Wow... a year... I can hardly believe I've been MIA for that long.
I am so sorry to all my readers for taking so long to make a new chapter. Life just hasn't been kind within the last year. Things that have been going on in my life for the past few years have spiraled so crazily out of control that I haven't been able to focus on writing. With what little free-time I have I've done my best to write more. I'm trying to buckle down and just keep writing until the story is finished, I really am, I've just been busy.
Hopefully this new chapter will be good and not feel crammed or overwhelming.
This chapter is a critical point of the story where a lot of unanswered things are about to be revealed for Izuku and the plans I have been preparing are finally coming to fruition.
So yeah, I apologize for the horribly long wait, but I can't promise quick updates yet, just know that I am constantly trying to work on the story as I can.
Kai's plans and manipulations shatter.
His world lay scattered across his feet in un-mendable pieces
It's when the veil has lifted when something sleeping within Izuku finally awakens.
Just to let people know before reading the chapter
'words with coma quotes' - these are spoken memories or inward thoughts
Italicized words are memories and dream sequences
"words with quotation marks" are Izuku speaking within memories or dreams
"bold words" - these are the voice that Izuku hears but no one else can
Castle's Crumbling part 4
ROUND 1
Hitoshi Shinso vs Minoru Mineta
- - - - - Hitoshi Shinso - - - - -
Shoto Todoroki vs Hanta Sero
- - - - - Shoto Todoroki - - - - -
Denki Kaminari vs Ibara Shiozaki
- - - - - Ibara Shiozaki - - - - -
Tenya Ida vs Mei Hatsume
- - - - - Tenya Ida - - - - -
[though really that was more of an advertisement trap by Mei so they both won, kinda? lol]
Fumikage Tokoyami vs. Momo Yaoyorozu
- - - - - Fumikage Tokoyami - - - - -
Eijiro Kirishima vs. Tetsutetsu Tetsutetsu
- - - - - Eijiro Kirishima - - - - -
[After a tie and then victory arm wrestle match to break the tie]
Katsuki Bakugo vs. Ochaco Uraraka
- - - - - Katsuki Bakugo - - - - -
There was a brief interlude however Izuku stayed in his seat and didn't leave Shin's side after his little disappearing act the last break. Instead the young teen just jotted information that he found interesting or note worthy into his journal that he kept with him in his jacket's inner pocket until the next round. The tournament of the Sports Festival had been nothing short of spectacular so far. Izuku's interest in Shinso was confirmed after he had won his first round against a Class 1A student, Mineta. The match honestly ended quicker than anyone anticipated and it was strange to anyone not really paying attention for there was only a short conversation before suddenly Mineta walked off the stage disqualifying himself. However, he analyst knew exactly how it happened and figured that the General Student's quirk stemmed from verbal interaction so he quickly took note of it in his journal. Todoroki made quick work of his opponent with his ice quirk, too quick for Izuku's liking and again the dual quirk user didn't use his fire. Then the match between the cute girl, he had briefly met, named Uraraka and Bakugo was rather savage. He had to admit that she had a lot more moxy and strength than even he previously thought after watching her fight. He was impressed to say the least.
ROUND 2
Hitoshi Shinso vs. Shoto Todoroki
- - - - - Shoto Todoroki - - - - -
Tenya Ida vs. Ibara Shiozaki
- - - - - Tenya Ida - - - - -
Fumikage Tokoyami vs. Mina Ashido
- - - - - Fumikage Tokoyami - - - - -
Katsuki Bakugo vs. Eijiro Kirishima
- - - - - Katsuki Bakugo - - - - -
ROUND 3
Shoto Todoroki vs. Tenya Ida
- - - - - Shoto Todoroki - - - - -
Katsuki Bakugo vs. Fumikage Tokoyami
- - - - - Katsuki Bakugo - - - - -
The next two rounds were interesting to say the least. It was unfortunate, yet inevitable, that Hitoshi Shinso lost his next match against Todoroki. The dual quirk user kept barraging the other with ice attacks and kept silent even as Shinso would try to enact a verbal confrontation. The General Studies student didn't look like the fighting type and probably relied heavily on his own quirk for things which meant he had a handle on his quirk, but that also meant he was at a bad disadvantage and lost. What surprised Izuku was how the crowd received the student; it seemed that the loss was more of a win for him because everyone was cheering for him as he exited the stage, after all it wasn't every year that a General Studies student got that far into the tournament. The other students were filtered out and eventually dominated by Class 1A, the only let down was the match that was supposed to have happened between Tenya Ida and Shoto Todoroki as it was a forfeit and gave Todoroki the win instantly. He wasn't completely sure why that happened, but he had a good feeling it was due to news of a certain Hero Killer as he spotted the robotic teen quickly leaving the arena.
And now the FINALS!
That fight had been a rush of adrenaline even for the crowd. Ice and explosions filled the coliseum's air space as the two top students clashed against each other. Izuku was on his feet watching with baited breath as Bakugo seemed to be bombarding the dual quirk user with his explosive attacks, the ice shattering no matter what the other did.
Izuku stared intensely at the fight, it seemed that Todoroki was still refusing to use his fire side which was causing him to be at a disadvantage, "Use your left side..." he started muttering to himself. He stood up onto the bench seat and took a deep breath while pulling down his mask, "IT'S YOUR QUIRK!" he yelled out again surprising Shin with his overly invested energy, "USE IT!" he didn't think his voice would carry through the thunderous crowd, but unbeknownst to him Todoroki's attention was caught by it.
It seemed to trigger the fighter as he blocked Bakugo with a wall of fire. It caused the blonde to take quick steps back before he was hit with a blast of ice and then the fire came after. Now it was anyone's game and the crowd erupted in louder cheers. Izuku grinned at the sight, finally! He could analyze Todoroki's handle on his other half. Words were exchanged between the opponents and Bakugo's yell filled the space as he unleashed a great explosion that Todoroki couldn't block and blew the teen out of the stage and crashing him into the wall of the stadium. A clear winner.
"KATSUKI BAKUGO WINS! BAKUGO WIIIIINNNNSS!" Present Mic's enthusiastic voice cried out over the loudspeaker.
The crowd, cameras and heroes were all too hyped up over the results of the final battle to even notice the small insect-like nanotech that snuck back through the arena and stands back to his person, crawling like spiders up and into their proper place. Izuku looked over to Shin, "I never want to watch the Sports Festival via video recordings ever again!" he grinned. Through the rabid waves of voices the announcer had stated how all students that had been injured or otherwise have all been fully healed, not that any in the audience believed otherwise. It wasn't long before the stage was being set up for the awards ceremony.
Shin gave a deadpan look to the teen, "I think that's enough excitement for one day." he stated, "Lets go home."
"Go home?" The child like voice sniffed tearfully, "I-I wanna go home..."
A slight headache was coming on again, but he ignored it to speak up, "Actually... I was hoping we could stay just a little longer." Izuku replied wincing at the glare, "Hear me out. While I was out-"
An eyebrow rose, "You mean when you left my sight without permission?"
"To answer your rhetorical question, yes, but please, just let me finish." he stated with slight annoyance at being interrupted, maybe it was the headache making him more irritable than usual but he wasn't caring at the moment.
Shin gave a nod and waited for him to speak, he might not be a fan of Izuku but the man still appreciated the teen's politeness and that he hardly ever beats around the bush, the kid was honest and he had yet to catch him in a lie. Shin also knew the tattle-tale signs of Izuku's limits with his patience and temper.
"I was able to associate with a couple of Class 1A students who invited me to join them after this, it would be a good way to get a little more personal information from them if I can go." he explained as clear and quick as he could before Shin could say anything against it.
It seemed like he was debating, that was a good thing, either way it made Izuku nervous on what his end result would be. To be honest Shin knew Kai would be furious, he had already failed him by having Izuku slip from his watch. However, it seemed within that time he managed to befriend a student, so it shouldn't hurt now if he continued on this possible fruitful outcome. Plus Shin was aware that there would be times in the future where Izuku would have no one around him, he needed to learn to adapt and grow from experiences. So he decided, "Two hours. That should be adequate amount of time for you to gather some intel." It was Izuku's turn to be surprised and a big smile was hidden behind his face mask, "I'll have the car ready to leave. Two hours. Text me if you are to leave earlier. Understood?"
"YES!"
He watched as Shin disappeared amongst the crowd heading for the exit. He could hardly contain his excitement then it dawned on him, "Aw man, she didn't tell me where they were going to be." he groaned.
Thankfully he didn't have to look. "I heard you." he jumped slightly as he turned around to see Todoroki slowing to a stop in front of him, some other students were not too far off approaching them.
"Y-you did?!" his green eyes widened with wonder and Todoroki gave a small comfortable smile and nodded.
The others surrounded them by then. He recalled them all but they still made introductions
"Hi! I'm Mina!"
"Yo little bro, I'm Kirishima, who are you?"
"We met earlier, I'm Uraraka nice to officially meet you!"
"You can call me Tsu, ribbit"
Izuku chuckled as he listened to them then sighed as the question of who he was was brought up again, guess he couldn't help not calling himself something. "You can call me Izu, nice to meet you all" he said then smiled.
Uraraka looked over to Kirishima, "Where's Bakugo? Wasn't he going come?" she questioned him.
"Yeah, he should be meeting up with us later," he replied with a nod.
They ventured down the aisle of game booths chatting with each other with such vibrancy and enthusiasm Izuku couldn't help but think of the Shie Hassaikai members when a celebration is happening. They were all very close he could tell, then again if they were all in the same class together it would be difficult not to be.
"So Izu, what school do you go to?" Tsu asked curiously.
"I was homeschooled." He replied.
"Was?" Kirishima questioned.
"I've already graduated, I take college courses now." He explained with a shrug.
"Dang college? You must be pretty smart, is that your quirk?" He continued to ask seemingly impressed that someone their age was already attending college.
Izuku shook his head, "No. My father always encouraged my enthusiasm for knowledge." He answered simply.
"Maybe you could help me with my homework!" Mina exclaimed with hopeful glee. The others laughed while Kirishima agreed with her request as well.
An amused chuckle escaped him as he felt blush creep along his cheeks, "Sorry, I don't really get out much and my family is very adamant about their privacy, so I doubt I'd be allowed to tutor anyone." He replied.
"Your parents sound strict." Uraraka pointed out. Who would want to shut their kid in all the time?
"I'd say more like over protective. I get sick very easy and pretty often, so I know they have my best interests at heart." He defended lightly. "Besides they allowed me to come to the festival this year and be able to hang out with you guys, even if it's just for a couple hours." He added with a smile.
Todoroki didn't say too much during the conversation, he just listened. Over protective? It seemed a bit excessive and he could be getting sick a lot because they kept him shut it, but then who was he to judge with a monster of a father that he has.
"Aw bro! If you're on limited time then let's get to playing!" Kirishima cheered and the rest followed suit. Izuku stiffened when Kirishim's arm draped across his shoulders and pressed his side against his own in a friendly manner. Izuku wasn't sure how to react to the contact and strongly ignored the need to push the red head away because he didn't want to raise any red flags. He'll have to clean his outfit when he got home and probably take two showers.
They bounced from booth to booth for the games. The rules were simple, hit the target or targets and win a prize, no quirk use allowed. Some tried mainly to show off to the girls or the girls really wanted the plush they had up for the prize. They were really good with their accuracy, Izuku took mental note. He would have been fine just continuing to watch them all, like watching a documentary about the social interactions of creatures that were so foreign to him, yet he also felt a longing to want to blend in and belong to them as well. Strange.
Uraraka looked over to Izuku, "we've been hogging up the games, did you want to try too Izu?" She asked him sweetly, that smile was too damn bright to him, nothing like Himiko. He blinked and looked down at the chair and fixed ball loaded blaster and suddenly felt panicked.
germs Germs GERMS! ItssodirtydisgustingvialDISEASED!
"Izu?" Todoroki's calm voice broke his panic like a bell.
"Oh. um.. no.. no thanks. I'm sure I wouldn't be any good at these games." he tried to excuse himself from getting any closer to the objects that he just knew hadn't been washed after tens of hundreds of dirty hands had handled it. Nope. To be honest he never thought that he would have reacted that way either, he was far from the prying eyes of Kai, far from anyone that would have whispered to the Boss's ear, so why was he so disgusted with it now?
"He taught you to be." Something within him said.
When his attention went back to the group of teens he could tell they were disappointed that he didn't change his mind, "I really would rather watch." he said with an apologetic tone. After a while they seemed to have adapted to his preferences and stopped being pushy, but never allowed him to feel left out of anything.
Fun. This was what fun was like with kids around his age. He enjoyed it. Even if this was just a way of understanding his would be opponents and victims of the League of Villains. It was a pity, they all seemed like decent people to him, he would have left them alone if it had been up to him. He checked his watch. Half an hour before he was to meet Shin in the drop off/loading area so they could leave. Within the time he was allotted he had gained enough intel to make this a successful mission, but really he just wished he had more time to pretend a bit longer. To continue to have an amazing time with these teens who seemed interested in him and his dodgy way of avoiding certain questions.
But good times could only last so long.
"I-Izuku?" he heard his full name being said and slowly turned to look at who had said it, hoping that by some chance there was someone else that was named Izuku around, yet when his emerald eyes landed on Katsuki Bakugo he knew it was directed at him. The blonde stared directly at him looking like he was seeing a ghost. How did Bakugo know who he was?
Katsuki could hardly believe his eyes at first. He had to stand there for a moment as he stared at a new teen whom had been hanging around with his classmates. Distinctive curly, green hair, it made him think of him. It couldn't be... he thought to himself as his insides were literally buzzing. He needed to be sure and so willed himself to move forward, act casual. The greenette turned to the side as he dodged something, that's when Bakugo noticed his face was covered by a cloth mask, it would have been easier to dismiss him if he hadn't been wearing that, but the freckles that peeked above the mask line was unmistakable.
"I-Izuku?" He hated how his voice stammered, but he needed the other to look at him. He NEEDED to see if he would answer. He couldn't breathe when the teen reacted to the name and turned toward him hesitantly. Their eyes connecting. Those EMERALD eyes! It was him! There was no denying it now!
"Should I know you?" The teen questioned slowly. Looking a bit confused and edgy.
He could feel the panic creeping into his brain as All Might's warning echoed in his head. Katsuki, though, would not be deterred, "It is you!" He stepped closer hesitant that maybe this was all a hallucination brought on by all the stress of the Sports Festival. Yet, the clear look of confusion on his classmate's faces was a good sign that this wasn't a dream, "Midoriya, we've been looking everywhere for you." He noticed Izuku's cautious steps back from him.
"I'm sorry, but I think you have me confused with someone else. That's not my name." Izuku replied quickly.
He could hardly breathe, his pulse increased, why was he acting like he didn't know him! He was right there! He didn't need to pretend! He shook his head as he reached into his pant pocket, "No, Midoriya Izuku. I know it's you, I never stopped looking for you!" He said his voice was filled with a panic that he couldn't hold back, fumbling for a tattered flyer and unfolded it to show Izuku.
It was the 'Missing Child' flyer. Izuku stared at it with wide eyes. The child within the flyer looked just like him when he was younger. When he had been taken in by the Boss, by Kai. His head was throbbing by now and he shook his head, this can't be right. He hadn't been missing he was abandoned. Neglected and forgotten until Kai found him, until Otosan took him in as his son.
All sound was muffled as the paper was shoved into his gloved hands. He knew the blonde was talking, but he couldn't hear the words. He shook his head, "No... I don't know you or this Midoriya kid... I'm sorry, but I have to go now." By now the other classmates of Class 1A were trying to figure out what was going on, he could see their own concerns about what Bakugo was alleging. It was Todoroki who seemed to be calmly taking in everything. Bakugo on the other hand shouted warning his attention and another few steps back. "I'm sorry, I really do have to go..."
"You can't! Wait!" Bakugo called out to him as Izuku turned to leave. He couldn't believe what he was hearing, he knew, HE KNEW that was Izuku. "DEKU!" He yelled.
'Deku!'
Something in his mind clicked. Oh, the pain. Like waves crashing against the rocks his head was splitting.
"Finally."
He slowed to a stop as he held his head, his eyes flashed memories that he couldn't remember otherwise, visions of things and people that had been his life before... He turned back to look at Bakugo... Katsuki... "Kacchan?" He hoarsely whispered before a large crowd walked between him and the group of Class 1A students. Once the crowd dispersed the greenette was nowhere in sight.
"Deku!" Bakugo took off running, 'No no no no!' he thought in panic. He didn't stop for his classmates when they called after him nor slowed down as he rammed through the crowd. He had to find him again he couldn't lose him, not again! "DEKU!"
He ran. The moment there was a division between him and the students he bolted. His feet carried him away from the call of that name.
'Deku!' he could hear it ringing through his head over and over again. Mixed between Katsuki's call as he moved through the crowded festival and a child's taunting voice saying the name within his mind. He could feel his panic rising as all he wanted to do was escape.
Ignoring the people around him he felt like his world was shrinking, closing in around him making his breathing quick and ragged, his heart rapidly beating in his chest. So far deep in his panic he didn't even realize he was near the meeting point for Shin. Shin though had been keeping alert and the moment he caught sight of Izuku he knew something went wrong. "Shit!" he hastened to the obviously panicking teen. "Izuku." he spoke calmly to him careful not to touch him while he was so obviously in a panic attack though his presence hung around the boy to show him that he had shelter, "What happened?"
Emerald eyes were wide when they met his, "Home... I need. I need to go home." he muttered in quick painfilled whispers.
When Izuku leaned into Shin's body the older man's arms wrapped around his shoulders revealing that he was trembling. Mindful of his surroundings Shin lead Izuku to the car. Carefully he helped the woozy teen into the backseat and couldn't help the worry and panic within his own mind that was rising as Izuku seemed to be crumbling before him. Shutting the door he gave one last look around as he composed himself trying to figure out what could have possibly happened to Izuku to cause such a result. Kai was not going to be happy. Not one bit.
Izuku couldn't stop sweating. He felt sick; his stomach hurt, his head was pounding feeling like it was ready to explode. He curled into himself in the seat, pressing his forehead against his knees while his hands held the side of his head. Shin was speaking, but he couldn't hear him let alone have the will to say anything other than how much it hurt. How everything was hurting.
...
'You know what 'Deku' means don't you?' a little blonde boy sneered as he could hear himself sniffle as he looked up to the boy from the ground, there were faceless children snickering behind the blonde, 'It means worthless! That's what you are!' he pointed and the children laughed.
The resounding call of a raven can be heard within the cackling of children, "Leave it alone!" he demanded as he used his small body to protect the injured bird from Katsuki and his friends. In the end he came home with scraps, bruises, burn marks and the raven in his arms.
"This body is too injured and I'm much too weak to heal it. Let me sleep within you, not only will I give you my powers once I have regained my strength, but I will always be with you, your friend." the black bird tilted its head as it spoke, it's borrowed body slowly dying as little Izuku accepted it's offer, after all, he was promising to give him a quirk, right?
'Izuku sweetheart, I'm so sorry..' his mother whispers as she cradled her son while he sobbed, coming home from school once again with a ripped up and burned backpack and scrapes from falling, though he never told her to the extent of how cruelly he was being treated, 'It's ok, I'm here... I'm here' she tried to sooth as she held her own tears back, not knowing how to keep her baby safe.
'Why are you crying?' the image of a young Kai Chisaki standing in front of him near a playground as the day was turning dark.
"I wanna go home! I want my mom!" the panic within his little heart made his chest hurt as he stared up to those dark eyes that screamed possessive.
'This is your home now.'
"Don't worry, I will always be with you."
...
"Izuku!" Kai's worried voice rang through his delirium, "He's burning up! What happened? Why is he like this?" Kai seethed as Shin apologized profusely and proceeded to tell of what had transpired as far as he knew before Izuku fell back into a slumber.
The next thing Izuku knew he was waking up in his room, in the comfort of his bed. Taking a deep breath made his body ache, trying to sit up made him nauseous so he opted to stay laying down and stare blankly up at the ceiling. It was all coming back to him. Everything.
As he begins to slowly move his stiff limbs the door to his room opens.
"Don't say anything..."
"Good. You're awake." Kai spoke with relief as he walked in, closing the door promptly behind him. "You had me worried."
"Sorry..." Izuku muttered as he slowly sat up.
Kai sat on the side of his bed and touched Izuku's forehead with the back of his gloved hand, "You still have a fever, you should keep resting." he insisted pushing the younger back into bed with little effort. Kai gently stroked damp green curls away from his face, "I knew I shouldn't have agreed to his suggestion." he stated chastising himself mainly, "What happened? Shin told me that you were experiencing headaches throughout the event." he questioned the boy.
Izuku shifted his gaze away from Kai, how could he tell him that what was happening to him wasn't from what Kai was obviously assuming. In the end he couldn't and something within him kept telling him to keep silent, "I.. uh.. I over did myself... that's all. I wasn't use to all the excitement, food, the crowd... it was all a bit overwhelming. I'm sorry for worrying you." he tried to explain. It was so weird, to lie to Kai like this.
He could feel those intense golden orbs staring into him. As if knowing full well that he wasn't speaking honestly. "You're a terrible liar." He sighed making Izuku's stomach twist, "We'll discuss this further once you're well. For now, rest."
When Kai left Izuku slowly sat back up. He stared at his hands in the silence, his head was still swimming, but he couldn't sleep, he couldn't rest. Forcing his eyes to look further from his hands he registered the fact that he had a new set of clothes on. Which meant his other clothes were "Over there." in the laundry basket.
He pushed the covers off and rose from the bed. It took him a moment to compose himself, but it didn't stop him from reaching the basket of laundry. Relief washed over him as he spots his clothes and with only a moment hesitation he reached in and searched his pants until he heard the crinkle and made him feel as if his heart had skipped a beat. Pulling the crumpled paper from his discarded pant pocket he smoothed out the wrinkles as he sat at his desk.
Katsuki's pleas ran through his mind again as he read through the flier. This couldn't be right, he always told that he had been abandoned because of his quirklessness. How could he have been stolen?
"You were only six years old." he jumped at the voice and whipped around, finding the space once more empty.
"Who's there?" He asked out loud. Assuming it was someone with some sort of invisibility quirk, but it didn't feel right.
"Your mind is still trying to correct itself. It'll take time before you can recall everything." the voice stated with amusement laced with every word. "I've always been here, with you. Just as I had promised all those years ago."
His head throbbed, "I don't remember a promise like that..." he retorted. "Show yourself."
"You were a child when we met. My borrowed animal form was injured thanks to a bunch of disgusting humans and their quirks, but you tried to mend it. I remember how you cried for me." The voice recalled. "You took me to your home, thinking that you could do what my powers could not." there was a momentary pause, "You spoke with me everyday. Told me all your secrets. How you wished you had a real friend."
It was like a vacuum moment, everything around him was different. He was, he was in his old home! His vision landed on the little shoe box which he remembered held an injured bird. A raven. The black feathered creature cawed as he watched a five year old him sit near the bird and trying so hard to nurse the bird back to health. Coming back to his senses he frowned at the memory, "I called you Karasu..." he muttered.
A laugh danced around his room, "Yes! Karasu, so redundant yet so perfect. I really enjoyed that name."
"But how are you talking to me? Am I going crazy? Or do I actually have a quirk? Is this—"
"You always did have endless questions. It's what I like about you. Even as a child." A shadow began to take form within the corner of his room a defining silhouette that gazed right at Izuku causing the hair on the back of his neck to stand up, "Let us take our time, we are finally able to communicate properly with each other now, answers will be told in due time. No need to overwhelm your senses again." Izuku frowned again at It's answer the shadow fused back into the darkness and suddenly it spoke again this time right near him, "I promised to always be with you, we have time now." it said with a chuckle. Izuku felt goosebumps run down his spine, his senses telling him that whatever was speaking with him was dangerous.
Izuku blinked, "Why didn't I remember any of this until now?" his fingers absentmindedly traced the crinkle lines of the flyer as he felt the growing need to figure out what was going on.
"That would be because of your precious Kai."
"What?"
"I would suggest keeping your discoveries to yourself for now." Karasu suggested, "My strength hasn't been recovered because of how many times he, what do you call it, 'overhauled' you—"
"He what!?" He rose from his seat at the comment. The world spun for a moment and he had to brace himself before his hand fingered through his hair. "He used his quirk… on me?"
"The first time had been an accident I believe, but he apparently liked the results. The other three times were when you would start questioning or figured it out he would do it again and say that you had fallen ill, filling in the gaps with what he wanted for you." The voice let out a scoff, "if it hadn't been affecting my ability to keep in contact with you, or stunted my recovery, I would have been impressed with his possessive and manipulative behavior. Alas, his constant meddling with your mind tampered with my healing so my opinion of him isn't very good."
He felt nauseous again, four times. Kai had used his quirk on him four times. Just the thought alone made him want to scream. How could he have done this to him? Why? What was the point? Then he thought about it more, how obsessive Kai was with him, how controlling, manipulative. As the thoughts came through the more he felt like he was going to be sick.
"What do I do now?" Izuku muttered as he settled back into the chair his hand spread out upon the crumbled flyer. "I ran away from him… the one I use to call Kacchan… Bakugo. He said he had been looking for me."
"The same boy who bullied and shamed you for being quirkless. It's only natural that your instincts told you to run. It seemed the recessed memories acted as a way to keep the abuse buried deep within." Karasu pointed out in a lazy tone.
Izuku closed his eyes and silently agreed with the spirit. "But it's nice to know that he didn't forget me… he didn't stop looking…"
"You are far too kind for our own good." there was a momentary pause before it spoke again, "But I have seen how your kindness has gained you the respect and loyalty of your peers."
Quick Notes About the Turn of Events
I have been giving this some great deal of thought ever since I first created this story. To be honest this aspect of the tale was always in the works, I hid little hints and details throughout the chapters that there was always something more to Izuku especially since he was quirkless and still technically is.
This entity that is speaking with Izuku is definitely not human in design and had fused itself within Izuku's soul when he was about five years old with the promise of giving Izuku "powers" and in Izuku's child mentality he thought he was going to get a quirk and be like everyone else.
The entity is an 'Ancient Spirit' that uses hosts to continue to live through the centuries. Izuku just happened to have found It while It was within the body of a raven that had been injured. It took up the name Karasu when Izuku had named it while he was caring for the dying bird.
The fact that Kai had been overhauling Izuku through the years he unknowingly kept the entity from properly regaining It's strength and fusing fully with Izuku as he grew which was It's intention from the start. So from being separated from Izuku's full consciousness the entity would only be able to reach out to Izuku with whispers and subconscious suggestions, like choosing the alias 'Karasu' for his Yakuza name. Once he created that persona the entity started taking footholds to gradually take over, which was another reason why Izuku was able to tell that AfO was trying to use his mind reading quirk on him. It wasn't until the mental walls that Kai created broke down once Izuku's memories were released that the entity is now able to communicate with Izuku like he is now and will be in future chapters.
Next chapter should be up within another two weeks or so.
Hopefully.
