Discoveries
A Few Days Earlier...
"Don't you forget what I said. I mean it."
Bakugo's grip loosened until he let go of the little menace before he turned and walked away.
He looked back at him to give him one last glare before he took off with his friends.
He sure damn hopes that weak idiot actually listens to him. He can't afford to have to deal with another fucking deku.
Silence passed over them for a few seconds before, "Say Bakugo, what was it that the kid actually do?" Asked stick fingers, as he'd sometimes call him.
"The last thing I need is that stupid grass hair encouraging that damn nerd."
"What do you mean?" Asked the other.
He tsked, annoyed at having to have to explain himself. But he eventually answers, "He has the spine that deku could only dream of having. But reeks of that stupid naivety deku has."
Unknowingly, his palms sparked with flickers of light.
"Either way..." Bakugo's face twisted and his eyes flashed with distaste. "...they're both worthless."
Makoto pressed his forefinger firmly on the doorbell.
The doorbell emitted a very familiar albeit muffled tune from the inside.
Soon he heard the shuffling of footsteps before, "I'll get it!" Shouted a muffled voice from beyond the door.
A sound akin to a piece of metal sliding was heard as a lock was undone and a curious face peered through the crack of the slightly opened door.
"Makoto!" Exclaimed Midoriya, sporting a bright, wide smile. He donned a simple yellow shirt with grey pants. He opens the door fully, allowing Makoto a glimpse inside.
They had a really nice apartment. Well decorated and has an overall nice atmosphere. It sure does feel like a lovely home.
"Hey Izuku!" He replied as he stepped inside and took it all in. "I really like your house."
"Izuku? Is that your friend?" Asked a woman who he assumes is Izuku's mother. She had the same green hair as Izuku's and she wore casual dress with a pink apron to top it all off.
"Yes, mom. This is Makoto Naegi." Then he turned to address him. "Makoto, meet my mom."
"Hello Mrs. Midoriya. Nice to meet you." He greeted with a bow and a smile.
"It's nice to meet you too Naegi. Oh, you don't know just how happy I am that my little Izuku has a friend over!" She beamed, and she seemed like she would be bouncing up and down in joy if she truly wanted. But he could see she stopped herself right at the last moment.
"M-mom!" Midoriya exclaimed. Flushed with embarrassment at the nickname.
"Oh don't be so embarrassed. I call you that all the time." She replied, a chuckle escaping her lips.
Her comment only proved to make Midoriya's face redder as he buried his face in his hands.
Makoto laughed at the two's antics, feeling a warmth growing in his chest. The type you'd find in a loving home and the type you can't help but drink it all in.
Dinner was served and he could say that if his family ever heard him say it out loud, they would never live it down.
But he can't help but think that Mrs. Midoriya's cooking could rival that of his mom's own cooking.
Still though, his mom's cooking has yet to be beat.
Soon, him and Midoriya were left to their own devices.
"Alright, so...where do we start?" Makoto asked.
To say he was shocked about the sheer amount of All Might merchandise would be a huuge understatement.
Izuku was flushed yet again. To which Makoto took great entertainment in, which resulted in further embarrassment on Izuku's part.
Eventually they settled down to get to business. Which led to where they are now.
Midoriya began writing something down in one of his notebooks. Leaning over Izuku's shoulder Makoto took a glimpse of the notebook.
There was a new page with a section now titled "Makoto Naegi." Along with a fairly decent cartoon version of him drawn on the side. To be fair his hair looks awesome.
"Alright! So, we should begin with background." He turned to face Makoto who sat down across from him.
"Your quirk is called "Luck" and according to you, it can come in any form but only for very minor things. Now, how old were you when you first received your quirk? Umm...if-if you don't mind me asking of course. I know you said you didn't have your quirk until a lot later so I just wanted to be sensitive in case it is a- uhm...a touchy subject and if you are sensitive- N-Not that I'm calling you weak or anything! I just mean that-"
"It's alright Izuku. Ah- well, it's not a touchy subject."
How should he answer this? He gave himself a quirk through Alteration fairly recently. But he's somehow affected the past as well, making it so that he's had it all his life. When really, he's only had it for almost a week!
It should be an honest answer, or at least as honest as he could make it...
He can't really lie all that well, much less to Izuku.
"Well, I don't really remember how old I was when I first got my quirk. But I do know I got it way later than most people."
As soon as he spoke Midoriya's pen flitted here and there as he jotted down the information at lightning speed. Like he's done it a hundred times before.
Which to Makoto, seeing his mass amounts notebooks, doesn't seem all that impossible.
"By 'later', how much later are we talking about?" He asks as soon as he finished writing.
"Umm, I'd say a few years? Not entirely sure." Answered Makoto, flashing a shaky smile.
Midoriya hummed in thought as he wrote.
"Alright, how did you discover it? Or how did it appear? And what factors do you think caused it?"
"I actually discovered it because my younger sister told me about it."
She really did, although she hadn't been aware he had no idea about it.
"She told me I had used it a couple times back then. I never really deduced that good luck could be a quirk...so I never really thought that... I had used it. And that's about it as far as discovery."
"Okay then, can I see an example of you using your quirk?"
Okay now this is a problem. He's never actually, actually used his quirk. Only Alteration. Which technically isn't a quirk. Or is it? Not important.
What's important is the fact that he doesn't know how. But if he admits that, how would he explain using it in the past? And even if he says he used it on accident. He's supposedly had a lot of time to practice using his quirk for at least a decade.
The thing is. That decade spent here doesn't exist. At least not in his mind.
His main cover story is that he should know how to use it but doesn't know the extent of it.
"Okay! S-sure!" He answered quickly. Which really, might have been a bad idea but he already said something so there's no turning back now!
The first thing he saw was the small bookshelf holding Izuku's manga collection. And before he knew it, he was walking over to it.
Okay. Okay. He's at the bookshelf now. Now what?
Shoot, what should he do!?
What the heck was he thinking?
No. No, don't panic. Just keep calm. And think. Think.
If he has a quirk based on luck. He should focus on that. The one who would know most about it would be his double. Maybe there's something he could get from that.
...
"Your quirk is luck. There's no indication of it being 'good' or 'bad'. If you really can will anything to happen that's related to good luck, it only makes sense for it to be the same with the bad."
...
That...that might actually work!
Alright, he just has to focus.
Theoretically, it might work like how he tried to use Alteration the second time. Hopefully with better results this time.
Gently, his hands held the surface of the wood. He closed his eyes and he concentrated.
Concentrated on using his quirk. To use his quirk to inflict bad luck.
For a second, nothing happened.
Until the silence was broken the sound of splintering wood.
He flinched back at the sound. And gasped at the scene.
The sturdy bookshelf that once displayed Midoriya's manga collection was now collapsed as if the wood itself had weakened or softened from the inside.
The manga books now splayed outward from the shelf.
It worked.
It actually worked!
But the bookcase! He face palmed inwardly.
What kind of friend destroys private property?!
He seriously wasn't thinking straight.
"Whoa!" Exclaimed Midoriya who had immediately rushed over to asses the damage.
"Izuku, I am so, so sorry." He apologized sincerely.
But Midoriya had paid him no mind.
"That was so cool!" He said still looking over the scrap of wood in his hand.
"Wait, what?"
"So that's how your quirk works."
"You're not mad that I literally broke your bookshelf?"
"Not at all! Come take a look at this!" Midoriya said, pulling Makoto down to ground level.
He places another splintered piece of wood into Makoto's hand.
"Look! Somehow, your quirk allowed exponential fungi growth and it weakened the wood!" He said, pointing to a discoloration in the grain.
To strengthen his point, he took the piece in his hand and bent it. To which Makoto followed suit.
Whoa. That's actually really cool. And oddly terrifying.
He's pretty lucky Izuku's attention is completely focused on the once bookshelf and not on him. Because it is becoming increasingly difficult to hide his sheer amazement of his ability.
Midoriya was already writing down his findings with increased fervor.
"Did your mom hear that or...?"
"Oh." He said, looking up from the book. "She might be asleep by now. She tries to sleep early most of the time."
"Oh alright."
"This probably might not work but could you use your quirk to fix it?"
"I don't know if it works like that but I'll try."
He touches the bookshelf again and focused to use his quirk for good luck this time.
Unsurprisingly, the bookshelf remained in pieces.
"Hmm. I'd suggest putting all the pieces together to see if it would work then, but I think that might be a waste of time."
"Yeah, that would probably take forever."
"Here, try this!" Midoriya stands and takes a pen from his desk and hands it to Makoto.
"See if you can fix it after you break it."
"Alright."
He concentrates again.
This time instead of splintering wood, they hear the something click inside the mechanism before the pen's tip breaks off along with the spring.
The spring bounces off the wall and falls uselessly on the floor.
Midoriya picks up the pieces and attempts to place them all together. Except that it doesn't work. The pieces wouldn't lock in place due to a chipped piece of plastic.
"See if you could fix it."
And try he does. He concentrates.
But something tells him it didn't really work.
Sure enough, the pieces don't click back in place.
The next test, Midoriya was the one to break a pen.
Makoto attempts to fix it, but it doesn't work either.
"So your quirk can't necessarily fix damage. Interesting."
Midoriya stews in thought for a second before saying, "I got it! I'll be right back." and rushed out the door.
He must be really enjoying this, Makoto thought.
And he kind of is as well. They've only just started and it already feels like they've made great progress.
Soon, Midoriya comes back with two plastic spoons that might've been part of some takeout food once before.
"These spoons are practically the same. They would both be equally easy to break." He points at the broken spoon. "This'll be the control. Now try using your luck to make this other spoon stronger."
He hands the undamaged spoon to Makoto who considers the option thoroughly.
Before long, he concentrates. And he feels his quirk take hold. Satisfied, he hands it to Midoriya.
Midoriya takes the spoon and proceeds to...actually struggle to break it.
"Wow." he says offhandedly as he struggled. It takes him a little longer to do but he breaks it in the end.
Frantically he jots down the new data.
"Amazing. Just as I hypothesized, your quirk can actually strengthen solid materials!"
They proceeded to do multiple tests, on other types of objects.
It was quickly obvious that different items were affected differently by his quirk.
Izuku had gotten very into it. And entered each test with continuous renewed fervor. Makoto had to actually stop him from using his actual phone for a test.
Apparently he wanted to see how his quirk would react with tech and his phone was the closest tech within reach. Luckily, no phones were involved, nor any actual valuable items.
Meanwhile Makoto enjoyed the process a whole lot more than he thought he would. Smiling all the while.
Izuku was very observative, he could tell. He could say he could be almost as smart as Kyoko if not, as smart. And that's Ultimate level right there!
But unfortunately, some of the test results had both of them baffled as to what exactly his quirk had done for specific objects for a bit which challenged them to think a little harder.
Makoto himself had been able to solve some mysteries as well.
This kickstarted a friendly competition of sorts. One where they'd compete to see who could come up with the solution faster.
They were both doing pretty well.
Makoto was actually almost neck and neck with Izuku.
It wasn't easy though. Not by a landslide.
Honestly, the last time Makoto had to think this hard was probably during the trials.
The trials...
The school trials...
Huh.
He had almost forgot that happened.
A wave of shock flew through him. Rendering his body numb.
He feels pins and needles encompassing his entire being.
Unknown to him, Midoriya looked at him in concern.
How?
How had he forgotten that? It feels like a lifetime ago.
Is that normal?
Was it really only less than a month ago that he was on the brink of death?
That he was part of that killing game?
Had he really been here long enough to justify forgetting?
Forgetting his friends?
Was it really fair?
No. It doesn't feel fair because it isn't.
It isn't fair for him to be here. Enjoying a life he shouldn't even live while his friends are left back in his world...his world left destroyed and reduced to ruin by the apocalypse.
There was...
There was so much left to do.
He's supposed to be there. For them. With them.
To be there during the hard times and bring the world hope again. That was what he was meant to do.
His duty as the Ultimate Hope.
But no, he's here.
Here selfishly enjoying the life he never should have while his friends he'd promised he would be with through thick and thin, have to suffer and struggle back at home.
How could he forget?
How could he forget those he lost?
Sayaka, Leon, Chihiro, Mondo, Taka, Hifumi, Celeste, Sakura...
He's supposed to make sure they didn't die in vain.
Alongside his remaining friends, they were meant to bring hope back to the world.
How could he do that?
How could he abandon them?
How could he forget?
And only in such little time. He sure as heck couldn't possibly forget that moment. Could he?
No.
He can't.
Because he does remember.
The crushing, continuous, heavy sound of the compactor out of sight.
The gears creaking and turning. The sound of wood and metal of the desks and chairs splintering and crushing.
The sound of the heavy, wall of metal hitting the surface growing louder, and louder.
Like a metal monster gnashing its teeth over and over.
Hungry.
Greedy.
He remembers how he had almost wished the conveyor belt had been faster.
It felt like he'd been sitting on that damn chair for eternity.
Because the wait was the worst possible part.
He remembers waiting, almost begging for it to just fucking end already. At least his death would have been painle-
"Makoto?"
"H-huh?"
Suddenly the conveyor is gone. The crushing sound had all but disappeared. Instead he's back in Izuku's room. In all its All Might glory.
He finds himself on his knees.
And surprisingly, he sees two hands on his shoulders. Their grip is a little tight.
He looks up to see Izuku kneeled down in front of him. A frown creasing his face and a bead of sweat falling from his brow.
How long had he been-
"M-Makoto? Are you o-okay?" He asked shakily.
The realization dawned on him.
"I...yeah. I think. I think I'm alright." He motions for Midoriya's hands down gently and he does so.
"Are you sure? You were really freaked out and I wasn't sure- I mean, do you need water?" Izuku made a face at the last sentence. As if he regretted offering. He deduces Izuku just didn't want to leave him by himself.
Which is a fair concern. Considering what he was thinking earlier.
"I, er...no. No thanks. I just. Need a second." He gave a half hearted smile. Which must have been obvious since the concern on Izuku's face hadn't let up.
Thankfully, he backed off. Albeit with a little hesitation. As he backed away, Makoto clocked a hint of guilt on his features.
Oh. Izuku must've blamed himself. He inwardly winced at the realization.
"I'm sorry." Izuku says.
He looked back up to see Izuku tucking the notebook away.
"Wait. No." Makoto shifted to face him.
"I must've said something or something like that during our tests and I-I'm sorry." Midoriya replied.
"You didn't say anything, or do anything. This wasn't because of you."
At this Midoriya stopped, letting the statement sink in.
"It really isn't your fault. Besides, my...reaction really wasn't related to my quirk at all."
Midoriya stood silent for a moment.
"Okay." He turned and sat back down. "I believe you."
Makoto smiled, genuine this time.
"But we're doing something else this time."
"But-"
"I'm sorry Makoto, but I think we can find out more about about your quirk another time. At least for now."
He wasn't really sure about that. It would have been nice to know more about the extent of his abilities if he could help it.
But maybe Izuku is right. Maybe he just needs to keep his mind off of it for now.
"...Yeah. Okay. I trust you."
Izuku smiles brightly.
"Thanks. Izuku." He says.
Strangely, Izuku looked surprised at that. But smiles again. One that looked a little fuller.
"Your welcome."
He frowns before asking, "Are you sure you're okay? Are you sure you don't need anything."
"I'm fin- Well. Maybe I'm not...fine but I am doing better."
"...Alright."
"Well, since we're doing something else now, do you have any board games or something?"
"Oh yes I do! It's-"
"Let me guess, it's All Might themed isn't it?" Makoto asked with a smirk.
To which Midoriya let out a nervous chuckle "Yeah you got me."
And they both laughed.
The rest of their time was spent in laughter and scattered board game pieces.
But something in him ached. Like a pain he feels he shouldn't ignore.
He pushed it away. Tucking it into the deepest recesses of his mind.
After all, he can always deal with it later.
Written: 6/5/2022
Published:6/5/2022
It's alive!
Yes this fic somehow lives again. Although it might die again. You're probably wondering why it died in the first place. Well, it's nothing special, really. Just a good old case of Writer's block. But somehow, I got inspired again and managed to write this chapter. Which is freaking huge in comparison to my other chapters. I may or may not continue this fic, we'll see. Feel free to leave reviews if you want to and I don't mind if anyone would want point out any grammar mistakes.
