I still don't have an exact intro for these, so...yeah. I exist, things are going great… *checks amount of follows, favorites, reviews, grows pale* As I write this, I have 78 followers, 54 favorites, and 8 reviews. WHAT IS SO IMPRESSIVE ABOUT MY WRITING SOMEONE TELL ME! Also, I love reading the comments, and I'm so happy that so many people are reading and enjoying this. Thank you so much! *starts crying, makes myself stop* I just got a lot of feelings. (Point if you get that reference.)

Well, it's time to start the fiction. We get to meet one of my favorite characters in this part, also known as Izuku's...well, you can take a guess. :) ;)

Oh, and I'd like to apologize in advance for what I'm about to do. Take a bit of a guess as I mentioned probably doing it last chapter, but an explanation for it will probably happen later on in the fiction...much later on.

"Alright, Izuku, how about you go run around for a little bit?" Hisashi suggested when they got home. "There's a large time difference between here and Scotland, so we'll have to wait until later in the evening before we can call Inko, ok?"

"Ok," Izuku said, then paused for a few seconds.

Hey...Odin? Izuku asked.

Yes? Odin asked.

I know that I just made my contract with you this morning...and it's only about 11 in the morning...but do you think maybe we should try to find some other allies? Izuku asked.

Odin stayed silent for a few seconds. We can look around, but since you've never interacted with another ghost before me, then there might be no ghosts in the area-we might have to go somewhere else in order to find someone you can make a contract with.

I'll ask if that would be alright-I've taken the train before, so maybe visit a graveyard in a different town or something? Izuku asked.

Probably, Odin said. But ghosts don't only stick to graveyards-there's also hospitals, places of a large accident, places that people have died and their ghosts just linger around, but you can find most ghosts just wandering around.

Got it, Izuku said. Ooh, I have an idea…

"Hey, Dad, would it be alright for me to grab some money and go to a different town for a bit?" Izuku asked.

"Why?" Hisashi asked, sounding a little concerned.

"Well...there aren't really ghosts around here, and I kinda want to make more contracts…" Izuku said.

"You've already made one-I don't think you should just make a bunch too soon," Hisashi said.

Odin appeared, causing the wings to appear, too.

"Don't worry, I'll make sure everything's in check," Odin promised. "How about we make a limit of only making three more contracts before school starts again? That's...um...how long?"

"Another two weeks," Izuku said.

"Three contracts at max in the next two weeks," Odin said. "Today's just looking around-scouting, if you will."

"Hmm…" Hisashi said. "But you're a ghost, and I'm going to be busy for a while...will Izuku be safe?"

"I promise he will," Odin said.

"Both of you are nine-I don't want to risk it," Hisashi said. "After all, only one of you can really do something...but if you think it's a good idea...I have one condition."

"Name it," Izuku said.

"I want you to bring Katsuki with you," Hisashi said. "I'll call Mitsuki over and explain the situation to her and Katsuki. I'd feel safer if you had a literal human grenade with you."

"Dad, that's not nice," Izuku said.

"You get what I mean," Hisashi said. "Come inside for a bit. The two of you can watch something, and I'll ask the Bakugos to come over for lunch so I can tell them the good news."

"Ok," Izuku said.

Odin's eyes lit up. "Ooh, that means we have about an hour! Which means that I get to show you Sanders Sides!"

"Sanders Sides?" Hisashi and Izuku asked at the same time.

Odin nodded. "My Mom and I would watch it when I was a kid. It's where I got the whole Side thing from, and where I knew the mind palace concept from. You'll love it, I promise."

"Ok," Izuku said.

"Oh, wait, do you know English?" Odin asked.

"Well...I know plenty, I guess," Izuku said.

"I taught him English when I moved back from America," Hisashi said proudly.

"Oh, you lived in America?" Odin asked as they walked into the house.

"I worked there for a while before Inko got a job opportunity in Scotland, then I came back here," Hisashi said. "I taught Izuku English, and he's pretty smart, so he caught on pretty quick."

"But I'm not as fluent as Dad is," Izuku said.

"Alright," Odin said. "We can put on Japanese subtitles-but still. I promise that you'll love it! We'll have to look it up on YouTube-"

"YouTube?" Izuku and Hisashi asked.

"Ah, right, it's been two hundred years," Odin said. "It's a video website...I think it's been replaced by HeroTube? Basically the same thing-last I checked, though, YouTube was still running, but otherwise, we could still find the series somewhere."

"Ok…" Hisashi said. "Well, I'm curious now, so how about you two watch it, and at some point, when I don't have work and Izuku doesn't have school, we can make a day out of it and binge watch it?"

"Sounds like a plan," Odin said.

"Alright, Izuku, you know where the computer is-and you know the password," Hisashi said. "I'll call you into the kitchen when the Bakugos get here for lunch."

Izuku and Odin nodded, then Izuku led Odin over to the room with the computer.

..

About an hour-and the surprise of realizing that Izuku was actually fluent in English-later, Izuku and Odin were just finishing the episode "Losing My Motivation" when Hisashi poked his head into the room.

"Izuku, Odin, the Bakugos are here!" Hisashi said.

They both looked at him and nodded. Izuku bookmarked the tab, then logged off the computer. He glanced at Odin, who nodded and disappeared, Izuku's wings disappearing as well. Hisashi nodded, then the two walked into the kitchen area, where Mitsuki, Masaru, and Kacchan were sitting at the table.

"Hey, Izuku," Mitsuki said as the boy in question approached, giving him a quick hug. "Mind telling us what's up?"

"He can while we eat," Hisashi said, putting down plates in front of each with katsudon, as well as setting one aside for Odin. The Bakugos gave Hisashi a confused look.

"Um, Hisashi, is...someone else joining us for lunch?" Masaru asked.

"Is Inko finally back from Scotland?" Mitsuki added, excited about the idea of seeing her best friend again.

"Sorry, Inko's not back just yet-but yes, we do have someone we'd like you to meet," Hisashi said. He looked at Izuku. "Well?"

Izuku nodded. Odin, out of the frying pan-

-and into the fire, Odin replied happily as she appeared in the empty seat, causing the three Bakugos to jump.

"O-Oh, I didn't realize you...adopted," Mitsuki said after a few seconds."Congratulations!"

"Well...that's not actually the case," Hisashi said slowly.

"Well, then mind telling us why a young girl just appeared in your kitchen-wait, why does Deku have wings?!" Kacchan exclaimed, his eyes growing wide. His parents jumped and shouted in surprise as they noticed this new feature as well.

Izuku smiled sheepishly as he scratched the back of his neck. "Well...um…"

"Hi, I'm Odin," Odin said. "The best way to describe me is...I'm part of Izuku's quirk."

"HIS WHAT?!" the three Bakugos exclaimed.

Izuku flinched. "No need to be so loud."

"Izuku has a quirk?!" Mitsuki cried. "Inko said that he was born without one!"

"Yeah, because of some stupid pinkie-toe joint or something," Odin said. "That isn't the actual way to tell if someone has a quirk-the whole concept doesn't really make sense to me."

"Then why haven't we met you before?" Mitsuki demanded.

"Wait, this morning-" Kacchan started.

"Yep, this morning, I met Odin for the first time," Izuku cut in, causing them to all look at him. "My quirk allows me to create and share something called Lifeforce, which is basically energy that people use for living...right?"

"Right," Odin said. "This morning, Izuku gave me the name Odin, and he accidentally created a contract with me."

"A contract?" Masaru asked, sounding worried. "What does that mean?"

"Basically, because I can create Lifeforce, I give Odin a small amount of mine-an amount so small that I don't even notice," Izuku explained. "I also let her control my ability to care about myself and others. In exchange, I get to use her quirk." He carefully reached back and touched the wings on his back. "Which means I get wings."

"That's not the only part of my quirk, but you'll learn more about that later on," Odin said.

"...alright, so apparently I have more than wings from the contract," Izuku said. "I didn't know until...yesterday night about any of this."

"Last night?" Hisashi asked, clearly surprised.

Izuku nodded sheepishly. "Late last night, I went for a walk, and I met Odin in the park...she looked older than she does now."

"I looked seventeen, to be exact-that's the age where I died," Odin muttered.

"Died?" Masaru asked, eyes wide.

"Yeah, I'm a ghost," Odin said sheepishly.

"I can see ghosts and make contracts with them by giving them a name," Izuku said. "Honestly, it's a pretty cool deal to me."

"I benefit, and he benefits-it's all good," Odin said.

"So...do you only have a contract with...Odin, was it?" Mitsuki asked.

"At the moment...which is one of the reasons I wanted to talk to you," Hisashi said.

They all looked at him.

"What do you mean?" Mitsuki asked.

"Well...Izuku wants to make more contracts, but we apparently don't have many ghosts around town that he can talk to," Hisashi said. "Which means that he would have to go somewhere else with plenty of ghosts…"

"...but it would just be me and Izuku looking because he's too busy to come with us today," Odin finished, nodding at Hisashi. "And while I have an actual form now, I'm still a ghost."

"And I'm still a nine-year-old boy," Izuku added. "Which would mean it would be dangerous for me and Odin to go around alone…"

"...so I was wondering if maybe Katsuki would be free and could go with them?" Hisashi asked.

"Well, we aren't really doing anything today," Masaru said, then looked at Katsuki. "What do you think?"

"I think that the whole idea of this quirk is freaking dumb," Kacchan said.

"Katsuki, be nice," Mitsuki hissed.

"It's alright-it's pretty weird, even to me," Izuku said. "After all, yesterday, I didn't even have a quirk, and all of a sudden I have Odin who can literally read my mind, and I also have wings. It's probably more than a bit much to take in."

"More than a bit much?" Kacchan scoffed. "You sound like some old man-"

"Actually, that isn't the case," Odin said.

"Excuse me?" Kacchan snapped.

"Formal speech," Odin said. "Most people have abandoned it since the rise of quirks for whatever reason, but it still exists-but that doesn't matter. If you don't want to come with us, then I think it might be a good idea to wait until Hisashi has some time to bring us or something."

"No, no, I'm coming with," Kacchan said. "I wanna see how the heck your stupid quirk works."

"Katsuki, please be nice," Masaru said.

"Awesome!" Izuku said.

"Shut up, you stupid Deku-just because you have some quirk doesn't mean you're gonna be more powerful than me-I'm going to be a hero greater than All Might someday!" Kacchan said. "I'm just...watching the competition."

"Aw, you think of me as competition!" Izuku said happily.

"You have a quirk now-obviously you're gonna try to become some hot-shot hero, but I'm still gonna leave you in the dust," Kacchan said.

Greater than All Might, huh? Odin asked, sounding a little bitter-not caring at all, which sounded strange to Izuku. Doesn't take much-he's just popular, but not much else.

Izuku gave her an odd look. What do you have against All Might?

"Um...is something up?" Hisashi asked. Odin and Izuku looked at him.

"I'll tell you later-just something Odin was saying that was weird," Izuku said, glancing at Odin, who shrugged.

"I'll tell you later-I'm just not that much of a fan of...yeah," Odin said.

"How?" Izuku asked.

"I'll tell you later," Odin said.

"Okay…" Izuku said.

"Well, let's eat, then get going," Kacchan said. "Stupid Deku and...Odin-agh, gonna have to come up with a nickname for you."

"I'm nicknaming her Mom," Izuku said.

"But Inko's your mom," Masaru pointed out.

"It's a joke because she's the mom friend," Izuku said.

"I see…" Mitsuki said. "So...this trip today. Any specific places?"

"Ghosts tend to hang around graveyards, hospitals, scenes of past accidents-stuff like that," Odin said. "However, for the most part, you can find ghosts just about anywhere...but I'm surprised that I haven't really seen any in this area."

"Or maybe I haven't recognized ghosts as...ghosts?" Izuku said. "I didn't think Odin was a ghost until she said she was...maybe I've seen some before, but haven't talked to them."

"Fair enough, but I still haven't seen many...but, then again, I was here for a little bit last night, and we spent most of today inside or at the quirk registration office," Odin admitted.

"Already registered?" Mitsuki asked.

Hisashi nodded. "And we're supposed to check in every time he makes a new contract…"

"I don't think I'm going to make too many in general," Izuku said quickly. "I mean, I still want some control over the way I feel. I'll probably only make one or two before school starts again, one or two in the school year, maybe one during middle school, and by the time I get to high school, I'll have a complete set of Sides."

"Sides?" Mitsuki asked.

"It's a reference-basically, those he makes a contract with," Odin said.

"A reference to what?" Mitsuki asked.

"Long story short, a web series Odin's obsessed with and has dragged me into," Izuku said.

"You love it, too," Odin said.

"I mean, it's really great," Izuku admitted. "But seriously, what's Morality's name? And Creativity's? Are they like Logic, how his name is Logan? So...Chris and...um...Mason?"

"You'll see-but don't leave out Anxiety," Odin said.

Izuku made a face. "Anxiety's the bad guy."

"Anxiety is a Precious Boi that deserves everyone's love and support!" Odin said, sending a wave of care unintentionally.

"Geez, ok, ok, I got it," Izuku said. "We can continue this conversation later...after you tell me what's up with you-know-what."

"Got it," Odin said.

"To get back on topic, so we're basically going to a more populated area, stopping by a graveyard, hospital, and walking around?" Kacchan asked. "Easy enough."

"But there's also the fact that I have to choose ghosts to make a contract with...Odin and I will probably let you know if we see a ghost that we'd like to talk to," Izuku said.

"Sweet-so let's eat and get going-thank you for the meal," Kacchan said, then began to dig in.

"Katsuki-" Masaru said warningly, but Hisashi waved it off.

"You're welcome," Hisashi said.

"Thanks, Dad," Izuku said with a big smile, then began to eat.

Mitsuki and Masaru sighed, then said thanks and began to eat.

Odin stared at the food for a few seconds-she'd done that during breakfast as well, then muttered, "It looks absolutely delicious, thank you," and began to eat.

Hisashi grinned, nodded, then ate as well.

..

The Bakugos and the Midoriyas lived in Shizuoka Prefecture, so they decided to take a train to the capital of the place, Shizuoka. (Please appreciate this detail, I had to do research on this stuff while walking around a store and DON'T GET WHAT I'M DOING)

As soon as they got off the train, Kacchan and Izuku-Odin was in the mind palace, so Izuku didn't have to worry about his wings in a crowd of people-were faced with a huge crowd of people getting on and off the train.

Kacchan took one look at the crowd, then quickly grabbed the smaller boy's hand.

Izuku gave Kacchan a confused look, but Kacchan just shrugged.

"I'm gonna be the best hero ever-I'm not gonna let you and Odin get lost in this crowd," Kacchan said.

Izuku smiled. "Thanks, Kacchan."

"Psh, let's just go-um...does Odin know where we're going?" Kacchan asked as the two started moving through the crowd.

I've been in Shizuoka before, but User Seven and I were there to take down some minor villains one time over thirty years back, Odin mused. Pretty fun hero raid.

Izuku suddenly stopped, causing Kacchan to stop and give him an odd look.

Wait, hero?! Izuku asked, eyes wide.

Oh, wait...I never said that, huh? Odin chuckled nervously. Um...I'll tell you later-keep moving, you're making Kacchan worry.

Izuku looked at Kacchan and gave him a small smile. "Sorry-Odin just said something that surprised me."

"Just don't stop suddenly, Deku," Kacchan said. "Otherwise you'll get lost in the crowd."

"Right, sorry, Kacchan," Izuku said.

You'd better have a good story to tell...wait, were you a hero in your life? Izuku asked.

Um...heroes weren't a thing back when I was alive, Odin said slowly.

Oh, Izuku said. Well, then. Wait, you mentioned UA before...have you been there with someone? Wait, am I not the first person you've been a Side for?

It's a long story-I promise, I'll tell you later, Odin said.

Izuku had a strange feeling, but he shrugged it off and just continued walking.

"Hey, excuse me!"

The young woman stopped and looked at Izuku and Kacchan as they walked up to her.

"What?" the woman asked.

"Can we get directions, please?" Izuku asked.

Kacchan muttered something about not needing directions.

"To where?" the woman asked.

"The graveyard?" Izuku asked.

The woman's eyes grew wide, then she crossed her arms, giving them her full attention. "Why in the world would you two boys want to go to the graveyard?!"

"Um…" Izuku said.

Grandparents living near there! Odin quickly thought. Saying the real reason would sound a little sketchy, and we don't want to appear weird like that.

"Our grandparents live near the graveyard-we can get to their place from there, but we're a little lost," Izuku said.

"Huh," the woman said. "Didn't think anyone lived near that graveyard anymore."

"Why, something wrong with it?" Kacchan asked, rolling his eyes.

"You two must not be from around here," the woman said. "Rumor has it that some vengeful spirit has the graveyard as their domain."

"Ha!" Kacchan said. "Ghosts aren't that scary!"

He might want to be more worried than that… Odin thought.

Why? Izuku asked.

It might be a Wraith, and even I don't want to mess with one of those-but I will if you need me to, Odin replied.

What's a Wraith? Izuku asked.

A ghost that ran out of Lifeforce, Odin said.

Wait, you actually have Lifeforce? Izuku asked. But isn't that what keeps people living?

Yes, but at the same time...no, Odin said. If that were the case, I'd be alive again 'cause I'm taking Lifeforce from you. What makes it so special in the afterlife is that it's what keeps us sane.

Sane? Izuku asked worriedly.

Yeah, Odin said. Ghosts can get Lifeforce from graveyards, hospitals, stuff like that-that's why plenty of ghosts are there. When we don't get much Lifeforce, we get hungry for it, and the small amount we are usually fine with from those places isn't enough, so we attack other ghosts...and even living people. When a ghost first attacks for Lifeforce, they become a Wraith...and there's no known way to turn Wraiths back into regular ghosts. They're like that for a hundred more years before they just...disappear.

Oh, Izuku said. Do you think we should even go to the graveyard?

Odin stayed silent for a few seconds. Well...I'm in the least danger between the three of us. I can scout ahead-if I find a Wraith, I'll let you know.

Ok, Izuku said.

"I wouldn't be so sure-whatever spirit is there has drained the life out of people," the woman said. "Even pro heroes are too scared to go there."

"We ain't scared," Kacchan said.

"We'll be careful, but we still need to get there," Izuku said.

"We don't need to be careful!" Kacchan protested.

"If you're sure...go that way until you reach 10th street, take a right, go until Kyomina Street, take a left, go until Willowing Lane-that'll bring you pretty far. From there, everything'll be abandoned, so keep going, and you'll end up getting to the graveyard...eventually."

"That's-" Kacchan started, looking ready to fight.

"Thanks for the directions-if we get to the abandoned part of town, I can get us there." He turned to Kacchan. "Come on, let's get going." Before Kacchan could protest, Izuku dragged him away.

Once they were out of ear-shot, Kacchan glared at Izuku. "Deku, what the heck was that?"

"Odin says that there might actually be something in the graveyard that could kill us," Izuku explained. "She's going to scout ahead to make sure we don't get hurt."

I'm more worried about him than you-don't get me wrong, protecting you is my priority, but Kacchan has almost no Lifeforce energy compared to you, Odin said. You'd be fine if a Wraith were to attack you before I could stop it. However, a hungry Wraith would kill him in a few seconds-if one gets to him at all, it could send him into a coma at the very least.

Oh, Izuku said.

"Um...Kacchan, stay really close-especially when we get closer," Izuku said.

"Come on, the graveyard can't be that scary," Kacchan said.

"Odin says that there might actually be something there that could kill us-but you're more likely to get...killed," Izuku said.

Kacchan looked pale.

"W-Well, I'm sure that we'll be fine-it's probably just some stupid urban legend that got really popular (Point if you get the reference)," Kacchan said, but couldn't keep the fear out of his voice.

"Yeah…" Izuku said. "Well, let's just get there, get this over with, and go to the next place." With that, the two boys picked up the pace.

.

"P-Pretty abandoned here," Kacchan said nervously after they had walked away from the crowd-and all houses that didn't look run-down-a while back.

"Yeah...probably fine for Odin to come out now," Izuku said.

Odin appeared behind the two. "Yes, quite right."

Izuku and Kacchan yelped, jumped, and spun around to look at her.

"Odin, please don't do that when we're potentially in danger," Izuku asked.

"I-Is there a vengeful spirit nearby?" Kacchan asked.

"I'm not sure-I'm going to fly ahead and check out the graveyard, plus surrounding areas-but I'll be here in a second if you feel like something's wrong," Odin said, flapping her wings slightly. "I could fly all the way across the United States in four hours back when I was alive-I can get to you if you even have a bad feeling. Got that?"

"Got it," Izuku and Kacchan said at the same time.

"Alright, I'll keep you updated on what I find-stick together," Odin said, then spread her wings and took off.

Instantly, Kacchan latched onto Izuku's arm. Izuku gave him an odd look.

"D-Don't want you to get hurt...and the old hag would be mad if I let you out of my sight," Kacchan said.

Izuku smiled. "Got it." With that, the two continued to walk.

..

The afterlife hadn't been really kind to Himari.

Granted, regular life hadn't been so kind, either. In general, existence wasn't fun.

In life, Himari had lived in the shadow of her beautiful, brilliant, delightful older sister. The entire family had expected the second daughter to be even better…

...but their expectations were let down when Himari had been born. She wasn't particularly pretty, she wasn't the brightest, and she'd rather run around with the boys getting dirty than sit around during serious conversations. Her parents had tried to make her better. They plastered makeup on her face, made her dye her chocolate-brown hair pitch-black, made her stay up late to study and forbade her from even talking to the servant's children...but she would sneak out often and try to be herself. Her parents hated that, and Himari really tried to resist that urge and study, she really did. She sat through so many conversations, she asked questions of her tutor, she ignored the others…

...but it became too much. So, when she turned sixteen, she gave herself a birthday present and snuck out of the house, planning on just having a night to herself…

...but she got hit by a car and died almost instantly.

None of her family showed up for her funeral. They even had her buried in Shizuoka because they didn't want her grave near-she heard them planning it when she wanted to see them one last time. They hadn't even cared-in fact, they belittled her existence, saying that she had been to ugly to live, anyway. Too stupid. Too spontaneous. So, Himari went back to the graveyard. She didn't know what she wanted to do now that she was dead. Sure, she could go anywhere, do anything...but her previous lifestyle had made it so she didn't know how to make friends. So, she was just spending eternity in this graveyard-she couldn't even run out of Lifeforce and just fade out.

And, to make matters worse, a dying Wraith had come by a few years previously and scared all the locals away. Nobody lived nearby. No ghosts stayed around. It was only her. No sound. Nothing interesting. Just...silence.

And Himari did not like the silence. But who would want to bother with her? She was ugly, stupid, spontaneous. She deserved the eternity of silence.

It was another day. Himari was sitting on her gravestone, as always. She sat perfectly still-maybe if she could stay still long enough, she'd become smarter. Become less spontaneous. Maybe that would be enough to be pretty. Maybe then she'd be able to make friends.

However, later in the day, something happened.

Himari...heard a sudden gust of wind.

Sure, that wasn't unusual. There'd be wind, rain, birds, and all that. But there was something different about this. It was followed by another...and another...it didn't sound natural.

For the first time in six months-dang it, now she had to start again!-Himari moved-she looked up from the ground to see someone-a fellow ghost-land at the entrance of the graveyard. She had large, beautiful black wings on her back. Her blonde hair was in a braid that was sitting over her shoulder. She was wearing a simple green dress. The ghost looked about nine years old…

...and absolutely gorgeous.

Himari stared in shock as the ghost looked around, then saw her. Instantly, the girl tensed up-she's scared because I'm so ugly, I'm a monster-then smiled and walked over, folding her wings behind her back.

"Hey!" the ghost said. "Are you the only ghost here?"

"U-Uh, y-yeah," Himari said.

"Oh, great!" the ghost said. "You clearly aren't a Wraith-you look perfectly sane, which is great."

"H-Huh?" Himari asked.

"Oh, actually, my friend was worried that a Wraith would be here because of the rumors, but it should be fine!" the ghost said, then lightly tapped her head. "So, what's your name?"

"U-Uh…" Himari said. "I-I...I don't want to use it anymore."

"Oh," the ghost said. "Well, that's sad."

"I-I don't deserve it," Himari blurted, then silently cursed to herself. Why had she said that?

The ghost looked surprised. "Why?"

"Because I'm hideous," Himari said. "My name sounds beautiful, but I'm the opposite. I'm a mess that even a mother couldn't love." She felt tears come to her eyes, but she held them back. "I deserve to be alone for the rest of time. I don't deserve to use my awful voice. I don't deserve to talk to someone as pretty as you."

The ghost looked surprised, then shook her head. "Ok, woah. What the heck. Whoever told you any of that is clearly blind."

"H-Huh?" Himari asked, her eyes wide.

"Look, I don't get the whole concept of beauty or ugly, but let me tell you this-you look amazing," the ghost said.

"W-What?" Himari asked.

"You heard me," the ghost said. "You aren't hideous. Your voice isn't awful-actually, it's kinda pleasing to listen to. And you think a mother couldn't love you? Ha!" She rolled her eyes. "If your mother didn't love you, then something was wrong with her-a mother loves her child unconditionally, otherwise they don't deserve to be called a mother-well, I mean, sure, some still give their kids up, but that's another story, and that doesn't matter right now. Whatever internal monologue you have that's telling you such awful lies, tell it to go away."

"Y-You r-really think so?" Himari asked, now practically choking on her tears, not caring that they were pouring out of her eyes.

"Of course!" the ghost said, carefully giving Himari a hug, which surprised her. "Never let yourself think otherwise, alright?"

Himari paused for a few seconds, then squeezed the ghost, sobbing into her shoulder for a solid minute while the ghost gently rubbed her back.

After a minute, Himari pulled back, wiping away her tears.

"T-Thank you," Himari said. "I-I really needed to hear that."

"That isn't something someone should need to hear," the ghost said, surprised. "It should just be said. Everyone is beautiful-and that's just a fact."

Himari smiled. "Thank you...uh...what's your name?"

"Oh, I'm-" the ghost started.

"Odin!"

They both turned their heads to see two boys-both about the ghost's age-walk into the graveyard-there were so many visitors today! Himari didn't know what was going on, but it made her happy to see more people...even if these two boys couldn't see ghosts-

"Hey, Odin, who's that?" the shorter boy asked as the two walked over.

Huh?!

"Um...Deku...there's nobody here besides you, me, and Odin," the taller boy said. "Stupid nerd."

"Oh, it's another ghost," the ghost said happily. "Sorry you can't see her, Kacchan."

"W-What?" Himari asked.

"Hi!" the shorter boy said, holding a hand to Himari. "My name's Izuku Midoriya-you've already met my Caring Side, Odin, and this is my friend, Kacchan. What's your name?"

"U-Um...I-I don't want to use it," Himari said.

"No?" Izuku asked.

"Well, that makes it easier!" the ghost-Odin-said.

"W-What's that supposed to mean?" Himari asked, a little on edge-even more so when Kacchan stepped back.

"Well...um...I was wondering if you'd like to make a contract?" Izuku asked.

"A contract?" Himari asked. "What do you mean?"

"Basically, I give you a new name, and I let you take a small portion of my Lifeforce, as well as let you control a part of me-for example, Odin controls my ability to care for myself and others," Izuku said. "In exchange...I get to use your quirk."

Himari's eyes grew wide as she registered that.

He wants to use my quirk...and give me Lifeforce...and take away my name...and trust me with a part of him.

Himari's parents had never trusted her with anything, really. She'd never been good enough. They'd never let her use her quirk-it probably wasn't that strong, but it could have been had she trained it. After all, she had an advanced copy quirk-if she could understand how a quirk worked, she could copy it. But it hadn't ever really mattered before…

...but this boy…

Himari bit her lip, then held her hand to the boy. "Give me a name, and I'll follow you to the ends of the Earth if I have to."

Izuku smiled, then reached out and took her hand. "I'm going to name you...Yui!"

Yui. Yui. Yui Yui Yui. It was…

"Perfect-I love it!" Himari-no, Yui-exclaimed…

...just as a light-blue string appeared around both their wrists, surprising Yui as the string disappeared…

...then Yui felt herself shrink down, and suddenly, she was nine years old again. Her hair was in two braids, and she was wearing a light blue dress with a gray cardigan around her neck, and it felt really comfortable (seriously, though, I wore a cardigan around my neck for a week on a date, and it's REALLY comfortable.)

Yui looked at herself, then to Izuku, who smiled.

Yui Midoriya, a strange voice said in her head. The Moral Side of Izuku's personality. Izuku's quirk makes him able to create and share Lifeforce. By giving Yui a name, Izuku made a contract. Yui can consume some of Izuku's endless supply of Lifeforce, and in exchange, Izuku can use part of Yui's quirk. This also allows the two, plus Odin, to communicate, and it gives Yui a room in Izuku's mind palace, plus the chance to help control everything related to Izuku's morals, and quite a bit dealing with his emotions.

Kacchan yelped, snapping Yui back into reality as he looked at her.

"W-What the?!" Kacchan exclaimed.

"Oh, you can see her, now," Odin said happily.

That's one of Izuku's friends, Odin thought, and Yui jumped as she realized that it was telepathic. Odin glanced at her. We can communicate telepathically, and you have a room in the Mind Palace-I'll show you around later. At the moment, it's my room, a living room, and a kitchen area, but now we have your room.

Why the kitchen area? Izuku asked.

I dunno, it showed up when I started creating stuff, Odin admitted.

Alright, so...now what? Yui asked.

We head home-you still have to meet my Dad, Izuku said.

Oh, and quick comment-I'm the Mom friend, so feel free to call me Mom if you want, Odin thought happily.

Um...I'm just gonna call you Odin, Yui thought.

Aw, fine, Odin said, looking at her with an exaggerated pout…

...just as they all heard shouting in the distance.

Yui jumped, not used to so much noise at one time. The other three looked at her, then back at the source of the noise, then Odin grabbed Yui's hand.

"Let's go to the mind palace for now-we're Izuku's quirk now, and technically, we shouldn't be out in public places-for now," Odin said. "Also, this way, I can show you the Mind Palace while helping Izuku deal with this." She looked at Izuku and Kacchan. "You two alright with us disappearing?"

Both boys nodded. Odin nodded, too, then the two of them disappeared.

..

As soon as Odin and Yui disappeared, someone came running around a corner, holding a gun. They-no, he-was wearing a trenchcoat and a fedora. The man saw the two, then put his gun into a holster on his belt and ran over.

"You two shouldn't be out here!" the man exclaimed. "Do you know how dangerous this area is!?"

Detective Lie Detector...also known as Detective Tsukauchi, Odin thought. He's on the Police Force-and he's a literal human lie detector. He can tell if someone's telling the truth.

How in the world do you know that? Yui asked.

I'll tell you and Izuku later, Odin promised.

Does this have to do with why you don't like All Might? Izuku asked.

Who doesn't like All Might?! Yui exclaimed.

That's a long story-I'll tell you two later, Odin said.

"Come on, this area can't be that dangerous-it's not closed off or anything," Kacchan snapped, snapping Izuku out of his mental conversation.

"Well, still-you don't have any business here," Detective Tsukauchi said. "Villains have been known to base here."

There's nobody else here at the moment-trust me on that fact, Yui said, and Izuku felt a strong wave of moral righteousness.

"There aren't any villains here at the moment, though," Izuku said. "We're safe."

"How can you be sure of that?" the detective asked. "Whatever. Someone said that they saw two young boys walking this way-you're lucky that happened, you know."

Tell him that it's nice that he worried about us, but you have a way of getting home safely-no need to make a big fuss over nothing, Odin said, sending a care wave.

"Thanks for your concern, but Kacchan and I are fine," Izuku said. "We came here knowing that we were going to be safe, and we have a reliable way of staying safe. We'll be leaving here now, probably going to do some shopping or something-"

"Nah, it's been a long day, and we've already done what we need to, so we should head home," Kacchan cut in.

"What did you need to do?" Detective Tsukauchi asked.

You can't lie to him...but I'm glad that you think of me as a reliable way of staying safe, Odin thought happily.

Either that or trusted that the other kid would be able to protect him, Yui thought.

A bit of both-Kacchan's strong, but I have a feeling that I can trust Odin-you, too, Yui, Izuku thought. You're both part of me now-literally. I can't wait to get to know both of you better.

Aw, thanks, kiddo, Yui thought, and Izuku barely managed to hold back his laughter-he faked it as a cough, though, although he wasn't sure that it was really convincing, but the detective didn't comment.

What? Yui asked.

We'll tell you later, Odin thought, humor in her voice.

Okay… Yui thought.

"Part of my quirk allows me to see ghosts, but there aren't many in our hometown, so I wanted to see if I could spot a few," Izuku told the detective. "My Dad didn't want me to come alone, so Kacchan came with me-but he was alright with coming over here."

"Yeah, some stupid urban legend isn't that scary!" Kacchan said. "Especially since it just looked like some little girl!"

"Mind explaining that as we walk away?" Detective Tsukauchi asked.

Both boys nodded, then began to follow him.

"Since I can see ghosts, there's a way for me to let Kacchan see as well, so we both found that a little ghost girl was the one that's been scaring people," Izuku said.

That's a lie-it was a Wraith a few years ago, Yui said softly.

"Wait, no, that's not it," Izuku said. "Yui just told me that it was a different ghost a few years ago."

"Yui?" the detective asked, clearly confused.

"Oh, um...the rest of my quirk allows me to make a contract with ghosts, so I made a contract with Yui-the ghost that was living here-and I can talk to her telepathically," Izuku explained.

Izuku, I know that you know that you have to answer everything truthfully, but can you please lay off all the information? Odin asked. And let Kacchan know, too.

"However one of my other contracts has some interesting information about you, Detective Tsukauchi," Izuku said.

The detective looked surprised. "You know my name?"

"Wait, Odin knows this guy?" Kacchan asked.

Izuku looked at Kacchan and nodded. "Odin apparently knows a bunch about stuff that most people don't." He looked back at the detective. "For example, she called you...Detective Lie Detector?"

No, don't tell him that! Odin exclaimed, sounding freaked out.

Instantly, the detective looked interested. "Oh? Well, I can only think of one person that's ever called me that."

Oh dang it, Odin thought.

"If it's someone you knew, then it can't be Odin," Izuku said.

"Maybe it is-mind if I meet her?" the detective asked.

No no no no no no- Odin thought.

Trust me-I have a plan, Izuku thought. Just...trust me.

"Sorry, but Odin's pretty shy-and besides, I'm pretty sure it isn't," Izuku said. "I mean, when's the last time you saw the other person?"

"Late last night-she ran away, and we're trying to track her," Detective Tsukauchi said.

I can't go back to that life they can't make me I refuse to do that- Odin started.

"That's impossible, then-I met Odin late last night, and she's been dead for a while-ghosts can't be classified as runaways," Izuku said. "But I'm sure that you knew that, Detective."

The detective looked surprised, then smiled softly. "Smart kid. You're right-besides, the person that I know probably wouldn't even go to a young kid and make a contract, whole being-dead thing aside. My mistake."

"That's alright-everyone makes them," Izuku said. "But let's just go-Kacchan and I still have to stop by the mall, then my Dad wants us home before suppertime-after all, like you said, we're both still kids."

"Of course," the detective said. "I'll walk you back to the normal part of town-but don't come this way again. I don't care if whatever urban legend is false-it's still dangerous."

"You don't have to worry about us, Detective, but thanks for making sure we get back safe," Izuku said.

Ooh, ooh, mention something about the police force's work! Yui thought excitedly.

Good thinking-we're definitely going to get along just fine, Odin thought.

"But, I mean, after all, that is the job of the police force, and you guys are all pretty good at your jobs-you'd have to be just to come all this way to make sure two kids are safe based on someone thinking that they walked to a run-down dangerous part of town," Izuku said.

Detective Tsukauchi looked surprised, then proud. "Yep! The Police Force doesn't really get that kind of recognition like we used to-it's nice to hear you put it like that."

The heroes wouldn't be half as great without the police force there, Odin thought.

"Without the police force, the heroes wouldn't be as successful," Izuku said. "You guys deserve some more recognition."

"Yeah," the detective said, then shook his head. "Let's pick up the pace-I do have some other stuff to be doing, too." With that, the three began to speed walk back to the regular part of town.

"Hey, Deku, what happened back there?"

"Huh?" Izuku asked, looking at Kacchan. They were sitting on the train-there weren't that many people-and they each had a shopping bag-they'd gone to the mall, and while Kacchan had gotten some cool new hero merch, Izuku had decided to let Yui and Odin pick some stuff out for his room-he knew that they had their own rooms, but still. This way, he could have something that reminded him of them in his room. "Which store?"

"No, earlier, with that detective guy," Kacchan said. "You started going on about how great the police force is. Do you want to be a police officer now or somethin'?"

"Odin apparently knows him, and she thought we were giving up too much information, so she suggested that I change the subject," Izuku said, then smiled. "And no, I don't want to be a police officer. I'm going to be one of the greatest heroes."

"With a quirk that depends on others?" Kacchan asked. "I'm going to beat you with my quirk-my own quirk. Don't think that you're that much of a hot-shot now that you have a quirk, stupid Deku. You'll get hurt, and your dad would get mad at me."

"I'll be fine, but thanks for your concern, Kacchan," Izuku said. "And I know that you're powerful...but I'm going to work my hardest." He looked at his hands. "I know that I'm behind everyone. At the moment, the only thing I can do is call upon Odin and Yui, and the only quirk I can use is Odin's wings. Everyone started from the bottom at the age four, so they're leagues ahead of my five-year late start...but I'm going to work as hard as I can...I'm going to have to work twice as hard as everyone else if I want to catch up by the time we take high school entrance exams...and even more if I want to stand a chance of going to UA." He balled his hands into fists. "I'm not stupid. I know that the chances of getting into UA are slim, and I'm even less likely to get in than anyone else-quirk or no quirk…"

"But?" Kacchan asked. "I know you, stupid Deku. I know that you're about to say but."

"...but I'm not going to give up," Izuku said. "Go beyond plus ultra. Push past your limits and create new ones. Push yourself to the breaking point and make it through. That's how I'm going to make it into UA."

"I'm still going to be working hard-don't you dare look down on me!" Kacchan snapped.

"I never have, and I never will," Izuku said. "You're stronger than me, and I'm aware of that, but I'm still going to make it as far as I can."

You're shooting for the moon...but even if you miss, you'll land among the stars, Odin thought quietly.

"I'm shooting for the moon...but even if I miss, even if I mess up big time, I'm still going to land among the stars-I'm still going to do my absolute best and make it somewhere with my life," Izuku said, then scoffed. "At least I don't have to worry about quirkless discrimination when it comes to finding a job."

There was a small pause.

Excuse me, what the heck? Odin asked.

Ooh, I know about this, Yui replied. Most workplaces refuse quirkless people even if they aren't allowed to use their quirks at the job. It's really weird, honestly.

There was another pause.

WHAT THE HECK?! Odin yelled, causing Izuku to flinch from the noise. YOU'RE TELLING ME THAT QUIRKLESS PEOPLE ARE BEING TREATED LIKE THIS?! GLOVE OFF, PICK UP THE TEMPO! (point if you get the reference…)

"What?" Kacchan asked.

"Um...Odin's about to hit someone because of quirkless discrimination," Izuku said.

"You know what, I don't think I want to know," Kacchan said. "But, I mean, what can quirkless people do-"

An absolutely angry Odin appeared, but, surprisingly, no wings appeared on Izuku's back-but nobody noticed as Odin poked Kacchan in the chest hard and people nearby jumped at the sudden appearance of the young girl.

"Now you listen to me, Katsuki Bakugo," Odin hissed. "Quirkless people aren't any different than people with quirks-quirkless people are just as strong, just as hardworking, just as smart. Quirkless people got mankind into space, invented this very train we're riding, and have kept civilization advancing for how long? And, suddenly, people start getting quirks, and technology advancements come to a freaking halt. It's been two hundred years since quirks first appeared, but Japan, America, the entire world hasn't advanced a single bit besides their worshipping of heroes-in that regard, it's almost like we went back to ancient times when people made up entire religions! So Do. Not. Speak. Ill. Of. Quirkless. People." With each word of the last sentence, she poked him in the chest for emphasis. "Got that?"

Kacchan gulped. "G-Got it."

"Good-now remember it," Odin said, then disappeared.

Everyone stared at Izuku and Kacchan-Kacchan looked terrified, honestly.

"Um...why's Odin so scary?" Kacchan asked.

"You're afraid of Odin?" Izuku asked.

"That was-" Kacchan said.

"-her getting defensive because she cares about people," Izuku interrupted. "She's literally the one in charge of caring-honestly, that wasn't as surprising as it could have been." He shrugged. "Let's just get home-I still have to call Mom about all this...and tell Dad about Yui."

Ooh, this is going to be a fun conversation! Odin said, no trace of the previous conversation.

Izuku could practically feel Yui smiling as she laughed.

Izuku smiled slightly, then looked at Kacchan. "So, how do you think I should let our classmates know that I have a quirk now?"

..

"Hey, Dad!" Izuku said happily as he walked into their house.

Hisashi, who was sitting at the table, smiled at Izuku. "What's up, Izuku? Did you make any new contracts?"

"Yeah!" Izuku siad.

Yui, Odin, time to shine! Izuku thought.

Yui and Odin appeared next to Izuku, causing Hisashi to jump.

"Odin, and...what's your name?" Hisashi asked, smiling at Yui.

"I'm...Yui," Yui said.

"She's my Morals Side, and she gets some say in my emotions," Izuku explained.

"Nice-and it's nice to meet you, Yui," Hisashi said. "I'm Izuku's Dad, Hisashi." He chuckled. "At this rate, we're going to have so many of you that we won't be able to fit us all at the dinner table!"

"H-Huh?" Yui asked, eyes wide.

"What, did you think that I'd have you sit somewhere else?" Hisashi asked. "All you Sides get to eat with us-I just hope you don't mind my cooking."

"You're good at cooking-nothing to worry 'bout there," Odin said happily.

"Thanks!" Hisashi said. "Now, I'm going to get supper started before too long...but how about we call Inko and see if she's awake and can have a conversation with us quick?"

"YES!" Izuku said happily. "I can't wait to tell Mom that I have a quirk now!"

Hisashi grinned, then took out his phone and pulled up Inko's contact information, pressing the call button and putting it on speaker.

The phone rang for a few seconds, then Inko answered. "Hello?"

"Hey, Inko," Hisashi said.

"Hey, Mom!" Izuku said happily.

"Oh, Hisashi, Izuku-is something wrong?" Inko asked. "I usually call you once a month…"

"Well, something pretty special happened today, and I thought you might want to know about it," Hisashi said.

"What?" Inko asked. "Did Izuku get a girlfriend~?"

"Ew, Mom, no!" Izuku said, shaking his head…

...and causing Odin and Yui to burst out laughing.

"Who's there?!" Inko asked.

"Yeah, Izuku, did you get a girlfriend?" Yui giggled teasingly.

"That's not funny, Yui!" Izuku pouted.

"Who's that?" Inko asked.

They all looked at the phone.

"I got my quirk!" Izuku exclaimed.

"Really?!" Inko asked happily. "Oh, honey, I'm so proud...but why are there others there?"

"My quirk is called Lifeforce-I can create and share Lifeforce, which is basically energy that keeps us alive, and so I can see ghosts and give them names and make contracts with them that give them some of my Lifeforce and let them take control of some part of my personality, and in exchange, I get to use their quirks!" Izuku said happily.

"Speaking of, where did Odin's wings go?" Hisashi asked.

"Who's Odin?" Inko asked.

"I'm Odin-I'm in charge of Izuku's ability to care for himself and others-and I have wings!" Odin said happily, spinning around, causing them all to laugh-besides a confused Inko.

"And I'm Yui-I'm in charge of Izuku's morals and emotions," Yui said.

"That's all at the moment, but I'm going to make more contracts over time, and I'm going to make more friends!" Izuku said.

"Oh, Izuku, I'm so happy for you-I can't wait to meet them," Inko said. "Well, I have to go to work, but I'll call before long-let me know if you make more of these friends, alright?"

"Of course!" Izuku said. "Bye Mom!"

"Bye, Izuku-love you-you, too, Hisashi," Inko said, then hung up.

They stayed silent for a few seconds.

"Well, I'm going to get started on supper," Hisashi said. "You three do whatever while I do that."

I'll tell you everything after we eat, Odin promised.

Alright, Izuku thought.

"Ooh, how about I show you my action figures!" Izuku suggested excitedly.

"Ooh, sure!" Yui said.

"Sounds like fun!" Odin said.

"Alright!" Izuku said, then lead them to his room.

..

"Ok, Odin, you said that you'd tell us the whole story after supper...so, what's going on?"

Izuku, Yui, and Odin were sitting on the living room floor-Hisashi was working on his laptop on the couch, but it was clear that he was paying more attention to them than his laptop.

"Yeah, how can someone not like All Might?" Yui asked.

"And you mentioned something about 'User Seven,' and that you lived in America-mind telling us how you ended up in Japan?" Izuku asked.

Odin took a deep breath. "Well...it's a long story, but to understand all of it, I'll have to start at the very beginning-back before I was a ghost-heck, back before I was even born. For this story to make sense...we start with a young girl who went by the name of Janice."

Aaaannnddd….I'm gonna leave it there for now. :)

Who knows when I'll update again-I still have my fanfiction on my other account...but I'll try to get this updated before too long.

Also, anyone seen the recent Sanders Side Bloopers Reel? WITH A TEASER OF THE NEXT EPISODE OH MY GOD I REALLY WANNA SEE THAT! Ehem. Excuse the fangirl moment. Or don't.

Take it easy guys, gals, and non-bianary pals.

Peace out! (Two points if you get both references. Another if you've seen the bloopers. :))