Me waking up to see all the people subscribing and liking this story: "Damn, this doin numbers."
First of all, wow! This is about the most support I got for a story of mine this quickly! On a serious note, I want to say thank you to everyone for reading and favoriting this. It's really been amazing reading the column of notifications of people liking this story. And to the commentators, thanks for you approval and input. Trust me, this story will go in ways you will and won't expect. With that out of the way, let's begin.
Izuku and Inko spent the rest of the morning talking, mainly with Izuku recalling the events last night that gave him his newfound powers. Izuku admitted to not remembering how he got out of the cave or how he got home. All that was left with him was blood-stained clothes, telekinesis, and a lost phone. Mother and son made up with hugging, apologizing, and crying. Lots and lots of crying.
It was a lot emotionally.
The first item on the agenda was to take Izuku to the doctors for a Quirk evaluation and check-up. After minutes of waiting, tests, and then more waiting for the results, one of the doctors delivered an evaluation.
Izuku, as shown before, exhibits a telekinetic force, similar to Inko but stronger. Unlike his mother, Izuku can freely move an object however he likes instead of only attracting. If Izuku overuses his powers, it results in a painless nosebleed. While not fatal, the doctor did recommend that whenever a nosebleed began, Izuku should stop using his powers.
What baffled the doctor the most was how Izuku developed a Quirk despite being diagnosed Quirkless at the age of four. While the doctor didn't have an answer for the mother and son, he did provide a theory; turns out that back when Quirks were on the rise, the majority of Quirks activated around puberty. Over time, as more and more people with Quirks had kids, the age of Quirk activation became earlier and earlier till it reached the standard average age of four to five years old.
Of course, Izuku and Inko knew the truth but elected to not tell anyone because, well, who would believe that Izuku was granted powers by an underground artifact.
After returning home, Izuku went straight to his Hero notebooks and the internet in search of other Heroes with telekinetic Quirks and learn from them. While doing so, Izuku quietly trained his telekinesis, floating pieces of merchandise around his room before his nosebleeds began and he would have to take a break.
Research showed that Izuku had drawn the lucky straw with certain conditions of his power. Sure, nosebleeds every time he overused his powers wasn't ideal, but at least he didn't have debilitating migraines or more orifices to bleed out of. Plus, his powers didn't exude an aura unlike some other Heroes, so Izuku's telekinesis could be applied for stealth.
His mind raced with possibilities about how to use his new Quirk. What was his limits? Was the amount he could lift based on weight or quantity? Could he wrap himself in his own telekinesis and augment his physical prowess? Could he fly with his power? He just kept thinking and mumbling about the possibilities. He wanted to show all the other kids at school. He wanted to show Kacchan.
Wait. Can he show to his classmates?
It wasn't a legal issue. It was more of a social issue. For most of Izuku's life, he was the "Quirkless Deku". He was the freak, the outcast, the loser. Suddenly, he shows up the next day at school and suddenly he has a Quirk? Would his classmates accept him? Or continue to leave him behind?
What would Kacchan think? He prided himself on his Quirk. It was strong, powerful, and great at defeating Villians. He showed it off whenever he could get away with it. And Izuku knew what it was like on the receiving end of it. So, what would Kacchan do if he found out that Izuku had a Quirk?
Izuku realized he didn't know or didn't want to admit he knew the answer. Kacchan was prideful. Whenever someone challenged him, Kacchan took it personally and made sure the opponent knew which one of them was stronger. If Izuku shared his newfound power, would Kacchan make Izuku another example of Kacchan's Quirk?
Inko did say that it was up to Izuku on whether or not he wanted to tell others about his new Qurik, as long as it made him happy. But which option was the right one? Izuku didn't know; he was just a teenager.
The day Izuku went back to school, he noticed that Kacchan was missing from school. That struck the boy odd, because Kacchan had perfect attendance, just like Izuku. Izuku later heard, thanks to the grape vine of his fellow students, that Kacchan was in the victim of a Villain attack the night Izuku got his powers. He had to be saved from a familiar sludge villain by a very familiar Hero, All Might. Turns out the sludge villain got Kacchan sick, and he has to recuperate for several days.
Izuku connected the dots and realized it was all his fault. The sludge villain must have gotten out when Izuku hitched a ride on All Might's leg. The villain then attacked Kacchan and pushed All Might beyond his time limit.
Izuku wanted to apologize to Kacchan as soon as he realized this but refrained against it. After all, it would reveal what happened to Izuku that night. And Kacchan's temper is already on a hairpin trigger. Izuku didn't want to imagine how he would react.
So, Izuku spent the rest of his middle school year a ghost. He made it an effort to avoid any confrontation, do his work, and answer when asked. Even Kacchan changed when he got back. While still quick to anger, he was more subdued, more focused on schoolwork. Izuku and the rest of the student body recognized the need to put more effort into school now more than ever.
The UA Entrance Exam was only ten months away.
Izuku stood facing the beach, gazing at the rolling hills of garbage piled high on top of each other. Dressed in sweats and a t-shirt that read "tank top" in kanji, he breathed in the smell of the place. He immediately regretted it, as it was a mix of salty ocean breeze and the vile stench of trash and corroding machines.
Dagobah Beach was once a popular summer hang-out years ago. It was even a tourist attraction for the city of Mustafa. One day, a pile of garbage crash-landed onto the beach from a Hero fight. For some reason, no one decided to pick it up and over the years, the once pristine beach became a makeshift landfill. It was a sad tale about the destruction of nature through human laziness, but that wasn't why Izuku was there today.
Nope! Izuku decided to make this his own hidden training spot. Normally, using your Quirk outside of licensed work or within a verified Quirk gym was considered illegal. But Izuku knew that very few people walked by Dagobah beach at all. A perfect place to train not only his telekinesis, but also to train his body.
Izuku was no fool. He knew that, while he wasn't a walking stick bug, he was lacking in any significant muscle. So, it would be a mixture of physical and Quirk training. If anyone would be in the position to catch him, Izuku could always switch to manually moving the trash or hiding among the proverbial mountains of trash. Did this strategy rely too much on luck? Yes. But, hey, isn't that how most teenagers plan things?
Plus, Izuku would be giving back to the community. He overheard some of the older residents lamenting how Dagobah beach was once beautiful before its current state. Izuku would be helping in a way he could never have done before. After all, one man couldn't make a difference without a Quirk, right?
The first few days went off without much trouble. The biggest problem Izuku had was the nosebleeds when he overused his Quirk. Keeping several packs of tissues on him helped alleviate this. Izuku couldn't get as much training in as he wanted to, since school was still a priority. Still, he was making some if small progress.
That all changed about a week after Izuku started his training session. While carrying a disused microwave, thankfully using his hands not his mind, a raspy voice called out to him. Not by name, but by the title "kid".
Izuku turned to see a skeleton of a man. His spiky blonde hair weakly flowed in the wind, as if some small sense of determination kept them from falling. His eyes were sunken in, on the bright blue glow of his pupils could be visible. The man's clothes seemed too big for him. They looked like they belonged to a taller, stronger man. If you saw this man in a crowd, you'd might feel some sympathy for how weak looking he was. But, to Izuku and a very small group of allies, this man was the secret identity to the Symbol of Peace, All Might!
And now he was limping along towards Izuku's position.
Izuku froze. What should he do? Tell the truth obviously. No, not the whole truth, Izuku couldn't say he was testing his Quirk since that's illegal. Wait, All Might still thinks Izuku's Quirkless. He can pass this off as strength training and community service.
The true form of All Might came to a stop a short distance form Izuku. His eyes looked over Izuku like he was trying to remember the boy.
"Hello, young man," All Might asked in his surprisingly raspy voice. "May I ask you what you are doing?"
Izuku looked left and right like he's trying to find an exit.
"Um, I'm cleaning the beach," Izuku stammered.
"Ah, a noble cause." There was an awkward silence between them. "If you'll allow me to ask, what made you want to take up such a task?"
"Oh, training mostly. I'm training for the UA entrance exam. I know it's months away, but better to start early, I guess."
"Ah, I see," All Might nodded his head. There was another brief pause before he started up again. "Actually, the main reason I came down here was to apologize."
"Huh?" Izuku looked up at the man in confusion.
"I, look, we both know who we are already, so no need for introductions. But I just wanted to say I was wrong for denying your dream like that."
Izuku stood stunned. What was going on? Why was All Might, the Symbol of Peace, the Number One Hero, apologizing to someone like him.
All Might continued. "Why I do think being a Pro Hero is too…extreme for someone without a Quirk, I didn't have the right to brush away your dreams like that. Especially with what happened later."
Izuku had a feeling he already knew where this story was going.
"That Sludge Villain somehow broke free and was trying to possess some young man. The boy tried to fight it off, but his Quirk caused fires along the street. The Pros on the scene could only keep the citizens safe while nobody did anything to help that young man. I was there in the crowd, waiting for someone to go and help that boy."
Izuku nodded. "I, uh, knew that guy. He was, um my friend."
"I see," All Might nodded. "You know, while I was there, standing, doing nothing, a thought came over me. Would that young man I told off on that rooftop would step in? Try to save his friend even if he didn't have a Quirk?"
Izuku thought about it then answered. "I don't know. I guessed I'd like to think I would have."
"I'm probably sure you know the end of this story already. I hero up, stop the villain, save the boy, and it's a happy end for everybody."
Another awkward pause between the to. Izuku tried to break the ice. "So…?"
All Might scratched the back of his head. "Well, I wanted to let you know that I approve of your dream. And if you want, I can help you train for the Entrance Exam. It won't be easy, especially without a Quirk, but I'm sure you can do it."
Izuku just stared at the Hero. His idol just offered to train Izuku. All Might! If this was earlier, say prior to getting his new powers, Izuku would be overjoyed and letting the waterworks flow. But, now, it felt like him and All Might were on two separate wavelengths.
"I have to say, mister All Might -."
"When I'm like this, call me Toshinori Yagi, okay? Don't want any unwanted attention," All Mi- Toshinori told Izuku.
"Right," Izuku answered, then looked down. "Well, I'm very humbled and all, but there's something else that you should know about me."
Toshinori looked confused. "What are you referring to-?"
Toshinori stopped when Izuku let go of the microwave, and it floated in place. Izuku motioned his hands and the microwave gently settled down in the sand.
"Mister Yagi, I have a Quirk," Izuku said.
Toshinori looked nearly dumbfounded. "But didn't you say you were Quirkless?"
"I was. But then I got this Quirk from somewhere else."
Toshinori approached Izuku and laid his hands firmly on the boy's shoulders.
"Young man," Toshinori stared at him with an intensity he never knew before. "Tell me exactly where and how you got this Quirk."
And so, Izuku recounted everything after All Might left him. His trek through the woods, the hole, the Object, to him discovering his new powers. Thankfully for Izuku, Toshinori expression lessened in intensity, but shifted into a pensive sort of state.
"Young man, could you show me where you found this object?" Toshinori finally asked after several minutes of silence.
Izuku stood straight up. "I mean, I could. I don't remember exactly how I got there, but I know a general direction. B-b-but I really want to go back to my training and-"
"Midoriya, the beach will still be here after you show me your Quirk's origin." Toshinori stated.
"But how will we get there?"
"Easy, my boy," Toshinori, no All Might smiled. "By walking and the power of public transportation."
The duo's journey was long and awkward. There was also a sense of urgency not only from Yagi, but Izuku. He had texted his mom (on his brand-new current phone, by the way) that he had to stay out late for a mentor. While this kept Inko's worry at bay for a while, it did mean the two had to keep this journey on track.
After a couple of train rides and kilometers of walking, Izuku and Toshinori made it into the woods. This, also, was a lengthy trek, but the duo tried to keep it light with attempted small talk. It didn't really work out. Eventually, Izuku's semi-helpful directions lead them onto the right path. As the hole was in view, the two were suddenly stopped by a park ranger.
"I'm sorry, sir," The ranger bared them from going any further. "I can't let you two come any further."
"And why is that officer?" Toshinori asked.
"The ground's unstable. We're taping the whole place off."
The officer gestured wildly to the surrounding area.
"Could it be a Villain attack?" Izuku asked.
"Don't know, kid," The ranger shrugged. "Still, best you two move out of here."
As the duo walked away, Toshinori pulled Izuku aside and motioned the boy to follow him. They moved carefully through the bushes until Toshinori showed Izuku a clearing with a view of the taped off area in sight.
"Is that where you discovered that artifact?" All Might asked.
Izuku stared. The place looked the same except there was no hole. Instead, the hole was covered up by some rocks.
"Yes, sir, that's it." Izuku answered. "Except the hole's been covered. Maybe by a cave-in?"
Toshinori frowned but shrugged. "Could be. The ranger did say the ground was unstable."
Izuku nodded, but at the same time, he didn't fully agree that it was a simple cave-in. Maybe the Object closed the cave after it gave Izuku a Quirk and he escaped. Maybe it was still down there. Or did it already leave?
Still there was nothing the two could do for now. As they made their way back out of the woods, Toshinori turned to face Izuku.
"How far is your house from here, young Midoriya?" All Might asked.
"Oh, it won't be too long. I mean, it's not short, but we should get there before night fall," Izuku answered.
More silence.
"You know, my offer still stands."
Izuku turned as well, slightly confused.
"You're still offering to train me?" Izuku still didn't really believe it.
"I'm serious, young man," Toshniori said with a smile. "I believe you have serious potential. Plus, I know a thing or two about late development Quirks."
"What do you mean by that," Izuku asked sincerely.
Toshinori just ignored it and moved on. "Would you still take my proposal?"
Izuku winced internally. "If I say no, would you arrest me for illegal Quirk use?"
All Might slightly jumped. "No! But, if I did catch you actually using your powers on the beach, I would have to step in."
"Oh," Izuku sighed.
It felt like a surreal dream. All Might offering to train Izuku. It was like a dream come true. Maybe not as good as the sidekick dream, but still up there.
"I-I-I mean," Izuku stammered. "I'm very humbled and all. It's just unreal to me that's all."
Toshinori laughed before hacking up some blood.
"I get you, young Midoryia," He admitted. "I felt the same way when my idol offered to train me."
The two finally got out of the woods and began to enter the neighborhood.
Izuku prepped himself. He had to say this with full conviction and confidence.
"Mister Yagi, All Might," Izuku tried to keep a balanced pose. "I would be honored to be your protégé!"
All Might expanded into his Hero form and gave a thumbs up.
He let out a thunderous "Great!" in the street.
"But, we should probably tell my mom about this," Izuku quickly added.
All Might deflated, literally.
"Yes," Toshinori scratched his head in embarrassment, "I suppose we should."
And that's the end! Even with telekinetic powers, Izuku's still getting trained by All Might. But that won't mean he'll get One for All, per say. Will Izuku inherit this legacy power. Find out next chapter!
I'll be honest, this chapter went from numerous changes, from big to small. From Bakugo's condition after the Sludge Villain to the sequence where All Might meets Midoriya on Dagobah beach, a lot was edited freely. This chapter was supposed to be longer, also containing a training montage of the ten months Izuku practices with his telekinesis and his muscles before the entrance exam, but that'll be saved for next time as well.
That's everything for now. See ya next time!