Authors Note: Hello all. More than once, I have gotten comments accusing me of plagiarism as this is almost a word for word adapation of a story found on the Youtube channel We the Celestials. There is a reason for that for, you see, I was the writer of the series What if Deku was the Shield Hero. To verify, you can check out the channel and find my name in the description as well as a link to my Discord. To those of you who know of We the Celestials, I am sure by now you are aware of the lack of updates. That is because they are shutting down their What-if series. Meaning that many series will not be finished properly and, from what I am told, the unfinished work will be posted on . I disagree with the reasons why this is being done as well as the fact that that my work on Shield Hero will not be completed. So I decided to simply post my work here while fixing up so issues. Along with Shield Hero, I will also be posting my What if Deku had a Dragon Maid and What If Deku Had Divine Dividing. So keep an eye out for them as well.

"What is that?!" yelled Izuku, his heart pounding. Quickly raising his shield in preparation of the worst as the false city around the duo began to shake. While Raphtalia readied her sword, a massive blast of wind and smoke raced down the street towards the pair. For a moment, their vision was completely obscured, their other senses on high alert for any danger that might be heading their way. Both could hear various crashing noises and shouts before the smoke cleared, revealing a sight that would forever be burned into their memories. The other students taking the exam were running toward them, their expressions full of fear and panic as they fled. And behind them, rising from the streets, was the zero-pointer.

"That's worth zero points?!" Raphtalia gapped at the still-rising zero-point robot in disbelief. Already the large robot was towering over the other buildings, its massive metal claws gripping the roofs of the buildings before it. It's red, eight eyes upon its gigantic rectangular head seemed to look out and watched those so much smaller than it fleeing.

"Oh man. Come on Raphtalia, let's…" began Izuku before his eyes widened in panic. Just up ahead of them was one of the examinees laying face down on the ground. No doubt having been shoved to the ground in the mass rush to get away from the zero-pointer. But that wasn't what was scarring the teen. "AIR STRIKE SHIELD!" In the nick of time a green, shield-shaped barrier appeared above the student large chunks of falling buildings collided with the barrier and shattered, leaving only much smaller pieces to land on the student when the barrier faded.

"That was close," breathed Izuku in relief as he watched the student get to his feet before running off. That was until more, louder crashes and screams reached their ears. The duo looked at each other, their gazes holding a silent conversation as more people passed them by without so much as a second glance. Then, as one, they nodded at the other before moving. Not away with the rest of the crowd, but towards the behemoth of a robot.

Running in the direction the other had come from, Izuku and Raphtalia saw that things seemed to be in a state of chaos. Those who were still able to run seemed to have a bad case of tunnel vision, ignoring the debris falling down from the buildings as well as the other test robots still in the streets. As for the rest, they were either on the ground clutching at a bloody arm or leg or else buried under something too heavy for them to lift off all by themselves.

"Air Strike Shield!" shouted Izuku once again. Another barrier appeared next to a group that was running away, creating a wall between them and two two-point robots that charged at them. Leaping into action, Raphtalia charged at the foes ready to slice them into several pieces. At the same time, Izuku began to inspect those that had fallen to the metal foes or had been struck by crumbling buildings. Izuku helped as many as he could get off the ground at once before telling them to evacuate. After helping them, both he and Raphtalia went to free the remaining students who had been trapped. Those students, once freed, ran off without so much as a word of thanks. Not that either of the two minded as they continued onward towards the zero-pointer.

Seconds ticked by as the two ran as fast as they could. Thankfully, there was only a small handful that had been injured and limping along or trapped which they instantly helped before proceeding.

Then, finally, Izuku and Raphtalia came upon the zero-pointer where they saw it in all of its terrifying glory. Both of them trembled, their weapons shaking as they gazed up at the giant mass of metal monstrosity before their eyes. Izuku could face down people like Kacchan and that blue-haired teen easily for he had known and seen far scarier things in his life. But now, as he stood there, he felt that fear again as the looming zero-pointer took on the form of the villain who had tried to capture them so long ago.

"Izuku, we should run-" began Raphtalia only to cut herself off, her ears twitching as if they had picked up something. The green-haired youth then watched as the girl next to him gazed at something in the path of the zero-pointer. He turned his attention to it as well, eyes widening at what he beheld. Rubble littered the streets and, in one of the massive piles was a girl with short brown hair. Squinting, he quickly corrected himself, that it was just her foot that was caught.

Neither of the two even bothered looking back up at the robot, their legs seeming to move on their own. As the two ran, their heroic hearts screamed at all the fears and doubts within their heads, chasing them away. Of course, the two cried out in the real world as well as they put all the energy they had left into this final sprint.

Once at the pile of rubble, Raphtalia went to work prying away the debris while Izuku stood between the two girls and the towering zero-pointer. Quickly the teen began going through his list of shields, trying to decide what was the best one to use. However, the majority of his arsenal were counter-based, meaning that the zero-pointer would have to strike the shield in order for it to activate. And he was pretty sure he'd get crushed if he ran up to the massive machine to smack it with his shield. He then thought of the Shield Prison. Could he make it large enough to contain the monster before him? He had never tried before and it was getting closer. Could he use it to protect him, Raphtalia, and the other girl? It might work, but if it didn't hold long enough they would all get crushed! And he was running out of time!

"Air Strike Shield! Second Shield!" In front of Izuku appeared not one, but two of his green energy shields each one as far as Izuku could place them before him. The young man then held up his shield, his body tensed as he braced himself for what was to come.

The zero-pointer's treads hit the first shield, stopping it for only a second as millions of sparks appeared around it as the massive treads began grinding against it. When the barrier shattered, Izuku nearly felt himself being forced backward yet still kept its ground. Breathing hard, Izuku watched as the zero-pointer quickly made its way towards his last remaining shield. Now it was so close that Izuku could feel the hot air blasting all around it along with the scent of oil. The same thing happened again, his barrier lasting only a moment before pushing the freckled-faced teen backward. With nothing left to protect them and hoping that the few moments he bought them were enough, Izuku turned to Raphtalia. Thankfully, she had the other brown-haired girl in a standing position.

"I got her. But her leg! I think it's sprained!" said a panicking Raphtalia.

Without saying a word, Izuku raced over to the two of them. Quickly, both of the stranger's arms were placed over their shoulders and together they began to run as fast as possible. But it wasn't fast enough as the shadow of their foe never left them, the rolling of its treads creeping closer with every breath they took. All it would need to do was speed up just a little bit more and the three tired hero hopefuls would become nothing more than smears on the pavement.

Then…

"TIMES UP!" As Present Mic's voice echoed through the testing ground, the giant robot came to a complete and sudden stop. At the same time, the trio fell forward with relief on their sweating faces.

"We did it," panted Raphtalia. "We did it."

Izuku could only gulp and nod at Raphtalia's weak voice, a smile appearing on his lips as an old woman with a syringe-shaped cane began to slowly approach them.

Later, after the exam had finished and all those injured had been healed by Recovery Girl, Izuku and Raphtalia walked past the security gate of U.A. along with the hundreds of other examinees. The two walked tiredly, dressed in their respective school uniforms, before making their way around the corner.

"Wow, U.A. really doesn't pull their punches in these exams," said Izuku as he gave one last glance at the school. "Guess that's why they're the number one hero school in all of Japan."

"I know. I just hope we did well enough to impress them," said Raphtalia as she too glanced back at the building before turning to look at her friend. "Do you have any idea how many villain points we achieved? I sort of…forgot after the zero-pointer."

Izuku's shoulders slumped. "I know I got over ten points myself. You probably got way more than that." Then, Izuku lifted himself upright as his warm smile reappeared. "But still, I don't regret what we did back there. I mean, we helped a lot of people . All the people we saved. It might not have given us the points, but that's what a hero is supposed to do!"

"You're right!" agreed the tanuki girl, her eyes beaming as she looked at her partner during the exam. Then, quickly, she pulled out her phone before holding it close to her chest. "In case we don't get into U.A., would you like to…possibly exchange numbers? I'd rather not wait another ten years to talk to you again."

Izuku was flushed as he looked at the device in Raphtalia's hand. He had given his number to girls before, but only so they could contact him whenever they wanted to know about their commissions or to check on a homework assignment. This, along with the way Raphtalia was looking away from him, her own cheeks dusting a slight reddish hue with tail wagging slightly, caused his heart to nearly leap out of his chest like a certain alien from a certain franchise. While what followed was awkward, the young Midoriya somehow managed to type his number into her contacts while she did the same with his own phone.

The next week or so went by uneventfully for Izuku. Classes at school continued as normal, though a certain ashen-blonde teen seemed more confident as of late. Though, to be fair, it was hard for most people to tell, given that Bakugo was not one known for his lack of confidence. The entire class silently came to the collective conclusion that the explosive teen had done well in the exam.

The only thing that was really different was that Midoriya was now on his phone more often as he talked to Raphtalia. The two talked like two old friends who hadn't seen each other in years, catching up on everything the other had missed while also telling each other about their day-to-day life. Izuku was amazed when he had heard that Raphtalia had placed highly in a few mixed swordsmen tournaments, though not entirely surprised given the skill he had seen. He also got to hear a few of the more exciting fishing stories that the girl had had over the years.

The one thing, however, that both of them avoided talking about was speculation about how they did on the exam as both of them were nervous about it.

Then, finally, the day came when Inko found an envelope in the mail with the U.A. seal stamped on the back. Feeling nervous, Izuku took it to his room where he shut the door before proceeding toward his workbench. For a few minutes, he sat there staring at the object that held his future from within. Then, finally, his hands went to rip it open revealing that inside was a silver device which landed with a clunk on the table before coming to life. Izuku jumped off his seat, finding the image of All Might being projected into his room!

"I AM HERE…as a holographic recording!" boomed the man's voice within the room, his hands at his sides in a heroic pose as he made this announcement. Despite being dressed in a yellow pin-stripped suit, he looked every bit as impressive since it looked like at any moment the man's mighty muscles could barely contain them.

Izuku's mind went into overdrive as he looked up at the hologram in both wonder and confusion. The letter was clearly from U.A., so why was All Might the one they chose to tell him if he passed or failed? Shouldn't that be a teacher or the principal? Was this some sort of favor he was doing for the school?

"In case you were wondering why I, ALL MIGHT, am here now on this recording is because, starting next semester, I shall be joining the staff at U.A. as a heroics instructor!" announced the number one hero.

"Really?!"

"Yes, really!" said the recorded image of All Might with a nod. "Now then, young Izuku Midoriya, let's get to your test results. For the written portion, you placed extremely well. But, I'm sure that's not what you're really interested in. No! You want to know how you did on the practical!" It was here that All Might's smile then faltered slightly. A sight that didn't go unnoticed by Izuku causing his heart to drop. "On the practical, you scored fourteen villain points. I'm sorry to say that alone will not be enough to allow you into the hero course."

'I knew it,' thought Izuku as that one sentence rang through his mind, head slumping downward, falling onto his knees. In his pocket, he could feel the familiar ring telling him he had gotten a text message, but paid it no mind as he just stared at the floor. Really, he should have known that he wouldn't get in. His shield was useful to protect himself in a fight. But defeating villains was a completely different story.

"A-At least I get to keep the disk, right?" said Izuku, trying to look on the bright side. "A personalized message from All Might is not something too many people have."

"Huh? What do you mean hurry up?" came the recorded voice of All Might. Izuku's head lifted to see the Symbol of Peace looking at something or someone off-camera, his expression looking confused. "How many more of these are left? That many?!"

Again, Izuku's heart sank yet got back onto his feet. With his head down, he prepared to walk over to the device to see if he could turn it off before the battery powering it ran out. But then…

"Well, young Midoriya, before we continue there is someone here who wishes to have a word with you," continued All Might. Izuku paused, his hand outstretched and ready to turn off the device, as he looked up. Then, from off to the side the pro-hero Midnight walked into view as if she were walking onto a set! Dressed in her hero costume, she looked exactly the same as she did all those years ago. Once she stood next to the larger hero, her image smiled in his direction and waved.

"Well, well. Looks like we meet again, little hero," said Midnight, her tone playfully. "It seems like only yesterday I was sitting on your hospital bed, listening to you ask me so many personal questions that plenty of naughty men have been asking me for years. Or how red your face turned when I explained what R-Rated meant."

All Might, who had been just standing here, just nodding his head, suddenly snapped it in the direction of Midnight so fast that Izuku thought he heard it crack. His smile was gone, replaced with utter shock. "…He seriously asked that? And you seriously told him?"

Izuku's hands flew to his face, covering it as it quickly turned red with embarrassment. Though he was thankful that Midnight didn't answer All Might, just waving him off slightly as her eyes seemed to focus on the young shield user.

"I am glad that, despite how many years have passed, you're still the same person I met in that alleyway." continued Midnight. "Still standing tall, shield raised to protect others with everything you have. Only now, your body has finally grown to match your heroic heart."

At that, dozens of smaller frames appeared around the two heroes who were now smiling. With wide eyes, Izuku saw that each of them showed footage from the exam. He watched as a recording of himself moved to block a strike from a one-pointer from striking Raphtalia on the side of the head. Another showed an Air Strike Shield appearing in front of another examinee who had fallen to the ground. Below that showed him helping an injured hero hopeful seek cover, using his shield to protect them. Even when he was trying to ward off the zero-pointer as displayed with pride.

"Young Midoriya," said All Might as he stepped forward once more, his smile returning in full force. Izuku heard his phone ring once again, but he ignored it as his favorite hero spoke to him in a voice that seemed to radiate pride and compassion. "It is not the quirk that defines the hero but the actions you take. Those actions inspire others to follow in your footsteps. What you did throughout the entire exam was exemplify heroism's core concept. Even when you knew that it wouldn't benefit you, both you and your friend rushed out to save not only that young girl but everyone you came across. How could any hero school worth its salt turn away someone who is willing to risk their life for the greater good?

"Which was why there were other factors in the practical exam: Rescue Points! A panel of judges watched and scored students on their heroic deeds. And you, young Midoriya, scored a total of ninety-seven rescue points!"

Izuku's eyes began to water slightly as both All Might and Midnight each took a step to the side, revealing a scoreboard with several names. There, at the top, was his name followed by both his scores before finishing off with the total. With fourteen villain points plus the ninety-seven rescue points gave him an impressive one hundred and eleven points!

But that wasn't the only thing the freckled boy noticed. Right below his name was Raphtalia! She had done much better with the villain points, earning a score of forty-five, while her rescue points were at fifty-five. That gave her an even one hundred points total! Though he was happy for her, Izuku felt like she should have gotten first place since she had done most of the hard work.

Finally, Izuku looked at the last name he recognized right under Raphtalia's. It was Kacchan's! He had passed without needing any rescue points, earning himself seventy-seven points!

"Welcome, Young Midoriya to your Hero Academia!" exclaimed All Might while giving the shield hero a thumbs up, his teeth seeming to sparkle on command.

"I look forward to seeing you in class," Midnight said, waving at the camera before winking.

Feeling like his heart would explode from happiness if he continued to listen any longer, Izuku reached out to turn off the device. It all felt so surreal to him. He had passed. He was not just going to the top hero school in the country, but All Might would be one of his teachers? Was there any way things could get better?

As his phone rang again, Izuku finally pulled it out to find he had gotten several text messages from Raphtalia. Simple, short phrases like 'I got in', 'You got in', and 'All Might and Midnight are going to be our teachers' appeared on the screen. As he scrolled down Izuku saw that Raphtalia had also sent him a picture of herself. No doubt one taken by either her parents or a friend who was visiting as he couldn't see her holding her phone to take a selfie. The image was just her jumping into the air in what he assumed was her bedroom, tears running down her face as she smiled. Izuku felt his own tears fall down as well, happy for them both.

After texting her back, Izuku went to his workbench and pulled out some unused metal before getting to work. As he began to work, Izuku thought more and more about what had happened. He knew that he was still at the start of his journey to becoming the type of hero he wanted to be. But that didn't mean he, along with his friends, couldn't celebrate.