Chapter 2: Home Sweet Home
"Hey, Midoriya."
Izuku's chopsticks paused inches from his face as he turned towards Tenya with his cheeks stuffed to the brim with white rice similar to a chipmunk with nuts. Ochaco stifled an adorable giggle behind her fist. The usually earnest and straightforward Tenya awkwardly coughed into his fist as he had second thoughts on the topic he wanted to address. He took a refreshing sip of his juice and adjusted his glasses, a habit of his, to look at his newest friend. He asked, "Are you feeling okay? You've been acting somewhat strange."
"Hmm." Izuku hummed as he swallowed, relishing the flavor and texture of something that was not a standard MRE, tightly squeezing his chopsticks in euphoric bliss. He was exaggerating the taste slightly because of his exhilaration. The future was in the palm of his hand, his to mold, to shape, and the least he could do was enjoy a steaming bowl of rice. Content to listen to youthful voices he'd long forgotten, he placed his elbow on the table and rested his chin on the palm of his hand, a sly smile touching his lips. "What makes you say that?"
"Well-" He turned to look at Ochaco nervously play with a loose strand of hair, looking to the side. "You did kind of surprise us, you know, back in class with the whole, ah, crying thing." She finished in a whisper, almost embarrassed to recall the emotional memory. "Now you're like, strangely happy. Not that that's a bad thing or anything!" Realizing the insensitively of her comment, she corrected herself with a frantic wave of her hand. This time he stifled a chuckle. God, it was nice to see her again and experience her bubbly personality firsthand.
"Ah, man, don't remind me!" Playing the part, Izuku rubbed the back of his head with a healthy blush, pretending to be flustered. "I was just glad because you two voted for me. I know we're friends, but it means a lot, you know?" He finished with a genuine smile, revealing the half-truth, practically sparkling with positive energy. Ah, positively, an emotion he had not experienced in a long, long time. He'd missed it. He felt lighter. That as well as seeing with two eyes; binocular vision for the win!
"Was I that obvious?" Ochaco scratched the side of her head bashfully, a slight pink hue dusting her cheeks. As if her innocent whistling during class wasn't enough indication. Izuku wanted to comment on how she always wore her emotions on her sleeve but smartly stayed quiet. Beside her, Tenya humphed, clearly miffed as he took a bite of his lunch.
"Midoriya, your grit, decisiveness in a pinch, and problem-solving skills make you the perfect candidate to lead us all. More so than me. That is why you received my vote." Those were valuable skills, Izuku agreed. However, the most important were discipline, resolution, and willpower. Being a squad captain, a commander, or even the president of a high school classroom council, all leadership positions, required the will to do what was necessary. Some were naturally born charismatic, meant to lead, but when the world was on the brink of collapse, it was those who did not want the responsibility who ended up with it. "I, humbly, made the choice I felt was correct." Tenya finished, setting his spoon down with a metallic clang, content with his explanation.
"I'll do my best to live up to your expectations." Dispelling the hopeless thoughts plaguing his mind, Izuku nodded, still smiling. His cheeks hurt from maintaining it all the time.
"I think you'd be a good president too, Iida. You got the glasses and everything!" Ochaco mentioned innocently, sneaking in a bite of rice, failing to look underneath the teen's words and his desire for the position. The two settled into comfortable conversation. Izuku took the opportunity to check his phone's clock, watching the second's hand tick in rhythm with his pulse. He thought long and hard about his next course of action, taking the time to look up and around, watching as familiar faces walked around leisurely, eating with friends, chatting, and laughing. His green eyes steeled as he found himself unconsciously trying to recognize anyone who perished under his command or due to his orders.
"Though I realize I'm not ready for a leadership position, like that of my brother Ingenium, I can recognize someone who is. As the superior candidate, it was the right decision to choose you, Midoriya!" Tenya's cheery voice tore himself out of his musings which were becoming increasingly distractive, he noticed. He could, would, change the future. No one had to die unnecessarily, and no one would if he could help it. The taller teen crossed his arms over his chest triumphantly, his lips curled into a smirk, feeling pride at the mention of his role model for one reason or another.
"Wow, so the serious rich kid can smile every once in a while." Ochaco teased, causing Tenya's previous confident facade to crumble as he looked at her with betrayal, mouth hanging open. Izuku chuckled. Any second now, he mused, eyes dancing around the room. Suddenly, a loud alarm blared throughout the cafeteria, startling everyone as their eyes shot upwards. The previously lively place full of chatter was now eerily quiet. He noticed the fright in his friends, their breathing slow, eyes wide. In the massive cafeteria filled with future heroes, he was the only one who'd kept their composure, though no one noticed.
"Security level three broken. All students are to evacuate immediately. Security level three-" The autonomous speaker system ordered on repeat, increasing the stress level of everyone who heard it with its ambiguous directions. Students from all different courses hastily stood, forgoing their lunches, and rushed towards the central exit, their hurried footsteps shaking the ground. It quickly devolved into a stampede. Izuku promptly rose along with his friends, joining the masses to evacuate, listening to his schoolmates as they found themselves swept up in the commotion.
"Security level 3? So someone broke in?" An upperclassman asked his friends aloud.
"Ow!" A girl from the general course yelped when someone stepped on her shoes.
"Stop shoving!" Another shouted.
"Wait, I'm going to fall!"
"Out of my way!"
"Hey! What the heck is going on?!" Ochaco loudly questioned as she found herself overwhelmed by bodies from every possible angle, suffocating her, struggling to speak loud enough above the crowd. She fought to keep her balance, feeling someone push her back, inadvertently leaning on the person in front of her. She was wildly uncomfortable. Things were quickly growing out of control as the panic cemented itself. "Watch it!" She yelled after another shove.
"I'd expect no less from U.A.! Such a fast response time in response to danger!" Tenya gushed as he tried to maintain his footing amongst all the pushing and pulling. He pressed his glasses tightly against the bridge of his nose lest they fall and shatter underneath the shoes of hundreds of frightened students. With a groan, he craned his neck, black orbs zigzagging across the hallway, trying to see above the masses and find his much smaller friend after being separated. "Midoriya! Are you okay?!" He shouted, hoping he hadn't become a victim due to his shorter stature.
Unbeknownst to him and everyone there, the future was about to change.
"Uraraka." With sweat on her brow, she whipped her head to the side, surprised to see Izuku confidently smiling at her with a bright gleam in his eyes and standing a few inches away. How was he so calm, she asked herself frantically. Staring into her brown eyes, ignoring the situation, he reached to grab her wrist delicately. For some reason, the loud, intense shouting from the students surrounding the two seemed to die down as she found herself enraptured by his powerful aura. She could hear him clearly despite the noise. "Can you lend me your power and make me float?" He asked, tugging her hand slightly.
It was a testament to the trust she already had in him that she fulfilled his request despite her confusion. With a swift stroke from all her fingers, Izuku found himself weightless, boots still on the ground, delighted with the familiar feeling. He mouthed a quick thank you and shot her a pleased thumbs up. With expert manipulation of his body and the help of his Quirk, he launched himself towards the exit with a powerful jump, gliding above the panicked students. He inhaled a deep breath and tucked into himself, allowing him to spin quickly and skillfully twist his body like a ballerina. His back dully impacted the wall above the exit sign of the doorway, his feet pressed against the roof and head upside down, hair pulled downward.
He had been mulling over his decision for a while, ever since his consciousness successfully arrived in the past. With his team and friends, those still alive, he'd formulated a rough plan of action to help accomplish his goal of ending the war before it spun out of control. There were steps he could take with information only someone from the future would possess, but ultimately, the decision to act on it was to his discretion. Even the brightest minds and computers of his time could not account for a butterfly effect scenario. In other words, a cascade effect stemming from the consequences of his actions, which resulted in an unclear future and a failed mission. Too many variables, and with only one shot, it was no wonder he had to be extremely careful.
Still, inaction resulted in a doomed future regardless. Izuku looked up at the hysteria underneath him, young teenagers shoving and clawing their way forward, ignoring those around themselves, trying to survive a fabricated crisis. He glanced outside one of the massive windows on the wall, following the crowd of reporters and their crew harass the Pro Heroes and faculty. His eyes narrowed as he crossed his arms over his chest, his heartbeat accelerating, remembering exactly how the press had been able to enter the premises. Shigaraki was close, and by extension All for One, but their time would come eventually. Right now, he had to establish command.
He sucked in deep, saturating his lungs to the brim with air. It'd been a long time since he'd had to do this, around the time when entire cities and towns had become battlefields, and thousands upon thousands of civilians and militia needed someone to give directions; instill order. Many men and women found themselves conscripted to fight, either with their Quirks or support gear, eager to join the surviving symbol of resistance: him. Many did not survive. A hint of anger leaked into his voice as he remembered painful memories filled with death.
Watch closely, Iida, he thought to himself. I will show you what it takes to be a leader.
"ATTENTION!" He leaned forward as he bellowed, his voice exploding outward, booming and echoing throughout the hallway, deafening everything and everyone else. Some were startled, others fearful, most simply confused. Regardless, no one moved or dared to breathe, their focus now locked solely onto the freshman standing upside on the ceiling. A tense moment of silence passed as he unfurled his arms, the sound of shuffling fabric distinctly audible. "There is no need to panic! Allow me to explain! The false alarm triggered as a result of the press!" He asserted, pointing towards the side and at the reporters, publishers, and camera crews outside gathered by the main gate. The previously frenzied students, now tamed, began to realize the scope of the situation.
"You are U.A. students! If you do not behave as you should, then who will?!" He roared, displeased, eyes steely as he continued. "Show me your courage!" His call was loud and commanding, and reflexively, the students listened to his words, feeling more confident, more rational. He was right! They thought collectively, believing everything he said. Still, he began to issue instructions, the area now under control. Now came the time for damage control. "Good! Now, form lines, starting here and..." Tenya, Ochaco, and his other classmates watched in complete awe as dozens of students wordlessly moved, heeding their friend's directions, including themselves.
Who was this Izuku Midoriya?
"Midoriya!" Eijiro Kirishima, with a grin on his face, eagerly patted Izuku on the shoulder. The time traveler found himself surrounded by a majority of his class. Most were eager to share their thoughts on his bravery during the crisis, and others were curious about his supposed change in personality. He'd anticipated such a reaction, of course. From what he could remember from his youth, his current and teenage characteristics did not mesh, although that was of little consequence. So what if he was more confident? "I didn't think you had it in you, but you really showed everyone your stuff back there in the cafeteria! You've got my approval!"
"You got that right." Denki Kaminari added with a smirk, leaning on his other shoulder, clearly joking. Izuku peered at him with a soft smile, glad to interact with his friends after so long and in relatively peaceful circumstances. "Not going to lie, Midoriya, I had you pegged as a tad wimpy. Talk about don't judge a book by its cover, am I right? What, you trying to impress the vice-president?" The blonde finished, loudly whispering in his ear, pretending to be discreet with shifty eyes. Momo rolled her eyes at the audacity as he chuckled embarrassingly. If only they knew.
"She's out of your league!" Minoru Mineta commented jealously.
"You think so?" He asked innocently.
"Ahem, Midoriya." Momo lightly coughed into her fist to politely draw his attention towards her. He turned to the much taller teenager with a smile, drinking in her appearance, basking in her presence. In the future, due to their roles and importance, she was always by his side, similar to now. She was his pillar in body and mind, tethering him to the world and the weight of his responsibilities. They'd bounce ideas off each other, formulate plans, develop strategies, and work together in victory or defeat. And so much more. "Please do not forget that we must choose the other student council members."
"That's easy!" He answered, his eyes closed. before turning towards the rest of the class. "I recommend Tenya Iida for secretary and Ochako Uraraka for treasurer."
"Huh!/What?" The two shouted, standing up from their seats.
"What a waste of time." Aizawa glared at no one in particular as he drank from a juice pouch resting inside his sleeping bag next to his desk. Izuku laughed, much to his chagrin.
Full Cowl active at five percent, because that was the most his body could physically handle, Izuku dashed straight home from the train station, leaping over rooftops, bouncing down alleys. His apartment insight, he could feel his heart drop into his stomach, sweat already accumulating on his brow and back. He sped up, pausing on the ledge of the house across the street, staring at his front door in disbelief. Focusing his power into the soles of his feet, he leaped up with a massive jump, effortlessly crossing the distance and landing in the hallway, crouched.
"Ah, mom?" He called out, nervous as he removed his jacket and shoes after using his keys to enter, seeing the other pair in the rack. He could hear his heartbeat in his ears, the silence deafening.
"Oh, Izuku, welcome home." Came a soft voice from the kitchen. He froze in place, dropping his bag and keys onto the hardwood floor. Inko Midoriya's head peeked around the corner with a mothery smile and curious green eyes. Despite the barriers he'd constructed around his heart to shield himself from the most painful days and emotions, he felt the pricking of tears begin to form on the edges of his eyes. No one could replace his mom, and despite everything he could have done to ensure her safety, she was a casualty of war he regretted the most. Although, now she was right in front of him, alive and breathing, wearing her apron and a plastic spatula in hand. "Dinner is almost ready if you're hungry."
"Mom!" He dashed forward, closing the distance between the two in the blink of an eye. His arms wrapped around his mother as he lifted her in a hug, spinning her around, a joyous laugh escaping his lips. She was panicking at the sudden movement, nauseous and surprised. In the back of his mind, he sincerely thanked everyone from his memories, every one from his timeline who'd allowed him to be able to see his mother again. Especially his sister Eri. "I missed you!" He told her, nuzzling the top of her head, inhaling her scent.
"Y-You saw me this morning!" She reminded him with swirls in her eyes, queasy from the forceful spinning, thankful her feet were back on the ground. It was like a centrifuge! It was a miracle her slippers hadn't catapulted out the window. With a stretch, she grabbed her son's shoulders, pulling him down and peering into his eyes. "Is everything okay?" She asked worriedly, instantly noticing something was odd. "You're acting like you haven't seen me in years." Oh, how right she was, Izuku cried mentally, reigning in his emotions.
"No, nothing happened." He assured her with a goofy smile, expertly hiding his pain and sorrow as he spread his arms above his head. "Well, I'm starving. What's for dinner?" He asked, hoping to divert the topic, but from the incredulous look his mother was sending him, she knew what he was doing. Was he acting that strange?
"Spicy miso noodles." She answered, the two walking towards the dining room. Suddenly, her hand clamped around his forearm, and Izuku's eyes trailed up her arm until he was again staring into her eyes. She was worried. "You know you can tell me anything, right? I'll always be here."
"I know." He replied, still smiling, holding her hand. "I know."
After a delicious meal and a warm goodnight to his mother, Izuku found himself alone in his room with the lights off. He plopped down on his back, staring up the ceiling, a million thoughts racing through his mind as he mulled over the day. He was exhausted, and his cheeks hurt, and emotionally he was a mess, but if he was honest with himself, he couldn't be happier. To see so many friends, even his mother, young and happy, not to mention alive, was a godsend. He could only hope that the timeline he left had already experienced the changes he would do in the past and not after. The mere thought of the death of his entire family by the hands of his nemesis and underlings was excruciating.
There was still a myriad of different things he had to do and prepare for: including, but not limited to, meeting All Might and explaining his secret. If there was one person on this Earth he could trust with his life, it was his predecessor and mentor. He deserved to know the truth, or else his visage would learn of it regardless. Additionally, he thought about how to handle the future attack at USJ. Should he control everything, or let his classmates grow closer during the experience, or maybe he should stand right next to where Shigaraki would appear and end his life instantaneously? Or maybe do nothing at all? Decisions, decisions.
He closed his eyes to concentrate, arms folded behind his head, and a foot kicked upon his knee. One could say it was the epitome of relaxation. His chest expanded as he inhaled a deep breath and slowly exhaled through his nose, and then suddenly, he was floating within the murky blackness that was his subconscious. There was no light, no sounds, nothing to touch or smell, only pitch black wherever he thought he was looking, void of his senses. He was back in his adult form. Despite everything, the only emotion filling him was sheer determination and indomitable strength of conviction. Body flexed, a blaze burning intensely within him, he roared into the emptiness, willing what he wanted into existence as power erupted from every cell in his body.
In the physical world, his sleeping body began to radiate with green sparks.
Spontaneously, a room constructed itself around him, layer by layer, brick by brick. There was no roof, and the radiating blackness still lingered around the edges, desperately trying to scratch its way inside. Then, red embroidered chairs manifested in a semicircle in front of him, building themselves from the ground up. Perfect. The scene set he now needed to invite the guests of honor. Once again, he erupted with power as the world around him shook, his hair stood on end, a single eye aglow as he shouted to the heavens. Veins crept up his neck as muscles threatened to tear out of skin from the sheer level of exertion.
"Users! I demand an audience!" He showcased the strength of someone who had mastered One for All in its entirety. Instantly, all of the available chairs in front of him had someone sitting on it. Staring at him with varying levels of shock and surprise were the seven previous users and the ghostly visage of All Might. With the monumental task of creating mental space and summoning several consciousnesses hidden within his own done, Izuku collapsed onto his chair, exhausted. Was this how God felt on Sunday? Slowly, he raised a hand, nodding weakly in greeting. "Yo."
"What the hell is happening?" Daigoro asked, breaking the silence, baffled seeing his predecessor and successor sitting next to him. Wasn't he supposed to be dead?
"Toshinori, is that you?" Nana wondered.
"Yoichi, what's going on?" The second user questioned the first.
"Who are you?" Yoichi asked the time traveler directly, his single visible eye wide with astonishment, his question causing the others to turn to him as well. Izuku realized the previous users did not have access to his memories, or any idea who he was, since his appearance was that of his adult version. Troublesome, he grumbled. With a heavy groan, he stood up and formally bowed at the waist. He looked up, his single green freezing the others.
"My name is Izuku Midoriya, the ninth user of One for All, and I am from the future."
END
AN: If it was not evident enough by the name, yes, this is loosely based on the X-Men movie. You're a genius. Harem wise, now that I realize it, Izuku is technically a grown man in a teen's body, late twenty early thirty, so how will a relationship work with classmates? A tad weird, no? Maybe I will make him an exclusive MILF hunter. Or no harem at all. Let's go monogamy! Undecided and up for debate.