Izuku is at a street market with his friends. They had insisted on going. Pretty trinkets sold by vendors at a reasonable price.
Iida and Izuku had been concerned about swindlers. But the lively atmosphere dragged them in.
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Shoto had vanished in the clutter of food stalls.
Iida had been captivated by ancient tech displays.
Ochaco and Tsuyu followed alluring scents of perfume and eye-catching gleaming jewelry.
Izuku is alone.
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Aimlessly wandering he ended up at a row of mismatched, broken, and refurbished furniture. Few selections seemed antique. There are morbid statues and gaudy mugs. Beds, doors, desks, chairs, and other objects create a claustrophobic corridor. He felt like Alice falling through the rabbit hole.
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Bored, Izuku stopped and browsed. A mirror. Its frame a mixture of copper and silver. A clock studs the center of the arc. Animals, from rabbits to wolves to deer wrap around the frame's sides elegantly. "I've never seen anything like this before."
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Narrowing his mint-green eyes Izuku leaned in. "Is…is that a school in the mirror? How-"
A powerful gust like a vacuum pulls Midoriya forward. Panicking and flailing he sees his body twist and flatten like paper. Yelling, he falls straight through the glass surface!
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"Ow!" Midoriya's spine aches. A lot! Blinking he clears stars and shapes from his eyes. Above are a vast countryside and a castle-sized building. "Cherryton Academy? Whoa! This place is straight out of a fairytale! But where's the market?"
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"Um, excuse me?"
"Huh?" Izuku turned to see –his jaw dropped. A mutant wolf guy jumped in alarm. Taking a deep breath his bulky form lowered. He's eye-level with Izuku, as if afraid to scare him.
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"Hi." The wolf-man waved a hand. "I'm Legoshi." His nose twitched. An unknown scent drifts up his nose. Whoever this guy is, he's definitely an animal. Legoshi smells blood. But this is a species he's never seen before!
"Legoshi? Oh. I'm Izuku Midoriya. I seemed to have…gotten lost?"
"Lost? I'd say so."
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The mutant is calm. Super calm. Izuku's initial panic fades completely.
He tilts his head curiously. "Are you a new transfer student?"
"No. I-"
"Legoshi!" A wolf-lady jogged towards them. Her sweet voice complemented her soft, polite features. "You're going to be late to drama club if –who's this?"
"Hey Juno. His name is Izuku Midoriya." Legoshi stood, towering above them. His relaxed slouch disarmed the rather scary image of his sharp teeth and claws. "That's what I'm trying to figure out. I think he could be of a rare species."
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"Wait…two?" Izuku's head swayed. Midst the buildings and roads are hundreds of mutants! Is this a whole town full?!
Fascinated, Izuku equips a notebook and starts writing. And mumbling. His head bobbed up. "Can you please tell me about your quirks?"
"Quirks?" Legoshi blushed.
"What does he mean by quirks?" Juno asked.
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The wolf smiled sweetly. "Midoriya was it? I'd be happy to show you around Cherryton Academy." She bashfully twirled a lock of cedar fur. "Even if I'm still new."
"Yes. For the time being I think it'd be safe to stay here until you can figure out how to return home."
A detour huh? Awesome! Izuku feels like he can learn a lot from his guides.
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Walking about Midoriya obtains many astounded glances. Izuku mirrors them. Lions, wolves, squirrels –oops! Izuku awkwardly dances to avoid the smaller animals while sputtering apologies. Elephants, giraffe, gazelles, dogs, horses, birds, lizards, foxes, there are countless mutant types!
Strangely there's zero discussion about heroes or villains. Midoriya guessed he was in some remote town that would rather focus on other things. Like food, academics and-
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"We have the most marvelous drama club!" Juno explained. The pair stood outside waiting for Legoshi. "As you can see! Many who join want to earn the title of Beastar."
"Beastar?"
"Yes, it's-"
"Word has spread fast. An undetermined species is somehow whimsically here at the academy?"
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From a glance anybody can tell Louis is a person of significance. He holds his head high, daring a challenge. Elegant antlers glow in sunlight like a golden crown upon a king's head. Honey-colored eyes carry insight.
"He is intimidating…" Izuku mumbled.
Juno smiled knowingly.
Louis marched up to him. "As future Beastar I should be aware of things. So, who're you?"
"Izuku Midoriya."
He nodded. "I am Louis. Leader of the drama club."
'Well he sure fits the role! He's scarier than Kaachan!'
"Legoshi has informed me of what has happened. As is of my duties I extend a warm welcome to you."
"Thank you?"
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Louis smiled. It was charming but also slightly unnerving.
Izuku fidgeted nervously.
"Yes. There's something special about you. Not many can attract as much attention as me. I'll be keeping an eye on you." He pointed to the center of the school. "Facilities are that way."
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Baffled. This is how Izuku feels. Doctors prod him inquiringly. They're awed and he can't see how. Have they never seen emitter or transform quirk types? Most questions he answers monotonously. A few are odd to him.
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The doctor tugs and yanks at his jaw, enthralled like a dentist. "Carnivore or herbivore?"
"Whaa?"
"Do you eat solely meats or fruits and vegetables?"
Izuku raised an eyebrow. "Both? Omnivore."
Nurses gasp.
Midoriya is allowed to close his jaws and the doctor scribbles notes on a clipboard.
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"What species are you?"
Blinking, he stares at the staff incredulously. They stare back as if he's a freak. Not in disgust –like how other kids reacted when they learned he was quirkless. No. More like apprehension.
"Human?"
"I've never heard of that species. Clearly you're not like any mammal known."
"What?!"
The others jumped.
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Izuku tugged at his green hair despairingly. "Is this a joke?"
"Joke?"
"I…" Midoriya's breathing is fast. Panicked, quick breathes. "Humans exist! We have quirks –most of us anyway! Just like you're all part of the mutant class." He chuckled. "Right?"
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The doctor shook his head. "No sir. You're one of a kind! Quirks. We have no idea what you mean. Unless you're talking about physical or personality traits?"
'I'm in a different world! How do I get back home if I'm stranded here?!'
"Anyway, we'll follow up on further examinations. Here's your ID." The doctor handed Izuku a card. His eyebrows scrunched together. "Critically endangered species?"
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Exiting the office Izuku finds Legoshi and a golden Labrador.
His tail wagged excitedly and his eyes gleam. "Is this the new guy everybody is talking about? Hey! I'm Jack! Here." He handed Izuku a book and uniform. Midoriya studied the cover. It's a giant volume of history and biology.
He grinned. "Thanks."
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"He's so…tiny." Legoshi whispered. His nose twitched. "And green."
Midoriya ate slowly, eyes glued to his plate. He's tired of all the intense stares.
"Yeah, not like us at all." Jack agreed. "But he's cool so I don't mind."
"He um," Legoshi scratched his furry chin. "How're you not afraid of us?"
"What do you mean?"
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Jack and Leogshi exchanged strange glances. "Well, our sharp teeth for one." The grey wolf tugged at his lip and displayed a row of pearl-white fangs.
"Or carnivore strength which we're famous for. Isn't it frightening?"
"No. I'm a hero-in-training! Besides, you guys are pretty awesome!"
"Hero-in-training?" Jack's chin rested on a propped up hand. "That's unheard of. Like a superhero or something?"
"Yeah I-"
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Legoshi abruptly stood. His perceptive ears catch a scream of pain. "Juno?"
Izuku sprinted after the wolf because he sensed danger from his friend's startled look. Scorching midday sun cast towering shadows in gaps of Cherryton Academy. They burst into darkness, squeezed in by gaunt networks of alleys.
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Midoriya activates All For One. His legs are weightless. Leaping like a cat Izuku deflects an attack. He blocks a chair and fractures it.
"Are you hurt?!" Legoshi asked. She held an injured arm. A long bleeding scar. It would need stitches. Juno hissed from the pain but managed a cheerful smile. "I was protecting Louis from-"
"Run! Find shelter and get Juno some medical attention for her arm!" Izuku evaded a devastating right hook.
The wolf hesitated for a mere second before swooping his friends in his arms and running.
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"So a little guy is gonna try and defeat me?" A tiger chuckled. Legoshi had introduced him as…Bill? This guy has an explosive unyielding temper.
An elbow hits Izuku's jaw and a foot kicks his ribs.
Bill might be daunting, but nothing scarier than Izuku's past opponents!
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Enduring swipes and punches, Izuku tried to focus. Arms trembling he summoned power. Midoriya only needs a small gust to finish this fight.
Quick jabs stagger him. Swaying, he quivered, calling his quirk again. Bursts of green and red light flow up Izuku's body.
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Bill recoiled. It felt like being pelted by a hailstorm. Izuku punched hard- enough to dispel any breath Bill had. The tiger fruitlessly tried to grab but the kid landed a blow that sent him flying. A mini tornado pushed Bill aside and chipped stone and roof tiles.
The tiger rolled, bouncing painfully upon the floor until he flopped over. His muscles twitched from pain and energy drained, he is unable to move. He can only stare up at Izuku in awe. How could such a small guy defeat him?!
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"We saw what happened from afar." Louis grunted. He limped alongside them wearing crutches. Legoshi and Izuku hungrily snacked on egg sandwiches.
"It was very surprising –yet stunning."
"Is Juno okay?"
"Yeah. I bandaged her arm. She's at the nurse's office."
"She was asking me about upcoming performances and roles when Bill attacked us." Louis eyed them both, as if reluctant to say what he wanted to. "I…I owe you, including Juno."
"It's nothing. Really."
"I'm training to be a hero. So you don't need to repay me."
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Louis thoughtfully latched his gaze at the sunset. A hint of melancholy is overshadowed by a glare. He stops. "Don't be modest about your strengths!"
Shocked, the pair turned to gawk at him.
"It's what makes you better! Better than disgusting beasts who claim to be magnificent!"
"Louis…"
He swings around to face Midoriya. "I want…I want you to show me how to be strong!"
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"Strong?"
"Yes!" Louis sighed. "You two are the only ones…the only ones I can consider friends. I may captivate audiences with passionate performances and by my unquenched search for flawlessness. But," he gripped his crutches and the wood splintered. "I wish to be strong like you two!"
"So you're saying…"
"You want us to…"
Louis eyed them fearlessly. "I want to learn how to fight. To crush my vulnerability as a mere herbivore!"
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Legoshi and Midoriya exchanged shocked glances. Surely Louis is hiding a troubled past. Some obstacle he's been trying to overcome for years. Izuku smiled reassuringly and put a hand on the deer's shoulder. Legoshi too, managed a rare smile.
"Count on me Louis!"
"I'll do my best as long as you promise not to examine me like a science experiment again."
"Very well. I…I believe in you Izuku, Legoshi."
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A milky white vortex appeared behind Midoriya. So bright, it reflected in the taller males' eyes.
"What is…"
"A portal?"
Izuku's body is slowly dragged backwards.
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"Hmm…you must return. A hero on an everlasting quest." Louis' gaze drifted from the shimmering door to Izuku. "Promise to come back?"
"I'll try. Today…today's been so crazy. But amazing! This world is very interesting. So different than mine."
Legoshi kneeled down and a clawed hand pat mint-green fluffy locks. "We'll see you around. Don't forget us."
"I won't!"
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The deer let go of his friend's shoulders, bowing elegantly. "The show must go on! No matter the unexpected hurled your way. Remember that, Midoriya!"
"Of course! Wise words, Louis!" He grabbed a notebook from his bag and tossed it. "Here's mine: Plus Ultra!"
The portal painted over everything. Izuku managed to see his friends waving, a hero journal in Legoshi's hand, before being thrown into a tunnel of sparkling purple-white.
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"Is Deku okay?!"
"I think he's waking up!"
Warmth. Shoto removed his hands from Izuku's face. Sitting up the green-haired boy rubbed his back. Ochaco leaped into his arms and hugged him.
"Midoriya!" Iida waved his hands frantically. "I'm glad you're all right!"
"We found you passed out in the middle of the road here. We were worried a villain attacked." Tsuyu said.
"I'm fine guys. Thanks."
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"So did you find anything at the market?"
"I…" Midoriya stopped. He felt extra weight in his bag. The others eyed him oddly. Patting and rummaging around, he eventually grabbed two items.
A uniform and a history-biology book. The exact ones Jack had given him.
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"Unusual purchases to make at a market place!" Iida observed.
Izuku flipped through the pages. He looked up at his friends and smiled. He has an extraordinary story to share with them!