Chapter 7! So, this chapter is going to address a bit about Izuku's past, mainly his training and who trained him. And before you ask, it's not Torino. It's going to be an OC of mine that I'm going to try to slide into the story in a few arcs of my own later on. Let me know what you think of him. Anyway...reviews!
Luciendar: Looking back at it...yeah, it was a bit short. I'll have to work on that. USJ will not be nearly that short, I promise. And yes, not using capture tape on Bakugo first was a bit stupid. But we all make mistakes in the heat of the moment. Adrenaline pumping, especially after having taken a substantial beating. As for Bakugo having night-vision...hard to say. In canon? Probably, just because it makes things easier for Horikoshi and Bones. In my mind? Probably not. And if he does have it, it's nearly as good as anyone else's.
AtlasWrighte: Exactly. As I stated in the previous chapter, Bakugo is probably by far the best in terms of combat in the 1st year hero course. It's not even close, in my mind. And as for Izuku's journals...you'll just have to see, on that front.
But anyway, I also want to address something going forward. If any of these chapters contain anything that could constitute a trigger warning (murder, abuse, rape, etc.), they will be in bold and italics just before the chapter begins Like So. Just to let everyone know.
"Izuku. I gotta question for you." Old man Dama says as I glance at the well-built, scarred man. His short dark hair reveals the blind right eye, and the massive scar running down the right side of his face, from the temple, over-ear, to the back of his head, reveals the injury that gave him that eye.
"Shoot, old man. Whatchya got?"
"Why do you feel the need to become a hero? Other than 'I feel I wouldn't have done enough, because we both know that's BS." He asks
"I've told you too many times, old man. That's why I want to become a hero."
"Even with what I've told you? With what your cousin has told you?"
"I've trained too damn long, worked too damn hard to quit now."
"Ha! You're 14 years old, kid! I was a hero longer than you've been alive!"
"True. But still. I've put too much time into my training to call it quits now."
"Hmph. That attitude will get you killed."
"Maybe. But it might just save me as well."
"You're an idiot."
"No more than anyone else I know."
"Still stupid."
"Better stupid than dead, old man."
"...Izuku." The old man says, in a tone I've only heard him use twice before. The best way I can describe it...a deadly seriousness.
"Yes, Dama-sensei?" I ask, responding in a serious tone, the best way for something like this.
"I'm not going to stop you from going through with this. But I want you to know this. As a hero, you will see all of humanity. The light, the dark. The fear, the pride, the rage, the lust, the strong, the weak. You will see it. It will horrify you. It will inspire. I will make you wish you had never been born, and wish you were immortal."
"Humanity is an unsaveable cesspool of hate, destruction, lust, and blood-thirsty bastards who want nothing but to want the world burn in front of them. But at the same time, it's an inspiring community of hope, love, peace, and betterment, with such loving people they will make you wish you knew them better. And that duality is dangerous for one person to see. You will never be able to think about humanity in the same light ever again."
"Humanity is evil and lawful. Good and bad. All of it. We all have our sins, our regrets, our virtues, and our points of pride. You need to be able to understand that. That the world isn't black and white, but rather a grey. It may be different shades of grey, but still grey. You, of all people, must understand that. Because honestly, you are probably the only person who will be able in your year. You know what I mean. Your families' past...it's pockmarked with death, tragedy, and horror. Especially for you."
"So keep your humanity, young man. God knows not enough people do."
-Later-
I feel my eyes flit open, and I almost immediately scrunch them back closed again. Too fucking bright. Forcing them open, I look away from the light that sits directly over me and looks at a table next to me. My goggles and headphones are both sitting there, only scratched up a tiny bit, and even then, it's barely noticeable. Looking around a bit more, I spot my jacket, which is ever-so-slightly singed near the bottom hem hanging on a coat rack. Sliding up from my laying position so that my back rests against the multiple pillows on the bed, I inspect my body.
From what I can tell after moving everything I can, no major injuries on my arms or legs. Slightly soreness and stiffness, but that's probably from laying down for a while. Reaching up to my face, I feel no burns or major cuts. A few scratches, but other than that, nothing.
Now for my wings. As I expected, some of the white feathers are now a charred brown color. The feathers aren't a huge concern to me, I can pluck those out, and they'll regrow fairly quickly. A few days, maybe a week at most. As long as the base of the wings, which has bone and skin, it'll be fine.
Sighing, I roll out of my neck as Recovery Girl opens a sheet that was around my bed, and looks at me, mild surprise on her face
"I must say, I didn't expect you to be awake so soon. You are resilient." She says, toddling over towards me, and grabbing my wrist with a firm, yet calm grip.
"My dad always told me I was just too stubborn to die."
"Hmph. Your dad isn't wrong. He was like that too, when he came here."
"...Shit, I had forgotten about that. You know my dad."
"Language. But yes, I do. Even if he was only in the General Course, he still managed to end up in here more than any students of his year, including every hero student. Damn troublemaker, he was."
"Didn't he try to fight a hero course student one time, managed to win, but at the cost of 8 broken ribs and internal bleeding?"
"That he did. Your father was really proud of himself. Your mother wasn't."
"...MY MOTHER WENT HERE?"
"Volume." I feel the cold metal of a stethoscope press against my shirtless chest, and I take in a deep breath on instinct.
"How...why...what the hell?"
"She worked under me. She was a general course student, like your father, and ended up working with me as an aide. She had to deal with your father the most. I have no doubt that led to their marriage, and you. Speaking of which, how is your cousin?" I feel the stethoscope move to my back after pressing around my chest a few times.
"Last I heard, fine. Haven't talked to him in a few days."
"Hmph. That young man is going down an interesting path, you know."
"I am all too aware, Recovery Girl."
"Well, I have some good news for you. Your lungs are fine, your pulse seems fine, and you don't appear to be concussed, based on how you can answer questions. By the way, what did you have for breakfast?"
"My mom made pancakes, eggs, and sausage. My dad got smacked at least three times after feeding Oreo sausage."
"Heh. Good to see your mother still has that fire."
"...Am I dreaming?"
"Well, let me see." She says, and then gives a hard pinch on the arm
"Ow! Don't you have a Hippocratic oath?"
"I'm not causing anything permanent, or that's painful. You're fine."
"Easy for you to say, you're not the one being pinched."
"Hmph. I suppose. Now, you have been unconscious for about...45 minutes, which means the class you were in will be done...right about now. Meaning...well, let's just hope you can deal with your classmates sometimes in the next five minutes."
"Actually, I have a question. Shishida. Was he okay?"
"Yes. He woke up about 20 minutes ago and went back to class after I cleared him. He was rather concerned about you if you wished to know."
"Huh. That's nice, at least. Who dragged me here?"
"Your friend, Katsuki Bakugo. He said, and this is a direct quote: 'Make sure this idiot doesn't die before I can kill him.'"
"Yep, that's Kacchan."
"Reminds me of his mother."
"...Of fucking course she went here."
"Language. I'm fairly sure she had a small crush on Hisashi at one point during their second year, but then she met Masaru, and that went away."
"God, I could've been Bakguo's brother."
"Not really..."
"It's a joke, Bachan.
"Clearly."
"NERD! ARE YOU ALIVE IN HERE?" Bakugo roars, as I nearly jump out of the bed from the shock of the door being practically slammed off its hinges
"NO! NOW LET ME DIE IN PEACE!"
"FUCK YOU!"
"Language."
"Bakugo, I must agree with Recovery Girl! Cursing in not becoming a U.A. student."
"FUCK OFF, FOUR EYES."
"BAKUGO! STOP CURSING!"
"FUCK YOU!"
"Very original, Bakugo." I drawl as Bakugo opens the curtain, and then stares at me for a second, then smirks
"Nice. No scars this time! Means I won't get beat by the old hag."
"That's what you think, dipshit?" I ask as Iida, Uraraka, Shiozaki, Shishida, and Kaibara all look at me, with varying reactions. Shishida is a blank slate, so is Iida. Kaibara seems a bit impressed, and both Uraraka and Shiozaki flush bright red and turn away.
"Shit, you are ripped, my guy. Is that an eight-pack?" Kaibara asks, and I smirk in response
"Nine pack. I have all the abs. No one else can them."
"Damn. You're like Batman."
"Batman wishes he was me."
"Midoriya...please put on a shirt." Shiozaki says, her voice a bit wobbly.
"Fine. Recovery Girl, do you have my-"
"Yes. Here." Recovery Girl says, tossing my shirt at me, which I easily catch. I pull on the shirt, pulling over my wings and chest, then stand up, cracking my back as I roll my shoulders backward. Grabbing my jacket, I hold it by the collar, draping it over my shoulder so that it rests on my back as I hold onto it with two fingers.
"Thanks, Bachan. I owe you one."
"Hmph. Just don't get hurt. And tell your mother I said hello. And tell your father not to get himself hurt. I refuse to heal him on principle."
"Noted."
Our little group of 7 walks out of the nurses' office, and it takes all of two seconds before Kaibara turns to look at me
"So, are you related to Recovery Girl, or..."
"Nah. But apparently, she had to deal with both my dad, my mom, and Bakugo's mom."
"Oof. Feel bad for the old woman." Bakugo hisses, cringing slightly
"Why's that?" Shishida asks
"My mom and Uncle Hisashi together are a force of fucking destruction and Auntie Inko...well, let's just say you pray to God you never get on her bad side."
"Remember that mugger?"
"I'm pretty sure that guy is still in a coma."
"I would be surprised if he wasn't."
"...What the fuck?" Kaibara asks, more shocked than anything.
"Langauge, Kaibara!"
"Your mom put a guy in a hospital?" Uraraka asks, fear in her voice, and I wave off her concerns.
"I mean, yeah, but that was because he tried to mug the three of us with a knife. She stole the knife, threw it into a brick, then rearranged half his lungs to the point where he could barely breathe without a ventilator. All using her quirk. She is scary. But only if you threaten any members of her family, her patients, or any close friends. Bakugo and I tick two of the boxes, which was more than enough to get on her bad side." I reply
"Uhh...what is her quirk?" Shishida asks
"She calls it 'Telekineses of Small objects'. Kinda understates its power."
"...No offense, that sounds weak as shit," Kaibara notes, and I shrug, holding up a hand to stop Iida from exploding on the brown-almost black-haired boy.
"It does. Until you think about it. 'Small objects' is a bit vague, purposefully. In reality, as long an object is larger than about half a nanogram and less than 2 kilos, she can move it. That means everything from a human cell to a bit of bone, she can move in some capacity. So...scary, no doubt about it." I reply, shrugging.
"Jeezus...she could rearrange your entire body, bit by bit."
"Yep. Good quirk for a nurse to have, though." I shrug
"Hey, Midoriya. I wish to ask you something." Shiozaki interjects, and I glance at her. She's looking me dead in the face, which is more than I'm used to, really.
"Sure. Why not?" I ask, and she nods.
"That trainer and gym you mentioned...are they real?"
"...You fucking told her?"
"In passing, Bakugo. I didn't confirm shit." I snap back at him
"That was supposed to be a fucking secret!" He hisses
"Actually, he told all three of us." Shishida notes, gesturing to himself, Uraraka, and Shiozaki.
"You fucking dumbass," Bakugo growls
"Shishida, remind me to break your nose later." I snarl, and Shishida blinks
"I...that's fair I guess," Shishida mutters
"So, you gonna tell 'em? If you've spoiled that much, might as well finish it off, dipshit." Bakugo asks, and I glare at him.
"...I figure I owe them at least background on the old man, maybe not everything we got up into the gym."
"...Why that?"
"Old man has a story, and a good one, at that."
"...Tch, fine. Oi, extras, meet us after school. Don't be late, don't invite anyone else. 'Cept Shitty Hair. And maybe Ponytail. And Ears. But not that blond copy bastard. Fuck him. Oh, bring Tentacle motherfucker too."
"That was like, four more people, Bakugo." Kaibara notes
"Fuck you."
"No thanks, I'm not gay."
"YOU SON OF A BITCH!"
-After School-
"So, you wanna go first?"
"I figure it's best. You would use too much language."
"Fuck you."
"Only proving my point."
"Are you two going to stop arguing and get on with it? We don't have all day!" Jiro cuts in, her voice a bit heated
"...Fine. Best to start with how we met the guy." I sigh, readjusting my lean against the wall I next to, as I stare at the other students. All ten of them, minutes Bakugo, have their full attention on me.
"When Bakugo and I were about 10 or 11, can't remember our exact ages, we were both walking around Mustafa after school. We started arguing over something. I think it was who was a better hero overall, Gang Orca or Endeavor. Not the point. Anyway, as things got more and more heated, it came to quirks. Bakugo started chasing me around town while I tried to get away with my wings. As we flew in front of a building, just as Bakugo was about to catch me, we were both grabbed by our collars and halted in place, then yanked backward, and held in the air. The who was holding us was a man by the name of Itadori Dama, or as we soon came to call him, Old man Dama."
"Dama was a tough old bastard. Chewed us out pretty good, called our parents, listen to them chew us out, and as we were about to leave, he said something to the both of us."
"'So, you little bastards wanna be heroes, huh? If so, you're gonna need more than those quirks. Come back here tomorrow, after you're done with school. I'll set you straight.'" Bakugo interjects, and I nod at him.
"Of course, we were both confused but listened anyway. He just had that kinda aura. The kind where if you didn't listen to what he said, you felt like he was gonna call in the JDF or something. So, the next day, we went back."
"When we got there, he gave us boxing gloves, and said, and this is a direct quote: 'Fight 'till you can't. NO quirks. Get to it.' And so we did. I won. Barely. Had a busted nose, a black eye, and a shit-ton of bruises, but I won. Bakugo beat my ass one week later. We went back, day after day, week after week, getting our asses beat. We beat one another into bloody pulps. Bakugo won more often than not, just because he had a better head for combat. On our 100th match, almost two years later, we had our first quirked fighting match. Bakugo won. We did those about monthly. It became our way to fight, to train, to dream up new strategies. We also fought others around our age. Superstrength, superspeed, hyper-intelligence. Any kind of quirk we could fight, we did. And it made us better for it." I explain
"So...this 'Old Man Dama'. He was an old pro?" Shiozaki asks, and I nod at her.
"That he was. Retired before any of us were ever born. Hell, he retired when my parents were very little kids. Like, toddlers. He went by the name of The Strong Hero: Titan." I say, and Yaoyorozu's eyes widen
"Titan? As in the former number 1 Japanese hero who was ranked 3rd internationally?" She asks, shock evident in her voice, and everyone turns to look at me and Bakugo, rocked to their cores
"Yep. That's him." I reply, nonchalant
"You...dude, the fuck? Do you know how lucky you are?" Kaibara asks, shocked.
"Not at all. Bastard expects way too much outta us. Gives a bunch of useless fuckin speeches too." Bakugo growls
"I wouldn't call them useless. Over-philosophical, maybe." I shrug
"So...what was Dama-san's quirk?" Shoji asks
"He called it 'Adrenal Armor'. Bone-like armor formed around his body when his adrenaline spiked, or when he forced it out. It enhanced his strength, speed, and durability. Kinda like Kirishima's quirk, just more powerful."
"How much more powerful?" Kirishima asks
"He showed me a video of him taking a 20-millimeter shell to the face. It left scorch marks on the bone, but other than that..." I reply, and Kirishima's jaw drops.
"Wait, what? You're kidding me, right? How was he even standing?"
"Helps that the old bastard is eight feet tall." Bakugo sighs and Kirishima blinks
"He's eight feet tall?" Shishida rumbles
"Yep. He's a lot bigger than All Might. Like a lot."
"Why did he retire? Old age?" Uraraka asks
"I mean, yes and no. That was a part of it, but the fact that he was also made half-blind after a fight with a villain was the main reason." I explain, and everyone stares at me
"Half-blind?" Jiro asks
"Dama has a scar that runs from his right temple to the back of his head. He got sliced open a villain with what was basically bone chainsaws for arms, and his eye got too severely damaged to be repaired, so he lost all vision in that eye. After that, he decided to hang up the cape, so to speak. It's partially what led to the years of chaos before ALL Might. Dama's only regret, according to him."
"So...what happened to the guy who beat him? Made him blind?" Kaibara asks
"Old bastard didn't lose. Dama fought through the pain and beat the villain to a bloody fucking pulp in front of his gang, told them to fuck off, then took the bastard to Tartarus himself." Bakugo grumbles, and I nod
"He really likes that story," I mutter, and Shiozaki blinks
"So, let me get this straight. After getting into a fight, this man stopped you, mid-fight."
"Yep."
"Then told you to come train in his semi-illegal gym to learn how to fight."
"It's completely legal, but yes."
"And your trainer is a retired pro who was once ranked as high as All-Might."
"That's right."
"The man only retired because of a severe injury, which he got in a fight he didn't even lose."
"Correct."
"And he is taller than All Might."
"Indeed."
"...That's really weird." Shiozaki mumbles, and I shrug.
"Yep, that's life."
Sorry, this took so long. Had some writer's block, and school was kicking my ass. But I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Next Chapter: The USJ Arc begins!