Izuku stood in ankle deep water. The liquid seemed to spread out evenly and infinitely, as he tried to navigate through the ambient darkness. With no direction yielding anything substantial, he came to a flimsy halt, trying to better utilize his other senses to pinpoint his location in relation to something else.

Sloshing, the lapping of soft waves on his skin. It was almost… pleasant, in a way.

That calm wouldn't last much longer.

He basked in the pulling tug of the tide when a distinct, feminine voice whispered in his ear:

"Izuku."

It was only his name– but he recognized it instantly.

"MOM!?"

He spun in a circle, flailing his arms out to try and touch her– to take hold and never let go. He uselessly grappled thin air, when an overwhelming sense of guilt and shame overtook him. Searching aimlessly, he screamed into the pitch black void.

"MOM, WHERE ARE YOU!? I'LL SAVE YOU, I PROMISE!"

"You said you'd never let me fall." Inko echoed.

He detected the source of her voice a short distance away from him, as he charged in said direction, speed hampered by the fluid entangling his feet.

"You promised me."

"I know! I'm sorry! I didn't– I wanted to–"

" –Now I'm dead."

His joints locked in place when he caught the silhouette of his mother within meters in front of him.

She was right there!

So why wasn't he running!?

"Mom, I'm right here." His voice broke, as he extended his hand.

An agonizingly long time passed, where he feared she would ignore him and disappear from his sight again. Heart thumping unabated in his throat, he thanked the heavens as her fingers slid into his outstretched palm. Her flesh was cold– colder than what should've been considered a healthy body temperature. He still couldn't see the details of her face– as if some shadowed veil was obscuring it.

"Talk to me– please?" He practically begged.

He really wanted to hear her voice again.

"Izu?" She spoke once more, though it was laden with fear.

"Mom? You're OK. You're OK. You're going to be OK. I won't let anyone hurt you. Everything's fine now, because… because…"

Despite her not returning it, he embraced her rigid body, threading his hands through her similar, emerald colored hair– stroking the smooth texture tenderly– really doing anything it took to put her at ease.

"...I am here." He couldn't help but tear up a little as he murmured those iconic words– the same ones he fondly remembered cheering when he was younger– when he still played hero with her.

That seemed so, so long ago now…

Suddenly, she gives a startled gasp.

"Mom!? What's– !?" Only then, as he pulled away from her, was he able to see her facial expression.

Mortification. Horror. Betrayal.

Those were the range of emotions he could realistically grasp from her as she backed away from his arms, revealing a fresh, circular wound that had been branded directly through her abdomen. Embers fluttered from her innards like dizzy fireflies. Smoke still billowing from her form– Izuku proved that his reflexes were in tiptop shape– swiftly catching her before she could fall.

As always the aspect of his mother that he focused on more so than any other part of her– her forest green eyes that had aided him with unyielding amounts of love, affection, and joy… now dull. Dark and lifeless. Incapable of feeling.

Kneeling in the water, he cradled her limp body, before shooting a savage glare at her murderer.

Eon.

His futuristic purple suit glowed ominously.

"You seem surprised?" He inquired slowly.

"Not surprised: Frustrated." Izuku clarified, glaring at the time-walker.

"Is that what that is? Whatever it is you're doing with eh, that?" He gestures flippantly with his kinetic blaster.

"The second I let her go, the water turns into blood."

"Gross."

"Then, once her body has fully dissolved– a ring of fire springs up around us."

"Oh, that's neat."

"You go on about how I'm going to be responsible for the inevitable collapse of the entire multiverse, and that if I don't give up the Omnitrix now, then potentially even more catalyst defining events will occur." He practically growls through his teeth.

"I mean, true." He shrugged. "All of what you said that I would say is definitely true. Maybe you should listen to him– me?" He pointed to himself daftly.

"Then- then you make some disgusting assumption about how we're- that we are the same entity. So I need to let go already." He felt sick even mentioning it.

He looked at his mom again.

"Well? Go on! I want to hear the rest!" He holstered his weapon. "What happens after that?"

"You kill me."

Eyes hooded, he stares hauntingly at Eon's visor.

"What method?"

'Of course he would want to know the specifics.'

His grip on his mother tightens.

"You run me through with your laser blade."

Eon appeared to be impressed, when he turned his back on Izuku for sometime, contemplating whatever it could possibly be, as his purple cape flowed with the liquid sloshing at his heels. Ten seconds pass before the time-walker acknowledges him again.

"You're resilient, I'll give you that."

'This is new…' Izuku thought curiously.

"It's only a matter of time before you crack." Eon flicked his visor for the added clink effect.

He began to stalk towards Izuku threateningly.

"Everyone has their limits. You especially. Try and go beyond them– sure, you might be able to fly for a little while– but you're gonna have to land eventually." He reasoned.

"I got my pit crew for the race, thanks." He countered tactfully, the time-walker booing in reaction to this.

"That's precious. Really– but not sustainable."

'How's that?'

"It's not sustainable, because people associated with the Omnitrix are destined to suffer tragic fates. War, famine, plagues, death– tales of conquest!? All can be tied to that watch. You're a nuclear bomb waiting be set off– that's what you're doing by keeping that thing to yourself!"

Gulping, he denied the accusation and pressed on.

"You– you read my mind– how?"

"We ARE the same entity… aren't we?"

Something was not right here– and Izuku could feel it.

"No, no! You're just another nightmare! Another one of my- my constant nightmares! None of this is real!" He shook his head lamely.

"Aww, that's sweet, you think of me as your nightmare? I'm so touched." He held a hand over his feign heart.

Treading backwards on the watery flooring, the time-walker pursued him.

"Why are you doing this!?" He called over his shoulder– he was almost sprinting now, as the waves gradually upped in intensity.

He nearly had a heart attack when Eon vanished from behind them. Sliding to a halt, but never dropping Inko, the freckled boy desperately pedaled in the direction from which he came. Eon was facing him yet again, now appearing more pissed off than he initially let on.

"What are you!?" Izuku screamed, now terrified, seeing as he was unable to control the course of his own lucid dreaming.

"Hey! There's an idea!" Eon clapped appreciatively, as he reached for the hem of his mask.

He never expected this.

Inko's body fell.

The water became thick and the air– charged with the musk of iron.

Geysers of flame burst forth from the shallow ocean of crimson blood, creating an inescapable inferno.

Izuku started, wide eyed, as the man behind Eon's mask wasn't Ben Tennyson, but–

" –It's… ME." Identical faces of Izuku Midoriya spoke together in perfect unison.

"No!" Izuku slipped, slushing frantically back in the red slop.

MidorEon smiled psychotically as he approached him. He tossed him the helmet, where it splattered beside him, sending strings of red fluid across Izuku's face. A traumatizing moment passed, as he shakily looked from his reflection in the visor of the discarded helmet– to the literal twin version of him– who had a kinetic blaster trained in between his eyes. Fearing for his demise, he did the only thing he could do: He screamed.

"AAAHHHA– !"

" –GREEN, STOP! IT'S ALRIGHT!" A girl's voice penetrated his dreamscape.

" –AAHHHhhhhh- h-huh!?" He was jolted from his unconscious state as he gasped on the open air breathlessly, beads of sweat permeating on his forehead.

Jiro gazed down at him, worry and concern stretched over her features.

"Jiro?" He whispered, wondering if she were actually real for a moment.

"Green, you had another nightmare. This one… seemed pretty bad." She averted her gaze, and only as he wiped the leftover condensation from his brow did he notice Kyotoku and Mika stand in the doorway of the guest room.

Uninhibited embarrassment swooped over him like a large blanket, threatening to suffocate him. It was probably the middle of the night, he gathered, as everyone was still in their pajamas.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to wake you and your parents up. Again. God, I'm so pathetic."

"No, you're not pathetic, don't start badmouthing yourself in front of me. In case you've forgotten, that's my job."

Her attempt to liven his mood proved unsuccessful, as he forced himself to shamefully turn away from the door– and subsequently from her, too. Their pitying faces– it was too much. He needed to get out. Now.

"I'm- I need to get out of here." He stammered out quickly, before scrambling off the side of the bed.

"Green, what the fuck are you doing?"

He trotted over to the window and slammed it open with a jagged thunk.

"I don't know when I'll be back but… I will come back. So don't…" he swallowed thickly, "...so don't worry about me."

Jiro shook her head in dismay.

"I don't understand?"

Izuku's gaze flickered over to her parents who were equally solemn in attitude. He looked between them and Jiro– Kyoka Jiro– the person who made his heart skip a beat whenever she was in the same room as him. The person who made it her mission to stand up for him when no one else would. The person who tested him and pushed and pulled and inspired him to try and become the best version of himself– because that was the same vow she had undertaken herself– the day on the train. The person who was so, so incredibly talented that he felt he paled in comparison to her– even having the Omnitrix at his disposal. She… was the person who made his life as wonderful as it was.

He can't imagine having never met her.

He opened his mouth as if to speak, but no words came forth. He risked another glance at her parents. It was subtle, but Kyotoku gave him a short nod– as if to give him permission for what he was about to do.

He locked eyes with Jiro again, as if to convey his thoughts.

Grimacing, he turned away from the family and muttered 'Jellytronic.' In a green flash, he was whipping out through the window and flew into the dark twilight sky. Jiro glared at the bioluminous alien for a moment longer, when her old man placed a gentle palm over her shoulder. She turned to him questioningly.

"He might need some time alone, Kyo. Maybe clear his head a little? Blow off some steam?"

"He has demons that he can't fight here." Mika hummed as she hugged her daughter.

"Lyrics– but yeah, basically that." Kyotoku wholly agreed with his wife.

She couldn't help but sigh sadly.

"I just… wish there was a way I could… fix him." She mumbled, pouting softly. "It doesn't help that he's shunning me out too."

"You're not the only one he's shunning out, dear." Mika said as her jack intertwined with her daughter's.

"Izuku… he's in a tight spot–"

" –And he refuses to stay at the Bakugou's– and I'm not saying I don't like having him around– that boy is an angel and you're lucky for that fact, young miss, because if he wasn't then I would NOT be letting him sleepover at our house for this many weeks. Consecutively." Her old man gave her a pointed stink eye to which she crossed her arms unamusedly.

"Plus, now there's the whole issue of him being a world famous celebrity thanks to having ten different super quirks. Also principal Nezu being a dick to him on national television– that could have something to do with it." He shrugged.

"OK. I get it. Point taken." Jiro scowled.

"We know you have strong feelings for Izuku, Kyoka, and by extension his emotional state affects yours. Your dad and I understand that." She gave her husband a short glare, making him stammer.

"It's only natural to want to help him through this, but some fears you have to face alone in order to conquer them."

"You're on a roll babe!" Kyotoku complimented his wife.

"Pfft. Idiot." She insulted him, although she had a blush dusting her face.

Jiro rolled her eyes at her parents' antics, but the reality of the situation was beginning to settle upon her now. That didn't mean she really wished it wasn't, though.

Thanks to the enhanced regeneration the Omnitrix provided him with, it took only a week for Green to fully recover. The hospital discharged him… and that's when the madness started.

A dense crowd of reporters and journalists had been stalking the outskirts of Musutafu General. They waited with drool hanging from their stupid gaping mouths, for Green to eventually stick his head out. Everyone wanted to get the first big scoop, so one can imagine the kind of ravenous methods they utilized.

It took only one reporter noticing them for the domino effect to occur. They swarmed Green along with her parents, and just when she thought she was about to be crushed to death and be asphyxiated by lack of oxygen– ALL MIGHT of all people showed up to escort them to their car. She was admittedly a little star struck, but managed to keep her cool as he saluted them upon their departure from the parking garage. Meanwhile Green had temporarily transformed into Hijack (apparently at some point he unlocked voice command?) so he wasn't tall enough to be visible in the backseat to any prying eyes.

This was Jiro's initial indicator something had changed inside her best friend. Normally, whenever he goes Hijack he jumps around excited like and she's pretty sure he speaks in the third person and he compulsively screeches fix, fix, fix! Disassemble! Reassemble! Yadda yadda. He's a pretty cartoony character as Hijack, which is why it was so jarring to see the scarlet gremlin so reactionless. Even his barbed tail, that was known to be representative of his mood– laid limp beside him on the car seat.

Fast forwarding a week, the funeral service for Inko Midoriya had been a quiet, dreary, and depressing affair, as Green's lack of extended family and absentee father made the gathering of people relatively small. However, those who did know the kind-hearted woman well enough (The Jiro's and Bakugou's– hell, even Kevin showed up) would share in shedding tears on her behalf as Green told them stories about the beloved women. It had been raining that day too, further adding to the mournful atmosphere.

When her parents were preparing to leave, Green would ask them if he could stay behind a little longer. They were completely understanding and Jiro offered to stay with him, but he was insistent she not wait on him. Hesitantly she padded over to the main path hoping to catch up with her parents. Against her better judgment, she snaked her jack behind her, listening in on his fervent muttering.

"...I'm sorry, Mom. I couldn't save you. It's my fault that you're…" She could make out the sound of him breaking down again.

In record time she was dabbing at her face, flustered with hot tears.

He blamed himself. Of course he would. He never blames anyone but himself for other people's shortcomings and despicable actions. It was always him– the source of everyone's problems. She didn't think that– she was still crushing hard on the guy, but she imagined that guilt was the overall nature of his dilemma.

It was that same drive to go beyond that sparked her heart ablaze for him in the first place.

If there was one thing that she had learned about Izuku, A.K.A. Green, Midoriya, is that he was stubborn. He always came back stronger and even better than before so she didn't see why that logic wouldn't also be applied here. Instead, he seemed to be regressing– spiraling deeper into his depressive state. Her many attempts at 'pick me-ups,' just resulted in having the suggestion be shot down. He was barely responsive– borderline incoherent, as his eyes often would drift into blank space, dissociating, thinking about God knows what.

It was painful, watching the happiness drain from his smile and the pep in his step evaporate. He had come such a long way from when she first met him… and now he was rapidly sinking for rock bottom. She vowed to herself to not let that happen– but her options were becoming more and more limited by the day. She feared she might be too late.

The mouse-opossum-mongoose? Whatever he fucking is– she honestly couldn't give a shit about what he was exactly– held a press conference a few days back and made some statements regarding Green. When questioned about Green's status and position at UA– the rodent had made it clear that Green was NOT to attend unless he could convince him that he was worth the time and resources supplied by his school. Jiro thought this was immensely unfair (She wasn't the only one who thought that). What this connotation meant, however, was that a huge question mark had been stamped over Green's face.

Everyone was wondering what his next move would be, with a decent volume of people thinking he was considering transferring to Shiketsu in order to spite Nezu and UA for mocking his name. Green hadn't supplied any notion that he was bothered by Nezu's statements in regards to him— but more so treated the situation like he expected the hero to turn on him at some point.

Apart from the leftover suit and gadgets– which were taken into police custody for further observation– no physical evidence of Eon's real body remained once it had completely decayed. No security cameras were up and running in the middle of an abandoned construction site– so no hard footage was left to incriminate him. Sure, he had given his word to that detective Tsukauchi guy that he was telling the truth– and the man didn't seem to doubt him– but really the only thing they could call him out on was destruction of public property.

Even that proved to be a one-sided affair, as the villain Eon had also been equally responsible for the damages– meaning Green essentially got off with nothing more than a mere slap on the wrist– a detail of his court hearing that many weren't too pleased with.

People petitioned for his punishment to be more severe– their main argument being that he shouldn't kill someone out of revenge– no matter the wrongdoing.

Jiro understood where they were coming from. She would've preferred had Green not killed anyone– but in that situation? At the moment? She couldn't blame him. Not even in the slightest. She was shocked that he had snapped like he did– but then again– he had a side to him, that when he chose to embrace it– there was nothing you could do to stop him. When he got like that– when she felt his aura– she felt like anything was possible.

She wished she could mirror that same intensity– maybe then she could finally help out the adorkable idiot.

Kevin Levin analyzed the contents of the school office studiously, as if he were mapping out a detailed blueprint in his head. For a short time he entertained himself with a miniature replica of Newton's Cradle. He tested the stability of a bean bag. He looked anywhere except at the furry white gerbil-bear-dog thing. Nezu– yeah, that was the guy's name. What further unnerved him was that the principal was always drinking tea– and what made it about fifty times worse was that it smelled like the kind Gwen drank on the regular.

"Why am I here again?" He asked aloud.

"Oh-ho! You're fascinating, Levin." Nezu chuckled impishly.

"Is that supposed to be an insult, or a compliment?"

"Perceive it however you decide to interpret it. I was merely making an observation. Mmm!" He slurped on his tea loudly.

Kevin growled. This was starting to get annoying. Believing desperate action was required, he suddenly lurched out from his seat and slammed his hand on the desk, making the principal's various sets of ceramic plates and cups rattle. He absorbed the hard wood, and Nezu watched, fascinated as the mahogany texture twisted and blended into his arm.

"I don't have time for this! If you have something to say then just say it! I have a universe I need to figure out how to get back to, and you're not helping!"

Nezu smiled at his attempt, unperturbed by his intimidation tactic.

'Huh, that usually works on Argit…' Kevin thought fleetingly.

"Tell me, do you like cheese?"

"Yes, I like cheese! Now if you aren't going to be of any use to me, then I'm leaving!" He jabbed a thumb behind him to indicate his seriousness.

"Gouda or Swiss?"

The Osmosian halfling bore into the rat's beady eyes, searching for any inkling that he was at least in the slightest, a bit intimidated. When he detected absolutely nothing, he conceded defeat. He flopped back into his chair.

"Swiss, please…"

Nezu hummed as he placed a tiny slab of swiss cheese on his plate, before sliding it across the desk. Kevin grumpily accepted it. He tossed the tasty morsel in his mouth. While in the midst of his chewing, the principal spoke up:

"First order of business: Eon."

'Now he wants to talk!' He choked on his cheese slice.

He thanked Nezu as he wordlessly poured him a cup. He downed the liquid to help clear his throat.

"Ahem. What about Eon?"

"Levin, is it possible that there are more Eon's out somewhere in the extended multiverse?"

The rodent's question caused him to still, as he had to contemplate it. If Midoriya was telling the truth that Eon was another Ben Tennyson… that could mean there were more Bens across alternate timelines. Hypothetically, there is a high statistical probability that there is at least one more Eon out there somewhere waiting for the perfect time to strike.

He briefly wondered what his own variant counterparts would be like.

"You do think it's possible." Nezu deduced from his body language.

Kevin nodded mutely.

"This is indeed quite troubling. Threats from universes separate from our own? Had Eon been less narrow minded and ego-driven– he might've successfully destroyed everything, but..."

"...Midoriya stopped him." Kevin crossed his arms.

"What's your deal with that guy anyway? He seems nice enough. Definitely didn't deserve what happened to his mom."

"Appearances can be deceiving. While what happened to him and his mother is indeed tragic, that is no excuse to lose control."

Kevin flinched.

"That's a reality I'm sure you're well acquainted with and will come to learn more… ah, thoroughly the longer you spend here."

"If I knew how I got here, I would tell you! Or how I haven't been dusted like Eon! But I don't!" He shouted defensively.

"Hmm, well then I suppose you're stuck here then." The principal revealed his sharp teeth.

'I hate super geniuses. So full of themselves.' Kevin thought aggravatedly.

"That's it! I'm leaving!" Kevin nearly made it to the door before Nezu interjected:

"Where will you go?"

"Anywhere but here!"

"How are you going to afford food and shelter?"

"I've lived on the streets before– I can hand- HANDLE myself!" He caught himself from making a terrible pun at his own expense.

"Without any tools at your disposal, how should you ever hope to return to your universe?"

"I don't know! I'm smarter than I look– I'll figure something out."

"You're making this far more difficult than it needs to be."

"What do you want from me!?"

"I want you to attend my school."

Kevin paused, as if trying to discern the principal's true motives.

"Not gonna happen."

"Why not?"

"School isn't for me."

"This isn't an ordinary school, mind you. This is a top of the line prestigious academy that is focused on fostering the great heroes of tomorrow. We could use someone of your talents and expertise."

"Being a hero isn't a job, Nerd-zu, and if it was, it certainly doesn't pay well enough." Kevin grunted.

"That is precisely where you are impressively incorrect, Levin." The rodent's retort urged him to lean forward curiously.

"You mean to tell me, I get paid to punch villains and be a badass? I don't have to be covert about everything?" He inquired slowly, now sizing up the principal's cheesecake.

"Correct. The option for underground heroics is available, if you prefer that?"

"..." Kevin was sweating bullets.

"Well?" The principal of UA prompted.

"Deal…" He accepted the proposal reluctantly.

"I'm glad we could reach a compromise!" Nezu chirped cheerfully, slapping the contract and pen out in the open.

'Fuck, I just signed my soul over to the devil, didn't I?' Kevin inwardly groaned.

Sorahiko Torino, otherwise known by his alias as Gran Torino, was following his usual route across Hosu when he spotted him: Izuku Midoriya, sitting alone at the top of a rusty water tower. He would've dropped in to visit the freckled teen sooner, per Toshinori's request, but then, well, everything happened, and it seemed that having a not-so-obvious interrogation thereafter would be in… bad spirit. So he held off– but now seemed as good as time as any. Adjusting his quirk's propulsion he softly landed on the container's surface.

"Are you a hero? Or are you my enemy?" Midoriya spoke without looking at his uninvited guest.

"That's awfully dramatic. Aren't you still just a kid?" The retired pro retorted dryly.

"I would prefer to not fight you." He clarified with steel in his voice.

"I wouldn't want to fight me either. I'm a tough son of a– BITCH!" He cussed audibly as he stretched his hip, listening for the pops and cracks.

Midoriya stared at the older man questioningly from behind his shoulder. Frowning, his gaze returned to the maple sunrise. The coastal wind blew his emerald locks about like pine needles in the fall.

"If you're a hero, I don't recognize you." He mentioned after a while had passed.

"Yeah, I prefer to keep it that way." He grunted, tapping the dull metal experimentally with his cane.

"So, what's a kiddie like you doing out here all alone?"

"It's not like it matters." Izuku exhaled.

"Have some respect for your elders, son. It's a long drop, unless you got a quirk that helps you fly or glide—"

"—Wait, you don't know who I am?"

Sorahiko knew who he was (everyone did), and if keeping up the senile charade proved to yield useful information, he wouldn't knock it.

"Kid, do I look like I watch the news?"

"I kind of just assume most people know about me nowadays." He shrugged nonchalantly.

"Oh, so you think you're some kind of hot shot, huh?"

The greenette responded with a brief glare, before his attention fizzled out again. His eyes locked onto the gleaming sun as it rose over the ocean. His dissociation made it possible for Sorahiko to settle at an arm's length distance away from him. He rested his cane on his lap.

'Time to get serious.'

"What happened to your mom was fucked up. I'm sorry you had to go through that. Especially at your age."

Midoriya's hands fisted the hem of his cotton t-shirt.

"I'm Gran Torino. I'm technically retired– have been for over forty years now. Only reason I still suit up is because I feel responsible for upholding a vow I made to someone once." He kept a close eye on the boy's reaction.

"Pretty stupid, right? Why would I keep on being a hero if I wasn't getting paid for it?"

Midoriya shifted to position his elbows on his knees, and rested his head on his knuckles.

"If you felt that vow you made was worth more than even your own life."

Sorahiko was slightly stunned that he guessed it correctly on the first try.

"Yes. That's exactly it, actually. Smartass."

"Why are you really here?" Midoriya had officially reached his wits end. "Did Nezu send you?" He added hesitantly.

"No, the rat didn't send me." He rolled his eyes. "I'm here because you look lost– and I think I can help."

Midoriya looked unconvinced as the older man coughed.

"There isn't anything you can do or say that will help me. Not with this."

"I can help you… if you just let me in–"

" –You think talking about my feelings is going to make any of this better!?" The freckled teen appeared greatly offended by the suggestion.

"No. As a matter of fact, I don't think talking about how sad you are about your mum being plastered on the curb in broad daylight is going to help you. Or how that made you so mad you killed that villain with your bare hands. How you choose to conduct yourself after the fact is what truly matters."

That shut him up real quick.

"I can't change what happened. So, I'm asking you to keep an open mind, and listen. You may even learn a thing or two." He joined him in watching the sunlight hover across the horizon.

"Imagine a world where heroes aren't commonplace. Sit on that for a moment. Today, heroes are more prolific than they've ever been. You can't walk down one street without seeing some shitty sponsorship ad. It wasn't always this way. Now the government plays a role in maintaining the hero's public image. The laws and regulations have changed. Less than a fifty years ago, there weren't any rules for how heroes were supposed to take down villains. It was either take them down, or be taken down.

Imagine growing up in this world. Fear strangling you in its vice everyday because you have no clue that some psycho, super villain will choose to go on a rampage with his chainsaw quirk while in the middle of a children's playground? I know what guilt looks like, kid. I carry it with me wherever I go. There weren't any morals back then. You fought to die, and died fighting. We were called heroes… but we weren't. We were glorified gladiators.

Imagine, in this world that I have depicted for you so far, that you somehow managed to fall in love? You knew her since you were both still tots. Preschool, kindergarten, elementary, middle, high school… Every phase of your life thus far has been entangled with her. You both go on to become professional heroes at the academy and acted as partners for years until… suddenly she distances herself from you.

When you ask her, she says she has become a part of something far bigger than herself— you included. At the time you don't really quite get it. You keep pushing– until eventually, she cuts you from her life completely. You're distraught, and hurt– but you ration she had reasons for what she did.

Years have gone by before you see her face again. She's just as beautiful as you remember. She finally tells you why she left. She needs your help." He exhales through his nostrils.

"You want to refuse her– to turn her down… but you can't find the will inside yourself to do so. Not when she smiles at you… not when that love for her never burned out.

Apparently, she had met a quirkless, scrawny blonde kid with baby blue eyes– likes to say smash? You might even know him." Midoriya's face tightened at the implication.

"He impressed her quite a lot. So taken aback was she that she convinced you to get your teaching degree– so you suit up for a semester at UA. All of that concentrated time and effort, so you could guide this boy along a worthy path fit for a hero." He chuckled at the notion darkly.

"Then she sacrifices her life to ensure you and that boy would live on."

Midoriya's jaw set in a hard line.

"Shortly after, you learn that she had a child with another man. Then you're told that the man was slain by the same villain who killed her. Her child was already in foster care– they were already there– because she wanted them to be as far, far away from the danger of being associated with herself as humanly possible. She believed keeping her own child would do more harm to them than good.

Imagine a world like that.

The most difficult part of life isn't the end. It's that the people you care for– those you choose to hold onto– might not reach the finish line with you…" His voice crackled as he fondly recalled a distant memory of him racing Nana through the clouds.

Sorahiko shook his head slowly.

"Kid… it's not your fault."

"IT IS MY FAULT!" Midoriya whirled on him, thick tears dripping down his face.

His emotional outburst was followed by several tense seconds of silence.

"I'm upset because it IS all my fault! Everything that's happened has been because of me! And this– this stupid watch!" He gestured to the green device angrily.

"Kamui Woods, the train, Shirai, Jiro, Mr. Mute, Eon and… None of this was supposed to happen– my mom is dead because of me!"

"By that logic, the sixty people on that train– are alive because of you."

"That's not–"

" –Based on your response, I'm guessing it's not the same?"

"No. It's not." He reaffirmed upon seeing Sorahiko's challenging expression.

"How so?"

"Because how can I call myself a hero when I can't even save the person I cared about the most!?" Midoriya was standing by the end of his tangent.

The retired pro balanced himself on his cane as he gradually rose to his feet– curse his arthritis.

"You can't save everyone, kid, that's not realistic."

"Is that what you tell yourself?"

If Toshinori had been the one to say that to him, he probably would've given him the beating of the century.

"Life goes on! You're going to have to accept that!"

"I WOULD TRADE MY LIFE FOR MY MOTHER'S IF I COULD!"

"I KNOW!" Sorahiko refused to back down, yelling at the grief-stricken teen with mirrored ferocity.

"Do you seriously think that not one day goes by where I don't think about losing her? That I don't contemplate what I could've or should've done differently?"

The pair regarded each other.

"...For the first time… I don't have her." Midoriya mumbled after his anger had receded somewhat.

"Whenever I was lost… or felt alone… she would be there for me." He sniffled.

"I've never felt more directionless." He choked on his tears.

"I'm not a hero… All Might was right about me the entire time."

Sorahiko was at a loss for words. He thought he might've finally broken through, but perhaps that had only been the first stone wall of the castle. Now that he had traversed the moat and outer gates, the retired pro decided to charge headlong into the kingdom.

"You're giving up?"

"If it means less people I care for die… then yes."

"Kid, do you get why Nezu is being so difficult on you in particular– amongst other things?"

When Midoriya couldn't verbalize a response, he answered the question for him.

"It's because you're amazing." Sorahiko limped towards the downtrodden boy.

"Amazing things are expected out of amazing people. No one should ever have to be in the position you were in, kid. But it happened. It's over. You made a call that not everyone agrees with. But when has anyone ever agreed, one hundred percent, on the same exact thing? There's always someone waiting to refute you– to challenge you. It's up to your will alone to make sure that those few who do slip through the cracks? That they. Don't. Break you.

Prove you are stronger than them.

You've got a heart of gold. I can see that. I felt it only a moment ago. There ain't nothing like you. Despite that galaxy brain of his, Nezu wants to be able to communicate with you personally. He can't judge your character by looking at numbers on a screen. He's curious about what kind of hero, Izuku Midoriya is gonna turn out to be.

It's true, he might be disappointed by what he sees, but its also equally possible that you manage to impress him. No harm in going?" He subtly prompted.

"My existence puts a target on everyone close to me."

"Yeah? Get in line." The retired pro sighed, rolling his eyes.

"You're wanting to be a hero, kid. Villains are inevitably going to cross paths with you– that's how the gig works."

"I'm sorry, sir. I can't do this anymore. I don't want J– I don't want the people close to me to be hurt. Not for my sake. Certainly not for the Omnitrix."

"Hmph. Fine then. Quit. The person you loved the most died a tragic death that you had a hand in. It's tough. You can't accept your own shortcomings, so you've begun to reject your responsibilities entirely! You're shutting yourself off from everybody who EVER GAVE A DAMN ABOUT YOU!" Sorahiko shook his fist.

"Are you willing to trade ALL of that away!? To grow old and decrepit!? Oh, but thankfully the people you love are safe!? How many more people could be safe!? if you weren't being so damn selfish! You're in pain, I get that– but that's no excuse! No excuse to wallow in misery and self-pity! SO GET OFF YOUR ASS!"

Midoriya practically leapt to his feet.

"To wake up in your bed forty years from now, and realize you've done nothing with your life except kick the shit outta teenagers, alleyway lowlifes and cat burglars… Kid, you've got so much more potential. Be the hero your mother believed you were! She didn't die so you could hang them up! I can tell you that! When destiny calls your name, you pick up the damn phone!" He slammed his cane down.

"…And you sure as hell don't let it go to voicemail!" He added for further emphasis of his point, though it appeared his pep talk had worked its magic.

Izuku looked at his trembling hands, then to his reflection in the Omnitrix.

"Thank you, Gran Torino." He wiped his face. "I needed to hear that."

"Anytime, kid."

"You can stop calling me kid, ya know."

"Everyone's a kid to me."

Accepting that he wasn't going to win anytime soon, he differed to the Omnitrix.

"Stand back, I'm going to transform."

"I get to see it up close? Count me in!"

Ignoring that statement, he spoke to the watch:

"Omnitrix: remove containment suit: DNA sample: Meltdown."

"This DNA sample is locked behind a containment suit due to the potentially harmful amounts of radiation it emits, I cannot unl–"

" –I know how to monitor how much radiant I emit. Command function override: Code ten."

The device hummed annoyedly.

"Override accepted. Transformation sequence initiating…"

Izuku's clothes were incinerated as his body was engulfed in flames. His inner organic structure expanded to accommodate the unrestricted volume, free of the containment suit. The remainder of his fleshy, pale human skin cells evaporated, exposing ripe, molten muscle. Bones extended dramatically, leaving room for long, gangly legs and arms to sprout. Still slumped over, his intense viridian eyes shot wide open, bringing a great wave of fire with them. The fire funneled from his eyelashes, creating an incandescent tapering ribbon effect that blazed passively. The facial feature resembled Endeavor's quirk activated mask.

When the transformation was complete, Izuku felt… alive.

"Hey, the cane's not fire proof!" Gran Torino swatted at his cane.

"Sorry…" His thick accentuated voice rumbled, as he levitated from from the water tower once he noticed that his body heat was causing the metal to bubble and wilt beneath him.

"I'm free… of that weight… at last…" He flexed his spiny digits.

He shared a knowing look with the retired pro.

"You're a hero, too. Even if you don't think you're one." He decided.

He shot into the sky like a fiery comet, his speed surpassing the sound barrier.

Back on the water tower, Gran Torino sighed, a smirk visible behind his scarf.

"They always fly away…"

Back with Izuku, he was raring to test how far his untethered alien form could go. He somersaulted through the upper stratosphere, generating bright spiral patterns. Meltdown was capable of seemingly autonomous flight– elevating him to the status of his best flying transformation out of the ten. His trajectory meant he was streaking across the thermosphere– enveloping his red visage in the northern lights, treating onlookers below to quite the spectacle.

Reaching the Earth's outermost layer– the exosphere– he weaved and rolled over oncoming satellites and other man-made space debris that were ensnared in the blue planet's gravitational pull. Meltdown defied such laws of physics, however, as he exploded into the void– a clear goal post in mind.

This was Izuku's first time being on a celestial body not named Earth, and he was determined to get everything out of this otherworldly experience. That being said…

…He couldn't help but laugh at the joy he felt as he hopped across the moon's lunar surface and kicking up gray dust particles– just like the astronauts used to do in the era prior to quirks. That action alone entertained him for close to twenty minutes. Taking a quick breather, he played with two rocks, floating them in each other's direction to see the collision occur in zero gravity. Once he grew bored of this, he wandered about some more, searching and fiddling with anything that caught his fancy.

Eventually, by pure chance, he recognized a distinct footprint among the lunar soil. His initial reaction was to follow wherever they led, forgetting that he could levitate halfway through his giddy adventure. In the midst of his skipping, he tripped over a hooked rock formation. He came embarrassingly close to faceplanting– though comforted himself with the fact he wouldn't be the first to do so.

'But they were.' He thought as he saw the glint of a flag pole in the distance.

He pitched a stone he'd been toting in the opposite direction in favor or inspecting the flag. The cloth material was weathered to the point where none of its original color remained– now gray and white– faded from centuries of exposure to solar wind and debri. Despite this, the object held an air of pride to it– signifying a dream that was successfully achieved.

His gaze flickered to Earth, where he again became enamored by its beauty. That's his frontier to defend– Protect.

That was home.

"I'll save everyone. No matter what it takes… and I'll make you proud, Mom." He vowed, bowing his head.

Just then the stone he threw from earlier– came back– hurtling over the horizon– ripping a hole through the ancient American flag.

"OH MY GOD!" His eyes nearly popped out of his skull, as he rushed over to attempt blowing out the flames.

His plan didn't work, and he watched– slack jawed– as one of the greatest landmarks in human history was reduced to a pile of ash.

"No one saw it. Therefore, it didn't happen." He tried to convince himself.

He launched from the lunar surface, making a beeline for the landmass shaped like Japan.

'Nezu, you better be ready for me!'

Ochaco Uraraka stood at the imposing entrance of an armored door. She triple checked the address she had written down in her flip book thanks to Shiggy's careful instruction over the phone. Which is how she ended up at Kamino Ward. While she didn't like to assume things– his order of operations did seem a tad bit… sketchy? She hesitantly wrapped her knuckles against the dense alloy. Almost a full minute went by and she was starting to think she was either at the wrong address or–

" –Password?"

"Huh?" Someone had slid the peephole cover to the side, peering at her with golden, cat-like irises.

"What's the password?" The feminine voice repeated.

"Oh! Uh… I don't– !" The brunette stammered upon being put on the spot so suddenly.

The peephole cover slammed shut.

"So rude!" She gasped, banging her fists on the door.

"Shiggy wanted me to be here! Is that enough for you to let me in!?"

She sighed sadly.

It was incredibly muffled, but she could barely make out a gruff voice saying, 'Toga, stop fucking with her and let her in.'

'Ugh, fine! I swear you never want to have any fun!' The girl from before retorted back.

Uraraka stood away from the door, heart thundering at the implication of how many locks were being removed.

'What kind of place is this?' Were her initial thoughts.

With a loud groan, the door swung open, revealing a girl around her age. Her hair was styled into two messy buns. She wore a school uniform– so maybe she had skipped class? She gave her a sultry smile, a red tint instantly blooming across her face.

"What're you waiting for cutie pie!? Come on in!" The contact was unexpected, as the blonde snatched her wrist and yanked her inside.

"W-woah! Um, thanks?" She said as she regather her bearings, unsure of the 'hideout,' as Shiggy had referred to it as.

"Its a bar?"

"Oh, look we have a detective in our midst!" A condescending voice drawled.

She tried not to stare at the young man sitting on the fine leather couch, but the sheer quantity of purple scar tissue and the rows of staples in his skin sent a shiver up her spine.

"That's Dabi! He's super drunk."

Dabi scowled at the sight of her, though it was obvious he was smashed.

"I thought they were supposed to have the good stuff here?" He hiccupped.

"This whiskey tastes like SHIT!" He clacked his glass on the counter– before contradicting his previous statement by pouring out more.

"Maybe its shitty cuz its whiskey, Dabi." The girl beside her snorted.

"Shut the FACK UP!" He slurred, proceeding to light a cigarette with his blue fire quirk.

"And I'm Toga!" The blonde did a twirl and struck a ballerina pose.

"Uraraka." She mumbled meekly in response.

"Settle down you two. Can't you see your making her uncomfortable?" An older, stoic and mature voice permeated through the room.

The source was a man with wheat colored hair cascading down the side of his face, obscuring him from her full view. He was perched on a stool towards the opposite end of the bar, mixing his drink with a spoon.

"Ah, not you too!" Toga pouted, making a big show of crossing her arms to show her dissatisfaction.

"We follow Shigaraki's orders to the best of our ability. I have mine, and you have yours."

"Right you are." Shiggy emerged from the dark hallway.

"Shiggy!" Uraraka jumped at his arrival.

"Hey." He greeted her casually.

"What's our next move, boss?" The man couldn't be bothered to look over his shoulder.

"I'll inform you at a more convenient time." Shiggy leveled a not-so-subtle glare at the man, who shrugged amicably in return.

That's when he turned to fully face them. Her heart stopped dead in its tracks. Because this wasn't any normal man– that was the villain Shirai. Half his face was disfigured from burns caused by the number two hero. He was the head honcho behind the Endeavor Train Incident! Did he just call Shiggy boss!? If he's here then that means–

" –You good, Uraraka?"

"Yep! Actually, on second thought, I need to use the bathroom really bad!"

Shiggy raised an unimpressed brow at her for yelling that pretty much directly in his face, ignoring Toga's snickers in the background.

"Three doors down the hall, on the left."

Speed-walking, she shuffled past Shirai, and unbeknownst to everyone else in the room– his quirk was active.

Her adrenaline spiked significantly once she reached the end of the hallway. Frantically searching for any avenue of escape– maybe a window or something– she mortifyingly realized that she was trapped. Fearing someone may come searching for her if she was gone for too long, she locked herself on the inside of- of the… this was not a bathroom!

Shock was her initial reaction, upon seeing the warehouse interior. From where she was standing on the elevated platform, rows of transparent cylindrical vats were connected via extravagant tubing and pipelines. Paying closer attention, she could make out shapes inside the containers.

Were those living people inside there!?

"I told you to go left." Shiggy hissed from behind her.

Whipping around to face him, she backed away until she ran into the guardrail.

"I didn't think you were with the villains." She spoke honestly, trembling.

"I am one. But you aren't willing to accept that are you?" He sighed angrily.

"The moment you think that you're safe, you'll squeal." Faster than she could react his hand surged around her throat.

"I didn't want to have to kill you, Uraraka, but you haven't given me any substantial reason to believe you're fully indebted to our cause." He lifted her with his arm strength alone, choking her out.

"Put her down, Tomura." A mountainous figure warped behind him.

"Sensei?" He was struggling to not dust her right then and there.

"She may still prove to be useful to us."

Heeding the other's command, he dropped the brunette. Uraraka gasped, shuddering as she steadied her breathing. Massaging her bruised her throat, she peered upwards at the titanic masked villain with fearful eyes.

"Please… don't hurt me." She begged, scared for her life.

"Not unless it is necessary, little one." All For One extended his palm out to her, flicking a spray of colorless powder in her face.

"Sweet dreams." Were the last words the gravity quirk user understood before she blacked out.

"Are you sure about keeping her alive?"

"Keeping her alive will be vital to our plan. So do not fret, Tomura, I have everything, under control…" The industrial helm he wore shielded his sinister grin from view.

"For this year, we shall burn hero society to the ground and rebuild the world in our perfect image."