Real Heroes and Those Who Make Them

A/N: Okay, so my little brother totally got me hooked on this anime and now I can't stop fawning over Izuku and how awesome he is! Seriously, the show as a whole is great, and I really can't wait until season 3 comes out this year, along with the movie that is hopefully featuring Midoriya and All Might. Now, this story I have here is a little villain All Might I thought of, where he's kinda like Stain, in that he has ideals of what it means to be a true hero, and now he feels it's his duty to train and mode the one person who got on his radar to become just that and more. Hope you like.

Also, I will get back to my other stories soon, I've been distracted by school and life in general, you know. Please have some patience with me and please enjoy my first My Hero Academia fanfiction.

…

Izuku Midoriya did his best to remain calm as he fought to catch his breath. After many hours of running (or that's what it seemed like to him), he finally deemed he had a few moments to rest before he would need to move again. He leaned against the rough wall, crouching in the cramped place as best as he could while trying desperately not to move around too much and give his presence away to any wild animals. Or worse.

He absently scratched at the only patch of skin on his arm that wasn't marred with deep scratches and barely healed bruises. After going through the pain he had, there was no part of him that didn't ache, but he had long forced himself to push the pain down, until he hardly noticed it anymore. Even when he had broken bones.

The boy tilted his head, trying to hear any sound of footprints or scattering of leaves while also taking note of the nearby animal sounds. He had been in the woods for about two days, doing his best to stay hidden from sight and survive while doing so. The dark circles around his eyes showcasing his staying awake for the past few days without a wink of sleep. Not that he got much sleep nowadays.

Taking a deep breath and holding it for a few moments before releasing it, Midoriya took a moment to work his brain in order to find a way out of this. After so many times of having to rely on strategy and his quick thinking, he was usually an expert at thinking of a way to stay out of view and out of his hands for as long as was needed. He had learned a long while ago that it was the only way he would keep living.

But recently, it was as though he was being played with. Like his strategies were being predicted beforehand and he was being sent back and forth, like a rat in a maze. It was annoying and frustrating after the exercise, but when he was actually living through it… Izuku sincerely feared for his life. Honestly thought this would be the day he breathed his last breath. Which was why he had hidden himself in a the slightly broken fallen log he had found, hoping he could outlast the one hunting him long enough to get to where he needed to be.

He tensed up and placed his hands to his mouth to muffle his gasp as he heard the sound of steady footsteps nearing. Making himself as small as possible, the boy did his best to keep an eye on the bit of opening he could see from his position, trying very hard not to even breathe as he waited.

Before long, he could see two black boots walk causally into his field of vision. They were about two feet away from him, meaning the person who was wearing them was two feet away from him. Doing his best not to let the fear and panic he was currently feeling give his hiding spot away, Izuku pushed his back against the log while staring at the shoes like a hawk.

There were a tense few seconds where the owner of the boots just stood there, mostly likely listening for him or looking for any clues that would lead to what direction he went. For one heart-stopping moment, the shoes made as if to go towards the log, and the teen could feel the mass of sweat that came at the possibility that he would find him.

But then, the boots walked away, albeit slowly and cautiously, like it was making absolute sure he wasn't here. Then the footsteps got quieter until they disappeared completely. Izuku didn't move for another minute, not willing to take the chance that he was still around, still watching him. After a full two minutes of uninterrupted calmness, he finally took a breath. Now, maybe he could finally find some food before—

And then the world exploded around him.

…

When Izuku awoke again, he could feel his arm aching hot. He turned to see a big burn that ran from the beginning of his forearm to about a few inches before his elbow. He rose up from his position on his back, feeling the sticky sensation of blood, his own blood, dripping down from the side of his head. He tensed as he heard the deep, booming voice coming from behind him.

"Awake now, boy? I was starting to think I'd have to force you to open your eyes."

Shaking even before he could see the face of the person addressing him, Izuku turned to see the person who had been hunting him. The number one villain whom had made his debut several years prior. The man who was once a beloved hero to one and all before his fight with the most dangerous criminal in the world. The one who had put him through hell for the past few months.

All Might, current possessor of the quirk, All for One.

He was towering over him, still smiling that heroic grin, the one that had once inspired every citizen, and now haunted Izuku's every waking moment. He couldn't escape it in his dreams, and he certainly couldn't escape it now. The boy gulped as he stared up at the man's face. He looked eager, soaking up the obvious terror emitting from Izuku's frail and slightly damaged body.

"I've found you. Guess you're stuck with me for another five months. So sorry, young Midoriya."

The boy flinched at the insincere words, unable to stop his shaking at the reminder that he had lost. That he had had an opportunity to finally get back to the life he had, to finally get out of the deal he had been forced to make all those months ago, and he lost.

Seeing the despair and desperation on his face, the man above him crouched down, moving till he was almost at his eye level, his face softening slightly as he reached a hand out towards him. Izuku couldn't hold back another flinch as he watched that hand come towards him. The same hand that had put numerous bruises on his body, the same one who had taken him from his home. The hand that had held his best friend against the wall, choking Katsuki Bakugo in order to force Izuku to stay with him until he decided to let him go.

The hand touched his hair, ruffling it soothingly like a father would do when comforting his child. Ignoring the fear on the boy's face, All Might's smile grew bigger as he said, "Don't worry, young Midoriya. We'll make you into what you were meant to be yet. After all, I am here!"

The boy shivered as the man stood back up, scooping the kid up into his arms and moving them away. Izuku knew they were going to his hideout, that he would be treated for his injuries only to go through the same training and terror he had gone through for so many months. A few tears slipped out as he felt the former hero stroke his green curly hair once again.

"Sleep, young Midoriya. You've been through enough today. You'll be good as new soon, don't worry."

And, even though Izuku wanted very much to defil the man, he closed his eyes and fell into a deep sleep.

…

"Why won't you let me go?"

The question had come out without him thinking, fueled by his desperation and frustration with the situation it was trapped in. When Izuku had woken up, he had found himself strapped to a hospital bed, oxygen mask over his face and his injuries taken care of completely. As though he never had them in the first place.

Till now, he hadn't been able to figure out how All Might and those other villains who lurked about were able to stay above the heroes' radar till now. How despite every battle and every injury they sustain, there were never reports of their capture from a hospital and they always appear again, stronger than ever and ready to fight again.

Now he knew. It was because of All Might and his abundance of quirks, abilities that could do more than anyone could have guessed. Even Izuku, whom had spent his life compiling quirks and coming up with theories on the topic, had never even dreamed of the powers All Might had at his disposal.

The man in question was sitting beside him, in the skeleton-like form Midoriya had first seen him as, watching over him as he recovered. He leaned forward at his question, sounding mildly interested at his obvious despair and longing. "You know why, young man. You have so much potential, so much drive to be someone who helps and protects everyone who needs it. And yet, you refuse to listen when I've explained there's a higher purpose you have. Young Midoriya, you have too much goodness in you for me to let you be used."

"But I'm not being used. I just want to become a pro!" The protests were weak but clear enough for the boy's conviction to be heard.

"And those are the very people who will use you anyway they can. Whether it's for popularity, riches or any other petty reason, they will convince you those matter more, and I won't let them destroy you that way. You shine a light so bright and inspiring, a light that calls to others to do the right thing. And you'll do great things someday. But for now, it seems you have a long way to go before you can become that example for everyone."

Izuku felt tears slide down his face from beneath his closed lids, unable to hold back the sob in his voice. '"But I don't want to be that symbol if this is the way I have to achieve it. I don't want to hurt people because of why they save people. I just want to help those in need. And I just want to go home, All Might. Please."

He doesn't see the hand coming but he does flinch when he could feel it in his hair, ruffling and stroking it with a tenderness that was almost unbearable considering the situation he was in. "I know it doesn't seem like it now, but I am doing all this for your own good. Soon you'll be strong and smart enough to survive anything and anyone. I know I seem a little harsh in getting you there, but I'd rather I be hard on you now and save you than know you died because I let my feelings cloud my judgment."

Izuku sincerely hated when All Might spoke like that, when he hinted he cared about him or when he proclaimed he pushed him so hard for a reason. The back and forth treatment made this all that much more difficult, and a small part of him couldn't help but wonder if this was all meant to mold him to the man. The boy couldn't help but despair as he realized the method was working, just a little bit every day.

"I'm sorry this is rough now, but someday, you'll understand everything. Until then, I'll be here to guide you to where you are meant to be. Don't worry, young Midoriya, I'll be here for you every step of the way."

And, even though the statement only served to make him cry harder to himself, Izuku couldn't stop the feeling of relief that filled his stomach.

…

So, how is it? This is meant to be a one-shot, but I'm not sure as of yet. I know I didn't really explain things, so I may come back to it, but there was another My Hero Academia story I wanted to work on, so we'll see. Until then, any reviews, follows and favorites would be appreciated.