The weather is still too hot (even though nowhere near Canada's situation) but hopefully all of you are at least okay. Here's a new hopefully cool chapter to enjoy. A new important character will make his/her entrance to the story.

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Proofread by 3DPhantom

Chapter 11: Facing the Past

Izuku stepped into the large convention hall with his class and thousands of other students that had come to explore different high schools and study the paths to follow after junior high. Izuku's classmates were chatting excitedly about where they would go, or just about how great it was to get out of school for a day.

"So Midoriya, have you yet decided where you want to go?" Ida asked.

"No," Izuku responded. "I haven't really thought about school or its future in general in a long time. I don't know what I should or even want to do."

The statement was completely true. He was already getting actively involved with his father's criminal businesses and choosing a school hardly seemed to matter compared to that, but even before meeting his father he didn't know. Ever since he was disillusioned by the quirk-based society and his dreams of becoming a hero had waned there had been nothing to take their place.

"Have you," Ida said and paused. "I know you have complicated feelings about heroes, but I think you could be a great one."

Izuku turned to look at the taller boy with narrowed eyes.

"Why?"

"I am not talking about your quirk," Ida responded quickly, waving his arm defensively. "I think your experiences would let you be a better hero. You have talked about the importance of standing up for others and I think you want to do that. I have also seen how you move in gym class. Do you practice gymnastics or martial arts?"

"Sort of, but it's not to become a hero, just self-defence."

"Because you don't want to rely on a hero to come to the rescue?"

"Partially. You are going to see the hero schools, right?" Izuku redirected the discussion.

"I want to go to UA, it is the best high school and especially hero school."

"I guess it was stupid question," Izuku said. "Their other tracks are top level too."

"You should come see their stand too. I believe you would have a chance to get in on any track."

"Knowing how strict you are with everything school-related, that is pretty high praise," Izuku said. "Fine. It may be interesting to see what they have there. I don't really have any better ideas."

They walked through the crowded hall. Izuku settled on walking behind Ida, using the larger teen as a plough to get through the masses of people. He could focus on glancing at the stands displaying different schools. They tended to get larger and fancier as they proceeded through the hall. The best and most prestigious schools were obviously placed further back to pull people in. Izuku paid specific attention to certain private, prestigious and expensive schools like Soumei, ones with no hero courses. He did not know what he wanted from his future, but he still valued quality education whether it was a good school or getting pummelled to the ground by literal monsters in harsh battle training.

At least he wasn't sore all the time since getting the regeneration quirk. Healing wasn't just a matter of visible wounds after all. He could train harder and longer every evening and morning and not feel any effects by the time he left for school. It was amazing to feel perfectly okay every day, except the occasional dizziness and headache from stretching his quirk limit with such a powerful quirk.

Getting to UA's stand didn't require searching, it having UA banners hanging from the ceiling and a big stage with a very loud man on it.

"Present Mic," Izuku muttered, "I haven't seen him live before."

"But you have pages of notes on him and his quirk," Ida commented. It wasn't even a question.

"Quirk analysis part seven pages 13 to 15, should probably redo him at some point. I was eleven when I wrote that," Izuku said, making Ida chuckle.

"What?" Izuku asked.

"I am still trying to figure out what kind of person you are, and I can think of people in our school who couldn't keep such ordered records today, let alone at eleven years old."

"Okay," Izuku said and turned his attention back to the loud pro hero talking about different facilities at UA. Naturally he spent most of his time on discussing the extensive selection of hero training sites, despite hero course being a small part of the overall student body. Yes, they had spent millions on fake cities and a giant stadium, but what did the other 80+ percentage of the students have? Izuku's focus started wandering as his annoyance rose and even Present Mic's voice couldn't change that.

"Oh look, the villain wants to go to UA."

Izuku froze. He knew those words spoken in that tone. They made his bully radar glow like a Christmas Tree. His head turned stiffly like a robot until his eyes found the source and locked on target. Behind the outermost stands a trio of students had surrounded a fourth indigo-haired one and were literally pushing him around between them. The victim of their bullying didn't just not resist, but very intentionally kept his hands close to his body and seemed to be pressing his mouth shut like saying anything might have proven the bullies correct. Dark patches under his eyes suggested he couldn't even sleep well.

"Come on. Show them your villain quirk. You have to anyway if you plan to apply. Better do it now than hide your real nature."

The words made Izuku squeeze his hand into fists hard enough that fingers pressing against his palm actually hurt and messed up the covering on the hole his quirk caused. An image of Bakugo flashed over the apparent ringleader of the trio. Flickers of flame flashed dimly by his fists as he started walking towards the group. He had let the same thing happen for so long. Turned the other cheek too many times, but no more. Now he had decided to change things and he would start by not ignoring another in the same position he had once been. He grabbed the ringleader's arm and yanked him away. It was a real struggle to not break the bully's nose right away, but he was just a student, not a Nomu.

"What exactly has he done for you to call him a villain?" Izuku seethed.

"Who the hell are you?" The bully asked, regaining his balance after Izuku's sudden yank.

"Answer my question or leave," Izuku said ignoring the bully's words. "Why are you calling him a villain?"

"Because he obviously will be," the bully sneered. "You'd agree if you knew his quirk."

"So, you are exactly the type of garbage I thought. Judging someone just by how you view the quirk he was born with. Actions are what matters, and you are clearly the villain here."

"Oh, look guys the villain has a little friend. Are you the manipulating type or…"

"The type that makes you quirkless, and I know what it's like to live as a quirkless person in this society with people like you around," Izuku said before thinking and raised his hand, no longer squeezed completely into a fist. One of the bullies seemed scared and took a step back. The ringleader frowned.

"If you wanted to talk your way out of this you should have come with a better lie."

"Would you like a demonstration?" Izuku flexed his fingers and smirked in a very unusual, almost… Bakugo-like way. The though alone made him jolt. The bully misunderstood the reaction.

"Thought so. In case you didn't get it yet, this guy is a brainwasher. Better keep your mouth shut if he even tries to say anything. One wrong word and you'll be his slave."

"Brainwashing? That sounds cool and useful for a hero," Izuku responded without needing to fake enthusiasm. The indigo haired student stared at him, showing real emotion for the first time, mostly surprise. "Imagine all of the situations he could de-escalate instantly without needing to resort to violence like most heroes. Hostage situations would be a breeze to him."

"You would seriously trust someone who could control your mind?"

"About as much as I would trust someone whose quirk could kill me, and there are many of those," Izuku said, though he was not sure how true the last part was anymore. His expression turned darker: "They are often celebrated as great for heroes."

"Is everything okay?" Ida asked from behind him. He had finally torn his attention from the UA hype.

"Bullies with Uehara's ideas on quirks, or close enough," Izuku responded without turning his head. "They think his quirk makes him a villain while people like them are more likely to do that. I would know."

"Riiight, a villain would know a villain best," the bully ringleader butted in. Izuku tensed, knowing one of those villain claims was technically true. Nevertheless, he stepped forward between the bully and his victim.

"You know, if you really thought we are villains, you would be smart to be more careful how you act."

"Why bother, it doesn't mean you're good at it." As the bully spoke, he raised his hand, middle finger bent under his thumb and finger flicked empty air. Stinging pain briefly struck the side of Izuku's forehead, making him jolt and glance to that side. No one was there close enough to have hit him.

"Cool quirk," Izuku remarked, but his tone was increasingly taunting. "Doesn't seem to enhance the impact though so you are limited by your strength."

This time Izuku was the one whose shoulder was grabbed, though much more gently than before. He still moved to attack the person before his conscious mind had time to stop his arm. It was the indigo-haired guy he had come to help.

"You don't need to do this. I don't want you to get hurt for me."

"Yes, I do," Izuku responded quietly, "and no, I won't. I doubt he can hit that hard." Izuku turned to face the bully with no fear in his eyes. This clearly made the guy angry, and he stared at Izuku with narrowed eyes. He raised his fist and punched down hard at empty air. The force struck up against Izuku's chin, making his head yank back.

"Izuku are you okay?" Ida asked. Izuku rubbed his chin. The blow had actually been strong enough to hurt, maybe even break something, but the pain was already going away.

"I'm okay. It just stung a little," he responded only to get an invisible slap on his face.

"Stop this," Ida shouted. "We are not allowed to use quirks in public and that's an assault either way."

"Good luck getting evidence of anything. I'm just practicing putting villains in their place for after I go to UA and become a pro hero."

"They do not need to prove anything. You have already shown me enough to ensure you will never enter UA," a new voice said. Izuku turned around trying to find the speaker.

"Down here."

Izuku looked down, following the sound. There was a strange white animal-looking person whose species wasn't quite clear.

"And who would you be, mutant freak?" The head bully sneered.

"My name is Nezu, but you can call me Mr. Principal," the creature said and paused for a moment, gaining a threatening smirk, "of UA high."

Izuku stared at Nezu for a moment, uncertain how to feel about the pro hero and principal of the crown jewel of the hero society. Slowly he realized what this meant for the bullies and glanced at their terrified faces. Izuku smiled.

"I find your behaviour and attitudes inappropriate for MY school. As my memory is quite good, I can assure you that none of you three will be accepted to UA on any track. Now if you would leave so I can talk with these decent young men."

The trio of bullies stared at the principal for a moment longer. One of them left first alone, and the other two followed soon after. Izuku was left with Ida, principal Nezu, and the indigo haired boy who he turned to in favour of the principal.

"Are you okay?" He asked. The other boy blinked in surprise. Izuku feared it was because not many others had asked that question before.

"Yes," he answered. "They are afraid enough of my quirk to not cross certain lines. Oh, right, my name is Hitoshi Shinso."

He held his hand out. Izuku gladly accepted the gesture and grabbed it with his own.

"Izuku Midoriya."

"Tenya Ida."

"I am happy to meet you all," principal Nezu said and then pointed at Izuku, "especially you. I saw most of what you did and many who walked past without doing anything. Have you considered seeking education as a hero?"

"No," Izuku answered. "I used to, but now I don't know what to do… Ida here on the other hand wants nothing more than to attend your school and become a hero."

"Interesting. This hall is quite noisy and crowded. Would you like to join me for tea somewhere more peaceful?"

Izuku briefly considered refusing straight away, but he saw the hopeful expression on Ida's usually so serious face. One that was reflected on Shinso's face.

"We would love to," Izuku said, weighting the 'we'.

"Excellent," Nezu announced, holding one of his hands, paws, up. "Please follow me."

The tiny principal started leading them towards the back of the UA stage. Ida followed most enthusiastically as Izuku strolled behind him. Shinso glanced at the principal's back and stayed back next to Izuku and leaned towards him.

"Thank you. The principal is right in that not many people would get involved. You did."

"I'm glad you're okay," Izuku said, "but to be honest a big reason I did it, is because those are the kind of people I hate the most. I'm no hero. I've just experienced my own bullies and those who would judge a person by their quirk."

"I can understand those feelings, but you still helped me. You are even talking to me even though they told you about my quirk."

"Remember what I said about quirks that can kill?" Izuku asked and then pointed at Ida. "Ida could crush both our skulls with a kick. Does that mean I should be afraid of him?"

"He doesn't seem like someone who would do that."

"And you don't seem like someone who is planning to take over my mind," Izuku said. Shinso's face tensed. He was trying to hold something in. A small glint in his eye was more than enough for a member of Midoriya family to recognize impending tears. Izuku brought his arm over Shinso's shoulder.

"So how does your cool quirk work exactly?"

"It," Shinso, paused looking at Izuku. He drew deep breath. "If I talk to you and you answer to me, I can brainwash you to do whatever I say, with some limitations. It can't be anything that requires advanced thinking. How about your quirk? You said something about making those bullies quirkless. Is it some kind of erasure quirk? I didn't think people would consider those villainous since the effect is so short."

Izuku's eyes widened, staring at the wall. He and his bad decisions. He still had a long way to properly control himself and his mouth.

"It… is not like that."

"Then wha…? Should I stop asking?"

"Actually," principal Nezu said, "I would like to know too."

They had just stepped through a door behind the stage into some maintenance corridor with much less background noise. The principal had stopped to face Izuku, and Ida was standing next to him looking confused.

"My hearing is very good you know," Nezu said. "Speaking of which."

Nezu turned around. As Izuku raised his eyes from the small principal, his blood froze and started to boil at the same time. All Might had just stepped out of a nearby room in his colourful skin-tight costume and with the ever-irritating smile he had when failing to save Izuku's mother. Had his father not warned him about One For All's ability having resistance against being stolen, Izuku might have thrown away his cover to end the so called symbol of peace right there.

"Oh, mister principal, did you ask these students to join you for tea."

"Well, yes, I did. They are quite promising young men, especially Midoriya here."

All Might followed Nezu's raised paw to Midoriya, who struggled to maintain his calm as visions of this man standing over his mother's corpse flashed in his mind. He still noticed All Might staring at him, his eyes widening before turning to face away from the man. He turned to Nezu, trying to ignore All Might. He briefly met Shinso's gaze.

"All Might," Shinso spoke, gaining the hero's attention. "I have a nonphysical quirk that people fear. Can I become a pro hero?"

"That would be dangerous. Hero work is already dangerous as is and even more so if you cannot use your quirk to protect yourself in battle or other dangerous situations, but there are those who have surpassed that limit. If you get into UA hero course you may in fact have one of them as your teacher. It would require immense amount of work though."

"Thank you for answering."

"What are you doing here?" Izuku asked. He pushed his emotions out of his voice, leaving it monotonous. All Might looked at him again with a strange look in his eyes.

"I am supposed to announce this on stage, but I guess it is okay since you are back here. I am going to begin teaching at UA next year."

"Sir," Ida finally joined the conversation. "My name is Tenya Ida. It would be a great honour to study under you. I will do everything I can to earn a place in UA."

"That's the spirit," All Might declared and gave Ida a thumbs up. "By the way, did I interrupt something? I believe you were talking when I arrived Mr. Principal."

"Oh yes. A few students engaged in quirk-based bullying. We were just talking about these young men's quirks that attracted such attention. I am afraid you need to hurry to the stage though. We don't want to disrupt the program."

"Of course, Mr. Principal," All Might said quickly with some mix of respect and fear in his voice. As he left Izuku drew a deep breath as tension left his body. His hand he hadn't even noticed shaking calmed down.

"Please follow me," Nezu said. He looked straight at Izuku as he did and then turned around to enter the room All Might had come from. It was a break room with three small sofas, a low table between them, and a kitchen corner. The principal directed the trio to sit on one of the sofas and settled opposite to them. A water boiler was already ready and full on the table so he could start making tea.

"Now where were we? Oh, yes. You were talking about your quirks. I already heard about Shinso's quirk, but there was something interesting you mentioned about yours Midoriya. You said something about making people quirkless?

Izuku had really screwed up. Nezu's knowing stare told him the little creature was already suspicious and Izuku still remembered All Might's surprised look. Thinking about this only delayed his ability to answer. Ida started speaking instead.

"I am not sure what this thing about making people quirkless is, but Midoriya's quirk is called Dragonblade, a fire quirk."

"Really?" Shinso asked, clearly sceptical. "That doesn't sound like a quirk that you would get bullied for."

While Shinso expressed his feelings out loud, Izuku's attention was on Nezu and his piercing stare. Had he figured it out? Could they track Izuku to his father? Izuku was sitting tense between Ida and Shinso, pressing his hands together between his legs. He could keep lying as best he could, but if Nezu suspected something, getting caught lying would be more suspicious and as principal of UA Nezu probably had access to quirk registries. Izuku was still marked as having the quirk "quirk transfer".

"Ida," he started, his voice quiet. "The Dragonblade, it isn't my quirk, not the original I was born with. I just acted like it was so I wouldn't be bullied like in my last school, like Shinso is. It didn't end when I gained my quirk, because my quirk made some of it worse."

Izuku jolted when Shinso grabbed his arm but the indigo-haired teen had an understanding smile. He was the only one who could understand what it took for Izuku to talk about the topic.

"Like Shinso's quirk, people fear what mine can do and think it's evil, that I would or can only become a villain because of it."

"So, you weren't lying when you said it can make people quirkless?" Shinso asked.

"No, my quirk is a… quirk transfer quirk. I can take people's quirks from them or give them if I have any, I think. All it takes is a touch," Izuku raised his hand in front of them. "I can also use the quirks that I have taken."

"That is a very unique quirk," Nezu noted. "What kind of quirks do your parents have?"

"My mother had a weak telekinesis quirk. My father breathes fire."

"So, it would be a mutation. Now this Dragonblade quirk you talked about…?" Nezu asked in a lower, more serious tone. His expression was similarly serious, but he hadn't had any major reaction to hearing of Izuku's quirk.

"I was almost kidnapped a while back." Ida and Shinso gasped. "During the struggle I took one kidnapper's quirk. He was so shocked I got away. I… never talked about it with anyone. People would just blame me for stealing the quirk."

"Is that the only quirk you have taken?" Nezu continued.

"You also think that I am some villain going around stealing quirks," Izuku accused, even if there would have been an element of truth in the accusation.

"For that evaluation I need to know what you have done, not what you can do."

Izuku sighed and closed his eyes.

"I first discovered my quirk when I accidentally took the quirk of one of my bullies. Actually, my hair turned white first but I didn't think to be careful after that. I gave it back when I figured out how to with my mom," Izuku said, "not that he deserved it. If anyone in my old school behaved like a villain it was him, but everyone thinks he would be a great hero because he is strong with a flashy quirk."

"I cannot comment on that without having seen it myself," Nezu said, "but what you describe is what often happens when quirks manifest. You can never be sure what kind of quirk a child will have or how it manifests. You should have no worries about the morality of how you have used your quirk, if you have been honest with what you have told. It would also be highly useful for a hero to neutralize villains with dangerous quirks with minimal violence. The same applies to young Shinso's quirk. Have you considered applying to UA hero course?"

"Yes," both Shinso and Ida said simultaneously. Izuku stayed quiet, looking away from the principal awkwardly.

"Midoriya?" Nezu asked.

"I used to want to go to UA hero course, but now I don't know what I want anymore."

"Because of the bullies?" Nezu wondered. "One of the most important aspects of being a hero is wanting to help people no matter what, and you just demonstrated that with Shinso. I hope you aren't allowing your bullies' words to hold you back from your dreams. You clearly would not support Shinso here doing so."

"I… don't know," Izuku responded, still looking away, unwilling to let out his other reasons, even those that didn't involve his father.

"Very well. I am not going to try to pressure you. Just know that as the principal everything I have seen tells me you would be a great hero. Same goes for you Shinso, but you should take All Might's words to heart. Your quirk can help you become a great hero, but that alone is not enough. Just to pass the entrance exam and get into my school you need to train your body as well as your mind… and never forget the hero's first duty is to rescue."

"I will," Shinso promised.

"Excellent. I will wait to see you at the entrance exams. I would love to talk with you even longer, but I must soon get on stage. Oh, Midoriya, whatever you choose to do with your life, never lose that will to help others. Sometimes being a hero means getting involved somewhere you don't need to when everyone else walks by."

Izuku didn't answer as all of them got up. The trio of students bowed, following Ida's lead, and thanked Nezu for the tea. Nezu walked with them back to the large hall and wished them the best. They walk past the UA stage. All Might was there talking in his usual pompous way to an audience that had tripled in size. Izuku purposefully looked away as he walked between Ida and Shinso. The two looked at All Might as they went but didn't stop to watch. Probably didn't feel like it much after meeting the man personally.

"I still cannot believe we got the honour of talking with both the UA principal and All Might himself," Ida said, holding one of his fists in front of him. "To think he is going to be a teacher at the school. My motivation to study hard has never been stronger."

"It would be an amazing opportunity," Shinso agreed, "but I'm worried of the principal's words. I've been so focused on proving my quirk isn't evil, I haven't thought much about the physical requirements. I only have a few months to get into shape."

"And learn to fight," Izuku added. "Whatever your quirk is, they expect you to be able to fight."

"Right, that too. I'm not sure where to start."

"Would you like help?" Izuku asked.

"Do you know how to fight?"

"A bit. I've been training for several months, since the kidnapping thing, but it has been quite harsh training."

"I'm not sure," Shinso said and looked down while holding the back of his neck with one hand. "I don't want to be any more trouble to you and there's nothing I can give back."

"You can be my friend," Izuku blurted out. All three of them stopped walking. "You might be the only one who understands why I haven't had many in my life and… it is nice being around someone who can know my quirk and not jump back every time I raise my hand."

"I think I can do that," Shinso said. Izuku just smiled. Shinso eventually raised his head and looked Izuku in the eyes.

"I am guessing you want us to keep your real quirk secret?"

"Yes please," Izuku responded. "You too Ida, especially you."

"I understand. I can't completely approve of lying, but I will respect your wishes. It shames me to admit but some people in our school would treat you like those in your last one if they knew, especially after the presentation we did last term. I see how you would have found the information."

"Wha…" Izuku started. "Right. It… really didn't help my mental state at the time since it was the only case of someone with a similar quirk I could find. About my classmates, how about you?"

"I heard what you said about my kicks. I cannot argue against the arguments you made. I just wish you can consider me as a friend also, even though I might not understand what you have gone through."

Izuku looked at Ida from the corner of his eye and raised his hand, its hole now visible. He put it on Ida's shoulder as the taller teen saw him do it. Ida didn't even flinch. Izuku smiled softly.

"Sure."