"Midoriya..." Aizawa started as Izuku rushed up the hall in his direction, Mina and Inko trailing behind.
"Where is he?" Izuku asked urgently.
"Calm down. I'm not letting you in there whilst you're frantic." Aizawa instructed sternly, resting his hand on the teen's shoulder.
"What happened?" The greenette fired back. Aizawa looked at the floor with a sigh, before looking over his shoulder at Mina and Inko.
"I'll tell you later. Come on." He said softly, nodding to the closed door on his left. All Might was being kept on the top floor, and there were even Police officers on standby outside the wing.
Upon opening the door, Izuku could finally see All Might. The deathly thin Pro Hero looked the weakest Izuku had ever seen. His eyes were closed, but his skin was pasty, and his entire upper body was bandaged. He had an oxygen mask covering his face and an IV perched at his side.
Izuku felt his insides churn at the sight of it all, and he slowly made his way to All Might's bedside.
"A-... All Might... C-Can you hear me?" He started slowly, resting on the edge of the bed. He filched, but very slowly stirred. Even opening his eyes looked like it took more effort than he was able to put into anything right now.
"Young Midoriya... Its..." All Might wheezed, a weak smile forming on his lips. "It's good to see you, my... My boy..." He muttered as Inko and Mina entered.
"Goodness me... How are you feeling, All Might?" Inko asked. She sounded obviously upset, but she was just as enthusiastic about All Might as Izuku was.
"Miss Midoriya... Young Ashido. I'm glad you've come to see me..." He grinned past Midoriya at the two women behind him. Mina, too, looked stunned. She was clearly expecting it to be bad, but not this bad.
Izuku was trying his best to hold back tears. Seeing his hero; his idol in such a state, was really unsettling. He was sure everyone was feeling very similar things, but there was a lot more to his and All Might's relationship than anyone would know.
"I saw this, in a dream..." Izuku muttered. "You said the flames of One For All are dying, and that you were passing the torch onto me..." He whispered, lowering his voice to try and hide the conversation from his mother.
"That is true... I am too weak and have suffered too many major injuries... My life as the Symbol of Peace is coming to an end..." All Might managed to say between strained breaths and coughs.
Izuku felt as though his world was falling around him. Standing at the bedside of his idol, and most recently, his teacher and friend, fearing that this may be the last time his presence was ever witnessed by the teen... It was all so much to take in.
"I... I thought I had more time, my dear boy... But I must pass my title onto you... You must become the... The next Symbol of Peace..." All Might continued, before becoming too weak, and falling back into his pillow, staring absently up at the ceiling.
"I-... All Might, I can't... I'm not ready! There's still so much you haven't taught me." Izuku cried, his emotions finally overcoming him as the tears began to fall from his eyes. It was so embarrassing, letting Mina and his mother see him like this, but he felt he had an excellent reason this time.
"Nonsense... I don't plan to let All For One best me that easily. I will use all the strength I have left... To guide and nurture you into someone worthy of taking my place. You will be the greatest hero the world has ever seen." All Might said, all at once, before resting his weak, boney hand atop Izuku's with a smile.
"I'm sorry to cut this short, but All Might's got a very major surgery coming up, so I have to ask you to leave." The nurse spoke up softly, stepping around his bed and indicating the door. Izuku knew he shouldn't have, but he hesitated to leave his mentor's side, tightening his grip on the railing of the bed.
"I promise he's in good hands." The horned woman smiled, gently easing Izuku's helpless hands from the bed. He got up slowly as Mina slid her hand into his, but he couldn't take his eyes off All Might.
"I'll see you at school, young Midoriya." He smiled happily as Izuku, Mina, Inko and Aizawa left the room without another word.
"I'm sorry, Midoriya. I will update you as soon as I know anything." Aizawa said, softening his tone a little more than normal. Obviously, Izuku wasn't the only one feeling shaken by what he'd seen, because Aizawa definitely didn't look as stone-faced as he usually did.
"Thank you..." Izuku muttered, before turning and starting back towards the doors of the Hospital with Inko and Mina close behind.
"Why don't we go back to that Casper's place we went to ages ago? I think it'd be nice to get some air." Mina suggested, firing an approval-seeking glance at Inko, who nodded in agreement.
"Alright..." Izuku said simply. He really wasn't feeling hungry right now, but he couldn't just sit and mope all day. They were just trying to make him feel better, and there was no doubt they were feeling just as upset as he was. There was more to him and All Might than there was between All Might and anyone else, but everyone had lost their Symbol of peace.
After returning home to pack up their things, and saying a hard goodbye to Inko Midoriya, Izuku and Mina had started their journey back to U.A. They both felt it was best that, with recent events, their return to U.A was for the best, although Izuku wasn't sure where he'd rather be.
Sat at the back of the bus, he exchanged no words with his partner, and nor did she to him. They simply sat and enjoyed the feeling of their hands together, staring out of the window. One thing Izuku did know, was that he wanted to go to Toga, and thank her for her honesty.
In all honesty, when she had first disclosed all the information she had a few days ago, Izuku had taken to mentally preparing himself for all outcomes, even the one that resulted in the death of All Might. He was more than thankful that end hadn't come to pass, but knowing that All Might had to step down as the Symbol of Peace was no less painful. Her information had given them just enough time to prepare, and sure enough, All Might was ready for All For One. He was safely behind bars in the most high security prison in Japan, but at what cost?
Izuku let out a quiet sigh, turning from the window and looking down at the floor. What was he going to do now? Were things between him and All Might change? Would he continue to train Izuku? Who else would if he couldn't...
The grip on his hand tightened suddenly, and he looked up to see Mina smiling at him, a comforting love in her amber sclera eyes that warmed his heart and eased his nerves almost instantly. He was so glad he had her to share this struggle with, and that she understood it all. She'd done so much for him without even meaning to have done it.
Still the two sat in silence, all the way back to the U.A. The bus stopped just outside of U.A's grounds, and left the young couple with a short walk until they were safely within U.A once more.
There was one thing that he felt a lot of excitement about, and that was Toga's Entrance Exam. If Nezu stuck to his promise, and Toga passed, she may get enrolled in Izuku's course, and have her change to become a hero given back to her. He was excited to see her reaction, and how she intended to use her Quirk.
Being his usual self, Izuku had jotted down a few notes in his notebook about Toga, and her Quirk, or what he'd seen of it at least. She would incredible and getting behind enemy lines and pulling apart villain operations from the inside out. One thing he hadn't been about to figure out, was a less vicious way she could use her Quirk.
He had no idea how it worked as of yet, but he could ask her in a moment. The only experience he had with a blood related Quirk, was Stain. However, the time his Quirk affected someone was down to their blood type. Toga took the form of whoever blood she ingested, but how long would it last, and what determined the length of its effects?
If it was the amount she ingested, then it would be a very difficult thing to work around, since the only way to get a lot of blood from someone would be to... Well, it would make sense why Nezu turned her away if that was the case. No, he had faith that she'd found a way around it, after all, who would know better than her?
"Student I.D's?" A hulking stone security guard spoke up, stepping in front of them with a frown. Izuku reached into his pocket and pulled out his wallet, retrieving his I.D and holding it up to the guard, shorty followed by Mina.
"Welcome back, kids." The Stone mans face jolted and ground from a frown, to a smile, retrieving his own I.D and scanning it on a tiny scanner within a little booth to his right. With the tap of another button on the desk, the smaller door within the larger gate clicked and hissed open, allowing the two to enter.
"Thank you." Izuku bowed gratefully before the continued inside.
"Hey, Mina, I'm going to drop by the Staff Dorm quickly. Could you let everyone know that I'm back?" He asked, gently taking his hand from hers as they started towards the dorms.
"Oh... y-yeah sure." She responded, a little taken aback. "Why? Somthin' up?" She asked curiously.
"No, I just want to go and see how the other teachers are doing. I've been meaning to talk to Miss Midnight about some things anyways." He said, only slightly lying. He couldn't meantion Toga, not yet at least. As soon as Nezu gave him the green light, Mina would be the first person he told about it.
"Yeah, sure thing hun. I'll see you in a bit." Mina smiled, grabbing Izuku and pulling him in for a kiss, which he accepted.
"I love you." He grinned timidly. A very faint blush appeared on Mina's cheeks, and a wide smile spread across her face.
"I love you too, Midori." She replied, before start off towards their dorm, which Izuku turned and made his way towards the Teachers Dorm. There was something very entertaining about Mina getting slightly flustered at certain things. Perhaps this is how she felt when she teased him after they started really hanging out. He loved thinking back to then, all those months ago. Strange to think they were dating now when he thought they'd never really talk much back then.
In no time at all, he could see the Teacher's Dorm, and he felt a little bit of anticipation, in a good way. He really hoped Toga had taken to life here well, and things were working out for her. He was relieved that what she'd said was true, but the more he thought about it, the more he realised, why would a villain come to the hub of heroes and trainee heroes, confess they're part of the League, and give sensitive information with the threat of probably decades in prison if they were wrong?
It was then that the sound of running steps met his ears, and he looked up to see Toga sprinting towards him, before lunging at him and pulling him into a tight hug. The sudden impact and panic left him short of breath, but after having a chance to process it, he felt a smile spread onto his face.
"Izuku, you're back! I missed youuu." She sang, hugging him tightly.
"Heh, good to see you..." He responded with a laugh, hugging her gently back. Standing at the door to the Teachers Dorm only a few feet behind, was Midnight and Cementos.
"I've so much to tell you." She beamed up at him. She looked so much brighter than when he first met her. The colour was back in her face and it looked like she'd had the time of her life whilst he was gone.
"She didn't want to wait for you to get up here..." Midnight stated as the two started up the stairs to the dorm. Izuku let out a chuckle as Cementos nodded for Toga to follow. She let go of the greenette and started inside, leaving Midnight and Izuku alone at the door.
"I'm surpised you let her run out here, what if someone saw?" He asked quietly.
"Well, like she said, there's a lot to fill you in on. She's..." Midnight started, firing a glance over her shoulder as Toga and Cementos sat down on the sofa. It looked like they were watching some game show, but he couldn't make it out from here.
"She's surprised us all this last few days." Midnight finished. This statement warmed Izuku more than he expected. He'd been so worried this was all a front, or that it wouldn't have worked out, yet he was proved wrong.
"That's great! I assume she was told about All Might?" Izuku asked as he and Midnight headed inside, closing the door behind them.
"She was. She was actually quite upset when she found out. It must have been quite difficult, experiencing such mixed emotions." Midnight replied quietly. Izuku looked up to her with a frown. Mixed emotions?
"Well obviously with the information she gave us being true, and Principle Nezu promising her another chance at the Entrance Exam, it meant she'd have a chance at getting into U.A, but she also learned that someone she looked up to was, in a sense, gone." She explained. Izuku slowly nodded as everything lined up in his head. He couldn't imagine something like that, feeling overjoyed but devastated at the same time.
"She spent a lot of time with All Might, Cementos and myself before everything happened, so understandably she was quite upset." Midnight added, before starting towards the sofa and sitting beside Cementos. Izuku watched after them for a moment before heading over himself.
"Here." Cementos smiled, indicating the seat between himself and Toga. Izuku fired him a smile before sitting down.
"Thank you." He stated. It was strange, seeing his teachers dressed casually, but this was technically their home, and he wouldn't want to wear his hero costume all the time.
"So, what did you want to tell me?" Izuku spoke up, turning to Toga.
"Oh, I'm allowed to retake the Entrance Exam!" Toga exclaimed with a beaming smile.
"I know, that's amazing! I'm really happy for you." Izuku grinned back. "If I'm able, I'd love to watch." He added hopefully, looking past her at the two teachers.
"I don't think that should be an issue..." Cementos said thoughtfully.
"What else happened whilst I was gone?" Izuku continued questioning. Seeing how happy she was about everything that was happening in her life right now was golden. Seeing someone who only a few days ago looked so drained and hopeless finally full of energy and unable to stop smiling was such a great feeling.
"Cementos and Midnight let me go to the super market with them. Since I never really was public with the League, I was allowed to go. It's been years since I last went to a shop." She explained all at once. Izuku let out a chuckle, relaxing back in the chair.
"I'm really glad you're so happy here." He said with a warm smile.
"So... Toga, if you don't mind my asking, what was the League like?" He continued after a few seconds of silence. Toga's face fell a little and she shrugged, turning her gaze to the floor.
"Lonely, and boring... Shigaraki had something about for me... I dunno what..." She responded quietly. "I know no-one here will trust me or like me for a while, but it still feels much better here than it did there..." She added, smiling up at him.
"I think everyone will like you given time... Everyone's obviously going to be on edge after what just happened, but no-one here needs to know you were a villain. You've proven yourself to those who it matters to. The other students only need to know that you're new here." Izuku replied softly.
"Well, that's not entirely true. You had a run-in with some of Class 1-A, didn't you?" Midnight asked rhetorically, before turning to Izuku. "You were alone with Muscular, so you wouldn't have known..."
Toga's face didn't change. She looked a little more reassured, but it was clear she was very unsettled.
"I see... Well, I'll be there for you. If anyone says anything, I'll back you up." The greenette grinned, resting his hand on her shoulder.
Toga looked up at him with a smile finally on her face, looking a little teary eyed as she leaned against him, resting her head on his shoulder.
"Thank you, Izuku." She said softly. It bothered him a little bit, when she did this. It would probably annoy Mina and that wasn't something he wanted to do. However, maybe for now it would be okay. It looked like she could use a hug anyways.
Uraraka had been sat for the last ten minutes, silently staring at the floor whilst Momo, Sato, Sero and Kirishima helped cooked lunch for everyone. She wasn't sure what to do with herself. Not only had they lost the Symbol of Peace, but Izuku had lost someone he seemed very close to. She was so worried about how he was handling it, and she knew Mina would take great care of him, and she knew his mother was probably there for him too, but she simply couldn't shake the feeling. She wanted to be there to support him too, but instead she was sat here, not even helping with food preparations, not that it was her turn to anyway.
"Uraraka, if you slouch any further, you may never be able to sit straight again." Momo perked up with a small grin, walking up beside her friend and placing a hand on her shoulder. The brunette had heard her friend speak, but didn't react for a few seconds, still completely lost in her thoughts.
"Uraraka?" Momo repeated softly. This time it got her attention. She jolted a little as she came to, looking around at her friends before turning up to Momo.
"S-Sorry, I was spaced out for a moment..." The Zero Gravity Quirk user stammered, an embarrassed blush fading onto her face.
"Worried about Midoriya?" Kirishima asked over his shoulder after handing Sero another potato to cut for their curry rice.
"I get it, but you shouldn't be. He's been through worse things than this. Besides, this sucks for everyone so he's not going through this alone." He continued all at once, watching Sero quickly work the knife along the potato before throwing it into the pot.
"I know, I just... I don't know..." She responded, quickly giving up and leaning on the countertop with a sigh.
"I will go and let everyone know that lunch is almost ready." Momo spoke up, starting towards the door and out into the living room. It was silent in the dorm building today, with everyone enjoying the warm sun the final days of August was gifting them. With term 2 starting tomorrow, nobody wanted to take today for granted.
"Do you think they'll be back soon?" Sero asked openly, rubbing his hands on the apron he had tied around his waist.
"Should be. You know how Midoriya can be... I'll bet he's being dragged out by the doctors by now." Kirishima joked.
"Can you blame him? Him and All Might seem pretty close..." Sero thought outload. Kirishima shrugged in reply, before pulling his phone from his pocket.
Uraraka couldn't wait for Izuku to get back. It felt like it had been ages since herself, Izuku and even Iida and the others had hung out. Perhaps with the study session being the last time in recent months. Perhaps she could organise something with him soon, or even with the class. That time they went to the swimming pool together was one she still wouldn't soon forget.
It was then that the sound of the front door opening, and Momo welcoming back Mina, that the three were pulled from their conversation. Uraraka jumped up from her chair and was first to leave the kitchen, but when she entered the living room, she was met only with Mina, standing there. It wasn't that she didn't feel happy to see her, but where was Izuku?
"Mina, good to see ya!" Kirishima announced with a smile, walking past Uraraka with Sero.
"Hey Kirishima. How's everyone doin'?" the Pinkette asked openly, looking around at her classmates.
"Everyone's a little shaken, but we're all okay." Iida finally spoke up.
"Where's Midoriya? I thought he'd be with you." Mineta asked curiously, leaning over the back of the sofa.
"He is here, he just went to the Staff Dorm, he'll be back soon." Mina responded, slinging her back off her shoulder as she walked over to the free sofa, sitting down with a sigh, dropping her bag between her feet.
"How did he handle everything?" Uraraka asked, walking around to Mina and sitting beside her.
"You know him, so you can probably imagine... He was a mess... It was really upsetting to see..." Mina explained briefly, looking a little disconcerted.
"Let's give the questioning a rest," Momo chimed in, stepping towards Mina with a gentle smile. "Are you hungry? We were just making curry rice, and we have extra for you and Midoriya, when he's back."
"Yeah, thanks Momo." Mina beamed at her friend as she, Sero and Kirishima started back to the kitchen.
"I hope All Might's going to be okay..." Ojiro muttered to himself, standing beside on the large windows, staring out at the blue sky.
Whilst everyone chatted, Uraraka noticed Mina's eyes fixed on Bakugo. He had been really quiet ever since hearing about what'd happened to All Might, which no one expected. He one didn't consider him to be anti-social before, then he definitely was now. The only words he had said since news broke was 'thank you' to whoever was cooking dinner that day.
Mina looked annoyed, but Uraraka couldn't even hazard a guess as to why. Perhaps something had happened between her and Bakugo. She wouldn't be surprised if it was something to do with his and Izuku's relationship too.
She was really nervous to see what would come in the future. She had no doubt that villain activity was going to increase now All Might was gone, but just how bad would it get. Todoroki's father, Endeavor was now the Number One Hero, and he had some massive shoes to fill, in her opinion. What was going to happen now?