"Look at the stars, Yui." an older man with black hair, holding his daughter on his shoulders, "What do you see?"
A younger version of Yui, look at the starry sky, the sight of millions illuminating the night, "I see a hero. He is big as a giant" Her eyes sparkled, "He is so cool, dad!"
Her father laughed, "Maybe one day you'll be a hero just like him"
'Will I, dad?" she asked,
"If you follow your heart and believe in justice, you'll find that path" her father raised his hand to the stars, "You'll become the Princess of Light! And the darkness shall fear you!" he exclaimed. Hearing those words from her father made the little girl smile like a fairytale, but she wanted to live that fantasy.
The silent girl woke up from her dream, she checked the clock and saw that it's 3 in the morning. She tried to go back to back to sleep but it's hard to do now. She got up and headed downstairs for some tea, 'Dad. I hope you are watching over me like the giants of light.' The eerie and dark building has a soothing yet haunting feel late at night. When there is no chaos happening as much as the day and noon, and the only noise you hear are the sounds of the wind of the spring that will soon be the summer. Yui Kodai enjoys that, though it wouldn't hurt to have someone to share this type of night with. As she walked down to the kitchen, only to meet by her knightly friend who is drown on his third can of tea,
"Sorry. Can't sleep" he said,
"So drinking caffeinated tea helps?" she asked,
"You won't believe the things that help me sleep"
"Like what?"
'Horror movies, tea, long reviews, dreaming of a cute girl. That sort of thing" he answered, "You know somewhat normal boy things"
The size manipulating girl shakes her head but sits next to the table. A bowl of ramen slides to her. Even if it wasn't as real as the stuff at restaurants, it smells good. She grabbed some disposable chopsticks and slurp the noodles down her throat, "Thank you"
"A warm meal can put anyone to sleep. Back at home, those winters in the reservation can be cruel and keep me up at night. The warmth of my grandparents' wood stove felt so nice. It knocked me out like a light" He eats his portion of the noodles he made, "What's your family like, Yui?"
She was silent and hesitant for a moment but answers, "I had a good family life. My mother is a preschool teacher and my father was a pro hero"
"Oh that's cool of your parents! My grandma was a daycare worker before retiring, she used to operate at her own home. The kids she watches loved her like she was their grandmother"
Yui smiled at her friend, "You admire your grandparents a lot"
"When mom and dad were busy with their jobs, so they were there for me when I was alone"
"Because of your quirklessness?"
"Yep. But enough about me, what about your family"
She cleared her throat and drank some of the tea that Percy left for her, "My mother is a kind woman. Kids love her and oftentimes she babied them sometimes, it became a habit as years went on."
"Well her daughter is growing up too fast and she probably wants more kids" the knight chuckled, "Your dad needs to hop to it" While he met no ill will, Yui's usual stoic expression darkened, when no response from her was heard. Percy felt shame because he unintentionally hit a sensitive cord, "Yui?"
Tears dropped on the table, "My dad passed away when I was 7" She tried to dry herself but it hit too much for her to stop, "He was my hero and he died like one" The quiet sobs echoed the empty dorm but the only one can hear her cry,
"Yui, I'm sorry. I didn't know"
"It's not your fault. It's just that I had a dream about dad. He always tells me stories of giants of light and their heroic tales of protecting galaxies from evil kaijus" She smiled, "Even if I can't change my size, I want to be the kind of hero. A fearless hero that will save galaxies but even I need to be realistic." Wiping the tears off of her eyes, Percy came over and held her in his arms,
"Sometimes you don't need to be realistic. All you need is the will, determination and courage to make your dream come true"
She looked up to him, "How can you be so sure?"
"Because that's where it got me" he smiled towards her, "Quirkless, but managed to get into the greatest hero schools in Japan"
"How does it feel to remain so optimistic for a dream that could be impossible?" she asked him, "Don't you worry about the failure and humiliation that will come?"
Percy's smile didn't waver, it just made it bigger, "Because that's how we Pendragons roll! We do the impossible and defeat the invincible. No matter what's in the way, we smash it to create a path, If there isn't a path then we crave one ourselves!"
"But aren't you scared of what that path may lead?"
"Then I have more of a reason to move forward!"
The two students look at each other, one astounded by the other's words. Doing the impossible seems foolish and downright insane. That's why it's impossible! But that's what you say when you give up, keep moving forward is the way to do the impossible and defeat the invincible. The people who tell Percy that being a quirkless hero is impossible and that he has no reason to even exist. But that made him wanting to prove them wrong, even with his current classmates who looked down on him and his new friend. He gained more of a reason to keep moving forward no matter the criticism.
He started to clean his mess up with Yui's help. With dishes washed and trash thrown away, the two say their farewells then drift back to bed.
Tetsuya's Intelligence
The building itself is a home to the young master, it was brought to the idea that he needed to stay close to work and keep his family heavily guarded while also to look over his rider system. Various belts and drivers that were passed down from Ohma Zi-O as a way to remember the forgotten heroes of the past. From the hidden Article and Triple Flash belts to the blank belts of Den-O. Some belts and drivers were rather not replicated due to various reasons and the way they are built, it best not to imitate them. Why did he create them? The possible purpose of unpredictability and a way to have a back up plan. And possibly to find worthy riders.
From the corner of his eye, he sees a woman approaching him. She had short pale blue hair, she wore dark green military armor with a white muffler around her neck. She carries a sniper rifle behind her back and a tanto blade around her waist. The young boy smirked,
"Well if it isn't The Phantom Bullet. Or should I call you Shinon?"
She scoffed, "Please, only you would call me that" she scanned the area and then looked at Max, "So this is where you have been doing Red Death?"
"Red Death is gone. Only Reaper" He got up and walked to the girl, "I assumed you heard about me killing the Yakuza boss?"
"That's right. You dare expose yourself as a member of the League!" she yelled at him, "You know what would happened if you reveal our-"
"They only know that I have a license to kill which is common to use in self defense for both citizens and pro heroes. As far as they know, they have no idea of my relationship with our little group of assassins" He goes to the room full of belts, "You know, you're my only friend from the League, so I decided to gift you with one of my belts"
"And why would I take your gift?" she asked, "Shouldn't you be supporting heroes instead of me?" She didn't know that the boy smirked as he picked the perfect belt for her,
"Let's say there is a battle coming along and I want as many allies to fight that threat" in his hands is a scorpion and a sword with a slot attachment, "I have seen your gun tricks but with these devices. You'll be able to strike your targets in close combat." The scorpion awakens and jumps towards the girl, crawling up to her shoulder, "I see it accepted you as it's partner"
The night for the girl turned into a night of surprises that her former partner had given her something useful in combat. She wondered what he meant by an upcoming battle, "Max, are you sure you can trust me with this tech?"
"I know you're a good person. You just were put into a bad position. If you want to leave the life that you were forced to be part of, there's always a spot for you at UA." He closed off the room full of belts and locked it while his friend became lost in her thoughts about leaving to start anew, "I heard about a new assassin rising up the ranks. Is he someone I know?"
She snapped back to reality, "I don't know. I hear about him being once a hero until an accident occurred"
"I see" he remains silent for the moment, "I'll call you when danger arrives. I trust you to come to our aid?"
She gulped and nodded to his question, "I promise to you as a friend, not an employer or a contract holder."
He smiled then walked towards a door, "Good answer and good night, Shinon." When he turned around, she was already gone. He sighed happily and headed to bed.
The very next day
"I can't believe I was made Class Rep!" Izuku exclaimed as he walked out of class, "How could that happen!?"
"I don't know you have 4 friends that love and support you being the leader of the group while people voted for themselves" Percy answered while looking through his wallet, "Man I wonder what Lunch Rush made for lunch?"
"Percy, you have been made Vice Rep" Yui sneaked up on him which made the quirkless rider drop his wallet,
"Yeah, who voted for me? I know you did, Yui. But who else?" He looked at Izuku, who nodded, "Okay. But I had three votes. Who else?" Then he felt a pat on the back,
"Looking forward to follow what you and Midoriya" Shoji congratulate the boy then walk off to the cafeteria,
"Oh. Well thanks for the vote, Takotaro!" he waved off to his classmate,
"Takataro?" the group asked,
"In translation it would mean Octopus Boy. And his quirk would make a dead giveaway!"
They continued to the halls, ready for their meal of the day but was stopped by a skeleton with hair, "Young Midoriya!" he turned buffed, "Would you like to have lunch with me?" he showed them his cloth covered bento box
'Like a schoolgirl!' the group sputtered in their thoughts, 'Our Symbol of Peace here!'
The midori rider wondered why All Might called him out all of sudden. Maybe it has to do with One for All? Or maybe he wants the quirk back? Or could he want to get to know me? He doesn't know the answer, he has to take the chance, "Sure!" he smiled, "It's not everyday that the Symbol of Peace asked me to have lunch!"
"Excellent! Meet me at the teacher's lounge!" He sped off leaving a dust cloud behind. Izuku followed him while the group just accepted it and headed off for lunch.
In the Teacher's Lounge
The two sat across each other, neither uttering a single sound, just taking small bites of their lunch, which was provided by All Might since well he doesn't have much of a stomach to eat much. Izuku felt uneasy since he hadn't spoken to his idol since Midori took his quirk. What is there to start the conversation!? Then in his pocket, MIdori sprung out of it, yawning. The little device looked at the two, "Uh hello?"
"Midori! What the hell happened to you yesterday!?" his partner asked,
"Oh I needed a nap, so I stay in driver mode to sleep"
"You can sleep!?"
"I am sentient, so why not?" All Might cleared his throat that caught their attention, "Oh Hi All Might! You look better than most days!"
"Thank you, Midori" he sipped his tea, "Glad that you broke the silence. There's something we need to talk about"
"Oh? Does it have to do with One for All?" All Might nodded,
"I wonder how are you and Izuku are progressing with it"
Izuku spoke, "So far we made my body more suitable to not be dependent on my rider form. So far that is all we did. Sorry if doesn't help"
The retired hero shakes his head, "No need to apologise. I am just curious about the both of you. You've made quite a name in the news lately" he chuckled, the duo smiled.
"I'm sorry that you had to retire" Izuku said, "Now the whole world know your secret form, but I am glad that they don't know about One for All"
"It is fine, Young Midoriya. I am glad that it went to the public, maybe it will teach everyone that I will no longer be around to fight their battles. It reminded me that I am only human, my time as their hero is running out. You and Midori, are the ninth holders of my quirk! I want you two to be the next symbol of hope!" he exclaimed,
"Wow, that is some expectation from the Symbol of Peace" Midori said, "But don't worry! We are planning to do that!" All Might grinned at the device's words, "As Kamen Rider Deku, we will be the next Symbol to everyone!"
Omake
Percy began his walk from the convenience store with a bag full of food in one hand and his phone in the other. He stopped to see his classmate, Ochako Uraraka. Normally he would ignore her after being one of them who don't believe in him or Izuku to be in the hero course. But seeing her looking hungry while looking through a small coin purse. At first he thought the girl would have enough but noticing her phone looking a few centuries back and some old wear on his casual clothes, he knew something about the girl. He walked towards her, "Oi Uraraka!"
She turned her attention to Percy, "Oh Pendragon…." he offered her a few onigiris and a can of soda to her, "Huh?" She was surprise by the sight of food,
"Wanna eat?" He asked. Soon the two are sitting next to each other at the bench, "So you want to be a hero for money?"
After finishing the first onigiri, she responded, "Y-Yeah. I just want my parents to live without any trouble" she looked down in shame, "Sorry about the other day….I am sure you have a better reason for your choice of being a hero. While mine is scummy…."
"There's nothing wrong with wanting to take care of your family" he said, then handed her a few bills of money, "My dad would love to hire you in his agency. Your quirk is great for rescue and support." Her eyes widen and her throat choking a bit in sadness when she looks at the money that her classmate gave her. 50,000 Yen! Enough to keep her fed for an entire month! She wanted to returned it to him because it feels wrong to be begging or mooching off of someone that she insulted,
"I-I can't accept it" she handed the money back to him, but he refused,
"My dad told me about his times at the Reservation and how often money became tight. I remember an old friend of his always gathering unwanted food and taking it home with him. He told me that generosity is one of the four directions of life" he smiled at her, "Besides I am from a rich family anyway! So don't be afraid to ask, okay!" he felt a strong hug from Uraraka and tears soaking into his shirt. Life can be full of unfortunate events, but sometimes a new path is made when the right people make it.
A/N: Finally. Sorry if this is filler but I am currently wanting to go to the USJ Arc while also finishing up filler in Timeless Heroes, stay tuned for that! Also I want to do something about All Might and Izuku's relationship since he isn't much in it as it was in the canon. And I want to develop more positivity between the quirkless riders and Class 1-A. I hope you guys like this chapter and stay for the long awaited USJ and the League of Villains!