Immortālitās

Trigger Warning: References towards sexual abuse, violence

Chapter One

It is believed that around 80% of the world's population possesses a Quirk.

My parents were among the 20% that never manifested one.

It was not surprising then, that when I was born, our family physician concluded that I was to be Quirkless.

Until the Incident.

My family was traveling home from a vacation, when a drunk driver slammed into our vehicle head on. My parents died on impact, their frail bodies not being able to withstand the force of the collision, as our sedan was sent tumbling off the road and began barreling down the side of a cliff.

I remember everything that happened vividly.

Seconds before the other vehicle struck, my father and mother looked at me through the rear-view mirror. I could see the shock, horror, and fear flashing through their eyes. Also, love. The love, love, LOVE. How I miss their love.

Then suddenly I could no longer see through my right eye as everything crumpled, and I felt the harshest pain I ever felt in my entire three years of life. Our car was sent spiraling, before the tumbling motion started and I screamed for my family who just didn't look like people anymore. I could hear the crashing, the tumbling, and the breaking. I was the one breaking. Branches were smashing through the rear windows and I could no longer close my mouth as my jaw hung limply. Then everything came to a sudden stop as smoke filled what was left of the cramped space I was now left in. Black filled what was left of my vision and my remaining eye stung with tears running down my swollen cheek.

The smoke was quickly replaced by a burning blaze, as a searing heat began tickling at my senses. A foul, burnt scent wafted through the air and I began screaming once more at the recognition of my skin being seared. The scent of flesh being seared. I screamed until I could no longer make a sound, sitting in numbness as my body could no longer feel the lick of the flames.

I can remember hearing the sirens as I pleaded for my life to leave me.

I can remember hearing the first responders dousing the flames that refused to kill me.

I can remember them tearing open the metal to extract the corpses believed to be inside.

I can remember their screams. The sounds of gagging, followed by vomit.

I can remember the bruises...

Cuts.

Lacerations.

Burns.

The odd angles.

The protruding bones.

The rear-view mirror lodged into my skull through the right eye socket.

They said it was impossible, but I recovered as the people around me marveled at my unknown Quirk.

How quickly things changed.

With no living relatives, I was placed within the foster system for kids with Quirks.

I remember the favoritism shown towards the kids with the flashiest Quirks.

I remember the nights spent, watching my wounds heal in the dark.

I remember the hunger.

I remember the adults that paid extra attention to me.

The looks.

The touching.

Trying to say no.

The pain.

I remember the life leaving their eyes, as I vanished into the night. I know what I did was wrong, but what they did was worse.

So, there I was, at the tender age of eight, contemplating life atop the tallest building I could find. Sure, jumping is probably useless, but I have always debated on how far my Quirk could be pushed. Staring at the pavement below, I took a deep breath before preparing to step off the edge.

Here's to hoping that I wouldn't be too mangled. I've never enjoyed a lengthy recovery time.

I was just about to step off when he showed up, and changed the course of my life forever.

"It's going to be all right! Why? Because I am here!"

"A-All Might!?" I shouted, now dangling from his grasp.

His signature smile is replaced by a much more solemn look.

"Child," he said to me frowning. "Dare I ask why you were just about to step off that ledge?"

I pushed aside the excitement of meeting the world's greatest hero, and forced myself to get angry. "Shouldn't you be off fighting some super evil villain?! You're the number one hero, and I'm just some small kid. Get your priorities straight!"

My small outburst only caused him to frown further. "Yes, I am the number one hero. The Symbol of Peace! It is my job to take care of all evil-doers and villains alike, but my job description does not just end there. The security, and happiness of the populace is also one of my top priorities. So right now, my small friend, you are my top priority!"

"I'm not worth your time," I scowled at him.

"When there's a person that needs to be saved, it's a given that that person has had to face some terrifying feelings," he continued on. "You're saving their life, but also their heart. So, every person is worthy of my time. You're all important to me. Especially you. The youth is our future, and we must all work together so that our future is brighter. Please, young man, let me help you."

I continued to scowl at him in silence, trying to stare him down before I felt my eyes beginning to water. I grit my teeth, trying to hold my tears back before the dam broke.

"I'm scared, okay!?" I shouted. "I'm scared of the system! The foster homes! The nightmares that keep me from closing my eyes! I've been living on the streets for the past year and I'm scared! I'm allowed to be scared!"

I continued to cry and spew the gibberish that was my life as All Might fell to his knees and carefully hugged me.

"I'm so sorry," All Might cried with me. "We have failed you. Your light has just begun to shine, yet society has already tried to snuff it out. I understand how your young mind has led you to where you stand now, but as the Symbol of Peace, I cannot let you continue down this path."

I cried even harder.

"I will assist in getting you the help you need in order to rekindle the light that has gone so dim within you," he started. "But first, can I let you in on a little secret?"

I nodded my head, sniffling.

"I, too, am scared."

"But you're All Might!" I interjected. "How can you be scared of anything?!"

"I was scared when I saw you standing on that ledge." My eyes widened. "I'm scared that I have failed many more like you. I'm scared that I will fail as the Symbol of Peace, scared that every battle will be my last."

"How," I blinked up at him. "How can you be so scared, but continue on?"

"I want to create a world where people can live their lives smiling!" He smiled. "And my master once said to me that no matter how scary it gets; you must always wear a smile that says I'm fine! So, I smile to trick the fear inside me!"

"I want to see a world like that," I whispered to myself.

"What was that, young man?"

I looked at him with a determined glint. "I want to see a world like that!"

"Hahaha, yes!" He smiled even brighter. "Use that determination and let that world begin anew in yourself! Take your fear, and show it all your teeth! Show it that no matter how many times it tries to knock you down that you are fine!"

"I am fine!" I shouted, smiling the biggest smile I have in a long time.

"What is your name, young man?"

"I-Ivan Tantarimoto," I blushed. "My mother came from a different country to live with my father, so I was given her grandfather's name."

"Ivan Tantarimoto!" All Might shouted to the heaven's before beaming his smile at me. "I believe you have what it takes to be a true hero!"

"You think I could be a hero?" My jaw opened wide.

"I know that you can!" He hoisted me onto his shoulders before turning serious, "But first, we will get you the help that you require."

I balled my fist, holding it in front of my chest as I glared out into the distance. "I will show my fear that I am fine!"

"Then smile, young Ivan!" he shouted, preparing to take off. "Let this be a new beginning!"

The wind rushed all around as All Might shot off the building.

I smiled.

I will be fine.

Hello friends! Thank you for reading the first chapter (kind of an introduction) of Immortālitās. I hope you enjoyed it, and I look forward to your thoughts and opinions!

TTFN.