There were aliens among us, they came in all different shapes and sizes. Some were massive with limbs made of grotesque tentacles, while others looked like living gems. I had always loved everything about the final frontier, there was just something about it that was simply… fascinating. There was always such a strong attraction, earth's own pull never seemed to be enough to keep me afoot. When I was a girl I wanted to explore the unknown, wanted to reach out and someday float high enough, high enough until I broke past the limit that was sky high. But I never needed to…
Because the unknown had come to Earth.
It started with a few sightings, of strange creatures and technology of other-worldly origin. At first everyone was skeptical, they thought that this was simply another step forward for quirks, that the so called 'singularity' was getting closer and closer with these extreme mutation quirks and drones so advanced they made I-Island look primitive.
But then even more showed up.
Humanoids that were 10 feet tall and wore bulky metal suits, giant creatures that came crashing down to suck the life out of the planet, demonic beings that lathered the skies in a ghastly veil and blocked out the sun. Humanity didn't know what to do against this new extraterrestrial threat, having All Might punch them out of orbit couldn't be the be all end all solution. But just as there were good and bad men, there were villainous aliens…
And there were alien heroes.
Their sightings were among the first, a certain group of aliens that wore a unique symbol. Although some people speculated they may be a group mutant quirk vigilantes, many subscribed to the much more intriguing opinion that they were the Alien versions of Pro Heroes. They became a worldwide phenomenon, even though no one knew who or what they were, all people knew was that they had solved more crimes than the average pro hero and that they were each powerful enough to subdue any villain.
So why did they disappear?
More than a year into the alien hero phenomenon, sightings began to dwindle. People were speculating that they had already done what they needed to do, and subdued whatever villains they came for. Some speculated that Earth was merely a pitstop in their never ending quest to purge the universe of evil. Whatever the reason may be one thing was certain, slowly but surely the alien heroes that took the world by storm vanished into nothingness.
And life moved on.
5 years had passed since the aliens first came, something that was supposed to have changed the world was all but forgotten, a mere footnote in heroic history. But I never forgot them, I sought to become just like them. Well, not a slimy, creepy, fast and strong alien hero, but a hero nonetheless. I trained like a dog, studied like a madman, and by the skin of my teeth I made it into UA's hero course where I had made so many new exciting friends and some… not so exciting friends. There was my fellow alien otaku Ashido Mina, who based her entire hero persona around a classical alien. Asui Tsuyu who was friendly as a frog could be, Iida Tenya who while strict only meant the best, and then there was Bakugou. Bakugou Katsumi who was the rudest girl I had ever seen, who was the most unheroic hero in the entire class, who swore up a storm anyone said anything remotely related to outer space. Needless to say, she wasn't fun to be around. But just as my new school started to become my new normal…
They had suddenly returned.
A few weeks ago there were multiple sightings of creatures that looked far too exotic and too numerous to be a group of mutation quirk users. One particular sighting was a breed of aliens that had one eye and looked like they had their brain exposed, and another was of a new set of alien heroes. 9 different alien heroes that wore the same symbol as the ones from 5 years ago, 9 different aliens the media took to calling the new heroic 'Alien Force'.
Of course everyone in class was mad about them. Despite their varying interests they all were the same age and had been through the same phases of alien hero fanfare when they were little, even Todoroki seemed intrigued. It was just Bakugou that seemed more down than usual, because of course she was. Honestly I was starting to think that she was incapable of displaying even a single positive emotion.
But as the only thing that seemed consistent in life, I was taken for a turn when I was once again proven wrong.
It was a scorching 3pm at UA High.
Uraraka Ochako made the unfortunate mistake of walking out from the back exit, even though her station was in that particular direction the bright summer sun simply shined way too much without the shade of the main building. Now she had to cross all the way from Gym Gamma to the very back of campus where the sports festival stadium resides. Ochako wiped away the curtain of sweat from her hazel fringe, panting slightly as she staggered toward the noisy stadium.
Wait noisy?
The brunette turned toward the stadium she assumed was only used once a year. What UA used it for during the other 364 days of the year had never crossed her mind. Ochako walked up to the entrance to the stands, briefly basking in relief as she entered the sanctuary away from the sun. When she finally reached the light at the end of the staircase, the sounds of cheers reached Ochako's ears before she could make sense of the sight before her.
"GOAL! That makes 2:1 for UA! Can Seijin catch up in the last 23? Or are their hopes going to ninja vanish as well?"
She didn't know UA had a soccer club. But to be fair which high school didn't nowadays?
"WOAH! That dive looked almost impossible! Looks like their striker is going in for a last minute hit! But will he make it in time?"
"He shoots!"
*BEEP*
"AND WITH A LAST MINUTE SAVE, UA TAKES THE GAME!"
"LET'S FUCKING GO!"
Wait that voice!
She turned to find the frighteningly familiar face of Bakugou Katsumi, cheering on UA's soccer team. Ochako didn't even know Bakugou liked sports, heck she didn't think Bakugou was capable of liking anything outside of murder and explosions.
"WAY TO FUCKING GO DEKU!"
Deku? Wait, and now friends!? She didn't know Bakugou could make friends! She would never give the time of day to anyone that wasn't a teacher or a hero, not for a lack of trying on Kirishima and Mina's part.
"Wait! What the actual fuck!? Round Face!? Why the fuck are you here!?"
Ochako froze as she realised that she'd just been busted.
"Umm… Enjoying the game?"
Bakugou raised a brow. "At the back of the stands? Next time try sitting at the bleachers before you get caught you moron!"
"Kacchan!"
The green haired goalie, ran past Ochako and wrapped Bakugou in a tight hug.
"Deku!" The blonde uncharacteristically blushed.
"Wha- Oh! Umm… Hey! One of Kacchan's friends I presume?"
Friend was a very, very strong word.
"Tsk… You could say that…"
Ochako was genuinely surprised, that was the biggest promotion from 'extra' she had ever given anyone from their class. And Ochako didn't even like Bakugou, in fact she was on the cusp of almost hating her. But this random guy could just turn the ferocious tiger known as Bakugou Katsumi into a docile little kitten. Just who exactly was this Deku?
"C-Come on Deku! Mono-bitch is already waiting outside." Bakugou hurriedly tried to drag Deku away.
"Oh, ok! Bye Kacchan's friend!"
"Bye…" Ochako half-heartedly waved.
Well, that was the last time she tried to go off her usual route.
*Yawn*
It was just another round trip to the local mart for Uraraka Ochako, who carried her pack of ramen with lethargy and slight fatigue. But even if the route was a little out of the way from her apartment she would always return for their always affordable prices. Ochako rubbed her arms as she shivered, beginning to regret not snagging her pullover along for the trip. But to be fair she never expected it to be so cold on an early summer night, not unless Todoroki was around, or some other ice based hero or…
Looking up toward the chilly sky she spotted a blue hue floating across and away from her.
'It's him!' Ochako suddenly realised.
Excited by the prospects of meeting one of the alien heroes she admired for so long Ochako ran, not even realising she subconsciously activated her quirk in an effort to catch up to the chilling moth.
The Alien Hero came to a sudden stop around the local plumbing shop, before seemingly disappearing into thin air. But Ochako knew better, this particular alien had ghost like abilities. All she had to do was get into the shop somehow, without ruining her prospective career.
Trailing around the back alleys Ochako scurried to find a way in, whilst trying to ignore the phantom chill that remained in the air. After a round of fruitless scouting, she gave up and moved toward the front of the store for a more direct approach. Ochako tiptoed around the main entrance trying to peek inside, careful to avoid the random bike parked at the entrance, hoping to get a glimpse of the elusive alien. But all she got was-
"Hey! Aren't you Kacchan's friend?"
Ochako's eyes widened dramatically as she watched a familiar green bush of hair lean out of the shop door, of all people she didn't expect Bakugou's bestie to be the one in this random plumbing shop.
"Y-Yeah, and you're uh Deku-san right?"
"Eh? Oh no, no that's just a nickname Kacchan gave me." He chuckled. "My name's Midoriya Izuku, but you can call me Deku if that is what you prefer."
"Oh! No-no it's fine Midoriya-san."
There was an awkward pause as the two struggled to move from their current positions, Ochako rooted to the stiffness of shock. Eventually Midoriya asked, "So… You wanna come inside for a bit? There was a… big chill in the air, and I'd hate to leave you shivering."
"Oh, umm… Ok!" Maybe getting in would be easier than she thought.
Taking a good look around Green Valley Plumbing -as she quickly learned it was called- was just your regular, run of the mill, plumbing shop. Nothing suspicious or out of place in sight, nothing looking quite alien either.
Just where did that moth go?
"So uh, what're you doing so late out on a school night?" Midoriya tried to spark a conversation.
"Umm…" Crap, she couldn't just say she was stalking an alien. "Just on the way back from a quick shopping trip." Ochako held up her almost forgotten bag of ramen.
"Oh, Bauman's right? Love that place, don't think he really shares the same sentiment, sadly."
Ochako raised a brow. "What? Why doesn't he like his own store?"
"What? No I mean he doesn't really like- Umm… never mind."
Ochako winced in the realisation that she made things awkward again. "S-So your family runs this store Midoriya-san? Or are you a part-timer?"
"Eh, a bit of both actually. My Dad owns this place so I come in every now and then to check up on things, y'know keep the lights running."
"Oh. Is your Dad sick or something?"
Midoriya's tone turned solemn. "He-… He's missing actually…"
"Oh! Oh god I'm so sorry!"
"It's fine, you didn't know. And I'm still holding up alright. Midoriya smiled. "Becoming quite the plumber myself actually!"
"I see…" Ochako tried to smile. "But why are you doing this all by yourself? Are there anymore employees?"
"Nah, my Dad was pretty much a one man show, but I can manage. A few of my friends come over sometimes to help too."
"Oh… Wait! What about your mom?"
Midoriya winced as he reached to rub the back of his head. "Yeah… see… my parents are kinda… divorced?"
"Oh! I see…" Ochako sweat dropped as she silently cursed in her conversational fumble.
"How are you coping with school then? You know between this shop, school and your future soccer career and all."
"Eh, the soccer thing started out as just a hobby to kill time. It's not like I'm that good a player anyways, but other than that I'm just a normal Gen Ed kid."
"How'd you meet Bakugou-san then?"
"Oh, me and Kacchan go way back. I don't think I can remember a time before I knew her."
"So childhood friends?"
Midoriya nodded.
"Sorry if I come off wrong, but I really can't picture Bakugou-san being friends with well… anybody."
Midoriya laughed. "Yeah, Kacchan does come off like that. But don't take it to heart, she's just always been like that. And for what it's worth, thank you for trying to be her friend."
Ochako wasn't sure if she was the one he should be thanking, but decided against correcting him.
"So if you guys are friends that means you must be really close then right?"
"We used to spend summers together. Kacchan's parents didn't really have much time to spend at home, so she would usually come with my Dad and I on trips across Japan."
"Wow that sounds like fun!"
"It was! We saw all sorts of things around Japan! Met lots of cool new people, saw some of the prefectures local heroes, and even some… strange things."
"Strange things?" Ochako raised a brow.
"I-It's nothing." Midoriya tried to wave off.
*Beep Beep*
A sound came from his watch as the colour of it's face switched from red to green. But what caught Ochako's attention wasn't it's unique shape or colour but-
"Hey! That's the symbol of the Alien Force!"
"Alien Force?" Midoriya tilted his head in confusion.
"Don't tell me you've never heard of them!? Especially with a watch like that!"
"This?" Midoriya raised his arm. "This is just a watch I won in an arcade a few years back."
"But they're everywhere now! Heck they were such a huge hit back then too! Mysterious Alien heroes fighting crimes with abilities more outlandish than quirks! And all of them wear that symbol!"
"O-Oh really? I've been neglecting my socials for a while because of… personal reasons, but I never knew that the aliens became such a huge thing again. D-don't get me wrong when I was a kid I used to be a big fan too. But now, I mean they used to be on TV all the time, but nowadays I never hear anything about them on the news."
"That's not true at all! I mean there's speculation that the news probably doesn't want to encourage heroism that isn't done by Pro's, but the forums have been more active than ever! Like everyone who grew up around the 'Alien Swarm' era, is back online, and going stronger than ever! I even know a fan channel that breaks down frame by frame every alien appearance, what the alien's do, their abilities, and so many theories about where they come from!"
"E-Eh? There's really that much hype around the aliens again?"
Ochako furiously nodded. "Do you have your phone on you?"
Midoriya whipped out his phone and passed it to Ochako who furiously started to type a long string of something on the touchpad.
"Here! Look! There's over a hundred fan channels by now! Just look at all the analysis and theories!"
"I-I see… I wonder if this is how heroes feel when I…" The boy started to mutter.
"What's that?"
"O-Oh! Uhh, I was just wondering if this is anything like the hero analysis community back in the day. I used to really love watching those quirk analysis videos when I was younger."
"Are you kidding me!? No way!"
"Oh!" Midoriya let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. "That's a-"
"It's even bigger than that ever was!"
"-re… Pardon?"
"It's absolutely huge! And it's only growing bigger! This is the biggest and greatest collaboration from the alien, hero and sci-fi fan communities we've ever seen! And for someone who grew up being a fan of all three, it's an absolute dream!"
"… That's neat? I guess?" Midoriya slightly shook as he uttered those words out.
Ochako's eyes widened in shock. "Oh! I'm so sorry! I-I went all fangirl on you and started to go on and on and on… God you must be so bored after hearing me ramble all tha-"
"It's not like that! I'm just- I mean like I said I used to be a fan too! Just a little out of touch." Midoriya hastily explained. "Maybe… you could tell me more about the new alien heroes?"
His words reignited a spark in Ochako's eyes and a blush in her chubby cheeks. "Of course!"
She started rapidly typing once more. "The current fan favourite aliens are Dyno Mighty, Freeze Ghost and Mr Mucky. But I think Fish Kite will get up there soon enough, or maybe Mr Monkey! Anyway I think Mr Mucky is only up there because he resembles Charcoal Man from the OG lineup so…"
As soon as Ochako saw the confused and slightly uncomfortable face he was making, she realised. "Oh right! Pictures, pictures… Here!"
Midoriya gave a strange look as he looked over the current lineup of the Alien Force. "Ah right, those ones! Right… So umm, which Alien's your favourite then?"
"Hmm, that's a tough one… From the Alien Force Nine it would probably have to be Dyno Mighty, but of all time it's definitely Plug Man- Ah, he's the one with the- you know…"
Midoriya gave a smile that could almost be described as melancholic. "Yeah, I know the one you're talking about. He was my favourite too…"
Ochako grinned. "The way he absorbed and redirected energy was always so cool! Like there was nothing that he couldn't bounce back from!"
"Maybe… But I doubt that theres anyone or anything in the universe that truly could."
"Maybe not… But I'd like to think that somewhere out there- maybe on a planet light years away- there is a hero who could save people faster than Hawks, bring more criminals to justice than Endeavour, and make citizens smile more than All Might."
Midoriya chuckled. "That's funny, that's the kind of hero I used to dream of being when I grew up. But we all have to grow up someday."
"That's a pretty downer attitude to have. I mean who knows? Maybe if you tried you could have actually made it and joined me and Bakugou-san in the hero course!"
"…Maybe. But I was never as strong as Kacchan was."
"Strength is pretty much all she's got going for her anyway." Not with that attitude of hers. "Besides what kinda quirk do you got anyway?"
Midoriya raised a brow. "How many spaceships have you flown in your life?"
"What!? None? But what does that have to do with… Oh."
"Yep…"
"Oh god, I'm so sorry! I never even considered-"
"It's fine! It's fine! You didn't know, again. And besides it's just a fact of life for me."
"But still… I feel like kind of a jerk now."
Midoriya shrugged. "It's not something people think of nowadays with the diminishing quirkless population and all, so really don't sweat it."
"If you say so…"
Midoriya noticed her sullen tone. "If it makes you feel any better, it's not really a problem anymore."
"B-But… you wanted to be a hero and everything. If it was me I would have… would have…"
Midoriya smiled. "But the fact is that it wasn't you, and I'm still here talking to you with a smile on my face, aren't I?"
"Yeah?"
"So it's not the end of the world, nor the end of mine. Besides I think I'm actually luckier than most."
"How so?"
"Well for starters… I'm still alive and able bodied, I have friends to look forward to meeting in school and a full family dinner waiting for me when I get back. That's more than a good chunk of the world can say nowadays. Besides it's not even my biggest setback."
Being quirkless in a world with people like All Might around wasn't his biggest setback? "Then what is?"
"Me." Midoriya continued smiling.
"Growing up I realised faster than anyone else that it didn't matter how tall or short someone grows up to be. How strong or weak or fast or slow anyone turns out. That the realisation that 'Oh, this is what I'm stuck with. This is what I'm going to be for the rest of my life' will only be like that if you try to define yourself based on those superficial morals."
A chuckle managed to escape his lips. "And then I realised, it didn't matter what my body was like or what it could do. I could have been a giant red alien with four arms or a force with the power of All Might, but the problem lied with me having those powers. Me, a 15 year old nobody who could never measure up to those heroes at the top. Especially those who decided to make the most of their lives and use it to save others, those people who realised how weak and insignificant they really were in the grand scheme and went on to better themselves. Anyone could push a button and set off a nuclear weapon, anyone could wield the mighty Excalibur and charge into battle. But only someone worthy could be entrusted with such power, and that person no matter how hard I work towards becoming… just isn't me."
"…So… what do you do now?"
Midoriya shrugged. "Everything I can. Be it a simple mistake I learned to correct, or giving someone any form of inspiration from my words, I want to grow. Even just a little bit every day I want to inch closer and closer to being more worthy of that kind of power, even if Midoriya Izuku was, is and always will be a useless, powerless human, I don't want the life I live and the opportunities I receive to feel like they're wasted on me, when someone else- someone better could have been in my place. I want to grow to surpass the only person I can, should and ever will surpass…"
"And that is?"
Midoriya smiled. "Myself."
The atmosphere grew heavy as Midoriya's words sank in, Ochako questioning her own place among those to soon be called 'heroes'.
"…Well, it's getting late. How about I give you a lift?"
"S-Sure… Wait, you drive?"
Midoriya pulled out a set of keys. "My Dad's old bike. I'm sure he won't mind, unless you do? If you're uncomfortable I can drop you at the closest station if you like."
"N-No its fine Midoriya-san. My place is closer to your shop, than the train station anyway."
"So is that a yes or?…" Midoriya trailed off.
Ochako smiled. "Sure."
The boy smiled back. "Let's go then!" He grabbed a green jacket off the rack it was resting on and left the shop, locking it up behind him.
Midoriya Izuku proceeded to rev up his bike, prompting Ochako to hold onto him as she got on. The sleepy girl nuzzled against the warm green jacket, the Frost Moth she was chasing already long forgotten.
If only she knew how close to her target she actually was.
Uraraka Ochako found herself walking down to Green Valley more and more often.
Overtime she had slowly realised how often she actually passed by the quaint shop, sometimes when Midoriya Izuku passed by she would give him a wave at least. And if she was up for it another long conversation about life, classes and their respective hobbies. Ochako learnt about how much of an All Might fan Midoriya was when he was a kid, and in turn he learned about how she knew a thing or two about plumbing from her parents construction business, and how it was booming after all the alien property damage that piled up over the years, especially after that big Giant-Manster fight a few years back.
But as Ochako walked toward the shop once more, she noticed a green car parked right next to Midoriya and his bike. Ochako moved closer, noticing the blond hair that was sticking out from beside the car. At first glance she thought it might have been Bakugou, but instead it was a rather handsome looking boy with slick blond hair.
"You know you're supposed to keep things on the down low right?"
"Yeah but-
-You know just in case?"
"Just in case someone comes in and spots you tran-
-identity!?"
"No! I mean. Just so they know what-
-coming up with some weird cringy names?"
The blond scoffed. "Sure, because that's the worst thing that could happen."
"No-But-You- Arghh…"
"Admit it Midoriya it's wei- Oh, I think we have a little spy in our midst."
Midoriya turned to where the boy was looking and spotted her.
"Ah! Uraraka-san! Hey there!"
"Hi!" Ochako jovially replied.
"Why hello there…" The blond boy straightened up from his spot against the car.
"Monoma Neito's the name, or should I say- MONOMA NEITO!"
Uraraka was slightly taken aback.
"Well? When I shouted my name, did that strike fear into you?"
"Umm… A little?"
Midoriya gave the blond a grin. "What did I say?"
Monoma frowned. "It's no fun when she doesn't understand the context."
Monoma unlocked and hopped into the car. "Anyways I should get going, have fun on your date Midoriya! You too lovely Uraraka!"
"Monoma…" Midoriya groaned.
Before Midoriya could say another word Monoma hightailed off, both on his car and his high horse.
"So… That's on of the friends helping you out with the whole plumbing thing?"
"Unfortunately…" Midoriya scratched his head in frustration. "He's one of my oldest friends, not as old as Kacchan but old. He's just a bit of a… uhh… an…uhh…"
"Asshole?"
"I was going to say annoyance, but sure that works too." Midoriya chuckled. "Anyway, how was your day Uraraka-san?"
Ochako perked up. "Oh, you wouldn't believe what happened to Mina-chan this morning…"
Before she even realised it, Ochako had grown accustomed to Midoriya Izuku's presence. They rapidly evolved from typical 'hi and bye' friends to being closer friends than most of 1A, baring Tsu and Mina. Hanging out together quickly became one of her favourite parts of high school life, and Midoriya wasn't even that intriguing to her.
He was friendly enough, she could relate to his plight of bouncing between school and helping out at his Dad's place, and they shared a few common interests. But maybe it was just that.
Moving past all the insanity of being in one of the world's best heroics courses, Uraraka Ochako has had her fair share of craziness going on in her life. But hanging out with him, or just simply being around him, felt… peaceful.
If she floated too far, he would be her anchor. If she felt too overwhelmed by the spontaneity of UA, he would be there to remind her that life wasn't just all villains and rescue. And if she forgot all about what she was training so hard for, he would be there to reassure her that her efforts would bear fruit.
It was just this uncanny ability of his to sympathise with something that he shouldn't, something completely alien to the world he lives in. but yet even after every rant, every complaint, every venting session she had, he would always understand. And would always give her the right answers, it was just so easy for him to see things from her perspective, like he spent a lifetime in other's shoes.
That was until, he turned her life upside down and became the craziest thing that ever happened to her.
It was a chilly 4pm just outside Bauman's.
Uraraka Ochako made the unfortunate mistake of dragging Midoriya Izuku along for her impromptu shopping trip, unaware of the strange animosity the balding old man had for the boy. But…
"Why does he hate you so much?"
Midoriya scratched his head in embarrassment. "It's a long story… One involving a few vehicles."
Ochako was confused but chose not to prod. "Anyways I didn't know you could cook."
Midoriya chuckled as he held up a bag full of groceries. "Had to learn since Dad couldn't cook a decent meal for the life of him."
The brunette giggled. "Yeah my Dad's the same way, every time he tired we had to-"
"URARAKA!" Midoriya dove at her as a blast suddenly came straight for the both of them.
Now both flat on the ground they narrowly avoided the laser that came from a… lance?
Ochako glanced behind Midoriya to see a bunch of strange men wearing knight like armour move in to surround them.
"Damn…" Midoriya grit his teeth. "Run! I'll call for help!" The boy started to get up, but Ochako held onto his hand.
"No way! You're an untrained civilian! I'll get some help, you get some cover!" She argued.
"Dammit, this is no time to argue Uraraka! We need to- ARRGGHH!"
"MIDORIYA!" The hero in training screamed as one of the knights managed to strike Midoriya with a taser-esque device.
But before she could even retaliate…
*ZAPPP*
Ochako slowly came to as she realised she was tied up, vaguely remembering the knights say something about alien activity around Bauman's and Izukyuu or whatever.
As the world around her started to become more clear she realised that she was being tied up against a chair, and that Midoriya was tied up right behind her.
"Uraraka-san? Are you awake?"
"Mi…Midoriya?"
"Oh thank god… You're alive."
"W-Where are we?"
"In enemy hands…"
"Villains?" Ochako half screamed.
Midoriya sighed. "Kind of… An organisation calling themselves the Forever Knights. They deal with alien technology."
Alien technology? Are they related to the Alien Heroes? And why does Midoriya know all this? Is he...
"W-Wait so… You're an alien!?"
Midoriya sighed once more. "Again, kind of… Let's just say I'm in possession of some alien tech they are very interested in."
"Tech? What tech? What's going on!?"
"Uraraka-san!" Midoriya shouted. "I'll explain everything later but for now we have to get out of here!"
Ochako wasn't fully satisfied with that answer, but agreed to his sentiment of escaping this place.
"Argh Dammit!" Midoriya struggled against his restraints. "Uraraka-san! Could you reach for my watch?"
"Your watch? What are you trying to do? Are you going to call one of your alien friends for help, or something?" Ochako questioned as she scooted closer to his hands.
"…Yes." Midoriya smiled. "Yes, I am."
A beeping noise was heard accompanying a bright green light that illuminated the room after Ochako successfully twisted the dial.
"Hit it!"
Ochako slammed the dial down and-
*SPLAT*
-Midoriya Izuku dissolved into Goop.
"Mi-Midoriya?" Did she just kill him?
Ochako heard a mechanical whirr from above, noticing the small UFO shaped device floating above the pile of Goop.
"Sorry about that, Uraraka-san." The UFO spoke to her with a strange voice, before rounding up the Goop into a humanoid blob.
"M-M-Midoriya!?"
"Yeah, it's me. I don't have time to explain so just trust me ok?"
Ochako shakily nodded.
"Good, now let's get out of here."
With a flick of his gooey hands Midoriya carefully melted her restraints with an acidic slime, before proceeding to melt the doors open.
"He's free!"
"Get him!"
The Goop bobbed and weaved through the sea of armour, restraining some with slime, while simply knocking other knights out using each other.
Observing from a distance, Ochako was almost enthralled by the way he moved and attacked. The way he took down all those knights with speed and efficiency not dissimilar to a veteran hero.
But the tides looked like they were about to turn, when the knights brought out a hose full of liquid nitrogen, attempting to freeze the Goop in place.
But before they could, Midoriya slammed the dial on his chest and burst into a flash of green once again.
"Swampfire!"
The light dimmed to reveal that Midoriya had transformed into a tall, plant looking alien with red and yellow… hair?
The alien's hands burst into flames and a stream of fire erupted across the hose wielding knights.
The knights evacuated the area arming the many laser lances the wielded to form a blockade while Midoriya formed a cover of his own, throwing an assortment of seeds onto the ground that grew into a rooted wall.
"You doing alright?" Swampfire glanced back to check on Ochako who slowly nodded, mind still trying to process.
"Look out!"
The plant based wall started to glow red as a concentrated beam broke through their defences, using what could only be described as a extraterrestrial trebuchet. Ochako ducked to avoid the splinters of their once sturdy shield, but her eyes widened as she caught sight of the weapon charging up once again. But before the knights could take another shot…
"Chromastone!"
An indigo coloured crystalline alien took the blast head on, forming a rainbow coloured aura around himself.
As the knights fired blast after blast, the aura surrounding Chromastone kept growing larger and larger, but Midoriya Izuku was only growing bored at their attempts.
"That's not going to work."
To finish them off he redirected the energy he absorbed into a barrage of precise shots that took out all the knights in the room in a single attack.
"Well that settles that."
*BOOM*
"Aw man! Can't I ever catch a break!?"
A mechanical whirr filled the room as the walls collapsed to reveal a giant green scaly dragon.
"Don't I know you from somewhere?"
"ROAR!"
"Oh well, let's make this quick." Midoriya slammed the dial for a quick-
"Brainstorm!"
-session.
"If I do recall ever so vividly, the central logic control module would be located approximately… Here!" The large orange crab's cranium plating opened up to release a bolt of electricity directly at the dragon's head, which slowed down in response as it's eyes started to glow a dim green.
"And now under my much more astute commandment, would you kindly see to those hooligans who oh so rudely awakened you from your precious albeit mechanical slumber?"
The dragon obeyed as it turned tail and started attacking the knights who activated it.
Brainstorm turned to face Ochako. "Now, shall we skeDaddle before the knights manage to regain their bearings?"
"Umm, is it really ok to leave them like that?"
"Well you know what the good man says, 'Come not between the dragon and his wrath'."
Slamming the dial once more, Midoriya transformed into-
"Jetray!"
-blasted a hole into the ceiling, and took off into the skies with Ochako in hand.
The pair arrived at the Green Valley Plumbing shop just as the watch started to beep in warning before a red flash of light engulfed Jetray, before dimming to reveal the human Midoriya Izuku in its place.
"Just in time. Come on!" Midoriya briskly walked into the shop, while Ochako continued to struggle wrapping her head around everything.
"In here!" Ochako followed the boy into the restroom which looked awfully spacious.
Midoriya pulled the flush only for the floor to suddenly shift. Ochako stumbled as the ground beneath her began to descend into the unknown.
Ochako tried to break the tension. "So… you're him- them? All 9 of them? The entire Alien Force?"
Midoriya sighed and mumbled something under his breath. "It's a lot more complicated than that, but yes. Essentially this watch allows me to turn into 9 different aliens and one unreasonably powerful cosmic statue."
As the lights began to shift into a green tone, the toilevator started to slow down as they reached their destination.
A rumble in the floor and a *Ding* from the ceiling, the elevator unveiled a large room filled with green holographic monitors surrounding an array of different computers that Ochako suspected were not exactly locally manufactured.
"There he is! About time De- What the actual fuck!? Round Face!? Why the fuck is Round Face here!?"
The brunette was startled as she tore her gaze away from the alien technology to stare at two familiar looking blondes.
"Midoriya? I think some explaining is in order…" Monoma Neito demanded.
"It's… It's complicated. See we got captured by the Forever Knights and-"
"Wait wait wait hold up!" Bakugou interrupted. "The Forever Knights caught you off guard!?"
"I was distracted!"
Monoma snorted as he stared at Ochako. "I'll bet."
Midoriya turned to scowl at the boy.
"Well!" Bakugou angrily exclaimed. "Like it or not she's a distraction to all of us now!"
"How about we just toss her into the Null Void?" Monoma suggested.
"Monoma…" Midoriya warned.
"I'm just saying…" He held his hands up in defence. "You didn't hold any reservations with throwing an 11 year old in there, so…"
"That was different and you know it!"
"Besides, that 11 year old was a real piece of shit." Bakugou growled at him before turning to Midoriya. "You think Paradox can give us a do over?"
Midoriya sighed. "Seeing as he's only around when something big happens, this… incident probably doesn't qualify."
"Fine…" Monoma groaned. "I know a Nemuina in Undertown who could clean slate her."
"No one's wiping anyone's minds!" Midoriya yelled.
"Yeah, besides Round Face's mind is already pretty empty." Bakugou scoffed.
Ochako frowned. "Maybe it wouldn't be so empty if you all started to explain yourselves?"
The shapeshifting boy gave a long tired sigh before taking a seat.
"This is going to be a longgg day."
"Deku, are we really going to tell her-"
"We don't have a choice now Kacchan, it's either this or I try my hand at celestial debate again."
Bakugou's eyes widened before shifting back into her usual resting bitch face.
"Now where do we begin?…" Midoriya held his hands in contemplation.
"It all started when I was 10 years old…"
Hello Internet! It's been a while since I've done one of these…
I hope you enjoyed the story. This was just something I wanted to write out to get the ideas out of my head onto paper, since I've been in kind of a slump in terms of writing recently. So I decided to take a break from Erased Individuality and let my ideas brew a little, which ended up being this, which was basically born from me watching a lot of Ink Tank.
I've seen a couple of My Hero X Ben 10 fics but they always seem to have Izuku getting the Omnitrix after the Slime Incident or during his Dagobah training, and I haven't seen one that tried doing an Alien Force storyline before, despite UAF Ben and Izuku being around the same age during their respective series. The closest I could find was one where they inserted the entire Ben 10 universe into the My Hero one, which wasn't really my cup of tea. UAF was and is also my favourite era of Ben 10, despite all the hate it's getting now. I was also a huge fan of Justice League and Justice League Unlimited back in the day so Dwyane Mcduffie's writing really hit the right spot for me.
So I decided to try my hand at my own fusion fic, with Midoriya Izuku this time taking the place of the Omnitrix wielder coming out of retirement, with a more 'New 52' style of writing I did for Erased Individuality, instead of the 'Steel Ball Run' style I tried with Undying Sacrifice.
I don't know if I will update this past this point, but maybe if I get more inspired. I have ideas for an CW Arrow style type of story where it would flashback to 5 years in the past with the classic adventures, but keep the main plot line contained within the Alien Force timeline. I also have ideas for how villains would be integrated with quirks instead of 'random mutations' like the Classic series did, which having said that I also decided that Osmosians would not exist in my fic-verse.
Midoriya Izuku.
I tried to bring together the Alien season 1-2 Ben to create a more seasoned, experienced kind of Izuku. I also tried to incorporate the ideas of worthiness between the two. Ben similar to Izuku was born without powers, yet received some from an external source. I wanted to explore the kind of journey that Classic Ben never really got to, where Izuku would question whether he deserved the Omnitrix like he did One for All in Canon. As well as the constant self judgement that would come from wielding such a device, like "I have the most powerful device in the Universe, why am I failing?" or a, "Maybe if someone else had the watch they could have done so much better." Instead of the typical, "Yes I have the Omnitrix, I can be a hero now!" Sort of deal. An Izuku that would try to live up to an image of a saviour, a hero that simply doesn't exist, and yet far inferior than what he has done so far.
Bakugou Katsumi and Monoma Neito
I loved the UAF trio's dynamic and I wanted to bring it into here as well, Katsumi and Neito obviously taking the places of Gwen and Kevin. A gender bent Bakugou was always my vision for a 'Gwen Tennyson' character, with the snappy multi-talented girl instead being paired with a self doubting, self deprecating 10 year old boy. I feel like the progression for their characters would be quite similar to start of Alien Force Ben and Gwen. As for the role of 'Kevin' I was considering between an OC and using Monoma as an 'evil foil' character. In the end I decided to make Monoma the 'Kevin' but with a bit more Morningstar in his personality instead.
The storyline.
Beyond Uraraka Ochako discovering Izuku's secret I have a few ideas to continue the story, but am afraid that it would end up becoming a canon rethread of UAF. But I do have some ideas beyond the Highbreed arc, like Izuku's reason for removing the Omnitrix, Vilgax and the Map of Infinity arc. But I'm still on the fence on how to write them well.
Anyways, that's all from me for now. And hopefully I will see you all in the next story I write.