on your own. Puzzles aren’t fun when someone gives you the answers, after all.

If you want, I could take another look at UA security, with your permission this time, and double check it. I’ve updated the security to a couple agencies now and I’m sure they can vouch for my work! Aizawa Shouta, Emi Fukukado, and Sir Nighteye would be the ones to ask.

As to the why: UA had information that I needed for a time sensitive case and the police weren’t listening to my request that they ask for it so I had to take matters into my own hands. Three of your students are alive because of this. I’m sure you can ask Detective Tsukauchi about the case. Hopefully, should a situation like this arise again I can just contact you?

Sincerely,
            Deku.

Deku,

Another look at our security from an outside source would be marvelous! I have spoken with Aizawa and he vouches for your work and character. For someone so new to the heroics scene, it’s impressive to have this many heroes vouch for you.

I will figure out your identity and how you broke into UA security on my own. You were right, it would be a shame to have you tell me the solution to this puzzle.

I look forward to speaking with you more, Deku. Your portfolio is already quite impressive!

Nedzu.

Chapter Text

Izuku loves training with Aizawa, or ‘Zawa as he’s taken to calling the pro-hero. They get along well, considering Izuku is a “teenaged menace” and Aizawa is an insomniac with too many jobs and a drab take on life.

Despite everything Izuku has been through, he still starts every day with a smile.

Aizawa says he hates it, but Izuku knows the hero worries when Izuku isn’t smiling.

“You’re getting better,” Aizawa admits, in one of his rare moments of genuine acknowledgement.

He’s a good teacher, fantastic even.

“I learned from the best,” Izuku starts with a cheeky grin. “Mayen- Sensei was—”

Aizawa rolls his eyes and covers Izuku’s mouth with his capture scarf. Izuku snorts and waits for the man to release him before he picks the end of his own scarf and prepares for the next round.

“I might have accidentally challenged Nedzu to find out who I am,” Izuku admits sheepishly after Aizawa has once again pinned him to the mat. “I, uh, can’t really explain how? But it happened.”

“Problem Child,” Aizawa groans. “Why can’t you explain?”

“Plausible deniability,” Izuku squeaks. "It had to do with the Haru Yūkai incidents. I can't say more than that for various legality and safety reasons. 

“Kid." Aizawa grunts. Izuku is pretty sure he's never seen his mentor look more done. 

“There were lives at stake, Aizawa-Sensei! And it’s not like I’m going to go out and get physically involved! Deku’s work is too important for me to risk getting hurt like that!”

“I think you mean that your life is too important for you to risk getting hurt,” Aizawa counters. Izuku looks away. “Never mind the legalities.”

“As long as I didn’t throw the first punch, I wouldn’t be considered a vigilante, technically speaking,” Izuku says, if only to be obstinate. He trusted Aizawa, but it still helped Izuku to push buttons, see how far he could go. And as long as he never actually followed through, it’d be fine.

Since the Slime Villain incident, Izuku had not been physically involved in any villain attacks.

“I would never want to be a vigilante, anyways!” Izuku says cheerfully before Aizawa can figure out how to respond. “Not one that fights. I’d just get in the way if I was physically there and that’s… not what I want.”

“I trust you, kid,” Aizawa says simply. Izuku thinks that his teacher might know exactly how much those words mean to Izuku by the barely there smile on the man’s face.

*

After training ends, Izuku heads to the library to get some of his schoolwork done. He doesn’t go to a public school anymore after an incident that ended with his mom making sure Aldera would never open its doors again. Instead he had opted to finish his required coursework online. He knew it wouldn't be worth the trouble to try again with a public school. 

Midoriya Inko was, to most, an unassuming woman, the only thing standing out about her appearance being dark green hair and slightly lighter green hair. Usually, Inko was a soft spoken woman, caring to a fault, and unbelievably kind.

Unless you did her or her family wrong. Then she was fierce and stubborn. When she was younger, Inko had been training to become a nurse before she’d helped a young man to the hospital for his injuries and he’d been turned away because he had a mutation quirk.

Inko had studied the law and then she’d helped that man file a lawsuit and had defended him in court all without a degree. A most unusual case that had garnered national attention. Then, Inko had gone to law school, met Izuku’s dad and the rest was, as they used to say, history.

Now, Izuku’s mom was one of the top quirk discrimination lawyers in the country.

It was fate, she’d say when he was younger, that Izuku was her son. She was the most prepared to protect him and she loved him very much.

Izuku was glad to have her in his corner.

Chapter Text

Aizawahead: ms. Midoriya?

Inko: Shouta?

Aizawahead: did you know that your son is terrifying?

Aizawahead: we were walking to the station at the end of the lesson

Aizawahead: and he just looks at a man

Aizawahead: and completely deduces the man's entire life story. Then he goes and asks the man what his job is and comes back all satisfied because he. was. right.

Inko: He’s been doing that since he was a child.

Inko: His dad was the same, though Hisashi passed away before Izuku’s third birthday.

Aizawahead: that must have been challenging.

Inko: We managed. It got easier. Especially after I got his middle school shut down.

Aizawahead: You What?

Inko: I am a Quirk Discrimination Lawyer C: I wasn’t about to leave my son’s school standing when they were blatantly ignoring his abusers.

Inko: Nevermind that their negligence almost got Izuku killed.

Aizawahead: i am glad this school is shut down.

Aizawahead: this does explain why he’s homeschooled.

Inko: Indeed.

Inko: Oh! I have a meeting with a client in ten minutes. I’ll see you for dinner tomorrow, right?

Aizawahead: I am too afraid to skip.

Inko: Good :D

Chapter Text

Mr. Deku,

I received your email and I just wanted to say thank you for the heads up! We were able to apprehend the villain with minimal injuries because of the information you provided. I do wonder how you received some of your information but, since you know Eraserhead and he trusts you, I won’t ask.

I have another case that I would value your input on. We’ve been tracking a man, Harrison Kila, for weeks and we’re getting no closer to apprehending him. He poses a danger not only to himself but to the general public. My team doesn’t know I’m reaching out to you but I feel that it will be vital.

I have attached everything we have on the case.

Thank you,
Ingenium

Mister Ingenium,

I’m glad you received my email and that the information was helpful! I appreciate the trust that you have placed in me and my work and I promise not to abuse it. The work I do is for the good of people. I want to protect.

I will take a closer look at the information you have provided and get back to you in the next couple days. Is Harrison working alone? I glanced over the files and didn’t see mention of an accomplice but with his unique quirk I can’t imagine him avoiding capture for this long.

Maybe look over known acquaintances again and see if any of them have a quirk capable of hiding a person or something along those lines? Not that I want to tell you how to do your job! You’re the professional!

Sincerely,
           Deku.

Mr. Deku,

… we never considered an accomplice… I’ll have my people look into it and get back to you.

Thank you,
Ingenium

Mister Ingenium,

I tracked what I could through social media. Look into Ichinase Maria, they seem to have the most contact with each other??? I don’t know though, I’m not proficient in social media usage and will leave that up to the real pros.

Sincerely,
           Deku.

Mr. Deku,

Holy shit. We missed so much because we didn’t think about a partnership. I am so glad you reached out for the other case. This might have taken us months to figure out! We have enough evidence now. Seriously, thank you!

Thank you,
Ingenium

Mister Ingenium

Glad I could help!

Sincerely,
           Deku. 

Mister Ingenium, 

Wait... does Harrison have any connection with Watamaru Mars? If so, you should get into contact with Ms. Joke... your cases may be connected... While I really hope they aren't the ways that Harrison and Watamaru operate are too similar to not be cautious about them. If they are connected there may be another person at play here. 

Sincerely, 
            Deku

Chapter Text

The Effects of Quirks on Technology

By Anonymous

21XX

Starting in the late 19th century, technology started to advance rapidly. Some say, it began with the advent of the printing press centuries earlier but it really began with the creation of the automobile, followed shortly by the first world war.

The development of new technology has always been driven by wars. That is until, of course, the First Quirk War.

After the world saw the development of quirks in the late 21st century, the people became divided, especially in countries such as the United States where disparities and inequities were already rampant. Children with strong quirks were tracked down and kidnapped from their homes, while others were ostracized and murdered. The same happened in other countries all over the world.

The old saying that people feared what they don’t understand had never been more apparent.

The First Quirk War began in the last decade of the 21st century and lasted until the second decade of the 22nd century. It lasted 12 years and devastated many countries. Most places were able to rebuild after and those that weren’t were “adopted” by other countries.

During this time more combative quirks were relied on to win the war. Notably Hanson Gerrak of The Netherlands. Gerrak had a strong telekinesis quirk and an even stronger sense of strategy. He was able to corral opposing forces and almost single handedly ended the war.

The use of quirks completely negated the development of technology that was so prevalent in previous wars. An example of this is our phones: The Apple Phone (Previously iPhone in the early 21st century) has the same basic designs and functions now as it did when the iPhone 14 came out in 2026, after the Third World War. Over a century later and the design hasn’t really changed.

Other examples include cars and airplanes and even the irrigation systems used for farming.
There are things that have changed drastically in even the last eighty years since the mainstreaming of quirks: technology related to hero work.

New materials have been developed for added safety. The use of nano-technology for support gear has grown widely, especially since David Shields joined the support market. Durable phones (Not Apple!) have been developed for hero work. Stronger security systems (Such as UA’s) and even quirk suppressants.

With something as impressive as quirks literally embedded in our DNA, is it necessary to change the things that have worked so well for us?

Chapter Text

Deku: I love my mom

Deku: and I know she loves me

Deku: but it is so hard sometimes.

Deku: she works with quirkless people for a living!!!

Deku: she defends them!!!!

Deku: she practically shouts from the rooftops that quirkless does not mean worthless!!!!

Deku: so why is it so hard for her to believe in me???

Deku: it’s gotten better since I started training with you but

Deku: I can see it in her eyes sometimes.

Deku: like she’s waiting for the other shoe to drop

Deku: preparing for me to fail

Deku: fuck

Deku: it’s like three am you’re probably sleeping.

Deku: Goodnight.

*
Aizawahead: alright, kid.

Aizawahead: we’re taking a break from training today.

Deku: Okay?

Aizawahead: we’re going to talk…

Deku: About?

Deku: Please give me a topic…

Deku: Not having one makes me anxious af…

Aizawahead: we’re going to talk about quirks

Deku: Okay.

Deku: That I can do.

Chapter Text

Izuku isn’t sure how he feels about taking a break from training so close to the UA Heroics Department entrance exam. He was already at a disadvantage compared to his peers and from the rumors and his own research, the test was already biased towards physical quirks.

Considering he didn’t even have a quirk, was it possible?

He shakes his head. Aizawa believed in him. It has been almost seven months since he started training with the underground hero. There was less than a month until the test. He couldn’t afford to lose faith now.

Besides, a test about heroics couldn’t only have to do with destructive abilities. There were rescue heroes for a reason.

Naturally, Aizawa would tell him nothing about the test. Izuku had only asked once anyways, expecting the negative answer and receiving one.

They’re not training today, but Izuku is still meeting Aizawa at the warehouse. He’s anxious, but Izuku supposes a conversation about quirks shouldn’t be too bad.

He hopes.

Izuku pushes the side door open and heads to the room he knows Aizawa is waiting for him in. It’s a small lounge—what used to be the office when the place was a working warehouse—with several plush chairs, a couple beanbags, and an old couch that Izuku likes to take naps on sometimes when he arrives early for training.

Now, Aizawa sits on one of the beanbags, clearly waiting for Izuku to take the other one so that they can have their conversation.

“Don’t worry, Kid,” Aizawa says gruffly, noticing Izuku’s (very obvious) nerves. “It’s not like you’re in trouble or anything. I just think there’s some things that you need to understand before getting to UA.”

“Okay,” Izuku breathes, flopping into the chair with a huff after setting his backpack down.

They sit in solemn silence for a couple more minutes, Izuku staring at his hands and Aizawa looking up at the ceiling. Izuku feels like he might spontaneously combust is Aizawa doesn’t say anything soon.

“We’ve talked a lot about quirk theory,” Aizawa starts, still staring at the ceiling. “But what do you know about quirk history?”

“Less than I know about quirk theory but the topics do coincide a lot,” Izuku says, his gaze lifting to eye his teacher, though he’s thankfully Aizawa isn’t looking at him.

“I figured as much,” Aizawa groans, sitting up. He looks more tired than usual. Izuku wonders if he had a late patrol the night before. (He didn’t, Shouta just spent his post-patrol time worrying about his Problem Child). “Well, when quirks were starting to develop, when there were more quirkless people that quirked people, it became apparent to the leaders of society that such a divide in abilities would end in bloodshed. In fact, there were many instances of conflict that ended in bloodshed. Eventually, war broke out—”

“—The first quirk war.”

“Yes,” Aizawa agrees with a nod. “This war changed people’s views on quirks. They went from being a freakish ability to being dangerous. So people with quirks were hunted down.” Izuku knew this, he did, but hearing his teacher speak it in such a monotone voice hit different than reading the words on a page. “So the tides turned again after people with quirks started fighting back. That was when the Hero Safety Commission came into play in Japan. They found quirked individuals on the side of people without quirks to fight against other quirked individuals. These individuals were the first heroes. Once the heroes gained more popularity the culture shifted again and quirks became something to covet. That was just the first generation of quirk users. Over time, as more quirked people were born, the views on quirks shifted. People who were born quirkless were at first seen as people to protect, but as it became less common, the experience of a quirkless person became what you have surely experienced.”

“Easy targets.”

“More or less, yeah.”

“Why did you bring this up Aizawa-Sensei?” Izuku asks because this is something Izuku knows. A little more detailed, sure, but common knowledge.

“What do you think your mom sees when she’s working with her clients?”

Izuku takes a moment to think about this. He’s never really considered it before and given the context of Aizawa’s lecture he knows that he shouldn’t rush his answer.

“People like me,” Izuku says quietly. “Who’ve had a progressively more difficult time fighting back against the system as views have changed. She sees what I could easily become without people like you and her who believe in me.”

“She also sees the darker sides,” Aizawa reminds him gently, sitting so he can see Izuku now. “The senseless crimes committed against people without quirks. She’s seen it all and more. So when she looks at you—”

“She sees me,” Izuku breathes, tears starting to fall now because oh… he gets it. “But she also sees everything I’m going to struggle against to become a hero.”

Aizawa nods. “Y’know, it’s not easy to be a parent, right?”

“Your children are cats, Aizawa-Sensei,” Izuku counters with a wet laugh.

“Regardless. She loves you, Kid,” Aizawa says and damn, that just makes the tears flow faster. “And she really does support you and your dreams. But she’s spent her whole career watching the darker sight of society and she struggles to separate it when she’s spent your whole life watching you grow into who you are today.”

Izuku sobs, throwing himself from his chair onto Aizawa who grunts at the additional weight but graciously allows Izuku to curl up against him in some semblance of a hug.

“You’re a strong kid, Izuku,” Aizawa says gently, like its not everything Izuku needs to hear right now. “I know that, you know that, your mom knows that. Soon, we’re going to make sure the whole world knows that.”

“Thank you,” Izuku murmurs, wiping his cheeks as he pulls away. “God, I just… Thank you Aizawa-Sensei.”

“It’s fine, Problem Child,” Aizawa says. “But lets keep the emotional talks to a minimum, alright?”

“Yeah,” Izuku agrees with a wet laugh. He’s forever going to be grateful for the day that the Pro-Hero Eraserhead replied to his first email, somehow leading to not only his mentorship with the hero, but also the support of someone besides his mom.

"Now, Kid, it's time for a nap." 

"What—" Aizawa uses his capture weapon to cover Izuku's mouth. 

"Sleep." 

Chapter Text

Aizawahead: it has come to my attention, Problem Child, that you haven’t been getting paid for the work you’re doing….

Deku: I don’t need the money!

Deku: Honestly, I do this work mostly to pass the time and because I want to help people

Deku: I don’t need to get paid for it!

Aizawahead: … Problem Child.

Deku: !!!!! Twice in one conversation!!!

Aizawahead: …

Deku: Sorry :c

Deku: No one has even talked about money in the emails???

Deku: …

Aizawahead: I’m setting you up a Hero Network Bank Account.

Aizawahead: Until you have your license it will be under my name. You’ll be able to access the money.

Aizawahead: Give me a list of the agencies you’ve helped.

Deku: Okay… but only because it’s terrifying when you use proper punctuation.

Aizawahead: That’s the point, Kid.

EraserZawa,

As requested, I have attached the agencies that I’ve worked with. The file also includes the Case Number, dates, specific heroes, and the time I spent on each one.

I really don’t need the money but… yeah… i guess if it makes you feel better?

I’ll probably just end up donating it to the orphanage that Serai is at.

!!! Speaking of! Would it be weird to visit Serai even though I never actually met her and I was only involved in the case that she was a part of? She’s at the Quirkless Orphange in Hosu and… well… I also want to check out the conditions there… especially after the conversation we had last week and looking into more figures and… maybe I’ll talk to mom about that?

Welp. I’m going to go do that.

Sincerely,
            Deku.

Deku,

Kid, I’m not going to tell you how to manage the money you will be getting from the cases you have worked on. You’re a smart kid, you’ll figure that out. Just remember it would be good to start saving money now for support gear and other things that you’ll be needing when you’re officially a hero-in-training.

You’re talking about that case with Nighteye, correct? If you want I can talk to him about setting something up. I believe it would be good for you and your mom to visit the orphanage anyways. There should be oversight but who knows what help those kids might need. And coming from someone who knows what it’s like to be quirkless in this society? I think your visit will do wonders.

-Eraserhead

Chapter Text

Mister Deku,

Eraserhead emailed me to let me know that you have not yet been paid for the services you have given to Nighteye Agency and I wanted to reach out and apologize for the discrepancy. It is true that we were busy but that is no excuse, the money has now been deposited into your account.

I would also like to reiterate my thanks for your work in the Mirouta case. We did not tell young Serai of your involvement but it also came up that you would like to visit the Hosu orphanage with your mother. If you do not mind, I would like to join you on your visit. I was directly involved in her rescue and I feel it would help her to have a familiar face.

I am also working on getting the orphanage more funds. As I’m sure you’re aware, the way our society treats people without quirks is… less than optimal.

There is another case I’d like your input on. I’ve attached what we know about the case and a few additional resources that I’ve found helpful. We got a lead on the Trigger case so I’m following up on that and won’t have time to look into this one further.

Let me know your thoughts on the visit and the case.

-Sir

Sir Nighteye,

My feelings on getting paid are complicated so I won’t bore you with them. I do appreciate it even if I find it unnecessary. So, thank you!

I think having you along for a visit to the orphanage would be perfect! I would love to hear more about your plans to obtain funding and to talk more about Quirkless people with you at some point in the future. I also think it'd be advantageous for you to meet my mom. She’s one of the top Quirk Discrimination Lawyers in the country! She worked on the Nakamura Akihiro case about a decade ago!

I’ve attached my analysis of the case you sent. I also have another analysis on a Mirouta case. Something wasn’t sitting right with me and I think it might actually be related to the Trigger case you’re working on. You may want to talk with Ms. Joke and Ingenium about the Watamaru and Harrison cases respectively. There’s something missing from each of the cases and I’m not sure what it is… Since you have access to more case files and are working on the trigger case I imagine that you’ll have better luck finding this missing piece.

I have been looking into cold cases recently, ones that just… feel like they’re related to this—which I know you said you didn’t want me involved in the Trigger case but I just… Trigger hurts people and I know I can help! Anyways, I found a case that the police worked on about fifteen years ago that I think might be necessary for you to look at. I’ve attached the file.

Unfortunately, I can’t get access to the rest of the non-public information so there’s only so much I can do about this case. I’m going to be talking to Eraserhead about this as well. This feels big.

Sincerely,
          Deku.

Mister Deku

I will be having a meeting with Eraserhead, Ms. Joke, and Ingenium to review the cases that you have noted. If you are comfortable showing up in person, we would like you to be involved. The meeting will be this Thursday at 6 PM at Nighteye Agency. I ask that you do not discuss this with anyone outside of this group. I know I said I didn’t want you involved further in this but we’re in need of your analysis.

-Sir

Sir Nighteye,

I will speak with Eraserhead. As he is my mentor—and also a little scary—I will be deferring to him on the level of my involvement, but I will do anything I can to help. (without hindering the investigation because, as you are aware, I am still a minor with no official training!)

-Sincerely,
            Deku.

***

Deku: Eraserhead

Aizawahead: what did you do Problem Child?

Deku: NOTHING!

Deku: I just forwarded you an email.

Aizawahead: why am I not surprised that you go involved in this case?

Deku: …

Aiawahead: what?

Aizawahead: ah, i just received the email from nighteye.

Aizawahead: naturally, you are the one who made the connection between the cases…

Aizawahead: You can attend the meeting with me but I must be informed of anything else you find and if you ever try to get physically involved you will be banned from applying for UA (And expelled if it’s after you start attending). Do I make myself clear?

Deku: Absolutely!

Aizawahead: Good. I will speak with Nighteye about your involvement.

Deku: Thanks Dad!

Deku: Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Deku: Please pretend that never happened.

Deku: How to delete text from memory?????

Deku: .. this isn’t google…

Aizawahead: im taking a nap…

Deku: me too…

Chapter Text

Nighteye Agency is about as ordinary as Izuku expected it to be. It looks like any other nondescript office building, a disguise so normal it’s almost boring. He glances at Aizawa beside him, who has his face hidden in his capture weapon as per usual, and can’t help but grin.

He’s going to an actual hero agency! And not just any hero! Sir Nighteye himself! The only sidekick All Might had ever worked with! (Izuku is still working through his feelings about the number one hero, but he's allowed to be excited!)

Izuku had a hard time the last two days keeping his mumbling to a minimum around his mom. She knows that Izuku is working on a case with Aizawa—his mentor made sure to get her permission for Izuku to be involved, after all—but she doesn’t know any specifics and Izuku would rather keep it that way.

He trusts his mom but he also knows that this is something he has to, and can, protect her from. After all, Nighteye did tell him to not talk to anyone outside their little group about it.

“You coming, Kid?” Aizawa prompts when Izuku doesn’t move. He shakes himself out of his reverie and follows the underground hero into the building.

The reception, much like the outside of the building, is painfully plain. Izuku understands the reasoning for this, he does, but he has also heard that Nighteye is a fan of jokes. He was kinda expecting something a little more lively. But no, it’s plain, generic… kinda like him.

They’re met in the reception by one of Nighteye’s few sidekicks, and led to a conference room on the fifth floor. Izuku has to physically hold onto the back of Aizawa's costume to keep himself from fanboying at the sight of the other heroes in the room.

Sure, he’s emailed with them before, but this is the first time he’s meeting any of them except Aizawa in person and there’s so much more he can learn about them now! Maybe they’d be willing to answer his questions now that they’ve met in person and they know he’s not going to sell their information to the highest bidder?

“Deku,” Aizawa says, not harshly but like it’s not the first time he’s said it either. Izuku looks up at the hero and sees the raised eyebrow before realizing that he must have been mumbling again. He can feel the blush rising on his cheeks.

“This is Deku?” Ingenium—Ingenium!!—asks with a look of confusion. “I thought he’d be taller?”

“I thought he’d be older,” Ms. Joke adds, though she’s got that look in her eye that Izuku has seen grandmothers give their grandchildren before pinching their cheeks (on tv, of course, Izuku doesn’t have much experience with grandmothers). Izuku’s not quite sure if it's aimed at him or Aizawa, though. 

“I-I I’m Deku,” Izuku confirms, louder than he means to but it does distract Ms. Joke from whatever physical interaction she was going to initiate. “It’s a p-pleasure to meet you Ms. Joke, Ingenium, Sir Nighteye.” He bows to each hero in turn.

There’s another hero in the room, someone Izuku barely recognizes—maybe a new hero?—but he trusts that Nighteye has approved their presence so he hardly questions it. But then, they look too young to be a hero, barely older than Izuku himself. Maybe an intern?

Izuku has never heard of Nighteye bringing on an intern before.

“Deku, this is Lemillion, he’s a second-year at UA and has been doing a work-study here since the start of the year.”

“I’ve heard a lot about your work, Deku!” Lemillion greets with all the energy that Izuku is used to coming from him. The blonde hero-in-training has a bright smile and his beady eyes seem to shine with their own light. “Your analysis of this case is amazing! Though, I’m not so sure about involving a middle schooler in this…”

He trails off and exchanges a look with Nighteye and yeah, Izuku understands where Lemillion is coming from.

“I won’t be getting physically involved, Lemillion,” Izuku assures before turning to the rest of the heroes who look equally concerned now that they know his age. “While my mother does not know the details of the case she does know of my work and she, Eraserhead, and I have a working agreement on what I can and cannot involve myself in. My work is done on the computer only.”

“Deku has joined us to give his briefing of the case and see if he can’t glean more from the less public cases,” Sir Nighteye adds from his spot at the head of the table. “He was the one who brought these cases to our attention for the most part. It would be foolish to bar him from helping further.”

“Especially since he’d manage to get himself involved anyways,” Aizawa adds, and Izuku can’t disagree with him there. “This way I can better oversee what he’s getting into and make sure he doesn’t get in over his head.”

“That makes sense,” Ingenium nods after a moment. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Deku. I give you my thanks for your help with the Harrison case. Your work is impressive, especially considering your age.”

I—uh?” Izuku says smartly because they’re all commenting on his age and not the fact that he doesn’t have a quirk. It’s confusing, especially since he knows that at least Sir Nighteye and Aizawahead know. He’d have expected them to share his quirk status with the rest of their team but no one has even asked. “Thanks?”

"Now that we're all acquainted, why don't we get started with the meeting?" Nighteye interjects, gesturing for Izuku and Aizawa to take a seat. 

There are packets on the table in front of their seats and Izuku takes a moment to flip through them, recognizing his analysis of the cases that he's connected so far. It worries him, that four seemingly unconnected cases would relate to each other, especially since Izuku can't figure out how or why. 

"Deku here emailed Eraserhead about the first case in the packet nearly eight months ago. Prior to that, no one knew the cases involved were connected. Since then, he's managed to draw connections between cases that all of us have worked on," Nighteye explains, not even looking at the packet that the others are perusing now. "The implications of the connections are what concern me. Deku mentioned that there might be someone behind all of them, someone powerful..." 

Izuku nods because anyone with not only the quirk but the resources to back multiple different villains had to be powerful. He has some theories on people with that kind of power but most of them are impossible. Villains who have been in prison for years or underground legends that Izuku's sure were created to make heroes warier of the night. 

"Are we sure they're all connected?" Ingenium asks, thumbing a page halfway through the extensive work. "I don't want to doubt the work you've done, Deku, but it seems like a bit of a stretch in some of these cases." 

"There's always the possibility that I'm looking too far into this," Izuku admits, because, as he's told Aizawa and Sir Nighteye, he is just a kid and he doesn't have all the information he needs. He clenches his hands together under the table to keep from shaking. He can't show these heroes how nervous he is. "However, both Eraserhead and Sir Nighteye have looked at the analysis that I've done and—uh—well, it's highly probable that there are more related cases that we haven't found yet." 

“The major concern here is the presence of Trigger in where there should be none,” Sir Nighteye adds. “Over the last two decades, All Might has dismantled most of the gangs that were distributing the drugs.

“Which means there's a new source,” Ms. Joke concludes.

“Precisely,” Nighteye says with a firm nod.

All the heroes in the room look on edge and that sets off alarms in Izuku’s head. He knew this was bad, he knows that he's only going to be tangently involved, but it still makes him nervous that everyone else is so nervous.

“What leads do we have right now?” Lemillion asks, he sends Izuku a reassuring smile as he leans forward. The hero-in-training’s movements break the tension in the room and Izuku is grateful for it.

“Nothing su-substantial,” Izuku informs, hating the stutter that pops up again.

“Mostly,” Aizawa adds, speaking for the first time since he said Izuku’s alias earlier, “we’re working with Deku’s theories.”

“Which are, unfortunately, not enough to go off of,” Sir Nighteye finishes.”But I called us all here to get on the same page and so that we could have more eyes on the lookout for information that don’t belong to a fifteen-year-old. Deku, if you could tell them what to look for?”

“Oh, uh, okay?” Izuku agrees, though he definitely hadn’t been expecting this. He glances at Aizawa who gives him a nod to start. “Um, for the most part, its, uh, changes in the behaviors of the perpetrators up to, uh, fifteen hours before the case? Say in the Harrison case,” he nods to Ingenium, “his actions weren’t matching the profile that was created on him, which suggested an accomplice. Things like that. Another example would be going to a park fifteen minutes out of the way on the way home from work. Other things include a change in the strength or appearance of a quirk. If someone who can become invisible is suddenly able to walk through walls with no other apparent quirk involved… well—”

“That’s probably going to be a trigger case,” Aizawa says.

“Exactly.”

“Okay,” Ingenium nods, leaning back in his seat. “Who do we contact if we find something?”

“Me,” Nighteye says. “Any information that Deku doesn’t find on his own will come through me. We’re trying to keep his involvement to a minimum because as Lemillion pointed out, he is only a middle schooler.”

“A terrifyingly capable middle schooler,” Ms. Joke adds with a laugh.

The meeting derails from there, with talk of Izuku’s training with Aizawa and his preparations for the entrance exam next month. It’s nice, especially after the strain of having to talk about his analysis in-person to people that aren’t his mom or Aizawa.

“I’m proud of you,” Aizawa says unexpectedly when they’re waiting at a red light on the way back to Izuku’s apartment.

“What?” Izuku almost-shouts.

“You handled that meeting professionally,” Aizawa doesn’t take his eyes off the road. “None of my first years would have been able to do that.”

“Didn’t you… expel your entire first-year class this year?”

“That’s irrelevant.”

Chapter Text

Deku,

Marvelous! It has taken me weeks and the only reason I figured out your identity is that Aizawa let it slip he had a personal student outside of school! Fifteen and already doing so well. I do hope you make it into UA, whether or not you’re a heroics student to start I would love to have conversations with you and potentially do some extra tutoring.

Though, if your physical capabilities measure up by even half to your mental capabilities I have no doubt of your abilities to succeed.

Who taught you cyber security?

-Nedzu

Nedzu,

I appreciate your faith in my capabilities! Though I’m not sure how much I deserve such high regards. Should I make it into UA I would love to talk with you more! In the more likely event that I don’t, I would still like to talk more. I think learning from one of the smartest beings on the planet would be amazing (even if you do, honestly, terrify me a bit. The way you handle the media is awesome in the most literal sense).

I taught myself. After being pulled from middle school I started learning online and I needed more than just my classes to occupy my time so I picked up a few things. I’ve gotten better with hand to hand and a staff since I started training with Aizawa-Sensei! He also has me working on strength and stealth and stamina! Unless the entrance exam is fighting robots I feel like I’ll do alright. But many quirked individuals would struggle against robots so I’d hope a school like UA wouldn’t be that biased considering you’re the only hero school that accepts quirkless people.

Granted, UA does allow the use of support items, especially in the case of a quirkless student attempting to make it into the Hero course. I suppose that this would allow for a more even playing field, assuming the student builds the weapon themselves. I’m not the best at building but I have been working on it for two years so I’m hoping what I have measures up to the test.

I have the schematics for the security upgrades I thought up ready to send. Just let me know which is the most secure way to do so? I could send them with Aizawa. I think keeping them off a computer might be the safest way for now.

Sincerely,
           Deku.

Deku,

I would definitely prefer to keep any upgrades offline. If you could give them to Aizawa at your next lesson that would be best. Thank you for your help with security. As I’m sure you’re aware my quirk, High Specs, has helped a lot with ensuring the proper security of UA but it is always good to get another look.

I’ll be in contact about anything else I might need your help with, Deku-Kun.

I hope that your faith in your abilities continues to grow. I believe it would be a good thing for the world to see that it’s not the quirk that makes the hero and I know you can show them. I know what it’s like to be on the outside looking in. If there’s any way I can help you let me know, even if you end up not going to UA.

You've given me much to much to consider.

-Nedzu

Chapter Text

Izuku stares up at the UA entrance with wide eyes. He's been there before for a training with Aizawa that couldn't be done at the warehouse, but somehow it feels bigger now. More real.

He feels his pocket for the exam ticket that was mailed to him a week ago before taking a deep breath and stepping through the gates. He doesn’t have any of his support gear on him, since he had to send them to the school to be evaluated. Thankfully, they’d all made it through the inspection so no matter what he was up against he wouldn’t be defenseless.

Not that he was defenseless without them. He’s not the person he was in elementary school anymore. He wasn’t someone who hid in the bathrooms during breaks and avoided walking home because he was afraid.

“Out of my way, nerd,” a familiar voice snaps from behind him, bumping into Izuku’s shoulder. He steps away but he doesn’t fall like he once might have. “Can’t believe a quirkless loser like you is here, fucking Deku.”

“K-Katsuki,” Izuku greets with a frown. His once friend, then bully, then savior. Now, Izuku doesn’t know what to think of the explosive teen. He hasn’t even seen him in almost three years.

“What the hell?” Bakugou snaps, turning on Izuku. His hands are raised like he wants to let out an explosion but something makes him stop. He doesn’t back off as he growls at Izuku, though. “Since when do you call me that, Deku?”

“Would you p-prefer Kacchan?” Izuku asks, tilting his head to the side. Maybe he shouldn’t be antagonizing Bakugou but Izuku knows he has a line of people ready to go off about his lack of self preservation.

He had known, theoretically, that Bakugou Katsuki was also planning to take the UA entrance exam. When they were younger it’d been their dream to work together, saving lives and beating villains at their own agency. But when Bakugou had gotten his quirk and Izuku had gotten a target saying “Look at me! I’m perfect for bullying!”painted on his back that had changed.

For years, Izuku had endured until one day, when Izuku was just starting middle school, there had been a villain attack nearby. The destructive quirk had nearly toppled the school and the resulting flames had engulfed the building faster than Izuku could whisper All Might.

Izuku hadn’t heard about it until days later but apparently Bakugou had been the one to pull him from the building after he’d been hit on the head by debris. The rest of his classmates, his teachers, had abandoned him. Leaving the quirkless loser to his fate. His mom, upon hearing this, had made sure that Aldera would never open again and had pulled Izuku from public schooling.

So yeah, Izuku has mixed feelings about Bakugou. He’s grateful, but the boy had been his biggest bully for several years.

“Y-you’re not the boss of me,” Izuku protests because he’s worked so fucking hard to get ready for this test and no matter the disadvantages he has to face he’s not going to let anyone tell him he can’t until he at least tries first. Izuku can feel his hands shaking.

“You wanna bet—” Bakugou steps forward with his hand raised only for nothing to happen. Izuku turns to see Aizawa by the front gate, glaring at them. Hair floating and eyes glowing red. He doesn't move to interfere but Bakugou seems to get the message as he huffs and walks away.

Izuku nods at his mentor when he manages to calm himself down, grateful that Aizawa was present even if he's not looking forward to explaining what that was.

Not a confrontation Izuku wanted to make today but he thinks he might survive if that’s as bad as it gets.

Chapter Text

It was robots. Of course it was robots. Izuku had made that comment as a joke. He didn’t actually think that UA, the top heroics school in Japan, would use robots in their practical exam.

Izuku glares down at the paper, doing his best to memorize the designs of the metal hunks and looking for any potential weakness he could exploit with the support items he had made. Surely, even if the exam was ostentatious, they wouldn’t make the robots impossible to destroy. That would be, as Aizawahead would say, illogical.

His planning is interrupted by another hero-hopeful standing up and demanding to know why the fourth robot was on the page if they weren’t going to say anything about it. Thankfully, Izuku had curbed his muttering habit years ago or the student might have called him out for it. Instead, Izuku’s rapid paced planning was all in his head.

“Okay, Listeners!” Present Mic yells, breaking Izuku out of his head. “It’s time to head to the buses. You have fifteen minutes to get changed and find your bus!”

In the next fifteen minutes, Izuku changes into his loose workout clothes, picks up his gear from the examination table, and heads to his assigned bus. Thankfully, he’s in a different location than Bakugou, so he doesn’t have to worry about his test as well as the explosive blonde.

He does, however, have to worry about the blue-haired examinee who is apparently a stickler for the rules.

“You are not allowed to have support items! It is against exam policies!” The teen shouts, drawing everyone’s attention to the two of them. Izuku feels himself blush even as he starts to shake in frustration.

He’d just like one day where someone’s not telling him what he can and cannot do. One Day.

“A-actually, I can,” Izuku stammers (why is it that he can talk to professional heroes just fine but put him in front of someone his age and he’s a mess?). “I-I got them approved. B-besides, it’s not your job to p-police m-me. I-it’s r-r-rude, ho-honestly.”

The blue-haired teen is clearly unsure of how to respond but it doesn’t matter when, not even twenty seconds later, Present Mic calls the start of the exam.

Izuku shoots off without even a glance back at the rest of the examinees. He’s already at a disadvantage and can’t waste a second when his future is on the line.

As soon as he’s through the gates Izuku expands his staff and spins it so his grip lands naturally. He charges at the first robot he sees, a one-pointer, and aims a hit for the leg joints. The first one manages to dent the robot and when there’s barely any backlash he swings again. The robot falls to the ground and Izuku stabs the end of the metal staff through its head, effectively destroying it.

One point.

This is going to be a long fifteen minutes.

His staff doesn’t work on the three pointers. Izuku finds this out when he hits a robot’s leg-joint and the staff breaks in half at the seam. Thankfully, he made it to do that with a strong magnet, but it’s unfortunate.

He doubts the taser would work either, especially considering it’s a single use object.

So he’s going to have to use the tie line.

It’s a steel wire with two grips to protect his hands. The wire is strong enough to cut through most metals and long enough that he should be able to wrap it around the leg.

Before he gets the chance, though, another examinee shoots the robot down with a laser from his navel. Izuku barely manages to avoid the resulting explosion and flying debris. Though he does get a cut on his cheek and palms when he has to roll on the ground to avoid a sheet of metal.

“Apologies, Monsieur,” the boy apologizes before taking off.

“This is the worst,” Izuku grumbles. He has twenty points but it’s definitely not enough to make it into the hero course. He’s tired, sore, and his face hurts now. He’s frustrated beyond belief that navel-boy stole his robot and he just wants to give up when he hears the two minute warning from Present Mic.

Then there’s a rumble and the ground shakes as the zero-pointer crushes buildings. Izuku stares at it in horror, part of his brain calculating how much Yueei must have spent on this exam alone, but the rest trying to figure out how he’s going to survive because, while the robot is slow, it’s large enough to send debris flying everywhere.

A baseball sized piece of building hits his wrist and the pain makes Izuku move. He turns to run away when the cry of help from another examinee draws his attention back towards the robot.

There’s a girl trapped under rubble with a sixty foot robot coming to crush her.

Izuku is sure that the school has enough safety precautions to prevent the death of an examinee in place but he doesn’t trust it.

He knows how technology can fail.

Still, he can’t save the girl on his own, Izuku knows that.

“Hey you two!” Izuku shouts to a teen with several arms and a mask covering his face and another with gravity-defying purple hair. The teens look at him like they’re ready to ignore Izuku and keep running“Someone’s stuck up there, can you help me?”

The several-armed teen’s entire demeanour shifts as he looks to see what Izuku had seen. The purple one still seems to hesitate but eventually he nods.

They all take off together towards the robot. Izuku pulls up the display on his armband and starts typing. He’s hacked the UA system before and hopefully hacking the robot won’t take nearly as long.

He doesn’t have days to do this.

“We don’t have time for names but Arm-Guy, can you get the slab off? Purple-hair, what’s your quirk?” They’re nearly to the girl who looks like she’s about to pass out as she tries to slap a hand down on the stone.

“Brainwashing,” the teen responds hesitantly. Izuku immediately understands the hesitation but now is not the time for reassurance.

“Okay, if we need to calm her down I’ll be counting on you for that. I don’t want to risk further injury.”

“What are you going to do?” Purple-Hair asks as they reach the girl. Arm-Guy immediately steps in and starts assuring her that they’ll keep her safe while Purple-Hair tries to stay out of the way of his efforts.

“I’m hacking,” Izuku grunts as he continues typing. He doesn’t look away from the zero-pointer.

“I can’t get it off her leg safely,” Arm-Guy says after a moment. Izuku’s at the point where he can leave his program running on it’s on, so he turns to the other three.

Purple-Guy is kneeling in front of the girl while Arm-Guy keeps trying to lift the rock. Izuku takes a second to analyze before he turns to the girl who’s trapped. He remembers seeing her briefly in action. She has some type of gravity quirk.

“Hey there,” Izuku greets, his voice soft. “Can I have Purple-Hair brainwash you to work past the quirk-exhaustion? It would help us if you could negate the gravity on this slab.”

She hesitates for a moment before nodding. Purple-Hair immediately steps in, asks a question, and the next thing Izuku knows, she’s put five fingers on the stone and Arm-Guy is able to not only lift it but throw it at the zero-pointer.

“We have to go,” Izuku warns, helping the girl stand. He’s shorter than her but it’s enough that he can pass her on to Arm-Guy—who simply lifts her into a four-arm cradle. They take off at a run just as the zero-pointer pulls to a dead stop.

The four of them slow down and stare at the immobile robot in wonder. Izuku glances at his arm display and finds that it was his program that stopped the robot.

“Oh,” Izuku says, glancing back up. “Huh, I guess it was easier to hack.”

The two boys stare at him in confusion but Izuku doesn’t respond. He’s saved by the end of the test being called before he ushers Arm-Guy and Gravity-Girl to the medical area set up by Recovery Girl.

As he walks back to the bus Izuku figures he’ll have to train harder for the sports festival, since he definitely didn’t get enough villain points to make it into the hero course.

He also needs to send another email to Nedzu because he definitely has issues with letting thousands of untrained teenagers loose almost unsupervised against giant robots. He wonders if he should get his mom involved in this...

Chapter Text

Deku: ROBOTS???

Aizawahead: believe me i’ve been trying to change that for years

Aizawahead: there’s a lot of behind the scenes stuff and the old guys are stuck in their ways

Deku: I’ve heard soap and water works to get things unstuck.

Deku: Maybe let me at ‘em. I am very upset right now.

Aizawahead: understandable

Deku: You’d think that a top hero school wouldn’t play into the discrimination that I have been fighting my entire life. Especially one that says it accepts quirkless students into it’s heroics class.

Deku: If that’s the heroics exam then it’s very clear why I’m going to be the first Quirkless Hero to come from ANY hero school.

Deku: Cause even if I don’t get in through the exam, I’m going to win the sports festival.

Deku: I don’t care how conceited it sounds.

Deku: I HAVE to make it into UA’s heroics program. Even if I plan on going underground I need to use these three years to do what I can to change things.

Deku: I

Deku: I’m so tired.

Aizawahead: I’m coming over for dinner tonight. I already texted Inko.

Deku: … thanks.

Chapter Text

The Effects of Quirks on Wildlife.
By, Anonymous.
21XX

In 2021 the Thirty by Thirty campaign began. This movement was a nine year effort to mitigate the effects of climate change and save the planet. To a degree, the movement was successful. However, during this period, thousands of animals went extinct and the world was ravaged by storms and earthquakes and volcanic eruptions like no other period of history on earth. Millions of lives were lost. Some say that we developed Quirks to survive climate change. Some say it was to survive disease, especially considering the 2020-2021 Pandemic that devastated every single country. It’s hard to say exactly why Quirks developed, only that they did.

In 2063, the Coalition of Wildlife was founded by Marice Entrenette of Bogata, Colombia. The coalition was created to protect the thousands of species facing extinction, such as the Mountain Lions native to North America and the Giraffes native to Africa. Entrette possessed a quirk that allowed her to hear the thoughts of animals. She’s quoted saying “It’s not that I care because I can hear them. It’s because I care that I can hear them” (Yamamoto, 2074). As one of the first Quirked People in the global spotlight for her work in the Amazon, Entrette became a spokesperson for the Quirked Rights Campaign which led up to the first Quirk Wars.

Five years after the founding of the Coalition of Wildlife, Entrenette met Eric Baldwin, an American grad student at the University of Washington studying the effects of CO2 on a mutated version of the Iriartea deltoidea species of trees in the Amazon. Baldwin was another Quirked Person, he could manipulate UV radiation in small quantities. While the two were working together in the Amazon they created a Biosphere that protected the rainforest from the adverse effects of climate change, saving thousands of species and changing the way Wildlife refuges operate globally. (Baldwin would go on to repair the Ozone Layer and reverse centuries of harm in 2084 with the help of Alex Manzen of Italy and Casey Reed of England).

This is an extreme example of how quirks have affected wildlife globally since the end of the 21st century. The Pre-Quirk era saw the extinction of hundreds of thousands of different species because of hunting, natural disasters, and climate change. Quirks have, admittedly, made it easier to protect animals from these things, even if game hunting (the sport of killing animals like lions and elephants) is still popular among the elite, even if it is banned globally.

Another effect that quirks have had on Wildlife are… well Quirks. The first documentation of an animal with a quirk was in Iceland in 2102. Gretchan Little had adopted a little kitten who started to speak to her. At first, Gretchan assumed she had spontaneously developed a quirk but when she invited a friend over and Lilac had talked to the friend, Gretchan knew otherwise. She’d reported the quirk to the government and Lilac was taken for testing.

Testing Quirked Animals was not regulated at the time. Now, there are many protections for Quirked Animals but some countries (like Japan pre 2156) are still lacking.

Simba, both a beloved lion in a PQ movie and also the first known wild animal with a quirk. Simba lived in the Serengeti National Park (Tanzania) from 2109 to 2159. Simba possessed a quirked that slowed the aging process, allowing him to live five times the average lifespan of a Lion and almost single handedly bring back the species from the brink of extinction over his lifetime.

It’s clear to see that Quirks have had a positive impact on Wildlife since the 21st century, though more research needs to be done on the precise effects, especially in areas such as Antarctica where humans could not travel for three decades due to melting ice caps and the Australian Outback where most humans still cannot live due to extreme temperatures and aggressive poisonous insects.

Chapter Text

Nedzu,

Hello, my name is Midoriya Inko. I am a Quirk Discrimination lawyer and founding partner of the Sawamura Law Firm. I was hoping to set up a meeting with you to discuss the entrance exam for the UA Heroics Course in order to avoid a potential lawsuit. I would like to avoid taking this issue to court but know that I will if things do not change.

Sincerely,
           Midoriya Inko.

Midoriya-San,

I am available this Wednesday at four if that works for you.

-Nedzu

Nedzu,

That works for me.

Sincerely,
          Midoriya Inko.

***

Inko has not always been the best mother. She loves her son, absolutely adores Izuku and everything about him. She watched him take his first step and was there for his first words and the first time he rode a bike. She’s been there the whole way.

But, like every mother ever, she has made mistakes.

Some of them are more lasting than others.

She still dreams about the day that the doctor told them Izuku would never get a Quirk. She remembers how devastated her little boy had been, how her heart had broken watching his dreams crash and shatter at his feet.

She can still hear herself apologizing over and over because maybe she did something wrong, maybe she wasn’t strong enough. She can hear Izuku’s heart wrenching sobs as he watched All Might’s debut for the millionth time, only this time his eyes were devoid of hope.

Inko is still making up for it, probably would be for the rest of her life.

Izuku had needed her support, not her pity, and apologies. It had taken way too long for her to realize that. It wasn’t until Aizawa had sat her down and talked to her about it that she realized she needed to verbalize her support to her son.

He needed to hear from her that he could be a hero.

Her baby boy was going to change the world and Inko would be damned if she didn’t do her part right there with him.

Which brings her to the office of Nedzu, UA’s principal. She has guesses as to what species Nedzu is, but right now it doesn’t matter. What matters is getting the exam changed so that no other fourteen year old comes home from it with tears of frustration because they couldn’t stop someone getting hurt. So that no other parent has to watch their kid wake up from nightmares where they weren’t fast enough to save someone.

Inko had spent the last week brainstorming with Izuku (who is out training with Aizawa right now) and she sets the binder of ideas for new potential exams on the coffee table.

The smile Nedzu sends her way when he sees it is primal. Inko’s responding smirk is full of vindictive glee. They have a lot to talk about and the excitement Inko feels at the prospect of change is familiar.

Chapter Text

CC:Aizawahead
Sir Nighteye,

Do you know of any technology that enhances a person’s quirk? Other than support gear? I’m looking into a case right now for Fat Gum and I’m… stuck. By all accounts Akihiro Sekuchi has a “weak” quirk; the ability to make her skin glow a fluorescent pink. However, she was able to blind several people in an incident last week and when tested showed no traces of Trigger. She also had no support gear on her body. It’s highly unlikely that she had like a microchip but I’ve exhausted all other avenues of thought.

Do you know of any cases with similar deadends I can look at?

-Sincerely,
            Deku.

CC: Aizawahead
Mister Deku,
I am not aware of such technology. I looked at the casefiles after receiving your email and analysis and have reached the same dead end. I have Bubble Girl and Centipeder looking into similar cases.

You should be getting results from UA soon, correct? Please remember to fill us in when you receive them.

-Sir

CC: Aizawahead
Sir Nighteye,

Thank you! Please keep me posted on the cases? I’m worried we might be looking at an upgraded form of Trigger which, considering I wasn’t supposed to be involved in trigger cases to begin with, is highly concerning.

I should be getting the letter tomorrow. I will let everyone know.

-Sincerely,
Deku.

Chapter Text

Chat Title: Trigger-ed

Cheatsheet (Pinned)
De(c)k(yo)u: Deku
SleeplessInMusutafu: Eraserhead
Ex-Nudist: Lemillion
Turbo: Ingenium (Tensei)
Psychic: Sir Nighteye
John Mulaney 2.0: Ms. Joke

John Mulaney 2.0: @De(c)k(yo)u !!! DID YOU GET YOUR RESULTS!!!! :D

De(c)k(yo)u: Yup! Turns out I’m %100 that bitch.

Turbo: I cannot believe you just quoted a PQ song???

Turbo: Deku, I thought you were better than this.

De(c)k(yo)u: There is NOTHING wrong with PQ music. I will fight you if you try to say otherwise Iida.

Psychic: Deku.

De(c)k(yo)u: ANYWAYS!

De(c)k(yo)u: Guess who’s going to be in Eraserhead’s class :D

De(c)k(yo)u: Training to be the FIRST EVER Quirkless hero :D

De(c)k(yo)u: And has had two (2) panic attacks despite having been training for this in some capacity for at least five years :D

De(c)k(yo)u: and having known Eraserhead for ten months :D

De(c)k(yo)u: (If you guessed me you’d be correct :D)

John Mulaney 2.0: AHHHH THIS IS SO EXCITING CONGRATS! (Not on the panic attacks tho, that sucks)

Turbo: CONGRATULATIONS DEKU!!!

Psychic: I am proud of you, Deku.

De(c)k(yo)u: AH!

SleeplessInMusutafu: i will have no breaks this year.

SleeplessInMusutafu: considering you’re involved in both my hero work and now my teaching work as well.

De(c)k(yo)u: Could be worse.

De(c)k(yo)u: Lemon and I could be in the same year.

SleeplessInMusutafu: …

SleeplessInMusutafu: if i could sleep, that thought would give me nightmares…

Ex-Nudist: Hey! We wouldn’t be that bad!

Ex-Nudist: Congrats Deku! I look forward to watching you make waves in the hero community!

De(c)k(yo)u: Thanks, Lemon!

***

Aizawahead: I am also proud of you, Kid. You've improved a lot in the last ten months.

Deku: Thanks Dad!

Deku: You know what?

Deku: I'm owning that

Deku: UNLESS IT MAKES YOU UNCOMFORTABLE!

Deku: IN WHICH CASE I'LL REVERT TO CALLING YOU ZAWA!!!!!!

Aizawahead: ... as long as you don't call me that in public.

Deku: :D I'm crying real tears.

Deku: Mom wants you to come over for dinner.

Dadzawa: i'll be there at six

Chapter Text

“Do you have your handkerchief?” his mom asks for the second time since Izuku put on his left shoe.

“Yes mom,” Izuku responds, trying not to sound as exasperated as he feels. He knows she means well. Inko may be a badass lawyer but he got his anxiety from her. “I gotta go before I’m late!”

“Hey, Izuku,” her voice stops him just before he shuts the door. Izuku turns to look at his mom. “I’m proud of you.”

“I love you, mom,” Izuku tells her, his smile turning wobbly. She’s been saying it a lot more these days but it’s still nice to hear. “Remember Zawa is coming over tonight to celebrate the first day.”

“Of course, honey. I’ll see you tonight.”

***
Yuuei is huge. Izuku knows this of course, he’s been back since he got his official acceptance and even had his final day of training until summer with Aizawa the previous night. Apparently the hero training is going to be so intense that they’ll have to cut out one on one training until the second term where Izuku should have the hang of things.

He’ll still get to see Aizawa nearly everyday so he’s not too concerned.

What he is, however, is lost.

Despite being on campus many times, Izuku has never been in the main building and like he noted before: Yuuei is huge.

Thankfully, he runs into a second year, someone in 2-B, before he runs out of time to make it to class before the bell rings. The teen, Ringo as he introduces himself, points him in the right direction and soon Izuku is standing outside his classroom door.

He can hear yelling inside.

Izuku already misses being homeschooled. He doesn’t want to deal with his peers. He doesn’t want to be the quirkless freak anymore.

He wants to be Deku, which is ironic considering how that name came about. Now, however, Deku means I can do it not useless. He’s made the name his own and no one can take it from him anymore.

With a sigh, Izuku slides the door open—it’s surprisingly easy considering the size of the thing— and steps into the room.

Bakugou is there, with his feet on his desk and a scowl in place. He’s being lectured at by the blue-haired teen who’d tried to call him out for his support items. The items he’d made himself, thank you very much.

Most of the other students in his class are there, staring at the two of them with uncomfortable looks on their faces and Izuku can’t blame them for it. Blue-Hair and Bakugou both look pissed and Izuku finds that he wants to leave when their attention turns to him as he enters.

“I’m Iida Tenya from Somei Junior High,” Iida introduces, walking over to Izuku like a robot.

“I heard you,” Izuku comments, trying not to roll his eyes. It wouldn’t be a good first—second?—impression to show how done he is with Iida’s theatrics this early in the morning. “I’m Midoriya Izuku.”

“Midoriya, I must hand it to you,” Iida starts on some sort of rant. “You divined the actual nature of the practical skills exam, didn’t you? I… was blind to it! I completely misread you!”

“...You’re blocking the door,” a tired voice interrupts the conversation and Izuku turns to see Purple-Hair staring blankly between him and Iida. Izuku smiles, happy to see a familiar face. (Though he did catch sight of Arm-Guy when he came in, he just hasn’t had the chance to say anything yet).

“Ah!” Iida shouts. “Apologies!”

Iida backs away from Izuku who takes his chance to find his seat behind Bakugou (naturally). Purple-Hair sits behind him but they don’t speak. They do, however, share a nod of acknowledgement.

Not even a minute later Gravity-Girl walks in the room, pointing between Izuku, Purple-Hair, and Arm-Guy.

“You all made it in!” the girl shouts, clearly pleased by this news. Izuku’s happy too but he’s trying to not get on anyone’s nerves on the first day.

Any response is stopped when their classroom door slides open to reveal… no one. Izuku glances down to see Aizawa, in his customary yellow sleeping bag, finishing a juice pouch. Conversation slowly dies around the room and Izuku wonders if it’s always going to be like this.

He knows Aizawa is weird. Aizawa knows he’s weird. But Izuku can feel the judgement of his peers as their homeroom teacher unzips his sleeping bag.

“Hmm,” Aizawa hums, eyes roving over Izuku and his classmates. “It took you lot eight seconds to quiet down. Life is short, kids. You’re lacking common sense. I’m your homeroom teacher, Aizawa Shouta. Pleasure meeting you.” Aizawa pulls a gym uniform out of the sleeping bag. “Wear these immediately and then shove off to the P.E. grounds.”

Izuku, being used to Aizawa’s vague demands, is quick to grab his uniform and go change, Bakugou right behind him. They’re the first two out on the P.E grounds but they only have to wait a few minutes for everyone else to show up.

“We’re going to start with a quirk apprehension test,” Aizawa says, his flat voice and dull eyes masking the way he’s observing their reactions.

“What about the entrance ceremony?” Gravity-Girl protests.

“If you want to be heroes then we don’t have time for frivolous activities,” Aizawa says, surprising the class even more. But, Izuku thinks, he’s not wrong at all. “You all understand the school’s reputation for freedom on campus. Well, that “freedom” goes for the teachers as well.”

He proceeds to list the activities they’ll be doing, the same ones Izuku did ten months ago when he began his training with Aizawa. He’s excited to see how he’s improved since then.

Izuku watches in awe as Bakugou throws the ball over seven-hundred meters. One-hundred times his middle school distance, with a war-cry and an explosion that blows wind and smoke through his hair.

“Before anything else, one must know what they’re capable of,” Aizawa explains as he shows the distance. “This is a rational metric that will form the basis of your hero foundation.”

Izuku watches in growing horror as members of his class shout out their glee over being able to use their quirks for the test. As someone who doesn’t have a quirk he’s at a disadvantage, especially seeing as he can’t use his support gear out of costume right now. To see them treating this like a game is frustrating to a degree that Izuku doesn’t know how to process.

“It looks fun… you say?” Aizawa says, interrupting the excited chatter. “So you were planning to spend your three years here having a good ol’ time? What happened to becoming heroes?”

Despite knowing Aizawa for nearly a year, Izuku has never seen the underground hero look as terrifying as he does now. Izuku has made sure to never put himself in a position where Aizawa could doubt how serious he was taking his training to be a hero.

“Alright then,” Aizawa continues. “In that case, new rule: the student who ranks last in total points will be judged “hopeless” and instantly expelled.”

Izuku knows that their teacher is serious. He can see it in his eyes. If any of his classmates don’t take this test seriously then they’re going to be out of the program faster than they can say "Professional Hero".

Chapter Text

Deku: Logical Ruse, huh?

Deku: Mister “I expelled my entire class”

Dadzawa: what happened to the nervous Deku who never back talked?

Deku: He can’t come to the phone right now.

Deku: Why?

Dadzawa: Don’t you dare.

Deku: Eep!

Deku: Anyways, I’m on my way to the teacher’s lounge so we can head home.

Deku: Make sure nothing incriminating is happening because I don’t want to explain to mom why I need to bleach my eyes.

Dadzawa: we’re at school? what do you think teachers get up to at school?

Deku: No national secrets just walking about?

Dadzawa: Oh My God.

Deku: *gasps*

Dadzawa: You know, don’t you?

Deku: That depends on what you’re talking about, dad.

Dadzawa: All Might.

Deku: Ah, that, yes. He might have, uh, shrunk? On the roof?

Dadzawa: and revealed a national secret to a kid he didn’t know?

Dadzawa: honestly i’m not going to warn him that you’re coming.

Dadzawa: he deserves it.

Deku: :D

***

Chat Title: Trigger-ed

Cheatsheet (Pinned)
De(c)k(yo)u: Deku
SleeplessInMusutafu: Eraserhead
Ex-Nudist: Lemillion
Turbo: Ingenium
Psychic: Sir Nighteye
John Mulaney 2.0: Ms. Joke

Ex-Nudist: Can someone explain to me why All Might showed up to training like he’d seen a ghost?

Psychic: I haven’t talked to him this week. I knew he was just starting his new job and wanted to give him some space.

De(c)k(yo)u: that would be my fault

Ex-Nudist: What did you do?

SleeplessInMusutafu: the lord’s work.

De(c)k(yo)u: What Zawa said.

John Mulaney 2.0: You scare me sometimes, Deku.

De(c)k(yo)u: :D

Turbo: … Shouta… did you threaten to expel your entire class again this year?

De(c)k(yo)u: Is it a threat if he’d actually follow through on it?

De(c)k(yo)u: Seems more like a promise at that point…

SleeplessInMusutafu: I simply ensured that they were going to take their training seriously.

John Mulaney 2.0: By threatening expulsion?

SleeplessInMusutafu: low effort and effective. Logical choice.

De(c)k(yo)u: logical indeed.

De(c)k(yo)u: nevermind that none of the class believed he’d actually do it after he mentioned it was a ruse…

De(c)k(yo)u: i should casually mention the entire class you expelled last year tomorrow…

Psychic: Deku, did you receive my email?

De(c)k(yo)u: looking at it now!

Chapter Text

CC:Aizawahead
Mister Deku,

I’ve attached what we’ve found in regards to the Akihiro case. We found traces of a Trigger-Like substance in her house, but nothing in the bloodwork. We were in contact with a scientist on I-Isand about the technology and nothing like what you suggested has made it onto the market to their knowledge. While that type of technology is possible it would be expensive to make.

-Sir

CC:Aizawahead
Sir Nighteye,

This is worrying. It would appear that someone is rapidly developing Trigger and if we can’t find traces of it it’s going to be harder to pinpoint who is behind it. I think we should look into gangs that had a history of Trigger dealing in the last fifteen years. I know All Might took care of several of them but many survived and if any of them are dealing in Trigger then we’ve got a National Crisis building like the 2134 Trigger Pandemic, but worse… much much worse at this rate.

I will be looking into it on my end but as you know my resources are limited and I can’t get super involved. Keep me updated and I’ll let you know if I find anything.

Sincerely,
          Deku.

Deku,
You doing okay, kid?
-Eraserhead

Dadzawa,
As well as I can be, I guess. This case is really worrying and I fear that there’s something we’re missing, something big and dangerous. I’m not worried about my own safety or anything, more the safety of the average citizen who has no idea what’s happening right now. If my theories (attached) are correct then we’re going to need more than four heroes and two heroes-in-training for this.

What if we fill some of the teachers in now? So that they can keep a lookout and you don’t run yourself ragged? I don’t want you getting hurt because you’re not sleeping again.

Sincerely,
           Deku.

Dadzawa: that was one time.

Deku: One Time Too Many.

Deku: OH

Izukid: Name change time :D

Dadzawa: Why the hell is my son like this?

Izukid: Catch me crying on the street. This is the first time you’ve called me your son :D :D :D

Dadzawa: I repeat: Why the hell is my son like this?

Izukid: It’s the trauma

Dadzawa: Oh, what a mood.

Chapter Text

The beginning of day two at Yuuei was very different from the end of day one. For one, they attended normal classes like English, history, math, and science. For another, no expulsions were threatened and no classmates were trying to explode him for using his brain on the apprehension test.

Apparently, asking the person you saved to use their gravity negating quirk on the ball before you threw it was “cheating”. Except it wasn’t because Izuku never left the circle.

Anyways, now, Izuku is at lunch with Shinsou, Shouji, Uraraka, and a few others. He’s listening to them (mostly Uraraka and Iida) talk, not really participating as he eats his katsudon.

“I can’t believe Aizawa-sensei made us think he was going to expel someone yesterday,” Uraraka complains loudly.

“He w-would’ve,” Izuku interjects quietly.

“Why do you say that?” He’s not sure who asks the question, but everyone at the table is looking at him now.

“E-eraserhead expelled his entire class last year…”

“Who’s Eraserhead?”

Izuku stares at Kaminari with a blank face.

“Our home room teacher?”

“No, like, Eraserhead? I know who Aizawa-sensei is.”

“What?”

“I’ve never heard of Eraserhead before?”

“I was wondering about Aizawa-sensei’s hero persona,” Asui adds on.

Izuku stares dumbfounded at the rest of the table, meeting the confused eyes of his classmates, none of which seemed to know who Eraserhead is.

“I- Aizawa is pro-hero Eraserhead?” Izuku says, like it’s a question. How could his class not know who Eraserhead is?

“Sure, but who is Eraserhead? I’ve never heard of him,” Kaminari asks.

“The Erasure Hero: Eraserhead is an underground hero who has been active for just over a decade. He’s been teaching here for eight years. His quirk is erasure which allows him to erase the quirks of his opponents—or unruly students—for as long as he can keep his eyes open without blinking. It doesn't work on mutant quirks though, probably because it's difficult to trick the brain into thinking part of its body doesn't work. He uses a specially made capture weapon to fight as well. He also carries knives but I’ve never seen him use them.”

“You sure know a lot about Aizawa-sensei,” Shouji remarks. Izuku realizes then that he resorted to mumbling, a trait he thought he’d curbed already but evidently the nerves of being in a school again brought the old habit back.

“Ahaha,” Izuku laughs awkward, resisting the urge to cover his face. “Sorry about the rambling.”

“So you have an analysis quirk, Midoriya-kun?” Iida asks. Thankfully, Izuku is saved from answering by the warning bell.

It’s not that he cares if his class knows he’s quirkless, he’s hopeful that UA won’t be like his limited experience at Aldera, but he wants to prove himself to them before they can pass judgements based on something he can’t control.

***

All Might looks nervous. That’s the first thing Izuku notices when he arrives at ground beta with his hero costume on. The number one hero keeps glancing at Izuku and he’d be lying if he said there wasn’t a bit of vindictive glee at the thought that Izuku made the number one hero nervous.

Maybe the prank he’d pulled on the hero was a bit much.

But so was All Might telling him he couldn’t be a hero and then leaving him on a roof.

Izuku’s class seems to notice the looks and keep on glancing at him in confusion but Izuku doesn’t mind. Instead, he’s observing all their costumes and taking mental notes on any major issues—or anything he finds particularly cool like Shinsou’s voice modulator!

His own costume is simple, especially compared to Iida’s. A dark red top, black pants, and gloves with red and teal accents. He has on his signature red hightops (though he hopes to get them upgraded as soon as he’s allowed because how cool would it be to have shoes with knives in hidden compartments. He does have a few knives already, his wire, and a capture weapon just like dad’s.

He’s nowhere near as proficient as Aizawa but that’s a given considering he’s been training for less than a year and Izuku hadn’t even been one yet when Aizawa started training.

“Let’s get started, class,” All Might’s voice booms through the space, pulling Izuku from his thoughts. The class immediately comes to attention and waits eagerly for directions.

It’s a simple concept, really. Capture the Bomb, set in a building. It should be fine except Izuku and his partner, Uraraka, are paired against Bakugou and Iida. Two people that Izuku really doesn’t want to be facing right now.

He’d rather face Todoroki, as aloof as the guy acts he is still a recommendation student. (Though Izuku does have to wonder about why he’s half encased in ice).

Because Izuku used up all his luck surviving two villain attacks already, his team is up first. He and Uraraka are the heroes so they wait at the base of the building for five minutes, allowing Iida and Bakugou to get set up.

“What’s the plan, Mido?”

“M-Mido?” Izuku asks, feeling flustered. The only nickname he’s had that was given to him by Aizawa is Deku, and that really wasn’t a positive one to begin with.

“Ah!” Uraraka shouts, her face flushing just as red as Izuku's face feels. “If that’s okay! I’m sorry!”

“It’s fine!” Izuku assures, because it is fine, if a bit unexpected. “A-Anyways. The plan.”

“Yeah!”

***
They win. By some miracle, Izuku—Quirkless, Deku, Izuku—manages to beat Bakugou (it helps that his entire costume is fire resistant). The explosive hero had come after them alone but Izuku and Uraraka had entered from the third floor window, one floor about where Bakugou had been at the time so they’d managed to avoid him for long enough to make it to the fourth floor.

Once there, Uraraka had gone up while Izuku had searched the fourth floor, eventually running into Bakugou. Izuku was wary of Bakugou, of course he was, but he didn’t really feel afraid. Izuku managed to avoid several hits from the angered teen (though not all of them, unfortunately) and capture Bakugou with his scarf (and then the capture tape for extra precaution). He then went to help Uraraka who had been spotted by Iida.

Uraraka had touched the bomb and the heroes had been declared the winners!

It’s a heady feeling; winning the first training event of his career at Yuuei. Izuku feels, not for the first time but possibly the most profoundly, that he can do this.

He can be a hero

Chapter Text

Chat Name: 1A

Cheatsheet (pinned)
No Nicknames Currently

Midoriya Izuku: Hello Class 1A! This group chat is a requirement for all heroics students to be a part of. You’re not allowed to leave :D As your class president (which I am still confused by but thanks?) I will be in charge of monitoring the chat and reporting any rule breaking with the help of Yaoyorozu-san etc etc etc. The school doesn’t care about language as long as no derogatory words are used. Any sort of racism, sexism, transphobia, homophobia, ableism, audism, quirkism, etc will not be tolerated and are ground for immediate expulsion.

Midoriya Izuku: I believe that covers just about everything. This chat is free to use to ask for help on homework, get life advice, begin to form connections with classmates etc etc etc. I do want you to know that Aizawa-Sensei is in the chat and can see your messages so please don’t create more work for him than necessary.

Kaminari Denki: Oh wow, group chat already?

Jirou Kyouka: Oh

Jirou Kyouka: Oh NO.

Bakugou Katsuki: What The Fuck, Deku?

Midoriya Izuku: I'm just following the School Rules, Bakugou :D

Uraraka Ochacko: Has anyone ever told you that you’re kind of terrifying, Mido?

Midoriya Izuku: Yes, actually.

Shouji Mezou: I can see this either going very good or very bad…

Midoriya Izuku: Honestly, I’m expecting both.

Tokoyami Fumikage: I see you too are prepared to embrace the darkness, Midoriya-kun.

Asui Tsuyu: Midoriya-chan, I have a question about your costume.

Midoriya Izuku: Yes, Asui-san?

Asui Tsuyu: Call me Tsu…

Asui Tsuyu: I noticed that you and Aizawa both use a scarf as a capture weapon. Was your costume inspired by his?

Kaminari Denki: I didn’t even know Eraserhead was a hero that existed until yesterday!

Midoriya Izuku: It was! I can’t talk about it really but I’ve been training with the scarf for a few months now. It’s really difficult and apparently took Zawa six years to master…

Midoriya Izuku: I can only use it because I’ve been working with a really good instructor.

Iida Tenya: Midoriya-kun! You should not be so informal about our teacher’s name!

Midoriya Izuku: … I can see the point you’re trying to make but I’m electing to ignore it.

Kirishima Eijirou: What a manly thing to say, Midoriya!

Aizawa Shouta: I honestly do not care what the lot of you call me.

Aizawa Shouta: as long as it’s logical.

Midoriya Izuku: >.>

Aizawa Shouta: Midoriya No.

Midoriya Izuku: Midoriya Yes.

Aizawa Shouta’s nickname has been set to Zawahead

Zawahead: *sighs*

Iida Tenya: Midoriya-kun!

Sero Hanta: This just in: Midoriya Izuku, local cinnamon roll is actually a SINnamon roll.

Tokoyami Fumikage: What a mad banquet of darkness.

Chapter Text

Chat Title: Trigger-ed

Cheatsheet (Pinned)
De(c)k(yo)u: Deku
SleeplessInMusutafu: Eraserhead
Ex-Nudist: Lemillion
Turbo: Ingenium
Psychic: Sir Nighteye
John Mulaney 2.0: Ms. Joke
Loud: Present Mic
Blood: Vlad King
Ghost: Ectoplasm
Big Guy: Fat Gum
Bird: Hawks

SleeplessInMusutafu has added Present Mic, Vlad King, Ectoplasm, Fat Gum, and Hawks to the chat.

SleeplessInMusutafu: I have updated these five as we discussed in our last meeting. They will be joining us on the case as extra sets of eyes and ears.

De(c)k(yo)u: I…

Ex-Nudist: Cabbage, don’t do it.

De(c)k(yo)u: But I NEED to, Lemon. You don’t understand!

Loud: ???

Turbo: Deku is an analyst assisting with the case and has a mild case of quirkphilia.

De(c)k(yo)u: You wanna Fight Ingenium? I know all of your weaknesses.

Turbo: Fear™

De(c)k(yo)u: That’s what I thought.

De(c)k(yo)u: So, just to fill you all in further. I am Deku, I’ve emailed all of your agencies at least once except Hawks for one reason or another. I’ve yet to email any of you personally as you were not the one’s handling the cases I had found. I am a freelance analyst (apparently) who started helping with cases as a hobby almost a year ago now after I was the victim of a villain attack. I mostly work with Eraserhead but I’m not a licensed hero so any work I do now is with his knowledge and he should be CC’d in any email you’re sending me about the current case so that he knows I’m following the rules we set out for my safety. My emails are completely encrypted and so are any analyses that I might send your way.

De(c)k(yo)u: Any questions?

Bird: Yes… What The Fuck?

Bird: Why is this my name?

De(c)k(yo)u: Is it wrong?

Bird:... no…

Ex-Nudist: Deku is our local cryptid. He did all of our names.

Ex-Nudist: If you ever met him in person you would not believe he was the same person after seeing him here.

De(c)k(yo)u: Thanks! It’s the trauma™

SleeplessInMusutafu: You need to stop saying that, Kid.

Loud: SHOUTA!

SleeplessInMusutafu: I Have Many Regrets™

Blood: Mood.

Chapter Text

Unknown Number: fuck you, deku

Midoriya Izuku: who is this?

Unknown Number: figure it out, fuckface

Midoriya Izuku: ah.

Midoriya Izuku: Bakugou?

Bakugou Katsuki: since when do you know how to figgt?

Bakugou Katsuki: fuck

Bakugou Katsuki: fight*

Midoriya Izuku: since after the slime villain incident

Midoriya Izuku: I could defend myself before but Zawa taught me how to fight back

Bakugou Katsuki: and how’d that happen?

Midoriya Izuku: I solved a case that Eraserhead was working on, emailed him, and by some miracle he didn’t think I was useless…

Bakugou Katsuki: fuck

Bakugou Katsuki: if you tell anyone about this I’ll kill you

Bakugou Katsuki: but I’ve been seeing a damn shrink since the slime villain incident

Bakugou Katsuki: and the bastard had made me realize that I was a piece of shit

Bakugou Katsuki: and I know you deserve an in person apology but I’m not ready for that yet

Bakugou Katsuki: but I am sorry. You deserved none of what I did to you and I’m honestly kind of glad that Aldera got burnt to a crisp because that fucking school would have done jack shit.

Bakugou Katsuki: fuck

Bakugou Katsuki: best keep your mouth shut shitty nerd.

Midoriya Izuku: I can’t say I forgive you yet

Midoriya Izuku: maybe I’ll be ready to when you’re ready to apologize in person

Midoriya Izuku: I need time to see that you’ve changed

Midoriya Izuku: but thank you

Midoriya Izuku: I’ll see you in class tomorrow

Bakugou Katsuki: whatever nerd

Chapter Text

Chat Name: 1A

Cheatsheet (pinned)
Zawahead: Aizawa Shouta
Cabbage: Midoriya Izuku
Boom Boi: Bakugou Katsuki
Ice Cold: Todoroki Shouto
Gravity-Girl: Uraraka Ochacko
Arm-Guy: Shouji Mezo
Turbo JR.: Iida Tenya
Purple-Hair: Shinsou Hitoshi
TAILs: Ojiro Mashirao
Mr. Electric: Kaminari Denki
Tsu: Asui Tsuyu
Sparkles: Aoyama Yuga
Alien Queen: Ashido Mina
The Rock: Kirishima Eijirou
Revelry: Tokoyami Fumikage
GlucoseGuy: Satou Rikidou
Snow White: Koda Koji
Portable MP3: Jirou Kyoka
Goddess: Yaoyorozu Momo
Invisiline: Hagakure Tooru
Beta-Spiderman: Sero Hanta

Gravity-Girl: Mido! Are you okay????

Tsu: has anyone heard anything about Mido-Chan and Aizawa-Sensei?

Goddess: There have been no updates but I will be sure to inform everyone as soon as I hear anything.

Goddess: And if anyone needs anything please let me know. Today has been a lot and it’s okay to not be okay. I know most of us are back with our families but I am here as a resource for anyone.

Alien Queen: You too Yaomomo! If you need anything let us know! We all went through a traumatic event today and it’s going to take time to recover from it.

Boom Boi: @The Rock DM Me

Mr. Electric: Eyes

Boom Boi: Shut Up Dunceface

Turbo JR: That’s not very heroic of you, Bakugou!

Mr. Electric: Not very Plus Ultra, you mean?

Portable MP3: Denki…

Mr. Electric: Okay, I’ll stop.

Cabbage: I lived bithc

Cabbage: u know… the hospital is wierd

Cabbage: I haven’t been here since i was??? Three???

Cabbage: Maybe?

Cabbage: Did you know they don’t usually treat Quirkless people at hospitals?

Cabbage: Do u understand how many hospitals my mom has sued for quirk discrimination ??

Cabbage: and it still hasn’t changed?

Cabbage: I’m only being treated because I go to UA!!!!!

Beta-Spiderman: What???

Cabbage: Ahhhhhh

Cabbage: I mean

Cabbage: Frick

Cabbage: Dad’s awake… peace.

Ice Cold: Dad?

Chapter Text

“Dad?” A quiet, familiar voice is the first thing that Shouta hears as he floats back into consciousness. His body feels heavy and achy and his eyes feel like they’re glued shut.

“Your eyes are covered, dad.”

Oh, that’s Izuku.

Suddenly everything comes back and Shouta shoots up in bed, pain lancing through his entire body.

“Woah!” Another voice-Zashi-exclaims loudly before strong hands are placed on his shoulder and Shouta is forced to lie back on his bed.

“You’re okay, Dad. Everyone’s okay, you kept us safe until help arrived,” Izuku assures from somewhere near his head. Shouta tries to reach for his kid, his Izuku, but his arms won’t move. His body doesn’t feel like his own. Everything feels fuzzy as he sinks back unconsciousness.

***

“Shouta,” a feminine voice says softly. Shouta isn’t sure if it’s been hours since he was last awake or minutes but he recognizes Inko’s voice. “I know you’re still resting. The doctors said you’d likely be out for the rest of the day, but I just want to thank you. You saved My Izu from permanent paralysis. His recovery is going to take a while but he’ll be back on his feet before we know, stubborn boy that he is.”

She’s crying now. Shit.

Shouta tries to move, tries to say something, but his body feels like it’s covered in plaster and his throat hurts like it’s been through a grinder.

“Hey, hey, hey,” Inko soothes, urging Shouta to lay back when he finally gets his body to respond. “Shouta, I’m going to call for a nurse. They’ll be able to help you better. For now just drink the water. I’ll hold the straw up for you since your arms are in casts.”

Oh, that would explain why he can’t move them.

Huh.

“Zu?” Shouta tries. It sounds more like two rocks falling onto a turntable but he’s pretty sure Inko understands him well enough to know what he’s asking.

“He’s going to be released tomorrow. His care will be transferred to Recovery Girl who’ll be doing physical therapy with him for a few months,” her voice sounds so clinical and Shouta is grateful for it because he’s in pain and exhausted and his son got hurt. Right in front of him. Shouta had to watch Shigaraki disintegrate… he doesn’t even want to think about it. “The doctor says he’ll have to sit out on the physical part of heroics until he can walk again but he’ll still be able to attend school next week as long as he doesn’t over exert himself.”

“Walk?”

“Temporary paralysis of his legs. The nerves have been repaired thanks to a quirk but it’ll take time for him to relearn how to use them.”

“Fuck.”

“The doctor is here, Shouta,” Inko says a few minutes later when the door opens. “I’m going to head back to Izuku. We’ll stop by after checking out in the morning.”

***

“Get me out of here,” Shouta demands, glaring at his longtime best friend. The man who Shouta trauma-bonded with in high school and never got rid of afterwards because, despite what he wants people to think, Shouta cares too much—he’s getting off track. “Help me leave or I will do it on my own and it will be significantly more damaging to my own body and your mental health.”

“Dad,” Izuku chides, his voice light.

Three of Shouta’s favorite people—not that he’d tell them that—are in his room and they’re planning to just leave him there? Shouta won’t allow it. The bandages on his eyes are off and his legs work, that’s all he needs to stage an escape.

“I’ve already signed you out,” Hizashi assures. “It’s AMA but we all know you’d never stay here while your son was going home.”

“You are both the best and worst thing that has ever happened to me,” Shouta deadpans. If he weren’t so emotionally constipated he’d express his gratitude now but by the look in Hizashi’s eyes (suspiciously close to tears) he thinks his friend understands.

“And because your dumbass will probably overwork yourself if left alone you’ll be staying with the Midoriya’s until the rest of the bandages come off,” Hizashi explains with no small amount of glee. Shouta would like to know when this was decided. “Miko and Devil are already there.”

He’s okay with it now.

“Let’s just leave, please.”

“Sir, yes, sir,” Izuku says, giving Shouta a cheeky salute.

Shouta’s ninety-nine percent sure they’re giving Izuku the good stuff to deal with the pain the teen must be in right now.

It’s impossible to tell with the casual clothes the green-eyed kid is wearing but there must be extensive scarring on his lower back, even with all the healing quirks available to him as a hero-in-training.

“Let’s go home,” Inko says with a soft smile for the thre of them. “The two of you need to rest and I know Hizashi has patrol tonight.”

“Since when were you two on a first name basis?” Shouta asks because his brain to mouth filter is a dirty rotten bastard.

“Since Hizashi saved my best friend and my son from permanent injuries,” Inko says deadpanned before she turns the brakes of Izuku’s chair off and leads the way to Hizashi’s car.

Chapter Text

Chat Title: Trigger-ed

Cheatsheet (Pinned)
De(c)k(yo)u: Deku
SleeplessInMusutafu: Eraserhead
Ex-Nudist: Lemillion
Turbo: Ingenium
Psychic: Sir Nighteye
John Mulaney 2.0: Ms. Joke
Loud: Present Mic
Blood: Vlad King
Ghost: Ectoplasm
Big Guy: Fat Gum
Bird: Hawks

De(c)k(yo)u: NIGHT EYE!!!!!! JUST TOOK ME AND MOM TO VISIT SERAI AND NEVER HAVE I EVER WANTED TO ADOPT A CHILD MORE IN MY LIFE!!!

De(c)k(yo)u: She and some of the other kids decorated my wheelchair and I am filling out the papers right now

De(c)k(yo)u: if anything happened to these kids I would kill everyone in the world and then myself

Turbo: you’re like twelve

De(c)k(yo)u: I will fight you

De(c)k(yo)u: never mind. Forgot about the wheelchair for a sec.

De(c)k(yo)u: I will run over your goddamned toes Ingenium

Turbo: I do not like it when you use my hero name

De(c)k(yo)u: good :D

SleeplessInMusutafu: stop terrorizing Tensei

De(c)k(yo)u: no u

De(c)k(yo)u: No! I’m sorry! Stop staring at me like that!

SleeplessInMusutafu sent an image: [Izuku is sitting in a wheelchair decked out is hot wheels decals and unicorn stickers. He’s wrapped in a fuzzy green blanket with a unicorn plushy in one side. In front of him on a desk is a laptop with various pun stickers on a cover. He’s pouting at Aizawa, the picture is blurry.]

John Mulaney 2.0: asidhailshdaklhrqiehri how are you this cute and still absolutely terrifying.

SleeplessInMusutafu: I see you typing Kid.

De(c)k(yo)u: fine… i won’t do it.

De(c)k(yo)u: (it’s the trauma™)

SleeplessInMusutafu: (I can still read)

De(c)k(yo)u: (frick)

John Mulaney 2.0: This is exactly what I mean! You make jokes like this but you look like a cinnamon roll.

De(c)k(yo)u: one of my classmates called me a sinnamon roll

De(c)k(yo)u’s nickname has been set to Sinnamon Roll

Sinnamon Roll: fair.

***

Psychic: Deku, your mom has informed me that you will not be able to participate in the Sports Festival. I want to let you know that I will still be extending a work study invite your way.

John Mulaney 2.0: me as well

Turbo: same here

Bird: I would love to have a chaos intern

SleeplessInMusutafu: oi. I have dibs.

Loud: you got him for ten months!

SleeplessInMusutafu: not my fault everyone else was being illogical

Sinnamon Roll: I am in tears

Sinnamon Roll: I can’t even walk anymore? I need help getting from my chair to my bed? I can’t even get out of bed some mornings? And y’all still want me??? To intern???? With you???? Wtf????

Blood: y’all

Sinnamon Roll: I am Tired and Gay, fuck off Kan.

SleeplessInMusutafu: Problem Child.

Sinnamon Roll: Dad.

SleeplessInMusutafu: what did I say about terrorizing people in the group chats?

Sinnamon Roll: not to…

SleeplessInMusutafu: and what did you do?

Sinnamon Roll: terrorized people in the group chat….

Sinnamon Roll: I’ll do better next time m(_ _)m

***

Sinnamon Roll: ah frick… I got an update from the agency in Hokkaido. Zawa, I’m going to cc you in the reply, okay?

SleeplessInMusutafu: okay. I’ll be home in thirty mins.

Sinnamon Roll: @everyone actually, I’ll be cc’ing y’all as well. I think this case is bigger than we thought.

Bird: how the fuck does it get bigger than a national smuggling ring?

Sinnamon Roll: international smuggling ring?

Bird: frick.

Chapter Text

Deku,

This is Kempo-To-Mo. We looked into those cases as you asked and found that your analysis of the villain’s quirk was accurate as far as we are able to tell. Hanata does have connections to Lars, the leader of the Norwegian Underworld Conglomerate, more widely known as Æsir. Lars has been in custody five separate times but always manages to get out (either from bribes or escapes). We’re unsure of how the connection was formed but according to an associate in Norway, Lars is known for dealing in experimental drugs. We’ve attached the other analysis you were looking for to this email.

We’re still looking into the other cases you’ve sent to us and will have the information for you as soon as possible. We figured you’d need to know about Hanta's connection to an out of country villain. To and Mo believe there are more connections in more countries. Kempo believes the main villain is located in Japan but we have no proof of this theory. If you can, reach out to connections in other countries, we will be doing the same.

-Kempo-To-Mo

CC: Aizawahead and eight others

Kempo-To-Mo,

I have CC’d those primarily working on the case with me. Thank you for the information and the analysis you provided. It’s always nice to have input from someones with quirks for it. It’s unnerving that this is not just a Japan problem… I’m going to be contacting more of my associates in Japan since I haven’t had the opportunity to network abroad. I’ll ask them to ask around and let you know if I have anything else for you to look at.

Mom is doing well, by the way. She only knows that I requested your email address, she doesn’t know what I’m working on and I’d prefer to keep her out of the loop, as I’m sure you understand why. I hope I can see the three of you when this whole thing calms down (and I get a break from school).

Sincerely,
          Deku.
***
Izukid: We have to get All Might involved

Dadzawa: I would rather cut off my left testicle.

Izukid: What The Actual Fuck, Dad.

Izukid: All MIght may not be a competent teacher (yet, ig) but he has more connections than any other hero in the frickin world.

Izukid: I don’t have solid proof so I haven't brought it up but I think this is about more than just trigger.

Dadzawa: What do you mean?

Izukid: let’s just say there’s a reason I wanted to establish connections with the orphanage that Serai is at (and why mom is filing some paperwork as we speak to adopt as many of those kids as we can feasibly adopt and Sir Nighteye is adding additional security and patrols nearby)

Dadzawa: Fuck.

Dadzawa: Okay, I’ll talk to All Might

***

Chat Title: Trigger-ed

Cheatsheet (Pinned)
Sinnamon Roll: Deku
SleeplessInMusutafu: Eraserhead
Ex-Nudist: Lemillion
Turbo: Ingenium
Psychic: Sir Nighteye
John Mulaney 2.0: Ms. Joke
Loud: Present Mic
Blood: Vlad King
Ghost: Ectoplasm
Big Guy: Fat Gum
Bird: Hawks
Y’all: All Might

SleeplessInMusutafu has added All Might to the chat.

Big Guy: Eye

Sinnamon Roll: Welcome to Hell, All Might. I am Deku, a freelance analyst working as the secondary analyst on the Trigger Ring Case. I’ve been working on it for almost a year now as it turns out cases I have solved (or helped solve ig) are connected and my life is just a mess at this point, TBH. I’m not a professional hero so everything I do has to be approved by Eraserhead (and he should be CC’d in all emails to me) or I’ll basically be on house arrest until I’m 80.2 and all my grandkids are adults (except that’s not going to happen lol). I know Eraser filled you in but if you have any questions feel free to ask them. This is a judgement free zone for anyone not named Ingenium.

Turbo: Oi

Y’all: I HAVE NO QUESTIONS AT THE MOMENT, YOUNG DEKU!

Y’all: IT IS A PLEASURE TO BE HERE, THOUGH I WISH THE CIRCUMSTANCES WERE BETTER!

SleeplessInMusutafu: Turn off your capslock before I find you and break your phone.

Y’all: I DO NOT KNOW HOW!

Sinnamon Roll: All MIght is a Boomer™ confirmed.

Ex-Nudist: … It’s the 22nd century, Cabbage.

Sinnamon Roll: Boomer™ Confirmed.

Y'all: I do not know how you managed that, Eraserhead, but please never do it again. 

Sinnamon Roll: What did you do? 

Sinnamon Roll: Eraserhead? 

Sinnamon Roll: @Eraserhead ???? 

***
Izukid: Don't Ignore Me! @Dadzawa ! What Did You DO???? 

Dadzawa: ... Crawled through his window like that girl on the grudge and stole his phone while he screamed. 

Izukid: I cannot believe he is the Number One Hero. 

***
Sinnamon Roll: If anyone ever tells you that Eraserhead is not my favorite hero then they are lying and should be detained at all costs 

Sinnamon Roll: Because Eraserhead is my favorite hero. 

John Mulaney 2.0: Honestly, that's fair. He's practically your father. 

Sinnamon Roll: I Am A Proud Son 

Y'all: I was not aware that you had children, Eraserhead

SleeplessInMusutafu: He's more of a parasite. 

Sinnamon Roll: Just Because It's True Doesn't Mean You Should Say It. 

Sinnamon Roll: I'd can't believe you'd say this about your favorite son

SleeplessInMusutafu: You are my only son

Ex-Nudist: ALL MIGHT!

Y'all: WHomst?

Sinnamon Roll: He Memes

Ex-Nudist: Ah, it's Lemillion

Y'all: WAIT? Is Night Eye in this chat?

Sinnamon Roll: Yes, he is the primary analyst

Y'all: Fuck.

Fat Gum: No cussing in front of the child.

Sinnamon Roll: Yeah, All Might, watch your fucking language

Turbo: See, now he's repeating you!

Psychic: Ah.

Sinnamon Roll: take your drama to dm's pls

Sinnamon Roll: I am very Tired and very Gay

Sinnamon Roll: And not ready to watch my uncle fight the Number One Hero 

SleeplessInMusutafu: since when did you adopt Night Eye? 

Sinnamon Roll: Since he helped my mom adopt an entire orphanage and got me sixteen new siblings and a daughter? 

SleeplessInMusutafu: ah. fair. 

Turbo: you're like twelve 

Sinnamon Roll: Your Toes Will Be Mine 

Turbo: Fear™

Y'all: is it always like this? 

Sinnamon Roll: Yes 

SleeplessInMusutafu: Yes

Ex-Nudist: YEs 

Turbo: Yes

Psychic: Yes

John Mulaney 2.0: Aye :D

Loud: YEAH

Blood: Yes

Ghost: Yes 

Big Guy: Yes 

Bird: Yes

Chapter Text

Chat Name: 1A

Cheatsheet (pinned)
Zawahead: Aizawa Shouta
HotWheelz: Midoriya Izuku
Boom Boi: Bakugou Katsuki
Ice Cold: Todoroki Shouto
Gravity-Girl: Uraraka Ochacko
Arm-Guy: Shouji Mezo
Turbo JR.: Iida Tenya
Purple-Hair: Shinsou Hitoshi
TAILs: Ojiro Mashirao
Mr. Electric: Kaminari Denki
Tsu: Asui Tsuyu
Sparkles: Aoyama Yuga
Alien Queen: Ashido Mina
The Rock: Kirishima Eijirou
Revelry: Tokoyami Fumikage
GlucoseGuy: Satou Rikidou
Snow White: Koda Koji
Portable MP3: Jirou Kyoka
Goddess: Yaoyorozu Momo
Invisiline: Hagakure Tooru
Beta-Spiderman: Sero Hanta

Cabbage has changed their name to HotWheelz

HotWheelz: Sorry I’ve been away dealing with medical stuff and a few other things all. I will be back at school on Wednesday. I know that Aizawa gave you updates even though he’s at school AMA to begin with… For the next few months I will be using a wheelchair and doing some extensive physician therapy. Shigaraki managed to partially disintegrate part of the L4 and L5 vertebra and some nerves of my lower back. Thankfully, due to a very convenient quirk at the hospital I will be regaining full movement, though I have to relearn how to walk because the quirk literally replaced those nerves. During Practical Hero Training I will be analyzing your quirks and giving you suggestions as part of my own training. Please don’t be offended by anything I tell you as it comes from me wanting everyone to be the best heroes they can be.

HotWheelz: I believe that’s it.

Gravity-Girl: MIDO!

Beta-Spiderman: Midoriya! Holy Shit!

Turbo Jr: I am glad you are going to be okay, Midoriya-kun. I’m sorry I couldn’t bring help sooner and prevent your injury.

The Rock: I’m glad you’re okay, Midoriya! We were all worried about you when you didn’t show up on Monday!

Goddess: Please let us know if you need anything!

HotWheelz: Thank you! I’ll (probably) be fine!

HotWheelz: Also! Please remember that while we are training to be heroes, we’re still in our first term and it’s absolutely okay to not be okay after a villain atack, especially one of this scale. Talk to someone you trust about it. I seriously suggest seeing a therapist if you don’t already (UA has one on staff. Hound Dog is very good, I can vouch for him. You can also talk to me or Aizawa if you’re not sure where to start.

HotWheelz: taking care of your mental health is just as important as taking care of your physical health in this profession and I can tell you that Aizawa will Talk Your Ears Off if he notices you neglecting your mental health.

Mr. Electric: This sounds like you are speaking from experience.

HotWheelz: I am! It’s Not Fun!

Tsu: I’m glad you’re okay.

***
New Chat With Shinsou Hitoshi

Shinsou Hitoshi: Midoriya.

Midoriya Izuku: Shinsou.

Shinsou Hitoshi: I am.. Not good with words.

Midoriya Izuku: Which is ironic , but proceed

Shinsou Hitoshi: You mentioned quirklessness in the chat a couple days ago…

Midoryia Izuku: SHit, did i?

Midoriya Izuku: Frick I did.

Midoriya Izuku: It’s not really a secret I just didn’t want to advertise it…

Midoriya Izuku: but yeah, I’m quirkless. Extra joint and everything.

Shinsou Hitoshi: okay

Midoriya Izuku: Okay?

Shinsou Hitoshi: I saw you defend our teacher from a man capable of disintegrating the human body with a touch.

Shinsou Hitoshi: I may be emotionally stunted but I’m not an asshole or a hypocrite

Shinsou Hitoshi: The quirk doesn’t make the hero and your actions are plenty heroic

MIdoriya Izuku: and you said you weren’t good with words

Midoriya Izuku: thanks for checking in private btw

Midoriya Izuku: I’m sure everyone else has their own opinions at this point but I’m not really ready to talk about it to the whole class at once

Midoriya Izuku: there is a lot going on already and I don’t want to add that.

Shinsou Hitoshi: I’ll do my best to steer them off the topic if anyone brings it up in the chat

Midoriya Izuku: ─=≡Σ((( つ•̀ω•́)つ

Midoriya Izuku: that’s me zooming in my new power chair to give you a hug

Shinsou Hitoshi: how is it that you’re a completely different person through text?

Midoriya Izuku: Trauma™

Midoriya Izuku: and the added comfort of not having to immediately know what to say in response to something because the #anxiety is #abitch

Shinsou Hitoshi: you’re not allowed to curse

Midoriya Izuku: r u d e

Shinsou Hitoshi: don’t make me get Aizawa

Midoriya Izuku: I cannot believe you would use my own father figure against me

Shinsou Hitoshi: ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

***

HotWheelz: this just in; Shinsou Hitoshi is hearby suspended for using a cursed Kaomoji effective immediately

Aizawahead: you do not have the power

HotWheelz: tell that to Nedzu

Aizawahead: I

HotWheelz: just kidding I do not have the power but if @purple-hair uses that cursed thing again I will obtain the power just to suspend him

Purple-Hair: understood.

Chapter Text

Izuku feels frustrated. Not just because he’s injured, though that is shitty but he’s going to put in the work to get better, he’s frustrated that people have been treating him like glass since it happened.

Not in any overt ways. No one is saying he should be moved to a different course because he was the only student severely injured at the largest attack on UA (though he’s sure that will change once people learn he’s quirkless.

People are constantly asking him if he’s okay. Is he comfortable? Does he need anything? The worst parts are the pitying looks and the people who try to push his wheelchair for him in an attempt to be helpful (he hates that, absolutely hates it).

Izuku isn’t okay, physically or mental really. The physical pain has lessened but not being able to walk is frustrating. they aren't even at the point in physical therapy where he can even leave his chair without someone physically lifting.

The nightmares vary in intensity but they all include Izuku not being able to stop Shigaraki from disintegrating Tsu-chan’s face. (In some of them Izuku ends up permanently paralyzed). (In others everyone else dies).

So physically and mentally Izuku is not okay and the bags under his eyes prove that but he’s tired of being asked if he is.

“Izuku.”

Oh shit. He’d been waiting for Aizawa after his first day back when he’d gotten distracted by his frustration with his class (and maybe he shouldn’t feel as irritated as he does because it’s honestly nice having people who care).

“Yes?” Izuku asks, slowly lifting head to look at his teacher.

“I called you five times,” Zawa points out, raising an eyebrow at Izuku.

“Got distracted,” izuku offers by explanation.

Aizawa merely nods. He’s the only one that really understands what Izuku is going through. Sure, his entire class is traumatized by the events of USJ, but even Tsu-chan hadn’t seen the full extent of the injury Izuku had received because she’d been distracted by the Nomu.

Eraserhead had also been injured during the USJ catastrophe. The hero’s head had been slammed into the ground multiple times, sustaining long-term orbital floor damage and a mild decrease in the amount of time he can use his quirk for. He’d left the hospital a week before Izuku had been released and had returned to teaching the very next day. All against medical advice, of course.

Izuku would love for all this to be done with. Instead, he and Aizawa are heading to his second physical therapy appointment since Izuku’s mom is working on a case this week and can’t leave the office.

The appointments take an hour and involves some upper body exercises, his PT helping him with leg exercises, and ending with a session with the nerve healer. They think he’ll be able to work on his walking by the end of the month but Izuku doesn’t want to get his hopes up.

“Have you been doing your daily exercises?” Kazuto-san asks as he finishes up the final leg exercise. Izuku appreciates that Kazuto held off on the question until the end of his routine.

“Yes,” Izuku assures. “Though I’ve been having trouble with the hip ones.”

“Ah,” Kazuto nods. “That’s going to be the case until we get those nerves of yours retrained.”

Izuku hums his understanding. He’d expected as much but it is nice to get the confirmation that his body is going to continue to ignore him for at least two more weeks.

“Tomonori-san should be here soon.”

Right on cue there’s a knock on the door and then an older woman who reminds Izuku of his paternal grandmother the one time he met her. Tomonori is short with curly black hair and a no-nonsense attitude that Izuku appreciates in a medical professional.

Though he does like that Kazuto is open and cheerful when they’re working through Izuku’s routine.

“Midoriya-kun,” Tomonori greets with a formal nod. “I’ll need you on the bed for this so Kazuto and your guardian are going to help me.”

Izuku glances to where Aizawa is sitting with a book, and nods when his mentor looks at him for confirmation. With a little finagling the two get Izuku on his stomach on the bed and Tominori gets to work.

At first he feels nothing.

Then suddenly it feels like ants are crawling up his spine and Izuku wants to scream.

It’s not even painful. It’s just the most uncomfortable thing Izuku has ever experienced and he has to bite his tongue to keep from vocalizing his discomfort.

“How does your quirk work?” Izuku asks when he can breathe again. “From what I understand you rebuilt the nerves in my spine but there must be something else to it if I can’t use them yet?”

“Your body is regrowing your nerves. Right now there is enough data in your body to keep it from attacking the new cells but while you were still in surgery after the attack your body was overreacting to the growth of the new nerves, which is why you have to relearn how to walk.”

“So that feeling right now?”

“Your nerves were growing more,” Tomonori explains. “Over the next two weeks you may experience some tingling or numbness, which is normal. If it becomes painful then we’ll need you to come back in immediately but that shouldn’t be an issue. The two men here can help you back into your chair now.”

“Okay,” Izuku waits patiently as Aizawa and Kazuto lift him back into his chair before thanking his two doctors and leaving the PT room with Aizawa right behind him.

He feels exhausted, and not just physically. Izuku is ready to crash in bed but he can’t yet, not until his mom gets home otherwise he’ll be stuck in bed for the rest of the day and he really doesn’t want that to happen.

“I’ll stay until Inko returns,” Aizawa offers once they’ve reached the apartment.

“You don’t—”

“I wouldn’t offer if I wasn’t sure, Problem Child.”

Izuku sighs, rubbing his eyes as tears of exhausted frustration begin to form.

“Thanks,” he says with a sigh. Grateful that his mentor is as straightforward as he is.

“Anytime, kid.”

Chapter Text

Chat Title: Trigger-ed

Cheatsheet (Pinned)
Sinnamon Roll: Deku
SleeplessInMusutafu: Eraserhead
Ex-Nudist: Lemillion
Turbo: Ingenium
Psychic: Sir Nighteye
John Mulaney 2.0: Ms. Joke
Loud: Present Mic
Blood: Vlad King
Ghost: Ectoplasm
Big Guy: Fat Gum
Bird: Hawks
Y’all: All Might

Sinnamon Roll: It has come to my attention that some of y’all think I actually have 17 new siblings.

Sinnamon Roll: Please allow me to clarify- I have 17 new siblings HOWEVER they are living in protective custody until we get this Trigger case solved and we (we being my mom) have not actually officially adopted anyone.

Sinnamon Roll: The Hosu Quirkless Orphanage (which is a misnomer as only five of the seventeen were quirkless btw) was absolutely part of the drug trafficking ring as Serai managed to inform me while we were visiting. Sir immediately arrested the headmaster and The Smarter Midoriya swooped in with the paperwork and managed to obtain custody of the children though Serai is the only one we are actually considering adopting long-term. It’s a complicated issue that won’t be figured out until later but legally, I am still sibling-less

Sinnamon Roll: My life is, as always, a mess, so I didn’t explain that as well as I should have.

Ex-Nudist: YOu didn’t eXpLaiN IT At Al!!!!!!

Sinnamon Roll: Who’s Al?

Ex-Nudist: Fuck Off

Y’all: Mirio!

Ex-Nudist: Sorry, Y’All Might

Sinnamon Roll: I can’t believe Mirio would Meme at the Number One Hero!

Turbo: :eyes:

Sinnamon Roll: it was a joke, Iida

Turbo: Idk if you using my real name or my hero name is worse

Sinnamon Roll: :D

Blood: I am glad you’re not my problem, Deku.

Sinnamon Roll: say anything more and I’ll have your toes.

Blood: What the fuck?

Sinnamon Roll: :D

Loud: speaking of hero names! will you continue using Deku!?

Sinnamon Roll: I don’t know that I’ll be using Deku as my hero name. The anonymity has been helping with cases and having an underground info gathering identity separate from my hero identity might be beneficial in the future

Sinnamon Roll: But who knows. I’m 15, I’m not in a rush to figure this out.

Y’all: You’re fifteen???

Sinnamon Roll: Yes.

Y’all: And you’re an analyst on this case?

Sinnamon Roll: Yes.

Y’all: Impressive! Do you have an analysis quirk?

Sinnamon Roll: No.

***
Izukid: Dadddddddddddddddddd

Dadzawa: Izuku

Izukid: Should I tell them I’m quirkless?

Izukid: the triggered chat that is…

Dadzawa: it’s your choice. anyone who doesn't continue to treat you professionally after knowing that you’re this skilled without a quirk shouldn’t be a professional hero.

Izukid: the tears I’m crying are real

Dadzawa: you’re always crying

Izukid: … fair.

Izukid: alright I’m going to tell them. Half the chat knows anyways .

***

Sinnamon Roll: I’m quirkless.

Sinnamon Roll: we’ve actually met before, All Might.

Y’all: We have?

Sinnamon Roll: I’ll give you one hint.

Sinnamon Roll: And if you don’t get it I’ll be sad

Sinnamon Roll: Green.

Y’all: oh

Y’all: oh no

Sinnamon Roll: *Koolaid Man Voice* Oh Yeah.

SleeplessInMusutafu: Why?

Sinnamon Roll: A lonely childhood spent looking at old internet memes?

SleeplessinMusutafu: Valid.

Ex-Nudist: Cabbage… what did you do to All MIght? He like.. Blue screened in the middle of training…

Sinnamon Roll: Traumatized him as revenge :D

Ex-Nudist: FOr what ???

Sinnamon Roll: Ahahahahaahaahhahahahhahhaahhahaha

***
DM started with Togata Mirio

Midoriya Izuku: Remember the slime villain incident I told you about?

Togata Mirio: Where All Might saved you?

Midoriya Izuku: What i didn’t mention is that he also left me on a roof after revealing the truth behind his shortened heroing hours and telling me that i couldn’t be a hero because I’m quirkless.

Togata Mirio: That’s kinda fucked up

Midoriya Izuku: SO I’ve played a couple harmless pranks on him for Therapeutic Reasons™

Midoriya Izuku: and now he’s a little terrified of me and I love it.

Midoriya Izuku: I was bitter for a few months but I do understand where he was coming from and it was the catalyst for my Deku persona so I don’t really wish the situation would have turned out differently.

Midoriya Izuku: I wouldn’t know Dad the way I do now and honestly that would suck.

Midoriya Izuku: I’m glad you got all might’s quirk instead of me.

Togata Mirio: UHHHHHHH? YOU KNOW ABOUT HTAT?

Midoriya Izuku: Uhm, yeah? It wasn’t that hard to figure out when All Might started training you and then your quirk mutated to be almost exactly like his???

Midoriya Izuku: I mean there are obvious differences but All might has /never/ talked about his quirk so I figured there had to be a reason why?

Togata Mirio: WELP

Midoriya Izuku: It’s not like I’ve told anyone. I haven’t even talked to Dad about it and I won’t because this seems like it’s a World Changing Secret.

Togata Mirio: Ahahaha something like that, yeah>.>

Midoriya Izuku: Feel free to tell All might I know and how I figured it out.

Midoriya Izuku: I’m still not comfortable talking with him 1on 1 :C

Togata Mirio: I gotchu, Cabbage!

Midoriya Izuku: Thanks, Lemon :D

Chapter Text

Shouta has no idea (for once) why this staff meeting is being called. They’ve already decided to proceed with the sports festival (despite Shouta and several of the heroes who witnessed the aftermath of USJ being wary) and there have been no major incidents since then. All he knows is that the meeting is interrupting his nap time and he’s bitter.

When Shouta enters the room he finds all the other teachers already present. He blinks heavily before making his way to his seat. Nedzu doesn’t even stop talking when the other teachers look at him.

So he’s covered in glittery sunshine and rainbow stickers. It’s not his fault he has pseudo-adopted a chaos gremlin. Shouta greatly misses the days when Izuku was shy and didn’t do things like this. (Except not really because seeing Izuku become more confident in himself everyday brings Shouta something similar to joy).

“We were just discussing our roles for the Sports Festival,” Nedzu says when he gets to the end of his spiel. “Normally we’d have you on the field but given the extent of your injuries we’ll have cementoss and midnight cover your role this year. Instead, you’ll be with Hizashi.”

“I’ll what?”

“You’ll be helping to announce the events with Hizashi. Having your insight to quirks will be refreshing and this way he can keep an eye on you and Midoriya.”

“Midoriya?”

Shouta is lost. He’s entered some alternate dimension where everyone except him know what’s going on.

He’s in a nightmare.

“Since he can’t participate in the tournament, I’ve decided to have him in the booth and analyze quirks for extra credit and as preparation for his upcoming lessons with me during practical heroics.”

“I’m sorry, what?” Shouta blinks at his boss. At least this time he has the satisfaction of knowing the rest of his coworkers are just as confused as him. Even All Might looks more confused than he usually does in a staff meeting. Shouta risks a glance at his phone and sees he has over twenty notifications from Izuku.

He doesn’t read them.

“Ah, I will be taking Midoriya on as a personal student at least until he’s able to join practical lessons again. He’ll be present for some of them doing analysis and coming up with plans for quirk development considering that’s a skill of his we’d both like him to improve.”

“Since when?”

“I talked with him before this meeting,” Nedzu smiles and it reminds Shouta that his boss is a predator.

“Okay,” Shouta says because there’s nothing else to say to that, really.

“The next thing we have on the agenda is security,” Nedzu moves on and Shouta quickly pulls out his phone again.

***

Izukid: EAutioeghiohgoieghoihg
Izukid: Eraraeiariaoe
Izukid: ERASiethiaeht
Izukid: EAREARDAD
Izukid: DADWadiwae
Izukid: E
Izukid: R
Izukid: A
Izukid: S
Izukid: E
Izukid: R
Izukid: H
Izukid: E
Izukid: A
Izukid: D
Izukid: D
Izukid: A
Izukid: D
Izukid: Z
Izukid: A
Izukid: W
Izukid: A
Izukid: WHERE ARE YOU!? ‽
Izukid: OH I FOUND YOU
Izukid: Shoot… i don’t want to wake you up…
Izukid: :D
Izukid: I hope you like your present

Dadzawa: You are a menace
Dadzawa: I presume this is about you having lessons with Nedzu?

Izukid: EAuryaueiryaiuhfaiuegbiugbiuegbaeiugbdugbaiugebiusiughiugh mnv,vpiruqeitueot
Izukid: Yes
Izukid: I MEAN
Izukid: I know he said something about it before
Izukid: but that was when he didn’t know who I was?
Izukid: Idk, it’s just different nwow and I’m still processing like???
Izukid: There’s a reason you made me start seeing Hounddog and and and I still don’t know how to process my feelings other than to cry? ? ?
Dadzawa: Kid, Nedzu would be an idiot if he didn’t see your potential.
Izukid: can you come over for dinner tonight?
Dadzawa: I’ll be there after this meeting is over
Izukid: Thanks C:

Dadzawa: Next time you put stickers on my cast you're grounded
Izukid: GASP
Izukid: BUT THEY SUIT YOU!
Dadzawa: youve been spending too much time with Hizashi.
Izukid: It's not my fault we're both fluent in English
Izukid: If you're going to blame anyone for this blame my real dad!
Dadzawa: no. I'm blaming you. it would be illogical to blame someone who isn't even alive
Izukid: fair.
Izukid: Aight, I need to reply to this email but I'll see you tonight Fake Dad™

Chapter Text

Chat Title: Trigger-ed

Cheatsheet (Pinned)
Sinnamon Roll: Deku
SleeplessInMusutafu: Eraserhead
Ex-Nudist: Lemillion
Turbo: Ingenium
Psychic: Sir Nighteye
John Mulaney 2.0: Ms. Joke
Loud: Present Mic
Blood: Vlad King
Ghost: Ectoplasm
Big Guy: Fat Gum
Bird: Hawks
Y’all: All Might

Sinnamon Roll: was anyone going to tell me about the Villain Factory™

Sinnamon Roll: or was I supposed to find out about it in this reply i got on an inquiry to the commissions records department?

Sinnamon Roll: Cause uh… that sees like something thats important considering it was a huge fucing Trigger thing and fick

SleeplessInMusutafu: Fuck

SleeplessInMusutafu: I thought we took care of those guys?

SleeplessInMusutafu: Where are you Deku?

Sinnamon Roll: with mom now.

Sinnamon Roll: Need a moment

SleeplessInMusutafu: Take your time.

Ex-Nudist: Uh? WHat’s the villain factory? ? ?

Loud: a trigger producing crime ring thing that Shouta helped take down a few years ago…

SleeplessInMusutafu: that shit almost killed me

John Mulaney 2.0: but why is deku freaking out so much if you took them down already?

Sinnamon Roll: alright I’m back

Sinnamon Roll: and it’s because he almost died!!!!!! That I’m so upset!!! That’s my father figure!!!!

Sinnamon Roll: ALSO! There’s evidence that the villain factory was not entirely taken out and is tied to the case we’re working on now. I’ll be forwarding you guys the email I received from one of my sources. I have a few theories that I need to verify before I can tell you the rest of the information I have.

***

New Conversation Between Izuku Midoriya and Yagi Toshinori

Midoriya Izuku: alright. I know that we have our differences but I need your full cooperation on this.

Midoriya Izuku: and I think you need to bring in Detective Tsukauchi. His quirk would be highly beneficial to the case.

Yagi Toshinori: young Deku! What can I help you with?

Midoriya Izuku: is there any chance that your arch nemesis is alive? And backing the League of Villains.

Yagi Toshinori: ….. I will bring in Tsukauchi

Midoriya Izuku: answer the question, All Might.

Midoriya Izuku: or I’ll do worse than the cactus

Yagi Toshinori: there is a chance that All For One is still alive…

Midoriya Izuku: ….. the greatest villain of all time is called fricking All For One???? I’m suing

Yagi Toshinori: what?

Midoriya Izuku: I’m suing. That’s a friggin stupid name. Next thing I know you’re going to tell me your quirk is called One For All…

Yagi Toshinori: ……..

Midoriya Izuku: I’m suing you too

Midoriya Izuku: that’s just…

Midoriya Izuku: he’s the most terrifying villain I’ve ever heard of

Midoriya Izuku: and he goes by All For One?????? Friggin Shigaraki is a more intimidating name.

Yagi Toshinori: I don’t know what to tell you, my boy.

Midoriya Izuku: just give me Tsukauchi’s contact so I can brief him before adding him to the chat

Midoriya izuku: he’s a hard man to get a hold of

Yagi Toshinori: alright, I’ll send it along

Midoriya Izuku: ty

Midoriya Izuku: also I won't be in heroics tomorrow cause I have a meeting with Nedzu

Yagi Toshinori: Thank you for letting me know!

***
Izukid: I'm crying

Izukid: All Might's rival... the greatest villain of all time.

Izukid: Is called friggin All For One.

Dadzawa: I

Dadzawa: How much do you know about these things?

Izukid: >.>

Izukid: I'm not sure I should answer that question

Izukid: You learn a lot when you're trying to help solve a case involving international drug smuggling, it turns out.

Izukid: It's not even like I try to learn these things! They just happen! 

Dadzawa: Like you just happened to solve a case that fifty heroes couldn't figure out? 

Izukid: EXACTLY! I just happened to see the connection! Anyone could have done it! 

Dadzawa: ... Kid. 

Izukid: Dad 

Dadzawa: Why won't you accept the fact that you're smart and not everyone can do the things that you do 

Izukid: Trauma™

Dadzawa: Sighs 

Dadzawa: Anyways, did you get the confirmation you needed? 

Izukid: Yeah. all for one is still alive and most likely behind the league.... 

Dadzawa: Shit. 

Izukid: Indeed. I'm sending out the email now. 

Chapter Text

Chat Name: 1A

Cheatsheet (pinned)
Zawahead: Aizawa Shouta
HotWheelz: Midoriya Izuku
Boom Boi: Bakugou Katsuki
Ice Cold: Todoroki Shouto
Gravity-Girl: Uraraka Ochacko
Arm-Guy: Shouji Mezo
Turbo JR.: Iida Tenya
Purple-Hair: Shinsou Hitoshi
TAILs: Ojiro Mashirao
Mr. Electric: Kaminari Denki
Tsu: Asui Tsuyu
Sparkles: Aoyama Yuga
Alien Queen: Ashido Mina
The Rock: Kirishima Eijirou
Revelry: Tokoyami Fumikage
GlucoseGuy: Satou Rikidou
Snow White: Koda Koji
Portable MP3: Jirou Kyoka
Goddess: Yaoyorozu Momo
Invisiline: Hagakure Tooru
Beta-Spiderman: Sero Hanta

HotWheelz: whoever put vintage Barbie stickers on my wheelchair

HotWheelz: you’re my new best friend

HotWheelz: my daughter loves them!

Alien Queen: not the direction I was expecting

Mr. Electric: aisixjdbejeidjxnxjdienf daughter????

HotWheelz: yes. She is my child and if anything happened to her I would take over the world.

Arm-Guy: I… I don’t think that’s how the saying goes

HotWheelz: I wasn’t trying to meme. That’s my actual plan.

Goddess: aren’t you a little… young… to have a child?

HotWheelz: I mean biologically it would be possible for me to have a child at this point but like…

HotWheelz: she’s more my spiritual child. My mom is working on adopting an entire orphanage right now.

Boom Boi: AUNTY IS WHAT?????

HotWheelz: read it again if you don’t understand blasty.

Boom Boi: bitch

Turbo Jr.: BAKUGOU! I ask that you watch your language! As a future hero it is important that you set an example for your peers!

Boom Boi: nah

HotWheelz: he didn’t say it had to be a good example, Kacchan.

Boom Boi: Yah

Beta-Spiderman: he memes

Mr. Electric: ¡he memes!

Boom Boi: stfu 🤬

Alien Queen: wait! Who put the stickers on your chair, Mido!?

HotWheelz: I don’t know! But I would kill for them.

Portable MP3: that’s not very plus ultra

HotWheelz: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Purple-Hair: ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) it was me

HotWheelz: I lied. I don’t not like. Ew. Grosss.

HotWheelz: expelled.

Zawahead: no.

HotWheelz: fine (〜￣△￣)〜

Gravity-Girl: why’s your mom trying to adopt a whole orphanage?

HotWheelz: international smuggling ring

The Rock: I… what???

HotWheelz: that’s all I can say.

Zawahead: Problem Child.

HotWheelz: sorry dad (シ_ _)シ

Ice Cold: dad?

HotWheelz: ahdndbeiaosbduducndjwiwodjdbeuru

HotWheelz: forget?

Ice Cold: no

Hot Wheelz: regret™

Zawahead: you did this to yourself

HotWheelz: u kno what?

Zawahead’s nickname has been set to Eraserdad.

HotWheelz: u did this to urself

Eraserdad: regret™

Mr. Electric: ¡he memes!

Eraserdad: expelled

HotWheelz: no.

Eraserdad: fine.

Tsu: mido, how’s you pt going?

HotWheelz: good! I’m able to take a couple steps with support now and my care team thinks I’ll be able to start using crutches part time next week! I still have a lot to work on but I’m excited with the progress I’m making.

Tsu: good! If there’s anything you need don’t hesitate to let us know in the chat.

Tsu: it’s unfortunate that you won’t be able to participate in the Sports Festival.

HotWheelz: it’s fine, actually! I plan to go underground so the less footage of me the better. I’ll be in the booth with Aizawa and Yamada doing analysis of your quirks and 1B quirks to start off my lessons with Nedzu!

Alien Queen: lessons?

Beta-Spiderman: with?

Mr. Electric: Nedzu?????

Boom Boi: the hell?

HotWheelz: ahahahah yeah, another thing I can’t explain yet whoopooops

HotWheelz: I promise I’m not keeping the reason a secret maliciously but I’m taking lessons with Nedzu while recovering now!

HotWheelz: I’m not sure when I’ll be able to fully explain, tho….

Turbo Jr.: it’s admirable that you’re having lessons with the principal so early in your high school career, Midoriya!

HotWheelz: ahahsndjdj thanks!

Gravity-Girl: wait! Is your mom Midoriya Inko???

HotWheelz: yah!

Gravity-Girl: homyjsja djskeneisksbehe I love her

HotWheelz: she says thanks and she loves you too!

Mr. Electric: whomst?

Tsu: the top quirk discrimination lawyer in the country

The Rock: wait? Doesn’t she have a quirkless kid??

HotWheelz: yah... it me.. .

Mr. Electric: holy shut I thought you had an analysis quirk

HotWheelz: nah, that’s just my brain

HotWheelz: I did not intend to keep this is secret btw. I hope this doesn’t change how anyone views me or my accomplishments! If you have harsh words to say remember that quirk discrimination is illegal and I will take it to Nedzu if it occurs ( mostly cause he threatened me but ヘ(^_^ヘ) ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ ). I will also cry and that’s a threat.

HotWheelz: us midoriyas have used our tears as weapons before.

Revelry: what a mad banquet of darkness.

Purple-Hair: I will fight anyone who says anything bad about you, bush

HotWheelz: appreciated, twig.

Eraserdad: any discrimination will have you immediately expelled. This is your only warning.

Mr. Electric: I I’m not trying to be rude but… how’d you pass the entrance exam?

HotWheelz: string

Mr. Electric: wha.

HotWheelz: reinforced string but string nonetheless. It’s part of my hero costume and operates similarly to the capture weapon Zawa and I have.

HotWheelz: Anyway! I have to go take care ofa thing. I’ll talk to y’all later!

Purple-Hair: Y’all

HotWheelz: Not you tho.

Purple-Hair :C

Chapter Text

Naomasa downs the cup of break room sludge that is supposed to be coffee before sighing and logging on to his computer. His shifts had been taken up with gathering any inkling of information on the League of Villains since the attack at USJ. Unfortunately for him, the league seemed to have gone underground and he’s found nothing.

So for the past three weeks he’s been stressed and overworked but today’s shift is nearly over. All he has to do is reply to his emails and then he’s free to get dinner and crash in his bed for the next eight hours… maybe not in that order, he’ll have to see how he’s feeling when he gets home.

Naomasa rubs his stinging eyes before opening the browser to his email. The first few are standard requests for specific paperwork pertaining to villains he’d helped book. But the last one catches his attention. It was sent shortly after the start of his shift, after he’d last checked his email, from an unknown sender.

Subject: urgent.

Mister Tsukauchi Naomasa,

Hello! My name is Deku, I’m an analyst working with Eraserhead, Sir Nighteye, and All Might on a case that we’re starting to believe might involve the villain known as All For One, who (and this is conjecture) might also be backing the league. We’re still looking more at the connection but there are a few questions we need to ask a few villains and we’d need your quirk.

I’ve attached the findings we’ve made so far and the analysis for the related cases. This is an international case and we’re working on drawing in some help from outside Japan but, due to the seriousness of this, we have to keep it out of the public. If you’re willing to help there’s a group chat with myself and the other heroes currently working the case.

The villains we’d need to interview are (to my knowledge) in Tartarus, by the way, which is why we’re calling you in now. This case is turning out to be a lot more than any of us expected. Especially me.

Please respond soon so we can get things set up (and let me know your H-Chat ID so I can add you to the group chat!?)

Sincerely,
           Deku.

Naomasa blinks once, twice, and then nearly closes out of the email.

More work.

Figures.

Chapter Text

Chat Title: Trigger-ed

Cheatsheet (Pinned)
Sinnamon Roll: Deku
SleeplessInMusutafu: Eraserhead
Ex-Nudist: Lemillion
Turbo: Ingenium
Psychic: Sir Nighteye
John Mulaney 2.0: Ms. Joke
Loud: Present Mic
Blood: Vlad King
Ghost: Ectoplasm
Big Guy: Fat Gum
Yeehaw(ks): Hawks
Y’all: All Might

Yeehaw(ks): Who changed my name here?

Yeehaw(ks): I thought this was a chat for a serious crime investigation

Sinnamon Roll: Might as well have some fun in between bouts of existential dread and anxiety, right?

Yeehaw(ks): W-who hurt you?

Sinnamon Roll: Would you like the list?

Yeehaw(ks): yikes

Sinnamon Roll: Yeet™

SleeplessInMusutafu: please stop with the trademarks, deku

Sinnamon Roll: No™

SleeplessInMusutafu: sighs did you at least send the email?

Sinnamon Roll: YES!

Sinnamon Roll has added Tsukauchi Naomasa to the chat.

Tsukauchi Naomasa’s name has been set to IRL Polygraph

IRL Polygraph: Hello.

Sinnamon Roll: Hello Detective! I’m Deku, the rest of the names are pinned at the top. As I explained in the first email, we are the people working on the ISR case. I’m here because I basically discovered that it was a thing single handedly. Eraserdad is here because he’s the reason I can still work on the case. Everyone else is here because they were working on cases relating to this one or I thought their quirks (or hero positions) would be helpful.

IRL Polygraph: You… This is… not what I expected.

Loud: It’s a wild ride around Deku. He’s a stuttering mess in person but a terrifying gremlin online.

Sinnamon Roll: Just because it’s true doesn’t mean you had to say it.

Sinnamon Roll’s name has been set to Gremlin™

Y’all: NAOMASA!

IRL Polygraph: All Might, hello.

Y’all: I am glad you are joining us on this case!

Y’all: … not that I am doing much.

Gremlin™: not everyone will be involved with every part of the case, All Might.

Gremlin™: Except me, Sir, and Dad

IRL Polygraph: Dad?

Gremlin™: Eraserhead has been my mentor for almost a year now. He’s pseudo adopted me and is on his way to pseudo adopting my class

IRL Polygraph: CLASS?

Gremlin™: hahaha yeah, I go to UA.

IRL Polygraph: why is a child working on this?

Gremlin™: I emailed Eraserhead solving the Hanata case like a year ago and the rest is history…

IRL Polygraph: YOU SOLVED THAT???

IRL Polygraph: I need to sit down…

Gremlin™: Ahaha yeah, that was me.

John Mulaney 2.0: I struggled to believe it at first

John Mulaney 2.0: But Deku’s got that Big Brain Energy.

John Mulaney 2.0: With the confidence of a plastic bag in the rain.

Gremlin™: That’s it, Joke. Your toes are mine now.

John Mulaney 2.0: frick

Gremlin™: ANYWAY! Tsukauchi, the sooner you can get the interviews set up the better. Eraserhead will be taking point, with All Might, and Sir for support.

IRL Polygraph: I’ll submit the paperwork ASAP

Gremlin™: Appreciated.

Chapter Text

Izuku is only vaguely sad that he won’t get to participate in the sports festival. He knows he’d do well in at least the first two events but he’s not sure about the third one. Because he doesn’t have a quirk he would have been able to request two support items to level the playing field as long as he designed them himself, similar to the entrance exam.

But, since he’s spending his day with Zawa and Zashi in the booth it’s a non-issue (though he’d redesigned his string that he used for the entrance exam and he’s excited to test it out when he can walk again).

“This whole thing is irrational,” Zawa sighs, glaring at Zashi who is just finishing his pre-show vocal warmups as the crowd finishes filling into the stadium. “Broadcasting children’s quirks, especially after USJ is ridiculous.”

“Of their lack of a quirk,” Izuku adds, because he agrees. “I know Toshi relies on people not knowing how his quirk works so announcing it to the world is kinda stupid.”

“Precisely.”

“So what if you didn’t?”

“Huh?”

“Announce their quirks to the world, I mean,” Izuku says with a shrug. He turns to Zashi. “Talk about their actions or how they avoid a situation and that kinda stuff but avoid quirk talk. You’re a smart man, you can hype them up that way, right?”

“Not talk about quirks?” Zashi asks dumbfounded.

“Sure, quirks are important in our society blah blah blah. But is it really worth risking the lives of my classmates? It’s bad enough they already have to fight in front of an audience in their first year,” Izuku glares at the field. “What about those planning to go underground? A villain watching the sports festival could figure out how their quirk works and easily make a plan to kill them. Really, you’d be saving lives by not mentioning quirks.”

Zawa huffs an amused breath. “You were planning this, weren’t you?”

“Are you saying you don’t agree?” Izuku raises a brow. They’ve had extensive conversations about this kind of thing on the bean bag chairs in Zawa’s warehouse. They may not be training together for the time being but Izuku still learns a lot from his mentor outside of school.

“I absolutely agree,” Zawa responds. They both simultaneously turn to a wide-eyed Zashi whose mouth is opening and closing in a poor imitation of a fish.

“Fine, I’ll try it.”

“Yay!” Izuku cheers, throwing his hands in the air in celebration. He grins as he brings them back to his side. “Just don’t make a big deal about it. If anyone even notices then they’re more observant than I thought.”

“Nedzu’s going to notice,” Zawa points out.

“Nedzu and I talked about it already,” Izuku assures. “He’s going to be making some changes to next year's festival already.”

“What sort of changes,” Zashi wonders.

“You’ll have to wait and see,” Izuku responds cryptically.

Chapter Text

Chat name The Plants

Cheat Sheet (pinned)

Midoriya Izuku- 🌳[bush]
Shouji Mezo- 🌵[cactus]
Shinsou Hitoshi-🪵[twig]
Uraraka Ochako-🪨[boulder]
Todoroki Shouto- 🎄[christmas tree]

🎄: why am I here again? It’s been two days and I still don’t understand  

🌳: you challenged me

🎄: I said I wasn’t here to make friends

🌳: you challenged me

🌵: you’re going to have to live with it

🪵: bush is very good at making friends

🌳: I’m really not but I’m glad I got y’all convinced I am.

🪨: y’all

🪵: y’all

🌵: y’all

🌳:expelled

🪵: you can’t keep saying expelled just cause we make fun of you

🌳: you can’t stop me

🎄: y’all

🌳: GASP!!! Todoroki memed!!!

🎄: do you have to do that every time?

🌳: yes.

🌳: now go get ready for the first round. Good luck my dudes.

🪨: thank

🪵: thank

🌵: thank

🎄: thanks

🌳: …

🎄: thank

***

🎄: if Shinsou’s nickname is twig why is his emoji logs?

🌳: buff twig

🌵: buff twig

🪨: buff twig

🪵: buff twig

🎄: understood.

***

Private message between Todoroki Shouto and Midoriya Izuku

Todoroki Shouto: can I talk to you?

Midoriya Izuku: sure! Come up to the booth. Mic and Zawa went for food so no one should bother us here.

Todoroki Shouto: thank

***

“I’m going to steal his toes,” Izuku says when Todoroki finishes telling him his story. His absolutely batshit crazy story about illegal marriages and a corrupt hero. Endeavor has officially taken the number one spot on Izuku’s shit list (and isn’t it ironic that All Might is number two on that list?)

“I’m not sure how to respond to that, Midoriya,” Todoroki says in his deadpan way that always makes Izuku smile.

“That’s fine,” Izuku says with a smile, noticing the way some of Todoroki’s tension has melted from his shoulders. The two aren’t as close as Izuku wants them to be (though it has only been two days since Todoroki mentioned not being at UA to make friends). But Izuku thinks he can read Todoroki pretty well by now. “Did you bring lunch or do you need to go to the cafeteria?”

Todoroki blinks at the sudden shift in conversation before shrugging. “I have fruit snacks.”

“You have…”

“Fruit snacks.”

Izuku can’t help it. He breaks out into laughter that startles Todoroki. “Yeah. No. You’re coming with me to get food.”

“I—“

“With me,” Izuku commands, his tone brooking no argument as he steers his chair closer to his friend and scoops him into his lap. A feat that only succeeds because of how much Todoroki is clearly not expecting it. “You’ve placed first in two rounds so far, Todoroki. You’re gonna have to eat more than just fruit snacks.”

Chapter Text

Aizawa Shouta, in all his years of hero work, teaching, and life has learned to expect the unexpected. Especially when it comes to Izuku.

Except, once you expect the unexpected, then even the expected becomes unexpected.

The exact number of days Shouta has until retirement flash through his mind as he watches Izuku leave the booth with a furiously blushing Todoroki in his lap. He feels like he should have seen this coming. Maybe not the exact combination (he was previously unaware that Izuku and Todoroki were friends) but at least this situation.

“Hi dad!” Izuku calls as he rolls past. “Off to steal Endeavor’s toes!”

“No stealing,” Shouta chides gently, though judging by the tone Izuku is being serious and he has good reason for it too.

“No promises,” Izuku says and then they’re gone and Shouta has to ponder how he got into this exact situation as he crawls into his prized sleeping bag and promptly slips into a light sleep.

***

“Are you Aizawa’s secret love child?” Todoroki asks with a frown.

“Yes,” Izuku responds because he has at this point accepted that Zawa is his dad in anything but blood and the law. (Though Izuku wouldn’t mind changing one of those if he’s being honest. Zawa and his mom may have a platonic relationship but they’ve been coparenting Izuku for almost a year now).

“Oh,” Todoroki responds like he wasn’t respecting the response Izuku gave.

“But not literally,” Izuku continues. “He would have been 15 at the time and my mom was 25 when she had me.”

“Oh.”

They continue in silence for another few minutes before arriving at the cafeteria. Most of the first year students have cleared out but those who haven’t, watch in mild terror as Izuku enters with Todoroki still on his lap. He goes straight up to Lunch Rush with a bright smile.

“One katsudon and one cold soba please,” Izuku orders cheerfully. (He’s had years of practice ignoring stares. The ones he’s receiving now aren’t even malicious which makes it so much easier).

“Here you go, kiddo,” Lunch Rush offers with a nod, handing Todoroki a tray with both meals on it.

Todoroki doesn’t get off Izuku’s lap until they make it to a table and he has to move a chair so Izuku can sit there as well. Most of 1A immediately change tables to either congratulate Todoroki (who merely nods, clearly uncomfortable with the praise) or question Izuku about his impressions of the first two events.

(He’s very impressed with everyone and super proud of those who made it to the third round and those who didn’t either).

It’s nice. Izuku likes having lunch with friends.

Chapter Text

Chat Name: 1A

Cheatsheet (pinned)
Zawahead: Aizawa Shouta
HotWheelz: Midoriya Izuku
Boom Boi: Bakugou Katsuki
Ice Cold: Todoroki Shouto
Gravity-Girl: Uraraka Ochacko
Arm-Guy: Shouji Mezo
Turbo JR.: Iida Tenya
Purple-Hair: Shinsou Hitoshi
TAILs: Ojiro Mashirao
Mr. Electric: Kaminari Denki
Tsu: Asui Tsuyu
Sparkles: Aoyama Yuga
Alien Queen: Ashido Mina
The Rock: Kirishima Eijirou
Revelry: Tokoyami Fumikage
GlucoseGuy: Satou Rikidou
Snow White: Koda Koji
Portable MP3: Jirou Kyoka
Goddess: Yaoyorozu Momo
Invisiline: Hagakure Tooru
Beta-Spiderman: Sero Hanta

HotWheelz: for those at home, I’d like to announce that Endeavor is now cancelled. All talk of him belongs in #garbage.

TAILs: … we don’t have channels on this chat.

HotWheelz: exactly.

HotWheelz: shouldn’t you be getting ready to tail fight the twig?

TAILs: probably.

TAILs: I don’t even know what his quirk is tho

HotWheelz: oh

HotWheelz: oh good luck!

TAILs: I… thanks?

HotWheelz: you are most welcome!

***

TAILs: holy shit

TAILs: @Purple-Hair your quirk…

HotWheelz: is not going to be spoken about in this chat, Ojiro.

TAILs: understood.

***
New chat with Ojiro Mashirao and Midoriya Izuku.

Midoriya Izuku: Ojiro-kun!

Midoriya Izuku: sorry for not letting you speak in the group chat but I don’t want you giving Shinsou’s quirk away to other competitors. Not yet at least.

Ojiro Mashirao: I get it, Midoriya-kun, I just. Don’t know how I feel about it.

Midoriya Izuku: before today has Shinsou ever made you doubt that he wants to be a hero?

Ojiro Mashirao: no, not really.

Midoriya Izuku: remember that when you think about his quirk. It’s a tool in his toolbox, not who he is. Shinsou is an amazing person and he’s going to become an amazing hero. He used his quirk appropriately in a competition and deserves to be recognized for that. If it helps, I can send you a list of ways his quirk will work for heroics.

Ojiro Mashirao: I’d… I’d like that, thanks Midoriya

Midoriya Izuku: I’m giving you a paper copy. Burn it after

Ojiro Mashirao: what?

Midoriya Izuku: burn it after.

Ojiro Mashirao: okay

Midoriya Izuku: :D see you sooon

***

Izuku really is going to steal Endeavor’s toes. He’d sent his friends off with well wishes to prepare for their fights and between then and Todoroki coming on stage something must have happened.

Todoroki looked so sad.

He melted the glacier enough to free Sero before walking out of the arena.

Which means Izuku has time for his toe hunt.

“Where are you going?” Zawa asks when the sound of his motor kicks in.

“Toe hunt,” Izuku says, his voice firm. “You can’t stop me.”

“Be back in fifteen minutes or you’re expelled.”

“Okay.”

Chapter Text

Izuku runs into Endeavor faster than he expects. Unfortunately, it’s not literal (yet) but he’s still hoping to run over some toes today.

“What’re you doing back here, this hall is for students,” Endeavor growls pointedly ignoring the fact that Izuku is wearing a UA uniform.

Izuku looks pointedly at the UA blazer and back at the pro hero with a raised brow. Endeavor’s expression shifts from one of boredom to one of disdain.

“They let people like you into this school?”

Izuku’s pretty sure Endeavor is talking about his wheelchair but in all honesty Izuku wouldn’t be surprised if the man has somehow figured out that Izuku is quirkless. Either way, he doesn’t like it.

“I could say the same about you,” Izuku quips before his brain really catches up with him. Sure, he’s on a mission to give Endeavor a piece of his mid but he should probably have some tact while doing so if he doesn’t want to somehow make things worse.

Endeavor narrows his eyes. If Izuku hadn’t already met and been injured by a more terrifying (if childish) villain then he might have been intimidated. If anything, the therapy from that experience has helped Izuku come to terms with the fact that he actually deserves the space that he fills in his own life.

“What do you mean?”

“W-well,” Izuku hedges before deciding that yeah, maybe insulting the number two hero is worth it. “Usually the trash is left in the dumpster.”

“What did you just say?” Endeavor demands, stalking up to Izuku in a way that allows the hero to tower over him.

“D-do you n-need your e-ears checked, s-sir?” Izuku says, determined to rile the hero up as much as possible. “I-I’m sure R-Recovery G-Girl could h-help.”

Fuck anxiety. Izuku had been doing so well with his stutter recently and now one interaction with the flamin hero and he’s back at step one.

“How dare you—”

Endeavor is cut off when a raucous roar shakes the stadium. Evidently the next fight has gotten started. Izuku sighs because that means his ten minutes is up.

“I-I hope you c-can s-sleep well at n-night k-knowing that y-you’ll n-never be a b-better h-hero than All M-Might,” Izuku says, bowing his head like he isn’t purposely riling the hero up further.

Izuku knows how close Endeavor is right now. He’s close enough that Izuku can accidentally run over the hero’s toes. Izuku fights down a grin as he quickly rolls forward as though he needed to in order to turn. (He’s only had to do a ten-point turn once thank you very much. He’s gotten much better at steering his chair).

It’s with satisfaction in his gut as he watches Endeavor bite back a curse. Izuku may be a light kid but his chair is heavy. He asked for that on purpose because he is a paranoid person and would like to be able to do something to protect himself should the need arise (or should he need to steal some toes).

“W-whoops,” Izuku says with a light cough. “T-thought I h-had th-that in re-reverse. M-my b-bad.”

Before Endeavor can respond Izuku quickly reverses, spins the chair around, and speeds away. He’s very grateful to Powerloader for the enhancements he has given the chair, even if Izuku’s not going to be using it for much longer at the rate his healing has gone.

“Get back here you—”

Izuku turns the corner and enters the elevator that’s waiting open for him. He suspects Nedzu has something to do with it. The ride up the elevator is made quelling his rising panic.

As satisfying as it was, maybe he shouldn’t have angered the number two hero.

***

Chat name The bAes

Cheat Sheet (pinned)

Midoriya Izuku- 🌳[bush]
Shouji Mezo- 🌵[cactus]
Shinsou Hitoshi- 🪵[twig]
Uraraka Ochako-🪨[boulder]
Todoroki Shouto- 🎄[christmas tree]

🌳: I did a dumb

🪵: Dumber than the time you tripped on your shoelaces in the first week of class?

🌵: Dumber than the time you spilled Katsudon on your english homework last week?

🌳: Yes and Yes

🌳: I ran over Endeavor’s toes.

🎄: Did you film it?

🪨: Mido! Why?

🎄: it’s what he deserves. My only regret is that I wasn’t there to see it.

🌳: I did not film it but I’m sure Nedzu caught it on the security cameras so I can ask him to get you a copy.

🎄: I would appreciate that, Midoriya.

🌳: I would steal toes for you any time.

🪵: That’s the cheesiest and most disturbing thing you have ever said, Bush.

🌳:I try, Twig, I try.

Chapter Text

Chat Title: Trigger-ed

Cheatsheet (Pinned)
Gremlin™: Deku
SleeplessInMusutafu: Eraserhead
Ex-Nudist: Lemillion
Turbo: Ingenium
Psychic: Sir Nighteye
John Mulaney 2.0: Ms. Joke
Loud: Present Mic
Blood: Vlad King
Ghost: Ectoplasm
Big Guy: Fat Gum
Yeehaw(ks): Hawks
Y’all: All Might
IRL Polygraph: Detective Tsukauchi

Y'all: Anyone know what happened with Endeavor? He was pissed when I saw him

Gremlin™: He was being rude

Gremlin™: and so I ran over his toes.

Y'all: Ah, that explains it. Thanks.

Yeehaw(ks): I didn’t think you were serious when you said you steal toes.

Gremlin™: usually I’m not. But it’s a vague enough threat to instill fear in both my enemies and @Turbo

Gremlin™: the only other toes I’ve run over were my own and no I’m not explaining how.

Yeehaw(ks): Aight.

Yeehaw(ks): Well, how's the festival going?

Gremlin™: IT”S SO GOOD! I’ve been analyzing all the quirks and fighting styles and everything so Nedzu has a starting place for our lessons the next few weeks and I think I’ve written fifty pages and there are still the quarter finals, semi finals, and finals left. This is what I’ve been working on for the last fifteen years and it’s nice to put these skills to use academically.

John Mulaney 2.0: Deku: Literally solves crimes pro heroes and police with decades of experience between them can’t solve
Also Deku: I have no skills and need to practice everything a million times to be any good at all.

Gremlin™: Thanks! It’s the Trauma™!

Gremlin™: LIKE, IDK if any of y’all really understand what it’s like to be quirkless and part of my generation. UA has been great but there is a reason I didn’t go back to middle school after it burnt to the ground.

Ex-Nudist: Your middle school WHAT?

Gremlin™: Ahahaha there was a villain attack shortly after my first year started and my school was caught up in it but somehow the heroes on the scene found out I was quirkless and were like “no one will care if we leave the small child here!” and so my childhood friend turned bully was the one to pull me out of the fire.

Gremlin™: I finished middle school online and Kacchan transferred to another middle school after my mom sued the school and it wasn’t able to reopen. She tried suing the heroes too but there was some stupid clause in a law that protected them or something.

Ex-Nudist: What the fuck.

Psychic: Who were the heroes Deku?

Gremlin™: It’s FINE! I sent a statistics report to their agencies and they’ve been on probation since then. They’re not good heroes but they’ve been doing a lot of community service since they got on probation and it’s actually pretty nice!

Gremlin™: OH Speaking of Community service @SleeplessInMusutafu !! Is there a cs project for hero course students? If not there should be cause I think a service perspective of heroics might actually help a lot of the kids in our class and class 1B and it’s always nice to help the community!

SleeplessInMusutafu: How are you typing and writing at the same time?

Gremlin™: Skillz

SleeplessInMusutafu: Never curse my eyes with that again.

SleeplessInMusutafu: There is a community service project in the summer of second year but I’ll speak with Nedzu about a smaller one for first years to get a sneak peak at the service side of heroics.

Gremlin™: Nice!

Gremlin™: Well, back to just writing I guess. Eraserhead threatened to steal my phone :C

***

Gremlin™: @turbo! Turbo Jr. just informed me, Zawa, and Zashi about what happened to you! I’m sending you all my good energy and praying for a speedy recovery! When you’re able to receive visitors we’ll be there and I promise to not steal your toes ever again as long as you promise to be okay!

Chapter Text

Vigilantes.
By anonymous.

There are three reasons why someone becomes a vigilante: they wanted to be a hero but couldn’t for whatever reason, they wanted to change society, or by accident.

The first group, those who wanted to be a hero, usually end up quitting the vigilante life within a week once they realize it is not as glamorous as they thought it would be (or they get arrested for public quirk usage). The people who accidentally become a vigilante (by stopping a mugging or rescuing a kid from a fire while using a quirk because it’s the only self-defense they know) usually only actually do so once or twice, they don’t seek it out. Those in the second group are the ones to look out, the ones looking to create societal change.

Most of the time, vigilantes like this do end up getting caught. Sometimes, however, they become so caught up in their convictions and they slip, crossing the ever gray line between vigilante and villain.

An Example of this group is Mary Dright of Rhode Island, USA. Dright was one of 189 vigilantes operating in the state prior to the establishment of the first pro-hero system. She believed that quirked people were a bane on society and would go around fighting those who used their quirks for evil. She was one of few quirkless vigilantes. One night in 2087, Mary was fighting a villain and instead of waiting for the police to come and take him away as she usually did, Mary made an example of him.

That one step over the line ended Mary’s career as a vigilante and started her career as a villain. She was caught by another vigilante after six months of ruthless killings. This happens more often than not with vigilantes. The morally gray turn morally black and regular citizens suffer for it.

In more recent times the prime example of a vigilante whose convictions outweigh their morals is Stendhal. He operated for two years as a vigilante, one of the longest stints in modern time. Recently, however, Stendhal crossed the moral line and has started targeting heroes instead of the villains he fought before. No one knows his quirk or who he is but he’s left only a few of his victims alive so far to share his new villain name: Hero Killer Stain.

Stain believes that heroes have lost their way and by killing those who have “stepped off the true path” he hopes to set it right. So far, he seems to be succeeding in terrifying regular citizens and weakening the trust people have in heroes.

The true impact this vigilante has remains to be seen.

***

Izuku clicks out of the article and to one of the other pages he has open on his laptop. He scowls at the screen, holding his pen to paper but nothing comes out. His eyes feel unfocused and dry.

He wonders if this is how Zawa feels after using his quirk.

Izuku blinks once, twice, before sighing in frustration and shutting his laptop down for the night. He needs to get his sleep if he wants to be rested for school in the morning.

He just wishes his weekend of research had given him more to go off in his hunt for the Hero Killer.

Chapter Text

New chat with Iida Tenya and Midoriya Izuku!

Midoriya Izuku: Hello, Iida. I know we’re not that close and I hope I’m not overstepping any boundaries but I just want you to know that I’m here if you need someone to talk to, both as your class president and as a friend of Tensei’s. IDK if Tensei has talked about me at all, but he knows me by the name Deku. I’ve been working as an analyst for the past year and Tensei and I are working on a case together right now. (I can’t tell you more than that but you can ask him next time you visit!) Your brother means a lot to me and has helped me immensely, especially since my own injury. If I can do anything to make this easier for either of you just let me know.

***

Cheatsheet (pinned)
Zawahead: Aizawa Shouta
HotWheelz: Midoriya Izuku
Boom Boi: Bakugou Katsuki
Ice Cold: Todoroki Shouto
Gravity-Girl: Uraraka Ochacko
Arm-Guy: Shouji Mezo
Turbo JR.: Iida Tenya
Purple-Hair: Shinsou Hitoshi
TAILs: Ojiro Mashirao
Mr. Electric: Kaminari Denki
Tsu: Asui Tsuyu
Sparkles: Aoyama Yuga
Alien Queen: Ashido Mina
The Rock: Kirishima Eijirou
Revelry: Tokoyami Fumikage
GlucoseGuy: Satou Rikidou
Snow White: Koda Koji
Portable MP3: Jirou Kyoka
Goddess: Yaoyorozu Momo
Invisiline: Hagakure Tooru
Beta-Spiderman: Sero Hanta

Invisiline: Any of y’all ever just… watch Mido focus on something?

Invisiline: It’s honestly captivating.

Gravity-Girl: I know! I could watch him for hours!

HotWheelz: Uh??? What??

The Rock: It is interesting. You have such manly facial expressions, midobro!

HotWheelz: I? Thanks? What brought this on?

Invisiline: I didn’t wanna focus in math :C Ectoplasm is a good teacher but my brain just aint with it today.

HotWheelz: Oh! I can give you my notes later if you want! Let me or @Goddess know if you need help!

Invisiline: Thank you! I’d appreciate all the help I can get.

HotWheelz: This goes for everyone! Momo and I are always here to help, be it a life thing, a hero thing, or a school thing. Even if we don’t have the knowledge we can find someone who does.

HotWheelz: ALSO! (as a forewarning) we’re going to be doing hero names in class tomorrow. Zawa sensei says to come prepared bc he doesn’t want to waste time on it.

Mr. Electric: HERO NAMES? ALREADY????? WHAT?!

HotWheelz: They’re more like temporary names tbh. It’s cool if they change between now and graduation just be careful bc they might stick (like Zawa’s did after Zashi picked it in their second year).

Arm-Guy: Second year?

HotWheelz: Zawa transferred from general course at the start of his second year after placing second in the sports festival. So he was the only one at the time who didn’t have a hero name picked out.

The Rock: That’s manly!

TAILs: how do you know these things? I wasn’t able to find anything on sensei when I looked.

HotWheelz: Skillz

Zawahead: >:C

HotWheelz: !!! I got him to use an emoticon! Heck Yeah!

HotWheelz: Y’all have no idea how long I’ve been trying to get Zawa to use an emoticon.

HotWheelz: I’m crying actual tears rn.

Purple-Hair: Why are you like this?

Zawahead: No.

HotWheelz: Trauma™

Zawahead: … ugh

Gravity-Girl: What did we say about using Trauma as a response to everything?

HotWheelz: Not to :c

Ice Cold: And what did you do?

HotWheelz: Used trauma as a response to everything :c

Mr. Electric: This just reminds me of those memes where people put signs on their dogs that break the rules in order to shame them on the internet.

HotWheelz: >:C

Beta-Spiderman: Random thought but why is Todoroki’s name @Ice Cold if he has a fire quirk and an ice quirk?

HotWheelz: IIIIIIIIII MEAN Christmas Tree wasn’t using his fire until like… three days ago so I didn’t want to draw attention to it…

Ice Cold: Appreciated

HotWheelz: But now that you mention it

Ice Cold’s name has been set to Conspiracy Theorist™

Beta-Spiderman: Not what I expected at all

GlucoseGuy: How does that fit?

HotWheelz: Todo literally asked if I was Zawa’s secret love child…

Conspiracy Theorist™: You said yes though!

HotWheelz: He’s not my birth father, Todo.

Conspiracy Theorist™: are you sure?

HotWheelz: Yes, my birth father passed away when I was three and it’s been me and my mom for most of my life. Zawa isn’t my father by blood but if anything were to happen to him I’d take over the world.

Arm-Guy: Still don’t think that’s how that’s supposed to go.

HotWheelz: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
***

Private chat between Iida Tenya and Midoriya Izuku

Iida Tenya: Thanks, Midoriya. Tensei has spoken of you many times! I had not realized Deku and you were the same person before now, though. I cannot think of anything I need from you but I do appreciate that you reached out. Though, Tensei did mention that you were planning to visit soon. Do you mind if I am there as well? I would like to speak with you in person…

Midoriya Izuku: I don’t mind! My mom will be taking me since Zawa has to prep a few things for school and internships this weekend. Tensei said I could come on Sunday at three if that works for you.

Iida Tenya: I’ll be there. Thanks again, Midoriya.

Midoriya Izuku: Any time!

Chapter Text

Izuku doesn’t like hospitals. He’s not sure if he’s mentioned it to anyone but his stay at the hospital after USJ had been some of the worst weeks of his life. Nevermind that he was actually asleep for most of it and what he was awake for is blurred in his memories by pain medicine.

It’s mostly the principal of it. Hospitals are places where people go to heal, yes, but they’re also places where many people die. They’re not above reproach, though most people seem to think of hospitals as sacred places.

For people like him, hospitals are hit and miss. He’s lucky he’s a hero student at UA so he doesn’t have to worry about it anymore, but he knows that other quirkless people are constantly turned away, despite all the work his mom has done to change that.

“You coming, honey?” Inko asks, stopping when she notices Izuku staring up at the Hosu General hospital sign.

“Yeah,” Izuku says, shaking his head. “Yeah, I’m coming.”

They’re quickly shown to Tensei’s room after Izuku gives his name. Apparently the Turbo hero had told the receptionist to expect their arrival. Izuku’s just glad he doesn’t have to sit in the waiting room.

“Midoriya-kun,” An inappropriately loud voice greets when Izuku nears the room. A feminine voice chides Iida gently and Izuku lights up at the thought of meeting the matriarch of the Iida family.

“Thank you for inviting us Eimi-san,” Inko bows when they approach Iida and his mother. Izuku stares up at his own mom in shock.

“You know the Motor Hero: Engine?” Izuku exclaims, shocked by this knowledge and the fact that he’s only just now learning this. “Mom?”

“We met at a parenting class,” Inko says with a shrug. “She helped me a lot since it was her second pregnancy. We kept in contact but we haven’t had the chance to get together since you were a toddler.”

“I know the Motor Hero: Engine?” Izuku whispers in shock before sharing a confused glance with the youngest Iida. “What?”

“Oi,” A familiar voice calls from inside the room. “Are you keeping the cabbage from me?”

“Turbo!” Izuku cries, immediately making his way into the room, careful to not run into Iida’s toes. “You’re alive!”

“I wouldn’t let anything as silly as this kill me off, Deku,” Tensei says with a jovial smile that doesn’t quite reach his eyes. Izuku lets it slide in favor of grabbing the heroes hand and squeezing it in a silent show of support. He lets his own smile grow when Tensei squeezes back.

“You really are friends,” Iida Tenya says in shock from the door. Izuku notes that Eimi-san and his mom haven’t entered the room.

“We’ve only met in person one,” Izuku explains. “But as I mentioned we’ve been working on a case together for a few months right now and between the case stuff our group chat jokes around a lot.”

“You’re not stuttering,” Iida says like it slips out without meaning too. Izuku blushes and covers his face.

“S-sorry.”

“Ah, my apologies, Midoriya-kun,” Iida says, waving his arms in his usual robotic manner. “I did not mean to say that! I had just noticed it, is all.”

“I-It’s not r-really something I-I can control,” Izuku explains, sighing as his awareness of his speech pattern causes him to stutter more. “I-I just g-get nervous a-around people m-my age.”

“You’re fine, Cabbage,” Tensei says, reaching over to fluff up Izuku’s hair, much to his growing embarrassment. “My brother just doesn’t have a brain to mouth filter ninety-eight percent of the time.”

“He got that f-from you, huh?” Izuku teases because he can’t not tease the turbo hero.

“I do wonder, Midroiya-kun, how’d you start working on cases already?”

“Ah,” Izuku shifts nervously. He tried preparing to explain his work as Deku but he’s honestly not used to talking about it with people who don’t already know him anymore. He’s still doing smaller cases but most of his time now is taken up by the Trigger smuggling ring.

“I solved a case that Zawa was working on and somehow managed to impress him so he offered to mentor me,” Izuku shrugs. “And then I kept solving cases and now I’m working on a high profile case that I can’t really say more about, sorry.”

“What Cabbage is neglecting to say is that he solved the Hanata case I told you about,” Tensei says, puffing his chest up in a ridiculous show of pride that makes Izuku smile, despite his embarrassment.

“You solved that?” Iida looks shocked now. “How?”

“Luck, mostly,” Izuku shrugs, not used to this at all. “Can we, uh, talk about something else?”

“We’re going to be wheelchair buddies,” Tensei says with a smile. “Now we can steal toes together!”

“Steal? Toes?”

“Yeah!” Tensei cheers like Iida isn’t looking at them with an almost puppy-like confusion. “My toes won’t be targets any more!”

“I am confused.”

“Who says they won’t be,” Izuku asks, raising a brow. “You don’t know what I’m capable of, Tensei.”

“What are you two talking about?” Iida demands when Tensei breaks out into nervous laughter.

“I started threatening to steal toes when I got more comfortable with the fact that I’m using a wheelchair for now,” Izuku explains, turning to Iida with a smile. “My prime target has been your brother because he makes it so easy.”

“Oi!”

“Considering the amount of times he’s pranked me in the past, I am not opposed to this,” Iida responds, surprising Izuku. He hadn’t really had the chance to talk to Iida outside of class and had also taken him as a stickler for the rules.

He’s starting to see that that isn’t entirely true, which makes Izuku happy.

Maybe he’s found another friend in all of this mess.
***

Private Chat between Iida Tenya and Midoriya Izuku

Midoriya Izuku: First of all, these names are boring

Midoriya Izuku’s name has been set to Green

Iida Tenya’s name has been set to Blue

Green: Second of all, we didn’t get the chance to talk one on one and I apologize for that Iida-kun! Especially after you came so that we could chat!

Blue: It is no problem, Midoriya-kun! There was a lot going on, especially after our mom’s came back and started showing baby pictures of us that we did not know existed.

Blue: I think I’ve worked through what I need to. I appreciate you coming to visit Tensei and it was nice getting to talk to you outside of school.

Blue: I do hope we get to talk more in person at some point. You make a lot of interesting points in regards to quirks and hero laws

Green: I hope we can talk more too, Iida!

Green: And you can call me Mido, if you’d like! We’re friends, after all :D

Blue: I will try my best Mido-kun.

Green: :D See you in class tomorrow.

Blue: See you tomorrow, Midoriya-kun.

Chapter Text

Chat Title: Trigger-ed

Cheatsheet (Pinned)
Gremlin™: Deku
SleeplessInMusutafu: Eraserhead
Ex-Nudist: Lemillion
Turbo: Ingenium
Psychic: Sir Nighteye
John Mulaney 2.0: Ms. Joke
Loud: Present Mic
Blood: Vlad King
Ghost: Ectoplasm
Big Guy: Fat Gum
Yeehaw(ks): Hawks
Y’all: All Might
IRL Polygraph: Detective Tsukauchi

Gremlin™: I miss my dad @SleeplessInMusutafu why do you work so much?

Gremlin™: Theoretically I get it you have 2.5 jobs (the half job is putting up with me tbh) but… when was the last time we sat in the bean bag chairs and talked about quirk theory? I miss that??

Ex-Nudist: Bean bag chairs?

Gremlin™: Yeah! At Zawa’s gym! He’s got a really cool room with like… bean bag chairs and a coffee pot and sleeping bags. I love it there but since school started we’ve both been too busy to do anything just the two of us :C

Loud: He LEt you IN that RoOM?

Loud: I have been trying for years to get in that room!

Gremlin™: It’s a quiet room. You are, by definition, not allowed.

Blood: Aizawa ghost wrote that.

Ghost: Someone said ghost.

Ghost: Oh :C No one ever needs me :C

Loud: I need you

Loud: I need you to stop telling the first years that I’m a bird disguised as a human

Loud’s name has been set to Cockatoo

Gremlin™: Presentation Microphone is a bird confirmed.

Ex-Nudist: I thought it was Presentation Michael

Gremlin™:But then he’d be Present Mike…

Gremlin™: therefore, Presentation Microphone.

Turbo: I lived b*tch

Gremlin™: MY WHEELCHAIR BUDDY!

Gremlin™: Though not for long bc my care team says I should be able to start learning to walk again this week! And it shouldn’t take very long to relearn it!

Gremlin™: y’all got no idea how excited I am to get back to training

Gremlin™: I’m already at a disadvantage and I just… I wanna do more

SleeplessInMusutafu: Where are you, Deku?

Gremlin™: Home

SleeplessInMusutafu: we’re going to the warehouse.

SleeplessInMusutafu: and we’re going to talk about quirk theory

SleeplessInMusutafu: and we’re both going to take a break cause clearly i need to do better if this is where your headspace is at.

Gremlin™: I’m crying

Gremlin™: god I love you

Turbo: why are you so wholesome but also a gremlin?

Gremlin™: Trauma™

Turbo: why was I expecting a serious reply?

Gremlin™: idk man you should know better by now.

Psychic: Deku, are you free tomorrow evening for a meeting?

Gremlin™: I should be @SleeplessInMusutafu ???

SleeplessInMusutafu: we’ll be there.

Psychic: @Loud and @Ghost, we’ll be needing you as well if you’re free.

Gremlin™: oh! This involves the thing! Right?

Gremlin™: okay I’ll come with the notebook.

Turbo: how’d you make that sound ominous?

Gremlin™: anything I mention vaguely sounds ominous bc I’m usually very open to the point of over sharing probably.

Gremlin™: ANYWAYS I’m pretty sure Zawa is here so I’m gonna go spend time with my Dad™

Ex-Nudist: have fun!

Turbo: talk with ya later!

Chapter Text

Izuku smiles as he watches Zawa grab him a drink from the mini fridge and bring it over to his spot on the green beanbag chair. They had left his chair on the first floor but Izuku doesn’t mind because he really did miss moments like this with Zawa.

Don’t get him wrong, Izuku is very glad to have Zawa as his teacher at UA, but he does find himself missing the one-on-one mentorship and being able to just relax and discuss quirk theory and the history of heroics with his father-figure.

“How’s school?” Zawa asks in that monotone way that is supposed to convey that he cares about the answer even if he doesn’t want to admit it.

“Good!” Izuku replies easily, with a bright smile. “I love my lessons with Nedzu and being able to analyze everyone’s quirks and fighting styles. I’m almost done compiling them and writing out what everyone needs to work on at the summer training camp.

“Nedzu’s having you work on that, huh.”

“Yeah, it’s a lot of fun and I can’t wait to see what everyone learns on their internships!”

“Have you decided who you're interning with?” Aizawa asks, glancing at the pile of internship offers he'd brought for Izuku to go over in the car as a distraction.

“Yeah! I still can’t believe I got so many offers even though I didn’t participate. I'm excited to see how everyone reacts to that.”

Zawa agrees with a smirk that he would usually hide in his capture weapon—except Izuku’s wearing it because he can’t take his own off campus yet and he misses the weight of it.

“I’m interning with Nedzu,” Izuku says quickly, because he’s pretty sure Nedzu purposely didn’t tell Zawa that he had preemptively offered Izuku an internship. The widening of his dad's eyes is proof enough of that theory. “Since I won’t be out of the chair for another few weeks I think it’s best to go with Nedzu so he can teach me the analytical and behind the scenes of heroics.”

“That… that’s smart, kid,” Zawa says eventually.

“If I could still walk I’d have gone with you or the loud man cause he’s really good with the media and I’m going to need that as well considering I’ll be the first quirkless hero in six generations.”

“There will be more opportunities,” Zawa reminds him. “And you can always pester him with questions after class. The man loves any opportunity to talk with students, especially ones like you.”

“Like me?”

“Intuitive, hard working, kind,” Zawa hums. Izuku blushes at the praise. “Seriously kid, I’ve told you this before but you’ve already got a reputation among pros. I know the trigger case has been taking a lot of your attention right now—and whether or not that’s fair is something we can discuss at tomorrow’s meeting—but you’re still solving cases that pros with years of training and experience struggle with. You’re able to look at a puzzle and find the pattern in ways no one but maybe Nedzu can do, and he’s got a quirk for that. What I mean is, you’re a good kid and Zashi likes talking to you.”

“I-I don’t know w-what to say,” Izuku stutters, overwhelmed by the praise.

Sure, it’s gotten easier to accept that people who aren’t his mom or Zawa actually enjoy being around him, but that doesn’t mean he’s never overwhelmed by the fact that he has friends and mentors and… Hell, Tensei is almost like an older brother to him now.

…Would that make Iida his nephew? Would that be weird? They’re only just now becoming friends after an admittedly rocky start (though not as rocky as Izuku thought it was, now that he considers it. They have a lot more in common than he’d thought.)

Izuku snorts at the thought, waving Zawa away when he raises a brow in question.

“Quirk theory?” Izuku asks as a non-sequitur. “Last time we talked about the possibilities of quirks suddenly improving.”

“And this time we’re going to talk about the Quirk Singularity Theory.”

“The Quirk Singularity Theory,” Izuku repeats, using the chance to gather his thoughts. “I’ve read a bit about it but admittedly not as much as with the Sudden Improvement Theory.”

“Why not?”

“Cause I thought that if sudden improvement exists then there might have been the chance that I’d suddenly develop a quirk,” Izuku shrugs. He’s long accepted that fact that he’s never going to get a quirk. That doesn’t mean that he didn’t spend most of his life hoping, dreaming, that he would wake up one day and suddenly he’d be breathing fire or pulling his alarm clock to him so he could turn it off.

He’d even hoped that someone, somewhere, would be able to give him a quirk. Which he’d admittedly thought was impossible until meeting Mirio and figuring out his connection to All Might.

“A quirk is just—”

“Another tool in the toolbox, I know,” Izuku laughs. “It was just a dream I had before I got my new one.”

“Which is?”

“To be a hero that can bring people like me hope. I know we’re doing hero names before you announce internships,” Izuku grins at Zawa. “I’ve decided on my hero name.”

“Good, tell me tomorrow in class,” Zawa nods with a smile. “Now, tell me what you know about the Quirk Singularity Theory.”

“Okay,” Izuku takes a deep breath.” The Quirk Singularity Theory, in its simplest terms, theorizes on whether or not quirks will ever stop evolving, if they’ll reach the point where humans can no longer withstand their powers which would cause society to unravel at its core, especially with how heavily everyone relies on their quirks.”

“That’s pretty much it,” Zawa agrees. “The real debate is about whether or not you think it’s true.”

“I do,” Izuku says immediately.

“Why?”

“Well, other than the fact that I’ve studied quirks for years because I thought it was fun?”

“Obviously.”

“Bakugou.”

“Expand.”

“His quirk is powerful. It’s a mutation of his parents’ quirks and he’s honed it almost to perfection already. There’s honestly not much I’d be able to suggest to him to improve other than pushing his physical limits. But that’s the thing, his quirk is detrimental to his health,” Izuku pauses to breathe when Zawa taps his leg. “Thanks.”

“Any time.”

“I’m sure you know this from his file, but Bakugou is probably going to go deaf, at least partially, by the time he’s twenty-five. His body isn’t able to fully handle his quirk. Not to mention the pain he must go through every time he pushes past his limits,” Izuku looks at his own hands where thin scars lay, ones from his childhood of Bakugou not knowing how to control his quirk in his excitement, and childish anger. Back before the anger became real and control wasn’t about not exploding but how bigthe explosions were. “Sure, the body could adapt and his kids might have the ability to withstand large explosions to a degree, but eventually the quirk is going to get too volatile for any one person to control.”

“That’s just one example. What about a mutation quirk?”

“Tsu-chan is probably the best example of this. Her quirk is called frog, which pretty much explains her mutations, but mutations occur that aren’t related to quirks at all. Her hair is green, which is frog-like and potentially related to her quirk but mine’s green too and I don’t have a quirk. I actually hesitate to say that mutations are the same thing as an emitter quirk like yours,” Izuku glares at his hands that are fiddling with his sweats. “Not that I can—”

“Wait, what?” Aizawa interrupts him. “What do you mean by that?”

“Well, mutations occur all the time that aren’t related to quirks. Usually they’re present at birth but… quirks aren’t like that, right? They start to develop at the age of three and there are many theories on why that is but… if a mutation happens before birth can it really be considered a quirk by definition?” Izuku forgets to breathe in his excitement. This is the kind of thing he loves to talk about. “My mom’s parents don’t have green hair, it actually doesn’t show up in the rest of our family. But our hair is just a mutation, it’s not a quirk. And then there’s Ojiro’s tail. He wasn’t born with it. I asked. He started getting severe back pain when he was three and when his moms brought him in they found his tail growing in. Ojiro was adopted when he was three months old and his moms don’t know who his birth parents are at all.”

“Would you say Asui has a quirk, then?”

“Oh yeah! She’s developed the abilities of a frog, like minor camouflage and her incredible jumping abilities at the age of four! But her physical mutations aren’t because of her quirk, I’d say it’s the other way around. She got the quirk she did because of her physical mutations.”

“So, just to reiterate, you think the Quirk Singularity Theory is true?”

“Yes.”

“And that most mutation quirks aren’t actually quirks.”

“Yes,” Izuku nods. “In fact I can send you an article about a Quirkless woman born in Indonesia with mutations that didn’t count as a quirk because they just… weren’t enough. She’s not the only one I know of but I think this case-study will defend my point more clearly.”

Zawa runs his hand over his face and sighs tiredly. “When I said I’d mentor you I wasn’t expecting for you to completely change my worldview, Problem Child.”

“Sorry?”

“Don’t apologize for that,” Zawa reprimands gently. “Never apologize for that. I am not so conceited to think that there is nothing left for me to learn.”

“Okay.”

“Good,” Zawa leans back into his bean bag with a tired sigh. “I think it’s time for a nap.”

Izuku smiles. All the stress he’s been feeling seems to have melted away, even if it’s only for one afternoon he’s grateful for it. Tomorrow, he’ll go back to school and stress and trying to solve a case that seems older and bigger than any one of the people working on it.

For now though, he’s going to take a nap.

Chapter Text

Shouta feels some kind of emotion as he reveals the list of internship offers. He thinks a little bit of it is pride but most of what he feels is glee as he watches the chaos enfold.

Just like he’d known it would when his hell class inevitably saw that Izuku had received eleven official offers despite not participating in the sports festival (twelve if you counted Nedzu, but his technically wasn’t an official offer).

“Midori!” Uraraka exclaims with astonished pride, jumping from her seat, only to sit back down when Shouta glares at her. (She doesn’t need to know that her reaction brings Shouta a childish glee).

It takes a moment for his class to settle but when they do Shouta continues like nothing is wrong, purposely keeping them occupied until the bell rings.

“Those of you who didn’t receive an offer will be choosing from a list of forty which I have here,” Midoriya holds up a stack of papers that he hands off to Iida to pass out. “Now we have a special lesson for heroics today. You’ll be choosing codenames today—”

“With me!” Nemuri shouts, entering the room with enough dramatics to distract his class from Izuku. (Though he can see how pleased his kid is with the chaos they created today). “Choose carefully or you might just regret it.”

With that, Shouta slips into his sleeping bag, keeping one ear on his class (he does have final veto powers, after all) but otherwise catching up on the rest he’s been sorely lacking since… well… since he was born probably.

***
“I know it’s not s-something I talk about o-often, but I am quirkless. I’ve gone through-through all the stages of grief over this at least five times in my life and, w-well, there’s b-been a lot to f-figure out. When I was younger it used to be variations o-of All Might b-but I q-quickly realized I w-would never be a hero l-like him. T-that’s besides the-the point. I k-know the kind of hero I’m g-going to b-be.”

Back when Bakugou was still Kacchan and Izuku had hope of developing a quirk, he wanted to be a hero like All Might. One who inspires everyone as he saves them with a smile, able to fell villains in a single punch.

Now, he wants to bring hope to people like him. He wants to be the hero he needed when he was a kid.

He wants a seven-year-old quirkless kid to look up quirkless hero and find Izuku’s picture there. He wants that kid to run into their living room, shouting to their parents “look, look! I can be a hero!”

He doesn’t want another quirkless kid crying in their room because when you look up quirkless hero the first link is an itemized list of why quirkless people aren’t even human and thus can never be heroes.

“I’ve taken a name given to me in anger and made it my own, changed the meaning and gave myself the hope I needed to keep moving forward when it felt like every door was slamming in my face. I am the Hero of Hope: Deku.”

***

Chat title: Class 1-wheyyyyyyy

Cheatsheet (pinned)
Tired: Aizawa Shouta
Deku: Midoriya Izuku
Boom Boi: Bakugou Katsuki
Conspiracy Theorist™: Todoroki Shouto
Uravity-Girl: Uraraka Ochacko
Arm-Guy: Shouji Mezo
Turbo JR.: Iida Tenya
Ventriloquist: Shinsou Hitoshi
FightMeShinsou: Ojiro Mashirao
Chargebolt : Kaminari Denki
Froppy: Asui Tsuyu
Sparkles: Aoyama Yuga
Alien Queen: Ashido Mina
Red Riot: Kirishima Eijirou
Revelry: Tokoyami Fumikage
GlucoseGuy: Satou Rikidou
Snow White: Koda Koji
Earphone Jack: Jirou Kyoka
Goddess: Yaoyorozu Momo
Invisigirl: Hagakure Tooru
Tape: Sero Hanta

Chargebolt: the chat name offends me

Earphone Jack: good

Ventriloquist: I. This isn’t even my hero name, Izu?

Deku: *insert shrug kaomoji here*

Ventriloquist: I hate you

Deku: awwwww! I love you too!

Arm-Guy: you two confuse me

Deku: good

Ventriloquist: good

Uravity-Girl: Midori! Your hero name is so cool!

Boom Boi: no it’s not

Deku: shut up Kacchan.

Boom Boi: WTF TOU BASTARD????

Chargebolt: tou

Boom Boi:┌∩┐(◣_◢)┌∩┐

Deku: thanks Urachan!

Conspiracy Theorist™: … are you related to the analyst Deku that my father hates?

Deku: oop

Deku: that me haha

Conspiracy Theorist™: I thought he was some sixty year old retired pro???

Goddess: Who are you talking about, Todoroki?

Conspiracy Theorist™: this analyst that has been solving crimes and helping catch minor villains for the last year that my father complains about for doing a heroes job without a valid license

Conspiracy Theorist™: called him an “old ass vigilante”

Deku: can’t be a vigilante without a quirk°˖✧◝(⁰▿⁰)◜✧˖°

FightMeShinsou: what?

Deku: yeah, bc of old laws I could go fight crime without a license and as long as I didn’t use an illegal weapon or throw the first punch I wouldn’t be a vigilante.

Tired: Problem Child

Deku: what???? It’s true and it isn’t my fault that people look down on the Quirkless like we’re incapable of committing crimes!

Revelry: Sometimes I forget how dark our society is and then Midoriya comes out of nowhere to remind us that the eternal void is closer than we think.

Ventriloquist: first, that’s a mood

Ventriloquist: second, Izu, wtf?

Deku: ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

Deku: sometimes it just be like that.

***

Red Riot: wait is that why you had eleven offers without even participating in the sports festival!?

Red Riot: that’s so manly midobro!

Deku: 12 offers

Red Riot: 12?

Deku: yeah!

Chargebolt: sometimes I forget how scary midori can be when he’s super vague

Deku: that’s the goal!

Chargebolt: ᕕ( ◎_◎)ᕗ fear

Chapter Text

Chat Title: Trigger-ed

Cheatsheet (Pinned)
Gremlin™: Deku
SleeplessInMusutafu: Eraserhead
Ex-Nudist: Lemillion
Turbo: Ingenium
Psychic: Sir Nighteye
John Mulaney 2.0: Ms. Joke
Loud: Present Mic
Blood: Vlad King
Ghost: Ectoplasm
Big Guy: Fat Gum
Yeehaw(ks): Hawks
Y’all: All Might
IRL Polygraph: Detective Tsukauchi

Gremlin™: Can someone do my homework for me so I can take a nap before the meeting?

SleeplessInMusutafu: Which class is it for?

Gremlin™: Loud

SleeplessInMusutafu: He’s going to give you an extension. Take a nap

Gremlin™: Thank.

Loud: !!! honestly, don’t even bother with the essay, Deku. I know you understand the book we read and I’m willing to give you a pass on three essays a semester.

Gremlin™: !!!! U da bst.

Loud: Hear that, Shou? I win!

Gremlin™: ma dad whin. U shush.

Loud: m(-_-)m fine

***

Izuku might have too much on his plate. If his post-nap exhaustion is anything to go by then he should maybe think about cutting back on something but between classes, physical therapy, the trigger case, and whatever random hero he contacted with a tip for a case or advice he didn’t know—oh wait. He could stop giving unsolicited tips and advice. Duh.

He probably should have stopped doing that a while ago, if he’s being honest. He’s pretty sure he’s had that conversation with both Zawa and his mom on more than one occasion.

Apparently being a professional analyst means having people come to you, not going to them. Especially considering he’s already built a commendable network (according to Zawa, that is. Izuku has nothing to compare it to).

“Izuku!” He hears his mom call from the kitchen. “Dinner!”

Izuku grunts as he shifts into a sitting position and quickly transfers himself to his chair. His life has gotten so much easier since he was able to start doing the transitions himself. He’s grateful for every bit of independence he gets back, as slow going and painful as it is to incrementally gain feeling back into his lower body.

Thank whatever deity exists for quirks. Otherwise Izuku would have to figure out how to become the first quirkless disabled hero.

He knows several heroes with disabilities—Ectoplasm, Ingenium now, even All Might! But unfortunately he doesn’t think he’ll be seeing a disabled hero without a quirk any time soon.

“Thanks mom,” Izuku says when he’s seated at the table with a plate of yakitori over rice in front of him. “When do you get off work tomorrow?”

“I’ll be working late the next few nights, but Shouta says he’ll make sure you get where you need to go.”

“You still have next Saturday off right?” Izuku asks between bites.

“Yes, you still want to do a spa night?”

“Please!” Izuku gushes. “I’m trying to take things easy but there’s so much going on that every time I turn around there’s something else I need to get done! It’s times like these that I wish I had a multitasking or cloning quirk so I could do everything!”

“I think even Ectoplasm has his limits, honey,” his mom comments with a chuckle. “I noticed you took a nap today.”

“Physical therapy took a lot out of me after school,” Izuku frowns. “It’s getting easier to bear weight with the bar but I’ve still got some time before they’ll let me out of the chair for a couple hours a day with crutches.”

“I’m proud of you, Izuku,” Inko says suddenly, looking every bit as serious as Izuku has ever seen her. “I want you to know that. You’re doing so much good for the world and I’m excited to see what you accomplish.”

He doesn’t know what to say to that. So instead Izuku falls back on his patented Midoriya genes and floods the apartment with tears.

***

“Why do you look like you haven’t slept in weeks?” Mirio asks him as soon as Izuku enters the meeting room with Zawa right behind him.

“Cause I haven’t slept in weeks,” Izuku deadpans his response. “But! I’m going to do better or Zawa is going to ban me from the beanbag room and I refuse to be on the same level as Zashi.”

“Oi!” Zashi protests loud enough for Zawa to activate his quirk. “Sorry.”

“You better be,” Zawa growls tiredly, taking a seat next to his friend anyways.

Ectoplasm waves at Izuku before turning back to his conversation with Tensei who is enthusiastically showing the other hero something on his phone.

Sir Nighteye is the only one not present yet, but that’s typical for these meetings because the hero is running multiple investigations right now (thought Izuku thinks at least two of them are related and has an analysis packet prepared for the hero after the meeting.

Izuku talks with Mirio about a new idea for his quirk while they wait for Sir to arrive. Zashi is starting to get loud enough to stop their conversation in his own excitement over something when the hero strides into the room, intense as always.

“Apologies for my tardiness,” Sir says, bowing his head slightly as he takes his seat at the head of the table, Mirio on his left and Izuku next to the intern. “I had a meeting with my sidekicks that ran over.”

“It’s no problem,” Izuku is quick to assure him. “It’s not like we could see it coming.”

Sir stares at him incredulously for a second before snorting. “That was terrible, Deku.”

“Thanks!”

“Anyways,” Sir continues, shaking his head. “This meeting should take long, since most of you have most of the details, but it looks like we’ve come up on another wrench in this case.”

“And what is that, exactly?” Ectoplasm asks.

“You know how the League of Villains was behind the break in at UA and the subsequent USJ, right?” Izuku says. Everyone nods. “Well, we think there’s a leak at UA. We’re just not sure if its a member of staff or a student. Since All Might started teaching at UA it became an even bigger target and there aren’t any other new teachers, so we’re pretty sure it’s not a member of the staff unless they’re accidentally a mole. But I doubt that would be the case and anyways, they had to get the schedule to know when All Might was supposed to be at the USJ so clearly they’re not a teacher and—”

“Breath, kid.”

“Whoops,” Izuku huffs, taking a deep breath. “As I was saying. There’s a mole. I’ve spoken with Nedzu about it. For now we’re going to be pulling Mirio, Zashi, and Ectoplasm off the main force.”

“Why me?” Mirio asks, clearly unaware of this.

“As one of the big three and All Might’s protege you have a lot of connections within the school. Nedzu wants you to profile as many of the students as you can. I’ll be doing the same during heroics since I have free time then for the next few weeks.”

“But why pull us off this case?”

“Not permanently,” Izuku reminds them. “We need to figure out who the mole is before we can really pursue the trigger case. Especially if my hunch that the League is going to get involved with it soon is true.”

“Fuck,” Zashi curses, abnormally quietly. “Why is this like some convoluted manga plot?”

“Because whatever deity there may or may not be wants to fuck with us.”

“Language,” Zawa chides like he doesn’t curse in front of Izuku’s class every day.

“Is there anything else?” Ectoplasm asks.

Izuku glances at Zawa who gives him an encouraging nod. “Yeah. So I’m not pulling from the main force but until further notice I won’t be working on any other cases. I took on too much and it’s starting to impede my physical progress.”

“That’s fair!” Mirio says with a smile. “Now you’ll have time to relax and maybe we could hang out sometime!”

“I’d like that,” Izuku agrees easily. He considers Mirio a good friend but they haven’t had the chance to hang out except for the brief time they have before or after a trigger meeting.

“Wait, but why us and not Vlad?” Zashi asks suddenly.

“Because Nedzu has Vlad working on something else,” Zawa explains. “The likes of which I do not know and do not care to know.”

“Fair.”

“The last thing I have for the night,” Sir says, getting everyone’s attention. “Is an updated list of what we know about the trigger case and everyone’s assignments if they’re still on the main force. I’ll be emailing it out to those that aren’t here.”

“Thanks, Sir,” Izuku says with a smile.

“Wait… we get to stay in the groupchat, right?” Zashi asks, turning his head wildly between Izuku and Sir Nighteye.

“Yes,” Sir sighs. “You get to stay in the groupchat.”

***

SleeplessInMusutafu’s name has been set to Bagheera.

Loud: I just witnessed the most Dad™ act Shouta has ever committed.

Bagheera: Say anything and you lose cat privileges

Loud: Nevermind!

Gremlin™: How many privileges has Loud gotten revoked?

Bagheera: most of them

Bagheera: he’s lucky he has the right to breathe most days

Gremlin™: I can see why you two are friends.

Bagheera: Pure Shitty Luck™

Loud: RUDE!

Gremlin™: you wanna lose toe privileges next?

Loud: Nah, I’m good. Have a wonderful night! I’m going to go not here and keep my toes where they are thank you very much.

Gremlin™: That’s what I thought.

Chapter Text

Izuku has doubted many things in his life. He doubted his preschool teacher when she told him it was okay that he didn’t have a strong quirk (this was before he was officially diagnosed as quirkless and she had started ignoring him). He doubted the kids in his classes in elementary school when they pretended to be his friend (experience taught him they were only doing to gain his trust and then break it). For the longest time he had doubted his ability to be a hero (then he stopped going to school and realized he is capable of so much more than anyone thought he would be.

It’s easy to forget, sometimes, that it was pre-quirked people that invented air travel, first set foot on the moon, and developed ways to turn sunlight into renewable energy. He is not less capable because he is Quirkless. He just has to fill his toolbox up with something different than everyone else.

Right now, though, Izuku doubts Iida when he tells Izuku he’s fine on the platform before leaving for his internship with the Normal Hero: Manual.

For one, Manual operates in Hosu, the same city that Iida’s brother, one of Izuku’s favorite people, was attacked by the Hero Killer Stain.

For another, Iida is a terrible liar and Izuku would have known he was lying even if he hadn’t been trained extensively to know when people are lying.

“What’s wrong?” Zawa asks when the last of his class, Sero, has left for their internship. (Hitoshi is interning with Zawa but they’re not meeting until later since Zawa has to finish up some paperwork to send off to Nighteye before that evening).

“I feel like Iida is going to try something stupid,” Izuku tells him as they make their way back to U.A. “Like monumentally stupider than I was to grab onto All Might’s leg before he did a superpowered jump into the air.”

“You what?”

“Have- Have I not told you the full story of when I met All Might? I’m pretty sure I mentioned this before? Why are you so shocked?” Izuku asks, stopping so he can look up at Zawa in wonder without running over anyone’s toes (accidentally this time. He’ll do it on purpose if he thinks the person deserves it).

“Apparently it never really processed that you’re capable of being a reckless idiot.”

“Ah, well, I was reckless and All Might is the idiot who tried to get me to let go mid-jump,” Izuku waves it off, because honestly, he’d rather not think about All Might, thank you very much. “Anyways, Iida has been withdrawn since Tensei got hurt and he coincidentally took an internship in Hosu—where the Hero Killer likely still is if he’s stupid enough to follow all previous patterns—with a hero that in all honesty has nothing to offer him for his quirk or fighting style? He’s gonna do something stupid and I’m suprised his internship was approved.”

“We can’t deny it on conjecture.”

“That’s bull, you’ve expelled kids for making one too many “your mama” jokes, Zawa,” Izuku says. “It’s early enough in the year that it makes sense no one noticed his change in patterns. I didn’t really realize until he blatantly lied to me about being alright when I asked. We can’t change it now, but you can make sure someone else is in Hosu in case he’s being stupid, can’t you?”

“Are you suggesting that I take Hitoshi to Hosu for his internship, where the Hero Killer is most definitely still located, are you?”

“You could talk to Nedzu and set up a rotation with other heroes, I guess. I heard from Todoroki that he and his dad are going to be in Hosu this week, so I could let him know to keep an eye out for Iida. I also have a profile of Stain and—”

“You have what?”

“A villain profile? I have them for all major villains in the last two years, so far. Nedzu says that profiling villains will help me get better at my analysis and planning skills.”

“Have you shown it to anyone?”

“Not.. yet? The assignment isn’t due till next Thursday?”

Zawa sighs. It’s not one he can easily identify which tells Izuku that he’s done something wrong and can feel the panic rise, even if it’s just his dad and he… he doesn’t want to disappoint Zawa.

“You really are a Problem Child,” Zawa says, though his tone is noticeably fond and that helps alleviate some of the sudden anxiety. The hand on his shoulder reminding him that he's not alone, that Zawa isn't going to leave him like so many others have. “Lets go to Nedzu and go over this profile of yours. If it checks out, we might not have to worry about Iida afterall.”

Chapter Text

Chizome, if nothing else, is always prepared. He operates in the back streets and alleys where people don’t dare to tread. He clings to the shadows and is very careful to avoid detection before, during, and after a job is complete.

When he is out of his working costume, his only distinct feature is his nose, or lack-there-of. He removed it on purpose, he had needed to when a hero had shattered it and the wound had become infected. It had been that or he died. Chizome had too much to get done to die.

That had been what made him cross the line, all those months ago. His nose had healed and he had gone out and culled the hero that had already proven he was willing to go too far. That he wasn’t a true hero. Chizome hadn’t even been operating as Stendhal, his vigilante persona, when he had been injured. He had simply been in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Now though, now he has a mission. To rid hero society of its stains. He had thought the stains had been villains before, but he was wrong. The stains were the heroes who were only in it for the fame and power that the profession got them. The ones who took it too far or did it for the wrong reasons. The ones who would never live up to the paragon that is All Might.

So far, he has gotten sixteen heroes, three dead in each city he has been to and one alive to carry on his message and let the heroes know that they aren’t safe anymore. That he is coming.

That the Hero Killer Stain is prepared to cull anyone who gets in his way.

***
The League of Villains is going to be a problem, Chizome already knows it, even as he’s deposited safely back in Hosu as he requested. Their leader is unhinged, without a real cause, and—quite frankly—an annoying little shit.

They are going to have to be a problem for another night, though, after Chizome has carried out his mission. They can wait, even if they plan on attacking Hosu tonight as well.

He has been profiling a hero who let his emotions get the better of him too many times while fighting villains. A hero who is quick to anger is quick to die, in his opinion.

The hero tends to avoid the more crowded areas, which simply makes it easier for Chizome to attack. It is a matter of seconds before he has his victim paralyzed, pushed against the wall of an alley with no way to defend himself or call for help.

He loves this part. Watching the moment the ”hero” realizes they are done for, that everything in their life has been leading them to this moment, the one where Stain ends it. Where they die because they are nothing more than a flaw in the society that Stain is working to create.

Stain is just about to bring down the knife, to end the life of another false hero, when he is interrupted by the rush of wind created by a gray cloth. Immediately Native slumps to the ground, no longer held up by Stain or his quirk.

“Damn that kid for being right.”

He knows that voice. He has worked with that hero twice, back when he was Stendhal and not crossing a line he knew he could never go back on.

Eraserhead is a true hero, but Stain is not going to let him get in the way.

“So you stopped my quirk, huh?” Stain asks. It is a weird feeling but not one that he has not felt before. “I don’t need that to cull you for getting in my way.”

“What about me?” Another voice asks. It sounds like a voice Stain should know. One he should…

“You—” should be dead.

Nothing. He feels nothing. Sees nothing. Hears… Nothing.

Chizome is not in control of his body anymore. He is pretty sure he is still standing but it is hard to tell, especially as he floats in and out of consciousness.

“—longer I can control him,” an unfamiliar voice says from somewhere behind him. Chizome is tied up now, his weapons are no longer on his body and it leaves him feeling naked. He is pretty sure they even got the one that is inside his boot. A wiggle of his toes confirms it.

“That’s fine, kid,” Eraserhead says, his voice as bland as ever. “You were supposed to stay back, though.”

“Not when you were at risk,” the kid protests. “It was quicker this way. He’s awake now.”

Chizome does not pout. He has killed nearly a hundred people. He is a thirty-five year old with the ability to control another person’s body. He definitely does not pout when the conversation ends abruptly. He wants to know who the kid is. He sounds like the kind of hero Chizome would not need to kill.

There is a commotion at the head of the alley as an ambulance and several police cars arrive. Several more heroes have arrived as well, but Chizome pays them no mind, focused only on the one that has captured him.

And the student that helped.

Maybe hero society was not as hopeless as Chizome had thought it was.

Chizome is about to be loaded into the back of a police car when a roar is heard above him. There are several cries to duck and then the kid, the one that Chizome finds he wants to see succeed, is being lifted into the air.

Eraserhead tries to do something but Chizome is still wrapped up in his scarf.

The villain scowls. If he still had his knife boot, he could cut out of the scarf and do something.

But no. Eraserhead has to be a good fucking hero.

The creature—A nomu if the rumors he has heard are correct—is flying away and no one present can do anything about it.

“What’s going on?”

Chizome knows that voice. He hates that voice.

“Get the fucking kid, Endeavor,” Eraserhead demands.

Endeavor immediately shoots out flames at a child. One that Chizome respects.

He’s aiming at the Nomu but still. Chizome is ninety-nine percent sure the kid is going to have burns, on top of at least some broken ribs and a punctured lung.

The Nomu goes crashing to the ground and Eraserhead is already sprinting over, gathering the kid into his arms with a care that Chizome wasn’t sure the hero was capable of.

“Endeavor,” Chizome growls, letting his bloodlust out because he wants to see heads roll right now. He wishes he was just a little bit less encased in a near-indestructible fabric. He can’t even move his arms right now. “It is the likes of you which I aim to purge from this world. False heroes that have overrun society and the criminals like you who aim to win and not to save, just for a power as fake as you are. I kill for the sake of a better society. You hunt villains for sport.”

He is still captured, he is still going to jail, but Chizome knows that this is better. He knows his words will have the impact that his actions so far have not.

He just hopes the kid will be okay.

Chapter Text

Chat title: Class 1-wheyyyyyyy

Cheatsheet (pinned)
Tired: Aizawa Shouta
Deku: Midoriya Izuku
Boom Boi: Bakugou Katsuki
Conspiracy Theorist™: Todoroki Shouto
Uravity-Girl: Uraraka Ochacko
Arm-Guy: Shouji Mezo
Turbo JR.: Iida Tenya
Ventriloquist: Shinsou Hitoshi
FightMeShinsou: Ojiro Mashirao
Chargebolt : Kaminari Denki
Froppy: Asui Tsuyu
Sparkles: Aoyama Yuga
Alien Queen: Ashido Mina
Red Riot: Kirishima Eijirou
Revelry: Tokoyami Fumikage
GlucoseGuy: Satou Rikidou
Snow White: Koda Koji
Earphone Jack: Jirou Kyoka
Goddess: Yaoyorozu Momo
Invisigirl: Hagakure Tooru
Tape: Sero Hanta

Deku: In case some of you have not heard, Hitoshi was involved in the capture of the Hero Killer Stain last night alongside Zawa and a few other pro heroes. He was not hurt in the initial capture and was instrumental in preventing bloodshed. However, there was also another League of Villain attack in Hosu that was likely spontaneous due to the fact that only nomu were involved and Shigaraki was spotted on a roof by a news camera. Anyways, Hitoshi was nearly captured by a flying Nomu when Endeavor stepped in and brought the Nomu down. Unfortunately, Endeavor is actually the number POO hero because he gave me best friend second degree burns on his legs and arms. Fortunately, Recovery Girl is a saint and hit Endeavor on the head. She also healed Hitoshi and he will be in class on Monday to continue being the bane of my existence.

Invisigirl: HOLY SHIT THAT WAS SHINSOU!!!???? I SAW THAT ON THE NEWS WTF???

Ventriloquist: I’m being released from the hospital in the morning. I would rather leave tonight but apparently that’s against protocol when a nomu’s talon pierces your lung.

Froppy: I am glad you’re okay, kero.

Uravity-Girl: TOSHI!! IM SO GLAD UR OK!

Arm-Guy: Let us know if you need anything. I’ve got a few hands free.

Deku: That was terrible, Mezzukun. You’re banned from puns for two days.

Arm-Guy: worth it.

Red Riot: glad you’re okay man!

Tape: You helped take down the HERO KILLER????

Alien Queen: You were interning with Sensei?

Ventriloquist: Thanks guys. And yeah, Ashido. He’s an underground hero and that’s what I want to be. It was only logical.

Deku: I swear it’s like staring at a mini-Aizawa.

Uravity- Girl: …

Arm-Guy: ….

Froppy: …

Chargebolt: …

Conspiracy Theorist™: …

Goddess: …

Revelry: …

Alien Queen: ...

Deku: Okay

GlucoseGuy: …

Sparkles: …

FightMeShinsou: …

Boom Boi: …

Snow White: …

Deku: Even you Kouda??

Earphone Jack: …

Ventriloquist: …

Invisigirl: …

Red Riot: …

Tape: …

Tired: …

Deku: Okay… I get it.

Deku: ANYWAYS!!

Deku: Did y’all know that Shouta likes to wear pink joggers when he trains???

Tired: I Will Fight You

Deku: I am still in a wheelchair, Father Sensei.

Tired: That Will Not Stop Me

Ventriloquist: It’s what he deserves.

Deku: OI! Y’know what… I regret helping you

Ventriloquist: no you dont.

Deku: ... I hate that you’re right.

***

Private message between Shinsou Hitoshi and Todoroki Shouto

Todoroki Shouto: I apologize for the actions of my father.

Shinsou Hitoshi: You have nothing to apologize for, Todo. I know your father is an asshole and I don’t blame you for his actions. Despite the burns, he did save me from being kidnapped by the League of Villains. It was honestly the preferred result at that point.

Shinsou Hitoshi: I will be asking Izu to run over his toes.

Todoroki Shouto: Again

Shinsou Hitoshi: Again.

***

Private message between Midoriya Izuku and Iida Tenya

Green: Iida, please be honest with me, how are you holding up?

Blue: I’ve been better. I don’t know how to feel about you calling my brother about this but I supposed I’m grateful that you didn’t let me make such a grievous mistake as trying to attack the Hero Killer.

Blue: I am glad that he’s behind bars, though. A man like him is even more than physically dangerous. Have you seen the videos?

Green: Yes.

Green: We’ll talk more in person but I just want you to know that I respect you a lot Iida and I know you’d regret going after Stain, which is why I got Tensei involved. We’re kids and still learning and we’re going to make mistakes. I just knew this one would cost more than I was willing to risk you giving. Just a warning though, Nedzu and Zawa will both be wanting to speak with you on Monday. You didn’t actually do anything so you’re not in trouble but I just thought a heads up might be nice.

Blue: … Thank you. I’ll see you Monday.

Green: Let me know if you need anything.

Chapter Text

Chat Title: Trigger-ed

Cheatsheet (Pinned)
Gremlin™: Deku
Bagheera: Eraserhead
Ex-Nudist: Lemillion
Turbo: Ingenium
Psychic: Sir Nighteye
John Mulaney 2.0: Ms. Joke
Loud: Present Mic
Blood: Vlad King
Ghost: Ectoplasm
Big Guy: Fat Gum
Yeehaw(ks): Hawks
Y’all: All Might
IRL Polygraph: Detective Tsukauchi

Big Guy: Who’s the kid, Eraser? I thought Deku was your only kid…

Ex-Nudist: Pretty sure that kid is Aizawa-Sensei’s biological son and Deku is adopted…

John Mulaney 2.0: I believe it.

Loud: Lil Listener is okay, right?

IRL Polygraph Detector: Yeah, he’s alright. Recovery Girl healed him. Eraserhead is giving his statement to Chief Tsurugame so he’s not looking at the messages.

Gremlin™: THAT’S MY BEST FRIEND Y’ALL!!! Like Mr Lie Detector said, he’s been healed. He still has to stay in the hospital cause the Nomu punctured his fucking lung.

Gremlin™: I’m 99% sure that the league tried to recruit Stain and he said no, which is why the nomu attacked Hosu last night. I’m with Toshi rn, btw.

Gremlin™: he can be crossed off the traitor checklist, btw. As can Tenya and Shouto.

Blood: YOu have your friends on the checklist?

Gremlin™: I had myself on the checklist, Vlad. There’s a chance, however small, that the traitor is doing so either unwillingly or unknowingly and it’s important that we keep this in mind as we vet each person.

Gremlin™: Speaking of vetting, hows the go through of gen ed kids, Zashi?

Loud: Boring. There’s a couple kids I need to take another look at but so far no one’s really stuck out.

Gremlin™: Okay, keep @psychic and @ratgod posted.

Loud: how the FUCK did you tag him in this chat??? He’s NOT IN THE CHAT WTF DEKU????

Gremlin™: That’s for me to know and you to never question again.

Loud: @Bagheera your son needs to stop spending time with Nedzu

Bagheera: I know. Believe me I know.

Gremlin™: he’s my mentor for work-study, so jokes on y’all.

Y’all: you rang?

Gremlin™: No.

Y’all’s nickname has been set to Blocked™

Blocked™: I…

Gremlin™: did someone hear anything?

Blocked™: What did I do to you?

Gremlin™: Do… do you not remember?

Blocked™ : I mean I remember saving you from the slime villain…

Blocked™: but honestly some of your reactions fell… a bit undeserved.

Gremlin™: I knew the #1 hero wasn’t the best teacher

Gremlin™: But I didn’t think he was an idiot.

Bagheera: Kid, not on here.

Gremlin™: Then where?

***

Dadzawa: I’m coming back. Hand your phone to Shinsou.

Izukid: this is shinsou

Dadzawa: Have you helped Izuku through a panic attack before?

Izukid: I have no.

Dadzawa: Okay, put your hand on his shoulder or knee. Tell him you’re gonna touch him but dont ask for permission, he trusts you but he’ll panic more if you ask.

Izukid: Done.

Dadzawa: Now lead him through a 4-7-11 breathing exercise

Izukid: 4-7-11

Dadzawa: In 4, hold 7, out 11

Izukid: Okay.

Dadzawa: I’ll be there in a moment.

Izukid: thaks .

***

Gremlin™: Sorry about that, folks. I am fine now. All Might, I’m not in a space where I can talk about this right now but I’m sorry for being so short with you on this chat. It was undeserved and unprofessional of me. I promise we can talk later.

Blocked™’s nickname has been set to All Right

All Right: Thank you, young Deku. I understand that you’re worried for your friend and that there are some things I might have missed when I first joined the investigation.

***

Mommadoriya: Zuku, you okay? Shouta texted me.

Zuku: Not really?

Zuku: I kinda snapped at All Might for something that happened over a year ago that I thought I was over.

Mommadoriya: Oh, I’m sure it’s going to be okay. If you need to call your therapist then go ahead, she’ll understand.

Zuku: I’ll call tomorrow when I’m home. I just…

Zuku: Could use a hug.

Mommadoriya: You’re at Hosu General with Hitoshi-kun, right?

Zuku: Yeah

Mommadoriya: Okay, I’ll be there in thirty minutes.

Zuku: oh my fuck, I love you mom. Thank you

Mommadoriya: Love you too, Zuku. Be there soon.

Zuku: Drive safe <3

Chapter Text

Deku,

It’s Kempo-To-Mo again! We have a question for you. Have you heard about the shadow villain that can steal quirks and transfer them to other people? Or the villain factory? We have reason to believe that there is a tie between either of these and the trigger case. Though the shadow villain is more of an urban legend, for years there were villains showing up with mutated quirks and little to no brain power. They didn’t survive long after being captured and the existence of these villains was kept from mass media because of the panic they would cause.

-Kempo-To-Mo

Kempo-To-Mo,

The kids in elementary school would joke that the shadow villain stole my quirk because I was a bad person. I used to believe them before I realized that I would know if the shadow villain stole my quirk. Now I just think they’re a bunch of assholes.

Yes, I have heard of the shadow villain. We’re actually fairly certain the shadow villain is real and involved in this case. We’re not sure how he’s connected to Hanata and Lars though. There’s something we’re missing about those cases and I’m eager to find out what it is.

Eraserhead is looking into the Villain Factory still. He was involved in the initial case. If you have any further information about it please email him directly and CC myself and Sir Nighteye. I’m not actually allowed to get involved in that part of the case since I’m, y’know, a child. (more so it’s because I don’t have my provisional license and it’s a lot of ground work which I have been expressly forbidden from participating in but it’s whatever at this point).

It’s morbidly comforting to know that we’re all on the same track with the involvement of the shadow villain and Villain Factory.

Mom is wondering if you’d like to visit sometime this summer? I have a training camp in the second week but sometime after that? It’s been years since she’s seen you guys. (I am not sure why she’s using me to ask considering she has your email too).

Sincerely,
           Deku.

***

Private chat between Izukid and Dadzawa 

Izukid: You know, sometimes I forget that I'm still technically a vigilante

Izukid: Except also not cause the laws kinda suck

Dadzawa: the laws about vigilantism were written back when quirks were just starting to appear and people without quirks were much more common. it made sense that you'd need a quirk to be a vigilante

Izukid: Basically, if you never use a quirk and never throw the first punch you can't be a vigilante.

Dadzawa: don't do it

Izukid: I WASN'T PLANNING ON IT DAD!

Izukid: We've already established that I was going to do every aspect of vigilantism *except* the fighting
***

Deku,

We’ll message her, no need to keep you as the middleman.

We just heard about your friend! We hope he’s okay, we can’t imagine facing a serial killer even now, and we’ve been in the field for twenty-odd years.

We’re looking into the leads more. We still haven’t figured out the connection between Lars and Hanata, though. There’s no reason for them to be connected, let alone working together and (most likely) smuggling drugs! It’s bizarre!

We’re glad your team is keeping you safe. You need at least two more years of training before you start doing field work like this. You’re a strong kid but there are some things you just need to be older for.

-Kempo-To-Mo

Kempo-To-Mo,

Shinsou is doing better! Thank you for asking about him!

It’s weird that you can’t find the connection between Lars and Hanata further than there being the connection in the first place. It’s not like they’re the same person.

My team is working to annoy me, that’s for sure. I care for them all but I will fight any of them without prompting ninety-nine percent of the time.

Sincerely,
           Deku.

Deku,
Oh Our God. Fucking hell. Hanata and Lars are the same fucking person we cannot believe we didn’t figure this out.

We’re done, we quit. We’re moving to Korea and we’re going to work at a bar and sell flowers on the weekend. Clearly we’re not cut out for this job anymore.

Well, now that you figured that out for us this might actually be a lot easier than we anticipated.

Analysis is attached, as always.

-Kempo-To- Mo

***

Chat Title: Trigger-ed

Cheatsheet (Pinned)
Mowgli: Deku
Bagheera: Eraserhead
Ex-Nudist: Lemillion
Turbo: Ingenium
Psychic: Sir Nighteye
John Mulaney 2.0: Ms. Joke
Loud: Present Mic
Blood: Vlad King
Ghost: Ectoplasm
Big Guy: Fat Gum
Yeehaw(ks): Hawks
Y’all: All Might
IRL Polygraph: Detective Tsukauchi

Mowgli: So just to update everyone, the connection between Hanata (from the first I was involved in with Eraserhead) and Lars (the leader of Æsir, the Norwegian Mafia) is actually that they’re the same person.

Mowgli: Who’d have seen it coming, huh?

Mowgli: Kempo-To-Mo is still trying to figure out how exactly he connects to the rest of the case but we( Them, Sir Nighteye, Dad and I) feel better about this lead and we’re hoping to have more for you in the next couple weeks.

Mowgli: Also! I would like to publicly let @everyone know that I have a picture of @Yeehaw(ks) crying over chicken nuggets.

Yeehaw(ks): How?

Yeehaw(ks): Also it is four am… why are you awake?

Mowgli: Trauma™

Mowgli: Actually, its because of insomnia but ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Yeehaw(ks): ALSO! How do you know Kempo-To-Mo? They are one of the most cryptid heroes and that’s including Eraserhead.

Mowgli: They went to college with me mum

Yeehaw(ks): Neat

Bagheera: Problem Child

Mowgli: Ah frick. My dad caught me.

Bagheera: You Literally Tagged Everyone

Mowgli: Ah Frick My Dad Caught Me.

Bagheera: >C

Mowgli:
 

Bagheera: Expelled 

Mowgli: No 

Bagheera: if you don't sleep then you're expelled 

Mowgli: Fine. But only because I know you'll just tell mom if I don't sleep. 

Yeehaw(ks): Are you Eraserhead's actual child? 

Mowgli: Yes 

Bagheera: No. 

Mowgli: :C 

Bagheera: Yes. 

Mowgli: :D 

Chapter Text

Chat name The Plants

Cheat Sheet (pinned)

Midoriya Izuku- 🌳[bush]
Shouji Mezo- 🌵[cactus]
Shinsou Hitoshi-🪵 [twig]
Uraraka Ochako- 🪨[boulder]
Todoroki Shouto- 🎄[christmas tree]

🌳: Did y’all know that Iida’s mom is the coolest? She has met me once and gave me a notebook with signatures from several pro heroes I’d have never gotten them from myself.

🎄: neat

🪨: that’s pretty cool Mido!

🪵: Izu’s mom drove thirty minutes just to give him a hug.

🪵: she also gave me a hug and I appreciate her very much.

🪵: did y’all know she’s a scary ass lawyer? She threatened the chief of police in Hosu for trying to not give me credit for my part in Stain’s arrest.

🌳: I love my mom very much.

🌳: and their reasoning was stupid! Zawa very deliberately gave you permission to use your quirk!

🌳: there was zero reason to not give you due credit!

🌳: anyways laws are dumb.

🌵: you’re becoming a hero to uphold the law tho

🌳: I’m becoming a hero to save people and out of spite.

🌳: the law barely matters here.

🪨: stick it to the man!

🎄: my father is getting credit for the take down of two of the three nomu…

🌳: I ran over his toes once and I am not afraid to do it again.

🌳: speaking of toes! I can wiggle mine now!!!!!!!!

🪨: HELL YEAH MIDO!!!!!

🪵: that’s awesome Bush!!

🌵: can’t wait until you’re kicking ass again

🌵: not that you can’t kick ass in a wheelchair

🎄: glad to hear it

🌳: I’m gonna punch shigaraki in the duck next time I see him

🪵: duck

🌵: duck

🪨: duck

🎄: goose

🌳: ansjdbajsjxbsb I cnankt TODO!!

🎄:(⌐■_■)

🪵: meticulous

🪨: lol

🪵: my internship was, unfortunately, cut short. I did, however, get to witness an argument between Aizawa and Izuku about which cat cafe they were going to take me to.

🪵: it was quite the sight. I’m surprised todo hadn’t talked more about how Izuku is clearly aizawas secret love child.

🎄: I asked him once

🎄: he didn’t even deny it

🌳: he my dad 🤷🏼 what’s there to deny lol

🪵: nice.

Chapter Text

Izuku is, and always has been, an optimistic pessimist. Some might call him a realist but he spent most of his life both wanting to be the number one hero despite not having a quirk, while simultaneously believing he’d never even get into a hero school and would spend the rest of his life in his childhood bedroom never making a single friend.

Now, however, he’s on track to be the first ever Quirkless hero while also attending the top hero school in Japan (though not the world. Statistically speaking, the top hero school is in China).

He’s more realistic about his goals now. He plans to be an underground hero and is working with Present Mic to raise awareness about quirk discrimination through the hero’s already established radio show.

Izuku has also accepted that he’s (probably) going to retire young due to a debilitating injury. He barely made it three weeks into the school year without nearly dying in a villain attack. To be fair, most first years—hell most second years—don’t face villains in the way that class 1A did.

Usually, a hero-in-training will be involved in small time villain attacks. The unplanned ones like a robbery or mugging. Often, these heroes-in-training will have their mentor with them calling the shots.

Sometimes, things will go wrong and a hero-in-training will decide to leave the course because heroics isn’t what they thought it would be. Maybe they’re injured, or they see someone else get grievously injured. Maybe someone dies.

They’re lucky no one died at the USJ attack. The attack was devastating and traumatizing for every one of the hero students. To face death so early in their journey was not something easy to grapple with.

It had been a close thing for both Izuku and his mentor. They would both be living with physical reminders of the attack for the rest of their lives. Even if Izuku was going to walk again, even if he could still be a hero, the scars would always be there.

Zawa had the scar under his eye, too. Proof of how close he’d come to never being able to use his quirk again, all because he had used it that last time before passing out to save Izuku’s life.

Izuku has been going to therapy and it helps, being able to talk about it with an objective and uninvolved party. But sometimes he gets hung up on the what if’s.

The recent arrest of Stain and Hitoshi’s involvement have only made it worse.

Not that he’s blaming his friend, considering the outcome of that event could have been much worse.

But now Izuku’s thinking about the what if’s of before he met Zawa. Before he finally reached the starting point everyone else had reached when they turned four.

He can’t help but think of the Slime Villain incident as the catalyst for the rest of his life.

It had been the single most humiliating experience, even if it had also been the kick in the ass he’d needed to actually do something instead of resting on his laurels like the chance to be a hero was going to just fall into his lap.

What if he’d stayed home that day?

He wouldn’t have been attacked by the Slime Villain, a man by the name of Sawamura Astuhito who was wanted for the deaths of five people.

He wouldn’t have been saved by All Might.

He wouldn’t have made the hair brained decision to attach himself to the hero’s leg as he made a super powered jump into the city.

(Never mind that the hero had completely forgone all post-saving protocols. Izuku hadn’t realized it at the time but it still gets to him. It doesn’t matter that the number one hero was running out of time. He could have at least called for another hero to check in with Izuku).

He wouldn’t have asked that damning question and had his hopes crushed.

He wouldn’t have been left on a rooftop in a part of town he rarely frequented. He was never going to do anything, even if the thought very briefly crossed his mind.

Izuku would have never come across the Sludge Villain attacking Kac—Bakugou.

Bakugou likely would have died because the heroes were doing nothing. They didn’t have the right quirks.

Well fuck then because neither did he.

Izuku had been bullied for being Quirkless relentlessly. He’d been left for dead, only to be saved by his biggest tormentor.

He’d been branded useless for longer than he’d been anything else.

Izuku had every reason to be a villain.

And yet he’d been the only one to do anything. The only one to rush in and do something. It was only then, when he was throwing his backpack and clawing at slime with tears in his eyes and thoughts of death in his head, that Izuku realized being quirkless was an advantage.

He didn’t have to worry about not having the right quirk.

He could adapt. He could analyze and attack.

He wasn’t really useless.

But then the heroes had stepped in. Finally doing their jobs and berating Izuku for saving a life.

If Izuku hadn’t gone out that day he never would have sent that first email, an analysis of that incident and everything those heroes could have done before Izuku had even arrived on scene.

He wouldn’t have been saved by All Might a second time.

He wouldn’t have stopped in a park to have a panic attack behind some bushes because he’d lived through two villain attacks.

He wouldn’t have emailed Zawa, his dad.

He wouldn’t have made it into UA.

He wouldn’t have met his friends.

He wouldn’t be (ever so slowly) building something that might one day resemble an actual friendship with Bakugou. (Who he still admires despite the treatment he received in elementary school).

Izuku, despite the pain and the dreams that All Might tried to crush, is glad he went out that day.

Chapter Text

Izukid: IM WALKING!!!

Izukid: Using crutches and not well at all

Izukid: but I’m walking!

Izukid: [attachment: video of Izuku walking with crutches. He’s crying but looks so proud of himself. Inko can be seen in frame with tears running down her face]

Dadzawa: Proud of you, Kid.

Izukid: thanks dad! I honestly don’t think I could have done this without you and mom.

Izukid: and like, everyone else but mostly the two of you. I already have to climb a mountain to achieve what my peers can on a hill just because I don’t have a quirk.

Izukid: I’m just glad I don’t have to consider what I’d be doing if I couldn’t be a hero anymore…

Dadzawa: you’d find a way, problem child.

Izukid: yeah.

Dadzawa: I’m coming over for dinner tonight.

Izukid: we’re making katsudon

Dadzawa: … figures

Izukid: (〃⌒▽⌒)八(〃⌒▽⌒〃)八(⌒▽⌒〃) <— tensei, midnight, and Zashi when they realize they’ve barely gotten away with you not beating the crap out of them for being stupid.

Dadzawa: true and you should say it.

Izukid: I cannot believe you have 97% of people convinced you don’t know what a meme is.

Dadzawa: that’s the goal.

Izukid: fair. I have to go now, we’re home. See you for dinner, Zawa!

Dadzawa: see you soon.

Chapter Text

Chat Title: Trigger-ed

Cheatsheet (Pinned)
Mowgli: Deku
Bagheera: Eraserhead
Ex-Nudist: Lemillion
Turbo: Ingenium
Psychic: Sir Nighteye
John Mulaney 2.0: Ms. Joke
Baloo: Present Mic
Blood: Vlad King
Ghost: Ectoplasm
Big Guy: Fat Gum
Yeehaw(ks): Hawks
Y’amn’t: All Might
IRL Polygraph: Detective Tsukauchi

IRL Polygraph: Deku, the interviews have been completed.

Psychic: do we have confirmation?

IRL Polygraph: Yes. The Villain Factory is still operational.

Mowgli: Damn, I was hoping that wasn’t the case. Even though I knew that was the case.

Baloo: That’s not good.

Bagheera: I would just like to know how we got to the point where this is even a possibility?

Bagheera: An international smuggling ring that’s potentially tied with one of the oldest villains on earth who has potentially been around since the start of quirks.

Mowgli: I could give you the link to an essay on the rise of villains and the shift of drug dealers to be quirk focused.

Bagheera: … i would like that link.

Mowgli: All Right, I’ll pm it to you.

Bagheera: thanks

Ex-nudist: Is Cabbage just an essay dealer? Do you just go around offering relevant essays to people?

Mowgli: Uh… yes? I guess. I grew up reading a lot and would usually spiral down a rabbit hole when I got interested in a topic and quirks came up a lot.

Mowgli: So now if somoene asks for information I can provide (even as a joke) I offer an essay on the topic.

Ex-nudist: YOu are strange

Mowgli: I know!

Mowgli: On note of the villain factory, do y’all think that the league of villain’s Nomu was what they were trying to create? If so: do you think they’re going to create ones with intelligence and not just the ability to follow directions given to them by a single person?

Psychic: In all honesty, yes. I think they’re still working on it and we are working on finding their current base of operations.

Psychic: @Ex-nudist @Baloo what’s the progress report on your UA-T search?

Ex-nudist: Nothing conclusive but I have a list of potential candidates that I gave to Nedzu yesterday to look at.

Baloo: inconclusive so far. I’ve finished gen-ed and am working on the business course now.

Mowgli: I’m helping Lemon with the support course since 90% of those students are likely to try and con him into testing equipment (whereas only 2% will try with me after Hatsume Mei staked her claim) Nothing conclusive there either. Nedzu has my list of likely culprits tho.

Psychic: @blood, how’s your search going?

Blood: Better than theirs. I’ve given Nedzu my list of villains that the league will likely try to recruit for him to track down.

Mowgli: Stain’s little clip has not been helping us. I dislike that he was associated (even vaguely and incorrectly) with the league cause now his followers are likely to join them with their leader out of commission.

Bagheera: We’ll worry about that, problem child. You focus on your duties and getting back on your feet.

Mowgli: Yes dad.

Baloo: This is the wholesome content that we need to get through the monotony of life.

Bagheera: overdramamtic asshole

Baloo: rude

Bagheera: true.

Chapter Text

The class, as predicted, goes wild when Shouta announces that anyone who fails the exam will not be attending the quirk training camp. There are a few students who will need extra training for the physical portion and a few more than that who will need extra help for the written portion.

But, as he watches the class plan three different study groups, he thinks they’re going to be fine.

“Midoriya,” Shouta says when the talking starts to wind down. “Nedzu wants to see you.”

“Okay,” Izuku agrees easily. The excited gleam in his eye sets Shouta on edge a little. He regrets letting those two meet even if he knows it was inevitable.

Seeing Izuku gain confidence, going from that scared, shy boy who he’d met at the cat cafe over a year ago, to a hero in training with several rescues already under his belt, even if Izuku hadn’t been involved with the actual rescuing and heroics bit.

He’d done the brain work that many pro heroes wouldn’t be able to do. And all of it without leaving his room (though Aizawa does have to admit that his protege had to hack to solve several of the cases that he did.

Which, while technically illegal, Shouta can’t fault him for it because he has saved hundreds of lives already and will save hundreds more. Izuku isn’t going be another All Might (they’ll leave that up to Togata) but he’s going to be important in a way that someone with a Quirk can’t be.

Izuku will be the best of them all.

“Aizawa-sensei? Kero”

Shouta probably shouldn’t get distracted while he’s still around his problem class. There are five of them standing in front of him now and he’d only barely registered them walking up to his desk after the bell rang.

“We’ve been talking about it and we were wondering if there was something we could do for Mido-chan?” Asui says, cutting right to the chase as is characteristic of the hero-to-be. “He’s done a lot for our class and we’ve noticed that he’s been stressed lately.”

“Okay,” He says, hoping it’s enough to prompt them to explain why they’re telling him this.

“We want it to be a surprise and you’re best suited to make sure he shows up without knowing what’s going on.”

“What’re you planning?”

“Just a class trip to a cat cafe,” Asui assures. The rest of the group nods. “Nothing strenuous or anything. And we know he likes cats.”

“When?”

“We’re hoping for tomorrow after school if he has nothing planned for then,” Tsukuyomi answers. “We’d do today but he mentioned Physical Therapy.”

“He’s free tomorrow. Which cafe?”

“Catsfe,” Shinsou responds. “The one on—”

“3rd and 45th. I know the one,” Shouta interjects because if he’s going to spend time with the hell class outside of school tomorrow he needs them gone now so he can mentally prepare.

He’ll do it, though. Cause the kids are right, Izuku has been stressed recently and getting the chance to unwind is the absolute least his son deserves after everything he’s been through.

“We’ll be there,” Shouta says when none of them move. “Now off to lunch.”

They say their goodbyes and Shouta is left to drag himself and his sleeping bag to the teacher’s lounge where he plans to curl up on the couch and not open his eyes until it’s time for him to teach ethics to the third years.

Chapter Text

Chat title: Class 1-wheyyyyyyy

Cheatsheet (pinned)
Tired: Aizawa Shouta
Wired: Midoriya Izuku
Explode: Bakugou Katsuki
Thermostat: Todoroki Shouto
Uravity-Girl: Uraraka Ochacko
Cthulhu: Shouji Mezo
Fast.: Iida Tenya
Ventriloquist: Shinsou Hitoshi
FightMeMido: Ojiro Mashirao
Muted: Kaminari Denki
Kermit: Asui Tsuyu
Glitter: Aoyama Yuga
Alien Queen: Ashido Mina
Bro#1: Kirishima Eijirou
Edgar: Tokoyami Fumikage
Sugar Rush: Satou Rikidou
Rapunzel: Koda Koji
Airpod: Jirou Kyoka
Queen: Yaoyorozu Momo
Violet: Hagakure Tooru
Fanta: Sero Hanta

Wired: I think I’m having a midlife crisis

Thermostat: you’re 15

Wired: I could die at thirty!

Tired: no

Wired: understandable.

Wired: back to my crisis.

Wired: I was going to the support building to talk with Majima about my chair and a potential upgrade to my crutches

Edgar: Only you would want to upgrade crutches

Wired: Yes

Wired: But then I was waylaid by Hatsume, who found out I am quirkless because the first year support students have access to our quirks now that they’re starting to design for us

Wired: And. She demanded that I only go to her for my support items

Wired: Which is wild like… I thought I’d have to beg people to get them to work with me.

Ventriloquist: Oh that’s a mood

Fanta: Who hurt you?

Wired: Physically or???

Edgar: I would fight the forces of darkness at night for you, Mido.

Wired: !!!! YOU DON’T HAVE TO DO THAT TOKO!!!

Wired: (can I call you Toko???)

Edgar: (Yes)

Wired: (neat)

Ventriloquist: Sometimes Midoriya actively scares me and then he goes and says things like “neat” and I am reminded that he is actually just a huge nerd in the body of a ten year old.

Wired: Rude. True, but rude.

***

Kermit: Mido, you mentioned at one point that you’re an analyst already. How does that work, Kero?

Wired: AH! So basically I was looking at the news one day after being involved in a villain attack (twice lol) and having my dreams crushed and I saw the Hanata case (The guy blowing up children’s hospitals and orphanages) and noticed that it was indeed one person with a manipulation quirk. I email Aizawa cause his school email is publicly accessible and I knew he was working on the case (i saw him at the Musutafu location) and after that I just kept emailing heroes and agencies when I noticed something about a case they were (probably) working on. I didn’t realize that people actually get paid to do that sort of thing, though, so I wasn’t paid until like three months in whoops.

Bro#1: You accidentally became a professional analyst?? That’s so manly!

Wired: ahahaha thanks!

Wired: a lot of what I end up working on is confidential so I can’t really talk a lot about it but feel free to ask questions and I’ll try to answer!

Explode: What do you mean twice?

Wired: ???

Explode: You said you were involved in a villain attack twice…

Wired: Oh! Oh shit. Lemme DM you.

***

Private message between Midoriya Izuku and Bakugou Katsuki

Bakugou Katsuki’s name has been set to Pomeranian.

Midoriya Izuku’s name has been set to Border Collie.

Pomeranian: I dislike that this is accurate. Fuck off.

Border Collie: No

Pomeranian: what did you mean twice?

Border Collie: Well, before you were attacked by the slime villain I was also attacked by the slime villain

Border Collie: And saved by all might

Border Collie: And then All might told me I couldn’t be a hero and left me on a roof

Border Collie: And somehow during that the slime villain escaped

Border Collie: And as I was walking home I heard the explosions and that’s when i found you being attacked by the slime villain

Border Collie: And all those heroes standing around like it was a fireworks show and not a hostage situation

Border Collie: Which is why I moved without thinking

Border Collie: Because you may have been a shit when we were kids but i wasn’t about to let their negligence get you killed.

Pomeranian: Shit.

Pomeranian: Can we fucking talk? In person?

Border Collie: … Sure.

Chapter Text

Izuku is pretty sure that he’s not nervous.

He passed nervous twenty-five minutes ago and now he’s anxious with a side of panic.

Yes, he agreed to talk to Bakugou in person.

Yes, he’s ready to hear his once-a-friend out.

No, that’s not going to stop him from freaking out.

Izuku is waiting for Bakugou in the park they used to frequent as children. It’s a neutral space, really, where they should be able to have a decent conversation without either of their mom’s overhearing. (And hopefully without it delving into a shouting match. They don’t need any more complaints from parents for that).

“Deku.”

Izuku looks behind him and finds Bakugou with his hands in his pockets, a slouched posture, and a scowl already present on his face. He looks tired, not like he hasn’t been sleeping—Bakugou has always had a very strict sleep schedule—but like he’s finally come to realize that he shouldn’t be proud of himself for his actions towards Izuku.

To be fair to Bakugou, though, he wasn’t done any favors by their elementary school.

And he did save Izuku’s life when that hero had just left him in a burning building.

But he had also bullied Izuku for nearly eight years. Made Izuku’s life hell and had driven everyone who had thought to be kind to the quirkless kid away.

He’d made Izuku friendless and powerless and had never apologized for it.

“Bakugou.”

The other teen continues to stand there, hands still in his pockets. Izuku would gesture for him to sit but he’s pretty sure Bakugou would just ignore him.

He’s pleasantly surprised when Bakugou sits on his own.

“Don’t look shocked, nerd. I’m not gonna make you look up the whole time.”

“...Thanks.”

The silence is uncomfortable but not as bad as it could have been. Bakugou is glaring at the ground, at least, and not at Izuku. Which he does appreciate.

“I was fucking shitty,” Bakugou starts, more subdued than Izuku has ever heard him. “And no one but you told me I was being shitty. I thought it was normal until we got to Aldera and they told that fucking hero to leave you there. I fucking… I’m sorry, Izuku. I should have known better. I’m going to do better.”

“You should have,” Izuku says, not bitingly but he still catches the way that Bakugou flinches. “I-I’ve been in therapy for a while, Bakugou. It took mom seven months to find someone that would accept a quirkless patient after it got approved by her insurance plan. I-I still s-struggle w-with things that are s-so e-easy for o-other people… I still have nightmares.”

“Deku…”

“I appreciate your apology and I d-do forgive you. I-it makes m-me happy th-that y-you’re t-trying. I-I don’t th-think we-we’ll b-be f-friends ag-again like when w-we were younger but… I th-think we-we could be f-friendly a-at least.”

“How the fuck are you so nice?”

“I-i’d b-be a v-v-villain i-if I w-wasn’t.”

Izuku says it as a joke, with a smile and everything, but he can tell that Bakugou knows he’s serious. If it weren’t for Eraserhead. His dad. If it weren’t for his support, Izuku probably wouldn’t have gotten into UA and he would have gone down a much darker path.

“Fuck.”

The conversation tapers off there. The two of them are still so awkward, there’s still a lot of hurt between them that Izuku just doesn’t have the tools to navigate yet. Izuku fidgets idly with the joystick controller for his chair.

“When do you get to start training again?” Bakugou asks, surprising Izuku. He’d almost thought it would remain silent and uncomfortable between them even after the apology.

“My physical th-therapist says that I should b-be on crutches by next week.”

“I thought Recovery Girl was your doctor?”

“She i-is. I just have a-an outside team helping me as well.”

“Oh.”

“I—”

“I’m—”

“Fuck this shit,” Bakuguo curses. “I’m fucking outta here. See you at school shitty nerd!”

With that, the tension is gone and Izuku is once again alone in the park.

As far as apologies from Bakugou go, this one was actually pretty nice.

Chapter Text

Chat Title: trigger-ed

Cheatsheet (Pinned)
Anastasia: Deku
Nicholas: Eraserhead
Dmitri: Lemillion
Pooka: Ingenium
Dowager Empress Marie Feodorovna: Sir Nighteye
Maria: Ms. Joke
Alexandra: Present Mic
Zozi: Vlad King
Tatiana: Ectoplasm
Olga: Fat Gum
Alexei: Hawks
Sophie: All Might
Vladimir: Detective Tsukauchi

Anastasia: I am going through a crisis and watching 20th century movies to cope so please check the cheat sheet for everyone’s new names :D

Nicholas: Why?

Anastasia: Childhood bully apologized to me today .

Dmitri: Did you fight him?

Anastasia: No but I will.

Zozi: Who the hell is Zozi?

Anastasia: Bartok’s best friend.

Zozi: The henchman?

Anastasia: Yes.

Zozi: Deku :c

Anastasia: He’s a FREIDNLY GRIZZLY BEAR OKAY!!

Zozi: Acceptable…

Pooka: That movie is a classic.

Pooka: I still haven’t gotten Tenya to watch it.

Anastasia: IIDA TENYA HAS NOT SEEN ANASTASIA??

Sophie: Neither have I…

Anastasia: :c I’m not mad, just disappointed.

Anastasia: I cri every time

Nicholas: everything makes you cry

Anastasia: not the point, Dad

Olga: Isn’t Olga dead?

Anastasia: Olga is Anastasia’s big sister and well….

Pooka: And I get the dog?

Anastasia: Her COMPANION and Best Friend throughout her formative years???

Anastasia: Of course you get the dog.

Alexandra: Nicholas and Alexandra were married.

Anastasia: Listen, I know the fates of all these characters.

Anastasia: I’m going with their ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* Vibes *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

Dowager Empress Marie Feodorovna: Anastasia is indeed a classic.

Dowager Empress Marie Feodorovna: However we’ve come across a lead in a case that may be related to trigger than needs the attention of the Main Force.

Dowager Empress Marie Feodorovna: If possible, please convene at Nighteye Agency in three hours.

Anastasia: @Nicholas can you give me a ride?

Nicholas: yeah kid. I’ll be there soon

Anastasia: Thanks Dad.

Chapter Text

The meeting room at Nighteye agency is a familiar sight to Izuku. He’s spent many hours after school here working with Nighteye on the various cases that might have something to do with the trigger ring they’re attempting to find and dismantle. Of course, this only happens on the days that Izuku doesn’t have to go to physical therapy or regular therapy.

So maybe twice a week. Three times if he’s lucky.

He could do this work at home or UA, if he really needed to. But after their third meeting, Izuku figures that it’s easier to just be in the same building as Nighteye so that he can pass information along or ask questions in person.

Izuku loves emails, don’t get him wrong, he loves avoiding the anxiety that comes with having to have a response immediately. He enjoys seeing the way that people write—especially when they don’t know that he’s a 16-year-old quirkless kid with only half an idea what he’s doing with his life. There’s something fascinating about seeing the different styles and analyzing the personalities behind them.

But with Nighteye it’s different. The hero has helped seventeen orphans get away from a human trafficking ring. He helped Inko adopt Serai (officially as of two nights ago!) and because of that, Izuku doesn’t feel intimidated by him anymore. He’s able to talk to Nighteye without stuttering!

Izuku hadn’t been joking when he’d said that Nighteye was his uncle. The hero had done so much for him and his mom that at this point it would be heresy to say that Nighteye wasn’t family. He’s pretty sure his mom had roped Nighteye into her weekly trips to the cat cafe with Zawa.

Distracted as he is by his thoughts, Izuku doesn’t pay attention to the people filing into the meeting room until someone speaks to him.

“Cabbage,” a familiar voice greets and Izuku nearly jumps out of his chair before his mind catches up with his body and he remembers why that’s a bad idea. (He’s getting there. Soon he’ll be able to stand up on his own and he won’t have to worry about falling to the floor because his legs don’t know how to support his body. Soon.)

“I didn’t know you’d be here!” Izuku cries, watching Tensei guide his chair to Izuku. “I thought you were still in rehab?”

Tensei laughs, “I got out last week, thought I’d surprise everyone.”

“I’m so glad to see you Turbo,” Izuku says, feeling the telltale burn of tears. Tensei laughs and it prompts the tears to fall. “I-I am s-so happy y-you’re doing b-better.”

Tensei leans over his chair and gives Izuku a side hug that feels more healing than it probably should. Izuku hadn’t realized how much he was worried about Tensei (even though his friend was alive and that’s all that truly mattered) until now.

They talk a little more but soon enough Nighteye walks in with Tsukauchi following him looking like he hasn’t slept in a week. He actually thinks that Tsukauchi’s eyebags could rival Zawa’s at this point and he feels bad for the detective.

“Thank you all for coming on such short notice,” Nighteye greets them once everyone has settled. There are a few nods of acknowledgement, everyone here is used to meetings happening on short notice. They are heroes (and Izuku) after all. “We’ve recently come across evidence of a gang producing quirk erasing bullets.”

Chapter Text

Chat title: Class 1-wheyyyyyyy

Cheatsheet (pinned)
Tired: Aizawa Shouta
Wired: Midoriya Izuku
Explode: Bakugou Katsuki
Thermostat: Todoroki Shouto
Uravity-Girl: Uraraka Ochacko
Cthulhu: Shouji Mezo
Fast.: Iida Tenya
Ventriloquist: Shinsou Hitoshi
FightMeMido: Ojiro Mashirao
Muted: Kaminari Denki
Kermit: Asui Tsuyu
Glitter: Aoyama Yuga
Alien Queen: Ashido Mina
Bro#1: Kirishima Eijirou
Edgar: Tokoyami Fumikage
Sugar Rush: Satou Rikidou
Rapunzel: Koda Koji
Airpod: Jirou Kyoka
Queen: Yaoyorozu Momo
Violet: Hagakure Tooru
Fanta: Sero Hanta

Wired: Hey guys, I just want to give a fair warning that I will be missing classes periodically over the next few weeks. I’ve talked with Yaomomo and she will be taking on more of my responsibilities as class president during that time. All I can really tell you is that it’s for that analysis thing I’ve mentioned a couple times. Even though I won’t be physically present as much I am available via text if you ever need anything from me! (I will still be on campus for the most part so I’ll see you guys at lunches if I’m not in class).

Violet: ooohh, thanks for letting us know! I hope everything is going well with your recovery Mido!

Wired: It is! I actually should be able to start on crutches this weekend!

Uravity-Girl: Congrats!

Bro#1: That’s so manly! You’re doing amazing Mido!

muted: *thumbs up emoji*

Airpod: did you just… type that?

Muted: Yes

Airpod: Why?

Muted: too lazy to look it up and I’m on my laptop…

Alien Queen: This is why you’re muted…

Muted: … fair.

Fast.: I appreciate you informing us of your absence, Midoriya-kun! I hope all is going well in your endeavors to solve whatever it is that you are working on. My brother has asked me to pass along his regards and he says, and this is a quote but he won’t let me paraphrase it

Fast.: “Pooka and Anastasia are going to Paris to become the royalty they’ve always known they were and steal toes together.”

Wired: *wipes tear* I’ve never heard anything more beautilfu

Fast.: beautilfu

Fast.: I do not know why he asked me to repeat your error, Midoriya! My sincerest apologies!

Wired: It’s fine, Blue.

Edgar: We shall mourn your empty desk as you work to rid the world of darkness

Cthulu: no one’s gonna judge you for saying we’ll miss him
Uravity-Girl: We all know that everyone but blasty is going to miss him

Explode: You’re not wrong, round cheeks.

Ventriloquist: wow. It’s like you’re entirely predictable.

Explode: Fuck off

Fast.: Language!

Explode: Japanese!

Explode: I can curse in seventeen fucking languages, don’t test me, Sonic.

Wired: It’s true and his mom taught him every single one of them.

Kermit: This is not surprising, kero.

Fightmemido: Do you need someone to take notes for you?

Uravity-Girl: the izucrew will be taking notes.

Wired: the… the what?

Uravity-Girl: We voted on the name without you last night and there will be no discussion of it.

Wired: I was in a meeting!

Uravirty-Girl: that sounds like a you problem.

Wired: :C you know what. Koda is my only friend now. He’d never do me dirty like this.

Rapunzel: :D

Chapter Text

Chat Title: Trigger-ed

Cheatsheet (Pinned)
Lime: Deku
Moth Man: Eraserhead
Lemon: Lemillion
Sonic: Ingenium
Psyduck: Sir Nighteye
Emotional Support Comedian: Ms. Joke
Micahel: Present Mic
Dracula: Vlad King
Danny Phantom: Ectoplasm
Veronica: Fat Gum
Birb: Hawks
Apple Pie: All Might
Exhausted: Detective Tsukauchi

Lime: Crisis over, names have changed.

Lime: Did y’all know that I have extra bones?

Lemon: You what?

Lime: yeah so i was talking with my friends and apparently none of them lost any teeth growing up??

Dracula: you… lost teeth???

Moth Man: You have all your teeth?

Lime: Yeah so… my teeth kinda grew back after i lost them???

Micahel: WTF

Lime: See, that was my reaction when i found out 80% of the world only has one set of teeth…

Lime: do you know how traumatized i was when i lost my first tooth? And to learn that no one else has experienced that?

Lemon: do you know how traumatized i am hearing about this?

Exhausted: that is… quite frankly horrifying, Deku

Lime: Yeah, i also have extra toe bones but we knew that

Lime: OH! and an extra organ…

Veronica: I do not like this conversation.

Lime: Same! I did research and apparently my extra organ serves no purpose! In fact! It could literally spontaneously explode at any moment and I am T E R R I F I E D of my own body now!

Apple Pie: Appendicitis is not fun

Lime: Uh

***

Private message between Midoriya Izuku and Yagi Toshinori

Midoriya Izuku’s name has been set to Greenbean

Yagi Toshinori’s name has been set to Corn

Greenbean: WERE YOU QUIRKLESSS???????

Corn: Shit.

Corn: I was , yes.

Greenbean: What the fuck??? This? I? What?! Liek.

Greenbean: I know you have a quirk now and like… shit was different for you growing up but??? The number one hero was??? Wuirkelsss/

Greenbean: Do You Know How hard it is to find positive quirkless role models?

Corn: ...not really? It's been too long since I've even thought about it to be honest.

Greenbean: It’s impossible. When you look up quirkless people all you get are suicide statistics and hate groups.

Corn: What the fuck.

Corn: Shit? Why is it so much worse?

Greenbean: I have written essays about this shit All Might you don’t understand.

Greenbean: But knowing that you were quirkless, even if you aren’t now, actually means so much to me???

Corn: I know that I have made many mistakes with you, Young Midoriya, but i do truly wish for your success

Greenbean: thanks

***

Lime: All Mights actually p cool, y’all

Moth Man: who corrupted you

Lime: …

Lime: Its the Trauma™

Moth Man: valid

Chapter Text

“What are you doing?”

Shouta feels like he shouldn’t be surprised anymore. He’d known from the start that Izuku was going to be a problem child. He just didn’t think that Izuku would be The Problem Child.

He definitely never thought that he’d find Todoroki Shouto, one of the least expressive children he’s ever met, holding his pseudo-son with a panicked expression while said son laughed his head off.

“I don’t actually know, sir?” Todoroki responds like it’s a question. “He just kinda… jumped at me?”

“He what?” Shouta repeats, processing what he’s being told before looking at Izuku who’s smirking proudly. “You what?”

“I yelled ‘trust jump!’ and jumped into Shou’s arms,” Izuku explains, still grinning. “I can jump now!”

“That’s very nice,” Shouta says, his voice blank to hide the pride he feels at the progress Izuku has made. “Todoroki, put Izuku back in his chair.”

“But daaad!” Izuku whines in protest, flexing his arm not around Todoroki’s shoulder as if to prove his point. “He’s stronk!”

“You’re an absolute menace,” Shouta growls before stalking over and grabbing Izuku from Todoroki’s arms. “You have class in two minutes, Todoroki. Go.”

Todoroki nods and leaves quickly, not wanting to be late to class. Shouta looks around and realizes that Izuku’s chair is nowhere in sight.

“It’s in the cafeteria,” Izuku explains.

“So you can jump now?” Shouta asks. While he’s accompanied Izuku to his physical therapy sessions, he hasn’t gone in with him since Izuku was able to support himself in and out of his chair. His son had wanted to have his progress be a surprise.

“More than that,” Izuku beams. Shouta’s pretty sure the kid’s smile could rival All Might’s (or the sun itself if he’s being honest). “I can walk”

The kid is quick to elaborate, his arms swinging wildly and causing Shouta to have to shift his grip so he doesn’t drop him.

“Not for long and not without a cane yet but I did it, dad!”

His kid is crying now. They’re tears of joy but still. Shouta does not do tears.

“I’m walking.”

Okay, maybe for this kid he’ll cope.

Chapter Text

Chat title: Class 1-wheyyyyyyy

Cheatsheet (pinned)
Tired: Aizawa Shouta
Wired: Midoriya Izuku
Explode: Bakugou Katsuki
Thermostat: Todoroki Shouto
Uravity-Girl: Uraraka Ochacko
Cthulhu: Shouji Mezo
Fast.: Iida Tenya
Ventriloquist: Shinsou Hitoshi
FightMeMido: Ojiro Mashirao
Muted: Kaminari Denki
Kermit: Asui Tsuyu
Glitter: Aoyama Yuga
Alien Queen: Ashido Mina
Bro#1: Kirishima Eijirou
Edgar: Tokoyami Fumikage
Sugar Rush: Satou Rikidou
Rapunzel: Koda Koji
Airpod: Jirou Kyoka
Queen: Yaoyorozu Momo
Violet: Hagakure Tooru
Fanta: Sero Hanta

Wired: theory- all heroes have eyebags and Zawa is the only one who doesn't bother covering them up.

Wired: proof- I just saw Mic out of costume and his eyebags are clearly designer

Wired: discuss.

Cthulhu: can confirm, I was with Izu when he saw this and it was…. strange… to say the least. The man needs sleep.

Ventriloquist: not much to discuss when it’s fact.

Wired: yknow what

Wired: fair.

Glitter: where were you that you saw Mic out of costume?

Wired: the park by my house

Wired: mez was helping me with homework

Muted: Shouji was?

Wired: yeah? He’s really smart and works hard and is good at explaining things!

Wired: and we have finals coming up so I wanted to get caught up on the things I missed because of PT

Muted: ah, makes sense

Muted: wait… finals?

Alien Queen: shit

Wired: we can do a study group if y’all need it!

Queen: excellent idea!

Queen: I have space for everyone who wants to join in at my place!

Airpod: this is why you’re Queen

Queen: kyoka 😳

Kermit: she's not wrong Momo

Uravity-Girl: True

Alien Queen: True

Violet: True

Wired: True

Rapunzel: True

Queen: Guys!

Violet: Alright! Subject change to keep Momo from dying of embarrassment!

Queen: Thank you!

Violet: How’s your case thing going Mido? It’s strange not having you in class all the time!

Wired: As well as can be expected. I’ll be in class more frequently until the end of the semester though. Which will be nice, I miss seeing you guys all the time too.

Glitter: What will you being doing for your practical since you haven’t been able to participate in heroics, mon amie?

Wired: Nedzu has made me a separate exam. That is all i know.

Cthulhu: RIP Izu

Ventriloquist: more like RIP us. There’s no way Izu’s exam won’t impact us in some way.

Cthulhu: Oh no

Cthulhu: RIP us

Violet: It’s not going to be that bad!

Thermostat: Izu was trained by Aizawa

Violet: Oh No

Violet: RIP us

Wired: ... and Nedzu, though that wasn't until more recently.

Tired: rip

Wired: thanks dad.

Tired: welcome, son.

Thermostat: I knew it!

Wired: I remember explicitly telling you that I saw Zawa as a father figure, Shouto.

Thermostat: Sure.

Thermostat: but I wasn't sure if he saw you as a son.

Wired: The man is listed as my second guardian on all my paperwork now.

Wired: he best see me as son, he's not getting out of this

Wired: OH!

Wired: Speaking of guardians. Zawa, mom wants you at dinner tonight!

Tired: I'll be there.

FightMeMido: you sure gave up on hiding that quick.

Wired: it was never my intention to hide it! I just didn't say anything at the start because I didn't want anyone to think I'd gotten in because Zawa is my mentor. I got in on my own strength, I just had to work harder to get to the starting line than most.

Ventriloquist: I think one look at your training schedule would have proved that Aizawa doesn't show his favoritism.

Wired: It's not that bad!

Ventriloquist: your warm up was a ten-mile run...

Wired: I told you, he added a mile every month! It's perfectly logical!

Bro#1: that's hella manly

Wired: Thanks Kirishima!

Tired: everyone of you should be able to do this as a warmup. we'll be adding an extra mile to your warmups each month from now on.

Muted: frick

Tired: don't make me make it two miles every month...

Muted: Please No Sir! I'm Sorry Sir!

Wired: ... you were doing that anyways?

Tired: Don't spill my secrets, Problem Child.

Wired: !!! Sorry Dad!

Tired: that's what i thought.

Chapter Text

Izuku understands that Aizawa, Nedzu, and his mom want him to have a normal high school experience. Or as normal as he can get.

He gets that most of the search for a traitor requires actually being in school.

He knows that, and yet he’s still a little bit bitter about having to go to school when he knows that they’re close to a breakthrough on the case. It feels like there are better things he can be doing with his time. Especially since he actually has to go to heroics now, even though he still can’t participate.

Aizawa joked about learning through osmosis but Izuku’s one-hundred percent sure that’s not how osmosis works.

Before they get to heroics, though, they have to get through lunch and Izuku finds himself hesitating in the hall outside the cafeteria. It’s not like he’s never been in UA’s cafeteria before. He just hasn’t been there in a while. He went a couple times with Ochan and Shouto after the USJ but all the stares he received had discouraged Izuku from going back.

Not to mention he had to leave during the lunch period for his PT appointments but those are down to once a week, since Izuku can do most of the exercises on his own now.

He takes a deep breath and slowly pushes forward on his chair’s joystick. That is, until he feels a presence beside him, not a ghost but a student from class 1B. Izuku hadn't had much of a chance to get to know the students of 1B with his schedule, but he was at least familiar with their names and their quirks because of his search for the UA traitor.

“What are you waiting for, 1A, are you too scared to enter the cafeteria?"

Izuku is very familiar with teasing words like this. words that are meant to hurt him, to belittle him, or to humiliate him. Usually a combination of the three.

"Yes."

Monoma seems surprised by this response. Clearly not expecting Izuku to be honest with him. but Izuku couldn't deny that he was afraid. He knew that realistically nothing was going to happen, but that wasn't going to stop his brain from coming up with a multitude of scenarios. Everything from villains invading UA, to Izuku somehow forgetting to wear his pants.

"I haven't actually been in the cafeteria in over a month,” Izuku admits. "Too many people staring at me and whispering about how I shouldn't be in the hero course anymore.”

"Why shouldn't you be in the hero course anymore?” Monoma asks, like he's genuinely confused. It’s a far cry from his almost scathing tone of before.

"Because I was injured at the USJ attack, and also due to the fact that I'm quirkless, many people think I should have never been able to even apply to the hero course."

"That's just bullshit. there's no policy saying that someone without a quirk can’t apply to UA.”

Izuku nods, hiding his surprise as best he can.

Clearly it’s not good enough.

“I may be an asshole, Midoriya, but I’m not a quirkest asshole,” Monoma says with a wry tone. “Without other people, I’m as good as quirkless.”

“Your quirk is so powerful though!” Izuku gushes, he’s been wanting to gush about Monoma’s quirk since he saw it at the sports festival. “The knowledge you must have about quirks and the practice you must have done to be able to use any quirk immediately is already mind boggling. Not to mention the fact that you have to be able to fight quirkless too! Honestly, if you hadn’t been facing Bakugou in the sports festival, I think you could have easily won it!”

“I- really?”

“Yeah! Your quirk is so cool Monoma-kun!” Izuku tells him, ignoring the way the other first-year blushes at the praise. “What kind of training do you even do for it!?”

Izuku doesn’t even realize they’re in the cafeteria until he suddenly doesn’t have to look up at Monoma to talk to him because the blonde is sitting at a table now. He blinks and looks around, they’re sitting at the table full of Izuku’s friends and he has a plate of katsudon in front of him.

He notes the looks of confusion from his friends, Monoma is, afterall, historically hostile towards class 1A. But he seems content to just sit there and eat his own lunch. Izuku wonders if he even knows that they’re sitting with kids from 1A.

No one actually says anything about it, though. They must have noticed how excited Izuku was to have another person to talk quirks with.

Monoma, much like Izuku, grew up documenting quirks, how to use them, and their weaknesses. He considers himself lucky that he was even able to make it into the hero course. Izuku relates to that.

“You’re cooler than I thought you’d be,” Monoma remarks towards the end of lunch.

“I wouldn’t really call myself cool,” Izuku replies. “I’m more lukewarm than anything.”

“You’re actually pretty hot,” Hitoshi interjects from where he sits next to Monoma. The others had, up until this point, given Izuku and Monoma space to hyperfixate on quirks.

“Toshi!” Izuku protests, feeling his cheeks heat up in embarrassment. Izuku does not like his friends.

“He’s more adorable than anything, really,” Ochan teases. Izuku attempts to hide his face behind his arms but ends up almost contorting them around his head instead.

“Like a green bunny,” Shou adds. The fact that there’s no inflection in his tone makes it worse.

“Huh,” Monoma says and for a second Izuku thinks his new friend might actually be his savior. “I can see that.”

Never mind, Izuku has no friends anymore.

It’s only when all of his friends start laughing that Izuku realizes he said that out loud.

Chapter Text

Parents, like all humans, are flawed.

Some are flawed more than others. Take Todoroki Enji for example; Izuku can’t even list the man’s flaws without his hands cramping (which is a feat in itself since Izuku can write for a long time before his hand starts to cramp at this point). The man is flawed to his core and there is very little that can be done to fix that.

Some parents, like his mom, needed outside help to see their flaws.

Izuku knows that his mom has always tried her best. When he was younger and she’d apologized after they’d been told he’d be quirkless forever, Izuku knew it was because she’d seen the darkest that humanity has to offer.

After meeting Zawa and talking with the man about it, Izuku had been able to tell his mom how those words had made him feel. How each guilty look had cut when he’d talked about becoming a hero.

How all he’d needed was a little support, not dreams about what could have been, were he born with a quirk.

It was never “I want to be a hero” for Izuku, it was always “I’m going to be a hero” and knowing his mom doubted his ability had made him withdraw from her.

Not much, and not for long, but he’d stopped talking about becoming a hero for a few years at home. He never let that dream go, though, even when it felt like everything was telling him it was impossible.

Now, though, seeing the pride in his mom’s eyes when he walks—walkes—out of his physical therapy appointment makes everything better.

There are tears, as there always are with the two of them. They hugs and sob and they don’t even think about leaving until Zawa clears his throat because it’s been thirty minutes and he does still have to patrol tonight.

“You’re walking again,” his mom breathes. “Oh, baby.”

“He still has a few weeks before he can do anything strenuous, but the worst of it is behind us,” Aizawa informs her, having been in the appointment with Izuku (he’d wanted to surprise his mom after, if he’d gotten the all clear to leave his chair behind—which he clearly had. Aizawa had been there to get all the information they’d need for the rest of Izuku’s recovery. ). “As long as he doesn’t get hurt again, he won’t need the chair anymore.”

“I will miss the thing,” Izuku remarks with a small smile, one filled to the brim with exaltation at his process. “No more toe stealing for me.”

“I’m sure you’ll manage,” Inko says with a laugh. “You’ve always been resourceful.”

Izuku envelopes his mom in a side-hug, careful not to wack her with his cane (he’s relying on it less and less every day but he’ll need it for at least a month even after he adds the more strenuous activities back into his schedule).

“Do you think Hatsume could—”

“—No.” Zawa protests immediately.

“But Dad,” Izuku whines petulantly. He only wants to add a taser to the cane! It’s not even that bad!

“She’s not allowed to work on anything for you anymore until you’re able to participate in practical heroics again.”

“Damn.”

“That’s what you get for letting her add lasers to your chair.”

“But lasers!” Izuku defends.

He can’t help but grin when he hears his mom stifle a snort next to him.

“Why don’t we go out for Katsudon to celebrate?”

“Yes, please!” Izuku cheers.

Zawa hums, “I suppose that’s only logical.”

“Naturally,” Inko agrees indulgently. “We are clearly the most logical group of people there is.”

***
They’re leaving the restaurant when Izuku’s phone rings. Not his personal one, but the one Zawa had gotten for his work as Deku when he’d complained about running out of space on his personal phone.

“This is Deku,'' Izuku answers hesitantly, not many of his contacts had this number yet. Usually Izuku keeps to emails for the people outside the main task force for the Trigger case (though they all had his personal number anyways).

“Hello Deku,” the person on the other end answers. Izuku doesn’t recognize the voice but he’s not really surprised by that. “I need your help.”

“What seems to be the problem?” Izuku asks, suddenly more alert than he was before as his hand itches to write down what the person—a higher pitched voice but he’s not going to assume anything about them—tells him about their situation.

A Trigger dealer had been caught at the Ayukawa Port and had been killed in his holding cell with no proof of who had done it, but clear signs that it had been an outside job.

“Okay,” Izuku says when they finish. He takes a deep breath and looks over to Zawa who looks on edge. “Okay, I need to talk to my mentor about this. I’ll see what we can do. Please keep me updated on the situation and don’t hesitate to call if you find anything else out. Can I get your name before you go? So I know who to ask for if I need to?”

“Ketsuraku Kazu.”

“Thank you, Ketsuraku-san,” Izuku says before hanging up. He sighs as he pockets his phone.

“What’s wrong?” Zawa asks. They’re in Inko’s car now, though she hasn’t started it yet.

Izuku glances at his mom but tells Zawa what he’s been told anyways. Inko simply frowns, clearly worried but not wanting to interrupt his work. Izuku appreciates it.

“How’d they get your number?” she asks with a frown.

Izuku pauses. “I don’t know,” he admits after a moment of muttering. “I can check in with a few people but this does present another problem if random people are getting my number, considering I don’t hand it out willy-nilly and I’ve one had this phone for a few days.”

“We can figure that out later,” Zawa says with a frown of his own. “In the meantime, we need to get this information to Nighteye.”

“I'm emailing him now.”

Chapter Text

Izuku wonders if there’s a word for when something starts moving so fast that it feels like everything else is going slow.

Or if he can find something more succinct than frustrated when asked to explain how he’s handling working on the case he’s on and first semester finals. He can’t figure out how to explain it so he just tells his therapist about the first feeling with a frown.

There are so many things happening with the case now, and yet Izuku is still preparing to take his practical exam tomorrow. They’ve made it through the written tests but Izuku was never really concerned about those, considering he’s been studying with his friends in what free time he has.

It doesn’t really help that Izuku doesn’t actually know what his practical exam is going to be. It’s not like he can fight with his classmates. He’s able to walk now (and boy did his classmates love to overreact to any progress he makes he has cried several times just thinking about how much support they had given him when he’d walked into class three days ago) but he can’t do much more than that yet.

He’s pretty sure it’s going to have something to do with analysis, considering that’s a lot of what Izuku has been covering with Nedzu during their weekly lessons. (Which are more conversations over chess than anything). But with a school like UA literally anything is possible.

“Can you believe it's already the practical exam?” Ochan asks in her usually bubbly voice as they line up outside ground beta, waiting for the teachers to come out.

“It feel like the term started yesterday!” Izuku says, leaning heavily against his cane. “But then, it also feels like this semester started a lifetime ago.”

“A lot has happened in the last three months,” Tokoyami interjects, and Izuku's friend group nods their heads in agreement.

“It took me three months to get faux-adopted by several heroes.”

“Only three months?” Tsu-Chan asks.”I thought you started as an analyst a year ago?”

“It was a year ago, but I didn’t start working with a lot of the pro heroes until the start of the term.”

“And now you have a father, several uncles, and an aunt.”

“Yes, Todo-kun, but none of them are related to me by blood or legally, so your conspiracy theories don’t count.” Izuku jokes with a laugh. “It’s strange though, how much acceptance I’ve gained in the last year that I didn’t have before.”

“Alright you hellions,” Zawa says, gathering everyone’s attention. “It’s time to get started.”

All his classmates immediately tune into what Zawa is saying, despite their previous conversations. It’s a far cry from the time it took them to settle down on the first day of school. Zawa almost looks proud.

“Today we’re going to do your practical exam. Don’t fail.”

“Such encouragement,” Izuku chuckles.

“Your test will be fighting—“

“Us!” Nedzu cheers gleefully, popping out from his place in Zawa’s scarf, startling most of Izuku’s peers.

“I thought it was supposed to be robots!” Mina cries in dismay.

“How’re we supposed to pass this test!?” Kaminari frets.

“Maybe if you knuckleheads listened, you’d find out,” Bakugou snaps, glaring at two of the people in his friend group who wouldn’t have anything to worry about if they just had a bit more confidence in their own abilities.

“I hate to say this, but Bakugou is correct,” Zawa says, ignoring Bakugou’s grumble. “The teachers will have handicaps.”

He holds up a set of body weights that Izuku’s pretty sure he saw Mei helping Powerloader make. He really hopes they don’t spontaneously combust. Though, that would mean an automatic win for the pair against the teacher it happened to, right?

“What about Midoriya?” Kaminari asks, barely remembering to raise his hand before blurting out his questions. He turns to Izuku with a sheepish smile. “No offense dude, but you’re not really ready to be fighting teachers.”

“None taken,” Izuku replies with a shrug. He knows he’s not ready to be fighting anyone yet.

“Izuku will be given a different assignment,” Nedzu says with a manic grin that has half the students taking a step back. Izuku smiles back, just as excited for his exam as he is nervous. “He’s going to be planning your training camp regime.”

“I don’t like that he called it a regime,” Sato murmurs somewhere behind Izuku.

Oh that… That Izuku could do.

Chapter Text

The exam goes well for most of Izuku’s class. There are only a few of them who fail the practical portion, and no one fails the written exam, so Izuku isn’t surprised when Aizawa announces that everyone will be attending the summer training camp.

While he technically has until training camp to finish his own final, Izuku decides to get it out of the way as soon as possible. He spends three days in the warehouse working on his test before Zawa physically drags him out for the afternoon.

“Your class is going shopping and they asked me to make sure you were there,” Zawa informs. Izuku looks at his mentor with wide eyes.

“You… you’re actually… doing it?” He asks, confused. Izuku knows that Zawa is a softy, underneath the rigid sense of responsibility and the need to train his students to not only be competent heroes, but to survive as competent heroes.

“I need to pick up a few things from the store and your mom and I agree that you shouldn’t be out for too long without an adult present.” Zawa seems to see his skeptical look and rolls his eyes. “I’m not going to babysit you, Izuku. I’ll just be there so you don’t have to walk to and from the train station.”

“Thanks, dad,” Izuku says, throwing his arms around Zawa’s waist. They ignore the clatter of Izuku’s cane, though Zawa does swoop down to pick it up before guiding Izuku to the car.

“Plus, you need to spend time with your friends. They’re driving me crazy.”

“How?”

“Do you even check the group chat that you forced me to be in?”

“I asked and you said, and I quote, ‘sure, can’t be worse than the one with Mic and Nemuri’ end quote.”

“Irrelevant.”

***

“I didn’t think he’d actually bring you!” Ochan cheers when Izuku walks up, Zawa trailing behind him with his hands stuffed into his pockets, looking like he’d rather be anywhere else.

Izuku kind of agrees. He loves his friends, don’t get him wrong, he’s just not a huge fan of malls. There are too many people and the number of violent crimes taking place in malls has been skyrocketing in recent years.

He shakes it off, he’s here to get a few things he needs for the training camp and to spend time with his class. Just like his dad said.

“He kidnapped me,” Izuku pouts good naturedly.

“It’s what you deserved,” Hitoshi immediately responds. Izuku admires how quick the teen can think of comebacks.

“It really is,” Shouchan agrees, his face blank.

Izuku blinks at Shouto. Usually he’d use their days off to go visit his mom, a relationship he only started to work on fixing after the sports festival.

“I’m going to see her after,” Shouchan explains, correctly interpreting Izuku’s look. Izuku just nods.

“What exactly does everyone need?” Izuku asks, surveying the group, which is their entire class, even Bakugou, to Izuku’s surprise. “This seems like an impractically large group to walk around the mall with. We should break into smaller groups.”

“An excellent idea,” Yaomomo agrees easily.

It’s quick work to make the groups. They all agree to meet back at the food court for lunch in an hour before heading their separate ways.

Izuku’s group has Ochan, Shouchan, Hitoshi, Jichan and himself. None of them really need a lot, so once they have what they need, they decide to wander around the stores for a while.

“I have to pee,” Izuku says suddenly, louder than he intended, if the looks he’s receiving from strangers is anything to go by.

“I’ll go with you,” Hitoshi says, bored with the store that the others are looking at.

The two of them break off, looking for the bathrooms. When Izuku’s done, he waits at a nearby bench for Hitoshi to come out, taking the chance to rest before he has to start walking around the mall again.

Izuku’s not sure exactly how it happens. One moment, he’s sitting alone on the bench. The next, there’s a hand wrapped around his neck and a chill running down his spine.

“Well, don’t you look familiar?”

This is the voice that has haunted Izuku‘s dreams for months. The voice of the man who almost ruined his hero career before it even had a chance to begin. Izuku freezes, there’s nothing he can do when faced with a man who can kill him with a single touch.

He’s never felt less capable than he does now.

“I didn’t come here expecting to find anyone. Make any trouble. But I guess plans can change at the drop of a hat.”

There are four fingers hovering right above his neck. He can feel Shigaraki’s breath on his cheek. It makes him want to throw up.

“I have a couple questions for you,” Shigaraki says genially, like he’s not threatening Izuku’s life in the middle of a crowded mall.

Why hasn’t anyone noticed?

What makes them think this is a friendly encounter?

Where is Hitoshi?

“Okay,” Izuku breathes, because he has no other choice. Not if he wants to live.

“Oh, are you Izukun’s friend?”

Never has Izuku been more grateful to hear Hitoshi’s voice. Especially when Shigaraki immediately responds.

“No, just an aqua—“

Hitoshi’s quirk immediately takes hold. Izuku is careful not to jostle the villain as he moves out of his grip. When Izuku is finally brave enough to look around him, he sees Zawa, standing next to Hitoshi, and jumps into his dad’s arms.

“I really don’t like malls,” Izuku informs them wetly as tears begin to roll down his cheeks. He can feel Zawa’s hand running through his messy curls. The soft timbre of his voice as he murmurs “you’re okay Zuku, I’ve got you.” And for a moment, he can think that maybe this whole thing is a dream.

But no. Hitoshi’s grunted, “I can’t hold him much longer” pulls Izuku back into the moment.

Keeping close to Zawa, Izuku turns to glare at Shigaraki, who is still under Hitoshi’s hold. A police officer has the villain in quirk cancelling cuffs just as Hitoshi’s control breaks and the teen lilts to the side.

Zawa manages to catch Hitoshi before he falls to the ground. Izuku reaches out to put a hand on his friend’s shoulder. He’s going to be grateful for forever that Hitoshi was nearby.

“What now?” Izuku asks when Shigaraki is hauled off by three officers and two heroes (ones that Izuku vaguely recognizes and will probably gush about when his brain is fully functioning. He feels like his head is full of cotton candy).

“Now, we go find the rest of your class and make sure everyone gets home okay.”

Chapter Text

Chat Title: Trigger-ed

Cheatsheet (Pinned)
Lime: Deku
Moth Man: Eraserhead
Lemon: Lemillion
Sonic: Ingenium
Psyduck: Sir Nighteye
Emotional Support Comedian: Ms. Joke
Micahel: Present Mic
Dracula: Vlad King
Danny Phantom: Ectoplasm
Veronica: Fat Gum
Birb: Hawks
Apple Pie: All Might
Exhausted: Detective Tsukauchi

Apple Pie: Eraserhead, is everyone in your class alright?

Moth Man: Physically, yes. Emotionally, unsure.

Lime: Emotionally; exhausted.

Lime: Glad that asshole is in jail tho.

Lemon: *gasp*! You’re not allowed to curse!

Lime: Boo

Lemon: Better

Lime: Just imagine me flipping you off right now.

Lime: Better yet

Lime: [Image of Izuku flipping off the camera]

Birb: wait… who’s in jail?

Lime: Shigaraki

Lemon: Shigaraki

Moth Man: Shigaraki

Micahel: Shigaraki

Psyduck: Shigaraki

Emotional Support Comedian: Shigaraki

Dracula: Shigaraki

Apple Pie: Shigaraki

Exhausted: Shigaraki

Birb: I think I got it

Veronica: Shigaraki

Veronica: Booo, you ruined it.

Birb: … sorry?

Lime: You should be.

Lime: Anyway!

Lime: Sir is currently interrogating Shigaraki about the workings of the League of Villains and the Trigger case (Hopefully we can confirm the league is actually involved)

Lime: and he will keep us updated. Until then, everyone knows their rolls. Nothing else is changing.

Lime: Roles. Fuck.

Lemon: *Gasp* DAd! He’s cursing Again!

Apple Pie: Young Deku…

Moth Man: Deku… what has your mother said about cursing?

Lime: To only do it where no cameras can pick it up???

Lemon: … what?

Lime: *shrugs* curses are only words. They can’t actually hurt you.

Lemon: sticks and stones may break my bones.

Micahel: but chains and whips excite me.

Lime: Dead Meme Alert! Also, gross. You’re like my uncle. This should be illegal.

Moth Man: Apologize to my son.

Micahel: sorry…

Moth Man: Good.

Lime: Y’all. I wish you could see it right now but dad is glaring at Mic so hard right now and Mic looks like he’s going to cry.

Lime: This man… is a pro hero y’all.

Dracula: to be fair, Eraserhead can be scary.

Lime: Imagine if he was a villain.

Apple Pie: No thanks.

Lime: lol.

Chapter Text

Chat title: Class 1-wheyyyyyyy

Cheatsheet (pinned)
Tired: Aizawa Shouta
Wired: Midoriya Izuku
Explode: Bakugou Katsuki
Thermostat: Todoroki Shouto
Uravity-Girl: Uraraka Ochacko
Cthulhu: Shouji Mezo
Fast.: Iida Tenya
Ventriloquist: Shinsou Hitoshi
FightMeMido: Ojiro Mashirao
Muted: Kaminari Denki
Kermit: Asui Tsuyu
Glitter: Aoyama Yuga
Alien Queen: Ashido Mina
Bro#1: Kirishima Eijirou
Edgar: Tokoyami Fumikage
Sugar Rush: Satou Rikidou
Rapunzel: Koda Koji
Airpod: Jirou Kyoka
Queen: Yaoyorozu Momo
Violet: Hagakure Tooru
Fanta: Sero Hanta

Wired: If we are doing another meet up it will be on campus with Dad and Mic present. I will accept nothing less.

Wired: I am sick and tired of villains.

Thermostat: Valid

Muted: What should we do then?

Alien Queen: Pool PARTY????

Kermit: A pool party sounds nice, kero.

Glitter: Alas, I shan’t make it. My mom’s are in town and require my assistance with their work until the day before we leave for camp

Bro#1: A pool party sounds manly!

FightMeMido: It feels almost anticlimactic now that Shigaraki is in jail…

Fast.: While I do agree with your statement, Ojiro, its better to not let our guard down!

Fast.: I do agree that a pool party would be nice though.

Fanta: Let’s do it.

Airpod: agreed.

Wired: Dad?

Tired: alright. 5PM on Saturday.

Explode: gross.

Wired: What? Afraid of a little water?

Ventriloquist: I will never get tired of Izu roasting Bakugou.

Explode: AS IF! I CAN SWIM BETTER THAN ALL OF YOU!

Wired: Tsu-chan

Explode: I CAN SWIM BETTER HATN MOST OF YOU!

Muted: lmao.

***

Cthulhu: Izu… are you sure you don’t have a swimming quirk?

Fast.: You do swim rather fast.

Wired: I don’t! A lot of my physical therapy was swimming after I started being able to move my legs again!

Explode: the nerd has always been weirdly good at swimming.

Wired: Thanks!

Explode: Die!

Wired: No Thanks!

Explode:… fine

Wired: :D

Explode: >:C

Muted: What is happening?

Wired: This is just how Baka and I communicate

Wired: Sorry… meant Baku….

Ventriloquist: Fitting tho

Explode: I’LL FIGHT YOU TROLL DOLL! DON’T THINK I WON’T!

Ventriloquist: I’d win.

Ventriloquist: I took down Shigaraki without even lifting a finger.

Explode: You have a god damned mental quirk, asshole.

Ventriloquist: doesn’t change the fact that I took down Shigaraki without even lifting a finger.

Wired: My Hero *swoons*

Explode: *gags*

Bro#1: Baku actually just almost threw up.

Muted: It was d i s g u s t i n g

Chapter Text

Izuku stares down at his phone, a frown slowly forming as he reads his email. They had a lead. Something (almost) tangible that could help Izuku and the rest of his team figure out who was behind the Trigger drug (potentially even take them down).

That was good.

The bad part was that the lead was a little girl, approximately six years of age, with bandaged arms and fear-filled eyes.

“I see you’ve gotten the email, Deku.”

“I have,” Izuku replies easily, turning to meet Nighteye’s gaze. “It’s not much to go on as it is, though.”

“You think it’ll be enough?”

“I’ll make it be enough,” Izuku responds hotly with confidence that some might have thought to be the naive arrogance of a sixteen year old boy. It wasn’t though. There was a girl somewhere who needed to be saved and Izuku damn well was going to save her.

***

Chat Title: Trigger-ed

Cheatsheet (Pinned)
Lime: Deku
Moth Man: Eraserhead
Lemon: Lemillion
Sonic: Ingenium
Psyduck: Sir Nighteye
Emotional Support Comedian: Ms. Joke
Micahel: Present Mic
Dracula: Vlad King
Danny Phantom: Ectoplasm
Veronica: Fat Gum
Birb: Hawks
Apple Pie: All Might
Exhausted: Detective Tsukauchi

Exhausted: Shigaraki Tomura is officially in custody

Lime: as he deserves

Psyduck: Any news on the rest of the league?

Lime: If I see them I will fight them. That’s the news.

Moth Man: You will do no such thing.

Lime: I have just been informed that I will do no such thing.

Danny Phantom: @Psyduck I will be at your office in fifteen minutes

Psyduck: Thanks for the heads up.

Lime: OH! Did you get a lead, Ecto?

Danny Phantom: Yes.

Lime: Sweet. Dad, I know i got home from there like ten mins ago but can I get a ride to Uncle’s office?

Lime: @exhausted if you can, meet us there?

Moth Man: yeah ill be there in five.

Exhausted: I’ll be there.

Lime: thanks. <3

Moth Man: …

Moth Man: <3

Lime: !!! HTat’s ym dda!

Lemon: Are you crying?

Lime: yuo rea crinyg

***
Lime: Update for y’all not present

Lime: We’re about 93% sure we know who the mole is

Lime: But we are NOT going to do anything but monitor for now. With Shigaraki out of the picture, we’re just waiting for the mole to make a move or run for the hills.

Lime: Those of you in the Mole Group please carefully stop trying to find the mole. We'll update you as soon as we can.

Lemon: How… how are you typing?

Lemon: Ya’ll he’s not even holding his phone. He’s working out in night eyes gym. He’s bench pressing wit h like 116kg ??

Lime: I have toes.

Lemon: WTF

Birb: Have I mentioned how much I love Deku's chaotic energy?

Lime: aishaiehfiaeh thanks best birb. I strive to please.

Moth Man: Deku. i'll be back in ten minutes. please start your cool down.

Lime: On it!

Moth Man: also. he was using speech to text.

Lime: why do you have to ruin my fun :c

Moth Man: You stole my sleeping bag

Lime: You deserved it!

Moth Man: :C

Lime: >:C

Moth Man: I'm here.

Lime: Thx

Micahel: I just want to let everyone know that Eraserhead took about a bazillion photos of Deku when he stole his sleeping bag. He's not mad, just petty.

Emotional Support Comedian: lmao

Chapter Text

Chat title: Class 1-wheyyyyyyy

Cheatsheet (pinned)
Tired: Aizawa Shouta
Wired: Midoriya Izuku
Explode: Bakugou Katsuki
Thermostat: Todoroki Shouto
Uravity-Girl: Uraraka Ochacko
Cthulhu: Shouji Mezo
Fast.: Iida Tenya
Ventriloquist: Shinsou Hitoshi
FightMeMido: Ojiro Mashirao
Muted: Kaminari Denki
Kermit: Asui Tsuyu
Glitter: Aoyama Yuga
Alien Queen: Ashido Mina
Bro#1: Kirishima Eijirou
Edgar: Tokoyami Fumikage
Sugar Rush: Satou Rikidou
Rapunzel: Koda Koji
Airpod: Jirou Kyoka
Queen: Yaoyorozu Momo
Violet: Hagakure Tooru
Fanta: Sero Hanta

Ventriloquist: I know that Izu and I pretend not to like each other all the time.

Ventriloquist: but if another gen ed student comes up to me asking if I brainwashed the staff to get him into the hero course

Ventriloquist: I will sic Bakuchan on them

Explode: Call me that again. I dare you.

Ventriloquist: Bakuchan.

Bro#1: Shinbro, why would you taunt him like that?

Ventriloquist: Bakuchan doesn’t scare me. Have you listened to Izu when he rants?

Bro#1: Fair.

Explode: fucker is quirkless for a reason. Imagine the nerd with a quirk on top of all that dumbass chaotic energy he already has.

Wired: Thats the niectst thgn you ve ever sad to me

Tired: @ventriloquist give me names

Ventriloquist: Sent

Tired: Thanks.

Wired: Dad no.

Tired: Dad yes.

Wired: It’s not worth it :C

Tired: Yes it is. Not only are they accusing Shinsou of something illegal but they’re implying that you don’t deserve to be here even though you have more heroic qualities in your pinky toe than they do in their whole bodies.

Tired: I’ve said it before and I’ll say it until you believe it: You are already a hero.

Wired: wow, this invisible onion im chopping is making me cry.

Thermostat: Aizawa is #1 dad.

Wired: It’s true.

Wired: He’s got a mug to prove it.

***

Chat name: The Plants

Cheat Sheet (pinned)

Midoriya Izuku- 🌳[bush]
Shouji Mezo- 🌵[cactus]
Shinsou Hitoshi- 🪵[twig]
Uraraka Ochako- 🪨 [boulder]
Todoroki Shouto- 🎄[christmas tree]

🌳: Y’all ready for the training camp?

🌵: No.

🪵:No

🎄: No

🪨: No

🌳: Well. Be ready. Nedzu and Dad have officially approved my training schedules :D

🪵: I fear no villains. Only Midoriya Izuku.

🌳: Serai, mom, and a few of the sibs will be making cookies for everyone. We’ll be having them on the last day so y’all better do your best.

🪵: Oh shit. Yeah. I’ll do it for their cookies.

🪵: !!!

🎄: Suddenly I am ready for the training camp.

🌵: I am suddenly looking forward to the training camp. 

🌳: lol see y’all tomorrow.

Chapter Text

Chat Title: Trigger-ed

Cheatsheet (Pinned)
Lime: Deku
Moth Man: Eraserhead
Lemon: Lemillion
Sonic: Ingenium
Psyduck: Sir Nighteye
Emotional Support Comedian: Ms. Joke
Micahel: Present Mic
Dracula: Vlad King
Danny Phantom: Ectoplasm
Veronica: Fat Gum
Birb: Hawks
Apple Pie: All Might
Exhausted: Detective Tsukauchi

Lime: friendly reminder that @micahel is actually a genius and I will fight anyone who tries to say otherwise (✿◠‿◠) even the man himself

Dracula: what happened?

Lime: it was self-doubt hours for Mic but I refuse to let the man continue this way.

Micahel: I’m sobbing. How are you so pure and yet so terrifying?

Lime: it’s the trauma

Moth Man: Deku, when we stop at the “rest” area stay by me. You are not cleared for this activity.

Lime: I hate when you use proper grammar because that means I have to listen （ ◡_◡✿）

Dracula: if you’re on the bus, how do you know Moc was doubting himself?

Lime: bold of you to assume I don’t know everything always.

Dracula: I- I don’t like that response.

Lime: jk, I’m in a group chat with Mic and Eraserdad and Joke for reasons

Dracula: what reasons?

Lime: good ones

Moth Man: bad ones

Lime: Mostly we share really old internet memes but sometimes they give me advice.

Lime: Oh shit. Dad really just said Yeet as my entire class was launched over a cliff

Birb: I am suddenly very glad I never went to UA

Lime: [redacted]

Lime: Ah, I can’t talk about that here either.

Birb:?

Lime: Don’t worry about it.

Birb: THat just makes me even more worried,

Lime: :D

Chapter Text

Chat title: Class 1-wheyyyyyyy

Cheatsheet (pinned)
Tired: Aizawa Shouta
Wired: Midoriya Izuku
Explode: Bakugou Katsuki
Thermostat: Todoroki Shouto
Uravity-Girl: Uraraka Ochacko
Cthulhu: Shouji Mezo
Fast.: Iida Tenya
Ventriloquist: Shinsou Hitoshi
FightMeMido: Ojiro Mashirao
Muted: Kaminari Denki
Kermit: Asui Tsuyu
Glitter: Aoyama Yuga
Alien Queen: Ashido Mina
Bro#1: Kirishima Eijirou
Edgar: Tokoyami Fumikage
Sugar Rush: Satou Rikidou
Rapunzel: Koda Koji
Airpod: Jirou Kyoka
Queen: Yaoyorozu Momo
Violet: Hagakure Tooru
Fanta: Sero Hanta

FightMeMido: Midoriya Izuku. Why?

Wired: I gotta admit that this part was not my idea

Wired: Blame Pixie-Bob for that one.

Wired: all i did was give a few suggestions

FightMeMido: I cannot wait to fight you >:D

Wired: That is Fair.

Fanta: I have never been so sore in my life.

Explode: maybe you should run more

Fanta: Maybe you should fight me

Explode: Fuck Yeah

Fanta: No I change my mind

Fanta: I like life

Ventriloquist: Imagine liking life

Wired: Mood

Tired: No.

Wired: Not mood

Ventriloquist: LMao

Muted: What did you even do in the hours that took us?

Wired: Helped make your dinner lol

Wired: also PT stuff as well as weapons training.
Wired: If I keep up with my schedule I should be able to rejoin heroics at the start of the semester.

Uravity-girl: Hell YEah! I am so excited Mido

Wired: :D

Explode: ah fuck

Explode: you cooked?

Wired: Rude

Wired: I helped prep

Wired: and I was supervised.

Tired: i learned the hard way

Wired: also rude

Wired: I can make rice!

Tired: you forget about it half the time

Wired: I get distracted easily! It’s literally not my fault!

Tired: which is why youre not allowed in the kitchen unsupervised

Wired: :c

Ventriloquist: I love hearing that there are things that mido is not naturally good at

Wired: I’m not good at having a quirk

Ventriloquist: but ur really good at not having a quirk

Wired: I… thanks?

Sugar Rush: Why is this miso so salty?

Wired: Frck

Wired: brb let me get the replacement we made
Try c

Chapter Text

Shouta hates mornings.

Especially mornings where he has to see his hell class before he’s had the chance to drink his usual unhealthy amount of coffee.

Even though he’s running the training camp, his other hero duties have not ended. Shouta and Izuku had been up half the night on a video call with Nighteye and Hawks.

Dealing with the bird hero had been exhausting.

“Coffee,” Shouta’s favorite student ever says, presenting the teacher with a cup of the life saving drink; no one would perish this morning thanks to Izuku.

The wait for the rest of 1A to join them in the brisk air of dawn is peaceful. Izuku leans into Shouta’s side, the kids cane is leaning against a stump but he’s been losing it less and less and that’s thrilling to see.

He’s so damn proud of this kid.

1A slowly trickles out from the complex, joining Izuku and Shouta on the lawn. They all look as tired as Shouta feels and it’s a small comfort to know that they probably won’t have the energy to give him a headache this morning.

Eventually, Izuku moves over to join his friends, conversing with them quietly as they wait for the five o’clock hour to start their training for the day.

At 4:59, Shouta uses his quirk to silence the class.

All of them except Izuku, who is still talking about something inane, immediately stop talking and give Shouta their attention.

They steal nervous glances at his kid but no one says anything. Shouta has conditioned them well on this.

It’s really not Izuku’s fault that he’s entirely oblivious. (Though the kid should have noticed that everyone else had stopped talking already).

“Problem child.”

“Uh-oh,” Izuku squeaks, his shoulders hunching as he turns around with a blush forming on his cheeks. “I’m in trouble.”

“How’d you not know he was waiting for you to stop talking?” Kaminari asks, glancing quickly between Shouta and Izuku, who is futilely trying to hide his blush.

“H-he didn’t s-say anything!” Izuku stutters, embarrassment bringing back the stutter he’d worked so hard to get rid of around his peers.

“He was using his quirk!”

Izuku blinks, finally looking at his classmate with confusion before turning his attention to Shouta. It takes a moment for Izuku to look back at Kaminari with understanding.

“I’m quirkless.”

“Yeah?”

“I… Eraserdad’s quirk doesn’t do anything to me?”

“What!”

“You call him Eraserdad?” Mina interrupts the frankly exhausting conversation.

Shouta clears his throat and everyone snaps to attention, though Izuku keeps stealing incredulous glances at Kaminari; who really should have connected those dots already.

“Now that you’re all ready,” Shouta starts pointedly. “We’ll start today with a five mile warm up.”

He doesn’t even bother to hide his smirk at the anguished cries coming from half his class.

The hellions deserve it.

Chapter Text

“That was hell,” Toshi groans as he collapses dramatically onto the bench where Izuku is sitting. Shoucchan nudges the boy over, watching imperviously as Toshi manages to sit up with a wince. “Why would you do this to us?”

“You’ll be fine,” Jichan says as he joins them, carrying everyone’s plates in his multiple hands. Izuku takes his food with a grateful smile.

While the others had been doing their first-day training, Izuku had been going through his PT exercises with a weighted vest on. He was sore.

“The training you came up with is brutal, Zuku,” Toshi says between bites. “What the hell is up with that?”

“Between all the villain attacks this year you guys haven’t really had the chance to work on your quirks,” Izuku explains between bites of his food which probably only tastes as good as it does because he’s starving. “And I’ve spent the entire semester studying your quirks so coming up with ways to make them stronger wasn’t that difficult.”

“I sat in a bathtub full of water all morning,” Shoucchan deadpans.

“You survived,” Izuku says with a shrug.

“I liked you better when you didn’t sass me,” Shoucchan grumbles.

“Liar,” Izuku responds with a chuckle.

“Remember when he used to stutter when he greeted us?” Occhan reminises as she takes the seat on Izuku’s right.

“You say that like it wasn’t yesterday,” Toshi snorts. “The kid’s got anxiety.”

“You’re only two weeks older than me,” Izuku pouts.

“Not going to deny the anxiety?” Shoucchan aks.

“I’m not a liar.”

***

Chat Title: Trigger-ed

Cheatsheet (Pinned)
Lime: Deku
Moth Man: Eraserhead
Lemon: Lemillion
Sonic: Ingenium
Psyduck: Sir Nighteye
Emotional Support Comedian: Ms. Joke
Micahel: Present Mic
Dracula: Vlad King
Danny Phantom: Ectoplasm
Veronica: Fat Gum
Birb: Hawks
Apple Pie: All Might
Exhausted: Detective Tsukauchi

Exhausted: @Lime, have you had the chance to check your email?

Lime: oh shit, no, what’s u p?

Exhausted: @Moth Man

Exhausted: fuck it.

Exhausted: @everyone

Exhausted: Shigaraki has escaped

Moth Man: Explain.

Exhausted: Kurogiri

Lime: fuck

Lime: @psyduck what are the risks of us remaining at camp versus cutting camp short and leaving tomorrow morning?

Psyduck: Let me consult Nedzu

Lime: ok

Lime: @Moth Man

Moth Man: On my way!

Moth Man: that was autocorrect. Be there soon, kid.

Lime: ✌🏻🥺

Chapter Text

Chat title: Class is no ONE going to mention that Mido is A feral gremlin?

Cheatsheet (pinned)
Tired: Aizawa Shouta
Wired: Midoriya Izuku
Explode: Bakugou Katsuki
Thermostat: Todoroki Shouto
Uravity-Girl: Uraraka Ochacko
Cthulhu: Shouji Mezo
Fast.: Iida Tenya
Ventriloquist: Shinsou Hitoshi
FightMeMido: Ojiro Mashirao
Muted: Kaminari Denki
Kermit: Asui Tsuyu
Glitter: Aoyama Yuga
Alien Queen: Ashido Mina
Bro#1: Kirishima Eijirou
Edgar: Tokoyami Fumikage
Sugar Rush: Satou Rikidou
Rapunzel: Koda Koji
Airpod: Jirou Kyoka
Queen: Yaoyorozu Momo
Violet: Hagakure Tooru
Fanta: Sero Hanta

Explode: Why the fuck are we here?

Wired: W-Why are you texting instead of just like…. asking us???

Wired: With your voice?

Explode: too tired. don’t wanna

Wired: Oh… mood

Fast.: Aizawa-sensei has arrived! I suggest you put your phones away.

Wired: No u

Wired: I can’t believe he just… did…

Explode: so…. what’s he saying?

Wired: Shigaraki escaped so we’re heading home early.

Wired: … where are your hearing aids?

Explode: too tired. don’t wanna.

Wired: Why are you such an asshole but also like… relatable? I hate that about you.

Explode: It’s cause you’re an asshole too but you hide it better.

Wired: I mean true but like… I was never as bad as you.

Explode: also true.

Explode: I guess we’re both messed up.

Wired: Dad just glared at us…

Explode: It’s cause u laughed asshole

Wired: no u

Explode: stfu nerd

Wired: No u

Explode: No u

Wired: fuck off.

Explode: no u

Tired: Both of you get off your phones or you’re grounded

Wired: you’re not my real father.

Tired: No but I have your real mother on speed dial

Wired: bakubye

Explode: Fucking

Explode: I don’t have my hearing aids sensei. They got packed in my bag that’s already on the bus.

Tired: Okay. I won’t ground you then. Just get on the bus.

Explode has changed their name to Bakugone

Bakugone: bakubye.

Tired: why do i bother.

Bro#1: When did those two start like??? Getting along??

Wired: lmao we have a truce.

Bakugone: a very fucking fragile truce

Wired: I cannot wait to fight Bakugou. y’all have no idea how long I’ve been waiting for the chance to just go ape shit on that asshole.

Thermostat: Mido…

Wired: todoroni…

Thermostat has changed their name to Todoroni

Todoroni: Half Cheese Half Pepperoni. One whole Todoroni

Tired: i cannot believe that this class is part of the next generation of heroes

Wired: We’re literally your fault.

Tired: Fuck

Chapter Text

Izuku has not had many experiences on school buses, in fact, he can count the number of times he has been on one with a peace sign. His experience with busses has not necessarily been bad, but it has also not been good.

He’s pretty sure that there should be a rule about the number of times someone can be on a bus and have an incident happen before they’re no longer allowed on buses.

“Why’d we stop?” Kaminari shouts when it becomes clear that they weren’t just stopping because of a stop sign.

“It must be a flat tire, bro,” Kirishima says, glancing around like someone is going to magically have the answer.

Izuku looks out the window, hoping to get some clue as to what’s happening and jumps back when he comes face to face with some type of creature. He almost thought it was a Nomu but it didn’t look like the on that had been at the USJ. This one was smaller, without a beak, and looked like it was rabid, with twigs sticking out of it’s hair. It wasn’t that weird purple-blue color either. It just had the vibe of a Nomu.

“What is that?”

“Is that a kid?” Kaminari shouts, pointing out the window at the Nomu.

“Stay here,” Zawa orders, already leaving the bus.

Izuku doesn’t listen. He pushes past the rest of his class and jumps off the bus and crouches behind Aizawa, ready to defend his dad.

The Nomu-thing is a little girl, Izuku realizes as he observes her. He can’t figure out the color of her hair or her age but the dress is a give away if nothing else. Judging by her height, she can’t be more than six years old.

Red eyes stare at Izuku and he feels stuck, trapped by the fear that he can see. He doesn’t know how Nomu work, but he can tell that this one is different. Maybe it’s her age? Maybe the fact that she’s a girl. He doesn’t know.

All he knows is that he needs to save her.

“Don’t hurt her,” Izuku orders as Zawa pulls on his scarf, getting ready to attack. His mentor hesitates. Neither of them move, waiting to see if the girl will do anything.

“Of course not,” Zawa agrees gruffly. He takes half a step forward and the girl takes a step back before sprinting into the tree line.

Izuku tries to run after her, but Zawa grabs his arm before he has the chance.

“Let me go!” Izuku snaps, trying to tug his arm away. He hates this. For a moment, he hates Aizawa, but that moment passes fast when his dad pulls him into a hug.

“It’s clearly a trap, kid,” Aizawa says gently, glaring into the tree line. He feels protected in Zawa’s arms, but that’s not what he needs right now.

Izuku pulls back and Zawa lets him. “I’m going to call Nighteye, you call the Wild Wild Pussycats to let them know that we’ve stopped. Why exactly did Mandalay and the others stay behind?”

“They’re the only heroes in the area right now and they needed to make sure the towns nearby were safe.”

“Fuck”

“Language, Midoriya,” Iida’s voice comes from behind him.

Izuku glances over his shoulder to see that the rest of his class has left the bus. He sighs, feeling suddenly a lot older than he is. Maybe he’ll buy his dad some coffee when they make it home if this is how he feels around this hell class.

“Where’d the girl go?” Ochako asks with a frown. She looks ready to run into the woods and Izuku can relate to that.

“Back on the bus,” Izuku orders, like the hypocrite that he is considering that he has no plans on joining them.

“Only if you get on first,” Hicchan replies with a shrug. Izuku glares at him and doesn’t move, so no one else does either.

Izuku groans but lets it go so that he can call Nighteye and inform the hero of the development. He feels a little bit like he’s going to throw up and has to lean against the bus which reminds him that the bus had randomly stopped in the middle of a mountain road before the girl had appeared.

He walks around the front of the bus to see that Kirishima was right.

The bus had a flat tire.

Fuck.

Chapter Text

Naomasa is in need of a vacation. Nothing long—he wouldn’t be able to get away for long anyways— just something long enough to be able to sleep for more than ten minutes.

What he would like in the meantime is a nap, but he’s not going to get one. He doesn’t think anyone is going to get a nap as long as Aizawa and Deku are in the same place. Which he would begrudge neither of them that connection. He’s seen how good it has been for both of them. He would just rather not be in crisis mode half the time.

“There’s a girl in the woods and class 1A has a flat tire?” Tsukauchi repeats as he gathers up his coat and hat. “And Deku is refusing to leave until we’ve at least started to look for the girl?”

“Correct,” Nighteye responds with a sigh. “Unfortunately, I’m following a lead on the Trigger case so I’m not able to join you but Hawks and Ms. Joke are heading that way as well as the Wild Wild Pussycats. 1B should be reaching them soon as well so that both classes can at least make it back to UA.”

“Figures. Alright. Sansa and I are on the way. Who else has been contacted?”

“Snipe, Hound Dog and Recovery Girl.”

“Is anyone injured?”

“No, but this does involve Deku, so we’re just being prepared.”

“Understood,” Tsukauchi sighs again. He feels a whole decade older and he hasn’t even gotten to the cruiser yet. “I’ll keep you updated.”

***

Chat Title: Trigger-ed

Cheatsheet (Pinned)
Lime: Deku
Moth Man: Eraserhead
Lemon: Lemillion
Sonic: Ingenium
Psyduck: Sir Nighteye
Emotional Support Comedian: Ms. Joke
Micahel: Present Mic
Dracula: Vlad King
Danny Phantom: Ectoplasm
Veronica: Fat Gum
Birb: Hawks

Lime: Why does UA not include “how to change a flat tire” in its curriculum?

Lime: Related: I am going to go feral in about five minutes if I am not able to go after this girl.

Psyduck: Tsukauchi is on his way. As well as Snipe, Hound Dog, and Recovery Girl.

Psyduck: Mic, Fat Gum and I are following a Trigger lead

Birb: Yeah, so, I’m on my way too.

Lime: Why? I thought you were on a mission for the commission.

Birb: That’s been handled. Nedzu asked me to come.

Stoat God has been added to the chat

Stoat God: I’m not a stoat.

Lime: You are at least part stoat.

Lime: But not the point.

Lime: How much trouble would I get in if I went rogue?

Lime: I’d ask dad but he’d probably just tie me up and that’s not on the agenda for tonight.

Lime: That did not sound the way I wanted it to.

Stoat God: 4 on a scale of 5

Lime: Good enough for me…

Chapter Text

Shouta is going to have to a murder a child.

He is 76% joking, of course, but watching Izuku run into the forest with no back up had taken five decades off his life. He doesn’t even have that much life to spare. In fact, Shouta’s pretty sure his heart stopped and now he's being given a second chance just for the sole purpose of strangling his kid.

“Fucking Deku,” Shouta hears Bakugou grumble and suddenly he’s down five kids because apparently Izuku’s friends (and whatever Bakugou is to the kid) are just as trigger happy as the Problem Child himself.

They’re all expelled.

Every damn one of them.

“Sensei—”

“Stay here,” Shouta commands, his hair floating up as his quirk activates. He’s not above using the fact that these students still fear him to his advantage.

The students have filed off the bus which does not surprise Shouta at all. Fuyura—one of UA’s prized bus drivers— and Yaorozuru are working to organize them into some semblance of order. Yaorozuru is his favorite student now. Not that he has favorites, he’s not illogical like that.

Shouta pulls out his phone when it vibrates to indicate a message. There is only one person that he has text notifications on for and that’s simply because every time Shouta turns them off, the Rat-Bear- Principal manages to turn them back on. (And Shouta’s given up caring, even if he hates text notifications).

Stoat God: Hawks will be there in fifteen. Tsukauchi-san and the rest of the heroes are a little further out.

Stoat God: Don’t be too harsh on Izuku.

Stoat God: He has my permission.

Looks like Shouta is going to have a conversation with Nedzu about who’s actually in charge when situations like this occur (perhaps, it should be the senior hero on site. Not the abnormally intelligent hero who more than likely has five different world domination plans drafted at any given time).

Stoat God: We’ll talk when the situation is handled. Once Vlad has arrived please give him an update and then go cover the students.

Aizawa: I am not happy with you.

Stoat God: Understood.

Five grueling minutes of fielding pointless questions from his obviously stressed students later, the bus for 1B pulls up, and Shouta waits just long enough to update Vlad on the situation before leaving his co-worker in charge and sprinting into the forest.

He's not going to let his son who has only just healed from his injuries run off into a forest without backup if he can help it. Nevermind that the rest of the idiot squad had followed Izuku. Shouta is the adult here.

Shouta can see the exact path that the idiot squad took ahead of him and makes a note to focus more on stealth in the near future before remembering that these students are not going to be in his class after this.

Never mind that he’s actually kind of proud of them.

Chapter Text

Izuku knows he’s being stupid. He’s smart enough to realize that much. But he’s not going to let this girl slip through his fingers if he can help it.

He sees glimpses of white and follows the child deeper into the forest. She reminds him so much of Serai that he can’t bring himself to let her go even though he knows he’s likely falling into a trap.

It takes everything in him not to stop when he hears his friends shouting behind him. He can’t risk losing sight of the girl. (He’s also going to have a serious talk with them about stealth because any other villains in the forest definitely know their location now).

His legs burn and his lungs ache but Izuku pushes on until he enters a clearing and the girl is standing on the other side. Her hands are moving jerkily and it takes Izuku a moment to comprehend that the girl is making the sign for stop before gesturing to the ground.

Fortunately, Izuku hasn’t stepped into the clearing.

“I understand,” Izuku signs, he doesn’t move from where he is. “You don’t need to worry anymore.”

“Fucking nerd,” Bakugou curses, crashing through the underbursh. Izuku barely stops the explosive teen from stepping into the clearing.

“Careful,” Izuku warns when Bakugou pulls away harshly. He points to where there are mounds of dirt in the clearing. It looks like a primitive version of the minefield from the sports festival.

“How’d she get over there?” Bakugou grunts, pointing to the girl, who’s wringing her bandaged hands as she watches them.

Before Izuku has the chance to respond, Occhan, Shouchan, Hicchan, and Jichann catch up to them. It takes both Bakugou and Izuku to keep them from stepping into this clearing.

His friends are lucky Izuku likes them, because they can be real idiots sometimes.

“I’m not sure,” Izuku responds to Bakugou’s question once he’s pointed out the clearing to the rest of the group. “Considering how fast she was running, I imagine she’s got quite the jumping ability.”

“Or there’s some other villain nearby.” Bakugou growls. “Why’d you follow her, Izuku?”

Hearing Bakugou say his name out loud was very weird.

“She’s a kid.”

“She’s a nomu.”

“She’s a child,” Izuku snaps. “And she’s scared. Which means we’re going to do everything we can to make sure she’s safe.”

“What's the plan then, nerd?”

“The plan it's to let the pros handle this.”

Izuku turns with the rest of them to see Zawa glaring at them with his arms crossed and his Quirk activated. Unfortunately for the pro hero, Izuku has not magically manifested a quirk in the last ten minutes, so he isn’t affected.

“They’re not gonna get here in time,” Izuku says. He glances down at his watch. “Hawks might be here in time but I’m not willing to risk waiting for him.”

Zawa glares for a moment longer before sighing.

“Tell me what you know problem Child.“

Chapter Text

“I know that there is a girl over there who is scared,” Izuku starts, gesturing over to the girl frantically. His throat feels tight and his hands are shaking. He’s not sure what they should do next. He doesn’t know. He doesn’t know. What does he know? “And that the clearing isn’t safe.”

“Take a deep breath, Izuku,” Aizawa orders, laying a gentle hand on Izuku’s shoulder. “Do you need me to take control?”

“Yes,” Izuku said, his shoulders minutely relaxing, though he still feels tense. “What’s the plan, Dad?”

“You and Bakugou are going to scout to the right, Shouji will stay here and everyone else will scout to the left. If you see anyone do not engage, return back here. Hawks is on his way and he’ll be the one to engage.”

“Okay,” Izuku agrees easily, determination filling his body instead of dread.

“If you get hurt again your mom is going to kill me, keep that in mind, Problem Child.”

***

Chat Title: Trigger-ed

Cheatsheet (Pinned)
Lime: Deku
Moth Man: Eraserhead
Lemon: Lemillion
Tender: Ingenium
Psyduck: Sir Nighteye
Emotional Support Comedian: Ms. Joke
Micahel: Present Mic
Dracula: Vlad King
Danny Phantom: Ectoplasm
Veronica: Fat Gum
Birb: Hawks
Apple Pie: All Might
Exhausted: Detective Tsukauchi

Tender: @stoat Why would you tell a child to do something dangerous?

Stoat God: Izuku is a very capable hero in training

Stoat God: and he was going to do it regardless, at least this way I can mitigate the amount of trouble he is going to get into.

Stoat God: Not to mention that there is a child in danger.

Birb: I am almost there.

Tender: I have never felt more frustrated with this injury than I do now.

Dracula: The situation at the bus is under control. @Birb, please go straight to Eraserhead’s location.

Birb: There.

Dracula: @Stoat God, we really need to teach these kids practical skills.

Dracula: Changing a tire is a valuable skill that I think all hero students should be learning.

***

Birb: I am going to find Shigaraki and tear him apart limb from limb.

Exhausted: What happened?

Birb: He turned a CHILD into a nomu!!!!!

Lime: Her name is Eri and I would destroy the world for her.

Lime: and I am going to destroy shigaraki for her.

Chapter Text

The First Quirk War
By Anonymous

Until the resolution of the The First Quirk War, which lasted from 2091-2104, there were no laws regulating quirks. It took nearly fifty years and a war for most countries to ban the use of quirks in public after the appearance of the first known quirk–Luminance–in Qing Qing City, China in 2054.

Globally, where only twenty percent of the population is currently quirkless, only two percent of the population had quirks prior to the First Quirk War. Many people with quirks remained in the shadows, afraid to show their abilities for fear of mobs attacking their homes or places of work. People with quirks were discriminated against just as often as they were revered for their powers.

Of the two percent of quirked people, 25% were homeless, 37% couldn’t afford a two-bedroom apartment, and 56% were paid less than their quirkless counterparts (these numbers were worse globally among women, people of color, and the disabled population). Living conditions were notoriously terrible for people with quirks and many had to turn to crime to survive.

In the FQW, an estimated five-thousand quirked people in Japan fought on the side of the government against the quirked individuals who were trying to gain protections that had not previously been afforded to them. It was rumored that these individuals were offered money from the government but there has been no proof of this found (Sicilia 2116). Claims like these were made of most governments during the war.

In Japan, many citizens turned to their quirked neighbors, young and old alike, to protect their towns from quirked forces. These individuals have largely been considered the first heroes of Japan and their lives are documented in Tales of the First Heroes from Japan by Kiyotaka Hester.

Chapter Text

When Izuku was young, he cried all the time. For attention, for food, or because he saw a dog out the window and he wasn’t able to pet it since there was glass in the way. Izuku felt a lot of things all the time and his outlet was through tears.

Watching Eri now, seeing the blank look on the girl’s face, the way her eyes absorb the light rather than reflect it, made the same itch build behind his eyes.

He doesn’t cry, though. Instead he shifts closer to where his dad is holding Eri, and places a hand gently on Eri’s arm. The girl flinches, her red eyes darting towards Izuku and then back down her hands in her lap.

“You don’t have to be scared anymore,” Izuku tells the girl. “We’re heroes, we’re going to keep you safe.”

“He told me heroes aren’t safe,” Eri says softly after a moment of hesitation. “That you would hurt people like me.”

“People like you?”

“My quirk is… bad. It hurts people.”

“Quirks don’t hurt people,” Zawa grunts. “Do you like hurting people?”

Eri shakes her head vehemently, holding tighter to her tattered shirt.

“Then you’re not bad and neither is your quirk,” Zawa assures.

“Really?” Eri asks quietly, her voice muffled by Zawa’s shirt.

“Really,” Izuku agrees. “Quirks don’t make you who you are. People are worth so much more than what they were born with. It’s what you do that matters.”

“We’ll discuss this more later,” Zawa says when Eri yawns. “Right now let’s worry about getting back to the school.”

****
Chat Title: Trigger-ed

Cheatsheet (Pinned)
Lime: Deku
Moth Man: Eraserhead
Lemon: Lemillion
Tender: Ingenium
Psyduck: Sir Nighteye
Emotional Support Comedian: Ms. Joke
Micahel: Present Mic
Dracula: Vlad King
Danny Phantom: Ectoplasm
Veronica: Fat Gum
Birb: Hawks
Apple Pie: All Might
Exhausted: Detective Tsukauchi
Stoat God: Nedzu

Lemon: What’s going on?

Lime: Found a child. If Dad doesn’t adopt her then I’m going to.

Lime: Well, I’m going to convince my mom too.

Psyduck: What’s your ETA

Dracula: Thirty minutes.

Birb: We’ll give an update when we arrive.

Birb: @Stoat God Am I allowed onsite this time?

Stoat God: I’ll make an exception.

Veronica: wait, why aren't you allowed at UA? 

Stoat God: that's for me to know and you to never find out 

Veronica: you true 

Veronica: Wait... I've just kinda accepted it but what is my name supposed to mean? 

Lime: Have... have you never seen Charlie and the Chocolate Factory? 

Veronica: ...I have... several times....

Veronica: I've never seen a Veronica? 

Lime: One sec

Emotional Support Comedian: LMAO 

Emotional Support Comedian: it's Veruca 

Lime:.......................

Lime: You're still Veronica. 

Veronica: Okay, valid. 

Chapter Text

The drive back to the school is uneventful—except for when Kaminari almost punches Sero in the face because Mina had decided to scare the electric hero-in-training awake.

Izuku has officially decided that he’s never going to ride a bus again. He’ll have Bakugou’s mom drive him to training camps if he needs to. His luck with buses is just too

“No one was hurt,” Izuku hears Dad say. He tunes into the conversation that Aizawa is having with Nedzu on the phone. Zawa turns to give Izuku a pointed look. “Though you and I are going to have to talk about giving students permission to go after unknown villains.”

Izuku gulps and covers his face with both hands, sinking into his seat. He can feel his ears burning with shame, though he doesn’t regret what he did.

Eri’s arms were covered in bandages, her shirt had been torn and her eyes had been filled with so much fear it was nauseating. Izuku was not going to let the consequences of his actions get in his way. Especially not when there was someone in need of saving.

He was right though, Izuku shouldn’t have gone into the forest without back up and a plan. He’d unknowingly lead his friends into a dangerou situation and it was purely luck that no one had been injured. That whole situation could have gone much worse and that would have been on Izuku’s shoulders.

Getting the go ahead from Nedzu only made it so that the commission wouldn’t be able to accuse Izuku of any vigilantism once they received the report from the incident. They’d taken a harder stance on vigilantes since the incident at Sky Egg nearly a decade ago had almost ruined the confidence that citizens had in the commission as a whole.

Izuku had managed to avoid scrutiny so far by not taking any official role in the trigger case (despite his obvious heavy involvement in the case).

There was a reason he used his hero name in the trigger group chat, especially now that Hawks was there.

(He trusts Hawks, he just doesn’t trust the people that trained the hero).

****
Chat Title: Trigger-ed

Cheatsheet (Pinned)
Lime: Deku
Moth Man: Eraserhead
Lemon: Lemillion
Tender: Ingenium
Psyduck: Sir Nighteye
Emotional Support Comedian: Ms. Joke
Micahel: Present Mic
Dracula: Vlad King
Danny Phantom: Ectoplasm
Veronica: Fat Gum
Birb: Hawks
Apple Pie: All Might
Exhausted: Detective Tsukauchi
Stoat God: Nedzu

Emotional Support Comedian: I WAS WRONG! It was Violet.

Veronica: I… I am fine with Veronica.

Lime: I… I am a disgrace to the PQ movie fandom :C I can’t believe I got the reference wrong twice.

Exhausted: The bus should be arriving soon. The rest of the heroes have returned to their duties except for RG who is riding with Sansa and I.

Lime: … who’s sitting in the back?

Exhausted: … me.

Lime: Nice.

Tender: Wait so… what’s the plan now?

Exhausted: As soon as we are back to UA, Recovery Girl is going to take charge of Eri’s care. We plan to up security at the school.

Nedzu: I am pushing the board to institute dorms.

Moth Man: you think they’ll go for it this time?

Nedzu: With Shigaraki having escaped from a maximum security prison, I’m not giving them a choice.

Lime: Oh nice. Can i help?

Nedzu: Why don’t you help Recovery Girl with Eri?

Lime: Okay.

Chapter Text

Chat name: The Plants

Cheat Sheet (pinned)

Midoriya Izuku- 🌳[bush]
Shouji Mezo- 🌵[cactus]
Shinsou Hitoshi-🪵[twig]
Uraraka Ochako- 🪨[boulder]
Todoroki Shouto- 🎄[christmas tree]

🪨: Has anyone heard from Mido?

🌵: Not since we got back to school. He went off with Aizawa

🪨: Hmmmm

🎄: Why do you need Mido?

🪨: Just worried about him

🪵: He’s okay. He’s helping Recovery Girl right now with Eri

🌳: I am here

🌳: Oh god. Never saying that again

🎄: I thought you were on good terms with All Might now.

🌳: Meh

🌳: Doesn’t mean I wanna be like him :/

🎄: Valid.

🪨: How are you and Eri?

🌳: Eri is asleep. She’s doing… alright… I am being kept here bc Dad thinks I’m going to go after the league

🌳: and he’s not wrong.

🌵: I would help.

🌳: I am, unfortunately, already in trouble so this is not going to happen.

🌳: Mom says I’m grounded

🪵: Deserved.

🌳: Rude

🪨: Is there anything you need?

🌳: Katsudon

🪨: Anything you need that I can actually get for you?

🌳: Ah… do girls like to color?

🌳: I’m going to be here with Eri for a bit and IDK how kids work

🌳: OH nevermind, Midnight is here. I’ll ask her.

🪨: Boys are hopeless

Chapter Text

Izuku doesn’t talk about being quirkless very often. It’s not that he doesn’t think it matters, or that no one cares, it’s more that he doesn’t want to be everyone’s sole source of knowledge on what it’s like to be quirkless.

He doesn’t care much about becoming a pariah either—it wouldn’t be anything new—but he refuses to just be known as “the quirkless kid”. He is worth more than the sum of his parts.

Except when, two days after returning from the camp at three in the morning Eri brokenly tells him about herself, he finds out about Overhaul… well… Izuku’s disgusted.

Quirkless people are strong. Izuku is living proof of that. But that fact does not make quirks evil or dirty.

Quirks are tools. People are people.

And Izuku is going to murder a man.

Maybe

Probably not.

But he’s very very tempted and that’s definitely not a good thing.

***

Chat title: Mido is GROUNDED

Cheatsheet (pinned)
Tired: Aizawa Shouta
Midochondria: Midoriya Izuku
Bakugone: Bakugou Katsuki
Todoroni: Todoroki Shouto
Uravity-Girl: Uraraka Ochacko
Cthulhu: Shouji Mezo
Fast.: Iida Tenya
Ventriloquist: Shinsou Hitoshi
FightMeMido: Ojiro Mashirao
Muted: Kaminari Denki
Kermit: Asui Tsuyu
Glitter: Aoyama Yuga
Alien Queen: Ashido Mina
Bro#1: Kirishima Eijirou
Edgar: Tokoyami Fumikage
Sugar Rush: Satou Rikidou
Rapunzel: Koda Koji
Airpod: Jirou Kyoka
Queen: Yaoyorozu Momo
Violet: Hagakure Tooru
Fanta: Sero Hanta

Tired: Over the next three days, All Might and I will be visiting your families to talk about the new dorm system that is being implemented.

Tired: While thankfully no one was injured, we are still unsure of the extent of the danger and there is reason to believe that the LOV is involved

Bakugone: the fucking shits

Fast.: While I agree with the sentiment the language is unnecessary

Midochondria: Nah, the language is necessary. Fuck the LOV

Bro#1: Agreed

Uravity-Girl: Can someone please explain to me why Mido was asking if girls like to color even though he has at minimum one sister?

Midochondria: In my defense!

Midochondria: Serai is very much more mature than I am and she likes to do things like read and knit and I’m very sure Eri does not do either of those things yet.

Midochondria: and I didn’t want to assume

Uravity-Girl: … acceptable

Cthulhu: wait aren’t you grounded?

Midochondria: I am not forbidden from talking to y’all, however I am very limited in the things that I am able to do right now.

Ventriloquist: Karma
Midochondria: Worth it.

Midochondria: If Dad doesn’t adopt Eri then I am going to

Midochondria: He is so… soft with her.

Tired: I am not adopting anyone

Midochondria: oooooo then I am

Tired: You are not adopting anyone either.

Tired: despite popular belief you are actually still a child

Midochondria: :C

Tired: >:C

Midochondria: fine >.>

Midochondria: I’ll just ask mom.

Chapter Text

Mister Deku,

You were right. The Shie Hissaikai are involved with the LOV.

-Sir

Sir Nighteye,

This might make things easier. I have a meeting with Nedzu and Zawa this evening and one of them will follow up after.

Unfortunately, I was grounded so for the next month I will be helping Recovery Girl in the infirmary after school which is going to limit my capacity to work on the case. Zawa will be sending along my adjusted hours this evening as well.

Please continue to share pertinent information with the understanding that I will not be responsive as usual. I have already informed the team of this change.

Sincerely,
              Deku.

***
Chat Title: Deku is grounded

Cheatsheet (Pinned)
Grounded: Deku
Moth Man: Eraserhead
Lemon: Lemillion
Tender: Ingenium
Psyduck: Sir Nighteye
Emotional Support Comedian: Ms. Joke
Micahel: Present Mic
Dracula: Vlad King
Danny Phantom: Ectoplasm
Veronica: Fat Gum
Birb: Hawks
Apple Pie: All Might
Exhausted: Detective Tsukauchi
Stoat God: Nedzu

Grounded: I am grounded.

Lemon: That’s rough, buddy.

Grounded: I appreciate your sympathies Lemillion.

Grounded: The reference it great as well.

Grounded: Anyways. I have to help RG in the infirmary which means that good ol’ @psyduck will be taking over most of my responsibilities and I will be learning that their are consequences to my actions and we’ll see if the lesson sticks this time.

Grounded: You’d think they’d learn by now but alas.

Grounded: I am simply here to do my best :C

Moth Man: It is 2 am

Moth Man: Go to bed before I revoke your phone privileges

Ground: aye aye captain.

Chapter Text

Izuku feels some trepidation stepping into the Support Course work rooms two weeks after he’s officially approved to start his hero training again. He’d submitted for adjustments to his hero suit and requested for Hatsume Mei to work on three specific pieces: his new leg braces, his gloves, and the head set that would allow him to keep in constant contact with anyone he needed to.

It turns out, the trepidation he feels is unfounded, since Mei is in the doubly secure testing room working on Bakugou’s new gaunlets. He’s able to spend a few minutes looking over the adjusted designs for his gear before Power Loader is able to lure Mei away from her work.

“MIDO!” Mei yells, throwing her arms around Izuku’s neck before quickly pulling away to tug him towards her workbench. She thrusts a bundle of fabric into his arms and Izuku nearly drops it in surprise due to the weight. “Go put that on.”

He comes back thirty minutes later flustered and proud. The suit had been a little difficult to figure out on his own with all the new pieces but the outcome is well worth the struggle.

Izuku feels like a hero.

The new braces on his legs honestly made him feel cool. They had the added bonus of compounding the strength of a kick and allowing him to jump over rooftops without destroying his knees.

And the gloves that were designed so that he could climb any surface without falling were the most comfortable gloves her had ever warn.

“Oh, that color scheme looks better than I thought it would,” Mei says, inspecting every inch of Izuku’s suit while taking notes on a clipboard. She grabs a pair of glasses that look like the belong in a scifi movie and shoves them on his face.

“You can use the gym for thirty minutes to test the suit out today but be sure to do the usual trial ccourse at Ground Beta before you use the suit in combat,” Power Loader says when Mei has finished her inspection.

Izuku grins and almost skips out of the workshop, he’s so excited to test out the new suit. He’d been working on the design since the week he was released from the hospital.

When Izuku had been attacked by Shigaraki at the USJ he’d thought that he was going to die. That everyone who ever told him he couldn’t be a hero was right.

He’d come so close to giving up so many times but now here he was, suited up and ready to go.

He’s finally made it back to the starting line.

Chapter Text

Chat title: Mido is GROUNDED

Cheatsheet (pinned)
Tired: Aizawa Shouta
Midochondria: Midoriya Izuku
Bakugone: Bakugou Katsuki
Todoroni: Todoroki Shouto
Uravity-Girl: Uraraka Ochacko
Cthulhu: Shouji Mezo
Fast.: Iida Tenya
Ventriloquist: Shinsou Hitoshi
FightMeMido: Ojiro Mashirao
Muted: Kaminari Denki
Kermit: Asui Tsuyu
Glitter: Aoyama Yuga
Alien Queen: Ashido Mina
Bro#1: Kirishima Eijirou
Edgar: Tokoyami Fumikage
Sugar Rush: Satou Rikidou
Rapunzel: Koda Koji
Airpod: Jirou Kyoka
Queen: Yaoyorozu Momo
Violet: Hagakure Tooru
Fanta: Sero Hanta

Tired: if any of you are late it’s five laps around the school for everyone

Ventriloquist: tempting

Tired: ten laps for the person who is late

Ventriloquist: no longer tempting

Queen: is there something special happening today?

Uravity-Girl: miso is 100% approved to rejoin training

Fanta: miso

Midochondria’s name has been changed to miso!

miso: @tired can we give them ten laps anyways?

Tired: no

Tired: too much work

miso: I? How?

Tired: it’s the trauma

miso: I

miso: no I don’t like this

miso: I feel like I’ve been betrayed

miso: by my own father

miso: is this how Luke felt?

miso: wait… was Luke betrayed by his father?

FightMeMiso: who is Luke?

Kermit: a character in the pre quirk movie franchise Star Wars

miso: I always knew you were a good one.

Kermit: thanks, kero

miso: but yes, Zawa why are you stealing my jokes?

Tired: I was a teenager once

Tired: gallows humor is not something invented by your generation

miso: “your generation” what are you? 80?

Tired: okay, 80 laps for Izuku

miso: wait no

miso: please no

miso: dad?

miso: it was a joke (μ_μ)

FightMeMiso: deserved

miso: rude

Chapter Text

Chat title: Miso is GROUNDED

Cheatsheet (pinned)
Tired: Aizawa Shouta
Miso: Midoriya Izuku
Bakugone: Bakugou Katsuki
Todoroni: Todoroki Shouto
Uravity-Girl: Uraraka Ochacko
Cthulhu: Shouji Mezo
Fast.: Iida Tenya
Ventriloquist: Shinsou Hitoshi
FightMeMido: Ojiro Mashirao
Muted: Kaminari Denki
Kermit: Asui Tsuyu
Glitter: Aoyama Yuga
Alien Queen: Ashido Mina
Bro#1: Kirishima Eijirou
Edgar: Tokoyami Fumikage
Sugar Rush: Satou Rikidou
Rapunzel: Koda Koji
Airpod: Jirou Kyoka
Queen: Yaoyorozu Momo
Violet: Hagakure Tooru
Fanta: Sero Hanta

Fanta: wait so, why does Ojiro want to fight miso?

Fanta: mido

Fanta: nah, miso.

FightMeMiso: I have a tail

Muted: and?

FightMeMiso: and miso was in a wheelchair for half the term.

Fanta: ah, never mind. You’re so valid my dude

FightMeMiso: appreciated

Miso: is this my legacy?

Bakugone: yes

Miso: okay, kacchan

Kacchan: die

Miso: no

Kacchan: what the hell, Deku?

Miso: I love that the only thing you capitalized was my name

Kacchan: it autocorrected

Miso: 👀

Kacchan: stfu

Miso: no u

Ventriloquist: ah, to be in a class with my childhood friend who I won’t admit is slowly becoming my best friend again

Miso: Hitoshi

Todoroni: ruh roh

Miso: I’m gonna give you two seconds

Ventriloquist: whoopsie daisy

Alien Queen: OwO

Alien Queen: what just happened?

Cthulhu: miso is a gremlin but mostly toward bakugone because that is the only way bakugone knows how to accept affection. Sometimes towards us too.

Fanta: and how do you know this?

Cthulhu: ears

Fanta: valid

Chapter Text

When Izuku was younger, back before his father had passed away, he’d watch his dad use his quirk simply to make Izuku laugh.

Those moments became core memories and that’s where Izuku’s fascination with quirks really began. He’d watch his dad and wonder about his quirk and as he grew older he’d watch other people use their quirks—usually televised hero fights—and he’d wonder about how those quirks worked too.

That wonder led to research and the research led to analysis and that analysis led to izuku getting his ass kicked by his pseudo father during after school training sessions.

“You need a break, kid?” Zawa asks, leaning over Izuku with a raised brow.

Izuku scowls at his dad and sits up, taking stock of the sore muscles in his arms and legs. Thankfully it’s just the usual training soreness and that last throw didn’t aggravate one of his mostly-nearly-one-hundred-percent-healed injuries.

He should be fine, but Izuku thinks he’ll be cautious of his back for the rest of his life.

“Five minutes would be nice,” Izuku responds as he stretches his arms over his head. “No detrimental pain but I should drink some water and stretch before we go again.”

“One more time and we’re done for the night,” Aizawa says, tossing Izuku his water. “You still have eighty laps to run tomorrow after all.”

“You’re a demon,” Izuku groans, choosing to ignore Aizawa’s responding smile, otherwise it’d star in his nightmares and he really doesn’t want that.

Izuku crashes face first onto his green beanbag chair after they finish their training and he has the chance to shower. He groans into the soft material before rolling over, and off the beanbag onto the floor.

Aizawa huffs in amusement but Izuku refuses to move, instead vowing to accept his position in life.

He stares at the ceiling.

Aizawa ignores him.

Izuku blinks heavily before he tries to find pattern in the wood beams above him. He holds back a yawn because he doesn’t want Aizawa to see just how exhausted he is.

“You’re not getting enough sleep, Problem Child.”

Damn.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“The bags under your eyes do,” Aizawa says pointedly.

“They’re designer,” Izuku deadpans. “I designed them myself.”

“Mhm.”

“Yup.”

“Are you doing research that you’re not supposed to be doing right now?”

“No.”

“Izuku.”

“Dad.”

Aizawa sighs and Izuku feels it settle in his chest like a heavy weight. It sounds like frustration and Izuku doesn’t like it when his people are frustrated with him. He sits up so that he doesn’t have to look at the vast ceiling as he lets out the breath that he wasn’t consciously holding.

It doesn’t help that he’s been frustrated in general. He’s been off the case for nearly a month now, they’re back at school from summer break soon and will be moving into the new dorms.

There’s a lot of change happening in Izuku’s life and he’s not sure how to manage it.

“I’m sorry,” Izuku says, covering his head with his arms.

“Kid,” Aizawa says, sounding hesitant. “Why’re you sorry?”

“I just… I know that I’m being given a lot of trust and responsibiilty with the trigger case that wouldn’t have usually been given to someone like me—”

“—Someone like you?”

“Quirkless. Young. Whatever.” Izuku glares at the floor

“No, not whatever. What’s going on in that head of yours?”

Izuku doesn’t answer for a moment, kicking his heels against the floor as he tries to find the words to express the thoughts swirling in his head.

“I feel… stuck, I guess,” Izuku pauses with a sigh. “I understand why you wanted me off the case. I was getting too caught up in it and it was effecting my judgement of situations. Not that i regret going after Eri, I just could have handled that much better.”

“Yes you could have.”

“Anyways,” Izuku huffs, glaring at Zawa. His voice starts to wobble has he tries to hold back tears. He doesn’t want to cry. This is supposed to be a serious conversation. “I understand why, but that doesn’t mean I like it. It feels like if I don’t keep making constant progress then I’m going to get left behind and forgotten.”

Izuku doesn’t even see Zawa move before he’s being lifted off the ground like he weighs nothing and engulfed in a hug. It feels warm and safe and Izuku melts into it.

“Have you been going to therapy?”

“Way to ruin a moment, dad,” Izuku whines.

“Izuku.”

“No,” Izuku says with a sigh. “I should probably start going again, huh?”

“Probably,” Zawa agrees. “And we’ll talk with your mom and Nedzu tomorrow about putting you back on the case.”

“Thanks, dad,” Izuku says, squeezing Zawa’s waist tighter before letting go.

“Anytime, son.”

Chapter Text

Chat Title: We’re a bunch of Professonals™️

Cheatsheet (Pinned)
Lime: Deku
Moth Man: Eraserhead
Lemon: Lemillion
Tender: Ingenium
Psyduck: Sir Nighteye
Emotional Support Comedian: Ms. Joke
Micahel: Present Mic
Dracula: Vlad King
Danny Phantom: Ectoplasm
Veronica: Fat Gum
Birb: Hawks
Apple Pie: All Might
Exhausted: Detective Tsukauchi
Stoat God: Nedzu

Dracula: it’s official, Eraserheads class is cursed

Lime: we’re not that bad

Lime: hehehe whoops 😬

Lime: wait, is there anyone here who doesn’t know my super secret identity?

Lime: No?

Birb: I don’t know it

Lime: Well, you live under a rock so that’s understandable.

Birb: rude

Birb: and also not true

Veronica: Wait, what did eraserhead’s class do this time

Lime: It wasn’t anything bad.

Lime: Dracula is just jealous

Micahel: that tracks

Dracula: Rude

Veronica: Why are ya’ll always so vague?

Lime: It adds to the mystery.

Lime: No but we beat his class in a combined training session and he’s butthurt about it because we managed to do it despite having five students sit out due to various reasons.

Lime: So it was 15 against 20 and we still won

Dracula: those five students were injured

Lime: Various injuries.

Veronica: I am very glad i never became a teacher

Moth Man: Must be nice.

Lime: anyways, have y’all read the latest email?

Lime: If you haven’t I am going to find you.

Lime: I even went out of my way to mark it as priority and lemme tell you, that was not an easy feat. The app is confusing.

Psyduck: Ah, Kempo-To-Mo is going to be in town soon to help with the case.

Lime: Yes they are. They’ll mostly be assisting @Veronica and @Birb on the villain factory but their insight is very helpful and they have valuable connections with heroes in other countries.

Lime: Additionally, Eri was able to confirm a connection between the Shie Hissakai and the League, though we’re not sure what entirely that connection is.

Exhausted: Splendid.

Lime: That’s one (incorrect) word for it :/

Chapter Text

Deku,

I hope this email finds you well. I wanted to respond sooner but I was pulled into a case here in the states that had me going no contact for a month. I’ve heard about you from Nedzu and I’m excited to finally get the chance to connect with you.

In regard to your inquiries, I have not found any evidence of such activity in New York but that’s not to say that it’s not happening else where. I’ll reach out to a few people here and get back to you if I do find anything.

There is something that I think you should be aware of but I’m not sure email is the best way to tell you. Perhaps we can do a voice chat some time soon? With your mentor present of course. I know that he’s very protective of you (as are all the heroes who have come in to contact with you).

Best,

Cynthia Bate

Cynthia,

Well, I’m glad you’ve found no connections to our case so far. No news is good news, right? I completely understand having to go no contact, the world of heroes is a messy one.

Wlergihaoiewghaoiwhg Nedzu talks about me??? To you???

I mean, obviously he talks to you since you’ve worked on so many incidents together and your sister is the number one hero in America and you’re like… super smart and….. Please ignore that. It’s two am and I should really be sleeping and not writing this emil but I am too tired to look it over again.

Anyways. Yes. we can set up a chat soon. I’ll have to check in with Eraserhead, since I’ve had to add training back into my schedule now that I’m healed enough. It should be sometime soon though, considering the urgency of this case and any type of information you mighty have.

Sincerely,
Deku.

Deku,

I have told my boss that this takes priority so just let me know what time works for you and I’ll be there, I regularly pull all nighters so don’t worry about my sleep schedule. I fucked that up enough myself in college.

Best,

Cynthia Bate

Cynthia,

How about 7pm your time on Friday.

Sincerely,
Deku.

***

Izuku tries not to groan as his test is handed back to him. He thought he’d been keeping up with his grades in all his class but it turns out that art history is not actually something that he can pretend to study while working on his other activities.

It’s not the worst grade he’s ever gotten but if he doesn’t get his act together soon then his mom is going to have words with him.

And she’s scary when she has words with him. Izuku does not want to disappoint his mom ever.

It’s nearly time for him to meet with Nedzu and Dadzawa anyways so instead of staying to talk with his friends about his dismal grades, Izuku packs up his things and sidles out of the room, ignoring the blatant staring of his classmates.

He takes his time walking to the principals office, knowing that he has a few minutes before he really needs to be there and wanting to use that time to gather his thoughts.

There hasn’t been any leads on the case that have actually… well... led anywhere which has been extremely frustrating for everyone involved.

At this point, it felt like there were running around like chickens with their heads cut off and that’s a feeling that Izuku doesn’t like.

He likes being able to put information together and have it fit seamlessly like puzzle made just for him. Right now it feels like he’s missing pieces. Like someone came in and scooped them out of the box while he wasn’t looking.

What he does know is that this case is somehow connected to a villain that not even All Might could defeat and if he’s being honest (and he tries to be an honest person), that scares the shit out of him.

How is he, a quirkless sixteen year old, supposed to go toe to toe with a supervillain? Especially when that supervillain has allies that they can’t even track down? That they only think exist because of a gut feeling?

A voice that sounds suspiciously like Dadzawa tells him that he will not be going to to toe with any supervillains and while he knows that’s true, he’s still going to be on All For One’s radar—if he isn’t already—and he would have to be stupid to not be nervous about that.

“Are you going to go in?” a gruff voice sounds behind him and it takes everything in Izuku not to jump at the sound of it.

“Uh… maybe?” Izuku squeaks, covering his face with his arms in an attempt to hide from Zawa. “Yeah. I am.”

Zawa doesn’t roll his eyes because he’s too mature for that, but he does narrow them at Izuku in a way that conveys his annoyance loud and clear.

Izuku skitters into the room as the doors open (courtesy of the Rat God himself). He refuses to look at anything but the floor as he claims his usual seat on the chair by a cozy fire place that only appears when Nedzu’s with guests that he really likes (so Izuku, Zawa, and sometimes Mic if he’s lucky).

“Cynthia is ready when we are,” Nedzu says, skipping the pleasantries that none of them even like.

“Now’s good,” Izuku says, immediately shifting into work mode. He’s got information to get and maybe—hopefully—this will be the breakthrough that they need.

Chapter Text

On a well traveled street in Tokyo there sits a man in clothes that have seen better days and hair so greasy it looks like a mop. He’s a well known figure amongst the underground, sought out by many—but his work doesn’t come cheap.

He has to make a living somehow and he might as well put his quirk to good use… or bad use, it all depends on the day.

This man is used to being approached by people that he doesn’t know. From sleazy husbands looking to hide a sordid affair to corrupt heroes looking for ways to rise in the ranks.

This is the first time in all his many decades on the street that he has been approached by a child.

The kid can’t be any older than fifteen with a baseball cap shielding his eyes from sight. He looks like he could be a street rat, his clothes are cheap and dirty enough, except what hair the man can see looks freshly washed.

“Chishiki,” the kid greets, bowing his head in an unexpected show of respect.

“That depends who’s asking.”

“Eraserhead said you’d be here.”

“What’s Eraserhead doing sending a kid like you here? Especially at this time of night?”

The kid shrugs, “I’ve been worse places for less important reasons.”

They lapse into silence. The kid doesn’t say why he’s there and Chishiki doesn’t ask. Instead, they both watch as the last of the late night crowd stumble home. In the distance, the horizon turns from blue to gray to pink and still nothing is said.

“Alright,” Chishiki relents. “What is it you need?”

“A name,” the kids says. “Actually like three names but only one of them is like… end of the world as we know it important.”

“Dramatic much.”

“It’s not dramatic if it’s true,” the kid retorts with a shrug. “You know Eraser wouldn’t have sent me personally if it wasn’t important.

“And who are you?”

“Most people know me as Deku.”

Chishiki nods, digesting this new infomation.

He’s been traded a life for this information. He knows enough about Deku now that he’s seen him to send any number of villains after him and yet here he stands—even knowing what Chishiki’s quirk is.

“What name do you need?”

“I need to know who’s running Humarise.”

Chapter Text

Shouta does not have many regrets in his life—he rarely cares about something enough to regret it.

He does, however, regret letting Bakugou Katsuki stay in his class.

Don’t get him wrong, the kid is going to make a good hero someday, maybe even a great one with a little bit more therapy. He is just loud. Obnoxiously loud in ways that don’t allow Shouta to sleep through homeroom like he’d planned after staying up all night going over the intel they had received from Cynthia.

“Bakugou,” Shouta says, getting the entire class’ attention. “One more explosion and you get to feel what defenstration is like.”

“Don’t threaten my friends, dad,” Izuku grumbles, barely lifting his head from where he placed it on his desk before class even began.

“I’m not your friend,” Bakugou snaps, turning to glare at Izuku only to step when the kid barely reacts to it.

“And I’m not quirkless,” Izuku huffs. “There’s no need to lie to protect your dignity, we all know you’re a softy on the inside.”

The entire class reacts to that with shouting and laughter and Shouta sighs, grabbing his noise canceling headphones from deep inside one of his sleeping bag’s secret pockets. He slides them into place and then covers his head with the sleeping bag, immediately falling back asleep.

***

“Did you even sleep last night?” Denki asks sitting on Izuku’s desk after class has ended.

“Uh, no,” Izuku responds, blinking up at the blonde. Denki usually spends his breaks with Jirou , not sitting on Izuku’s desk. Not that he doesn’t like Denki or anything.

It’s just different.

“Oh man, that explains it.”

“Explains what?”

“The reason why you’re being so bold today.”

“What?”

“Well usually you’re like… soft spoken and kind in person and only sassy in the group chat. Today you’re just sassy.”

“Hmm,” Izuku leans forward, restign his head on Denki’s side. “Sassy sleepy.”

“Exactly.”

“Yup.”

“Why don’t you just go sleep in the staff lounge?” Hitoshi asks, leaning forward to poke Izuku on the cheek. “It’s not like any of the teachers would stop you.”

“Class,” Izuku mumbles, barely coherent. “School.”

“Yeah, no,” Hitoshi sighs as he stands from his desk. He shifts Izuku easily and him into a fireman’s carry. “You’re going to take a nap.”

“M’kay.”

“Shouchan, tell Mic I’ll be back,” Hitoshi grins at their friend before walking out of the classroom.

“How’d he do that?” Izuku barely hears as they leave the room. “Izuku is like all muscle?”

***

Chat title: Why Life Gotta Do Us Like This?

Cheatsheet (pinned)
Catepillar: Aizawa Shouta
Sokka 2.0: Midoriya Izuku
BakuStay: Bakugou Katsuki
Zuko 2.0: Todoroki Shouto
Bubbles: Uraraka Ochacko
Cthulhu: Shouji Mezo
Chopper: Iida Tenya
Jaded: Shinsou Hitoshi
Karate-Kid: Ojiro Mashirao
Pikachu: Kaminari Denki
Buttercup: Asui Tsuyu
Prince Charming: Aoyama Yuga
Blossom: Ashido Mina
Ruby: Kirishima Eijirou
Bat Man: Tokoyami Fumikage
Ramsey: Satou Rikidou
Eliza: Koda Koji
Jam: Jirou Kyoka
3D Printer: Yaoyorozu Momo
Vanisher: Hagakure Tooru
Gift Wrapped: Sero Hanta

Bubbles: The fact that Izu was in the staff lounge sleeping for five hours today and still managed to give us all an analysis of our quirks in preparation for the preliminary licensing?

Bubbles: Terrifying.

Bubbles: Ohhh, Mina I love the new names.

Blossom: ^_^

Buttercup: It is very accurate, kero.

Ruby: Bro, I like this name!

Mina: Thanks, bro

Ruby: :)

Jaded: Izu wants everyone to know that he actually wrote those over the weekend.

Jaded: most of them at least.

Cthulu: Where are you guys?

Jaded: Cat Cafe

Cthulu: The usual?

Jaded: Yeah

Cthulu: I’m on my way.

Cthulu: I want to give the bush a hug.

Jaded: He says hugs would be appreciated

Sokka 2.0: Okay, the pile of cats dispersed.

Sokka 2.0: I hope all the analysis is helpful! The exam is still a few weeks away but since we’re all taking it earlier than past years I wanted to help y’all.

Pikachu: Mido for class president!

Sokka 2.0: Oh BOY do I have good news for you!

Sokka 2.0: Oh, speaking of class president business. Momo, did you want to tell them now or???

3D Printer: No time like the present.

Jaded: I hate when you’re vauge

3D Printer: We don’t mean to be!

Jaded: Not you, you’re an angel who can do no wrong

Jaded: The Gremlin™ on the other hand?

Jaded: He scares me.

Sokka 2.0: Dad can I tell them?

Caterpillar: yes, i’ve talked to all their parents now

Sokka 2.0: THE DORMS ARE DONE!

Sokka 2.0: Over the next two weeks we will all be moving in and any assignments missed due to your move in times will be excused. There will be no tests for the next two weeks as well.

Sokka 2.0: Dorm tours will be tomorrow afternoon :D

Pikachu: HELL YEAH!

Ramsey: are there kitchens?

Sokka 2.0: Yes :D

Sokka 2.0: And I’ve already blackmailed… I mean asked… Kacchan to make dinner for our first night :D

Jaded: Terrifying,

BakuStay: It’s going to be the fucking spiciest food I’m legally allowed to make

Sokka 2.0: D:<

BakuStay: :) shouldn’t have tried to blackmail me, loser.

Caterpillar: Izuku, what have we talked about?

Sokka 2.0: Only blackmail when it’s worth it?

Sokka 2.0: But like… Kacchan makes the best katsudon :c

Sokka 2.0: which I personally think it worth blackmailing soooooooo

Caterpillar: *The longest sigh ever*

Caterpillar: I cannot believe I am going to say this.

Caterpillar: Bakugou if you don’t make the katsudon he . won’t . stop.

Caterpillar: please save us all.

Sokka 2.0: C:

Sokka 2.0: I have best dad.

Chapter Text

The scene starts like this:

It’s a quiet Sunday morning in a relatively quiet city. Surprisingly quiet considering the number of people who live there. At least half of the town’s inhabitants are still asleep, choosing to spend the early hours cuddled warm in their beds. They don’t have jobs to get to yet, their kids haven’t woken them up, and they’re privileged in that.

The other residents have early starts to their days, or late ends to their nights, and are out and about. Some are on their way home, some are heading to work.

No one really speaks to eachother, just the quiet “thank you” murmured to a barista as a businessman waits for his coffee. Here and there one can hear a car horn in the distance, but it’s not something that breaks the peace, it feeds it.

It reminds people that this is indeed a city and where there is a city there is crime.

Today just happens to be a day for quiet crime.

There’s no need for attention grabbing, adrenaline pumping, hero-fight level crime on a morning like this.

Really, it’s not even technically crime.

It’s just two criminals—or well, ten criminals, but there’s no need to get technical—meeting in a warehouse in the part of this quiet city where people don’t generally meet.

Not people who are up to any good anyways.

One of these men scratches at his neck impatiently as he waits for a response to a question. It’s a question that could quite literally change the course of society.

It could lead to the destruction of this quiet city with its quiet peace, and every city like it.

That is the goal of the man, after all. The destruction of everything that hero society is built on. The society that cast him to the side and left him to fester like an open wound on the side of the street.

But destruction like that needs money and that’s something Shigaraki doesn’t have.

Sensei, despite his decades upon decades of life, does not have money either.

He used to, Shigaraki remembers, back before All Might swooped in and made everything so much worse. Like he always does because he is not the paragon of hero society that everyone likes to think that he is.

Shigaraki used to live in a nice house and have nice things. And now he has nothing.

Not even his gaming computer anymore. That had been lost to him just like everything else.

“Yes,” the masked criminal says. A man that Shigaraki doesn’t like but will tolerate for his goals. “I believe this will be beneficial for both of us. I would like to see what is mine returned to me.”

As the meeting ends and the criminals fade back in with the dregs of society, the city continues to wake up, unaware of the deal that has just put them all in danger like they’ve never known before.

Chapter Text

Chat title: Why Life Gotta Do Us Like This?

Cheatsheet (pinned)
Catepillar: Aizawa Shouta
Sokka 2.0: Midoriya Izuku
BakuStay: Bakugou Katsuki
Zuko 2.0: Todoroki Shouto
Bubbles: Uraraka Ochacko
Cthulhu: Shouji Mezo
Chopper: Iida Tenya
Jaded: Shinsou Hitoshi
Karate-Kid: Ojiro Mashirao
Pikachu: Kaminari Denki
Buttercup: Asui Tsuyu
Prince Charming: Aoyama Yuga
Blossom: Ashido Mina
Ruby: Kirishima Eijirou
Bat Man: Tokoyami Fumikage
Ramsey: Satou Rikidou
Eliza: Koda Koji
Jam: Jirou Kyoka
3D Printer: Yaoyorozu Momo
Vanisher: Hagakure Tooru
Gift Wrapped: Sero Hanta

Gift Wrapped: Can I move out yet?

Buttercup: What happened?

Gift Wrapped: Izuku happened

Buttercup: Ah, kero.

Bubbles: How is he somehow adorable and terrifying in the morning?

Bubbles: I thought we’d seen everything, but no.

Sokka 2.0: hahahaha sorry.

Karate-kid: and you all wondered why I wanted to fight him.

Karate-kid: sure it was about the tail but it’s also an instinctual thing.

Karate-kid: the only way to survive is to strike first, before he finds out your weaknesses.

Sokka 2.0: too late.

Karate-kid: :c

Sokka 2.0: :D

Jam: No but why is Bakugou less terrifying in the morning??

Jam: I stumbled across him this morning

Jam: and it was… shocking.

Jam: Like they swapped personalities or something.

BakuStay: you take that back.

Jam: No.

BakuStay: hmmmmmmmmmmmmm

BakuStay: fine.

Jam: ????

Jam: holy aihfoiewhf

Sokka 2.0: jorieghjeoirghe y’all.

Sokka 2.0: Kacchan just

Sokka 2.0: rip @Jam.

Sokka 2.0: They will be missed. :C

Jam: Rude

Sokka 2.0: Hey… I said that you’ll be missed :C

Jam: And yet. I don’t like your tone.

Sokka 2.0: i- i’m typing

Jam: >:C

Sokka 2.0: I don’t get paid enough for this

Catepillar: Same.

Catepillar: … that’s not how caterpillar is spelled.

Sokka 2.0: It’s not?

Sokka 2.0: huh.

BakuStay: yo nerd

Sokka 2.0: yes?

BakuStay: fight me

Sokka 2.0: bet

***

Standing in the middle of a gym, facing Kacchan, with sweat dripping into his eyes and ragged breaths tearing through his chest is exactly what Izuku used to picture when he thought about being a hero all those years ago.

Of course, he’d always imagined that he’d have a quirk, some combination of his mom and dad’s. That he’d be on equal footing with everyone, not sprinting to catch up.

“Okay, that’s enough for today,” Aizawa grumbles from where he’s monitoring the spar. “Bakugou, stop holding back against him.”

“I’m not—“

“You are,” Dad says, coming to stand with them. “It’s not much but it’s noticeable and we’ll need to work on it.”

Izuku frowns, poking his tender side in fascination, absentmindedly lifting his shirt to observe the bruising from a poorly dodged punch.

“And Izuku,” Zawa says, turning to face Izuku with a frown. “No more sparing without protective gear. You may not get the option outside of UA, but while you are here you need to do what you can to mitigate damage to your body. You’ve been cleared to fight but Recovery Girl says you’re still susceptible to further and permanent damage if you’re not careful.”

“Yes sir, Dad sir,” Izuku says with a cheeky salute.

Izuku looks over at Bakugou who is still grumbling as he stares at his hand. Izuku barely has time to duck before Bokugou is aiming right at his chest and letting off a small blast that probably wouldn’t have hurt Izuku all that much but it wouldn’t have felt great either.

“Why?”

“How am I holding back?”

“You’re blasts aren’t as strong against me as they are when you spar Kirishima or Kaminari. It’s not much of a difference but it is noticeable,” Izuku responds immediately. “You also broadcast your moves more so it’s easier for me to dodge. It wouldn’t be such a big deal except if I can dodge you at full power then I’m more likely to be safe when dodging most villains since you have one of the most powerful quirks I’ve ever seen.”

“Oh.”

“We’ll work on it.”

“Damn right we will.”

Chapter Text

If healing were linear, Izuku would already be completely and totally recovered. He wouldn’t have aches in the morning if he forgot to stretch at night. He wouldn’t have a stabbing pain in his left hip if he walked barefoot for too long. He wouldn’t have to continue going to physical therapy for fear to all the progress he has made might regress.

He wouldn’t be so tired so much of the time.

Since healing is not linear, there are nights that Izuku can’t sleep because the memories of USJ are playing on repeat. He conjures the “what-ifs” like movies to watch over and over as he struggles to keep his breathing under control. He has to remind himself that the people he loves are still here with him and he didn’t fail anyone.

The mornings are almost harder, because Izuku has to get out of bed and go to class and see his friends and while he doesn’t have to pretend like everything is okay, he doesn’t want his struggles to become a burden. SO he puts on a smile and he tries to convince himself, and everyone else, that every day is a good day—even when it's not.

What Izuku fails to notice, through the fog of fatigue and the challenges of healing, is that his family sees him as he is, not as Izuku wants them to.

They see Izuku as a young man, nearing adulthood but not quiet there, who has been through so much in so little time. They see him as a hero. A fighter. A person who needs love and affection and support just the same as every other person on earth.

They see the days where Izuku has to push harder, sweat dripping from his hair, to finish sets that he breezes through other days in the gym. They see him studying and learning, and helping others at the same time.

So on those days that prove healing isn’t linear, Izuku’s family steps in and they remind Izuku that he’s not actually some all-powerful super-human and he can, in fact, take breaks.

And Izuku loves them very much for it.

Chapter Text

Chat Title: We’re a bunch of Professonals™️

Cheatsheet (Pinned)
Lime: Deku
Moth Man: Eraserhead
Lemon: Lemillion
Tender: Ingenium
Psyduck: Sir Nighteye
Emotional Support Comedian: Ms. Joke
Micahel: Present Mic
Dracula: Vlad King
Danny Phantom: Ectoplasm
Veronica: Fat Gum
Birb: Hawks
Apple Pie: All Might
Exhausted: Detective Tsukauchi
Stoat God: Nedzu

Lime: I hate waiting

Lime: Like? Why can’t villains work on my schedule?

Lime: Why do I have to wait for them to slip up so I have proof before I can get them arrested like they deserve.

Moth Man: what a modd

Lime: Modd

Micahel: Modd

Moth Man: No

Lime: :C fine

Birb: Imagine having a speed quirk and having to wait for villains to slip up

Lime: I have

Birb: :o

Lime: haha no really. I used to imagine I had all kinds of quirks. It’s kind of how the whole analysis thing started. I’d pretend to have a quirk and my dad would ask all kinds of question about how I’d use the quirk and then I’d be the hero saving my mom from the evil villain.

Lime: Of course I would win every time

Moth Man: I’m going to find you.

Lime: Why? What did I do?

Lime: eoifhweoighewgio

Lime: This is why he is EraserDad

Lime: I am crying

Lime: @stoat god we will need fans in 1A dorms

Lime: I am currently flooding it

Emotional Support Comedian: What happened?

Lime: He kidnapped me from the dorm only to wrap me in a blanket, give me hot cocoa, and a hug as we talked about my dad.

Apple Pie: But he is your dad???

Lime: My birth dad!!!

Lime: He died when I was young

Lime: but like

Lime: idk

Lime: I miss him but I’m also so so grateful to have my EraserDad

Dracula: why am I crying?

Micahel: Aww listener. Can I come join y’all?

Lime: Yes!

Moth Man: No

Lime: :C

Moth Man: fine

Chapter Text

Izuku likes to think that he’s a level-headed person. He can keep his calm in many situations some of the time. He gets mad a lot but he doesn’t really show it most of the time.

But this?

He’s pissed.

He’s sitting in Nedzu’s office with Night Eye, All Might, Dad, and Tsukauchi and they’re going over everything they’ve gotten from Eri and Izuku is fairly certain he’s not the only one preparing to commit a crime.

A murder.

A homicide.

The Shie Hassaikai.

Izuku can think of at least eight ways to take them down.

Up to and including murder.

In fact, seven and a half out of eight ways will end in murder.

“Izuku.”

The voice pierces through the fog in Izuku’s head and he blinks his eyes to focus on his dad who is kneeling in front of him, squeezing his hands.

“Ah, there you are,” Dad says with a small smile, the kind that is mostly in his eyes. “You can plot murder once we have all the details.”

“I don’t need details to plot murder,” Izuku counters but he does focus back on the conversation, thinking over the snippets he still heard while he was disassociating.

“Have we found his base?” Tsukauchi asks, looking up from his own set of papers.

“Not yet,” Nedzu chirps in that cheerfully scary way of his that Izuku does everything possible to emulate. “But we should be able to soon. I’ve got a hero associate of mine from Denmark helping since I don’t want anyone to change their patrol routes.”

“Oh, oh, oh, who is it?” Izuku asks, waving his hand like a madman. He still feels the urge to burn something but he’s glad to be distracted by learning about a new hero.

“Vinder,” Nedzu tells the hero-in-training.

“Oh! He’s the underground hero who worked with you fifteen years ago to find the kidnapped Prince of Denmark.” Izuku says, pounding his fist into his palm.

“I’m not even going to ask how you know about that,” Tsukauchi says with the air of a man who has been disappointed too many times.

“You’ll find, kind sir, that I know too much about too many things,” Izuku says with a grin that he knows matches his Dad’s perfectly.

He relishes in the way it makes All Might shudder.

Chapter Text

Chat title: Why Life Gotta Do Us Like This?

Cheatsheet (pinned)
Catepillar: Aizawa Shouta
Sokka 2.0: Midoriya Izuku
BakuStay: Bakugou Katsuki
Zuko 2.0: Todoroki Shouto
Bubbles: Uraraka Ochacko
Cthulhu: Shouji Mezo
Chopper: Iida Tenya
Jaded: Shinsou Hitoshi
Karate-Kid: Ojiro Mashirao
Pikachu: Kaminari Denki
Buttercup: Asui Tsuyu
Prince Charming: Aoyama Yuga
Blossom: Ashido Mina
Ruby: Kirishima Eijirou
Bat Man: Tokoyami Fumikage
Ramsey: Satou Rikidou
Eliza: Koda Koji
Jam: Jirou Kyoka
3D Printer: Yaoyorozu Momo
Vanisher: Hagakure Tooru
Gift Wrapped: Sero Hanta

Pikachu: IF you were a plant what plant would you be

Sokka 2.0: Bush

Jaded: twig

Cthulu: cactus

Zuko 2.0: Christmas Tree

Bubbles: Boulder

Pikachu: I… that was so fast?

Chopper: A boulder is not a plant

Bubbles: ₐ bₒᵤₗdₑᵣ ᵢₛ ₙₒₜ ₐ ₚₗₐₙₜ

Bubbles: sounds like something a non-believer would say.

BakuStay: hogweed

Pikachu: lol

BakuStay: look it up loser

Pikachu: OH

Pikachu: Oh shit

Pikachu: I’d be a stinging nettle

Eliza: I’d be a buttercup

Sokka 2.0: Pure

Sokka 2.0: I would live for you Koda

Ruby: Isn’t it usually I would Die for you?

Sokka 2.0: I’ve been banned from saying that

Catepillar: >:C

Catepillar: I am proud of you

Sokka 2.0: Look at that character development happening right before our very eyes.

----
Chat Between Aizawa Shouta and Midoriya Izuku

Izukid: I love you <3

Eraserdad: I love you too, kid <3

Izukid: ⸜(*ˊᗜˋ*)⸝

Chapter Text

Chat name The Plants

Cheat Sheet (pinned)

Midoriya Izuku- 🌳[bush]
Shouji Mezo- 🌵[cactus]
Shinsou Hitoshi-🪵[twig]
Uraraka Ochako- 🪨[boulder]
Todoroki Shouto- 🎄[christmas tree]

🪨: If I can’t fight Iida then what’s the point?

🌵: All he said is that a boulder is not a plant

🪨: Shun the non-believer

🌵: he’s not wrong

🪵: shun

🌳: shun

🎄: shun

🌵: 🙃🙂‍↕️😔😨😥🫠😦 I’m disowning yall

🌳: denied

🪨: next time we have 1v1 imma fight Iida and the only one who can stop me is Aizawa Sensei

🌳: you are so valid for that

🪨: mido

🌳: ye?

🪨: what are you doing?

🌳: existing?

🪨: no like? Why are you? Hanging from the ceiling?

🪨: how?

🌳: oh! I’m using my scarf!

🌳: honestly it helps relieve the back pain I still get sometimes and the ceiling is the only place I can really hang?

🌳: sometimes I’ll hang from a tree branch or monkey bars but shrug emoji ceilings work too

🪨: … did you type shrug emoji?

🌳: shrug emoji

Chat Title: We’re a bunch of Professonals™️

Cheatsheet (Pinned)
Luigi: Deku
Bowser: Eraserhead
Daisy: Lemillion
Hammer Bro.: Ingenium
Koopa Troopa: Sir Nighteye
Waluigu: Ms. Joke
Yoshi: Present Mic
Shy Guy: Vlad King
Dry Bones: Ectoplasm
Monty Mole: Fat Gum
Peach: Hawks
Donkey Kong: All Might
Rosalina: Detective Tsukauchi
Mario: Nedzu

Luigi: I will not be taking criticism or questions at this time

Bowser: what did you do?

Luigi: I said I will not be taking questions at this time

Bowser: … deku

Yoshi: I love it

Daisy: beautiful, stellar, one of a kind

Luigi: lemon gets me ٩( ‘ω’ )و

Peach: nice

Dry Bones: I can live with this

Koopa Troopa: I am sorry to interrupt your fun

Koopa Troopa: Deku, I need you to come in

Luigi: omw

Chapter Text

Deku,

I looked into the files that you send over and I’d just like to send my thanks. You have saved my agency a lot of time with this analysis that were able to focus on taking down the villain in question.

In addition to that, I’ve attached the requested report on trigger in my region. Please let me know if there’s anyway I can further assist.

Tsuchigumo

—

Tsuchigumo,

Always happy to help, Mr. Tsuchigumo.

The report you sent over is exactly the information that we were looking for (and dreading finding). It’s helped us a lot in our case and we really appreciate it.

As of right now, there’s no further need for action but should that change I, or one of my colleagues, will be in contact.

Your quirk is amazing, by the way! I’m not sure if I’ve mentioned it before but I love the way you take inspiration from the pre-quirk hero Spider-Man and use your webs to swing from building to building! A friend of mine does something similar so I told them about you and now you’re their number one inspiration!

Anyways, thanks for your support.

Sincerely,
Deku.

—

Deku,

That just made my entire year. Tell your friend that I look forward to seeing their career and to contact me if they need any advice.

Tsuchigumo

—

Tsuchigumo,

Message passed. They said they’ll be in contact as soon as they stop have an existential crisis.

Sincerely,
Deku.

Deku,

Relatable.

Tsuchigumo

Izuku frowns as he flips through the reports scattered on the coffee table in front of him. A cup of tea long gone cold sits by his elbow, precariously close tot he edge, but he ignores it in light of the concerning information he has yet to barely start processing.

“This isn’t right,” Izuku says, glancing from one report to the next. He pulls out a third and his frown deepens. “Unless. No. I—shit!”

Izuku stands suddenly, sending the cup careening to the floor. He barely spares it a glance as he sprints into the kitchen, ignoring the shouts from his siblings he’d just left in the living room.

“Mom, mom, mom,” Izuku says, shoving a paper into her face. “Do you recognize this name?”

Inko takes the paper and holds it to where she can actually see the name Izuku is pointing at. When she does see if she lets out a small gasp.

“Yeah, he was one of my professors in law school. He left in the middle of my final year and no one really knows what happened to him.”

“That’s what I thought,” Izuku says with a triumphant gleam in his eyes.

Ever since his last meeting with Night Eye, where he realized they were missing a key piece of evidence, Izuku had been searching through the reports he’d requested from all the different regions in Japan. He hadn’t been sure exactly what he’d been looking for but he found it.

The missing piece of a puzzle so convoluted they didn’t even know what it looked like.

“I’m so sorry, mom, but I need to go see Night Eye. I’ll make it up to everyone as soon as I can,” Izuku apologizes.

Inko smiles gently and pulls him into a quick hug. “Of course, go be the hero we always knew you were going to be.”

Izuku doesn’t cry, he swears he doesn’t. But if he wipes away a tear as he steps into the living room to find his papers stacked neatly next to his backpack then no one else needed to know

Chapter Text

Cheatsheet (pinned)
Catepillar: Aizawa Shouta
Sokka 2.0: Midoriya Izuku
BakuStay: Bakugou Katsuki
Zuko 2.0: Todoroki Shouto
Bubbles: Uraraka Ochacko
Cthulhu: Shouji Mezo
Chopper: Iida Tenya
Jaded: Shinsou Hitoshi
Karate-Kid: Ojiro Mashirao
Pikachu: Kaminari Denki
Buttercup: Asui Tsuyu
Prince Charming: Aoyama Yuga
Blossom: Ashido Mina
Ruby: Kirishima Eijirou
Bat Man: Tokoyami Fumikage
Ramsey: Satou Rikidou
Eliza: Koda Koji
Jam: Jirou Kyoka
3D Printer: Yaoyorozu Momo
Vanisher: Hagakure Tooru
Gift Wrapped: Sero Hanta

Sokka 2.0: it needs to be said

Sokka 2.0: I can’t keep this quiet anymore

Pikachu: ???

Sokka 2.0: Koda would be the most terrifying villain ever

Sokka 2.0: okay

Sokka 2.0: now that that’s off my chest I do actually have something to share

Vanisher: explain??

Sokka 2.0: animals

Sokka 2.0: he could commit a crime and we’d never know

Sokka 2.0: no one would suspect him in a random bear attack while someone’s hiking

Sokka 2.0: or rats stealing things

Sokka 2.0: back to the news

Sokka 2.0: Since things keep happening to our class

Sokka 2.0: we will be testing for provisional ligaments early

Sokka 2.0: licenses wtf

Sokka 2.0: which means the next few weeks of heroics will focus on supermoves

Sokka 2.0: which means I have analysis for you in the common room

Sokka 2.0: come get your free thoughts

Cattepillar: how did you know that

Sokka 2.0: Nedzu

Cattepillar: continue as planned

Sokka 2.0: that’s what I thought

Cthulu: Your analysis is, as always, very helpful and slightly unnerving. Thank you.

Sokka 2.0: welc
Karate-Kid: Miso says that Koda would be the most terrifying villain and then you look at his analysis and you know that he did not take himself into account

Karate-Kid: If he did not have morals no one would survive

Sokka 2.0: Nah, if I were a villain I would not indiscriminately kill people

Sokka 2.0: What the point in being a villain if you’re the only person left alive?

Karate-Kid: That’s somehow so much worse???

Jaded: You don’t know true fear until you have listened to Izu rant about how stupid of a villain all for one is

Karate-Kid: all for one?

Jaded: Yeah? That bogeyman villain that they say will steal your quirk if you go out at night?

Jaded: that shit terrified me as a child

Jaded: Anyone?

Ruby: Bro. I used to refuse to go outside after dark even if my parents were with me

Jaded: same

Sokka 2.0: Okay LISTEN

Sokka 2.0: AFO is a bastard idiot man and were it not for the laws of this land he would be the second most terrifying villain out there.

Catepillar: Nedzu

Sokka 2.0: i said what I said

Sokka 2.0: we’ve compared plans and Nedzu agrees

Karate-Kid: Miso is my sleep paralysis demon

Sokka 2.0: :)

Chapter Text

Artificial Intelligence in the Age of Quirks
         First Draft (not for publishing)
By Anonymous

       The 2020s saw the greatest expansion of the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the existence of humankind. This makes sense, considering technology was in rapid development from the Industrial Revolution to the Age of Quirks (as discussed in my previous essay on the effects of Quirks on technology published in the Nippon Journal of Quirks in 21XX). This rapid expansion caused much chaos which necessitated the rapid implementation of several thousand laws worldwide that policed the use of AI in the development of government projects, the creation of art, and the writing of college dissertations to name a few.
       

        For example, the California AI Transparency Act (SB 942) of 2024 would require the creation of a tool for the purpose of detecting the use of AI in marketing, trainings, and other digital and printed creations. The success of bills such as this varied, however, they would go on to become the foundation for the laws policing Quirked Individuals (QI) at the dawn of Quirks.
This is one of the many impacts of Artificial Intelligence in the age of Quirks. Another such impact was the use of AI in deciding the fates of QI who had been caught by law enforcement and were set to be tried. Due to the nature of their existence (the nature being that having a Quirk was at first deemed illegal) there was no way to have a “fair trial” or a trial by peers. So instead, the constitutions of many countries were ignored and many QI were thrown into island prisons (like those depicted in pre-Qurik (PQ) superhero movies) (I should write an essay about that) (No. I should focus on this one…).

        As laws surrounding Quirks have developed the use of AI to try QI has shifted to using AI to trial Non-Quirked Individuals (NQI). Which is, of course, utter bullshit Like much technology, AI has not actually developed at any significant rate since the dawn of Quirks, but it has caused so much damage and (finish this later)...

        Like come on, it’s not that hard to understand that using AI to decide things that impact real live human beings is amoral at best and criminal at worst. It’s a disgusting practice and people have died because of it. Why would we continue to use this practice today? I theorize that it’s because QI have forgotten what it is like to be discriminated against. Of course, Quirk discrimination exists but in many of those cases there is a chance for recourse and often at least compensation. But for UQI? for people like me? Who can rarely take the legal route

       It’s stupid.

       Hmmm. I’m going to have to completely rewrite this in order to publish.

       I should probably do that in a different document. Don’t want to risk a misprint.

This essay was never published

Chapter Text

Chat Title: We’re a bunch of Professonals™️

Cheatsheet (Pinned)
Luigi: Deku
Bowser: Eraserhead
Daisy: Lemillion
Hammer Bro.: Ingenium
Koopa Troopa: Sir Nighteye
Waluigu: Ms. Joke
Yoshi: Present Mic
Shy Guy: Vlad King
Dry Bones: Ectoplasm
Monty Mole: Fat Gum
Peach: Hawks
Donkey Kong: All Might
Rosalina: Detective Tsukauchi
Mario: Nedzu