The rain fell thick across New York, its once vibrant rose-tinted skies now cloudly and full despair. The life that walked the streets was still there, however for a handful of people it was anything but life.

Instead the small handful of individuals that crowded the small section of the Calvary Cemetery; the final resting place of so many Queens residents. One such young man having yet to be put six feet under for his eternal slumber.

There was nothing left for the man with greying hair, and his wife holding back tears to do, but bury their nephew. The last piece of the Parker family besides them was gone. And there was no returning it. All May Parker could do was cry into her husband's arm as they stood over Peter's lifeless body, resting silently from inside his coffin.

And all any other of the dozen attendants could do was watch. People who came to know this victim; Teachers, employers of the shelters he and his Aunt had regularly visited, students who...felt responsible for his passing. And one such girl who had a hand in what happened.

Kamala didn't know much about Peter. The two never socialized, and barely even looked in each other's general direction unless someone of mutual interest was involved. It was one thing she didn't pay attention to, the people around her. She was still on the high of being a Superhero Sidekick, after all. There was no time for friends or school, not when she had the gust of New York freedom on her shoulders. Something that seemed so trivial now...

Standing in the rain with what seemed like the whole community of Queens around her, protected from the pouring rain by the umbrella in hand, all she could feel in that freedom's place was a weight heavier than she could bear, of guilt and regret. However she knew this weight wasn't the heaviest on her. She wasn't there with them, but the Pakistani young woman knew someone else was watching.

In the shadows of the chapel that overlooking the site, watching from afar wrapped around a piece of its foundation. She had been there since before the Eulogy. But she couldn't get closer. She couldn't look her friend's Aunt and Uncle in the eye, and she couldn't stand to see him in such a state.

Her hood down and flowing in the wind to let her blonde hair flowing and mask in hand so her tears could run freely down her cheeks, concealed by the shower of the rain. She could only muster heart broken sobs that she attempted to keep down, as she spoke softly. Not to herself, but to the man she lost. To nobody at all.

"I'm...I'm so sorry, Peter...I'm so sorry..."


"I'm sorry," Gwen heard the familiar voice so quick to snap her out of her daydream, jolting up an inch or so before her eyes darted around to recognize her surroundings.

She was atop the concrete steps of the Support Course building, an impromptu stop for her fellow exchange student. Peter had been speaking to one of the their hero course associates; All the other students had gone their separate ways on the campus, and the only other person there with them was Kamala. Not particularly to Gwen's dismay. Moreso a silent indifference.

"I've...sort of made a routine out of it, to see her..." Peter continued, in a subtle attempt to put his fellow exchange student's worries to rest. "Besides, she fixed my suit, and more importantly, she's my Hostess while I'm here."

"I know. I get it. But still-"

"Didn't you say you 'forgot' your costume?" He was quick to question, immediately shutting the young woman up for just a second.

"I didn't expect to be transported to Japan...In another dimension!" The Polymorph quickly retorted, her second phrase raising decibels that would be lucky to go unheard.

"Should I get a loud speaker so you can say that for the whole campus to hear?" The two heard Gwen remark, in the same deadpanned tone as always while she leaned back to lay down. "Matter-of-fact, hijack the intercom system."

To that, Kamala quickly grew flustered, covering her mouth instinctively as if it would keep the echoes of her words from rippling anymore. Then after a moment after pulling her hands from her lips, she looked back up at Peter, sighing to herself. "I'm being serious...how many times can you say you've left your Earth?"

The hazel haired young man grew silent at that, looking away for a moment while he quickly recalled. "Twice, technically."

"Twice?!" The Pakistani young woman grew wide eyed. Not many individuals their age even had the ability to leave for space.

"That is actually a surprise." The blonde spoke up once more, raising a brow while she stared up into the early afternoon sky.

"It's true." the Parker declared while turning some to look at Gwen's lying body. "Or...technically they count as one trip. First an alien planet and now...here..."

"Oh great. You've gone to another planet, Gwen's basically the Terminator with her constant 'Dead inside' look but even she's cracking out of that cocoon...And I don't have my costume..." Kamala couldn't help but whine out that last part, reeling her head back. Although that was quickly alleviated by what was the familiar voice of the mad woman the arachnid themed hero came to see.

"No suit you say?!" Mei exclaimed with a sense of glee, just inches from Kamala's ear, causing her to jump while she spun to stare at the source of her sudden panic attack. Not that the pink haired engineer seemed to care much. "That's not a problem at all! Just give me a few minutes, I'm sure I can find something in my inventory!"

"Holy crap, how long were you standing there?!" Was all Kamala could think to say in her flustered, heightened state. "H-How much did you hear?..."

To that Mei simply raised a brow, tilting her head to the side some while her eyes stayed glued to the 1-B foreign student. "I heard enough!"

All of a sudden the three American's froze, almost ice cold. Gwen swiftly sat up with her glare focused on the 1-H student, narrowed and chilling. Enough so to make the hairs on Peter's arms rise. There was a silent sense malicious intent, but not for him. And he could feel the urge to stop it regardless, not just consciously but subconsciously as well. Kamala could only laugh under her breath, anxiously and ready to run.

"You don't even have to ask!" The madwoman continued with her usual mass grin, leaning in closer to the young Muslim while she leaned backwards with red lining her cheeks. "It's what friends are for! And a friend of Peter Parker is a friend of mine!"

Just like that the danger Peter's sixth sense warned him of subsided, while the blonde let out a soft sigh and rested back down onto her back.

"N-No, it's fine, you don't have to-" Kamala attempted to decline with a nervous grin and gentle waving off of the hand.

"Just let her do it..." The two standing exchange students perked up some, both turning their sights to the short ahoge haired tsundere. Beside her was their fellow Hero course Native and 1-A student, Mina, giving a gentle wave to the three. "The sooner you get this over with, the faster she gets over it and moves onto something else."

"Oh! H-Hey, Peni!..." the tsundere's alleged cousin gently waved. Then his eyes shifted to the pink skinned woman taking a step past her to him. "I was wondering where you were. I was thinking we could go over a few hero names now?-"

"Of course!" Mina cut him off, grinning softly while she got closer, holding her hands behind her back as she looked up at the young man. "Or maybe we could save that for tonight? Maybe over some Wheat cakes? There's an awesome sweets café where I live, I could definitely show you around!"

To that the hazel haired hero-in-training was taken aback some, raising a brow and quick to come to a conclusion from the proposal. It made his cheeks burn a light red. "W-Wait, like a date?"

"Mm...I guess you could say that." The spunky Acid-Quirk user shrugged while putting a hand on her chin. "I mean, does it matter what we call it, we'll still be hanging out together, right?"

The young man then grew silent at that, feeling his cheeks heat up just a bit more as he did his best to avert his eyes from hers. One would assume this would be a positive to this headache of a situation he had created for himself.

"Well?" Mina leaned in closer with a raised brow, before lightly beginning to hop in place, as if she was a bunny slowly being overloaded with a sugar high. Though one of, if not her favorite comic book hero personified going on a date with her would accumulate the same effect as such.

"I mean, it's been...a while since I've gone on a date." Peter attempted to explain while lightly scratching the back of his head. "Besides, I don't exactly have the clothes for one..."

"Hey," she gave a soft playful frown, leaning back and placing her hands on her hips. "You're not trying to weasel your way out of spending time with me, are you?"

"W-What? No, of course not! It's just that...Well..." The Exchange student lightly bowed his head, and lightly shut his eyes. "The last girlfriend I had, I sorta blew off cuz of Hero Work...I know I don't have a License, but if something comes up-"

"Then I'll be cheering you on the whole time! Duh!" she quickly retorted, nonchalant as if nothing was even wrong with the situation. "I mean, technically you aren't supposed to do anything without a Hero's say, but...I know that wouldn't stop Spider-Man!"

"Oh brother," Gwen chimed in while waving a flailing hand in the air to get the two 1-A student's attention. "Just fuck already and get it over with. Then one of you can get your head out of your asses and the other can move on."

To that both of them began to glow in their cheeks, Peter's turning red and Mina's green. And they only grew deeper once the 1-H student slipped between them, pressing herself against the young man while giving the Exchange student of 1-B.

"Oh! I can't wait! I was cooking up a few new babies during my Mid-Term Exam, you have to try them!" Mei grinned eagerly while wrapping her arms around his tight. "A field test with actual enemies would be perfect!"

"Uh...I was actually hoping it would be..." The pink skinned girl started, pointing aimlessly at the two brains, or rather, the one brain and brawn, before pointing up to herself. "Just...Us."

"Well of course! Two brilliant minds need a test subject, right? And Peter is durable, but I don't wanna risk damaging that amazing mind of his!" The madwoman continued to grin obliviously, until Peter spoke up.

"I think she meant, just the two of us...Me and her." He spoke softly, tilting his head some while smiling down at his hostess, who's massive grin quickly faded, her eyes lowering from his face to his chest.

"Oh..."

"B-But don't worry. I promise when I get back we'll start working the kinks out of the ones you already have." The Arachnid themed hero put a gentle hand on her head, causing her eyes to dart back up to his. "How does that sound?"

"That...That sounds PERFECT!" Mei nearly jumped, grabbing onto his shoulders in the process while she grinned her massive grin once more. She didn't even notice that he wrapped his arms around her waist before she landed on the ground, or that she wrapped her legs around him as well. "I mean, it's not perfect, but it'll be perfect!"

"Eh...Right..." Peter let out a nervous chuckle. However the pink haired inventor didn't share an ounce of that trait in his arms. "I'll even take one of the gadgets with me, too. I'll see how it works in a real fight."

"OH!" She quickly spoke, grabbing the back of the young man's head and pushing their heads to together while she looked her telescopic eyes into his surprised ones. "I completely forgot! You have to see what me and Mrs. Stark got for you!" And with that she pulled from him, jumping out of his arms and onto her feet before reaching to grab his hand tight. "You gotta check it out right now!"

Uh-Alrigh-" Peter attempted to speak, but was caught off guard as Mei tugged him forward, making her way up the steps of the Support Course building and into the double doors.

Meanwhile his fellow 1-A let out a huff of annoyance. But at least she seemed to get a date out of the entire interaction. Even if it had ended up with her oblivious romantic rival in his arms instead. All she could do was step up the stairs behind the two, reaching a hand out to keep the door from closing in her face while the two made their way into the building in front of her. "Hey, guys wait up!"

All the while Gwen did her best to hold in her soft laughter hearing them, eyes closed and hand over her mouth to stop herself. And once she felt herself compose, she pulled her hand away from her soft grin and placed it back behind her head while she laid peacefully on the floor. It brought a subtle joy to her, to see this version of Peter, somewhat happy. At least for the moment.

"You're smiling again.." Kamala spoke up, almost concerned about the revelation. "You usually never smile...It's...So off-putting." She attempted to clarify, as if Gwen or she herself was going mad.

"You're just saying that because I don't smile around you," The blonde began, with her rare grin swiftly subsiding and her monotone voice returning to her full force. "And I don't tend to smile around you because that bitch Danver's scent is still on you," She continued while sitting back up to look up at her fellow heroine-in-training with her nearly predatory green eyes. "And it takes a lot of energy not to stretch you out like chewing gum, tie you up with your own arms and punt you like a soccer ball into the next city. So I hope you understand why I smile with you around."

To that the 1-B student fell silent, lost for words. Or more so, scared to say anything in response. All she felt she could do was nervously smile and avert her eyes, lightly scratching the back of her head.

"Now shut up and enjoy the silence. It'll get a lot louder when those three come back down."


The parking lot of the facility, walls half blown through like swiss cheese, was all but enveloped in dust and ash, teeming with smoke thick enough to blind the most perceptive. The only illumination in the sea of white smog came from the eruptions of explosions blowing through repeatedly, as a roar of rage could be heard. But to no avails his efforts were.

Bakugo couldn't see the spinning roundhouse kick that had come to strike him in his gut, causing him to arch his back forwards, while his tormentor grinned wide for him, a demon behind the smokescreen created.

"I think it's time to put an end to this, don't you Kaccha-" The imposter of Midoriya sneered, until he felt the spiky haired blonde grasp on firmly to his ankle, just before it pulled itself out of his abdomen. His grip tight and his teeth clenched, furious. Yet returning Deku's twisted smile with his own.

"There you are..." He snarled, lifting up his free hand with an open palm and tugging on the appendage already in his grasp, while his hands began to spark once more. "YOU'RE NOT GONNA MAKE A FOOL OUT OF ME!"

Without a second's hesitation or the imposter able to react, the nitroglycerin in Bakugo's palm ignited, erupting a mighty explosion that was enough to engulf his enemy in the flash of light and intense combustion.

But at a cost. The spiky haired blonde clenched his teeth, groaning out in nothing but intense pain.

The arm he had used to fire his attack was already broken from the Fake Deku's swing kick. The strain from his blast had only worsened its condition.

Still he wouldn't end it there. Katsuki narrowed his eyes and with steeled look of determination on his face he fired another massive blast to envelope Midoriya. And then another, and another, again and again, half a dozen explosions as strong as the first, tearing through his arm to the point the flesh itself was beginning to rip from the inside out.

Blow after blow the strain became more and more unbearable for him, and soon amongst his barrage of explosions he broke, letting go of the Faker's foot in the process.

The imposter wasted no time taking advantage, and feeling Bakugo's hand come loose he spun himself sideway, reeling a foot back and without as much as a second for his opponent to realize what was happening, he thrusted the iron sole of his foot into the spikey haired blonde's face, with enough force to send him flying back several yards into a nearby lightpost, denting the metal before Bakugo fell face first on the asphalt.

The red lit hero-in-training landed crouched and with a single hand on the ground, looking through the smoke as it dissipated and trained his eyes on his childhood friend, who was himself now just struggling to get up.

"As I was saying..." The Fake Deku spoke softly once more, slowly standing straight once more before making his way over leisurely. "It's time you give up. Anymore and I might actually paralyze you. Even a good-for-nothing hero such as yourself can't possibly do their job in a wheelchair."

Katsuki trembled and shook under his own weight while he struggled and failed to get onto his feet, spitting up blood and saliva pooled together in his mouth. With narrowed eyes his gaze shifted up to the impending danger, soon standing over him with his twisted grin.

"Whaddaya say, Kacchan? Why don't you use that thick head of yours huh?"

All he heard was that familiar growl of absolute disdain under him, only accentuated by the winces and grunts of pain he stifled to keep to himself while attempting to push himself back up onto his feet.

"Dr...Drop dead..." Was all he spat out in an act of defiance. The red lit maniac that had done nothing but prove his worth to be inferior however, seemed utterly unfazed. His demonic grin only slightly faltered, as he grit his teeth with his growing irritation. Without warning the imposter reached down and grabbed firm hold of Bakugo's ankle, grinning as wide as ever.

"Good idea!" The Fake Midoriya called out, swiftly pulling on the appendage with the surging energy enveloping him lighting up further, and lifting his classmate off the ground with little effort to it.

With one mighty swing he let go, sending the spiky haired blond flying upwards, several feet into the air as if he was simply a light bag of trash. Before long he was high in the air, his ascent halting and allowing him to spiral downwards towards the Earth, soon landing with a loud thud just over the fence, face first in the water of the little river that resided in the trench he found himself in. A nostalgic setting for the two.

Before long the red lit imposter landed just above on the hero-in-training, looking down at him from his elevated height. Such a familiar sight made Katsuki's blood boil.

"You're really a lot more stubborn than I remember, Kacchan..." The maniac spoke nonchalantly, standing up tall while readjusting his bicep high arm supports some. "But that's probably the benefit of hindsight talking. Ya see, from my point of view you already figured out exactly where you lie with me. You may not be happy, but you understand. You put the point of the hero above your ideals."

All he heard was a near feral snarl from his seemingly incapacitated prey, taking a step closer to him as he continued.

"I'd let you learn this naturally, but for what happens next, there's no time for us to wait. I...I want to help you. Just like I tried to back then. And maybe this time, you don't have to hurt like you should..." Before long the green haired boy stood over the beaten and bloody blonde, soon crouching down towards him and lifting a hand with an open hand for him to take.

Just as it was so many years ago.

"Kacchan, let me help you. Just give up and let me sav-" He attempted to speak, only to be silenced by his hand being slapped away. Bakugo threw his hand back to slap the inviting hand away away, much to Midoriya's disbelief.

Having used so much of the embers of his strength, the blonde slumped over with his back against the dirt hill, arm hitting the water of the lake with a splash while he huffed up at his opponent, spent. But through his hazy vision and shaky breath he could see the successor's eyes narrow, balling up his fist and reaching down to grab his former friend by his collar, before a fist struck the side of his face. And then another, and another with little restraint. No Quirk. Simply just anger.

"You are a worthless, hypocritical tunnel visioned little piece of shit, who tormented a child for trying to help you out of the mud because they thought you were their friend, treats it like PTSD, and is now slobbering up blood like a nine year old who just ripped his tooth out! Why are you like this?!"

Another strike landed against Bakugo's face, which grew more bruised and battered with every hit. He barely tried to counter, as before long he spat blood from his lips.

"Why?! Why?! Do you have any idea how many times I considered your advice?! If you can even call it that!" Deku snarled through the growing tears he did his best to hold back. Yet still, he was holding a grin amongst his face, landing one more punch with his almost trembling fist. "What did you say last time? 'Pray you get a Quirk in your next life, and then take a swan dive off the roof'? Or do you block moments like that out?"

The air went silent. Nothing could be heard but the two's shaky breaths, while the green haired fighter's tears escaped his eyes to fall and splash against his victim. "Would you have even cared? If I went through with it? Would you feel regret? Or would you not give a damn that it was you that drove a kid to suicide?!"

Still nothing. Not a word from the blonde beaten and bloodied on the floor. The only thing he could do was stare up at him, sneering lowly while watching as the successor quickly composed himself as best as possible.

"And then, to think after that you expect to become Number One...Thinking just strength and physical ability is all it takes... This is what happens when those are not enough..." Izuku declared, almost coldly, wiping his tears away and grinning wider, before reeling his fist back one more time, power sparking around him as his veins lit up once more, fist clenched tight. "How does it feel, Kacchan? This time, you're the one who's powerless...If you don't wanna listen, fine! But don't worry. Just pray you can make a better hero in your next life!"

Looking up upon the copy of his teammate, wearing the grin both of them idolized from the Number One, he finally felt it. He couldn't do anything. He was tired, spent, his arm likely broken and on the verge of passing out. This was the end. All he could do was spit out the last of the blood swishing in his mouth, as the faker swung, and a fist connected. Much to both Bakugo and the imposter's shock and dismay.

just moments prior the leaves of the trees ruffled and shook as weight shifted between them, as if something was moving through the air at somewhat high speeds, before a splash in the river's water, like a foot landing, before he shot forwards, arm reeled back and thrusting forwards.

The spiky haired blonde was wide eyed at the sight before him. Just before the Imposter's fist could connect square with his face he was knocked back, by a solid right hook to the face by the original successor, wincing himself as his copy was sent flying back further down the river with a violent splash.

Planting his boots firmly into the shallow water Midoriya slid to a stop, groaning softly to himself as he looked ahead, panting softly and wrapping his other hand around his fist. The same fist with the finger he used 100% with.

"Kacchan!" He quickly looked over his shoulder towards the beaten mess, his look of determination quickly shifting to that of concern for his teammate. His friend. As the cackling electricity enveloping him died down he made his way closer, kneeling down at him and grabbing his shoulder and arm. "I'm here! It's me, the real me! Don't believe a word that imposter said, it's part of this illusion!"

"Get off me!...Damn nerd!..." Katsuki snarled back, groaning out in pain as he attempted to move and slap Deku's hands off him. "That faker's not done...I threw some of my strongest blasts at him, and he wasn't even scratched..."

"That doesn't matter! We need to get you somewhere else, so you can heal!" Izuku protested. Even if there may not have been anywhere safe, he had to at least try and get him somewhere to be patched up. "We can worry about these illusions la-"

"SHUT UP!" The blonde was quick to scream out, growling almost ferally at his teammate, who jumped back on instinct. "FOR ONCE QUIT THINKING ABOUT EVERYONE BUT YOURSELF! DAMMIT, IT'S A PAIN!"

"You wanna pass? You better forget about me! Taking down the Villain is the biggest priority..."

"But...Kacchan..." Midoriya could barely speak, staring down at his fellow classmate. He was dumbfounded. After all, how could he leave his friend behind like this? Why would he? He was frozen almost.

But before he could say anything he noticed something, from the corner of his eyes, before he turned his head to fully take in the sight. Just down the river, where his copy had landed, was now engulfed in smoke. But how could that make sense? Did the other Midoriya have a smokebomb on him? Or was this the work of yet another illusion?

Before he could act however something shot out of the smoke, flying straight towards him and causing him to jump back high with his veins lighting bright and green energy cackling around him. Flying upwards he looked back down towards the smokescreen, eyes narrowing while he scanned what he could.

The thing that came to impale him looked like a black tendril made of energy, radiating the same red energy as the faker, who slowly stepped out of the smoke, slamming his boot into the water with his eyes trained on the original. The energy tendril reeled back to him, stemming from his forearm but soon being reabsorbed into his very being.

"About time you showed up. Was Peter a challenge to you? Even with that little essence?" The Faker questioned, lifting his hands to his mouth guard around his neck and the cowl hanging from his back, pulling both up to fully cover his face. "As to be expected. That body of yours can't handle any more than five percent, right? So you haven't even begun to scratch the surface of One For All!"

Hearing that Izuku's eyes widened in soft disbelief. Whoever made this illusion knew about One For All and its secrets, secrets even he didn't know of...But how? And why?

"Oh, but you're still stuck imitating All Might, right?" The masked faker continued, taking a step forward while hunching some, as if preparing to attack. "Why don't I show you the real potential of our power?"

The original didn't bother to reply, instead outstretching his arm and grabbing hold of his wrist, preparing to flick his second finger as he charged full force. As he released his middle finger from the entrapment of his thumb, the air in front of him blew, similar to a hurricane, wide spread and heading toward the red lit faker like a tidal wave, blowing the smokescreen away. But the pressure sent him flying back further in the air, groaning out in utter pain once more. His middle finger was broken just like his index. He hand two more shots with this hand before it became useless. But thankfully, the blow back seemed to be enough. The copy was nowhere in sight.

Now he had to grab Bakugo and-

"Air Force? Smart play." He heard his own voice, but not emanating from himself. Wide eyed Deku quickly looked over his shoulder, upwards at the source floating right overhead. "You thought as a mere copy I still had your moveset, and aimed to put distance between us. Am I wrong? But you haven't even begun to refine it. You crippled yourself." His glare behind the cowl was menacing, burrowing through the original's naive soul.

But...Did he just dodge out the way of the attack? Was he that fast? And that almost deadly look in his eyes...

"On top of that, while you continue to walk in All Might's shadow, I'm my own person!" In the blink of an eye several energy tendrils shot from the masked copy's back, curving down and jetting towards Midoriya at high speeds. He was quick to shift and swing his body to just barely dodge the incoming pinpoint projectiles.

Falling back down to Earth he landed on his feet on the solid asphalt of the parking lot, blowing into a full sprint with his Super Strength carrying him further towards the half destroyed factory. A wide open space wasn't an option.

"Hm...I see." The copy softly spoke, glaring down at his past as he ran for refuge. Then for only a second he looked away, upwards into the horizon for just a moment. As if he were listening to something, or someone. Then after gave a stern nod, reeling his tendrils back into himself before falling back down to the ground as well and making his way into the facility quickly.

Seeing the opening that was the gaping hole in the side of the wall, he leaped upwards, shooting out another energy tendril from his forearm straight into what was left of the wall, landing on the platform that was once the wall itself. His eyes scanned what was once a black void, now resembling a factory with all its vacant machinery that looked as if it had not been used in ages. A perfect place for strategic flanking. Or for cornering prey.


"Dammit..." The beaten and battered blonde sneered, both out of frustration and pain. At the very start of this venture he was certain that whatever this Villain could throw at him, he could take and then some. But now he was here, slumped over and struggling to even get up.

He was beaten to a near pulp, through every attack and counter attack, every blast and all out kamikaze. And he couldn't do anything against a mere shadow of the boy he considered below him.

If a weakling like Deku could beat him with so little effort, then how could he ever become the best?

"Well, ain't this a sight." He perked up at the sound of another familiar voice, lifting his head up and looking over his shoulder to the source. He couldn't help but snarl seeing the sight that was manifested.

Standing just above him atop the hill was the green eyed blonde he and his family had taken in, covering her tattered white and black form fitting costume with her UA blazer. She was an utter mess, just as he had last seen her. That same stoic expression upon her face.

"The great Katsuki Bakugo, beaten to a pulp. I guess this was bound to happen eventually. What with the constant screaming like a banshee and belittling others..."

"Kiss my ass...Faker!" The weak blonde snarled out, raising his one good hand with an open palm sparking dimly to ignite what was left of his tanks. The manifestation didn't even flinch, being engulfed in the last of his attacks as the Nitroglycerin ignited and erupted to engulf her.

However as soon as the smoke and dust picked up from the blast cleared, his gritted teeth twisted into a pained scowl, looking on as the illusion right in front of him stood tall. As if she was untouched, or moreso only dirtied by his last ditch efforts, simply brushing off the dust from her costume.

"Ya know, it amazes me how smart you actually are, and how much of a meathead you can be at the exact same time." Gwen let out a soft exasperated sigh, looking down towards the ground for a moment. "Originally, I made that illusion specifically based on the Future Izuku. Or, a possible Future of Izuku. Sure I tweaked his attitude and behavior to make him more of a challenge for you, but beyond that, that is his potential. The potential of someone you considered worthless." With that her gaze shifted towards the blond who slumped over below her. Her eyes as vibrant yet stoic as ever. "Why did you believe that, Katsuki?"

"Because you hated the idea of someone wanting to help you? Or were you inherently sucked into the idea of your Superiority over everyone else that someone without a Quirk seeing you as equals was an insult to you? Or perhaps the other way around: That in a world where everyone is a freak, Izuku was the only person born normal, and thus was truly special."

To that, the Explosion Quirk-User snarled lowly more, yet, even if he wanted to he could say nothing. He was at a loss for words, though he couldn't tell why. Perhaps because what she was saying was true in some way. A thought that only made his blood boil.

"When I created him I did it with the idea he could get through that dense egotistical skull of yours and remind you of humility. I now see however that doesn't particularly work for you when you know it's not the real thing." Gwen continued, her gaze shifting towards the broken in factory over yonder that held their two Strength Quirk Users. "Or maybe...Just maybe you're too dense to take the hint: That no matter what you think, even if you won the genetic lottery and had a Quirk that could beat a thousand villains...Even then you aren't special. Which is why I am here, telling you this now."

"That so?..." Bakugo sneered while staring up at the illusion, breathing labored while he stared daggers into her. "And...What are you? Just another fake of an extra trying to get in my way!"

"Oh no. No no no." The mirror image was quick to deny, shaking her head while turning back to him. And all at once the façade fell, as she let out an uncharacteristic little fit of laughter, covering her lips in a halfhearted attempt to hide it. "What made you think I'm the extra?" She tilted her head slightly, raising a brow as if expecting an explanation. "You think with you're inflated ego, twisted thinking process and horrendous code that you're the hero of the story? You're a joke. A stepping stone for Izuku."

That was what broke the already beaten camel's back, as the blonde snarled lowly, pushing himself up off the ground to the best of his ability. Only to feel the weight of the air push back against him and pin him to the incline, much to his surprise, as Gwen's doppelganger raised a hand.

"Did you know..." She quickly interjected, "That for every timeline where Izuku goes to U.A, and those are quite rare, there are about a thousand where he doesn't get that far. In fact, there are quite a few he doesn't even make it home on that fateful day...Remember that day?" She tilted her head further, leaning herself closer. Her soft cold eyes staring daggers into Bakugo's.

"When you told Midoriya to take a swan dive off a roof?..." In the back of his head he heard her voice echoing, as he struggled under the heavy air binding him down. Her eyes merciless over him while she raised both her hands to put against each side of his head, a green mist enveloped and spurred around her fingers. "How many times did you kill Izuku?"

"Shut up!" Bakugo spat back while attempting to pull away, as Gwen's Fake straddled herself on top of him, her green eyes beginning to shine and illuminate the same green aura while the world around the two seemingly faded around them.

"Let's take a look. At just what type of person you are..."


The air of the factory the two found themselves in was heavy, thick in its tension between the original and the Doppelganger that hunted for his past self. A game of cat and mouse, predator and prey alike.

The masked hero-in-training left no room for escape, using the interior's layout and halls to his advantage to maneuver, bouncing off the walls over and over at near blinding speeds and speeding through the wide corridors like a bullet, picking up the strand remains of litter and dust with ease while he blew by.

While the only thing Deku could do was hide, back against a vacant pillar, drenched in his own sweat and listening, looking out the corner of his eye as his mirror image blew right by him. He was fast. About as fast as All Might was during Peter and Gwen's exam, if not faster than that. He could barely make out the copy's movements, much less did he believe he could counter.

Still, with a heavy gulp of preparation he knew he had to do something. If not, he and Bakugo were certain to fail.

But then, if this illusion was at the same level as All Might, then he needed to do it fast and as stealthily as possible. If this Faker Deku caught on he'd snuff out that plan in a second, if not less.

With an exasperated sigh Midoriya shifted his attention away from the halls after hearing the clanking of the Masked man's metal soles against the pipes and platforms drift away. It was likely that if this Faker didn't already know his location, he was going to scour the entire structure. Taking into account how big the factory was, and how fast he seemed, he only had a few minutes tops. He needed to find some way to at the least slow him down. Then he noticed something out the corner of his eye, on one end of the wall: A good few yards of metal chain, pipes and iron slabs that could easily weigh a ton. And with only that the gears in his mind began to turn, before he got back onto his feet in preparation for the fight ahead.


"Where are you?...No, he's already planning a counter attack, I know. It's what I would do..."

Swiftly the Copy moved at high speeds through the factory, leaping off rails, the walls, pillars, even the ceiling in rapid succession and moving through the air like a speeding bullet unmatched in speed. He was almost a blur, leaving behind him the crackling anger of his electricity. He knew for a fact that his prey was hiding now, scurrying throughout the place. Perhaps to escape his grasp? Or to lure him out? He wasn't entirely sure, even if they shared the same identity.

He knew better than to think that made them the same person.

The eyes under his cowl narrowed in his search, analyzing the abandoned terrain as fast as it flew by, only to stop his scans at the twitch of an ear.

Within ear shot he heard...banging? The sound of iron against iron, clanging away aggressively, as if trying to get his attention. And he easily took the bait.

While he blew through the air he spun himself forward, outstretching an arm and pointing it opposite to the direction his momentum flung him, as black mist seeped out the knuckle openings of his gloves before shooting out one of his tendrils, wrapping around a piece of railing several yards across the hall. And like a slingshot he reeled his arm back, shooting back the way he came, leaping and propelling back down the structure in the direction of the noise like a pinball.

It'd only take a minute to retread all his ground, snapping at corners and bouncing all about with pulsating red streaks of energy, before shooting a barrage of tentacles from his back to latch onto multiple railings, all of which serving to only slow him down, before they retracted back into him, as he drifted in the air as if he were weightless.

His head shifted, twisted and turned, looking under him at the ground floor, then up to the platforms and walkways beside him. No one. Not a sign, or at least not one he could clearly see. He knew for certain this had to be a trap of the original, but in what way he didn't know how. All he knew was that Midoriya wouldn't be foolish enough to face him head-on.

But just then he could sense it, a tingle down his spine, a spike burrowing into his skull. Something was coming straight for him. Quickly the Imposter looked over his shoulder, eyes going wide, before swiftly leaning back as a metal rod flew right past his head and through the concrete wall, much to his surprise. And ever more of a shock, the end of the rod sticking out of the wall was connected to a chain line, a good few yards long, maybe even more.

And at the very end of the chain was his prey, Midoriya, wasting no time and leaping upwards with the other end of the chain in hand, flying straight for the masked predator at high speeds.

The mirror image was quick to try and retaliate, winding his leg back and raising it up for a swing kick. After all, as far as either of them were concerned, a single shot was enough for one to end the other.

However, much to the Future incarnation's further disbelief, his swing hadn't connected. Deku shifted out the way at the last second, leaning back and flying right under the kick, just barely scrapping by his enemy's iron soles before he landed feet first against the wall.

With his linked chain wrapped under the Fake's other leg.

In the split moment it took the Copy to realize what happened, Midoriya was on the move again, shooting off the wall and right by him and wrapping the metal bindings around his upper body, constricting his arms while the Hero-In-Training swung around him with all his speed and momentum.

Not unlike Peter in his fight against All Might. Where he had no webbing he made up for in chains and speed. Yet nonetheless it made the imposter's blood boil, eyes finding and tracking the young man as he moved through the air. Before long Deku let go of the linked end in his grasp, letting his momentum carry him away from his opponent into the slanted ceiling, landing feet first before propelling himself right towards the Fake, while he swung his head back to let his cowl and metal mask fell to reveal his face.

The green haired Hero-In-Training reeled his arm back, balling his hand into a fist once more to strike the final blow while charging in at high speeds.

But just then the imposter shot his head back up, staring his counterpart dead in the eye with a look of rage as he opened his mouth shot a single blackwhip like the tongue of a frog, just barely missing Midoriya's abdomen, and quickly wrapping around him just the same.

With his head on a swivel the red lit copy swung him down the hall, sending him flying through the air as he broke through his binds, and before Deku landed his doppelganger launched through the air only a second ahead of his trajectory, only to send him straight into the ground with two feet to the gut and half his strength.

The strike was quick, instantaneous to the boy so far out of his league, yet so powerful like a shotgun right against his skin being fired. It wasn't a second until he tasted the blood in his mouth and he cried out before his back slammed into the ground to make a small crater.

"You fool..." The Fake Midoriya spat out, jumping back a few feet and landing with a sliding stop, gritting his teeth as he stared down at his past, lesser self pushing himself on his hands and feet and coughing up blood, before one of the pitch black tentacles enveloped around his throat and slowly lifted him from the ground. "Bakugo, Iida, All Might, Parker...All you've done, all you do, is take their skills and stitch them together in a half-hazard attempt to get by..."

While he spoke the tentacle around Deku's throat began to tighten and squeeze, causing him to gag and squirm, grabbing onto the constraints attempting to choke him out.

"What do you think, huh?!" The Fake snarled out while he glared at his original counterpart, anger overflowing and tears beginning to flow from his eyes. "Do you really think that'll save you?! Your friends?! Our mother?! Do you even know what's coming?! Who's coming?!"

"W-What?...What are you talking abou-" He just barely got out as the appendage around his throat constricted further. But before he could get an explanation, the copy's arm jerked to the side and flung him further down the hall, until he hit the corner of a pillar and watched it bend before his weight and inertia, as he cried out in pain. But before he could fall to the floor one of the blackwhips slammed him back against the piece of metal.

"You're trying to lie to yourself, but I know the truth! I am you!" The Fake continued, with every slow step coming closer while his very gaze burrowed into the naïve young man, his red lightning seemingly clashing with the original's green energy, as a subtle green mist seeped from out of him to engulf the two. "The difference is I know how wrong we were! It's our fault for what happens to Kacchan! It's our fault Peter pushed us and everyone around him away! It's our fault Eri still won't be able to smile and it's our fault May can't live without our burden!"

For a moment Midoriya gritted his teeth, staring down at the imposter, a look of anger clear in his own eyes to match his opponent. But then, that anger was all of a sudden gone all at once, seeing his mirror image's scowl crack and falter. And from the green smoke that consumed his vision he could faintly see a tear fall down his cheek, gritting his teeth not out of anger, but as if holding back his tears.

It wouldn't take long until his entire vision was nothing but the green mist, the pressure against his back and chest seemingly dissipating into thin air without a trace, letting him drop to the ground below and catch his breath. And while putting a hand on his chest where he was struck he noticed something.

His gloves, they were repaired. But more than that they were different, bulkier much like his faker. His legs and feet as well, now branding the heavy iron soles and leg guards. and even more than that, looking towards his other hand balled up into a fist, with a what seemed like a bright glowing light seething out from the cracks, until he opened his hand, to reveal the source of the light in a stone, dim yellow.

"Every action we make, leads to this. This is what our ignorance delivers us." A voice echoed into Midoriya's ear. His voice, the voice a boy broken by what he had seen.

But just then he heard echo of a cannon fire, before a shell flew through the smoke and whizzed by him, eyes growing wide in shock and jumping to the side outside the mist and sliding to a few feet to a stop.

"What the..." He began, but stopped in his verbal track while he looked ahead.

The source of the shell was a tank, in the middle of the vacant, desolate and ruined street, surrounded by the many foot soldiers in what looked to be yellow and black armor, gas masks over their faces and rifles pulsating with energy at the ready, all aiming towards his direction.

He had to move, he knew it, steeling his shock away and letting his veins light up while green energy cackled around him. But just as he was about to move, and the group of soldiers readied to open fire, he noticed something, a familiar red pulsating mist appearing and enveloping the barrel of the tank, before constricting and crushing the pipe under its grip. Could it have been?...

"What are you waiting for, Izuku?!" He heard the familiar sultry and foreign voice, looking over his shoulder at the Sokovian Witch, eyes glowing crimson as her psionic energy enveloped her. Her previously warm glow of a smile replaced by the scowl of fury belonging to a warrior.

"M-Ms. Maximoff?..." He just barely managed to mutter out, only to turn his attention back to the firing squad in front of them both, as a series of clicks of triggers could be heard, and then a hail of gunfire.

Quickly however Wanda lifted another hand, the red pulsating energy solidifying in front of the two and stopping every bullet midair to a complete stand still, before she flicked her hand outwards and sent the mini projectiles right back to the source, ripping right through the grunts.

"Quit standing around..." The Scarlet Witch growled out softly, turning her attention to her student and letting the barrier in front of them dissipate while her hands lit bright in her near mystical energy, an orb of beating crimson light forming between her palms as she put them close and let her psionic mist envelope Izuku, much to his surprise as he was quickly pulled off the ground. "And run!" She screamed out, swinging her arms across her body and directing her energy, as well as the young hero-in-training away and flinging him into the air as if he were a rag doll.

The green haired young man flew through the air, out of his own control as he flailed and tried to stabilize himself, and calling out for his Co-Teacher for some sort of explanation. Something to help him figure out just what was going on now. Who were those men in yellow? Why was she so uncharacteristically aggressive just then? It wasn't until he got a clear look above him that he figured it out...

The sky, what should be it's natural blue hue, blooming with clouds and the hopes of a better tomorrow, now was nothing but grey and lifeless, full of despair and...city streets, buildings, as if the world was folding in on itself. No, as if there was another Earth entirely right above them all, so close and pulling them in!

"W...What the?...What's going on?..." Deku questioned out, to seemingly no one as he fell back down to Earth, landing on his back on the rooftop of a building and bouncing off the ledge into an alleyway, landing face first into a pile of trash.

With a hefty groan however he pulled himself out of the bags of garbage, wincing some and forcing himself off onto his feet, narrowing hiss eyes and looking up to the sky. "What...is this?...Why...Why are you showing me all of this?" He continued to speak amongst himself. Because he knew someone was listening. "I know this is an illusion! None of this is real!"

"Not real?" An unfamiliar, deep and borderline monstrous voice questioned from the shadows, causing Midoriya to quickly steel up and grit his teeth, head on a swivel and back to the wall to keep his focus on any direction the source of that voice would come from, whether it be down the alleyway, or from above.

He didn't realize how vulnerable he left himself, until the brick wall behind him broke through, with a massive clawed hand enveloped in a silver goo wrapped its fingers around his head, before swiftly reeling him into the interior of the building while he attempted to struggle against its grip, to no avail.

The young man grunted and squirmed within the grasp of the monster, attempting to pry its fingers off of his face. It wasn't until it wrapped its grip around his throat that he saw the true horror of what was before him. A bulky body easily towering over him, covered completely in silver ooze with white milky eyes narrowing towards him. Yellow jagged teeth grinning at the young man.

"I...am very real!..." Riot snarled lowly, before his wide maw parted, leaning above Deku's head as if about to consume him whole. Deku's eyes widened as he continued to struggle and squirm, veins lighting as he gave it his all to get out of the monstrous carnivore's grasp, but still the silver beast did not budge as it savored its meal.

Only to be knocked forward, sending him flying and causing it to loosen its grip around the boy to drop him while he flew through the opposite end of the building.

Midoriya only watched, hesitant to get onto his feet but doing so regardless. With a hand gently caressing his throat he looked from the hole the villain had made in the walls and looked over at the new figure on the opposite end, peering through the smoke hiding his bulky and massive figure, only illuminated by the soft blue lights across his metallic red and yellow chest, and searing eyes while he looked his way.

"I...Iron Man?..." Bewilderment was the least he could say he was. But for a moment he felt a hint of relief as he looked at the hulking behemoth.

And then, the towering metal man stepped closer, each step enough to break the ground under his weight. "The stone. Hand it over." He spoke coldly, tired and worn in his venture. "Now, Midoriya."

That voice...It wasn't like that of a Hero, was it? Izuku was at a loss for words, staring up the hulking tin man.

"M-Mr. Iron Man, what's going on?" The hero-in-training questioned, holding his closed fist close and tight for the moment while backing away slowly, and soon into the wall. "T-This is an illusion, I know it!...I know Peter, you can trust me. Just tell me what's going on!"

But the armored man didn't listen, staying silent and lifting his arm up with an open palm as the repulsor ray whirred and charged.

"Don't ever say his name..."

Deku's eyes widened in shock, but still he had to think quick. The aura around him sparked to life once again, and just as the Iron Hulkbuster fired his repulsor he lunged forwards, sliding under the behemoth's feet before switching onto his hands and feet to jump upright and sprint through the hole in the wall before his new pursuer could turn to follow.

He flew through the streets, leaping and propelling off the buildings and lampposts in an attempt to get away. In an attempt to figure some way out of this twisted reality. A world so far removed from what he knew...No way something like this...battlefield was real?

"Nothing here is real...Nothing here actually exists..." he muttered under his breath while he blew through the city at high-speed, narrowing his eyes in an attempt to focus himself.

But once he noticed something from the corner of his eye any focus dissipated. And in its place was a deep pit in his stomach.

Leaping through the smoke filled air into the city Square he landed feet first to a grinding halt, eyes stuck on the familiar statue at the center. The statue of Japan's own Symbol of Peace All Might, fist raised overhead in triumph.

All that was left of it was the remnants scattered along the ground. A pile of concrete among the blood and dust of the battlefield.

And yet, seeing his idols monument crumbled to dust wasn't the worst of it.

Under the rubble Deku saw a familiar figure, that familiar brown hair, pink fingertips clawing to get out from under, those rosy cheeks. those brown eyes that barely clung to life, as a pool of her blood mixed into the dust.

"Uraraka!" He cried out as he sprinted towards her, only stopping to get onto his knees, grabbing a chunk of cement holding his classmate down and throwing it aside with all his might in an attempt to save her.

His heart only sunk further. With a piece of rebar wedged into her stomach and the pool of blood under the two, there was no saving her now.

"Wait..." Midoriya spoke softly, unable to look away at the horrific sight. "W-Why?...Why are you..."

But before he could think to say anything else he was cut off, with the half dead girl reaching out to wrap his hand in her weak grasp.

"D...De...ku?...W-Where...were you?...W...Why?..."

"Why didn't you...stop him?..."

Hearing that the green haired hero-in-training froze, staring down at Uravity as her grip on his hand loosened further, and soon letting her hand fall to the ground limp while the last bit of life faded from her eyes.

All he could do was watch as the battle raged on all around him, watch as the city he saw was plunged into chaos. Watch as his classmate and friend died right in front of him.

But why? What the hell was the point or all this?

Tears fell into the pool of blood and dust and Izuku grit his teeth. There was no point holding a smile, holding back his tears. All he could do was let them flow down his cheek.

"W-What's the point of this?..." He lifted his head up to the red sky. "Why are you doing this?! What's the point?!"

And all he got was silence. no answer from the man behind all of this. No closure. No resolution. Just silence.

And then footsteps, causing him to turn his attention to the source.. Thuds of a giant echoing throughout the quiet battlefield, growing closer towards him. Through the smoke the towering figures raised his arm, colors red, blue, purple, orange, glowing bright in the most.

"I too know this pain, little one. It is all consuming. But now is not the time mourn. Not just yet." The Mad Titan spoke softly, lifting his hand with an open palm.

Midoriya didn't move, he couldn't. Frozen in place for just a second before acting was enough to fail, being enveloped in a purple aura and lifted off his feet. And then, being pulled forwards into the purple monster's grasp, massive fingers wrapping around his skull.

"Her death will not be in vain after I'm finished. None of their deaths will be."

Deku thrashed and squirmed in the Mad Giant's grasp while in a growing desperate attempt to break free. But to no avail, as he felt growing pressure against his head.
Even using One For All at his current level meant nothing. He...He was going to die like this?...

But just as his head was ready to cave in, the pain seized. He fell down onto his back, faced with the darkness from before in all its emptiness and cold embrace.
The young man's eyes only stared on at the endless void, wide while he drew in rapid shallow breaths. What he saw, that illusion; he knew it was all fake, deep down. But...it all felt so real. Every hit, each grab, the dust in the air...the bodies in his arms.

He was petrified by the horror of this reality. But the one thing that overshadowed that fear was the sorrow shining through, as tears swelled from his eyes.

"U...Uraraka...What did I do?..."

"You weren't there." He heard over his shoulder. causing him to jump and turn his head up towards the source, shrouded in a crimson red cape, beaten and tattered with dirt and grime, covering up a familiar suit that once a vibrant red and blue, was a brooding crimson, black, and feint silver of its metal lining. Covering the young figure's face the Spider-Man mask. "You weren't there in the ways that mattered anyway."

P...Peter?..." Midoriya stared, before long stammering onto his feet to meet his classmate at eye level. "N...No, you're another..."

"Illusion, yeah...As much as you say that, it doesn't feel like it..." The masked young man let out a heavy sigh, reaching up and pulling his mask off. His bright apologetic eyes, now replaced with a dead glare. "I'm sorry...I was the one that started this. If it wasn't for me, what you just saw wouldn't have the chance to come true..."

"What are you talking about?...Stop it, none of this is real!" The green haired hero protested, which only made the veteran Spider-Man's cold eyes stare daggers. "You...You're getting into my head, right? I know this is some Psychic Quirk. I...I already figured out what you're trying to do, I'm not faltering!..." Hearing all that, Peter balled his fist tight, enough to ignite a spark of orange plasma.

"What else do you wa-" Deku continued, but abruptly was cut off by a fist square to the face, sending him flying off his feet with blood gushing out his nose.

Before he hit the floor, the Spider reached out to grab him by the fabric of his costume, pulling him back upright in his grip while his once tired eyes burrowed into Midoriya's with a look of rage. "Do you really think we showed you all that to test your mettle? You think everything you saw was just a test?!" The soft spoken demeanor of Peter Parker had all but vanished. As he saw a feint glow erupt from him, and the heat radiate from his being, Midoriya realized something: This was not the same Peter he knew. Something along the way changed him. Something along the way destroyed him.

"Dammit Midoriya, think!" He shouted at the top of his lungs, grip on his friend tightening ever more, until suddenly he let go, and let the hero-in-training fall to the ground. And he followed suit, dropping down with his head hanging. "Think!...Look who's talking. If I didn't snap my fingers...You and Gwen, Mei..."

Gwen? Mei? What did they have to do with any of this? Midoriya looked on in concern while the orange pulsating strands of plasma around Peter died down, and he let out a deep sigh.

"If I wasn't trying to be something I'm not...the universe would have a chance..."

"The...Universe?" Deku gasped, inching closer to his battle-worn friend. "What are you talking about? What do you mean?"

"I doomed my world trying to be something I'm not..." Parker went on, lifting his head at the empty nothingness that gave way to the light of the cosmos. No, several. "He'd of stopped at one universe. But now our fight is yours too..."

"What are trying to tell me?! Peter!" Midoriya needed an answer. But his focus soon shifted, seeing a speck of ember in the wind, and then many. All coming from Peter's form, as he turned to ash.

"You might have his power, but...You're not him...You're not..." The broken young man's gaze lowered and his words turned into whisper. Midoriya's eyes widened and he quickly tried to wrap his arms around him, in a half-baked attempt to keep his classmate together. But to no avail. Before long the only thing in his arms were ashes.

He...He broke. Finally. That heroic vibrant demeanor he held only minutes ago was gone. Shattered by the reality this illusion brought. But why? Why show him all this? He wanted to ask, but there truly was no point. All he could do was watch as this life faded away, leaving nothing behind but a golden key.


Before anyone says anything, I should have gotten this out a while ago. And I could have, but I was preoccupied. I had started my first college semester, my first job, and I have been getting into doing art commissions for other people. Not to mention other stories I've been trying to update as well.

I have also been trying to set up a , for those who wanted to support this story and any others, but I've been kinda shy on it cuz, well I'm asking for compensation when I can't consistently give content with this story. Plus I have no content uploaded to my which would warrant a subscription. But know that the would give you access to these types of chapters early, plus bonuses like art and commissions?

I wanna take the time to just thank you guys for staying with me. 2020 and 2021 beat me to a pulp, but we made it out. Here's hoping I can pay you guys back with more of this story this year.

I love you guys, peace.