AN: Wow! I'm so happy to see so many favorites, follows, and reviews already. That gave me the energy to get this next chapter out quickly. In response to some reviews, I'll address some things about the story.

1. The Big Three are the same age as Izuku and everyone else in Class 1A.

2. Currently, they are all eight years old.

3. Since I'm including the Big Three early, I will likely use other elements from later in the anime. Nothing manga-related though.

4. I have not yet decided who will get One for All, but it will either be Izuku or one of the Big Three (The Big Four, I should say).

5. Currently, it is one year before All Might got severely injured.

6. My goal is to update once every two weeks.

This will be another grim and angsty chapter, but things will start to get better going forward.

"Speech."

'Thoughts.'

Disclaimer: I don't own My Hero Academia

Chapter 2

A man dressed in a tan trench coat and business hat strolled into the bar. The patrons there regarded him carefully but didn't say a word. If they recognized him, they knew better than to approach him at this moment. He hung up his coat and hat and took his usual place at the bar. The mature bartender lady walked up to her favorite customer.

"How about a double tonight Naomasa? On the house." She felt like being generous to the solemn man.

Naomasa Tsukauchi looked up at the bartender and cracked a small smile.

"I'll take that as a yes." She turned around and walked a couple of steps to fish out a large bottle. She poured two shots of the amber liquid along with some ice into a glass for her patron.

"Thank you, Cana."

"My pleasure detective." She left it at that. Normally she'd like to flirt around with him a bit, but she could tell he wasn't in the mood.

The detective took a good long sip of his drink and let out a sigh. Three days ago, His police station received a recording from a distraught woman. He has a rare quirk that was extremely valuable in the legal world. It was known as Human Lie Detector. Basically, he could tell whether any statement spoken to him by someone was true or false. The woman played the recording for him, and he couldn't believe what he was hearing.

He and the Musutafu police had nearly stormed the place the next day. The evidence provided wasn't enough to destroy the school, but with his quirk he imagined they would find out the extent of the damage. This case was about a boy by the name of Izuku Midoriya. He had spent the last two days interviewing faculty and students in the boy's class. It took a while to get through the students since each of their parents had to be present for their interview. He hated having to interrogate kids, but it was necessary given how serious the case was. He primarily focused on three kids in particular. Two of them were quick to turn on their designated leader and spilled their guts to him. It was the detective's quirk that proved the boys did feel bad at times for hurting Izuku but were too afraid of their leader to do anything. The worst they would be receiving was a suspension, not that it mattered. Tsukauchi was convinced the school would be no more. There were many cases like this where he prayed that his quirk was wrong.

'How could so many people treat a child this way.' He thought again taking another sip of his drink. He'd lost count of how many times he asked himself that question over the past two days. Children were one thing; bullying had been an issue since way before quirks came into existence. The strong have always picked on the weak. He doubted that would ever stop. The adults were a different story. They were supposed to be educating and guiding the students to be good members of society. Tsukauchi got so fed up he actually asked the boys' teacher if she found amusement in Izuku's suffering. He had never regretted asking a question so much until then.

Then there was Katsuki Bakugo. An extensive interview was conducted at the boy's house. His parents did their best to stay calm as he listed truth after truth. Why couldn't any of them be false! The kid didn't lie because he believed his actions were right.

Tsukauchi was startled as his phone rang. He really wasn't in the mood, but he reached into his pocket and looked to see who it was.

After debating it for a few seconds, he decided to answer.

"Hello."

He listened to the person on the other end.

He sighed. "I'm on my way." He downed the rest of his drink and left some cash on the bar.

'Curse his persuasive words.'

"Right here's good."

"Huh? You looking to go for a late-night swim?"

"Just stop."

"Suit yourself."

The cab Tsukauchi was riding in stopped near Dagobah Beach. He paid the driver and proceeded to get out. He walked on the sand in the cold night air observing the mounds of trash surrounding him. The beach might as well have been a dump. It was a shame how people have treated this environment, but it worked out for Tsukauchi. He had no plans of night swimming. This was his usual meetup with the person he spoke on the phone with. Hardly anyone visited this beach anymore, especially at night. They needed privacy. The moonlight shone on a lone individual standing near the shore. He could make out his bulky silhouette and his two tufts of hair. It could only be one person in the world.

The man sensed the detective walking up but didn't say a word until he was right beside him.

"It's been a while Naomasa." He uttered.

"That's my line. You're the one that called me out here Toshinori." The man turned to face him revealing a face that appeared to be chiseled out of stone. Everyone in Japan knew this face. This man was only called Toshinori by a handful of people. The rest of the country knew him as the Symbol of Peace, All Might."

"I heard your name on the news. I had a feeling you'd need someone to vent to."

"Damn Tabloids." The school's closing had made the headlines. Detective Tsukauchi had been mentioned for being the lead investigator. Of course, he was also the one hounded by reporters. He wanted to punch every single one that asked for the names of the students involved. The only names given on the news were that of the principal and the boys' teacher. The headline was,

Male Student Tormented by Entire School

Why did Toshinori have to be right? "A boy was stomped on since he was four years old because he wasn't born with a flashy quirk." Toshinori's cool demeanor was gone, and he looked at his police friend in horror. He doesn't know why he was treating this like two friends catching up at first.

"The kid bullying him was treated like the King of the school. He was praised by all his teachers and peers for having the best quirk. No one stood up for the kid being bullied."

"Surely there were other children with less significant quirks. What made him such a target?" Eighty percent of the world's population may have quirks, but not everyone was blessed with laser eyes or super strength. A quarter of those quirked people had a simple ability like glow-in-the-dark skin or pulling sheets of paper out of trees. In Izuku's own class, there was a kid whose power was pulling their eyeballs out of their sockets.

"Believe it or not the bully and victim were best friends before their quirks came in. The bully started beating up the other kid after seeing how weak his quirk was." Tsukauchi gritted his teeth. "The bully claimed he did it because the other kid dreamed of being a hero and that pissed him off." Toshinori couldn't believe what he was wearing. 'How could a child turn out like that.'

Tsukauchi looked at his friend. "I know what you're probably thinking. As much as I want to blame the bully, it's not entirely his fault. You heard the headline. The whole school knew this was going on and did nothing. Meaning, the teachers never once told the bully what he was doing was wrong. Kids are easily influenced by adults. No matter how unacceptable his behavior, he's still only eight years old."

"What will happen to him."

"I thought about it long and hard. Since he's still a child, there's a chance we can help his behavior. This incident will go on police records, he will receive counseling, he will be banned from using his quirk until he's cleared to do so, the police will be checking in on him weekly, and if he ever hurts another student he will receive harsher punishment." His face turned grim. "If he actually uses his quirk to hurt somebody, he will go to prison."

Midoriya had actually been lucky. Given the nature of his quirk, he hadn't been badly hurt in his puddle form. Bakugo had only stomped on his puddle form. Despite the threats, he had never actually used his quirk on him. Tsukauchi feared what would have happened if Bakugo had used his explosions on Midoriya in his puddle state. He hoped Bakugo had realized that too, which is why he didn't.

"That seems like the best course of action. Throwing him immediately into juvie with other delinquents could worsen his behavior more than anything. It would destroy his future."

The detective's faced softened. "Despite everything he did to the other boy, he still wants to be a hero. I want to believe that there is good in him, and his behavior can improve."

Toshinori turned back to the crashing waves before them. "I know what's it like to be weak. I was not born with this amazing power. It was granted to me by a person who saw me as worthy of it." Toshinori was in the presence of one of the few people he could talk about this with. "The strength I possess may go to my head at times, but I've always wanted to help people. I hope that bully can realize that, and I hope the victim will find hope again."

Tsukauchi smiled for the first time since he got there. "I hope so too. That bullied kid is actually amazing."

"Oh? What makes you say that." Toshinori was genuinely curious as his friend seemed to be in a slightly better mood now.

"Another reason he was the sole target is that he stood up for anyone else that was bullied."

Toshinori looked at his friend in awe.

"After hearing so much horror, I had completely forgotten. There were other students in his class and previous ones who had lesser quirks like him. Whenever the bullies would focus on someone else, he stepped in. He may have avoided being abused after they found someone new to torment. But he refused to allow that to happen to somebody else. He made himself the sole victim and took all their pain. I interviewed each of those students. They were so ashamed they were too afraid to help Izuku too. If anyone is meant to be a hero, it's him."

"Naomasa. I know that you're required to keep his identity a secret from the public, but could you please tell me the name of that brave boy?"

"Hello. Hisashi?"

"…."

"Oh me. I'm doing swell. How's work?"

"…."

"Busy. I should have guessed."

"…."

"It's just. I know that you're busy, but I was wondering if you could find some free time to COME HOME AND SEE YOUR SON YOU LEFT BEHIND SEVEN YEARS AGO! YOU KNOW! OUR SON! THE ONE YOU HAVEN'T SEEN SINCE HE WAS A YEAR OLD! THE ONE YOU AND I MADE! THAT SON! THAT TOO MUCH TO ASK?!"

There was only a buzzing sound on the other end of the phone. There has been the whole conversation. It indicated that the phone was disconnected, and no calls could go through. No calls ever did. Inko had tried many times before.

"YOU DEADBEAT ASSHOLE!" Inko slammed the smartphone hard on the table nearly cracking the screen. She hurt her fingers where she gripped it, but she didn't care. She then collapsed on the kitchen floor.

It really has been seven years since she last heard from her husband, the fire-breathing accountant. That's right! The guy who could breathe fire decided to become an accountant. Not everyone became a hero, but when you say it loud that just sounds sad. Not that Inko was the best judge. She had no interest in heroics either. Still, fire-breathing was more hero-worthy than pulling small objects toward you from a short distance. Every child wants to be a hero, but as they get older many realize they want don't want the job with the highest mortality rate.

Inko and Hisashi had been a perfectly happy couple right up until he left. He was ecstatic when Izuku was born and wanted to be the best father he could be. Then, one day he came home saying he received an amazing job offer overseas and had to leave immediately. He kissed Inko and Izuku and just left in under a minute. Didn't say where he was going. Didn't say what the job was. Didn't say when he'd be back. His parting words were, "I'll send money to your bank account every month. Don't try to contact me. I love you!"

'I love you too." She hadn't been able to say to him. He was already out the door, and she was still in shock that her life had changed drastically in under a minute. She still thought it a few minutes after the information had sunk in.

Inko reached up to the counter from the kitchen floor. She hadn't bothered to hang up, but the call had ended by itself anyway since the number couldn't be reached. Inko still held the phone to her ear anyway.

"Please Hisashi. Come home. I need you…Your son needs you." She put the phone on the floor.

How was she supposed to act? Her husband just up and left with barely an explanation and hasn't spoken to her since. The only sign that he was still alive was the money he sent every month. It was enough for her and Izuku to live comfortably while she could remain a stay-at-home mom. That fact alone was the only proof that he still loved them and why she hadn't moved on. So needless to say, Izuku was her life.

Tears escaped her eyes.

And what a great job she was doing with that. She spent nearly all her time with him, and she just found he's been being bullied for four years and he has no friends. She was so angry with herself, she had to lash out at Hisashi to try and shift the blame. She was still angry with him, but he supported them even after all these years.

"Mom?"

She looked at the kitchen entryway to see Izuku trembling. He was clearly distraught by her shouting but still approached her to see if she was alright. She didn't deserve him.

"Are you ok?"

She wanted to say she was just fine, but she needed to set an example for Izuku. No more holding stuff in. "I'm just…frustrated with your father." Baby steps.

This was another situation Izuku wasn't sure how he should feel. His dad left when he was only a year old so he hardly had anything to go on. Izuku knows that his dad stills supports his mom and himself as a dad should. Though if he really did love them, wouldn't he find some way to communicate with them or come see them? The best way to describe Izuku's opinion of his dad was indifference. He neither loved nor hated his father. He appreciated what he did for their family, but he no longer had any desire to meet him. He knew it was much different for his mom though.

He walked up and wrapped his arms around his mom the best he could. Inko quickly encased his small body in her arms. "It's ok Izuku. Your father loves us very much. His boss is just a mean man that won't let him leave work. He can't talk to us either because his work is top secret." Inko had no idea what the circumstances were. It felt better to think that Hisashi did miss them dearly, and his employer is the one keeping him from leaving. Why else would he say not to contact him if the work he was doing wasn't sensitive? The dark parts of Inko's mind speculated the kind of work that would require such secrecy. She quickly banished those thoughts. 'Hisashi is a good man.' She wished she didn't have to keep reminding herself that.

Izuku was content with her usual answer. She'd been using it since he started asking where his father was. He didn't think much of it since he was indifferent about the man. He looked up at his sole parent.

"Do I really have to go back to school?" Izuku's happiness ended the moment his mother had told him she was looking for a replacement school. He knew it was dumb to think he was through with school forever, but that high of happiness was so sweet.

Inko knew he was going to ask that again. She had to say something to get him back out of this slump. Earlier, she found his hero analysis notebooks in the garbage shortly after she told him she was looking for new schools. "I don't want kids to bully me, so I won't try to be a hero anymore." She wants to punch herself for what she said to him.

"Oh. Ok, sweetie. It's probably for the best."

What was wrong with her! He's already suffering, and she just crushes his dream for the second time. She still remembers him all teary-eyed in front of his favorite All Might video asking her if he could still be a hero. She had to make this right or else he was never going to get better.

Inko thought back to what the officer had told her. She was horrified that her baby had made himself the sole target for bullying. How could she not see it?! He had stood up for other kids being bullied so they wouldn't suffer as he did. Even though they kept putting him down, he still kept saying he wanted to be a hero. Inko remembered Izuku showing her one of his analysis books before. His notes and drawings were so methodical. He really believed he could be a hero. No. In her books, he already was.

Inko lifted her son up to his feet and she knelt on her knees to be eye-level with him. "Listen Izuku. I was wrong. You can be a hero."

"But what about the other-."

"It's not going to be like the old school. These teachers and students will be different and if they aren't we'll make them different." Inko said with conviction. "That dream of being a hero is what's kept you going this whole time. You love watching heroes and learning about them. So what if you're quirk isn't the strongest. You're so smart I know you can find out a use for it." Inko had no idea how Izuku could save people with his quirk, but now she was convinced that he could.

"So y-you r-really believe I can be a h-hero." He stuttered out with tears streaming down his face.

"Yes. I do." There was no doubt in her voice. She wasn't saying that just to spare his feelings. She did believe it now.

A fire lit in Izuku's body thought to have long been extinguished.

Izuku stood before the door of his new classroom. Inko had managed to find a good elementary school in the Chiba prefecture. It was far from home, but Inko had thought a location change would be good. After all, Bakugo now had a restraining order from Izuku. They need a new setting for Izuku to grow in. They found an apartment that was in their price range.

Izuku gripped the straps of his backpack. He remembered his mother's words from that night. Things were going to be different. He breathed in and out, steeled himself, and opened the door.

He walked up to the teacher's podium and turned to face the entire class. The teacher had given the cue to come in a minute ago.

He gazed upon his new classmates. Some looked at him with curiosity, some with neutrality, but none with disgust. This was good.

"Class, we have a new student joining us today." The teacher turned to Izuku. "Would you like to tell us about yourself young man?"

It was ok. Everything was fine. 'I am here.' He looked at this class and announced.

"I'm Izuku Midoriya." He spoke without stumbling. Still no disgust from the audience. He even saw a few smiles. He kept the momentum going and talked a little about his hobbies then proceeded to take the only empty seat. So far everything was going better than he thought it would.

Izuku was eating lunch alone at his desk now. Their morning lessons had gone by normally. He made a good first impression but was still nervous about approaching new peers. He was just working up the nerve to talk to someone when he sensed someone approach his desk. He looked in their direction. It was two kids actually. One was clearly less keen about being there though.

The boy in front had spiky blond hair and peculiar eyes. They were small, round blue orbs with small white pupils. The kid trembling behind him had longer hair that appeared dark with a purple hue. He was looking at everything except Izuku. It seems like the smiling kid in front dragged him here.

That smiling kid stretched his hand out to Izuku. "Hi! I'm Mirio Togata!"

AN: Thank you for reading! :)