Chapter One
"Rumors have been abound for months about the state of the Symbol of Peace, he's been far less public now than he had been in years past. There's been a sharp decline of public appearances, promotional and in patrols. The idea that he ran himself ragged to his own death is just tragic."
"I rather appreciate his commitment to his duties. There are few heroes that share that kind of drive and perseverance to their work."
"I would have rather he taken care of himself. Suffering a stroke and dying in the middle of a patrol is a distressing state to find any hero, much less one as well regarded as All Might. Was he truly-"
The channel changed, Himiko's eyes dart to the bartender with the remote as the noise of the bar comes back, scanning for the people who demanded the change.
Nobody volunteered to the absent question.
Taking shallow breaths, Himiko calms herself. The news cast wasn't saying anything important anyways, their arguments have turned into circles the past few days.
It's been a few days since He died. It's been a days since the Hero Commission officially put a statement out.
All Might's death is a tragedy of old wounds accumulating and causing a stroke just when he was too far to be noticed and receive aid.
No one is led to believe He was killed.
There wasn't a doubt in her mind they were hunting her down.
Please be good.
Should she turn herself in? Should she tell the heroes?
Was he asking her to be a hero?
She can't be a hero. She has a villainous quirk, she has to feed off of people like they're juice bags. Nobody gave her the chance to do anything except be what she is. A villain.
Maybe. Maybe she can help by being a monster. By not being an animal that craves dominance and stealing excess.
Maybe Master Stain can answer the questions she has now.
Maybe Himiko should eat then think about it.
Please be good.
Drinking blood is villainous.
Himiko pulls her legs tighter, trying to get control of her breathing.
The sun burns.
Izuku stares at the burning orb.
Closing his eyes, Izuku wonders what he's gonna do now.
It's over.
He's still cleaning the beach.
He's still sore.
He's still bruised.
Closing his eyes, Izuku wonders what he's doing.
He's dead.
The distant sound of waves crashing into the trash fills his empty thoughts, giving his tension a catch and release.
A door closing disrupts the rhythm.
The clacking of an animal with claws approaching gets Izuku to look towards civilization.
There was a mouse rat rodent thing, wearing a vest and carrying his shoes, leisurely walking down into the beachfront towards him.
Izuku sits up as the rodent approaches, sensing a weight, recognizing who comes towards him.
Not All Might, but someone of that caliber.
With a dour tone, the creature speaks, "Am I a dog, a mouse or a bear?"
Without missing a beat, Izuku finished the hero's tagline. "What matters most is that you're Mr. Principal, Nezu."
Nezu smiles and nods, "Yes I am."
The two stare at each other, as the beach beats the sound of time passing.
"I have questions for you." Izuku nods, accepting that. "Why did All Might come here?"
Izuku slumps, "... he offered to train me."
"Why?"
"He," Izuku sniffs, "He wanted me to be his successor. To take his quirk."
"... Who are you, Izuku Midoriya?"
The quirkless child shrinks under the question, yet still, he maintains eye contact with Nezu.
"I'm- I'm going to be a hero."
"Are you?"
"Yes."
"Quirkless?"
And Izuku realizes something obvious.
"Yes."
Nezu smiles, focusing on him with a tilt of the head, "How?"
Taking a deep breath, Izuku responds "With everything I have."
"And what is that?"
It takes Izuku a moment to think of a response.
"My mind and body.
Nezu smiles.
"When a villain comes for you with overwhelming firepower, what are you going to do?"
And Izuku thinks, the question being so flawed and direct, there's only one way he can think of that could be an answer.
"... I guess I strike first."
Nezu nods.
"I would like for you to come with me."
Izuku slowly looks back at the trash heap he had been cleaning. "I don't think I will. Not yet."
Nezu laughs, "You think I'm going to give you a choice?"
Izuku looks at Nezu as he puts his shoes back on before stepping onto the street, "You'll receive your transfer papers in a few days, I'm not going to let you worry about regular schooling anymore."
Izuku shrinks a little under those words, but he smiles anyways before standing up.