Izuku did his best to hide his jealousy as the class all showed off their Quirks to their teacher as he blatantly threw away all the other career papers as though they weren't even worth mentioning. Most of these abilities might seem weak to most people but Izuku saw a chance in each of them,
A Quirk that makes your eyes glow? Could be used as a distraction against villains or to stun them before incapacitating them. A Quirk that lets you stretch out your eye? Perfect for recon. Everyone just dismisses all the possible uses their Quirks could have, they all just see what is and not what could be, they only care about appearance and what's on the surface not about effectiveness. Such a stupid way of-
Izuku shook his head. Ryu is rubbing off on him, none of these people are wrong for thinking that way, he's just trying to criticise others to try and make himself forget how useless he really is he has no right to judge when he has no real potential to be a hero himself... right?
Izuku has been feeling very doubtful about the way he thinks lately, he's been noticing flaws in the way people act that he didn't notice before, whenever he's beaten up he used to cry and just accept it but recently he's... well he wouldn't say that it's gotten better but the mocking words they say don't seem to hurt him emotionally like they used to he still cries but not nearly as often as he did formerly. Everyone just felt so very, very unimportant to him now, they shouldn't feel that way, he shouldn't get to feel this way their feelings are valid and he has no right to think of them as anything less than worth far more than him but something is holding him back from really feeling that way.
His thoughts tuned out the teacher and even Kaachan as he became immersed in his own thoughts until.
"Oh Midoriya, you want to go to U.A right?"
Izuku looked up at the mention of his name and looked around to see his entire class look at him with emotions that were either along the lines of disgust, hatred or pity. Ever since he was diagnosed as Quirkless all he ever seemed to see in his classmates were those feelings, the Quirkless experience a terrifying amount of discrimination which has only gotten worst since the attacks on both Hosu and Kamino which rendered nearly 300 heroes Quirkless, the media reported on and framed these people and their beliefs as maniacal- but the idea of equality is anything but, what right do those born with powerful Quirks get that makes them able to judge some people who simply had enough of their shi- which in turn resulted in the groups who they claimed to be a part of receiving backlash from the public for the damage that their own have caused.
After staring at him for a few seconds everyone in the classroom instantly starts laughing their heart out and pointing at him as he felt a huge surge of embarrassment, shame, humiliation- and hatred hatred hatred- as he shrunk into himself.
"Midoriya, you're kidding right? There's no way that you're going to get into UA without a quirk."
At his classmates words he somehow mustered the courage to speak out." Well they got rid of that rule so I figured that I could at least try-"
He's cut off when a smoking palm crashed onto his desk and created an explosion which made him fall down the back of his chair and onto the floor with his back hitting the ground. After a moment he looks up and saw the menacing form of Kaachan grinning savagely down at him.
Till this day Izuku has no idea what happened to his blonde friend- bully no friend would do this to someone- he was always loud, confident and prideful but he was never this villainou- arrogant, that's what he meant. Right?
Izuku ignored his dark thoughts as he changed the subject to wondering just how much a Quirk could change someone. One day Kaachan just started throwing around jazz hands and everyone was practically worshipping him.
Kaachan leered down at him and yelled angrily." Your even worse than these damn rejects you Quirkless loser, you really think that they'd let someone like you in when they have me?!"
Izuku instinctively scrambled backwards and pressed his back against the wall whilst he rambled and tried to explain himself. In his panic he spoke in a rushed manner and did his best to explain that he wasn't doing it to compete he just wanted to be a hero and save people, that's all he's really wanted to do with his life, even if he couldn't be the strongest hero in the world there are several heroes who have Quirks that don't help them in combat so why can't he even try?
At his words Katsuki Bakugo audibly scoffed and seethed in his default emotion; anger." Hah, you really think that you have what it takes to hang with the best of the best! You'd die in the exams!"
Izuku externally shrunk into himself but internally he did his best to suppress himself and hold his emotions back as he cowered and took the blunt of his classmates words and ridicule without saying a word. Like this society wants him too.
Izuku started to pack his bag and leave school to go home for the day and either continue with his hero analysis or speak with Ryu.
Over the past months Izuku has been talking to him basically every day and would even say that they've become friends, he's never met another Quirkless person before but Ryu is... a lot different than him. For a starter he doesn't see his Quirklessness as a problem but rather the world that views his lack of a Quirk as something to abuse him for, one day he even talked about how his own parents had just abandoned him when he was diagnosed as Quirkless and that for years he'd been floating around in a foster system going from family to family until one day he got a job that allowed him to support himself when he turned fifteen. His own story of being Quirkless almost makes Izuku feel lucky that he has his mother in all honesty but still Ryu doesn't feel mad or bitter that he's Quirkless- if anything he sounded proud of it- and encouraged Izuku to feel the same way, it hasn't worked so far and how could it? He's positively useless compared to someone with a Quirk- he's not useless it's the world that's wrong, why should he have to feel bad just for being born- he got the short straw in genetics and for that he deserves to live a life full of rejection and self-loathing that will only end when he finally dies. Ryu apparently feels differently.
When Ryu heard about Kaachan he told Izuku that their relationship was downright toxic and that it'd be best if he just gave up on trying to be anything more than just a victim in his life and moved on, he even said that Kaachan was the inferior one to Izuku because a person's worth shouldn't be tied to their Quirk, that him lacking a unique power of his own does not mean that he lacks value as a human being and that he shouldn't let the opinions of others effect his own view of himself.
It was so foreign to have someone view him that way and Izuku wanted to argue against that point at the time but couldn't come up with an argument to defend society's behaviour.
He picked up his notebook and whilst he was about to place it in his bag Kaachan snatched it out of his hand and glared down at him." Where do you think your going? We're not done yet."
Izuku reached his hand out but didn't dare to snatch it back since he knew that a single wrong move would cause him to be at the mercy of an explosion to the face but after a moment of contemplation he just decided to let them insult him a little and then ask for it back.
One of Kaachan's lackeys looked at the title and noticed that it said 'Hero Analysis For The Future No.13' and they laughed out loud.
"What is this? Are you seriously taking notes on how to be a hero? That's so pathetic."
Their words surprisingly didn't hurt him as much as they should- they don't matter they're just a bunch of losers who pick on others for their own amusement, their the pathetic ones here- and after a moment he forced a laugh.
He spoke in a fast and nervous tone." Hahaha yeah really funny guys, just give it back okay."
His request was immediately denied in the form of Kaachan taking his notebook and creating an explosion in his palms to scorch and burn it a darker shade of white.
After finishing he threw it behind him and Izuku could do nothing but feel a pang of hurt at the idea that his personal property could just be thrown away like that.
Kaachan then started to go into a speech about talent and Quirks- something that made Izuku practically bristle with rage on the inside though he once again suppressed it and just ended up cowering like the pathetic weakling he should be- before placing a hand on Izuku's shoulder and flashing him a sickeningly sweet smile that wasn't at all suitable for the situation whilst his hand smoked with the activation of his Quirk and he felt a burning sensation where Kaachan's hand was placed.
The blonde boy seemed to enjoy his shaking as he spoke." So don't even try to go to U.A, okay?"
No. No that was not okay. But Izuku did have some self preservation so instead of saying any of that he stuttered in complete nervousness and uttered out a shaky." O-ok-oo-okay."
After that brief interaction the group of bullies started to leave but Katsuki smirked suddenly and Izuku tensed up as he finally spoke.
"You know there might actually be a way for you to become a hero afterall." His words made Izuku do a double take as he turned and wondered why he was suddenly-
Kaachan's grin turned cruel as he followed that remark up by turning to Izuku and saying." All you have to do is pray that you get a Quirk in your next life and then take a swan dive off a roof."
At that remark Izuku was completely in shell shock. As cruel as Kaachan has been to him he'd always held on some hope that maybe somewhere deep inside he still cared about his wellbeing but... to think that he'd go as far as to tell him to kill himself it was- well-
He just didn't have words to describe the feeling that washed over him in that moment, anger? Hatred? Sadness? A mix of all the above?
It completely shattered any thought that he might have had about Kaacha- no Bakugo being anything more than his tormentor.
Seeing that he wasn't reacting in a strong or emotional way Bakugo's grin of amusement fell slightly but he just turned and walked away with his lackeys in tow, finally leaving Izuku alone with the realisation that Bakugo was never anyone worth trying to befriend in the first place.
He didn't even have any tears to let out at that point.
Izuku tried his best not to linger on the mix of negative emotions that were left in his mouth when the encounter with his bully were finished and was unpleasantly surprised to see that his burnt notebook had landed in a pond of carp who were chewing at it constantly as it floated on it's lonesome. He can't help but compare himself to that chewed up notebook, only he was being chewed by the world around him not a bunch of fish.
He grabbed it out of the water and stared at it for a few moments with gritted teeth at the frustration of what his life has brought him at this point.
He lingered on the words of his only friend as he walked down the road to go home with his ruined notebook in hand. Ryu is constantly saying things like 'Society is wrong to treat the Quirkless this way' or 'You aren't worthless just because other people view you that way' sometimes he'll even say that he believes in Izuku, that he really can be a hero.
It's nice really, that someone believes in him, it's enough to make waking up in the morning that little bit easier, it makes holding onto his dreams that little bit easier. It makes living that little bit easier.
Izuku resolved himself as he clenched his fist. Yeah! He'll work as hard as he can and become a Hero just like All Might, an unstoppable man who saves everyone with a huge smile on his face and saves the day. He's not dumb enough to think that he'll be unstoppable but he can still save people and be a Her-
He suddenly heard an unpleasant squelching sound from behind him and he suddenly felt a massive amount of dread that seemed to stubbornly stick with him as he turned around and froze at the sight in front of him.
A massive ball of sludge seemed to loom over him as bulging yellow eyes suddenly appeared in the mass of murk along with a mouth which creepily grinned maliciously down at him." Oh it's my lucky day, you'll make a perfect skin suit kid."
Izuku didn't even want to know what that meant as suddenly his mind became acutepy aware that a villain was staring him down and his body kicked into action to try to run.
He didn't get far.
The sludge monster pounced on top of him and tried to force it's way inside of him via his mouth as he feebly grabbed at his throat in some vain attempt to try and free himself but every single claw at his throat was pointless.
The sludge villain seemed to be enjoying this as it's distorted voice croaked out a laugh and then it started to taunt him." Claw all you want kid, my entire body is made of liquid. And do as both a favour and stop struggling, it'll only hurt longer if you do."
Izuku hardly registered that he was being talked down to as tears built up in his eyes at the thought of this being the end for him. He's never wanted to die, not once, even if life was unfair and cruel to him that didn't mean that it was empty and that he didn't find some semblence of joy from it, he just wanted to live.
Somebody help him!
Suddenly a loud ping was heard from behind him and the sludge seemed to stop trying to force it's way down his throat, though he still couldn't breathe.
"It's fine your safe now, why? Because I am here!" Wait those words it can't be-
"Texas Smash!" That's all Izuku heard as wind suddenly seemed to pick up and he felt a massive blast of air wash over him and with an squelch he suddenly found himself freed from his prison.
Opening his eyes the last thing that he saw before he passed out was... All Might?
Izuku awakened with groggily eyes and a very unpleasant taste of sludge left in his throat but suddenly he realised that something was tapping his cheek... repeatedly.
"Hey, wake up."
At the realisation that someone was standing above him he turned his gaze up to see the best Hero in the entire world All Might himself, well isn't that cool? All Might- WAIT ALL MIGHT SAVED HIM?!
All Might withdrew his hand and saluted stiffly with his award winning smile and stated." I thought we'd lost you there."
Faced with his idol and the immense craziness of the situation Izuku did the only thing he could think to do. He screamed.
He crawled back and away from his hero who simply watched the scene with his smile not faltering at the sight of someone screaming their head off in his presence and commented that it was a good sign that he was moving around fine.
Izuku couldn't help himself from feeling completely out of words at the sight in front of him. The very best hero in the world is standing right in front of him and he just saved him from a villain attack.
HE LOOKS SO MUCH COOLER IN PERSON!
Suddenly Izuku remembered something important as he hastily patted himself down looking for his notebook." Holy crap I've gotta get an autograph, there's gotta be a pen around here somewhere." He spotted his notebook on the floor and immediately grabbed at it." Please sign my notebook."
He opened it only to be greeted by the sight of All Might's name on a massive double sheet.
HE ALREADY DID!
At the sight Izuku immediately started bowing and praising All Might so much in such rapid succession that even the hero himself wasn't sure how to respond and so he just gave a thumbs up to the green haired boy.
All Might then placed the sludge villain, who was sealed in two plastic bottles, into his cargo pants and turned around before looking the boys way one last time to salute him." Well have a good day now, I've got to get this villain to the police."
Izuku stopped bowing as he looked at his hero with disappointment and asked." Wait, your leaving?"
All Might squatted down and responded vaguely." Pro's are constantly fighting time as well as villains."
At those words Izuku leaned forward a bit in nervousness. All Might can't leave yet, he still has so many questions that he wa- no needs to ask his Hero, he'll never get another chance to get his answer from the person he looks up to most! He can't leave!
All Might squatted down extra far and warned Izuku." Now stay back young man, I'm taking off now."
Izuku's heart immediately started pumping. No! He can't leave!
All Might leaped into the air with a shout." Thank you for your support!"
All Might soared through the air for a moment as he looked for a place that he could turn back to normal out of the public eye but then he noticed that something was on his leg- what the hell is that kid doing?!
The green haired boys face and eyes felt extremely weird as the wind hit his face full force and All Might placed his hand on the boys shoulder and yelled." Let go! I love my fans but this is too much!"
But Izuku countered his argument by yelling." But if I let go then I'll die!"
All Might loosened his grip on him at that and internally panicked at that." Oh your right."
Tears seemed to leak out of Izuku's eyes as he spoke with his voice clouded by the wind." I jusht have a wot of things that I wanna ashk you All Might, your my favouwite hewo in the whole world."
Seeing the boys face Toshinori just couldn't find it in him to refuse and just said." Alright but please keep your mouth shut."
A few drops of blood leaked from All Might's mouth at those words and he internally cursed as he realised that he was out of time.
All Might took them down and landed on a nearby building and landed with an audible thud.
Once on the ground Izuku felt terrible, it felt like all the moisture in his face had been sucked out and his skin felt like it had been stripped off his body and left behind nothing but a skeleton. In other words he felt like shit.
All Might berated him." Not the smartest move young man, take the exit through that door and go home. Now I have to go." All Might felt himself weakening by the second and had to leave so that his image isn't tarnished.
Hearing that his Hero was about to leave Izuki picked himself up and forgot that his face was dryer than a cracker as he reached his hand out." Wait, just a secon-"
"No, I'm out of time."
"I have to know!" He yelled as he suddenly remembered everyone who told him he couldn't do it or didn't believe in him, be it that doctor, Bakugo, his own mother, it all chipped away at him and his self esteem and left his a neurotic mess of a teenager with anxiety problems. But hearing All Might say that he could do it would fix all of that! None of that would make a difference if his Hero would just answer-
"Can a Quirkless person become a Hero?!" He yelled the question that's run through his mind every single day since he was diagnosed as Quirkless all those years ago to the man who he looked up to more than anyone." Could a Quirkless kid like me ever hope to be someone like you?!"
At the question All Might stopped in his tracks and stared back at him with that smile he always wore and for a moment a young him seemed to crossover with the young green haired boy in front of him.
"Wait, your-" All Might's smile instantly left his face when a jolt of pain instantly hit him and he held his side tightly as he kneeled down." Not here- dammit." He spoke in pain as steam started to come off his skin and he gritted his teeth.
Izuku however was oblivious to this as he looked down and spoke quietly." All but one person in my life seems to think that I'm some kinda weakling, that I don't have a chance, but you know what? That makes me wanna prove them wrong. Ever since I was a kid I've thought that saving people was the coolest thing that you can do-" Izuku gained a smile as he spoke and somehow didn't see the cloud of steam which was forming right in front of his eyes."- I want to save everyone with a smile just like you and be the kind of hero who everyone looks up to-" he finally looked up."- just like you."
Only to see a very skeletal looking man that resembled All Might with steam constantly coming off of his skin where All Might was just standing.
Face with his almighty Hero suddenly turning into a gaunt and sickly looking man Izuku could only think of one way to react.
He screamed at the top of his lungs.
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