Authors Note: I don't know if you care but I've made huge revisions to Chapter 0 or the prologue of this story! Chapter 1 is going to get revised too so look out for that. You should really go back and read if you have the time. It sets up for what you might see in the future. I'm going to continue revising other chapters and I'll let you know if you should go back and read them. For now, enjoy the finale of the U.A festival.

My Hero Academia: Akio Takeyama

CHAPTER - 18

What had I done? What had I done to deserve this? Time stops for no one and all the years I've been on this earth I realize that at times I'm truly alone.

"What the hell am I Thinking?" I sound incredulous and it's this mindset that allowed me to tolerate my environment. Friends, you could have millions. But - you've heard this before - true friends are far and few between. I have two maybe three people on this earth I could call my friends.

I view nothing as positive nor negative. But fate just playing with your life because they own it. All your misfortune, fortune, and luck that comes your way is because fate designed it. Even if you make terrible decisions are good ones you're still playing with fate.

Get this; could you imagine that fate is a little girl who sees us as little toys and directs how each and every one of her dolls live out their lives. Sometimes she'll get angry and break a doll before getting a new one to replace it. One day she might be so angry that she destroys every single doll that is in her possession. If you've gotten the gist of what I'm saying then you've realized that fate decides if the world we live in now, ends at any time. Whether it be a singular entity or all. Everyone has a predetermined fate. One that can change the moment fate decides the doll should have a different story or make a different decision than what would be logical.

…

In a sense, I find fate is playing with the relationships in my life. I fear to lose the only connections I have because of my unconscious decisions. I'm afraid. "Fear. One of the most powerful emotions all on its own." I mutter. Yes, fear can control us. Villains and heroes all have something to fear, it's only natural a breathing - living person who has bled as any other has.

If you say you don't fear anything... then you're lying to yourself. Solitude never bothered me. It's the way I achieve that solitude that scares me.

I want a family...but I don't have it. I attempt with all my will to listen and tolerate my mothers' offenses and now my aunt is part of that statistic.

My fear...I can't.

"I can't." I refuse to acknowledge that fear and I guess that is a weakness I can tolerate. I can tolerate it.

"You can't what?" I blinked and turned to the exit of my room. As I watch the caramel wooden door turn on it hinges until the click of the door being locked in place. My eyes revealed to me the tall feminine figure in my doorway. Lia stood there her hair tied into an unnatural ponytail. Tolerate.

"What do you want? I'm busy." I say hoping she would get the subtle but not so subtle hint in the tone of my voice. Lia stood there and rolled her dark magenta eyes. She won't be leaving, will she? Lia crossed her arms.

"Busy brooding?" There was a quirk to her eyebrow as she asked that. Her question left me annoyed and irritated. The joke wasn't a good one. It certainly didn't put me in a good mood.

"You've got five seconds to open that door and leave Lia." My casual use of her first and real name in my warning did wonders to the woman's demeanor. She kissed her teeth and her brows furrowed in pure anger. Yes, get angry like the savage you truly are. Her teeth barred and she took a step forward and I watched her as she stopped at the side of my bed.

The pure anger on her face disappeared and was replaced with a scowl. There was silence for a moment as we stared at each other intently waiting for the right time to cut through the silence. I can wait. It was my aunt who cursed under her breath and broke eye contact.

"You look exactly like me y'know," Lia managed to say. I made no expression as I let the woman continue to speak. "Act exactly like me when I was younger." She leaned over and sat down on the side of my bed. Tolerate it. I closed my eyes and breathed to calm myself.

"This place you're going isn't good...these emotions aren't ones that should be bottled up." Lia advice was something I already had knowledge about. Don't keep all your emotions in, for one day it'll all come out and not in a good way.

"I do what I want," I say dismissively. But that didn't mean I couldn't disregard it. The advice was solid but I didn't need to be reminded about something I already have knowledge on. Fingers brushed against my cheeks.

It felt like fire.

I recoiled my eyes shooting to Lia. That touch...no. "Don't touch me like that," I warned her frost forming at my fingertips unconsciously. I can't let her touch me like that. Not after she struck me. Lia looked hurt recoiling herself at my reaction. Her magenta eyes had a lick of fear in them before it vanished.

"I apologize…" Lia looked down and away after apologizing. "I apologize for hurting you...I never ever wanted to actually raise my hand against you like that. I did it out of anger and frustration." She turned to me our eyes meeting fully. Pleading...she was pleading with me just from the look in her eye's. My fingers slowly curled into fist. Plead all you want I won't accept your apology.

"I want to make a deal." A proposition from Lia.

"If you manage to claim a place amongst the top three contenders...I'll reveal to you more about my past," Lia bargained.

What? Surprised and quite confused I freeze. Before, when I read her diary there were things missing, words I wasn't able to skim over because of her early arrival. But clearly, she was uncomfortable with me knowing about her history if she would strike me because of it. She was the one who lied in the first place, I deserved the truth then, now she wants to give it to me.

My hand ghost over where she hit me. My anger slowly rising once more.

"Will you hit me again if I say yes and fail?" Lia visibly recoils and clenches her hand against her chest.

There is a pause where Lia is left speechless as her eyes remained firm on the floor.

"I'll tell you about your father," Lia whispered.

My eyes widened in shock. My breath became hitched in my throat. My father? The mystery that I pushed to the back of my mind but never forgotten had come back full force. My lips pursed

"I'll tell you about your father." That piqued my interest.

"Deal." I cursed in my mind at how quick on the draw I was with accepting that deal. A smile graced my Lia's lips although it was forced down somewhat because as quickly as it appeared it disappeared.

"Deal," Lia said with a nod. She turned and moved as if ready to stand and leave. But she stayed glued in that position. I watched her from the corner of my eyes reluctance all in the joints of her muscles.

"You," I paused and bit my bottom lip. "Really were my second mom y'know. I looked up to you. I inspired to be you. You really deserve more recognition." There were a snort and short laughter.

"I really do...but sometimes recognition isn't everything. It's the future generation I'm worried about. It's the people who see me as a hero. I want to guide and teach them." Lia chuckled once again. "I don't know if I'm doing a good job though."

"You are," Lia jolted and turned to me a shocked expression her face. "You've taught me a lot. About how to control my quirk and how to expand on its capabilities. The creativity that comes with making new moves to use." It was hard for me to keep a straight face as dark magenta met my purple orbs. Tears erupted from magenta and my purple orbs widened.

"I-I…" Lia's lips quivered and tears coming in quick succession. She tried to wipe the tears away but it was replaced by more and more. It was hard to keep a straight head. It was hard to stop my hands from pulling her hands away from her face.

"You said don't keep it in," I stated before closing my eyes tight. "Just this once you can touch me." God help me. But when she wrapped her arms around me I couldn't help but do the same in return but only tighter. Her touch was like fire, her warmth was intoxicating, and I couldn't help but hate it.

I hate it.

Present Time

I hate it.

The disappointed look on Lia faces as I laid there ready to give up. But I'm stronger than that...all this training will not be for naught. Lia was my only family after my mother left...distancing myself from her was the right choice but was it worth it?

I gripped the ground hard my nails digging into the cement as I forced myself to one knee. Breath. Slowly but surely I raised myself to stand. My eyes were shut tight and when I tried to open both I found my left obstructed by a burning sensation. Blood had covered that eye I could taste it's stinging iron on my lips too. My right eye closed in on my opponent Tokoyami and his dark shadow. Tokoyami was silent and his arms crossed watching me from his dominant place at the other end of the arena.

It feels like he's almost mocking me standing so close to the edge.

The ringing in my ears stopped only to hear President Mic yelling into his Mic and the crowd in a frenzy. I sucked in a breath and held it there. One last push with everything I had. I sprinted forward like a madman. My legs hitting longer strides for an even faster approach.

"Dark shadow!" In an instant, Tokoyami command had his quirk spiraling towards me with the purpose of preventing me from going any further.

I hate it.

I let out a battle cry. Muscles feeling as if they were tearing apart, a clear indication my body was already well past its limit, my quirk had already begun trying to work against me. But I'm desperate. In my desperation I found adrenaline coursing through my veins pushing me to go further. I paused momentarily to crouch and gather strength in my quirk before releasing it. The earth under me twisted and sunk before shooting me forward at my command. It's force sending me head first like a bullet to meet dark shadow. This is the final push that will make or break me. I wouldn't lose here but I wouldn't win either. I swung my arm back fist tightening as I conjured frost into my closed hand.

I thought of Bakugo and the way his quirk gathered the sweat into his palm to create the destructive power behind his quirk that no one in our year could reproduce. I thought of Todoroki and his uncanny ability to summon of ice without breaking a sweat and the fire in which burned brighter than anyone else. I thought of Midoriya ability to draw power from just a swing of his fist, or flick of a finger and blow his opponent away. What was so great about someone with a quirk like mines? The ability to shrink or grow solids? The ability to only conjure weapons from ice that was barely able to hold up to the real thing? What was unique about my power...a move unique only to me? What separates me from Todoroki, Cementoss, Kamui woods, or anyone with an elemental power similar to mines?

Focus and allow your quirk to flow through you. It takes practice but you definitely have the ability to do it. Right, focus on the ice particles forming in my hand. Dark shadow was getting closer and we are reaching more closer to our collision each second that ticks away. I focused on my arm and allowed my hand to open. Just like Bakugo. Before I allowed the frost to grip my wrist than travel around my arm coating it in a thick sheet of ice. My arm similar to Tetsutetsu quirk had become ice.

Dark shadow was upon and me but I wouldn't allow it's shadow to cast over me. I thought back to Kendo and her uncanny ability to enlarge her fist. With this, I can do the same. "Take this! You stupid bird!" My frustration and hate came out in that yell at that entity. I clenched my fist again and sure enough, the ice grew in size and was sculpted exactly like a fist. It collided with the shadow and to my shock, it let out a yelp of pain. Does it actually feel pain? Nevermind that it still was able to hold on and push back against my fist.

"Dark shadow!" Tokoyami yelled once more this time with much more vigor. Desperation filled my voice as I let out a yell of my own push against Dark shadow.

"Don't underestimate me!" I yelled.

Why do we fight so hard? What truth will I find by pushing myself so far?

Having enough I leaned forward with all my strength and dug my feet into the ground. I could barely feel them but I needed to push beyond this. I wouldn't let it end here. The ground started to tremble and started to shift forward ever so slightly. I was gaining some distance on Tokoyami as Dark shadow was beginning to struggle against my ice fist. C'mon this is not enough! I channeled everything into my legs and the ground started to tremble with more fervor. I started to speed forward the arena ground pushing forward at my will.

"Dark shadow don't give up!" Tokoyami yells of encouragement did nothing as Dark shadow grunted against my ice fist and began losing its strength. I cry escaped my throat as I pushed forward with everything I had. Dark shadow cried out it no longer having the strength to resist ended and I found myself racing towards Tokoyami an icy fist a testament of my will.

I couldn't feel my legs as I forced my upper body to lunge forward. White spots filled my vision as the my Icy fist broke and I went sailing through the air from the momentum of my speed suddenly stopping. I was practically blind as let my arm hang out to the side to catch Tokayami in a clothesline.

It ends here!

I felt my arm catch his neck and pull him down with me following close behind. We both fell out of the arena lightly picking up dirt as we slid across and stopped a few feet out of the arena. I couldn't move my body any longer and all I could do was lay there next to Tokoyami. Breathing hard my heart beat had filled my ear with a definitive drum that left me unable to hear anything for a moment.

Suddenly, I could hear President Mic yelled out in disbelief. The crowd started to murmur and I could feel Tokoyami shift a little under my arm.

"You," He paused gathering air into his lungs. "Beat me. You conquered my darkness and won against...all...odds." Tokoyami struggled to finish his sentence as he again took a moment to catch his breath. A light wave of happiness and pride washed over me at my accomplishment and the praise. It was then I struggled out a light chuckle realization hitting me like a truck.

Tokoyami is one of my classmates I've talked to the least.

"Y-yeah...although...my goal wasn't to defeat you," I started before going into a coughing fit. The taste of iron in my mouth. Tokoyami let out a hum in acknowledgment.

"I see." Tokoyami meekly stated deciding to not question my hidden goals as we were loaded onto stretchers by some robots. My breath slowed and I felt my mind start to drift away. Exhaustion was taking its toll on me and it was time I got some well-deserved rest.

"By way of double ring-out! This match is declared a draw!" Midnight voice declared as I fell unconscious.

...

U.A festival - Award ceremony

"Just start already," I mumbled under my breath. I want to go home and drop dead in my bed. I'm telling you those pillows are soft as a 1,000 teddy bears. Just the thought is making me ready to fall asleep. Thankfully, I didn't have to wait any longer. Midnight announced the start of the award ceremony and in one of the most surprising turns of events, All might made his apperance from the head of the stadium. My lips curved up into a small smile as All Might descended and landed gracefully only stopping to look at Midnight when she accidentally talked over him. A quick apology later she presented the medals on a tray for him to give to top contestants. Starting from the lowest going up.

He went to Tokoyami first and I had to bite my lip to keep it from curling upwards. I didn't pay attention to what he told Tokoyami as that was only for his ears and not mines. That would be disrespectful. I tried to keep my cool but my heart was jumping out of my lungs when the number one hero stood in front of me next.

All Might let a contagious laugh leave his throat. "Well done, Young Akio." He congratulated me his smile never losing its fervor. Honestly, I couldn't help but feel overly excited but intimidated at the same time. All Might up close is gigantic in height, I feel so small next to him, so who could honestly blame me. I bowed my head to allow All Might to push the bronze medal over my head to lay on my neck. I raised my head once more to look the man in his eyes.

"Young Akio, you impressed me during your performances. It was a true sight to behold in a clash of quirks. However," He paused to hug me. My heart started going into overdrive when he did so. "I saw something bothering you. I won't ask for details but I'll tell you this. You Aunt was very proud of you." My eyes widened in surprise at the information. Lia?

She's proud of me?

Something warmed its way into my chest and I knew exactly what it was. I'm afraid to admit it. He released me from the hug and I sighed.

"There's still a lot of potentials to be found within your quirk. Nurture it and make it yours." He says with a smile.

All Might had no real advice for me. Just the fact I need to work on improving my quirk. He raised something to me again and I quickly bowed my head once more so that he could lay it around my neck. It was another medal to my genuine surprise, this one was fixated in a glossy red. After a quick pat on the shoulder, He quickly moved from us to Todoroki. I took a moment to examine the glossy red medal and found it to be because of my performance in the "death bracket".

It didn't take long for All Might to get to Bakugo who, to my knowledge - since I was knocked out for the duration of the grand finale - was a little trigger happy with his quirk towards Todoroki. It's because of this Cementoss and Midnight took preventive measures to keep him check. Those preventive measures came in the form of his cuffs on his hands, his body being chained to a block of cement behind him. He looked like a wild dog. I almost felt sorry for All Might when he had to just leave the medal hanging in Bakugo's mouth.

Bakugo should have nothing to be mad about...because he wasn't talking out of his ass when he said he would be number one. He achieved what he said during the pledge.

All Might had begun his speech and like other times I became excited. He had only one thing to say, and almost everyone knew what it was. He's going to say his iconic catchphrase. He has too.

"Everyone please say it with me!" All might yelled as he struck a pose that had him pointing towards the sky. Unfortunately, I don't think I'll be joining in. I clutch at my throat. I think I strained my vocal cords during my match with Tokoyami. "Ready go...Thanks for your hard work!" I almost felt like I was going to fall over. The crowd seems to pause realizing that All Might said the completely wrong thing. To them at least, to him, he was just being nice. I facepalmed when the spectators began to boo.

All Might became sheepish as he shrunk just a little where he stood. Midnight just shook her head an amused smile on her face. "What!? It should've been 'plus ultra' there, All Might!" The spectators all yelled in unison. Making All Might painfully aware of his little mistake.

But besides that, the tournament was effectively over and I took a moment to take a deep breath and say "I did it". Now my mother can't make an excuse nor can Lia. I've held up my end of the deal so they have to come forward with theirs. All Might word about Lia being proud replayed in my head and that same feeling warmed it's way into my chest again. I stepped down the podium and slowly walked my way over to the rest of Class A. Everyone seem to be talking amongst themselves.

"That was finale was amazing!" Kaminari said pumping a fist into the air.

"I never knew Bakugo was that good!" Kirishima was genuinely surprised. The smile turned into a smirk as he looked towards Bakugo. "Speaking of Bakugo…" A look could see Midnight effectively unlocking the chains so that Bakugo was free to move again. Is he still mad?

An arm wrapping around my neck pulled me away from the scene and I raised an eyebrow at the smiling figure. "Sero," I state as the smile on the tall Tape quirked classmate of mines grows bigger.

"Congratulation man!" He pulls out his phone and brings up to the sky. Not wanting to ruin the selfie, It's then that I let a small smile hit my lips.

"Thanks," I say in reply. It's then that I notice the others begin to walk towards me. Tsuyu, Yaoyorozu, Ashido, Midoriya, and Uraraka. I almost want to run away my heart going into flight or fight mode at Ashido presence.

She has this giddy look on her face as she races forward and stops just in front of me to take hold of the bronze and glossy medals hanging from my neck. "Woah, is this medal made out of real Bronze?" Her question makes me stutter as she looks up to me for an answer.

I clear my throat. "Uh, I think so. It's kind of heavy." I say unsure of what to think. Ashido blinks at me in response. Sero jumps in, "It has to be doesn't it?" He questions. I shrug my shoulders in response.

"Tsuyu was right," Right about what? "You def' need to cut your hair," Ashido says tilting her head. I raise a hand and grunt as I brush the blonde locks out of my face. Right, what was I worrying about?

"See, everyone notices Akio." Tsuyu says making my head snap to her with a roll of my eyes. "Whatever Tsu." Ashido tugs on the bronze medal making me snap my eyes back on her.

"C'mon! C'mon! Let me try it on." Ashido asks and before I can answer Yaoyorozu puts a hand on the girl's shoulder. Yaoyorozu looks calm but a frown adorns her face when she looks at Ashido.

"Ashido you can't," Yaoyorozu states making Ashido whine. "But why?" My pink skinned teammate looks up at Yaoyorozu like a child. "Because it's only for the winners," Yaoyorozu says pushing the point across. Ashido seems to deflate and stick her tongue out at the class deputy.

"I wanna feel like a winner too!" Ashido whines. Yaoyorozu sighs and I chuckle as I reach around my neck and take off the red glossy medal for my achievement in the loser's bracket. I'm careful of her horns as I throw the medal of her head to rest around her neck.

"Wah! No fair! I was going to ask first!" Uraraka pouts as she watches Ashido jump up and down with the medal around her neck. "I got to show this to Jiro and Hagakure! They'll be so jealous!" Ashido then runs off and Yaoyorozu pinches her nose with a shake of her head.

"I'm surprised you guys tied for third I thought they were going to have a tiebreaker as they did in Kirishima and Bakugo's match," Midoriya speaks up a small smile on his face. True, but as far as I know me and Tokoyami were out cold. It is getting late into the day anyway. They decided to carry on with the tournament as unfortunate as that is.

"Akio," Yaoyorozu calls for attention. I raise an eyebrow as I look at her. She's looking past me as if someone caught her attention. She points behind me and follows her general direction. "I think they're calling you," Yaoyorozu says as my purple as catch dark magenta. It was Lia and my heart almost jumps in my throat at the sight of her.

I shake it off and raise my hands in the air as a gesture saying, "what you want?". She cups her hands against her mouth and leans over to shout.

"Get your ass over here! We're leaving!" Lia shouts not seeming to care in the slightest that she just cursed so casually in front of my friends. I sigh and turn back to Yaoyorozu and Midoriya. I believe Uraraka ran after Ashido.

"I guess that's my cue," I say pointing a thumb behind me. "Sorry about her." I apologize knowing Yaoyorozu and Midoriya was a little taken aback if their expressions were anything to go by.

"It's fine. Congratulations again today on coming in 3rd place." Yaoyorozu states waving a hand dismissively. We exchange a smile and I awkwardly open my arms for a hug. She doesn't hesitate and wraps her arms around me in a mutual hug.

"Y-yeah don't sweat it." Midoriya stutters out as we exchange a nod and a fist bump. I turn and begin to make my way to Lia. I pause and without turning.

"Oh do me a favor and make sure Ashido doesn't lose my medal!"

It doesn't take long for me to gather my things and exchange my P.E for my school uniform. We leave shortly after.

When we get home to the mansion I'm instructed by Lia to wait in the kitchen. Miyuki - senpai excuses herself to go put Toshiko in bed. I know she's not going to come back down. It takes a while until Lia gets back but when she does she holding a bowl of cookies and some milk.

"Sorry," she apologizes as she sets down the bowl and glass of milk on the clear round wooden dining table in front of me. "Unfortunately, I don't think you'll get dinner tonight." I wave a hand dismissively.

"Yeah-Yeah, I know," I say because I expected as much. Today has been really long for me and as I said before I'm ready to drop dead in my bed. I absentmindedly take a cookie - chocolate chip - and nibble on it. It's nice and chewy. I let out a satisfied sigh and literally devour the cookie whole in my next bite.

"I know you're tired and I don't want to overload you with too much." Lia starts to say but pauses and shakes her head. "Do you want to wait until tomorrow? You have two days off and time to relax." The information doesn't do much to deter me from staying awake and hearing her story. I take another cookie but I pause, stopping, the cookie inches from my mouth.

"Before that," I start to say but once again pause to take a bite out of the cookie. "Were you...impressed with my performance today?" Although reluctant I allow the question to leave my mouth and Lia just stares at me for a while.

The silence is awkward but ever since what ALl Might told me earlier I had to know if it was true.

"Yes...I'm very proud of what you accomplished. Like I've made very clear to you there is a lot of potential within your quirk your last match today was proof of that." Lia's voice is honest and sincere and I couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sensation in the pit of my stomach before it began to rise up my chest.

I nod. "R-right, Let's continue." Lia nods and leans back in her chair. It's then that I know the mood changes. Lia takes a deep breath to steel herself and she shuts her eyes tight.

"Akio. Listen closely because I'm only going to tell you this one time." Lia's voice is low and barely audible but I pick up on it. My back goes rigid in the chair and my eyes never leave her face. This is it. A piece of the puzzle. Her eyes open and she locks them with mine.

"Your father is a villain."