Author's Note:

Xan: We're making a playlist that coincides with each chapter, song by song.

Song Recommendation: Sleeping In Waking by Rina Sawayama

Italics + Bold (Ai/Azumi's Thoughts)

Prologue

"The bystander effect is a call to inaction that has spread virally amongst the people of society. It's a silent pathogen. It targets altruism as opposed to bodily cells. The result is not death, rather the incapability to aid those in need simply because no one else has seen the necessity of doing so.

On the other end of the spectrum, the expectation that someone - say, a hero - will come and save those in need of saving works just as similarly. The potential for humanistic heroism has been depleted in favor of relying on the gifted, the powerful, the ones with Quirks.

Thus, no longer is it possible for your everyday man or woman to become a hero. Besides, why would you want to be one when a man can fly through the sky and save the day each time?

Except the day isn't always saved, and a hero isn't always going to defeat the evils that plague those considered insignificant." The lanky young man paused, and took a moment to brush a lock of blue hair from his furrowed brow. "We need people like you, Andromeda: People that were ostracized by society and left to rot."

Across from him sat a woman that once stood for justice and peace. After years of isolation, a quiet storm brewed behind her pale pink irises. Her once long silky black hair was cropped short and disheveled, her naturally tanned skin was now pallid and sickly in color, and worst of all the heart that cared for so many now held deep seated resentment and hatred for all those that took the title of "hero."

"Fine." The woman called Andromeda's voice was deep and laced with loathing. She had ambitions of her own that could not come to fruition from within a crazed asylum. "I will join you." Her words held a venomous bite that did not go unnoticed by her recruiter.

"Goo—" Before the scrawny man could finish his thought, Andromeda interjected.

"There will be a boy; a strong boy. Someone that would be troublesome if left unchecked." The woman's almost spat. "When the time comes, I will be the one to eliminate him. Are we clear?" The man's chapped lips spread into a knowing cheshire grin.

"Of course."

Meanwhile, Elsewhere..

The sun shone brightly that summer day, it's rays brightening every corner of the city it could reach.

However, a large shadow seemed to loom over a particular household. A sinister and unsettling atmosphere emitted from the area in waves that were incomparable to even the most compromising situation. Within the walls of this building, tendrils of darkness filled the space of the living room and wrapped loyally around the dark figure that had been summoned. His features were indiscernible, save for his piercing blood red eyes that starkly contrasted his murky surroundings.

"I've allowed this exchange solely because the girl's Quirk has caught our attention." This statement felt more like a warning with the caustic manner in which the words fell from his lips. "Do not think of this as pity nor favoritism. You are a coward of a man, and if it were not for your daughter's potential, I would cast this upon you tenfold."

The human male reeled back in terror as the silhouette suddenly leaned close towards him. A distinct scent of rotting flesh was made apparent within the close proximity and tears sprung into his wide eyes. Being condemned to such a fate, only to have his daughter willingly take it upon her shoulders had broken his spirit in a way that left him feeling void.

"Your business with my father is over. I'm the one you have to deal with, not him," the young girl interjected.

Her head was held high on strained shoulders. Had she not clenched her fists tightly, she would've been shaking; yet she knew there was no room for reluctance or fear and she'd be damned before she revealed she felt the slightest bit of either.

A wisp of black mist in the form of a hand reached towards her father's neck. It's long fingers gripped the chain of his cursed hourglass necklace and tugged down, freeing him from his debt. Almost as quickly as it'd been taken away, the same amulet materialized between the adolescent girl's collarbones, held in place by a thinner length of metal.

The amount of sand occupying the top space had been refilled upon this change of ownership, and the grains of sand steadily began to fall one by one - signifying that she was a second closer to falling into their hands.

"Use your time wisely. It is now a luxury you can only afford to lose."Normal Italics (Other Characters thoughts)

Chapter 1

Ai & Azumi

Ai's POV

Ai Suzuka, that's my name. I reach about 5'6 and a quarter, my favorite food is chocolate doughnuts and I enjoy long, uninterrupted, rendezvous with my favorite Neuroscience textbook; ironically titled, Neurons for the Average Jock. While I can't attest to being apart of the swole gains community I can enthusiastically express my love for the fundementals of neuronic science. Now, at this point you may be thinking "Oh wow, this guy is about as interesting as watching paint dry," and you're not wrong. However, today is the day that I embark on my journey to become what society sees as "Exemplary Example of Quirky Excellence." In other words a guy in spandex that spends his life enslaved to complete strangers. Totes ready for that lifestyle. All jokes aside, ever since my childhood, being raised by a pro hero, I've grown to respect the men and women that put their lives on the line every day for a living, and I want to be apart of that lifestyle. My quirk, Telekinesis, is a bit of a double edged sword at times. But with my extensive knowledge of physics and my favorite stressball in hand, I'm confident that I can overcome any obstacle that presents itsel—" The feeling of hard industrial brick scraping against my face was enough to knock me out of my mental ramblings.

"So this is it?" I looked up at the tall solid brick building ominously looming overhead. The sign atop said building read, 'UA Dormitories.' Yet another complication to add to the ever-augmenting list of things triggering my anxiety. The unfamiliarity of having a roommate throughout my time at UA was something I saw as slightly riveting yet slightly terrifying. What if he doesn't like me, what if he's annoying, what if I accidentally crush him with my power during an especially vivid nightmare while he sleeps? You know, just the basic stuff.

I opened the door to the building that held my future and ascended the spiral staircase leading to the third floor as instructed by my acceptance letter. Unbeknownst to me, as I climbed higher and my nerves reached a peak, the foundation of the building itself began to tremble and a splitting migraine ensued. 'Floor Three, Room 305B' I continuously thought myself. I mentally chanted the room number like a mantra, in an effort to ease my strained mind. It seemed to help somewhat, until an obnoxiously loud voice bellowed through the halls of the third floor.

"Why the fuck is the building shaking?!" His voice was piercing, like the mating call of a hyperactive baboon.

As I turned a corner, "Ahhh!" I was knocked to the ground by the owner of said shrill voice. A throbbing pain invaded my already aching head. That accompanied by the sound of another crash was enough to completely disorient me.

"Kaa-chan! What did you do?!" A softer, less aggressive voiced questioned. The room was shaking and I could feel an oppressive force pulsing from my right hand. At that point, my eyes snapped open.

'Shit..' I thought to myself. A blonde kid, slightly taller than me, was crumpling up against a cracked wall. 'I wasn't thinking..' A smaller boy with spiked green hair was crouched down next to him. That didn't last long however, because the next thing I knew my back was against the very same wall that baboon boy was crumpled in front moments prior.

"What the hell is wrong with you," The only thoughts registering in my head were 'so loud..' but I knew that it was my fault. I wasn't paying attention, and I let my quirk go out of control.

"I'm sorry.." I managed to say without making eye contact. I hadn't even been here for 5 minutes and things were already falling apart. "It was an accident.."

"Kaa-chan! You're being mean!" I heard the smaller boy plea.

"Shut up, Deku!" The boisterous blonde shouted. I could feel blistering heat imbuing from his knuckles.

"Let go.." I managed to choke out. It was getting increasingly difficult to breathe.

'This bastard. I want to pummel him. I want to hit him. I want to…' Our faces were in such close proximity, I could hear his thoughts as they flowed into my head. "Let go.." I repeated. My voice was waning but I couldn't help it. The longer he held me, the more anxious I felt.

"Speak up, Teme." He taunted. "What was that?" His forehead was practically pressed against mine at this point, and I reached my limit. The stress of the day, the severity of my current situation, and the fact that this kid smells of burnt toothpaste all had a massive toll on the minuscule amount of tolerance I had left. A surge of electricity danced across my furrowed brow, followed by a pulsing sensation centered between my temples. 'This isn't good..at this rate—!'

"What do you think you're doing?" An all too familiar voice seemed to cleave right through the intense atmosphere. A tall, slightly ragged looking man dressed in all black save for the gray bandages loosely wrapped around his neck stepped out of the shadows.

"Otōsan.." My voice strained. I knew I was in for it.

Azumi's POV

The bottom of the hourglass around my neck was nearly halfway full by the time I settled into my dorm room. It was a habit I'd gained throughout the months of living with this to routinely check how much time I had left. Although there was a sizeable amount of sand remaining in the top half, the familiar feeling of dread lingered in the pit of my stomach as I was left to live with a taunting reminder of my own choices.

I clutched the hourglass pendant instinctively and felt the edges dig into my skin, a reassurance that I'd done the right thing. Father would've done the same for me. He would have risked his life to allow me the full extent of mine if the roles had been reversed. That thought was what comforted me most.

I'd resigned to lying face up on my new bed - too tired to further reconstruct my area of the room and too nervous to go out and explore. A part of me was glad my roommate hadn't arrived since it allowed me time to adjust without having to entertain, but I also wasn't a fan of the dead silence permeating through the air.

Bored and a bit curious, I focused my energy into my core, pushing it up into the invisible barrier that kept this world from merging with it's counterpart. The once bright room had dulled when I emerged on the other side, revealing a less tangible version of itself as I became more aware of my surroundings. I was still on my dorm bed, still in the same room, but nothing looked nor felt particularly real in this plane of existence.

From the corner of my eye I saw a translucent figure phase straight through the closed door. It wasn't easy to distinguish their particular gender due to their spectral and borderline misty appearance. Their aura, however, informed me that they meant no harm.

I internally sighed. It was no surprise that a place with such historical context would also be a beacon of lingering souls. The newcomer meandered through the room aimlessly, muttering incoherently underneath their breath.

"You."

It was in the midst of contemplating between whether or not to alert them of my presence that their airy voice startled me from my reverie. I raised a brow and sat up to look directly at them, "Me?"

"You feel odd. Very odd," they commented, edging ever closer to my immobile form.

"You don't feel all that regular, either…?" I retorted, although confusion pitched my voice so it sounded like an inquiry.

Normally, it would've been impossible for them to touch me, though I knew this wasn't the case anymore since I had trespassed their domain. I flinched back when the spirit reached out towards my chest. "A beating heart, yet you are so reminiscent of death."

I froze, unable to fully comprehend the words, but recognizing the meaning all too well. It was often that my peers commented on my connection to the deceased due to my Quirk. Constantly being called an anti-hero had beaten my dreams down to the point where I doubted I'd even be accepted into the Academy to begin with.

And somehow, I was where I never thought I'd be. My battle with insecurity, while tiring, had not left me empty handed.

An ache I had grown all too accustomed to warned me that I was close to overstaying my welcome and I wasted no time in anchoring myself back to my living body again. The sensation of weightlessness had given in to gravity when I fell back through the barrier between planes. I heaved for air, the pain similar to having held my breath underwater for longer than I could handle.

When the door flew open and a petite body traipsed inside giddily, the apprehension dissipated and I was left with remnants of an exchange only I knew happened.

"You must be Azumi!" the rosy-cheeked brunette said in greeting. I assumed she'd learned my name from the acceptance letter, the same way I learned of hers. "I'm sorry I wasn't here on time to meet you properly!"

I immediately shook my head, plastering a soft smile onto my pursed lips. "Don't worry about it. It's nice to meet you, Ochaco." My gaze lingered on her as she dropped her suitcase on the adjacent bed, hopping onto it herself not a moment later. "I hope it's okay that I chose this side of the room."

"This is perfect," Ochaco smiled. In the back of my mind, I wondered if she ever did stop looking so happy.

"I'm glad," I settled with because I couldn't possibly match up to her level of enthusiasm.

A sharp pang soon flooded my ribs and I grimaced. Fortunately, Ochaco had been too preoccupied with unpacking to take notice, but I knew that hiding this side effect wouldn't be an easy task. Not when it was already rather difficult to control in the first place.

This struggle to gather myself so early in my career at UA had hurled me into a harsh reality check. As excited as I was to be a hero, I also feared what becoming one may do to me.

Author's Note:

Xan: If you like the story, please add a review! We love hearing feedback.

Ry: hi friends! we hope you enjoyed this chapter :^) constructive criticism is always welcome!