Chapter One
The Case of Emmet Blake
All men are created equal. I mean, they've told me that. I don't believe it. You can't sit there and tell me to my face that I'm equal to someone who could create icebergs from their fingertips, or blast fire from their hands. People have told me all my life that I'm no different than anyone else just because I'm quirkless but it's all a lie, if I was equal to everyone else I wouldn't have to sit out at gym, or sit out discussions in class because I won't fit in with everyone else. People wouldn't look at me differently, like I have some sort of contagious disease, like I'm somehow going to steal their quirks. All men are not created equal. I know because I'm reminded every day.
It's not like I've ever let that bother me. I know it's bullshit that I'm even somewhat comparable to someone like Captain Celebrity, Homelander, or All Might. Most of my classmates, even. But it's not like anyone would ever let me forget it, though.
My classmates are pretty much the reason. I try to sit at lunch and enjoy my food and whatever's on my phone and people just use their quirks. One kid can turn invisible, he's annoying. Another kid can bend his body in any way he wants, he's gross. They're all obnoxious. The only people I can even tolerate are my friends.
Bullies are another story entirely. The school is full of them, and it's almost like the faculty doesn't care, but I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't. One time I tried to fight back and I got in trouble for pushing the kid threatening to blind me with his quirk. The school wasn't having it, so I got in school suspension and he got a warning. Makes sense, right? Put the kid who you see as helpless and useless into punishment and the other kid who can literally blind people back into the world. I stopped caring when I realized no one else did.
I mean, caring is a relative term. I don't care about myself, I care about the other people. I like to imagine if I was someone else, I'd want to protect people like me. But I'm not. So I can't. I'd love to be a hero and look out for the little guy. I don't care about popularity, I'd just want people to know I'm there to help. But I can't. So I won't.
I've gotten offers from hero high schools before, but when I respond with interest and list my quirk, they usually lose interest. I try to imagine it's just junk mail anyways, but other kids have been accepted into schools that way at my school. I try not to let it hurt too much. I like to think I've developed a thick skin after being the way I am my whole life, but I really haven't. I go through the motions at school and hang out with my friends but I'm not really there. I'm in my head.
I try to imagine what quirk I might have, had I been born with one. My mom and dad are both quirkless, so no help there, but I imagine anyways. I think I'd like to have a power that lets me fly. Heroes fly. It's their thing. I want people to see me and know I'm a hero. I try to imagine names, but all the good ones are taken. I hear kids talking about them at school and when I try to join in it makes everyone uncomfortable. I don't think it's because any of my actions suggest I'm a weirdo, I think it's because I technically have a disability and people are weird about that.
Being home is better, I can chill out in my room and listen to music. Occasionally I'll go for a walk to the pier and watch the other kids my age on the beach lighting bonfires as the sun sets, and wish I could join. Then I see them show off their quirks and realize I'd feel majorly left out.
I'm part of a few online support groups for quirkless people. They've helped occasionally with how I feel about myself, but nothing major. It's just nice to know I'm not alone in the world. My mom's tried to get me to go to therapy, but it's not like they can tell me anything I don't already know. Maybe I'll try it one day. I think I'm okay for now.
I didn't want to be quirkless. I've never wanted to be quirkless. We make do with what we have, though. If I play my cards right, I might make something of myself and the world will know my name. I'll start by not giving up.
Author's Note! Whoa, what's this, I'm writing again? Crazy. I figure that I should because of all this pandemic stuff happening. Gives me an excuse. Sorry if anyone was a fan of my other stories but those are definitely on indefinite hiatus, probably forever. Anyways, I'm 17 now. Started this account when I was 11 and it really fostered my love of writing, because I never stopped even when I didn't post. If anyone I used to talk to on this account sees this, shoot me a pm. If you like this story or the premise, leave a review. I've got big plans. Peace.