Chapter 1 - First Beginnings
Breaking News: All Might stands victorious! The world's #1 hero set to make a full recovery!
…
Cheers for All Might! Beacon of humanity! Slayers of monsters!
…
The conclusion of the greatest battle of monsters since the age of the first hero! A decisive victory for humanity!
…
While it was indeed true, the scale of such a battle had not been seen since the days of the monster king, this only meant that powers that remained in the shadows for over 200 years have begun to stir.
All Might's victory may have brought the world of heroes into a Golden Age, but despite that, it was only a precursor. A precursor to a peace that was short lived, for this battle was but the opening act, of a much greater and sinister plot.
For every man, woman, and child that saw the victory, a monster saw their defeat.
Monsters didn't like to lose.
No, not at all.
2 Years prior to Canon
How many times have I watched that video?
The battle between All Might and the monster dubbed 'Azathoth,' - its namesake from the Cthulhu Mythos book series - books that I really should NOT have read - had basically been the turning point of recent history. Everyone knew of the monster race, and everyone has either watched the 10+-billion-view video or knew about the battle between All Might and the monster. To have such a powerful one seemingly show up out of nowhere was very… weird - or absolutely horrifying.
Despite knowing the monstrosity he watched in the video was defeated, dead, and at the bottom of the sea, it made it no less of an absolute horror.
How did All Might even LOOK at that thing?
Honestly, no matter how anybody looked at it, life after the victory wasn't any easier than it was before, in fact, it was probably a lot harder. You could just be walking down the beach, sand monster. Casual stroll in the forest? Nope, tree monster. Heck, even if you just wanted to go dump garage, nope, random lizardmen popping out of the sewers.
It was really stupid, thinking about it now. What if one somehow managed to get into his house?
"…"
No, no! Don't think about that stuff! Slapping himself in the face, he slouched back onto his office chair, and began dragging blue boxes over his screen in boredom.
What should I do now?
He continuously twirled around in his chair, occasionally staring out the window beside his bed. Homework was already done, he did some practice earlier, and he already ate dinner. There was maybe a good five hours before he usually went to bed, so he had to find some way to entertain himself.
Stopping his spin, Ghonja looked up to the two posters he had on the wall; one of All Might, and one of a similar-looking yet far less muscular man with a cane - his cousin, Toshinori Yagi.
What would they do to alleviate boredom?
HA HA HA! DRINK THE FRUITY FRUIT 5 HOUR ENERGY AND YOU'LL BE JUST AS STRONG AS ME! - All Might …Yeah no, I hate those stupid commercials that pop up when I'm trying to watch a video. And the drink tastes like straight dog piss.
Do what you can - Toshinori. Do what you can. Ghonja remembered that phrase ever since he said it during an interview. It meant that it's good to rest and to not go over your limits so you don't hurt yourself…I think. [1]
Maybe I should actually try to do something producti-
"Ghonja! What are you doing!" A voice came from the entrance of his room.
Crap it's my Grandpa! Don't tell me…
"Um… studying?"
With that reply, Ghonja saw the same look on Grandpa's face as the time he had to break into his own house through the window because he dropped his keys into the sewer just to discover the door wasn't even locked.
"I bought this computer for you because you said you needed it for homework!" Shit, shit, shit! I really thought I locked the door!
"I'm training my patience by doing nothing?"
"…"
That was not the right thing to say. Definitely not. His Grandpa had his fists clench tighter and tighter, the veins on his forehead popping out in rage.
"BOY I'LL SHOW YOU TRAINING RIGHT THIS MOMENT IF YOU DON'T GO OUTSIDE RIGHT NOW!"
"But I already did for like an hour when I got home-"
"DO I LOOK LIKE I CARE, BOY?! IF YOU ARE NOT OUTSIDE IN THE NEXT 5 SECONDS-" Ghonja's eyes darted from his Grandpa's then to the hammer that he was currently holding… right above the new router.
OH SHI-
Instantly, Ghonja jumped out of his chair, running for the door leading downstairs.
"Alright! Alright! I'm going out!" Jesus Christ! 2 Boys in one session? He is really, really mad.
"I DON'T WANT TO SEE YOU IN THE HOUSE UNTIL NIGHT FALLS BOY, IF I SEE YOU TRY TO SNEAK IN THEN YOU GET TO PLAY THE I-AM-HOMELESS GAME!"
ALRIGHTY then.
My Grandpa is such a dictator, does he think we're in a war or something? SO stupid.
Ghonja looked back towards his house; it certainly wasn't a mansion, but at least it had a rather large backyard. Four stories, barely four meters wide at its widest, his house resembled more of a vertical rectangle than an actual house with shingles or gutters or basically any house-y aesthetics.
Turning back, Ghonja looked towards a section of the backyard completely covered with rocks of various sizes.
If I'm stuck out here, might as well do SOMETHING…
The question is, what should he even do? Sure, he lifted some rocks with his quirk but now he was tired and really didn't want to do anything; BUT, his grandpa probably wouldn't even let him in for a good three hours, considering it's almost Summer.
Making his way to one of the largest rocks - this weighs about 100kg if I recall - Ghonja enveloped his hand with a purple aura, furrowing his brows in concentration before the spherical stone was covered by the same glow. The moment it left the ground, he began to feel pressure all over his body.
Okay, a little bit higher…and, NOW. Pushing the leftover strength had left, Ghonja forced the rock across the garden, causing it to land with a loud, dull thud.
Arrgh, why I do even have to be out here!
The moment he lifted the rock and threw it, he felt the 'squish' that felt like ten muscular guys were trying to push him inwards. Ghonja was absolutely stumped on why he was forced to train and study.
"…"
Welp, anything 'physical' is completely out of the question.
Despite the harsh regimen his grandpa puts him through, the old man was sure to make him understand the importance of not 'overtraining' and having proper rest. He would probably call his grandpa a hypocrite for forcing him outside, but then he would get another one of those scolding/lectures about how he shouldn't have kept forcing himself past the limit - like some idiot - and instead do something else. Because really, training for over 3-4 hours at any high-level intensity is completely unrealistic. Unless you had some regeneration quirk that is.
Hmm… Maybe some Yoga?
If he remembered correctly, his mother was half Indian and was a 'spiritual' practitioner when she was still here; considering he can't really train anymore, some relaxation will definitely help. Walking around to find a spot, Ghonja eventually sat on a patch of grass that was extra thick, then sat down and closed his eyes.
About two hours later
Ahhh, I feel like a fluffy cloud…
Ghonja simply stared into the darkening sky covered to the brim with clouds. It would probably rain in the next hour. Here's hoping my grandpa actually lets me inside…
Now that he thought about it, the surrounding environment was probably the personification of 'peaceful.' The mini-waterfall in the corner was looping into the pond below it, the smell of rain was in the air, he was feeling relaxed, and the grass was feeling extra soft.
Eh, a short nap couldn't hurt.
"GHONJA, GET UP!" A scream resounded all throughout the rectangular house, easily breaking through the walls and into Ghonja's room.
Is it morning already? Wait… how am I in my bed?
Ghonja took a look at the clock on his bedside table, just to see that it was 5:30 in the morning.
"…" Ghonja simply sighed, breathing deeply while rubbing his eyes, then forcing himself out of bed.
Walking down three flights of stairs to get to the ground floor, the boy noticed his grandfather sitting down on the couch with a cup of… something.
I don't think he's that happy considering he probably carried me up the stairs yesterday…
"So uh, what's for breakfast gramps?" His only reply was an intense stare. Slowly, his grandfather lifted the small coffee cup and took the most minute and slowest of sips, before addressing him.
"Nothing. Make it yourself."
What?
"But what about the morning jog you always make me do?" Ghonja was now slowly making his way towards the kitchen, hoping he could just skip it.
"Best hurry then." …saw that coming from a mile away.
Again, Ghonja simply sighed in reluctant acceptance, changed his clothes, and made his way outside the house.
I really don't see how any of this helps me. It's not like I want to become an athlete or something…
Ghonja simply jogged through his neighbourhood, approaching a road that offered a view of the Pacific Ocean. As he passed the market area, he noticed a little girl giving a piece of bread to a man on the street.
Huh.
Now that he thought about it, he had no idea what he was doing any of this for. If It was up to him, he certainly wouldn't be waking up at 5:30 in the morning of all things. School starts at 8:30, I should be waking up at 7 at the EARLIEST.
It doesn't matter though, he was probably going to become a lawyer or even a surgeon like his father. What was his quirk again? It was something to do with sending some sort of energy through his body to make himself perfectly still. Right, my quirk doesn't help in either of those…
Through his musing, Ghonja noticed that he hit the intersection just before the beach, Dagoba if I recall. The tired boy simply pressed one of the buttons on the traffic posts, proceeding to wait for it to go green.
I can totally just go shop at the grocery store for the next forty-five minutes… nah, as much as I dislike this, I won't do something like that.
*Beep* *Beep* *Beep* *Beep*
Oh! There's the light change. Without looking up, Ghonja simply walked into the street where the crosswalk was.
HHHHHHHHHHHONK!
W-wait what?
The inattentive boy simply looked up to his right, a rapidly approaching truck just meters away from hitting him.
"WATCH OUT MY BOY!" Frozen in his stupor, Ghonja could do nothing but stare at what could very well be his death. Damn it! I wouldn't be able to find out how One Piece ends! Right before impact, he felt a sharp tug, before being forced back to the sidewalk.
Dazed, Ghonja stared up at the towering figure still grabbing his shoulders. Isn't that…?
"Are you all right young man?! You're not hurt at all!?" The blonde man began frantically checking him for injuries, all while holding onto the werid extendable cane in his right hand. Okay, this is kind of creepy.
"Whoah, yeah, I'm fine..." He, just saved my life!
The man smiled reassuringly, then crouched down to meet Ghonja in the eye. "I get it's early in the morning, but you still have to be alert," he lectured while pointing at the perpendicular crosswalk.
"That light wasn't for the one you wanted to cross." Ghonja simply looked at the still red crosswalk he tried to cross, before looking back to the man, who had extended a hand to him.
Boy I feel stupid.
"you… YOU'RE ALL MIGHT'S COUSIN!" Ghonja took his hand, practically jumping back to his feet.
The man, way over six feet tall, simply smiled before nodding. "Indeed I am, my boy."
What are the chances! I have SO many questions!
Despite Ghonja feeling awkward earlier, he was now right in the man's face, his eyes filled with curiousity. "HOW TALL ARE YOU? HOW COME ALL MIGHT'S SO BUFF AND YOU'RE NOT? WHY DOES HE ENDORSE THAT GARBAGE SPORTS DRINK THAT NOBODY LIKES? DOES HE SMILE WHILE TAKING A SHIT? ARE YOU REALLY QUIRKLESS? HOW DOES HE FEEL ABOUT A VEGAN DIET?" The man simply sweatdropped at Ghonja's bombardment of questions.
The blonde man put a finger to his chin in thought, looking up with a contemplating expression before replying with a smile. "I'm 7'0, just two inches shorter than my cousin, I suppose it's because he stole all my protein bars while we were younger, …reasons, that I wouldn't know because I'm never there when he does that, yes I am, and with all the meat in his diet I would think that veganism is villainous by itself, HA!"
Screw my jog, I'm staying right here!
"I still have soo many questions!" Ghonja lit up, but slightly dimmed realizing that the man in front of him was probably very busy.
Toshinori simply chuckled. "And I am more than happy to answer them." With that, a smile rivaling All Might himself crept up onto Ghonja's face.
YES.
For thirty straight minutes, Ghonja came at Toshinori with question after question. With great patience and wisdom, the blonde man answered every single one of them.
The black-haired boy was starting to get tired from all the questions he was asking. With a sharpened stare, Ghonja stated. "Do what you can."
Toshinori, who was now sitting on a bench, turned to the boy that sat beside him. "Do what you can?"
"That's what you said isn't it? I remember it from all those years ago." The blonde man seemed to be surprised, before replying with a smile.
"Ahh, I remember. Do what you can, it means that no matter what cards life has dealt you, there is always good that you can do."
…That is completely different from what I thought it meant.
"…I always thought it meant to not recklessly go past your limits." His reply earned a hearty laugh from the man.
"That too! I-My cousin should really listen to you!" Toshinori simply laughed harder, before Ghonja joined him, unwillingly of course.
As the two laughed their troubles away, Ghonja begin to see the man in a new light. Considering the only place he knew them from was on the internet and television, he could never actually know the things he did now… had he not nearly got ran over by a truck.
"Say… Mr. Yagi."
"Just Toshinori is fine, young man."
Ghonja stared into the distance, watching the ocean where it was visible between the mountains of garbage.
"What is a hero?"
If the man was stunned by his question, he simply didn't show it. Toshinori simply stared at the beach as well, his expression hardening by the second.
"A hero… is many things." The man looked down at the floor, before looking back at Ghonja with a meaningful stare.
"A hero is someone who saves other with a smile." Ghonja thought of All Might smiling at the camera.
"A hero is someone who is willing to sacrifice himself for others." Ghonja thought of All Might fighting Azathoth.
"A hero is someone who changes the world for the better." Ghonja thought of the various heroes that make the city safer every day.
"A hero is someone who does good, no matter how small the deed." Ghonja remembered the little act of kindness he saw during his jog.
"A hero, is someone who does what they can." Ghonja thought of Toshinori helping out his cousin in his hero agency.
"But most of all… a hero is a choice."
A choice? Ghonja furrowed his brow in confusion. "What does that mean?" Toshinori had a smile rivalling his cousin, at this angle, they might as well be the same person!
"Sometimes when you go upon your life, you might see people that need help, people in trouble." Where is he going with this? "Every single person there makes the same choice, to act, or not to act."
The man began standing up, gripping into his cane. "All it takes is a single person: man, woman, or child, to choose to act, to make all the difference." With a final turn, Toshinori looked back at Ghonja.
"Because to meddle when you don't have to… is the essence of a true hero."
Ghonja looked down in contemplation. He just had one of his idols answer just about every question he had. To be honest,, the entire experience was more enlightening than all the stupid crap his grandfather called training. It was indeed true, Ghonja didn't understand everything that Toshinori told him. Perhaps he would understand it eventually, perhaps not, but it didn't matter.
A hero… is a choice.
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Chapter 1 Finished! Next Chapter - Another Day
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[1]: Okay, I'm not sure if it's clear in the story - Toshinori and All Might are the same person obviously. But in my story, the public thinks they are two different people. I will reveal how he does this later on :)
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