Summary:

Th edge is the only comfort Izuku knows, and yet even then he falls short of saving himself.

"Come on young Sasaki, use your legs now!" Yelled the pro hero who'd taken Izuku under his wing. His uncle had drilled into him the importance of improving his body, though of course Izuku knew it was necessary.

Part of him still doubted what All Might was trying to teach him. He wasn't worthy of being taught by such a person, why would someone like All Might want to help him. "That's it, now come on! Pull harder Sasaki! We've only got three more months to whip that puny body of yours into shape!"

Yagi yelled once more at the boy who tried as hard as he could to move the heavy fridge. "I'm trying Uncle Might! But I-I can't."

Izuku flopped to the ground, unable to move another inch, he'd used everything he had within him and run out of steam. The pro soon jumped down from his position above the boy and looked him over. "You should try quitting Nephew! Have you not been following my step-by-step guide and meal plan? Or-"

All Might stopped for a moment to examine the boy over; he was exhausted and tired from what he could observe. "Ah, you've pushed too hard, trying to speed up your progress."

"Ye-yes sir, I thought that it'd give me more ti-time to understand your power?" The blond nodded to boy, finding the logic to be somewhat sound. "You mustn't rush progress my boy, I have outlined everything you need to do. You will be ready in time for Yuuei's entrance exam!"

Izuku once again found himself sitting inches away from the very place he'd fallen from grace. Izuku didn't understand what brought him back time after time. Why he felt most at home and safe under the stars inches from death. But for him, it was the most comforting part of his life.

All Might, while a good teacher and mentor, he wasn't a father figure or someone the boy could rely on in times of need. The Bakugo's while they did take care of him and looked out for the boy in Inko's stead, weren't what he needed. Not with Kacchan and Mitsuki being loud and temperamental all the time.

Lastly, Izuku's father, wasn't in any way a good parent. Let alone one who could support a child going through traumatic times. So, of all the people for Izuku to fall upon, he'd never expected the underground hero known as Eraserhead to comfort him.

Well, comfort wasn't the correct word, though of course some would argue otherwise. Eraser had fulfilled his promise to the boy time and time again. If Izuku needed someone to confide in, then Aizawa would be there for the boy.

Even when work was hard, or other things got in the way. Shouta tried his best to support a child who looked to him for guidance. He knew his friends likely would laugh at such a thing, but he did care for the white-haired boy who'd nearly died.

Soon another form joined the boy on his perch amongst the stars, a small 'humph' being let out as the tired form of Eraserhead sat down. The man didn't mince words as he began to speak to the boy, concern seeming evident in his voice.

"Why are you out here? Shouldn't you be home preparing for tomorrow?" The man asked, an eyebrow well raised as he looked the child over.

"Y-yea, I just couldn't sleep. Not with Kacchan and his mom yelling at one another all the time. And it's not like I can tell them to stop. I jus-just can't-" Izuku's sentenced went unfinished, he couldn't do anything.

"Can't what?"

"Ca-can't- I don't know. I just don't know what to do. I want to be a hero; I want to be someone who people look up to. And yet, I've failed everyone in my life. I couldn't save my mom, couldn't get my father to care for me, couldn't help my best friend, and can't seem to stay out of the way."

"You haven't failed anyone, and you're not getting in the way of anything. You will be a hero, and I will make sure of it. Get some rest, you'll need it for tomorrow." Izuku nodded, but didn't move from his spot, he couldn't go home.

"Do you want me to walk you home?" The man asked, and Izuku wanted to say yes, that he'd be happy to walk with the pro hero. But he knew that it'd just inconvenience and bother the man more so.

"N-no I-I'll be fine…

Shouta sighed, looking into the white irises of the boy's eyes. He knew what he was about to say likely wasn't proper nor correct. But, as a hero, he was supposed to look out for people in need. And this boy, who he still didn't know the name of didn't feel safe within his own home.

And, so with the end of his slow huff outward, he looked the boy up and down once more before offering something he wouldn't have thought of only moments prior.

"Are you safe at home?" Eraser asked, without even thinking the boy rushed to shake his head.

"Would you prefer to come home with me?"

"I-is that an option?"

"I don't suppose why not? You aren't comfortable in your own home, and I have a spare room available. Though, that is if you don't mind cats?" The man smirked only slightly as he watched for the boy's reaction.

"I-I'd like that, it's just… I don't know how my aunt and uncle would feel about me leaving them." Shouta nodded, he understood why Izuku might be afraid of leaving them. There would likely be mixed feelings about such an event considering no one other than the boy knew they met.

"If you ever need a place, my home is open to you. If you ever feel that home isn't safe, let me know and we'll be there."

"We'll?"

"Hey, how was pa-What happened?!" Shouta let go a small huff of air as he walked into his shared apartment. Two cats having already begun walking around his legs. Letting go small meows as they welcomed one of their parents back.

"I saved a child from jumping." Aizawa finally looked up from his place at the entrance. Present Mic lesser well known as Yamada Hizashi-Aizawa stood before his husband, his jaw slightly open trying to process the words just stated to him.

"What?"

"Cool it with the quick usage, my body already aches enough. But, yea, I was on break getting a cup of coffee when I noticed a kid standing on the edge of a building. Hizashi soon dragged his partner over to their couch and grabbed a cup of coffee for his tired husband.

"Thanks."

"So, was he okay?"

"No-what makes you think a kid who just tried to jump would be, okay?" Eraser commented back, nearly snapping at the thought of someone being described as 'okay' after trying to take their own life.

"Sorry-sorry, I just wanted to know if they'd actually tried or if they'd been hurt before or-" Hizashi did his best to not start yelling at the top of his lungs. He was worried, and his husband seemed drained and-and, he was worried!

"N-no he didn't try, I managed to pull him back in time. I just, I don't know what happened to him-I let him go without even thinking. He just left! Now I don't know if he's okay or if he just moved somewhere else to try again." Eraser took another sip of his coffee as his husband petted one of the cats that'd made its way on to the couch. Both trying to defuse the words just uttered.

"I gave him my number, just in case he tried to reach out for someone."

"Whose calling you this late at night?" Hizashi asked as he rolled over in bed, looking at his husband for answers.

Without thinking the underground hero picked up his phone and answered. "How did you get this number?" Aizawa asked, trying to figure out who in the world would call so late. 'He never picks up the phone this late at night… What's gotten into him?'

"Alright-sit tight. I'll be there in just a moment kid" Shouta had begun to shuffle out of bed, grabbing his keys off the nightstand as he soon hung up the line.

"Who was that?"

"The kid who tried to jump a few months ago." Hizashi's eyes widened as he processed the words just stated.

"Wh-where is he?"

"On the building again. I'll see you soon, sleep well for me?" Hizashi nodded, though part of him wished to ask if he could accompany his husband. He wanted to meet the little listener as well…

We'll?"

"Yea, me and my husband."

"You-your husband?" Eraserhead was married, no one knew anything about the hero and to find out that the man was married. Izuku didn't know what to think, he worried that the other person wouldn't like him even if he did like Eraser.

"Hey, breath for me problem child. You're hyperventilating, in. Hold. Out." Izuku followed the pro's voice, trying to calm his nerves, he needed to keep it together. 'He probably thinks I'm useless as well. Can't even keep calm"

"You're not worthless, or useless. Whoever told you that, is wrong. Kid, you need help and I'm here if you need me." Izuku nodded, he just couldn't accept that someone would want to help him, and that they'd do so without asking for anything in return.

"I'll stop wasting your time Mr. Eraserhead sir. I'll go now-" The boy took his leave without saying anything else, he needed to get away from the pro.

Needed to be away from everything.

Break

'Do I deserve this?' The white hair boy asked himself as his mentor stood before him, congratulating him on clearing the entire beach. The boy had done it, he'd cleaned everything and more. He'd lived up to All Might's expectations of him and he was worthy of being All Might's successor.

And with the future now bright upon him, and the sun rising in the background Izuku reached out to grab hold of his future.

"Eat This." "Huh?"

"To inherit my power, you've got to swallow some of my DNA! That's how it works!"

"This isn't exactly how I imagined it though!"

"Come on there is no time! You'll be late for the exam!"

"Eat! EAT! EEEAAATTT!" The man yelled to his white-haired nephew; they didn't have time for him to question the semantics of it all.

With a heavy breath Izuku stepped forward onto the grounds of U.A. He'd prepared for the exam for months now and yet he still felt inadequate. Sure, he'd lived up to what All Might had expected of him, but was that enough?

Several student hopefuls walked past, some having conversations with others while some rushed to find a seat. Izuku did his best to pay no attention to the blond behind him. "Stupid Deku, get out my way." Grumbled Izuku's once best friend, "Good luck Kacchan." Izuku had happily responded but received nothing in return.

'Thanks to Uncle Might I may actually have a shot at being a hero. My quick isn't strong enough on its own and-' Before the boy could finish his monologue, he tripped.

'Guess I'll just die.' Izuku began to fall towards the ground, visions seemingly flashing through his mind trying to find the best outcome.

"Hey, are you alright?" Strong hands seem to grab ahold of his collar, stopping the white-haired boy from falling to the ground. Izuku's head moved swifter than he thought possible, making contact with the greens of the other person.

"Oh-Thank you!" Izuku said, his voice stuttering slightly as he looked the girl up and down. "Ah, it was no problem. It's bad luck to fall be the exam isn't it?" Izuku nodded, and soon the red headed girl took her leave.

Izuku soon followed, walking into the halls of U.A. and into the auditorium where most of the hero hopefuls sat. On his right sat Bakugo, who'd given him a snarl as he'd sat down. Another blue haired boy was seemingly telling people what to do already. Yelling and pointing for some odd reason.

Izuku elected to ignore the blond and focus on taking a few more notes before the exams started.

Lights began to flick on in the auditorium, a large U.A symbol flashed on the auditorium's screen and a blonde-haired man stood upfront. His voice was overly loud for everyone to even comprehend at such an early hour. "What's up U.A. candidates. Thanks for tuning into me, your school D.J. Come on and let me hear yah!"

Silence

"Keeping it mellow uh? That's fine, I'll skip straight to the main show. Let's talk about how this show will go down. Are you ready!?!" He called out to the students before him and once again was greeted by silence.

Izuku sighed as he looked at Present Mic. Maybe in another timeline he would have been so enamored by the hero, but now hero's just felt so, so uninteresting to him. "Alright so this is how the test will go, my listeners! You'll be experiencing ten-minute long 'Mock Cityscape Maneuvers'! After I drop the mic here, you'll each be heading to your specified battle stations!"

"I see they're splitting us up so we can't work with any of our friends" Mused the ashy blond beside Izuku, looking over at the whitenette's card. Izuku nodded, not wanting to anger the blond boy. "Damn I was really looking forward to crushing you." Bakugo sneered as they once again gave their attention back to the presenter.

"Okay, okay, let's check out your targets. There will be three types of foe villains in every battle situation. You'll earn points based on their level of difficulty. So, you better choose wisely. And attacking other examinees is a big no, no. Keep that in mind, listeners." Present Mic pointed to a hand that'd been raised from the crowd.

"Excuse me sir, but I have a question. Here on the printout, you've listed four types of villains. Not three, with all due respect if this is an error on U.A. materials it is shameful. We are exemplary students, and we expect the best from Japan's top school. A mistake such as this won't do."

"Alright Examine number 7111, thanks for calling in with your request. The fourth villain type is just an obstacle to get in your way. Don't think of it as something to beat, there really isn't any point. I recommend all my listeners ignore it and focus on topping the chart." Present Mic sighed as he looked to the blue haired boy before him, his glasses shining slightly in the auditorium light. If only the kid had let him speak.

"Thank you very much, please continue." The boy stated and bowed to the teacher before him. "Alright then, with that being said let's hear a PLUS ULTRA." Silence once again filled the room.

"U.A. High School Hero Course" "Entrance Exam" "Battle Center B"

Izuku stood outside the large gates of battle center B along with several other contestants. They all looked determined to do their best.

'Alright, time to put ten months of training to use. Time to give it my all.' Izuku gave himself a small slap to the face, trying to reorganize his brain. His own thoughts were getting in the way of everything.

Izuku let go a sigh as he looked up to the gates one final time, noticing the blue haired boy from earlier and the red headed girl who'd saved him from eating the bricks as well. He wanted to say thank you to her, but he couldn't. It didn't matter anyway; the test was about to start.

"Right, let's start!" Called Present Mic high up upon a tower overlooking the area. "Get moving! There are no countdowns in real battles!" Izuku's body moved on its own, he needed to place high, he needed to get moving and prove to the world that he was here.

"Run! Run! Run! Come on now listeners you're wasting airtime! Look, that student knows what's up!" Present Mic pointed to a white mop of hair that had already begun to move, Izuku was well in front of the pack as others began to run off towards the city.

The sounds of several bots being smashed soon came through the air. Teens yelling out their scores to one another while trying to get an edge on the persons next to them. Izuku run continued to rush forwards.

He didn't have any power just yet, and his quirk was truly only good for getting him out of situations. He hadn't thought to ask for support items, and he knew most others likely hadn't either. Izuku did his best to help those in need.

He'd passed several students in need of help, and he'd done his best to give what little aid he could. Having brought some bandages and other medical supplies with him in case he himself was injured at some point.

Most hadn't stopped to thank him, just once again rushing off to once again fight the next foe that made themselves known. Izuku hoped he could find a robot, but it seemed as time passed on more and more robots were smashed and few remained.

"Clearly the examinees have no idea how many villains are present or their locations. They have limited time, must cover a vast area, and hunt down every last target. Some use information gathering abilities to plan out strategies.

- While others rely on speed to pull ahead of their peers. Of course, remaining calm under pressure is also important. So, can, pure power and combat ability. The most successful students use a combination of all of these tactics. They're the ones that score the highest scores" Nedzu and the others looked up towards the board in front of them displaying all sorts of info.

"Hmm, I'd say this year's group looks promising." Midnight commented as she looked at a certain ashy blond. "Well, there's still plenty of time before it's over." Ectoplasm commented as the 'Yaruki' Switch flipped open and his fingers pressed the large red button in the center.

The ground shook as a large figure rose from the ground, the final bot making its appearance. Standing far above everyone, it looked down upon the students and Izuku swore he could see a smirk befall upon its large head. People screamed and gasped at the mere size of the thing.

What could they do to defeat such a creature?

'Isn't this a little extreme?' His brain questioned as it looked up towards the beast made of metal. It's large hands gripping onto the tallest buildings looming over head. Assessing its surroundings. How were they supposed to stop such a thing?

Izuku stood mortified by such a creature, he couldn't do anything, couldn't move. Couldn't even truly think at a time like this, what could he even do? Then as his mind tried to understand what was going on, his hands lit once more.

Grabbing onto the strings of fate, his body began to move on its own. Just as he began to move, he heard someone calling out for help as the metal goliath stepped closer to the center of the battle arena. 'The girl from earlier!' His brain called out, he couldn't believe it, she was trying to help a brunette who'd been trapped under rubble.

His body moved on its own like it had done during the sludge villain attack. He couldn't watch either girl get hurt, even if he was useless. Izuku rushed across the battlefield and landed by the girl's side. The brunette's leg was buried under the rubble from the big robot.

"I can't lift it with my quick, it's too heavy!" The red head called out to the brunette who continued to struggle without making any progress.

Izuku rushed forward, his body in motion as it tried to reach them. He couldn't allow someone to get hurt, couldn't allow someone else to be harmed on his watch. His hands moved quicker than ever before, and as he began to get even closer, he leapt forward.

His legs ignited with the very power that had been entrusted to him only hours prior. Izuku's visons collided with reality and as his sleeves began to shred apart his arms lit with the power of One for All.

"That's right, show who you are. Embody what it means to be a hero, nothing is nobler than self-sacrifice." Came a dark figure's voice as he watched the events unfold within the confines of the watch tower.

He'd done it, he'd yelled out to the world that he was here.

With one fatal blow the beast made of iron fell to the ground, a large thud sounding out as it hit. "OW!" The white-haired boy yelled as he began to fall midair, his right arm bent in every which way. Izuku couldn't believe it, he'd only swung one punch and yet he'd destroyed the biggest threat U.A. had to offer.

Before the boy could pause to accept that he did have a powerful quick. Before his hands could pull once more upon the strings of fate, he began to plummet towards the ground. Unable to stop his descent he fell faster and faster.

"Oh no, don't you dare!" The red head had breathlessly let go as she rushed to try and catch the boy. But her hands weren't fast enough, she couldn't catch the boy in time.

She couldn't stop his descent…

Ending Notes:

Death, dying, morality, purity, and failure all seem to flow in one direction or at least seem to collide at one point or another.