Zero had a lot on his mind while he was shopping that morning. Sure, he knew exactly what he needed, had enough money to spend on anything extra he wanted, but what he didn't have were answers. Mainly, why the hell had the demon rat let him out of the house? He could run away for all they know! Somewhere deep in his mind he heard the rat laugh. Zero shivered. All right, first things first.

Hero Costume Components: Zero is keen on getting high-quality materials to design and create his unique hero costume. He must look for fabrics that are durable, flexible, and comfortable to wear during battles. Wow, okay Nedzu. Not the creepy third person point of view. Zero didn't even talk like that! However, the components were a good idea, he'll admit. He was quirkless afterall. But what would he use? He mostly stuck to daggers and small weapons when he was on the run, even using a gun at one point. Could he request that? He'd have to ask Nedzu.

Amazing Rat Lord 12:36 PM

Forgot to mention, if you need me, here's my number :D

ZeroToHero 12:36 PM

Wow, you implant a chip into my head or something?

Amazing Rat Lord 12:37 PM

Maybe ;)

ZeroToHero 12:38 PM

Weird

N E ways

Can I have a gun?

ZeroToHero 12:43 PM

Uhm hello? Yoohoo, anyone there?

Amazing Rat Lord 12:45 PM

Sorry Zero! Had to go make sure it was okay if you were trained. You'll have to get your licence, and you'll only be able to use it on the field, but yes you can have one. DO NOT go buy one now.

With that figured out, Zero read the next item on his list. Protective Gear: Being aware of the dangers that awaited him in the hero world, Zero must shop for various protective gear, including gloves, knee pads, and elbow pads. Wow, okay Nedzu he wasn't that fragile. Textbooks and Reference Material: To excel in his studies and training, Zero must make sure to acquire all the required textbooks and reference materials. He must aim to absorb as much knowledge as possible to understand hero techniques and strategies, especially with the amazing Nedzu as his teacher!

Psychotic ass rat.

Getting the supplies was easy for Zero, it was putting in the hero outfit request with some Hatsume family that was the hardest part.

"Shouldn't you be doing this through the school?" The man questioned. He had thick pink hair tied back into a ponytail, his face equal parts sweat and grime.

"Listen, I explained already, I'm not officially in the school until Monday." Zero was trying to stay patient, but the man not believing him was starting to get incredibly frustrating.

"Kid, it's not that I don't believe you, but come on. A new kid in the hero course?"

"I'm not in the hero course-"

"Oh on the contrary young Zero!" He heard from somewhere below. He pulled out his phone- holy shit was Nedzu on facetime? The man plucked the phone out of his hands faster than Zero could react.

"Tokiri! Old friend!" Nedzu spoke from his phone.

"Nedzu! So this twerp is actually a student at U.A.?" The man, Tokiri Hatsume asked.

"Very much a true statement. Young Zero here is my ward for the time being. I gave him a list with some preferred items, but the design is completely up to him."

"Awesome, thanks for the confirmation Nedzu!" Hatsume suddenly shut off the call, leaving Zero with his mouth gaping. How the fuck did he not die?

"Alright, what colours do you like?" The man asked. Zero shrugged. "Well, you better think of something before I take full control of the outfit."

"Okay, uhh, wow I don't work well under pressure." Zero remarked. "I like darker colours, maybe some dark purple or dark green? I don't care, just nothing flashy, I plan to go underground."

"Okay, any preferred weapons?"

"Short blades, I need to get my licence for a gun soon."

"Mask wise?" He asked.

"Something that vibes with me." Zero supplied.

"Your name, Zero, is it your hero name or your name?"

"My name, I don't have a hero name yet."

"Very well, come back in two hours. I'll have your design finished by then. Now out, shoo!" Zero let out a few confused noises, barely remembering to grab his phone before he was so very gracefully (not) pushed out of the shop.

Well, time to shop.

Time flew by as Zero shopped. He had to remind himself, multiple times, that the money was for school and not hero merch. It was hard, especially with a limited edition Snipe figurine on sale! But, he'd come back to that later. Maybe. Hopefully. He wasn't against buying second hand items to afford the figurine. Nedzu might mind, but Zero couldn't care less. He didn't want to go to U.A. and he didn't want to be a hero. He wanted to pass on his info, which he did, and then live peacefully. Get a job, live on the streets until he could get an apartment, maybe even go by his dreadful legal name. He'd rather be named Katsudon instead of Izuku. Zero was a much better name.

Chilling in the food court, a multitude of bags littered around him, Zero took in the scenery. He didn't go out much with the villains, and if he was sent out on a mission it was always at night. The beautiful sun shining through the open top of the mall was bright but beautiful. Maybe in another life he'd be that bright. He shook his head. No use contemplating other lives when he still had one to live.

Amazing Rat Lord 2:31 PM

Your designs ready!

Zero sighed, but stood up and stretched. So much for a moment of peace. He grabbed his bags and quickly made his way to the mad man. No use keeping crazy people waiting.

"Zero! You're here!" Hatsume "just call me Tokiri!" called out when he walked into the shop. "Now, before I show you the design, take a look at this!" Tokiri thrusted a dagger into Zero's hands.

The handle was encased in an unusual sapphire skin and had a small, narrow, straight blade made of steel. A single, sharp edge would ensure that this weapon was useful not only for hacking and slicing, but also for blocking incoming attacks. Zero was in love with it, and he hadn't even used it yet.

"It's blue ray skin," Tokiri said as he caressed the blade. "Incredibly rare, tried to find you a sheath for it of the same material but couldn't find an exact match." Izuku just nodded, not fully paying attention. The dagger was beautiful, like the sun he was just staring at.

The blade had a thin, warped cross-guard that would provide just enough protection for his hands while also adding weight to the blade, Zero noted. The cross-guard included a beautiful fish scale on either side, indicating that this weapon was not made by any ordinary blacksmith. This weapon was something else entirely.

"How did you come across this?" Zero asked.

"I found it in a pile of trash on a beach a few months ago. My quirk, Search, lets me find items that may be of value. I wanted to sell it, but I'm glad I didn't. Look at the design, go!

At the man's urging, Izuku looked down at the design. The first thing he noticed was the arms. The upper arms were protected by squared, layered metal rerebraces which would sit loosely under his shoulderplates. Or at least that's what the design had jotted down next to it.

"We can review the rest of it later, look at the mask."

'This stiffened fabric mask covers the full cheeks and forehead and has strangely stylized features.' Zero read. 'Its design suggests a deer with an emotionless expression. It's done in faux gold, and is designed with a lot of geometric shapes to enhance the lack of facial recognition.'

"Tokiri," Zero whispered. "It's beautiful. I cannot wait to see how you make this in person." Hatsume just clapped him on the back.

"I'll have it done by Monday, little man. Maybe not the whole armor plated set, but you'll have the jumpsuit and mask for your first hero class, or I'll eat my hat." Zero didn't want to point out that Hatsume didn't wear a hat. He was grateful, this was the most precious gift he had ever been given.

AN: Hello! I hope you all like this MHA story! I decided to branch out and bring it over to FFN of of Ao3! I think it's also on wattpad, I'll have to check. It's gonna be a shorter chapters then Of Badlly Hidden Lies, as this is more of a "omg I want to write but have no energy to work on my main story" type fic. It's mostly self indulgent, and will include all my fave Izuku thingies. Like badass deku and Parent!Nedzu.

AN PT2: so i showed this to a buddy of mine and he said that he feels like Izuku (or Zero in this case) Is kind of like a self insert. I promise, he's not. Zero will slowly start going by Izuku as more people refuse to call him Zero. Mostly teachers, but later on students too. The only teachers that will call him Zero are of course Nedzu, Aizawa, and of course Izuku's special teacher ;)