I have made the decision to restructure the last chapter, aligning closer to the episodes of season 1. This fic seemed to really blow up, thanks everyone. Hopefully, you all enjoy :3
"Can you become a hero without a quirk? No You can't" All Might's words played repeatedly through Izuku's brain.
Izuku's legs give out, and he collapses to the ground. "I see" he murmurs, his voice barely audible.
"It's okay to dream, kid. Just don't let it become a fantasy" All Might offers as he opens the door to the stairwell, preparing to leave. Izuku watches All Might's departure, his heart heavy feeling like it could drop out of his chest at any second.
As the world he once knew crumbles before him, Izuku's emotions surge like a tempest, a mix of heartbreak, anger, and betrayal. All his faith and admiration in the symbol of hope, All Might, shatters into a million pieces with just a single sentence. The trust he had placed in his idol now lies shattered, leaving behind a gaping void.
Izuku couldn't help but regard All Might's charismatic persona with newfound skepticism. The symbol of hope, the epitome of heroism, had revealed himself to be just like everyone else—jaded, resentful, and bitter. It was a devastating idea for Izuku, shattering the image he had held so dearly.
All Might's words echoed in his mind, taunting him with their lack of compassion and encouragement. Instead of offering a glimmer of hope, he had delivered a crushing blow, advising Izuku to abandon his dreams. The weight of those words settled heavily on Izuku's shoulders, casting doubt and despair upon his already fragile spirit. How could the symbol of hope deny him even the chance to try?
Memories of his childhood crept back to Izuku, moments when he would eagerly watch All Might's videos,. The hero's infectious smile had been always been a beacon of light to him. But now, that radiant smile felt tainted, its brilliance dimmed by the revelation that it was built upon a lie.
Izuku's anger surged, fueling his growing resentment towards the hero society he once admired. The realization of the falsehoods and deception within this revered system shook him to his core.
"All lies," Izuku seethed with contempt, his voice dripping with bitter anger. The veil of hero society had been ripped away, revealing the ugly truth that lay beneath. The heroes he once revered, their shining ideals and virtuous personas, were nothing but a facade, a grand deception that concealed their true nature.
"I see through the lies of these heroes," Izuku declared, his tone filled with a potent mix of fury and determination. The blind admiration he once held had transformed into a seething resentment. He refused to be swayed by their empty promises and performative acts of heroism. Behind the mask of righteousness, he saw the rot and corruption that pervaded the system.
No longer would he place his faith in these false idols. "If they're not with me," Izuku proclaimed with a fiery intensity, "then they are my enemies." His anger burned brightly, fueling his resolve to challenge the very foundations of hero society. He saw them for what they truly were – barriers to progress, defenders of a flawed status quo that perpetuated inequality.
A true hero, in Izuku's eyes, was not someone who hindered the dreams of others. They didn't abuse their power to suppress the hopes of the weak. Instead, a real hero embodied empathy, fighting for justice without compromise. They uplifted all of those who they protect, not just the strong amongst them.
Amidst his seething anger, a distant explosion reverberated through the town. This was the moment, Izuku realized, the moment when he would take matters into his own hands. "I'll show them!" he muttered under his breath, his fist clenched in a defiant gesture. He rushed down the stairs, ignoring All Might's weary voice calling out to him.
"Kid, wait!" All Might's plea fell on deaf ears as Izuku sprinted forward, not daring to glance back. The city streets blurred past him as he navigated through alleyways and leapt over fences, determined to reach the source of the chaos unfolding in the distance. As he arrived at the scene, he discovered that the roads were barricaded, with a raging fire casting ominous shadows into the night sky. Through a narrow alleyway, he caught sight of the sludge monster that had nearly suffocated him earlier, now threatening to engulf another helpless victim, who he couldn't make out from this far.
Ducking beneath the hastily erected barrier, Izuku's adrenaline-fueled sprint carried him past the grasp of officers desperately reaching out to halt his daring advance. Ignoring their calls and warnings, he weaved through the chaotic scene. The urgency in his movements mirrored the fire that engulfed the nearby building, his singular focus fixated on the imminent danger he had witnessed.
Backdraft, consumed by his battle against the flames, failed to notice the determined teen rushing past him. Kamui Woods, absorbed in his valiant efforts to rescue survivors, was too busy to interupt Izuku's swift passage. Both heroes, committed to their duties, were too preoccupied to intervene or impede the resolute teenager sprinting toward the heart of the inferno.
Standing just a short distance away from the sludge monster, Izuku's eyes widened in shock as he recognized that it was Bakugo who had been ensnared. A twisted satisfaction flickered within him, relishing the sight of Bakugo experiencing the fear and pain that had haunted Izuku for countless years. But amidst this conflicted thought, the heroic spirit within Izuku fought back. Heroes were meant to save everyone, and he couldn't ignore that call.
With a surge of anger propelling him forward, Izuku closed the distance and seized hold of Bakugo's shirt, pulling with every ounce of strength he possessed. Bakugo, despite being enveloped by the sludge, bellowed out in defiance.
"What the hell are you doing here?" he shouted, his voice laced with disbelief.
"Being a real hero!" Izuku roared, his voice raw and primal, as he clutched onto Bakugo's arm, straining to free him. However, no matter how hard he pulled, Bakugo was relentlessly dragged back into the suffocating grip of the sludge. Gritting his teeth, Izuku dug deep, channeling the pain he had endured throughout his life, pouring every ounce into his efforts.
As he adjusted his grip and prepared for another attempt, an ominous voice echoed within Izuku's mind, as if the essence of Death itself was speaking to him. "Good, use that anger... that pain. Let it flow through you" the voice resounded, its deep and foreboding tone filling Izuku's consciousness, unheard by the world around him. Yet, even with this revelation, the futility of his efforts persisted, until the voice spoke once more.
"Reach out and unleash it" the voice commanded, accompanied by the haunting sound of mechanical breathing.
With a surge of determination, Izuku extended his hand toward the heart of the sludge monster. In an instant, a tremendous ball of wind erupted from his palm, obliterating the sludge and scattering it like shattered fragments of a broken dream. The powerful gust whipped through the air, carrying the stench of decay and filling the surroundings with a temporary calm. As the debris settled, Bakugo stood on solid ground, surrounded by flames that danced in the night, his gaze fixed upon Izuku. As their eyes met, Bakugo's surprise was evident, witnessing the transformation in Izuku's eyes from a shade of yellow back to their familiar emerald green, reflecting the flickering flames that danced around them.
Before Bakugo could utter a word, Izuku swiftly turned on his heel and disappeared into the intricate maze of nearby alleyways. Kamui Woods, sprang into action, his elongated wooden arms propelling him towards Bakugo in a blur of motion. With a deft maneuver, he scooped up Bakugo and carried him to safety, while Death Arms scoured the area in a desperate search for the elusive teenager. Yet, despite their best efforts, Izuku remained a phantom, hidden within the depths of a distant alley.
Izuku's legs carried him further and further, the adrenaline pumping through his veins fueling his sprint. Exhaustion finally caught up to him a few blocks away from his home, his breaths coming in ragged gasps. Surprised that none of the police or pro heroes had pursued him, he trembled as he fumbled with his keys, hastily unlocking and slamming the door shut behind him.
With his heart still pounding in his chest, Izuku raced to his room, his body trembling from the exertion. He collapsed onto his bed, panting heavily, his mind spinning with a whirlwind of emotions. In that moment of disbelief and awe, a smile spread across his face, the biggest he had ever worn. "I can be... a hero," he whispered, his voice filled with astonishment.
As if waiting for Izuku's focus, the pyramid floated before him, its faint red glow growing brighter, casting a vibrant light that danced across his All Might figures and posters. Each part of the pyramid moved with an otherworldly grace, swirling and swaying in intricate orbits, as if guided by an unseen force.
Compelled by curiosity and a sense of awe, Izuku extended his trembling finger and tapped the core of the pyramid. Instantly, the core ignited, becoming a swirling vortex akin to a black hole, drawing in fragments of the world around it. Reality warped and shifted, transforming before his very eyes.
A colossal figure began to materialize, gradually filling the space before him. The figure towered over Izuku, its stature rivaling that of All Might himself. As the transformation neared completion, Izuku's eyes widened in astonishment. This was the same look he had from his dreams.
In a matter of seconds, the figure took on its final form—an imposing entity adorned in an armor that exuded a futuristic samurai aesthetic. A flowing black cape billowed behind, adding an air of mystique and power. Izuku's heart raced as he gazed upon this awe-inspiring sight, his mind struggling to comprehend the significance of what stood before him.
"You're me from my dreams!" Izuku exclaimed, his voice filled with equal parts shock and disbelief. He craned his neck upward, taking in the imposing figure before him.
"Izuku Midoriya," the figure called out, his voice resonating with an otherworldly quality that sent a chill down Izuku's spine. Izuku stumbled back, his heart racing with a mix of fear and curiosity, his mind struggling to comprehend the magnitude of the situation.
The figure loomed over him, his presence commanding and foreboding. Every breath he took seemed heavy, filling the room with a modulated rhythm that echoed in the silence. Izuku found himself unable to muster a response, his voice caught in his throat as he gazed up at the figure in awe.
"Who are you?" Izuku finally managed to utter, his voice trembling with a mix of curiosity and fear. The air around them seemed to thicken, the weight of the figure's presence pressing upon him like an invisible force.
"I am Darth Vader," the figure responded, his voice carrying a chilling tone that sent shivers down Izuku's spine.
A sense of purpose laced Vader's words as he continued, his voice resonating with unwavering authority. "And you," he declared, his words hanging heavy in the air, "will be my apprentice."