Disclaimer: I do not own anything from My Hero Academia, nor do I own concepts of any other anime or tv shows used in this story.
Author's note: This story is simply written for fun, I expect I would make plenty of amateur mistakes.
Texts like this are Izuku's voluntary thoughts from his perspective.
[Texts like this] represents thoughts that comes from his subconscious, where the majority of his quirk manifests. All of Izuku's subconscious thoughts are not actually verbal. To Izuku, they're merely flashes of notions that happen in very short moments. After all, they come from his intuition.
Chapter 2: Updating Framework
Izuku, age 4, two days after quirk discovery
"Ah, Mrs. Midoriya, welcome back. What seems to be the issue?" greeted the doctor.
"Hello again doctor, well you see…" said Inko Midoriya as she was stopped mid-sentence by Izuku shaking her hand. "Mom, I want to tell him myself."
"Oh, alright Izuku. My, my, you're starting to get pretty bold recently young man." Inko smiled as she teased Izuku, whose demeanor seemed slightly different than the timid boy he once was. "They grow up so fast, don't they?"
[Activating quirk: Puppet String]
Before the doctor could even reply to that small exchange, Izuku reached out a hand towards a pen in the doctor's coat pocket, and it flew into Izuku's grasp.
"What the… How did…?!" exclaimed the doctor as he stammered at the unexpected display, Izuku grinned smugly at the doctor in return.
That's for trying to crush my hopes and dreams. Jerk!
"Wow, I didn't think… in my whole career I've never witnessed such a case such as young Midoriya here. I mean, the research regarding the lack of the pinky toe joint and it's correlation to quirks were very prominent, so nobody really denied their validity," explained the doctor as he rubbed the top of his bald head, still recovering from the shock.
Wow, I never noticed how shiny his head is.
Oh, his watch looks really shiny too, it looks like…
[Target object: Analyzing…; Functional error detected]
…it's going two seconds slower every day, because a 'spinny metal thingy' inside is loose because it has a rough tooth?
[Insufficient linguistic data]
I'm not going to say that to the doctor, I don't want my friends to think I'm more of a weirdo than I already am.
I should ask mom to show me some of those online study videos when we get back so I can learn more words.
[Sub-directive logged]
"Hmm, there have been some recent theories that the lack of a joint could just be another symptom of having a quirk and not the cause itself, this case could mean that the theory isn't entirely wrong," added the doctor after some moments of consideration. "Anyway, let's proceed with your son's quirk examination, Mrs. Midoriya. I'm sure you and your son must be looking forward to this."
Izuku and his mother were ushered by a nurse into an examination room that resembled a kindergarten's toy room, arranged with floor cushions and chabudai tables (Japanese-style short tables). The doctor followed in moments after, holding a clipboard of papers in his hand. Across the room, another family of three could be seen with another doctor and nurse, having their own consultation.
"Now then, if you would, Mrs. Midoriya, please sit down here. Young Izuku can sit atop the table, it allows us to observe the child better. No worries, the table is quite short and the floor here is cushioned," said the doctor as he prepared the quirk test.
As Inko settled down on her seat and Izuku sat on the center of the table, the doctor clicked his pen and said: "Alright young Izuku, show me that quirk of yours again." The accompanying nurse then placed a wooden letter block in front of Izuku.
[Activating quirk: Puppet String]
Izuku pulled in the block in one fluid motion and took a closer inspection of it.
[Target object: Analyzing…]
[Structural weakness found]
Hmm, looks like this block is going to break apart if this corner here gets dropped on four more times.
I better put it back, I don't want to break it and get in trouble.
"Uhm, I don't think this is my quirk though…" Izuku said as he gently put the block back onto the table.
"What do you mean?" asked the doctor as he looked up from his clipboard.
"Well, uhm, it's actually my mom's. It feels like I learned it from her." Izuku replied.
"Ah, I see. No need to worry. When a quirk similar to a parent's manifests in a child, they tend to grasp it much quicker than if they had a completely different quirk. It's normal for you to feel that way because of how much you've seen your mother use hers. I assure you it's your own quirk through and through."
Really? I'm pretty sure I know how I feel about this quirk though…
[Insufficient data]
…but what do I know? I'm only four and he's the doctor.
After that, the doctor performed a few more tests. Gauging how strong he can pull an object, and how heavy of an object can be pulled, etc. The results turned out similar to his mother's own test results, albeit slightly better.
"Alright, that covers the tests. I will be marking down Izuku's quirk as 'Attract Small Objects'. If there are any new developments in your son's quirk, feel free to bring him back so we can update his information, Mrs. Midoriya. Thank you both for dropping by. You're free to go now, have a nice day." said the doctor.
"Well, was that fun, Izuku?" Inko asked Izuku as they exited the hospital.
"It was alright Mom, I couldn't understand some of the words the doctor said though," said Izuku with a slight frown.
"Aww, it's alright Izuku. You're still very young, there's a lot you don't know yet. If you're curious about something you can always ask me you know?" replied Inko as she ruffled Izuku's hair with affection.
"What do you say we go celebrate your new quirk with some ice-cream?" suggested Inko.
YES! ICE CREAM!
[HIGH ENERGY SUSTENANCE IMMINENT]
Izuku nodded his head rapidly like a woodpecker, making his mother giggle with glee.
Hmm, I couldn't fully understand what the doctor was talking about...
Maybe I should try to learn more things, that might help me figure out what I've been going through since I last saw Kacchan.
Upon reaching home, Izuku asked his mother: "Mom, can you help me look for stuff about quirks? I kinda want to learn about them a bit more in detail…"
[Sub-directive triggered: Inquire linguistic data]
"…Oh! I also need to learn about more words too, so I can know how to talk properly to grownups."
"Anything for you, Izuku dear. I'll see what I can do later. Now, let's get you cleaned up first." Inko cheerfully said as she kissed Izuku on the forehead, feeling proud of her son's sudden interest for self-improvement.
A week later
"Forward march~~! Members of the Bakugou Hero Agency~~!" sang Bakugou in a broken tone, as his two lackeys Bulk and Skull trailed behind him, followed by Izuku.
The group of kids were playing pretend-heroes in the nearby forest as they marched single-file towards a large tree trunk bridge spanning across a river gorge, with Bakugou igniting his Explosion quirk in short bursts signifying the lead.
Oh cool! That tree trunk is huge! Looks like its big enough for us to cro-
[Analyzing local topography…]
[Caution: Low friction surface detected]
…Wait! This isn't safe at all! That icky green stuff on the trunk is slippery!
"Guys! Wait! That bridge isn't safe! We should turn back and find another path!" yelled Izuku just as the group was approaching the start of the bridge.
The three other boys stopped to look at Izuku. "Pfft, what's wrong Deku? Chicken? Don't follow us then, we're gonna have even more fun without you around anyway," snickered Bakugou.
"Yeah Deku, chicken?" droned both Bulk and Skull.
Deku watched as the three turned their backs to him and started to cross the slippery bridge.
Sigh, I really hope Kacchan will be alright...
Those other two should be fine since their quirks can prevent them from falling off the bridge.
I really want to follow them, but I'm getting a really bad feeling from that bridge, maybe there's a way under it?
[Analyzing local topography…; Analyzing footwear…]
[Matching data…; Plotting optimal route...]
[Multiple optimal routes found]
Aha, there is. My shoes should be able to step on those rocks without slipping.
Izuku started to make his way halfway down the gorge gracefully, just as he heard a scream from Bakugou that made his stomach drop. Looking up, Izuku caught a glimpse of Bakugou just as he was about to tumble down the side of the bridge.
OH NO! Kacchan!
[Analyzing target impact trajectory, adjusting for erratic limb movement…]
[Analyzing riverbed topography, adjusting for water refraction…]
[Analyzing fluid mechanics…; Constructing fluid mechanism framework…]
[Data acquisition complete; Matching data…]
[Analyzing possible target trauma…]
[ALERT: Cranial impact to target imminent, Trauma severity: high]
That part of the river's too shallow! I have to help him!
[Directive added: Minimize trauma to Subject Kacchan]
[Recommendation: Interfere target trajectory]
I'm too far to catch him in time!
[Activating quirk: Puppet String]
I only have enough time to nudge a part of him towards me once! I have to make this count!
[Analyzing optimal course of action…]
Aaand… THERE!
At this point, Bakugou was tumbling through the air, halfway through his fall. Izuku reached out with two palms, waited for the right moment with an uncanny intensity in his eyes, and used Puppet String through both hands to yank Bakugou by his wristwatch with all his might.
The pull caused Bakugou to rotate horizontally in mid-air, just enough for his entire body to fall flat onto a deeper part of the river.
[Subject Kacchan secured]
"Kacchan!" Izuku yelled as he practically ran towards where Bakugou landed. His feet planted firmly on every foothold, as he went down a slope of wet stone and damp rocks as easily as if it were flat ground.
Bakugou sat up from where he landed, the water up to his chest, as he turned to his two lackeys atop the bridge. "I'm fine!" said Bakugou with a grin.
When Izuku made his way to Bakugou to extend a helping hand, he was on the brink of tears. "Kacchan! Are you okay? Can you stand? That would've been really bad if you hit your head..."
To Izuku's surprise, a spiteful scowl formed on Bakugou's expression directed at Izuku. "Wha… what's wrong? Are you injured?"
[Analyzing target…]
[No trauma detected]
Izuku breathes a sigh of relief. "Oh, phew. Looks like you're not injured. Here, I'll help you up."
"Don't look at me with that face!" Bakugou screamed at Izuku.
Izuku was stunned by his friend's outburst. "What? What did I do wrong?"
"Nothing was wrong! You worthless piece of shit! I didn't need your help! Your weak-ass quirk didn't do anything either, all you did was spin me around and made me dizzy!" snarled Bakugou.
WHAT?!
What is his problem?! He could've gotten seriously injured!
I just saved him, and he treats me like I'm his enemy?!
I've had enough of this!
"ENOUGH! I'm sick of your attitude! You've been treating me like this ever since you got your damn quirk!" Izuku yelled at Bakugou with a furious expression as tears started to stream down his face.
The sudden eruption of anger from the usually timid and gentle Izuku made Bakugou momentarily speechless.
Izuku proceeded to pick up Bakugou by his collar, and dragged him over towards where the shallow riverbed was and pointed at it. "You see those jagged rocks just beneath the surface there?! You were going to fall head first into it! I pulled you out of the way because I didn't want you to get hurt!"
Seeing that shallow riverbed and imagining his fall again, made the colour drain from Bakugou's face.
"I… I didn't…" Bakugou faltered.
"Of course you didn't see! All you've been thinking about is that damn quirk of yours and how much of a bad-ass you are! You're bloated with all those compliments and praises everyone's been telling you! Why the hell would you be able to see anything else?! Like how you've been treating ME! I thought I was your friend!" Izuku continued through gritted teeth while failing to hold back his tears. "I should've let you hit that rock! Maybe that way something would've actually gotten through that thick skull of yours!"
Before Bakugou could think of a reply, Izuku clocked him across the cheek with a right hook, forcing him to sit back onto the riverbed.
"And look at those two morons up there! Still gaping around like idiots! Any one of them could've easily grabbed you with their quirk! Instead they just watched you fall! You think they're your friends?! We knew them since we were three, and they only wanted to hang out with you after you got your quirk! They don't care about you, they just wanted to hang out with someone popular! And yet somehow I'm the one who gets the worst treatment from you! If you really wanted to be a hero someday you wouldn't have treated any person like that!" Izuku yelled even louder, making sure those two lackeys could also hear him.
Izuku wiped away his tears, stormed back up the slope and proceeded to walk home alone, leaving the three boys flabbergasted where they were.
Later that evening
*DING DONG*
Midoriya Inko went to open the door, just as she was putting on an apron to cook dinner.
"Hello? Oh it's little Katsuki-chan! You must be here for Izuku? I'm sorry to hear what happened." said Inko with a sympathetic smile.
Some mild swelling could be seen on Bakugou's left cheek. "No, Mrs. Midoriya, don't be. It's… actually my fault. Can I talk to Izuku for a moment?"
At this moment, Izuku approached the front door. "What do you want, Kacchan?" glared Izuku as he crossed his arms. Inko smiled and nodded at Bakugou, then went back into the house to give the two boys their own space.
"Look, I've been thinking about what happened, it wasn't cool of me to treat you like that. I realized I've been getting full of myself just because I got a really good quirk, and I just can't imagine any of the top heroes acting like that." Bakugou explained apologetically.
"So… what I'm trying to say is, can we be friends again?" Bakugou asked reluctantly.
Izuku relaxed his arms and put on a stern face. "No."
An expression of disappointment started to form on Bakugou's face as Izuku interrupted. "But we can be best friends though," said Izuku with a sly grin.
"Shit, dude, you really got me there Dek... sorry I mean Izuku," laughed Bakugou as he released a sigh of relief.
"Actually, I kinda like that nickname, but from now on it should mean 'dekiru'!" (Japanese for: 'you can do it') replied Izuku with a hint of pride.
Feeling amused at Izuku's creativity, Bakugou smiled in agreement and said: "Alright, since you asked for it, Deku it is then!"
Bakugou reached out for a handshake. "Best friends?"
"Best friends!" Izuku exclaimed enthusiastically as he returns the handshake.
[Point of interest: Analyzing target physiology…]
[Quirk detected; Analyzing quirk mechanism…]
Oh, cool! So Kacchan's explosions come from his sweat? That's gross and awesome at the same time!
[Data acquisition complete; Assimilating…]
Huh? What's this feel-
A tiny explosion between their clasped hands interrupted Izuku's thoughts as both boys flinched and pulled their hands back.
"Ow, that stings! Why'd you do that Kacchan?" asked Izuku as he looked at Bakugou confusedly.
Equally confused, Bakugou briefly examined his right hand and said: "That wasn't me! I had this quirk for months! I'd never let it misfire like that! How did that-"
"...Holy shit. Uh, Deku? What the hell is that?" Bakugou's eyes widened and he pointed a finger towards Izuku's hands.
Izuku raised his hands. Both boys watched with astonishment as dozens of tiny sparks and sounds of bang snaps were emitted from his palms.
[Quirk: Explosion, Assimilation complete]
One of Izuku's quirk's side effects is making him more intelligent than he would be if he was quirkless. That means over time he is going to be more assertive and more confident with himself compared to the canonical Izuku, he is not going to be a pushover. This will have a butterfly effect on some characters.
Regarding pairings, I haven't decided yet. I'm going to play it by ear and see how the story develops, but most likely either Ochako or Momo.
Feel free to leave a review. I'd love to know what I can improve on. Thanks for reading!