Hey, hey, hey!
Sorry for the delay; I just went through my annual depression. It's fine though; it goes away eventually. Moving on to the review corner...
From AnimeFan13579:
It's too long to include here, but thank you for sharing your point of view! It makes sense for any school to organize interviews to get a better feeling for who they are recruiting. Otherwise, you end up with students like Katsuki Bakugo and Mineta... And no, I still can't forgive suicide baiting.
From Equilized Enigma
I'm loving the main interactions between Izuku and AFO, though I can't say I'm much of a fan of how...OOC many of the introduced characters are.
I suppose I should have expected it, though, considering the last version did some of it as well and it is an au.
It also feels like the writing is trying to justify villainy in the goal of showing the corruption of society, particularly by pushing characters into accepting the actual cruel and evil actions of others, despite many of them wouldn't agree with that.
I don't like dealing with one-sided characters; being a villain for the sake of doing evil doesn't make any sense to me. There is always some higher motivation when you think of it. If the characters are OOC, then so be it; they are only a medium in a way, though they keep their characteristics.
"It's me, Sensei!" Izuku announced as he entered the basement, quickly closing the door behind him. All For One seemed to be anticipating his visit, judging by the prepared cup of tea and the can of soda neatly arranged on the kitchen table.
"Ah, it's the future greatest hero. I expect nothing less than perfection from you," All For One replied in his typically fancy manner.
"You're overestimating my ambitions, Sensei. I can't even string two words together in front of strangers without stuttering."
"Minor setback, my boy. It's just the result of years of bullying. You can overcome it with practice. The point is, you need to impose your presence on others, especially villains. How else do you expect to maintain control over a situation?" All For One discreetly activated one of his aura quirks, though Izuku noticed, which lessened the dreadful effect.
"I don't have to be—" Izuku stopped mid-sentence and sighed in annoyance. "Five at the same time? Seriously?" he said, referring to All For One's multiple quirks.
"More than enough," the villain joked.
"I'm supposed to be a hero. I can't just show up and put on a scary or vicious facial expression, followed by a fact-filled speech about how villains should give up all hope of victory." Izuku realized a bit too late that his sarcasm was about to backfire.
"See? Hahaha, you're a natural! Give it a try later. Trust me, if your opponents fear you, they'll never be able to fight with all their strength." The villain proceeded to search for his helmet as he felt that something was stuck in his throat. "I swear I need a face mask rather than this thing."
"Does it have anything special? It looks like a regular helmet to me."
"This is the only piece of armor I need. I can get poisoned, electrocuted, burned, frozen," he listed various attacks for a minute. "Although I'm immune to most physical conditions, there is one thing that every hero and villain alike should fear—psychic quirks, reality-bending quirks. Those that do not seem to follow any kind of logic. You can explain a lot of quirks scientifically, but occasionally, you'll find anomalies."
"Like... Thirteen? Her quirk is literally a black hole," Izuku proposed as an example.
"Not exactly. If she was a black hole, we would be in real trouble. But it's still a good example—these quirks that cannot be explained can bypass any kind of defense. You cannot protect yourself from them unless you know their rules. Although they do not follow the rules of the universe, they are bound to follow their own."
"Brainwashing quirks," Izuku deduced, earning applause from All For One.
"Excellent! Brainwashing quirks... a touchy subject. I haven't found many of these, and I'm not bothering to keep them myself. It's always a pain to figure out the right conditions to properly use them. Even then, it's still too situational. People with such quirks are often specialized in specific tasks," All For One explained.
Izuku had to agree. Taking Eraser Head, for example, how do you explain that just staring at someone can suppress their quirk? No wonder why he was an underground hero. Once someone has figured out how his quirk works, it's just about using the loopholes to counter it. "So... there are ways to counter most brainwashing quirks?" Izuku assumed.
"Yes, surprisingly, these quirks are easy to counter without having to go into specifics. It's always about protecting your senses: sight, hearing, smell, and taste... the last two are rarer, though." All For One turned his head around to show Izuku the sides of his helmet. "See? Electronic filters. It cancels most of the sound-based quirks that I might have to face. As for the mask itself... I'm completely blind without my sensory quirks. Otherwise, it acts as a regular gas mask, plus the medical support purpose it serves at the moment."
"Oh, I see. I have to—" Izuku hurried to take out his latest analysis notebook.
"I'm glad you're taking notes. I cannot read. What are you writing about? I can see it's not the first page."
"Th-this is a notebook I use to analyze quirks. I'm writing about the function of your helmet for my costume." Izuku explained. "I can't go blind, though... Would it work if I asked for goggles or glasses that work as a one-way mirror?"
"You wouldn't be immune to light-based brainwashing, but for quirks that require eye contact, it would be a great counter indeed. I wish I could see your costume designs," All For One said, standing straight behind Izuku.
"Oh... well... I-I will bring it over one day when it's actually crafted so you can 'see' it. I used to have an old design in mind, but I had another idea recently. I still haven't figured out exactly what I want... You-you won't mind if I take some inspiration from you, right?" Izuku asked in awe.
"Of course not. A costume is always just some piece of clothing put together to protect yourself. It doesn't have to be an expression of who you wish to be," All For One said, pushing aside Izuku's irony. "But moving on, the entrance exam is happening tomorrow. Do you feel excited?" The villain brought back the elephant in the room.
"Terrified. It will happen one way or another, and I just don't know how I'll feel once it starts. I want to put on a smile and give everything I have. Still, it's hard. I prepared for this moment, and I feel ready." Izuku said confidently as he closed his notebook.
"Not ready enough. You know how much I hate schools myself. Don't even talk to me about exams. The only advice I can give you is to not discourage the other contestants." All For One told Izuku.
"What—"
"Do your best! But not too much. How would you feel if you ended up second place, and the person ahead of you had twice the number of points you got?" All For One was unable to go on, stuck in their laughter. "The look on your face is priceless."
Izuku wanted to cry. Of course, he was going to succeed. What could possibly go wrong when you can adapt to any situation? Later the next day, though, the young man would look back at this moment and curse himself for being so unprepared for social interactions.
"Are you sure you have everything you need?" Inko inquired for the seventh time in the last ten minutes, her concern palpable. She was right to keep pressuring Izuku; he found himself constantly second-guessing, wondering if he had missed something crucial to add to his backpack.
"This time I- ... am certain I'm still forgetting something. Clothes, phone, water, snacks, books, pen, ID card... am I just stressed?"
"I-I'm sorry, Izuku. I guess it was too much this time." Inko's uncertainty stemmed from her deep understanding of the daunting journey Izuku was embarking on. She had always known how challenging it would be for him to become a hero, but it all felt more real now. "You should go now. The earlier you arrive, the faster you'll be able to get comfortable."
"You think so?"
"Of course, I went to school too, sweety. Your mother knows just how hard it can be to fit in. No worries, though. You are cute; I'm sure you will be popular without even trying." Izuku couldn't help but picture his mother when she was younger. He had to admit, she was marvelous in too many ways. She just had to breathe to be liked.
"I-I don't really want any kind of exposition." He had experienced an excess of attention at Aldera, the worst kind. And months ago, he had gotten himself into a questionable kind of spotlight... but it had secured him a shot at the entrance exam.
"It's not about getting attention; it's about having the right people on your side," Inko emphasized.
Izuku leaned against the wall, trying to ward off an incoming headache. "For the universe's sake, no more Katsuki Bakugo..."
"Ignore him. He can't sabotage your exam. If he does, and U.A. doesn't take any action, I will pay a visit to Nezu. I can be VERY persuasive." Inko's smirk took on a partially murderous quality.
"Who are you, and what have you done to my mother?" Izuku joked.
Inko grabbed both of Izuku's shoulders, feeling her quirk vibrate, unsure if Izuku was causing it intentionally or not. "You can rely on me, Izuku. No matter what you choose, I will support you. Got it?"
"Thank you, Mom." Izuku hugged his mother tightly.
"Now, go. You want to arrive early, right?"
U.A. teemed with examinees, exuding an entirely different vibe than when it stood empty, presided over by the hyperactive Principal Nezu. It was lively, yes, but it also felt special. Just a few months ago, the thought of returning to Aldera had filled Suki with dread, like stepping straight into hell.
However, U.A. Hero Academia radiated a welcoming warmth. Izuku no longer feared the people around him; he didn't have to expect an attack at any moment. He had arrived an hour early, heeding his mother's advice. And she was right; he felt more comfortable and at ease here.
His analysis notebook rested by his side, a security blanket of sorts. Thanks to his training with All for One, being in a crowded place was less oppressive. His senses were not dulled; they were agitated. Practicing with various quirks had temporarily subdued the hunger... but not completely.
The entrance exam was about to commence. Izuku watched as Katsuki Bakugo, still as impolite and furious as ever, approached the facility, pushing aside anyone in his way. Izuku remained out of sight, a few meters away. Perhaps his former bully had forgotten about Izuku's ambitions and—
His thoughts were interrupted. Izuku's gaze shifted past Katsuki to a girl with brown hair. She was engrossed in her phone, her back to the impending collision course with the explosive blond. Normally, Izuku would ignore such a situation, but he found himself stacking factors in favor of intervention: her back turned, clutching a fragile device, unprepared to break her fall.
"OUT OF MY WAY!" Katsuki bellowed, charging toward the entrance.
The girl let out a yelp, losing her balance. She tried to shield herself from a painful fall, but there was no impact. Izuku had caught her left arm, preventing her descent. Katsuki, oblivious to his intervention, stormed on.
"A-Are y-you o-okay?" Izuku stuttered.
"Y-yes," she replied, still tilted at an awkward angle, hanging onto Izuku's arm. "D-do you mind—"
"O-oh, yes, so-sorry." Izuku hastily pulled her upright and released her arm. He could feel her quirk—an effect related to weight, activated by touch, perhaps?
"Sorry, what did you say?" She inquired, making Izuku realize he had spoken aloud.
Izuku covered his mouth. "Mumbling, sorry. I-I was speaking about your quirk, b-but never mind that!" He rubbed the back of his head, his customary reflex when feeling uncomfortable. "It would have been bad if you got hurt before the exam, right?"
"Yeah, that jerk..." she said, her gaze shifting angrily toward the entrance, as if searching for her pusher. "That blond guy. Anyway, thank you for the save! Your timing was great."
"It-it was nothing," Izuku attempted to sound modest.
"No, really! I don't know what I would have done if I'd tripped in front of everyone. The shame, you know?" The girl extended her hand, as if offering a handshake. "I'm Ochaco Uraraka."
Izuku accepted her hand, trembling slightly from the direct contact. Hand-to-hand contact, especially with a person with a digital activation quirk, was overwhelming. "I'm I-Izuku Mid-Midoryia."
"Are you all right?"
"F-fine, s-sorry, I—" Izuku paused and took a deep breath, just as All for One had taught him. "I'm stuttering a lot. It's the pressure. Otherwise, I'm fine."
"Hahaha, I get it. Say, want to go in together? I don't want to have another encounter with that creep."
"You—You want to?... Well, sure, let's go!"
Izuku had not made any friends since he was four. It had taken ten years to establish a semblance of a normal and healthy relationship with another human being, even if they had met just two minutes ago. Ochaco seemed genuinely nice—too nice, in fact. Izuku wished he could be as calm as she was. They had been drafted into the same examination group, which meant they might be able to support each other through the stress.
"So, what's your quirk?" She asked.
"My quirk? Uh... I haven't gotten it registered yet for personal reasons. I can... 'absorb' other people's quirks and use temporary versions of them. I haven't tested my limits, but I can use multiple quirks at the same time and mix their effects." He decided to omit the negative aspects of his quirk for now; it wasn't the right time to reveal his disappointment.
"Wow! That's so cool. So, you can copy my quirk?"
"I could. At this range, you would barely feel it. It only lasts for a few minutes, though. I can also see other people's quirks around me. It's like seeing their auras."
"How do I— Sorry, I meant, what does my quirk look like?"
Izuku stopped to take a good look at Ochaco. "Your quirk is a mix of purple, red, and pink. It feels soft and detached from everything, and I can see some kind of focus near your hands. I'm assuming it's related to weight."
"How can you know that?! That's incredible. My quirk allows me to remove the gravity of anything I touch. I can release it at will, but if I use it for too long, I get sick. I haven't practiced a lot; it's like running for a few hours and not stretching afterward, you wonder why everything hurts the next day." She joked.
"I will keep that in mind... you—you aren't bothered if I use your quirk? I think most people would feel uncomfortable." Izuku had played out various scenarios in his head for years. It was hard to believe that people could be so reasonable, especially when you told them you could take away their individuality.
"I guess I would just... shrug it off. It might be awkward, sure, but not to the point of being uncomfortable. What if I had a fire quirk? Like 20% of the population has a 'basic' quirk, like... fire? No offense intended when I'm saying this."
"No, you have a point." The two of them arrived at the amphitheater, where the staff would introduce the exam. "Well, here goes nothi—"
The room was crowded, and Izuku could feel it before he even opened the door. Just by estimation, there were a few hundred examinees.
"Uh... want to sit together?" Ochaco tugged at Izuku's arm, bringing him back to reality. She gestured to a few empty seats near the top of the amphitheater. But Izuku was still lost in his thoughts.
Ochaco tugged at his sleeve, and the physical contact helped him regain his focus. "Oh, yes, sorry. I got distracted... that's a lot of quirks in the same room." If All for One hadn't helped him manage his "hunger," he would already be trying to get as far away from this place as possible.
As they headed along the rows of the amphitheater, Izuku spotted Katsuki just a few rows below them. He gestured for Ochaco to turn around and head to the other side of the room. "You know him?" She asked.
"We went to the same school for years. Don't get me started on his case. Our teachers made sure to feed his ego." The teachers were the worst offenders, but the other students contributed as well.
"That explains why I heard someone yelling 'EXTRAS' just before he bumped into me. Is he always like that with everyone?" Ochaco asked, her disgust evident in her tone.
Izuku considered his answer for a few seconds. "If you... 'praise' him, he might be more inclined to treat you like a lackey rather than an obstacle in his path." The teachers were the worst, but the students contributed to it too.
"How rude. You were just taking notes," Ochaco whispered to him.
"I wasn't mumbling?"
"No." Or at least, I didn't notice. He really just yelled at you for nothing ... that's more awkward for him than you." Ochaco reassured him, gently punching his shoulder. Izuku smiled at her before returning his attention to the presentation. Someone was on his side for once.
Izuku and Ochaco had to part ways for the written exam. After two hours of intense work, Izuku was almost certain he had aced the test. His confidence wavered slightly when it came to the essay portion; spending time with Sensei had made his sense of morality less conforming to society's standards. Nevertheless, he felt proud of his work.
As the students were progressively directed to meet with the school teachers, Izuku couldn't help but wonder who would be interviewing him. For a brief moment, he thought Nezu might have arranged the interviews so that he and Ochaco could meet again. Knowing the principal's nature, that wouldn't have been surprising, but Izuku had requested not to receive any preferential treatment, and so far, his wish had been respected.
Izuku was instructed to enter a small room and sit at a table, awaiting his interviewer. About two minutes later, the door opened, revealing—
Izuku froze, his heart sinking. That's when the exam turned into a nightmare. A slender-looking man rushed into the room, barely acknowledging Izuku before hurriedly closing the door behind him. "I apologize for being late, but switching from one room to another can be more exhausting than you'd think," the man said, his voice tense. He walked around the table and dropped a couple of files. "My name is Toshinori Yagi, and I will be your—"
All Might's smile vanished instantly, replaced by a somber expression. He remembered... and Izuku wished he didn't.
"Thank you, All Might, but... can I request to be interviewed by someone else?"
The skeletal figure seated across from him was rendered speechless for a long moment—precious time slipping away from an encounter with the Symbol of Peace. "You... You still applied. My boy, you're making a mistake. You should stop now." And just like that, the man was already trying to crush Izuku's dreams, echoing the same hurtful words as others. "I told you, you can't do this job without a quirk," he continued, driving the point home.
"Why? Why do you have to hurt me like this?" Izuku felt his heart racing. "Can't you just see the good in people? Can't you just support them? You don't know me, you don't know anything about me."
"I'm being honest; this is the best advice I can offer you—"
"You left me alone on that rooftop. What if I had jumped? What if I had chosen the easy way out?" Izuku's hands trembled, aching in a way he couldn't quite understand. "It was never about being honest; you just wanted to wash your hands of me because even you can't accept your own answer."
"You have no idea how challenging our work is. I've been doing this for decades, and as the Symbol of Peace, I know firsthand the horrors we face every day. Without a quirk, you cannot handle the dangers we must protect people from. Now, please listen to me, listen carefully—" All Might pressed on.
"I AM NOT LISTENING!" Izuku snapped. He stood abruptly, slamming his right hand onto the table, unintentionally activating All for One, revealing the sparks of his quirk. He panted heavily, realizing a bit too late that he might have gone too far. Did he regret it? Not in the slightest.
An electronic alarm blared, signaling the end of the interview. Izuku stormed out of the room without waiting for All Might's response. As he swung open the door, he nearly collided with U.A.'s diminutive principal, who, for once, wore a deadly serious expression.
"P-Principal Nezu, I can explain," Izuku stuttered, but the mouse-like creature lifted its paw, indicating that words weren't necessary.
"I will validate your interview, Midoriya. You may go prepare for the practical exam. I need to have a word with your interviewer."
"What did you— Yagi," Nezu said, his tone incredulous, "I can hardly fathom what led you to say that to Midoriya. In fact, why would you say such a thing to anyone?"
"Because it's the reality?" Yagi responded, his voice tinged with exasperation. "You can't keep the poor kid in an illusion forever. One day, he'll have to take his life into his own hands and find something he can actually do. I should be the one asking if you're in your right mind, Nezu. This kid is going to get himself killed."
"You are so stubborn, Yagi... Midoriya is more mature and conscious of what it means to be a hero than you think. They know the risks, just as much as we do, and they don't care about being the greatest hero in the world; they just want to help."
"Then they can become a cop or a firefighter!"
"It's not about being a hero; it's about showing people that nothing is impossible with enough effort and the right drive," Nezu explained patiently. "You know why they asked you if a quirkless person could become a hero?"
"What?"
"That's because Midoriya has a quirk."
"So... it wasn't a fluke when I saw the red lights around his hand?" Yagi's voice held a hint of surprise. "His file says he's quirkless though. It's illegal not to report or conceal your quirk."
"Midoriya had valid reasons for this choice. I've conducted my own investigation into his past, and it's a harrowing tale of bullying and abuse. The problem is, I couldn't uncover the whole story." Nezu opened All Might's file and pointed to specific details. "Registered as quirkless since the age of four, living with his mother, unemployed but receiving monthly amounts of money from his father who supposedly 'works' overseas. Speaking of which, Mr. Midoriya truly wished to disappear; I couldn't find any trace of him. However, the money he receives doesn't come from any illegal sources."
"Why are you telling me all this? Nezu, I've made up my mind about these things; some people just aren't suited to become heroes—"
"A lot of marks on his record, mostly for class disruption and 'psychological' harassment," Nezu continued, "which turns out to be nothing more than uncontrollable mumbling, likely due to stress. Did you know I had to have teachers arrested just to figure out that none of the information related to Midoriya was actually true? This young man has been through a lot, and he could have given up at any point."
"Then why hide his quirk? Why ask me if someone quirkless can become a hero? Why all this charade? What am I being blamed for?"
"I interviewed him a few months ago, and he told me about his quirk. Now, before you storm out of this place, I've conducted extensive searches, and there is absolutely no sign of any connection between HIM and Izuku Midoriya."
"Nezu, get to the point, please."
"Izuku Midoriya has almost the exact same quirk as All for One."
All Might trembled at the thought of someone possessing the same quirk as that monstrous villain. His mind raced, realizing he had to contact Tsukauchi, Nighteye, and even Gran Torino. They couldn't allow history to repeat itself. Fear shifted to anger and adrenaline. "And you let him in? Nezu! If he starts stealing quirks—"
"Here you go, jumping to conclusions. You saw him as a quirkless individual with no future just a minute ago, and now you're already seeing him as the new All for One... Yagi, I don't even know what to think. Can you take a moment to realize you're making a lot of mistakes?"
All Might stood up and paced around the room, trying to process the information. "You knew for months, and you didn't report this to anyone?"
"Why should I? Judging by your reaction, this poor kid would have found himself locked away in Tartarus or worse within hours. You've already caused enough damage. Midoriya just wants to help people. Is that so hard to believe?"
It was hard. All Might knew that All for One had no morals, a greedy monster who had lost his humanity years ago. But Midoriya? He didn't know him. "I'll be damned... It doesn't change my perspective on the matter, but I... I really pushed that kid—The Symbol of Peace pulled on his hair—Oh, what have I done?"
"You haven't turned him into a villain; don't be so dramatic. I only meant to bring you back to your senses. I hope I've succeeded. Now come, let's go to the observation room. Something tells me you won't be disappointed."
(I would recommand playing You Say Run NOW.)
Izuku didn't waste any time in the locker room, especially not with Katsuki nearby. He tried to clear his head, but he couldn't stop thinking about what All Might had said. The Symbol of Peace was a quirkist, and now there was no doubt in Izuku's mind.
In his group for the practical exam, there were about fifty or sixty examinees. Izuku quickly scanned the crowd, searching for Ochaco amongst the mass of anxious faces. Thanks to All for One, it only took a few seconds to locate her. She stood there, taking deep breaths, and Izuku hoped her interview had gone well.
"You again?!" yelled the examinee who had berated Izuku during the presentation. "What did you think you were doing?!"
"I-"
"Stop disturbing everyone! It won't get you anywhere. I should report you-"
"GOOOOOOOOO!" The loud, high-pitched voice of Present Mic resonated through a couple of speakers as the doors of the examination area burst open. The examinees hesitated for a moment, wondering if this was the signal to start the practical exam. "What are you waiting for?! I said GO!"
The second time, nobody wasted time pondering; everyone rushed inside, not caring who might be in their way.
Izuku realized too late that he hadn't prepared correctly. He should have gathered quirks while he was among the other examinees, and now he found himself quirkless with limited options and barely any time to plan combinations.
The chaotic use of quirks around him didn't help him focus either. He tried to follow the rhythm of the other examinees, managing to absorb a body-hardening quirk, something akin to parkour, and a simple speed boost quirk. Not the most exciting combination, but it would have to do.
Izuku hadn't fused the quirks yet, conserving his energy for the exam. After fifteen minutes, he had scored forty-five points, more than enough. He also noticed that the number of active robots was rapidly decreasing.
It seemed the exam ended when there were too few robots left to continue. But where was the fourth type?
Just as he thought that, the earth began to tremble, accompanied by sounds of demolition nearby. Quirks scattered away from a particular area, indicating that the "troublemaker," as Present Mic had called the fourth model of robots, had been released.
Izuku was thankful he had chosen to locate All for One. Without his training, he wouldn't have been prepared for this.
As Izuku headed toward the exit, he felt something odd. Among the quirks scattering from the fourth robot, Ochaco's was isolated and immobile. A terrible feeling washed over him. If she was in danger, why wasn't anyone turning around to help?
Ignoring his exhaustion, Izuku sprinted toward her location, absorbing as many quirks as he could in his haste. He couldn't process all of them at once, but he gathered quirks related to heating, electricity, force push, and even prescience. How was he supposed to combine all of these?
Izuku took a sharp turn at the next intersection and found himself in the shadow of a colossal robot. It stood higher than the tallest buildings in the fake city. How had this thing even gotten here? He looked down and saw Ochaco trapped under debris that had fallen when the robot appeared.
She was still conscious but injured. "Ochaco! H-hang on!" Izuku yelled as he approached. It would take too long to free her from the debris. He had to deal with the robot first.
"I-Izuku, run. I-I will be fine!" Ochaco told him, but everyone had abandoned her. But not him.
Izuku knew this was a terrible idea, but he was out of options. The colossal robot looked down at them and began lifting its left hand, preparing an attack.
This would be his first improvised move. "All for One... Singularity!" Izuku called upon all the remnants of the quirks he had absorbed on his way there. The surge of power was instantaneous. It felt like he could blow up a star if he wanted. Using the first three quirks he had obtained at the beginning of the exam, he ran up a building.
The colossal robot was massive but slow. It redirected its attack toward Izuku but failed to catch him. It was perfect. Izuku climbed up the robot's arm and unleashed every quirk he could think of. The result was chaos, metal melting, shattering into pieces, twisting itself as he ran up to the robot's shoulder.
In an attempt to throw him off, the robot moved its arm upward, sending Izuku into a freefall right above the robot's head. He could hardly hold the quirks under control, but that wasn't necessarily a bad thing. Izuku let go of his hold on the quirks, creating a display that resembled a fireworks show. He couldn't even determine how many quirks he had taken, but there was a blinding light, and when it ended, the robot's head had been obliterated.
The rest of its body began to explode or collapse, and Izuku could feel the quirks he had absorbed slowly dissipating. He had about a minute left. He intended to use the skin hardening quirk and the telekinetic push to reduce the impact of his fall at the last moment, but Ochaco's hand collided with his face, freezing him in midair.
"S-Sorry," Ochaco stammered as she brought both of her hands together. Her gesture seemed to cancel the effects of her quirk as Izuku stopped floating. However, Ochaco ended up vomiting, likely from quirk overuse. Izuku was reaching his limit as well.
"N-No, thank you for the save," Izuku managed to say as he stood back up. He looked at the pile of debris, searching for the safest way to free Ochaco. "I'm getting you out of here, just give me one-"
"WATCH OUT!" Ochaco's warning allowed Izuku to activate what was left of the hardening quirk, shielding them from a large piece of falling metal from the robot. They didn't have much time before the whole area would collapse on them. "I-Izuku!"
"I can't hold it for long!" Izuku warned as he tried to absorb Ochaco's quirk, but he couldn't focus enough. "I-I need your hand, do you trust me?"
Ochaco nodded and reached out for him. Izuku held her hand and pulled, absorbing her quirk directly with no resistance. With his other hand, he removed the debris that had crashed over her. Once he was free himself, he proceeded to extract Ochaco. "Sorry I- ... I had to take your quirk directly. I didn't have any options."
"It's fine, I don't mind if you copy my quirk."
"No, I took it. I-I should have told you when we met, but I didn't know how you would react." Izuku didn't want to see Ochaco's face. Did she feel betrayed? Was she scared?
"I- ... Can't blame you. But feel free to use it! It's meant to save lives." Ochaco paused, her face breaking into a genuine smile. "I can feel less weight on my leg, and it doesn't hurt that much."
"Oh-oh, sorry." Izuku hurried to finish freeing her. Once he was done, he removed the gravity-altering effect from Ochaco's body and carried her away from the scene. When they were far enough, he positioned Ochaco above the ground so she would be lying down when he deactivated the quirk. "Uh, how do I deactivate it again?"
"Just press the tips of your fingers against each other, like this." Ochaco showed the gesture to Izuku. She gently landed on the pavement, and the debris that had been blocking her fell down with a loud thud. "You did great! If you feel sick, try to sit down for a minute."
"I-I will try to hold my stomach together." Izuku had to admit that the side effects of Ochaco's quirk were quite challenging to deal with. He extended his hand toward her. "Take back your quirk. If I keep it for too long, I feel like someone is gonna yell at me, again."
"Thank you, Izuku." Ochaco shivered a bit when he pushed her quirk back to her. "That's- ... does it always feel like that? To take quirks? I just felt like a rush of energy coursing through my arm."
"I-I haven't taken a lot of quirks, really. Yours was the second. Otherwise, I only practiced taking quirks with my mother. Absorbing quirks is completely different. People can still use their quirks, and I get temporary versions instead. But it's more exhausting to do."
"Izuku, are you alright? When you fought against the robot, how many quirks did you ta- I mean, absorb?"
"Oh, I-I didn't count. I just gathered whatever I came across on the way here. I would say... forty? And probably a few more. I try to take the time to think about what I'm getting and how it works, but I just use everything at once. I'm glad I didn't mess up."
"Mess up? That was incredible! You were like bam, bang bang! Jump and BOOM! I wish I could have seen it correctly, but that was soooooo cool!"
"T-thank you. How is your leg?"
"Oh, nothing's crushed or twisted. I guess there really was just a lot of pressure on it. Thank you for carrying me away." Both teens blushed, realizing the closeness of their situation. Izuku hadn't been paying attention to what he was doing back then; he just acted as the situation evolved. He just wished he didn't have a weird expression on his face.
"Ah, there you are. I thought that thing had really hurt a couple of examinees this time." An old woman wearing a medical blouse walked up behind them. "You, greeny, look fine. Your friend, though... do you mind?" Ochaco was about to ask who they were, but Izuku was one step ahead.
"Your quirk, healing... you are Recovery Girl?"
"Exactly! Here, have a candy." The hero rummaged in her pocket and threw a wrapped-up gummy candy at Izuku, who struggled to catch it correctly. "Now you... it seems that there is nothing broken, as you said, but the pressure must have cut the blood circulation. You might feel a bit sore for the next few days, but you are fine!" Recovery Girl gave a small kiss on Ochaco's forehead to boost her healing process. Being kissed by an old woman was not something Ochaco had expected for the day.
"I shall talk to our dear principal about not sending the apocalypse over our dear examinees," the doctor explained as she headed toward the exit. Izuku helped Ochaco to stand up, offering to be her support if she felt like she couldn't walk. Thanks to Recovery Girl's quirk, she was mostly fine now. The two trailed behind the doctor. "Though it seems the apocalypse is no match for you, right? What's your name again... ah yes, Midoriya. The principal is really fond of you."
In the observation room, a hive of bustling teachers and staff, the atmosphere buzzed with a mix of excitement and awe. The practical exam had showcased an extraordinary pool of talent this year, and Nezu found himself nodding in agreement with the assessments being exchanged around him. His furry face was a picture of deep contemplation, well aware that fostering such potential was integral to the future of heroism at U.A.
All Might, on the other hand, seemed to be in a contemplative reverie, his eyes fixed on the monitor displaying the examination grounds. His famous grin had softened into something more introspective, something that hinted at a deeper understanding. The Symbol of Peace was amidst a personal revelation.
"See? Self-sacrifice! Isn't that the peak of heroism?" Nezu chimed in, breaking the silence between them. "I have searched, and no one else even thought about checking for victims... well, except this Shinso Hitoshi, quite an interesting Brainwash quirk. We would have ignored it if we hadn't put in place the interview system."
All Might, now lost in thought, nodded slowly. "You are right, Nezu. Now I see it... his smile. I wish I could genuinely smile like he does when I'm on patrol. It's not 'mighty'; it's just warm and hopeful. And when he fought the colossus, he was a natural... do you think I can apologize to him?"
Nezu adjusted his spectacles, his beady eyes reflecting an unspoken sympathy. "Of course you can! You will have plenty of time to do so when you have him in your class."
The tall observation windows provided a picturesque view of the bustling U.A. campus. Nezu's furry ears twitched in mild amusement as he continued, "You... You planned for this?"
"Just to put him in your class," Nezu admitted with a knowing gleam in his eyes. "With the right influence, he won't turn into a copy of All for One. I'm certain that you will feel better if you can keep an eye on him."