Chapter 18: R&D

'Midoriya!'

Izuku jumped up in his desk, blinking blearily, he lifted his head up and directed his attention back to the front of the class. Midnight was staring at him, her eyes narrowed dangerously. 'Were you sleeping in class?' she asked warningly.

'Uh, n-no ma'am! I was just, eh, reviewing my notes!' Izuku said hastily, randomly shuffling the pages in front of him.

'Hmm…'

She glared at him in suspicion for a moment before continuing her lesson, 'Anyway as I was saying, capes may be a good aesthetic choice, but…'

He was able to pay attention for barely a minute before zoning out again. It wasn't that he thought that Midnight's class wasn't worth paying attention to, he just couldn't muster the energy.

Stifling another yawn, he rested his head in his arm as he considered everything else he still had to do today.

I need to finish up my stun grenades, study for my calculus test tomorrow, remove sentient butterflies from the reactor core…

Suddenly he found himself standing in a red lit, low ceilinged steel room that was filled with unfamiliar machinery. Alarms were blaring and if the surrounding computer screens were any indication, there was a serious emergency.

'Lieutenant, the chamber is flooded with deadly levels of pollen!' shouted a nearby ruddy faced engineer, We can't possibly-Argh! '

Without warning the command console the engineer had been manning exploded, engulfing the poor bastard in flames. Izuku wasted no time. Grabbing a nearby radiation suit, he quickly pulled it on while the man fell screaming to the floor. There was only one chance for survival. He would need to enter the anti-matter drive himself and pour gravy all over it. Nothing short of total emulsification could stop the winged insect menace now. Readying his ladle, he took a deep breath and began punching in the pass code into the reactor door terminal. Before he could disengage the reactor chamber lockdown however, he was interrupted by the ship's captain.

'Midoriya! Midoriya!' blared the captain through the PA system.

Izuku released the door handle and looked up at the speaker in annoyance. Why couldn't they just let him work in peace? Activating his wrist mounted comm system, he dialed in to the ship's bridge.

'Command, can't this wait? I'm trying to save our sorry asses.' he barked.

'Midoriya, are you paying attention?!'

Izuku jerked upright in his seat. He was back in his classroom. Everyone had turned to look at him as he blinked himself back to wakefulness. Coughing, he straightened his tie amidst the snickers of his classmates before attempting an innocent smile over at the scowling Midnight.

'Erm, yes. Yes, yes. I'm paying attention.' he said, rubbing his eyes.

'Oh, really?' Midnight said, crossing her arms, 'Well then what was I talking about?'

'Uhhhhhhh…' Izuku quickly glanced around the class looking for some hint, several students mouthed the word "wings" at him.

'Wings!' Izuku declared with faux confidence, 'Decorative or functional, they are uh, really difficult to integrate effectively into costumes.'

Time seemed to stop while Midnight regarded him coolly. A few tense seconds later she spoke.

'…Yes. They are.' she said, eyeing him askance before turning back to the class, 'So, wings can be made more functional than capes but oftentimes they require a complete overhaul of a hero's persona…'

Izuku breathed a sigh of relief as he slumped back in his desk. That was a close one. A few minutes later the bell rang and he stood and stretched his legs. He would need all his wits about him for the foundational heroic studies class.

Class 1-H shifted restlessly; their faces drawn as they watched the bank of monitors that filled the wall opposite of them. Each screen alternated between yellow, orange, and white with the occasional flash of black. Every few seconds or so the screens would clear of colour revealing a burnt-out electric yard – its metal equipment twisted and warped by the immense heat. Even though the room was air conditioned, several of the students were sweating profusely.

Beside the silent class, All Might smiled at the screens, scratching his chin thoughtfully. Every so often he would exclaim "Hoo-Hoo!" or "Ahah!" but otherwise he said nothing and the rest of the room was deathly silent.

After a couple minutes, a heavy pneumatic steel door that was built into the wall retracted revealing a raging inferno. Wincing and shielding their faces from the heat, the students retreated away from the open doorway. Stumbling through the flames, an armoured figure ran into the room. As soon as he was clear, the door immediately sealed itself behind him.

'Ha! The hero returns!' called out All Might, 'There's still a fire behind you, isn't there?'

The figure popped off its helmet revealing Izuku. His face slick with sweat.

'Yeah.' Izuku panted, pausing to wipe some of the sweat out of his eyes, 'After I rescued everyone, I figured there was nothing more I could do.'

The boy was right but All Might wasn't finished with him yet. Was he so certain that he had rescued everyone?

'But are you absolutely sure you got all the civilians to safety? Maybe there were a few-' All Might began but the boy, who was still struggling to catch his breath, shook his head.

'No.' Izuku said without hesitation, 'The station is clear.'

'Oh, well. Yes! That is correct.' All Might grinned. He liked the boy's confidence, though he was slightly disappointed that he didn't have the chance to grill him a little. He wanted to put him on the spot, hear what his reasoning was.

'Well done on rescuing the civilians, except what about the fire?' All Might said, pointing with his thumb over at the wall of monitors. They displayed a towering series of capacitors, many of which had burst and were now spewing flames across a gravel covered yard.

'I don't think that the fire is a priority. Let it burn itself out. It's contained.' Izuku rasped.

'There were fire extinguishers and water infrastructure nearby though! Are you really just going to let it burn?'

'Yes.'

'Well then! Explain your reasoning, my boy. Why are you willing to let it all burn down?'

Izuku took a deep breath, 'Because I don't know for certain what the status is of those capacitors. They could still be holding a charge for all I know. If I were to douse them with water, they could explode and kill everybody. It's not worth the risk.' Izuku said. He remembered that particular detail from one of Power Loader's after-action reports.

All Might felt his grin grow a little as he regarded the exhausted boy. He was good. He had chosen to test young Midoriya first to see how he would react in a totally unfamiliar situation and the electrical fire scenario was a useful gauge of a first-year students' ability to rationalize their actions. In truth, Midoriya wasn't supposed to have rescued everybody, but All Might couldn't fault him for his immediate action.

According to Maijima, Midoriya's biggest shortcoming was his reckless nature, but he seemed to be cautious enough as far as environmental dangers were concerned. It was possible that all those after-action reports that Maijima was making him read were sorting him out. Or maybe his problem was that he overestimated himself in combat?

'Correct! Congratulations on passing the test!' All Might shouted, beaming at Izuku.

Izuku raised his arm in triumph before he clumsily spun around and trudged over to a nearby bench.

'Well! Who's next?' All Might said, turning to the rest of the class. They looked at each other apprehensively.

'Come on now, don't be shy. How about…' All Might scanned through the crowd as everyone quickly averted their gaze. There was one boy wasn't quick enough!

'You!' All Might shouted, pointing, 'Young Saigo!'

The boy's face went pale as the class quickly darted away, leaving him alone in the crowd.

'M-m-me?' he said, his voice cracking.

'Yes, you!' All Might boomed, 'You're up my boy, front and centre!'

All Might pressed a button on the control panel, resetting the scenario.

'All right everybody, let's see how young Saigo fares!'

The class looked on in morbid curiosity as the trembling teen walked on stiff legs towards the veritable furnace entrance.

While Saigo said his prayers, All Might glanced behind him. From the corner of his eye, he saw Izuku casually splayed out on the bench, his back leaning against the wall.

He has the right attitude, the drive, the skill, and intelligence to boot. Maybe I should speak with him…

Izuku shifted and All Might hastily turned his attention back to the monitors. It seemed as though Saigo was in a spot of trouble as he was now frantically rolling around the yard in flames. His pants had caught on fire. After a moment Saigo was able to recover himself and was now approaching the maintenance shack were a few trapped civilian droids were located. As Saigo pulled the first one out, All Might glanced back over at Izuku.

I can afford to wait a little longer yet. I should see what he's like outside of the classroom.

*BANG *BANG *BANG Came the crashing fist on Izuku's gilded chamber door.

'Oh, no!' cried Mitsuki, covering herself with the All Might themed bedroom sheets, 'You can't let them find you, Izu! Quick, before it's too late!'

Frantically, Izuku looked around the room for somewhere to hide, but he was trapped. The walls had become smooth and featureless and he had nowhere left to run to. All he could do was stand uselessly in front of the door.

*BANG *BANG Came the awful sound again as the door started to buckle in.

'WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?' boomed the voice.

Before he could say anything, the door burst wide open and the room was flooded with blinding white light. Suddenly he found himself being sucked down into the white nothingness as he fell through oblivion.

'Hugh!' Izuku grunted as he slid down to the floor.

He opened his eyes and wildly looked around. After a second he recognized his surroundings. He was still in the foundational heroics studies class. Mei was stooped over him, disapproval written across her face.

'Hey! Izuku! Helloooo!' she said loudly, rapping her knuckles across his helmet.

Reluctantly, he stirred.

'I-Is class over? Where's Mitsuki?' he said in a slurring drawl.

'Who?' Mei blurted, before she rolled her eyes, 'You know what, on second thought I don't want to know. Come on, snap out of it! Before All Might notices you!'

She leaned down and shook his shoulders roughly. After shaking him a little she stood back as he pushed himself up against the bench and stood, swaying as he recovered his bearings.

Just as things were starting to get interesting too.

Glancing around, he saw that most of the class had already filed out of the building.

'Thanks Mei. I owe you one.' he said, giving her a light tap on the arm.

'D-Don't mention it.' she said, rubbing where he'd hit her, 'I can't have my personal trainer getting too much detention, now can I? What's the deal with you today, Izuku? Why can't you stay awake in class?'

'Um, well I've been getting to bed pretty late. I think it's just stress though.' he said as they started walking out of the room.

'Hm, tell me about it. I'm pretty stressed too.'

At that she launched into a long, extremely dull story about her DOTA teammates that she seemed to hate with a burning passion. The pair continued chatted as they walked back to the main UA campus before separating to go to their respective change rooms. Entering the boy's room, he went over to his locker and stripped out of his costume.

'Hey Izuku, after our development period are you going to be at the exercises?' Saigo asked as dressed himself, 'You looked pretty out of it in class today.'

'Yep! I'll be there.' Izuku said, 'I've gotta keep in shape too, y'know?'

From over his shoulder he heard a locker door slam shut with a bang. Turning, he saw Moyashi snatch up his backpack from the floor and begin marching away.

Izuku hesitated. While everyone was busily preparing themselves for the Sports Festival, Moyashi was acting totally indifferent. What's more he seemed to be uncaring about his classes in general. During All Might's exercise he had hardly seemed to be trying.

Should I talk to him? I don't want to be a busy body, but don't we all have a responsibility to help each other out?

Before he could make up his mind though, Moyashi had already left.

Hours passed and the end of school bell rang; flooding the hallways with students eager to get home or hang out with friends. However, Class 1-H wasn't among them. They were hard at work in the development studio; scrambling to cobble together some piece of gear that would hopefully give them an edge in the Sports Festival. Amongst the flurry of activity, Izuku was set up at his workstation with an elaborate chemistry glassworks, trying his best not to blow himself up.

Currently he was synthesizing the volatile phosphorous-nitrate mixture that comprised the explosive in his stun grenades. Prior to this the most experience Izuku had with mixing chemicals was dismantling meth labs and using food dye to change the colour of the icing on the cake for his eleventh birthday.

Beside him Moyashi occasionally glanced up from his binder to check on him.

'Still got steady hands, Izuku? They look preeeetty clammy to me.' he said dryly.

'I-I-I th-think I'm good.' Izuku muttered back.

His apprehension was understandable. However, that wasn't why he was so jumpy. If someone were to take a closer look at what he was doing, they would notice that there was actually a secondary compound being formed. Three to be more precise.

Today, he had finally worked up the nerve to create his web solution. Hidden in plain sight amidst the tubes and flasks that crisscrossed his workstation, a pair of beakers were slowly filling. Separate their contents were inert, but when mixed they would form a highly elastic and viscous compound tough enough to restrain even the strongest of villains.

Just a little longer. Izuku thought. To his relief the beakers were almost full.

He glanced up to see where Power Loader was. Across the room he was was in the middle of an argument with Kiska about corrosive weapons ("You said no acid guns, this is a base gun!"). Hopefully she could delay him just a little longer. In a few minutes his web solution would be finished and this ordeal would be over.

Suddenly he felt his spider sense tingling. Looking over he saw that Power Loader had finished raining on Kiska's parade and was now wandering his way. Izuku gritted his teeth. Power Loader had already inspected his glassworks to make sure he had everything set up correctly but that was before he added the infrastructure necessary to synthesize his web formula. If he got too close, he would realize something was up for sure.

I need to draw him away somehow! Think, Izuku, think! Maybe if I-

'Hey Mr. Maijima, check it out!' Mei called out loudly, 'Extendable crab clawed gloves! Perfect for long distance pinching or snipping! You could cut through steel with this baby!'

Power Loader stopped, 'Miss Hatsume, I thought we talked about lethal weapons?'

'Hey! Just because it can cut off someone's head, doesn't mean I will!' she said waving the wicked looking gauntlet around carelessly causing the students around her to duck, 'Come on, they're just so cool!'

With a sigh, Power Loader moved over to inspect her latest creation and Izuku could breathe again.

My formula should be finished by now. I should extract it while everyone is still busy.

He carefully inserted a tube into both of the beakers and they started to slowly drip drain into the two thermoses that he had concealed in his backpack. Once he confirmed that it was draining correctly, he carefully covered up the tubes of red and blue fluid with his school jacket.

Once all is said and done, I should have a full two litres of unmixed web formula. That should last me for a couple of months at least.

Dusting off his hands in satisfaction, he prepared to get back to work on his grenades when he noticed that Moyashi hadn't even touched his tools and his heart sank. Rather than build anything, Moyashi seemed to just be thumbing through his regular school work.

I guess he really has given up…

Before he could muster the nerve to say something, Power Loader suddenly called out, 'All right everyone. It's almost six o'clock. You should all start cleaning up your workstations.'

Keeping one eye on his chemicals, Izuku began putting away his tools. As he was cleaning up, Bukimi came up to him.

'Hey, Izuku are we going to run through another obstacle course today?' he asked as Izuku clamped in his vice set.

'Yeah, I was thinking…'

From the corner of his eye he spotted Moyashi. He was walking over to the exit, hands thrown in his pockets.

Screw it. I need to get over myself and just talk to him.

'Actually Bukimi maybe we'll all decide what to do once we get over to the practice track, yeah?'

'Okay, I'll see you there.'

Disconnecting the now empty beakers from the tubes, he disposed of the contaminated plastic before hastily packing up the rest of his things. Once everything was put away, he took off looking for Moyashi.

Running through the front doors of the school, Izuku kept his eyes and ears peeled. Class had long since ended for the rest of school and the grounds were deserted. Taking off down the front steps, he didn't have to run far before spotting Moyashi heading for the school gates. Increasing his pace, he sprinted to close the distance between them. Just as Moyashi was about to reach the gates, Izuku shouted out.

'Moyashi!' the boy turned and looked back at him, 'Wait up!'

Thermoses clattering together in his backpack as he ran, Izuku swiftly caught up.

'What's up?' Moyashi asked.

'Hey Moyashi I was hoping you'd join us for our fitness meeting.' Izuku said, shouldering his backpack, 'Everyone's going to be there.'

'Oh.' he said flatly. 'No thanks. I'll pass.'

'Why not?' Izuku said falling in step beside him.

'Why should I?' Moyashi shot back, a hint of anger in his voice and Izuku steeled himself, 'I can't! My body can't. There's no point.'

Izuku kept up beside him as he walked.

'Well you know, I've been thinking. We don't have to run. We could go swimming instead and-'

Moyashi stopped and turned to face him. Izuku could see his face was turning red, though whether from shame or anger he couldn't tell.

'Izuku, look. I know what you're trying to do. But it's pointless. This whole support thing is pointless. I can't keep up with the rest of you, literally! In All Might's class I couldn't even rescue a single person. Not one!' Taking a great shuddering breath, he turned away, 'I'm going to request a transfer to general education. I was stupid for even trying for the hero courses.' he mumbled.

Before he could take another step, Izuku shouted out at him.

'Wait!' he said perhaps a bit more forcefully then he intended as Moyashi jumped a little and looked back at him startled.

Izuku took a deep breath. Convincing Moyashi would take every ounce of his charisma.

'Wait.' Izuku repeated softer, 'Just…hear me out, okay? When I decided to attend UA, everybody told me to give up. They said I would never make it, that I was just wasting my time, that I was being unrealistic and why? Because I was born without a quirk. But you know what? I didn't give up my dream, instead I trained and I worked at it, until I was good enough to come here, same as you.'

Oh really? Is that how it happened? How inspiring. said a small voice in the back of his mind, but he pressed on.

'I can't give up now either. Because like it or not, I'm a role model to quirkless people. If I succeed in the Sports Festival then maybe I'll inspire some other quirkless people to be the best they can be too. To not give up.'

'Izuku, I-' Moyashi started but Izuku cut him off.

'Me and you are the same Moyashi! Don't you see that if you give up now, then some other person with asthma or something won't have anyone to look up too? Nowadays everyone is judged by their quirk. By their body's abilities. It's up to people like you and me to show everyone that there is more to success then what you're born with! We earned our right to be here and we have a responsibility to inspire people who think they don't have a chance!'

Izuku took a deep breath before speaking again.

So, are you just going to give up? Or do you want to put in the effort and be a hero?'

Moyashi looked at him intently before looking away to wipe his face. After a moment he turned back to Izuku.

'That was some speech Izuku. Alright, fine. You win. I'll come.'

Izuku broke out into a broad, relieved grin and he laughed.

'Awesome! I promise you won't regret it.' he said and the two boys turned away from the exit gates and started off towards the distant practice courses.

As they walked Izuku looked over his shoulder to one of the windows. A tall, thin blonde man was watching them. Upon seeing Izuku looking at him the man quickly backed away into the unseen recesses of the room beyond. Izuku shrugged.

Whoever that guy was I guess it doesn't matter.

Pushing the blonde man out his mind, he resumed his conversation with Moyashi about how he could help him exercise.

Later that night, Izuku listened patiently in the darkened phonebooth while Weasel recounted his day. He'd been spending his time visiting every gambling spot in the city to see where they could place their bets. Most the bookies in the city wanted him dead, but he had been able to find a handful of oddly named characters who were still willing to take his money.

'So, anyway I went down to Double Dice and he said he'll take us on, but he's not offering an even spread between you making it to the third event and you walking up the podium. Still we make fifteen million off of him if you make it to the third event and over sixty if you make it to the podium.'

'Hm, okay.' Izuku said as he added up their imaginary winnings, 'That should put us at three billion, four hundred and thirty-three million, two hundred and seventy-one thousand, three hundred and sixty If I come in third place or higher.'

'Er, yeah! And even if you just manage to clear the second event you'll still make…uh…'

'One billion, twelve million, eight hundred and forty-two thousand, five hundred twelve.'

'Right!' Weasel exclaimed. Izuku swore he could hear the man drooling, 'So, what are you going to buy with your share?'

'There's someone I know who needs help.' Izuku replied, 'What about you?'

'I'm going to buy a mansion, a boat, a summer home aaaaaand a gold car too.' Weasel said eagerly.

Izuku laughed. Their winnings wouldn't amount to that much, but it was a fun fantasy anyway.

'What do you think about your competition?' Weasel asked, 'Is there anybody who you think will be trouble?'

'Yeah, there's this girl with vines for hair and these two guys who can make themselves extremely hard. Um… as in physically hard. Like, it's hard to puncture their skin. I don't mean-'

'Yeah, yeah. I get it.' Weasel said laughing again, 'What about Fumikage Tokoyami? I heard he's really powerful too.'

'No, I think I can take him on.' Izuku said confidently, 'I'm more worried about the people who can take a punch rather than the glass cannons. Well, except for Todoroki that is.'

'I'm sure you can think of something, Izuku. You're a genius!'

Izuku smiled smugly before he froze, a cold sweat breaking out over his body. He had completely forgotten about his literature assignment.

'Um, well anyway I've got to go. I'll see you tomorrow okay?' Izuku said, nervously shifting his weight from foot to foot.

'Alright, you got it. We're meeting up at seven o'clock in the bathroom of the King's Street Subway station, right?'

'Yep. I'll be there with the money.' Izuku said.

'Okay, see you then. Bye.'

The following morning, Izuku and Mei walked into the development studio together after their detention. The room was already getting loud with the sound of power tools as everyone was ramping up for another frenzied day of building.

From the corner of his eye Izuku saw Kiska looking glum in front of a massive pile of scrap parts, servos, and random machinery. She was staring at a blank blueprint, mouthing some words to herself while she concentrated.

Altering course, he walked over.

'Hey, Kiska. What's up?' he asked. She turned to him.

'Hm? Oh, I'm just wondering what I should build next. Or, try to build anyway. Mr. Majima keeps shooting down my ideas, but-' she took a deep breath and forced a smile, 'I'm sure I'll think of something.'

'Oh.' Izuku was silent for a moment, 'Say Kiska, I was wondering…'

'Yes?'

'Have you ever heard of dry water?'

'Um, maybe. Remind me, what was it again?'

Kiska listened blankly while he told her. At first, she was confused as to what he was getting at, but when he suggested that aerosols weren't explicitly banned, and that dry water's open-ended chemistry could be paired with other useful compounds, she began to get more and more excited.

Once Izuku left her, she quickly rushed over to Power Loader. He seemed apprehensive as she rapidly told him about her new weapon system, but slowly he became more receptive and considered her idea for a new weapon. Eventually, he gave his consent.

Skipping away from Power Loader's desk, Kiska gave Izuku a thumb's up before bending over to work on her new design.

That ought to take care of a few problems. Izuku thought, grinning evilly to himself as he watched Kiska's hands fly across her blueprint.

That evening, Izuku climbed out of the school pool and toweled himself down. It was almost time for his meeting with Weasel and he didn't want to risk being late.

'Hey, you guys.' he called out to his classmates, 'I've got to leave early today. I'll see you all tomorrow, all right?'

A few of his classmates acknowledged him and after waving goodbye, he set off for the changing room. After showering himself down, he went towards the UA exit. It was as picturesque a late spring evening as you could ask for. But despite the cheery golden glow the setting sun was casting on the beautiful campus buildings around him, he felt too anxious to take any pictures. His entire life savings were in his backpack after all.

The sooner this is done with the better.

Exiting the UA gatehouse, he walked out into the street. One of the advantages of getting to school so early and leaving so late was he never had to worry about having to fight his way through the press.

He barely made it a block from the school before he felt his spider sense flare up. Somebody was following him. Feigning a yawn, he lithely stretched. Twisting himself around, he checked behind him. To his surprise, he saw the same thin blond man that he had seen watching him and Moyashi from the windows yesterday. As soon as Izuku laid his eyes on him, the blonde man hastily looked over at a nearby stack of magazines and began clumsily thumbing through them.

Izuku kept his expression neutral as he turned back around and started walking again. Internally however he went on full alert as his mind filled with a hundred different questions.

Who is this guy? He must work at UA but he's definitely not a teacher. Is he a truancy officer or something? Did the school figure out I was stealing and they're following me now? Oh, God. Whoever he is, he can't follow me to King's Street. I need to lose him!

Keeping his pace casual, Izuku continued down the street before abruptly pivoting and walking into an alley. As soon as he was no longer visible from the sidewalk, he took off running.

Let's see him follow me now! He thought determinedly as he flipped around a dumpster and jumped over a fire escape to a neighbouring alleyway.

Damn. I think he saw me. Toshinori thought as he lowered the magazine he was holding. Thankfully Midoriya had started walking again but now he had to be doubly careful.

I can't let him spot me again. If he does he'll get overly suspicious and-

Suddenly Midoriya disappeared into an alleyway. Toshinori sighed. Was he just taking a shortcut that he knew, or did he think he was being followed? Either way, he couldn't afford to lose him. Before he merely had a good feeling about the boy but after hearing him talk about personal responsibility and setting an example, his interest was piqued. Izuku Midoriya seemed like a perfect candidate to inherit the power of All for One. He just had to find the right opportunity to speak with him and learn more about him.

Coming up on the alley, he carefully peered inside but it was deserted. Puzzled, he entered. Walking down the narrow alley he stopped in front of a tall, brick wall. A dead end. He looked behind him but saw nothing.

The only way he could have gotten past me is if he jumped the wall, went into one of these buildings, or he climbed up a fire escape.

He considered his options. The wall was too high and the doors and windows were sealed with locked steel shutters. He must have gone up the fire escape.

He flexed. In an instant he was transformed from the weak, frail body of Toshinori Yagi and into the hulking, muscular champion of peace. With a light jump, he practically flew up to the top of the building.

Where oh where, is Mr. Midoriya? All Might thought as he leapt from rooftop to rooftop, scanning the streets and alleys below.

Izuku slowed down his pace to a brisk walk. He couldn't keep running for long or he would destroy his sneakers. He couldn't even imagine what Weasel would think if he met him shoeless again.

Izuku grinned to himself at the thought before he felt his anxiety rise up again and his smile quickly disappeared. He still had no clue who the man following him was or what he wanted.

Maybe the school found out that I plan on gambling and they want to search my backpack to see if I have a bunch of money on me! Maybe there is a swarm of teachers waiting for me at King's Street Station!

He felt his hands start to sweat. Imagine, if after all his talk about working together and setting a good example he was caught trying to profit off of everyone's efforts. The very thought made him nauseous.

I should call this whole thing off right now…But I do need the money. It's only a matter of time before the League of Villains strikes again.

As he passed by a bustling café, he felt his spider sense go haywire again. Someone was watching him from the rooftop across the street! Entering the restaurant, he acted like he was looking for someone before exiting. As he walked out, he studied the blocky silhouette of roofs. As he gazed over at a large AC unit, he saw a shadow flicker back just out of his sight.

How did he…

Izuku checked the time. He needed to be at King's Street Station in ten minutes. Putting away his phone, he netted his fingers and stretched himself out. Once he was limbered up, he tightened his backpack strap and cracked his knuckles. It was time to get serious.

All Might pressed himself against the chattering AC unit and waited.

Did he spot me? No, he couldn't have. I was only exposed for a second!

Suddenly All Might noticed his giant shadow and he slapped his forehead in frustration. It was a rookie mistake. Always put your shadow behind you! Crouching down, he attempted to minimize his profile but he suspected the damage was already done.

His fears were confirmed when he took another peek around the corner. Midoriya had disappeared again. With a burst of speed, he leapt over the clueless pedestrians beneath him to the other side of the street.

No matter how fast Izuku was, he was still only human. Jumping up high in the air, he quickly scanned the streets below.

Green hair, school uniform. Green hair, school uniform. Where are you?

Izuku came to a running trot as he approached the subway stairs. Climbing up the stairs two at a time, he rushed over to the platform bathroom. His spider sense was calm, but he didn't want to risk being seen at the last second. Pushing open the bathroom door, he spotted Weasel at the sink.

Turning at the sound of the opening door, Weasel noticed him and grinned.

'Hiya kid. Long time no see!'

Izuku gave him a polite smile before quickly checking around the bathroom. His heightened senses told him they were alone. Wasting no time, he zipped open his backpack and pulled out an envelope full of cash.

'Here.' he said handing him the unmarked envelope, 'I'm light by about two thousand, is that cool?'

'What? Two thousand? Yeah man. Don't sweat it.'

'Thanks.' Izuku said before he straightened his itchy new shirt. During the chase, he had bought a cheap change of clothes and hat at a retail store before heading over. Seeing as how his pursuer could keep up with him, he had figured it was better to hide in the crowds.

'Well look kid, I'd offer to buy you a coffee but we'd better hold off on celebrating until after this business is finished with, y'know?'

Izuku quickly nodded. He had no more desire to stay and tempt fate then Weasel did. If either of them were seen together it would only raise troubling questions.

'All right, I'll see you later.'

Toshinori silently fumed to himself. Despite his best efforts, Midoriya had somehow managed to give him the slip for long enough that he lost his ability to transform. All he could do now was sit and wait outside Midoriya's home address for him to come home.

I can't talk to him now. Without my ability to transform, he'd think I was a stalking madman and call the police or something. What an embarrassment I am!

Before long, he saw a lone, teenage boy with a backpack walking down the sidewalk. He was the right height and build but he was wearing totally different clothes!

He must have changed somewhere! All Might thought incredulously. When did he pull that off?

As Midoriya walked over to his apartment building, Toshinori could have sworn that he saw him glance his way. Despite himself, he shivered as Midoriya disappeared into his apartment building.

That was eerie. Why is a seemingly innocent boy like him going to such lengths to avoid being followed? What could he be hiding?

Suddenly a horrible idea entered his mind. They never did track down who had broken into UA. Why didn't he think of it sooner? What if the infiltrator at UA, the one who had stolen the class schedule and disabled the security system allowing the League of Villains to attack, was Izuku Midoriya!

He had been present at the USJ after all and his activities were suspicious to say the least. All Might sighed. He couldn't be sure of anything yet, but he couldn't reveal the secret of One for All to anyone that he wasn't one hundred percent convinced was trustworthy.

Turning, he pulled out his phone and called for a cab. Looks like the search for a successor wasn't over yet.