Chapter 9: The calm after the storm

Izuku and the heroes followed Nezu. Inside they were greeted by Aizawa, he didn't look happy.

Nezu stared the man in the eye. "Aizawa-kun I know you have questions, and I'm planning in answering them, but for now the safety of our students are the top priority" Nezu's voice had a tone of finality, but the heroes could see the hidden promise of pain to whomever was responsible for the attack to his school.

Nezu turned to Izuku. "Midoriya-kun, you can go back to your class now, you already did more than enough and for that you have my gratitude" Nezu said in a happier voice, a tone that did not match the look in his eyes.

Not noticing the look, Izuku smiled and made a continence, "It was nothing sir, just doing my job."

Nezu chuckled, the rat nodded to the student. Izuku took that at his cue to go leaving the pros alone, rushing off to avoid any unwanted explanations for questions he didn't really know he had answers too.

Once the student was gone, Nezu turned to the other teachers. "Go make sure that all the students are safe. After that we will have a staff meeting, today's occurrence cannot repeat itself, and those responsible for this will pay." Nezu tone made a complete turnaround, getting both commanding and cold. This tone matched the look in his eyes.

The heroes nodded, knowing that it was best to let the Principal calm down a little before asking any questions.

Aizawa just had one last thing to add, "You put a student in danger." It wasn't a question, it was a statement. The homeroom teacher just couldn't wrap his head around, why. Why would Nezu put a student at risk like that? Why did he allow a student barely starting their hero career into danger like this?

Nezu didn't look at him, but his voice told the hero all he needed to know, "I did, and while I do regret the situation which led me to this choice, I do not regret trusting that young man." Nezu's voice was deadly calm, almost hiding his anger, his sorrow, and his pride.

Aizawa couldn't even start to guess what passed for Nezu's mind, not completely, but one thing he was sure of, Nezu was proud of Midoriya. Even the teacher could admit that the student did what they couldn't do which was destroy those creatures. His quirk, Erasure had no effect and even force did little to stop the beasts.

He may not know how hot Nezu's anger burned on that moment, he knew it was at least as scalding as his own. Who wouldn't be with how useless they were in containing the situation?

Turning around, Aizawa started to walk. He had a lot to do, his resident problem child took care of the heavy lifting, but he would make sure he wouldn't have to do it again. Marching through the hallways of UA, he silently promised to show whoever did this, that no one messed with his students.

—

Toshinori blitzed through corridors, he had just got a text from both Izuku and Nezu stating that the threat was dealt with and no one was hurt, along with their thoughts on the assault.

That filled him with both relief, and anger, someone not only attacked a school full of children, but they did it right under his nose. Not only that but they had done it so brazenly.

Toshinori clenched his hand into a fist. It was starting, villains were starting to get bolder in their mischief. Was it possible that they noticed his weakened state? Toshinori shook his head. There wasn't anyway they could have, he had been very careful keeping his current condition a secret. Maybe they just thought he was getting old?

He may have been getting old, but whoever did this had another thing coming if they thought All Might was too old to punch back. The hero would make sure that the one behind this little episode knew that he was still the Symbol of Peace, he does not take kindly to threats to his students or otherwise.

—

Izuku was running back to his classroom trying to organize his thoughts. Trying to find the words he needed to tell his friends, if they would even believe him, he barely believed it himself, but he saw, he fought, and he felt. Fighting those heartless made him feel emotions, emotions he's never felt before, but had. Fighting for others, for his friends, for the innocent, and for what was right made him feel more alive than he had ever felt.

He felt complete, like that was what he was supposed to do, who he was supposed to be, and in the moment he knew every person in his school was safe he could feel his heart bursting with joy. Everyone had the chance to be safe and happy.

"I'm not surprised" Nana giggled, Izuku slowed down, 'what do you mean?'.

"Well kid, putting aside everything, this whole crazy situation we're in, there is one thing that is certain, you are a hero." That made Izuku stop in his tracks, those simple words almost made him break down in tears, at the same time though they gave him a strange sense of calm. "Not that I had any doubt, Toshi knows how to pick them."

He'd always dreamed of being a hero, even in his visions that was always something the other him pursued. He placed a hand over his chest and listened, his heart gave him the answer.

In the end, it didn't matter. He wasn't sure what was real and what was merely a dream, what was fact and what was fiction, but while he remained true to his heart, then every step forward, was a step closer to where he needed to be.

With a newfound peace, Izuku made his way to the giant door of 1-A. He didn't know what destiny had in store for him, but he would face it with a smile.

Taking a last deep breath, Izuku opened the door and entered the room. He was expecting some things to happen, his friends being worried about him, everyone asking questions, maybe even a scolding. What he did not expect was a punch to the face, courtesy of his dear friend Katsuki.

"What are you thinking, Deku?!" Izuku looked at his friend while nursing his nose, Katsuki was furious, "You think just because you're Class President now you can just order me around?!"

Izuku rubbed his cheek, that punch really hurt. He didn't let Katsuki's anger get to him though, he could see that behind all the anger his friend was only concerned, he understood. Izuku would be feeling the same if the situation was reversed, "Ouch, okay I deserved that. But you're the only one I could trust to keep everyone safe Kacchan." It was the truth after all, if anything serious did happen, then Kacchan would be the one to protect the others.

The class watched, not sure if they should interfere or not.

Luckily, the choice was taken out of his hands when the door opened. The person who did it was a tall man in a bodysuit, he had white hair and red eyes, "Well kids I'll be brief, you are dismissed for today."

They all traded uncertain glances, but Izuku's mind was focused on something else, "You're the Blood Hero: Vlad King! Can I get your autograph?!" He said, dashing to the pro-hero, holding out his notebook and pen for the other to take it.

That effectively broke the previous tension.

Vlad King snorted, taking the offered pen and notebook that Izuku got from… somewhere, "Sure, kid."

As Izuku got yet another autograph, the students grabbed their stuff, starting to vacate the classroom, except for Izuku's usual group and their new additions, who waited long enough, Momo crossed her hands over her chest trying to stare down Izuku. "Izuku-san, I believe now is a good time to start explaining."

Momo, alongside the others, approached Izuku. This was going to be tough, because well Izuku wasn't even sure about what was going on either. It's like his dreams are coming to life. That's not something just anyone will believe.

—

In the Principal's office, Nezu was furiously typing on his computer. He had already checked all the security feeds and the reports from the staff, while now he was completely certain that his school was devoid of Heartless, the fact they were a threat to begin with irked him to no end.

He knew it was a possibility when he saw Izuku display his skills with his Keyblade the first time. However, the scale of the attack on a seemingly normal day and the confirmation of his thoughts by the young wielder filled Nezu with both rage and concern.

The rat was no stranger to darkness. He had already seen what someone wielding the power of darkness could do. Nezu traced his scar, he could feel it burning, he could never tell if it was phantom pains or something else. The scar over his eye was a constant reminder of the danger, and the words of his old friend and mentor.

"There is nothing wrong in fearing the darkness, the fear will only make you cautious…"

"However do not let the fear stop you from doing what is necessary, that is the essence of courage."

"I think now is my time to be courageous." Nezu softly said to himself, his students are his responsibility, and he will fight with fangs and claws for them.

Quickly, an emergency meeting was called, and the staff was reunited, Nezu stared from across the table making sure to maintain eye contact. "Before we begin, everyone has absolute confidence that the threat to our school is over? If you have anything to report, even a strange feeling, please say it." Nezu asked, one final time. When it comes to the forces of darkness it's always important to be vigilant.

Even with Izuku reassuring him that he had dispatched all the Heartless, the safety of the children under his care was not something he would leave up to chance. When he saw that no one had anything to add, Nezu began to explain what he could.

"Let's start from the beginning, I am sure that your biggest question now lies in exactly what was the threat. Those beings are called Heartless." Toshinori's eyes widened, fixed onto Nezu, every word the Principal said only confirming what he already knew or didn't want to suspect as true.

Toshinori didn't know what to think but it seemed that it was all true. The notes and sketches Izuku had in his journal were exactly like the monsters that assaulted UA today, and thinking about it only filled Toshinori with even more doubts. If the Heartless are in fact real, then what else was? What parts of the entries of Izuku's visions are true? Are there even parts that are not? What was happening to his young student?

Toshinori still wasn't sure, but the boy had been nothing but honest with him, and now that there's proof of his claims, he could only start to worry about his successor, even if things have gone well today, he didn't want the situation to repeat itself. He failed today not only for dismissing Izuku's thoughts but for not being there, now Toshinori would be leaning on the side of caution.

Aizawa on the other hand was not so impressed. "Why did you think that leaving a student, a first year on top of that, to deal with these Heartless was a good idea?" If these creatures were as dangerous as the principle claimed them to be, then why take the chance?

Nezu didn't miss a beat. "Because he was the only one capable of dealing with them." He turned to Midnight. "Kayama-san, when you fought the Heartless, did you take any of them out?"

Midnight looked down at the table, thinking back she hadn't been all that successful. "Yes, while I could not deal with all of them, I was able to beat the tiny black ones."

"Shadows, if memory serves me right." Nezu briefly interrupted.

Nemuri nodded and continued, "When I beat them, they puffed into smoke, but after a moment they reformed. But when Midoriya-kun showed up, he mopped the floor with them, and they didn't come back." She couldn't help but wonder what sort of quirk would be so effective in dealing with those creatures.

"That's right the little listener got a smacking great quirk if it was able to deal with those little punks!" Present Mic said. "Talk about lucky."

"That is because young Midoriya's Keyblade is the only thing that can truly vanquish the Heartless, so even if it pains me, the only way to save the school was let him deal with them." Nezu explained his reasons, getting reluctant nods from the staff. All of them understood it was necessary, but that didn't mean they liked it.

"How are you so sure about that?" Shota asked curtly, he saw that it was the rational choice, but was it the only one? And how was Nezu so sure about it.

"Because young Midoriya is not the first Keyblade wielder that I've met." Nezu said while softly tracing his scar, already noticing how his coworkers reacted. The most noteworthy were how Aizawa actually lost his composure and Toshinori started to cough blood.

Nezu waited a second for them to recompose themselves, seeing that he now had their total attention, and started to explain, "It was many years ago, when I was rescued from that dreadful place. I'm sure many of you know about it, but what you don't know is that the man that saved me used the same weapon Midoriya-kun has been using."

"The boy barely a man single handedly defeated all that stood in his path, both human and not, but he was the one that inspired me to be who I am today." The whole room could feel how heavy Nezu's voice was. The hurricane of feelings he was experiencing remembering the man that gave him a second chance in life, and above all else, a purpose. "I was young and rightfully angry, but he was patient with me as he tried to soothe my scars."

Nezu took a shaky breath, "I was unfortunately not privy to all the details, I don't even know where he went after helping me, however what I do know for certain is that the only way to truly defeat a Heartless is with a Keyblade." He explained, and while the others had questions, they saw how much the Principal was struggling with his emotions, and decided that now was not the best time.

They would be back at this topic later, but now there were other things that took priority, "The nature of this power is as much of a mystery to me as it is to you, so while I cannot provide you the answers about it, I am planning on paying the Midoriya household a visit this weekend." Nezu said, now more calm, before turning to Toshinori, "I would appreciate it if you accompany me, Yagi-kun."

Toshinori nodded, noticing how the Principal used this as a way to make sure no one else would volunteer to go with him. He saw that Aizawa was about to do just that, and while Toshinori could understand that he would like answers about the seemingly unending mysteries that surrounded his successor, he could not risk the chance of the underground hero learning about One For All.

"Luckily, this visit will enlighten us on the specifics about the Heartless, and maybe find a way to prevent them from breaching school grounds once more." Nezu then turned to Midnight and Present Mic, "Today we were fortunate that Midoriya-kun not only dispatched the Heartless, but also guaranteed that no damage was dealt to both the people… and the school."

Nezu's words made the heroes realize the extent of Izuku's help, if the wide eyes were any indication, "Dammit! The kid saved both our skins and prevented the big bad from blowing up the building at the same time!" Hizashi shouted while Nemuri gave an exasperated sigh, "That kid, he'll make us look bad if he keeps being this good!" She ended with a small laugh.

"Now let's see what we can do for now." The meeting ended extending long in the afternoon, but by the end of it a set of countermeasures was planned. With it was the hope they would not be needed, but they would be ready in case they are.

—

In another place, a little after classes were suspended, eleven teens were making their way to the train station. Izuku was just finishing explaining to his friends about the Heartless and the events after they separated in the cafeteria.

"After that I finished the Guard Armor with my Keyblade Shotlock, Lightning Plasma, and that's about it." Izuku said while walking with his hands behind his head. Momo, who was reading his journal, looking at the entries of both the Guard Armor and his Shotlock, asked, "Izuku-san, you have to excuse me, but all of this seems a little…"

"Crazy?" Denki voiced.

"Insane?" Kyoka said nonchalant.

"Awesome?!" Mina gave her own opinion.

"All of the above" Nana's words were only heard by Izuku.

"Fantastical, what you have written here looks like a fairy tale-"

"Hey Naminé, do you want to know something cool about fairy tales?"

"Hehe, sure why not?"

"They all have a little truth in them, you know what that means? That the good guys win in the end, and the hero saves everyone. So don't worry, because I'm gonna save you too."

"Hey Green, are you still with us?" Kyoka said while snapping her fingers in front of Izuku's face, bringing him back to focus, "Yeah, I'm okay now, just got to note this really quick." Izuku took back his notebook and started to write.

"Anything important?" Ochaco asked, seeing her friend looking so focused on writing, "It's important to me, because now I got another reminder." He said softly.

"Reminder of what?" Katsuki said, he hasn't talked much on the way, still being angry at Izuku for leaving him behind, but his reasoning for it calmed him somewhat.

"For my reason to be a hero," Izuku looked at his friends and smiled, "To save everyone, with a smile on my face. No matter what, I'll protect our happy ending." His friends smiled back at him, his words fitting him to a T.

Katsuki was focusing on something else, 'What happy ending?' While the others thought that it was only a reference to the fairy tale comment, Katsuki saw the steel in Izuku's eyes.

They all continued their way, and while Momo actually didn't take the train, but instead a limousine back to her home, which left her friends more than a little shocked, she accompanied them to the station.

With some last goodbyes, the group parted ways. Izuku was sitting in front of Katsuki on their way back and he saw that his friend still had something bothering him, "I'm not sorry I left you with the others, Kacchan." Katsuki's eyes snapped to Izuku's, "The Heartless are dangerous, more than you can imagine, so I made sure that my friends were safe, by leaving one of the strongest people I know with them."

Katsuki started at Izuku for a long moment, before saying with a raised eyebrow, "One of? Who do you think is stronger than me?" Izuku deadpanned at him, "You know that we have classes with All Might right?"

Katsuki snorted, "He's stronger now, but just you wait, I'll be number one in no time!" He said with a smirk. Izuku shook his head exasperated before grinning, "Yeah, I'll make sure to keep you on your toes, if you want to be number one, you'll have to pass me first!"

The two traded a look and a fistpump, "Wouldn't want it any other way, nerd." The rest of the travel was spent in a comfortable silence, both feeling that there was nothing more to say, and they were fine with it.

Soon came their stop, and the two parted ways with a quick goodbye. Izuku walked slowly to his home, thinking about the battles he had that day.

"C'mon kid, it's not the first time you beat those things. The ones you take down here looked tougher than that." Nana tried to cheer Izuku up. The boy sighed and looked at the sky, 'I know, but seeing them here, it just made me realize that it's real. While there are things which are hard to believe, when you see them yourself then you can only accept that they are true.' He kept walking while putting his hands behind his head.

'It's true, the Heartless, the Keyblades, the visions… the memories. I didn't want to believe it, but they are.' Nana just kept listening, knowing Izuku had to take this weight out of his chest.

Izuku knew that she was there, and was grateful for it. He had someone that could listen, that could understand, that's something that not everyone had.

'I kept running from it for so long, because I was afraid, afraid that if it all was true, then this pain in my heart would be too.' Izuku gazed at the clouds above, seeing them drifting lazily on the sky, 'I have to accept it, because hurting is part of caring.'

"Hurting is part of caring."

"Your right, the pain of being away is only a reminder that you have someone to go back to."

"We all do, we'll all come back."

"It's a promise."

"It's a promise," Izuku softly whispered, "One that I'll keep." He said, both for himself, and the one who he told he would come back to.

The rest of the way was silent, but Izuku felt his heart lighter. He accepted it, all of it, he would stop running from his fears, and start to run towards them. For what better way to face your fears, than with a smile?

Later, after Izuku got home and changed to his usual casual clothes. He was keeping another promise of his.

Eri was sitting on the couch, her hands cupped with the palms facing up, and floating calmly over them was a mote of light.

She focused on the mote, closing her eyes tightly, it transformed into a small flame, then a tiny sphere of lightning, a shard of ice, and finally into an orb of water.

Izuku clapped. "You did it" Izuku said softly, "You're really good with magic Eri."

Izuku's words made Eri beam with happiness, she loved how Izuku complimented her in her magic classes. She didn't know if she was really that good, but after all the time she was afraid of her curs-, her quirk, doing something so beautiful let her feel her heart warm.

"Okay, now that we're done with transforming the magic into the basic elements, let's focus on a little target practice." Izuku placed his hands on Eri's shoulder steering her, he pointed to an empty box of cereal on the table, "Just focus on where you want the magic to go, and let it do the rest."

Eri nodded, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath, she imagined the ball of water in her hands hitting the cardboard box, "Water!" The spell traveled through the air, hitting the box on the top right corner, making it get knocked out the table and hit the ground with a wet sound.

"The aim is a little off, but still it was pretty good for your first spell." Izuku said cheerfully while petting Eri's head, the girl having a smile on her face.

"Izuku, can you give me a hand?" Inko asked, ending their little moment. Izuku turned to her and nodded, "Sure mom, what do you need?"

"Can you hold the couch up for me again?" Inko said pointing at the couch with the broom in her hands. She had been cleaning the house while Izuku was giving Eri her class.

She was amazed with the things they were doing together, and seeing Eri starting to do the same things as her son did make her wonder if all the talk about 'magic' was in fact true. Inko still didn't know for sure, but as long as her children were happy, then there's nothing wrong with it.

"Sure mom." Izuku said while using a little bit of One For All, barely 1%, just enough to produce some sparks. With one hand, Izuku grabbed the couch and raised it above their heads, while still being careful not to hit the ceiling.

Inko chuckled softly, "That sure is a useful way to use your quirk, it would have helped a lot in cleaning the house." Izuku laughed slightly, "The only time that it's more useful is when you have me carrying all the groceries." The comment made all of them laugh.

"One For All, the ancient quirk, reduced to a housekeeping quirk." Nana's jab only made Izuku laugh more, 'Like you haven't used it this way too!' The only answer Izuku got was Nana's whistling.

Izuku put the couch back on the ground when his mother was done. Looking at her happily humming a song while sweeping the floor.

"She is so carefree, but after all there's no need to worry, it's not like her son was attacked by monsters today!" Nana's voice was now angry. Izuku sighed, 'She doesn't need to worry about me.'

"Izuku she's your mother! It's her job to worry about you!" Nana screamed in Izuku's mind, but he only kept watching as Inko, and now Eri, finished cleaning.

'I'm not afraid of the dark.' That made Nana pause, 'And neither should you, all of you.' Izuku continued as calmly as he started.

'They want to take my friends…' Izuku thought of all the wonderful friends he made in his short time on UA.

'They want to take my family…' He looked at Eri and Inko.

'They want to take my world…' Izuku looked at the window, seeing the sun setting behind the buildings in the distance.

He walked to the window and put a hand on the sill. Izuku smiled, 'But they won't, because this is my home. Doesn't matter how many times they come, I will be here.' Nana looked at the glasswork. It was shining like the sun, driving back the endless darkness that surrounded the lonely pillar.

No, not lonely, the bonds Izuku had were always there. Nana smiled gently and looked to the side, "You are a real piece of work, kid." The Other's response was a cheeky grin while putting his hands behind his head.

Nana gave an amused sigh, "But I wouldn't have it any other way." That made the Other's grin turn into a kind smile, "You're not the only one who thinks that." He said while looking at the distance, a longing gaze on his eyes, but the smile on his face hadn't diminished in the slightest.

And with that the day had come to an end, but a new one would come, bringing with it a new story. Destiny waits for no one, but Izuku would be ready when it came, and he would not be alone.

This chapter was brought to you by a poor college student with too much work and too little time (a.k.a. me) and edited by the great keeperofhounds.

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