Disclaimer: I claim no ownership over 'My Hero Academia' or 'Pokemon' nor am I profiting from this. I am hopeful, grateful, and nervous embarking upon this crossover journey!
Izuku Midoriya receives his first Pokémon long before anyone is willing to recognize his superhero dream as possible. Truthfully, he shouldn't be receiving one as it breaks the unspoken rule. No, the quirkless population is not forbidden or discouraged from owning and training Pokémon.
A quirkless person will struggle with finding a willing trainer or gym leader to assist them, though. Everyone, including law enforcement, prefers the experts time go toward working with aspiring heroes. Once an aspiring heroes quirk has been identified, focus moves onto identifying what type would work best with the aspiring hero. From there, a hero gets to choose: academies, private, solo training. No matter what training the hero chooses, everything remains guarded against media, squashing even his persistent spirit. Izuku prepares for a quirkless existence, one without any friends except for his mother's retired champion competition Pokémon – and his mother.
Her beloved competition ribbons decorate their apartment, preserved in glass cases. Watching them, pretending he's old enough to polish the glass, picturing his mother fresh-faced and eager to show her skills becomes a daily hobby. Were it not for his mother's overwhelming support and desire to see her child happy, it would remain his strange, not-so-secret hobby.
"I never intended on becoming a trainer." Inko dunks her hands into the sink with a small smile. "I was interested in Pokémon but did not believe my quirk would be useful for heroism. No matter how much friends and family insisted, I declined their offers to train, choosing instead to volunteer in a center. It exposed the ugliness in heroes, trainers, and the uglier sides in villains."
"What happened in there?"
"Sometimes, we couldn't save our patients no matter what care method was applied. Trainers became overwhelmed with the demands of their growing Pokémon, abandoning them under the promise to return later. Even heroes would turn towards abandonment sometimes, because their Pokémon could not grow fast enough for their needs," Inko pauses and takes a deep breath, eyes becoming misty. Izuku waits, patient as she swirls her hands around in the cooling water.
"Cubone's first trainer loved her but relied on hero work for income. Their work became increasingly demanding, which caused Cubone's training to be pushed aside. Being unable to bond and train properly took a toll on both. I became responsible for her long-term care following a severe injury. Between her demanding hero work and training, she was gone for long periods, which led to our bonding. Once her care was complete, her trainer made the difficult decision to give her to me. I saw the process repeated with Ampharos, Bergmite, Espeon, Kangaskhan, and Reuniclus. From there, I began watching competitors, following champions…"
Izuku squeals, rising on his tiptoes. "You were a fangirl? Is it genetic? I'm less strange when it comes from genetics, right?"
Inko receives no chance to respond as he continues firing questions, quicker and louder than the last one. Somewhere between his begging she finds contest videos and pausing for breath, she places him before the television. Her fingers weave through his tangled hair, searching for the manageable knots as the contest videos appear.
"I'll answer questions later," she whispers. "For now, let's just spend some time together."
Inko Midoriya presents her son with his first Pokémon on his next birthday: an unhatched egg, whose identity she remains tight-lipped about. Izuku watches over the egg with the same fervor he's started reserving for conversations surrounding All Might. It accompanies him to school, shares his meals, bath, and bed. It becomes an unusual balm for when he has long difficult school days.
Izuku curls protectively around the egg, chin and knees brushing the smooth round bottom and top.
"Do you hear anything in there?" He whispers and presses his ear against the shell. "Kacchan can be loud and scary sometimes, but he cares deep down for certain things. Charmander loves him more than anything else in the world and he feels the same. Sometimes, when he trains too hard, he gives him this super tight hug which makes Charmander squeak."
Izuku receives no response. It remains unmoving and intact despite his continuous chatter and hopefulness which threatens to collapse into sheer impatience. Inko watches his growing impatience with mild amusement, offering unwarranted advice.
"I've been taking it everywhere," he groans. "I might as well learn how to ride a bike because it refuses to hatch without the extra steps. What else does it want?"
"Some people believe sacrifice makes eggs hatch faster, however, I will not encourage sacrifices in our household. I realize waiting is difficult, especially for the first egg. Imagining what will emerge and their personality provides comfort in the meantime."
"It moves around sometimes," he mumbles. "It'll either become a distraction during class because it insists on pretend hatching or decide to hatch in my backpack."
"Hatching in the backpack has some advantages. Imagine people's reactions upon seeing a baby Pokémon emerge covered in papers and lunch, unaware its interrupted something as important as the school day. I'd enjoy being in the classroom to witness it."
Izuku allows her to fantasize. Now is not the time to mention Kacchan and Charmander using his papers and lunch for target practice. He waits until her even breathing leaks through his wall before petting the egg, sniffling until his lower lip quivers.
"I'm going to protect you," he whispers. "I'll be Deku without friends or lunch. I'll do my homework over and over. I'll keep my burns a secret from everyone else. Kacchan will never hurt you."
Kacchan will continue his games no matter the promises he makes. Izuku continues promising protection over and over, curling tighter and tighter until he's practically crushing the egg. Sometimes, he wakes to small wiggles and quakes, but the egg remains intact. Each awakening is welcome despite his room lacking Pokémon.
"Do you need actually need something? I don't mind waking up…" Izuku complains between yawns. "You don't need anything, though, huh? Is this preparation for the hatching? I'd much rather just have you hatch…"
Finally, mercifully he goes to sleep, oblivious to the wiggling egg crammed between his arms and stomach.