A/N: (Fanficlover175: The story begins as the war concludes. However, remnants of conflict still linger. You'll have to keep reading to see if Izuku gets OFA.)

(ProjectIceman: The story takes place recently after quirks were discovered and those possessing quirks were quickly met with hostility. The majority of people are quirkless, however, the children still hate Izuku. Not for the oddity of being quirkless, but because of what it represents to them. As for AFO, let's just say there are individuals in higher places that are willing to make deals with devils for the power they possess.)

Inspired by Levius.

Chapter 3: Salvage

It grinds deep, metal on bone.

He's standing, floating, falling…

Almost through, a few more cuts. Blood covers the table.

Embers dance among the ashes. Bodies in the bay. No more sun… only shadow. Dull rubies buried under stone. A sputtering white flame snuffed out. A mother's love.

It's done.

Suddenly, it's all real.

And now… the reconstruction.

Where am I? It's so cold and dark. Where is everyone? I'm scared. Mom? Dad? Hello? Anyone? I… I don't want to be alone.

Please… someone… help me.

-oxoxo-

From the depths of unconsciousness, Izuku Midoriya's emerald eyes warily opened. The passing days had dulled his senses.

Everything's so fuzzy. Where am I?

He blinked and slowly life came to focus. Izuku lay at rest on a simple twin bed with white sheets and a red comforter. The steady metallic tick of his heartbeat bounced through the air. On his left, a small machine hissed out steam as it worked to keep track of his vitals.

I'm… in a hospital? Did Kacchan go overboard again?

Izuku examined his body for injuries.

Dang it, the blanket is up to my neck.

He tried to lift the covers off himself.

Huh?

His right arm hadn't moved at all. He tried once more, however, to no avail. Izuku tested his left arm and the limb complied, pulling back the covers gently until his whole torso was revealed.

He stopped breathing. His eyes widened as his lips began to tremble.

What the hell is this?

At the base of his collar, thin metal servos dug into his skin. He followed the servos until metal plating, bolted to the flesh, formed a hollow framed stump where his right arm should have been.

His breath quickened and he began to hyperventilate.

'Kacchan! I'll get you out!'

Gunfire and the thunder of collapsing buildings echoed within him. Fire spread across his memories as they had the city.

'I said run Izuku!'

Realization was a grenade as shrapnel shredded through any lingering disorientation.

'Rest… everything will be alright.'

For the first time in his life, Izuku Midoriya did not cry. His breathing settled into a hollow rhythm and he stared blankly into the distance, too fearful to look back.

He simply sat there, quiet as the grave.

It was another hour before the nurses noticed he was awake.

-oxoxo-

Gran Torino sat across from Toshinori, the former covered in bandages with an IV drip still stuck in his arm. The symbol of hope looked gaunt for his large frame as Toshinori's right arm hung from a sling. Resting beneath the broken limb, metal plates peaked out from beneath a particularly large bandage along his stomach.

The sight alone left a bad taste in Gran Torino's mouth. Nana would have been mortified.

Toshinori had done it. He'd finally beaten One for All.

But at what cost?

Disregarding his physical injuries, a heavy toll weighed on Toshinori's conscience. There was something below the surface that was eating at him. The blonde's typically shining blue eyes had faded and every smile was forced. It wasn't hard to guess what had mentally wounded him so.

They'd lost FireFang.

But personally, Toshinori had lost a dear friend and comrade.

By the time All Might had arrived, Hisashi Midoriya was nothing more than a stain of red across the rubble and ruins. He'd rarely seen Toshinori so hateful.

"Umm, excuse me…"

A nurse stood by the door and they turned to regard her.

"You requested we keep you updated on Izuku Midoriya's condition. He woke up a few hours ago and is well enough for visitors."

Gran Torino looked to Toshinori. If it was possible, the man had become even more crestfallen. Still, he smiled as best as he could. Nana would approve.

"Thank you young miss. I'll be there shortly."

She nodded, blushing at the Symbol of hope's attention, before leaving. Immediately after she'd passed from view, Toshinori fell back into grief.

"I have to tell him. I have to be the one to do it."

Toshinori's good hand curled into a fist as he closed his eyes.

"It's my responsibility."

Gran Torino thought of the boy he had saved, the one Toshinori alluded to. Izuku Midoriya definitely took after his mother, but there was no doubt that he was the son of FireFang. When he'd found them, the boy and his mother, four soldiers had been poised to take their lives.

Even then, when he had incapacitated the soldiers and saved them, Inko Midoriya had barely been clinging to life and the boy had his right arm amputated. Both had suffered from intense shrapnel damage. Still, they were alive, and Gran Torino was thankful for that.

The older hero sighed, and then spoke sternly.

"Compose yourself Toshinori, you'll only cause the boy more suffering looking all gloomy like that."

Toshinori's eyes darkened and he grit his teeth before sighing as well.

"You're right, I must show him that there is always hope."

For a moment, those sapphires glowed once more. Gran Torino smiled. Toshinori's spirit was always a matter of pride between himself and Nana. If only she could see him now.

They sat in silence for a minute longer before Toshinori shakily stood up. He held onto the IV stand for support and rolled it along to the door. They exchanged one last look, Gran Torino nodding to All Might, before the symbol of hope departed into the hospital hallway.

'Compose yourself Toshinori…'

Gran Torino scoffed, he knew he was a harsh man.

But for the sake of both Toshinori and Izuku Midoriya, he softened, and hoped they would recover. The loss of a loved one was a heavy weight to bear.

Raven locks and a pure white cloak floated through his memories. Gran Torino smiled sadly to himself. He'd always loved her smile.

May she finally rest.

-oxoxo-

Since waking up, Izuku sat quietly on the bed. After the nurses and doctors took his vitals, a prosthetic specialist had come to discuss his options. Behind him was a young girl with short pink hair. She stood by the door while the man spoke of various models he could buy to replace his missing arm.

The specialist tried on multiple occasions to get Izuku to speak. He'd asked questions only to be met with silence as the green haired boy stared blankly. Understanding, the man sighed, whispered something to the girl before taking their leave with a promise to return when he was ready.

Once again, Izuku was alone.

"Excuse me…young Midoriya."

I know that voice.

The world knitted itself together if only to show the large frame of All Might standing beneath his doorway. The symbol of hope waved politely.

"May I come in?"

Struggling, Izuku nodded. All Might seemed relieved as he walked gingerly into the room, an IV stand in tow. The older man limped to an empty chair at his bedside. It would seem even All Might had not come out unscathed.

Izuku and the hero sat in silence.

His eyes were hollow as All Might shifted in his seat. It was clear he was thinking heavily on his choice of words. Eventually, he decided on something lighthearted.

"It's been quite some time since I last saw you young Midoriya. You've grown so much; back when you were a baby I could hold you in the palm of my hand," he chuckled nervously, "It always used to stress Inko out."

Silence.

All Might gulped as a bead of sweat ran down his temple. It wasn't going to get any easier, and so, with a calming breath, he prepared to break the news.

"Now, young Midoriya, what I'm about to tel-"

"My parents are dead."

Izuku's words cut through the hero's heart. His voice had been quiet, but every syllable had been razor sharp.

"That's what you were going to say, right?"

Izuku drifted back to reality. His dismal green eyes misted with tears as he looked at All Might. Toshinori's careful composure almost shattered.

"I'm truly sorry young Midoriya. I…" he cleared his throat, "I wasn't able to save your father."

Izuku sank back into the hospital bed, the pillows cradling him. Silent tears fell from his eyes.

It's my fault… It's all my fault. If I hadn't gone out to meet Kacchan…

"But young Midoriya…"

Izuku peered past his watery gaze to see a kind smile.

"...your mother is still alive."

Mom?

He stiffened as the memories of that night once again flashed through his mind. He could still feel the sudden sharp pain of shrapnel.

"Is she alright?"

All Might's smile dipped and he looked away, contemplating something. The hero let out a heavy breath as he regarded Izuku.

"Let's visit her. This is something you'll have to see for yourself."

-oxoxo-

Seated in a wheelchair, Izuku sat stock still in a dark and gloomy room at Inko Midoriya's bedside. His mother was peaceful as she lay lifeless beneath the stark white hospital sheets. Gentle bandages cradled the left side of her skull.

Her breath was soft and mechanical as a respirator led to an air purifier puffing steam in the corner. All Might stood by the door, waiting patiently.

Izuku took shaky breaths as he carefully used one arm to roll closer. He placed his hand within his mother's and squeezed.

I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.

"How long until she wakes up?"

The hero spoke calmly, but a sullen tone bit through.

"The doctors don't know. They said she may wake anywhere from next week to never again."

Izuku let out a soft whimper as his head sunk onto the bed, eyes screwed shut. He stayed there a while, crying to himself.

All Might could only stand resolute by the door, blue eyes downcast.

He'd failed them.

-oxoxo-

Toshinori slowly wheeled back the desolate form of Izuku Midoriya. After an hour of the boy's visit with his mother, the nurses had urged them back to his room for medication. Hisashi would have been distraught to see his son so empty. Izuku hadn't even fought Toshinori when he pulled the boy away from his mother.

After they had given Izuku a round of pain medication, the nurses left, leaving him alone with the boy once more. Toshinori sat at the boy's bedside, observing him.

He knew that look.

It was one he'd seen on the families of the deceased. It was the look of someone's world shattering. Toshinori's teeth clenched and he fought to keep his emotions down.

He'd never thought he would lose someone again.

Nana left behind a family…

And now there wasn't much left of Hisashi's.

"Uncle Toshinori?"

He refocused on Izuku, putting away his own thoughts for now.

"Yes, young Midoriya?"

The boy's eyes were desperate.

"Even though I'm quirkless… can…" he paused, voice shaky, "...can I be a hero? Like my Dad?"

Like his father?

The bloody memory of Hisashi Midoriya's mangled corpse strangled every ounce of hope that resided within Toshinori. For a moment, he saw the son in place of his father, broken before All for One's grinning maw.

Hate rose to the surface before simmering into a boil of regret and bitterness.

The Midoriya's have suffered enough.

Gently, Toshinori placed a hand on Izuku's left shoulder.

"Your father was one of the bravest and strongest heroes I've ever known. He would not have stood to see you throw your life away. Do not give yourself to the endless struggle of good and evil. You will not honor your father's death by dying with him."

Toshinori stood as Izuku looked away.

"I'm sorry, young Midoriya, this must be hard to hear, but it is no less important. Without a quirk, you cannot be a hero. To save others, you must first have the power to save yourself."

He pulled his hand back and turned to leave. However, before doing so, he stopped at the doorway.

"Get some rest young Midoriya, and…" he paused, unsure of his own words, "...live a good life. Your father would have wanted it that way."

With those parting words, Toshinori stepped into the hallway, IV stand on his left as he closed the door softly behind him.

I wasn't able to save Hisashi, but I can still save you, young Midoriya.

-oxoxo-

Gran Torino shook his head disapprovingly as the symbol of hope limped down the hall.

"Toshinori, you fool."

He looked through the small door window at Izuku's hopeless state.

"Have you forgotten so easily where you came from? The losses of war have clouded your judgement."

The older hero let out a grumble and a quick huff as he observed Hisashi Midoriya's son with critical eyes.

So the boy wants to be a hero?

A small nostalgic smile spread across his features.

He has a long way to go, especially with that arm of his. Still, there is hope for him yet.

Gran Torino chuckled to himself.

I'll have to clear out Toshinori's old room.

A/N: Writing scenes like this is always hard for me. Anyway, let me know what you think. Thanks for reading!