Izuku and All Might landed on a rooftop.

"*heehhheeeeeeh*……I had the scare of my life" Izuku was shaking.

" yare yare ! Call the people of this building to bring you down, This time I really have to go! " All Might had a tone of urgency in his voice.

"Wait, I…" Izuku pleaded.

"No! I wasted too much time! that's enough!" All Might replied swiftly.

"But I…" Izuku continued reaching his hand out to his favorite hero...but...

"It's hopeless."

"I'm sorry, darling! I'm sorry ".

"You are a good for nothing! You don't even have a quirk! "

it's true, They are all right…

"What makes a person a hero is their heart, not their power "

It's true…But without a quirk you can't even save yourself…

Maruchi's courage was in vain. no matter how he desperately tried he couldn't save his friend.

But that doesn't stop me…

"Can someone be a hero even without a quirk?...Can someone become like you, even without a superpower?" gathering all his courage Izuku asked All Might the 1 million prize question...the latter turned his head to look at him with an unreadable expression...as if trying to forge his next sentence carefully.

"No quirk…?*GHEH*! " All Might coughed and his body started steaming like a hot-spring.

Ohhh damn, No, not now…this is the worst timing...

"Maybe it's because I don't have a quirk…But, they've been making fun of me for a long time… maybe because of that…I don't know…But I admire those who saves lives…I want to become a cool hero like you!!! an ever-smiling hero and saves people too !!! " Izuku shyly babbled, but...Poor Izuku has a shocking surprise waiting for him...the steam dissipated...revealing…a skeleton ?

"a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-aAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!! "

--In another part--

"eh?...eehhhh?...where am I? what happened ? " the captured villain said in confusion.

--flashback-- "Texaaaaaaaaaaaaaass! Smaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah! ". --end of flashback--

"Yes,I remember now that bastard !...if he didn't interrupt !..."

"Katsuki, Aren't you a childhood friend of Midoriya ?" one of Bakugo's lackeys brought up.

"You overdid it today"

"It's his fault because he got in my way" Bakugo said as He kicks…THE BOTTLE THAT CONTAINS THE VILLAIN !... not good…

"Don't get angry by that " said one of the lackeys.

--flashback-- " it's just my dream when I was a little kid…and like they say: nothing ventured, nothing gained " Izuku stuttered for words.

...

" THAT'S ENOUGH !!! IT'S TRUE THAT HE DOESN'T HAVE A QUIRK BUT HE HAS THE HEART OF A HERO!!! " --end of flashback--

"They're just fools dreaming like a young child!" Bakugo annoyance was climbing into another summit.

"They?...Ah Midoriya and his useless friend…*ppffff*….hahaha…heroic heart….he said" one of the lackeys laughed.

"*ppffff*! the poor boy lives in a fantasy world! I swear" the other mocked.

"But, isn't it weird ? …" the other lackey wondered.

"What do you mean by weird ? " Bakugo questioned his sidekick.

"When you confronted him he didn't activate his quirk…that might mean that he is… ? " said the first lackey.

""Quirkless…? nah he probably didn't want to run into any troubles in his first day...you saw how he froze like a statute when Bakugo told him the truth "

"hah ! that was pretty funny !"

" Powerless like his friend ?...hmph!, I don't give a damn about that…just remembering their faces pisses me off!!" crushing the juice can in his hand and blasting it into scrap.

" why don't we go to the playroom to change the mood? you will go with us, right? " one of the lackeys said.

" Eh yes…." Bakugo's irritation left no room for refuse.

" then let's go to that one near the station, it has a lot of restrooms" a greedy look for smoking appeared on the nameless lackey.

" Hah! I don't want to ruin my reputation !!"

"EH?...!!" the two couldn't say any words only pointing to something behind Bakugo. the latter turned to see what's the matter only to widen his eyes.

"what do we have here ? an invisible coat with an awesome quirk" the sludge villain!! ambushed Bakugo.

--At the same time--

" what's wrong with that teen ?" someone from a nearby crowd looked weirdly at me.

" I don't know, he just screamed without a warning like a mad man talking to himself " a lady said worriedly.

" what ? don't be ridiculous he's just a kid "

" but I can swear his left eye was shining with a palish yellow light for a second"

wait...WHAT ? palish yellow.

--flashback--

" w-when I looked at the mirror my left eye was...glowing with a sick palish yellow light...my pupil was slit-shaped like a cat...or a lizard..."

--end of flashback--

"so that wasn't a hallucination after all..." and I'm 100% this head's voice or something is linked to it...whatever it is...I need to verify it...

" but first I need a hidden place where these people won't notice me" so I started running away.

...

luckily I found a good hidden place behind a grocery store...a dark alley, normally this is a truly bad idea but I have no choice besides it's still daytime.

" Ok, here goes nothing !...Moshi, Moshi ! edgy scary voice are you home ?"

...

..

.

" hmmm ? that's strange, I though this was gonna work...*sigh* what a waste of"

Did you see how those humans looked at you ?...

"AH HAH! I knew this will work...and yeah not everyday you see a teenager screaming like a mad man in the streets and it's your fault by the way"

it's the humans fault, instead of trying to see if you're okay they just make false assumptions and stay away...treating you like a disease.

" yeeesh, calm down dude it's the only natural response after the panic of this morning"

Hmph! pathetic !

" aaanyway, it's time to drop the chit chat and move on to the main question...who are you and what do you want from me ?"

I am the embodiment of your negative emotions…hate…sadness…anger…etc...

"…Well that was a good joke, pretty funny hahaha but for the last time WHO ARE YOU ? " this is starting to bug me.

You do not believe me ?

"Why should I ? you are just a creepy voice in my head, Izuku told me that there are people who can do better than this !"

Alright how about you see for yourself…

In a moment I found myself in the darkness as before...a figure was looking at me...the same sick palish yellow shining eyes...a sinister smile...black clothes with strange blue cracks-like design...wait...

''Surprise !!! ''

"W-w-w-what ??? how ?where? when!!!? " I stuttered and why ? because before me there is a black figure that looks exactly like me !!!.

"Now I think you believe me, right? hehehehe…"

"Who are you?, No, WHAT ARE YOU?!!!! " is this what they call existential crisis !!?

"Don't be afraid of me, I'm not a threat...at least not to you hehehehehe"

"At least not to me? what do you mean? " this doesn't sounds good.

"You see I am the embodiment of your negative emotions, I only carry hatred and malicious intent towards what you hate"

"I…see…But where are we?"

"In your mind."

"WHAT?...But how is that possible? and...why it's so dark here did you forget to pay the electricity bill or something ? "

"It is possible with my power" ignoring the lame joke I came up with to lighten up my mind, he answered without skipping a beat.

"Your power…? " wait, does this mean he's the cause of those traumatic nightmares ??

"Yes my power, when you are in a state of degraded mentality, sad, worried…etc., I can control your mind depending on the strength of your negative feelings…" this would explain why I did suddenly froze when Bakugo pissed me off.

"I...see...and...about my power, what is it?" I don't trust this incarnation, it could be a mind trick played by someone's quirk...or

--flashback--

two last thing to keep in mind, first do not tell anyone about your situation as rumors could spread out and might reach whoever or whatever might have traumatized you.

--end of flashback--

someone is after me.

"Hmmm, it's for you to find out and for me to know."

"Wait……………..DO YOU MEAN YOU DON'T KNOW IT?!!! " this just rise the my suspicions to a new level.

"Your time here is up…"

"W-WAIT!!..." I said hastily.

"EH-?..." Before I knew it I found myself back into the real world.

"*sigh* perfect, just perfect..."

--meanwhile--

"*GHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH*!!! "Izuku shouted.

"Wait!!...huh?...huh? where did All Might go ?...until now!...Fake ! You are very thin! " Izuku stuttered for words unable to comprehend what's happening.

"heh! I'm All Migh--*Bluhh*" a cough of blood interrupted the skeleton declaration.

"*AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHH*!!!! IMPOSSIBLE !!! YOU ARE A LIAR!!" Izuku still not buying it.

"Do you know how the body flexes work, like a man with a fat belly showing it like the muscles of a body builder ? it's the same thing " I bet 'muscle beach tom' can be a better explanation.

"impossible !! All Might is not afraid of anything…He save people with an unwavering smile !!...he's the best! "

"*sigh* now that you brought it up, I want you to not reveal my true from to the public..." sitting down and letting go of all the exhaust buildup, he uncovered an old scar.

"Huh?...EHH!?" flinching at the ugly sight Izuku was now convinced. because no skeleton can take a hit that leaves a scar like that and live to tell the tale.

"5 years ago, a devastating attack by a fierce enemy caused this wound, most of my breathing organs were crushed and I lost my stomach…I became thin due torepetitive surgeries and their side effects weakened me…my hero activity time was reduced to a mere 3 hours per day…"

"i-it's impossible…before 5 years ?…was that when you faced the venomous saw?"

"You know about that?... But a weakling like him can't defeat me, this battle was not seen by the public…I asked them not to show it to the people and I ask you to stay quiet about it. the symbol of peace that saves people with a smile, must be always strong, brave and cannot be defeated by evil, I smile to overcome my trials…And to avoid the dominance of fear inside me" looking at Izuku with serious eyes after explaining the hardships even for number 1, All Might prepares for his next words.

"Professionals always risk their lives...I will be a liar if I say simply that you can become a hero without a quirk "

the last embers of false hope from the poor boy's heart vanished...have it been another bully or a stranger saying this he could label it as discrimination...but now it's coming from the man he admired since childhood.

"I get it…" was his only response as their was no point in arguing now, All Might point was clear as a sunny day.

"If you just want to help others, you can become a policeman, it's true their only purpose in most cases is to arrest the villains we defeat but it's still an honorable job " heading towards the stairs he tries to reason a better alternative.

"It's not bad to dream...But, you need to understand what is reality and accept it, young man" leaving the broken boy behind to contemplate the shock.

"*Cough*Cough* Now, I have to turn this villain in fast…Huh?" checking the pockets only to find nothing.

BOOOOM!!* the echo of a far explosion caught the hero's attention.

"Don't tell me...!"

...

the loud sound was enough to wake up Izuku from his petrified state.

" Villain!! who's the hero who will stop it ?!" curiosity took hold for a moment...

--flashback--

" I will be a liar if I say simply that you can become a hero without a quirk "

--end of flashback--

...only to be replaced by despair...draining him of all energy as he slowly proceed to descend.

...

" what was that ?! an explosion ? " smoke started to cover the horizon clarifying the doubt.

knowing Izuku he's probably going there to witness the heroes at work and take valuable notes. ...

"*Huff*huff*huff*…" heading toward the site in a haste, All Might can clearly hear the panicked screams and the explosions.

" AHHH!!"

"HELP!!" *T-T-THUD* debris of all sorts started falling, 3 heroes arrived only to stop as the road was covered in fire preventing any advance.

" *Hwahwahwah*!!" among the flames, a green sludge with huge eyes laughed.

" he has a kid as a hostage !!!" upon seeing the cowardice act Handeath rushed in jumping over the wall of flames and punching the sludge villain directly...however, the sludge absorbed the brunt of the attack and started to sink his hand in like a muddy quicksand...seizing the opportunity the sludge villain delivered a strong strike which the hero guarded but the force slammed him into a garage's door.

" Handeath !!" the two others run in but they were soon pushed back by the sludge.

" you better stay away from me!! huh ?"

"*OHHAAAHHHH!!!* I can't let myself be devoured by a pile of sewers water !! YOU BASTARD !!" while trying to slip off the vice grip of the villain, Bakugo activated his quirk which resulted in a powerful explosion...but the villain was still persistent.

" what a power !! looks like this is my lucky day! with a quirk like this I can get revenge !!"

...

" amazing who's this villain ? could he be one of the big shots ?" a crowds of people watched from a safe distance.

" look here she comes !! the new heroine MT.Lady !!" the giant woman stopped at the street entrance claiming it's too short for her size.

Bakugo lackeys and some others got rescued by Kamui woods.

" I will let another one handle the villain, fire and explosions are my weaknesses"

" thanks for the help! , where are the firefighters I'm finding a difficulty in containing these flames !! how are things on your end ? " Backdraft was trying his best to put off the fire.

" we have no way to capture him, besides the hostage has unleashed the full force of his quirk !!"

" and because of this we are in a minefield!" the villain relentless attacks didn't let them get anywhere near.

" it's no use ! no one here is prepared for a situation like this !!"

" we must wait for someone with a suitable quirk!!"

" let's minimize the damage until then!!"

" it won't take very long !!"

Handeath's hands were shaking with rage.

I feel sorry for that kid, but he must resist a bit longer...if only I had enough power to send it flying !!!

" things aren't looking good"

" do your best heroes !!"

All Might finally arrived at the scene, out of breath and energy...holding on a pillar for support...

huh !?...I lost it back then when I was distracted by my time limit...I can't believe I scolded that fanboy despite making such a mistake...I'm so pathetic!...so pathetic !!

--meanwhile--

"he's still finding it difficult to face reality despite being in the third year of middle school!"

" it's time to start thinking seriously about your future"

" you must accept reality !"

walking subconsciously with a broken heart and a crushed dream...deaf to the calls of his friend.

"Huh…? I finally found you !, Izuku ?...Izuku ?…IZUKU!!! " why he isn't replying !?

sigh* even the best hero said the same thing, *sniff* why I'm crying ? I already knew it in the depths of my heart! I'm was persistent because I know it, I did my best to avoid facing this bitter truth.

feeling a sudden pressure on his right shoulder he turn around to see his friend looking at him with a worried eye.

" Izuku...are you okay ? you don't look good...did...something happens when you want with All Might ?"

I never seen him this gloomy before...did All Might refuse to take a selfie with him or what ? after all he appeared to be in a hurry...no ! that sounds stupid !...or...oh no!!

" i-it's nothing really...*sniff* nothing happened"

" no something happened otherwise you won't be in this mood--!!"

BOOM*

is this the source of that explosion ? oi oi! did I end up here because of my old habit ?

"strange I though by now the pros would have handled the situation like before...what's taking them so long ? let's go investigate Izuku !"

" uh yes..." he is not his usual self...I should give him some breathing room before trying to cheer him up later.

...

" huh !!!" what's he's doing here ?!! did All Might lose it ? was it...when I followed All Might...

" that's the sludge villain !!! " but All Might did capture it ? so how did it fle--?!!

" it's my fault!" Izuku's words came out reeking of regret.

fault ? wait...did Izuku ?...but that explain !!...is this why he looked so devastated ?!!

" why are the heroes not doing anything ?" a man in front of us asked another besides him.

" they can't, it seems he took a student as hostage it was like this for quiet some time "

it was like this for a while ? but how much ?! I felt like I was gonna kick the bucket in a few seconds !

Izuku was amazed by the endurance of the hostage, Maruchi on the other hand...

" unforgivable!! this villain has took it too far !!!" gritting my teeth and clenching my fists as rage started to buildup inside my heart...suddenly my vision turned black !?

...

" what the...!? wait this place !?" the familiar darkness wasn't the only thing that greeted me.

" hehehehehe welcome back Maruchi "

" you ! my embodiment of negative emotions or whatever it was ! let me go ! "

" that's too long to consider a name, I say Kuro suit me better "

" how about I call Yaro instead, it describe you perfectly !!!"

" ouch !! that's mean you made my heart ache ! "

" I don't have time for this ! let.me.go. NOW!!"

" heh ! even if I let you be, what are you going to do ? Nothing !!, hehehehehe you're a pathetic human just like your quirkless friend !" keeping the sinister grin he rose his palm against a part of the darkness, a swirl of light extended to reveal...

" Izuku !!!"

" you can clearly see the guilt eating him from the inside ! to the point that he wants to vomit !! how pathetic !! BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!"

" OI !!"

" what ? it's his fault, despite having a 'hero heart' someone now is suffering because of his actions, not so heroic now is he ? BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!"

" HOW ABOUT YOU SHUT UP !! *GRHHH!!*" I tried to punch the annoying clone but a sudden jolt of pain struck my head leaving me paralyzed in my position.

" now be a good guest and enjoy the show ! "

...

" by the way isn't that the villain All Might ambushed ? "

" All Might you say ? seriously he's in this city ?"

" yes I saw him not long before "

" for real ?! then where is he now ? "

bickering among the crowd rose up in intensity after that single question, All Might behind clutching his scar as he can't do anything right now since he reached his limit for the day.

he can't interfere because of me...they can't capture him...they're waiting for someone with a suitable quirk...Izuku regret was reaching it's peak.

...

" see ? heroes for nothing, just a pathetic bunch of humans...like your dear friend ! despite having a heroic heart it's useless HAHAHAHAHAHA!!! " Kuro laughed like a maniac.

" en..ough.."

...

pathetic...All Might could only curse his weakness.

...

" even with quirks they are just sitting ducks unable to do anything !! and your friend thought he can become a hero without a quirk ? BWAHAHAHAHAHA!!! how naive !!!"

" Shut...up!"

...

please hang in there...I'm really really sorry from the depths of my heart...

pathetic...

help soon will come...

pathetic...

soon a hero will come to the rescue...

...

" this is not fiction this is the graveyard of dreams also know as reality BWAHAHAHAHAHA!!"

" can't you...shut up for a second ?!"

...

Bakugo struggle started to weaken as his breath was cut short, upon seeing the fear in his childhood friend eyes, Midoriya did the unexpected...

getting past the crowd and the pro heroes rushing straight to the villain !!! shocking everyone in the process.

" IDIOT !!! STOP ! IT'S DANGEROUS !! STOOOOOOP!!!" Handeath screamed into deaf ears.

...

" huh ?"

" IZUKU!!!!"

...

" that brat again !"

" deku...?"

what's going on with me ?...why ?

" SHINI!!!" the villain prepared for a dreadful attack.

... " I NEED TO HELP HIM!!!"

" how ? by becoming a meat shield ? "

...

what to do in a situation like this ?!! remembering the surprise factor from page 25 of his analysis he swung his backpack and threw it at the villain's face.

" take this !!!"

luckily a book hit one of the villain's eyes, losing his focus and partially releasing Bakugo who found enough room to cough for a breath.

" Kacchan !!"

" what do you think you're doing ?!"

" I don't know my legs moved on their own !!" trying his best to remove the slimy substance...recalling the many reasons for why he did this...but in this moment there was one reason that stood before all.

" your eyes were screaming for help!" he answered with a smile and teary eyes.

...

" see ? "

" hmm ? "

" despite being quirkless, despite being told that he's useless, HE HAS THE HEART OF A HERO !!!" my right hand started to shine with a red light and I could see a strange symbol on it, suddenly I felt a flow of energy rush through me.

" what is this light ?! " the light shone brighter and brighter engulfing the two of us in it.

" WHAT THE ?!!! *AAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!*"

...

All Might started gathering his remaining power.

before I could process what happened I found myself back to the real world.

I quickly checked my right hand only to discover the same symbol on it. this is not the time for this !

Izuku is trying his best to rip that slimy sludge but to no avail, knowing that sewers water, he won't stand still for long I need to do something !!

get closer to the fire a new voice ringed in my head this one sounds elderly, this is not the right time for games Kuro!!

if you want to save your friend then do as I say this is strange, Kuro never showed any care for Izuku or anyone at all...can I trust this newcomer ?...well I have no other options so.

rushing to the front of the crowd the heat intensity can be felt from here...ok ? now wha--? the symbol it's shining ? 2 seconds of white dim light an icon replaced the symbol...what's the meaning of this ?!

Icon.

" DON'T GET IN MY WAY!!" the villain was about to attack Izuku!! the heroes run to rescue him but they aren't fast enough !

" AS IF I WILL LET YOU HARM MY FRIEND !! FIRE WYVERN : RATHALOS !!! "

that reckless idiot is going to kick the bucket, I have to *FLOWCH!!*

"AHHHHHH!!" I'm sorry mom...squeezing my eyes and waiting for the inevitable.

ROAR!!!*

KA-BOOM!!*

but it never come...what happ--?!!!!!

the smoke after the explosion started to disperse...behind this curtain a silhouette of something big and dragon-like.

All Might paused for a moment...has some hero finally arrived /pin/295759900523256228/

" what happened ?" one of the heroes said.

" I don't know something dashed past us swiftly " Handeath answered.

the smoke finally dispersed...between the dumbstruck villain and a petrified Izuku it stands on two legs...red and black scales, wings with a pattern of flames, a spiky flat tail.

Fire wyvern : Rathalos.

" something has protected the kid, but..."

" what the hell is this thing ? " Handeath was unable to comprehend was happening.

" a-a-a-a!!" Izuku was stupefied by the new turn of events.

" it's a wyvern !!!" someone from the crowd pointed out.

a wyvern ?...no matter...I need some more seconds to gather up all my remaining energy.

" BUG OFF!!" the villain tried to attack the wyvern the later crossed his wings in a protective manner. like an umbrella shielding the ones behind it.

KA-BOOM!!!*

unfortunately the explosion was strong enough to sent the wyvern flying into a nearby wall. 2 seconds after the impact it's body shone with a white light while shrinking, when the light dimmed what was a wyvern now is an unconscious...

" A KID ???!!" everyone screamed, Izuku on the other hand...

" MARUCHI!?!?!?" was plus Ultra shocked.

" you're next!!" the villain tried to attack Izuku again.

KRA-BOOM!!*

" I should really be ashamed of myself!" luckily for him, the number one hero is here. with an unconscious Maruchi held by the collar.

" All Might!!"

" I scolded you but I didn't do as I said to you"

tearing the grip of the villain and catching the wrists of the two kids in front of him in one hand. he rear back his fist.

"pro heroes always risk their lives !!"

" ALL MIGHTO!!!"

" DETROITO SMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASH!!!" the punch scattered the sludge into millions pieces, the shock-wave was so strong to the point it made a violent wind pressure in the form of a tornado that blow off all the remaining fire and nearly sent the three kids in his hand flying.

while All Might is trying to catch his breath, everyone present is awestruck at the show of pure power. suddenly the sky darkened as clouds started to form in a unnatural speed and soon enough...

"rain...?"

https/i./originals/b0/d1/e7/b0d1e75ded834de7f6b271a63ca94cf8.jpg

" don't tell me...the wind pressure from early!!"

he made clouds from a single punch !!! Handeath as all others were amazed by the strength of the number one hero. soon the atmosphere changed from dead silence into chaotic cheers !!

...

..

.

after that the heroes gathered the villain's remains and handed it over to the police, Maruchi was still unconscious some medic were treating him while Izuku was getting scolded by the pro heroes, Bakugo was being praised by them...and All Might was surrounded by reporters.

" what did got to your head kid ? that was extremely reckless !!"

" yeah you could have been harmed !!"

...

" your quirk is amazing ! when you graduate come to my agency you will make a perfect sidekick"

...

" this is strange...this young man doesn't seems to suffer from any type of damage to the head ? did quirk exhaustion knock him out ?"

" no that's only possible if he's not used to it, I heard he transformed into some sort of a mythical beast and shielded the reckless kid there with his body can you believe it!"

" a mythical beast you say...amazing but...it's still illegal to use quirks without permission that's no difference than a villain!"

" but he's still a kid and it's seems the green haired one is his friend, did you see how he is glimpsing over here every 3 seconds"

" he's concerned"

" yeah, but there's nothing life threatening. I will go calm him down"

...

" all what you did was getting in our way and making it harder for us to do our work !!"

"so-sorry"

" excuse me! I hope I'm not interrupting something important"

" what do you want I'm not done with him!"

" I just want to verify something, young man is that kid with the purple messy hair lying there your friend ?"

" y-y-y-yes ! is he alright !!?"

" fear not he's in no danger...just exhausted, tell me isn't he used to his own quirk ?"

" QUIRK ? so I wasn't hallucinating ???!!!"

" what do you mean by that ?"

" eh this is the first time I see him use it"

" I see...in that case he will probably regain consciousness in a few minutes from now"

the medic left them for other matters.

" what type of quirk is that ? I never seen such a unique transformer quirk " Handeath wondered.

" talk about flashy, he took the first explosion to the face without flinching" the other hero said.

" no he didn't take it to the face...I'm not sure if I saw it right or not but it's seems like he fired something at the villain's hand which caused the brunt of the explosion to go in vain midair" Kamui explained.

" so that's why he was sent flying by the the second attack!"

" anyway using quirks without permission is illegal he will be in troubles later, and that's reminds me"

and so round 2 scolding Izuku started.

--meanwhile--

dark green cloak, and a hood covering the head... the face is hazy like a thick fog or is it mist ? with 2 dots of white light for eyes.

"hmmm...okay seeing a dark creepy and sinister doppelganger of yourself is something but you on the other hand seems less..."

"...suspicious ? "

" yeah and more!"

" friendly ?"

" did you read my thoughts or something ?"

" we're literally having a conversation inside your mind " the thing looked at me as if verifying if I truly didn't cheat during the IQ test.

" okay! you have a point, but still that doesn't explains what are you ? nor why did you help me do...whatever I did "

" well for starters call me 'sensei' "

" may I ask why 'sensei' of all things ? why not we go with 'weird old geezer' instead because you sounds like one"

" well it's just felt right to me"

"did you just...used my own words against me ?"

the only reply was a silly smirk.

"*sigh* fine can you enlighten me about yourself ? sensei "

" alright first I'm a fragment of your memories"

" WHAT ?!!"

" silence !!"

" yes sensei"

" how ? I have no idea, but in a way or another I have some knowledge you don't know about"

" and why should I believe you ?"

" didn't I help you save your friend ?"

"...you have a point...but how is that even possible aren't you my memories ? "

" true but that explains why I look like a mist to you"

" but...what do you mean by 'don't know about' shouldn't it be 'forgot about' ?"

" correct but no your memories were altered by an unknown force and as a result what you forgot became something entirely different"

" like...you...?"

" yes...and that too" he was pointing at my right hand...

" the symbol ? it's a part of my memories too ? "

" linked to your memories is more like it, the transformation you did was like what these people call 'quirks' so assuming it's one is not inaccurate but still not true, you remember what the maniac said ?"

" Kuro ?"

--flashback--

you're quirkless, not powerless

--end of flashback--

" quirkless but not powerless, he refused to say anything because he didn't know how to activate your power which I do"

" really ?! how do I activate it ?? tell me !! tell me!! "

" don't interrupt me!"

" hi!"

" but we can't overlook the fact that he did know that you possess this power, which means he is right about it being not a quirk"

" but...if it's not a quirk...what it could be ?"

" I honestly don't know, but any farther talk should be delayed as the medics are getting worried about your well-being, later "

" what ? wait I still have more questions !!"

...

"wait!!!" startling the medics I woke up with an extended hand like someone trying to reach for something.

" *sigh* you made us worry there for a second"

" s-sorry just had a weird dream that's all"

" don't strain yourself next time and more importantly don't use your quirk in public, the police will still have a word with you later"

" so sorry..."

" anyway your friend has being worried sick about you"

" Izuku ? where is he ?"

" over there "

" thanks for taking care of me!" jumping up and running to check up on Izuku and Bakugo.

" Izuku !! Bakugo !! I'm glad you two are--? eh ?"

Handeath grabbed me by the shoulders and forced me to sit in next to Izuku.

" *Inhale* YOU RECKLESS IDIOT !! DON'T YOU KNOW USING QUIRKS IN PUBLIC IS ONLY AUTHORIZED FOR PROS ?! " and then a loooooong scolding started.

" go-me-na-sai..." crying comically I regret coming here.

" hmph!!" Bakugo gaze hardened. huh ? what's wrong ? why is he looking at me like that ? as if he want to chew me or something.

Izuku on the other hand was glancing at me every 2 seconds, I know what are you thinking but please let's talk later.

...

when we were on our way home Izuku finally said it.

" M-Maruchi...may I a-ask y-you a q-question ?"

" sure ask whatever you want !" I already know what you will say.

" that was you wasn't it...the red wyvern"

" y-yes, it was me..."

" but how is that even possible ?...the x-rays scans showed a bone structure similar to mine did the scanner glitch somehow ? "

" maybe I'm what they call a late-bloomer ?" just buy it for now please I'm just as confused as you

" a late-bloomer you say ? but they are only cases of people manifesting their quirks before age 4 not after..."

" it's the best explanation I can come up with for now...but that doesn't matter !! what matters is if I can manifest an ability then you too can !!! don't you think so ??"

" eh ? well...but I...I...eh!?" he needs some serious convincing. so I gripped both of his shoulders firmly.

" look at me" shaking eyes hiding behind them a broken will.

" I know you think it's hopeless, but you don't know the true meaning of hope without despair..."

my stare hardened.

"...if I can develop a power then so you can, so stop acting like a crybaby and cheer up!!!"

" Ma-maruchi...*sniff* th-thanks I will"

" good, now let's head home I'm tir--"

" DEKU!!!"

now what ?

" Kacchan ?" oh ! it's Bakugo...what does he want ?

catching his breath, he started shaking...clutching his hands into fists...

" I never asked you for help !! you did nothing !! understand ? I could have freed myself !! you're nothing but just a quirkless good for nothing ! " ..isn't he tired of this childis--

" are you trying to make me indebted to you ? " huh ? indebted...? that's almost sounds like a...thank you.

" stop mocking me !! and you Tokage(lizard) !!" TOKAGE !!?

" don't think for a second that you can beat me with that pathetic quirk !! I'm the one who will surpass All Might understand !!?"

" eh ? y-yes I understand" the heck are you babbling about ?

" hmph !! damn nerds !!" I could swear I felt a sweet-drop behind my head. Tokage...I hope he doesn't make it a nickname.

...

not long after Bakugo departed from our sight.

" I'M HERE !!!"

" WOAH!!"

there's the other kid with him...*sigh* it doesn't matter.

" All Might ? weren't you surrounded by press just now ?"

" losing them was something easy, why ? because I'm All M--*BFFFF*"

" AHHHH!!"

"he...turned into a skeleton !!!"

" *cough*cough* actually this is my true form "

" oh ! okay !"

" okay ?"

" yes okay."

"...aren't you...like gonna ask me about why do I look like this ?"

Maruchi tried his best to fake a smile before answering.

" my capacity for nonsense has reached it's limit for the day"

" I see...can you promise me to keep it a secret ?"

" sure! that's the least I can do for the number one hero"

" thanks, *Ahem* anyway I came here to thank you and to correct my mistake, young man and I have an offer for you...if you weren't there and if you didn't tell me about your story then I would have ended up just a braggart, so thank you"

" what ? no ! I'm the one responsible for all that happened, I interfered with your work and said all those ridiculous things despite being quirkless"

Izuku...

" that's right, because you're the only one who dared to interfere despite having no quirk, I managed to take action"

" huh ?..."

"..."

" top heroes have stories from their school days and all of these stories have one thing in commune : 'my body started moving on it's own' "

the shadow of despair is hiding away...for the embers of hope are starting to reveal their true forms.

Midoriya started shaking...

"..."

" this happened to you, didn't it ?" Izuku grabbed his uniform tightly as his heart is aching...but not from sadness...his legs couldn't take it...so he crouched down...the next sentence made him cry even more...

" you can become a hero" All Might turned the embers into a shining star of hope.