"Without power can one become a hero? No, I should think not."
Izuku felt as if a hole had opened beneath him at those words. Mouth opening and closing Izuku attempted to respond. "Ah…"
All Might rose from his seat on the edge of the building with a slight wobble, "If you desire to help people, becoming a police officer is always an option. Those villain custody officers are often mocked but… that too is admirable work!"
Reaching the door All Might opened it before pausing, "…It's not wrong to dream. However… you need to be realistic, kid."
Izuku could only stare at the ground as he heard the door shut.
...
...
Inko could only sigh in slight frustration as she opened the door to her sons' room. Looking in she found him where she expected. At a work desk fiddling with some machine, an old microwave from what she can tell, taken apart with her son doing something to the inside all the while mumbling.
Seeing him to invested in whatever he's doing Inko took a moment to look around his room. Just as always there were hero memorabilia resting about all over the room but now these things were accompanied by a wealth of books and tools that all had something to do with engineering. She still remembered when he had come to her nearly a year ago talking about his want to learn how to go into support instead of heroics. She still wonders what it was that finally caused her admittedly stubborn son to finally give up on it.
Sighing as she shook her head Inko turned back to Izuku who was now putting the microwave back together, "Izuku I hope you weren't up all-night working on this."
Flinching in apparent shock her son finally seemed to notice her, "Mom? What are you doing here?"
"To remind you that you're supposed to have a trip today with the support class remember?"
Inko watched amused as her son stared blankly at her before slowly turning to the All Might clock on his wall. 11:00am. As soon as Izuku saw that he started to freak out rushing to finish what he was doing. "Why didn't you remind me earlier! I have to get there by 12 and its already a forty-minute ride!"
"I called you at least twelve times already young man."
Izuku finished what he was doing with a slight pout at that not able to come up with a comeback of any kind. Sighing Izuku slung his backpack on before picking up the microwave and following his mother out.
"Done?"
Izuku hummed, "Yeah just the main door wouldn't latch shut to work. Easy fix but more time consuming than I expected."
Inko watched as her son walked to the door carrying the microwave held in both hands. Noticing his struggle she moved to open the door for him.
"Thanks mom! I'll be back later."
Smiling warmly as she waved Inko responded, "Have fun Izuku."
...
...
Walking briskly to the terminal that he was supposed to meet Power Loader and the rest of the support class Izuku hoped that they didn't just decide to leave without him. Taking out his phone Izuku channeled his inner Katsuki and cursed lightly as he saw that he was already running ten minutes late due to having to drop off the microwave. Turning a corner while apologizing at a few people he almost ran into Izuku sighed in relief running his hand through the sweat soaked bangs of his curly hair as he saw a group of people all waiting for a train to arrive.
Running forward to meet them Izuku caught the eye of the oldest of the group. A slouched older man of indeterminate age with large, clawed hands and a metallic yellow mask covering his head. Meeting him halfway Izuku opened his mouth to apologize only to be stopped as the man raised his hand.
"Train hasn't arrived yet. You made it on time Midoriya." Power Loader watched as Izuku breathed out in relief before continuing, "Now then lets introduce you to my class before the train arrives, ok?"
Izuku nodded as he followed along. Stopping in front of the class Izuku observed the lot of them in nervousness.
"Alright quite down!" Power Loader waited as the class all stopped the conversations they were having before continuing, "This here is Izuku Midoriya. He'll be joining or class trip for the day. Midoriya is a general ed student who is currently taking extra classes in hopes of transferring into our class."
Seeing Power Loader turn to him Izuku walked forward, "Uh so hi! I'm Izuku Midoriya but I uh guess you guys know that already huh," rubbing his neck Izuku glanced at the ground before continuing, "Well I hope we can you know…get along."
Izuku blushed as he heard a few snickers at his painfully awkward introduction. Luckily before Izuku could get anymore embarrassed the bullet train they had been waiting for had finally arrived. Sighing Izuku followed behind feeling out of place but hopeful that the day would get better.
...
...
Izuku could only stare in awe at the large building that stood before him. He himself had to admit that this was even more impressive than UA high school. Looking at the rest of the students around him he saw that he wasn't the only one who was awed. Each of the other students were staring just like he was all except one. Izuku couldn't help noticing a pink haired girl was looking at the building like it was a pot of gold.
The class plus one turned to look at their now chuckling teacher. Power Loader noticing the class now looking at him coughed.
"Sorry it just never gets old seeing first years reactions," waving his hand he walked in front of the class, "Alright class welcome! This is one of the city's biggest attractions the Oscorp Research Center! This trip is basically a reward for you guys for your taking part in the sports festival earlier this week. A reward and a way to allow you guys to check one of the options that'll be open to you later down the line."
Turning to walk Power Loader continued as they moved to enter into the large building, "As most of you guys know UA has a pretty close relationship with Oscorp and they function as our main supplier for technology we use in around our school. Its due to our business with them that you guys have such free reign to build whatever you want without worry for cost or the like. Because of that many of the graduates from the support classes tend to eventually become researchers for Oscorp after college at one of the many offices worldwide."
At this Power Loader stopped by a front desk where a horned woman was apparently waiting for them. After the class stopped the woman moved to have them all take a pass with each of their names on it while explaining, "These passes will allow you access to most of the areas of the center. Of course there are areas that you won't be allowed access to like certain labs but for the most part you will be able to view into the creative process of a majority of the labs."
After this she began handing out the passes for them to wear. Taking his Izuku saw the picture that he had submitted to the school earlier printed on the front as well as general information. Looking around Izuku saw many of the support classes looking extremely excited about the tour ahead. Seeing this Izuku himself couldn't help feeling giddy about this too.
Power Loader clapped his hands gaining Izuku's attention. Looking up Izuku took note of a new face that had apparently joined when he wasn't looking. The new man was elderly with deep wrinkles on his face. He had short silver hair and was dressed in a nice suit with a lab coat over the top of it.
"Now class this is the man that will be leading the tour for us today."
Seeing the attention pass to him the elderly man moved forward before smiling in a fatherly manner, "Hello there class as your teacher has said I will be leading the tour. My name is Spencer Smythe one of the lead scientist of the research center. Now before we begin, I will be willing to answer a few questions first."
As soon as those words left his mouth the pink haired girl Izuku had noticed earlier had immediately raised her hand. Seeming shocked at the quick action Spencer pointed at her anyway.
"Hi! I'm Mei Hatsume nice to meet you! I was wondering what kind of research you partake in and how close to the research we'll get!"
"Excitable, aren't you?" Spencer mumbled unheard, "Well to answer your first question I am the lead robotics expert of the center. As for the second you won't be allowed to get all that close sadly. Wouldn't want any accidents to happen."
After this more questions were asked but Izuku's attention was taken by his want to view the rest of the area. Sweeping his gaze around the area seeing researchers and the like moving in and out even seeing a few sitting off to the side having conversations with each other. Looking up Izuku looked at the higher floor from the inside seeing even more scientist moving around. It was at this moment that he noticed a pair arguing. One of the two was obviously a researcher of some kind who was walking behind the other clearly panicked about something. The one in front on the other hand was a young man, dressed in rather formal clothes.
Before he could pay closer attention to the arguing pair Izuku's attention was stolen by the start of the tour. Moving quickly Izuku followed along hoping to learn as much as he can.
...
...
Looking down at the group of UA students he couldn't help wishing he were there giving the tour as was planned instead of dealing with this problem at hand. Sighing the man turned to look at the highly panicked researcher.
"You know full well that I can't make that promise. I'm sure you know how my father is plus he is already investing enough into the project as is."
Wringing his hands the man stuttered in response, "I-I understand that sir, but the research isn't yielding the response that we were hoping for and the doctor needs more time."
Waving his hand to stop him, "Father has already invested millions into this research project of yours and has given you more than enough time and yet there still haven't been any break throughs."
"There was the enhancing agent!"
"Yes that," Turning fully to the researcher he continued, "Which somehow got onto the street causing problems for law enforcement and nearly ended up a PR disaster for the company."
Seeing the rather rotund man flinch at the accusation he couldn't help feeling sorry for him before continuing, "Tell Dr. Connors I am nothing more than a messenger and the message was rather clear. Either you have results by summer, or the project is scraped."
"…Yes, Mr. Osborn."
...
...
Izuku had been amazed by the tour so far. Some of the tech he had been shown has almost seemed straight out of those old comic books. Having just left the lab where they were testing the latest in cybernetic prosthetics, which Izuku noted the Dr. Smythe seemed rather proud of, they were currently taking a lunch break in the building's cafeteria. While eating off to the side Izuku took notes on what he had just seen while listening to the chatter around him. Only to flinch as a tray was slammed down in front of him.
Looking up Izuku met eyes with the pink haired girl who Izuku noticed earlier. This close Izuku could now notice the crosshairs in her eyes.
"Hi!"
Flinching again as the yelled greeting Izuku responded, "Oh um hello. Nice to…meet you? Your name is Mei, right?"
The girl seemed to puff up at that, "Correct! And you're Izuku right?"
Izuku blushed as he nodded, "Can I help you?"
"Nope! Doubt you'd be much help anyway."
Izuku slumped at that.
"Wanted to talk to you since you're new. Was curious about why you'd want to transfer in so late especially since it'd out you at a disadvantage."
"Disadvantage?"
She nodded before continuing, "It's probably hard to come across supplies to build with when your not in a support class unless you pay out of pocket. I should know before I joined UA, I mainly made my builds with cheap stuff I could afford on my allowance. Is that how you do it?"
Izuku closed his notebook, "Oh well yeah that's how I get by. I do get a few supplies from Power Loader when I join the extra classes but for the most part, I pay for myself."
"Have you made any builds yet?"
Humming Izuku responded, "I mainly do repairs on appliances for people in my apartment block, but I have made a goop gun."
Izuku noticed Mei stop eating for a moment seeming confused. "Goop gun?"
Nodding he explained, "I repurposed a paintball gun to fire an adhesive uh slime I made. I used it during the school festival, though I never even made it past the first round." He mumbled that last bit to himself.
"You got eliminated that early?" clearly, he wasn't quite enough.
Izuku sighed, "Yep I finished the race luckily enough, but I was one of the last to cross. If I recall you made it pretty late right?"
"Ah~ if you recall me then that means I made a big impact that's great."
Izuku smiled lightly at her happy to finally have some companionship.
"Oh right, I would change the name of that thing though."
"Why?"
"Goop gun is a shit name."
Yep Izuku truly felt the companionship.
...
...
The tour had definitely improved after having Mei join him. Izuku wouldn't by any means call himself a genius, the fact that he couldn't get into the support course the first time is proof enough in his opinion, so having Mei here to help explain things he missed or just didn't notice was much better.
Right now the class was viewing a new lab. It was noticeably smaller than the other labs they had viewed. Izuku took note of the many terrariums holding a multitude of different spiders. Looking around Izuku saw scientist working almost frantically.
"Wow did someone die?"
Turning to his companion Izuku couldn't help agreeing as he shushed her. Looking over Izuku saw Dr. Smythe and Power Loader talking to a young man who Izuku felt was rather familiar. Izuku couldn't tell what was being said but he could obviously see that both scientist and hero were rather frantic. The young man walked forward.
The man was fair skinned with chestnut colored curly hair and green eyes just like Izuku's. He was fairly tall with a lithe build. As Izuku took notice of his green button up shirt and black slacks he remembered that he had seen this man earlier on having a seeming argument with a scientist.
"Hello, my name is Harry. Harry Osborn. Due to certain reasons I'll be viewing this lab along with you. I am currently enrolled into UA as well as the rest of you but instead I am a third year of the business course. Nice to meet you all."
Hearing this the class immediately stirred. Now that they knew who this was, they all became alert and many moved to greet him. Izuku watched as Mei had somehow gotten there first even though she had been in the back with him. Instead of joining the rest who were all trying to rub Izuku took this moment to walk over to the terrariums and look in to the many different spiders that were on display. Izuku found that many of them looked very colorful and vibrant which didn't match with what he usually saw with spiders.
Having become captivated with one of the spiders, a predominantly red one with green lines running down it, Izuku never noticed that the meet and greet had apparently ended. His attention was only brought back by the clapping of his teacher. Izuku quickly moved back to the others.
Coughing Dr. Smythe indicated around him, "The lab that we are currently standing in is about the study of certain creatures that are known to have very high healing capabilities. The hope is to create a drug that would allow one to heal from injuries much quicker than what would normally be needed.
Hearing this Izuku was unable to stop himself from mumbling, "Like Recovery Girls quirk?"
Smythe turned to Izuku, "Yes, in fact Recovery Girl has been called in to help a few times."
Pointing to the spider terrariums Smythe continued, "I'm sure you've seen the spiders by now. These are one of the many animals that are being studied. These spiders are actually pretty special compared to others due to the fact that they've been genetically altered in hopes that we can increase the level of their natural abilities in hopes of making it easier for us to study.
He stopped seeing a hand raise, Smythe nodded at the girl to show he was listening.
"Are spiders the only thing you are studying? If not where are the other animals?"
"Ah a good question. The answer is that there is actually another lab which is where the head scientist does most of his work. In one of the colleges here in the city there is another lab dedicated to this research headed by a Curt Connors. Due to the nature of some of the research it was seen that would be a better ah base of operation if you will."
Smythe moved to continue the lecture as the students all oohed and aahed at the pretty colored spiders. Izuku took this moment to move back over the spider he had seen earlier. Hearing movement behind him Izuku turned to see Mei beside him again looking kind of bored.
"Not interested?"
Looking at him Mei shrugged, "In genetics? No."
"Shame considering how much help this would've done."
Izuku and Mei froze at the new voice. Looking at each other in confusion for a second the two then turned around. Seeing Harry Osborn standing behind them with a slight smile wasn't what they were expecting. Izuku reacted by chocking on his own tongue and having to turn away as he coughed. Mei on the other hand smiled widely before waving as if greeting an old friend.
Getting his breath under control Izuku turned back before awkwardly sticking his hand out. "I-I'm Izuku Midoriya. Nice to meet you."
Clearly amused Harry shook his hand nodding, "Thought I'd say hi since you were the only one, I haven't been introduced to yet."
Realizing he was still shaking his hand Izuku pulled back looking for anything else to say before remembering something, "Oh uh what did you mean by 'would've done'? Is there something wrong with this project?"
Seeming shocked that he had picked up on that Harry took a few seconds to think. Izuku was wondering if he shouldn't have asked when Harry answered, "This project has been going on for awhile now but hasn't had any breakthroughs. Funding is going to be cut soon."
"Oh," Izuku looked at all the scientist scrambling around again, "guess that explains a lot."
Mei took this moment to jump in, "Is it alright to tell us this? I feel like this is something that shouldn't be revealed."
Shaking his head Harry explained, "This project was always seen as a low success. So it'll go the way as many other projects."
"Does this happen often?"
Nodding Harry said, "Sadly yes."
Before Izuku respond he was thrown off his feet along with everyone else in the room. Izuku felt himself slam into the ground dazed. Taking a second Izuku got up and looked around in confusion only to see the rest of the class doing the same while the scientist scrambled to fix the terrariums which Izuku now saw had also fallen over.
"Oi!" looking up Izuku noticed Power Loader helping up the others up as quickly as he could while looking at his phone, "get up and hurry we're heading down to the first floor while the scientist work to clean up."
Moving to get up as well Izuku felt a tug. Turning around he saw the terrarium with the red and green spider had fallen and his bag strap had gotten stuck underneath. Clicking his tongue Izuku pulled it out before feeling himself get pulled to his feet. Looking he saw that it was Harry that had helped him up. With Mei standing next to him with her phone in hand.
"Thank you!"
"Don't mention it," checking to make sure both were ok he then ushered them over to their teacher who was getting the students together, "wonder what happened?"
Mei took this moment to speak up, "Apparently a villain was rampaging right outside. He's been subdued though."
Izuku sighed in relief, "Well even if he has, we'll probably be going home early anyway."
Both Izuku and Mei sighed in obvious disappointment. Harry seeing these two more disappointed by the abrupt end of the tour then upset by the almost villain encounter couldn't help chuckling in amusement.
...
...
Izuku unlocked the door to his front door. Admittedly tired by the days event he trudged through the apartment.
"I'm home!"
"Izuku? You're back earlier than I expected. What happened?"
Izuku looked up at his mom peaking around the opening of the kitchen while taking off his shoes, "Eh a villain attacked near the research center," quickly he raised his hand, "I'm ok mom. Just disappointed that we never finished the later half of the tour."
Sighing Inko shook her head, "Well you were there for awhile so you must have seen a lot. Want to tell me about it?"
Izuku stalled as he was heading towards his room, "Hmm maybe later I'm kind of tired right now."
His mother's affirmation was the last thing he heard before closing his door. Sitting in his work desks chair Izuku lowered his bag to take out his journal to sort through the notes he took on what he saw. Reaching in Izuku immediately jerked his hand back out in a sharp cry as he felt a sharp pain in his hand. Holding his hand to his chest he looked down in wonder only to freeze as he saw something scuttling across his floor.
"Oh no," Izuku could only stare as he saw a red spider with green marking on its back disappear under his bed. Getting up quickly in order to go tell his mom about the unintentional theft Izuku felt all the blood rush to his head. Stumbling almost as if drunk Izuku could only make it as far as his bed before falling face down into the covers. Staring bleary eyed at his wall Izuku noticed the spider scaling it calmly. The last thing Izuku saw before blacking out was the spider beginning to glow.
...
...
There we go Merry Christmas everyone! Hope you like your present! Anyway a few things I needed to get out of the way. First sorry I've been radio silent for awhile job got hella busy due to the holidays. This story was something I worked on while bored as hell at work. It will be taking over as my main series for now.
Second, I'd like to tell everyone who is looking forward to it Final Fantasy Crystal Tears will still be worked on just at a slower pace than this one. In order to make up for the slower update I'll try and make the chapters for FFCT much longer (maybe 10k a chapter) so look forward to the next update of that.
Third is some bad news for A Certain Scientific Rebound. Sadly, that one will be going on hiatus because frankly I have no idea how I want that fucking story to go. If I crack the code for it I'll let you all know.
That's all from me. Hope you guys all have a good Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Oh by the way if you haven't noticed I never specified if this takes place in Japan or New York cause I'm not sure where I want it to be. I'll figure it out next chapter but if you guys got an idea let me know..