Chapter Text
Izuku Midoriya was having a bit of a rough day.
A little more than a little bit.
Okay, it had been the worst day of his… wait, no, second-worst day of his life.
The third he could easily say was the day he learned he was quirkless because there was hell to pay afterwards.
Oh yes, hell to pay. That was not an understatement.
Oh wait, he wasn't explaining properly.
You see quirkless is a term used to describe someone without a quirk (special power) that nearly everyone in the world today was born with. In fact, when he was first outed as quirkless the doctor said they made up around twenty per cent of the global population with the remaining eighty possessing a unique ability.
These abilities varied from controlling the elements, mind control, physical transformations, super strength, taking on animal characteristics, and so on.
Most people with quirks went on to specialise in an area their quirk could be useful. For example, people with healing quirks worked in the medical department, quirks related to music or recording were put to use in the entertainment business, and quirks related to food were focused on the agriculture and restaurant industry.
However, this was usually the second option in case they failed at the first.
The primary profession most children were interested in at a young age was becoming a hero.
They were their societies champions of justice, the only ones the government allowed to freely use their quirks in public as a way to rescue citizens from accidents and natural disasters, and to safeguard them from the threat of dastardly villains who abused their quirks outside the law. Additionally, they were all compensated and acclaimed for their actions.
It was a life every kid dreamed of, but not everyone could have. Much like his case.
You see quirkless were seen as a minority in today's world. And although they technically had the same rights as quirked individuals, they suffered immense discrimination in the employment sector and social standing (which led to problems in school).
There were plenty of other issues but long story short, the Quirkless did not have easy lives.
The same could be said for individuals with Mutant Type quirks or villainous quirks, however, he would not go into them.
Izuku opened the door to his apartment and removed his shoes.
"I'm home," he said to no one in particular.
He walked into the kitchen which was in the same clean condition as he had left it this morning, as was the rest of the apartment when he cleaned it yesterday. He turned on the kettle because he was in dire need of some tea after such a horrible day. He then flicked on the tv which was conveniently on the News Channel.
"In other news, today All Might valiantly rescued two students from a rampaging villain who took one of them hostage."
Izuku hummed in annoyance.
Of course, they had to be talking about this. He wasn't exactly surprised but it was not what he wanted to be dealing with right now.
"The villain took the student hostage while the student fought back to prevent the villain from overtaking his body. The heroes at the scene attempted to rescue him but were unable to due to the damage caused by the student's quirk."
"That's when another student, presumed to be a close friend, rushed past the heroes in an attempt to rescue him. As a result, the heroes attempted to intervene only for All Might and defeat the villain before he could do any serious harm."
"Although there were no casualties, many heroes chastised the student for acting recklessly and putting himself in harm's way while highlighting he could have made the situation worse. Given the laws in relation to quirk regulation and illegally performing heroism, they were correct in their criticism. However, no charges were pressed against the student or the one using their quirk."
"Regarding All Might's testimony-"
Izuku turned off the tv before he could hear another word. He really wasn't in the mood to hear what his 'idol' had to say about the event. It would probably be the same thing mixed in with pieces of what he told him earlier that day.
"No. Don't think like that," Izuku started. "It could be something else."
Even as the words left his mouth, he wasn't entirely sure of them.
All Might was his idol and had been since his childhood. Whether it was advice, a suggestion, or an opinion, if the greatest hero who had ever lived said something, Izuku normally took it to heart, even if he didn't like it.
Much like his advice from today.
"No, just no," Izuku mumbled as he slumped down on the couch. "Stop thinking about it. Stop thinking about everything."
Unfortunately, that was a task much easier said than done.
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Okay, hold on.
You're all probably confused by this, so I'd better explain from the beginning.
No, not the beginning of my life, just from today.
Flashback
Aldera Middle School
Izuku scurried through the school as quickly as possible. His first stop after his locker was the janitor's closet to pick up a bucket, a sponge, and some wipes.
Following this, he filled the bucket up with water and returned to his locker to wipe the graffiti off it as he then did with his desk and chair in class before drying them and returning the supplies and heading back to class.
Unlike other students, he arrived an hour early every day. Given how deserted the place was (excluding the staff) it was the only chance he had to get the job done without any interference from Kacchan and his lackeys. The other students were something to avoid but overall, they gave him the most trouble.
"Thanks for letting me use them," Izuku said quietly.
"No problem Midoriya," the janitor replied with a soft smile. "Hope you have a nice day."
He said the words almost every time he saw him with a smile, but Izuku could always detect a hint of sadness behind it.
Out of everyone at Aldera, the janitor was the only one who was kind to him despite his… circumstances. Not that Izuku was complaining or anything. It was nice compared to everyone else at the school.
Walking back to class he passed several teachers who paid him no attention as they did every morning. Izuku wasn't really bothered because he was used to it at this point. If anything, them letting him come to school early and clean his things without interference or scorn was the closest thing to being nice to him as they would ever come.
The rest was… well… you get the idea.
One by one, students started pouring into class, with only a few giving Izuku a sideways glance.
Several started chatting amongst their friends while others sat ready at their desks. So far, no one had thrown him any insults, smug or contemptuous looks, which Izuku thought was strange. Normally, when people came in there was an insult or two or in some cases where they "tripped" and elbowed one of his sides, with targets ranging from his arms to his head.
For some strange reason though, they had decided to ignore him (for now).
Izuku was brought out of his thoughts by a familiar set of footsteps walking by his desk.
"Tch," came a familiar scowl. "Deku."
Izuku glanced up at his childhood 'friend', Katsuki Bakugo, as he walked past.
"Good morning Kacchan," he greeted with a weak (and slightly forced) smile.
The blonde glared at him and headed towards his desk muttering, "Useless dumbass."
Izuku's shoulders sank. Their meet and greet were the same every morning when they came in, although it was quite subdued all things considered.
Izuku found this odd. Was there something on today making everyone behave this way, or was he just being paranoid?
Most likely the latter.
"Okay everyone, settle down," the teacher announced having finally arrived. "I see everyone is here, so I'll skip role call and get to the important matter."
Izuku frowned. Important matter? What could be so important to make everyone behave this way?
"As you all know, you're at the stage in your lives where you need to decide what you want to do with them. High school, college, careers, etc," the teacher listed off.
'Oh,' Izuku realized. 'That's right. I forgot.'
He remembered that they were supposed to fill out a list of schools they should apply for when they finished at the end of the year, as well as consult a career counsellor about what they wanted to do with their lives.
Izuku had looked up several schools, including hero ones, that would allow people like him to apply and discussed them with the teacher.
"I was going to pass out some career aptitude tests," the teacher took some papers and threw them into the air with a smile. "But what's the point? We all know you want to go to the hero course."
Immediately, the room exploded with applause as students showed off their various quirks with excitement.
Izuku would have joined in, but he wasn't feeling it as strongly, so he just silently stared at his desk as the teacher calmed everyone down.
"Hey, Sensei don't lump me in with these losers. They might be lucky to end up as sidekicks to a low-level hero in some backwater district but I'm the real deal," Katsuki sneered condescendingly causing an outburst of protests from his angry peers. "Whatever, I'll take you all on."
Izuku sighed quietly. Was it even possible for him to be just a little respectful towards his classmates?
"You've got impressive test results. Who knows? Maybe you will get into UA," the teacher surmised.
There was a collective murmur from the students as their anger dissipated and was replaced by surprise, and for good reason.
UA High School was the top Hero school in Japan and considered one of the best in the world due to its history of producing top heroes like All Might, Endeavour, and Best Jeanist, as well as many other efficient heroes.
It only accepted a number of applicants every year with even fewer getting into the Hero course.
Izuku flinched.
That was one of the schools he had applied for, but Kacchan didn't know that, not that he needed to.
"That's why it's the only school worthy of me," Katsuki jumped on his desk. "I aced all the mock tests. With my quirk and skills, I'm the only one at this shitty school who stands a chance of making it in. I'll end up more popular than All Might himself and become the richest hero of all time. People all over the world will know my name. And it all starts with UA High.
"Oh, that's right," the teacher remembered. "Midoriya, you wanted to go to UA as well."
Izuku's blood froze as all eyes were now on him.
'What the f…? Why?' he thought bitterly. 'Just why?'
Why did the teacher announce where he wanted to go in front of the whole class?!
They didn't need to know! As a matter of fact, it wasn't any of their business to begin with.
Almost immediately, they burst into laughter while jeering that it was impossible for him to do it because he was quirkless.
"A-Actually, they got rid of that rule a year ago," he argued weakly. It had been a major surprise when he found out considering UA's standards for students, but one he wasn't about to question. "Sure, there's never been a quirkless hero before, but I could be the first one."
As usual, his words fell on deaf ears as his classmates continued to mock him. The worst of it, however, came from Katsuki whose furious expression could only be described as demonic. Raising his hand, Izuku knew what was about to happen before it did and leaned back.
"DEKU! YOU WORTHLESS PIECE OF SHIT!" Katsuki screamed as his palm smashed down on his desk and created an explosion. The result was several burn marks across Izuku's desk, along with the poor boy being sent flying onto the ground. "You're even less than these worthless extras. You really think UA would let a quirkless freak like you in when they could have me?"
'Sadly no,' Izuku thought. 'Most hero schools tend to value the individual's quirk above their other traits. Well, most schools in general do.'
"I don't think that at all Kacchan," Izuku answered weakly. "It's just that, being a hero is all I've ever dreamed about. It doesn't hurt to try, right?"
That was obviously the wrong thing to say.
"You really think you could stand with the best of the best?" Katsuki sneered. "A weakling like you would die in the exam. Poor defenceless, quirkless, Deku! This school is shitty enough with you here. You really want to embarrass it more by fucking up the exam."
"Yeah," another student joined in. "You'd only end up embarrassing yourself like you normally do."
"Not to mention that UA abolishing the rule was just a publicity stunt," another student added. "There's no way they would actually allow you in."
"Someone like you can never be a hero, so just give up already," came another taunt.
Other students laughed at the display while the teacher went through his phone, seemingly unaware of what was happening (though Izuku doubted it).
Izuku just sat there and took it all quietly as he always did. Sometimes he wondered why he even bothered trying when no one ever took him seriously.
Not even his parents.
He also wondered why they constantly felt the need to remind him that he was quirkless. He had known since he was four and wouldn't be forgetting anytime soon. So what if he lacked the one thing everyone else had. Why was that so important? He hadn't asked to be born quirkless. Why couldn't they all be happy with who he was, not what he had?
"Okay, that's enough," the teacher interrupted. "Midoriya stop causing a fuss and return to your seat. We have a lot to get through."
Izuku should have been hurt that the teacher was blaming him for the disturbance, but unfortunately, this was common. If anything, he was lucky the man hadn't punished him, though maybe he was in a good mood.
Class dragged on slowly for Izuku as he tried to focus on the lesson while at the same time ignoring the condescending glances he received. The fact that people were throwing paper at him when the teacher was not looking wasn't making it easier. Still, he endured, and eventually, the bell rang much to his relief.
As Izuku was putting his things in his bag Katsuki came up and snatched his notebook.
"We're not done here Deku," he said with clear venom.
'Seriously! Why can't he just leave me alone?' Izuku mentally complained.
He wasn't doing anything wrong. He wasn't challenging Katsuki or anything. He wasn't even looking down on him (like he always accused him). He just wanted to follow his dream and become a hero who saves people like All Might. Why was that so wrong?
Besides, it wasn't like he had anything left to hold onto in this world.
"What's that? His diary?" Nagashi intervened. "Don't tell me you're taking notes on how to be a hero. That's so pathetic."
"Yeah. It's pretty much been established that quirkless people can't become heroes," Muku jeered. "Try a garbage man instead. You should feel perfectly at home with the trash."
Izuku tightened his fists. Could they not just give him one… just one break?
If what Katsuki did next was any indication, then the answer was no.
He put his hands together and blew up his notebook.
Izuku let out a strangled cry of horror, which was only furthered by his childhood friend throwing it out the window.
"Most first-rate heroes show potential early on, and people know they're destined to be great. When I'm the first and only student to move on from this shitty school to UA people will know it for sure. They'll think I'm the next number one. That's not ego talking I just know I'm that good," Katsuki bragged. "Unlike some people." Reaching out he placed his hand on Izuku's shoulder and activated his quirk causing him to squeal as Katsuki burned his shoulder. "So let me give a bit of friendly advice Deku. Don't even think about applying, or else."
The way he said it could only be described as a promise to do something painful if Izuku didn't comply.
Content that he had made his point, Katsuki began to walk off with his lackeys while Izuku remained standing silent.
"He finally gets it. He'll never be a hero," Nagashi gloated.
"Better to find out now than later. At least it'll save him the humiliation when he fails afterwards," Muku added.
Right at the door, Katsuki turned with a smug look. "You know if you really want to be a hero that badly, there might be a way. Take a huge swan leap off the roof and pray you'll be reborn with one in your next life."
Izuku's entire body froze. He couldn't move. He could still breathe but that was about it.
Katsuki wasn't the first person to suggest that, but he was the first to say it out loud. Izuku was still trying to process it when the trio abruptly left.
Not long after they left, Izuku collapsed on his knees and started breathing heavily. He couldn't believe it. His f… Katsuki had just told him to commit suicide. He said it with a straight face like it was nothing.
Maybe it was just a mistake. There's no way he would have actually meant it, right? After all, Kacchan was going to be a h-
'What kind of hero tells someone to kill themselves?' a voice in the back of his head questioned. 'And since when is being a bully, someone who beats another person down, considered great?'
Izuku tried to push the thoughts down since he shouldn't be thinking them, but they wouldn't stop.
'Why? You know it's true.'
Izuku rushed out of the classroom to retrieve his notes.
There was absolutely no way Kacchan meant what he said. If he committed suicide, then he would be implicated for it and he would never get into UA and become a hero.
'Even if that's the case. It doesn't justify his treatment. It doesn't justify any of the others.'
Izuku pushed the thoughts to the back of his head and hurried home.
It didn't matter what anyone said or did. He had gotten used to this treatment and not once had it deterred him. If he didn't give up then, he wouldn't give up now.
Besides, it's not like his life could get much worse.
Between
Oh, wait. It did.
Building Rooftop Forty Minutes Later
Izuku was panting heavily as he recovered from his second near-death experience that day.
Second?! What was the first?
To make a long story short, Izuku was walking home when a villain whose quirk made him a sludge-like being attacked him and tried to overtake his body. Just when he thought it was over, All Might, the All Might, Japan's Symbol of Peace and No.1 Hero, who was also his idol and inspiration for being a hero, emerged from the sewer (I know, gross right? Not the sort of entrance you'd expect but it is what it is) and smashed the villain away.
That was near-death experience number one.
Near-death experience two came after Izuku woke and tried to speak with All Might who was quite adamant on leaving. Just as he took off Izuku grabbed his leg and was taken high into the air. At first, All Might tried to shake him off until Izuku pointed out that he would die if he let go. So, All Might landed safely on a nearby building.
Thus, leading to this moment.
"Is it possible to become a hero without a quirk?" he asked desperately, pleadingly.
He had to know, he needed to know. All Might had always been the one who said it was possible for anyone to become a hero.
If he said it was then maybe, just maybe, he could.
Izuku was about to say more when he noticed an unusual amount of steam building up, and it was coming from All Might.
"What the?" Izuku started.
The steam eventually consumed All Might fully and when it dissipated there was a skinny gaunt man wearing the same outfit.
Izuku could hardly believe his eyes. He knew it was him, but part of his brain was screaming in denial that this wasn't him. It had to be someone else, an impostor.
'His eyes are the same. His hair is the same. His clothes are the same. And he's standing in the same spot. No matter what way you look at it, this is All Might.'
Instead of trying to push the thoughts down this time, Izuku accepted them wholeheartedly because there was way too much logic and evidence to deny it.
"A-All M-M-Might," he stammered. "How? How are you? Is this your quirk?"
It may have been too soon to jump to a conclusion, however, given the fact that no one knew what All Might's quirk truly was, it was a safe bet. There were online and public debates about it, but most just assumed it was super strength (given his feats it wasn't hard to see why).
"Partially," he admitted as he sat down against the bars. "I'm counting on you to keep your mouth shut on this one. Don't go telling your friends or bragging about it online to everyone else."
All Might then pulled up his shirt and revealed a gruesome purple scar across his left side with a hole at the centre and several stitch marks on the lines leading up to it.
All Might then quickly explained the damage done and how he could only do hero work for three hours a day. He also explained how it was done during a fight he worked very hard to keep hidden five years ago.
"If that's the case, does mean your smile is fake?" Izuku asked quietly.
"A little," the hero replied. "I smile to hide the fear I'm feeling so that everyone else can feel safe."
Despite the shock of it all, Izuku found the revelation somewhat relatable.
'Because the smile you wear all the time is a fake for how you're really feeling.'
"This job isn't easy," All Might continued. It was then, the moment Izuku had hoped for (and dreaded) had arrived. "You just can't beat some villains without power. So, I can't honestly say you can become a hero without a quirk."
With those words, those simple yet painful words, Izuku's soul felt hollow.
'So, even he is the same.'
Izuku didn't bother pushing his thoughts back, not this time. All Might's words had laid things out plain for him to see.
Quirkless people couldn't become heroes.
This was his reality.
This was his life.
Years of emotional and physical abuse had finally reached its peak with all of his classmates, especially Kacchan, jeering that they told him so.
"I see," he responded quietly. "Thank you for being honest."
All Might gave him a look of pity (a look which made him feel worse) before sighing and walking away.
"If you really want to help people, become a cop. Sure, it's a job mocked for only receiving villains, but it is an admirable profession nonetheless," All Might tried to reassure him, albeit failingly. As he was about to leave, he said one last thing to Izuku that cemented everything. "Having a dream isn't bad, but you need to be realistic about it also."
And then he left, leaving a devastated Izuku standing there all alone.
Between
And the final stroke came only ten minutes later.
Destroyed City Area
Nearly dying three times in a row in the short span of one hour is not something to be proud of. Quite the opposite in fact.
Surviving all of them though, well, that could only be described as dumb luck.
After parting ways with All Might, Izuku came across a large crowd of people watching a villain attack.
Much to his horror, it was the sludge villain that tried to kill him earlier and he was holding Kacchan hostage. Even worse, Izuku realized this happened because of him . If hadn't grabbed onto All Might, then none of this would have happened.
It was all his fault.
However, when he saw Kacchan's eyes, eyes pleading for someone to help him, as he violently fought back against the villain's grip while none of the pros moved, something just clicked inside of him.
And he ran towards the villain.
'After everything, he put you through, is he really worth it?'
It didn't matter if he was or not. He needed help and no one else was doing anything. Besides, it was his fault, so he was fixing a mistake.
However, his attempts were rendered futile as the villain strung him in to die as well, only for All Might to intervene and rescue them. He said something to Izuku during it, but he couldn't remember what it was.
In the aftermath, Katsuki was praised for his bravery and his quirk by the pros and media, while Izuku was scolded for his ' reckless ' actions.
"Are you out of your mind? You could have been killed!" Death Arms patronised. "There's a limit to how rash you can be."
'Rash, right,' Izuku thought sombrely.
"Vigilantism is illegal regardless of the reason," Kamui Woods stated firmly. "You should have let the heroes handle the situation, not run forward like an idiot."
"Your actions could have gotten others caught in the crossfire," Death Arms continued. "Frankly, it's a miracle no one died."
The hurtful accusations came one after another.
And yet, Izuku could offer nothing for a counterargument.
'Like they were doing any better.'
"I understand. Sorry," Izuku murmured weakly.
When he'd gotten the clear to leave, Izuku walked away slowly while All Might was hounded by reporters with new ones joining every minute.
It seemed like he would never getaway.
A short while later
An emotionally drained Izuku dredged home alone. He was still a bit sore from his encounter with the sludge villain but otherwise, he was okay.
He was used to pain by now.
"DEKU!" a familiar angry voice shouted.
Izuku turned and saw a very angry Katsuki running straight towards him.
'Oh, for the, I really don't want to deal with him right now,' Izuku internally whined.
Today was rough enough as it was, he didn't need any more.
"Listen here, you quirkless nerd! I didn't need your help! I was just fine on my own! Don't you dare look down on me for thinking otherwise! No matter what you do, you'll always be useless, quirkless, defenceless Deku and nothing more!" Katsuki ranted. "I don't need you or anyone else! You useless fuck!"
He then stormed off with Izuku just staring helplessly.
"When," he started. "When have I ever looked down on you?"
Flashback end
Needless to say, it had been an extremely bad day for him.
Multiple derogatory insults, including a suicide comment, from his classmates.
His property was destroyed.
Physical abuse.
Nearly dying at the hands of a villain.
Being told straight to his face by his idol that he couldn't be a hero because he was quirkless.
Causing a villain attack and then getting scolded by the pros afterwards.
And then receiving more verbal abuse from a friend.
Tears started falling down from his face as he scrunched up into a ball on the couch.
"Why? Just why?" he questioned. "What did I ever do to deserve all of this? Was it being born quirkless? I didn't ask for that. It's not my fault. It's not my fault."
Memories he tried suppressing on a daily basis started to resurface.
Memories of him being verbally abused by his peers.
Memories of him being tripped up shoved into lockers or trash cans, people throwing paper at him and then being made clean it up afterwards, or people accidentally tripping into him while simultaneously elbowing him.
Memories of people beating the shit out of him because he did something wrong.
The death threats.
Memories of his teachers never coming to help and giving him detention for the smallest of things.
However, most of it was done by Katsuki with many others joining in.
"Maybe I should take a swan dive and hope I'll be reborn with a quirk," he lamented. "It's not like I've got a lot of options at this point. And besides, it's not like anyone would miss me if I died."
Especially since there was no one who could miss him.
Despite all of this, he couldn't help but wonder why.
What had he done to deserve such misery?
'Nothing. You did nothing.'
That couldn't have been right. He must have done something.
'No. You didn't. Charm it up whatever way you want but you being quirkless does not justify them making your life a living hell for ten years straight.'
Izuku tried to argue against it but found himself unable.
He must have been wrong though.
They weren't in the wrong. He was. Wasn't he?
Their behaviour was…
Their attitude was…
The situation was…
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Bullshit.
It was fucking bullshit!
Something odd overcame Izuku as he felt thing's he knew were there but never outwardly expressed, only suppressed.
Anger! Rage! Hate! Disgust!
All the negative emotions he had bottled for years resurfaced as he revalued the people he knew in a more, what was it, realistic light.
His classmates were arrogant, stuck-up jackasses who thought they were so high up just because they had quirks.
Izuku found it laughable that so many of them thought they could be heroes with quirks like theirs. Nagashi with his long fingers, the long neck kid, the boy who could take his eyeballs out, the girl with a lightbulb quirk, and the guy who could bloat his face; their quirks were hardly the most useful in a real fight against villains. As were many of his classmate's quirks, though that wasn't to say they weren't useful in general.
His teachers were utterly incompetent. They turned a blind eye to the bullying just so students could feel good about themselves. Not to mention they weren't even that good at teaching. Izuku could remember several times when they had made a mistake on the board, and he'd had to look up the proper explanation later.
All Might was a liar. He said anyone could become a hero, but their meeting today proved otherwise. Izuku wouldn't say he hated him, but he certainly didn't view him as an idol anymore.
And Ka-, no, Bakugo was the worst of them all. He was a stuck-up, self-entitled piece of shit who never thought twice about crushing his dreams and self-worth. He wasn't his friend and hadn't been for years. Friends don't kick the shit out of you every day of your life just because you tried to help them out of a river.
He wasn't his friend, he was his bully, his day-to-day tormentor and nothing more. The fact was going to get into UA and become a hero while getting off scot-free with everything he had put him through made Izuku's blood boil.
"It isn't fair. None of its fair," Izuku growled. "I followed all the rules, kept inside the lines, and never asked for anything else. I worked so hard, and no one seems to care." The image of his tormentor's faces entered his mind again, as did All Mights. "I don't care anymore. I've had enough. I'm tired of pretending everything is okay when it's not." A small tear fell from his face. "If they all get what they want, then where's my happy ending? If they all get one, don't I?"
Izuku wiped his face and glared out at the room.
In addition to his other negative emotions, he felt something incredibly strong.
Revenge!
He wanted to hurt them like they had all hurt him.
He wanted to break them, as they broke him.
Most of all, he wanted to make them feel as helpless and useless as he did.
He really, really, really wished he had the means to do so. Because as he was now, there was nothing he could do.
All Might may have been right about one thing. Without power, there wasn't much he could do. And he hated it.
With a dark aura surrounding his body, eyes filled with pain and vengeance, the young boy whispered five simple words.
"I wish I had power!"
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Izuku.
Izuku looked up surprised. He glanced around the room, but no one was there.
"What?" he said. "Did someone? No, that can't be right. I'm probably just tired that's all."
Izuku.
Izuku got up and started checking the rooms because this time he was sure he heard someone call his name. However, his search turned up nothing.
Izuku.
There it was again. It was a woman's voice.
Izuku.
Her voice was soft, gentle, and soothing. Like a mother to her child.
Izuku.
Seriously, where was the voice coming from?
"Hello. Is someone there?" he called out.
Izuku.
The woods.
Come to the woods.
"A-And why would I do that?" he asked nervously. Did she seriously expect him to just go along with it? "You could be some villain for all I know."
After today, he felt he was justified in being paranoid.
Izuku.
Come to the woods.
"Again, why would I?" he questioned as he grew more tired.
Izuku.
Come to the woods.
"Un-Unless-ss y-you t-t-tell m-meeeeee, whyyyyyyyy," Izuku found his vision failing as he struggled to remain conscious.
Izuku.
Come to the woods.
For several moments, Izuku remained still. Then he started walking towards the door and put his shoes and coat on. Exiting the apartment, Izuku started walking in a direction he didn't normally.
A short while later
Izuku was awake, or at least conscious. He knew he was moving through a quiet town. He could see his surroundings very clearly. Few people were moving out and about with others socialising in restaurants. None of them paid him any heed as he passed by.
Izuku.
Come to the woods.
The voice was becoming louder now, stronger.
Was he getting closer to the source?
Just a little bit more Izuku.
Then we can talk properly.
Who was this woman?
How was she communicating with him from such a great distance?
Was it a quirk?
No. It had to be something more than that.
Izuku knew there was some power behind the woman's voice. A voice so soft, yet so beautiful and captivating that it was no surprise that someone would follow it. However, what made no sense was the effect on his body.
Even though he was very much aware of what was going on, Izuku's body was moving on its own and he couldn't stop it.
Please keep walking.
You're so close now.
Izuku entered the forest alone with nobody there to stop him.
The forest was bigger on the inside than out with a multitude of flora and large near the pathway.
'Funny. I don't think I've ever been here before,' he thought. 'Not even with Mom.'
Take a left and continue onward.
Izuku's body did as it was told and Izuku found himself straying from the path as he proceeded towards a darker section of the woods.
In the distance, he could see a faint glimmer of green light.
Go to it and you will see.
Izuku did as he was told and moved towards the light. With each step he took, it became bigger and brighter.
Fear plagued Izuku's mind as he walked towards the unknown, but also curiosity. There was something alluring about the light, something enchanting.
As he walked, plants started to part ways much to Izuku's wonder. He still wasn't sure if it was a quirk or not but decided not to question it for now.
As he came to an end, he heard the voice again.
At long last, you're here.
Izuku entered what looked like a dome made up of blackthorn vines, and various flowers (some of which were strange to him) on the ground.
At the centre of the dome lay an object that had Izuku's full attention.
A sceptre.
It was nearly as tall as him, made of wood with a glass sphere at the top. The green light that had been guiding Izuku was emitting from the sphere and was lighting the whole room.
As soon as he laid eyes on it, Izuku felt control of his body return causing him to gasp.
"What?" Izuku started before closing his mouth. There was only one question he had on his mind, only one that mattered. "Who are you?"
For a minute, there came no answer.
Someone like you.
Someone who was badly hurt and wronged simply for being what they are.
Someone who lost the things most precious to them and were continuously walked over even after.
The voice hesitated for a moment.
But also like you, I am someone who wanted revenge against those who wronged me.
Izuku frowned. How she could she possibly know that about him? He hadn't even wanted those things until earlier.
I sensed your pain.
Out of the millions in this land I sensed you because it was as strong as mine was.
Izuku was a bit unnerved by that. Earlier when he was venting his feelings, that was the first time he had ever allowed his negative emotions to run rampant without holding them back. They couldn't have been that strong, could they?
I sensed your anguish, your sorrow, your despair, and your loneliness.
When I did, I knew you needed help.
Curiosity gnawed at Izuku like a cat scratching on the door. The rational side of him screamed that he should stop listening, run away, and forget this night ever even happened like a bad dream.
However, another part of him wanted to continue listening. Because for the first time in years, someone wanted to help him. Up until now, the only one to help him was himself (and to a lesser extension his father).
"How?" Izuku said nervously. "How would you help me?"
The Sceptre.
I want you to take it and claim its power.
Become its next wielder.
Okay, now Izuku was just confused.
"Power? Wielder?" he muttered. "Is it some sort of weapon?"
In a manner of speaking.
It can be used as a weapon, but it may also be used for other practices.
Its past users ranged from combatants to healers to architects to guardians.
"Wait for a second!" It dawned on Izuku where this was going. "Are you saying it can grant people quirks?"
The voice laughed at his response.
No dear.
Not quirks.
Magic.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
"I beg your pardon," Izuku exclaimed, not quite believing what he just heard. "I think I may have misheard you. You said it was."
Magic.
Yes. Yes, I did.
Izuku was almost certain he should start running, but something was keeping him from doing. And he was certain it wasn't the sceptre.
"That can't be possible. There's no such thing as magic," Izuku denied. "Anything considered magic in the past or today has been regarded as science we don't understand yet."
The voice snorted.
Believe me, I'm aware.
One of my past wielders said the same thing until they were shown otherwise.
I assure you; magic is real.
About as real as you or I.
Izuku was still having trouble believing it.
Let me ask you something.
Superpowers were considered nothing but a fantasy once upon a time.
Then the Age of Quirks began, and that fantasy became reality.
Is it not possible for magic to be the same?
'She's not wrong,' Izuku admitted. "Let's just say for a minute I believe you, regardless of how crazy it sounds, why would you pick me? I'm quirkless. There are many people out there who are far stronger than me who could wield your power. So, why me?
There was a small flash from the sceptre and several images appeared.
Izuku helping Katsuki out of the river.
Izuku defending another child from Katsuki and his lackeys.
Izuku being polite and friendly towards others, regardless of their attitude towards him.
Izuku saving Katsuki from the Sludge villain.
Izuku helping a few people through small acts.
Izuku watching heroes save other civilians with a smile on his face.
And several of Izuku with his mother.
I don't care if you are quirkless.
In fact, several of my past wielders were and they were some of the best.
You want to know why I deemed you worthy of my power.
It isn't just because our pain is similar.
It isn't just because you want revenge.
It's because even with all of that, and after everything you have been through, you still have a good heart.
Whether that remains after taking my power or not I do not know.
I do know I would rather have my power bestowed upon someone pure like you than someone who isn't.
"Revenge and hatred aren't pure," Izuku argued.
No, they are not.
However, they are not the worst.
So, tell me, what is your answer?
Izuku knew right then and there he should have run.
He should have gone home and never thought about this again.
What made him stop?
There was nothing to go back to, or rather, nothing worth going back for.
If he went back home, his life would remain unchanged. He would still be useless Deku who was bullied every day, held back by teachers and society for being quirkless, denied a proper future based on what he did not have.
If he went home, he would suffer every day for the rest of his life until he died.
But here and now, what he was being offered, while it could lead him down the path to villainy it would be a better life than the one, he had now. It had to be.
As someone who was alone, friendless, and empty he had nothing to lose, and everything to gain.
And so, with a newfound determination in his eyes, Izuku took a step forward.
"Yes!" he answered.
The voice offered no response, but Izuku somehow got the feeling it was smiling.
Izuku continued walking towards the sceptre as it glowed even brighter. Reaching out his hand…
"I don't have a lot of goals. But for now, my only interest is showing these idiots that I'm more than just a Deku they can look down ON!"
…and he grabbed the sceptre.
In an instant, Izuku was consumed by a massive green light.
Images of people and places he had never seen before flooded his mind.
A large, beautiful forest filled with creatures he had never seen before.
A blonde girl wearing a pink dress smiling.
A raven then man.
A black fire breathing dragon.
A knight in armour surrounded by fire raising a sword.
A hazy figure holding the sceptre.
A queen staring out at the vast army of darkness before her.
A child in the form of a mouse wearing red.
An old man with a long beard in blue robes.
A black figure with wings.
A man with blue flames for hair.
A boy crafting various potions.
A warrior holding a sword in both hands.
And a woman dressed in blue creating a castle of ice.
The images came and went quickly with Izuku barely being able to recall them as he did with the vast knowledge and power that was surging through his body. It was so overwhelming.
Despite this, Izuku held his ground. He had come this far. And he wasn't about to give up.
The light dispelled with gusts of wind blowing all around the area.
Standing in the centre was Izuku clutching the sceptre.
Thanks to the magic, his uniform had changed as he was now wearing a black jacket with grass-green accents over it much like his black trousers with green lines running down the sides. His shoes were replaced with black leather boots accompanied by black fingerless leather gloves. Additionally, a black cape with a dark green colour on the inside now lay on his shoulders held by silver chains via a green dragon brooch on his right shoulder.
His physical appearance remained mostly unchanged, mostly.
His hair became shorter in length and was now a darker shade of green to the point where it could almost be considered black.
His eyes had changed from dark green to emerald. And right now, they were glowing as a courtesy of the magic.
The freckles on his face disappeared.
But other than those, he looked the same.
Izuku stood there for several seconds taking everything in.
This sensation felt… different than what he was expecting.
It wasn't bad. On the contrary, he had never felt more alive now than he ever had before.
Raising the sceptre, his sceptre up, he brought it down into the ground and…
"HHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"
…screamed as a large beam of green energy blasted from the sceptre upward searing through the wood and into the sky.
(Insert Maleficent: Path of Destruction)
The sky began to rock violently as strong winds blew while thunder and lightning flourished.
Many civilians and heroes looked up at the forest in shock and confusion as the weather rapidly changed.
Across Japan
In the dark corners of a lab, a raven cawed out.
A blue-haired man out for a jog stopped at the sight.
A purple-haired man out on his home's balcony looked up in surprise.
A blonde woman from her hotel stared out with curiosity.
A brown-haired girl shivered in her garden.
A man out walking stared at the sky in shock.
A being from the ocean came to the surface just to see.
"This feeling," he muttered. "It can't be."
Many other groups, both hero and villain took note of it and were concerned. Especially All Might.
Katsuki stared out of his window and muttered "What the fuck!"
Back with Izuku
(Theme End)
The light from the sceptre dissipated, much to Izuku's satisfaction.
Then, for the first time in a long time, he smiled.
A true genuine smile.
"Now! Let's begin!"