"—my boy—"
Izuku's mind was positively swimming. The darkness of encroaching unconsciousness and the overwhelming stench of the green muck that had been forced down his throat and into his airways were repressing his senses and clouding his mind in a near impenetrable fog.
"Young man—"
The sorcerer-in-training gave a start as he suddenly hacked what gunk remained lodged in his throat, rolling over onto his hands and knees and trying to pick himself up as he tried racking his brains for answers.
What...just happened? Izuku thought, spitting out another green blob. Oh yeah.
The last thing he remembered whilst walking home from school was getting snatched by a villain with a sludge Quirk of some kind. It would've been an interesting enough Quirk to analyze...if it wasn't being used to kill him right then and there.
Perfect, the slimy voice had hissed as he moved to force himself down Izuku's gullet. Your body will be perfect for escaping that grinning fool!
The slime had engulfed Izuku nearly whole; he'd struggled to break free and weave a spell to aid in his escape but his hands were bound—he could not conjure the energy necessary to use any useful magic. He could not even reach into his pocket and pull out the calling card Strange had gifted him with.
His vision had faded right as another looming shadow crashed into the villain that had attacked him, and the last thing he recalled feeling was the solid brick ground below that he unceremoniously plopped down on.
"I'm glad to see you're alright, young man!"
That voice! Booming, boundless, brimming with energy! Izuku dared to look up at the man casting his colossal shadow over him.
"Have no fear!" All Might roared with his flashy grin as held up duel bottles with the aforementioned sludge villain packed tightly into their confines. "For I am here!"
Holy crap! "All Might!?" Izuku shrieked with tears of joy threatening to spill forth.
"I was chasing this dastardly villain down for quite awhile!" All Might boomed loudly and followed it up with a hearty laugh. "I'm fortunate to have arrived in the nick of time! No need to ask for an autograph, I already put one in your notebook!"
Izuku shakily scrambled through his notebook to verify: there his signature was, as large and loud as the man himself, on the very last page.
"And now I'm off to deliver this slimy evil-doer to the police!" All Might declared as he turned and crouched, preparing for a monumental leap.
"W-wait!" Izuku cried out. He had just been saved by his childhood hero and idol, the man he had revered for years above all other Pros. Doctor Strange might have been the man who was training him in the skills that would allow him to properly attain his dream, and Izuku would be forever grateful for that, but All Might was still the man that molded that dream in the first place. All Might was responsible for Izuku's love of heroes. All Might was responsible for the hope that Strange had helped him recover. That kind of reverence is not so easily replaced or forgotten.
Watching what could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity about to bound away, Izuku sprang forward. Despite Strange's warning, Izuku felt that he desperately wanted his idol All Might to hear him declare his dream and intentions. He wanted All Might to know just how important he was to driving Izuku forward to realize his dream.
And so Izuku, in his haste, did the only thing that he could think of in that moment: he latched himself onto All Might's leg right as he took off.
A few shrieks of terror and bewildered admonishments later, All Might had landed down on the nearest convenient rooftop to ensure Izuku's safety.
"That was dangerous and reckless, my boy!" All Might scolded Izuku while still maintaining that trademark smile of his.
"I'm so sorry, All Might!" Izuku pleaded as he caught his breath after such a harrowing ordeal. "I just...really needed to tell you something before you go!"
"I see," All Might said, and Izuku noticed he was...shaking a little bit? "Very well, but please, make it quick, my boy!"
"Thank you, All Might!" Izuku said with a bow. "I know you must hear this a lot...but I just wanted to tell you that you've been my greatest inspiration since I was a little kid! I'm going to be applying to U.A next year, and I'll become a hero who saves lives with a smile on my face just like you, even if I am Quirkless—!
Poof!
"I—All Might?" Izuku blinked.
Crap, ran out of time...! "I-it's fine, kid, pay no attention to—gurk!" The gaunt man in All Might's place tried uttering before a spurt of blood ran from his mouth, eliciting a panicked yell from the boy.
"Listen, kid," the man behind the All Might persona—Toshinori Yagi—said as he lifted his shirt, revealing a twisted wound across his abdomen that outclassed Midoriya's scarred hands in every discernible way. "It's never bad to dream. But you still have to consider what's realistic."
The young man kept his gaze downward, but Toshinori could still see that the boy was visibly shaken. The man sighed; he hated what he was saying, but he thought it still needed to be said.
"Pro Heroes are burdened by numerous responsibilities," Toshinori said while gesturing to his grievous wound. "They must always be willing to endanger themselves—to risk their very lives—in order to save the lives of others. And without having any power to do that...you can end up being the one in need of saving instead."
"But...! I'm not powerless!" The boy balled his hands into fists, raising his head to look at All Might with an expression that blended defiance and desperation. "I'm—!"
"Quirkless," Toshinori interjected before dropping his shirt back down and giving the boy a gentle grin. "Listen, my boy: I'm elated to know that I've inspired such hope in your heart, and I'm not at all unimpressed by you vying for U.A of all places. Heck, if you were to show good enough marks on the written portion, you might still earn yourself a spot in the General Education Department. Despite the heroic reputation and image U.A gives off, Quirkless students are not entirely unprecedented at that institution, whether it be General Education, Support, or Business."
Still, the boy seemed unconvinced.
"I know you're aiming to become a Pro such as myself," Toshinori said, approaching the boy and placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "But remember that one needn't be a Pro in order to be a hero. Just take the police as an example: they are no less heroic for being in a profession that is not nearly as flashy as mine, and there are plenty of Quirkless police officers, as well."
Toshinori moved around the boy and toward the stairwell. "I just want you to know that whether or not you're a Pro, and whether or not you're Quirkless, there will always be something one such as you can do to be a hero."
The boy seemed to noticeably relax at that, and Toshinori grinned as he departed down the stairs. Hopefully his words resonated with the boy in a meaningful way.
It wasn't until he'd reached the bottom of the stairs that Toshinori realized the bottles containing the villain he'd captured were conspicuously absent.
There will always be something one such as you can do to be a hero.
Izuku stood silent and alone on the rooftop, processing All Might's words for several minutes. They were certainly not the words he was expecting—or even really hoping for—but he did not feel at all dissuaded. He was mostly definitely shaken, especially at All Might inadvertently revealing his true self, but if anything...his resolve was stronger now than ever before.
Like Kacchan before him, All Might was now placed on what seemed to be an ever-growing list of people Izuku would prove himself to. This list, Izuku had long come to expect, might never stop growing, but that didn't mean his determination would waver anymore.
He made sure not to reveal the magical nature of his training, as per Strange's instructions. Nevertheless, it still felt relieving to unpack his dreams on his idol and to have him listen—so few people ever seemed interested in entertaining the heroic aspirations of a Quirkless boy, but All Might did. Even in spite of his rebuke of Izuku's declaration, he had still listened.
Just wait, All Might! You, too, Kacchan! Izuku reaffirmed to himself as he followed the stairwell to the street below. In time, I'll prove myself to you just like I will everyone else! I'll show that Quirkless doesn't mean powerless!
That time would come far sooner than Izuku would have ever expected, as a series of earth-shaking explosions sounded off many blocks away.
It can't be...is that...? Izuku thought, stunned, as he approached the growing crowd that was gathering to watch the explosive commotion going on. They were held back at a safe distance by a line of formidable heroes that Izuku easily recognized, such as Kamui Woods and Death Arms.
Normally Izuku would be flipping his notebook open to analyze battles and Quirks, but Quirk Analysis was far from his mind at the moment. Flailing wildly about in the street, obstructed by billowing black smoke and twisted, flaming debris, was the sludge villain that he assaulted him earlier.
How!? I thought All Might had him contained! Izuku thought frantically. Then a sinking feeling settled in his gut: had his drastic actions earlier resulted in the villain slipping from All Might's grasp?
"Kamui Woods," Death Arms grunted. "Can you use your Quirk to momentarily restrain him?"
"No," Kamui Woods replied with a groan. "They're surrounded by fire and that kid is letting off explosions every chance he can get!"
Explosions?
"Kacchan!" Izuku yelled out in horror as a gust of wind whipped the smoke enough for him to see what was keeping the heroes at bay: the sludge villain had Bakugo ensnared in his slimy grasp, using him as a shield from the heroes and police who had the scene surrounded.
Izuku immediately bolted through the crowd and tried to run straight toward Bakugo, whose covered mouth was undoubtedly mumbling every expletive he could think of, but whose eyes were wide and screaming for help.
Kacchan! I won't let you get killed because of me!
But before Izuku could break off from the front of the crowd, a wooden appendage gripped him by the shoulder. It was Kamui Woods, who was stopping Izuku from going any further.
"Are you mad, kid!?" He exclaimed. "Stay away from there!"
"It's Kacchan!" Was Izuku's only tearful response."It's Kacchan!"
Izuku flailed his arms wildly to try and break Kamui's hold, but the arbor hero held on tightly, refusing to budge and give the boy another inch.
If only I could just reach him! Kacchan!
Izuku threw his arm back, as if winding up for a monumental throw as it shimmered with a bright energy.
It doesn't matter if I'm not a Pro...! It doesn't matter if I'm Quirkless...!
Izuku then threw his arm forward and a spectacular array of fiery, crimson bands flew from his fingertips and through the smoke toward Bakugo. The flame-like whips honed in on their target, wrapping around Bakugo's exposed arm. Bakugo grunted and instinctively let off another explosion, but the whips appeared unaffected. Izuku let out a tearful yell and yanked his arm back, ripping his former childhood friend from the grasp of the sludge villain, much to the shock of everyone in attendance.
There will always be something I can do...to be a hero! Izuku triumphantly recalled All Might's words.
"Kacchan!" Izuku used Kamui Wood's shock to rip himself from his grasp and rush forward to help Bakugo to safety.
Bakugo sputtered and glared up at Izuku, pushing his savior off as he tried ushering him to safety. "Deku! I didn't ask for your help!"
"No, you didn't!" Izuku said with a sniffle, ecstatic that he was mostly unharmed. "But I gave it anyway! Isn't that what a hero does!?"
Bakugo couldn't formulate any kind of response before the massive form of the sludge villain began bearing down on them. "You impudent worm!" He roared as he threatened to smother them with his slimy mass. "I'll crush you for taking my meat shield away!"
Izuku shut his eyes and forced himself in front of Bakugo to take the brunt of the attack...but it never came.
"Detroit Smash!"
One powerful shock later, and the sludge villain was simply...gone. The smoke had dissipated. All that remained was smoldering debris, two shaking boys, and All Might towering above them.
The crowd roared with approval and the heroes collectively sighed in relief as the skies darkened and droplets or rain came down, a testament to All Might's frighteningly incredible power.
Izuku blocked it all out as he fell to his knees. All that mattered was that Kacchan was safe. And, at least in his eyes, Izuku had finally proven himself.
"I shouldn't have to remind you of the ethics of public Quirk usage," Detective Tsukauchi said stoically as he stood before Izuku, who was getting patched up by a medic. "You seem old enough to know of such laws."
"Yes, sir..." Izuku said dejectedly. He'd already gotten an earful from the heroes that were on the scene, especially Kamui Woods who had tried to stop him from running headlong into danger. Every so often he would glance toward where Bakugo was getting looked over, but he'd always flinch and turn his gaze away as his former friend was glaring daggers at him every time he looked in his direction.
"You could have found yourself in a bit of trouble if it weren't for All Might," The detective informed Izuku.
Izuku perked up at that. All Might?
"He informed me that he had prior interactions with you and that you are, or rather were, Quirkless," Tsukauchi said, leaning down to Izuku's level. "And I knew he was telling the truth because my Quirk is Human Lie Detector. When people talk to me, I know if they're lying...or telling the truth. So Midoriya: are you, or were you, Quirkless before the incident today?"
Midoriya didn't miss a beat. "Yes, before today, I was Quirkless." Not technically a lie, just not the whole truth, he thought as the detective gave him a scrutinizing look.
"Late bloomers are not entirely unprecedented," Tsukauchi said with a sigh. "I suppose it was the trauma of seeing your friend captured by a villain that unlocked it. Regardless, you'll get a pass today. But please be diligent in the future regarding the law, alright? And don't forget to get yourself registered in the Quirk Registry soon!"
Izuku nodded and hopped off the ambulance he was seated in when the medic gave him the all clear. He looked around the bustling crowd, searching for All Might in order to thank him as well as apologize to, but the man was nowhere to be found in a sea of emergency workers, police, Pro Heroes, and gawking civilians and journalists.
Giving up, Izuku turned to finally make his way home. He'd only made it five blocks when an angry Bakugo caught up to him.
"Deku, you piece of shit!" Bakugo snarled as he pressed Izuku against a brick wall with his forearm. "Late bloomer my ass! You were hiding your Quirk from me all these years, weren't you!?"
"K-Kacchan, please just listen for a moment!" Izuku whined as he struggled against Bakugo's pressure.
"Is it because you think you're better than me and my Quirk with yours?" Bakugo growled, digging his elbow into Izuku's shoulder. "Flame whips are fucking pathetic compared to my explosions!"
"It's not a Quirk!" Izuku suddenly blurted out. "I don't have a Quirk!"
Bakugo was silent for a moment before suddenly releasing his pressure against Izuku and letting him drop to the ground. "You can't even be fucking honest with me..." Bakugo muttered morosely as he began sauntering away. "I don't need the likes of a worthless Deku looking down on me!"
"Kacchan—!" Izuku yelled out, but Bakugo was having no part of it. He never looked back, and he was out of sight before long, leaving Izuku alone to nurse his aching shoulder.
Izuku slowly picked himself back up to continue his way home, but he'd hardly traveled another four blocks before being interrupted yet again-this time by All Might in his true, withered form.
"A-All Might!" Izuku yelled out in surprise as he'd nearly ran right into him.
"Young Midoriya, was it?" All Might asked somberly. "I must apologize for the words I shared with you earlier."
"No...I should be the one apologizing!" Izuku shook his head. "It was because of me that the sludge villain escaped, wasn't it?"
"Paltry compared to my wrongdoing," All Might responded. "Pathetic...I was pathetic. To admonish you and your dreams, but in that moment I was not heeding my own advice! To risk one's own life for the lives of others! To move before even thinking in order to save those in need! Those are the marks of a true hero!"
Izuku felt a great pang within his chest as his eyes welled with sudden tears. He had proven himself to All Might after all...
"Young Midoriya," All Might continued. "You were the one who made the greatest difference in that situation. I can say now, without a doubt, that not only do you have the potential to make a splendid Hero, but you have also shown that you are worthy to inherit my power."
Izuku's mind crashed to a violent halt. What...?
"Midoriya, my boy," All Might said with sheer conviction in his voice. "I want you to become my Successor!"
Midoriya could not formulate any sort of reasonable response as his mind reeled from All Might's statement. Inherit? Successor? He thought back to Doctor Strange and his progress as the sorcerer's student, and he mindlessly fidgeted with his sensei's calling card that he'd slipped out from his back pocket, circling his thumb around the card's seal many times as he tried to think of how to respond to the Number One Hero.
Not even a moment later, the space beside Izuku and All Might erupted in a brilliant swirling of energy as Strange's portal opened up. The sorcerer stepped through, giving his student a quick look-over.
"What seems to be the emergency, Izu—" Strange suddenly cut himself off as he slowly turned toward a rather stunned All Might. The two men stared at each other in silence for a solid minute.
"Stephen?" All Might blinked.
"Toshinori?" Strange blinked right back.
Izuku's brain could hardly register this revelation properly. Doctor Strange and All Might know each other!?
Author Notes
And scene! This was going to be a decidedly longer chapter but I opted to leave it off right here. Makes for a decent cliffhanger, no? Next chapter will essentially be 'Part 2' to this, and the situation with All Might and One For All will finally be decided then.
So what do you all think of the revelation that Doctor Strange and All Might know each other? What could their history be? What ramifications could that have on the story from here on out? Will we see them team up in the future? Fingers crossed!
As always, feel free to leave me your thoughts either in the reviews or through messaging and favorite/follow if you like reading my story!
Until next time! Plus Ultra!
