Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Izuku Midoriya, a young child with an aspiring dream of becoming a hero, was born into a world where quirks seemed to mean everything. Yet by the age when someone usually manifests a quirk, a superpower of their own, Izuku had nothing. One anxious trip to the doctors seemed to confirm it and shattered Izuku’s whole world.

“Sorry kid, it’s not gonna happen.” The doctor said quite bluntly, no reaffirming soft tone or anything. Just ‘you are quirkless’. He and Izuku’s mother, Inko Midoriya, talk about how there is little to no likelihood of Izuku having a quirk as he has two joints in his pinky toe. One joint means the body is more evolved and streamlined, Izuku held out some tiny glimmer of hope that he’s in the little chance and still manifests a quirk, but it wasn’t enough. He was in the 20% of people without a quirk, and wants to be a hero at that.

Izuku broke down that night, he kept watching All Might’s debut video, over and over again with tears building in his eyes. His mom tried to comfort him and apologised, wishing things were different, but that broke the boy even more, he didn’t need to be told that.

~~~~~~~~

Izuku tries his best in his school life, but being branded as quirkless destroys a kid's reputation. It essentially turned him into a punching bag for the other kids and no one ever bothered to pick up or ask about it. The teacher’s ignored any whimpers of pain or any bullying behaviour, they couldn’t afford to knock a ‘talented’ child down after all. His mother was worried, of course she was, but Izuku was very closed about everything and she never wanted to pry when Izuku told her he was okay.

His dream of being a hero was still well and truly alive, he wanted it so badly and he even started looking up ways to be quirkless and still fight like a hero. Granted, a lot of them are definitely from vigilantes who had ill-tailored quirks or were in fact quirkless and Izuku didn’t know if he should listen to vigilantes, since society liked to brand them as villains. His mother peaked into his room one time when Izuku fell asleep whilst watching the tutorials, it gave her an idea. If Izuku was determined to be a hero she realised that she can’t deter him anymore and should find a way to support those dreams. Yes, he may be crushed emotionally afterwards, but it’s better for him to live and learn instead of being afraid for her little boy. She went to work the next day and asked her quirkless colleague for advice.

“Hey Izuku, would you like to join a martial arts school?” His mother asked over dinner.

“Why would I do that?” The boy had many things to think about at once, why was his mother asking about this now, did she know about the bullies, or the interest in quirkless fighting or…it seems he was muttering and his mother bent down to answer his question.

“If you want to be a hero, I want to support you, Izuku. I don’t like the idea of you getting hurt, but I saw your video and after a talk with my friend, the one who’s also quirkless, she gave me some tips. She also wanted to be a hero at one point, but she said she lost the motivation when she couldn’t keep up with the training. If you really want to be a hero, you’ll need to have skill instead.” Inko didn’t like it, but it’d also help against bullies whilst not pushing her child into a corner.

Izuku’s eyes lit up like stars whilst he beamed a smile like the sun, his hopes and dreams all brought back in an instant. “Of course I’d love to join one! I want to be a hero!” Izuku was bouncing about, All Might figure in hand and nothing made Inko more happy than the joy on her boy's face.

~~~~~~~~

They arrived at the martial arts school, Inko signed Izuku up for weekend classes to not distract from school. Inko approached the receptionist and signed them in as a new student and parent who’s observing the lessons. She disliked having to write in the application that Izuku was quirkless, it shouldn’t really matter in her mind, but it’s for the peace of mind for the dojo that they know potential hazards.

Izuku is taught how to position himself and hold certain fighting stances, he picks these up quite easily as he knows he wants to do his best. However, something weird happened when the teacher repositioned Izuku to get him into a proper battle stance. A slight tingle, basically a shiver shoots through his body. He presumes it may have just been nothing since any other corrections from the teacher didn’t do the same.

At the end of the lesson, all Izuku had learned were stances and one type of jab that’s good for knocking down a single opponent who’s not expecting them to fight back. A child around his age walks up to him nervously and looks like he wants to ask something.

“Hey, Midoriya. What kind of quirk do you have?” The young boy asked.

“I-I-I’m quirkless.” Izuku looks down and shuffles anxiously, when the other kids found out about him being quirkless he was bullied relentlessly and no one wanted to interact with him other than to make fun of him.

“I’m basically the same, my quirk is Suggestion. I can put a suggestion in people’s minds and they’ll feel like it’s their own thoughts. I get called a villain because people blame me for ‘suggesting’ them to do things. Kids beat me up for it too.” The kid smiles softly and Izuku feels like he’s understood a lot more now, though he dislikes that this kid is being treated like a villain because kids are blaming him for their wrongdoings.

“Sorry, I didn’t get your name earlier, I’m Izuku Midoriya, nice to meet you.” Izuku smiled brightly.

“I'm Yuuto Nakamura, nice to meet you too Midoriya.” He smiled and held his hand out to Izuku. Izuku shook the kid's hand and there it was again, a small shiver down his whole body. “You alright Midoriya?”

“Yea, I just felt weird. I felt the same when Miss grabbed my hand earlier to fix my stance. I didn’t feel it after either.” Izuku pokes the boy's hand to see if it’d happen again. Nothing again, it confused him. He thinks back to when he’s been distracted by bullies or whoever else and realises that at some point he’s felt like that, but he’s assumed it was because they unsettled him. “Nothing. Weird.”

“As long as you’re okay it’s fine. I’ve got to go now, but I hope to see you again!” Yuuto runs off to his parents and waves off Izuku.

Izuku runs back to his mom excitedly, “Mom, mom! I think I made a friend!” He was so happy to have someone who wasn’t constantly blasting him for being around, but Izuku knows Katsuki is complicated in his own way.

“I’m happy for you my sweet Izuku, you deserve a good friend.” She gave him a warm and loving hug. When they reach the reception she books the next session, she feels like it will be beneficial since Izuku made a friend too.

~~~~~~~~

After seven years the boys sparred well together and against the other students, new and old. They worked themselves to be the best they could be, to be the strongest, to be able to take on those who threatened each other and to eventually become heroes. Inko and Yuuto’s mother got on well, his father wasn’t around much to get to know Inko too well, but he was still around a little more than Izuku’s non-existent one.

One night, after returning home from school, he found that his mother was sobbing in the kitchen. A soup ladle she had been using for their dinner had been dropped and left on the kitchen floor, soup splashed around the tool. She clutched her chest with one hand and the other was trying to stay stable on the kitchen counter.

“Mom, are you alright, what’s the problem? Do you need something?” Inko shook her head and opened her arms up for a hug. Izuku pulled her in close and gave her a comforting hug, just like she’d done for him all these years.

“Izu- I-I. Can we sit down?” She sniffled.

“Of course. Let me turn the stove off and clean up the floor first okay.” He said, as he turned off the heat on the soup.

“Thank you Izuku.” She said shakily.

Izuku picked up the ladle and placed it in the sink, he cleaned up the soup remnants with a washcloth and rinsed it under the tap before placing it down. He sits down next to his mother to offer a comforting presence. “What happened?”

“I don’t know how to say this. Izuku, s-sometimes in life, bad things h-happen to good p-people and.” Izuku didn’t like where this was going as he watched his mother choke on her own tears and clogged up throat. “Izuku, there was an incident. A villain attacked Yuuto and his parents when they were returning from his school.” Izuku’s heart sank, no, not Yuuto. Not his parents. He shouldn’t have to lose the best thing to happen to him in his life. “His mother has died and his father is in a grave condition, he most likely won’t make it. They put me down as a contact because of you Izuku.”

“And Yuuto…Is he?” Izuku cried out, tears bubbling in his eyes.

“I’ve been told he’s stable, but he’s in a coma, they don’t know when or if he’ll wake up. His injuries were bad as well. The police said the culprit handed himself over to the nearest hero after what he did, I think Yuuto did that.” Inko cried, but the last of her tears came out, all that she could do now was sob for one of her best friends' deaths. 

The Midoriya’s cuddled on the couch until both of them fell asleep, no one was eating tonight after the news they were delivered.

Over the next few weeks Inko and Izuku visited Yuuto, unfortunately Yuuto’s father also passed away from his injuries the night after they had the call. Yuuto’s condition hadn’t really changed other than being stable. However, it could still be weeks or months until he wakes up.

A detective and a social worker walked into the hospital room, looking for Inko. She had opted to take Yuuto in if he hadn’t had family around, and it turned out any family that did exist hated the boy's quirk so they’d prefer him to be up for adoption. They needed to finalise the papers and it made sense for a detective with a lie detector quirk and a social worker to make the best decisions.

“Hi ma’am you remember me right?” The detective asked.

“Tsukauchi right?” Inko replied.

“That’s me. I’m here to report that unfortunately the boy has nowhere else to go, I have a social worker here to either sign him into the system or, if we go through what we agreed before, he can be under your care as you were their contact, Ms. Midoriya.” Tsukauchi explained.

Inko sighs, she knows about the other family members' hatred, and she also knows that the kid’s going to get hurt in the system because of his quirk. “I agree to take him under my care, I don’t trust any legal establishment to take care of him properly, because of his quirk.”

True. “This is a big decision, doing it out of pity may not be best for the boy.” He proposed.

“My boy is quirkless, and this child has been labelled villainous just because his quirk can’t leave evidence and kids blame him for their misdeeds. He and my son became quick friends because they saw each other as kids wanting to follow their dreams, not what society shoves onto them. Yuuto is like a little nephew to me, I was close with his mother and Izuku and him are best friends. I think it’s best if I take him in and give him the care he needs.” Inko explained, tears threatening her eyes.

True. Tsukauchi nods and allows the social worker to sit down with Inko and sign everything. The detective turns to Izuku since the business between the other two adults is going on. “So kid, who’s your favourite hero?” He asked in an attempt to cheer the boy up.

Izuku’s eyes widened and sparkled. “All Might, he’s the coolest and he always saves everyone with a smile! I wanna be like him someday!” 

True. Passive quirk be damned, he knew that was going to be true. “Really? So what kind of hero are you going to be?”

“I’ll be the first quirkless hero, I’ll show everyone that you can be a hero no matter what!” Izuku said, buzzing with excitement.

True. Tsukauchi smiled softly. “I can believe it kid, you sure seem to be getting the muscles for it. You know, there are heroes that basically fight quirkless so I better see you up there in a few years time. Or not, you may be more suited for underground work, who knows.” 

He has broken Izuku, Izuku has never had a random adult have so much faith in him, he could sense it was genuine faith and not the fake stuff some people slap onto their faces. He doesn’t know what came over him but he hugged the detective. “Thank you. No one really says that to me, all I am is useless Deku. It means so much-” He realised he launched himself onto a stranger and started sobbing on them. “I’m so sorry!” He hastily got out and he backed away.

True. He knows the extent of the discrimination that some quirkless people receive, and the fact that if he wasn’t the one on the job some cases get closed without being resolved. He hated it, but he can’t reinvestigate those cases without being assigned to it. “Useless Deku? Did some kids come up with that, because to me it sounds like they’re jealous.” He frowned.

“Yeah.” Izuku said as he scratched his arm slightly. He chuckled slightly, “I don’t think they’d be jealous of me though.”

True. “Midoriya, you know, if there’s anything you want or need to tell me, I’d believe you. I-I’ve seen how people treat kids with weak or no quirks, and those they perceive as villains. If you ever need to report anything, come to me.” Tsukauchi whips out his card and passes it to Izuku, he’s the only one who will take this kid seriously if he reports his issues.

“T-thank you sir. But I’m alright!” Izuku smiled painfully.

Lie. He knows he can’t push the kid to reveal his secrets, but the lie stung, this kid is suffering and he can’t help it.

“I will still be a hero, one who will always smile in the face of danger, just like All Might. I will save everyone that I can.” ‘Even if that means I save myself.’ Izuku thought.

True Tsukauchi was hit hard by that declaration, he can feel that Izuku will make his dream a reality. He pats Izuku’s head and ruffles the kid's hair, smiling softly, knowing that the kid will go places. He felt Izuku shudder under the pat and thought he did something wrong. “Sorry if I was rough, kid.”

“No, it’s fine. It happens the first time someone new has skin-to-skin contact with me, though I guess hair counts too? I don’t understand why.” Izuku admits.

True. ‘It sounds like a quirk, but he’s apparently quirkless. Maybe he has an activation requirement and never found it.’ “Are you sure that isn’t a reaction from a quirk, you could have one that requires a very specific activation method?”

Izuku chuckles, “I was diagnosed quirkless, the two toe joints and quirk scans for good measure. I don’t have a quirk factor.”

True. ‘That makes no sense, if it happened once or twice on contact then I’d waive it off, but he said this is EVERY person. Maybe his doctor was wrong.’ “Once or twice is a coincidence, but if it happens every time then I think you should get second or third opinions.” The detective said seriously.

“Did that too, no results. Sorry, I am just quirkless.” Izuku sadly admits.

True. “Sorry for hitting a sore spot, I thought it was just too weird to miss. You know?”

“Yeah. I am glad you’re so caring though. Thanks mister!” Izuku smiled.

Inko finalised the papers and sent the social worker on their way, she was grateful that the detective kept Izuku occupied and even brushed on the school topic gently and was even invested in thinking Izuku’s tick was possibly a quirk. Yuuto is now officially under Inko’s care, which she’s happy it went so smoothly, she just hopes Yuuto wants this himself. Tsukauchi thanks Inko again for being so kind to take Yuuto in and left, leaving Inko and Izuku to fret over Yuuto again.

<Inside Tsukauchi’s car>

*Ring, Ring. Ring, Ring.*

“Hey there Tsukauchi, what’s got you calling me today?” A deep voice said on the other side of the line.

“Toshinori, I know that you’ll be looking for a successor in a few years time. I know you want to possibly accept someone with a strong quirk, but I’ve just been amazed by a quirkless kid who’s dedicated himself to becoming a hero. He’s been training since he was young, his muscles reflect that and his motivation is strong! I think you’d love him.” Tsukauchi gushed out to this Toshinori fellow.

“What’s his name? I wouldn’t mind keeping an eye on him later on if he’s impressed you this much.” Toshinori asked.

“His name is Izuku Midoriya.” The detective smiled as he said it.

~~~~~~~~

Yuuto had woken up a couple months later, Izuku was still training on weekends, he had to for their dream and he’d make sure Yuuto caught up. Izuku was sleeping at the side of his hospital bed and Yuuto didn’t know why he was there or where his parents were so he nudged Izuku to try and get some answers.

“Huh, mooooom is it time to go?” Izuku yawned as he rubbed the sleep out of his eyes. He heard a small chuckle that didn’t belong to his mother and as he looked up he was met with the sight of silver eyes and long pink hair. “Yuuto! You’re awake!” Izuku hugged the boy and he was so happy.

Inko rushed in thinking something bad happened, but he teared up at the sight of Yuuto being awake and that he was even sitting up. “Yuuto dear, I am so glad you’re awake. Let me call the doctors they’ll need to perform their checks.” Inko pressed the call button on Yuuto’s bed, a doctor and nurse rushed in to see that the boy was awake.

“Where are my parents, why am I here?” Yuuto asked. “Izu? Auntie Inko?” He was going to panic, he needed to see his parents.

“Nakamura, I need to perform some check ups on you. Would you like these two to keep you company-” The doctor asked but was cut off.

“I just want my parents.” He started to cry. He looked at Izuku and accidentally activated his quirk in his panic, his mind demanding someone tell him.

Izuku casually blurted out, because of Yuuto’s quirk, “A villain got them Yuu, he almost got you too.” And then Izuku realised he didn't actually want to say that. Yuuto started breaking down and curled in on himself. Ultimately he had to be left alone to process everything. Inko understood that Izuku was accidentally hit with Yuuto’s quirk, her sweet boy wouldn’t be so harsh and she told the doctor as much. Yuuto eventually wanted Inko and Izuku back in.

His eyes were red and puffy, no doubt he cried to himself until he couldn’t anymore. “Sorry Izu, I didn’t mean to use my quirk on you.”

“Don’t apologise to me, you’re the one hurting right now.” Izuku grabbed Yuuto’s hand gently. “So whilst you’re hurting, I’ll be your hero, got it?” He smiled softly. Yuuto nodded.

“S-so w-w-what happens to me?” Yuuto asked, and he was scared about the answer.

“You come with us, Yuuto dear. I…don’t know if this is what you want, but I signed the papers to take you in. You’re like my nephew and I couldn’t abandon you.” Inko said gently.

Yuuto wanted to cry again, he thought he’d be sent off to an orphanage or something worse. “Thank you, Auntie. For taking me in.”

Inko brushed it off, and gave him her signature Midoriya mother hug. The trio are now a family and Yuuto appreciates it. He’s upset that he’ll never see his parents again, he wants to pay his respects to them when he can leave and he wants to break down all over again. He remembers his promise to Izuku and he will bounce back to be a duo with him, even if life’s dealt him a crappy hand.

~~~~~~~~

Years passed and Izuku was still stuck with the regular Bakugo goon squad in school. “What do you want now, Kacchan.” Unfortunately even with Yuuto transferred to his school, he got a different teacher. Izuku was bored at this point with Katsuki’s attitude and his squad for being such a bad influence on his ego. He hadn’t had the heart to defend himself from Katsuki’s small assaults, at the end of the day it was small burns on the shoulders he could deal with it. He wouldn’t bother going through the teachers' lectures either, he tried to defend himself against a random kid once and he was the one who got reprimanded for it. He had never seen his mom more furious than that day, she knew the situation without a single explanation. ‘Izuku attacked a student.’ and the scream of ‘I bet they attacked first, but you don’t care about that, you only care about your quirked kids.’

At the start of one faithful day, Katsuki targeted Izuku as usual. “I don’t know what you think you’re doing Deku, but we aren’t done.” Katsuki said after swiping Izuku’s analysis notebook. Katsuki has his two lackeys hovering around, Izuku thinks he could probably take all three if they were unaware, but would it be worth the rage. No was the answer to that question.

After Katsuki blew up his notebook and told him to end his life in hopes of getting a quirk in his next life, Izuku resigned himself to find Yuuto and get his notebook back. “I bet if I’d actually jumped off the roof he’d hate himself.” He muttered.

“What was that?” Yuuto looked concerned.

“Nothing, Kacchan said something stupid and it, he…well I hope he didn’t mean it.” Izuku tried to talk his way out. “He threw my notebook out the window and into the Koi pond, we need to go get it.”

Yuuto agreed, but he wouldn’t let that sentence go down without a chat afterwards.

“Get off. That’s not fish food.” Izuku said depressingly. He opened the notebook and it seemed like everything was still legible. He could easily rewrite it later on.

“Okay, now that we’ve dealt with that. I’m not dropping it, not this time.” Izuku wanted to interrupt, but he got Yuuto’s finger placed over his lips to silence him. “Izu. You muttered that he basically told you to jump off the roof, that’s not okay!”

“I really don’t think he meant it. But he’s lucky I’m not depressed about being quirkless or anything, because in another world I definitely would have been in a worse position and would have taken it to heart. Yuuto, I swear it is fine.” Izuku said seriously, no more on the topic.

“Izu, I’ll drop it, just for you. Either way, he’s still getting worse even if it is just a facade or a personality act he’s putting on.” Yuuto glared, but didn’t continue.

On their way home they went through their regular underpass route, they were unlucky enough to get ambushed by a villain. Izuku got caught by a villain who’s entire being is made out of sludge and Yuuto watched in horror. He’s going through the flashbacks of his own trauma, his parents pushing him back, trying to shield him…dying for him. The blood pooling around their bodies. Until he forced the villain to leave and surrender, with the knife still plunged into his stomach and was stumbling for help. The villain was apprehended just around the corner and the heroes spotted Yuuto walking out of the alleyway, stumbling over and clutching at the knife embedded in him.

Yuuto comes back to reality, time hasn't passed as much as he thought as he watches Izuku being choked…being taken over. He pushes his suggestion ‘I will let the boy go and stand away from the kids.’, he pushes hard so the villain can’t resist. The sludge man retracts his sludge form Izuku and walks backwards, staying a decent distance from the boys. They needed a hero and now if they had any chance at living.

As if he was called, All Might burst out of the sewer the sludge villain just came from and announced. “I AM HERE!” As he punched the villain into sludge pieces, fortunately for everyone being a sentient liquid kept the villain alive. He starts collecting the villain into a bottle and asks the kids, “Are you two boys alright? This villain must have given you quite the scare and I apologise for not getting him earlier.”

“He…he was trying to take control of my body, he had me in a hold and was trying to fill me with his sludge. My best friend here saved me, it was okay to defend me with a quirk right?” Izuku nervously told All Might.

“He must have a powerful quirk if he managed to get that villain off of you. What are your names and quirks, if I may ask.”

“I am Yuuto Nakamura, my quirk is Suggestion, I can place suggestions into peoples minds and if I focus most people follow them without resistance.” Yuuto said proudly.

“Ah, so you suggested the villain to stand down?” All Might seemed intrigued.

“Yes. Or he’d have k-killed my friend here.” Yuuto said shakily.

“I’m Izuku Midoriya.” All Might’s face slightly twitched at the name. “I am…quirkless, but I have trained my hardest to try and become a hero with Yuuto here. Though, no self defence class or martial art course prepares you to defend against someone with a sludge body.” He sighed sadly. “I’ll just have to analyse what happened and come up with a plan if there’s someone similar later on.” Izuku beamed.

‘This quirkless child seems to have trained most of his life, those muscles are quite something. Tsukauchi was correct when he said the kid had motivation and it still seems like he does. Perhaps I will give him the talk later. Shit my limit is nearly up.’ “I admire your motivation kid, quirkless or not I think you could make a great hero. However, I must leave now and put this villain away!” All Might jumped off in a rush, he hadn’t realised that in his rush the bottle wasn’t very secure and had fallen out mid-flight. The villain had the potential to escape.

“I didn’t get to ask for an autograph! Yuu, we should follow him, I wanna see some more fights or at least get my notebook signed!” Izuku rushed after All Might, basically dragging Yuuto along for the ride.

Explosions can be heard a little further downtown, Izuku wonders what the hell must have happened and that’s when it hit. He ran off from Yuuto and pushed through the crowd and saw that Katsuki was held by the sludge villain that All Might had caught earlier; he must have escaped when All Might jumped away.

‘I can’t just let Kacchan die. He doesn’t deserve it, no one does!’ Izuku thought and before he’d even known what he was doing he had rushed towards Katsuki and decided to throw his backpack at the villain’s eye. He processed earlier that the presence of spherical eyes and a mouth meant they were solid and not liquid. He wished he could do what Yuuto could do. He mentally wished the sludge villain to ‘leave Kacchan alone.’ and to his amazement he watched the villain slowly letting go, until Izuku got a headache and the sludge villain tried to attack Izuku again whilst trying to control Katsuki. ‘Why am I the one with a headache, Yuuto normally gets these by forcing his quirk.’ He dodges the sludge swipe and picks up a rock. He whips the rock using his wrist and it makes direct contact with the villain's other eye. ‘Yuuto isn’t here but he started following my suggestion instead…was that because I thought about his quirk? Emulating how it might work?’

Before he could get the answer All Might rushed in, grabbed both Izuku and Katsuki by the arm and smashed the villain so hard it started to rain. The pro heroes wanted to berate Izuku for his recklessness whilst praising Katsuki for his bravery. Izuku didn’t want this today, he decided he was confident. “He was suffocating, the villain was going to kill him and wear his body as a meat suit. You weren’t acting quick enough, wait no, weren’t acting at all. Any later and he would have died!” Izuku walked off after that, no point elaborating with people who didn’t try their best.

“IZUKU, you’re such an idiot!” Yuuto screamed as he rushed over and hugged his friend.

“Yuuto…have you been around this whole time? Or did you just get here?” Izuku asked seriously.

“I just got here, the crowds were blocking me from everywhere. Why?” Yuuto seemed concerned.

Izuku held his head, trying his best to nurse a headache. “I-I was the only one trying to help here and in my head I was sort of wishing you were here because your quirk would have been useful. So then I just had your quirk in mind and went with it.” Izuku was shaking.

“And? Then what happened?”

“I put the suggestion in my head and begged him to let Kacchan go and…he started to let him go…until I got a headache, you know, like you used to get early on. I-I think I used your quirk.” Izuku admitted.

Yuuto frowned. “But you’re quirkless, double, triple…and well quadrupled checked after that detective brought it up.”

‘Quirkless…mom's friend, I met her, shook her hand and asked her how it was being quirkless, I tried to be empathetic and understand her and my body felt weird after that…oh my god…did I copy myself into being quirkless all this time?’ Izuku’s mind was going a mile a minute. “Yuuto…I think I made myself quirkless by accident, I met my mom's friend who was quirkless, it was the first time I had that weird shudder and I asked her the specifics about being quirkless and I felt it and wanted to feel empathetic. I used my quirk to SEEM quirkless, which is interesting in itself.” Izuku was confident that was the case, it had to be or there’d be no reason for the sludge villain to retreat randomly.

Yuuto swallowed. “So, for YEARS you had been set like that, but now because of the stress and absolute need to save Katsuki, you somehow used my quirk?” Izuku nodded. “We can talk about it and try stuff later, we should get home since auntie will be worried about us no doubt.”

“Oh god. She’ll wring us out, we have to get going!” Izuku didn’t care about the quirk any more; he did NOT want to get ripped apart by his mother if she noticed the news today.

~~~~~~~~

“DEKU!” Katsuki shouted, breathing heavily as he obviously made an effort to catch up with Izuku. He went on a small self satisfying speech about not needing the help from someone who was quirkless and whatever else.

“Kacchan, I think I have a quirk. It manifested itself or well, I figured it out today.” Izuku admits happily.

“What was that?! You have a quirk.” He scoffed. “Prove it.”

“It’s a copy quirk, somewhat, if I used your explosions would you be angry?” Izuku asked carefully.

“Just use whatever, you won’t be able to touch me to copy my quirk anyways.” He grinned, thinking it could be a challenge.

“I said somewhat, I believe that when I was 3 my quirk manifested and I accidentally believed myself into staying quirkless for 11 years. If you touched me from when I had my quirk until now, I think I’ll be able to use your quirk.” Izuku explained.

Katsuki couldn’t understand, all copy quirks require touch and usually go away. “There’s no way you could use my quirk, but try and prove it you shitty nerd.” He grinned.

Izuku knew Katsuki’s sweat was like nitroglycerin, and that he can heat his hands to cause the liquid to explode. He focuses on Explosion’s parameters and feels his body shift slightly, he brings his hand up to his nose and smells the sweat ‘burnt sugar. Meaning nitroglycerin’ He puts his hands to his sides and focuses on making them heat up, crackles can be heard until * Boom* A small explosion went off. He then retreats his quirk back into quirklessness, that was safety to him now, not the explosions.

“DEKU!” Katsuki basically agreed he wasn’t going to be angry, if he breaks that he’s definitely crossing a line. “YOU BEST NOT USE MY QUIRK YOU HEAR ME!” He shouted.

“I won’t. But now I feel like I can reach you Kacchan, I can finally be your equal.” Izuku said happily. Katsuki stopped for a second in thought, huffed in faux anger and stormed off.

“I really thought he’d be worse than that.” Yuuto commented. “But good job on the explosions.”

“He doesn’t want me using his quirk, without his permission at least. It makes sense since I’m essentially stealing someone’s quirk for myself. I think I should call it ‘Genetic Imprint.’ Since it seems to affect my genetic makeup and the quirks are imprinted forever it seems.”

“I AM HERE!” All Might shouts as he pops out of an alleyway.

Both Izuku and Yuuto scream and hold each other for dear life, thinking they’re being attacked again.

“Oh wait, it’s just All Might. It’s okay to let go now, Yuuto.” Izuku petted the boy's hair, and Yuuto was about to lose sanity else.

“Is young Nakamura okay?” All Might worried he’d done something wrong.

“I’m fine, just…trauma I definitely need more therapy for after today.” Yuuto said with a sad smile.

“A healthy mind makes a healthy hero!” All Might gave him a thumbs up. “Could I ask for a moment of privacy with young Midoriya?”

“Anything you can tell me, you can tell him. He’s been with me through all of my problems and was the first person to support me outside of my mom. Being a quirkless kid and then having another child smile and believe in me, he should be here. If that’s okay sir.”

All Might sighs, “Whatever I reveal to you two cannot be repeated to anyone else, even your parents or guardians.”

“I swear, I will keep your secret All Might.” Izuku said seriously.

“I will take it to the grave.” Yuuto said with a strong determination in his eyes.

In a poof of smoke, All Might was gone and a skeletal looking man had replaced him. “And this is the real me, I can only hold my muscle form for about 3 hours a day. I pushed myself harder today to help you and that other boy from the sludge villain, and then came here.”

Izuku stammered. “You-you look like this normally?! What happened?”

“A villain managed to injure me pretty badly about 5 years ago.” All Might said.

“Toxic Chainsaw?” Izuku asked.

“You have some decent knowledge, kid, but no, this fight was never documented, you wouldn’t know him.” 

“Sorry to interrupt, but what’s your business with Izu?” Yuuto said somewhat protectively.

“Right. Young Midoriya, when I saw you rush into that fight, quirkless and confident. It stirred something inside me, it made me act even if it pushed me past my limit.” All Might admits. “If it wasn’t for you exposing how the situation should have been handled, I may have stood there like any other bystander, waiting for a hero that came too late. I apologise for not saving that young man sooner.”

“You said you were at your limit. It was a risk for you to take action at all, you risked your secret being exposed to save us because the other pros didn’t take any action. Thank you, All Might.” Izuku knew how the situation must have been, everyone has their own issues and limitations, it’s part of humanity.

All Might shook his head. “Either way, they say every hero that becomes a great hero has a story where their body moved on its own.”

Izuku starts coming to the realisation that All Might is talking about him too, which makes him tear up and clutch over his heart. His favourite hero not only told him that he could be a great hero. He MEANT it. ‘Wait, I want to test Tsukauchi’s quirk, I haven’t come in contact with him for years and I only found out about his quirk when I asked afterwards.’ Izuku closes his eyes and focuses on the lie detector, true or false regarding peoples statements. He feels the slight shift and keeps listening.

“So, young man. I deem you worthy of my power, my quirk is yours to inherit.” All Might announces.

Izuku feels the answer. True . Izuku straightens himself back up and slows his tears. “Inherit? Lie detector actually worked and got that as true as well.” He muttered.

All Might and Yuuto sputtered, “What was that?” All Might asked.

Izuku recomposted himself. “Before I accept your offer, I’d like to tell you that somehow I managed to gain or well, figure out my quirk. It only appeared as I tried to help Kacchan earlier.”

“That seems very late for a quirk? Did it need some kind of activation?” All Might quizzed the boy.

“I can only make a hypothesis, but I think it came through when I was with my mothers quirkless friend a long time ago. I shook her hand and got this weird shudder through my body. I was interested in her life and learned about what it was like being quirkless. However, when I did that, I think my body reacted to my thoughts and changed itself to appear quirkless. I have multiple records, x-rays, even quirk factor tests and all came back as ‘quirkless’ since I felt weird whenever someone new made contact with me, if you’d like proof.” Izuku explained.

All Might laughed, “I have a friend who’s basically a lie detector, he told me about you, so I believe you don’t worry.”

True. “Wait, you know about me?!” Izuku stood frozen, how long…why?.

“I’ve been searching for a successor for a while, and he felt your passion so he suggested that if you made it to U.A. I approach you as a possible candidate. It seems fate decided we should meet today instead.”

True. “I need to tell Tsukauchi his quirk is useful for anxious types like me, I love knowing that you’re telling the truth.” Izuku smiled.

All Might frowned. “You need to continue your story just a little bit. Why and how do you have Tsukauchi’s quirk right now?”

“Ah, yes. Whenever someone makes skin-to-skin contact with me for the first time, a small shudder or shivering feeling goes through my body. No matter how long after the initial contact it doesn’t happen again, so I believe I keep my access to the quirk as long as I can focus on it. It’s been years since I came in contact with Tsukauchi, but as long as I focused on what it was I could use his quirk. I think my quirk basically copies the genetic makeup of others and imprints them for me to bring back later.” He explained.

All Might seemed intrigued. “That quirk seems quite powerful young man, it’s not exactly a copy quirk, but it also is. Do you want to test if you can copy mine? My quirk can only be passed on willingly, but if you can copy it we could have two of my quirk and that would be quite the sight.” He chuckled at the possibility.

True. Izuku held out his hand for All Might to shake, he accepted willingly and…nothing, no shudder. “It seems you can only pass it on, I didn’t feel the shudder.”

“It was worth a try. So, back to the matter at hand, do you want to inherit my quirk, young Midoriya?” All Might reaffirmed his stance, quirk or no quirk, Izuku is the one he wants to pass his power to.

True. Izuku turns to Yuuto who nods in response. “I accept, All Might. Thank you! However, what is your quirk exactly?”

“Ah, yes, my quirk’s a mystery, I made sure of it for a reason. It’s name is One-For-All, one person improves the quirks strength and passes it on to the next one and so on and so forth and it’s with this power that I can save all those in need. Now, since you’ve accepted my offer and since you, Nakamura, know about it and want to go to U.A. alongside young Midoriya. I am going to create meal plans and training regimens for the pair of you. Midoriya seems to be further along than you, Nakamura, so you may need other requirements, especially with a mental quirk.” All Might explained.

“I slacked off a bit after I came out of my coma, I was scared off for a while.” Yuuto admits to All Might.

“I won’t pry, but if you ever need to talk I’m around and when you get into U.A. they have a great counsellor.” All Might smiled.

‘WHEN. Not if, he said WHEN.’ Yuuto started tearing up. “Thank you for having faith in me sir. I’ll do my best!”

“Okay, okay. Now get on home before people get worried.” All Might ushered them off.

~~~~~~~~

“We’re home mom! Sorry we were so late.”  Izuku said as he closed and locked the door behind the two of them.

“You two make me worry too much, you know that.” Inko said, shaking her head. “But you both seem fine so I’ll forgive you.” She teased.

True. ‘Oops forgot to remove that.’ He was about to become quirkless again, but he decided to copy his mothers quirk, feeling out how to pull things towards himself with telekinesis. He tests it slightly as he tries to pull a coin up to himself, he watches as it starts floating so he drops it before it goes anywhere. “Mom. I…I have a quirk.” Izuku told her.

She turned around and scrunched her face in confusion. “But the doctors?”

“Were technically correct. My quirk copies people’s quirks, genetically, but it also copied someone who was quirkless, your friend. It accidentally activated and I made myself quirkless and because I believed it for so long I actually appeared as quirkless. Watch.” Izuku explained as he floated the coin to his hand. “See. I used your quirk.”

“My baby has a quirk!” She dropped what she was doing and started gushing as he basically tackled Izuku into a hug.

“I love you mom, thank you for accepting it so easily.” Izuku smiled brightly.

“I love you, quirk or no quirk, Izuku. But also, you didn’t touch me to use my quirk, I read somewhere that copy quirks are rare and usually have a time limit and need contact.” She worried about the cause of the quirk since both her and Hisashi don’t have that kind of quirk.

“As long as someone’s touched me, I can use their quirk whenever I want. I used Yuuto’s earlier and the detectives to test it out. I don’t know, but I’ve named it Genetic Imprint. Can we get it registered?” Izuku said with excitement.

“We can do that tomorrow honey, today we celebrate!” Inko said, brimming with happiness, she was happy her son got a quirk since he always wanted one, not for the fact the quirk would help him. She knew even when quirkless her boy could have made it far, but now, he now he can thrive.

<All Might>

* Ring, Ring. Ring, Ring.*

“What do I owe the pleasure of this call?” Tsukauchi answered, he seemed tired from overworking.

“Tsukauchi, I ran into Midoriya today. He’s just like you said he’d be.” Toshinori said happily.

The detective chuckled, what a funny coincidence. “Glad you could see the kid like I did. Did you offer him your quirk?” 

“Yes, and he’s accepted. However, there was one interesting development today.” Toshinori chuckled.

“I saw the report, if that’s what you’re talking about. He’s reckless, but heroic. A bit like you to say the least.” Tsukauchi chuckled at the sputtering on the other end of the line.

“No, I mean that, he apparently accessed his quirk.” Any coffee Tsukauchi was in the middle of drinking has now covered his office’s computer screen.

“He’s quirkless, proven several times over. What quirk?” The detective said.

“I took it as word of mouth, but I wouldn’t distrust him off the bat. That villain did say something about the suggestion brat taking over his thoughts TWICE today. Once was when young Nakamura saved Midoriya earlier in the day. The second time, Nakamura was not near the site, and only Midoriya was. Midoriya used Nakamura’s Suggestion quirk.” He explained.

“So how was he quirkless if he can copy quirks?”

“That’s the problem, he said he copied a quirkless person first, Midoriya theorised that he can change his genetic makeup so when he accidentally copied a quirkless person as a child it stuck and he stayed ‘quirkless’ until someone was in need. He said to tell you that your quirk is great for anxious types like him, he loves knowing when people are telling the truth.” Toshinori laughed.

“He can use my quirk…I haven’t seen him in years!” There was a sharp gasp from the man. “He can…keep quirks. He’s definitely in danger if he accumulates the right combination of quirks, and it may be perceived as a villainous or cheat quirk, keep him safe.” The detective said seriously.

“I will.” Toshinori ended the call there, he knows it’s what people do with the quirk, not what it is that makes a person a hero or villain.

Training starts tomorrow, depending on how well it goes Midoriya may already be ready to inherit OFA, meanwhile due to Yuuto’s circumstances he’d need to be smart and strong to take on the exam.

Chapter Text

Over the past few months, Izuku and Yuuto have been clearing up Takoba beach. As expected, Midoriya has much more in the way of strength whilst Nakamura still has less muscle mass. They have both grown however, and All Might already passed his quirk onto Izuku as he was already built for it after a couple of months. In the extra time, Izuku’s trying to level out his power, any broken bones are easily excused as ‘I copied a strength enhancer and I need to adapt it.’, but he’d much prefer NOT breaking those bones to begin with.

In the beginning, it was figuring out whose quirks he’d obtained and how to use them for himself. One of Bakugo’s goons had wings, and as grateful as he is that Katsuki and the other guys aren’t going for him anymore he’s still going to use the wings, they’re too useful. He manifested strong red dragon wings, however there was one problem, he forgot that the wings are attached to his back. Rest in peace to one of his favourite training shirts, torn to shreds when the wings just shot out of his back. He trains with the wings since flight is such a useful quirk to have, whilst Yuuto has shifted to a more speedy style of battling. He will work on precision strikes and quick movements since his build isn’t like Izuku’s.

Izuku flicks through his known quirks; battle instincts from his martial arts teacher, his mothers telekinesis like quirk, Kacchan’s nitroglycerin, though he won’t explode it, wings from one sheeple, extendo fingers (as he calls it, which he’s sworn to never use past that one test run) from the other, rock skin from one student who punched him once, an air wave quirk…and unfortunately a sludge body quirk. He can use that one to escape capture, he guesses, turning something bad into something good. He knows he has more, people have bumped into him all the time or he’s accidentally brushed past someone, but without knowledge and envisioning the quirk he can’t access it. He also tried combining two quirks at once, like battle senses and rock skin, and it works. It works because he doesn’t have to focus on keeping the quirks as his current ones, he just needs to be able to use both at once. He needs to do this with OFA and his quirk too.

After 10 months of long and hard training both Izuku and Yuuto feel ready for the entrance exam. Yuuto knows how to strike quickly and cleanly whilst Izuku has managed to get OFA to power up his body a slight amount rather than focusing it into one limb. It improves all of his abilities without the breaking of bones which was quite nice. He combined it with his wings once and the gust of wind was massive, it split the sea waves and broke the wings. Fortunately turning them off and back on again fixed that issue, but it doesn’t change the fact he was in excruciating pain for a moment.

“How hard do you think the written exam will be, Izu?” Yuuto asked.

Izuku messed with his gloves, he’s taken to wearing gloves to respect other people’s want to not share their quirk. “It should be simple enough for us. We’ve prepared for this!” Izuku smiles, however he didn’t check where he was going and tripped over a small dip in the path. He was caught by a girl's quirk and dragged back to an upright position where she released her quirk. Izuku felt the feeling of him copying her quirk, unfortunately, she had dragged him by the wrist and that was not covered by his gloves.

“I hope you don’t mind me using my quirk to stop your fall, I didn’t have time to ask.” The girl said awkwardly.

“I-It’s fine, um. My quirk’s weird…so, when you touched my wrist I’ve now got access to your quirk. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to copy it without permission.” Izuku looked down, he resigned to being hated after taking a quirk for himself again. Yuuto ushers them to walk and talk so that’s what they do.

“Oh, well that’s on me, if you use my quirk then I think it must mean you think it’s cool enough to use.” She winks. “How long can you use it for?”

“As long as I envision myself using it, permanently, I can also turn it off and on.” He looked down.

“That sounds so powerful, I can see you being such a flexible hero!” She praised his quirk, she hadn’t made a snarky comment about it being villainous or riding off of other people’s power.

“Thank you. Most people would look at it as a villain’s quirk or just a cheap quirk, making someone else’s power my own.” Izuku admitted, causing the girl to gasp.

“What? Imagine if you copied All Might’s quirk or Hawks’ quirk. If you mastered those you could easily be the best hero! If people are angry that you can use their power better than them, then that’s their problem. Thank you for the chat, it’s helped calm my nerves, good luck on the exam!” She waved the pair off and went to her exam hall. Izuku is left stunned by the fact someone could be so nice about his quirk.

After confidently finishing their written exam, they go through Present Mic’s presentation. Izuku was nerding out over the pro, whilst another kid was a stickler for rules. He went as far as calling out Izuku for his mumbling. Yuuto wanted to make the kid sit down with a suggestion, but he was not getting disqualified today.

They are sent to separate blocks, they even shot a glance at Katsuki who revealed he was separated from them too. It seems they really disliked anyone wanting to work together.

<Izuku’s Block>

Strict boy and Gravity Girl are in his zone, he wanted to wish her luck but was stopped by the strict boy. “She looks like she’s trying to focus on the trails ahead, what are you going to do? Ruin her chances by distracting her?”

“No. We talked earlier and I wanted to wish her luck.” Izuku stared at the boy with disappointment. “You need to slow down when assuming things about people.” He sighed.

The others in the block somehow all saw that he tripped over and tried to make fun of the situation.

“Hey, not one of you knows my quirk. Watch me and I’ll prove it.” Izuku takes off his jacket and ties it around his waist. He wasn’t originally going to lead with the wings, he wanted it to be a fair game. Not anymore, his fellow examinees can ‘fuck off’ as Kacchan would say.

“LET'S START!” Mic announced. So Izuku used his quirk to create the strong red wings and fly off into the city. He powers OFA into his whole body, using 5% full cowling to speed through the streets and smash into bots with ease. He flies through and smashes a 2 pointer, he flies up and slams down onto a 3 pointer. He dodged a pair of 1 pointers and smashed through them both with each arm. By the time the 0 pointer is released, he’s managed to destroy about 20 bots, netting him about 40 points he thinks.

“Ow!” A familiar voice called out. Izuku spots the source of the voice, he sees a familiar looking girl being pinned down by rubble whilst the 0 pointer is edging closer to her.

“Gravity Girl!” Izuku flew over to where she was trapped and used OFA and his mothers telekinesis to lift the rubble off of her leg. “Can you run?”

“Yes, I think so. Thank you for the save!” She said running away from the bot, however the bot had another idea as it started winding up an attack.

‘It’s still going to attack?!’ Izuku thought. He powers his wings with OFA and blasts off into the sky using his power. It broke his wings so mid launch he released the quirk and brought it back, his wings fully renewed, and he flew over to the bot's face. He powers up to punch it with 5% of his power and he covers his fist and arm in stone armour, Just before making contact with the bot he pushes it to 10% and it crushes the bot's face in and throws it off-balance. It crashes to the ground with a loud thud whilst Izuku flies back down, uninjured, but definitely strained.

“You took it out?!” The girl screamed. 

“It was going to attack us before we got away, it was attack or die. It may have stopped before hitting us, but I wasn’t risking it. A villain wouldn’t stop after all.” Izuku panted. He released his wings, stone armour and stopped using OFA. “Using three quirks maxed out at once really is straining.” The time was up and Izuku collapsed to conserve his energy.

Recovery girl rounds the corner and asks the pair about healing.

“My ankle was trapped under rubble, it’s in some pain.” Gravity Girl stated. “He’s decided to nap since he used three quirks at once at full power and it’s caused him some strain. That’s what he said at least.”

“Well, I can’t do anything about strain and exhaustion, the best I can do is give him a bed.” Recovery Girl explained.

Izuku woke up to say, “Gravity Girl, what was your name, just in case we’re in the same class.”

“Ochako Uraraka and what’s your name?” Uraraka asked.

“Izuku Midoriya! Nice to meet you Uraraka, but now I go back to napping.” Izuku said with the lack of energy lacing his voice. Uraraka chuckled at the comment as she watched Midoriya get stretchered off whilst he napped.

<Yuuto’s Block>

“START!” Mic announced.

Yuuto runs far, there are a few speedy people in his group, but he takes note and heads in the direction he knows no one else went in. He uses his battle skills he learned from martial arts and from All Might’s lessons, he jumps on the back of the 1 pointer and sees the control panel. ‘They did say they’d allow quirkless examinees, this must be how they can pass.’ He jabs accurately at the panel, breaking it open and he rips out the wires. The robot shuts down and that's a point to him. He makes his way to 2 and 3 pointers, smashing into the control panels and tearing out wires.

“Help!” A male voice shouts out.

Yuuto sees a tuft of purple stuck between two bots. “There’s a control panel on the back! Follow my lead!” 

“Huh.” The boy seemed confused, so Yuuto used his quirk to get the boy in step. ‘Follow the pink haired boys lead, there may be something to break on the back of the bots.’ He’ll apologise later.

The pair dance around the bots and end up on the back of them, they simultaneously break the control panels and rip out the wires shutting them down.

“So…a mind control quirk?” The boy asked Yuuto.

“Suggestion, it compels you to want to do what I think. I’m sorry, there wasn’t much time and you would have gotten hurt if you just stood there.” Yuuto explained.

“It helped me too, I know how to defeat these now. Also, my quirk’s brainwashing, I know how you feel.” The boy dashes for some other bots and tries to take them out, he’s getting a few now to say the least.

Yuuto knows he’s taken out at least 10 bots, some definitely were 2 or 3 pointers, but he needs more. Then there’s the rumbling, a 0 pointer was released and the screaming started. Yuuto weaves between alleys and streets, listening and glancing for any trapped people before leaving.

“I’m trapped, please help me!” A girl squeaked out.

Yuuto sees the 0 pointer getting closer and the rubble over the girl. He removes it piece by piece and slowly lifts the heaviest piece. “Can you move?” The girl nods as she scrambles out from under the rumble. Now it was Yuuto’s time to run as he definitely can’t take that on.

<Meetup>

“Yuuto! How do you think you did?” Izuku asked excitedly, his bouncing energy still there.

“I’m definitely on the line, that’s if rescue points exist.” Yuuto said. His anxiety was obvious, he wanted into hero work and this test could jeopardise that. “How about you?”

“I think I did pretty well, I used my wings early since the group annoyed me. They didn’t want to take me seriously so I showed them otherwise.” Izuku stated coldly, he’d had enough of people looking down on him because of his personality, appearance or events.

“That must have been rough for them. I’m glad you decided to not hold back though.” Yuuto smiled. “If you held back I’d have called you a stupid brother.” Yuuto recognises Izuku as his brother, near enough always has, but after everything he was always there for him.

“I couldn’t disappoint my younger brother.” Izuku smirked.

“Okay, well now we’ve got to wait a whole week until we find out our results.” Yuuto cracked his fingers and sighed.

<Observation deck>

The exams just started and the teachers were looking everywhere. All Might is trying to observe the others, but he can’t help but worry about Izuku and Yuuto. 

“Whoa, who’s this kid, he just sprouted wings and dashed off at the start. That pink haired kid didn’t hesitate either.” Midnight pointed to Izuku. “He’s using generic battle skills with his flight…but it also seems like he has improved strength too.”

“I’m more interested in the pink-haired kid.” Aizawa sported an unusual grin, he’s never usually so happy about students so it was quite unnerving. “He’s fighting the bots quirkless, and doing it with precision.”

“Quirkless? How can you be sure?” Power loader asked.

“He’s searched out the control panel and is ripping the wires out, so he’s fighting it without a quirk. Regardless of his quirk he has to fight hand to hand.” Aizawa definitely wanted this kid in his class, he could easily improve the kids ability to fight and teach him how to use some support items.

“Shall we release the 0 pointers? I’m interested to see how those two react specifically.” Nezu grins when the teachers nod. The 0 pointers come out and deal out their destruction. The one in Izuku’s zone caused rubble to fall onto another examinee.

Cementoss observes Izuku. “This kid just made the rubble float off that girl like he has telekinesis too, and he made sure she was okay to run.”

“This seems a little excessive doesn’t it, you’re going to have it attack the running examinee?” Mic questioned worryingly. Nezu just smirked, he had a feeling about the kid and bet on him taking it out.

“Whoa, he just launched himself that high with his wings? It blasted the debris around him away and even left a crater?! His wings look broken too, we should call off the attack!” Midnight panicked.

They all watch with astonishment as they see Izuku get rid of his wings and bring them back out in perfect condition. They watch him fly right at the 0 pointer, creating rock around his fist and slamming his punch into the robot’s face. He caved the bot’s face in, destroying it.

Nezu chuckled in glee. This kid is something.

“So, he used three quirks at once? I wasn’t imagining that right?” Aizawa pointed out.

Nezu cocked an eyebrow. “Three?” He knew it was three or even four, but he wanted to test his teacher.

“Wings, Rock armour, and a strength enhancer.”

“I am inclined to agree, though he may have a fourth if he has a battle sense quirk.” Nezu smirked.

“He can’t be allowed in, right? Something shady must have happened to give him that many unrelated quirks.” Power loader pointed out.

“Before this gets out of hand, Nezu has already cleared this. He has one quirk.” All Might answered. “I met the kid before, he has a mutated copy quirk.”

“That’s why you haven’t been commenting, you’re allowing us to judge impartially. So, what’s this mutated copy quirk?” Cementoss realised and the rest of the teachers paid close attention to All Might.

“Yes, that’s why I haven’t been talking, but I can’t have you insulting his ability. His quirk copies a quirk genetically and saves an imprint of it. He can recreate the quirk at any time, there is no time limit or anything. So he can use it at any time.” All Might answered seriously.

The other teacher’s eyes widened, Nezu already knew from the application form and was intrigued by how it worked. He loved the performance and control over so many quirks, it requires strength, control and planning. He already approves of the kid himself.

“So you’re basically saying he can do anything, anytime, with any combination of quirks? Does he have yours All Might?” Aizawa asked, All Might responded with a slow nod, they had an easy cover story for this.

“I had to grab him from a villain incident where he went in to save a friend. Before anyone gets annoyed by his actions, he bought his friend precious seconds to breathe and survive, since the pros around weren’t helping. He copied my quirk then.” All Might announced. “Moving on, what about the pink haired kid?”

They rewound the footage since they passed the finishing time, they see the kid patrolling the streets and alleys at risk of the 0 pointers destruction. The kid put all his effort into digging a girl out of layers of rubble after he heard her call for help. She was free and both made a mad dash away, which was a smart move for students with less destructive quirks.

“The kid’s got the heart of a hero and the mind of a hero. As an underground hero I have to say he cleared those areas quite cleanly and ensured the only injured person was freed and could get away without issue.” Aizawa grinned ‘this kid is definitely joining my class.’

They spend the night evaluating the rest of the examinees, but Izuku and Yuuto will definitely stick in their minds tonight.

~~~~~~~~

“Izuku, Yuuto! The letters from U.A. are here!” Inko knocked onto their bedroom doors.

“Thank you mom!” Izuku gently took the letter from her hand.

“Thank you auntie.” He did the same, gently taking it and feeling it under his hands.

They move to the living room to open them with Inko involved. Yuuto is scared about his letter so he wants to see Izuku succeed first.

Izuku tears open the letter and a projection disc slips out and activates, with All Might being the speaker and announcing he’s now a teacher at U.A.

“You passed the written test easily, but what was impressive was the amount of points you received in the practical exam. Now, young Nakamura, I assume you’re watching too, so if you don’t want to see results, close your eyes.” Yuuto does as All Might asked, he wants to find out in his letter. “You gained 38 villain points, which on their own would put you slightly under the acceptance for points. However, this test had two scoring systems, villain points and rescue points. It can’t be a hero exam if we didn’t reward jumping in to save others. After saving that girl in the exam and taking out that 0 pointer to save her, you have been awarded with 60 rescue points, and have earned second place in the practical exam with 98 points. Welcome Izuku! To your hero academy!” He announced. Izuku broke into tears, he was also slightly surprised that Katsuki managed to get 25 rescue points, he’s normally battle-headed. It did, however, earn the hothead first place (by one point).

Yuuto opened his eyes and hugged Izuku tightly. “Well done! Izu, I knew you would get in!” Happy tears threatened to leak from his eyes already.

“My baby! I’m so proud of you Izuku!” Inko burst into happy tears. “Yuuto, open yours too. I wanna see my other baby get in.” She smiled brightly, causing Yuuto to blush slightly.

“Okay, okay. My turn.” He rips the letter open and pulls the disc out, the disc lights up, but instead of All Might it is Eraserhead.

“Yuuto Nakamura, I was impressed personally by your performance. I don’t usually do these and it would have been All Might if I didn’t specifically ask. Your problem solving and rational thinking is on par with a lot of heroes, you searched the bots for a weakness and exploited it since your quirk wouldn’t work. You have the heart of a hero too, you saved another examinee and took out the bots together, even if you did have to use your quirk to stop him from getting hurt. Finally after clearing the danger zone, you saved another student who was stuck under rubble and evacuated. These skills are great for an underground hero and are similar to my own. I’m not going to make a massive deal about it, so I’ll say you got 21 villain points and 60 rescue points, so welcome to the hero course.”

Yuuto’s breath hitched, the happy tears leaked from his eyes; he couldn't believe it. HIM in the HERO course after all the issues he’s experienced and all the times people call him a villain.

“I’m also here to extend an offer to you. If you would like supplementary classes in support items, like my capture scarf or non-lethal weapons, I am willing to teach you for an hour after school every few days until you are comfortable and I am satisfied with your skills.” Eraserhead extended an offer Yuuto could not refuse.

Yuuto's tears matched the rest of the Midoriya family and they could cry an entire river if they went on long enough. Soon enough they’d both be in the hero course together, not ‘Izuku’s a hero and I’m in general studies.’ both HEROES. He will make well on his promise and he’ll make his parents proud, his auntie proud and adoptive brother proud.

Chapter Text

Inko frets over the boys as they’re leaving for UA. She cares so much about their accomplishments and is proud of them for making their dreams come true. The boys rush off to UA with excitement, they’ve both been placed in class 1-A. After reaching their class, Izuku pushes the door open with a gloved hand.

Both Katsuki and the strict boy from the exams are arguing, it wasn’t surprising as they had clashing personalities. It seems the class was nearly full, and everyone turned their attention to the new entries. Iida announced his name and apologised to Izuku for his rudeness.

“Hey, Midoriya! I’m glad you made it. I mean, I bet after they saw your punch they couldn’t let you leave.” Uraraka said excitedly.

Izuku shifts his gaze down and sees the teacher, Eraserhead, from what he can recognise from the snippets of videos he’s seen. He signals to Izuku to not point him out.

“I’m glad to see you made it too Uraraka!” Izuku beamed.

“If you’re here to make friends, you can pack up your stuff now. Welcome to UA’s hero course. It took 8 seconds before you shut up. This kid was the only one to spot me too.” He points to Izuku. “That won’t do, so we’ll need to work on that. Hello class, I am Shota Aizawa, your teacher.”

He directs the student to put their training uniforms on and get out to the field. Izuku and Yuuto are buzzing and they change as fast as they can. However, a small hold up happened.

“How’d you get those scars?” Ojiro innocently asked Yuuto about the few slash marks on his arms, the two across his chest and clean stab scar around his stomach. Yuuto started trembling.

“It’s a sensitive topic, if you could not bring it up again.” Izuku said pleadingly as he tried to ground Yuuto. They understood after that not to bring up what happened, Izuku understood the intrigue, but they needed to know the line.

Izuku and Yuuto were still the first out, Aizawa smirked slightly, like he’d made a bet and won. When the whole class has arrived, Aizawa informs them that they’re doing a quirk assessment test. He had Katsuki use his quirk to throw a ball. With a good old scream of ‘DIE!’ Katsuki launched the ball over 700m with his explosion. 

Izuku knew a few people may pick up on the multiple quirks and become uncomfortable, he also didn’t want people accidentally brushing past him. “Mr Aizawa, may I explain my quirk before anyone brings it up later?” He asked

“Go ahead.” Aizawa knew they had to address it at some point since it’d look concerning.

Izuku clears his throat. “I have a mutated copy-like quirk. I called it Genetic Imprint, in fact, I only learned how to use it about a year ago.” The gasps coming from the crowd make Izuku a little more nervous and pause his explanation.

“The nerd accidentally copied a quirkless person as a kid, so he was basically quirkless. Stupid Deku needed to rush in to save someone to realise he had a quirk.” Katsuki growled, but it was also helpful.

“What Kacchan said.” Izuku hurried out, but he was confused as to why Katsuki was helping instead of being mean.

“Being so aggressive is unbecoming of a UA student.” Iida strictly says, to which Katsuki just huffs. “So you were quirkless for 14 years?” Iida asked.

“Yep. But after figuring out my quirk, I realised I can copy anyone's quirk with skin-to-skin contact. I sort of shiver when I register a new one too. That’s why I was wearing gloves earlier. It doesn’t just copy, but my quirk remembers the other quirks and I can rearrange my body’s cells to match it, even if I haven’t seen or touched that person in years. My wings are an example.” Izuku explained.

“That makes sense, you’re scared of taking people's quirks as your own. Aren’t you?” Mina asked shyly.

“Yeah…” Izuku said quietly. “Well, anyway, I have a few quirks that I can use. Like wings or a strength enhancer or rock armour. You get the point.”

Aizawa raises a glare to the students before they try and barrage the boy with more questions before they do their test.

Izuku gets paired with Katsuki in the 50m run. He knew he could easily do it with his wings, but there was one problem with that, he’d destroy his uniform on the first day. He powers up OFA full cowling: 5% and ran as fast as he could. ‘5.5 seconds’ was what was recorded, just a little slower than Katsuki score, but he had explosions to work with. Grip strength was second and again, he could easily use OFA to grip harder than usual. He ended with 127kg of strength which is much better than average.

He decided on something new for the long jump. “Uraraka, do I have permission to use your quirk?”

“Of course silly, it’s part of your quirk isn’t it. Don’t ask again.” She chuckled. Izuku smiled softly at the selfless girl.

Izuku made himself weightless, but he kept his clothes weighted so he wouldn’t fly off into space. He made it past the sandpit alongside Aoyama and Katsuki.

Sidesteps he could have done better, he used Full Cowling: 5%, but he had to control his movements which slowed him down. He used anti gravity for the ball throw, matching Uraraka’s score of infinity. On Yuuto’s turn, he decided to make Izuku take his throw with anti gravity too so Yuuto also got infinity.

“Uhh is it fair that Midoriya took Nakamura’s turn?” A spiky red head asked.

Aizawa sighed. “Nakamura has a Suggestion quirk, he used it on Midoriya since those two know each other and since it was the effect of his quirk, it’s his score.” ‘I also didn’t say you couldn’t get others to help you.’

“Oh. Wait, how powerful is that Suggestion?!”

“Depends on the person’s mental resistance. Though Izu is soft for me since I’m his best friend, that makes it easier even if he is mentally strong.” Yuuto chuckled. Katsuki was glaring off to the side where no one could see him. “Most people figure out they were suggested to do something, if that’s what you’re worried about.” He sighed.

“Nah, I just think it’s so cool. Imagine the villains you could throw off with that.” the boy beamed a smile that somehow rivalled Izuku’s.

“Yeah, I know. I did that once.” Yuuto said quietly, glancing at his scars. However, the red head and a couple other students picked up on that and realised he was attacked before. They wouldn’t push, he’d tell them when he was ready. 

Izuku hugged the boy from behind, “Hey, you looked sad. What’s up Yuu?”

“Reminiscing.” He shook his head, “Thank you for the compliment, most people think my quirk is villainous. I’m Yuuto Nakamura by the way.”

“Eijiro Kirishima, and no problem. It’s how you use the quirk, not what it is that makes a person who they are. We’re here to be heroes right?” He smiled. “The same goes for you, Midoriya.” He tapped Izuku’s arm knowingly. As the boy shuddered, registering a new quirk, Kirishima looked him in the eyes. “Oops, guess you have my quirk now too. Do whatever you need with it I guess.” As he walked off.

“He's so kind.” Yuuto smiled slightly and Izuku’s mouth was looking like a fish right now.

“He just gave me access to his quirk, no questions asked. Most people would be annoyed.” Izuku recomposed himself. Perhaps he could get more comfortable here.

After all of the events were over, Izuku managed to make it into the top half of the scores, he may have been higher if he could have used his wings for the 50m. Yuuto was close to failing, he managed to get 18th place, 20th was Shinso. Yuuto realised that this was the purple haired boy from the entrance exam and fortunately Aizawa said it was a rational deception to get everyone to do their best.

Lie. Izuku put Lie Detector on for this exact scenario, he wanted to see if he said it for motivation or to see if people were worthy. “ Lie~” Izuku teased. “You just see the potential in everyone don’t you.” He smirked.

“Now why would I do that?” Aizawa nearly broke face after being called out.

“I don’t know, but having a lie detector quirk to tease your teacher with is funny.” Izuku grinned.

Aizawa sighed ‘He’s gonna be a problem child’, “All of you pick up a syllabus from the classroom and head home, we’re done for the day.” He completely dodged the comment and turned. “And Midoriya. For a quirk you’ve only just practised with recently, you did well.” A small smile was hidden under his capture weapon. He was informed about the meeting Tsukauchi had with Midoriya and that he was truly deemed quirkless until recently. He knows the boy has potential if he’s working on one years worth of work.

Yuuto tapped on the purple haired kid’s shoulder, slightly causing the kid to flinch, which he could understand. “Sorry for spooking you, you’re the kid from the entrance exam right?”

“Oh, you’re the kid that helped me find those bot’s weaknesses. Thanks to you, I just made it into the course. My name is Hitoshi Shinso, by the way.” Shinso said.

“I’m glad I could help you, I’m Yuuto Nakamura. We quirk brothers have got to stick together, right? So if you wanna hang out with us?” Yuuto’s more self conscious demeanour melted since he knows he has a kid with a similar quirk in his class.

Shinso smiled softly, “If you’re willing to have me, I’ll gladly join you.”

“Remember, don’t touch me unless you want me to copy your quirk.” Izuku warned before Shinso had a chance to shake his hand.

“Ah, right. Well I mean, suggestion is the same as brainwashing essentially, either way I don’t mind.” Hitoshi stuck his hand out anyways, so Izuku accepts and feels the shiver of the copy and shakes his hand back. “You weren’t kidding about shivering when copying it.”

“Well, my theory is that my cells adapt to gaining a quirk, so they mutate and then instantly go back to the state I had them in.” Izuku stated. Hitoshi nods, he was impressed by the deduction.

Hitoshi split from Izuku and Yuuto as they’re going different directions, but the boy seemed happier as he left, the promise of genuine friends who have downsides to their quirks gives him hope. On the way out, Iida approached the pair. “Did you mean that by the way, that Mr. Aizawa was actually going to expel the last place student? I was going to question the staff, lying isn’t supposed to be done lightly.”

Izuku realised Iida wasn’t being scary before, he’s just serious all the time. “Ah, yeah, he didn’t lie. But I assume he was impressed by everyone’s drive so he kept everyone.”

“Hey wait up you three!” A familiar voice shouted out. “Are you going to the station too, I’ll join you guys!”

“Oh hey, Uraraka!” Izuku shouted.

“Infinity girl.” Iida said.

“I’m Ochako Uraraka, and you are…Tenya Iida right? And you’re Yuuto Nakamura.” Uraraka questioned.

“Yes, nice to meet you Uraraka.” Iida nodded.

“Yeah, nice to finally meet you after you were quite kind to my brother.” Yuuto smiled softly.

“Brother?” She quizzed.

“Adopted brother, my mother took Yuuto in a few years ago, we’ve known each other since we were five though.” Izuku explained.

Yuuto decided to speak up for once, he needed to explain his trauma eventually, he doesn’t want everyone walking on eggshells around him. “Iida, you saw the extent of my scars right? Whilst everyone saw these on my arms.”

“I have, yes.” Iida responded cautiously, whilst Uraraka nodded.

“Well, I assume we’re going to be friends so I trust you with my background.” Yuuto looked at them for assurance to which they gave a reassuring smile and a small nod. “My family and I…we were attacked by a villain about four years ago.” His breathing started elevating, he hated remembering that night. “My parents tried to defend me from him and they…died trying.” The tears started to well up in his eyes.

“You don’t have to continue for our sake. Nakamura, please.” Uraraka looked like she was about to cry too, such an understanding soul.

Yuuto shook his head, he needed to get it all out. “The villain then attacked me. I tried to block, which earned me the scars on my arms, then I tried to attack and disarm, since I did have martial arts training. He managed to slice into my upper body then stabbed my stomach.” He sighed. “I fortunately composed myself in time to make him leave me alone and suggested that he exit the alley and give himself in. After that I was rescued, and I was in a coma for a few months, in which Izuku’s mother adopted me and now we’re here.” Izuku held Yuuto in a comforting hold, the trauma threatened to be too much for him as he started crying. But he finally managed to talk about himself without breaking into a panic attack.

Iida placed a firm hand on Yuuto’s shoulder. “You’ve been through an ordeal most kids our age shouldn’t have been exposed to. You are such a strong soul Nakamura.”

Uraraka is crying too, “We’re here for you if you ever need us, Nakamura, I’m sure everyone else would be too when you or if you explain to them later on…or we could if you’d want us to.” Uraraka cautiously hugged Yuuto. “Nobody should lose their parents like that.”

“You guys.” He sniffled. “I…I’m just glad I could tell a couple people, Shinso will be joining us at school too, if you could quietly explain to him I’d allow it.” Yuuto looked at them pleadingly.

“Of course, Nakamura, sharing this information is at your discretion.” Iida smiled.

Yuuto was glad to have such caring friends and Izuku by his side, perhaps everything will be lighter tomorrow when they get into the swing of school life. 

~~~~~~~~

The next day, the regular school life started, students like Izuku lived for stuff like that. Present Mic’s english class was one example, Yuuto was just bored whilst Izuku was silently living the good life. Lunch served by Lunch Rush was also one of Izuku’s fanboy moments. Shinso was gently clued in about Yuuto’s past, to which me smiled weakly, but compassionately.

For their next class, All Might bursts through the door. “I am here! Coming through the door like a hero.” Everyone is fawning over the number one hero, meanwhile, Yuuto just smiles softly.

All Might announces that they will be having combat training and gives the students access to their costumes. The students walk off to prepare themselves for the fight ahead.

Izuku’s costume is a green one piece costume, that is snug to the skin and is extremely stretchy to compensate for quirks that will mutate his body. The sleeves only cover the upper arm to allow Izuku to use quirks that involve his arms and the back has two slits where his wings can push through. His shoes are red steel toe cap combat boots, those would work for close combat styles should the situation call for it. His costume would have resembled All Might, and also a green bunny, that is, if Yuuto didn’t look at it and glare at Izuku to make him change it.

Yuuto’s costume is basically like Eraserhead’s, it consists of a black shirt and pants, but he’s wearing a mask from his neck to his nose. He’s also wearing pastel pink goggles to match his hair colour and black steel toe capped combat boots. Attached around his waist is a belt which holds a collapsible staff and two collapsible batons.

“Hey Midoriya, Nakamura! Loving the costumes, they’re not too flashy. Yuuto’s looks pretty familiar though.” Uraraka caught their attention. “Though I should have been more specific about mine.”

“Looking at all of the girls' costumes in general…they all seem a little too much to have passed appropriate standards…” Yuuto mainly points out that Yaoyorozu’s costume is quite revealing and definitely could have a wardrobe malfunction at any point, whilst Hagakure is literally wearing just shoes and a pair of gloves.

“Now that you mention it, we probably should report those who allowed that…and perhaps come up with alternatives to help change it up. For example, Yaoyorozu could wear something like a crop top and achieve similar results. Plus that…skirt? Belt?...looks horrible for sitting in, so mid-thigh shorts are probably better for the coverage whilst you add a utility belt for the specifics. Hagakure’s would need to be invisible…but couldn’t they have done something that uses her quirk/DNA?” Izuku started muttering and analysing. He didn’t realise the pair actually heard him and took note of that, and now that it’s crossed their minds, who actually allowed them to go out like this.

“Okay! Now that you’re ready, it’s time for combat training.” All Might snaps Izuku out of his thoughts and gets the whole class’ attention. He explains that the most intelligent villains work indoors doing darker criminal deeds. So they will be doing 2v2 battles, heroes vs villains, with the villains protecting a fake bomb. Heroes win by capturing the villains or touching the bomb. Villains win if they capture the heroes or hold out long enough and that the teams will be decided by drawing lots.

“Please don’t match me with or against Kacchan, anyone but him.” Izuku whispered.

Unfortunately, fate decided otherwise. Izuku was paired up with Uraraka and the random draw decided it was those two versus Katsuki and Iida.

Yuuto mutters out, “Not good.”

“Huh, why’s that?” Shinso asked.

“Because Katsuki is an aggressive asshole. He’ll go too far against Izu.” He growled, he knows the extent of the abuse, but it’s not his to tell. 

“Villains, you have 5 minutes to set up and get ready for the heroes' infiltration. Good luck.” All Might sends Katsuki and Iida into the building they’ll be fighting in whilst Uraraka and Izuku plan their moves.

“Uraraka, Kacchan will be targeting me first. He’ll want to know what I can do since he doesn’t know my quirk’s limits. He’ll probably rush for the first floor and will try to ambush me, but I can make wings and fly us up a few floors.” Izuku broke out of it to quickly defend his muttering. “If you want to do that of course. We could always do it differently.”

“It sounds like a great plan. I can make myself lighter and you can fly us up.” Uraraka agreed, and even encouraged the plan.

<Katsuki and Iida>

“If Deku was still quirkless, I’d have probably rushed him, but his quirk is dangerous. It’s got too many unknowns and if we push him, he most likely will use explosions, since we’ve known each other since kids he has my quirk in there too.” Katsuki was thinking level headed for once, that’s not good for the heroes. “I’ll stay on patrol on this floor, you guard.” He growled.

“That sounds like a decent plan. Call for backup if you’re overwhelmed.” Iida said.

“I won’t need backup! I’m not a weak bastard like Deku!” He shouted as he left to roam the halls. His ego had actually started to falter after Izuku helped buy him time and proved his quirk’s power. The words Izuku used ‘I can finally be your equal.’ said with so much authenticity. Katsuki always believed Izuku was looking down on him, a powerless weakling trying to prove himself stronger than Katsuki. ‘If you always believed yourself to be weak Deku, then you best come at me now with everything. Because I’m not sparing a second on your weak ass.’

<Izuku and Uraraka>

“START!” All Might announced.

Izuku sprouted his wings and Uraraka used her zero gravity on herself, Izuku picked her up in a secure hold and flew to the third floor of the building. He then uses hardening and mentally thanks Kirishima as he crashes through the window without a scratch, whilst protecting Uraraka. She cancels out her zero gravity as Izuku places her on the floor, the perfect infiltration or so they think.

“Okay, the bomb should be in an open area to accomodate for Iida, so it’s either on this floor or the next one.” Izuku explained. Uraraka nods and they both scout the floor, yielding nothing. So they make their way to the next floor and are greeted with a surprise.

“DEKU!” Katsuki pounces at them from the stairwell entrance, narrowly missing an explosion. Izuku is thanking his copied battle senses for instinctually moving him out of the way.

“Kacchan?!” Izuku was shocked to see him there, this wasn’t the plan. He powers up OFA at 5% and hastily kicks Katsuki in the stomach with his shin to try and incapacitate him. Katsuki isn’t too fazed as he’s still standing.

“You want to try and match me! I’ll make you beg for mercy, Deku!” He leads with a right hook, to which Izuku countered by grabbing his arm and flipping him into the floor.

“You always lead with a right hook. All this time you’ve been calling me Deku, I’ve always been practising martial arts and my defences, I just never used them against you. It wasn’t worth the trouble.” Turns out that was the wrong choice of words, Izuku meant that quirkless people are treated unfairly by teachers and stuff, but Katsuki took it as an insult to himself.

“DEKU!”

“From now on, Deku is the name of a hero! And I’m not useless!” Izuku shouted as he pumped about 20% of OFA into his wings and flapped them at Katsuki, blasting him into a wall down the corridor.

“Midoriya, your wings! Are you alright?” Uraraka looked on in panic.

Izuku turns the wing quirk off. “It’s fine, because they’re part of my quirk. I can break them and bring them back unharmed, though it is painful the moment I enhance their strength and break them.”

“Okay, we need to get to the weapon!” Uraraka ushered the pair of them towards where Iida must be.

“I’m not done yet Deku, get back here!” Katsuki launches himself at Izuku and swings round with a propelled kick. Izuku uses Hardening to help block the blow, crossing his arms in front of his face. He swears he can feel Kirishima beaming from here.

“Go for the bomb Uraraka!” Izuku shouted, Uraraka ran off to confront Iida.

“Don’t get cocky just because you can counter me, Deku! I’ll destroy you!” Katsuki shouted, but before he could attack again Izuku did something else.

“You will stand down.” Izuku commanded, and thought at the same time. Using Yuuto’s suggestion, Katsuki stops attacking and just stands there for a split second before coming back to his senses.

“You can’t stall me forever Deku! FIGHT ME!” Katsuki fakes a right hook and smokescreens Izuku’s face and then blasts him with his left hand. Izuku gets blasted back slightly. “You know, these gauntlets aren’t just for show. They’ve been storing my sweat for a massive blast.” He prepares to launch a large-scale explosion using his gauntlet.

“Young Bakugo! Don’t do it, you’ll kill him!” All Might shouted.

“It’ll be fine, as long as he dodges!” Katsuki is caught in the moment, he wants to push Izuku to his limit. He launches the massive explosion.

Izuku has many options, he’s tempted to be an idiot and try using Hardening and Rock Armour on top of OFA to try and block, whilst another part of him wants to dodge for safety reasons. He decided to do the stupid option. He starts merging OFA with Kirashima’s Hardening and Rock Armour. The rock armour becomes stupidly thick as well as hardening stronger than he thought it would. The blast comes into contact with his whole arms and is deflected to the sides of Izuku, the blast tears open two large holes behind him where the explosion was split.

‘Holy shit, that was a strong explosion.’ Izuku played dead as a fake reaction to getting blasted with the strength of a small bomb. His limbs were hot and steaming, but not actually burnt as he retracted the quirks.

“Midoriya, are you okay? Come in, Midoriya!” All Might shouted.

“IZUKU! DAMMIT WHY DIDN’T YOU DODGE.” Katsuki’s panic rose as he rushed to Izuku’s side. That actually made Izuku lose it, Katsuki hasn’t called him Izuku since childhood and it’s in a scenario he’s actually worried about him.

Izuku whips around and sweeps Katsuki off of his feet and causes him to crash to the ground. “I am so sorry for taking a risk like that and scaring you. I wasn’t expecting that reaction.”

Katsuki turns from worry to extreme anger. “How FUCKING dare you!” Katsuki prepares the second gauntlet to fire.

“If you use an explosion like that again you will be disqualified Bakugo! Causing damage to your stronghold is a horrible strategy either way!” All Might announced over the comms.

“Dammit! Deku! You really think you can play me like this and get away with it!” He shouted.

Izuku decided to pull him in using his mothers telekinesis and OFA. Katsuki flies from where he’s at right into Izuku and Izuku prepares to punch him with a 5% OFA fist. Katsuki keeps on grinning as he cancels to momentum with an explosion and flips over Izuku. He uses another explosion onto Izuku’s back after he was caught off guard. Izuku is stunned and dazed and Katsuki slams into his back with a right hook, the hit being strengthened by a metal gauntlet. He grabs Izuku and uses momentum from explosions to slam him into the floor.

‘Shoot, I think…I’m going to have to use explosions to get out of this. Sorry Kacchan.’ “This is about winning now, not sticking to respect, sorry Kacchan.” He uses explosions to propel himself down the hall and away from Iida and Uraraka’s direction.

“DEKU! I TOLD YOU NOT TO USE THOSE! GET BACK HERE!” The anger was false, a small smirk was hidden on Katsuki’s face, heroes fight to win and they shouldn’t hold back.

“I’m going to win this Kacchan, with or without your approval!” Izuku infuses the next explosion with OFA and that was a massive mistake, he underestimated the power of the explosion and assumed it would just blast him back from the distance they were at. The explosion was massive, it destroyed the whole area, compromising the integrity of the building and slammed both himself and Katsuki into opposing walls.

“THE FIGHT IS CALLED OFF, IIDA, URARAKA TRY TO TAKE THE OTHERS OUT OF THE BUILDING QUICKLY!” All Might shouted as he rushed off into the direction of the building too. IIda rushed and grabbed Katsuki whilst Uraraka made herself and Izuku weightless and carried him bridal style. She has to avoid the massive hole in the area that was incinerated by the explosion. Iida rushes out of the building holding Katsuki as All Might jumped in and grabbed both Uraraka and Izuku and rushed back out. They managed to escape in time to see the whole building collapse on itself.

Izuku is panting, his right arm broken from the force of the explosion. “I-I’m so sorry All Might, I went too far. I d-didn’t think it would b-be that big. How’s Kacchan?”

“It’s alright Young Midoriya. You’ve learned that lesson now and everyone seems relatively okay.” He noted as he saw Katsuki stirring back into consciousness.

“Young Bakugo, avoid moving. Recovery Girl will help you when she can.” All Might turned to him.

“How’s Izuku? I know my explosions can hurt my wrists and arms like a bitch…even my ears. How is he?” Katsuki was worried about his whole arm being blown off after that level of destruction.

“It seems he has a broken arm, and he’s exhausted. Otherwise he is fine.” All Might reassured the boy.

“Well then. DEKU! YOU BEST NOT TRY THAT AGAIN, YOU NEARLY BLASTED US TO HELL!” Katsuki raged, knowing he was safe to.

Izuku giggled. ‘He called me Izuku again because he was worried. Then he scolded me for nearly getting us killed. US, not just him. He’s learning to be nice at least.’ “Got it Kacchan, use small explosions next time.” Izuku smiled as he passed out.

<Observation room>

“START” All Might announced. 

“Whoa, Midoriya just crashed through that window without a scratch!” Kaminari stated. 

“Because he used my hardening…I may have allowed him to copy my quirk yesterday. Such a manly entrance.” Kirishima smiled.

The rest of the students watch a hand to hand fight go one for a little while until Izuku uses a combination of OFA and a flap of his wings. “Whoa, he used a strength enhancement with his wings, Bakugo flew so far.” Jiro pointed out.

“Yes, but that’s only stalled Bakugo. Midoriya’s wings are now broken.” Yaoyorozu pointed out.

“It doesn’t matter, it hurts Izu for sure, but he can get rid of the wings and bring them back out and they’d be undamaged. Only his normal body remains injured when it comes to mutant quirks.” Yuuto explained.

“I stand corrected, I guess that is a powerful aspect to his quirk.” Yaoyorozu corrects herself.

“He blocked a kick with my hardening. So cool, I’m glad I can see my quirk used in some creative ways.” Kirishima beamed.

“It feels weird that Izu is getting praised for using other people’s quirks.” Yuuto chuckled.

“I have to admit, the little powerhouse can do a lot.” Ashido pointed out.

“He has his limits, using multiple quirks at a time especially that strength enhancer with other quirks is tricky. If the fight escalates it may get bad for his stamina.” Yuuto is worried about where all of this is going. “Oh, he definitely used my quirk there, even if Katsuki is strong enough to break out of it quickly. Worked for a short reprieve though.”

They watch in shock as Katsuki is about to fire off a massive amount of stored explosive. “Young Bakugo! Don’t do it, you’ll kill him!” All Might shouted.

And all the group heard was “It’ll be fine, as long as he dodges!”

“HE ISN’T GOING TO DODGE. IZUKU PLEASE!” Yuuto screamed. He can see it in Izuku’s face and the preparation of quirks.

An explosion rocks the entire place. “Midoriya, are you okay? Come in, Midoriya!” All Might shouted. The smoke cleared and it’s obvious Izuku is on the floor, but Yuuto’s confused as he can tell Izuku doesn’t seem injured.

“IZUKU! DAMMIT WHY DIDN’T YOU DODGE.” The class can hear the panic in his voice, they knew he was planning on Izuku dodging the blast. Then they watch Izuku sweep Katsuki and continue the fight.

The fight changes momentum, with Katsuki thrashing Izuku, that is until Izuku starts running off using Katsuki’s explosions. “Oh, he said he wasn’t going to use those without Katsuki’s permission…but I think Katsuki wanted him to use them.” Yuuto smirks as Katsuki sounds angry, but there’s definitely no bite in those words.

Then a massive, unrestricted explosion goes off, the class watches as the area around Katsuki and Izuku is incinerated and the pair get slammed into opposing walls. “THE FIGHT IS CALLED OFF, IIDA, URARAKA TRY TO TAKE THE OTHERS OUT OF THE BUILDING QUICKLY!” All Might shouted as he rushed out of the observation room.

“Oh god! The building looks like it’s crumbling!” Hagakure pointed out.

“Midoriya seems to have broken his arm, who knows how Bakugo is after being blasted like that.” Tokoyami stared at the screen.

They look on, horrified at what they just watched, their classmates are freed from the building just as it starts collapsing in on itself and they can’t believe how lucky everyone got there.

Yuuto is shaking, the prospect of possibly losing Izuku scares him to his core. He’s whispering to himself, “Not again, no. Please be alive.” As he starts folding into himself. He curls onto the floor, wrapping his arms around his legs to pull his knees close to his chest. The emptiness looming from losing his parents hovers over him, making him feel like Izuku may already be lost.

Kirishima approaches gently and sits in front of Yuuto. “Hey, he’s okay, look.” Kirishima points to the screen where All Might and Izuku are conversing. “It’s alright. Focus on the screen man, or my voice. He’s okay.” Yuuto’s mind starts clearing, Izuku’s fine, perhaps a little broken, but he’s fine.

“Thank you Kiri. Damn, I look so stupid.” Yuuto tried wiping his tears away. Kirishima extends his hand to help Yuuto up and he gladly accepts the help. Everyone else is giving worried smiles, there’s no judging or disgust or anything, just everyone hoping he’s okay. “Everyone out there knows my story, so whilst they’re sorting out their problems out there, I wanna explain in here.” Yuuto said.

“You don’t have to do that dude, your feelings are valid to whatever happened. We don’t need to know to understand.” Kaminari said.

“Nope, I will have to explain it sooner or later. So I best get it out now before I retreat and never say it.” Yuuto shoots them all a pleading look. They all nod silently. Yuuto explains that his parents were murdered by a villain and he was badly injured defending himself. He explains that he used his quirk to force the villain to hand himself in. He explains that he is still physically and mentally scarred by it, he doesn’t want to lose anyone else. The majority of the class silently support the boy, with others being more vocal on the warm support. 

<Nurses office>

“I’ve healed you two up as much as I can, Bakugo, you will have lasting bruises until I can heal you again. Midoriya, you need to not be so reckless. You’ll have to come back tomorrow as well to heal that arm fully.” Recovery girl informs them of their injuries.

“Kacchan-” Izuku get’s cut off.

“If you’re about to apologise. Don’t. I pushed you on purpose, and I know that last explosion was unexpected even for you.” Katsuki growled.

“I still could have gotten everyone hurt. THE BUILDING COLLAPSED.” Izuku shouted.

“We’re fine aren’t we. Don’t blame yourself for things that haven’t happened, learn from it instead dammit Deku.” Katsuki glared at him.

“Kacchan. You-You’re much nicer than you were in middle school. Why the sudden change?” Izuku wanted to cut deep into the deep topics.

‘I can finally be your equal.’ “I realised you weren’t looking down on me. My ego shattered when you said with that stupid smile ‘I can finally be your equal.’ I always thought your weak ass was trying to be so much better than me.” Katsuki huffed.

“Never. I always wanted to be like you, I looked up to you, even after everything.” Izuku said.

Katsuki blushed slightly. “Then why didn’t you defend yourself? You could have made yourself look better!” He growled.

“I did once. I got blamed for attacking the kid without a reason, put in detention and they called my mom. Who, by the way, defended me the whole way.” Izuku sighed.

“Huh? I never heard about that! All I heard was everyone laughing at you again. Deku!”

“Katsuki.” Izuku glared. Katsuki realised Izuku meant business right now, the cutesy nickname was dropped. “I don’t know if you have noticed, but quirkless kids have the whole world trying to crush them. The other kids, including yourself, didn’t care about their actions, no matter what they did they got away with it. The teachers literally defended anyone with a quirk when I wanted to complain and THEN when I defended myself, they were COVERING IT UP. The camera’s can obviously see him instigating the fight, but the teachers didn’t care, they blamed ME.”

Izuku sighs. “You know, the ‘take a swan dive off the roof’ comment I got from you. If I didn’t have Yuuto or my mom and if I was having a bad day. I may have actually done it. I feel many quirkless kids definitely did after looking at the statistics.”

Katsuki’s eyes widened. “I’m so sorry, Izuku. All I can do now is make up for my mistakes, that means pushing you to be my equal and me pushing to be yours…but maybe don’t try to kill us, yeah?” He smirked.

“Of course! Also, my name sounds so weird coming from you, Kacchan.” Izuku nodded and giggled.

Katsuki lost it. “DEKU!!”

“Okay boys, get out of here and start getting ready to go home. Remember, no strenuous activities either!” Recovery girl ushered them out of her infirmary with a lot going through her mind from overhearing their chat. 

“Wait, Recovery Girl…did you do a full body x-ray? I was just wondering about my toe joints, considering my quirk could have changed those.” Izuku asked.

“I did, just in case you have any permanent damage anywhere. You still have two toe joints, it’s extremely rare, but it seems you were one of the lucky ones to get a quirk whilst their body presents differently.” She smiled. “See you boys whenever you get injured again…just not too soon!.”

The boys walked out together, this could be the start of rekindling their friendship whilst pushing to be the best they can. Izuku hopes as much anyways. For now, returning to class and showing his friends and Yuuto that he’s okay is a priority.

Chapter Text

Izuku and Katsuki walk side by side, mostly in silence. But Katsuki needed to make something clear after what Izuku had told him in the nurse's office. He felt like shit and was also angry after what Izuku told him, he was so shortsighted to notice the school’s bias towards himself and anyone with powerful or flashy quirks. Izuku being discriminated against, holding him back, it made him angry for ever trying to force him to fight back.

“I” Katsuki takes a small pause. “I didn’t mean it. What I said back then.” He said, breaking the silence they were in.

“I-I know you didn’t. I mean at the time, I-I definitely was upset, annoyed, but.” Izuku stuttered out.

“I may have not meant it. But I still said it to get under your skin and make you back down from entering UA, it wasn’t right.” Katsuki started growling. “I can’t stand to think of myself back then. Me, wanting to be a hero, bullied someone and even…no. I wasn’t a hero or even in line for a chance back then. I got lucky because of how the school treated me. So now I will be a hero properly, dammit!” The sound of teeth grinding woke Izuku up from his stupor.

“Hey, it’s fine. The past is in the past, but the future is what we make it from today. As long as you’re trying, that's enough. I forgive you for what happened back then too, so how about we go to class, get our stuff.” Izuku smiled brightly.

‘I don’t deserve that forgiveness, you damn nerd.’ “Don’t tell me what to do.” Katsuki huffed. Izuku giggled at the actions as they reached the door. Katsuki pushes the door open for the pair of them.

“YOU’RE ALRIGHT!” everyone shouted, the anxiety that was plastered on their faces melted when the pair entered.

Iida and Uraraka started fretting around Izuku, “Your arm isn’t healed!” Uraraka shouted.

“Recovery girl could only work with the stamina I had, so she healed me enough to get me back on my feet and she’ll heal me fully tomorrow. Kacchan’s the same.” He giggled.

“Considering we nearly had a building drop on our asses, I’m glad bruised ribs and a bruised back is all I got. Four eyes, Round face, what about you?” Katsuki glared over at them.

“Such brash language a-and four eyes?!” Iida flinched in surprise.

“Yeah and. Answer my damn question!” Katsuki shouts. Izuku stifled a laugh, Katsuki will be nicknaming this whole class sooner or later.

“We were fine, I came out of the room and grabbed you whilst Uraraka grabbed Midoriya, both of them were picked up by All Might after I sped off with you. We were uninjured.” Iida said. Izuku relaxed, knowing they weren’t injured by his recklessness.

“I’m sorry everyone, for worrying you all. I uh…definitely used the wrong two quirks together and wasn’t careful with my power output.” Izuku said shyly. “Uhhh, where’s Yuuto?”

“Ah, he um. He went to Hound Dog, for a counselling session. We all know about what happened, how he got his scars and such.” Kirishima explained. “He wanted help from a professional after he…well he thought you could have died in there.”

“Oh. I’m going to have to apologise so much after what happened.” Izuku looked down.

To change the topic of conversation, everyone’s going over the fight now that they know everyone’s come out of it somewhat okay. They explain that they were scared when Izuku hadn’t dodged, but were amazed when he had used a few quirks together to actually come out unscathed. The tension in the class melted away after seeing the pair in good shape and attitude.

“Midoriya, Bakugo. I need you two to stay back, everyone else you can go.” Aizawa said from his yellow sleep bag on the floor.

The pair really didn’t like what that inferred, especially after destroying a building in the training. Everyone else vacated the classroom but those two, who felt themselves being judged.

“So, who wants to explain that mess I watched back, because if I didn’t know better I would have assumed you were actually trying to kill each other.” Aizawa scowled.

Katsuki fidgeted around, he doesn’t like being authentic, and that chat with Izuku was hard enough. Izuku was a nervous wreck and didn’t want to explain either.

“I-It’s mainly my fault. I used too much power accidentally and I destroyed the place.” Izuku admitted.

“I know that, I saw your face as the explosion went off. I mean the entire fight, you were both aggressive towards one another, we can’t have that going on here if it’s going to cause these kinds of issues.” Aizawa glared at the pair.

“Mr. Aizawa, De-Izuku’s actions were goaded on by my attitude. I made him feel like shit in middle school and he felt like he had to prove he could match me.” Katsuki explained. “ I wanted him to use my explosions so I got what I wanted. It wasn’t the nerds fault I wanted him to blow up on me.” He growled.

Aizawa huffs. “It seems in the time between the match and getting here you two have come to some understanding. Okay, that’s one less headache, you two are free to leave. All I wanted to clear up was the anger around the match and you’ve done that yourselves. Just don’t accidentally get yourselves killed next time. Midoriya, I understand you have a powerful quirk, but you have to be able to weaken it or you could hurt yourself or others. Got it?” Aizawa looked over with care.

“I understand, Mr. Aizawa. I need to wait for Yuuto so should I wait here or outside of Hound Dog’s office or…” Izuku started muttering.

“Nerd!” Katsuki glared.

“Ah, sorry.” He blushed in embarrassment.

“Go to Nezu’s office, he wanted to see you at some point too. I can send a message to Hound Dog to send Nakamura there too. See you later.” Aizawa grumbled and sent them on their way.

“See you tomorrow sir.” Izuku waved him off and Katsuki silently headed off home. He may be on better terms with Izuku, but he isn’t going to act like best friends and stick around. 

<Nezu’s office>

Izuku waits outside the door, hesitation and anxiety filling his mind. He wonders why the principal would want to talk to him unless it was to talk about the damages…but the site was meant to be destroyed and rebuilt, so it couldn’t be that.

“Come on in, Midoriya.” Nezu shouted from behind the door, almost like he was anticipating Izuku to be sitting out there contemplating life.

Izuku slowly opens the door, “Hello principal Nezu, I was told that y-you wanted to see me?”

“Take a seat.” Izuku does as asked and sits in the chair opposite Nezu. “I just wanted to ask if you’d like to copy my quirk.”

“Huh.” Izuku narrowed his eyes. “Why would you want me to do that? What’s in it for you if I do?”

“I’m not an all round fighter, I can fight when I have to and I am very capable. However, I’m a strategist who can plan so far ahead people figure out my plans too late. I figured if a fighter like yourself could combine my quirk with your battle strengths, threats would easily be taken down on the spot rather than after I come up with a plan to execute.” Nezu stretches. “As for what’s in it for me. Security of the students safety whenever you’re around, but mainly someone to bat my theories off of, even I can get stuck on certain possibilities and it would be better to have a separate opinion. I won’t be taking much of your time if I need you, it could just be lunch times every so often.”

“I will accept your quirk, not for myself, but on the chance I’ll need it in the future.” Izuku didn’t smile, it wasn’t something that he was expecting, but he’ll take it nonetheless. Izuku removes his gloves and he and Nezu shake hands, Izuku shudders at the contact meaning he’s registered the quirk. He tries to activate the quirk, he figures the quirk acts like a brain booster and tries to focus on that aspect of the quirk. It activates and he starts feeling overwhelmed, so many thoughts cross through his mind and he can’t hold onto any of them. He deactivates before he gets a headache from it all. “Nevermind, I have no clue if I can use your quirk, sorry sir. It’s causing me sensory overload and it was going to give me a headache.”

“Ah, that’s a shame, perhaps you could use it in the future if you can get there. Well, that was all I wanted to ask of you, sorry for wasting your time young Midoriya. Take care on your way home!” Nezu said, with some slight disappointment lingering in his voice.

Izuku exits the office and Yuuto is lingering outside with an annoyed look plastering his face.

“Hey Yuuto, I’m sorry for making you worried, how are you feeling?” Izuku fretted.

Yuuto glares harshly. “You are an idiot Izuku Midoriya. I’m glad you’re okay though. If you even need a good therapist by the way, Hound Dog is good at his job.”

“Yeah, I heard you told everyone. I didn’t think you’d tell everyone so quickly.” Izuku looked at him a little worried.

Yuuto smiled softly, he didn’t think he’d admit what happened either but with his issues he didn’t want everyone to worry without context. “I nearly went into a panic attack in the middle of the observation room after seeing you almost die out there. Kirishima kept me stable and pointed out that you were safe and were with All Might. Everyone looked worried so I eventually explained everything so they’d all have the context if I ever had another attack.”

“That makes sense, but you didn’t have to if you weren’t ready for it.” Izuku said.

“I was ready, don’t worry. In fact, that’s the kind of thing I went through with Hound Dog and he commended me for talking about my issues instead of pulling away and retreating into my own mind. ‘Understanding brings people closer together,’ he said.” Yuuto chuckled.

“Okay. Well then, let's get home. Mom’s gonna have a fit because I injured myself like this.” Izuku groaned.

Yuuto started laughing, “Well maybe you shouldn’t have let Katsuki get to you so much.”

“Maybe, but then again, I actually got an ‘I’m sorry’ out of him. So it was worth it.” Izuku beamed with joy.

Yuuto stood in disbelief. “Katsuki. THE Katsuki, said sorry?”

“Yep. Though I think he also made me his rival.” He giggled.

“Better than attacking you I guess.” Yuuto shrugged. 

~~~~~~~~

“Uh, mom we’re home. Don’t freak out, but I broke my arm…again.” Izuku was used to this, especially when he started using One For All, Recovery Girl was on call from All Might over that time and she was getting fed up with healing him.

“Izuku! What happened?!” She panicked as she rushed over to him.

“I went too far, I used my power up quirk and combined it with Kacchan’s explosions. The strength of the explosion broke my arm, but I didn’t mean to make it that strong I swear.” Izuku explained.

Inko raised a glare at him. “I thought you weren’t using his explosions?”

“He wasn’t but it seems that Katsuki intended to push Izu to his limits so his explosions were the only way out. Though no one expected him to BLOW UP A BUILDING accidentally. He nearly caused it to collapse with four students still inside.” Yuuto outed the fact that he could have killed himself and others.

“IZUKU!” Inko was in angry mother mode now. “Don’t do that again, I know Katsuki is someone you admire, but if his explosions are going to hurt people again…don’t do it.”

“...Again. So you knew?” Izuku’s mood dropped.

Inko bit her lip. “Yes. You admired him too much and you didn’t want to talk about it so I didn’t want to hurt you by pulling you away. But if these things are going to happen because of him-” 

“Mom. Stop. We made up after the battle training we had, the one thing I’d ever wanted from him. He said ‘I’m sorry.’ He’s never said sorry for anything, so he meant it. Please, don’t take this away from me now.” Izuku begged his mother to let him deal with everything.

Inko sighs. “Alright, if that boy meant his word then try your best with him, but if I find out he’s hurt you on purpose again.” She was seething with anger that she didn’t need to have. “Just, stay safe alright.”

“I will mom. I promise.” Izuku smiled and pulled his mother into a hug, both breaking into the Midoriya cry.

~~~~~~~~

A little time passed and everything seemed to go back to normal, barring Katsuki being angry, but more tame than usual. Him and Iida definitely have a fun time together with the clashing personalities.

Out of left field, Izuku was picked as the class representative and he cannot understand why, it was apparently Iida and Ochaco that also voted him as well as Yuuto. He definitely traumatised all three yet they voted him, he covered his face and breathed out an anxious breath. He tries to use High Specs to try and work a way out, but no dice, the routes to plan all mix and match in his head and they won’t work aaaaand…there’s the headache.

“Are you alright Midoriya, you seem like you’re in pain.” Iida said.

“Uh yeah, I just…I didn’t tell you because it wasn’t exactly important, nor can I use it. I have Principal Nezu’s High Specs quirk.” Izuku admits.

“Izuku. What the fuck.” Yuuto said bewildered by the admission.

“Language Nakamura.” Iida scolded the boy.

“His quirk makes him one of the smartest beings on the planet, and you now have it?!” Uraraka shouted. Iida frantically looks for any misleading signs.

“He offered it because…well, I think truthfully he felt lonely in how his quirk affects his thinking. I can’t use it yet anyways, the information in my head goes into a jumbled mess and I start getting a headache.” Izuku waves them off.

“You, not being able to use a quirk?” Yuuto cocked an eyebrow.

“It’s a new drawback, I guess other quirks will have them too. Like Aizawa’s might give me insane dry-eye or some crap, or Vlad’s would literally drain me of my blood and I’d get light headed. And don’t get me started on how SCARED I am to accidentally copy a sentient quirk, I do NOT want to copy Dark Shadow. It wouldn’t be fair on the quirk if I killed it.” Izuku explained.

“Oh god. I never thought about it like that, that would be so horrible, for you and the quirk.” Uraraka gasped. Izuku just nodded slowly. Shinso’s eyes are darting across, silently taking in the information.

An alarm sounds and panic arises when it’s figured out to be the intruder alarm, someone broke through the front gate. ‘It wouldn’t have been the reporters there this morning, they’d get found out and arrested pretty quickly.’ Izuku thinks. ‘Though they are most likely the intruders.’ He tries to pull on High specs again, calmly and focusing on intruders and distractions. Certain thoughts calm down and the ones he needs are there, the path starts becoming clearer. Calm the students, find the reason for the break in and calculate future moves.

Izuku’s eyes snap open. “There’s two options, either we send someone over the crowd to get their attention, or I use Suggestion plus my power up quirk. Uraraka, Iida, Yuuto, Shinso?”

“Mass Suggestion.” All of them said, Yuuto and Shinso were more reserved with that option, but it was the safest one.

Izuku sighed, “They’re gonna hate me, and it’ll definitely hit you guys too, but oh well.” ‘Perhaps I should calm down, it may be that the press have broken in and not a villain.’

The whole student body calmed to a halt, some of them checking outside to see the swarm of reporters being pushed back by Aizawa and Present Mic.

“Hey, wait. Was that someone’s quirk? I don’t think that was my own thought.” Someone voiced.

“Yes, it was someone’s quirk, but people were being crushed and panicking, they calmed the situation and now we can deal with this properly.” Iida voiced, concerned for his friend.

The students realised that yep, they were definitely going to crush each other and cause injuries the way they were acting. Someone basically telling them ‘it’s the press’ in their mind calmed them and they knew instantly that everything was fine. Some of the students grumbled as they complained about it feeling intrusive, but it saved them so they can’t have a problem with it.

“Thank you Iida.” Izuku smiled.

“No worries Midoriya. It’s always better to have a situation cleared up before everyone goes into a panic again. Not that they should have since your quirk saved people from injury.” Iida smiled back.

“Okay, plan part two. Motive. One of two possibilities stick out, either to make a statement that they can easily breach UA’s security or they used it to sneak around within the school and find something. If no one’s missing or injured, then they wanted information or an object, if no object is missing then it was information. What information…”

“Midoriya?” Shinso asked worryingly.

“Oh sorry, I am using High Specs right now, I managed to get it working, please let me finish my thoughts. Sorry!” Izuku said bluntly, causing everyone’s jaws to drop. “Sooo. Either it was detailed class schedules or confidential information on staff and students. But UA’s database is one of the hardest to crack, so it’s probably not confidential information, plus the reporters being around is a random event, no way they could have planned for that and prepared a code for cracking the defences. Schedules then. So final step, future plans. If they have schedules, depending on what we have it could be our class, Vlad’s class or even stuff like the support or General Ed. courses. Too broad. Perhaps planning for all situations is a better approach. Any time our class is isolated, we could be a target. The same goes for 1-B. General Education is an unlikely target so I’ll cross them off. The support course is usually inside, but any isolated outside tests could be a target. Okay, headache incoming, I pushed too hard.” Izuku releases the quirk and…he starts having a nosebleed. He definitely pushed that mental quirk way too far on top of using Yuuto’s just before it.

“Izu, your nose.” Yuuto knew this could happen from his quirk alone so he wasn’t panicking, but after the mass suggestion and High Specs deduction he just went through he definitely needs a check up now. “To Recovery Girl, c’mon.”

“I’m fine. Just pushed it too far.” Izuku pouts.

“You have a tendency to go too far don’t you.” Uraraka giggled. Izuku made a sign with his hand to say ‘just a little bit’ as he was dragged away by Yuuto.

<Nurse’s office>

“We have the tiny idiot back for another check in here. Honestly, you need to charge him rent at this point.” Yuuto jokes.

Recovery Girl sighs. “What did he do now?”

Izuku is pouting as the pair are definitely going to talk about him and not to him. “He used Suggestion and OFA together to calm the students after the alarm went off, oh and then for some reason HIGH SPECS for a while.” Yuuto growled.

“Nezu gave you his quirk huh.” Her eyes narrowed as she was thinking. She quickly turned to Izuku “Quirk overuse will do that, the strain of you using Suggestion on so many people could have caused that nosebleed alone, but High Specs too.” She shook her head. “No more mental quirks today, got it. That’s about it.” She kissed Izuku’s forehead to ensure the bleeding stopped, fortunately that doesn’t use much stamina. “Out.” She ordered with fake annoyance. 

Yuuto giggles on the way out as Izuku huffs. He really didn’t want to make a fuss about a tiny nosebleed, but Yuuto made it embarrassing.

<Class 1-A>

Izuku and Yuuto walk through the door, instantly receiving a glare from Aizawa. “Welcome, problem children.” Izuku and Yuuto sigh in unison.

“Sorry Mr. Aizawa, mental quirk strain and all, I had to make sure my head was fine.” Izuku looked guilty, but Aizawa just shook his head.

“You’re not in trouble, however, you’ve been booked for Wednesday lunches with Nezu because you can use his quirk.” Aizawa said, with some form of joy in his voice for some reason. Yuuto muffled a laugh, Izuku definitely deserved this for using that quirk. “Nezu wants to see you before you leave though, Iida and Uraraka told me about your theories, so he’s interested too.”

<Nezu’s office>

Classes zoomed by, as usual, so Izuku knows what time it is. He opens the principal's door and announces his presence. “Hello, Principal Nezu?”

“Ah, Midoriya, I heard the good news. You can use my quirk?” Nezu was grinning devilishly.

“Sort of, I can use it, but I believe only when I fully focus on something, then there’s mental quirk limits. You may be immune to the backlash since it’s your quirk, but I can definitely overuse it.” Izuku explained.

“I can see why that could happen. So, what did you deduce when using it?” Nezu was very intrigued, so Izuku explains his whole thought process from earlier and summarises it for simplicity's sake. “We think alike then, yes. But I figured it was probably a statement over an infiltration attempt since our cameras didn’t pick up much.”

Izuku went to talk and then went back to think ‘No more mental quirks today’ . “I can’t use High Specs again today to bounce the idea off of, but I’ll try my best either way. I assume they were gathering the schedule because everything else didn’t really make sense. A statement of weak defences? Why? All that has been achieved is UA strengthening their defences. Cool, they broke the barrier, but it’s not exactly something to panic about when you can fix it or improve it. If they somehow got in from outside or…there’s someone on the inside.” He levelled a gaze with Nezu that was an ‘Oh shit’ kind of look. “If it was a student or faculty member…they’d pass the schedule off easily.”

“Even without my quirk, your brain is remarkable, no wonder it messes you up when you try to use it normally. Your brain is wracking full of ideas.” Nezu clasps his hands. “Midoriya, thank you for enlightening me and for that I offer a warning. Tomorrow your class has been signed off to our Unforeseen Simulation Joint, the USJ for short. It will be isolated from the rest of the staff and the teachers who are supposed to be running that lesson are All Might, Eraserhead and Thirteen.”

“Well, having All Might there would be a reassurance. He could also be the reason they’re being so bold though.” Izuku sighed. “Plus, we can’t act afraid of every outing.” Izuku hums. “Depending on what they plan for and why. Best thing to do is have everyone on call for an emergency signal from the USJ. Is there any way to have a signal that, if it gets blocked, would send for an emergency too.” Izuku raised an eyebrow.

“My boy. Your anxious caution is remarkable too, it could easily be a tracker that I have on you or Eraser and if the signal goes down then we send our teachers.” Nezu is grinning more ferally than earlier, Midoriya has absolutely topped his expectation, intelligence boosting quirk or not. “You’re dismissed, I will inform everyone of the preparations tomorrow. I thank you for your time!”

Izuku is beaming as he exits the office, he received praise for his own intelligence, not even the quirk he was given.

“Okay, what did the principal say that made you so happy?” Yuuto asked.

“He-he praised my intelligence and planning, he said my brain is remarkable, but that could also be messing up his quirk.” Izuku chuckled.

Yuuto ruffled Izuku’s hair. “Well Izu, I am proud that you can show off your potential in multiple ways. Class representative, resident brainbox and ultimate powerhouse. You’re going to amaze the world, man.” He smiles.

Izuku tears up. “Thank you, Yuuto.” He wipes his tears. “Okay, well. Tomorrow’s going to be great.”

“What’s the matter?”

“We’re going away from the main school for a lesson, right after I theorised that we may get attacked in that scenario. We’re going to be on edge I guess.” Izuku explains, his stomach churning in anxiety.

“We’ll be okay. Got it?” Yuuto smiled. So Izuku smiled back, “Of course we will!”

~~~~~~~~

Aizawa introduces the lesson, it is rescue training in the USJ. Aizawa shot a knowing glance over to Izuku, silently telling the kid that he is aware and he’ll be prepared. The class gets changed into their hero costumes. Izuku is tempted to bring his wings out in preparation, but the person sitting next to him would definitely be uncomfortable laying on the wings. Katsuki notices Izuku and Yuuto are on edge for no reason so he decides to check in on them…in his own way.

“Deku, Hypno. What’s crawled up your asses then?” Katsuki glared at them for an answer.

Yuuto doesn’t really want to answer, but Izuku will take over that job. “I probably shouldn’t say, and it may not happen today or at all, Kacchan.” He sighs. “I thought over the breakthrough security and went through a plan with the principal yesterday. It’s possible there could be a villain attack on our class, but we don’t exactly know the reason or when so we’re on edge even though it may not happen.”

“Izuku…you probably overthought things.” Katsuki sighs, “But if the rat has approved and agrees, then perhaps he needed an overactive brain to add to his own.”

Izuku giggled. “Thanks Kacchan.” Katsuki growled at the teasing giggles. “C’mon Kacchan, play nice. We’re prepared either way, if there’s nothing, cool we get a good lesson. If not, then the tracker Mr. Aizawa should have on him will probably go down and instantly let the school know we need help.”

Looking around the outside of the bus, he’s glad to notice that Yaoyorozu is now sporting a crop top, sports bra type costume. No chance for accidents there, he thinks. He can’t tell with Hagakure, but it seems she may be messing with some invisible clothing, who knows. Even Uraraka’s costume is less snug and she’s wearing flat shoes, which is a relief to her.

“Alright everyone, line up ready to get on the bus!” Izuku shouts, and everyone complies, entering the bus one at a time.

The bus journey was quiet and tense, that was until some students decided to speak up. “Hey Midoriya, your power is so flexible, we overheard you getting Principal Nezu’s quirk. Do you have any other teacher’s quirks?” Asui asked as she tilted her head.

“Ahh well, I’m not sure if I’m supposed to talk about that Asui.” Izuku rubbed the back of his neck.

“Call me Tsu, and I guess it makes sense depending on whose quirk you copy.” Tsu says.

“Kid, you can tell them. It’s not like you won’t show it eventually.” Aizawa said loudly.

“Guess I have permission then. I was involved in an incident, one which All Might grabbed my wrist to keep his smash from blasting me too. So uhhh. I have All Might’s quirk. I have no other teacher’s quirks though.” Izuku revealed and he was welcomed with silence and the gawking faces of everyone, but Katsuki.

“HOLY SHIT” Most of the class then shouted, barring people like Shinso and Iida.

“Mind your language, such words are unbecoming of future heroes.” Iida said seriously.

“Anyways, to answer the mystery of his quirk, it’s a power booster that boosts one’s strength and it also boosts other quirks when combined with them, not that he’d have known that last bit. Hence the massive explosion I created by accident or extra power I had behind Kirishima’s hardening and the rock armour. It’s also why I broke my wings on occasion.” Izuku smiles.

“Damn. That’s so strong with every other quirk you could have, I’m interested how it’d work with some more straight shot quirks, like zero gravity or quirk erasure.” Kirishima added.

“Honestly. I wouldn’t know unless I tried. I used it with Suggestion yesterday at lunch and oh boy did that take a lot out of me. Mass suggestion is a struggle usually so the power boost is needed. Something like Erasure would be unpredictable, it could be it disables quirks on a timer, or that it may boost the telekinetic effects that usually are self contained. Oh, by the way Mr. Aizawa, your hair is a dead giveaway for when your quirk’s active.” Izuku chuckled.

“Dammit problem child.” Aizawa likes his hair, quirk giveaway be damned.

“It could also change its effect to a radius effect, who knows.” Izuku shrugs.

The chat changes to flashy and popular quirks and those that don’t seem all that popular, though Izuku feels like it doesn’t matter how flashy someone is, it’s helping the people that matters. Some students decided to tease Katsuki for his attitude and Izuku, although he found it funny, was also sorta on the fence since Katsuki did want to be better.

<USJ>

They enter the USJ and the first thing Izuku notices is that there is no All Might, not good, very not good. To make matters worse, he’s not there and the three fingers Thirteen just held up definitely means the man has already used up all of his hero time. Aizawa is visibly frustrated and is internally cursing All Might, and he will definitely curse him out more if there is a problem today. He swears the man's hero complex needs to be toned down a notch so he can actually care for his students instead of leaving them lacking. Thirteen makes her speech about the various tasks heroes take and that quirks can be dangerous, slightly adding in the building explosion that Izuku is never going to live down.

Izuku eyes down to the plaza, a purple portal opening. “Mr. Aizawa, we have company.” Izuku growled, growing his wings out instantly.

“Everyone stay back, villains have infiltrated the place. Midoriya. Stay back too, but take my quirk, you may end up needing it.” Aizawa held his hand out to Izuku, so Izuku tapped it and gained the man’s quirk.

Izuku thinks about accessing an erasure quirk, it’s line of sight quirk erasure and it requires constant staring. Izuku’s eyes shift from emerald green to ruby red, which is weird since Eraser’s are black, then turn red when the quirk’s in use. When overhearing the portal villain speak Izuku feels the urge to shout ‘BINGO!’ as the nail was hit on the head. Fortunately they planned for this kind of event, the tracker Aizawa had, had stopped transmitting its signal so a certain stout chimaera made an instant call to all the available heroes on campus to rush to the USJ.

“I can’t believe you nailed their plan accurately Midoriya, Nezu is going to have a field day with you now, you know that right?” Aizawa teased, the only thing currently distracting him from the daunting fight ahead.

With everyone now questioning why they’re here, it’s quite obvious to Izuku. “All Might is why they’re here, they got our schedule yesterday amongst the confusion with the press and they just announced their disappointment that he’s not here. That guy down there seems built for a fight with All Might himself so perhaps…they wanted to kill him, right here and now.”

Aizawa jumps in to fight the villains alone, and it pisses Izuku off, but he is the experienced teacher whilst they’re all students and it’s better to let the experience do the talking. The man is impressive, he can easily deal with the lower level villains using his capture scarf and quirk, taking them out one after another.

“Okay students, we have to leave, now!” Thirteen announced, with everyone following after her.

“There is no escape for you. It’s a pleasure to meet you, we are the league of villains.” The portal guy rambles on about what they were doing.

Izuku closes his eyes and gets ready for a staring match, after opening them he activates the quirk erasure and stares right at the portal man. “I’ve got him handled, go for his metal neck brace or whatever that is, it seems solid.” Izuku shouts to his classmates and thirteen.

“You have me handled? You’re mistaken, I will spread you across this facility to meet our comrades where you’ll meet your doom.” He said, but he stares in confusion when he can’t activate his quirk. “What is the meaning of this?!” 

“DIE!!” Katsuki shouts as he blasts into the neckbrace, slamming the villain to the ground.

“So, uhhh, now what do I do because if I blink…” Izuku kept his glowing ruby eyes trained on the portal guy, hair floating upwards and eyes becoming very dry. ‘So dry-eye is quite literally because his quirk has a drawback. How annoying.’ “I can’t hold him forever, just get the door open!” Izuku really needs to blink, and turn this quirk off so his eyes can be normal again. And as the swift split second of darkness hit, the villain was thrashing about and managed to teleport many of the students away, that included Izuku. He curses the fact he didn’t go to copy the warp quirk.

He was currently flying above the Shipwreck zone, he’s glad that he activated his wings earlier. He notices Asui in the water holding Shinso and being chased by villains and doesn’t take the risk, he activates his mother’s quirk and a small bit of OFA to pull Tsu and Shinso to himself and away from their pursuers. “Tsu, Shinso! I’ve got you.” He grabs her under her arms and lowers himself to the ship.

“Thanks Midoriya! I probably could have gotten us away, but you made sure we were safe.” Tsu smiled.

“That scared the hell out of me, I can’t use my quirk underwater.” Shinso said blankly.

“I just wish I could have held him longer, but I couldn’t and we all got scattered anyways. I assume most of the villains here are water based, so I can just fly us out.” Izuku explains.

“Sounds great.” Both Tsu and Shinso agree.

Izuku picks the pair up and uses 5% of OFA to fly his way out of the place with relative ease, all the villains seem quite annoyed by that fact. “Shoot. Mr. Aizawa’s against the main guy and he seems to be in a compromised position.” Izuku activates Erasure to stop the man’s quirk before it does any real damage to Aizawa.

“What is this? Why is my quirk erased, yours isn’t active right now.” The hand villain hissed.

‘Midoriya, dammit you shouldn’t be near here.’ Aizawa turns the tables since the man is now off guard in confusion. He breaks out of the hold and readies his scarf, wrapping it around the villain and uses it to flip the villain and slam him into the ground. He continues to fight other villains, all of them slowly wearing him out.

“You’re still standing, you really are so cool. Eraserhead.” The hand guy said. “But I’m not the final boss here.” He points out the being that’s now towering over Aizawa. It grabs his head and slams it into the ground.

“Okay, I’m putting you two down at the top of the stairs, I’m sorry, but I have to help Mr. Aizawa.” Iuzku said confidently.

“Midoriya, you can’t!” Tsu begged as he dropped the pair off.

“Don’t do it, Midoriya. You know you’ll only get killed, right?” Shinso said, Izuku shook his head, the most heroic thing for Shinso to do right now is brainwash him to get him to stand down so unfortunately there isn’t a proper reply as Izuku flies towards Aizawa.

Powering up 5% of OFA, and using OFA boosted rock armour and hardening, Izuku tries to come in hitting like a truck. However, this person? Creature? Absorbs the blow. ‘Shock absorption? Crap.’ Izuku lets the armour slip away and brushes the creature to acquire its quirks. He knows it’s multiple, the registration is different, it’s painful and jolting. “Dammit!”

“This kid has some guts attacking my Nomu, too bad he’s just another NPC who’s come to die.” The hand man grinned ferally.

Izuku needs to know the quirks of that ‘Nomu’, so he uses OFA and Suggestion together to ensure his suggestion works. He pushes his thought into the man’s head ‘I want to call off my Nomu and leave Eraserhead alive. I want to boast and name the quirks my Nomu has.’

“Nomu come back, you’ve proven your point to Eraserhead. You know kid, you stand no chance against this monster, it’s made to kill All Might, its shock absorption and super regeneration make it unstoppable.” The man followed the suggestion to the letter. Super regeneration, very useful. Izuku imagines his body being able to fix itself from damage instantly, the cells regrowing or snapping back into place and with that he can feel his body twinge, the quirk is active.

“Tomura Shigaraki, are you sure that was wise?” Portal guy asked.

“I-wait, why did I do that! I didn’t want to do that!” Shigaraki shouted. “Kurogiri, do you know who-” 

Izuku cut the man’s sentence off using a OFA boosted dash, he had broken his legs and bit back the need to scream from the pain, but the next instant they snapped back into place and regenerated. Perfect Izuku thought, now if he ever goes too far he’ll definitely live. A punch connected to the man’s face, the recognition of a new quick shivering though his body, the five finger decay quirk. Shigaraki is flung across the plaza, he’s trying to recompose himself from the floor.

“I won’t let you harm anyone, including my teacher!” Izuku spat out.

“Are you some kind of secret boss or something, what are you?!” Shigaraki growls as he picks himself up. He is more than livid, he is angry. “Nomu, kill that brat!” Izuku focuses on shock absorption, the power of attacks being distributed and negated, it activates. A punch connected to Izuku’s now blocking arms, reinforced with hardening, but there was no damage, all of it was absorbed. Izuku grins, he decides to deactivate Erasure before it irritates his eyes any longer. Ruby eyes shift back to emerald green and now the true fight begins. Izuku slams 100% OFA punches, reinforced by OFA boosted rock armour and hardening, arms breaking and reforming over and over again, blow after blow, the Nomu stays stable with no signs of faltering so Izuku decided to do a bad thing, he activates Explosion and presses his hands to the Nomu’s abdomen and lets loose at about 10%. The explosion rips through the Nomu and actually blasts it a distance away. At least it has regen so Izuku knows he probably hasn’t killed it.

“MY NOMU!” Shigaraki screamed, “you’ll die for that!” The man rushed for Izuku, Eraserhead looked up from his position, activating his quirk if Izuku required saving. Izuku grins as he places his hand on the ground and uses 5% OFA plus decay, it creates a large crater as Izuku turns it off and flies back to Aizawa. Shigaraki has fallen into the newly created crater looking shocked and is unable to escape.

“Hope you liked my version of your quirk, thank you for letting me hit you.” Izuku teased. He reactivated Erasure and looked at the portal guy who’s now trying to help Shigaraki out of the hole.

“A copy quirk…how annoying.” Shigaraki grumbled. “Kurogiri get me out of this hole, NOMU, you best be killing this kid soon!”

Suddenly, there is a loud noise of someone barging into the USJ, and Midoriya couldn’t be happier. All Might was finally here, but he couldn't feel that safe, this Nomu was made to kill All Might and he could believe it with the hits it ate.

Without a smile on his face, he says “I AM HERE!”

Shigaraki was happy again, finally his target had arrived. However he now had concerns. “If this kid can hold the Nomu, he and All Might can definitely beat it. Dammit. And if it came to it, he has my Decay. This is all wrong. Wrong, wrong, WRONG. ” Shigaraki wanted to throw a tantrum.

Any straggling villains were taken out in an instant by All Might as the man approached Aizawa and Izuku’s side. “Sorry it took so long for me to get here, young man, Eraser.”

“It could have been worse, I have a few fracture’s sure, but Midoriya stopped the worst of it before it happened. Thanks for getting here though, I assume the others must not be that far behind since you probably had to stay back a little longer.” Aizawa groaned out in pain.

“They’ll be here soon. Midoriya, take Aizawa to the entrance.”

“Of course. That Nomu has multiple quirks, super regeneration and shock absorption, just in case you wanted to know. I held my own against it so you best not go down to this!” Izuku smirked as he picked up Aizawa and flew over to the group at the top of the stairs.

“Mr Aizawa!” Uraraka shouted.

Aizawa stood up and breathed heavily. “I may be injured, but I’m okay other than fractures.”

“How about you Midoriya, you were down there alone, protecting him!” Tsu asked. Yuuto frowned.

“I’m perfectly fine. That thing had Super Regeneration and Shock Absorption that means I do too.” Izuku smirked. “Yes it was still painful as hell, but I can do things, test things, without actually damaging myself badly now.”

“I know that look on your face brother, don’t you dare. Do not go back down there!” Yuuto shouts.

Everyone stares at Izuku, “I know I can deal with those enemies without getting hurt. I’m currently running Super Regen and Shock Absorption as passives, meaning they don’t eat at my stamina unless I’m hit. Plus I have Erasure to aid against the portal guy and handyman there. Not to mention if I erase the thing’s shock absorption.”

“IZU!” Yuuto gives him a pleading look. He is about to use his suggestion if Izuku doesn’t stop himself. “Please.” He’s on the edge of tears, he doesn’t want to lose a person he calls family.

Izuku looks over to All Might, the man is beating the crap out of the nomu. He’s at his limit, so he needs backup. So he uses Suggestion on Yuuto to get the point across. ‘Maybe Izu wants to help because All Might’s at his limit for today.’ Yuuto’s eyes widened. “Damn it, fine. Go help him.” Yuuto grumbled. He’s not happy, and he keeps his eyes trained on Izuku as he flies back in, shocking the class he just left behind.

“That problem child!” Aizawa grumbled and then flinched in pain, the face fractures aren’t doing him justice when he needs to keep his student safe.

“Mr. Aizawa. Just rest, Izuku won’t stop now as he needs to save All Might.” Yuuto whispers. “We know about his limit.” Aizawa sighed and resigned, if anyone’s gonna live now it’s Midoriya, he knows that from watching the kid break himself and regenerate. As much as he hated the constant noise of breaking bones he understood the kid can survive.

<Plaza>

All Might suplexes the nomu, he was trying to slam it into the ground to trap it, but Kurogiri used a portal to stop that and turn it into their advantage. The nomu was now grabbing All Might and was readying an attack. Izuku could erase Kurogiri’s quirk, but he had no clue if the regeneration is limited to severed body parts and he is not killing it, he’s a hero and he’ll make sure of it. The nomu definitely has enhanced strength quirk or not, the body is all muscle.

Izuku decides to use OFA to fly into the nomu at speed, he reinforces his leg with OFA boosted Rock Armour and Hardening and erases the nomu’s quirks. “SMASH!” Izuku shouts. The slam is enough to jostle the beast about and cause it to be disoriented. In that time, Izuku deactivates Hardening and Rock Armour and uses the telekinetic pull he has to lift All Might out of a bad spot.

“Kid, you shouldn’t be here.” He eyes Izuku’s leg that had definitely still broken under that attack. The twisting of muscle and bone realigning itself was off putting, but he was glad Izuku was okay after that kick. “You just had to get a strong regeneration quirk. Don’t make this a habit.”

“Wasn’t planning on it, it still feels like I’ve been run over by a truck. I’d like to avoid that.” Izuku said, staring at Shigaraki and Kurogiri with Erasure activated. The Nomu was still active and was preparing itself for another attack, Izuku can’t let the other two villains out of his sight or they’ll interfere again and possibly kill someone.

“DIE!” A familiar voice shouts as they collide with Kurogiri, Izuku realises from the explosions it’s Katsuki. “I can’t let you have all the fun, Deku!” Katsuki shouted. In the same instant a wave of ice encases the nomu, halting its movement.

“Bakugo, Todoroki!” All Might gasped. “You shouldn’t be here!”

“It was three versus two, you needed the back up against this.” Todoroki reasoned with All Might.

Then another person tries to join in to attack Shigaraki, Izuku knows he’s about to blink so he uses his telekinesis with a small bit of OFA to blink and pull who he now identifies as Kirishima away.

“Why’d you stop me!” Kirishima growled.

Izuku shook his head. “He has a five point decay quirk, if he dodged and grabbed you, you’d have died. I had to blink!”

Kirishima’s face dropped. “Shit, thanks for the save.”

“You know, there’s no defeating everyone here. All Might won’t fall to you.” Todoroki said. “I watched Midoriya stand his ground against your pet here. So how’s it going to defeat All Might?”

Shigaraki growled. “Nomu. Free our warp gate.” And with that, the nomu broke itself free from the Ice, regenerating any limbs it may have lost in the process and it makes a dash for Katsuki.

“Kacchan!” is the only thing Izuku could shout when he goes into autopilot. Fortunately, shock absorption and regeneration being passive will save him. Both All Might and himself go to block the nomu’s attack, with Izuku placing himself in front of All Might. At such speeds all All Might could do first was move Katsuki out of the way, but Midoriya took the full force of the nomu’s punch.

“IZUKU!” Katsuki shouted. He realised that Izuku had dashed to save him too.

Izuku turns to Katsuki and grins. “Shock Absorption is so handy.” He reactivates erasure, powers up OFA, he punches at speed whilst at 100%, his arms breaking and mending, the final punch he infuses with Explosion. It launches the Nomu into the air and out of the USJ. Katsuki is twitching at the sight, as well as the other students who never witnessed the first bout between Izuku and the nomu. “It’s been dealt with.” Izuku had to admit, those fights have worn him down, the amount of sweat and strain he has is proof of that. Katsuki is actually going to kill the nerd after that stunt, and Yuuto is staring down at them in agreement, Izuku’s dead when this is over.

<Entrance>

Thirteen is heavily injured with Aizawa resting next to her, both the teachers are worse for wear.

“Kids, keep me updated with what’s going on down there.” Aizawa ordered.

“Got it, currently Izu just smashed that bird man so hard they dropped All Might, Izu used telekinesis to get All Might back on his feet.”

“What the, Todoroki, Bakugo and Kirishima all jumped into the fight!” Mina shouted.

“Whoa, Todoroki froze that guy solid and Bakugo is holding down the portal guy.” Sero said.

“Izuku had to save Kirishima though, at least it seems that way.” Yuuto sighed.

All the students watch in horror as the beast goes to attack Bakugo, that it was then blocked by Izuku, and he launched his own counterattack. They watch Izuku land punch after punch and eventually they watch the beast fly out of the USJ. All of them are in a state of shock at what they just witnessed.

“What was that?” Aizawa demanded an answer.

Yuuto sighed. “You may not like this, but Izu just punched that bird thing so hard it was thrown out of the USJ.” He glares at Izuku from his spectating position.

“Damn Problem Child. The villains aren’t going to like that.” He grumbled.

And in that moment the USJ’s doors burst open, and a comforting sight shows itself to the students. All of the school staff had made it and were ready to take down the remaining villains. Snipe fires bullets around the area, he nails a villain that had Kaminari hostage, protecting him and also Jiro and Yaoyorozu. Bullets also find themselves hitting Shigaraki when he went to retaliate for the loss of his nomu.

<Plaza>

“My precious nomu! It shouldn’t have been taken out by a child like you. What kind of secret end boss are you? It makes no sense.” Shigaraki is about to throw a tantrum, he leaps for Izuku but is stopped when the sound of gunfire goes off and bullets riddle his shoulders and legs.

Izuku gets distracted for a second, thinking that there may have been more villains. In that moment of distraction Kurogiri decides it’s time to leave, he teleports himself and Shigaraki out of the USJ and to retreat.

“Midoriya. What the hell was that.” Todoroki is standing in awe of the raw power he displayed.

“It was me going all out, and now I am done. My stamina’s screwed, too many quirks.” Izuku flops onto his back, switching off Erasure, Wings, Explosions since he hadn’t turned that off either and was drenched in explosive sweat. He turned off shock absorption and regeneration too since he’s unsure if passive quirks will harm him, especially after Nezu’s quirk causing mental quirk strain even if it was a passive quirk.

“DEKU!” Katsuki stomped over. “You can’t scare people like that you bastard! I didn’t want to see you get mangled.” He growled.

“Sorry Kacchan, there was no time to say I took the shock absorption. You mattered more!” Izuku smiled.

Katsuki blew a nerve. “You’re an idiotic nerd! You need to not throw yourself into deadly situations too!” He shouted.

Izuku chucked. “Ah well. It worked out, and it seems I got three new quirks.”

“Three? Didn’t that guy have shock absorption and super regeneration? What was the third?” Kirishima asked.

“Ah, I got the handyman’s decay quirk, hence the massive dusty crater over there since I used my power up quirk with it.” Izuku explained.

“That is a massive hole. Be careful with that quirk.” Todoroki said stoically.

“I got it, I probably won’t use it for much anyways because it’s destructive.” Izuku smiled. “Is everyone else safe? I know our other classmates are stuck in other zones.”

Cementoss made his way down to the plaza. “Some of the other teachers made their way to the other zones already, for now you need to take it easy. Do you have any injuries?”

“No, just tired. It may be thanks to a super regeneration quirk I copied so it’s just the muscle strain from breaking and healing bones and stuff. I had to go all out against the nomu, a black birdman looking villain.” Izuku huffed out.

“That was you? I assumed it was All Might.” Cementoss raised an eyebrow.

All Might sighed, “He took it upon himself to use the quirks he copied to protect me too, he took the blows with a shock absorbing quirk and then used regeneration to use his power enhancer at max power, so he broke himself and regenerated and dealt with the villain.”

“Reckless move. But I am glad you’re safe, we’ll make sure Recovery Girl does a full check on your muscles.” Cementoss smiled. “Someone, pick him up and take him to the entrance.” He said looking at Katsuki, Todoroki and Kirishima.

Katsuki grunts. “I’ll get him, since he’s too weak.” He chuckled slightly.

Izuku pouts. “Kacchan…”

“Izuku, do not start this now.” Katsuki laughed and he sloppily threw Izuku onto his back. He received a small yelp from Izuku for his efforts, followed by a small hiss. “Yeah, yeah, you overdid it. Should have left it to All Might you know.” He said as they approached the stairs.

Izuku shook his head, “No, we couldn’t.” Katsuki shot him a look of ‘what do you mean, couldn’t?’ “Trust me, we couldn’t.”

Katsuki huffs and drops the topic. “You using Explosion like that is terrifying by the way, I bet that thing’s insides were toasted as it flew away.”

“Probably, but it has regeneration, so it’ll be fine.” Izuku said. “God you’re slow, my grandmother could get up these stairs quicker.” Izuku knew teasing him was an easy ticket to either getting dropped or up there faster, so he took his chances.

“Deku…grr.” Katsuki growled as he rushed up the stairs, not caring about the nerds' strain anymore. He deserves the pain after that comment. At the top, they’re greeted by yuuto who couldn’t contain his laughter.

“Oh god, what a sight this is. The great Katsuki Bakugo…carrying Izuku Midoriya, honestly, I didn’t expect this level of change in under a year.” Yuuto grinned.

“If you care about the nerd so damn much you can carry him.” Katsuki got into Yuuto’s face. “Can you stand nerd?”

“I think so? Honestly, this is what I get for using so many quirks in quick succession.” Izuku is let down, with unusual and subtle care from Katsuki, he stands up with a small wobble but he can escort himself out. “I’ll be fine.” ‘Though, now that it’s all over, the last part of the problem remains. Who gave the villains the information. Inside job or avoiding the cameras, I’m setting my Lie Detector to on, I dislike being paranoid, but…it calls for it.’

“Dude. You’re a monster, in the nicest way of course.” Mina gawked. “We all know you” She points at the hole in the roof he made launching the nomu away. “Did that.”

“Ha, yeah. That’s kinda what put me in this condition, quirk strain.” Izuku smiled.

“Quirk strain! You’re lucky to be alive!” Uraraka shouted.

“I-I guess to a point, yeah I’m lucky. B-but I used everything I could to plan and protect.”

The comments and chatter continue until the police arrive to take all of the downed villains and account for all of the students. They also need accurate statements to gather information about those that escaped.

“Tsukauchi! Nice to see you again.” Izuku beamed. Yuuto nodded in the detectives direction, they had a few interactions to recount what happened and acquire accurate statements. Yuuto is glad the detective had a Lie Detector quirk, because he knows a villain tried to lie his way out of prison by blaming Yuuto’s quirk before.

“It’s nice to see you two got into UA Midoriya, Nakamura. I wish we could have met again under better circumstances.” Tsukauchi said with a subdued tone. “I have to account for all the students.” He tally’s everyone as they start their approach. “And that is 20, seems you’re all here and unharmed.” He breaks to talk to the other officers.

Izuku pays attention to the chatter, everyone is talking through their experience and he needs to ensure he can account for them all. ‘Ojiro’s telling the truth…Hagakure is also telling the truth, and Todoroki is definitely concerned that he could have easily frozen her solid.’ He spots Aoyama trying to get someone to notice him, Tsu is the one to give him the attention he wanted and a response to where he was. ‘It’s a secret.’ True.

Izuku looked over in confusion, ‘True? To ‘it’s a secret’. Why?’ He shuts Lie Detector off and heads over to Tsukauchi. “How is Mr. Aizawa and Thirteen? I know I saved Aizawa from having worse damage, but he was still quite hurt.”

He was on the phone to the doctors at the time. Aizawa would be fine, there was no lasting damage because of Izuku’s interruption. Thirteen mainly had lacerations, so she’ll be making a full recovery. “You heard the doctor. Everyone’s fine.” He smiled.

“Good, now I have something I need to tell you alone.” Izuku looked serious.

“Alright everyone, load yourselves onto the bus, I need to talk with Midoriya for one more second.” The detective ushered everyone away for the private chat. “You know, I was worried when we got the call yesterday evening saying to be on standby. Nezu informed me of your thoughts on certain events. So what is it?”

“I think you need to keep an eye on Aoyama and or his family. I used Lie Detector to see if my classmates were being truthful, and they all were.” Izuku explained.

“That’s good though, isn’t it?”

“Not when Aoyama’s answer to where he was was ‘it’s a secret.’ and it flagged as true.” Izuku fiddled with his fingers anxiously.

“Understood, we’ll see into it, but you need to add it to an official statement anyways, so when we bring you in for questioning bring it up.” The detective then ushered him away too.

<Villain’s Hideout>

“Shot in the shoulders and my legs. Dammit, all those underlings beaten, and even the nomu was beaten by some stupid, overpowered brat!” Shigaraki growled. “Master, we have an issue.”

“It seems we underestimated the students as well as the capabilities of the staff members. Though I am intrigued about this ‘brat’ who you said beat the nomu.” A static voice said through a monitor.

“He has such a weird quirk. He copied Nomu's quirks and mine. He had wings and could use super strength and other quirks like rock covering his arms, hardening his body, explosions. He had Eraserhead’s quirk too. I don’t understand!” Shigaraki explained. “It was like we stumbled into the wrong dungeon, we were way underleveled and came across its boss!”

“That quirk sounds like a very rare copy mutation, perhaps his DNA is so malleable it can mess around with many quirks at once. Tomura, did he have any quirks that the students do not have?” Another voice asked.

“The rock armour and his wings, not one student there had those! Now that I think about it, he turned Eraserhead’s quirk off and on again, his eyes went from red to green and back to red when he activated it” Shigaraki growled.

“He can use copied quirks whenever he wants to call on them, they could even have a permanent timespan. This kid is going to be a danger, he has copied one of our strongest Nomu’s quirks and Tomura’s decay.” The man started to audibly panic.

“Now doctor, that just means we’ll have to kill this child when the chance comes. I trust there will be someone strong or sneaky enough to do it.” The other man said. “Tomura, where’s the Nomu?”

“That kid blasted it away with powerful punches and an explosion, he was erasing its quirks so it made it easy.” Shigaraki explained.

“That’s a shame, but it can’t be helped. You’ll have your time to try again, Tomura Shigaraki.” The man said.

And with that, Izuku is now a target, and a dangerous one at that. A hero in training with a stupidly powerful quirk will do their plans no favours. The kid needs to die for them to succeed or the kid could become a new, strong symbol just like All Might and they gave that child three powerful quirks for his arsenal.

Chapter Text

On the return to the school, everyone was quiet, they were truly taking in the events of the day and they were lucky, too lucky. If the villains had come more prepared a few of them could have definitely died, Izuku probably should have died in the grand scheme of things, but instead he pulled off a miracle.

Izuku heads to the nurses office as instructed to make sure he hasn’t actually damaged any of his muscles after the incident. He enters to see an unimpressed Recovery Girl and groans “Uh, So I take it they told you the details?”

She threatens him with a newspaper. “Yes they told me, you are somehow just as bad, if not worse than All Might himself. And just because you have regeneration now, it doesn’t mean you can mangle yourself all the time.”

“I wasn’t planning to, but I knew All Might was pushing near his limit so he needed cover.” Izuku tried to explain.

She sighed. “How many quirks did you have active at once?”

Izuku hmms. “Battle senses are always active, Rock Armour, OFA, Hardening, Wings, I didn’t turn Erasure off either, Super Regeneration and Shock Absorption. So eight?”

She thinks about that number. “eight?! I’m surprised you didn’t go over just generic strain. And that’s mainly because of the regeneration causing muscles to set back to normal.”

She checks him over and tells him that a little rest will most likely fix his issues, but he’ll feel like he’d just gone through an intense workout for the next few days. All Might, in his small form, then barges into the office with Tsukauchi.

“Hello kid, didn’t want to bother you too much, just wanted to check up on how you’re doing after that ordeal, and Tsukauchi wanted to quickly take your statement.” All Might said.

“I want you to bother him more for having EIGHT quirks active at once. I know he’s trained to hold multiple at a time, but that is ridiculous.” Recovery Girl was scolding All Might too for allowing Izuku to use that many quirks.

All Might coughed out blood in the shock. “Eight quirks at once?! Kid!”

“I am fine, other than the strain from the regeneration and energy consumption.” Izuku pouted. “Can I start my statement please?” He didn’t want the continued grilling from everyone, he wants out now.

Tsukauchi chuckled slightly, “Sure kid. Since you were the one that had the most contact with the main villains, did you learn anything about them?

“The one with hands all over him, his name was Tomura Shigaraki, that's what the portal guy called him anyways. Portal guy is called Kurogiri. Shigaraki has a decay quirk, but it only seems to work when he places all four of his fingers and his thumb on something.” Izuku explained.

True. “That lines up with our information, so did he create that crater at the USJ?”

“Toshinori, is he clued in about you know what?” Izuku looks over cautiously.

“He is. Yes” All Might answered.

“I created that crater, I used a small amount of One-For-All with the villain’s decay quirk and it decimated the ground.” Izuku admitted.

True “That clears a lot of the confusion up, a lot of the reports said that the villain did it and they were shocked he hadn’t killed Aizawa instantly.” Tsukauchi revealed. “Now unofficially, I want to say, thank god you’re safe. Being told ‘Izuku Midoriya tried to take three boss villains on his own.’ was a shock.”

“Yeah, I really benefited from Mr. Aizawa’s Erasure when it came down to it, plus the Nomu’s regeneration and shock absorption.” Izuku sighs. “I’ve definitely got a target on my back after this though. They had that nomu thing ready for All Might, and it seemed like it was a mindless servant. So don’t expect anything to come from it.”

Tsukauchi winced at the observation, but he can’t deny its accuracy. “Principal Nezu already feared this, so we have sent out extra patrols to go around your place of residence as well as having people observe you on your way home every so often.”

Izuku frowns, “It feels like I am being babied, but it makes sense. My mother is going to kill me.” He sighed, his mother is going to fully grill him, and Yuuto is going to join in. The whole room chuckles, Izuku did bring it upon himself after all.

~~~~~~~~

After the questioning finished, Izuku and Yuuto made their way home and it’s like a routine at this point. Time to reveal the ‘good’ news to Inko.

“Mom. I know you’re probably fed up with this, and you were probably called-” He couldn’t finish as he and Yuuto were both engulfed in a hug.

“I heard your class was attacked by villains. Are you hurt? Or scared, what about your classmates.” Inko was panicking.

“MOM! We’re all okay. The worst some of the students got were some bruises.” Izuku smiled happily.

Yuuto grumbled. “That’s only because you picked up a super regeneration quirk, or you’d have been a crumpled mess of bones.” That was grim, even from him.

Inko took a second to take that information in. “How badly did you hurt yourself?! IZUKU!” Inko cried.

“Being honest? I broke my arms and legs several times over and used a regeneration quirk to have them fix themselves instantly. I’m sorry, I was protecting my class.” Izuku explained.

“B-But why you? Wasn’t All Might there o-or any other hero?” Inko said shakily.

“When I went in, Mr. Aizawa was held down by a monster called Nomu, so I had to deal with it. When All Might came in, he was being outdone by the flexibility of a warp gate quirk and Nomu’s brute strength. In the end, Kacchan was about to get killed so All Might and I rushed to save him. All Might pushed Kacchan away, and I used shock absorption to stop the Nomu’s hit. Then I used all my fighting quirks to launch it away.” Izuku explained.

“You need to be more okay, you’re my children, I worry for the both of you. But Izuku, you throw yourself into danger too quickly.” Inko cried.

“He really does.” Yuuto sighed, “But Izu had it handled, he’s still an idiot though.” Inko nodded, she was out of words for the day and resigned to hugging.

~~~~~~~~

“Iz…Iz..u…Izuku. Can you hear me child?” a feminine voice asked.

Izuku looked around and all he could currently see was a dark void. His body was covered in a green mist, the only thing free was the top of his eyes and ears. “Mhm, whoo…awwww uuuu? (Who are you?)” He asked, currently being muffled by the mist.

“Good, you can hear. My name's Nana Shimura, the holder of One-For-All before Toshinori. I don’t know how much time we have, but this seems to be happening earlier than we thought it would. We assume it’s because of your quirk being so flexible it fits itself into One-For-All nicely and vice versa.” Nana smiles weakly. “We can see your other quirks, those you acquired accidentally, and the faces of said owners. Unlike us, they’re basically just mannequins with details of their quirks. However, one person is worrying.”

Izuku raised an eyebrow.

“I would break the news to Toshinori gently, but you have something called ‘All-For-One’, it-it’s basically like your quirk, but it steals quirks instead. It can also pass quirks onto other people. It’s a supervillain's quirk, he goes by the name of his quirk, and we are worried where you got it since he’s been our enemy for generations. Every OFA user has fought him.” She explained.

“Uuuprrvlllan?!” ‘Supervillain.’ Izuku said to the best of his ability.

“Yeah. Unfortunately we can-” Nana said.

Izuku shook his head. “I caaaa geeess. Doen’t tell me. (I can guess. Don’t tell me.)” He starts to cry slightly.

Nana looks at him, she can understand the pain he’s going through. “The man had short white hair, red eyes and a bland, but attractive (even if she didn’t like describing him that way) looking face. He was also quite built muscle wise, if you were going to ask questions.” Izuku nods in response. “It seems you’re waking up, just…be gentle with the topic with Toshi, got it?” Izuku nodded again.

Izuku wakes up gasping for air, was that for real or…he tests the thought. Stealing a quirk and the ability to pass them on via touch. His hands mutate, little holes form on his palms, confirming that it was indeed real and not a dream. “Fuck.” Izuku accidentally said out loud, as he started to cry, he released the quirk and decided to never touch it again. “Izu. What’s the matter?” Yuuto was awake, the pair shared a room in bunk beds since their apartment is small and Inko couldn’t afford to move just for extra room. The pair don’t mind each other's company anyhow.

“I-It’s bad Yuu, like, really bad.” Izuku was trembling.

“I couldn’t sleep properly either, nightmares about…everything and the USJ was added in for extra measures.” Yuuto admits. “I was doing so well and that just backtracked my progress. So what about you?”

“It…wasn’t a dream or a nightmare, One-For-All, someone was in it and they talked to me. They told me of a quirk similar to mine, a-a-and.” Izuku let the tears fall faster. “It’s a supervillain's quirk, the enemy of every OFA user. I have that quirk. I tested it as I woke up, and yes I could have accidentally brushed past him in the street, but.” Izuku takes a deep breath. “The man’s quirk can steal quirks and pass quirks off to others, and if I think about it deeply, it’s similar to mine because it would mean the guy's DNA is malleable enough to hold multiple quirks…so.”

Yuuto’s eyes widened. “Oi come here.” He gets Izuku to drop from his top bunk and wraps him into a hug. “You’re saying he’s your dad who up and left right?”

Izuku nods into Yuuto’s shoulder. “It makes sense, he could probably sense I was quirkless back then and left. Why stick around for a quirkless child, if I had shown this quirk before I think he’d have either stolen it or taken me. All Might’s gonna hate me, the woman said to gently break it to him, but how do I tell him ‘I have your worst enemies quirk in here, might be his kid too.’”

“I’ll be there with you, alright?” Yuuto tightens his grasp in the hug. “You’re not going to sleep now, are you?” Izuku shook his head. “I’ll stay up with you, I don’t wanna sleep again either. It’s 3am though. We’re going to be dying in class tomorrow.”

“Don’t care. I need to come to terms with this before school.” Izuku grumbled. He breaks out of the hug and starts loading up the computer, plugging in earphones and sharing them with Yuuto.

<The morning>

“Izuuu, Yuuuu. Time for school.” Inko shouted.

“We’re awake mom, we couldn’t sleep.” Izuku and Yuuto exited the room, already dressed. 

“Oh my poor babies, you look rough. Are you sure you’ll be okay at school today?” Inko frets around the pair.

“We’ll be fine, but uhhh Izu wants to ask a question.” Yuuto said.

Izuku shuffles nervously. “Y-you don’t have pictures of dad here, and I don’t remember him.” Inko freezes, slightly getting anxious and a little annoyed. “I’m not asking to exactly know him, I don’t want to know him, but what did he look like?”

Inko relaxed slightly. “Well, that’s a weird question. Why do you ask?”

“My quirk showed me a few people in my mind and I wanted to see if any of them matched dad’s appearance. It’s something to do with identifying people’s quirks that I wouldn’t know otherwise.” Izuku explained, missing out on the whole ‘supervillain’ fiasco.

“He…well he was definitely too good for me. He was built like a bodybuilder, or the heroes you see who use strength.” Inko started to explain. ‘Built muscles.’ “He had short white hair.” ‘Shit.’ “And well, piercing red eyes, sometimes I thought I could see experience and power in them though. It was sometimes unnerving.” Izuku stood frozen, yep. That’s it. His dad is a supervillain. Time to destroy All Might’s heart and mind.

“T-thank you mom, I did see him in my mind then, I-I’ll just put that to bed then. I don’t want to use that man’s quirk anyways.” Izuku smiled weakly and pulled out his phone.

All Might

Izuku: I have something I need to tell you today, Yuuto will be with us, I’ll need him there.

All Might: Izuku, that sentence scares me. Can you explain a little bit

Izuku: I’d rather do it in person, but uh. Someone in my dream, but it wasn’t a dream, told me important information to pass on to you. Just promise you could never hate me or whoever told me.

All Might: I could never hate you, Midoriya, I promise, but…I’ll see you at school. Stay safe!

Izuku: Thank you.

He closes the phone and tucks in to some cereal and a cup of strong coffee. Today is going to be one of the most stressful days of his life.

~~~~~~~~

Yuuto and Izuku walk through the door, looking like death just dragged them from the underworld. “Morning guys.” Izuku yawns. “Yeah, I know, we look like crap.”

“Are you okay Midoriya? You too Yuuto?” Uraraka asked.

“Of course they aren't, they look like someone just dragged their asses through a bush.” Katsuki growled out.

“Bakugo. But I have to agree, you two look horrid.” Iida said.

“We couldn’t sleep, I had horrible nightmares about various things, not just the USJ.” Yuuto said, everyone understood right away.

“I have my reasons, but I have to talk to the teachers first.” Izuku looked uncomfortable. He doesn’t want to lie to them, but also, that information could get him discriminated against or cause the whole class to become targets. Katsuki looks over in concern, Izuku’s never this depressed, even when he was being bullied to hell and back.

“Morning class.” Aizawa said as he entered the classroom. He’s up and seems perfectly fine, one round with the doctors or recovery girl seemed to have fixed him right up.

“I’m glad you’re alright, Mr. Aizawa.” Izuku said slowly, whilst smiling sleepily.

“Midoriya. It’s because of you that I’m not any worse for wear.” Aizawa smiles slightly under his scarf, but he has concerns about Izuku and Yuuto considering they look like hell right now. “In better news, the U.A. Sports Festival is about to start.”

“Should we be holding the festival right after a villain attack on U.A.?” Jiro asked.

“The administration thinks that this is a good idea to show that we’ve handled the threat. In fact, we knew that there was a possible threat thanks to Midoriya working it out. We just weren’t prepared for a teleporter and whatever or whoever that nomu is. In any case this event is a huge opportunity for all of the students at U.A. we can’t cancel it due to a small villain attack.” Aizawa explained.

“I agree with Mr. Aizawa, the Sports Festival is one of the most popular televised events in the world, it’s basically what the Olympic games were before quirks came in.” Izuku said.

Aizawa continues to explain the festival and how it would help get the students into the spotlight for agencies to recruit. After they let it stew until lunch time, the students are pumped for the festival, Uraraka more than anything.

All Might pops from around a corner and points to Izuku and Yuuto. “Young Midoriya, Nakamura, Lunch? You had something you needed to talk to me about right?”

“Ah yeah, I did. Thank you for picking up the issue quickly. See you later Uraraka, Iida, Shinso!” Izuku waved them off, Yuuto did a small casual wave. “See you after lunch.”

<Teacher’s Lounge>

“I have to thank you Midoriya, my limit would have been shortened drastically if I had to fully fight that villain. I can still keep my form up for about two and a half hours, it did shorten when I dashed over and started fighting, but it could have been worse.” All Might smiled. “So, before I say anything else and get into the sports festival, what was it you had to tell me?”

“I was told to ease you into it, but I really don’t know how. Um…I think One-For-All spoke to me?” Izuku looked at All Might looking for any similar experiences.

“Spoke to you? How so?” All Might seemed intrigued.

“A woman spoke to me in my dream. Nana Shimura, I think her name was.” Izuku said. All Might sputtered out. “You know, thinking about her appearance now, she sort of looked like my mom.” Izuku chuckled.

“She was my mentor and the holder of OFA before me, she was an amazing woman, trust me.” Toshinori smiled. “If you speak to her again, let her know I’ve been doing my best.”

“I-I think she can still see that through you and me. So I think she knows.” Izuku smiles back. “I didn’t message you to talk about her appearance though, it’s what she said.” He said, fidgeting with his fingers.

“What did she say?”

“That she can see all of my other quirks, all those that I accidentally obtained. She can see the person like they’re mannequins of themselves and how the quirk works. If I can reach out to OFA or Shimura again, maybe I can see and use the quirks of those I shouldn’t know.” Izuku explained.

“Well, that sounds amazing my boy-” Toshinori notices Izuku start trembling, and that Yuuto doesn’t look too good either.

“You promised you could never hate me right?” Midoriya asked for affirmation with his eyes becoming more glassy from the tears he’s holding back.

“I swear, I could never hate you. No matter what, you’re a kind soul, the perfect person to be my successor. What you did at the USJ proved that and more.” The man smiled.

“Even if my blood was evil. That the man who aided in my birth was a horrible villain.” Izuku dug his nails into his arms, his heart can’t take it.

Toshinori looks at Izuku pleadingly, but softly. “No matter whose DNA runs through you, a person is more than their blood. I could never hate you for your father’s wrongdoings…who is he?”

“Well, he went by Hisashi Midoriya…but, well I guess I don’t even know his real name. All Might.” Izuku starts to cry and Yuuto pulls him into a side hug whispering reinforcing comments. “He is apparently…he goes by the name…All-For-One.” Toshinori’s eyes widened and breathing heightened.

“A-a-are you sure about that?” Toshinori rushed out.

“Shimura w-wanted to t-t-tell me, I could infer f-from her speech and reactions i-it was him. My m-mother confirmed his appearance” Izuku said with tears and snot rolling down his face. He grabs some tissues and dries himself up. “All I know is that he is a supervillain and has been against One-For-All users for generations, and I hate it. I-If you think I should give the quirk to someone else-”

“No. Never. You are not him. As much as this is a shock, you are the exact opposite of that man, you’re not him. He was the one who put me in this state, but you, you’re not him.” Toshinori said. “All-For-One…well, he was obsessed with gathering strong quirks for himself, whilst at the same time, removing some people’s quirks that they found displeasing, whilst giving quirks to others. He gathered their trust or effectively put them under his control as his pawns. It was a dark time back then, when he was freely roaming with control, it was when people had started getting quirks too. It was a mess.”

“He’s that old?” Izuku shuddered, his poor mom would be horrified. “Honestly. I don’t want to keep thinking about him, but I should remind you. Because of this I have that man’s quirk.” Shifting his hands to AFO. “Look at this, a quirk I shouldn’t even have.” Izuku cried, but no tears could fall. Toshinori feels unnerved, the possibility Izuku could have been wrong was now shattered as the familiar look on the palms confirms AFO. Izuku shifts them back and gloves up his hands.

“Alright, well. I was going to talk about the sports festival, if you want we could swap to that topic…or we could just sit here, in comfortable silence and talk about it another day.” Toshinori smiled at Izuku, “Kid, you’ve got this alright.” Izuku essentially falls asleep on Yuuto with a small smile on his face. 

Yuuto looks slightly done with the world, but that’s fine, Izuku’s at peace with himself now that he knows All Might has understood the situation and has lived up to his promise. Yuuto finds himself falling asleep too, and he lets himself as he definitely needs the nap right now.

Toshinori stays in thought as he watches over the boys. ‘Midoriya…sure a cruel origin was given to you, but you have your morals in check and you are the kindest, most heroic person I’ve met in quite a while. Much like One-For-All, that man created something amazing from the darkness he holds.’

<End of the day>

After the little refreshing nap in the teachers lounge, the pair were a little more aware for the rest of the day. Concerned glances from their friends and a few other classmates were thrown around, which they noticed and they appreciated that they cared, but they just wanted the day to move on.

Many students were piled up outside of the 1-A classroom, scoping out their competition. Bakugo lets a small smirk slip, which Izuku notices, before leaving the classroom and riling up what is most likely the entirety of the 1st year students. The purpose of this? To definitely make the festival a challenge, nothings better than going against people with a point to prove. At the end of the day, everyone’s going to have to do their best on the day and prove themselves, Katsuki just helped to provoke that feeling. Next up, the Sports Festival.

Chapter Text

All Might picks up his phone and makes a reluctant call to Tsukauchi, the authorities or at least one of his closest friends, deserve to be informed about what had just taken place.

*Ring Ring* *Ring Ring*

“Is something the problem, Toshinori?” Tsukauchi inquired, because Toshinori is calling him during his work hours.

“The kid made a pretty heavy discovery last night, apparently One-For-All may house the previous user’s memories, consciousness, or whatever in it. Nana talked to him.” Toshinori explained.

“That’s…weird, are you sure?”

“He named her perfectly, I hadn’t told him her name.” Toshinori sighed. “She told Midoriya that she can see all of the quirks he has copied, even the ones he’s unaware about. She could see the appearance of the person who it originated from, like a mannequin modelling the quirk.”

“That is interesting, so I assume she showed him a quirk he has then?” Tsukauchi asked.

“I’m not going to put this lightly, and the kid already had a target on him, but this makes it worse.” He swallows.

“Toshi, you’re worrying me. What is it?”

“He…Tsukauchi. He has All-For-One in there.” Toshinori said with a tinge of sadness.

“HE WHAT?!” Tsukauchi shouted, his face plastered in horror.

“He showed me the quirk too, so he has it…and apparently. I feel for the kid, I do. Fate is fickle with these kinds of things. Apparently Hisashi Midoriya…his father…was actually AFO.” Toshinori hated explaining every second of this, but it had to be said.

“Fuck. What. The. Fuck.” Tsukauchi was done with everything right now. “How does…I’m glad the kid is the embodiment of sunshine and heroism because he could have turned out so much worse if that man had his hands on him or his quirk.”

“I know, Midoriya was fortunate that he accidentally made himself quirkless and AFO just abandoned them, because I fear to think about how it could have turned out otherwise.” Toshinori breathed out in relief.

“We’re going to have to keep an eye on the situation. We may need to increase protection on the kid and his family, thank you for coming to me with this information, Toshinori.” Tsukauchi leans back on his chair, hands covering his face, the dilemma and despair. “I’ve got to get back to work. Talk to you later.”

“Talk to you later, Tsukauchi.” The call ended there and Toshinori resigned to think things over.

~~~~~~~~

Izuku hadn’t said anything to his mother, he couldn’t just announced that his quirk said ‘hey, the guy you married and had me with, yeah he was born when quirks started appearing and he’s actually a supervillain who steals people’s quirks and basically wants world domination.’ Izuku vowed to use his quirk for good, to help more people than that man could ever hurt. 

<Class 1-A waiting room>

“Deku, Hypno. You’ve both been off the past couple weeks, wanna spill what’s up?” Katsuki glared at the pair.

Izuku froze, he was contemplating telling Katsuki what happened. “I probably shouldn’t talk about it. Not here at least.” Izuku looked down anxiously.

“If it’s a secret or some shit just say so, you don’t have to share shit with me, you idiot.” Katsuki growled.

Izuku appreciated Katsuki posing it as an option, “I’ll think about it.”

Todoroki approaches Izuku, “Midoriya.”

“Hi Todoroki.” Izuku says a little nervously.

“After recent events, it is obvious that my goal is to best you. You have a powerful quirk and on top of that it seems All Might is in your corner.” The red and white haired boy stated, causing Izuku to swallow anxiously. “I’m not going to pry into your situation, but just know, I will beat you.”

Izuku smirks. “Then I, in turn, vow to defeat you!” Izuku turned the declaration on its head, his determination to win oozing out. “I don’t know why you exactly decided to declare this, but we’ll all have to do our best out there. All the other classes are gunning for us after all and we have to fight to stand out.” He grinned. ‘Though, it’ll only be with the power All Might gifted me.’

~~~~~~~~

Midnight was apparently hosting this year's Sports Festival, a lot of the students were ogling over her costume since it was basically a skintight dominatrix costume. Izuku and Yuuto just sighed and silently agreed with Tokoyami’s ‘is that really an appropriate costume’ comment.

“For the student pledge this year, we have Katsuki Bakugo.” Midnight announced, and this was the moment Izuku really wished he had done more in the entrance exam. Yuuto and Izuku looked at each other, thinking the same thing. “We’re doomed.” They said quietly, as the class wanted to quiz them, Katsuki started his ‘speech.’

“I just wanna say, I’m gonna win.” Katsuki says bluntly. Causing the whole student body other than class 1-A to go into an uproar. Class A is breaking down at the amount of anger Bakugo just pushed onto them.

“If you can’t handle the heat, then there’s no reason to try being a hero, is there?” Katsuki smirked. The class couldn’t resist giving him cold glares, but Izuku and Yuuto got the picture and would accept the challenge. 

With this, Midnight announces the first part of the festival - an obstacle race. “Izu…I know you don’t want to use your quirk, but it is YOUR quirk you know. Not his. Not anyone else's, yours.” Yuuto smiled weakly.

Izuku sighs, “Possibly, but…to give in to that power that’s not…I don’t feel like I deserve it anymore if I use THAT.”

“You are going to Hound Dog after today. Talk your shit out with him, because I know it’s a complex issue and you need adult guidance.” Yuuto said seriously, Izuku winced at that fact, he wondered how he would even start a conversation for that.

Midnight explained the parameters of the course, basically no leaving the confines of the course, crossing the finish line, no harming students, all obvious stuff. The students prepare at the starting line getting, the starting lights beeping until… “BEGIN!”

Izuku powers One-For-All throughout his body at 5% and starts running at enhanced speeds. Yuuto weaves through the crowds and then clocks onto something, everyone’s going to want to rush and hinder each other, they can use quirks and stuff to actually stop one another, just not injure. Izuku thinks the same thing, both of the boys scan for any students looking to make a move. Their eyes lock onto Todoroki who’s right side has frost forming, so they decide to sit back and wait for his move.

Ice trapped the students who dared go too far ahead without a plan and Todoroki rushed for the lead. Izuku rushed out with OFA and Yuuto was naturally more agile, Yuuto knew he wasn’t getting the top spot, but he’d settle for it. However, he knew Izuku could win, and easily at that but he got into a funk at the wrong time. Yuuto understands that it’s because of the circumstances, but if Izuku wants to be a hero, limiting himself isn’t helping. In this realisation, he hasn’t seen Todoroki use his fire either, the most he’s done is melt his own ice with heat. Considering who his father is, he could definitely be in a similar scenario. He mentally noted to pull them both to the side for…well it’s most likely daddy issues on both sides.

Bakugo is exploding his way over to catch Todoroki who’s skating his way through, he passes a scowl over to Izuku, he knows he hasn’t used anything but All Might’s quirk. “Do you really think you can win this only using his quirk? Stupid Deku, don’t think you’re close to beating me like that!” Katsuki was angry, but the sad and twitching smile on Izuku’s face killed his mood. “Tsk, you best tell me what’s wrong after this, Izuku.” He blasts himself further away from Izuku to catch up with Todoroki.

The first obstacle was a horde of 0 pointers, Todoroki froze them all whilst they were off balance, meaning they were crashing down right after he went past them. Katsuki just propelled himself around the falling robots, whilst Izuku and Yuuto had to wait for them to safely (or not safely) crash. Fortunately they crashed and landed on Kirishima and a class 1-B boy, who both had quirks that hardened their bodies to save themselves. Izuku took a piece of metal with him and carried on.

The next zone, an area of platforms connected by tightropes. Izuku groaned, again he could just fly, but he swore off using his ‘filthy’ quirk. Yuuto facepalmed at the sight, his brother reduced to this mess. Toshinori was watching from the sidelines, his heart breaking for the boy, he doesn’t even know how to approach this issue, but he doesn’t want to see him drag himself down like this.

The final obstacle is a minefield and with this Todoroki and Katsuki were basically neck and neck. Izuku decided that he would, instead, dig up mines and use them for one massive explosion. Yuuto bit his lip and decided to let Izuku do his thing, it looked ridiculous and dangerous, but he’s not going to coddle him here. He focuses on running forward, his fluid movements running in between every mine with ease.

*Boom* An explosion rings out behind him.

Yuuto doesn’t look back, he knows that it was Izuku and Mic announces as much. Izuku shot past Yuuto and had been launched right where Todoroki and Katsuki were. Izuku slams the metal piece he held into the mines, causing Todoroki and Katsuki to slow and for Izuku to pass them. With OFA flowing through him he runs for the finish line as fast as possible, winning the whole even as Todoroki came in 2nd, Katsuki 3rd and Yuuto 4th place, which in the grand scheme of running quirkless, he did pretty well.

“Deku. The hell was that?!” Katsuki shouted.

“Hey, no need to be so aggressive Bakugo.” Uraraka said slowly, the race tired her out.

“I-it’s fine Uraraka, I did w-what I could to win.” Izuku said, thinking that was the appropriate response.

Katsuki growled. “No. You didn’t. You didn’t do a fraction of what you could have. Some rival you are.” He shrugged. Yuuto pulled him aside. “Hypno bastard what do you think-aaaa”

“I get what you’re trying to do. Spur him on to try and whatever, he isn’t going easy or whatever, so it won’t work. Lunch is after this next event, I’m dragging out Izu, you and Todoroki since he’s probably got a similar issue to Izu right now.” Yuuto explained.

Katsuki groaned. “He’s an idiot if he thinks he can just not use his quirk. I did notice half and half doesn’t use his fire too you know. Two of the strongest in the class and their wasting themselves due to whatever the fuck this is.” He sighed.

“Never thought I could agree more with you Katsuki. I’m hoping to get this figured out at lunch, because I hate to see Izu looking worse than…well middle school.” Katsuki cringed at Yuuto's comment, middle school definitely was Izuku’s hell, but even then Izuku’s spirit wasn’t nearly as broken as it is now. “I’ll see if I can talk him around right now, but don’t expect much.” Yuuto sighed as he waved Katsuki off.

Yuuto put a hand on Izuku’s shoulder, the boy was conversing with Iida and Uraraka about the race, both of them shot worried glances over to Yuuto. “Izuku, you’re worrying everyone. I know…I know you think you’re doing what’s right by not using your quirk. Except, what happens when you get into a situation where you could be a literal wild card, do anything and everything to save people with that massive smile of yours. You are you, not anyone else, so use your power for good.” Yuuto said pleadingly.

Izuku huffed out. “Not his power. I can’t. It’s disgusting.” Yuuto shook his head to Uraraka and Iida.

“Alright, well keep being stubborn then, the next event is about to start so we need to pay attention.” Yuuto pointed to Midnight and the screen.

Midnight announces that the second event is a cavalry battle and that basically Izuku is screwed because he isn’t using his quirk and now has a 10 million point bounty on his head. They now had to form teams of up to 4 and well…Yuuto had half a mind to actually oppose him.

Uraraka had already agreed to join Izuku’s team whilst Iida declined, he wanted to push himself as a rival. Yuuto was torn, but ultimately decided to side with Izuku, if only so he can talk sense into him at lunch. “Just know, I’m only joining this team so I can talk to you at lunch Izu. I had half a mind to go against you and make you hand over your points.” He said coldly.

“T-thanks for joining. So um…I think we should also recruit Tokoyami…but I-his quirk. I don’t want to accidentally.” Izuku stuttered.

“Ask for some, like long gloves or whatever. I’m sure they have sleeves, etc.” Yuuto sighed.

Izuku went off to ask if he could get sleeves and gloves, he explained to midnight that he didn’t want to accidentally copy quirks, especially sentient ones. She sent Izuku to the changing rooms whilst Yuuto went to talk to Tokoyami.

“Hey Tokoyami.” Yuuto spoke up.

“Ah, Nakamura, what brings you here?” Tokoyami said curiously.

“Izu went to grab some gloves and sleeves so he doesn’t accidentally copy quirks, mainly yours though because of him being sentient. We’d like you to join our team as our frontrunner since you have pretty good defensive and offensive capabilities.” Yuuto explained.

“Hmm, who else is with you?”

“Uraraka.”

“I’ll join your team. It seems well rounded, and with your quirks-” Tokoyami was interrupted by Yuuto.

“Izu’s not using his quirk properly, he’s only using All Might’s quirk. Something personal happened and he’s not taken it well, so he’s conservatively using his quirk.” Yuuto said sadly.

“Ah, well that’s alright, everyone has their bouts with darkness, but he’s not fighting alone. We can cover where he can’t, and afterwards I trust he’ll pull through. He is usually the light after all.” Tokoyami said, complimenting Izuku’s usual brightness, Izuku had just returned to overhear that sentence. ‘Thank you Tokoyami.’ He whispered, plus one to the group he thinks, if he can drag the bird headed student into their folds.

The students all set up in their teams, with one rider and the others acting as horses. Izuku was the rider, Tokoyami was up front and Yuuto and Uraraka were off to the sides.

“Begin!” Midnight shouted.

Izuku’s team was instantly targeted, one student caused the ground to become soft, and act like quicksand. They were sinking and there wasn’t really any way out. Yuuto piped up. “Izu, we need your wings, Uraraka can make us lighter, but we can’t get out without you.”

“Yuu. Please.” Izuku whined.

“Alright, you throw the match then, just remember you’re throwing it for me, Uraraka and Tokoyami too then, even when they joined this team to help you.” Yuuto huffed. “Can’t be a hero if you resign yourself to failure because of something that no one else is actually bothered about.” 

Izuku looked around, taking in the fact that everyone is actually relying on him, “One, fuck you, Yuu. Two.” He begrudgingly manifested his wings, tearing the back of his jacket open in the process. “Uraraka, make us lighter so I can get us out of this.”

“Got it.” Uraraka made everyone but Izuku weightless.

“Hold on tight.” Izuku ordered, everyone held on like they’d die otherwise. Izuku pumped his wings with 5% of One-For-All and pulled everyone out of the ground. He lowered them down away from some of the other teams, in the meantime, Dark Shadow was blocking some attacks from Jiro. Upon landing, Izuku releases his wings.

Uraraka’s concern about Izuku was raised when she heard him swear like that at Yuuto, he’s never so angry and at his best friend, his brother, no less. She took a glance at Yuuto, she could see the boy was about to break, his eyes were watering. “Midoriya. Nakamura is right, you can’t just act up because something’s got to you. You want to be a hero, we need to do our best and keep a level head.”

Izuku didn’t respond, all he did was continue to order and analyse the battlefield. Katsuki tried to blast his way over to steal their points. Yuuto used his quirk and directed it at Katsuki. ‘I want to throw my headband at them and go back to my team.’ He pushed the suggestion since Katsuki’s resolve is strong. Katsuki slowly reaches for his headband, but Sero wraps his arm in tape and pulls him back to reality and his team.

“Dude, that was too reckless. You almost gave them our headband!” Sero complained.

“Damn Hypno. I didn’t think he’d be able to influence me!” Katsuki growled. “As much as I hate it, we need to go for the extras, they can wait.” The looks of astonishment he got were something, and judging with something like ‘Bakugo not going in for a fight?’. “What are you staring at, I want to WIN! Hypno won’t allow that, so go for the extras, dammit!” And off they went to target other teams instead of dealing with the invisible force field that is Yuuto.

In the meantime, Shoji, Asui, Shinso and Ojiro try to grab Izuku’s headband, but Yuuto suggests for Shoji to stop moving. That bought them enough time to run whilst they got chased by another team.

The climax of the event approached, Todoroki’s team readied a large attack in which they insulated themselves whilst they had Kaminari use a massive burst of electricity to stop every other team and freeze them. Dark Shadow blocked the attack for Izuku’s team, then went in for a counter to try and steal some headbands from Todoroki’s team, but was blocked by Yaoyorozu’s creation ability.

“We have to keep to his left side, he won’t use his fire and he won’t be able to use his ice.” Izuku said.

In the final 60 seconds, Iida uses a secret move. He goes so fast, Izuku’s team had no time to react and their headband was stolen by Todoroki. In the remaining few seconds for them to get some points back, the team rushed in, Izuku prepared OFA and went to swipe in front of Todoroki to disorient him. Todoroki accidentally used his flames, which made Yuuto crack a smirk. Yuuto then suggested ‘I want to stand still, unmoving.’ “Grab as many as you can, Izu, they’re frozen!” Izuku grabs a couple of headbands, none of them being the 10 million points. However, it was enough points to pass as the siren went off to signal the end of the match.

The scores were announced: 1st Team Todoroki, 2nd Team Bakugo, 3rd Team Shinso, 4th Team Midoriya. “Thank you for that opportunity, Yuuto…and sorry for snapping earlier.” Izuku looked full of guilt and shame. “I should have listened to you too, Uraraka, but…it’s complicated.”

“Alright, Izu, you’re coming with me.” Yuuto orders, nodding Katsuki over as well since he’s glaring at Yuuto, waiting.

“W-what? Where are we going?” Izuku’s panicking as Yuuto drags him over to Todoroki.

“Oh. Midoriya, Nakamura, I wanted to speak with Midoriya after what happened. Weird coincidence I guess.” Todoroki said. Bakugo walks over to the trio as well, waiting for any indicator of a conversation.

Yuuto sighs “Okay you two, let's sort out your Daddy issues. C’mon we’re moving to a more private location. And Bakugo’s coming too since I think it’d be best for him to hear this shit out too.”

“HUH?! YUU PLEASE!” Midoriya started to panic.

“Daddy issues?” Todoroki questioned, he’s confused how Yuuto could possibly know his father is involved in this.

“So, Deku’s issues are because of his dad? Mr. Midoriya didn’t seem that bad…well…until he left anyway.” Bakugo said. He didn’t understand the gravity of it all.

<Stadium Exit Hallway>

“Okay, now that we’re here, we need to talk about this. Since you two seem to have similar issues.” Yuuto glared at the pair.

“Midoriya…he made me break my promise. I promised to never use my left side in combat, but for a moment, I used it against him.” Todoroki admits.

Katsuki scoffed. “Why promise to never use your power?”

“It’s not my power, it’s that bastard, Endeavour’s.” He snapped at Katsuki. He paused for a second and breathed out heavily. “Do you know about quirk marriages?” 

Izuku looked mortified. “Don’t tell me…”

Todoroki nodded. “My father paid my mother’s family to take her as his wife. She had an ice quirk and he wanted a child with a perfect balance of the two…”

“Ending with you…” Yuuto whispered. Todoroki nodded.

“Once my quirk came he was brutal, he kept my siblings away from me, his training was harsh and…he pushed my mother to her breaking point. She saw my father in my left side and she poured boiling water over me.” He held his left hand over the scar on his left eye. “I don’t blame her though, no, I blame my father for causing her to break down. So I vowed to never use his fire, just to spite him.” He finished his explanation.

Yuuto sighed, “I said this to Izu, but your quirk is not your fathers, it is yours. You want to be a hero right? Then not using your quirk to its full potential will only hold you back. Like with Izu earlier, there will be scenarios where you'll need your fire…are you really willing to let people get hurt or possibly die because you see your fire as something to be afraid of, or as something dirty?” 

“I have to agree with Hypno, if you don’t go all out with your quirks then what’s the point? If you make yourself lose because you’ve got into this fucked up mindset that you can win without doing everything you can.” Katsuki shakes his head. “It’s your power, Endeavour can get fucked, I think we can all agree that, but all you’re doing is harming yourself, your progress, YOUR POWER. It’ll harm you when you're a pro, or even just training.”

“Kacchan…” Izuku whined. “My father’s worse. My power, it’s…”

“How is your father worse than mine?” Todoroki asked.

“Okay, can you two keep secrets, since…Yuuto I may have to reveal that one. He’s gonna kill me at the end of this.” Izuku said sadly, Yuuto got the inference that he’s about to reveal One-For-All, because by revealing the reason he’s not using his quirk, he’ll be asked ‘why are you using All Might’s quirk’ then…

“Go ahead, I’ll have to back you up.” Yuuto smiled weakly.

“Tsk. Like I’d tell anyone your dumb secrets.” Katsuki agreed in his own way.

“I’ve told you mine, feel free as long as you keep mine a secret.” Todoroki said.

“So, for context. I-I am so sorry for not telling the absolute truth b-but we were s-sworn to secrecy and All Might will probably flip out.” Izuku nervously said.

“Get on with it nerd.” Katsuki narrowed his eyes.

“I could not copy All Might’s power.”

“Huh” Both Todoroki and Katsuki said in unison.

“But you have his quirk?” Todoroki questioned. “Wait. Did he give it to you somehow?”

Izuku nodded. “He passed it on to me. After I went to save someone from a villain, I was still seen as quirkless at the time. He commended me for having the heart of a true hero and said I could inherit his power.” Izuku started to explain.

“What the fuck. Okay, you really shouldn’t be telling this to us!” Katsuki was angry.

“We have to for context, sorry Kacchan.” Izuku said coldly. “Anyways, after some training and more muscle building he passed it on to me. I had to eat some of his DNA…which was disgusting. He made me eat a strand of his hair” Everyone's faces winced at that comment. “His power, it is called One-For-All, as it was passed on from one person to the next, and it got more powerful throughout time as it’s a power stockpiler. So, now getting onto the fully relevant bit, because the quirk has been passed on to others, their quirks and spirits I think mixed with the quirk. One of the previous users appeared to me in a dream state.” He explains.

“All this for a dream?! DEKU!” Shoto watched diligently as Katsuki was getting angrier.

“It wasn’t a dream. It was a previous user, All Might confirmed her name and stuff. She told me that I had copied a quirk called All-For-One.”

“Is that related to OFA?” Todoroki questioned.

“Not sure, we didn’t have time to talk about that and she hasn’t come back yet. Just that every OFA user has fought the original owner of AFO, he is a supervillain whose quirk can steal other quirks. He can use them for himself or he could pass them on to others and has been around since the dawn of quirks. In fact, he’s the reason All Might had to pass on his quirk to me, he injured All Might so badly he had to find a successor, find me. Also the man goes by the name AFO…but-but he also went by Hisashi Midoriya…” Izuku started crying a river of tears.

“Shit.” Katsuki and Todoroki said.

“You see why I don’t want to use my power. I’ll use All Might’s, because he passed it on to me…but I don’t want anything to do with-” Izuku was cut off with a slap. Katsuki was angry, but for a different reason now.

“Izuku, you’re a fucking idiot. And this still remains for you too, IcyHot.” Todoroki looked at Katsuki with confusion. “You two may have been born to shitty fathers, but you’re not them right? Izuku, you’re literally the brightest fucking student here, you radiate heroic energy. Use your quirk to do great things, prove that you’re not your biological father’s son. Todoroki, I can see you’re also in pain, but you shouldn’t let that bastard win by having him rule over your life like you’re his precious child. Show how much fucking better you are than him, with your fire in hand, because it means you’re a better hero, a better person.” Katsuki’s heartfelt speech.

Izuku and Todoroki looked around in confusion, they didn’t really know what to think. Katsuki being motivational was not on their agenda. Yuuto smiled. “Both of your quirks can do amazing things, don’t let your fathers be your shackles. Break free and show them you’re doing this for you. Not for them, and not with their help. Heroes do their best, no matter the circumstances, because if they don’t there’d be something that would kill them. Imagine if that guy from 1-B was a villain and you were stuck in the ground, Izu, and just refused to make wings to fly out, or you, Todoroki, refused to use fire as a way of propulsion. Where would you end up?”

“Dead.” Izuku shivered.

“Dead.” Todoroki seemed cold, but his eyes flickered in some kind of realisation. “Nakamura…you didn’t have to involve me in this. Midoriya told us a massive secret in turn too. Inheriting the Number One’s power, it’s a lot to process. So why me?”

“I saw a child in pain, crying out for help on the inside. As someone who wants to be a hero, saving someone who seems like he needs saving is my duty. I can care about others, you know.” He gave Todoroki a small smile. “As for the secret, I think Izu found it fair after you spilled yours.”

Todoroki gave one back. “You’re a menace. To everyone here I think.”

“Gotta be a menace sometimes, you never know who wants to join you.” Yuuto grinned.

“So Izuku, IcyHot. Are you two good now? Do you understand what you need to do?” Katsuki glared at the pair.

“Yeah Kacchan, I do.” Izuku flicked through a few quirks to readjust himself, he’s rusty after not using them for a while, but he needs to do this to prove he’s worthy of being a hero.

Todoroki lights a fire on his hand. “It’s weird to use my fire, so excuse me if I don’t have a handle on it straight away.”

“Progress already, you said ‘MY’ fire to your quirk.” Yuuto smiled. Todoroki’s eyes widened at the thought. “Hey, if your bastard father tries to talk to you before your matches. I beg you don’t let him get to you. Forget him, he’s not important here, YOU are. This is all on you and your quirk. Got it?” Yuuto said to Todoroki. “Izu, are you good to go now too?”

“Yeah, god. You guys together are scary and convincing.” Izuku giggled.

“Well, if you didn’t go overthinking things like a stupid nerd then I wouldn’t have to be scary!” Katsuki growled.

“We’ll do our best. Our actual best, out there, we can show the world we’re going to be amazing heroes.” Izuku grinned. Everyone else nodded.

‘Nakamura, thank you…for caring so much about someone who just saw themselves as someone's tool.’ Shoto smiled softly.

“Oh. Quick question. Todoroki, I know you want to harm your old man’s ego and crap right? I bet if I copied your quirk and used it quite well, he’d be shouting out the whole stadium.” Izuku grinned devilishly. Yuuto started cackling and Katsuki chuckled slightly.

“Oh…he’d actually want to kill you, I feel like murder would actually cross his mind.” Todoroki said. “Midoriya. Let’s do it.” Todoroki matched the grin, which unnerved Yuuto and Katsuki since Todoroki rarely shifts from a blank appearance. Izuku takes off his gloves, and sleeves for that matter, why care about copying quirks when it’s more the merrier, and shakes Todoroki’s hand. “You can call me Izuku, Midoriya is sort of...yeah. I feel like we’d get along great with disliking fathers.” He chuckled.

“Alright Izuku, you can call me Shoto. You too, Nakamura, if you’d like.” Shoto smiled.

“Alright Shoto, the same goes for you. Call me Yuuto.” Yuuto smiled back.

“Alright sappy squad, let's get lunch. Cuz I’m fucking starving and you’ve taken way too much time!” Katsuki growled.

~~~~~~~~

After lunch, a battle tournament was announced and the students were paired off into brackets.

Hitoshi Shinso vs Izuku Midoriya

Shoto Todoroki vs Hanta Sero

Denki Kaminari vs Mezo Shoji

Yuuto Nakamura vs Tsuyu Asui

Mina Ashido vs Tenya Iida

Fumikage Tokoyami vs Momo Yaoyorozu

Ochako Uraraka vs Katsuki Bakugo

Eijiro Kirishima vs Mashirao Ojiro

“Shinso, I am so sorry for what I’ve doomed you to.” Yuuto approached the brainwasher.

“You helped Midoriya overcome his problems out there, didn’t you?” Shinso asked.

“Just a little, he…he’s revitalised to say the least. Though, I think he’ll let you show off a bit.” Yuuto admits.

“I don’t doubt it. I wish anyone who goes against you some luck though, your quirk is much more effective than mine and even if people can break it quickly, a small opening is all you need.” Shinso said.

“Round Face, you’re going down.” Katsuki grinned wide.

“Not if I beat you first!” Uraraka screamed out in determination. She will be doing everything she can to win.

~~~~~~~~

After a brief pause for more fun activities, the tournament began, and the first match was Izuku versus Shinso.

In the tunnel connecting to the centre stage, All Might came to talk to Izuku as a check up and to possibly give a pep talk. “Hey kid, how are you holding up?”

“Hi All Might. I’m…alright I guess. I’m going to use my quirk now, I can’t just pretend I don’t have it when I can use it to save so many lives.” Izuku bit his lip. “Yuuto had us talk through it with Kacchan and Shoto, but…but…I had to reveal the context and…”

Toshinori hated seeing the kid so pained, he realised where this was going, the context behind everything was One-For-All revealing his parentage. He sighed, knowing Bakugo was an aggressive child who hadn’t favoured Izuku in the past; and knowing that Shoto was Endeavour’s child was also worrying. “Are they trustworthy?” He asked.

“Kacchan has been trying to be better, he’s been friendlier. So yes, I trust him, he even got angry that I told them. Shoto’s a bit like me, he dislikes his father for what he’s done. We have an understanding to keep our secrets to ourselves. Also, when it’s our turn to fight, we plan to annoy Endeavour.” Izuku grinned after the explanation.

Toshinori breathes out in relief, “It’s alright to tell a few people, I have my trusted people after all. So, how and why are you planning to annoy Endeavour?”

“The ‘why’ is not for you to know, unfortunately, though if I brought Shoto to you he may explain himself. How…well.” Izuku turns on ‘Half cold-Half hot’ and produces a small flame on his left and frost on his right. “After proposing the idea myself, Shoto allowed me to copy his quirk so we can fight against each other with it.” Izuku giggled. “Alright, I have to beat Shinso.” He said, turning off Shoto’s quirk.

‘Young Midoriya, it was extremely reckless to reveal OFA like that, but it seems to have helped you realise what you needed to do. You’ve formed a solid base for friendship with Todoroki on the basis of your lineage whilst Bakugo wants to rival and support you. Not to mention your brother has definitely aided in this too. Good luck kid.’ Toshinori thought.

“For our first matchup we have Izuku Midoriya, he’s rumoured to be a secret powerhouse. Although he hasn’t shown that much today, he may have a surprise for everyone! And we have Hitoshi Shinso, a more strategic fighter from Class 1-A.” Present Mic announced.

The rules of the fight are clear, knock out or immobilise the opponent; or get them out of bounds. Izuku has a range of quirks to deal with that; Wings + OFA; Brainwashing, which would be ironic; Suggestion.

“Begin!!” Mic shouts.

Izuku takes his jacket off and sprouts his wings, his smile twitched upwards. He also recreates Erasure, his eyes turning red.

“C’mon Midoriya, is that really necessary? I can see your eyes changing colour. If you think your lame combination of quirks will bring you victory, I’ll defeat you!” Shinso tries prodding places to get a reaction.

Izuku activates Erasure, his eyes start glowing and his hair starts floating. His mother takes in his newly altered look. “My baby! I’m glad you’re using that bully’s wings to do hero stuff!” She started crying.

“You won’t snare me in your trap, Shinso. How about we just fight with our own combat prowess?” Izuku offered.

“Hmph, I guess. Since you’re now stopping my quirk.” Shinso smirked. Izuku flew over to him and retracted his wings. “Let the better fighter win.” He grinned, turning off Erasure to avoid the dry-eye drawbacks.

Izuku and Shinso throw jabs and punches, they’re parrying and dodging each other's strikes. They seem quite professional to a lot of close range fighters.

“Hey, why aren’t they fighting with quirks?!”, “Yeah, why are they sparring like this?” Before the crowd could get any louder.

“Shinso had a quirk that is unsuited for overall combat. So, to make up for that, he’s training in multiple styles of combat, that includes non-lethal weaponry. Midoriya knows Shinso’s quirk, so instead he decided to fight on the same level and show their abilities.” Aizawa explained.

“What’s with Midoriya too? He’s used multiple quirks today!” One annoyed spectator shouted.

“Yo. He only has one quirk, it’s a mutated copy quirk, so he’s using whatever he can to his advantage.” Mic stepped in. Mutters of ‘so weird’, ‘Interesting’ and ‘overpowered’. 

<League of Villains>

Shigaraki was watching, shaking in anger and swore to destroy that boy, but a certain man was contemplating the situation. ‘Midoriya, that’s what I went by years ago. My child was quirkless though. I left to allow them to stew on society’s failings and had planned to come back to offer my child a useful quirk and to join the league. That was until All Might destroyed any chances of that happening by injuring me. On top of that, it seems due to his weird quirk that is definitely a mutation of my own, he’s still determined to be a great hero and would reach that potential by what Tomura had described.’ “Tomura Shigaraki.” All-For-One called the man’s name.

“Yes master?” The hand clad man asked.

“Keep an eye on Izuku Midoriya, but you cannot kill or harm him in any way.” His master warned him.

“What? Why? He’s too overleveled for this game, we have to remove him!” Shigaraki growled.

“Now, now, Tomura Shigaraki. Keep your composure and listen to the master for a minute.” Kurogiri tried to mediate the situation.

AFO chuckled. “He’s strong because he is most likely my biological son, Tomura, and by proxy your adoptive brother. Hence why I do not permit his death. Not unless he directly stands in my way.” ‘Only as a last resort. I do not want to kill my own blood.’

“Son?! Fine, but I doubt Midoriya will just stop heroics and join us.” 

<Back to the match>

Izuku and Shinso had worn themselves enough with their fight, a few bruises adorned their bodies whilst they smirked. “So, you want to end this soon orrr?” Shinso asked oh so innocently. 

“Sure.” Izuku got too caught up and the entirety of Class 1-A groaned at Izuku’s stupidity. He was now under Shinso’s control.

“Midoriya…walk out of bounds.” Shinso smirked.

Izuku was walking against his own will, pleading inside his own mind to break out of the brainwashing. ‘Midoriya, we can help you, just a little bit since our being isn’t interrupted.’ Shimura’s voice came through.

‘Miss Shimura?’ Izuku quizzed.

‘Call me Nana. Now, let’s see you win this, you’ve got an annoying Todoroki to anger later.’ Nana chuckled. She and it seemed the silhouettes of the other users filled Izuku’s mind and allowed him use of OFA at 100% and they broke his fingers by flicking them.

Izuku is heavily panting, close to the edge of the boundary. He activates his regeneration quirk to heal his fingers quickly. He sprouts his wings again and flies over to Shinso, he picks him up and flies to the boundary where he places the boy out of bounds. “Sorry Shinso, I had to win.” Izuku smiles softly.

“Hitoshi Shinso has been pushed out of bounds, Izuku Midoriya is the victor!” Midnight announced.

“No one has ever broken out of my brainwashing like that, you’re interesting Midoriya. But thank you for giving me a fair fight.” Shinso bows.

<Back in the stands>

“Izu, you nearly threw that match because you got too friendly. Good going though Shinso, you nearly beat this knucklehead.” Yuuto chuckled.

“Yuuuuuu.” Izuku whined.

Shinso responds nervously. “It was nothing. I can’t believe he actually slipped up.” He smiled.

“Don’t be silly, you both did amazing out there. Midoriya, I’m glad you seem to be feeling better now!” Uraraka smiled.

“Yeah, getting me to slip up like that was good!” Izuku was still hating his last name though, Midoriya came from the fake name HE gave them. “Can you guys call me Izuku though? Same with everyone else if you can. I learned something pretty bad recently and it connects to my last name, so please, if you can, refer to me by Izuku.” He said to the whole class. He got some affirming nods and others vocally acknowledged it.

Uraraka caught Izuku in a hug. “Of course Izuku! You can call me Ochako too if you want!”

“Same here, M-Izuku, sorry. I’m used to formalities. Call me Tenya if you like.” Tenya said, Izuku chuckled at the usually composed boy.

“Oi Deku and everyone else, IcyHot and Elbows fight is about to start.” Katsuki growled.

“Elbows?” Izuku questioned his friend.

“Would you rather me use the first nickname I came up with, because that one would be an insult.” Katsuki raised an eyebrow.

“Nevermind, guess he’s Elbows now.” Izuku chuckled slightly, earning a narrowed glare from Katsuki. 

Izuku, Yuuto and Katsuki notice Shoto looking back at the tunnel he walked out of, an annoyed expression painted on his face. They watched him shake out the annoyance as he glanced at the group who truly wanted the best for him.

Present Mic starts up his commentating, “For the 2nd match of the day, we have the kid with some impressive looking elbows, Hanta Sero. And his opponent, a kid who’s too strong for his own good and he got in through recommendations, Shoto Todoroki.” He shouted. “BEGIN!”

Sero decided he wanted to try and end things quickly, whipping out his tape to try and ensnare Shoto. Shoto used an ice wall to block the tape and manoeuvred around, he was anxiously twitching on his left side. He clenches his left fist and throws out a blast of fire to obscure Sero’s vision “Fire?! You never use fire!” Sero panicked.

“SHOTO! I see you’re finally ending your foolish rebellion!” Endeavour shouted.

Shoto creates a large Ice wall, blocking off his line of sight to Endeavour. “I don’t want to see you, or hear your garbage, Endeavour.” Shoto grinned as he skated over to Sero and launched a small wave of ice to encase the boy in. Sero couldn’t react in time and was trapped in a layer of ice.

“Sero, can you move?” Midnight asked.

Sero’s teeth were chattering from the cold temperature of the ice. “N-n-no I can’t.” He admits.

“Hanta Sero is immobilised. The winner is Shoto Todoroki!” Midnight announced. 

“Sorry about the quick ending, but I do want to win.” Shoto said as he melted the ice he created. 

“Eh, I should have played it better, you got the jump on me.” Sero said awkwardly. “Good luck against Midoriya next round.” 

“Yeah, it’ll be a fun battle.” Shoto smirked, he turned to look at his father with a glare full of disgust. His father really wanted to make that remark right after he said what he thought about him.

Izuku grinned excitedly, he can’t wait for his fight against Shoto, he can’t wait to wipe the smug look off of Endeavour's face. Number two hero in heroics. Number one asshole parent. Now that he thinks about it, if the number two can be this self absorbed and horrible, how about the other heroes. He sighs, if there are heroes just as bad or worse than Endeavour, which there must be, society is screwed. The quirkless or weak get bullied, and society shrugs it off or even encourages it. Kacchan got his ego fed for years, that was until Izuku essentially gave him a couple talks that put the perspective out there. He was allowed to reign free. He had some sympathy for some vigilantes as well, he bets that with the current system they were thrown to the side after failing exams because of the entry requirements or maybe they were just thrown away by society. Hell that can apply to villains too! Perhaps he could chat with Nezu about a villain and vigilante rehab program or something.

He decided to activate High Specs since he was in the zone already. The perspective on his life he could easily extrapolate across the country. The fact that people with mutant quirks are also discriminated against as well. He won’t be surprised if there is an uptake in villains and vigilantes with mutant quirks because society says ‘they don’t fit here, they look like villains.’ Compared to how Yuuto and Shinso have ‘villainous’ quirks, but fortunately they have U.A. backing them so they can actually make it to places. It makes him angry, he will reform this society, as a hero. He will make it a better place for those who are quirkless, seen as weak or those with mutant quirks that people want to say are villains.

“Izu, you okay there?” Yuuto looked worried as Izuku had sort of gone into a monologuing trance.

“Yeah, just thinking how people are suffering in this country’s shadow. After thinking about Shoto’s situation, I sort of spiralled into thinking about my experiences and yours and well…anyone with a mutant quirk or those they see as villainous. Society sucks.” Izuku sighed. He earned some sympathetic smiles from the students like Shoji, Tokoyami, Tsu, Ashido, Ojiro, Shinso, even Jiro, whose quirk didn’t alter much of her appearance, he could see she had experienced some of the same pain. He could sense it from Hagakure too, he couldn’t see her face, but he knew. “You know, if…no, WHEN I make it to the top, I’m highlighting our experiences. No one deserves to go through this shit, and you guys best make it up there alongside me…well unless you want to go underground. But otherwise, you’re joining me up there and highlighting this shit.” Izuku smiled.

“Okay. I didn’t know how much sweeter you could have gotten, but Izuku. You’re so kind.” Hagakure said, with a smile presumably on her face.

“I hate some of the looks people give me, actually being recognised as me…would be great.” Shoji said, letting out a sad sigh.

“The ‘monkey’ comments I get, even if they’re not the worst that everyone could get, it’s annoying when it’s derogatory.” Ojiro admits. Sero’s looking over the bars and listening in, the comments he’s had about his elbows has pissed him off too. He understands this issue just like the rest of them.

Izuku smiles. “Okay, enough of the depressing shit, we’ll fix it when we make it to the top!” Izuku grinned. 

Shoto sat down next to Yuuto and near enough to Izuku for him to hear, “Sero and I overheard what you said Izuku, we agree, society sucks in regards to how it treats certain people. I hate the fact I’m going to get treated well just because I’m a Todoroki, whilst some of my peers are less fortunate.” He said, turning to the stage.

With the mood brought down slightly, the fights carried on. Kaminari won against Shoji after paralysing him with an electric blast. Tenya used his speed and strength to quickly pick up Ashido and place her out of bounds, meaning he won his match. Yaoyorozu crumbled when trying to think of a winning strategy, meaning Tokoyami won his match when he pushed her so far back she was out of bounds. Katsuki’s fight against Ochako was intense, with Ochako coming up with one massive plan that ultimately failed when Katsuki destroyed her floating debris with a strong explosion. Izuku thinks Katsuki was trying to reach his levels and smirks. Ojiro just barely lost to Kirishima, the fight was basically a war of attrition and Ojiro’s energy unfortunately ran out quicker.

Yuuto’s match against Tsu was interesting, Yuuto went in for hand to hand combat, targeting the girl’s pressure points to disable her ability to attack. Tsu was essentially limping and couldn’t exactly fight back by the end of it. Izuku was scared to say the least, what was Aizawa teaching him.

“What’s with the students being rough this year? First that spar, now this?” One guy said.

Aizawa grumbled as he went to berate the crowd. “If you’re going to continue to be picky on how students fight because you have this preconceived notion they all need flashy quirks or they need their quirks to fight, just leave. Nakamura’s quirk isn’t combat oriented either so his combat style is to disable his enemies.”

“I forfeit, I can’t fight like this.” Tsu said. Her muscles were basically disabled, so she wasn’t going to win the fight so it was best to drop out.

“Asui has forfeited the match, the winner is Nakamura!” Midnight announced.

“Sorry for being a little brutal and thorough Tsu.” He offered her a hand up. “I can take you to Recovery Girl if you want, she can easily release the tension I placed on your muscles.”

“They have a stretcher, kero. That’s probably easier, but thanks for the offer. And don’t apologise, you could have used your quirk, but you fought hand to hand” Tsu smiled as she let herself get whisked away.

It was time for the second round of the tournament: Shoto Todoroki vs Izuku Midoriya

Izuku walks down the hall and towards the centre stage, that is, until he is interrupted by a large flame ‘hero’ who was patrolling that hall.

“Endeavour.” Izuku tried to keep the venom out of his voice.

“I was looking for you.” The man said.

“Oh, really?” Izuku was curious, why look for him of all people? Actually why and how is he back here at all?

“You’ve used your quirk to copy All Might’s haven’t you? The wind pressure and energy I felt after you fought that brainwashing kid felt just like his.” Endeavour bared his presence over Izuku.

“Perhaps, but either way it’s not your business if I have or haven’t.” Izuku said. He really was trying to hold any disgust back as he tried to walk off and not cause a scene.

“It’s my Shoto’s job to surpass the number one hero. Since you’ve already got the potential, especially when you have his quirk, this fight will easily gauge if he can do that. So hit him hard.” Endeavour said, the possessiveness in his voice, Izuku hated it. It was the final straw.

“I don’t think you’ve understood this yet, but Shoto is not you, nor is he ‘yours’. You may be his father, but he doesn’t have to act like your son just because you exist. All your behaviour does is alienate your family.” Izuku activated Erasure to bring him down to size. “Also, I hope I don’t see you back here again. Since you’re not supposed to be here in the first place.”

“You dare use your quirk against me?” Endeavour growled. 

Izuku texted Nezu about Endeavour’s presence in his hall tunnel, since he is a new security measure and all. “You dared to approach me, in my space, to try and interfere with two students’ fight. By the way, I’m technically part of Nezu’s security so this is allowed. Leave or we’ll most likely have you escorted off the premises.” Izuku walked off, earning a scowl from Endeavour.

Present Mic started the commentating. “For the first fight of the second round, we have the kid who left his opponent frozen solid, Shoto Todoroki. And this kid respectfully sparred his opponent, but almost walked out after making one slip up, it’s Izuku Midoriya.”

<In the stands>

“This is going to be a mess if they do what I think they’re gonna do.” Katsuki said bluntly.

“Huh, why’s that? What are they planning on doing?” Tenya asked, more worried if anything.

“A battle of fire and ice. They both want to annoy Endeavour to hell and back, so Izuku copied Shoto’s quirk and now they’re going to go to town with it.” Yuuto chuckled.

“Oh no.” The whole class said, with Tenya and Ochako sweating more at the outcomes that could be possible.

<Centre Stage>

“You know Endeavour tried to get me to fight you as a gauge of your strength, I used Erasure and threatened to have him evicted from this stadium. Nezu has been informed of his trespass.” Izuku chuckled.

“Bet he loved that, he’ll love this even more.” Shoto smiled.

Izuku and Shoto are grinning at what they’re about to do. “Begin!” Izuku brings out his wings and flies into the air as Shoto launches a wave of ice whilst he heats himself. He launches some fire into the air, whilst Izuku manoeuvers back to the ground, his right side now frosting over slightly whilst his left is heating.

“Watch this Endeavour, you’re too focused on surpassing All Might by any means necessary, this is what happens when you push too far and those close to you hate you.” Izuku shouted and grinned as he shifted his right foot and ice shot towards Shoto, whilst he also blasts fire to stop any dodges to the left.

“HOW?!” Endeavour growled. “You haven’t even touched him! Copy quirks require touch!”

Shoto laughed as he used his ice to dodge. “Sorry father. But I let him copy my quirk not long ago, I am done being your masterpiece, a ‘thing’ to only act as your outlet. Screw that, you don’t control me, so Izuku and I decided to share my quirk and see how much you’d break over your ‘unique’ creation being not so unique anymore.”

“SHOTO! YOU DON’T EVEN UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU’VE DONE.” Endeavour was pissed, murder was definitely on his mind.

“Oh god, I thought you may have been joking about the murder thing, but uh. I can feel his heat from here.” Izuku chuckled.

“I don’t joke with those things.” Shoto said bluntly.

“Okay, well my control with this is actually horrible since I’ve never used a quirk like this. I can only send stuff forwards.” Izuku laughed at the scene.

“You’re doing better than me, I can’t use both sides at the same time yet. The control comes with working small then moving up.” Shoto smiled. “If you want to beat me, you have to go all out now.” He smirked.

“Okay.” Izuku said, but he could easily end this with Erasure. However, that isn’t fun, he uses Shock Absorption, Super Regeneration and OFA at 10%, whilst flying. He dodges the balls of fire being released from Shoto’s left side, but the wall of ice he just put up…yeah that’d be a problem. He flicks a finger using 100% of OFA to shatter the wall of ice and continue on, the regeneration taking away the problem of a broken finger instantly. “Shoto. I wish you luck against this.” He grinned.

Shoto’s eyes widened, he watched as Izuku clenched his fist and cocks his arm back. He creates a massive wall of ice behind himself to catch himself when Izuku launches his attack. Izuku uses 40% of OFA on his arm whilst Shoto creates a large ice wall. In addition, Shoto builds up his fire to launch as the wall goes down to counterattack. Cementoss realises that these attacks may cause issues and decides to try and block them with cement walls, whilst Midnight tries to stop the match herself. It’s too late as Izuku’s blast of air smashes through the walls with ease whilst the fire from Shoto crashes through the other walls. The air pressure caused by rapidly heating cold air and all of it being smashed together by Izuku’s own pressure blast caused a massive explosion.

“Holy crap. IZU! SHOTO!” Yuuto shouted as the air was blasting past everyone.

“Are they okay? We can’t even see with all the dust and debris being kicked up!” Tenya shouted.

The rest of the class look down attentively, hoping they’re both fine after that explosion.

The whole crowd was stunned silent by the fight they just witnessed. Once the smoke settled Midnight announced the result of the match. “Todoroki is out of bounds, the winner is…Midoriya!” She announced. Endeavour was extremely angry, Midnight gave him a glare that meant she’d knock him out if she had to.

Izuku made his way over to Shoto, the boy was on the ground and was exhausted. “You good there Shoto, I tried to not overuse my power, but you know.” He extends his hand out to Shoto.

Shoto grabs his hand firmly and picks himself up, with a small groan of pain. “I’m…mostly fine, though my back is definitely bruising after that.”

“It was close, I forgot that rapidly heating cold air like that can cause a pressure explosion. If I didn’t have my wings or regeneration, or we were more central to the stage, I’d have lost.” Izuku realised he was quite lucky in that regard.

The pair go their respective ways since Izuku is uninjured and Shoto should definitely get the once over…as well as a new uniform since apparently they decided not to give him a fire-resistant one and it was half burnt off.

Yuuto was staring down, observing the aftermath and the conditions of both Izuku and Shoto. His eyes get stuck on Shoto when he notices the condition of his uniform. ‘I didn’t think he’d be so built…’ His cheeks turned pink at the sight. He shook his head. “Kaminari, it’s our fight next so let's get down there.”

After a little while, Shoto arrived back in the stands, fortunately for him Endeavour was blocked from entering the student area this time around. “Izuku, how do you think this is going to go? Kaminari’s pretty strong after all.”

“Nice to see you’re back, Shoto. Yuu wins, Kaminari is unfortunately too weak minded, that is to say, easily influenced. Yuu uses his quirk this round since he can’t combat Kaminari’s electricity with anything.” Izuku said bluntly.

“Damn, no confidence in Kaminari huh.” Ojiro sweatdropped.

Izuku shook his head. “It’s not that I have no confidence in Kaminari, it’s that Yuu’s quirk and his will will force Kaminari out of bounds before he realises anything.”

Yuuto Nakamura vs Denki Kaminari

The pair are standing on the stage. Yuuto is exerting his confidence and Kaminari shudders, but he doesn’t falter, he’ll just shock Yuuto and he’ll be done with it. The crowd's chatter is mainly favouring Kaminari, mainly because they know Yuuto is a close range fighter and hasn’t revealed his quirk yet.

“On one side, we have the electric student himself, Denki Kaminari! And on the other, we have the mystery that is Yuuto Nakamura! FIGHT!”

“Sorry Nakamura, but I’ll be moving on now-” Kaminari shouted, preparing his indiscriminate shock move again.

‘I want to walk out, Yuuto’s too strong in combat, he’ll just dodge and knock me out.’ Yuuto pushes the suggestion, stronger than usual, but not too strong.

Kaminari turns around and walks, the crowd shocked in confusion and shouting out. Kaminari isn’t broken out of the quirk influenced stupor he’s been put under and he crosses the out of bounds line. Yuuto turns his quirk off, Kaminari wakes up to what just happened.

“I…what?” Kaminari shook his head.

“Kaminari has stepped out of bounds, Nakamura wins.”

The crowd demanded an explanation, to them it just looked like Kaminari threw the match. Aizawa sighs on mic, it’s always the unconventional quirks that get shouted at. “Nakamura has a mental quirk, Suggestion. He put an idea in Kaminari’s mind to have him walk out of bounds. He didn’t use it in the first round as he could fight and allow both himself and Asui to display their ability. Kaminari was a danger, so he used his quirk.” He explained.

“He…there’s no activation requirement to it, that’s so powerful.” One spectator said. The silence that followed was deafening, the thoughts were not all positive. Yuuto expected this though, he was always told that because of his quirk having no activation requirement it was very powerful, but also dangerous.

“A hero with that power, even if it lasts a second, villains would be disoriented and open. Wow.” A female hero said. “I feel bad for Kaminari though.”

The crowd went into a mix of praising Yuuto and trying to lift up Kaminari since he didn’t even get to put up a fight. Both boys head off to the stands.

“Sorry man. Your quirk scares me.” Yuuto chuckled nervously. ‘I revealed too much of my quirk though, they know I don’t need to speak now.’

“Same here man, I was just there and my brain just went along with it. But I’m happy that I had to make you resort to that.” Kaminari smiled weakly.

“Hey, at least you got to show your quirk in the first round.”

Back in the stands, they were waiting for Tokoyami and Iida’s fight to begin. Yuuto sat next to Shoto, he could see the boy in thought and it didn’t seem like a good one. “Are you alright Shoto?”

“Huh. Oh, Yuuto.” He sighed. “It’s just a stupid bit of hope I guess. I’m content ignoring my father’s wishes and being my own person, but is it bad that a small part of me actually wants him to recognise me?”

“I don’t think so, holding out hope that he could be better, that he could actually care about your wants and needs isn’t bad. Just don’t hold onto it like a lifeline, because unless something drastic happens, I’m not sure he’ll change his mind.” Yuuto replied.

“Sorry to butt in, but I am right here.” Izuku said. “People obsessed with a goal or power like him won’t be happy unless he gets what he wants. Hell, after our fight there’s a chance he’d want to push you harder to try and surpass me. The only chance would be pulling on certain threads of information or committing to certain drastic actions, but so far I see no way of doing so.”

Shoto groaned, “Unrealistic goal, you’re way too versatile for me to beat. Also, you have Erasure, you just wanted a fun battle down there.”

Izuku giggles. “Pretty much. If things start feeling too hard for you at home Shoto, I’m sure there’s a clause in the U.A. enrolment form that puts you under U.A.'s custody, at least partially. I can check with Principal Nezu, if you’d prefer to have that to fall back on, of course.”

Shoto’s eyes flickered in thought. “Hmm. If he gets worse, perhaps I’ll take that offer, if it exists.” He smiles weakly. “Iida’s fight with Tokoyami is about to start.”

“Begin!” Mic shouted through the speakers.

Iida speeds over to Tokoyami to do the same thing he did with Ashido, Dark Shadow appears out of Tokoyami’s body and whips into Iida, causing the boy to stumble back. Tokoyami tries to have Dark Shadow wrap around Iida and throw him out of bounds, but in response Iida tries to throw an engine propelled kick to knock the shadow quirk away. Iida rushes into Tokoyami and kicks him hard enough to throw him out of bounds. So Iida won his match.

The other one was Katsuki vs Kirishima, Katsuki won quite easily as he used his explosions to wear down Kirishima’s stamina until his quirk dropped and so did he.

Izuku Midoriya vs Yuuto Nakamura

On the stage, both boys were grinning towards each other. Izuku has already sworn to not use Erasure in these battles as it would end everything way too quickly.

“Now for our most interesting pairing, we’ve heard these two have known each other since childhood and are like family. So this battle is a battle between brothers! Who will win? The monster of 1-A Izuku Midoriya.” Izuku cringed at the description, but Mic didn't know about AFO. “or the skilled fighter that is Yuuto Nakamura. BEGIN!”

Izuku goes in flying, whilst Yuuto suggests for Izuku to stop. Izuku stops briefly in front of Yuuto, to which Yuuto takes the opportunity to jab into a pressure point. Izuku snapped out of the suggestion quickly, but it wasn’t fast enough to dodge. He winced as he flew backwards.

“Good hit.” Izuku smirked. He launches a wave of ice to disorient Yuuto and fly in close. He jabs into Yuuto's stomach, causing him to crumple over. ‘I Want to turn around.’ Izuku starts turning at the suggestion and Yuuto uses this to jab into the back of one of Izuku’s knees. “You’ve gotten a little sloppy.” Yuuto commented.

“Can’t exactly react when my brain’s taken over for a split second.” Izuku raised an eyebrow. He uses fire this time to try and push Yuuto back. Yuuto jumps away, he’s getting precariously close to the edge. ‘I will fly into the ground.’ He suggested when Izuku started flying over. Izuku ate dirt, “Ow, that was harsh.” Yuuto went in to grab Izuku and flip him out of bounds, but just before he could, Izuku used OFA in his wings and it blasted Yuuto out of bounds.

“Nakamura is out of bounds, Midoriya wins!” Midnight announced.

“Sorry Yuu.” Izuku smiled softly.

“Dammit, that one slip up cost me the match. I tried to take you out too hastily and instead I was thrown out. Good match Izu.” Yuuto stood up.

The crowd was supportive of both participants this time, two clashing powers working against each other. It was a close match for anyone who didn’t know about the whole ‘Erasure’ situation. Both went back to the stands waiting for Katsuki and Iida to complete their match.

“Good match out there, you two!” Uraraka said happily.

“The nerd is holding back though. You best go all out on me. You got that?!” Katsuki growled.

“Uh…are you sure you want that?” Izuku raised an eyebrow.

Katsuki narrowed his eyes. “Do it, because if you hold back and I win, I won’t accept it.”

“Okay, okay, but I am gonna have to be extra careful combining my power up quirk and stuff like Explosions or fire or ice. I fear the results of going overboard.” Everyone shuddered at Izuku’s reply, the silent understanding of ‘yes, be careful.’ 

Katsuki Bakugo vs Tenya Iida

“BEGIN!”

Iida rushed towards Katsuki, whilst Katsuki launched himself into the air to dodge the attack. He launched himself towards Iida and hit him with a small blast to the chest.

“I’m not going down to a mere explosion.” Iida said through grit teeth. He latches onto Katsuki’s arm and starts running for the boundary line, except, this is what Katsuki wanted. He used a large explosion from his free hand to force the pair into the air and then used explosions to spin him and Iida at speed like helicopter blades. The force was enough to shove Iida off and he was launched into the stadium wall, with Katsuki standing tall on the stage, wobbling due to dizziness.

“Sorry four-eyes, but I have to battle Deku.” Katsuki grinned.

“Iida is out of bounds, Bakugo wins!” Midnight announced.

Katsuki Bakugo vs Izuku Midoriya

“Kacchan, how would you feel about this quirk?” Izuku teasingly smirked as his eyes turned red. “I mean, that’d be part of the ‘all out’ thing.”

Katsuki narrowed his eyes. “Anything but that, that’s boring.”

Izuku smiled and released the quirk, his eyes turning green again.

“This is our final match! It’s the boy with the explosive quirk and explosive personality to match, Katsuki Bakugo! And his opponent, the guy who can be a wild card in any scenario, Izuku Midoriya!” Present Mic announced with passion. “Let’s see who’s going to take home the crown today folks.”

“BEGIN!”

Izuku activates his Wings, High Specs, Explosion, Zero Gravity, Battle Senses, Shock Absorption, Super Regeneration, Telekinesis, Suggestion, Rock Armour and the one that made Izuku grin the most, only the ice part (and it’s resistance as well as fire resistance) of Half cold-half hot. Twelve (well 11.5) quirks seemed like a limit he’d wanted to test after using nine in combat training. “I hope you’re ready Kacchan. I’m not going easy!”

“DIE NERD!” Kacchan grinned as he started to blast his way over.

Izuku plans out, High Specs giving him a strategy in an instant. Izuku erects a large wall of ice and then uses about 7% of One-For-All plus Explosion to destroy the wall of ice and blast ice chunks in Katsuki’s direction. Izuku flew around the debris at speed.

“You damn nerd, fight me!” Katsuki explodes all of the ice headed his way and chases Izuku.

“Careful Kacchan, anything could happen up here.” Izuku winked as he teased Katsuki. He pulls Katsuki towards himself using Telekinesis and taps his arm with Zero gravity. “Have fun getting back down!” Izuku goes to the ground and lands, whilst he sits there and watches Katsuki float around.

“FUCK! DEKU!!” Katsuki’s now stuck in a situation, he’s now weightless, meaning his explosions would propel him at dangerous speeds. He uses tiny explosions to try and make his way down safely.

“That is brutal, and he used my quirk to do it.” Ochako chuckled.

Katsuki lands as gently as possible. “You bastard. Release that quirk!” He growled.

“Okay Kacchan.” Izuku smiled brightly as he put his fingertips together, releasing the zero gravity.

Katsuki blasts his way over again and lands a blow on Izuku, but this was the worst thing he could have done. Izuku hadn’t factored in that increasing Explosion’s ability by using full cowling at 7% would backfire so badly. A massive explosion consumed Izuku and it launched Katsuki back, he nearly went out of bounds.

“Izuku!” Katsuki shouted. He realised that the sweat must have been upgraded all over his body, making it all explosive instead of just his hands.

“Midoriya!” Aizawa shouted over the mic, the poor teachers were all in shock and concern.

Inko Midoriya watched in horror as the explosion went off. “Izuku! No, he’ll be okay. He always is.” She tried to cope with the thought that Izuku could be seriously harmed again.

“IZU!” “IZUKU!” Yuuto and the class screamed out. “He has super regeneration, he’ll be fine. I hope.” Yuuto said, trying to calm down his breathing. 

Shoto stroked his warm left hand over Yuuto’s back. “He’ll be okay. That was a massive explosion, yes. But I assume he has Bakugo’s explosion resistance too, as well as fire resistance from me.”

“Thank you Shoto.” Yuuto smiled weakly.

Once the smoke cleared there was a dome of ice covering where Izuku previously stood. “Midoriya, are you okay in there?” Midnight asked full of worry.

“Uh yeah, but um. That explosion burnt off…everything.” Izuku said quietly. “I really wish I had Yaoyorozu’s quirk right now to make clothes. I’m not coming out of here, not in public and definitely not on live TV.” Izuku said, blushing in embarrassment in his ice dome.

“Oh. Oh my. Uh. I’m not sure we have regulations for this kind of event. Though I think you’d have to forfeit considering the circumstances.” Midnight said.

“Get Cementoss to cover my entire lower half in cement, then transport me underground or something. Kacchan’s gonna hate winning this way, but I can’t finish the match like this. Please explain the situation to him.” Izuku explained.

Midnight converses with Aizawa and Cementoss, they agree it is technically a forfeit and Bakugo also technically beat him, but it is one of the most awkward events to have happened in this tournament, behind the kid who literally slipped out of his clothes and flashed everyone one time.

“Due to circumstances, Midoriya has forfeit the match, which means this year's winner is Katsuki Bakugo!” Midnight announced. “We will note that Midoriya is fine.”

Bakugo was annoyed and angry to say the least. “What do you mean he forfeit?! No, that damn nerd can’t get away with this!” Katsuki growled.

“Let me explain, quietly.” Midnight whispered to Katsuki, he glared, but he was listening. “That explosion burnt off his clothes… all of them. So he had to pull out of the match and Cementoss is now transporting him to a locker room with spare clothing.”

Katsuki’s anger turned to laughter. “I won like that?! Oh god. Well at least that was one way to actually beat him. Honestly, I thought I was going to lose.”

~~~~~~~~

“Yuuto. Kacchan. Do not bring up my loss, please.” Izuku didn’t want to relive the embarrassment.

“Why did you forfeit?” Yuuto quizzed him.

“Please.”

“Damn nerd’s clothes got exploded off. He couldn’t continue.” Katsuki smirked.

Izuku pouted and whined. “Kacchan…”

“Stop making that face dammit. You lost, who cares how.” Katsuki growled.

Yuuto couldn’t hold the laugh anymore. “Oh god, Izu. I can’t believe you went through all that effort to get finished like that.”

“I didn’t think all of my sweat would become explosive…and that it’d be more potent because of OFA. I’m lucky I had Regeneration on because the burns hurt like hell.” Izuku glared at the pair, who promptly silenced themselves. “Shouldn’t Tenya be here too?”

“He had to leave, for family reasons.” Yuuto supplied the reason. 

The platform they’re on starts elevating and light cracks through the floor. They’re brought up for their awards ceremony. All Might makes a flashy entrance to give out the awards. He picks up the bronze medal and approaches Yuuto.

“Young Nakamura, your fighting style was executed to a high degree and combined with your quirk you exploited split second opportunities to strike. I believe you probably picked this up before, but make sure you’re not going to be compromised if something doesn’t happen like you thought it would.” All Might said.

“Of course. I will always strive to improve.” Yuuto smiled.

All Might makes his way over to Izuku. “Young Midoriya.” Izuku winced slightly at his last name. “You put up an amazing fight, but when combining the effects of quirks ensure that they won’t backfire. You were lucky today, you may not be if you forget to activate certain quirks.”

“Understood, All Might sir.” Izuku said.

“And finally, Young Bakugo. You fought well against Midoriya, you may have won because of an unfortunate turn of events, but in battle those things can ensure a win for yourself. Be proud of your achievements. My advice for you though is to practise caution against unknown enemies, if Midoriya had done a couple things differently you may have been taken out.”

“I know. Thank you, All Might.” Katsuki said. Those manners rarely leave his lips, but when they do they hit harder than usual.

All Might closes the ceremony off with a heartfelt and supportive statement, that everyone can strive for improvement after the events of the day. Shigaraki wasn’t amused by the speech, nor the fact that the most overpowered person he’s seen is someone he can’t end. He wants to end him as much as All Might, but him being the master's kid means he’s restricted in his actions. He can’t wait until they get their hands on him.

Chapter Text

Before heading back to class, All Might popped up to talk to Izuku. “Hey kid, well done coming 2nd. I heard about the mishap that caused you to withdraw, that was quite the unfortunate ending.” He chuckled.

“Yeah…well, my pride over the win you know.” Izuku chuckled.

Toshinori chuckled. “I noticed your reactions to your name…would you prefer your given name from now on?” He asked.

“If you could, please. Midoriya is HIS name after all, I don’t want that association.” Izuku explains.

“Alright Izuku, I just want to say, I’m proud of you. You did amazing and you proved to the world that you will be a strong and adaptive hero. No hero is above small mistakes, you learned back there that you need to be careful when even passively combining quirk effects. How many were you using by the way?” Toshinori explained.

“If we count One-For-All, eleven and a half. Thank you for the praise and positive talk.” Izuku chuckled.

“That’s a lot of quirks kid, but a half?” The man was confused.

“I figured I’d test it, but I managed to split up Shoto’s fire and ice and only used ice and its fire and ice resistance. Also, I will say I am glad I have super regeneration or I think I’d actually be a burnt corpse right now, at least that’s how much pain I felt.” Izuku admits, and in fact, he nearly was, the burns were that extreme. Fortunately the super regeneration healed and replaced everything it needed to, barring one scar.

“Kid…please be careful using Explosion next time. It seems too dangerous when powered up.” Toshinori warned Izuku.

“I plan on only transforming my hands to supplement Explosion now, if I can transform my body to only use the ice of one quirk then I can isolate where quirks can work on my body.” Izuku says as he tests Erasure, but only in one eye. He can feel his left eye shift under the intention. “All Might, is my left eye now red?” He asks

“Oh, yes. Your left eye is red and your right is still green.” He answered.

“Cool, so I can isolate the quirks to certain areas then, since Mr. Aizawa’s Erasure is in both eyes and I made it stay in one.” Izuku beamed, new possibilities were opening up.

“Already making progress and we haven’t even made it back to class yet.” He laughed out a proud laugh.

“Talking about progress, I realised something in the stands and voiced it to the class. Our society…it’s failing so many people, and there’s no one making a proper effort.” Izuku said sadly.

Toshinori waits, he realised the kids breached into topics he shouldn’t have to at his age, but his experiences must have gotten him there. “I hadn’t told you this before, it hadn’t really mattered, but I was quirkless too. I didn’t get the best treatment, but not having a quirk back then was much more common. You…you’ve been through too much and I think a change is definitely in order. My own experiences and the fact I was caught up in the job blinded me.” He explained.

“I didn’t expect that. But yes, society is failing the quirkless, but not just them. It’s failing those with a mutant or transformation quirk that makes them look like a villain, it’s failing those like Yuuto and Shinso whose quirks are forced into a checkbox of ‘villainous quirk’, they were lucky to get into UA and get on the hero course. I voiced this and the faces I got from EVERY student with mutant quirks, as well as Shinso and Yuuto, they’ve all experienced it, this society’s failings. It-it just makes me think how many people turn to vigilantism or villainy just because they were pushed there, with nowhere else to go. I vow to change that All Might, and with everyone else’s help in the class we can strive for change.” There was a fire in his eyes, he believed his speech and he would be damn sure to make the world a better place.

“That’s an admirable dream my boy. You WILL make it a reality, I’m sure of it!” Toshinori smiled brightly at his successor, he knew he made the right choice, and this affirmed it. “I would like to tell you a few more things…about All-For-One, if you’re okay with that. I just think you deserve to know.”

“Go ahead.” Izuku said coldly, he doesn’t care too much about that man now.

“As you know, he and I fought years ago, he’s the one who heavily injured me.” Izuku winced. “But um, I-I believed I had killed him back then.”

“Killed?!” Izuku was in shock, All Might, KILLED someone? His father, sure, villain of villains, but killing?

“Yes, he wasn’t staying down and it was life or death. I’m sorry my boy, but it happens sometimes, whether you want it to happen or not.” He said sadly. “However, with that Nomu having multiple quirks…”

“AFO may have created it? Meaning he’s alive.” Izuku sighed. “Well, there goes my hope for a peaceful life.” He chuckled darkly.

Toshinori shuddered. “I’m sorry for springing that on you. I think you should get to class now, right?” 

“Yeah. It’s fine, by the way, it just caught me off guard. I can understand that if someone had a similar quirk to mine and became so powerful he’s a danger to the country or the world, killing is an option you may have to consider.” Izuku nodded and walked off.

~~~~~~~~

Izuku cleared up what happened with the rest of the class when they all bombarded him with questions. The class had a good laugh at that being his loss condition and that the battle was quite interesting before that.

“I find it funny that Kacchan uses my name whenever he’s either worried or being 100% genuine.” Izuku teased.

“Deku! That’s the second time you’ve exploded like that! Don’t test me!” Katsuki growled.

“Sorry Kacchan.” Izuku chuckled.

“Settle down class!” Aizawa said as he entered the room. “I’m glad to see everyone’s okay. Nice work out there. You now have the next two days off school to recuperate. There’s no doubt that the pros will want to recruit some of you, we’ll go over the forms when you return. Get some rest, you still have a lot of training.” He announced, the class can now break up for the next few days.

Yuuto makes his way over to Shoto. “I still have to thank you, for keeping me calm back there when Izuku went up in that explosion. I didn’t take you for someone who’d do physical comfort.”

“I found that it could help, my mom used to do that for me when she was around.” Shoto said directly.

“It really, really helped. I was probably about to go into a panic attack. Uh, I know you mainly stay to yourself in class and at lunch and stuff, but do you want to join us? Currently it’s me, Izu, Uraraka, Iida and Shinso. Though after Izu’s declaration, I feel like the whole class wants to crowd him.” Yuuto chuckled.

“Sure, why not be around my friends…friends is a weird word to say after father would just try to keep me isolated, but I’m done with all of that.” Shoto smiled. “Actually…actually I was thinking of visiting my mother tomorrow. I haven’t seen her since she was sent away, but it just seems like the right time after processing everything.”

“That sounds great! I just hope Endeavour is not going to explode when you’re home. The stunt you pulled with Izu was something.” Yuuto was worried for Shoto’s safety, considering the limited knowledge they have on Endeavour. “Here, have my phone number, call or text me about anything and if you need someone around, I’ll try to be there.” He writes down his number and slips it to Shoto.

“Thank you, Yuuto. I’d best be going now though, and you probably should too, I know you have your train to catch.”

~~~~~~~~

Izuku and Yuuto return home without a hitch, greeting Inko on the way in. “We’re home mom!”

“My babies! You did so well today! You have to stop scaring me Izuku!” She scolded him, it was always Izuku getting into trouble though.

“Sorry mom, I’m fine, really. I had to drop out because the explosion blew my clothes off. I didn’t particularly want to expose myself to the world, you know.” Izuku chuckled.

“Oh god. So that’s why you left like that, I thought you were possibly hurt more than they could let on. You still need to be safer though.” Inko continued her scolding, she was worried, scared and a little angry.

“Don’t worry, his Regeneration quirk made sure he was fine. He is fortunate to not have ended up with any burn scars though.” Yuuto said, unbeknownst to him, that Izuku hid it .

“In other news. I’m pretty sure I made friends with everyone in the class, though more so with Shoto.” Izuku beamed a massive smile.

“That’s wonderful news! Shoto’s that ice and fire kid right? Endeavour didn’t look happy when you two fought with his child’s quirk.” Inko looked over with a questioning expression.

Izuku smirked. “Shoto told us a little about his family situation, he really doesn’t like Endeavour, his father. In fact, we’re kind of worried about how Endeavour is going to be once Shoto returns home after our stunt, but we did it to annoy him.” He said as his smile dropped.

“Auntie…if-if Shoto needs somewhere to stay can he stay over here?” Yuuto asked cautiously.

Inko looked worried. “Of course, your friends are always welcome here! If-if he needs help-”

“That’s for him to decide, mom. Much like I decided earlier today that I was going to move on from my own issues.” Izuku said.

“Is…this something to do with your father? You hadn’t been the same since you saw his picture.” Inko asked.

“Yeah. D-did he seem off to you at all, or perhaps even-even ‘villainous’?” Izuku asked carefully, but he needed to know.

Inko sighed and shivered slightly. “He was kind, for a while at least. However, he always seemed to slip off to places or have this gleam in his eye that told me his emotions were…not all in the right place. When I confronted him about it, he said he loved me and you, but he couldn’t falter on his goals and the venom in that…it felt horrible. I’m quite glad he left when you didn’t get your quirk, but he always seemed to have a plan in mind.” Inko broke into tears.

“It’s okay mom, I understand. I-I found out who he truly is, because my quirk told me what his quirk was.” Izuku said, hugging his mother.

“His quirk was fire breathing?” Inko sniffled out.

Izuku shook his head. “That was just one quirk he stole.” Inko froze in horror, ‘just one quirk he stole’. “His actual quirk was called All-For-One and his name is actually AFO too, my quirk evolved a little and gave me a feeling for the name and ability of the quirk, I told All Might and…well lets just say he and father had a massive fight at some point in the past. He’s a supervillain, mom. He can steal, keep and give quirks.”

“Oh.” Is all she could offer, her heart breaking. “I guess your quirk makes a little more sense, it’s still a mutation, but it makes sense.” She tightened her hold on Izuku, not wanting to think about Hisashi anymore. “Thank you for telling me, I’d rather know now than when we’re in danger or anything.” She goes into thought. “Wait. H-he still pays child maintenance, why would he do that if he’s a villain with no actual name or connections here?”

Izuku and Yuuto flinch, “He does?!” They both shout.

Izuku clears his throat and activates High Specs. “I’m going to quickly try and work this out. Give me a moment of silence.” Inko and Yuuto nod in agreement.

‘Okay. Good old dad is paying for me still, meaning even though he left he for some reason wants a connection to us. It may be that it allows him to keep an eye on our current address via certain connections or somehow, he actually cares to some capacity, or both. He left when I was deemed quirkless, he was the one who recommended the doctor we went to as well, now that I think about it. That doctor may be compromised. Back to the villain here. He left…but I’m not sure if it was a massive event, he said that his work was taking him away and that he’s okay with the marriage breaking down. He said he’d be back in a decade or so…but he was injured by All Might in his battle with him, so he likely couldn’t stick to that plan.’

“What did father say to you before he left, like any promises or statements about life or society or whatever.” Izuku voiced.

“He…said something about making our lives easier when he came back, ‘society isn’t kind to children like Izuku, so please protect him Inko’. It scared me so much, and he was correct, so many people hurt you.” She said, tearing up again.

“Thank you for sharing, mom, I’ll go back into thought now.” Izuku said.

‘He wanted me to experience society's harsh reality…I always wanted a quirk, to be like All Might and whatnot. But he probably gambled that I’d end up like everyone else and not have All Might himself pass his quirk to me. He expected me to fall into despair and probably turn to him or villains for help to rebel against society’s failings. He didn’t expect me to have a quirk much like his, or even more interesting either. He knows my name and appearance from the sports festival, that is guaranteed, meaning he also knows my quirk 100%, he may also know about OFA. We’re in our childhood home, he could have abducted mom to get to me, he still could. We need to move, perhaps get protection via UA’

“We have a problem.” Izuku blurted out.

“What’s the problem?” Yuuto asked.

“Well, considering everything, I think All-For-One is the head of the League of Villains. They could be swarming this place at some point if he remembers, which he most likely will. I believe he actually somehow cares for us, since he was planning on coming back. He was most likely going to wait for me to break and then give me a strong quirk to get me on his side.” Izuku explained.

“Shit” Inko said. “Y-yeah, we have to move. I-I could get Mitsuki to help-”

“No, and they should probably move too. Father would know about your connection to them too and Kacchan’s connection to me would be used as leverage if he got to them. Sorry in advance, but FUCK!” Izuku raged.

“Let me call Mitsuki and Masaru about the situation, they need to know the dangers too. Do you have any UA contacts on hand?” Inko asked, hurrying around.

“I-I have All Might’s after I copied his quirk, and I have the principal’s, because, well he had me copy his quirk and essentially made me student security” Izuku convincingly lied.

“Well, message both of them. I’m heading to my room to talk to Mitsuki.” Inko said.

“Kacchan knows too! So he’d understand if they need to break it to him!” Izuku shouted, trying to build her confidence. She nodded as she went into her room and closed the door. Izuku pulled out his phone and created a group chat with All Might and Nezu

Izuku added All Might & Principal to the group

Izuku: We have a problem, a major problem.

All Might: What is it, Izuku?

Izuku: We have to leave our residence, we can’t risk All-For-One coming back for us!

Izuku: The same goes for Kacchan’s family, we can’t have them targeted as leverage!

Principal: What is this about ‘All-For-one?’ and why would he be after you?

Izuku: You didn’t tell Nezu?!

All Might: I-I didn’t think it was my place, I told Tsukauchi, if that helps.

Izuku: Okay, that’s a little reassuring, but Nezu needed to know!

Principal: So, why is that villain after your family and possibly the Bakugo family? Other than possibly craving your quirk.

Izuku: He…is my father, found out a couple weeks back.

Nezu was enjoying a lovely cup of green tea until he spat it out reading that comment, even the smartest animal alive can be taken by surprise that badly.

Principal: Well, that would be a cause for concern. Yagi, you should have informed me, the detective should have looped me into this too.

All Might: Sorry sir.

Principal: I will try and make proper arrangements, in fact…with this information the boarding school plans we had may actually come to fruition. All Might and I can tell the commission that due to your quirk, you and the students are at more risk of villain attacks.

Principal: That would make it easier to look after you students. Your mother and Bakugo’s parents can easily be relocated around the school, or we could make an exception and try to house them on site as they’d be at major risk too.

Izuku: Thank you, Principal Nezu.

Izuku: Most of the other information is superficial, but I believe AFO planned on letting me fall into despair about how society treats certain people.

Izuku: He wanted to tempt me to villainy and probably would have offered me a strong quirk.

All Might: Why would he do that?

Izuku: My running theory is that he cares about my mother and I to some capacity. He’s still paying child maintenance apparently, why would he bother if he didn’t care for me when I was quirkless?

Toshinori was scared about that result, he knows how Izuku feels about society right now, and that it is exactly the perspective AFO wanted Izuku to have. Fortunately he has the opportunity to achieve his goal through heroics, but he shudders at the thought that if Izuku was quirkless, he could have fallen into the villains clutches. He still could if things go wrong and AFO somehow cares for them.

Izuku: I will admit, I definitely have a broadened mindset about society and that it isn’t all black and white. However, I assume you’re probably on the same page. Right Principal Nezu?

Principal: We’re on the same page, turning to those extremes is not on the table for us. But we need to help improve everything wherever we can. That is why we don’t allow the discrimination around here and try to put everyone in a positive spotlight.

Principal: We can talk more about this in one of our meetings, Izuku. I know there’s more you want to discuss. For now, make sure you and your family are safe, we will try and get the dorms approved as soon as we can.

Izuku: Thank you sir. And I appreciate the use of my given name.

All Might: Take care kid. If there’s anything else you need from us, don’t hesitate to ask.

The chat ended there. Nezu was somewhat excited, he can finally get the dorm system approved which would make everyone so much happier. Aizawa and himself wanted it to happen earlier considering the dangers students go through by just being at UA and now with villains being interested in All Might and the class, they’re all in danger.

“Well. That’s one issue being dealt with. They may be pulling us into on-campus dorms for our own protection. They’ll also see to the relocation of us and Kacchan’s family for now.” Izuku explained.

Yuuto tilts his head in thought. “Sounds interesting and viable, it seems safer than us possibly being attacked or targeted out here.” He gets a ping on his phone.

Unknown number

Unknown: It’s Shoto. Father is currently silently seething in his office, he’s never done that so my sister and I are definitely worried.

Unknown is now known as Shoto

Yuuto: I don’t see him as the ‘silently seething’ man. Then again his ‘masterpiece’ gave his power away to annoy him so…I guess it kinda worked?

Shoto: Hmm. My sister looked at me with concern when I told her that, she said I shouldn’t make him angry.

Yuuto: I mean, part of that is probably for your own safety, but HE shouldn’t be so possessive and obsessive.

Yuuto: Is your sister kind or is she like your father?

Shoto: She’s kind, but she’s quite quiet with what she does. I feel like she wants to please everyone.

Yuuto: Ah. Yeah, that isn’t going to work. Not when everyone has differing thoughts on one another. Especially on your level of extremes. He wants a tool to beat All Might, she seems to want to have a proper family and you want to be your own person and thrive as yourself.

Shoto: Unfortunately. I am going to have to go for now, father’s exiting his office and he’s steaming.

Shoto: Talk to you later.

Yuuto: Stay safe Shoto!

Yuuto didn’t receive a reply after that, he was slightly worried, but he turned to Inko’s room which had Inko finally coming out of it.

“Okay boys. We’ve had a message from UA they’ve already set up a decently sized hotel room for us and the Bakugo’s, I only know since Masaru was called whilst Mitsuki and I were talking. She was quite hysterical after hearing everything, but she understood the situation, so we’ve agreed to go there together and get acquainted with our new temp home.” She chuckled out of pain. “Pack a suitcase with about a week's worth of clothes, the place has washing and drying capabilities. It’s apparently covered by UA and so will any expenses on food, as long as it isn’t too much.” Inko explained. All Might had texted Izuku the same explanation if Inko hadn’t received the information.

“Okay mom. Sorry for causing an issue like this.” Izuku sniffled.

“No. It’s not your fault Izu. It’s that man’s fault. I’m glad you realised how bad it was so we could be safe!” Inko hugged Izuku. “Okay, go get your things.”

“Auntie Inko.” Yuuto says shakily looking at his phone, “can we make a detour and pick up Shoto?”

“What happened?” Inko said gently.

Yuuto turns his phone. And the latest message said HELP! Which was accompanied by a location ping that wasn’t too far from them. 

“We can try.” Inko was not going to be a woman who’d abandon a child in his time of need.

The boys barely take care when packing their clothes, they’re done in minutes as they rush to their car. Inko makes a legal rush towards the Todoroki residence.

<Todoroki House>

Shoto walks through the door to be greeted by his sister Fuyumi. “Hey sho, how was your day?”

“Didn’t you watch the Sports Festival?” Shoto questioned.

“We could only catch it during our breaks, elementary school is an important time for a child’s development.” Fuyumi answered. “But I assume something happened to put dad in the state he’s in now. He’s just sitting in his office, angry and silent.”

“That’s my fault. I had a friend copy my quirk and use it against me. His quirk changes his body to permanently copy other people’s quirks, so he can use my quirk whenever he wants to now.” Shoto explained.

“Friend?” Fuyumi decided that was more important than the quirk copying bit.

Shoto smiled slightly, which warmed Fuyumi’s heart. “Yes, I made a few friends today, they took the time to understand me, and I understood them. Speaking of, one of them gave me his number.” He added Yuuto to his contact list and started messaging him.

“You shouldn’t have made dad angry. Even if you think he deserves it.” Fuyumi looked at him with concern. Shoto glanced up, but continued messaging.

Endeavour walks out of his office, he’s finally wrapped everything up in his head and has decided the route he wants to play.

“Fuyumi, go out and get us some desserts.” Endeavour ordered, he doesn’t care that she’s his child, she’s apparently being told to get out. Fuyumi gulps and leaves as ‘asked’, she doesn’t like the timing, but she can’t oppose him.

“Father.” Shoto said, looking blankly at him.

“Shoto. You really don’t understand what you did today, do you?” He said, anger bubbling through.

“As I said, I’m not your tool, your prized possession, your masterpiece . I am me. Yet you still don’t understand that and try to pit me against the world, when my world seems better with people in it.” Shoto explained as calmly as ever, but inside he was panicking.

“That boy is a threat, he could easily take the number one spot. With all that power he could go crazy, other people have for less and you decide to give him my creation?” Endeavour growled out as he closed the gap between him and Shoto.

“It is my power. I choose what to do with it, and I have chosen to rise to the top WITH that ‘boy’ to make sure this society and world can be more at peace. He opened my eyes to more problems than just my own and it’s our job to fix it.” Shoto shot a deadly glare at Endeavour. “I’ll be a hero who saves even those this country wants us to forget.” He growled.

Endeavour grabbed Shoto’s arm and threw him out into the courtyard. “You do not understand your place boy. Standing by people? Caring about someone else’s strife? No, power is all you need to do well in this world, Shoto.”

‘Shit, he hasn’t done this in years. This is bad.’ Shoto slides his phone out slightly and opens his chat with Yuuto, only managing to get out ‘HELP’ and pin his location.

“I’m done listening to your so-called advice when it’s setting unattainable goals and all it does is make me feel empty, I will not become you.” Shoto stood his ground.

“SHOTO!” Endeavour growled as he covered his fist in fire and tried to punch Shoto in the gut, Shoto slid out the way with his ice. He tries to keep blocking with his ice and moving, he knows he can’t use his fire here, he hasn’t got the control to not burn the house down.

“Leave. Me. Alone.” Shoto says coldly as he launches a massive wave of ice, he’s in preservation mode now freezing the man doesn’t matter over his own safety.

A large amount of fire melts the ice instantly, Endeavour bolts through the gaps he made and makes contact with Shoto’s stomach. Shoto is winded, spittle coming out of his mouth, mixed with vomit. The one-sided fight continues on, until…

<The Midoriya car>

“We’re close to his house now, I hope he’s okay. FUCK!” Yuuto’s leg is nervously twitching. Izuku and Inko don’t know what to say, they’re focusing on getting there and helping Shoto.

A large wall of ice comes from a house in front of them, they all swallow their thoughts as they know that Shoto had to have done that. “Mom, stop the car quickly. I’m going ahead. He needs help!” Izuku said. Inko does as asked, even she knows that that wall of ice was made out of desperation as she watches it melt away. 

Izuku opens the car door, taking off his shirt as he activates his wings, his eyes also turn red as he’s readying Erasure for if he needs it. He flies over to the Todoroki residence where he spots Endeavour wailing hits onto Shoto, the boy is unable to fight back fairly. Izuku flies down in between the pair, activating Shock Absorption to block Endeavour’s punch and turning on Erasure to snuff out his flames. “You will stop hurting Shoto, right now.” Izuku growled.

“Hurting? This is training boy, training to top you after he made his stupid mistake earlier. Then again, you did just take my flames too, didn’t you?” Endeavour pointed out that he just stopped his fist bare handed.

“This would be training if Shoto agreed to it and wasn’t basically getting beaten up. You’re just an abuser who tries to justify his actions. Motherfucker.” Izuku spat out with venom.

“You know nothing, and I’ll just add illegal quirk usage to your record, you’ll easily get expelled for this and removed from hero society.” Endeavour grinned something feral.

Izuku chuckled. “It’s only illegal if I harm you, I haven’t harmed a hair on your narcissistic head. Bye, asshole.” Izuku picked up Shoto and flew out of the building and to the car that was now waiting outside the residence. He passed Shoto to Yuuto and hopped into the front seat. “He’s been hit in the stomach and side quite hard, possibly multiple times.” He eyes Endeavour flying through the sky after them. “What. The. Fuck.” Izuku said, staring at the Number 2 hero.

“The man is insane! What the hell?!” Yuuto turns to look at Endeavour to push a suggestion. ‘I need to stop now, or the authorities will suspend my licence.’ He pushes harder than he ever has; he needs Endeavour to actually BELIEVE that the idea was his so that he’ll step down. Yuuto’s nose starts to bleed, but Endeavour steps down and just scowls at the car driving away with his son. “I-I think it worked. Holy.” Yuuto said, smiling without a care in the world as the blood slowly drops onto his shirt. “Shoot, have you got tissues over there.” Izuku passes Yuuto some tissues as well as giving him a look full of worry.

“You never get nosebleeds, only headaches. What did you do?” Izuku said.

Shoto coughed, he’s coming back to the world after probably being in shock. “What happened? Yuuto? Are you alright, you’re bleeding.”

Yuuto blinks in shock. “Am I alright? You’re the one I need to make sure is alright, try not to move okay. Just stay there and no going to sleep, not yet.”

“Okay.” Shoto moves to be more comfortable in Yuuto’s lap. Yuuto’s face adorns a light blush, observing how cute Shoto’s being, even if it’s not intentional. Yuuto threads a hand through Shoto’s hair, slightly stroking through it, whispering. “Is this okay?” Shoto pushes into the touch, surprisingly. “Why are you all here? I was just expecting Yuuto and maybe Izuku?”

“Ah, the circumstances changed slightly, Shoto, All-For-One could be a problem for us and Katsuki’s family so we’re going to a hotel near UA with heroes hired to help protect us.” Yuuto explains. Shoto accepts the explanation and settles with his hair being messed with.

Izuku pulls out his phone to message Nezu.

Principal Nezu

Izuku: Principal Nezu sir, there is a clause in the signup for UA that says you have partial custody to all students that attend right? I didn’t imagine that.

Principal Nezu: There is a clause for that, if a student expresses deep concern about their current guardian and would prefer to come under UA’s protection they are encouraged to speak up and allow us to provide them with help. Who needs protection?

“Shoto, I know you may not be in a talking or responsive mood, but…but would you like to be under UA’s custody, and not your father’s?” Izuku asks.

“My-my father stopped hurting years ago, today it seemed he got worse again. I-I” He starts crying into Yuuto’s lap. “If UA can protect me from him, then yes.”

Izuku: Shoto Todoroki. He sent us a message saying ‘HELP’ with a ping to his house attached. I picked Shoto up from his courtyard where Endeavour was abusing him and we’re currently on our way to the hotel.

Principal Nezu: I knew that man wasn’t in the best of mindframes, but to harm his own son because of an All Might obsession. We’ll see what we can do about it, how bad are his injuries?

Izuku: He was crumpled, holding his side and he sometimes shifted to his stomach. I suspect a lot of bruising and perhaps a broken rib or two if he was hit bad enough. We’re keeping him on his back for now just in case and awake since I have no clue if he’s hit his head. He doesn’t seem to be exhausted either.

Principal: Okay, we’ll have Recovery Girl give him a checkup to gauge whether she can use her quirk or not. When you arrive we’ll have the team take him. Endeavour is not going to be happy, but if Todoroki complies to our process when he’s healed then Endeavour can’t do anything about it. See you later.

Izuku sighs out heavily, he turns to see that Yuuto has gently pushed Shoto’s head into his shirt. Shoto said it hadn’t happened in years, meaning Shoto’s probably stuck in a more childlike mental state and is now thinking over it all and crying about his experiences. “Recovery Girl will be waiting for us, I obviously have her quirk so I COULD theoretically heal you, but that feels awkward for me. Plus, we need a professional doctor to check you over. If that’s okay?” Izuku said clearly, like he was talking to a child to Shoto.

Shoto nuzzles into Yuuto’s shirt with a nod, acknowledging the healer will be there.

The car stops outside the Bakugo’s, they have just finished packing up as they hadn’t had to rush to save Shoto.

“Hi Inko. How are you holding up?” Mitsuki shouted out.

Inko exits her car and sighs. “I’m alright, but we have another issue.” She said pointing to Shoto. “We had to rush out to take him away from his house.”

“Damn. The kid doesn’t look too well, what happened to him?” Mitsuki’s motherly instincts were driving, no anger or snappy remarks today.

“His father did. His father, being Endeavour.” Inko said sadly, her face turning into a frown. “He may be the Number 2 hero, but this should have been investigated earlier. The kid admitted that Endeavour used to do this to him years ago.”

“What?! Years? How was this not investigated…no one wanted to check that fuckers actions?” Mitsuki started getting angry.

“Hag! We need to go.” Katsuki growled.

“You can’t speak to me like that Brat!” Mitsuki snapped back. “We’re just talking about something else.”

“We can talk elsewhere. I’d prefer not fucking dying here because we stayed too long. All-For-One isn’t gonna wait, you know?” Katsuki shouted, stomping over for attention. His face turned into a frown when he peered into the car. “IcyHot? What’s he doing in your car…and why’s he lying on Hypno?”

“He’s coming with us, for reasons. Mitsuki, we should get going. They have Recovery Girl waiting for him.” Inko said. Mitsuki nodded and dragged Katsuki away too.

The two families set off towards the hotel. The eerie silence in the car, no one wants to talk about how horrible the situation is.

Kacchan

Kacchan: Nerd. How’s IcyHot?

Izuku: Probably bruised and he may have a few broken ribs.

Kacchan: Do I even have to ask who did it?

Izuku: Have a wild guess. I feel horrible now.

Kacchan: It’s not your fault the bastard’s mind is so fucked up he doesn’t see anyone as a person. No love, even for his own child.

Izuku: I’m surprised you haven’t talked about this whole crazy situation where we’re moving into a hotel.

Kacchan: I’m not surprised. It makes sense, if that guy somehow gives the tiniest of shits about you. Especially now that you’ve shown your quirk off…

Kacchan: Just focus on Shoto for now. He needs the help more than us. Talk to you later, Nerd.

Izuku likes the new Katsuki, he’s nice, but also aggressive at the same time. The easiest comparison is that he's basically Auntie Mitsuki Jr. at this point, which makes Izuku chuckle slightly.

The families roll up to the hotel, Principal Nezu and surprisingly Mr. Aizawa was waiting there. It crosses Izuku’s mind that since he is their homeroom teacher he needed to be informed about changes in students' situations.

“Hello Ms. Midoriya. Mr and Mrs Bakugo. It’s unfortunate that we’ve had to drag you away from your homes, but we do wholly believe it’s for everyone’s safety.” Nezu bows in respect. “We understand that Todoroki is with you too.”

Aizawa flicks his eyes between everyone, Nezu hadn’t had time to explain to the man after organising everything, he just needed Aizawa there. “Okay. So who cares to explain what’s dragged me out here. Nezu said he was busy setting things up and he needed me here as your homeroom teacher to ensure you’re all informed and settled in with hero protection stuff.”

Toshinori comes in, but not in his full All Might form, no he was Toshinori Yagi today. “Aizawa. I should probably explain.” Aizawa gives him a look, since he can’t call him All Might right now. “First though, Recovery Girl, can you see to Todoroki, he’s in Ms. Midoriya’s car with Nakamura.”

“So what does he teach? He seems a little thin and sickly.” Mitsuki whispered to Katsuki, to which he replied, “I don’t know him, hag. Maybe he’s the fucking safety staff or something.”

“Ah, sorry. Let’s go to one of your rooms and fully explain this.” Toshinori says as Recovery Girl is taking Shoto out on a stretcher, he’s being taken to have his injuries documented, then healed.

<The Midoriya’s room>

After Shoto has been checked and healed, they regroup in the hotel room. “Okay, first of all.” All Might expands into his All Might form, garnering shocked gasps from the adults and Katsuki. “I am All Might.” He then deflates again, with Aizawa facepalming and groaning. ‘Wait, Izuku knew?’

“It was brought to our attention that your families are at extreme risk of being targeted by the League of Villains due to their affiliation to someone known as ‘All-For-One’. To clue those in who don’t already know. All-For-One is an extremely dangerous villain, I believed him to be dead a few years back, but it seems he’s alive. In fact Aizawa, that man is the one who destroyed my stomach and caused a problem with my heroic duties.”

“They’re being targeted by the person who harmed YOU that badly?!” Aizawa was looking in horror, he watched the kids not react as badly, like they already knew. “Boys. You knew about this didn’t you?”

“Yes Mr. Aizawa.” All of them said in unison, with Shoto slowly saying it.

“The reason they know is also part of the issue. AFO’s quirk is also named AFO, he can steal people’s quirks and keep them for himself or give them to others. He’s been around for over two hundred years, since the dawn of quirks.” Toshinori explained.

“Excuse me. What?” Aizawa feels like this is a fever dream. “And how come these kids seem to know already?”

Izuku steps in. “You’ve seen how I’ve been off the past couple of weeks, right Mr. Aizawa?”

“Yes, you refused to use anything but All Might’s power up quirk.” Aizawa pointed out.

Toshinori decides they all need to know. “That would be because I passed my quirk onto young Izuku. He couldn’t actually copy mine.”

“What?!” Mitsuki, Masaru, Inko and Aizawa shouted. ‘The kids knew this too’ Aizawa thought.

“Let me get this straight. You GAVE him your quirk, why?!” Aizawa asked the question on everyone’s mind.

“Izuku ran in to save Bakugo from the Sludge villain, his body moved on its own and he bought him time to survive. I told you this vaguely at the entrance exams. He was thought to be quirkless until on that same day he found out about his quirk and I offered him my quirk. He had the heroic spirit I was looking for in a successor, and regardless of whether he had a quirk or not he felt like the perfect successor. He still does. And you know why I was looking for people, the time I can spend on heroics is getting shorter.” Toshinori explains. “My quirk itself is called One-For-All.”

“So, let me get this straight. You gave a fifteen year old child a quirk that could literally destroy his bones, after knowing him for what? A few hours? What were you thinking?” Aizawa glared at the number one hero.

“In h-his defence. I-it’s better to give it to someone who would be learning control than giving it to an older student or current pro hero because it would destroy their ability to control their quirk. You saw my accidental explosions, imagine that with people who previously had control.” Izuku reasoned.

Aizawa sighed. “I guess it would have disrupted a current students’ study or a current pro hero’s work. It doesn’t make it suitable that you had to control so much power. Moving on, the name ‘One-For-All’ seems connected to ‘All-For-One’. What’s the situation with that?” Aizawa asked.

“AFO had a brother, one who was thought to be quirkless. He was a sickly child and wouldn’t accept following in his brother's footsteps in trying to rule or destroy society. AFO forced a stockpiling quirk onto his brother, but it turned out his brother actually had a previously useless quirk, the power to pass on quirks. These two combined forming what we now call OFA, it’s a power that has kept growing from the dawn of quirks and has been passed on eight times, Izuku being the ninth wielder.” Toshinori explained, causing everyone to be stunned silent.

“So I guess it was connected to my father after all.” Izuku accidentally blurted out.

“Father?!” Aizawa shouted.

“Oops.” Izuku panicked. “But yes, Mr. Aizawa. As much as I hate it myself, that supervillain seems to be my father.” Izuku holds his hands up and activates AFO. “This is AFO apparently, the previous users’ consciousness’ live within OFA and it told me about this. Honestly, ignorance was bliss.” He releases the quirk.

“So…that could steal and give quirks and such?” Aizawa asked cautiously, accepting the whole ‘ghosts of One-For-All’ thing.

“I guess, I’m never going to use it though. It’s such a cruel quirk, society should change to acknowledge people with any kind of quirk, I won’t remove people’s quirks to suit society. Or just for whatever other reason.” Izuku explained.

“Okay. So you two families are here because AFO could be a threat to either of you, and it’s safer here than at home as he’d know those locations.” Aizawa said, with everyone nodding along. “But why is Todoroki here?”

Shoto decided he needed to answer that question from the bed he was currently resting on. “I had to get away from my father. I heard UA can take custody over me and I’d very much prefer that right now.”

Aizawa doesn’t like the implication that Shoto made, but he can document and listen to it. “And why is that?”

“Because he was beating the shit out of me. Which he hasn’t done in years, but after what Izuku and I did with my quirk, he was more annoyed than I’ve ever seen him. I sent a help message and ping to Yuuto. W-Will Izuku get in trouble for saving me with his quirks? He trespassed on our premises, picked me up and left.” Shoto sounded very tired, Yuuto sat next to him to give him some support.

Aizawa was angry, internally angry, but nonetheless angry. “As long as Izuku didn’t attack Endeavour, he was responding to someone who feared for their safety and helped them. That is within the self defence and defence of others clause in quirk law.”

“Oh sir, you should have seen him try and chase us down the street as we were driving, his face was haunting.” Yuuto said.

“He what?!”

“Oh yeah. Endeavour literally flew out of his house, propelling himself with fire towards us. His face was a shade of anger that I never thought I’d see on anyone.” Izuku shuddered.

“That is a detail you forgot to mention, Izuku.” Nezu finally spoke. “That is a lot more than just attacking Todoroki-”

“Shoto. Please.” Shoto groaned out.

“More than just attacking Shoto, he planned on attacking you as well. How’d you make him back off?” Nezu raised an eyebrow. Toshinori looked as concerned as Aizawa.

“That would have been me. I pushed my quirk so hard I think Endeavour actually thought he had the idea to stop and not get into trouble.” Yuuto said with a smirk.

“I thought you said people realise they’ve been affected by your quirk, Nakamura?” Aizawa asked.

“They normally do, but I pushed my quirk so hard my nose bled. So I don’t think I can usually do that, not yet anyways. But it did help keep him away this time.” Yuuto admits.

“You should be checked out for quirk strain, but you seem to be fine now. Shoto, how are you feeling?”

“Tired.” Izuku chuckled at Shoto’s answer, the boy is too honest at answering these questions.

“I mean health wise.” Aizawa stayed as serious as ever.

“No more pain. Just tired.” Shoto is essentially going to pass out on that bed, and he doesn’t care.

“Okay. Shoto seems to be staying here tonight.” Aizawa said. “Alright we’re setting you all up here temporarily. Shoto would ideally be coming with me since his scenario is different, but he seems one second from sleep. Are you alright with him staying here Ms. Midoriya, kids?” 

“Yes, he can stay.” All of them answer. Aizawa smiles and moves on, “Bakugo family, you’re in the room opposite.” All of the Bakugos acknowledge their arrangement.

“Ah, Aizawa, while these few are here. I thought it’d be a good time to ask the commission to approve our dorm system. If they’re on our grounds they’d be safer than anywhere else, I do suggest we get these families on site too. That’s if they agree to it too.” Nezu announced.

“Finally some good news. I’m happy with that.” Aizawa said.

“We’d be fine with that, right Masaru?” Mitsuki asked her husband.

“Of course, thank you for looking out for our safety.” Masaru said. “It’s a shame we had to leave our house though.”

“I also approve of this, I don’t want to be at risk of that man.” Inko shuddered.

“Okay. We’ll leave you alone for now. Please relax as much as you can.” Nezu said, dragging Toshinori and Aizawa out with him. Mitsuki and Masaru left a little later, coming to terms with All Might’s situation and their own. Yuuto retreated to his room, fortunately they had separate beds in there so he placed Shoto into one, where he promptly fell asleep.

“How are you holding up Izuku?” Katsuki asked. Izuku will never get used to that at this point. Inko smiles slightly, hearing Katsuki not call him ‘Deku’ all the time is a relief. She retreated to her room to unpack her stuff.

“I just wanna sleep for an eternity. This all seems like a nightmare. Kacchan…” Izuku starts crying a lot. He was so strong for everyone and everything happening at once has burst the dam. Katsuki drags Izuku into a hug, placing Izuku’s head into his shoulder.

“I’ve got you Izuku.” He messed with the green haired boy's hair. ‘Dammit. Why do I fucking care.’

‘Kacchan’s…hugging me?’ “Kacchan…” Izuku’s muffled whine, said into the boy's shoulder.

“Izuku?” Katsuki said gently.

“H-how do you feel about me? Because all of this…isn’t like you .” Izuku wanted to take a stab in the dark, the boy he admired so much that he was even crushing on is acting like a whole different person. He wanted to know.

‘Damn nerd, why’d he have to ask the hard question!’ He raged internally. “Hmph. I don’t know…”

“Y-you don’t know? You’ve been attacking me since we were kids…what do you mean ‘I don’t know.’?” Izuku pushed.

“Because I don’t know. I don’t think I’ve ever known so I assumed you were always looking down on me or some shit.” Katsuki huffed out. 

“I’d never. Kacchan was always the best.” Izuku whispered. “D-do you…actually…l-like me too?” Izuku broke, he needed to get an answer.

Katsuki started panicking. “L-like as in what? How? I-”

“As in, a crush or anything like that.” Izuku started wiping his eyes dry of any remaining tears. 

Katsuki tightened his hold on Izuku. “Feelings are confusing, dammit. You know I find ‘em confusing!” Katsuki growled. He cupped Izuku’s face and aligned leaned in slightly closer, tensing up when his eyes drifted to Izuku’s lips, thinking about the whole crush thing. ‘I…can’t start this. I don’t…deserve this, I deserve to be thrown out, hated. Dammit.’

Izuku closed the gap and kissed Katsuki gently. “How did that feel?”

Katsuki’s mind was going at a mile a minute, he didn't know how to exactly react. Is he happy, sad, angry, annoyed? He settles for feeling worthless and undeserving. “I-It feels like I didn’t fucking deserve it.” 

Izuku nuzzled into Katsuki’s cheek. “I’ve forgiven you for everything, stop.” He narrowed his eyes at Katsuki. 

“You’re too forgiving.” Katsuki said, leaning back in to kiss Izuku a bit more longingly than the one Izuku gave him. “But that’s my answer. You got it, Nerd?” Izuku was silent for a second, basking in the moment that was too unbelievable.

“There’s my Kacchan.” He said with sparkling eyes, threatening to cry more tears, but the happy kind this time. “You know…I’ve felt like this for so long, I’m so happy you somehow feel the same.”

Katsuki frowned. “How long have you had a crush on me?” 

“Uhh, probably my whole life, or where a crush could start at. I just couldn’t ever shake this feeling around you.” Izuku smiles brightly.

“Fuck. Well, I have no clue when I got mine, because all my emotions are a damn mess. They were there then and are now. But it was before the worst of everything, and that makes me feel worse. Dammit.” Katsuki cried out in guilt.

Izuku’s eyes widened. “God. So…did your misunderstood feelings make you want to hurt me…out of caring? Or…you know, that doesn’t matter, what matters is you’re doing better now. You’re amazing Kacchan.” Izuku gently kissed Katsuki again.

Katsuki eventually separated himself from Izuku. “I gotta go and unpack my stuff, but…if you want to try this thing between us. I’m not against it, but I am going to have to do better to feel like I deserve it, you got that?” He huffs out.

“Okay! I-I can’t believe this is real. You’re my boyfriend now…right.” Izuku said whilst bouncing around. His day went from bad, to worse, to one of the best real quick. “Okay, I’ll see you later, you unpack and rest up!” He beamed. 

Katsuki smiles as he leaves for his room and Izuku just collapses to the floor in a happy daze, sprawling himself over the floor. ‘Kacchan…really wants to go out with me. This feels like a dream, but…but it isn’t.’ He giggled to himself.

Yuuto popped out of his room, raising an eyebrow to Izuku, “You alright there Izu?” He asked, like he wasn’t actually spying the whole time and was questioning reality.

“Y-yeah. Just happy. We should sleep, I-I don’t know if Shoto would be okay to visit his mom tomorrow, but we should still check with him when he wakes up.” Izuku said. “Goodnight Yuu!” He said as he walked into his room to unpack and unwind. The way was a mess, the Sports Festival was fun, but he nearly was incinerated by his own mistake. Then there’s the whole ‘AFO definitely wants me’ deal causing them to leave their own home for protection and finally, there’s picking up Shoto from his asshole father and then talking everything through about OFA and AFO. His night was made by Katsuki though and he can’t wait for what tomorrow brings.

Chapter Text

Izuku groans as he wakes up in an unfamiliar bed, the events of the previous day slowly catching up to him until he is beaming with happiness about Kacchan being his first kiss and that he likes him back. He reads the time on his phone as 7:38am, which is decent, considering he managed to finally sleep at around 1am. He sticks his head out his room, nothing seems out of place, no one’s stirring awake either.

He slips on some slippers he had packed and walked into the kitchen they’ve been provided with, still wearing his fanboy-ish pyjamas labelled around with All Might branding. He decides a calming cup of tea is what he needs to relax this morning. That is until he hears a door slightly creak open and locks of red and white peak around Yuuto's door. Shoto looks around, confused about what happened, which is fair considering he was hurt badly from Recovery Girl’s documentation. He had extensive bruising and broken ribs, as Izuku had assumed before. 

“Hey Shoto. How are you holding up?” Izuku asked softly.

Shoto rubs the sleep out of his eyes. “Oh, hello Izuku. So that wasn’t a dream then.”

“Unfortunately, no it wasn’t.” Izuku sighs. “Want some tea? I’m already boiling the kettle.”

“Please. I-is there anything to eat, I didn’t get to eat last night.” Shoto looked ashamed.

“Hey. Don’t think like that. It isn’t your fault. We have food stocked around, there’s cereal, bread, some breakfast bars if you’re into that. There’s other breakfast stuff, but I cannot cook to save my life. I could try and ask Kacchan, but I don’t think he’d be too accepting of me begging him to come round to cook for us.” Izuku explained and giggled. “We could wait for my mom to wake up for that instead.”

“I will just make some toast. Thank you for grabbing me yesterday, and letting me stay here.” Shoto smiled weakly.

Izuku grabs the bread and shoves two slices in the toaster. “You’re welcome for as long as you need. Do you remember everything that happened yesterday?”

“Yeah, I do. Mr. Aizawa knows, as well as Small Might and Nezu.” Shoto said, adding in a joke name so seamlessly.

“Small Might?!” Izuku sputtered.

“Small-All Might. Small Might. It made sense to me.” Shoto took that rhetorical outburst seriously.

“I understood, just, I didn’t expect the nickname from you . I’d have put a bet on Kacchan doing that instead.” Izuku smiled. He pours the water into the cups and mixes, two cups of tea steaming in front of him. He passes one to Shoto. “Careful, it’s hot.”

“I have heat resistance.” Shoto says as he sips the tea with ease.

Izuku shakes his head. “Of course. Since I’m making breakfast too, how do you like your toast?”

“Uh…no clue.” Shoto said bluntly.

Izuku pops the toast up, generic brown, so it was the perfect in between cooked too little and burnt. Izuku prefers it a little charred and crispy, but the average will have to do for Shoto. He grabs butter and swipes it across the toast, plates it up and passes it to Shoto. “Do you usually have anything on it? Like jam or chocolate spread?”

“No. I’ll just have it as it is. Thank you for all of this, truly. I appreciate it.” Shoto smiled a little wider this time.

Yuuto walks in like he missed the party. “Morning guys.” He yawned out. “Shoto, your phone’s been going crazy since last night. I checked the callers because if it was HIM then I wouldn’t have said anything. The call list is Fuyumi and Natsuo, there’s a couple messages too but I ignored them.” He passes Shoto his phone.

“Those would be my sister and brother, they’re probably worried about my whereabouts.” Shoto sighed. He eyes the messages, most of them asking if he’s okay or where he was. One of Fuyumi’s messages angered him the most, ‘Can you come home please.’ What, like she didn’t rush out the door and leave him with the man who had proceeded to break his ribs. “I’ll message Natsuo, Fuyumi…she just ran out and listened to him, knowing Endeavour was in an aggressive mood. I don’t think she deserves to hear from me, not while I’m angry.”

“That sounds like a good decision, never chat whilst you’re angry at the person, it never goes well.” Izuku said wisely.

Shoto unlocks his phone and clears Endeavour’s messages. Who cares what that man says anyways.

Natsuo

Natsuo: Please, call or message me. I need to know if you’re okay, I know that bastard can go too far…we…I need to know he hasn’t killed you too.

Natsuo: Last message, I know someone helped you. The old man didn’t say anything descriptive, I just hope they took you to safety. Goodnight, Sho.

Shoto: Sorry for worrying you Natsuo, how much were you told?

Natsuo: Oh for all that is…thank you for replying.

Natsuo: I was told father was ‘training you’ and then you were basically abducted by classmates.

Natsuo: I didn’t believe that bullshit since he definitely left things out. So before I report to Fuyumi, I want you to tell me. As your big brother, I should have been there for you.

Shoto: When was the last time you remember him dragging me out to the courtyard.

Natsuo: That was- it was years ago, he didn’t.

Shoto: He did. I was on the ground, in pain by the end of his attacks and he still kicked me. So, I am done with him.

Shoto: My friends came to save me. They stopped the old man from hurting me further - he bruised me pretty badly and broke some of my ribs.

Natsuo: The fuck man. God, and Fuyumi wants to try and piece our family back together after this?! Nope. Do not go back to him Sho. You have good friends over there,

Shoto: I wasn’t planning on going back, UA made him sign partial custody over to them for my admittance. Meaning they can, with my permission, remove me from Endeavour’s care and place me elsewhere.

Natsuo: Good. Now, do you want to message Fuyumi, or shall I? Because I’m probably going to talk about it anyways.

Shoto: You can, since she ran away at Endeavour’s order of ‘go out and get us some desserts’ and left me there to struggle.

Natsuo: …

Natsuo: She’s getting a rant from me too then. Please, take care of yourself Sho. If you need anything please don’t hesitate to message or call me! Love you bro.

Shoto: Thank you Natsuo.

Shoto decides to quickly block Endeavour, no point getting messages from someone he never wants to speak to again. 

<Natsuo>

“Fuyumi first, Sho is okay, but you really left Sho there to deal with father’s anger?!” Natsuo shouted down the phone.

“He-he wanted me to go out to get things.” She said pleadingly.

Natsuo grit his teeth “No, he wanted you out of the way, but you were too busy trying to play happy families with him to care about Sho. The bastard dragged him to the courtyard, bruised him up and broke his ribs! We’re lucky Sho’s friends got him out of there before it got worse. So don’t expect him to go ‘home’ ever again, and I won’t be either for that matter. Either you realise that you need to give up on Endeavour, or you can stay there and probably never see us again. I’m done dealing with him just for your sake, if you’re just going to defend him.” He was pacing around his dorm room, he didn’t want to be dealing with this, but the only way for progress is for her to do what him and Shoto have done, leave Endeavour .

Fuyumi is crying on the other end of the phone. “I-I just wanted us to be a normal family, just like before.”

“We’re not a normal family Fuyumi. There’s too much trauma between everyone. Take care.” He ended the call, that was enough for her to get the message that Shoto was fine and wasn’t going back. Fuyumi sat crying to herself, she was upset that she couldn’t do anything to pull her family back together, but she was more upset that her little brother was hurt again and has now left too. All she could do was send one message to Shoto.

<Midoriya Hotel Room>

Fuyumi: I’m sorry. For leaving like I always do…you needed me there, you needed your big sister to protect you and I ran out. Please stay safe wherever you are, and I hope your friends are taking good care of you.

Shoto didn’t want to reply yet, he was still angry at her for what she did, but he knows she understands a little more now than she did last night. He let out an annoyed sigh, causing Yuuto to approach his side. “It’s okay, whatever you’re feeling, it’s okay. Do your best to process everything and feel free to talk to us if you need help.” He did the same thing Shoto had done to comfort him, he stroked a hand down his back.

Shoto shuddered. “Thank you, Yuuto.” He hums contently. “I would still like to visit my mother if possible, my father wouldn’t expect it so he shouldn’t be near there.” He sips his still scalding hot tea.

“Izu, could you make me a cup too? Shoto, would you like us there with you, even if we’re just waiting outside for you?” Yuuto asks.

“I…I would like it if you were to come with me and wait outside the room, I can ask her if you’d be okay with you two entering.” Shoto says, slightly trembling with the anxiety.

“We’ll be there Shoto, I’ll just have to message Kacchan that we’ll be out.” Izuku said, smiling softly.

Yuuto raised an eyebrow. “Why? You wanna kiss him goodbye for the day?” He teased izuku.

Izuku went pink from embarrassment. “Nooooo, you saw didn’t you?”

“He really can be sweet when he wants to.” Yuuto shook his head.

Shoto’s eyes flicker between Yuuto and Izuku, “So. Izuku, you and Bakugo are together?”

“Uh, I guess? When we go out for a date or something, I’ll let you know.” Izuku chuckled. “For now, we have to get ready.”

~~~~~~~~

<UA Conference Room>

“You’re all probably wondering why I called you into a meeting on a school break where you would prefer to plan and mark, but it is vital we talk today. I already informed the commission earlier today, and they seem to be agreeing with my conclusion meaning we have to talk.” Nezu smiles happily. He can’t wait for his plans to finally start being put in place.

“The commission? Are you tellin’ me it’s that bad?” Snipe asked. He knows Nezu hates talking to the commission, meaning it’s really bad or he has leverage over them, but the tone said ‘it’s bad’.

“Unfortunately, yes. We’re just waiting on confirmation, but we believe the dorm system that we proposed a while ago is going to be approved.” Nezu said.

“Why would they approve it now when they’ve shot that idea down before?” Midnight put her hand to her chin, going into thought.

“That would be because three of our students have targets on their backs, and the others in  their class may not be as safe as we’d like either. Izuku Midoriya, Yuuto Nakamura and Katsuki Bakugo, and their families, have all been put under hero protection until we can get the dorms up and running.” Nezu explained.

“Why?” Cementoss chimed in.

Toshinori steps in. “I told you how I was injured, correct?”

“A very strong villain and you fought together, both of you getting heavily injured around 6 years ago.” Mic supplied.

“Yes. That villain is called All-For-One, he’s able to steal quirks and keep them for himself or give them to others, that’s what we think happened to create those Nomu.” Toshinori explained. Every teacher's face looked grim. “And the reason I’m telling you this is because we believe Izuku is going to be targeted by AFO and his League of Villains.”

“Why just Midoriya?” Ectoplasm asked.

Toshinori sighed, “Izuku’s quirk evolved or unlocked slightly, it now allows him to see the appearance of someone and their quirk. We were testing out the quirk and I was shocked to see AFO. When I asked where he got it from he told me that it was his father’s quirk, so AFO is his father.”

“What.” The whole room couldn’t muster the energy to shout, it was a resigned moment.

“The kid’s father is that supervillain, but he is still my protege regardless, he’s got a heart of gold.” Toshinori smiled. “He however, also found out that AFO was still paying money to his mother. I don’t know how or why, but somehow the man might still care about…his family.” Those words tasted sour in his mouth.

“Hence them being targets. Damn, the kid has got it rough.” Midnight looked down in sombre thought.

“Nakamura was adopted by Ms. Midoriya a few years back, hence he’s been pulled into protection. Katsuki Bakugo is a close friend of Izuku Midoriya, meaning the Bakugo family would become targets to draw out Izuku.” Nezu explained and his phone pinged, confirming that the dorms are good to go ahead. “And this is why we’re here discussing the dorms again, having them on site would protect them so much more than being out there. We have agreed to take the family in too. The commission sent me a message just now too, talk about good timing.” He clasped his hands together. “We have the go ahead for the dorms, so get the calls out and ask if we’d be able to meet the families in person over the next week!” The chimaera giggled in glee.

Aizawa took his turn to speak. “We have a separate issue to talk about too. We will be taking a student into UA’s custody after they expressed their want to leave their current situation. We also have their injuries and witness statements from last night documented to act as proof, if we needed any at all.” He couldn’t mask his anger any more, he clenched his fists and threatened to draw blood.

“Who’s the little listener that’ll be accompanying one of us?” Mic asked.

“Shoto Todoroki.” Aizawa sighed out.

“Todoroki?!” The rest of the teachers shout.

“I know he’s quiet and reserved…there was an inkling about it, but I didn’t think his homelife could be bad. What happened?” Midnight asked gently.

“Shoto told us that his father was abusing him, and that it wasn’t the first time, but it was the first time in years that the man used physical punishment against him. He was apparently the angriest he’d ever been after Izuku copied Shoto’s quirk, because Shoto just gave Izuku access to it to annoy the man. Shoto sent a help message and a location ping to Nakamura, so their family went to help Shoto get out of there. Apparently after basically plucking Shoto out of his house, Endeavour followed by flying with his fire and he had hate filling his face. Nakamura made the guy stand down, he pushed his quirk so hard he believes Endeavour actually thought HE was stepping down willingly.” Aizawa explained whilst trying to hold back his anger.

The teachers looked over in disbelief and wanted him to continue if there was any more. “The injuries we catalogued were extensive bruising to his side, back and stomach. He also had a few broken ribs. I fear what could have happened if Izuku hadn’t arrived when he did. He’s currently with the Midoriya family, he seemed comfortable with them and they were fine with him there so I am inclined to keep him there until we get the dorms up and running.”

The teachers agree, and now begins the stress of calling hundreds of parents to get their approval for the dorms.

<Midoriya’s Hotel Room>

“Boys, are you all ready to go? The driver and hero on duty okayed the trip, but we need to be leaving soon!” Inko shouted.

Izuku walks out of his room wearing a plain, pastel blue t-shirt, some jeans and his signature red shoes. “I just gotta talk to Kacchan before we go, I’ll be back.” He leaves the hotel room in favour of the corridor.

Yuuto walks out of the bathroom, his hair tied up in a traditional top knot with a few strands flowing down symmetrically on the sides of his face. He’s trying something new after thinking that his long hair could be trouble for hero work. He wore a plain white t-shirt with a plaid button-up shirt over it and black jeans.

Shoto walks out of Yuuto’s room wearing some of Yuuto’s clothes, considering all of his are back at the house he just abandoned. He’s wearing a white t-shirt too, but with a plain black button up shirt and a pair of blue jeans. “Thank you for letting me borrow some clothes, your hair looks great in that knot. We get to see more of your face too.” Shoto smiles.

Yuuto starts blushing, he knows Shoto is just quite direct with statements, but it makes his heart flutter slightly. “T-thank you.” And it was this day, Yuuto decided he’s having his hair up permanently, for no reason at all.

<Izuku and Katsuki>

“Morning Kacchan.” Izuku beams a smile to the explosive boy.

“Morning Nerd.” Katsuki huffs. Not that he actually meant his tone.

“S-so about y-yesterday…” Izuku stuttered out.

Katsuki closed his eyes and sighed. “My head’s still a mess Nerd, our relationship has been fucked since we were kids.” Katsuki smiled as he opened his eyes again. “But I meant what I said. I’d like to try this out.”

Izuku grabbed Katsuki’s hand, softly rubbing his thumb over the back of it. “I understand, and I-I can see why. Aldera definitely wasn’t the best place to learn everything. I understood enough to know that I can forgive you and I want this too.”

“You shouldn’t forgive me so fucking easily, I literally made it hell for you.” Katsuki deferred. 

“Izuku,” Katsuki breathed out. “Thank you.” He smiled as he reached around Izuku’s back with one hand and placed the other on the back of his head. He pulled Izuku in close for a gentle, but long kiss, with Izuku hugging Katsuki in return.

They separate as they hear a door handle being pushed down, the mechanisms turning. Izuku wipes his mouth quickly before any remnants of saliva are spotted.

Yuuto rears his head first and smirks. “You two are obvious, the shade of your faces tells it all.”

“What’s with the hair?” Both Izuku and Katsuki say in unison, trying to distract from the obvious call out.

Yuuto chuckles. “I’m trying something new, long hair can get abused in the hero industry after all.”

Katsuki huffs. “You look better with your hair up, Hypno.”

“Well, thank you for the compliment, Katsuki. Shoto said the same too.” Yuuto’s face blushed slightly, causing the pair in front of him to smirk.

“Boys we’re going!” Inko announced, with her and Shoto leaving the room. Izuku waves off Katsuki as both him and Yuuto follow them on the way out. Katsuki’s left grumbling that his family is annoying and that he wanted to join them.

~~~~~~~~

The group made it to the hospital Rei Todoroki was situated in, fortunately it seems no one was put on guard to spot Shoto or deny him entry. The walk up was full of anxiety, at least for Shoto it was. He slowly slides the door open and slips into the room closing the door behind him.

He takes a deep breath. “Hello, mom.” Shoto says.

Rei slowly turns around, recognising that it is her youngest son. “Sh-Shoto?”

“Yes mom, I’m sorry it’s taken me quite a while to visit.” Shoto said, almost ashamed of himself.

“No…honey, please don’t apologise, that’s my fault. How have you been?” Rei asked quietly.

“I’ve been…alright, but I’ve been better.” Shoto looks down, tears threatening his form. “I remembered some of the words you told me, telling me to be a hero with my power. I’ve managed to process everything and I’d like to make things better between us.” He smiled weakly.

“I’d like that too, Shoto. I know-I know nothing I say can undo the things I said and did, but, I love you.” Rei smiled softly.

Shoto started to cry slightly. “I love you too mom. I-Honestly, it’s been horrible under his roof, but I finally made friends with people. They made me feel so much warmer than trying to do things alone.”

“He’s still at it then, trying to make you something you’re not?” Rei cautiously held her arms out, to which Shoto responded by going in for a hug. Rei draws circles over Shoto’s back, occasionally stroking it to help calm him down.

“I’ve separated myself from him, his house, everything. UA has taken custody of me, I believe. It’s all been…too much.” Shoto cried out.

Rei can feel the pain that’s stinging her boys heart, she was in the same position and was so traumatised and broken that she mistook Shoto’s left side for Enji and burnt him with hot water. “That man…he has a way of breaking people when he doesn’t get his way. I am happy that you stayed so strong, strong enough to get yourself out of there.”

“It wasn’t just me, my-my friends saved me. They helped me get out of there, they’re actually outside waiting in the corridor.” Shoto said.

Rei smiles warmly “If they want to come in, they can, I’d love to meet my son’s friends.”

Shoto slides the door open to let everyone else in. Inko, Izuku and Yuuto walk in.

“Nice to meet you, I’m Izuku…would it be okay to call you Rei?” Izuku asked.

“You’re so sweet. Yes, please do.” Rei chuckled lightly.

“Thank you for welcoming us in, Ms. Rei. I’m Yuuto Nakamura” Yuuto bowed.

“You’re both too polite.” She laughed, “I assume that you’re Izuku’s mother?”

“Yes Rei, I’m Inko. Izuku’s mother, but I adopted Yuuto a few years back.” Inko smiled.

“You haven’t said your family names…are you in a similar situation to us?” Rei inquired.

“My ex-husband seems to be a villain, a very bad one at that. The family name isn’t real either…” Inko’s thoughts wanted to spiral out of control.

“I understand, Inko, sorry for bringing that up. I would like to thank you all for helping my son.” Rei was happy, she was glad that her boy, the one that the detestable man she once called a husband, tried to break, has been filled with the feelings she feared he’d lose. “I-I don’t think I want to know what Endeavour did to push you away, Shoto, but how did they rescue you?

“I was injured, Izuku decided to fly in, erase Endeavour’s quirk and then blocked one of his punches. He then picked me up and flew out to their car.” Shoto chuckled at the thought of someone blocking that man’s punch.

Rei stared wide eyed. “How?” she said, almost in awe.

“My quirk copies and well…keeps quirks, is essentially the basics of it. I can use any quirks I have copied at any time. For example, my wings, I got them in elementary from a bully.” He changed his tone to mock the kid. “At least I put them to good use.” which earned a small giggle out of Rei. Izuku smiled back at her. “I used Erasure, it stops people from using their quirks for as long as I look at them, which I got off of Eraserhead, he’s one of our teachers. I got Shock Absorption off of a villain, it comes in very handy against heavy physical hitters since they can’t harm me as much now.”

“I bet he’s stewing in his anger now. He couldn’t do anything to stop you helping my boy.” Rei smiled at that man’s karmic justice being instigated.

“He wasn’t stewing back then, he wanted to chase us down.” Yuuto blurted out.

“In public?” Rei looked very concerned.

“Yeah, he tried, but Yuu used his Suggestion quirk to suggest Endeavour back down.” Izuku smirked. “Everything turned out for the best anyhow.”

“Thank you all again, for looking out for my son.” Rei smiled. After a little while a timed alarm went off. “Oh shoot, I scheduled recreational time now which means I have to go. Thank you all for visiting, I hope to see you again, Shoto.” She smiles. “As well as you two kind and handsome boys, Shoto really knows how to pick his friends.” Both Yuuto and Izuku blush from embarrassment.

Everyone is eventually ushered out and have to return to the hotel, but the time out was lovely and Rei seemed nice. She seemed better after escaping the prison that was Enji Todoroki.

Kacchan

Izuku: We’re coming back now Kacchan, how’s your day been?

Kacchan: Boring as fuck. We’re cooking dinner now, for you guys too since your mom’s already told us you ain’t eaten yet.

Izuku: Kacchan’s cooking is so good. It’s been way too long.

Kacchan: That was ages ago! If you think that was good. Then what we’re making now will destroy you!

Izuku: Mhm, can’t wait for you to prove it.

Kacchan: See you later nerd.

Izuku: See you later Kacchan <3

Katsuki was content, more than content even and the little heart caused his face to flush whilst making the dinner.

“What’s with your face Katsuki? You’re all red.” Mitsuki smirked. “Are you messaging a secret girlfriend or something?”

“Fuck no, Hag.” Katsuki was trying his best, he was.

“Alright then, I can leave you to do all the fucking cooking then. It was your idea after all.” She growled out.

“This is too much for me to cook on my own…you wouldn’t leave Auntie and the others hungry would you?” Katsuki smirked, checkmate.

“Fucking brat.” She narrowed her eyes, vowing revenge on her child.

~~~~~~~~

Inko and the boys walk through the door of the Bakugo’s room, the aroma of the food filling them all with happiness. It seems that dinner would be homemade curry and fried rice. Interestingly enough, Aizawa was waiting on the sofa for everyone to gather.

“Hey Mitsuki, Masaru, Katsuki. Thank you for inviting us over for dinner.” Inko said graciously.

“Thank you!” The boys said.

Izuku eyes Aizawa on the sofa. “Mr. Aizawa? Do you need something?”

“Ah, yes. We wanted to see what Shoto would be doing, since normally one of the teachers would house you, but he seemed comfortable here. We’re also going to have to go back to his house for clothes and whatnot.” Aizawa explained with a look of sympathy. “The dorms will be up soon, we can move everyone in as soon as possible. So, what do you want to do, Shoto?”

“I’m fine here.” Shoto responded honestly.

Aizawa nodded and turned to Yuuto. “Interesting choice of hairstyle Nakamura, though I think it suits you.” He pointed out.

“What is it with everyone pointing out and complimenting my hair?” Yuuto got flustered and resigned himself to the bathroom to calm down.

Izuku walks over to Katsuki, who’s nearly finished cooking. “Is there enough for Mr. Aizawa too? We’ve all been a problem to him.” Izuku chuckled. He spots Aizawa analysing their behaviour, he knows their teacher thinks they sorted stuff out, but not to these extremes.

“Should be, we’ll have leftovers since some of the ingredients would go off. There’ll probably be enough for an extra plate or two.” Katsuki smiled. “I’m being too soft here, I should be shouting at you, but I can’t. This ain’t the place.”

“Do you mind everyone here finding out about us? I feel a teacher should know considering the circumstances and I bet our parents would be glad we’re not arguing or whatever.” Izuku suggested, mainly because he wanted to be touchy.

“Do whatever you want, Nerd.” Katsuki sighed. ‘I guess the Mummy knowing won’t hurt since he’s our homeroom teacher.’

“Softie.” Izuku chuckled. “Hey, Mr. Aizawa? Are you okay to play along so the class doesn't notice anything different?” 

“That depends on if it’s a matter of student security or not. If it’s a ruse…I wouldn't push away the idea.” Aizawa answered with curiosity.

“Okay.” Izuku smiled as he hugged Katsuki from behind, wrapping his arms around his torso. He places his head into the back of Katsuki’s shoulder. Katsuki turns and stares into Izuku’s eyes, kissing him gently. Aizawa sits there, processing what the hell just happened.

“What are all of you staring at?” Katsuki smirked.

Aizawa muffled something that sounded like a chuckle. “I guess I’ll play along.” ‘Always the loud blondes.’

“We have extra curry by the way, if you would like some that is, Mr. Aizawa.” Izuku smiled innocently.

“Sure.” Aizawa said as he pulled out his phone, dinner had been crossed off his plans for the night and he needed to let his partner know.

Inko, Mitsuki and Masaru all had no idea how to react. Inko settled on a glare, burrowing deep into Katsuki's soul whilst his parents were surprised at Katsuki actually displaying positive emotions.

“Nerd. Auntie Inko-” Katsuki shuddered at the cold feeling washing over him.

“Ah, I forgot to tell you she figured out what you were doing ages ago even though I hadn’t said anything. Good luck.” Izuku said, letting go of Katsuki and sitting next to Shoto.

“You can’t just leave me like this! Izuku!” Katsuki pleaded as he watched Inko approach him.

“Promise me you won’t hurt him again.” Inko said coldly.

Katsuki squeezed his eyes in a pained expression. “It…it took me way too long to sort through and figure out the feelings I have now, and that I had them for a stupidly long time. Too long…I made stupid mistakes…possibly thinking I was trying to keep him safe out of heroics and stuff. I was wrong. I’ll try my best not to hurt Izuku again. I promise” Katsuki said, slowly stirring the curry he’s finishing off.

“That’s all I needed to hear, thank you Katsuki.” Inko smiled softly and walked away.

Izuku is giggling as he enjoys watching Katsuki squirm under his mother’s cold aggression. Katsuki glared back at Izuku after everything was finished, he just up and left him to get the full force of a category 5 storm Inko.

They dish out the curry and rice and pass the plates around the dining table, whilst Katsuki delivers one to Aizawa who’s eating on the table in front of the sofa. Izuku melts as soon as he tastes it, the food is so much better than he remembered. Aizawa had to make sense of the food situation, he hadn’t realised Katsuki would be such a good cook, though it makes sense if the kid was aiming to be the best at anything he tried. He takes his leave after finishing the meal, and gives a silent nod to Izuku, understanding their secrecy. He waves off the group, telling Shoto, Izuku and Yuuto to be ready to get some of his stuff tomorrow from Endeavour’s house.

~~~~~~~~

<The next morning ~ Endeavour’s House>

“He shouldn’t be in, right? Like, he’s at his agency doing his ‘hero’ crap to make himself look good.” Yuuto said, gritting his teeth.

“Nakamura.” Aizawa narrowed his eyes.

“No. Don’t. I’ve been vilified by kids and their parents my entire life, the only reason they didn’t try anything was because I could defend myself with barely any repercussions. Kids like me, like Izu was , like anyone with heteromorphic mutations in difficult places, we get treated lower than those with ‘regular’ quirks. I bet even you went through it.” Aizawa winced at the reply, Yuuto wasn’t wrong, Erasure was deemed a ‘villainous’ quirk as people hate having their power taken away and everyone gave him a hard time for it, but it gave him the drive to prove those people wrong.

“I understand. People don’t like having their quirk, the thing that makes them unique, erased as you could imagine.”

“It’s just annoying, society needs to change. We’ll all do it together too, at least that’s what the class seemed to agree.” Yuuto smirked. “If we’re aiming to be heroes, then we have to save everyone right? So fuck everyone else who keeps others down, whether that be civilians, villains, heroes. Hell, even if it’s the commission itself. We will change this shit.” Yuuto’s determination caused Aizawa to grin under his scarf, he can sense Izuku feeling the same way. If they got the class on board, well, society may actually be in for a storm.

Shoto opens the door, and for some reason, the bastard is there. Waiting. “So you’ve returned, Shoto.”

Shoto’s trembling, Aizawa steps in in his stead. “He hasn’t ‘returned’, he is grabbing his belongings and leaving. If you don’t accept these terms, UA will file a formal complaint against you for harming a student, and attempting to attack two other students as well as a member of the public.”

Endeavour slams his fist through their dining room table, smashing it into pieces. “I did not agree to this. My masterpiece is not for anyone to take, and whatever lies these cretins-.” He snarled.

“Shut up! This is why you’ll never get further than you are in life. You don’t care about anyone. I’m not even a person to you, just your creation. My friends are just dirt to you. How low do you want to go?” Shoto was upset, deep down he still wanted his father to see him as a person, but that dream died there. Aizawa has his quirk active whilst Izuku crowds Shoto for his own protection.

“Endeavour, you did agree to this. You agreed to hand partial custody of Shoto over to UA the moment the enrolment document was signed, sealed and delivered. He expressed his concern and wished to leave the situation you caused, meaning we can comply and take full custody. Also, due to the risks involved, the kids are allowed to defend and even disable you with their quirks, especially after you tried to attack them before.” Aizawa explained, holding out a custody order signed with Shoto’s signature and statement, as well as a temporary order allowing reasonable quirk use against Endeavour.

Endeavour clenched his fists as he watched Shoto leave for his room. Izuku guarded the room like their lives depended on it, Endeavour was not getting anywhere near Shoto. “I will relish the day you make a grave mistake, the day I will take back everything and you will lose everything. You lord your power, you will eventually fall. When you do, I’ll be the one to end you.”

Thoughts of All-For-One and Izuku’s past flow through him, the pain, the want for justice, the powerlessness. How society could treat him as a villain, just like his father. ‘Izuku. You’re not him. You’re strong, okay?’ A male voice said inside his head.

Izuku’s train of thought was broken, he was puzzled since he never had someone speak in his mind barring when he was asleep or brainwashed. ‘This is new. Who may you be?’ He quizzed the voice in his brain.

‘I’m your uncle, Yoichi.’ The newly identified Yoichi announced.

‘U-uncle. Oh yeah… he gave you the original stockpiling quirk.’

‘Yes I am, but that’s not important right now. You are nothing and will be nothing like my brother! I’d talk to you more, but protecting your friend comes first.’ Yoichi pointed out.

‘You’re right. He needs me here and needs me to be stable. Thank you, Yoichi.’ Izuku shook his head “Endeavour. All the things you said accurately describe yourself, it’s quite the irony. And if you dare try to harm anyone here. You know how it’ll end.” Izuku said coldly. Endeavour stood there, seething in anger, but he couldn’t act. He was legally cornered and he knows in a fight Izuku could just erase his quirk and use All Might’s power to put him in his place, all being a legal defence.

Shoto came out with a couple suitcases packed with clothes. There wasn’t much else in his room, it wasn’t from a lack of trying, but Endeavour wouldn’t allow such distractions or indulgence so anything he had decorated his room with in defiance were burnt to cinders. “I have everything I need. Let's go.”

Izuku let Shoto lead the way out of the house, Endeavour was still throwing his verbal tantrums, but they fell on deaf ears, no one cared anymore. Shoto packed his things into the car and sat inside, not even sparing Endeavour a look anymore. He checked his phone only to see that Fuyumi warned him hours ago that Endeavour was sticking around the house. He sighed, he should have checked her messages, but he’s glad she’s trying to make up for her mistake. 

‘So, anyone there?’ Izuku said to himself.

‘We are.’ Two familiar overlapping voices said. ‘Ahem, ‘we’ being Yoichi and Nana Shimura.’ Yoichi answered.

‘Interesting, so…are the other holders around somewhere?’ Izuku was intrigued to say the least.

‘They are, somewhat. They want to see how you progress before introducing themselves.’ Yoichi said.

‘I was a mother, so…I felt like I should be helping you, child.’ Nana said with a little sorrow. 

‘The most important thing to talk about right now is that we can now talk freely. This has happened earlier than we had thought it would, but it seems One-For-All has fully merged with your quirk.’ Yoichi explained.

‘Fully merged? Meaning…anyone I pass this on to will have my quirk?’ Izuku asked cautiously.

‘...Yes. In fact, you have access to everyone’s quirk here, but because their consciousness is attached to their quirk, they’re going to have to explain them to you when they deem you worthy.’ Yoichi sighed. ‘Now, there was one problem we came across and found the answer to after Toshinori took One-For-All. One of the users died of old age, but at the age of 40 after holding OFA for 18 years.’

‘O-old age…at 40?! But wait, All Might's probably in his fifties and…he’s had the quirk for at least 40 years??’ Izuku was confused.

Nana sighed. ‘That’s because he was quirkless before I gave him OFA.’

‘So…someone who’s quirkless can hold OFA without issues? So with the amount of power in it now, I’d guess I probably have 5-10 years at best, right?’ Izuku’s face paled at the thought.

‘Actually, you’re perfectly fine.’ Yoichi said happily.

‘Huh? How?’

‘We came to the conclusion that quirks work like a filled glass, that’s the comparison we’re going to go with. Someone with a quirk already has a full glass, so when another one is added the glass starts to overflow and crack, causing the body to deteriorate faster. The only exception to this example would be All-For-One, where his quirk alters his body to basically give himself glasses to hold the other quirks. There’s also the rare chance that quirks merge perfectly, but I haven’t seen it other than mine and the stockpiler - it’s why that vestige isn’t here, they got destroyed in the merge. This first example however, also applies to you, your quirk has made your DNA malleable and basically puts the other quirks in other glasses. Its merging with OFA has put OFA into another glass too, albeit that this is one you can’t shelf away. It’s more like a symbiotic relationship. Your quirk gets help from OFA, OFA is given a safe place to stay with your quirk. It is truly interesting, but I believe rapid ageing isn’t going to happen to you…and perhaps every user in the future if they inherit your quirk.’ Yoichi explained, Izuku smiled happily, his quirk is a saving grace, he’ll live and he can make sure the next users can live happier lives too!

“Problem Child, what’s going on there. I can see your face scrunching in thought.” Aizawa said, snapping Izuku out of his thoughts.

“Sorry Mr. Aizawa. My uncle wanted to talk to me.” Izuku said, earning looks from everyone, Aizawa was confused too but he had to keep his eyes on the road.

“Talk to your uncle?”

“Remember, All-For-One gave his brother a quirk that became OFA when it combined with his, etc. I uh…have the previous users in my mind because it contains the essence of the people it was passed onto. though it seems they can talk to me whenever they want to now.” Izuku smiled.

“So…your uncle was talking to you. What about?” Aizawa said softly, it must be weird for a kid to hear his long dead uncle talk to him.

“My quirk has fully merged with OFA apparently, so any users after me will get my quirk too. They also said OFA causes people with quirks to age rapidly. One user died at 40…of old age after having OFA for 18 years.” Izuku explained, accidentally pausing for a little too long.

Yuuto and Shoto started panicking in the back of the car. “Izu! What the…but, how long ago was that?!” Yuuto shouted out. Aizawa also looked worried under his scarf.

“I-I didn’t get to finish. Apparently, because of how my quirk works, it sort of files other quirks into slots to stop multiple quirks destroying my body. Normally people can’t have more than one quirk, but remember I can use any that I copy, without consequence. OFA merging with Genetic Imprint has allowed them to coexist without harming my body. Guess that’s one thing I can thank him for at least. All Might is actually lucky he chose me, if he chose anyone else with a quirk, I theorise they’d have died within 5-10 years of inheriting OFA.” Izuku smiled. “I’m fine.”

“Izuku. Don’t ever do that pause again, you inferred you were dying.” Shoto glared at him as he put his warm hand on Yuuto’s shoulder. “You’re lucky Bakugo isn’t here because I think he’d have blown you up. Regardless of whether he cares about you.”

Silence overtakes the car until they’re back at the hotel, no one’s speaking a word of this to Katsuki. Aizawa thinks about what was said, and realised that All Might himself had to have been quirkless to still be alive right now. 

When arriving back at the hotel, Shoto and Yuuto head into their room to unpack a few of Shoto’s things whilst Izuku talks to Toshinori.

“How’d it go? I can imagine it could have been quite intense.” Toshinori said.

“Endeavour destroyed his dining table in rage.” Izuku shook his head in disappointment.

Toshinori’s face grimaced. “I don’t know how, but I hadn’t noticed his descent so far into madness over taking my number one spot. I should have seen it sooner.”

‘Tell Toshi I said that Endeavour’s fall from heroics isn’t his burden to bear, that he was always focused on saving the civilians whilst keeping to himself as his way of keeping others safe from AFO. Kid, I don’t want you to abandon your friends though, let them aid you and grow strong beside you.’ Nana said.

‘I won’t abandon them, we-we need to grow together, even if the growth rate is different.’ Izuku thought.

“All Might.” Izuku said seriously.

“Yes, my boy?”

“Shimura said that Endeavour’s fall from heroics isn’t your burden to bear, that you’ve always been focused on saving civilians whilst you kept to yourself to keep others safe from AFO. And I second the fact that no one can blame you for his behaviour.” Izuku said.

“Y-you spoke to Nana again?” Toshinori gasped.

Nana chuckles in Izuku’s mind. “She’s literally chuckling my brain away. One-For-All and Genetic Imprint have fully merged, actually, they merged differently to all the other quirks. Mine and OFA decided to feed each other's benefits and destroy its weaknesses, weirdly enough. So now I have seven people in my head, though only two are speaking to me currently.” Izuku explained.

“Okay, I understand, I think. So what was the benefit of how your quirk and OFA merged?” 

“It means I can use the other users' quirks freely, without having to unlock them one at a time. They also won’t be permanently boosted by OFA, meaning I can manage them. Though, the users have to teach me their quirks as they won’t be mannequins.” Izuku explained.

“Interesting, but I can see that being beneficial.” He tilted his head in thought.

“Now, before you freak out.” Izuku isn’t making the same mistake he made in the car. “Because of how the quirks merged and because my quirk makes my body and DNA malleable I am safe from this. Anyone who inherits OFA and already has a quirk of their own will experience rapid ageing. Again I am immune due to my quirk being weird.”

“Jesus kid. I guess I got lucky when I picked my successor then.” Toshinori was sweating, thinking about how he was originally going to UA to scope out a successor. “For enlightenment, how long would the person live if I had given anyone else the quirk?”

“5-10 years max.” Izuku said coldly.

“I-I could have almost given a UA student a death sentence…” Toshinori pales as he coughs out some blood. “I was originally becoming a teacher to do two things; to have something I could fall back on and still help society, but I wanted to pass OFA onto someone worthy. I had you in mind already from Tsukauchi, but I was still going to check out a variety of students.”

“Well. We’re just lucky it was me. The only other option would have been a quirkless person as OFA would slip into where a quirk should go.” Izuku smiled and gave Toshinori a knowing look. Toshinori smiled back.

“I spoke to my uncle, he’s the one who explained everything actually. He sounded kind, he even wanted to snap me out of a funk I went into at Endeavour’s.” Izuku said, waiting for Yoichi to comment.

‘I’ve been told I’m too kind for my own good sometimes. But I will help you in my own way, if that means reminding my sweet and determined nephew that he’s a good person, then I will.’ Yoichi said with determination.

“Uncle? Oh right, of course.” Toshinori awkwardly scratched the back of his head.

Izuku chuckled, “I reacted the same, but yeah. He just told me he'll be looking out for me and reminding me that I’m good, etc, whenever I get myself down.” He beamed a smile.

There was a knock on the door. “Nerd! We picked up some Katsudon from downtown when we were looking around for new furniture and shit. It’s from that place you usually go to. Auntie Inko, Hypno and IcyHot, we have food for you guys too.”

Izuku got up and opened the door, “It smells so good, you didn’t have to Kacchan. You cooked for us yesterday too!”

Katsuki growled as he turned away. “Just take the damn food.”

“Are you not eating with us?” Izuku said as he took the bag of food.

“No, the hag demanded we eat out, mainly because we’re not sure if we’d get many outings after we move into the dorms.” Katsuki huffed.

Izuku went to place the bag on the dining table, “You wanna come in or have you got things to do?”

“Sure. I was told to spend some time here anyways.” He rolls his eyes. His parents were teasing him about his relationship and said he should spend some time with Izuku. He walks in to see All Might. “Didn’t expect to see Small Might here.”

Izuku choked a laugh. “Kacchan!”

Toshinori chuckled slightly. “Young Bakugo, it’s interesting to see you acting so calm.”

“Hmph, I can be calm!” Katsuki shouted.

“Hey look, Kacchan’s back to normal.” Izuku teased.

Katsuki narrowed his eyes towards Izuku like he was eyeing down prey. “You’re dead.” He pounces at Izuku who’s now in the middle of the living room. Catching him and pinning him down. “You can't get away from me here, Izuku.”

“Guess I lost this round.” Izuku pouted. 

“You dropped the nickname for Izuku. Curious.” Toshinori said.

“They made up a little while ago.” Yuuto said coming out of his shared room. Toshinori gave Yuuto a judging look after eyeing his hair. “And I swear, if you comment on my hair I’m going to need quirk suppressing cuffs to make sure I’m not accidentally influencing people’s thoughts.

“Ahem. Okay, I won’t comment about your hair.” Toshinori said, earning a deep sigh from Yuuto, where he whispered ‘get me the cuffs, dammit.’ “Nice to see you too, Shoto.”

Shoto gave him an affirmative nod.

Izuku and Katsuki chuckled and proceeded to get the food out. Izuku dug straight in, conversing with Katsuki about random things. All Might decided it was time to take his leave. ‘Stop him for a second.’ Yoichi pleaded.

Izuku finished the bite of food in record time. “Ack. All Might, uncle Yoichi wants to tell you something, stay a second.”

“Okay. What is it, Yoichi?” Toshinori seemed confused.

‘I didn’t get to talk about one more thing. Our family name is Shigaraki!’ Yoichi revealed.

Izuku sighed, unimpressed by what that meant. “Yoichi just told me his family name. Apparently, it’s Shigaraki.”

Toshinori’s eyes widened. “You mean like, Tomura Shigaraki. It seems he may be your relative too, this does also confirm our working theory that AFO and the league are connected. Alright, I best take my leave now. You have school tomorrow as well, remember.” Toshinori waves as he leaves.

“You’re pretty relaxed with All Might, .” Katsuki grumbled.

Izuku sighed, “He was the one who trained me and Yuuto for UA after all.” Izuku heard a growling from Katsuki, realising that he hadn’t actually been informed about that yet. “Hey, there was no reason to tell you before yesterday. He was the one to come up with meal plans and training regimes, I was pretty well trained before that.”

“Izuku.” He kissed Izuku carefully. “It doesn’t matter. I was just in my own thoughts about it, but it was stupid.”

Izuku drags Katsuki to his room and closes the door. “It’s not stupid. It matters to me, what’s the problem?”

“My whole head’s been a mess after thinking that you’ve always acted like you’ve been better than me and somehow I was believing it, but then that everyone was worse than me. Breaking that mindset fucking sucks ass, because I either feel like shit for thinking something or because something triggers my fucking weak ego. Even when I was trying to shake it off back in Aldera.” Katsuki explained.

“It’s progress, you recognise it, meaning you can keep working on being better. When we go back to school you should see Hound Dog, he is a good counsellor apparently. I should probably take a session or two especially after all the bombshells thrown my way.” Izuku smiled at him softly, “we’ll get through this together, okay?”

Katsuki pulls Izuku into his chest, gripping onto him like it was the last time they’d be together. “I really, really don’t deserve you.” Before Izuku can say anything, Katsuki kisses Izuku, but it’s more inviting, wanting Izuku to pitch in. Izuku returns with just as much care, showing how much he cares for Katsuki.

The two pull apart, knowing Katsuki has to return to his room soon. “This is gonna be so hard at school.” Izuku giggled. “I wonder if it'll be you or me who’ll break form first.” He winked.

“I never lose at anything, Nerd! Even if the Sports Festival was a lucky win, it’s still a win.” Katsuki grinned wide. “Okay, I’d better go before my parents decide we’ve done something.” Izuku chokes on that thought, he’s had enough of Kacchan today, so he sends him on his way.

Tomorrow, the class comes back together and the dorms will be formally announced and Izuku thinks he should just announce why they’re happening in the first place. Keeping secrets about serious topics only seems to hurt everyone, he bets that eventually One-For-All would probably hurt those he cared about, but that secret is All Might’s…or was. Izuku groans at the thought, but if they’re going to be working together they probably should know the extent of everything, or he’d try to run and hide.

Chapter Text

Izuku, Yuuto, Katsuki and Shoto arrive pretty early due to the location of the hotel. Izuku decided to warn his other friends about them being early.

Izuku _ created a group chat with Ochako Uraraka , Tenya Iida and Hitoshi Shinso

Izuku: Hey guys, just messaging to tell you all that Yuu and I will be entering UA at different times as you guys now, so don’t wait around…thought I guess it’s raining pretty bad so I wouldn’t want you to wait either way.

Izuku: In fact, we’re already in the classroom.

Ochako: Izuku, is something going on? First you sorta just disowned your family name, now you’ve changed your routine. Is everything okay?

Izuku: Truthfully, no.

Izuku: But it’ll be explained in our homeroom time today, it’s the reason we’ve had the dorm system approved.

Izuku: Sorry for not talking about stuff earlier, but my life’s been a mess.

Tenya: I feel that Izuku. I hadn’t gotten around to tell you, but my brother was attacked by a villain and he was injured badly whilst in Hosu. He won’t be able to do hero work again.

Izuku: Tenya, that’s horrible!

Izuku: Did they say which villain did this?

Tenya: The Hero Killer: Stain

Izuku was shaking in anger, he already knew Stain was full of crap and deserved to go to prison many times over for his actions. The boy usually reads some things on vigilantes, evaluating their actions, but Stain? He may act like he’s bettering society, but he tries to hold heroes to standards that are way too unobtainable and then kills or heavily maims them for it. What did Ingenium do to deserve being attacked? The man runs an agency with over 60 sidekicks with amazing reviews coming out of it, the man himself is praised as a selfless hero, unlike a certain flame hero Stain wouldn’t dare touch.

‘Rotten bastard.” Nana growled. “I remember when Ingenium asked Toshi for advice on which charities to donate to, he wanted to put money into the lesser funded causes!’

‘Not helping me calm down there, Shimura.’ Izuku growled internally.

Izuku: That villain makes my blood boil. I’ve heard a few things about him preaching his false ideals. Yet even with those stupid ideals, he attacks heroes that are nothing but kind and selfless like your brother.

Hitoshi: Izuku, I think you need to take a breather. Riling yourself and each other up won’t help anyone in the long term.

Ochako: Shinso’s right you guys.

Izuku: Sorry guys, just the whole ‘better for society’ thing really has been prominent in my mind after everything - also connected to what will be explained later.

Ochako: Okay. Do you want to go through it now, before you gush it out at school or just let it all out there?

Izuku: I’ll give a brief of what I know, is that a good compromise?

Tenya: Sure.

Ochako: Sure.

Hitoshi: Sure. 

Izuku: Damn, okay then

Izuku: My father is a pretty evil and powerful villain, yet is also unknown :)

Ochako: That…was not the message I was expecting.

Izuku: My quirk is a mutated version of my father’s, hence why I refused to use it for a while.

Tenya: Lord, you’ve known for weeks and kept it to yourself?

Hitoshi: Who the fuck cares?

Ochako: SHINSO!

Hitoshi: Your quirk’s yours isn’t it? YOU are using it for GOOD. Not for evil, villain shit.

Izuku: Thank you Hitoshi, I got that talk from Yuu too and we sorted stuff out, don’t worry.

Izuku: I should tell you, Yuu knows everything, obviously. However, so does Kacchan and Shoto. Well, Shoto knows most of it.

Tenya: Weird combination of who knows already. I assume something happened to prompt them to be involved.

Izuku: Yeah, it was quite the turn of events.

Izuku: My villain father’s family name is *Drum Roll*

The menace waited for everyone to respond first.

Tenya: Is?

Ochako: Izuku. Please.

Hitoshi: …no, no way.

Izuku: Guess :)

Hitoshi: You wouldn’t make us guess if we all didn’t have an idea already. Do NOT say it’s Shigaraki.

Izuku: Guess I won’t say it then, doesn’t make it less true :)

Hitoshi: What the fuck.

Ochako: ^

Tenya: ^

‘Tenya?!’ Izuku was shocked by the agreement more than the lack of reprimand.

Izuku: Language Tenya. ;) 

Izuku: Anyway, I won’t be travelling to the station anymore since we relocated due to the whole ‘father is definitely the main figure behind the League of Villains’ thing.

Ochako: Is there any good news?

Izuku: There’s some, but I can’t tell you for privacy reasons.

Ochako: Well, at least you had some good happen throughout that shitshow.

Izuku: Yeah. I think that’s everything that I needed to say, see you soon guys!

Ochako: See you soon x

The other two didn’t respond, they were a mix of shocked and confused and upset for their friend. They will get the full explanation later on. The class starts filtering into the classroom, everyone is entirely shocked by the fact that Izuku, Yuuto, Shoto and Katsuki were there first. Katsuki was having enough of the looks and was growling at everyone before Aizawa entered.

“Oh thank lord. Mr. Aizawa, we have to explain or I think Kacchan’s gonna explode the next person who gives us a confused look.” Izuku frantically blurts out. Aizawa gives Izuku a resigned look, the Problem Children already done on day one.

“Alright, I was going to ask if you wanted to talk about it or not. We’ll add it into our context.” Aizawa was prepared for this, he had two versions of the same talk, one with the whole context, the other just vaguely regurgitating the ‘reliable source’ act.

“First of all, did everyone get the information they required about the dorm system we’re implementing and have you and your parents or guardians accepted the terms?” Aizawa asked.

The whole class, other than Izuku, Yuuto, Shoto and Katsuki answered yes to both questions whilst they stayed quiet.

Mina raises her hand. “What’s your question, Ashido?”

“Mr. Aizawa, we were told we were at risk because of the villains. Is that true, because my parents totally didn’t buy it. They were hesitant when you said ‘reliable source.’”

“We’ll move onto that now. We did that to protect one of our students’ privacy.”

“That student being Izuku, right?” Ojiro added.

“You caught on quickly enough. Yes.” The students started shouting so Aizawa activated his quirk and got everyone’s attention. “Quiet down.” Once settled he starts talking again. “Izuku’s quirk evolved slightly, it allowed him to visualise a person’s appearance, quirk and what the quirk does. This means ANY quirk he’s come in contact with in the past is available to him.” Aizawa explains, and he takes no questions. “Leading on from that, he has occasional sessions with All Might since he copied his quirk and he needs to learn control. However, in one of his sessions, Izuku used a quirk that belonged to a very, very dangerous villain.”

Audible gasps can be heard across the classroom, Aizawa eyes Iida, Uraraka and Shinso acting unsurprised. They are Izuku’s friends after all, he must have told them some context at least. “All Might questioned him…and it turned out this villain is also Izuku’s biological father.”

“What. The. Hell.” Kaminari shouted. “This sounds too nuts!” 

“Kaminari, calm down. Let me finish.” Aizawa glared at the boy. “His father hasn’t been around for around 12 years, but 6 of those are down to All Might dealing devastating damage to the villain. Unfortunately, we have reason to believe this villain will come back for Izuku at some point since the man was paying his mother child maintenance, and still is.”

“So, you’ve made a dorm system to keep us safe here rather than being out there.” Hitoshi stated.

“Exactly, this is mainly because we also believe that this villain is the mastermind behind the League of Villains.” Aizawa was cut off. The class is in outrage and Izuku hates it.

“P-please. Let him finish.” Izuku was whimpering.

“We all want to keep you safe from that man, Izuku most of all. Is there anything else you want to add?” Aizawa gave him a look, he didn’t know if Izuku gained any new knowledge or summarised so he’s asking if he can add more.

“I found out Midoriya was a fake alias and now I know that man’s family name…if you want that?” Izuku said weakly.

“Go ahead, can’t get more problematic than the League.” Aizawa sighed.

“It’s Shigaraki.” Izuku said sadly.

“Shit.” Aizawa accidentally swore. ‘That confirms that he’s behind the league I guess.’

The class eventually tries to coddle Izuku, asking if he’s alright and if he needs anything. That they’re all there for support or just to distract him, whatever he may need they want to be there. Izuku just brushes them off as he really doesn’t need to be wrapped in bubble wrap. Yes, his emotions are messy, but he’s alright, he’s bouncing back and will be fine soon enough.

‘Well…this seems like a good time to distract him and make him crack.’ Katsuki grinned. “In better news Deku got himself into a relationship. How the fuck he did it is a mystery though.” He chuckled as he passed a smug look to Izuku saying ‘your move’.

An unfamiliar cackle echoes through Izuku’s mind.

“Relationship?! Who are they?!” Ashido wanted the gossip, all the juicy details. Izuku tried to hide behind his hands.

“Dude. I try to flirt and I get nowhere, but you’re apparently a romance king? How? Teach me!” Kaminari begged. Izuku chuckled since Kaminari seems to go for women.

“Who’s the lucky girl, I’m envious about whoever got their hands on those muscles.” Hagakure asked, swooning over Izuku’s physical state.

A familiar sounding groan comes from Izuku’s mind. ‘Even after hundreds of years and a mess of quirks, some people still assume someone’s straight until corrected.’ Yoichi complained, accompanied by an unknown chuckle and Izuku swears he heard a grumble about an descendant or something.

‘Preach.’ Izuku agreed.

Aizawa smirked and just let them go on for now, they got the memo and now they need to relax, even if it is at the expense of Izuku’s love life and embarrassment. Katsuki really dropped him in it.

“I think Izu has had enough emotional overload the past few weeks, perhaps we can relax a little. Villains are villains and I think we would have reached this situation at some point, we just have to be ready to beat them later down the line.” Yuuto mediated.

“Okay, now that we’ve had the class drama. The move to the dorms could be as early as after your internships, as you should have been told. So be prepared to move your stuff in when you come back.” Aizawa sighs. “We can now move on to lessons for today. So, we’re going to be doing some work in hero informatics.”

The class starts worrying, they don’t want a quiz after the whiplash. “Coming up with hero names.” Aizawa explains that agencies and pro heroes have picked students out and offered them places under them.

He puts up a display and the first thing to show itself is Shoto having over 4000 offers and Izuku and Katsuki having over 3000 each. Yuuto is also sitting at a nice 1500. Shoto grit his teeth and snapped a pencil in response. He hated the fact that he got that many offers and it definitely wasn’t because he was worthy of all of them. He walked out of the class for some air, he couldn’t handle it, not so soon.

“Hey kid, what are you doing out here then?” Midnight asked, it seems she was waiting outside for a cue from Aizawa.

“I can’t stand seeing so many intern offers and not feel deserving of them, they want a ‘Todoroki’. They see him as a massive positive figure and think ‘taking his son in is good for our image.’ I don’t want them.” Shoto’s face was flickering with flames whilst his right hand was frosting over.

“I can see how that could get to you. You don’t have to accept ANY of those offers, there’s an extra list you can choose from and approach first. There’s no guarantee that once you tell them your name they won’t pounce on the offer, but it’s better than them giving you an offer, right?” Midnight explained softly. Shoto starts calming down, his flames receding and ice melting.

“Thank you Miss Midnight.” Shoto bowed and walked back into the classroom, Aizawa offering him a weak smile.

“Anyways, as I was saying. Picking a good hero name now is vital-” Aizawa said.

Midnight burst her way in on cue, “Or you’ll have hell to pay later!” She stated as she cracked her whip.

The class have to come up with their hero names, some agonising over it more than others. Yuuto was worried about Shoto who seemed just devoid of thought. He looks over at his empty board. “Hey, how about…Ice Phoenix? Ice being an obvious reference to your ice, but the phoenix bit being your fire and reborn as a hero in your own right?” Yuuto saw the face Shoto was giving, it was filled with awe, and Yuuto started getting flustered, waving his hands in front of his face. “You don’t have to take it, it-it was just a suggestion since you seemed to be struggling.”

Shoto flashed Yuuto a small smile and started writing his hero name, hiding it away for later. Yuuto decided on Subliminal as he affects someone’s mind to think they had certain ideas. It’s not as meaningful as something like Ice Phoenix could be to Shoto, but it’s very hard to embody his quirk and he cannot come up with something on his ideals.

Izuku planned on using Deku, even if it did cause Katsuki some pain, he whispers as much and Katsuki grumbled, but he tries to let it slide as the nickname sorta snowballed into everyone using it and his nerd wants to reclaim it. Izuku however, can see the pain is probably not worth it so he goes into thought to think up a new name.

Midnight gets them to present their names, she changed one, that being Aoyama’s since it was too long, and she shot down two, those being Ashido’s reference to a horror movie and Katsuki’s ‘King Explosion Murder’.

Yuuto approaches the front to present. “I’ve decided on ‘The suggestion hero: Subliminal.”

“Direct, I love it!” Midnight pointed Yuuto back to his seat.

Shoto slowly dragged himself up. “I…was originally going to just go with Shoto. I’d have used my name to say ‘I’m me.’ mainly because I never thought about names.” He chuckled slightly, “I have no clue how good this is, but,” He flips his board around. “The ice and fire hero: Ice Phoenix.” 

“Interesting name, but why Ice Phoenix, if you don’t mind sharing.” Midnight asked, giving him a chance to share his story or to back off.

“Ice is because of my ice obviously, but as my friend suggested, Phoenix represents my fire and being reborn as my own hero. A hero that is not Endeavour or connected to him, not after his actions.” Shoto said bluntly, raising some concerns from the class. Yuuto smiles, he’s glad Shoto decided on a more obscure name than just his own name, even if it did make sense.

“I love it!” Midnight approves!

“Don’t bother IcyHot.” Katsuki growled. “He’ll share when he’s ready.”

“Thank you, Bakugo.” Shoto said as he sat back down whilst the class seemed confused by the soft Katsuki.

Iida used his first name ‘Tenya’ for his hero name, he was unsure, but Izuku could see the dullness in his eyes. He realises Stain’s actions hurt him hard, he may even be after revenge.

Izuku walks up and flips his board. “The genetic hero: Genome.”

“Sounds good for a quirk that messes around with your DNA. Love it!” Midnight smiled as she let Izuku sit back down.

“I thought you were going with Deku?” Katsuki quizzed Izuku.

“I couldn’t, not after seeing how much it pained you even when you said it was fine.” Izuku admits.

“Thank you, Izuku.” Katsuki smiled slightly before turning back to his board.

Katsuki never did deviate from the ‘murder’ bit in his name, he decided to keep it regardless of what people think. He did have an actual name in mind after a while, but he was sure as hell not sharing it.

After everyone had their names, Aizawa handed out the internship forms to everyone except Shoto. He gave Shoto the choice to look over them or go elsewhere, Shoto respectfully didn’t want the offers.

Lunch rolled around and they decided it was time to look over their offers. Izuku had no clue what to think, there were over 3000 offers and he had to make sure they were suitable places. No secret bullcrap going on, the heroes are decent and it’ll be a good experience are his main criteria. Yuuto was in a similar boat, and well, he wasn’t going to lie to himself, he didn’t want an agency to take advantage of his quirk.

“Nakamura, Shinso. You two can intern under me, that is, if you’re willing to deal with evening to late night patrols.” Aizawa told the pair.

“Wait, what?” Yuuto questioned, since Aizawa wasn’t on the list of offers. Hitoshi looked just as baffled.

Aizawa sighed, “I told you before Nakamura, I know what it’s like to have a quirk that’s counted as villainous or useless in terms of fighting. People don’t take a quirk that erases others' quirks too kindly. On the other hand, people like to use our quirks to their advantage, so I get that you two may be hesitant to trust any offers, plus none of those offers would inform you on underground work, I can.”

“I’d gladly work with you, Mr. Aizawa.” Yuuto bowed his head in thanks.

“Thank you for the offer, it’d be a great experience.” Hitoshi bowed his head too.

“Okay, okay. Sign this form and that’ll be it, you’ll be with me for the week.” Aizawa brushed off the respectful gestures, he doesn’t need those. He flicks his eyes to Shoto, who still hasn’t decided on anything, the poor boy’s just at a loss now that his mind’s separating from Endeavour.

~~~~~~~~

All Might intercepted Izuku at the end of the day, “Izuku! I have another offer for you if you haven’t made your choice already!” Izuku nearly jumped out of his own skin.

“An offer? And they asked you to pass it on to me?” Izuku looked excited.

“Well, he was my old teacher, he only taught here for one year.” Toshinori started sweating, he was actually scared of the teacher. “But he taught me a lot, and he was a sworn friend of my predecessor.”

“Who is it?”

“His name is Gran Torino, just um, think about it, he might be able to teach you other ways to use your quirks.” Toshinori said, knees buckling under the terror he felt.

“I’d gladly intern under him! But um. Do you know if he would allow Shoto to join too? He knows about my quirk anyways and he-he didn’t seem to want to go anywhere because his name makes an impression with heroes and such.” Izuku looked at Toshinori with pleading eyes.

“Alright kid, I’ll call him and let you two know tomorrow. Now you should see yourselves off!” Toshinori said, knowing too well Katsuki was lurking around.

Izuku, Katsuki, Yuuto, Shoto, Uraraka and Hitoshi all walk down to the entrance of UA to get their umbrellas and other weather appropriate clothing.

“Shoto, I’ve asked someone to inquire about taking you on as an intern at my choice, if you’re okay with it, that is.” Izuku said.

“As long as they don’t care about the name ‘Todoroki’ then I’d gladly join you.” Shoto said bluntly.

“I got the feeling he doesn’t care about status, he taught All Might for a year and I have never seen All Might more afraid of someone.” Izuku chuckled.

“All Might and afraid do not belong in the same sentence.” Katsuki huffed out.

“Well. He was Kacchan.” Izuku pouted. “Where did you choose to go?”

“None of your fucking business, Nerd.” Katsuki narrowed his eyes.

“C’mon Bakugo, tell us.” Uraraka pleaded.

“No. No one gets to know!” Katsuki growled.

“Who knew the angry kid who usually shows off is actually afraid of telling us something?” Hitoshi asked, trying to coax out a response.

“Fuck you Zombie, I’m not afraid.” Katsuki glared at the boy.

“Kacchan, be nice.” Izuku teased.

“You’re not the boss of me-” Katsuki slightly stumbled on his words. “-Deku!”

Izuku smirked. ‘He’s getting too soft now. He can barely call me Deku.’ “Who said so?” Izuku said confidently, causing a shiver to go down Katsuki’s spine.

“Me, now go fuck yourself.” He growled. Izuku bit his lip at that comment, nope not going there with an innuendo.

Yuuto and Shoto look amused at the squabbling, they nearly forgot that they have to wait for their hero escort, that hero being Eraserhead this time around.

“Guys we have to wait for Mr. Aizawa!” Yuuto shouted out.

“Oh, right.” Izuku sighed. “This is where we part ways, see you tomorrow Ochako, Hitoshi.”

“See you tomorrow Izuku, and keep teasing Blasty there, he can’t handle you talking back.” She smirked.

Izuku giggled whilst Katsuki overheard and growled. “See ya.” Hitoshi sounded like he was bored by the situation.

“I like what you’ve done with your hair by the way, Yuuto. It makes you look…pretty!” Ochako smiled.

Yuuto messes with the quirk suppressant band on his wrist, Aizawa had given him one to make sure that he hadn’t accidentally caused an awakening in moment Endeavour looked like he was going to commit murder. Safe to say, everyone must just like the hairstyle. Yuuto sighed in relief as he took the band off. “Thank you Ochako. You know, I was wearing this quirk suppressor because I really thought people were complimenting my hair due to my quirk subconsciously activating. It seems everyone just likes the hair.”

Ochako giggles, but then also grimaces a little. “C’mon, you’d never use your quirk like that.”

“Oh, no. That’s not it. It was possible my quirk evolved, awakened, whatever. Because uh, we got into a situation and I had to push my quirk way past it’s usual limit. So this was a precaution, but I think you cleared that problem up.” Yuuto smiled brightly.

Ochako hugged Yuuto tightly, “No problem Nakamura, what are friends for!” She and Hitoshi leave as they head off to their homes.

Izuku sighs. “After all of this, I’m telling Nezu about Aldera tomorrow. I’ve realised that whatever they’re doing there isn’t right. After spending time here, seeing the teachers care and everyone being more contained…Aldera was and probably still is a massive red flag.”

“Thank you for finally coming to that realisation, Izu.” Yuuto let out some stress that he didn’t even know he had. 

“You already thought that?! You should have pointed it out!” Izuku shouted.

“Yeah. But you weren’t the most receptive back then and you didn’t want to cause trouble for your Kacchan.” Yuuto sighed. “I’m glad you’ve seen it now though.”

Katsuki was starting to tremble and Izuku took notice. “Kacchan, are you okay?”

“They’ll expel me. They’ll see what I did, maybe even hear what I said. I can’t.” Katsuki was scared and that is a feeling Izuku didn’t like on his boyfriend’s face.

“I won’t let them expel you. Do you know why I forgave you?” Izuku said seriously.

“Why?” Katsuki’s response was pained.

“I realised that after I showed you my quirk and told you my declaration, that you were slowly getting better. Deep down, I was scared and anxious and barely recognised it back then, but when we got here I recognised that you were trying in your own way.” Izuku explained.

“I-you noticed?” Katsuki said quietly.

“He was?” Yuuto looked confused.

“I didn’t notice it back then, but when I was thinking about how you changed here, I remember seeing the more pained look in your eyes, your attacks were weaker, more testing even. I guess you were trying to prompt me to attack you back or dodge or whatever.” Izuku gently grabbed Katsuki’s hand and started to rub circles on it.

“I had to. Or-“ Katsuki strangled a sob that threatened to leave him.

“Or everyone else would pick up the pace. I remember the few days after you accidentally broke your arm while training your quirk, the other students were way worse than whatever you pushed onto me.” Izuku admitted.

“Holy shit. You were protecting him this entire time?!” Yuuto was in shock, how in the hell didn’t he notice.

“I guess. Though my head was and still is a mess with everything that happened. ” Katsuki grumbled.

“See, if I explain all of this, Nezu will understand and accept it. Aldera will fall whilst you’ll be fine.” Izuku smiled as he softly kissed Katsuki’s hand.

“Thanks Nerd. I-I’m just glad you saw I was trying.” Katsuki smiled. “You know, if I knew you had combat training I’d have gone easier on you, I think.” 

Izuku gives him an unhappy look. “I did. You scoffed and went off after roughing me up, I didn’t defend myself because it was 3 on 1 and I was too scared to at that point. Whenever I started to defend myself the teachers and crap caught my attention and glared. It really wasn’t worth it, and as I said before, the one time I actually won a fight they blamed me.”

“Fucks sake. You best destroy them tomorrow!” Katsuki grins.

“Oh I will.” Izuku chuckled maniacally.

‘Destroy those bastards Izuku!’ Yoichi shouted angrily. ‘How dare they allow my nephew to be hurt under their care!’ Izuku shuddered. His uncle was usually so calm.

‘Channelling me there a bit aren’t you.’ An unnamed voice said smugly.

‘Of course, you’ve always been a lovely influence to me…Second.’ Yoichi curses the fact that ‘Second’ doesn’t want his name uttered anywhere, he’d rather be forgotten.

‘Izuku takes after you way too much, especially with that explosive boy around.’ Second said.

‘And somehow Bakugo takes after you, he even LOOKS like you!’ Yoichi commented.

‘Ain’t my doing, I think. I know I briefly went with a woman once, but I don’t believe we went that far…though I was drunk.’ 

‘Are you really trying to debate whether Kacchan is your descendant?’ Izuku questioned.

‘Maybe. Now I take my silence again. Yoi, you can handle your nephew for a while.’ Second said, he could almost be heard walking off further into the mindscape.

Yoichi laughed. ‘He’s so stubborn. Yes, we were debating it since one - I thought Second was 100% gay and two your boyfriend really looks similar to him. His quirk hasn't passed along if so since Explosions or glycerine, is nowhere near it.’

‘I mean in that case, can you compare the quirk DNA in my quirk?’ Izuku thought for a second.

‘Wait. That’s a good idea. Quirks contain traces of the original DNA…’ Yoichi muttered.

‘It’s been a while since we got a muttering Yoichi.’ Nana giggled.

‘Can you shift your quirk to order the quirks by DNA comparisons?’ Yoichi asked.

Izuku took his time to imagine it, the closer matching DNA being sorted into family groups whilst the more distinct genetics are separated away.

‘That worked! And the verdict is in. We can confirm through a DNA test that Second is indeed his ancestor.’ Yoichi said.

‘This isn’t a reality show…but of course he is.’ Second groaned. ‘Do not inform that brat, if you do, you’re never learning my quirk.’

‘Damn. Well at least you know some of your genetics made it this far, right?’ Izuku said. ‘Anyway, have fun in there, bantering about like an old married couple.’ Izuku hears a few chuckles, which eventually fade out. He doesn’t know why it just fades sometimes, but he thinks it has to do with them wanting privacy, rather than being heard all of the time.

Aizawa arrives a little later and directs them to their escort vehicle, also known as his car. Izuku talks about reporting Aldera, Aizawa dons a Cheshire grin at that fact. The only reason they haven’t personally dealt with it was because Nezu wanted Izuku to be the one to come to an understanding. Tomorrow is going to be a day he’ll enjoy. He’ll love watching that hell school get its demise by the Rat God himself.

Chapter Text

The next day came around excruciatingly slow for Izuku, the nerves and tension he felt only increased as the day came around. This was made worse as Aizawa notified Izuku to go to Nezu before class started, unbeknownst to him that the reasoning was everything was set in place and Aizawa just needed the go ahead to barge in to take everything they needed for an investigation.

“Izu. It’ll be alright.” Yuuto said softly.

“I-I know, it’s just. It’s hard to approach these things.” Izuku responded.

Katsuki squeezed Izuku’s hand. “You’ve got this alright. I trust you, Izuku.” He said as he let go of Izuku’s hand and pulled him into a side hug. “Tear those bastards down!”

Izuku chuckled. “I will.”

The group split up, with Yuuto, Katsuki and Shoto going to the classroom whilst Izuku makes his way to Nezu’s office.

‘You’ve got this kid.’ Nana said.

‘Take them down nephew!’ Yoichi cheered.

Izuku giggled at Yoichi’s passion. Other’s joined in, and even though Izuku didn’t know them he thanked them all the same. ‘Having my own squad back me up really does wonders for my confidence.’ He laughed as he approached the door. He knocks delicately, like he’d be bitten for being louder.

“Come on in!” Nezu replied through the door. Izuku pushes the door open and is met with Nezu’s stare. “I heard you wanted to talk about a certain subject. Given permission, we could start getting things sorted as soon as today!” The chimaera cheered.

“T-that soon?!” Izuku was baffled.

Nezu nodded. “Of course, no one harms my students and dodges my attention. Whether that be in the past, present or future.”

“That’s comforting to know.” Izuku said with a broken smile. “I-I’d like to report Aldera Junior High...and well, I guess the other school I went to when I was younger.” Izuku started to steel himself.

“And what would you like to report them for?” Nezu started to grin.

Izuku took a deep breath and started listing the offences. “Neglect of children under their care. Discrimination against some of the children under their care. Allowing illegal quirk usage.” Izuku pondered something. “What were my scores like when you got them from Aldera?”

“Average.” Nezu said, knowing Izuku was definitely more than ‘average’.

“Add result tampering to that too. Yuuto and I had the same tests and when we compared them I usually had the higher scores when we researched answers.” Izuku grit his teeth.

“You may want to add some for false marks, you had flags for an aggressive attitude as well as attacking a student.” Nezu said.

“Of course they did that.” Izuku was fed up at this point. “Whenever I looked like I was about to defend myself the teachers glared at me, they were judging my actions. I did defend myself once, beat the kid pretty badly even though he tried to hit me with a quirk enhanced punch first.” Izuku eyerolled.

“Thank you Izuku. We’ll pass along the information to the police as well as swiftly sending in a hero to get the evidence we need.” Nezu clasped his hands together. “Anything else you want to add before I send you on your way, and we’ll meet at lunch to further discuss this, but for now I have other things to set up.”

“Don’t judge Kacchan too harshly. I’ll explain further at lunch, but please don’t get angry with him or-or expel him.” Izuku said.

Nezu’s smile never changed, but he was quite perturbed by what that insinuated. “Well, we can surely talk through that at our meeting. Have a good morning, Izuku.” He said. Nezu thought about it, sure Bakugo wasn’t the warmest character from what he’s reviewed and the character reports he’s received. However, as aggressive as he was, he was never ‘abusive’. A rivalry, sure. Even in the battle trials, yes it was a risky and dangerous move, but he trusted Izuku to do something against it. The report after Izuku’s explosion was that both Izuku and Bakugo were concerned for others, so what could have happened.

“Thank you Principal Nezu.” Izuku bowed and took his leave.

Izuku walks to his classroom, a weight felt like it was removed as well as feeling slightly happy about getting it off of his chest. He walks into the classroom with a smile. “So, Aldera may be doomed as early as today.” Izuku announced.

“The Rat God strikes again.” Aizawa muttered.

“He’s done this before?” Izuku quizzed his teacher.

Aizawa chuckled darkly. “We have a variety of students who come through here, many with different backgrounds - rich or poor, good and bad. It doesn’t matter to anyone here about your prior status. However, if we see - or more so he sees that someone’s background is painful, he will fight for that students’ justice.”

“So. What about Shoto?” Yuuto narrowed his eyes towards Aizawa.

“Definitely in the works. Going after someone like Endeavour requires time, effort and a lot of public distrust. He’s more glad that Shoto’s under our care now though, his safety is the most important thing to us.” Aizawa explained.

Yuuto nodded. “Of course.”

“Thank you for trying, and thank you for your concern Yuuto.” Shoto said weakly.

“Izuku-” Katsuki could only utter his name as Izuku gently kissed him.

“I sorted it, I’ll explain more to Nezu in our lunch session. I won’t let him punish you for actions you’ve learned from.” Izuku said softly.

Aizawa levelled a glare over at the pair, causing them to move a little bit away from each other. “Sit down, you damn nerd. Honestly, I’ll just enjoy watching those bastards burn.” Katsuki smirked.

Izuku took his seat behind Katsuki. “Oh of course. If we could drink I’d ask for some fancy champagne and toast to its downfall. We could settle for tea though.” Nezu is definitely rubbing off on him, and it’s only been a few weeks.

Aizawa shuddered, “Problem Child.” He muttered under his breath. The kid’s a second coming of Nezu and he doesn’t like it.

Eventually the whole class filters in and classes begin, however, Aizawa, as well as Midnight have another job to do.

~~~~~~~~

Aizawa-No he’s Eraserhead at the moment-approaches the school with a deep seated anger. Midnight is going for the elementary school, whether they’ve kept security footage and documents from years ago is debatable but it’s worth a shot.

“Midnight, I’m ready to enter the building.” Eraser spoke through his earpiece.

“In position. See you on the outside Eraser.” Midnight said, with Eraser noticing her smirking tone.

Eraserhead grins under his capture scarf as he strides into the school from hell. The first thing he takes note of are students using their quirks freely, he notices one using what looks like a tendril to trip another student up. The victim’s response, well there was annoyance until the group she was around were giggling and calling her names. It made Eraser’s blood boil.

In the reception area, he spots students to the side trying to look sneaky, one boy is pinning another child to the wall. The bully’s fingertips were glowing, as well as his eyes, whilst the victim was standing unfazed whilst parts of their uniform seemed to be burning. Eraserhead glared over to them. He heard the one child seething, telling their bully something. “I’m still going to be a hero, you can’t stop me!”

Eraser watches as the bully’s anger tipping over, the other child still isn’t scared, but Eraser activates his quirk. “Let go of the boy. Now!” Eraser tried to bite back his anger.

The bully let go, “And who do you think you are? I’m going to be the best hero out there, unlike this quirkless freak! You don’t get to tell me what to do, old man!”

Eraserhead chuckles darkly. “I’m Eraserhead. A licensed hero, and teacher at UA.”

The boys face drains of colour. “A-and so what. I’m still going to be number one!”

‘This kid is angry like Bakugo, but way more arrogant and less caring. What kind of environment are they breeding here?’. Aizawa scoffs. “If you think your behaviour is hero worthy, think again. Heroes don’t attack innocent people, villains do that. You need to improve your behaviour because if not, I’ll be sure to add a black mark against your name if you’re even seen acting out like this again. No hero school will take you.”

The bully started shaking, trembling in fear and worry as he decided to not say another word and left. “Thank you, Eraserhead. I-I’m actually non-binary, if you wanted to know.” The victim said shakily, tears were pricking their eyes. “I’ve only seen some of your rarely recorded fights, but you’re amazing!” They seemed hesitant to ask another question.

“Sorry about the misgendering, I was angry at your bully. If you want to ask something, ask quickly, because I’m on the job here.” Eraser said.

‘On the job?’ “Even though I-I’m quirkless, do you think I could still be a hero?” they asked meekly.

“It won’t be easy, in fact it may be the toughest thing you’d ever do. However, if you work for it, get the right gear and support, definitely.” He can tell this kid is determined, perhaps they’re someone to look out for later down the line. He didn’t think he’d pull an All Might, but here he is, going soft. “Kid, what year are you in?”

“F-final year, sir.” The kid responded.

Eraser smirked. “Okay, and which hero school are you applying for?”

“U-UA.”

“Good, take this card and send a message to my work email. I’ll reply with all the legal stuff, then I’ll put you through training hell, you got that?” Eraser grinned.

The child’s eyes were wide, realising what Eraser meant. “Y-you want to train me?” They whispered.

“You got it, also, I’d recommend looking for another school to go to, or ideally, an online school to finish up.” Eraser said as he started to walk away.

“Thank you again, Eraserhead! I won’t let you down.” The child said as they ran off, class was almost back in session after all.

Eraserhead was happy to make someone’s day at least, since he’s going to ruin a lot today. He composed himself as he approached the receptionist. “Hello Miss.” Eraser pulls out his hero and teaching ID. “I’m here today over some concerns about one of my students, Izuku Midoriya. I'd like to speak to your principal to help clear some things up since he graduated from here.

“Of course Eraserhead.” She replied as she dialled up to the principal’s office. “He was a problematic child, he always had this aggressive tone towards the other students and he would creepily dissect their quirks to an accurate degree. He was probably jealous since he was quirkless and all.” The last bit sounded more venomous than it should have.

‘The audacity of this woman, she thinks I’m here to catch the kid out, not support him, as I thought. Also, his quirk analysis is that good? I’ve never…oh of course, it was probably beaten into him that it wasn’t a good thing.’ Aizawa silently bubbled in anger as the receptionist conversed with the principal.

“He’s getting everything ready for your visit. Please head up to the top floor, closest room on the left.” The receptionist said cheerily.

“Thank you.” Eraserhead smirked. They let him in without so much as questioning his intentions, now he can spring it on the head of the school without giving him a chance to mess things around.

He finds that the principal is waiting for him, the man is plastering on a happy smile as he invites the hero into his room. “Would you like some tea or coffee, Mr. Eraserhead?” The principal asked.

“Not at the moment, I had my fill in the car.” Eraser was not going to trust them with coffee.

The principal sat into his chair. “I’ve got Midoriya’s files here. Honestly, he was fortunate that we could pass him with some of the low scores he received. We were amazed when we heard he managed to sneak into UA, but we won’t lie, we had our concerns that he cheated.”

‘He was actually one of the highest scoring, he’d probably have been close or would have been the top scorer if he’d have had the proper education.’ “Well, we are conducting a formal investigation right now, so we may need access to your system files, as well as surveillance systems. Do you have a problem with that?” Eraser said.

The man began to lightly sweat. “We can’t exactly give you access to our systems just to question Midoriya’s behaviour.”

Eraser grinned. “Well, too bad you don’t have a choice. You see.” Eraserhead activated his quirk as he approached the computer sitting in front of the principal. “Our investigation is actually about the mistreatment of our student as well as the overall conduct of this school, so you will be handing over the recordings and I will be saving every last one of them. I will be downloading all of the files, tests and scores and we as a school will be evaluating them again as we all know what you’ve done.”

“W-what are you talking about, he’s just a weak, useless, quirkless child? Why does a Gen Ed. kid matter so much?” The principal panics.

Erasure chuckles “I don’t think he was ever weak, or useless. He’s not quirkless either, he had a quirk accident and it reappeared late, you’d have known if you checked his file. He’s a hero course student, not that you bothered checking that either and he matters because all of our students, no, everyone who’s suffering do.” Eraser decides to tie the principal to his chair with his capture scarf whilst he jabs a hacking stick into the computer's USB. The computer opens freely, thank Nezu for his legal hacking gear, and Eraser starts sending all of the camera recordings from when Izuku started to the current day, as the school’s still a hell hole. He also sends all of the documents on the computer, the tests are going for review as certain students may have been altered. Aizawa grit his teeth together as he could see a trend in the score sheet compared to the quirk registration. Kids with stronger, flashier quirks tended to have higher or more average scores whilst the one’s weaker quirks had lower to average scores.

“You’ll be hearing from our legal team. You hear me!” The principal shouted.

“Go ahead. Nothing can cover the obvious bias I’m seeing here. I’ve looked at this data once and I can tell your school is quirkist, and I’m not even an analyst. Not to mention, on my way in and even when I took glances into classrooms I noticed your students and teachers flaunting quirk laws.” Eraser growled.

Everything was finally downloaded, and also due to Nezu’s tech, it was already sent to Nezu and Tsukauchi. He untied the principal from the chair and grinned. “Thank you for your cooperation, I’m sure our investigation will go smoothly from now on.” Aizawa said as he walked out of the room and camped around the corner. He could hear the principal frantically calling someone.

“Sir. This is Aldera Junior high, we have a problem. The heroes have started meddling around the school, we need legal aid.” Shouting can be heard from the other side. “Yes sir, I know this is one of the critical schools and the fact we had a promising student.” He sighed. “Yes, Bakugo is coming along nicely, you saw his temperament at the Sports Festival. The kid loves being the most powerful and winning, he’ll be a good addition to our forces…yes it was a shame he didn’t accept one of your ‘heros’’ offers…okay, thank you for your help.” The phone clicked down and Eraser made his swift exit out of a window, avoiding the camera’s sight.

‘Who was he talking to, and what were they trying to drag Bakugo into?’ Aizawa started noting it down as another thing to be on guard about. ‘Good addition to our forces makes it sound like they’re a group, a gang or army. The word ‘heroes’ was said in a vile tone too. Whatever this is. I don’t like it.’

Midnight

Midnight: Hey Eraser, are you finished on your end?

Eraser: Yes, and it brings more worries than comfort. The school is a breeding ground for egotists and aggressors!

Midnight: I overheard some of their classes, they just let the young children tease their classmates. One kid was quirkless and the emotions on the poor kid's face.

Eraser: I had a kid threatening to burn a child with lasers. I may have offered the victim some training…

Midnight: *Laughing Emoji* We knew you were keen on taking in strays, but they must have impressed you.

Eraser: The kid’s also quirkless, but they weren't afraid of their bully. I respected that and their dedication.

Midnight: I’m glad something good came out of these visits then.

Eraser: Yeah. I also need to message the Rat God, the information is damning to say the least.

Midnight: Like what?

Eraser: I assume it’ll be a meeting topic at some point. We’ll know later.

Midnight: Got it, let’s take them down first.

Aizawa smiled as he made his way back to UA, he’s glad that unlike what they’ve witnessed, Bakugo’s anger is mainly false bravado, the kid’s softer at heart than he’d admit.

Rat God

Eraser: We need to talk, we have an issue. Another one to add to the pile and all.

Rat God: Well, any new information would be welcome. I’m in my office scanning the recordings and documents you picked up and well. Some are quite edited.

Eraser: Well, that’s one illegal action. Tampering with recordings to avoid legal action is itself, illegal after all.

Rat God: Certainly. However, the unedited ones, since some do exist, are quite horrible. It seems like Izuku was treated badly nearly every day.

Eraser: Fucking hell. The kid managed to get through daily beatings?

Rat God: I’m not going to lie. A decent majority came from Bakugo himself. These cameras caught audio too, the anger…I wonder what changed.

Eraser: …Bakugo?

Rat God: Yes, Izuku asked me to forgive Bakugo’s past transgressions and he’d explain later why I should. These recordings really confuse me in all honesty.

Eraser: Recovery Girl did overhear some of their hospital conversation, especially that certain line. I think if we can look past that, we can look past whatever is on those tapes for both of their sakes.

Rat God: I agree, Eraser. The past is done, but he has blossoming hero potential now, it’s just concerning. Either way we’ll deal with this, see you.

Eraser: Actually, I have a favour to ask, can you look for a red haired teen too. They have golden eyes, and their shoes stick out. They’re the red quirkless shoes that we all hate, why they decided on RED and a more unique appearance I’ll never know.

Nezu smirked at the message, Aizawa’s not normally the one to get concerned about other students unless he’s getting involved with them.

Rat God: I’ll be on the lookout. Thank you for the tip, Eraser.

The day continues progressing and Aizawa enters Nezu’s office with a serious nature. Midnight follows in his footsteps with an angered expression.

“We have a bigger problem than just a neglectful school.” Aizawa asserted himself.

“I can tell, the snippets I’ve seen seem to tell me the teachers encourage the behaviour rather than teaching the laws and repercussions, as well as the documents all but confirming that they’ve messed with the grades of their students.” Nezu said, he’s not smiling or all that cheery anymore. “It’s as we thought, it’s a breeding ground of violence and ego.”

“More than that. I overheard that damn principal talking to someone, they were targeting Bakugo and grooming him into a soldier for whatever cause they have!” Aizawa growled.

“This is even worse than I could have thought.” Nezu seethed. “I thought maybe they were raising the students to be quirkist and egotistical, but for soldiers?”

“Yes, he specifically said ‘good addition to our forces’. Apparently they have infiltrators among the heroes too as they had some put internship offers in for Bakugo.” Aizawa said.

Kayama starts to talk. “On top of this, they start allowing this behaviour at a young age, I’m not sure if you’ve looked through the elementary school yet, but the teachers encourage quirk usage there too. They have a quirk counsellor on site, but I checked through their records and well, the students with weaker looking quirks have less detailed notes that basically brush the children off.”

“Their legal team is proving to be difficult on top of this, claiming we can’t use the evidence against them. Too bad we started getting the warrant a while ago due to Recovery Girl’s testimony and it was put into action with Izuku’s conversation.” Nezu smirked. “Though the company seems off, it doesn’t just cover the school, they’re covering all of the teachers. This isn’t usual procedure for individual teachers unless…”

“Unless they’re in it together.” Aizawa clenched his fists. “This is going to be a lot more work than it seems, right?”

“Certainly, but we can manage.” Nezu says. “Now, I believe you have some classes to teach, right? I also have Izuku coming round soon so we can work through this together.”

~~~~~~~~

Izuku enters the office for the second time today. The air is thick with a serious tension and Izuku shudders at the feeling of it. “Come on in and sit down Izuku. We have much to discuss.” Nezu said.

“I-I haven’t seen you so serious sir. I-is it really that bad?” Izuku stuttered.

“Yes. I am ensuring that those schools go down. Not just for you, but for any student who is suffering under their so-called care.” Nezu almost growls.

“O-okay. So what do we need to talk through first?” Izuku asked.

Nezu sighs. “Bakugo should be our first talking point. We won’t be expelling him, but I would like an explanation as to why you’re advocating for him after I watched those recordings.”

“Ah yes, that.” Izuku said. “It’s more to do with hindsight, I recently understood exactly what Kacchan was doing.” Izuku sipped the tea Nezu left in front of him before he spoke again. “Well, I think most of his life he believed I was looking down on him, add onto that that Kacchan’s emotions are messy and he misunderstands them…he didn’t have an easy way to seem friendly with me. Also, he may have wanted to protect me from getting hurt later on…” he mumbled.

“Protect? All I’ve seen are one-sided attacks. Izuku, you know you came out of those with harsh injuries right?” Nezu seemed sympathetic.

“After we had a run in with the Sludge Villain and after I revealed my quirk, after I told him we could be equal…he started to change. It all started when-”

Izuku expects to be attacked again today, as a ‘reward’ for helping Katsuki, since his childhood friend hates being shown up. Instead Katsuki avoids him, mainly glancing at him every now and then. Izuku started muttering in his confusion.

“Shut up Deku.” Katsuki said with some heat.

“Sorry Kacchan.” Izuku looked back down to his desk, preparing for a punch.

“Tch. Fucking pathetic.” Katsuki said as he walked off.

‘He-he didn’t attack me. What?’ Izuku thought.

After a few days the attacks came back, but something was off. Izuku in his panic hadn’t noticed that Katsuki’s attacks were getting weaker, they still inflicted pain but they weren’t leaving marks or lasting long. When he got home to check himself over he was happy not to bandage anything, he had a lucky break. That’s what he thought anyway.

A few months passed. The nearly daily attacks still came from Katsuki, he’s still used to the pain and injuries, well most of them are bruises at most, rather than any cuts, scrapes and burns. Occasionally one or two other things slipped through, but Izuku was happy that he wasn’t patching himself up most of the time.

Izuku was still trying to distract himself when he was being attacked, Katsuki was attacking all whilst Izuku looked at him, but Izuku wasn’t seeing Katsuki. The hidden pain in Katsuki’s eyes, the more on form hits that cause less injuries. It didn’t matter to Izuku at the time as he was still being attacked.

After he received One-For-All he really had to rein himself in. He was buzzing with energy and he really couldn’t afford to accidentally let that out in school. He’d already broken his arm once and he really didn’t want that to happen again.

“Deku. Even if you are bulking up, you’ll never beat me.” Katsuki growled.

“Show him how useless he is Kacchan.” Finger boy smirked.

Katsuki was hesitant for a second. “Yeah, show me how useless you are. Deku.” Katsuki grinned, it was more forced than usual, but Izuku didn’t clock it. Not back then anyway. They ‘fought’, with Izuku trying to block and not hit back. Eventually Izuku collapsed out of strain. Katsuki shook his head. “Still useless. As always.” A nearly inaudible sigh escaped his lips.

Katsuki managed to somehow break his arm from using his quirk at a quirk gym. This meant he wasn’t at school the next day and it turned out it was somehow worse.

“Wh-why are you doing this?” Izuku pleaded as rocky fists batted against his block.

The boy chuckles. “Because Bakugo isn’t here to dish out your punishment. If he’s not here, we’ve gotta put useless Deku in his place.” Fingers cracked his knuckles as the other boy slapped Izuku down to the ground.

‘Fuck. I could. I should use my quirk to defend…but i-it’s illegal. The school will expel me, or worse. FUCK!’ Izuku hated it. He returned home that day with more cuts and bruises than he’d received in the past few months. He wanted to turn up to Takoba beach whilst trying to hide a small limp, trying to put on a show of strength, but Yuuto wasn’t letting it slide.

“I’m messaging All Might, he needs to get Recovery Girl.” Yuuto glared at Izuku.

“Please don’t, I don’t want to-” Izuku said before Yuuto covered his mouth.

“‘Want to’ what, Izu? Cause a problem? You can’t train or practice shit, you may have a broken ankle! You need Recovery Girl.” Yuuto whipped out his phone and quickly notified All Might about Izuku’s condition. All Might replied with concern and an assurance that Recovery Girl would be there to help.

Recovery Girl came out and healed his fractured ankle as well as bruised and fractured ribs. “How did this happen, Midoriya?” Recovery Girl asked.

“Just some kids at school, they thought they’d take a crack at me today. They like to attack anyone who seems weak so I guess I was their choice today.” Izuku sighed.

“Young Midoriya, is this a regular thing?” All Might looked full of sadness.

Izuku smiled weakly. “I guess, somewhat, still presenting as quirkless has its issues. Though, the past few months haven’t been that bad.”

“That’s good. Midoriya, you can come to us if you need help. Understood?” All Might said.

“Of course!” Izuku looked around awkwardly, he hated feeling useless again.

Katsuki came back to school after a few days and went absolutely ballistic at his groupies. “I’m the only one who can dish out shit on Deku. You got that, you damn extras!?” Katsuki shouted, popping explosions near his group mates.

‘Oh joy.’ Izuku sighed as he resigned to his fate.

After that, Katsuki hadn’t had another absence from school, even if he did seem strained or slightly ill. He had to be there for Izuku’s daily thrashing…well, thrashing is an over exaggeration, it definitely seemed like a one-sided spar instead. Izuku was just happy it was over the day they left school.

“And that is why I think Kacchan should be excused. I hadn’t recognised it back then, and those recordings won’t pick up his behaviour as easily, but he toned himself down and seemed to understand what he was doing.” Izuku explained.

“I have to say, it seemed he was being protective in his own way. Like an animal claiming his prize.” Nezu grinned.

“Nezu please.” Izuku squeaked. “You’ve seen us on the cameras haven’t you?”

“I see all, Izuku. I have to say though, after what you said, he definitely was protecting you in a roundabout way. The other kids harmed you to the point you needed medical aid, whilst he made it look like he was hurting you, but he was trying to keep you from injury.” Nezu said. “As I said, he’d be fine either way.” Nezu knew Bakugo was alright now, his student files detail that he went to an outsourced counselling session, then it changed to anger management and therapy sessions every alternating week. This was a few months after the sludge villain incident. The kid made an effort to improve himself, and Nezu couldn’t be happier.

“What else are we talking about? We have some time left after all.” Izuku smiled, he was relieved after recalling his tale.

“Actually, I’d like to pull you from your maths lesson, I already negotiated it with Ectoplasm and he agreed to pass you the notes and homework. You are excelling in that class after all.” Nezu grinned.

“I am? B-but why?” Izuku was confused at the necessity.

“Because I want us to destroy Aldera and it’s connections together.” Nezu’s grin turned maniacal.

Izuku started blinking in the growing confusion. “You want me to help?” He asked.

“Of course. Two brains are better than one, and I want to see where you end up.” Nezu said. “Okay. So all the files are on the desk, as well as these handwritten statements from Eraserhead and Midnight.” Izuku looked over them, he was disgusted by the insinuation that Aizawa’s statement left.

“They were…scouting for potential soldiers, and Kacchan was their prime target?” Izuku’s breathing intensified, he was angry, more pissed off than he could ever be. “From an outside perspective, the teachers…they fully encourage that powerful, flashy quirks are godly. They make them feel praised, loved, pulling them into their mindset and then…plucking them for their own needs.”

“That’s what I was thinking too.” Nezu growled. Izuku activated High Specs.

“I’m quite glad that I remember my teacher saying no one from Aldera ever made it to UA, I’m not sure about other schools but…they’d have egotistical, powerful students who would spout quirkist nonsense.” Izuku said. “How many have been missed already? How many have escaped the net?” Izuku scanned through the legal documents. “Wait, that’s what they’d want though! The domino effect, they nurture violent or egotistical tendencies, hero schools deny them, kick them out or black list them for their behaviour and then when they’re at their most vulnerable, when they’re hating the current hero schools, the recruiters scoop them up. They’d pamper their ideology, feed them with what they’ve always been told and then…they’d be perfect soldiers.”

“This is unprecedented. If this isn’t the only school chain in effect for this…” Nezu added.

“Then we could have a large group building, all of them set on powerful quirks being rewarded…whilst the weak and quirkless get destroyed.” Izuku glared at the folders. “Who are these assholes who think they can fund and defend this?”

Izuku reads over the law company. It was quite a large law firm, Educational Defence, they take cases that are brought up against schools. Izuku instantly went to research this connection, writing down, detailing and marking all of the schools that are tied to its company. Izuku also pulls up who is funding the school as well as the law firm.

“Okay, first, these are the schools covered by this law firm.” Izuku shows the map to Nezu. “This is where it gets tricky. Aldera is funded by ‘QSS’ also known as ‘Quirk Support Specialists’. They take in support recommendations, in fact I think Kacchan’s gauntlets were designed from there. They also break down quirks and give people the right type of gear. Funnily enough this company is a country-wide business and mainly supplies to schools. The other places it supplies to are quirk gyms or some other design companies.”

“Interesting, so what can you conclude so far?” Nezu clasped his hands together.

“Oh, nothing concrete, I can tell you that. Well, nothing except if I use the coincidental basis that QSS and Educational Defence get most of their funding and help from one shell company, and that company seems to be mostly funded by Detnerat.” Izuku said.

‘Detnerat…if they’re the main cause of this we have a fight ahead of us.’ “Fantastic, keep going.” Nezu smiled.

Izuku uses these connections to form a basic hypothesis, ‘Is Detnerat the main conspirator?’. With this in mind, Izuku follows their donation leads, multiple law companies, multiple faces for support companies, multiple shell companies paying outwards. He thanks the fact that the contributors have to be detailed on company websites, even if it’s the fine print. All of them lead back to one common place, Detnerat, the company owner being one Rikiya Yotsubashi. ‘Yotsubashi, I recognise that name…of course! My research into multiple quirk perspectives…DESTRO. Oh shit.’

‘All-For-One and a descendant of Destro. This world’s still so messed up, how does this go under the government's noses?!’ Yoichi shouted. ‘And now, it’s most likely your problem.’

‘You know, part of me wants the vigilante era back, at least the people wouldn’t be scared shitless to rally against this, or this oblivious in general.’ Second added.

Nana chuckled. ‘For saying you’ll stay quiet until you warmed up to the kid, you really like commenting. How about you two knock it off and perhaps support your nephew?’

‘Wait, are you two actually married?’ Izuku pondered.

‘Considering the circumstances back then, officially nooo~ but we still had our own vows and ceremony so I would say yes~.’ Yoichi said happily.

‘Yoi, cheer the kid up.’ Second said.

‘He was never fond of children, sorry nephew.’ Yoichi said. ‘We’re behind you with whatever happens, but something this scale should land on the adults, not the students. Now inform your stout overlord about the issue.’

‘Of course.’ Izuku mentally replied. “Nezu, we have one large problem.” Izuku continued to stare in horror at what he uncovered.

Nezu knew it wasn’t going to end well, but now he needed to hear the boy out. “What did you discover?”

“All of the shell companies that are funded via Detnerat fund things like support, law offices and representatives, they even made the fucking quirkless shoes under shell names! There’s dozens of schools under their rule. Most of them are obscure and out of the way, small schools, and a majority of kids probably won’t end up with them, but it’s widespread.” Izuku explained. “The owner of Detnerat is Rikiya Yotsubashi, which you may know already, but that family name…I recognised it from my quirk history research, he’s a descendent of Destro! That’s part of their plan, segregate the quirkless with identifiers, since they have a monopoly on quirkless shoes. They want to push the weak out and cause a divide throughout the country. All whilst a new ‘Destro’ comes through.”

“Izuku. This has been more than enough, please, head back to class whilst I start dealing with this. Things like this are delicate, it may take months to unroot them. Currently, this is on a conspiracy basis, but you know as well as I that it is much more than that.” Nezu said. For the first time he was somewhat trembling, and not from excitement. “Go back to Bakugo and ensure each other’s safety and sanity, you understand?”

“G-got it Principal Nezu.” Izuku gulped. “T-they also have a publishing agency with reporters under their umbrella, it’s somewhat popular too, we need to be wary of that.” Izuku stood up and made his way to the door. “Do you want me to tell the others?”

“Just inform Bakugo and your brother, and avoid others if you can.” Nezu said.

Izuku walks off back to class, his heart is heavy with the information he uncovered and he just wants to stick to Katsuki like glue after realising how close Katsuki was to being under an army’s control.

Nezu swiftly sends out an email, an urgent out of hours meeting, the staff were probably getting fed up with them, but it needs to be done. The urgency Nezu put on it is unquestionable, ‘War meeting - Code: RED’

Aizawa was enjoying his 4th cup of coffee when he received the email. Mic was preparing himself to teach class 1-A English by warming up his vocal cords next to Aizawa and was peeking over his shoulder when the message came through.

‘War meeting, not surprised after the Problem Child’s situation.’ Aizawa thought, missing the last bit due to lack of sleep.

“CODE RED?!” Mic screeched.

“Shit. What did they uncover in their meeting?” Aizawa was now very awake and on edge. “A war meeting I understand, but a code red means…”

“An active threat, much higher than we’ve seen.” Mic said.

~~~~~~~~

Izuku sheepishly rejoins his class, he looks more ill than anything. Ectoplasm nods to Izuku with a silent understanding, or well, he thought he understood. Katsuki looks at him with concern and resolves to help by the end of the day. Izuku quietly slips into his seat, brushing off the worried looks he got on the way.

When the day ended, he let everyone filter out without uttering a word. Shoto was still in the room, but he’d settle for telling him about the situation too.

“Izuku. Are you alright?” Katsuki asked.

“No. It’s really bad, they were trying to make you a soldier for a war they’re going to start, Kacchan.” Izuku said, trying to hold back tears.

“What?” Katsuki said quietly.

“I tracked everything back, Detnerat, Japan’s largest lifestyle support provider is the main head of this thing. The owner is a descendant of Destro, I think he wants to revive the MLA…and he wants to wage war to divide the people with strong quirks and those with ‘weak’ quirks or the quirkless.” Izuku could hold back anymore, he started to cry. “I almost lost you to them, Kacchan.” Izuku buried himself in Katsuki’s side, gripping onto him like a lifeline. “They have so many schools under their umbrella, as well as support companies, a publishing company and even…they even made the fucking quirkless shoes and patented them so they have a monopoly on it. That’s why they stand out so much, to make it obvious who to target.” He sobbed.

“What the fuck.” Yuuto was shaking. “What in the actual fuck.”

Shoto looked over, quietly assessing the situation. “The heroes will deal with it, I’m sure.” He finally added.

“Of course they will, All Might will go in there and destroy the bastard!” Katsuki grinned as he rubbed circles into Izuku’s thigh. “I got my head out of my ass, ain’t no chance they’re getting me on their side. As for those damn shoes. Well, yeah quirkless people deserve better, but they really didn’t identify you correctly.” He chuckled.

Izuku smiled slightly. “I guess. Nezu said they have to play it slow, it’s not a matter of going in and messing them up. I-I think they’re actually preparing for the worst. I saw Nezu trembling, it’s that bad.”

“Fucking hell.” Katsuki said, as he started resting his head on Izuku’s. “Don’t worry about it, I’m sure the teachers will deal with it.

“Thank you Kacchan, for calming me down.” Izuku sighed.

“’Course Nerd. I’ve got you.” Katsuki said gently.

The group had to wait until their hero escort was released from their meeting, in this case it was Present Mic. They’d gladly wait until the end of the meeting in a calm silence. Yuuto migrated over to Shoto, talking about the situation quietly and they watched Izuku and Katsuki hold each other tightly. Shoto rubbed his warm hand down Yuuto’s back, aiming to relieve the boy of the leftover tension from Izuku’s announcement. Yuuto relaxes into the touch and rests a hand on Shoto’s hair, looking for permission to pet and play with it. Shoto slowly leans into the touch so Yuuto glides through the red and white hair, which removes all the tension Shoto didn’t know he had. At this moment, the boys were glad to have each other.

~~~~~~~~

Vlad King speaks up first. “What is the meaning of this Nezu? We didn’t even have a code red meeting for All-For-One, what changed?”

“My brain's connections were outmatched. Izuku connected everything so fast, I was unprepared for it.” Nezu said, his voice almost broken.

Aizawa was scared for once, “You were…unprepared and outmatched?” Aizawa decided to file that for later. “Nezu sir. Y-you’re also never visibly afraid, what the hell did he uncover?”

“An MLA resurgence group.” Nezu breathed out.

Cementoss looked horrified. “You mean that MLA, the group who tried to fight for unregulated quirk usage by instigating attacks?”

“Yes Ken, that one.” Nezu took a deep breath. “Izuku quickly made connections from Aldera’s donors and legal representatives to different shell companies mainly funded by Detnerat. These companies are large support and legal companies across the country and they connect to a multitude of schools. They also hold the market for quirkless shoes, it seems like it was a purposeful divide. After dismissing Izuku I checked on every school listed under the donors and each of them has multiple dismissed cases of neglect or discrimination, as well as illegal quirk usage.” Nezu explained.

Aizawa was bubbling with anger, so much so, he lost control of his quirk and was glaring at the monitor displaying the schools. “So, it seems Detnerat is a face for the scum who think they can groom children into being their warriors. When do we take these bastards down, because we can’t allow this to continue!”

“Please, remain calm Shota.” Nezu said.

“Calm?! I overheard them talking about coercing Bakugo, my student, into becoming one of their soldiers?!” Aizawa shouted.

“I know, but we all know he wouldn’t dream of betraying this school or his friends.” Nezu said calmly.

“I mean, are we sure about that? I overheard some angry chatter, and those battle trials-” Kayama was cut off.

“Nemuri, he wouldn’t.” Aizawa said sternly. “I can tell he’s made a lot of progress, plus he’s in a relationship with a reliable kid. If the New MLA think they have a chance with Bakugo they’re wrong.”

“Now that the topic of Bakugo is out of the way. We have to prepare carefully, we’re still taking down Aldera junior high and elementary since we had those targets in our investigation range. However, we need to approach the MLA topic more delicately. We believe the CEO of Detnerat - Rikiya Yotsubashi, is the head of the forces.” Nezu explained.

Ken chimed back in. “Yotsubashi. That’s Destro’s family name, Destro being the leader of the original MLA back then. Great.”

“Exactly, he’s following in the footsteps of his ancestor and we need to be able to plan and stop such an action.” Nezu said. “Detective Tsukauchi, how is it on your end?”

“Honestly, even if the recordings weren’t edited. The remainder of the footage is horrifying, the treatment of Izuku as well as some of the other students who we determine are most likely quirkless. We’re setting up multiple arrests now, every teacher seems complicit, after looking at the data we’ve already determined the test scores are falsified and the recordings, as much as they want to hide, show the teachers being complicit or even encouraging the actions of the students. One particular recording was Izuku defending himself and piecing the different lines of footage together tells us that he was reprimanded for quirkless defence.” Tsukauchi sighed. “I still don’t understand why you’re defending Bakugo though, he seems like Izuku’s largest tormentor.”

Toshinori replies. “Kids grow. He seems like a decent rival now, sure he’s angry and snappy, but he’s actually quite calm in a more domestic setting. I was talking with Izuku when Bakugo came round, dropped food off and they just relaxed for a while. Bakugo casually called him Izuku too, which was intriguing enough.”

Nemuri eyed Shota and gave him a questioning look. ‘For fucks sake.’ Aizawa decided to reply for everyone’s sake. “As much as I don’t like outing people, especially children, in this case it takes precedence. Izuku and Bakugo are a couple, they worked out their differences and would prefer if that could be kept secret for now. The only reason I thought to reveal it was the fact they wanted it to be a challenge for the classes and teachers to figure out, so I don’t think they’d currently mind.”

“Oh.” Is all Tsukauchi could say. “I’ll not involve him then.”

“You should have checked Bakugo’s file. Grrrr.” Inui said. “Grrrr. Everyone should have.”

“That is true, Ryo.” Nezu said. “The boy made an effort to go to anger management and therapy classes. Izuku revealed earlier that Bakugo attacked him to prevent other students from hurting him much worse, he testified that Bakugo hadn’t injured him on purpose for months.”

“That…actually makes sense now, I was wondering why he blew up on the kids grouping up with him, but it did seem that they seriously harmed Izuku whilst any interaction with Bakugo ended with Izuku being relatively unharmed.” Tsukauchi pinched the bridge of his nose. “Okay. We have acquired the warrants and we can roll out soon. We’ll have them all by the end of the day, as well as the closure of the schools.”

“What about connecting the New MLA to those schools, then connecting them to everything else? I know it might take a few weeks or months.” Nezu quizzed the detective.

Tsukauchi grinned. “Every last one is being verified, the bank lines, the calls, we’ve even managed to attach some heroes to Deika city and then plausibly prove that they may be involved. Eraser. Some of the documents you transferred…they had communications between the schools! It backed the theories Nezu sent us. We’re getting warrants for every school and every staff member as we speak, and the higher ups are preparing to go after Detnerat too. We’ll have to chat later as we need to take down Aldera first, but we will need the heroes for when we challenge their authority.”

Nezu’s wide grin appears. “Talk to you later Detective, and those theories weren’t mine, thank Izuku for those.” Tsukauchi went silent before cutting the line. “Step one. Dismantle the New MLA Aldera schools and catch the humans that caused our lovely students pain.” He clasped his hands together. “Step two, we need to start discrediting their ranks. We start with Shoowaysha Publishing, the executive of this company is Chitose Kizuki. I’ve read a few of her articles, it seems on top of jumping on hot topics most of the time, but sometimes she manages to acquire a lot of delicate information and twists things to her articles. One such article targeted a student at Ketsubutsu, Ms. Joke seemed to clear everything up and the outrage was soon forgotten, but it took people a while to warm back up to the child after his debut.”

“Was this article not taken down?” Aizawa asked.

“It was, but I remember it circulating before it was taken down.” Nezu answered. “Unfortunately because it was her first offence she managed to get away with a fine.”

“So we just have to publish something first. When all the schools start getting shut down, we put a damning report out there that her articles seem to target students that graduated from the MLA brainwashing schools, but seemed to be improving in their behaviour.” Aizawa said.

“Bingo. Every targeted piece from her connects to students that were at those schools, with those connections she was granted free access to the school cameras. The MLA school wouldn’t allow that unless they wanted to tarnish the target's reputation and force them back into a more aggressive mindset.” Nezu grinned. “I’ll be honest, when I started this I was more worried, but with Izuku’s mind we managed to convince the police to thoroughly investigate with the utmost urgency. Though, we will have to raid Deika City and I fear how much of that place is actually an army stronghold.”

“It doesn’t matter. We’ll take them all down if we have to.” Aizawa said seriously.

Yamada cracked his knuckles. “No one messes with the little listeners and gets past me.”

“We’ll get them damn bastards.” Snipe said.

“They messed with us, so I’ll spank them all the way to hell.” Nemuri smirked.

‘Not the time.’ Everyone thought.

“Has anyone got anything else to add?” Nezu asked firmly.

“That red haired kid. Did you find them? I told them to email me, but I realised they may be physically unable to.” Aizawa asked.

“Yeah. I had to dig around a bit, actually it was only on the scanned tests because the school refused to acknowledge their chosen name.” Nezu sighed. “They only have the name they gave to themself. Their name is Tarita, I’ll send you their address. That’s all for this meeting, please try to enjoy the rest of your day.”

Everyone started shuffling out, mumbling out the pleasantries whilst also being tired over the situation. “Sho…what are you planning?” Hizashi asked softly. Shota couldn’t avoid him when he was blessed with Hizashi’s soft voice.

“Well, I was going to keep it a secret until it was settled, but I ran across a kid who definitely looked like they wanted to prove they could do something for the world. They’re quirkless so I thought…you know…I could train them?” Shota replied quietly.

“And now that they seem to be lacking a family?” Hizashi said.

Shota choked on his words a few times. “W-what are you implying?”

“Nothing.” Hizashi raised an eyebrow. “I’m just curious.”

“I thought that maybe we could take them in, at least until they’re up on their feet. I’m not sure I trust any school with the safety of a quirkless child after today’s shitshow.” Shota said.

Hizashi chuckled. “Then we go get that child then.” He smiled.

Shota stared silently at his husband. “I love you, you know that? Thanks, ’Zashi.”

“Love you too Sho.” Hizashi stole a quick kiss from Shota.

The pair decide not to separate today, they’ll pick up the squad of kids lingering in the classroom and they’ll detour to the orphanage. Nezu snuck in an emergency order after witnessing the abhorrent treatment the kid received, meaning the kid will be fostered as quickly as possible. For one, Aizawa was happy with the Rat God’s meddling.

The couple split when they reached the car park with the kids, the whole group didn’t say a word the entire time. Katsuki and Izuku refused to part, even in public when they’d usually split. Yuuto and Shoto stuck close to one another, they were sticking as a comfortable presence to each other. Aizawa went off to pick up Tarita, whilst Yamada escorted everyone home.

The kids took no time breaking down to their parents or in Shoto’s case, he just stayed to comfort his friends. The hotel was a mess of tears and worry by the end of it, the kids couldn’t catch one break.

~~~~~~~~

“What the hell is this?” A long nosed man growled at the news report.

~ Aldera Elementary and Junior High schools forcibly closed and all staff arrested due to momentous counts of child neglect, discrimination and illegal quirk usage.~

“It is reported that with the aid of UA’s principal and pro hero, Nezu, that the police obtained and verified that both Aldera Elementary and Junior High were fostering an environment that encouraged children to use their quirks without punishment. It is said that this bred an environment where the more powerful children were assaulting those who they perceived as ‘weak’ and they weren’t reprimanded.” The reporter says.

“We have also taken note that the police report details extensive score tampering, those scores are now being re-written by Nezu and a long list of teachers dedicating their free time to rectifying this horrible discovery.” He sighed. “The real question on everyone’s mind tonight is, ‘are these the only schools doing this?’ and well, we’d hope that answer is no, but we will move onto Detective Tsukauchi’s statement on tonight’s proceedings.”

“’Evening everyone. Our official investigation and report confirms that every staff member of each school committed offences regarding the children in their care. We obtained heavily edited footage, the original footage seems to already be lost. This footage contained students assaulting other students, with teachers turning blind eyes to the assaults. Some teachers would contribute via slyly adding comments to rile up the aggressors. This dilutes down to even the cafeteria staff or counsellors, they’d treat the students they saw as ‘weak’ with disdain.” Tsukauchi took a deep breath.

“We enacted raids on their personal homes due to the severity of the behaviour the adults presented, a commonality was the possession of the ‘Meta Liberation War’ book that has been recently reprinted. With this in mind, we also believe that these schools may not be the only ones set up with this in mind. We are now investigating this at a national level, we at the police department are dedicated to rooting out these perpetrators. We ask parents to look closer at their childrens’ actions as well as those children who are experiencing this type of treatment at school to speak up. Remember, public quirk usage is illegal, that includes in school.” Tsukauchi said. “Thank you all for your time.”

“Yotsubashi sir. What are we going to do about this? I can’t cover up a nationwide news story like this!” A long black haired man panicked.

Yotsubashi growled. “Damn brats, it had to have been the kid at UA.”

“There’s two there sir.”

“You inform me of this now, Skeptic?” Yotsubashi seethed.

Skeptic shook his head. “He wasn’t on our radar sir, he was registered as quirkless until his final year of Junior high, I’d assume no one took notice of him after the quirkless marker.”

“Of course.” The big boss pinched the bridge of his nose. “Who is this other child then? Not that it matters since we have to play defence right now.”

“Izuku Midoriya. He was Katsuki Bakugo’s play thing throughout school, he must of informed the teachers of his treatment, but interestingly enough Bakugo is still attending the school.” Skeptic revealed.

“New school, new start I would guess. Skeptic, get Curious to write a piece about the Bakugo boy and hold it for when we can strike. He’ll need to be vulnerable and judged by society since he’s housed by UA.” Yotsubashi wears a massive grin, he thinks he has the perfect counter strike, but little does he know, everyone else is ahead.

Chapter Text

Aizawa rolls up to the orphanage and sighs, he hopes he can find the kid before anything else happens today.

He rocks up to the kind looking receptionist. “Hello.”

“Welcome sir, what’s your business with us today?” She asked with some pep in her speech.

“An emergency fostering notice, UA as well as the authorities have formally granted us an order to pull a student out for fostering.” Aizawa explained.

The receptionist looks surprised and a little confused. “Ah well, who are you looking for?”

“Tarita, they are a student at Aldera Junior High, if that helps.” Aizawa said.

She ‘hmm’s as she looks over the records. “No Tarita here. Sorry.”

Aizawa grit his teeth as he passed her the order. “Red hair, golden eyes.”

“Oh her. ” The woman’s tone shifted and Aizawa couldn’t hate it or her any more if he tried. “I don’t know why you’d want to foster someone like that.” Aizawa picked up her whisper.

“And you don’t need to know why, but they are being placed in our care.” Aizawa said, biting back any unpleasantries he would love to shout at the woman.

After a short while, the woman comes back with Tarita in tow, the child is carrying a suitcase and a large carry bag. “Eraserhead?” They frowned in thought.

“Just Aizawa today kid.” Aizawa said. “I’m not on the job now.”

“Okay Aizawa.” They sighed. “What’s going on?”

“Well, multiple things. I realised that you may not actually have access to the resources to message me, and since things are going to be messy for a while it may be the best idea to…” He coughs into his fist. “It may be best if I foster you.” He said.

The kid blinked away the confusion. “Wait. For real! THE Eraserhead wants to take me in?” The receptionist is speechless, out of everyone she wonders why this hero was adopting a ‘quirkless freak’ as she’d call them.

“Dammit kid, you don’t need to announce it to the world.” Aizawa chuckled. “Are-are those all of your belongings?”

“Yeah. A lot of my stuff uh…doesn’t survive here.” They admitted.

Aizawa glares at the staff. Perhaps there’s another place to burn to the ground. “Alright, well. Let’s get to my car and we can discuss everything later. Okay?”

“Okay!” They were basically bouncing with energy.

The journey to the car was quiet, but was energy charged. Tarita was happy, but part of them was waiting for the catch, for the penny to drop but it never came. “You alright kid?”

“Part of me doesn’t believe this is real. Going back with my number one hero and all.” Tarita said.

“Well, get used to it. Due to the circumstances I’m dragging you into some classes so you can observe how they fight.” Aizawa said.

“That sounds awesome! I do know how to fight, at least a little. My upperclassmen tried to teach me, but it wasn’t easy when the teachers blocked it and well…I had to be back on time or else I wouldn’t have dinner.” They said sadly.

‘Upperclassmen?’ The pair entered the car, Tarita placed their belongings on the backseat of the car. “Do you have anything you enjoy? We could help you buy things if you need resources or memberships.” Aizawa said.

Tarita thought about it for a minute, then spoke. “I loved nerding out in our little trio, well, one of them was quietly observing. He was relaxed like that, but my other friend, he’s like me, or was. I haven’t done it much because others find it creepy, but we analysed quirks!”

Aizawa felt a headache coming on. ‘Please don’t be them.’ “Are they by any chance, Izuku and Nakamura?” 

They gasped happily. “You know them?”

Aizawa wanted to sigh. “Yes, I’m their homeroom teacher.” He felt like the universe really loved playing games with him. “Just like them, you get the title of ‘Problem Child’, congrats.” Aizawa said.

“What did I do?” They sounded offended.

“You nerd out with them, that’s enough.” Aizawa chuckled slightly. “I bet they’ll be happy to see you tomorrow, because let me be clear, I’m not letting you out of my sight until you’re signed up to online classes.”

“What about my current school?” They asked.

Aizawa turned on the radio, with the public announcement that the Aldera schools were being closed down immediately. “My job is complete.” Aizawa smirked.

“I-You. You got Aldera closed down?!” They screeched.

“Partially, yes. And it’s all a mess, but just so you know, you didn’t deserve the treatment they allowed you and multiple others to go through. They caused issues and now they’re paying for it.” Aizawa explained. “So, online school makes more sense, and we can tailor the work around a training schedule. If you’re even a tenth as smart as Izuku, I think you’d breeze by, but part of me thinks you’re closer to his level than I’d like.”

“Wouldn’t know, my scores were tampered with.” They chuckled painfully.

“We’ll be fixing that. Oh, I have to warn you, when we arrive, we have a few cats so be careful not to trip over the bastards, they love to demand attention.” Aizawa said.

Tarita smiled brightly. “Cats! I’ve only been to a cat cafe once, so I’ve barely been around them. I can’t wait to meet them.”

‘This kid’s as bright as Izuku, I know how to pick them.’ Aizawa smiles softly. “Alright, we’re almost home.” 

Tarita’s excitement bubbles up from there, they cannot wait to move on from the hellholes they were in.

~~~~~~~~

Yamada and the boys end up back at their hotel, the car ride was quiet as well, which was understandable, given the circumstances. “Boys, I’m not going to say everything’s okay. I can tell that being all smiles and such isn’t going to help here. However, I would like to say that we’re much more ahead than we thought we’d be.” 

Izuku frowned. “Nezu said it could take months.”

“We have you to thank for that. Your analysis provided all the suspicions the police needed to roll out a large scale investigation. Rest assured, it may not even be months.” Yamada said.

“What about Deika? I left notes for Nezu, but it’s plausible the whole city is an army camp considering they probably have an army.” Izuku asked.

“That is for us, the pro heroes and the authorities, to deal with and for you to not worry about.” Yamada said. “S-Aizawa will probably bring this up later, but your analysis skills are quite amazing. Regardless of what people have told you about it, you should keep to the habit of reliably breaking down scenarios and stuff, it can save you in the field.”

“I-I will, thank you Mr. Yamada.” Izuku teared up slightly.

“Be proud Nerd, you helped solve this mess!” Katsuki held him tighter as they started to walk through the door. “And I’m sorry for shitting on your analysis...it was always impressive.” He whispered. Izuku whimpered as he tightly gripped Katsuki.

“My baby! The school called and told us how well you did!” Inko shouted as he barreled over to Izuku, Katsuki briefly let him go so that Inko could hug her son. “I’m so proud of you.”

‘We’re proud of you too, Izuku. Even if Mr. Grumpy in here doesn’t want to admit it.’ Yoichi chuckled and then sounded like he was in pain. Wait, pain?

‘Can you guys actually hurt each other?’ Izuku didn’t think the vestiges could do that, but if they could…

‘Yes, apparently. I, uh, think it’s why my brother mentally cornered off vestiges. And before you ask, I remember a brief amount from the quirk that merged with mine.’ Yoichi supplied. ‘Also, I don’t believe I had any attitude changes, I also only remember the quirk’s time as a vestige.’ 

‘Got it. Mental note, put vestiges in timeout if they’re fighting.’ Izuku giggled.

“What’s got you giggling?” Mitsuki asked. Ah right, Katsuki's parents are here too.

“Uh. You were then when the ‘OFA’ talk happened. It’s just ‘ghost’ talk?” Izuku chuckled awkwardly.

“Aizawa explained the situation to me, All Might forgot to lay the rules to him so he told me and was ‘if he didn’t want me to tell anyone, he should have reminded everyone to keep it to themselves.’” Yamada said.

‘Definitely married then, I thought Aizawa was acting weird around Mic.’ “Since All Might’s quirk was originally my uncle’s, he was just talking about how proud he and the other ‘ghosts’ were as well. Then he got grumpily punched by one who’s not so expressive, so I made a joke, whilst giggling.” Izuku explained. “He’s been quite kind and caring after a lot of the recent situations.” He smiled

“Your late uncle sounds like a good man.” Inko said. “Look after my son, and your nephew! They can hear me right?” She asked.

‘We will!’ Yoichi answered.

“Yes, they can. He said they would.” Izuku replied.

“Good. Now, we have some food waiting for us. Thank you for bringing them back Mr. Yamada.” Inko said cheerily.

“No problem, Miss Inko. I also have to head home, it seems my roommate has adopted another stray.” Yamada chuckled.

‘Roommate.’ Izuku chuckled.

Everyone says their goodbyes to the teacher whilst the food is dished out by Mitsuki and Masaru. The night lightens up as the kids watch the news, Aldera is struck down whilst the police are following the leads Izuku set up for them. Eventually as the night grows old, Izuku and Katsuki cuddle up on the sofa in the main room, whilst Shoto and Yuuto retreat to their room. Katsuki and Izuku eventually fall asleep, with Izuku’s head resting on Katsuki’s shoulder. Their parents didn’t have the heart to wake them, so they lightly placed a blanket over them and retreated to their own rooms for the night. 

~~~~~~~~

Upon arriving home Mic stumbles in to lock eyes with their new guest. “Your husband is Present Mic?!” Tarita screeched.

Mic laughed. “It gets them every time. So, how about you introduce yourself, Little Listener.”

“Ah right, of course!” They cleared their throat. “I am Tarita and I go by they/them, present more masc, and sometimes on more masc days I will probably go by he/him.”

“Good to meet you Tarita, so what kind of day is it?” Yamada asked casually.

“They/them.” They answered.

“Gotcha. So, Sho, have you shown our newest stray to their room yet?” 

“We actually just got back too.” Aizawa said, as he started taking note of the cats swarming the kid. “The ginger one is Garfield.”

Tarita snickered. “Garfield?”

“Yeah. He’s a lazy shit who I found chomping on thrown out lasagna.” Aizawa smirked.

They laughed. “Fitting. And the white one?”

Yamada chuckled. “He’s called Bastard.”

“What’d he do to earn that name, he seems so cuddly?” They asked, leaning down to pet the white fluffball. Bastard leaned into the warm touch and lightly purred. “Yeah, can’t see it.”

“When I first met him and tried to help him, the bastard clawed my arm.” Aizawa said bluntly.

“To be fair, he clawed me too when he first got here.” Yamada said. “Bastard fit at the time, cuz he was one.” 

“Now that we’re all introduced, your room is this one.” Aizawa said, leading them to the door.

The room was generic and quite bland, but it was spacious enough to be a decent room for someone to actually relax in. “It’s so big!”

“So here’s the part where I’d say we could lighten up the place, but we’re moving onto the UA campus soon. If you want, we could go out, find things you like and then we could design a whole new room.” Yamada said.

“That. Sounds. Amazing! I-I didn’t think I’d even have this opportunity. First being taken in by not just one, but two pro heroes. Both are UA teachers and now I’m moving on site.” Tarita started short circuiting. “I-I need some time to process this and unpack.” 

“Take all the time you need.” Yamada smiled brightly as Tarita closed their room door and started setting up their things.

“It’s going to be a mess.” Aizawa said.

“Why?”

“Because, you know how I said I was bringing them to classes and such?” Aizawa sighed.

“Yeah?” 

“They are like Izuku, but they somehow have the stubborn confidence to add to their brain.” Aizawa said. “Actually, I guess it’d be like adding Izuku and Nakamura together…and that actually makes sense. They’re friends apparently.”

Yamada chuckled. “You just had to pick the one kid that Izuku would vibe with, didn't you?”

“Yep, ’Zashi, I did.” He chuckled.

The night divulged into hobbies and general likes and dislikes, whether it be food, music, clothing, it didn’t matter as long as it made the kid comfortable. A lot of it started to revolve around hero work and that was a topic they could easily talk about.

~~~~~~~~

Aizawa brings the squad of boys in from their hotel, nothing new to the schedule, whilst Yamada secretly sneaks Tarita in before everyone else notices and leaves them at the door.

“Morning class.” Aizawa said.

“Morning Mr. Aizawa.” came the cacophony of replies.

“I know it’s been a turbulent few days for some of you and it could possibly get harsher for a while. That being said, we’re going to guide you all through it and continue our work here as usual. Moving on, we’re going to be having a visitor in class whilst I sort out their school stuff and training schedule.” Aizawa announced.

“Visitor?” Mina looked intrigued.

“Sorting out school stuff? And a training schedule?” Yuuto thought out loud. “Does that mean they’ll train with us after school?”

“For the sake of convenience. Yes, Nakamura.” Aizawa said. “Now quiet down. Come on in.” Aizawa smirked.

Tarita walked through the door, they were wearing casual clothing - a purple hoodie and jeans to be precise, with their signature quirkless shoes sticking out as usual.

“Tarita?!” Izuku and Yuuto shout in unison.

“Yo. Nice to see you again, Izuku, Yuuto.” Tarita smiled.

“Who’s this fucker?” Katsuki asked, looking genuinely confused.

“You forgot me already? So not cool Bakugo.” Tarita teased.

Katsuki glared at them. “Guess you weren’t important enough to remember.” He shuddered as he felt a deadly glare coming from behind him as well as from the side.

“Kacchan. Be nice.” Izuku said in an icy tone. Katsuki gulps.

“Introduce yourself properly, kid.” Aizawa said, almost sounding bored.

“Hello, I’m Tarita, and I go by they/them! Well most of the time, I’ll tell you when I’m having more of a ‘guy’ day.” Tarita said.

“Thank you Tarita. Now does anyone have any questions?” Aizawa asked.

“I don’t know if this is rude or not, but what’s your quirk?” Momo asked.

Tarita scratched the back of their head, Izuku and Yuuto started sweating from the awkwardness. “I’d ask if my shoes gave you a hint, but Izuku decided to break the norm with that one.” They chuckled. “I’m quirkless, hence the shoes.”

“Oh, I’m sorry to have put you on the spot like that.” Momo said ashamedly.

Tarita started waving their hands in a dismissing motion. “It’s not a big deal, I’m okay with it. It’s just that some people weren’t.” A cold glare made its way over to Katsuki.

“Tarita.” Izuku said sternly. “He’s come a long way from back then. Right Kacchan?”

Katsuki huffed. “Sorry for being such a dick in Junior High, Tarita.”

They stared in shock until a few blinks came in. “I was not expecting a sorry out of your mouth. Guess that’s a start then.” They chuckled.

“Tarita, Mr. Aizawa said he’s giving you a training schedule, what’s your goal in life?” Denki asked.

“Uhhh. Well, when it was Izuku, Yuuto and I, I wanted to be a quirkless hero like Izuku. Now I want to be the first quirkless hero, considering Izuku figured out his quirk.” Tarita said.

“So manly!” Eijiro beamed a massive smile.

“He calls everyone manly depending on what they say or do.” Yuuto explained quickly.

“Thanks.” Tarita beamed a smile back.

“Those noodle arms ain’t getting you anywhere. The Mummy best get you in shape.” Katsuki said bluntly.

“Well sorry Bakugo, I didn’t get much in the way of support for hero shit. Fucking Pomeranian.” Tarita glared at him.

“Whoa. They’re standing up to Bakugo, I like them.” Ochako smirked.

“Kacchan wasn’t saying it to be mean…” Izuku trailed off.

Aizawa was standing there, trying to compute the personality of the child he decided to train. They had Izuku’s intellect and kindness, Nakamura’s confidence and Bakugo’s snappy anger is sprinkled in, all rolled into one child. “Enough! I see this has derailed a little too far. Anyways, for now, Tarita will observe a few classes and will also be allowed to spar with a few of you to gauge their fighting capability. If they want to participate, of course.”

“Isn’t that a little harsh?” Hanta said.

Izuku chuckled. “Nah, we taught them a few things when we could. It wasn’t a lot though.” 

The rest of the time zoomed by, some of the spars were one sided to say the least, but to Aizawa’s delight they managed to hold their own for a while. Koda unfortunately lost, considering he wasn’t as adept and hand-to-hand combat and there were no animals around, but that just gave Koda a new thing to work on. Sero had his tape used against himself and was captured. Hagakure also fell short on combat capability.

“I see we need to up the close combat lessons, we’ll have to debate shaking up the heroics lessons.” Aizawa grinned. “Well done class, and well done Tarita. You did better than I expected since you said you didn’t know a lot.”

“You don’t get bullied in school without picking up a few things. Izuku may have let things slide, but I fought my way out of shit.” They replied. “You did, however, catch me in a bind because of that kid's quirk. Damn lasers.”

“Yeah, that was a bad matchup.” Aizawa said. 

The rest of the day went by quickly, any of Aizawa’s other students quizzed Tarita and were observed and somewhat analysed. Tarita was happier than they had been in a while, being supported and understood by everyone was a relief for once. Yes, they had a few understanding friends, but they needed that environment itself.

~~~~~~~~

The internships came around quickly, many students were at the station waiting on their respective trains to take them on their way. Tarita was set up onto online courses, so they weren’t there to see them off. Aizawa was supervising this group as there were too many to leave around town. Yuuto and Hitoshi are waiting by his side as they are under his supervision now. Iida is trying to isolate himself, with a face that radiates a similar one to Endeavour’s when murder crossed the man’s mind.

“Iida, I…I know that face.” Yuuto said. “I-If you want to talk, please, I don’t want to see you try and murder someone or even worse, find out you got yourself killed, because of what happened. Society is cruel, but we need to do things properly.”

“Nakamura…” Iida looks into the pleading eyes of Yuuto, the pain he can see hidden behind the glassy silver eyes. “We’re going to rise to the top, yes? Then we will take down all the villains we can to make society better, whilst staying alive .” Iida’s face relaxed a little, which relieved Yuuto slightly, but he can still see the face of vengeance within Iida, he’ll probably still go after Stain.

“You make sure you stay safe. Okay?” Izuku said to Iida whilst hugging Yuuto from behind.

“I will try to, Izuku, thank you all for seeing me off.” Tenya said as he walked to his train.

Yuuto reasserts himself next to Aizawa and Hitoshi. “He’s most likely going to go after Stain. I can tell after what happened with Endeavour.” Yuuto said bluntly.

“What happened with Endeavour?” Hitoshi asked.

Shoto was listening in, he was trying to keep his distance but he wanted to answer. “Endeavour was causing me harm, so Izuku and Yuuto rescued me. However, in doing so they got a murderous Endeavour chasing them down.”

“Shoto, you didn’t have to-” Yuuto was cut off.

“I want to. You saved me after all, and gave me a meaningful hero name other than ‘Shoto’.” Shoto said in his usual tone. Yuuto chuckled at the thought of ‘Shoto’ being a hero name. 

Hitsohi looked mortified. “He…” The mortification turned into anger. “He’s supposed to be a hero and he acted like that to you, his son, and to other people. I’m sorry you had to go through that.” 

“My friends have my back, that’s all that’s important to me.” Shoto said with a brief smile.

“Shoto! Our train’s coming, we’ve got to go!” Izuku shouted from across the lobby, Gran Torino agreed to take the kid in too, in fact he was a little dubious as to why a Todoroki would want to intern under him until he got informed about the circumstances. 

“I hope it goes well, Shoto.” Yuuto waved the boy off.

“The same goes for you, Yuuto.” Shoto said as he walked off with Izuku.

~~~~~~~~

<Aizawa’s group>

“Now that everyone has left, I have taken it upon myself to assign us to a Hosu patrol squad. If it were just me, I’d have called Manual to keep an eye on Iida, but I need to do something useful with you two.” Aizawa said it like it was a chore, but really he was relieved he could educate two of his students whilst looking out for a third.

“Are we sure that’s wise? I know we should keep an eye on Iida, but if we come across Stain-” Yuuto was anxious, and rightfully so.

“We will be tailing Manual and Iida, patrol groups will be shadowing other patrol groups to ensure everyone turns up on time and unharmed. There will also be a group shadowing us, if that helps.” Aizawa explained the situation clearly, so Yuuto can relax. “You want to be a hero right? You can’t be afraid forever, and I know you’re trying since trauma is hard, but all we can do is do our best regardless of what’s going on at the moment.”

“Thank you Mr. Aizawa. I needed to hear that.” Yuuto breathed out a heavy breath.

“No problem Subliminal, remember to call me Eraser or Eraserhead on the job.” Aizawa smiled into his scarf.

“Of course Eraserhead.” Yuuto smirked.

“To be fair, we have two strong quirks on top of Eraser’s. Not to mention, yours can’t be stopped, Subliminal.” Hitoshi quickly pointed out.

“Good point. We are quite the combination, Mystique, we should be fine.” Yuuto smiled. Hitoshi chose his name based off of his support item, he could essentially sound like anyone through his voice filter. Plus the name throws anyone off of his actual quirk and misdirection is good in his case.

Aizawa starts walking them back to his residence to get set up, “First thing about underground heroes is obviously the necessity for anonymity. Unfortunately, pink and purple hair is a massive flag, so if you go on any undercover missions dyeing your hair is the first thing you’d need to do.”

“Nooooo.” Yuuto messes with the strands of his hair that still dangle to the sides of his face. He pouts.

“You’ll get used to it, but you will definitely need to take care of your hair since temp dyes will cause a lot of issues.” Aizawa replied.

“Still, the effort we have to put in is so different from regular heroes. I wish I could be like that, but helping people comes first.” Hitoshi said, also fretting about his hair.

“Yes, being an underground hero is a lot of work, being undercover can be a long and arduous task and you need to be ready to slip in and out of character. You have to be rational and plan many steps ahead, even…even if you see people suffering you need to think about the steps to success and make tough choices.” Aizawa explained.

“L-like…letting a victim go until you can actually save them?” Yuuto questioned the man.

“Unfortunately, that’s the reality of things. If you can’t see a way out for you and those you want to protect then you have to take your time to make one.” Aizawa sighed. “I have my fair share of memories that I really want to forget, but I don’t regret them as they lead to me helping in the best way possible. There are some where the inevitable happens, we can’t save everyone, but we do our best.” The man smiles at the pair, they seem to have understood the gravity of things considering he can see the fire building in their eyes.

<Gran Torino’s residence>

“Uh. Are you sure this is the right place, it looks so…” Shoto commented.

“Abandoned? Yeah. It is the right place, perhaps he’s just staying in an unsuspecting place.” Izuku pondered.

‘That sounds like him. He never was the type of person who liked a lot of attention.’ Nana said. Izuku chucked. “Nana even agrees that he’s probably here.”

Izuku knocks on the door and lets him and Shoto in, they are met to the sight of what seems to be a dead Gran Torino. Izuku starts panicking whilst Shoto looks with curiosity. “Are those sausages?”

“Eh?!” Izuku flinches with shock until he does a double take. “They…are. Sir, are you messing with us?”

“Oh, me?” The man asks. “No, I just tripped up and dropped my lunch and spilled my ketchup.” He said teasingly. “So, who may you two be?”

“Izuku.”

“Shoto.”

“Who?” 

“Izuku!” He raised his voice slightly in case the man had slight hearing problems.

“Toshinori?”

Shoto contemplated the meaning of the question, considering the man already tested them with the whole scene down there. “Ice Phoenix.”

“Nice to meet you, Ice Phoenix.” Gran Torino smirked, the kid figured him out a little earlier than he planned, he wanted his bit to go on.

“I’m Genome.” Izuku smiled.

“Nice to meet you too, Genome. All Might told me a lot about you two.” Gran Torino said. “Though he was definitely holding some information out.”

“Yeah, that’d be mainly my fault. I would like to tell you a little about that.” Izuku stiffened a little.

“Not good news huh. I can tell by your posture you’re ready for some backlash.” Gran Torino shook his head. “Don’t be worried on my account.”

‘Can you tell Sorahiko I send him my regards and that I hope he's well.’ Nana asked.

‘Of course.’ Izuku smiled. “Nana sends you her regards and hopes you have been well, Sorahiko.”

The man sputtered. “What?”

“The previous users are all freely roaming in my brain, I hope All Might told you Shoto knew about One-For-All already.” Izuku nervously chuckled.

“He did, but he didn’t tell you that my friend was wandering in there. I’ve been doing well though Nana, to answer your question.” Torino said. The kid had to have been genuine considering he doesn’t tell people his name.

“Did All Might tell you who my father is?” Izuku asked seriously.

“No? Should he have?” Torino asked.

Izuku sighed, this isn’t going to be pretty. “Okay, so you know how my quirk works right?” .

“Yeah, you can manifest quirks you’ve come in contact with using your quirk.” Torino said.

“Yeah. Well…uhm…It’s really quite horrible, but the best explanation is show and tell so I’ll just show you my father’s quirk. I just need you to know, I found this out just before the Sports Festival because the vestiges can see the quirks and describe them and stuff.” Izuku said manifesting AFO.

“That’s your father’s quirk?! Toshinori should have warned me!” He grumbled about softening a blow. “What an irony, he’s the worst villain out there, but I’ve been told you’ve got the spirit and potential to be the best hero out there. I expect you to do your best in our training, the both of you. Blood family isn’t important, it’s the people you hold close, if that includes some family that’s fine too.” Torino said. “Well, I need to see how much both of you can do. However, you-” He points at Izuku. “-you’re gonna be a pain to gauge.” He sighs. “Get your costumes on since they’re made for your quirks, I know they’re quite strong.”

Izuku manifests a few quirks such as Wings, Erasure, Rock Armour. He also turns on Lie Detector with the excuse of ‘why not?’ He already had Battle Senses, Super Regeneration and Shock Absorption on in case of incidents. “You wanted to see these kinds of quirks orrrr?”

“Yeah kid, what’s your current limit with using all of these at the same time?” Torino asked.

“Hmm, well I already had three active and I manifested four more. I used twelve at the sports festival, technically though, I only manifested Shoto’s ice, I did not change my left side.” Izuku grinned.

“How is that possible?” Shoto looked confused, he thought Izuku was only copying quirks.

“I figured out that I can manipulate the genetics of certain areas, so I controlled the change to my right side and made it so I was cold and heat resistant everywhere. Watch.” Izuku said as he shifted his left eye back to normal. “My left eye should be normal whilst my right still has Aizawa’s Erasure affecting it, right?”

Gran Torino whistles. “Impressive quirk control kid, I think you can probably mess with the properties of the quirks themselves too. If you can separate Ice Phoenix’s ice and fire, and isolate the resistances I fear to think what other things you can do.”

“Oh my, perhaps I can combine the effects of one quirk with the properties of another. Oh, I wanted to test Erasure with OFA actually, I want to see how it amplifies it, if it does at all.” Izuku was bouncing full of ideas.

“Try it, that’s the best way to test it.” Gran Torini smiles, Toshinori couldn’t have picked a more fitting successor, the kids smart, powerful, but most of all positive and bright.

Izuku reactivates Erasure in his left eye and combines it with OFA, he activates it, but doesn’t look at anyone. “Try and activate your quirks.”

“But you’re not looking at us.” Shoto pointed out.

“Enlighten me.” Izuku wants to test parameters, will it still be line of sight, will it disable quirks on a timer, will it reverse heteromorphic quirks.

“My ice and fire…it’s weaker.” Shoto says, basically emitting a fog machine’s worth of ice and frost and a holding a small fire.

“Hmm, I can’t bounce around, I basically jet off a small distance.” Torino stated.

“I’m going to turn it off now.” Izuku turns off Erasure and looks back at the pair. “Are your quirks still weakened?” Ice and fire take over the atmosphere, the answer to that question is no. “Nope.”

“That is a strong power up, but only if you’re working solo else your team would get hit.” Gran Torino pointed out.

“Yeah, can I test looking at you now? I want to see how strong the line of sight is if it changes at all.” Izuku smiles.

The man sighs, “Go ahead.”

Izuku activates OFA and Erasure and stares at the pair, they can’t activate their quirks obviously. “Do you feel any side effects?”

“No, I just can’t use my quirk.” Shoto said.

“Nothing for me either.” Gran Torino shrugged.

Izuku turns it back off and sighs. “Well, one last thing, try and use your quirks again.”

Shoto tries and nothing comes out. “Huh? I still can’t use my quirk.”

It takes a whole minute until they can use their quirks again. They’re relieved it wasn’t much longer because that could have disrupted things. “Well, I’m glad it didn’t last that long. I also want to test it on someone with a mutant quirk.”

“You want to see if it reverses transformative quirks. If it does, no one’s safe from you and that is dangerous for a lot of people. I have to say in all honesty, you have an unrivalled number one potential. Erasure already puts most people at a disadvantage, add on the fact you can use quirks and they can’t, plus if you boost Erasure, no one around you can actually use their quirk at max power around you.” Gran Torino shuddered. “Kid. Be the best hero out there.” He smirked. “Now, Shoto, I assume you need to work on your fire right?”

Shoto nods looking at his left hand. 

“Okay. Izuku, release all the other unnecessary quirks and use his quirk and see if you can get a handle on it too. Your mind finds ways of doing things differently after all.” Gran Torino said.

So Izuku deactivates everything but Super Regeneration, Shock Absorption and Battle senses and activates Half-Cold Half-Hot. Izuku tries controlling the flames, the intensity needs to come first, it comes as second nature when he’s used to pushing out other quirks like Air Waves, which he usually neglects to use since they’re too weak without One-For-All or when pushing out Rock Armour in a concentrate. “Alright, it’s similar to controlling some of my other quirks that can be emitted. Shoto, try to feel your quirk flowing through you, imagine it like turning a tap on and off slowly, letting the power flow through and recede.”

“Interesting comparison, I can try.” Shoto tries many times, each time getting slowly better when releasing his flames. Every time he uses it, the flames burst out from under his control, but each time he gets further along in opening that tap.

“You’re getting it pretty quickly Shoto, it took me ages to control quirks this way.” Izuku beamed a massive smile as he fired out flames like a small flamethrower.

“I have a good teacher, and thank you Gran Torino for the suggestion.” Shoto smiles softly.

“Eh, you two are doing all the work.” Torino waved off the praise.

Izuku tried to intensify the flames this time, he started pressurising the flames so much that they started turning blue. He had to release the flames instantly and hisses in pain. “Fuck!” Izuku shouted. “Sorry for my language, I pushed the fire’s intensity so much that they turned blue and burnt me.” He stares at his hand as the regeneration heals the skin back to normality.

“I remember Endeavour saying to never use blue flames unless absolutely necessary, the backlash is problematic.” Shoto said bluntly.

“I appreciate the warning.” Izuku said sarcastically as he chuckled.

“I didn’t think you’d try to test the fire resistance that much.” Shoto shook his head at Izuku’s foolishness.

Izuku agreed and decided to just try creating fireballs or directing it properly. He also started practising the ice. Unlike the fire, the ice was harder as it seemed to be an extension of himself and his intentions, he hadn’t had a quirk like this before. The question is, could the fire also act the same? He assumes Decay could be similar, but that could be too destructive to even test. 

‘Warning about that Decay quirk nephew, it was awakened, but I guess that man had locked it behind trauma or something.’ Yoichi warned Izuku.

‘Wait what?’ Izuku was baffled.

‘It seemed he awakened it as a child accidentally, that’s the only view we can see anyways. It’s much more deadly than thought, the decay isn’t 5-point anymore AND it can pass decay through other things.’ He explained.

‘Thank you for that warning - if ever in an emotionally charged situation keep decay locked away.’ Izuku smiled.

“Kid, what are you doing staring at the wall? You can keep going!” Gran Torino slammed into Izuku for the mental chat he had.

“Oww. Even with shock absorption that hurts. I was talking to my uncle about a potentially dangerous quirk I have, sorry.” Izuku pouted.

“Uncle? Oh. Of course.” Torino shook his head.

“That’s three for three of us questioning the uncle thing then going ‘oh’” Izuku broke into laughter. Torino scowled at him to get the training back on track. “S-sorry sir.” He started training with ice again.

“I can try and help with the ice, like you helped with my fire.” Shoto said dancing smaller controlled flames around the training area. He somehow managed to perfect his natural intensity control in hours, then again his father probably did teach him a little, this was just recalling some of those forgotten feelings. “You have to feel the ice flow out precisely, micro releases of ice in different directions so it doesn’t build up in the places you want to avoid. It is not easy.” Shoto displays this using his hand as guidance, showing how the ice follows its direction. “You want to do that, but without moving, it's much more complicated so I’d suggest hand or foot movements when creating it.”

“Thank you Sho!” Izuku smiled wide at the boy. “It’s okay if I call you Sho, right?”

Shoto didn’t know what to think about the more endearing version of his name, on the one hand it’s much much nicer to hear than the reminder of ‘SHOTO!’ that Endeavour would boom out, on the other the way he’s addressed feels weird. “I’m not sure. You can use it for now, but I may change my mind later.”

“Okay Sho. Just let me know if it does make you feel uncomfortable.” Izuku said softly, ensuring Shoto knows he’s understanding his thoughts and will stick with whatever he wants.

The next few nights go by, Izuku has decent control over ice and fire now, they were definitely more fluid with his usagage and intentions. Shoto has improved a lot more than expected, but it was down to him unfortunately combining it with teachings he’d rather not use, but they’re much better to use to ensure people live. They spar with each other and Gran Torino to make sure their skills are on par with what they should be, Izuku’s way too versatile and can defeat them without much effort. Shoto can keep up with Torino whilst in a quirkless fight can stay on a decent level with Izuku

“Boys, we’re going out to beat up some villains. If we keep sparring we’ll get some bad habits, so we’ll be heading out to Shibuya.” Gran Torino announced, causing excitement to flicker between Izuku and Shoto.

<Aizawa’s group>

Once they changed into their costumes, the group started following their assigned patrol route. They’ve stalked Manual and Iida’s patrol route like hunters stalking prey. They’ve analysed every alleyway that could potentially be secluded enough for Stain to attack another hero, marking every corner that Iida could slip away and duck into the alleys. Honestly, Aizawa’s tempted to add Iida onto his problem child list at this rate.

“Okay, it’s the usual patrol, remember, if you see anything that seems off, anything at all, mention it.” Aizawa said.

“Of course, Eraserhead.” Both Yuuto and Hitoshi say.

“Have you gotten rid of your mask, Subliminal?” Hitoshi asked.

“It felt constricting, and stupid for what I designed it for.” Yuuto chuckled.

“Focus.” Aizawa said, leading them further down their route.

<League of Villain’s Hideout>

Tomura and Kurogiri had gotten themselves into a situation, they thought that with Stain’s ideals that he’d be a good addition to the League. They somehow ignored the fact that he likes ‘true’ heroes and hates those who perceives as false heroes. They’re currently paralysed by Stains quirk, blades embedded in Tomura’s shoulders.

Stain talks about his convictions whilst trying to get Tomura’s intentions, that being just causing complete chaos and destruction, starting with the death of All Might. He denies joining them based on their opposing ideologies and will go back to his business.

The static of a TV starts crackling as Kurogiri warps Stain away. “Tomura, keep an eye out at Hosu. I would dislike any harm coming to my son if he turns up, but if he is there and you or the Nomu can get a hold of him, that would be most beneficial.”

“Of course Master, I’ll try to capture my shitty hero of a brother if he’s around.” Tomura grinned, following through the portal with Kurogiri.

<Gran Torino’s group>

“It’s gonna be pretty late when we get to Shibuya, are you sure this is the best time to go out?” Izuku questions the timing, since they’ve been training all day and they won’t get back until very late.

“Night time is the best time for a skirmish.” Torino pointed out.

“Ah, makes sense.” Izuku sighed.

Explosions go off outside, in Hosu, Izuku decides to look around and spots something darting for the train with Battle Senses urging him to defend and fight. “There’s an enemy coming!” Izuku grabs a man from his seat and throws him to Torino as they burst through the side of the train. Izuku absorbs the weight that slams into him and the force of being slammed into the floor of the train does nothing. A pained shout ripped out of him from registering the Nomu’s quirks.

“Genome!” Shoto and Gran Torino shout, to them, Izuku was definitely injured in their mind.

Izuku recognises that it’s a Nomu and pumps up One-For-All to 10%, he pushes the Nomu off of him and Gran Torino takes the opportunity to strike. He grabs the Nomu and dashes out of the train.

“Gran Torino!” Izuku shouts.

“Hey kid, are you alright?” The bystander he saved asked.

“I am, I have a weird quirk that allows me to copy and manifest other quirks that I’ve come in contact with, whenever I want. I have Shock Absorption on at all times so I took the hit knowing I’d be okay. I was briefly in pain after copying multiple quirks from that Nomu, if that’s what you’re worried about.” Izuku explains.

The man breathes out in relief.

‘Do you know what quirks I just registered?’ Izuku asked the residents in his mind.

‘Absorption and Release, Muscle Augmentation and Tongue Web. I see Absorption and Release being the most useful.’ Nana detailed the quirks.

‘Thank you, Nana.’ “I think we should help out there Sho, Tenya may be in trouble down there…” Izuku said to Shoto.

“It’s probably better to be on scene to respond than get stuck here when people might need us.” Shoto responded with conviction. 

The pair rush off into Hosu, following Torino out. Izuku brings out his wings and proceeds to take Shoto down to ground level to rush into the city.

<Aizawa’s group>

The sound of radio static pierces through the group's ears. “Pro Hero Native has not passed the patrol checkpoint. There are also reports of multiple villain attacks in the city.” The sounds of explosions ring out.

“Time to get to work, we should deal with the nearest attack.” Aizawa started rushing over towards the nearest attack.

“Pro Hero Manual reporting hero student ‘Tenya’ missing, if you’re following my route then please help find him!” The radio went silent .

“Dammit Iida!” Yuuto shouted.

“He’s supposed to be the logical one.” Hitoshi growled.

“Okay, change of plans, we need to pick up their route and check the alleys. Traversing the roofs will work best.” Aizawa said, parkouring to the roof, with Yuuto and Hitoshi not far behind.

They go to the area near where Iida was reported missing and they can hear a commotion a few alleys away. They spot Iida, who’s standing in front of Stain. The villain has Native injured and pinned to a wall, he’s prepared to kill the hero. From what Yuuto can tell, Iida is trying to save Native, to find a way to get the injured man out of the villains clutches.

“My quirk will only be good for like a second, if this villain's conviction is as strong as it seems to be I will be a hindrance.” Yuuto pointed out.

“It’s my job to go in. But only when I see a proper opening, the villain’s on guard, he’s tense, he’s definitely prepared for heroes to show.” Aizawa analysed the man’s behaviour, he can tell if he pounced now he’d also be caught up in a losing battle. ‘I just need one opening. One moment of distraction dammit.’ That’s when a familiar green blur crossed his vision and his tension rose even higher.

<Izuku & Shoto>

The boys are rushing around for any sight of Iida or Gran Torino, the first scene they come across is a massive Nomu fighting a group of pros. “It’s brain is probably a weak point, we’re interns so I don’t have battle permissions, but can we try and freeze it in place?” Izuku asked the pros around.

“As long as you cause no harm, you can defend, but you should get out of here!” One pro said.

Izuku and Shoto nod. They launch out a sea of ice encasing the beast in a man-made glacier. It couldn’t move an inch, it was completely stuck. However it locked eyes with Izuku and its attention shifted, eyes never releasing their lock on him, like he was now the priority.

“Tenya!” Someone shouts.

“Who are you calling out for?” Shoto asked warily.

“Tenya, he’s my intern, but he disappeared not far from here!” Manual informed the pair.

“We can try to find him whilst you deal with that villain!” Izuku shouts running away from the fight with Shoto. Manual can trust them to find Tenya, all he can hope for is that he hasn’t encountered Stain like the boy had wanted.

Izuku rushes into the sky with Shoto running through the winding alleys, he scouts the skies to find any signs of a struggle that would be hidden in the darkness. He spots Tenya standing by Stain, whilst the villain is in the middle of attacking Native. ‘Fuck, Eraserhead, Subliminal and Mystique are here, but they aren’t suitable to handle Stain, not without an opening at least.’

‘I apologise if I scare the crap out of you guys, but I’m giving the pro an opening.’ Izuku said to his passengers.

‘A hero’s got to do what he’s got to do. Go for it kid, just stay safe.’ Yoichi said, Izuku could hear the smile on the man’s face.

‘Just as reckless as Toshi.’ Nana sighs. ‘Save them, Izuku!’

Izuku pings Shoto their location and dive bombs Stain, powering up an air wave blast combined with One-For-All, the power of the blast pushing the villain away from Native and Tenya. “Your reign of terror ends here Stain, I will protect these people from you!” Izuku manifests Erasure and Hardening, he’s ready for Stain to strike. “Tenya, get Native out of the alley!”

“I can’t leave you here alone!” Tenya snapped back.

Izuku whispers to Tenya, “There’s backup around, they need an opening. I can hold him back much easier when I’m not protecting you two, so get Native out of the alley.” Tenya reluctantly agrees and bolts for Native.

“Another child acting to be a hero. It seems you’ve also got your priorities straight, but it is my duty to cleanse this world of fake heroes like that man!” He dashes for Native and Tenya, his speed is something Izuku never expected. Nonetheless, Izuku jumps in to block with OFA boosted Hardening and Shock Absorption.

“You’re just a villain using an ideology to excuse killing.” Izuku growled.

“What would you know, child?” Stain jumped back, he couldn't cut the boy in front of him.

“I’m someone who agrees with the necessity to remove the fake heroes from society, as well as those who intend to cause harm for others. However, killing is not the way to do it and holding everyone to a standard that only someone like All Might could match is ridiculous.” Izuku clenched his fists and activated Erasure, hoping it may free Native who’s now around the corner with Tenya. “But the fake heroes aren’t ones that love to earn money, or love the spotlight, they’re the people who would ultimately allow harm or would harm innocent people. Heroes like Death Arms when my friend could have died to a villain, people like Endeavour who only sees his child as a masterpiece that he could shape by any means. I will tear those people down and rebuild this society anew.” He was bubbling with anger.

Stain’s licked his lips, he’s found a heroic spirit with the conviction to do the impossible. “Child, your conviction is grandiose, but it is only a dream if you can’t back it up. Let me test that conviction.” He throws knives at Izuku, but Hardening just blocks them. Izuku watches the large blade go for his stomach and at such speeds he activates OFA, Hardening and Rock Armour just to be cautious. The clattering of metal against his armour filled him with relief as he blasted a boosted airwave at the villain, pushing him several metres back again.

“I don’t need praise from you or anyone. All I know is that I will be a hero that everyone can look up to and trust, not some phoney who’d leave them to rot!” Izuku growls.

Eraserhead jumps from the building and attacks using his capture scarf, the villain is entangled in it. “You’ve done enough, Genome. We should handle it from here.” Aizawa said.

Yuuto tries to inflict Stain with Suggestion. ‘I want to stand down.’

Stain barely relaxed for a second until he snapped right out of it. “What is with the sneak attack, and that quirk is intrusive. You ‘heroes’ swoop in after doing nothing! That’s not hero like.”

“As long as a hero saves lives, why does the method or reason matter? Not everyone can be like All Might, if anything they’re acting safely to save lives!” Izuku challenged Stain.

“Genome.” Aizawa wasn’t pleased at the attempt to rile up Stain of all people right now.

Stain growls in response. “Stain, what do you even get out of this?” Hitoshi asked.

“Reforming soc-” He was stuck under Hitoshi’s brainwashing, the man was too willing to talk. This time though, he can’t break out, Hitoshi’s brainwashing puts someone’s mind into a corner whilst they can only watch helplessly at most.

“You will discard all of your weapons to the side.” Hitoshi ordered. Aizawa lets Stain go as the entranced man throws every blade, visible and hidden, further down the Alley. Shoto makes his appearance as well.

“It seems you dealt with the issue before I could help.” Shoto shook his head.

“Thank you for responding to my quick ping Ice Phoenix.” Izuku nodded to the boy.

“Am I in trouble for this Eraser?” Izuku asked cautiously.

Aizawa pondered the answer, Stain didn’t look injured, Izuku mainly defended and pushed him back at most. “Self defence and only defending others…nah, you played by the book. We will talk as a group later though.” He didn’t know what to think about Izuku’s ideology, it was close to many twisted ones and it could only take one event to flip that switch. They need to keep an eye on him.

“Hold out your arms and allow yourself to be cuffed.” Hitoshi ordered Stain again, of which he started to comply, until debris of the nearby building shattered through, threatening everyone. Izuku made his quick decision to use Hardening to block in front of Aizawa and Yuuto, where the largest piece of debris was lunging for them. Hitoshi had enough time to dodge whilst Tenya could run and Shoto could block with ice. However, one small piece smacked into Stain, breaking him out of the brainwashing. Stain grinned as he managed to swipe something off of the floor. Standing in the middle of the newly demolished wall was the large Nomu from earlier, it must have escaped the ice. It was staring down at Izuku like he was its prey.

“It’s chasing me guys, the League’s behind this obviously.” Izuku’s trying to process what he needs to do, he needs something to grab everyone and evacuate with as it’s too messy now.

‘I know some of you don’t want to help me yet, but please, if there’s a quirk to help get everyone out of here, now would be a decent time.’ Izuku begged the other users.

‘I’ve got ya. My quirk, Blackwhip, is good for this situation. It’s essentially energy tendrils that you can use like whips or sticky string, they’re an extension of your body and you can sprout them out of anywhere.’ The new man says.

‘So it works a little like a webslinger as well as extra tendril limbs, thanks sir.’ Izuku says, imagining the quirk, the energy like whip or tendril. He can feel his body shifting to accommodate the new quirk. He feels it like he would limb as he extends one for each person he wants to protect, plus another to ensnare Stain.

Black tendrils shoot out and wrap around the waists of all his friends, Native and teacher, whilst it snaps around Stain’s arms binding him as someone would with rope. He drags everyone along as he flies out of that situation. “New quirk, sorry guys.”

Hitoshi and Yuuto looked like they wanted to throw up. Aizawa was looking unimpressed and Tenya and Shoto were just relieved to be out of there. Stain is observing Izuku critically, questioning and analysing everything that’s happening.

“You need to lead that thing to Endeavour, that’s the only way we deal with it legally.” Aizawa said. “I’m not sure how we deal with this with Stain here.”

“Well, that’s easy, he’s following the thing.” Izuku pointed out Endeavour whilst hovering about the Nomu. “I need to get everyone out of the way though, I feel like after he takes out the Nomu he’ll take one look at our group and dislike what he sees.” Hitoshi did not like that insinuation, but he understood after what little information Shoto did reveal.

“Place us on a rooftop, Endeavour won’t see us and will deal with the Nomu.” Hitoshi suggested. Aizawa nodded whilst Izuku had thought that to be the best option. Izuku lands on a roof, releasing the tendrils around everyone except Stain. “Ice Phoenix, freeze Stain in place. At least until the Nomu is dealt with.” He ordered. Ice shoots from under Shoto and encases Stain and the tendril holding onto him, but it should be safe to say Stain is unable to move. Izuku relinquishes the tendril and starts leading the Nomu back towards Endeavour, why the villains ordered it to go after him on sight he’ll never understand.

“Endeavour, we need you to deal with this, no other pro has a quirk strong enough, and the others who can are students which means we aren’t licensed.” Izuku said to Endeavour as the Nomu loomed in front of him.

“Damn brat, leave it to me!” Endeavour wasn’t happy that Izuku was the one who was requiring help, in fact, he’d rather let the kid deal with it, but that wouldn’t look good on him when Izuku's words told him there are others spectating and would write out a whole report against him. Endeavour tried non-lethal blows, but the Nomu’s regenerated time and time again. He ran out of options, nothing had worked as its regeneration kept it from going down. Endeavour decided to use a blast of blue flames to completely melt the things head off and it was over. 

“Thank you for helping, Endeavour sir.” Izuku was grateful and as much as he hated the man, he was going to be the better person and show the man respect. He flew back to where everyone was guarding Stain.

“Ice Phoenix, you need to melt him out then Genome restrain him.” Aizawa said. Shoto releases steady heat to melt the ice whilst a tendril of Blackwhip is looming around Stain. However in a split second, Stain managed to free himself enough from the weakening ice. He whipped around 180 degrees in the blink of an eye, like he was going to run. The perceived attempt was futile as Izuku restrained him easily, but the pleased grin from the man made everyone feel uneasy about the man’s actions. They had missed the blade he’d managed to pick back up earlier, he had thrown it at near inhuman speeds as he turned around.

It happened so quickly. Yuuto felt a liquid warmth starting to cover his neck, with extreme pain coming in second as he brought his hands up to grasp onto his neck and gasped. He felt nauseous and heavy as he descended to the floor of the roof, leaning back against one of the small walls up there. He’s felt this before, as dread starts seeping in. He’s dying all over again, bleeding out, but this time it’s a lethal wound to the neck.

Izuku whipped his sight over to the boy, Yuuto was behind everyone else looking after Native after all. His eyes widened in horror, red flowing like a shower down his brother's neck, through his fingers, down into his costume. The realisation as to what Stain did hit him as he let out a bloodcurdling scream. “YUUTO!”

Chapter Text

“YUUTO!” Izuku let out a bloodcurdling scream.

Aizawa flicked his attention to Yuuto and froze. The recognition of blood processing in his mind, a deep wound to the neck heavily bleeding through the attempt Yuuto was making at putting pressure onto his own wound. He couldn’t deal with one of his students dying like this, it was his fault again for all he could feel. He brought the kids out here, he led them here to where the hero killer was residing. 

Hitoshi looked over in horror, his quirk brother, the boy who could understand him the most right now is slumped against a wall, grasping to all of the life he can and is fighting to survive. He feels sick watching the blood ooze through Yuuto’s fingers, the liquid dousing the boy and the rooftop in red.

Tenya stares over in shock, and starts retreating into his own mind, muttering ‘It’s all my fault.’ over and over again as he watches the crimson liquid slip through Yuuto’s grasp. He feels guilt, guilt for running off from Manual, guilt for following Stain, guilt for going after his own self justice. He noticed Native was heavily injured when he entered the alley and vowed to protect him, but the reason he was originally there was selfish. If he hadn’t run away from Manual, Yuuto wouldn’t be here, dying. It’s all his fault…it should be him.

Shoto’s brain started going through many emotions, anger, sadness, grief, sorrow, panic, anxiety. Loss. He was going to lose one of the closest people to him. The boy’s eye’s assess the injury…wounds like that without immediate treatment will end in the victim’s death. He slowly staggers over to Yuuto, the world feeling like it’s going in slow motion as he gets closer.

Aizawa instantly snapped himself out of his thoughts, he needed to do everything he could right now. “Keep pressure on the wound, Nakamura.” He grabbed Stain’s head and chopped the back of the villain’s neck, knocking the man out, as well as mentally thanking Izuku for his composure, all things considered. “Izuku, keep him calm with your company and also apply pressure to his wound.” 

Izuku lets go of the unconscious Stain and rushes over to help put pressure on Yuuto’s wound. “It’s okay Yuu, I’m here, we’ll save you.” He said as tears leaked from his eyes. “You know we love you, yeah? We'll fix this right up, mom will be complaining and crying, our classmates will want to smother you in hugs, I’ll give you brotherly cuddles if you need them again. Just stay with us, j-just hang on.” His hands get coated in his brother’s blood as he tries his hardest to slow the bleeding. Yuuto smiles weakly, unable to reply with the pressure on his neck, but mouths ‘I love you, love everyone.’ which Izuku recognises. The tears intensified from there.

Aizawa called for paramedics whilst Izuku dealt with keeping Yuuto calm, hero hospital ones at that. He informed them of the injury, but the best they could tell him was to stay with the kid and offer him comfort. That was when his dam was about to burst. “Hey, we’re here, we've got you Nakamura.” Tears were released from his eyes and everyone could tell Yuuto wasn’t making it from here. Tenya and Hitoshi resigned themselves to the roof wall next to Native, watching over his injuries whilst quietly crying. Native, although injured, was also displaying a grim look after looking at Yuuto.

“Yuu. Y-you can’t go, not yet. Please, I just got started on processing this feeling I had, you…I need you Yuu, I want to go through these with you.” Shoto was starting to sob, he had realised he had feelings growing for Yuuto, more than those he felt for his close friends. He was going to speak up when he figured out what they were, the feeling aching in his heart as he was watching the boy die in front of him.

Yuuto offered a wider smile, he resigned himself to his death but he wanted to show Shoto and everyone else he was happy in the end. He slowly closed his eyes as his energy started to leave him.

‘There best be a different healing quirk in here! PLEASE!’ Izuku held out hope in his unknown quirks since Recovery Girl's would most likely not be enough or would kill Yuuto.

‘I-I’m sorry Izuku, there isn’t another healing quirk here.’ Yoichi said weakly, shattering all hope Izuku had in those options.

‘Then I only have one choice, one try, one thing I can test out.’ Izuku thought. All of the vestiges thought the same, but they weren’t going to pressure Izuku into trying it.

Izuku manifests All-For-One and places a hand on Yuuto’s cheek and focuses on pulling his quirk away. A lime green light (‘It should be red. Perhaps its colour is linked to eye colour or something.’ Yoichi muttered but Izuku wasn’t listening)   dances around Yuuto’s face and Izuku’s hand. He can feel Suggestion become ‘his’ quirk, next he pushes out Super Regeneration and forces it through AFO giving it to Yuuto, he didn’t think it could work as it wasn’t technically his quirk, but AFO registered it as a separate quirk and passed it on. Yuuto’s neck wound closes in a second, blood ceases to leak from his neck. Izuku then takes away Super Regeneration and gives Suggestion back, relinquishing the green light. He knew he had to do it in that order or risk destroying Yuuto’s body, but it was painstaking to order.

Izuku’s hands are shaking as he releases AFO. He observes Yuuto for what felt like an eternity, but the more intense rise of Yuuto’s chest gives him all the confirmation he needed as he finally releases the breath he didn’t realise he was holding. “I-it worked. It actually worked.” He cried in relief.

“What-What did y-you do?” Shoto asked, tears still leaking profusely.

“I used All-For-One to heal Yuuto.” Izuku said shakily.

“How?” Aizawa said as he trembled horribly, his past trauma and current trauma mentally catching up to him.

“I figured two quirks could harm him, so I-I took Suggestion, gave him Super Regeneration to heal the wound and then I t-took it away when he healed and gave him back Suggestion. I didn’t think I could give my copies to people, but I had to try.” Izuku detailed the process he went through. “He’s still lost a lot of blood, w-we need to get him to a hospital.” He said.

“The ambulance is still coming, though, they are in an ambulance since they’re not expecting a live patient.” Aizawa’s eyes hardened. “I don’t know what to tell them yet, we could say you have a healing quirk, but then a healing quirk that strong could get you sent to the commission. Same if they knew about AFO.”

“The commission couldn’t hold me, Nezu wouldn’t allow it whilst I'm under his care.” Izuku smiled. He looked at Shoto who had started cradling Yuuto softly, trying to hold him to his chest. “Sho, he’ll be okay now.” Izuku’s words nearly showed the disbelief he held, even the words themself were true.

Izuku lowered everyone using Blackwhip as the paramedics arrived. One group took Native to get treated for the stab wound in his shoulder, whilst another checked over the cuffed villain to check for any damage. They saw the blood coating Yuuto and presumed the worst, on their first look they saw a blood soaked child being held, most certainly seeming dead as the kid's skin was pale white. However, on closer inspection they saw no damage and that the kid was breathing, he was alive.

Izuku had to explain. “I-I panicked and my quirk. I copy and manifest quirks whenever. I used my copy of Super Regeneration and I think it awakened with the trauma response. I-it healed him when I grabbed his cheek to offer comfort…I don’t know if I can do that out of a deadly situation though, I turned the regeneration off so the awakening or whatever has gone.” He lied, resigning it to a fluke chance.

The paramedic nodded, “We’ll take him from here then, you saved his life tonight. He’ll need some blood to ensure he’s fine, but well done kid.” He said as they stretchered Yuuto away. “Is anyone accompanying him?”

“I can join, he’s my brother, I need to call our mom and…message Kacchan at least.” Izuku mumbled, still shaking. Izuku looks at Aizawa for permission.

“Go ahead, Problem Child.” Aizawa said as he stood by Shoto, the poor boy was in shock and couldn’t stop staring at the blood that was coating his hands.

“He’s your brother? Please follow us then and call your family on the way.” The paramedic signals for Izuku to follow. 

A third and final Nomu made its attempt on snatching Izuku, this one was flying about and Izuku had no patience for it, so he launched Blackwhip at it and ensnared it with a bind it couldn’t break. He knocked it out using a hardened fist to the head. Izuku used this opportunity to copy its quirks with a striking pain just like the other Nomu, but he would check the quirks later. Yuuto mattered right now.

Tonight would be a night they’d remember for all the wrong reasons; Tenya going off for revenge, Yuuto’s futile attempt at compelling Stain to stop, a Nomu targeting Izuku under his father’s orders, allowing Stain to come out of his trance and swiping a knife he’d discarded, but most of all Yuuto’s near death experience. Aizawa finally calls in the results of the night when he’s composed himself. Native and Tenya were found and Stain was defeated, but a student was injured and taken to the hospital in the process. Gran Torino had stumbled into them on the sidewalk, he was ready to kick Izuku and Shoto in the face for their reckless behaviour until he saw the red and white haired boy shaking in shock, covered in blood that was not his.

~~~~~~~~

Izuku is in the back of the ambulance holding Yuuto’s hand as they’re transported to the nearest hospital, he brings his phone out to see some messages. 

Ochako: Do you think Tenya’s alright? I’ve seen the news and they’re saying a hero student was gravely injured at Hosu. He hasn’t read my messages.

-Received 8:54PM - Read

Kacchan <3: Wasn’t four eyes in Hosu? Have you heard from him yet?

-Received 9:02PM - Read

Izuku swaps to his contacts and clicks ‘dial’ on his mothers phone number.

“Honey, is everything alright? It’s not like you to call when you’re out. Izuku?” She was panicking because his untimely calls were usually a giveaway of a problem to come, Izuku sighed.

“I’m fine, but me and Sho got stuck in Hosu.” Izuku said before he got cut off.

“Hosu?! Are you sure you're alright? Is Shoto alright?” His mother wouldn’t last long at this rate.

“Mom please, listen to the whole thing.” Izuku pleaded with her, he needed her to be slightly sane for this.

“Sorry Izuku, please, continue.” She calmed herself as much as possible, she needed to hear her baby out.

“I’m fine and Sho is fine. Yuuto and another friend of ours were also here with Eraserhead, as they were interning with him. Mom, I need you to come to Hosu General Hospital. Yuuto got hurt pretty badly.” Izuku sobbed out.

The jingling of keys can be heard in the background as his mother prepares to leave the hotel room and request an escort to Hosu. “I-I’m coming, I-I’ll be there as quick as I can. How b-bad is it?”

“He’s stable now. It was worse before I healed him, but he lost a lot of blood. T-The Hero Killer…he slit his neck by throwing a knife.” Izuku explained.

“He-he what?” Inko almost dropped her phone when Nezu had turned up, he had gotten a call informing him of Yuuto’s injuries.

“Hello Izuku, it’s Principal Nezu. We’ll have you mother in Hosu as soon as possible, we just got called ourselves so we’re going to be flying in a private jet and then drive in.” Nezu relays his information and passes the phone back to his mother.

“Thank you Nezu sir.” Izuku said.

“So, is Yuuto?” Inko asked, full of worry.

“He’s alright now mom, only blood loss. As I said, I handled it. Have a safe flight, I’ll keep Yuu company whilst we wait for you. Love you mom.” Izuku said, smiling sadly.

“Love you too Izuku, and tell Yuuto I love him too!” Inko said through her river of tears.

“I will see you later.” Izuku ended the call, he needed to get back to Katsuki before he went crazy.

Kacchan <3

Izuku: Tenya is fine. Shoto and I ended up in Hosu, as well as Mr. Aizawa, Yuuto and Hitoshi.

Kacchan <3: What the hell?! Are you all safe or what?

Izuku: Well, after being attacked on the train by a Nomu, then stopping Stain from killing Native and Tenya and then getting chased by a Nomu because it wanted me…

Kacchan <3: Hold up. Stain…Nomu…Izuku. What the fuck?

Kacchan <3: The news said someone who seemed like a hero student was on a roof bleeding out, reporters caught the aftermath of what must have been a pro’s fight with Stain and then turned off the feed when they saw a kid dying. Please. Who…who…

Izuku: They really caught all of that on the live feed?!

Kacchan <3: They said the blood and reported injury was too much for anyone to survive from…they saw that it was a slit throat.

Izuku: It was, but now they’ve been healed.

Izuku: Please don’t act too quickly, it was Yuuto. I’m in the ambulance with him now. 

Kacchan <3: Nerd! You best wait for me at that hospital, I’ll be there, I’ll even fight Jeanist if I have to!

Izuku: Don’t you dare risk your future because of Yuuto or me! Neither of us would like that!

Kacchan <3: Fucking fine! But don’t think you’ll avoid my attention when you’re back…and I’m still asking Jeanist, he’s been annoying me anyway!

Izuku chuckled quietly at the angry Kacchan voice he read the message in. Yuuto was stirring awake, he felt weak and honestly, he wished he’d been out longer now that the heavy smell of iron is hitting his nose. “Izu.” He croaked.

“Hey, Yuu, how are you feeling?” Izuku looked over at him, fretting over every little thing.

“Like I was hit with a truck…” He started remembering what happened and grasped for his throat. “How long have I been out?”

“About 15 minutes. We’re still in the ambulance.” Izuku replied.

“How? And my neck’s healed…” Yuuto said quietly.

“It was uncomfortable for me, but I used AFO to swap your quirk with my Super Regeneration, then swap them back.” Izuku whispered into Yuuto’s ear.

“We’ll talk about you giving me a copy later. Y-you never wanted to use that quirk.” Yuuto looked sad that it was his fault that Izuku had to use that cursed power.

“You know, I originally saw it as a dirty, filthy quirk…but after tonight it was a blessing. It saved you. I can use it to save people, whether I heal people…or take away quirks that are literally detrimental. I know they say that no quirk is bad or a curse or whatever, but I bet there are the rare ones that make a person’s life worse.” Izuku smiled.

“Probably.” Yuuto said. He bit his lip before asking another question. “Is there a scar?”

“Yes, there’s a scar.” Izuku sighed.

“Damn, I was hoping since you didn’t get any burn scars I’d have been spared.” Yuuto sighed.

“I got lucky, although…don’t tell Kacchan but there is a burn scar on my leg from where that explosion ignited.” Izuku admitted, placing a hand on his leg.

Yuuto scowled. “Why didn’t you tell us?!” He coughed.

“Okay, calm down. All I’m just saying is that it's not a ‘heal all injuries without repercussions’ quirk. You also need rest and more blood.” Izuku sent a glare back at him, but didn’t want to avoid the question. “And I didn’t mention anything because why does it matter? It’s a battle scar, it happened.”

“Alright, guess you’re right…Oh yeah, the blood loss…” He remembered Shoto’s face and words. “Shit. I didn’t imagine it, right? Sho-Shoto essentially confessed he had more complicated feelings for me as I was dying.”

“He…did. He went into a state of shock after you passed out, he was shaking and unresponsive.” Izuku explained with a heavy sigh.

“Fuck…well, when I see him again he’s getting a massive hug and I’ll hold his hand…and whatever he wants.” Yuuto said, blurting out his feelings. “Closer friends, platonic…even romantic stuff.”

Izuku giggles. “Only when you’ve got your strength back. Mom said she loves you by the way, I had just gotten off the phone with her and messaged Kacchan before you woke up.”

“I love her too! And now I will sleep again, I feel dead, though…it’s better than being dead, thank you Izu.” Yuuto says as he starts feeling drowsy. “What did Katsuki say?”

“He would fight Best Jeanist if he had to to be here. It seems he does care.” Izuku said teasingly.

Yuuto giggled. “Well, he wouldn’t be Kacchan if he didn’t want to blow someone or something up.”

Izuku laughed. “Don’t let him hear you call him that.”

“I won’t. Teasing.” Yuuto drifted off back to sleep.

‘I’m just glad you’re alive.’ Izuku though.

‘Hey Kiddo, you know you did your best out there right?’ The new man said.

‘I know, thanks. I didn’t catch your name by the way.’ Izuku said.

‘Ah, the name’s Daigoro Banjo, just call me Daigoro. Now that we know your bro is safe, you’ve used my quirk now, isn’t it pretty cool?’ Daigoro hinted to definitely call it a cool quirk.

‘I-It’s very versatile, it helped us get out of that tight spot as well as keep Stain at bay…until what happened with Yuuto.’ Izuku said, full of shame.

‘Izuku dear. There was no way you’d have known he picked up a knife, or that he’d have time to do that.’ Nana said.

‘Nana’s right. I know it was a scare, and these things happen in the line of work you’re going into, but you made sure he was alright.’ Yoichi said. ‘Everyone here is alright with you using All-For-One for heroic purposes. Even my grouchy husband and friend.’ He chuckled, giving way to a pained hiss. Yoichi grumbled something about his hair being messed up. ‘It’s actually quite amusing to see it used to help people in earnest instead of for loyalty.’

Izuku let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding, he did the right thing, the others saw that too.

‘Well I’m glad you found out that my quirk is amazing, Squirt. Now put it to good use in the future. Oh, but be careful, it’s semi-sentient to your emotions, anger being the worst offender as it can burst out and flail about.’ Daigoro said as he retreated into the back of Izuku’s mind.

‘Oh.’ Izuku’s brain was silent for a minute, trying to process what the hell he’ll do with that. ‘I’ll try my best.’ He thought. 

Ochako

Izuku: Sorry for not replying earlier, but because of circumstances (and a tiny bit of luck), myself, Shoto, Aizawa, Yuuto and Hitoshi also ended up in Hosu. It was Yuuto that was injured.

Ochako: Holy shit! I-is he…is he okay?

Izuku: Better than he should be, he was so close to…

Ochako: Jesus, Izuku we’re all here for you and him, you got that?

Izuku: Just…don’t point out his new scar, it’s quite obvious and he doesn’t need anything dragging him down.

Ochako: I won’t say anything, but what happened, if you don’t mind me asking?

Izuku: Stain threw a knife so fast it slit his neck open. That villain preaches so much about heroes yet attacks those who try to do the hero work.

Ochako: That’s horrific, god I can’t imagine what you’re all going through. You’re all getting hugs when you get back, I hope you know that!

Ochako: How long is Yuuto going to be recovering?

Izuku: He just needs a blood transfusion, my regeneration healed him, some awakening crap which allowed me to heal others, though I accidentally released the quirk so it’s gone. He should be fine when we come back.

Izuku didn’t know if he needed to lie about AFO, but it’s not really a harmful lie and he may decide to tell them about it at some point.

Ochako: Thank goodness. How are YOU?

Izuku: I’m probably going to have nightmares for a while. However, Shoto is probably more traumatised since he’s just started to get his emotions in order, nearly losing a close friend broke him.

‘And me. How am I so sane right now?’ Izuku thought.

‘Because you’re strong, nephew.’ Yoichi said.

‘I know it’ll hit you later, but well done on staying so strong Izuku.’ Nana said, her pro hero instincts know that the trauma comes later when you need to be strong.

Ochako: As I said, you’re all getting hugs, he gets the biggest one after Yuuto.

Ochako: I have to go, I’ll see you later. <3

Izuku: See you Ochako.

The rest of the ride was silent and the transfer to the medical ward was excruciating, they asked questions about the situation as they examined the scar covering Yuuto’s neck. The blood transfusion was easier to set up then Izuku thought, with Yuuto coming too not much later and commenting on how he felt much warmer than earlier, which is a good sign.

Inko had burst into the hospital room in tears, crying over her children being at such risk. She grabbed Yuuto’s hand as quickly as she could and examined him. Yuuto assures her that he’s fine, but the motherly glare he received as well as the once over on the new scar was one he wasn’t going to fight. Nezu had hung around, he also had to make sure his student was okay. In situations like these he’d prefer to physically see his students and check himself, rest assured Yuuto was fine and only needed blood.

The next day rolled around with Izuku and Inko not leaving the room, the doctors understood, it’s not that common to see someone survive an injury that was so bad the best advice they could give was ‘stay with the kid, keep him comfortable.’

Gran Torino knocks on the door and brings Shoto into the room with him, Izuku couldn’t think the boy could look any worse, he could see Shoto’s hands were red raw and eyes were irritated. “Mom, could you go get me some coffee? I know I shouldn’t have it, but I-I need it.” He asked, mainly to remove the embarrassment for Yuuto so he’s not talking about feelings in front of a parental figure.

Inko looks at the boys with understanding and makes her decision. “Of course baby, I’ll be back in a few.” She smiled on her way out.

“How’s it going, kids?” Gran Torino asked.

“Fine, I guess. Had to go through my thoughts about what I did to heal Yuuto, thankfully, the vestiges were alright with me using All-For-One.” Izuku sighed. 

“I’m okay sir, thanks for asking.” Yuuto said.

“Good, now. Genome , you were reckless last night, but in my haste I hadn’t ordered you to stay on the train, so I can’t be too mad that you made a mess.” The man chuckled. “I’ll leave you to talk.” The man took his leave.

“Hey Sho. How are you holding up?” Izuku asked softly, treating Shoto like delicate china. 

“...Not good. It didn’t help that I heard Stain went on a massive boast about killing a hero student. Even though it wasn’t true, it nearly was, the blood…all the blood.” Shoto was staring at his hands like they were still covered in blood.

“Shoto, it’s good to see you here.” Yuuto smiled, readjusting himself to sit up. He was basically fine now, he was probably going to be released later in the day. “Sorry to make you worry so much.” He held out a hand for Shoto to grab if he wanted.

Shoto reaches for the hand and holds on tight, curling his fingers around it and taking in the warmth, the life held within. Yuuto wasn’t dead, he didn’t die as much as it seemed he may have. Yuuto speaks to say something again, but croaks, his throat has dried up. Shoto grabs the water that was resting on the bedside table and passes it to Yuuto, he doesn’t want to overstep and do all the work if Yuuto is feeling better. Yuuto takes the glass and the liquid slides down his throat relieving a dryness he didn’t realise was exactly there. He clears his throat. “Thank you, Shoto. I remember what you were saying before I passed out, we both thought…anyways. I…we…When I saw you, I thought you were very pretty from the beginning, as cheesy as that is. I also have this feeling that I want to try to be close to you, to care about you, to protect you whenever you need me. It’s much like how I feel about Izu, but different. I want to know everything about you, other than you being strong and kind hearted.”

Shoto’s eyes widened and he blushed slightly. “I don’t know my feelings too well, it comes with being isolated for way too long. But I’d like to learn them with you.” He said, quite bluntly.

Yuuto giggled. “Of course, well, at least that didn’t take too long to sort out. Unlike a certain nerd and explosive boy taking years to actually sort shit out.”

“HEY!” Izuku pouted. “It’s not my fault Kacchan is emotionally stunted.”

“I know Izu, I’m only teasing.”

“And here we thought you may still be out of it, Nakamura.” Aizawa said from the room’s doorway with Hitoshi and Tenya beside him. All three brimming with relief, but Izuku couldn’t miss the red rings around their eyes. “I don’t know what was worse, what happened or that you decided to plaster a smile onto your face as you passed out.” Aizawa glared harshly at Yuuto as he walked over.

“Ah. I mean, I w-was happy.” Yuuto scrambled as it sounded like he wanted death. “N-not that kind of happy, but it was my life flashing before me and I felt ‘happy’ with myself. As well as getting a few happy things said to me.”

“Yeah yeah, well don’t you dare worry us like that again.” Aizawa rested a hand on Yuuto’s shoulder.

“It’s all my fault, I’m sorry, Nakamura.” Iida wanted to blame himself, he was why they were there after all.

“It’s not your fault, regardless of whether you found Stain or not we were probably going to end up there after Native went missing. How is Native?” Yuuto asked, shocking everyone else.

“How is- Nakamura?! You’re the one in here for worse injuries!” Hitoshi glared at Yuuto, trying to match Aizawa’s intensity.

“But Izu healed mine, not Native’s, right?” 

Aizawa sighed. “He’s fine, now worry about when we get out of here. I think we all have decided to cut our week short a day, considering we all went through a traumatic experience.” He said as he draped his hands over his face as the memory flashed in his mind. “There will be a mandatory session with Hound Dog when we return, for myself included.” He groans.

“Can we set up our dorms early?” Izuku tried to derail the thoughts going on right now.

Everyone lit up at that idea, what’s a few days after all. “I can see what the rat would prefer to do.” Aizawa said. “Also, good luck when Tarita gets their hands on you. You’re fortunate they didn’t have a phone set up before you left.” He smirked

“Shit.” Yuuto sighed. “They’re gonna fuss, and then wring my neck for nearly dying. Save me.”

Izuku giggled. “Nah, they’d wring Mr. Aizawa out first, then Tenya, and then probably me, then you.”

“Why me?” Tenya fussed.

“Because you’ll blame yourself and Tarita will strangle you for thinking that.” Yuuto said.

A nurse popped his head into the room. “Sorry to interrupt, but we have some final checks to ensure Mr. Nakamura is healthy enough to be discharged. If you could kindly wait outside, we’d appreciate it.”

Everyone leaves the room, with understanding. After all of the checks from the hero doctors, Yuuto was cleared to leave whilst being ordered to take it easy as there was still a chance of temporary weakness and the worry of muscle pains. Katsuki never got clearance from Jeanist, unfortunately, but Izuku’s phone exploding for the raging comments and determination to be there made him happy enough.

Tsukauchi decided it was time to take the statements now too, since everyone was available and not mentally unavailable. He had already interviewed Aizawa, so now it was the students’ turn.

“So Izuku, can you detail what happened from the beginning?” Tsukauchi askes firmly.

“Gran Torino planned for us to fight low level thugs in Shibuya. Him, Shoto and I were on a train to Shibuya when Hosu was attacked. In the seconds I took to analyse what was going on I saw a Nomu coming in to attack. I grabbed a bystander and pushed him towards Torino whilst the Nomu burst through and attacked me instead.” Izuku explained.

True “So what happened next?”

“I used enough force to shift the Nomu off of me, which Gran Torino used as an opportunity to push it outside. I painfully copied its quirks.” Izuku fiddled with his thumbs.

True “Do you know what quirks?”

“Yup. Tongue Web…never using that one.” Izuku fake gagged. “Muscle Augmentation, again probably never using that. The last one was an Absorption and Release quirk.” Izuku listed out.

True “Okay, after that, what did you do?”

“We…we left the train and went into Hosu, we were worried about the civilians in the city, and our classmate, Tenya. We then encountered the large, black Nomu. Shoto and I froze it to help the pros take it down without using an attacking force. However, the Nomu took one look at me and its priorities definitely shifted. It locked its sights on me.”

True “Carry on.”

“We ran into Manual, who had lost sight of Tenya. We decided to scour the alleys, Shoto scouted them from the ground whilst I was flying above. I spotted Tenya standing off with Stain, who had Native stuck against a wall. I also spotted Eraser, Subliminal and Mystique on the roof above them. Their quirks weren’t useful for attacking at that range, and Stain definitely had the instincts to react to them.” Izuku detailed the Stain confrontation.

True “How did this turn into a fight between you, Stain and the others?”

“I didn’t exactly ‘fight’ Stain, I just used quirks to push him back and defend whilst Tenya could get Native out of the alley. This also allowed Eraser and his team to provide backup.” Izuku pointed out.

True “I heard you said some things to Stain mid-fight?” The detective cut the story harshly to push into ideology.

“Eraser told you about that?” Izuku winced.

“Yes, I would just like an explanation, Kid.” Tsukauchi wasn’t judging, just wanted the clarification that everyone wants.

“I compared my dream, my ideology, my vision for society to Stain’s. Measuring ‘fake’ or ‘false’ heroes to arbitrary standards and all. I said I wanted to rid society of the fakes, those who stand by as others get hurt or those heroes that hurt others. However, by ‘rid’ I mean expose their actions and then they receive actual legal punishments.” He explained.

True The tension Tsukauchi felt dissipated. “You mentioned Death Arms and Endeavour as examples, why?”

“Oh, those just came to mind as prominent memories. Endeavour’s not exactly my story to tell. You have to ask Sho or I guess a UA staff member.” Izuku kept Sho’s privacy, he couldn’t talk about it without his friend’s go ahead. 

True “ Fair enough.” Tsukauchi replied. “Death arms?”

“Death Arms was going to allow Kacchan to die in the Sludge Villain attack. ‘We don’t have a quirk suitable for this.’ Yet I ran in and did more to help Kacchan breathe and live in a quirkless panicked attempt than he could do in the minutes they sat there.” Izuku was angry, and rightfully so. “Now that I’m thinking about it, Backdraft couldn’t do crap to put out the fires, they should have watered down the Sludge Villain instead. Or at least have tried to dilute him if they didn’t know if it would work.” Izuku muttered.

True “Okay. That makes sense.” Tsukauchi shook his head. “We heard you used a new quirk to move everyone to safety and restrain Stain when a Nomu crashed through walls to attack you, is this information correct?”

“Yes, it was a quirk that my quirk showed me.” Izuku beams a smile, he mouthed ‘5th user’s.’ 

True “Did you get this Nomu’s quirks?”

“No.”

True “After everything was done, Nakamura got heavily injured, what did you do?”

“My best guess is that my Super Regeneration awakened, possibly with the help of my Power Up quirk. It allowed me to heal Yuuto via skin contact and this awakening was temporary, when I released the quirk and brought it back it couldn’t aid others.” Izuku said as he manifested All-For-One on his hands to indicate the truth.

Lie ‘He…he used AFO I see.’ “Alright, who knocked Stain out?”

“Eraserhead.” 

True “We heard you restrained the last Nomu and copied its quirks too, what are they?”

‘What were its quirks, it obviously had Wings and stuff but, what else?’ Izuku asked his residents.’ “Sorry, I didn’t check earlier, I’ll get the information in a few.” Izuku said.

‘You got a minor skin strengthening quirk, Claws…but you didn’t get wings off of it. They…they were already registered.’ Nana explained.

Izuku’s face paled, if the wings weren’t new… ‘Tsubasa. Oh shit my father’s recommended quirk doctor was his grandfather, no way. No way.’ “Izuku, are you okay to continue?” The detective asked as he watched Izuku slightly panic.

“I registered a minor skin strengthening quirk and Claws apparently.” Izuku gulped, waiting for the obvious follow up question.

True. The detective's face turns into a frown, how the hell is that a truth when it had wings. “What about the wings?”

“They…weren’t new. The quirk is that of the person I already copied it from.” Izuku started tearing up, he may not have liked Tsubasa, but no one deserved being turned into a Nomu.

TRUE His eyes widened. “Do you know who you got them from?”

“Yes, although I can only remember his last name. Tsubasa, from my elementary school.” Izuku was trembling.

True. “Do…do you have an idea who could have gotten to him?” Stab in the dark, but if a kid that was known to them got turned into this…

“His grandfather, Dr. Tsubasa.”

True “Why would his grandfather do this?” He asked, trying to hide his alarm.

“He was my quirk doctor, he was recommended by my father specifically.” Izuku sighed. “That's all I know now, can-can I please go?”

True “You're free to go kid.” Tsukauchi said. He’s covering a few bits up and investigating certain things elsewhere, but they have a name ‘Dr. Tsubasa’. If he is the creator of the Nomu, he apparently didn’t even care about his own grandson enough to spare him from experiments, experiments on a child. Hosu and its aftermath will be an event to remember, that is something the detective can be sure of.

Chapter Text

Izuku, Yuuto, Shoto, Hitoshi and Tenya all set up their dorm rooms on their day off. Izuku and Shoto helped Yuuto who was still stumbling around whilst regaining his strength. Shoto took no time at all with being more affectionate towards Yuuto, grasping at his hand whenever he felt Yuuto getting frustrated or panicky about what his scar looked like and such. All Might had checked up on him too, no other teacher was safe to be around for Yuuto either since they’d all heard the news and information Nezu had to relay.

Hound Dog was patient with everyone in their sessions, Yuuto was setback in his mental state, but not as much as expected, nearly dying a second time brought back his previous trauma as well as compounding his feelings about the situation, but it was manageable. Izuku was an emotional mess, crying rivers over the fact he nearly lost Yuuto again, as well as the emotions around using All-For-One. Aizawa’s session dragged out the trauma of his best friend who died in a villain attack whilst attending UA. Shoto was an anxious mess, traumatised from nearly losing someone he cares about, whilst Hitoshi and Tenya were more silent than usual on these matters.

A quick check of the news had the news story of Hosu being reviewed, mainly summarising it. Stain’s victim that night being alive and recovering, Izuku guesses they couldn’t get hold of who was injured so they couldn’t report that Yuuto was healthy and had already left. A new article starts going over Stain’s ideology…and that he named the hero in training, ‘Genome’, as a torchbearer for the future.

“Fuck. Not good.” Izuku growled.

Tenya looked at the TV wide eyed as he passed glances over to Izuku. “We know your goals are similar, but surely people wouldn’t care if you took people down legally.”

“Having a villain back you is quite off putting.” Yuuto commented. “Though, he did also back All Might so I guess in the same context it says you’re as good as All Might.”

“It’s quite unnerving that he picked apart the meaning of my sentences by the way. I never told him that I didn’t care about quirk status or if they were a villain. Granted it is what I meant…I guess he did also want to put me on a pedestal.” Izuku groans.

“At least he was correct in his logical assumption, because it could have been worse. Though the question, ‘Is a successor of Stain going to take his place?’, is quite unbased.” Tenya said.

“Yeah I guess…Oh Nezu already had a combat plan in place and it was played right after. How nice.” Izuku grinned as the cunning Principal ensured the public of Izuku’s heroic spirit and tendencies, as well as announcing the development of a Vigilante and Villain rehabilitation program they’d dabbled on after the Sports Festival.

“Breaking News! More than 10 schools across the country have been raided and closed down and the homes of their staff investigated. All of the members of staff have some form of incriminating evidence linking them to the MLA resurgence group, with the schools being confirmed as active sites of illegal quirk usage, bullying, harrassment, score tampering, the list is long.” The male announcer says.

“Finally, some good news.” Izuku smiles. “With this, Nezu’s next plan of action is about to fire off.” Izuku grins.

Principal Nezu

Izuku: How long until you post that article sir?

Nezu: Not too long my boy, we have the police looking over the article for any misleading or unbacked information, but it’ll be soon, under a week is my guess. Chitose Kizuki and Shoowaysha Publishing have extensive links to the schools we just took down, as well as being the publisher of those books.

Izuku cackled. It’s all coming together, those of the New MLA can’t hide from them and in Izuku’s case, they will not harm his Kacchan.

Izuku: I can only imagine what their HQ is going through right now. We’re taking pieces off of their board and cornering them.

Nezu: I wished we could watch it too, unfortunately they have a skilled coder and hacker, they’re unbreachable at the moment, I’m just glad I used an external internet route and a replaceable laptop, the enemy fried it.

Izuku: Hmm. That just means we need to find one who’s better.

“Izuku. You’re scaring the children.” Yuuto teased.

“Nezu and UA are going to nail the bitch that’s been targeting students that were previously bullies in their MLA schools, but were bettering themselves. I will NOT have her attacking Kacchan.” Izuku growled. Hitoshi raised an eyebrow whilst Tenya was reprimanding Izuku for swearing.

~~~~~~~~

<Detnerat HQ>

“What the hell?!” Yotsubashi shouted as he watched the news. 

“They knew more than we anticipated, they’ve found some of the schools!” Skeptic was sweating in stress. “We have to warn the other schools in case there’s a leak or breach!”

“Calm down. Explain to me, what would that do? Skeptic?”

“The staff would flee and arrive here for protection, giving the police and heroes a direct line into investigating us.” Skeptic grit his teeth. “Then what are your orders, Re-Destro?”

“We need to keep an eye on UA and the police, and watch for their next move. We can abandon the schools, as devastating a blow that will be, but we have everything else under control. I figure after the first two schools were exposed, students and parents wisened up and called in about the schools.” Re-Destro sighed. “Curious.” 

“Yes sir?” The woman responded.

“How is the news piece coming along?” He asked.

She tapped a finger on her chin in thought. “Well, I’m conflicted. This newly announced ‘Genome’, also known as ‘Izuku Midoriya’ has essentially caused us an issue.”

The man's face darkened, his quirk was building with stress. “What kind of issue?!”

She took a deep breath. “With the announcement of that Vigilante and Villains program, even if we try to discredit any of their students, they could easily say ‘we’ll be placing him into rehab sessions.’ and the media will be done with it. As well as the footage situation, the police saying the evidence they had from Aldera was tampered with and that they haven’t got the original footage means that the worst incidents can’t be used as the staff edited those out.”

Re-Destro groaned. “I expect it to be carefully crafted and out there in a few weeks, Kizuki. Now everyone, get out.” He growled, they knew not to piss off the boss more than he already was so the staff hastily left the office. Yotsubashi slams his hands into his desk, his quick blasting it apart with the strength he had gained using it. He tossed wooden planks across the room, computer parts were smashed and any unimportant pictures and paintings were torn apart. He will get revenge, whether it be soon, or if it’s in many years, he’ll get even on the debt that he felt was owed to him.

~~~~~~~~

The internships had finally ended for everyone else, meaning the other students had their chance to fill into the dorms. The group who set up early were waiting in the common room, they didn’t want Aizawa to make a fuss when they were already acclimated to the place. Izuku is sitting alone on a sofa, he just wants Katsuki to arrive and scoop him up. Yuuto and Shoto are holding hands on the other sofa, with Yuuto cuddling into Shoto’s left side. Hitoshi and Tenya were just lurking about. They can hear everyone outside making a massive fuss, they definitely think someone is still heavily injured since all the news said was ‘they’re going to make a full recovery.’

“Okay, just don’t overwhelm everybody! Get in and get set up.” Aizawa said seriously, leading everyone else in.

The rest of the class is analysing the group, they wanted to know if anyone was injured or needed help. They take in the position Shoto and Yuuto were in, Katsuki pushes his way through and walks up to Izuku.

“Bakugo. There was no need to push, and we were just told not to overwhelm them!” Ashido said.

“So not manly.” Kirishima sighed.

“Ashido, Kirishima. Now’s not the best time to annoy me.” Katsuki glared at them, he needed to see if his friends, and more importantly, his boyfriend were alright. “Are you guys okay?” Katsuki asked as his facial features softened, eyes flicking between Izuku and Yuuto, whilst completely ignoring the fact Yuuto is curled up into Shoto. Ashido and Kirishima were gobsmacked at the retort Katsuki gave them.

“I’m fine Kacchan. It was just stressful.” Izuku sighed. “Sorry Ashido, Kirishima, I texted Kacchan right after what happened, he was just worried.” 

“I’m more scared than angry, I didn’t even think he remembered our names.” Ashido admitted.

“Sorry, about scaring the both of you.” Katsuki grumbled, earning giggles and laughs from the class.

Tokoyami looked over at Yuuto and Shoto and decided that was not worth poking, at least not by him. Others gave that look too. Yuuto whispers something to Shoto and in return he gets a slight whine as the pair stand up and walk towards the crowd, Shoto was acting as a personal koala bear the whole time.

“We don’t really want to talk about stuff at the moment, but we are all okay. Physically anyways.” Yuuto addressed that elephant in the room.

“Are…are you sure? We can help around if anyone needs it.” Sero offered, the boy was unnecessarily kind.

Yuuto lifts his head to reveal his scar. “I got this for the trouble, but I am fine. I promise, we just want to relax. If you like to relax too, we'll be waiting down here.” A range of gasps come out, but no rebuttals. “No fretting! I’m alive and well, I don’t want to be coddled! Well…mostly.” Glancing at Shoto briefly.

“Can I ask what the sitch is between you two?” Ashido asked.

“Shoto saw me, one of his closest friends, nearly…” Yuuto sighed and decided it was too painful to say. “Yeah. He’s just a little ‘touch starved’, so he prefers to be cuddly and stuff. Izuku and I are like this sometimes, but uh, as you can see I’m occupied.” Shoto held Yuuto tighter, no one else was getting him tonight.