Monday, February 28th
2148
So is this really how you want to spend your time?
'Why not? I'm helping people and that's what matters.'
But… this is so BORING!
Izuku scoffed as he lifted the heavy piece of furniture with ease, the couch would have normally taken two or three people to carry. Ignoring Hank as he carried the couch out of the apartment.
Some of his neighbors were moving, and he decided to help them carry the heavier furniture. Despite Hanks' many many complaints.
Thankfully this couch was the last of the heavy furniture, and once he made it outside he placed the couch inside the moving truck outside. With his work done he closed the trailer.
"Alright, that should be the last of it!" He yelled out as he walked to the front of the truck, a middle-aged man sitting in the driver's seat of the truck. A wide smile on the man's face.
"Thank you again for all your help Midoriya-San. You've been a big help."
"Oh it's nothing Asahi-Sama." Izuku said bashfully. "Just trying to help."
The man scoffed slightly. "Don't sell yourself short. You've got a big heart." He said as he pulled out a small stack of yen.
"Here, for all your troubles." The man said, offering the money to the young man.
"Oh, don't worry about it. I didn't help for-"
"Take it. You worked hard and you deserve a reward for your work. Don't you think so?" The man said, cutting Izuku off. The young man looked at the money hesitantly before taking it.
"Thank you Asahi-Sama."
"No, thank you. Take care of yourself kid, I'll be heading off now." With that, they both said their goodbyes, the man driving the truck to his destination where the rest of his family was waiting.
Izuku watched as the truck departed, shoving the stack of yen in his pocket.
So… what do you wanna do now?
-/-
Izuku pulled himself up on the tree branch, walking towards his destination. A black and white cat sitting daintily on the edge of the branch.
"Come on Mizuki. We gotta get you home now." He said as he got closer, the cat looked at him warily as it stood up.
"I'm not gonna hurt ya." Izuku said gently as he held his hand out, the cat reluctantly walking into his grasp as he gently took hold of the cat.
He then jumped out of the tree, landing with such grace and finesse that he barely made a sound as he dropped down.
An elderly woman waiting nearby, as she saw the young man, a smile grew on her face as she walked over.
"Oh, Mizuki!" She said excitedly as Izuku handed the cat over to her. The elderly woman hugged and patted the cat affectionately as the feline began to purr.
"Oh thank you so much, young man." She said before leaving, Izuku smiling before turning his attention elsewhere.
-/-
Izuku reached the top of the three-story building and saw a red rubber ball, he grabbed it and tossed it back down.
A small group of kids waited at the bottom, one grabbing the ball.
"Thanks Mister!" One of the kids said before they began to run off.
"Just don't levitate it too high again!" Izuku yelled out.
"Yeah whatever!" One of the kids yelled back. Izuku scoffed before shaking his head.
"Kids." He muttered to himself.
At least they aren't teenagers… or worse Deimos.
Hank shuddered at uttering the name, Izuku raising an eyebrow. Every single time this Deimos person was brought up Hank gained this disgusted tone in his voice. As if he was talking about a particularly nasty vermin.
'So… Do you hate this Deimos guy?'
What? No, he's hilarious.
Izuku then realized that he would never be able to fully understand Hank no matter how hard he tried.
Sighing he dropped down from the building, landing on the ground without a sound. Bending his knees slightly to better absorb the impact.
'So, what do you wanna do now?' Izuku asked as he began to walk back home.
Fuck if I know. Only have some ideas for expanding your power set and whatnot.
Izuku sighed as he thought to himself, thinking about the entrance exam and his new group of friends. It had all happened so quickly, with Ashido-
'Mina-San.' He mentally corrected himself. Mina had gotten them all to exchange contact information for a 'friend group'. It was still super surreal to him, to gain so many new friends.
'But… would they still be my friends if I was…' He trailed off as he looked at his mutated hand before shaking his head. It didn't matter. He instead focused on the exam.
It had been a little over a week since then and he still hasn't received his confirmation letter. There was no doubt in his mind that he passed, the written exam wasn't too hard. And given his performance in the practical, they'd be crazy not to let him in.
At least, that's what Hank felt.
And I'm right. You knocked both tests out of the god damn park, so quit working yourself up so much about it Duke.
'Maybe. It's just hard not to think about it. With everything that's happened this past year… it just feels like I'm being pulled apart at the seams.'
Death Arms' dead body and that Psycho he refuses to name still haunt his dreams. The bags under his tired eyes were becoming more noticeable and he was slowly getting more jittery from all those energy drinks he had been drinking.
He rubbed his eyes, getting some of the weariness away before continuing. It was getting better, sure, he found it much easier to process emotions than before. But he needed rest and a lot of it.
But there was another, bigger problem.
'It's been too long since I've had a good fight, something that got my blood pumping. The robots allowed me to go all out, but it wasn't enough. My battle lust is growing stronger and it's passing into my daily life. I feel powerful, lethal, and like a ticking time bomb.'
Finally making it back home he checked the mailbox for a letter from U.A and once again, nothing.
Sighing, he took the rest of the mail and entered his apartment, his mom watching some sitcom.
She noticed him as he walked in, Izuku setting the mail down on the coffee table.
"It still hasn't arrived?" Inko asked as she sorted through the mail, Izuku sitting next to her.
"Not yet." Izuku replied as Inko handed him some of the mail, just little posters, and comics he had ordered. But that was about it. Sighing he stood up and made his way to his room.
"Izuku." He stopped as his mom said his name, the young man turning his head to look at her.
"Yeah?"
"Would you… If you have any problems with your self-image and-"
"I'm fine mom, thank you." He said, cutting her off. "But I'll let you know if I have any problems." He said coolly, with what looked like a genuine smile on his face.
Inko looked like she wanted to press the issue but didn't say anything, simply nodding as she looked away.
Izuku made his way to his room, slowly closing the door behind him as he sighed and looked around. His room was mostly the same aside from the addition of a punching bag wrapped in duct tape and barbells in one corner.
Walking over to the bag he grabbed some boxing tape and wrapped both of his hands in the tape. Closing his eyes as he stood in front of the bag. Taking in a deep breath before shifting into a boxing stance.
Throwing lightning-fast strikes towards the bag, focusing intently as he was in constant motion. Shifting his weight as he pummeled the bag, using the torque generated by his body to make his punches more powerful.
And just for a moment, he imagined the bag as a criminal, his fist impacting their body. A satisfying crunch followed as he broke their bones. Blood coating his knuckles and…
And…
He hesitated mid-swing, stopping his punch, and sighed. Tearing off the boxing tape and throwing it somewhere else.
Sitting down at his desk he rubbed his tired eyes, thinking to himself as he looked at his computer.
'What is wrong with me?'
DING
He was rocked out of his thoughts when he heard his computer ping, furrowing his eyebrows in confusion he turned it on and quickly realized he had been messaged on that weird app Mina told him to get.
Bluecord or something, a messaging app for friends. Apparently, it had been around for a while but since he… didn't really have a whole lot of friends before he didn't know about it until recently
Checking the group chat Mina had set up he saw a message.
[AlienKween79: Hey, everyone did you guys get yo letters yet or nah? :0]
[Uravity: No not yet. Don't know what's taking them so long.]
[Xx_DarkShadow_xX: Patience, we'll get them in due time. With so many applicants they might be experiencing issues processing them all.]
[MightGuy: That's the most likely scenario, guess we'll just have to wait a little bit longer.]
[AlienKween79: True true. Dang, cya guys later then I guess.]
[MightGuy: Cya.]
Izuku sighed and looked at the time, it wasn't even two pm yet. Everything felt like it was going by so slowly.
He felt like he was going crazy.
Sign up for some amateur MMA stuff or a gym or underground fight ring, you've got the skills. And it could fetch ya some dosh.
'I don't care about money. And fighting just for the sake of it doesn't appeal to me.'
That's a… Just… consider it. It could be a good outlet for all your pent-up aggression.
Izuku mulled it over before sighing. 'I'll go looking for a place tomorrow.'
Great. You get to beat up some overconfident street toughs again and get paid for it this time! Win-win I'd say. Plus, it helps out with developing your skills and whatnot.
"I guess that's true." He thought to himself.
Suddenly he heard rapid knocking on the door to his room.
"I-Izuku! It's here!" He heard his mom shout from the other side, Izuku's eyes widening as he rushed over and opened the door almost immediately.
Inko standing in front of him with a closed envelope, a U.A stamp keeping it closed. Izuku gulped nervously as Inko held the letter out nervously.
Taking it, Izuku cut it open with one of his claws. The chitin talon sheared through the paper.
Slowly reaching into the envelope Izuku pulled out a strange metallic disk. A button on the bottom of the disk, pressing the button a large hologram of All Might wearing a yellow suit suddenly appeared. Both Midoriya's looking at the hologram's sudden appearance.
{"I AM HERE!"}
"A-ALL MIGHT!?" Both Midoriya's said in unison as their shared shock reverberated across the room.
All Might then coughed lightly. {"In holographic form. Pretty neat huh? Regardless I can't begin to tell you how proud I am of you! Not only have you passed the written exam. But you completely blew the practical out of the park!"}
{"You have managed to score the highest number of villain points this year. With an astonishing 74 points!"}
Suddenly the hologram shifted, showing his name right next to All Might with a big '74' next to his name.
{"But that is only one-half of the practical. And because of your heroic actions, there is no doubt that you will be able to enter U.A. Earning yourself the secret 'Rescue point'."}
Just then another number popped up next to his name. Numbering 70.
{"A panel of judges looked at your actions closely, at how you helped others without hesitation, Earning you the number one spot in the exams! And because of your heroic heart, you have ensured your place at Your Hero Academia. Take cake Young Hero."}
The hologram then closed, Izuku looking wide-eyed at the information. Not fully processing what he had just been told. Suddenly he felt Inko hug him tightly from the side, tears welling up in her eyes.
"You did it! You did it!"
Slowly Izuku hugged her back, a small smile on his face as he looked at the metallic disk. A warm feeling entered his chest.
He already knew he had passed but… to actually hear it was… it was nice.
Hey… uh… kid. He heard Hank say awkwardly. Izuku picturing the deadly and sadistic assassin fumbling awkwardly was just funny to him.
Fuck you. Anyways… uh. Congrats! I'm… I'm proud of you.
Hank said, unsure. As if he didn't know how to give a compliment as was just mimicking what felt right. But it still felt genuine.
Izuku's smile widened slightly.
"Thank you." He said softly.
Izuku stared at the now clean beach one more time, the moonlight reflected off of the water and caused the white sand to glow slightly. It was beautiful really; that and it helped calm him down. Heping him forget what had happened this past year.
And it helped him think, about everything. His new friends and his start at U.A. His accomplishments.
"Quite the sight isn't it?" He heard a familiar voice say behind him.
"It's calming. Helps me think." Izuku replied, glancing back and smiling as Yagi stood next to him.
The ghoul-like man sported a wide smile as he clapped Izuku on the back.
"Congratulations Young Shonen, you've passed with flying colors. I'm proud of you." Yagi said joyfully before frowning as he noticed the boy's distant look. The light behind his glasses was dim and almost hollow.
"Midoriya… is there something wrong?" Yagi asked, Izuku looking away from the man for a moment; glancing down at his mutated right hand. The smooth black chitin and the sharp claws that could rend flesh.
"I… I don't know. I'm happy I got it, I really am. But… it feels like…" Izuku frowned before shrugging Yagi's hand off, shoving his hands in the pockets of his hoodie as he looked at the moon high in the sky.
Yagi looked at the boy for a moment before sighing softly, looking up at the moon alongside him.
"You feel as though it's all undeserved then? Getting into U.A?"
Izuku's frown deepened. "A little bit. It's like… like I'm not the same person I used to be a year ago."
Izuku closed his eyes, he could barely remember what life was like before his awakening. And everything after that was a big blur of constant fighting and training.
"Every day since then has been a blur, I can hardly remember most of it. I just focused solely on my goal of getting in that I've never really considered if being a hero is what I really wanted anymore. I got so focused on it that I've forgotten everything else."
"... There are many times where people I've known felt the same way. Struggling so hard for something for so long, and once they finally do have it. They don't know what else to do."
Yagi said, placing a hand on Izuku's shoulder in a reassuring gesture.
"Sometimes when people gain what they believed they desired for so long is when they reach the peak of despair. Many don't know what to do afterward. It's important to always find a new goal to strive for Young shonen, you've completed one step of your journey. You'll find your way soon enough."
Izuku smiled slightly before frowning and stepping away from Yagi. Looking unsure, hesitant, as if something horrific was about to happen.
"I've changed… and now I'm not entirely sure it's a good thing. I… I…" He stopped himself, Yagi couldn't know. Or he'd be in danger.
They killed one hero… he can't bear the thought of being responsible for another hero's death. Looking back at Yagi, Izuku was hesitant.
"I don't feel like myself anymore. Like I'm a different person like I'm about to snap at any moment and hurt people I care about. A… rage, that I didn't know was there." He admitted it was the truth. But not the whole truth.
Yagi looked back at Izuku, seemingly unphased. "Midoriya-Kun, I have often found that one's views of themself is different from how others view them. This 'rage' you feel, it holds no control over you."
"But-"
"No. You have acted wrathful, seemingly delighting in violence when you fought the mock villains in the practical. But make no mistake, you're still the same heroic boy I met a year ago. Throwing himself headlong into danger to save people without hesitation. That boy and those two girls, you saved them."
Yagi placed his hands on the boys' shoulders and looked him in the eye.
"Even faced with the need to fight, the rage that you think will consume you. From what I've seen and from what I know about your character. You will control it instead of it controlling you. You're too strong to fall, your heroic willpower is strong even now.
I understand your doubts, and I will never forsake you Young Midoriya. No single person is perfect, your rage makes you human and it can help you better empathize with those wronged by society. I am grateful you told me of your woes, those who realize they were imperfect. But struggle on and continue to save others despite their faults, are the greatest heroes. And I know for a fact that you will be the greatest hero of your generation. I will never doubt you Midoriya, I will always be here for you."
Izuku looked at Yagi in disbelief, so used to rejection even now that he expected the man to shun him for his wrath. But instead he…
The young hero felt tears welling up in his eyes before he rushed forward and hugged his mentor. Crying into his shirt as Yagi hugged him back.
Allowing himself to be vulnerable for the first time in an entire year of endless stoicism.
Monday, April 17th
"Y-You have your handkerchief right?" Inko asked nervously as he looked over Izuku, the young man wearing the U.A student uniform. The formal clothing made him look proper and outlined his robust build.
"Yes. I have it."
"A-And your pens and pencils?"
"I double-checked, they're there."
"W-What about your-"
"Mom." Izuku said slightly exasperated. "I'm going to be late, I have everything I need don't worry." Izuku said with a reassuring smile.
Inko looked worried before nodding. "A-Alright." She said as she looked away. Izuku sighed before hugging her. Inko hugged him back for a moment before Izuku broke the hug.
"Love you." He said before going towards the door, Inko hesitating for a moment.
"W-Wait!"
"Yeah?"
"Izuku I'm… I'm so proud of you." She said with a full genuine smile. Izuku looked back at her before smiling in return.
"Thank you."
Now that he was really here, it sort of just hit Izuku just how fast the month before school passed by.
Just flashing by after he had received his letter. And now he was walking through the almost barren halls, looking for his classroom. From what he knew almost everyone else was there already.
Looking at the school map he had gotten, he was close to his class. Glancing at his phone he shrugged slightly. He had time.
Walking through the campus he eventually found the gardens. The flowers were in bloom surprisingly for this time of year. Roses, Lilys, and all kinds of flowers. Other plants sprout alongside them with massive oak trees in the corners of the garden.
Everything was kept trimmed and organized, like one big painting. The scents of the flowers flooding his sensitive nose, it was almost overwhelming but he kept everything under control.
Along the walkways were various statures, all dedicated to previous heroes that had once attended U.A. Along with their favorite plants right next to them.
What caught his eye however was the stature of All Might standing next to a small cedar tree in the center of the garden. The different fragrances of all the plants settled into one perfect aroma as he entered the center. His mind drifted back to what All Might had told him after the exams.
He would prove the man right. His mentors faith in him drove him to push onwards.
Shaking his mind of the memory, he looked at the center of the garden. It was beautiful really. He marveled at how well kept it was, it was like he had walked into a temple.
And as he stood there, everything from the past year slowly began to hit him.
His time as a vigilante, everything he had seen, corpses piled on corpses. And while he never killed anyone directly, there was blood on his hands.
He saw people die, he saw perhaps the worst humanity had to offer multiple times. He almost died multiple times. He had the scars to prove it.
And all he could do about it was silently endure, he could never let anyone know about who he was and what he did.
He can't let anyone know about the wraith, about the Committee, and just how much of a grip they held.
But…
"But… I can change things from the inside." He said to himself. The first real part of his plan is complete. Patience was key.
Sighing he took in the sights of the school before walking back inside. Just as he went back in his phone pinged.
Taking it out he saw a text message from Ochako.
{"Hey, where are you?"
{"Just went for a quick walk. Be there in a few."}
{"Okie, I'll wait by the door for you."}
Smiling slightly Izuku pocketed his phone and began to walk toward the main buildings in the center of the campus. Sniffing the air slightly, catching a familiar scent.
'Alright… Ochako's in building… one and on floor one… huh.'
Shrugging he began to the four large buildings in the center, where all of the classes were at. Walking past the well-kept campus as the fragrance of the gardens slowly left his mind.
Izuku walked through the empty halls of the building, making his way past other classrooms and towards his destination. Following his nose to get there easier.
'Smells like… bubblegum.'
So, you like how she smells huh? Hank asked, Izuku practically feeling the smug grin on his face.
Izuku blushed slightly but ignored the assassin, knowing that it's better to not fall for the mans bait.
What? Giving me the silent treatment? Smart. Now hurry up, I'd rather not stay in this school for tards any longer.
Izuku sighed and continued to walk to the class, eventually making it to the hallway where his class was located.
Spotting Ochako at the end of the hallway he picked up the pace, Uraraka noticed him and smiled before waving at him.
"Izuku-Kun!" She shouted out joyfully, Izuku meeting her at the door.
"Hello, Ochako-San." He said before glancing at the door. "So… this is it then huh?" He said, Ochako looking at the door with him.
"Yeah… it's a lot bigger than I thought it'd be." Uraraka commented as she looked at the door.
"The door?"
"Yeah, it's like twice as big as me. Literally." Izuku looked at the door and he had to agree, it was a massive door.
"Guess it's built-in mind for people with height altering quirks."
"Makes sense to me. But yeah, we did it huh Izuku-Kun? Step one towards being a hero."
"Yeah, we did it." Izuku replied with a content smile, stepping forward to open the door and placing his hand on the doorknob. But before he could open it Ochako suddenly stood in front of the door with a sheepish smile.
"And uh… I just want to warn you, I have found that the classrooms are… soundproof."
"Soundproof?" Izuku asked in slightly confusion, Ochako looked like she was about to say something but Izuku cracked the door open slightly.
"SHUT THE FUCK UP YOU FOUR-EYED CUNT!" The scratchy voice of Katsuki boomed out, an immediate headache forming as Izuku groaned in frustration. Losing the door as Ochako looked at him with sympathy.
His sensitive hearing made his abrasive and unnecessarily loud voice even worse as his voice just rang in his ears. And if it was bad with his earbud on, he could only imagine the agony he would have been in without the ear protection.
Izuku rubbed his face and groaned into his hands, frustration growing in him. Sure him and Katsuki being in the same class lent itself amazingly well to his plan. Sighing Izuku readied himself and opened the door.
Katsuki's yelling flooding the hallway, the poor guy arguing with him trying; and failing. To have a reasonable conversation with the blonde bomb.
"My word! You are pigheaded and disrespectful to all around you! For shame!" A familiar voice rang out, coming from a somewhat tall boy with blue hair and square glasses.
The boy then turned and looked directly at Izuku his eyes widening slightly, Midoriya braced himself for another argument but was surprised at the boy suddenly appearing right before him. A small dust trail behind him as he bowed before Izuku.
"I beg for your forgiveness! It was wrong of me to assume things about you! I was a fool and I-"
"Woah Woah Woah!" Izuku sputtered out as he waved his hands around. "I… what?"
The speckled boy blinked before rubbing the back of his head sheepishly.
"I… apologize, I am too overzealous and quick to act or speak without thinking. At least, that's what my brother says." The boy then placed his hand on his chest.
"My name is Ida Tenya, and once again. I apologize for wronging you when we first met. It was not my intention to come off as so brash but… I often speak before I think. And you have proven to be a far superior hero than I."
Izuku blushed slightly at the praise, Ochako. "Oh! Thank you! I just… did what came naturally… I guess."
"Amazing." Tenya muttered, respecting the taller boy across from him. Izuku was slightly unsure of how to deal with the sudden praise.
Stopped as he felt a glare boring into him from a certain someone.
Pure unadulterated rage focused on Izuku as the young Hero simply glared back. Ochako sensed the tension immediately and wrapped her arm around her friend's arm.
Knocking the young man out of his sense as her scent flooded his nose, a wave of relief washed through him as he calmed down. Her hazel eyes looked at him in concern.
Izuku reigned in his anger and sighed. "Thank you for the kind words Iida-san. I look forward to working alongside you this year. And uh, my name is Midoriya Izuku." He said as he introduced himself.
Iida gave Izuku a genuine smile. "As do I. You take care Midoriya-San and uh… I'm sorry I don't know your name." Iida said as he looked at Ochako.
"Oh! I'm Uraraka Ochako, nice to meet you." She said with a smile. Iida nodded before Ochako began to drag Izuku toward one of the corners of the classroom. Mina and Fumikage waiting for them, Mina waving ecstatically as Fumikage nodded at them as they arrived. A guy with red hair sitting next to Mina grinned as they got closer.
Izuku sat in the corner seat as Ochako sat in the seat right next to him. Tokoyami sitting in front of him and Mina in front of Ochako.
"Yes! Now the gangs all here!" Mina said triumphantly, Tokoyami nodding in agreement. The red-headed guy practically vibrated in his seat.
The guy then leaned over and beamed at Izuku.
"You're the guy that took out the one-pointer! Mina-Chan told me all about it! That was so manly dude!" The Red-haired boy said enthusiastically as he gave Izuku a full tooth smile.
"Oh, thanks. It was nothing really, like I said I just did what came naturally." Izuku replied as he waved off the compliment.
"So manly."
"Pfft. Alright ya goofball, we get it." Mina said as she patted the guy on the back.
"This is Kirishima Ejirou, Izuku. My best friend from middle school. Everyone else already met him."
"Nice to meet you Kirishima-San." Izuku said as Kirishima gave him a thumbs up in response.
"Now with that out of the way." Tokoyami suddenly spoke up. "Midrioya-San… what is your history with that… angry blonde boy?" Fumikage asked.
"I noticed intense anger on his face when you entered. What was that about?"
"Yeah! Felt like he was gonna jump across the room and eat your face off or something." Dark shadow said as the sentient quirk appeared just over Tokoyami's shoulder.
Izuku hesitated for a moment before humming to himself in thought.
"It's… he used to bully me up until a year ago. Before-"
"Wait what? Why'd he do that? I thought he was manly. Are you sure it wasn't some kind of rival thing? I saw him in action and from what I've heard about you, you both seem super tough." Ejirou asked in slight confusion. Mina and Ochako looked like they had the same question as Tokoyami waited with a stoic expression.
Izuku grimaced slightly. "Well… you see I'm a late bloomer, apparently my quirk had to wait until I could handle it properly. And up until a year ago… I was essentially quirkless."
Ejirou and Mina's eyes widened in realization, Ochako looked angry as she shot a glare at Bakugo. Tokoyami closed his eyes and looked like he ate something bitter.
"What a jerk. I can't believe he'd do something that low." Mina uttered, Tokoyami silently agreeing with her. Ochako continued to glare at Bakugo. But Ejirou looked slightly conflicted.
"Bullying isn't very manly, not at all. But… maybe he can become better?" Ejirou said hesitantly with a shrug. A flash of anger shot through Izuku for a moment before he quickly reigned himself in.
But that moment of anger was enough for everyone to notice. Ejirou held his hands up as he tried to explain himself.
"I-I'm not saying what he did was cool, it wasn't at all. But maybe he can change for the better? A push in the right direction ya know?"
Izuku looked at Kirishima for a moment before glancing back down. He can't be mad at the guy. After all, if it was him a year ago he would have thought the same thing.
"... Maybe. Maybe he can learn to be better." Izuku said with a shrug. Ochako looked at him with her soft brown eyes in sympathy.
"Until then he's still gonna be the cockiest bastard alive." He spat out, venom dripping from his tone as he thought back to a few days ago.
"This is amazing! That two of our students were able to get into U.A!" Principle Stone said with a wide smile on his face, and with a fancier suit than normal.
"I had no doubts that either of you would get in." Stone said with what looked like a genuine smile. But Izuku knew better.
'Tell me your sweet little lies. Save face while you can.'
He thought to himself bitterly, he would have ignored the meeting but it would have looked bad on his track record. That and he couldn't possibly miss the look on Katsuki's face.
And it was grand really, it looked like he had eaten a whole lemon while trying simultaneously not to explode. A look of both complete unadulterated rage that was barely contained, complete denial, and blatant disgust.
It was glorious, for Katsuki to realize he wasn't going to have the grand beginning he was hoping he'd have. Like it was some kind of Shonen Manga where he was the protagonist.
It might have been wrong to think something like that, but he savored the fact that Katsuki was angrier at this very moment than he had ever been in his entire life.
Stone kept talking on and on, but Izuku didn't pay attention. His mind calculated what would happen after the meeting, as soon as he left the school proper. Katsuki would confront him, and yell about how unfair life was and how he should have been treated like Jesus Christ and had everything handed to him on a silver platter.
And then Katsuki would piss and cry like a little baby before exploding.
… Ok maybe he was being incredibly petty right now. Sighing Izuku focused on other things. Waiting for the bald man to finally stop talking.
And eventually, he did, bidding both Izuku and Katsuki farewell. Izuku stood up and walked out of the office, making his way through the school as Bakugo went off on his own. Izuku walked until he made it there where the school campus ended.
The north gate separated the school from the almost never-ending buzz of the fastest-growing city in all of Japan.
'This is it, almost there and he'll jump out and scream in that obnoxious voice of his.'
He thought to himself, and as soon as he stepped off-campus. Bakugo was right there, looking like rage personified. Storming over to Izuku while foaming at the mouth.
The boy barely reached up to his chest as he glared right at him. Izuku's red eyes shone dully through the glasses and he looked right back at him.
"You fucking nerd! You had to be cheating! I'll-" Katsuki then made the fatal mistake of grabbing the collar of Izuku's hoodie.
His hand reached out like lighting and grabbed Katsuki's wrist, almost breaking it. The anger in the boy vaporized instantly as two bright red vortexes glared right into his soul. Fear quickly built up in his chest as his heart almost froze in place.
The shadows seemingly morphed themselves around Izuku's face. Leaving only the two red lenses that looked Bakugo directly in the eyes. Towering over him with an almost supernatural presence. Izuku barely looked human, as if he became a creature from the depths of hell itself.
"Let me make myself clear Katsuki." His cold chitin hand suddenly wrapped itself around Bakugo's neck and lifted him up to Izuku's level.
"I don't care if god himself placed you down on this earth, you hold no power over me anymore. You're not going to dictate what I can and can't do… Look at you. Weak little Bakugo, constantly screaming and kicking with something to prove."
The grip on his neck got a little bit tighter and Katsuki squirmed and flung his legs wildly as he desperately clawed at the chitin arm. His nails broke off as blood slowly began to leak out of the broken fingertips.
"Pathetic little Katsuki, if you ever, and I mean ever. Get in my way, It won't end well for you."
Izuku dropped Katsuki, the shadows retreating from his face. His anger was replaced with complete and total apathy.
"Have a nice day." Izuku simply said as he turned around and walked away. Katsuki glared at Izuku's back as the taller boy simply ignored him. His message was delivered loud and clear.
Izuku shook the memory from his mind as the door was suddenly slammed close. Perhaps the weirdest thing he had ever seen crawling across the from of the room.
"Is… that a worm?" Ochako asked hesitantly, everyone else looking just as confused.
The worm then suddenly stopped before turning over slightly.
…
There's a face on the worm.
"There's a face on the worm!?" A child-sized kid with purple balls on his head yelled in absolute bewilderment. But Izuku was focused on something else entirely.
'I remember him… It's Aizawa Shota. More commonly known as…'
Wait that dumpster diver guy? He's your teacher!? Huh, guess looking into him was a good idea afterall.
Izuku gulped slightly before regaining control of himself, the man standing up and shedding his sleeping bag skin.
A tall and ragedy-looking man standing in his stead. His unkempt hair fell past his shoulders as he grabbed what looked like a packet of Apple Sauce, downing all of it in an instant.
Once he was done with it he tossed it aside.
"This is the hero course. Disregard what you see as ordinary now. Expect the unexpected. Nothing will ever be 'normal' again." The homeless-looking man said nonchalantly.
"Oh, by the way, I'm Shota Aizawa. I'm your homeroom teacher."
Every single person looked at the man in complete and total bewilderment. As if someone had just smacked them across the face.
The man then seemingly pulled out about twenty packets containing red and blue gym uniforms from his sleeping bag.
"Put these on, and quickly. We're going out to the grounds."
Aizawa led all of 1-A to a large field on the school campus, built specifically for outdoor exercise from the looks of it.
Izuku looked at the gathered students, all of them varied in appearance but all here for one thing. To become heroes.
But there was one thing that was on his mind. About what Aizawa had led them there for.
'To test out quirks…'
Makes sense from a logistical issue, he's a hero teacher or something right? It'd be easier for him to teach his students if he understand what you're all capable of.
Hank reasoned, and it did make sense to him. It was the logical answer, but all Izuku would be grateful for is if Aizawa didn't recognize him.
"Now then, we'll begin the tests." Aizawa said as he pulled out what looked like a baseball.
"W-What about the entrance ceremony? Or the guidance sessions with-"
"Not important, all that useless crap won't help one bit with becoming a hero." The man then turned to look at his students with dead tired eyes. Scaring most of the students straight.
"U.A is very 'liberal' in its education system, that applies to us teachers as well. We have a lot of leeway in how we do things."
"Softball throwing, the standing long jump, the 50-meter dash, endurance running, grip strength, side-to-side stepping, upper body strength, seated toe touch. All apart of a comically outdated gym test. This country insists on prohibiting quirks in calculating the average good-for-nothing kid. It's just not rational."
He all said with a nonchalant shrug before turning and looking directly at Izuku, the boy keeping cool despite the flash of panic that sprung through him.
"Midoriya, you're an odd case. I'm sure given your mutation your school never allowed you to participate in these tests. And before that, I'm sure it was nothing worth mentioning. But that's not important."
Aizawa then tossed the ball to Izuku, the boy catching it easily.
"Go stand inside the circle and throw the ball as hard as possible using both of your quirks. If you step outside the circle you're disqualified. Understand?"
Izuku nodded and walked towards the circle, standing in the center of it. Holding the ball in his right hand. His talons dug into it slightly. The other classmates looked at him with interest, especially one boy with what looked like a scar over the right side of his face.
'Just throw the ball.'
Sounds easy enough. You remember how to pitch a ball?
'Yeah.'
Izuku took the proper stance as he sucked in a deep breath. Timm seemingly slowed down around him as pressure built up in his right arm.
A minor glow in between the plates of chitin as Nexus Energy formed around the limb. Dust got picked up around him as his eyes glowed brightly. The ball spun slightly in his hand.
Arching his arm backward and locking it in place, he twisted his hips to build up leverage. His left foot in front of the other as he tensed up his muscles.
Stepping forward he unleashed his power like a cannon as the ball shot through the air with lightning arcing around it. The blast back of the throw caused a gust of wind to shoot out in the area. Kicking up large amounts of dust as the other students had to shield their eyes.
A small boom followed the ball as it seemingly disappeared into the distance. Only a small green ball marking where it was before that too disappeared.
Aizawa looked completely unimpressed as he looked down at a tablet. The other students muttered to themselves, whispering with glee in their voices, looking at Izuku as if he pulled off a miracle. Steam rose from his right arm as he shook the muscles loose.
Eventually, Aizawa looked at the gathered students before turning the tablet towards them.
{Izuku Midoriya: 1.5 Kilometers.}
"This is the first rational step to figure out what heroes you will become." Aizawa simply said as a wave of excitement hit most of the class.
Some clapped and others shouted compliments at Izuku as everyone else talked among themselves. The only ones silent was the hair with the scar on his face and Bakugo.
The boy with the bi-colored hair looked like he had just stepped on something disgusting while Bakugo fumed in unspeakable rage.
"One and a half kilometers? That's insane!"
"Woah! GOOD JOB MIDORIYA!" Mina yelled out in glee as she practically vibrated in place.
"DEEEEEEEEKUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!" A primal scream of pure unadulterated rage reverberated across the field, Izuku's ears rang slightly. A chill tingled up his spine as he heard two loud explosions as an object speeding toward him.
Spinning around he saw Bakugo closing in rapidly, time slowing down as the lights in his eyes began to shine brightly.
Izuku tensed himself, ready to grab Katsuki and use his momentum against the boy.
But before that could happen Katsuki's explosions suddenly disappeared as what looked like tape wrapped around the boy.
"Wha-" Bakugo was then pulled down to the ground, Izuku looking to the side and saw Aizawa… or rather. Eraserhead with his hair high in the air. His eyes turned bloodshot as he glared at Katsuki.
Bakugo struggled and tried to explode Izuku but he made no progress, barely even moving.
"W-What the hell? What's with this fucking cloth!? Why can't I-!"
"I erased your quirk. And this is a capture weapon made out of carbon fiber and a special steel alloy." Aizawa then frowned further. "Geez, stop using your quirk ya brat. Throw a tantrum after the tests."
The cloth then suddenly retracted as Aizawa's hair returned back to normal.
"Damn dry eye." He muttered as the students began to talk among themselves, Bakugo silently fuming to himself.
"Woah! I didn't know sensei had such a cool quirk! This is going to be awesome!"
"Geez, why's that blonde prick so loud? That tall guy seems cool though."
"Yeah! Man the hero course is gonna be great!" A boy with blond hair and a black lightning bolt said excitedly as everyone else talked among themselves.
Izuku got a feeling in his gut that everyone's moods were going to instantly change.
Ah-ha! Oh, I like this guy's style, I think we both know what comes, next Duke. A good old fashion threat!
"Awesome?" Aizawa asked as if offended by the mere mention of the word. The entire class became silent in an instant.
"You think training to be a hero will be all fun and games? Is that what this is to you huh? A big game? Right."
Aizawa studied the class for a few moments more. A sadistic shine in the man's eyes.
"We'll make this a game then. The one with the lowest score in the tests will be judged hopeless and will be expelled." Almost the entire class looked rattled by the news, Katsuki was smiling like a lunatic while the boy with the scar and a tall girl with a ponytail looked completely non-plussed.
"Your fates are now in our hands. Welcome to U.A. How's that for ceremony huh?"
Ochako suddenly rushed forward. "You can't do that! Expelling the lowest scorer is just… It's just the first day! Doing so is unfair!" She tried to reason.
Aizawa scoffed slightly.
"Would you call natural disasters unfair? Or perhaps would you tell the rampaging villain that destroying everything while you weren't ready is 'unfair'?"
Ochako frowned slightly as Aizawa talked down to her, not at all caring about the stress that was building up in the students.
"I'd say the world is filled with 'unfair' things. It's your job as heroes to fight despite the odds. Struggle and whatnot. If you were hoping to spend your days lounging about and getting praised. Get that notion out of your head, in these next three years, you will be put through the wringer. And it will only get harder once you become real heroes.
The motto 'Plus Ultra' has more than one meaning, overcome any odd you face. And everything is going to be harder than you thought possible." Aizawa sighed slightly.
"Demonstration over, now the tests begin for real."
Iida readied himself race the race, running alongside Tsuyu Asui. A girl with a frog-based quirk.
As soon as a siren rang out he rushed forward, building up immense speed as the engines in his legs propelled him forward. Asui jumped an incredible distance but she was quickly left behind as Iida passed the finish line.
{Iida Tenya: 3.01 seconds.}
After a moment Asui jumped past the finish line, finishing the race in two massive leaps.
{Asui Tsuyu: 5.58 seconds.}
"Kero." She said simply as she dusted herself off. Iida shook his legs to loosen them up.
Next up on the 50-meter dash was Ochako and a boy with a large monkey tail. Ojiro Mashiro.
Both got ready and as soon as the siren rang, Ochako placed her fingertips together as she began to float before she began to propel forward. Ojiro tried desperately to keep up as she zoomed towards the finish line.
{Uraraka Ochako: 3.96 seconds.}
As she landed Ochako let out a small breath as she pulled out what looked like some plastic-wrapped mochi. Perhaps to help soothe her brain from the strain of her quirk.
{Ojiro Mashirao: 7.23 seconds.}
Ojiro passed the finish line by using his tail to spring past, landing on his feet with grace.
The next up was Mina, going up against a skinny blonde boy with a weird belt around his stomach. Yuuga Aoyama
Aoyama then smiled before chuckling somewhat obnoxiously.
"Hehehehe! How unimaginative! All of you." He then suddenly turned around as the siren rang. Mina sprinted as fast as she could.
He then jumped in the air before shooting out some kind of laser from his stomach.
'No, not a laser. It's more like a concussive beam.'
Propelling him backward as he was flung past Mina. And halfway through the course the beam sputtered out and left Yuuga tumbling across the ground as Mina sort of just ran past him.
And to Izuku, it looked like Yuuga was in pain. Then the boy stood back up and kept using his laser to push himself toward the finish line.
{Ashido Mina: 5.34 seconds}
{Aoyama Yuga: 5.54 seconds.}
It was a literal neck and neck that Mina was just barely able to get through. Aoyama slid across the ground before posing dramatically as if someone was pointing a camera at him.
I… do not like that guy.
'Hank, just because he's a little weird doesn't mean you can be mean to him.'
It's not just that, something's… off about him.
Izuku furrowed his eyebrows in thought. '... Yeah, it's like he's acting like a weirdo to throw people off. Keep an eye on him?'
For now maybe.
"Midoriya! Your turn." Aizawa yelled, shaking Izuku out of his thoughts. He then made his way to the beginning of the track.
Bakugo was already there, the blond glaring at him as Izuku ignored it and stretched a little bit before getting in position.
The siren then rang and Izuku took off immediately, picking up incredible speed in an instant as Bakugo tried and failed to keep up. Explosions propelling him forward.
In a moment he crossed the track, leaving Katsuki behind in the dust.
{Midoriya Izuku: 3.16 seconds.}
'Didn't even have to use One for All.'
He thought to himself as Katsuki crossed the line, glaring at Izuku as he finished.
Inside the thankfully air-conditioned gym next to the field, it was now the Grip-Strength test.
Izuku looked down at the strength tester in his hand. Ejirou, Tokoyami, Mina, and Ochako standing around him.
He squeezed down on it as hard as he could without using any of One for All. The machine read the results.
{915kg}
"Nice." Ejirou said as he squeezed his grip-strength machine. His arm turned into solid stone as he squeezed. Tokoyami squeezed his own with dark shadow wrapping around the handle.
Mina pouted as she squeezed her own machine with all of her strength, huffing slightly.
Kirishima{410kg}
Tokoyami{200kg}
Ashido{66kg}
Mina let out a breath as she slumped slightly, Kirishima reverting his arm back to flesh and shaking the pain out of his hand. Dark Shadow letting go of the machine as Tokoyami studied his results.
Ochako looked at everyone else as she held his grip-tester. Holding it by the side she began to focus intently on it for a moment. Her gaze practically bore into the device as a slightly pink aura began to surround the machine.
After a moment the bottom handle snapped off, causing Ochako to jump as the sound of the snapping echoed across the gym. Everyone looking at her and the broken machine in her hands.
A blush rushed to her face. "Uh, S-Sorry!"
STANDING LONG JUMP!
Izuku leaped across the sandpit with ease, followed by Ochako who simply just floated over the pit. Mina built up quick momentum by essentially making a slide with some of her acid.
Everyone else seemed to clear the sandpit with ease or get far into it, it being more of a nuisance than anything thanks to their quirks or their athletic build from constant training.
Then there was that one boy with the balls on his head, he tripped as he tried to build up momentum and he fell flat on his face. Eating a mouthful of dirt as he tried to scream out some kind of warcry.
'I almost pity him.'
It's not wrong to pity something as pathetic as… that.
ENDURANCE TEST!
Most of the class were sitting in the shade as they watched the last two students running around the track. All of them were tired from the running and were cooling down. Or rather, they already had cooled down.
It had been well over two hours since the test began.
Aizawa watched as Bakuo lumbered forward, sweat covering his body as he looked like he was on the verge of collapse
Huffing and puffing, almost collapsing with each step. His clothes were drenched in sweat.
In short, he looked absolutely miserable.
Aizawa then turned his gaze on the other student on the track, who looked no worse for wear even after jogging for over two hours straight.
"On your left." Izuku said casually as he passed Katsuki by for the millionth time.
The blond growled in anger as he tried to pick up the pace. Izuku was already far ahead of him. Not even breaking a sweat.
'I should probably stop this.' Aizawa briefly thought to himself. Katsuki then tripped over himself and fell face-first on the ground. Laying there for a moment until Izuku passed him by again.
"On your left." Izuku said as he jogged past, Katsuki rising and trudging forward. Steam came out of his nose as he looked like he was about to murder someone.
'Yeah, I'm going to stop this.'
"Alright! Gather around. The results of the tests are done." Aizawa said as he wave his tablet around.
"Also I lied about expelling the one last in place." The underground hero said with a shit-eating grin. "I said it to get ya to try your best."
Half of the class looked absolutely shocked at the sudden reveal.
"WHAT!?" Half of the students yelled out simultaneously. Legitimately confused at the revelation.
A girl standing next to Izuku, Momo Yaoyoroza if he remembered correctly. Looked at the confused students with slight disappointment.
"Well… of course, it was a lie. Wouldn't take much to figure it out. He wouldn't do something so drastic." She said casually, Izuku furrowing his brow in thought.
"No, I don't think it was a lie. If he had his way half of us would be gone." He said in response, Momo looking at him in slight confusion.
"What do you mean? I don't-" Izuku quickly cut her off.
"Aizawa Shota, Eraserhead. Many people don't know him, but he's our homeroom teacher this year. But he's well known for expelling students for the most minor of reasons. Last year he expelled an entire class." Izuku listed out, remembering what he researched about the Eraserhero.
"The only reason why most of us are here is that... I think U.A is keeping a tighter leash on him than they had previously."
Momo's eyes widened as she looked at the man in a new light. A small bit of cold sweat trailed down the side of her face.
Aizawa glanced at Izuku and smirked slightly. The man then reached into his sleeping bag and pulled out what looked like a stack of papers and placed them on the floor.
"Anyways, here's the score list if ya care. Curriculum papers are back in the classroom at the front desk. Enjoy the rest of your day." He then turned around and left, leaving everyone to their own devices.
Everyone sorta just stood there until the boy with bi-colored hair and the scar on his face walked forward and picked up one of the pieces of paper. He glared at Izuku for a moment before walking away.
Huh, looks like you've got a new rival.
Izuku grimaced at the thought as if Bakugo's constant yelling wasn't enough. Sighing he walked forward along with the rest of the class and picked up a paper. Looking at it he realized it was the scores.
[Izuku Midoriya #1]
Looking at the paper he smiled slightly, it was proof enough for him. He heard someone collapse and glanced to the side, seeing the boy with balls on his head clutching the paper close to his chest as he began to cry tears of joy in a fetal position.
"That's just sad man." He found himself saying, unable to stop the words from coming out.
Izuku walked away from the main building, the first day of school was over after the quirk tests Aizawa forced them through.
The formal uniform chaffed slightly, groaning he pulled on the collar slightly. He'd just have to get used to it.
But he had to admit, it did look kinda good.
Super high up school, of course, it'd have good uniforms. And you're welcome on showing you how to tie your tie.
'Thanks Hank.' Izuku replied, and it was a genuine thank you. Without Hank's help, he had no clue on how to tie it properly.
He was walking by himself, Mina and Eijirou went off somewhere with that invisible girl from class. Hagakure if he recalled correctly.
Ochako stayed behind to get all of her things and he honestly had no clue where Tokoyami went off to, but he could tell the guy wanted to be alone. He couldn't really blame him if Izuku was being honest. He found that he somewhat preferred the silence being alone offered.
Maybe that was just the pessimist in him talking.
Sighing he made his way to the gate leading out of the campus of the school. Looking back one more time at the giant buildings of the school, he felt a smile worm its way onto his face.
He did it.
He really did it.
Izuku paused as he heard footsteps approaching him. Glancing to the side he saw Tenya walking toward him. The boy looked resolute in whatever he was doing.
"Hello Midoriya-San, I wanted to congratulate you on your impressive showings in the tests. Your quirk… or rather quirks appear to be very powerful indeed. I've never met someone with dual quirks before."
"Oh, thanks! And… yeah it's rare, don't know anyone else with two quirks other than me." Izuku replied, lying about his 'quirks'. But at least it was getting easier.
"I imagine so, very powerful indeed." Iida then hummed to himself. "But to think that Aizawa-Sensai fooled us like that. It did make me realize how difficult it would be 'at the top' but to think that he deceived us so!"
"Maybe he was just trying to push us to be our best." Izuku replied with a shrug.
"But I don't believe that, I'm sure if he had his way he would have at least expelled two people. Maybe even half the class. The school's probably keeping a close eye on him now."
Iida hummed in thought, analyzing Izuku's words. "I think you might be right."
Izuku was about to respond but he stopped when he heard the sound of rapid footsteps from behind. A familiar scent flashed by.
"Hey! Wait up!" He turned and saw Ochako running towards both of them. The girl waved as Izuku waved back.
Uraraka stopped next to Izuku beaming at him before looping her arm around his. She then waved at Iida, seemingly unaware of the slight blush on Izuku's face.
"Hey Iida-San, are you guys going to the station? I kinda don't want to go there by myself." She said with a small chuckle.
"Yeah, was on my way there. You coming with us Iida-san?" Izuku asked, a friendly smile on his face.
"Oh, I was going to wait for my driver. But… I can travel with you two… if that's alright with you."
"That'll be perfect. Let's get going before we miss the train." Ochako said as the trio began to walk towards their destination.
The sun shone over them as they went off into the distance.
AAAAAAAAAAAA
AAAAAAAAAUGH
AAAAAAAAAEUGH
AAAAAAAAAIGH
Holy shit new chapter of fates dropped, das crazy.
But yeah, it's me again. Howdy doodie. Been a while. Almost two months since the last chapter. Technically way longer than that since the 'last chapter' was an april fools shitpost.
Sorry about that. I meant to get this out way earlier but I originally planed for this chapter to be half of the length you see now. Crazy how that went out. I sorta got stuck halfway through and had no clue how to continue it until a week ago. So yeah. Sorry again for the wait.
Anyways, The manga for BNHA is way better than the anime lmao. Peace.
