Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It felt like it was only yesterday that Izuku Midoriya's life fell apart. Which, to be fair, it was yesterday. Everything went so wrong and only got worse that day, a train wreck of events. Even though he met the man he looked up to his entire life in a chance encounter after school he only gave the young boy a taste of reality

He couldn't be a hero

The young Midoriya walked to his seat as per usual, trying his best not to call attention to himself. Even though he got to class a little early this time around there were still a few students inside

"Great, Kacchan isn't here yet. After what happened yesterday I'm sure he'd let loose on me if he saw me again."

It also happened that Katsuki was attacked yesterday by a sludge monster, the same one that All Might fought just before Izuku met him. How or why it got out was still a mystery to him

"It was probably me." He thought, slumping in his chair. "If I hadn't chased after him he would've captured him properly. I'm always getting in the way..."

A new wave of tears threatened to make their way out at the tearing of the old wound. Izuku laid his head down on his desk as he tried to prevent himself from crying again, almost the fourth time since yesterday

"Hey Bakugo, you sure you're doing alright after what happened yesterday?"

"Can it! I'm doing fine. Don't be so dramatic." The voice of the explosive teenager retorted bitterly

When the loud and obnoxious boy and his 'friends' made their way to the classroom they were met with several concerned faces and curious looks. It wasn't everyday that one of their own classmates was saved by the number one hero! Overnight Bakugo became the talk of the class, easily brushing aside Midoriya's ludicrous dream

"What!? Got something to say?!" The violent boy exclaimed, making everyone avert their eyes. Even when they were supposed to feel bad they still couldn't help but think he deserved the encounter

All except Izuku, who was laying his head down to feign sleep. He tried his darndest to remain still, to disappear into the background as he should. But instead the center of attention hovered over him, gazing at him like a spotlight 

"Hey nerd. You still planning on going to UA? Better answer honestly so I can kick your ass." Bakugo threatened in his usual manner, mockingly and with a sick sense of pleasure

"I-I don't know..." Izuku said, his cracking voice almost giving him away

"You don't know? I thought I told you that you'd never be a hero. It should be 'no'!" He said before he slammed his hands onto his 'friend's' desk. "And look at me when I'm talking Deku."

Slowly, Izuku picked up his head to reveal his puffy red face with tears at the edges of his eyes, scared to confront him. The blond middle schooler knew that Izuku was emotional for a boy, but to think he was this unstable?

"You're crying? I haven't even hit you yet!" He growled. "You really wanted to be a hero that badly? How pathetic."

"I'm sorry I-I just-"

"I don't wanna hear it." He sneered, towering over the teen. Rather than glare at him with disgust or hatred he instead looked more disappointed than anything. "You need to stop acting like a kid. Just cause you want to get into UA doesn't mean it's gonna' happen, not for a quirkless reject like you."

"That's enough Bakugo lest you want a write up." The middle-aged teacher sighed, getting up from his observational seat to start class. While Izuku was being berated the rest of the class arrived, waiting for the lesson

"Hmph, just had to set the record straight." He hissed, walking back to his seat

"Bullshit." He sneered to himself as the teacher began to drone on about science and what-not. "He's stupid if he even considers applying to UA, he'll make a fool of himself and me."

"Cause I'm gonna be the number one hero some day! And I don't want to be swept up with the likes of him!"

Izuku on the other hand stared blankly at the chalkboard with tears flowing down his face, both unable and unwilling to stop them. His fragile world had finally fallen apart. The last bit of naive hope for his future snuffed out in front of him

"I could never be a hero..."

As the quirkless kid quietly sobbed to himself the rest of the class ignored him like a bug on the wall, out of pity or out of spite. It was clear that no one would interfere

"Hey." A boy whispered to Bakugo. "Wasn't that a little harsh? Even by your standards."

"Shut it extra." He clapped back with a low voice. "He's not some kid anymore, and it's about time he learned his damn lesson."

Elsewhere, in a run down apartment, a frail man made his way inside to rest. The apartment itself wasn't too bad but it's poor state was primarily due to the owner having no time throughout the day to clean or maintain it, leaving it dirty and a complete mess. Clothes were left sprawled on the floor, a small mountain of dishes sat in the sink, a dust bunny floated across the floor with nothing to get rid of it

This was where the 'Number One' hero lived, hidden from the rest of the world. So goes the burden of the symbol of hope. Even though he was more than capable of flaunting his status and wealth he willingly chose to live in a less-than-humble apartment in the center of the city

"Uuuuggh... I needed that..." He sighed deeply as he fell on his dusty couch. But one whiff jolted him to his feet and forced him to plug his nose. "The thing smells like crap."

Grunting in displeasure the hero got up from his seat and stood to survey his apartment. It was by no means flattering. But at the same time it would be typical for a person like Toshinori Yagi, a fragile man with a disability. He not only spent too much time outside rather than inside, he also couldn't fit the mountain of chores into his daily schedule

"I can't keep this up, not for long..."

Toshinori's chest rumbled as he sighed, absorbing the full meaning of his own words. Ever since his injury he's become less and less capable of transforming into his powered up state. Every day it's become harder for him to keep up appearances

Sadly, it was time that he find someone to pass the torch to. The problem..? It was damn near impossible to find anyone who was truly worthy of One for All, especially since he was practically the biggest celebrity out there. He was greater than a household name by now. Anyone would want to be like him without a second thought

"Like that kid from yesterday."

As far as fans go, that boy was the boldest and bravest one he's seen in years. By what he understood, he looked up to him his entire life dreaming of being a hero. It's a shame that his hero, of all people, had to be the one to tell him he couldn't become one at all, especially since he was quirkless

"But it had to be done." He rationalized, still feeling the burning shame in himself for having crushed someone's dream. "I can't in good faith send that kid into something he's not at all prepared for. He's better off as a civilian. Out of harms way."

Even then Toshinori couldn't forgive himself. It crushed him to know that he let down someone who admired him so much. For his greatest fan to be told by his hero to stop following his dream... It takes a certain type of strength to look past it all

To distract himself he made his way to his room in order to prepare himself for his new job. A while ago he finally agreed to become a teacher at UA high school in order to teach the new generation. Although finding the next user of One For All would be an added bonus. But with his form becoming harder to sustain he'd be lucky if he could finish the year without giving in

The hero reached into his large closet and pulled out a striped suit in bright yellow colors, almost as loud as his regular costume. It was made from a solid silk material and its benefit was its ability to extend enough for him to transform safely without tearing the suit. A necessity in all his clothing

To test it Toshinori changed into the fine, freshly pressed suit that seemed to glow despite the lack of adequate lighting. It was a massive step up from his usual clothes two sizes too big but it was still hollow in places

Stepping in front of a mirror he watched as his body grew nearly twice its size and thrice its width, powering up to become the great All Might. His blonde hair rose energetically, his two 'ears' standing proud without any drooping. His chest, arms and legs expanded and gained much definition in contrast to the twigs that they were before. And lastly, his great smile returned to him, almost sparkling in his reflection. 'All Might' stood in front of Toshinori boasting a confidence that he didn't truly posses. A strength that was only temporary. It felt natural for him to smile so wide when he was in this form. Who wouldn't when they become the literal embodiment of peace?

"I Am Here!" He boasted proudly with a booming voice. Everything from the suit to his body shone in the light like it hadn't before. He looked so professional. So powerful in the mirror that he couldn't help but smile a little more than normal

But then, in the blink of an eye, it all vanished. In a puff of steam and smoke his muscles shrank, his hair fell and his smile was wiped away. He spout blood from his mouth and heard the wetness hit something

"Crap!" He exclaimed, grabbing a small towel immediately and dabbing the stain on his suit

Eventually, Toshinori was able to look into the mirror again and see who he truly was without the All Might persona. His suit no longer glimmered with the same brilliance as before, his body seemed to barely fill in the gaps of his large suit. His face was now ragged with a bit of blood and large eye bags. He was a complete contrast to how he looked a second ago. How the symbol of hope was supposed to look

"I have to find a new symbol of hope... Someone that knows and understands what it takes..."

But all would come in due time. For now, he had to wait for the selection of the newest UA students, and that wasn't until a while from now

"For now... I need to clean those dishes." He grumbled, stripping from his suit and returning it to the closet

All would come in due time. But for now, the fate of the world of heroes as well as the lineage of One for All rested between his boney fingers

That same day Izuku walked his way home with a reddened face. The blur from his tears and the occasional hiccup prevented him from listening to the lecture properly. Even Bakugo and his friends didn't bother him after class, permitting the boy to breakdown in his solace. It was hard for him not to. His entire purpose for living had disappeared entirely and life no longer had meaning. No matter how impossible it sounded, nor how childish it was, Izuku dreamt of becoming a pro-hero like All Might. Sure he wouldn't be like him exactly but surely there was a way for a quirkless kid to become a hero. Maybe through gadgets? Martial arts? It didn't matter, so long as he could help others in any way he could

But now that was gone, his impossible, daring dream was gone. No ceremony, no music, no warning. Izuku just stopped believing. As simple as that. He gave into the constant criticism from Bakugo and others and finally accepted it

He wasn't going to be a hero

Just thinking about it made his eyesight blur again. He was so sick of crying by now. But whenever he thought back to his dream being a mere myth his stomach burned worse than any illness could ever make it. He had no purpose behind his actions. No goal to strive for. No reason to continue living...

Eventually Midoriya made it back home in one piece, or at least relatively so. As he set his backpack down to grab his house keys he realized something as soon as he saw it

"My backpack's open." He registered. He looked inside and discovered that he was now missing one of his research journals. "I lost it. Maybe I'll make another." He concluded half-heartedly, not imagining himself actually doing it

As he finally opened the door he was kindly greeted by his mother, who wore an apron over her usual clothes. Much like him she had green hair and soft green eyes, appearing like an older, more feminine and maternal version of Izuku (technically he was a carbon copy of her). Even though she got fatter in recent years she's still the exact same person she was since Izuku was born. Her face brightened with joy at seeing Izuku

"Honey you're back! I made food already so come and eat." She exclaimed only for her smile to fade away. Ever inquisitive she noticed that Izuku lacked the same smile that he wore every day. "What's wrong? Are you sick? Your face is all red."

Worriedly, Inko led her son to the couch and sat him beside her, trying fish for an answer. Yesterday, she recalled, he said that his favorite notebook was destroyed in his hands. She didn't know what was going on with Izuku and he always refrained from telling her out of shyness but as his mother it's been long enough that she's stayed silent

"Please tell me. Are-are the kids at school bullying you?"

"No. It's not that." Izuku lied, trying to defuse the situation at least a little bit. "It's something else. Something that's been bothering me."

"You know you can tell me anything."

Izuku sighed deeply in spite of the burning inside his chest and the sweat building under his brow. But this new pain that he felt, the emptiness in his stomach that felt like a void inside of him, it overtook the embarrassment  

"...Do you remember yesterday when I was saved from the sludge villain?"

"Yes, you came home with so many bruises." She responded. "Are you still hurt? Is that what this is?"

"No mom," he waved her off, "that's not all. I never really told you who saved me did I?" He asked, but Inko only shook her head

"It was... All Might."

"What!" She exclaimed her surprise and joy for her son. "Is that true? How come you never told me about this?!"

"It's because of what happened after." He stated. The glory of the moment was sucked away by the tone in the boy's voice

"When I met him, I was so stunned with joy that I lost my mind. After he jumped away I clung to him and followed him. I-I wanted to ask him an important question. One that I've thought about all of my life... I figured, as the number one hero he'd have the clearest answer."

"And what was it?"

"...Whether I could be a hero, even without a quirk."

She held her breath. Ever since he watched that video of All Might as a kid he'd wanted more than anything to be a hero that inspired people like he did. His room was always stuffed with All Might figurines and posters and countless other merchandise of his favorite hero, all to reflect his dream 

But ever since he was diagnosed as quirkless life only got harder. He started getting bullied in school by the quirked kids and he stopped being friends with Katsuki after a while. Even though Izuku never said it out loud he always struggled with lying about it. Even though she's gone to the school numerous times for the teachers it never stopped

And after everything, it was all because Izuku had a dream. A dream to help others, to save people

"...And what did he say?"

The thin, lanky frame of All Might stood before the doorway leading down the building. His thin body only barely took up the space of his oversized shirt and large cargo pants. He was a hollow imitation of All Might, but nonetheless the cruel reality of his idol. The man behind the smile

"It's not bad to dream. But sometimes, you just have to be more realistic."

"He said... That my dreams should be realistic..."

Inko recoiled from the words she herself had said more than once. Except back then she didn't have the guts to make her words more firm, more absolute in the face of her child's wishes

"Mom... Will I ever be a hero..?"

"Oh sweety..."

The mother and son held each other together as Izuku shattered in her arms. She wanted more than anything to support her child. To comfort him with the same lie he told himself every day. But at the end of the day... It was all a part of growing up. Izuku wasn't a kid anymore to be imagining himself play hero. Heck, most people who fantasized being heroes just don't last, quirk or not. And now he wasn't that kid... He was growing and only now did it show

So in the nicest way possible... Inko had to be the final blow to his lifelong dream

"Izuku... I know this must be hard for you, but as your mother I can't let you go out there on your own and get hurt like that." She stated kindly, selecting her words carefully. "I don't think you'll be a hero like All Might, but you'll be a hero in your own way..."

"What?"

"Powers or not you're my Izuku. I'm confident that a boy like you can change a life. Not like a hero... But as yourself. So please... Don't stop helping other people, be your own hero."

The words were a little hard to process for the young boy. Frankly he just couldn't understand them. Be a hero... Without being a hero? That was impossible! How could he save people like a hero if he wasn't going to be one? In a world full of superheroes anyone that ever wanted to be a hero was always out saving people daily. Like the Pros who always used their quirks to save people from villains and disasters

...How could he save people if he wasn't strong enough to do so..?

"Thanks mom... That helps a lot..." He lied. As much as his mom did her best to help he just couldn't see what she meant at all... And he started to believe that she was wrong

"It's going to be okay Izuku. Let's have some dinner to help you relax." She smiled encouragingly

"Yeah... Thanks mom..."

"Hmm... Was the fridge always this small?"

Currently, as the sun began to set and the night crept in, the number one hero was busy reorganizing his house. On his day off no less

He was able to do so much with the time he set for himself. Sweep the house, dust it, organize it, clean dishes, etcetera etcetera. By the time he finished it was almost sparkling clean although his fridge was actually filled to the brim with spoiled take-out. Plus the groceries that he accidentally left yesterday were still missing

"There's nothing much again. *Sigh* Serves me right for leaving the groceries in the middle of the street again."

Toshinori huffed as he walked over and slumped in his couch that was thankfully much cleaner than before. If it weren't for his busy lifestyle he'd be able to properly budget his leftover heroing funds on genuine meals. But not only does he still need to practice his cooking a bit but he usually can't go a minute without the world calling his name. It wasn't all bad but his house certainly didn't look the part of the number one hero

"Part of the job I guess. I'm so busy I don't have time to myself."

His mind flashed back to the green haired boy he let down yesterday. He spent all of yesterday and today mulling his decision and choice of words, wondering HOW he was supposed to answer such a question

"Can I be a hero like you? Without a quirk?"

But when he looked at his surroundings, a semi-clean apartment with an empty fridge, as well as what it cost him to get there... it just didn't add up

Being a hero was more than just running away from a burning building carrying fifty people at once. It was about skill, hard work and dedication. When most people think of 'hero' they don't expect to see a frail man struggle to get up in the morning because his lungs were acting up again. But the amount of dedication he had was what pushed him out of his house and into the street every day. It was what made him the number one hero and the symbol of peace. He was able to push everything aside, the pain, the struggle, the sacrifice, to save people every day. And that wasn't something that he could inherently expect from another hopeful boy

"I don't know what he's really like... but I don't want him to turn into this. I don't want anyone to turn out like this..."

He still debated with himself if what he said was right or wrong. Did he need to say more? To explain himself? It still wasn't something that sat right with him. But all he could do was cope with his actions

Eventually Toshinori picked up the remote control beside him and turned on the T.V., a reward for his time and effort. Sadly, the most immediate program was the news

'That's right folks there's currently a massive police chase going on with a villain quirk user in the district of Musutafu.' The news reporter blared as the video framed a high speed car chase that was only barely followed by the camera

"That's not far from here. It'll only take me a minute or two if I push myself..." Toshinori thought out loud as he instinctively rose from his couch and walked out the door

"All in the day of the symbol of peace... Can't catch a break."

Night had fallen over Izuku's home but he remained restless. The thoughts that came to him were too confusing and too painful for him to sit still. So, while his mom was dead asleep he snuck out, careful not to wake her

He wasn't the type to sneak out but too much has happened for him to remain trapped in his room, pacing back and fourth. Wearing a dark green hoodie of his, black shorts and his favorite red shoes the teen bumped and tripped his way out of his apartment. Leaving his home wasn't a novel experience but even as he walked many paces away from the sealed door his heart pounded through his chest while he strayed into the darkness of the street

While the middle schooler wandered the familiar environment he took note of his surroundings. The lack of light that would otherwise brighten his environment, the missing abundance of people that would normally be up and about in the street. All were absent. But the most important part, and the scariest, were the lack of heroes too. Hero-ing in the night wasn't exactly rare but the less people around normally meant there were less people that needed saving, so in turn there were less heroes. Still, crime wasn't particularly high but the fact that there wasn't someone around the corner who could protect him was worrying in a way. It forced him to be careful, vigilant... aware

Regardless the young boy pressed on, bothered more by his own emotions than by his surroundings. He walked along the quiet, darkened neighborhood in which the only sounds he could hear were his heavy footsteps and the thumping of his heart. He strayed further from the calming yet suspicious area and into the more active city. Large spanning roads, tall standing buildings, all lacking the overpopulated crowd under the LED lamps that were scattered everywhere

While he was young he didn't look too different from the other few strangers that would wander around the district as well. Aside from the emptiness there was also the faint ringing of several police sirens in the distance, most likely a police chase. But none of the scarce few people around paid any attention to it, so neither did Izuku. The heroes can handle it

"It sure is ominous... Scary actually." He said out loud. The echo of his own voice was all he heard

"You learn to get used to it, one way or another."

The startled boy jumped as he turned to see the person behind him, not expecting anyone to be so close without him realizing. Before him stood a tall man with a shadowy head and yellow eyes. The cloud-like man was held together by his clothes and the large metal device on his neck. Otherwise, the man wore a bartender-esc outfit, the white dress shirt, black pants, black vest, red tie, all appeared to be what a normal bartender would wear

"Who are you?"

"Forgive me for startling you, I'm Kurogiri. I didn't see you there at first, the mistake is mine." The dark mist man apologized profusely as he bowed his head

"Oh, no it's okay, I wasn't paying attention either." Izuku calmed down. "I'm Izuku Midoriya, sorry for that."

The man was taken aback a little by the introduction, but pressed on. "Well Midoriya, you look too young to be out so late. Is there any reason for that?"

"It's nothing really, I just wanted to clear my head."

"Under the cover of night?" The man questioned, sounding reasonably suspicious

"Or... I guess you could say it's a personal problem... I'm still not too sure what to think of it."

"If it's so detrimental then why not tell me? I'm a good listener."

Izuku took a moment to consider whether he wanted to say something so personal to a stranger. But he was already in the middle of the near empty city. Plus the man was so nice and understanding, what harm would there be in telling a kind stranger about his problem?

"Well... its always been a dream of mine to become a hero, ever since I was a little kid. But now... now I can't become one like I wanted, I can't save people like everyone else does."

"And why not?" The man prodded further

"...Because I'm quirkless. I don't have any special powers like the rest of the world does." He revealed, but the man didn't seem too surprised. "I want to save people like the pro heroes do, but without powers I'm just useless. How can a kid like me save people?"

The man seemed to pause as he stared at the emotional young boy before him. But after what seemed like a deal of consideration, the man had something to say

"Your ordeal is a detrimental one. You have the soul of a hero, but lack the strength to see it through."

"You really think so?"

"I do." Kurogiri replied before he seemed to look over his shoulders and scan the empty street around them. "And if you want the answer to your problem, I have just the solution."

The clothed mist-man disappeared into a dark alley, away from the open and lit city street. Izuku was both confused and a little scared for what it entailed, but then he thought about what he could gain

"The answer to my problem? About being a hero?" He thought worryingly as he found himself walking behind Kurogiri. His mind was softly telling him to run the opposite direction but his heart... his heart was telling him to see what his 'answer' really was

"Could I really become a hero?"

"In here young Midoriya." The man said as he pointed towards a large patch of his own mist that created what looked like a portal. "Through this portal there is a man who's waiting to see you. Take it and you'll find the strength to become something more, to achieve your dream. Leave it, and you'll abandon that dream you hold so dear forever."

Midoriya was faced with what was possibly the scariest decision of his life. Logically speaking his mind was now screaming at him to run away, to not fall for such an obvious trap. He knew that this was a blind kidnapping. If he were to take the portal he couldn't imagine himself leaving in one piece. What if there was actually a villain on the other side?

"Waiting to see me..." He thought as he stared at the empty patch of purple void that called his name

His heart was in a different place than his mind. It always was really. The chance to become something more? Could this stranger really claim something so massive for a kid like him? A quirkless? He knew that he was useless, he always knew, but that portal... maybe it had something in store for him...

Yet the more he thought about it, the more his heart took over for him. He didn't want to abandon his dream. He wanted to cling to it desperately for as long as he could. If this was the answer to his problem, what would keep him motivated for the rest of his life, his purpose... then he was willing to risk it

"Here goes nothing." He decided as he inched towards the mysterious portal. When he stepped through he disappeared from sight, and soon after Kurogiri did as well

As the two disappeared, a large, buff man wearing black cargo shorts and a white T-shirt crashed into the top of the roof beside the alleyway. The man jumped down onto the alleyway with a hard thump and as he made his way out his body began to deflate as his muscles and height both shrank in size, letting out a puff of smoke as he did so. This was followed by a fierce coughing fit

"That- *Cough* *Cough*-takes care of it- *Cough*!" The man stated out loud. Luckily he landed in a very quiet part of the district, otherwise there'd normally be suspicious glances coming from all over

"I need to get a cab before it gets too late." He thought as he reached into his pocket to find... nothing. No wallet, no phone, no keys

"Not again..."

In a dark, obscured room with no light at all Izuku appeared through a portal that was nearly just as dark. When the boy entered he was surprised to be surrounded in darkness, unable to see anything at all, not even his arms

"This was a mistake." He regretted almost immediately as dread took over, it was like a nightmare was nearby, hidden inside the darkness. Although Izuku couldn't tell where he was, he just knew that there was someone dangerous near him. Maybe even in the same room...

"Hello? A-Anyone there?" He shouted, hearing his voice echo against the walls

"...You must be Izuku Midoriya." A voice said from behind him, one that was silky and elegant, but commanded respect and oozed power. Out of fear alone Izuku whipped around and bowed to honor the man in hopes that he doesn't hurt him

"I-I-er-yeah-YES! That's... my name." He stumbled through his words

"There's no need to fear me young boy. I was just looking for you."

"Y-you were?"

"Yes I was. You see, I've had my eye on you ever since I found this lovely journal of yours." He stated. "It's a wonderful piece of work, and when I found that the author of such a journal was only a middle schooler I just had to send someone to search for you."

"My missing quirk journal." He realized, making him a little sick to his stomach. "He found my journal and wanted to see me?!"

The atmosphere was more than a little tense, shrouded in darkness with only a menacing voice to listen too. He thought he was thrusted straight into a nightmare with only his ears to rely on

"Oh? Silly me, I forget that others can't see in the dark." The man said as suddenly the dim lights came on to provide some illumination. Though it wasn't much better than before, Izuku could now see a little bit of the man that was talking

From what he could gather, the man had a bald, wrinkly head with no eyes at all. He wore what seemed to be a black suit that disappeared under the darkness, and right beside him was medical equipment, mainly an oxygen mask. The sight of the man was much less frightening than what the boy could imagine, but no less scary and far more ominous than before. The man's non-eyes peered deep into his soul, a tiny smile indicating that he meant no harm...for now

"My apologies, I lost my eyes a long time ago and hence learned to see in the dark." He explained before he got back to business. "By what Kurogiri has told me, you seek to become a hero? Even though you're quirkless?"

"That's right... sir!"

"I see, you remind me of someone I once knew. A noble soul... it's a shame that he was so misguided. Just like you. Misguided by the society we live in."

"W-What do you mean?" Midoriya asked, mustering the courage to speak out

"You say you wish to save people like the bright and shiny heroes, but with your... disability of sorts, you've been casted aside from the society you live in. You want to save people but the cruel hearts of man only judge you for your dreams."

Izuku was more frightened than ever now. How was this man able to collect so much information on him? How did he know more than what he told Kurogiri? Was he spying on him?!

"Yet you fail to see your own worth as well. These notes of yours... you possess a special talent that no one else has, at such a young age even. It'd be a great shame to let it go to waste under a society in which no one appreciates you for what you are."

"T-thank you?" Izuku responded, unsure as to where this is going

"But you've come to me for strength haven't you? You wanted to become more than what you were, what others saw in you? You have a dream worth clinging to, and while others spit in your face YOU continue to dream!"

"Yes!"

"I see. Just as I remember him..." The man commented with a smile. "Well then you've made the right decision. Because now, you shall be my pupil, and your skills shall serve me well."

Izuku felt overjoyed for a second before his logical mind finally took a stand against him. How could he accept such a deal? The lights, the stalking, the ominous tone of voice, the fear he felt even now

He was speaking to the most villainous man he could think of

"Wait!" Izuku mustered every ounce of courage within him. "But you're a villain aren't you?"

"Does that lower your opinion of me?"

"I just... I can't see how I can be a hero if you're a villain. I don't... I don't want to be evil like you!" Izuku declared with all his remaining strength, followed by the immense horror that came with his decision. He just spoke out! Was this guy about to kill him!? Did his smile fade?

Instead, the man only chuckled a little in his amusement and in such a way that confused Midoriya. He couldn't tell if what he said was funny or if he just made the worst mistake of his life

"I admire your courage, but you are misinformed." He declared. "Because not all villains are evil."

"They're not?"

"No, not at all. Just misunderstood. Villains are called so because they've been thrown away by society. Just like you." He declared. "Being a villain doesn't make you evil, it's just a narrative that was made by heroes to justify the cruelty that we endure for being 'villains'"

"So then... how am I supposed to save people if I'm a villain."

"That's an easy question. You can save people by being yourself, by helping other villains endure the struggle that goes with being outcasts. You can save people from the society that we live in."

Izuku couldn't understand what the man was saying, it sounded so complex and unreasonable that it struggled to process in his mind. Villains weren't evil? So then why were heroes always fighting them? Why was the world so bent on destroying villainy if not because it was sheer evil?

"So, Izuku Midoriya. Will you become my pupil?"

The question hung in the air coldly as Izuku stared at the floor in contemplation. This all sounded so wrong that it made him shake a little. How could he become a villain? He wanted to be a hero! He didn't want to fight heroes, he wanted to become one! To save people like All Might, not go against him!

Yet he could at least marginally understand what was being said. He was an outcast, always has been. He didn't know what this man wanted from him aside from using his skills in observation and analysis, but he understood what he was helping him do, helping him achieve

"I'm confident that a boy like you can change a life. Not like a hero...but as yourself. So please... don't stop helping other people. Be your own hero."

His mother's words rang in his head as he looked up to see the man that was finally reaching a hand out to him. Maybe he didn't know what it was to be a villain, or even a hero for that matter, but he knew that he wanted more than anything to save people

Izuku Midoriya looked at the mysterious man with confidence, his chest puffed out and standing tall despite the shaking of his hands

"I want to become your pupil. I want to learn what it means to be a villain. I want to save people like me!"

"Good, very good." The man smiled. "My name is All for One, your new teacher. But you shall call me sensei!"

Chapter Text

The morning after the meeting between Izuku Midoriya and All for One was both the most confusing and the most worrying day in Izuku's life. When he returned home he slept so late that he awoke at nearly twelve the next day, well rested as well as anxious for what's to come

After he came to the boy took a moment to himself and stared at his ceiling in silence and contemplation. The fear from the day prior was now gone and in its place was a mountain of worry and wonder. A while ago he thought he was going to die yet here he was, having gotten a full night's rest. In all honesty he didn't know what to expect. He only knew that something had to happen by now. But as he laid in silence, absorbing the still calmness in his room, it felt as though all of yesterday was just a dream

That was until he heard a light ping emanating from a phone beside him. Izuku sat up and saw the black flip-phone that he was given the night before, a burner phone that was hard to track and easy to conceal. On it were two contacts 'Sensei' and 'Kurogiri' and while Izuku didn't know if he was really allowed to just call his new master or his new caretaker at any moment he sure wasn't going to test his luck now

He unlocked the phone and opened it to read the message he received from Kurogiri. ‘Master would like for you to document a few quirks onto a new journal for him.’ It read

"He couldn't text me himself?" He thought before realizing that his new sensei couldn't see. So maybe it was hard for him to even pick up calls. That, or he just couldn't be bothered, which was also a likely answer

"But he has a contact?"  

Refocusing, Izuku tried to type out a response before realizing that the phone had a different format for typing letters than normal smart phones did. It was a model that was well since ancient by now, predating the era of quirks actually. To think it they still made these…

It took a little fiddling before he was able to craft an 'ok' as a response

"I'll have to work on that."  

Finally sliding out of his bed Midoriya took a good look at his room filled to the brim with All Might merchandise and memorabilia. It was ironic now. Just yesterday he became the one thing that his favorite hero hated the most

A villain

His obsession with All Might was only now coming into question not because of any shifted ideals or new realizations... But because it was awkward now to see his room covered in hero merchandise while he was, in reality, a bonafide villain. It wasn't much of a realization but the idea made him uncomfortable 

"I shouldn't get ahead of myself," he thought, "I haven't broken a law. I'm still no villain yet."

It was that small thought that scared him a little. Yet was a very strong word for Izuku didn't even know what a villain really did outside of commit crimes and be put into prison by the heroes. But he was a villain so... Did he deserve to go to jail?

"This is all so confusing." 

It was still a brand new concept to him that not all villains were evil let alone the fact he was a villain now too, or at least partly so. He wasn't sure what 'Sensei' meant when he said all the things about villains being victims and not evil. All his life he was taught that criminals needed to be put in jail by the heroes and the police. So how could he claim that they were good at all?

"I'm sure I'll learn soon enough. For now, I need to follow his lead." 

Eventually, after much reminiscing, Izuku finally left his room and walked into the kitchen to see his mother hang her apron. The living room smelled like breakfast that he missed out on but there were still ample remnants left on the pan for him

"Oh, good morning honey. Are you feeling well now?" She greeted with her staple warm smile and soft voice

"I'm doing well now, thanks mom." Izuku replied with as much positivity as he could muster. But the reality was his problem, which wasn't completely solved. He was no hero at all, quite the opposite actually. He knew that he had to find a way somehow but for the moment he was still just Izuku Midoriya. The average, uninteresting quirkless boy...

"I'm so glad to hear that! Breakfast is still a little hot if you want some, and I'll take care of the cleaning." She beamed as she went to grab a plate for her son

"I hope that this wasn't a mistake. Maybe sensei really can help me save people." Midoriya thought as he sat down at the dinner table and waited for his late breakfast

He didn't know what the future held for him. But what he did know was that he had to take things one step at a time, beginning with going outside...

Elsewhere, inside the apartment of Toshinori Yagi, the true persona of All Might was fast asleep. He came home very late again since he left in such a rush. He waited hours for a train to pick him up and by the time he got back home it was already four in the morning... Again

But as the symbol of peace rested soundly a call desperately tried to go through but failed to wake the hero. It took a full minute of ringing before Toshinori was able to rouse himself awake and pick up the phone, the bags in his eyes were much deeper than usual now

"Hello?"

"Hello Toshinori, did you sleep well last night?" The voice of Principal Nezu, Toshinori's friend and employer, spoke

"Something tells me that you know something..." Toshinori groaned a little, wiping sleep from his eyes

"You're correct." Nezu chuckled. "It's the darndest thing really. Before going to sleep I saw All Might stop a crime in Musutafu without stopping for a second to talk to the camera. It's a wonder what he was doing on the other side of Tokyo."

"You caught me..." He moaned as he crept out of bed, feeling every bone in his body pop loudly as he did so. "I pushed myself and stopped a crime a few miles out."

"A few is not the right way to put it Yagi." Nezu sighed. "Even with your condition you're spread far too thin for any hero, much less a normal person."

"I'm sorry. But I was capable of stopping it in the end."

"Just because you can doesn't mean you always should," Nezu lectured, "for a man with such declining health you shouldn't push yourself as though you were in your prime. Sooner or later all of your efforts will come back to bite you."

"Which is all the more reason why I need to find a new heir to One for All, so that there'll be a new symbol of peace." Toshinori reaffirmed and as he did so he made his way to the kitchen for some coffee

"That's fair." Nezu gave up, all too familiar with his friend's form of thinking. "Speaking of which, have you received my email?"

"I um-haven't checked my computer lately."

"As I thought." He noted. "I sent you an email with the full roster of students currently attending UA. I also went through the trouble of giving you a detailed profile of each student and how they'd fair with One for All."

"Wow, you really went through a lot for me."

"Of course! I take my own job just as seriously as you do yours." The mouse-hybrid boasted rather proudly

As they spoke All Might served himself an ice cold cup of black coffee, a consequence of waking up so late. "I'll make sure to look at the list when I get the time."

"I thought you'd say that." Nezu said before he abruptly hung up on Toshinori 

"What?" Moments later there was a knock on the door, which also surprised him

"Did he-?" He half thought as he walked to the entrance and opened it, revealing Principal Nezu at his front door

The small, humanoid mouse with the intellect of a genius human wore a small black trench coat over his usual two piece suit. He also had thick, beige shoes and small black pants to go along with the outfit. His cute, unassuming smile contrasted the large gash for a scar that he bore over his right eye, a mark of his unspoken past

"Which is why I departed my whole schedule to prevent you from leaving!"

"Er-you can't be serious."

"I'm afraid so. If you're not willing to take care of yourself properly then I must be the one to step in. Starting with your breakfast. It's harmful to drink coffee without a proper meal you know." The mouse-hybrid scolded as though he were his mother, and might as well be by now

Reluctantly, Toshinori allowed Nezu to enter as he inspected the clean apartment. Of the few times that he'd come to visit, 'clean' wasn't really the right word to describe it

"You were able to clean? I'm very proud of you for that."

"Um... Thanks." He said awkwardly. Although he questioned whether or not cleaning was such an achievement. But inwardly he knew that it was for a man as busy as himself

"So… The fridge is a little empty, I'm not too sure what we can make here." Toshinori sighed reluctantly. As the tall man came to learn, Nezu was often just as stubborn as he was. He might as well go along with it

"That's fine. Because instead I'm taking you out to breakfast first, my treat."

"A-Are you sure that you're not too busy to be doing stuff like this?"

"As I've already said, I've cleared out my entire schedule for the day with the express purpose of helping you find a new heir. But we can't start with empty stomachs now can we?"

"...I guess not." Toshinori sighed in defeat

"Very well then. I'll be waiting in the living room while you get changed. And no hidden hero outfits this time, you've played that trick one too many times while we're out." Nezu scolded as he struggled his way onto the couch, sitting down and turning on the T.V with the sole purpose of changing the channel from the news station. Guess he was more aware than he often let on

"He really doesn't mess around when it comes to this stuff. He treats me just like a kid." Toshinori said to himself as he poured out his frigid black coffee and left to change

Back at the city of Musutafu, Izuku wandered the busy streets of the district with an observant eye

His mom was fairly surprised when she heard that Izuku wanted to explore the city by himself. It certainly wasn't out of character for him to just up and walk around the city aimlessly, he was a curious kid after all, but he certainly wasn't one who left the house often. Usually he was too distracted with studies or watching videos on old and new pro heroes alike 

But when he explained that he just wanted some time to think she stopped worrying as much as before. It was natural for a boy like him to do something so out of the ordinary at a time like this, when his mind was growing and his dreams were changing

In all honesty Izuku left because he wanted to do more research on quirks that he'd find in the city, from heroes or just ordinary citizens. Although the boy was out on assignment it felt like a day off for him, a time for him to clear his head and distract himself with something familiar to him

"The city looks so much better in the daytime." He commented as he walked through the streets as a normal pedestrian, just like any other. While Midoriya had to go out and observe like he would occasionally he couldn't help but note the stark contrast between the city in daytime versus in nighttime

While both were pretty in some aspects the daytime brought out so many aspects of the world compared to nighttime. Whereas the city would look near abandoned in the nighttime, unpopulated and inactive, in the daytime it was absolutely full of activity and livelihood. The crowds that walked from place to place, the occasional pro-hero that would swoop by and make their presence known, the bright shining sun that highlighted everything. It was what Izuku liked most about the city, so full of hope and prospect

"I like the city better when the sun's up." He thought as he followed the crowd wherever it went with no true destination in mind

As the green haired boy scouted out people with interesting quirks that he could observe he found himself with more time on his hands to think to himself. From the fated meeting with All Might, to him becoming a pupil to All for One, everything was just so sudden that he didn't know whether to call himself lucky or the exact opposite

"I still don't know anything about the world do I?" Izuku thought to himself, walking along the street. "How can I become a villain if it goes against all there is to becoming a hero? Unless All for-Er... Unless Sensei is wrong it's impossible to become a hero by being a villain. Maybe I'm just not cut out for it." 

The naive boy still couldn't grasp just what his Sensei or his mother meant. He’d lived his entire life under the society in which heroes were renown for being the best of the best. Heroes were always known for their courage, strength, grit and goodwill. Any sane person would logically want to be a hero, or at least as far as Izuku was concerned. The only way to ever do good was to become one of the people who did just that. To go against that would be not only to betray his own ideals but everything he's come to know about how the world works. As much as Izuku wanted to believe that his master would seek out his best interests... He just couldn't imagine it

As he walked there was a small commotion that pulled him from his thoughts. A light scrap between a hero and a villain that, instead of pushing away the crowd, attracted the civilians around for them all to watch the event

"A hero fight! Maybe I can write down their quirk!" He thought as he ran towards the source of trouble to find a large crowd surrounding the battle

In the middle of the street there stood two men, the first of which was the criminal with a small safe in his hands. His quirk made his skin grey and gave him a few sharp teeth and pointy bits around his body like a shark but otherwise he wore dark green cargo pants, a white tank top and plain white shoes to look inconspicuous

In front of him was one of the most popular heroes of the time, the number two hero Endeavor. His flame quirk was almost always active which gave him the appearance of having fiery, flaming hair and a mustache. But from what wasn't covered in constant flame he wore a dark blue suit with patches of flame as well as a belt with a golden emblem on it. Much like All Might he was tall, muscular and tough, but unlike him he was brash, loud and very obnoxious at times. Though his methods were extreme he was No. 2 for a reason

"Give it up." The hero shouted confidently, ignoring the many cameras that were pointed at him

"You-You'll never take me alive!"

The criminal attempted to sprint in the opposite direction and planned to lose the hero within the crowd that was made by his appearance. Unfortunately, the flaming hero was two steps ahead as he used his quirk to launch himself like a rocket  now stand just in front of him

In one swift motion the man brought his fist charged with a raging flame and unleashed it upon the shark-looking man, pushing him back as the flames temporarily engulfed him and threw him against a concrete wall. As he fell to his knees with burns all throughout his body the heavy safe was dropped along the way and fell to the sidelines for a normal civilian to grab and return 

"Wow, over in a flash. I guess being No. 2 means this stuff happens all the time." Izuku commented as he began to jot down things in his notepad. Although he long since wrote an entry for Endeavor, this was specific for Sensei. It wouldn't hurt to have another

"Huh... Gross am I right."

Izuku turned to see a strange man standing beside him, staring at the event ahead of them. His identity was obscured purposefully due to all of the layers he wore. Black boots and pants with a black hoodie one size too large. The man also wore black sunglasses as well as a cap covered by the drawn hood. But from what Izuku could see he had a burn scar on his chin that disappeared into the darkness provided by his outfit

"Excuse me?"

"Oh, can't you see?" The man reiterated. "Look at the way he attacked that thug without restraint. I bet he never took into account whether or not he can take the heat."

On second glance Izuku took a closer look at the criminal that was put down. The shark man writhed in pain as he was covered in burns all over his body, all of which seemed to be second degree burns. By what Izuku could observe his shark body was most likely resistant or immune to water, which couldn't have done well against any sort of flame. If anything, he might just be susceptible to catching fire with poor defenses against it

"...I see. But the hero stopped him from stealing. Isn't that what they're supposed to do?"

"You could say that. But... Do you think they care if you get scars from their 'saving'?" The man countered. "That bastard couldn't care less if he sends thugs to jail with a few scars. As long as he looks pretty in front of the camera."

"Being a villain doesn't make you evil. It's just a narrative that was made by heroes to justify the cruelty that we endure for being 'villains'"  

"That sounds a lot like what Sensei told me." Izuku realized as he saw the criminal being cuffed by the police and getting shoved around as he was escorted to the car

"But... Heroes are supposed to be the good guys. How can they overlook something like this…" Midoriya realized, seeing the cruelty unfold in front of him. The criminal was already in pain but he saw him being shoved into the car with the crowd boo'ing him from the sidelines, throwing things at him for good measure too

"That's because there's more to it than what you see in the surface. Everything runs much deeper than what you see..."

"How can you be so certain of that?"

The strange man only frowned as he glanced at Midoriya, his eyes and expression hidden behind his shades

That was until he removed them and pulled down the collar of his jacket to reveal the hidden dark purple scars under his surface. Just under his depressing blue eyes there were two purple patches of dark, charred skin surrounded by stitches that transitioned to his normal, paler skin. From the bottom half of his mouth downwards there was also a large patch of scarred skin that ran further into his shirt and his loose sleeve revealed an additional scar below his wrist that was also tucked away by his shirt. Without the shades or jacket to cover his face the strange man looked like a patchwork monster straight out of a fictional story

"H-How did that happen?!"

"This was because of a hero, and his... Ambitions." The man spat out

Izuku stared wide-eyed at the man’s wounds as though he was looking at his first dead body. Whatever the man was before there was no trace of now, only the pain in his dark blue eyes remained

"Why are you telling me this?" He hesitated

"'Cause you look like a smart kid with that notebook and all. I took you for one that could hear me out." The man explained, pointing at Izuku's half sketch of Endeavor as he put on his shades again. "Just know that whenever you see these things happen... Look a little closer..."

With that the man walked away in silence as the boy gazed in his direction. As he did so the crowd dispersed and Midoriya immediately found himself in the middle of the active street, blocking traffic

*HONK*

"Oh!" He yelped

"How could a hero do something like that?" Was his primary line of thought as he passively followed a new crowd around the city, fully forgetting about the notes he was writing 

Inside a quaint little tea shop sat the Pro-Hero All Might and the Principal of UA Nezu, enjoying their breaks

Much to Toshinori's reluctance he was taken out to eat and drink for the morning, still recovering from his lack of sleep. The shop itself wasn't anything too special, small in size and capacity with only a handful of high tables for customers. The design was more of a traditional tea shop, complete with bamboo and aged wood to give the place a more antique feel and the owners of the shop were also elderly. The place itself was a small family business but it sure made for a humble shop

"I'm surprised you like this place, it has an old aesthetic." Toshinori commented as he sipped his freshly made black coffee. In front of him were a few delicately made ham sandwiches, a stark contrast to his usual reheated Chinese takeout

"It's my favorite spot. The atmosphere is so very comforting." Nezu replied happily as he too sipped from his dark colored tea

Toshinori felt the effects of the tea-shop too. It's calming environment, warm people and good food. It was a wonder how he was able to overlook a place like this for so long, in the middle of the city no less. It was like a peaceful gateway that blocked out all of the stress that came from the world outside

"You know, I've been meaning to tell you something." Nezu began. "It's very generous that you donate virtually all of your funds to charity and such but it's important to leave things for yourself to enjoy."

"What do you mean?"

"What I mean is that as much as you do your best to do good you should never forget about your own well-being. If the empty fridge of what I could only assume had copious amounts of food to-go is of any indicator."

"He's got me there..." Yagi grumbled

"Listen, I cannot begin to thank you for all of the effort and struggle you've done to keep this country, no, the world, a peaceful land. I as well as many others appreciate you for it. But, now that you're losing your strength, it's time to take your retirement more seriously."

And just like that Toshinori's ease and comfort went away in a flash. Through Nezu's short lecture the problems of the real world came back to him and implemented the same stress as always. What was he doing here? He should be out making the most of what he had left, patrolling the streets, protecting the people, making the world better

"...You're right I guess." He sighed with frustration, tapping his foot lightly. The sooner he could leave this place the sooner he could find an heir to his position as symbol of peace and with it the world could remain whole

"I don't mean to give you any more worries or concerns but I'm only doing what's best for your sake. You can't keep burning the daylight candle at both ends and expect things to go well." Nezu stated, drinking more of his tea as he laid back in his chair, providing an example for his friend

Instead Toshinori sat hunched over his food, tapping his foot and staring out towards the sole window to monitor the outside

"I suppose it's pointless to keep repeating the same lesson. I try my best to stop him but... It's just in his very nature to sacrifice himself for others." Nezu observed as he looked at Toshinori with a sly smile

No matter what position he was in his stubbornness to help others almost always overrode common sense. Whether he could or he couldn't didn't matter, it was always about pushing himself to do what's best for others that made All Might the number one hero

As if on cue there was a light shake of the ground followed by a distant panic from the crowd outside. Whatever it was must be quite the commotion to stir such a reply. Instinctively Toshinori jumped from his seat and ran out to the door only to stop himself just as he opened it to look at Nezu for approval

With a defeated smile the small animal-hybrid shouted back. "I'll be waiting at your house once you're finished."

With a quick nod the blonde man burst out of the door allowing the loud and obnoxious chaos to enter for a brief moment before it shut once more, returning the calming atmosphere again

Comments and questions came from the other patrons of the tea shop but none were of alarm or concern

"Is he alright?"

"What was that outside?"

"I'm sure we're fine."

"Of course we'll be okay." Nezu thought to himself. "Because All Might is here." 

Back in the city streets of Musutafu Midoriya continued to walk and observe the quirks around him. In the few hours that he's been out he already collected a handful of pages, all of which were fairly extensive notes but lacked the deep dives that he normally added

"I'm sure I can add more later. For now I need to get in as many as I can." 

He looked up to see the bright blue sky and tried to gauge how much sunlight he had left. It wasn't going to get dark soon, plus he hadn't wandered too far from what he was used to, so it wouldn't hurt to keep exploring. He looked around to see that there wasn't anyone that stood out to him. No one casually using their quirks or having obvious features that would lead to more assumptions. Aside from the passing hero, it was hard to write down notes based on normal people

"Huh... Where else am I gonna find interesting quirks." He thought out loud, almost defeated. He felt as though he spent too much time on far too little (although the fact that the notes were beating written was an accomplishment he didn’t recognize)

"Watcha got there?"

Yet again Izuku found himself turning around in surprise. This time there was another stranger next to him that he didn't notice, a teenage girl with energetic blonde hair and messy twin buns for hair wearing a preppy beige school uniform and a cute red tie. Though Izuku couldn't get a proper feel for her intention her blood red eyes seemed to be focused on his notebook

"Ah!" He yelped, both surprised that a stranger snuck up to him and that he was standing so close to a girl

"I have to pay better attention. That's the second person that snuck up on me!"  

"What's that?" She prodded again as she pointed towards the book

The girl observed as the green haired boy struggled to collect his thoughts and feelings, blushing both out of nervousness and a virgin-esc panic. It took a while but when he finally caught his breath he returned a shaky smile

"You um-scared me. Yeah, that's it." He both stated and assured himself, forcing his earlier panic out of his system before he made a bigger fool of himself

"Tee heh heh. You're kinda cute you know?~" She teased, making him blush again as he scratched the back of his head, not knowing what to do with himself

"Um... thanks." He thanked nervously before he shook his head yet again, trying to focus

"You wanted to know about this?" He asked, pointing to the book on his other hand and receiving a nod as a reply. "It's a journal that I use to write down different quirks I discover. It's a hobby of mine."

"You like to know about quirks?" She wondered 

"Of course!" He beamed. "It's so nice to see and learn about quirks and how they work. Everything about them make people so special that it's pretty easy to get jealous sometimes."

Although the strange blonde girl seemed to smile along with Izuku's enthusiasm, it was the final statement of his that made her smile flicker before it returned tenfold

"Oh? Then do you wanna see my quirk?" She teased some more, making Midoriya smile with glee

"Yeah, I'd love to see it!"

"Follow me then.~"

The girl glided through the crowd of people with her new companion in hand and headed into a darkened alleyway, away from public eyes. As sketchy as it seemed, Izuku paid no attention to his surroundings and could only wonder what kind of quirk she had

"Alright, give me your hand!"

Blindly, Midoriya gave the girl his left hand, watching as she stared excitedly at it. There was a sort of amped hunger that appeared in her face, like an anxious tiger on the verge of pouncing on its prey

"What could she want with my hand?" He asked himself, only now taking in his situation. Walking into an alleyway with a stranger he didn't know? Hold on... He did it again didn't he!

Before he could ask any questions a knife flashed before his eyes and sliced his hand making him yell out in sudden pain. He tried to pull his hand away but the girl only held it tight with her other arm, refusing to let it go

"Oh don't be such a buzzkill, it's almost over!" She exclaimed happily as she shook the spec of blood off the knife and stored within the folds of her skirt

As if things weren’t already odd enough she pulled out a tiny container from her skirt and held it under the bloodied hand, squeezing it and watching as blood poured into the clear glass vile

tears ran down Izuku's face as he allowed the event to transpire, unsure of whether he should or even could do something. It felt dirty in way, his bleeding hand pouring blood into the vial, but the curiosity of what was to come kept his feet planted firmly and his body frozen. He only used his spare arm to wipe away the tears of pain

"Just a little but more aaaaaand... There!"

Eventually, the vile was filled to the brim with Izuku’s red blood, to her immense satisfaction. She took a good whiff of the blood before she held it over her mouth and let a single drop fall

To Izuku's surprise, a strange clay-like substance began to form around her face and hands which took on a new color and shape until eventually he was staring at a live copy of himself... Wearing girls clothing

"Mm mm mm! So good!" 'Izuku' exclaimed, his voice inflected with a higher and more excited pitch, but nonetheless the same as his normal voice

"What was that? How did you do that?" The real Izuku asked curiously, the surprise overtaking his pain

"Can't you tell? It’s my quirk silly!" He responded to himself. "I can drink people's blood and turn into them. The more I drink the longer the effect lasts."

As a demonstration 'Izuku's' face began melting off and forcing him to wipe it all away. Soon 'Izuku' became the blonde girl once again

"Aww did it hurt you? I'm really sorry but I LOVE the taste of your blood." She smiled a toothy smile which reveal her small fangs 

The boy was at a loss of words. He was stuck in such a strange situation with such a strange person that he couldn't tell if he should be apprehensive, mad or even upset with what happened. Instead he drew a shaky breath and wiped another tear from his eye, sniffling

"Sorry, you just caught me by surprise." He assured her

"I guess I did ask for it, can't really blame her here."

"Aww you're just sooo cute!" She laughed again, blushing a little. "You're the first person who didn't run away from me, that's so nice!"

"I... Thanks?"

As a sign of her gratitude the girl pulled out a small bundle of bandages and went through the trouble of delicately wrapping them around the injured hand. When she finished Midoriya flexed his weak hand and felt the cut shift uncomfortably as he did so

"I'm glad you gave me your blood, I'll make sure to savor it!~" She smiled again. "I'm Himiko Toga, what's your name?"

"Midoriya... Izuku Midoriya." He responded with hesitation

"Then I hope to meet you again Izuku!" She declared, giving him a kiss on the cheek and skipping away happily. She sang a small tune that slowly got further and further until it disappeared into the crowd at the end of the alleyway 

Izuku clutched his raw and a looked at the end of the path. The strange girl not only stabbed his hand, but liked it too? Not to mention she didn't hesitate to use his first name, call him cute, or give him a kiss on the cheek. For being the first time he ever talked to a girl it was quite the meeting

"What was up with her?" Was his remaining thought. instinctively he started to walk away but promptly stepped on his journal he dropped within the commotion 

His eyes lingered on the plastic cover before he picked it up and walked away. Determined, he opened his journal and began writing about the new quirk right away, beginning with the sketch of ‘Toga.’ His mind refused to forget her fangy smile or the messy blonde buns  

As much as Izuku knew about the world with every day it seemed that he learned simultaneously more and less about it. Heroes were bad, society was messed up, and people like Toga existed as well?

"Sensei's right, at least in some parts. I need to learn much more if I ever want to grow."

Inside of a dark and secluded facility there hid an evil secret shrouded in despair and malevolence. The lights were never turned on, and might as well be broken, but that was simply because the head of the facility didn't need them. That, and there was a certain comfort and excitement that the man drove from being covered by the darkness, unseen by any and all who dare enter

The staple figure of the underworld crime syndicate, the bane of all that was good, a demon reborn... All for One continued to plan and scheme with one of his left hand man

"And what of the Nomu?" He asked the T.V screen in front of him. It displayed the darkened outline of what appeared to be an old man wearing goggles though his features were completely hidden by his lack of lighting

“Their production is coming along well.” A calm and reserved voice replied. “We have a substantial amount of Nomu on reserve for you to expend should you need to.”

"And what of the All Might killer?"

A short pause was followed by a small sigh of defeat. "I'm sorry to say master but the weapon is still under production. The copying and transferring of quirks could take a few months to finish."

"Then I'm satisfied. Alert me when the production ceases and I shall find when the time is ripe."

Behind the demon lord incarnate two purple voids masked behind the darkness appeared. Out came Kurogiri, who was but a shadowed figure with glowing yellow eyes amidst the darkness. Beside him was also a recognizable shadowed figure though his features were completely hidden to even All for One

"Master, I'm here to report." Kurogiri bowed before him

"Speak."

"Young Midoriya made bountiful progress in his assignment and has submitted his prototype."

Without another word Kurogiri created another portal and teleported the small, lime green notepad that Izuku provided and plopped it directly into All for One’s hand. Though he couldn't read it directly he could feel the wear of the pages and guess how many he was able to fill, which was a lot

"Then everything went well I take it?"

"He sustained a slight injury in his left hand. It was cut that was patched by the same girl who made it." Kurogiri explained. "It was to discover her quirk, which required his blood. I did not intervene for he wasn't in danger."

"Acceptable." All for One stated, returning the notebook

"Who's Midoriya?" A raspy and irritated voice spoke up

Beside Kurogiri, the shadowy figure was restless. It, or he, had no idea who they were talking about

"He's another project of mine. With due time you shall meet him, do not fret." All for One assured, ignoring the way he spoke out of turn

“If I may,” the screen interjected. “You've gone through more than enough effort for what could possibly be another Nomu.”

"That's because he won't be." All for One answered. "He's a personal project of mine. Though he has his uses now his ideals and views are more... unfavorable. But, with enough time and effort I believe he will become a loyal subject to our cause."

"I see. But what of his quirk? If I remember correctly, he didn't have one."

All for One smiled at the response. He felt an almost anxious excitement that came with speaking his next words. That Izuku... He was all too similar to his little brother from many, many years back. His views, his personality...

His vulnerability

Whereas before he made the mistake of trusting his brother blindly, this time he will be able to mold the young mind to see what he sees. To become what Yoichi failed to become

Where he failed before, he won't fail this time. This time he will do what he wasn't able to do before

"Don't worry." He smiled almost evilly. "I have the perfect quirk for him."

Chapter Text

Days pass at a time with no real difference between them. The same as ever occurs again and again only this time with slight distinctions

With Izuku's new position as a Villain he found himself exploring the cityscape very often. With notebook on hand he wrote down every quirk he could find and even talk to the quirk user on occasion. When he became a villain he expected to find himself in a deep, dark room working to the bone on research and strategies to take down the heroes. Instead, he just found himself outside twice as often

As far as school life went it was the same as ever for him. Even though Bakugo rarely picked on him anymore his distance was still felt. Otherwise, Izuku still got the occasional bully to pass by, or a stray joke designed to make fun of him. But unlike before Izuku was hopeful for his future, as unlikely and as treacherous as it seemed. Because while before he could only dream of being a hero he knew that he was going to change the world

…somehow…

Inko, on the other hand, enjoyed seeing the progress her son made in his mental health. He went back to smiling normally as he always did before. He was growing. While he was rarely at home anymore he was doing much better than before. She didn't know why he left so often, or even what he planed on doing now that he didn’t want to be a hero, but that didn’t matter for the moment. Right now her son needed a chance to breathe, to fully express himself and grow away from the kid that was so unnaturally obsessed with heroes

On one day, nearly a week after Izuku's fated meeting...

"I'm going out again mom!" Izuku shouted by the entrance, already out of his school clothes and into a dark green hoodie with a navy blue shirt, black pants and his favorite red shoes

"Okay! Stay safe!" His mother shouted back

Without another word Izuku walked out the door and through the apartment complex, taking the same route he always took

"I almost forgot that it's been a while since I've seen Sensei." Came the thought. "I've been improving my note taking and hand writing for a whole week but I still haven't been trained like he promised. Am I doing something wrong?" 

The boy inspected the contents of his notes and sifted through them to see what his figurative problem was. His initial new set of notes were well since improved upon. They not only including the weaknesses, strategies and strengths that he once left out but also much more detail in his barebones observations. By this point he'd done so much note taking, observing, brainstorming before bed and copy/pasting old notes that he was already on his third journal

"I've done so much work in such a short time. When will I finally get to train?" He thought as he walked down the stairs. "I've been doing the same thing I've always been doing before, what's so different now?"

He was interrupted, however, by bumping into a tall man without realizing. He shifted back and looked up to see that it was Kurogiri, wearing the exact same outfit he always wore

"Oh! Sorry, I wasn't looking."

"That's alright Midoriya." The shadow man accepted. "I see you're out on assignment again. Wasn't it less than half an hour ago that you returned from school?"

"Yeah, I just finished eating." The boy responded, a little flustered. "I've been working on my notes like Sensei told me to and I've been doing a lot of research as is to make sure I don't disappoint."

"Amazing. That's his third book already." Kurogiri was almost baffled, seeing the new, red notebook in his hands. "He's far too eager to be accepted." 

"But what's up? If you're here where I live then there must be something important."

"That you are correct. Master himself asked that I take you to see him and his guest. Afterwards, he asked that you stay over for special training."

"Training!" Midoriya thought, his eyes glowing a little as he placed his notebook into his jacket. This is what he was waiting for!

"Right! Then lets go!" Izuku exclaimed, chipper than ever. He was finally going to train, he was waiting for the moment since forever ago

Seeing his enthusiasm, Kurogiri wasted no time as he used his ability to warp him and Izuku away from the district all together

Elsewhere in a surprisingly well lit bar two people patiently waiting to be introduced to their new guest. The building, much unlike All for One's other facilities, was well lit with warm light and featured a bar stocked with alcohol, though none of the usual residents drank any of it. The bar itself was one of All for One's special recreational buildings meant for meetings or light chatter with important clients, but as of late it's become his pupil's special hangout

Standing tall and proud was the aforementioned All for One who wore in addition to his usual black suit a thick black collar that acted as his special life support, helping him breathe. Over the collar he also wore a black mask with the outline of a skull. Surprisingly, the imposing figure of All for One along with his black mask were still just as threatening and menacing as ever regardless of the fact that he was not encased in darkness as per usual

"When is he gonna get here?" The boy next to him asked impatiently

His original pupil, Tomura Shigaraki, stood beside him. He wore a back shirt with black pants and bright red shoes though what made him stand out were the various dead hands that gripped onto his arms and head in many places, and his flaky skin and unkept blue hair made him appear like a zombie. Though he was still young, his skin, hair and face completely hidden by a dead hand masked his real age by a few years

"Patience Tomura."

Soon the warp villain appeared before them as expected and standing beside him was an unusually excited Izuku who, upon looking at both his master and the guest in question, received goosebumps all throughout his body, erasing his chipper attitude

"Are those real hands?!" He panicked as he stared directly at Tomura’s ‘accessories.’ The young man in turn only huffed

"I'm glad you could make it Midoriya. It's been quite some time since I've last seen you. I hope you've kept well." All for One greeted, unfreezing Izuku from his panic

"I-er... Yes Sensei!" Izuku shouted as he bowed respectfully. But while All for One hid a small, amused smile behind his mask Tomura’s disapproval was still marked by his eyes

"Is this really master's pet project? He's just some kid." He thought. Although his facial expression was hidden he was scowling behind the hand over his face

"No need for such formality Izuku I'm only your master." All for One instructed, allowing Izuku to raise his head. He still feared his master even in a well lit room

"This here is my other pupil, Tomura Shigaraki." He introduced by placing a hand over the boy's shoulder. "He will be your ally. Like you he is still learning many things, so don't be afraid."

Trying to lighten the mood Izuku reached out his hand towards the boy. "Hi... I'm Izuku Midoriya."

Instead of shaking his hand the boy only stared blankly at it in contempt, though it was masked as well

"I'm sorry but Tomura here can't shake your hand due to his quirk. An unfortunate circumstance to be sure."

"O-Oh. Sorry."

"What kind of quirk does he have that doesn't let me shake his hand?" 

"Well, with introductions out of the way I believe I must make my exit, there are many things that call for my attention." All for One informed. "Kurogiri will oversee your tour and further training. I expect good things from you Izuku, as you've well since displayed your progress to me."

Without another word All for One created a strange black sludge that enveloped him before disappearing out of thin air, much like Kurogiri does only much more disgusting

There was a small moment of awkward silence between the remaining three as Izuku tried to ease the tension

"So... Do you live here?" He asked the strange boy in front of him

"Shut up. You're annoying." He stated as he wordlessly walked over to the couch that was left in front of the T.V. He pulled from a small box beside him two black colored remotes, one for the T.V and the other for a gaming console that was sat beside the T.V

"Please pardon him. He's very easy to aggravate." Kurogiri excused. "But as Master said I should introduce you to the facilities around this bar, all of which I'm sure you'll find useful."

"Right, and about the training..."

"Patience Midoriya.” The shadow man lectured. “All will come in due time."

Near the heart of Tokyo, a few miles away from the famed school for Heroes UA, there walked two of its students after a long day of school

The first of the two boys was Tamaki Amajiki, a second year at UA in the hero course much like his best friend beside him. He had spiked dark blue hair, pointed ears and he wore his normal school uniform. He was regarded to have a large potential stifled only by his shyness and general confidence, which was noticeable in his constant slouch and inability to hold a conversation with strangers

The second was Mirio Togata, also a second year at UA in the hero course. He had blonde hair that created a spike at the front as well as deep blue eyes and a persistent smile on his face that revealed his easy going nature. In contrast to Amajiki he was known more as a ‘gimmicky cartoon character.’ Despite being one of the hardest workers his grades did not seem to reflect his efforts

"I got to step my game up if I want to pas finals." Mirio sighed his frustration. Unlike most schools, UA took much more practical application than it did academic which could spell disaster for those who still didn't have a good grip on their quirks yet... Like him

"Please don't remind me, just thinking about it makes me shake." Tamaki shuddered. "By the way, have you applied for any agency lately?"

"No, not yet." Mirio sighed again. "I know I should get to work while I practice using my quirk, but all this training without results is getting to be a real downer."

"Come on don't say that, you're supposed to be the positive one." Tamaki retorted. "You can't just wait for the chance to come by, you gotta start these things as early as you can if you want to become a hero any quicker. You’ve said so yourself."

At that Mirio tiredly groaned his frustration at hearing his own words used against him. For a moment he threw his hands up and placed them behind his head, taking a moment to stare at the unforgiving sun above. "Yeah, I guess so. Still, I'm sure it won't be too long before I can get the hang of my power. Right?"

"Wow, you really did lose confidence" Tamaki commented, slumping a little more. Unfortunately, he wasn’t quite the person to make up for it

"I know I've grown a lot," Mirio thought, "but there's so much I'm missing to become a hero. I know I can get stronger... But I just can't feel it..."

Now nearing their destination they entered an apartment complex similar to any other. The small lobby was barren of any activity and the receptionist was absent again which let them continue without issue. But as they walked closer to the flight of stairs something caught Tamaki’s eye

"Hey Mirio, I think you got mail."

"Really?" He asked, rounding back to see a paper sticking out of the mailbox by the entrance, specifically the slot with his apartment number

The two curious boys walked over and collected the mail, a mysterious envelope that opened to reveal an address to Mirio. And it came from...

"...You got scouted out by the Nighteye agency?" Amajiki asked, trying to understand the letter. Potential? Nighteye? "Hold on a second. The Nighteye agency? As in Sir Nighteye?"

"All Might's former sidekick Nighteye?" Mirio finished the other's thought, their excitement slowly growing before it finally boiled over as he shouted to the sky, ecstatic with the news. Even his friend couldn't help but grin from the news, the answer to his friend's problem

"Holy crap! This is it! My big moment!" Mirio exclaimed as he held the paper high into the air

"For your talent and potential? That's so awesome!" His friend cheered lightly, unable to help himself from Mirio's excitement

The two celebrated for a minute or so before Mirio was hit with a few important questions

"...Hold on. They reached out to me? How did I manage that?" He asked himself. "And why now after the school year is nearly over?"

"Its not rare that agencies contact you. That's how I got into the Fat Gum agency." Tamaki reminded his friend. "As for why now... That one you'd have to ask yourself."

"But... I don't think I've worked hard enough to deserve something like this." 

"Shut up. Don't talk like that." Tamaki retorted with an uncharacteristically serious expression. "You've worked harder than anyone I know to get where you are now. Don't take yourself lightly." He almost ordered 

Mirio was only impressed with his friend's seriousness that displayed his certainty, almost erasing all forms of doubt and nervousness. It was admirable, especially for a guy like him who lacked so much confidence 

"Right. Thanks!" Mirio smiled, making his friend smile warmly in return. "Still, I wonder what they want from me."

"Who knows, but it says you gotta meet Sir Nighteye himself tomorrow. Maybe you can tell me how it goes after school." Amajiki suggested as he walked up the stairs, disappearing from sight and leaving Mirio to ponder his own thoughts

"My potential huh?"

It didn't take long for the tour to end. The small verity of buildings were all across one another and the surrounding block was also abandoned for better cover. Since Kurogiri was Tomura, and now Izuku's, private transport they didn't have to worry about accidentally revealing their base's location. But even so the entire block lacked cameras unlike the more populated areas of town, as well as people for that matter. It was like a dead patch of terrain compared to the otherwise lively Kamino Ward

The first building was a two story hotel, old and a bit dusty with less than fifty rooms in total. There Tomura had a place to stay and while most of the building was left unused it looked well enough for an 'abandoned' establishment. It was also promising for Izuku. If he ever wanted to he could stay the night for more training or exploring

The second was a simple warehouse with nothing inside. The metal beams and structure itself was a little rusted and dusty but it existed to serve its purpose as a front for potential meetings, or to just store things

The last of the buildings was another, smaller warehouse only this time there were a few distinctions. A large corner of the place was covered with plastic mats on the floors and walls and across from that were a few benches with weights of different kinds and sizes as well as a pull-up bar. Beside that were dart boards, targets, training dummies and punching bags. The entire facility was repurposed for training in different manners and ways, which Izuku wasn't too sure who these were for other than himself

While Izuku wasn't shown the entire town all at once he was given the base's location on a map, which was a whole two cities away from where he lived. Maybe one day he could explore the city itself, but not today. Today he had training to get to...

As the two entered the last of the three buildings Izuku found himself strangely impressed by the hideout. It wasn't a matter of the quality or quantity of the buildings, but the simple fact that someone could hide from the heroes in plain sight was scary in a way

"Wow. Do you guys use these to train?" Izuku asked curiously. As of now the only people he knew were Sensei, Tomura and Kurogiri, and none of which looked as though they would use these sorts of things

"Not at all." Kurogiri responded. "I cannot train my raw strength like others can, and neither can Tomura. But Sensei bought these recently for you."

"He got me my own gym equipment?" 

"He also apologizes if the material is inadequate, and that newer and much better equipment will arrive overtime."

"That's alright, thank you very much" Izuku bowed, flattered that his Sensei went through such trouble for his training

"I'm glad to hear it." Kurogiri answered before he cleared his throat, getting Izuku's full attention. "Master left me to instruct your training and your growth, but for now... Show me what you can do." He ordered, though the order itself was a bit strange

There was an awkward pause between the two, confusing Izuku…

“Um... Show you what I can do?"

"Hit me, Midoriya. I want you to hit me."

"Oh! Right!" He said as he prepared a 'stance' of sorts

Although he sees heroes fight on the regular and even knows some of their techniques he still didn't understand how to fight on his own. He knew what a punch was and how to do it, but not when to throw it, so to speak. His stance was also all off, mimicking a hero he once saw as he placed his hands to his sides and stared at Kurogiri in a bracing manner rather than an attacking one

"He's entirely out of his element here, replicating only what he sees from the heroes." Kurogiri observed as his hands remained behind his back casually

Without another word Izuku charged after the Warp villain, running as fast as he could before he threw his right arm after the mist man. But rather than hit anything Kurogiri evaporated as he teleported behind Izuku, making him stumble forward. He was left baffled as he struggled to recover only to feel a cold slap hit him from the back of the head

"Ow! That hurt." Izuku complained as he turned to see his trainer

"I never once said that it would be easy." He teased playfully

"Then this just got much harder than I realized." Izuku analyzed as he took up a better stance, putting his hands to the ground and crouching low for a potential burst of speed

Again he ran after Kurogiri and yet again he missed his attack, getting slapped in the back of the head. He turned around and tried the same tactic again only for history to repeat itself a few times over. No matter what methods or stances Izuku came up with he just couldn't run fast enough to catch the villain nor could he recover in time for the counterattack

"This is impossible! I can't run fast enough to catch him when he escapes, and I'm always open to his attack." He thought, seeing the clear flaw in his repeated tactic. There was no way that he could even hope to catch the teleporting villain, much less the way he was now. But if he could just see another way to hit him...

As Izuku took a step back to think a little more he accidentally stepped on a small five pound dumbbell that was left on the floor, perplexing him. Kurogiri never said he couldn't use objects around him to his advantage...

"I got it!"

Quickly, Izuku picked up the light weight beside him and threw it at Kurogiri and making him use his quirk yet again to effortlessly avoid the attack. As he appeared behind the boy and readied his hand for the counter Izuku ducked in the nick of time, spinning around to deliver a quick punch to Kurogiri's gut...

Which did nothing

Izuku’s shock overrode the satisfaction of finally solving the puzzle. His attack had absolutely no effect on the man. He knew his body was nimble and all but... No effect? He didn't even flinch!

"Impressive, you saw right through the pattern. As expected from a boy like you." Kurogiri complimented but reached deaf ears. It seemed as though the boy wasn’t quite aware of the purpose of the exercise 

"I don't get it, was that all I've got?" Izuku wondered, staring into his red knuckles with disappointment 

"That's indeed true for the moment. But there's a reason why you need training. No one begins their journey perfect after all."

"...That's good to know." Izuku tried to shake his own worry. He was right, surely someone like All Might had to train before he became so strong. Although at his current state it felt like he was starting from less than zero

The next day, many miles away from the school of UA stood a proud five story building, the headquarters of the Sir Nighteye agency. Compared to the rest of the buildings nearby it didn't stand out as much as one would expect, matching the same height as most other buildings around and being made of an identical structure as all the others. To the uninformed, one would've easily passed the building as nothing more than another office place of sorts. But to people such as Mirio the building stood tall and imposing before him as he stared into the glass with awe and nervousness

The teenage boy traveled an hour by train to get to the agency, which was a real pain to deal with the crowd traffic and the distance from UA, but when he arrived he could feel his heart skip a beat. This was it...

"I can't believe Sir Nighteye sought me out. Can he see something about me?" He asked himself as he gripped the sides of his pants

While he was by no means an All Might superfan, he knew that Sir Nighteye was All Might's former sidekick who could predict the future in a way. Why he of all people would seek out an unassuming kid like Mirio was a mystery, but it filled him with an odd sense of confidence that he was spotted by someone so big, while stripping away his normal positive attitude. He had to take this seriously...

Once the nervousness subsided a little he forced himself through the glass doors of the office space and into the lobby... Where he saw absolutely nothing of interest. Not that the place wasn't vibrating with activity like the incessant ringing of receptionists answering phone calls or people walking from one place to the next. But to anyone else it looked like a standard day at an office than a hero agency. The glamour and prestige was seemingly hidden within the mundane work of the people

"Then again I didn't know what to expect," He shrugged as he felt the tension ease away from him. Compared to the one other time he had a work study earlier the same year, the building wasn't too different from other agency buildings either

"Oh hey you made it!" A voice said from nearby, masked by the clamor of noise around him. Mirio turned to face the source of the new noise

Walking towards him was a scantily dressed, blue skinned woman wearing what could be guessed as her hero uniform. Her deep blue hair with grey eyes were partially obscured by the see-through gas mask and she wore a white/blue shirt that cut just below her slightly exposed breasts as well as extremely small white shorts with an open zipper that only slightly covered her black leggings that hid the rest of her legs. While she did reveal a lot of skin for a hero it wasn't rare for female heroes to be loosely dressed either because of their quirks or to simply attract a specific audience, though the former was certainly the case over the latter

"Hi, I'm Kaoruko Awata, Sir Nighteye's sidekick. Just call me Bubble Girl!" She introduced herself. "You must be Mirio."

"Um, yeah I am. How did you know?"

"Sir Nighteye expected you and sent me to fetch you." She explained easily. "Follow me, I'll take you to see him."

Without any delay Bubble Girl brought Mirio to Nighteye's personal quarters, another office space that was at the fifth and final floor of the building. But every step towards the average looking door seemed to close the teen's throat until eventually he found himself unable to breathe 

"Hey, take it easy! You don't get anything from overthinking." The woman advised Mirio bluntly. Her advice, however, sounded rehearsed and automated. But frankly, Mirio wasn't in the correct headspace to think further on that implication. Instead he heeded her advice as he forced a few deep breathes, feeling as though he was jamming air into his chest

"Thanks..." He said but still hesitated in front of the regular wooden door. He stared at the door with the wind taken from his sails and couldn't bring his hand to even touch the handle. It was like his every fault suddenly returned and screamed at him to turn around and pretend this never happened. Pretend the opportunity never presented itself

"...Hey. Do you... Have any advice I could borrow?" He chuckled and forced a weak smile

The blue woman chuckled in her response, seeing the mortified younger man. "Just smile, make a joke or two! Sir loves people who can act casually under pressure."

"Make a joke?" Mirio asked himself, surprised as he took a second to bridle his nerves, albeit a bit unsuccessful

"Act casually... I got it. Thanks!" 

He entered before he could regret his decision and the first thing he noticed was that the office space, though it looked much like any other, was also chock-full of All Might merchandise and memorabilia. From posters, to a few dolls on a shelf, to even a cardboard cutout, the room had a pretty heavy dose of All Might within, reminiscent of Nighteye's ties to him. But seeing so much yellow, blue and red had reset Mirio's mind as his eyes wandered through the strange man's office

And sitting on the desk rather impatiently was the man himself, tall and skinny with small yellow glasses. He had dark green hair with strands of yellow as well as intense yellow eyes and wore a light grey suit with a polka dot tie. As strange as he looked the most important aspect was his serious expression that was always highlighted by the occasional shine of his glasses, making his tie seem completely out of place by comparison 

"...Um... Hi, I'm Mirio Togata. Sorry to, um, catch you by surprise? Though I guess nothing catches you off guard huh?" Mirio mumbled to the statue of a man in front of him. "...So... you wanted to see me..?" He shut himself up

A worrying pause allowed the man to stare into his new subject and pick him apart with his eyes. The hero's glare burned Mirio's soul as his body began to feel hotter and hotter

"Firstly, you don't need to introduce yourself, I already know very well who you are." He lectured, making Mirio swallow his nonexistent spit. "You're a student at UA High School under the hero course, an overall average student with average grades and a decent quirk."

"Guess I'm really making a fool of myself." Mirio thought. His eyes could not lock with Nighteye's and instead stared at his colorless suit

"And secondly... You get a C on remaining casual, though to be fair you've already entered a potentially hostile situation willing to lighten up. Acceptable." He continued analyzing, which surprised Mirio

"...Sorry what?"

"My sidekick was correct in telling you that I value people who can act casually under stress. People like All Might are vital in keeping the peace around the world, and one of his key aspects is his ability to handle stress with ease. That's why I value a more casual approach to heroing." The man explained, answering a question that Mirio had. And before he could even ask his second he was already answering it

"You want to know why I applied you to my agency?"

"Y-yeah! How'd you know?"

"Basic intuition." He responded. "But as to why I wanted to invite you personally..."

Without much of a word the man placed a hand behind Mirio's neck, purple light shining from his arm as he stared deeply into his eyes. Before him he saw a short glimpse of a future, a young man with blonde hair, a white suit and a red cape striking the same pose as All Might, taking up his stance both literally and symbolically

"He was right in sending him here. I can see a bright future ahead of him." Nighteye thought

*Days Earlier*

"You want me to train Mirio Togata?" Nighteye found himself asking through the phone as he stared at a file of UA high school records

"That's right. I've made my decision on the future of One for All. I'm sure if you look into the file further you'll see just why." The voice of Toshinori Yagi, or 'All Might' spoke through the phone

It's been years since they've spoken to each other, so for him to call out of the blue was certainly strange. But he could appreciate them going straight to business as though they'd seen each other the other day and not many years ago

Sure enough the clairvoyant was able to see the reason behind this. Mirio, as described by the file, was known as a lighthearted teenager with a general do good attitude. While his quirk was quite mediocre for its current standing it was another part that intrigued the green haired man

"His goal is to save a million lives huh? That's quite the ambition for a boy like him." 

"That's true. But it's that sort of thinking that I'm looking for in the next symbol of peace. Someone who doesn't want to be a hero for the benefits but for the sole sake of saving lives." Yagi stated

"Hmm." Nighteye conceded. He too could see why Mirio was chosen, and with potential like his it was only the current matter of making him more powerful. "So. You want me to prepare him as a vessel for One for All do you?"

"It's not just that," he said, "I want you to release all of his hidden potential, to make him as strong as he can be on his own. And only then will I feel comfortable in passing down this power."

"He definitely has room to grow, that's for certain." He thought as he fell back on his chair

"I wanted you to come here because I can see the potential within you. You may be an average student at the moment, but you're convictions are what interest me."

"My convictions?" Mirio thought, before coming to the realization of what he meant. "Oh! My hero name!"

"With my training," he pressed forward, "you'll become much stronger than you are now. With my guidance you can achieve your dream of saving a million lives and more."

"Really? You mean it!?"

"Of course. I see a great future ahead of you, and it's because of that I'm willing to train you to become the best version of yourself."

Suddenly, Sir Nighteye pulled an application paper hidden within between the mountains of paperwork on his desk, already filed out with as much information as he could add about Mirio. It only lacked the boy's signature and the hero's stamp of approval. But the second Mirio noticed the lack of a stamp it slammed onto the sheet of paper, engraving it with the logo for his hero agency into it. The teen's jolt of surprise was not just from the suddenness of the motion but the conviction behind it 

"With this stamp you're now my official pupil, and as such I expect nothing less than your very best and more." Sir Nighteye proclaimed before glaring at Mirio with a shine in his glasses

"Prove yourself."

Back in the district of Musutafu, an obnoxious blonde middle schooler was sprawled over his bed, bored out of his mind. His room was fairly plain for a boy like him, just a bed, white walls, a poster here and there, and a desk with his computer. But there were also one or two other things that stood out, a drum set in the corner of the room that he rarely used, a small bookshelf with various books ranging from comics to even cooking books that his parents gave him. Hidden within the room was a wide assortment of tastes and hobbies that were hard to pinpoint, and one could never tell from a boy like him unless he were to show you. Which he never did

As of late things have been going pretty smoothly for him, grades were high, the school year was nearly over, and the UA tryouts were in only a handful of months away. Pretty soon he'll have to start training both his body and quirk for the tryouts

"I'll be the only one in this stinkin' town that applies now that Deku finally gave up." He huffed at the thought

That green haired 'friend' was like a tick that never died, and it wasn't just because he was a nerd. Way back when they were practically meant to befriend each other. They held the same interests and talked about many of the same things too. His dreams were the same too, wanting to become a great hero in the future. But to think of something so bold, so terrifying whilst being so powerless sickened him to his very core. Only people he could imagine being a hero, it was practically destiny

Luckily, Deku finally caught his senses recently and pulled his application. Ever since then Bakugo's interest in him had dropped significantly and soon enough he was just another extra to ignore. There was nothing to pay attention to anymore, especially when he had to focus on more important things now. With Deku out of his way, there was no need to worry about something so unreasonable. Soon he, as well as every other extra in his town, will fade into the background as he, Katsuki Bakugo, rises above the ranks

"They say that only less than one percent of applicants enter. But with a power like mine, I'll be sure to enter." He assured himself once more, repeating himself for the hundredth time

But strangely, there was a need to assure himself. For one, there were thousands of other participants. While his quirk was strong, he didn't know how strong others could be. That said, there were also some that got into UA through recommendations, which limited the amount of spots that were available already

Secondly, people still ragged on him about the slime villain incident from a week ago. Since he made headline news and he was saved by All Might himself he doubted that his name would leave people's minds anytime soon. Which was just annoying. His mother was his biggest critic of them all. 'Be stronger next time' she'd say

Then again it was true for his case. Had he been stronger, had his quirk been more developed, he never would've been captured in the first place. And now he had that mark on him, a scar for all to see and know him as. 'The helpless boy who was saved by All Might that one time.'

"Tch, like hell I will!" He raged, slamming a coiled fist into the springs of his bed, small sparks dancing in his palm as he did so

Now was about time he took action, that he make a name for himself. UA was the first step towards his bright future, the step that everyone keeps nagging him about. He was destined to be the next number one, and with a power like his he was sure of it. He will get into UA, and he will crush those tryouts!

"But you can't just get things done by dreaming." He scolded himself, a green head of hair flashing through his mind as he jumped from his bed. "You need the drive to get shit done, and the power to back it up. And unlike everyone else, I got both."

Hyping himself up he went into his closet to change clothes, and soon he was wearing a black track suit with small flame designs around for more flair, as well as black tennis shoes. In a pocket he also kept a few empty balloons for a small idea he had, one involving his quirk. It was crude, but there was no harm in trying, or at least no harm for him

But before heading out his door the blonde boy looked at the mirror that was posted against a wall. He stared intensely at his figure, marking down every attribute and flaw that he could pick apart before leaving. His scrawny arms, his thin legs, his boney hands. He's changed a lot since he was a boy, and it greatly showed in his lack of a genuine smile, replaced by a cocky smirk that he flashed to himself, be it to display his confidence... Or hide his fear

"This is the start of everything." He thought. "After I'm done, I'll blow everyone out of the competition, and I'll be the new number one!" He thought as he soon made his way out of his house

His goals were set long before he himself made them. It was fate that he would grow into the person that everyone expected him to become. Strong, tough, powerful. It was in his nature, in his quirk, that he'd become a great man. By now he was only reminding himself of what he wanted to do, what he was meant to do, and that was to grow up to be the person everyone said he'd be. And it all started with this one jog...

Chapter Text

Midoriya was quick in the upkeep of training, pushing himself daily in order to meet and even exceed the new expectations placed on him. As of yet he'd only been doing basic strength and endurance training with Kurogiri, running laps, lifting weights and doing other common yet heavy exercises in order to temper his body

Already the boy had been able to improve his capabilities a little going from fifty laps around the warehouse to sixty, and soon sixty-five. But in the same breath he was able to meet his limits

In the current moment Izuku laid shirtless over the bench. His pale and unreasonably skinny body didn't seem to be making any progress in its growth but it was only the first few days after all. In his arms he bench pressed a seventy pound barbell, huffing a little as he did so

"5... 6... 7... 8..." Kurogiri counted for him as he observed carefully. When Izuku started he was most comfortable with the total of sixty pounds, but for some reason he wanted to add ten more pounds despite still growing into the weight 

Midoriya was able to complete his set of ten bench presses but the barbell shook in his hands in his effort for the tenth and final time. He was able to do it, but not without expending himself

"Ten!" He exclaimed, clacking the piece of equipment back into its stand and sitting up to catch his breath. Not only were his arms on fire but so were his legs and chest. Less than ten minutes ago he ran several laps and without hesitation he set himself on the bench to switch things up 

"If you find yourself unable to continue then you must take a short rest. We still have the whole day to continue." Kurogiri suggested, but the tired kid only shook his head

"It's fine...the point of the exercise is to strain my body...so that it grows stronger." He huffed, analyzing as he usually did. "So the more effort I put in...the stronger I'll become!"

"That's one way of putting it." Kurogiri agreed, though it was a question of how sound those tactics were. To anyone else they were quite self destructive, but to Izuku they were the most logical course of action, regardless of his physical capabilities

"He has plenty of room to grow before Master can give him a new quirk." Kurogiri thought to himself

The dark purple shadow still had no clue what quirk Izuku would receive in the near future. An emitter type, a physical type, or maybe a mutant type too. But what was more confusing was the way All for One presented the idea. If not to take control of him then why go through such trouble of training him too? And how was he going to influence the young mind with a quirk alone? The questions were numerous, and even as All for One's right hand man he still wasn't told much else

But for now, he did what he was told. He began their first training session by making Izuku do a plethora of push-ups, sits-ups, etc. While he was being soft for the moment he was instructed to push Izuku as far as he could, for whatever reason. Not that he had to anyway, Izuku was doing that last part himself

"And what of your diet? Have you made the recommended changes?"

"Of course." Izuku stated. "My mom was able to change my diet since I'm exercising so much now, I'm eating nearly twice as much as before!"

"Good..." Kurogiri stated before he watched as Izuku laid back down for more exercises, unrelenting as always

He saw as the boy struggled to lift the thing back up and with sheer will alone he was able to trudge through half of his set. But soon the cracks began to show. The unintentional shaking became an unmanageable wobble until finally it slipped from his hands. Without a second thought Kurogiri used his teleportation quirk to remove the barbell and set it aside harmlessly, thumping violently as Izuku pulled his hands out of the portal

"Sorry..." He huffed as he let his arms hang to the sides, burning in an unrelenting pain. It was like they were going to snap if he hadn't stopped in that moment

"That's alright young Midoriya, but it's not healthy for you to push yourself so far." The shadow man advised. "Your will to break your limits is strong, but your body can't keep up with your expectations."

"Right..." Izuku huffed, sitting up and drinking more water

The man of shadow stared intently at the young boy that seemed boundless with motivation and energy even in his fatigue. He stared at the anomaly until he couldn’t help but speak up. "Might I ask why you are so eager to prove yourself?" 

It took a while for the boy to think of a proper answer, both out of fatigue and his complicated feelings. But in the end he had only half of an answer to give

"...It's because I want to be stronger...to save people..." He huffed, only taking a moment to catch his breath.

"Oh?"

"Well..." he thought back, "Sensei became my master because he can see my potential too. And since no one else had done that before... I guess I want to impress him too." He spoke honestly

"Interesting." Kurogiri contemplated. "You know, you're a very special case young Midoriya. As a villain, you strive to become a hero that saves others."

"Yeah... Does that seem stupid?" Izuku asked, doubting himself for the validity of his position

"It depends. Are you willing to follow master's orders?" He interrogated. "At the end of the day you are still a villain breaking the law, and by no means a hero. If and when master asks something of you... Can we trust you enough to follow through?"

The naive boy was too distracted by the question to notice the veiled threat. These hard hitting questions needed to be asked now more than ever, answers to the inconsistencies Izuku has. He wants to save people, yet can he truly be trusted to stay on their side? Midoriya thought clearly and deeply about his answers, knowing that what comes next could either doom him or save him from his predicament. He was going way too far for a normal person to see through his dreams, especially for a kid his age

And yet he still questioned the backwards logic that came with him joining of the villains. He wasn't going to become a cold blooded killer or hardened crook like other criminals, yet he was learning under one anyway. With a promise of strength and a new perspective on society...

Was he really willing to accept these new conditions?

"I... Still don't know." He answered honestly. "But Sensei says that he can see something in me, the ability to change society. I still don't know how or why but maybe it's because I can save people, even as a villain."

"How so?" The man pried further

"All my life people looked down on me for trying to be a hero, and because of that I was cast away for who I was. So if Sensei himself says that I can be myself... Then I'm willing to follow him! I want to help the people that the heroes can't save, even if that means I break the law to do it!"

The man was impressed with his answer, shocked even. To think that someone so passionate and simultaneously determined could exist was surprising. Even given the conditions of being outside the law, the world protected by those heroes he still admires, his motivation to help others is too great

"It's a wonder how master will bend him to his will. His ideals...they're almost exactly the same as All Might's." Kurogiri observed. Though he's more than willing to follow him to the darker side of the law. Whether or not he'll be accepting of people like Tomura, or accepted by him for that matter, was still a great question

"I'm not sure why Master wants the boy to break his limits or join his side with starkly contrasting views. But the only thing I can do is follow his orders to the best of my ability."

"I see." He responded, changing the subject again. "Why not finish the exercise later? For now I'll occupy you with a few sit-ups since that's more your speed." He stated

Midoriya, after glaring at the cold metal sitting a distance away from him, reluctantly agreed as he sat on the floor began another set of sit ups 

In no time at all Mirio took up his position as Sir Nighteye's pupil with a powerful enthusiasm. He’d practically disappeared the moment classes ended for the break, only texting Tamaki between his resting periods

Likewise Sir Nighteye diligently oversaw his training. He picked apart his pupil’s weaknesses and shortcomings like a computer correcting grammar errors. Not even Bubble Girl could find him despite being in the same facility 

Currently, the two were once again in the underground training facility within the building. It was a plain white room made of solid concrete, only a little larger than most office buildings. Although the barren simplicity was maddening for some it very much isolated their focus to the two bodies that practically flew through the room

"You're attacks are still sloppy, adjust them." Nighteye ordered as a fist flashed before his face yet missed regardless 

With little to-no effort he avoided the quick flurry of bland and pointless attacks from Mirio by dodging, and it wasn't until the barrage was over did he throw his own strike. He made a chopping motion after Mirio's neck but in the same instant he activated his quirk. The slight passed through him and allowed the teen to counter with a punch to Nighteye's exposed side

But the hero had something better than eyes in the back of his head, he had foresight. In a casual motion the clairvoyant hero sidestepped the attack and stuck out his foot for the charging Mirio. The childish move caught him off guard as he face planted into the concrete and skidded his half-naked body

"Gah! Damn, I thought I had you." He chuckled in spite of the redness over his face and 

"You know that's not the true objective of this task." Nighteye lectured. "If at any moment I decide to counter, you should be ready to activate your quirk and avoid my attack."

"Yeah. Although I can't react so fast..."

Tiredly the man sighed to himself, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Then predict their movements. Anticipate their attacks and stay on your guard at every moment."

"I still don't get it..."

"Then learn!"

The shout startled the man as much as it did his pupil and immediately he composed himself by face palming. He nearly flattened his nose in his tempered frustration. "I don't understand. All Might chose him to become his successor, yet he still can't even fathom the idea of predicting an opponent's attacks during combat!" He ranted to himself

The man’s thin patience had only barely needed to be tested before he found himself yelling at random. The boy, well meaning as he was, couldn't grow at the rate that he expected from the golden child, the supposed prodigy. Like All Might he needed to be strong, intelligent and kind and while he was perfect in the last quality he sorely lacked the first one and even the second

But his patience was strictly tied to his high expectation. His teachings were meant to craft the perfect vessel for One for All, and if things don't go as perfectly as they need to then the bright future he witnessed would come much later then sooner

"He's no All Might." He reminded himself, angering him whilst grounding him all the same. "The legend of the number one hero wasn't grown overnight. The boy's still learning..."

"Hey... Sir?"

The man, upon realizing that he stood still for too long, looked up at his student with a blank expression to see the hopeful boy. He was not saddened or even offended by the outburst at all. Instead, he seemed to glow a little more radiantly before, his sweat shining under the dull ceiling lights

"I want to go again now. I swear that I'm not gonna let you down!" Mirio declared as he pumped his fist to the sky in a strangely familiar way...

But the motion and the glowing outline of the boy shone so brightly that Nighteye's glasses were glossed in a white to hide his eyes. Yet he saw it all the same...

The future

His expression did not change as he adjusted his frames yet his body now lacked the tension that came with his burst of anger. "...Then show me!" He declared as he suddenly threw a fist at Mirio

*FLASH FORWARD*

Months passed like water for many, especially for those that sought to grow in the new free time they had, none more so that Mirio 

In the months that he spent training it was only a constant grind under the tutelage of the former Number one's sidekick. His body was not the only field that needed refinement as he went through a summer school class in all but name. He was forced to memorize the ins and outs of heroing, how to smile at all times, how to diffuse situations, how to create a presence that assured everyone of their safety. They'd even went as far as studying math, science, Japanese, English and all the essentials of class to refine his mental limits, among other things. He was already rather ahead in these topics in class but under Sir Nighteye he would be the equivalent of a straight A student

But the time came for his final review. Mirio was called once again to the usual room but now in his hero outfit rather than the non-permeable training boxers. The maroon red cape automatically fluttered despite the lack of consistent wind and his white suit with blue, yellow and red accents gave him a strange glow under the light 

"What's taking Sir so long. He should've been here by now ." He wondered, checking his phone to see the time

It wasn't until a few minutes later that Sir Nighteye entered the room, but leaving the door open behind him

"I'm glad you were able to arrive on such short notice. It's a bit unexpected that I summon you in your free time but this is important." He apologized

"It's alright, 'cause I'm sure you saw it coming anyway!" Mirio joked

"The point is," he blew though him, "today I have a special guest here, one that's been eying you for some time now."

Hulking his way through the open door was none other than the esteemed All Might who brightened the room with his trademark smile

"I am here!" He boasted proudly standing directly in front of the impressionable young man, almost like a large action figure 

"A-All Might!" Mirio exclaimed without thinking. The man towered a whole two feet above him and forced him to look up like a kid standing in front of an adult

"My my, so you must be the young Togata! I'm glad to see you've grown a lot. Just look at those muscles!" He exclaimed proudly. The iron clamp of a hand patted his shoulder and threatened to knock him over were Mirio any smaller 

"I-I just can't believe it, you're here!"

"That I am!" He repeated 

"All Might has been keeping a close eye on you, given you're already growing to become a professional hero at such a young age. In fact, if you weren't still in school you'd be better than most pros nowadays."

"Really?!” Mirio asked himself. But what took him back was not necessarily the information but the fact that Sir Nighteye complimented him at all

"And since you've gotten so strong... How about a quick spar?" 

"...A spar?"

"That's right! Not that it should be too hard for you, with that power and all." All Might smiled confidently, like he wasn't already anyway

"Take on All Might alone?! That's crazy!" Mirio thought. "Even if I can phase through his punches, how am I gonna deal any sort of damage to him?"

With the amount of power that All Might had Mirio was far from intimidated, he was horrified by the thought. Someone like him couldn't stand up to All Might even if he just stood there like a boulder

"Then again... that's only if he hits me." He tried to rationalize. "Even then I can't back down now, I have to prove myself this time. Show both Sir and All Might what I'm made of!"

Mirio’s fists clenched the moment he looked up to see the colorful hero. The classic blue, yellow and red became the sign of an overwhelming force he couldn’t hope to match, only avoid. Yet the faintest possibility that he could avoid him let him ready a semblance of a stance 

"Okay... I'm ready then!" He eventually smirked, raising his fists against the walking tank of a man

"That's the spirit! Here I go!"

The declaration was the only warning the boy received as All Might rocketed forward and immediately closed the distance between them. Instantly Mirio’s quirk activated and let the unstoppable force pass straight through him and into the wall behind him

”That’s-“ He began but couldn’t complete the thought as All Might vaulted from the wall and flew back to try and catch him off guard. Fortunately Mirio had yet to move a muscle and already All Might’s back was turned 

"Now’s my chance!" He thought as soon as he caught on. He charged straight after All Might with his fist cocked back

The hero held out his arm to effortlessly block the attack, but to his surprise the fist went through his hand. Easily the attack bypassed the defense and landed square on All Might’s nose and forcing him to reel back a little 

The moment of vulnerability was all Togata needed to gain traction. Immediately he stood tall and began to wail on the man with a remarkable speed, but ultimately no strength 

The number one hero shrugged off every punch that came and instead swung his lumbering arm outward to knock his assailant away. Instead, his arm passed through yet again and created a projectile gust of wind that shook the wall it crashed into. He tried again and again to no real effect as Mirio’s attacks kept landing with the intensity of mosquitos hitting a car’s windshield 

But the large, obvious swings did have an effect. Every passing blow left less room for recovery as Mirio lost more of his precious breath. Eventually the earth shattering attack became so frequent that they blended into a torrent of wind and punches. Mirio lost the ability to fight back as any stray attack on any part of his body would launch him through the crumbling wall behind him. He was forced to disengage by sinking into the floor like a ghost 

All Might was forced to freeze at the disappearing of his foe but in that instant he flew back into the room to land a mean uppercut to the chin. The impact forced All Might's head to jolt but was otherwise harmless. Mirio twisted in the air to strike the hero's chin with his foot and continue by spinning again to land a right hook to the cheek, both of which caused All Might to stagger but didn't remove the trademark smile. Yet before he could properly retaliate Mirio fell through the floor again like a ghost

A two seconds passed by before Mirio jumped from the floor again and tried the same attack only to see no one in front of him. The realization had no time to kick in as a wall of wind crashed into Mirio's broadside and threw him up against a wall where he failed to use his quirk to avoid contact

"You can phase through anything so long as you're concentrated, but sometimes you're unable to breath as a result." All Might reiterated. "So in the moments that you need to recuperate you're completely open to any attack."

The information only confirmed what Togata knew, that his idol came prepared. But the knowledge of himself being used against him was a familiar fear he had yet to get used to. But the haunting of that knowledge could not rival the pain of being thrown against the concrete by a force that should've shattered him instead

But All Might did not wait for a response. Instead he held out his arm and flicked his finger. On the surface nothing had happened but in reality a gun had been shot and the bullet of pure air struck Mirio in the chest, knocking the wind from him as though he had been shot for real

Wordlessly the tank of a man barreled forward and nearly demolished the teen had he not fallen through the ground and reappeared a few feet away. But All Might had already recognized the tactic as he whipped around and shot his hand-gun out once again to catch the teen off guard. History repeated itself, the bullet of air preventing Mirio from recovering and forcing him back underground to avoid the following rush of mass running toward him 

The situation called for a new plan that Togata was unable to form. The color of absolute nothing plagued his vision, his lungs threatened to gasp for air that did not exist and the horrific sense of falling would not leave him as he sunk further into the depths of the Earth with a quickening pace. His only saving grace was the discipline that was beat into him through a whole summer of rigorous training. The longest seconds of his life crawled by before his quirk forced itself to deactivate and launch him like a canon through the floor. Color returned to his eyes as he flew back into the room but none of it was the blue, red and yellow he expected

But that didn't matter as Mirio flew feet-first into the air and landed in the floor like it was a trampoline. The power in his flight followed him like an air canon as he clung to the ceiling for a brief second before the teen spotted his opponent and pounced after him, hopeful that the surprise was enough to have an impact in his desperate attack

Instead, All Might reached out and plucked Mirio from the sky and shoved him into the ground like a kid with a doll. Mirio finally gasped a greedy breath into his hurt lungs and feeling his chest recoil both inside and out. He knew that he had to move out of the way. But in his current state his heart couldn't keep up with the breakneck fighting pace they were going at. He actually dreaded the use of his quirk again, huffing for air yet unable to stand from the floor. Instead the boy gripped at his thumping chest in defeat

"You did well, but your strategy couldn't compensate for the gap in power." All Might stated, rising from the ground to give Mirio the space he clearly needed

"...Thanks..." Was all he could muster between his breaths 

"It seems you've been able to prove yourself to me. Even when facing an opponent ten times your strength you faced me head on without hesitation. For that I can truly call you... My pupil!"

Mirio couldn't help but hold his breath despite how much his body refused to do so. "...You're pupil?"

"You see," Sir Nighteye explained from the sidelines, "the reason for this assessment was for All Might himself to see what you've learned. That way, he'll be more inclined to teach you more about heroing himself."

"Teach me? So that makes me-"

"My star pupil is what!" All Might exclaimed rather proudly, almost yelling to the world what happened, declaring the new event with a daring sense of pride

The excitement was enough to force Mirio to his feet with his limbs pleading for him to lay back down. His gasps became massive huffs as his new reality settled in. But as it did so questions caught up to him. But all of them condensed into a few words 

"Is something going on?" 

"I'm glad you ask." All Might replied in stride, clasping the boy by the shoulder and towering just beside him as though they hadn't just fought one another. "I'm here to make sure my legacy lives on. And you, Le Million, are just the aspiring young man to do it. Because you have the conviction of a true hero, one that will uphold society. You can save people by keeping the peace the same way I've done it, by giving hope to others and aspiring them to do great things!" 

A hand twice the size of Mirio's extended itself to him, waiting for him to seize it 

"So, what do you say? Are you ready to accept your future?"

Mirio could only freeze as he stared at the hand that reached out for him. He could feel an immediate wave of self doubt plague his mind and stop him from clasping onto his new future. He wasn't anywhere near as strong or as popular as All Might was and filling his enormous shoes was a gargantuan task in it of itself. There was no possible way anyone else could reach such legendary status let alone him. But he found it in himself to look past the status and into the reality of the offer, the potential power to do far more than what he was capable of on his own. It wasn't for the glory that he wanted to save a million lives, to spend endless days practicing his quirk and confronting that everlasting nightmare everyday. It was because he wanted to become his best self for others

Tamajiki, some members of his class, his father, they all looked up to him because he strove to be his best self. Yet to be recognized by a man like All Might, the person he strove to be like everyday... it was all just too much

With a small tear running down his eye and a wide smile, Mirio shook the hand of All Might himself. In the sidelines, Sir Nighteye hid a sly smile from the other two

"Here's to a grand future..."

Much like Mirio, Izuku especially made much progress. Through the hard work of Kurogiri and himself his body was much tougher than before, sporting a set of soft abs that, although not much, were still a great accomplishment for the kid. And though there was still plenty of work to be done the day for his initiation came before he knew it

The day began like any other. Izuku ate a hearty breakfast with his mom before he donned his grass green tracksuit for his daily routine of exercise and jogging. But when he entered the usual black portal he was startled to see what was at the other end

Before him stood All for One and Tomura, who wasn't gaming for a change. They were all inside the usual bar but a distinct air of hostility hung in the air

"Oh! Sensei!" Midoriya bowed respectfully. "I'm glad to see you again. Did something happen?"

"Nothing to worry yourself with my student. Only, I have a special offer for you, Izuku." All for One cut straight to the point. Beside him Tomura was actually fully attentive, a scary change that further told Izuku there was something important going on. Something he wasn't aware of...

"As you may already know you're high school days are fast approaching, meaning that your training time will be cut short for a change." All for One stated. "But that also means that the U.A tryouts are occurring today, and soon after the school for heroes will resume operations again."

"Of course. Bakugo is definitely going to ace the exams, and get into UA like he always dreamed." Izuku thought, subtly and involuntarily clenching his fist

Even though he wasn't going to tryout himself, not after what happened with his turn to villainy, the nervousness that came with the fast approaching day hit him as well. It was like unconsciously he was still holding out hope that he'd go to UA, and though he tried his best to ignore it he could feel the last of his hope of becoming a hero die inside. But as his master continued talking his thoughts stopped lingering any further 

"Because so it's only fitting that you too prove yourself to our cause." He said, surprising Izuku. "After all, there's a specific reason why I've had Kurogiri train you so heavily for these past few months. It's because I'm going to distribute the ultimate test. Pass it and your position as my proper pupil will be cemented. Fail it and... you may very well die."

"Die?!" 

In his shocked state Izuku spotted Tomura's sly smile from the corner of his vision and past the hand that clenched onto him. It was near unnoticeable really but as he lifted his head up Izuku could accompanying glee within his red eyes

"Of course should you refuse the test you'll simply be sent back home. You'll hear nothing from me and you'll get to live out the rest of your days as an ordinary boy." All for One established. "The choice is yours, and I hope you'll make the correct decision."

Neither of Izuku's given options were great. On the one hand, he'd get to properly walk away from his crazy situation. It was just his luck that things were so tame as of now, but with the coming school year his Sensei implied there would be drastic changes. If that was the case then now was his only time to walk away, to escape from becoming the bane of society

But to run away now, after all the effort that he's put in, it seems so stupid that he'd give up. Even if what he was doing was counter productive for a boy like himself he couldn't hope to find a similar opportunity. Not with the way he was. Not in the reality he lived in

To this day the encouraging words from the people around him continued to ring, promises that helped maintain his sanity through the strange jump in logic he thought this was. As a villain, there had to be a way to make things better for everyone, to change the very core of society for those that were left out. Be it that burned man who suffered through the hands of heroes, himself who was isolated from society for having a dream, or others who couldn't rise from the oppression as he had and instead were destroyed along the way. There had to be a way to save them all...

"It's not bad to dream. But sometimes, you just have to be more realistic."

"It doesn't matter if what I dream is realistic or not..." Izuku swatted away the demeaning words of All Might himself. "What matters... is that I live up to those dreams! And if I can't be a hero... then I'll have to be a villain to see those dreams through!"

With a new conviction and confidence the boy stood straight, holding his clenched fist in front of him as he stared directly at All for One. His body still shook as he processed the thought of dying for nothing, of becoming a mere thought in people's minds... in leaving his mom alone. But his mind was set, and so was his heart. His body was the least of his worries

To Tomura's displeasure and All for One's joy they saw the boy staring down the face of death itself with the confidence to take him on

"Heh, I'm proud of you Midoriya."

With little warning All for One's right arm grew a little, puffing up in size as it threatened to tear his suit's sleeve apart. The arm was nearly the same size of his torso yet it retained just enough maneuverability to cock back into a fist

"Then your test begins now!"

Suddenly the living devil punched the air in front of him with his supercharged fist, launching a powerful gust of wind straight to the young boy's chest. The force of a truck crashed into the boy's soft body and sent him flying into a brick wall. The wind was knocked from Izuku's chest for the first time as his knees buckled under the weight of his own body, causing him to fall on the palms of his hands

But the damage was more than that. And that was because All For One did not hold back

In mere second his body was enveloped in a white hot flame that was the pain of his crushed chest. He coughed up a slew of blood as he held himself just above the ground, clenching the bone that may very well be stabbing his insides with every desperate breath

"Your objective is to stand up before me." Came a voice that Izuku could barely recognize in his panic

Tears and blood dripped from his body like an open faucet all while Izuku struggled to support his own weight. What little the boy could see through his darkening vision was covered by a layer of tears that was not accompanied by the regular sobs of sadness but the visceral heaves of pain that only worsened his condition. And yet Izuku could recognize that he got off lightly. Had he taken an attack like this earlier, before he could strengthen his body, he surely would've died. And should he face the same attack later in life against someone who wanted it, it was likely that he truly would 

Izuku tried to will his body into action but his muscles locked themselves in place, preventing his arms or legs from lifting his shattered frame

"I'm very aware of how much you idolize All Might." The eerie voice sang above him. "You and millions of others adore him for the strength he possesses to carry the world on his shoulder. In fact I too admire his strength..."

Shivers went down Izuku's spine but he could not distinguish them from the violent shaking of his body

"But there's a very specific reason why I've sought you out. It wasn't just the notebooks that you've made for me, those can very easily be replicated by my associates." He stated, his voice floating less than a few feet from Midoriya's ears as though he were a though in his head. "It's the fire that burns brightly within you that interests me. The potential that you have to change society into your image, the ability to continue dreaming when those around you snuff out every hope you have. You survived it all!"

"And yet, as you lay here broken and defeated, you continue to fight with every breath that you draw. You channel your very being into living through what would've killed anyone else." The sound monologued. "So now I give you a task best suited for a dreamer like yourself. I ask that you stand up and face me, I ask that you push through all of the pain life has thrown your way, to push past those that doubt you to this day and meet your future head on. I demand that you take action into your own hands and take your place beside me. Because you're one of very few whose dreams remain untouched by the crushing force of society, who continues to fight for what they believe in."

The sound that now forged the thoughts in Izuku's mind now boomed with an unreal weight and power both in the mental and physical world. It's message echoed within the walls of the room and the walls of Izuku's mind until it synchronized into a hypnotizing message

"Take your place, Izuku Midoriya, and reach your future!"

Logic no longer held meaning for the boy. It seldom did nowadays. He knew faintly that the voice came from his master but he registered it as a message from above. Finally there was something, someone that encouraged him, that told him to reach for the high heavens and achieve that which he couldn't before. Whether through adrenaline or sheer will Izuku took back a shaky control of his body, his every muscle and bone screaming at him to stop. Yet he didn't listen to any of it. Instead, he listened to the voice. He followed the voice's command and weakly pushed himself up, slowly sitting up to his knees as the effort forced more blood out of his mouth

With an amazing tenacity All for One witnessed the dying Midoriya rise to his full height as he stared him down with leaking eyes and a shaky smile. In what felt like an eternity the boy was able to take a killing blow and stand up straight, staring at All for One with an unmatched bravery

"I... accept!" He stated before the pain snatched control of his body and he lost his senses

Midoriya fell onto his back, paralyzed. The dark spots in his vision grew more frequent until it covered his vision and everything got more and more quiet

The great All for One loomed over the fallen kid, chuckling proudly at what he'd accomplished

"You pass..." He said as he kneeled over the boy and placed a hand on his head

"Your loyalty is evident and as such I see it fit that I bestow upon you a quirk." His hand began glowing a bright red as Izuku's hair shifted in place. But he was visibly unreceptive, fully unconscious 

"I grant you the ability to endure everything that's thrown your way, the ability to live through anything that which may kill any other."

"I grant you the quirk known as Survivor!"

With the fading light leaving both of their bodies Izuku appeared more dead than before. But the silent breathing was all the mastermind needed to know that his plan was taking shape

"Kurogiri, see to it he recovers." All for One ordered and without a word both Izuku and the living shadow disappeared from the room

"That was disappointing." Tomura piped up. "I thought I'd be able to kill him."

All For One did not voice his disagreement for there truly was none. Had things gone awry then his first pupil would've freely been able to destroy Izuku. Instead he voiced a calm yet stern control over him. "Watch your tone Tomura, for now he's a vital asset to my plans. And he'll be your ally as well."

Reluctantly he held his tongue, yet his next words were out of genuine curiosity

"And what quirk did you give him? Can he really survive that attack?"

"It's simple really." The man said as he rose to his feet, hiding a sinister smile behind his mask. "From now on, what doesn't kill him can only make him stronger."

Chapter Text

Fate plays many tricks on its victims. Although two boys can began as friends they were now on drastically different playing fields and likewise living completely contrasting lives...

It was early in the morning when Izuku's alarm startled him awake him for his first day of high school. Instead of jumping from his bed in a hurried excitement at the new day he crawled over and slammed his hand over the incessant alarm. The sleep he enjoyed moments ago glued him to the bed but the need to face an inevitable challenge is what paralyzed him in place

School was not new. Far from it really. There was nothing to look forward to other than the same experiences in a new setting. He knew that there were some changes, new faces, new building, new classes and even a new schedule. But the core was the same, it always was

His past would not be erased in a day. Midoriya knew that as much as anyone

Instead his mind wandered back to the dusty warehouse he was so accustomed to and wondered if he could skip today. But prolonging the inevitable would only make it hit twice as hard. Even his mom would understand but he did not want to make her worry. The thought of it jolted him to his feet before the whiplash could slam him back into bed

His body began to act without his mind's input as it sought the new uniform he'd tossed into his closet a few weeks ago, still with the price tag. His mind wandered away

The new quirk took some getting used to. It wasn't flashy in any sense but it was passive and even if his master hadn't told him of the new change he'd have recognized it anyway. His eyes felt a little sharper, his body was lighter and now had a tendency to act on its own

Izuku's eyes caught his quirk notebook, one labeled 'Survivor' in red ink. These past few weeks had been nothing but experiment after experiment. Sleepless nights stacked on top of each other yet it was only now that they took a toll on him

He wanted more than anything to pick the thing up and read it over and over, to etch the letters into his very soul, but when he tried his uniform seemed to cling to his hands. So instead he finished changing

The uniform was nothing new. It was a different color, navy blue jacket and grey pants, but the texture was the same. The way it restricted his movement and kept him from breathing too deeply was the same. His bright red shoes were the only sense of comfort he had

"I guess some things don't change at all." Midoriya wondered to himself as he picked up his backpack and was set to leave when he was stopped by a poster on the wall

He stared intensely at the shiny poster of All Might. With little light it shone through the darkness of the room and would catch anyone's eye. Looking at it would brighten Izuku's day no matter how tough or tedious it was. It was one of few hopes he had left

And yet when he looked at the poster he no longer saw it with rose tinted glasses. Matter of fact, he looked around his whole room to see that it had the overpowering image of All Might stapled everywhere, his desktop, shelves, walls and there were even stands too. But their colors weren't as bright as he remembered. And looking around, all Izuku saw was the grey of his room

The price of being 'realistic'

He turned to the poster again, a full body image of All Might. But when he looked at the stomach he also saw the skeleton underneath, the hollow man that he saw in real life. He saw the gaping wound in his stomach that made Izuku vomit just thinking of it

But the image itself, separate from the depressing context he now knew, was cool. It was loud and colorful and that trademark smile seemed to be it's own distinct shade of white that was brighter and more vibrant than the rest

All Might, the symbol, was great...

But Izuku knew him as more than that now

Midoriya sighed deeply to himself, rolling up the poster and hiding it in his closet. He didn't have the heart to throw it away or burn it, but he didn't have the heart to hang it anymore. He looked around and saw the rest of the action figures and smaller posters around his room too. He couldn't help but cringe

"I'll have to put those up later." He thought as he exited his room with a small hole in his chest

His day was already bad. But it could always get worse...

Contrary to the green haired teen was the more abrasive blonde haired one. Katsuki Bakugo, after a chaotic morning rush to his first day of school, finally stood in front of the double wide door of his classroom... 1A

The school of legend was just as remarkable as he envisioned. The hallways were as large as the highway and contained twice as much traffic, the walls looked freshly painted despite their age and refinement, and he could recognize almost every passing teacher. There was absolutely nothing to be disappointed about

"This is it huh? The next step?" He thought, only taking a brief moment to himself. Although his exterior was one of arrogance with a cocky grin his hands vibrated a repressed excitement in his pockets

To the perceptive, the gleam in his eyes gave away his excitement. To anyone else he was not to be approached. But that was for the better. Bakugo was not some awestruck kid who gasped at the sights and froze at the spectacle. He was better than that. He was meant to be here. He was made for it

Katsuki had, however, failed to notice a girl walking up to him. A plain looking girl wearing the standard uniform who's only notable feature in a world full of striking appearances was her flowery pink cheeks

"Oh! Hi there, didn't think I'd run into you again!" She said as though she knew him

"Eh? Who're you?"

"The name's Ochako Uraraka!" She introduced herself with a bright, shining smile. "You're the guy that saved me back at the tryouts aren't you? I'm so glad to see that you made it!"

"I've met her before?" He asked himself

He didn't think much about the tryouts after they went down, only that he was able to mow down a sea of those robot dummies and shoot to the top of the leaderboard. But now that she mentioned it... there was something that happened as well

"Oh, you're that helpless chick who nearly died to the zero point robot." Bakugo spouted as soon as he remembered

There wasn't much to remember. An inconvenience really. When all hell broke loose due to the zero point robot there was but one person who failed to run away. She was pinned to a massive slab of concrete and had he not intervened it was likely that she would've been severely hurt. So he rushed in, blew the thing to pieces and tossed her to the sidelines before he could lose any more precious time. Even still he had to have set some kind of record

The girl's smile did not falter but her forehead creased slightly. Guess she was nice enough not to get mad. At least not yet

"Well I just wanted to thank you for saving me back there. If it weren't for you I probably wouldn't have made it out of there with just a broken ankle." She thanked

In response, the boy only scoffed. "Whatever, you were just too weak to deal with it yourself."

"What!?" She gasped in shock and an increasing amount of outrage. Turns out she's less patient than he thought

"If you used that power of yours more effectively then you would've been fine anyway. No need to waste my time." He stated brutally and without tact

There was more to it, that much was obvious. The small inconvenience would've been water under the bridge, a regular extra falling victim to the main plot. Except Bakugo was more perceptive than most. He could recall her for the quirk she used, the ability to lift objects by touching them. Ironically it was that ability that could've saved her but he saw her get increasingly more nauseous as time passed until she started to vomit

Hitting ones physical limit was a challenge to be sure. But if that was the case then this girl has absolutely no business getting into the world of heroes. In the real world she would've been susceptible to any regular thug just because she was so incapable. And the only way out would be for All Might himself to swoop in and blow the bastard to pieces

And Katsuki swore that that would never happen to him again

"That's so heartless! You don't really mean that do you?!" She exclaimed, only pissing off the boy more

"Listen bitch if you're here to start shit then shut it!" He berated. "I don't care what you think so if you're here to thank me then get out of my way, I don't need to hear it from someone who couldn't push a rock."

With that harsh line Bakugo barged into the room by swinging the door open, alerting the class to the latest two additions to the roster. Inside was a nearly full room of students, each with a unique appearance. But Katsuki didn't pay attention to any of them, only making his way to an open seat. That was until a boy with short, dark blue hair and glasses approached him

"Good Morning!" He declared formally. "I'm a student from Somei Private Academy. My name is Tenya Iida, welcome to class 1-A." He introduced politely, bowing respectfully as he did so

"You're from a private school eh?" The blonde wondered, looking the boy up and down. "You don't look special, what's you're deal?"

"That's an incredibly rude thing to say." The boy confronted almost immediately. "Every student here is to be treated equally, not just based on appearance alone."

"Sure, just wait until I crush you to say that again." Katsuki mocked as he walked to his desk and sat down, putting his feet up to casually but firmly establish his dominance

But the kids here were different. They all either ignored him or gave him looks of distain unlike the ones he was used to. That was fine. They'll recognize him sooner or later. They all do

Striding into the room came a tall man with exhausted eyes and dirty black hair. The man had an imposing presence despite looking as though he walked out of a coffin with grey bandages and all

As the students rushed to their seats the man introduced himself. "I'm your home room teacher, Shoto Aizawa. Nice to meet you." He spoke in a monotone voice. He tossed the weird sleeping bag at his side to his desk. "Inside that are a bundle of uniforms. Put them on and head to the field for your initiative tests."

"Hold on," The kid with glasses interjected, "We're missing a student aren't we? And isn't there an induction ceremony we must attend?"

"The ceremony's just for show, you don't need that to learn from my class." Aizawa stated rather pragmatically. "As for the student count... one... five... ten... nineteen. Yep, that's all."

"Hold on, aren't there usually suppose to be twenty?" A kid with yellow hair stated

"Only the best of the best are able to join this class, the limit being twenty." He corrected the student. "Be glad that you're even close to a full class this year, otherwise you'd all be filling out class 1-B." He stated as he made his way out the room, leaving the teens stunned by his words

"Best of the best huh?" Bakugo smirked evilly

Elsewhere, the mundane reality of school was slowly starting to gnaw at Izuku

Introductions were not necessary because everything was exactly as expected. Many of the same people returned to haunt him with barely any new classmates. There was a tinge of hope that maybe he'd make new friends but they were cut short when he saw the same look of distain from all around him. The halls were colorless and resembled the ones of his old school as even the new uniforms failed to make the rushing between class more vibrant. Luckily he was seated at the furthest corner of the classroom as opposed to being at its center. It was lonely and isolating but better than what he had before

Midoriya's attention was drawn once more to his real passion, his quirk. He didn't bring his notebook but took to writing on the one he was meant to be filling with new English notes. He based himself off of the already extensive information he memorized from his quirk notebook and took to making deranged scribbles of every thought that came to mind. It was certainly better than falling asleep to his teacher's voice

'Adrenaline shots = Bonus effectiveness?' He wrote down. 'Elemental resistances possible? Mental adaptation also?!'

He was so far gone that when a wad of paper was flicked into his face he mentally reset himself and looked up to see the class staring at him

"Mr. Midoriya," his teacher called out, "are you paying any attention?"

"Y-Yes! Just a little distracted." He defended himself

"Hm." The teacher hummed, not bothering to verify the claim but instead going back to him lecture

The other students just laughed it off. Some even whispered to themselves and somehow Izuku was able to catch what they were saying from the distance. But none of it was new, or even noteworthy

The teen couldn't help but sigh to himself. He looked back at his notes and realized how oddly detached he was from the lecture, going from vocabulary he already knew to half formed theories of a topic that he didn't bother writing down

"What if I- No, never mind." He shot himself down before the thought could come out

There was no changing his situation. If he went through the effort of revealing his new quirk he'd do more harm than good really. First would come the endless suspicions and accusations of lying about having a quirk after over a decade of being a quirkless outcast. Next would be the questions. How, when, why were the most obvious and frankly Izuku would be incapable of answering them. After that... well there was no need to think of it because it would never happen, that was that

After a long first day of quirk assessments and competitions the real test was just beginning for class 1-A. And at the halfway point of the day they founds themselves standing within one of the vast training grounds with brand new costumes

Bakugo's costume had the overall design of a grenade featuring two oversized, green gauntlets. Aside from the obvious he wore a black and orange domino mask that set comfortably over his nose with stylized combat boots, pants and a tank top in matching colors. The entire thing was based on his crappy drawing that he submitted to the hero support group and strangely enough it was exactly as he imagined it, down to the shin guards

"I really am wearing this thing huh? It's so... Powerful!" He boasted, feeling the heavy leather and metal press against his skin like he were a military soldier. Better yet, an explosive armament

It wasn't all just for show. The grenades at his side for example were supposed to be stored with his own sweat to create a more powerful yet shrapnel-less explosive that could easily incapacitate villains. Likewise his gauntlets stored the sweat from his arms and even came with a heating unit to create more. Both came from his creative mind and a summer of tinkering with the idea of storing his sweat. Although the downside was the faint sloshing of water like he were a canister of gasoline, which was accurate

It was certainly better than the rest of his stupid class. A number of them were lame outfit changes with very little thought put into it and otherwise sported mediocre gear. To think he was in the same class as a kid with a diaper and another half encased in ice with plain white clothes

"Damn extras, couldn't get any more creative."

But what finally pulled him from his thoughts was a massive sonic boom that came from high in the sky followed by a dusty explosion directly in front of them. The event took everyone aback but as the dust settled they were ecstatic to see the man who appeared from thin air

"I am here! Fashionably late!" All Might boasted, posing as the other students gawked at his appearance. Even Bakugo was taken aback

Now his costume was the ideal. Loud red and yellow with navy and light blue accents as well as a massive, flowy cape and the iconic golden belt. Everyone could recognize his silver age costume, most especially Bakugo

"He's here!" Bakugo thought with amazement

"I apologize for being late, I was busy doing my morning hero work!" He apologized, though no one seemed to care too much, each fanboying to different degrees

Katsuki, meanwhile, was star struck by the legendary hero. All of his admiration and fanboying culminated into a visible gasp that lasted more than a few moments. It was something that he never took the time to do when he was rescued by the sludge villain. But that was different. That was a humiliating moment that Bakugo would never live down. Now that he was here, standing like a living action figure, he couldn't help but freeze

Countless years of admiration blurred through his mind but so did the image of someone else...

Deku

For a split second he considered the pathetic boy and wondered how he would react to seeing his favorite hero standing in front of him. It would've been mind shattering for him. His admiration trumped that of Bakugo even after years of knowing him

But immediately after the thought was made his visible gasp disappeared and was replaced by a scornful stare, and then into a cocky grin. He shamed himself for thinking of that random loser when the spotlight was on him, not Deku. He was the one who got to meet his hero up close, and in the same breath it would be he who topple the myth and become the new number one. Just as everyone thought he would...

"Mr. Aizawa brought you here because I'm here to test you. In a world as peaceful as ours evil yet lurks in the shadows, appearing every so often to threaten the peace. And as such I must train you all into becoming the next generation of peacekeepers!" All Might said, his speech resonating deeply with every student around, though primarily because it came from him of all people

"That is why today you'll be facing each other in combat. Two teams of two will strategically battle for the possession of a nuclear warhead." He began before finally facing the class seriously. "Are you ready to face your challenge?"

"Yes sir!"

The next hour was a bit of a blur. Students were separated into teams and set against each other in a mock villain scenario. Bakugo paid little attention, only really noting the quirks he saw and what they did before going back to ignoring them. Eventually came the time for him and some red haired kid to become the 'villains' but once the timer began the blonde already set out to find the 'heroes' on his own

"Hey hold on! Where you going!?" He yelled out

His costume was a bit strange looking, a jagged and sharp design that also went well with his quirk's equally sharp and jagged nature. But Bakugo knew that having him follow was a waste of time and an incredible oversight to the exercise

"I'm off to capture them before they get here" He reluctantly explained before walking out of the room, both baffling and impressing the redhead

"I'm sure as hell gonna take care of those two extras alone. I bet neither of them can handle me in a fight, especially if I catch them off guard." He planned as he made his way through the maze-like building structure, biding his time and waiting to encounter the other two

While it was tactically unwise to split off from his partner, he wasn't gonna give away the opportunity to flaunt his power. And given the situation at hand he was more than willing to do so

Soon enough he found his targets. One was the same boy with glasses he met earlier, now fully clad in white armor, and the other was a kid with a crow's head draped in black. Neither were aware of Bakugo's presence and that alone brought an evil smile to his face. Yet as much as Bakugo thought about being stealthy, his ego called to him

"Hey! Looking for me?!" He yelled

The two turned to face him and when they did the white knight began monologuing. "So it's finally you evil doer! It was a big mistake to reveal yourself from your hiding place. Now we, the heroes of society, will take you down swiftly!"

"What are you doing?" The other extra asked but from behind him a living shadow emerged

"We'll pummel you so hard we'll send you crying!" It boasted arrogantly

"Oh yeah? Then I'll crush you!"

With that Bakugo used his quirk to propel himself forward and attack the knight directly, launching after the teen with a flying right hook that was normally too fast to react. But his opponent was faster. The knight in shining armor backflipped in place using the propellers on his calves and kicked him square in the chest like a soccer ball before he could reach him

Katsuki, for a moment, stuck to the roof like gum and watched as the shadow flew up and pummeled him with an enlarged fist before grabbing him by the chest and slamming him into the ground. Yet Bakugo was able to hold up his hand and create a powerful explosion that sent back the shadow creature

"Damnit, they're tougher than I thought." He realized, picking himself off the ground and trying to catch his breath

"You've made a grave mistake villain!"

Before Bakugo could react a flying overhead kick attempted to decapitate him. Thankfully Bakugo was able to block with his oversized gauntlet but his arm vibrated like a wind chime from the impact. While suspended in the air he used his other leg to kick again but that too was blocked by the other arm

"My turn!"

Bakugo's anger exploded as he grabbed onto the metal bastard's foot and swung the boy with enough force to toss him across the tight hallway, sending him crashing into a wall. Turning back around the explosive teen met face to face with the shadow attempting an attack, but he was easily countered by an explosion

"That thing's weakness is the light eh?" Bakugo guessed immediately, reveling as the creature backtracked all the way to the quirk's wielder

With an Earth shattering explosion Bakugo blew himself straight toward the bird in front of him used another, smaller explosion to empower his backhand strike. The heaving gauntlet slammed into the receiver who was tossed against the wall with a broken bone

"You bastard!" The quirk yelled but in his attempt to attack again Bakugo simply extended his arm and gave him a good firework display to finish him off

"He really is scared of the light? Talk about a bad match up." He thought, but in his distraction the straggler pounced

"Ha! Recipro Capture!" He yelled the improvised attack. Quickly the white blur ran tight circles around Bakugo and only seemed to get faster as a line of capture tape immediately restricted Bakugo's arms to his sides

But instead of worrying a malicious grin spread across his face as he pointed his hands in opposite directions

The effect worked as intended. The teen counter spun like a rouge jet engine and unraveled himself at a speed that surpassed his enemy's. Once he was fully freed he extended his arm and clotheslined the bastard with his heavy metal gauntlet. A vicious crack resounded through the room as the knight's armor fractured while he himself crashed to the floor

As the student groaned in his defeat a buzzer blared over the loudspeaker, marking Katsuki's solo victory. Yet the pain in his right arm soured his pleasure and the spider web crack in his gear settled a harsh frown over his face

"That wasn't easy." He lectured himself, jotting down his own actions for intense study

After the school day had ended Izuku finally breathed a sigh of relief. He burst through the cage he was trapped in for about eight hours and sprinted back home. He wanted nothing more than to recenter his focus onto his quirk and as such he did. After a quick meal with his mom he found himself inside the same comforting coldness of the training warehouse

Midoriya's world seemed to revolve around his new gift. And in a way it really did. It has only been a few weeks since he's received it yet he's gone leaps and bounds in his training. And yet while his body was once capped out he's been able to shatter his limits and gain the strength of some adults, even as a teenager

But that wasn't all. This quirk wasn't just some battery or simple enhancement of himself. It was part of him. It was now an extension of his body and mind, a unification that under normal circumstances was not possible. It didn't matter how small or insignificant his master made it seem. To him it was everything

To him, it was all he had

"I still don't know the full capabilities other than the name itself." He thought as he bench pressed a total of one hundred pounds, almost twice as much as a month back. "But the more I use it, the more I'll find out about it."

When he set down the heavy weight with a loud thump he took a moment to himself. His arms vibrated the usual fatigue that came with an exercise. But he wasn't tired. Far from it. He was invigorated to by the effort, like he could do it again and again until he would inevitably be crushed under the pressure

"Quite impressive Midoriya." Kurogiri praised

"Thanks, but it's just the quirk Sensei gave me that's doing all the heavy lifting." Izuku admitted

This mountain of confidence was only temporary. He figured it wouldn't be long until he face a challenge he could not easily surpass. It doesn't have to be physical. It just has to bring him crashing back down to reality for the confidence to fade

"Nonsense," Kurogiri rebutted, "that quirk and it's power are now yours. Don't forget it."

"Right, thanks." The boy smiled, pulling himself from his thoughts before he could he enveloped in them

"And by the way, how was your first day of school?" Came the innocent question, the type his mom would ask

"Same as always I guess..." He replied automatically

"Oh? You mean the pathetic children still poke and make fun of you?" The shadow man guessed, hitting the nail on the head. "If you can't take care of them yourself, then I can help you with that."

"No! Please don't, I can handle it."

"It's not a matter of endurance, but if they make you uncomfortable then you should speak up. Fight against your oppressors"

He made a good point. Unfortunately, Izuku was unmoving in his own stance

"But I'm not really uncomfortable anymore." He stated, intriguing the man beside him

The boy realized too late that his statement beget an explanation. But that didn't scare him. The room his was in, the person he was with, the situation he found himself in. Both were once frightening to him but now, after so much progress, he didn't fear any of it. Instead, he welcomed it

"Ever since the bullying started, I always wanted someone to help protect me from them." He began. "A hero like All Might who could 'make the bad people go away.' But ever since Sensei came into my life, he's told me that I had the strength to hold on."

"And how does that connect with the current subject?" Kurogiri inquired

"Well, before I hated going to school because I didn't want to just stand there and take it. I hoped and prayed that someone could help me but help never came. So now... I know that they don't bother me. For the same reason that I didn't die to Sensei's test, it's because I'm strong in my own right."

"Impressive answer young Midoriya, I'm sure master would be proud of your riveting speech." Kurogiri praised, before changing the subject. "So, are you ready for your knife practice?"

"Do I really have to use knifes? I don't really like them." Midoriya chuckled nervously, but Kurogiri only sighed

"Yes. Although your body is strong that's no excuse not to learn how to defend yourself. You never know when your life may depend on your use of weapons." He stated as he teleported a small set of kitchen knifes onto a table

Reluctantly the boy picked one up and took aim at the dart board in front of him, trying to gauge where he wanted to hit and with how much force he wanted to throw. His mind visualized the thought and his body worked to make it a reality, steadying his aim until finally he took the shot. Surprisingly, it embedded itself to the bottom of the board

"Ha ha! It stuck to the board this time!" Midoriya exclaimed

"That it did, you now only need to land it in the center." The man replied as he used his quirk to remove the blade, starting anew

"I'm getting stronger every day now, it's only a matter of time before Sensei sends me on some sort of mission." Izuku thought as he took aim and threw another knife, landing at the far right of the board

"I'll follow whatever Sensei tells me, because if no hero could save me before, then I'll have to save myself. And I'll be there for everyone just like me!"

Chapter Text

Two cities away, the city of Musutafu was bustling with morning activity as kids and teens ran to their school. But within their ranks was an imposter

A blonde, seemingly helpless, girl roamed the city streets during the prime hours of the morning. Yet unbeknownst to all she readied herself to pounce on any unsuspecting victim. Like a wolf in sheep's clothing she stalked the crowded street with a predatory glint in her eyes as they profiled anyone that crossed her

Unlike most who're thrown away from society she was able to adapt. A single glance of a 'harmless' high school girl would put anyone off, but her experience let her almost disappear from people's sights, untraceable. Rather than stick to the shadows, away from the spotlight, she danced in it. Easily she clung to people's blindside and casually would their eyes gloss over her like she were anyone else. Of course she was also a master of disguise but why bother when your own skin was useful enough?

Frankly, the world was Himiko Toga's playground. But there was currently one constant that soured her mood more than anything else. Her appetite was difficult to gauge but for months she'd always remain just a little bit hungry. The sense of a desperate wanting made her ever more anxious, pulling risker stunts in favor of having more to drink. More to have...

But it was never enough

"Man, I could still go for some more." She thought out loud. She looked around the landscape full of bodies yet none stuck out to her

Frustrated she was forced to dig into her pockets and pull out another vial of red liquid. The simple, metallic substance no longer had the same effect it did months ago. It tasted different every time but now it came with the bitter sensation of nothing that only deepened her craving. Instead she craved the sweet, tangy taste of a special blood, one that tasted akin to dark chocolate for her as it would a normal person. And that essence... she could almost see it in front of her

"Izuku... Izuku... his blood was so tasty!"

There was just something about his blood that made it different, so special that it made everything else taste a little bland. Unlike the revolving door of pedestrian blood she was accustomed to his was just a little bit more. She didn't know why his blood was so sweet. Perhaps it was his blood type? Maybe it ran deeper than that? His cute face? His sweet, bubbling personality? They were just so slightly new yet it made Toga see the average victim of hers seem so... gross

"The second I find him, I'll make sure to-"

"Excuse me! Sorry!"

Derailing her train of thought Himiko snapped her head towards the small sound within the clamor of the crowd. Blocked by the blood bags around her was just the green haired boy she was looking for, piercing through the veil of people and running at near full speed. She could've blinked and he would've disappeared forever again

Toga's hunting instincts kicked in as she took chase, prancing through the forest of people around her yet centering her vision at the green head of hair that got further and further from her. The distance between them grew yet she felt as though she was breathing down his neck

Spearheading through a wall of people, Midoriya hurried through the busy street for school. It was an accident that he forgot to set his alarm but after he returned from training and passed out there wasn't much else he could do

"I can make it if I run fast enough!" He thought to himself, sprinting through the streets and avoiding people as he passed them by. Everything around him became a blur of motion as he fixated himself on the imaginary path in front of him. It didn't take long for him to leave the busier streets and enter the less crowded area and finally reaching the entrance of his school

Greeting the half tired teen was the humble school building. A white structure three stories in height and no different from any other Japanese school. At the school's front entrance were a few students but none were in any rush

"Oh... guess I'm not that late." He thought, looking at his phone to see that there were still minutes until the bell would ring. It was almost a shock to him, but upon realizing that he ran at nearly full speed he was more proud of himself than anything

"I guess I am growing!"

Now with no sense of being rushed he strolled into the building. The passing students, the occasional teacher as well as the generic building made for an incredibly ordinary school. Sure everyone was a bit taller but to Izuku it all seemed like he was going to middle school again. It was almost like nothing had changed for him. He was repeating the life that he had before only with minor changes. Seeing the same old faces and the usual odd glance filled Midoriya with an eerie familiarity. He knew deep down that things weren't the same but in looks everything remained unchanged, perfectly preserved

"Kacchan is gone, but other than that my school life is still the same." He thought rather depressingly. It wasn't the fact that his ex-friend was gone that made him upset, but where he went and what he was doing did

For years Katsuki and his former friends bullied him out of his dream of being a hero. And now he was just where they wanted him to be while the worst of the bunch got to take his spot as one of the best. It wasn't an unexpected turn of events either but no less upsetting

"Yet I can't blame them. I really can't be a hero..." Came the even more heart wrenching thought and as he entered his partially full classroom he took his seat near the back

To think that a boy so hopeful as himself would be ripped from his one and only dream, his motivation for living. Izuku just couldn't imagine a fate worse than that, being without a goal. Only thinking about waking up with no reason to start the day seemed so petrifying to him. Yet he had to wonder... were there really people like that? People who lost their hopes and aspirations in life? Left aimless and defeated?

"I kinda doubt it..." He thought. Save for the one stranger that he met months ago he hasn't seen anyone even remotely like him. Of all the unchanging faces none of them looked alone or out of place like him. It made him wonder whether they existed at all

While wallowing in his sudden wave of self doubt a splash of cold water drenched his clothes

"Sorry Midoriya." The culprit apologized, though it wasn't a real apology in the slightest. Instead a small group of people gave a light chuckle before easily moving on

Yet rather than gather the courage to stand up for himself he instinctively bit his tongue and moved on. He was well used to going through his day with one or two accidents. Today was no different. So rather than bring attention to himself he instead continued to hide from everyone's eyes, silently drying his wet shirt

"No," he thought again, "There isn't anyone like me."

Hidden from the eyes of the public was a world behind closed doors, obscured by the heroes of society and their shinning light. But unlike popular belief it was not filled to the brim with crime and evil. Rather it was a culmination of lost souls, each one having fallen out of favor with the world

And in this darkness one victim laid still. A man now ruined by his past. He laid in a stuffy old couch within a damp, abandoned building storing other vagrants and vagabonds. He was lucky to have found a place like this, not needing to spend his small amount of money on a cheap inn or sleep inside a quiet alleyway

Yet as the mysterious man with copious burn marks rose from his sleep he struggled to get up from his couch. Not because he was sick or tired but rather he didn't have the motivation to get up and start his monotonous day. It was so common for him to wake up and wander the city he roamed, aimless and with the sole objective of scavenging throughout the town to get by

Instead he stared at the ceiling for a little while, waiting for boredom or hunger to motivate him enough to leave, usually the latter. His mind was nearly void of thought save for one. A question that he asked himself all too often

"What am I gonna do?"

It's been years since he's abandoned his old life and identity yet he still had no way forward. He no longer had the luxury of a stable life nor was he under to protection of the 'heroes', so he was truly on his own. He couldn't even show his face without drawing some sort of attention to himself and with no place to call home he was left to wander the streets

"And all because of him!" He thought back to one man, the very reason why he was here. It sickened him to think of 'that man' and what he's done. All of the dreams he's created only for them to be stomped out in one fell swoop

The young man tightly gripped his fist in anger as he got up from his resting place. He was helpless to the past, defined by the pain he's gone through. And because of it he was nothing more than a scarred freak who roamed the streets shifting from place to place and doing his best to survive

Yet there was nothing else to do. No way to combat the system that destroyed him. No way to get back at the man that did this to him. He was helpless to the world and his life was practically over before it could ever begin. Yet in thinking of the life he had before...

He'd rather freeze in the streets than burn in that hell again

Instead he rose from the couch and put on his black hoodie that he wore on most days. With an accidental rub of his head he noticed the faded color of black stick to his hand. With a sigh he looked at the couch and saw the dark spot where he once laid his head

"I'll have to get this done again. Damn this shit's tedious." He thought. Though it was hard to maintain his current appearance he knew that it was better that he keep it up. Less someone find him out through hair color alone

In finally standing from his couch the fire of anger in his chest had fallen to his stomach where it burned any ounce of energy he had left, the result of skipping dinner in favor of sleep. Making sure to hide his possessions he set off to wander the city of Kamino Ward. Hopefully he'd find a fast food joint before his own body would start to kill him again. His usual feeling of emptiness was only amplified by his hunger, both feelings mixing together to form a sort of 'void' that he was well used to

Some day... things would turn up for him...

"As if."

Walking out of the dark and decrepit building he slowly made his way through the equally rough, run down block. Overshadowing the single cluster of dusty old buildings were brighter, taller, more modern looking ones surrounded by average looking people. The morning crowd became a shifting maze of bodies that only hurt his eyes the more he looked at it. Not even at his best would he dare to wade through such troubled waters. Instead, he found it best to avoid it completely, skirting through the shelter of the alleyways

Hours later the bells rang for the final time to allow the students of countless schools to leave. Waves of children in many places around the city swarmed out as they were either picked up by cars or, more commonly, walked home

It wasn't until much later that Izuku left school and only after the flood of people were gone was he truly alone. The near empty halls followed by the emptier courtyard gave off a strange feeling of loneliness that he was well used to by now. Instead of paying attention to it he wrote away at his journal, noting down a quirk that he found interesting

"The ability to stick to walls..." He mused to himself, "It's certainly with its advantages, and maybe with the proper training that person could become much greater than they realize. Can they stick to people too? What about if they could use that to throw objects more easily? It'd certainly help with gripping things."

But as the boy walked out of the school's range the sense of loneliness inexplicably vanished. Yet the strangest part was that there was still no one around. No stray student or adult in the corner of his vision that indicated another presence. Even still his mind almost imagined someone standing right next to him, making him look up from his book

"Is someone following me?" He asked on a limb. But the bizarre question soon enough felt more like a statement

It was only logical that his quirk had something to do with it. Its effects ranged further than his physical body and there was still no obvious limit to how 'enhanced' he was. All he knew was that while normally he would be tranced by his hobby now he was on high alert for a presence that did not show itself. It was so invisible that Izuku tried to convince himself that he was being paranoid yet his body refused to buy it

His quirk knew something he did not. And that was more frightening than he could ever imagine

This new sensation overrode his mind and forced him to close his journal. Unlike when Kurogiri followed him this felt like a malicious presence, a gut feeling telling him to run and hide. For many minutes he walked, weaving through the remains of a crowd and dodging people in the street as they passed until eventually this small chase of his grew too stressing

"I have to confront them, whoever they are. Maybe they just want to talk? At worst they could be hunting me."

Against his own wishes Izuku walked into a stray alleyway where no one could see without going out of their way to look. He expected a confrontation soon and thus turned around to face whatever had been following him, still seeing nothing

"Whoever's following me show yourself, I know you're there." He yelled out, his voice echoing outward

But to his horror a hand tapped his shoulder from behind him. With a jolt he jumped forward and spun to face whatever was behind him, nearly tripping over himself

"Hi Izuku!~ Long time no see!~" A familiar high schooler spoke as though she'd always been standing there. Yet Izuku could not remember anyone being here at all nor did he hear someone walk past him into the dark corner he was once facing

"Huh? You're Toga aren't you?"

"Yep! So glad you remembered my name. But I'm surprised that you knew I was tailing you, I happen to be very good at hiding." She stated rather disappointingly

"So it was my quirk." Midoriya guessed. "Without it I never would've noticed her and even then I didn't see her get behind me."

"How did you find me? And why are you following me?" He blurted out and watched as she skipped towards him

"Does that really matter?" She toyed. "Because now I know where my favorite friend goes to school!" She exclaimed, grabbing his hands and cupping them within hers

Izuku was too stunned to speak. Whether it was the alarm bells in his mind that pleaded for him to run away or the casual flirting that crashed his brain, neither allowed him to process what was really going on

Fortunately a familiar sound emanated from just behind him, the whizzing of Kurogiri's portal followed by him stepping just beside him. It came as a shock to the girl in front of him who immediately brandished a box cutter knife in her hand

"Is everything okay Midoriya? Is the girl giving you trouble?" He asked, surprising the both of them

"Kurogiri? You're here too?"

"Who's that guy?"

"I happen to be the young boy's guardian." He answered with the subtlest hint of hostility that only Izuku was able to pick up on. "When I saw the young Midoriya acting irrationally I couldn't help but check on him. I'm more so surprised that a girl like you evaded my keen eyes."

With little hesitation he extended a hand and quickly a mist began forming around Toga's lower half. Before she could even react an inky blackness enveloped her body and threatened to swallow her whole

"If I may, I'll dispose of the threat for you."

"Wait no!" Izuku shouted. As if intentional the darkness remained still at his command

"No?" He asked, his palm just a second away from closing shut and sealing Toga's fate

"No, don't kill her." The teen reiterated as rationally as possible

The pool of blackness in the shape of a person stared deep into Midoriya's eyes. The yellow glow almost prodded him further before reluctantly dissipating the darkness that surrounded the girl. "Forgive me for acting out. I assumed you wanted her dead."

"It's okay, but please don't do that again." Izuku stated before turning to Toga. "Why are you following me?"

The girl now seemed more spooked with the addition of the shadow man. Like a startled cat she backed away slightly and refused to let go of her knives. But she couldn't run from the corner she backed herself into

"I came to collect more blood." She stated, losing the friendliness she sported a second ago. "I saw you running to your class earlier and wanted to see you again. I waited until you were alone like before so I could ask." Her eyes darted to the walls around her which only worked to trap her in place like a stray animal. No way out. "But I guess not."

Kurogiri only huffed at the information. "This is clearly not a favorable situation. Let's go Midoriya, your mother is likely waiting." He hurried

Izuku was tempted to turn around and enter the portal behind him. The idea that he could easily walk a few steps and forget this ever happened was such a compelling promise. But the more he looked, the more he took in the situation, the more he realized that he couldn't walk away. He gazed into Toga's expression and where most would see hostility he saw pain. When he looked at the knife and saw how it quivered in spite of the obscured light as well as the wear and tear that it brandished. He didn't even realize her clothes were dirty until he took a second longer to truly take her in

But it wasn't the fact that she was a girl or that she was the only person other than his mom that complimented him that froze him. It was the emptiness in her eyes that reflected back at him like a mirror. He saw the expression of a person who's dreams were crushed before them. And while they may have been strange or utterly crazy to him they were dreams nonetheless

There was no chance he could walk away. Because he hadn't done so before

"Is something the matter young Midoriya?" Kurogiri watched the gears in Izuku's head turn as he stood still, inches away from the portal

Yet the boy only slapped his own face, struggling to find a solid reason for his next action. His heart overtook his mind as the logic couldn't explain his need to help that girl. For whatever reason he felt, no, knew that he could help her. And maybe, just maybe there was a logic he just wasn't getting yet. But despite not finding any, he recognized that he didn't quite care

Before he could stop himself he stomped towards the girl and extended his right arm, opening his palm as if to hold his hand out for her

"Here, take my blood." He said, shocking the two around him

Kurogiri was the first and only one to oppose him. "This is a mistake Midoriya."

"But it's mine to make." He shot back. A strange stubbornness overtook him as Toga looked at him in disbelief

"Really? You mean it?"

"Yes. In fact, tomorrow after school... If you meet me again I'll be willing to give you a bit more." He offered, the words falling out of his mouth almost unintentionally. The fear of his active risk dawned on him the very moment he spoke yet he continued anyway

Warily, Toga crept closer to Izuku's hand. Her eyes were pinned onto his expression as she held her knife over the limb. Yet even as the knife dug in the boy did not flinch nor did he erase the look of determination on him. Of course, his heart pounded and his body threatened to yank the hand away but he fought even himself to stand completely still

"It hurts less than before." He distracted himself. Maybe it was the adrenaline inside of him that dulled it yet his heightened senses could narrow the exact spot the knife had pierced and could feel the blood escaping him. When the bandages were placed a lot of the blood had clotted off too

The highschooler clutched the vial of blood in her hands with a defensive grasp. Even though it was already in her hands she squeezed it like it would escape her as she continued to eye Kurogiri and Izuku who, realizing the problem, walked back far enough for her to leave

But strangely she did not bolt at seeing her way out. Instead she walked. Calmly she stepped into the light of the street and even stood directly in front of Izuku to stare at him more intensely. The boy could no longer compose himself, failing to meet her animalistic yellow eyes and he felt them burn into his face

"Thanks a lot Izuku." She whispered gently, dashing away before he could say a response and disappearing before he could begin to look for her

"That was quite the commitment you made." Kurogiri judged the boy as a sigh of relief escaped him

"Yeah... I'm surprised I went through with it." He joked

"If you doubt your own actions then what compelled you to make them?"

"I don't know." He stated as simply as possible. Not even he had a real answer to give but upon seeing the shadow man's glare he scrambled to find one. He could only take one person's judgement at a time

"When I turned to leave, I saw the look in her eyes. It reminded me of... me." He confessed. "I don't understand her at all but I know deep inside my heart that I'm capable of helping her out." He tried to explain, but even his own words sounded a bit strange when coming out of him. "In a way it's what I became villain for isn't it?"

"Hm, such a strange answer. But you're already quite a strange boy." Kurogiri remarked. "But you're actions are your own and so are your reasons. If you set out on an objective then you of all people will see it through. I believe in that much."

"Thanks..."

With a small nod the pair disappeared in a cloud of darkness. Without so much as a hitch the city moved on without them as though nothing had transpired

The day continued as Izuku went back to the familiarity of the warehouse 'gym' for his training. Although the teen was only recently allowed to pick up on combat techniques he was quickly growing more adept at sparring. But after training ended he found himself back in the city streets, roaming for new quirks to analyze

Although the city looked identical it was not his own. Kamino Ward was the location of the bar and thus the only other city Izuku recognized at a glance. The differences were easier when looking at the two side by side but when not paying attention the boy would forget whether his home was hundreds of miles away or just a few blocks over. Yet as the sky darkened and people began retreating to their homes Izuku found the dense city streets to be less and less crowded

"I didn't find many interesting quirks either." He groaned, shutting his notebook in defeat

The closing of his notebook was a sign that he'd given up in trying to occupy himself again. His thoughts that threatened to flood his mind had finally broken the mental dam inside and washed him away. The returning sense of doubt overtook him as he wandered aimlessly. For months now a voice in his head called him out at every possible turn. Every day he was forced to convince himself that the path he was taking was right, that he wasn't making a mistake and that he shouldn't quit while he was ahead

So far he was successful. But today that challenge was warped into a different, more damning problem...

"What now?" He asked himself yet again, racking his brain for some sort of lesson or piece of advice that told him what to do. Yet neither the likes of All Might nor Sensei have taught him how to handle such a social problem. He didn't even know if people ran into this sort of thing

"I'm out of my depth..."

Saving people had always been a distant dream of his. Heroes like All Might were able to save countless lives by just existing and brought a sense of hope to the world that no one could deny. But Izuku was no All Might. Where the number one hero would easily punch his way through a problem he found himself buckling under the pressure of someone needing his help. His mind raced through simple solutions to his one problem but when none seemed to work he couldn't help but slump in place. The only thing he could realistically consider now was giving up but doing so would void all of the hard work that went into him just being here in the first place. But it was either that or wracking his brain for an answer that didn't seem to exist...

"They make it look so easy. Just beat the villains and save the day..." He thought, staring at the tall buildings above gazing into their pristine structure. His thoughts were so distracting in fact that he didn't realize someone was standing right behind him

"Hey, haven't seen you in a while."

Taking Izuku off guard was raspy voice, the type that was unique enough for him to recognize who it was. Sure enough it was the familiar burned man from months before, someone who remained in his consciousness after only one chance encounter

"It's you? What are you doing in Kamino Ward?" Izuku asked

"I'm a wanderer, I tend to get around." He replied casually. "Better yet, what're you doing out here? Don't you have a bedtime?"

The joke shattered Izuku, who glanced at the sky to see a waning orange hue as well as the dim street lights around him. The noted lack of people should've been evident time but it wasn't something he truly thought about until he finally looked around

"I uh... I'm just clearing my head."

"...Well, I'm not the type of person to pry." The man shrugged

There were probably several questions that warranted answers but the silence was appreciated on Izuku's part. Conversely, he couldn't find a single thing to say other than basic greetings but the fact that the man hadn't walked off already was a small relief

...

...

...

"I should fill in the silence." Izuku thought, trying his best not to explode from the quiet

"Actually, I was thinking about what you said a few months ago, about the heroes." Izuku lied

"Really? Looks like my words did stick after all." The man chuckled, easily seeing through the lie

"Yeah. More specifically I was thinking about people like that man that got arrested. People who aren't protected by heroes."

That caught the man's attention. The stranger lowered his shades to reveal his sky blue eyes that were underscored by the dark purple gashes under them

"To be honest I've been trying to learn about people like me. And... I've been trying to help them in whatever way I can." Midoriya simplified. "It's really hard. Harder than I imagined." He admitted, feeling that same pang of guilt return tenfold. "And then there's this girl... I want to help her out as best I can but I don't know how I can or if I even should."

The man chuckled to himself but could not laugh at the sincerity he was faced with. "Makes me wonder why you're telling." He looked away

"Well... I had to tell someone. And since you sort of know what I'm talking about, I guess I wanted to hear you're opinion."

The man only gazed off in the distance. By the looks of it Izuku got the sense that the man was trying to avoid the topic, covering his eyes with his shades to hide them again but his silence still spoke volumes. Even still, it was not the type of message Izuku wanted to hear

"I'm sorry if it's a little much, you don't have to answer." He responded to the silence with a defeated expression, already turning around to walk away

"You should be there for her." He answered, stopping Izuku in his tracks

"Be there for her?" He asked himself. "But what can a person like me do for her?"

"She's an outcast like you isn't she? I'm sure you know what it's like to be alone, without anyone having your back." The man suggested, leaving Midoriya to contemplate. "If there's anything a loner needs, it'd be a friend that can understand them. You don't need to make things so damn complicated with finding answers. Just try and hear her out."

Yet Midoriya remained still as the doubts that plagued him all of his life returned once more, preventing him from taking action. Was he able to do something like that? To be there when someone needed him? Was a useless reject able to be someone's pillar of support? The pillar that they needed him to be?

"What's the matter? You got quiet."

"...Am I really the right person to do that? To be her friend?" He more so asked himself than he did ask the stranger

But as a response the man chuckled a little before bursting out with pure laughter. Izuku only looked back at him with confusion and offense as he watched the grown man hold in his stomach while laughing

"Sorry kid, but you don't know just how ridiculous you sounded there!"

"What do you mean?" He asked as the man tried his best to regain his composure

"What are you doing? Asking her out? You're so damn nervous it's killing me!"

Midoriya blushed but he remained serious in his embarrassment. "B-But I'm serious! I don't know if I'm really going to be a good friend for her or not, at least the friend that she needs."

Sighing to himself the man removed his shades and made direct eye contact. Midoriya finally got a glimpse at the emotion hidden within his eyes. Like his mom, Izuku could get a read from people just by looking at their eyes, the feelings that they displayed even in the attempt to hide them. He saw a recognizable yet alien form of pain. It was a pain that Izuku could recognize yet it came with a burning passion, no, hatred that could never fully disappear

"Listen. You've already done so much more than anyone else can be bothered to do but you're too damn insecure. Frankly it's getting on my nerves." He stated honestly. "Stop thinking so much and just throw yourself out there already. Because I know that she needs you just like you needed someone too."

"...Are you sure?"

"Certain." He ended his speech before putting on his shades again. "But I gotta say, I'm impressed that there's a a kid like you who's so thoughtful."

"Really? Is that a bad thing?"

"Not at all."

The small compliment likely meant nothing for the stranger. But for Izuku, a soft smile tugged at his face and the despair from moments ago vanished completely

"Thank you so much for helping me, I really felt stuck there."

"No problem. Matter of fact, us outcasts should help each other out more often." The man joked yet Izuku already knew that behind the sarcasm was a layer of honesty

"By the way, what's your name?" He asked bluntly

"...It's Dabi. For the moment at least." The man stated as he walked away, easily blending into the dark of the night before disappearing without a trace, much like a few others Izuku knew

"I wish I knew how to do that..." He thought

Recentering himself now, Izuku breathed a sigh of relief. The universe had thrown him all of its answers right at his face and now was the time to act

"It's time to stop doubting myself."

Soon Kurogiri appeared behind him, walking forward as though he'd always been there

"Was your conversation enlightening?"

"Yeah... It really was."

"And what did you take from it?" The shadow man wondered

"...That I should stop doubting myself so much." He said, gripping his fist out of motivation and a newfound confidence. "If I want to save people then I can't hesitate so much. I want to be sure of myself. And it starts now, with helping Toga."

The boy's own words sparked within him a confidence he hadn't felt in a long time. Not since he'd talked to his master for the first time. For once he was sure of himself. For once, he knew what he was doing...

And for once, he felt like he was on the right track

Chapter Text

For Izuku, the following day felt like his first true step towards his ultimate goals, the real initiation that would make or break his future. What came before was only the training but here and now was the real deal, the start of his life. And it all began on a seemingly simple school day

Once the final bell rang and hordes of teenagers evacuated all that remained were the stragglers. Among them, Izuku slowly made his way out of the building, creeping through. The nervous wreck of a boy was made even more anxious by the invisible presence that seemed to lurk around the corner like before. He knew Toga was at the edges of his vision and so all he could do was pick the spot for their next encounter

He couldn't stop thinking about what she would do to him. But the more frightening thought was the task at hand, the end goal, the reason why he did what he did. It was hard not to look past the moment and look outward. He thought to where he might end up should things go wrong or what he could possibly do if this didn't pan out. His steps seemed to get louder and more exhausting the longer he took to leave the building and likewise he caught glimpses of that invisible figure that's been stalking him all day

"Baby steps...baby steps..." He calmed himself. But as he walked forward his knees began to buckle under his own self inflicted pressure

Rather than outright leaving the school he instead went to the back, situated in a shadowy area that was hard to see. But as he entered the shady end of campus his heart began thumping louder. It felt like his body was on overdrive, picking up on the faintest of sounds, spotting the most distant movements and claiming them to be Toga. Izuku waited what felt like eternity for the blonde girl, snapping towards every sound that he heard as though he were an animal in the wild. It felt almost illegal what he was doing, and probably looked the part too, but in reality it was all in his head

Eventually there came the unmistakable sounds of footsteps, scaring Midoriya enough to cower behind the small shrub that he stood beside. He tried to cover his mouth and settle his breathing but his panic rose to unbearable heights as the footsteps grew closer and closer...

"Boo!"

"Ahhh!" Izuku yelped, leaping back onto his feet in a catlike manner

Standing in front of him was none other than just the girl he expected, laughing hysterically and wiping tears from her eyes. For a moment he felt as though he was meeting All For One for the first time again but afterwards the anxiety was replaced with embarrassment

"You look so funny Izuku! Like a little kid!" She exclaimed with tears

"R-right. Sorry..." Midoriya apologized. "I just got nervous again."

"You're always a little nervous when you're around me. Am I really that pretty?~" Toga teased, not letting up

After a few more playful jabs Toga finally breathed a sigh of relief before pulling out her backpack and placing it in front of her

"What's that?" Izuku asked, curiously observing as the teenager pulled out medical equipment

"You like it? I stole this from a hospital a little while ago. Thought it'd be useful!" She almost congratulated herself as she made a makeshift drain. Her 'equipment' consisted of a syringe attached to a tube leading to an I.V bag

Beside her was also a heavy book that fell with a soft thud. It looked to be a guide for the basics in nursing and as Toga stitched the parts together she turned the pages. "Let's see... Roll up the sleeve and insert the needle directly in the vein..." She red aloud, mimicking the splash art she stared at

Izuku sat as still as a doll while the girl rolled up his sleeve and poked the needle into his arm. Unlike the normal, professional way that blood was extracted this was a little more painful. The stabbing feeling remained as Himiko used a pump to shift the blood out of him like an empty juice box. To say he was uncomfortable was an understatement. It didn't help that his quirk continued to yell at him the whole way through, warning him of the danger this posed and making him hyper aware of even the grass he sat on. But rather than focus on the terrible sensations Midoriya tried his best to distract himself

"Since when did you know how to do this?" He asked rather abruptly, catching the girl off guard

"Eh? Since today!" She admitted proudly, making the boy's heart sink. "I thought I should do my best to drain every last drop of you for myself and cutting a hole into you wouldn't be my best bet. So I thought I should steal a few supplies and make this a bit more... Professional!"

"Figures. She wouldn't know a thing about medicine." Izuku realized. "Still, at least she's trying... As strange as this is."

"Well... What about your quirk?" He shot back

"What about my quirk?"

"I just want to know more about it." He admitted. "If you can drink blood to look like other people then why do you want my blood?"

Toga's hands stopped squeezing on the plastic pump momentarily. Her eyes seemed to peer at the sky for an answer before finally finding it

"My quirk doesn't need me to drink so much but... It's like eating sweets! The texture. The taste! I can't get enough of it!" She explained with a crazed demeanor

Thus far Midoriya could feel his blood pressure steadily rising but only now was it sitting at an all time high. His heart sank with every new discovery and the taste of regret now seemed to be the only thing on his mind beside the fear

"She's crazy!" He thought. It took every fiber of his being not to let his rising panic show. Instead he chuckled nervously. He racked his brain for another topic of conversation but found it impossible with his purest essence leaking out of him

"...What about my blood? How does it taste to you?"

"Hmm... I'd say it's sweet like chocolate. Just slightly bitter." She replied. "But it's better than most others."

"Most others?" He thought, struggling not to think further ahead on that sentiment

"Say you never told me about your quirk? What's yours about?" She prodded

"My quirk? Well, I don't really ha-" He began but cut himself off. "Um, actually mine's pretty boring..."

"Come on tell me!"

"It's... It's called Survivor. It lets me grow and adapt to certain things. Aside from letting me heal faster my body grows faster than normal too. But... I'm still learning more about it myself."

"Ooh. So you're really hard to kill?" She asked with a blush and a promising look in her eyes

"Kind of?"

"That's so cool!"

"Is it really?" He wondered. He could think of a million quirks that were better than his. Then again, there were also a million better things than being quirkless

"Of course! It won't matter how much you're stabbed. You won't die on me no matter what I do!" She fantasized, losing the pacing on the pump

"Thanks..." Midoriya thanked, staring at the pump in her hands that seemed to get faster. He never imagined that he'd receive a quirk related compliment. It was almost unbelievable if it weren't for how deranged it was. Yet the complement felt woefully undeserved, fake even

"You know your quirk is cool too." He complimented in return

"Really?"

"Yeah, really. It's useful for impersonation or infiltration, and I still have so many questions about it. Like how does the change go when you transform? If it's all the way then what happens to your private parts when you turn into a guy? Can you just rub off your new body? If you turn into someone shorter do you get shorter too? Is the reverse true as well?"

At the flip of a switch Izuku's obsession overrode the small amount of reason left in him. The questions poured out of him like a fountain, many of which it was clear Toga had never thought of or even worried about. Yet as the boy mumbled away with his own form of craziness the blonde girl smiled happily, half paying attention to what was being asked and half admiring the passion that went into his concerns

"You're pretty cute when you do that you know.~" She stated, saying the first thing that came to mind. Her smile grew as Midoriya was immediately at a loss for words

"T-Thanks..."

Eventually the I.V bag was finally filled to the brim with Izuku's blood and after the needle was removed his world shifted slightly to the left and right and back again

"Aww, that took so long just for so little. Can I stab you instead? I promise I'll be gentle.~" She half complained and half teased as she held her hands behind her back. But Midoriya was too distracted to tell which. And if didn't know any better, he'd think she was holding a knife behind her

"Please... Don't..." He groaned

"What's wrong? Did I take too much?"

"Yeah... I think that's it." He responded, wobbling to his feet. "And also... Please don't stab me..."

Taking a moment to stare at her new friend Toga smiled before wrapping him in a crushing hug. For a moment Izuku felt like he was in genuine danger before he felt her kiss his cheek

"Mmmwwaahh!~"

"Eh?! What was that about!?" Izuku panicked, finally exploding out of nervousness. His cherry red face gave away the true awkwardness that he'd been trying to hide the whole time

"You're my first real friend you know that? I just wanted to thank you again. It's been nice having someone to talk to." She confessed with rosy cheeks and an unyielding smile, however he also noticed the small box cutter knife in her hands. "See you tomorrow Izuku!"

While the girl happily skipped out of sight the boy slumped against the wall, breathing a little heavily. His mind felt sluggish, his thoughts were now delayed and his body felt weak. He'd have thought he hadn't eaten in days the way the nutrients in his body disappeared in a matter of seconds. But for some reason he couldn't tell if it was from the blood draining or his first kiss

Midoriya could inwardly register the moment Kurogiri appeared. He walked into his sight as though he was hiding within the shadow all along and kneeled beside him like he were lost

"That looked painful." He commented as Midoriya could only nod, slowly falling to the floor again as he tried to keep the world from spinning

"I suggest taking the day off. Plenty of rest should fix you again. Maybe refrain from allowing her to remove so much blood again." He suggested, Izuku nodding in acknowledgement. "This should help too" He said as he placed a sweet treat into Izuku's open hand

"Thanks..."

"It's no problem."

Within a corner of the Musutafu district a young boy vigorously trained his body. Along the filthy beachside a field of shrapnel and ruined metal covered the sand, created by the destructive force of the young prospect

Bakugo, now having changed into his usual black tank top and grey shorts, continued to train his quirk at his now usual spot. With the bright sun above his body was coated with a layer of sweat and his hands sparkled constantly with mini explosions. In front of him were a few metal appliances scattered in different positions, targets for his new trick that he's developing

Wordlessly he outstretched his right arm and took aim, firing what seemed like a shining tennis ball. In an instant the ball burned a hole through the cheap microwave and detonated the target, metal scattering in the sky before falling to the soft sand below

"I can make it smaller." He thought as he took a look at his sore red palm

Again he took aim, this time making the shape of a cone and launching a projectile the size of a pebble. The effect was a smoking hole on the front side of a broken AC unit, scorch marks still sizzling loudly

Through his efforts in training every morning and after school his quirk had become hundreds of times more powerful than what it was before. He'd learned that he can make his explosions smaller and more precise. Soon he just might end up launching miniature rockets or a storm of pellets at his future enemies, crushing them in millions of different ways. The moves he could use and name were almost endless, and all because of the effort he was putting in now

With a wide smirk plastered over his face he strolled over to the largest piece of scrap he could find and placed both hands on it

"Hah!" He yelled as a bright flash emanated from his hands and a loud boom rang inside his skull. Proudly he observed the ruined box before him, cracked wide open as though a monster had peeled it apart

"So, you're the one that's been cleaning up the beach huh?"

Snapping his head behind him in panic he saw a strange man wearing a colored tracksuit, observing his surroundings. Carefully the boy turned to face the mysterious man with apprehension and curiosity

"Who the hell're you?" He demanded, but the skinny man with sad yellow hair remained unbothered

"I'm just a stranger passing through." He avoided the question casually. "When I saw you blowing up all this scrap metal I thought I had to see who it was."

"So? Are you gonna report me or something?" He asked, a small bit of worry infecting his otherwise proud and brash demeanor

"No, especially not when you're doing this town a favor." He responded, picking up a piece of charred sheet metal that laid beside him. "And you, what's your name? You must be pretty strong if you can tear this place apart by yourself."

"Like hell I'd tell you! And I'm not doing anyone any favors got that?!" Bakugo yelled angrily. "If you're here to watch then piss off, I'm only here to get stronger."

"Get stronger? For what?" The strange man asked as the boy proceeded to grab the ruined scrap metal before him and toss it to the side

"That's none of your business. Screw off."

"Hm... If I didn't know any better I'd say you're trying to become a hero aren't you?" The man asked but received no response as the boy grabbed a glass bottle

Without warning he threw it high into the sky and pointed his hand towards the falling object. Waiting a few seconds he shot a projectile after the falling bottle, but rather than destroy it the blast missed and fizzled out of existence

"Tch, damnit." Katsuki complained as the bottle smashed against the beach shore, the water only pushing the remains further inwards

"That's a pretty dangerous way of training you know."

"Can it! I know what I'm doing." He shot back as he grabbed another glass bottle, repeating the same process

The tired man watched as the boy threw more bottles up in the air, each one smashing on the shore. With each failure the boy became more frustrated until he finally yelled out in furry, kicking a soda can into a pile of trash that gathered a few steps away from him

"You're getting better."

"Shut up."

Sitting down to rest his hands the man stared intensely at him. His black eyes with bright blue pupils almost gazed into his soul and forced Katsuki to look away if even briefly. Eventually the man sighed and moved along, garnering no new information

"I'm impressed. A few months ago I remember this place being nothing more than a scrapheap. But now you can at least see the sand."

Admittedly, Bakugo took a peak at his surroundings to see the shinning wasteland that he created. All that really remained of the garbage dump was just a handful of appliances and some more trash. But by contrast every inch of the place was riddled with smaller bits of trash. Glass shard, metal pieces and plastic remains that Katsuki was too unbothered to clean

"It's no better anyway, just a big trash heap like it was before." Bakugo shrewdly replied.

"Even then, I can see the effort that you've placed in cleaning the beach."

"As if! I didn't do this for the damn people I did it for me!" He roared, blowing apart another appliance in his wake

"And why's that?" The man asked, his black eyes demanding a true response

"'Cause I'm training to be the best damn hero there ever was that's why! Happy?!" The frustrated boy blurted out, refusing to regret his statement

Smiling, the man took another glance at the beach. Katsuki could tell that he saw something there, something that he wasn't privy to. But he didn't care. He saw the beach as it was, a dump that he took complete advantage of. There was nothing to smile about, yet that man kept doing it anyway

"It's no difference to me but... I think you can do better than smash up some debris and call it 'training.' Anyone with a wrecking ball can do what you did in a few minutes." He taunted ruthlessly, infuriating the blonde kid

"The hell did you just say?"

"If you're trying to be the best of the best then this place would've been spotless by now." He chided as though he knew better. "But since your heart isn't in it I guess your just some kid playing in a sandbox." He continued to berate the boy

"Fuck off! I don't need to prove anything to you!"

"Really? I thought you were trying to be the best hero? I haven't heard of any hero that goes around making a mess of things like you have."

"Fuck off asshole!" He screamed, but didn't have another article of trash to blow apart. He could only glared at the disappointed blue eyes

"You know I'm right. If your trying to go above and beyond than aren't you going to go the extra mile?"

The blonde hissed in retaliation. He knew that he was being tricked. The stranger was only pushing his buttons. But his pride and ego were seemingly in danger by this random nobody who wandered in

He's going to be the best hero around, there was no competition for that!

But in spite of that last thought the image of the white and red haired boy popped into his head, his arrogant face staring directly at him in place of the tired man

"Just what are you going to do about it?" Bakugo asked, both angry and curious

"I'll be jogging around this area tomorrow in the late afternoon. I'd like to see this place clean of all the trash for once."

"And if it's not?"

"Then I guess you really are a pushover." He chuckled

"Fuck off!" The boy repeated. In response the man began jogging away, not another word out of him

"Like hell I'm gonna clean this damn place. I'm no one's pawn!" He yelled to the sky, but his ego said otherwise

He remembered the burning hatred he felt towards Icy Hot when he aced the exercise with no effort. It drew all of the attention he won over, and rather than have him as the talk of the class it was that kid that got the spotlight. He thought thought that he was better than him! That shit just won't slide. Not now, not ever!

Yet as he looked around he realized that he had no feat of his own that could trump that. The best he's done, aside from easily kicking ass on the first day, was make a hazardous field of sandy shrapnel on a beach no one uses. Quite pathetic when he put it like that. And add to it the words of that asshole...

"...I'm gonna clean this damn beach." He decided, looking at the time to see that he still had plenty of daylight left. "I'll show him. I'm not some pushover!"

At that he stomped away, towards the nearest market he remembered

"I'll shatter his damn expectations! Like the best damn cleaner he's ever seen!"

The next day brought only the same challenges as ever. But for some like Toshinori Yagi, the struggle of balance was slowly becoming more and more unbearable

Inside of the cool, crisp teacher's lounge was the thin man. He still wore his bright yellow stripped suit but in his small form it fit him more like a loose blanket than a proper suit. Before him was the abnormal stack of paper, scheduled lesson plans that needed to be taken care of before they're promptly forgotten in his day-to-day. These things needed to be planned out as much as a year in advance. But for a busy and tired man as Yagi these obligations only piled on

For a moment the teacher rolled away from the daunting paperwork and stretched. With all the work he's put in only about ten percent of his workload was complete, not even covering the upcoming month of lecture

"I really wish I was good at this." He thought to himself, staring at the sheets of paper that only had messy scribbles on them. "In all my days of heroing I've never been able to complete the paperwork that came after. Only Nighteye was able to keep up with it."

On cue a ring from his cellphone distracted him from his thoughts. The ringtone was one he hadn't heard in years but when he looked at the caller ID he remembered exactly why. Still, a call from him was too important not to answer like before

"Hello Nighteye."

"Hello All Might, and yes I'm aware this is a strange occurrence." The man predicted the comment before it was made

Yagi could only sink further into his office chair, the backrest stabbing into his spine but the comfort it provided was still better than most. He knew there was something wrong. Nighteye, even when they were still a pair, only called with pressing matters in mind

"Is something wrong?"

"Nothing at all." He responded, surprising the thin man

"Nothing?"

"No. I only wanted to ask if you were preoccupied."

"Am I occupied? For what?" He wondered. Dancing around a subject was not exactly in the man's forte

"...Well I'm going through my lesson plans for the year before I forget. But since I'm not well versed in paperwork I'm struggling to meet my deadlines." He admitted. He was one of few people he could drop his guard with

"I see. Could it also be that you struggle with planning ahead?" Nighteye wondered, further confusing Yagi

"What?"

"I'm sorry to say this but even as a hero you've never been one to keep track of your civic duties." He reminded him. "As per law you're required to report and file your dutiful actions, but your lightning speed response times left you, and promptly me, with hundreds of reports per day." The man recalled. "Speaking of which... Who does your paperwork now?"

"That would be Naomasa Tsukauchi from the police department. Nearly a year ago we agreed that all of my paperwork would go to him and his office... Since he learned who I was and all."

"I see." The former sidekick responded as blandly as Toshinori expected

"So... Did you call to chat? I can't say we've done that in while but I have time." Toshinori assured, still worried the other hat will drop

"No, but I wanted to see what might be occupying you this time. Because only a while ago Mirio called me, saying that he'll be appearing at my agency for training again."

Upon hearing that statement a wave of anxiety and realization crashed into Toshinori all at once, nearly making him fall from his rolling chair. He knew that there was more to it than the paperwork in front of him. It was barely yesterday that he remembered about the assigned training with no exercise in mind, and when he tried to plan something he only drew up blanks and lost much of his precious time

"Ah, is that so."

"Yes. And pardon my intrusion but I was also wondering what sort of plans you had for him, seeing as how you're lesson planning at the moment."

All Might glanced at the stack of papers. But he already knew that none of them had Mirio's name on them

"Well... I'll have to think of something."

"I see..."

The teacher could feel the judgment radiating from the other line, a quiet moment of contemplation that only left him more anxious

"...It has recently come to my attention," Sir Nighteye began, "that you've been rather absent from Mirio's life. And of the faults you have... I never considered you to be so neglectful."

"Neglectful?"

"Teachers do not leave their students with mere substitutes for longer than needed." He explained. "And as his new teacher... I find it odd that your student comes to me for advice rather than you."

Now, less confused, Yagi's heart sank in knowing the type of mistake he was making. With his busy schedule he wasn't able to properly integrate Mirio into his schedule like he wanted to, instead being restricted by the time limit on his transformation. It also didn't help that class 3B doesn't spend as much time with him as 1A or 1B do. From teaching his students to going out he's lost the placement Mirio should've had

"Furthermore I get the feeling that you're not taking your role as a teacher seriously enough."

"I understand your concerns but I promise that I'm doing what I can for Mirio." He replied, hearing a sigh at the other end

"Then why doesn't he have One for All yet?"

"Excuse me?" Yagi asked, finally sitting up in his chair

"Our agreement was that I'd help train your new pupil and mold him into the perfect candidate for One for All. But not only have you failed to properly make him your own pupil you've also failed to bestow him with your power."

"That's because... His body isn't ready yet." He made the excuse but received a swift counter

"That's false. His body is primed for your quirk. Frankly I believe his physical strength is above average for his age."

"His mind isn't properly suited to take on the power." He returned

"Hence the training." Nighteye replied, a little more irritated this time. "But he'll never receive that training if you don't make him aware of it."

With that another sigh was heard, making Toshinori sweat a little. It was hard to explain why he refrained from Mirio's training, and it was something he couldn't disclose to his former sidekick either. After all he was All Might. There was virtually nothing that could stop him from his mission, even the wanning of his power couldn't do it

"If anything it seems as though you're avoiding the entire reason for our collaboration. You give me the new wielder for One for All and I prepare his body for it. What is taking you so long to accept that?" He now demanded

"He's just not ready yet."

The sound of a slam should've startled Toshinori but he could only expect to much after the excuses he's made. "Why can't you accept that I've already given you the perfect vessel?!" He raised his voice

"He's not yet ready!" Yagi responded with equal ferocity

"Why?!"

"Because he doesn't know anything about being the symbol of peace!"

Silence fell yet again, the sidekick finally getting the answer he was looking for with much struggle. All Might's stubbornness was an incredible obstacle to topple, but finally he knew the crux of the problem

"As the number one hero," Toshinori began with a grim sigh, "I became increasingly more aware of the things I can and can't do in this world, as well as the things that the world needed me to give up. I cannot, under any circumstances, push my own ideology onto a boy and force him to become the new face of the world without knowing if he can handle it. I need to entrust the future into the hands of the next person. to fail in doing that can only mean disaster."

With a big huff Toshinori continued, reading the silence as his cue. "There are certain things that require more than a strong body and mind and that's a strong will." He confessed. "I need to see the full extent of the boy's capabilities before I entrust him with my power. I need to know for certain that he'll be able to change the world for the better. Like I and many have before me and like many will after."

Yet again silence enveloped the two. Yagi knew that the young Togata wasn't malicious in any sense. However, he has yet to know what his true character was, what his real hopes were or whether he's capable of bearing such responsibility. But most importantly... He doesn't know if he could truly accept this position

"This is no easy burden to carry. It comes at a steep price. Whether Mirio can pay it is still up in the air." He thought

Cutting away the silence Sir Nighteye finally responded, firm and attentive

"I understand completely." He reasoned. "But just know that you don't have as much time as you think. With every day that passes you miss out on more time you could be spending teaching the boy."

"I know. That's why I'm taking my job seriously."

Without anything else to say or ask Nighteye hung up, allowing Toshinori to breathe a large sigh of relief. He laid his head just beside the stacks of paper and rested for just a moment

"I need to focus on what's important... and that's the future of the world."

Waiting idly by for the school day to end Izuku was yet again absorbed by his relationship

The teen had already planned out a simple schedule to follow. He'd meet up with Toga again today, get his blood drained, and move on till the next day. He asked his mother about his diet and was now receiving foods with more iron and protein for his 'exercise heavy' lifestyle. Even now, just before the end of class, he was eating an oatmeal cookie that she was kind enough to make. His quirk also helped negate much of the effects of blood loss so he wasn't worried about his current health

What he was worried about was the changes. The boy already had a crippling fear of the future and this new schedule didn't make it any different. All of his thoughts led to where he would end up at the end of it all. And with no immediate answers all he could do was continue to worry about events that have yet to happen

Eventually he found himself waiting behind the building again, trying his best to conquer his unease. His heart still beat at a faster rate while waiting in the sketchy area, but the slightest noise wasn't going to scare him anymore. Instead the fears were internal, his torturous mind distracting him from the reality of the present

"Hey~!" Toga greeted, almost blushing at the sight of the boy. For a moment it looked as though she was gripping something behind her back but when she calmed herself she seemed to let go of the mysterious object

"Did something happen?" He asked, noticing her unwavering happiness ooze out of her. The sheer joy she displayed took him out of his thoughts and returned him to the moment for once

"Of course! That blood of yours lasted the whooooole day! I didn't even feel hungry this morning!" She exclaimed with a passionate enthusiasm that even brought a smile to Izuku

"At least that means I'm doing something right." He thought as the girl brought forth the same supplies as yesterday

"Are you gonna use the same needle you used yesterday?"

"Yep! But don't worry. I cleaned it in the public bathroom!"

"There's so much wrong with that sentence." He sighed, but was unable react. If he wanted to remain friends with Toga then he had to get along with her for the time being. And at least a sort-of clean needle would be better than another box cutter knife to the palm again

Soon the two got into position, sitting on the soft, warm grass as yet another I.V bag was slowly filled with blood that looked a tad brighter than normal

"Have you been eating too many sweets!? This blood looks different!" Toga interrogated yet still kept pace with the pump

"Sorry, I tried to eat more to recover the blood I lost yesterday. I um, hope it doesn't taste worse." He apologized for the rather strange concern. For a moment she stared deep into his eyes, making her feelings crystal clear to him

"And um... Would you like a cookie? My mom made them and they're pretty good." He offered

In return she hesitated. For a few moments she had to deeply consider the offer before accepting it cautiously. Izuku didn't know why she was suddenly so careful, but once she took a bite her cheeks went redder than normal

"Mmm! So good!"

Before Izuku could say a word Toga pulled out her boxcutter knife and used it to quickly slash a thin wound onto the boy's palm, startling him more than it pained him. "Ow! What was that for?"

"It's my thank you for being so nice! I just couldn't help myself this time!" She said with a smile so bright that it thoroughly confused him

But as quickly as the interaction happened he was left wondering as she mindlessly drained the blood from his body. He had no words and neither did she, leaving the two in awkward silence. Or at least awkward to him, for Toga was humming a tune to herself with a near-permanent blush. Midoriya could tell that she was enjoying herself, a warm energy radiating from her. It was clear in her cheeks, her tone and her permanent smile that she was loving every bit of this day. And that made him all the more confused

"Does she really love blood that much?"

But the teen was careful not to push his luck this time around. A friendship, at least by what he knew, wasn't made in one or two days, especially not a deep one. He wanted desperately to know more about Toga, her past, her quirk, her need for blood. It fascinated as well as horrified him to wonder these things. Yet he practiced his own restraint by not blurting out these burning questions. Overtime he'll learn. Just not now

He glanced at her warm smile. Little did he realize that he too was blushing, thinking that he brought her that kind smile. She almost looked normal were it not for her firmly holding a needle on one hand and an I.V full of blood in the other. It was the type of smile that came with no worries, the type that kept him in the present and prevented his infectious thoughts from returning to haunt him. And for a moment, he didn't quite care about the future

Finally came the time for them to leave. The girl's smile never faltered as she waved goodbye and left the drained boy on the ground. His wooziness was much less of a problem than before but the ground vibrated nonetheless

But rather than worry about his current physical state he instead smiled to himself, staring at the clear blue sky above him. As he laid flat on the grass Toga's smile remained plastered onto his own face, his heart fluttering as well. From the many things he imagined would happen once he became a villain he never thought that he'd be making someone smile so much. He never thought he would smile so much

Inside he felt a strangely warm feeling in his stomach that overshadowed his looming hunger and kept the dark thoughts at bay. It was a burning sensation of feeling accomplished, like his whole life had led up to this very moment. A warmth that was hotter than any summer day but more pleasant than any meal he's ever eaten

It was the feeling of finally achieving his dreams

And it felt wonderful

The waning sun rested over the horizon once more as Toshinori Yagi set off for his jog. The calm, warm air contradicted his current state of anxiety. The phone call from many hours ago still affected him as he casually jogged through the outskirts of the city

Even with a tired body his mind never rested. It reminded him of his mistakes that as a mentor. He shamed himself for not taking greater care of his student, but in the end he knew in his heart that Mirio wasn't yet ready for the responsibility that was ahead of him

"Is this what Nana and Gran Torino thought when training me?" He wondered

It hadn't occurred to him that he was in the same position as his masters all those years ago. Meeting a young prospect but unable to determine their fate from a glance. Of course Nighteye could, and likely already has, but that's contrary to the point. One for All was not just a responsibility to the world, it was a burden. And he just didn't know the boy well enough

But his biggest and most prominent fear was leaving the world defenseless and without a proper guardian. It was a world that couldn't rely on him for protection, a world that needed a new symbol of peace. A world that needed Mirio...

Preparing for this eventuality was meant to be his only task now. But for every cry for help he always found himself jumping into action. While before his thoughtless actions of justice were a benefit, now they were seemingly a liability. And when the thought of that future came to mind he could only shame himself for doing the right thing. But he knew in his heart that he had to do all that he could while he still could

These fears and contradictions created an anxiety that made his heart pound harder than the jogging itself. He had to fight himself on the matter of whether to prepare for the future or to continue fighting with every fiber of his being. His heart had always contradicted his mind after all, but no longer was he allowed to act without thinking

However, midway into his jog he spotted a glimmer of hope in his dilemma. He'd forgotten how clean the roughed up beach used to look like, and seeing the clear sands for the first time in ages caught him off guard

"I am in the north side aren't I?" He asked himself, looking around the familiar structures and answering his own question. But the beachside was so clean, so pristine that they shone brighter than the aging buildings around him

The further he went the cleaner the area got. Trash bags the size of boulders began appearing and as he jogged these bags became more frequent until soon there was a sea of plastic blackness as vast as the ocean in front of them. A cleaning of this scale would've taken a group of people weeks to do. It would've taken him a few hours but that was time he wasn't allowed to spend on such things

When he walked into the center of the disaster he finally encountered the culprit. There stood Bakugo with black bags under his eyes and in each hand, shoveling trash with the same frustration as before only with twice as much care

Had he done all of this? Was he responsible for cleaning the area? Up-close Yagi could see the contents of the bags more clearly, hundreds of shards of metal, glass, rubber and plastic filled the inside of the many bags stuffed with trash. But the sands were also cleaner this time. They no longer had shrapnel and shards of glass but were as crystal clear as the waters beside them. It wasn't until Toshinori took a second glance that he saw the rakes and the lamps in a cart next to the boy

His answers came the second the irate boy turned to face him. His clear, confident smirk overrode his clear exhaustion and radiated a determination that Yagi hadn't seen before

"I completed your damn challenge old man." He stated a now warranted arrogance. But Toshinori could only look around in bewilderment at his surroundings

"You were really able to clean this place in one morning?"

"Fuck yeah I did. I stayed up all night to do twice the work. Goes to show that I'm no pushover!" The boy exclaimed

"You stayed up the whole night? What about your parents? They must've been worried about you!"

"They don't care, I can do whatever the hell I want as long as I don't get myself killed."

Taking one more look around him Toshinori was flabbergasted by what this teenage boy could do in one day. He was too busy to seek Bakugo outside of his class for the day and too distracted by himself to remember

"So... You really are trying to be number one huh?" He asked

"Sure am. And there's not a damn thing that can stop me. Not this beach, not that damn Icy Hot! No one!"

"Icy Hot? Could he be referring to Shoto Todoroki?"

The reason was now evident but the feat was no less flabbergasting. To so easily sacrifice your body and mind required a strong spirit and even then it wasn't quite guaranteed. But to think that someone was so quickly willing do accomplish this goal gave him just the hope he needed. It meant that there were people willing to do what it takes no matter the cost

They only needed to opportunity to prove themselves...

"You're more bite than bark it seems."

"Shut up, I don't need your stupid praises. I'm showing this damn neighborhood what I'm made of and nothing else!" The boy contradicted but with no energy left it was easier to see the lie

"Still, you've done a great service to this city. I'm sure they'll thank you greatly."

"I said I'm not here for praises! I'm here on my own terms got that?" He adamantly refused. Toshinori couldn't understand why this boy was so against being thanked, but he knew that he couldn't change that

"Regardless, I thank you on behalf of everyone around. Whether you believe it or not you've done something that no one else has bothered to do. That alone is a great feat."

"I said shut it!"

Smiling, the man walked away without another word. For someone of such strong integrity his pride was just as intense. Perhaps it was because he refused to follow Yagi's advice before that he refuses to admit to helping the town. Or perhaps he really was only thinking about himself. Either-or seemed to be likely answers. But in the end Toshinori could only admire the tenacity he's displayed, no matter how much the boy denied it

"And all by just pointing him in the right direction." He thought, rounding back to his own dilemma

Contrary to Mirio, Bakugo was able to accomplish so much with a little teasing and an ultimatum, never did Toshi have to guide his hand and hammer in lessons that he needed to instill. With a little test he was able to reveal his true character that, while it didn't quite make an admirable hero, certainly made for a remarkable one

"Maybe that's it. Maybe all he needs is a little push in the right direction."

Mirio was a well meaning young lad, but Toshi had yet to see the strength of his resolve. One sparring match certainly wasn't going to cut it, and neither was another simple test going to do it. Because as well meaning as he was, Yagi had to be certain that he was making the right decision, that Togata was capable of becoming the symbol of peace like many have before

Now relieved the tired blonde man had his answer, the root of his problem. And in knowing that, solving it would be easier than ever

Meanwhile, Katsuki Bakugo sat still on the beachside. Surrounded by trash bags

He could no longer remember the trash heap from yesterday, only seeing hundreds of trash bags instead. It was hard work, raking and shoveling through the coarse sand and even harder having to go through school with no sleep or energy. But his pride wouldn't allow anything less than that, and seeing the lack of exposed trash made his confident smirk return

It was through his own efforts that the stupid beach was shinning, and although there was still the trouble of having to notify the garbage crew of their laziness he was still proud of his own work

Staring off at the vast ocean his tired body finally rested. In place of his fiery tenacity was now a wave of fatigue unlike anything he's felt before. Shutting his eyes and laying in the sand he decided to envelope himself in the calm atmosphere. The warm wind pressed against his cheek, the crashing waves of the ocean in front of him, the distant sun hanging onto the horizon. All of these things filled the boy with peace and tranquility, rewarding his efforts with a unique experience he'd never felt before

"They'd better be grateful I helped them out, otherwise no one in this damn neighborhood would get to see this." He thought as his eyes closed and his mind slowed to a grinding halt. His mind soon began to drift away at sea, his body having fallen asleep from fatigue

Chapter Text

It was another ordinary day as the cafeteria of UA sprung with life. In much the same way a normal school operates, the looks, sounds and atmosphere of the area was no different to any other high school, status or not. And also just as similar were the seating arrangements which were still under development for many newcomers. Boundaries were being set and tested but none as much as Bakugo's

The abrasive teen sat alone during his lunch, away from any especially loud or obnoxious types. It was hard for him to think under all the noise. That and he hadn't developed any bonds of his own either, but it was less about circumstances and more about choice. He wasn't especially bothered by sitting alone. Back in middle school he had 'friends' to sit with but they were more cronies than anything else, none of which held the same passions or aspirations as he did

Well... There was one...

Katsuki swatted away the mere thought of the green haired boy, choosing to bury that past deep behind him. But it was needless to say that for a kid as popular as Katsuki was, he certainly wasn't the social type. It never bothered him before and it still didn't

What did bother him, however, was the kid in front of him

Just as he ate his homemade bento box in peace he was approached by another boy with his hairstyle but red. Bakugo could vaguely recognize him but never bothered to remember his name

"Hey Bakugo! This seat taken?" He asked with a tray full of food

The spiky haired blonde looked him up and down quizzically. "Who're you?"

"What?! I'm you're classmate Eijiro Kirishima! I literally sit next to you!"

"Hmph, whatever." Bakugo remarked with a dismissive hand wave

But this extra didn't react like the others. He didn't run off like he was told or tell him off but instead huffed his defiance. Instead he took the seat and stared down the now irritated Bakugo

"I said beat it. I'm not interested."

"Come on I want to be friends! There's no harm in that is there?" He tried his best to sound convincing. It didn't work, obviously. It only annoyed Bakugo more

"Listen I'm not looking to be friends with anyone alright?" He denied with all his remaining patience

"Really? Sounds to me like you're only looking out for yourself."

"Damn right I am. Got a problem with that?"

"No, I guess not." Kirishima agreed reluctantly. "But you're really not gonna try and make friends? That seems pretty lonely to me."

"So what?" Katsuki roared. "Not like you're worth remembering." He shot back. But his words didn't have their intended effect

"Hm, oh yeah? That sounds like a challenge to me." The boy smirked

"What?"

"If you're so strong then why don't we have a fight? You and me."

It took only a few seconds before Katsuki mentally pushed the challenge aside. He saw this for what it was. A statement from a kid who didn't know what he was getting himself into. And frankly, it was just pathetic

"You're just gonna get blown away. No need to bother." Bakugo huffed, crossing his arms

But the life inside of the teen didn't seem to fade as Katsuki tended to see. Instead he only pumped himself up more and more, jolting up from his chair. "As if! My quirk'll keep me safe and sound! Won't even be able to feel you're attacks!"

Now more pissed off than ever Bakugo glared at the annoyance that stood just in front of him, just asking to get his ass kicked. But in his eyes was a fierce fire that raged defiantly, almost like a glint in his blood red eyes that screamed confidence, but not arrogance. Whatever quirk he had seemed to afford him the fighting spirit that he displayed from the challenge. Of course, it couldn't hold a candle to Bakugo's strength and willpower but it was still recognized

"Hmph, you're seriously asking for a fight?"

"From the strongest kid in our class. Tough guys like you and me are bound to fight one another, so why not do it now?" He replied without losing any bit of confidence in his voice

The two stared at each other with such intensity that it sent shivers down the spines of anyone around. Other students could feel the hostility choke them as they ate, as if danger was looming around the corner

Were it any other hour of the day Bakugo would've jumped from his table and lunged after this kid as he did countless times before. He knew how to get away with it by now too. But at the moment, Bakugo was not keen on snuffing out such a small inconvenience. To do so at every turn would be exhausting, most especially given his classes' status as 'the best of the best.' It's obvious there were people who wanted to prove something

In the end, Bakugo huffed and went back to his boxed lunch. He gave the extra the meanest glance he could afford before promptly ignoring him entirely. The pride that exuded from said-nobody almost made Bakugo go back on his decision. But regardless the victory was celebrated in silence as he dared not utter a word, instead choosing to bask in his presence

"That's more like it." Bakugo thought, fully returning his attention to his food

Elsewhere, two third year students continued a heated debate that only added to the noise around them

"-I'm putting my foot down here Tamaki!" Mirio stated firmly. "The latest issue of the manga is clearly the best hands down!"

"That's just recency bias, it'll wear off after a day or two." His usually shy friend only waved away the strong claim. "Chapter one hundred on the other hand has the most impactful and emotional moments of the series, there's no changing my mind."

Neither noticed the two girls that blindsided them but as they came over and took their seats they realized it was none other than Nejire and her close friend Yuyu Haya

"Oh hey." Mirio greeted

"Hey guys!/How's it hanging?" They greeted in unison

"We're in the middle of a very serious debate here." He explained kindly

"This isn't a debate." Tamaki corrected. "Mirio's favorite manga chapter seems to change with every new release. It's a routine having to fight him on what chapter is the best every time."

"That's 'cause the series is always outdoing itself." Miro remarked slyly

"That's pretty cool anyway," Nejire cut to the chase, "I just came by to know how the rising star of our class was getting so popular!"

Togata's prideful smile returned as Amajiki sighed at the forceful topic change. It was no secret that Mirio had trained his heart and soul over the summer, his body was more chiseled than before and his new combat proficiency easily made him the top student of their class. While Nejire was usurped from her spot as the number one in the school, it was a defeat that came with curiosity rather than anger

"Well if you 'Togata-Know' then I guess I'll tell you~." He smirked

"That was lame" They collectively affirmed

"I know." He sighed, playing with his yet to be eaten food. "To be honest it wasn't easy at all. Sir Nighteye is a pretty strict teacher and he had set really high expectations."

"Sounds terrible." Tamaki shuddered

"I guess. But I was able to push through it all and grow under his guidance. That's why you see the confident guy you see before you." He grinned from ear to ear

"That's impressive. Classes have only just started and already people are calling you the best of our class. They're even changing it from 'The Big Two' to 'The Big Three'!" Nejire added as well

"Yeah Mirio, you were able to get so strong over one summer." Tamaki complimented

"Thanks guys, really. But um..." The blonde haired boy began with an impulse that he would've otherwise ignored. "Do any of you know how to be an 'inspiration' to others?"

"...What?"

"Sorry, that was out of left field." He chuckled his nerves away. "Sir Nighteye wanted me to learn more about what it's like to be a hero and one of those things I've got to figure out is how to inspire other people."

"Inspire others?" Nejire asked, jamming food in her mouth regardless of what plate it came from. "That's such a strange question. You sure you don't wanna ask us something else?" She wondered

"That's was it really." Mirio chuckled, scratching the back of his head awkwardly

"She's right." Tamaki added. "Is there something else you want to say?"

Mirio's seat only got hotter at the more precise question. There was something that happened less than a day ago, a new development that was the cause for his concern. Although he wanted to get away with leaving it a secret there was no helping it now

"Heh Heh, yeah... You see I'm also going to be a teacher aid so..."

The three froze with half eaten food still in their mouths, staring at Mirio for the second time in less than a minute

"How did that happen?!" They asked collectively, to which Mirio's eyes darted between the expecting faces as sweat dripped from his brow, failing to fallback on a lie

Being a teacher aid wasn't a rare role, especially in a school teeming with talent and potential. But for Mirio of all people to be one, especially so early into the year, brought questions that could not be answered simply by saying 'because All Might said so'

"I can see it." Tamaki voiced. "After all he's made so much progress over a summer. The teachers likely realized his potential." He answered for him, allowing Mirio to breathe a sigh of relief

"Yeah! Exactly what he said!"

"That's no fair." Nejire whined. "I wanted to be the first of us to be an aid. You're growing too fast Togata!"

"You can still apply to be one Hado. I'm sure the first years would need your help too." Haya assured, easily changing her mood

"Yeah!" She flipped. "Plus, if Mirio and I are gonna be teacher aids then Tamaki will have to become one too!"

"Do I have to? I don't think I'd bring anything useful to the table..."

"Of course you do!" The two girls exploded, startling him out of his own anxiety

Mirio watched as his three friends devolve into a small chaos of their own. But even when they last less than a foot away from him they felt distant to him. despite his earlier impulse to ask he couldn't outright say the full extent of his struggles to his friend. How could he explain that he's supposed to surpass the number one hero one day? How can he compare to someone so great like him?

"How am I supposed to do this without them?"

Suddenly a noise cut through the forgotten clamor of the cafeteria and distracted the four from the moment. The blaring sound of an alarm silenced the voices of everyone inside and leaving only the loudness of the intercom to fill the void

"There has been a level three security breach. All students please evacuate promptly."

Without any hesitation hundreds of students bolted from their seats and made their way out of the lunchroom, leaving only a few too stunned to react

"Level three? That hasn't happened before has it?" Mirio asked as he observed every last person around him jolt from their seats and run away

"Did a villain infiltrate the school?" Tamaki asked himself, his visible anxiety returning as he saw the soon forming horde of students jam into each other as they made their hurried escape

"I dunno... I should check it out." Mirio declared as he ran towards the opposite direction from everyone else, towards the classrooms

"What? Mirio!" Amajiki called out immediately before giving chase

*Minutes Earlier*

While half of UA was situated within the cafeteria a large crowd had gathered just outside the front gates. Reporters of various outlets big and small huddled around the front entrance in hopes of receiving a stray student or teacher. Or maybe, by some miracle, All Might himself would give them the time of day

Yet only a few feet behind them were two teenagers, both obscured by their hoodies

Izuku Midoriya, wearing his now usual dark green hoodie, followed behind Tomura Shigaraki who wore a similar black one. But while Tomura wore the same severed hand Izuku chose to wear a more normal cloth mask to obscure his face. Had any of the normal citizens paid them any heed then they'd easily assume they were villains, but obviousness aside it was more about protecting their identities than anything else

"These idiots stand here in the blazing sun for attention. How irritating." Tomura commented as the two boys took a moment to observe. Not one reporter had noticed them standing in the middle of the road just behind them

"To be fair so many popular heroes and young students are gathered inside the most prestigious school around. Anything that has to do with UA would be headline news so they're probably too fixated on them to pay any attention to their surroundings." Midoriya rationalized, receiving a glance from the other boy

"...You're irritating. Stop talking."

"R-Right, sorry."

Inwardly, Izuku felt his stomach crawl as he stood side by side with Tomura. He couldn't shake the feeling of being judged for his every action. Even with the cover of nearby trees and the protection of his mask and hood he felt exposed, like an unearthed worm that was prey to any predator

"It's nothing to worry about, we're just here to destroy the gate. In and out. Shouldn't be too hard." He reassured himself, further tightening his mask over his mouth. The spring warmth burned him through the dark green hoodie but so did the imaginary gazes of the invisible people around him, watching his every mistake with keen eyes he could not spot

Worse was the fact that he was supposed to be in school at the moment. Ironically he wished to be in class, overlooked by everyone around

"Hey, um, Shigaraki? I think it's about time we start." Midoriya stated, fidgeting as his head nervously snapped from side to side

"Tch, don't tell me what to do." Tomura responded as he reluctantly walked into the crowd ahead, forcing Midoriya into action

Of course Izuku's nerves only worsened as he and Shigaraki waded through the dense crowd. They attracted their gazes like two dark spots on their otherwise clear view of the school but miraculously did not alarm anyone, only confused them

"Hey who are you two?" They questioned aloud. Yet none bothered to reactivate cameras or prod any further

Upon reaching the large metal gates the two stopped and stared ahead. They looked up to see a near impenetrable wall made for the sole purpose of keeping them out

"Kurogiri said that Tomura can take care of the gate himself. I wonder what kind of quirk he has that can do that." Midoriya asked himself. The mere presence of the forty-foot tall barrier made Izuku's chest tighten despite Tomura's relatively calm demeanor

Tomura placed all five of his fingers onto the solid steel gate. Immediately cracks began to form all throughout the armor,. In seconds the shiny paint withered away and was replaced by falling grey ash that converted solid steel doors into large slabs of dirt that disappeared with each gust of wind. Without realizing it the crowd was now facing empty air, the barrier between them and those inside having fallen

For a silent second of disbelief everyone stared at the black and grey ash pile before them. That was until one man with notepad at hand ran into action. He pushed past the two teens and sprinted down the near-infinitely long path to the front doors. With little hesitation afterwards the whole crowd rushed forward, pushing aside the mysterious kids as a stampede of cattle would

"That was... Wow." Said Izuku. Numerous questions formed in his mind in an instant, trying to make sense of what he just saw. He was even tempted to pull out his notebook then and there before he snapped back to reality. "We need to leave now before the cameras spot us."

With that the boy turned and walked away, shoving away the bit of wonder that entered his mind. That was before he noticed that Tomura wasn't actually following him. Rather, he was instead staring at the campus itself

"H-Hey we have to-"

"Shut up."

For a little while the young man seemed to blankly stare at the sight ahead, at the unreachable. Without care or warning the teen stepped forward and made his way into forbidden territory

"Hey! We can't just walk in or we'll be spotted!" Midoriya desperately tried to argue. "We're just here to do the mission!"

"Quiet down or they'll notice us." He said as he strolled inside

Stunned, the nervous wreck staggered for a new course of action. They were told explicitly to leave as soon as they could but now Tomura was acting like that never happened

"This isn't part of the plan!" He panicked, looking around to see if anyone had noticed the events. Luckily, the street was vacant

Thinking quickly he ran after the white haired boy who only walked at a moderate pace. Even still he couldn't help himself as his head whipped to all sides. There were no people yet he could've sworn he was seeing them in the corners of his vision. Worse was the fact that his quirk only reinforced his anxiety, highlighting every camera and placing it in a mental map that was currently inaccessible

"Tomura! We need to leave before they see us!" Midoriya repeated to no avail

"Then be a good dog and leave. I'll go sightseeing." He mocked

Izuku continued to trail his partner as they etched closer and closer to the school. His eyes wandered to the luscious pink blossoms that surrounded them as well as the vibrant green grass and the polished concrete path. Every aspect of the school was just as he envisioned but the ever looming walls that surrounded them only reminded him that they were not meant to be here

Inevitably the two reached one of many sides of the school. It was a single glass pane so clear that they would've thought it was nonexistent. Tomura glanced at Midoriya and seemed to huff in frustration. Without a second thought he placed a hand on the widow, flashing a pane of dust that flew with the wind. It wasn't until Shigaraki strode inside did Izuku's apprehension return

For a while Izuku hesitated. His hand reached out toward the barrier but instead of feeling resistance it easily passed through. But the sensation was still there. He knew the glass was supposed to be there but his hands never found it. And when seeing Tomura easily walk through despite how much he stuck out...

"...We're just here to look around. In and out." He repeated in his mind as he took a step forward, breathing the air of the prestigious school

Izuku was quickly mesmerized by the sheer vastness of it all. The hallways themselves had floors so wide and long that they resembled highway roads and the large oak doors were likely meant for giants, not normal people. From a distance the school seemed rather simple but up close he was an ant wandering inside a stadium

Izuku couldn't help but feel like he was dreaming. His gloved hand glided though the silky white walls and his shoes squeaked with the smooth flooring. However, the ever present alarm prevented him from enjoying any of it. And in the end he reminded himself of the one constant in his life

"I'm not meant to be here."

"Why not?" Tomura immediately opposed him. "Because you're a villain?"

"Because I'm not a hero." Midoriya specified. It was such a minor distinction that meant the world for him

"...So?"

"What do you mean 'So'!?"

"You're here now." Tomura stated, emphasizing the grand hallway. "You walked through the gate, we saw the damn trees and we're standing here like any student would. What's the difference?"

"This is wrong." Izuku argued. "We can't just walk in here."

"Why not? Are you afraid of the consequences?" Tomura goaded, turning to face the innocent boy with a stern look. "After all you're a villain aren't you? Rules don't apply."

Midoriya was prepared to fight him on this but stopped just as the words were about to come out. Why was Izuku willing to die on this hill? His reasoning seemed so obvious in the moment but easily he found himself doubting that founding principal

Tomura noticed the stuttering and slowly crept up to Izuku. He placed a hand on his shoulder and gripped it tightly, carefully removing his pinky in spite of the pressure he placed

"Why does master keep you around?" Tomura wondered

The menacing shift in tone stopped Midoriya's heart. His eyes stared at the hand that clenched onto his shoulder, looking at the one finger that could turn him to ash. In this moment it was easy to forget everything, to fall back on a primal fear of death. But in what he assumed to be his final moments Izuku's mind went back to Toga

"Stop right there villains!"

Only half turning to see the new arrivals, Tomura spotted a pair of students running straight at them. Tomura's calm demeanor did not waver as he let go of Izuku and turned to face them. But inwardly, Izuku's stomach dropped. And it wasn't because they were ordinary students...

"So the student heroes make an appearance huh? Well then by all means... Capture us." Tomura taunted, outstretching his hands as if to grab the two before him

However, he was surprised when Midoriya of all people grabbed his shoulder and pulled him back in a desperate attempt to pull him away

"The hell are you-"

"We don't stand a chance Tomura! Fall back!" He said with enough panic and confidence for the young man to actually heed his words

Izuku spent enough time to know several students of UA and their quirks through several bouts of sleepless research. However, the two behind him were the most recognizable of them all

Tamaki Amajiki, the Sun Eater and his friend Mirio Togata, Le Million. Although one was regarded as the student with the most potential the other was no slouch

Tamaki was the first to attack. He used his quirk to conjure an octopus tentacle for an arm and reached for Izuku. His heart pounded at the feeling of a massive 'hand' reaching for him, inches away from him. Without a second thought he jumped to the side just as the tentacle flew past him and toward Shigaraki, capturing him instantly

Izuku readied himself for Mirio to charge at him, throwing a preemptive punch at the blond. But he was shocked when he effortlessly phased through his hand and then his entire body, running toward the captured Shigaraki. Trying to set himself free Tomura attempted to place a hand onto the large tentacle that restrained him, only to be met with a flying fist aimed straight at his face. The sheer force of the impact dazed him immediately, helpless against the two students

Thinking quickly Midoriya reached into his pocket and pulled out a knife, throwing it at Tamaki in his desperation. The hero used his spare arm to spawn the crusher arm of a crab to protect him. With a metallic clang the projectile was deflected. But just as Amajiki lowered the arm he was met with two feet headed his way

Izuku's drop kick nearly launched the teen backward, knocking the wind out of him and loosening his grip Tomura who was barely returning to consciousness

"I'll end this!" He yelled as without hesitation he placed two hands onto the ground

The effect was almost immediate as Izuku leapt out of the destruction, leaving Tamaki to stumble and Mirio to disappear from sight as the cracks on the floor grew bigger until gashes appeared in the floor. Izuku was quick to snatch his knife and run after Tomura, who shakily followed suit

As Tamaki used his mutant arms to pull himself back up Mirio popped into sight, now missing his clothes. Even still they gave chase, following the villains through the missing glass and straight toward the entrance of the school

Luckily for the pair of villains they didn't have to run far as they rounded the corner they came from and disappeared behind the press that they let in

"Crap!" Mirio panicked, reflexively falling through the ground to cover up his nude appearance, leaving his best friend even more vulnerable as the cameras turned to face him

"Hey look It's Tamaki Amajiki, one of the top students of UA!"

"Mr. Amajiki! Can we have a word!"

Further ahead, the two boys were soon able to catch their breath. As they huffed with exertion in the middle of the street Izuku looked back and stared at the school they'd escaped from, his eyes lingering just a bit too long

The escape from the school did not mean Izuku was off the hook. He found himself worrying about being like the gate behind them, a mere problem for Tomura to solve through destruction. But through the intensity of their escape Izuku finally had the space to remember his answer. It was as clear as day just yesterday yet how he forgot was a mystery

It was Toga

"Hey, Shigaraki?"

"What do you want?" He responded bitterly, holding his hand over his nose in pain

"I know you can't trust me but... I'm here to help others, no matter the consequences." He explained. "I can't destroy things like you can but that's not why I'm here. I'm here because there are people that need someone just like I did. And I want to be there."

Tomura's writhing stopped as he turned to look at Izuku. The mask that was a severed human hand hid the confusion but it was still painfully obvious

"That's so backwards..." He muttered

"I-I guess." Izuku admitted, scratching the back of his head. "But it's my reason so... Deal with it."

In turn Tomura could not help but scratch around his neck in frustration, walking away from Midoriya in spite of his pain

"Whatever."

Proudly the green haired teen strolled alongside his upset ally, walking into the portal of blackness that awaited them

Hours later Izuku returned home from school about as dizzy as usual. Though he left his earlier mission unscathed he still had his daily blood draining to deal with. It was a wonder that he had yet to receive lasting damage, but his body's ability to hold out has pushed off the consequences for the time being. In the meantime, he had his diet to worry about

"I feel like I'm seconds away from becoming anemic..." He thought as he leaned against the wall for a brief second

Whether he was running his body to the ground or further harnessing his quirk wasn't his concern for the moment. Instead, he had more important things to worry about

His first mission as a villain went terribly, nearly going off the rails despite its simplicity and all because of his partner not trusting him enough. And yet he smiled. He knew that it went wrong, he knew that it almost did get worse. However, it was the simple achievement of pulling off a successful task for his Sensei that made the hardship bearable. And despite the complications, being able to put what he's learned to practice was a feeling greater than that of being on the moon

It was like he was finally living for once, like he was finally achieving his dreams and making his place in the world. Bar the fact that he had to intentionally destroy the gates of his dream school...

"This won't stop me from helping others... Or striving to change the world!" Izuku reminded himself as he defiantly reached for a bottle of juice and supplements that he stored in his backpack. It was for that reason why he made sure his body (more importantly his blood) wouldn't fail him, among other things

Ignoring the dizziness the boy entered his apartment and was greeted by his mother, who waited patiently for his arrival

"How was your day honey? You're here later than usual."

"It was great. And sorry for being late, I had more things to do again." Izuku replied with a warm smile, reflected in her smile as well

"Sweetie, you wouldn't happen to be talking to a girl would you?" Inko wondered, making Izuku panic and blush at the same time

"I-er-um... Maybe?" He stuttered until he let out one tired sigh. "How could you tell?"

"You've been coming home a little late but every time you do you have this big smile on your face." She stated matter of factly. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were flirting when I wasn't looking."

As much as Izuku tried to hide his private life it was easy to forget that his mother was just as observant as he was, even more so really. Nothing passes her gaze without her knowing. Yet with her reserved nature it was easy to forget that she knew almost everything about a person. It was scary in a sense, and something that Midoriya was keenly aware of whenever he was with Kurogiri and the others

"I wouldn't call it flirting but... I have someone to talk to now." Izuku cleared up calmly

"Oh you made a friend! That's wonderful, I'm so proud of you!" She exclaimed, holding her son's face in her hands. "I'd love to meet them one day, if you ever invite them over."

"Maybe one day mom... Maybe one day." Izuku sighed, doubt laced in his voice

"Oh and before you eat I have something I'd like to show you." She informed before shuffling away to her room, leaving Izuku confused

In no time the kind hearted mother walked back into the room with a bag at hand and a smile on her face, further confusing the boy

"Please open it." She pleaded, shoving the bag into her son's hands

Izuku carefully opened the bag and was shocked by its contents. In his hands was a lime green jumpsuit with two large white stripes that rode along the edges of the suit. It also had a hoodie that doubled as a face covering, even featuring two ear-like pieces that stuck out at the head

It was his hero suit. The one from his drawings. The suit he created from his imagination and days overthinking a reality that never came to pass. Part of his childhood was spent drawing his own suit for the future, creating wild and often absurd designs until he landed on the brightly colored jumpsuit. But what he felt was not rough paper but instead a soft, tender fabric

"I... How did you..."

"I was cleaning your room the other day when I stumbled on one of your old notebooks. I didn't mean to pry but when I saw the design I thought that maybe you'd still like a hero suit." She confessed

Now holding her sons hands and making direct eye contact with Izuku, the boy could see a small tear form in her eye as she continued speaking

"I know that you've stopped trying to be a hero... And I know that I wasn't able to support your dream properly. But now that I'm watching you grow before my eyes I realized that I should've done more than what I did then. And now that you're focused on improving your body and getting in shape... I wanted to show you that you have my full support. Because I'll always love you. And I don't want to see you hurt anymore."

Inko managed to voice the final sentence before fully crying and sobbing. The emotional woman tried desperately to wipe the tears away but more came in spite of her efforts. Seeing her in such a state made Izuku tear up as well, tightly gripping onto the gift that once meant so much to him

It pained his heart to lie. To say that he no longer wanted to be a hero. He still slept at night with dreams of him soaring in the sky or blasting away criminals with cool powers like other heroes do. His childhood refused to let go of these dreams no matter how much he wanted to set them aside. But he knew that he couldn't forget such an important time of his life. His barren room still had the imprints of posters on them, and his computer still had All Might's premiere bookmarked onto it

However, every passing moment with Sensei only opened his eyes to the reality he lived in. From getting a quirk of his own that has been nothing but wonders for him, to meeting Toga and helping someone who had no one to fall back on. He learned that his place was with them. He finally, after years of having fought for a dream that would never come to pass, had a tangible goal to strive for

Even if it meant going against his earlier fantasies

Yet as he held the suit in his hands and watched his mother bawl her eyes out he knew in his heart that he couldn't abandon those ideals. Even now that his goal had changed it still was made from the hopes and dreams of that young kid he once was, the one that wanted a better life. The one who always wanted that suit...

"It's okay mom... I love it." He reassured as he hugged his mom tightly. It pained him that he held the suit he once wished to have, yet it filled his heart knowing that his mom still cared for him

And as the emotional pair held each other tightly, Izuku Midoriya had become the world's biggest hypocrite

Under the cover of blinding darkness All for One sat. Beside him a purple shadow only slightly brighter than the room itself appeared, teleporting Kurogiri and Tomura into his 'vision'

"I take it the mission went well Tomura?" The master of evil prodded to his student, who bowed with respect before speaking

"Yes master, chaos was sown at UA. No one was able to identify us." Tomura responded with more care in his words than usual

"Of course, after all you and Izuku were able to escape unharmed despite the stunt you pulled?" He asked, freezing the boy in place

"...My apologies master, I was out of line. It won't happen again."

"It's okay Tomura, I excepted as much. Which is why I had Kurogiri oversee the whole ordeal with care." All for One waved away, somewhat angering the teen. "More importantly... I suppose you and him were able to settle some doubts between the two of you?"

With the pairing of the two was not just for the sake of chaos but to familiarize them with each other. Both of his students were quite the contrast. Despite their relatively similar backgrounds the two had completely different outlooks on life and their society. And as deeply naive as Midoriya was it was that nobility that made him that much more compelling

If anything, Midoriya reminded All for One of his little brother, so hopeful and eager to make the world a better place. Tomura on the other hand, was more similar to himself, a man who wanted to tear down the world and it's heroes. Two siblings who lived the same lives yet never got along. It was tragic as it was inevitable the way things fell apart, his brother's undying defiance embodying the very power that coursed through All Might's veins. That was a mistake that he wasn't going to repeat

Instead, he would go to lengths to make sure that the next incarnations of he and his brother won't go astray. He's already done so with Tomura but with Izuku...

"With all due respect, I can't see what you see in that brat." Tomura complained

"Given time you will see his worth, and you'll grow to appreciate it too." He answered with a certainty that only he could pull off, no doubt annoying Tomura. "For now, warm up to him, for he's still new to our cause."

"What of the next task master? You said it would come soon." The boy wondered

"Ah, worry not. I will explain everything in due time. You must only wait for tomorrow."

Chapter Text

The day after the attack came with much debate within the school and world around it. News reports of the break in and the invasion of the press spread like wildfire as well as the appearance of a mysterious pair of figures that were rumored to be villains. Principal Nezu was able to ease flames with all parties whilst revealing little of the damages done. Even the ruptured floor of the hallway was quickly fixed by Cementoss, leaving only the missing pane of glass and entrance gates as proof of the break-in and only rumors to float

Yet internally, the school moved on. Class 1-A itself occupied its students with the first milestone of the class, electing its president

"-As such Momo Yaoyorozu is your new class president, with Tenya Iida as Vice president. The two of them will represent your class on all matters. Should you need any assistance, please contact them." Aizawa explained with as much energy as an exhausted parent

"If there are any objections then say them now before the votes are settled."

The class looked between each other in search for a dissenting opinion. But instead they only found small nods of agreement

Save for one student

"I should be class rep," Bakugo declared yet again, kicking up his feet. "I'm the best of the class and there's no argument."

Murmurs and small sighs of annoyance flooded the room. Bakugo's usual antics were long since worn out

Yaoyorozu was the only one to stand up for her peers. "There's very little value in power when it comes to leadership Bakugo. Simply being the strongest isn't going to guide the rest of the students." She lectured but was hastily ignored

"But if both of our class reps are stuck up rich kids then what does that say about the rest of us?" He stated matter of factly, angering the rest of the class. "If it were me, I'd say that the one to represent the class should be the strongest around. To tell off anyone and set us as the best of the best."

"Yeah but Todoroki isn't really leader material." A voiced commented

Like lighting a match next to dynamite Bakugo exploded with rage. He jumped from his chair and turned to look in the direction from which the noise came from

"You bitch! Who said that?!"

The threat was not received idly as the pinkest of the bunch came forward with all of the class's collective anger. "You can't make stupid claims without backing them up Bakugo! And this isn't even about you to begin with!" She argued strongly

The resident blonde was on the verge of telling the extra off when another came forward, this one having yellow, dopey hair. "Yeah we're talking about real leaders here! You only think for yourself and no one else!"

"Tenya and Yaoyorozu are more than capable of fulfilling their roles as leaders for their ability to quell the chaotic crowd yesterday." The human crow added spitefully. "You on the other hand have done nothing but antagonize us since school started."

With the stiff resistance Katsuki could only scowl at the class. Things were easier when they only had one face attached to them, one single target for him to beat into submission. But with the entire class turning on him his usual tactics would be ineffective. And all just to do them a favor...

"Both of them don't even deserve to be here, they're just rich brats who flunked their way in!" He thought as his fist slammed against his table

"I'm the strongest in this class and that's all that matters! If that's too hard for any of you to realize then you're all stupid." He declared defiantly, doubling down

"No, you're not."

"What did you say?" He demanded, snapping his head to the only other person who could make the claim

"You're not the strongest of us all. I am." Todoroki claimed boldly. His face did not give away an ounce of arrogance or ego

Bakugo's veins stuck out as he stared at someone with such audacity to say something so bold without a second thought. His fiery gaze tried to melt the icy glare but made no such effect

"Oh yeah? Then why don't you prove it?"

"If I must, then I will."

Katsuki's hands ignited with anticipation. He was just a second away from launching himself at the statue of a kid when he realized that the fire in his hands gave out. Just as the confusion struck him so did a fist strike solid wood, redirecting everyone's attention back to their teacher. His clear frustration and annoyance was strung across his face and highlighted by glowering neon red eyes and a levitating scarf

"That's enough. Both of you." Aizawa commanded. His eyes burned with an intensity that trumped any explosion Katsuki could make

Tense silence followed as he attempted to stare back at his teacher, yet failing to match the same level of command or viscousness. Eventually he slumped back into his desk and crossed his arms

"With that out of the way," Aizawa continued, easing back into his own seat, "class is dismissed for the day."

"...But the bell hasn't rung yet?"

"The class leaves when I say so. Now leave." He restated, both confusing and surprising the rest of the class

Without much more incentive the whole class collectively got up from their seats and walked away, leaving the stubborn Bakugo to huff in his silence

A full minute of defiant silence passed before Bakugo finally relented, grabbing his stuff and walked out the door. Yet as he made his exit he was stopped by none other than the teacher

"Bakugo, a word." He commanded, forcing the boy to stop in his tracks. But he remained standing at the door, back facing the pro hero as he continued. "Sooner or later you'll realize that being a hero isn't all about strength and the sooner you do the easier my class and the rest of your career will be. Until then, expect to be disappointed. Dismissed."

With that the boy left the room, cursing under his breath as the bell finally rang, releasing the whole school

Once the school bells rang all across the city students were freed at last. However, not all of them took to leaving immediately. People like Izuku Midoriya lingered for just a bit longer

As per usual he met up with Toga once again and like clockwork his blood was drained by the cute yet frightening girl. It was normal by now to be sitting in the shade while his life force left him bit by bit. But luckily for him, things weren't as strange or awkward as the first time around. In fact, after having fulfilled their promise Himiko took to sitting by him until he could walk again

Of course, it was strange for Izuku's head to rest over her lap, but he didn't have the ability to argue out of it. All he could do was take his mind anywhere but the present moment

"How was school?" Toga asked kindly, caressing his hair like a doll

"Fine I guess." He said, his eyes glued to the sky rather than her. "But I had a tough time with a few guys in my class."

"Really? If you want I can stab them for you. They won't even know what hit 'em~." She offered. "Just say the word. The cops won't know."

"Please don't" He sighed. The emotion that came with the reply also came with a physical fatigue that Izuku didn't expect. His head buzzed a dull pain that forced him to bring his palm to his temple. Despite the pain he appreciated the distraction it gave him

Eventually it wore off and he reluctantly settled back into place. Himiko, on the other hand, rubbed the center of his forehead to help

"...What do they call you?"

"...What?" He asked, opening his eyes to see the bottom of her chin

"What names do the others call you?"

"Why?" He wondered, unable to stop himself from asking

"I just wanna know." She replied, looking down with a soft smile nowhere near as bright as it should be

He couldn't deny her, even if he was at full health, so instead he took a drawn out sigh. "Well... I guess some of the more popular nicknames are 'useless', 'reject' or 'Deku'." He recounted

"Deku? What does that mean?"

"It means 'useless' in Kanji I think. Kacch-... My ex-friend gave me the name since it sounded similar to my actual name. Ever since it stuck around even after he left." He remembered the tale before rounding back to his original question. "But why do you want to know?"

His eyes looked up in search for her expression but all she had to do was look up to evade him. Regardless, the awkward pause told him that this was a rather sensitive topic. More for her than it was for him anyway

"When I was in school I was called a lot of names too. Some called me creepy, others called me evil. But the most popular one of them all was crazy." She informed. "Everyone had an ugly name for me... So it's good to know I'm not the only one that gets called mean things."

Izuku could only bite the inside of his lip in empathy. "Sorry that happened to you." He apologized, making her chuckle in response

"Don't be. Now I'm free to do what I want! And that includes drinking blood." She spoke proudly, forcing an uneasy chuckle from the boy. "Still... Thanks again for being here. Your blood helps my urges a lot."

"No problem." He answered. "Thanks for... This." He blushed, uncertain of how to respond

"You're welcome." She beamed, grinning from ear to ear

A few calming minutes passed before embarrassment forced Izuku to his feet, much to Himiko's annoyance. But just as they made their separate ways a thought occurred to her

"Hey by the way, can I get your phone number?" She wondered, freezing him in place and threatening another headache

"My... number?"

"Yeah! I mean you have a phone don't you?" She questioned, closing the distance again by an uncomfortable degree

The teen remained stunned by the reply, unable to form a sentence for a distracting amount of time. Both the sudden headache and the lack of personal space prevented him from doing so. All he could muster was a head nod

With little hesitation Toga pulled out her phone and snatched Midoriya's from his hand, eagerly typing into both before handing it back.

"Heh Heh, now I have your number. Why don't we get together sometime?" She flirted. Not that she needed to as Midoriya stumbled through his words well enough on his own

"S-S-Sure, maybe next week?" He suggested with a red face and a hot chest

"Oooh next week? I can't wait!" She exclaimed as she happily skipped away

The innocent boy watched her escape and sighed with relief when she did. But his thumping heart did not stop even though she already left. In fact, his legs became static under his weight and his dizziness returned tenfold

"Crap..." He thought as he fell to the floor, quickly losing consciousness

The empty halls of UA created a unique silence within the building, a lifelessness within the school that was normally teeming with life. Very few people stayed after school, primarily the teachers and staff. But aside from them, there was also only one student who remained

Mirio Togata sat alone in the wide and empty lobby of the school, a massive glass room full of decorative chairs and tables. Although it was mainly set dressing for the students and staff Mirio found it an interesting enough spot to stay when the school was empty. It was a space that was meant to always have people in it. But currently, no one but him was here

"Maybe if I show them how strong I am then they'll listen to me better." He thought

After wracking his brain for the perfect first impression he couldn't help but return to the simplest solution. But in the back of his mind he knew it wasn't it. Before he could continue brainstorming he the pinging of his phone distracted him

"Go to my office." The text said and without a thought he made his way to his mentor

Walking through the nearly abandoned hallways of the school felt unnatural to Togata. He could hear the squeaking of his shoes as he walked through the abnormally wide hallway. Peering into the outside he saw much of the same thing, not a single soul to be seen. The light of the sun revealed the empty courtyard of the school, and even the neighboring houses were still. Luckily they weren't exactly lifeless as the distant city radiated activity and energy, otherwise Mirio would be more at least a little worried

Entering the teacher's lounge that operated as multiple office spaces Mirio looked around to see the silhouette of the legendary hero... hunched over a desk. Just beside him was a mountain of paperwork that nearly reached his head. It was baffling how much work he seemed to have, and just from the school

"Ah, young Togata. Here, have a seat. We need to talk." He stated as he pulled away from his work and rolled out another chair in front of him

"Did you need something teach?" Mirio asked, sitting just one foot away from him

"Nothing at all young Togata. If anything I assume you need something from me?" He responded, destroying Mirio's calm front

"Yeah..." He sighed. "It's about this whole teacher aid thing. I know that I'm supposed to learn how to be a leader but I still can't think of how to make my first impression... or how to lead them." He confessed

"I see, that's a tricky problem, one that I'm sure you can solve." All Might reassured him. "But as your mentor I must tell you that this will be your first time becoming a leader to others, there's no need to be stressed."

"I know but I just don't get what to do or how to do it, especially like you do All Might." He stressed, which seemed to take the hero off guard

"R-Right, my mistake." All Might apologized. "If it's advice you want, then I'll tell you. The most important part about being a leader is confidence." He informed as the boy perked up. "From what Nighteye has taught you a leader must be calm and confident in any situation, that way the citizens will rest assured knowing that you as a hero are more than capable of protecting them. The last part about the jokes isn't required, however, but I suggest following Nighteye's orders regardless."

"Oh right, that makes sense. Thanks." Mirio thanked, though looking down on the floor he couldn't help but feel like he just re-learned something he already knew

"Right, confidence..." He thought, but was interrupted by a hand falling into his shoulder

"Listen, I know that I haven't been much of a teacher as of late, with my duties to the city and to my students I haven't made any time for my most important pupil, and I hope you can forgive me for my neglect." The great man apologized, going as far as to bow for forgiveness

"Oh, well... Thanks." Mirio smiled, felling the heartfelt apology

"And another thing... As my pupil I should tell you that I myself am new to being a teacher as well." He confessed, shocking Mirio a little. "Not only have I started teaching at UA this year, but I have no experience in teaching others on my own. Instead I rely on what my masters before me have taught. I'm afraid that isn't enough to suit your needs young Togata." He informed, now standing from his chair and walking towards the glass to peer into the large city in front of him

Mirio took the subtle cue to stand next to him, likewise overseeing the city as a whole. The view was expansive, stretching not just the neighborhood below but the tall buildings in the distance. There he saw the activity that was currently lacking in the school, an unlimited amount of energy that came from the countless people within. It was overwhelming, trying to see all of the details. From this distance he could only make out colorful dots as people, faceless beings that went by without trouble

"Is this how he sees the world?" He wondered, his gaze caught within the shining brilliance of the city

"I must train you to become not only equal to the symbol I've made for the world, but better. And that starts with you, young Togata." The tall hero turned to face Mirio with a seriousness that caught him off guard. "Tomorrow all of class 1-A will be expecting me to guide them through the Unforeseen Simulation Joint alongside Mrs. Thirteen and Mr. Aizawa. Instead, I want you to fill my role."

"W-What?!" Mirio blurted out. "I-I get I'm a teacher aid and all but shouldn't I start out small? I mean the class's first visit to the USJ is rather..." He couldn't finish. It was only adequate to note that it was a responsibility that only All Might should be privy to

"If you want to grow then I must start by throwing you into the action, not having you sit around and wait." He lectured both himself and his student. "Since you've taken classes at the USJ countless times before you can ease the newcomers into it. I won't always have you replace me on special times like these but for now you will."

Mirio was fully taken aback to say the least. This was a rather large step for him to take so early in his apprenticeship, to take over the role of his teacher. It would raise a few questions as well, seeing as how fast he shot up the school ranks but those didn't matter

Yet when he glanced back at the window he remembered what was at stake. It wasn't just his career or his livelihood but the society as he knew it. And seeing the bigger picture... he understood how small of a step this was

"Alright. I'll do my best!" Mirio stated, almost against his will in a way. But as the up and coming symbol of peace he couldn't back down, not for anything

"That's great young Togata. I'm glad you're excited." He said before getting a little more serious. "And as such I must tell you, as you're mentor and the Number One hero..."

...

...

"Yeah..? What is it?"

"That I... Am here. For you. Every step of the way!" He informed, smiling brightly whilst holding a thumbs up. "If you need anything else, contact me directly."

"R-right thank you All Might!" Mirio said, walking away

"And remember to go Plus Ultra!" He heard as he left the room and closed the door behind him, leaving him alone once again

With the cover of the shut door All Might sighed to himself, standing proud and tall. That was until he felt the taste of metal coat his tounge. Without anything stopping him a cloud of smoke enveloped him and he was soon back in his original form

"I have to tell him... One day." He told himself, clutching his chest and looking out towards the city once more

Elsewhere, Izuku remained in the comfort of his room. After a quick lecture from Kurogiri he was able to teleport home before his mom could worry. However, despite more than an hour having passed since his return, his body was not yet up for training of any sort

So to distract himself from his current uselessness he decided to clean, emptying out trash, removing dust and most importantly, taking down all of his All Might merch. It was a long time coming, and while he still couldn't bring himself to throw it all away he would rather store it all in his closet, out of sight

In the end Izuku still couldn't make heads or tails of his standing. On the one hand he could never hope to remove his feelings for heroes, yet he he knew far too much for his own good. The society he lived in wasn't safe, and none of that was more evident than in the life he lived and the lives people like Toga or Dabi lived. Heroes weren't able to save them from themselves and other people, a tragedy that deeply upset him

Yet as he sat in bed with an action figure at hand he couldn't help but wonder if his feelings would ever change. His heart and mind were almost always against each other as one told him to put it all past him while the other told him to hold on. It was like a game of tug of war really, some days it was his heart and other days his mind that were winning, but neither truly gave in

As he stared at the toy in his hand a sound caught his attention, a single ding coming from his smartphone. Setting down the toy beside him he checked it and realized that Toga had finally sent him a text

"Heyyy" Read the message which came attached with a cute sticker of a waving animal. Now shifting his attention he responded with "Hey" as well

"This is exciting," read another text, "I finally got a boy's number!" As he read. He could imagine Toga's excited voice and her warm smile in his head, making him smile too, like he was succeeding in what he sought to do

"What are you doing?" He asked her

"Exploring." She responded

"Guess she doesn't have anything else to do." He thought to himself, not expecting any answer in particular

"Hey," came another message, "what kind of chips do you like?"

"Why are you asking?"

"Because I want to buy a gift for my new friend!" She responded

Her answer made him freeze with a deep pause that was only ever allowed through texting. His sense of boundaries was limited, sure, but he could've sworn that they didn't act as friends normally did

"She kissed me more than once... and we've sat so close together." He told himself, failing to comprehend her. Of course, he didn't have a good grasp of normal friendships let alone between boys and girls so... maybe this was fine?

It took Izuku a while before he realized that too much time had passed. Quickly he wracked his brain for an answer but was unable to get one

"I like anything really." He finally texted, only to receive the image of a frowny face

"How's the blood I gave you?" He shifted the conversation

"It's reeeeeally good! I still have more than half of the bag left!" She said, adding a picture of the blood bag. From the angle of the image the bag looked more like a strangely shaped cup complete with a bendy straw

"That's good to hear. I'm glad you're enjoying it."

"And you? Did your head stop hurting?" She added as well

It didn't. In fact, the headache was almost always present these days. Most of the time it was a dull warmth just below his forehead like a minor cold and others it was an overpowering throbbing took him a minute to get under control

He would've thought that his quirk would help diminish the symptoms

In reality, it did. What he felt was nowhere close to what he should be feeling

"It did a little, thanks for asking." He lied

He didn't want to tell her that it was because of the constant blood drawing that he was getting sick, but it was getting much harder to hide now. The headaches and lack of energy kept him at home most of the time and even Toga started to take notice. Whether she knew the true cause wasn't really clear. But it was clear that Izuku was unwell

Suddenly, he received a picture. It was a selfie of Toga smiling and making the peace sign. He was mesmerized by how pretty she looked, smiling happily at the camera, almost making him forget who she was as he stared at the picture of the innocent girl

"Make that my contact on your phone!" She demanded soon after, though he hesitated in responding back

"Ok." He responded

Soon after he received another message, this time another demand

"Now send me your picture."

"Why?"

"To make your profile too silly!"

Now taken aback Midoriya searched his own photos for a suitable image of himself. But halfway into searching he realized that he had no photos of himself, his gallery consisting of images of news reports, heroes in action and other things that he's forgotten to delete over time. For a moment he couldn't believe that he had no photos of himself, but that was until he stumbled upon an image of himself, only much younger and wearing an All Might hoodie

"Yeah I'd rather not." He thought to himself cringing at himself

With no other choice he held the camera high over his head and smiled, snapping a picture. Though soon after he sent it he got another text

"Is that an All Might doll?!"

His heart stopped. He flipped to his side and stared at the doll just beside him, grinning back at him

"Yes." He admitted, feeling his face flush as he responded. His whole body tightened and readied for the following bout of teasing. He expected it by now but what he didn't expect was what he would read next

"It's pretty cute! I didn't know you were into that."

"Cute?" He read out loud, almost shocked to see the phrase. He could've sworn he misread a 'that's stupid' or 'you're childish' but after rubbing his eyes the text remained the same

"Thanks, I had it since I was a kid." He responded, now with a smile

"Maybe I should give you more All Might merch instead of some chips."

"Please you don't have to."

"But I want to." She said, clearly not backing down. But even though he felt guilty the thought made his heart warm up... and his head too

"I'll text to you later with your gift." She ended the conversation, leaving Izuku to lay in his bed alone

A full minute of quiet settled over the room, time in which Izuku's mind was completely empty. But soon enough his heart began to beat loud and his mind burned a soft, pleasing warmth. It was a headache to be sure but one that he didn't mind. Because when realization struck him he could no longer contain his joy

"I just texted a girl!" He thought, raising his fist into the air to strike a familiar pose of victory

But now left with nothing to do Izuku sat up in bed and held the toy again, back to staring at the bright blue and yellow figure in his hands with an open mind and heart

"Maybe I can keep this." He thought as he placed it on his desk again, returning it to its rightful place

Finally as night crept through the world the evilest soul continued to scheme his next plan. As All for One sat at his 'throne' there was the same T.V screen in front of him with the same individual, the scientist that made things happen

"The 'All Might killer' is ready for deployment master, primed and ready for Tomura's command."

"And what of the men?"

"We've managed to gather a number of petty criminals under our ranks." A different voice responded, this one coming from the darkness just beside him. "All of which expecting a hefty sum of money. But after our operation I'm more than certain that none of them will last, at least if the class of 1-A are to be estimated accordingly." It informed

"Good, then we're ready for Tomura and Midoriya's operation tomorrow." All for One grinned

"If I may ask master." The screen spoke

"You may."

"Is there a reason why you expect this operation to fail? I've designed the Nomu to rival the power of All Might himself, surely that is worth more than a mere trial run."

"It's simple." He replied, confident in his estimation despite how much it pained him to say it. "All Might is too powerful of a person to be brought down by a mere tool of ours. This is a mission solely for Tomura and Midoriya to learn by facing our greatest enemy in person. As well as his band of prospects."

"So this is just training then? Why go to such lengths if you know they'll fail?"

"Because growth in failure is greater than growth in success. If either of them are to learn then it's by learning from their mistakes and growing past them." He informed rather matter of factly. "I am aware that Midoriya is capable of this much, but Tomura especially is capable of adapting. He only needs time and drive. And should Tomura manage manage to kill my greatest adversary... All the better I suppose."

"I see. You're plan is fool-proof then, master." The scientist stated

"Of course. If we want our greatest assets to grow then we must throw them at the heart of the fire. There they will be forged for my purpose."

Chapter Text

The morning of the new assignment came with a flurry of emotions for Izuku, who hardly slept at all the night prior. He was shocked to receive a new mission from Sensei again. But this one was different. This one had weight

And with so little information to go off on his mind never rested as it imagined countless scenarios in his head, all in varying degrees of intensity

He counted down every minute that passed and even spent some time reviewing his fighting skills in silence, making sure to keep the soft thumping as low as possible. But finally the time was here. The moment his alarm rang he slammed it, surely breaking it in some way. He quickly changed into his school outfit and emptied his backpack. He stored the contents of his bag throughout his room to seem less suspicious

Then came the time to fill it. Immediately he knew of a few things to add. A few pieces of protective gear he kept stored, a see-through gas mask, a harness and two knives

He stared at the thick blades in his hands, further imagining what may or may not happen should he use them. His mind tried to imagine a number of tricks and moves he'd learned with them but doing so brought the same sick sensation in his stomach. It was the mix of anticipation and fear that stopped him from tossing the knives into his bag

In the end he reluctantly threw them in, swallowing the guilt it filled him with

They were necessary

Finally came the last step, his mission outfit. He struggled to come up with the proper attire to take as his mind couldn't settle on any one outfit. Wearing a simple t-shirt was simply out of the question and while wearing one of his hoodies had it's benefits it wasn't really practical in a fight. But as he rummaged through his closet he touched upon a somewhat unexpected find, his mint green hero outfit

Though he almost immediately disregarded the idea the more he rummaged the more he found his eyes wandering back to the green spot in his vision. The outfit was designed for combat after all, even equipped with a mask of sorts that could work in conjunction with his plastic gas mask

But the downside was... Well it was what it stood for. It would be disingenuous to wear his hero outfit for his villain mission. It was even in the bright green colors. Not that bright colors were exclusive to heroes but for a mission that may even require stealth it wasn't quite suited for that

Still, the more he looked at it the more he realized it was almost perfect for this moment. The fabric wouldn't even interfere with the harness that stored his knives. In the end he folded the material and placed it inside his backpack, unable to make a proper excuse not to, especially when he didn't have much else to wear

"I should put it to good use at least once." He made up the excuse as he zipped the backpack and made his way out of his room, ready to truly start his day

After eating a quick breakfast and saying goodbye to his mom all seemed normal. But the second he left the apartment complex a portal was ready and waiting for him, beaconing him to go through it

"Master will be ready to see you and Tomura shortly." Kurogiri spoke as soon as Izuku realized he was in the same old bar again. "In the meantime I suggest you change before then." He advised before Midoriya could even spot him, leaving him all alone once again

With much nervousness the boy entered a room off the side of the bar and when he eventually exited he had finally donned his battle gear, his 'villain' suit. Alongside it he wore black knee and elbow pads with his usual bright red shoes. Beside that his customized, opaque gas mask and a bright red belt tied it all together. But most important was the harness he wore. The black colored harness that stuck out like a black rabbit in the snow was thin and made up of simple straps knife holsters for his two weapons

Through some last second deliberation with Kurogiri, and by proxy Sensei, he was given a few bottles of adrenaline and painkiller pills for his deployment. Standard items between combat heroes. But it was a bit of a missed opportunity for him to plan out other neat tools and gadgets, smoke bombs, a grapple hook, and other items he's seen used before. Then again this would be a learning experience more than anything. The basics were all he knew and thus all he could bring

Walking out of the room, however, Midoriya could feel a strange energy inside of him as he strolled out in his completed battle suit. The tight fabric felt so cold and alien over his body which made him feel both naked yet fully covered at the same time. But he felt powerful too. It wasn't the make or the material that changed him if not the aura it gave off, like he was finally someone for once. Finally capable...

Capable of what? He didn't quite know, but it was also that which scared him

"This feels weird." He thought as he gripped his gloved hand. The sound of the stretching rubber was more satisfying than he expected

Eventually came Kurogiri once more, this time with Tomura in tow. Unlike Izuku, Tomura wore his usual all black outfit and bright red shoes along with the severed hands he wore over him. Compared to himself it looked more as though he added some very creepy accessories to his normal clothes

Then again, those were real hands

Yet with one glance Shigaraki nearly burst out laughing, doubling over

"Really? You're wearing that to our mission? Don't make me laugh!"

"H-Hey! It's effective!" Izuku retaliated, his blush discolored by the mask he wore. Maybe he could've done without the bright green colors

"You look like a wad of gum! Better off with all black like me." He taunted

"I'm sorry to say young Shigaraki but I don't see you having the proper attire either." Kurogiri stated, making Tomura stop almost immediately

"I'm certain that dress code has little to do with the results of your mission, my students." Came a familiar voice

Sure enough the three turned to see the T.V displaying their collective master across the wall. Unfortunately, or rather conveniently, the screen only revealed blackness on the feed as his warehouse was known to be kept in the dark most of the time

"Master." The two teens exclaimed as they walked over and bowed in respect

"I see you're both ready for your new mission, one in which you'll be set with an important task to our cause..." He continued. "The three of you will be attacking the school of UA during a training exercise. Most specifically inside of their Unforeseen Simulation Joint. The participants are the class of 1-A, their teacher, the hero Thirteen and All Might himself."

"We're attacking All Might directly?!" Tomura exclaimed. "The three of us are too under leveled for this."

"No need to worry young Tomura. You see for this mission I've given you two very powerful assets, one of which is a Nomu that rivals the power of All Might."

"What?" The two boys exclaimed, though it was Tomura who replied again. "Master, you're giving me the All Might killer?!"

"Of course. The Nomu will respond to your word only Tomura. Guide him well. I task you with killing All Might. But should you fail, " he laughed, "there is no penalty."

"What's a Nomu?" Izuku asked himself, all too curious. Though at hearing the name 'All Might Killer' he shuddered. Able to kill All Might? They had to fight All Might?!

"As for the other asset I've contracted a small army of thugs and bandits. They know their assignment. I expect none of them to remain once you finish."

"Master, you hired killers for this mission?" Izuku asked

"Of course. But none are as capable as the three of you. If anything they should drop like flies when facing UA's best." All for One restated, although that didn't quite help. "Why do you ask young Midoriya? Do you have any objections?"

There was a tense hesitation from Izuku as he tried to formulate a proper response. Yet he couldn't remove the awful feeling in his stomach. It was like out of nowhere he was blindsided by the most obvious realization he could've made

He was a criminal now. A villain

This should be normal

"But we won't be there to kill anyone will we? I mean the class can handle some street thugs and All Might... He's All Might! He can't die! But he's supposed to..." He thought but didn't like where his mind was leading him

"Well? Are there any objections Izuku?" Said the screen once more

"...None at all. Sorry for taking so long." The boy chocked on his words. All eyes lingered on him for moments longer

"So if we're not there to kill All Might, and we can't even manage to kill a bunch of kids, then why are we attacking in the first place?" Tomura interjected

"That is simple. In order to truly begin our plans we must make ourselves known to the world. For the world to recognize the threat we display to their delicate society." All for One boasted with enthusiasm. "This mission isn't meant to kill All Might nor the students of UA but to have them know fear. It is to shake the foundations of this world as the best hero of them all is challenged by a mere tool of our command and his precious foundlings attacked in the safety of their school. And should All Might die here then all the better I suppose."

It was scary just how grand Sensei's plan seemed to be. With recent news of the break in the media was questioning the safety of UA despite its status as the greatest, most legendary school of them all. And with this new attack the fire under the heroes would spread even further. More people would begin to doubt than ever before

However, the relief of not having to kill anyone washed over Izuku like a cold shower. However, the knives that were stuck to his chest did not become any more bearable to wear

"I see. I apologize for ever doubting your work master." Tomura apologized whole heartedly

"That's alright Tomura." All for One accepted. "Now then, Kurogiri will tell you when the mission shall begin and teleport you into action. In the meantime, prepare yourselves."

After the final statement the T.V feed was shut off which left the screen only a tinge darker than it was before

"I'm going to be fighting the class the heroes. And Kacchan is one of them." Izuku realized, which brought on another small headache as a side effect

"Hey Midoriya." Said Tomura, whom was now giving the boy a judgmental side-eye. "You better not chicken out just cause we're gonna fight heroes, and you better not disappoint."

"Right... And er, good luck?" The green haired boy responded as he melted into a chair, counting down the passing minutes once more

Elsewhere, just outside of the school of UA stood the students of 1-A, all of which wore their hero costumes blissfully unaware of the hardship soon to come. But for the while the students waited patiently for the arrival of the bus, some more than others anyway

"When's the damn bus getting here." Bakugo complained, the least patient of the bunch. The lack of sleep in his system was stifled by the adrenaline he could only imagine he'd be feeling within the hour. His restless hands even popped with small explosions already

Ever since his outburst from yesterday Katsuki had been all the more eager to show off. Although he received countless glares and glances from the rest students he would not let it deter him from his goals

But contrary to the rest of the class, Kirishima was the only one to approach him

"Yo Bakugo! You excited for training today?"

"The hell do you want now weird hair?" Bakugo demanded. "I thought you'd leave me alone by now."

"Alright first of all my hair isn't even that different from yours!" He retaliated. "And second, you're kinda the only other person that really gets me ya' know? I just thought we were friends now."

"Just cause I let you sit with me at lunch doesn't mean you're my friend dumbass."

"Well why not? Plus you look like you need someone to keep you in line after that stunt you pulled yesterday."

"Say that again! I dare you!" Bakugo yelled, the popping in his hands getting louder already. But just like before the red haired boy stood firm as he stared down Bakugo, more than capable of saying his piece

"Oh I will!" He smirked and with a quick motion his body solidified into hard rock

"If either of you throw a punch you'll be benched from training for the day." Intervened the arriving voice of Aizawa

Both boys took a step back and abandoned their fighting positions, though while Bakugo was visibly pissed at Kirishima the latter only smirked in return

The teacher huffed away his exhaustion as he finally addressed the class. "I'm glad you're all here today. I should start by informing you all that All Might will not be able to attend today's training and has sent a suitable substitute."

"Suitable substitute?" One of them voiced

"That'd be me. Hey everyone!" Said a voice from behind the class

Behind the students was another one of them, taller and clearly older than all of them and featuring a smile reminiscent of All Might's. And at seeing him they understood what 'suitable' meant here

"Yo! Glad to meet you guys! I'm Mirio Togata of 3-B and I'm filling in for All Might today." The teen introduced himself to a mix of confused and apprehensive glares. But slowly they began to realize just who he was, some quicker on the upkeep than others

"The number one of the school..." Bakugo noted, a cruel smile forming. "My next obstacle!"

"Mr. Togata here has already been at the USJ and can help you get used to the joint, so you may go to him for any questions you might have." Mr. Aizawa declared. Before he even blinked he was met with a few raised hands

"Yes?"

"Are you really the best of the big three?!"

"I can't say for sure, but I'm quite strong on my own." Mirio dodged the question

"Are you really the Nighteye's student?"

"Yep, and he's just as fun as you'd think." He joked

"I saw you on T.V the other day! You looked great!"

"Thanks, I hope they got my good side." He winked

"That's enough questions for now." Aizawa reigned in the conversation

"And hey I'm glad I get to be your teacher-in-law for today, I can't wait to see what class 1-A has in store for us this year." Mirio said, smiling enthusiastically

The class finally devolved into pointless chatter between themselves as they boarded the bus, the loss of an All Might was quickly forgotten in place of the newer, stranger addition. Yet of the lot of them, Bakugo was the most excited at the prospect, his smirk never wavering

Izuku waited impatiently and with bated breath. The suit that minutes ago he praised for being cool and fresh was now a miniature oven that trapped the heat from his anxiety

But eventually came an arrival in the form of Kurogiri, who brought a large creature along with him. It was humanoid with tar colored skin and looked beastly with a bright yellow beak, inhuman eyes and an exposed brain. This new thing that now stood motionless at the bar was the closest thing to a monster Midoriya had ever seen before

"Hmph, so this is the Nomu huh?" Asked Tomura, who set down his gaming control and walked over to the new creature with curiosity. "He looks tough, no wonder he's supposed to fight All Might."

Yet as the teenager walked circles around the 'Nomu' Izuku was left staring wide eyed at the demonic creature. That hulking mass was supposed to fight All Might? In knowing just that Izuku no longer felt safe sitting down let alone allowing it to leave his sight. The Nomu, in turn, only stared off into space

"It will listen to your command alone Shigaraki. Try and test it out." Kurogiri encouraged the adolescent

With little hesitation the boy smirked and started barking commands. He watched with excitement as it mindlessly turned and stomped at his word, causing the floorboards to creak and moan beneath it

"Yell." He commanded and soon a distorted screech emanated from the monster as it howled at the roof above making Tomura smile like a kid with a new toy, or better yet a pet

"You needn't be so tense young Midoriya, it's on our side." Kurogiri advised, noticing the young boy stare at the demonic entity under a teenager's control

"I know but... I can't believe it's meant to fight All Might. It looks so... evil."

To think that he was staring at a monster that had the same capabilities as All Might, or could at least match them, was mind blowing. A monster that could take hits that level buildings, shake the earth and even change the weather! And all while walking around like a drone and staring with lifeless eyes. It was too uncanny to call real even if it stood a few feet in front of him

"Of course but such things must be made to face the enemies we do. Fighting the man who crippled master is no easy feat in the slightest." Kurogiri rationalized

"So it was made? How?!"

"An associate of master made it. A creature enhanced by the power of multiple quirks." He explained. "This one in specific was given a number of strength enhancing quirks and even a shock absorption quirk. Though he can never hit as hard as that man he can certainly take a blow from him."

"I can't believe it." Midoriya gasped. "I knew Sensei could have multiple quirks but to give so many into one? That must be why it doesn't have a mind of its own."

"Correct, young Midoriya." Kurogiri complimented. "Are you okay with that?"

It was one thing to write off hiring killers to do a job, Izuku thought. After all, given Sensei's plan, they were harmless in the face of skilled heroes and their students. But to make a weapon of this caliber and unleash it on the number one hero... To create something this horrifying...

"This thing can possibly kill All Might and anyone else if it's not handled correctly. And knowing Tomura, I doubt that's the case." He thought correctly as he observed the man-child giving the drone a slew of simple yet meaningless commands to satiate his own boredom

But the one thing that kept him from saying anything was his Sensei. He was kind enough explain the extent of his plan and reassure Izuku that this was nothing more than a very convincing scare. Hell, even Izuku was scared and he was meant to fight alongside the thing. The logic made sense but his gut believed otherwise

"Yes... I am." Izuku responded with unease

"Are you certain?" Kurogiri reiterated

"Yes." He repeated. "I know that no matter what, this is for the best. When we're through the world will be a better place." He repeated his own goal as though to assure himself. But in staring at the monster's corpse-like eyes he found that the words did not bring the confidence that it should have

With that declaration Kurogiri nodded along

"Very well." He praised. "The mission begins in a few minutes. Prepare yourself." He advised before disappearing yet again

Soon the bus made a stop as it arrived at its destination at an amazingly large building featuring a dome that spanned many stories high and was thousands of feet in diameter. The purple building featuring the school logo gave off a strong, intimidating presence. It looked exactly as it was meant to be, a test

Standing in front of them was none other than their teacher, the space hero Thirteen. The hero's costume was just enough to make her stand out as astronaut-esc, the oversized white windbreaker jacket and the dome helmet, without revealing her gender in the slightest. It was impossible to tell who or what was under there without hearing the voice

"Hello everyone, Mirio, Aizawa." She greeted

"Hi Mrs. Thirteen, thank you for having us." The majority of the class exclaimed in return

"Mirio, I wish you good luck on your training." Thirteen mentioned under her breath. "Teaching kids is hard, especially when they're practically your age."

"Thanks." He chuckled, only now being reminded of another problem

"Now, if you were to follow the three of us, we'll get started." The woman in costume ordered

Casually the class with three teachers marched its way within the intimidating building to see first hand the wonders that lay within. The inside of the facility looked hundreds of times larger than the outside as the opaque windows that comprised the dome allowed just enough light from the sun to brighten the whole building yet lacked enough to require vastly large lamps to be installed at the perimeter of the building. The inside itself was best described as a theme park for natural disasters, all contained in sections that branched off of the central path of the building. Mountains to small industrial buildings to crumbling skyscrapers, all a small verity of the vast options of the facility that was made of loosely strung together environments

"This is the Unforeseen Simulation Joint, a facility made of natural disasters in the world made to prepare young heroes." Thirteen addressed the class. "Here you all will learn how to apply your quirks practically and in non-lethal scenarios. Because no matter in what field you work in, saving lives is the number one job of a hero."

"Be sure to measure yourselves accordingly," Mr. Aizawa continued, "many of you have quirks capable of killing very easily, but that's not why you became heroes."

"It's to save and protect those that can't help themselves." Mirio added as well, almost patting himself in the back for catching the set up. "We want to be heroes because there are people who are unable to protect themselves. Because of that we risk our lives to save those who can be saved. It's not about taking down the bad guys or putting criminals to jail, but it's the well-being of the world we live in."

"That's why we're here." Thirteen continued, giving a small nod to the student-teacher. "To train you for the future, and to go plus ultra!" She exclaimed

The words were repeated and amplified by a majority of the class, their chant echoing through the vast silence of the building. But when the echo returned a strange spark ran through the lights of the building, blowing the up in a meticulous order

"Huh, didn't know it could do that." Mirio muttered

"That's not supposed to happen."

But catching their eyes was an enormous black fog that emanated from the center of the facility like a portal to a different realm. Quickly a horde of common criminals and thugs poured out from the shadow like a leak in a dam, flooding the center of the facility like water

"Nobody move!" Mr. Aizawa ordered as he donned his goggles and surveyed the increasingly dangerous situation

Eventually there came two final figures emerging from the black portal, one a white haired boy with a severed hand on his face and the other a tall black creature that mimicked the physique of All Might. Upon the arrival of the last two people the portal reshaped itself and shrank vaguely into the form of a contained mist

"Everyone run! Thirteen you and Mirio protect them!" Aizawa barked as the class immediately responded, turning around and bolting after the door

"But what about you?" Mirio questioned as Aizawa began sprinting towards the rushing criminals

"I'll distract them you leave! Now!" He yelled as he jumped into action, landing directly on top of a thug and using him as a spring board to launch his assault

In the distance, the upset Tomura scanned the field for any sight of All Might but found none. He scratched his chin out of annoyance and he stared at the rampaging teacher and the fleeing students

"Eraser Head and Thirteen but no All Might. Not only that but there's even a third year student here as well." Kurogiri assessed the situation. "This really derails the whole operation. Without All Might how will we instill fear."

"Don't worry, I'm sure he'll show up soon enough." Tomura told himself. "In the meantime, follow with phase two."

With a quick nod the shadow villain disappeared from sight and reappeared as a cloud of mist in front of the students, blocking their entrance

"I must introduce us before we begin." He stated, freezing them in place through his mere presence. "We are the League of Villains, an organization made to change the world. We've invited ourselves in so that we may kill the Symbol of Peace, but I see that he isn't here. No matter, you lot will suffice."

"As if you'll get to lay a finger on us!"

Kurogiri watched as a living grenade exploded towards him. The kid sped through the air as though he were a rocket, outstretching his hands for a clearly telegraphed attack. Yet with the swipe of his nonexistent hand he disappeared, flying straight into a portal he was too late to react to

Horror spread across the class like wildfire, including the two hero-teachers present. Most of the teens had assumed this to be an elaborate dream or test but seeing the loudest of them all vanish with no sound sickened them like never before. It left them open to the various shadows that enveloped groups of them before disappearing with students as well, like they were never there to begin with

Before any more students could be lost a vacuum dispersed and absorbed a grand portion of it, destroying the dome and saving the remaining handful

"That's rather unfortunate. Her ability may very well counter mine if I'm not careful." Kurogiri noted as he stared at what was left, notably the one in glasses with mufflers in his calves

With one glance and an assumption a scheme was born, if only he played his cards right

Of the few students that were saved from being separated there only remained four. These four of twenty were aghast by what they witnessed and feared the worst had happened already

"Stay behind me kids, I'll make sure he doesn't teleport us." Thirteen reassured her students as they all huddled behind her in search of a plan of action

"How annoying, a barrier preventing my quirk. Still, I won't let you leave so easily." The shadow villain said as it floated in a misty form in front of them, waiting for further action

"What do we do." Ochako thought, trembling at the sight of pitch blackness in front of them. That thing couldn't possibly be a person

"Do you have a plan of action Miss Thirteen?" Iida questioned

"I'm thinking of one." She whispered. There was a tension in her voice that was far from reassuring but the lack of fear kept them from shaking in place

As the tense air seemed to freeze everyone in place a portal appeared from behind the students, attempting to absorb the students once again. But in moments it was sucked away by the hero's quirk

"Annoying indeed."

"Is there any way that we can attack him?" Ochako thought long and hard as the stalemate continued

Her mind was clouded with concerns over not just herself but her classmates who disappeared in a heartbeat. She couldn't imagine where they could have gone and the attempt at doing so solidified her feet in place, still behind the safety of Thirteen

"Let's try this again then." The shadow spoke

Quickly the teacher turned to deal with the portal beside them but unexpectedly it refused to disappear from sight. No matter how hard she pulled at the air it would not budge

"Thirteen look out!" Jiro yelled

Everyone turned to spot another portal opposite to the one Thirteen was sucking away. But this one was different. This one pulled at her with an invisible force and ripped the air with the same force as her quirk. Upon seeing this everyone realized what was happening but it was too late

A tearing sound and a scream could be heard and suddenly the teacher was laying in the ground, suit torn to shreds and revealing an abyss where her body should be

"Miss Thirteen!" Uraraka yelled. She bolted to the woman's side and instinctively reached into the black emptiness of the suit. Fortunately there was a body, whole and undamaged seemingly

"She's fine!" She exclaimed with as much relief as she could afford

"And thus your shield is broken." The shadow taunted. "What now little heroes?"

Ochako's gaze whipped back to the disembodied voice above her. The mocking in its voice removed all traces of fright inside of her and replaced it with a boiling anger the likes of which she never experienced before. And with tears in her eyes she yelled out

"We'll knock you down!" She blurted out

Further into the center of conflict the small army of villains stood, expansive and imposing. But one man cut through the bodies one by one, skillfully taking them down with a patience and ease none have witnessed before

For a moment Aizawa sidestepped an incoming punch before flipping to his side and striking the chin of his assailant with his elbow. The man stepped back, dazed and confused for only a second. But it was long enough for Aizawa to spin in place to wind up a kick to the temple. In only two seconds the nameless goon fell to the floor but out came another. With glowing eyes the teacher used his scarf to capture the next thug before he could close any distance

With a bounding leap the hero was now sitting atop the man. Quickly he brought down his fist to the man's neck but after only two blows a hand grabbed him by the arm and tossed him away like a toy. Despite the panicked flailing Aizawa landed on his feet, backing away like a cornered animal in face of danger

"Damnit, removing his quirk doesn't change his durability." Aizawa thought, still staring at the looming threat before him. He was nothing compared to the black creature only so many feet away but this was just a worrying

Suddenly, a zooming color or white came straight from the floor. Almost immediately the man fell with a loud thud as the new figure landed in front of Aizawa himself, light on his feet

"Glad I was able to make an entrance." Mirio huffed, hopping like a boxer while everyone else was too busy gasping their surprise

"I thought I told you to stick with the class." The teacher lectured, rising to his feet and taking a much needed breather

"About that..." Mirio chuckled. "That mist villain separated all of us. I managed to avoid him but doing that landed me waaaay over here."

"Then get back to the students and make sure they escape."

"No can do."

"Why not?"

"Because I can't leave anyone behind, especially not when you're fighting against something that could kill All Might." He rebuked with a cheeky smile on his face

With a sigh and a nod Aizawa took to his battle stance, knowing he didn't have the power to refuse. "Then be careful, I might erase your quirk on accident while we fight."

"No problem, I'll manage!"

When Shoto stood completely still he hadn't expected to be teleported in a flash of darkness. But after falling from the sky for only two seconds he found himself flat on his back. Thankfully he had company but he wasn't in the correct mind space for a head count

"What the- why're we here?!" One of them said

"Those villains scattered us throughout the compound." Another stated

From beside him, Yaoyorozu was the first to act. She scanned her environment with panic still imprinted on her face but it didn't take long to discover the most immediate problem. Todoroki only barely registered his missing class before the clamor of a crowd could be heard from further down the mountainside

"They're here to kill us!?" Mineta exclaimed before any of them could shut him up. Sure enough Shoto could see the many thugs whip their heads in every direction

"Looks like they know we're here now." Shoji muttered

Unlike his classmates, Todoroki was the first to act. Immediately the boy stomped on the cliff edge and from below him a glacier in the shape of a slide shot from him. His classmates didn't have a chance to utter their surprise before he slid down the makeshift slide and straight towards the voices

"Hey there he-!" One yelled before he was silenced by a tidal wave of ice along with all those around him, not a single one spared

Shoto spared a single glance at the others, all of them peaking over the edge. But he didn't stay long. He huffed before he started to took in the opposite direction from them, their yells of protest becoming more distant

Shoto didn't run for long before he heard another assortment of loud voiced. Due to the lack of cover they spotted him immediately but he found them just as quickly. None of them stood a chance against another wave of ice. History repeated itself a few more times before he finally stopped to question himself

"This is... too easy." He realized, looking back at his hand in surprise

He looked around the empty, barren mountain and could only hear distant yells. They were too far for him to do anything meaningful. But in the span of two minutes he'd already taken down at least forty thugs

"Those lights are still out from earlier, and no one could've entered without triggering some sort of alarm." He stopped to guess, a luxury he bought himself a while ago. "These people planned this carefully, making sure that we were scattered so that they could pick us off... Or distract us."

How these villains planned on killing All Might was beyond him. Clearly it had to do with that massive monster as these thugs can't even hold a candle to Todoroki. But then again he didn't know if he was the only outlier or not. And with a villain that could teleport it was a certainty that none of them were safe so long as they remained here, and maybe even then

Todoroki let his mind wander for too long. Even with his eyes and ears peeled for any new danger he didn't expect the ground to vibrate beneath him. It took him out of it enough to run for the nearest tree, one of scarce few placed in this region. That light tremor did not feel intentional

Slowly the minor thumping of the ground grew closer, louder and heavier until the boy finally saw what was causing them

Grazing in the wide open plain of the region was a creature similar in design to the one from earlier. It was just as tall and almost as buff but it had white skin instead of black and had a mangled face instead of a sharp yellow beak. It was still rather imposing and just as creepy but with only half the mass as the last one

"If that thing can kill All Might then I have to be careful." He thought. But thinking back to the thugs from before and looking at his own right hand... This one was not nearly as scary as it should be

Coupled with the lack of cover then a new battle plan was formed. The creature stomped forward, mindlessly striding after an unknown goal. It passed Shoto's tree with no hint of suspicion and walked away, completely unaware of his presence. At that the teen knew he could take it on

With a huff the young Todoroki steeled his nerves before hopping out of cover and flinging his right hand forward, sending a wave of ice to instantly cover the field in front of him. Immediately the field was covered by the familiar clear rock, sealing Shoto's victory quicker than he expected

He didn't quite understand how he won so easily but nonetheless sighed to himself. Again he began to walk off before he heard the slightest sound of something crack. Before he could turn around to inspect the sound there was a shatter followed by the loudest, most demonic screech he'd ever heard. And to his horror there stood the creature, surrounded from bottom to top and further in ice as solid as stone

Todoroki couldn't begin to imagine what type of power he was facing. Instead, the moment the creature locked eyes with him his blood ran cold and he body was as still as a corpse. Without breaking eye contact it dug its fingers into the cold rock beside it and carved out a lump as large as its torse

In seconds the block of ice was shot towards him like a regular baseball, barely leaving him room to dodge. He tossed his own body to the sideline and fell flat on the ground. He expected the projectile to woosh harmlessly past him. Instead it took the tree with it, crashing onto its side but losing no speed or weight as it tore through the thick wood

The teen finally stood, splinters caught in his legs, and stared at the death machine that looked back at him with empty eyes. The absent minded wandering was gone and in its place an iron focus locked onto him

"They prepared for me too."

Within one of many sections of the disastrous scenery there were a few city blocks replicated into the worst versions of themselves. Buildings that crumbled and fell apart after an imaginary event took place in order to give off the vibe of a ruined and abandoned city. And amongst it all was a lone villain

Izuku understood that he was in the USJ, if the sky made of opaque glass had anything to do with it, but just where he was confused him. He was teleported here with no visible allies or explanation in sight. He would've easily been convinced he was lost were it not for the curated destruction that surrounded him. Despite the ruination it was still too clean, no loose concrete or broken glass. Things were just shaped to look like they were broken or pieces were missing but it was clear that it was meant to look that way

For the moment he calmed his nerves by exploring. This was a new environment after all. Or maybe they made a mistake they were going to correct soon. But after the reality of his position finally settled, when he remembered that he wore a suit with visible weapons and was wandering and was wandering where he wasn't supposed to, the questions trickled into his mind

Where were the street criminals that were supposed to support him? Where were the students? What was he supposed to do when he meets them? Where is the Nomu from a second ago?

"Where's Bakugo?" He finally asked, chills running through his arm and immediately he looked over his shoulder

With a quirk as strong as his and an even sharper mind he didn't know if an encounter with him would be favorable. He didn't know any of 1-A's quirks for that matter but just knowing the one was enough to tell him that he wasn't ready for a confrontation. If they were all as strong if not stronger than him then what could he possible do?

Maybe he could tire him out? Then he'd have more sweat to attack with. Maybe he could hit him hard enough? He's tried to before, once, but his quirk's propulsion was too mobile for him to land a measly punch

Just thinking about his options against one student of nineteen gave him a headache. He leaned against the wall until it comfortably passed but when he did so a hand rested casually over a knife. He stared at the weapon with his analytical mind for longer than he shood, finally reeling back and shaking his head. "No, I don't want to kill him either. I don't want to kill anyone."

While he was lost in his thoughts Izuku realized that he had made his way up a building floor. He looked out the window to see the lonely emptiness before him. Up close it was clear that it was fake but as a whole it was quite convincing. It looked as though a great war passed and destroyed any semblance of normality there was before it. It was hollow. And even when he turned to see the empty concrete room with no traces of life he still shuddered

But pulling him from his thoughts was something that occurred past the empty window slot he was looking through, a loud bang and a crash. A familiar cloud of black mist appeared and from it came a cluster of bodies each with vibrant colored hair and equally loud outfits

"The heroes." He whispered. Normally he'd be stunned with admiration but the final figure was too haunting. He recognized him even in the ridiculous yet deceptively practical suit he wore with an all too familiar expression

"Damnit! He separated us!" Bakugo yelled as he slammed a fist into the ground wall he flew into

"Calm down Bakugo," one of them pleaded, "we're still in the simulation joint."

"You'd think that the alarms would've sounded by now or something."

The realization pulled Izuku's gaze to the spotlights in the distant roof. Then, were those meant to be on?

"That's cause they shut off the alarms dumbass. You can tell by the way the lights went out." Bakugo lectured as though it was the most obvious observation one could make

"Maybe I could contact someone with my quirk. Unless they're jamming radio signals too." Said the boy with yellow hair as he began to mess with his large white earpiece

"I'm guessing Sensei never had to tell us about that." Izuku wondered, staring at the potential liability in their plan

"If radio's jammed then our phones are too. No use in calling the police or even the teachers then."

"Then we really are on our own here."

"I don't think so." Bakugo guessed, his eyes darting all over the place

In Izuku's sane mind he didn't once think to take cover, to hide from sight or formulate a plan. Panic surged within him as he jolted from his feet to the ground, ducking under the missing window with a thumping heart. Years of unpleasant memories came to his mind and locked the fear inside him tight in place. He could already feel the explosions searing into his skin. He remembered what a black eye felt like, what losing the air from his lungs entailed, the depression that came from lying in the floor with a broken body

"I have to fight them. Fight him." He yelled internally

This was Bakugo he was talking about. He knew how ruthless he could be against anyone he was able to let loose on. Izuku got it easy. He didn't want to know what his unrestrained wrath would feel like

The others didn't matter. Not anymore. If he could just survive then Midoriya would call it a miracle

Against his own will he raised his head and peaked back at the group below him. But they weren't moving. In fact, they seemed to be staring just above him...

Midoriya caught the very moment that the teenage grenade flew at him, soaring through the air at full speed and pointing both hands at him whilst holding a ball of light he thought was the sun itself

"DIE!"

Chapter Text

Far from the danger of the attack on the USJ the people on the outside remained clueless to the life threatening event. Including the true target of the attack

The slim and tired man entered his office in secret, avoiding the sights of the students and other teachers as he silently shut the door behind him. He sighed to himself upon entering, feeling like he got away with something that he really shouldn't have

"I'm glad I'm able to get here late today, really lets me put in more heroing hours." He thought, wiping his brow as he turned over his rolling chair

But when he turned it over he didn't expect to see a small white figure sitting there. He would've been convinced it was a plushy but the steaming tea cup proved it was who he thought it was

"Uh- Principal Nezu! Good morning!" He said, bowing in respect

"Actually it's evening now, Mr. Yagi."

"Crap I forgot the time."

"Mr. Yagi," Nezu continued, "are you aware that All Might was seen all throughout the city this morning? Last I checked he was saving a small family from a hostage situation."

"How did you-" Toshinori began but was cut off as soon as Nezu pulled out his phone, revealing a website called 'All Might Finder.' It didn't take a genius to guess what it was for

"It's not hard to know what the Number One Hero is doing."

Feeling as though he was caught in a lie Toshinori could only lower his head, akin to a child being caught past curfew. But to this Nezu could only sigh his minor frustration

"I'm grateful for your service and effort Toshi but I can only wonder where your priorities lie."

"They lie with both the world and my students." Yagi responded, raising his head

"And I'm glad you value the two so highly, but you shouldn't have to sacrifice yourself for both." The small creature lectured. "You've spent lots of precious time saving the city, even after getting little sleep from the night prior. Were you even planning on reviewing your teacher's schedule while your students were out?"

"Y-Yes..."

"Honestly Toshi its hard to worry about your safety when you strain yourself so much. You take no time for yourself and only worry about your duties as a teacher and a hero."

"Then what do you suggest I do?" The man wondered, watching as the bear-mouse hybrid jumped from his seat and walked towards the couch stationed against the wall

"Lay there." He commanded with glee, and soon the thin man obeyed. Once he took his spot the sensation of comfortably falling into place several times overwhelmed his bones, almost as though his spirit took a moment to lay there with him. Before he could remember to wonder what he was here for a warm blanket was thrown over him. Immediately afterwards the small principal set a stool next to him, staring back at him like a watchdog

"Now sleep."

"What?"

"Now that you have time to yourself you must take a moment to rest. Regaining your strength and focus is a requirement for a man of your caliber."

Reluctantly the man closed his eyes and relaxed his muscles. His body caved completely to the comfort of the couch and the warmth of the blanket. Soon Toshinori found himself unable to move as though his muscles were locked in place

"I'm worried if the class and Mirio are doing okay."

"Try not to think about it." His friend advised. "You've left the class in very capable hands, and your pupil with very capable students."

Standing in front of the fallen body of the Space Hero the remaining few 1-A students stood frozen

Too much had happened in far too little time for them to adjust and were now thrust into the lion's den with no experience. They hadn't even begun learning about villains in school so seeing an army of crooks and criminals in the safe haven of school, just one of which managing to beat their own teacher, only inspired fear

"Who'll be the first to attack?" Asked the living shadow. For what seemed to be a ball of black mist the group could've sworn that he enjoyed this, his condescending tone being more than enough of an indicator

"Do we have a plan?" Ashido whispered, not daring to look away from the ball of darkness

"I don't know." Jiro responded, just as stuck as her

Even Iida, the secondary leader of the class, was visibly horrified by the loss of his class. He too couldn't help but glue his eyes on the threat before them

But of the four of them, Ochako was different. She kneeled over the still living body of Thirteen and almost cradled it in a soft comfort and in doing so her gaze shifted between the two spots of black in her vision. Despite her thumping heart and racing mind her chest was lit with a fire of frustration and hatred toward the single culprit before them

If there was one thing she learned from Bakugo was how to look angry

And right now, it was better to be angry than afraid

Uraraka rose to her feet and let her boiling blood to fuel her movements lest she risk letting it go and remaining stuck like her classmates. Her mind struggled to formulate a plan. But it didn't need to. Seeing the half open doors behind the villain and glancing at the exhaust pipes lodged into Iida's calves was a step in the right direction

"Iida!" She yelled even though he was only a few feet away. "You have to run and get the teachers!"

"As Vice President of the class I can't abandon you all in times of stress!" Iida responded, but it was clear to her that he was quickly coming to his senses

"If you don't warn the other teachers then there's no way we're getting out of here!" Ochako proclaimed, stepping forward with a fighting stance. Her knees shook without her consent yet she stared at the yellow eyes with all the hatred she could muster, which still wasn't much compared to others. "We'll knock you down!" She blurted the sorry excuse for a one-liner

"Will you now?" The shadow taunted

But the proclamation had its intended effect. Soon enough Jiro and Ashido stood by her side with the exact same fire burning in their eyes, and shortly after Iida joined them too

"Yeah, if you don't get help then there's no telling what might happen to the others." Mina agreed, mimicking her friend

Taking a deep breath and puffing out her chest, Ochako did her level best to seem fearless in the face of grave danger. Yet her friends, also doing the same just beside her, made that worry a whole lot easier

"How admirable." The villain complimented. "Then let's begin."

The cloud of blackness shot forth streams of itself, forcing them to jump out of the way. The four, now scattered, were quickly occupied by the barrage of attacks coming their way. Every time they stood back on their feet another stream of darkness came at them like a tendril of evil. All of them were occupied but only Iida managed to roll to his feet and begin his sprint. Fire shot out of his legs and soon enough he passed right under the villain and toward the door

The villain was finally distracted, staring in Iida's direction and summoning a portal along his path. With only a second to react the boy threw himself out of the path and skidded across the pavement, luckily having avoided the portal

But as he stood back up he was surrounded by darkness. He could've sworn he was done for were it not for an ear-piercing screech and the dispersing of the cloud around him

"We won't let you!" Jiro yelled. To most of their surprise the attack came from her as her ear jacks slotted themselves into the speaker attached to her boot

Yet as the cloud struggled to reform itself Ochako could peer through it and spot a shining metal object that only poured out more inky blackness. It disappeared in seconds but it was more than enough for her to hatch a plan

Meanwhile, Mina followed up on the attack. With her acidic slime she hung it from her hand and threw it like a ball at the shadow just as another sonic blast came to sweep it along a straight path

But to their surprise a portal appeared just in front of the villain to intercept the string of attacks, nullifying the blast of sound and glob of acid. Before anyone could wonder what happened the same portal reformed itself directly beside the girls. They had no time to turn as the ball of acid struck Mina head on, thankfully getting none over Kyoko, and the blast of sound brought them both to their knees with hands clutching their ears

"Looks like it was never enough." The villain sighed, turning back to the runaway teen. He'd gone miraculously far with the small distraction and was already prying open the massive double doors just enough to open them

With the imaginary wave of a hand another cloud obscured the teen from sight. But what caught him off guard were the soft hands that suddenly clutched onto his metal collar

"What the-?"

"If you have a body, then there's a way to stop you!" Ochako stated, activating her quirk

The villain was not effected by the new weightlessness. But it was merely a set up for Ochako as she held on for dear life and began spinning in place

The teenage girl was now spinning like a top with a cloud of black mist frantically following her along for the ride, struggling to take shape as the air tore through it and revealed the metal collar in full display. Eventually she threw the collar at full force and watched the cloud chase after it before it struck the ground with a metallic thud followed by quiet groaning

"Mina! Jiro! Now!" She screamed as a bartender's outfit became visible with a black hand clutching an invisible head

The two girl inevitably came to their senses in time to witness the spectacle. They wasted no time in dishing out their revenge, another sonic attack with an accompanied glob of acidic slime. This time the attack met its mark. An agonizing scream filled their ears as the clothes were melted to shreds. Even when caught up in their rage the three girls couldn't help but look away from the sizzling cloud before them. Like a ruined paper in the rain the villain was now partially formless again, the clothes doing little to contain him any longer.

"Clever children." He growled once again, staring at the opened doors that poured in a bright sunlight

"It's over! The teachers will be here any minute now!" Ochako proclaimed as she ran to stand beside her two classmates, all three facing the villain bravely

"On the contrary, you played right into our hands..." The man laughed warned as his clothes and collar quickly disappeared from sight, followed by the rest of the cloud that made him up

Seeing the villain evaporate before them the three girls each breathed a sigh of relief, their hearts still beating quickly and the fear never truly leaving. As the three took a moment to themselves Ochako could only look back at the open doors and the freedom that they revealed

"Played into their hands?"

Elsewhere in the USJ the prodigy student zoomed around the field in ice to avoid the ire of the looming threat

Shoto was on the cusp of a new plan of attack when the creature was suddenly standing in his path. Before he could react he shot into the creature's extended arm neck first and flew out the other end. His world spun and shook and eventually he crashed into another tree. Thankfully he landed on his feet, his back taking the brunt of the impact, when an iron limb was swung into his left side

Due to his costume it was encased in thick ice but that did nothing to protect him as it caved and cracked under the monster's foot. Todoroki fell to his knees in pain, coughing and sputtering

In his daze a massive hand gripped him by the skull, easily covering his whole head, and dangled him in the air. His spine lit ablaze from the pressure it was under, its structure unable to carry his body alone. And yet he resisted. His right hand slowly made it up to the monster's face and in a flash it was encased in a block of ice. But rather than letting the boy go out of panic or fear it instead threw him straight toward the mountainside at full force, again smashing his back into it. And with an unnatural level of calm it placed its hands over its head and shattered the block of ice in moments

The teen retained enough of his sensibilities to place his right hand on the ground. Before the creature could step forward a wall of ice as thick as the UA barrier stood between the two but the monster's black outline could still be seen as it thundered away at the impediment. Again Todoroki struggled for a battle plan but again was caught off guard by the monster's sheer power as it wrecked the barrier and slammed its fist in his gut, surely leaving an imprint of him on the rocky surface

His tired gaze looked up at the hideous abomination he faced. It was a scene all too familiar to him, down to his swimming vision and the shaking of his body. His blood burned with frustration and sheer hatred toward this thing that it threatened to explode out from him. But he was too busy holding himself back to let loose. He knew what promise he would break and would rather die here than use that man's power

But unexpectedly the figure before him jerked to one side as a group of fists rained upon it with enough impact that it lost its balance. Quickly Shoto's classmate grabbed onto the thing's head with all six of his hands and summersaulting off it like a spring board, forcing it to stumble back a few feet as a green blur delivered a kick to its face, knocking it into the mountainside as well

Finally standing in defensive positions were two familiar faces. Shoto did not know his classmate's names but recognized the determination behind their eyes that lacked any fear, contrary to himself

"Are you alright Todoroki?/You don't look so good." They stated, sparing him a glance

In response to both of their concerns Shoto slowly stood back up, clutching his broken rib as he looked at the threat before them

"Weren't there two more of you?" He asked

"They're right behind us. We're here to stall as best we can."

The moment the living corpse regained its footing it shrieked at the sky in artificial frustration before charging angrily at the trio that stood against it

"Watch out!" Shoto yelled, placing his spare hand on the ground. But neither fled. Instead they swiftly jumped into action

While the frog-like girl leapt out of harm's way the other ran after the demon that chased them down. He side-stepped the path of slick ice and found his opening. With three conjoined fists he punched the creature's leg as it slipped across the thin field of ice. At this the monster lost its balance yet continued to charge after Todoroki in its feverish pursuit

Todoroki was on the verge of running out of the way when a paralyzing pain shot all throughout his body the moment he stood up. He found that he could no longer move as the hulking mass barreled after him. But when he tried to retaliate an abnormally large tongue wrapped around his chest and lifted him out of harm's way before he could protest. The spike of pain was nothing compared to the surprise of how close the creature came to running right over him, instead crashing into a tree

But by sheer force and weight the monster refused to fall. Its hands gripped the tree and easily uprooted it from the ground, swinging it around like a bat. Shoto was moved away in time to avoid it as well as the flying trunk that came next but afterwards another shriek of madness flooded their ears

On a dime the grey mass bolted after the tallest of the three teens. He responded quickly by meeting its show of force with his own, resisting the tackle and locking them into a power struggle

"I can't hold him!" He warned, slowly but surely losing ground

As Todoroki was placed back on solid ground he knew what the assignment was. With a stomp at the cost of his ribs he shot another glacier of ice that encased the creature, barely missing his ally. The creature's head still stuck out, giving his frog-like classmate the opportunity to fly into the air and kick the monster at full force

But the monster was unfazed

"My kicks aren't hurting it, ribbit."

"And my ice isn't fazing it."

The demon soon overpowered the teenager, shoving him off balance as the ice that held it in place did nothing to hinder it. Just as the biggest of the three students tried to regain his balance a pair of large hands grabbed him by the sides and threw him as it did the tree. Before Todoroki could react his classmate's body was hurled after him and he toppled to the floor under his weight

That left only one to face the creature. It threw a fist she easily avoided, hopping away to make distance. But in a burst of freakish speed it closed the distance before she could land, already cocking back its fist for a devastating blow

"No!" An unexpected figure cried out

A flash of purple tackled the girl before she could be struck, leaving the creature confused as the two figures tumbled to the floor. Although the heroic move gave the other two time to recover it only brought about more questions

"Aren't you supposed to be helping Yaoyorozu?" The girl asked, keeping the small boy at arm's length with one hand

"I can't stand aside knowing that a super pretty girl is in danger!" He proclaimed proudly. But his confidence was clearly false as per his quaking knees and the hitch in his voice. Even still, none of them could afford the time to make fun of him

"Use your quirk to keep it in place!" The tallest boy ordered

But of course the monster would have a say in it. Without a word it rushed after the girl and the new arrival, gunning after the nuisance that interrupted it yet again. It towered over him with a height he could only dream of and raised its two fists as though to squash a bug

With a rumble its attack seemed to have landed, even Shoto thought he just witnessed someone die. But sure enough the boy was still breathing, vibrating in fear yet standing behind the creature as two purple balls stuck to its fists and lodged them in place

Now with the opening she needed Yaoyorozu revealed herself from her hiding place over the cliff's edge, standing far above them. From just beside her a catapult cast a net that covered the creature completely. At each end there was a purple ball that stuck to the floor, effectively trapping the creature in place

"Knock him down!" She ordered and thus everyone followed

Hastily making a small chain of sticky balls the smallest of them latched the end of it onto the monster's back and used all of his strength to pull, which did little to nothing. Fortunately, everyone else picked up the slack

With another stomp Shoto summoned a block of ice at the creature's face, jerking it backwards whilst propping it in place at an awkward angle

But the last two students conjoined their efforts. The taller teen held onto the girl's long tongue and swung her in a massive arch that spanned the field they were fighting in. After a few good swings the human wrecking ball struck the monster dead in its exposed brain like a hammer to a nail

Shoto winced at the attack. But not for the sake of the creature. He noticed his classmate struggle to stand up straight, allowing the bigger one to carry her. Even still the monster was alive. Despite its groggy and restricted movements its eyes opened and closed lazily

"Our plan worked for now but we have to get moving." Yaoyorozu rallied them, sliding from the cliff above them but stopping directly in front of Shoto

"You didn't have to save me" He tried to oppose but his broken bones spoke otherwise

"We can't abandon you either." She stated with clear authority in her voice. "If we weren't here to help you then that thing could've killed you Todoroki."

"I didn't need your-" He began to but winced when his burning chest cut him off

"That thing must've broken a few bones." The other girl spoke up

But Shoto huffed in defiance. "It's just a few ribs." He stated. Before anyone else could argue he began to walk away. Yet not two feet later he doubled over to his knees, the searing pain inside of him spreading further than just said ribs

"Face it Todoroki. We can't leave you or anyone on their own, I won't allow it. Shoji, if you could please." Yaoyorozu commanded as Shoji picked up the injured student and carried him with another set of arms

"I'll just slow you down." He breathed. But feeling the weightlessness of his body brought with it a comfort he hadn't felt in years. In seconds his eyes struggled to remain open and the injuries all throughout his body enveloped him a numbness he desperately fought and lost against

"I'm... too weak..."

Elsewhere, a fated battle began

Izuku's mind was still processing the flash of light when his body moved on its own. Without a thought in his head he managed to successfully roll under the beam only to feel a boot in his chest. Before the teen had blinked he was launched backwards and stumbled to his feet, huffing for air as the menacing 'hero' walked slowly towards him

"You're gonna pay for trying to ambush us!" The boy declared and gave no room for a response, rushing forward

The villain teen's head scrambled for a reaction. This was nothing like his training, no amount of sparing prepared him for the fear it would bring. But it was his quirk that brought him to his senses. His mind struggled to act but his body did it for him, barely registering the attacks before defaulting to a response as natural as breathing. He weaved through a small string of basic punches and even managed to guard himself from a rocket powered fist at the end

Before Izuku could get used to the pattern Bakugo leaped into the air, boosting himself with his quirk, and rocketing after Izuku using his boot as the point of his attack

However, in his inexperience, Izuku's hands lifted to block. They could barely absorb the blow as they jammed into his chest

But he did not fall

His mind was slow on the upkeep but as soon as it caught up he shifted his feet and hurled the blonde at the wall behind him. He could've sworn he heard a crack as soon as he hit it

"...I did that?" He asked himself, staring at the tattered figure that tried to stand back up. He looked at his hands in shock. Surely they were no longer his own. Surely something possessed him to execute those moves in that order and successfully stand against the strongest teen he knew personally

"You bastard, you're tougher than I thought." Bakugo complained. But the look in his eye was one far too familiar. The feeling of dread overtook Izuku again as he saw the enraged teen crack his knuckles as loud as possible

"I'd love to crush you!"

In seconds he launched after Izuku like a missile, reaching with one hand in an attempt to grab him. Quickly the boy in bright green side stepped but before Bakugo could shoot past his enemy an explosion rang out and Izuku found that he was still there, floating inches beside him. The living grenade spun in place and kicked at the villain with an intense, quirk-boosted ferocity.

Using his uncanny reaction speed Izuku raised his hand to barely block the strike but the hero only propelled himself further into the air and brought down his fist from even higher. Quickly he blocked the attack with a raised cross guard but two hands latched onto his arms unexpectantly. The weight of a wrecking ball swung down upon him as Bakugo brought his knees to Izuku's stomach and immediately caved it in. Izuku heaved, his arms unwilling to carry the weight of a person any longer

He crumpled like a piece of paper and his opponent just as easily rolled onto his back and kicked him away, sending Midoriya skidding across the concrete floor. He shakily picked himself up from the ground but not one second later he was blasted by a rocket propelled shoulder tackle in a relentless pursuit. The teen was flung into the wall where he was chased yet again

Izuku's eyes laid upon the foot that flew at the speed of a car and found that he couldn't bring himself to move

But he did anyway

The teen could only shuffle to the side but that was enough. The boot slammed harmlessly into the wall. Yet his mind caught onto his new opportunity and took it, using his hand to grab the outreaching arm and shove it away before the incoming explosion could effect him. And in a flash his spare fist met his assailant's chin and suddenly he was stumbling away

Izuku couldn't believe it. He felt the warmth in his hand but did not ever attribute it to the punch he just landed. Yet when he saw Kacchan's bleeding lip and the blood that stained his fist there was no room for doubt

He just punched Kacchan. For the first time in his life

Midoriya barely paid any attention to the footsteps that came their way. He was nonetheless surprised to see the other boys from earlier, standing at the doorway

"Hey Bakugo we've got to stick together!"

"If they team up I'm sure I'll lose!" Izuku's earlier fear returned

But his eyes did not once leave Bakugo. He analyzed his every motion and noticed the narrow glare he shot back at him. The teen's red eyes were not just staring back at him but at what he wore, the way that he carried himself, the equipment he had and the defensive stance he took. His arrogant smirk was long gone and in its place was a quiet fury that picked him apart with an intelligence that Izuku knew rivaled his own

He was finally serious

"This one's mine!" He declared, his viscous glare refusing to leave

Immediately after making his declaration he raised his right hand and began shooting a small storm of pellets, each orange in color and hitting Izuku with the force of a BB gun. He raised his arms to guard his face but just as he did the firing stopped. Looking past his arms he saw the blur of blonde hair propelled after him yet again. He had no response for the tackle that launched him straight out another window and into the open where a hand gripped his leg as he soared further into the sky, nearly reaching the dome

As Midoriya flailed helplessly in the air he soon felt a moment of weightlessness before the horrific sensation of falling tore at his senses. And as the wind ripped at his costume's ears a pair of arms wrapped around his chest, preventing him from moving

"He's trying to drop me from the sky!" His mind screamed as for once his body had nothing to counter

He was quick to think but slow to act as he searched for anything that may help. Eventually a plan formed before him. With shaky hands he held onto the body that pushed down on him and shot his knee into Bakugo's stomach

Nothing

Izuku followed this by feeling his hand across the side of his torse, searching for the spot just below the ribs. The moment he found the liver he cocked back his fist and punched it with the same force that once shattered a wooden block

Finally the hold loosened

Now that Katsuki was unfocused Izuku sprang into action. He tore himself out of the teen's arms and grabbed him by the shoulders as he repositioned them. Before he knew it Midoriya was now looking down at Kacchan while also spotting the ground floor that seemed to get bigger and bigger

Left with no choice Bakugo used a free hand to create an explosion that sent the both of them flying horizontally. Luckily the two were now tumbling across the roof of a building, rolling away from each other. It took Midoriya twice to as long to recover this time but when he heard the stomping of boots he shot to his feet at the cost of a burning body

The attack was too familiar, a repeated motion that Izuku's body was quick to learn from. Unlike last time Izuku did not use his hand to absorb the punch but instead redirected it. Twisting his waist and feet he yanked at the arm and allowed his opponent's momentum to swing for him, slamming Katsuki painfully into the concrete

The villain was given a free shot, one moment in which he could attack without fear of a counter. But instead Izuku wasted it, staring at Bakugo's pained expression with a disbelief that his body could not override

Yet hesitation in battle comes at a cost

Before Izuku could react a palm settled square on his chest. An explosion that could destroy boulders launched him into the air and many feet away

Izuku, for one, could not breathe. The fire in his chest did not let him. His fingers clawed at the white hot pain and felt raw skin instead of the fabric that was supposed to be there. He felt his lungs rise and fall but no air entered or left. But even still his head tilted up to see his once best friend struggle to his feet, his legs shaking in a pain he no doubt has never delt with before

Not like he has. Not like this

"That's enough playing around." Bakugo yelled with frustration. "I'm gonna win this!"

Something inside of Midoriya snapped. Something so powerful that he couldn't help but grit his teeth and ball his fists in place. In spite of the debilitating pain he felt he shoved himself to his feet and stood only to stare back at the teen with a defiance he displayed exactly once before. His eyes burned when they glared at Kacchan, no, Bakugo. All of the fear that plagued him disappeared as those stupid words rolled around in his head. They echoed louder, displaying a cruel memory each and every time and soon enough Izuku started to see red

Reactively his hands felt the sides of his chest but when he felt the hilts of his knives his heart stopped and his mind took over once more. His reality returned to normal and all of the fatigue he felt crashed into him all at once

Bakugo has no physical defenses against a knife. A good stab could leave him gravely injured if Izuku wasn't careful. He didn't want to kill him, if anything he was reluctant to even stand against him as old traumas began resurfacing in his mind. But as he looked at the enraged blonde and saw the sparks in his hands he knew that a knife was nothing compared to what created that aggravating popping

Izuku knew he wasn't capable of killing. But he knew that the feeling was not mutual. That alone was enough to force his hand

"Even if there's a chance I might seriously hurt him I have to take things seriously." He lectured himself. The sick feeling in his stomach returned yet it was nothing but another pain that wrung through his body

Unsheathing both blades made Izuku's mind think back on all that led to this moment. His dreams to be a hero were long behind him now. But the moment he pulled the blades he could feel all prior hope vanish from his heart

But as his heart was now emptied of his former dreams it was instead filled with a realization that washed over him and eased his wounds

Without the help of his Sensei he would not be standing here today, fighting his longtime bully head on in the name of a better future. But even more than that came a vision. Now having been thrust so deep down the path of villainy he could see his future shape before him in the form of Toga, Dabi, and many others. Sure he didn't want to kill Bakugo but he needed to face him. Because here and now was not just his own fate but the fate of his friends and those he wanted to save. He could not let anything stop him now. Not Bakugo, not the heroes, and certainly not the aching that tempted him to lay down

As such Izuku's gaze rested on his opponent and his stance was free of any nervous shaking. He held his one knife forward as he prepared for his moment

"Die! AP Shot!"

Knowing better than to stand still Izuku rolled to the side as he avoided an armor piercing beam. Quickly he was forced to run around in circles as he carefully avoided blast after blast. Sometimes almost too narrowly, a hot flame grazing him and leaving a sting. But this running around gave him time to strategize, time for his body to recognize the pattern and adapt on the fly

Eventually Izuku was forced to stop the attacks by throwing his knife

Seeing the shiny metal blade thrown straight at him Bakugo brought his arm to guard him and used the thick metal gauntlet as his shield. As expected the knife was useless now that it was blocked but surprisingly it stuck onto a gap in the large grenade-shaped gauntlet, sticking like a board. That was the only opening Izuku needed, rushing after the off guard Katsuki, grabbing onto the knife and holding it like a handle to trap his ex-friend's left arm

Quickly Izuku's other arm came down to the unprotected face, but using another explosion Bakugo's captured arm swung outwards, shoving Izuku away, releasing the knife and leaving him open for another attack. Izuku was able to capture the blonde's wrist, holding his arm in place as his spare came in for another swing. Yet like the right arm the left was also held down, keeping him locked in place but dropping the knife in the process

However, this restraint didn't last long as the explosive boy placed both hands together and used an explosion to swing his conjoined fists into Izuku's chin. The force rocked Izuku's senses and before long a knee shot into his gut and a gauntlet slammed into his lowered head. The string of moves left him dazed and dizzy but when he came to a hand was held an inch away from his face and an explosion's smokescreen left him blinded

He soon felt an explosion hit his back, and then another just above his head. Various burst of heat landed all over his body and forced him to ball up with his arms covering his face

But the sounds did not full match what his senses felt. Before he could articulate his observation the floor beneath him gave out, dropping him down a floor

Before Izuku knew it he heard metal clinking beside him and not from his knife. Turing to face the disturbance he was surprised to see a few grenades sitting just in front of him. The fear that he could feel down to his toes caused him to leap onto his feet and jump away just in time to avoid the explosions that lifted him from the air and tossed him away yet again

"Damnit!" Bakugo's voice raged in the distance

As soon as Izuku heard boots land on the ground he knew that he could not sit still. He hopped back on his aching feet and avoided the sizzling beams of light with an ease he developed only a minute ago

But eventually the firing stopped. And when it did the fuming Bakugo could only stare at the persistent villain

"That's it, I'm killing you here and now!" He declared as he placed a hand on the pin of his gauntlet

Hearing those words and watching as Bakugo pointed the end of his gauntlet Izuku realized he was in grave danger. He used all the might of his legs to leap far away from where he was standing, rolling away from the incoming attack. But the attack that he avoided had a devastating range. When the pin released it let loose a flurry of destructive explosions. A deadly tidal wave of explosions resonated with deafening booms as they ripped straight through the wall that was once behind Izuku and continued onwards, out of sight

Huffing tiredly Izuku looked back to see the ruins of the wall and felt relief wash over him

That could have killed him. It almost did

"If that one won't do it then this one will!"

Quickly the blonde pointed his other gauntlet at Izuku and before anything could happen the villain sprinted after him at full speed. His hand reached for his spare knife and he threw it without hesitating. But it did not stop the hero, instead impaling itself into Bakugo's left shoulder

Whilst the teen screamed in pain Midoriya ran at near inhuman speeds. His legs screamed in pain but his will and fear overshadowed the pain that would have stopped anyone else. He ran straight after the source of the attack and reached just in time to push the gauntlet upwards. The wave of death was sent to eat through a portion of the roof instead, hearing its roar tear through their ears. Yet even though the attack was redirected Midoriya could feel the left side of his face get burning hot and he could partially feel the breeze once more

Izuku did not dare hesitate this time. He kicked Bakugo behind the knee and simultaneously punched him in the face, collapsing his balance as he stumbled backwards

And yet Izuku rushed again, intent on ending the fight

Suddenly, Katsuki whipped around in place with a lightning fast backhand that Midoriya thankfully ducked in time. With his other hand Katsuki tried to punch him but an arm easily deflected it, allowing Izuku to uppercut his jaw with enough force to lift him off his feet

"Smash!" The villain yelled as he jammed his other fist into Bakugo's exposed gut, using his arm to forcibly and painfully slam the teen's back into the floor

"FUCK!" Bakugo yelled in pain, unable to recover

The angry teen reactively lifted his hand once more to place on his assailant's chest yet again. But to Izuku's confusion Bakugo froze, staring

But Izuku knew better by now

Hesitation was costly

Without missing a beat he dropped his fist onto Katsuki's nose and bounced his head on the hard concrete, finally ending the fight

The winner finally took a second to breathe, settling his nerves and taking in the victory. He righted himself and he kneeled over the unconscious body of his opponent who was now fast asleep before him. Upon seeing the resting face of the ever restless Katsuki the boy felt all of his emotions return to him like a heat greater than that of his explosions

For the first time ever Izuku had finally beaten his old bully. For the first time he felt a sense of power overwhelm him, like his greatest fear was finally put to rest

But the celebration didn't last long. A group of footsteps were heard in the distance yet again

"Bakugo! You in here!?" A voice came from not too far away

Panicking, Izuku yanked out the knife that was stuck to the blonde's shoulder and even found the second knife he was missing before he dove into the large hole that led to the lower floor. Even though he broke his fall by rolling his bones felt like they could collapse at any moment. Still he managed to jump to his feet and out the window where he ran across the open streets of the fake city

His legs took him far but gradually his energy was sapped away with every step. He hastily ran into an alleyway between the buildings where he unintentionally collapsed, falling on his face and scraping it. All at once his injuries began flaring up like lights in the city. The stings from the pellets, the sides of his face from the punches and even the center of his chest

Crawling to his knees Izuku noted the extent of the damage that he was dealt, all seen throughout his charred suit. The green fabric was smoldered in several places with small holes and tears all across his chest and arms. To top it all off the center of his chest displayed a large hole with soot stained skin underneath. Eventually he got to his face, feeling it for damages. Although he couldn't notice any cracks on his gas mask he could feel that the left side of his green mask was now gone, and likely was now showing part of his face

"Hopefully no one can tell who I am with just that." He worried but was too exhausted to overthink it

His body now refused to cooperate as though his injuries revoked his strength. His familiar headache returned in full force. He clutched the top of his head in pain. The dizziness threatened to make him throw up, his heart beat in strange patterns and he could barely sense the tips of his cold fingers

"What's going on? It's like I've lost all my strength!" He panicked as it took every fiber of his being not to pass out from the torture he was enduring. Eventually the peak of the pain passed, leaving the boy tired and exhausted. He could barely stand yet he did it anyway, refusing to fall in such a place

"My body can't handle my injuries. But why? My quirk lets me ignore stuff like this doesn't it?" He thought

As intense as the battle was Izuku knew better than to chalk up his current state to simple fatigue or lethargy. He'd spent an entire summer honing his body and experimenting with his new quirk and keenly understood that this was not his limit. Even if it was all he needed was a quick rest to recover in full

But when he came to the truth of the matter his blood ran cold. Literally

All of these were symptoms of Anemia

"I've lost too much blood. And I've been pushing myself too hard." He thought, looking back at the struggle he endured prior to his battle here

Although his quirk allowed his body to endure hardship, his body was also at the brink of collapse already. He was bled dry every day for the past few weeks without end. He was lucky that his body didn't give at the first punch he received

"Helping Toga... Nearly killed me?!"

If it weren't for his body being limited by the lack of iron in his blood then he surely wouldn't be close to dying in an alleyway about now. His quirk could only take him so far

However, as Izuku laid with his back against the wall a familiar darkness appeared before him, revealing Kurogiri with tattered clothes

"Did you win?" He asked, and in response the teen nodded. "Good to hear. Master will be very pleased with the result."

"You left me... to fight Ka-... Bakugo... on purpose?" The boy huffed out his question

"Indeed. It was master's wish to have you face him. I hope you don't hold it against me." He said, but Izuku instead shook his head

"No, that's alright." He stated, almost surprising the man in darkness. "I wanted to thank you... For all the support you've given me."

He couldn't really gauge how long they passed in silence, not anymore anyway. Eventually Izuku saw the cloud of darkness nod slightly and knew that his sentiment was reciprocated, even if he didn't hear it

"How's the rest of the mission going?" He asked

"Poorly." Kurogiri sighed. "All Might was not seen with the other students and is a third year student."

"All Might wasn't here?"

"A student with a speed enhancing quirk also escaped the complex and is sending reinforcements." He continued. "It's likely that All Might will be the first to respond but once the other teachers arrive we must make our exit regardless."

Shaking his head the man could only look down at the struggling boy who did his best to stand, but with little results. "Perhaps you'd like a rest young Midoriya? Your part of the mission is complete."

At that he did not say a word. Instead, he reached into the pouches of his belt and pulled from them the emergency pills he'd prepared in his suit. He swallowed both with much effort but the effects came a lot faster than he expected. His heart started to race once more as though he was yet again locked in battle and most of his wounds began to soothe

"Your dedication is admirable." Kurogiri applauded. "Then let's get you patched up."

Finally, after several minutes of battle the tides began to turn. The center of the USJ was now only a wasteland of common criminals, leaving only the All Might killer

Well into the battle between two heroes and manufactured evil things were becoming increasingly more desperate. With a swing of the massive demon's arm Aizawa was forced to duck under the trunk of a limb and jump out of its range, allowing Mirio to appear from the floor yet again and uppercut the creature's jaw

But the blow did nothing to affect the monster, unresponsive. It reeled its arm back to swat the bug away. Fortunately, the boy was able to phase through the attack but the instance after it failed it's eyes seemed to graze past the student and onto the teacher. Without hesitation it ran straight after Aizawa and ignored the ineffective punches

The underground hero was unfazed by the monster's instincts, dodging a slow string of wind generating punches and wrapping his capture weapon onto it. Before it could flail around he vaulted onto its head and jumped away

Yet tricky as the monster was it was also quite intelligent. It turned on a dime and grabbed the man's leg, gripping it like it was a twig and slamming him into the floor. With a scream of pain the teacher was helpless to the hulking body that reached for his arms. But without warming Mirio appeared yet again to intercept, throwing a string of useless attacks that easily bounced off and only served to get the monster's attention

In the exact instance that the freak hesitated Mirio saw his opportunity and ran with it. He shuffled away and yanked the older man before rolling out of harm's way, saving them both from the two arms that crashed into the ground and shattered the floor

"Are you okay Mr. Aizawa?!"

"Yeah... But I'm having trouble standing right now." He confessed, fighting against himself to breathe properly

Hopelessly the two stared at the unmoving being that stood before them, watching it stare back at them with lifeless, black eyes. Even if it moved and breathed like anyone else it was clear that the monster was a mindless drone. Yet the way it held no expression or emotion sent chills down Togata's spine

And from the distance, the villain with white hair only looked impatient

"How long are we gonna wait for All Might to get here?" He wondered. "I guess the number one hero really left you to die, along with those kids too."

"As if!" Mirio retaliated. "All Might would never abandon us!"

"Why? Why are you so sure?" He demanded. "He's left people to die and suffer before. What makes you all so special?"

With little hesitation the boy yelled, defying the villains in the face of danger. "He'd never do that! Even if he's absent I know that he'll never truly be gone! Because I believe, with all my heart, that he'll be here to save us from you villains!"

"How annoying." The boy scoffed, scratching away at his neck. "You people are so confident in one man what's the damn deal? He's not special. He's just strong. And when we kill him, we'll be stronger!"

"I'd like to see you try!"

The booming voice attracted everyone's attention. Even the mindless creature turned to witness the arrival of All Might in all his glory. Although he was missing his costume, instead wearing a white tank top with yellow cargo pants, his presence was strong enough to evaporate all fear and tension within Mirio's soul

"I'm surprised, I thought I'd have to kill a few people to get your attention." The only villain around said. But to his anger the legendary hero laughed at him

"That means you haven't yet aye? Then I've arrived just in time."

Every step he took seemed to make the lifeless creature twitch in what Mirio could only assume was fear. The thing's body was tense with anticipation as the hero calmly walked up to face him, nearly standing as tall as it but coming far closer than anyone else ever could

"Young Togata, Mr. Aizawa, you both did wonderfully." He praised, glancing back at them before cracking his knuckles. "I hear you're supposed to kill me huh? Show me."

Like a rabid dog the creature lunged after All Might and cocked back a fist that could kill anyone else. But the hero stood tall, fearless. He mimicked the creature's movement and together their fists clashed to produce a violent gust of wind that shook the very air around them. Yet neither faltered, especially not All Might. Quickly the two began trading blows, matching the other's speed and intensity as their limbs were suddenly harder to see with the naked eye

Mirio didn't realize his jaw was left wide open. Not until a quiet groan brought his attention back to the injured man in his arms. He set down the teacher but could not help his eyes from wandering toward the villain with dead hands. Maybe he could-

"Careful Mirio, you don't know what he can do." Aizawa suggested, kneeling on one leg and clutching his stomach. But nowhere in there did he say no

"Actually I think I've got an idea..."

Shigaraki stood and stared at the battle before him, observing every move that was played with the focus of a buzzard scouting its prey. He didn't realize he was in danger until something hard struck his chin and knocked him back. He gained his bearings but only enough to avoid a left and a right hook. He tried to stand to his full height but a fist flashed before his eyes and was unexpectedly lodged in his stomach

Left completely wide open Mirio was already given the chance to finish the fight, punching straight at the boy's face. But a black void appeared to bail the villain out, shoving his fist into the darkness and somehow sending it straight back at him

Confused, the hero punched himself in the face. But neither of the two in their daze expected a pair of red shoes to appear from nowhere, slamming into the unguarded Mirio and launching him back after failing to activate his quirk. When he looked up to see what hit him he saw two additional villains, on of which was new

Kurogiri and Izuku, now worn from their individual battles, stood beside Tomura at his defense. Neither of the two allowed their weaknesses to show but Mirio could already pick them apart. But more importantly, the single patch of Izuku's face revealed far more than he intended as the hero was able to recognize the curly green hair

"You two attacked the school the other day huh?" He called out. "Three against one is hardly a fair fight ya know."

"We don't fight fair." Tomura hissed

"If you walk away now you won't be hurt." Izuku warned, getting glances from both his allies

"I won't back down. Not when there are lives to be saved!"

Mirio was the first to charge in, gunning straight for Tomura before the others could move. Even though Tomura managed to avoid one or two attacks the rest slammed into different parts of the body before finally knocking him over with one final punch. Yet equally unable to react were the other two villains, both of which tried from throwing punches to creating portals but neither met their mark, passing straight through the hero

Now switching targets Mirio tried his luck with the villain in green, throwing a punch to the face that forced Izuku to raise his arms in defense. But the fist passed through and cleanly struck his face at full force, knocking the boy backwards. Izuku momentarily lost his senses, his head spinning from just one hit, and gave the hero the opportunity to dive into the floor like a pool and shoot out at the speed of a bullet. But the villain kept his presence of mind and forced himself to side step the attack, missing entirely. His eyes registered Mirio's shift in stance and his body responded by rolling under the predicted kick that would've knocked his head clean off

"I've studied a bit of his fighting style. He likes to use his quirk to sink into the ground and shoot into the air, and even bypass defenses." Izuku thought to himself. "If I could just avoid them entirely, then I'm safe."

But that was easier said than done. His every muscle was under fire from just the few movements and his head was still spinning despite being able to ignore it

Likewise, Togata took a moment to reassess the situation. With one villain out for the count already that just left two, one of which would be the trickiest of the bunch. But the new arrival confused him. He was clearly on the verge of tipping over yet he not only took one of his punches head on but managed to expertly dodge one of his more unpredictable moves

"He's good. But who did he fight to get those burns?" He wondered, not allowing himself to answer his own question

But unexpectedly a cold hand grabbed his leg. Mirio was startled by a pale, detached hand coming from a small portal. He was horrified to see that the one he'd already knocked out was not only still up but had his hand jammed straight through a portal. But strangely enough there was no reaction or effect coming from the villain's quirk. He sort of knew what is was too but his foot did not feel any different.

"Aizawa's covering for me!/Something is nullifying Tomura's quirk!" Both the green and blonde haired teens realized

Immediately Mirio jumped into action. He yanked his foot and watched Shigaraki lose his balance as he ran after him at full speed. It took him two seconds to reach him but by then he was too late. The patch of darkness enveloped the villain and teleported him from sight before another body came in swinging from Mirio's blindside. Again he was too slow to react. Izuku's punch met the teen's face but when he attempted a kick it passed through him as Mirio sunk to the ground

Many seconds went by before Izuku realized what was going to happen next. He turned around to warn his ally of what was to come but was too late as he witnessed Tomura's body topple over with Mirio standing above him

The hero took a moment to breathe before he was suddenly surrounded by black smoke. Quickly the darkness shrunk and when it did so he was nowhere to be seen

"Did you teleport him?" Izuku asked Kurogiri

"I didn't."

Just as Izuku was prepared himself he saw a flash of white and red. He jumped back just in time to avoid the initial attack and was ready to retaliate when he felt a pair of cold eyes fix their gaze upon him

And with them his quirk disappeared

In an instant Izuku's body froze. Every ounce of reserve energy he was using dissipated, leaving him paralyzed on the spot. A barrier between him and a sea of weariness and pain finally cracked and exploded like a ruined dam. Instantly every pain in his body multiplied tenfold. His body lit up like a glow stick and in the seconds he remained conscious he could only witness as Mirio reeled back his fist for a final attack

"Power!" He yelled, punching the boy in the stomach with enough force to lift him from his feet and launch him backwards. The moment his body bounced from the ground he knew that he won

"Whew! Glad I could take care of that!" He sighed, turning to see his handiwork

A few feet away from him and in two different spots were the two villains that he was able to knock out. The only one left was the shadowy villain that helped them but he could tell that fighting was not his strong suit

Yet before anything could happen there was a loud boom that came from well behind him, forcing everyone conscious to turn and see All Might and the black creature, which was suspended in the air. But placing a fist below the monster All Might yelled as loud as possible, his voice echoing throughout the arena

"Plus Ultra!"

In one move the monster that terrorized all of them was sent flying up into the sky, hurdling into the dome above where it created a gaping hole and continued to fly away

Standing alone and victorious the great All Might finally faced the last two people before him, signaling the end of the battle

"That sure took a while eh? If I were any younger this would've been a breeze!" He boasted before finally addressing the villains that were laid out. "And with that I believe it's time to take you lot to the police."

"I believe not."

The warp gate villain took the chance to create more portals, undisturbed by Aizawa's gaze. "We'll be back, and next time with more than a mere toy." He threatened as his body began disappearing from sight, along with the two villains on the floor

The very moment that the three villains disappeared Togata breathed a sigh of relief, now certain that the danger was averted

And yet behind him, All Might began to cough loudly

"All Might? What's going on?" Mirio asked. He saw his idol fall to one knee with blood on his mouth that was not there a second ago. Yet slowly a steam hissed from his body, enveloping him until his figure was blotted out of sight

Eventually the steam dissipated to reveal a thin, weak man who coughed violently

"...All Might..?"

Chapter Text

Within a dark and obscured room Izuku finally awoke from his state of unconsciousness with hardly enough energy to keep himself awake. And yet with little to no reserves his quirk kept him conscious enough to open his eyes slightly, almost like he was shoved into a lucid nightmare of sorts

His very first reaction was to release a quiet groan of pain as his every muscle and bone burned a very faint fire, proof that everything he could barely remember wasn't a dream at all. The pain that enveloped and paralyzed him was far worse than any type of exercise he'd experienced. Sore legs and arms, bruised and sensitive skin and his bones seemed to burn as his body was hard at work to heal him from the little energy he had left. For the first time Izuku truly felt like he was dying, even if he wasn't

"Ah, you're awake." Said a familiar voice as Izuku shifted his gaze to a pair of glowing yellow eyes

"...Kurogiri?" He asked, worry clear in his voice as he realized his whole situation. The last thing that came to mind was standing still as he stared at a fist coming his way

Feeling the cold sheets of the slightly uncomfortable bed Midoriya could conclude that he was resting from his battle injuries. Though his next immediate worry was just how long he's been unconscious, and whether or not he'll need to explain anything to anyone. Yet the bandages he could feel all throughout his body were saying that he would have to

"Yes, it's me young Midoriya." The shadow villain revealed as he pulled at the lamp cord just beside the bed, lighting a soft yellow lamp that barely illuminated the dark room. Izuku could now recognize the bare walls and simple room structure as the apartments near the bar

He was also able to look at his body and its state. To no surprise it was covered in bandages in several places, each one having a strange goo underneath that he could only guess had medicinal properties

"How long... Was I out..?" He dragged out the question, fighting against his body for the ability to speak

"You've been out for a few hours, long enough for your school day to nearly finish."

"Then... Can I go?" He asked, knowing the answer already

"Not at all."

"Oh..."

A sense of complete defeat washed over Izuku's body on top of his tiredness, threatening to force him asleep if it wasn't for an intense amount of self control. The consequences of coming home too late and making his mom worry felt too harsh to bear. Yet at the same time he still couldn't feel his fingers or toes

"You'll have to wait a few hours as I bring a few medicines and painkillers. With your strong body and quirk you should be up before your mother gets worried." Kurogiri answered, but his careful eyes were able to pick up Izuku's subtle disagreement, shifting his head to say no. "Why not?"

"My body... isn't as strong as it should be." He explained slowly, the fatigue dripping from his low and slow voice. "My blood isn't at its normal levels... So the medicine will take too long to take effect."

"And is that a fixable problem?" Kurogiri quizzed, receiving a very telling silence. "Your cause and methods of helping that young girl are quite noble, but sacrificing your body, especially in such situations, is a very foolish mistake to make. I hope you're able to recognize that."

The silence that filled the room was all the warp gate needed as he walked out to fetch the medicine in question, leaving Izuku to his sluggish and jumbled thoughts. His aching body almost blinded him to the consequences he'll soon face. The looming danger he could feel also remained with him as he shut his eyes

"How am I going to explain this to mom? What can I say to her?" He began, but found no answers as his eyes sealed shut. All the worry and anxiety he felt couldn't stop him from true sleep finally taking place

Broad daylight illuminated through the grassy terrain as a small band of kids marched on like miniature soldiers. To anyone else this scene seemed like a group of kids merely playing pretend, but to the head of the march it was him recreating his dream, no... envisioning his future

As the ten year old Bakugo marched forward with a group of four other children behind him he chanted the made up cadence. Without question the other boys followed along to the beat. The tiny army band eventually passed through a tree trunk stationed over a river while they continued playing, recreating the familiar memory

Just like before the young Katsuki slipped on the trunk, falling straight into the river below. Luckily for the lot of them the fall wasn't far and the water level wasn't high, and for a kid like Bakugo something as menial as a fall wouldn't hurt him. Ignoring the chatter from up above the seven year old slowly rose to his feet, dusting himself off as his sopping wet clothes stuck to his skin. Annoyance rather than pain struck his face when he scrambled to his knees. But he could hear something slide down the side of the mini ravine and stop just in front of him

"Are you okay?" He heard. To the young Bakugo's surprise and disbelief he saw a younger version of Deku standing over him with his hand outstretched. There was concern showing on his face as he looked down on him. "Did you hit your head? Are you hurt?"

To anyone else the gesture would've been taken kindly, thanking the boy for his concern and kindness

But in the world of quirks, a world where people are defined by the powers they were born with and their value, it was a challenge to Bakugo's pride as a future number one hero

"This kid... He thinks I need help?!" He asked himself as his own thoughts led to a growing rage. "Does Deku really think he can look down on me like that? He's quirkless! He shouldn't be able to act all high and mighty!"

Slapping the hand away the enraged child jumped to his feet, pulling the green haired boy by the collar with one hand and cocking back the other as small explosions danced across the palm of his hand

"You think you're better than me? You think I need your help!?" He yelled, easily frightening the weak kid in front of him

"I-I-I don't- I didn't mean-"

"Shut up!" Bakugo ordered. He shoved the brat his age to the side, tripping him onto his back. "You're too weak to help anyone, especially someone as great as me so you can forget it you quirkless reject!"

But before the memory could be completed properly there was a sudden shift in mood. The feelings of that day were wordlessly changed as Izuku dried his tears and stared at Bakugo with a blank, hateful expression. For a kid who always used to either smile or cry the young Midoriya never showed an ounce of hatred or ill will to anyone. But the look of contempt that he displayed was alarming. So much so that the kid Katsuki stepped back in surprise

"I just wanted to help..." Deku stated with no emotion as he got to his feet and stared at Bakugo. "But you didn't let me..."

Without any warning Bakugo could feel the force of a foot crash into the back of his head, knocking him into the water face first. When he emerged he found himself to be older, now a teenager and wearing his ruined hero costume. There were other changes to his surroundings too. The sky was now much darker than a few moments ago and the water level of the ravine rose. But most important of all was the figure standing before him, a boy wearing a bright green jumpsuit holding a knife in each hand. As tacky as the suit was its presence alarmed him

"You should've asked for help. Then you wouldn't be in this mess." The muffled voice spoke

Still laying in the water Bakugo defended himself by raising one hand and activating his quirk. But to his surprise the water had washed away the sweat of his palm, leading the explosion to be less violent and more like the backfire of a car. But in the same instant his nameless opponent threw his knife, shooting into Katsuki's palm and stabbing through it. Blood coursed down his hand and a cry of pain escaped his mouth, yet he was cut short by the second knife going through his neck, preventing him from breathing

Panic settled in while Katsuki tried desperately to yank out the blade with his other hand. But doing so forced him to lay into the water that was now high enough to partially cover his head, failing to tug at the blade that was stuck between the bones of his hand. Each time he tried he thought his hand would come clean off

Yet standing there, watching, was the villain that did this. As black spots in Katsuki's vision began to appear the villain only stared with a noticeably blank expression, his eyes and mouth still fairly visible behind the opaque gas mask. There was contempt there, something he never thought he'd see from another person. And while he slowly lost his consciousness he received the last words he'd ever hear

"Goodbye... Kacchan..."

With a loud gasp Bakugo rose from his hospital bed, struggling for breathe in his panic. All at once his injuries rushed to the forefront of his mind like a car slamming the brakes and a blinding pain momentarily shocked his whole system before it eased marginally eased off. The most notable pain was in his shoulder, the place that got stabbed. He felt the spot that should have a knife in it but did not feel a thing, not even the hole it made. But the ghost of it still haunted him

After everything subsided the boy was finally able to take in his surroundings. He was in a hospital room with one other patient sitting in the bed next to him. Upon further inspection the blonde realized it was Todoroki, covered head to toe in bandages. The moment Bakugo turned to see him the two locked eyes, the latter of which already staring at the former. Bakugo could feel his classmate's cold chill of a gaze over his every wound and injury, and likely Todoroki could feel the same in return

A slew of thoughts invaded Bakugo's mind. How many others were injured during the battle? Did they win? Did the villains escape? How many were sent to the hospital like he was?

"How the hell did they beat Icy-Hot?" He asked as well, wondering the exact same about himself too. The two strongest members of 1-A were sent to the hospital?

The two stared at each other for an uncomfortable amount of time, more questions slowly rising as the judgement and confusion between the two only rose. But eventually Todoroki was the first to look the other way, choosing to ignore Bakugo and the look he gave him. Rather than begin raging over being ignored he looked away as well, a sense of shame enveloping him as he was finally made aware of own state. Much like his classmate he too was head to toe in bandages and in pain. He was embarrassed to be seen in such a state, yet there wasn't a chance in hell that he'd admit it out loud

"Even though he's strong he's still stuck here too..."

Turning his thoughts to himself he could feel a strong mixture of emotions stirring within himself. Embarrassment, hate, anger, frustration, all of which were equally present and profound. But there was one new development. Something that sparked a new set of emotions

"That guy that I fought. He had green hair and green eyes."

He remembered seeing an exposed part of the villain's mask and revealing a familiar set of hair and eyes. Similar enough was the height and body type. And Katsuki could even faintly remember the suit he wore as a sketch of sorts, although that last part was a wild stretch

"Could that guy be... Deku?"

The second the thought resonated through his head he immediately disregarded the assumption. For one Deku would never have the power nor the skill capable of beating him! In no world could a useless, quirkless loser compare to someone as capable as him! Aside from the more obvious conclusion came more and more sets of reasoning that backed up his conclusion. Deku was too heroic to mess with people like the League of Villains, at least not willingly. He'd never have the guts or state of mind to be together with people who'd terrorize a school of heroes like they did, nor face people like him in combat. And he'd never use knives either!

"I'm being delusional." He settled, shaking his head from his own stupid train of thought. "I must've been seeing things."

And yet his loss burned regardless. He'd lost his first fight as a hero in training to just one man with knives. Scratch that, someone with a strength quirk, if those punches were of any indicator. It was humiliating to think that it was likely the other extras that saved him after he was knocked out

"And with Icy-Hot here... Does that mean we were the only ones to lose?!" He realized as he turned back to look at the other boy, shocked by his own thought

Just as expected Katsuki was able to see the blank, empty expression on his face as he looked down at his right hand, the hand of his ice side. With him covered in bandages Bakugo could only wonder who could stand up to a boy like him, as well as who could've saved him from the situation too. Even with the empty expression he could recognize the shame after having been beaten so badly

And yet as he looked away he couldn't help but mirror the same sentiments as Todoroki

"I can't show my face...not like this..." He agonized as he laid back and shut his eyes, forcing his body to sleep away the feelings he harbored within

Hours passed through the day and events regarding the UA incident were slow to unfold. But away from the noise that was the press, Izuku returned home a whole two hours later than he should

After a short rest and countless painkillers Izuku was finally back on his feet in less than stellar condition. It took a cup of coffee and an adrenaline tablet to stop Izuku from nearly dozing off on the spot and although he didn't have to walk much his body was still on fire. And now, slumped against his apartment door, he did his best not to listen to his body's cries for rest

Sadly his condition did not improve in the short amount of rest that he received. Instead he looked like he'd escaped from a car crash, bandaged in multiple places and bruised in the same areas with a large red gash in the center of his chest, the spot Bakugo shot him with a point-blank explosion. Under his shirt and pants he hid the many white bandages. Although most of his wounds were burns and bruises Kurogiri was adamant that he keep the wraps around his body for a few more hours so that the medical liquid takes effect. But this only meant that past the purple face and clean looking school clothes he was hiding a worn-down body

"I can't think straight." He groaned silently as he slowly opened the door to his house, quickly encountering his mother who paced back and fourth in the living room. The moment she heard the click of the door she rushed out to see her injured son

"Izuku! What happened!" She worried as she tried placing a hand on his face, forcing a hiss to escape him. "I got so worried when I realized you're a lot later than normal. I texted you and you never responded, I even considered calling the police!" She panicked as she led her son to the couch

"I'm sorry mom but I'm fine now." He lied out of reflex and habit, knowing full and well that it wouldn't work. Not this time. Not ever

"You're not! You're hurt! And are those...bandages?" She asked, pointing at the bit of white that peaked out of his shirt's sleeve. The moment she noticed the covering she tugged at the cloth, peeling it off to reveal a small burn mark

Making an uncharacteristically serious expression she grabbed the end of Izuku's shirt and yanked it off before he could object. To her horror she found that his entire torso was covered up as though he'd escaped a dangerous scene and came out of the hospital

"Please don't remove them. They have a liquid that helps with the pain." Izuku moaned but his mom was already standing from the couch

"We have that here Izuku." She batted away the concern

Despite of her son's protests she could not leave the injuries to themselves. She grabbed a pair of scissors and delicately cut away at the bandages, but when they were all removed she gasped in her horror. Izuku could not see what she saw but he sure felt it, various small pains throughout his body that stacked on top of each other until everything felt like one big sore spot. He could remember what they were. Most were punches, others were from Bakugo's quirk, and a select few he got by falling and stumbling throughout the two fights. And yet, as Inko placed a soft hand on his chest his heart sunk to the ground. She felt across the vicious burn scar. A single tear fell down her face while her fingers glided across the sensitive wounds

"Who did this to you?" The words escaped her

"...I don't know. I couldn't see their face." He lied as easily as he breathed, years of fabricating excuses for his injuries on the spot took over as he sat and watched his mother's reactions

"When did this happen?"

"After school." He continued to lie, creating the fake story he planned to tell the moment he awoke. "I was leaving when someone pulled me in and did... all of this."

"How did you get the bandages?"

"Someone helped me put them on. I don't know their name."

By now the questions were automated. He could see even in his tired state the subtle expression she held of being in a constant state of worry, staring at his broken body. There were more injuries than that but now wasn't the time to mention it

Many seconds slugged by as the teenager was left dozing on the couch, trying his hardest not to fall asleep there and then else the situation get worse. But he could not hide his fatigue. Even with the caffeine and minor adrenaline in his system his body and quirk fought hard to fix each and every injury, leading to the supplements and coffee having absolutely no effect on him

"I'm sorry." Inko said suddenly, catching him completely off guard

"What?"

"I'm so sorry... For not being there to protect you!" She exclaimed as she pulled her son in for a hug, all of the fire around his body intensifying drastically. "You're out there each and every day facing so much hurt because you're quirkless. Even as a kid you'd say you fell down a flight of stairs when you don't even use them all that often! And how could you fall down the same flight of stairs every day and expect me to believe the same lie!"

For a moment she pulled her face away to look her son in the eye, bawling at the sight of the dark purple spot on his cheek. "No matter how many times I talk to the school, the principal, the teachers, the same thing happens over and over again. And just when I think it's all over, that my boy's finally free to live his life he comes home in BANDAGES!" She yelled as she hugged Izuku even tighter than before, a silent cry leaving Izuku's mouth as tears formed in his eyes

"I can never know what you're going through Izuku, or what they say to your face. But please, PLEASE know this. I will always be here to fix you up. And I will always be here to worry about you."

With that the mother could only continue to cry her heart out, desperately trying to hold it all in yet failing miserably. She poured out all of her bottled up sadness from the past eleven years of her son's life

And yet as her mother cried into his shoulder Izuku hid the real reason why he was here and now. He never once mentioned Bakugo, UA or anything to do with Sensei because he knew that his will and drive would come crashing down the moment his mother would tell him to stop. He knew the risks, and now he understood them. But of all the people that could get hurt the last person he wanted it to be was his own mom

So as he sat there, eyes closed and half asleep, both mother and son wondered just what the future would hold. And if either of them could come out on top

Finally it was time for Bakugo to return home after the long day. So far he's had to shoo away a number of reporters that barged into the hospital room, none of which were there for him, as well as a number of people who recognized him from the news a few times. It was tiring, especially in his current state. Now with Recovery Girl's healing he was more out of it than ever, stumbling slightly as he reached the door to his house

The moment Katsuki walked into the living room there was a loud commotion as both parents ran at him. The first was his mother, a tall, fiery woman with the exact same features as the boy himself, only with longer hair. Just behind her was his father, a weak, pathetic man who only matched the teen in his hairstyle. Before he could utter a word he was slapped across the check by a slim hand and shoved against a wall

"The hell were you doing?!" His mother roared in anger as his father tried to hold her back to no avail. "You almost got killed out there!"

"Please honey calm down! He just came from the hospital!"

"Oh shut up!" She responded, whipping around to glare her husband. "Those nurses at UA can work miracles. And our boy can take more than a light shove!"

"Get off of me you old hag!" Bakugo tried to object, only to be shoved into the wall again. He never had the strength to fight her physically no matter how hard he tried but now was worse than normal

"No, you listen here kid! You're supposed to be stronger than this! First that weak-ass slug monster and now this!? You're trying to be the best hero but instead you're getting knocked around by some villains who aren't worth shit!" She lectured harshly, strengthening her grip as her anger rose. "I'm stuck here worrying about you and then you get sent to the hospital! For fucks sake Katsuki! At least try to live up to that big-ass ego of yours!"

Slowly as her rage was expelled the grip of her hands loosened. Her eyes and expression were fierce yet there was a single tear that betrayed her, temporarily breaking the illusion of a tough and firm woman. In response to the heavy handed lecture Katsuki growled

"Are you okay son? Are you hurt?" His dad asked

"Can it old man!/Shut up Masaru!" Both mother and son yelled in unison

"I know how to take care of myself hag!" Katsuki stated. "And I know that I can be one of the best heroes around! This was just a setback, same goes for that slug monster! I'll get stronger and then no one can beat me!" Katsuki declared, his iron will only growing stronger

"Then prove it dumbass!" Mitsuki challenged. "I better not see you in that hospital bed or so help me god I'll pull you from that school! You got that?!"

"Just try it! I'll prove you wrong!" Katsuki retaliated running up the stairs before anything else could be said

"Don't slack on your training!" She screamed out to her son, jamming in the final word before a slamming door finished the talk for good

"Don't you think that was too harsh?" Masaru asked his wife

"He'll be fine. He knows that he has to take things seriously from now on. Especially if he wants to really make it in this world." She declared. But he knew better than to take her word at face value. The moment their son was out of sight another tear slipped past her guard and soon more tears flowed out of her

The kind man moved in to envelope his ruthless wife in a reassuring hug, calming the nerves that she desperately tried to hide. Her hidden unease faded away, allowing the remainder of the tears to flow nonstop. Any and all of her worries that she kept locked away slowly disappeared while inside of her husband's arms. Without knowing it she was able to recenter herself, her breathing returned to normal and the tension throughout her body was released

Masaru could only sigh as he supported Mitsuki in her rare state of vulnerability, knowing his wife too well. "Are you sure he'll be alright?" He asked again, speaking softly as his arms wrapped around her waist and his head rested on her shoulder. To this Mitsuki was unable to get angry as she instead held his arms tightly, looking off at the stairs that their son disappeared into

"...I know so."

The morning after Izuku's wounds still stung with every minor movement, draining him of the little energy he had left. Even with his quirk's toughness he struggled to bounce back from his Anemia that crippled him the day of the attack. The teen was forced to continue nursing his injuries and much like the many times before he silently refused to do so. He sat up from his bed, feeling light pinches all throughout his body as he did so. Silently he reassessed himself, removing a few bandages to peek at the skin underneath. For the moment there were no obvious scars but many places in his body were still a little red from Bakugo's attacks. All except the center of his chest, a fairly large burn imprinting itself despite his quirk's advanced healing

"He can really pack a punch now. He wasn't able to do that before." He thought, rubbing his chest

Strangely enough Midoriya could feel the power of his new quirk in his injured state, like the warmth of his blood coursing through his veins. Every second that passed he could feel himself get more energized even if it was only slightly. Of the many times that he's had to stay home from school due to injuries this was different. Now he could feel his body strengthen itself in response to the heavy trauma, his skin felt firmer, his senses a little sharper and his mind was much clearer. If it wasn't for his Anemia he'd likely already be running around at full health by now. However, the lack of blood meant there wasn't much energy for his quirk to use

Next the teen was forced to look outwards, towards the bare walls of his room. The first morning he awoke to see the empty room he was almost shocked, as though he were sleeping at someone else's house, inside another person's room. Where there were once bountiful posters, images and trinkets of All Might now there was not a trace. Strangely enough there wasn't anything to replace it either. There was no video game or anime he cared for or any particular hobbies he had other than researching and writing in his journals. Unlike a normal boy there was no video game console or fiction books, no posters of bands he liked or shows he watched. He didn't even remember the last anime he'd seen, if he ever did that is

In seeing his barren room the realizations came all at once for the boy, a new self assessment that he never thought of until now...

"Were heroes the only thing I liked before?"

He tried to search for something of interest in his room, something that labeled him as a person or showed an aspect of who he was. And yet the only things he found was his personal laptop and the small assortment of books in the shelf attached to his desk. However, much to his despair, they were all related to heroism, heroes and All Might in one way or another

"Wow." He thought, slowly sliding back into bed as the overwhelming sense of self realization dawned

Before the USJ, before the League of Villains and before he even met All Might his life was defined by one, burning passion that consumed him completely. But now that that was gone there wasn't much left to make up who he was. He still wrote hero entries in his journal but that was different, those were for what he could only call work. Now instead of rewatching hero clips, highlight reels and interviews he spent his free time training or researching for Sensei. He never bothered picking up a regular hobby or having any special interests other than in heroes and what they do. To him he's only ever had the one passion to occupy him

"Am I boring?" He thought, wrapping himself in his pure white blanket as his new discovery hit him like a truck

Was he only ever one type of person before? An All Might super fan? Then what was he now? What defined him? Was it just his will to change the world? Is his only trait the fact that he was a villain?

"Who am I now?"

Thought after thought attacked him as he attempted to answer his own questions, only to come up empty. Yet what seemed to answer his question was the sound of a text pinging his phone. The boy reached from under the blanket and grabbed it from his desk, noticing the large crack that it had. During the USJ attack he remembered feeling something hit his pocket but he couldn't remember, yet now his screen was cracked slightly

On the now illuminated screen was a text message from Toga. "Are you gonna be at school today?" It asked, to which Izuku answered

"No, sorry. I got sick and won't be there to give you blood today." He lied

"Fine, but you better be there tomorrow! I'm getting hungry!" She replied with the image of a frowny face soon following

Just as quickly as the conversation started it ended, leaving Izuku to be more than worried about his own safety. He knew he wasn't ready to start giving away his blood, yet he silently agreed to it anyway! Just what was he going to do now? He couldn't just cure his Anemia only to go back into the cycle that gave it to him in the first place. That'd be irresponsible

And yet as he continued to worry about his immediate future a new thought rang through, another perspective to his strangely deep question from before

"I guess worrying about Toga... makes me more of who I am." He thought

Even if he didn't have much going for him now, he knew that he wasn't the same Izuku as before. If anything, just having a friend to care about made him a whole new person

That wasn't so bad

Chapter Text

For Izuku his day off from school wasn't the greatest. Although he was still nursing a number of injuries from his fight he appreciated the small blessing... like staying conscious

Several news reports and a string of texts from Kurogiri told the boy exactly what happened. All Might, their primary target, wasn't there at the training joint and in his place was the class 3-B student Mirio. The last minute substitution was unforeseen but apparently the student had been assigned just before the bus made off with the class. Although how and why Kurogiri, and by proxy Sensei, knew this was still a mystery not worth solving at the moment

The entire class was scattered throughout the compound using Warp Gate. Although one managed to escape and warn the teachers of the villain attack. The Nomu that was said to rival All Might was distracted and kept at bay by Le Million and Eraserhead until the number one hero could arrive and overpower it

As for specifics on the rest there wasn't much to tell. The class was able to defeat the army of thugs that Sensei had contracted and left unscathed, just like he predicted. There were only two injured, Bakugo and Todoroki, and there wasn't any hint of Izuku being in the fray so it was safe to say he wasn't properly identified

The 'League of Villains' as they were called now, a name that Tomura came up with, didn't fare much better. The whole gang of criminals was defeated and the Nomu was captured along with an additional one he wasn't aware of. Sadly the latter half of that statement wasn't part of the plan. Now the League was missing out on some serious firepower. Kurogiri and Tomura were nursing some wounds and although Izuku got the worst of it he was recovering better than they were

For a first large-scale mission it was a success. The goal all along was to rile up the heroes and the press and that was exactly what happened. Everywhere Izuku looked people were talking about the LOV and what they were after, calling them the biggest criminals since the Yakuzu back in the day. The school itself was catching lots of flak for letting such an event happen but since only two were injured it wasn't anything too big

Of course, being on the receiving end of all those comments and criticisms didn't feel good. The overwhelming amount of hatred towards villains mortified him, even if it wasn't at him specifically. And it wasn't quiet or subtle either but instead open and vocal, for all to hear and all to agree with. Several blogs and news reports detailed just how much outrage his actions caused and people frequently referred to the League as 'the scum of the earth'

Yet the young boy couldn't object to any of it. After all he never had a good defense for blind, unreasonable prejudice before. And at the end of the day he was a villain, which was as unanimously hated as one could be

He sunk deeper into the cold bath. His cold body soothed the burns that were no longer running hot and the chill was pleasing after a while. But the cold did nothing to his ever spiraling mind. Now that his worst fears were true he would be persecuted for what he'd done at the USJ. And if they found him...

"No, they don't know who I am. They won't come looking for me." He rationalized yet the thought of someone knocking on his front door scared him more than he'd like to admit

The stress of hiding from the law was starting to get to him even though he knew he was safe. If word got out that he was a villain he'd be on the run, unable to show his face like before or else he'd go to jail. Then again he couldn't imagine being on the run from the law. The furthest extent he'd learned of such occasions was skipping town or being a part of a cartoonish car chase. It never really clicked that his master and his allies were hiding from the law until he realized just where they liked to spend their time. But all of his wild imaginations made him dig back to his roots

"To change the world." He remembered, hearing the inspirational and audacious words of his master all over again. He was here to change the world of heroes, here to help those that couldn't be helped by the current society. Yet why was that so hard? And why did it feel so wrong now?

Just as he was thinking that very line a ringing filled the silent room. From the sink his phone rang, likely another call from Toga. But he wasn't ready to answer it. He waited impatiently for the ringing to stop and when it did he breathed a sigh of relief. He didn't like ignoring Toga but what could he say? That he was a wanted criminal now? That he attacked the most popular hero school in Japan and attempted to kill All Might himself? He couldn't imagine saying any of that to her let alone her reaction

But she was the reason why he was here, in a bathtub trying and failing to clear his mind. The entire point of being a villain was to help outcasts and in doing so he was left with barely any energy to stand up for himself. Having to look after Toga was remarkable progress for him but the thought of that needle poking his arm made his stomach twist even more than the criminal charges

His fight with Kacchan was a different matter altogether

For one, at no point did he feel any form of enjoyment until after all was said and done and even then was it minimal. It was many other things instead. Stressful, anxiety inducing, the worst he's ever felt since nearly dying to Sensei... he could keep going really...

But at the end of the day it was like a weight he didn't know he carried was lifted

However, in retrospect he knew that his win was a fluke, that the angry ball of rage was too cocky to know what he was up against. It was evident in his gradual change in tactics. He was so confident in his hand to hand, which was rather warranted, yet once he realized he couldn't surpass him there he then switched to long range. It would've worked too had Izuku not finally used his knives and even THEN was he close to losing. But next time it won't be such a close fight... and not in Izuku's favor

"That's why I'm training. To get stronger and face him again." He realized, looking down at the red scar he received from his fight, a reminder that would stick with him forever

He fought and defeated his old friend and bully, that alone was an achievement. But in doing so he became an enemy of the people, not just an outcast but a fully fledged lawbreaker. That alone made him restless

"What am I gonna do now?" He wondered out loud, staring at the ceiling to search for an answer, but getting nothing in return. The cold bath water did nothing to counteract how utterly alone he felt in this very moment

The world was against him. The world hated him. And now... he didn't know if any of it was worth it

The following day marked his return to school, still wearing some of the bandages to cover up his more grievous wounds. As to no one's surprise when he arrived to class with a patch on his cheek there wasn't any response, business as usual it seemed

But none of that mattered, not anymore anyway. Izuku's school life was only more of the same dull and depressing life he knew before. The type of thing that he hoped to avoid yet experienced nonetheless. Walking to and from classes that hated his guts, getting ugly glances here and there, sitting alone at lunch and even receiving a prank or two. None of it was new and none of it hurt him anymore. Instead he felt drained. His energy that he collected from his sick days were being sapped away by the environment around him

When the day was over he felt the air become much clearer, much more refreshing. At least until he remembered what came next

He had to talk to Toga again

Anxiety and worry gripped his heart all over again as he made his way to the back of the school. He'd been missing for two days now and he had no reasonable explanation for it other than a poor excuse. Of course the school and the students inside didn't care but Toga did, and she was all that mattered right now. Add to it the fact that he never called her back and...

"How do I tell her that I can't let her drink my blood anymore?" He panicked, standing beside the wall to catch his breath

His inexperience with basic friendship was coming into play as he searched for answers but found none. Long before he was ready she appeared, frowning as she glared daggers at the green haired boy. For a moment she only crossed her arms as she stared, to which he was stuck in place as though she held an actual knife to his throat

He was caught red-handed in the act of being a bad friend which was something Izuku had never felt before until now. It wasn't something he wanted to experience again

"You never called me back." She hissed, a shadow lightly shading her face yet her red eyes glowed off of the glint of some unknown light source

Midoriya felt his heart pound and his mind race. The same instincts he used during his fight were now telling him that he should run away and escape before he got hurt. Yet he stood his ground and said nothing, incapable of moving or opening his mouth as she stepped closer to him

Once she reached him old memories flared and instinct took over, recoiling his hand as she reached out her own. Of course he feared for what she might do but for some reason his reaction felt far deeper than that

But instead of feeling the coldness of a knife he felt the warmth of a hand caress his cheek, touching the white patch that covered a bruise of his. When he opened his eyes he noticed that Toga's expression had softened, now showing worry rather than anger. The switch up in emotions threw the boy for a loop as she spoke in a soft, caring voice

"You had me so worried you know. When you didn't show up after school I thought something bad had happened to you. And then you ignored me all day yesterday!" She worried, caressing his face and arms to a degree that made Izuku a tad uncomfortable

Both teens kneeled over the grass and Izuku allowed Toga to feel his face and arms, seeing the faded bruises and cuts that were once covered by bandages. Even if it wasn't being shown Izuku knew that the malice from earlier was real, as did his quirk

"Who was it?" She asked, catching the boy off guard

"What do you mean?"

"Who hurt you like this? I swear I'll make them pay for hurting my little blood bag." She stated with a venom in her voice that scared Izuku like never before

"I don't know, I couldn't see them." He lied, finding no better excuse

"If you're gonna lie about it then make something more believable." She shot back as she pressed upon his injured shoulder, her anger flaring for just a moment as Midoriya winced. "Please just tell me who did this to you. I want to make you feel better and that's the only way I can do it right now."

"Sorry but no one hurt me. You don't have to worry about me." He responded, keeping his lie

To that the girl glared at him again, the aura of danger slowly rising from her body as Izuku's quirk started to yell at him. But his options for escape were limited since he was sitting on top of his legs, a Japanese tradition that would've been handy to break right about now

"Izuku... you know I love you, right?"

"Y-yeah?" He responded, though he was in no mood to overthink on the word 'love'

"And you know that I love our friendship right?" She asked again, making him nod in response. "So you should know by now that I'd do anything to protect you from people that'll hurt you. Just say the word and that bully will be out of your life."

Midoriya, who struggled to maintain eye contact, was startled when Toga suddenly held her face close to his and forced their eyes to lock onto each other. There, deep inside her eyes he saw her true intent. He saw a coldness deep within her expression covered by the outward care she gave him, a steeled resolve that revealed to Izuku that her words were serious and she was fully intent on ridding the problem herself

"Tell me. Who. Hurt. You."

If Izuku was walking on ice before now he was standing over eggshells as he did his level best to keep eye contact. The girl's shortening temper was being tested. But her unbreakable will was being met with his own stubbornness. There was a very real fear in involving her in something that she can't be a part of. Becoming a villain was not something he wanted her to do, nor was being an associate of one any better. The bitter loneliness he felt yesterday was the only reminder he needed to strengthen his resolve

So for one final time he lied yet again, denying the young girl of any closure or comfort she could have

"No one."

As expected a cold knife jammed into his stomach, opening an old wound as blood seeped into his school uniform. Quickly he covered the wound with his hand as Toga rose to her feet, the unreadable expression on her face made Izuku fearful for his safety

"...Fine. If you won't trust me with your problems then I shouldn't bother you with mine." She stated, sprinting away before he could call out to her

The feeling of his vitality escaping his body wasn't what hurt him. It was the feeling of having broken her heart that did. Rather than rising from the ground Midoriya rolled onto his back and stared at the sky, the familiar sense of uselessness creeping back in

"How am I going to fix this now."

For the first time in what felt like a long time Izuku was able to follow his old schedule again. After returning home to school with a fresh uniform he went back to the hideout for training with Kurogiri, with only a worried warning from his mom. He did a number of exercises and even held a sparring session to warm up his body and shake the rust off. Surprisingly he hadn't done worse than before and with his blood levels normalizing he had more energy to spare this time. If anything he felt... sharper? It was something to think about later

After hours of working his body and mind Izuku now sat at the bar drinking vitamin water. Kurogiri calmly occupied himself by cleaning the dirty dishes and Tomura was quietly playing some RPG on the couch. Not one word was spoken between them, and honestly for the better

However, to Izuku's displeasure his thoughts returned to him during his period of rest. He slumped in his chair as the crippling sense of uselessness returned tenfold. He still had a question to solve and a friendship to fix, no amount of distraction was going to help with that. If only it were that easy

"Are you alright young Midoriya? You look pensive?" Kurogiri asked, closely watching as the boy sighed to himself

"Not really." He replied. "It's about Toga..."

"Your girlfriend?" Tomura exclaimed, only half paying attention as he stared at the screen and fiddled with his control. "Trouble in paradise?"

"It's not like that!" Izuku snapped, causing both villains to flinch. Even Midoriya was startled by his own response as he worded an apology. "Sorry, I didn't mean to yell."

"What's the trouble?" The shadow villain ignored the outburst

"I don't know if I can keep helping her anymore. I wasn't really thinking about myself when I started donating my blood but after the last mission I can't bring myself to do it anymore."

"Oh? You're more worried about how your new boundary will affect her?"

"Yeah..." Izuku replied, sighing yet again. "I know that she needs blood but I can't keep giving it to her anymore. And if I can't do that then how will I be able to help her anymore?"

The room was quiet for a moment, even Tomura was silent for a moment before he returned to his button mashing

"Do you know what happened during our first training session Midoriya?" Kurogiri asked, patiently waiting for the answer he was looking for

"We fought each other. You used your quirk to avoid my punches, but when I figured out your pattern I broke it by throwing a weight at you." Izuku surmised, yet the point of the question still eluded him

"Exactly. And it's that level of creativity that I was hoping you'd show. It wasn't the strength or the speed that I was forcing you to use, but your mind."

"You're saying... I should use my head more?"

"You catch on quick." Kurogiri praised. "I believe that the case of young Toga will require special care. Friendships and aid are things that need plenty of time, patience and most of all, understanding. Your idea of giving away your blood, while not completely reasonable, had the right intention."

"I guess so." Midoriya responded. "But what can I do instead?"

"That depends, what can you give her?"

"If there's anything a loner needs, it'd be a friend that can understand them. You don't need to make things so damn complicated with finding answers, just try and hear her out."

"I can be her friend." He repeated, remembering the words of Dabi. "Even if I can't give her blood I can still be there for her when she needs me." He answered. However, as he toyed with the empty plastic bottle he returned to the same negative mindset. "But what if she doesn't need me anymore? What if she only wanted me for blood and now that I can't give that to her she'll just leave?"

"Those are quite the serious concerns Midoriya." Kurogiri responded, setting down his squeaky clean shot glass and trading it in for another, less clean one. "But if it'd ever come to that then you must understand that you've done all in your power to help. If for whatever reason the girl no longer needs you then you should be ready to accept just that."

"But have I really done everything I could?"

"Regardless," he continued, "I don't believe she'll leave you for such superficial reasons Izuku, for you are something of great value to her."

"Her friend?"

"Exactly. See? You had the answer all along." Kurogiri praised once again, forcing a scoff from Tomura as he did his level best to ignore the conversation

However, there was one more point to be made. A question that he knew he should ask

"...And I have something else to ask."

"What is it?"

"Is being a villain always this lonely?"

As an answer Tomura began cackling to himself in the background, going as far as to pause his game as he lost all self restraint. Slowly his laughter got louder and louder until he howled at the unbelievable question, but Izuku didn't understand why

"What kind of question is that? I can't believe you of all people would ask that!" He chuckled, making Izuku more and more uncomfortable

"It was just a thought..."

"A stupid thought from a stupid kid." He shot back, settling down enough to response seriously. "You've been alone before haven't you? You were quirkless before master gave you that power so you should know what that feels like already."

"Yeah..." Izuku answered. Fortunately or rather unfortunately for him there were too many examples to choose from

"Being a villain is no different. It's just another label for people that are different from society. Anyone that doesn't fit in is just as lonely as you and me, it's only less obvious. That includes your 'friend' too."

All of a sudden the harsh words began to click within the green haired boy

"Just like Toga."

"He's right." Kurogiri agreed. "All outcasts feel alone, separated from the collective society. But we're different in that we have our own label."

"And what's that?"

"'The League of Villains.'" Tomura cut in. "It won't be long before we start collecting allies and recruiting more members to our cause. For now we're just a some people that attacked a school but one day the world will know just what we're capable of."

"A task that you seem to be slacking on." Kurogiri added, to which Tomura only growled. "But so long as we play our cards right and heed master's advice we'll grow in strength and numbers. There you can get more friends like Toga."

For a moment Midoriya was baffled by how simple the interaction was, almost obvious in a way that Izuku couldn't explain. But the lightness of his chest was all the hope he needed to move forward

"Thanks you two!" He exclaimed before he bolted away, straight to the warehouse for his final round of training

"Those words you used weren't yours. They were master's." Tomura noted, going back to his video games

"I did my best to paraphrase." Kurogiri agreed. "Although the results remain the same."

As the Warp Gate villain disappeared into his own quirk Tomura continued to play his video games, irritated by what transpired

"How annoying." He said out loud in the company of himself. "Do we always have to set that kid straight?"

But reluctantly he seemed to answer his own question

"At least he isn't doubting his place this time."

Nighttime fell upon the young boy as he stared unblinkingly at the ceiling. He laid in bed agonizing over ways to correct his own mistakes, solutions to problems he well could've solved were he in the right headspace. After all was said and done he realized there was still too much to say and too much to fix as well. The mere thought of what needed to be done forced his eyes open even when he wanted them closed

"I hope she's not still mad at me." He hoped, but as time passed he could only imagine that was not the case. He was good at imagining the worst case scenario so it wasn't hard to think of what might happen when he goes to the back of the school the next day, or even on his way to and from school

But in his stupor of over correcting he received a ping on his phone, startling him as he rushed to answer the message. To his surprise it was Toga, sending him a text in the middle of the night

"Are you awake?" It said, and although the answer was obvious enough given that the message now said 'opened' Izuku responded anyway

"Yeah. Can't sleep."

Silence remained as many moments passed by with no answer. The nervousness of his potential conversation slowly boiled over as he imagined a slew of endless possibilities in which he could try to apologize to her. He prepared his fingers to type a wall of text in the case things might get heated or he find himself needing to explain something, anything. However, what he didn't expect was the new message that came a whole two minutes later

"Can you come here?" It asked with directions to an unknown location

"It's not far from here." He spoke out loud. Although normally he'd be more hesitant in sneaking out without his mother's permission his mind and heart were set already

"Yes, I'm on my way."

Hastily Midoriya started to change clothes, gunning for a more inconspicuous outfit deriving of his favorite dark green hoodie and black pants. In reality there was no need to be wear such dark and oddly suspicious clothes at a time in which no one can see, but the situation only felt appropriate

"Should I ask Kurogiri to warp me over?" He wondered, gauging the risk he'll be taking in physically sneaking out the house as opposed to disappearing

Yet despite the completely rational thought he mentally shook it away. He knew he needed to do this himself, without help. Even if it was just out of convenience it didn't feel right to ask someone so important out on something so trivial

"Plus he's probably asleep right now." He further rationalized as he made his way out of his room

Recreating his actions that led him to a life of villainy he snuck through the dark living room without so much as a peep. He corrected many of his first mistakes along the way, feeling the wall to make sure he doesn't bump into anything, placing a slip of paper in the door latch to prevent it from making a sound. He's learned a number of things since his first time out and it all was seen in the confidence of his movements even as he tip-toed out of his home. After taking his leave he soon found himself again in the cover of darkness, out in the city with no sun to guide him

At one point he would've hated being in the dark, only ever wanting to remain in the bright glory of the city during the daytime. But very slowly Izuku learned of the benefits that the darkness brought, such as being almost completely untraceable. He made sure to remain out of sight from any stranger that happened to pass by and only when he neared his location did he dare to step into the shine of the street lamps. He was even grateful for the lack of nighttime heroes else he be caught and thrown into even more trouble

Eventually after traversing the empty block the young boy reached his objective, a single black bench stationed just below a barely active street lamp. The surrounding neighborhood was silent and inactive, and weren't it for his quirk warning him of a presence nearby Midoriya would've called it abandoned as well. But the moment he stepped into the faint white light he spotted the girl he was looking for, Toga. Strangely enough he noticed that she wore her usual school girl outfit, making him the only one who changed for the occasion

"You're here!" She exclaimed in a low voice, hiding something just behind her skirt

"I had to talk to you, and I would've rather talked in person." Izuku confessed, still feeling the twitch that came with being out and about at such an hour

And yet even with their meeting the two were at a loss for words. Izuku struggled to break the silence between them as he opted to sit on the bench, dead center of the limelight. Toga was equally silent as she sat just beside him, her unreadable motions and invisible expression made it hard to gauge whether she too was nervous, angry, happy or any other emotion for that matter

Thus for a little while the two sat together under the faint light of the street lamp, exposed and out in the open for no one to see. The residential neighborhood around them was quiet enough that the only sounds they could hear were the barking of dogs in the distance, the passing gusts of wind or the sounds of a moving car out of eyesight. The anxiety slowly built inside Izuku as he tried to find the right words for his apology, as well as the ones to explain himself, as well as the ones to tell her that he can't have his blood drained. A mountain of things that needed to be said yet he found no way to say them

As per usual it was Toga who broke the ice as she suddenly placed something on Izuku's lap. To his surprise it was a small vile of blood and some bandages

"What's this?" He asked, searching for Toga's face but seeing nothing as she turned to look the other way

"I figured you needed more blood since I've been taking so much of it. It's the last of my supply so I wanted you to have it with some of my bandages." She replied, her voice cold and reserved

Yet after a few moments of thought Izuku held the two items and placed them onto her lap, returning them. The second she realized what he did she turned to stare at him with a probing glare

"You need these more than I do." He replied although as the words left his mouth there was a sneaking sense of danger that loomed within him

Suddenly, he felt a spike of malice and the very next moment Toga reached for her pocket. With an unbelievable speed the young girl pulled out a knife and swung it at Izuku, who caught the blade with his hand at the last possible moment. Yet soon the boy found himself pinned to one end of the metal bench as the girl shifted away from her spot and used all of her body weight to press down onto the box cutter knife aimed straight at Midoriya's chest, looming over him as she tried her damndest to stab him

"Why don't you accept my help?! It's not fair!" She cried, a murderous gleam in her eyes as she focused all of her attention onto the knife that hovered over the teen's heart

"I'm sorry! I didn't mean to hurt your feelings but I swear I'm okay!" He pleaded as he used both arms in a cross guard to defend himself

"No you're not!" She yelled. "I can see it in your eyes! You're hurting just like me but you don't want to tell me why!"

"What do you mean?" He asked, losing his foothold for a split second. The knife inched just a little closer

"Ever since I met you you've been so sad and empty. I saw you wandering around just like me so I knew I wanted to talk to you." She began, anger twisting her face as her strength almost doubled. "But after you let me take your blood you started to get happier, I could taste it. And I got happy too! I thought what we had was special and that I was able to make someone happy for a change. But then you disappear one day, ignore me for another and when I see you the sadness in your eyes came back! I wanted to help you again but you just shut me out!"

As the knife slowly got closer and closer to Izuku's chest he saw a single tear slide down her face and fall onto his own, confusing him as he gradually lost the strength to hold her back despite his quirk

"So why aren't you letting me help you! I want to make you happy again but you keep pushing me away! It's so annoying."

For a fraction of a second he could feel the tip of the blade reach his chest. She was on the verge of getting through to him when he found the strength to continue holding out for dear life

"Because I only feel happy when I'm useful!" He proclaimed, shocking Toga enough that he managed to push back. "Ever since I met you I've only ever worried about losing you because I knew you needed someone to talk to. And when I found out you have blood problems I wanted to do my best to help you by giving you my blood. Even though I started becoming anemic I only kept going because I knew you needed me more than I needed myself."

The heartbreaking truth forced a stream of unwilling tears down his face. Just hearing the words out loud made him feel meek and pathetic, like he really was a useless nobody who didn't matter to the world. He felt his emotions run hot even as he pushed back Toga from completely overpowering him

"But then I got into a fight and nearly lost because I couldn't protect myself like I should. I found out the hard way that I can't help you with all I've got but I didn't know how else to admit it. I've been trying so hard to tell you this but really... I'm just scared I'll lose you like I did everyone else."

He could not decipher the expression she made but regardless she lost the strength that drove the knife forward. Likewise, Izuku lost the strength to hold his guard, leading to the weapon sitting limp on his chest. He huffed as hot tears poured out of his eyes, the mixture of adrenaline and his now loose emotions caused his heart to beat in his ears. He could no longer resist Toga anymore, his guard completely worn down from the physical and emotional labor he went through in less than half a minute

However, rather than feeling a knife implant itself into him he instead felt the warmth of an embrace. Toga, who still loomed over him as he sat on the bench, chose to wrap her arms around him. The boy still didn't understand why she clung so tightly to his neck but he found that her arms and chest soothed the anxiety and stress he'd been racking up all throughout the day. A calm wave washed over him, almost making him forget just where he was and why. Yet he found that it didn't matter... not at the moment. He'd even forgotten that he almost died during the exchange

"You're important to me Izuku. Please don't forget that."

All at once he felt the tears well up from within, sobs escaping his throat as Toga rubbed his back. He felt more vulnerable and exposed despite the cover of darkness outside the purview of the street light yet he found that he didn't care. Instead he felt the joy of fulfilment fill his heart, burning him from within as he cried in the girl's arms. For a full minute he remained as so until he was finally calm enough to stop himself. When he did Toga finally pulled away, revealing her own pair of puffy red eyes

For another while the two teens remained silent, no longer with the anxiety of having things to say but with the assurance that everything was out. Izuku enjoyed this form of silence over the other, now at peace with himself and his standing with Toga. Rather than overthinking and stressing over problems and conflicts within himself he felt the calm mindlessness take over. But after a while of this harmony it was bound to end

"...I'll make sure to lay off the blood for a while." Toga said, though her confidence was evident in the way she hesitated to speak

"You don't have to cut back completely." Izuku answered, scratching the back of his head. "You can still get a vial from me every day, that'll be all I can handle though..."

"That's enough, thank you." She smiled, making his heart skip a beat

But now that the moment was over the realization of where he was and at what hour made him jolt. He didn't even register the fact that he couldn't see anything past two feet until he considered where he should be

"OH! I should get going before it's too late." He proclaimed, standing from the bench and walking away before he stopped himself. "Hey Toga? Are we still going to get together next week?" He asked, not aware enough of his own words for the embarrassment to set in

For a moment the teen's face was red with embarrassment before she smiled, bringing her hands to her cheeks to contain herself. Izuku's sense of danger convinced him he was going to get stabbed again but he swiftly ignored the warning

"I'll be waiting every day until then.~" She said, a chip in her voice as she swayed herself in place

The extreme reaction of Toga led Izuku to blush as well, but rather than shying away from the girl he instead happily waved her away. Soon he left the single spotlight of the bench and disappeared into the darkness once more, retracing his footsteps with a pep in his step and an energy in his chest. The trance-like state of the boy had convinced him he was walking on clouds even as he sneakily went back into his room

Excitedly he tossed his clothes aside and changed back into his pajamas, jumping into bed with a still thumping heart. He replayed the memories of the recent event over and over until he was too tired to do so, his brain slowly turning off from the extreme fatigue

Barr the extreme method that forced him into a corner the boy felt complete. All of his worst fears and anxieties disappeared with one meeting and in their place the bliss of finally achieving his dream remained

"I'll make sure to work hard... so that I can keep seeing her smile like that." He thought as he finally turned in for the night, having figured out his greatest struggle and left with the high of finding his purpose

Chapter Text

The air was unnaturally cold within Toshinori Yagi's office space, a strange sentiment hanging within the air itself. By all accounts the crisis of the villain attack had been prevented, the only remains of the attack now were bits of gossip and a shaken yet strong faith in the school. But he sensed a strange dread crawl inside of him as he stared blankly at his computer. His productiveness hit a standstill when he realized what time it was, leaving him to wait for a strangely nerve-racking phone call

Eventually the device vibrated and before it could ring he'd already answered with a nervous 'Hello'

"Hey, I was able to look through records of what you might be looking for." Detective Naomasa answered. By his voice Yagi could tell that the day had been especially taxing. An attack on the most secure hero school in Japan is not something that came with a few stacks of paperwork, let alone the things they've discovered along the way

"Please tell me."

"There isn't much to go off on without more information." He sighed. "There are a lot of teens with green hair and greens eyes. Are you sure you weren't able to get anything else? Quirk? Maybe a name?"

For a second Toshinori closed his eyes and began recalling the image he saw. During his battle with the creature he caught a glimpse of something, a fighter opposing Mirio. Things were far too hectic to properly identify the fighter, but of the glimpse that he caught he knew this person, no, kid had green hair and green eyes from the torn mask he wore. Even with his years of honing his sharp eyes it was a miracle he could make anything out let alone get enough for a search to go on. Of course one of the students would have tried to ID the villain, namely Mirio, but it was best he make sure he looked into it himself. Its dangerous to leave such matters to chance

"Sorry but that's all I can recall. Things were a bit of a blur at the time."

"I'll say." He chuckled. "I'm surprised that you saw anything at all. And how could you tell he was a teenager?"

Sighing to himself Yagi spoke up. "Even with most of his face covered inexperience is a very hard thing to hide. I could see it in his eye, the way he carried himself as though he were fighting for the first time. And besides that his body and height made him smaller than a regular man, about as tall as the students."

"Heh, guess you learned a few things about deduction from me Yagi."

"Yet not enough..."

...

"How's the investigation going?" Yagi asked

"Its not going as well as you'd think." Naomasa sighed as well. "None of the criminals we interrogated could tell us about their recruiter, and none of them knew what they were getting themselves into past being paid for attacking heroes. None of them knew they'd be fighting kids but that didn't really stop them."

"And the 'Nomus'?"

"They refuse to talk. Frankly we're certain they lost the ability when they underwent the process of becoming whatever they are now."

"No leads then." Toshinori concluded

It didn't take long for the small talk to die down and lead to the end of the phone call. It was safe to say that the new threat would appear again in the future, likely even to attack the school. If that were to happen Yagi knew he couldn't make the same mistake of leaving the children unattended. Just the thought alone of one or more of them getting hurt under his watch made him sick to his stomach. Luckily for him Mirio was able to take care of things as well as he could

The mention of his pupil made Toshinori recoil. It's been two days already since the attack and he had yet to talk to his student. Talks with the staff, principal, press and police have kept him far more busy than normal. However, thinking back to Mirio he felt the full weight of having left something out for too long

Before he could even begin to digest what his next steps were he received another phone call, one he hadn't planned on getting. However, when he saw the caller ID he knew just what was bound to happen

"Yagi."

"Sasaki."

"I can assume you know what I'm calling you for?" Nighteye questioned

"Yes, I'm aware."

"Then what is your response?" He prodded

"I... I still don't know."

"But you at least owe him answers after what happened. You called me and told me as much when you revealed your true form to him."

"And I haven't been able to pay him proper attention as of late." Toshinori lamented. "But I still don't know if he can handle it yet."

"It's no longer a matter of if he can or can't Toshinori." Mirai lectured. "You've made him your pupil, you revealed your true form and you've lost time on your powered form. What is causing you to hesitate so much?"

"I just... I don't believe a boy his age is ready to bear so much responsibility so early. The amount of pain and hardship I and the holders before me had to endure is not something I can pass off without a guilty conscious. And as great of a student he is he still has a lot to learn about the world, let alone about being the world's support."

The silence that followed seemed to give Nighteye time to digest his words, but when he spoke again he spoke in an odd way, both a blend of his normal, logical self mixed with a level of compassion and care that he didn't often hear in him

"I'm aware that there is a legacy of hardship behind One for All but you can't keep holding onto that burden forever, especially if there is a new generation that is willing to take it. And like you and those before you he needs to take on this power. To make his own mistakes and learn his own lessons and to pass on those teachings to someone else. He may not be ready now in your eyes but in his he's more than willing to do what's right for others. Just give him the chance to prove you wrong."

It took a while for Yagi to fully process the well oriented speech. He knew that he was being quite unreasonable

But his heart often overrode his own head. He needed to pass on his power and continue to cultivate it but the thought of an aged Togata sitting in a dingy apartment with a scar that couldn't let him breathe half the time locked him in place

But as his former sidekick advised, he needed to put faith in Mirio. Otherwise the power of One for All would not make it past his own failing body

In mulling over the speech he received a flash of an image, the young boy from months ago that talked to him in his true form. He remembered discouraging the teen for wanting to endanger himself without the ability to save himself, to protect himself like he should. And yet in repeating the words he heard and remembering his own made him frustrated by his foolishness

"Give him the chance to prove you wrong... Maybe I should have done so with the young boy..." He wondered before going back on topic

"Alright, I'll talk with him today after class. If he accepts then... the rest will be on him."

"Good, that is all I ask for."

Unlike the last phone call this one ended without the polite small talk, both men being too busy in their own right to keep things up. Without any more distractions the number one hero was left to his thoughts again

Even with the mountain of logic and reasoning behind his newfound decision his heart fought him bitterly, trying its damndest to convince him that he's making a mistake

He knew what he had to do. He'd accepted it already but he just couldn't find it in him to agree with himself. Leaving the burden of the world itself wasn't any easy decision to be fair, and part of him felt guilty that he couldn't sustain it any longer. Were it not for his injury he'd continue to hold onto the power and do as much as he could if not more, making absolute sure that the world was safe

Except it wasn't, not with the looming threat of the League of Villains led by a young man. No one knew what his purpose was or why he was here, but if the Nomu's he was using were of any indicator... Maybe...

The messy haired man shook the horrid thought away. There was no way that he was still alive, not after what happened. He was more than certain that his greatest adversary was dead and buried. And yet with these creatures holding more than one quirk... There were possibilities, no matter how impossible they seemed

Worse was his inability to keep fighting like he once did. Were he still in his prime he'd have defeated the Nomu and the group of villains in one go

But he wasn't, and they got away

All Might found that he no longer had room for lamenting, a poor habit of his that stuck with him ever since he received One for All. No matter how strong he was he always needed to be stronger. Maybe that would be a struggle for his student as well

Toshinori stared at the ceiling, lost in his own thoughts. But eventually he grew frustrated of his own inaction, his reluctance that he didn't have when he was younger. He jumped from his chair and called upon his quirk to inflate his body. He gained the confidence he needed to proceed without a shadow of a doubt, even if it was only momentarily. He proclaimed to the high heavens with the one voice no one could ignore

"The future is today! For I, no... He will be here!"

The ringing bells of UA resonated throughout the school and signaling the end of the day. Droves of students made their way home, retreating to prepare for the next day and its challenges. But as they left the speakers called upon a student, Mirio Togata of 3-B

He couldn't quite pin down whether he was relieved or afraid of this. It had been ages since his last talk with All might but after what happened between now and then he was more anxious for answers. What happened to him? Why was he so skinny? Was he imagining things? He'd been struggling to be patient for so long that he couldn't help but jog to the teacher's lounge to meet him. And when he finally reached it he took a full minute to calm himself down

When he entered he saw his master once again looming in front of the window that overlooked the city. Silently the boy closed the door and soon stood behind the titanic man in a yellow suit, the legend himself

"Young Togata. I fear I haven't been the most honest man with you." All Might began almost too dramatically

"I guessed so." Mirio's voice hitched

"First of all the things I'm about to tell you should stay between us. Very few people know of these secrets and as my pupil I believe you should be one of them. Can I trust that you won't tell anyone?"

Togata almost expected as much but the weight in the man's words were still heavier than he ever imagined. Yet despite the fogginess of his brain and static in his stomach he nodded along, silent as the large man dropped his shoulders

Steam began emitting from the body of All Might, incasing him in vapor before there was a small explosion of smoke. The blinding cloud dissipated quickly, revealing the new form of the great All Might. Now standing before him was a man only a fraction of the size he was a second ago with deep, sunken eyes and long, lanky limbs that barely filled the wide suit. The teen gasped from the shock a second time. He was glad to know he wasn't just hallucinating from exhaustion that day but on the other hand... he didn't want to know anymore

"This is my true form. And my real name is Toshinori Yagi." The stranger introduced himself, his sharp black and blue eyes staring deep into Mirio's soul. At least in part he could recognize the resemblance between him and All Might but the differences were drastic

"This is who you really are?" The boy asked, his voice almost cracking

"Indeed. This is me without the power of my quirk."

"...How?"

As an answer the man lifted up his suit jacket and shirt, revealing a hidden black mark that spread like a virus across his body. His chest and stomach contained red and purple cracks and splinters originating from a single indent on the side of his chest and the teen convinced himself he was staring at a broken window made of flesh, a part of an object rather than a part of a person. The fact that the man could breathe was a surprise considering what he saw, his imagination running wild with thoughts of what may have happened

"I was injured after a brutal battle. Because of it I have a time limit on how much I can use my power. And to be frank my fighting days are getting shorter and shorter."

"So when you fought the Nomu..."

"I reached my limit and lost my form." He answered sharply. "And now I have even less time than before."

The chill silence gripped Mirio by the heart and prevented him from breathing lest he break it. The image of the number one hero he knew for all his life was shattered in an instant and in its place was the true man behind the legend, a broken person who seemed frail compared to the brick wall he was before. For a second Mirio thought he'd ask another question only to feel his willingness disappear, instead staring at the hole for a while longer

"This is the reason why I wanted to become a teacher." All Might continued, dropping his shirt and suit jacket. "My time won't be long from now and I need to make sure the next generation of heroes can take my place. But I wanted to have a pupil for a different reason, one that is less straightforward than what you may think"

"And what is it?"

"You see the real name of my power is One for All, a quirk that was passed down from person to person, generation to generation, growing in power for each person that holds it. I am the eighth holder of this power. I've used it to change the world just as the original intended to, but with my injury it's time that I find a new host. Which is where you come in, Mirio."

"One for All? Me? That's..." Mirio stuttered, taking a step back. Yet the man who spoke did not waiver in his resolve

"Mirio, I came to this school to find a new successor. Someone who's responsible, brave and heroic enough to take my place. And your actions a few days prior... I can think of no better person to gift this power than you."

Quietly Togata contemplated his answer while All Might looked out the window, seemingly contemplating his own response. With his expression the young boy couldn't tell what he was thinking but the words that soon came gave him his answer

"...I know I'm asking a lot from you, and I'm not sure if I can-"

"I'll do it!"

"What?"

Mirio had to recollect his own courage when he saw the ghost of All Might with his dumbfounded expression but when he did he found the words he needed to say

"I know that this might be a lot to handle, and really I can't even imagine what might happen to me... But, I know in my heart that it's the right thing to do!" Mirio placed a hand on his chest and gazed back at the black eyes that witnessed him, cementing his courage before it had a chance to waiver. "I won't let you down!"

The man's jaw was left wide open, an expression he could not have ever imagined on All Might until this very moment. Eventually he chuckled to himself, smiling with a genuine sincerity that he didn't think he could have

"Then you're ready." He smiled, pulling a single strand of hair and outstretching towards his student

"Eat this!"

"Huh?"

It wasn't until later that the young Togata met back with All Might. He was glad he had a chance to separate from his teacher otherwise the awkwardness would've torn him apart from the inside. He took his few free hours to yell and cry and boast his excitement until then. But eventually he was called to gym Gamma, the large warehouse-adjacent building with massive stone pillars that towered over the ground

He entered with the same mix of fear and excitement as before and looked on to see the great All Might. He was back in his buff form as though nothing had changed but Mirio could sense something different, a new type of energy radiating from the man that he wasn't familiar with

"Are you ready young Togata? I won't be holding back for this exercise." The man boasted, flexing his arm so as to taunt him

Before Mirio could answer the large man flicked his finger at him, a blast air attacking him immediately. The student managed to react with his quirk, the air passing through him like a phantom. Yet when it dissipated there was no hint as to a follow up, leaving Mirio to truly begin the scuffle with all he has. Of course his ability to close the distance did not match his ability to deal any damage, running forward to throw a lunging strike but feeling only hard muscle reject him. Luckily he was able to dodge the counterattack in time but not without being swallowed by the earth below

When he resurfaced he was met with a fist that cracked the floor he came from yet did not manage to hit him. Rising from the ground Mirio used his skills to land a blow as he flew and another as he fell, neither doing anything as All Might whipped around to smack the boy, again only passing through air

This time Togata changed things up, hopping backwards to goad the titan into attacking. The human giant finally moved from his place, lunging forward before he knew it and inches in front of him when he registered the movement

Yet the trap was sprung

Mirio sidestepped from the path of the fist and instead it crashed into a pillar, impaling the hard stone and lodging his fist in place

For a precious few moment Mirio was free to attack, landing a series of ineffective blows to the face before the larger man ripped his hand from its cage and used it to attack once again. Rather than use his quirk Mirio fell backwards, avoiding the attack and using his arms to handspring away and create distance. Upon landing, however, he looked up to see the man he tried to avoid breathing down his face, preparing his arm for yet another attack

With speed and quick reactions Mirio phased through the attack and began another series of attacks. He dodged in and out of the many punches coming his way and launched an abundance of counterattacks that met their marks. But the interaction was more like a mosquito pestering a human, each punch either barely missing their target or flying through uselessly. The astonishing amount of skill needed to avoid him for so long was impressive were it not for the fruitless attacks. But it was clear that is Togata broke concentration with his quirk it was all over.

"Where's your new power young Togata? Scared to use it?" All Might taunted as his whirlwind of punches only fanned his opponent

As a response Mirio jumped back and rushed in once more, delivering a powerful lunging strike yet again, using all the force of his body in the attack. However, just like last time nothing happened, and as a result the boy was open to his first attack

The blow came crashing into the boy with more suddenness and force than he ever expected. For a moment even his brain froze as the arm clotheslined him, launching him backwards like a paper in the wind yet hitting the pillar behind him with far more impact. The wind from his lungs was knocked away twice, leaving him gasping on the floor. He kneeled over once his feet lost feeling and he struggled to settle his breathing. Yet All Might did not bother chasing after him

"Looks like One for All hasn't set in just yet. I guess we'll have to postpone this for later." All Might lamented, crossing his arms and shaking his head in dissatisfaction

"...No."

"What was that?"

"No!" Mirio yelled as hard as his wheezing lungs could allow. Reluctantly he rose from the floor, hunched over yet standing as he gripped his injured chest

"Really? Then show me what you've got!"

For a moment Mirio stayed still, contemplating his next course of action. With the injury he'd still have enough energy and stamina to bob and weave his way into landing more attacks but the uselessness of the strategy was proven already. Even when he tried to attack with all his might he couldn't do anything to the walking tank. It was antithetical to what he spent all summer learning from Sir Nighteye, a summer of being beat over the head by several styles and techniques of fighting. 'Always hold back' he was told. 'Never leave yourself open.'

But just look at what that left him with

All Might was not someone he could ever hope to wear down slowly. He was someone that needed his all. He was using his all every time he went out into the field and gave nothing less than that

"Then... I'll have to go beyond what I'm capable of..." He affirmed, standing tall and ignoring the crippling pain in his chest. "I need to do what he does. Throw everything I have into one attack bar the consequences. I'll have to risk it all if I want to do anything. I need to prove myself."

Luckily for him his method was looming over him, raised nearly to the roof of the gym

Still facing his opponent he used his quirk to step backwards, lodging himself inside of the large stone pillar and deactivating it to shoot him sky high. In seconds teen was thrown to the roof many yards above before he finally detached from the pillar. At the apex of his rise he managed to flip over, hitting the roof with his feet and pushing himself to boost his fall

Like a missile from the sky he shot towards the floor at a dangerous velocity. He could easily cancel out his fall by melting into the ground but he forced his tense body to remain fully present and his eyes to lock on to his target

Reason no longer had a place in his mind. Fear threatened to activate his quirk without his consent, his one safety

But the faintest bit of courage was he needed right now

He noticed All Might prepare himself, smiling widely as he cocked back his fist. He was going to match Mirio's attack with his own, very likely overpowering him in the process along with shattering every bone in his body. He he didn't care. If that's what it would take then so be it

"Take this!"

With a prepared fist he struck All Might as he too punched upwards, their attacks striking against each other. However, to Mirio's astonishment he was not blown backwards but instead met All Might with the same force as he creating a resonant clap of air. As if the force of his own punch was able to break his fall he dropped to the floor, miraculously landing on his feet as he caught a glimpse of the stunned titan

But within himself he felt surge through and electrify him as he gazed at the exposed hero. His legs moved on their own, jumping forward with a speed faster than he expected and cocking back his other arm for his true final attack

"That's not all!" He screamed, watching as All Might tried to face him at the last second. With the swing of his fist he landed a punch square on All Might's stomach, this time not feeling the resistance of steel but that of a tough cushion

Mirio thought All Might was forced to step back a few paces but when he glanced at the ground he saw that he was actually pushed, his feet dragging through the ground and halving the distance he traveled until his back hit a pillar of rock. Yet he was not knocked down, remaining on his feet even as steam hissed and his form gave out, leaving him to cough up blood from the strain

"You've finally done it Mirio... You've become the next user of One for All!"

For a moment the boy was confused, having forgotten the entire point of the exercise in favor of defeating his mentor, which in reality he didn't even do. Instead he looked down at his arms, both shaking violently and feeling just short of worn down. The numbness in his hands were not from his quirk this time but from the strain his muscles endured to contain a visible power in the shape of sparking yellow lightning. Despite his body's inability his heart felt more than capable even with the little control he had

Rather than worry over the lack of sensitivity he had over his fingers he smiled, his chest burning up from the results

"This is... One for All?"

Soon after the training ended the master and student duo checked in with the school nurse, getting an earful for the recklessness

As opposed to All Might's expectations Mirio's arm was not obliterated by using the new quirk but was instead sprained, an injury that was fixed rather quickly. With a day of rest the limbs would heal, much to the thin man's great relief

Now, many hours later, night befell the city. Citizens all over took the time to rest and repose for the next day. All except Mirio, who remained active throughout much of the night despite his injuries. He did every exercise he could think of that didn't involve his arms until finally he laid tired on the cold apartment floor

Yet the energy and adrenaline remained, forcing him to jump to his feet in spite of the pain. He held more energy in himself than he thought imaginable, like he could run a mile just out of his nerves and willpower alone. But his body argued otherwise, yelling at him to stop the abuse and leaving him only capable of pacing around the room. He argued with himself over and over again until finally he realized he shouldn't continue, yet the decision was made after much debate. And with no other reasonable option left the boy took to staring out the window, contemplating thoughts that have only festered in his mind since he met with All Might in his office

He peered into the darkness looming out his window that was obscured not just by the lights from his apartment but also by the many lights of the grand city. Without looking at a clock he was clueless as to how far into the night he managed to slip into by looking at the unchanging atmosphere outside and the sheer brightness of his apartment, housing him in a state of artificial daytime

Despite normally being a calm and collected person Mirio found himself losing his composure as he looked outside. The myriad of problems from before finally caught up with him in his moment of repose

To begin with he still couldn't handle calling his mentor by his real name, which was the first of many things he carried doubts over. And yet every subsequent problem only grew in severity the more he thought about it. Can they hide his new secret forever? What will everyone think? What happens to All Might now that he doesn't have One for All? What happens to the world? But the abundance of minor and somewhat major problems paled in comparison to his own self realization, one that silenced the many voices in his head as he stared at his own reflection upon the glass

What was he now?

The boy raised his right arm and observed it vibrating, still numb from the strain of producing an explosion. For a moment he toyed with his quirk, using it to phase his arm through the window and deactivating it at the hand to feel the cool night air pass from his fingers. He observed his own hand through the glass, flexing it and pretending as though it were an alien object rather than a thing he was controlling, staring at its every detail

The boy likewise toyed with his hero name, thinking it in his mind and repeating it out loud for his ears to pick up and roll in his head. Yet now the name seemed alien as well, having changed its meaning since the first time he created it. Back then his ambitions seemed grand. Saving one million lives! He didn't even know enough people to make one hundred. But now he held the power of the man who not only saved one billion lives but changed the world as he knew it, lowering crime and bringing in an age of peace. By comparison his own goal seemed so insignificant

For a moment he called upon the power of One for All, gathering the electric feelings from before in hopes that his hand would look the same as it did before. But to his surprise his whole arm was rejected by the glass, shooting it upwards and making him stumble backwards and nearly fall in his fatigue. The suddenness took the boy for a loop as he stared at his whole arm that now glowed a feint white and sparked yellow electricity

"That's... weird..." he said out loud, watching the lights drop as he let go of the new power

Now curious the teen activated his original quirk, using it to pass his hand through the other to confirm it worked. He felt the natural emptiness of his arm pass through the other like a ghostly limb with the only way of knowing it was there was looking at it directly, confirming its existence. He'd long since settled with the feeling of emptiness it brought and waved the clump of nonexistence around

Then came the experiment. He activated the power of One for All on his other arm and watched the miniature lightning crackle. He almost forced himself to be present in such a way that he willed himself into existence with everything he had. But to his surprise his body reacted forcefully, taking in a breath and feeling the static crawl within his arm. In doing so his opposite hand gained its presence by force, lacking the emptiness from before. Again it shot up, rejected by the glass

In response he tried again, holding his breath and feeling the emptiness return to the hand. But in doing so the extreme tension within his other arm disappeared, dropping the vast power it held

The strange occurrence seemed to happen again and again the more he tested it. He couldn't use both powers even if they weren't on the same limb almost like trying to inhale and exhale at the same time. The calmness that washed over him when using his quirk clashed with the tension and fiery electricity of the other quirk. The result was the same every time, his whole body forcing him to choose one power or the other

The discovery left an odd taste in his mouth, tempering his excitement that fueled him since training. Yet the rising headache he felt only stacked on top of the other headaches he had to deal with and in the end Togata took a deep breath to bring back order into his mind

Again the teen couldn't help but look out the window, staring at the uncertainty that was masked by the light around it. He observed how the bright lights seemed to neuter the effects of the absolute darkness, baring it from consuming anything. However, he could still see through the city semi-clearly, noting its every detail from the almost invisible people that roamed around to the empty alleyways too

Upon his strange observations his smile returned to him, clearing his mind. For the moment he was incapable of answering the slew of new questions but their effect was now minimal

He'd get to them, someday. Tomorrow or the next day. But for the moment his heart swelled with the new responsibility that tensed his shoulders, the weight of not just the city but the world beyond

For he... was All Might's pupil!

Chapter Text

After three days of nonstop gossip over the recent villain attack the novelty only barely began to wear out. The world itself seemed to tremble under the threat that was capable of reaching the most talented and secure of its new prospects. Everyone felt it, especially those within the class itself

Uraraka entered the classroom as always and was startled by the sight of the small Mineta hopping in front of her face, leading her to step back and witness the open pervert beam with joy

"Holy crap! This is the best day of my life!"

His yelling was only the set dressing for the general noise of the class but it still caught her attention. In the boy's hands he delicately held a small pink plastic bag with cookies in the shape of circles and triangles inside. Despite the more basic looks of the cookies the teen that held them gleamed as though he were blessed by a deity. His enormous grin couldn't contain what his energy

"I wanted to say thanks for stepping up the other day." Asui stated, her blank and empty expression unchanged. "Without you we wouldn't have been able to take care of the monster."

"Thank you!" I'll treasure them!" The boy kneeled over and bowed like one would in church

The spectacle itself was the only thing that stuck out it seemed. The rest only kept to themselves and making light, atmospheric conversation to stave off the boredom. If she didn't know any better she'd consider this another, regular day at school

But it wasn't. The topics she managed to overhear as she entered were that of the villains even to this day. Despite most of them coming out with bruises at worst the shock and fear was still freshly imprinted in their collective minds. Some of them barely came out on top while others could still recall the panic that overrode their heads for the first time in their lives. Even Todoroki, the coldest and most reserved, was visibly affected by the scare and could no longer hold eye contact with any of them. The bandages that were tucked under his school outfit and patched up his face continued to show as dirtied white reminders of his defeat

Ochako's eyes stuck on his figure for a little longer than normal before shifting elsewhere, her curiosity of his health was second to her ability to properly communicate with him. Not that he was hostile like Bakugo but just... cold

Instead she walked up to the second best option, his two teammates. Luckily they were both already deep in conversation by the time she arrived

"Hey guys!"

"Hey Uraraka." Yaoyorozu and Shoji greeted, shifting in place to allow her a seat over one of the unused desks. "We were just talking about the villains we fought." Shoji introduced

"Oh! It was one of those weird creatures right? Nomu was it?" She faintly recalled

"Correct." Momo affirmed. "We were wondering what its quirk might be, specifically the one we fought. The police reports only said that they were bioengineered and used quirks but never mentioned what they were."

"Currently we have it down to a few options." Shoji explained. "When we fought it the Nomu was about my size and stronger than me. That could be strength enhancement. But when it was blasted with ice it always shrugged it off without an issue."

"Elemental resistance seems the most likely. If it was bioengineered then perhaps its tough body would've come with additional strength without needing a quirk." Momo interjected

"But the disparity between the strength and size are too great." He countered. "Plus, it wasn't completely unconscious when we beat it."

Ochako had to admit the two points were sound. She herself wasn't there to see the monster in person and wouldn't know the subtleties between the two arguments. Likewise, nothing of the bigger and darker Nomu surfaced as both UA staff and police have been tight lipped when mentioning it. Which makes sense, since it stood up to All Might, but it was worrying

Although both teens seemed to be missing a very small detail, one worth pointing out

"What if it had both?"

"What?"

"W-well it's just a thought." She shied away at their gazes. "If the monster was made then there's a chance it used more than one. After all having more than one quirk could explain why one was able to take on All Might."

"That's not a bad guess." Momo admitted, "But that leaves one final question. Who could've manipulated the quirks into them?"

The question stumped the three and was likely what everyone else thought too. The existence of bioengineered monsters meant for the use of villains was already a dangerous idea but being able to change and add quirks? The quirks of the monsters seemed to be a closely guarded secret and for good reason. And even then these seemed to be only guesses, the nature of the creatures being shrouded in mystery and all

"Regardless, we definitely got the short end of the stick having to fight that thing. I heard most of the class only dealt with thugs."

"Right." Ochako agreed. "Although Bakugo had to fight that villain that nearly killed him. If it weren't for Kirishima, Sero and Kaminari he might've died out there."

"Same goes for Todoroki." Shoji added, an eye of his turning to look at the boy sitting at the opposite end of the classroom, not quite conscious of his surroundings. "Its strange that our strongest classmates got beat so easily."

"You think that was intentional?" Ochako questioned and getting two nods in response

"They were definitely trying to send a message." Shoji answered. "An ice-proof monster along with a counter to All Might? That villain Bakugo fought might've had a quirk that countered him too." He guessed. But as they all knew, Bakugo refused to spill any of the details of his fight to any of them

"And even when Iida escaped they planned on All Might appearing first. This was definitely calculated." Momo added. "Luckily it doesn't seem like they knew us too well otherwise those gates would've sent us to areas that countered our quirks. For example Asui and Tokoyami weren't sent to the fire hazard zone and instead were in areas where their quirks were useful."

"Then I guess their plan only included All Might, Bakugo and Todoroki. They would've been at the top of their list not to mention Todoroki and All Might's quirks are so well known outside of school."

"Still," Momo continued, "if those two had bothered to team up with others then they wouldn't have been hurt as badly. Kirishima alone could've likely prevented Bakugo from losing consciousness and Todoroki wouldn't have broken any bones."

"Definitely." Ochako agreed. Bakugo's case was rather odd given no one knew who he fought but if he'd just fought with Kirishima or even Sero then he would've been able to escape intact. However, he was only ever seen fighting one person it seemed, a mysterious boy in a mint green jumpsuit who had disappeared when they found him so there was no way to know what he was up against

It was a wonder just who fought Bakugo with enough power to beat him. Of the class he's one of the most talented and even if he's learning like the rest of them his strength in his explosions was nearly unmatched amongst them, not even mentioning his battle instincts

"To think someone was able to do such a thing. How can people even consider hurting others?"

However, another thought occurred to her, catching the girl off guard

"Would I have been able to help?"

It wasn't too deep of a question but one that brought about a rather depressing answer nonetheless. For someone as strong as Bakugo to get beat she knew that she would've just gotten in the way because of her own skill and his reluctance. He only recognized people who were as strong as him like Kirishima or Todoroki and ignored everyone else entirely. And if even then he ignored Kirishima...

"If only I were stronger." She repeated, something new forming in her head yet not taking shape

Almost as soon as the thought was made the door of the classroom flew open to reveal the shining example of her sentiment. He too sported the damaged bandages but unlike the red and white haired teen his demeanor was that of a silent rage, one that remained since his return from the hospital. His injuries, however, were a complete mystery with no witnesses but an unwilling Bakugo to explain the dark bruises and stab wounds. Anything from a knife to a quirk could've hit him and none of them would be able to tell

The room went quiet as the young teen remained as uncharacteristically silent as before, refusing to meet eye contact with others and instead dead staring Todoroki as he seated himself, who didn't pay the other boy any mind. Yet not too far behind him was the teacher, also bandaged with a white cast as proof of his struggle

"Alright class settle in, we have a lot to do today." He ordered, dispersing the clumps of students to their desks. "As you all may know the school is still facing backlash from the attack on our trip the other day. But the fact most of us were practically unharmed speaks volumes on each of your strengths and I have to say again that I'm proud of all of you for living to see another day."

At that there were a generous amount of quiet cheers, all of which were quickly quieted down as the teacher continued. "And despite the scrutiny the school is facing the principal has decided that the up and coming Sports Festival will continue as before."

The reaction from the class was near unanimous as many rose to cheer at the news, their teacher taking a moment to wait for the excitement to run through them. Even Ochako couldn't help but jump up and cheer, the biggest step forward in her plans to become a hero was going to go through without a hitch!

"I can get stronger!" Returned the thought

From within the clamor the girl even noticed Bakugo's recognizable smirk return to him. Likewise Kirishima took a moment to turn and say something to the boy and, rather than being glowered away, he received a proper response and returned a chuckle

At that Ochako smiled to herself, seeing the anger evaporate from the worst of them. It was like watching a rainy day pass and make way for the shining sun if only because was equally as intense at being both

"But Mr. Aizawa! What about the recent attack? Wouldn't that just draw in more attention?" The question rang through the room, quelling the cheers of joy

"Of course, but it's something that's been greatly considered by the principal and staff by now." The Teacher answered. "This is an opportunity that can't be passed because of a scare. Not only are your future carriers at stake but so are your positions within this class. This event is not only for the hero courses but anyone else who wants to take the limelight."

"As such," he continued despite the murmurings of the classroom, "there will be added security not to mention a few top ten heroes will be there. It'd be stupid for anyone to try and terrorize a stadium full of heroes even if they are trying to make a move."

With that the class finally settled down, the gossip winding down enough for Aizawa to have a proper hold again. Yet Ochako could sense the unspoken tension within the class, whether from worry of an attack or the Festival itself there was little distinction. But above all, the burning spirit of the competition ahead seemed to temper the worries, creating sparks in the eyes of the students around her

"Good. With that said it's time we practice and learn a few things before the festival. Head to gym Gamma for further instruction."

The whole day seemed to fly by for the students of UA, hours of grueling practice and schoolwork like every other day. And after hours of training, learning and practice the school bells rang once again to release the students. Among the crowds of teens and young adults two boys made their way through

"Have you even been watching the show lately?" Came Tamaki's question, one charged with suspicion

"Sorry but I've been pretty occupied lately." Mirio apologized. "I barely got any sleep in yesterday. Or the day before for that matter..."

"Right. You were at the center of the villain attack so you're probably still a bit-"

"Oh no! That's not it! I'm fine it's just..." Mirio quickly clarified

"Ah, sorry for assuming."

"I mean, the attack was quite a scare but honestly I feel like I'm hitting some sort of limit." The blonde confessed, visible guilt creeping through as his smile faltered. "First training and then schoolwork, and if that wasn't enough being a teacher aid is a lot harder than I thought."

Despite the little being said Tamaki had the impression that Mirio was on the verge of listing another concern but bit back, instead softly sighing to play it off

"Hm... Have you started the class project due next week?"

"No."

"Were you called in again to help with 1-A?"

"No..."

"Are you slacking on your training?"

"I- Well no."

"Then you're doing something right." Amajiki concluded simply. "At least you haven't fainted from the pressure of it all. I know I would've done so at least twice."

"I guess so..."

Amajiki knew better than anyone that it was hard to see the positives when there was so much pressure. The expectations alone would've caused him to break into a nervous wreck but his ability to actually go through with everything would've easily pushed him past the breaking point

"Just hearing you out stresses me." Tamaki shivered. "But maybe you could do with some time off. I don't have work study today so maybe we can watch anime or something."

"Sorry but I have work study again today. Plus I've been slacking on a few assignments and... well." He said, again on the verge of listening another concern but stopping

"Well he's definitely busy with something." Tamaki confirmed but made no motion to ask

"Hm, and if I had to guess even if you did have time off you'd still be stressing over everything you're not doing."

"I am a bit of a worrier." Mirio chuckled

But before anything else could be said the ringing of Mirio's phone cut through their conversation. Upon answering the boy began sweating as he took on his usual chipper attitude. But strangely enough he seemed to speak a little too broadly, not making any notion of who it was he spoke to. By the time the call ended Tamaki could already tell his friend was searching for some type of excuse in the way he hesitated to talk to him

"Hey, listen I-"

"You don't have to explain, I already know."

"Wait, you do?" Mirio asked, horror and anxiety lighting up his face like he was told a ghost story

"If it's something you want to keep secret then I won't ask. And if you have to be somewhere then I'm not here to stop you either. Go do what you have to do." Tamaki lectured, his normally serious glare carrying the full weight of his words

"R-Right, I guess you know me too well." Mirio laughed with relief. "Thanks, I'll make sure to hang out some time."

With a quick wave of his hand he dashed through the cluster of students making their way out of the school and quickly disappearing behind them, his presence now a memory

With a short sigh the introvert continued to walk at the same pace, silently blending into the crowd and disappearing amongst the sea of bodies around him

With the final bell having rang the students all over the school made their way home, all of which were more motivated than ever to continue their training. But none were more pumped than Bakugo and Kirishima, both of which walked the halls with a smirk on their faces and an energy in their steps

"I didn't know you could make explosions that big!"

"And I didn't know you could live that." The two joked, events of the day replaying in their minds yet again

Although the hero training for the day was light sparring and team building exercises it only took half an hour for the pair to take it too far. Seemingly by mistake Aizawa allowed the class to wear their hero suits for practice, leading to the red haired teen taking the full brunt of a gauntlet's built up blast as per the training. Although he didn't die, he did come out with semi-severe injuries and a trip to Recovery Girl's office

"Of course!" The Kirishima exclaimed, the same fire burning in his eyes and refusing to be put out. "I'm gonna make sure I can protect everyone! Although I still got a long way to go before I can walk away from an attack like that."

"Damn right." Bakugo half lectured despite the event being his idea. "And I'm only gonna get stronger so don't expect the next one to be the same."

"I wouldn't count on it!"

Having reached the end of his welcome Kirishima almost instinctively knew when to leave, giving a quick wave goodbye and dashing ahead of the other before their conversation could change tracks. Of course it wasn't that Bakugo was out of patience but as the other boy had learned, neither were good at prolonged small talk

"Damn right." Bakugo thought, his smirk unfaded as he strode onward. "My sweats only gonna condense more and more with practice. And his armor is just gonna get tougher, it's only natural with guys like us."

Left to his own devices the teen made his way through the increasingly vacant hallway when suddenly he heard stilted chatter from a distance, distracting him from his train of thought. His sharp ears picked up on the distant conversation, a somewhat loud exchange that was only protected by the lack of people in the area

"Didn't think anyone else left late."

Not too long passed before the boy shrugged to himself and began walking towards the sound, his body making the conscious effort to step lightly. Eavesdropping wasn't necessarily something he preferred but was something he was good at. No one expected the loudest of any bunch to hide his presence and keep his mouth shut. The act was simple enough, either the conversation interests him and he listens in or it doesn't and he leaves, there was little going against him

And to his luck he recognized the voices and eventually found himself just around the corner of another hallway, one that was out of the usual path that most took to leave the school yet close enough to one of the other exits, allowing him to stay with little fear of being found out

"What are you getting at?" The white and red haired teen pressed, sensing the hostility mixed with worry from his classmate

"I'm saying that as your class president you failed today's assignment." The ponytailed girl informed. "When asked to pair up you just practiced on your own. I get that you were the odd one out but I'm sure Mr. Aizawa would've accommodated you had you asked."

"I didn't see the need to get a partner when I could practice on my own."

"But that's the problem! Even Bakugo was able to pair up and he barely gets along with most of the class!"

"That bitch." The teen in question thought, but had enough sense of mind not to expose himself

"Teamwork is an important element in hero work and it's something you need to focus on. Your own injuries are reason enough why you should be more of a team player instead of trying to tackle everything solo."

"My injuries were because I wasn't strong enough to deal with the Nomu on my own." He rebuked firmly. "If my ice side was stronger then I wouldn't have needed Shoji to carry me out of the battlefield."

"Or use your fire side." Bakugo countered, but even still he found himself nodding along

A long, frustrated sigh escaped the young girl, a sign that she was neither being heard nor taken seriously. Yet with a deep breath she remained calm and composed. "Is there another reason why you didn't ask for help?" She questioned, now with an added layer of care in her voice

"...I've... never been one for teamwork."

"But you worked well during the attack."

"Not of my own skill." He clarified. "Your skill as a coordinator allowed us to work together without much problem. I just followed your lead."

The conversation seemed to halt for a moment as the girl stuttered a word before silence momentarily befell the two. Even when peaking around the corner Katsuki couldn't see her face well enough to know what her reaction was. Still, the conversation resumed after an awkward pause, one that went unnoticed to only Todoroki it seemed

"I'm worried for you okay?" She sighed, a surprise only to the same boy once again. "I get it, you want to be self-reliant. You want to get stronger. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't rely on others especially in life or death matters."

Finally the ponytailed girl made her way to the exit, sparing another glance at the boy and forcing Bakugo to hide again. Luckily it didn't sound like he was found out when she made her final statement

"You need a friend, everyone does. And as class president, maybe I can help you with that."

Her final words seemed to pass right over the eavesdropper. He tried again and again yet the meaning never made any sense to him. So much so that he got frustrated just by trying to make sense of it

What does friendship have to do with strength? Being strong had nothing to do with making friends nor making bonds. Strength came from the individual, their own power and what they made of it not some 'power of friendship' crap. Only the weak would rely on others because they weren't strong enough to handle things themselves, that was that

"Whatever." He whispered to himself, rounding the corner and revealing himself to the other teen

"Hey, Half n' Half."

"Bakugo? You were there the whole time?"

"Yeah, I was." He confirmed, the loners staring at each other with varying expressions

The awkwardness between them was only made more apparent the longer the two remained silent, gauging the other on their own. Bakugo was quick to realize that the two never held a conversation before, and the other boy's lack of social skills was starting to show the more the two stared at each other

"I'm here to clarify that my loss was only a fluke." Bakugo declared, oddly enough after nearly a week of the event having happened

"Mine as well." The boy agreed

"And I'm gonna be the strongest in our class you hear me? Even if you're shooting yourself in the foot I won't stop until I'm number one."

The dual colored teen furrowed his eyes at the statement, the challenge fully registering within him. "And I'll beat you with my own power, not that of my left side."

"His own power?" Katsuki questioned, but not bothering to note the odd sentiment

The two bandaged teens continued to stare each other down. Despite their weakened states both stood tall, showing no weakness other than the ones most evident on their faces. Their prides were on the line and while they were damaged they were still intact nonetheless

After what seemed like too long the two went their separate ways, preparing for the fateful event to come

Tamaki continued to walk by himself, now having reached the semi-quiet streets of the residential area. For a while he stared at his phone, mindlessly tapping at a quaint mobile game before eventually putting it away. The small distraction did not help him with his boredom and very quickly he found himself curious over Mirio

"What could possibly have him so panicked? I get he has responsibilities but they're things he should be able to handle."

For years Mirio was always the one to bear the most responsibility between the two, it was simply in his nature to take on more burdens and push himself past his limits. In one summer he managed to change himself both physically and socially, now the best of the best. In fact it wasn't until today that he heard him speak so openly about his stresses and complaints again

"Maybe it is being a teacher aid that's getting him down." He guessed. "He's pretty out of his element in that regard but he's only done it once so far so there's no real reason to worry."

Just as he started to question more of his friend's wellbeing a familiar set of footsteps could be heard racing towards him. The moment he looked up in surprise he saw the familiar blue haired girl rear her head in front of him

"Hey Tamaki!"

"Hey Nejire." He greeted, his calmness returning to him as the girl began walking beside him

"You look pretty lonely you know, usually Mirio is with you to make conversation." She stated the obvious with no falter in her cheery attitude

"He's been busy lately so I guess I'm on my own more than usual." He confessed

"And where is he? Is he working with Sir Nighteye again?"

"I'm pretty sure."

"So you don't know?" She questioned, catching her friend's doubt

"He left in a hurry and didn't want to tell me why."

"Hmm." She wondered, placing her finger on her cheek as she tried to answer the question herself only to fail. "Then I'll ask him why later."

"Don't." The boy advised. "You have a habit of making other people's business your own."

"That's true. Sorry!" She apologized, but quickly noticing something else. "But you look kinda upset. Is it 'cause Mirio's gone?"

"No. If anything he worries me." He confessed, watching as the girl cocked her head sideways to question him. "You noticed too that he's been more preoccupied lately." He assumed

"Of course. Wouldn't it be because he's a teacher aid?"

"I assume so but it's not something he's done too often. In fact he's only done it once so far so it's hard to say that's what's causing it. I can only assume it's something else." He explained

"Didn't you say I shouldn't make it my business?" She smiled, watching as the boy blushed and looked away

"Right. I did say that."

"I see why you're worried, I haven't seen him enjoy time off in a while. Maybe Sir Nighteye just has him on a tight schedule?"

"That might be it actually."

"But either way I'm sure Togata can take care of himself." She declared easily, pointing a finger at the sky in her intelligence. "He's always come out on top no matter the challenge. Don't 'cha think?"

"Yeah... I guess I should have some confidence for him huh?" He answered, his worry subsiding

"Well no harm in worrying about others right?" She concluded before instantly switching the conversation. "Hey Yuyu and I are gonna go to a karaoke wanna join?"

"No thanks." Came the immediate answer. "I'm not a good singer and I also don't wanna third wheel the both of you... Again."

"He he, sorry I forgot you're an indoor person. You're usually so open when you're around Mirio."

"Hm... guess I am."

Almost as quickly as she appeared she disappeared, skipping away and turning a corner and leaving the boy alone once more

"I guess I forgot what it's like to be alone." He realized, the statement catching him off guard

It'd been a long while since he truly kept to himself. Of course he had the option to hang out with Nejire but she was too high octane for him, and being with her without a form of mediator drained his energy. And otherwise his only other friend had little time for himself let alone him

"Guess that leaves me with more time to myself. I should probably keep busy though." He told himself, and yet the thought wasn't something he expected he'd have to tell himself

...

...

"Maybe I'll watch One Piece."

Chapter Text

It seemed like forever ago since Midoriya made that small promise to Toga. A moment of nervous compliance turned into an iron-clad promise to uphold. Yet the day finally arrived

Their date

The moment the boy's alarm clock rang he jumped out of bed to smell the sweet weekend air, regaining the same intense excitement and anxiousness that he'd fallen asleep with. Energized he turned to his desk and changed out to his clothes he laid out the day before, a simple mint green shirt with a black vest and beige cargo shorts. It was an outfit that his mom helped pick out and one that he trusted would make him more presentable. At least, more than the same high school clothes he wore when seeing her. But browsing through his entire closet for something to wear was rather foreign to him and the frustration that came when not finding anything was brand new as well

Regardless he soon got changed and pocketed all of his allowance and birthday money before leaving his room. Out in the hallway was his mother, smiling brightly yet still wearing her nightgown with sleep on her face

"Are you sure you don't want something to eat before you go?"

"No thanks mom, I'll be eating with my friend." He assured. "And I might come back home a little late so I'll get something on my own later."

"Okay, but don't stay out too late or I'll start to worry."

"I'll try not to mom." He replied, standing from the floor and allowing his mother to grasp his face with her hands. Delicately she held onto his face and beamed with pride. She gazed into her son's grown eyes and almost shed a tear were it not for a sliver of self restraint. But he could still see the decades of worry imprinted deep in black of her eyes like a tear in the rain

"Take care."

"I will mom."

Silently he exited the door but took a second to himself, taking a deep breath

It was rare that he feel exactly his age and yet here he was, getting worked up over a girl and a date. It almost felt refreshing having to deal with something so trivial. Nothing to do with villainy or heroes

"Not that it's a date." He rationalized. "Toga and I aren't dating and I haven't even known her for long so it would be weird if we were dating unless that's okay with her which I'm sure it is." He rambled to himself

Hastily he dashed his way through the apartment complex and met the bright, sunny day with a smile on his face and a pep in his step

Elsewhere a man awoke from his tiring sleep with no energy or motivation to spare. It took a full minute of the man's phone alarm to reverberate through the empty room before he reluctantly crawled out of the stuffy couch

As 'Dabi' shut off the alarm he took several moments to shake the sleep from his body, his bones quivering from unrest. And yet he forced himself to awake anyway. Of course he could sleep a little longer but there was no point. That would risk not only his safety but also the small amount of stuff that he had strung around the abandoned room

After having shifted cities again Dabi found himself in another abandoned apartment building, thankfully one that wasn't filled to the brim with other aimless nobodies. But trading one couch for another was hardly an improvement at all

But of the list of things that he had to deal with the silence seemed to be the most unbearable, something he still wasn't used to even after years of striking out on his own. If hearing your own grating voice was a rarity then seeing anyone remotely familiar was out of the question

Out of well-tuned habit he checked his belongings and his 'bedroom' before jamming a few items into a plastic bag and setting off for the nearest public bath. He exited the dusty hallway and went down the creaky stairwell before eventually being blinded by daylight. In front of him were the remains of morning foot traffic. It was a sparse amount of people that became increasingly scarce as they made their ways to wherever it is they went. No one paid attention to him, not one glance

"At least I can find a shower." He sighed, beginning his search for the day

In exaggerated fashion the teen had arrived to the agreed meeting place a whole hour before it was set to start, a maid café built with a cutesy aesthetic on the outside

Truth be told Izuku never would've thought to visit a place like this on his own were it not for Toga suggesting it. The gimmick in question was never quite something he was interested in before. But after everything he was willing to explore new territory

But what the boy didn't expect was to see Toga there as well, also an hour early and likely having arrived much earlier than that. Her outfit was still reminiscent of her usual schoolgirl outfit, a beige sweater with a black skirt and stockings. Her simplicity did not hold back her charm, as strange and messy as it was

Izuku was instantly enchanted by the girl's smile and blush, much more vibrant and natural than it was every other day. She skipped towards him with an unusual amount of grace despite holding something behind her back. If he didn't know better he'd say that she seemed to be holding herself back. Yet the warnings he received from his quirk told him that her self restraint was slipping the closer she came, as a cat would approach a mouse

"Hi Izuku!~"

"Hey, Himiko." They greeted each other, the boy's nerves and anxiety rising as she stood mere inches from his face

"You look cute today!" She complimented as she looked him up and down with an unstable gaze

"And... you're pretty too." He cordially remarked

He watched her composure slowly deteriorate until she finally went in for a compulsive hug. But much to his suspicions she quickly drew her hidden knife and aimed to stab Izuku in the side. Thankfully his quirk warned him of the danger and he was ready, seizing her wrist and pressing her arm against her chest as they 'embraced' each other

"H-Hey! We're in public!" He whispered, his gaze flickering through their surroundings

"I stopped caring about that a while ago.~" She replied, trying to force her knife free while maintaining her chipper attitude

The boy found that the fear of getting stabbed was second to the fear of others judging them. One was physical, temporary and something he'd long since gotten used to while the other was something he struggled with at all times. Quickly he searched for a way to diffuse the situation and came up with the perfect answer

"I'll let you have my blood at the end of the day okay? For now please calm down."

"Aww, but that's so far from now." She whined but nonetheless backed off, storing her knife away. "But I can wait a while."

Reluctantly the two broke off as the crazed teen hid her knife within the folds of her skirt, bringing both their attentions back to their objective. "Come on! Now that we're here we might as well go!" She hurried, dragging Midoriya by the hand

The younger teen wasn't quite sure what to expect from a maid café other than the little he's seen online. As he thought the store itself sported a vibrant and contemporary atmosphere that was both more mature than he thought yet more fantastical than he realized. It felt like he stepped into a different world that was outside of the norm but was perfectly normal to those within

Quickly the two sat themselves and were attended to by one of the maids, taking their orders of coffee and breakfast with an abnormal cheeriness. Of course the 'maid' fully acting as a maid was fascinating as it was strangely jarring. The nervous boy was only able to take a breath once the lady had left

"You look nervous." Toga pointed out, keenly picking him apart

"I-I've never been to a place like this before." He admitted. "Didn't think places like this existed until now."

"Wow, you really don't get out much." She teased with a smile. "Do your parents even let you go out like this?"

"Sometimes," he replied, "but I've been going out more lately. What about you? Do your parents let you stay out so much?"

For a moment Himiko's eyes seemed to dart away from his gaze before she placed a hand on the back of her neck. "Nope, but they can't tell me what to do. And to be honest I've only seen this place in passing a few times. I thought that if I were to go, it would be with someone else."

"Then this is new for you too." Izuku chuckled, pulling himself together. "It's nice isn't it?"

"Sure is! I should ask them where they got those outfits. Maybe it'll look good on me?" She questioned, toying with her loose, straight hair and blushing at the thought. At her response her friend turned red and only nodded along

It didn't take long for the drinks to arrive, two coffees with more cutesy art in the form of a heart made of pure white creamer. Izuku seemed to stare at his drink, unsure of whether to ruin the art by drinking it or leaving it be at the cost of letting the coffee go cold. Toga, however, took to drinking hers immediately

"Bwaah! It's so sweet and bitter!" She praised with a scorched tongue. "It's not blood though, so I'll pass."

"Speaking of which, why do you like blood so much?" He asked for curiosity and conversation sake

"What's there not to love?!" She exclaimed, aghast by the subtle implication. "Blood is in everyone! It's in you, in me, in people, in animals and it's everything that's important to me! It tastes sort of like metal with a delicious texture and color that I can't stop thinking of! Whenever I see it my heart starts to race a little and my mind goes blank for it!"

Toga's rant almost unsettled Izuku with the fervor she took with speaking it, clutching her face and dawning a lewd expression as though what she desired was deeply forbidden. Which it was. Luckily of the very few around at this hour none seemed to listen to Toga's words as she slowly came back to Earth

"You're still gonna give me blood right? I just started craving it all of a sudden."

"Of course." He agreed, finally sipping his coffee to occupy his hands. "Later."

"Okaaaay." She pouted

Miraculously enough it wasn't long before the food arrived. Izuku wasn't quite sure what he'd gotten, he could only mumble in agreement with what the maid suggested. Surprisingly it was only a plain Omurice. Before he could question the gimmick the maid affectionately crafted the kanji for 'love' over his meal with ketchup and offered the same treatment for Toga but instead she asked that the bottle stay at the table

Again Izuku was mesmerized by the art much like the coffee, similar in theme but unlike the coffee he didn't stare at the design for longer than needed to prevent it from going cold. After a quick bite he was pleased with the taste as well, nothing too special after all

To his surprise when he looked over at Toga she'd already began creating her own ketchup art in what he could only make out a stick figure with a pool of 'blood' all around it. How he knew that there was a stick figure beneath the mountain of ketchup that accumulated was well beyond him. He watched in horror as the girl tore open her food and ate through the meal despite being soaked in ketchup

"Sooo goood!" Her muffled voice exclaimed

Even in spite of the strangeness Izuku couldn't help but chuckle to himself at Himiko's odd flavor of adorable. He smiled to himself as he sipped his coffee again and continued with his meal, grateful to be sharing it with a close friend

After having freshened up Dabi took to the streets again, both scouting the new surroundings and doing his best to subside his boredom. He'd decided to change it up a little from his overused black hoodie and replaced it with a loose white shirt under a plain black dress shirt with no buttons and a lightly scorched collar. His pants, however, were a little short as they cut just above his ankle. The change revealed more of his true appearance, his pronounced burn at the jaw down to his upper chest, and exposed the patchwork over his face and upper body

There was no particular reason why he didn't wear his hoodie other than having worn it down. But the unchanging glances and glares he received from passerby's were something he'd long since gotten used to, hoodie or not. He was a spectacle for the every day person but uninteresting in every other regard

Prowling the semi-active streets of the nameless city that he stumbled upon he subconsciously noted the surroundings for dangers to himself. Obviously placed cameras, wide-eyed heroes that walked a little close and shifty people that couldn't help but glance in every direction. He dared to walk in the middle of it all but was otherwise unable to search for more than the usual. Police, as rare as they were compared to the abundance of low-tier heroes, did a better job at hiding their presence but were still scouting obviously and in more open areas. He made sure to avoid them as well

But all of this was to say that everything remained unordinary and regular for him. He stayed out of trouble when it was convenient and took to the shadows

"Nothing today either huh?" He thought, his hands jammed into his pockets as he slunk from general location to general location. There wasn't much to see that he didn't already see before

But there was something on his mind still, the only form of news he paid attention to in recent days. The dramatic invasion of UA High's USJ encampment. Dabi tended to keep an ear to the ground whenever he could but headline news that repeated for days was not hard to miss, even TVs in stores would play and replay different broadcasts covering it

He'd asked around the right places and looked into the proper circles but never found out who or what group pulled the attack. An attack by an army of thugs on Japan's most prestigious school would've likely led a trail to any of the underworld's big names but strangely enough his snooping started and ended at basic rumors. Anyone that was contracted was in custody and anyone that asked too many questions disappeared before long

"Whoever it was doesn't want to be known." He guessed as much

The effect was felt if only slightly, the calling out of the school's security and defense. It would take far more to make any real impact, and the motive is still unclear as far as he knew. But one thing was for sure, they wanted to make an impression

The very first and only thing that intrigued him were the confirmed injured students

Bakugo Katsuki and Todoroki Shoto

"So much for the perfect kid." He laughed to himself, a joke that only he understood. "See that Enji, that's what your effort led to! A spit in the face!"

His stomach filled with a sick pleasure, imagining the pain and humiliation the man went through due to his perfect weapon getting beat by some crooks! Truly he couldn't ask for anything else!

And yet once the feeling passed he was left with his hunger once more, not just physical but emotional as well. As much as he could dream of seeing the crushed expression on Endeavor's face there would be nothing better than to see it in reality! Oh what he would give to see his face that way!

Or what he already gave

"Dad! Look at what I can do with my powers now! Come on look! Aren't you proud of me?!"

The grown man clenched his teeth and balled his fists at the inner sound of his once voice, spouting such cringy nonsense that only knotted his stomach. It took more effort than he cared to admit for him not to activate his quirk in the middle of the street from his boiling self hatred

He'd long since buried those feelings of needing attention and validation. The day he'd lost his way was the day he decided to become a new person, one that was distant from the needy child he was before. Remembering those feelings and those words made him feel beyond stupid, like he should've known better than he did then so as to prevent his years of torment and suffering

But in the end the past was past, there was no changing it. Only living with it yet in the end he didn't really do that either. Died with it sure but he still couldn't process the feelings entirely. Even now he didn't know whether he should feel glad that Endeavor's star child was such a disappointment or that the disappointment wouldn't have held a candle to what he should've been, the true star of the show

"I'm starving." He realized, noticing that the knot in his stomach sat beside the one that was already there. The confusion within himself was only a bother to what he had to do, which was to survive. Rather than process what crossed his mind he instead set it aside, choosing to focus on his hunger

But afterward? Who knows... maybe he'll just focus on something else

It didn't take long for the two teenagers to finish their meal and leave the café. Of course what they would do for the day was still up in the air

Izuku for one had no clue what to expect afterwards, having essentially lived under a rock with only one real topic to inform himself on. Having no plan of action or activity very quickly agitated him until Toga began leading the way, taking the reigns as they headed for a strip mall not far from where they were

"What're we doing here?" He asked, glancing at the vast amount of small stores and shops. He wasn't so sheltered that he didn't know what a mall was but he was similarly overwhelmed by the size and scale of it

"We're gonna buy clothes silly!" The girl responded, walking slightly faster with his hand captured by hers. "I need some new ones and I want you to pick them."

"That doesn't sound like something I should be doing." He warned

A strange pressure settled in his stomach as he was pulled forward by Toga, who seemed eager to go to one of the stores. To further his unease he couldn't remember the last time he went shopping for clothes nor putting much thought in his appearance beside today. Even worse was considering that his closet was once half full of All Might merchandise, the other half only having simple, mono colored outfits

Of course he was adamant to being a good friend but he also wondered if their current activity fell in line with what 'friends' would do. Soon they arrived at their destination, a fairly large department store that had an especially large selection of clothes

"Come on, it'll be fun!" Himiko assured, yanking her date into a battlefield of skill and wit

The girl got to work immediately, scouring the women's section with the same keen gaze that she always had and spotting even remotely desirable items

Izuku watched as Toga was able to discern between the dresses, shirts and skirts as well as he could quirks. Very quickly he was lost in the search, incapable of spotting and selecting the clothes like his friend could especially with accessories in the mix. Many times he voiced a suggestion and many times he was shut down kindly yet swiftly

And yet he couldn't say that he didn't enjoy it for there was a clear excitement that came with seeing someone expressing their passion, at least one that wasn't inherently violent. Along the way Himiko maintained a level of care in showing her friend the ropes in outfit selection, feeling and recognizing the quality of shirts, learning about the designs of skirts and which ones were favorable. She even identified matching and contrasting colors, combing them appropriately

Before long Izuku was absorbed in the process as well; absorbing the information as it came and expanding his mind into this once foreign world. But eventually came the real test... wearing what was picked

The inexperienced boy found that trying out the clothes was even more tedious than the scouting, like an added layer that filtered the intimidating pile of potential outfits into a select few. Luckily for Izuku, theory crafting was also one of his specialties. The two ran on almost equal footing as they planned and imagined outfits and even returned to collect more until finally the girl disappeared into the changing room

After an hour of having been swept up in the process of picking clothes Izuku sat at one of the benches, breathing a sigh of relief. His legs were tired but his mind was exhausted. As much as he could learn and adapt there was still the sense that he had no idea what he was doing both in this context and the date as a whole. He had watched and observed Toga as she exuded an intimidating level of knowledge and passion. Even if the topic was alien he saw himself in her energy and actions. The way she carried herself and spoke on the matter at hand was nearly as fun for him as it was for her. He knew what it was like to share a passion. Although he rarely had to opportunity to do that himself he smiled a very satisfied smile at having witnessed this side of Himiko

Izuku waited in his seat for a lot longer than he would've thought before Toga emerged wearing her first chosen outfit, one of wild and frankly immature design much like her

At its base was a beige school over-shirt, a white undershirt and a maroon red skirt similar to her regular schoolgirl outfit. But the variation came in the accessories. Hot pink leg warmers that covered her whole shin, a light pink bow tied around the shirt's collar along with a significant number of scrunchies wrapped around her wrists and each sporting loud colors. Her hair was tied in the recognizable messy buns but featured the same bright colored hair bands. What seemed to tie the whole thing together was the thin jacket loosely wrapped around her waist

The experimental outfit was one Izuku remembered seeing occasionally in his high school, using the regular school's uniform but adding as many accessories as were allowed. The outfit was disguised as a mess but was carefully woven with an array of contrasting colors to keep it all vibrant and varied. It seemed like something she'd wear

"Well? What do you think?" Toga asked, striking a few cutesy poses and many peace signs while Izuku analyzed the outfit

"It really suits you." He said. "I didn't think it would work until you actually wore it."

"It's an acquired taste, so of course you wouldn't be able to see it." She explained, grinning from ear to ear in her superiority

"I guess she really likes dressing like a schoolgirl." He thought

When Toga reappeared from the changing room her new outfit was a complete tone shift from the first, more simplistic and reserved in nature. It was comprised of a black felt sweater paired with a red flannel skirt and black stockings. Unlike the brashness of the last one this outfit was less complex, adding to its reserved elegance. Complimenting this was Toga's hair, which was fully down and straightened but now had a small, blood red bow over her head

"Wow... that one also suits you." Izuku exclaimed, charmed yet again

"It feels so comfy too!" She exclaimed, rubbing her face against the smooth, silky sweater and feeling its warmth against her

Midoriya was stunned by the unusual amount of innocence that she displayed. Likewise he could tell that the reserved nature of the outfit almost made the wearer seem more relaxed and elegant, something that he knew was not the case

Again Toga retreated to the changing room and again she reappeared, this time wearing what seemed to be a blend of the wild nature of the first outfit and the simplicity of the second. This one consisted of a long sleeve shirt with a stripped design made up of a pattern of pink, yellow, blue and orange, all in softer tones. To pair with the unique shirt were light blue pants and even light blue shoes, bringing the colors together. But to amplify the outfit was Toga's single pony tail and rose tinted glasses, a more casual style that finished the look

"How unique." Was the only comment, both marveling at the clashing yet synchronizing of the colors. Even Toga seemed shocked that both her and Izuku's preferences were able to settle into the outfit

Eventually she returned with all her clothes in hand. Although normally there was another process of picking and choosing which outfit to take the two were unable to part with any of the three, setting them on the cart

"That was fun." Izuku stated. "Where to next?"

"What do you mean silly? We still need to pick out your outfits!"

The shock that came with the statement was only momentary and paled in comparison to the dread that soon awaited the boy

It took too long for the burned man to finally eat, having fought himself on whether or not he should do so tomorrow or even the day after. But realistically he would've fallen unconscious on the street if he waited any longer

After years of experience being a vagrant he knew that money was hard to come by if you weren't actively searching. Of course you could mug a few poor bastards down the street but one too many and they start to recognize you and killing them is a whole other can of worms, thus his constant moving and traveling. You never know what person checks the wanted lists...

Suffice to say that eating wasn't always an option, but sometimes it became a requirement. Like now

Dabi strode into the dingy bar he'd scouted earlier, a dirty hole in the wall with a lack of lighting and very few attendants. It was the type of place anyone would expect a criminal like him to be in and sure enough there were a number of shifty figures around the place. He was almost right at home, sitting on one of the many creaky barstools and ordering a simple burger, something to soothe his hunger for the day. The bartender quickly picked up the menu from his hands and went about his way

He was well used to this type of environment, the shady areas that people only went to when they had no other options. One would be surprised by the amount of people that were attracted to cheap, rundown establishments where no regular person tended to look

For a while all the man could do was soak in the atmosphere. The bar was windowless and the door did a great job at blocking out any light that might seep in save for when it opened, a way to alert everyone inside of newcomers. Otherwise the lighting provided a soft yellow light that flickered in certain areas and was absent in others, providing just enough to see but not enough to make out detail from a distance. The only interesting attribute was the clientele, various colorful people either for their notable hair, skin tone, body shape or all three

Even in the age of quirks where everyone was unique in some way the general public had a way of appearing bland and generic, which only made outcasts stand out all the more. Yet in this place the man with copious burn scars wasn't all that different from the chick in with fish scales and an eyepatch

Surprisingly it wasn't long before the door opened again, a wave of brilliant light pouring in before disappearing yet again and leaving everyone with the usual darkness. Dabi didn't look to see who arrived but he found that he didn't have to, for the new arrival came and sat a few seats beside him

As much as Dabi kept to himself he couldn't help but glance at the man, who had been analyzing him with calculating pink eyes that were behind golden spectacles. His sly grin gave away the fact the he was missing one of his front teeth

"What? See something you don't like?" Dabi questioned, still not turning to face the grey haired man

"No, but you look familiar." He said, pulling a cigarette from the pocket of his purple suit

"Damn." Dabi thought to himself, subtly cupping a hand to allow a small flame to prepare itself. If worse came to worse then he'd have to be ready for a hurried escape

"Take it easy, I'm not here to pick a fight." The man said, eyeing the hand that was set aside

"Then you got one minute to leave." He warned, clasping his hands together as the quiet flame dissipated

Time limit be damned the man took a moment to light his cigar, getting a good long puff in before resuming the conversation

"I was tasked with finding you ya' know." He revealed coolly, watching Dabi's hands shift in place. "Not in a 'turn the town upside down' kind of way but I kept my eyes open."

"And who asked?" Came the snide remark

"Your little savior of course."

Dabi's head whipped to face the man beside him, who looked forward with a calm and collected demeanor even as he received the fiery glare. Yet he couldn't tell whether this strange man knew more than what he let on, if he knew what he was doing

"So you know me then?" Dabi asked carefully, making sure not to reveal too much

"Not at all," The man clarified, "but I work under a powerful man that told me a thing or two about a boy with burn scars who nearly died to his own quirk."

"Then he knows too much."

"And what does he want? To cash in a favor he doesn't have?"

"Nah, he's not looking for favors, just that you lend an ear for a second."

The scarred man chuckled to himself, knowing exactly where this was going. He'd been asked to join gangs before but they could never keep him, for he was too fickle and autonomous for their liking. This would be no different

"Why should I? I'm doing fine on my own."

"Well, what if I told you that you'd be working under the guy that raided UA a week back."

Now that peaked his interest, and sure enough Dabi's returning glance gave the man enough of an answer. Of course he still needed one, but the smile he wore was a way of boasting that he knew he'd won

"...Fine. I'll bite." Dabi stated, but before either of them could move a waiter came by and placed Dabi's food over the bar top

"Mind if I finish this?" He asked with a tiny smirk, to which the other man shrugged

The burned man turned to grab his food and begin munching down on it. He despised the greasy, overcooked monstrosity that seemed almost too wet yet too dry for his tastes. But as much as he hated it, eating it was a good way to delay the inevitable. It was his own way of keeping his control over fate, as gross and unprecedented as it was

The day seemed to enter its final stage as the sun inched closer to the horizon, an orange hue now introducing itself to the bright sky as the same two teenagers made their way through the streets of the city

The shopping spree lasted about as much as either of them expected, stretching another good two hours before they roamed the rest of the mall. Their sightseeing eventually ranged elsewhere, random areas of the city that Toga knew well enough

Their outfits had changed too after their trip, Izuku now wearing a cherry red t-shirt with the image of an orange ball that had four tiny stars inside, an icon of an anime he never watched. Otherwise he had black cargo shorts with a stainless-steel chain that hung from his side pocket to his back pocket, not particularly latching onto anything

Toga on the other hand had an even more simplistic outfit, a dark pink sundress with a blood red rose design that fell to her knees. Her mess of blonde hair was down and organized again, now with a small red hair clip hidden within

"You definitely have a type." Toga teased, playing with her dress and watching it swing around carelessly

"I guess I do." Izuku confessed, blushing at the sight of her once more. He noticed the way the light breeze toyed with her dress and hair, tossing it around slightly so as to flaunt it in front of him. "Sorry for being a bit of a burden earlier."

"Don't be, I had fun." Toga asserted, her small smile unwavering

"Although I didn't think you would know so much about clothes. I'm actually a bit surprised."

"Hey I can have more interests than blood you know!" She playfully lectured, getting a light chuckle from the boy

The mood shifted slightly as her smile faltered and her hand caressed her forearm, leading to reveal a tinge of hidden sadness that Izuku was unaware of. Fortunately he didn't have to ask what the cause was

"I was always interested in clothes. It was one of the few things my parents didn't hate about me. Dressing up didn't make them care more or anything but it was something they didn't nag about when I did it."

The boy simply nodded and hummed to show that he understood. Not personally of course but that he knew what she meant. Likewise he didn't have a proper response to the information, walking forward with no real direction. Seemingly to distract herself she pulled a vial of blood and began taking sips until it soon disappeared from sight

However, the appearance of the vial remined him of another question. And rather than think more about it himself he asked in favor of filling the silence

"And how do you get your blood normally?" He asked, inwardly yelling at himself when the girl choked for a moment

When she cleared her throat Midoriya saw her smile smile drop. Her hands were fidgety, her eyes darted everywhere and her gaze avoided his own

"I got it from anyone I could. After I ran away I would corner people who didn't pay attention and take it from them." She admitted. "Sometimes they'd die, sometimes they wouldn't, but I'd never stick around to find out."

The boy already suspected the type of answer he'd receive, but that didn't make it any less horrific. If anything that only made him lucky. Yet he easily set aside his own feelings in favor of listening to the rest of the answer

"To be honest I never felt bad about it until now. I guess now that I can think about it and admit it out loud it's hitting me all at once." She chuckled bitterly, pulling at the collar of her dress so as to let out the rising heat. "Not even with my parents..."

The last part took him off guard. He didn't even think he'd have such an effect on her. But as he looked down at the clothes he wore, from the shirt to the chain accessory, he realized Himiko also had an effect on him. Of course being self conscious of his own appearance was miles away from the guilt of one's own harmful actions but... he had to find some way to relate, even if it was small

Rather than leave things standing he took responsibility by outstretching his arm in front of her, handing her his wrist. This way, as he came to learn, he'd be able to keep others safe from Toga's bloodlust. But more importantly, it was to keep Toga sane, to allow her to think in the same way she did a moment ago

This way she could satisfy herself without threatening lives

Other than his

Eagerly she bit down onto the appendage, absorbing every drop of blood that dripped out until it was all gone. Luckily for him, she didn't penetrate the blood vessel. Although now that he realized, he wondered how his quirk would react to cutting a blood vessel, but now was not the time to experiment. When she finally stopped she let him go and they both watched curiously as the two teeth marks were covered and sealed in seconds

"Are you feeling better?"

"Much better!" She beamed, blood staining her otherwise white teeth

"By the way, where do I drop you off?" He asked innocently, caressing the bite wound on his arm. The two of them had been walking rather aimlessly for longer than he was comfortable with

"Hm? Oh anywhere is fine, not like I have a place to go."

...

...

"What?"

"Anywhere is fine." She repeated, tilting her head at Izuku's visible disbelief

"You don't have a place to go?!"

"No? I haven't had a place to stay since I ran away from home a few years ago." She stated uncaringly, adding to Midoriya's disbelief

"Then where will you sleep? Where will you put your clothes or eat or stay safe?"

"Wherever I can." She shrugged. "I've made it on my own so far."

The teen's hand gripped his own hair as though his worldview was shattered before him. He tried to think of an immediate solution and his mind gave a quick answer

His house

"No!" Came his response, blushing slightly as his mind ran through a number of awkward, embarrassing and frankly frightening situations before he could stop himself. Asking Toga to live with him was simply far too soon of a question to ask...

"Too soon? It's not like I 'like' her" He lied to himself. "That's not a question I can ask her. Plus I don't know how she'd react to it let alone how my mom would react. And what would happen after? She wouldn't be able to sleep in my couch so she'd have to sleep in my-"

The teenage boy pinched himself before his mind could wander any further from his panic, refocusing his effort into a new solution. But only one came to mind

"...I could get you a place to stay." He told her, watching the surprise paint her face like the blood in her teeth

"What? Really?"

"Yes. But I have to ask first..."

Pulling out his burner phone he began texting Kurogiri, noting Toga's curiosity towards the old flip phone. Not long after sending his location a portal appeared, which was a black disk floating before them like a door to darkness itself

"Here, I can take you there." He stated, offering his hand

Toga took a step backwards and stared at the black disk in front of her, likely startled by the suddenness. She peered questioningly into the inky darkness before staring directly at Izuku's expression. And yet at seeing her apprehension his determination did not fade

"Okay." She finally said, clutching the hand in front of her and following the boy into the familiar darkness

When they passed through Izuku was already well adjusted to the new room. It was like second nature to him by now, already expecting to see the moderately lit bar with no people inside. Toga, on the other hand, took a lot longer to adjust

"Well young Midoriya? What's the emergency?" Asked the shadow man with only a hint of worry

"Thank you Kurogiri, I hope I didn't interrupt anything."

"Actually you have."

The boy grimaced for a moment as the bartender stepped to the side, allowing him to see the other guests, which were a grey haired man missing a tooth and a familiar black haired one with dark burn scars. The former sat at the bar close to Tomura while the latter stood at the doorway, closed off from the rest

"Dabi?/Kid?" They questioned in unison, stunned

"You two know each other?" Tomura prodded, looking between both sets of people

"Yeah I met him twice before." Izuku answered

"Didn't think I'd see you at a place like this." Dabi greeted, smirking to himself. "But I guess it makes sense with the type of questions you asked

When he walked forward he bore an almost uncharacteristic smile as he looked between Midoriya and Toga. "Then I guess she's the girl you were talking about?"

"He talks about me?~" She sang from just behind Izuku, side eyeing the boy with a playful smile

"All the time." Dabi lied, watching as the boy lowered his head to hide his beet red face and ears. One would think he was dying of heat stroke but instead it was just of embarrassment

"I-Um..."

"Well what do you want?" Tomura but-in, giving Izuku enough relief to remember what he came for. In response the teen walked over to the slightly older boy, who sat idly at the bar top, and bowed before him

"Please, I need to ask for a favor."

The words took everyone by surprise, most especially Kurogiri and Tomura himself. Neither expected the newbie to be so bold yet desperate enough to ask for a favor of all things. However, given that he went to Tomura rather than his sensei directly, the grey haired boy only hummed in amusement

"Can she please stay at the apartments nearby? Even if it's just for a while I want to make sure that she's somewhere safe. I'll pay you back in any way I can."

An awkward silence befell the room as the young man looked between the new arrivals. Beside him, the grey haired man only smirked as he took a few puffs of his cigarette

"If she wants to stay here then she needs to be part of the team." Tomura ruled, allowing Izuku a sigh of relief

"Team? What team?" Himiko asked, causing him to tense once again

"Its... Well... We're called the League of Villains. And we're the people that attacked UA a week ago."

Gears began turning within her mind. But the usage of 'we' did not go unnoticed

"You attacked UA? So you got your injuries from the attack?" She pieced together rather quickly

"Sorry..." Izuku apologized, yet neither his quirk nor his intuition could detect any rising anger within the girl. He assumed that Toga was angered by the lie and was worried once she walked over and stood just in front of Tomura. The two only dead stared each other until she broke the silence

"I wanna join!" She proclaimed. "I'm gonna make sure Izuku doesn't get hurt like that again!"

"Sure, whatever." He waved off, looking at the scarred man who stood back a little further. "And you? What'll it be?"

"Heh, guess this got interesting." He chuckled, observing the events before him. "What do you even do?"

Izuku could tell that Tomura concealed a wide grin under the dead hand from the way he outstretched his arms. He mimicked his master in the confidence he displayed even without showing his face fully

"We're here to kill All Might and destroy everything he's built." He proclaimed for the world to hear

"...Lame."

"What?" Tomura questioned, stunned by the remark

"That's lame." Toga repeated, her arms crossed.

The insulting remark threw the 'leader' for a loop, leaving him standing in place with his arms outstretched

"...Lame?" He growled, balling his fists in anger

"But that doesn't matter." She ignored, hugging Izuku's arm tightly. "As long as I get to see Izuku more then I'll work with you."

"Not like I got a better reason." Dabi shrugged. "I'll join too."

Despite the good news Tomura only mumbled to himself in frustration, returning to his drink and ignoring the others

The green haired boy was elated by the turn of events, now distracted by the fact his arm was trapped within Himiko's chest. He glanced in the direction of the other grey haired man but realized he'd disappeared without him noticing

"He was here with Dabi... could he have brought him here?" He wondered, glancing between both Toga and Dabi beside him. Yet his question had no time to form as the girl pulled him into one of the barstools

"Come on! We should get a drink to celebrate! It's not every day we can." She reasoned, jumping into a seat and taping her fingers on the bar top. "Hey waiter! You got any drinks?"

"Only non-alcoholic ones for the two of you." Kurogiri lectured, witnessing the girl blow raspberries at him

"And you?" He asked the scarred man, his shadowy yellow eye lifting as though to raise an eyebrow

"Hm... whatever you got is fine."

"I'll give you a list." He sighed, taking his place behind the counter

The mood at the bar was lively, far better than what Izuku remembered it to be. But seeing his first real friends sit side by side gave him the warmest feeling in his stomach, one that he knew he would treasure for the rest of his life

Chapter Text

Shoto Todoroki rose from his restless slumber simply wishing he hadn't. Given that school ended yesterday he had a whole day ahead of him, but rather than rest and relax like a normal person he instead spent his free time training. Today would be no different

He looked to the walls of his bedroom, none of which sparked any sense of emotion within him

Outside of some fancy katanas and fans displayed over his shelf the room was barren of any personality that marked who he was. It was built to mimic the ancient Japanese style, well before quirks existed in the world. The whole house was made this way in fact, clumping him with the rest of his family. As a matter of fact the fans were gifts from his mother while the katanas were from his father, neither of which he had permission nor courage to replace. Outside of the aesthetic there was nothing else to see. There was no senseless item or heartfelt token displayed or even stored anywhere in his room. Which meant that his room was just that, an aesthetic and nothing more

With nothing better to do the cold hearted boy left for the kitchen, hoping to make himself some cold soba again before training. But to his surprise he found two others there. Natsuo and Fuyumi

Shoto couldn't remember the last time he saw them. They were seemingly two strangers he met from time to time. His older brother had short white hair and always seemed to be wearing a jacket or hoodie in pure spite of Enji's dress code. His sister had long white hair with red streaks and wore glasses along with a soft sweater. In contrast to Natsuo, she always radiated a sense of maturity much like their shared mother did, smiling even in the worst of circumstances

The three estranged siblings froze upon first sight, the older two staring at the younger until he slowly creeped away

"Wait!" Fuyumi pleaded with a tinge of despair painting her otherwise calm voice. "Come eat breakfast with us. I'll make you something."

The teen hesitated even when the offer provided no downside. Natsuo slid to the side to provide a spot for his younger brother. Which was soon accepted. Both siblings smiled to themselves as Fuyumi abandoned the table temporarily, leaving both brothers to sit alone

Awkward silence clung between the two, neither of which being inclined to begin a conversation. That was until Natsuo finally caved, tired of the silence

"So how's school?"

"Hmm..." Shoto replied, not having a real answer

"Same as ever huh?"

"You could guess that?" He questioned, easily calling his brother out

"No." He sighed. "But you're not giving me much to work with here."

Realizing his mistake the teen tried to search for the words, dragging the silence between them further

"It's been... Hard, recently."

"I could imagine." Natsuo nodded. "Were your injuries bad?"

"I've been through worse."

...

...

"If I remember correctly," Shoto continued, realizing the awkwardness he created, "you should be in college now."

"That's right, I actually start in a few days so I'm getting packed."

"Lucky." He said under his breath yet loud enough

Thankfully Fuyumi returned with a proper meal at hand and served it to the young Todoroki before the silence could return yet again

"Dig in!" She ordered with a beaming smile on her face

In front of him was his sister's dish, a bowl of Miso Soup that was likely a surplus. Even still the Tofu was not deformed in the slightest nor was the seaweed soggy. Upon the first bite Shoto was surprised by the rich flavor despite the simplicity, which was a combination that he found most enjoyable

"How's school?" Fuyumi asked in between his bites. The sweetness in her voice masked the awkwardness of the situation

"Tough," was the only response. Naturally the conversation would've defaulted back to the incident a week prior but to Shoto's relief it did not go there again

"Have you made any friends?"

Another while passed and Shoto pondered his reply. However, this time it seemed as though Fuyumi waited with patience rather than nervousness, setting the boy's mind at ease as he took his time

Looking back the teen couldn't say that he talked to any of his classmates let alone knew them well. Yaoyorozu and Bakugo were the only exceptions. But the spiky haired boy was not necessarily his friend. Although he was tempted to call Momo his only friend even he knew that their private conversation did not bring them any closer to that title

"Can't say I have." He response, taking another bite of his food

"Not with those speech skills you have." Natsuo teased, getting a light smile from their sister

"Hmm."

...

"You know normally this is where you laugh." The older brother clarified, scratching the back of his head

"Oh. Sorry." The younger one apologized

The harmless laughter died quickly at the instance of an ominous sound

It was faint but recognizable to all three of them. Even the youngest of the three knew the sound of heavy footsteps and knew what they entailed. Slowly the steps got closer and heavier, bringing with them a recognizable anger that chocked out any joy they had mere moments ago. That was until finally the door slid open

Standing on the other side, looming over his own children was Enji Todoroki, the very reason for their silence and quiet fear

But in spite of years of torment Shoto scowled to mask the unease inside. Lucky for him he was not the only one. Just beside him Natsuo glared hatefully at their father while Fuyumi could only sit completely still. Their father's fiery glare was focused primarily on Shoto, ignoring the other two siblings as though they were of no concern. Yet defiantly Shoto glared back, his brother supporting his stand by holding his own

"I should get going." Natsuo growled, standing from the table and allowing a moment for Shoto to rise as well

"I got better places to be." Shoto supplied, walking past his father and in the opposite direction of his brother

The lonely silence from before returned as he trudged away. He was relieved to have left but felt a tinge of regret for having abandoned his sister as he tended to do. But as he felt the pair of eyes on the back of his head he knew his father would not lash out at her

The young Todoroki sulked elsewhere with a bitterness in his mouth that refused to go away, ruining the pleasant taste of his sister's food

Elsewhere at the same morning hour rose a more fractured individual. For the first time in a long while he received genuine sleep in an actual apartment. His bones creaked as he sat up from bed, groggy and confused. Given that he'd long since burned his nerves away the feelings of fatigue and restfulness were of the very few feelings he could still register. The softness of the blanket or temperature of the room no longer held any value to him as they did when he was a kid and were now only memories tainted by years of hatred still in his system

Out of habit the man glanced towards the nightstand full of his stuff that he acquired with the warp gate's help. Outside of the small array of bare necessities the room itself remained barren and devoid of color, yet clean enough not to appear abandoned. There was nothing special, yet the idea that this room was his brought a wry smile to his face

Dabi savored the lingering sleep he felt before it eventually passed, allowing him to leave his bed and start his morning. He began with a shower, a small luxury he could finally afford, before leaving for the bar. Eventually the corpse of a person arrived to see the same strange faces minus the green haired boy and the grey haired broker. As far as he knew the boy still attended school like a normal person, but given that his 'friend' did not in spite of her attire meant that she wasn't a regular classmate

The warp gate cleaned glasses behind the bar while the girl and the creep sat at opposite ends of the bar top, none of which spoke to each other

"Good Morning." Greeted the shadow man, to which Dabi nodded. "I'll get your plate for breakfast."

With little objection the man slumped into his seat to await his meal. Like many times before he sat in complete silence, observing the quiet strangers beside him. None of the three were compelled to speak and none were interested in it, thus leaving the room barren of sound save for the shuffling of dishes from the kitchen

Soon enough breakfast arrived. A small bowl of Miso Soup that seemed lacking in every possible attribute and instead looked like dirty mop water. To confirm his suspicions Dabi tasted the meal and for a moment he'd forgotten that his taste buds were still perfectly intact. He was surprised that a soup with seaweed and Tofu could taste identical to hot dog water and yet here he was

"Apologies for the quality of the meal, we seem to be lacking in spices this time around."

"It's better than picking for scraps at least." Dabi sighed, getting a small nod from the girl beside him

Of course, not one to be wasteful, Dabi continued with the terribly plain food to the last drop. He would've asked for more if he didn't have standards. But given that he still held a sliver of self respect in spite of his horrid history he allowed the empty plate to escape him

And now with nothing but time the man contemplated his next immediate action. He could continue to explore the city around him, or sit around a while longer

...

Perhaps wasting time was also a luxury he could finally afford

...

"How do you know Izuku?" The girl asked abruptly, pulling his attention from his empty thoughts

"I'm sorry, what's your name again?"

"Toga, Himiko Toga." She introduced, still staring at him for an answer

"And I'm Dabi." He clarified, not in the slightest bit worried of the tension. "I met the kid a while back on the street. He was... well he looked like an interesting kid so I had a quick chat and gave some advice. I didn't think I'd see him again or join the little band he's a part of."

Behind him Tomura scoffed at the small dig but otherwise remained silent

"And you? I doubt you met him at school."

"Hmph." She huffed at the true statement. "He looked approachable." She answered as plainly as possible, refusing to fill in the blanks even if they didn't necessarily need filling. Although Dabi wasn't one to snoop he was surprisingly informed already

"He's treated me well ever since and even got me a place to stay yesterday." She smiled, blushing at the memory of the kind gesture

To that a short cackling could be heard, turning their attention to Tomura

"That idiot." He remarked. "Still playing hero even in these circumstances. How naive."

"Hey you take that back!" Toga growled, seemingly reaching for something from within her pocket. "Just 'cause he's nice doesn't mean he's like those fakes! And what even are you supposed to be?"

"Me? I'm the leader of this 'little band' and the name is Tomura Shigaraki."

"The leader? Don't you work under a bigger guy?" Dabi intervened, forcing a laugh from the young man

"Sensei has bigger things to deal with. I'm the one you two should be obeying."

"And what about Izuku? Is he also a 'leader' or are you just playing pretend." Toga mocked whilst resting her head on the bar top

"That kid isn't cut out to lead. He's too insecure."

"I guess that's reason enough." Dabi agreed, not nodding along but seeing the point

"Like you're any better." Toga continued to mock, smiling mischievously as she did. "What was it you said? 'Destroy everything All Might built?' What does it matter?"

"Tch, whatever. I'm not here to answer stupid questions." Tomura remarked, finishing his plate and sitting at the couch. Without a second thought the young man began playing a console game that neither of the two were familiar with

The other two smiled to themselves before returning to the silence. Toga, being the young girl she was, began staring at her phone while Dabi rested his head on his palm again

He could pull out his phone as well and endlessly scroll the hours away. But a moment of true peace, even amongst strangers, was rare enough as is. Even the others had seemed to subtly drop their guards around him, choosing to stay in each other's company regardless of how well they got along

He had a place to stay, a relatively full stomach and no need to run. This was an achievement worth savoring

The youngest Todoroki continued his grueling training schedule, not giving himself a moment of rest

Unlike his father, Shoto did not use the training room inside the house that was full of equipment. It wasn't just to make a point but also because the room's fire-proof countermeasures were not suited to counter his ice. The most it had was a state of the art air conditioner that could drop the room's temperature in seconds and raise it in even less time

The outdoors were more his style. They were far less cramped and suffocating than that horrible room

The light of the sun bounced off the field of ice and snow, almost blinding him as he rested for a moment. But even in the bright and sunny day Shoto could only feel a freezing chill run down his spine, one he was very well used to

His primary form of practice was through expending as much of his ice as he could before he gave out from exhaustion, a form of endurance training. At this point he was capable of making massive glaciers of ice without suffering the withdraws, all through his work alone. And yet his defeat proved that he still had a long way to go before he could be greater than his father. All it took was one strange creature with super strength and a level of resistance to counter his abilities. He'd normally chalk it up to the villains being out of his league but his classmates all left without too many scratches, all except Bakugo and himself

"So much for being the strongest in the class." He told himself, staring at the sky above. Ever since his loss he's been training twice as hard but with only half the results. He didn't get an ounce of improvement and only ended up with more frostbite than normal

There was an easy solution to this problem, but one he did not dare rely upon

Just as the thought crossed his mind he felt the temperature around him rise exponentially, startling him as he looked to his surroundings. Sure enough the field of ice surrounding him began to melt as one living torch approached him

"You're training is still ineffective." His father lectured. The mere idea of a shard of ice in his vicinity was lost as everything turned to puddles of water before Shoto realized. The freezing cold within him disappeared but in its place was a searing hatred of equal proportions. His fist clenched as he stared at his father, who crossed his arms and looked down at his son

"You're well aware by now that you need fire to negate frostbite." He remined, glancing at his melting surroundings. "And yet you continue to resist just to prove a point."

"I don't need your flames." Shoto bit back. "I just need to endure."

"The whole reason you were born is to master both elements, Shoto." Enji countered in that same old annoying tone

"I won't."

"Hmph." He huffed, unmoving. "Then you'll only continue to fail until you learn your lesson. Just as you did at UA."

The boy's patience hit a breaking point as he stood up to his own father with anger tainting his voice. But at the cusp of it he felt his body get hotter than it already was. In order to hold himself back he bit the inside of his cheek and used the small pain as an outlet rather than his quirk

"That thing was created to counter my powers. And yet I'm alive no thanks to you."

"That's no excuse for your injuries! You were helpless against a foe and resorted to those beneath you for assistance. Had you used my fire then the problem would've been resolved in seconds. It was your childish 'code' that led you to being the only kid at the hospital!" Enji returned the comment with more of that same fire Shoto felt inside of him, desperate to release

The two were unmoving in their positions, looking one another in the eye as they stubbornly held their beliefs. Shoto's left hand twitched in the ugly excitement a screaming match would bring let alone a physical battle. His hand was so close to becoming a balled fist he could use against his father, a weapon to lash out at him as he would before

But his right hand tightly held his left. Despite the pounding chest and gritted teeth Shoto was completely still. His blood was boiling and yet he remained frozen in place, the worst of both worlds it seemed. His mind replayed the endless amount of memories from his childhood, ones that ended with his quirk spent and his body covered in bruises. His childish anger was always accompanied by the taste of blood of his mouth and all of the emotion inside of him vacating to leave an empty husk of a person on the floor

And always at that damn training room

A full minute passed before the flame hero huffed for the last time

"You'd do well to listen to me before its too late."

"Nothing you say will stop me." Shoto spat. "I'll get stronger with just my ice side and I don't care how long that will take." Having overstayed his nonexistent welcome the large man turned and left the same way he came

Once Shoto knew he was out of earshot he fell to his knees, crushing his own hand in the grip that held him back. His legs had given out both from an intense sense of fear and an unmanageable anger, neither of which he fully understood. He only knew that he's carried these feelings for a long time and that he was never to let them out. Not unless he would break his own promise

The boy wanted to scream at the sky but the moment he tried his throat closed up, preventing his voice from being heard. Instead he slammed a fist into the ground, doing his best to force a scream yet only getting a strained cry

He needed to speak. He needed to vent his frustrations and face his fears and yet he could not do either on his own or with those he knew

So instead he cried, choosing to let his emotions tear him apart

The day slipped by like water, uneventful as always. The only source of sound that filled the empty bar was from the TV as Tomura sat in front of the screen for hours with little break. Behind him Toga and Dabi sat around, occasionally observing the game or staring at their phones to entertain themselves. The only other activity came from Toga hours earlier, disappearing into a portal only to wordlessly reappear soon after. Neither of the two boys questioned it and as such it became unimportant

But eventually Toga broke first, setting her phone down and stretching like a cat after a long nap

"Can I play something?" She asked yet again, getting a quick and concise 'no' in response. "Come on! All you've been playing is the same outdated arena game for the last few hours."

"Shut up, I'm trying to rank up." Tomura growled. As Dabi glanced at the screen he learned enough in the past few hours to know that he was losing his current match. "Go bother Midoriya if you're bored."

"I can't he's swamped with all the homework he put off." She groaned her frustration. "And given that you're his friends you're the closest things I have to play with!"

"Friend is a strong word." They stated, frustrating the girl even further

"And is this bar even legitimate? No one showed up for hours." Dabi shifted the topic. Even the bartender was absent after having left to run errands hours ago

"Its just a front for master to launder money." Shigaraki answered frankly. "Otherwise its a safe space for us to use."

"Go figure." Dabi shrugged, glancing at the various alcoholic beverages that remained fully unused

Seemingly grasping at straws the girl slumped back into her seat, contemplating. Given that Dabi knew next to nothing about her he could not guess just what she would be thinking about. That was until she absentmindedly voiced her thoughts on her own

"Can I stab you two?"

"What?" They questioned in unison, looking back at the girl in confusion. Of course, from her looks they could tell she had a few screws loose but...

"Can I stab you and drink your blood?" She explained more slowly, realizing she hadn't properly introduced herself

The two men glanced at one another as though to gauge each other's reactions. Tomura was less taken aback but still just as surprised while Dabi was fully caught off guard by the request. He knew there were crazed people roaming around in the world, hell he himself counted as one, but he didn't expect someone so young to count as yet another lunatic

"No..?" He hesitated, still confused by the ease and sincerity of the question

"I'd turn you to dust before I let you stab me." Tomura remarked, returning to his game as though it were nothing

"Hmm, plus you wouldn't be as tasty as Izuku." Toga judged, forgetting about her request entirely as she returned to her phone

"I don't know what the kid was struggling with earlier." The older man thought to himself. He had assumed from the boy that the girl was out of his league in some way but listening to her now made him realize just what he meant by outcast

The lack of activity, save for Tomura gaming, made it seem as though time returned to a standstill. Even then the energetic teen could not keep quiet as she brainstormed a slew of potential activities. Eventually the teenager finally perked up from her seat

"I'm going to get some snacks. Anyone want to join me?" She invited, jumping out of her stool

"Pass." Shigaraki replied almost immediately, distracting himself for just long enough to accidentally place his pinky on the controller

The other two watched as the bright red controller shifted to a grey color before crumbling in the 'leader's' hands. He growled but otherwise patiently walked to the bucket full of spares and began using a different controller. A looming sense of danger seemed to radiate from him as he returned to his frustration

"Can't you go by yourself?" Dabi questioned both unmoving and unwilling

"I could but its no fun!" She whined. "Aren't you tired of sitting around doing nothing? At least walk a little!"

The scarred man didn't know what to make of the girl's childish demeanor and could only stare at her pouting face. With her odd insistence he would've thought she had an ulterior motive but the strange innocence in her eyes revealed that there was no malice behind them. There was insanity, sure, but there was no ill will towards him

"I guess I'll go." He gave in, standing up and stretching due to hours of inactivity. "Sure beats sitting around for another hour."

"Great! Lets go find a corner store then." The teen replied, hopping away and out the door for the older man to follow along. Luckily for them they missed the very moment Shigaraki began yelling at the screen, tossing a great deal of things every which way

The small excursion did not take the two freaks far because only a mile away was a quaint cornerstone. No words were exchanged. In fact the very moment it came into sight the girl rushed ahead and disappeared inside, leaving Dabi behind. Eventually the older man casually strode inside and scanned the store, finding no trace of the girl he was following. A surprise to be sure but that allowed him to browse the aisles at his own convenience

Of the array of snacks that were present none seemed to catch his eye. Not that they ever could, for he truthfully had no idea what he should look for in terms of cheap and tasty treats. He never had a reason to seek them. Even back then his family wasn't one for chips, cookies, sodas or any of the sort. If anything, browsing the vast array of snack options was a brand new activity for the reborn villain

"How come I've never done this before?" He wondered, smirking as he stared at the colorful rainbow of energy drinks behind the fridge, all of great variety yet limited to a handful of flavors

But of the many themed and flavored beverages one caught his eye, a red, orange, and blue drink in the theme of the Number Two hero...

Dabi grabbed hold of the merchandise and stared intently at the energy drink, burning his eyes onto the caricature of the hero. Without realizing it his quirk activated in his palm, searing the tin can until it became a molten metal sludge that slipped through his fingers. The sensation of the scorching hot metal sliding down his fingers should've brought a great deal of pain but instead he felt a numbness settle over his hand in place of pain. The man didn't even recognize his action until the smoking metal fumes overtook his nose and forcing him to plug it

Not long afterward the store's smoke alarm triggered and blared loudly. The store clerk jolted awake and scrambled to his feet before rushing to the fire extinguisher and searching for the source of the alarm. Silently the cause of the problem slipped out with two family sized bags of chips for his trouble

To his surprise Toga reappeared behind him with pockets full of bite sized snacks and small drinks along with an armful of assorted chips. For a moment the two petty criminals glared at one another before smiling to themselves

As though they had all the time in the world the pair devoured their snacks, cruising through the streets and observing the sun as it settled behind the many buildings. They weren't worried about their crime, knowing that some stolen goods weren't nearly as important as a fire, although that did mean they could never return there again

Wordlessly the loners paved the way with snacks at hand, walking in a manner that was second nature to them. Unconsciously they noted the many faces that passed and subtly avoided the crowd, sure to draw in over enthusiastic heroes and paranoid cops. Neither of the two spoke and yet slowly they became more comfortable with one another, recognizing their similar habits

At some point in their walk, after having devoured the large assortment of snacks, Toga pulled out a cranberry juice and poured in half of a blood red vile into it and shaking it before drinking the contents

"Is that actually blood?" Dabi asked, taking his final bites of his snack before tossing the empty bag to the side

"Yep!" She smiled. "Izuku let me have it for today and I want to make good use of it. So I'll dilute it into my drinks until tomorrow." She explained herself

The fellow psychopath nodded along, seeing the logic behind it without understanding the reason. Instead he continued. "Did you learn that trick from experience?"

"Yeah. I had to learn how to save blood when it got scarce. Luckily Izuku helps me by giving his own but..." She trailed off, either uncomfortable with opening up or unwilling to. Not that Dabi minded

...

"Hey... Dabi was it?"

"Yeah?"

"What did Izuku tell you? When he talked about me?" She questioned, looking at him with big, curious eyes

"What's with the question?" He asked, trying to deflect it but failing

"I'm just trying to be nice since we're on the same team. And not only that, but we know the same person so..." She answered, her question still standing in the silence that lingered

"... He didn't mention much." He caved. "He only said that you were someone that needed a friend and he wanted to be there for you. He never mentioned any specifics. I thought he wanted to ask you out because he was so nervous."

From the corner of his eye he saw the wide grin that plastered the girl's face before she hide it with her hands. Strangely enough that was the first time he'd seen someone appear so innocent, like a young maiden in love. Her genuine reaction caused him to nearly trip over the concrete path

"He really does care about me!" She sang, oblivious to her surroundings even as she continued walking alongside him. "He's too pure! It really makes me wonder why he's still with me..."

"Now you sound like him." He chuckled

The girl's innocence faded away as doubt settled over her, changing the mood between the two. Likewise the sun gave in to the horizon, slowly darkening the city as they walked. Dabi could sense the heavier tone that the teen took, watching her smile fade as she stared at the floor. Yet the feeling was not something he could replicate, striding along with no change in demeanor

"I know." She chuckled bitterly. "He's always thinking too much about stuff that he's passionate about. It's what I like about him... that he likes things that don't matter..."

"Hmm."

"I hurt him... When I took too much of his blood he was so weak that he fought those students at UA with no energy. And yet he tried lying just to keep me from worrying. Why?" She questioned, yet all she received was a shrug. "I really don't get him. He's spending all that effort just for me. He even got me a place to stay..."

A small silence befell as they continued walked, watching as the sky transitioned from day to night before their eyes. And yet the questions continued

"And there's this new feeling that I don't like... This odd pain I get when I think about what I did. Do you know what it is?"

The burned man searched within himself for the feeling that was described. He recognized the word it represented, 'guilt.' And yet neither in his past nor present was he able to find an instance of this feeling, not one trace

"I really don't know. You asked the wrong person."

"Is this something that normal people feel?" She prodded, staring at the sky above rather than the path ahead

"Probably."

Yet again the conversation died out and simultaneously the two realized that they strayed rather far from their own path, nearing the more vibrant and active main street. The two instinctively redirected themselves, retracing their steps and returning to the safe house

Normally the silence would linger until they arrived to their destination, having run out of topics of interest. Dabi knew how these things worked at least well enough to know how to kill the conversation. But for some reason well beyond him he felt inclined to continue the conversation. He was unbothered by the depressing atmosphere and instead felt his interest peak for the first time in a while

"What's so good about blood anyway? Does it have to do with your quirk or something?" He wondered, mostly off topic yet that was not something he cared about

Like adding water to a withering plant Toga's smile revived, albeit weaker than before. Likewise her sigh was that of someone who had too much to say on this niche subject

"When I drink blood I can turn into the person it belongs to, but only on the surface." She explained, temporarily morphing her face into that of Midoriya before a strange goo formed and fell off, turning her back into herself

"As a kid I always thought blood was this type of drink I could never have, something that drew me crazy every time I thought about it." She explained further, to which the man nodded as though he understood. "But eventually I learned that its what I can do with it that makes it so addicting."

Casually the girl pulled out a hidden box cutter knife from the folds of her skirt, toying with it between her fingers

"I love the taste more than anything. But... I can learn a lot about a person from the way they taste, the way I can walk and talk as them. Its like I can be the people that I like or want to be. There's just no feeling like it."

"That explains a lot." He thought, recalling the earlier request for blood and her eventual rejection of the idea

"Izuku's blood always tastes sweet, like chocolate! And whenever I turn into him my heart skips a few beats and my stomach gets light." She confessed, her blush returning to her. "He's the only one who's let me drain his blood like this before, who's understood me and became my friend even with my quirk. Because of him I've been able to think so clearly..."

In the middle of her monologue she froze, standing in the middle of the sidewalk for the older man to guess her thoughts. For a few moments she contemplated, looking for a way to articulate her words before finally she spoke

"...Should I try to give up blo-"

"No." Came the swift yet stern response, startling her with its certainty. "You don't owe him anything."

"Really?" She questioned, tilting her head out of curiosity and forcing another answer from him

"I don't know the kid well, first of all," Dabi clarified, "but from what I do know all he's wanted is the best for you. He's a good kid, so you shouldn't try and do the impossible when he's trying to support you the way you are. As long as he sees the effort your putting then that's all he cares about."

"Huh." She replied, taken aback. "That's pretty observant for someone who doesn't know him that well." She teased, causing him to place his hand on his neck

"He's the caring selfless type, that's not hard to see." He defended himself

"Damn. When did I get so invested in teen drama?" He wondered as Toga returned to his side

"You're fun to talk to you know that?" She complimented, skipping as she did before and with a renewed energy

The compliment caught the scarred man by surprise, momentarily stopping him in his tracks. At no point in his life did he believe he was a conversationalist, nor someone who'd give out advice to those that were young and inexperienced

...Like an older brother...

"Huh, guess I didn't." He waved it off, trailing her as the two continued to follow their own steps

...

"So..." Toga continued, trying to continue the now finished conversation. "What about you?"

"Was all that just to get me to talk?" He smirked, chuckling at the idea

"Of course not!" She denied, elbowing the taller man. "But I haven't heard a thing about you."

"Hmm." He considered, pausing for long enough to make the teen anxious

"Well..?"

"Maybe one day." He concluded, smiling at her frustration

"Whatever." She huffed both playfully and out of embarrassment

At the sight of her expression the man laughed out loud, his gruff voice sounding remotely joyful for once at the outburst until it died down, surprising the girl. And yet he also had the urge to pat her head, stopping himself upon realizing that he wasn't close in that strange, familial sense. Yet already he felt strangely comfortable, as though he was talking to his little sister rather than a stranger let alone a deranged maniac

"Is this what being an older brother feels like?" He wondered with a smile, continuing their walk in a comfortable silence

Chapter Text

The second and final day of the weekend brought a freshness that was unfamiliar to the young Midoriya. Upon rising from his bed it was almost as though any and all of his worries had disappeared, both minor and major. The previous day was chalk full of cramming in as much study and homework as possible but today marked the end of all that. Now he was able to calmly stroll to the kitchen where his mother was already awake and preparing breakfast

"Good morning!" She sang, granting him a small smile as he sat at the table. "Finally got everything finished?"

"Thankfully." He answered, watching a plate of breakfast Oyakodon slide into his hands. Like always the dish was simple and effortless to make but nonetheless tasteful and filling

Inko soon sat at the table as well and the two said the traditional grace before continuing. A comfortable silence wrapped around them as Izuku dug in with no real sense of rush or anxiety. School was out, his homework wasn't due anymore and his training with the League wasn't a necessity. Eventually his mother seemed lost in thought, gazing at her son who beamed with a soft, subtle joy

"Soooo..." She dragged the word

"...So?"

"How was your date?"

Izuku's coughed uncontrollably before he finally got a handle on himself. Inko was undeterred, looking at him with an innocent smile and her purest motherly expression

Midoriya didn't expect his mom to be this intruding. But in hindsight... he really should've. He'd returned so late at night that there was no opportunity for a proper conversation and the day after was filled with the anxiety of several deadlines having converged into one bad break. Realizing this much made the question so obvious that he was dumbfounded for not anticipating it

"It was wonderful! I mean we ate at this maid cafe (which I never would've imagined looked so pretty before), and I got to drink this really weird (but fantastic), coffee with the shape of a heart on it! They even wrote the kanji for love on my omelet, but Toga just bathed her plate with ketchup instead. Then we spent our whole day at the biggest mall I've ever seen..!"

With an intense fervor the teen spouted details as they came. He spoke on as many elements as possible but found the restraint to leave out the bits that included Tomura and the others. While at first it was strictly the new experiences he inevitably went as far as to retread the brand new and long buried feelings of fascination, wonder and excitement

He finally learned something new, something divorced from his own interests of school and heroes and from someone with just as much passion in it as he tended to have

He finally went out and properly explored the world with someone who wasn't his mom

He finally had fun!

All the while Inko smiled even wider than her son. Her attention was laser focused on the vividness of the story and enjoying the life and energy he radiated for the first time in a very long time. It was almost like he never grew up and still rattled off his every passion close to his heart. The thrill of something so simple but having done it for the first time was still very much etched into his every word and mannerism

But more interesting was the transition into the subject of his new friend. The green haired woman was finally being informed of the girl that occupied most of her son's thoughts. She keenly absorbed every given attribute and what she could infer to create the mental image of a beautiful young girl with boundless energy and motivation, much like her son. Of course her mental image could never compare to the real deal but until Izuku was confident enough to present her then she'd have to make do

"...and turns out Himiko's really good with fashion." Izuku continued, still talking without having taken a breath

"Really?" She wondered. "So she was the one that chose your new clothes?"

"Yep!" He confirmed, taking a bite of his now cold eggs. "She even taught me a few things on dressing well."

The brief second of calm was all Inko needed to know her son ran out of conversation. Her soft sigh only put it to a close

"I'm so proud you found a girl you like to spend time with." Inko teased, making him blush. But unlike last time he didn't stop to deny it

"And I'm glad I found someone to talk to." He said, his smile darkening slightly at the notion. "She seemed like she needed a friend. And... then she helped me in being my friend too. It worked out in the end."

Finally the boy downed his plate's remains hastily before his current thought abandoned him. Like reviving a fire he jumped from his seat and stood at the hallway's end before turning to his mom again "I still gotta show you my new clothes!"

Inko could only continue to observe her son still full of life and hope. To see him talking about his crush like a normal boy his age was a refreshing change of pace from the endless heartbreak of... just about everything else

As such the proud mother basked in the joy of the moment rather than the recognizable heartache of the past. She could only hope things would stay just as well

And thankfully hope was all she needed

An odd few hours passed before the boy finally decided to leave his house, finishing his passionate conversation with his mother and checking over his schoolwork. He was already feeling the joy of reliving his best day ever but the added feeling of closing ninety tabs on his computer solidified his present high. Still, the faint presence of stress was impossible to shake away

Of course there was only one other place he wanted to visit. Soon enough Izuku walked from a patch of darkness and into the light of the dingy bar. The change in atmosphere, however, was not enough to wipe the small but permanent smile from his face. He'd wondered about the two newest additions to the 'League of Villains' and where they may be, only for one of them to rush at him the moment he appeared

"Izu!" Toga shouted, throwing herself for a tight embrace that locked the teens in place

"Himiko!" He returned the energy and the hug. "How're you settling in?"

The genuine inquiry got a joyous laugh from the girl who's smile trumped that of Midoriya's. "Everything's great." She answered, pulling the boy towards the bar top and into the seat beside her. Next to them was the other new addition, a stranger now unexpected ally. His curious glance was accompanied by his amused smirk like spotting beacons of joy

"Hey." Izuku greeted politely. "Are you doing well?"

"Yeah. Pretty peachy place." He replied almost sarcastically but failing due to the sincerity in the question

The information widened the boy's smile. The former doubt and partial regret from the day before had already disappeared at seeing both Toga and Dabi in one piece. But the confirmation was assuring

Bringing back his attention to the present was a sliding glass of soda with ice that presented itself before him, finally bringing him to the man made of shadows standing before him

"Anything of note for today young Midoriya?" He asked. His usual flat tone was different, however.

"Not really. Why?" He returned the question

"It seems that master has presented a reward for you given your recent successes." The misty man informed. "It was a pleasant surprise that you managed to recruit two new members for our cause, which is two more than what we had before." He reiterated, almost as a dig at the distracted boy on the couch

Izuku was baffled by the mention of a 'reward' for his efforts. He'd assumed that his 'reward' was simply knowing that he'd been able to help save two people from the world on his own terms and not requiring the help of heroes but instead using his own influence. Of course he wouldn't turn anything down but...

Before those present could be left wondering about the present the man of shadow pulled two bright colored pieces of paper from his vest pocket and gave them to the young boy. Izuku now held the smooth, laminated paper in his hands and stared at them with genuine bewilderment

"...Tickets for the UA Sports Festival?"

"Indeed." The man confirmed. "Of course this is not without purpose as it ties directly into your next assignment."

"But how? I mean, why?" Izuku questioned before thinking. But the moment the words left his mouth he recognized the how. This was the same man that gathered a small army of thugs from thin air and owned the bar they inhabited, the warehouses nearby and the creature that fought All Might on equal footing. There was very little beyond his sensei's reach

That grander realization would've frightened the unknowing boy under normal circumstances. But his thoughts were limited to the paper in his hands. He was more startled by the fact that a 'villain' by all intents and purposes would've ever granted him this childhood wish of his, to see the heroes up close and gawk at their abilities

The expressionless man nodded in response to the questions. "As I stated before this is tied to your next assignment. You will be using your skills to analyze the students' abilities and learn of ways to counter them in the near and far future. As students of a prestigious hero school even the freshman of this year are your likely opponents moving forward. It's best to gather their weaknesses now." Kurogiri repeated. "Of course the event's broadcast will be recorded for you to study and you're well within your rights to explore the festivities."

"So this is killing two birds with one stone." The boy noted

"It's two tickets. Am I allowed to bring someone?"

"Certainly, its your reward after all."

Izuku had no opportunity to wonder his options for his answer sat directly beside him and looked at him in a strange pleading manner

"Would you like to come with?" He asked Toga, who's wide eyes and grin grew as though she didn't already expect it

"Yes! It could be our second date! We could even dress up with the clothes we bought the other day!" She fantasized, her hands placed over her cheeks in innocent excitement

"Sorry Dabi." The boy apologized to the spectator

"It's fine, I'd rather not get between you and your date after all." He teased, making the teen blush at the realization of what he's agreed to

"Not to ruin the mood." Shigaraki lied. "But the festival is our chance to scout potential members for us as well. Its not every day that our additions fall out of the sky."

"And yet if you bothered to advertise we wouldn't have to hope that they do." Kurogiri chided as he left to grab another drink

"I'm working on it damnit!" The young man shouted after him

The thought of new members caught Izuku off guard. It wasn't impossible for a UA student to join their cause but highly improbably. They were striving to be heroes! They were practically set for the rest of their lives...

"Especially Kacchan..."

"At least... we'll get to see how much they've trained." The boy noted

"Their skills have likely improved since our last encounter." Kurogiri agreed on his return

"That just means we'll have to train too!" Izuku countered. His fiery enthusiasm would not allow defeat again

"Training huh? I guess I should try that." Toga wondered, laying her head down to gather her thoughts. But soon enough she turned her towards Midoriya with a devious grin

"Hey Izuku, you wanna fight me?"

"What? Why would I want to do that?"

"Come on!" She whined as though she were asking for a treat of sorts. "It'll be part of our training! I'll even go easy on you. It'll be fun!"

"I guess she isn't going to avoid combat." He sighed to himself

"...Sure, we could train." He caved. "But I should warn you that I'm kind of strong."

"Oh? Are you bragging?" She wondered, hopping out of her seat and playfully raising her fists

"No..." He smiled. "I'm just warning you beforehand."

"We'll see who's better than who." She declared. Immediately she walked out of the bar despite not knowing where to go, to all of their immense amusement

Soon enough Izuku found himself inside the unsanctioned gym with added company. Without much objection the group moved to the sidelines and watched on as both Toga and Midoriya finished their warm ups. The moment the two hopped into place Izuku finally began to regret his decision of fighting his friend. Even if it was a friendly spar having to stare at his friend as though she were any other opponent filled him with all sorts of confused feelings, none of which were positive

"Hey." He hesitated. "Are you sure we should fight? I really don't want to hurt you."

"It's fine!" Toga assured. "All you have to do is pin me down!"

Her teasing reached deaf ears. Instead Izuku found himself trying to measure his own strength for the first time

Of all the fights he's been in he never had to hold back, giving it his all no matter the situation. But the thought of punching Himiko at full force made him more than just sick to his stomach

Before he could try and strategize the signal for the match's start went off. As soon as the bell was heard Izuku was startled to see a small knife flying at his face. His immediate reaction was to push himself to the side and nearly tripping over himself as the blade zipped past him. Were his reaction speed any slower his ear would've been cut clean off or worse

"She did know I could dodge that right?" He thought, recomposing himself and finally holding his battle stance

Izuku looked forward but noticed that Toga was nowhere to be found. She'd vanished like dust in the wind and likewise he could not hear any sign of her. Just as he was about to question her whereabouts a weight suddenly pressed over him and legs wrapped around his neck. He looked up to see the playful Toga who held a knife in each hand and contained a murderous glint in her eyes

Panic surged him to action. The two knives were continuously jabbed at his head but his arms parried each attempt. The teens thrashed around like a cowgirl riding a bull but eventually she took advantage of his lack of balance and forced Izuku to heave forward. Toga's hands met the ground and she used the momentum to roll over her back and send him tumbling away

The green haired boy struggled to fight the dizziness as he rose to his knees. But almost immediately Toga had closed the distance and lunged forward to try and land a flying knee attack. Deja Vu overtook Izuku as he pictured the flying blonde to be the same angry blonde he fought before. His mind recognized the attack in a different form and countered by instinctively raising his arm and ducking, deflecting the attack and causing the girl to soar past him. Likewise he hopped to his feet and whipped around to face his attacker. His body remembered the steel toed boot that once slammed into his chest and was expecting a stream of explosive blasts before he came to his senses

"Did I learn that from my last fight?"

The thought could not be processed fully as Himiko rolled to break the fall. She ultimately landed on her knees and stared at Izuku with flushed red cheeks and a wide smile. "This is kind of fun!"

"Fun?" Izuku questioned, his worry for his friend's safety twisting into worry for his own

"I don't know. It's like I'm playing with food." She elaborated. "Maybe this'll make your blood taste sweeter!"

Like a crazed maniac the teen rushed in with a feverish glee and slashed her knives wildly in an attempt to create a wound somewhere, anywhere, in the hopes that she stained them. But the attacks were poor and sloppy as they were alarming. Izuku carefully deflected each one as even in the chaos of the silver blurs Izuku's mind understood the logic that was hidden amongst it all. He managed to avoid the attacks the very moment he registered them without a second to spare. But for a split second the string of knife slashes stopped as the girl fell low to the ground and swept the boy's legs with her foot. The teen fell flat on his back with a hard thump that reset his mind

Izuku scrambled to his feet but the predatory opponent jumped at the opportunity, hopping on top of her prey and trying to jab both knives into Izuku's chest. But the moment she tried two hands were swiftly placed onto her upper stomach. She was stunned by the boy's boldness before she was shoved away at full force

The fallen teen had no time to feel embarrassed. He shifted his body weight to his upper back and hopped to his feet, a move from the movies he'd practiced endlessly in real life. But he was unaware that his opponent had landed on her feet and received an opportunity of attack the second he recovered. Just as he raised his head an axe kick struck the base of his spine

Midoriya's world darkened as his body reeled back from the stunning attack. His mind and body struggled to retain a hold on the world as his feet did their best to keep him balanced. But the attacks continued nonetheless as a foot slipped into his side and then slammed square in his chest, knocking him backwards. But thankfully he landed on a wall before he could fall to the floor again

The nausea in his stomach was quelled by cold metal piercing it. The focus in the boy's eyes returned the moment his body registered the small blade stuck to it. He couldn't help but glance at the weapon sticking out of him like a twig, which was not large enough to be lethal but definitely enough to be known. But the moment of distraction was enough for Toga. She seemingly appeared yet again and now too close and too ready for Izuku to dodge. The teen could only raise his arms and cover his face from wild slashes resembling extreme cat scratches

Yet Izuku found himself surprisingly calm. The anxiety of getting hurt left his system in spite of the pain. Find an opening.' His mind prompted without needing to as his fears escaped through the thin hole in his stomach

In spite of the white hot pain in his arms his mind defaulted to calm. He analyzed the situation with a scary amount of emotionless accuracy before finally spotting his opportunity

For a brief second the girl outstretched her arm too far in preparation for another slash. To her surprise the attack streak was interrupted by an arm that interfered with her swing, freezing her in place and allowing the defender to step forward and shove her with his full body. But she was quick to cover her tracks. The second she could she tossed two more knives at Midoriya in the middle of her tumble

The boy did not expect the move but his body was already prepared for it, side stepping the attack and avoiding it completely. However, the girl landed on her feet again. The moment both feet settled onto the ground she reached into her box of knives and tossed a few more blades once more, catching Izuku in the middle of his movement

Left with little option his head ducked into his arms to block the attack. All three knives stuck into his arms like dartboards but were still to small and thin to deal permanent damage. He gritted his teeth to prevent the strange chill in his arms from overtaking him, scanning his environment for his now missing assailant

His enhanced mind had already learned the nature of Himiko's disappearance without forming it into words. It was like any trace of her was now missing. Sound, smell and... feeling. The same sensation that registered a person's existence was now missing and left him wondering where she was despite his field of view being rather wide. He'd swear this was the effect of a quirk were it not that he already knew her true quirk. His advanced senses allowed him to identify her presence despite how hard it was to catch but he still needed ample time. And in the middle of battle this was especially dangerous given that he didn't have enough time to identify the faintest presence of danger

He'd well since learned a moment is all a person needs to turn the tides of battle

But his quirk influenced more than just his body. His mind quickly analyzed Toga's pattern of attack and predicted where she'd strike next. He turned to the left and spotted her just as she had lunged at him. Immediately he reacted by reaching out and grabbing the attacking wrist a fraction of a second before the blade made impact. He redirected the attack by twisting in place and using his foot to trip her the moment she lost balance. The result was her now lying face down with a captured arm

Not even Izuku had registered the event until he heard Toga's faint groan. He snapped back to normal and found himself partially laying over his opponent's back to prevent her from moving and effectively pinning her down

"Oh crap! Sorry are you okay?!" He panicked. He quickly released the girl and helped her back to her feet

"Yeah..." She confirmed with a less chipper tone. "But I didn't win..."

Midoriya was paralyzed more-so by the emotion than by the bloodied steel protruding from his body. He'd assumed he was too rough or hit her too hard but instead Toga was just being... well childish was the only real way of putting it

He didn't know he had to let her win. Now he felt like he'd made a massive mistake on his part

Of course this unease went away when she lifted her head to reveal a bright, unbothered smile. "But I had fun!"

The switch up in emotions threw the innocent boy for a loop. His hands hovered over her shoulders as though to comfort her but he remained a little separated to give her space. The only thing that brought him back to his senses was the return of a dull pain in his stomach

"Can I have these back?" Himiko pleaded

"...Sure..." He aggreged as calmly

His body was well used to the numbness of a stab wound. Both the size of the knives and his quirk's adaptability meant that they were only a small bother. In fact the bleeding did not get any worse by their removal and only continued for a few moments before stopping altogether. But the adrenaline from battle did not subside. Instead the frantic energy manifested itself in his mind that worked to etch the recent battle into memory

He was too distracted to notice Toga had begun to lick the blood off the knives. Although they were sharp their design made them only effective at stabbing rather than slashing, but likewise the damage was kept to deep but narrow holes that were imprinted into the boy for the moment

He also didn't notice Dabi standing over his shoulder

"Damn kid, you handled yourself well." He complimented, snapping Izuku from his odd trance. "I thought you'd get laid out."

"Thanks. I've been training my body for a while but I still don't have much experience in fights." He confessed

The man peered further at Izuku's wounds, noticing their state. "The bleeding stopped already?"

Izuku couldn't help but look at his arm. He wiped the warm liquid away and saw how it barely leaked out. His arm resembled a leaky faucet or a slightly broken pipe rather than a gushing injury

"Right, I never told you my quirk did I?" He realized. "It's called Survivor. It basically enhances my body and my mind. I learn things faster and my instincts are sharper but my body is also better and more adaptable. For example, since I get stabbed a lot it closes wounds faster and during my spar I learned how to counter Toga's movements and attacks! I'd say-"

Midoriya didn't realize he'd started rambling until he suddenly lacked the air to talk further. The very moment he was allowed he slipped back into his strange habit of over explaining and hyper focusing on certain things. But to his pleasure Dabi remained interested. Even though the teen interrupted his own rant Dabi patiently continued, unbothered

"So your quirk isn't just physical, but mental too?"

"Oh! Well... yeah." Izuku replied, rubbing the back of his head. "My senses are a little advanced but I've learned that my quirk has a habit of 'correcting itself' based on my past mistakes. It's kind of like adapting but mentally instead of physically. I... still have some figuring out to do."

At that the scarred man nodded along. He was still too much of a stranger for anyone to know his thoughts, but he at least looked satisfied. In turn, the curious kid glanced at his scars

"And you? What's your quirk?"

"Mine? It's a little plain." He said, raising his palm to summon a small blue flame for only a second

"You're a pyrokinetic?" Izuku wondered, getting a small nod of confirmation

"But you have burn scars... and from the intensity of your fire..." Midoriya pieced together. "Are your flames capable of bypassing your own heat resistance?"

"That's quite the catch." He smirked. "But no, I'm not heat resistant."

"That's..."

"Unfortunate?"

"Fascinating!"

Dabi was momentarily stunned by the answer. He watched as the kid's eye's sparkled with interest and a hint of mania rivaling that of the psychotic girl who was still licking blood from her knives like they were cat treats

"That's so weird! Is your control over flames any different from others? If not then what happened to your resistance? If I remember correctly all prokinetics have a level of resistance to their own flames as far back as the earliest examples of the quirk. Did you only inherit half of it? Did you lose part of it and become part quirkless? Did you develop something else instead?"

"I have another elemental resistance, just not fire." Dabi answered before the spiral of questions could get any worse. Luckily that halted the stream of thoughts

"So you developed a different... so your parents were-"

"I'm not answering that."

"I've never heard of this happening before..."

"Neither have I." The same voice replied beside him. Of course it was none other than an imposter Midoriya who licked at the now clean knife

"And you've never tried to access this other element?" The real Izuku asked without getting distracted

"Nope. Never managed it."

"Huh..." He froze with thought. "You have half of a quirk and half of another. And your blue fire. Is that the influence of your other quirk?"

"I- No." Dabi confirmed. "I've trained my flames to become more intense. They used to be the regular red and orange."

"Huh. Are you sure?" Izuku interrogated, his imposter mimicking his furrowed brow beside him. "Someone like Endeavor can only use blue flames on occasion. Even if you don't see it your other quirk probably helped develop your flame's intensity even if a little bit. Like adding a different type of fuel or something."

The flame villain looked a tad shocked at the observation, staring at his hand for a moment before being interrupted

"...Can I see how strong they are?"

"No./No!" Both voices denied

"Why not? I'm sure I can take it!"

"Only I'm allowed to hurt you Izu! You're not gonna burn yourself just 'cause!" The other Midoriya stated while restraining him

"I've fought people who could counter my flame and even they couldn't handle it. It'll be a long while before I consider it."

"Then I'll just have to train." Izuku huffed. He could already imagine himself taking an incalculable amount of hot showers until his body could finally handle the stress of the heat

In response Dabi's charred face made another smirk of amusement. Almost casually his hand raised itself and settled over Izuku's soft hair, rubbing it like he were a child. The odd emptiness in his eyes were momentarily replaced with the faint fire of life once more

"Maybe one day. But not for now. You're still a little beat up."

The words only annoyed Izuku further. He continued to display an uncharacteristic amount of stubbornness before he finally steeled himself. He knew the two were right but the requirement of training only enabled his recklessness

"Still," Izuku sighed, "if I were you I'd look into the other half of your quirk. Who knows, maybe it'll help with your fire too."

Again Dabi was silent. His expressionless face hid whatever thoughts he might harbor but the contemplation was still visible

"Now that I'm not interrupting anything," Kurogiri cut in, "master beacons you young Midoriya."

"Oh! Well, does he mind if I'm still... you know." He wondered, motioning to the bloodstained shirt and his unclean wounds

"He'll allow you a shower before you go."

"Right, thanks Kurogiri!"

Without another word Izuku rushed out of the warehouse. But the shadowy man sighed at his departure. "I could've sent him using a portal."

"Does Izuku have his own room here?" Himiko asked, still gnawing at the small piece of steel

"Yes."

"Hmm..." She hummed, her devious thoughts clear within her mischievous grin

"I didn't know the kid was so... passionate."

"Yup! It's how I met him after all." Toga commented

"It's one of his more admirable traits I'll admit." Kurogiri added

A notable quietness settled itself after the warehouse doors slammed shut, leaving everyone to their own devices once more. Himiko continued to hum to herself with the knife in her mouth, content with her day that has yet to finish. Tomura distracted himself with a handheld console in the corner. And Kurogiri returned to the bar. But Dabi sat in the familiar silence of his own thoughts, the aftermath of his informative conversation

He already recognized Midoriya's talent for observation from their first meeting. And yet he was impressed with his ability to garner such meaningful information on little to go by. Even Dabi himself questioned his own abilities despite being so... deeply familiar with them

Quietly he held a small flame over his palm once more. His fingers were the only part of his hand left intact but even they had bits and pieces of raw redness. Yet they were nothing compared to the dark purple shade that burrowed into his sleeve. An empty numbness quickly overtook his entire forearm while the heat seared his already burned hand

"So there's more to learn huh? That's a neat thought."

His lack of care for his own body was not a replacement for his weakness and even now his quirk only worked to destroy him. But the smallest hope that he could get better... a higher peak in power...

"I haven't felt this in a while." He remarked, smiling a childish smile at the light that ate at him. He looked at the flame with just as much intensity for the first time in a while

This thing of his already harbored the furthest extent of his anger and rage. It was the product of all his broken dreams. It was all he knew

Should it become more volatile...

Eventually he shook the light away and stifled a smile that threatened to reveal his true intentions. Instead he turned to Himiko and playfully tapped the back of her neck with his hot hand

"Ow! Was was that for?!" She whipped around and glared

"No reason." He toyed, pocketing his hand and walking away. "Just felt like it."

Chapter Text

Planning is a meticulous art. It requires a vast amount of time, thought and energy

But most importantly, it requires luck. And All For One was a man beyond luck

The light versus the dark, good versus evil, tales as old as time itself. There will always be players on both sides to fight for their own benefits and very rarely was it for the benefit of others. Yet Izuku Midoriya was one of those rare exceptions

He had All Might's boundless selflessness and his steel clad resolve to always 'do better' but that was not something All For One could use. It would take lots of time and effort for the young boy to truly fight for his cause and today would be another example of that time and effort being put to good use

Although the king of demons could no longer see he could still feel the overbearing heat of the sun. His senses and location based quirks told him that he stood atop a small building and, if memory served him right, one with a clear view of the main city. Of course he himself couldn't see it, which is why he had Kurogiri confirm it, but the symbolism was not going to be lost on the young boy. He expected as much

To put it plainly, he was preparing something ripped from countless comics and movies. A moment of inspiration to light a fire into a young man's heart. Although there was a tiny twist the villain wanted to add just for the fun of it, which is why he chose the setting he did. Despite not being able to see he could so clearly visualize the moment for himself. If only he could see expressions...

He was confident it would work out. And if it didn't? He wouldn't mind, for it was all just for his amusement

Finally he heard the whizzing of a portal opening behind him. He didn't need to turn around to recognize his guest. Not just because his thermal sight and echolocation quirks gave him a full 360 view of his surroundings, but because he himself willed the new arrival here

"Come here young Midoriya. Stand beside me."

The teen obediently followed his orders and now the mass of heat and energy was placed next to him. All For One, in truth, didn't know the boy as anything other than that, a boy. His quirks did not provide him with apt details of objects or people but instead the general, colorless outline of them from which he had to guess the rest. The most he had to differentiate him from any other mass was that he had curly hair and sounded overwhelmingly nervous at all times

As a placeholder he wanted to instead picture his younger brother from long, long ago. That was the only image he knew from both memory and heart. Everything else could remain the same colorless mass as it was but so long as his brother remained beside him...

...There were a number of things he still wanted to do...

No doubt was the boy staring forward just as All For One was. He likely stared at the bright, shiny buildings that only looked like annoying spots of dull light from his perspective

"I've heard you recruited two new members to Tomura's group?" All For One prodded. He was already more than familiar with the new arrivals well before they officially joined but he wanted to hear the boy's response

"O-of course! Toga and Dabi." Midoriya listed

"Good work." He praised. "Tomura is still blind to the need for allies or even friends for that matter. You, on the other hand, cover his weakness well."

"Really?"

"Of course!" His voiced boomed with little care as to who hears it. "Your strengths are your own and as are Tomura's. I only hope you continue to compliment each other in the future."

"I'll make sure of it."

Tomura was still a project in the works. Even after multiple years of harnessing the boy's anger he remained just as childish and ill tempered as before. Having competition, however, would very much accelerate his growth in the same way so many influences will change Midoriya's outlook. In fact it already has. The simple fact that he trusted All For One for shelter on behalf of someone else meant that on some level he's accepted the reality he's been placed in

All For One allowed the silence to drag between them. His invaluable time ticked away as he awaited the boy's response

"Sensei?"

"Yes?" He responded, not once turning his head

"Why are we... here?"

"Do you mean why are we exposed in the open sky?" He corrected, 'watching' as the boy's head made a short nod only to frantically spout a 'yes' afterward

"You see I am willing to be more honest with you than the likes of most people, the likes of which include All Might." He slighted. "We're here because what I say to you I am more than willing to tell all who may hear. Because I am not a man of secrets."

Lies, obviously. In fact he made absolutely certain that no one was around to interrupt or eavesdrop

But Midoriya didn't know that. And that was all he needed

"So I encourage you to ask your questions. I will be sure to answer honestly."

"Then... How did Tomura become your student?"

"Such an easy question." He laughed to himself. "And how convenient too."

"Very well then, I shall tell you."

Flashback

"It was a day like any other and a rather dull one at that. Long before I suffered the injuries you see now I was once a man that was allowed to walk in public without so much as a hint of suspicion. I tend to miss those days. Now that I'm scarred I can't show my face without being labeled as a monster that hides in the shadows

But I detract. It was quite some years ago so forgive me for being nostalgic

That day I roamed the grey streets with no particular goal in mind. I was once free to go out and search for anything that may have peaked my interest. And so I did. Yet that day would prove to be one of the most interesting days in my long, long life

There by the sidewalk I saw a small boy stranded in broad daylight. A tiny creature no older than five with greying-blue hair and a mess of scratch marks. His skin was so clearly dry and cracked that it was no wonder he had bloodied scratch marks. His clothes were dirtied and unkept as was the rest of his body

But the look in his eyes. They bore an expression I could never forget. They were of an indescribable pain and loneliness that I couldn't help but freeze in my tracks

I stood by and watched the kid with curiosity. I saw his aimless wandering but more importantly I saw the bystanders that wouldn't bat an eye to such a sorry sight.

'Surely,' I wondered, 'a hero would step in at the very least.'

But I was wrong. In an era of peace through the complete destruction of evil it was no wonder that people were blind to the evil in themselves. The heroes that were dedicated to 'saving' the public only incentivized them to look the other way

If only they could witness their shame

Who knows? Maybe one day they shall...

Evidently I was the one to step in. I walked up to the boy and greeted him, wondering where his family may be. But he looked as though a miracle had struck and from then on I knew that it was I, a villain, whom had to save this boy from misfortune

Later on I grew to learn what type of 'monster' he was. His quirk was what one would call 'villainous' as I'm sure you've seen by now. But I do not discriminate based on quirk or race or gender like most do. I saw within him a potential as I saw in you Midoriya

And so I took him under my wing. It wasn't too hard as he seemed to follow me like a lost puppy. I fed him, raised him and evidently showed him how the world truly works. And along the way I bestowed upon him my own name, Shigaraki, as he is a reflection of myself in more ways than one."

Present

With that All For One sighed to mark the end of his short tale. The memories that flooded his mind took shape in the form of vivid visions that replaced the sight he no longer had. He relished the effort he went through. All for, what would inevitably be, one heart wrenching reveal

A shame he wouldn't be able to see his face

But then again his imagination was vivid

The teen beside him was unmoving and likely processing his words. But the way the shape of his hand hovered over what should be his mouth told All For One that the boy's curiosity was not satisfied

"You have questions?" He asked, sensing the boy jolt in surprise

"Um... You said that you gave Shigaraki his name? Did he have one before?"

The question brought a vicious smile to the man's face as though a helpless animal fell into a trap he wasn't aware of. Although he was forced to suppress it he knew what the question entailed

"Yes he did." He informed. "His name was Tenko Shimura. Grandson to Nana Shimura."

He stood waiting for the right moment to pounce as the gears in Midoriya's head spun endlessly. He struggled to contain himself under the tension as his fingers twitched behind him

"Who's Nana Shimura?" Came the innocent question that beget a volatile answer

"Only All Might's teacher."

The change in Midoriya's posture could only mean that the answer came to a great shock. All For One's smile threatened to return but he was quick to hide it. He had a specific order to these types of things and there was no breaking it

"All Might had a teacher?!" The teen almost yelled

"Of course. Did you think a man like All Might was born great from the very beginning?"

Of course, the idea of someone teaching All Might was rather hard to believe. But All For One remembered the man when he was but a boy. He remembered his youthful gaze and his rather thin frame. Before his annoying smile was plastered all over the newspaper it was no more than a vengeful growl

Those were good times...

"It's a shame, really, that someone as great as Nana Shimura would be lost to time. Even I don't remember her hero name." He lied as in truth he simply did not want it to survive. "It seems that history has not been kind to those that propelled the symbol of peace to where he is now."

His words fell flat as a stream of soft, incomprehensible words poured from the boy like an open dam. All For One caught a word or two but he understood the important parts

"How did I not know? I mean I get heroing was only popular a generation before All Might but how did no one know? He would've, should've, mentioned her name during an interview or something..." He rambled before finally addressing the older man. "How do you know?"

It was almost uncanny how quickly the teen walked into his trap. He didn't know he just stepped into mud for the third time and was trekking a dangerous path

At least, dangerous for the boy. For him it was right where he wanted him

"Because she was the former user of One For All"

"...One For All?" He asked, the confusion clear in his tone

All For One's excitement was layered beneath his calm and reasonable tone. He adored explanations as their requirement was a sign of intellectual dominance. And the fact that he often needed to lay out a fraction of what he knew was a reminder that he was simply a cut above the rest

"I am much older than you think, young Midoriya." He began slowly, patiently. "I've been around since the dawn of quirks and its thanks to my own that I've lived so long."

Although he had no chair All For One began to 'Float' in place and pretended he was sitting in one, further proving his point and listening for Midoriya's soft gasp

The irony in the quirk he used would sadly have to be lost for the moment

"As you might've guessed my quirk is the ability to take quirks from others. And to satisfy your curious mind, yes, there are certain limits to what I can use which are namely mutations and stockpile quirks." He tossed the nugget of information and watched as the boy reached for his pocket only to find no spare notepad to write on. "But my younger brother, sadly, was not blessed with a body such as mine. He was quirkless on top of being fragile with a weak body and immune system. He spent his whole life trapped within the same white walls while I worked diligently to support him."

For a moment he turned his head to face Midoriya directly. He saw him freeze under his nonexistent gaze and was stiff when he poked his chest with an index finger. "In fact you remind me a lot of him."

"R-really?"

"Of course! Your attitude, your posture, your naive outlook on the world around you. If anything I'd likely have mistaken you for his reincarnation had I still had eyes."

The flattery seemed to have its intended effect as the boy's cheeks gained a small spike in temperature and his head hung low to avoid the mask that stared at him

"But, sadly, he betrayed me many years ago. Though I've long forgiven him the fruits of his actions still haunt me" He shifted and heard the worry paint the innocent kid's voice

"How?"

"One day I decided to give him a small mercy in the form of a quirk, an insignificant stockpile quirk that on its own did nothing. These types of powerless abilities were more than common when they first came out. I saw no harm in giving him one just like any other. Maybe it would've done his body good to have one." He sighed, looking at the shapeless, colorless sky above. "But what I didn't know was that he did have a quirk, the ability to pass on his quirk."

The gears were slowly turning for the boy but All For One found the need to continue his story, to clear his chest in a way. "On its own it was nothing, less than nothing even. Like handing someone a blank sheet of paper to keep and stare at. But with the additional quirk I'd given they fused into one, single quirk..."

"One For All..." Izuku whispered

"Exactly." All For One nodded. "And when the day came for him to join me and my efforts in changing the world into something better than the discrimination and evil it is he refused and chose to die on his own terms, away from the safety I provided. But before he did he gave away his power, thus beginning the hidden legacy of One For All."

Venom laced his tongue and his hand wound itself into a fist without the boy noticing. The faces of every bug and progenitor of the quirk passed through his mind and the only way to settle himself was to remind himself of their horrible deaths and the disgrace that their bodies lay in. All except two...

"At first the quirk was only an accessory to the person that held it and their primary quirk was completely unchanged. It passed between person to insufferable person and each time it escaped my grasp it refused to return home. Five people held the soul of my brother and only the fifth managed to disappear without so much as a trace. But when the power resurfaced in the hands of Nana Shimura it boasted the potential to surpass any old strength quirk. That was until it landed in the possession of Toshinori Yagi, the current Number One hero."

The name drop was an added bit of dirt that All For One was petty enough to use. In fact he was more than willing to spill all of that man's dirty secrets if it meant twisting a knife or two, which was the very thing he did now

"So there were others like All Might before him?"

"Yes, and although none were as great they held the same defiant spirit as he does now even in their final breaths. Unfortunately, it was All Might who finally managed to burry me underground but not for long and not without a cost." He hummed, fully aware that the boy knew of the injury

Izuku's stunned silence was momentary as a detail finally caught up to him. His head shot upwards as though he'd made a brand new discovery all on his own and without help. "The other users had quirks?!" A slight, restrained nod allowed him to speak further. "Then does All Might have one too? Is that why he's so strong?!"

A hearty chuckle escaped All For One in place of manic laugher. Oh how simple that would've been. How easy of an answer it could've been had the problem been simpler

"No." He broke it to him. "That power he wields is all borrowed. In fact he himself is also quirkless... Much like you. A shame he didn't keep the trend going." He lamented in light of the boy's deafening silence

All For One gave into his heart's desire and grinned widely underneath his obstructive mask. The silent pain was a sight to behold even when he couldn't see. An entire world was crumbling beneath the kid's feet and all he could do was stand and stare at the city, the one that shone in the distance in the disappearing light. He kept quiet and maintained the silence a while longer. He may not be able to read minds but he knew how people worked. He understood that the boy was defaulting to a sadness that could be the basis of fiery rage and indignation

But perhaps he could connect the dots a little more

"If anything, you were a prime candidate for One For All." He remarked, lighting up the silence with Midoriya's fervor of uncertain emotion

"Really?" He said in a voice that was hard to pin down

"Absolutely." He praised as though he were talking about a position for a company than he would the progenitor of his worst enemy. "You're will-power surpasses that of the original users and rivals that of All Might. In fact even in the opposite side of the law you still retain those aspirations do you not?"

The boy choked up as though he were found out. It was obvious. His worldview was ruined but still far from unsalvageable. All For One only needed to shift that perspective, to mold it into something more useful to him. Like adding water to dirt to make clay or mud

"Don't fret, I'm not angry." He soothed. "It only makes it all the more surprising that the power went to that third year at UA. What was his name?"

"Mirio?" Izuku guessed almost instantly. All For One's chuckle labeled his amusement at the boy's intuition. "How do you know he's the new user?" He followed up

The reality was it that it wasn't hard to spot. Knowing what he knows all he needed was a nugget of information from his secret source and he could put two and two together. He could go as far as to list a name but that would be giving away too much for free. There was a limit to these things and although he tried to appear open there were certain secrets that were best kept so until the most opportune moment

"Let's just say I have my sources." He toyed, leaving it purely to the boy's wildest imagination

All For One's head turned toward the sky to give the appearance of being able to see. He assumed correctly that night was fast approaching. In his head he pictured the city once shining in his magnificence but now a blind spot in his vision. He couldn't properly imagine a world without his influence and likewise could only assume that the city was abhorrently obnoxious with so-called heroes and their beacon of light All Might. Of course it didn't help that the day he lost his vision was the day he truly stopped being the Demon Lord of the underworld. Now he was a myth, a legend of old. He was the source of all evil in the world yet no one could say it with any form of certainty

If he could return to those days he'd gladly do so. But for now... he could only bide his time and allow others to do the work in his stead

"Do you see the city Midoriya? How brightly it shines in the night."

"Yes, I do." He fawned, confirming All For One's assumption

"That city." He began, noting the change in atmosphere that his words brought. Their intensity, their meaning, he carried it all in his booming voice of absolute certainty. And for a boy as naive as Midoriya that certainty was all he needed to be moved

"It's a plague!"

The boy's neck almost broke in turning to look at him. Although he seemed offended All For One knew that he was looking up at authority. There was no room for argument

"It shines with the light they've stolen, a light they choose to harbor for themselves." He continued even with the uncertain eyes bearing into him. "That light is not something we outcasts are privy to. Instead we're left with the darkness you see around us, the darkness that plagues my lack of vision."

A faint wince could be heard yet he pressed on, choosing to ignore the moment of sympathy for he did not need any

"There is only one way to change that."

...

...

"How?" Came the shaky question

"By destroying the light and making our own."

He knew that his words were bordering on the insane for someone as inexperienced as Midoriya. There was still too much for him to learn and even then he may never fully turn to look through his perspective, no one can for that matter. But what he needed was time, and he had much of it

To further his point All For One removed his mask and listened to the dangerous hisses of the tubes he's meant to latch onto. The chains that bore upon him continued to make a soft noise as the breeze finally graced his features, or the lack of them. But this moment, this show of dominance could only last so long as soon enough he'll be gasping desperately for air. But for now he ignored it all for the sake of appearances

"At one point in my life I too sought the light and I too harbored it. For decades it was within the palms of my hands. No one could take it from me or my followers. I lived truly free. But then All Might and his era of 'heroes' swiped it from my grasp and in turn left me with my... deformities." He hissed his pain. "They trampled through my comrades using the soul of my lost brother as their banner and have since created their disgusting illusion of peace and prosperity."

It was then that he turned his non-eyes to the boy and allowed him to truly see him for the first time. His sockets were now only useless muscle and skin, his hair was nowhere to be seen and he had scarred wrinkles all throughout. It was easy to create the mental image for himself and understand how truly horrifying it must look to any other

"But you know that their world is flawed. You, Tomura and your precious few friends have been burned by the same light that protects and inspires those within this world. None of you were within this city's protection and thus have been cast to the side for me to collect. Frankly, I can sympathize with you, Izuku Midoriya."

All For One knew more than anyone how intimidating he could be. He stood far taller than most and was a whole two feet above the boy. So as he walked forward and held the small teen by the shoulder he could feel the tension that came with his touch. He'd kneel on one knee if he wanted and he'd likely meet him at eye level but chose not to. His eyes were nonexistent and likewise he'd never willingly kneel. Not even as a joke

"You remember the USJ don't you?" he asked the pointless question. "You were pitted against your bully who's far more successful than you by every metric. Yet you defeated him. You took back that power he long since stole from you. You stood above him and relished in your victory even as your body refused to operate. Didn't you?" He asked as he waited for a nod of confirmation

The light nod was more than enough. It did not carry any lingering uncertainty nor did Izuku hesitate much to agree. That was good

It meant his tactics were working

"Imagine that glee, that pleasure you took, and imagine it for your friend Toga, or Dabi, or even Tomura. Wouldn't you want them to take back what is theirs?"

Another meek nod followed yet he could sense that the tension was starting to leave him

"That feeling of grasping that power and yanking it back from those that held it over you. That's not the extent of it." He promised and saw the boy's head lift to look him in his misshapen face. "We need to take back what was once ours. Our hopes, our dreams, our ideals must be realized. And to do that we must take it from them as they took it from us. Only then will we truly be in the light once more."

His words may not fully reach the boy but their effect was recognized. He lifted his hand from his shoulder, took one step back and allowed the boy's vision to include the ugly nightlights of the city and what they represented. He allowed him but one moment to ponder the entire point he'd been driving since the very beginning and asked but one question

"Do you understand?"

All For One, as great and terrifying a man he was, could not read minds or take complete control of others as much as he wished. But Izuku was different. He did not need to break or blackmail or intimidate him as he did others. Instead all he needed was perspective and time. And now was the time

He waited in the silence for the boy's answer, the fruits of his labor, for they would prove once and for all as to whether he was a lost cause, a failed project

"Like brother."

He analyzed the mound of warmth before him and saw the smallest signs within his body language. He seemed to look past him and into the night sky, staring at the artificial lights that protected the city from the darkness. There was intent there. There was... experience

He knew from the moment the boy's head rose far above his shoulders that he won. All he needed now were those tiny little words

"Yes... I understand."

And with that All For One finally allowed himself to smile in front of the boy. A true smile, none of those smiles of amusement or intrigue but one of genuine glee that he didn't know he could make

"Then you are truly ready for what's to come."

Chapter Text

It was only once every blue moon that Kurogiri's bar had genuine clientele. Very rarely were there events of such reclaim that even a hole in the wall could have customers. But in much the same way a dead body attracts vultures so too does the UA Sports Festival bring an audience to every T.V. available. Still, there weren't many. It was only a handful of people and all of them preferred to be at least two seats apart

Dabi was definitely shocked when he walked in. The bar was almost like an extended living room by now yet the couch and the game system were moved for a better view of the T.V. He only partially regretted not fixing up his hair or wearing a proper shirt though. It was a laziness he could rarely afford. With the two teens in the team out for the day he allowed the loose shirt to reveal more of his scars. Had he known they'd have company he'd have at least thrown on a jacket

More surprising was Shigaraki, who for once didn't wear the dead hand over his face and revealed his crusty exterior. Although he didn't look happy, really he never did, he finally looked normal. At least, more than before. His eyes were that of a psychopath and his skin was worse at his face than it was anywhere else. The only saving grace was his black hoodie that obscured his face and in the current atmosphere no one was willing to wonder what the hooded figure in the corner was doing

Dabi smirked as he sat just beside the young man and somehow drawing even less attention than him. "How do you manage to look more dead without the hand?" He teased

"Shut up." Was the only rebuttal. Instead Tomura continued to pick away at his neck

"Why are you here anyway? Shouldn't you be rotting in your room?"

"Master says I need to scout for potential." He spat. "If it wasn't for him I wouldn't even be watching this damn thing."

Dabi could only chuckle, turning his seat around and resting his back on the bar top. "Wasn't it the kid's assignment to watch the show in person?" He said, careful not to drop a name even in his lowered voice

"That was to get him and his girlfriend out of the bar." He clarified, not needing to explain further

The older man only nodded along. Given this was a hideout it would be unnatural for two teenagers to be at a bar let alone one so... hopeful

Likewise, Midoriya was in charge of jotting down quirks, not people. However, what their 'leader' may find from an exhibition of teenagers blowing up on live television was a wonder

But it wasn't Dabi's place to question. When he heard the light clink of a glass at his side he gave a small nod of appreciation before downing the shot of whiskey. Luckily for him alcohol was one of the few things that truly affected him nowadays. Yet it would take far longer for the drink to make its mark

"Looking forward to anyone?" He kept joking

"Anyone unstable." Came the swift reply. "The quirk will come after."

Now that was something that made him pause

On the surface the mission was completely pointless. Who in the most prestigious school of heroes would even bother with a band of misfits and criminals? No such cases existed as far as Dabi knew. Nor would they ever

But on second thought... He could name someone...

"Let's see what the kid's up to these days."

Starkly contrasting the distant bar was the allure of the festival itself. A sea of people roamed the outside stalls with heroes of all sizes and popularities littered throughout the grounds as though they were always there. It was a dream come true seeing so many celebrities in one, easily accessible hotspot as though it were a goldmine

Izuku felt a familiar glee he believed was long lost. The bright blues and royal golds shone now as they did in his memory, brilliant as ever

But this time was different. This time he had Himiko with him. Before it was just his mom, who was never able to match his fanaticism. And with Toga things felt... different. There was a different yet nonetheless special appreciation he had in her company not just since their visit to the mall but before then

He had someone to enjoy the sights with and share his passions instead of telling him off at every opportunity. Perhaps that was what he was missing all this time

"The UA Sports Festival wasn't always like this." Izuku made conversation. "It used to be a normal school with normal festivals. The type that everyone else did. It wasn't until later that the school got more popular and more people attended them. And once All Might came the event doubled in size until it grew to what it is now." He regurgitated the information he learned a good while ago, back when he still believed in the heroes

"Pretty cool right?"

Midoriya looked to Toga for approval but was met with distracted eyes and a quiet 'Mhm.'

Although their arms were hooked together her gaze surveyed the crowds around. Izuku himself didn't sense anything, even with his quirk. But he trusted her more than he did himself

His mood was quickly poisoned by suspicion. His head whipped to the sides, searching for a threat behind the veil of the crowd but unable to find any. The bright colors had no shadows to them and virtually everything was visible from where he was

"Is something wrong?" He chose to ask

"Not really." She spoke up, her eyes not yet meeting his. "I just feel out of place."

Still Izuku was left clueless. The density of the crowd was no different than at the mall. He knew that she thrived in thick crowds, areas where she would easily be overlooked as always

But it didn't take long for him to realize what it was

She wasn't searching for for potential danger for it wasn't hidden. It was all around them, filling up his vision

It wasn't the shadows lurking at the edges of his eyesight but the bright colors he gawked at all his life

He was the person that attacked the school. He was the danger that the heroes were meant to ward off. And he wasn't the only one out of place. All seemed well but they were not safe here. Of all places for two villains to be they chose a hero hotspot to take a stroll. A place where several of the sharpest eyes would be roaming and the strongest people could put them down in seconds

It was only a matter of time before they were discovered

The boy's first instinct was to run. But in one of his rarer moments of self control his tense muscles prevented him from sprinting with Toga at hand. The self imposed lockdown allowed his mind to slow down enough to map out his next moves

Inconspicuously Izuku made his way through the crowd. However, unlike Himiko beside him, he was inexperienced in this. He'd only walk two steps before he was walled off by rows of bodies, waiting for an opening that would come a full minute later. With a racing heart he knew that he had to act natural. But the more he waited the more impatient he got

Eventually the sea parted before him, allowing him to waltz through without an issue. Toga followed without a complaint or a word, her eyes still observing the people around, too distracted to know what Midoriya was doing. For a moment he thought he really could manage a way out of the crowd before he ran into something solid not ten seconds later

"I'm terrible at this!" He shamed himself

His mind already scrambled for an awkward apology as he looked up to see who he hit. But quickly his gaze froze at the strangely familiar pair of rabbit shaped feet. His mind refused to register the information until the person finally spoke in a boisterous tone

"Hey! Watch it!" She said, turning to face the two teens

A pit the size of a chasm shaped itself when Izuku met the woman's eyes. Her flaming red eyes settled on the two teens with an anger that was as hot as it was short lived. Instead, it was quickly replaced by a sly grin

"Ah, sorry. Didn't mean to scare you kids!" She apologized instead

Himiko was taken aback but Izuku was horrified. Yet his mouth spoke out before his mind could react

"You're the Rabbit Hero Mirko." He stated mindlessly

"Sure am! Why? You kids want an autograph?"

The boy stuttered his non-thoughts away, unable to formulate a proper response. The rabbit woman's cheeky grin only grew wider with Midoriya frantically trying to recollect himself. The embarrassment of the moment could not trump the war raging inside of him and the longer it raged the more he managed to embarrass himself

Eventually Toga cut in, her mischievous smile matching that of the hero's. "What he's trying to say is yes!" She answered for him

Before Izuku realized it Himiko had swiped his notebook and pen from his person. He was too distracted by his mix of crippling fear and anxious excitement to oppose it. Instead his emotions multiplied as the top ranked hero signed the inner cover before thumbing through the pages of extensive notes and doodles over other heroes. Given that the book had the title '#18' on it she had to have figured this wasn't his only notebook like this

Every part of Izuku felt warm and tired. He stared at Mirko's professional smile and just knew she had to be faking it. Virtually everyone that ever stumbled upon his notebook was repulsed by how invasive and accurate the information was despite having never talked to Izuku beforehand. Bakugo's scorch marks weren't the only damage they ever sustained. He made it a habit to not have them out in public

"Hey and I'm in here too!"

Nothing short of immediate doom crawled along his spine

His feet were planted firmly despite his every social and safety instinct to run. He just knew that in mere moments the hero would turn him in to the authorities

But Izuku's eyes wandered to his partner in crime who calmly hummed to herself. She swayed back and forth and her hand held his own, something he fully forgot about since he began to spiral. Her other hand was behind her back but he couldn't tell if she held her knife or not

"You sure know your stuff kid." Mirko finally spoke, her smile and voice not yet wavering. "How'd you figure all this out?"

This time Toga again covered for Izuku, who was still too speechless to get his bearings. "It's his hobby. He's super smart like that!"

Mirko's smile seemed to match that of Toga's, closing the notes and handing them to her

"I bet he is! This is useful info kid, keep it up!" She redirected to him, forcing him to give a frantic nod as she walked away

"Huh. I kinda thought you'd ask for a picture." Toga huffed, still not leaving Izuku's side despite having every reason to do so

Izuku's mind finally cleared enough to gain proper control of his body. The panic had passed when the hero left his sight amongst the jungle of people but the worry was still burning his chest

"That was horrifying." He mouthed

"Really? I thought that was sweet!" She exclaimed, swaying their hands back and fourth

The moment finally dawned for Izuku at seeing her genuine smile once more. In seconds he lost track of his own fear and forgot just what had caused it in the first place. The only thing that was left was the weight of his embarrassment

The boy slapped his own face and groaned. He made such a fool of himself in front of such a famous hero AND Himiko. There was nothing else BUT to cringe

"You okay? You looked real nervous there."

"Yep. Just got in my own head is all." He replied, sighing away his regret

As the festival slowly entered it's main event the stars of the show readied themselves. The classes huddled together within the confines of the stadium, slowly being overtaken by the nerves of what's to come. And within the controlled chaos was 1-A, gathered near its center

To Uraraka the atmosphere was tense despite the friendly talks between the students. The daunting nature of what was to come overshadowed the excitement that came from these past few weeks of preparation. And it wasn't limited to her either. Many of her usually chatty classmates were a little more reserved, like they were also preparing

She, like everyone else in 1-A, trained rigorously for the festival. They all expected the challenge to be tough but now that their class of nineteen was surrounded by hundreds of other competitors the scale seemed far bigger than they realized

But the competition wasn't only outside, but within themselves too. And that was made more evident than between Bakugo and Todoroki

Both boys couldn't help but dead stare each other within the crowd that seemed to stretch as far as they could see. Even with the hundreds of opponents before them they only focus on each other, trying to silently intimidate one another

"I'll crush you."

"I'll beat you."

Despite Iida clearing his throat for their attention neither budged. "Remember that this is a friendly competition. No matter what happens, at the end of the day we're still one class." He addressed them all but seemed to be lecturing the two of them specifically

"Doesn't matter." Bakugo spat, still staring at seemingly his only opponent before him. "I'll beat all of you."

"You say that like you're better than us." Came a voice unfamiliar to any of them, causing the blonde to finally turn his head

"What was that?"

To all of their collective surprise an unfamiliar blonde had snuck within the unspoken sphere of the class and now stood just a few feet of Bakugo and Todoroki. His blonde hair and blue eyes gave the illusion of pride and arrogance that rivaled that of Bakugo but with a more pompous touch that stood out. It was clear he was a fellow student but where he could've came from was a mystery

"Who the hell are you?" Bakugo growled. Even Todoroki turned to face the newcomer with the same icy glare he gave the other blonde

"I'm Monoma Neito of class 2-B." He introduced himself with an equally spiteful tone. "And you must be of class 1-A? I've only heard a few stories and some rumors but seeing you now I'm quite disappointed."

Even Todoroki furrowed his brow at the arrogant teen. "I don't care. Stay out of my way."

"Oh ho! Out of your way? What are you some kind of main character?! I can't say I know any protagonists that lose their debut battles. At least, not any good ones." He taunted. "I'd have thought the two strongest in our year would have more bite to their bark. Guess I was wrong wasn't I."

The vicious words brought with them more curious glances from around them. Silently the several students around the bubble of 1-A sent peering gazes down upon them. Ochako couldn't help but look around to see everyone stare back at her

Iida was startled but just as quickly stood between the newcomer and his two classmates

"There is no reason for such hostility. Whatever quarrel you have with them you may express it on the grounds of the festival."

"Don't fucking defend me!" Bakugo roared, pushing past his classmate. "Come on! Say that again to my face!"

Monoma scoffed. "You and your class should know your place, below the feet of class 1-*guh*"

In a flash something had immobilized him, cutting his sentence short and knocking him out cold. Before anyone could wonder a girl with ginger hair cut through the wall of people

"Sorry! I look away for five seconds and Monoma is already starting a fight." She exclaimed, standing at the teen's side and holding him by the scruff of his shirt

From beside Uraraka, Momo walked further into the scene

"It's alright! We have a handful of own own." She sighed like a tired parent

"The fuck?!"

"I'll say." The girl replied. "I'm Kendo Itsuka, president of class 1-B." She introduced, shaking Momo's hand as she returned the introduction

"So you're the president? Sorry if this is a bit forward but I'd like to wish your class good luck, especially in the tournament."

"Oh! How wonderful thank you."

Yet Kendo's friendly smile broke into a confident grin. "And we'd also like to challenge you. My class to yours."

Whispers broke out within the crowd. Ochako was floored as well as many of the others, looking between them as though they had heard wrong

"And so do I."

A new voice cut from within the crowd, confusing them. Within the chaotic whispers a path within the sphere of the crowd had opened and on the end of it a boy stood alone and unmoving. He had purple hair and eyes with heavy bags under them much like Aizawa. And just like him he displayed a level of self assurance that told everyone he was far more dangerous than he looked. All despite his visible exhaustion

"I'm Shinso Hitoshi." He stated but not for the sake of a friendly introduction. "I don't know if any of your class know this but the Sports Festival is an opportunity for us in Gen ED too. Afterall, 1-A has an open slot. And the school isn't past kicking some of you out for more of us."

Slowly the eerie teen made his way through the silent crowd until finally he stood before the presidents of the two heroic classes

"I also want to challenge you. Not as a class or anyone else but myself. I'm sure they all can do the same."

The whispers that once ravaged the students turned into a loud, overpowering clamor of realizations. Several teens that none of the class could recognize began to yell, tossing their own challenges at the nineteen at the center. The slew of voices echoed beyond the reaches of the lobby they were in, all of which carrying an open hostility the likes of which they've never seen let alone felt

Uraraka looked between her classmates in confusion. They were the only others beside herself that felt so alone in this moment. She could see all of them carry the same shock and fear in their expressions and in the way they looked between the nameless faces like they were a massive pack of animals. Ochako was almost tempted to float away. She wanted the familiar weightlessness to take her away from the angry gazes that surrounded them and settle in the comfort of the sky

In the midst of this a blinding explosion emanated from the center of it all, a flash of light and a deafening roar that silenced everything. In its wake all eyes were back on Bakugo, who was now fuming

"What the hell is this? A rally? I call bullshit!" He yelled, somehow to no one's opposition. He stepped in front of the speechless Yaoyorozu and faced the representatives of 2-B and Gen ED with a fury in his eyes like nothing else they've seen before

"Like hell any old background character is gonna make a fool out of me or anyone else in this damn class! Not you, or you, or any of you nobodies hiding behind each other!"

Monoma had finally began to stir under Kendo's grip, muttering a very clear 'prick' but otherwise remaining silent. Neither Kendo nor Shinso had any words when standing in front of someone with enough rage to rival the entire student body just seconds ago

"We're gonna beat you. All of you. Because we're not like you, we're better. And there's no better day than today to prove it."

The declaration only lit fire to the crowd again. The voices seemed to be louder now, not through the anonymous protest they had a second ago but several personal vendettas against the one student. Silently the student president of 2-B and the menacing quiet kid retreated from the spotlight, leaving 1-A to deal with its own repercussions. And at their seeming cowardice Bakugo scoffed

"Dude, that was amazing!" Kirishima praised, grappling Bakugo with an arm tossed over him. Despite his visible displeasure Bakugo made no move to shove him off as always

"Yeah man, that's the first selfless thing you've done since... ever!" His yellow haired counterpart, Kaminari, boasted as well

"As if." Bakugo barked. "Just because you all are in the foreground doesn't stop making me the star. Don't forget it."

"That was short lived." Sero complained, still smiling

Overhead, the PA blared, summoning all of their collective attention

"All students please go to your designated rooms." It cried, splitting the group of hundreds into pieces

Ochako watched all of class A form into a line. Like many times before they shuffled their way to a new destination

But this time was different. This time she could spot wide smiles from the corners of her sight. Multiple among them looked at one another, nodding and boasting a confidence that wasn't there before. Even Uraraka herself couldn't help it. A new fire burned at the pit of her stomach as though it would consume her into a violent explosion at any moment

Surely everyone else felt the same way. Not just them

So for the first time Ochako looked at the explosive teen and smiled. It was strange. Because for once she felt the same intensity that he displayed almost every day that she's seen him

And for once, the two could agree on something

They are going to win!

Finally after hours of waiting the Festival drew to its true beginning. The hoard of people in attention drifted through the bottleneck that was the front gates and seeped into their seats, quickly filling out the rows upon rows of chairs. Izuku and Himiko were likewise swept up inside of it all and soon sat like faceless members of the crowd

Midoriya's earlier fear did not completely disappear. But still, with Himiko clinging to his side he was again too busy being self-conscious to worry about himself. Instead he stared at the empty arena, notebook and pen on one hand and his other trapped behind Toga's grasp. He'd of been more flustered were he not so nervous

"You look worried again." She voiced, bringing Izuku back down to earth

"Sorry, just a little distracted." He waved it off, with his trapped hand to less

With a pout she buried his hand beneath her arm. But again Izuku was too distracted by the new movement at the center of the arena

"Hey everybody! Its finally time to release the stars of the show! Get ready for the first years of UA!" The Radio Hero cried from the spectator's cubicle

Slowly the different classes of UA made their way to the center stage, each with a quick introduction and deafening cheers from the audience. The General, Support and Business courses did not garner much attention but the crowd went wild for the the two Hero Courses

Despite having been to UA in person twice Izuku still could not recognize any of its students. He recognized maybe two haired colors but that was the extent of it. He'd been lacking in research in that regard, choosing to leave his notes on what he's seen in person or through computer

"Maybe Sensei could provide me information on them if I ask." He wondered. Despite his dedication to his exercises and his notes he was sorely lacking in information regarding that very class, leading to him being tossed into the unknown and ultimately losing weeks prior

He would not make that same mistake again

Eventually the many students grouped up inside the massive center square of the arena. And at center stage, the familiar Rabbit Hero took to the metal stage

"Oh! We've met her before." Toga smiled, waving her free arm as though she could be spotted from so far away

"Hello first years!" Mirko boasted with mic in hand and her signature cocky grin. "Looks like we got a lot of prospects this time around! And is it just me, or are you all fired up up already!"

No one quite expected the shouts to resonate from the entire student body. All of the other courses, Support, Gen ED and even Business cheered a fiery excitement that none of the past years displayed before. Izuku especially was surprised. Given that the spotlight was on classes A and B it was beyond strange to see all of them holler their motivation

"This is gonna be a real bloodbath!" The Rabbit Hero stated to another set of cheers. "But first, a pledge from this year's top student. Katsuki Bakugo!"

"Bakugo!?"

"You know him?" Toga prodded

"Its a long story..." He lied

Even more surprising, however, was the echo of voices from the students. Izuku did not quite understood what they were until he realized that they were passionate boo's toward the one person who took to the stage

Memories flooded Izuku's mind without his consent. Even Himiko seemed concerned by his involuntarily tight hold on her hand

"That light is not something we outcasts are privy to. Instead we're left with the darkness you see around us, the darkness that plagues my lack of vision."

Izuku could not understand this strange new feeling inside of himself. When his once friend stood in front of the mic Izuku was reminded of the years of torment and sadness that he provoked. But in spite of all that he did he was now standing there, at the center of everyone's attention while he was in the crowd, only able to watch

"I pledge... to show you what real power looks like."

The public roared with outrage. No one but Izuku expected this show of arrogance as the anger and rage spread all across the stands and the students below. Yet as unbothered as ever Bakugo hopped off the stage and joined class A

"He's sure full of himself." Himiko commented, once again reminding Izuku of his place

"You can say that again..." He slighted, yet the small insult was a fraction of what burned inside him. It was... new

The noise of the crowd seemed to reflect the static within his heart. The unfairness of the moment seemed to cloud his mind and with it his heart set ablaze. He didn't realize he was staring daggers at the distant head of spiky blonde hair

Midoriya still couldn't understand himself. Not even when he fought and beat Katsuki did he feel this way. These emotions, the unfairness, the countless insults that soured his mouth and threatened to spew out of him. He was tempted to join the rage of the crowd yet he held back. Even still, the anger inside of his continued to boil

"I hope he loses."

Chapter Text

The stadium roared to life and marked the festival's true beginning. The clamor of the arena revered the hundreds of students below as they geared up for the countless challenges ahead

But, unbeknownst to the spectators, the air was thick with targeted hostility. Despite the clutter of hundreds of bodies Ochako could sense far too many glares set on the back of her head. Everywhere she looked she spotted a pair of eyes already staring at her and their glares only become more apparent the closer they got to the starting line. Yet when she looked at her classmates none of them seemed to notice the overbearing attention they received. That, or they were doing awful well at ignoring it

Bakugo's taunt, however, was only part of the problem. His proclamation of strength and Hitoshi's earlier call to action riled up a tornado of emotion and motivation the likes of which Ochako had never seen before

And to top it off 1-A was dead center of the crowd. They were rather thin compared to the groves of people that surrounded them and obscured her vision. There were even some unknown students wandering into their unassigned bubble, shifty eyed and too anxious for her liking

"Hey Iida." She called out to the sliver of a person in her eyes and saw only his thick glasses. "We should stick closer together. I don't like the way everyone is looking at us."

His sigh of defeat was only barely audible within the hubbub. "I understand. But my words cannot reach our classmates now. Especially our most competitive."

Uraraka didn't have to guess whom he referred to. Both boys had splintered off as soon as they could and were now nowhere to be found within the forest of people. And it was obvious that any sense of 'teamwork' was far from their minds right now

But overtaking the sea of voices was one booming presence that was only marginally amplified by the stadium's speakers

"Alright everybody! The marathon is about to begin!"

Uraraka found herself wedged between two oddly tense strangers, a pair of boys of which one had pitch black skin and another had beetle-like features throughout. She barely noticed their firm glances at each other as the stadium of people began to count down the seconds that remained. By the final five seconds her heart practically beat in her ears and her eyes were a tunnel made up of only the path directly in front of her

"5!"

"4!"

"3!"

"2!"

"1!"

But before she could move a muscle two pairs of arms grabbed her by the shoulders and stomach and shoved her at full force

The world tilted on its side and became only the bright blue sky above before instantly her vision was clogged by countless bodies stepping over her. She was trampled by hundreds of people yet through grit teeth and tears she withstood the storm until it finally cleared

But by the end she was still able to stand on her own, making her more fortunate than others

"Now that's quite the bang! It seems class 1-A was sabotaged from the jump!"

When the smoke finally cleared Uraraka was shocked by the sight of her classmates. A few of them were immobilized on the ground, others had vines wrapped around their legs, some had glue stuck on their clothes and most were a foot in the ground as though it were mud. The worst of the bunch was Koda, who's shoes were seemingly welded onto the floor

The only ones who were completely absent were Bakugo and Todoroki, both leaving a trail of soot and ice in their wake as well as a number of students who were sorry enough to try anything

"Is everyone okay!?" A voice range out

"Uuggh... Not really." One replied

Almost an eternity passed before the fog in her mind finally cleared. As soon as she could she scrambled to her friends' aid with her quirk, competition be damned. Both she and Asui pulled bodies from within the manufactured quicksand using hands and tongue alike (Mainly Tsu's)

One after another students were brought back on their feet and ran as soon as they could. Ochako's heart ached to join them but her conscience prevented her from abandoning them. Only when there were none left sitting still did Uraraka finally sprint along with them. Weeks of intense running let her keep pace with her moderately fast classmates but she still was not as fast as those who had quirks built for travel. Even Ashido created a slide of acid and shot to the front of the pack just behind Iida. Everyone else had to make do with their own two legs

Well, except Mineta. He was attached to Tsuyu like a backpack, who either didn't mind or didn't care enough to toss him to the side. Yet even they hopped ahead of Ochako, undeterred

The real challenge, however, was still ahead of them

"Bakugo and Todoroki are battling for first place and leaving everyone else in the dust!" Present Mic shouted once the spec of ice blue and fiery orange became less visible to the class. "And it looks like 1-B is making sure 1-A doesn't get it easy!"

"What could that mean?" Ochako thought but soon the answer hit her in her face

"Sorry!" She apologized, rubbing her nose from the unintentional collision yet she received no reply, forcing her back to the present

Ahead of them was nothing but a dense forest of military green and metal. Yet again there were several instances of vines, glue and mud throughout the vast expanse of robots but far more strategically placed than before. Several quicksand-like areas were void of robots but all of which spanned the length of the school pool to create several 'no-man's-land' of sort. Vines were interconnected between multiple robots to make an expansive web of green as thick as a spider's web and the glue kept everything tight in place

Just how 1-B managed this barricade in a few minutes was beyond Ochako. But that didn't matter anymore

Although Iida and Asui (and by proxy Mineta) were ahead of the pack they were slowed to a crawl, unable to easily jump or run past without the risk of getting caught like a bug in a fly trap. Despite their silent objections the class huddled together as they funneled through the obstacles. They took the form of a triangle with the hard hitters like Kirishima and Sato at the point, carving a way through the web of bots and tree roots using brute force. And at the back was Ochako, meekly stepping into the path her class forged

But eventually, they came to yet another standstill

"How are we gonna get past this?" The question hung in the air, freezing them in place once more

The last obstructions were the infamous 'zero-point' robots that stood multiple stories tall and were lodged in place through a mix of glue, mud, and a LOT of welding. The three towers of destructive force were like nodes of pure fear that warded off the remaining students. Throw in multiple points of muddy floor and organic barbed wire and the field was an utterly uninhabitable warzone. Nowhere within the monsters' reach was safe

And the only paths remaining were guarded by their artificial maws

"We're facing those?!" Ochako shouted wide eyed and quaking. Memories flooded her senses and seized her muscles from moving an inch. But while she froze others were just antsy

"That's easy!" The voice of Kirishima boasted. "We just charge straight through them!" He proclaimed and before anyone could object the teen already began charging forward

"Stick to the class!" Yaoyorozu implored, chasing after the teen with the entire class marching forward despite their unease

Even Ochako was swept up with the movement of the class against her will and inched closer toward the mechanical creatures that once nearly flattened her to death. Yet upon stepping up to the first of three giants she was now more inclined to run than she was to freeze. She witnessed a massive metal hand raise to the high heavens only to fall back onto the earth like a meteor. She yelped in fear, ducking in the hopes that doing so would spare her of getting crushed

But the afterlife never came. And that was because the toughest of them dared to stand tall. Kirishima, Sato, Shoji and even Tokoyami with Dark Shadow held back the hand by only a few feet, each teen buckling under the hydraulic pressure that tried to crush them with each passing second

Uraraka was dumbstruck. She didn't register Ashido's cry of joy but she did notice that eventually the hand began to shake in place only to stop at the sound of an earth shattering crash. Eventually the boys managed to shove the obstruction to one side to reveal that the robot was now several puddles of liquid. And amongst the destruction was Mina, laughing like a lunatic

"What are you guys doing under there?" She joked, still shaking out of fear, excitement, and adrenaline

"Ochako!" A voice called out, and when Uraraka turned to her side Iida was less than a foot apart from her. "Please, use your quirk on Sero!" He suddenly told her, grounding her back to reality

She did as she was told, reaching out to the boy in question and activating her quirk. He yelped in surprise and flailed for something to grab only to latch onto Iida's extended arm

"Wait what are you-"

"Our turn!" Iida declared, bursting forth with a screaming Sero in hand while Asui leaped with a frightened Mineta in tow

The second bot was just as scary as the first, swatting away the attacking students like pestering flies. But there was an undeniable confidence in the air, one that allowed Ochako to rush through as her classmates provided the necessary distraction for them all

But she made sure to witness the battle. Asui and her backpack hopped through the metal fingers leaving behind several adhesive balls. Iida ran circles around the robot as Sero clung onto him like loose toilet paper. When the next hand came he flew after it and swung Sero in a wide arch like a rope, tying the arm with the neck and tightening the hold with several more passes until the hand was entirely mummified. Once the robot tried to slap itself in an attempt to catch the boys off guard it only sealed it's own fate, now tightly stuck in place

"Hell yeah!" Denki shouted from beside Ochako and immediately turned to her. "Me next!" And as such she complied

Kaminari who, much like his classmates before him, broke formation along with Ojiro and rushed after the final bot before it could prepare anything for them

"Ojiro!"

"Right!"

In seconds the human Pokémon was effortlessly hurled after the final robot's head. A dome of bright yellow electricity shot straight for its head and soon enveloped it in hundreds of thousands of volts. With several violent pops the robot slumped to the side, deactivated in one go. And before the boy could fly off Ochako released her quirk, allowing Asui's tongue to wrap around him and carry him to safety, away from the chaos

With that the class managed to pass the robot graveyard safely and with only one more loss in the form of a now defunct Kaminari. But they pressed on. Kaminari included

Even with the toll of running for so long Ochako's face broke out in a manic smile and with a renewed energy in her muscles that was not there before. The others seemed to be in the same boat, whooping and hollering their own praises above the noise of the stadium before another announcement came through

"What a craaaazy show from 1-A! Who knows what they'll pull out next!"

It took the class twice as long to reach the next phase of the marathon but quickly they realized that this next stage would take even longer to pass through. The ground was now fractured and formed into several pillars with mortifying pitfalls between them. The only visible way through were the interconnected tightropes but after so much meddling from 1-B there were hardly any left

"This is no good." Ochako rationalized. "I could use my quirk on some of my classmates but I can't possibly use it on all of them! Not to mention I'd run the risk of tiring out so early..."

She looked at her classmates and wracked her head for a solution of any kind. She glanced at each of them and tried desperately to imagine their powers in action but nothing seemed to click in her head. Instead, someone else readied themselves

"Uraraka! Can you and Asui get across the pillars?" Momo questioned and received two frantic nods as a response. "I need both of you for this!"

Without an ounce of hesitation or shame the girl tore open her blouse. No one dared comment about it nor did they have the chance to as a metal rod protruded from her stomach and retained a thick metal cable as though it were an upscaled fishing line

"Grab this and secure it to the ground ahead." She ordered both her and Kirishima beside her, who smirked in his usual odd excitement

"I'll help!" Sero spoke up, producing a line of tape and handing it to Asui as well

No one contested the plan. Not even Ochako as she used her power yet again and felt her stomach twist just slightly. Tsuyu and co. leapt the grand distance as easily as paper in the wind and secured the cable and tape lines just as swiftly, using both raw strength to hammer in the nail and Mineta's quirk to further glue it in place. In seconds the class scrambled to use the sturdy cable. But regardless of the effectiveness the class only gradually filtered into the first pillar of many more to come

The struggle was not over. It only just began. Over and over again Ochako and her friends jumped ahead with the lifelines provided and laid the path for others to follow. Gradually the class moved from pillar to pillar in a steady train of movement. Yet their progress was far too slow. The nausea in Ochako's stomach began to build and slowly she tunned out the energetic announcements. But even with the mind-numbing strain on her body one crucial announcement cut through the mental fog

"Holy crap! Bakugo and Todoroki are the first ones to cross the finish line! Who knows who claimed first place!"

"They really abandoned us!" Her mind echoed the unspoken sentiment. Yet the grueling effort and concentration of not falling several feet was the only thing stopping her and the others from lashing out

Too much time passed before Ochako nailed in the last of the supports. She and the others at the head of the pack wasted no time in bolting as soon as they could before eventually reaching the tail end of the crowd ahead

The field leading to the finish line was chalk full of ditches and holes the size of a grave to make a narrow path straight to the end. And at the furthest reach were pillars of fire that took with them multiple students at once. Bodies were launched sky high and crashed back at dizzying speeds. Each explosion marked yet another patch of ground for the crowd to scurry through at the cost of just one more out of hundreds. They were like sheep being herded into the slaughter with each loss gaining just one more foot of ground

And at the back end was 1-A, failing to keep up

And finally, after a literal marathon of chaos did Ochako fall to her knees in despair

Those that were fastest breezed past the initial zone but struggled to make their way as the path got narrower. Of course the regular students didn't make the journey any easier either. As soon as a member of the class was within reach the regular students were desperate to hinder them any way they could. They would move to shove them or block their path and going as far as to step on a mine on purpose if it meant that anyone from 1-A would suffer. Sure enough their tactics were working. The scoreboard was already trickling into third, fourth and fifth place with no stop. In just one minute the remaining spots would fill, failing her and perhaps the rest of her class as well. In just one minute she would lose her shot at proving herself. And between here and the finish line it would take forever for her to cross

And finally, after a literal marathon of chaos did Ochako fall to her knees in despair

"What's the point?" She whispered and saw her class move on without her, desperate to shove through in hopes that they qualify. But every resounding boom marked the loss of precious seconds

Yet something inside of her stirred. With each and every explosion she saw an opportunity. There was something there that she could use. She just knew that there was hope for her yet, no matter how small, that she could win. And it started with those mines...

The teen soon wiped the tears from her eyes and rose to her feet before she could fully lose herself. Her head whipped to her surroundings and quickly spotted just the people she needed

"Kirishima! Shoji! Help me out here!" She called out

Both boys had only barely emerged from the tight rope. Try as they might they would never hope to catch up in time, which made Ochako's call all the more surprising

"Huh? What do you mean?" Kirishima called out, sprinting to her aid along with the taller boy

"We need to dig up some of these mines! Hurry!"

The two spared a glance at one another but regardless did as they were asked. Unlike Momo and Iida before her Uraraka did not have their commanding presence or a surefire plan to victory. All she had was a sliver of hope and a mountain of anxiety fueling her actions

Using Shoji's sharp ears and Kirishma's rock-like hands the two scrounged up several landmines with the same size and heft as their math textbooks

"Now what?" Shoji questioned with a detached eye glaring at the dwindling number of positions left

"I can use my quirk and shoot us like a gun!"

"Now that's a manly plan!"

"Then you should take point, since its so manly." Shoji remarked, his outstretched mouth for a limb smiling

Just like that the plan was accepted, though Ochako suspected it was because there were no other options left. Regardless, they prepared themselves. Kirishima, as expected, stood point with Shoji clutching his folded arms like a shield. And just behind him was Ochako, holding both of Shoji's additional limbs as he floated like a makeshift wagon or snowplow. With both boys floating it was easy for her to line them up as needed

"What's this? A few 1-A kids have one final ace up their sleeve!" Present Mic declared, alerting the entire field of the incoming danger

But by then it was too late

With the tap of her foot Ochako detonated the pile of landmines behind her and exploded forward with just as much speed. Her weight was plastered against the long of her classmate's back and stuck like gum as her surroundings flashed like lights. The wind ripped at her ears and brief silhouettes of people came and went yet she could hear the sounds of bodies being slammed against 'rock' only to be tossed aside

Only until she saw the shade of the stadium and heard the obnoxious buzzer did she allow her quirk to give out. The impromptu crash followed by relentless tumbling and rolling finally did her in. The moment she could she reeled to one side and vomited there and then. But she was nonetheless in one piece

It took a while for Uraraka's world to stop swirling and by then she had missed a portion of the new announcements. Luckily for her both of her temporary teammates stuck around, helping her to her senses

"Did we win?" She asked

"We were the last ones to qualify." Shoji answered

"And thanks to your awesome plan Uraraka! I don't think I'll ever fly that fast again."

"But are you okay?" She asked in return. "I felt the impacts. They must've hurt."

"Nah. Not a scratch on me!" he boasted

By the time the relief of her victory had worn off the next event came in full swing. The next portion was a makeshift battle royale that incentivized teamwork and cooperation in the form of creating 'horses' for their 'riders'. The instructions were simple but the premise was nonetheless strange

Still, it was better than the chaos from just a second ago

Upon hearing that she would have to team up Ochako looked in search for new allies but found scarce few, not including the two boys that had by now splintered off. Of the forty two students that cleared the marathon only eleven of them were 1-A students. That number fell short of the full twenty in 1-B that passed, meaning if the competition were to remain as stiff as it were then her class was going to have it worse than they did just a minute ago. Worst of all was the news that Bakugo and Todoroki had tied for first place

The penalty for this, however, was that when assigned a point value both were set at five million points each, labeling them as primary targets no matter what

And with so few classmates around...

Needless to say approaching either boy was not Ochako's first option

Instead, after wading through the flow of students she encountered just the person she wanted to see. "Iida!" She shouted his name. "We should team up!"

But the boy did not react as she had hoped

"I'm sorry Uraraka. But... I cannot accept your proposal."

"What? Why not?"

"I know that you mean well but..." He hesitated, unable to meet her probing glare. "I cannot prove myself while relying on your strength. I must display my own strength on my own terms. I'm sure you know what I mean."

As heartbreaking as the statement was, Ochako knew exactly what he meant

"You're on then!" She smirked, surprising Iida. "Just don't think I'll go easy on you cause you're my friend!"

With that Iida smiled. "Then I'll see you on the battlefield Uraraka." He said, walking away

Although the moment was heartfelt it lasted only a few seconds. And that was because, without realizing it, Ochako had lost her one viable option for a partner

But, to her surprise, someone else called out to her

"Hey! Brown hair!" The familiar voice yelled. And upon hearing it she turned to face its source, only barely realizing it was addressing her

"Me!?"

"Yeah you." Bakugo exclaimed, strolling up to the now peeved teen. "I need you're quirk."

From beside him, Kirishima appeared more offended than reason would allow

"What?! Come on man I'm right here!"

"Shut up Kirishima! You're already on my team!" Came the viscous retort, which eased the boy's temper

The train of thought was obvious. Her quirk would be vital for just about anyone in this scenario as being weightless provided an unimaginable amount of options. And the fact that Bakugo went out of his way to approach her meant that he recognized how useful she was

...However...

"I don't know. Why should I team up with you?" She countered, baffling the blonde and red haired boy before her

"What the- Because we're from the same class dumbass! There aren't many of us to begin with!"

"Well yeah but I don't have to team up with you." She repeated, setting him off

"What's your damn problem?! I have a game to win!"

At that Ochako could feel a tick at her eyebrow. The same rage that was thrown at her was gradually festering inside until it exploded almost as violently

"You haven't called me by my name ever! And I'm not some tool! Just cause you're at the top of the leaderboard doesn't mean you get to boss people around!" She retorted, reciprocating the same energy she received

For a moment Bakugo was stunned to silence, too surprised by her of all people to tell him off. But when the moment passed he huffed and furrowed his brow, looking to his surroundings

She knew exactly what he saw. The lack of options. The remainder of their class grouped up into two other teams already which left only 1-B and everyone else. And they both knew that being stubborn would only lead to them being disqualified

And for one. It would be Bakugo who bent the knee

"...What do you want then?" He spat

"Call me by my name." She answered. "And I'm not repeating it."

The blonde growled in fury, likely because he'd long forgotten her name along with those of everyone else he deemed as background characters in his story. Her smirk grew when he stared at the sky but she soon realized it wasn't because he was struggling to remember. Because when he looked her dead in the eye with pure annoyance she did not see defeat but instead frustration

"Ochako Uraraka."

"Thank you." She smiled, hiding her internal surprise. "Now ask me to join your team."

"The hell! I already-" He began but was swiftly interrupted by a finger in front of his face and the most determined glare Ochako had ever given

...

...

"... Will you please join my team?" He ground his teeth

"Say it properly."

"You're pushing your damn luck!"

"Yes. I will join your team." She smiled

"Woah. I can't believe she tamed you Bakugo." Kirishima commented

"I'll cave your fucking skull in!"

Ochako's smile only grew brighter at knowing she successfully angered the boy. But eventually her joy faltered at realizing that three alone did not make for a good team. Yet before she could wonder about their theoretical fourth member a lively voice appeared from behind her, startling her like a cat

"Mind if I join?" A girl with pink dreads and steam punk goggles asked

"Do what you want. I don't care anymore." Bakugo waved her off, walking away in his frustration. Yet the girl did not seem to mind

"Great!" She exclaimed, turning to the remaining two. "My name is Mei Hatsume from class 1-H! So glad to team up with you!

"Thanks but... um..." Ochako hesitated, not knowing the right words

"I thought all of the other courses hated us right now." Kirishima blurted out before Ochako could stop him

"Yep. They sure hate your guts." Mei returned with equal honesty. "But if I want my babies to shine then I want to be in the spotlight for everyone to see!"

"Your... babies?"

"Yep! I've been working on them for weeks!" She exclaimed, stomping her metal feet

Now that she gave a more precise look Ochako took note of her metallic shoes with an oddly specific, unreasonably bulky design coupled with her backpack that was clearly a jetpack with additional heft. It took only two seconds for Ochako to realize the potential this came with and perked up just a quickly

"We're going to kick so much butt!" She declared, fully unprompted

"Yeah!" Both Mei and Kirishima joined in

Soon the stage was set. The students grouped together and Uraraka spared a glance at every 'horse' she could. She almost immediately realized that one out every two horses were 1-B students, which was not promising in the slightest. Worse was the fact that each and every one of them stared back at her intently. Or at least at the blonde ball of fury that stored more hatred inside him than any of them combined

"Use you're quirk already." He ordered. She was no longer in the mood to be sassy, following through without question

The tension skyrocketed once more as the crowd counted down until it culminated in one big bang. Before any of them could react Bakugo had used his quirk to shoot high into the sky and fully unreachable to anyone. Yet despite being only a blip in the sky he couldn't help but taunt them all

"Just try and hit me assholes!" He cackled, garnering an uproar from not just the students but the stadium itself

"And with that someone has already exploited a loophole! Surely he wont lame us out by sitting there all day will he?"

"Hell no!"

Of course Bakugo, being who he is, did not sit idly by. In mere moments he used his quirk to rocket forth and attack another horse of students, easily snatching their headband and effortlessly flying out of reach like a swooping eagle snatching its prey. A multitude of quirks activated all at once yet none hit their mark. However he was not the only one hogging the attention. On the opposite end of the stadium a massive wall of ice sprung forth and towered over everyone, almost knocking Bakugo off course in the process

At that the students were quick to get their bearings, gunning after the flying grenade and the human snowstorm while ignoring everyone else

And of the ignored, Ochako, Mei and Kirishima were unceremoniously benched

"How could he just peel off like that! It's no fair!" Kirishima groaned, watching everyone else have fun (or what barely resembled it anyway) while they sat around, doing nothing

Again Ochako held her tongue. As much as she wanted to mouth off too the subtle strain from her quirk knocked the wind from her sails. Meanwhile the angry teen dove in and out of conflicts he started while aided by her power. And as seconds became minutes her stare only hardened more as the pit in her stomach did too

"If I could get up there too I'd-" She began but cut herself off almost immediately. "Wait... I have a crazy idea!"

"Ooo the best kind!" Mei exclaimed

Kindly the pink haired girl traded one metal boot for one Ochako's shoes. To her surprise the clunky piece of hardware not only fit her pretty well it also was not nearly as heavy as she expected, just as light yet hefty as any of her boots. Regardless, once she applied her quirk to everyone and activated the rocket boots the three of them began to soar just as she envisioned, hovering far above the ground like a human air craft carrier compared to Bakugo's single missile

"Hell yeah! What now?" The front of the 'horse' asked but Ochako was already angling them towards a target

"Brace yourself!"

Both Ochako and Mei made sure to grab onto Kirishima's folded arms like a battering ram before the three of them boosted after an unsuspecting group of students. Kirishima was practically a shield that only barely managed to harden before they shot straight through the students like a car hitting a stop sign. The enemy 'horse' disassembled like paper, sweeping that shadow-skinned boy from earlier by the feet and causing him to slam his head into the pavement, thus disqualifying the team

"Woah ho ho! Looks like team Bakugo isn't staying put!" The announcement preached with an uptick in cheers

But stopping was a bit harder than starting. The momentum was only partially cut by the impact as the team flew back into the safety of the sky, repositioning and planning their next attack. There they saw one pile of bodies in particular, standing idly by and watching the rest of the competition go by with no real worry of their own

But the excitement blinded her judgement

Ochako didn't wait for her team's approval before firing the battering ram once more and before any of them could realize her mistake the rocket soared only to stop dead in its tracks at the sound of rock bashing against metal

The two girls that manned the human rock were slammed harshly against him before a set of emerald vines grabbed hold of them by their feet and drove them into the mud that was not there a second ago. In mere moments they were knee deep in mud and unable to move any further

"Sorry, but you're not stopping us." The horse's head spoke, revealing that same kid with lilac hair and deep eyebags

The impediment managed to steal vital minutes from the team as they gradually floated out of the mud. Once Ochako and the rest made it out of the trap with the jet pack's aid she couldn't find a place to hide the embarrassment over her face, or a proper place to vomit

"Sorry. I don't know what came over me." She breathed, only now feeling the strain of her power

"As long as my babies were unharmed." Mei added, giving her 'babies' a once over

"But we might have bigger problems here."

Uraraka didn't understand what Kirishima had meant until he pointed at it. Her eyes wandered over to the more notable sight of Bakugo once more, this time struggling with one horse in particular

And without a head band

The angry teen behaved more like a raging mosquito with the way he was constantly being swatted away by an abnormally large hand. He maneuvered with unbelievable precision but was ultimately warded off at every turn. Eventually he managed to slip past the guard but was startled by one of his own explosions being launched back at him. The brief surprise was utilized to full effect as the massive hand returned and slapped him at full force, launching him at one of the walls. And despite Bakugo recovering with an explosion to counter his course an invisible force attacked him in the same spot and sent him flying all over again, likely the work of a quirk

"Crap!" Kirishima spoke for the group as they flew over to him

Luckily the teen was only dazed and was still floating by the time the team got to him. Yet in spite of everything that happened he was just a second away from rushing back into the fray when Ochako snatched him by the wrist

"What the hell is your problem!" He snapped back

But Ochako had lost all of her patience. Between the poison she felt bubbling in her stomach, the lingering exhaustion of the marathon and the craze of the sheer chaos around them she no longer found it inside her to be nice

"Where's your head band?!" She yelled, catching everyone off guard

"That damn quirk stealer has it!"

"We'll have to get it back together! You're not gonna get anything done on you're own!"

"I'm better off without dead weight!"

"Then was it 'dead weight' that lost it in the first place?!" She screamed, effectively shutting him down

Internally the girl was shocked by her own words. She couldn't remember having ever been so aggressive to anyone. The way Bakugo was forced to bite his own tongue at the end did not bring her any sort of satisfaction but it did prove her point more than anything she could've said

"Fine!" He relented, returning to his position on the chariot. "Got any bright ideas?"

"Just the same one." She smirked, jumping and easily lifting the four of them up like balloons

No one questioned Ochako's questionable initiative, especially not their proper 'leader.' With no say in the matter he held tight as the group floated well above the air only to start flying straight after another horse

"Wait we're attacking Hitoshi's horse again?" Kirishima tried to protest but it was far too late to object. Gradually the human-made aircraft picked up speed until they crashed into the exact same horse as before, only this time both teams braced for the harsh impact

"I thought I told you you can't-" Hitoshi began but was cut short by a hand sitting in front of his face

The teen was blasted by a point-blank explosion and nearly thrown off his own chariot were it not for the hands that firmly gripped onto him

Bakugo wasted no time in snatching all four headbands by the bulk in one hand and blasting the horse's metal head with enough force to stagger the entire group and send their own speeding into the far distance once more. Although the interaction took less than ten seconds the volatility of the explosion took the team a full minute of wild spinning to recover from. Like an asteroid in space they were twisting and twirling and fighting with the air to get their bearings, evening out with the efforts of Mei's inventions and Bakugo's counter-steering explosions. By the end only Mei was left laughing in her excitement while everyone else was ready to puke

Especially Ochako

Before disaster struck she had enough sense to let them down gently, allowing Bakugo's explosions to land them feet first into the ground before her powers gave out. But once it did Ochako could no longer fight the demon that pried at her stomach. She painfully reeled to the sidelines and hurled her insides to the floor. And while her puke was rainbow colored it landed on the floor just as any other. Smell included

"All that for chump change?" Bakugo complained, waiving the single hand band around like trash caught in the wind

Which it was, frankly. Well over ten minutes had passed and yet they currently only had one head band worth next to nothing. How or why Hitoshi's team only had their starting headband after so long despite their line up was a question they could not waste time on. Because now, with barely any time left, they needed to go big or go home

"We have... *gulp* to get our points back." Ochako heaved, slowly righting herself

"Look at you! You can't even stand properly!" Bakugo mocked

"I can... And I will!" She bit back, staring the boy in the eyes just to further her point

"Then we should hurry." Kirishima added. "Looks like Todoroki is having trouble with 1-B too!"

At that the group rushed over with no additional hiccups. Now that time was running out the individual horses only sought to fight the people they stood a chance against. Within that chaos Ochako spotted the only other 1-A team beside their own and Shoto, consisting of seemingly just Shoji and a cocoon of whoever may be inside

But Uraraka could not allow herself to get distracted. She and her team rushed to what remained of the glacier of ice, now an oversized ice cube, and finally encountered their most obnoxious opponent yet

Monoma faced Shoto's team with a confidence that should not be there. Yet there he was, squaring up to 1-A's other strongest student with an uncanny ease and six head bands flipped backwards to hide their numbers

But it wasn't hard to see why. When Todoroki waved his hand and summoned a pointed wall of ice at the blonde he countered by spitting fire from his left arm and melting it down to harmless water

"You can't possibly be the best of us can you?" He taunted loudly and for everyone to hear. "Countered by your own stupid flames! Is that all you have to offer?"

Those cutting words were enough to provoke not just Todoroki but the rest of his team. With a burst of speed by Iida they rushed forward with the intent to ram straight into the horse but was held in place by yet another massive hand

Now that he was in range Todoroki did not hesitate to reach for the multitude of head bands, his included most likely. The boy shot his right hand forward but it was grabbed by Monoma's left hand, still steaming with hot flames that effortlessly held back Shoto's icy hand. In turn Shoto tried again with his spare hand but that too was held back

But unlike his dominant hand his right one was suddenly encased in ice. Yet even still he refused to melt it with his own fire, choosing to wrestle with his opponent with a wrath in his expression that was completely unlike him

"You don't know what you're doing with that!" Todoroki yelled, almost as a warning than a real taunt

"And neither do you!" The blonde shot back, matching his ferocity with a mocking smile

"Then I'll show you!" Another voice cut in

It was finally that Ochako and the others were within range to do something about the battle, with Bakugo having already moved in for the offensive. With an earth shattering blast he attacked the two with enough force to push both teams back and send him flying back into the air and safely into the arms of his squad

"Rush them!" He commanded, and reluctantly they agreed

Kirishima's legs barely kept pace with the acceleration of Hatsume's equipment. Yet when a stream of green scales flew after him he did not dare stop, deflecting and shielding their leader from harm

Although the horse comprised of 1-B students stood tall they were unable to move in place. Try as they might they were permanently hooked by a line of Sero's tape and were forced to face the brunt of both teams head on. And although the large hand kept them from toppling over the weight of several bodies alone caused them to stumble

But Monoma was not helpless. With an enlarged hand he swiped at the two boys to create distance before his hand shrunk and his other then blasted a stream of ice that was countered by not just one of Bakugo's explosions but by a massive tongue of flame as well

At that the two simultaneously lunged after their common enemy with only seconds on the timer. Both of their hands grabbed at the cluster of head bands and made out with large chunks of the loot before the horns blared once more. The two stumbled onto the floor with their precious rewards as Present Mic began rattling off his energetic announcements once more

But something was wrong

Monoma's smile did not waiver despite all but two of his head bands remaining. Yet he patiently waited for the two boys to unravel the cloth in their hands and freeze in shock. When they looked up everyone in the stadium witnessed as the annoying blonde flipped his remaining two head bands for the final tally of points

The collective gasps of the entire stadium were followed by an eerie silence as the second, third and fourth places were determined in seconds

1st [10,000,000]: Team Monoma

2nd [2,875]: Team Hitoshi

3rd [375]: Team Bakugo

4th [180]: Team Todoroki

Ochako couldn't help but shoot a glance at every other team present. She counted six of the twelve head bands between 1st, 3rd, and 4th but now saw that the remaining six were secure on Hitoshi's brow. Yet their team looked almost completely unscathed as though they had always started with those head bands

Ochako's bewilderment was accentuated by Bakugo's huff of and and Todoroki's silent rage. Despite both teams coming together the message was clear

They did not win out of merit. They had won by default. The monopoly of 1-B students had won and taken with it the remainder of the 1-A students save for just eight of them out of twenty

And everyone knew it