Chapter 4: Thunderbolt
Izuku bolted from his spot towards the ominous figure, this unknown being who had caused this little girl's suffering. The Nightmare posed to attack, but at the last second, Izuku placed himself between Eri and the Nightmare. Raising his Keyblade above his head he blocked the blow, his knees bucking against the weight of the attack.
Izuku felt the power of One For All burn in his veins, they glow bright red, the energy bleeds into his magic, the aura of Flowmotion overflows with it, becoming the color green, lightning arcs form from the sheer amount of energy, jumping all over his body in discharge.
The Nightmare is sent flying, crashing into a wall and caving it, the force from the impact sending cracks spider-webbing through it.
In that moment, Izuku felt the whole word slow down, the power filling him. He turned to Eri, smiling a brilliant smile, the smile of a hero, he proclaimed to the whole world, lifting his Keyblade towards the sky, "Have no fear, I am here!"
The words reached Eri's heart, the smile that saved her dispelled the shadow of fear which terrorized her for so long, filled her with hope. She is finally safe, because there is someone there who would put their entire being to protect her. Even if this battle was only a dream, Eri had no doubt Izuku would fight just as hard in the waking world.
Izuku motioned to Eri, never taking his eyes off the downed Nightmare, "Cotton, I'm trusting you to keep Eri safe, I'm gonna teach this overgrown scare-crow some manners." He could feel the air rumbling with every step he took, he tightened his grip on his keyblade in preparation of a counter attack.
The Nightmare, which Izuku started to call Overhaven, got up roaring at him, Izuku didn't even flinch, he wasn't willing to let fear cloud his heart. The power of One For All overcharged his body, giving the teen courage and strength to face the whole world with a smile. Giving into fear is easy, smiling in the face of adversity is harder.
The combatants are locked in a stare-down. Neither willing to make the first move, but neither willing to give an inch. Cotton herds Eri away towards a pillar, where she is out of harm's way, but is still able to see the upcoming battle.
Within a second, the combatants dash at each other, the Nightmare, using his reach to his advantage, tries to batter Izuku with a claw. The young hero sees the strike coming, bending his knees, he jumps above the strike, pulling his arm back he punches the creature with the handle of his Keyblade.
"DETROIT SMASH!"
The attack hits the creature's face with force of a truck, sending it once again smashing into the wall. The Overhaven roars in rage, sinking his claws in the wall, it ripple like the surface of water. The cement changed form, becoming sharp spikes, shooting towards Izuku.
The boy kicked the air, he dashed forward. In the last second, Izuku started to swing his Keyblade, destroying the spikes.
Spinning his weapon in his hand, Izuku made a trust attack, the speed of his short flight carrying him and adding to the momentum of the hit.
The Nightmare didn't have time to react, the hit making his body burst through the wall. The monster landed loudly against the ground, Izuku saw that they were now in an open chamber, pipes and lights hanging from the ceiling.
The Overhaven got up and opened his arms, slamming them in the ground, making a pillar shoot under the monster, giving it a higher ground.
Izuku was thinking that the monster was trying to retreat, but then the room started trembling, more pillars rose and the Nightmare moved from one to the other. Izuku did his best to follow the movements of his enemy, but in the second he lost contact, that's when the monster lunged at him.
Time seemed to slow to a crawl, the claws closing up on him, Izuku tried to force his body to dodge. When the end was almost upon the young hero, a flash of light hit his eyes, the sound of thunder reached his ears.
The Overhaven is tackled in the air by a purple and green figure, launched against a pillar. Izuku's eyes are fixed on the figure, a horse-like Dream Eater, he had a purple body and a green mane in the shape of lightning bolts.
Izuku lips couldn't but be pulled into a smile, the familiar Electricorn seemingly returning it, its name coming to his head, "It's good to see you again Tesla," He picked himself up having been thrown off balance, "so what about we show this sack of feathers that your lightning isn't just for show!"
Tesla gave a cry making the air crack with electricity. Izuku jumped on his back, and the power of One For All washed over the Dream Eater, the combined electric aura of the two making the lights overhead flicker.
Tesla stood in his rear legs giving a war cry before dashing against their enemy. The Overhaven got up and jumped back to the top of the pillar, but Tesla followed, his hooves cracking the pillars as he gave chase.
Izuku took the opportunity to fire some bolts of magic at the Nightmare, pointing his Keyblade at the monster, he shot his aura in bolts that made the Overhaven cry in pain with every hit.
"One fried chicken coming right up!" Izuku and Tesla stopped on one pillar, focusing they're magic together, Izuku raised Heroes Rising, "Thunderga!" A massive bolt of lightning fell, hitting the Nightmare, the attack being so powerful the pillar the monster stood on shattered, sending it falling towards the ground.
Izuku dismounted the Dream Eater, "That will teach birdy not to play with electricity" he laughed, but it was cut short when Overhaven got up from the pile of rubble, letting out a roar. With it, Scare Crow's started to pop up, flying at them.
The charge was interrupted by another roar, a stream of fire following it, taking down some enemies. Izuku looked at the source of the fire, a Ryu Dragon Dream Eater. It's body was green and white with bright red spikes in the tail, it's feet only having one claw, the wings and beak being yellow.
Another name made its way into Izuku's mind, "I was wondering when you would join the party, Shiryu!" Izuku motioned to attach, having little worries about the new additions he felt as if he knew these Dream Eaters for a long time, his heart swelling with joy at the sight of them. These creatures, whoever they are were the best of allies in this battle.
The surviving Nightmares were closing in at that point, attempting another charge, "Hey Tesla, why don't you deal with the bird problem on the ground while me and Shiryu finish things up here?" Izuku tilted his head to the boss who was once again on its feet, Tesla nodded, jumped down.
Shiryu landed on the pillar now that there's open space, Izuku felt a sense of deja vu, looking over his shoulder to his companion, he smirked, "Back to back?"
Shiryu tilted his head as if saying 'do you need to ask?', the two dropped into position, what followed was a scene of an action movie. The two strike the aggressors from the air in synchrony, a dance of slashes and strikes, punch and kicks switching with claws, orange flames and green lighting flying.
In no time at all, the only ones standing are the green duo. Izuku smiled at his friend, "Now let's go help Tesla before he gets all the fun!". The boy and Dream Eater jumped off the platform, free falling through the air, they saw the Electricorn in a standstill with the Overhaven, The two attacking and retreating without gaining any ground.
Izuku crossed the air, aiming directly at his enemy, he made an overhead swing, taking the Nightmare by surprise. Shiryu followed with a breath of flames, lighting the monster's feathers on fire.
Tesla uses the opening to charge an electric attack, sending a bolt from his horn, scoring a direct hit on the creature's chest.
Izuku charged, the Dream Eaters followed his lead, they started a barrage of attacks, working like a well oiled machine, hits are dealt in a fast pace, blows are blocked and countered, the three companions where in the middle of the dance of the daring, and that was a dance they knew by heart.
In a last combined strike, the Nightmare is sent skidding back, "Let's end this guys!" Izuku holds his Keyblade with two hands, the Dream Eaters standing by his sides, the three glowed, Tesla and Shiryu turning into an orb of lightning and fire respectively, the two converging on the tip of Heroes Rising, "Plazma Burst!".
The fused orb shoots an energy beam, hitting the Overhaven, carrying it off the ground, smashing it through the remaining pillars and ending in the wall, where it blows into a dome of light.
Izuku covered his eyes to prevent himself from getting blind, when the light of the attack died out, Tesla and Shiryu reappeared in a flash of light. Izuku moved his hand away, the Overhaven was gone, the Overhaven was defeated. Slinging his keyblade over his shoulder he looked over to his friends, who gave victorious cries in return.
Looking back to the hole on the wall he came from, Izuku saw Eri, she had a look of amazement in her eyes, the same look he had every time he saw a hero. Walking to her, Cotton approached the other Dream Eaters and they greeted each other.
Eri's eyes are glued on Izuku's shining figure, the green lighting arcs dancing at every step. He kneeled in front of her, petting her head softly, the energy he was emanating tickling her, "See Eri, you have nothing to fear," Izuku's smile was even brighter, "So let's go home."
Eri nodded, the overwhelming pressure that weighted her heart fading, she felt her eyelashes get heavy. Izuku held her in his arms, with a last wave to the Dream Eaters, she fell asleep.
Giving one last look to his friends, Izuku nodded, the goodbyes he received being the last thing he saw.
Izuku floated in the dark, opening his eyes he saw a mass of darkness covering something in front of him.
Summoning his Keyblade with a flick of his wrist, he pointed ahead, the aura flowing through it, shooting out, flying through the void like a thunderbolt crossing a stormy sky. It dispelled the darkness, revealing what was buried. A pillar with a glass image of Eri. It's surroundings were red, with Eri seated in the middle, looking at the distance, as if watching the setting sun, she wore the same clothes from the dream, with the addition of two dark green belts crossed in a X, that made Izuku couldn't help but be a little embarrassed, it's obvious where she got that fashion choice from.
It glows with a warm light that washes over Izuku, while his sight is filled with white, he hears a soft voice.
"Thank you, for saving me, and for giving me hope."
The Other Izuku is standing on the pillar with Izuku's image, looking at the blank disks, the top one started to glow, and an image of Eri appeared on it.
"Good to see that no matter what happens, I can still help those in need," he turned around, "Don't you all think so too?"
A group of eight figures stood behind him silently watching with soft smiles.
Izuku woke with Eri shaking him, slowly getting up, Izuku opened his eyes. He was still hugging Eri, and the green aura still covered him.
"Izuku, you're glowing," Eri said, clinging to the older boy.
"Yeah, I am."
The two looked at each other for a moment, before bursting in laughter. Izuku noticed that something was different about Eri. She showed happiness for the first time since Izuku brought her into his home, it was as if her heart was free from the shadow that held it for so long, Izuku promised silently that he would protect that happiness and never let the darkness take it ever again.
The sound of laughter brought Inko to check on the kids, she had a lot of surprises when opening the door, "IZUKU! Why are you glowing?!" Her outburst only made them laugh more. Seeing that there was no danger in it, Inko sighed in relief, "Okay, Eri come with me to freshen up, Izuku tone down the light show for now."
"Yes, mom" Izuku put Eri on the ground, waving to her to go, the little girl, still giggling, waved back, walking with Inko out of the room. Izuku looked at his hands and arms, still glowing with One For All, "One For All fused with Flowmotion, so now it's something different," Izuku hummed to himself, he tilted his head from one side to the other, he smiled at the feeling of energy coursing through his entire body. "What about... Full Cowling!?"
He stood there for a few seconds before a thought made its way into his head, "But how do I turn it off?"
Izuku stood there for a few minutes before closing his eyes, he focused on seeing with his heart. The energy felt as if it was connected to the past users, them all working to give him strength. Their hearts and his were connected and surprisingly enough this wasn't even their full power. Probably five percent of it in total, he wasn't strong enough for the full power, maybe someday though, just not today.
Focusing back on his task, Izuku tried to imagine a lock, closing and cutting off the connection, opening his eyes, he saw that the aura died off, "Huh, not bad for the first time...that I didn't break any bones."
Satisfied with his progress, Izuku got up, preparing himself for the day. After freshening up, he helped his mother in preparing breakfast, she still couldn't help but be surprised with how good he was in the kitchen.
Eri was drooling by the time the meal was ready, sitting down, the family started to eat, after some time Inko broke the silence, "So, Eri you slept well?"
"Yeah! Izuku was in my dream, and he protected me from the bird monsters!" Eri replied, between mouthfuls.
Inko smiling at the cute display, "That's good Eri, but don't talk with your mouth full."
The interaction warmed Izuku's heart, barely a day and they already looked like a family.
"So Izuku, why were you glowing?" Inko asked, both curious and concerned. Was his quirk acting up, she didn't know what to think about this strange late-blooming quirk.
"Well I had a dream and learned some new tricks," Izuku said, honestly not thinking about how out there the truth really was.
Inko thought almost nothing about the declaration, strange dreams were common with her son, "Okay, honey we're going to buy Eri some new clothes, I want you to get ready to go out, but you'll have to tell me about this strange dream."
After cleaning the table and washing the dishes, the small family left the house. After taking the train to the city's more populated area, they made their way to a clothing store.
Izuku was really glad for All Might's training, without it he wouldn't have been able to carry all the bags, his mother ended up going a little overboard with the shopping, but at least now Eri has all the necessary things.
Speaking of the little girl, she was looking at all the stores and people with eyes shining with curiosity, like a child that was discovering the world for the first time, like Izuku saw himself in the visions when he visited a new place.
Ending they're little expedition, they returned home in time for lunch. After a special katsudon, a reward for Izuku carrying everything the whole trip, Inko led Eri to the bathroom to take a shower and change to her new clothes.
Izuku decided to check his phone to kill the time, and saw some messages from his new friends.
Ochaco: Hey, how are you two doing!
Tenya: I have been well, I hope you are not stressed by the exam results, I am positive we have succeeded.
Izuku thought about the exam after reading the message, with everything that happened he ended up forgetting all about it, but his friends were probably worried about their score. Resolving himself, he started typing.
Izuku: How about we hang out today, get our heads off the exam and relax a little.
Ochaco: I'm in!
Tenya: I suppose we could, but we can not stay out too long, we still have classes tomorrow and we can not let our education be jeopardised .
Izuku: Cool! Let's meet up in Dagoba Municipal Beach.
Tenya: That was not the beach that became an illegal dumping ground?
Izuku: It was until I cleaned it.
Ochaco: You cleaned a WHOLE beach?!
Izuku: Yeah
Ochaco: HOW?!
Izuku: Determination and hard work.
Tenya: That is commendable, I will be glad to go and appreciate the results of your hard work.
Izuku: Kay! Meet you two there
Izuku put the phone down and thought about what to do on the beach, when a sudden idea struck him, getting up, going to the kitchen, he prepared a little surprise for his friends.
"Izuku!" Eri cried, running toward him with small end excited footsteps. Izuku turned to her, seeing her wearing a red dress with a green star in the middle, red shoes from the same brand as his, put wat make Izuku's heart warm was the two dark green belts crossed in a X, like he started to use since he started his training, and for some reason he couldn't really tell, he felt like there was something familiar about this situation, something that made him proud of himself.
"You look amazing Eri!" Izuku said, spinning her around.
"She sure does," Inko said, getting out of Izuku's bedroom, after the cute display in the morning she will leave the two share it (and hopefully get some adorable pictures of them).
Izuku turned towards his mother, "Hey mom, can I take Eri with me to the beach?" Izuku asked while caring Eri in his arms, the little girl giving him a bear hug, or at least trying to.
That isn't fair, Inko thought, I can't say no when they are being that cute, "Okay, but don't stay out too late," She then pointed to him, "and you better not get shot at again mister." Izuku gave an awkward laugh while scratching the back of his neck, he really shouldn't have said that, he didn't even think that it actually happened.
Taking his things, he sent a message to his friends saying he was already in the way, when he saw that someone else was online, taking a sudden decision, he sent a message.
Izuku: Hey Kacchan! Wanna hang out?
Kacchan: Why would I want to hang out with you, Deku?!
Izuku: Because we're friends
Kacchan: ...
Kacchan: When and where?
Izuku: Dagobah beach
Kacchan: The place you cleaned?
Izuku: Yup
Izuku: Wait how do you know that?
Kacchan: None of your damn business!
Kacchan: I'll meet you there
And with that, Katsuki went offline. Izuku just shrugged it off and headed out, giving Eri a piggyback ride when they got on the street.
"Where are we going Izuku?" Eri asked, getting comfortable on Izuku's back, he looked at her from over his shoulder, "We are going to hang out with my friends."
"We are?" Eri asked, a little worried, the thought of having to talk to new people wasn't exactly the best in her mind.
Izuku noticed it and reassured her, "Hey don't worry, Ochaco and Tenya are really nice, and Kacchan is a good guy deep down, he just gets loud a bit sometimes."
As if summoned by his name, the blonde bomber shouted after turning a corner and getting in the same street as them, he wore cargo pants, boots and a black muscle shirt, "Hey, Deku! What the hell are you thinking calling me to-who is the kid?".
"Hi, Kacchan!" Izuku greeted his friend, if the fact he came was any indication.
"Answer the goddamn question, Deku!" Katsuki shouted, but without the usual bite he had while talking to others.
"Okay okay, Kacchan this is Eri," Izuku lifted Eri to emphasize the little girl, he turned his head to face her, "Eri this is my friend Kacchan, don't let his angry face scare you, you get used to it after a while." Izuku laughed, when Eri giggled too.
Katsuki, while annoyed, didn't respond with his usual swears, "Why are you carrying a kid, Deku?" He almost sounded worried, even if he would never admit it.
"Well, it's kinda of a long story, I'll tell you on the way." Izuku started to walk with Katsuki, recounting the events of the day before, Eri sneaking glances at the blonde, all the while he pretended not to notice.
"You got shot!" Kacchan shouted.
"Yeah, why is everyone so fixed in that part?" Izuku's answer was a punch upside the head, by the blonde.
"Because you could have died you fu-freaking idiot."
That made Izuku pause, with an incredulous look, he turned to Katsuki, "You censored yourself?" Izuku asked as if someone had just told him that his father was All Might, the concept of Bakugo Katsuki not swearing felt blasphemous.
"There's a kid here, even I'm not that bad" Katsuki felt annoyed for both the incredulous stare and the obvious disbelief, he could control his language, he just normally didn't want to, that was no need to look like he just murder someone. It was sort of bogus but even he could read the room that if he upset Eri then Izuku would get upset too.
"Well who knew, miracles do happen" Izuku laughed, while Katsuki glared at him, Eri tried to stiff her giggles.
"So aunt Inko adopted her?"
"Well yeah, she adopted me so I think we are in the same boat." Izuku took a second to realize Katsuki had stopped walking, turning around he saw that he was standing still and staring at him.
"What'd you mean you're adopted?" Katsuki spoke with a calm that was terrifying, a chill crossed Izuku's spine, he's never seen the bomber so calm, even then he could feel the anger emanating from him.
Izuku decided to tell the truth, he wasn't ashamed of it, he actually felt proud for calling Inko 'mom,' as she clearly loves him. "Well, a couple months ago, when I started to train to get in UA, my mom told me I was adopted, that whole thing of my dad working overseas was just to not make it obvious when people asked questions, she actually never got married or anything."
"You are not mad at her? At everyone that lied to you?" Katsuki was dead serious, he knew that in Izuku's place, he would have blown up, literally.
Izuku gave him a look, which clearly said that he didn't even think about getting mad. Fucking nerd. "No, it's not like it changes anything." Izuku gave a shrug and a smile. " Besides I got to meet you didn't I?"
Katsuki nodded as if satisfied with his answer, while Eri just watched the interaction, not understanding all of it.
The two boys resume their walk, finally arriving at the beach after a couple minutes. There, two familiar figures were waiting,
"Izuku-kun! Here!" Ochaco called him waving her arm to catch his attention, she wore red knee length shorts, a pink t-shirt, and light pink sneakers. At her side Tenya too was waving, he was in blue jeans, a white button up shirt, and dark blue running shoes.
"Ochaco! Tenya! Good to see you again." Izuku ran at his friends, Katsuki right behind him, grumpling something under his breath.
Now with his friends, standing in the entrance of the beach, Izuku let Eri down and made some quick introductions pointing at each person, "Eri these are Uraraka Ochaco and Iida Tenya, guys these are Eri and Kacchan"
"Oi! don't go telling them that stupid nickname!"
"But Kacchan, you'll probably just give them some nicknames too, I know you're bad at remembering names, that's why you started calling me Deku" Izuku still remembered when the two are kids, Katsuki forgot his name all the time, he started to call Izuku 'Deku' after trying to read his name for the first time. The nickname stuck, and after realizing that it was easier than trying to remember names, Katsuki started to come with one for every person he met.
Katsuki huffed, "Whatever, the name is Bakugou Katsuki" Izuku just chuckled, amused. Tenya watched the interaction, deducting that both boys knew each other well, while Ochaco just giggled alongside Eri.
"It is a pleasure to meet you" Tenya bowed perfectly ninety degrees, while Ochaco just gave them a nod before saying, "I think we better go".
"Yeah let's go, I want to show Eri the beach." Izuku grabbed Eri and walked to the sand, the sea breeze ruffling their hair.
After reaching halfway to the water, Izuku put Eri in the sand, "So? Do you like it."
Eri was quiet for a moment, taking the view in, hearing the soft crash of waves, "It's like the land, the sea and the sky are meeting"
"There's just something special about beaches hum?"
"Yes, is like the if the land the sea and the sky are meeting"
"Huh, never thought you had a poetic side S̵͚͒̕ọ̸̱͐͋r̷̛̼͎͆ą̶̮͑͑"
"Izuku" Eri's voice brought Izuku back to reality, he saw the worried faces of his friends, "Sorry guys, I think I spaced out a little." He scratched the back of his neck.
"You sure you are okay Izuku-kun?"
"Yeah, good enough to do THIS!" Izuku said while mockingly punching Katsuki's arm, "You are it!" Turning around Izuku bolted out of the reach of the blonde, running along the sand while laughing.
Katsuki wouldn't let Deku simply get away with it, with a shout, he chased after the greennet.
Ochaco and Tenya watched surprised by that, but the sound of Eri's laughs made them smile too, "Your brother and his friend are quite lively."
The girl gave a jump after hearing Tenya talking to her, but looking at the kind boy, she gave a nod. And then what he said registered for her, her brother, was that what they are now? The idea of being family with the boy who saved her made her smile, another thing she could not do if it wasn't for Izuku.
The boy in question ran for his life, laughing all the while, the sea breeze in his face and the rush of the run made his heart feel warm. He missed this, even if not being sure exactly what it was, friends? The beach? The feeling of being happy and sharing it with others? He didn't know, but at that moment, it didn't matter, because he was happy.
After some hours, the sun was already setting, the five friends were sitting on the wall at the edge of the sand, watching the sunset.
"I almost forgot!" Izuku said with a jump, startling the others. Izuku then pulled light blue popsicles from...somewhere, "The day is not complete without Sea-Salt Ice Cream!"
He passed one to everyone, the others still questioning where he kept them. After everyone got their ice cream, they bite it, "SALTY!" They screamed, not expecting it, after a second, a sweet taste replaced it, the contrast making it even better.
"Hmmm, this is actually pretty enjoyable, where did you buy them Izuku-san?" Tenya asked, Izuku got him to start calling him by his first name after a lot of convincing (and a little help from Eri's puppy dog eyes).
Izuku took a bite from his ice cream, "I made them."
"Since when can you make ice cream, Deku?" Katsuki was having a lot of surprises that day, from finding out that his friend is adopted, to his crazy rescue of the girl currently in Izuku's lap enjoying her ice cream, and now figuring that clumsy Deku actually made some damn good ice cream, even if he wouldn't admit it.
"Huh? I don't know-"
"The day is not complete without Sea-Salt Ice Cream!"
"You don't think you're exaggerating a little Axel?"
"If you are going to complain then you don't get any."
"Hey! I wasn't complaining, Roxas, Xion, back me up here!"
"Sorry but you are own your own, haha"
Again Izuku saw a vision of people that made his heart ache, why did it hurt so much to see someone he's never met? Or did they meet? These questions only made his heart ache more.
"Izuku," That made Izuku focus in the present, Katsuki's hand was on his shoulder, he was making an expression that could even be called concerned. But the thing that really stood out was that he used his name, for the first time in years.
"Yeah."
"You're crying," Izuku realized that a single tear was running down his face, he normally cried a lot, but that single tear felt different, it was lonely, full of sadness and longing.
All his friends were looking at him, faces full of worry, that took some of the weight in his heart. In that moment he knew that they were true friends, that they would always be at his side, and with that clarity, he decided to open his heart to them.
"I'm okay, is just that… I've been having these weird thoughts lately."
This amazing chapter was brought to you by me and my awesome companions, keeperofhounds and Silverbits.
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