"Midoriya are you even listening to me?"
Blinking a few times Izuku Midoriya sat on the train, a slow rhythmic motion bouncing the seats as they went. He was older, dressed in his high school's black uniform. Normally buttoned up his was opened, a white t shirt peaking from underneath. With rolled up sleeves there were thick arms, faint scars tracing them. Thick curly green hair up top and a buzzed undercut beneath.
Looking out the window of the train he watched the skyline of buildings zip past, a moving horizon where the sky had just started to change color to a beautiful blue. The morning sun shone against his face. Looking back at the source of the voice he stared at his best friend Itsuka Kendo. She was wearing a different school uniform, her orange hair tied up into a long ponytail swaying lightly in the wind. Her arms were crossed as she lightly tapped her foot.
Whatever he missed made her angry, better fix it.
"Yes...I was drinking in every word you said."
Raising an eyebrow at him she continued to frown her hands going to her sides. "Oh really? What was I saying then?"
...
Ok if he was honest he wasn't listening at all. He was too busy thinking about...stuff. Shrugging he let out a sigh as he ran a hand through his curly matt of green hair.
"You were talking about how awesome you are...and to tell me to eat my veggies?" Wincing he felt her fist hit his shoulder, not super hard but enough to hurt.
"Like I need to tell you that, I'm the coolest person you know." Jabbing a thumb at herself she smiled before thinking for a second. Her eyebrows raised in thought before looking back at him. "Ok fine I'll just ask. What's wrong?"
"What makes you think something is wrong?"
Letting out a scoff she rolled her eyes before gesturing to him. "Because it's you. You may pretend to be all tough and strong now but you forget, I grew up with you. I know you're still that stuttering, anxious cry baby deep down."
Ok ouch, that was a little harsh...even if it's true. He could never completely fool her huh? No matter how much he tried to play it off she always worried about him. That's just the kind of person Kendo is.
Sighing he sagged a little in his seat before gesturing out with his hands.
"Alright alright fine! I'm feeling nervous, happy now?"
"Always, it honestly feels great to be the one that constantly wins. You should try it sometime."
Huffing he waved her away with his arm before turning to stare out the window again, watching the city fly by.
He remembered it like it was yesterday. The bullying from Kachan and his lackeys. Finally coming clean to his mom. Her suing Aldera for not only failing to intervene but also in some cases even doing it themselves. The big juicy settlement. Him transferring districts and being flung into a new school just to still get bullied. Only this time it was less physicial stuff and more being the bottom of the food chain with no friends. Signing up for karate classes and meeting Kendo...who would've guessed it led to being here. Taking a train to UA for their entrance exam with his best friend.
How time flies.
Snapping out of his thought process he felt Kendo pat his shoulder, slowly turning to look at her.
"Don't sweat it too much big guy." She said in a more gentle tone. "We've trained forever for this, all we can do now is go out there and kick ass."
He smiled a little at that. "Yeah...you're always right."
"I know." She smiled back at him, raising her closed fist out to him. "Now what do you say, Rivals?'
Returning the smile he leaned forward tapping her fist with his own.
"Rivals."
The rest of the train ride to UA was pretty peaceful all things considered. Him and Kendo quizzed each other on a few topics for the written part of the test. The train lurching to a stop.
Stepping off of the train he looked up at the massive campus. The main building a sheer monolith practically blocking out the sun. He remembered reading once that the main building of UA consisting of four long towers with bridges connecting the four of them together in the shape of a giant H. The rest of the campus consisted of smaller buildings scattered all around that were mostly used for seperate classes and dorms. A long high wall stretching completely around the campus like the gate to a castle.
From what he heard the protection system was one of the finest in the world.
He had seen what UA looked like on tv since he was a child but even then he had no idea how BIG it was. Pictures simply do not do it justice, he couldn't even imagine how much money something like this would cost.
The place was already packed full of people, groups of young adults from all walks of life talking amongst themselves and wandering about. So many people and only a few actually allowed into the hero course...
Feeling Kendo brush her shoulder against him she kept walking, disappearing into the crowd of people. Yeah she has the right idea. No point in siking himself out. With a shake of his head and a slap to his cheeks he followed after her. Walking past some people and further onto the campus.
Scanning the crowd of people he followed after her, Kendo's bright orange hair sticking out like a sore thumb in the crowd. A plus to being on the taller side. Muttering excuse mes as he went he waded into the crowd, trying to be as polite as he could as he walked past.
As he wandered past he was unaware of a group of eyes watching him, a handful of girls stopping their conversation to stare. The group of punk rock girls wore all black and stuck out like a sore thumb against the wave of people wearing school uniforms.
The tallest of the four girls having black cat like ears and a tail, the tail swishing softly behind her.
Her voice was like a gentle purr as she leaned against the wall to get a closer look. "Oh my, is that Midoriya?" Looking him up and down as he passed she couldn't help but giggle.
"I know right!" Exclaimed another, her short bright blue hair constantly moving like it was in the wind. Looking his way she sighed exasperated before flopping down next to Kyoka Jirou in her seat. "I tried to flirt with him a few days ago and all he said was 'Sorry I don't spend time with bullies' but he didn't look like that before! It's not fair!"
The last of their group, a tan blonde haired woman with heavy eye shadow, looked his way as well before lightly elbowing Kyouka's side. "Kyo girl, you used to be his friend before hanging out with us. Be a gal pal and put a good word in. I'm sure he misses you."
Looking over Midoriya's disappearing frame she felt a wave of sadness come over her before shaking her head. Getting up from her spot she started to head farther into the campus. "Sorry girls, I'm pretty sure I'm in the same boat as the rest of you."
The sounds of disappointed boos from her girl friends could be heard behind her as they followed after. Unable to see the depressed look in Kyouka's eyes.
The written part of the test wasn't too bad honestly. He was feeling anxious before the test and he had hit some snags here or there but overall the questions weren't terrible. He had been good at Math his entire life and Science was a memory thing more then anything. He was so excited to see that Ectoplasm was holding the test this year he was half tempted to ask for an autograph...but he decided against it.
Punching forward his uniform swished with a rippling sound, his left arm going back before punching forward again.
After the test his anxiety started to come back again. It didn't help that the bus ride down to the designated "test zone" felt like an eternity.
Punching forward he held his fighting stance, each punch attempting to knock his anxieties away. It was something he learned at the Kendo's dojo. Doing katas helped him resurface himself, be more calm under high stress. Taking a deep breath he closed his eyes before standing up straight again.
Slow deep breaths. Think about the situation strategically and don't dwell on the what ifs.
Fighting robots, their test was to fight robots. He was unsure how well he would do against big chunks of metal, it's not like his quirk can help him in a fight.
Opening his hand he stared down at it, the rough callouses staring back at him. How was he supposed to tear apart robots with his bare hands? Frowning he felt the anxiety start to come back in full force. This was crazy, deep down he knew he couldn't do this. Maybe he could sneak away and just lie saying he got lost or something.
The flash of a memory came to him.
Kendo was younger, her face bruised and her clothes dirty. Smiling big at him he saw that she was missing a tooth. With shaking knees she stood up, raising her bleeding hand out to him curled into a fist.
"We may not be impressive now but one day if we push each other we can be the best in the world. What do you say? Rivals?"
Clenching his fist hard he frowned, a spark of green fire flashing from his mouth. No, he wasn't going to just give up. What was he doing? He was a Midoriya damnit! There are two things Midoriyas are known for and that is crying way too much and never giving up!
He thought of his mom. His sensei. Kendo.
Marching forward to the line painted on the ground he unbuttoned his uniform. The two ends billowing in the wind as he punched his hand.
Not only is his mom cheering him on but he made a promise to Kendo. He had something to fight for. Time to prove everyone wrong.
Present Mic's voice could be heard defening the tense silence.
"AND BEGIN!"
Rolling backwards against the blow he clutched at his chest before side stepping a second strike. Raising his fist it collided with cold harsh metal, his teeth gritting from the punch. Reeling back he hit it again, the metal bending under his fist this time before caving in. The massive robot collapsing into a pile of scraps before him.
Panting he looked down at his bleeding knuckles. That was only the fifth robot. He could hear numbers being shouted all around him and they were way bigger then that. This wasn't working. He didn't seem to have time to process that information before another, much bigger three pointer, came out of an alley way rushing him. Knocked backwards he tumbled into a trash can, sitting up with a curse.
What the hell? That really hurt! Who the hell programmed these things to be so ruthless!?
Rolling out of the way of it's incoming blow he stepped up the side of the wall, leaping onto it's back and wrapping his arms around its neck. It flailed around frantically in a vain attempt to throw him off, his fist colliding against the back of its head over and over. After the fourth hit the metal bent, twisting and distorting until breaking under the force. The robot toppling over and turning off.
Letting out a harsh cough Izuku Midoriya slowly crawled off of the robot, rolling his shoulder before wincing. That little stunt really messed up his shoulder, great.
Leaning against the wall for support he walked down the alleyway. Following the sounds of destruction he wandered into the street, his hand holding his injured shoulder. There he could see a bunch of other examines destroying robots like they were nothing.
God, he was an idiot for thinking he could pull this off wasn't he? Of course the most sot after school in the country was going to weed out the weak ones. He wondered what it was like to be born with such a power. Being able to blow away a robot with a laser or be able to run fast and kick a robot in half. Watching these two fight off robots he couldn't help but let out a harsh laugh.
He wondered what Kendo would say right now if she saw how pathetic he looked.
BOOM
The ground shook beneath him, his legs shaking in a vain attempt to stay up before falling to his knees. Gazing around he saw that everyone else was doing the same, a panicked look in their eyes as they tried to figure out what was going on. What was that loud bang? Almost like it was answering his question the ground shook again. The bang getting louder and louder as it got closer.
Placing his hand on a nearby wall he pulled himself to his feet, leaning against the wall for support. Turning the corner he saw it. His gaze starting at the wheel before looking up and up and up again.
A massive behemoth of a robot, its lumbering frame crushing a street as it went. The concrete cracking under the sheer weight of the thing. Smoke of destroyed debris covered the area as it raised a massive fist and punched a hole in a building. The ground shook, the building falling apart under it's own weight.
...
What. The hell.
Izuku's heart skipped a beat at the sight. The thing was massive! As big as a building! Staring up at it people ran past him, attempting to get as far away from it as possible. Others seemed to dive down alleyways in a frantic move for more points.
What the hell was he doing? This was insane! There's no way that he could do anything against something like that. Watching it in awed terror it turned a corner before destroying a second building. It started to head down a street not even seeming to care about the ant sized people taking the test.
Turning to run from the monstrous machine he saw her. A brunette woman face down on the street with a massive slab of rock on top of her. She didn't even make a sound. She just laid there unconscious, a small pool of red forming around her head.
He froze, his eyes unable to leave her unmoving body. Time could've stopped for a solid minute and he wouldn't have noticed. Chaos erupted around him, all of the sound drowning out. The machine was heading in her direction, maybe it didn't see her or maybe it just didn't care. His heart raced at the sight, his good arm clenching. He only really noticed he was walking towards it when a person shoulder checked him running past. What the hell was he doing?
Making a mad dash into the fray he stumbled into the smoke. Sliding to a halt at the unconscious girl he bent down, gripping under the large slab of rock. Closing his eyes his muscles tensed under the strain, his bad shoulder flaring up from the exertion. Letting it go he groaned, his hand rubbing at her bad shoulder. Shit, again. Trying to lift it a second time seemed to do just as little, he was too hurt right now. Not strong enough.
Turning to look around he franticly looked for someone to help. His green eyes stopping at a blue haired man with glasses...the same guy he saw from before. The man was just...staring. He was obviously shell shocked. His eyes hazed and wide.
"DON'T JUST STAND THERE! HELP ME LIFT THIS!" Izuku screamed at him, panic in his voice.
That seemed to snap him out of it. The man shook his head before looking over at him nodding. His voice was loud as he weirdly enough saluted him. "R-right!"
Running towards him he settled next to Izuku, his hands going under the other side.
The zero pointer was way too close for his liking. The ground rattled as it got closer and closer.
With a third heave he felt the rock move, if only a little. Yes common, almost there. Screaming under the pain he tried a fourth time, pain rocketing through his shoulder. The shadow towering over them stretched as it got closer. Encompassing them in an overcast of dread.
So this was it huh? Dying under a giant robot trying to save a girl? Honestly he could think of worse ways to go out. Maybe life really does flash before your eyes right before you die...or maybe one of those blows gave him a concussion. But he thought about the past again.
Bakugo and his friends holding him down as they kicked him, laughing as they didn't even bother with their quirks.
A guidance counselor giving him THAT look when he said he wanted to be a hero. The teacher shaking his head before sliding him a job pamphlet for being a nurse.
The angry tear covered eyes of Kyoka as she spun around to glare at him. A group of girls watching them with amused looks on their faces. "Will you please just leave me alone Midoriya!? For once I can finally fit in somewhere! We were never friends ok!? I used you!"
He channeled all of that anger. All of that pain. And he screamed. His knees buckling as he strained to lift it. Tears prickling at his eyes. If this really was the end...he was going to go out the same way he came in. Kicking and screaming.
"GOD DAMNIT!"
He really thought that was the end for him, dying surrounded by strangers trying to do something everyone told him he couldnt. Closing his eyes he accepted his fate.
The sound of footsteps running not away but towards them. Snapping his eyes open he turned just in time to watch a red haired man run past. Red lightning covered his body as he knelt down and leapt into the air, soaring past him at an insane speed before reeling a fist back and destroying the zero pointer with a single punch. Chunks of robot fell around them as the zero pointer toppled backwards with an earth shaking bang. Watching the red haired man he fell from the sky and collapsed in the horizon. Oh god he hoped he was ok.
Over the intercoms a buzzer went off. Guess that's it for the test.
Turning in time he watched a third guy with crazy purple hair run up. His tired eyes stared at him before leaning down and helping them lift. With a third person they were finally able to get the rock off of her, sliding her out into the open. Izuku immediately checked her palm for a pulse, relieved to find that she still had one. It was there...just really faint. Channelling the medic classes he took a year ago he checked her over.
It looks like she for the most part has a messed up ankle, hip, and the back of her head is split open.
"Is she dead?" Grumbled the purple man, his eyes looking her over.
"Bite your tongue! There is no way such a prestigious school such as UA would allow someone to die on their grounds. We need to get her to a hospital tent! I saw them on the way in, they should surely help us." Bellowed the glasses guy.
"I don't know...we did sign wavers on the way in."
Tuning their argument out he sighed, the faded sound of their voices bickering behind him. Looking down at his hand he closed his eyes pausing for a second before opening them again. A green flame sparking across it before covering his hand. Not turning around he reached his hand forward as he spoke.
"There's no need, I've got it."
Izuku Midoriya was unaware of the wide eyed stares they gave him as he ran his burning hand over her ankle, taking a deep breath. Sliding his hand farther up his flaming fingers danced along her hip caressing it for a second before moving up again. Sitting her up slowly he leaned in close, his hand going over the injury at the back of her head. One deep breath in he pulled the hand away, revealing the injury completely healed.
Ochako Uraraka's eyes slowly opened, her hazy mind immediately thinking of one thing. Everything hurt. Blinking a few times her vision started to come back to her, the first thing she truly she saw was a man.
He was about her age, with green hair and eyes. The sun was shining against the back of his body giving him an other worldly golden glow. She also thought she saw cute freckles on his face but it was hard to tell right now. Did she die?
Coughing a few times she attempted to speak, her mouth opening to weakly ask. "Are you an angel?"
The angel stared at her confused for a second before letting out a soft laugh. His laugh was so nice she couldn't help but let out a weak giggle as well. Shaking his head his green hair swayed bobing with the motion. Setting her back down on the ground, he smiled gentle down at her.
If she truly wasn't dead she wanted to know his name.
"No sorry, you're not dead just yet. Just be careful when first standing up, you're going to be out of it for a bit. Walking is going to feel weird."
Getting back up to his feet he turned to two other people, talking to them. "She should be ok now but can you watch her? I'm going to make sure no one else is seriously hurt."
After they nodded at him her angel stood back up and started to walk away. No wait, please come back. Tell me your name. She tried to speak but nothing came out, her mouth hanging open desperate to call out to him. Wait come back, do you like mochi? We, we can go get mochi!
His green curly hair stood out amongst most people as he walked out of sight. Whoever he was she hoped he got in so she could thank him properly. Her eyes slowly closed as she suddenly felt really tired.
She dreamed of green hair, freckles and kind eyes.
Heading torwards where he saw him last he limped a little as he went. Coughing black smoke came from his mouth as he looked around. It didn't help that the pain of the girls ankle and hip was added onto his messed up shoulder. He's surprised he can even walk around right now.
Common, where did you go mystery man?
Looking over the wreckage he found him. The red haired man was laying on his back, slowly sitting up to rub at his hand. Oh good, he's ok. Waddling over to him he called out, hoping not to spook him.
"Hey! You ok over there?"
Standing up the mysterious man looked over to him and smiled, waving his hand. "Hey dude, yeah I'm ok."
Sure enough the guy looked basically ok, his hand was covered in a type of armor that was broken and flaking off but injury wise he looked ok.
"That's good, you saved us back there and I don't know what I would've done if you weren't ok."
"Yeah man! I saw that manly display back there and I just had to help. You were super cool dude."
Blinking a few times he tilted his head a little. Manly? Dude? Oh my god...he's a himbo. Smiling he reached his hand out to him. "Izuku Midoriya."
The red haired man smiled wide with rows of shark like teeth before taking his hand and shaking it. "Eijiro Kirishima."
Chuckling he returned the smile. Glad it was all over.
A pulse of pain went through him making him grown. No never mind, it's not all over. He was in so much pain. He also took that woman's pain as well...swaying a little he fell back onto the ground staring up at the sky. He was so tired his eyes were already starting to close. Through his blurry vision he could see Kirishima screaming questions at him. He was clearly worried for him...he seemed like a nice guy. Even though his power seemed bullshit.
Sitting up quickly he winced. Everything hurt. A smell of antiseptic hit his nose making him cringe. He always hated the hospital. Before he could even say anything a cane smacked against his head knocking him back onto the bed.
"Stop moving around! How am I supposed to check on you wiggling around like that!"
"Maybe don't hit me and I wont wiggle around!"
"Maybe don't wiggle around and I wont hit you!"
Rubbing his head he sighed, staring at the room for a second. He's still in UA...turning to stare at the source of the voice he stared at non other then Recovering Girl. A surly old woman that was known for two things, having a wonderful healing quirk and for having no bedside manner at all. An infamous hero both renown for her deeds but feared on how she does them.
Coughing into his hand his voice was raw when he spoke. "H-how long have I been out?"
When he turned back to look at her she was busy writing something down on a clipboard, not even looking at him. "About 4 hours, I tried to heal you earlier but you were so tired my quirk would've done more harm then good."
Wait what? Reaching into his pocket he pulled out his phone, staring at multiple unread messages. Most of them were from Kendo. Sighing he collapsed back into the bed. Just great, he made her worry again. The ceiling fan slowly spun around in circles.
"It says here that your quirk allows you to heal people by taking their pain. Why in the world would you use that on a girl that was on deaths door!? We have medics on standby." Recovery girl huffed angrily at him as she looked over her tools her back turned to him as she ranted. "Young people these days with their love of self sacrifice."
Her words made him frown more up at the ceiling. Why did he do that? He probably threw his chance at UA away by being stupid. Running a hand through his green hair he let out a long sigh.
"I don't know...I guess I just thought. If I can't save a single girl what's the point of all of this?"
Recovery girls motions stopped, her hand hovering over some medical supplies before turning to face him again. Her voice sounded more gentle this time, like he said the magic word or something. "Well then...that's an interesting answer Mr. Midoriya. Tell me more about yourself, I might have an offer for you."
Walking through the halls of UA Izuku Midoriya was dressed in his general studies uniform. Turning a corner he made a frustrated sound as he found another dead end. What the hell was with this place!? It was like a maze! He just wanted to find orientation!? Making another turn he opened a door to find himself outside, an area covered with trees and grass. His shoes crunched against the grass as he looked around. Was he outside right now or was this an indoor thing?
An explosion echoed through the air. A faint glow in the distance. Walking closer to the sight he yelped as a singed ball landed at his feet, making him jump back. Bending down he picked it up, his thumb running against it as he turned it in his hand. He knows these burn marks...
Hoping up he climbed up a tree, sitting on one of the branches. Staring out he saw a bunch of students standing in an outside gym. They looked like they were doing drills? That's weird, didn't they have orientation? Flipping out his notebook he started to write.
Interesting, there were so many crazy quirks in this class. He started to write them down one at a time. As he wrote them down he recognized a handful of them. He didn't know their names but he saw the blue haired boy and the brunette from before. They both looked to be doing well, a lot healthier then last he saw them. There were also the people he did recognize, Bakugo and Kyoka. Frowning a little at the sight of them he ripped out their pages and tossed them aside. The less he knew about them the better...he was so busy writing down their quirks he hardly even noticed the long haired man standing under the tree.
Hearing him cough below Midoriya gasped, falling out of the tree with a thud. Why is he always the one who got hurt? Looking over he saw the long haired man with the scarf looking over his notes with a frown. He watched horrified as the man raised a hand and turned the page before reading more.
Quickly standing back up he wrenched his notes from the man's hands. When the tired man looked at him without saying a word he felt the need to immediately to apologize. "Sorry! It's just a little embarrassing for people to read my stuff!"
He still hadn't said anything, simply looking him over with his cold eyes like he was judging him.
"Midoriya! There you are!" The door swung open and in walked Recovery girl with her cane. "Your class has been looking for you."
Looking towards the tired man she huffed, shaking her head at him. "Eraser Head, don't tell me you've been bothering the students?"
For the first time Eraser Head said something, shaking his head before giving Recovery girl a small smirk. "I have not, I found this student spying on my class."
"That's not what happened!" I cried, trying to defend myself.
Wincing Izuku felt his knee being smacked by recovery girl, ushering him out the door. "No back talk Mr! Go back to class!"
Soon they were alone. Silently watching the door that he just left out of. The first to speak was Eraser Head, not looking towards Recovery Girl as he spoke.
"So...that's the kid?"
Letting out a laugh she smiled more. "Yes. That is 'the kid.' What did you think of him?"
"He's smart based off of what I read, he managed to figure out most of my student's quirks just by watching them from a distance." Pausing for a second he tilted his head in thought before turning to look at her. "What is your plan here Shuzenji?"
"Oh? What makes you think I have a plan?"
"You know what I mean. You've never stuck your neck out for a student before...why now?"
Turning she stared at the tree line in thought, her cane lightly tapping the ground. "You know as well as I do that the entrance exam is bullshit. Half the reason that hero culture has turned out the way it did was because of the obsession that the HPSC has with power. Too many people obsessed with power and status over heart...the boy desperately wants to save as many people as he can. He has a good head on his shoulders."
Facing Eraser Head she looked him over, their eyes meeting to have a separate conversation.
"I've been talking with Principle Nezu. I want to create a program that helps children that slip through the cracks. A way to help children catch up and be the best heroes they can."
"They already have the rule at Sports Festival. He can simply train and do well then to get in."
"The Sports festival is months away. That's months of the hero course taking specialized classes while the general study students only take gym. The gap will only get wider. With this program we can ease promising students into the hero course." Turning away she watched the trees move in the wind. "Here's the deal. You and I will pick potential candidates and train them after school, think of it as an extra class. If our pics do well during the festival we can show the HPSC results, opening the door for many more potential heroes."
Giving her a nod Eraser head went for the door, stopping in the doorway before turning to look at her one last time.
...
"I'll think on it"
Notes:
This story is actually the one I'm leaning into the most. I really like the idea of Midoriya being a weird battle medic rescue hero. Plus the power is tied to Midoriya's obsession with self sacrifice.
