Chapter 4: Captured Secrets
Ochako
'Wrong Place. Wrong Time. Wrong Person.'
She's heard these 3 words repeated in some variation around her in the surrounding crowds since watching the ambulance leave with who must've been one of Izuku's classmates, flurry of flashing red and yellow lights disappearing around the corner.
Izuku is just as frozen beside her, eyes following the patches of blood remaining along the pavement turning the cement a scarlet to rusty copper.
He mutters something out she strains to hear among the commotion, only managing to hear pieces of it.
"I did this...shouldn't have let him get to me like that again..."
'Did his quirk cause this?' Ochako considers.
As far as the crowd can determine this was the cause of someone with an invisible or lightning fast quirk. Her stomach grows queasy hearing the whispers of the onlookers further questioning what happened and if the area is safe from a potential villain's attack if they're going after children.
'There is no villain here.' Ochako knows.
A second batch of medical aids and officers approach to give them quick head to toe assessments, asking them a series of questions on what they know of the recent scene before clearing them by the doctor on standby when no injuries can be noted to them.
Her eyes rest again upon Izuku, he activated his quirk in that passing minute though she isn't exactly sure how he actually did it besides seeing the faint glow to his eyes. She moves to grasp at his trembling hands, forcing on a weak smile.
"Are you okay?" She asks gently.
She doesn't expect Izuku to really have an answer, frowning when he slips his hands out of her grip quickly as if he'll hurt her next. "I...I should be asking you that! I'm sorry, I thought Kacchan was about to attack you and reacted."
His fierce stare from just a moment ago brings up a wave of goosebumps, dark sanguine eyes looking at them with disgust. Revulsion.
"Well, ah he doesn't seem to like you very much! Does he have a grudge against you or something like that?" Ochako questions, gesturing for them to move away from the crowd. A few loitering civilians watch and point them out, the pressure of their stares make it all the more harder to concentrate on this new situation at hand.
Izuku shakes his head, shifting his gaze away from her to the pavement. Another migraine is returning, dully wracking at the side of his head threatening to grow worse the further he ignores it. This was bound to happen eventually, that Kacchan would track him down and remind him of what he truly is.
'Useless.'
Ochako bumps their shoulders affectionately once more forcing him to meet her stare. "Hey, why did he call you Deku?"
The word stings hearing it slip out from her mouth so easily like that, unknowing of just how often said word has been casted on him for derision and embarrassment.
"It's his childhood nickname for me." Izuku murmurs, stopping them in place to rest in the shade.
They're far enough away from the library and the hordes of curious onlookers asking if they're alright, late afternoon now giving way to dusk. The moon begins to rise amid a gold and violet sunset, silver light falling along the trees.
Ochako looks thoughtful then, mulling over the meaning before snapping her fingers. "Don't think of it negatively! 'Deku' can mean to do something; good or bad, right? And I know you're a good person; you never give up in even in the most dangerous situations from what I've witnessed more than once now."
'I never considered it that way.' Izuku considers, reddening at Ochako's smile. For so long that name has only been associated with dark memories of being teased or excluded, moments in time he's buried over and over to the back of his mind...
"What can your quirk do by the way; I don't think I ever got the chance to ask you?" Izuku asks to change the subject.
Ochako demonstrates it by tapping at the leaves surrounding them, sending a flurry of them into the air. "It's Zero Gravity. I can remove the effects of gravity from solid objects upon touching them with my fingers."
"And release." She smiles, pressing the tips of her fingers together once more tumbling the leaves back to the ground. Izuku looks at the simple performance in awe, even though it's nothing like the quirks she's seen on TV or from the best Pro Heroes.
'Can I really use my quirk for good? All the times I've used it before I was in a negative state of mind.' Izuku asks himself.
"It wasn't an accident, what I did to Kacchan." He mumbles out loud enough for her to hear, hands balling into the grass drawing up dirt and weeds.
Ochako doesn't move though, smile only softening.
"I know."
-X-
Izuku
"We should head back Uraraka." Izuku notes as the streetlights flicker on. He promised Mom he would've been home over an hour ago now and he hadn't texted or called her that he was planning to go anywhere else besides the library.
The calmness of his voice belies a rolling anxiety, a wonder why Ochako isn't frightened by him.
"Yes, we should. Don't let his words get to you Deku, I believe in you and the good your quirk can do and so does your Mom I'm sure! Keep that mind when you're going through the exams, oh and everything we studied too of course!" She advises.
He watches as she brushes off blades of grass and twigs, reaching out a hand to help him stand as well and a smile etches his lips despite this rising migraine still pounding at his skull.
She's right.
There's more to this quirk that he hasn't fully explored, been too afraid to analyze...
He falls back into step with Ochako along the sidewalk, striding on in silence with her until she abruptly speaks up.
"I'm not afraid of your quirk Deku, you shouldn't be either."
But Izuku can't bring himself to agree aloud, heart clenching. Burning.
"Even knowing how dangerous it can be?" He whispers in return after a few minutes pass. This isn't a silly quirk that can't harm anyone, it is an ability he doesn't even know to fully control...
Ochako simply nods as they reach the crossroads where they'll part.
"I'm not scared." She repeats firmly, auburn meeting emerald before turning to go.
And Izuku feels his stomach flip, Ochako still wants to be his friend.
"Where have you been Dear?! Have you seen the news?" Inko floods him with questions before he can properly announce he's home, tugging him into the living room.
On the television is the 7:00 pm news as normal, but it is the bright red headline streaming across the bottom that makes his heart rate skitter and jump tenfold.
'Teenage boy victim of possible villain attack?!' He read.
Inko turns up the volume, a crew of reporters already on the scene by the steps of the central library.
Where he was just this afternoon.
"Yes, this Kyoko Hasegawa reporting in this breaking news. We're live right by the entrance of central library where just hours ago there were multiple calls in to the police and hero stations of a potential villain attack on a minor. Witnesses report that the boy in question abruptly began exhibiting bleeding, bruising, and cracked bones to both arms before collapsing. Latest hospital update reports him to be in critical, but stable condition. Two other teenagers had been with him on the scene, but were unharmed in the attack. Police are still investigating if this is the cause of a villain with an invisibility quirk or speed quirk as they review over video footage. Let's go now to a pair of women who directly saw what occurred-"
Inko mutes the TV as the camera pans over to said women who look just as frazzled and alarmed as he feels.
"Mitsuki called me from the hospital...Dear, is Katsuki still bullying you?" She asks carefully.
Izuku swallows, pursing his lips. There's no point in lying, not after he showed her what his quirk can do to others.
"Yes."
Tears prick at Inko's eyes, letting out a shaky breath as she moves to squeeze at him. "Oh sweetie, you should've told me! We could've gone and spoken to Principal Fujimoto together or got you moved to a different class before it came to this. I thought it was handled from what Mitsuki told me before, but apparently not."
Izuku accepts the hug slowly, sighing as he takes in the smell of tears and spices she's been cooking with that clings to her clothes. "It wouldn't have changed anything really Mom. I let my anger get the best of me is all."
Kacchan will recover, just as he has with the past injuries...
Inko shakes her head against his shoulder, wetting it further. "No, I could've done more; I'm sorry."
Her son has been hurting for so long, hiding these deep scars of self-doubt and loneliness from her until they finally erupted. A part of her was glad her son stood up for himself, but the repercussions could be devastating for them both.
She leans back from him, brushing gently at his cheeks. "Does he know it was you?"
And Izuku nods wearily, clasping her hands back.
"He connected the dots, yes."
Inko bites her lip then, struggling to keep rising anxiety at bay. A knot grips at her stomach, unsure what to say to change this or help her son to not feel like he is a monster for doing what he did. The police already questioned him, clearing him without knowing he was the cause behind the attack...
What's done is done.
And they both know this is far from over.
-X-
Katsuki
The first thing he smells is rain, the sound of droplets pattering coming afterwards.
'Where am I?' His whole body feels rooted in place; locked.
Attempting to move his hand sends a shock wave of pain up his arms and he clenches his teeth.
"I didn't know it was supposed to rain tonight; must be a sudden spring storm." Mitsuki notes, brushing off rivulets of water dampening her husband's shirt.
"They said there was only a 30% chance on the evening news, more like 60 to 70% with the way it was pouring down out there!" Masaru chuckles lightly, using a towel to pat at the ends of his hair.
'Mom and Dad.' Katsuki realizes.
He forces his body to move then, pushing through the spasms making his arms throb and yell at him as he sits up to face him. They both twist to him in surprise that he's already awake, Mitsuki moving to stand.
"No, you haven't recovered yet! Lay back down!" She orders, attempting to lie him back against the pillows.
Katsuki brushes her off to no avail, glaring back at her. "Get off of me; I'm fine damn it!"
"Like hell you are! Having both your arms cracked and broken straight through isn't fine to me!" Mitsuki snaps back.
"Now, now. Let's all calm down! Let's get the doctor in here to give him an update." Masaru states, wedging himself between them before they can get any louder.
It is only once his Dad leaves the room does Mitsuki's expression soften, looking him over. "Who did you piss off?"
Straight to the point.
Katsuki scoffs, leaning back against the headboard avoiding her stare. It really is nightfall now, sky pitch black save for the glow of the city lights on the horizon.
"I piss off a lot of people; be specific." He eventually grunts out.
Mitsuki arches a brow, her son knew better than to play this game with her. Speaking with Inko and seeing the news confirmed Midoriya had been nearby him when he experienced this attack, but was unharmed. As far as she knew though Inko's son was quirkless...
She leans close to him, matching crimson eyes burning at him. "Alright since you want to be bratty about this, I know you've targeted Inko's son as the subject of your bullying. I thought All Might told you not to brush him off, he proved his point; didn't he?"
Katsuki clicks his tongue, the memory bubbling up.
'What are you doing?'
Jade orbs had turned cold, piercing at him with a hatred he didn't know Deku was even capable of.
Mitsuki takes in her son's silence, this knowing his ego has been bruised if just a bit by the boy he always looked down upon. Where did the days go when they used to play together along the rivers or explore the city? She used to brag to her co-workers how exciting it was to watch her son test out his quirk in the kitchen or out in the backyard with Masaru, not realizing such compliments drove him to think so highly of himself and put others down...
"Doesn't feel so good when you're on the receiving end, does it?" She questions.
"Ah, finally awake I see Mr. Bakugo! Do you recall anything from the earlier incident?" Dr. Yamazaki calls out interrupting them, Masaru trailing after him back into the room.
Katsuki merely grunts in return, allowing him examine him if this will speed him in getting out of here. He goes through a litany of new tests and scans that span the next half hour, impatient by the time it's almost 9:00 pm. "Can I leave now? I feel better so there's no reason to keep me here overnight."
Mitsuki lightly swats his leg, sending him a glare. "Don't be rude! You should be thanking Dr. Yamazaki and his team for making sure you aren't in the intensive care wing right now!"
Dr. Yamazaki laughs, used to dealing with everything from grumpy to confused/combative patients. "No offense taken Mrs. Bakugo! Your quirk is quite strong, strong enough for U.A. going by what your parents have told me. Mine only lets me manipulate my hands to be any shape I like. Not very useful as hero, but good for performing surgeries and wound care."
An officer pokes his head in and Dr. Yamazaki nods over to him, waving him in. "Officer Ishida wanted to get a statement from you as well if that's okay."
Katsuki restrains the urge to rolls his eyes, it isn't like there giving him much of a choice.
"Look, there wasn't any villain involved in this. I picked a fight and loss; that's it." He explains.
As annoying as it is, it's the truth.
Officer Ishida only blinks, peering from his parents back to him. "Um, are there any other details you happen to remember though? Eyewitnesses reported you were with two other teenagers who were unharmed-"
"Didn't you fucking hear me? There's nothing to be concerned about damn it! Go take care of a serious crime going on than worrying about me!" Katsuki growls, hands flickering with fire.
Ishida steps back in alarm, nodding in resignation. "If there's anything else you want to want to review regarding this case reach out to my superintendent Masuda if necessary." He states, handing a business card over to his parents.
Dr. Yamazaki reviews over his chart meanwhile, humming thoughtfully. "Well, you've recovered quickly as it stands. Lab work has come back normal and your updated X-rays look as if you never experienced the breakage in the first place. I'd be wary of who you pick fights with in the future, but in light of your results I see no reason to keep you here if you want to head home. I'll have my nurse prepare your discharge instructions."
Once he is left alone to change out of his gown does Katsuki stretch out his arms, eyes roaming over remnants of blue and purple blotches marring his skin. They'd be gone by the morning he was sure...
He cracked his fingers, letting loose a burst of fire that scorches at the ends of his blankets. There was no way he could leave things as they were, he'd only gotten a taste of Deku's abilities and he wasn't even been sure if that was the full power of it...
He'd one-upped yes, but that would be the last time.
'The next time we truly fight Deku, I'll be ready.'
-X-
Izuku
"Everyone, be seated! The exams start in approximately 10 minutes. Make sure all your belongings are locked away and you have your pencils and water in range." Mr. Sato announces.
This is it; the day of the entrance exams.
The bustle of noises surrounding him stills, Izuku's eyes trailing to the clock overhead.
7:50 am.
Most of his classmates are a mix of eager to nervous, some humming their favorite songs under their breath ready to start to others reciting formulas and definitions aloud. Kacchan meets his stare before his gaze even reaches his desk, eyes narrowing but saying nothing.
He hasn't confronted him since leaving the hospital, since learning he is the mystery quirk-user of their class. He doesn't imagine he's told anyone considering nobody is treating him any differently. Or maybe it just wasn't a priority, not when both their minds needed to be focused for testing, for U.A. to see the worth they can bring to the school.
"You may now begin." Mr. Sato declares and for the next few hours only the sounds of pencils clicking and tapping fill the air.
His hands feel numb by the end of the day, but he's did it!
The first day of exams are done.
And for the rest of the week he carries on like this, pretending not to notice this increasing tension between him and Kacchan. He finds him on the school rooftop on Friday, cornering him out of sight of their teachers and peers.
"So, you're just going to act like you're still quirkless?" Katsuki questions him.
Why continue the charade? If it was meant to be a secret he hadn't been doing a good job of hiding it...
It's strange to see Kacchan of all people keeping a bit of a distance between them as he glances back towards him, despite the cutting edge to his tone he knows their dynamic is no longer the same.
"It isn't anything flashy like your quirk; most people wouldn't think it was me anyways. You didn't until you pushed me to that point." Izuku remarks, unable to keep sharpness from lacing his own voice as well.
Katsuki is only here to test him, to learn how his quirk functions so that he can pick out it's weak spots. He's never been on equal footing with him and he refuses to go back to the days where he was always trying to catch up to him or be in his shadow as a weakling.
"Shut it; I don't need a lecture all over again!" He hisses, balling his hands into fists flaring with sparks.
Izuku winces before straightening himself. No more being nervous, scared. "Kacchan, relax. Do you really want me use Infliction on you again?"
Katsuki snorts in return, stepping forward anyways. "Is that what you call it?"
That was a mistake.
'Break his thumbs.'
If Katsuki had any lingering uncertainty on whether he was quirkless or not, it's gone now.
He settles his backpack on, forcing himself to match Katsuki's steely gaze as he wedges his thumbs out of sight. For a brief second he looks afraid, stunned he may truly get revenge for every last thing he's done to him. It is like looking in a mirror then, seeing his own fears reflected back at him.
'I can't be that monster; calm down.' Izuku breathes slowly.
'Heal his thumbs.'
To his relief, Katsuki reveals his hands a moment later with thumbs no longer bruised and snapped in odd angles. It isn't 100% mended, but the budding theories he's been studying and making notes of every night are true.
Pain isn't the only command he can do.
"...Kacchan I want to attend U.A., you know that." Izuku begins. They'd have their exam results in around a week's time, all that is left is waiting for these middle school days to end.
And Katsuki grits his teeth, this can't be Deku...so cold and numb to the pain he just gave him then took away just as fast.
"You have to accept it that we may both get in or this will keep happening." He finishes before moving for the stairs quickly.
Katsuki watches him go, not bothering to follow as he takes in his statement.
'Was that a threat?'
-X-
Ochako
"Are you ready?" Ochako repeats, giggling at Izuku's rapid shake of his head.
His mail came early.
School has only barely let out, graduation a quiet affair of nobody paying him much mind.
Izuku's gaze falls back to the pile, nestled between advertisements and junk mail is U.A.'s insignia upon a white envelope; the response he's been waiting for. He hadn't been expecting the results to come until the weekend when he could open the letter together with his mom, but right now she was at a check up with her physician and he didn't want to interrupt.
That didn't stop him from being impatient, restless and giving in to call Ochako to meet him in the park if she was free.
"Sure! Umm, which park again? You know the city better than me." Ochako laughs.
"I'll text you the directions, it's the one after you pass over the bridge near the freeway." Izuku replies.
Except now they were here and Izuku was still hesitant to open said letter.
"What if this is just a rejection letter? I mean, U.A. looks at so many different factors then just your grades! I know they have a skills portion as well for truly seeing if you can handle being a student and also-" Izuku mutters, voice falling away into a series of endless possibilities.
"Deku, open it already! You won't know if you got in just by staring at it unless your quirk lets you see through things too." She urges interrupting him, reaching across the table to tap at his fingers gently before he goes any further into his rambling tangent.
Izuku squirms, flipping the envelope over once more through his hands dampening the edges further. "I know...it's just this is finally happening! We had to list out our top 3 high schools and it became nerve-wracking getting letters from the others and not U.A. until now."
'It's designed in the same way as the acceptance letter I got, but I want to keep it a surprise!' Ochako notes, sure already he's in knowing how hard he studied. He probably did better on the exams than even she did.
"Okay on the count of 3, open it!" She suggests and Izuku tenses before nodding starting the countdown.
'1...2...3!' Ochako counts along mentally, familiar rip of paper filling the air and she beams as Izuku's eyes widen a fraction in relief and elation.
"It says...congratulations!" He breathes out as Ochako walks over to his side, surprising them both by standing as well and pulling her into a hug.
"Hey, there's no reason to cry!" Ochako laughs softly by his ear, patting his shoulders.
Izuku only shakes his head, voice too garbled to properly understand.
But she makes out the 'Thank You' amid him squeezing her close, of the pure excitement that their both on the path to truly becoming Pro Heroes now.
An elderly couple passes them along the park's track, smiling at them knowingly and Ochako feels her cheeks burn in realization as her thoughts go into overdrive.
'Wait, we're just celebrating! Don't smirk at us like that! There's nothing wrong with a quick hug of victory!'
"Young Midoriya?" A new voice asks.
Izuku blinks, turning to said voice. "All Might?"
He coughs then, looking away from the pair and Izuku's face glows pink recognizing what this looks like pulling back hurriedly from Ochako.
"We...We were just looking at my results; I got into U.A.!" Izuku remarks eagerly, stepping back to give Ochako space. All Might was here now and he hugged a girl without her reacting badly, the surprises just kept happening!
All Might's presence garners more of a crowd as pedestrians stop to gawk or take pictures.
"If it's okay Young Midoriya I'd like to have a quick word with you in private." Toshinori states.
"Huh, right now?! Ah sure, though let me let Uraraka know." Izuku answers quickly, twisting back to Ochako to properly say his goodbyes.
'Wow, he really is close with All Might.' Ochako stares in wonder between them.
Izuku nervously approaches her in return, gesturing between All Might and her. "Ah, can we do a rain check for lunch? I'm sorry, I promise next time-"
Ochako waves him off before he can finish, fighting the urge to snicker at his frantic behavior. "You're going to have to stop that habit of apologizing over nothing Deku!"
And at this Izuku relaxes and nods.
His confidence shines through in agreeing they'll meet before school begins in the next term; they still have summer even if they get distracted by other tasks at hand.
'So silly...' She smiles, watching as he departs with All Might in a blur before straightening up in resolve.
She needed to get a mentor too.
-X-
All Might
"I saw you use your quirk again." Toshinori notes as soon as they are away from any onlookers or noise.
This particular rooftop of an oil corporation gives him a perfect view of the city, taking in the traffic trickling below to the clear sky above. He senses Izuku stiffen beside him, scuffing at his shoes.
"With Kacchan?" Izuku asks quietly.
Toshinori nods, turning to face him fully holding up the 3 fingers to indicate the major points they would focus on. "Young Bakugo was seriously injured, but he recovered before the night was over as I'm sure you already know. That's the first thing we'll have to work on in controlling your emotions during our training regimen, villains will use any method they can in order to get a rise out of you! Now that you've been accepted into U.A. as expected, the second thing we'll do is improve your weaknesses. You'll be tested on how to use your quirk to save others in the practical exams before classes truly begin I'm sure!"
Izuku lights up just as he expects, it's time he knew his full story.
The metallic taste of blood hits the back of his mouth, sighing as he feels himself deflating.
And his enthusiasm dissolves into shock taking in his new form, no his real form. For a long minute Izuku is silent, utterly confused at the change that has happened right before his eyes.
"All Might?" He questions slowly in alarm.
Toshinori wipes at a trail of blood by his lips, confirming it's still him despite his now emaciated form. "Don't run off Young Midoriya, it's still me!"
There is still worry in his eyes along with a sadness now taking in the scar to his side, a look he's gotten far too used to seeing over the years since he sustained this career ending injury...
"My third and final point is to discuss with you is the secret behind my power: One For All." He reiterates.
Izuku furrows his brows, this isn't a quirk he's ever heard mentioned in regards to All Might and he's studied him the most out of all the Pro Heroes.
"It is the quirk I inherited from my Master and the quirk I intend to pass on to you." Toshinori finishes.
"...Are you sure?" Izuku breathes out, it's more than he ever thought All Might would do for him. This is undisclosed news after all, there are only a few people he's surely trusted in knowing the reality of his condition now that he's seen it with his very eyes.
And now he too is one of these secret keepers.
Toshinori nods, sure of this.
"We start tomorrow at 6:00 AM sharp by the beach; be ready!"
-x-
So, one of the things I worried about while envisioning this story was that Izuku would be too OP in having two quirks. I considered not giving him One For All going back and forth on it, but it made the story harder for me to write without him having it so I kept to my original idea. I feel Infliction (The name some of you suggested for his quirk that I liked the most!) has enough drawbacks to not be considered too crazy powerful that he'll just knock out everyone he faces so easily.
Anyways, let me know your thoughts as training begins!
Enjoy. Review. Favorite. Follow!