The Planning Stages
Momo awoke with a start early in the evening, finding herself still in the hospital. "Where am I?", she asked in a panic, "Why am I?.." "Calm down, Peaches", said the calming voice of Midnight, "They sent you here to recover, remember?" Midnight rubbed circles around her daughter's hand, hoping to ease her anxiety. "Deep breathes, Momo", said Midnight, "Just breathe". Momo started breathing slowly, but then felt tears falling from her eyes. "What's wrong, Peaches?", Midnight. "I wasn't strong enough", wept Momo, "I let my friends get hurt, a...and it's my fault". Midnight simply wrapped her arms around her weeping daughter, pondering if what she was about to tell her would help
Earlier:
"Young Midoriya, that is an excellent choice", said All Might, "We only need to broach the topic carefully with her parents". "Shouldn't we be worried about keeping One for All a secret?", asked Izuku. "Normally, I'd say yes", said All Might, "But after what happened when I helped you practice black witchcraft, I'd much rather not have my remaining internal organs rearranged again." "Guess Mom did a number on him last time", said Monkey. "Either way, we need to prepare ourselves in case she turns us down", said Izuku. "Nezu has that part covered", said All Might, And if Young Yaoyorozu does turn us down, we'll move onto the next candidate. No one is going to force anyone to take on this burden".
Later on, All Might went back to the school to meet with Nezu and Midnight, and he explained what he and Izuku had come up with. "Now all we need is your approval, Kayama", said All Might. "You'll understand if I'm somewhat reluctant", said Midnight, "Especially considering your failure to get to the USJ in time". "Kayama, I've already told Yagi off for his negligence", said Nezu, "Rest assured, nothing like this will happen to the school again". "What about the students?", asked All Might. "We've increased security around the building", said Nezu, "But as those changes will be covered in another meeting, I'd very much like to keep to the subject at hand". "Let me be clear", said Midnight, "I am not exactly enthralled with this idea, especially since I know you're both holding back on some information. As such, I want to be the one to introduce the idea to Momo. If anything bad happens, as her mother, I demand to be the first to know". "You have my word, Kayama", said All Might, "The choice now rest on both you and your daughter's shoulders".
Now:
"You know", said Midnight as she rubbed circles on her daughter's back, "All Might actually thinks you were the strongest person helping out at the USJ, and Midoriya told me himself that you were outsmarting all of those villains at every turn". "But I should have done better", said Momo, "I should have come up with something to keep Kaminari from frying his brain, or getting Bakugo under control, or"… "There's no need to dwell on such things", said Midnight, "What happened happened and we can't change that. Although, All Might did say he had something that might be able to help you". "Really?", asked a confused Momo. "Yes', said Midnight, "In fact, he and Midoriya are on their way right now".
At that moment, All Might and Izuku entered the hospital room. "Good to see you're alright, Young Yaoyorozu", said All Might. "I'll leave you three to it", said Midnight as she left the room. "Well, now that we have that out of the way", said Monkey, "Yaomomo, how would you like to be allowed to have All Might's strength?" "How is that possible?", asked Momo. "My Quirk is a rare one", said All Might, "It was passed onto me by my master". "But that's impossible", said Momo, "No other Quirk in history behaves like that". "True", said All Might, "Allow me to explain. It begins with a tale of two brothers, one good and the other evil…"
Momo's head spun as All Might finished the tale of One for All's creation. Izuku handed her a bottle of tea. "It's...a lot to take in", said Izuku. "Yes, to say the least", said Momo, "But why me? What have done to deserve having this power?" "Yaomomo, you ran straight at a giant monster dual wielding bazookas", said Izuku, "You're one of the bravest people I know". "Strength and courage aren't the only worthy qualities about you, Young Yaoyorozu", said All Might, "Your intellect and leadership abilities, coupled with your compassion for your fellow students, have made the choice of my other successor obvious". "But why not have Midoriya take on One for All?", asked Momo. "Host Body having me and using my strength to transform his body into mine makes One for All redundant", said Monkey. "But surely Midoriya would be better Number 1 Hero material, wouldn't he?", said Momo. "Who said anything about me being Number 1?", asked Izuku, "You deserve that title more than me." "Do I?", asked Momo. "Absolutely", said Izuku. "He's right, Young Yaoyorozu", said All Might, "One for All didn't make me the Number 1 Hero. It merely added to what was already there. However, there are downsides."
To emphasize, All Might shrunk down to his true form, a skeletal man with long, blond hair and sunken eyes. "It can't heal my wounds", he said, "And if you take this power, there will be no shortage of people who will attack you for it, hero and villain alike. I cannot, in good conscience, give you my power without warning you of the risks. If you refuse, I understand". Momo sat up in the hospital bed and thought about it. 'I'm not the one', she thought, 'I should say no. I really should. But, what if what Midoriya said is true? If he's right, I can escape Mother's shadow. I can be truly happy again'. "I accept", said Momo. "Good", said All Might, "Now eat this". He plucked a single strand of hair from his head and handed it to Momo. "I know it's gross, but this is the only way for your body to get used to One for All's power", said All Might. Momo sighed before swallowing the hair, almost gagging as soon as she was done. "Here", said Izuku as he handed her another bottle of tea. "Thank you, for everything", said Momo. "I won't let your faith in me go to waste". As soon as those words passed her lips, Momo felt the sparks of One for All begin to burn within her soul.
Meanwhile, Kurogiri had been busy after his meeting with the Devil Himself. He stormed into the labs, where Dr. Garaki, an old man with white hair wrapped around the back of his bald head and dark goggles, was waiting. "Did you enjoy the Nomu, Master Kurogiri?", he asked. Kurogiri made a portal beneath his feet, then made another portal that threw Dr. Garaki into a wall! "Your Nomu was a failure", snarled Kurogiri, "and because of that, Shigaraki was captured with ease. You'll forgive me if I believe you're no longer of any use to me". "You wouldn't kill me", spat Dr. Garaki, "All for One still needs me". "Then you can tend to Sensei's medical needs", said Kurogiri, "Consider your Nomu project canceled. I already have someone ready with a replacement". "Who?", asked Dr. Garaki. The elevator dinged at that moment. "I believe that is him", said Kurogiri as the doors opened to reveal another scientist with long white hair, a white goatee that matched Dr. Garaki's mustache, a red, cybernetic eye, and a metal left arm. "Pleased to see that you've arrived safely, Dr. Merlot", said Kurogiri.
"The pleasure is all mine", said Dr. Merlot, "I took the liberty of overseeing the Nomus still in service. They look as if a child designed them". "He might as well be one", snorted Kurogiri as Dr. Garaki stormed out of the lab, "Exposed brains are a weakness we can't afford". "Indeed', said Dr. Merlot, "If I may, I'd like to show what I have brought with me." Dr. Merlot cleared a table and laid down his briefcase. He opened it to reveal several photos of hideous hybrids to his smokey master. "Are these the Creatures of Grimm you promised?", Kurogiri asked. "Indeed they are", said Dr. Merlot, "if what you have said about a gorilla Quirk is true, these models should suffice." "Good", said Kurogiri, "Arrange a test. I want to see how your Nevermore model does against the Winged Nomu". "As you wish, Kurogiri", said Dr. Merlot. Kurogiri looked through the other photos, seeing pictures of Beowolves, Ursa, Death Stalkers, and Lancers. "These are most impressive", said Kurogiri, "But chose your models wisely. As leader of the League of Villains, I will hold you personally responsible for their failures". "I would expect nothing less from you", said Dr. Merlot as Kurogiri left the lab.
The next day, Momo had decided to test a little bit of her newfound strength. Although her mother and All Might made it clear not to do the more strenuous exercises without Recovery Girl present, Momo could help but be excited to try the power bestowed upon her. She picked up a small stone and squeezed, practically turning the stone to dust. Momo then sent out a light punch that sent minor shock waves through the small, garden pond. Midnight saw this with a small smile. "Remember, Peaches, be careful", she reminded. "It's just the small stuff now, Mother", said Momo. "That's fine, but just try doing your normal exercise until school starts again on Monday", said Midnight. Momo smiled, feeling the flames of One for All being stoked within her. She went back up to the patio to look over the notes Midoriya had made for her. Unlike the other notes she saw him making, these ones only had the basics for security reasons, however, what little Momo did have to go off on was incredible. The small ways she could increase her strength would go a long way to helping prove that All Might had chosen well.
Elsewhere, Kurogiri returned to the lair of the League of Villains, followed by the black ice villain and the tail villain. "Were those the only ones that could be recovered?", Dr. Garaki asked. "It took a while to find the transport to Tartarus", said Kurogiri, "Luckily, my hunch was indeed correct about them transferring the weaker Villains last". "Hurtful", muttered the tail villain. "Quiet, Ojiro", said Kurogiri, "I can always send you back". Ojiro wisely kept silent. "If I may, Kurogiri", said the black ice villain, "Perhaps we should lay low until the school of false heroes is caught unawares". "Impossible", said Kurogiri, "You should know, Kane, that they will be onto us now. No, we'll bide our time before the next attack". At that moment, Dr. Merlot appeared. "If you gentlemen are in the mood for some entertainment", he said, "I've got just the thing". "I'll pour some drinks for that", said Kurogiri.
After the drinks had been served, everyone went to the arena, where a monstrous, bird-like beast with red markings and a skull-like head thrashed inside of its cage. "How do you expect that thing to not escape?", asked Ojiro. "It has no reason to", said Dr. Merlot, "The Nevermore obeys all commands given to it. Case in point"… Another cage, this one containing a Nomu with bat-like wings, yellowish gray skin, and long, thin arms, was wheeled into the arena. "Fight", ordered Dr. Merlot. The cages opened and the Nomu surged forward, trying to slash the Nevermore with its claws! But the Nevermore knocked the beast away with its tail before slashing at it with the two claws on its wings! The Nomu punched the bird-like monster before tossing it into the arena wall! But then, the Nevermore took flight and with the flap of its wings, sent several feathers that impaled the Nomu's arms, legs, and wings! Then, the Nevermore struck the Nomu in its exposed brain, killing it instantly! The Nevermore shrieked in victory before feasting on its fallen rival.
"An impressive feat of bio-engineering to be sure", said Kurogiri, "Were Shigaraki here, he'd declare that your Nomu didn't level grind". The other villains gave Kurogiri some funny looks. "I know what video games are", snarled Kurogiri, "Garaki, get that worthless trash out of my sight". Dr. Garaki grumbled to himself as he stalked off to get the tools needed to drag away the dead Nomu. "Used his own nephew for this failed experiment and still failed", said Kurogiri, ignoring the shocked looks from both Ojiro and Kane, "Now then, the false heroes. I take it you two are fans of the Hero Killer". "Indeed", said Kane, "We hope to spread his ideals further." "Honestly, I don't understand why he doesn't start a podcast like the rest of us". "Thank you both for your input", said Kurogiri, "I have just the plan to convert the Hero Killer to our side".
The next day, Principal Nezu gathered all the teachers into his office for an emergency meeting. Aizawa was there too, wrapped head to toe in bandages. "Hey, who invited Mum-Ra, the Ever Living?", asked Ectoplasm. "Hardy har har", groaned Aizawa. "Why are you here, anyway?", asked Present Mic, "Shouldn't you still be in the hospital?" "I got out early", said Aizawa, "If I didn't have to put up with ridiculous requests for new Hero costumes, I'd be happier". "Such things will have to wait", said Nezu, "There's still the problem of the upcoming Sports Festival". "Cancel it", said Midnight bluntly, "The kids have been through enough as is. Having them participate in that will only put targets on their backs from the other Hero classes and Gen Ed track". "That's something they'll have to deal with", said Aizawa, "Heroics is a competitive field. If some of them aren't cut out to handle pressure, they shouldn't be there". "I wouldn't say that, but he's right, Nemuri", said Vlad King. "Then you should be prepared for when these start pouring in", said Midnight.
She placed a paper on the table in front of Nezu. "What's this?", he asked. "A request to pull my daughter out of UA", said Midnight, "You'll notice some errors that make the request invalid, all of which can be easily mended. This is the hypothetical possibility that you'll have to face eventually, Principal Nezu, especially seeing how Kaminari is still in the hospital. I wonder what his parents would think if he was to be put in the Sports Festival after being healed". "Quit being sentimental", said Aizawa, "The Sports Festival is one of the few ways this school even stays in business". "So the grants donated by my husband mean nothing?", asked Midnight, barely containing her anger, "Guess that means the school will survive without the 60% of its income generated by him. I'll be sure to let him know of that before the Sports Festival".
"Cool it, both of you", said Vlad King, "This argument is going nowhere". "Indeed", said Nezu, "As much as I agree with Kayama, the school board and HPSC wants the Sports Festival to continue." "So how do you plan to deal with the parents?", asked Ectoplasm. "Yes, and how will we protect the students when their weaknesses will be show on live TV?", asked All Might. "I'm glad you both asked", said Nezu, "The Sports Festival is in two weeks time. Kayama, in three days, I want you to help the students fix any flaws in the costumes. Add masks to all of them if you can. That way, it will be harder for the League to identify them". "Finally, a good idea in this shitshow", said Midnight. "Vlad, contact as many of our compatriots as you can", said Nezu, "We'll need to expand our security in case they try something like the USJ attack again". "I'm already getting started", said Vlad King as he left the room. "What about the students themselves?", asked All Might, "Shouldn't they be receiving help as well?" "I'm with him on this one", said Midnight. "My door is always open", said Hound Dog. "Make it mandatory for Hero Course students to see you", said All Might. "Already done", said Hound Dog. "So, that's it?", Aizawa asked, glaring at All Might, "He gives the word and it's law?" "Yes", said Nezu, "Until Vice-Principal Fulcrum gets back, All Might is my number two guy. Think about that at the next inter-school meeting. Until then, this meeting is adjourned. See you all on Monday!"
After everyone left, Nezu poured himself a cup of tea. "You can come out now", said Nezu, "I could smell you since you floated in". Out of the shadows stepped a young woman with blonde hair with green highlights wearing a blue cloak. "What can I do for you, Dr. Cavendish?", asked Nezu. "I believe you have something that belongs to me", said Dr. Cavendish, "A book that was stolen from my tower". "Here it is", said Nezu as he handed over the book, "I suspect your investigation with Sir Nighteye isn't going well". "The fool sees only what he wishes", said Dr. Cavendish, "He is unwilling to save lives when he thinks their deaths will help his investigation. He'll say my ability to see the future is flawed, and he tried having me barred from the Shie Hassaikai case". "Sounds like Sir Nighteye is being somewhat controlling of a situation out of his control", said Nezu. "One can only imagine how there's now a hero stronger than All Might", said Dr. Cavendish, "To say nothing of who he chose to bestow One for All upon. But it's Izuku Midoriya I want". "What do you have in mind?", asked Nezu. "Come the spring internships", smiled Dr. Cavendish, "Izuku Midoriya will answer to the hand of Fate".
To be continued...