Warnings: Izuku/Tsukauchi/Aizawa, soulmates, soulparents, suicidal thoughts, time travel, character death, temporary character death, psychometric injuries, partially deaf Tsukauchi, loss of limbs

Inspired by Viridian.

...

Stone exploded into dust and rained upon Izuku as he tried to run with a limp through the halls. The castle he was in was ancient. It had to have been built before the Dawn of Quirks maybe before the first World War. They weren't supposed to be here but Izuku had been curious about the entry in the journal he found. A journal which was bouncing around in the bag on his back.

A friend was supposed to be here. In the journal it said that going to the address would render aid to any who asked. Coming had been difficult, almost two years of trecking across their war torn and destroyed world. Izuku and Naomasa were the only remaining members of the resistance. At least that they knew of. Katsuki, Dabi, and Kirishima had been separated from them almost a year ago. If anyone could survive it was those three.

Another explosion and a winged white Nomu tried to grab him. It was stopped by a flash of metal and a knife imbedding itself into the brain.

Naomasa yelled, "Go, Izuku! I'll cover you."

"Nao?" He yelled back to ensure he was heard.

"Go!"

Izuku did so with a heavy heart. He couldn't lose him. Not Nao. Not after losing so much to these creatures. To Shigaraki the crazy bastard that the villain was. Their world was little more than a wasteland because of the man. It almost would have been better if All For One had survived.

No. Bad Izuku. Now was not the time to think of the villains. It was highly unlikely that Shigaraki would appear here. He and Nao were low priority targets.

He continued through the hallways in a distinct pattern that he memorized from the journal. Everything was made out of stone and looked as if it hadnt been touched since before the Fall. If he didn't know better Izuku would have thought it was abandoned.

It still could be. A more cynical part of his mind supplied. Just because they journal said a friend was supposed to be here didn't mean there would be. The fact it could be a trap was still there in the back of his mind.

Right as he turned left he came to the horrifying realization it was a trap. The hallway led to nothing. There weren't any doors or windows. It was simply a dead end. Why would there be a dead end? Had he just killed them?

Slipping off the bag that was barely being held together at this point and pulled out the journal with his good hand. It was an old leather journal and on its cover was what appeared to be an amulet of sorts. It held three circles in it. To Izuku it meant nothing but he had seen the symbol several times throughout the journal.

When he found the journal it was in an abandoned library in Tokyo. They had thought there might be a cell of resistance fighters or supplies in it. All they found was this journal and a few others that were falling apart in it. So Izuku had taken this one that had been owned by a man named Eathon Lambert. Not someone he had ever heard of but okay.

The entire journal had been written in English and a code. Izuku thankfully was quite fluent in English but the code had taken him working together with Nezu for six months to break it. And it was still only partially broken. Nezu... He missed the rat. The last thing they had worked on together was this castle and it led to nothing.

Izuku slammed his fist into the closest wall causing pain to radiate up his bad arm. He held back tears of frustration. Crying would do nothing for anyone here. Warm blood began to ebb out of fresh scrapes. Izuku only glanced at his hand dispassionately. It was missing his middle, ring, and pinky fingers. Then there was a sudden yank on the back of his shirt causing it to tear a little more than it already had been and for him to stumble back. His left leg tried to buckle out from under him. It took everything in him to stay on his feet.

"What the fuck," cried out Izuku dropping the journal and pulled out one of his knives.

It couldn't be an enemy. If it was they would have killed him for his inattention. He twisted and pulled away causing his shirt to tear to shreds. This left his torso bare showing the mirade of different scars. All were ragged and even a few were red with their recentness.

Behind him, holding the remnants of Izuku's shirt was a broad shouldered tall man. His own torn and ragged clothes hung off his terribly malnourished frame. Blue eyes were sunken into his head but held an intelligent light in them. Not a canabal then. This was not someone who had lost their mind trying to survive the Fall. Izuku's attention was drawn to his skin however. There was some kind of rash starting from his right arm and stretching across his torso and up to his chin.

It wasn't like anything Izuku had ever seen before. Was it a new Nomu contagion? How did it spread? Did it turn them into Nomus or simply kill them? So many questions and he wasn't sure if he would get the answers.

The man asked in a hoarse tenor, "Who are you? How did you get here?"

Izuku answered cautiously, "Izuku Midoriya, resistance member. One of the few that remain."

"Resistance?" He questioned one hand going behind him causing Izuku to stiffen ready to dodge, "Against those creatures? I'm surprised they made it into the castle. That you were able to make it in the castle."

There was a far off look in his eyes. It was almost like he was remembering something old.

Izuku growled, "Are you the friend? You barely look like you can stay standing much less fight."

The man's eyes narrowed as he asked, "Where did you hear about that?"

Izuku with his right hand tapped the journal as he said, "The journal. I found it in a library in Tokyo. We nearly died getting it out of there."

There was a crash down the hall and Izuku was sure that he could hear Nao yelling. This wasn't going to last much longer. The man glanced down the hallway with a frown.

"Get up," ordered the man, "And follow me."

The man turned around and appeared to be staring at a blank wall. Was this man insane? Izuku grabbed the journal and tucked it under his arm.

"Follow you where? There is nowhere for us to go!"

The man turned his head to frown at him again, "You can't see it? But I can... An unawakened? But how did you..."

Was this what his mumbling sessions sound like? No wonder people were annoyed by his mumbling. The man suddenly grabbed his bicep and dragged him towards a wall. Izuku let out a surprised noise but they had walked into the wall. He expected pain but instead they appeared to be in a sort of infirmary/library. This place just got weirder and weirder.

As soon as they were through the man began, "I am Alec Metz formerly the Chairmen of the Huntik Foundation before my curse took hold," Izuku opened his mouth to start barraging Metz with questions but he kept going, "You have the potential, a lot of it, to become a seeker. A potential that hasn't been seen in over three decades. The fact that it hasn't diminished from lack of an awakening is unheard of."

Izuku snapped, "What the fuck are you talking about? Why couldn't I see the door from the hallway? What is a seeker? What is the Huntik Foundation? You are not making any sense!"

Metz chuckled sounding pained, "So many questions. Good that will do you well as a seeker. Question everything."

This man had to be insane! He was speaking in fucking riddles.

The man slowly moved towards a bookshelf running a finger along the spines until he found one. Like the one under Izuku's arm it was leather bound and Alec pulled it out. He flipped through the pages as he walked over to the nearby bed. More crashes could be heard behind him with Nao's voice.

Izuku turned around only to be stopped by Metz, "If you step out you won't be able to come back in as you are now."

Coldly Izuku snapped back, "I can't just leave him out there! He's my partner, my friend, my..."

Izuku clenched his jaw shut to keep from saying anything else. He could not lose Naomasa he had already lost so much. Anything more would break him. Break him badly enough for him to willingly walk into a Nomu lair. He dropped the journal so that he could fight better.

Not waiting for Metz to say anything else instead stepping out into the hallway. Naomasa bloodied from the battle stood with his back to Izuku. Bodies of scout Nomu littered the ground around them. Two stood blocking their only way out of the area. Naomasa jumped half a foot in the air when he saw Izuku.

Naomasa yelled, "Where the hell did you come from?"

"Long story," yelled back Izuku, "Nows not the time for it."

The two prepared to fight off the Nomus. Scout Nomus were the size of a medium dog. They were fast and had a strong sense of smell. They could not however see or hear very well. It was one of their weaknesses. Unfortunately they made up for those deficiencies in their ability to change their coloring. The act of camouflage typically made them difficult to stop. This was one of the few times Izuku had seen one without its natural defense. Both were as white as bone with blood red eyes. They were terrifying to look at. The fear in his gut always reminded him he never became a hero. Just a support gear inventor.

Metz suddenly stepped up so that he was shoulder to shoulder with Izuku. Naomasa jumped in surprise at the sight of the newcomer. He gave Izuku a questioning look and the green haired man simply shrugged.

In the man's hand was a silver, grey and white amulet with a chain through the middle. In it was a purple stone and something within Izuku felt pulled towards it. It felt as if his very soul was being pulled in. The torn and almost non-existent soul after having lost one of his soulmates and both of his soulparents.

Metz held out the amulet and called out, "Defend us, Caliban!"

A humanoid appeared. It had spikes on the back of its arms, and its face was covered by a strange mask. It reminded him of the ancient people of South America. It had long hair akin to that of a lion as well as a more cybernetic appearance. In its hand was a curved sword.

It lunged for the Nomu and Metz directed them back into the library. Naomasa looked surprised by the room and its intact library. Nezu would have loved it. The thought of the rat made his heart hurt. They had only known each other for a few short years. He had died attempting to stop Shigaraki.

Izuku demanded, "What was that?!"

"We don't have much time," answered Metz as he rummaged about in the desk, "I don't have time to explain everything to you. What I can say is that you are a seeker who has not awakened their powers. What you saw is just one ability of a seeker. This is another."

Metz held up his right hand and his face screwed up in concentration as he called out, "Boltflare!"

A weak fire appeared in the man's palm and he looked disappointed. It only lasted a few seconds before flickering out and dying. Metz then collapsed partially onto the desk. He looked as if he was going to pass out. Izuku took an aborted half step towards him. He wanted to help the man.

Naomasa gave him a look that said stay right there. Izuku gave him a crooked smile but his attention was drawn back to Metz. Unsteadily he stood up and was looking and went through the desk. After a moment he pulled out another amulet. The pulling on Izuku's soul became nearly unbearable.

Metz said looking at Izuku only the truth shining in his pained eyes, "I can awaken your abilities. You will be able to summon titans and use magic with greater ability than I can show you now. This curse has eaten away at my life and Will. Saving you and your friend has cut what little time I have left."

"Why do it?" He asked his mouth dry.

Naomasa was rolling a knife in between his fingers. Izuku knew he didn't trust this man anymore than Izuku did. They couldn't. Trust had gotten so many of their friends killed.

Metz said seriously, "The world was done away by Heroes and Villains. The world needs someone who is more than a hero."

Izuku asked incredulously, "You think that could be one of us?! That's stupid. Nao was a police officer. Hell I was only a Support Engineer. What the hell do you expect us to do?"

"Save us," answered the man.

Naomasa shook his head and said loudly, "You've lost your mind. How can we save anything? At this point the world is done. Humans are barely surviving and will soon be extinct."

Alec took a breath to calm himself before he pulled out another amulet. Both Izuku and Naomasa stiffened and were prepared to dodge. They had seen what those amulets could do.

He called out, "Manifest, Legendary Titan of Dimensions Umbra!"

Any color that remained in Metz face was gone. He swayed barely able to remain standing as a large black panther formed. It had golden armor across its chest. The roar it let out shook the walls and forced fear into the hearts of Izuku and Naomasa. They had faced down Nomus without an ounce of fear. But this was something new and they didn't know how to face it.

Metz weakly continued, "Umbra here has just enough power to send you two back to before the Fall. When exactly I don't know its a hit or miss on guessing. It will use the last of his power and the last of my Will."

Before the Fall? They could go back? They could save their friends and family?

The two men looked between each other unsure if they could believe the offer. Just as there was a smash behind them. A light shot towards the Metz who collapsed back into a chair. He looked like death itself. Izuku could see the rash creep further up his neck and onto his face. There was screeching from the other side of where they came in at. How were the Nomus not coming through like them?

Izuku asked quietly and Naomasa turned his good ear towards him to hear better, "We can go back? What's the catch?"

Metz nodded and said, "You can go back. The catch is I don't know when you will arrive or what condition. You could end up as a paradox or in your old bodies. There is no guarantee."

Izuku and Naomasa exchanged glances. His soulmate's dark eyes told him it was up to him. They were both tired, the soulbond always thrummed with him it. Even now he could feel Nao's exhaustion. He hesitated in making the decision.

Naomasa sighed, "Do it. You are someone who wouldn't turn down the chance to save lives."

Izuku gave him a small smile. The first one that he had given in a long time. It was true. He wasn't someone to just deny this opportunity. No matter how much time passed he had always wanted to be a hero. The closest he got was his inventions being given to heroes.

Looking up he found that Metz had come around and were close to them. He was holding a journal very much like the one Izuku had. On top of the journal was an amulet. It was silver with a purple gem in it. Green and blue eyes clashed as the two considered each other. Behind them there was more scratching and hissing from the Nomu.

Metz muttered, "The spell won't last much longer," louder and to Izuku, "You need to make your decision now."

"How are we supposed to do this?"

A full tired smile crossed Metz face as held out the journal and amulet. He took the journal and put it in the backpack with the other journal. Then he held up the amulet. A silvery grey light encased him. There were flashes of memories that were too quick for him to properly process. Then a name came to him. Jirwolf.

Then he was back to himself his head spinning somewhat. He asked, "What the fuck was that?"

Behind him and Naomasa the wall rocked with the force of an attack. It had to be a different Nomu, a black one if he had to guess.

Metz answered as he urged Umbra towards them, "Your seeker abilities awakening. Your strength is extraordinary," another crash and a flinch from Metz, "If you're going to say anything else to each other. Now is the time."

Naomasa didn't need any further prompting. He pulled Izuku around to face him. Looking up at his soulmate with an eyebrow raised he was going to ask what was wrong. Only for Naomasa to press his forehead into Izuku's. The younger man relaxed slightly his green eyes going soft.

Izuku was always short. The joy of being neglected for more than twelve years as soon as he had been diagnosed as quirkless. At sixteen though he had small growth spurt and he jumped up to 5'8. Naomasa was 6'4 and thus was significantly taller than him. His soulmate wasn't the most outwardly affectionate person. A lot of it was through the bond or small touches. This was more than what they showed in over a year.

"Don't do anything stupid," he whispered, "At least until we can meet and back each other up."

Izuku leaned up so that he could press a quick kiss to his lips but denied, "Sorry but no promises. You know me."

It was louder than Naomasa's words so that he could hear. What he said was true. He couldn't promise not to do anything stupid. It would be a lie and even with Naomasa's quirk no longer working properly he did his best not to lie to him.

Wearily Naomasa sighed, "I didn't think so. Just be careful."

"That I can promise. I'll be as careful as I can," he replied cheekily.

"Brat."

"Old man."

It was the day of firsts in a long time. Both men laughed quietly. There was another short kiss before they separated. As soon they were separated the giant panther walked over to them.

Metz said his blue eyes flickered over Izuku's shoulder with resignation clear in them, "Time to go. Good luck to you both. And Midoriya a piece of advice. Be more than a hero."

Izuku didn't get a chance to reply. To ask the man what he meant. The panther roared and a purple smoke with silver shining in it. The smoke surrounded the two men and the world went black.