Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Author's Note: (14,734 words, this will kind of give you a background on you. (There's lots more of your past to come into light later on). You will have a pretty sad past, so LOTS of trigger warnings (mostly beatings), just in case).

Bold = Time-skips, P.O.V.s, stuff like that. Examples: (All Might's P.O.V.):, Time-skip: (We're on the train):, Small Recap:, The Present (Now):

Italics = A character's thoughts. Or if it is in a sentence, it's a word that carries meaning to it, emphasizing a point. Examples: "Why does it have to be this way?", "I wish I could've changed the outcome.", "I want this.", "I can't lose."

Italics + Underlined = Texting or calling. Example: Katsuki: Clean up your mess, now.

Bold + Italics = A flashback of some sort. Example: I (John) lifted the perfume bottle to his nose, smelling the flowery, sweet scent. I smile softly at the remembrance of the scent.

Flashback:

My wife sat at her vanity, brushing her hair. A flowery, sweet scent engulfed the room.

"What's that smell?" I asked.

Wife: "Oh! I just got this new scent today. Does it smell nice, John?"

"Yeah, it does." I smiled at her happy figure.

The Present (Now):

"I miss you..." I said softly as I put the perfume down, looking outside my window. The sunset peering in.

Underlined = An Author's Note, but I'll be sure to tell you anyway.

Bold + Underlined = Present Mic telling you about a character's quirk. Example: Present Mic: "Y/n L/n! Her quirk: Limitless! She's able to use multiple techniques and her clan eyes also give her a big advantage in combat!"

Author's Note: This guide will help you throughout the story.

When You Were Born: (2nd/3rd person P.O.V. {Point of View}):

"Hopefully, she'll have a powerful quirk." F/n (Father's name) said sharply, his eyes narrowing as he glanced at the newborn in M/n's (Mother's name) arms.

Your mother held you gently, her hands trembling slightly as if the child might break under the weight of the world already placed on her. "Is that all you care about, F/n?" She asked softly, her voice laced with disappointment.

"This is why we got arranged to marry each other, right?" He replied coldly, his tone devoid of affection.

"Well, yes, but-" M/n began, her voice hesitant.

"No buts," he snapped, cutting her off. "If she doesn't have a powerful quirk, we're sending her away, you got that?" His words were harsh, anger radiating from every syllable.

M/n's lips pressed into a thin line as she turned her attention back to you, refusing to meet his gaze. F/n scoffed at her silence, dismissing her as easily as one would swat an annoying fly. It was painfully clear to both of them-, and even to the baby girl, perhaps, in some unspoken way-, that this was a loveless marriage, bound not by affection but by obligation (arranged marriage). Neither held any love for the other, and it was unlikely they ever would.

M/n cradled you close, her touch tender as she gazed at your tiny face. A soft smile spread across her lips as she whispered, "You just look so adorable; I wonder what I'm going to name you..." Her voice was warm, filled with a motherly affection that seemed to shield you from the coldness in the room.

She began to gently rock you, her movements soothing, until your little eyes fluttered open, and you let out a soft babble.

Author's Note: (Obviously, you don't have to look like this, you decide what you look like. But I wanted to give you an idea on what your eyes look like).

M/n gasped, her heart skipping a beat. "Your eyes are so beautiful..." She said breathlessly, her voice full of wonder as though she'd discovered a rare gem.

F/n scoffed from the other side of the room, dismissing her awe. "Her eyes should be no different from ours-" he started, but his words faltered as his gaze landed on your face. His expression froze, stunned into silence.

"Don't they just look like the sky...?" M/n continued, her eyes not leaving yours. "Her eyes look like they have clouds in them... So pretty..." Her soft smile grew as she traced the edge of your tiny hand, ignoring the tension F/n carried like a storm cloud looming over the tender moment.

F/n stood frozen, his mouth hanging open as if the air had been knocked out of him. "M/n, this is... There's no way..." he muttered, his voice trembling in disbelief.

M/n glanced up at him, cradling you protectively in her arms, her brows furrowing in concern. "There's no way, what?" she asked, her tone sharp with unease.

"The eyes..." F/n whispered, still staring at you as though seeing a ghost.

M/n's annoyance grew, her patience thinning. "What are you talking about, F/n?" She demanded, her tone laced with irritation.

F/n snapped out of his stupor, his disbelief shifting into a wild, almost unhinged laughter. "The eyes! Don't you know about the family you married into?!" He exclaimed; his voice filled with something dark and eager.

M/n paused, her thoughts racing as she searched for an answer. Then, realization hit her like a thunderbolt. Her eyes widened in shock. "You can't mean-"

"-Yes! YES! The eyes, M/n!" F/n interrupted, his voice triumphant, his laughter tinged with malevolence. "She'll be the hero we and our families never were!" He declared, his gaze fixated on you with a mix of pride and greed.

M/n's grip on you tightened instinctively, her voice rising in protest. "But it's been over five thousand years since someone has had the eyes! Hasn't it been way too long for your clan's eyes to come back?!" She argued, desperation seeping into her words. She didn't want to believe it; didn't want to acknowledge what this revelation could mean for you.

Author's Note: (Pretend that quirks have been around that long, just for the dramatic effect).

F/n's face lit up with an almost manic determination. "I thought that too, but this child is living proof that my family name will be reborn into something great! Don't you understand!?" He shouted, his voice echoing through the room. "This must mean she has a powerful quirk! I have to start training her!"

M/n glared at him, holding you protectively against her chest. "You idiot! She's just a baby! You can't train her now!" She snapped back, her voice trembling with anger and disbelief. "You'd have to wait until she's at least four, F/n! That's when most kids get their quirks!"

F/n scoffed, his anger bubbling to the surface. "Fine!" He barked, his tone sharp and biting. "But when she's four... You're not stopping me, you got that?!" His eyes burned with ambition as he stared at you, already envisioning the future he was determined to create.

Three Years Later: (1st person: {Your P.O.V. [Point of View]}):

Father towered over me; his expression twisted with disappointment and anger. "NO, NO, NO! YOUR SUPPOSED TO PUNCH LIKE THIS-" He bellowed before driving a powerful punch into my stomach, sending me crashing to the floor. Pain surged through my body as I gasped for air, clutching my stomach in agony. "NOT LIKE HOW YOU DID IT!" He yelled, demonstrating the punch I had attempted. His voice echoed off the walls of the training room. Father was teaching me multiple types of martial arts, but I guess I didn't punch how he expected me to.

I coughed and hacked, struggling to draw breath as tears stung my eyes. The room spun for a moment, and the ache in my chest felt unbearable.

"Get up." He demanded, his voice void of any sympathy. His cold gaze pierced through me like ice. "You're not done."

I trembled, swallowing my pain and pushing aside the fear, barely three years old, as I raised my tiny fists, legs wobbling beneath me as I stood back up; knowing there was no room for weakness in his eyes.

Flashback:

Mama once told me that I had manifested my quirk as a baby, long before I could even walk and talk. My toys would float lazily through the air, and my sippy cup would slide across the table into my tiny hands. At first, Mama thought it was just a coincidence, but the occurrences became too precise to ignore.

By the age of three, I could use my quirk consciously, effortlessly moving objects with a focused gaze, pulling them to me like a magnet.

Father had been elated, his eyes gleamed with pride and twisted ambition. "You're even more special than I thought," he had exclaimed, gripping my small shoulder a bit too tightly. "You're already ahead of the other kids. This will make you stronger-, make you the best."

His words weren't exactly encouragement; they were expectations, heavy chains disguised as praise. Even then, as a little girl, I had sensed that my gift would never be my own.

The Present (Now):

"Focus! Keep your guard up!" He snapped. His stance was rigid, and his voice was sharp as he barked commands.

I stepped forward, mimicking the movement he had drilled into me, but before I could even react, his fist came down too fast and too hard, again.

The blow struck my chest with brutal force, sending me sprawling onto the floor once more. Pain shot through me as I gasped for air, clutching my rib area.

But Father's voice cut through the shock, "C'mon, get up!" His tone laced with disgust. "You'll never learn if you stay on the ground like a coward!" He waited for a moment and tsked, grabbing me by my hair.

Father's voice boomed, shaking the room. "I SAID, GET UP, Y/N!" He shouted, his hand reaching for you as you desperately tried to crawl away.

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" I cried, hiccupping through sobs, my small frame trembling with fear.

Without mercy, he grabbed me by the hair and yanked me off the ground, only to throw me back down with brutal force. I hit the floor with a thud, pain radiating through my body as I curled into myself.

He scoffed, standing over me with disdain. "You can't be the number one hero if you can't handle a little bit of training." He paused for a moment, continuing, "If you can't even handle this, you'll never be strong enough to carry this family's name." He spat, his tone icy and void of compassion.

Just then, Mama burst into the room, rushing to my side. She knelt next to me, her hands shaking as she touched my bruised face and stomach. "F/n, please, stop it! She's only three, she just found out how to use her quirk!" She pleaded, her voice thick with desperation.

Father turned on her, his face twisting in rage. "I'm training her now so that she'll be better than All Might himself! She'll be this clan's most prized possession! I won't let this opportunity slip through my hands!" His words were venomous, laced with ambition and contempt.

He glared down at her, his voice rising in fury. "And if I start now, she won't grow up lazy and useless like you! Now, get out of my sight, you pest!"

Before she could react, his foot connected with her stomach in a brutal kick. She cried out in pain, falling to the floor next to you as hopeless tears streamed down her face.

"Mama?" I whimpered, my voice trembling as tears flowed down my cheeks.

And again, before she could respond, Father's geta sandal collided with my small face, striking my nose with a sickening force. Pain exploded, and I screamed, clutching my nose as warm blood gushed between my tiny fingers, dripping onto the training room floor.

Mama gasped, her voice breaking. "Y/n!" She quickly crawled over to me, gathering me into her lap with trembling hands. His arms encircled me protectively, her tears mixing with my own.

Father scowled down at us, his expression unreadable. "Clean her and this mess up and bring her back to train after." He commanded coldly, showing no remorse. With that, he turned on his heel, sliding the shoji (Japanese sliding door) shut with a resounding slam, leaving us alone in the suffocating silence.

Mama sniffled, brushing her fingers against my hair as she rocked me gently. "I'm so sorry, Y/n..." She whispered, her voice heavy with guilt.

She stood and helped me to my feet, her hands steady even as her tears fell. "How about we go outside today, hm?" She asked softly, her voice trying to carry some lightness.

As she cleaned the training room and used her reverse quirk to heal my nose, I simply nodded, my face expressionless. No smile, no warmth-, just a cold, distant look. The fire of a once-happy child flickered weakly, barely alive-, if I was ever happy. If I was once happy, I certainly didn't remember it.

Mama's bottom lip quivered as she forced a smile. "Alright, I'll pick you out a kimono, o-okay?"

I nodded silently, watching as she went to the wardrobe and selected a light blue kimono with a dark blue pattern on it. Once I slipped it on, she adjusted it gently before deciding to bring her red umbrella since it was snowing outside.

Time-skip:

The cold air bit at my cheeks as Mama and I strolled down the quiet street. Snow crunched softly beneath our feet while the red umbrella shielded us from the delicate flakes falling from the sky. We weren't doing much-, just walking and taking in the sights. I knew Mama probably just wanted me out of the house for a while, and I didn't mind.

We wandered aimlessly, the silence between us filled only by the occasional sound of passing footsteps or the wind. But then, I froze mid-step, a strange sensation washing over me.

Someone was there.

So, I turned around sharply.

(Midoriya's P.O.V.):

Mom and I were heading to the store, the list of groceries tucked into her purse. The air was cold, and my breath fogged up in front of me as we walked. I noticed two people further up the street, a woman with a red umbrella and a girl about my age walking beside her.

At first, I didn't think much of it. People walked these streets all the time, especially in the snow when everything seemed so peaceful. But as we got closer, the girl suddenly stopped, her movements deliberate. She turned her head sharply and locked eyes with me.

Author's Note: (You decide what your hair looks like).

I felt a jolt run through me, like a spark of electricity. Her gaze was cold, distant, and intense-, so unlike the usual friendly or curious looks I was used to. It wasn't threatening, but it wasn't exactly inviting either.

Mom nudged me lightly, "Izuku, keep up," she said as I realized I'd stopped walking.

"Oh, right, sorry!" I mumbled, glancing back toward the girl. She was still staring, and I couldn't figure out why.

I kept locking eyes with her, mesmerized by the way her gaze seemed to pierce through me. Then it hit me, and my face grew warm as the thought crossed my mind. "Woah, she's so pretty... Especially her eyes..."

The girl and the woman next to her-, probably her mom-, looked so formal and elegant. Their matching traditional attire made them stand out, as if they had stepped out of a storybook. I'd never seen anyone look so angelic, like they didn't belong in the same ordinary (besides the quirks) world I lived in.

The girl stared at me a little longer, her expression unreadable, before turning her head and walking away with her mom. I found myself still watching them as they moved further down the street, their presence lingering in my mind even after they disappeared around a corner.

I tugged on Mom's sleeve, finally snapping out of my daze.

"Mom?" I whispered softly.

She crouched down to my level with a small laugh, "Yes, Izuku? What is it? And why are you whispering?"

I blush, embarrassed, because I didn't know why I whispered either. "Who is that girl?"

Mom tilted her head thoughtfully. "Oh, um, I'm not really sure, Sweetie... But I think she lives in the traditional Japanese mansion nearby..."

"Woah, really?!" I exclaimed with stars in my eyes.

There are certain places in every neighborhood that capture the imagination of children and adults alike, and on our street, that place was undoubtedly the traditional Japanese house. It wasn't just the size that made it captivating; it was the elegance it exuded. Nestled amidst a vibrant yard filled with blooming flowers and meticulously trimmed hedges, the house was a sight to behold.

The house really was everything one could dream of-, timeless elegance wrapped in the spirit of tradition. Even in comparison, Kacchan's home felt almost mundane (he had a nice house too). As I would walk with my friends, even Kacchan, would pause to gawk at its beauty, his friends sharing hushed whispers of admiration.

"Did you see that house?" Kacchan once said, his tone a mix of awe and envy.

It was almost a rite of passage for us to admire it on our way to the park or the lake, our imaginations painting pictures of the adventures that could unfold within its walls. I had even often found myself daydreaming about what it would be like to live there-, sunny afternoons in the backyard, cookouts, and evening chats under the stairs, once.

"Yeah... Why'd you ask though?" Mom queried, her eyes glinting with curiosity as she studied my expression and snapped me out my thoughts.

"Um... Just because I thought she was pretty..." I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper.

Her reaction was instantaneous. "Oooo~ Do you have your first crush, Izuku~?" She teased, her playful tone evident.

My face flushed with embarrassment, a rush of warmth spreading across my cheeks. "NO! I PROMISE IT'S NOT LIKE THAT, MOM!" I protested, the words tumbling out in a flurry.

Mom chuckled, the sound light and melodic, and I could tell she enjoyed this little exchange. "Alright, alright. I was just teasing~ Anyways, let's go get the groceries we need, okay?" She flashed me a warm smile, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of relief wash over me.

"Okay, Mom." I chirped, my mood lightening as we went inside the store, jumping as Mom held my hand.

Time-skip: (Your P.O.V.):

As the sun dripped low in the sky, casting golden rays over the world, I walked alongside Mama towards the garden that thrived behind our home. The air was rich with the scent of blooming flowers, even in the winter, a tapestry of colors swaying gently in the cold breeze. It was her sanctuary, a place of solace that flourished under her care, yet it was also a battleground against father's steadfast rules.

Author's Note: (You're probably like: "How the freak is she keeping the garden all beautiful and nice, isn't it snowing outside?" Well, yeah, but it'll be explained later on in the fanfic).

"Father is furious that you keep caring for your garden despite him telling you not to." I said, my voice flat, betraying a mix of concern and frustration. I couldn't help but feel torn. On one hand, the beauty of the garden was undeniable; on the other, I feared the consequences of her defiance.

She replied, "I know. But Y/n, isn't it just sooo~ beautiful?" Her eyes sparkled with a fervor that only passion could ignite. She brushed her fingers over a delicate petal, almost reverently.

"It is but... I just don't want it to end up being your demise." I muttered quietly, casting my gaze downward, feeling the weight of worry settle heavily on my shoulders. It seemed every time we ventured to the garden; I could hear Father's angry voice echoing in my mind, warning against the dangers of indulgence and rebellion.

Mama sighed, a sound filled with both resignation and resolve. "C'mere, Y/n. I want to show you something, I promise it'll be worth it." Her smile was a soft beacon, drawing me in. I felt her hand wrap gently around mine, and in that moment, I allowed myself to follow her.

We walked to the small pond nestled among the vibrant blooms; a secret treasure tucked away in our backyard. The water was still, a mirror reflecting the sky above, but the true magic lay beneath the surface. As we approached, the koi fish emerged, gliding gracefully through the water, their colors vibrant against the cool blue.

Her voice tinged with awe, capturing the moment in a way that felt almost sacred. "Look at them, they're like little jewels, dancing in the water. Do you see how free they are?"

Free-, something we weren't.

Free-, what does it even mean? It's a word that rolls off the tongue with such ease yet carries an immense weight when confronted with the complexities of life. For some, freedom is simply a casual term, synonymous with the joys found in the lives of others, a fleeting concept that exists only in a world far removed from our own struggles. It's a word you hear in songs, read in books, and see in the eyes of those who have the luxury of choice-, choices we sometimes feel are reserved for others.

But free-, what does it truly encompass? Perhaps it's the moment when we face the worst life can throw at us and realize how precious that word becomes. It is in these moments of despair that we come to question everything: our paths, our choices, and even our faith in a higher power. It's a word that can evoke feelings of anger, confusion, and longing. "Free," we whisper to ourselves, as we grapple with the reality that we are, in many ways, still tethered by the chains of circumstance.

Free-, something we weren't, but needed to be.

I glanced back at Mama; the woman who had so effortlessly found wonder in a world that often felt dark and suffocating. She knelt down on the snow-covered grass, a gentle smile dancing on her lips as she plucked a couple of delicate light pink flowers from their stems. With a handful of them, she approached the pond, an offering to the world she so deeply admired.

As she released the flowers into the water, I watched them float gracefully, their soft petals twirling in tandem with the playful movements of the fish. It was a beautiful sight-, a ballet of nature, a symphony of colors and life.

Mama looks at me, "Now, doesn't it look like the fish are dancing with the flowers?" She asked, her eyes sparkling with a joy that seemed to emanate from the very earth beneath us.

Author's Note: (Pretend that it's daytime).

In that moment, surrounded by the simple beauty of the pond, I began to understand that perhaps freedom isn't merely a word; it's a state of being. It's found in the small acts of joy, in the appreciation of life's wonders, and in the connections we forge with the world around us. While we may not feel free in the traditional sense, we can still find pockets of liberation in our hearts, in laughter, and in the love we share. Maybe freedom isn't something we need to chase; rather, it is something we can cultivate within ourselves, even amidst the chains that bind us.

"Yeah, it does, Mama..." I finally give an answer, gazing at the scene in awe, a soft smile creeping across my face. I marveled at the tiny pink, enchanted by the simple beauty of nature.

For a moment, Mama's gaze drifted away, her heart full as she cherished this shared experience. She plucked another flower from the ground, turning to me with a new treasure in hand. "This is a blue Emperor Dahlia." She announced, her voice imbued with pride.

"It's pretty..." I replied softly, captivated by the flower's stunning shade of blue, as deep and vibrant as a clear summer sky.

Mama's eyes sparkled as she continued, "I know, right? You know... This flower, reminds me of you." Her words floated gently in the air; each syllable carefully chosen.

"Huh?" I hummed, tilting my head in curiosity, my innocent eyes reflecting the world around me.

Mama's voice was honey-warm-, with a sweetness that resonated in my heart-, her words wrapping around me like sunlight through lace. "It reminds me of you-, sharp and strong at the edges, yet beautiful all the same, with a touch as soft as its petals. And the color... it's the same as your eyes. They'll always be beautiful, my darling, just like this flower."

The world seemed to still as I absorbed Mama's words, the air turning gentle and weightless as her voice lingered in the space between us. Then, with a quiet reverence, she went on. "Do you know what makes it even more special? This is the rarest flower in the world. Hardly anyone ever sees one. Even when cut from its stem, it does not wither... and when night falls, it glows. I was lucky enough to find the seeds-, it cost me a fortune. But things this rare are worth it. People like you are worth it." She concluded, her smile radiating love.

Author's Note: (By the way, with the blue Emperor Dahlia being the rarest flower in the world and all that other stuff... I just made that up for this story, so I don't actually know if anything I wrote is true or not... I just wanted to clarify that because I didn't want people coming at me saying that those weren't actual facts😭).

"How am I rare and hard to find, Mama?" I questioned, confused. My innocent curiosity painted my expression.

Mama chuckled softly, "Because there's no one in this world who is as beautiful, smart, and caring as you, Y/n." Her tone was filled with a tenderness that wrapped around me like a comforting blanket. "And there's no one in this world who I will ever love more than you, my beautiful daughter."

In that moment, my heart swelled with affection, my eyes sparkling with admiration for Mama. "The blue Emperor Dahlia is my favorite flower now, Mama. A-And it always will be."

Mama laughed softly, a sweet sound that blended with the rustle of leftover leaves overhead. "That's so sweet of you, Y/n."

I beamed with joy, reveling in the simple pleasure of a day spent with Mama in our garden. The vibrant colors of the flowers surrounded us, a stark contrast to the dark cloud that loomed over our family. Yet, this happiness was abruptly shattered when I saw Father walking towards us, his face twisted in anger.

I suddenly remembered the unspoken rules of our household: Mama was not supposed to take me anywhere fun. She was meant to clean and prepare me for my training. The thought sent a wave of dread through me, and my heart sank.

"What is this!?" Father raged, his voice cutting through the serenity of the garden. His gaze was fixed on Mama; a look of fury etched into his features.

"F/n, please, just go away! Y/n doesn't need this right now!" She exclaimed, her voice trembling as she tried to shield me from the storm brewing around us. I could see the fear in her eyes, a fear that was all too familiar-, it happened every day.

Father scoffs, "Y/N DOESN'T NEED THIS!?! WHAT Y/N NEEDS IS TRAINING! BUT NO! YOU HAVE HER STUCK IN YOUR STUPID GARDEN! I TOLD YOU TO STOP THIS NONSENSE!" His voice was thunderclap, each word laced with venom. I could feel the tremors of his rage reverberate through the ground beneath me.

Mama's plea was desperate. "Y/N NEEDS TO BE ABLE TO ACT LIKE HER AGE, SOMETIMES! I DON'T WANT HER TO WORRY ABOUT ME OR CRY BECAUSE OF YOU! I JUST WANT HER TO BE A KID! NOT A POWER-HUNGRY HERO!" Her words echoed with a blend of defiance and sorrow, but they fell on deaf ears while hiding me behind her as we're sitting down.

The situation escalated quickly. In a fit of fury, Father stormed over to Mama, slapping her across the face with a force that sent chills down my spine. I gasped, paralyzed by fear. "A KID?!? Y/N NEEDS TO BE THE BEST OF THE BEST! AND YET, YOU'RE OVER HERE TALKING TO HER ABOUT USELESS FLOWERS!?!"

My heart raced, a panicked rhythm that matched what was unfolding before me. Mama was crying now, her voice quivering as she attempted to reason with him. "Please! She's just a little girl, you can't keep-"

But Father's rage drowned out her words. He knelt down; his grip cruel as he submerged Mama's head into the pond so roughly as if he were trying to snap her neck at that moment. Time felt suspended, and in those agonizing moments, I felt as though the world had shifted on its axis. I was helpless, a bystander in my own life.

"Father stop! You'll drown Mama! Stop it!" I sobbed, desperation clawing at my throat as I tried to pull him away. But my cries were swallowed by his fury.

"YOUR MOTHER NEEDS TO LEARN HER LESSON! STAY OUT OF MY WAY!" He bellowed, the venom in his voice leaving me reeling. In one swift motion, he pushed me aside, and I crumpled to the ground, the softness of the snow on the grass a cruel reminder of the safety I had just lost. But I had to do something. I had to help my Mama with all the fight-, all the strength I have.

Fear twisted my small face, but I screamed with quick recovery time and without hesitation, charged at the man who was supposed to be a dad, my dad.

I grabbed Father around his neck from behind, trying to pull him off with a cry. Father used his other hand to grab me by the roots of my hair and pulled me off, slamming me into the muddy ground harshly.

Water splashed everywhere, Mama trying to fight the overbearing strength of my Father. I let out breaths of relief every time I got slammed into the ground when I saw it, not because I was happy-, no, but because it meant that she was still alive. I still had time.

When grabbing around his neck didn't work, I ran to pound my fists against his legs and the spine of his back with all of the strength my tiny body could muster at that moment.

"Let her go!" I shouted, my voice trembling with a mixture of rage and terror.

My father barely flinched at my blows, but my desperate cries were enough to make him pause. Seeing this, I grabbed a jagged stick from the ground near me, striking his arm brutally.

My heart was pounding as I tried to protect the woman who had always protected me, my mama.

For a moment, my father lets up and Mama's face emerged from the water, gasping for air. She throws up and coughs, wheezing.

Father then turned to me, his eyes burning with a hatred so fierce it made me stumble backward. I've never seen him look at me like that before-, as if I was nothing but a nuisance, something to crush beneath his heel even more than I already was.

Without a word, he lunged, his rough hands grabbing my tiny arm with a grip that made me cry out in pain. The stick I held fell uselessly to the ground as he dragged me away from the pond, my feet scraping against the sharp rocks and roots beneath them.

My mama's gasping breaths faded into the distance, replaced by the pounding of my heart and the cold, terrifying silence of my father. Tears streamed down my face, but I didn't dare beg or plead; his iron grip and the venom in his glare told me that mercy was something he didn't have.

After a while of the brutal dragging and silence, I finally had the courage to ask. "Father, where are you taking me?"

"Don't speak." He threatened and my mouth immediately shut.

My father stormed into the shed we had, and knowing what was going to happen, I kicked and screamed, my other tiny hand clawing at my father's arms to break free. He threw me onto the floor of the shed like a ragdoll, my body hitting the hard, cold, wooden floor with a sickening thud.

Before I could crawl away, he grabbed me by my ankle and pulled me towards him. He kicked me with the wood of his geta sandal, the sharp edges digging into my ribs and knocking the breath right out of my lungs.

My cries of fear and pain filled the shed as his fists came down-, one striking my face, another slamming into my ribs, and yet another twisting of my small arm until the sharp, sickening snap of bone filled the room.

I scream as I tried to curl into myself, trying to protect myself as his heavy hands grabbed me by the shoulders and shook me, slamming me against the wooden wall. Blood trickled from a cut above my eye, staining my dirt-streaked face, but he didn't stop until my sobs became weak gasps.

Finally, he dropped me to the floor, my small body broken and trembling, and stormed out (probably to go look for Mama), slamming the door behind him with the noise of a key and lock.

As he had shut the door, the faint silver of light vanished, plunging the shed into an all-consuming darkness. The air felt heavy, maybe because I was a little girl, but it felt like every breath I took pressed in on my battered body as I lay crumpled on the dirty floor.

I blinked, but it made no difference; it was black, so pitch-dark that I couldn't see my own trembling hands in front of me. I was surprised a broken arm could even tremble like this.

The silence in here was deafening, broken only by my ragged, uneven breaths. Tears streamed down my face, but no one was here or near to wipe them away or to hear my choked sobs. The cold seeps into my skin, which intensifies the ache of my broken arm and bruised ribs.

I tried to call out, but my voice cracked painfully and was swallowed by the emptiness of the shed. I was alone in here and fear crept in (more than it already did), wrapping around me like the darkness itself, like it was whispering that no one was going to come to save me from this hell.

The pain I still felt pulsed through my body in waves, each throb more unbearable than the last. My broken arm laid limp at my side, sending sharp stabs of agony with every shallow breath I took.

I tried to shift, to find some position that didn't hurt, but every movement made me whimper, my strength fading fast. The air in the shed was suffocating, thick with the metallic tang of blood and the damp scent of dirt.

My head grew heavy, my thoughts slipping away into a haze of exhaustion and pain. The darkness around me seemed to press closer, swallowing my gasping breaths until my eyelids fluttered shut.

My body went still, and my mind retreated into the only escape it could find. In the suffocating quiet of the shed, I finally passed out.

Time-skip: (A Couple Hours Later):

The jingling of the lock snapped me awake; my heart raced as fear gripped my chest once more. In the suffocating darkness, I froze, my mind screaming that it was my father, coming back to finish what he had started.

I pressed my trembling body against the cold wall, biting back a cry as the door creaked open. "No...please..." I whimpered, my voice was weak and broken.

But then, through the faint moonlight spilling into the shed, I saw my mama's silhouette. "Mama..." I croaked, tears spilling down my dirt-streaked cheeks.

Mama gasped, her hand flying to her mouth as she took in the sight of me; bruised, broken, and bloodied. She cried, "Oh, my baby... My sweet baby." She rushed to me, her hands trembling as she reached out.

"Mama, it hurts," I sobbed, my tiny frame shaking.

Mama sobbed, scooping me up as gently as she could. "I'm so sorry!"

"I don't like it here-, I don't want to live with him anymore, Mama, let's run away..." I croaked, my voice thick with the weight of unshed tears. In my heart, it was a desperate plea for freedom (ironically), safety, and a simple joy of wanting to be a child for once.

Mama cries hysterically, gently petting the back of my head. "I would love to run away with you, but you know we can't do that. We wouldn't have anywhere to go, and he'd find us easily." She sniffles, wrapping her arms around me, offering comfort as my sobs echoed throughout the shed.

After a time, Mama's gentle voice breaks the newfound silence. "Let's get out of here, okay?" She suggests softly.

I nod weakly. "I love you, Mama. I don't ever want you to leave me, okay?" I confessed, my voice barely above a whisper, punctuated by sniffles that betray my fragile state of mind.

"Of course, Sweetheart. I will never leave you, especially not while your father is still around... And I love you too." She said while caressing my face gently, giving me the sweetest smile I've ever seen. The smile that lit up my life. Mama was the only light I had in this world.

Until she wasn't anymore.

Life is rarely so simple, isn't it?

Time-skip: (A Few Weeks Later):

After that, I was cradled in the healing embrace of Mama's quirk, her gentle warmth mending the fracture Father had inflicted. The next, I found myself wandering the dimly lit halls of our home, suffocated by a growing dread for Mama, who had fallen ill under mysterious circumstances.

I tried to convince myself that she would recover, that nothing would snatch her away from me. Yet, as I wandered aimlessly, trying to escape that suffocating weight of worry, Father's voice pierced through my thoughts like a knife.

"Y/n." His glare was sharp, and I felt a shiver run down my spine as I looked up at him, the dread pooling in my stomach.

"Yes?" I replied, my voice barely above a whisper, hesitant and small.

"Training. Now." His words dripped with a seething anger that I couldn't comprehend-, why was he so angry? What did I do now?

"But I want to be with Mama-" I started, but before I could finish, he seized me by the shoulders, crouching down to my level. The fury etched into his features was a terrifying sight.

"Why are you and that damn woman so close?! Huh!? She's just a distraction! She's not important right now! I'm the one you should be focused on!" His voice rose, carrying an unsettling intensity. "All you ever do is cry for her, like you're some helpless little thing. You think I care about her? You're ruining everything, you understand? You and her-, always so close, always holding each other up. It's messing with my plans, and it makes you weak!"

The words stung like venom, and I flinched, desperately trying to defend the only person who had ever made me feel safe. "But... Mama... Mama's sic-"

His expression twisted into one of disgust, a mask of contempt that shattered any remnants of comfort. "-She's nothing. You're not going to be soft like her. You'll train, and you'll forget about her, or you'll never see her again! Actually, yeah, I'm going to keep you, my most prized possession, away from her! She's a bad influence!"

With a curse escaping his lips, he dragged me into the training room, throwing me in. "Hopefully, she dies from whatever she got caught with." He muttered, his disdain palpable. "Get up. You need to practice your Long-Distance Teleportation." He spat, leaving me trembling with a mixture of fear and fury. Slowly, I got up, my heart a storm of emotions-, anger, confusion, and a deep-seated sorrow.

Hours of relentless training followed, a cruel regimen devoid of compassion or respite. I was pushed beyond my limits, forced to practice until my muscles burned, my throat dried from thirst, and my stomach rumbled of hunger. He showed no mercy, no concern for my well-being, all while I fought against the gnawing worry for Mama that clung to me like a shadow.

Time-skip: (After Training):

The doctors that were treating my mama called Father over to her washitsu (Japanese styled room). He entered through her sliding door, his demeanor betraying nothing as he faced the doctors, their solemn expressions contrasting sharply with his apparent indifference. I trailed behind him, my heart racing, the air thick with the scent of medicinal herbs. Mama, once a vibrant presence, now lay in pain, her health unraveling before my eyes.

"So, I'm sorry to tell you this, but we have bad news, Mr. L/n. I don't know if you want that child in here or not-" the nurse trailed off, filled with pity.

Father interrupted with a sigh; his words steeped in detachment. "-It doesn't matter. What is it?" His tone felt like a cold wind, pushing against the warmth of hope that I held inside.

The doctor's report cut through the tension. "After a bit of bloodwork and investigating, your wife seems to have a waterborne disease. I guess some type of water that she drank had deadly bacteria, and usually we would be able to cure this type of thing, but we've tried everything we can, and our methods just haven't been working. I'm afraid that there's really nothing more we can do for her, I'm sorry, Mr. L/n." He said, his voice tinged with regret.

"I see." He said, not really caring.

I gasped, tears welling up as the fear of losing Mama clawed at my insides. The doctor's words echoed in my mind. Was this truly how it would end? Would I be left alone, adrift in a world that suddenly felt darker? With Father?

"Like I said, usually we're able to cure waterborne diseases. So, it's kind of interesting that the bacteria she swallowed is this terrible... If this is from your sink water, that is concerning, and you should get it checked out immediately. Plus, in water, we only find this kind of terrible bacteria from ponds, lakes, rivers, oceans, and so on. Especially if there's any type of fish in the water. Do you know or have any idea of where she could have gotten it?" The doctor inquired about the source of the bacteria.

"No." He boredly said, acting like he didn't know.

"We have a pond in our-" I started to frantically say, to connect the dots for the adults whose world felt so much bigger than mine. But before I could finish, Father dragged me out of the room, shutting the sliding door with a finality that silenced my protest.

"-You stay out here and shut your mouth. You got that? You have no right to interfere with personal affairs." He snapped; his words laced with cold disdain. I stood outside, pressing my ear against the door, desperate to catch fragments of the conversation that would decide Mama's fate.

Inside, Father adopted a tone that was foreign to me-, a fake professionalism that masked his true feelings. "Sorry about her. She's just a little girl, doesn't know what she's talking about."

"Ah, no worries. That's alright. I get it, I have one of my own." He said kindly.

"So, is there anything else I should know?" Father asked.

"Well, we're giving you the option for this medicine. It is pricey, but it might help or even cure her-" He started suggesting possible treatments but Father's refusal to even consider them left me reeling.

"-There is no need. I will not be paying for any medicine for her; I just simply don't have that kind of money." He lied; an accusation pierced my heart. We had wealth, more than enough, yet he stood there, denying Mama the care she so desperately needed.

"Are you sure? You don't even know the price-" He interjects but Father interrupts him once more.

"-Yes."

"Well, what about putting her in an actual hospital? So that way she'd be able to get twenty-four/seven care?" He tried to persuade.

"That won't be needed. I don't want to waste your time. Now, please go." Father said and a moment later, the nurse and doctor came out through the sliding door, walking past me.

I just stand there, trembling. Father put on this whole persona for those doctors. "We don't have the money? That was a total lie! And why can't she be put in a hospital?!" I thought angrily, my hands clenched into fists.

When Father emerged from the washitsu, his cold glare met my bewildered eyes. "You almost gave me away." He hissed.

"You lied! Why won't you help her?!" I demanded, my voice shaking with emotion. "We do have enough money! We have more than enough! Billions! And why won't you put her in a hospital?!"

"Maybe we do have enough money, maybe we don't," he snapped, his voice dismissive. "There is no need to put her in a hospital. Now, go to bed. I'm not asking, I'm ordering." He sneered.

With that, I felt the world around me shatter. I stormed off to my own washitsu, slamming the door shut with a force that echoed my inner turmoil. Laying on my futon, the weight of betrayal settled in my chest. The tears flowed freely, each sob a plea for the Mama I might lose and the Father I struggled to understand.

As I drifted off, I vowed to find a way to help Mama, even if it meant facing the truth about my father's choices.

Time-skip:

In the hushed stillness of the night, when the world lay cloaked in slumber, I felt an inexplicable urge to wander. My bare feet padded silently against the tatami mats (Japanese style flooring), the faint rhythm echoing through the empty halls of our home. It was familiar solitude, one I had grown accustomed to, but tonight felt different. A sense of foreboding prickled at my skin, urging me forward until I heard a soft cough emanating from Mama's washitsu.

Without a second thought, I slid the door open, the sound echoing through the darkness. Inside, Mama lay on her futon, pale and fragile, her shallow breaths almost inaudible against the quiet of the night.

"Mama?" I whispered, my heart racing. The thought of waking Father filled me with dread, but my concern for Mama outweighed that fear.

"Y/n? Sweetheart?" Her voice was weak, yet it still carried a warmth.

"Yes, Mama?" I hurried to her side, sitting gently on the edge of her futon.

"C'mere..." She beckoned softly, and I scooted closer, feeling the chill in the air wrap around us both.

"Do you need anything, Mama?" I asked, studying her face, desperate to see a glimmer of the vibrant woman who had always cared for me.

"Yes," she sighed, the words a struggle. "I wanted to give you something... I was planning on giving it to you on your birthday but... I most likely won't be here by then..."

"Don't say that Mama..." I felt my eyes sting with tears. The mere thought of losing her felt like a weight pressing down on my chest.

"Sorry, Sweetheart..." She murmured, and I gripped her hand tightly, tears filled my eyes completely now, but I refused to let them fall.

"Mama," I whispered, my voice trembling. "Why haven't you told the doctors anything about what happened? The disease-, the pond is the reason why you're ill. You can still get help. You can tell the doctors-, or I can-"

Mama shook her head weakly, her tired eyes meeting mine. "No, Y/n," she said softly, her voice filled with a sorrow I couldn't understand. "I really do appreciate it, yes, but if I don't die now, I will later."

I froze, my heart clenching painfully. "What... What do you mean, Mama?"

She hesitated, tears slipping down her cheeks. "I heard F/n on the phone," she admitted, her voice breaking. "He was planning on getting rid of me either way...through a shady person. I'd rather spend these last moments with you than have you find me... Murdered or something even worse, okay?"

Her words shattered me. "No! No, Mama, please!" I cried. "You can't just give up like this! I'll tell someone! I'll protect you! You promised me you wouldn't leave me!"

Mama's face crumpled, guilt and despair written all over her. She pulled me into her arms despite her weakness, holding me close as we both sobbed. "I'm so sorry, my love," she whispered into my hair. "I wanted so badly to keep that promise, but...this was always going to happen, sooner or later."

I clung to her desperately, my tears soaking into her kimono. "I can't lose you, Mama. I can't."

"I know, Y/n," she murmured, "I'm so sorry. I love you more than anything in this world, and if I could change this, I would."

I wiped my face, my tears still falling despite my efforts to stop them. "Mama," I whispered, my voice shaky. "How did you feel when Father said we didn't have money, or that you couldn't be put in a hospital? Mama... I felt so helpless."

She looked at me with those same tired, sorrowful eyes and sighed deeply. "I felt...ashamed, Y/n," she admitted, her voice soft but full of pain. "Not for myself, but for you. You're just a child, yet you've had to carry burdens no child should ever have to. You've never been a child-, always a matured, grown woman. I hated that I couldn't protect you from this...from him, from everything. But I also knew that even if I fought for a hospital bed, it wouldn't have changed the outcome."

Her fingers gently brushed my hair back. "I've made peace with this, my sweet girl. It doesn't mean I'm not afraid, or that I don't wish things were different. But I need you to know that none of this is your fault. You're not helpless, Y/n. You're stronger than you think. You'll survive this, even if it feels impossible right now."

Her words only made my heart ache more. "But I don't want to survive without you," I sobbed, holding her hand tightly once more. "I want you to stay."

She leaned down, kissing the top of my head with trembling lips. "I know, my love. I want to stay, too. But sometimes, the strongest thing we can do is keep going...even when it hurts."

Mama gave me a weak smile, her fingers brushing against my cheek. "Also," she began, her voice soft and cracking slightly, "tell that boy-, what was his name? The boy we met at Sekoto Peak a while back?"

"Toya," I whispered, my throat tight.

"Yes, him," she said, nodding slowly. "Tell him I hope he gets what he wants soon enough-, and safely, yes? I've always felt bad for him. And oh, Dear..." She paused, her eyes brimming with tears. "I'm sorry I tried to keep you away from him. He's your only friend, and I shouldn't have tried to interfere. Just...you understand why, yes?"

I nodded with a quiet sob. "I understand, Mama. Don't worry, I'll tell him. And it's okay-, I'm not mad anymore. I'm sorry that I was mad."

She cupped my face gently, her hands trembling. "Thank you, my sweet girl. You have such a forgiving heart. I hope...you never lose that, no matter how hard things get."

"What is it that you want to give me, Mama?" I wiped my tears, changing the subject.

"Oh, it's in a black box with a blue ribbon, on my dresser," she explained, and then she coughed again, the sound jagged and painful.

I stood up, my legs feeling unsteady as I walked over to her dresser. There, nestled between dusty trinkets and faded memories, sat the black box. I picked it up gingerly and returned it to her side, sitting down once more.

"Open it. I promise you'll like it-, I bet Toya will, too." She encouraged, a faint smile gracing her lips.

I pulled the blue ribbon and lifted the lid slowly. Inside, I found a black blindfold, smooth and unblemished. "What is it for, Mama?" I asked, confusion swirling in my mind.

Mama chuckled weakly, the sound fragile but filled with love. "It's to cover your eyes, Sweetheart. Remember when you thought your eyes were a burden because they're from your father's side? I thought that maybe this would help you feel better."

Flashback:

The memory was vivid, like it had happened yesterday. I was curled in Mama's lap, clutching her kimono as my tears soaked through the fabric. My small body trembled with every sob that tore through me.

"Mama," I choked out, barely able to speak through the lump in my throat. "I don't want these eyes! If they didn't look like this, then maybe... Maybe... Father wouldn't hurt you. I don't want you to get hit by him anymore because of me." My fingers gripped her kimono even tighter as the words spilled out, each one heavier than the last.

Mama's arms wrapped around me, holding me close like I was the most precious thing in the world. She tilted my face upward gently, her own eyes shimmering with tears she tried to hide.

She spoke softly, her voice trembling but full of love. "Oh, my darling, your eyes are not the reason for his anger. They are not the reason he hurts me. That's all on him, not you. Never you." She brushed the tears from my cheeks with her thumb, her touch warm and comforting.

"But Mama," I whimpered, my voice cracking, "if I didn't have them, he wouldn't-"

She shook her head firmly, interrupting me. "No, Y/n. Don't you ever blame yourself for his cruelty. Your eyes, my love, are a gift. They're one of the most beautiful things about you, and they carry a legacy that he could never understand. Don't let his hatred take that away from you."

I sniffled, trying to steady my breathing, but the ache in my chest wouldn't go away. "But it feels like it's my fault," I whispered, barely audible.

She reassured me, her voice steady now, as if willing me to believe her. "It's not, you are not responsible for his actions. I'm so proud of you, my sweet girl, and I'll endure anything if it means keeping you safe. Promise me you'll never doubt how special you are, okay?"

"Then let me take the hits," I choked out through the tears streaming down my face. "I'll protect you, Mama. I don't want you to get hurt anymore because of me." I repeated, my small hands gripped her kimono desperately, as if holding onto her could somehow shield her from the pain.

Mama's face softened, and her arms tightened around me, pulling me close. "Oh, my sweet baby," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "You're so brave...too brave for someone so small. But it's not your job to protect me. It's my job to protect you."

I shook my head, tears spilling faster. "But he's so much meaner to you because of me. If I take all of it instead, he'll leave you alone, won't he? Please, Mama, let me do this for you, it can be the birthday and holiday gifts that I'm not allowed to get you..."

Her breath hitched, and she cupped my face with trembling hands, forcing me to look into her tear-filled eyes. "Y/n, listen to me. You are a child, three years old. You shouldn't even have to think about protecting me, do you understand? This is not your fault, and it's not your burden to bear."

"But-" I started to speak.

She interrupted, her voice firm despite the sadness in her expression. "-No, you are the brightest light in my life. I'd take every hit, every ounce of pain, if it means you can stay that way. Promise me you'll never think like this again, my love. You deserve to live freely, without this guilt. That's all I want for you."

I didn't say anything, just buried my face in her chest, sobbing as she held me tightly. Mama rocked me back and forth, her hands stroking my hair soothingly, but her tears mingled with mine, and I knew this pain wasn't going away anytime soon. But her words sank into my heart. I couldn't understand how she could endure so much and still find the strength to love me so completely. How did she not hate me?

The Present (Now):

"Thank you, Mama. I'll always wear it; I don't care what Father says." My voice broke as tears streamed down my face.

"I'm so glad..." She responded, her smile dimming as exhaustion overtook her.

"I love you, Mama." I wiped my tears with the sleeve of my kimono, wishing I could shield her from the pain of our reality.

"I... Love you too." She replied, her voice trailing off as she suddenly fell silent; she passed out terrifyingly quick.

I placed the blindfold back into the box and stood, my heart racing as I opened and closed the sliding door with deliberate care. I dashed back to my washitsu, my mind racing, and closed the door quietly to avoid waking Father.

I lay down on my futon, the events of the night swirling in my thoughts. As I closed my eyes, I clutched the soft fabric of my kimono, whispering a silent promise to the darkness. No matter what happened, I would keep the memory of Mama alive.

Time-skip:

The training sessions had not slowed down; if anything, they had intensified under the watchful eye of Father. I could barely catch my breath; my stomach twisted in knots from both the physical exertion and the emotional turmoil.

"Stop throwing up and stand up already," he barked, his voice harsh and unyielding.

 "You're hitting me in my stomach too hard!" I protested, tears streaming down my face as I fought to regain my composure. My body ached from the relentless drills, but the pain was a mere shadow compared to agony lurking in my heart.

"If you can't handle that, then forget about being better than All Might or Endeavor," he spat out. In that moment, I felt small, crushed beneath the weight of expectations that seemed impossible to bear.

"I don't want to be a hero anymore!" I shouted defiantly, my voice cracking under the pressure of my emotions. The words hung in the air, a challenge and a plea all at once.

"The hell did you say?! You're shouting at me now? I bet it's because of that damn woma-!" his anger was palpable, rising like a storm, but the moment was abruptly interrupted by the sliding door of the training room being thrown open.

"Mr. L/n..." the doctor sighs, his tone heavy with the weight of sorrow. "I'm afraid that Mrs. L/n won't live much longer. A week at most."

The words hit me like a physical blow. I felt the world tilt beneath my feet, tears pooling in my eyes. "No! You gotta save my Mama! You gotta!" I cried, rushing toward the doctor, my hands gripping the fabric of his white coat as if it could somehow tether the life of Mama to this moment.

"Wait... Mr. L/n, you didn't tell me that this was your daugh-" He started, but Father's rough hand pulled me away before he could finish.

"-You damn brat!" Father yelled, hitting the back of my head with enough force to knock me out. He then turned to the doctor, forcing a veneer to control over his emotions. "I'm sorry about that. What were you saying?"

The doctor continued, his voice somber. "Um, your wife won't live much longer. I suggest you and your daughter talk to her for one last time."

"I want to see Mama." I demanded, my heart pounding with desperation, still sniffling from the tears.

"No." Father replied, his voice as cold as steel, leaving no room for argument.

"Wha-?" I choked out, the denial cutting deeper than any physical pain could.

"Just stay here until she dies or something." Father said dismissively, waving his hand to shoo the doctors away.

The doctors hesitated, their faces marked by sympathy, before quietly closing the sliding door behind them.

Once again, I was left alone with Father. As if the heart-wrenching news had been nothing but a fleeting nuisance, he resumed my training. Punch after punch, kick after kick, the rhythm of our existence returned to the same cruel beat.

But once the training session ended, a new torment awaited. He dragged me to the shed, locking me in without a second thought. The darkness enveloped me, and I was left alone in a world void of light, comfort, food, or water. It was an unbearable burden for a girl who just wanted to be loved, to be seen beyond the legacy of greatness that my father insisted I must uphold.

Two days later, Mama's frail, quiet breathing stopped altogether, and my world shattered into pieces. I hadn't even been allowed to say goodbye. Father, cold and indifferent, hadn't given me that chance. Instead, I had been confined to the cold, damp confines of the shed, a space that had become a prison for me.

On that day, I turned the "bright" age of four. It was supposed to be a celebration of life-, a day marked by joy and laughter, surrounded by loved ones and cake. But it became a stark reminder of the indifference that enveloped my existence. My father, a figure who should have been a source of comfort, was anything but. He didn't hold a funeral, didn't offer any kind of mourning, instead letting strangers take Mama's body away for tests and experiments like she was nothing more than an object for study.

Author's Note: (We're going to do a HUGE time-skip here, so literally just before this you turned four, but after this you'll be five. Why? I have good reasons, it's mostly to add up with timeline (I have something big planned {backstory wise} and it's good for the lore). Yes, it is a HUGE time-skip, but there will be a whole chapter on it later on and it'll make sense, I swear; trust 🙏).

Time-skip: (You're Now Five):

It had been a whole year without Mama, and immediately after she was gone, it felt as though Mama's life had been erased, as if she had never mattered at all. My pain was raw and unbearable, but Father showed no mercy, demanding that I train harder every day, pushing me past the breaking point.

The beatings intensified as his rage seemed to grow with every passing month, his fury directed at me with greater force when I failed to meet his cruel expectations.

Yet, in the quietest, loneliest hours of the night, when Father's snores filled the house, I would sneak out, my heart aching as I made my way to the garden and pond Mama had once tended so lovingly.

It was the only place that felt like Mama was still there, surrounded by the vibrant flowers that had been carefully cultivated with such care. I wandered through the overgrown plants, running my tiny fingers over the petals, trying to remember the smell of the blossom's Mama used to care for, the way Mama's hands would gently stroke the leaves as she talked to the flowers.

I eventually stood by the pond, staring at the still water, wondering if Mama was still there, watching me from below, as if she was still drowning by Father's hand, trying to reach me.

I shudder and look away from the pond immediately. I will always be traumatized from that experience. I just decide to look around at the different flowers and the bright green grass being blown by the wind slightly as the fireflies flew around.

Then, I see a beautiful shade of blue shining in the dark.

I walk towards the flower, and I see that it's a blue Emperor Dahlia. The one that Mama said reminded her of me.

Flashback: 

Mama's voice was honey-warm-, with a sweetness that resonated in my heart-, her words wrapping around me like sunlight through lace. "It reminds me of you-, sharp and strong at the edges, yet beautiful all the same, with a touch as soft as its petals. And the color... it's the same as your eyes. They'll always be beautiful, my darling, just like this flower."

The world seemed to still as I absorbed Mama's words, the air turning gentle and weightless as her voice lingered in the space between us. Then, with a quiet reverence, she went on. "Do you know what makes it even more special? This is the rarest flower in the world. Hardly anyone ever sees one. Even when cut from its stem, it does not wither... and when night falls, it glows. I was lucky enough to find the seeds-, it cost me a fortune. But things this rare are worth it. People like you are worth it." She concluded, her smile radiating love.

The Present (Now):

Something inside me stirred, a quiet longing for the Mama I lost, and I reached down, gently plucking the flower from its stem.

Its petals were soft and shined in the moonlight, just as Mama said. I then hold it to my chest, my tears landing on the flower. "I love you, Mama."

I hung around the garden a little while longer and with the flower clutched in my hand, I made my way back inside, careful not to wake my father as I entered my washitsu.

I place the flower on my dresser, a simple act of defiance, a way to hold onto Mama for just a little longer. After staring at it for a moment, I crawled onto my futon, the weight of everything pressing against my chest as I tried to sleep.

Time-skip:

Sunlight filtered through the window, and I awoke to find the flower still there, nestled on my dresser.

I slowly stood up, running to my dresser to grab the flower, smiling softly. But as I was standing there, I heard the familiar heavy footsteps of Father approaching, and I didn't have time to hide the flower anywhere.

His voice rang out as he opened the shoji door. "Brat, get up! Time to train," he barked, his tone as sharp as ever.

I didn't move, my hand still holding the flower, but as Father entered the room, his eyes immediately locked in on the Dahlia in my hand.

His face twisted with rage as he stormed toward me. "Where did you get that?" He demanded, his voice low and dangerous.

I looked at him, the flower still pressed against my chest as I stumbled, "I- Um-" I tried to get my words out.

"Where'd you get it?" He seethed, asking a second time.

I didn't answer him, and just from my silence, he knew I got it from Mama's garden.

"Give it here, Y/n." He ordered.

"No." I whispered, my voice trembling but resolute.

His eyes darkened with fury as he grabbed my wrist with a strength that made me flinch. "Give me the flower!" He yelled, his grip tightening painfully.

"No, I won't-!" I start to say but Father snaps. Without warning, he slaps me across the face, knocking me back onto my futon. His geta sandals crushed the flower as he stomped on it, grinding the delicate petals into the floor.

"You think you can just take things like that? You don't get to keep anything from her. She's dead, and so is this flower!" He then began to beat me, his hands and fists landing on me with brutal force, ignoring my cries, while his eyes burned with rage.

I curled into myself, trying to protect the grinded, tiny piece of Mama, but Father's anger was overwhelming, and the last thing I remembered before the darkness swallowed me whole was the crushing weight of his stomp on the flower, its petals ruined beyond recognition.

Time-skip:

The next day, Father's fury had no end, and it wasn't long before he destroyed everything Mama had once loved and cherished. The garden, once a quiet sanctuary where I had found solace in the memory of Mama's gentle touch, was ripped apart-, every flower torn from its roots and the soil trampled underfoot.

He threw out all of Mama's things-, every kimono, every brush of make-up, every hair accessory, and the beautiful trinkets Mama had once gifted me were cast aside like they were worthless.

He even destroyed the few photographs of Mama that remained, tearing them to shreds in front of me. I watched helplessly as the world I had known, the world that had still held fragments of Mama, was erased completely.

But there was one thing I managed to hold onto, something small and precious-, the blindfold Mama had given me. It was tucked away safely in its box, hidden deep in the corner of my room where Father would never find it.

It was the only piece of Mama that remained, the only thing left that made me feel connected to the woman who had loved me.

My chest tightened-, the loss of Mama, the cruelty of Father, the shattered life I had been forced into. The darkness and pain suffocated me, and I realized that I couldn't live like this anymore. I can't endure another day of being nothing but an object for Father to control and break.

I didn't pack anything, didn't take anything but the blindfold, wrapped carefully in its box. This was all I needed to carry, the last piece of Mama's love, the last thing that made me feel human.

I slipped quietly out of the house, my heart pounding in my chest as I stepped into the light of the day, unsure of where I could go, but I knew I had to leave.

The life I had been living was no longer a life at all. I couldn't stay at that house, under the roof of a man who had stolen everything from me.

As I ran into the light, I clutched the blindfold box tightly, the only thing left to remind me that I had once been loved, once been seen for who I was.

(Midoriya's P.O.V.):

Ever since I had saw that pretty girl, I always hoped to see her again when me and Mom went shopping for groceries.

I'd see her walking along the sidewalks, streets, and even across the little bridges near the town, always with her mom by her side.

The pretty girl never smiled, but it wasn't sadness that I saw in her, no-, more like a quiet kind of contentment, as if she was simply at peace in her own world, walking beside her mom.

What struck me the most was the softness in her eyes whenever she looked at her mom. It was as if she adored her, as though the bond between them was something precious.

I couldn't quite explain it, but I could feel how deeply she loved her mom, and in a way, I admired her for that.

But then, over time, I noticed that the pretty girl and her mom stopped coming outside. At first, it was just a few days here and there, and then it stretched into weeks. Eventually, they stopped appearing altogether.

I wondered what happened but never dared to search for her.

And I didn't know why, but all I wanted was to see her again, just one more time, to see that quiet, soft look in her eyes as she walked with her mom...

And then I did.

Time-skip:

Honestly, it really was a normal day for me, or as I liked to think of myself-, an aspiring hero in the making. I had spent the morning indulging in my usual ritual of watching old videos of All Might, the Symbol of Peace, impersonating him in front of Mom as she went about the dishes. The atmosphere in our home was warm and cheerful, filled with laughter and love.

"Izuku, we have to go grocery shopping today. We don't have anything for dinner." Mom said, her voice soft and nurturing as she wiped her hands on a dishcloth.

"Okay, Mom," I replied, always willing to oblige, especially when it meant spending time with her.

After getting ready, we set off down the street. I hummed happily, holding Mom's hand. Her gentle smile made my heart swell with joy, but the serenity of our day took an unexpected turn when we passed by a tree.

"Hey, Izuku? Isn't that the girl you said was pretty?" She pointed, breaking the peaceful spell of the moment.

I turned to look and saw her-, the enchanting girl with her back against the tree trunk, arms hugging her knees as she rested her head on them. She was wearing a beautiful kimono, the same one I had first seen her in, and clutched a small box in her right hand. The sight was enough to make my heart race, and I felt a blush creeping up my cheeks.

"Um, yeah..." I mumbled, suddenly feeling shy.

Before I could say anything else, Mom had already started walking towards the pretty girl, gently tugging me along with her.

"Uh-, Mom, what are you doing?" I asked, a bit alarmed.

"I'm going to talk to her." She stated simply, as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

"B-But Mom-" I stammered, but we were already standing in front of the pretty girl, who looked up at us.

Author's Note: (Again, imagine what your hair looks like).

"Um... What's your name?" Mom asked, her tone warm and inviting.

To my surprise, the pretty girl didn't respond. She merely stares at us, silent and still.

"What are you doing out here all by yourself, Sweetheart? Do you need any-"

The pretty girl interrupted, her voice soft but firm. "My mama called me that."

"Huh? Called you what?" Mom asked, slightly taken aback.

"Sweetheart." The pretty girl murmured quietly, her gaze dropping to the ground.

"Oh. Well, um, what are you doing out here by yourself?" Mom continued, her compassion evident in her voice.

The moment hung in the air, heavy with unspoken feelings, until the pretty girl finally said, "I don't want to go home."

"Aw, why not?" She asked gently, but the pretty girl remained silent, her expression unreadable.

Mom sighed softly, her maternal instincts kicking in. "Well, me and my son Izuku are going to the store for groceries... Do you perhaps want to join us?" She offered, hoping to provide a distraction or comfort.

After a moment of contemplation, the pretty girl nodded slightly, standing up. She dusted off her kimono and joined us as we walked down the street towards the grocery store. I felt a mix of nervousness and curiosity, glancing at the pretty girl occasionally.

Once inside the store, I decided to break the ice.  "So, uh, how old are you?" I asked timidly, my heart racing.

"Five." The pretty girl said coolly, her tone sending chills down my spine.

I froze, feeling suddenly very small in her presence. "Oh... Y-You're the same age as me..." I stuttered, sweat starting to form on my brow.

The pretty girl didn't respond. Instead, she darted away, running towards the candy aisle, her eyes lighting up at the sight of sweets. "I want this," she declared, pointing at an array of colorful treats, specifically mochi.

"Oh, um, okay." Mom replied, a little surprised but kind-hearted as always.

With a slight nod, Mom grabbed a few items from the candy section and added them to the cart. The pretty girl remained quiet, her expression unchanging, as Mom gathered the necessary items from her list. As we checked out and left the store, I couldn't shake the feeling that this day was anything but ordinary.

Time-skip:

Mom, ever the warm and welcoming figure, handed the bag of sweets to the girl whose beauty was undeniable. "Here." She said softly with a smile.

The pretty girl sat on our living room coffee table, her petite figure barely containing the aura of mystery that surrounded her. As she selected pieces of mochi from the bag, her satisfaction was evident in the gentle hum that escaped her lips.

With the sweetness of the mochi lingering in the air, the pretty girl grabbed the small box that she had been carrying. Curiosity piqued; I watched as she opened it to reveal a black blindfold.

It was an unusual item to bring, and I couldn't help but wonder about its significance. As she attempted to place it over her eyes, her struggle didn't go unnoticed. Mom, ever perceptive, offered her assistance. "Do you want me to help you put it on?" She asked, her tone gentle and reassuring.

The pretty girl hesitated, a fleeting moment of uncertainty passing across her features before she nodded slowly. Mom carefully helped her, and despite the blindfold shrouding her vision, she still exuded a certain elegance that was hard to ignore.

Mom stepped away to the kitchen to prepare dinner, leaving us in a tentative silence. Seizing the moment, I took the opportunity to strike up a conversation. "So, what's your name? Mine is Izuku Midoriya." I introduced myself with an eager smile.

She replied, her guarded demeanor beginning to soften just a fraction. "L/n. Y/n L/n."

Encouraged, I pressed on. "Okay! Do you want to be friends, maybe? You'd be my second friend!"

The response was swift and sharp. "No." Her voice was unyielding, leaving me momentarily deflated.

"Oh, uh- That's okay! Maybe we'll be friends later!" I quickly recovered, trying to maintain my optimism. "But do you have a quirk? What is it?"

"I don't want to talk about it, but I do have a quirk." She said, her words laced with reluctance.

"That's fine. But I, um, don't have a quirk..." I admitted, feeling a wave of embarrassment wash over me.

"You don't have a quirk?" Her interest piqued momentarily, but it quickly faded.

"Yeah, I don't have one..." I replied, my gaze dropping to the floor.

"I wish I didn't have one." She said, her voice monotone yet heavy with an unexpressed pain.

My heart raced at her unexpected confession. "Really?! Why?! I wish I had a quirk!" I exclaimed, bewildered by her sentiments.

"It seems we want the opposite things," she stated matter-of-factly. "Anyways, I don't want to talk about it."

I could sense her discomfort and tried to pivot the conversation. "Okay... But I just want to protect people!" I insisted, longing for her to see the bright side.

"Protect?" She murmured softly.

"Mm-hm! Protect! You know what that means, right-"

"Yes. Yes, I do. My mama used to protect me." She interrupted, her words carrying a weight that resonated deeply within me.

"Oooo~ From what? Villains? Is your mom a hero?" I beamed with sparkling eyes.

"No. But she used to be my hero." She spoke softly.

"Oh..." I didn't know what she meant but I pretended to understand. "Well, want to watch TV? Or-, even better All Might's old rescue video? I have it on our computer!" I excitement bubbled over, hoping to find some common ground.

"No." She replied sharply, her tone biting.

I flinched at her response. "O-Okay... Never mind then..." I looked down, a hint of disappointment creeping into my voice. "Well, want to play with me? Or we could do something else!" I asked, trying to be joyful again.

"Are you always this happy and energetic?" She asked, her scowl deepening.

"Um, sorry... Am I not supposed to? I just want to be happy, to have a smile on my face just like All Might does!" I cheerfully replied, determined the lift the mood.

"I don't care for him. Don't mention him again." She said, her voice harsher than before.

"How could you not care? He's so cool! He always saves people with a big smile no matter how dark things get!" I jumped onto our light purple couch, buoyed by my enthusiasm.

"Izuku, you know you shouldn't be jumping on the couch!" Mom's voice echoed from the kitchen.

"Oh-, sorry Mom!" I quickly apologized, feeling sheepish.

Mom walked into the living room, a smile gracing her lips. "Dinner's done." She turned to L/n, offering, "You can join us if you'd like."

L/n simply continued to enjoy the sweets from the bag, her answer unspoken but clear.

"Oh, okay... That's fine too, I guess. No worries." She replied, gracefully accepting the pretty girl's choice.

Then, unexpected banging at our door shattered the calm atmosphere in our apartment.

Mom, usually a pillar of strength, hesitated before the door, her demeanor shifting from maternal warmth to palpable anxiety. "Um, I'll be back." She said nervously, a hint of dread creeping into her voice. Instinctively followed her, curious and concerned, no one had ever banged on our door this aggressively.

Mom cautiously unlocked and opened the door. Standing before us was a man-, wild-eyed and desperate. His expression was a storm of rage and control, a combination that sent shivers down my spine. "Um, do you need anything, sir?" Mom asked gently.

"Where is my daughter? I know she's here. I used my quirk to track her." The random man seethed, his voice dripping with intensity.

Mom's initial composure wavered further as she stammered, "The girl?" It was a question laced with both confusion and fear, as if she were still processing the gravity of the situation.

"Yes, the girl! Give me back my daughter!" His voice erupted, resonating through the small confines of our home like a thunderclap. It was a command filled with desperation, a father's demand to reclaim what he believed was rightfully his.

In a daze, Mom rushed to the living room, bringing back L/n-, his daughter-, the pretty girl I had only recently met. The sight of her, trembling and blindfolded, struck a chord deep within me. Even without seeing her eyes, I could sense her terror, a visceral fear that hung in the air like a thick fog.

L/n's dad loomed over her, his voice turned harsh, a mix of fury and frustration spilling over. "What the hell were you thinking? Running away? To these people? You don't even know them! I don't want you near them ever again, you got that!?!"

The anger directed at L/n felt unjust; a misdirected whirlwind aimed at a girl who had simply sought refuge. The fear in her posture was almost palpable as he continued, "And-, wait... Where did you get this blindfold?" His question sliced through the tension, revealing another layer of this disturbing interaction.

When L/n didn't answer, he looked at my mom, "Did you give this to her?!" He erupted at Mom, rage fueling his words.

"N-No, she already had it before she came with us, I swear!" She pleaded, her voice trembling in the face of his wrath.

But L/n's father wasn't looking for answers; he was looking for a scapegoat. His attention snapped back to his daughter. "Get this piece of trash off of your face!" He shouted, yanking the blindfold away with a violent motion, discarding it like an unwanted relic.

"Father, no! That's mine!" She protested, her voice a desperate plea. But the man's grip was iron, his rage unchecked. In a shocking moment on brutality, he struck her, and L/n crumpled, the light in her eyes snuffed out as she fell into unconsciousness.

As he stormed out, slamming our apartment door behind him, silence enveloped the room, heavy and suffocating. Mom trembled, the weight of the encounter settling heavily upon her shoulders. "I-I can see why she didn't want to go back h-home..." Her voice was barely above a whisper, filled with sorrow.

"Mm-hm... He was scary." I mumbled, the fear from the encounter clinging to my heart.

As Mom knelt down, wrapping her arms around me in a protective embrace, I felt the warmth of her love battling against the chill of the night. In that moment, we shared an unspoken understanding; not all families are sunshine and rainbows.

Time-skip: (A Day Later: {Your P.O.V.}):

I woke up gasping for breath, my heart racing as if I had just sprinted a marathon. I sat upright on my futon, disoriented, my head pounding in rhythm with my fraying nerves.

I reminisce on the events that happened yesterday and touch my face. Mama's blindfold was gone. My eyebrows furrowed in anguish, and a soft sniffle escaped me.

As my eyes adjusted to the dim light of the lamp illuminating the washitsu, I saw him-, Father-, sitting silently in a chair by the door, watching my every move.

"You thought you could run from me?" He hissed. Fear twisted in my chest, but anger burned just as fiercely.

"M/n gave you that blindfold, didn't she? That damn woman. Well, it's good now that she's dead." He spat.

I look at him with rage, standing up as I cried. "YOU killed Mama! I wish it had been you, not her!" I screamed, my voice raw with pain as tears streamed down my face.

"You little-" He lunged at me, a wild fury in his eyes, but I acted instinctively, using my quirk to attract a glass vase from my nightstand and the vase shattered against his skull with a sickening crack, sending shards flying. Blood streamed down his face as he staggered back momentarily, stunned, but burning with wrath.

My breath hitched as panic overtook me, and before he could recover, I bolted out of my washitsu, my bare feet pounding against the cold floors.

Father bellowed as I burst through the door and into the stormy night. "GET BACK HERE, YOU STUPID BRAT!"

Rain poured from the sky, soaking me to the bone, my hair clinging to my face like a second skin. I ran as if my very soul depended on it, driven by pure survival, knowing that if he caught me again, I might not live to see another day.

I didn't dare look back. I ran until my lungs burned, until my legs screamed for respite, until the darkness enveloped me like a comforting cloak.

Yet, I somehow made it back to that kid's house, the one with dark green hair. Midorm? Midory? Midoro? I forgot what his name was. I knocked on their door anyways.

The boy quickly opened the door, maybe he was waiting for someone? And why was he answering instead of his mom? I wondered but it didn't matter to me. The boy was obviously surprised that I was at their door at this time of night. "Oh, hello!" He timidly said. "Oh, and here's your blindfold... Your dad threw it on our floor yesterday."

I take the blindfold in my small hands, nodding. "Don't call him my dad. Just call him F/n (Father's name). That's what I'll be referring to him as from now on... Anyway, I want to stay here. And what was your name again?" I asked.

"Izuku Midoriya. And I'll have to ask my mom..." He said with a tad bit of excitement.

"I see... Well, ask her quickly." I forced my way inside, which made Midoriya sweat drop.

Midoriya nodded, darting down the hallway, leaving me standing in the cozy entrance. Moments later, his mom was running to me quickly, concern etched across her features. "Are you alright? Izuku informed me that you wanted to stay here..."

"That's correct. I told him to ask you." I replied.

Ms. Midoriya regarded me thoughtfully. "Well, uh, I guess you could stay in Izuku's room, if you want to."

"That's fine, as long as I don't have to go back home." I responded quickly.

"Alright... Let me arrange some things." She said before heading upstairs.

Midoriya's eyes sparkled with a childlike enthusiasm. "We're going to be together! Isn't that so cool?!"

"I suppose..." I muttered, still grappling with the remnants of fear that clung to me like the rain.

"Well, when my mom is done with my room, wanna play with my All Might toys?" He asked with joy.

I spoke harshly, "I told you to not mention him again, plus, I don't feel like doing that sort of stupid thing."

Midoriya tilted his head slightly, "Why?"

"Why would I after what happened, you saw F/n-, you witnessed it. He's not a good person and he's plaguing my thoughts right now-, and All Might is stupid." I said coldly, shaking my head.

"So, he's a bad Dad?" He asked all of a sudden, his innocent gaze searching my face for answers.

I looked at him, bewildered, but agreed. "Yeah, he is."

"Well, don't worry. From this point onward, I'll protect you!" He declared, puffing out his chest as if he could actually shield me from the shadows of my past.

I looked at him with a bit of awe, a warmth blooming in my chest. He reminded me so much of Mama-, so hopeful, so brave.

This was the beginning of me and Midoriya's friendship.

Chapter Text

Ever since I showed up on Midoriya's doorstep, bruised and trembling but holding myself up like I was unbreakable (I didn't cry-, not once), our lives had been intertwined in ways neither of us had fully planned. I had run from F/n, my body bearing the marks of his so-called "training," and sought refuge with the boy I had met the day before-, Midoriya.

From that moment on, the green-haired boy, with his endless curiosity and kind heart, had done his best to be my "friend," even if it meant dragging me out of my bubble of isolation; offering me his favorite toys, dragging me outside to play, or just walking around the neighborhood (Midoriya would insist on my company), even though I always muttered how annoying he was.

I didn't laugh or smile, but I never outright refused him, following along in silence, I felt as if it was only right that I do so; I felt as if I owed him, but I also appreciated the distraction.

F/n, however, was livid. He despised Midoriya and his mother, hurling insults like "worthless low lives" who weren't worthy of even looking at me. He didn't need to track me down with his quirk anymore-, he always knew where I was, and every time he found me at the Midoriya household, his anger grew worse and the punishments when he dragged me back were worse than before.

Yet, no matter how harsh F/n became-, no matter how much he shouted, berated, or struck me-, I always found a way to escape again, my small frame slipping out into the night and running back to Ms. Midoriya and the boy.

Even at five, Midoriya, despite his timid and unsure nature, never turned me away; he stood by me, sharing his snacks, his bed, his endless chatter, and though he didn't know the full extent of what I endured, he tried to make me feel safe in the only ways he knew how.

But, even amidst all the chaos surrounding me, I met another boy around our age-, Katsuki Bakugo, Midoriya's first friend, whom he always called, "Kacchan."

Bakugo was as different from Midoriya as fire was from water. While Midoriya was kind and endlessly gentle, Bakugo was loud, cocky, and rough, constantly reminding everyone of how great he was.

I first met him when Midoriya excitedly dragged me to the playground (I didn't even know what a playground was before I met him), pointing to the spiky-haired boy who was climbing the tallest structure like it was his personal throne.

At first, I thought he was interesting, mostly because he had an energy that felt impossible to ignore. However, the moment Bakugo opened his mouth, his arrogance spilled out like a tidal wave.

He was dismissive of Midoriya, teasing him harshly for not having a quirk and puffing out his chest if he were already the king of heroes. "What are you even doing here, Deku ("Deku" was the mean nickname Bakugo called Midoriya)? Gonna cry because you can't keep up?" Bakugo had sneered at Midoriya once, and for some reason I didn't like the way Midoriya's face fell; it reminded me of my mama, when it came to F/n.

Bakugo had recently developed a flashy explosion quirk, which only inflated his ego further. He constantly showed it off, making sparks fly from his palms and laughing at anyone who didn't seem impressed.

His mother, Mrs. Bakugo, was a much kinder presence. She was fiery and loud like her son, often scolding him with colorful language that made me raise my eyebrows, but she always offered me sweet snacks (Ms. Midoriya made sure to tell her to have some on hand whenever I visited) and treated me like a princess, the daughter she never had.

Still, Bakugo wasn't nearly as welcoming. It wasn't just Midoriya he looked down on-, he had a cocky attitude toward anyone he deemed unworthy. I simply stared at him with my usual blank expression whenever he tried to provoke me, his sparks and taunts rolling off me like water.

I didn't find him intimidating, though I sometimes wondered how Midoriya still considered him a friend despite the way Bakugo treated him.

One day, Mrs. Bakugo decided that the three of us kids should all go to the park together so she and Ms. Midoriya could have a "girls' day."

I had tried my absolute hardest to stay back at the apartment, even stubbornly sitting on the light purple couch with my arms crossed, glaring at the door like it had personally offended me through my blindfold.

"I don't want to go," I said flatly, but Midoriya, being his usual insistent self, practically dragged me off the couch, pleading with me to just go with him.

"It'll be fun! You might even like it, I promise!" Midoriya had said with that wide-eyed optimism I couldn't quite understand.

So, there I was, standing at the stupid park I'd fought so hard to avoid, my blank expression barely hiding my annoyance. I let out a sigh, my hands stuffed into my jacket pockets as Bakugo strutted ahead like he owned the place.

To make things worse, Bakugo hadn't come alone-, he'd brought two other kids along. I didn't know who they were, and I didn't care enough to ask. Midoriya, on the other hand, greeted them with enthusiasm, clearly knowing them from school or somewhere else.

I kept my distance, standing at the edge of the group and watching with disinterest as the other kids talked and laughed.

At the park, there was another kid sitting by himself on a bench, his head down and his small hands clutching the edges of his jacket. Nobody knew who he was, but he looked so lonely that Midoriya, ever the kind-hearted one, decided to go over and invite him to play.

The boy had been shy at first, but Midoriya's cheerful persistence eventually coaxed a small smile out of him. However, their moment was short-lived. Bakugo and his two friends soon noticed the boy and decided to make him their next target.

They sauntered over, their grins sharp and teasing, and started mocking him, their words cruel and cutting for no reason other than their own amusement. When the boy didn't respond, they escalated, shoving him hard enough to send him sprawling to the ground full of woodchips. The boy burst into tears, his small frame shaking as he cried.

Midoriya was scared, he had tears in his eyes. But he still stood in front of the kid so that Bakugo and his friends couldn't do anything else to him. I sighed and moved out of the way, I did not want to get involved with this issue in any shape or form unless I had to.

Midoriya gripped his teal shirt in his hands, sniffling, "Why are you being so mean? You're making him cry, Kacchan...!" He said shaking and got into a little fighting stance. "If you keep on hurting him, uh... I'll, uh... I'll stop you myself!" Midoriya spoke timidly, trying to be brave.

Bakugo and his two friends just stared at him.

Then they started smirking, his friends started to use their quirks, and Bakugo says, "Hmph. You wanna pretend to be a hero, huh?" Bakugo then used his own quirk, putting one of his hands into a fist and used his other hand to hit his fist with his palm, making an explosion.

"You don't stand a chance without a quirk, Deku." Bakugo said, smiling like a bully.

I spoke up, my voice sharp and cutting through the commotion. "Can you just stop already?" I said, crossing my arms with an annoyed huff. "I couldn't care less about him or whatever you're doing, but you're making this drag out, and I just want to go back to Midoriya's apartment." My tone was laced with irritation, not out of concern for the boy on the ground, but because the entire situation was grating on my nerves.

I glared as Bakugo and his friends, my patience clearly wearing thin. For a moment, the boys stopped, startled by my bluntness, though Bakugo quickly recovered with his usual cocky smirk. "What's it to you, huh, Blindfoldie?" He shot back, his tone mocking.

I didn't even flinch, my expression remaining cold and unimpressed. "It's not to me. I just don't want to be here watching you act like idiots." I replied flatly, making it clear I wasn't interested in their childish games.

Bakugo huffed, "Shut up Blindfoldie, or you'll be jumped too!"

One of Bakugo's friends opens his wings and flies towards Midoriya, the other jumps at him with his big hand quirk, and then Bakugo jumps in as well.

"Eep-!" Midoriya trembled.

Before they could land a hit on Midoriya, I stepped in front of him. I held out my hand and instantly, everything stopped. Bakugo and his friends froze mid-air as if time itself had been paused.

Bakugo and his friends glanced at each other and then me before I slowly lowered my hand, and the three boys dropped unceremoniously to the ground with surprised yelps.

I sighed, brushing invisible dust off my sleeve before looking at them with cold, piercing eyes through my blindfold. "I would suggest that you leave. Actually, let's just end this 'playdate' because I didn't even want to come to this stupid playground in the first place. And now, I've wasted my time dealing with you three." I spoke calmly but with a short fuse.

Immediately, Bakugo's so-called friend's get up off the ground and run away in fear.

"Man, she's insane! What kind of quirk is that anyway!?"

"Let's get out of here! She's scary!"

I scoff, "Cowards."

"Listen here, Blindfoldie! I'm not letting you get away with this! Making a fool out of me! Just you wait!" Bakugo gets up quickly and walks away fast.

After a few minutes of making sure they're gone, Midoriya speaks up.

"Thank you, for, um, helping me. That was very nice of you!" He beamed.

I turned towards Midoriya, "You're lucky that I helped you. Next time, I won't save you at all." I spoke monotonously.

"Wha? But why not!?" Midoriya asked, nervously.

"Because it was your own fight, and I shouldn't have interfered. You dragged me to this stupid place anyway. If we didn't come, this all wouldn't have happened." I said.

"If you had so many reasons to not help me, then why did you?" Midoriya questioned.

"Because I didn't want to jeopardize myself getting in trouble with your mom and me being able to stay with you." I deadpanned.

"Oh... That actually makes sense..."

Time-skip:

After the park fiasco with Bakugo and his two friends, we headed back to Midoriya's apartment. The moment Ms. Midoriya opened the door, I wasted no time explaining to her about the trouble Bakugo and his crew had caused.

Ms. Midoriya's expression quickly shifted to one of concern, her hands clasping together as she listened. "I'll have a talk with Mitsuki about this later," she assured us, her tone firm yet caring.

Once the situation was addressed, she smiled warmly and gestured for us to come in. She then ushered us into the cozy apartment, and the familiar comfort of Midoriya's home made everything feel a little more normal.

I made myself comfortable in Midoriya's room for a bit, watching him happily fidget with all his All Might figures and posters, his excitement filling the space. He seemed completely absorbed in his little world, but I didn't feel like joining in.

Instead, I quietly slipped out and made my way to the kitchen, where Ms. Midoriya was busy tidying up. It felt better to talk to her than to sit around watching Midoriya gush over All Might for the hundredth time.

"Hey," I said calmly, my voice breaking the quiet of the kitchen.

Ms. Midoriya jumped slightly, startled as she scrubbed at a dish in the sink, clearly not expecting anyone to approach her. She turned around quickly, her expression lightening into a small, flustered smile. "Oh, L/n! Do you need something?"

"Not exactly..." I pause. "I've seen it happen a few times, but does Midoriya always get bullied like that?" I ask suddenly.

Ms. Midoriya's face softened, the smile fading into something more solemn as she placed the dish on the drying rack and dried her hands with a towel. She sighed, turning to fully face me, my eyes filled with sadness. "Yes... Kids his age have always been mean to him..."

"Why?" I ask, though the reason was obvious to some.

"Well, since he doesn't have a quirk, people find that unusual... Especially since mostly everybody in this world now has quirks."

"That makes no sense. I would like to not have a quirk like he does." My eyebrows furrowed.

Ms. Midoriya sighs, "And I'm happy that you feel that way. However, the reason you feel that way is understandable, L/n. Especially because of what goes on in your home. You've grown up and matured way too fast. You're also very smart; I hope you know that."

"Why don't you just enroll him into martial arts or something? So that he can defend himself when he has to?" I ask.

"L/n... That would be a good idea, if he was older. You two are only four, and I wouldn't make him fight at an early age." Ms. Midoriya pauses and crouches down to my level. "L/n, just try to understand what he goes through everyday... and I know this is much to ask, but... even if it's difficult, try to protect him. Just like you did today at the playground, alright?" She puts her hand on my shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze.

"Okay, Ms. Midoriya..." I grumbled.

Time-skip: (You and Izuku are in junior high (middle school) now. You and Midoriya are on first name basis because you and him got way closer over the years):
Author's Note: (AND BY THE WAY, YOU IMAGINE WHAT YOU LOOK LIKE! HAIR/SKIN COLOR, BODY TYPE/CHEST SIZE {because of Mineta and Kaminari eventually}, ETC. IT'S YOU, NOT ME! However, your eyes will be blue like Gojo's. Unless you want to imagine them as a different color, then by all means, go ahead).

All the bullying that Izuku endured when he was younger didn't stop him at all, if anything it pushes him to do better.

The early morning sun peeked through the clouds as me and Izuku sprinted down the bustling sidewalks, our junior high uniforms rustling with each hurried step. Izuku's familiar yellow backpack bounced against his back, his red sneakers pounding against the pavement with determination.

He glanced back at me, his green eyes shining with excitement. "Hurry up! We might miss it!" He called over his shoulder.

I trailed a few steps behind, my school bag slung lazily over one shoulder, my face set in a mix of annoyance and resignation. "I didn't even want to come, you know," I muttered, my tone clipped but not harsh.

Still, I kept pace, my steps steady as we weaved through the morning crowd. Izuku was too focused to respond, his mind set on catching even a glimpse of the hero fight before the school day began.

As we neared Tatooin Station, me and Izuku skidded to a stop, our hurried footsteps silenced by the roar of a shark-like villain towering above the panicked crowd.

Izuku somehow smiles. "Wah! That's one huge supervillain!"

The villain let out another earsplitting roar, his massive, clawed hands smashing a pole tower with electric wires, sending sparks flying in every direction. Gasps and screams erupted from onlookers as they scrambled to get away.

My eyes narrowed as I instinctively stepped back, gripping the strap of my bag tightly. Two heroes arrived swiftly on the scene-, "Death Arms," a muscular figure with super strength, caught part of the collapsing pole tower mid-air, his teeth gritted.

Meanwhile, the firefighter hero "Backdraft" created a thick water line, forming a barrier to keep the citizens at a safe distance. I eyed the scene, unimpressed yet curious as Izuku stood wide-eyed, his hand gripping the strap of his yellow backpack, muttering excitedly about the heroes' quick reactions.

"Oh, nice! Way to go, Death Arms!"

"The Punching Hero! I wish I had a quirk that made me super strong..."

"Everyone, please stay back! This area is far too dangerous!" Backdraft yelled over all the people.

"Woah, the rescue specialist Backdraft is here? He'll make sure we're okay!"

The people in front of me and Izuku start talking amongst themselves.

"This guy must be pretty desperate to go full monster in the middle of the city... Do you know what happened?"

"Just some amateur. Stole someone's bag and then got himself cornered."

"A quirk like that and he's just a petty thief..."

Izuku's eyes sparkled with excitement as he pushed eagerly through the crowd, his heart racing with anticipation of what was happening up ahead. He couldn't resist the urge to see it for himself, shoving past people.

As he neared the front, he barely noticed me following closely behind, not wanting to be left alone in the sea of strangers. With a gentle tug, I grabbed onto the back of Izuku's uniform, holding tight to him to make sure we didn't get separated.

"I got held up. Train's out. Another villain. I'm not sure when I'm gonna make it into the office," some grown man sighed on the phone.

Then, another hero shows up, a wood guy.

"WAHHH! It's Kamui Woods! We're your biggest fans!" Fangirls squealed.

Kamui Woods dashed with incredible agility, his wooden limbs extending and twisting as he parkoured his way up the side of a towering building. Above, the villain let out a thunderous roar, their rage echoing through the city streets. With a massive swing of their arm, they aimed to strike Kamui Woods down, but the hero was already in motion. Kamui Woods leapt into the air, narrowly avoiding the blow as the villain's fist smashed into the side of the building.

"Get away from me or I'll break you, Toothpick!" He roars out in anger.

Me and Izuku are finally in front of the crowd.

"Wow, this is gonna be good!" Izuku said, with a small smile. He was completely absorbed in the unfolding action, practically bouncing in place.

I hummed in response, not sharing his enthusiasm.  I don't like watching hero fights, because I don't like heroes. All of their flashy moves and big speeches felt more like a performance than actual help. Still, I stayed quiet, letting Izuku enjoy the moment.

The fight began with an explosive clash of power and agility. The villain roared for like the seventh time, swinging a massive fist at Kamui Woods their strength causing the air to ripple from the sheer force. But Kamui Woods was quicker. Extending his wooden arm with precision, he wrapped it tightly around a nearby pole tower, using the momentum to flip himself high into the air.

His movements were fluid, almost effortless, as he twisted above the villain's reach. The massive swing missed entirely, the villain stumbling slightly from the overextension of their attack. Kamui Woods landed gracefully on a higher vantage point, his eyes locked onto the villain below, calculating his next move.

Izuku fanboys, "It's Kamui Woods! He may be new, but he's making a big name for himself!"

A guy on the opposite side of Izuku speaks up, "One look at that dopey grin and I know what you are!" He then points his finger at Izuku. "A fanboy!"

Izuku looks away shyly and says, "Well, sorta..." he laughs awkwardly with a small blush on his face.

The villain lunged at Kamui Woods again, this time aiming a massive fist at the hero. The punch sailed past its target, crashing into a train track with a deafening smash. Kamui Woods seized the opportunity, darting forward with his signature agility. He sprinted up the villain's arm, his wooden limbs extending as he wrapped his tree-like arm tightly around the villain's wrist in an attempt to restrain them.

For a moment, it seemed like Kamui Woods might gain the upper hand, but the villain's sheer size and strength quickly turned the tables. With a furious growl, the villain swung their arm wildly, Kamui Woods flailing through the air, still holding on. Realizing he couldn't overpower the brute, Kamui Woods released his grip, flipping through the air and landing on top of a train.

"Assault, robbery, and the illegal use of powers during rush hour traffic. You are the incarnation of evil." He then does some weird branch thing with his tree arm. "This'll be your punishment."

"There! Look Y/n-Chan! His special move!" Izuku said, smiling at me while pointing.

The guy besides Izuku speaks again, "Come on, Tree Man, show us something flashy!"

"The Pre-emptive..."

"Binding..."

"Lacquered Chain Prison!"

Just as Kamui Woods was about to use his special move, this huge girl appears out of nowhere.

"Canyon Cannon!" She yelled, her voice booming with power as she kicked the villain through multiple buildings, creating loud crashes.

Everyone, including me and Izuku, deadpan. Me and Izuku exchanged confused glances. I have a look on my face that says, "What the hell?"

The huge girl landed with dramatic flair, striking an over-the-top pose and sticking her butt out as if she'd just delivered the most epic moment of the battle. Before I could even process it, a swarm of cameramen appeared from nowhere, pushing Izuku and I aside. "Money shot, money shot, money shot." They yelled, completely ignoring everything else, and focusing on the girl's pose instead.

The huge girl then speaks, "Piece of cake, for the world's next hottest hero. Hi there everyone, I'm Mount (Mt.) Lady~ And you don't have to worry about this bum anymore~" She then winks for the cameras.

The cameramen again say, "Money shot, money shot, money shot..."

My eyebrow twitched underneath my blindfold, irritation bubbling up inside me. This new lady hero, with her over-the-top entrance and ridiculous pose, was just the last straw. I was already tired of heroes in general, and now the cameramen pushing us out of the way, chanting-, it was too much. The whole scene felt like a spectacle more than anything else.

"Wait, she's getting all the credit?" Kamui Woods questions, still confused from what all that happened. But everyone ignores him, including myself (on purpose).

The crowd eventually started to clear, leaving me and Izuku standing there in the aftermath. He was completely absorbed in his light blue notebook, the one he always used to write about different heroes and their quirks. His pencil moved quickly across the pages as scribbled down notes, occasionally rambling to himself as he did. He doesn't even realize he talks out loud when he thinks to himself.

Izuku mumbles, "Kamui Woods is so fast and precise, using his quirk like an extension of his body... His control over his wooden limbs is amazing. I wonder how much training it takes to move like that... And that huge girl-, Gigantification, huh? Well, she's definitely got the looks and attitude to be a crowd favorite, and her quirk is really showy, but it'll be kind of hard for her to get around much in the city without damaging lots of things... That means, she might not be very useful... Well, depends on whether she can manipulate her size at will..." he trails off.

I couldn't but help but roll my eyes slightly, knowing how wrapped up he could get in his thoughts. He was always like this, so eager to learn about heroes, but it was hard for me to feel the same way. Still, I didn't interrupt. Izuku was in his element, and I had to admit, it was kind of amusing watching him go off like this. I've also gotten used to it, being as I've lived with him for so long.

The random guy that was beside him earlier says, "What's that, fanboy? You takin' notes over there? Wanna be a hero, too, huh?"

Izuku turns to look at him and smiles, "Ah! Yes! More than anything!"

"Well, good luck!"

"Thanks! I'll try!"

As we left the hero and villain sighting behind, me and Izuku made our way to Aldera Junior High. The buzz of the day was still fresh in my mind, but I couldn't help but feel a weight in my chest. I glanced at Izuku, who was still excitedly muttering to himself about quirks and heroes.

I suddenly spoke up, breaking the comfortable silence. "Do you really want to be a hero, Izuku?" The question just kind of slipped out, a question I've voiced multiple times before.

Izuku sighed deeply, his expression softening as he looked ahead. "If only you could see heroes the way I do, Y/n-Chan..." his voice was quiet, almost wistful, like he was wishing I could understand why they meant so much to him.

I didn't respond. I wasn't sure how to. It wasn't that I didn't get it, but I had my own reasons for feeling the way I did, he knew that.

We walked in silence for a bit, eventually entering the school and heading straight for our classroom. We sat down in our seats, and, of course, Bakugo and his friends are in our class. I could feel my annoyance rise just looking at them, but I ignored them, and so does Izuku for the most part. It was easy to tune them out after years of their loud, obnoxious behavior.

"So... as third-year students, it's time to start thinking seriously about your futures and what you wanna do with your lives." Our teacher said strictly.

As our teacher continued talking, I glanced over at Izuku. His head was bent low, completely absorbed in his notebook, scribbling down notes about whatever hero or quirk had caught his attention now. I couldn't help but deadpan, a small sigh escaping me. "Really, Izuku? I swear, what am I going to do with you?" I thought. However, this class is boring; I guess I couldn't be too mad.

"I could pass out some career aptitude tests but-" our teacher interrupts himself when he grabs the papers on his desk aggressively. "-Why bother?" He said and spoke again while laughing, throwing the papers in the air. "I know you all want to go to the hero track!"

I roll my eyes and mutter, "I don't..."

The classroom buzzed with excitement as everyone besides me, Izuku, and Bakugo cheered, showing off their quirks in their usual over-the-top ways. Sparkles, explosions, gusts of wind, and other flashy displays filled the room.

Izuku, ever the studious type, had his head down, clearly trying to tune out the noise around him. His eyes were glued to his notebook, focused on whatever hero-related notes he was jotting down.

Bakugo, on the other hand, was a different story. He wasn't participating in the display of quirks, though he didn't need to. He sat there, his feet propped up on his desk, hands shoved into the pockets of his uniform pants. He looked menacing, like a storm waiting to break. His usual scowl was more intense today, and I could practically feel the tension radiating off him. His presence alone had a certain weight to it.

And me? Well, I was just sitting there, as usual. My blindfold remained firmly in place. I didn't feel the need to engage with any of the quirk showing. Everything seemed like a blur to me, just another part of the routine.

"Yes, yes, you've all got some very impressive quirks. But no power usage allowed in school. Get a hold of yourselves." Our teacher lightly scolded.

Izuku sat there looking bummed, his gaze fixed on our classmates as they flaunted their quirks with pride. He tried to keep his head down, but I could tell it was getting to him. It always did. The way his shoulders slumped, and his expression grew distant-, it was hard to miss. I knew why, of course. Watching everyone else show off their quirks when he didn't have one was like a constant reminder of what he lacked.

I sighed softly, trying not to let the noisy classroom get to me either. Picking up my pencil, I started drawing random shapes and doodles on my desk, anything to pass the time. The scribbles didn't mean much, but it was better than focusing on everything around me.

"Hey, Teach. Don't lump me in with these bunch of losers-, as if I had anything like... their crappy quirks. I'm the real deal but these guys will be lucky to end up as sidekicks to some busted D-Lister, heh!" Bakugo said with his usual cocky tone.

Every student in the class besides me and Izuku, call him out. "You think you're better than us?! Get over yourself, Bakugo!"

Bakugo laughs at them, "Shut up! Extras should act like extras-, actually c'mon-, let's go, I'll take you all on!"

Our teacher then speaks up, interrupting, he's talking to Bakugo now. "Huh, you've got impressive test results, maybe you will get into U.A. High." He said, looking at his stack of papers. Then all of my classmates were shocked.

"He's gonna try for the National School?"

"That school has a zero-point two percent (0.2%) acceptance rate!"

"The cutoff score this year is seventy-nine, right?!"

"It's impossible to get into!"

"Yeah, I hear they barely accept anyone!"

I hum in disinterest as Izuku sighs.

"Ah, the stupid chattering of extras! That's exactly why it's the only place worthy of me." Bakugo jumps onto his desk from his seat. "I aced all the mock tests!" He points at himself with his thumb.

"I'm the only one at this school who stands a chance of getting in! I'll end up more popular than All Might himself AND BE THE RICHEST HERO OF ALL TIME!" He raises his fist in the air. "PEOPLE ALL ACROSS THE WORLD WILL KNOW WHO I AM, AND IT ALL STARTS WITH U.A. HIGH!!!" Bakugo yells cockily.

"Oh yeah, Midoriya. You're also going for U.A., right?" Our teacher said calmly, still looking down at his stack of papers.

From being called out, Izuku let out a small, nervous squeak, "Uh-" his voice was muffled as his face remained buried in his arms on his desk. He slowly looked up, his wide, uncertain eyes scanning the room. And that's when it happened-, everyone in the class turned their attention to him, their stares sharp and unkind.

For about six seconds, the room was silent, the tension hanging thick in the air. Then, as if on cue, everyone but me and Bakugo erupted into laughter. The cruel sound filled the classroom, echoing off the walls.

I glanced around at them, my expression twisting into pure annoyance. Even though they couldn't see my furrowed eyebrows or the sharp glare I would've thrown their way beneath my blindfold, I hoped they could feel the weight of my irritation. Their behavior was exhausting and immature, and honestly, I was getting really tired of this routine.

"Midoriya? You're kidding right?"

"Good grades alone can't get you into the hero program!"

"There's no way you're getting in a hero course without a quirk!"

Everyone continued to mock Izuku, their jeers filling the classroom with cruel laughter.

Izuku, clearly desperate to defend himself, stood up suddenly from his seat. "Wha? Actually, they got rid of that rule! I-I can be the first one!" He stammered, his voice trembling as his worried eyes darted around the room, pleading for someone besides me to take him seriously.

But no one did. Instead, the laughter only grew louder.

Bakugo, who had been standing up quietly but seething, suddenly lunged at Izuku's desk, his anger exploding-, literally. With a crackling boom, he slammed his quirk-powered hand down, sending sparks flying and blasting the desk out from under Izuku. Both Izuku and the desk crashed to the ground in a heap. "Whoa!"

I sighed heavily as I walked over to where Izuku lay, checking to make sure he wasn't seriously hurt. "Why isn't the teacher doing anything again?" I thought angrily.

"Listen up, Deku!" Bakugo yelled, standing over Izuku with a menacing glare. "Forget the crappy quirks. You're totally quirkless. And you think you can rub shoulders with me? You're even worse than the rest of these damn rejects, you quirkless wannabe! You really think they'd let someone like you in, when they could have me?" His words were sharp and venomous, and I could feel my blood boiling as he spewed them.

I scowled at Bakugo, my irritation clear as I stepped forward, ready to say or do something to stop his bullying. But before I could, I felt a tug on my uniform skirt/pants. I glanced down to see Izuku weakly pulling at the fabric, silently begging me not to get involved.

Reluctantly, I stopped, clenching my fists in frustration. He didn't deserve this. It was just the three of us at the back of the classroom now-, me, Izuku, and Bakugo. Everyone else had wisely moved to the front, unwilling to deal with Bakugo's temper.

Izuku let go of my uniform, his hands flailing in front of him as he stammered, "Huh? Wa... Wait, no, Kacchan! You've got it all wrong, really!" His voice cracked, the panic in his tone unmistakable as he tried to explain himself.

He started backing away from Bakugo, his movements frantic and uncoordinated. His eyes were wide with fear, and his words tumbled out in a desperate rush. "I wasn't... saying I could compete with you! Not at all!" He squeaked, his back finally hitting the classroom wall with a quiet thud.

"You've gotta believe me! It's just that... I've wanted to be a hero since I was little, I may not have a quirk, but I can still try my hardest, can't I?"

"Try?! Try what?! The entrance exam?! You're taking the exam just to 'try'?! What can you even do?! You'd never be able to hang with the best of the best! You'd die in the exams!"

Izuku's gaze dropped, his expression filled with frustration and sadness. I could see the weight of Bakugo's words starting to get to him. At this point, I was fed up with Bakugo. The constant bullying-, the cruelty-, it had gone on for too long. But even as my anger flared, I didn't want to do anything reckless or irrational.

Bakugo's voice cut through the tension again, cruel and mocking. "Defenseless Izuku, the school's already crappy, you really wanna embarrass it more by failing so hard?"

The room erupted into laughter once again, and I could practically feel Izuku shrinking even further into himself. I couldn't stand to see Izuku like this, beaten down and humiliated. Without a word, I moved closer, gently placing a hand on his shoulder in an attempt to comfort him the best I could. The others may have been laughing, but I knew that Izuku didn't need to hear any more of their taunts. He needed someone who cared. And, for now, that was me; just like how he cared for me.

Time-skip:

Class eventually ended, the loud chatter of students filling the room as they hurriedly gathered their things and filed out.

"Oh yeah, we should go to karaoke tonight."

"Yeah, let's go."

"I can't today!"

Izuku, however, stayed seated at his desk, his attention fixed on his phone. His face was full of fascination as his thumb scrolled down the screen.

I slung my bag over my shoulder and stood up, brushing off the remnants of the day's frustration. As the classroom emptied, I walked over to him, curious about what had him so engrossed.

Izuku didn't notice me at first, his focus entirely on the hero news site he was scrolling through.  After a moment, he spoke without looking up, his voice filled with admiration and longing. "Y/n-Chan, did you see the hero rankings update? All Might's still at the top. And that fight from this morning is all over the news. It was cool, wasn't it, Y/n-Chan?" He said with a small smile.

"Not really..." I replied calmly, leaning against his desk. "However, I suppose I'm being biased because I don't like heroes anyway."

Izuku sighed, his fingers still idly scrolling on his phone. "Yeah, I know... But how are you gonna go to U.A. when you don't like heroes?"

I raise an eyebrow. "Are you an idiot? I'm obviously not going to U.A." I said, scowling at him.

Izuku practically jumped out of his seat. "WHA? BUT U.A. IS THE BEST SCHOOL EVER!" He exclaimed, his voice echoing in the classroom.

I rolled my eyes, crossing my arms. "It's the best school for heroes." I snapped, my tone sharp.

Izuku flinched slightly, his excitement deflating. "Ah... Sorry, Y/n-Chan..." he mumbled, looking down at his phone.

I looked away, my gaze distant.

Izuku then spoke again, pulling me out of my thoughts. "Well, I better write some notes down about that fight before I forget anything..." He reached for his light blue notebook, the one he always carried with him.

"Yeah, go ahead. I'll wait while you do tha-" I started to reply, but my words were cut off as Bakugo appeared out of nowhere, grabbing Izuku's notebook from his hands.

Bakugo waved it around, his usual scowl deepening. "-I don't know what you think you're doin', Deku, but we're not done." He sneered.

His two lackeys sauntered over, smirking like they always did when trouble was brewing. "Whatchu got? His diary?" One of them taunted, his tone mocking.

Bakugo turned the notebook around to show his friend the cover, the bold words printed neatly across the front: "Hero Analysis for my Future, No. 13."

I didn't need to look; I'd already flipped through the pages before, with Izuku's permission. I knew how much effort he put into it, and seeing Bakugo and his friends mock it made me mad; angry.

Bakugo's first lackey squinted at the notebook, then smirked. "Huh? Don't tell me you're taking notes on how to be a hero..."

"'For my future'? Seriously?! This guy, Midoriya..."

Both of Bakugo's friends burst into laughter, their mocking echoing through the now-empty classroom (besides us, of course).

One of them jeered, "That's so pathetic!"

The other chimed in, "He's delusional!" He doubled over as if it was the funniest thing in the world.

Izuku stood up abruptly, clearly nervous but trying to stay firm. "Yeah, real funny, guys..." he muttered, his voice wavering. He looked at Bakugo, trying to meet his gaze. "C-Come on. Just give it back!"

But Bakugo wasn't about to let things end there. He held the notebook between his palms, looking at it for a moment before a loud crackling sound filled the room. His palms sparked with his quirk, and he released a small explosion, charring the notebook instantly. Izuku yelped in shock at the sight.

"HUHHH?!"

Izuku stared at his now burnt notebook, his lip trembling. "Why...?! T-That's so mean..." he mumbled timidly, his voice barely audible over the snickering of Bakugo's friends.

Bakugo, completely unfazed by Izuku's hurt expression, turned his back towards the classroom window, flinging the burnt notebook out the window with a causal flick of his wrist, tossing it without a care in the world. Izuku screamed in horror, flailing his arms around.

"Hm, most first-string heroes show potential early on-, even as students-, people look at them and know they're destined for greatness. When I'm the first and only student from this garbage junior high to get into U.A., people will start talking about me like that, they'll realize I'm legit, the next big thing. That's not ego talking, I just know I'm good."

I rolled my eyes at Bakugo's little speech, thinking to myself, "Egooo..."

Bakugo loomed over Izuku, his hand gipping his shoulder as faint wisps of smoke curled from his palm. He leaned in closer, a fake, menacing smile plastered on his face. "Here's a little word of advice, Nerd." He said, his voice low and dangerous. "Don't even think of applying, or else..."

I shot Bakugo a piercing glare through my blindfold. I didn't want him hurting Izuku, not even a little. But Izuku just stood there, trembling and unable to respond, stuttering broken sounds as he made eye contact with Bakugo.

I could see it in Izuku's trembling form-, he wanted to say something, to stand up for himself, but I knew he wouldn't. He didn't want to get hurt, and honestly, I didn't want him to get hurt either. Ms. Midoriya would absolutely have my head if I let anything happen to her son.

Bakugo's first lackey sneered, "Jeez... typical. That's just sad, I thought you'd at least have some fight in you..."

The second lackey chimed in, "He finally gets it, he'll never be a hero, better to find out now instead of later, I guess. Man, he's so lame. Even as a third-year... he still can't face reality."

Bakugo smirked, crossing his arms. "Y'know... If you really wanna be a hero that badly, there might actually be another way..." he leaned closer, his voice mocking. "Just pray that you'll be born with a quirk in your next life and take a swan dive off the roof of the building."

That was it. I couldn't hold it back anymore. "What the hell is wrong with you, Bakugo?!" I snapped, stepping forward. My voice my loud, angry, cutting through the tension. "You don't just tell someone to kill themselves! Do you even hear yourself right now?"

The room fell silent, my words echoing. Even Bakugo looked slightly caught off guard by my sudden outburst. I never talked much. But I didn't care. He'd gone too far, and I wasn't going to let him get away with it.

Bakugo recovered quickly, his usual scowl returning. "Oh? You finally wanna speak up Blindfoldie? What are you going to do about it, huh? You think you can stop me?" He lit up an explosion in his palm.

I stood my ground, glaring at him through my blindfold. "I don't need to stop you. You've already proven you're nothing but a bully, picking on someone who can't even defend himself. That's pathetic, Bakugo."

The tension in the room was suffocating. Bakugo's friends shifted uncomfortably, clearly not expecting me to stand up to him, again, at that. Izuku looked up at me with wide eyes, his mouth slightly open as if he couldn't believe I was actually defending him right now.

Bakugo took a step closer, his fiery temper flaring. "You've got a big mouth for someone who doesn't even like heroes. What do you care about Deku, anyway?"

Before I could respond, he shoved me hard, and I stumbled back into the desks, crashing to the ground as several toppled over with me.

Izuku's eyes widened, and for the first time, I saw real anger flash across his face. "Kacchan, stop it! Why'd you push Y/n-Chan?!?" He yelled, his voice trembling with fury.

"It's fine." I said coldly, getting back up, and dusting myself off. If Bakugo wanted to play rough, fine. Guess F/n did one thing right, made sure I knew how to defend myself.

Without a word, I ran at Bakugo, my fist connecting with his face before he could react. He stumbled back, falling to the ground, and looked up at me in complete shock. Blood dripped from his nose.

His so-called friends, who were standing nearby, froze for a moment before bolting out of the classroom. "Cowards like always," I muttered, watching them scurry off.

Bakugo growled, trying to glare at me despite the blood dripping down his face. But I wasn't done.

"Just because I don't use my quirk doesn't mean I can't kick your ass with or without it," I said coldly. "So, either you run out this classroom with your tail between your legs, or I'll make sure to beat your ass this time."

Bakugo glared at me, his voice trembling. "You-, damn you!" He shouted, scrambling to his feet. "THIS ISN'T OVER BLINDFOLDIE!" Covering his bloody nose, he stormed out of the classroom, his footsteps heavy with frustration.

I stood there, breathing heavily, watching him leave. For a moment, the room was eerily quiet. Izuku hesitated before rushing to my side. "Y/n-Chan! Are you okay?"

I nodded, brushing off his concern. "I'm fine. He'll think twice before pulling something like that again."

Izuku looked at me with a mix of awe and worry, but I ignored it, glancing at the mess of desks. "Come on, let's fix this up before someone walks in and asks questions."

As we cleaned up the mess, I stayed quiet. Izuku kept glancing at me, probably worried, but he didn't say much either.

When we finished putting the desks back in place, Izuku slid his yellow backpack on and spoke hesitantly, "Um, we should probably try to find my notebook..."

I nodded silently, walking alongside him out of the classroom. The halls were mostly empty now, the other students either gone or too absorbed in their own world to notice us. We headed toward the courtyard where Bakugo had thrown Izuku's notebook out of the window.

"That idiot... He can't go around telling people to kill themselves, what if I really jumped? He'd be charged with bullying me into suicide! What would he do then? He needs to think before he speaks..." Izuku said softly, frowning.

"Don't worry about it. Don't even think anything about jumping." I said, almost glaring.

Izuku smiled, "I really appreciate you, Y/n-Chan... I don't know what I'd do without you..." he said suddenly.

The afternoon sun cast long shadows as we scanned the ground. "Where do you think it landed?" I asked, not responding to what he said. I didn't know how to respond to that.

Izuku looked up, looking around before pointing toward a nearby outdoor water fountain. "It's in the fountain," he said, a bit of disbelief in his voice.

I looked over, seeing the light blue notebook floating in the shallow water. "Great," I muttered under my breath.

We walked up to the water fountain filled with water and three koi fish, seeing his burnt and now-, wet, hero analyzing notebook. The koi fish are trying to eat it, giving it little nibbles; I guess burnt paper tastes good to them?

"My dreams have turned into fish food..." Izuku said softly. "Okay, that's enough, give it back." He spoke to the fish, upset. He reaches into the water and the fish swim away. He pulled it out, a few pages were stuck together from the moisture. He tried to shake off the excess water. "Damn it..." Izuku murmured, looking at his notebook, "That stupid jerk..."

Izuku spoke quietly, "It's a little ruined." He flipped through the pages. Some of the edges had started to curl, but it didn't look like it was beyond saving.

"Yeah," I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck. "Well, at least it's not completely destroyed."

Izuku nodded, his voice soft but thoughtful. "Yeah... I guess so..."

We started heading to his apartment, the familiar path stretching before us. It was quiet, the kind of peaceful silence that only came with walking side by side.

Suddenly, Izuku broke the calm with burst of laughter, mimicking All Might's signature boisterous cheer. He smiled like him too, his expression wide and infectious.

At first, I raised an eyebrow, unsure of what was happening, but before long, I couldn't help but smile, just a little.

"See? I can be just like him, you smiled Y/n-Chan! And you don't usually smile much at all!" Izuku's grin was so bright it was hard not to feel a little lighter.

I shook my head, half-amused. "Yeah, I guess you can be like him, Izuku..." I walked a little ahead, my smile still lingering softly.

His laughter continued for a while, but then it faded into a quiet stillness, and a question bubbled up inside me. "Hey, Izuku?" I called out softly, still walking, but there was no answer.

The silence stretched on, and I still didn't hear him. Then suddenly, I caught a strange sound-, like humming, followed by desperate, strangled screams. My heart skipped a beat, and I spun around, my instincts screaming that something was wrong.

What I saw made my blood run cold: a green goo villain was wrapping around Izuku, suffocating him!

"What the-?" I gasped in shock, adrenaline surging through me as I dashed over to him, trying to pry the villain off of Izuku.

The goo villain's voice was chilling, almost sickly sweet as he spoke. "Don't worry boy, I'm just taking over your body, it'll be easier for the both of us if you don't fight back... It'll only hurt for a minute. You'll feel better soon." His grip tightened, and I could see the panic in Izuku's eyes as he struggled to breathe.

I shout, "Let go of him!" My mind raced, but I knew I couldn't use my quirk. It was too dangerous. The power I held within me could easily kill the villain, but I would lose Izuku in the process.

I felt a wave of hopelessness wash over me, unlike anything I'd felt before, even in my darkest moments with F/n. I could do nothing. I was trapped, held back by both my quirk and my internal battles. I still carried the weight of F/n's legacy, the burden of his quirk and the trauma it left behind. I never wanted to be a hero, and yet here I was, wanting to save someone but unable to act. Every part of me screamed to do something, but my body and mind were somewhere else.

I was desperately tugging at the green goo villain, trying to pry him off, but it was like trying to fight against water-, pointless.

His voice oozed with arrogance as he taunted me. "Grab all you want, girl. My body is made of fluid, it's pointless. But I applaud you for trying to save your friend." Izuku's face was pale, his eyes watering as he struggled to breathe, his hands weakly reaching for the villain, but it was no use.

"Izuku, I know you can't breathe but hold on just a bit longer, okay?" I begged, my voice frantic. "You won't die, you won't die, you won't die." I said as if it were a mantra. But then, his body went limp. Panic surged through me like wildfire. "Izuku no! IZUKU!" I screamed, my heart racing. He's the only one I have left. He can't go like Mama and Toya.

Just as my world felt like it was crumbling, I heard a loud sound, followed by the sudden sight of a sewer cover soaring into the air. The green goo villain's eyes widened with horror. I turned, but I couldn't see anything yet.

"Have no fear, you're both safe..." a deep voice echoed, accompanied by the sound of heavy stomping. "Now that I am here, that is."

The villain immediately started trying to fight whatever was approaching, but it wasn't long before a powerful voice cut through the air. "TEXAAAAS SMAAAAASH!"

The ground shook, and a strong gust of wind set the green goo villain flying apart in every direction, covering me in the slimy mess. "Ew..." I muttered, trying to shake it off, disgusted by the goo all over me. But then, I saw Izuku. He was free-, alive and gasping for air, no longer trapped by the villain's grip.

I caught Izuku just before he hit the ground, my heart pounding in my chest. Once I was sure he was breathing again, I carefully laid him down on the ground, trying to keep him comfortable. As I looked up, still shaken, my eyes widened in surprise-, standing before me was none other than All Might.

I stare at him, my caution taking over as I studied him closely. He glanced down at me briefly, and then his focus shifted to Izuku. He knelt down beside him and began lightly slapping Izuku's face-, fast, rapid slaps that almost seemed too much, but the urgency in his actions told me he knew what he was doing. My stomach tightened as I watched, uncertain whether this would help or if it would make things worse.

"Hey! Wake up!" All Might's voice was commanding, and I watched as Izuku's eyes fluttered open slowly. "Hey! Thought we lost you there!"

Izuku's reaction was instant. His eyes went wide with panic, and he scrambled backward on the ground, his breath coming in quick gasps.

All Might gave me a quirk glance, then turned back to Izuku with a relaxed smile. "Well, it looks like you're moving around alright." His tone was light, turning his attention to both of us, All Might scratched the back of his head sheepishly.

"Sorry 'bout that, back there! I didn't mean to get you two caught up in my justice-ing. Usually, I pay more attention to keeping bystanders safe as mistakes like this aren't exactly my style, but... it turns out this city's sewer system is pretty difficult to navigate! And besides I'm off camera!" He placed his hand on his head dramatically, like he was posing for a magazine cover, before letting out his iconic laugh-, loud and boisterous, as if nothing had just happened.

Izuku just sat there, dumbfounded and starstruck, his mouth opening and closing like he was trying to form words but couldn't.

I couldn't help but roll my eyes. "Maybe if you would've gotten this stupid villain sooner, someone wouldn't have almost died." I said coldly, my frustration bubbling to the surface.

All Might jumped at my words, his face flushing as he broke into a nervous cough. Sweat started to bead on his forehead. "Ahem... Well, yes, but we won't talk about that right now at this moment..." he quickly made an excuse, avoiding eye contact. "Anyway...! You two were a big help, thank you!" He then proudly held up two soda bottles, each containing the defeated green goo villain.

"I've captured the evil do-er!" He grinned widely, striking yet another dramatic pose, as if the whole thing has been just another day in the life of a hero.

I shot All Might a look that clearly said, "Seriously?" My eyebrow raised, and my expression said it all-, this was not the time for one of his dramatic poses and goofy hero antics. Izuku, on the other hand, was still sitting there, dazed. His face was bright pink, his eyes spinning. It was clear what was going on, yet he couldn't believe it. His favorite hero of all time had just saved him-, and was now standing right in front of him, holding up a villain in soda bottles like it was no big deal. His mind must've been racing a mile a minute.

I sighed, trying to shake the last bit of goo off of my clothes. "Come on, Izuku," I muttered. "Get it together."

Izuku scrambled around, his eyes wide with excitement. "Holy crap... I've got to get an autograph; I know I've got a pen around here somewhere..." his hands fumbled as he pulled a pen from his pocket, his voice frantic with disbelief. "Please sign my notebook!" He quickly grabbed his notebook from the ground, opened it, and froze.

His eyes widened in shock as he saw the familiar bold signature of All Might already written inside. "HE ALREADY DID IT!!" Izuku gasped, and then, overcome with gratitude, he stood up and started bowing repeatedly.

Izuku rants, "Thank you so much, this will be an heirloom, a treasure passed down for generations to come!" His voice cracked with excitement.

All Might flashed him a smile and gave him a thumbs up, clearly pleased with Izuku's reaction. All Might then clapped his hands together, standing up straight. "Welp, I've got to get this guy to the police so they can take care of him. You two stay out of trouble, see you both around! You can catch me again on TV!" With a wave, he prepared to fly off.

Izuku, still in a daze, rushed over, his face pleading. "Um! Wait... Is that it...? You're leaving... Already? I..." his voice was filled with disappointment, clearly not ready for All Might to disappear so soon.

I watched their exchange with mild indifference. I was nowhere near as starstruck as Izuku, so I had no problem just standing here, arms crossed, not particularly caring whether All Might stayed or not.

All Might chuckled softly, "Pro heroes are constantly fighting time as well as enemies."

Izuku blinked, his face dumbfounded as the reality of that statement sank in. It seemed like the weight of being a pro hero had finally hit him.

All Might grinned as he shouted, "Now, stand back, I'm taking off!" He launched into the air. "Thanks for your continued support!"

But just as he took off, Izuku grabbed onto him, desperate for dear life. And before I could even think I grabbed onto Izuku's leg at the last second, not wanting to be left alone. Suddenly we were airborne, with All Might effortlessly carrying both of us. Izuku was screaming, clearly terrified, while I, on the other hand, was just neutral about it.

All Might glanced down at us, and the moment he saw Izuku still clutching his leg and me hanging onto Izuku, his expression shifted. Sweat began to bead on his forehead, and he immediately began to panic. "Hey, hey, hey! What do you think you two are doing!?" He tried to push Izuku off his leg, his voice a mix of concern and frustration. "Let go! I love my fans, but this is too much!"

I huffed, rolling my eyes. "Trust me, I'm not a fan..." I made it clear I wasn't about to get starstruck by All Might's antics.

Izuku, still clinging to All Might's leg with fear in his voice, shouted, "Wait! We're flying! If I let go now, me and Y/n-Chan will die!" He flailed his legs around, his panic escalating. I hung onto his leg for dear life, doing my best to grip my school bag as it swung wildly in the air.

All Might looked at Izuku, then stopped his efforts to get us off him. "Oh." He realized the danger. "That's a good point."

Izuku, still wide-eyed, managed to push through his panic. "I just have a lot of things I want to ask you, personally...!" His eyes were comically wide; his mouth open in a strange expression as tears streamed down his face. His face was a mess, but he didn't seem to care. His eyes looked like they were about to pop out of his head, but his excitement and desperation made the whole scene even more ridiculous.

It almost makes me laugh, but I just kept my mouth shut. Izuku then practically pleads with All Might, his voice full of desperation. "You're my all-time favorite hero, All Might, please, pleaseee!"

All Might, clearly trying to keep his composure, sighed. "Okay! I get it! Just keep your eyes and mouth shut!" He said, obviously grossed out by Izuku's face.

Izuku buries his face into All Might's leg, and All Might holds onto Izuku's backpack to make sure neither of us would fall off. It wasn't exactly a comforting position, but it kept us from plummeting to our deaths.

Despite my blindfold, I couldn't help but notice something strange-, just a tiny bit of blood seeping from the corner of All Might's mouth when he coughed. Most people wouldn't have seen it, but of course, my eyes were different, and I wasn't sure what to make of it. But I decided to keep it to myself, choosing not to question the situation for now.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity in the air, All Might landed on a rooftop, his feet thudding softly against the building. Izuku immediately scrambled off of All Might's leg, looking disoriented, while I climbed off of Izuku's leg.

Izuku, looking like he had just gone through a life-or-death experience, was panting heavily. His face was all shriveled up from the stress and fear, and his voice shook as he muttered, "My whole life just flashed before my eyes..."

I, however, didn't feel the same overwhelming panic. I just stared out at the view from the rooftop, taking in the sprawling city below. "Hm, it's actually kind of nice up here." I thought to myself, enjoying the change in perspective. It was calm, peaceful-, even if the situation leading up to it had been anything but.

"Of all the...! Not a very smart move..." All Might said, his back turned toward us. "Bang on the door for a while. Hopefully someone from downstairs will let you in. Now, I have to go. See you two on the flip side!"

Izuku slowly gets up, "Wait, not yet! One second!"

All might spoke, "No! I don't have any time." He starts to walk away from us.

Izuku yells, "I have to know!" He reaches his hand out, but he slowly stops and pulls it back towards him. I look at Izuku curious now, wondering what he's going to say.

Izuku starts to shake, "Is it possible to become a hero even if I don't have a quirk?!" He asked, and All Might stops walking.

"I'm a normal kid without any powers... Could I ever hope to be someone like you!?" Izuku said, a small blush on his face from being nervous. All Might then slowly turns his face to look at Izuku.

And little did we know that this encounter would forever change our futures.

Chapter Text

The Present (Now):

All Might, ever the symbol of hope, had just started to respond, "Without a quirk?" when things took a decidedly strange turn.

He didn't finish his sentence. Instead, he made these small, almost strangled sounds, like a sputtering engine. "Oh no... Damn it all..." then, smoke. Not the dramatic, billowing kind you see in villain fights, but a disconcerting, almost fragile plume that curled off his mountainous frame. It was as if he was... unwinding. I stared, dumbfounded, at the sudden, bizarre display.

But Izuku, lost in his own world, didn't seem to notice at all. He kept looking down, his hands fidgeting as he spoke, "People think I don't have a chance. That not having some kind of powers makes me some kind of weakling... My classmates like to make fun of me, but you know what? That makes me want to prove them wrong." His voice, though laced with determination, also held a tremor of vulnerability. He was twirling his thumbs now; a nervous tic I'd seen countless times.

I saw the years of relentless bullying that had chipped away at his confidence, just because he was different. I'd always be there for him, sometimes begrudgingly, but always there, nonetheless. I knew the taunts, the dismissive glances, the cruel pronouncements that he could never measure up. And always, I felt a surge of protective anger. He deserved better. He was brave, resilient, and far tougher than anyone gave him credit for.

As Izuku continued to ramble, oblivious to the strange spectacle unfolding in front of him, the smoke grew thicker. Through the grey/gray haze, I began to make out a figure. Not the towering, muscular figure form of All Might, but something...different. Frail. Thin. The smoke was obscuring the details, but the change was undeniable.

"Izuku..." I mumbled, waving my hand in front of my face, trying to clear the smoke and get a better look. I was sweat dropping now, the absurdity of the situation washing over me. What was happening to All Might? And why wasn't Izuku noticing any of this?

Author's Note: (Obviously, you're a girl {unless you don't want to be a girl} so, you don't exactly look like this but it's here just to give you an idea. And like I said, you decide what you look like. The only thing that matters is the blindfold, since you haven't taken it off).

However, Izuku just keeps talking, his hands busied themselves with his thumbs, a telltale sign of his internal processing, as he spoke, his voice laced with an unwavering conviction. "Ever since I was a kid," he began, his face lighting up with a genuine, heartfelt compassion, "I've thought that saving people is the coolest thing you can do..." his words painted a vivid picture of a childhood spent dreaming of heroism, of standing tall and fearless in the face of danger.

His face lights up slightly. "I want people to see my fearless smile and feel safe," he continued, his eyes closing as a soft smile graced his lips. A vision of the future, a future where he was the beacon of hope, danced in his mind. "And be the kind of hero that everyone in the world looks up to." His eyes snapped open, gleaming with youthful determination, and he beamed at All Might in front of him. "Just like you!"

I had seen through the dissipating smoke, witnessed the change, and understood the truth that was about to break; I can still see pretty good, even with this blindfold covering my eyes. My insight, as always, was clear, but it was Izuku's reaction that held the dramatic weight of the moment. The instant his eyes landed on All Might's frail, smoke-obscured form, he went into a frantic spiral. The earnest, passionate boy just moments ago was replaced by a panicked, almost comical, figure. His initial sounds of confusion erupted into a full-blown scream that forced my own hands to clamp over my ears.

"WHAAAAAT?!"

Izuku stuttered, his words tumbling over each other. "I-, wait-, who-, what happened?! You deflated! You're all shriveled up! So thin!" He looked wildly around, as if expecting the true All Might to reappear. "Ah! Where'd All Might go? You-, you're not him! Huh?! Were you... huh?! You're a fake!" He pointed a trembling finger at the iconic hero, his eyes wide with disbelief. "An imposter!"

It was time for me to intervene. "Izuku," I said calmly, cutting through his panic, "I promise that is your stupid idol, my eyes know everything."

He looked at me, confusion still clouding his face, but the trust he placed in me, even in his strange state, was palpable. He visibly calmed, his shoulders relaxing slightly.

All Might, visibly surprised that I could sense his real presence, turned his attention from me to Izuku. The moment he opened his mouth to reassure the distraught boy, disaster struck. "Yes, I can assure you that I am All Mi-" he started, before a gout of blood erupted from his mouth.

Izuku couldn't process what he was seeing. He launched into a series of increasingly frantic screams, convinced that the skinny All Might before us was a complete fabrication. "NO WAY! Impossible! Y/n-Chan, are you sure he isn't an imposter?! A FAKE?!" He was basically vibrating with panic.

"Yes, I am sure, Izuku. That is him, stop screaming," I said, trying to inject some calm into the situation. But Izuku was beyond reason, emitting this bizarre mix of squeaks and whines that sounded like a malfunctioning toy robot.

Then, All Might dropped a bombshell. No dramatic heroic speech, no "I am here!" Instead, he nonchalantly explained his true state, with the most baffling analogy. "You know how guys at the pool are always suckin' in and flexin' and tryin' to look buff? I'm like that." He stated, casually pointing to his imagination.

Izuku's reaction? Another near meltdown. "This can't be real...!" He declared, his eyes practically bugging out of his head. "No... I'm dreaming... All Might's a giant of a man who saves everyone. He defeats all obstacles and wins the day with a fearless smile..." he said nervously, slowly backing away. He was clearly struggling to reconcile the superhuman with...well, this.

And that's when All Might, perched on the edge of the building, sighed resignedly. "There's plenty of fear behind that smile..." he admitted, the vulnerability in his voice quite shocking. He then turned serious, making it clear we needed to keep his...condition under wraps. "I'm counting on you two to keep your mouths shut. Don't go talking about this online or telling your friends..."

Izuku, now mostly confused, uttered a soft "Huh?" while I, ever curious, was honestly more intrigued than concerned. What exactly was the "legendary" hero about to reveal? What was the secret behind the fearless facade that had everyone hooked? And more importantly, did this mean my mental image of All Might includes a guy nervously sucking in his stomach at the pool?

Izuku backs up again with an "EEP!" when All Might pulls up his white t-shirt, revealing his severely damaged stomach. I stand still, my breath hitching as I take in the sight, even through my blindfold. My wide eyes stay locked on the gruesome injury. "Someone must've REALLY hated this guy..."

All Might's stomach looks awful-, scarred from surgery, discolored with shades of red and purple, and even dented inwards. It's as if someone caved it in with sheer force, crushing him from the inside out.

All Might exhales, his expression somber. "Pretty gross, right...? I got this in a big fight, five years back... My respiratory system was basically destroyed... I lost my whole stomach, all the surgeries have pretty much worn me out, and I can't be fixed. Right now, I can only do hero work for about three hours a day... The rest of the time? This is what I look like."

Izuku gasps softly, his green eyes wide with shock. "No way... Five years ago? So does that mean it was the fight with Toxic Chainsaw?"

I speak up as well, "You got punched by someone with a whole lot of power, didn't you?"

All Might shifts his tired eyes toward Izuku. His gaze holds a flicker of curiosity. "Wow, you know your stuff..." he then lifts his right arm, resting his elbow on his knee. "But no... The punk may have landed some hits, but he couldn't bring me down..." his gaze sharpens as he looks directly at me. "As for you... How did you know?"

"My eyes... They know everything." I say, crossing my arms over my chest.

All Might watches me for a moment before nodding. "I see... Is that your quirk?" He asks, his voice laced with curiosity.

I respond softly, "It's just a little addition to my quirk, I guess..." I don't offer any more details, and after a brief pause, he hums in thought and decides not to press further.

He shifts his focus back to the conversation, his expression darkening slightly. "Most of the world has never heard of this fight. I did everything I could to keep it under wraps." He looks down, then back up at us. "I'm supposed to be the guy who is always smiling, right? I'm the Symbol of Peace... People everywhere have to think that I'm never afraid."

His gaze drops to his hand, and he slowly clenches it into a fist. "But honestly... I smiled to hide the fear inside."

Izuku looks at him with wide, shocked eyes, but I remain still, simply listening.

All Might exhales before continuing, his voice quieter now. "It's just a brave face I put on when the pressure is high, this job isn't easy..."

Izuku makes a soft, surprised noise, like the weight of All Might's words is sinking into him all at once. All Might glances up at us again but shifts his attention mainly to Izuku, addressing his unspoken thoughts. "Pro heroes are always having to risk their lives, some villains just can't be beaten without powers. So, can you be a hero?" He pauses, his voice firm but not unkind. "Not without a quirk."

Izuku looks crushed, his whole world shattering in front of him. I can feel the weight of his heartbreak, and I watch him with sympathy, knowing just how much those words hurt him.

"I see..." he whispers, his voice barely audible as he lowers his gaze.

My hands ball into fists, and I shoot All Might a dirty look through my blindfold. I've always believed in what Izuku believed in (even if I never supported it). I didn't need his all-time favorite hero to crush his dreams too.

But All Might doesn't acknowledge my glare. He simply stands, brushing himself off before looking at Izuku. "If you want to help people, there are plenty of other ways to do it," he says. "You can become a police officer... They get crap because the heroes capture most of the villains, but it's a fine profession."

I scoff quietly, but All Might keeps going. He starts walking toward the door leading to the stairs, his voice carrying back to us. "It's not bad to have a dream, Young Man... And the girl might believe in you... But make sure your dreams are attainable. Realistic. Understand?"

With that, he disappears down the stairs, closing the door behind him.

I grit my teeth, my anger simmering beneath the surface. How could he say that? How could he just walk away like that after tearing Izuku down? I turn to Izuku, my voice surprisingly gently as I try to comfort him. "Don't believe everything he said, okay? He just doesn't understand..."

Izuku listens, but he doesn't say a word. The silence is heavy, lingering between us like a thick fog.

Then, suddenly, a loud explosion echoes through the city. Smoke rises in the distance, black and thick against the sky.

Izuku's eyes widen just a little, and for a second, I see a spark of life return to them. He takes off toward the door leading to the stairs. "A villain! I wonder which hero will show, c'mon Y/n-Chan...!"

But then, just as quickly as his excitement appeared, it fades. His steps slow, and he eventually stops running altogether, his pace becoming a slow walk.

I watch him, sighing softly. "I guess what All Might said really got to him... I guess I can't blame him though. His favorite hero told him that he couldn't be a hero because he doesn't have a quirk..."

I step closer, keeping my voice soft. "It's okay, Izuku... We don't have to go and see the fight but let's at least get off the top of this building, yeah?"

He nods silently, following me down the stairs. Once we reach the ground, we stop onto the public sidewalk, the city bustling around us. Izuku walks quietly beside me, his head down as he stares at his hero analysis notebook (looking at All Might's autograph), lost in thought.

I notice the tears welling up in Izuku's eyes as he sniffles, his emotions overwhelming him.

My heart somehow, even after all of the pain I've been through, aches for him. And before I can second-guess myself, I turn toward him and pull him into a gentle-, but admittedly awkward-, hug. I'm not used to this kind of thing, but right now, I know he needs it.

"It's okay, Izuku... Please, don't cry..." I whisper.

He clings to me for a moment, his shoulders trembling slightly, and I just hold him there. The world around us feels quiet-, until another loud explosion shatters the moment.

We both pull away and turn toward the source of the sound. Smoke rises high into the sky from the direction of Tatooin Station-, the same place we visited this morning.

Izuku wipes his tears with the sleeve of his junior high uniform and mutters, "That's strange... Is the fight from earlier still going on?"

I shake my head, my voice soft but certain. "No, it can't be. The shark looking villain was beaten and arrested, as we saw this morning... This has to be a different fight."

Without thinking, we start walking toward Tatooin Station, curiosity and concern pushing Izuku forward. As we get closer, the air becomes thick with heat-, fire is everywhere, engulfing parts of the street. People are panicking, running in different directions.

And then we see him.

The green, goo-like villain.

Izuku freezes in his tracks, his eyes going impossibly wide with horror. "That's the guy who attacked me!" He exclaims.

I curse under my breath as I realize what must have happened. "Damn, Izuku... The soda bottles must've dropped from All Might's pocket when we were flying with him earlier...!"

Izuku's expression crumbles, guilt washing over him. His voice is small, broken. "So, that means it's my fault..."

I turn to him sharply, "No, don't blame yourself, Izuku..." my voice is firm but gentle. I won't let him carry this weight alone like he usually does.

The murmurs of the crowd reach our ears, and we overhear snippets of conversation.

"Hey, that villain... isn't it the one All Might was chasing?"

"All Might?! No way! He's really here?!"

"Yeah, I saw him earlier."

"Then what's All Might doing now?!"

"Yeah, why aren't the heroes doing anything?" A man asks, frustration lacing his voice.

Another responds grimly, "It looks like they've met their match... Plus, the villain captured a kid. Things aren't looking good for him..."

Izuku stiffens beside me, his breath catching. "He caught someone?!" He whispers, his voice trembling. His hands move to cover his mouth as his eyes widen in horror. "I wonder how long they've been in there... How can they survive while being suffocated like that? I thought I was going to die only after a few seconds of struggling..."

I glance at him, feeing the panic radiating off him. I know this must be hitting him hard. I take a deep breath and offer, "If you want... I can use my eyes to check who's in there... If it'll give you some type of comfort to know."

Izuku nods quickly, desperate for any bit of information. I scan my eyes over the goo villain's mass. What I see makes my stomach drop. A flash of ashy blond hair, piercing red eyes filled with rage and desperation-, there's no mistaking him.

"It's Bakugo, Izuku..." I turn to Izuku.

The second his name leaves my mouth, Izuku takes off.

"Izuku, where are you going, what are you doing!?" I yell, chasing after him.

The crowd gasps. The three pro heroes on the scene react immediately, but only I get stopped. Izuku slips past them entirely, charging straight toward the villain.

"No you idiot! Stop! You're gonna get yourself killed!" The heroes shout after him, but he doesn't stop.

I watch, my heart pounding, as Izuku swings his yellow backpack in a wide arc and hurls it at the villain, screaming, "TAKE THIS!"

The bag slams into the villain's eye, and my sharpened vision catches something small poking the goo. The villain groans in pain, his grip faltering just enough for Bakugo to gasp for air.

Izuku doesn't hesitate. "Kacchan!" He cries, lunging forward. His hands claw at the goo surrounding Bakugo's face, trying desperately to free him, to help him breathe, to save him. But the villain is fluid-, his fingers flip through uselessly.

Something inside me ignites. Watching Izuku risk everything, seeing him refuse to let Bakugo die (even though he deserves it)-, I can't just stand here.

"Get the hell off of me!" I yell.

I twist out of the hero's grip, my movements fueled by adrenaline. Then, without thinking, I kick Death Arms-, hard-, right in the face.

Death Arms yells out in pain, clutching his face, but I don't have time to feel bad about it. I immediately sprint toward Izuku and Bakugo, moving as fast as I can to help get the goo off.

Bakugo finally notices us and, of course, gets pissed. "What the hell? Why are you two here!?" He demands, his voice rough from lack of air.

"I don't know! My legs...! They just started... Moving!" Izuku shouts back, his breathing ragged.

I huff, trying to stay calm even as my hands dig uselessly into the sludge. "I don't know either... You deserve this. I just followed Izuku into the line of fire." I admit.

Before Bakugo can yell at us again, the goo villain tightens his grip, covering Bakugo's mouth completely again. His muffled screams are heart wrenching. Izuku and I keep struggling, our fingers slipping through the villain's liquid body, but nothing is working.

"Kacchan... I couldn't just stand there and watch you die!" Izuku cries, tears spilling down his cheeks.

The villain chuckles darkly. "Just a little bit longer, Kid. And I'm done playing with you!" He raises one slimy arm into the air, preparing to strike Izuku and I down.

I brace myself and grab Izuku's arm, prepared to use my Infinity, my eyes narrowing.

"Save the boy and girl! This thing will kill them!" Death Arms yells, and I hear the heroes rushing toward us. But it's too late.

Or at least, I thought it was.

A familiar deeps voice cuts through the chaos.

"I really am pathetic."

Izuku gasps, turning his head sharply. "All Might... But-"

All Might ignores him, stepping forward, eyes burning with determination. "-I told you the traits that make a great champion," he says, gripping Bakugo's hand, the only thing sticking out of the goo. "But I see now that I wasn't living up to my own ideal."

His body tenses. Blood drips from the corner of his mouth, but he doesn't falter.

"Pros are always risking their lives! That's the true test of a hero!"

The villain snarls. "Damn you, All Might!" He swings his gooey arm at us, aiming to crush us where we stand-

But All Might moves faster.

In one swift motion, he grabs Izuku, Bakugo, and I, pulling us close as he rears his free fist back.

"DETROOOIIIT SMAAAAASH!!!"

The sheer force of his punch blasts the villain away in an instant, sending shockwaves through the air. The powerful gust of wind picks us up, making us flail wildly in All Might's grip as debris flies past. For a moment, everything is a blur-, wind, screams, and the feeling of weightlessness.

As the wind finally settled, I found myself still flailing around slightly, looking around like this was just another day. The heroes were screaming as they struggled to keep their footing, and Mount Lady had to shield the civilians from the force of the blast. The sheer power of All Might's punch had created a massive mind tornado, sweeping debris through the air like a miniature storm.

Then, silence.

The wind tornado dissipated, leaving behind a stunned crowd and exhausted heroes. All Might, panting heavily, slowly lowered Izuku, Bakugo, and I onto the ground. Bakugo and Izuku lay there, their eyes wide, and their bodies unmoving like they were still processing what just happened.

I sat up, blinking as raindrops suddenly began to fall. A soft drizzle at first, then a steady downpour. The shift in weather surprised the onlookers, but the civilians quickly turned their shock into excitement.

All Might, despite his obvious exhaustion, raised his fist triumphantly into the air. The crowd erupted into cheers.

I let out a small chuckle, shaking my head. "You really changed the weather, Old Man..." I muttered, watching as people chanted his name.

The moment didn't last long, though. The heroes got to work, gathering the scattered mounds of green goo that once made up the villain. Soon, he was in police custody where he belonged.

And then... came the scolding. Big time. The heroes were really mad at Izuku and I for some reason-, like we didn't just help save a kid's life while they watched like bystanders.

Kamui Woods crossed his arms, glaring down at Izuku and I. "You morons. Do you both have a death wish?"

Izuku lowered his head in shame while I looked away with a sigh.

Death Arms stepped in, his tone just as furious. "There was absolutely no reason for you to put yourself in danger like that!" Then he turned toward me specifically, his face scrunched up in frustration. "ESPECIALLY YOU! YOU'RE STRONG BUT YOU DID NOT HAVE TO KICK ME IN THE FACE!"

I shrugged, mumbling a quiet, "Sorry not sorry."

The scolding went on for a while. Meanwhile, the other heroes gathered around Bakugo, praising his bravery and the strength of his quirk.

"You were real tough out there! And that quirk!"

"Consider becoming my sidekick once you go pro!"

The way they completely ignored Izuku's bravery made my blood boil.

I turned to Izuku. "You were brave too, Izuku. Don't forget that."

Izuku looked up at me with wide, teary eyes before nodding slightly.

Just then, I noticed Bakugo glancing in our direction, his red eyes narrowed in a glare. Even after being rescued, he still has that attitude.

I sighed. I regret saving him. "This is going to be a long day..."

Time-skip:

After everything that happened today, Izuku and I were finally heading to his apartment. I couldn't help but think about what Ms. Midoriya had promised earlier-, she was going to make sweets when we got home. But it seemed like we'd been gone all day, and the thought of all that time lost made me sigh quietly.

My mind was still wandering when Izuku spoke, breaking me out of my thoughts.

"I wanted to apologize to All Might, but he was swarmed by interviewers... And I didn't want to interrupt..." Izuku said softly, his gaze fixed on the ground.

"Yeah, but you can always apologize some other time... I bet we'll see the old man again, Izuku..." I said quietly in response.

Izuku nodded. "Yeah, that's true... But I could always try to send a message through his website when we get home..."

I blinked, my mind reeling, "All Might has a website? Even I didn't know that... How big of a fan is he!?"

Before I could get lost in my thoughts again, a loud, familiar voice echoed across the street.

"HEY, DEKU!!! BLINDFOLDIE!!!"

I turned around quickly to see Bakugo charging toward us, panting and looking angrier than usual.

"Kacchan?" Izuku asked softly, confusion written all over his face.

Bakugo came to a stop in front of us, his breath still heavy. "Listen..." he began, avoiding my gaze completely. "I would never ask for weaklings like you two to help me... Don't think you guys can look down on me! HUH? GOT THAT?! I was fine by myself! I could've beaten him alone!"

Izuku looked at him, confused, but Bakugo wasn't done yet. He turned his glare to Izuku, eyes burning with anger. "You're just a quirkless failure who won't even cut it as a rent-a-cop!"

Then, Bakugo's gaze shifted to me, and for a moment, I thought he might apologize or say something different, but instead, he snapped, "YOU! I DON'T EVEN KNOW ABOUT YOU! YOU'RE JUST DIFFERENT!" He huffed, his fists clenched tightly. "You two didn't help me! Trying to win me over?! Don't you dare mock me! The both of you did nothing! Don't forget it."

Izuku and I exchanged a look, both of us blinking in disbelief as Bakugo scowled at us and walked away in a huff. "I DON'T OWE YOU GUYS ANYTHING! STUPID NERD AND BLINDFOLD!"

I stood there, still processing everything he'd just said, tilting my head in confusion.

Author's Note: (Obviously, you're still wearing your blindfold).

"What a tough guy!" Izuku smiled softly beside me, though it was bittersweet. "Kacchan is right though... It's not like I actually did anything to help today... But at least I tried," he said quietly.

I could feel the weight of his words, but before I could respond, Izuku added, "Guess now I should get back to giving up on my dreams..." his shoulders slumped, and I could see the sadness in his eyes.

Just as I was about to speak, to reassure him that he hadn't given up, a sudden, booming voice interrupted us.

"I AM HERE!"

Both Izuku and I jumped in shock, nearly falling over from the sheer volume of All Might's sudden appearance.

Izuku gasped, looking around. "All might!? Where'd you come from?" He seemed completely baffled. "Uh, how'd you get rid of all those reporters?"

All Might does his signature laugh, "I stand for justice! Not soundbites!" He announced proudly, striking a dramatic pose. He began to flex, shouting, "BECAUSE I, I AM ALL MIGH-"

But then, in an instant, his body suddenly gave out. His muscles deflated, his form shrinking into that frail, injured version of himself. Blood gushed from his mouth, and he coughed weakly.

Izuku screamed, his eyes wide with panic. "All Might! Are you okay?!"

All Might wiped his mouth, taking in a deep breath. "Young Man, Woman... I came to thank you." He looked at Izuku, then pointed at him. "And also, to discuss your question from earlier."

Izuku stood there, still processing everything.

All Might cleared his throat and continued, "If you hadn't told me about your life... And if you two hadn't run into that fight... I would've been a worthless bystander with fake muscles and insincerity watching from the crowd, so thanks."

"Fake muscles?" I hummed.

Izuku flinched, guilt written all over his face. "That... no. I mean, it was my fault he was there to begin with... I got in the way of your hard work, I wasted your energy, and not to mention, your time... Even though I'm quirkless, I dared to ask if-" he looked away from All Might, his voice timid and full of regret.

All Might smiled, his expression warm despite the pain. "-Exactly! Of all the people at the scene... it was only you who acted! You told me you didn't have a power. So, when I saw this timid, quirkless boy try to save a life, it inspired me to act too! Your spurred me into action!"

Izuku's eyes widened. He was trembling, unable to believe what he was hearing.

All Might continues, "There are stories about every hero, how they became great-, even as children. Most have one thing in common. Their bodies moved before they had a chance to think, almost on their own."

Izuku's breath hitched as tears started to form in his eyes. His shoulders shook as he started to cry, his body trembling uncontrollably. I awkwardly rubbed his back, unsure of how to comfort him.

All Might stood before him, watching him with a serious yet kind expression. "And today, that's what happened to you back there, yes?!"

Izuku, overwhelmed, dropped to his knees, his tears falling freely now. "Yes..."

All Might then tells Izuku the words that he has longed to hear for so long, his voice steady and full of resolve.

"Young Man, you too, can become a hero."

Chapter Text

The Present (Now):

"I deem you worthy of my power. My quirk is yours to inherit." All Might said it so casually, like it was the most normal thing in the world.

Izuku slowly looked up at him, eyes wide with disbelief. I turned to All Might too, mirroring Izuku's reaction.

"Huh?" We both blurted out at the same time.

Izuku, still in shock, stammered. "Wait... What do you mean, inherit? Inherit what?" His voice was shaky, filled with confusion and disbelief.

And then-, All Might laughed.

He threw his head back, a loud, boisterous laugh echoing through the empty street. Meanwhile, I was still standing there, trying to figure out if this Old Man had completely lost it.

"You two should see your faces right now!" He wheezed between laughs. Then, regaining his composure, he continued, "Don't worry! I'm not gonna force this thing on you, Young Man. It's a proposal! The real work begins here."

He walked up to us, his gaze locked onto Izuku, and raised his hand, pointing a finger dramatically toward the sky.

"Listen well, my boy." He then pointed directly at Izuku, his expression suddenly serious. "This is your choice! Do you want to accept my awesome power or not!?"

And then-, more blood.

A ridiculous amount of blood gushed from his mouth as he posed dramatically, as if this was some sort of grand moment.

"What the hell are you talking about, Old Man?" I snapped, narrowing my eyes at him. "Are you saying you can just give Izuku your powers!?"

All Might coughed again, wiping his mouth, but I wasn't done. My eyes flickered toward Izuku, then back to All Might.

"Because if you're messing with him right now, I swear-" I started, feeling my irritation rise. "You better not be getting his hopes up for nothing! That's cruel!"

I took a cautious step closer, scanning him suspiciously. The way he was talking... the things he was saying... it sounded insane. Was this old man high? On something? Did heroes even do drugs?

All Might wiped his mouth, shaking off the last bit of blood as he turned his attention fully to Izuku.

"Correct, this concerns my quirk, Kid," he confirmed. "But with that being said, there are a couple of things you two should know about my abilities. Mainly you, though."

He pointed at Izuku, and Izuku made a small, acknowledging noise, signaling that he was listening.

All Might began pacing slightly, his tone serious. "Journalists always guess my quirk is super strength or some kind of invulnerability... When people ask in interviews, I always make a joke and dodge the question." He paused, his expression unreadable. "That's because the world needs to believe that their Symbol of Peace is just a naturally born hero, like any of them... But I'm not. There's nothing natural about my ability."

He suddenly threw his skinny arms out dramatically and looked up at the sky.

I gave him a weird look. "This guy is so extra..."

But he continued without hesitation.

"I wasn't born with this power," he declared. "It's a sacred torch that was passed onto me from someone else."

Izuku's eyes widened in shock. "Passed... down to you...? Someone gave you this quirk? Really?! No way..."

"Yes way." All Might grinned. "And you're next. I can give you my abilities."

Izuku practically short-circuited. "Wait... H-H-Hold on... a second! This is a lot to process!" He flailed his arms around in a panic. "It's true that there's a lot of debate as to what your quirk actually is! Nobody's ever figured it out, it's one of the seven of the world's greatest mysteries! People are constantly talking about it online... There isn't a day that goes by without some new theory on the internet. But... well... Now he says it was passed down to him."

He started rambling at an alarming speed, barely stopping to breathe.

"The idea of passing on a quirk or inheriting it just doesn't make any sense to me! I've never heard of anything like that before! Powers are supposed to be unique to each individual! Since the first superpower, no one's ever been able to just give someone else their power like a present-, that's crazy! If this is true, it would cause us to rethink everything we know about quirks to begin with! All bets are off the table-"

Both All Might and I deadpanned as we watched Izuku spiral into a full-blown nerd-out session. A sweat drop formed on my temple.

All Might sighed. "Uh, sounds like you're overthinking this whole 'inheriting' thing..."

Izuku, still lost in his own theories, kept talking at rapid speed.

All Might groaned before finally yelling, "STOP NERDING OUT!"

Izuku flinched like he had just been electrocuted, his whole body going stiff. He blinked, then nervously looked at All Might, realizing he had been rambling way too much.

"You really doubt me that much?! Non-sense!"

"N-" Izuku flinched, starting to raise a hand.

All Might crossed his arms and gave him a firm nod. "-I have many secrets, but I never lie! You'll have to adjust your reality and accept this new truth! I can transfer my quirk to someone else. And that's just one facet of my secret abilities. The true name of my power is-, One. For. All."

Izuku mumbled under his breath, still trying to comprehend everything. "One... For... All...?"

"Yes!" All Might beamed. "One person improves the power and hands it off to another person. It continues to grow as it's passed along."

His expression turned serious again. "It is this cultivated power that allows me to save those who are in need of a hero... The truth behind my strength."

Izuku swallowed hard. His hands curled into fists. "But all this... why... Why would you choose to give me a gift like that?" His voice wavered. "What if I can't live up to it?"

I looked at him and spoke softly, "You can. I know you can, Izuku..."

He turned to me, eyes wide, and I saw tears welling up. But there was something else in them too-, hope.

All Might smiled at Izuku's reaction before continuing. "I was on a long hunt for a worthy successor. And then, I watched you jump into action as the rest of us stood idly by. You may just be a quirkless fanboy, but you tried to save that kid. You acted like a hero."

Izuku sniffled, shoulders trembling.

All Might suddenly swayed his body back and forth dramatically, making a strange noise. "Seriously! You've gotta stop crying so much if you want my quirk... C'mon, Kid. But of course, it depends on you! What do you say?"

Izuku clenched his fists, looking down at the ground. He was still overwhelmed, but I could tell-, he was listening to my words, to All Might's.

"Izuku..." I stepped forward. "This is your chance. This is what you've been waiting for all these years, right? You can be a hero, Izuku!"

He sucked in a deep breath, wiped his tears aggressively, and then-, he stood up.

"Okay," he said, determination burning in his eyes. "I'll do it. Yes!"

A proud smile formed on my lips.

All Might grinned widely, resting his right hand on the side of his face. "A quick answer. No reluctance. That's exactly how I figured you'd respond."

Time-skip: (Two days later, bright and very early (six A.M.), at Takoba Municipal Beach Park):

The sun had barely started rising when I found myself standing on a disgustingly filthy beach, watching Izuku struggle for his life. The salty breeze carried the scent of the ocean, but it did little to mask the overwhelming stench of garbage scattered across Takoba Beach. Rusted car parts, broken furniture, and plastic bags piled up like the aftermath of some post-apocalyptic wasteland. It was a crime scene of pollution, and Izuku was the unfortunate soul tasked with dragging trash.

I yawned, rubbing my tired eyes as I watched him struggle. I still didn't understand why I had to wake up at the crack of dawn for this, but Izuku had begged me to come for moral support. So here I was, sleep-deprived and standing on the sidelines of his suffering while All Might oversaw his training.

Well-, if you could call this training.

All Might, still in his buff form, had tied a bunch of thick ropes around an old refrigerator, perched himself right on top of it, and expected Izuku to drag it across the sand.

It was not going well.

Izuku was pulling with all his might, feet planted, arms shaking, face red from the sheer effort-, yet the fridge didn't move an inch.

All Might leaned back comfortably, resting his elbow on his knee. "Hey, hey, hey~ It's pretty comfy up on this fridge! How are you doing down there~?" He teased, looking down at Izuku with a grin.

Izuku, still straining, wheezed out, "Fantastic!"

Liar.

All Might turned his attention to me. "Hey, Young L/n, you want to come up here too?"

Oh yeah, and for some reason, he keeps calling me "Young L/n" despite my protests.

But I didn't hesitate. Without a word, I jumped straight up and landed beside him, settling onto the fridge like it was a park bench.

All Might let out a booming laugh. "Woah, you've got some jump power, huh?"

Izuku's head snapped up. He gave me a betrayed look that screamed "Why are you like this?" His green eyes practically screaming, "You traitor".

I just shrugged, casually swinging my legs as I got comfortable.

Izuku glared up at me, his face red with exertion as he clung to the ropes wrapped around the giant appliance. All Might sat beside me, grinning like we were spectators at some kind of game.

Izuku groaned and pulled even harder, his arms shaking from the effort, but now that I was on the fridge too, it was even heavier. After a few more moments of struggling, his knees buckled, and he face-planted straight into the sand.

I blinked. "Oh."

All Might looked down at Izuku, a teasing grin on his face. "People move these every day, you know. And most of them don't even have any super strength."

Izuku groaned, turning to face me and All Might with an exhausted expression. "Well yeah, but there's at least an extra seven hundred pounds with you and Y/n-Chan sitting on top of it..."

All Might waved his hand dismissively. "Nah, I've lost weight, so I'm down to five hundred sixty these days... in this form, at least. So, there's only about five hundred sixty pounds-, unless you're counting Young L/n's weight as well. Then there's more..."

Izuku let out a heavy sigh. "Great, much better."

I jumped off the fridge effortlessly. "There you go, Izuku. Now there's only five hundred sixty pounds on top." I walked over to him and gently patted his back.

He smiled at me softly before turning his attention back to All Might. "Why do you have me dragging trash across the beach anyway?"

All Might let out his signature laugh and pulled out his red-colored phone. "Take a look at yourself... You're not ready for my power. You're an ill-suited vessel." He snapped multiple pictures of Izuku, who looked at him in horror.

"But I thought you said that I was worthy, earlier!" Izuku dramatically screamed, nearly falling to his knees. "WAHHH!"

All Might, still grinning, hopped off the fridge and strolled toward us, snapping more pictures-, this time of both me and Izuku.

"I mean your body. I'm talking about your weak body," he clarified, finally lowering his phone.

Izuku immediately stopped screaming and looked up at him with wide eyes.

All Might crossed his arms. "My quirk, One For All, is a whole lot to handle. The combined physical abilities of everyone who's ever used it create a hurricane of pure force." He turned his gaze to Izuku. "Your limp-noodle body can't fully inherit it. Your arms and legs would shoot off if you tried to."

Izuku screamed again, "Seriously!? My limbs!" He shuddered at the thought, rubbing his arms as if to make sure they were still attached. "OH-kay, so this whole trash thing is really some kind of hardcore gym workout, and you're my trainer..." his voice shook as he pieced it all together.

All Might gave him a thumbs-up. "You got it! But there's another reason too..." he turned and walked toward the fridge. "I did a little online research yesterday. Turns out, this part of the beach used to be beautiful, but it's been a total mess for the last few years."

To prove his point, he tapped the fridge lightly with his fingertips-, only for a massive dent to appear in the metal. That alone was enough to remind us just how strong he really was.

Izuku stepped up beside me, glancing at the mountains of garbage surrounding us. "That's right... Y/n-Chan, weren't you also doing research on this beach a while ago because of that one project we had in English?"

He turned to me softly, and I nodded. "Yeah... Because of the ocean currents, anything that's dropped in the water ends up here. People take advantage of that when they're illegally dumping their trash. Now all the locals avoid this place. It's sad, really. This beach could've stayed pretty, but people decided to ruin it with their garbage." My voice was neutral.

All Might nodded in agreement before pushing the fridge down with one hand. Without breaking a sweat, he began crushing it with pure strength alone.

"Heroes these days are all about showing off and capturing flashy villains," he said, his voice growing more serious. "Things were different before quirks; service is what mattered. Back then, heroes were those who helped the community, even if it was kind of boring!"

With one final push, he completely crushed the fridge into a crumpled heap of metal. A powerful gust of wind followed, scattering bits of trash across the beach.

And for the first time since we arrived... we could actually see the sun rising.

All Might stood tall, his arms crossed as he looked out at the trash-covered beach. "You will restore the coastline for this entire section of the beach. That is the first step on your path, Young Man. Towards being a hero..." his eyes then shifted to me. "And Young L/n, you can't help him, even if you really want to."

Izuku and I turned our heads, staring at the overwhelming amount of garbage surrounding us. Piles of rusted appliances, broken furniture, and bags upon bags of waste stretched across the sand.

Izuku swallowed hard. "Um... All this?" He hesitated for a moment before adding, "But there's so much-"

I cut him off before he could spiral into panic. "-Izuku is supposed to clean this... all by himself? And I can't help at all?" My voice was filled with shock.

All Might only grinned. "Well, if Midoriya doesn't do this by himself, he won't get strong enough to inherit my quirk. You want him to become a hero and achieve his dreams, don't you, Young L/n?" He wagged his finger in my face playfully, his towering presence making his words feel heavier.

I let out a sigh, adjusting the blindfold over my eyes. "Yes..."

All Might looks at Izuku. "Midoriya, you want to go to U.A., right?" He asks, as if confirming Izuku's goal.

"Well, yeah. Of course. You went there, so it must be the best school around, right?" Izuku replies, then blushes slightly, probably from nerves. "It's a long shot, but still... I'm gonna shoot for the moon-, U.A.," he says, clenching his fist.

All Might grins. "You've got a lot of spirit, Fanboy! But! As I mentioned before..." he suddenly turns his back to us. "Hero-ing isn't easy without a quirk. It's not fair, but that's reality. And U.A. has the hardest hero course to get into. So that means-"

Izuku doesn't wait for him to finish. He steps forward, and I follow right behind him.

"-That I have to prepare my body for your quirk really fast! U.A.'s exam is in ten months!" Izuku says, his worry clear. I can't help but feel the same-, ten months isn't a lot of time.

All Might turns back around, suddenly holding a stack of papers. "Not to worry, Kid! I've got you covered-, with my 'Aim to Pass: American Dream Plan'!" He hands the papers to Izuku, and I peek at them, curiosity getting the best of me (not that Izuku minds). The pages are packed with a detailed schedule covering the next ten months.

"Follow this plan exactly, and the beach will be spotless just in time! I also organized every other aspect of your life while I was at it," All Might says proudly. Izuku and I scan the papers, taking it all in.

Izuku blinks. "Even my sleep is scheduled..." he mumbles.

"For real?" I ask, glancing over. He nods.

Before we can react further, All Might leans in, cupping a hand to the side of his mouth like he's telling a secret.

"If I'm being honest... this is going to be super hard. Think you're up to it?" His tone shifts, more serious now.

Izuku stares at the schedule, his nervous smile barely holding. "Yeah... sure I am. I have to work harder than anyone else to get in. So, what choice do I have, right?"

All Might nods approvingly before turning to me.

"Make sure he sticks to the plan, alright?"

I nod, already knowing these next ten months are going to be absolute hell for him.

Time-skip:

"Get this to the park entrance! And load it into the truck!"

Izuku is struggling to drag a light gray structure with small lockers, his face scrunched with effort as he pulls with all his might.

"C'mon! Put your back into it, Midoriya! It's not going to move itself!" All Might shouts, now in his skinny form, watching from the side.

After what feels like forever, Izuku finally manages to move the lockers. But there's no time to rest-, next, he has to run while hauling a heavy tire on his shoulder, his breathing already labored.

"This might be tough for him, but it's actually good training," I think, adjusting my blindfold. "He's learning how to engage different muscle groups depending on the size and shape of the trash he's hauling."

Before I can get too lost in thought, All Might's voice cuts through the air. "Let's go! Let's go! The clock is ticking, and ten months will be over before you know it!"

Just then, Izuku stumbles, crashing face-first into the sand.

"Run. Ruuunnn! Don't you give up! It's time to go beyond! Let's... Pump! You! Up!!" All Might yells again.

And I guess that's all the push Izuku needed-, without hesitation, he forces himself back up and starts running again.

Time-skip: (Later at school):

We collapse into our seats, completely drained, our faces pale as ghosts. The exhaustion from training still weighs heavy on us, but class starts anyway.

Our English teacher begins the lesson, reading straight from the textbook in a monotone voice. I barely register his words, my head resting on the table. I catch a snippet toward the end, though.

"...So you see, with the appearance of quirks, the Building Standards Act in place has to be..."

And that's where I tune out again. I glance over at Izuku, noticing he's not paying attention either. His eyes are distant, lost in thought.

I reach over and gently tap his shoulder. "Hey, you've got to focus, Izuku..." I whisper softly. I might not be listening, but I want him to at least try. I care about him more than I care about myself.

Izuku nods at my words, snapping out of his daze. He looks down at his notebook and starts writing, but I can tell he's still thinking about something else entirely. I don't push him, just let him be. That is, until I hear him muttering under his breath.

"...I'm in trouble if I can't finish at least a week before the exam. So, there are two hundred ninety-four days left... muscle recovery necessitates intervals with two days of rest... meaning... That gives me about ninety-eight days of actual training, even at my most efficient... I can get in around five hours every morning and night, so that's four hundred ninety hours total..." his pencil moves rapidly as he does the calculations.

I watch as he keeps going, his voice barely above a whisper. "...Also, I'll need to make sure I'm hitting every muscle group like Y/n-Chan said, which means I need to pay attention to the type of work I'm doing on the beach every day... But I can't manage that garbage cleanup in time with just the usual strength training. My whole body needs to be solid for a job like that... It's all to train my body to adapt and deal with any situation... this is really a crash course in heroics. I could start sneaking in extra workouts and lifting weights on my own, if I really need it, I suppose... Yeah, yeah. That would help me focus my workouts and isolate specific muscles..."

He pauses for a second, his face scrunching up in thought. "...Although, Y/n-Chan might not like me overworking myself... And it'll cost me time. Lots of it. I'll have to cut back on the hours of sleep All Might scheduled for me, but independent training could help me catch up a little bit more... and it's not like All Might'll be supervising me at all hours... Excellent..."

Izuku keeps rambling, completely oblivious to the fact that the entire class is now staring at him. Even our teacher has stopped talking, his gaze fixed on Izuku with an exasperated expression.

I start tapping Izuku's shoulder, trying to snap him out of it, but he doesn't seem to register it. His muttering continues, numbers and workout plans spilling from his lips like a broken faucet.

Our teacher finally decides he's had enough. His quirk activates, stretching his arm out unnaturally until-

Thunk!

He chopped Izuku on the head.

"Hey, Midoriya!" He calls out loudly.

Izuku squeaks in surprise, immediately covering his mouth as his eyes widen in realization. His face turns red, and just like that, the entire class bursts into laughter.

"You hear him? Nuts!" One classmate jeers.

"Idiot!" Another adds.

"Ridiculous how he still thinks he can get into U.A."

"He's positively neurotic, huh?"

"Creepy..."

I don't laugh. Neither does Bakugo. But our teacher, completely ignoring the teasing, sighs and crosses his arms.

"Look, I know you had a run-in with a villain. But pull yourself together, Kid! If you really wanna get into U.A., you might actually have to know something."

I feel my expression darken. Slowly, I turn my head toward our teacher, my gaze locked onto him even though my blindfold hides my eyes.

The room goes quiet.

Our teacher looks at me and stiffens, as if he can feel the weight of my glare despite not being able to see my eyes. He quickly clears his throat and says nothing more.

"That's what I thought."

Time-skip:

After school, All Might called for more training, and, of course, Izuku insisted on bringing me along. I wasn't exactly thrilled. The sun was beating down hard, and it was one of those scorching days where you feel like you might melt just by being outside. I'm not much of an outdoors person, especially when the heat is so intense it makes everything feel like it's on fire.

Izuku and I went to his apartment to change out of our junior high uniforms into something more suited for training. Once we were ready, we headed back to Takoba Municipal Beach Park, the same spot we were at earlier this morning.

All Might was already there, waiting for Izuku in his frail, skinny form. He didn't seem surprised to see me with Izuku, which I guess was just becoming the norm by now. Izuku didn't waste any time; he ran down the entrance stairs and onto the sand, jumping straight into his training.

The first task? Pushing a giant tire. Izuku strained with all his might, his face red with effort.

"You got this! I think..." I yelled from the sidelines, though my words felt uncertain as I watched him struggle.

All Might, on the other hand, didn't say much. He just stood there, patting his own back, silently encouraging Izuku with a "Put your back into it."

Izuku pushed harder, sweat pouring down his face as he tried to move the massive tire. After that, All Might directed him to run for a while, keeping up the intensity. The heat didn't make it easy, but if there was one thing I knew for sure, it was that Izuku wasn't going to give up easily.

As the sun began to set and the sky turned a deep shade of orange, All Might finally called an end to Izuku's grueling training.

Izuku had been surprising me lately, in more ways than one. Despite the intensity of the training All Might had been putting him through, he was still managing to do well in school. He kept up with his homework and aced his big tests, even though he looked like he could fall asleep at any moment. I couldn't help but admire his determination. It was like he was juggling two different worlds-, his school life and the brutal training to prepare for U.A. But through it all, I was there, making sure he was taking care of himself.

Some days, when F/n insisted I go home and train myself, I'd go to Izuku's apartment to check on him. I'd make sure he was eating enough, staying hydrated, and getting some rest. He never seemed to make time for himself, so it was up to me to remind him. Sometimes we'd study together, other times we'd go for a jog, pushing ourselves despite how tired we were. And all the while, I made sure Izuku was sticking to the training schedule All Might had given him, even if it was pushing him to his limits.

The training had only gotten harder as time went on. One day, All Might made Izuku push a huge gray safe across the beach, and I watched, wide-eyed, as Izuku struggled. Then came the weights-, huge ones that even the buffest guys at the gym would flinch at. Izuku nearly dropped them on himself the first time, his face twisted in pain and concentration. But All Might didn't let up. He kept pushing Izuku, making him swim for hours while girls gathered around, fangirling over him. I couldn't help but laugh, though. The sight of Izuku trying to juggle his hero training with everything else, while still maintaining his kindness and decency, was oddly inspiring.

There was the day when All Might made Izuku lift even more weights, try to push a whole truck, and even carry All Might on his shoulders in his buff form. Izuku did all of it without hesitation, even when his body was screaming at him to stop. He was truly giving his all.

But something started to click in my mind during all this. I realized just how overprotective I had become of Izuku. I couldn't help it. I didn't want him to get hurt, even if it meant stepping in when I saw something wasn't right. It all came to a head when Izuku was struggling to push a huge red canister, his face pale with exhaustion. He suddenly threw up, and all All Might did was shrug it off, telling him to keep going. I couldn't stand it. I had to do something.

So, I used my power to step in, making it clear to All Might that Izuku couldn't be pushed that hard without proper rest. After that day, All Might seemed to ease up a little, giving Izuku more time to recover and not pushing him to the brink. But I wasn't going to let up either-, I cared too much about Izuku to let him burn himself out.

At the end of the day, I knew he could handle it, but I was always going to be there, watching out for him.

Time-skip: (Three months until U.A. entrance exams, it's now fall):

One day, All Might decided that Izuku needed to run while he rode alongside him on a scooter-like thing, in his frail, skinny form. Naturally, since I'd been with Izuku from the very start of his training, I wasn't about to let him run alone. I grabbed my running suit and, of course, kept my blindfold on as I jogged beside Izuku down the path.

Running had never been difficult for me. I had high stamina and endurance, so I could keep up with Izuku without breaking a sweat. But Izuku, on the other hand, was struggling. He had to carry a massive safe while running, all while trying to keep up with All Might on that scooter.

As we ran, I noticed Izuku beginning to falter. He looked dizzy, and suddenly he collapsed onto the ground. All Might and I immediately stopped, and I rushed over to Izuku's side, concern flooding through me.

"Izuku?" I asked, checking him for any signs of serious injury. He was breathing heavily, clearly exhausted, but he didn't seem to be throwing up or anything like that.

All Might sighed, shaking his head in disappointment. "Hey, hey, Kid-, what's wrong? Look alive now! You've only got three months left. You're not gonna make it! What, are you gonna give up after all this work? Wanna flush it all down the toilet and take it easy?"

I could feel my protective instincts kick in, and I glared at All Might, even though my blindfold hid my eyes. "Don't be so inconsiderate, it's obvious he's tired, Old Man!" I said, my voice sharp. Izuku, still struggling to get up off the ground, heard me, and it seemed to help him push himself a little more.

All Might hummed thoughtfully at my words, then turned his attention back to Izuku. "The 'Aim to Pass: American Dream Plan' was created with your body in mind. It was fine-tuned to ensure your progress was swift but manageable."

He stared at Izuku for a long moment, as if trying to assess the situation, before continuing. "Which means... You haven't been sticking to it. You're overdoing things, and that's going to have the opposite effect of what we want. Don't you wanna pass?!"

I could see the worry in Izuku's face, so I crouched down beside him, gently touching his shoulder. "What? Have you been exercising when I'm not around? Why are you overworking yourself?" I asked softly.

Izuku clenched his fist, his breath coming in ragged gasps. "Because I have to work harder... Or I won't stand a chance against the other applicants. I don't just want into U.A., I want to excel." His eyes shone with determination as he looked up at All Might. "I want to be like you!" He tried to push himself up, grabbing the dirt for leverage. "I want to be the greatest hero in the world... So, I'll keep on trying! Until I've got what it takes to do that!" He looked at All Might with tears in his eyes, and my heart ached for him.

All Might, seeing the fire in Izuku's eyes, turned into his buff form and walked over to him. With a grin, he picked Izuku up by the neck of his running suit, his voice booming with excitement. "Such dumb zeal... Well, that fighting spirit's what I like about you, Fanboy! It serves you well! I do get your concerns. That said, now's not the time to go and rush progress! FEAR NOT! I can get you back on track! Leave it to this old man to adjust your plan!" He said, still holding Izuku by his collar.

Izuku looked up at All Might, still weak, and muttered, "You're not an old man... All Might..."

All Might let out his signature laugh, setting Izuku back down. "You'll always be my fanboy, Kid!" He boomed before turning back to me, clearly in a good mood.

We ended up walking the rest of the way instead of running. As All Might and Izuku discussed the "Aim to Pass: American Dream Plan," I fell behind for a moment. Then, I stopped, turning toward All Might with a smirk.

"Izuku may have said you're not, but don't get it twisted. I think, and always have thought, that you are an old man." I said, feeling a little smug.

Both Izuku and All Might paused, and they deadpanned at me, sweat dropping simultaneously.

"That's so mean, Y/n-Chan / Young L/n..." they both said in unison, sounding both exasperated and amused.

I just grinned, enjoying the moment of teasing, even as I watched over Izuku with a sense of protectiveness and care that I didn't always express but was always there.

Time-skip: (February 26th, the day of U.A.'s entrance exam-, six A.M.):

It was the morning before the U.A. entrance exam, and Izuku was determined to finish hauling the rest of the garbage on the beach. Since the Old Man wasn't there yet, I decided to watch him from the ground. I put on my running suit-, still wearing my blindfold, of course-, and jogged beside him, keeping an eye out just in case.

It took Izuku a couple of hours to finish the job, but when he was done, the beach looked amazing. Not a single speck of trash was left. The place was spotless. Izuku stood triumphantly on a tower of garbage, gazing at his work, and I couldn't help but feel a little worried. I stayed on the ground, just in case he fell from the height of his trash pile.

Suddenly, I heard him scream. "AAAAAAAAOOOO!"

I jumped, and then he screamed again, louder this time. "WAAAHHHHHH!"

That's when I saw All Might-, his skinny form walking up the entrance stairs to the beach. He looked surprised, probably shocked by the sight of the spotless beach.

All Might called out, his voice booming with excitement. "Hey, hey, holy crap, Kid. You even cleaned up outside the area I told you to! Seriously, there's not one speck of trash left on this beach! Only a few minutes to spare... But you exceeded my expectations! Holy... stinking-" he suddenly switched into his buff form, his muscles bulging as he shouted, "-SUPER CRAP!"

Izuku almost fell from the trash pile, but before I could react, All Might swooped in and caught him. Honestly, I was glad All Might got to him first-, I might've fallen myself trying to catch Izuku from that height.

All Might looked down at Izuku, his tone shifting to one of pride. "Excellent work, Kid," he said, gently setting Izuku on the ground. Izuku smiled weakly as he looked up at him.

"I finished everything... All Might... I... did it... I did it! Do you think I'm ready now?" Izuku asked, his voice still shaky but full of determination.

All Might gave a deep chuckle, clearly impressed. "Yeah, you did good, Kid. I gotta say, I'm impressed. I knew you had it in you, but this is beyond." He pulled out his red-cased phone, swiping through it before showing Izuku a picture. "Look at this."

Izuku squinted at the phone, looking a little confused. "Um... what's this...?"

I couldn't help it-, I burst out laughing. The picture was from months ago, the one where Izuku was crying, desperate and unsure if he could make it.

All Might grinned, pulling the phone away. "It's you, crying, ten months ago," he said with a teasing tone. "But look at how far you've come. Such improvement. There's still a long road ahead of you before you can inherit my full power, but it's starting to look like you can do it."

Izuku's eyes shimmered with emotion as he looked at All Might. "All Might... Do I deserve this? Are you sure? It feels like... I cheated... though... getting all this help from you, All Might-, you've put so much time and energy into helping me..." his voice wavered. "I've been blessed... How did I end up so lucky?"

I glanced at All Might, silently thinking to myself, "Is he really worried about that after all these months?"

All Might chuckled and patted Izuku's back. "It was your hard work that did this, not mine. But you gotta quit being a crybaby! Now, for your reward, Izuku Midoriya..." he gave a sly grin, and suddenly, I noticed All Might plucking a strand of his own hair.

Izuku sniffles, "Yes, Sir!"

I blinked, confused. "What the hell?"

"Old Man?" I asked, watching as he held the strand of hair out to Izuku.

"All right, Kid," All Might said, his tone serious. "Someone told me this once: 'There's a difference between being lucky and deserving. One's an accident, the other a reward. Never get the two confused.'" He handed Izuku the strand of hair. "Take that to heart, Young Man. This gift, you've earned it with your own valiant efforts."

Izuku looked at All Might, full of determination, but then I couldn't help but start laughing when All Might held the strand of hair toward Izuku. "Eat this."

Izuku stared at him in confusion. "Huh...?"

I laughed harder. This was getting ridiculous.

All Might put his other hand on the back of his head, sweat starting to bead down his face. "To inherit my power, you've got to swallow some of my DNA. That's how it works," he said, his voice nervous, and I could barely keep it together.

Izuku's face paled as he stammered, "T-This isn't exactly how I imagined it..."

All Might yelled, "C'mon! There's no time! You'll be late for the exam! Eat! EAATT! EAAATTT!"

Izuku, looking more panicked than ever, finally screamed and swallowed the strand of hair. I laughed so hard that I started crying, my stomach aching from how funny the whole situation was.

All Might looked at Izuku, his eyes gleaming. "Good. You swallowed it, yes?"

Izuku looked like he was about to be sick. "Yeah, but I don't feel like anything's different yet..."

All Might let out his signature laugh, his eyes sparkling. "Well, of course not! Your body has to process the hair first. Hmm..." he glanced at the clock. "It should kick in after two, maybe three hours."

Izuku sighed, holding his stomach. "Gahh. I'm so nervous... My stomach's in knots... And I still gotta get home, take a shower and eat something before the exam..." he grabbed his backpack and handed me mine.

All Might gave him a serious look. "You may have molded your body into a proper vessel, but you did it in a hurry, so be cautious. You haven't even taken it for a test drive yet. The physical backlash of One For All can be intense. Prepare for some real kickback." He looked at Izuku, then lowered his voice. "There's no time to go into the fine details, but... Take note. You've got to prepare yourself before using this quirk. So, when the time comes, I want you to clench your butt cheeks, and yell this from the depths of your heart, 'SMAAAAASH!'"

Time-skip: (Eight-forty A.M.):

After we had rushed to Izuku's apartment, took quick showers, and went on a forty-minute subway ride...

Me and Izuku ran toward the entrance, Izuku breathing heavily. "I made it just in time..."

"You mean, we," I corrected, and Izuku looked at me, surprised.

Izuku stuttered, "Y-You're going to t-try to get into U.A. too...?"

I raised an eyebrow, feeling a bit exasperated. "What? You thought after all these months I wasn't going to go to U.A. with you? You thought I was just walking you here or something?" I said, as though it was the most obvious thing in the world.

Izuku's face turned red, and he panicked. "I-It's not t-that! It's just I didn't think you wanted to be a hero because you don't like them because of, uh, you know..." he trailed off nervously.

"I don't... But I don't want to be at a different school by myself," I said calmly. I adjusted my blindfold, making sure it didn't slip off. "I also promised his mom I'd protect him a long time ago," I thought to myself as Izuku smiled and glanced down, walking beside me.

Izuku suddenly covered his mouth, his voice dropping. "You know, I swallowed the hair, but I don't feel like anything great has happened yet." He murmured, looking unsure.

I snickered. "How'd it taste?"

Izuku's face went pale. "You don't wanna know, Y/n-Chan," he mumbled, and I couldn't help but laugh harder.

Just then, we heard a familiar voice from behind us.

"Stupid Deku and Blindfoldie... move aside!" Bakugo's voice dripped with irritation.

Izuku's shoulders tensed, and he looked over his shoulder. "Kacchan..." he muttered quietly.

"Get out of my way now before I set you both on fire," Bakugo spat, not even breaking his stride. He was a walking storm.

Izuku panicked and immediately stepped aside, flailing his hands. "Ah! Well, hey, good morning! Um, let's just all do our best out there, okay? Good luck!" He said frantically, his voice cracking.

I shook my head, rolling my eyes as we moved out of Bakugo's way.

As Bakugo walked off, I overheard some students talking about him.

"I think that's the kid who withstood the sludge villain. His name's Bakugo, right?"

"Yeah, he's the real deal."

I turned to Izuku and smirked. "You know, ever since that day with the sludge villain, Bakugo's been taking it easy on you."

Izuku's eyes widened in disbelief. "Really? You think so?"

I nodded. "Yeah, you probably didn't notice, but he really has. You were probably just scared out of habit."

Izuku hummed thoughtfully as we continued walking, but suddenly, he tripped on his own foot. Before he could hit the ground, a girl with brown hair and rosy cheeks reached out, catching him.

"Are you okay?" She asked, her voice light and friendly.

Izuku froze, looking down at the ground and then up at her in surprise. His face turned a deep shade of red. "Uh, I... I-"

Before he could finish his sentence, the girl gently touched him again and placed him on solid ground, laughing softly. "I stopped you with my quirk. Sorry I didn't ask first, but I thought you wouldn't mind me catching you. It's a bad omen to trip and fall."

Izuku just stared at her, and the girl closed her eyes, smiling. "Isn't this all kind of nerve-racking?"

"Yeah... Uh... Um..." Izuku stuttered.

I couldn't help but interrupt. "Maybe for you," I said, my tone icy, catching the girl off guard.

She looked at me, nodded nervously, and then quickly added, "Well, uh, I guess I'll see you two inside. Bye! Good luck to the three of us!" She rushed off, leaving us behind.

Izuku stood there for a moment, his face still red, and then he let out a loud, happy laugh. "Holy woah, I just talked to a girl!" His excitement was almost infectious, and I couldn't help but roll my eyes.

"Izuku, you didn't even talk to the girl," I said, my voice dry. "I spoke for you."

But Izuku was too busy freaking out to listen. "I just talked to a girl!" He repeated over and over, bouncing on his heels.

I sighed, massaging my temples. "And what do you mean, 'I just talked to a girl?' You talk to me-, every day, in fact." I added, giving him a deadpan look through my blindfold.

Izuku stopped in his tracks, blinking. "Another girl besides you."

I just stared at him with a look that screamed, "Seriously?"

As Izuku and I step inside U.A., we walk into a large room, and my eyes are immediately drawn to the enormous TV screen with the bold "U.A." logo. We make our way down the aisle of seats, and Izuku, being his usual self, ends up sitting between Bakugo and I.

Soon, a guy with wild, spiky yellow hair enters the room, standing in front of the screen. With a big grin, he starts speaking, his voice booming through the speakers.

"What's up, U.A. candidates? Thanks for tuning in to me, your school DJ! Come on and let me hear ya'!" He says, but the room is completely silent.

He looks at the crowd, slightly bemused by the quiet, before continuing. "Keeping it mellow, huh? That's fine, I'll skip straight to the main show. Let's talk about how this practical exam is gonna go down, okay? ARE YOU REEEAADDYY? Yeah!"

Still, the room is dead silent.

Izuku gasps, his eyes wide with excitement. "Oh my goodness, it's the voice hero, Present Mic, so cool!" He exclaims, practically fanboying. "I listen to his radio show every day, it's so crazy nuts that all the U.A. teachers are pro heroes!" He's completely starstruck.

Bakugo, clearly irritated, rolls his eyes. "Will you shaddup?" He snaps.

I can't help but sigh, thinking to myself, "Why am I here again?"

Present Mic, undeterred by the silence, continues with enthusiasm. "Like your application said, today you rockin' boys and girls will be out there conducting ten-minute mock battles in super-hip urban settings!" The TV screen flashes images of various battle zones. "Gird your loins, my friends. Bring along whatever you want! After I drop the mic here, you'll head to your specified battle center, sound good?"

The audience remains silent, hanging onto his every word.

Present Mic then amps up the energy. "OKAAAAY?" He says dramatically, and Bakugo turns to look at me and Izuku, eyeing our cards. We all glance at the pieces of paper with our assigned numbers.

Bakugo grunts. "I see, they're splitting us up so that we can't work with any of our friends..." he looks at our cards, and I groan as I realize Bakugo and I are in the same group, but Izuku's in a different one.

Izuku, trying to make sense of things, says, "Yeah... You're right. Our examinee numbers are one after the other, but we're assigned at different battle centers..." he sighs and looks at Bakugo's card, the tension between them palpable.

Bakugo, clearly not interested in making small talk, mutters, "Damn... I was really looking forward to crushing you. Luckily, I get to do that to Blindfoldie, though." I roll my eyes and sigh in response.

Izuku tries to make light of it. "Hey, Kacchan... I thought you said we're getting split up so we can't work with our friends... So, why are you and Y/n-Chan in the same group?"

Before Bakugo can respond, I cut in. "Well, me and Bakugo aren't exactly friends..." I say flatly, and before either of them can say anything else, Present Mic pipes up again.

"Okay, okay! Let's check out your targets, there are three types of faux villains in every battle center!" The screen shows images of robots labeled "1p," "2p," and "3p."

Present Mic continues, "You'll earn points based on their level of difficulty, so better choose wisely. Your goal in this trial is to use your quirk to raise your score by shredding these faux villains like a mid-song guitar solo! But, check it! Make sure you're keeping things heroic! Attacking other examinees is a U.A. no-no, ya' dig?"

Before anyone can respond, a voice interrupts from a few aisles ahead of us.

"Excuse me, Sir. But I have a question," a guy with dark blue hair and light gray glasses stands up, raising his hand. Present Mic dramatically points at him. "Hit me!"

The guy continues, without missing a beat. "On the printout, you've listed four types of villains, not three. If this is an error on official U.A. materials, it is shameful. We are exemplary students. We expect the best from Japan's most notable school. A mistake such as this won't do."

I roll my eyes, already annoyed by the guy's attitude, and I can feel myself getting angrier when he turns to Izuku, pointing at him. "Additionally... You! With the unkempt hair!" He sneers, making Izuku flinch. "You've been muttering this entire time. Stop that. If you can't bother to take this seriously, leave. You're distracting the rest of us."

Izuku blushes in embarrassment, covering his mouth, muttering, "Sorry..." some students in the crowd snicker, and I can feel my anger boiling over.

"Just wait until I see you again, Four-Eyes," I think, my glare fixed on him through my blindfold.

Present Mic, completely unfazed by the disruption, resumes speaking. "Alright, alright, examinee number seven-one-one-one." He gives a thumbs up. "Thanks for calling in with your request." The screen flashes again, showing the fourth faux villain. "The fourth villain type is worth zero points! That guy's just an obstacle we'll be throwing in your way. Have you all played 'Super Mario Brothers'?! The old, retro game. It's kind of like a Thwomp! There's one in every battle center. Think of it as a hurdle you should try to avoid. It's not that it can't be beaten, but there's... kinda no point. I recommend my listeners try to ignore it and focus on the ones toppin' the charts!"

The guy who interrupted bows awkwardly and sits back down. "Thank you, Sir. I apologize for the interruption!"

"Got it... so it's like a stage gimmick to be avoided."

"Really is like a video game then."

Present Mic wraps up. "That's all I got for you today! I'll sign off with a little present, a sample of our school motto! As General Napoleon Bonaparte once laid down, 'A true hero is one who overcomes life's misfortunes.' Mm-hm~ Now that's a tasty soundbite."

He looks around the room. "You ready to go beyond? Let's hear a PLUS ULTRA!"

The room falls into complete silence, and Present Mic sighs, exasperated. "Well, good luck! Break a leg, everyone! Hope you practiced hitting more than just books!"

Izuku smiles excitedly, but I can't shake my regret for deciding to join him at U.A. It's not even about the school, really-, I just wish I were in his group.

When the examiners call for everyone to head to their assigned buses, I turn to Izuku, "You better not get hurt out there, alright?"

Izuku nods enthusiastically. "Don't worry, Y/n-Chan! I'll be safe!"

"Good," I reply, and with that, we say our goodbyes and head off to our respective buses, each heading toward a different battle center.

Chapter Text

The Present (Now):

I head toward my assigned bus, Group A, with Bakugo trailing behind me. A sense of unease settles in my stomach as I board the bus. "I hope Izuku will be okay..." I think to myself, settling into one of the front seats. Bakugo, of course, sits right next to me.

"The hell? Go find another seat, Bakugo," I mutter, giving him an annoyed look.

Bakugo just glares at me, his eyebrow twitching in irritation. "I don't wanna sit next to you either, but I'm not parking it next to some other extra, Blindfoldie!" He snaps back.

"Then don't sit at all." I sigh, feeling the frustration build. I couldn't really say too much to that because I would've probably done the same thing in his shoes. I turn my head away and look out the window, watching the trees blur past as the bus rolls along.

Bakugo huffs beside me, breaking the silence. "So."

I roll my eyes. "So, what?" I reply, not looking at him.

He tsks in annoyance. "I thought you didn't like heroes. Why bother coming to U.A.?" His question catches me off guard, but I answer calmly.

"I didn't feel like going to some other school full of strangers," I say, keeping my tone steady.

Bakugo sneers, his voice dripping with contempt. "Or are you just that attached to damned Deku?"

"Don't flatter yourself thinking you know what I'm 'attached' to." I retort, my voice sharp.

Bakugo shrugs nonchalantly. "Whatever you say, Blindfoldie," he mutters, clearly not interested in continuing the conversation.

I can't help but feel a little irritated. "Why are you asking such questions anyway?" I shoot him a sideways glance.

"None of your business, Blindfoldie. Just ignore it before I-" he starts, but I cut him off.

"-Then stop wasting my time." My tone is calm, but it carries an undercurrent that makes Bakugo pause.

He huffs, probably realizing I'm not someone he should push too far, especially after that one time I handled him when he told Izuku to commit suicide.

I choose not to think about that memory, instead focusing on the scenery outside. I stare out the window, the world passing by as I try to block out everything else.

The rest of the bus ride is surprisingly quiet, aside from the soft chatter from other examinees scattered throughout the bus. The silence between Bakugo and I stretches on, neither of us feeling the need to speak.

Eventually, the bus stops, and we all file off. We walk a short distance up the path and stop in front of the massive doors of the battle center. The other examinees gasp in awe, and I can't blame them. It's beyond anything I expected-, this place is huge.

"This is nuts," one person whispers, and someone else comments, "It's like a whole city."

"And they've got a bunch of these on the grounds?"

"Can you imagine how much it cost to build this?" Someone else said.

"U.A. is amazing!" Another adds.

I don't join the conversation. Instead, I think about Present Mic's words from earlier.

Flashback:

"Your goal in this trial is to use your quirk to raise your score by shredding these faux villains like a mid-song guitar solo!"

The Present (Now):

I let out a heavy sigh, my mind swirling with thoughts. "Using my quirk? I don't want to..." I can already feel the weight of the exam pressing down on me, and the pressure's not helping. I keep running the possibilities in my mind, but it doesn't do much to calm me down.

Before I can get lost in my own head, Present Mic's voice booms through the air. "Right, let's start! Get moving! There are no countdowns in real battles! Run, run, run, listeners!" He swings his arm around, practically bouncing with excitement. "You're wasting airtime here!"

At his words, the crowd surges forward, and I join the other examinees, charging through the massive doors of the battle center.

As I run, I can't help but think to myself, "It really is like a city..." The landscape stretches on, with buildings scattered throughout, a maze of structures that seem to go on forever. It's hard to believe this is just a simulation. The whole place feels so real.

I push my legs harder, keeping up with the others, my eyes scanning the area for any sign of the faux villains we've been warned about. The tension in the air is palpable, and I'm not sure if it's from the excitement or the pressure to perform.

Suddenly, a loud crash echoes through the streets, and before I can even react, a one-point robot bursts through a building directly in front of me, its mechanical arms reaching for me. It's trying to attack, but I'm not fazed. "A one-pointer? I should be able to fight it without my quirk..."

With that thought, I spring into action, flipping high into the air, my feet connecting with the robot with a force that sends it flying through several buildings. The impact shakes the ground, but I stay focused, landing gracefully and ready to keep moving.

Author's Note: (Sorry, I couldn't find a better GIF, but this will kind of give you an idea).

"Hm," I hum to myself, watching the robot crash out of sight. I don't really care about the points right now. The goal is to get through this, not rack up numbers. I keep running, eyes darting around for the next robot to take down. I've seen enough chaos already, with people scrambling to claim the next villain.

As I push forward, I hear Present Mic's voice again, cutting through the chaos. "Six minutes and two seconds left!"

"Alrighty..." I murmur to myself, ignoring the growing tension around me. People are freaking out, fighting over robots, practically clawing at each other to secure their spot in the exam.

"Hey, back off! That one's mine!" One person yells.

"First-come, first-serve!" Another shouts in response, clearly not willing to back down.

I can hear Bakugo's explosions in the distance, a clear sign that he's taking care of business in his own, destructive way. He's obviously blowing up the robots that everyone's fighting over, making sure no one else has a chance to rack up points off of his work.

(???'s P.O.V.):

The room is filled with tension, the silence broken only by the soft hum of the monitors as we watch the examinees on the large screen in front of us. The teachers, sitting in their chairs, are all eyes and ears, focused on the trials unfolding. I clear my throat and begin speaking, my voice calm yet firm.

"Clearly, the examinees have no idea how many villains are present, or their locations. They have limited time, must cover a vast area, and hunt down every last target." I pause, letting the weight of the situation settle over them before continuing.

"Some use information-gathering abilities to plan out strategies-, intelligence gatherers. While others rely on speed to pull ahead of their peers-, mobility experts. Of course, remaining calm under pressure can be a huge advantage-, decision makers. As can pure power and combat ability... the natural-born warriors. The most successful students use a combination of all these tactics; they're the ones who rack up the highest scores."

The room stays quiet for a moment, the tension palpable as we all observe the examinees' progress. A woman speaks up, breaking the silence.

"Hm, I'd say this year's group looks promising," she says, her voice thoughtful.

"I agree," a man adds. "Especially this one here." He points to a girl on the screen, her eyes hidden behind a blindfold. She's the only one so far who hasn't used her quirk to fight the robots. She's instead relying on her martial arts and tactics to navigate the battlefield.

I hum in agreement. "Ah, yes. I've been watching her for quite a bit now. She's very interesting, to say the least... It doesn't seem like she's used her quirk at all. And yet, she has been using different types of martial arts, as well as all the tactics I mentioned earlier. She's a very strong girl to fight these robots without her quirk. I have no doubt she'll pass the exam."

I pause, considering her for a moment longer. "However... I want to at least see a bit of her quirk in action."

The other teachers glance at the blindfolded girl on the screen, a little shocked by my words. They too seem intrigued by her, but uncertain.

"Push the button," I say, my tone decisive.

The man who pointed her out looks hesitant. "Are you sure, Nezu?" he asks, concern creeping into his voice.

I nod, my gaze still fixed on the girl. "Yes, I am very sure. Plus, if anyone gets hurt... Recovery Girl can heal them."

The teacher seems uncertain but ultimately gives in. "Alright..." he mutters, then presses the red button, signaling the release of the zero-point robots across each battle center.

A small smile tugs at the corners of my mouth as I watch the screens. This will be interesting.

(Your P.O.V.):

I was in the middle of destroying robots when suddenly, the ground shook beneath me. A massive, imposing figure appeared in front of me, and the earth rumbled with every step it took. The huge robot was tearing through buildings, its sheer size and power causing destruction all around. Some of the examinees started running in fear, but I stood still, watching it approach.

"Isn't that the zero-point robot?" I thought to myself. "That's pretty extreme for a robot worth no points..."

I sighed, contemplating my next move, but before I could decide, the robot raised a fist and punched the ground, sending a massive gust of wind hurtling toward me and the other examinees.

Bakugo's voice broke the silence, his usual cocky tone evident. "What the hell? Isn't this the zero pointer?"

I glanced over at him, nonchalantly responding, "Yeah..."

Bakugo wiped his chin with his wrist, smirking confidently. "Why is this huge robot worth zero points?"

I raised an eyebrow, my sarcasm dripping. "Oh yeah, because I would know that, Dumbass."

"Shut the hell up, Blindfoldie!" Bakugo yelled. "But it doesn't matter to me, I can take this one out by myself."

With that, he leapt into the air, using his explosive quirk to launch himself toward the robot. He fired a blast, but it did nothing. The explosion barely made a dent in the massive machine.

I crossed my arms over my chest, unable to hold back my snark. "Wow, what a genius."

"SHUT THE HELL UP, BLINDFOLDIE!" Bakugo shouted. "OR I'LL SET YOU ON FIRE!"

"Alright, alright... Jeez..." I muttered, though secretly I snickered. But my amusement quickly faded when the robot smashed its fist into the ground, sending debris flying everywhere.

"Guess I'll just take this bot out..." I thought, my calm demeanor slipping away as I realized how serious the situation had become.

As the robot continued its destruction, examinees scrambled to get away. But then my eyes locked on something-, someone. A boy was trapped under the rubble, and the massive robot was about to roll right over him. If no one intervened, he was a goner.

Normally, I wouldn't care. The thought of being a hero disgusted me, but I couldn't just let him die. Izuku would never let me live it down if I stood by and did nothing.

"Less than two minutes remaining!" Present Mic's voice echoed through the battle center, reminding me of the ticking clock.

I took a deep breath, muttering to myself, "Alright, time to take this bot down..." I stretched my limbs, feeling the tension in the air as Bakugo shot me a confused look.

"The hell?" Bakugo asked, clearly puzzled by my calm demeanor.

I gave him a nonchalant reply. "Oh, don't worry about the bot. I got this."

Bakugo scowled, but I could tell it only annoyed him more. "Just one minute left!" Present Mic's voice came again, adding more urgency to the moment.

I walked closer to the giant robot, my mind clear and focused. I extended my right arm, my hand facing the massive metal monstrosity, my body positioned sideways.

"Reversed Limitless: Red," I muttered under my breath, and in an instant, a red orb shot out from my palm, speeding toward the robot with incredible force.

The orb struck the robot with an earth-shattering explosion. The bot was torn apart in an instant, and debris flew everywhere, smashing through multiple buildings. A violent gust of wind followed, and shards of glass from the shattered windows rained down, creating a chaotic storm of destruction.

Author's Note: (Your blindfold is still on, by the way, you didn't take it off. But this will be my last time reminding you until you really do take it off because I know I've been mentioning it multiple times with the GIF's and images, I just feel like people forget but it could also be pretty annoying too).

The moment the giant robot crumbled into pieces and debris rained down, the entire battle center fell silent. The examinees who had been running for their lives or focusing on other robots were now staring at me, their faces full of shock and disbelief.

"What the hell was that?"

"She basically destroyed the whole battle center!"

"How does someone even get a quirk like that?!"

I sighed, pushing the rush of adrenaline aside. I didn't care about their reactions. I had a mission to complete. I walked over to the boy trapped under the debris, carefully pulling him out of the rubble and making sure he was safe. He was shaken but alive, which was all that mattered.

Suddenly, a familiar voice shouted, cutting through the tension.

"WHAT THE HELL, BLINDFOLDIE?!"

I rolled my eyes, barely acknowledging him as I continued to check on the boy I had saved.

Bakugo stormed over, his fists clenched and explosions popping in his hands as he walked. "HOW DID YOU DO ALL OF THAT?!" He demanded, his voice filled with anger and confusion.

I gave him a flat, bored look. "It's obviously part of my quirk, Dumbass," I replied in a monotone voice, not even bothering to hide the annoyance in my tone.

Bakugo's face twisted in disbelief, his anger only growing. "THAT STRONG OF A QUIRK?! I CALL BULLSHIT!" He practically yelled, his explosions intensifying as his frustration flared.

I sighed again, shaking my head, barely managing to hide how much his yelling was grating on my nerves. "Think what you want, Bakugo. But I'm not going to argue with you. It's quite pointless," I muttered, my irritation clear in every word.

Bakugo opened his mouth, no doubt ready to snap back at me, but before he could say anything, a loud voice cut through the chaos.

"And that's it! TIME'S UP!"

The alarm blared through the battle center, signaling the end of the exam. I took a deep breath, relieved that it was finally over, but still slightly annoyed by the drama and noise around me.

(???'s P.O.V.):

I sat back in my chair, watching the scene unfold on the screen in front of me. As the dust settled and the examinees slowly started to regain their composure, I couldn't help but smile and clap in approval. The girl-, 'Blindfoldie', as a young man had so kindly dubbed her-, had just obliterated the zero-point robot without breaking a sweat. She didn't even flinch as the battle center collapsed around her.

The teachers in the room were still in shock. I could see them exchanging glances, murmurs of disbelief passing between them. One thing was clear: they hadn't expected such an impressive display from a student who hadn't even bothered to use her quirk in the earlier parts of the exam.

But I had been paying close attention. Even though she had used a fraction of what I suspected was her full power, the sheer control and precision she exhibited were remarkable. And the fact that she had chosen to hold back meant something even more.

I couldn't help but grin, leaning forward with enthusiasm.

"Although, I can tell you weren't using your full power..." I said, a grin stretching across my face. "We'll definitely be seeing you at U.A."

The teachers in the room were still stunned, but I knew they would come to understand what I had already seen-, this girl was destined for greatness.

Time-skip: (Your P.O.V.):

It's been a whole week since the exam, and I still haven't received my results. Neither has Izuku. We've both been waiting, though I've been avoiding going home to F/n for a while now, so I'm spending the day with Izuku and his mom.

Izuku told me he barely passed the written part of the exam and ended up with zero points in the mock battle against the robots. But he said he did manage to save the girl who stopped him from falling before and during the exam. He told me that he used his quirk to save her from the huge zero-point robot, but in the process, he broke his right arm and both of his legs. He passed out after that, and apparently a nurse from U.A. healed him-, though he doesn't remember because of the fact he was unconscious.

I told Izuku about my own experience, and he was in awe. We talked about everything that had happened during the exam, and before I knew it, Izuku's mom called us down for dinner.

We all sat down at the table to eat. I was talking with Ms. Midoriya, but she suddenly noticed Izuku smiling at the fish he had in his chopsticks.

"Izuku? Snap out of it... Izuku!" His mom called out.

Izuku snapped out of his trance and looked up, a little embarrassed. I gave him a soft look, noticing how lost in thought he had been.

"Why are you smiling at that fish? Should I be worried about you, honey?" His mom worried.

"Oh! Sorry, no, I'm fine! I just spaced out for a minute!" Izuku nervously started eating his rice.

"Mm-hm..." Ms. Midoriya said, giving him an unsure and worried look.

After we finished eating, we washed our dishes together. Izuku and I sat on his light purple couch, and Izuku let out a deep sigh. I gently patted his back, trying to offer some comfort. He then rested his head on my shoulder.

Ms. Midoriya looked over, smiling sympathetically. "I know... Waiting for the results is terrible. But the letter should come today or tomorrow, right?!"

"I guess," Izuku said softly, his voice filled with doubt. It was clear he still thought he had failed the exam.

Ms. Midoriya smiled warmly at him, "No matter what, I just want you to know I'm proud of you, and I think you're really cool, Sweetie. Your dear old Mom thinks it's wonderful that you even tried! Same with you, Y/n."

Izuku gave a small "Sure" in response.

I smiled a little and said, "Thanks, Ms. Midoriya."

As she walked away, Izuku turned to me, quietly admitting that he hadn't told his mom about All Might or his secret. He wanted All Might to keep being the Symbol of Peace, and he didn't want to break the trust All Might had placed in us. To be honest, I didn't want to break that trust either.

Izuku then picked up a weight from the floor and started lifting it. He continued for a while until suddenly, Ms. Midoriya burst through the door, talking frantically as she fell to the floor. "Izu-, Izu-, Izuku! Izuku!!"

"A letter, Izuku! They came, Izuku! Look! You got a letter! They're here! It's really here! Your test results from U.A.!" She handed him the letter with excitement, and Izuku froze, staring at it.

I could feel the tension rising as Izuku and I rushed to his room, leaving his mom outside, waiting anxiously. We sat at his desk, both of us staring at the letter. Izuku, trembling, finally decided to tear it open. As he did, a gray circle thing fell out, and suddenly, All Might's voice came through, startling both of us.

"Booya! I am here as a projection now!" He grinned from a colorful background on the projection hologram.

"Wait, All Might?! But this is from... U.A., isn't it?" Izuku asked.

"Yeah... So, why're you here, Old Man?" I asked, suspicious of why he'd suddenly appear on a projection sent from U.A.

"I know it's been a while, but with great power comes a great amount of paperwork," he said, coughing a little, then bowing slightly. "My apologies, Midoriya and Young L/n."

Izuku and I just stared at him, still confused.

"The truth is, I didn't come to this city just to fight villains. You're looking at the newest U.A. faculty member!" He announced with excitement.

Izuku's jaw dropped. "You're seriously going to be working at U.A.?"

I groaned, crossing my arms. "Aw, I gotta deal with you at school too, Old Man?"

Both Izuku and All Might sweat-dropped at me.

All Might nodded at Izuku's question. "Yes, I'll be teaching there-"

Then All Might suddenly leans in, hands on his hips. "Huh? Yes, what's the matter?" He lifted his pointer finger. "Who's show-boating?" A man behind the camera gestured to All Might with his hand to "Get on with it."

"Oh, sorry, I'll wrap it up, but I have to show him something first." He stands up straight now, brows furrowed. "Wait-, I have to do how many of these things?" He throws his hands in the air with an exasperated sigh.

All Might looks at us again. "Right. So, moving on. Let's get back to the important part." He clears his throat. "Even though you passed the written test... you got zero combat points in the practical exam. Sorry."

Izuku looked down, shaking, disappointment written all over his face. I gently rubbed his back to comfort him, but before I could say anything, All Might spoke again.

"Fortunately, there were other factors. But before we get to that, I have another surprise. Here! Look! A short clip for your viewing pleasure!" He clicked a remote, and the TV turned on.

The clip started playing, showing the brown-haired girl with rosy cheeks walking in, talking to Present Mic.

"Um, do you have a sec? Sorry to interrupt."

Izuku gasped, "It's that nice girl..."

"She showed up after the exam to talk about you, Midoriya." All Might confirmed.

Izuku was confused, murmuring, "Huh?"

"What did she have to say? You'll have to stay tuned to find out!" All Might said, hitting play on the remote again.

The clip continued with the girl talking to Present Mic.

"You know that boy with the really messy hair and all the freckles? It's hard to describe his face, he's kinda plain looking... Uh, doesn't really stand out or anything, you know? I was wondering... Would it be possible to give him some of the points I earned in the exam? I heard him say something about wanting to get just one point in, which just seems crazy. How could someone who took down that huge robot all by himself not have any points in the end? He would've had a better score if he hadn't stopped to help me. That boy... He saved me-, he saved my life! I have to make it up to him! Please, Sir! Can't you just... give him my points!?"

All Might paused the clip, smiling warmly at Izuku. "You have a quirk now, yes. But it's your actions that inspire others. And that's why I am here! The practical exam wasn't graded on combat alone."

He played the clip again, showing Present Mic with his hands in his jacket pockets. "Thanks for showing up to the station with your request, but there's no reason for you to give him your points..." he pats the girl on the head a few times. "The kid's chartin' well on his own."

All Might ended the clip, stepping in front of the TV. "How could a hero course reject someone who is committed to saving others no matter the consequences to himself? After all, that is what makes a great hero. And that's what my alma mater is all about-, training those who risk their lives for the greater good-, so, we have rescue points! A panel of judges watch and award points for heroic acts beyond just fighting villains."

Izuku stared at the screen, his eyes wide in shock.

"Midoriya Izuku, sixty rescue points!" All Might announced with a grin.

All Might then moved out of the way of the TV, showing the girl again.

"And Ochaco Uraraka, forty-five rescue points! You and her both passed the exam! As well as you, Young L/n! With one hundred villain points and fifty rescue points! Adding up to one hundred fifty points in total! You both passed the exam."

Izuku looked back at the screen in disbelief. "Um... Is this some kind of joke?" He asked, tears welling in his eyes.

"Welcome, Midoriya, Young L/n. You both made it. You're now a part of the hero academia."

Izuku jumped up and cried, "Thanks!"

I mumbled softly, "Uh... Sure..." as I smiled at his joy.

And as the projection faded, Izuku started to cry, overwhelmed with emotion. I hugged him gently, patting his back as he wiped his tears. We both knew that this was the beginning of something incredible.

We'd finally be enrolling in the high school of Izuku's dreams.

Chapter Text

The Present: (2nd/3rd person P.O.V.):

The teachers gathered in the staff room, their conversations a mix of surprise, admiration, and intrigue. The exam results were in, and they had plenty to discuss.

One man leaned forward, his tone filled with awe as he reviewed the results. "Check out the results from the exam," he said, nodding toward the paper in his hands.

The woman next to him raised an eyebrow as she looked over the details. "Wow, the first-place student got one hundred on villain points and fifty on rescue points... That adds up to one hundred fifty points in total," she remarked, clearly impressed.

The man beside her shook his head in disbelief. "Yeah, and she only used her quirk once-, and that was on the huge zero-point robot. The rest she took down with only her strength alone."

"Seriously?" Another man asked, still processing the news.

"Yes," the man responded, "And you should've seen her technique! She used multiple martial art styles like she knew them from the back of her hand. She was truly amazing. When she did use her quirk, she basically destroyed the whole battle center, including the zero pointer. It was insane. Too bad we only got to see her quirk in action once. Honestly, I'm surprised she didn't get in from a recommendation."

The rest of the teachers nodded in agreement, their admiration for the student growing with every word. The woman couldn't help but smile, impressed by the raw strength and skill demonstrated by the first-place student.

"And the second-place kid didn't even have rescue points, only seventy-seven villain points," the woman continued, tapping the results. "But that doesn't take away from what he did."

The man grinned. "He took down those faux villains like an ace. When most of the other examinees were running from the big obstacle, he stayed focused on letting the smaller targets get in close before counterattacking. That kid is tough."

There was a brief silence as everyone absorbed the magnitude of the results. Then, the conversation shifted to a different topic. "On the opposite end," the woman said, looking back at the sheet, "the seventh-placed student had zero villain points but scored sixty rescue points."

The man frowned slightly, clearly processing the information. "He's not the first U.A. hopeful to take out that giant robot, as you saw with the girl. But it's been a while since I saw someone blow it away like that, with one punch."

The room fell quiet again, the teachers exchanging looks. Then, another man, a teacher with a stern look and a weathered expression, spoke up. "But at what cost? Did you see how badly he injured himself? If you ask me, it's like his body isn't used to his quirk."

"...Jeez. What a racket..." a teacher with black hair and tired eyes leaned against the wall, humming thoughtfully. His gaze flickered back to the results as he processed the information. There was something about the girl with the blindfold and the boy who seemed to struggle with his quirk that piqued his interest. He wasn't sure what yet, but they stood out to him.

His colleagues continued to discuss the other students, but his mind kept returning to those two-, there was something compelling about them, something that warranted further attention.

The Present (Now: {Your P.O.V.}):

The air was warm, the sound of waves crashing against the shore soothing, and the sun hung high, casting a golden hue over everything. It was three weeks before the first day of U.A., and Izuku had been eagerly awaiting the chance to meet up with All Might. He had finally gotten in touch with us after the night of the projector incident. He had been silent for a while, but now it was time to get together.

We made our way to the beach-, the very same beach Izuku had spent ten months cleaning before the entrance exam. The memories of his determination to clear it all by himself brought a smile to my face. When we reached the entrance, Izuku wasted no time, practically bolting down the stairs towards the sand, his excitement radiating from every step.

"Hi, All Might!" Izuku shouted, practically panting as he waved his arms. His face was flushed, and I could see a few tears slipping down his cheeks. I couldn't help but sweat drop. "Seriously?"

"Who's that?!" All Might coughed out a small spurt of blood, his voice strained as he spoke, "Too loud, Kid!"

I glanced around, noticing people starting to murmur. It seemed like they had heard Izuku's boisterous greeting.

A random voice called out from the distance. "All Might's here?"

"No way! Where?!" Another voice added, with equal disbelief.

All Might's eyes widened, and his face quickly turned from a relaxed smile to one of panic. "Way to blow my cover," he muttered, glaring at Izuku. "Repeat after me! 'Just my eyes playing tricks on me!' Say it was a mistake!" He whispered urgently, trying to avoid further attention.

Izuku, now realizing the situation, jumped and began flailing his arms, his face pale with embarrassment. "I was just kidding! Nothing to see here! Just my eyes playing tricks on me!"

"Yeah, right," the random man groaned.

"Lame..." the woman added in disappointment.

I couldn't help but snicker a little as All Might and Izuku sighed in relief. The tension broke, and All Might raised his hand toward us, a grin tugging at his lips. "Congrats on getting in, you two," he said warmly.

Izuku and I both high-fived him, feeling a rush of pride. Well, Izuku felt it.

Izuku, still looking like he could burst with joy, turned to All Might. "I couldn't have done it without your help!" He exclaimed, and I nodded in agreement.

All Might scratched the back of his head and smirked. "Oh, speaking of which... I didn't tell anyone at U.A. that I've been training you or anything. You seem like the type who'd worry about favoritism," he said, pointing at Izuku. "I wasn't one of the judges, and I didn't pull any strings for ya'. You earned that spot all on your own. Same with you, Young L/n."

Izuku, bowing slightly in appreciation, smiled widely. "Wow, thanks for telling me. I'm glad to hear that!"

His eyes then widened with surprise. "Oh, yeah! I was really surprised to hear you're gonna be a teacher at U.A. this year! I was wondering what brought you here all of a sudden. After all, your agency's in Minato ward, Roppongi six-twelve, Tokyo, and everyone knows-"

Before Izuku could continue with his thoughts, both All Might and I interrupted in unison. "-Gettin' creepy..." we both said at the same time.

Izuku froze, pointing upward in embarrassment, his face turning bright red. It was hard not to laugh at how awkward he could be.

All Might chuckled, turning his gaze toward the sea. "The school didn't want me telling anyone about the job until they made an official announcement. It seemed like fortuitous timing, an easy way to find someone new to inherit One For All."

Izuku seemed to ponder this, standing still for a moment before asking, "Your power completely wrecked my body. And all I did was jump and throw one punch... I can't control it. What do I do?"

All Might turned to him, his expression serious but encouraging. "You'll learn to manage it in time. Hoping to master it right away is like asking a baby to run a marathon. You still have to go through the process of learning how to walk."

Izuku lowered his head, thinking deeply. "Yeah..." but then he suddenly stopped, his eyes widening. "Wait! You knew I was gonna get hurt that badly?!"

All Might sighed, his smile a little strained. "Well... We were in a time crunch. But it turned out all right...! Or should I say, All Might! Plus, now you know what you're dealing with! Right now, your quirk is either all or nothing. One day, you'll learn how to control your output. Then you'll be able to adjust exactly how much power you're using."

Izuku's face lit up slightly with hope. "I just need control?"

All Might nodded, his voice full of confidence. "You're overflowing with energy at the moment. With training, your body will hold it better. Then it's yours to command."

Izuku looked unsure but still hopeful. "Are you sure I can do that?"

"You can harness One For All. It's simple," All Might said with a huge grin, his energy radiating. "YOU HAVE TO FEEL IT!" He practically shouted the last part, and I gave him a side-eye through my blindfold, thinking he sounded a bit crazy.

Izuku seemed more confused than anything. "Um, can you be a little more specific?"

All Might didn't hesitate, launching into his explanation. "So, you already know what it's like to fire on all cylinders," he said, punching the air like a boxer. And I couldn't resist joining in, mirroring his movements in a mock shadowboxing match.

Izuku winced, his face showing the pain of his past injuries. "Yeah, like a lot of broken bones."

All Might paused his air boxing, his expression serious again. "No, I'm talking about the rush inside. You must have felt it coursing through you. What was it like?"

Izuku furrowed his brow in thought. He looked almost constipated as he searched for the right words. "Mm... A bzzt, or no, like, whoosh! Or maybe kapow, or um..." his eyes suddenly lit up. "Ooh! I know! Like an egg about to explode in a microwave!"

All Might burst into laughter, blood still dripping from his mouth. "That's pretty boring, but okay!" He said between laughs, wiping his mouth. "If that's the metaphor you wanna go with, then lower the wattage, or decrease the cooking time. Whichever one works, keep focusing on that image and keeping the egg from exploding, all right? You've got three weeks until school."

He paused, lifting two cans from the sand and crushing them effortlessly in his hands. "The more you concentrate, the faster you'll learn. Control over One For All isn't gonna happen overnight. But you'll nail it one day."

Suddenly, a voice shouted from the distance, catching our attention. "Look, it really is All Might!"

"No way! Where'd he come from?" A woman gasped.

All Might froze, realizing he had forgotten about the crowd. His face turned a little pale. "Right... Now we run!"

Izuku, looking unsure but eager, nodded. "Huh? Okay!"

Without another word, the three of us started running down the beach. I snickered as I glanced at All Might. "Heh, you're an idiot, Old Man."

All Might, with his typical grin, just laughed, leading the charge. "You're the one running with me, Kid!"

Time-skip: (Three weeks later, the first day of U.A.):

I woke up early today, getting ready for the big day. The U.A. uniform felt strange on me, like it wasn't truly mine yet. My morning routine was routine as always, but today felt different.

Before heading out, F/n wanted to see me, and I figured it would be the last time before I left. I wasn't looking forward to it, but I couldn't avoid it. After a bit of a heated argument, I left quickly and made my way to Izuku's apartment, waiting by his door.

It wasn't long before he came out, giving his mom a quick farewell. "See you soon," he called out, waving. Then his eyes met mine.

"Let's go, Y/n-Chan!" Izuku said, his usual energy sparking in his voice. I nodded quietly, trying to push away the lingering thoughts from the argument. We began walking toward U.A. together, but Izuku quickly noticed I was quieter than usual.

"Did F/n hurt you again, Y/n-Chan...?" He asked, his voice soft with worry.

I looked at him. "No. Not this time. He doesn't really hurt me anymore. Since my quirk could kick his ass," I added, trying to make light of it.

Izuku looked uncertain but didn't push further. "Oh... then what happened? Did he say something to you?" He asked again, voice still laced with concern.

I sighed, glancing ahead. "Yeah, but it wasn't serious," I said softly, my gaze on the pavement as the memories came flooding back.

Flashback:

I was getting ready in my room, the usual morning routine when F/n walked in, his presence as suffocating as ever.

"Don't you have any manners, F/n?" I said, my tone annoyed as I straightened my uniform.

F/n sneered at me. "Do you think I ever have, Y/n? Especially not with you," he spat, his words dripping with venom.

I rolled my eyes. "Why, how noble of you," I replied sarcastically.

"I heard you made it into U.A., not that I'm surprised. I trained you to be the best. And you do know I could've gotten you in by recommendation, right? You didn't have to take that stupid entrance exam." His pride was evident, as if I owed him everything.

I clenched my jaw, glaring at him. "I absolutely despise you with all my heart, F/n. I will never, ever be recommended by you to anything!" I snapped.

F/n laughed bitterly. "Wow! I haven't heard you yell in a while! Maybe that's because you've been hanging out with those low-life MIDORIYAS!" He said the name like a curse, as if it was a crime.

I could feel my fists clenching. "Don't talk about them like that, F/n. You have NO right," I seethed, my temper flaring.

F/n smirked. "I have every right to. And you'll learn, Y/n, that you're better off with me. One day, you'll come crawling back, wishing you'd never left." His eyes glinted with a twisted sense of triumph.

"I will NEVER listen to you. You got that, F/n? And I'd rather hang out with lowlifes than with you!" I shouted, my voice shaking with anger.

F/n just chuckled, the sound more like a sneer. "Sure, you say that now. But don't come home crying when you realize I'm all you ever needed."

Tired, I just wanted out. "I'm leaving. And don't expect me home ever again. I won't be seeing you. Don't ask me to train, talk, or anything! I'm done with your bullshit," I yelled as I stormed out of the house.

F/n's mocking voice echoed behind me. "Don't worry. I'll find you. I'll track you down. And don't be a failure at U.A. I'd be VERY disappointed in you, Y/n! Make sure you don't embarrass me and make your daddy proud!" His laughter followed me as I left, and I hated that it sounded like he was still in control.

The Present (Now):

Izuku turned to me, his voice full of sympathy. "I'm sorry, Y/n-Chan. I wish I could help you. Really."

I shook my head slightly, trying to push the hurt away. "It's okay, Izuku. Don't worry about me, please." My voice was soft, but I was grateful for his concern.

Izuku gave me a look, a mixture of sympathy and concern, but he nodded, respecting my wishes not to talk about it. We continued walking, the weight of the conversation heavy in the air, but I appreciated the silence.

Soon, U.A. came into view. We ran inside, rushing through the hallways, Izuku's excitement building as we searched for our classroom. We were both in Class 1-A. The door loomed ahead, marked with a giant red "1-A."

Izuku stopped in front of the door, staring up at it. "Class 1-A... 1-A... C'mon, where is it?" He said, almost out of breath, his voice full of awe.

I pointed to the door. "It's right there, Izuku."

"Oh!" He said with surprise, then stopped. "Man, this thing is huge... Are there giants here?" He laughed nervously, but then his expression shifted, and he stopped, looking a bit unsure. "The most promising students in the country are waiting behind this door."

I deadpanned at him. "Stop overthinking and open the door."

Izuku's eyes widened. "Right... yeah, okay." He took a deep breath, ready to face whatever awaited us inside.

Izuku slowly slid the door open, and as it creaked, I could already hear the voices of two people arguing. When the door fully opened, I was greeted by the sight of the last people I wanted to see: Four-Eyes, and Bakugo. And of course, they were in the middle of a heated exchange.

Four-Eye's voice rang out with authority, his glasses gleaming in the light. "Take your feet off that desk, now! Such an action is insulting to those who came to U.A. before us as well as the craftsmen who made the desk!" He glared, standing tall.

Bakugo, sitting with his feet casually propped up on the desk, smirked. "Huh?" He said, clearly not intimidated in the slightest.

"It's the first day, and you're already disrespecting this academy by scuffing school property, you cretin!" Four-Eyes continued, his frustration mounting.

Bakugo chuckled darkly. "You're kidding me, right? Like I care, you extra. Did your middle school shove a stick up your ass, or were you born with it?"

I muttered to Izuku beside me, "Just our luck, huh?" He timidly nodded, his eyes wide as he watched the exchange unfold.

Bakugo and Four-Eyes kept going back and forth, each one trying to outdo the other with their insults. Finally, Four-Eyes seemed to take a deep breath, trying to regain control. "Uh..." he cleared his throat. "Let's start over. I'm Tenya Ida from Somei Private Academy." He extended his hand toward Bakugo, who didn't even acknowledge it.

"Somei, huh? A stuck-up elitist then? I should blow you to bits." Bakugo sneered, his gaze cold and challenging. "You must think you're better than me. I'm gonna have fun tearin' you a new one."

Four-Eyes gasped, clearly taken aback by the threat. "Blow me to bits? Tear me a new one? You would threaten me? Your own classmate? You're awful! Are you sure you're in the right place?" He asked, incredulous.

Bakugo's laugh was short and mocking. "Ha!" His attention then shifted as he noticed me and Izuku standing in the doorway.

Four-Eyes eyes narrowed as he glanced at Izuku, his tone suddenly changing. "It's him..." he said, his voice dripping with some strange recognition. All the students in the room turned their heads, suddenly fixated on us.

I raised an eyebrow. "Why did he say 'him' like that? Did something else happen between you two?" I whispered to Izuku, curiosity piqued.

Izuku looked uneasy, his hands clasped together. "Not really, but he was in my group at the entrance exams. He saw me use my quirk... and, uh... break my bones..." he muttered, clearly embarrassed.

"I see..." I replied quietly, processing the information. So, Four-Eyes had witnessed something more personal.

Everyone in the room was staring at us now, the silence growing heavy. Izuku, sensing the awkwardness, decided to break it.

"Um, hi," he said, his voice nervous, his hands fidgeting at his sides.

Four-Eyes didn't hesitate. He quickly walked over to us with a stiff posture. "Good morning! My name is Tenya Ida from-" he started, but I interrupted him, unable to stop myself.

"-Yeah, we already know, Four-Eyes," I said, glaring at him through my blindfold. I couldn't help it. Ever since the entrance exam, I'd despised how he had embarrassed Izuku in front of everyone. Four-Eyes froze, looking genuinely shocked by my words. All the students in the room turned their attention to me now.

"That was quite rude..." Four-Eyes said, adjusting his glasses, his voice carrying a hint of irritation.

Izuku, mortified, screamed frantically, "Y/N-CHAN!" He sweat-dropped as he turned to face me, looking genuinely worried. He then nervously addressed Four-Eyes, "Don't mind her. A-Anyways, I'm Izuku Midoriya. It's super nice to meet you!"

Four-Eyes cleared his throat and ignored me, focusing on Izuku. "Midoriya, you realized that there was something more to the practical exam, didn't you?" He said, his voice still stiff but with a hint of respect.

Izuku looked completely confused. "Huh?"

Four-Eyes took a step closer, adjusting his posture with pride. "You must be very perceptive. I completely misjudged you earlier, I admit. As a student, you're far superior to me," he said, almost like he was humbled.

Before Izuku could respond, I stepped forward, placing myself between him and Four-Eyes. I wanted to make it clear that I wasn't going to let Four-Eyes get any ideas. "You may have just admitted you were wrong, Four-Eyes," I said, my voice calm but carrying an icy edge. "But I still don't like you, so don't do anything to Izuku. Or I'll make sure you never walk this Earth again." My words weren't a joke. My blindfold seemed to add to the cold aura around me, and I could feel the atmosphere in the room shift as everyone sweat-dropped, including Four-Eyes, who now looked a lot less confident.

Four-Eyes didn't say another word. He was visibly sweating, his earlier arrogance completely drained from him. He just stood there, staring at me with wide eyes.

The tension was palpable, and it was only broken when a voice came from behind Izuku.

"Hey! I recognize that messed-up hair! Falling Boy!" A cheerful voice shouted, and I turned to see a girl walking up to Izuku. She had short, brown hair and was waving excitedly.

The girl, who I now realized was Uraraka, was still smiling brightly. "You got in! Just like Present Mic said! Makes sense though! That punch was amazing!" She said, swinging her fist around happily.

Izuku's face immediately turned bright red as he gasped and turned away from her. "Oh, hey, hi! Oh my gosh!" His shyness was on full display as he struggled to find the right words. His face was beet red, and he couldn't even look at her.

Izuku, still nervously rubbing the back of his head, glanced at Uraraka and stammered, "So, uh, I should probably be thanking you for going in and speaking to him on my behalf... I... Well..." his voice was shaky, and I could tell he was uncomfortable with the attention.

I, however, couldn't help but facepalm.

"She wasn't supposed to know that we know about that, Izuku..." I thought, irritated. His usual nervousness was all over the place, and now we had inadvertently dragged Uraraka into this mess.

Uraraka, clearly confused, tilted her head and asked, "Huh? How'd you know about that?" Her eyes widened in genuine curiosity.

Izuku froze, his face turning bright red as he stuttered, "Oh. I-, um-, what?" He could barely get the words out, completely flustered. His panic only made the situation worse. I could already see where this was going.

Behind us, I could feel Bakugo's glare. I turned my head slightly, and sure enough, his intense stare was fixed on both me and Izuku. His usual smirk was gone, replaced by a look of frustration, as though he was trying to piece together what was going on between us.

(Bakugo's P.O.V.):

Flashback:

I stood there in the classroom with Blindfoldie and Deku while our teacher rambled on about how "amazing" it was that three students from our school had gotten into U.A. The guy was practically glowing with excitement, but I couldn't care less. Deku, on the other hand, had that stupid, shy blush on his face, clearly uncomfortable with the attention. And Blindfoldie, was smiling slightly at him. Proud of him, of course. She was always proud of that damned Deku, and it pissed me off.

Our teacher finally shut up, but it wasn't over. I had to deal with Deku and his stupid hero dream. So, without thinking, I grabbed him by the collar of his uniform and dragged him outside. Blindfoldie followed us, as usual. She was always hovering around Deku like some kind of protective shield.

When we reached a private area, I slammed Deku into a wall, my fist clenched tight as I looked at him with pure rage. I was pissed-, no one was supposed to get into U.A. before me. I was the best! The top. And now this idiot had to go and mess it all up.

"What'd you do to pass the exam? You must've cheated somehow, right? What dirty tricks did you use to do it, you quickless twerp?!" I spat at him, my eyes glaring with suspicion. But then my gaze flickered to Blindfoldie. She had that damn glare on her face again, like she was about to step in and pull me off of Deku. Like that would do anything.

But I wasn't done. I leaned in closer to Deku, my grip tightening as I shouted, "I'm supposed to be the first and only student from this crappy school to get into U.A., but you had to go and tear my grand plan to shreds! Thought I told you to go somewhere else!"

I wasn't looking for a response from Deku, but he suddenly grabbed my wrist, shaking. I was about to throw him back into the wall, but then he spoke up. His voice wasn't the usual timid mess-, it had something else behind it, like he actually believed what he was saying.

"Kacchan. S-Someone I look up to told me that I can become a hero, as well as Y/n-Chan. That's why I applied. That's why I'm going."

I blinked, my grip loosening a little, but I wasn't going to let up that easily. "Huh?" I scoffed. This idiot actually thinks he has a chance...

Deku stood there, his shaking hands still gripping mine, but there was something in his eyes that made me pause-, determination. "Like it or not, you can't stop me!" He shouted, his nervousness barely hiding the spark of confidence behind his words.

And there it was. Blindfoldie's damn proud look. I could see her in the corner of my eye, smiling at him like some kind of damn proud parent. "This is bullshit..." I thought, trying to keep the anger from boiling over.

But no matter what, Deku was still a damn idiot. And I wasn't going to let him forget that.

The Present (Now):

"He actually stood up to me! There's something fishy about all this... I'm gonna ruin that little bastard. Right after I figure out how he got in." I thought, looking away from Deku and Blindfoldie.

(Your P.O.V):

Uraraka was still talking away, clearly excited about everything. "What do you think we're doing today besides orientation? I wonder what our teachers are like. Boy, I'm nervous. I can't wait to meet everybody!" She said, practically glowing with energy.

Izuku, on the other hand, was still blushing hard, staring away from her like he was trying to avoid a potential embarrassment. I smirked a little, finding it amusing, but before I could tease him, a voice from the floor interrupted us.

"If you're just here to make friends, then you can pack up your stuff now."

I looked down, eyes widening in surprise. The guy was lying there in a yellow sleeping bag, only his head poking out. Honestly, he looked like a damn caterpillar. The rest of us just stared at him in disbelief, unsure how to react.

"Welcome to U.A.'s hero course..." he said, sounding bored out of his mind, as he lazily unzipped his sleeping bag and sipped from a fruit pouch.

I couldn't hold it in. "WHAT IS THAT THING!?" I screamed, my confusion and irritation bubbling over.

Without thinking, I kicked him in the face, the impact causing a bloody nose to spray out. Izuku gasped, "Y/N-CHAN!" He yelled, horrified. Uraraka and Four-Eyes gasped as well, each of them grabbing me to pull me back into the classroom.

The rest of the class had fallen into an awkward silence, eyes wide in shock as they all stared at what I'd just done. The guy, still lying there, shot me an angry look, clearly pissed, but he slowly stood up, unzipping his sleeping bag completely as we all held our breath, unsure of what was going to happen next.

He sized us up with a look that could freeze ice. "It took eight seconds before you all shut up," he said, his tone sharp. "That's not gonna work. Time is a precious resource."

Then, he turned his gaze directly at me. "Rational students would understand that," he added, as if everything about the situation made perfect sense to him.

He sighed, like he'd been dealing with incompetence all his life, and then, to my complete disbelief, he said, "Hello, I'm Shota Aizawa... Your homeroom teacher. Pleased to meet you."

"So, he's a pro hero, too...?" Mumbled Izuku, clearly confused.

I froze, a sweat drop appearing on my forehead. "Our teacher? No way..." I thought, "I knew I should've never come to this school."

Mr. Aizawa didn't even flinch as he wiped the blood from his nose, completely unfazed by the mess I'd made. "Right, let's get to it," he muttered, pulling out a U.A. gym uniform from his sleeping bag. "Put these on and head outside."

We all exchanged confused looks. Gym uniforms? Already? What the hell's going on?

Still trying to process the situation, I couldn't help but feel like everything had gone sideways in the worst way possible. Mr. Aizawa, on the other hand, looked like he was just done with all of us already, as though he expected this level of chaos.

(All Might's P.O.V.):

I flipped through the pages of the Teacher's Directory, staring at the files of all the staff members. My eyes stopped on the one marked Shota Aizawa.

"U.A.'s course doesn't follow the normal academic path..." I thought with a sigh, running a hand through my hair. "Get the wrong homeroom teacher, and life is hell."

Time-skip: (Your P.O.V.):

After getting changed into our U.A. gym uniforms, we stood outside, facing Mr. Aizawa, who didn't seem like he had any intention of letting up on his intense demeanor.

"We're going to do a quirk assessment test," he said bluntly, the words hanging in the air.

The whole class collectively gasped.

"What? A quirk assessment test?" We all asked at the same time.

Uraraka was the first to voice the confusion that was shared among all of us. "But orientation! We're gonna miss it!" She said, looking genuinely upset.

Mr. Aizawa, as indifferent as ever, shrugged. "If you really want to make the big leagues, you can't waste time on pointless ceremonies."

We all gasped again, except for me, Bakugo, and this guy with white and red hair. I stood still, my eyes narrowed slightly, trying to gauge how serious he was about this.

"Here at U.A., we're known for our 'freestyle' education system. That applies to us teachers as well," he continued, glancing at each of us. "We're not tethered to traditions. That means I get to run my class however I see fit. Soft-ball throwing. The standing long-jump. The fifty-meter dash. Endurance running. Grip strength. Side-to-side stepping. Upper-body training. Seated toe touch. You did all these in middle school, yes? Your standard no-quirks-allowed gym tests. This country still insists on prohibiting quirks when calculating the averages of those records. It's not rational. The Department of Education is just procrastinating."

I couldn't help but admire his directness. He didn't sugarcoat anything. It was a harsh truth, one that made sense to me.

Then, his eyes landed on me. "L/n, you managed to get the most points on the entrance exam," he said, making everyone look at me.

"What was your farthest distance throw with a softball when you were in junior high?" He asked, his voice almost as emotionless as before.

I hesitated, debating whether or not I should tell the truth. I was strong-, even without my quirk-, but I knew Mr. Aizawa was pushing us to be as honest as possible. I wasn't going to lie.

"Three hundred eighty-six meters, I think," I said, not hiding the pride in my voice, though I immediately regretted it when everyone stared at me in shock.

"Without your quirk?!" Four-Eyes said, wide-eyed and disbelieving. "There's absolutely no way!"

Izuku, always the supportive one, grinned. "Mm-hm! Y/n-Chan is strong!"

I could feel Mr. Aizawa's gaze on me as he sighed and pulled out a softball, tossing it to me. "Try doing it with your quirk this time," he said flatly. "Anything goes, just stay in the circle. Go on, you're wasting our time."

I took a breath and stepped into the circle, my mind already calculating the trajectory. "Reversed Limitless: Red."

I muttered the words under my breath, and with a quick motion, I threw the ball, my quirk activating just before release. A red orb blasted the ball away with incredible force. A powerful gust of wind followed; the air whipping around me and making the other students struggle to stay balanced.

"Woah!" Shouted a red spiky-haired guy, barely holding on.

"WHAT THE HELL?! I'M GONNA GET BLOWN AWAY!" A short grape guy screamed, clutching his head and trying to stay grounded.

Mr. Aizawa, however, remained calm. "Hmph," he hummed, unphased as the gray bandages around his neck flew in the gusts.

The ball I threw finally hit the ground, and Mr. Aizawa checked his tracking device with a smirk. "It's the most rational way of figuring out your potential as a pro hero," he said, showing us the result.

The entire class gasped as the screen displayed the distance.

"Five thousand seven hundred thirty-six meters!? Are you kidding me!?" A guy with a black lightning bolt in his hair exclaimed.

"Wow! I wanna go! That looks like fun!" Pink Alien Girl said, bouncing on her toes excitedly.

"This is what I'm talkin' about! Using our quirks as much as we want!" A black-haired mop guy added, grinning.

Mr. Aizawa looked at all of them, his gaze hardening. "So this looks fun, huh?" He asked, his tone sharp.

The students fell silent. I knew what was coming next.

"You have three years here to become a hero," Mr. Aizawa continued, his voice low and dangerous. "You think it's all gonna be games and playtime?"

The class exchanged nervous glances, but Mr. Aizawa wasn't done.

"Idiots," he smirked. "Today, you'll compete in eight physical tests to gauge your potential. Whoever comes in last has none and will be expelled immediately."

Everyone, besides me, Bakugo, and the boy with white and red hair, froze in shock, mouths hanging open. "WHAAAAA?!"

Behind me, I heard a girl with a black, spiky ponytail mumbling. "Most likely he's lying..."

I leaned back slightly, whispering to her, "It's iffy actually... If he's lying, he's probably just trying to bring out everyone's full potential today. But if he's not, then he's likely going to wait until he sees our scores before deciding if the last place gets expelled."

She blinked in surprise, then smiled at me, her eyes brightening. "Ah, I see! That makes sense! Well, I'm glad someone thinks the same as me for the most part! I'm Momo Yaoyorozu."

"Likewise, Yaoyorozu. My name's L/n. Y/n L/n." I said with a neutral tone.

She nodded, a nervous but grateful smile on her face, and we both turned to face Mr. Aizawa as the tests were about to begin.

(All Might's P.O.V.):

I sigh, rubbing my face in frustration. Looking down at Aizawa's file: "Has expelled one hundred fifty-four students. 1-A Homeroom Teacher."

"Aw crap, they got Aizawa. Young L/n might be okay... But Midoriya's gonna be singled out from the start."

(Your P.O.V.):

Izuku's still stuck in thought, his face filled with worry, when Mr. Aizawa speaks again.

"Like I said, I get to decide how this class runs. Your fates are in my hands." He lifts his hair up with his right hand, smirking. "Understand? If that's a problem, you can head home right now. Welcome. This is... the hero course at U.A. High!"

I glance at Izuku. His expression is clouded with anxiety, his hand nervously gripping my arm.

"A huge test on the first day of school? What the crap am I gonna do?" He whispers, clutching my arm tighter.

He's always done this when he's worried, but seeing him like this... I feel his fear, his unease. He's putting so much pressure on himself, and I wish there was an easy way to tell him everything will be fine. But I can't lie to him.

I try to reassure him.

"Calm down first... I'm pretty sure you can figure something out..." I say, gently patting his head and stroking his messy green hair. He relaxes a little at the gesture, his breathing slowing just a touch.

Uraraka, who's been silent till now, suddenly pipes up.

"You can't send one of us home! I mean, we just got here! Even if it wasn't the first day, that isn't fair!" She says, clearly frustrated, addressing Mr. Aizawa.

"Oh, and you think natural disasters are? Or power-hungry villains? Hm? Or catastrophic accidents that wipe out whole cities? No. Calamity is always right around the corner. I'd say the whole world is full of unfair things. It's a hero's job to try to combat that unfairness. If you were hoping to spend your evenings hanging out at McDonald's... I'm sorry to tell you... that for the next three years... U.A. will run you through the wringer."

I agree with him, even if I don't say it out loud. Life as a hero isn't fair. The world isn't fair. And if they want to make it, they need to get used to that truth.

"U.A. will throw one terrible hardship after another at you. So, go beyond. Plus Ultra-style." Mr. Aizawa motions us forward with his pointer finger. "Show me it's no mistake that you're here."

The tension in the air is thick. I can feel the students' nerves. They're scared, they're unsure... but they're also determined. They have to be.

Ida, ever the composed one, sips from his cup while watching Mr. Aizawa intently, but there's no doubt he's feeling the weight of what's ahead.

"I don't approve of this kind of hazing, but U.A.'s the top hero program. I have no choice." Four-Eyes whispers to himself, voice tinged with a mixture of frustration and acceptance.

Bakugo, always ready for a fight, cracks his knuckles and smirks.

"Time to blow these nerds away." He says to himself with a cocky attitude, clearly relishing the challenge ahead.

"Now then. We're just wasting time by talking. Let the games begin."

I watch Izuku again, and this time, I can see the determination in his eyes. He clenches his fist, the weight of everything pressing on him. But then he looks up at me, and I see that spark of hope. He's not giving up.

"You got this," I say, offering him the reassurance he needs.

Izuku looks up at me, his expression more confident now. He nods with determination, ready to face whatever comes next.

Time-skip: (Test one: Fifty-meter dash):

The sound of a whistle slices through the air, and a robot voice chimes in, marking the start of the race.

"Runners, on your marks. Ready..." a sharp gunshot-like noise rings out, signaling the race to begin.

Frog Girl and Four-Eyes get into position, their feet placed firmly on the starting blocks, looking ready to run the fifty meters.

Four-Eyes, ever focused, taps into his speed quirk immediately, blasting through the race.

He finishes with a time of three-point o' four (3.04) seconds, a new personal best.

"At fifty meters, I can only get up to third gear..." Four-Eyes mutters to himself, looking slightly disappointed but still acknowledging his limits.

Present Mic: "Tenya Ida, his quirk: 'Engine'! As you can see, his legs are pretty dang fast!"

Mr. Aizawa watches closely, clearly making mental notes as the students race.

"Well, he's definitely in his element, but speed won't help him in every test," Mr. Aizawa says, not lifting his eyes from his watch.

Next, it's Frog Girl's turn. She hops her way to the finish line, her strong legs giving her a decent pace. She crosses the line at five-point fifty-eight (5.58) seconds.

Then, it's the lion tail guy and Uraraka's turn.

"I'll lighten up my clothes. Oh! And my shoes, too!" Uraraka says with a grin, activating her quirk. She shrinks her weight down, ready for a faster run.

Present Mic: "Ochaco Uraraka, her quirk: 'Zero Gravity'! She can nullify the gravitational pull of anything she touches. But if she uses her power too much, she totally hurls!"

Lion Tail finishes first at five-point forty-nine (5.49) seconds, moving swiftly despite his unique quirk. Uraraka follows, smiling proudly even though she clocks in at seven-point fifteen (7.15) seconds.

"Well, at least that's faster than junior high!" Uraraka says, still upbeat.

Now, it's time for the French belly button guy and Pink Alien Girl. The pink alien is barefoot, for some reason, but she's standing ready at the starting line. Meanwhile, French Belly Button Guy... well, he's facing the wrong way, back turned to the finish line.

"Nice attempts, Mon Amis (my friend)," French Belly Button Guy says to the pink alien, sounding very pleased with himself.

"Runners, on your marks..."

"But you're just not showing enough panache (flamboyance)!"

The gunshot rings, and French Belly Button Guy uses his quirk, shooting a blue glittery beam from his belly button to propel himself. It's... an odd method, but it works... for a while.

"Let your powers shine!"

Present Mic: "Yuga Aoyama, his quirk: 'Navel Laser'! That's right, a bellybutton laser! But... He can't shoot it forever."

However, after a few moments, his beam fizzles out, and he stumbles before Pink Alien Girl passes him. With a quick flick of his quirk, he uses the beam again to finish the race at five-point fifty-one (5.51) seconds.

He gives a dramatic flair, clutching his stomach.

"Hm. Shooting my beautiful beam for more than a second hurts my tummy."

A collective groan of disbelief fills the air. Me, Red Spiky Hair, Black-Haired Mop, Pink Alien, and the guy with the black lightning bolt in his hair all give him the same deadpan look.

We say in unison, "Wow, what a tool."

"Testing the upper limits of their powers helps me assess their room for growth. It becomes clear what they can and can't do. Their true potential." Mr. Aizawa whispers to himself.

It's now my turn, followed by the half-white, half-red-haired guy. He stands ready at the blocks, but I'm confused. Everyone's watching him, wondering what he's going to do.

"Runners, on your marks..."

I start to prepare, thinking of my strategy.

"Ready..." the gunshot sounds.

I clasp my hands together and think, "Long-Distance Teleportation."

In a blink, I teleport to the finish line and cross it with a time of one-point twelve (1.12) seconds.

Half-White, Half-Red-Haired Guy uses his ice quirk to glide along the ground, but he finishes at exactly four seconds. His time is good, but nothing close to mine.

"Woah... She just teleported!"

"Holy... How do you even beat one-point twelve seconds?!"

I sigh to myself, leaning back against the sidelines. "I can already tell these tests are gonna be a breeze," I mutter, watching the others finish their runs.

Now it's Bakugo and Izuku's turn. The gunshot signals their start, and Bakugo, ever the explosive one, uses his quirk to blast forward.

"BURST SPEED!" Bakugo rockets through the race, finishing at four-point thirteen (4.13) seconds.

Present Mic: "Katsuki Bakugo, his quirk: 'Explosion'! Which is pretty self-explanatory!"

Izuku finishes at seven-point o' two (7.02) seconds, his quirk unused, but he still pushes himself to the limit.

I jog over to Izuku, patting his back.

"Good job, Izuku," I say softly.

"Ow-, wait, Y/n-Chan, you're hitting me too hard..."

"Hitting? But I was patting..."

Bakugo, of course, isn't one to miss a chance to taunt.

"My power has more uses than anyone else's in this school." Bakugo says, looking at his hands before glaring at Izuku, who's still breathing heavily.

"Pathetic."

I step forward, glowering at him.

"Shut the hell up," I snap, not in the mood for his attitude today.

Bakugo starts yelling at me, but I tune him out, focusing on Izuku.

"There are still seven more tests. Everyone's going to be using their quirks on all of them and getting awesome results. So, what do I do? I've got a ton of power, but I can only use it once, and it'll break me..." Izuku's voice shakes slightly, the worry evident on his face.

I take a deep breath and speak softly to him.

"Don't you remember what you and the old man talked about? What you need is control, Izuku. Just focus like All Might suggested, and don't let the egg explode in the microwave." I say, patting his messy green hair.

Izuku looks up at me, taking my words to heart. He nods, his worry easing just a little.

Time-skip: (Test two: Grip strength):

Mr. Aizawa handed out the gray measuring devices for us to test our grip strength. The instructions were simple: squeeze the device with your hand, and it would show your grip strength in kilograms (kg).

I took the device and squeezed it lightly, but to my disappointment, it broke in my hand. "Great," I thought, letting out a sigh.

Izuku, on the other hand, seemed to take a more careful approach. He squeezed the device, and the reading came up: fifty-six kilograms. It wasn't terrible, but I could tell it was because he wasn't using his quirk.

The black-haired mop guy turned to a classmate who had multiple arms, eyes wide in amazement.

"Wow! You hit five hundred forty kilograms!? You're such a beast!"

The classmate with multiple arms grinned.

Short Grape Ball Guy chimed in with a smirk.

"Yeah, like a muscle-y octopus! Sexy..."

Time-skip: (Test three: Standing long jump):

Now it was time for the next test: the standing long jump. We had to jump as far as we could, with the blue line marking the maximum distance we could reach.

The French belly button guy was up first. Of course, he used his quirk, firing his belly button laser to propel himself past the blue line effortlessly.

Bakugo followed suit, using his explosions to propel himself forward with a loud boom, passing the blue line as well.

When it was my turn, I decided to do something a little different. I executed a quick, powerful flip in the air, launching myself far enough to easily clear the blue line.

Izuku went next, but despite his effort, he didn't even make it halfway. His quirk wasn't enough to help him here, and it was clear he was still struggling with his limits.

Time-skip: (Test four: Repeated side steps):

The next test was the repeated side steps. There were three white lines close together on the ground, and we had to sidestep back and forth as fast as possible. Mr. Aizawa was keeping track of how quickly we could move.

The short grape ball guy got creative and pulled some of the purple balls off his head, using them as cushions to bounce off of, which helped him sidestep even faster than anyone else (besides me).

As for me, I didn't need any extra tools. I simply used my teleportation technique, zipping from one line to the next in a blink. My speed was unmatched, and it felt almost effortless.

Time-skip: (Test five: Ball throw):

Mr. Aizawa had us take turns throwing a softball to see how far we could toss it using our quirks. Since I already did this earlier, I was off the hook and didn't need to go again.

Bakugo was up first. With a loud "DIE!" he threw the ball into the air, his explosive quirk propelling it with an intense burst of power.

The ball landed at seven hundred five-point two (705.2) meters.

The class gasped in awe, murmuring among themselves.

"Die?" Sweat dropped Red Spiky-Haired Guy.

Next up was Uraraka, who used her quirk to make the ball float in the air indefinitely. Mr. Aizawa showed us the measurement device, and the class was stunned when it read "Infinity!"

Black-Haired Mop shouted, "That's insane! How's that possible?"

Then it was Izuku's turn. He walked into the circle, holding the ball nervously. "This is your best chance to use One For All, Izuku..." I thought to myself.

Four-Eyes leaned over and muttered, "If Midoriya doesn't shape up soon, he's the one going home."

Bakugo, who had been watching, sneered. "Well, duh," he said, pointing at Izuku. "He's a quirkless runt!"

Four-Eyes quickly shot back, "Uh-, he has a quirk! Did you not hear about what he did in the entrance exam?"

Bakugo looked confused, "Huh?"

Unable to stand it any longer, I crossed my arms and said with a neutral expression but a dangerous aura, "If you two don't shut your mouths, we're going to have serious issues."

The class immediately quieted, and Mr. Aizawa focused on Izuku.

Izuku hesitated, throwing the ball with everything he had. But as soon as he did, Mr. Aizawa used his quirk, erasing Izuku's powers in an instant.

The ball didn't go far, landing only forty-six meters.

Izuku stood there, confused and frustrated. "Uh... What gives? I was trying to use it just now..."

Mr. Aizawa simply responded, "I erased your quirk," his bandages whipping around him as he glared at Izuku.

"The judges for this exam were not rational enough. Someone like you should never be allowed to enroll at this school." Mr. Aizawa spoke menacingly.

Izuku stammered, "Wait, you did what to my-?" he gasped, finally realizing who Mr. Aizawa was. "-Ah! Those goggles, I know you! You can look at someone and cancel out their powers. The Erasure Hero, Eraser Head!"

The class murmured in confusion. Black-Haired Mop asked, "Eraser? Who's that?"

Frog Girl answered, "Oh, I've heard of him. I think he works on the down-low."

As the class continued to talk, I noticed All Might peeking his head out from behind an outside wall, clearly spying on us. Most likely, he was watching Izuku. I narrowed my eyes at him from behind my blindfold and gave him a look.

For a split second, All Might froze, realizing he'd been caught. He nervously smiled and put his finger to his lips, silently begging me not to say anything. "Typical..." I thought, but I decided not to bring it up.

Mr. Aizawa turned his gaze back to Izuku, his tone serious. "You're not ready. You don't have control over your power."

Izuku's face fell, but Mr. Aizawa wasn't done. "Were you planning to break your bones again? Counting on someone else to save your useless body?"

Izuku's voice shook. "No! That's not what I was trying to do!"

Mr. Aizawa's bandages extended, pulling Izuku closer. "No matter what your intentions are, you would be nothing more than a liability in battle. You have the same reckless passion as another overzealous hero I know."

"He's definitely talking about the old man," I thought.

Mr. Aizawa continued, "One who saved over one thousand people by himself and became a legend."

I couldn't hold back a quiet, "Called it."

Mr. Aizawa finished, "You've got the same reckless streak, but... you're totally useless after saving just a single person. Sorry, Izuku Midoriya, with your power, there's no way you can become a hero."

At those words, my glare sharpened. I could feel the tension building around me. My fingers curled into fists as I glared at Mr. Aizawa through my blindfold. My aura grew heavier, making my classmates take a step back.

Mr. Aizawa let go of Izuku and turned his back, unwrapping the bandages from around his arm. "I've returned your impractical quirk. Take your final throw. Hurry and get it over with."

Izuku stood in silence for a moment, then walked back into the circle with the ball in his hand.

Four-Eyes remarked, "I wonder if our teacher gave him some special instruction..."

Bakugo snorted. "Yeah. The instruction to leave this school."

Then the French belly button guy put his hands on Uraraka and my shoulders, "I'm here, Cheri's (darling's)."

Uraraka blinked, confused. "Wait, who are you again?"

I sighed, not bothering to hide my annoyance. "Yeah, I don't know who you are either," I said bluntly, not caring in the slightest.

He yelled at me dramatically, "HOW DARE YOU? YOU DON'T EVEN CARE AT ALL!"

I ignored him, focusing on Izuku.

Izuku clenched his fist, muttering, "I've only got one shot at nailing this, so what am I going to do?"

I heard Mr. Aizawa muttering to himself, "Is he going to use his quirk and have to forfeit the rest of the events like a fool? Or admit defeat and settle into last place? Either way, he doesn't belong here. A waste of a quirk."

Unable to keep my frustration in check any longer, I snapped, "Be quiet. I've been hearing you the whole time since we started these tests, and it's really irritating me. Only Izuku is allowed to rant around me, so shut it."

Mr. Aizawa went silent, clearly taken aback.

I turned back to Izuku as he prepared to throw the ball.

All Might speaks behind the wall, "Hey, hey, is he for real?"

Izuku gritted his teeth, and with a cry of "SMAAAASH!" he threw the ball with all his might. The wind howled as it flew through the air, and I saw his finger snap at the last moment.

The class gasped as the ball soared farther than any of us expected.

Izuku's ball landed far, far away.

(Mr. Aizawa's P.O.V.):

I glance down at the measuring device, seeing the number flash across the screen: seven hundred five-point three (705.3) meters. My eyes narrow slightly. "A throw like that requires a lot of force," I think, "Did he focus all that power into just one finger?"

I look up, meeting the eyes of my students as I hold the device out for them to see.

(Your P.O.V.):

Izuku, still grimacing with pain, stands there with his hand in a tight fist. Sweat drips down his face, but there's a fierce smile on his lips as he catches his breath.

"Mr. Aizawa," he calls, voice steady despite the exhaustion.

Izuku clenches his fist tighter, clearly in pain but still managing to smile. "You see? I'm still standing." His voice is full of grit, determination, and something else. It's not arrogance, but the quiet confidence that he did it, despite the odds.

Mr. Aizawa smiles, which looks kind of creepy, "This kid..."

(All Might's P.O.V.):

I was still peeking from behind the wall, my heart in my throat as I watched Midoriya throw the ball. "I was worried about you, Young Man, but you're doing a great job. You knew you had to use One For All, but not at full power or else you'd be KO'd. So, you propelled the ball at the last possible point of contact. By sending the power of your quirk shooting through your fingertip. Minimizing the injury to your body while maximizing the throw!"

I smiled wide, "What the heck, Midoriya? How did you go and get so cool?!"

Chapter Text

The Present (Now):

The guy with the black lightning bolt in his hair is the first to speak up, eyes wide in disbelief. "He threw it over seven hundred meters!" His voice is full of surprise, and a bit of awe. It seems like no one can quite believe what they just saw.

Uraraka jumps up excitedly, her fists raised in the air. "Nice! He's finally showing us his true power!"

Four-Eyes looks at Izuku with an analytical expression. "But his finger appears to be broken now. Just like in the exam. His quirk is very odd," he muses, his voice thoughtful, yet concerned.

Then there's French Belly Button Guy, who is still being annoyingly dramatic. "It wasn't a very pretty throw," he says with a fashionable wave of his hand, like he's critiquing a piece of art.

I notice Bakugo standing there, completely shocked. His mouth is hanging open, eyes wide, and his eyebrows are twitching in disbelief.

I can't help but smile to myself a little. For once, Bakugo doesn't have anything snarky to say. It's kind of nice to see him speechless for once.

(Bakugo's P.O.V.):

"WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?!" My heart's racing, my mind is spinning. "If he had a quirk, he would've gotten it when we were kids! Quirks never manifest past age four! This is impossible!"

I watch as Deku stands there, grinning despite the pain in his hand, and the more I think about it, the angrier I get. "AND IT LOOKS LIKE BLINDFOLDIE KNEW THIS WHOLE TIME!" It's like everyone's been in on some secret I don't know about. I can't stand it. "They're up to something."

My thoughts flash back to something Izuku said.

Flashback:

"Someone I look up to told me I have what it takes to be a hero, so did Y/n-Chan. That's why I'm going to U.A.!"

The Present (Now):

"I'm getting to the bottom of this." My fists shake, and my palms start to make small explosions in frustration.

(Your P.O.V.):

I'm walking towards Izuku, ready to tell him that he did an amazing job with the throw. "Izuku! That was clever of yo-" I start to say, but before I can finish, Bakugo comes charging at Izuku, pushing me out of the way with one of his explosions. I spin uncontrollably, landing hard on the ground. My nose is bleeding, and everything feels like it's spinning for a moment.

Author's Note: (You're wearing the U.A. gym uniform, by the way.)

"Y/N-CHAN!" Izuku shrieks in concern, his voice full of panic as he sees me on the ground.

I hear Bakugo yelling, "HEY! DEKU, YOU BASTARD! TELL ME HOW YOU DID THAT OR YOU'RE DEAD!" He's firing explosions from his palms, aiming them directly at Izuku, who's visibly trembling in fear.

"WAHHH!"

My classmates gasp at the chaos unfolding, and Izuku screams as if he's about to completely lose it. I quickly get up, rage boiling inside me, ready to give Bakugo a piece of my mind-, and a good ass-whooping-, but before I can move, Mr. Aizawa's weird scarf wraps around Bakugo, immobilizing him completely.

"What? Why the hell is your damn scarf so strong?" Bakugo growls, trying to wriggle free but failing miserably.

Mr. Aizawa's voice is calm, but there's a hint of annoyance. "Because it's a capture weapon made out of carbon fiber and a special metal alloy. Stand down-, stop using your quirk already... It'd be wise to avoid making me use my quirk too much." He pauses and looks at Bakugo with a serious, irritated expression. "It gives me serious dry eye."

The class responds in unison, looking impressed, "Too bad! That power is amazing!"

Present Mic: "Class 1-A's homeroom teacher: Shota Aizawa! He can erase the quirk of anyone he looks at, but the effect ends when he blinks!"

Mr. Aizawa unwraps his scarf from Bakugo with a fluid motion, and he takes a moment to close his eyes, probably trying to ease the strain from using his quirk. "You're wasting my time now. Whoever's next can step up." He waves his hand, signaling the end of the interruption, and walks away from the mess he just resolved.

Bakugo's anger radiates off of him, his fists clenched tightly as he glares at Izuku, who's now cautiously stepping back. Izuku, still clearly shaken, makes his way toward me, his broken finger cradled in his hand.

"Y/n-Channnnn...!" Izuku calls out frantically, likely still rattled from Bakugo's outburst.

I look at Bakugo, anger still simmering. "That little twerp. I'll make sure he gets what he deserves." My voice is low and dangerous as I stare at Bakugo, who's still fuming.

Izuku nervously hugs me, his arms wrapping around me in a comforting gesture. I return the hug halfway, not quite used to it but still wanting to comfort him. Izuku sweat drops nervously at my words, knowing I'm probably not joking about what I just said.

I notice Bakugo glaring at us, fists clenched so tightly his knuckles are white, his expression full of frustration. The tension between him and Izuku is almost palpable. He looks like he's seething inside, but for now, he says nothing.

(Bakugo's P.O.V.):

"Until the exam, he was nothing. A little bug I could crush if I wanted to." I think to myself, my hands clenching into fists. The image of Deku, that pathetic little worm, still lingers in my mind. He'd always been beneath me, always following me around like a shadow, thinking he had a shot at being something.

Flashback:

I remember it like it was yesterday. Deku, Blindfoldie, and I were walking through the forest when we were five years old. Deku was trailing behind me, as usual, his eyes full of admiration, while Blindfoldie was following Deku, clearly uninterested in whatever we were talking about. I could hear Deku's voice, full of that same naive hope.

"Wow, you're so lucky! Your quirk is amazing, Kacchan! When I get mine, I hope it's just as cool!" He said, his voice full of admiration, his eyes practically sparkling with excitement.

I turned to face him, a cocky smirk pulling at the corners of my lips. "Whatever, Deku. No matter what power you end up with-, if you get one-, you'll never be able to beat me." I said, my words dripping with confidence. Blindfoldie huffed in annoyance behind us, clearly tired of our back-and-forth banter.

The memory of that moment sticks with me, that moment when I knew I was better than him. He had always been weak, powerless. He couldn't ever hope to match my strength.

The Present (Now):

"Just an annoying bug that I can smash into the ground!" I think, my teeth grinding in frustration. It pisses me off. He's not supposed to be this strong, not supposed to be anywhere near me. Yet somehow, here he is, showing off that ridiculous power, acting like he's actually a challenge.

I don't know how he did it, but I won't let it slide. He's nothing more than an annoying bug, and I'll crush him if it's the last thing I do.

(Your P.O.V.):

After the final test, my classmates were all exhausted. Sit-ups, the seated toe-touch, and the long-distance run took everything out of them. Izuku, completely drained, collapsed onto his back, panting heavily.

Mr. Aizawa stood before us, a tired expression on display. "This guy looks like he's ready to take a nap."

"All right, time to give you your results," he said, holding up his device. "I've ranked you all from best to worst. You should probably have a good idea of your standing already. I'll just pull up the whole list. It's not worth going over each individual's score."

A blue holographic ranking list appeared before us. I glanced at it, scanning for my name quickly. Meanwhile, Izuku's face paled as he saw his.

The List:

Number 1: Y/n L/n

Number 2: Momo Yaoyorozu

Number 3: Shoto Todoroki (Half-White, Half-Red-Haired Guy)

Number 4: Katsuki Bakugo

Number 5: Tenya Ida (Four-Eyes)

Number 6: Fumikage Tokoyami (Emo Bird)

Number 7: Mezo Shoji (Multiple Armed Guy)

Number 8: Mashirao Ojiro (Lion Tail Guy)

Number 9: Eijiro Kirishima (Red Spiky-Haired Guy)

Number 10: Mina Ashido (Pink Alien Girl)

Number 11: Ochaco Uraraka

Number 12: Koji Koda (Animal Lover)

Number 13: Rikido Sato (Sugar Rush)

Number 14: Tsuyu Asui (Frog Girl)

Number 15: Yuga Aoyama (French Belly Button Guy)

Number 16: Hanta Sero (Black-Haired Mop)

Number 17: Denki Kaminari (The guy with the black lightning bolt in his hair)

Number 18: Kyoka Jiro (Weird Ear Girl)

Number 19: Toru Hagakure (Invisible Girl)

Number 20: Minoru Mineta (Short Grape Ball Guy)

Number 21: Izuku Midoriya

"I'm in last place... I failed..." Izuku muttered, looking down in defeat. I rubbed his back absentmindedly, already knowing he wasn't going home.

Then, Mr. Aizawa clicked his device, making the hologram disappear. "And I was lying. No one's going home."

Silence.

Mr. Aizawa gave us a creepy, smug smile. "That was just a rational deception to make sure you gave it your all in the tests."

Izuku, Uraraka, and Four-Eyes all screamed in disbelief.

"WHAAAAAAA?!"

I didn't react. "Figures."

Yaoyorozu crossed her arms, looking unimpressed. "Oh, me and L/n already knew that... But I'm surprised the rest of you didn't figure that out. I'm sorry. I guess we probably should have said something."

I shrugged. It wasn't really my problem.

Weird Ear Girl, Short Grape Ball Guy, and the guy with the black lightning bolt in his hair all groaned in unison. "Yeah, you should have."

Black-Haired Mop turned to Red Spiky-Haired Guy. "That was pretty nerve-wracking, huh?"

"Nah, I'm always down for a challenge," Red Spiky-Haired Guy replied with a confident grin.

Then, Yaoyorozu spoke up again, this time directing her question at Mr. Aizawa. "Mr. Aizawa... I just noticed that there are twenty-one students here, even though the class is supposed to have twenty. How would we make partners even to make sure everything's fair?"

Mr. Aizawa sighed, clearly not in the mood for more questions. "We'll deal with that when the time comes."

That was that.

"Anyways, that's it. We're done for the day. Pick up a syllabus in the classroom. Read it over before tomorrow morning." With that, he turned and started walking away.

Izuku sighed in relief, but then Mr. Aizawa stopped in front of him and handed him a paper slip.

"Midoriya. Take this and go have the old lady fix you up," he instructed. "Things are gonna be tougher tomorrow when your actual training begins. Make sure you're prepared."

He walked away, leaving Izuku staring at the slip.

"I managed to make it through the first day. But there was so much I completely failed at. I'm starting out at the bottom of the list..." Izuku muttered, spiraling into self-doubt.

I sighed. "Typical."

"It just means you've still got a lot to learn, Izuku. Don't beat yourself up about it." I said, my voice calm and monotone. "If you want... I'll accompany you to the nurse's office."

Izuku looked at me, eyes wide. Then he smiled, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Um, okay, yeah! Let's go, Y/n-Chan!" He said, and we started walking.

(All Might's P.O.V.):

I stood behind the outside wall in my buff form, watching as Aizawa walked away from his students. His posture was relaxed, hands in his pockets, but I knew better-, he was always calculating.

With my hands on my hips, I called out to him.

"Aizawa, that was a rotten move, you big fat liar!"

He stopped walking but didn't seem surprised. Turning to face me, he gave a lazy stare.

"All Might... So, you were watching. No talk shows today? Good to know you don't mind wasting time." His voice was as indifferent as ever.

I narrowed my eyes. "A rational deception. April Fool's Day was over a week ago. It's cute, but you're not exactly known for being lighthearted. I read your file." I pointed at him, standing firm. "Last year, you expelled an entire class of freshmen students. You have no problem kicking students out-, anyone you deem unworthy. You were planning to send last place home."

I watched for a reaction, but his face remained neutral. That man was hard to read.

"So, that can only mean... you see the same kind of potential in Midoriya that I do!" I declared.

Aizawa tilted his head slightly, studying me. "What is this about? It almost sounds like you've been in his corner the whole time."

I stiffened.

Aizawa's eyes narrowed slightly. "Isn't it a little early for you to be playing favorites?"

Before I could respond, he continued, his voice level. "Midoriya doesn't have zero potential, I admit. If that were the case, I would have sent him straight home after class without hesitation. It's cruel to let a kid keep dreaming of something that will never come true."

He sighed, adjusting his capture weapon slightly as he turned away. "However..." he paused, as if considering something. "I do like that L/n kid. She seems interesting... interesting indeed."

With that, he officially walked away, leaving me standing there.

I hummed in thought, wagging my pointer finger as I spoke to myself.

"In your own strange way, you're a kind man, Aizawa. I know that. But clearly... we are gonna have us a problem."

I chuckled lightly before speaking again. "And it seems you've already made an impact on Aizawa, Young L/n."

"Hey, isn't that All Might?!" One of the kids point out.

Another one looks in awe. "Wow!"

Crap.

Time-skip: (Your P.O.V.):

Izuku let out a scream as Recovery Girl kissed his injured finger, her quirk working its magic. I sweat-dropped at the scene.

The screaming stopped the moment he realized his finger was fully healed. His eyes widened in amazement.

"Whoa, thanks! That feels so much better!" He said happily, but just as quickly, his energy drained, and his body slumped. "But, uh... I suddenly feel really tired. I need a nap..."

Recovery Girl waved off his exhaustion as if it were nothing. "My quirk stimulates your ability to heal, but healing takes energy. It's not my fault-, that's just how the body works. Get too many big injuries, your stamina will be shot, and you'll die instead of healing. So be careful~"

Izuku and I both snapped to attention.

"YOU MEAN THIS COULD KILL SOMEBODY?!" We shouted in unison.

She simply hummed, handing Izuku a pill from what looked like a Kamui Woods-themed candy dispenser (Pez), and dismissed us like we weren't just given a near-death warning.

With the school day over, Izuku and I left the nurse's office and started walking outside of U.A.

"I'm so tired..." he groaned, rubbing his eyes.

"You'll most likely be fine once you've taken a nap, Izuku," I said, keeping my voice even.

He nodded, but before he could say anything else, a firm hand suddenly grabbed his shoulder.

Izuku jumped, yelping, and I grimaced. I already knew who it was.

"Gah! Hey there, Ida!" Izuku greeted nervously.

Tenya Ida-, Four-Eyes-, tilted his head. "How's the broken finger doing?"

Izuku wiggled his bandaged finger. "O-Oh. It's doing fine, thanks to Recovery Girl."

Four-Eyes nodded, placing a hand on his chin like some kind of philosopher. "I see." He began walking alongside us, still in deep thought, but I ignored him. I didn't like Four-Eyes. I let Izuku do the talking.

"I was a bit concerned by Mr. Aizawa's approach to class," Four-Eyes mused. "But I trust the school's judgment. U.A. is the top program." He crossed his arms over his chest, his expression serious. "Even so, lying is downright immoral."

I raised an eyebrow at that. "He must be really serious about school if he's thinking about it like that..."

A sudden voice interrupted our walk.

"HEEYY! Wait up, you three!"

We turned around to see a girl running up to us, waving excitedly.

Uraraka.

"Are you going to the station? I'll join you guys!" She said, her usual cheerful smile on full display.

Four-Eyes looked at her. "Oh, you're the Infinity Girl."

Uraraka puffed out her cheeks slightly. "I'm Ochaco Uraraka. Let's see..." She glanced at Four-Eyes. "You are Tenya Ida." Then, she turned to Izuku. "And your name is... Deku, right? Midoriya?"

At that moment, my expression darkened beneath my blindfold. My voice came out cold.

"Don't call him that."

Uraraka visibly stiffened, her eyes wide with uncertainty. "But, um... that's what Bakugo called him, right? During the fitness test, he said, 'DEKU, YOU BASTARD!'" She said nervously.

Izuku quickly jumped in. "Uh, well... My name's actually Midoriya. Deku is what Kacchan calls me to make fun of me. So, that's why Y/n-Chan doesn't want you to call me that..." he admitted awkwardly.

Four-Eyes, ever the moral compass, frowned. "A derogatory pet name? That's unsportsmanlike of Bakugo."

Uraraka's face softened. "Oh, I didn't realize that! I'm sorry." Then, after a pause, she brightened again. "But you know what? I like 'Deku'. It could make a great hero name! Plus, I think it sounds kinda cute."

My irritation flared.

"I think you should keep your opinions to yourself." My voice was sharp, unyielding.

The tension in the air was instant. Four-Eyes and Izuku tensed at my words, and Uraraka stumbled over her own breath, clearly not expecting that kind of response.

Izuku, now flustered, scrambled to change the atmosphere. "W-Well, Deku it is! Don't mind Y/n-Chan!" He blushed slightly at Uraraka's compliment, and I just huffed.

Four-Eyes sweat-dropped. "Just like that? Show a bit of backbone! Weren't you saying that it was an insult? And your friend just told Uraraka not to call you that!" His hands flailed in exasperation.

Izuku turned around, covering his face with both hands. "Paradigm shift! My whole world is upside down!" He let out a giddy laugh.

Uraraka tilted her head. "Wait, what?" Then she turned to me, looking hesitant. "Anyways... Um, you're Y/n-Chan?"

I stared at her through my blindfold for a moment, then simply turned and walked ahead, not answering.

Izuku sighed, rubbing the back of his head. "Her name is L/n Y/n. I'm the only one who calls her Y/n-Chan. She'll need some time to warm up to you... And honestly, that might take a while."

Uraraka nodded slowly, seeming to take the hint.

Eventually, they resumed talking amongst themselves, but I remained ahead, walking in silence. I could hear their voices behind me, Izuku conversing with Uraraka and Four-Eyes as we made our way to the station.

And when the time came, we went our separate ways.

Time-skip: (The second day):

U.A.'s Hero Course curriculum is exhausting. And because I'm in Class 1-A, I'm stuck with the same classmates. All. School. Day. They're annoying (especially Bakugo), and I already regret coming to this school with Izuku. But whatever-, I'll deal with it.

Like a normal school, U.A. has core classes like English Language Arts (ELA), which we have in the mornings. Which I absolutely hate with every fiber of my being. Not because it's hard-, none of these classes are-, but because waking up and going to English first thing is the worst.

Present Mic, our English teacher, turns to us, holding a book in his right hand. Why do they let this man teach first thing in the morning?

"Now! Which of these four sentences contains a mistake?" He asks, his voice way too energetic for this time of day.

A collective groan spreads across the room.

"Dull."

"Yawn~"

"Ordinary."

"Come on..."

"Bored outta my skull."

Bakugo, Pink Alien, the guy with the black lightning bolt in his hair, and Weird Ear Girl all sigh in unison.

"So boring..."

Bakugo rests the side of his face on the back of his hand; eyes closed like he's about to pass out. "This really sucks."

For once, I actually agree with him.

I already know the answer-, it's the last one. But I don't say anything. I never talk in class unless I have to.

"Hey, everybody, look alive! Grammar rules!" Present Mic pumps his fist in the air multiple times like he thinks he's hyping up a concert crowd.

I glance at Izuku. He looks happy. "Good for him, I guess."

Yaoyorozu raises her hand. No surprise there.

"Yaoyorozu, lay it on us!" Present Mic calls on her enthusiastically.

I zone out after that.

Time-skip: (Lunchtime):

Lunch at U.A. is in the main cafeteria, where students can buy food cheap. Not that I would ever eat it. I don't trust school lunches. You never know what they put in their food. So I eat what Ms. Midoriya makes instead.

Izuku, for some reason, decides to sit with Floaty Boaty (AKA Uraraka, since she basically renamed Izuku as 'Deku') and Four-Eyes. I don't particularly like it.

Lunch Rush, the cook hero, gives us a thumbs-up as Izuku and the others eat the school lunch. "White rice is the perfect comfort food, isn't it?"

Izuku practically sparkles. "Lunch Rush's food is amazing!"

Floaty Boaty nods, chewing. "Mm-hm, this is super good."

I ignore them, eating my Oyakodon (Japanese chicken and egg rice bowl) in silence.

Time-skip: (Hero Basic Training):

The day drags on, and by the afternoon, it's time for Hero Basic Training. Everyone's sitting in their assigned seats, and mine is all the way in the back-, exactly where I want to be.

Then, suddenly-

"I AM HERE! Coming through the door like a hero!"

All Might bursts in dramatically, trying way too hard to look cool.

The entire class gasps like they just saw a celebrity (which, okay, technically, they did).

"I can't believe it's really All Might!" The guy with a black lightning bolt in his hair says, eyes sparkling.

"So, he is a teacher! This year is gonna be totally awesome!" Red Spiky-Haired Guy pumps his fist in excitement.

"Hey, look. Is he wearing his Silver Age costume?" Frog Girl asks, tilting her head.

"I'm getting goosebumps. It's so retro!" Lion Tail Guy says in awe.

I stare at All Might for a moment. "The Old Man looks stupid."

"Welcome to the most important class at U.A. High!" All Might announces, standing proudly. "Think of it as Hero-ing One o' one (101)! Here, you will learn the basics of being a pro-, and what it means to fight in the name of good! It also gives you a ton of credits..." he flexes dramatically, then pulls out a card with the word "BATTLE" on it.

Bakugo smirks, practically vibrating with excitement. "Fight training."

Izuku, on the other hand, looks like he's about to faint. "Real combat?" He mutters nervously.

"But one of the keys to being a hero is... Looking good!" All Might continues, pressing a button to reveal costumes in the class walls. "These were designed for you based on your quirk registration forms and the requests you sent in before school started."

The whole class erupts into cheers. Except me. I groan in annoyance.

Izuku clutches his yellow backpack, his face lighting up. "Costumes!"

"Get yourselves suited up and then meet me in ranking order at Training Ground Beta!" All Might commands.

"Yes, Sir!"

I sigh, already regretting everything about today.

Author's Note: (You can choose what your costume looks like and etc. I want to leave it up to you guys! But if you can't imagine what you want it to look like then you can reference to this (I thought it looked cool and cutesy: the two images below).

Time-skip:

All Might stands waiting as we step out of the changing rooms, now dressed in our hero costumes.

I scan the crowd, immediately noticing something-, or someone-, missing. "Where's Izuku?"

All Might's voice booms through the training ground, pulling my attention back.

"They say that clothes make the pros, young ladies and gentlemen, and behold, you are the proof!"

I glance around. My classmates look ridiculous. Some of their costumes are flashy, some are practical, and some (looking at you, Yaoyorozu) are just... questionable.

"Take this to heart," All Might continues, "from now on, you are all... Heroes in training!"

The class stands taller at his words, clearly fired up. Meanwhile, I cross my arms, unimpressed.

All Might beams at us, hands on his hips. "This is getting me all revved up! You look so cool! Now, shall we get started, you buncha newbies?"

(Izuku's P.O.V.):

The clothing allowance. Before we enrolled at U.A. High, we submitted our quirk registrations forms, which included physical measurements and any desired costume designs to an exclusive clothing company designated by the school. With all that info, they created state-of-the-art costumes for us.

Flashback: (Three weeks ago):

I sat on my light purple couch, flipping through papers while Y/n-Chan lounged beside me, snacking on the sweets my mom had put out earlier. As usual, she was hanging out at my place instead of going to F/n's. She never wanted to be around him. I didn't blame her. I didn't mind her staying, either. If anything, I preferred it this way.

I mumbled to myself, "I need to go to city hall today and get my registration form for the clothing allowance..."

Y/n-Chan glanced at me but said nothing.

Then, it hit me. "But I'm already registered as having no quirk! Oh no, what should I do?" I panicked, staring at the papers like they were some kind of death sentence.

Y/n-Chan chewed on her mochi thoughtfully. "Honestly, I don't know..." she paused before tilting her head at me. "You still have the old man's number, right?"

I blinked at her. "Uh, yeah... Why?"

"Try calling him, see if he knows what to do." She spoke in her usual monotone, more focused on her food than my crisis.

I smacked my forehead. "Oh! I didn't even think of that! You're smart, Y/n-Chan!" I grinned, quickly grabbing my phone and dialing All Might's number.

After a few rings, he picked up. I quickly explained the situation and asked, "What do I do?"

"Quirk registration? Yeah, you can update that, not a problem," All Might answered easily.

I blinked. "It's that easy?"

Y/n-Chan turned her head toward me, probably annoyed by how loud I was. I quickly mouthed, "sorry," and focused back on the call.

All Might chuckled. "You know how everyone's examined and registered when they enter elementary school?"

I nodded, even though he couldn't see me.

"Well, there are plenty of cases where people discover their quirks aren't exactly what they thought they were at first. You're allowed to revise your forms once or twice when you understand your powers better. Normally, they won't let you change it too much, but if you had 'None' before, I'm sure they'll want you to update things. Look, just march in there and tell them that you wanna-"

"Hi, I'm home!"

I flinched at the sudden voice. My mom.

Y/n-Chan immediately hopped off the couch and ran toward the door, still stuffing her face with mochi. "Hello, Ms. Midoriya."

I heard my mom respond in her usual sweet tone. "Oh, hello, Y/n, dear! Your greetings are always something I look forward to when I get home."

Y/n-Chan spent a lot of time with my mom. My mom even treated her like she was her daughter. It was nice, but at that moment, I had bigger problems.

Oh no. I haven't told Mom about my quirk. She doesn't even know I talk to All Might.

My brain short-circuited, and on instinct, I hung up.

"Crap! I hung up on All Might!" I panicked. "I'll have to apologize to him later..."

I shoved my phone into my sweater pocket just as my mom walked into the living room, Y/n-Chan following close behind.

"Heya, Mom!" I said, forcing a smile.

She raised an eyebrow at me before shrugging and reaching into her light brown purse. "Oh, good. You're here. I thought it was actually just Y/n for a moment." Then, she pulled out something turquoise. "Congratulations! I'm so proud you got into U.A.!"

I stood up, staring at it. "Is that... a costume?"

She smiled. "I guess I might have jumped the gun a little bit. I brought you and Y/n food earlier, but you two dozed off, and I may have happened to peek at your notebook."

Y/n-Chan didn't react, still munching on her snacks.

"Seriously?" I asked, stunned.

Mom's expression softened. "To be honest with you, I've been feeling really terrible lately. About something I said to you. I think you might have felt that I gave up on you a while back. But now look at you." Her eyes welled up with tears. "You persevered and kept chasing your dream like a real champion, with the help of Y/n, of course."

Y/n-Chan gave a small nod as she continued eating.

Mom wiped her tears and smiled. "I'm sorry, Izuku. And I promise, I'll support you with everything I've got from now on!"

She handed me the turquoise jumpsuit.

Before I could say anything, Y/n-Chan used my shoulders as support to jump on me.

"Izuku, you've got to wear that as part of your hero costume!" She said with a rare hint of excitement.

I groaned in pain. "Why, aren't you energetic today, Y/n-Chan?"

The Present (Now):

I sprint out of the boy's changing room, my heart pounding with excitement and nervousness. Training Ground Beta is just ahead, and I can already hear the chatter of my classmates.

"The jumpsuit is a gift from my mom, so of course, it's what I'm gonna wear! It's not state-of-the-art or flashy, but it means something to me."

I glance down at my costume as I run. The turquoise fabric, the simple yet sturdy design-, every stitch reminds me of my mom's love and support. It might not look as high-tech as some of the others, but that doesn't matter. This suit represents everything I've worked for.

As I reach Training Ground Beta, I see the rest of my classmates already gathered, their hero costumes on full display. Some look powerful, others sleek and tactical. My breath catches when I see Y/n-Chan standing off to the side, her usual unreadable expression in place.

(Your P.O.V.):

I finally spot Izuku on the Training Ground and start walking toward him. It seems someone else had the same idea. "Tch."

"Hey, Izuku. / Deku!" Me and Floaty Boaty speak at the same time.

I immediately send her a dirty look through my blindfold, and she flinches at my aura.

"Uh... Hey, Uraraka, Y/n-Chan..." Izuku says nervously, clearly feeling the tension between us.

Floaty Boaty quickly avoids my stare. "Well, um, love your costume, Deku! Not too flashy, you know?"

Izuku just stutters, his face turning red.

She rubs the back of her head sheepishly. "I should've been more specific about what I wanted. This bodysuit is skintight. Not really my style. It's also embarrassing..."

Before I can respond, the short grape ball guy-, AKA resident pervert-, pops up out of nowhere.

"I love this school," he says, giving a thumbs-up while very obviously checking the girls out.

"Huh?" Izuku looks at Grape Ball in confusion, completely missing the point.

I glance at Floaty Boaty's costume and nod. "You're right."

"About what?" Floaty Boaty tilts her head in confusion.

"The costume isn't your style. Especially the pink. It's unprepossessing."

The moment the words leave my mouth; I turn and start walking away.

"HUUUUUHHHH?!" Floaty Boaty, Izuku, and Grape Ball all exclaim at once.

Now, the whole class is staring.

"Y/N-CHAN, THAT WAS SO MEAN!" Izuku yells, flailing his arms.

"GUYS, I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT UNPREPO-BLAH BLAH BLAH MEANS!" Grape Ball cries dramatically.

I don't acknowledge them. I just keep walking.

I still don't like Floaty Boaty yet.

(All Might's P.O.V.):

I'm standing ready to begin the hero training with Class 1-A, but then I notice the commotion. The students are acting a bit off, and my eyes immediately go to Young L/n. She hasn't been making many new friends, and I wonder if there's a reason behind it. I won't pry right now, though.

Just as I'm about to step forward, Young L/n walks up to me discreetly and whispers something.

"Izuku's costume is literally you."

I glance over at Midoriya, confused.

"He has two weird things sticking up on his hood. How does that look like me?" I whisper back, genuinely puzzled.

"You're an idiot, Old Man. You also have two weird things on top of your head. What are they supposed to be? Antennas? Bug antennae?" She says, blunt as ever.

I sigh; she can be so brutally honest at times.

"That was so rude! And they are not weird! It's called style!"

"Whatever. And the white part on his mouth? That probably resembles your teeth." She says monotonously, not even bothering to look at me.

My eyes widen as I process her words.

"Oh... okay, I see what you're talking about now..."

We both glance over at Midoriya's costume at the same time, then back at each other. "He's so obvious..."

I shake my head, chuckling despite myself. "Alright, Young L/n. I've got to teach your class. Go back and try not to tell people that their costumes look bad, alright?"

"Oh. You heard all that? I'm surprised an old man like yourself could hear that far. It's probably because of the bug antennae on your head. Hey, do they also give you reception-"

Before she can roast me more, I interrupt her.

"OKAY, okay, let's not get carried away. Now, go."

She grins and runs off, leaving me to start combat training with the class.

Somehow, I know I'm going to be hearing about my "bug antennae" all day.

(Your P.O.V.):

I run back toward my classmates, and I focus on All Might as he steps forward.

"Now that you're ready, it's time for combat training."

A voice from behind me cuts through the air, and I turn to see Four-Eyes raising his hand.

"Sir. This is the fake city from our entrance exam. Does that mean that we'll be conducting urban battles again?"

All Might raises two fingers, ready to answer.

"Not quite. I'm going to move you two steps ahead."

I narrow my eyes, curious to see what he means.

"Most of the villain fights you see on the news take place outside. However, statistically speaking, run-ins with the most dastardly evil doers take place indoors. Think about it. Backroom deals, home invasions, secret underground lairs. Truly intelligent criminals stay hidden in the shadows. For this training exercise, you'll be split into teams of good guys and bad guys and fight two-on-two indoor battles."

The air shifts with anticipation.

"Wait, did you say two-on-two?" Yaoyorozu asks, clearly confused.

"Yes, why?" All Might replies with the same confused look.

"Um, there's twenty-one students in this class, not twenty. So, there would be one person left out. Or they could join a different team, but that wouldn't be fair. Mr. Aizawa didn't inform you?" Yaoyorozu informs.

I feel a slight tension in the air as All Might stares at her, confused.

"Hold on, is there really twenty-one? There should only be twenty in each class... Lemme count. One, two, three, four..."

He trails off, counting us all out loud.

"There really is twenty-one. Why didn't Aizawa tell me..." he sighs in frustration and cries internally. "Uh oh, how can we do this..."

All Might looks a bit flustered before deciding, "You know what, I'll figure that out once teams are chosen."

As he says this, Frog Girl raises her hand, her voice filled with concern.

"Isn't this training exercise a little advanced?"

"The best training is what you get on the battlefield! But remember, you can't just punch a robot this time. You're dealing with actual people now!" He raises a fist, trying to hype us up.

"Sir, will you be the one deciding who wins?" Yaoyorozu raises her hand.

"How much can we hurt the other team? Can I just blast everyone away?" Bakugo's voice is sharp, filled with his usual excitement for destruction.

"Do we need to worry about the losers getting expelled like earlier?" Floaty Boaty asks.

"Will you be splitting us up based on chance or comparative skill?" Four-Eyes' voice carries that usual sense of order.

"Isn't this cape très chic (very fashionable/very chic)?" French Belly Button Guy admires his own cape with a flourish.

The odd collection of questions fills the air, and I can feel the nerves setting in. It's my turn now.

"Can I go home? It'll make the teams even." I raise my hand casually, my voice dripping with sarcasm.

Everyone around me sweat-drops, unsure whether I'm joking or serious.

"I wasn't finished talking! And one at a time! My quirk isn't super-hearing!" He says, laughing and grabbing what looks like a pamphlet. "Listen up."

Everyone falls silent, sensing the sudden seriousness in his tone.

"The situation is this. The villains have hidden a nuclear missile somewhere in their hideout. The heroes must try to foil their plans. To do that, the good guys either have to catch the evil doers or recover the weapon. Likewise, the bad guys succeed if they protect their payload or capture the heroes."

All Might pulls out a yellow box labeled "Lots."

"Time's limited, and we'll choose teams by drawing lots!"

A collective groan comes from the class. Four-Eyes especially looks unhappy.

"Isn't there a better way?" Four-Eyes complains, clearly displeased with the randomness of it.

"Think about it! Pros often have to team up with heroes from other agencies on the spot, so maybe that's the reason we're seeing that here." Izuku offers, trying to make sense of it.

"Yes, I see. Life is a random series of events. Excuse my rudeness." Four-Eyes bows to All Might in apology.

"No sweat, let's draw!" All Might says enthusiastically, and we all step forward, ready to pull our names from the box.

The Teams:

Team A: Ochaco Uraraka and Izuku Midoriya

Team B: Mezo Shoji and Shoto Todoroki

Team C: Minoru Mineta and Momo Yaoyorozu

Team D: Katsuki Bakugo and Tenya Ida

Team E: Mina Ashido and Yuga Aoyama

Team F: Koji Koda and Rikido Sato

Team G: Denki Kaminari and Kyoka Jiro

Team H: Fumikage Tokoyami and Tsuyu Asui

Team I: Mashirao Ojiro and Toru Hagakure

Team J: Hanta Sero and Eijiro Kirishima

"So, uh... Whose team am I joining?" I ask All Might, scanning my classmates with a bored expression. The class turns to look at me, the silence a bit awkward.

"Uh... Just join Mineta's team. It'll probably be alright." He shrugs, like it's no big deal.

I blink, confused. "Who the hell is Mineta?" I ask out loud, earning a deadpan stare from everyone.

"Don't you know the name of your classmates?" He asks me, looking genuinely surprised.

I shrug nonchalantly, not fazed by the attention. "No. I just give them nicknames."

The class collectively sighs, and I can feel their eyes on me. All Might sighs too.

"Well, Mineta is right there." He points to a small boy with grapes for hair and a weird expression.

I look over and spot him, realizing who he is. "Oh... You're Short Grape Ball Guy." I say it flatly as I walk toward him and Yaoyorozu.

"'Short Grape Ball Guy'? Is that what you've been calling me this whole time?!" He exclaims, looking insulted.

I glance at him with a bored expression. "Yeah... It's not that serious."

Mineta sighs dramatically, obviously not happy with the nickname, but I notice his eyes lingering on me more than they should have. Yaoyorozu, also noticing, quickly smacks him on the head.

"ANYWAYS... I declare that the first teams to fight will be... THESE GUYS!" All Might announces loudly, holding up one black ball and one white ball in each hand. The black ball says the letter "D" and the white ball says the letter "A."

"Team A will be the heroes and Team D will be the villains. Everyone else can head to the monitoring room to watch!"

The class reacts almost in unison.

"Yes, Sir!"

Everyone who isn't part of the two teams starts walking toward the target building, basement monitoring room. I pause in front of Izuku's team.

I give Izuku a serious look. "Kick Bakugo's ass, alright?" I say with a straight face.

"Uh, yeah..." Izuku's voice cracks a little, clearly nervous but trying to be confident.

I give him a reassuring pat on the back before walking away, heading toward the room where we'll watch the battle. It's going to be intense, I can already feel it.

 "Bad guys, you can go on in and get set up. In five minutes, the good guys will be let loose, and the battle will start!" All Might announces to the villains as they head inside.

"Yes, Sir!" They respond in unison.

We head inside to the monitoring room, the anticipation building as we settle in to watch the showdown. All Might stays outside, giving Team A and Team D final instructions, while we wait.

(Bakugo's P.O.V.):

I grit my teeth as I listen to Ida's words, my frustration bubbling under the surface.

"Even though this is training, it pains me to be aligned with criminal behavior." He walks up to the weapon All Might described and taps it twice. "So, this is the weapon we must protect."

He looks so serious, like he's in some kind of mission movie. "Fake, of course," he adds, but I barely hear it. I'm too pissed off to care about his analysis.

I snap.

"Hey!" I say, turning around and cutting him off mid-thought. My back is to him, but I don't care. I'm already fuming.

"Hm?" He looks over at me, clearly confused.

I shoot him a pointed glare. "Do you really think Deku has a quirk?" I ask, my voice dripping with skepticism.

"You saw how he threw that ball. Though I think his power hurts his body." He responds, looking as if he's trying to be rational about it.

I let out a sharp 'tch', annoyed. "Deku... throwing the ball like I did in that damn test. That's supposed to prove something?!" I think, but I keep the thoughts to myself.

"Why is it that you seem to be especially angry when it comes to Midoriya?" He asks, tilting his head, like he's trying to figure out the root of my anger.

I feel a vein pop in my head, my fist tightening as anger swirls in my chest. "Why am I angry? Why is he even asking that?!" My thoughts scream, but I shake the question off.

I don't respond right away, just gritting my teeth and looking away. The tension in my body is rising as I ignore Ida's prying. He'll never get it, he's too much of a goody-two-shoes.

"Was he seriously just tricking me all these years?!" The thought cuts through my mind like a knife. My eyes narrow as the pieces start to click together. "I'm gonna roast that damn nerd today!"

(Izuku's P.O.V.):

Uraraka and I are standing outside the building, waiting for the five minutes to pass. But instead of just standing there, we're using this time to plan.

"Ya' think they expect us to memorize this building's floor plan? It's so big!" Uraraka looks up at the towering structure. "You know, All Might's just as cool in person as he is on television!" She turns to me with a big smile, eyes closed. "I'm glad he's not threatening us with some kind of punishment like Mr. Aizawa. We can relax-"

She opens her eyes and freezes, her smile turning into shock as she notices the sweat dripping down my face.

"-Ah! You're sweating through your costume!"

I wince, wiping my forehead, feeling my nerves getting the best of me. "Uh, well... It's just because we're up against Kacchan. Plus, there's Ida too. We should be on our guard. Who knows what they'll pull?"

"Oh, right. Bakugo. He's the one who's always making fun of you." Uraraka says softly, her voice filled with empathy.

I let out a deep sigh, looking down. "And he's amazing... He can be a real pain, sure. But his strength, his confidence, his ambition... Not to mention his quirk. They're all so much greater than mine. Y/n-Chan is the only one who could and still can stand up against him..."

Uraraka nods softly, her expression thoughtful but encouraging.

"But that just means I have to do better," I say, trying to muster some resolve as I pull the rest of my mask over my face. "I refuse to lose today. I want to make Y/n-Chan proud."

Uraraka smiles brightly, her energy lifting my spirits. "So, it's a fated battle between rivals fighting for a certain person's attention?"

I jump in panic, flustered. "Oh, not that I'm trying to get you wrapped up in my fight or anything!"

"Are you kidding? We're a team, right?" She jumps up, pumped with excitement. "Let's win this!"

I nod, smiling back at her, feeling the warmth of her enthusiasm. "Yeah, let's do it!"

Just as I'm feeling a little more confident, All Might's voice comes over the speakers from the monitoring room.

"All right! Let's begin the indoor combat training! Team A and Team D, your time starts now!"

My heart races as I feel the pressure mount. It's time. No backing out now.

(Your P.O.V.):

As the battle between Team A and Team D kicks off, All Might's voice cuts through the tension, urging us to pay attention.

"Pay attention, kids. Think about what you would do."

I turn my attention to the monitoring screen, watching the action unfold. Izuku and Floaty Boaty have climbed in through a window, sneaking around the building, trying to find the weapon. We can't hear them, but their movements are clear on the screen.

Suddenly, Bakugo's figure bursts into view, appearing from behind a wall like a sudden storm. He's not holding back.

Bakugo launches an explosion, sending Izuku and Floaty Boaty flying off their feet and crashing to the floor. The blast is so intense that part of Izuku's mask is torn off, and a hole is blown clean through the wall.

I stare at the screen, my heart racing as I watch the aftermath. Mineta's voice breaks my focus.

"He almost got the jump on them!"

"Sneak attack, Bakugo? What kind of man pulls cheap crap like that?" Red Spiky-Haired Guy huffed.

"It's a viable strategy. He's playing the part. Acting like a true villain would." All Might reassures.

"It didn't work. That Midori sure can dodge!" Pink Alien Girl gasped.

"Look, there he goes!" The guy with the black lightning bolt in his hair points.

I focus back on the screen. I see Bakugo charging toward Izuku and Floaty Boaty, preparing for another explosion. But just as the blast is about to hit, Izuku moves with speed I didn't expect. He runs straight toward Bakugo, grabs him, and flips him over his back, slamming Bakugo into the ground.

"Hey, I taught him that move a while ago..." I think to myself with a small smile, but it fades quickly as I realize the intensity of the battle.

Bakugo quickly springs to his feet, fury burning in his eyes. The anger radiates off him like heat from a flame. Izuku and Bakugo both take up fighting stances, ready for round two.

Bakugo lights up explosions in the palms of his hands, and Izuku starts to shake.

"Izuku, I know you're scared... But if you give up, I'll kill you." I glared at the monitor screens.

Chapter Text

The Present (Now): (Izuku's P.O.V.):

Kacchan, me, and Y/n-Chan all grew up in the same neighborhood, so we've all known each other since we were little kids. The three of us were inseparable back then. Y/n-Chan practically lived at my house, always there with my mom and me, so it felt like we were a family.

Flashback:

It was one of those days when we were all outside, causing trouble like kids do. Kacchan, Y/n-Chan, and I, along with a few of his friends, were standing in front of a fence that had big, bold signs on it that said, "No trespassing," and "You can't go in there!"

Kacchan, ever the rebellious one, pointed toward the other side of the fence with a wide grin plastered on his face.

"Come on! Let's fight bad guys!"

His friends cheered, throwing their fists in the air like they were ready to conquer the world.

"Yeah!" They exclaimed, fired up by the idea.

I awkwardly raised my fist in the air, trying to match their energy, even though I wasn't quite as confident about breaking the rules.

"Oh... Yeah!" I said nervously, trying my best to sound excited, but my stomach was doing flips.

"Idiots..." she muttered, rolling her eyes in that typical Y/n-Chan way.

Despite her words, she was still with us. Kacchan and his friends, full of energy and reckless courage, started walking toward the forbidden area, while I hesitantly followed behind. Y/n-Chan walked behind me, her pace slower but steady, as if she already knew something we didn't.

The Present (Now):

"All the other neighborhood kids followed him around. It seemed like he could do anything. And no matter what he decided to do, he was always confident. He was the fearless type, so he became the leader and troublemaker of our little gang.  I thought he was the coolest person I'd ever met besides Y/n-Chan."

I smiled slightly at the memory, but the smile quickly faded as I thought about what came next.

"However, after his quirk manifested, he started to change."

That was the turning point. It was when Kacchan's powers started to develop that things began to shift. He wasn't the same reckless, confident kid anymore. He was more... intense. And that intensity began to push people away, even me, at times.

But back then, before all that, he was everything I wanted to be. Just like Y/n-Chan, she was a part of that old world, the one where everything was simple, and we were just kids playing together. It feels like a lifetime ago.

(Your P.O.V.):

As the battle raged on, the chatter in the monitoring room continued, the excitement of everyone watching clear in their voices.

"Hey, who's Bakugo talking to? I'm not hearing anything. Can we get any sound with this video?" Red Spiky-Haired Guy pointed out, his eyes glued to the screen.

"They've all got radios in their ears so they can talk to their partners. I gave it to them before the match started, along with a map of the building. Also, this-" All Might pulled out a roll of capture tape and showed it to everyone.

"-Wrapping this around your opponent means you've apprehended them, and they're out for the rest of the game." He grinned, clearly excited about the training session.

"So, there's a fifteen-minute time limit, and the good guys have no idea what floor the nuclear weapon is hidden on, right?" Pink Alien Girl asked, her voice full of curiosity.

"Correct!" All Might confirmed.

"Then the heroes are clearly at a disadvantage here. A big one!" Pink Alien Girl stated, her tone growing serious.

I couldn't help but speak up at that. It felt important to point out what I knew.

"It's like Mr. Aizawa told us-, that's how it always is."

Everyone turned to look at me as I continued.

"Heroes always have disadvantages. That's just the way it is. Nothing's fair." I spoke matter-of-factly, not surprised by their reactions.

There was a murmur of agreement from a few, and All Might nodded.

"Yes, Young L/n is right."

"Real pros have to outwit villains on a daily basis. That's life. Even when the odds aren't in our favor, we fight!" He suddenly raised his fist in the air, his voice booming as he roared, "ALL TOGETHER!"

"LET'S HEAR A PLUS ULTRA!"

"Monsieur (Mister/Sir). He's on the move." French Belly Button Guy's tone snapped us all back to focus, and we turned our attention to the screen again.

Bakugo was gearing up to launch another attack. Meanwhile, Izuku must've given Floaty Boaty a signal because she quickly bolted in the opposite direction.

Bakugo used his explosion quirk to rocket himself toward Izuku, attempting a powerful kick aimed at his face. But Izuku managed to block it with his arm, a determined look in his eyes.

Izuku quickly pulled out the capture tape, trying to wrap it around Bakugo's leg.

"Clever..." I thought, impressed by Izuku's strategic thinking.

But Bakugo wasn't going to go down that easily. He noticed the tape and immediately retaliated with an explosion aimed at Izuku.

Izuku managed to dodge just in time, his reflexes sharp. He had seen it coming.

The room was filled with the sounds of my classmates talking once more.

"That little guy is really good." Sugar Rush said, sounding surprised by Izuku's skill.

 "He's holding his own, and he hasn't even used his quirk yet!" Black-Haired Mop exclaimed, clearly impressed.

"Not surprising. He's always been good at taking action and making split-second decisions in general. And he spent years taking notes on all of those heroes." I thought to myself, knowing just how hard Izuku had worked to get here.

My attention shifted back to the monitor as Bakugo began mixing up his moves, trying to throw Izuku off. He wasn't making it easy for him.

Izuku was about to make another move when he turned around and ran off, putting distance between him and Bakugo. Without missing a beat, Bakugo chased after him, but the building was full of twists and turns, making it easy for Izuku to lose him in the maze of hallways.

"That guy has some real anger issues. Kinda scary..." the guy with the black lightning bolt in his hair murmured.

(All Might's P.O.V.):

"Midoriya and Young L/n told me that Bakugo thinks very highly of himself. But this level of pride is something else. Looks like his head's swollen up a bit too much... Hmmm...! It may end up being his demise..." I thought, watching the screen intently. Bakugo's explosive bursts were starting to show more signs of impatience, and I couldn't help but wonder how long he could keep up his relentless assault without making a critical mistake.

The arrogance, the overconfidence... it was clear. Bakugo was too focused on winning by sheer power, too blinded by his own strength. While pride could fuel a hero's determination, for Bakugo, it was starting to cloud his judgment. The tension in his movements, the lack of consideration for his partner-, it was only a matter of time before that came back to bite him.

(Your P.O.V.):

Izuku crouched behind a wall, trying to steady his breathing as he cautiously peeked around the corner. His determination was clear, but so was his exhaustion. Meanwhile, Bakugo continued to wreak havoc, sending explosion after explosion in an attempt to flush Izuku out.

"I can already tell by just watching that Bakugo's completely forgotten about Floaty Boaty." I thought as I observed the fight. Bakugo's focus was entirely on Izuku, and that would cost him dearly.

"Four-Eyes and Bakugo definitely haven't been working as a team. They might actually lose against Izuku and Floaty Boaty..." I mused, a sense of growing concern for Bakugo in the back of my mind. His sheer strength was impressive, but without proper strategy or teamwork, it was quickly becoming a reckless and unbalanced approach.

Izuku and Floaty Boaty had been working together, using their strengths to complement each other. It was no surprise that Bakugo had been so focused on taking down Izuku that he hadn't paid much attention to Floaty Boaty, who could easily turn the tide in the favor of the good guys.

(Bakugo's P.O.V.):

I'm walking down the hallways, frustration boiling inside me. I need to find Deku, and I'm definitely not happy right now.

"He's just a little bug," I muttered under my breath, clenching my fists tightly. I could feel the anger coursing through my veins, my mind swirling with memories of all the times Deku made me lose my patience.

Flashback:

Me, Deku, and Blindfoldie were at the playground, messing around with soccer balls. My footwork was perfect, and Blindfoldie could handle the ball like a pro. Deku? Not so much.

"Wow, you guys are so awesome!" Deku had exclaimed, his eyes wide in admiration as he watched us play.

I rolled my eyes. "Whatever, this is nothin', right, L/n?" I turned to Blindfoldie, expecting her to agree with me.

She ignored both of us. I furrowed my eyebrows in irritation and looked back at Deku, who was fumbling the ball again.

"Ow!" Deku whined as the ball smacked him in the face and fell to the ground.

I couldn't help but laugh. "Jeez, Izuku. You really can't do anything right, can you?"

Another Flashback:

It was the usual hangout spot-, me, Deku, Blindfoldie, and my friends at the playground. I grabbed Deku's yellow bucket and looked at the markings on it, a smirk creeping onto my face.

"Look! You can read the last part of Izuku's name as 'Deku'." I said with a triumphant grin.

My friends were impressed, their eyes wide. "Woah, you can read kanji? You're so smart, Kacchan!"

"Well, obviously," I huffed, walking away from them. I wasn't about to give them any room to doubt me. "'Deku'. That must be what you call a helpless loser who's completely useless." I added, casting a glance over my shoulder at Blindfoldie.

My friends burst into laughter. Blindfoldie looked away, keeping silent, and Deku pouted.

"Why are you being so mean, Kacchan?" Deku asked, his voice soft.

Another Flashback:

We were by the river, trying to stone-skip. I threw my rock with ease, watching as it skipped perfectly across the water. My friends were in awe.

"Woah! Dude, that has to be a new record. How many skips was that, Kacchan?!"

I stood tall, hands on my hips. "Seven! Didn't you see how cool that was, L/n?" I asked, turning to Blindfoldie, ignoring the others.

"It's not that cool, Bakugo. I can do it, too." She said flatly, and with one swift motion, her stone skipped farther than mine.

"Wow! She did it first try! Cool!" My friends cheered, clearly more impressed by her.

My face burned with embarrassment. I turned quickly to Deku, trying to deflect attention away from my failure.

"Where's yours, Deku?" I smirked, eager to see him fail too.

Deku froze. "Well, uh, it sank..." he mumbled, his face red.

My friends burst out laughing, and I couldn't help but feel a little satisfaction in that.

Another Flashback:

Kindergarten. It was when my quirk first manifested. Tiny sparks shot out of my hands, and everyone-, except Blindfoldie-, stared in awe.

"Woah!" The other kids exclaimed.

"Awesome!" They cheered.

Even the teachers were impressed.

"Impressive. I bet you that's gonna grow into an amazing quirk!" One of them said.

"Definitely. A flashy quirk for a future hero," another teacher added, smiling brightly. "It's perfect."

I grinned, feeling the pride swell in my chest. "Yeah, you're right! I am amazing! In fact, I bet there's no one as great as I am."

The Present (Now):

"A worthless bug for me to smash." I spat, grinding my teeth as I stormed up the stairs. Each step felt like it fueled my anger, my fists clenching tighter with every memory of that damn nerd.

Flashback:

We were in class. Deku was sitting on the floor, looking completely hopeless, his shoulders slumped as if the weight of the world was on him. Blindfoldie, as usual, was pacing around the room, not paying any attention to anyone.

"Hey, did you hear? Deku doesn't have a quirk. Like, none." A kid whispered from the corner, his voice dripping with disdain.

"What? Really?" Another kid responded.

"Yeah, it's called being 'quirkless'." The first kid said, a smug grin on his face.

The others started chiming in, laughing at Deku, at his supposed uselessness.

"That's dumb."

"That's so lame."

"What a loser."

"Sucks to be him."

They all laughed, their voices echoing in the room. A teacher tried to comfort Deku, but I couldn't care less.

"You're a total failure, Deku..." I thought with a smirk as I stood a few steps behind him.

Another Flashback:

It was a typical day outside. Me, my friends, Blindfoldie, and Deku were walking across a giant log that stretched over a creek. My quirk was finally showing its true power, and I was using it with pride as I led the way.

"Forward march and here we go, members of the Agency Bakugo! Sound o- AH!" I sang with a cocky grin, but I didn't watch my step. My foot slipped, and suddenly I was falling into the water.

"Kacchan!" My friends yelled, their voices panicked.

"Hey, you okay down there?" One of them asked.

"Oh, don't worry. I bet he's fine. Kacchan is super tough! See?" Another friend added, clearly trying to downplay the situation.

I popped my head out of the water, not even hurt. "Hurry and get back up here, man!" My friend shouted.

"Sure! Just gimme one second!" I called back with a boyish smile.

But just as I was about to climb back up, I saw Deku standing at the water's edge, holding his hand out to me. His face was full of concern.

"Are you all right? Are you hurt? Need help? Can you stand?" He asked, his voice laced with genuine worry.

I glared at him, my smile fading instantly.

"I was worried you might've hit your head or something," he said softly.

I felt my anger rise. What the hell did he think he was doing? I wasn't some fragile little kid who needed saving.

And the worst of it? It got Blindfoldie's attention-, her attention was fully on Deku, looking at him like he was some kind of hero.

The Present (Now):

"I'm not a weakling like you, I'm not! I'm so much better than you are!" I thought, clenching my fists as I reached the top of the stairs. The memory of Deku trying to help me, of him looking at me with that stupid concern, was still burning in my chest.

(Your P.O.V.):

I watched intently on the screen, the tension in the air palpable. On one monitor, Floaty Boaty was trying to grab the weapon, but she was spotted by Four-Eyes. I smirked, shaking my head. "What a fool..." I thought to myself, as the situation began to spiral out of control.

On the other screen, things were heating up with Izuku. He was spotted by Bakugo as soon as he stood up, and from what I could tell, Izuku was still clinging to his plan of using the tape to capture him. But Bakugo wasn't having any of it. No, Bakugo had something far more dangerous in mind: his gauntlets.

I could almost hear All Might's voice crackle through the radio. "Bakugo! Don't do it! You'll kill him!"

But Bakugo wasn't listening. He ignited the gauntlet, and the resulting explosion rocked the hall. Glass shattered, the sound of the blast deafening. The entire building seemed to shake, and our monitor room rattled with the aftershocks.

Everyone in the room gasped in shock.

The red spiky-haired guy yells, "Whoa, whoa! This is nuts! I thought this was just practice!"

All Might, ever the protector, shouted again into the radio. "Come in! Come in, Midoriya!"

Thankfully, I saw it on the screen: Izuku had dodged just in time, lying on the ground but seemingly okay.

Bakugo, on the other hand, wasn't slowing down. He walked closer to Izuku, no mercy in his steps.

Meanwhile, on the other screen, Floaty Boaty tried to use her quirk to grab the weapon, but Four-Eyes was too quick. His speed was enough to snatch the weapon away from her before she could make a move.

Bakugo's approach to Izuku was like a predator closing in on prey. I couldn't hear their words, but from the way Bakugo's expression twisted, I knew it was just more trash talk.

And then, the red spiky-haired guy's voice snapped me back into focus.

"Sir, isn't this getting out of hand? That Bakugo is acting real crazy. He's gonna kill him!" He said, concern creeping into his tone.

All Might replied firmly, "Not so." Then, speaking into the radio, he added, "Bakugo, use that stored-up power again, and I'll stop this fight. Your team will lose."

It was clear Bakugo was fuming. His anger was almost palpable.

All Might continues, "To employ such a strong attack indoors is inviting the destruction of the stronghold you should be protecting. That's a poor strategy, whether you're a hero or a villain. The penalty would be a massive loss of points."

It didn't faze Bakugo one bit. He launched himself at Izuku again, and though Izuku tried to punch back, Bakugo effortlessly dodged and counterattacked.

The explosion from Bakugo's gauntlet sent Izuku crashing to the ground, and the entire room gasped once more.

"What was that move?" The red spiky-haired guy questioned, astonished.

Half-White, Half-Red, the calm strategist of the group, spoke thoughtfully. "He doesn't come off as a guy with a strategy. But he's actually quite intelligent."

The red spiky-haired guy and the pink alien girl shot confused looks at him.

"Huh?" The pink alien girl mumbled, utterly baffled.

The half-white, half-red huy continued, "He changed his trajectory while in midair using a blast that doubled as a smokescreen. Very clever..." his tone was quiet, almost impressed.

Yaoyorozu, ever the analyst, nodded. "A feint attack like that requires an extreme amount of precision. He had to calculate the physics and demonstrate control over his quirk."

I couldn't help but agree. "Yes, it was actually a martial art move, but he added his quirk into it... It takes a lot of skill to do something like that. Especially in a battle like this." My eyes never left the screen as I watched Bakugo make his next move.

The guy with the black lightning bolt in his hair grunted. "Ugh, Bakugo is uber talented. I hate it."

We all looked back at the screen just as Bakugo right-hooked Izuku in the elbow, grabbed him, and flipped him over his back, slamming him to the ground with a brutal force. He was copying Izuku's earlier move with a vicious twist.

The pink alien girl winced. "This is hard to watch! All he has to do is wrap tape around him, not kill him! It's just torture now..."

Emo Bird, who had been eerily quiet up until now, muttered, "Bakugo's certainly acting like a villain."

The guy with the black lightning bolt sighed. "I thought Midoriya was pretty amazing at the start of the fight, but he's completely outmatched in terms of combat power... Not to mention, Bakugo seems like a natural at all this stuff."

Izuku tried to run again, but the Pink Alien Girl's voice rang out. "He's running away!"

The red spiky-haired guy observed, "Not very manly, but he doesn't have a choice. He's outgunned. Unless he's got some kinda plan... It's possible..."

And then, as if to prove him right, Izuku stopped running and turned to face Bakugo. The tension built as they both charged at each other. I could feel the energy in the room shift. This was the moment.

"They're gonna kill each other! Sir!" The red spiky-haired guy yelled, panic rising in his voice.

All Might's voice cracked through the radio once more. "Both of you! Stop-" but then Izuku shouted something, and All Might's hesitation faltered.

Izuku and Bakugo launched their quirks at the same time. Bakugo aimed directly for Izuku's face, but Izuku responded by aiming his quirk upward, sending a blast that shattered the entire building. The roof exploded, and debris rained down, but it didn't matter.

I saw Floaty Boaty on the other screen, using the chaos to her advantage. She distracted Four-Eyes with debris and then floated her way over to the weapon, finally touching it.

The entire room fell silent, watching as the timer for the fifteen-minute mark went off. Izuku collapsed to the floor, exhausted, and All Might whispered in disbelief. "You did it..."

All Might spoke into the radio next, announcing the victory. "The hero team... WINNNNNNS!"

The room was still, but the weight of what had just happened hung heavy. Victory was bittersweet in this kind of fight.

Chapter Text

The Present (Now):

The guy with the black lightning bolt in his hair raised an eyebrow, his voice filled with confusion. "What a weird way for this to end. The losing team is nearly unscathed... while the winners are down for the count..." he sounded shocked, yet still trying to piece together the strange turn of events.

Emo Bird looked down at the screens, his voice quiet but thoughtful. "How does the old saying go? They may have lost the battle, but they won the war."

Frog Girl, wide-eyed, chimed in, "This class is intense."

All Might, ever the mentor, was already on his way down to the building to take care of Izuku and send him to the nurse's office using mini transport robots-, "Transpo-Bots." After that, he would gather Floaty Boaty, Four-Eyes, and Bakugo to head over to the main area to review the battle. The atmosphere was tense, with everyone watching intently, waiting for the aftermath.

As All Might approached the scene, he stood tall and said, "Well, despite the results... The MVP of this exercise is Ida!" His voice boomed with authority.

Everyone in the room gasped, and Four-Eyes, clearly taken aback, shouted, "HUH!?"

Frog Girl, clearly confused, raised a question, "Shouldn't it be one of the heroes instead? Since they're the winners?"

All Might, ever the teacher, raised a hand, ready to explain. "Mm! Valid question. Why didn't I choose one of those two?" His hand hovered, signaling for guesses.

Yaoyorozu raised her hand confidently, her voice sure. "Sir! I can tell you why! Ida was the only one who embraced this challenge!"

I couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. "Yes. But that's not the only reason why." I spoke up, my voice icy and sharp. "When you answer a question like this, you have to answer properly."

Everyone in the room suddenly turned to look at me, surprised by my sudden interruption.

I continued, "Four-Eyes was the only one who truly adapted to his assigned role. Bakugo's judgment was clouded by a personal grudge against Izuku. I, myself, would know that. As you pointed out earlier, launching a large-scale attack indoors was a foolish move. It could have been disastrous. Similarly, Izuku's plan was poorly thought out, considering the amount of time and pressure he had to come up with it, and the amount of damage that he received. He rendered himself helpless. Not smart. As for Floaty Boaty... She let her guard down mid-battle by laughing, most likely at something utterly stupid. And her final attack was far too reckless given the hypothetical stakes. If she'd treated the fake weapon as though it were real, she never would've risked using such an imprecise move."

The room was dead silent, and I didn't care. I wasn't here to sugarcoat anything.

"However," I continued, my gaze now focused on Four-Eyes, "as much as I hate to admit it, Four-Eyes was fully prepared for his opponent's arrival. He obviously had a strategy and never lost sight of his mission to protect the dummy weapon, even if the idiot was foiled in the end."

I could see Four-Eyes looking at me, a proud smile creeping onto his face. He clearly thought I had complimented him. But I wasn't giving out praise. I was just pointing out the facts.

"Technically, the hero team won, yes, but they took advantage of the fact that this was training. They didn't respect the spirit of the trial," I finish, my voice calm but assertive.

All Might looks at me, eyes wide with surprise. "You really have a good eye on you..." he says, then shakes his head, a slight grin forming. "Yes... well, you overlooked a few things. Ida could have relaxed a little bit in the exercise, but... Otherwise, you nailed it!" He gives me a thumbs-up, clearly impressed.

Everyone stares at me-, Yaoyorozu's gaze is intense, and she looks at me with stars in her eyes. "You must've devoted yourself to learning! Just like me! Like I always say, 'One should always start with the basics and devote themselves wholeheartedly to learning.' That's the only real way to become a top hero, right?" Her words spill out with enthusiasm.

Present Mic: "Momo Yaoyorozu: One of the four students admitted to the hero course based on recommendations."

"Uh... I don't know. I just notice things; it's not that hard..." a sweat drop runs down my temple.

All Might, shaking his head in amusement, claps his hands together. "Now then. Time to blow this joint. Let's move onto the next match! Think about everything we saw and discussed as you tackle this training for yourself," he says with determination.

The others, except for me and Bakugo, respond in unison, "Yes, Sir!"

I notice Bakugo's silence. Ever since the match ended, he hasn't said a word. This is the first time he's lost to Izuku, and I can tell it's really eating at him. His breathing was erratic earlier, and he looked like he was on the edge of losing control. Luckily, the old man stepped in and calmed him down, but I can still see the storm brewing inside him.

As everyone else files out of the room, we prepare for the next match: Team B versus Team I. We all head to the monitoring room, while Team I stays inside the building and Team B waits outside for the countdown to end.

All Might's voice crackles over the intercom: "Match two! Team B will be our heroes! And Team I will be the villains!"

The countdown ends, and All Might shouts, "Look alive, kids! Show us you're the embodiment of good... Or evil! Let's go!" The buzzer goes off, signaling the start of the fifteen-minute exercise.

We all watch intently as the screens light up. Team B immediately storms into the building. A guy with multiple arms uses his quirk to search for Team I within the building.

Present Mic: "Mezo Shoji, his quirk: 'Dupli-Arms'! He can replicate different body parts on the tips of his tentacles... Now that's super strange!"

Half-White, Half-Red steps forward, and I can feel the tension rise.

He uses his ice quirk on the walls, trapping Team I in their positions. The whole building is soon encased in ice, and Multiple-Armed Guy steps outside, surveying the scene in disbelief.

Half-White, Half-Red calmly walks up the stairs to the villain's base, where the dummy weapon is stored.

Lion Tail Guy tries to fight, but his feet are frozen solid. He can't move, trapped in the ice as Half-White, Half-Red strides past him without a care, knowing full well that the enemy can't do anything.

The room is silent except for the sound of the screens. Everyone, including All Might, is visibly shivering-, everyone except me and Bakugo.

All Might, through clenched teeth, says, "He has incapacitated them without compromising the weapon or his teammate. Take close note of his technique, students."

Spiky Red-Haired Guy watches in awe. "Whoa, he's so strong!" He exclaims.

I glance at Bakugo and see his usual fire is gone-, he just stares at the screen with a defeated look. He knows how it feels to lose, and this time, it's hitting him harder than usual.

I return my attention to the screen, where Half-White, Half-Red walks confidently past Lion Tail Guy, reaching the weapon with ease. He touches it, and in one fluid motion, he renders the mission complete.

All Might speaks into his radio, "The hero team wins!"

The ice covering the building melts as Half-White, Half-Red uses some kind of heat or steam to evaporate it, making the scene even more dramatic.

Present Mic: "Shoto Todoroki. Another of the four admitted to the hero course based on recommendations. Quirk: 'Half-Cold, Half-Hot'! He freezes with his right side and burns up the charts with his left. The range of his abilities is unknown!"

Sugar Rush, ever the excited one, shouts, "Holy crap!"

The guy with a black lightning bolt in his hair leans in closer to the screen, his voice low, "That guy's kind of intimidating..."

Frog Girl chimes in, "He got in on a recommendation, so he must be good."

All Might nods, clearly impressed. "Moving on! Time to gather 'round for a review of the second match. After that, we'll jet on over to our next battle!" He announces with enthusiasm.

Everyone responds in unison, "Yes, Sir!"

Time-skip:

After the review of the previous match, where Team J triumphed over Team H thanks to Black-Haired Mop's tape defense and Spiky Red-Haired Guy's hardened body, it was finally time for my match.

Team C-, me, Yaoyorozu, and Mineta-, would be the heroes, while Team G would play the villains.

Now, we waited outside for the required five minutes while everyone else settled in the monitoring room to watch.

Yaoyorozu turned to me with a confident yet strategic look. "So, I have a plan-"

"-There's no need. I got this." My voice was firm, cold.

She blinked at me, confused. "What do you mean? There's no way you could just do this by yourself..."

"Don't worry about it. Just watch." I didn't give her room for debate.

Mineta, ever the coward, shuddered beside her. "Man... she's scary..." he whispered.

Yaoyorozu nodded in agreement, but then Mineta, true to form, attempted to sneak a peek under her hero costume. Before he could get far, her sharp glare had him sweating bullets, and he instantly backed off.

I sighed as the five-minute wait finally ended, signaling that we were allowed to enter the building.

Yaoyorozu and Mineta began to step inside, but I held up a hand, stopping them in their tracks.

"Hey. Grape Ball, you're staying outside. Spiky Ponytail, you're coming with me," I said calmly.

Yaoyorozu frowned. "What? Why would Mineta be the only one outsi-"

She didn't get to finish her question because, in one swift motion, I grabbed her by her hero costume and lifted her off the ground.

Her eyes widened. "L/N! What are you-?!"

"-You ask too many questions. I said to watch, so you might as well get the best view, right?" My voice remained monotone.

Before she could protest, I activated my Long-Distance Teleportation, instantly transporting us to the exterior of the building-, directly outside the floor where the dummy weapon was being held.

Yaoyorozu shrieked, eyes darting down to the ground far, far below. "L/n! Oh my-, we're in the air! L/n, please put me down!" She pleaded, gripping onto my arm as if her life depended on it.

I merely rolled my eyes. "Do you always complain like this?"

Without waiting for an answer, I extended my hand toward the building.

A powerful blast of energy erupted from my palm, obliterating the entire front section of the floor where the weapon was stored.

The deafening explosion echoed through the area, sending debris flying.

Yaoyorozu let out another terrified scream, instinctively covering her ears.

Inside the monitoring room, I knew everyone was watching-, probably in shock. But I didn't care.

This match was already over.

As we land on the now-exposed floor where the dummy weapon is located, I release Yaoyorozu from my grasp. She lets out a relieved sigh, though she's still clearly shaken from the experience.

Across from us, two members of Team G-, the weird ear girl and the guy with the black lightning bolt in his hair-, stand frozen in pure shock.

The guy with the black lightning bolt in his hair practically yells, "WHAT THE HELL?!"

Weird Ear Girl mutters, "This is nuts..." as she steadies herself, preparing to defend the weapon.

Black Lightning Bolt Guy, still trying to process what just happened, lets out a frustrated groan. "Man, what is up with all the strong people in this class?" He clenches his fists as electricity crackles from his palms.

I exhale, already bored. Without a word, I simply teleport past them, appearing right next to the weapon. My hand brushes against it effortlessly.

Silence.

Everyone is still processing what just happened when All Might's booming voice fills the airwaves.

"TEAM C WINS!"

I hum in acknowledgment and teleport back to the ground where Mineta is still standing.

Mineta lets out a nervous laugh, his eyes darting between me and the gaping hole in the building. "Uh... I think I'm glad I stayed out here..."

I don't respond. There's nothing to say.

Soon, my team and Team G make our way back to the main area, where the rest of the class is gathered for the review.

All eyes are on me. Some are in awe, others in disbelief.

Spiky Red-Haired Guy is the first to speak. "What kind of quirk is that...?" His jaw is practically on the floor.

Black-Haired Mop Guy wipes a bit of sweat from his brow. "Man, she might as well be the strongest in this class! You see how quickly she ended it?"

All Might, ever the enthusiastic mentor, lets out a hearty laugh. "WELL! I guess the MVP of this match would be Young L/n!"

His grin widens, but then he raises a brow. "However, you could've just gone through the doors like a normal person instead of blasting the whole front of the building... BUT I HAVE NO COMPLAINTS!"

His booming laughter fills the training area. "Alright! Let's move on to the next match!"

Time-skip:

The final match of the day was between Team F and Team E, with Team F playing the villains and Team E taking on the hero role. Despite the best efforts of Sugar Rush and Animal Lover, Team E managed to snatch the victory. Pink Alien Girl used her acid quirk to slither her way past their defenses and touch the weapon, sealing the win. French Belly Button Guy, unsurprisingly, didn't contribute much to the effort.

Now, all of us-, except for Izuku, who's still recovering in the nurse's office-, stand outside Training Ground Beta, exhausted but satisfied.

A sharp whistle blows.

"That's a wrap! Super work! You really stepped up to the plate. And we didn't have any major injuries-, except for Midoriya, of course. You should be proud. Excellent first day of training, all around!" All Might finishes with his signature thumbs-up.

Frog Girl raises her hand slightly, looking thoughtful. "It's nice to hear some encouraging words after our homeroom class."

At that, almost everyone involuntarily shudders as memories of Aizawa's terrifying glares and brutal first-day assessment flash through their minds.

"Mr. Aizawa was kind of a buzzkill."

All Might beams, hands on his hips. "We teachers are free to hold no-nonsense classes if we choose! Though, I'm happy to bring such staggering positivity to my alma mater!" He then claps his hands together. "That's all for now, folks! I should go and check on Midoriya's progress! Now, watch how a pro exits-, like he's got somewhere to be!"

Then, in the blink of an eye, he takes off at ridiculous speed, leaving behind a burst of wind that nearly knocks a few people over.

"WOAH!"

The guy with the black lightning bolt in his hair whistles. "Okay, you guys, THAT is a hero!"

Lion-Tailed Guy groans, stretching his arms. "Aw, I'll never be able to run that fast..."

Mineta bounces on his feet, grinning. "Super awesome!"

I just cross my arms, watching the reactions of my classmates. The day is finally over, and while everyone is caught up in the moment, Bakugo still remains silent.

(All Might's P.O.V.):

As I run, I glance back at Bakugo. His fists are clenched, his jaw tight, and his entire presence radiates frustration.

"Bakugo really is overflowing with pride. His ego may be justified, but a school like U.A. is bound to shatter it. As his teacher, it's my sworn duty to counsel him well... But it'll have to wait."

A sudden, sharp pain shoots through my body, and I feel the familiar burning in my chest. Smoke seeps from my form, a grim reminder that my time is up.

I barely make it into the staff room before slamming the door behind me. My breathing is heavy, my lungs screaming as I struggle to hold this form.

"I can't hold this form any longer...!"

With a final cough, my muscles deflate into my true form-, skeletal, frail, weak. My body trembles as I slump against the door.

"I barely have enough time to teach a class. Shit."

But I don't have time to dwell on it. I push forward, making my way to Recovery Girl's office. As soon as I step inside, she doesn't even give me a second to breathe before the scolding begins.

"The second day of school, and he's already a regular patient-, this is his third time here! Why didn't you stop him, All Might?"

I cough, rubbing my throat. "You're right, Recovery Girl. I'm sorry."

She sighs, clearly unimpressed.

"Well, it's no good apologizing to me! He's too exhausted from his classes for my quirk to fully heal him. I can't treat all his injuries at once. I did some first aid, but after the IV is finished, we'll have to wait for his body to heal overnight. Come on, All Might. I know you passed your powers onto this boy, but whether he's your favorite or not... you have to stop indulging him!"

I rub the back of my neck, guilt creeping in. "I'm trying not to play favorites. I just... wanted to consider his feelings. He needed to see that he was capable of winning the exercise."

But then I notice how casually she's talking about One For All. My eyes widen, and I bring a finger to my lips, harshly whispering.

"Oh yeah, also. Will you please not talk so loudly about One For All when anyone around you could hear?"

She huffs, waving a hand.

"Yeah, yeah, I know, 'Mr. Natural-Born Hero'. 'Mr. Symbol of Peace'."

I sigh, my mind already heavy with the weight of secrecy. "Several people know about my injury and this weak form. The U.A. faculty, a certain group of pro heroes... However, only a select few know the secret of One For All. There's you, the principal, and a very close friend of mine. Midoriya, too, of course."

I pause for a moment, then add, "Oh, and Young L/n. But no one else knows the truth about my powers."

She gives me a knowing look, her expression softening just a bit.

"You're the number one hero in the world, All Might. Does it really matter if you were born with your quirk or not? Do you have to be the 'Symbol of Peace'? Is it that important?"

I meet her gaze, my expression firm.

"If they knew I wasn't, the temptation of this power could corrupt our society. This quirk... Those who wield it are responsible for mankind's safety."

She sighs, shaking her head, but a small smile tugs at her lips.

"Well, if that's the case, it's even more important for you to be a good guide."

I nod, a rare moment of peace settling in.

"You're right."

(Your P.O.V.): (After school hours):

I sit at my desk, my fingers drumming lightly on the surface as I wait for Izuku to return. The classroom is still buzzing with leftover energy from the training exercise, but my mind is elsewhere. Bakugo left without a word, and Half-White Half-Red Guy probably went home. It's quieter without Bakugo, but not by much.

The classroom door slides open, snapping me from my thoughts.

"Hey, it's Midoriya!" Spiky Red-Haired Guy grins wide. "Good to see you back, Super!"

Before Izuku can even take a step inside, some of the class crowds around him.

"Ha! Man, I don't know what you were saying during that match, but you were all fired up, huh?"

"I can't believe you held your own against Bakugo! He's super strong!"

Pink Alien Girl jumps up and down excitedly. "You did a great job dodging!"

"You guys really turned up in the first match, so none of us held back in our rounds either!"

The others nod in agreement.

"You were far from elegant, but I suppose-"

French Belly Button Guy gets cut off as Pink Alien Girl keeps jumping. "-And the dodging was like, 'whoa'!"

Izuku looks overwhelmed, his face slightly flushed from all the attention. It doesn't take long for the introductions to start.

"Hey, I'm Eijiro Kirishima." Spiky Red-Haired Guy gestures to Black-Haired Mop. "We've been going over training results while you were in recovery."

"Hi. I'm Hanta Sero."

"More importantly, I'm Yuga Ao-"

Pink Alien Girl jumps in again. "-I'm Mina Ashido!" She flails her arms. "And I just gotta say, your dodging was awesome!"

Frog Girl suddenly pops up behind her. "Tsuyu Asui. But please, call me 'Tsu'."

"Hey, Sato."

Izuku finally gets a chance to respond. "Um. Hey, guys..."

That's when Mineta jumps in. "And my name's Mineta!"

"Where the heck did you pop out of?"

"U.A.'s shiniest star here-"

Sato deadpans at French Belly Button Guy. "-You might sparkle, but you sucked it up in training."

I glance at Emo Bird, who is perched on a desk, arms crossed. "So noisy." He mutters.

Four-Eyes rushes over, flailing his arms dramatically. "Tokoyami! Stop using that desk as a chair! Get off of it this instant!"

Weird Ear Girl places a hand on her hip, unimpressed. "Dude, you need to chill."

Four-Eyes freezes like he's been personally attacked.

"You're carrying a lot of tension."

Four-Eyes lowers his head, looking betrayed. "No one understands. I cannot condone actions that disrespect these desks. Not when great men and women, our upperclassmen, once used them!" He practically shouts.

"Also noisy."

I sigh. Enough of this.

Stepping forward, I push through the crowd. "Out of my way."

The room falls silent. My classmates shudder at my tone and quickly step aside.

I stop in front of Izuku. "Hey. You doing okay?"

Izuku blinks at me, a little surprised before scratching his cheek. "Oh. Uh, yeah. No biggie."

I hum in response, not entirely convinced. Before I can say anything else, the other classroom door slides open.

Black Lightning Bolt Guy strides in, carrying textbooks. He barely glances at us as he speaks to Floaty Boaty, who trails behind him with her own books. "So, anyway, wanna grab a bite sometime? Kinda stuff you like?"

Floaty Boaty pauses, thinking. "Anything sweet. Like mochi..."

But then she notices Izuku.

"Hey, Deku!"

She rushes toward him, completely ignoring me.

I immediately feel annoyed.

The others sweat drop, probably sensing the sudden shift in my mood.

"Oh?! Your arm! Why didn't she heal your injuries?" Floaty Boaty asks, still holding the books.

"Oh. Uh... well, it has to do with how much stamina I'm using."

"Stamina?"

Izuku's gaze shifts toward Bakugo's seat, and he hesitates before asking, "Um, Uraraka. Where's Kacchan?"

"We tried to stop him from leaving, but he wouldn't listen. You just missed him."

I cross my arms, silently observing. Watching Bakugo run off was amusing-, but not surprising. He probably couldn't handle losing.

Izuku runs out of the classroom, and without thinking, I follow right behind him. We push past the entrance doors of U.A., stepping into the cool evening air, and that's when we see him-, Bakugo, walking away with his hands shoved deep into the pockets of his dark green U.A. uniform pants. His head is tilted down slightly, his usual aggressive stride a little slower than normal.

Izuku doesn't hesitate. "Kacchan! Wait up!" He calls out, his voice urgent.

Bakugo stops in his tracks but doesn't turn around immediately. Instead, he tilts his head slightly, just enough for us to see his face twisted in irritation.

"Eh? What?" His voice is sharp, full of frustration.

Izuku gasps slightly at Bakugo's glare, but he quickly looks down, gathering his thoughts.

"I have to tell you something," Izuku says, his voice softer now. "Maybe then, you'll understand what's been going on." He pauses, gripping his injured arm. "I wasn't hiding my quirk from you." He exhales deeply, steadying himself. "It was given to me by someone else. Recently."

My eyes widen slightly. "Izuku, you idiot. You weren't supposed to tell anybody."

Bakugo lets out a short, scoffing noise, finally turning his head back a little more.

Izuku presses on. "But I can't tell you who I got it from, so don't ask! Sounds crazy, I know. It's like something out of a comic book. Only, it's real." He tightens his grip on his broken hand. "The thing is, I don't really have any control over this power yet. I haven't figured out how to make it my own, but I'm trying. That's why... I didn't want to use it against you in the exercise. But in the end, it was the only way I had a chance at winning." He looks up, his expression determined. "I've still got a lot to learn. I know that. That's why I'm here." His gaze sharpens, filled with a fire I rarely see from him. "You'll see. I'll work until I have full control of this borrowed quirk." He inhales deeply. "And I'll finally beat you with my own power!"

The air around us feels heavy as Izuku's words linger between them.

Then, as if realizing what he just admitted, Izuku gasps. His face pales slightly.

Bakugo's brows furrow. "How dumb do you think I am?" He scoffs. "'Borrowed power'?" His voice drips with disbelief, which-, I guess-, is a good thing. Maybe he won't actually believe Izuku's insane confession.

But that disbelief quickly twists into anger.

"Don't talk to me like I'm an idiot," Bakugo growls. "You already made a fool outta me in that damn exercise." His fists clench at his sides. "So? Did you come here to rub it in? I lost. And to make matters worse, it was to you." He looks away, gritting his teeth. "I mean, what the hell! I came in second in the entrance exam due to Blindfoldie as well!" His voice shakes slightly. "When I was watching that icy bastard and Blindfoldie, I realized I couldn't beat them in a head-to-head fight! Crap! I even agreed with what Blindfoldie said! She said it all, really..." his whole body tenses as he talks like I'm not right here standing next to Izuku. "My attack was so stupid! Damn it! Why?! Damn it, damn it, damn it!"

Then suddenly, his head snaps up, and to my surprise, there are tears brimming in his eyes.

"Enjoy that win, Deku." His voice is thick with frustration. "You won't get another." He sniffles, quickly wiping his eyes with the sleeve of his uniform. "I'm just getting started! Got that?! I'm gonna end up the number one hero, no matter what!" He turns, walking away, his steps heavier than before. "You'll never beat me again, you bastard! Don't even try!"

Izuku and I watch as he disappears into the distance.

I stare a hole into his back, lost in thought.

Then-

"THERE YOU ARE!"

A powerful gust of wind nearly sends Izuku flying, but I grab his arm, steadying him just as All Might rushes past us like a damn storm. If I hadn't caught him, he'd probably be rolling down the pavement right now.

"BAKU-GO! I FOUND YOU!" All Might's booming voice echoes as he runs up to Bakugo, stopping him in his tracks. He places both hands on Bakugo's shoulders, panting slightly from the run.

Bakugo tenses, still sniffling from before.

All Might straightens up. "Just so you know, pride is an important attribute to have. But while you certainly have the abilities to become a pro hero, there's still plenty you have to learn!"

Bakugo scowls. "Let go of me, All Might. Right now. I can't walk."

All Might blinks. "Hm?"

Bakugo turns his head slightly, glaring up at him. "Save your speeches. I'll be a hero who surpasses even you, and I'll do it without your help." His voice is unwavering, filled with sheer determination.

All Might just stares at him, frozen by his words.

"...Uh, right," All Might finally says, hesitating before releasing his grip. The moment he lets go, Bakugo walks away again, not looking back.

All Might watches him go, then mumbles under his breath, "I guess he's already over it... Being a teacher... sure is tough...!"

Then he turns to us.

"Midoriya! Young L/n!"

Izuku and I both flinch.

All Might steps closer. "What were you two saying to Bakugo before I arrived so heroically?"

I immediately throw my hands up in a surrender motion. "I didn't say anything. It was all Izuku."

All Might looks at me weirdly. "Huh?"

Izuku panics. "It was nothing special!" He waves his hands around frantically.

All Might leans in closer, a grin stretching across his face. "Hmm. I'm so curious. Why don't you tell me all the juicy details?"

Izuku stammers, "Um, actually, I kinda forgot?"

I facepalm.

"Worst excuse I've ever heard."

I sigh, looking up at the sky. Today has been way too exhausting.

Hopefully, tomorrow will be better.

Chapter Text

The Present (Now):

The next day, the sun shines brightly, and the air is warm as Izuku and I approach the entrance of U.A. High School. Everything seems peaceful-, until it isn't.

Out of nowhere, a swarm of reporters descends on us, their cameras flashing, microphones pushing forward, and voices overlapping as they throw out question after question.

Izuku stiffens immediately, his face paling as nervous energy radiates off of him. Of course, he would freak out.

A woman shoves her mic close to his face. "Hey, you! Can you tell us what it's like to work so closely with All Might?"

Izuku stammers, his words coming out rushed and frantic. "U-Um, sorry, I have to go to the, uh, the nurse's office! Yeah, right away!"

And just like that, he bolts inside U.A., leaving me alone with the wolves.

I glare in his direction. "Are you serious, Izuku?"

The same woman immediately shifts her focus to me, determined to get something out of this encounter.

"What about you? What's it like to work with All Might? How does he act? What do your peers think of him? How do you feel about him? What's the reasoning behind your blindfol-"

"Get the hell out of my face, lady."

I send her a death glare so sharp that she stumbles back, her mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water. The other reporters collectively step away from me as well. Good.

Unfortunately, they don't give up. They immediately move on to another student in their desperation-, Floaty Boaty.

"Are you one of All Might's students? Tell us-, what's the Symbol of Peace like in person?"

She blinks, clearly caught off guard, but she still answers. "Um... What's he like? Well... Uh-! He's super muscle-y. Yeah!"

She even flexes her arms for emphasis.

...She has no muscle to flex.

The reporters don't seem satisfied, so they move on to Four-Eyes, hoping for something more substantial.

"How is he faring as a teacher? What are you learning?"

Four-Eyes straightens his posture (even more than usual) before responding, his voice full of pride.

"His leadership and wisdom remind me on a daily basis that I attend the world's most prestigious educational institution. Of course, he's the personification of honor and integrity that one would expect, but he's also not afraid to show his students a more humorous side. It's truly a unique opportunity to be under the direct tutelage of the pro we all admire."

The reporters sigh at his response.

Then, like vultures, they spot Bakugo and follow him around.

"Excuse me, Kid! Are you in All Might's class? Oh, hold on... Aren't you that Sludge Villain Kid?"

Bakugo stops dead in his tracks.

His scowl darkens, and his tone is sharp enough to cut. "Buzz off. Walk away."

For once, the reporters take the hint.

With no one left to pester, they turn to Mr. Aizawa as their last resort.

"Please, Sir! Can you get All Might for us? Also, you look like a mess. What's your deal?"

Mr. Aizawa barely spares them a glance. "All Might's not on campus today," he says bluntly before making a dismissive shoo motion. "Now get outta here. You've disturbed my students enough already. C'mon, kids."

Without hesitation, I follow after him.

But the reporters still won't let up.

The woman gasps. "But my viewers want to know how he's adjusting to life as a teacher!"

A man narrows his eyes in thought. "I feel like I've seen that guy somewhere before. But where?"

The woman scoffs. "I don't know, but he's a bit scruffy for a hero..."

Meanwhile, Mr. Aizawa mutters to himself, "How does All Might ever get anything done with this media circus stepping on his cape?"

But the woman has had enough. "All right. If you won't bring All Might out, I'll do it myself!"

She marches straight for the U.A. gate.

The man's eyes widen. "No, hold on!"

Before she can take another step-

BZZT! BZZT! BZZT!

A loud alarm blares, and in an instant, the U.A. barrier slams shut, locking them out.

The woman shrieks, stumbling back. "WAHHHH What the hell?!"

The man rubs the back of his neck. "Don't you know about the school's defenses? This gate is the U.A. barrier."

The woman scowls. "Defenses? It practically killed me!"

The man points at the gate. "Yeah, well, it's designed to stop anyone who doesn't have a student ID or special pass from entering the campus. Guess it works. Apparently, there are security sensors like this all over the place."

She crosses her arms, her irritation clear. "Keeping the public out. This school thinks it's untouchable! The least they could do is grant me one interview."

The man sighs. "I know, right? We've been here for two days, and I don't have a single comment on the record yet."

The news that All Might had been hired as a faculty member at U.A. took the entire nation by surprise. Naturally, the media swarmed the school in search of a story.

Everyone wanted a piece of All Might.

Time-skip: (???'s P.O.V.):

The newspaper crinkled beneath my fingers as I set it down on the bar counter. Kurogiri loomed quietly behind it, polishing a glass with that unnerving stillness he always had, while Nomu stood in front of me like a statue, silent and waiting.

"You see this?" My voice broke the low hum of the bar, lazy but edged with something sharp. The headline stared back at me, the ink still fresh enough to smear if I dragged my thumb across it. All Might Takes Up Teaching Role at U.A. High.

I leaned back in my chair, right leg crossing over the left, one hand resting on the other in my lap. I traced the air with the thought alone, letting it linger.

"He's a teacher now..."

The words were almost casual, almost. My gaze stayed fixed on the black-and-white photo in the paper, his smile frozen in place for the cameras.

I hummed low, letting the sound roll like an idle thought turned dangerous. "Hmm... Now, what would happen... if villains... killed the Symbol of Peace?"

Time-skip: (Your P.O.V.):

Mr. Aizawa stood at the front with his usual tired expression, addressing the class.

"Decent work on yesterday's combat training, you guys. I saw the video feeds and went over each of your team's results."

He turned his attention to Bakugo.

"Bakugo. You're talented. So don't sulk like a child about your loss, okay?"

Bakugo scowled, irritation clear on his face.

"Yeah, whatever."

Mr. Aizawa then shifted his gaze to Izuku, who tensed up under his scrutiny.

"And Midoriya. I see the only way you won the match was by messing up your arm again. Work harder. And don't give me the excuse that you don't have control over your quirk. That line's already getting old. You can't keep breaking your body while training here. But your quirk will be really useful if you can get a handle on it. So, show a little urgency, huh?"

Izuku quickly nodded, his back straightening.

"Right!"

Mr. Aizawa moved on.

"Let's get down to business. Our first task will decide your future."

The class instantly perked up, voices overlapping in curiosity.

"Is it another quirk test?"

"You all need to pick a class representative."

A collective sigh of relief passed through the room.

"Oh, good. Just normal school stuff!"

Kirishima was the first to speak up, his enthusiasm evident.

"Pick me, guys! I wanna be class rep!"

The guy with a black lightning bolt in his hair grinned and threw a hand up.

"I'll take it!"

Weird Ear Girl smirked, crossing her arms.

"Yeah, you're gonna need me."

Aoyama struck a dramatic pose.

"Someone with style would be best-"

Ashido, however, cut him off before he could finish.

"-I'm, like, totally the right pick!"

Meanwhile, Mineta was practically bouncing in his seat.

"Me, me, me, me, me! And if it's not me, girls will have to show thirty centimeters of thigh!"

And of course, Bakugo huffed, glaring around the room.

"Hey! I'm the only choice! Pick me!"

I sighed, resting my chin in my palm. In a normal classroom, a representative's duties would just be a bunch of extra work. But here in the hero course, I supposed there was more to it. It was a way to get noticed by agencies and prove you could lead a team like a real pro.

Four-Eyes suddenly shot up from his seat, raising his hand in a strict, commanding motion.

"Silence, everyone, please!"

The entire class stopped talking, all eyes now on him.

"The class representative's duty is to lead others. That's not something just anyone can do. You must first have the trust of every student in the classroom. Therefore, the most logical way to fill this position is democratically. We will hold an election to choose our leader!"

He spoke with so much conviction that he was practically shaking.

The class collectively deadpanned.

"It's pretty obvious you want us to vote for you."

The guy with a black lightning bolt in his hair scratched his head.

"Is this really the best idea?"

Asui, touching her chin, thought aloud.

"We've only known each other a few days. How do we know who we can trust?"

Kirishima nodded in agreement.

"Besides, everyone will just vote for themselves."

Four-Eyes, unshaken, adjusted his glasses.

"Most people will. But that means whoever does receive multiple votes must truly be the most suitable person for the job."

He turned sharply toward Mr. Aizawa, as if looking for validation.

"It's the best way, right, Sir?"

Mr. Aizawa, already halfway zipped up in his yellow sleeping bag, barely opened his eyes before replying.

"Do what you want, just decide before my nap's over."

With that, he flopped onto the ground and fell asleep.

"Thank you for your trust!"

And just like that, the class election was on.

Time-skip:

The votes were counted, and the results were in.

Izuku Midoriya: three votes.

Momo Yaoyorozu: two votes.

That meant Izuku was the class representative, and Yaoyorozu would serve as his deputy.

Izuku's eyes widened in pure shock as he practically shrieked, "How did I get three votes!?"

Before anyone could answer, Bakugo shot up from his desk, looking furious.

"Okay, you idiots, who the hell voted for him?!" He barked, glaring around the room.

Sero leaned back, smirking.

"What, did you honestly think anyone was gonna vote for you?"

Bakugo snapped his head toward him, his teeth clenched.

"What did you just say?! Don't tell me you voted for that little turd!"

Across the room, Floaty Boaty whistled nonchalantly, avoiding eye contact. Clearly, she wasn't about to admit she was one of the three votes.

Meanwhile, Four-Eyes sat frozen in his seat, looking absolutely crushed. I glanced at him and saw that he was visibly shaking with disappointment.

"Zero votes..." he muttered to himself. "I feared this might happen, but I can't argue with the system I chose!"

Yaoyorozu crossed her arms, giving him a knowing look.

"So you voted for someone else, huh?"

Sato raised an eyebrow, adding, "But you knew it was best to vote for yourself, right? What were you trying to prove here, Ida?"

Despite the commotion, Izuku and Yaoyorozu hesitantly made their way to the front of the classroom. Izuku was visibly shaking.

Mr. Aizawa barely looked up from his sleeping bag.

"All right. The class rep is Midoriya, and our deputy is Yaoyorozu."

Izuku flinched. "Really? Uh... it's not a mistake?" He looked like he was going to pass out from sheer nerves.

Yaoyorozu sighed, rubbing her temples. "How did this happen? What a shame..."

From the side, Asui spoke up.

"This might not be so bad."

Kirishima nodded. "Yeah, I can get behind Midoriya, I guess."

The guy with a black lightning bolt in his hair chimed in. "Yeah, and I mean, Yaoyorozu was kinda on top of it when it came to our training results. Although, it was mostly L/n."

I sighed, not even reacting to the indirect compliment as the bell rang, signaling lunch.

I walked alongside Izuku toward the cafeteria. He immediately started rambling, his voice filled with anxiety.

"Y/n-Chan, I'm scared to be class representative! What if I don't do a good job?" He shrieked at the thought, looking like he was about to combust from stress.

I stared at him blankly. "I don't know." My face remained neutral under my blindfold.

Izuku gasped dramatically. "You're no help at all, Y/n-Chan!" He cried out, fake tears in his eyes.

I sighed. "Comforting isn't really my thing, Izuku." My voice softened slightly as I looked at the ground. "But I guess you'll just have to prove that you can be a good representative or something like that, right?"

He blinked before nodding. "Mm, I guess so, yeah." His panic faded, replaced by a small, grateful smile. "Thanks, Y/n-Chan, you're the best!"

I shrugged. "I try...?"

He looked at me for a second, his expression softer than usual.

"I know." He smiled warmly.

We finally entered the cafeteria, Izuku leading us to a table. Just as I sat down, I noticed Four-Eyes and Floaty Boaty heading our way.

I groaned, immediately dropping my head onto the table.

Great. Just what I needed.

Floaty Boaty sighed as she scanned the crowded cafeteria. "It's always so crowded in here!"

I tilted my head slightly. "Oh, really? Maybe it'd be less crowded if you two left."

Izuku immediately sweat-dropped. "That wasn't nice, Y/n-Chan..."

Despite my comment, Floaty Boaty and Four-Eyes still sat down at our table. They both looked at me with mild irritation, but I honestly couldn't care less-, so long as they left me alone.

Four-Eyes adjusted his glasses. "Anyways, it's because students in the support, management, and hero courses all share the same cafeteria."

Floaty Boaty, ignoring any tension, beamed as she took a bite of her food. "This rice is so delicious!"

Meanwhile, Izuku poked at his food with a concerned expression. "Guys, I'm kinda worried about the class rep thing. I don't think I'm qualified."

I didn't say anything. We had already talked about this on our way to lunch, so I figured he was just fishing for extra validation from them.

Floaty Boaty immediately reassured him. "Sure you are."

Four-Eyes nodded. "You'll be great."

Izuku blinked in surprise. "Hm?"

Four-Eyes straightened up and explained. "Your courage and quick thinking under stress will help make you a worthy leader. Not to mention the strength you've demonstrated. Those are the reasons I voted for you, at least."

Izuku's eyes widened. "You were one of the three?"

Floaty Boaty tilted her head. "Didn't you wanna be rep really badly? I mean, you do look the part. 'Cause of the glasses and everything!"

Izuku sweat dropped. "That's... not exactly how we should be choosing our rep..."

"She really just says whatever pops into her stupid head, huh..."

Four-Eyes took a sip of his orange juice and hummed thoughtfully.

"Wanting a job and being suited to it are quite different things. Observing the Ida family's hero agency has taught me that much."

Floaty Boaty and Izuku blinked in sync.

"Agency?" They asked at the same time.

Izuku leaned in, suddenly interested. "Hold on, what does your family do?"

Four-Eyes stiffened slightly. "Uh, oh, it's nothing."

Floaty Boaty wasn't buying it. She leaned in closer, studying his face like she had just solved a great mystery. Then, she grinned.

"Admit it, Ida. You're filthy rich!"

Four-Eyes looked genuinely surprised, as if Floaty Boaty had just exposed his darkest secret. "Uh, I was afraid people would treat me differently if they knew about my family."

Izuku and Floaty Boaty both leaned in, staring at him like he was about to reveal some forbidden knowledge. "Oooh..." they were practically vibrating with curiosity.

I, on the other hand, could not be less interested.

Four-Eyes let out a sigh before explaining. "You see, the Ida family has been pro heroes for generations. It runs in our blood."

Izuku and Floaty Boaty gasped. "What? That's awesome!"

I sweat-dropped. "Not really..."

Four-Eyes adjusted his glasses, looking slightly pleased with himself. "Are you guys familiar with the Turbo Hero, Ingenium?"

Izuku practically lit up like a Christmas tree. "I know all about him!"

Unfortunately, so did I. I had spent too many afternoons listening to Izuku rant about his favorite heroes at home.

Izuku lifted a finger, going full fanboy mode. "He's a super-popular pro with sixty-five sidekicks working alongside him at his Tokyo agency!" He paused, eyes widening. "Don't tell me..."

Four-Eyes straightened up, practically radiating pride. "How every informed... Well, he's my elder brother!"

His stance alone was enough to make me sigh again. I briefly considered sneaking away, but since I still didn't know all the shortcuts around this school, I stayed put. "Once I find a secret spot, I'm out of here..."

Floaty Boaty shouted, "Your family's famous!"

Izuku was equally in shock. "I can't believe it!"

Four-Eyes, ever the noble dork, pushed his glasses up with two fingers. "Ingenium is an unmatched commander who honors the hero code. As the second oldest Ida son (and my admiration for my brother), I strive to be just like him." He finally sat back down. "However, I think it might be a bit soon for me to be in a real leadership role."

He turned to Izuku with a rare, genuine smile. "You, for example. You figured out what the judges were looking for in the practical exam. A rep needs that sort of insight."

Izuku blinked, surprised and confused by his statement because he really didn't know what they were looking for. He just went for it.

Floaty Boaty gasped. "That's the first time I've seen you smile, Tenya! You should do it more."

Four-Eyes sweat-dropped. "What are you talking about? I smile all the time!"

Izuku chuckled nervously before shifting in his seat, ready to spill his own beans. "Hey, yeah, so about that practical exam-"

Before he could finish, an alarm suddenly rang through the cafeteria, cutting off all conversation. The entire room fell into stunned silence for a brief second before the PA system crackled to life.

"Warning-, Level Three Security Breach."

Gasps filled the room.

Someone shouted, "No way!"

The woman on the speakers continued. "All students, please evacuate the building in an orderly fashion."

One of the guys at our table immediately bolted, while Four-Eyes turned to another student for answers. "What's a 'Level Three Security Breach'?"

The student looked panicked. "It means someone's managed to get past the school's barriers! This hasn't happened in my three years here. We should get going!" He didn't even wait for a response before taking off.

Seeing no other option, the four of us stood up to evacuate-, but the second we stepped into the hallway, we were met with absolute chaos.

Students shoved and trampled over one another, trying to squeeze through the packed corridors. The air was thick with frantic shouting.

"Ow, ow!"

"Stop shovin' so hard!"

"Wait, I'm getting trampled!"

"I said, stop pushin' me!"

The mass of students pressed in from all directions, and I could feel irritation bubbling up in my chest.

Floaty Boaty winced. "Ow. This is a total mob!"

Four-Eyes observed the scene like a scientist analyzing lab rats. "Such a rapid response to danger! I'd expect no less from this great institution!"

I sighed. "I should've never come to this school."

Izuku, gripping onto his bag for dear life, groaned. "Maybe a little too rapid. They're also causing a huge panic..."

Before he could say anything else, someone shoved him hard from behind.

"Oof! I'm going down!" Izuku yelped as he was thrown backward into the wave of students, getting swept away.

Four-Eyes gasped. "Godspeed, Midoriya!"

Floaty Boaty reached out. "Oh no, Deku!"

"What the actual fuck are these dumbasses doing!?" I shout, trying to push my way through the chaos to get back to Izuku.

Four-Eyes adjusts his glasses as he forces his way through the mess of panicking students. "I don't know, but who in the world could've trespassed onto campus grounds?" He finally reaches a window and peers outside.

Then he freezes. His whole body stiffens, and he suddenly looks like someone just told him his entire life was a lie. "It's... the press that was outside!"

I groan, already feeling a migraine coming on. "Are you serious!? Of course it was, those annoying wastes of space."

And then I hear them shouting from outside.

"All you have to do is give us All Might!"

I immediately bang on a window. "Are you kidding me!? I'm gonna beat their asses! And All Might's just for the hell of it!"

Floaty Boaty and Four-Eyes both sweat drop. "This is the most we've heard her talk like this..." Then they replay what I actually said and shriek in unison, "Wait, what?! This isn't even All Might's fault!"

Four-Eyes turns back to the window, trying to get a better look at the ridiculous situation outside. "I was afraid it was some kind of attack on the school, but there's no need to worry, everyone!"

Right as he says that, the crowd surges forward, and his face gets smashed against the glass. "YOWCH!"

"Sorry, I think I..."

"Back off!"

"C'mon...!"

"This is dangerous!"

Four-Eyes pries himself off the window with a grunt. "Where are the teachers? Why aren't they taking control? Are they all dealing with the press?!"

"I don't know! But they're clearly incompetent!" I shout over the ear-splitting screams of terrified students.

Kirishima and the one guy with the black lightning bolt in his hair suddenly pop up, both looking desperate. "Everyone! Stop freakin' out! Stop it, guys! Slow down! SLOW DOWN-!"

Four-Eyes snaps to attention. "Kirishima! Kaminari!"

I sweat drop. "Oh... so that's his name."

Kaminari waves his arms frantically, looking completely overwhelmed. "The current of people is too strong! This sucks...!"

And just like that, both of them get absolutely trampled.

Four-Eyes groans in frustration. "Are me and L/n the only ones who realize everything is fine!? There's no reason for us to be panicking!"

Before I can respond, Floaty Boaty lets out a loud yelp as she gets swept away by the stampede of scared students. "Eek! Tenyaaaa!"

Four-Eyes gasps. "Uraraka!"

"Help me!" Floaty Boaty cries, reaching out her hand.

Four-Eyes immediately pushes his way through the crowd, sticking close to the wall like he's on some kind of battlefield. His glasses are crooked, but he doesn't even fix them.

I sigh, watching all of this unfold. "Why am I here?"

Floaty Boaty yelps as someone yanks at her shirt, shoving her further into the chaotic crowd.

Four-Eyes suddenly shouts, "I have an idea!"

"Well, make it quick before I kill everyone with my Infinity, Four-Eyes!" I snap, still struggling against the mindless mob of students.

Without wasting a second, he pushes through the crowd toward Floaty Boaty, reaching his hand out. "Touch my hand! Make me float above everyone else!"

Floaty Boaty stares for a second, confused. "Huh?"

"Just do it!" He urges.

She flails a bit, struggling to reach him through the panicked students, but after a few awkward tries, she finally manages to tap his hand.

As soon as she does, Four-Eyes shoots up into the air, his glasses slipping right off his face.

Then he does something completely ridiculous-, he pulls up his uniform pants to his calves (his shoes flying off) like some kind of weirdo and shouts, "Engine boost, go!"

But instead of executing some grand maneuver, he immediately loses control and starts flailing around like a fish thrown onto dry land.

I groan, watching him flop uselessly in midair. "Was this your plan!? I thought you were smart! Stop messing around! You look like a damn fool!"

Izuku, who is still trapped in the crowd, yells, "Ida! What are you doing!?"

Four-Eyes flails in circles before slamming into a wall. He bounces off, barely manages to grab onto a ceiling pole, then hooks his foot onto an exit sign in an attempt to stabilize himself. The position he ends up in is absolutely ridiculous. He's shaking, barely holding on.

And then, from his completely insane perch, he yells out, "Listen up! Everything is okay!"

The entire hallway of students gasps and freezes.

Four-Eyes continues, "It's just the media outside! There's absolutely nothing to worry about! Everything's fine! We're U.A. students! We need to behave in a way befitting this great institution!"

Like flipping a switch, everyone instantly calms down. The panicked screaming dies down, and students start taking deep breaths, their hysteria fading.

Someone near the window shouts, "Look, the police are here!"

Another student sighs in relief, "Thank goodness."

I cross my arms and shake my head. "You idiots should've been calm from the start."

Time-skip:

Yaoyorozu straightens up, composed as always. "It's time, Class Rep. Let's begin."

Izuku, already looking nervous, clears his throat. "Um... Okay, so we need to figure out who the other class officers will be. But first, there's something important that I wanna say."

Yaoyorozu blinks at him, clearly surprised-, this wasn't in the plan.

Izuku inhales deeply before saying, "I've thought a lot about this." He hesitates for just a second, then continues, "And I think that Tenya Ida is better suited to be our class rep! He was able to capture everyone's attention and get us in line. So, I believe that he should be the one leading our class from now on!" He smiles at Four-Eyes, looking absolutely sure of his decision.

Kirishima grins. "Yeah, you know what? If Midoriya vouches for him, I'm good. Plus, he was a big help. He totally manned up and took charge, right?"

Kaminari leans forward, laughing. "Yup! Oh! Did you notice he looked like the dude on the emergency exit signs when he was on the wall earlier?"

Before anyone else can respond, a familiar gravelly voice interrupts.

"This is a waste of time," Mr. Aizawa mutters from inside his yellow sleeping bag.

Izuku lets out a startled shriek at the sight of him suddenly appearing like a ghost.

"I don't care who the rep is, just hurry up," Aizawa continues, already lying back down like he plans to take a nap.

Four-Eyes stands from his desk with an air of formality, pushing his glasses up-, again. "If Midoriya is nominating me for this job..." he raises his hand dramatically. "Then I humbly accept. I pledge to carry out the duties of class rep to the best of my abilities!"

Kirishima grins, giving him a thumbs-up. "Sounds good, Emergency Exit!"

Kaminari joins in. "Emergency Exit Ida! Don't let us down, man!"

I hum, considering the name. "Emergency Exit... Not too bad of a nickname."

Yaoyorozu crosses her arms, looking annoyed. "Helloo, I got two more votes than him..."

I tune out the rest of the conversation, letting my mind drift.

Being in this environment? It's exhausting. I never wanted to be a hero, yet here I am, stuck in this lousy hero school. Too many people, too much noise. I barely talk to anyone besides Izuku-, and Bakugo, but that's just because I yell at him.

Speaking of Bakugo, thank the Lord he didn't take Izuku seriously yesterday. If he had, it would've been bad.

Flashback:

All Might watches him go, then mumbles under his breath, "I guess he's already over it..."

Then he turns to us.

"Midoriya! Young L/n!"

Izuku and I both flinch.

All Might steps closer. "What were you two saying to Bakugo before I arrived so heroically?"

I immediately throw my hands up in a surrender motion. "I didn't say anything. It was all Izuku."

All Might looks at me weirdly. "Huh?"

Izuku panics. "It was nothing special!" He waves his hands around frantically.

All Might leans in closer, a grin stretching across his face. "Hmm. I'm so curious. Why don't you tell me all the juicy details?"

Izuku stammers, "Um, actually, I kinda forgot?"

I facepalm.

"Worst excuse I've ever heard."

I sigh, looking up at the sky.

All Might's voice booms in out ears. "What? There's no way you forgot, Midoriya. Just tell me-, it can't be that bad. Besides your lying, that's really bad," he points out, and Izuku's face turns bright red in embarrassment.

I roll my eyes and mutter, "He is a bad liar; I'll give you that, Old Man." Izuku shoots me a betrayed look, and I just shrug.

All Might doesn't let up. "C'mon, Midoriya, just come out with it. Were you two and Bakugo talking about what happened at training, or your love triangle, or-"

"Love triangle-?" I raised an eyebrow.

Izuku suddenly interrupts, speaking so fast it's almost impossible to keep up. "All Might, actually..." he stammers, and then rushes out, "ItoldKacchanaboutOneForAll!"

Author's Note: It says, "I told Kacchan about One For All!", Just in case if some people can't read it.

All Might's eyes widen, and he can't help himself. "Wait. You told Bakugo, what?" He asks, his voice filled with disbelief. Izuku looks down, guilt written all over his face.

"I'm so sorry," Izuku whispers, his voice full of regret.

All Might lets out a heavy sigh, clearly trying to keep his cool. Izuku continues, "I didn't even tell my mom about any of this, but for some reason, I felt like I had to explain it to him. Like it was only fair that he knew."

I sigh quietly, watching Izuku. Izuku isn't the type of person who wants to show off. That's not the reason he shared their secret. I know that for sure. But I could tell All Might understood that, too, because he didn't lecture Izuku too much, just calmly listening.

All Might smiles softly, his huge frame relaxing a bit. "Don't look so sad, Midoriya. He didn't take you seriously, so I don't think he'll say anything. This time, I'll let things slide." Izuku looks up at him, relieved but still guilty.

"All right," All Might continues, his tone growing serious again. "Just make sure this doesn't happen again. You need to think carefully about the responsibility that comes with this power. If word got out that One For All could be passed on, villains across the globe would come for you, trying to take it. You must keep this secret to ensure your own well-being, yes, but also for the safety of the world. Understand?"

Izuku nods eagerly, taking in the weight of All Might's words. "I understand, All Might."

The Present (Now):

The bell rings, signaling the end of the school day and snapping me out of my trance. I blink a few times, and suddenly, Izuku is right in front of my face.

"Why are you so close to my face, Izuku?" I question, my voice groggy as I start to get up from my desk.

Izuku stands there, a little sheepish, as Floaty Boaty and Four-Eyes stand behind him. "Well, I called your name like fifty-seven times, and you didn't answer."

I raise an eyebrow, giving him a deadpan stare. "I think fifty-seven times is an exaggeration, but I was just thinking about things."

I sigh and start walking, Izuku and his friends trailing behind me. As we leave the classroom, Izuku speaks up again.

"You know, you've talked quite a bit more today. Even though it was because you were mad," he points out with a nervous laugh.

I shrug nonchalantly. "Mm, I suppose... Hey, didn't your mom say she was gonna make sweets today?"

Izuku's eyes widen. "Oh, yeah. But isn't that like every day? She makes them for you, you know." He sweat drops, clearly unsure if he's overstepping.

I hum, "Yeah, well, we better hurry up and get home then. I want some right when I walk through the door."

Izuku, Floaty Boaty, and Four-Eyes all sweat drop at the same time.

Izuku quickly recovers, trying to make things sound casual. "Alright, guys. Me and Y/n-Chan are gonna go home. Bye!" He waves at them before turning back to me, and we begin our walk home.

(???'s P.O.V.):

The four of us stood at the main gates-, Midnight, Recovery Girl, Thirteen, and myself-, our eyes fixed on the jagged wound in U.A.'s outer barrier. A gaping hole, as if the metal and concrete had been either blown apart... or rotted away by something far more insidious.

I clasped my hands neatly behind my back, studying the damage in silence. The morning air carried the faint tang of scorched debris.

"No ordinary reporter could have done this," I murmured at last, my voice calm, measured. "This was no accident. Someone orchestrated the entire affair." My gaze lingered on the splintered edges of the breach, tracing the possible entry paths in my mind.

"Did some evildoer manage to slip in? Or..." my words slowed, a dark possibility curling at the edges of my thoughts. "...Do they intend to wage something greater? Something resembling war?"

No one answered. The silence stretched, heavy and knowing, as we all stared at the damage-, each of us considering the same unsettling truth.

Time-skip:

The next day in Class 1-A homeroom, the atmosphere is filled with anticipation as we settle into our seats, ready for whatever Mr. Aizawa has planned.

Mr. Aizawa stands at the front of the class, his usual disinterested look in place. "Today's training will be a little different. You'll have three instructors. Me, All Might, and another faculty member will be keeping tabs on you."

A murmur of curiosity spreads through the room. Sero quickly raises his hand. "Sir! What kind of training is this?"

Mr. Aizawa pulls out a card from his pocket that says "Rescue" on it. "Rescue. You'll be dealing with natural disasters, shipwrecks, stuff like that."

At that, the room fills with excited gasps. The word "rescue" seems to spark something in everyone.

Kaminari grins, his usual carefree energy flowing. "Disasters, huh? Sounds like we're in for a big workout."

Ashido bounces in her seat, her voice full of excitement. "Totally!"

Kirishima speaks up from behind Kaminari, his voice full of enthusiasm. "Real hero stuff. This is what separates the men from the boys. I'm shaking with excitement."

Asui gives a small ribbit, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Finally, I'll get to show off how good I am in water."

Mr. Aizawa raises a hand, calling for their attention. "Guys, I'm not finished yet. What you wear in this exercise is up to you. I know you're excited about costumes..." he presses a button on his desk, and suddenly, hero costumes begin to emerge from hidden compartments in the classroom walls. They're folded neatly, ready for us to grab. "But keep in mind that you haven't gotten used to them yet, and they might limit your abilities. This special training is at an off-campus facility, so we'll be taking a bus to get there."

He turns to leave the classroom, his voice still indifferent. "That's all. Start getting ready."

The bell rings in my head, signaling the go-ahead. Everyone immediately stands up, the energy in the room shifting as excitement builds. People are already rushing toward the wall to grab their costumes, chatting excitedly about the training ahead.

Time-skip:

The morning air is crisp as we stand outside the school, waiting for the bus to take us to the training facility. Izuku is standing next to me, wearing parts of his hero costume over his gym uniform, looking a bit sheepish.

Just as we're standing there, Floaty Boaty walks up, her eyes immediately locking onto Izuku's outfit.

"Deku? Why are you wearing your P.E. clothes?" She points at him with a puzzled look. "Where's your costume at?"

Izuku scratches the back of his head, looking embarrassed. "You saw it after the combat training. It was kinda trashed. I'm still waiting on the support company to fix it up." He laughs nervously.

Before I can even respond, I feel a strange presence, and when I turn around, I notice Mineta staring at my ass with a perverse grin. My eye twitches in annoyance.

"You perverted grape ball!" I shout, and before he can even react, I grab him by the collar of his costume, lifting him up and slamming him over my shoulder onto the ground with a satisfying thud.

Mineta groans in pain, rolling around on the ground. "OWWWWW! I THINK SHE BROKE MY SPINE OR SOMETHING! Somebody help meee..." he whines, putting on his best act with fake tears.

I stand over him, crossing my arms. "It's obvious that you're fine, seems your grape body saved you. Lucky bastard."

From the corner of my eye, I can see Yaoyorozu trying to stifle a laugh, and I hear the others murmuring in shock, some even looking a little scared.

Izuku lets out a shriek, eyes wide in disbelief. "Y/N-CHAN!"

I just huff and turn away, walking off toward the rest of the class. The chaos behind me fades as I march ahead, only to hear Four-Eyes blowing his whistle loudly to get everyone's attention.

"Gather around, Class 1-A! Stop messing around! Using your I.D. numbers, form two neat lines so we can load the bus efficiently!" He calls out, continuing to blow his whistle like a drill sergeant.

Izuku, now looking a little more amused than before, turns to me and says, "Ida's kicking it into high gear as our class rep, huh?" His sweat drips down his forehead from the chaos we just caused.

"Yeah, he's really revving up that engine of his, but I think he might be taking his role a bit too seriously. Someone's gotta remind him we're not running a military operation." I reply calmly, not even looking at him.

Soon, everyone starts to get into their places to board the bus.

Time-skip:

The bus ride is filled with the usual chaos that seems to follow us wherever we go. Four-Eyes is pouting in the front, clearly annoyed. "The bus's open layout ruined my boarding strategy," he mutters under his breath, crossing his arms.

Ashido, ever the bubbly one, leans over from the seat behind him, teasing, "Ida, you really need to chill."

Asui then speaks up, catching everyone's attention. "If we're pointing out the obvious, then there's something I wanna say..." she glances at Izuku, who freezes in his seat. "About you, actually."

Izuku stammers, eyes wide. "About me? What is it, Asui?"

Asui tilts her head, her voice calm but direct. "I told you to call me 'Tsu'."

Izuku's face flushes. "Oh. Yeah, right."

Asui continues, her voice now softer, "That power of yours. Isn't it a lot like All Might's?"

Izuku yelps, sweat dropping. "What? Really? You think so, huh? I never really thought about that." He turns his head towards me, then whispers, sweating bullets. "I guess it's kind of similar..."

I close my eyes, thinking to myself, "Note to self: Never hide a dead body with Izuku."

Kirishima chimes in from behind Izuku. "Wait, hold on, Tsu. You're forgetting All Might doesn't hurt himself. That makes a huge difference." Izuku sighs in relief, not realizing he was just saved.

Kirishima smirks and flexes, his arm hardening like stone. "Still, I bet it's cool to have a simple augmenting-type of quirk. You can do lots of flashy stuff with it." He demonstrates his power, showing how his hardening ability can create a solid, metallic-like surface beneath his skin. "My hardening's super strong and can destroy bad guys in a fight, but it doesn't look all that impressive."

Izuku's eyes light up, and he fanboys, "Oh, no way, I think it's really awesome looking. You're definitely pro material with a quirk like that."

Kirishima grins at the compliment but scratches the back of his head, looking a bit self-conscious. "You really think so? Seems like it'd be easier to be a popular hero if I had something flashier."

Aoyama, ever the attention-seeker, pops up, his face between his hands. "My navel laser's got the perfect combination of panache (flamboyance/style) and strength!" He strikes a pose, clearly hoping to steal the spotlight.

Ashido smiles and places a hand on his shoulder. "But it's way lame if it gives you a stomachache, Sweetie." Aoyama's face turns bright red from the embarrassment.

Kirishima laughs and looks at the rest of us. "Well, if any of our classmates have pro quirks, it's L/n, Todoroki, and Bakugo."

I blink and speak up, drawing attention to myself. "Oh, that's Half-White, Half-Red's name?"

Izuku, looking exasperated, turns to me. "Y/n-Chan... You really need to learn our classmate's names." He sweat drops.

I simply reply, "I'll be fine. I make nicknames for them." The rest of the class sweat drops in unison, clearly unsure how to react.

We all glance at Bakugo, who's glaring silently in his seat, while Todoroki stays quiet, his eyes closed.

Asui breaks the silence, responding to Kirishima's earlier statement. "Sure, but Bakugo's so unhinged, he'll never be that popular." She says it like it's the most obvious thing in the world.

Izuku gasps, clearly nervous for Bakugo. I, on the other hand, just turn away, hiding my amusement.

Bakugo stands up suddenly, fuming. "Uh-, What did you say!? I'll kick your ass, Frog-Face!" His seatmate, the Weird Ear Girl, shifts slightly from the impact of his outburst.

Asui points at Bakugo, a calm smile on her face. "You see?" She shrugs, as though she just proved her point.

Kaminari, trying to lighten the mood, adds, "You know, we basically just met you and already you've made it abundantly clear to all of us the unpleasantness of your flaming garbage and steamed turd of a personality." He shrugs nonchalantly.

I can't hold it in anymore. I burst out laughing, which only makes Bakugo angrier. He turns toward Kaminari, seething.

Bakugo growls, "Yeah, okay, Mr. Vocabulary. You're gonna regret the day you applied to this school, you loser! I'll kill you!"

Before it can escalate any further, Four-Eyes interrupts, his voice sharp. "Enough! Your classmates don't need to hear this from you."

Bakugo snaps back, "He needs to learn his place!"

Four-Eyes isn't having it. "And it seems like you also need to learn yours. I don't think your mouth could get any fouler, Bakugo." He points at Bakugo, deadpan.

Bakugo goes red in the face, shouting, "WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY!? I SWEAR I'M GONNA KILL THE BOTH OF YOU!"

Kaminari, genuinely wondering, asks, "Jeez, dude, how do you expect to be a hero?"

The three of them start bickering as Izuku leans over to me, nervously. "I can't believe what I'm hearing... Kacchan's the one in class who's getting bullied...! Guess that's U.A. for ya'..." he says softly, clearly overwhelmed.

"Yeah," I reply, smirking. "Almost makes me feel bad for him." I snicker. "Not really."

Izuku sweat drops at my response but doesn't say anything further.

Yaoyorozu, sitting across from us, looks straight ahead sitting next to Floaty Boaty, covering her mouth, brows furrowed. "This is such a disgusting and vulgar conversation."

Floaty Boaty grins, enjoying the chaos. "Yeah, but it's kind of fun listening to them fight."

Four-Eyes shakes his head in disbelief. "How did you even get enrolled into this school?"

Kaminari, without missing a beat, responds, "Dude, you would go to jail if you killed us." He states the obvious.

Bakugo glares at him. "LIKE HELL I WILL! I WON'T GET CAUGHT!"

Just then, Mr. Aizawa interrupts, his voice cutting through the noise. "Hey, hey, we're here. Stop messing around." He says, motioning out the window as we pull up to the rescue training facility.

Everyone straightens up and replies, "Yes, Sir!"

Bakugo huffs from the back of the bus, "Whatever."

Time-skip:

As the doors to the facility opened, we were greeted by a cheerful, almost robotic voice. "Hello, everyone, I've been waiting for you!" A tall, white, inflatable woman-like figure stood before us, her voice warm and inviting. She had a cheerful smile on her face, and I couldn't help but notice the resemblance to Baymax from Big Hero Six, but with a bit of a space hero twist.

I raised an eyebrow. "Izuku, who is this female Baymax? I assume you know, since you're the hero nerd."

Izuku's eyes lit up immediately and started talking at lightning speed. "That's Thirteen! She's one of the most chivalrous pro heroes out there! She's saved so many people from disasters across the world! She's amazing!"

Just then, I heard Floaty Boaty cheer, "Woo-hoo! Thirteen is one of my favorite heroes!"

Thirteen smiled widely. "I can't wait to show you what's inside!" She waved us forward with an excited gesture.

The rest of the class, aside from me, Bakugo, and Todoroki were practically bouncing off the walls with excitement. "This is gonna be awesome!" They chorused, ready to dive into whatever awaited us.

Thirteen led us through the entrance, and as soon as we stepped inside, I was surprised by how vast and impressive the facility was. It didn't look like the usual dull, clinical building I'd expected. Instead, it was like something out of an adventure park. There were several areas, each designed to simulate different types of disasters.

Kirishima's voice cut through the excitement. "Holy crap! It looks like some kind of amusement park!"

And he wasn't wrong. There was a mountain area with rocky terrain, a grassy field that looked perfect for simulating a landslide, a crashed building that seemed ripped right out of a disaster movie, a windstorm building that was probably designed to test resistance against high winds, a water area complete with a boatwreck, and a fire area that had controlled flames sparking up in the distance.

Thirteen pointed to each area in turn, her excitement obvious. "This," she said, indicating the water area, "is a shipwreck simulation." Then she pointed to the land area, "This is a landslide scenario." Next, she gestured to the fire area, "Here, we simulate a fire." Her finger moved to another area near the water, "A windstorm." And finally, she pointed to the mountain area, "Et cetera."

I raised an eyebrow. "She likes to point a lot."

Thirteen, still proud of her creation, stood tall. "I created this training facility to prepare you to deal with different types of disasters. I call it the 'Unforeseen Simulation Joint'." She then pointed at us, a gleam in her eye. "But you can call it... 'U.S.J.'!"

"Just like Universal Studios Japan!" Someone shouted, causing a ripple of excitement.

But something about the way she kept pointing at everything bugged me. It was like a constant stream of her finger moving from one spot to the next, never stopping. "She really likes to point," I sighed.

Mr. Aizawa, who had been mostly quiet so far, walked up to Thirteen, breaking the illusion of joy. "Shouldn't All Might be here already?" He asked in his usual dry tone.

Thirteen paused her enthusiastic pointing. "Actually, he's resting in the teacher's lounge. He used up all his power doing hero work on the way here this morning," she explained.

"Let me guess," Aizawa replied, deadpan, "He booked an interview instead. The height of irrationality..."

I couldn't help but notice how everyone else wasn't listening in on their conversation, but I had this sinking feeling. All Might wasn't here when he should've been. It felt like something was off, and I couldn't shake the bad vibe.

"Izuku," I whispered, tapping him on the shoulder.

He turned his head toward me, his eyes wide with concern. "Yeah, Y/n-Chan? Something the matter? Are you all right?"

I hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Is it just me, or do you also have a bad feeling about this, especially since All Might isn't here like he should be?"

Izuku hummed thoughtfully, his hand on his stomach as he sweat nervously. "I think it's just you, Y/n-Chan, but now that you mention it... yeah, maybe. But it's probably just because I'm nervous." He tried to shrug it off, but I couldn't ignore the uneasy feeling bubbling inside me.

Just then, Mr. Aizawa spoke up, cutting through the tension. "The clock's ticking. We should get started."

Thirteen's tone shifted, and she began to speak again, but it was clear that everyone's patience was wearing thin. "Before we begin, let me just say one thing. Well, maybe two things. Possibly three, four, or five."

Everyone groaned in annoyance, except for me, Bakugo, and Todoroki. I muttered under my breath, "Don't waste our time. I just wanna go home."

Thirteen finally got to the point. "Listen carefully. I'm sure you're aware that I have a powerful quirk. It's called 'Black Hole'. I can use it to suck up anything and turn it into dust."

Izuku's face lit up. "Yeah! You've used 'Black Hole' to save people from disasters before, right?"

Floaty Boaty nodded enthusiastically, her head bobbing up and down like a hyperactive bobblehead.

"Her head's gonna go flying off if she keeps that up," I thought, trying to hide my grin.

Thirteen nodded. "That's true, but my quirk could also very easily be used to kill." She paused, letting the gravity of her words settle in.

The room went silent as everyone besides me, Bakugo, and Todoroki gasped. Thirteen's quirk-, powerful as it was-, could be dangerous. Very dangerous.

"Some of you also have powers that can be dangerous. In our superhuman society, quirks are regulated, but we often forget how unsafe they can be," she continued. "Please don't forget that if you lose focus or make the wrong move, your powers can be deadly. Even if you're trying to do something virtuous, like rescue someone. Thanks to Aizawa's fitness tests, you have a solid idea of your quirk's potential. And because of All Might's combat training, you likely experienced how dangerous your powers can be when used against other people. Carry those lessons over to this class. Today, you're going to learn how to use your quirks to save people's lives. You won't be using your powers to attack enemies or each other, only to help. After all, that's what being a hero is all about. Ensuring the safety of others." She gave a small bow. "That's all I have to say. Thank you for listening."

The room erupted in applause, everyone but me, Bakugo, and Todoroki thrilled about the training ahead. I didn't share their enthusiasm, though. Thirteen's warning, and the fact that All Might wasn't here, kept swirling in my head.

Mr. Aizawa's voice snapped us back to reality. "Great. First off..." he started, but before he could finish his sentence, something odd happened.

The lights in the facility slowly began to dim, flickering ominously as if someone had pulled the plug on the electricity. A heavy silence hung in the air as we all stared at the sudden shift in the atmosphere. Then, the sound of the water fountain stopped-, it was as though the flow of water had been cut off entirely. The low hum of the machinery around us became the only noise until something even stranger started to happen.

A swirl of purple, like a thick fog, began to form itself through the water, turning into an eerie portal. The swirling mist crackled with electricity as a hand-, pale and unnaturally elongated-, emerged, followed by a face that looked as if it were pulled from the depths of some nightmare.

Mr. Aizawa looks back at us. "Huddle up and don't move! Thirteen. Protect the students!"

"Damn it," I muttered under my breath. "I told you I had a bad feeling. It's definitely a villain."

Izuku, standing beside me, immediately tensed up, looking worried but still ready to act. "What... What is that?" He stammered; his voice filled with both curiosity and concern.

Kirishima's voice cut through the tension, loud and confused, "Whoa, what is that thing?"

As Kirishima looked at the strange sight unfolding in front of him, his eyes widened in confusion. "Wait, has the training started already? I thought we were rescuing people," he asked, his voice filled with genuine bewilderment.

But before anyone could entertain his question, I snapped, "No, you idiot. They're villains!" I spoke the truth bluntly. There was no mistaking it now-, the strange portal and the monsters that spilled through it weren't part of any training exercise.

A figure stepped out from the purple swirl first-, tall, cloaked in dark, eerie clothing. Its eyes gleamed with malice as more creatures followed suit, each one more bizarre than the last. Some had grotesque, twisted features, others wore grotesque. They all moved with purpose, their eyes scanning the area, clearly on the hunt for something.

Izuku started to step forward, probably wanting to help or assess the situation, but Mr. Aizawa's voice rang out sharply, halting him in his tracks. "Stay back!" He ordered, his voice cold and commanding, making it clear that there was no room for hesitation.

Izuku froze, looking conflicted but obeying.

Mr. Aizawa then adjusted his glasses-, those weird, yellow, special glasses that helped him use his quirk-, and I could tell, from the sudden shift in his posture and the coldness in his eyes, that he was preparing for what was to come.

"As L/n said," Mr. Aizawa said with a grave tone, his eyes scanning the growing threat before us, "if anybody heard, this is real. Those are villains."

The air around us seemed to thicken with realization. Gasps echoed around me as my classmates began to understand the situation we were in. We had come here expecting a day of training, to learn how to save people in disasters. But now, with the villains standing before us, it was clear-, we were the ones in danger.

And as I looked at the villains, I couldn't shake the feeling that they weren't here by chance. They were after something-, or someone. But what, or who, that was... I didn't know yet.

Chapter Text

The Present (Now):

A chilling voice echoes through the air, almost as if it were coming from the portal itself.

"The only real heroes I see are Thirteen and Eraser Head. Perplexing. According to the schedule we retrieved from U.A., All Might should be here as well."

Then, from the swirling purple mist, two glowing yellow eyes form, piercing through the darkness. A strange figure emerges-, a gaunt man with pale, cracked skin, his hand twitching as he steps forward. Behind him, an even more monstrous figure follows, its body grotesque, brain exposed, muscles unnaturally bulging.

Mr. Aizawa narrows his eyes. "So, you scumbags used the press as a cover and sneaked onto campus." His tone is low, dangerous, as the crowd of villains marches forward, their grotesque appearances making it clear they mean business.

The cracked-lipped villain tilts his head, eyeing us like playthings. "Where is he? I went through the trouble of bringing so many friends who are eager to meet him. They want All Might. The great 'Symbol of Peace'." He spreads his arms out dramatically, voice scratchy like nails against a chalkboard. "I can't believe he's not here. Maybe if I kill a few kids, he'll come out to play."

Mr. Aizawa doesn't hesitate-, his scarf snaps forward, unraveling with a sharp-

Whip!

His entire posture shifts, showing just how serious this situation is. Thirteen quickly steps in front of us, arm stretched out protectively, but even I know that won't be enough to stop all of them.

Kirishima still looks doubtful, his eyebrows furrowed. "What? Real villains? No way. How could so many of them get into a U.A. facility this secure?"

Yaoyorozu, always the logical one, steps forward. "Yeah, Thirteen. Why aren't the alarms going off?"

Thirteen glances back at us, concern clear even through her suit. "Good question... I'm not sure."

And then, unexpectedly, Todoroki speaks up, his voice cold and calculating.

"Is the entire campus under attack? Or is this their only target?"

His mismatched eyes scan the scene, thoughts piecing together like a puzzle.

"Either way, if the alarm sensors aren't being triggered, then one of these villains must have a quirk that's masking their presence here. They carefully chose this isolated facility as an entry point at a time when a class was being taught. They're fools for trespassing here, but they've thought this out. Whatever their plan, they must have a concrete objective in mind." He pauses, exhaling as his breath comes out like frost. "But what is it?"

That was the question, wasn't it?

Mr. Aizawa walks over to us, his tone firm and commanding. "Thirteen, get them outta here. And alert the main campus. Actually, if they've got the ability to block our sensors, then they might be jamming our regular communications, too. Kaminari, try using your quirk to contact the school."

Kaminari straightens up, nodding. "Yes, Sir!" He immediately charges up, electricity crackling around him as he prepares to test if he can send a signal.

Izuku, unable to contain his worry, shouts, "What are you gonna do? You can't fight them on your own! There's too many of them. Even if you can nullify their quirks, your fighting style's not suited for this. Your power works best in stealth and one-on-one fights. That's not gonna help with a group."

Mr. Aizawa barely glances back, eyes sharp and resolute behind his goggles. "You can't be a pro if you only have one trick."

Izuku's breath hitches as he processes those words.

"I'll leave it to you, Thirteen." Mr. Aizawa nods at the rescue hero before launching himself high into the air, his scarf whipping around him.

The villains finally take notice.

A red-haired villain barks an order. "Shooting squad, take your aim!"

Another villain with gray/grey hair scoffs, "Didn't our intel say it was just gonna be Thirteen and All Might out here? Who's that?"

A larger, green-skinned villain cracks his knuckles. "Don't recognize him, but if he thinks he can take us down easy, he's dead."

"Let's gun him down!" The shooting squad shouts in unison, their fingers twitching as they prepare to fire.

But before they can do anything, Mr. Aizawa's eyes glow red behind his goggles.

The moment he looks at them, their quirks vanish.

"Uh-, my quirk!" The red-haired villain panics.

"Ugh!" The gray/grey-haired villain staggers, confused.

"Where are my bullets?!" The big green villain shouts, gripping his empty hands in horror.

Before they can react further, Mr. Aizawa moves. His scarf lashes out, wrapping around them like a steel whip. With one fluid motion, he yanks them off their feet, swinging them high into the air. They yelp, flailing helplessly-, only for Mr. Aizawa to slam them back down, crashing them into each other.

A more experienced villain in the back growls. "Idiots! That's Eraser Head! A pro! He can cancel your quirks just by looking at you!"

A heteromorphic villain, taller and more monstrous than the others, grins. "Cancellation, huh?" He charges forward. "Bet you can't erase the quirk of a heteromorphic type like me!"

With an inhuman leap, he throws a massive punch toward Aizawa's head.

Mr. Aizawa watches him calmly. "Yeah. You're right. Only against operative or transformative types. But statistically, guys like you tend to shine... in close-quarters combat."

At the last second, he dodges. The punch swings through the air, missing completely.

Before the villain can recover-

WHAM!

Mr. Aizawa counters with a brutal punch to the face, sending the heteromorph flying. But before he even lands, Mr. Aizawa's scarf snaps forward, wrapping around his leg. He pulls, suspending the villain upside down midair.

"A villain like you is only dangerous if you can reach me."

A smaller villain tries to take advantage of Mr. Aizawa's distraction, sneaking up from behind.

Big mistake.

Without looking, Mr. Aizawa kicks backward, slamming the sneak attacker into two more villains, knocking them all down like bowling pins.

"Good thing I've taken measures to make sure that never happens." He swings the heteromorphic villain back down with force, knocking him out. The fight had barely started, and already, several villains were down.

Mr. Aizawa stands tall, scanning the remaining enemies. "Now, which one of you gutter punks is next?"

A villain with an unsettling look shudders, watching Aizawa work. "There he goes, trying to intimidate us. He is strong... and since he's hiding behind those goggles, you can't tell whose quirk he's erasing. He's making it hard for us to work together or rely on each other's powers."

Mr. Aizawa doesn't slow down. He spins-

BAM!

A kick sends two villains flying. His scarf lashes out again, sending another airborne.

The villain watching him grits his teeth, scratching his neck anxiously. "How annoying." He watches as yet another comrade gets taken out with a single move. "The worst thing about dealing with pro heroes... is when they live up to all their hype."

And Eraser Head was proving exactly why he was one of the best.

Thirteen tries to get us evacuated, pushing us toward the exit. But Izuku, of course, stops to look back, eyes wide in amazement.

"Whoa. He's holding them off. I guess I shouldn't have underestimated him."

Me and Four-Eyes don't hesitate to call him out.

"This is no time to be analyzing!" We yell at the same time.

I glance at Four-Eyes with annoyance. "Copy-cat..." I mumble under my breath.

Four-Eyes ignores me, adjusting his glasses with urgency. "We have to go!"

Me, Izuku, and Four-Eyes rush to catch up with the others. We barely make it when-

That thing appears again.

The floor warps into a swirling purple mist, and those eerie bright yellow eyes form once more. The ominous voice speaks smoothly.

"There is no escape for you."

Thirteen gasps. Mr. Aizawa is still fighting, completely surrounded by villains. We're in a really bad spot.

The purple mist continues, his voice polite but laced with menace.

"It's a pleasure to meet you. We are the League of Villains. I know it's impolite, but we decided to invite ourselves into this haven of justice to say hello. And besides, isn't this a fitting place for All Might, the Symbol of Peace, to take his last breath?"

I scoff under my breath. "Well, I certainly wouldn't miss him..."

Izuku whips his head toward me, his expression one of utter disappointment.

The villain continues, unbothered.

"I believe he was supposed to be here today, and yet I see no sign of him. There must've been some sort of change in plans we could not have foreseen. Ah, well, in the end, I suppose it doesn't matter. I still have a role to play."

Thirteen doesn't wait any longer. She uncaps one of her fingers, ready to unleash her Quirk.

But before she can-

"HAAAH!"

Bakugo and Kirishima launch forward without hesitation, battle cries ripping through the air.

Bakugo's explosion blasts toward the villain while Kirishima charges in, his arms hardened like jagged blades.

"Did you think we were just gonna stand around and let you tear this place to shreds?!" Kirishima yells.

The villain doesn't flinch. "You live up to your school's reputation. But you should be more careful, children. Otherwise, someone might get hurt."

"You two, get out of the way, right now!" Thirteen shouts, panic rising in her voice.

It's too late.

The purple mist expands, reaching out for us like grasping hands.

"I'll scatter you across this facility to meet my comrades... and your deaths!"

Kirishima barely has time to react. "Crap. What is this?!"

I instinctively throw my arms up, trying to block the mist. "What the hell!?"

The world feels like it's twisting.

The swirling mass engulfs us, swallowing up nearly everyone in an instant. The floor disappears beneath my feet.

I barely glimpse Four-Eyes sprinting, grabbing Floaty Boaty and Sato before they can get sucked in.

And then-

Multiple black holes of mist form all around the U.S.J., scattering us like chess pieces.

One by one, we disappear.

(Izuku's P.O.V.): 

I scream as I'm launched from the swirling purple mist, bracing for impact-

But instead of crashing into the ground, I plunge into liquid.

Water?!

Bubbles rush past my face as I sink. I force my eyes open despite the sting, struggling to make sense of my surroundings.

"He must have a warping quirk..." I realize, kicking my legs and forcing myself to swim upward. My arms feel heavy, but I push through, breaking the surface with a desperate gasp for air.

My mind races. "They came here to kill All Might. It's a good thing he's not in class right now, but where is he?"

Before I can think further, a shadow moves beneath the water.

A figure swims toward me-, fast.

"What the heck?!"

A monstrous villain with sharp, jagged teeth emerges from below, his eyes locking onto me like prey.

"First catch of the day," he sneers, opening his mouth wide. "Nuthin' personal, Kid, but you gotta die!"

I barely have time to react. His rows of razor-sharp teeth glisten in the dim light.

"Kinda looks like Kirishima's..." flashes through my mind before-

SMACK!

A blur of green and pink kicks the villain straight in the face, sending him flying backward.

"Hey, Midoriya! Bleh."

A long tongue wraps around my waist and yanks me through the water.

I barely register Mineta clinging to her before we surface. The fish villain screeches in frustration as we escape.

"No!" He shouts, thrashing in the water.

Asui effortlessly leaps onto a boat and drops me on the deck.

"Seems like we're in the shipwreck area," she says, shaking off the water.

I push myself up, catching my breath-

"For a frog, you've got some pretty big boobs, Tsu. Perfect floaties." Mineta squeezes her chest like stress balls.

Asui's ribbit of irritation is the only warning before she slams Mineta onto the boat with her tongue. "GAH!"

I shake my head, forcing myself to focus.

"You saved my life, Asui."

She peeks over the boat's edge, fixing me with a blank stare. "I told you to call me 'Tsu'."

Present Mic: "Tsuyu Asui! Her quirk: Frog! It's pretty self-explanatory, she can basically do anything a frog can!"

I panic, "Right! Tsu. Tsu, Tsu. I got it! Anyway, thanks!"

Tsu sighs, wringing water from her sleeve. "This is turning out to be a terrible day of class."

I nod, still trying to piece everything together. "Yeah. I keep thinking about what that villain said."

Flashback:

"All Might was supposed to be here today, and yet I see no sign of him. There must've been some sort of change in plans."

The Present (Now):

I frown, piecing it together. "They knew our whole schedule and who would be here. They must've gotten into school files while we were stuck in the cafeteria. The teachers were busy trying to get the media off school grounds."

I clench my fists.

"That means they've been waiting for the perfect time to attack-, just like Todoroki said they were."

Mineta, still rubbing his head from Tsu's smack, waves a dismissive hand. "Hey, hold on a second. It's not like these guys can really kill All Might."

He starts shadowboxing the air, confidence creeping into his voice. "Once he shows up, he'll pound these villains until there's nothing left!"

Tsu speaks up, her voice calm but firm. "Think about it though."

Mineta pauses, blinking. "Huh?"

"If the villains spent so much time planning this attack, then they probably figured out a way to kill him."

My heart skips a beat.

Mineta stares at her, his confidence shattering. "W-What?"

Tsu's eyes remain steady. "And didn't you hear what that smoke guy said? Maybe we should worry more about not getting tortured to death. Otherwise, we might not survive long enough to see All Might again. And even if he does show up..."

She meets my gaze, serious.

"Who knows if he'll make it out in one piece."

Mineta starts trembling, sweating profusely.

"No, no, no, no! The pros are gonna save us, right?!" He points at me in desperation. "Tell Frog-Boobs to shut up!"

Before I can respond, we hear movement in the water.

"You bastards! I'll enjoy eating you."

The fish villain emerges, leading a swarm of enemies-, at least sixteen of them-, swimming straight for us.

Mineta shrieks. "Bad guys!!! A whole school of them!"

My hands shake, my mind racing.

"Asui might be right. If they're here for All Might, they may have a way to defeat him. They wouldn't have planned this attack otherwise. But why him? Because his very existence discourages villains and evil? Because he's the one and only Symbol of Peace and Justice?"

I cover my mouth, swallowing hard.

"Actually... it doesn't matter."

I clench my fists.

"I don't care what their reasons are."

I steel myself, inhaling deeply.

"I have to focus. I have to face this evil-, head on!"

I straighten up, turning to Tsu and Mineta.

"If they can beat him, then we have to stop whatever it is these bad guys are planning. We have to work together and keep All Might safe."

I grip the railing of the boat, my resolve unwavering.

"No one at U.A. knows what's happening."

I meet their eyes.

"This is up to us."

The villains draw closer.

I plant my feet firmly on the deck.

"Let's be heroes."

(Todoroki's P.O.V.):

I extend my arm, ice rushing from my palm and freezing over the ground, encasing the three villains I was facing. Their movements halt instantly, their bodies trapped in jagged spikes of ice.

They were too easy. Too weak.

I exhale sharply, frustration bubbling in my chest. "Aren't you embarrassed to lose to a child? You're adults. Put up a real fight."

A voice hums from behind me. "Well, isn't that a way to tell them."

I glance over my shoulder. L/n.

She stands with her arms crossed, not a single sign of strain on her. That blindfold still covers her eyes, but her head is tilted slightly-, like she's amused. Like she had the luxury of standing back and watching while I did all the work.

"You didn't lift a finger," I say coolly, narrowing my eyes.

She shrugs. "Didn't need to. You handled it just fine."

I clench my jaw. "That's not the point. We're supposed to fight together. What if something had gone wrong?"

"It didn't." Her response is immediate, unwavering. "And it wouldn't have."

The certainty in her voice unsettles me.

I cross my arms. "You're acting like you're above this."

She's quiet for a moment, then sighs. "Not above it." A pause. "Just... beyond it."

Something in her tone shifts, losing its playfulness. There's weight in those words, something deeper that she isn't saying.

"What do you mean?" I ask.

She finally turns toward me. Though I can't see her eyes, I feel her gaze. "If I fought seriously," she says, voice quiet but firm, "I'd wipe them all out. Instantly."

The air goes still.

I don't move.

Not because I don't believe her-, no, something about the way she says it makes me know she's telling the truth.

It's not arrogance. Not boasting.

Just a fact.

A cold feeling creeps up my spine. "That strong, huh?"

She tilts her head slightly. "That dangerous."

For a moment, I study her. She doesn't carry herself like someone looking for a fight. But the way she talks... it's like she's holding back something massive, something she doesn't want to let loose.

I exhale, pushing the thought aside. "If you're really that powerful, maybe you should've taken out the mist guy when we first got here."

She clicks her tongue. "If only it were that simple."

Before I can press her further, she suddenly shifts gears.

"Anyway, Kirishima and Bakugo are at the Collapse Zone. They seem fine. Yaoyorozu, Weird Ear Girl, and Kaminari are at the Mountain Zone-, looks like they're managing."

I blink.

"The lion tail guy is in the Fire Zone. Not sure how well that'll go. Tokoyami and Animal Lover are in the Squall Zone-, bit of a problem, they're surrounded."

I turn fully toward her, frowning. "Wait. How do you-"

"-Thirteen, Four-Eyes, Floaty Boaty, and the others are back where we were before we got warped. They're fighting the mist guy now."

I step forward. "How do you know that?"

She doesn't acknowledge the question.

"Izuku, Asui, and Mineta are in the shipwreck area. And of course, Mr. Aizawa is still fighting down there. However, Aoyama is nowhere to be seen..."

Her voice remains calm, but my patience thins.

"Each zone is far from here," I say, my voice sharper now. "There's no way you can see all of that."

She finally tilts her head toward me.

"Let's just say I have good eyes."

This time, there's a finality to her tone-, a warning not to push further.

I narrow my eyes, watching her carefully. Her posture is relaxed, but something about her presence unsettles me.

I don't trust people who keep secrets.

But now isn't the time to argue.

I turn away, exhaling. "Fine. But next time, fight with me."

She hums. "If you say so, Ice Prince."

I ignore the nickname.

Instead, my mind lingers on her words.

"Just what kind of power is she hiding?"

(All Might's P.O.V.):

I sit alone in the teacher's lounge; my red phone pressed to my ear as I try to reach Thirteen and Aizawa.

"The number you have dialed is not in service or has been temporarily disconnected. Please check the number and then try again. Thank you."

I sigh, lowering my phone onto my lap. "Can't get through to them... Then again, they're in the middle of teaching." I lean back against the couch, rubbing my chin. "Unlike me. I'm sitting here, neglecting my duties because I spent my entire morning commute being heroic. An amateur move." I shake my head at myself. "What was I thinking? Maybe I should just show up at the end and say something inspiring. Get a good ten minutes out of my hero form, enough to make an impact."

With a grunt, I shift into my buff form, feeling the familiar surge of power. "Time to join my students-"

A sharp pain cuts through my chest. I double over, coughing violently. Blood splatters onto my fist.

The door slides open.

"Hold your horses!"

I quickly straighten up, wiping my mouth as Principal Nezu strolls in, his small frame carrying an air of authority far greater than his size.

"Oh! Hello, Nezu, Sir!" I greet, forcing a bright smile.

Nezu raises a paw in greeting. "That's me! The one who could be a mouse, or a dog, or a bear! But the only important thing is... I'm the principal!" He beams.

I instinctively scoot back, laughing nervously. "Your fur looks especially well-groomed and glossy today, Sir." If I can butter him up, maybe I can get out of whatever lecture is coming.

Nezu's eyes twinkle. "Ah, the secret is keratin! Not sure humans can achieve this level of luster. But we can discuss grooming later." His expression sharpens as he grabs his tablet. "Look at the news! Shall I read it to you?" He clears his throat. "It says you resolved three incidents in just one hour."

I jolt, my guilt painfully obvious.

Nezu sighs. "The real fault lies with the ruffians who still cause trouble in this city despite your presence. But you, All Might, need to learn to hold back. You haven't changed in all these years. You've always been proactive, but now? Your heroism has to be limited due to your injury. And you've taken on another major role-, training One For All's successor."

His gaze sharpens. "You insist on staying the Symbol of Peace, but the only way you can justify staying out of the spotlight is by teaching. That's why I gave you this job." He pauses, eyes narrowing slightly. "Oh dear, you're smoking. That can't be good."

I barely have time to register his words before my body gives out, and I deflate back into my weakened form with a groan.

Nezu hops onto the couch across from me, unconcerned. "Looks like you need to stay here and rest a little longer."

I glance away, frustrated. "The other teachers will understand," he continues. "They're more than capable. But now that you're a teacher here, All Might, I really do wish you'd prioritize your students over your hero work. They deserve that. There are plenty of other pro heroes working throughout the city."

I sigh, leaning forward. "...Yeah, you're right, Principal. But I was actually going to head over to the U.S.J. now to make an appearance, if you don't mind."

Nezu calmly pours himself some tea. "Even if you went now, you'd have to leave almost immediately." He takes a sip. "So you might as well stay and listen to some of my teaching philosophies. They could prove-"

I zone out instantly. "Great. This is turning into a lecture."

Nezu hands me a cup of tea. "Here, drink up."

I sweat drop, eyeing the cup warily. "He's always so long-winded when there's tea involved." I glance back down at my phone, a nagging unease settling in my chest. "And I still don't like that I couldn't get through to Thirteen or Aizawa..."

Nezu, oblivious to my worries, continues, "Let's start by discussing combat pedagogy through the lens of ethical quirk use!"

I sigh, taking a reluctant sip of tea. "You know, Sir, you haven't changed much over the years either."

(Ida's P.O.V.):

Shoji is on high alert, his body shifting as he forms extra eyes and ears to scan the area. His sharp gaze darts around, trying to assess the situation as quickly as possible.

"Shoji, got them? Anything? Where is everyone?" I ask urgently.

His response is quick but grim. "They've been scattered across the facility. But our classmates are still here."

A collective sigh of relief comes from Ashido, Uraraka, Sato, and Sero. At least we know they haven't been taken or worse. But that doesn't mean we're safe.

Sero speaks up next, his voice tense. "What do we do? That guy isn't affected by physical attacks and can apparently teleport stuff."

Before I can formulate an answer, Thirteen's voice cuts through the tension.

"Class Rep."

I snap to attention. "Yes?"

Thirteen's tone is firm, authoritative. "I have a job for you. Run to the school and tell the faculty what's going on here. The alarms aren't sounding, and our phones and radios are useless right now. One of these villains must be to blame. Even though Eraser Head is canceling quirks left and right, we're still completely sealed off from the outside world. Whoever's causing this interference must have hidden as soon as they warped into the U.S.J. They could be anywhere-, impossible to hunt down. It'll be faster for you to run and get help than for us to find whoever's jamming everything."

The weight of the order sinks in. I hesitate. "Yes, but-, it would be disgraceful for me to leave you all behind!"

Sato cuts in, firm and unwavering. "Go, Emergency Exit." He steps forward into a fighting stance, eyes locked on the swirling mist of the enemy. "They must be keeping us trapped here for a reason, right?"

Sero follows his lead, rolling his shoulders as he steps up beside him. "As long as you can get outside, they won't follow. Blow this stupid mist away with those engine legs!"

Thirteen nods in agreement. "Use your quirk to save others. Be a real hero!"

Shoji joins them, standing tall and ready for battle. Then, unexpectedly, Uraraka steps up beside me. "I'll help you out!"

I blink, caught off guard. "Uraraka...?"

She offers a determined smile. "Just like I did when I floated you in the cafeteria! Okay? No prob! Please, Class Rep. Do it!"

The resolve in her voice reignites my own determination. I steel myself, clenching my fists as my engines roar to life. "They're counting on me."

Just as I'm about to move, the villain shrouded in purple mist surges forward.

"Even if this is your only option, are you really foolish enough to strategize in front of your enemy?" The swirling mist lunges, aiming to engulf us all.

Thirteen steps forward without hesitation. "It won't matter if you know what we're planning or not when I'm done with you."

She raises a single finger.

"Black Hole!"

The force pulls at the villain's misty form, consuming parts of it instantly.

(Izuku's P.O.V.):

Mineta's panic was palpable. He flailed around, shouting, "Uh, what do you mean 'fight', dumbass?! Are you crazy?! These guys might be able to kill All Might, and you think we can take them?! Did you hit your head when we got warped here?! The best plan is for us to just wait for a real pro from U.A. to come and save us!" He cried out, tears streaming down his face as he stomped his feet, voice trembling with fear.

I pressed my hand to my chin, trying to stay focused. "Think about it," I started, my mind working quickly. "Those villains down there clearly have an advantage in the water and assume that's where we'll fight."

Mineta's eyes widened in disbelief. "Are you even listening?!"

Asui, as always, was quick to contribute her thoughts. "If that's the case, they must've known what was inside the U.S.J. before they warped in."

I nodded, agreeing with her. "Yeah. But for a group with such careful planning, there's one thing that really sticks out to me, something that doesn't add up. They sent you here, Asui-" I stopped, realizing my mistake, "-Oh! I mean Tsu!" She ribbited in acknowledgment, amused.

"Yeah, they warped you to the shipwreck zone," I continued.

Tsu gave a small shrug. "That kind of fell apart on you, didn't it?"

I sighed, feeling a bit awkward. "A little bit," I admitted.

Mineta, still panicking, shouted, "But why does it matter that she's here?!"

I quickly regained my focus. "Right. It means the villains probably have no idea what our quirks are!"

Tsu nodded, catching on. "If they knew I was a frog, they would've sent me to the fire zone instead of somewhere full of water."

"They probably separated us because they didn't know what we could do," I reasoned. "They planned to overpower us once we were in smaller groups-, easier to pick us off one by one. But we can use that to our advantage. They don't know what our quirks are. For all they know, the three of us could be super powerful." I glanced around at the boat we were on, and I point out, "Look, none of them are trying to climb into the boat. That proves they're a little unsure. But that means they're not going to underestimate us, either. They're being smart and playing it safe. For now."

Tsu put her hands on her hips. "So, let's talk quirks. I'll go first if you want." We all knelt on the floor of the boat, strategizing. "Obviously, I can jump high and cling to any surface. My tongue can stretch about twenty meters. Oh yeah, and I can spit out my stomach so I can clean it. But that's not really useful... Finally, I also secrete a toxic mucus. It just stings a bit. We can probably only use my jumping and my tongue here. Forget about the last things."

Mineta grumbled, his face turning red. "Mucus..." he muttered, clearly too excited about her mucus ability.

I nodded at Tsu's explanation. "I figured you were powerful, but that's crazy." I glanced at my own fist, flexing it. "I have my super strength, but it comes with a price. Once I use it, I'm pretty much out of commission. It's a double-edged sword until I can control it."

Mineta, clearly still nervous, pulled a purple ball from his head and stuck it to the boat, tapping it. "I've got these sticky balls." He gestured to the sticky orb on the boat. "Their strength varies. Depending on how I'm feeling, they might stick to something a whole day. They grow back as fast as I pull them off-, a new one growing in the old one's place. But I'll bleed if I use too many. Oh, and they don't stick to me. I just bounce right off of them."

I glanced at Tsu, and we exchanged the same thought, "That's pretty stupid."

Both of us look at Mineta in silence and after a few moments, Mineta starts tearing up.

Mineta snapped, "Don't look at me like that! This is why I said we should wait for the real heroes! My quirk is totally unfit for battle and we're gonna die!"

I tried to reassure him. "No, you have an incredible power! Really! We just have to figure out how to use it!"

Before Mineta could protest any further, the boat suddenly jerked violently, a massive water hand slamming onto it, making it sway uncontrollably. The three of us struggled to stay balanced.

"I'm starting to get bored. Let's get this show on the road," came the taunting voice of the sea villain.

Tsu sighed. "Well, that's a great power. Now the ship's sinking."

Mineta, in his panic, threw more sticky balls all around the boat. "YAAAH! AAAAHH!"

"Mineta, don't freak out!" I shouted, but he continued to cry out in fear. "You've gotta calm down! They'll figure out your quirk if you keep doing that!"

The half-fish villain, confused, swatted away the sticky balls. "What the hell are these things?"

I realized the villains were afraid of Mineta's quirk. "Wait, they're afraid to touch them!"

The half-fish villain gritted his teeth. "The boat will be submerged in less than a minute. Once you're in the water, you don't stand a chance against us."

Mineta slammed into the side of the boat, crying out, "We're fish food!"

Tsu shot him a teasing look. "So, Mineta, are you really sure the hero thing is right for you?"

Mineta, still freaking out, shouted back, "Shaddup! It's weirder not to be scared right now! We just got out of junior high! I didn't think I'd be facing death a few days after starting U.A.! I can't believe I'm gonna die without ever getting to touch L/n's boobs!"

I gritted my teeth, trying to stay calm. "Listen up. 'An enemy that's certain of their victory is bound to make a mistake'. All Might said something along those lines in a TV interview a while back."

Mineta sniffled. "What does that mean?"

I clenched my fist, determination surging through me. "It means now's our chance. We can beat them!" I looked at Tsu and Mineta, fire in my eyes.

The half-fish villain laughed at us. "Hear that little one whining? Poor babies. Sounds like they're crying for their mommies."

The sea villain warned. "Hey, now. Don't forget, Shigaraki told us to keep our guards up. We can't judge them by how old they are, but by their quirks... They could do anything. But, of course, we'll definitely have an advantage in the water. So, I'm not exactly worried for us."

I couldn't wait any longer. I turned to Mineta and Tsu. "C'mon, act like Y/n-Chan would..."

Mineta shook his head in fear. "You can't be serious, Midoriya, what are you-"

I leaped off the boat, my heart racing. "-GO TO HELLLLLL! DIE!"

The sea villain mocked me. "Stupid move, Kid."

I do a flick motion, ready to use One For All. "Even if I use a smash, I can't get them all at once when they're in a circle like that. Besides, there are still other enemies outside of the shipwreck zone, so I can't sacrifice my arm just yet."

The half-fish villain sneered. "After he hits the water, he's mine!"

I focused, remembering the image of the egg not exploding. It was the perfect timing.

"Focus. You've got this."

Tsu has ahold of scared Mineta in her arms, "Ready Mineta?"

I flicked my fingers, shouting, "Take this! Delaware Smash!" A powerful blast of air shot through the water, sending the villains scattering.

The pain in my thumb and middle finger was unbearable, but I didn't stop. "Tsu! Mineta, now!" I shouted, my vision blurry from the pain.

Tsu acted immediately, using her tongue to grab me and pull me out of harm's way. Mineta, yelling a battle cry, hurled his sticky balls at the villains.

"Take this, you villains! You can eat my sticky balls!" He shouted, though I'm sure he didn't fully understand the situation.

The villains were struggling now, trapped by the sticky balls and the force of my attack. "What's going on?" The sea villain struggled against the sticky balls, while the half-fish villain fought to escape.

"I'm getting dragged in!"

"Did these come from that kid? I can't get them off of me!"

"If a strong force is applied to water's surface, the water will be pushed away and then come rushing right back to the middle!" I explain.

"Move!"

"Get off me!"

"I'm stuck!"

Half-Fish Villain gasped. "You're gonna drown me!"

The water exploded upwards, and I couldn't help but feel a rush of excitement. We had done it.

Tsu, looking proud, spoke up. "We rounded them all up. Not too shabby. You guys are amazing." She smiled. "We passed the shipwreck zone."

Chapter Text

The Present (Now): (Izuku's P.O.V.):

Tsu, Mineta, and I trudged through the water, making our way toward the shore after taking down the villains. My fingers throbbed with pain, and every step sent another dull ache through my body. Meanwhile, Tsu was dragging Mineta along, since he was too exhausted to move on his own.

Mineta chuckled proudly, kicking up water as he waved a hand toward the mess we left behind. "I had a good poop this morning, which makes my balls stickier. They're not going anywhere!" He announced, referring to the villains still trapped together by his quirk.

Tsu, without missing a beat, turned her head slightly. "You know, you should think about what you say about your quirk. You make it sound disgusting." Her tone was blunt, and Mineta visibly shrank, tears forming in his eyes as he cried internally.

I winced as a fresh wave of pain shot through my fingers. "I can't believe we managed to get all of them at once," I admitted. My mind replayed the fight over and over, my heartbeat still heavy in my chest. "It took everything I had to keep my composure. It was such a gamble... What if they had reserves underwater that we didn't know about? They could've-"

Tsu cut me off, staring at me blankly. "-You're creeping me out. Stop it. Please."

I blinked, realizing I had started spiraling.

She turned to face me fully. "Instead of second-guessing what we did, shouldn't we think about our next move?"

I nodded quickly. "Yeah, you're totally right-" I grunted as pain shot up my arm.

Tsu's eyes flickered down to my hand. "Are you okay?"

I forced a small smile, tucking my injured fingers against my chest. "Yeah, I'm fine. Don't worry about me." I quickly shifted the conversation. "We should make getting help our top priority!" I lifted my uninjured hand and pointed toward the edge of the U.S.J. "If we follow the shore to the exit, then we can avoid the central plaza entirely."

Tsu hummed in approval. "Good idea. That way, we don't run into the villains Mr. Aizawa's facing over there."

My expression darkened. "Yeah, but... can he handle them on his own? How long can he hold out against a big group like that?" I turned to Mineta and Tsu, feeling my chest tighten. "If he doesn't get some backup, then he's just going to overexert himself. He'll end up defeated by those villains because he was trying to keep us safe."

Mineta's face twisted in panic. "Wait. Don't tell me you're suggesting...?"

I hummed in response.

Mineta flailed his arms. "Are you trying to get us killed or something?!"

Tsu let out a ribbit, watching me closely.

I turned to them both, my expression set in determination. "I'm not saying that we should jump into the middle of a battle. But... maybe we can find a way to take a few of those guys out and lighten his load."

We had just fought our first real battle and won. That victory filled us with hope. It made us believe that our quirks-, our strengths-, could actually work against the enemy.

We'd soon learn how wrong we were.

(Todoroki's P.O.V.):

After finishing my conversation with L/n, I turned my attention back to the villains I had trapped in my ice. If I wanted answers, now was the time to get them.

I exhaled, my breath visible in the freezing air. "So... the plan was to scatter us, then kill us." My voice came out calm, almost indifferent, but there was an underlying sharpness to it. "You were woefully unprepared. In fact, it looks to me as though you've had no training. You haven't the slightest idea how to use your quirks." My steps were slow, deliberate, as I approached them.

One of the frozen villains-, a gray/grey-skinned man-, shuddered. "This power... He froze us the instant we warped here-, ow, ow, ow..."

A pink-skinned villain struggled against the ice, eyes wide with fear. "He's not a kid, he's a monster!"

Nearby, a wolf-like villain whimpered, his body trembling violently. "S-So cold..."

I barely heard them. My mind was elsewhere, replaying the words of that strange, decayed-looking villain.

Flashback:

The leader of this attack-, whoever he was-, stood at the front of the horde of villains, a lazy, almost childish curiosity in his tone.

"Where is he?" His fingers twitched as he spoke. "I went through the trouble of bringing so many friends who are eager to meet him."

He wasn't talking about me.

The Present (Now):

My brows furrowed as I pieced it together. "How do they plan to kill All Might? At first, I assumed they had gathered a force of elite criminals who could simply overpower him-"

A sudden battle cry snapped me out of my thoughts.

My senses sharpened too late. A villain was charging at me, spear raised, ready to strike.

"Damn it... I was lost in thought! I should've been paying attention to my surroundings!"

I tensed, preparing to unleash my ice-

But before I could, L/n stepped in front of me.

She glanced at me with a raised brow. "Daydreaming?"

I masked my irritation behind my usual cold expression. "I was just thinking about the villain's plan to kill All Might-"

My words cut off as my eyes widened slightly.

"Watch out! Behind you!"

The spear was coming straight for her back.

But she didn't even flinch.

Without looking, she caught the weapon mid-strike, her grip so strong the wood cracked beneath her fingers. With a casual squeeze, she crushed the spear into splinters.

The villain staggered back in shock. "What the hell!?"

L/n sighed, as if mildly annoyed. Then, in one swift motion, she spun and grabbed him, flipping him upside down in the air. For a moment, he hovered weightlessly.

Then she launched him.

Her punch sent him soaring across the landslide zone, his body twisting violently through the air. Before he could land, she teleported, appearing in his path and kicking him even higher. His screams barely had time to echo before she vanished again, materializing above him and delivering a brutal punch that sent him flying across the U.S.J. toward the mountain zone.

L/n reappeared in the landslide zone, walking toward me with an unsettling calmness. There was no sign of exhaustion from the display of power she'd just put on, no gloating, no irritation-, just an eerie, quiet composure.

She stopped beside me, glancing at me with an almost bored expression. "So, you were saying? What do you think their plan is?"

I was still processing what I had just witnessed. Even for U.A. standards, her efficiency was terrifying. But I pushed the thought aside and focused on her question.

"They obviously came for All Might," I said, keeping my voice level. "That weird guy basically confirmed it. At first, I assumed they planned to overwhelm him by sheer numbers."

L/n hummed, unimpressed. "That's it? That can't possibly be their master plan."

I nodded, agreeing. "Exactly. These villains... they're mostly low-level thugs. Just pawns. From what I can tell, there are only four or five truly dangerous people here." I scanned the battlefield again, my mind working through the details. "Which means if we want to figure out their real plan, we need more information."

L/n's gaze flickered toward the frozen villains. "I agree. How about we ask them?"

I met her eyes-, or at least, where her eyes would be behind that blindfold. Her voice was casual, but there was an underlying sharpness to it.

I gave a curt nod. "Good idea."

We walked toward the trapped villains, a goal in mind.

I was about to speak when L/n subtly shook her head, signaling me to stop. I hesitated but decided to let her take the lead.

She took a slow step forward, her posture completely relaxed, as if she wasn't facing a group of enemies but rather a minor inconvenience. Her voice was calm, but there was something about it that sent a chill down my spine.

"Listen carefully," she said. "Your situation is bad, but you already know that. According to basic biology and common sense, if you stay trapped in this ice, your cells will start dying. Frostbite, hypothermia... a slow, miserable way to go."

The villains' eyes widened in horror. Some started struggling against the ice, others whimpered.

L/n tilted her head slightly. "Lucky for you, we're heroes in training. That means we'd rather not do anything too... villainous." A pause. "Well, he wouldn't."

She took a step closer to one of the villains, lifting her hand near his face. A red orb of energy formed in her palm, casting an eerie glow over his panicked expression.

"This," she continued, "is part of my quirk. If I shoot it at your face, your head will explode into pieces. Painless, if you're lucky. If not... well, I'll leave that to your imagination." She flicked her wrist slightly, the orb pulsing ominously. "Or maybe I should just let Todoroki leave you here. At least my way is quicker."

The villains started babbling, pure fear overtaking them. Some of them even cried.

L/n let out a soft, annoyed sigh. "But you don't have to die. There's a way out of this. Tell him-," she gestured toward me without looking, "-how you plan to kill All Might. Give him the information he needs, and you live. Simple."

The villains wasted no time. Through their sobs, they started rambling, spilling everything they knew.

L/n took a step back, stretching slightly. I turned toward her, narrowing my eyes.

"Hey," I started, "you said, 'Tell him how you plan to kill All Might.' What about you?"

She shrugged. "That was intentional. I did my part-, I threatened them. Now, you deal with them."

I deadpanned. "What do you mean, I deal with them?"

She crossed her arms. "C'mon, listen to them. They're crying, talking over each other-, I can't even hear what they're saying. It's annoying and too much of a hassle. So, I'll leave that to you, and you can just tell me later."

"What? Hey-" I reached out slightly, but before I could say anything else, she was gone.

I let out a slow breath, forcing myself to refocus. She had a point-, dealing with panicked, rambling villains wasn't exactly efficient for her. But she did a great job of getting them to talk.

I turned my attention back to the villains.

"Alright," I said, my voice cold. "From the beginning. And this time, make it clear."

(Kaminari's P.O.V.): (Mountain Zone):

I screamed at the top of my lungs as a random villain flew through the air, barely missing me before crashing into the ground with a dull thud.

I stared at the unmoving body, pointing at it in horror. "Is he dead!?"

Yaoyorozu, completely unphased, glanced over. "I wouldn't be surprised if he was. L/n and him were fighting in the air when she kicked him over here."

My jaw dropped. "WHAT?! OF COURSE IT WAS L/N! SHE'S SO RECKLESS-, WHAT IF HE'D HIT ME!?" I threw my hands in the air, pacing.

Jiro, already looking irritated, sighed. "Shut up. He didn't hit you, so calm down."

"SHUT UP? WHAT IF HE ALMOST HIT YOU, HUH? I BET YOU'D BE SCREAMING TOO IF-"

I didn't even get to finish because a deep, gravelly voice cut through my freakout.

"-I agree with the girl-, shut up. You're being too loud!"

I whipped my head around just in time to see an iron-masked villain charging at me, his fist already swinging. I let out another very manly scream and barely managed to duck before booking it toward Yaoyorozu and Jiro.

"These dudes are terrifying!" I shouted, practically throwing myself behind them. "My whole life just flashed before my eyes-, I think I saw the grim reaper! What is going on?!"

Unfortunately for me, neither of them was too interested in my near-death experience. Yaoyorozu and Jiro were busy dealing with their own villains, and before I knew it, more of them started surrounding us.

We instinctively fell into a formation-, Yaoyorozu on the left, Jiro in the middle, and me on the right.

Jiro shot me a look. "Could you maybe take it down a few notches?"

Yaoyorozu didn't even turn to me as she spoke, already forming another weapon. "Right now, we need to focus on getting away from these enemies."

I pointed at her urgently. "Then pull out a weapon for me, too!"

Jiro rolled her eyes. "You're the one with electrical powers. Just zap them so we can run."

I groaned. "Were you not paying attention during combat training? Some partner you were!" I gestured wildly. "I can cover my body in electricity, but if I try to shoot it out, it'll go everywhere! I'd take you guys down along with them! It's like with Todoroki's power! Or did you want shock treatment today?"

They both gave me unimpressed looks.

I grumbled, tapping my earpiece. "And to top it off, I can't even call for help because of that stupid signal interference!" I sighed, before reluctantly giving them a thumbs-up. "So, I'm counting on you two. I'm no help in this situation. You guys gotta get us outta here. Please."

Jiro side-eyed me. "You're a real damsel in distress, aren't you?"

Before I could argue, the iron-masked villain from earlier lunged at me again. I barely had time to react when-

THUD!

Jiro kicked me forward, straight at the guy.

"WHAT THE-"

Jiro smirked. "New idea. You're my human stun gun."

"SERIOUSLY?!" I stumbled right into the villain and, out of pure reflex, let my electricity surge through my body.

The guy barely had time to scream before he collapsed, twitching on the ground. I blinked.

"Woah..." I turned to the girls, grinning. "Hey, this is working! I'm super strong!" I gave them an enthusiastic thumbs-up. "Sit back, you two-, you can count on me!"

Jiro pinched the bridge of her nose. "You are exhausting."

Before I could gloat any further, another villain-, a massive, rock-covered guy-, stepped up, cracking his knuckles.

"Try electrocuting solid rock, Kid!" He taunted before swinging a massive chunk of stone at us.

Before I could react, Jiro jammed her jacks into her boots, maxing out her soundwaves. The vibrations shattered the rock mid-air.

Unfortunately, I was standing right there, and the villain's fist-, now free of the rock-, slammed directly into my face.

I staggered back, completely dazed.

"Ghhh-, wha-?"

The good news? My electricity automatically activated. The villain instantly started convulsing as I shocked him into the ground.

The bad news? It hurt like hell.

Before I could even process what just happened, another villain lunged at us, but Yaoyorozu was already prepared. She materialized a net, flinging it at the attacker, catching him mid-air.

The best part? The guy also fell into my electricity field.

All three villains screamed in pain as they twitched on the ground.

Yaoyorozu exhaled, looking at Jiro. "You're lucky that worked out so well."

Jiro scoffed. "Oh, I'm sorry. Next time I'll ask before saving our butts."

Present Mic: "Kyoka Jiro! Her quirk: Earphone Jack! She can turn her own heartbeats into explosively amplified shockwaves by inserting her plugs! Plus, she can hear really quiet sounds. So hip!"

Jiro groaned in frustration, glaring at me. "Damn it, Kaminari. You couldn't have asked for some kind of aiming gear when you put in your costume request form? I mean, come on!"

I opened my mouth to argue when I noticed something-, movement above Jiro. My eyes widened as a villain leaped from the cliff directly above her.

"Jiro, above you!" I shouted in panic.

Jiro barely had time to glance up, her expression shifting to alarm then-

BOOM!

Out of nowhere, L/n appeared midair and punched the guy straight into the mountain.

The impact echoed through the zone like a gunshot. Me, Yaoyorozu, and Jiro just stared as L/n continued absolutely pummeling him into the rock, her hits fast, calculated, and brutal.

By the time she was done, the guy looked... well, practically dead.

L/n landed lightly beside us, her expression blank as ever.

Jiro, still in shock, managed, "Uh.. thanks."

L/n didn't even acknowledge it.

I, on the other hand, was annoyed. I gestured wildly to my ongoing situation, still zapping villains left and right.

"And thank you for the present! You almost killed me!" I huffed.

L/n tilted her head slightly. "Present?"

I gawked at her. "THE GUY YOU SENT FLYING OVER HERE!"

L/n blinked once. "Oh."

"...That's it?!" I threw my hands up. "That's all you have to say?! Not even a sorry?!"

Yaoyorozu, ever the responsible one, cut in, her voice firm. "That's enough. We need to focus on these villains."

Jiro scoffed, side-eyeing me. "Well, Kaminari can't help us since he'll take us down too! I swear, he's deadweight."

"WHA-, HEY! I HEARD THAT, YOU KNOW!" I shouted.

L/n let out a small sigh, looking to Yaoyorozu. "Can you create something to protect both of you from electricity?"

Yaoyorozu's eyes widened in realization. "I never even thought of that!" Then she furrowed her brows. "But... can you two hold them off for a minute or two while I create it? It takes me a little longer to make something that big..."

L/n gave a small, apathetic nod. It was honestly unnerving how emotionless she was.

I squinted at her. "Reminds me of Todoroki... Are they related...?"

L/n turned to Jiro. "Jiro-, or whatever your name is-, make sure no one gets near Yaoyorozu. I got this."

Jiro hesitated. "Are you sure? There's a lot of villains surrounding us..."

L/n let out another sigh, clearly irritated. "If I tell you to do something, do it. My throat is starting to hurt from talking way more than I usually do."

Jiro sweat-dropped but nodded, moving to guard Yaoyorozu while she worked.

That's when one of the villains rushed straight for L/n.

"L/n, watch out!" I called.

She irked. "You don't have to tell me."

I frowned. "Wow. Never telling you anything again."

The villain was right about to strike-

But before he could even touch her, L/n casually swung her arm back, and suddenly-

WHAM!

The guy went flying backward, as if hit by an invisible force, slamming into the mountain just like the first one.

I stared and eventually... sweat dropped.

"What has the mountain done to you?"

The other villains froze, eyes wide, visibly shaking in their boots after witnessing L/n effortlessly send another one of their own flying into the rock face.

A crocodile-looking villain gulped, glancing nervously at the others. "S-So, uh... who's gonna attack her next?" He stammered.

A skull-faced villain immediately waved his hands frantically. "Definitely not me!" She cried, stepping back.

Another villain, one covered in weird polka-dot patterns, whimpered. "C'mon, guys... someone fight her... Shigaraki'll be mad if he finds out we ran away!" His voice was high-pitched with fear.

L/n didn't react. She just stood there, bored, like this entire thing was beneath her.

Before the villains could decide their next move, Yaoyorozu suddenly called out, "It's ready!"

I turned to see her back enlarge slightly before a large sheet-, something that looked like a blanket-, popped out, unfolding over her and Jiro.

The villains hesitated, now shifting their focus.

A long-tongued villain squinted. "...Is that a blanket?"

A metallic-skinned villain furrowed his brow. "Is it supposed to be a shield?"

Jiro and Yaoyorozu sat down beneath it, covering themselves entirely. Yaoyorozu peeked out, looking at me.

"You're looking at a sheet of insulation, one hundred millimeters thick," she explained, her voice steady with confidence. "Go, Kaminari." She encouraged then looked at L/n, "Come on, there's still more room for you!"

However, L/n shook her head, "I don't need to. His electricity won't affect me." She stated with her arms crossed.

I grinned, cracking my knuckles. "Heh. Badass." I flexed my fingers, feeling the electricity surging through them. "Now I don't have to worry about hurting my friends. You villains are fried!"

I released a massive surge of electricity, golden sparks crackling violently as the bolts shot through the area. The villains barely had time to scream before they were completely electrocuted, their bodies convulsing under the power.

What surprised me the most, though, was L/n.

She stood there, completely unfazed, covered in my electricity... and yet, she wasn't reacting at all. No flinching, no pain-, nothing.

I blinked. "...Damn. She wasn't joking."

When the surge finally stopped, smoke curled in the air, and the villains all collapsed in heaps, completely defeated.

(Your P.O.V.):

Yaoyorozu uncovered herself and Jiro from the insulation blanket, dusting off her uniform. "Now then. I'm worried about the rest of our class. We should find them right away."

As she spoke, I noticed something. Jiro did too, mumbling, "Damn, she's stacked..."

Part of Yaoyorozu's costume had been ruined by her quirk, exposing her chest area.

Jiro immediately flailed, pointing at her. "You're looking a little overexposed right now!"

I nodded slightly in agreement, but Yaoyorozu didn't even seem to care. She simply looked at us, completely unfazed.

"Don't worry," she said calmly. "I can make some new clothes."

Present Mic: "Momo Yaoyorozu. Her quirk: Creation! She can create any non-living object she wants! But she's only able to do this if she understands the molecular structure of the item she's making."

Jiro sighed. "You both are so punk rock. I'm jealous, honestly." She muttered the last part with a slight blush before suddenly gasping, her eyes darting to Kaminari.

He was walking around in circles like an absolute idiot.

Jiro panicked, immediately covering Yaoyorozu with her arms. "Kaminari, don't you dare look!"

Naturally, this caught his attention. He turned to us, blinking.

Yaoyorozu let out a small, "Uh..."

Then Kaminari just... started stupidly laughing, sticking both thumbs up and making all sorts of weird, brainless motions. "Wooo-hoo!"

I stared.

"His quirk must dumbify him if he uses too much."

Present Mic: Denki Kaminari! His quirk: Electrification! And right on the dot L/n! When he goes over his wattage limit, his brain short circuits and he becomes a huge idiot for a while! Listen to him babbling!"

Jiro nodded in agreement, still shielding Yaoyorozu.

I sighed, already deciding that I did not want to deal with this. This was not my problem.

"I'm going to take my leave now," I announced flatly.

Yaoyorozu looked like she wanted to protest, but before she could even get a word out-

I teleported.

(Izuku's P.O.V.):

Mineta leaned in close, whispering, "Remember, Midoriya, we're just here to see how things are going, right?"

Tsu gave a small ribbit, nodding.

"Yeah, I know," I agreed.

The three of us peeked our heads above the water's edge, our lower halves submerged as we spied on the battlefield. Our eyes locked onto Mr. Aizawa, who was taking on the villains alone.

And he was winning.

He moved with precision, taking down enemies left and right. His scarf lashed out, wrapping around two villains before he launched himself into the air, slamming them both into the ground.

Before he could even breathe, the strange-looking villain sprinted toward him, muttering under his breath.

"First, it was twenty-three seconds."

Mr. Aizawa didn't hesitate, his scarf flying forward to ensnare him. "So, you're the final boss?"

"Then it was twenty-four seconds. And then twenty. Then seventeen."

The villain caught his scarf.

I stiffened.

That wasn't good.

His hand lunged toward Mr. Aizawa's face, but our teacher ducked, pulling the scarf for speed as he aimed an elbow strike to the gut-

But then I noticed.

His elbow didn't land.

The villain's hand was on it.

My breath hitched.

This guy was strong.

"It was hard to see when you were scampering around," the villain said casually, "but I've found your tell. It's your hair."

Mr. Aizawa gasped.

The villain's fingers tightened.

"When it drops," he continued, "it means you've stopped using your quirk."

And then, to my horror, Mr. Aizawa's elbow started to turn gray/grey.

Cracks formed along his skin like shattered glass.

"You're having to blink more often," the villain taunted. "Don't push yourself too hard now. You might just fall apart. Wouldn't that be a shame?"

No...

From the cracks in his skin, bits of flesh peeled away, revealing the raw tissue underneath.

No, no, no-!

But Mr. Aizawa fought back.

He punched the villain, leaping backward to create distance. His teeth gritted in pain.

"Damn..." he hissed under his breath. "He was disintegrating my elbow."

Then-

A villain rushed him from behind.

Mr. Aizawa ducked, sweeping his leg out in a swift counterattack.

More villains closed in.

He was surrounded.

And yet, even then-

He kept fighting.

The strange villain rose to his feet, unfazed.

"That annoying quirk of yours isn't suited for drawn-out fights against big groups, is it?" He mused. "Don't you think you're a little out of your element here, Eraser Head? You're much better at working stealthily. You're known for surprise attacks, not fighting head-to-head."

Mr. Aizawa panted, exhausted but unrelenting.

"But despite knowing that," the villain continued, "you didn't hesitate to throw yourself into this battle. To put your students at ease."

The villains charged.

Mr. Aizawa still fought back.

He moved with efficiency, his scarf lashing out, his fists cracking against flesh.

Then-, he turned.

His eyes locked onto the strange villain.

He prepared his scarf.

The villain grinned.

"And look at you," he chuckled, giving a slow applause. "You're still standing! You really are so cool!"

Then his smile widened.

"Oh, by the way, Hero-"

Mr. Aizawa's body froze.

As if sensing it-

He immediately whipped around.

And there it was.

Towering over him.

A creature with a brain exposed to the air, its muscles rippling with an unnatural power.

The villain's voice was smooth, almost gleeful.

"I am not the final boss."

The monster swung.

Mr. Aizawa couldn't dodge in time.

The hit obliterated him.

His eye mask flew off, his body slammed into the ground with a sickening crunch.

I felt my blood run cold.

Me, Tsu, and Mineta gasped in horror.

"No... Mr. Aizawa..." I whispered, my hands flying to cover my mouth.

"This can't be happening..."

(Ida's P.O.V.):

"Ah, Black Hole, the quirk that sucks up matter and turns it into dust. Such an astounding power."

The villain's voice was smooth, almost amused, as Thirteen activated her quirk, pulling his strange purple mist toward her fingertip.

But he wasn't fazed.

"However, you're a rescue hero, Thirteen," he continued, his tone dipping into mockery. "Skilled at saving people from disasters. Consequently, that means you have little fighting experience or battlefield awareness."

Before I could process his words, a portal opened behind Thirteen-

And she didn't notice it until it was too late.

Her body jerked forward, caught between her own suction force and the villain's warping gate.

"He opened a warp gate!" Thirteen gasped in horror.

Then-

I heard it before I saw it.

A sickening rip.

The back of her suit-, no, the back of her body-, disintegrated.

My blood ran cold.

"How unfortunate," the villain mused, his smirk dripping with malice. "You've turned yourself into dust."

Thirteen collapsed forward, her quirk cutting off instantly.

"I'm sorry," she rasped weakly. "He got me."

Ashido gasped.

"Thirteen!"

Sato turned to me, his voice urgent.

"Ida, get out of here! Go! Now!"

I froze.

I couldn't just leave them-

But then-

Thirteen's words echoed in my head.

Flashback:

"Use your Quirk to save others. Be a real hero!"

The Present (Now):

I clenched my fists.

I had to go.

I had to get help.

I had to be a hero.

"ENGINE!" I shouted, my engines roaring to life as I took off.

The villain's voice chuckled behind me.

"A sheep trying to escape from the wolves. I simply can't allow that, my dear, scattered children."

A portal tore open right in front of me.

"If the other heroes arrive, it'll be harder for us to put an end to All Might."

I gritted my teeth, trying to stop before I ran straight into it.

"This responsibility... was entrusted to me! Classmates! I'll keep you safe!"

Then-

A blur of movement.

Shoji tackled the portal, his multiple arms crushing it, keeping it from expanding.

"Run!" He shouted, rolling on the ground, struggling to hold it back.

I didn't hesitate.

"I'll be back in a flash!" I promised, sprinting toward the exit.

"You impertinent child!" The villain hissed, slipping free from Shoji's grasp.

I heard him chasing after me.

"You won't set foot outside those doors!"

I was close.

But-

"What if it's locked? Will I be able to pry it open in time?"

Doubt slowed me down.

And in that moment-

A dark shadow loomed over me.

"I have no time for this."

I barely had time to react before-

"Be gone!"

The villain's purple mist swallowed me whole.

(Izuku's P.O.V.):

Mr. Aizawa gasped, his body barely holding together as he lay pinned beneath the hulking beast.

The villain stood over him, his tone dripping with amusement.

"What do you think of him, Eraser Head?" He hummed, tilting his head as if he were introducing an old friend.

Mr. Aizawa didn't answer-, he could barely breathe. Blood streamed from his head, staining his goggles, his broken arm hanging limply at his side.

The villain continued.

"Hm... He's the bioengineered, Anti-Symbol of Peace. But you can call him 'Nomu'."

Nomu let out a horrifying roar, its inhuman voice echoing across the battlefield.

It wasn't just a monster.

It was a weapon.

A weapon designed to kill All Might.

My hands clenched into fists, my body shaking.

The evil that the pro heroes have to face-

We were only now seeing a glimpse of it.

And the worst was yet to come.

(Bakugo's P.O.V.): (Collapse Zone):

I fired off another explosion, sending a group of weak-ass villains flying into the wall.

"Say goodbye!" I shouted, smirking as smoke and debris filled the air.

Beside me, Kirishima was handling his own fight, blocking a sword strike with his hardened arms. The blade snapped in half, and he decked the villain so hard he went down instantly.

We both stood there, panting.

"Think that's the last of these guys. Buncha weaklings," I stated, rolling my shoulders.

Kirishima turned to me, his expression serious. "All right. Let's hurry and find the rest of our class. If we're both still in the U.S.J., then everyone else probably is too." He clenched his fist. "And not all of them have the offensive skills like we do. We gotta make sure they're safe. Especially since we screwed things up when we got in the way earlier. If Thirteen had been able to suck up that villain, then we never would've been separated like this. We have to make it up to the others."

I scoffed. "You wanna track everyone down, have fun. But I'm gonna go destroy that warpy bastard."

Kirishima blinked at me, confused. "Huh? Still pulling that immature crap at a time like this...? Our physical attacks didn't hurt that guy. C'mon. Don't be an idiot, man."

"Shut up!" I snapped, glaring at him. "I'm gonna take him down because he's their way in and out. If I cut off their escape route, they'll be stuck here and have to pay for what they've done. We'll just have to figure it out."

"Can't take anyone down if you don't pay attention to your surroundings."

Me and Kirishima turned to see her.

Blindfoldie.

She effortlessly kicked an armed, camouflaged villain straight into the wall like it was nothing.

Kirishima whistled. "Whoa! How'd you get here?"

"Long-Distance Teleportation." She said it like it was obvious.

I irked. "Even if I didn't pay attention, I could've still taken him down without your help!"

She leaned against the wall, crossing her arms. "Oh really? He had a knife. He would've stabbed you before you could even lay a finger on him."

My eye twitched. "Fucking Smartass... Thinking you know everything..." I muttered under my breath, fuming. I shook it off. "Anyways, if all of these villains are small fries like the ones here were, then our classmates should be fine."

Kirishima eyed me weirdly. "Hey... Since when do you act so calm and rational? Usually, you're like, 'DIE! DIE! DIE! DIE!' Kinda weird..."

I ticked off instantly. "I'M ALWAYS CALM AND RATIONAL, YOU DAMNED RED-HAIRED, BROOM-HEAD LOSER!"

"Yeah! There you are!" Kirishima grinned, like an idiot. He turned to Blindfoldie. "L/n, if you've teleported here, have you teleported to the others too? Are they alright?"

She gave a small nod. "Not all of them, but I was with Todoroki and then teleported to Jiro, Kaminari, and Yaoyorozu. They're fine. I still have yet to teleport to the rest."

I grunted. "You two can go find the others if you want to." I turned, already walking off.

"Wait, hold up!" Kirishima called after me. "I think what you were saying is that you believe in our classmates. And that's thinking like a man, Bakugo."

He turned to Blindfoldie again. "L/n, let's-"

But she was gone.

Kirishima blinked. "Hey, where'd she go?"

(Your P.O.V.): (Fire Zone):

The villains were chasing after Lion Tail Guy, but it was obvious he was faster and more agile.

Three of them paused, scanning the area, trying to find him.

"Damn it! He's too fast!" One of them, a fire-based villain, growled.

They split up. Bad move.

Lion Tail Guy swung from a nearby light pole, using the momentum to slam his powerful tail into one of them, sending him crashing into the pavement.

"I see him! Up there!" Another villain, one with a weird music-based quirk, shouted.

Before they could react, Lion Tail Guy released the pole and flipped through the air, landing safely before sprinting off again.

I watched the whole thing from my vantage point on a nearby rooftop, arms crossed.

"Seems like he doesn't need my help," I thought with a sigh.

With that, I teleported away.

(Squall Zone):

"We found you!" The villains shouted, charging at Animal Lover.

He looked like he was about to piss himself.

Before they could reach him, Tokoyami stepped in, his Dark Shadow quirk surging forward like a monster, its massive hand slamming them hard into a nearby wall.

"That's six of them down," Tokoyami muttered.

Animal Lover exhaled in relief before giving him a thumbs-up. Tokoyami returned the gesture, but his face remained serious.

"We're reducing their numbers, but very slowly. I hope it helps in the long run."

I observed them quietly from above. They were holding their own just fine.

"No need to step in."

Without another thought, I teleported away.

(Ida's P.O.V.):

I was covered in his swirling purple mist, unable to move. My mind raced, my body tensed-, was this the end?

Then, suddenly, the weight lifted. The mist dispersed, and I could move again.

I gasped in shock and looked up. The villain, the one who had nearly trapped me, was now floating in the air, completely out of control.

Uraraka stood nearby, her arm raised. "I don't know what his quirk is, but he's wearing some kind of weird armor," she said quickly. "So, he must have a physical body inside here somewhere."

Then, with a grunt of effort, she swung her arm downward. "Now! Run, Ida!"

The villain growled, his misty form twisting. "You pest! How dare you!" He fumed, struggling to regain control.

I didn't waste a second. I turned and sprinted toward the U.S.J. doors, my legs pumping as fast as they could.

"I must call for backup! I must succeed!"

I reached the doors and threw myself against them, prying them open. But before I could escape, I felt his presence behind me again.

"No! So close!"

"I've got you!" He snarled, rushing toward me once more.

Then-

"Not so fast!"

Sero's voice rang out, and suddenly, thick bands of tape wrapped around the villain's armor. In an instant, Sato grabbed the tape and yanked, using his brute strength to swing the villain around like a ragdoll.

With a final powerful pull, they sent him flying across the battlefield.

"He's going to call for backup. It's over," the villain muttered, irritation dripping from his voice.

I didn't stop to look back.

With all my strength, I shoved the doors open and burst outside.

"I must reach U.A.! I must bring help!"

"ENGINE BOOST!" I shouted, pushing my quirk to its limits.

The engines in my calves roared to life, propelling me forward at incredible speed.

I raced toward U.A., faster than ever before.

(Izuku's P.O.V.):

A sickening crack echoed through the U.S.J.

Mr. Aizawa's arm bent in a way no arm should. He screamed in agony. "GWAHH...!"

I clenched my fists, my breathing ragged as my entire body trembled.

The weird-looking villain chuckled, watching with twisted amusement. "You can erase people's powers. That's irritating, but it's nothing impressive." He tilted his head mockingly. "When faced with true, devastating power, you might as well be a quirkless child."

Mr. Aizawa gritted his teeth, his gaze flickering toward the Nomu. He activated his quirk, his red eyes burning with resistance.

But it was useless.

The Nomu raised its massive hand and brought it down with brute force.

CRUNCH!

Mr. Aizawa's other arm snapped like a twig, the force so strong it cracked the ground beneath him.

"He's breaking Mr. Aizawa's bones like they're nothing..."

My whole body felt frozen. Terror clawed at my throat as I watched my homeroom teacher-, our strongest defense right now-, being reduced to nothing more than a ragdoll.

The Nomu lifted his head from the ground, then slammed it down.

BANG!

Another impact. The ground dented beneath the force.

Mineta whimpered beside me. "No... No... I can't watch this anymore." His voice shook as he covered his mouth with his hands. "We should be getting out of here super-fast, shouldn't we?"

Tsu let out a soft ribbit, but neither of us moved.

I was still staring, still paralyzed. My mind screamed at me to do something-, anything-, but my body wouldn't listen.

Then, the familiar swirling mist appeared once more, forming beside the villain.

"The purple guy is back..."

"Tomura Shigaraki."

"Shigaraki is his name...?"

The so-called Shigaraki tilted his head slightly. "Kurogiri, did you manage to kill Thirteen?"

"Kurogiri...?"

Kurogiri's eerie voice replied calmly. "The rescue hero is out of commission. But there were students I was unable to disperse, and one of them got outside of the facility."

Shigaraki's entire body went still. "Huh..."

Then-

"Huhhh?!"

He twitched violently, his fingers scratching at his neck. His nails scraped against his skin, creating an awful, grating noise.

"Kurogiri... you fool..." his voice was strained with barely contained rage. "If you weren't our warp gate, I'd tear apart every last atom in your body."

He took a deep breath, stopping his scratching. His next words sent a chilling realization through me.

"There's no way we can win if dozens of pros show up to stop us. It's game over, man... It's game over, for now."

My breath hitched.

He was right.

If one of my classmates had really gotten away, then there was still a chance.

A chance to survive.

"Back to the title screen. And I was looking forward to finishing this today. Damn it. Let's go home."

Shigaraki's irritated voice cut through the tense air.

Mineta gasped, whispering loudly, "Huh? Did I hear that right? Did he just say they're gonna just leave?"

Tsu nodded. "That's what it sounded like to me."

Mineta, overwhelmed with relief, jumped onto Tsu, his arms wrapping around her-, specifically, her chest. "Yes! That's amazing! We're safe, and we don't have to fight!"

Tsu froze. A second later, she shoved him off her, holding him under the water with a blank stare.

"I have a real bad feeling about this, Midoriya," she said flatly.

I nodded. I felt it too.

"It seems weird that they'd retreat at this point, even if help is on the way." My mind raced, putting the pieces together. "All Might's probably coming. Don't they wanna kill him? They must know U.A. will beef up security after this. So, now's their best chance. What's going on here? Why is this 'game over,' huh?"

Shigaraki suddenly spoke again; his voice laced with eerie amusement.

"Oh, but before we leave, let's make sure the Symbol of Peace is broken. Let's wreck his pride..."

His bloodshot eyes snapped toward us.

And then-

He moved.

Fast.

One second, he was standing with Kurogiri. The next, he was right in front of us, his decayed hands reaching out.

"Let's make this hurt by leaving a few dead kids...!"

His fingers stretched toward Tsu's face.

Mr. Aizawa's elbow flashed in my mind-, the way it had crumbled, the way he had screamed-

I wanted to move.

I had to move.

But it was already too late.

Shigaraki's palm was covering Tsu's entire face.

She didn't move.

Mineta and I didn't move.

Time felt frozen. My heart pounded in my ears, drowning everything else out.

Shigaraki grinned. "You really are so cool... Eraser Head."

A second passed.

Nothing happened.

I blinked, my breath catching.

Tsu was still there.

Shigaraki's quirk should have turned her into dust.

But it didn't.

Then I saw it.

Past Shigaraki's shoulder, Mr. Aizawa's bloodied face peeked up from the ground. His red eyes locked onto Shigaraki, fierce and unwavering despite his battered state.

He erased his quirk.

He saved her.

Shigaraki growled, his face twisting in annoyance. But before he could react-

BAM!

The Nomu slammed Mr. Aizawa's head into the ground. Harder than before. The impact shook the entire battlefield, sending cracks spreading outward.

The world snapped back into motion.

I moved.

My legs kicked off the water's surface, my body launching forward. My fists clenched so tight they trembled.

"Crap, crap, crap, crap, crap!"

I didn't think.

I just acted.

"This guy's clearly different from the ones we fought before! I've gotta save Asui and get us out of here!" I thought, panic rising in my chest. "You! Let her go! Now!" I shouted, my voice cracking.

I felt the surge of power rush through me as I activated One For All and threw a punch at Shigaraki. "SMASH!" The impact sent shockwaves through the air, sending the water splashing backward, breaking the glass of the light fixtures around us. The villains staggered, struggling to keep their footing as the wind tore through the U.S.J.

I gasped for breath, stunned by the force of the blow. My heart raced. "Did I just... do that?"

I looked at my arm, expecting to see the damage from the power of my punch, but there was nothing. No cracks. No broken bones. I couldn't believe it. After all the training, I was finally able to land a solid hit. "All right!" I thought, a surge of pride washing over me.

But then I looked up-, I didn't hit Shigaraki. I stared in shock as I saw that I had punched the Nomu instead, the monstrous creature towering in front of me.

"Where did he come from?"

I stared at the Nomu, my heart sinking. "Wait, hold on. I didn't... hurt him?"

Asui's words echoed in my mind from earlier.

Flashback:

"If the villains spent so much time planning this attack, then they probably figured out a way to kill him."

The Present (Now):

I felt a cold knot in my stomach. "No way..." I thought, realizing the truth. This Nomu wasn't just any ordinary villain. He was something far worse.

Suddenly, Shigaraki's voice cut through my thoughts.

"You're pretty powerful. This 'smash' of yours... Are you one of All Might's disciples?" He said, his voice dripping with curiosity.

He then waved off the thought with a flick of his hand. "Never mind, it doesn't matter. I'm done with you now."

Before I could react, the Nomu's giant hand shot out, grabbing me with terrifying strength. My heart skipped a beat, and I could only let out a panicked yelp as he held me in his grasp. His other hand reached for my head, his fingers stretched wide.

"No, no, no...!"

Tears welled up in my eyes as fear gripped me. I couldn't escape. I was trapped.

But then-, Asui-, she leaped into action, her long tongue shooting out and wrapping around my waist, trying to pull me out of the Nomu's grasp. I could see her eyes, full of determination, as she fought against the massive creature's strength.

Meanwhile, Shigaraki moved, reaching toward Mineta's and Asui's face with his decaying hand. My heart dropped-, He's going for them too!

Mineta, trembling, looked helplessly at us.

Mr. Aizawa's blood puddle was getting larger by the minute, and I try to think but all I can feel is fear. "Damn it, what do I do? What do we do? We're all gonna die, we won't have enough time to save each other-" I thought, panic swelling in my chest, drowning out everything else.

But just as the hopelessness settled in, the doors of the U.S.J. were suddenly torn off their hinges with an earth-shattering bang.

Everyone froze, their eyes going wide. Then they saw him-, All Might.

He stepped into the building, his presence so overwhelming that even the villains stopped in their tracks. A wave of relief washed over us as the air seemed to lighten. Mineta cried out, "Look, we're saved!"

"He's here... All Might..." I whispered, a tiny spark of hope igniting in my chest.

Shigaraki turned to face him, a grim smile spreading across his face. "Ah. Looks like our game's getting a 'continue'."

And then, out of nowhere, I saw something-, someone-, above the Nomu. A blur of h/c (your hair color) hair.

Chapter Text

The Present (Now): (All Might's P.O.V.):

I stepped into the U.S.J., my eyes sweeping over the chaotic scene before me. The familiar faces of my students were all around, but there was something different in their expressions today. Smiles were mixed with fear, tears streaked across their faces, and there was a deep sense of relief in the air. Relief that they had made it this far, but also fear of what had happened-, and what could still happen.

"I couldn't shake the feeling that something had gone wrong here when Aizawa and Thirteen didn't answer my calls. So, I cut my talk with the principal short and hurried over, running into Ida along the way. He told me of the villainy at work here." I grit my teeth, a flash of Ida ranting fearfully flooding my mind.

"I can't believe all of this went down while I was resting. I hate to think of how frightened these children must be. And how hard my colleagues had to fight in order to protect them."

I couldn't fix the past, but I could do something about the present. 

"The only thing I can do now is reassure them that things will be okay. That's my duty as the Symbol of Peace."

I clenched my fists and tore the blue tie from my neck, a surge of energy running through me. I could feel my muscles expanding, my power surging back into place.

"Have no fear, students..." I said, my voice booming, filling the room. I knew the children were watching, hoping, clinging to that hope. They needed to hear it from me.

"Because I am here!"

(Izuku's P.O.V.):

I couldn't believe my eyes. "He's here... All Might..." I whispered in disbelief, my fear still heavy in my chest. But what stood before us wasn't the usual smiling, larger-than-life hero I admired. This time, his face was solemn, his jaw tight, his eyes burning with an intensity I hadn't seen before.

Shigaraki, standing tall and unfazed despite the shift in the air, sneered. "After all this waiting... The heroic piece of trash shows up," he spat, his voice dripping with contempt.

I could barely process his words. All my attention was on All Might as he ripped off his yellow blazer with such force that it sent a gust through the room. The villains murmured in awe and fear.

"Holy crap. It's All Might," one of them whispered.

"I've never seen the guy in person before," said another, his voice shaking.

"I didn't expect him to be so huge," a third villain added, clearly unnerved by All Might's overwhelming presence.

A scarred villain scoffed, his voice growing desperate. "Heh. This is no time to talk, you idiots. If we strike now, we can kill him-"

Before he could finish, All Might moved. It was so fast, it felt like he teleported. In the blink of an eye, he knocked out several villains with a single sweep, his strength sending shockwaves through the room. And just like that, he was there, cradling Mr. Aizawa's battered body in his arms.

All Might's voice, low and filled with remorse, broke through the chaos. "I'm sorry, Aizawa. I should've been here."

I stood frozen in place, my heart pounding in my chest. The weight of the situation hit me like a ton of bricks. All Might was here, but it was clear that this wasn't just about the fight anymore. It was about the lives at stake, the people we cared about-, Mr. Aizawa, the students, all of us.

(Your P.O.V.):

Once I was finished checking on the others, the only group I had left to check was Izuku's. They had been fine earlier, so I didn't feel the need to rush over. But now, I regretted it. Seeing Mr. Aizawa's broken, beaten-up body... it hit harder than I expected. My eyes darted to Izuku, who was still trying to fight through the fear and struggle to help Asui and Mineta. I felt like I had failed him. I should've checked on him sooner.

But, truth be told, Izuku was the only one I truly cared about. Checking on the others? That was the least of my concerns. Izuku was the one I needed to protect. I made a promise. Izuku was the only one I cared about.

It made me question myself. I had transferred to this stupid school for him, hadn't I? What was I doing here? Helping him chase after this hero nonsense, all while ignoring my own desire for a normal life. I just wanted to be normal. I didn't want this crazy, hero-filled life. And yet, here I was, caught in this mess.

"Why can't Izuku just be normal with me?" That thought gnawed at my mind, as the weight of the situation sank in deeper.

Flashback: (You and Izuku are six years old, you two weren't on first name basis at this time):

I scowled at him. "Why do you even want to be a hero anyway?"

Midoriya looked up at me with his big, bright eyes, excitement radiating off him. "Well, saving people is the coolest thing ever! I'm gonna be just like All Might! I'm gonna smile and shout, 'I AM HERE!' like he does!"

I couldn't help but scoff. "Just because it's cool? Be realistic here. All heroes suck, and you don't even have a quirk. Even the low-life villains could kill you instantly." My words were blunt, harsh. I couldn't understand why he couldn't just be normal.

Ms. Midoriya heard us from the kitchen, gasping in shock. "L/n, be nice!" She hurried into the living room, seeing Izuku on the floor, looking down while I was sitting on their purple couch, arms crossed over my chest.

"L/n, you're being a bit insensitive; don't you think?" She sat down next to me, speaking softly.

I huffed, not wanting to back down. "No, I'm just telling him how it is, Ms. Midoriya. He's got to hear the truth sometimes."

Ms. Midoriya looked at me with a sigh. "Well... Honey, listen. Bakugo already tells him that enough, plus, you've heard the saying, right? 'If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say it at all.' That's what I was told as a kid. It should be the same for all you kids." She gently held my left hand in hers, but I pulled it away immediately.

"It wasn't even being mean. I was just telling the truth; can't you tell the difference?" I muttered, uncomfortable with the physical contact.

Ms. Midoriya sighed again, looking at me with a mixture of concern and patience. "It's so hard to tell how you're feeling with the blindfold covering your eyes all the time. I can't connect nor relate with you if I don't know how you feel..." she paused, as though waiting for me to say something.

But I didn't answer, just kept staring straight ahead. She sighed again, looking like she didn't know how to reach me. "Listen, L/n. What I'm trying to get across here is that sometimes the things you say can hurt other people's feelings, even if you don't think it's mean. You just have to think about how other people will feel before you speak. Alright?" She ruffled my hair slightly before standing up. "Just think about it." She said softly as she walked back into the kitchen.

Midoriya didn't respond, just went back to playing with his toys, as though he hadn't been affected by anything I said. I couldn't understand how he could just let it roll off like that.

Author's Note: (Guys, I'm not going to lie to you, even though I'm in college, affect and effect confuse me sometimes, so if I used the wrong one, tell me and I'll fix it. English is hard).

I watched Midoriya play with his All Might toys for a bit, the sounds of them clashing and colliding grating on my nerves.

Midoriya suddenly shouted, "Don't worry! I AM HERE!"

I sighed heavily, rubbing the side of my face. "Shouldn't you be saving a pedestrian, or something? Wait, I think it's 'civilian'," I corrected myself, although we were in elementary, I was more advanced in my studies unlike my classmates.

"Anyways, why is an All Might saving another All Might?" I point at the two All Might figures in his hands.

"Oh, um, just because he can!"

"You mean, just because YOU can? It isn't real. You're the one playing around, it's not like All Might, a hero, can save himself from a disaster. He doesn't have a clone, you know? There's only one of him." I stated, raising an eyebrow at him.

Izuku, undeterred, answered, "Well, I just... I just you're right..."

"Guess? It's not just, it's guess," I corrected him quickly.

He mumbled an apology, and I rolled my eyes. "Whatever," I muttered under my breath.

He set down one of his All Might figures and picked up a different hero. "Don't you have any civilian toys? Why is All Might saving a hero?" I asked, resting my left cheek on my hand.

Izuku stuttered, looking a little uncomfortable. "W-Well... Why does it just have to be people? Heroes can save other heroes too, right? All Might's done it!" His eyes sparkled with enthusiasm.

I shook my head. "Why can't you be normal?"

Izuku stopped and looked at me, confused. "Normal?"

"Yeah, it's always heroes this, heroes that... You don't have a quirk, so why can't you be normal? You're just a regular human. You should be asking yourself, 'What job should I get when I'm older?' Like, I don't know, maybe a waiter or something. I want to be a cop or detective. Normal. Like me." I crossed my arms, trying to keep the bitterness out of my voice, but failing.

Izuku looked down at his toys, his fingers twisting around them nervously. "Be normal? Why would you want to be normal? You actually have a quirk, why don't you use it for good?"

The mention of my quirk made my chest tighten. I couldn't help the anger that flared in me. The memories of my brutal training with F/n... I didn't want to think about it. "Because heroes suck!" I snapped. "I'm not gonna be one or be like them! Quirks got introduced to the world. So what? Heroes are just humans with justice fixations!"

Izuku's eyes widened, but his voice stayed steady. "Y/n-Chan, you may not like heroes, but I do! I know I don't have a quirk, but... I'm gonna be a hero! I'm gonna try my best, and you'll see. I'll prove it to you that heroes are more than what you say. And then I'm gonna protect you, and everyone in the world!" His eyes sparkled, filled with unshakable determination.

I clenched my fists, irritated. "I told you to stop calling me Y/n-Chan!"

Izuku didn't flinch at my tone. Instead, he smiled that innocent, hopeful smile, the one I had a hard time shaking. Even after all the times I told him he couldn't be a hero, he was still so determined to prove me wrong.

The Present (Now):

All Might's arrival was the only thing that could make this situation even more of a spectacle. Typical.

I barely had time to process it before a monstrous roar cut through the air. My eyes darted around, then locked onto the source-, Izuku, trapped in the grip of that... thing. A hulking, brain-exposed creature that looked like it had been ripped straight out of a nightmare.

Without thinking, I teleported above it.

"Hey." My voice was cold, a sharp contrast to the chaos around me.

Izuku's wide, panicked eyes snapped to me. "Y/n-Chan..."

The monster lashed out, attempting to snatch me from the air. I teleported away before it could even graze me, reappearing against the rocky side of the mountain.

Pushing off the mountain's surface with full force, I launched myself at it, using the momentum like a swimmer kicking off the pool wall. My body practically flew toward it, and with one swift, brutal strike, I kicked its head clean off. The body went limp, bouncing against the water like a discarded doll.

Izuku tumbled to the ground, gasping for air. I landed beside him, eyes scanning him for injuries.

"Are you all right?" My tone remained indifferent, but the question held weight.

He hesitated, still wide-eyed. "...Yeah."

A strangled, dry-sounding voice interrupted.

"Nomu, let's go. Let's continue playing our game with All Might."

I turned to see the pale, scraggly-haired guy commanding his pet like nothing happened. His confidence wavered when no response came.

His eerie fingers twitched as he looked around. "Where is Nomu?" His nails dug into his neck, scratching erratically. "Nomu!"

It took him a moment to see it. The body, sinking into the water, missing its head.

His already unstable demeanor cracked further. "Nomu! Who did this?" His voice was ragged, filled with disbelief. His frantic gaze swept over Mineta and Asui before settling on me.

His expression twisted with anger. "Who are you?"

I met his glare with a blank stare. "Just a U.A. student who kicked that creature's head off. But it's safe to say I can call him Nomu, right?" I tilted my head slightly; my voice laced with mock curiosity. "He was kind of weak, though. Who made him?"

It was a bait, and he took it.

The villain let out a raw, animalistic cry, moving too fast for a normal person as he lunged toward me. His fingers stretched toward my face, but before he could make contact, I grabbed Izuku and teleported us out of reach.

All Might took that moment to burst into motion. In an instant, he scooped up Asui and Mineta from the water and struck the villain with enough force to send him stumbling back. The eerie hand that had clung to his face flew off.

All Might placed the others down beside me, laying Mr. Aizawa gently on the ground. His gaze met mine for a brief second-, acknowledgment, maybe.

But I wasn't looking for his approval. My eyes were on the villain, watching him tremble with rage, his body practically vibrating with frustration.

Mineta stared at the scene, still trying to process everything. "Uh... What the heck?"

All Might's voice cut through the tension. "Everybody, back to the entrance. And take Aizawa with you." He stood up, his usual smile absent. "He doesn't have much time."

"Yes, Sir!" Mineta squeaked, still shaken. Asui let out a small ribbit in acknowledgment.

Izuku turned to me, eyes filled with something close to disbelief. "You saved me..."

I shrugged, my voice softer than usual. "Don't even mention it."

A ragged panting pulled my attention back to the villain. His body trembled with anger as he gripped his neck, nails digging deep enough to break the skin. His red eyes darted around wildly. "No, no, no. It wasn't supposed to go this way." His voice cracked as he spoke, frustration bleeding into every word. "They're fast, Father. That girl took Nomu out in a second, and All Might somehow managed to hit me."

His gaze flicked down to the decayed hand on the ground. Slowly, he bent down, picking it up and pressing it back onto his face as though it would somehow ground him. "Of course, heroes rely on violence," he continued, muttering almost to himself. "I wasn't prepared. I couldn't even see them when they moved. However..." his eyes narrowed, lips curling into an unsettling smirk. "All Might isn't as fast as I thought he would be. Not as fast as he used to be. I guess it's true, after all."

His smirk widened, the madness creeping through his tone. "All Might really is getting weaker. If anything, I have to worry about the girl."

All Might didn't react to the villain's words. Instead, he bent down, effortlessly picking up Mr. Aizawa and shifting him onto my back.

I sighed, adjusting under the weight. "Why am I the one holding him?"

Izuku, still shaken, suddenly spoke up. "All Might, you can't! That brain villain took One For-" he abruptly stopped, realizing Asui and Mineta were still with us. He scrambled for his words. "I-I smashed him and didn't break my arm this time, but he wasn't fazed at all. He's too strong! Wait-, Y/n-Chan dealt with him, but Shigaraki! He's strong too! He hurt Mr. Aizawa-"

"-Midoriya!" All Might's voice rose slightly, stopping him in his tracks. Then, with a reassuring grin, he turned back to us, holding up his hand in a familiar peace sign. "I got this."

Izuku kept his head down, worry written all over his face, but he didn't say anything. I nudged him lightly, silently telling him to follow me. He complied immediately, along with Mineta and Asui. The four-, technically five of us, if you counted Mr. Aizawa-, made our way toward the entrance.

"Y/n-Chan?" Izuku's voice broke the silence.

I hummed in response, letting him know I was listening.

"Thank you. You saved us."

I huffed. "I told you not to mention it. Plus, All Might saved Asui and Mineta, not me."

"Yes, but you knew he would. You made an opening for him!" Izuku insisted, his voice filled with admiration. "The moment you kicked the Nomu's head off, you knew you had to get Shigaraki away from all of us. You baited him with your words, and you made him angry. The moment he leaped for your face, you grabbed me, and All Might swooped in and grabbed Asui and Mineta."

I sighed, waving him off. "Yeah, yeah, whatever."

Asui ribbited. "I told you guys to call me 'Tsu'."

Izuku immediately froze, eyes wide with guilt. "Sorry, Tsu!"

Something clicked in my mind. "Wait, you said 'Shigaraki'... Is that the villain's name?"

Izuku nodded hesitantly. "Oh, um, I think so. I heard the villains talking... That purple guy, Kurogiri, called him Shigaraki, so I'm assuming."

I hummed. "And Kurogiri is that purple mist guy?"

"Yeah," Izuku confirmed. "Shigaraki called him that, so again, I'm assuming."

I nodded. "I see. Well, alright, I'll make note of that."

Before I could say anything else, a villain suddenly popped out in front of us, a knife glinting in his hand.

"I've got you now, kids!" He bellowed, letting out a battle cry.

Mineta shrieked and jumped onto my back-, as if I wasn't already carrying enough. "L/n, protect us!"

I groaned. "Oh, shut up."

The villain lunged at us, but I moved quickly, shifting my weight to the balls of my feet. In one swift motion, I kicked him in the jaw, knocking him out cold and sending his knife flying out of reach.

"Now get off me. I already have Mr. Aizawa on my back." I snapped.

"But you're so strong! Let me stay!" Mineta wailed, clinging onto me for dear life.

I tried to shake him off, gritting my teeth. "No! Get off!"

In a desperate attempt to stay latched onto me, Mineta reached up and pulled one of his sticky balls from his head, slapping it onto my back and effectively gluing us together.

"You and me together forever, L/n!" He cackled, rubbing his cheek against my back like he was some touch starved cat.

I froze, disbelief washing over me before pure rage took its place. "Are you serious?! Someone get him off me!"

Izuku and Asui rushed to help, grabbing Mineta and attempting to pry him off.

"Mineta, c'mon, Mr. Aizawa is already on her back..." Izuku pleaded.

Asui ribbited in agreement, tugging at Mineta's arm.

But no matter how much they pulled, he wasn't budging. After a while, we all gave up-, we couldn't risk Mr. Aizawa getting hurt more than he already was.

I scowled. "You little twat, watch when you get off me... Damn grape ball, I should kill you."

Izuku and Asui sweat-dropped as we continued walking to the entrance, listening to me complain about Mineta the entire way.

(All Might's P.O.V.):

I see Young L/n carrying Aizawa on her back, leading Midoriya, Asui, and Mineta toward the entrance. My heart tightens. "Please don't let anything happen to them..."

Once they're out of sight, I shift my focus back to the strange, decayed-looking villain-, who I assumed was named 'Shigaraki' due to Midoriya's worried rant.

No hesitation. No mercy. I launch myself at him.

"CAROLINA..."

Shigaraki speaks lowly, almost as if he's amused. "Nomu."

"SMASH!"

I swing my arms in an X-motion, sending a powerful shockwave through the air, causing the water to thrash violently. But then-

What?

I look up, and towering over me is that same grotesque, brain-exposed creature-, Nomu. It's completely unscathed, as if my attack had never even touched it.

The beast growls, moving with unnatural speed as it lunges at me with its massive arms. I barely dodge in time, stepping back to evade its grasp. My mind races. "Wait... isn't this the creature Midoriya was talking about? I thought he said Young L/n dealt with him..."

Shigaraki chuckles darkly. "Confused?" His voice is laced with sick amusement. "You see, Nomu can regenerate... Sure, that girl kicked his head clean off, but look at him now-, back and ready to go."

He smirks, like he's already won.

I exhale sharply. "Well, guess Midoriya wasn't wrong when he said it had no effect on him!"

I don't waste another second-, I throw a punch straight into Nomu's gut. Nothing. It doesn't even flinch. Instead, it reaches for me again, trying to seize me in its monstrous grip. I dodge, stepping back swiftly.

"How about this?!" I drive my fists into its face, left, right, left-, each strike landing cleanly. But no matter how hard I hit, it still tries to grab me, relentless as ever. I leap back before it can catch me.

I grit my teeth. "Doesn't even matter where I punch you, does it?"

Before I can think of my next move, Nomu vanishes from my sight-, only to reappear in front of me. Fast. Too fast. I react immediately, ramming my fist into its stomach, pounding into it again and again.

Shigaraki lets out an eerie giggle. "That's because Nomu here has shock absorption, All Might. The only way you're going to hurt him is to slowly gouge out his flesh. Of course, I don't think he'll just sit back and let you do that. You've finally met your match."

I bark out a laugh, my grin widening. "Ha! Thanks for telling me how to beat him! All I have to do is wear him down, and then it's onto you!"

I seize Nomu with all my strength, lifting its massive body off the ground. Then, with a powerful burst of energy, I slam it headfirst into the ground-, a suplex so forceful that the entire U.S.J. trembles, sending a gust of wind surging through the battlefield.

Shigaraki shields his face from the debris. "Hey, hey now-"

(Izuku's P.O.V.):

We're near the entrance when I hear a voice shouting from above.

"All right! Take that, Bird Brain!"

I glance up to see Sato pumping his fists in the air.

Sero, eyes wide, lets out a breath. "Whoa..."

Sato grins triumphantly. "That's what you villains get for underestimating him!"

Nearby, Uraraka and Ashido gasp before breaking into smiles, tears welling in their eyes. The relief on their faces is unmistakable.

"Seems they're all watching the fight from up there..." I realize.

Still stuck on Y/n-Chan's back, Mineta wiggles excitedly. "Are you guys seeing this?! That suplex looked like a huge explosion! All Might's on a whole 'nother level!"

Tsu taps her chin with her index finger, her voice as calm as ever. "And yet, he still has to look at his notes when he's teaching us."

I barely register their words. My mind is running in circles. "It's possible... they have a way to kill him." The thought makes my stomach churn.

"But even if they do, there's not really anything we can do to help him now. If we tried, we'd risk getting taken hostage, which would be so much worse than just getting in his way."

I clench my fists. "I have to put my faith in All Might and stop worrying about the villains' plans."

Mineta, still emotional, shouts, "Get that guy! Punch him right in the balls!"

Tsu ribbits. "Maybe we were worried about these bad guys for nothing. All Might's unstoppable."

"Seems that way... But..." My heart pounds.

"I know the truth."

Me and Y/n-Chan-, we know.

We read the hero news this morning on the way to school. Well, I read it out loud to her. We saw the headlines about All Might.

And then... when Mr. Aizawa and Thirteen were discussing why All Might wasn't at training, Thirteen held up three fingers. Three.

He was already at his limit today.

That's why he was absent.

All Might shouldn't be using One For All right now.

Me and Y/n-Chan... we're the only ones in class who know the truth.

All Might's weak voice echoes in my mind.

Flashback:

"Pretty gross, right...? I got this in a big fight, five years back... My respiratory system was basically destroyed... I lost my whole stomach. All the surgeries have pretty much worn me out, and I can't be fixed. Right now, I can only do hero work for about three hours a day... The rest of the time? This is what I look like."

Another Flashback:

His words from before weigh heavily on my heart.

"I'm supposed to be the guy who is always smiling, right? I'm the Symbol of Peace... People everywhere have to think that I'm never afraid."

I remember the way he looked down at his own hand, slowly curling it into a fist.

"But honestly... I smiled to hide the fear inside."

I had stared at him in shock, but Y/n-Chan had only listened, her expression unreadable.

All Might had exhaled deeply before continuing.

"It's just a brave face I put on when the pressure is high. This job isn't easy..."

The Present (Now):

I glance back at where All Might is still fighting. His presence is overwhelming, his power unmatched-, or at least, that's what it looks like.

"He's saving us... but at what cost?"

I look up at the railing where my classmates cheer him on, their voices echoing through the U.S.J. They're relieved. They believe in him.

"They're cheering him on, but they don't know what kind of trouble he's actually in."

Then, Y/n-Chan speaks up.

"Worried for nothing? He's unstoppable? Bullshit."

Her voice is cold, sharp like a knife slicing through the false sense of security. It makes my heart stop for a moment.

"Y/n-Chan..." I mumble, unsure if I should stop her.

She doesn't acknowledge me. She looks straight ahead, her voice unwavering. "No, they need to hear this."

The air shifts. The cheering dies down slightly as some of our classmates turn their attention to her.

"All Might is not unstoppable, nor unbeatable. He never was, and he never will be. No one is. Not heroes, not normal people, not villains. No one is."

Her words send chills down my spine, and from the way the others tense up, I know they feel it too.

"You saw me kick the Nomu's head off, right? And what happened? He regenerated. And now All Might suplexed him, and it made a big bang. So, what about it? That's it? It's just over? He defeats the villain, and we all celebrate and have tea parties?"

She scoffs. "Use your heads, people."

The silence that follows is deafening.

Mineta wipes his tear-streaked face with his sleeve, his lip trembling. "You're always so dark and negative about everything! Have some hope!"

Y/n-Chan doesn't hesitate.

"My hope died a long time ago." She mutters, shifting Mr. Aizawa and Mineta's weight on her back effortlessly, like they weigh nothing.

I clench my fists. I know what she means. I know why she thinks that way.

But Mineta and Tsu just stare at her, confused and silent.

(All Might's P.O.V.):

The moment I suplexed him, I knew something was wrong.

Before the Nomu even hit the ground, a swirling purple mist appeared. A portal. One above me, one below. My grip faltered as Nomu's massive, clawed hands latched onto my sides.

"Damn it-!"

Pain exploded through me as his fingers dug in, blood seeping through my white shirt, staining the fabric red. My teeth clenched, my vision blurred for a second, and I forced out a strained breath.

"Oh, c'mon... What kind of cheap move was that?"

Shigaraki laughed, his fingers scratching at his neck like he couldn't control the excitement.

"Nice. You were trying to bury him in the concrete so he couldn't move around anymore. Sorry, that won't work. Nomu's as strong as you are. That won't stop him."

I grunted, struggling against Nomu's iron grip. The damn thing wasn't just strong-, it was precise. It knew where to squeeze.

Shigaraki smirked, "Well done, Kurogiri. Perfect timing, really. We've got him just where we want him now."

"Kurogiri? "

So, the purple mist had a name.

The swirling portals shifted, pulling me apart. My upper body was caught in one portal, my lower half still in the other. My ribs felt like they were on fire, the pressure growing unbearable.

"Crap! This monster found my weak spot."

I let go of Nomu's lower half, trying to wrench his hand off my side. But he only squeezed tighter, digging his fingers deeper.

"Damn. Gotta stop him, despite his power."

I forced a smirk, trying to keep my usual bravado. "If this is your best, then you picked the wrong place to attack. You should just give up now."

Shigaraki tensed, then scratched his neck again. "Kurogiri."

Kurogiri's eerie, glowing yellow eyes locked onto me. "Normally, I wouldn't want blood and viscera flooding the insides of my warp gates, but I'll make an exception for a hero as great as you."

The mist around me tightened, and Nomu pulled.

"Since you're too fast to see with the human eye, Nomu had to restrain you. And once he's pulled your body halfway through, I'll squeeze the gate shut."

His voice was calm, but I could hear the amusement beneath it. "I'm going to enjoy tearing you to pieces."

(Your P.O.V.):

"Y/n-Chan..." Izuku mumbled.

I sighed, already knowing this would happen.

He sprinted ahead, his eyes locked on All Might, desperation carved into every step.

"Izuku, stop!"

But he didn't.

Mineta shrieked from my back. "Are you crazy?!"

Izuku's voice cracked. "All Might... I won't let them kill you! There's still so much I want you to teach me! This can't be how it all ends. It just can't!"

I clenched my jaw, quickly shoving Mr. Aizawa into Asui's arms. "Hold him."

She blinked, confused. "L/n, what are you-?"

"-Trying to stop Izuku."

I took off after him.

But Kurogiri was faster.

The second Izuku leaped, a dark portal swirled open in front of him. Kurogiri's metallic voice echoed, "How foolish."

"Damn it, Izuku!"

Then-

BOOM!

An explosion.

Smoke and embers filled the air as Bakugo lunged from above, his hand gripping the metal collar on Kurogiri's body. "GET THE HELL OUT OF MY WAY, DEKU!"

He slammed Kurogiri into the ground, disrupting the warp gate before Izuku could fall through.

At the same time, ice spread across the battlefield, locking Nomu's right side in place, prying its fingers away from All Might's weak spot.

All Might grunted, relief flickering in his pained expression. "He's frozen! That must mean Todoroki is here!"

Todoroki stood a few feet away, his face as blank as ever. "One of your poorly trained thugs told me you're here because you think you can kill All Might."

I exhaled through my nose. "He controlled his quirk so the ice stopped just before reaching All Might... Not bad."

Reaching Izuku, I grabbed the back of his gym uniform and yanked him away from the battlefield, dragging him toward Todoroki.

Once we were on the sidelines, I crossed my arms. "What were you thinking?"

Izuku looked down, guilt washing over him. "Sorry, Y/n-Chan..."

I sighed. "Idiot."

All Might landed heavily beside us, blood seeping through his fingers as he clutched his side.

Izuku gasped. "Are you okay?"

Suddenly, Kirishima flew through the air, fist raised, only to get swatted away like an insect. He tumbled across the ground and groaned. "Damn! That was gonna be cool!"

"Yeah, real cool," I thought, unimpressed.

Bakugo, however, was grinning like he just won the lottery. "Guess I found your body this time, ya smoky bastard!" He tightened his grip on Kurogiri's metal collar.

Todoroki stood nearby, arms crossed. "The Symbol of Peace will not be defeated by delinquents like you."

I deadpanned. "He was literally on the brink of defeat..."

Izuku, wiping away the last of his tears, looked around. "Kacchan! Everyone!" His expression shifted from relief to determination.

Mineta trembled on my back. "Todoroki... And Bakugo," he mumbled. "Kirishima, too..."

I glanced over at Asui. She had Floaty Boaty and Sato helping her carry Mr. Aizawa toward the entrance. At least that was handled.

Shigaraki suddenly turned his head. "Kurogiri." His voice was low and irritated. "How could you let this brat get the best of you?" His eyes narrowed at Bakugo. "You've gotten us into a real jam here."

Bakugo smirked, wild and unbothered. "Heh. You got careless, you dumb villain. It wasn't hard to figure you out."

I tilted my head slightly, watching him.

"Only certain parts of you turn into that smoky warp gate. You used that mist to hide your actual body, as a kind of distraction, thinking that made you safe. That's why we missed." Bakugo gestured toward Kirishima, referring to their earlier failed attack. "But if you didn't have a body, you wouldn't be wearing this neck armor, right? You're not immune to physical attacks if they're well-aimed."

Kurogiri tensed, trying to move, but Bakugo was faster.

BOOM!

A small explosion burst from his palm, shaking Kurogiri's collar. "Don't move!" Bakugo leaned in, his grin turning sharp. "You try anything funny, and I'll blow your ass up so bad that they'll be piecing you back together for weeks."

Kirishima chuckled nervously. "Oh... that doesn't sound very heroic, dude..." he sweat dropped.

I watched Shigaraki, who was mumbling to himself again. "Does he have issues?" Then I immediately corrected myself. "Obviously, he does."

His voice got clearer. "They escaped uninjured and captured my two strongest men. Kids these days really are amazing. Our League of Villains should be ashamed...!"

His hand twitched, and he turned toward the frozen Nomu. "Nomu."

The creature's upper half suddenly sank into a warp gate, reappearing fully upright, no longer bent and trapped. Todoroki's ice shattered around its right arm and leg, but it still moved like nothing happened.

Izuku took a shaky breath. "How is that thing still moving?"

Todoroki's usual calm cracked for a second, his disbelief showing.

All Might's voice boomed across the battlefield. "Stay back, everybody!"

The Nomu's body spasmed violently, breaking through the ice like it was nothing. It began regenerating at an unnatural speed, muscle and tissue regrowing in front of my eyes.

Shigaraki laughed, a sinister, low chuckle. "Super-regeneration at its finest..." he grinned cruelly. "Nomu has been modified to take you on even at one hundred percent of your power. He's basically a highly efficient punching bag that hits back. First, we need to free our method of escape. Take out the explosive brat, Nomu."

Everyone froze, eyes widening as the Nomu charged straight for Bakugo.

All Might shouted, "He's fast!"

I barely had time to register the warning before the Nomu flew toward Bakugo, its fist raised. Time seemed to slow for me, every movement calculated. In an instant, I teleported in front of Bakugo and Kirishima, grabbing the backs of their hero costumes and flinging them to safety on the sidelines, near All Might, Izuku, and Todoroki.

I spun, tearing off the Nomu's arm before it could land a blow. With a swift motion, I sent one of my red orbs flying at it. "Reversed Limitless: Red."

The explosion rocked the entire U.S.J. As the blast detonated, a massive shockwave of wind ripped through the air. I could hear everyone struggling to stay on their feet, even the experienced hero. Mineta, of course, screamed right in my ear, and I realized only then that he was still on my back.

Izuku groaned from the ground. "Such force..." he gasped, his voice weak as he struggled to see through the smoke. "Kacchan!"

When Izuku finally saw him, he shouts, "Kacchan?! Whoa, that's awesome, you dodged him!"

Bakugo, stunned, sat up slowly, shaking his head. "Shut up, no I didn't, you damn nerd," he grumbled, though his irritation didn't mask the disbelief in his voice. "That speed... I couldn't even see him coming."

Kirishima stood up, brushing himself off. "Then how did we get over here? I thought you grabbed me last second."

All Might, clutching his bleeding side, looked around with a pained expression. "Hey, where's Young L/n?"

Todoroki glanced at the Nomu, his ice fading as the smoke cleared. "Isn't it obvious?"

Izuku gasped, his eyes widening as he saw me standing, facing the Nomu. "Y/n-Chan! Are you okay?" He shouted, his voice full of concern.

I looked at him, my expression cold as I wiped a bit of the Nomu's blood off my cheek. "I'm fine," I said, my tone emotionless.

Mineta sobbed on my back, "I'M NOT!"

"Oh, shut the hell up," I snapped, irritated. "You were the one who stuck you and I together."

Kirishima looked around, noticing the smaller details, "I didn't even notice Mineta was on her back..." he muttered, sweat beading on his forehead.

Izuku sighed softly. "Yeah... Mineta stuck himself to her with his quirk when we were trying to carry Mr. Aizawa to the entrance. He wouldn't let go..."

The others sweat dropped, and I felt the awkwardness settle in.

I turned my attention back to the Nomu, which was already regenerating its arm and the torn pieces of its body. I sighed, irritated. "Just give up, will you? The regenerating is annoying."

Shigaraki grinned, his voice mocking. "So, you protected your classmate, huh?"

All Might, still gripping his side, spoke up, looking at me with a worried gaze. "These are kids, and you didn't hold back? Even I couldn't see how fast he was!"

Shigaraki chuckled darkly. "I didn't have much choice. He was threatening my companion." He gestured to Bakugo. "Besides, these kids are no angels. The plain-looking one? He tried to kill me with a maxed-out punch." He sneered, referring to Izuku. "What kind of 'hero' does something like that? You think you can get away with being as violent as you want if you say it's for the sake of others? Well, you know what, All Might? That pisses me off! Why do people get to decide that some violent acts are heroic, and others are villainous? Casting judgment as to what's 'good' and what's 'evil'. You think you're the Symbol of Peace? Ha. You're just another government-sponsored instrument of violence. And violence always breeds more violence. I'll make sure the world understands that once you're dead."

"This guy..." I thought, narrowing my eyes. "He's delusional."

All Might grunted in disbelief. "What a load of hooey. You're nothing but a lunatic. Criminals like you always try to make your actions sound noble. But admit it; you're only doing this because you like it. Isn't that right, you big liar?"

Shigaraki smirked, a dark, twisted grin stretching across his face. "You've got me figured out."

All Might stepped forward, fists clenched, ready to fight. I saw the anger flash in his eyes, but before he could make a move, I stepped in front of him, raising my hand.

I let out a heavy sigh, rolling my shoulders to stretch. "Give it a rest, Old Man. Might as well try to take this Nomu down while I'm standing in front of him." My voice was calm, a stark contrast to the chaos swirling around us.

All Might's eyes widened in alarm. "Young L/n, no. Go join the others, take them to the entrance and get out of he-"

"-Shut up, just sit back and watch your student at work." I cut him off, turning to face him with a slight smirk. All Might was speechless, clearly realizing there was no point in trying to stop me. I was set on this.

He opened his mouth again, trying to warn me. "This is dangerous, Young L/n. If you get hurt, I-"

"-I'll be fine, he won't lay a scratch on me." I said coolly, already beginning to close the gap between me and the Nomu, unfazed.

Mineta, still stuck to my back, screamed out in terror. "HE'LL LAY A SCRATCH ON ME THOUGH!"

"Be quiet." I huffed, barely sparing him a glance.

Kirishima stood off to the side, his expression filled with concern. "You think she'll be fine, Midoriya? I mean, you know her, right?"

Izuku didn't hesitate, nodding with a sense of calm certainty. "Yeah, we've been living together since we were kids. If Y/n-Chan says that he won't lay a scratch on her, he won't." His voice was unwavering, and I could see the trust he had in me, a trust that had been built over the years.

Kirishima seemed to think about it for a moment. "If you say so... I mean, her saving me and Bakugo was amazing. She was quick!" He added with excitement, glancing at Bakugo, who simply huffed, not willing to admit how much he had appreciated the save.

Todoroki joined in, his voice full of curiosity. "Yeah, how did she see that thing? He was really fast and yet, she saved Kirishima and Bakugo and tore the villain's arm off, we didn't even see it coming." He turned his head toward Izuku, expecting an answer.

Kirishima nodded eagerly. "Yeah, I want to know too!"

Izuku fidgeted, clearly uncomfortable with the topic. "W-Well... Her eyes are special..." he mumbled, clearly trying to avoid going into detail.

Todoroki's eyes sharpened in understanding. "Does that have something to do with, 'I have good eyes'?" His tone held curiosity as he turned to Izuku.

Even All Might, his usual stoic demeanor cracking slightly, seemed intrigued. "And does that have to do with, 'My eyes know everything'?" He recalled, eyes narrowing in thought.

Izuku stuttered nervously, mumbling as he looked down at the ground. "Well... Her eyes are nearly impossible to get in her-"

Before he could finish, I interrupted him, my voice cold and sharp. "Izuku."

Izuku jumped, startled by my tone. "Sorry!" He quickly turned to face the others, his face flushed with embarrassment. "Sorry, guys. I can't say."

The group looked between Izuku and me, confusion and curiosity filling their expressions, but they didn't press further, sensing that this was a topic better left alone for now.

I let out another sigh, turning my attention back to the Nomu and Shigaraki, who were still staring at us with cold, calculating expressions. "Hmm... This Nomu is kind of ghastly... Is it an old model?" I mused aloud, eyeing the creature with disdain.

Shigaraki's gaze turned icy, and Kurogiri floated back over to his side, ready to intervene if needed.

"You could've done way better than this, you know. I mean, the regeneration is all this thing is good for." I said, my tone cool and indifferent, but there was a hint of mockery in it.

Shigaraki already seemed to grow impatient with me, his voice dripping with malice. "Nomu. Kill her."

The Nomu charged at me, its fist swinging wildly. I leaped back, easily dodging its clumsy movements. "Is that all you do? Grabbing, really?" I taunted. "Look, this is much better, why don't you learn from me?"

I teleported in front of the Nomu in a blink, tapping its face lightly with my hand before delivering a powerful slap that sent the monster flying sideways.

The sound of impact echoed through the U.S.J., and a gust of wind followed in the wake of the Nomu's flight, pushing the air around us.

The entire group went silent for a second before a wave of shock hit them all. I stood there, unfazed, my eyes locked on Shigaraki, waiting for his next move.

Mineta's voice pierced the tension. "I'M GONNA DIE FOR SURE!" His words were practically a screech, and his whole body trembled in fear.

Kirishima's jaw dropped in disbelief. "Whoa, what the hell? Why is she acting like this is nothing?!" Even Bakugo, who was usually quick to put on a tough front, looked stunned, his fiery attitude momentarily forgotten.

All Might's face was a mixture of pain and confusion. "Maybe I was worried for nothing..." he grunted, clutching his bleeding side, but his eyes never left me. "I was struggling against him, and yet, she's not even intimidated by him?"

Izuku, on the other hand, wasn't really shocked. He just had a sweat drop trailing down his face, his nervous habit when things got too intense. "Um..."

Todoroki was shocked, though he tried to keep his expression neutral. His mind raced, and his eyes narrowed as he observed my movements closely. "She's playing-, toying with him. She doesn't actually see it as a threat. She did the same with a villain at the landslide zone..." he muttered, more to himself than anyone else, but it was clear he was trying to process what was happening.

Shigaraki, who had been silent, scratched his neck in frustration. "She just slapped him? She's going to be a problem..." his tone was low, more annoyed than anything. "Nomu, get up! She's just a teenage girl, are you going to let her get the best of you?"

At his command, the Nomu staggered to its feet, its massive body twitching slightly as it ran back to Shigaraki's side.

Shigaraki, clearly irritated, gritted his teeth. "What are you doing? Get her!" His voice rose as he shouted, the frustration clear in his words.

I couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at the Nomu's sluggish movements. "Is he malfunctioning or what? Maybe I slapped him a bit too hard..." I said to myself, actually wondering if I had overdone it.

But before I could think more on it, the Nomu screeched and moved so quickly that it was suddenly right in front of me, its fist already cocked back to strike.

Kirishima's voice was filled with awe and concern. "Whoa, he's really fast!" His eyes were wide as he watched the scene unfold before him.

All Might shouted at me in alarm. "Young L/n, watch out!" His voice was laced with worry, his eyes flickering between me and the Nomu.

The Nomu threw its punch, and for a moment, I just stood there, looking at it like it was an annoyance. "You're annoying me." I said coolly, more to myself than to the creature.

Before it could make contact, I moved. In one swift motion, I uppercut the Nomu. There was no hesitation, no second thought. My hand made contact with its chin with enough force to tear through the entire upper half of its body.

It was like the Nomu's body exploded in reverse; its upper torso simply vanished, and the beast crumpled to the ground in a heap. The sheer force of my strike left the air still for a moment, the only sound being the crumbling of the creature's remains.

I dusted off my hands and turned to face the group, unaffected by the destruction I had just caused. "See? Told you he wouldn't lay a scratch on me."

Everyone stood in stunned silence, eyes wide in disbelief. Even Shigaraki had stopped barking orders, his expression one of sheer confusion. The scene before us was almost surreal-, the Nomu's lower half crumpling to the ground, its upper body nothing more.

Shigaraki, unable to process the situation, scratched his neck irrationally. "You... You..." his voice trailed off, still grappling with what just happened.

Mineta, wide-eyed and shaking, couldn't hold back his panic. "IS IT OVER?" His voice was a mix of disbelief and sheer terror.

Kirishima, equally stunned, muttered, "You guys saw that, right?" His hands were still slightly raised, as if expecting the Nomu to suddenly reassemble and come after us again.

All Might stood speechless, his words failing him as he processed the sheer power of what I'd just done. His side was bleeding, but that didn't stop him from staring, the hero in him torn between awe and concern.

Todoroki, Bakugo, and even Izuku were all looking at me with a mix of confusion and curiosity, but none more so than Izuku. His mouth opened, but the words he wanted to say never came out. Instead, he just whispered, "Y/n-Chan..." his voice barely audible.

Kurogiri floated back, his eerie voice slicing through the tension. "Shigaraki, what do we do now?"

Shigaraki paused his frantic scratching and glanced over to the regenerating Nomu, his expression hardening. A small smirk crept onto his face. "Nothing," he said coldly. "We will continue playing our game. No matter what that girl does, he'll keep regenerating." His smirk dropped, his tone shifting. "However, I want that girl before we leave. No matter what."

Kurogiri blinked in surprise but nodded, his response calm and unwavering. "I will get the job done."

I watched the Nomu slowly regenerate, the eerie glow of its body stitching itself back together, and for the first time in this whole mess, I sighed. "You know what? The regenerating is pissing me off. Let's just get out of here." My voice was tired, my patience wearing thin.

Mineta shot me an incredulous look. "You must be nuts! These villains won't let us out of here!" His voice squeaked with panic.

I rolled my eyes. "Nuts? I'm just stating the obvious. No one is going to keep fighting something that'll just keep regenerating, plus, his signature move is grabbing. I'd say he's really easy to stay away from. So, let's just go home. There's no way no one is going to keep fighting with that brain creature." I started walking toward the sidelines, ready to call it quits.

All Might staggered forward, clutching his side in pain. "Then I will do my duty as a hero and finish this," he grunted, his voice filled with determination despite his injuries.

Todoroki stepped forward, speaking with confidence. "We've got them outnumbered."

Izuku, not one to back down, nodded. "And Kacchan found the mist guy's weakness."

Kirishima, ever the optimist, stepped up with a bright grin. "These dudes may act really tough, but we can take them down now with All Might's help." His hands were already raised, ready to go. "Let's do this!"

I couldn't help but sigh deeply, my arms folding over my chest. "I stand corrected. I should've known they would try; all heroes are nutcases."

All Might, his voice gruff from exertion, shouted, "Don't attack. Get out of here." His words were firm, trying to protect us, even though his body was clearly not up for it.

Todoroki raised an eyebrow, his tone sharp. "You would've been in trouble earlier if it weren't for me, remember? You need our help."

All Might, ever the symbol of heroism, clenched his fist. "I thank you for your assistance, but this is different." He straightened, his stance shifting. "It's gonna be all right. Just sit back and watch a pro at work." He essentially echoed my words from earlier, a slight smirk forming on his face despite his pain.

Izuku, ever the worried one, hesitated, his voice trembling. "But you're too hurt. You're bleeding. And you're almost out of ti-" he faltered, catching himself mid-sentence, not wanting to say too much. The secret of One For All still weighed heavily on his shoulders.

All Might gave him a thumbs up, trying to reassure him, though his body screamed otherwise. His smile was faint, but his will was unshaken as the Nomu finished regenerating and stood once more.

Izuku, still concerned, mumbled, "All Might..."

Shigaraki, with a rasping laugh, spoke up again. "Nomu. Kurogiri. Kill him. I'll deal with the children." His voice held a menacing edge, his plans slowly unfolding.

All Might clenched his fist, his resolve clear. But his body betrayed him; the strain was evident.

Shigaraki's eyes gleamed with malice as he launched toward us. "Let's clear this level and go home." His body moved with terrifying speed, and the villains were ready to make their move.

Kirishima, never one to back down, immediately took a fighting stance. "Heads up, we're fighting after all."

Shigaraki froze in shock as All Might burst past him, his fist rocketing through the air with a force so powerful that the wind created by the punch swept through the entire U.S.J. The Nomu's lower body slammed into the ground, and Shigaraki, along with Kurogiri, was flung backward, skidding across the ground in a way that left them both disoriented.

"Weren't you listening? One of his powers is shock absorption." Shigaraki grunted as he swiftly recovered, landing on the ground with a growl.

All Might stood tall, his voice filled with confidence and a touch of defiance. "Yeah? What about it?" He turned back to face the Nomu, and before anyone could blink, the two were exchanging blows so fast, the air crackled with the intensity. If I had normal eyes, there's no way I'd be able to keep up. But even from where I stood, I could feel the tremors of their strikes reverberating through the U.S.J.

"Seems like the old man got an adrenaline rush." I muttered, watching the intense fight unfold before us. The strong wind kicked up around us, but I stood still, calm and collected, while Mineta clung to my back, his screams barely heard over the chaos.

Izuku and Bakugo were thrown back by the shockwaves, crashing to the ground with heavy thuds. "He's gonna fight that brain guy head on?" Izuku gasped, barely managing to stand as he watched All Might and the Nomu trade punches.

Todoroki, his eyes wide, spoke up, still taken aback by the exchange. "I can't believe it... They're so fast!"

Kirishima, unable to contain his awe, exclaimed, "Whoa, they're..." he was nearly blown off his feet by the wind, but he kept his ground. "So fast!"

Kurogiri, trying to recover from being flung back by the force of the punch, shouted over to Shigaraki. "No! I can't get near them!"

All Might stepped back for a brief moment, cracking the ground beneath him with his sheer power. "He said your quirk was only shock absorption, not nullification. That means there's a limit to what you can take, right?" His voice boomed as he and the Nomu continued their brutal exchange, the ground threatening to collapse from the intensity of their battle.

"So, you were made to fight me, Big Guy. If you can really withstand me firing at a hundred percent of my power... Then I'll have to go beyond that and force you to surrender."

The Nomu, seemingly unaffected by the barrage of punches, struck All Might in his weak spot. All Might faltered but immediately retaliated with an even stronger blow.

With a roar, All Might pushed himself past the pain and launched a punch that sent the Nomu flying. But the creature was relentless, flying after him, its massive frame closing the distance. "A real hero..." All Might grunted as he and the Nomu collided in the air, their punches shaking the entire area. "Will always find a way for justice to be served!"

The Nomu retaliated, slamming All Might into the ground, but the Symbol of Peace wasn't done. With a powerful kick, All Might sent the Nomu soaring through the air before grabbing one of its massive arms and throwing it back down to the ground with a resounding crash.

Izuku, Bakugo, Kirishima, and Todoroki all stood frozen, unable to process what they had just witnessed.

All Might landed in front of the Nomu, his body bruised but his resolve unbroken. "Now for a lesson." He spoke firmly, his voice resonating with unwavering authority. "You may have heard these words before, but I'll teach you what they really mean." With one final shout, he raised his fist. "Go beyond! PLUS ULTRA!"

The force of the punch sent the Nomu flying through the air, crashing into the U.S.J.'s lights and then soaring out of the building, its body finally defeated.

"Well, that's a wrap." I muttered, crossing my arms as I leaned back against the wall, completely unfazed by the spectacle.

Mineta, still clinging to my back, looked on in awe, his eyes wide and sparkling with admiration. "Ah... That's All Might for you." He wiped away a tear. "That's why he's the most amazing hero in the entire world! Yes!"

Kirishima, still trying to process what had just happened, added with a grin, "That was like the finishing move in a video game. He beat the shock absorption right out of him. I've never seen that kind of brute strength!"

Bakugo, still wide-eyed, muttered under his breath. "Imagine having power like that. He must've been punching that monster so fast, it couldn't regenerate." His eyes widened in awe. "That's how you get to be a pro."

Todoroki, ever the stoic, whispered coldly but with respect, "He really is the best."

Izuku, still in shock, breathed out in disbelief. "He did it..."

Amidst the smoke that surrounded the battleground, All Might stood, his body hunched but his pride intact. "I really have gotten weaker." His voice was soft, almost wistful. "Back in my heyday, five hits would've been enough to knock that guy out." He straightened up, his posture more dignified despite the pain. "But today, it took more than three hundred mighty blows."

He grunted, looking over at Shigaraki and Kurogiri, his eyes sharp. "You've been bested, villains. Surrender. We all want to get this over with quickly."

Shigaraki, his fists clenched in fury, shook with anger. "He cheated." His voice was rasping, filled with frustration.

I stood quietly, still preparing myself for what might come next, my senses alert as I watched Shigaraki, ready for anything.

Chapter Text

The Present (Now):

Shigaraki scratches his neck in anger, his nails digging into his pale skin. "You've weakened? Not that I can see... He's just as strong as he's always been. How dare you do that to my Nomu..." his red eyes glare at All Might, frustration bubbling over. "You cheated...! He's not weak at all! Damn it. Don't tell me I was lied to!"

All Might straightens his posture and calls out, catching Shigaraki off guard. "What's wrong? Not attacking me? Didn't you say you were going to clear this level earlier?" His piercing gaze narrows. "Well, come and get me, if you dare."

Bakugo scoffs beside us, his hands clenched into fists. "Man, this is... intense."

"As I expected," Todoroki replies coolly. "There's no reason for us to fight now. He'll handle this."

Izuku breathes in sharply, his eyes fixed on All Might with a deepening sense of worry. I can see the tension in his stance.

Kirishima, sensing the moment, steps forward. "Come on, guys. We should regroup with the others. The last thing we wanna do is get taken hostage or get in his way."

Izuku shifts uncomfortably. "This isn't right. All Might, he can't-"

I give him a sharp look, cutting him off. "-I know. But we can't say much when he's here." My gaze flicks toward Mineta, who is still glued to my back, trembling.

Izuku nods slightly, understanding my point. We both turn our attention back to All Might as he shouts again.

"What? Are you scared?"

I shake my head at his reckless taunting. "The old man's so stupid. It's like he wants to lose. Why is he still provoking them? But I suppose it's working. The villains are hesitating-, maybe they'll surrender, or at least run away."

Shigaraki scratches at his neck with both hands now, his irritation evident. "Uohhhhhhh...! If only we still had Nomu! If only! He was taking those hits so well...! He'd rush you right now. Pound you into the ground without giving it a second thought."

Kurogiri shifts slightly beside him, his mist swirling with urgency. "Tomura Shigaraki! Please, do not fret. Look at him. He has definitely weakened. Nomu's attacks were successful. He's on his own. The children appear to be frozen in fear."

I roll my eyes. "I am not frozen in fear, Misty."

Kurogiri continues, undeterred, "And, look, our underlings are recovering." The villains scattered around the U.S.J. begin groaning, forcing themselves up from the ground. "We likely still have a few minutes before their reinforcements arrive. If you and I work together, we can do this. We haven't missed our chance to kill All Might."

Shigaraki's breathing evens out as he processes this, his fingers twitching. "Yes... yes, yes... you're right... right... right..." he breathes, "We can do this. This is it. We have no choice. We have to do it now. The big end-boss is right here," he rasps.

Behind us, several villains appear, their eyes gleaming with renewed determination. The four of us immediately turn around, while Izuku remains frozen, still staring at All Might.

Kirishima grits his teeth and steps forward. "I think All Might can hold his own against those two main guys." His arms harden with his quirk, his fists tightening. "Let's make sure these dudes don't hurt anybody else."

Todoroki looks at Izuku and calls out, "Midoriya. Will you be joining us?"

Izuku doesn't answer. I glance at him, knowing exactly what's going through his mind.

I sigh and place a hand on his shoulder. "I know you're worried, but he'll be fine. He doesn't matter that much, does he?" My voice is cold, distant. I know I should care about All Might's well-being, but I don't. I never have. Ever since I was a little girl, I've despised him. That isn't going to change.

Izuku stays silent, his eyes still locked on the battle ahead.

And then, without warning, Shigaraki moves.

"Consider this revenge for what you did to Nomu!" He howls, lunging forward, his fingers outstretched, reaching for All Might's face.

I furrow my brows. "And does the Nomu really matter to him that much?"

Kurogiri reacts instantly, opening a warp gate beside All Might.

But All Might doesn't move. He stands there, rigid, knowing that if he dodges the attack, his weakened state will be exposed in front of everyone.

Welp. This isn't good.

"Izuku, let's go," I say, my tone urgent. I don't want him to watch this. If All Might dies here, Izuku's going to spiral. He'll be all sad and mopey for weeks, and I don't have the patience to deal with that.

But when I turn to him, he isn't there.

My eyes widen slightly as I follow his trajectory-, he's in the air, his body twisting mid-flight as he cocks back his fist.

That reckless idiot.

He's going to try and save All Might.

I narrowed my eyes, already feeling the annoyance bubbling up inside me. "Of course," I muttered, watching Izuku launch himself into the air like a damn fool.

Both of Izuku's legs dangled limply, clearly broken from the force he used to propel himself forward. His body trembled, but his resolve didn't waver.

Shigaraki's eyes widened slightly. "He's fast," he muttered, watching Izuku with surprise.

Kirishima, Todoroki, and Bakugo turned to look at him in shock.

"Whoa, Midoriya!" Kirishima shouted.

Izuku, tears brimming in his eyes, pulled back his arm, aiming a punch straight at Kurogiri. "Don't you touch All Might, you stupid villain!" He cried out.

But Kurogiri was faster. A dark warp gate opened before Izuku's fist could land, allowing Shigaraki to thrust his hand through-, his fingertips barely grazing Izuku's face.

Kurogiri's voice was calm, but firm. "I won't fall for that again."

Shigaraki cackled, his laughter sending a chill through the air-

Until a gunshot rang out.

A sharp crack, then a bullet pierced straight through Shigaraki's outstretched hand before it could touch Izuku.

Shigaraki gasped, jerking his arm back in pain. Blood splattered onto the ground as the sound of multiple gunshots echoed through the U.S.J. The villains around us fell one by one, struck down by well-placed shots.

All Might turned toward the entrance, eyes filled with relief. "They're here!"

A high-pitched voice rang out, full of authority. "Sorry, everyone! I know we're a bit late. But I got the teachers over here as fast as I could."

I blinked at the strange sight-, a small, white, mouse-looking creature is sitting on one of the reinforcements' shoulders.

"What the hell? Is that a rat leading them?" I asked, completely thrown off.

Beside him, Four-Eyes adjusted his glasses, standing tall with pride. "Your class rep has returned! I've fulfilled my duty! And I've brought reinforcements!"

Present Mic let out a deafening yell, his quirk sending waves of sound crashing through the battlefield. Villains collapsed, clutching their ears or dropping unconscious from the force.

Another teacher moved swiftly, creating multiple clones of himself that darted into battle, overwhelming the scattered villains.

The white mouse lifted a small paw and pointed forward. "Our priority is to protect all of our students!"

"Yes, Sir!" The teachers chorused, launching into action.

Shigaraki took several shaky steps back, clutching his bleeding hand. "Aw, man. The pros are here," he rasped, his voice full of frustration. "It's game over. For real." He turned to Kurogiri. "Let's go home and try this when we can-"

Bang! Bang! Bang!

More gunshots. The same teacher who had shot Shigaraki before fired again, forcing him to stumble and nearly collapse. "GUH!!!"

Kurogiri reacted immediately, his misty form shifting to shield Shigaraki from the bullets. The purple fog swallowed the incoming projectiles, absorbing the attacks.

Despite the injuries, Kurogiri began opening a warp gate. But before he could finish, Thirteen, still weak from earlier, raised their fingers, summoning the last of their strength.

A powerful suction force pulled at Kurogiri's mist.

"This is... Black Hole!" Kurogiri grunted, struggling to resist.

Shigaraki, half-hidden within the mist, popped his head out, his red eyes burning with hatred. He fixed his gaze on All Might, ignoring the chaos around him.

"I may have failed to kill you this time," he rasped, his voice filled with venom. "But your days are numbered. All Might. Symbol of Peace." His lips curled into a twisted grin. "The next time we meet, I will kill you."

Then with a "zwoop!" they were gone.

"What in tarnation..." said one of the heroes.

"They just fled? And after such a dramatic invasion...?" A woman spoke, confused.

"They took us completely off guard..." the rat spoke as one of the teachers lowered him onto the ground. "But let's concern ourselves with the students' well-being for now."

"Our teachers... all these pros gathered here. Looks like there was no attack on the school itself." Todoroki rubbed the side of his neck.

Izuku let out a strained grunt, his body trembling from exhaustion and pain. I glanced over, concern tightening in my chest, and took a step toward him.

"I couldn't do it," he muttered, clenching his fist. His voice was heavy with frustration. "I wasn't able to help you."

Before I could say anything, All Might's voice cut through the tension.

"That's absolutely not true."

Izuku and I turned to look at him. Half of his body was still in his muscular form, while the other half had already withered down to his true, skeletal state.

"You bought me a few vital seconds," All Might continued, his tone filled with gratitude. "If not for that, I'd be dead now. Midoriya, you've saved me once again."

Izuku's eyes widened slightly, but I crossed my arms, unimpressed. "Yeah, but you were stupid about it," I said sharply. "You didn't even have a plan. Don't do it again, Izuku."

He sniffled, his face scrunching up as he wiped his tears. "Thank you... All Might."

All Might gave him a soft smile.

Izuku tried to compose himself, but the tears kept falling. "I'm just... so glad that you're okay!"

I huffed. "Did you even care about what I said!?"

"I did!" He cried harder. "I promise I won't rush into a fight again!"

I narrowed my eyes at him. "You're such a liar." I sighed, shaking my head.

Before I could say more, Izuku and All Might suddenly screamed in unison.

I nearly jumped out of my skin. "What!?"

Their eyes were locked on something-, or rather, someone.

I blinked and looked over my shoulder, spotting Mineta clinging to my back. He was completely still, his tiny hands gripping my top.

"Oh." I poked one of the weird grape balls on his head. "Don't worry, he's somehow fast asleep."

All Might and Izuku both exhaled deeply, relief washing over them.

Before the moment could settle, Kirishima came running toward us. "Midoriya, hey!"

Izuku looked up at him, still unable to move. "Sorry, I can't get up."

Kirishima's brows furrowed. "What? Are you okay?"

But as he ran closer, the three of us realized something-, if Kirishima got too close, he'd see All Might in his weakened state.

Izuku's eyes widened. "Wait, Kirishima-"

Before he could finish, the ground shifted. A thick cement wall suddenly rose up between us and Kirishima, blocking his path.

A calm voice followed. "For your safety, please stay back, Young Man. Join your classmates at the front gate. Leave the injured to us-, we can take care of them."

Kirishima barely hesitated before nodding in understanding. "Oh, got'cha. I'm on it!" He turned, cupping his hands around his mouth as he called out to the others. "Hey! He said for all of us to head to the entrance!"

The tension eased as we watched him run off.

All Might, Izuku, and I sighed in relief.

All Might finally slumped to the ground, fully in his skinny form now. "Thanks for that. You saved my butt, Cementoss."

Cementoss gave him a small nod. "My pleasure. I'm actually a big fan of yours."

Present Mic: "Cementoss! His quirk: Cement. He can manipulate any cement he touches, which makes him a heck of a fighter in the concrete jungle!"

Cementoss crossed his arms, surveying the scene. "We should sneak you out of here and get you both to the nurse's office. Seriously, All Might, that could've been really bad."

All Might let out a slow breath, looking down at the blood staining his hand before wiping some from his face. "I had to act recklessly, or else I'd be dead now," he admitted. His voice was weary, the weight of the battle pressing heavily on him. "Just goes to show how strong those villains were."

Cementoss frowned but didn't argue. Instead, he turned his gaze to me. "If you'd like, you can follow us to the nurse's office."

I nodded silently, falling in step behind them as he carefully lifted both Izuku and All Might. His movements were precise, avoiding the eyes of the other students and any lingering chaos from the attack.

Izuku, cradled in his arms, groaned softly, his face scrunching up in pain. But even with his broken body, he looked relieved.

I sighed, stuffing my hands in my pockets as I trailed behind them. "You really are an idiot, Izuku."

He didn't argue.

(Shigaraki's P.O.V.):

Kurogiri's warp swallowed us whole, spitting us back out into the dimly lit hideout-, an old, abandoned bar we had fixed up a while ago.

I hit the floor with a dull thud, my body twitching from the pain shooting through me. Blood pooled beneath me, seeping from the bullet wounds in my arms and legs. I clenched my teeth.

"Shot in both arms and legs. All those underlings wiped out. Even Nomu was beaten. We failed."

The thought made my fingers twitch, my nails scraping against the wood. "Those damn kids... They were so strong. Especially her." My breath came out ragged, filled with frustration.

"Damn it! The Symbol of Peace wasn't weakened at all." My voice rasped with rage as I lifted my head toward the flickering screen mounted on the wall. The words "SOUND ONLY" glowed in bold, purple letters, signaling the presence of the only one who could put me in my place.

"You were wrong, Master. So wrong!"

The voice on the other end remained calm, composed, as always.

"No, I wasn't," my master replied smoothly. "We just weren't as prepared as we should've been."

A second voice chimed in-, gruff, irritated.

"I agree," the doctor muttered. "We underestimated them. Thankfully, we failed under that cheap 'League of Villains' name and not our own. And what about the creature the master and I created? Where is Nomu?"

Master's voice sharpened slightly. "Yes. Why is he not with you?"

Kurogiri, now standing at his full height, answered without hesitation. "He was sent flying-, blown away."

The doctor's voice shot up in disbelief. "What?!"

"It was All Might's doing," Kurogiri explained. "Without coordinates to his precise location, I couldn't use my warp to bring him with us. We didn't have time to search for him."

The doctor growled in frustration. "This is a travesty! And after all we did to make him as powerful as All Might."

Master, however, remained level-headed. "Well, I suppose it can't be helped. Unfortunately."

That word-, power-, it triggered something in my mind.

My fingers dug harder into the floorboards, my breathing growing uneven. That girl. She wasn't just some random student. She wasn't just strong. No-, she was something else entirely.

"Power... That reminds me," I muttered, forcing myself up onto my knees. "There was a girl there who managed to take on Nomu all on her own. She was so powerful-, just as fast and strong as All Might. No... Stronger than him."

I swallowed hard, the memory burning in my head. "She only gave up because Nomu was annoying her... Damn it, she could teleport, and it was like she could see everything-, nothing was out of her sight."

Master hummed in thought. "Oh?"

I clenched my fists, ignoring the way my wounds screamed in protest. "If she hadn't gotten in our way, we might have actually killed the Symbol of Peace!" My fingers raked against the wood again, frustration clawing at my insides. "That brat... That girl!"

I wanted her.

I wanted to rip that confidence out of her.

I wanted to crush her beneath my fingers.

Or maybe... what I really wanted...

Was for her to join our forces.

"I wanted to take her with us, but I got shot up, and we didn't have time! Damn it!"

Master's voice remained steady, almost amused. "Naturally, you're upset. But this was not a futile mission. We've learned many things."

I inhaled sharply, listening as he continued.

"Gather the villainous elite. Take all the time you need. I must remain hidden in the shadows, which is why I need you to be my face. A symbol of your own. Tomura Shigaraki."

My heart pounded in my chest.

"Next time, you will show the world that it should be afraid of you."

(Bakugo's P.O.V.):

Police sirens wailed in the background as we stood outside the U.S.J., the stench of smoke and blood still clinging to the air. A detective paced in front of us, counting heads, his pen tapping against the clipboard in his hands.

"Sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen..."

He paused, glancing down at the paper, his brows knitting together.

"Everyone seems to be unharmed except for that boy whose legs were all messed up, so he would be twenty... But there's twenty-one of you. Is Y/n L/n here?"

The moment her name left his mouth, something in my chest twisted.

"She's with Midoriya!" Mineta whined, his voice grating on my nerves. "That stupid teacher separated me from her! I was taking a nice nap too! I miss L/n, next time I'll stick myself to her boobies!"

Disgust crawled up my throat.

"Tch." My hands clenched into fists, my teeth grinding together.

Everyone shot him the same disgusted look, but I wanted to do more than just glare. I wanted to blast him into next week.

The detective cleared his throat, mumbling, "Uh, okay... So, I guess we have everyone. All the students are safe and sound."

Hagakure placed a hand on Ojiro's shoulder.

"Ojiro."

He turned to her, still looking shaken from the whole ordeal.

"Huh?"

"I heard you were a really good fighter. I had no idea you were so strong!"

Ojiro scratched the back of his head, looking a little embarrassed. "I didn't know I was the only one on my own." His gaze dropped, his tail flicking behind him. "I survived by using hit-and-run tactics."

He lifted his head again, looking at her. "So, where did you end up fighting, Hagakure?"

She pointed at Todoroki. "The landslide zone! You wouldn't believe how strong Todoroki and L/n were! They were amazing! If only she was here..."

Ojiro smiled. "You don't say! Well, I'm just glad you didn't get hurt."

Todoroki, who had been standing silently beside them, suddenly looked serious. "I didn't even know she was there. I could've frozen her, yikes..." he murmured.

His words barely registered. My head was too full.

Aoyama, of course, took this as his cue to be annoying.

"Aren't you wondering about moi (me)?" He spun dramatically, striking a pose. "Where was my sparkling light?"

No one cared.

Tokoyami, Kirishima, Koda, and Kaminari were deep in their own conversation, completely ignoring him.

"Interesting," Tokoyami mused. "So, the people you fought were also low-level thugs."

"Yeah, they messed with the wrong kids, huh?" Kirishima grinned, crossing his arms.

Kaminari nodded, hands on his hips now that he wasn't dumbified anymore.

Aoyama, realizing he wasn't the center of attention, tried another group. "Did you miss me?"

Still nothing.

Sero, Sato, and Shoji were talking among themselves.

"So, All Might put that hole in the dome after all. I figured." Sero shrugged.

Sato nodded, turning to Shoji. "That took some hardcore power."

Shoji grunted in agreement. "Yeah, it was crazy."

Aoyama finally turned to Asui, placing a dramatic hand on her shoulder.

"Where do you think I was?"

She blinked at him. "Um, where?"

He posed. "It's a secret."

I rolled my eyes, blocking out the useless chatter.

The detective spoke up, bringing back my focus.

"Let's go ahead and get these students back to the main campus. They've been through a lot. We don't need to question them right away. Especially when one of the kids is injured and the other, not here."

That last part made my stomach twist again.

Asui hopped toward him, her voice laced with worry. "Detective. What about Mr. Aizawa?"

He pulled out his phone, putting a rescue squad member on speaker.

"The bones in his arms are splintered, and he's got facial fracturing. Fortunately, there doesn't seem to be any serious brain damage. But his orbital floor has been almost completely destroyed. We have no way of knowing if his eyesight will be impaired once he's healed up."

The detective hummed, "Well, you heard the man."

A tense silence followed-, besides Asui's ribbit.

Mineta sniffled. "Not his eyes..."

Ashido stepped forward. "Um, Sir, what about Thirteen?"

The detective turned to her. "There's no need to worry there. Despite some pretty bad lacerations to the back, Thirteen is going to pull through, good as new."

Jiro, Ashido, and Yaoyorozu sighed in relief.

"And All Might?" The detective continued. "He's also without any serious injuries. He's in the nurse's office right now. Recovery Girl's power should be all the treatment he needs."

Uraraka exhaled in relief. "What about Deku?!"

Ida stepped forward, equally concerned. "How's Midoriya?"

I rolled my eyes. Why do they care so much?

The detective barely reacted. "Midoriya? Oh, the injured boy. Recovery Girl is taking care of him, too. He's fine."

"Oh, thank goodness." Uraraka sighed.

"Now, let's get you back to class."

Everyone nodded, moving toward the bus.

The detective turned to a cat-faced officer. "Sansa. I still have some business in the nurse's office. I'll leave this to you, okay?"

The cat saluted. "Yes, Sir!"

Ashido blinked. "It's a cat?"

Uraraka's eyes sparkled. "Aw, look at his bell!"

It all felt so damn pointless.

My head was somewhere else.

I looked up toward the sky, my mind filled with one person-, Blindfoldie.

Damn it.

She had been terrifying.

Fast. Unpredictable. Untouchable.

The way she moved-, it was like she knew every attack before it even happened. It wasn't just instinct; it was something more. Something inhuman.

I should have been focused on the fight. I should have been thinking about the villains, about the fact that we had almost died.

But all I could think about was her.

It pissed me the hell off.

Why did she have to go and pull some reckless stunt like that? Why did she always have to be so damn stubborn?

"Why did she make my chest ache like this?

Ever since we were kids-"

Kirishima's voice snapped me back to reality.

"Come on, man! We're going back to class now."

I tore my gaze away from the sky, shoving my hands into my pockets.

"Yeah, yeah, I heard him, you idiot."

I grumbled, forcing my feet to move toward the bus, toward the rest of the class, toward anything but the thoughts threatening to consume me whole.

(Your P.O.V.):

I stood in the doorway of the nurse's office, arms crossed as I watched Recovery Girl tend to Izuku and All Might. The room was quiet, save for the occasional beep from a heart monitor and the soft rustle of fabric as Recovery Girl adjusted the blanket over Izuku.

"He's too reckless," I thought, eyes narrowing at the sight of Izuku's battered form. His fingers were bent unnaturally, bruises littered his arms, and exhaustion was clear in his glassy eyes.

Recovery Girl sighed. "Well, I guess I won't scold you for him being back here since it wasn't your fault," she said, addressing All Might.

All Might let out a weak chuckle, but even that seemed to strain him. He lay sprawled out on the bed, his feet hanging over the rails, his skeletal form looking even more fragile than usual. "I can't be sure yet," he admitted, his voice quieter than usual. "But I think I shortened my time limit again with that fight. I hope I can at least still hold the form for an hour."

Izuku's expression twisted with guilt. His hand trembled slightly as he clenched the sheets beneath him. "I'm so sorry," he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.

All Might looked at him and smiled faintly, clearly trying to lighten the mood. "Well, no use worrying. These things happen," he reassured him, though there was a hint of concern in his voice as well.

Just as the room fell into a somewhat comfortable silence, I heard the door slide open. I looked up to see a well-dressed man entering the room. He looked like a detective, his brown hat held over his chest as he spoke. "Excuse me."

He took a few steps into the room, glancing at All Might with a small smile. "Hi, All Might. Been a while."

All Might's reaction was immediate and explosive. He shot straight up in his bed, and for a moment, I thought he was going to collapse. Blood spurted from his mouth, and his eyes widened in shock. "What the hell? I didn't know that you were investigating," he gasped, his voice trembling slightly from the surprise.

Izuku was quick to react, his concern for All Might rising. "Whoa, All Might! It's okay he's seeing you like this?" He asked, his voice laced with worry as he quickly checked on his mentor.

All Might nodded, brushing off the blood from his mouth, though his exhaustion was still evident. "Oh, yeah, it's fine. This guy's all right. Naomasa Tsukauchi, my best friend on the police force. He's legit. I trust him," he said, offering a reassuring smile.

The detective, Naomasa Tsukauchi, walked over to All Might's bed, his demeanor calm despite the chaos around him. "That's quite an introduction," he said with a light chuckle. "Sorry to cut to the chase, but we could really use any information you might have." His voice was businesslike now, no longer as friendly as before.

All Might raised his hands in a mock surrender, his usual dramatic flair returning. "Hold on. Before all that, tell me all the students are okay. And Aizawa-, er, Eraser Head, and Thirteen," he said, his tone serious despite the lingering exhaustion.

Tsukauchi smiled, but there was a hint of weariness in his eyes. "Not counting this boy and..." He paused, his gaze shifting to me. "Are you Y/n L/n?" He asked, his voice soft and curious.

I nodded in response, not in the mood for any unnecessary conversation.

Tsukauchi tilted his head slightly, a slight smile tugging at his lips. "You're a quiet one, aren't you?"

I raised an eyebrow at his question but didn't hesitate to respond. "I suppose. Need me for anything?"

He chuckled lightly. "No, Miss. Just making sure you're L/n. You weren't with your classmates earlier when I was doing attendance for them. You weren't on the injured list either. Mineta told me you were with the boy, but I just had to make sure."

"Alright..." I muttered, a little annoyed at being singled out, but I didn't really care.

Tsukauchi then turned back to All Might, the air between them serious again. "Well, not counting the boy, the only student injuries were scrapes. And both of the teachers are in stable condition right now. Relax."

Izuku and All Might both sighed in relief, the tension easing from their shoulders. All Might mumbled, "That's good to hear," his voice softer now.

Tsukauchi gave a slight nod. "If you heroes hadn't risked your lives, the students would never have made it."

I couldn't help but think to myself, "I would've, but alright, Sir." But I didn't say it out loud.

Tsukauchi continued, "You three heroes saved that entire class of kids today."

All Might sighed, a weary sound. "You're not seeing the whole picture, Tsukauchi," he said softly, causing the detective to furrow his brows in confusion.

All Might then looked at me, his gaze serious. "Those students also risked their lives. They fought as hard as us."

Izuku, his eyes wide with awe, glanced at All Might. "Thank you, All Might."

All Might looked back at him, offering a small smile. "I don't think there's ever been a group of first years who experienced a real fight like this so early in their training. They not only survived, but they also learned what it means to be a pro. Those villains made a mistake attacking them. This class is strong. They're filled with courage and drive."

I could see Recovery Girl and Tsukauchi both smiling at All Might's words, but I wasn't moved by the sentiment.

All Might's voice became even more resolute. "Mark my words. They'll become great heroes."

Izuku clenched his fist, determination burning in his eyes as he looked at All Might, his admiration clear. I, on the other hand, grimaced slightly at the thought of becoming a hero. It felt so distant, so unimportant to me.

Izuku smiled at All Might, his admiration obvious, and All Might returned the smile, giving him a thumbs up.

I sighed softly and turned my attention to the sunset outside the window, my face resting in the palm of my right hand. The warm hues of the setting sun seeped into the room, and I couldn't help but think about how I was so far removed from all this hero talk. The world outside seemed so much simpler.

Time-skip:

Later that night, after what felt like an exhausting day, Izuku was finally released from the nurse's office.

"Goodnight! Thanks so much for your help!" He said with a bright smile, his voice filled with gratitude.

Recovery Girl gave him a gentle smile in return. "My pleasure. Be careful on your way home, kiddos."

Izuku and I both responded in unison, "Yes, Ma'am."

We quickly ran down the hallways of U.A., eager to get home after a long day. The night air was a welcome change from the tense atmosphere of the school, and we took the stairs down at a leisurely pace, slowing down as we neared the exit.

But Izuku stopped abruptly, and I wasn't fast enough to react, bumping right into his back. "What is it?" I asked tiredly, not really wanting to be bothered.

Before Izuku could respond, I heard a high-pitched voice that I immediately recognized. "Deku, you're here!"

I rolled my eyes inwardly. Floaty Boaty was standing outside with Four-Eyes. Izuku gasped, a blush creeping up on his face when he saw them.

"They've been waiting for him? Really?" I muttered under my breath, a little annoyed but also slightly impressed by their dedication. They must have been out here for hours since classes were WAY over by now.

Turning to Izuku, I sighed, "Izuku, I'm teleporting home."

Izuku looked at me with a soft, almost pleading look in his eyes, "You sure you don't want to walk with us?" He asked gently, though I could tell Floaty Boaty and Four-Eyes were now eyeing me.

I turned my back on him, clearly not in the mood for their attention. "Don't look at me like that," I muttered, my voice tinged with annoyance.

Izuku made a soft noise, almost apologetic. "Sorry... I'll see you at home. Okay, Y/n-Chan?" He said quietly.

I nodded, though something kept me from leaving immediately. There was a long, uncomfortable silence, the three of them waiting and me not quite ready to leave. Finally, I sighed, breaking the silence.

I turned back around and, despite myself, looked at Izuku through my blindfold. "Be careful on the way home. If I find out you're back in the nurse's office or if you come home in bad shape, I won't go easy on you. Don't make me come back and rescue you." I crossed my arms, my tone serious.

Izuku looked at me in surprise but smiled broadly, clearly reassured by my words. "Don't worry, Y/n-Chan! I'll be safe."

I nodded, though I couldn't help but mumble a soft, "Bye," before teleporting home.

When I appeared in the living room, I was greeted by Ms. Midoriya sitting on the light purple couch. As soon as she saw me, she stood up with concern. "Oh, Dear, I got the news from U.A.! Are you okay?" She asked, her eyes scanning me for any injuries.

I smiled faintly, a rare gesture for me. "Don't worry, Ms. Midoriya. I'm okay, really. Izuku was the only one who got injured."

Ms. Midoriya sighed, a little exasperated. "Of course, he did. Always getting himself hurt. Speaking of Izuku, where is he, Hon?" She asked timidly.

"He's walking with Floaty Boaty and Four-Eyes. He'll be home soon," I said gently.

"Floaty Boaty? Four-Eyes?" Ms. Midoriya huffed, her hands on her hips. "Y/n, are you bullying the kids in your class? I told you not to give people nicknames this year! Ask for their names, make some friends!" She scolded, though I could see the hint of affection in her eyes.

I sighed, not wanting to argue. "They deserve the nicknames, Ms. Midoriya. They started it."

She rolled her eyes but couldn't hide her smile. "What am I going to do with you..." she murmured before pausing and looking at me with a soft expression. "Do you want anything to eat, Sweetie?"

I tilted my head, considering it. "Got anything sweet?"

Ms. Midoriya chuckled, her eyes lighting up. "Of course, there's some cake and cupcakes on the counter. I also made some mochi earlier, for you. I know you like those a lot."

I hummed, grateful for her thoughtfulness. "Thank you. I'll go help myself to some."

She smiled softly. "I'll be here if you need anything, alright?"

I nodded as she went upstairs to her room. I then slowly ate one of each sweet-, though my appetite wasn't as big as usual. I had a slice of cake, a cupcake, and a couple pieces of mochi before heading into Izuku's and my shared room.

I didn't mind sharing his room-, it was the only place I could stay without facing F/n. I carefully took off my blindfold, placing it on the dresser, and avoided looking at the mirror. Since Izuku wasn't home yet, I took his bed. I usually slept on my little bed, since there wasn't much space in Izuku's room.

"Izuku can sleep on the little bed for once," I thought, staring out the window at the starry night sky. It was a little chilly, so I pulled the All Might blankets over myself with a roll of my eyes.

"He's lucky I'd get in trouble with Ms. Midoriya if I threw all this All Might stuff out," I muttered under my breath, annoyed by the constant reminders of hero-obsessed Izuku.

"I have a feeling this is going to be a long year..." that was the last thought that drifted through my mind before I slipped into a restless sleep, lost in a world of dreams and nightmares.