Chapter 6: How to train your Conduit Vessel
"Inherit your powers?"
Confused of what he meant by inheriting his powers. Did he mean by literally or figuratively? Like to become the next Symbol of Peace on taking his title and possibly be the Symbol of Hope like Cole over there by his Conduit colleagues? Still conflicted by his words, All-Might started to laugh of my obliviousness and Cole retains his stoic stance.
"What's with that face? It's just a suggestion. The real show starts after this. Listen, young man. You need to carefully decide…WHETHER OR NOT YOU WILL ACCEPT MY POWER-BLEGH!" Seeing him spluttering out blood while yelling of what my choice is. I still don't understand what he's talking about. Thankfully for him, he clarifies that he meant it literally.
"I'm talking about my power young man. You know how the tabloids describe it. The Superhuman Strength, the Boost, and how D.C Comics outright calling my power as the Superman Quirk which it's pretty silly if you say it out loud in public. For my personal relationship with D.C's filmmakers…it's pretty bad. So when I get into an interview about my Quirk, I will make a funny joke or two about how D.C Comics horribly make their movies with good old Zack Snyder in it. Of how he basically portray me as some brooding, depressing guy. To dodge the previous question all entirely about my Quirk because I want them to think I am a natural-born hero." I quickly stop crying when I heard D.C Comics and my fanboyism was kicking in real hard. Why? I recently watch one of Snyder's films known as 'Hope vs. Peace: Dawn of Heroism' and how horribly he portrayed my favorite superheroes of all time!
"Before I can start having a rant about how Marvel productions are a lot better on representing heroes than D.C movie productions ever will be. The Symbol of Peace, All-Might, had to be a natural-born hero. In truth, this Quirk I wield is passed on to me like a sacred torch to kindle the lights!" What? So your power was given? Not by birth?
"It was passed on to you…?" Still bemuse. I remembered his Quirk is highly debated in the Internet. Making theories, outlandish answers, saying it is one of oldest Quirks and he is the oldest man who walks on Earth. So many unanswered questions of his Quirk, so many bewilderment that I don't know of what his powers might be.
"That's right. And next, it is your turn." The windblown through his shirt to reveal me his wound again and my brain is in stupefying denial of what he is saying. All-Might's Quirk is not given by birth but earn it? How could that be?!
"H-hold on a second! It's true your Quirk is highly debated among the Internet. One of the greatest unknown powers to walk among in Earth and endlessly being discuss all day. How could a Quirk pass on to someone that-…?" Mumbling to myself and trying to handle of this huge information that's going through my head. Luckily, All-Might snapped my train of thoughts and my mind return back to reality.
"You're always starting with denial, huh? Nonsense!" Grasping back to reality and hearing All-Might give an explanation of what his Quirk truly is to me. My ears are wide open to hear his voice and the inner-depth of my skull is collecting his words to sear into my brain matter to forever remember his secret.
"I may hide many things in the public but I am no liar to anyone. This power I hold is to transfer powers is the Quirk I inherited. The power I am crowned is called 'One For All' within my body and soul." Opening the palm of his right hand, a light shine upon my face and the wind breezes through us while Cole silently observe our little moment of One For All's dramatic intro.
"One For All…" Repeating what he said. I sense his power going through him and precisely listening to what his Quirk do.
"That's Right. One person cultivates the power and passes it on to another person, who also cultivates it and passes it on. It is the crystallization of power that spins together the voices of those who needs help with a courageous heart." The power to give and cultivates the said power? Why would he give such a powerful Quirk to me? Plus, I am already a Conduit and wield the electric powers of Cole MacGrath in the flick of my fingers. Can his Quirk be compatible with my Conduit Gene and nothing disastrous comes from it?
"Why are you giving me such a powerful Quirk in the first place All-Might? Can it coexist with my Conduit gene and nothing terrible is going to happen when I wield both of them simultaneously?" Hesitant to receive All-Might's power that my Conduit gene might interfere with One for All's capabilities, Cole stepped in and spoke of what I said. Giving me an educational guess that Quirk and Conduit gene can coexist in my body.
"Let me explain about that kid. Back at S.C.D, there are small cases of people who have both a Quirk and the Gene in them. Although, it's pretty rare case since Quirks and Conduits don't want to reproduce each other. Either out of discrimination or actual zero desire to make a family who are opposite in powers. But we do have authentic reports of kids having those two traits. Hell, the said powers will eventually becoming symbiosis and mingled into one. Like example, when the Conduit power is in use, the Quirk will support the Conduit gene. Same goes if the roles are reverse. If the Quirk is in use, the Conduit gene will help it out. It's mutually beneficial for having both the Gene and a Quirk to make your super powered abilities more efficient. It's an observational guess though, so don't take it for granted. We didn't test the idea out especially since you're an artificial Prime Conduit." Shock I'm going to get All-Might's powers while carrying Cole's genes, All-Might stepped in after Cole finished his long exposition.
"I am looking for a successor and I thought it would be fine for you to inherit my Quirk. Although you may be a Conduit but my Quirk might complete your half awaken Conduit gene to become one. Back there, I saw you are the first one to act and more heroic than the rest of the Pro Heroes to save your own peer from suffocation. But it's up to you though. Do you want to inherit it? What do you say?" Hearing those two symbols encouraging me and All-Might telling me his secret Quirk is. I wipe my tears and determine to be a hero. There's no reason to back down and refuse All-Might's request.
"I'll do it!" Raising my head and showing my courage to face adversity of what I'm going to do. All-Might gripped on his head and looked down at me impressed.
"An immediate reply. That's what I thought you'd say! So Cole, do want to help out young Midoriya to train on becoming a true hero?" Glancing back at Cole who is scratching his chin to think if he wants to participate to train me, he then shrugs his shoulders of saying: sure, why not?
"Why the hell not, sure I'll join in. Besides he need some practice on focusing his mind. As I learn from a certain Gravity Conduit instructor back at S.C.D camp. Your brain and nervous system is link to your Conduit powers. So I'll give the kid some meditation, stretches and couple of martial arts while you bulk Izuku up. A clear mind is a good mind so to say." So I'm going to do physical and mental training. That sounds great!
[Cole]
Looking down at the kid who is willingly going to be the vessel of One For All and the next successor to be the Symbol of Peace. I might as well train on his Conduit side if he ever wants to become the Symbol of Hope, dubbed by the higher S.C.D members to give their full respects of him.
For what I said he's going to have two superpowers in him simultaneously. I am extremely afraid that something might go very, very wrong here for him to wield both of our powers. Excited that One For All might mutate with my DNA to make him nearly indestructible…or scared that his body might get obliterated all entirely by the unstable powers he carries inside of him.
"Alright then, meet us at the beach shore in 6:00 AM. You can easily find us where bunch of junk is piling up." After All-Might told him of where we're going to train him and giving him the address of which beach it is. I watch Izuku heading back to his home when he went pass by us. Observing the kid, I look down at All-Might and decided to discuss about him carrying two superpowers. I know I am having second thoughts here but I am unheedingly worried of his safety.
"So do you think that your Quirk might mutate with my Conduit gene in him to do One For All's stockpiling nature? I think that will either be good thing for him or very dangerous for his body to handle. By the way, is it good idea to lie about your wound back at the building that Toxic Chainsaw did it? I'm just saying." Looking back at Izuku who revived me from my grave behind us, All-Might just rubbed his skull, trying to think of that possibility and self-reflecting his own lie he made back there.
"We'll find out soon when the time comes Cole. Besides, we only have few months until the entre exam starts. So we have to prepare him for it and there's no turning back of the fate he choose. The Brotherhood is here and rumor of a villainous organization is starting to form in secret. So we're going to place our bets or let evil consume us all. For lying, the boy's soul isn't ready to face the truth or it will shatter his spirits about learning the fact that All For One exist." Damn, I almost forgot about those pricks. So make do or lose everything.
"But I want to ask you something. Why the hell do you hate our new movie by D.C Comics? You got to admit. The action sequence is pretty damn awesome regardless of the horrible characterization the film presents us as." When I mentioned about Zack Snyder, All-Might groaned to himself in annoyance and face palmed of that shitty production we had to face.
"Oh this again, I know you are allowed to have your own merchandising to do your massive popularity with the kids back at North America and affiliation with me in order for you to have your own merchandise trinkets out in the opening so you wouldn't be outright censored by the public. But talking about Zack Snyder doesn't give me hope for the film industry damn it! By the way, when the hell did I have a fictional girlfriend exactly name Trish?!" Oh, here we go again about the goddamn merchandising on films and calling me an idiot for defending Zack's movie. Although, I am a bit piss that both of our girlfriends are called Trish for some really stupid reason and how All-Might keep yelling out my real girlfriend's name when I was holding him down on the ground in the big screen. So I guess that's one flaw I really hated about.
About to give him a counter argument of his distaste for Zack Snyder's film. I slightly cough from my throat and a scratchy sensation going through in my chest. I don't know why I cough, but I cough.
"You okay Cole?" Looking back at All-Might who's eyes are all too concern of me. I give him a shrug and bluntly saying I'm okay.
"Yeah man, I feel alright. So about Zack Snyder…"
[Izuku]
Finally arriving to my grey apartment complex and walking up the stairs. I gently knock on the door and my mother heard the soft banging noises as she turns the knob. Opening the door coolly, I look up to my mother who is very obese and I'm worried for her health if she keeps on maintaining that unhealthy lifestyle she's doing. Nevertheless, I still love my mom in spite of her gaining weight.
"Izuku! Have you heard the news lately? A mysterious Conduit Camper who took on the Sludge Villain by himself alone! Then later being saved by the Symbol Of Peace by one punch!" Trying to seal my lips about that incident, I bob my head to her and simply headed back to my room before I start acting fishy.
"Izuku? Where are you going? The News is showing a Conduit teenager who has similar abilities to Cole who is your favorite Conduit Hero!" Gulping to myself, my mother knows I am a fanboy for Cole MacGrath and All-Might. If I don't watch the television news, it would consider extremely suspicious for her. Damn my fanboy urges!
Lump my body down at the couch. My mom turns to the Channel News to see footage of me running through burning buildings and using my electric Conduit powers on the slimy sludge villain. Including me getting whipped to death by it and All-Might came to save the day.
"Today news, an unidentified Conduit came charging in at the Sludge Villain to save a student who is being suffocated by it. For the said Conduit, he appears to be showing similar electric powers to Cole MacGrath. For Eye Witnesses who saw the Conduit first hand. We will be interviewing Katsuki Bakugo, a Sludge Villain victim who is rescued by the unknown Conduit vigilante." As the footage changes to Kacchan with a microphone near to his face. He is still angry as ever and swipes the microphone away from him.
"HEY! GET THAT SHIT AWAY FROM ME! I DON'T NEED A CONDUIT FREAK SAVING MY ASS!" Yup…still the same Kacchan.
"After Katsuki is safely rescued by a seemingly static electromagnetism carrying him up in the air, the Conduit proceed to assault the Villain that is similar to Gigawatt Blades from Cole MacGrath. Unfortunately, the Conduit got overpowered by the villain but was then rescued by the Symbol Of Peace himself." The footage then transition of me getting whipped endlessly by the many tentacles it made and flinching myself of watching the many tentacles strike at me ones. Thankfully, All-Might came to save my butt before the Slimy sludge thug can kill both of us by one heavy swing.
"But that's not all folks. Another unidentified individual appeared in thin air and grab the unknown Conduit by his shoulder. Both vanish in a blur immediately after the hooded individual touched the vigilante. Who could this mysterious person and the vigilante be?" The footage change again to see Cole was holding on my shoulder before we both disappeared in an electric flash.
As the News Broadcast about to end the subject of my Conduit-self, I left the couch and walked away to my room while my mother is in awe of my Conduit-self slicing the villain head on.
Casually walking to my room where two boards hang on my wooden door that represents my two favorite heroes with my full name separately written on each of them. Where the first board atop has All-Might's blue color scheme with his signature blonde pointy hair prodding out and written on the center is my first name. The second board at the bottom has white, blue electricity sparking out and a pair of hands at the each end of the board saying my last name in bold black.
Stepping inside my bedroom and dropping my bag on the floor. The walls are plastered with Cole and All-Might posters. For my most prized poster for Cole is the original Cole MacGrath poster that survived from the Beast's destruction back at the old ruins of Old Empire City, wearing his original black and white tracksuit while holding his white lightning bolt to the people below him in heroic glory.
Sitting down on my bed where a shelf of my All-Might Figurine collection is placed at the right side of my wall. I pull out a white piece of paper that All-Might gave me from my pocket to show me the address of where I am going to train and the Ionized Blast magnet he gave me to counteract the Brotherhood's leader mind reading powers. I think deeply to myself I'm really going to be a hero after all!
A hero…
[6:20 AM, 2 days later-Dagoba Municipal Beach Park]
I regret being a hero now!
Pulling the huge hulk of a fridge behind me where Cole and All-Might are sitting on. I slightly pull it with ease but it's still hefty as heck to move it. But what purpose I am doing this for again?
"You're doing great Izuku! I know your Conduit Gene doubles your strength to make things easier for you to move these heavy objects around here but it's still a great workout for you!" After hearing All-Might encouraging me, I pulled the giant fridge for few meters.
After pulling the fridge few meters away from its original spot and turning my head back to the two Symbols. I want to know exactly why I am doing this and breaking my back for it?
"So why am I dragging trash at the beach park again?" Hearing All-Might's cheerfully laughs while he's in his Hero Form and wearing his jogging outfit. He pulled out his phone and snaps a picture of me.
"Well you see Midoriya, you're not a proper vessel yet." Wait! What do you mean by that?!
"Hold up a second! What you're saying now is the opposite of what you said before!" Letting go of the ropes I was holding and internally screaming in the inside. During my shameful screaming, All-Might and Cole got off from the fridge as they walk up to me while All-Might still holding his phone.
"I'm talking about your body son and especially not knowing of the aftereffects of your Conduit gene when you hold my power." when I stop crying and looking up at All-Might what he means by that. He still smiles and explain of the scenario if I didn't train my body and mind properly.
"My Quirk, One For All, is the fullest physical ability of many people gathered into one. An unprepared body cannot inherit it fully. For your limbs and body will instantly explode which it wouldn't be pretty for us to watch." My limbs will-what now?!
"So…I'm picking up the trash here in order to train my body?" Looking around at this dump and rubbing my arms thinking about they will explode immediately if I didn't train well enough. But what about Cole and his purpose on training my mind?
"Yes! For your Conduit gene though, it might make One For All go haywire as we don't know the implications of what my Quirk is going to do with your Conduit Gene. So therefore, we made extra safety precautions when One For All gets transferred inside of you, your body needs to bulk up physically and Cole over here is going to train you mentality on your Conduit side for you to handle your Electric powers. So you can temporally separate your Electric powers with my Quirk. Just in case if things go horribly wrong here like getting yourself fried out of nowhere or exploding your limbs at the same time." Knowing Cole is going to be a part in my training regime fully. I saw him walks up to me and spoke up calmly.
"Hey, at least it's not advance calisthenics like doing hundred pushups, sit-ups, squats and running every day. You're just going to do simple stretches, meditation and martial arts. But here's a thing. Can you focus of what you're doing in all of them?" Almost answering him of saying: of course I can. I smartly notice that was a rhetorical question and spoke to me in a different tone. So I kept myself quiet, knowing it's more mental driven than All-Might's physical driven.
"But that's not all. After researching in the Internet yesterday, we discovered that this part of the beach park's coast has been like this for many years." All-Might who was tapping his knuckles on the old fridge to hear a bang, I begin to look around here to see tons of trash towering on each other. Remembering the odd little history of this place and I recall this part of the coast without anyone wants to clean it up for so many years.
"For some reason, because of the currents, objects drift here a lot and people take advantage of that to hide their illegal dumping. The local residents don't come here, either." Finished analyzing and memorizing the area I was in. I look back to All-Might who's strolling behind the fridge and grasping it on the surface.
"Heroes these days are all after money and fame, being the celebrity star they dream of. But in the past, being a hero meant you need to do volunteer service. Even if people call it boring or whatever they call it, it is your line of duty for the public first. You can't ignore those roots of its origins Izuku." Speaking to me of what a hero truly means while he's proceeding to crush the fridge to the very bottom. A forceful boom exploded under the trash around him and felt the gigantic vibration going through the sandy ground. Turning my head up, I saw the sun rising in the midnight skies as dawn is approaching at the horizon.
"You will restore the horizon for this whole section!" Staring at the sandy vortex that surrounded All-Might had faded. He looked up to me in encouragement.
"That is your first step toward becoming a hero!" My first step of becoming a hero is to clean up the trash around me?
"My first step of becoming a hero is to clean all the garbage…all of it here?!" Shouting in surprise that I am going to clean all of this trash piling around here, I heard All-Might question me if I want to enter U.A Academy and prepared for S.C.D campground.
"Young Midoriya, do you want to go to U.A and ready for S.C.D campground right?" Looking back to see All-Might standing up and Cole is silently sitting on the ground cross legged, meditating. I answered him in an awkward yes.
"Well, yes because you went there to study and S.C.D would help me to control my Conduit abilities to go beyond of what I am actually capable of." All-Might grin becomes bigger and I saw him picking up the crushed fridge from the ground.
"You are really a determined kid you know that? If you don't have a Quirk or a Conduit gene, you probably wouldn't survive over there. Even though you are most likely to be discriminated simply because you are a Conduit than a Quirk user, you can go beyond your desires and show people of what self-sacrifice really is!" Throwing the crushed fridge at Cole with his right hand, he flung it at him and Cole's eyes shot up like a snake.
He promptly got up from the ground that my eyes didn't catch his movements enough to see what it is as he's moving too fast. He got up in a cat stance and smashes his right elbow at the center of the rusty fridge. Propelling the crushed fridge back into the air and made it flying so high that it went over to the railings of the park entrance. Amazed of what he just did.
"Whatever you want to believe in kid. U.A. is the hardest course for Quirk Initiates to face and S.C.D camp instructors wants to see if you're mentality capable of going through their obstacles to learn your own Conduit aspects for yourself. You know what that means Izuku?" Hearing Cole who spoke sternly to me than his laidback playfulness where he usually does. I begin to count of how many months left till the exam starts and I only have ten months to prepare for them! If I fail the test, at least I can go to S.C.D camp for mental preparations.
"Let see. The U.A. exam and S.C.D Initiation test starts at ten months. So I have ten months to train for them right?" Doing my math of many days I have left till the exam begins. It would be three hundred four days for me to train. Coincidentally when I said that, All-Might pulled out sheets of papers which contains scheduling of what I should do to train and improve myself physically along mentally for my Conduit side.
"Good thing I have a schedule to plan it out young Midoriya! Both Cole and I discuss of what you're going to do in each time section. Me, I'll train you physically and for Cole will train you mentality so you can get a grip on both of our powers! This here schedule I am holding is called the Aim to Pass: Unity of Symbols. I would probably call it as the American Dream plan for the title. But Cole advised me that sounds ridiculously corny in so many different levels. So I choose the former than the latter." Watching All-Might scratching back of his head in embarrassment for badly naming things, he continues of what I am going do in my everyday life.
"This here's training manual will help you finish cleaning this park both mentality and physically. You need to implement this into your daily life from everything if you ever want to reach your dream." Snatching the papers within my sore hands from dragging the fridge from the sand, I analyze the long complex schedule from the top to bottom. In which I got it in the bag.
"By the way, the schedule is super hard to follow. Can you handle it for yourself?" Nodded my head and memorizing the days of what I am going to do in each month. I joyfully told him yes.
"Definitely, I work a lot harder than anyone else in school. If not, I would probably give up by now on becoming a Pro Hero even though I am a Conduit." Finished reading the long list of what I am going to do in each week. This is going to be hard but it's totally going to be worth it in the end.
Well time for me to train to hell and back!
[12:00 PM, 5 days later]
Closing my eyes in class and muttering to myself of what I am going to do in Cole's mental training when I finish All-Might's physical training section this week. I calculate of how much days in each section and ways to improve myself in home. I was about to split up the days and predicting each week I need to do. For I easily lift most of the heavy duty garbage at the truck to do my Conduit gene giving me a semi boost of strength, I have enough time for my mental training with Cole in this coming week.
Almost finish calculating my schedule, my teacher's hand extended out to me and slammed my forehead to the desk to snap my thoughts. Covering my mouth, I realize I muttered out loud to everyone. Good thing for me, I didn't mumble loudly enough for them to hear my secret.
"Mr. Midoriya? Did you encounter a villain or a superhero incident again? It's pretty difficult for you to enter U.A alone like that." Hearing my entire classmates' laughs at me thinking I am chasing after Villain incidents, I look at Kacchan who is the only one remaining silent in the entire class, for he appears to be acting very aloof to me ever since the Slime villain incident. He isn't picking on me anymore, although he sure is quiet.
For a second, I thought he would figure out that I am a Conduit out in the opening…
Keeping myself quiet, I proceed on doing my math and how much should I sleep before my body wears out from pure fatigue. Tomorrow will be mental training than physical.
In the next day after telling my mother to give me carbohydrate, protein base meals to balance my diet and remembering of how many calories I'm burning off. I arrive at the beach in 5:00 AM and my muscles are still sore from All-Might's intense psychical training. I'm now doing Cole's mental training section in which he's standing perfectly still on the sandy floor. For Cole himself is watching the sunrise at the beach horizon alone and felt this calm aura near him.
"Alright kid. Sit next to me and the training will begin." Watching Cole sitting on the ground cross legged in calmness, he patted on the ground for me to sit next to him.
Without hesitation, I walk to the spot he patted on and sat down next to him cross legged. So what are we going to do in this training?
"So…what are we going to do now Mr. MacGrath?" Discussing on what we're going to do now and waited patiently for his response. He only said this.
"Meditation Izuku. Close your eyes and release your mind of your burdens onto this world." Obediently did what he said. I close my eyes to see darkness and I don't feel anything different from doing this. So what's this purpose again? We only got ten months till my U.A exam starts!
"I feel your panic kid. Relax your mind and let out a deep breath in each minute. This here training is the mind over matter. To recognize your emotions and stay focus while not get distracted by them. For your Conduit powers is link to your emotions and your mental state. So feel the tranquility around us and hear the shore breeze. Of what problems you had face in the past. Don't control them, ignore them and not letting them consume your thoughts." Taking in Cole's words of what should I do in this sort of normal training I am doing. I took a deep breath and close my eyes.
"You're a weakling Deku!"
"I'm sorry dear!"
"You should give up on being a hero."
"What a Quirkless freak, am I right?"
Remembering the days of my childhood and the hardship I had to face for being Quirkless. Despair was about to overtake me until I remember a certain Conduit spoke to me.
"Don't let the public hurt your feelings just because you're a Conduit." Rehearsing William's words to me, I release my breath out and the problems that are overwhelming my mind went quiet for a bit. I concentrate and listen to the shore breeze to seagulls squawking above us. Touch by my inner peace going through my veins and mind.
"Well times up. It's been few hours, so get back home before you miss school." What? That's it?!
Opening my eyes and checking my phone of what it is. It's 8:00 AM! I was out that long in my meditation? Shaking my head, I feel a little calmer than before but my past reminders still overwhelm my mind. So I might as well meditate at home than doing my daily calisthenics from All-Might's training.
[One month]
One month has gone by and I took out quarter of the trash that's lying around on this park. Now, I am in one of Cole's mental training section again but this time we're doing something different than meditation. For what meditation did for me, I felt a lot calmer than before and not lazying around of what I am doing. So I putted in my daily routine back at home since it's really relaxing and made my mind efficiently focus.
"Alright, we will be doing basic stretches to flex your neurons in your body and to regulate your electric flow coming from your veins. So you can take control of your electricity going through and out of your body. Making it nonlethal to any innocent passerby who touches your electricity." Nodded my head of what I am going to do here. Cole still wears his Kessler outfit but his suit is flexible enough to stretch.
Both of us got in position. Cole sat down on his butt and splitting his legs away from his body. He lean forward and grabbed hold on his left foot. After two minutes, he let go and did the same to his opposite foot.
"First. We're going to do boost your hamstring muscles and stretching your quads. As your legs can feel the electric inflow of your thighs to move much faster." When two minutes are up, he let go of his feet and got up from the ground.
"Your turn Izuku, you might feel some discomfort when you're first doing your stretches. So don't be surprise by your legs if it gets tight on you." Saw his simple example. I did the same of what he did and lay my butt down on the sand. Spreading my legs apart away from my center body, I reach out to my right foot and felt a sudden tight cramp squeezing on my left leg which it's difficult for me to hold onto my foot for only two minutes.
Letting go in one minute when the tightness hurting my left side, I understand of what Cole meant by of my legs getting tight on me. This is going to get hard for me to hold.
"You'll get used to it kid. In my first time on doing these stretches, I accidentally rip a muscle. So don't feel bad about it Midoriya." You rip a muscle from doing this? Now I don't very feel confident from doing this. Although if it helps with my Conduit powers, I'll do what he says. But that reminds me though. Why is he wearing the uniform of his most hated nemesis that destroyed his home?
"Um, Cole…before we do another stretch. Why are you wearing that disguise? I know it hides your presence from the Brotherhood but why though? I thought you hated the terrorist leader who blown up your city in the first place?" Asking him of why he's wearing that. His lips made a scorn frown of when I mentioned his name. Nonetheless, he makes a clear statement about him.
"Kessler…the man who destroyed my life to save everyone from the Beast for the cost of thousands of people and my girlfriend Trish died by his hands. I hated everything of what he did to me. Although, his intentions are noble but ruthless. I hated him so deeply for it but his action speaks meaning to me in spite of his sinful deeds. For that, I become him and accept of what my future-self is. A regretful, sad, spiteful old man who lost everything to the monster that ruined my perfect life. So now I am the guidance to all Conduits to avoid on becoming a monster, like Kessler, like John who become the Beast and the Brotherhood itself." Wow, I didn't know you have so many conflicted feelings for Kessler. Now I get it, you're a burden to yourself and you carry that burden with you even after your death. For a villain though, Kessler sure sounds noble-hold on a second…future-self?
"You said future-self? So do you mean Kessler and you are-! "About to finish of realizing the revelation he told me. Cole cut me off before I can speak.
"Both I and him are the same people. For Kessler's sake again, he lost Trish and my future kids at his own timeline from the Beast. For my future-self become demented, cynical and outright cruel even to me. He did it for the greater good of all humanity. But I still don't understand of how the Beast became to be at his own timeline." Tuning my ears about his future-self depressing story, he talks about the Beast and confused of how the giant monster became to be.
"Kessler told me about John aka the Beast, outright killing everyone at his path. But in John perceptive, he is saving Conduits from the deadly plague that was release from the Ray Sphere activation. Could it be Kessler is being overwhelm by emotions of seeing everyone dying or he did something in the past which permanently altered this timeline in order for the Beast to have a purpose in the first place?" So you're saying that the Beast was a person but you're saying that something altered this timeline-what?
"Doesn't matter about Kessler, the Beast or the timeline he altered. For whom I am now and what I stand for doesn't matter. This clothing is my burden, a reminder and our training session is not done yet Izuku. So are you ready for your next stretching or more talking?" His regretful scowl is now then replace with determine stare through his eyes. I simply bow my head to him in quietness of what he told me about Kessler and his purpose for being so cruel.
Did Kessler really did save humanity by sacrificing the few?
[3 months later]
Finished doing my basic stretching and mastering on meditation as I am more focus on myself and understanding my Conduit powers I hold. I can precisely feel the electricity flowing through my skin and flesh. As now I got a good grip of what my power is, I am now doing my final part in Cole's training session. Martial Arts…
It has been three months now, half of the garbage is gone from the park to do my Conduit gene giving me an extra boost in stamina and strength. Speaking of strength, I am getting bulkier when I do All-Might's training schedule consistently. For Cole's training, my mind is a lot sharper than before like I can act without hesitation and do everything without a mere mistake.
Thinking of how many months have gone by. Cole snapped my thoughts again.
"Alright, observe carefully of my stance. We are doing basic Martial Arts from a certain Gravity Conduit Instructor taught me about in my seven years training within S.C.D. First, you need to understand boxing stances and styles till we move to other Martial Arts. I would really love to teach you Judo or the heavier version Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, Tai chi, everything but I am not an expert instructor which is sort of hard for me to explain about them. So I can only teach you this time is basic unarmed combat until I can remember of what my past training. So here is my first stance and a boxing moves I am going to execute. This stance I am doing is upright stance." When he got in position, he showed me the stance.
His leg shoulders are apart from each other and his right foot is farther from his left foot. He brought his arms up, gripping his fists tightly as they're close to his chest and his chin. So copying of what he did, I place my fists near my chest to chin and placing my footing in the correct position. As I am now in an upright stance of what Cole is doing.
"Our first simple move is jab." Throwing his fist, he quickly jabs at the air few times and retract his fist back to his body hastily. Acting as if he's fighting an actual opponent in front of him and moving his feet elegantly, fast like lightning.
"In this session, this is going be very long and complicated. To succeed in all moves, memorized everything step by step by heart and realize the strength within the mind from these attacks." Tilt my head at him as a bow. I throw a jab and quickly return my fist back to its position.
You know, I think I can get a hand in Cole's training-what the hell?!
Before my mind can react, Cole starts to run at me and bash his fist into my gut. Making me kneel and slightly cough from that surprise attack he made.
"When did I say you're going to mimic and copy those attacks with no opponent? For your opponent is going to be me to test your own abilities on." Darn my own mouth for jinxing of what I said…
[2 months later]
Two months have passed now and I'm wearing my swimming trunks as summer has arrived. Standing next to the shore with my feet slightly dancing with electricity, but for my mental training, I can make the tiniest electricity from my body unnoticeable and subtle when I get a closer to water. Even more, I feel like I can control my body more fluidly and strike faster than my previous mind was.
"Um guys. Are you sure swimming is a good idea since I am a walking toaster here?" Speaking to Cole and All-Might who are behind my back while shivering in nervousness, All-Might who is in an old red-white stripe bathing suit like one of those old American classic swimwear designs, patted on my shoulder and saying everything is okay which I am not okay with!
"Don't worry about it Izuku. Let Cole explain it to you. Cole? Would you will?" Seeing Cole made a few coughs and clearing his throat. He spoke.
"Well after a couple of months of training with you. You understand meditation to calm yourself, stretches to extend your body and finally Martial Arts to control your motion. Now try to make your electricity low as possible when you touch the water. This is how I did back at S.C.D when I finally take showers without getting myself fried. Just don't lose your focus, that's it." Gulping to myself, I focus my mind and took a deep breath. Exhale out. I cautiously control my electric pulse coursing through my veins to the lowest voltage possible and I carefully step onto the sandy water.
Felt the ticklish feeling going through my bare feet. I emerge myself into the bright, blue beach water and the small pulse of stinging sensation slithering onto my skin. I did my best to ignore the stinging pain and proceed to do strokes within the depths of the shores water. Keeping a cool head and swimming without a hitch.
Maintaining my voltage to the lowest and not burning myself to death in the shallow waters. I think I saw All-Might surrounded by ladies in his buffer form and not seeing Cole anywhere in my line of sight. So where did he go?
Looking over at my two mentors of what they're doing. Gotten careless, I lose my momentum in the water and lost my concentration, I unfortunately drank some salt water in my mouth and-
[All-Might]
Watching Midoriya growing buffer and mentally sharper than his beginner-self which I took a picture of his skinnier form previously. He is growing in an accelerating rate for him to be the vessel of One For All!
"Hey All-Might, chicks are approaching five O' clock." Oh the ladies, how lucky I am to still maintain my hero form in six hours!
Watching Cole disappear in an electric blur as he teleported away from here and watching the static discharge flowing through the air, for he detected many girls coming into the park entrance as he don't want to be seen for his cover to be blown. So I acted cool like I am the only one here and not acknowledging Midoriya is behind me without my adult supervision.
"Wow! All-Might is here!"
Yup, here come the girls! Oh boy! What a masculine dream to have for someone to be surrounded with ladies and boosting someone's ego in the mid-time. I wonder how is Midoriya is doing at the shore-
"ALL-MIGHT! HE-*BZZZZT!*" Well shit!
[Izuku]
Losing all confidence in a single moment, a huge surge of electricity starts to fry my body and accidentally raising my voltage a little higher! Making the water glow and smoke arising at my spot while screaming in torturous cries!
About to die from this brutal experience, a humongous wave rushed over me and grabbed me by the shoulder as I'm now lifted up in the air by someone's arms.
"Welp, looks like swimming is not a smart idea at all. Let's try doing this later without anybody watching us." My vision is all blurry from my own skin electrocuting me and virtually frying my brain in the end. But I do saw the glaring, white sun and the shadow of All-Might's face covering overhead of me.
Closing my eyes and sleeping in the dark abyss if I was dead. A random surge of energy course within my veins and I shot up my head to see Cole raising his hands at me. Sparking out electricity and gripping his palms out like he's holding an imaginary defibrillator.
"So you lost your focus. Glad All-Might is there before you become a snack for the fishes. Maybe next time try to be more, how do I say, focus?" Cole scolded me for my lack of vigilance as we all know I am running in electricity. I'll try to take my swimming lessons in consideration this time and I'll try my best to contain my emotions in dangerous task like this.
[October 15, 12:21 PM]
After so many months of training, my body is fully lean and chiseled. My mind is sharp and precise with inhuman like accuracy. Like I can take on the world!
Using a hand grip during class studies to improve my grip, constant meditation to improve my mind, daily push-ups to improve my physique, learning varieties of Martial Art styles to improve my combat prowess, everything!
Witnessing Cole piggybacking All-Might's lanky-self over his shoulders while I'm carrying a hundred pound hunk of metal over my right shoulder with ease, we are running in the park to improve our Cardio.
"Hey Midoriya." Heard All-Might calling out my name in appreciation, I look up to him to see Cole stopped at his track. As both of them made an uneasy silence and I waited for their response. Waited and waited, All-Might spoke up again.
"Midoriya look. I am sorry for ever doubting you at the very beginning that you can't become a hero. But now, look at you. You almost finish cleaning the majority of garbage that's stockpiling at the shore. So when you're fully completed on emptying the garbage at the beach and having enough months to do it, you will be done in your physical training. But now Cole will lead the reins on your mental training on your remainder days." So you're saying I am almost done in my physical training and I have to complete my mental training?
"Before you can say anything kid. You fully earned your worth to All-Might. But you are not done with me on your Conduit-side. As you haven't earn my recognition to you yet Izuku, so we're going to constantly practice in unarmed combat till you finished all of them. When we're done in our Martial Arts session, we're going to fight hand-to-hand at each other. No weapons, no powers from our hands or legs. Only our fists, legs or body." Knowing my mental training is not done yet. Now I realize that I have to fight Cole MacGrath hand-to-hand combat to earn his respect. Making my stomach grind in fear, recalling that Cole is extremely deadly when it comes to CQC and making it difficult for me to handle. When any villain gets near him, he will easily take them down without a single sweat. Combine with his electricity. It's a dangerous combo for any foe who gets near him as beads of sweat going down on my face in fear.
"So prepare for a sudden change of schedule Midoriya. This is going to be much harder than doing physical training as it's more about relying on your wits than using pure muscles alone." So use my brain than brawn. This is going to be hard for my mind to organize and tactically plan for the inevitable.
[February 25, 6:01 AM]
One day left till my practical exam starts and possibly preparing myself for the Camper initiate test if I want to. Visiting this park once more which the shores is now pristine and clean without any muck of garbage lying around. The day is the day I finish my mental training and to earn Cole's respect for me. For my eyes saw All-Might and Cole standing at the beach, observing the sunrise at the horizon.
"What a grand sunrise isn't it Cole?" Saw All-Might enthusiastically spoke to Cole with his signature grin. He is in his buffer form and wearing a black coat and a white scarf wrapped around his neck for the chilly, cold weather we're experiencing.
"Definitely man and by the way before I can say anything-kid! Are you ready for your test from me?" Turning to Cole, he is still wearing the same disguise of Kessler and holds his stoic frown across his lips. Waiting for me to get down here as he can sense my presence up from this entrance area I am standing on.
"I'm coming over there Cole! Just hold on!" Descending down on the stairs and stepping on the sandy beach. I stood in front of the two Symbols representing in two different meanings and powers. One for the Quirk and peace. One for the Conduit and hope.
"Ay! Good to see you finally arrive here. Ready for a beatdown of your life kid to see if you can pass my mental training to go Plus Ultra on me?" Nearing Cole and holding my old school bag to carry my stuff. I excitedly nod my head to him in readiness.
"Good. Strip your shirt. You gonna' get all sweaty from doing this last session of mine unless you can't stand the cold." Hesitant that he wants me to remove my shirt. I decide to go along with his request and grabbed my white T-shirt by the hem.
Pulling my hem up, I casually remove my shirt to reveal my harden abs and folded neatly in my arms. Placing my white shirt inside my bag before we begin my test with Cole on how mentally sharp I am in combat. Addition, I slip out my shoes and socks from my feet for better movement control. I got in a proper combat stance of my preference which is the classic upright stance.
"That's more like it kid!" Cole copied the same stance I am doing and putting his fist in the air. Knowing how this goes. I'm going to let out all of my knowledge he taught me into account and finding his weak point to strike at him. For what I learn from him in Martial Arts is boxing as I fully perfected the style, close combat techniques when I'm up close to a foe and some Tai chi when he finally remembers of what did back at his times with S.C.D.
"I wouldn't be easy on you kid. So let out everything you learn from me in close combat and try to take me down with all of your effort. Now think what you would do before you can attack me in full force." Thinking of what my plan of action is going to be, we circle each other. Waited for one of us to attack, Cole went into offensive as he leaped at me and watching his jab in slow motion. Thinking fast in instinct and not thinking. I sidestep from his fist and grabbed his arm with two of my hands. But…that was a terrible mistake I did.
Before I can execute a takedown in order for him to be subdued on the floor, a fist went straight onto my gut and the strong impact made me cough out some blood. Losing my grip on his arm, Cole went behind me like the wind. Locking my arms in place and aggressively smack my head down on the sand, tasting the salty grain in my mouth.
"Too slow kid, you have two choices I present to you. Either you continue fighting in a futile effort or give up. So wise up and think of your third choice, your brain. I'll give you a hint, think carefully of what I said back at October and the sludge villain incident." Think back at October-Augh!
Felt my left rib got harshly kick while my arms are being restrained. Cole aggressively picks me up to my feet and powerfully throws me in a couple distances away from him. Staggering around at my feet and standing crookedly as my left rip is aching in agony.
I saw All-Might getting concern of my condition I am in, but obviously knows that he can't step in on Cole's training as this is very vital for me if I am worthy to control my Conduit-self. So carefully recalling back at October of what Cole said. I pinpointed on his words about body and powers.
"No weapons, no powers from our hands or legs. Only our fists, legs or body." Thinking while blocking his fists by putting up my arms near to my face when Cole made a vicious barrage of quick jabs at me. What does he mean by fist, legs and body-…hold on a sec, did he say not to use legs or arms?
Dumbfounded of what I realize. How could I use my body to defeat him? Although he gave me another clue to remember, the second clue is the slime villain incident which it involves me getting my ass kicked by it after I rescued Kacchan from getting suffocated.
Nothing seems to make sense of what he said as I use all of my powers from my legs or arms that I learn from a certain memory of Cole's life. Although, I do remember myself getting teleported by Cole-that's it! Teleportation that he's talking about! But how exactly do I activate that ability in me?
Trying my best to think of how I can do that, my arms are rapidly blocking Cole's punches in all direction. Doing my best of what's my next step of plan while I am in a defensive position. I start to memorize of Cole's previous training that he thought me. Meditation, stretches and finally martial arts, all of them have in common…the mind.
A last ditch effort as my body is wearing out and tired from all the blocking. I went into a trance like state and everything around me is in utter black except for Cole as he continuously assaulting me at my front. Pressuring my mind to go beyond!
Concentrating in utmost focus, I control every single nerve in my Nervous System and thinking of where should I go. Wishing I can go behind Cole to strike him at his blind spot.
Yearning myself of wanting to attack Cole's rear without his endless fast punches striking at me and the strange frostbite stinging on my skin. I felt a sudden electric pulse surging through my body and my eyes saw an electric flash like a pulsing blur. Opening my eyes out of nowhere, I was now standing behind Cole's back. Sensing his surprise that I disappear in thin air when he was about to throw another fist at me.
Without any reluctance or fear, I strike at him with a fierce diagonal middle kick at his back. Brutally landed my right foot at his mid-spine area, he immediately roars in pain and surprise of that dirty trick I just pulled on him. But that's not all. I execute a drop sweep and bashing my right leg at his feet. Losing his balancing and forcefully made him trip.
Acknowledging my perfect opportunity to go on offense, I viciously stomp on his back before he can get up from the ground and my left hand is sparking out in white electricity for him to be restrained.
"AHHHH!" Euphorically yelling out of my lungs as the adrenaline rush zapping into my veins, I zap my palm at his back. Seeing him jolted a bit and watching the arcs slowly begin to form on his limbs. Gasping loudly and tiredly, I fell on my butt and believing I actually beat Cole MacGrath! I mean Cole freaking MacGrath!
"You did well kid. You did very well, so excuse me. I am going to get up for a bit to stretch my back. You know, you cleverly strike at me that I thought you wouldn't do. But it's good to see I am wrong about you. You are indeed mentally capable to control your powers." Heard him talking, the restrained that I form on his limbs begins to dissipate. Knowing he's an electric Conduit just like me, he probably sucked the electric currents on the restrains and got up from his feet unhurt.
"So furthermore, you pass your Conduit Recommendation Assessment kid as you now can enter campgrounds instead of doing the Initiation Test." Wait a minute! You're saying this mental training I was doing is actually a real test from you? What do you mean by Conduit Recommendation Assessment? I never heard of that!
"Hold up! What in the heck is a Conduit Recommendation Assessment you mean by and my training is a real deal type of S.C.D thing I was doing!?" Cole cheekily smile at me of his own clever way and explains to me of what my 'mental training' actually is.
"Yup, in addition to improve on being the vessel for One For All. This training I did for you is actually the basic guidelines if a young kid wants to enter S.C.D campgrounds in recommendation than doing the camper initiation test. For the said kids are constantly being checked by official S.C.D members to see if they are really capable to withstand tough situations daily and controlling their powers through their minds if they can handle the intense pressure in their final stage of C.R.A. So consider yourself lucky that you were fooled by me and pass. For your award, All-Might, can you please?" Hearing All-Might laugh in a jolliest way possible, knowing I pass Cole's S.C.D recommendation test in a heart beat. He pulled out a piece of his hair and patted on my shoulder to congratulate of my success.
"Good job my boy! Teenagers these days are really amazing of what they do! Here, take a look of your old-self ten months ago!" All-Might pulled out his phone to see my starter-self crying on the ground, wimping. Putting his phone back at his pocket, he raises his arms in excited glory.
"The mirage I see before me just barely visible, but you have certainly become a suitable vessel to hold One For All and understanding your Conduit abilities in the tip of your hand!" All-Might cheered me on of my accomplishments. For I been double blessed of having a Conduit gene in my DNA by accident and being train by my two favorite superheroes of all time! Tears begin to leak out of my eyes that I can become a hero at U.A and S.C.D ground.
"We'll have to fix those leaky eyes of yours Izuku Midoriya. Now, it is the time of your award ceremony!" Standing up tall and raising my head straight, I smiled calmly to witness All-Might holding his piece of hair to me. I wonder what that is for?
"This is something I was once told: Something that you receive because you're lucky and something that you are given because you are recognized are different in essence. Take that to heart." Taking in of what he said to me. I was lucky that I am a Conduit but unlucky that I might be hated within society. I was given because of my hard training with my two mentors and finally receive All-Might's powers including perfectly controlling my electric powers from Cole. But how are they different in essence exactly?
"This is the power that you earned because of your own effort and sheer determination to face adversity. Good qualities of becoming a hero." Hearing his accolade speech for my efforts, this feels like a comic book I am in and surprise this is actually happening to me. Watching All-Might giving me his reward, he extended his hair to me and weirdly told me this.
"Eat this." Eating his hair-what?!
"It doesn't really matter what it is as long as you take in my DNA. Either by ingesting, injecting or something else all entirely, so this is the only way to earn your One For All young Midoriya." Stepping back a bit, I suspect something would be unworldly grandiose of what All-Might about to do but this way too bizarre for me to comprehend!
"Kid…do you want All-Might's powers right? You need to get some of his DNA in your bloodstream if you want to wield One For All. Do you understand that? He doesn't have the power to be all showy and transfer into you in a whim. Like what. Is this a random Shonen book story to you? So take it in like a man and eat it." Cole strictly stated to me if I ever want to have All-Might's powers. I need to eat it. So closing my eyes, I grab his hair and shallow his strain of said hair into my throat. Gulping it up and…nothing happen.
"Do you feel any different Izuku?" I don't know All-Might. I can't feel anything different that's going in my body. So I guess it's a nothing-what the?
"I don't know what it is but-hang on a sec." I saw electric sparks on my skin starts to uncontrollably popping out everywhere and randomly felt this overwhelming sensation starting to grow bigger within my chest! This overwhelming surge building up with no end while I heard Cole called out to me in a stunned voice.
"Izuku! Are you alright?"
