Hello, and I must say: Long time no see! I do apologize for the gap in between updates but I got a little too into my main story on top of the fact that I had lost a lot of my work in a power outage But here we are with the cannon events of BNHA finally occuring. Anyways, I'll get the next update out when I can but for now I need to show some love on the Warlock of UA. So enjoy this extra long chapter.

One Year Before the USJ

Akemi stood on the edge of the bridge gazing into the black abyss below that eventually led to the river that flowed through Musustafu. She had taken off her shoes and placed them neatly alongside the safely railing. Inside them was her cell phone and a sliver of her red hair that was tied up using a hair band. She had stripped out of black school uniform into a comfortable pair of shorts and a t-shirt. The night sky was full of stars and there was no wind to ruin it with its chilly annoyance. Tonight was a good night to finally end it all.

The red haired girl took a deep breath as she slowly willed herself to finally let go, but a deeper part of her wanted to enjoy these last moments of summer before plunging into oblivion. Her thoughts drifted towards her parents who are no doubt worrying about her and are probably looking furiously for her. Or maybe Katsuki, who will likewise be doing the same. She hated that she was going to make them sad and angry, but she couldn't go on anymore like this. She should feel something right now like maybe sadness or fear, but she didn't feel anything. Akemi was null and void. Well, it seems that she was a waste of space anyways, and she didn't need to burden them any further…

"An awful time to be over the railing like that, young lady.", a clockwork voice spoke out.

Akemi nearly fell off by accident from the shocking realization that she wasn't alone. She grabbed onto the railing reflexifically and prevented her fall off the bridge. Her breathing quickly sharpened as adrenaline surged through her system giving her the strength she needed to pull herself on the side of the railing.

"Steady now, but wasn't falling off was your intention to begin with.", the voice said matter-of-factly.

A looming shadow appeared over the prone form of Akemi as she blankly stared at the night sky. Its features were indistinguishable save for a pair of glowing yellow eyes in dark. The shadow had a commanding presence about it and an aura of camouflage that somehow made it noticeable. Akemi would have most certainly been scared of the shadow had she not given up on everything.

"Why should it matter to you or anyone else? No one has cared before, so why should anyone care now?", Akemi replied with an empty face.

The shadow tilted its head off to the side, "It wouldn't be very courteous of me to idly walk past someone seeking to end their life. Even if they deny the contradictory evidence."

Akemi flinched.

"But if I am not intruding on such a...personal...matter. Then would you care to enlighten me why a beautiful young lady with a long future ahead of herself has decided to end it all before it can begin?", the clinking voice wheezed.

Akemi didn't know why, but she felt compelled to tell the shadow or whomever he was. Maybe because he was nicer to her than any adult she has met or maybe because he seemed like a neutral entity in all of this. She didn't know if there even was a reason, but she didn't seem to think she needed one as she all but gushed about the worst day of her life.

Earlier that day

"Okay class, it's the beginning of your third year. Which means you need to start seriously considering your future.", droned the balding man they called a teacher. "I was supposed to pass out these career forms...but who am I kidding? You all want to sign up for the hero track!"

The proclamation by the homeroom teacher had the effect of rousing up the entire class. The students, bounding with excitement, proceeded to display their quirks in a flashy manner. All the students flaunted their powers like one flashes jewelry, reveling in their own sense of self worth. All students except one.

Akemi lowered herself to her desk, trying not to be noticed by her classmates, as the quirk display continued. She swallowed the lump in her throat and did her best not to feel the bile aftertaste of envy in her throat as she tried to ignore the scene before her.

"Enough, class.", the teacher said half-heartedly, "Just because you think you have what it takes to become a hero doesn't mean you get to horse around."

Amid the body of students, a hand was raised. The hand belonged to a tall and pretty girl with long shiny black hair and a fair face. She had orange eyes that sparkled with a superior brilliance. This girl was Sawako, the class rep, and Akemi's worst bully.

"Sorry about that, Sensei.", spoke the class representative, "But I think you are making a mistake about our career choices."

The bald man raised an eyebrow, "Miss Sawako, are you implying that I am incorrect in my assumptions?"

"I mean no disrespect, sensei. But I don't think everyone in the class is cut out for heroics.", the girl said with a grin, "After all we do have Akemi in our class, and everyone knows people without quirks don't amount to anything, much less heroics."

Akemi sank lower in her seat while her heart began to race erratically as every eye in the room was trained on her. Panic surged through her mind as years of conditioning told her what was going to happen next.

"Look at her, and tell me you want someone like her to come and save you from a villain. She can't even say a word without stuttering like a baby.", Sawako said with a predoristic smile, "Though at the very least, you might be able to escape while the villain is too busy beating her to a pulp."

The class burst into laughter at the vicious mockery done by the class representative. The teacher himself barely attempted to hide the grin on his face. It was weak compared to what Sawako likes to do usually, but that didn't make it sting anyless. Akemi felt her face grow hot in embarrassment and her eyes welting up in tears. Sawako crossed her arms and stood with a congratulatory posture. A smug smirk was carved into her face.

"Okay Okay, that's enough class.", Teacher said as he reigned in his class, "As much as I would like to continue having our friendly conversation, we do need to get this done before school ends."

The teacher began to pass out papers to the students before he jumped up in realization. He looked at Akemi without even caring to notice that she was on the verge of tears or the fact that she was obviously insulted by the class rep.

"Oh and Akemi.", he remarked, "I do need you to fill out at least one application for a high school. I know you don't feel the need to do so, but I do need you to have something to turn in. Do you understand?"

A chorus of snickers erupted from the class at the news that Akemi didn't sign up for high school. What should have been a private conversation was fully displayed for the whole class to hear. Akemi began to shake as she looked down the graffitied desk she sat at, tears began to drip onto the vandalized wood.

"Y-Yes, s-sensei.", she stuttered in a raw voice.

A hand slapped the wood of Akemi's desk with a large bang causing the girl to jump up in fright. The red haired girl turned her jittering head towards the source of the noise. She knew who was the cause of the sound and it caused her blood to turn to ice. Why couldn't she be faster! Why didn't she try to bolt out of the room the moment the bell rang, detention be damned!

Sawako was there at her desk with a hungry smile on her face and her glowing orange hand on her desk. The scent of burning wood filled her nostrils as the two stared at each other in a standoff.

"You know you are quite the disappointment.", Sawako said as she turned her quirk off and got uncomfortably close to Akemi, "I figured that Bakugou would have least convinced you to sign up for UA with that dumb origin story of his. But I guess even he's got his limits when it's with someone as useless as you."

Akemi tried to speak out against her tormentor, but her voice would not leave her lips. She was terrified, plain and simple. She shook uncontrollably as her instincts told her to run before it was too late. But all she could do was scoot backwards away from Sawako, not daring to take her eyes off her.

Sawako, meanwhile, slowly chased after Akemi keeping her pace with that of Akemi's pitiful movements.

"I don't see why he even wastes his time with someone like you!", Sawako calmly shouts her face contorted in a blank fury, "I am smarter than you! I am prettier and more developed than you! I am the class rep and president of the student council! I even have a strong quirk! I am his equal in every shape and form! And yet...he chooses to hang around you, dumb, ugly, useless Akemi."

Akemi stifles a yelp as her back makes contact with the wall, trapping her with the increasingly angry Sawako. Her heart is threatening to jump out of her chest while her legs feel as wobbly as jelly. Sawako on the other hand remained stoic, but everything about her looked like she was ready to explode.

"You have no idea how much you piss me off!", She said as she clasped her hand over Akemi's shoulder, "But that little show that sensei put up in class just made my day. In fact, I think a lot more people would enjoy it as well."

In a swift motion, the bully took out her phone to reveal a video taken by her classmates when her teacher was airing out her dirty laundry. Akemi felt her heart sink. Tears began to drip in her eyes as she tried to force her voice out. But like every other time before this, it never did.

"Or better yet. Why don't we send this little video to Bakugou-san and let him see how much his little pet has disappointed him.", Sawako said with venom on her teeth.

Panic was set ablaze in the red haired girl finally causing her to muster the courage to speak, "P-Please d-don't."

Sawako's smile grew larger, "Oh, so you do speak? You really are full of surprises today, Akemi-chan. How about we make a deal? You beg on the ground for me not to send it to Bakugou-san and I might consider not sending it."

Akemi burned in humiliation and muttered something unintelligible.

"I caaan't heeear youuuu, Akemi-chan.", Sawako said in exaggerated excitement.

"I-I'll d-do it. J-Just p-please d-don't s-send i-it.", She was able to force out from her shaking body.

"Good, now prostrate yourself before me and beg!", Commanded Sawako as she let go of Akemi's shoulder.

Akemi stood there frozen in place as her trembling body refused to move from its spot. But not wanting to push the thin patience of her bully, she began the motions of prostrating herself before Sawako. Her stomach churned and swirled while bile built up at the back of her throat at the humiliating gesture. Meanwhile, Sawako had her signature smug smile plastered on her face.

"P-Please d-don't s-send t-the v-video, Sawako-sama. I-I b-beg y-you t-to h-have m-mercy."

The bully feigned an expression that overly exaggerated deep thought before smiling.

"No.", she said before pressing the send button.

Akemi froze in her spot, her eyes glazed over with tears. Everything came crashing down as the world became numb.

"Stupid Stupid Akemi.", sneered Sawako, "You actually think I would listen to the pleas of garbage like you! I wouldn't even wipe my muddy shoes on you! Don't worry Akemi, I do have some pity for trash like you. How about you jump off a roof and hope you get a quirk in the next life!"

Akemi couldn't hold back the waterworks anymore, and she began to cry in front of her bully. All the while the reverberating laughter of her tormentor echoes in her ears.

Akemi! What the fuck was that all about!?", Bakugou practically shouted at her.

Akemi winced at the loud voice of her childhood friend within such a close proximity. Bakugou was pink colored, clearly in a rage but still restraining himself. Akemi was hoping that she would be able to escape before he came and confronted her, but as usual she was not fast enough. Even though she knew this was coming, and his reaction was expected,she never knew why he cared so much?

"K-Katsuki, w-what d-do y-you m-mean?", she replied with a shaky fortitude.

Bakugou glared at her as if she had grown a second head named Charlie. His crimson eyes glared at her like the headlights of the car, making her feel even smaller.

"Why the fuck did you not apply to UA or to any other damned High School?!", he demanded, " Tell me what on this damned green earth possessed you to not sign up for high school?!"

"W-Well…"

The years hadn't been too kind to Akemi since the trip to the doctor's office all those years ago. Every kid that she had called friends completely turned on her once they found she was quirkless. She was bullied mercilessly in those early days as everyone of the kids thought it would be fun to torment a girl with no powers. The teachers were no help, apty deciding that Akemi was a lost cause and thus allowed the kids to do whatever they wanted. That was until Bakugou found out about what was going on.

The blonde haired boy ended up in a lot of fights on her behalf, and he never ever was the one getting beat up. His reputation tanked from a future hero-in-the-making to one of a delinquent that got into too many fights. He was still popular among the kids, though a better word would be infamous because no one dared to touch Akemi while he was around, unless they wanted their face rearranged.

But Bakugou couldn't always be around to protect her, and her tormentors lashed out on her every opportunity they could. She always hid the damage from these instances because she knew deep down that she couldn't make him fight all her battles. She knew Katsuki couldn't fight the whole world for her sake, and why would he? He was strong, his quirk was amazing, and yet she was just dumb, ugly Akemi. She didn't know why he stuck around because he was her opposite in every sense of the word.

"I...am...not...good...enou…", she tried to say without bursting into tears.

"That's bullshit. You and I both know that. Tell me who the fuck has been giving a bunch of lies! And I will make sure that fucker doesn't do it again.", Bakugou said.

Right on que, Bakugou breaks into his encouraging but rough talk about how Akemi shouldn't sell herself short. On top of asking her who he needs to beat up next. Usually this talk would help ease her from her own insecurities, but this time it had the opposite effect. She grew angry. She knew deep down he meant well, but she also knew that he would never understand her pain. He had a quirk and that put him miles above her! She knew that today's career talks with the homeroom teacher likely resulted with him being told he has a career in heroics if he stopped his delinquency.

Akemi on the other hand was a completely different story. No teacher would ever dare to tell their student that they won't amount to anything other than fast food workers, if they were lucky! Or even better! That Akemi's only hope of a future lay with her marrying an older, wealthier man that didn't mind having such a defective product such as herself. She didn't even need to think about High School because she will not make use of any of what it has to offer! These are things that no teacher should say to their student….unless they were quirkless like Akemi.

Tens years of pent up anger was boiling inside the quirkless girl who was gearing up to explode! Ten years of hateful glares and disgusted looks sent towards her for something she couldn't control! Ten years of getting violently assaulted in the bathroom or the locker rooms by older and younger girls just because it was amusing! Ten years of being pitied as a fragile piece of porcelain by anyone who didn't outright hate her! Ten years of being the punching bag of that bitch Sawako! Ten years of being treated as subhuman...had finally caused something to snap inside her. And she took it all out on the wrong person.

"Shut up.", she said eerily calm

"What?", Bakugou nearly gasped.

"I said...SHUT UP!", Akemi screamed with a snarl.

"WHERE THE FUCK DID YOU GET THE IDEA YOU COULD TELL ME TO SHUT UP.", Bakugou screamed, his own temper flaring.

"WHERE DID YOU GET THE IDEA THAT YOU CAN TELL ME WHAT TO DO!", Akemi yelled back in turn.

The two teens snarled back and forth with each other as the argument grew more and more ferocious. Students passing by either stopped and gawked at what they were seeing or tried to hurry past the volcanic fight around them. However, soon these bystanders would soon scatter as the eruption reached its zenith.

"AKEMI! JUST STOP AND LET FUCKING ME HELP YOU!", Bakugou half-begged half-snarled.

"I DON'T WANT YOUR FUCKING HELP!", Akemi snarled, "YOU ALWAYS DO THIS ME AND TREAT ME LIKE I AM A PIECE OF GLASS!"

"I AM JUST TRYING TO LOO…" Bakugou began.

"NO! YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT'S IT'S LIKE TO BE ME! DON'T PRETEND TO UNDERSTAND BECAUSE SOMEONE LIKE YOU NEVER WILL!", Akemi interrupted.

Akemi began to strut away from Katsuki, and almost broke into a sprint.

"WHERE THE FUCK DO YOU THINK YOU ARE GOING?", Bakugou barked as he forcibly grabbed her shoulder.

Akemi said nothing, but in a swift motion she slapped Bakugou across the face hard enough to force him to let go of her. The sheer notion of Akemi hitting him practically stunned the blonde teen.

"AWAY FROM YOU!", Akemi replied in total rage, "I HATE YOU AND I NEVER WANT TO SEE YOU AGAIN!"

With those final stinging words Akemi stormed off leaving the awestruck Katsuki behind.

Bakugou ran as fast as his legs could carry him, which was pretty fast all things considered. How fast he ran, however, didn't seem to matter because he couldn't seem to catch up or find where Akemi ran off to.

"Fucking-Fuckity-FUCK!", He cursed as he stopped at a crossroad before heading down a path that lead to the underpass.

He needed to find her, and he needed to fix this!

However, the world had other plans for Bakugou. As the blonde teen was nearing the dark underpass, a faint rumbling and hissing could be heard behind him. Bakugou paused before turning around to face whatever was making all that was greeted by a wall of sludge barreling towards him from a nearby manhole.

"What the Fu-"

His curse word was drowned out by the foul smelling liquid trying to force itself down his mouth. Bakugou began to shoot out explosions instinctively in random directions and struggled against the green liquid. Said liquid materialized a mouth full of teeth and two sickly eyes from its depths, and locked onto the kid that was in its grasp.

"A meatsuit with a strong quirk! I got really lucky this time!", it gurgled, "Sorry kid, but if I had known HE was in town, then I wouldn't have to do this. Don't worry, it will only hurt for a few seconds."

Even with his strong quirk, Katsuki had done little more than ripples in the liquid body of the villain. The element of surprise and its iron-like grip prevented Bakugou from blasting away from the sludge villain. Yet, he struggled tooth and nail against the villain, despite his dwindling supply of oxygen. But such ferocity was in vain as his vision began to darken, and his limbs grew heavy.

"Thanks kid, you really are my hero.", it gargled in a half taunt-half complement, "Hmm? What the FU-"

Katsuki didn't know what was happening, but the last thing he felt before blacking out was being blown away by a sudden violent gust of wind.

Bakugou jerked up and began to cough up the vile sludge from out of his mouth. His whole mouth tasted like a sewer and his nose also couldn't get the smell from out of his nostrils. The blonde teen cursed to himself inwardly due to the fact he is going to need five showers just to feel clean again. Now, how the fuck was he not de…

"Whoa, I thought I just lost you there. Are you alright, young man?", said a bombastic voice.

"Of course I am fine! What do you take me for? Some..sort...of...weakling…", Bakugou angrily said before trailing off.

The cause of the teen's hesitation was the fact that the number one hero was standing there before him. He was dressed in civilian clothes instead of a costume with his iconic grin plastered across his face. Horror dawned upon Katsuki as he bad-mouthed his idol without even realizing it.

"Well that's a relief.", All Might said without even acknowledging the attitude, "And don't worry the villain, he's already been apprehended."

The Number One Hero held up a soda bottle with a very unconscious villain within it. Bakugou did his best to remain stoic and not gush over the prowess of All Might. He had expected to meet All Might at some point, after all, his goal of becoming the number one hero still hadn't faded. But his goal to surpass the hero could take the backseat for now, he needed to ask the man about someone else.

"Hey, All Might. I have a question before you leave…"

"Sorrybutvillainydoesn'twaitforjustice,haveanicedaycitizen!", All Might spouted quickly before he jumped into the sky.

All Might had hoped that was a sufficient enough explanation, but his time was short and he needed to get out of there before his true form was revealed. Though, it was odd that he felt heavier than usual. Come to think of it, he doesn't remember his leg feeling all squirmy.

"OI! WHEN SOMEONE IS TALKING TO YOU, DON'T RUN OFF YOU ASSHOLE!", shouted the distinct voice of that blonde teen.

All Might's eyes widened to the size of dinner plates, "Whoa! I might appreciate my fans, but this is a little too much! Please get off of my leg!". He said while slightly shaking his leg.

"ARE YOU A DUMBASS!?", The boy screamed in fury, "DO YOU WANT ME TO FALL AND DIE?!"

All Might blinked, "Fair point! I'll find a place to land!"

"Fucking Hell.", Bakugou grumbled while his body trembled in anger.

"Young Man, that was incredibly reckless of you to do that.", All Might lightly reprimanded.

The articles and news outlets don't really prepare you for what an actual pro hero is like beyond what they want you to see. Sure All Might was strong and heroic, but that didn't prepare him for the fact that All Might was a bit of an idiot that didn't think things through.

"I wouldn't have done that if you had bother to answer my fucking question!", Katsuki fired back.

All Might face palmed, "Fine, I suppose I have time to answer one question."

Bakugou opened his mouth to speak but paused after looking at the number one hero. He raised an eyebrow, "Yo, All Might, why is there so much damn steam around you?"

All Might jumped in surprise and saw that he was enveloped in a cloud of steam. All Might looked at the boy with a deflated look, seemingly resigned to his fate.

"Ah phooey!", He cursed before an explosion of steam enveloped the rooftop.

Akemi sulked as she mindlessly walked the streets, her red eyes only now finally dried off the tears she had been shedding. She kept her eyes trained on the ground while her head hung low. A kaleidoscope of emotions swirled within her frame as she dragged her feet along the streets.

The day had been awful and she wanted nothing more than to just go home. As such, she didn't pay much attention when she mindlessly kicked a soda bottle that had been left on the ground. What she didn't expect was a loud pop from the bottle and a looming shadow appearing from behind. The girl turned around to see what was blocking the sunlight, and her eyes widened in horror.

"A new skinsuit! Boy, I am really lucky today!"

It took a lot of convincing on the part of Yagi to persuade the kid that he wasn't an imposter. But thankfully the mention of his injury had more or less deescalated the situation. He never thought he would get threatened to get his ass kicked by a middle schooler. However, the boy didn't look too happy to see that his idol was not in the best of shape.

"Well, answer me this All Might. Can someone who is quirkless become a hero?", the blonde boy said.

All Might gave the boy a puzzled expression as the gears in his head processed the question. The boy clearly had a strong and flashy quirk, from what he saw before taking out the villain. Yagi figured he was asking it for a friend who had lofty dreams. No point in lying to the boy about the realities of the world and the dangers to oneself.

"It's okay to dream but one must be realistic when doing so. I cannot say in good faith that someone can be a hero without a quirk. Look at me, I have the strongest quirk in the world and look at how badly damaged I am? Without a quirk it's just not possible for one to become a hero.", All Might said, his heart bleeding.

Like the flip of a switch the demeanor of the boy turned cold. His fists were clenched and he seemed to be restraining a shaking that appeared in his limbs. All Might felt a bead of sweat drip down his head as the realization hit him.

He tried to salvage the situation,"But if yo-"

"Shut up!", Barked Bakugou, "Whatever, you have left to say, I don't fucking want to hear it!"

All Might flinched at the sudden turn of the boy's demeanor along with the angry outburst. Yet the boy wasn't staring at him and more or less kept his eyes hidden by the shadows of his spiky hair. Without saying anything, the blonde teen turned and walked towards the door of the building.

He turned to face All Might one more time, "You're wrong All Might! Because I knew someone who had what it took to become a hero, and he didn't need a quirk to do that! His name was Izuku Midoriya and he was twice the hero than anybody"

With that the blonde teen disappeared behind the door leaving a flabbergasted All Might.

Bakugou was no longer sprinting, but instead kept up a fast paced walk. His fists were clenched tightly while his face was sporting a death glare. He was pissed! It took every ounce of his self control to not shoot a full powered explosion into the sky to vent out all his rage. What All Might had said had shook him to his very core.

It soured his opinion of the hero to a great extent that Katsuki almost didn't view him as a proper hero anymore. The nonsense he spouted about how anyone could become a hero seemed nothing more than gibberish to flaunt in front of the cameras. His thoughts drifted to his deceased older brother and to his best friend Akemi.

Both had been born without quirks and both had been trampled by the world they lived in. He knew how intelligent and cunning his sibling was, and how he showed that by winning the UA Sports Festival. He was the only quirkless person to do so, but had been denied the opportunity to become a hero by the same villains that inhabited his school. Spouting one bullshit reason after another to deny something that they could easily achieve.

Then there was Akemi. She was smart, easily in the top ten of their shithole of a school, and was easily one of the best girls at gymnastics. She was prettier than most of the girls in the school. She had a willingness to learn that surpassed anyone he knew, and not to mention that she had a courage that rivalled any pro. He would never forget the first day of care, where she came up to him to be friends while the rest of the extras were scared shitless to even get close to him.

But he also noticed that Akemi seemed to be decaying. Her grades began to plummet, while she stopped going to any extra curricular activities. Her beauty began to lose its luster as she seemingly stopped taking care of herself. But worst of all was her smile. It was rare for Bakugou to see and even if it was shown, it seemed forced and lacked any genuine happiness behind it. Just like Izuku's was before he disa...

He needed to find Akemi right now!

…

…

…

His search soon stumbled upon a common scene within Japan, a villain attack. Only this one didn't follow the rules of how they were supposed to go. Usually, the villain would go and start making a ruckus until the heroes arrived and took care of that villain. However, this time the roles seemed to be reversed with the heroes seemingly not able to do anything to the villain.

"I have to focus on the fires or else they will go out of control!"

"The alleyway is too small for me to move through!"

"My punches don't work on the villain!"

"We need someone with a quirk to better fit the situation or else the Hostage is in trouble!"

Hostage? A gut feeling told the blond teen to push through the crowd of people towards the front. Once he arrived at the head of the crowd he caught a full view of the villain attack. Bakugou paled at the sight of the very same sludge villain that had attempted to smother him. How did that bastard escape? Didn't All Might have him secured?

His thoughts drifted to the fact that he had grabbed onto All Might's leg, and may have caused him to inadvertently drop the villain. Bakugou cursed himself for being so dumb, but that line of thinking disapeared once he saw the person trapped in the confines of the villain. A familiar girl with a head of red hair who was only just holding onto the threads of life. Akemi!

"I fucked up!", Bakugou proclaimed in his head as tears began to welt in his eyes.

He looked around and saw that the heroes were being useless as they said they were. A head of blonde hair on an emancipated man caught his attention, All Might. He too looked like he wanted to do something but couldn't on the account of the time limit he had on his quirk. No one was doing anything, and it meant that Akemi was going to die!

Without even thinking, Bakugou rushed forward towards the villain, his legs moving on their own.

"That's why I am standing here on this bridge.", Akemi stated as she was unsure how to end her story as she sat curled up with her back resting on the safety railing.

She didn't need to tell him about the sludge villain that attacked her out in the streets, the news would be enough for that. No, she didn't want to share the sheer helplessness that she felt throughout the entire ordeal. She was useless and pathetic. Katsuki had been there to save her as always. He had been hailed a hero while she was scolded for being a burden.

The listening shadow seemed eerily quiet, and this was probably because it hadn't expected such a tale from someone her age. The yellow eyes seemed to blink in the darkness or perhaps it was more like a flicker.

"My condolences, young Akemi.", the Shadow apologized, "But I am sure you don't want to hear empty apologies from strangers."

"I get enough of that when I go home to my parents.", Akemi dismissed, "Let me guess, you are some sort of hero and you are going to give me the 'I have so much to live for' speech?"

"Not exactly.", replied the Shadow, "I'd tell you that there is nothing wrong with being quirkless, but I would be lying to you and anyone with half a brain. You are inferior in every shape and form to the Quirked, and you will never be able to conform to their world."

Akemi felt herself deflate and stinging tears begin to drip from her eyes. She knew what he was saying was true, but that didn't make it hurt any less. However, her sadness was soon nullified by a metallic hand that emerged from the shadows and wiped away her tears.

"But, what if I told you there was a way out of it all, and it didn't involve violence against one's self?", The Shadow replied, "Would you take it?"

Akemi's eyes grew to the size of saucers, "I would in a heartbeat, but I don't it would matter."

"It does, and I can provide you with not only a way out but also with a newfound purpose. I offer you a future that no one would ever give you. I offer you a chance to live like a true human should."

Akemi's surprise didn't waver, "Y-Y-You can?!"

"I can and so much more, but I must warn you. Should you take my offer, there will be no guarantee that you will survive nor will you be the same should you survive.", warned the voice, "But if you do, you will become something greater in the coming times of turmoil."

Akemi tilted her head in confusion, "Times of Turmoil? You are saying that something bad is coming."

The yellow eyes glittered in the darkness, "Yes, Hero Society as we know is about to end and our world will become dangerous once again. But that is where you come in, Akemi."

"M-Me?", Akemi said, a little shocked.

"Yes, you.", the shadow replied, "I will require an agent in the future to be my right hand in the world while I continue my work on securing a future after the fall of Hero Society. I want you, Akemi, to be that agent. So, I will ask you now; will you accept?"

Akemi was awestruck at the Shadow. Surely, none of this could be true. There's no way heroes would just disappear would they? But then again, why was she offered such a proposition when there were clearly better people. She was just dumb, quirkless, Akemi.

"B-But w-why me?", She stuttered, "I-I'm...I'm...q-quirkless."

Akemi was expecting the shadow or whomever it was to scoff at her. Or maybe for him to withdraw his offer, but she was surprised to see him step close enough to reveal himself to her. She nearly gasped at the blank metal mask on his face or the third metal arm sticking out of his shoulder. He was a man made of metal, but in a manner that was akin to a machine and that of a quirk. She should have been terrified at a physical crime against nature, but she felt more at ease with his present than that of any other person.

"I want you because you are not tainted by the weakness of Quirks, and you understand the plight of the downtrodden.", the metal man said, "I need people like you to shape a better world, people who want nothing more but to have a place in this world and do good in it. I have no need for those drunk on the corrupt power of quirks or their cradles of ignorance and intolerance."

Akemi was speechless as she was given something she never thought she would ever get. Her red eyes began to drip tears as she fell to the ground. Someone actually seemed to want her!

"So I ask you again, will you join me, Young Akemi?", the man affirmed.

"Y-Yes….I'll...join...you.", Akemi breathed out.

The metal man extended his third arm towards the fallen girl, and she grabbed it without hesitation.

Kamino District, Earlier That Day

Even in his weakened state, All For One was still an intimidating sight to behold. He sat on a large black throne that doubled as the neurological center of his computer network. A black skull-like mask connected with all manner of wires and cables doubled as a computer, in which he could maintain his shadow empire; while also serving as a life support system to keep his broken body functioning. His body was still imposing with its sheer size and radiated a hidden strength that disguised itself with the image of an injured old man.

The mere fact that the ancient villain is not only alive but functioning as well is a testament to the genius of Dr. Ujiko and Mechanicus. The duo doctors blended the perfect combination between quirk and machine to achieve the monumental task. It was all accounts, an important achievement in the progress of medicine, but was a gift that only one will ever see.

Not that it mattered to Mechanicus because the future he envisioned would have no need for things such as medicine. But that was not at the forefront of his mind as he limped his way into the shadowy bunker that All For One called his HQ. The Lord of the Machines was quick to see that he was the last one to show up with the presence of Dr. Ujiko and that damnable Shigaraki inside the throne room. However, among their number was a wispy man made from black mists in there as well, a new pawn perhaps?

"Ah, Mechanicus.", All For One said with a jolly disposition, "You have arrived!"

"Yeah, you kept us waiting long enough, tin man.", Shigaraki scoffed in irritation.

Mechanicus directed an irritated gaze at the youngest person in the room, "Excuse me for my tardiness, Shigaraki Tomura. But I cannot move as well as I used to, and I am sure you can spare a few minutes for an old cripple instead of wasting hours playing games."

Shigaraki growled in anger and looked ready to either retort or pounce on the metal man. Mechanicus kept his position neutral, save for his third arm that was directed towards Shigaraki threateningly.

"AHEM!", All For One said with his hand over where his mouth would be if he was actually coughing.

Mechanicus was the first to back down, "I mean no disrespect of course. I am merely hinting that he should be a little more productive with his time.", the sarcasm was dripping from his clockwork ticking.

Shigaraki lingered for a bit longer, but eventually backed down as well. However, his angry glare beneath his mask was still directed onto Mechanicus.

"Much better.", All For One said whilst clasping his hands, "Now I presume you wondered why I called you all here?"

Without waiting for an answer, All For One pressed a button on the arm of his throne and an image was projected onto a nearby wall. It was a still image of what appeared to be a villain battle. The villain responsible for the carnage appeared to be made of slime or some kind of sludge. He had a hostage nestled within its folds, a middle school girl with red hair, while a boy with spiky blonde hair was half-hazardly trying to pull her out while using an explosion quirk of some kind. In the foreground, the clear image of All Might was rushing straight into the fray with an almost unnoticeable stream of blood gushing out of his mouth.

Mechanicus almost relegated the information to pointless media sensationalism, until he saw the names of the individuals involved.

Katsuki Bakugou & Akemi Kayama

For the briefest of moments his yellow glowing eyes flickered onto the screen with genuine interest. His computerized mind began to calculate and formulate different plans to take advantage of the opportunity. He inwardly smiled for the trip to Musustafu after this wretched meeting. However, such joys were seldom to the Machine Lord, as he was yanked back into reality.

"All Might has been spotted in Musustafu, and not for a brief period either but for a series of days.", All For One said with glee in his voice, "This information coincides with some of my contacts hearing rumors of him seeking employment at UA, which means…"

"If he's in the same place then it's the perfect opportunity to kill him!",Shigaraki finished with an excited glee.

Mechanicus inwardly sighed in exasperation. So this was the reason he was called. To be an instrument in All For One's revenge against All Might, and by extension Shigaraki's manufactured revenge for the muscle bound buffoon. Mechanicus was not against the idea of revenge, in fact he had several fleshbags to even the score with, but if he were to guess then it was likely that All For One intended…

"Shigaraki Tomura, I believe it's only appropriate that you lead the assasination of our most beloved of enemies.", All For One addressed Shigaraki in a Fatherly tone, "And if the information is correct, then you have a full year to prepare for his death. I expect you already have some ideas on how to achieve that?"

"Yes, Sensei. I got some ideas on how to deal with All Might. I'll just need to get a party appropriate enough to tackle the raid, and maybe a stealth mission or two to get intel." Shigaraki replied excitedly.

"Very good, see that every step is accounted for as well as your 'party'. You and Kurogiri are dismissed.", the throne bound man praised.

Shigaraki replied with the usual respectful phrase that was laced with a child-like glee. While the one referred to as Kurogiri bowed and opened up a portal of black mist behind the duo. They turned to leave, but before they could go through into the mists.

"And one more thing, Tomura.", All For One added.

Shigaraki turned to face his master.

"Feel free to use the good doctors and their skills to achieve the task.", He added as he gestured towards the two as if they were products on display.

Mechanicus suppressed a groan.

Mechanicus limped back into the surgery room with an unusual haste in his stride. Nothing really stirred up this sense of urgency in the Lord of the Machines, but today was a rather special occasion. Lying on the operating table was Akemi, all prepped and prepared for the rather special ascension. She was still conscious but wouldn't be for long once the anesthetics were given and the operation could begin.

She watched Mechanicus with a pair of nervous red eyes as he turned on the different machines while failed experiments mindlessly pulled out different parts and pieces. The minutes seemed to drag for hours as preparations were wrapping up. Preparations soon came to a close and Mechanicus soon limped into position to give Akemi the aesthetic. But his arm was suddenly grabbed by the fleshy hand of Akemi. The mechanical man turned his gaze towards the nervous eyes of his patient.

"Will it hurt, Shujin?", Akemi said meekly.

"I will not lie to you Akemi, it will be painful.", Mechanicus replied.

However, Akemi did not show the expected emotion of dread or apprehension. She displayed a blank face that also held a firm determination.

"Good.", She replied with steel in her voice, "Let's get started then."

"As you wish.", Mechanicus said as he placed the oxygen mask that was exhaling out the anesthetic.

The red eyes of Akemi grew woozy and drooped. However, the quirkless girl was at the edge of consciousness before she uttered her final words as a human.

"Please….make...m..e...bet...te...r...th...aa...nn...A...ke...m...i.", she uttered before losing consciousness.

Mechanicus merely looked at the unconscious girl before running his metallic hand through her red hair. "Have no fear in your heart my lost adherent, soon you will cry no more and you will never fear the hands of the quirks ever again. Your hands will be instrumental in our people's rise."

The Lord of Machines quickly resumed the long and arduous process of bringing the greatest of his henchmen to life.

The funeral was small with very few people there to honor the fallen. The police investigation was rather quick and managed to uncover what had happened to Akemi, which could be saying something since cases involving quirkless do not get this much attention. But then again, who would've figured that a pro-hero breathing down the neck of the authorities would actually make them do their job.

Akemi's belongings were found on the main bridge in Musustafu the afternoon after she was reported missing. It consisted of a backpack that contained her school uniform, some papers, books, and her cellphone. Placed neatly beside them were her shoes, which contained a lock of her hair within one of the shoes. No note was left behind or evidence of foul play was found at the site or anywhere nearby. A mixture of witness testimony along with the physical evidence, plus the history of Akemi and the notorious reputation of the bridge, ruled that Akemi had most likely committed suicide.

Family and friends were notified of the police's findings, and informed that Akemi's body was very unlikely to be recovered. If the estimated time of her suicide were accurate, then her body had been swept in the Pacific Ocean by the strong currents of the Kai Dei River. A closed casket funeral was arranged to bury the lock of hair that belonged to Akemi. However, no tragedy will ever go unpunished.

The Pro-Hero Midnight, began her own investigation surrounding the death of her Niece using the connections and resources afforded to her by UA. Aldera Middle School came under the full scrutiny of UA, and it didn't take long for the truth to emerge from the cesspool of a school. Deliberate discrimination from the top all the way down to the bottom alongside with plenty accounts of icompeteance and corruption to add frosting on top of all that. Most of the staff have been fired and are awaiting a hearing from the Prefecture's Education Board. Several students, deemed as the most egregious in propelling the suicide, are now facing both criminal and civil charges by the Kamaya family. A skeleton crew of teachers and staff had been appointed to help see the remaining students see the end of the school year before a decision to close the school had been made.

The R-Rated Hero Midnight, a hero that is known for her skimpy clothing and sex appeal, had stormed headfirst in all this looking to see who was responsible for her niece's death. It was hard to picture her as a person that could so viciously tear apart those deemed responsible. But to everyone at the funeral, she was a woman with a solemn and teary expression that was holding her crying sister. For no matter how badly those responsible were punished, Akemi was never going to get older, she was never going to experience what life had to offer, and the pain of that fact was never going to go away. But if she would ensure that no other family would have to experience such pain, then she would fight the world to make that dream reality.

Yet for a dried eyed Bakugou Katsuki he had the exact opposite feelings. He didn't care about who was punished or who wasn't. Instead a weight equal to the world began to crush his shoulders as guilt clouded his mind. He pondered the "What Ifs" to see if he could have done more to help his lost friend. Yet, no solution ever would come to his mind. Most would've been broken by such a loss, but Bakugou was one to put up a fight before he gave up. He was going to be the hero that she always said he was, and he was going to do his damndest to keep people safe from villains. He was going to be the hero that Akemi needed most or die trying!

Did you like this chapter or did you hate it? Let me know in the comments. Also to set the record straight I don't play the Mechanicus in Warhammer. I unfortunately have to admit that I play Orks in the game. I am sorry that I am not sorry! Anyways, keep on WAAAGGHH-ing and see you in the next update.