He was flying through the air, his face a beacon with a flashing smile as the people looked up at him with awe. They called his name, whether it was a hero name or his real one, he didn't know. It didn't matter.

To his left, he heard a cry for help and rushed over to save a child from a burning building. A few streets away, he heard more calls for help and found a group of villains with monstrous limbs and teeth attacking a group of civilians.

Feeling righteous anger, he flew at them and with a few kicks and punches, sent them into the ground. Everyone cheered and thanked them. All the while, he felt happy that they could smile without fear.

"Izuku," a voice called. He froze. This voice was weaker, almost deathly, yet hauntingly familiar. He flew into the air and followed the voice.

"Please, over here." He pressed on, going as fast as his body would let him. Finally he reached a small apartment.

Wait, this is my apartment, he thought confused. The person must be nearby. As he turned to look around, the voice sounded again.

"Please, sweetie."

His heart felt chilled as his mother's voice rang out. Turning, he flew forward and nearly knocked down the front door. Once inside, he rushed down the hall toward's his mother's room. Mixed with his fear was rage. What twisted villain would harm a defenseless woman? His own mother!?

Finally reaching the door, he pushed it open and raised a powerful fist for whatever monster awaited.

The room was empty, save for a thin figure on the bed. His mother looked at him, a weak smile on her face. A face, normally beautiful, was now thin and pale, with discolored veins pulsing beneath. Her vibrant green eyes looked faded.

"Sweetie, it's okay. Come here."

He ran forward, surprised and concerned. "Who did this to you?" he asked quickly, taking her hand. "What kind of quirk-?

Her hand touched his cheek as she weakly laughed. "It's not like that dear. No villain did this, just my own reckless self."

He blinked, even more confused now. Behind the confusion however, was a shadowy feeling of familiarity. He ignored. His mother needed help.

"I'll get you to a hospital. They can help you."

He tried to pick her up, but was stunned when he couldn't even lift an inch. Looking at his arms, they were now small, short, and thin. "What the-? He started, startled by the higher pitched voice that rang out.

"It's no use, honey," his mother said, coughing violently. "There's nothing you can do." Her breathing began to slow, her hand slowly falling away.

"Mom!' he cried, grabbing her hand. "I-I can fix this. A hero can always-

You can't be a hero without a quirk. The shadowy presence took on the form of a frail man with dark eyes,

Turning back, he saw his mother's eyes were grey and her chest still.

"MOM!" he screamed, holding her tightly as the darkness flooded in, bringing pain, sorrow, and a feeling of powerlessness.

He sat up in bed, his body cold with sweat. His breathes came out quick and ragged. Looking around, he saw he was in a dirty walled room, his new home.

"Just a dream," he said weakly. Laying back down, wincing as his body ached. The wounds still hadn't fully healed.

Had it really only been a few days? The events in the past few hours made time feel stretched, made worse by the conflicted feelings.

Why did he try to stop the fall? Why did these villains really want him? Where should he go? What should he do?

The first question threatened to bring him back into that darkness, so he instead focused on the last. He didn't feel like returning to his old life, not to the bleak life of school and abuse from Kacchan. But to stay with the villains?

If All Might himself had cast him aside, what hope was there in the other heroes? These men, mysterious as they were, had not only saved him, but given him a place to stay. Shigaraki was quiet, though there was sense of tension whenever he was near. Kurogiri was nice enough, though he always called him by his full name, which was odd.

The man in tv was something else entirely. Even though he wasn't in the same room, he couldn't help but feel overwhelmed. Like his power radiated through the screen.

Unable to stop the flow of thoughts, he pushed himself back up and off the bed, making his way out of the room. Walking back into the main area, he saw Kurogiri standing there as always.

"Hello, Izuku Midoriya," the warp villain said. "How may I be of service?"

"Umm," he started, unsure. "What does the 'league' want exactly?"

The warp villain stopped working and focused on him. "Do you wish to join?"

"N-No. I mean….I'm not sure. I've always thought villains as just thugs abusing their quirks, but…."

"I can't give all the details, for I myself know only a few things." And unwilling to share others, his tone seemed to indicate. "But what i can say is that the league wishes to….remake society to an extent."

Well that doesn't sound ominous, he thought. Sighing, he sat down at the bar and asked for water.

Shigaraki sat in front of the table in his room, staring at the gloved hand. "Father," he said quietly. "What should I do?"

Bringing the kid into their base was a risk, even if Master was okay with it. He couldn't fully pinpoint the reason why. The story the kid told, specifically the one about that brat, Baka...something. How defenseless he was, helpless…...

He sat alone, surrounded by blood and dust. He cried and called for help. But no one came. Even as he wandered the streets, no one paid any mind. "A hero will come and help."

He sat in an alleyway, letting the darkness settle in. Then he appeared.

"They just ignored. Oh, a hero will come help, right. But it's okay." The figure reached out a hand. "I'm here for you." Looking up through teary eyes, he saw himself in the metal mask.

A small, weak little boy with messy hair, a dirty face, and haunted eyes. Eyes that no longer saw the light. But then…..

"Hey Tenko," a distant voice said warmly. "Let me teach you how to play."

Suddenly, that dark moment dulled slightly. He blinked. Where had that come from? But his thoughts were overtaken by a sudden realization. With it, came an idea.

"-and I was the only person in class who got that portion of the test correctly" Izuku went on. "Even though biology wasn't my strong suit. Didn't make me anymore popular."

Kurogiri chuckled. "You have an acute mind, Izuku Midoriya. Your talents far outclass your position."

Before Izuku could thank him, he heard footsteps behind him. Turning, he saw Shigaraki walking from a dark hallway. His hand mask was still on.

"Up already, eh?" he asked.

"Y-Yeah," Izuku stammered nervously. "I...couldn't sleep."

Shigaraki nodded, then turned to Kurogiri. "Is the tutorial room cleaned up?"

Tutorial room?

Kurogiri sighed. "Yes, the training room is in good condition."

"Good," he said, gesturing for Izuku to follow him. "Come with me."

His tone was soft, but final, so he complied.