Izuku's POV:
Oh man, I'm so exited! Things couldn't go any better for me! Turns out I actually DO have a quirk, and a strong one! However...to use it I have to take someone else's quirk...it sure feels like a double edge sword but...it's better then being quirkless. Besides...though it may seem like a villainous quirk...it isn't the quirk that make the person, it's the person and how they use it!
I pump my fist in the air as I near the location Stain told me to meet him. I gotta say he really is a mysterious figure...I couldn't find out anything about him. He's definitely not anyone well known...but I can just tell there's this air of secrets around him...well I will be training with him from here on. I'm sure he'll open up to me...eventually...eh well I hope at least enough so that he'll tell me his name. At the very least.
It took a while to make up a good enough lie to my mom to cover up this whole training stuff. Just telling her I would be hanging with friends for a project...Phew. Good thing my mom is awesome and totally trusts me without question.
Hmmm...Oh I'm here! I get to the hiking path leading into the forest...but Stain wasn't around...huh...maybe...I got here first? Or maybe he got held up...wait...everything's gone quiet...too quiet...like...the kind of quiet when something bad's about to happen...
I tense up and glance around fearing something just might pop out at me...then suddenly I heard shuffling in a tree just on the left of me...and almost on instinct I went into my sludge form just in time for a figure to swoop out of the tree and at me like a bullet and stop on a dime in front of me with a blade pointed right in at my left eye...
"...Quick but not quick enough. Keep your head in the game if you planning to keep it." Stain then lowered his sword and put it away.
I let out a breathe of relief and revert back to my normal state. So that's the kinda teacher he is...the hardcore type...this was gonna be one heck of a ride...but hey. I did agree to this after all, so I can't really complain...
"Right...I guess we're gonna work on that right?" I asked nervously.
"That and...pretty much everything else. I'll push every single aspect of you to it's limits and beyond."
"Pluuus ultra!" I chant.
"Stop that." The man said sharply.
"Sorry..." Izuku ducked his head.
"It's okay, now go change into these." Stain said handing me some green robes...
"Oh um...okay...where do I go to change?..." Izuku spoke confused.
"Hmmm...that's a tough one. Maybe behind all the trees surrounding us?" His voice dripped with sarcasm.
"Right...sorry sir..."I then walked off into the woods a bit to make sure I was out of sight and began to change.
Jeez Stain is gonna be strict I can feel it. I better make sure not to get on his nerves...meaning no stupid questions, no mumbling, and none of my other annoying habits...
I then get changed into the robes he had ready for me.
It was a light green battle gi. Short sleeved and short at the legs too.
...Why do I feel like I'm gonna regret saying that? I decided to shrug it off and fold up my clothes and place them in my bag. I smile to myself eager to start my training to be a hero. I walk back over to Stain, he was waiting while sitting with his legs and arms crossed.
"Hmph." He notices me come up and hops to his feet.
"Here."He then handed me to what seemed to be a short katana...what are they called again? Kodachi?
I took it and unsheaved it to examine the blade.
"That will be a part of your training. Practice with it well."
"O-Oh r-right!( Well good thing it's short enough to fit in my backpack...otherwise my mom would freak...)" I smile sheaving it again and placing in in my waist strap.
"Okay! What's fi-GAAH!" Stain then slammed his foot into my chest sending my to the ground in pain.
"That. I'm going to boost your reaction speed."
"Aghh...okay...that hurt...jeez...you couldn't have given me a warning?" I spat rubbing my chest in pain.
"Will your foes give you a warning?"
"Ah...no..." He did have a point...a villain sure isn't gonna give you a heads up...
I then suck it up and stand back up and give a look of determination in my eyes.
"Heheh...good. I like that look in your eyes." He then took a stance.
I nod and took a stance as well...a brief moment of silence fell...then with a quick motion Stain came at me with blurry speed. He reeled back his arm and I quickly thought he was ready for a forward punch I then bring my arms up to my face to block it but then he suddenly lowered his arm and punched upward between my crossed arm guard to throw my arms up then quickly followed up with a jab in the gut.
"OOF!" I then stumble back holding my stomach.
He psyched me out...
"Focus. All pay attention to your foes movements. Anticipate and adapt." He spoke in a stern tone.
"Aghh...yes sir..." I grumble regaining my composer.
"And don't be afraid to use your quirk."
"Yes teacher..." I ready myself again.
"( This is gonna be a rough...) Hey Stain sir...um...how long do you plan to train me?"
"When are your hero entrance exam?" Stain asked.
"10 months from now..."
"Then that's how long you got to show me your ready to pass it." The man crossed his arms.
"Gulp..." A bead of sweat drops down my temple just thinking of 10 brutal months of this...
"Having second thoughts?"
"N-No! If this is what it takes to be a hero I'll bare any pain or hardship! If I wanna be a symbol of strength people look to for safety then I have to be able to take anything that comes with a grin on my face!"I shout proudly and furiously.
"...Hahahahahahahaha! Yes! YES! That's it boy! Show who you are! Embrace true heroism!" He smiled and praised me in a sort of fanatically way.
We both resume our training. It was long...relentless, brutal, exhausting and...fun oddly. It was pretty thrilling, I liked the chill that went down my spine during it all. Is this what heroes fill when their out in the field? If so...it's amazing! I didn't get to train with my Kodachi today...but then again training my reflexes are kinda more important if I'm gonna train with a sword.
"You did well for a first time. You really know how to think fast and adapt. That will be a keen component in your long journey."He smirked proudly.
I could feel spirits rise at my teachers compliment. The feeling of joy overshadowed the pain of my aching body.
"Say um...when exactly will we spar with our swords? Also um...will be starting with wooden swords first?"
Stain's smile vanished and his strict mentor look returned.
"I will teach you swordsmanship once your reflexes, speed, agility, endurance and body sharply honed. The sword training will be much more meaning full if your at a peaked condition. Also we will NOT be starting with wooden swords. Out there Midoriya...everything is real and nothing is pulled. I want you to adapt quickly. I don't want you to get sloppy or make you let your guard down by allowing the fact that it's simple sparing with non lethal weapons."
He spoke with a low grim tone...it really sent chills down my spine...he was so intense...
"I want you to feel and experience the amount of sheer life threatening danger you will be placed in as a hero. That fear will make you stronger. It's your life on the line and you need to think fast and act fast. Or your gonna DIE FAST."His eyes burned with a furious intensity.
I quickly nod despite the trembling of my body...jeez Stain really must have gone through a lot...I can just see it in his eyes...because it's the same look in my eyes...for so long...hurt...with no one to turn to or rely on...I know the look anywhere.
"I understand...you seem to know the feeling..."
"Better then most. Hesitation leads to ruin."
"Yeah that...sounds about right..."
"Good, your free for today. Take care Midoriya and be ready for tomorrow. Same time and place."
"Yeah you too teacher."I flash a smile.
Stain smiles back faintly and leaps off into the trees.
I then heave a sigh and go to change back into my regular clothes before heading back home. I should consider buying weights and other work out gear, now that this will be a thing from here on. No need to slack off once I get home, I should keep busy...maybe think of new things to implement into my training.
"This is gonna be a long 10 months..."
Time skip: 1 month later...
No one's POV:
Stain threw punch after punch and kick after kick but Izuku adeptly dodged them all. Stain then tried to leg sweep Izuku but he hopped over his foot, but Stain followed up with high spin kick bu Izuku ducked as his feet the ground from his hop. Stain then went for an uppercut but Izuku leaned back avoiding it, he then threw two jabs at Izuku's face but he quickly tilted his head left and right to dodge them both. Stain the ended his assault with front flip axe kick but Izuku slid to the left avoiding it.
"...Very good. Your reflexes are acceptable." He bore a proud smile.
"Hehehe...you know it."Normally Izuku would be out of breath on panting on the ground by now but he really had upped his stamina.
He only stood with minor bruises but over all triumphant.
"Go on home. We'll start on your body build tomorrow. Then once that's done we can get to combat training." He spoke walking away.
Izuku bowed and did as he was told. He smiled to himself on his way home. He was truly getting stronger, this was really happening. Izuku smiled to himself but his smile was quickly diminished when he felt a hand quickly grab his shoulder harshly from behind, but his new found instincts kick in and he spun around and leg swept the person then quickly grab their arm holding it up while placing his foot on their shoulder.
"...Huh?"Izuku then looks down to see the unknown person is...Bakuguo.
"Oh Kanchan. Sorry you startled me." He smiled letting go.
Bakuguo laid there for a few moments trying to process what just happened...did...DEKU just drop him? The rage finally catching up he stood up and was ready to scream his lungs off at him but once his eyes raised back up...Izuku had already begun to walk off.
"HEY! DON'T YOU FUCKING IGNORE ME!"
"Sorry Kanchan! Kinda busy! Maybe some other time!"He shouts back as he rounds the corner vanishing from Bakuguo's line of sight.
"...WHAT...THE FUCK...JUST...HAPPENED?"
The next day Izuku had arrived at the usual spot for him and Stain but he instinctively ducked his head to the left dodging a throwing knife being thrown at him.
"Hmmm. Good. Still expecting the unexpected even when told we'd be doing something different."
"What else did you expect?"A cocky grin stretched across his face.
"Don't get too cocky. This is going to even more difficult." Stain said with his signature icy glare.
Izuku's confidence deflated a bit but he kept strong.
"Now follow me. We'll be training in a different area if the woods." He then turned and walked off.
"Yes sensei!" Izuku followed closely behind excited for what was to come.
Upon arriving to the area they were met with a river and near it was a vast number of work out equipment, some training tools made by hand and some that...straight up looked like medieval torture machines...
"Um...I'm...not too sure about this..."
"Well no turning back now. Didn't set all this up for nothing kid. Now let's get cracking. Literally."
"Aaaaaaaaaahh-
2 hours later.
"AAAGHHH! THIS IS IMPOSSIBLE!" Izuku was straining with all his might in a harsh sweat to tug along the giant boulder Stain had strapped to his back.
"Come on you've hardly moved it a few meters."
"Y-YES...SIR...!"
5 hours later.
"Well...we certainly have some ways to go here Midoriya...Midoriya?" He looked down at the exhausted boy collapsed on the ground.
"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaagggggggh..."
"Well your groaning so your still alive. Do you want help getting home?"
"N-No...just...leave me...here...I'll move when...I get the feeling back in...my body..."
"Hmph. Well if you say so. Just hope the birds or any other beast of the wilds don't come and pick at you. I'll see you tomorrow Midoriya." With that Stain took his leave swiftly.
"Hehehe..agh...oh...well...I guess the sayings true...no pain..agh...no gain...hehehe...ow..."
5 months later.
"RAGH! RAGH! RAGH! RAGH!" Izuku's muscles burned as he lifted two giant boulders by ropes hung from two trees.
"497, 498, 499, 500!"
Izuku let go of both ropes and sprinted off at breakneck speed and toward the river. Reaching the river he leaped very high in the air to the river and hopped off the large rocks sticking out of it flawlessly, after getting to the other side he ran up a tree and back flipped onto a branch then continued to leap from through the trees, doing a bunch of acrobatics as he went. Izuku landed off in a clearing in the woods where Stain was sitting and waiting with a cup of ramen.
"Hmm...better time then yesterday." He said placing his chopsticks inside the empty cup.
"Hehehe...huff...hehe...no...s-sweat." The boy gave a strained smile.
"Why don't you sit and rest? You look like your ready to collapse...again."
"Not a bad idea...aghhh..." The boy plopped down on the ground.
Stain tossed him a bottle of water to which the boy caught it quickly.
"Thanks...my mouth felt like sand paper..." He spoke up uncapping the bottle and drinking from it.
"Say um...Sensei?"
"Hmm?"
"Look um...sorry to go here again but...why do you always scowl and frown whenever I talk about the new heroes? It feels like you have this personal gripe with them..."
"...Siigh...You really wanna know Midoriya? Fine. It's because they're all fakes. Phonies. They're not true heroes."
Izuku's eyes widen and he paused for a moment...did he just hear him right?
"Being a hero stopped being about selflessly putting your neck on the chopping board for the sake if right action a long time ago. Now it's just a simple job, a competition for some, an ego trip. They're either after fame or glory. All Might is the only true hero." He hissed.
"...That's...that's not true."
"Oh but it is. If you've truly looked with both eyes peering behind the schemes you would see. This generation has forgotten the true meaning of heroism and the one's who have come to support this new shallow vow of heroism should be purged so they do not infect other generations to come." He spoke with such venom in his voice.
"...Your wrong."
"What a-" Stain was then cut off by Izuku.
"I SAID YOUR WRONG." The boy raised his voice a bit.
Stain's eyes grew wide at his sudden outburst.
"You can't just...do that. You can't just pass judgment down on the people of thus generation like that...I understand how you feel...and in ways I do feel like a lot of heroes are only in it for the financial support or popularity but...they all have their reasons I'm sure..." He spoke with a faint sense of sternness.
"Even if they didn't...they're probably just lost...and need help to see the light."
"Everyone in my eyes deserves a second chance." Izuku said with a tense stare.
"..." He only offered a blank stare...
"...Oh jeez...I'm sorry...I d-didn't mean t-to snap like t-that..." He sweat dropped and held his hands up.
"No. It's okay, you just...surprised me is all." Stain shook his head.
"Oh phew...for a second I thought I made you mad..."
"Not at all. What you did do was give me somethings to think about though." He gave a faint smile.
Izuku smiled back brightly.
"Yaaawn. Let's call it quits for today. Your body, speed and agility have all sharpened nicely. Combat is next. Be ready tomorrow." Stain stretched.
"Yes sir!" He bowed.
"Hmph...Chizome." Stain spoke.
Izuku: "Huh?..."
"My name. It's Chizome Akaguro."
Izuku's eyes lit up as he smiled at Stain for finally opening up.
"Thank you...Chizome." Izuku thanked him with a warm smile.
"Hey, just because I gave you my name doesn't mean to drop respect!"
"S-Sorry Sensei s-sir!" He stammered.
"Hehehe, that's better. Go on home. The real Hell starts tomorrow." He left without another word or glance.
"...Siiiiiiiiiiiiigh..." Izuku then laid on his back.
"Come on Izuku don't get discouraged now...you wanted this...remember?"
"This is the final step to be ready for the long road up ahead."
"The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step! Yeah...look forward to this."
"...Agh...I have GOT to stop talking to myself..." He face palmed.
To be continued.