Hmm...I feel like I know these people somehow...oh, wait, that's right, fanfic readers!

Sup, my peeps! Trying to keep updating (totally not avoiding writing the next chapter of something on my other account, no, no, you have no proof. :))

I'm sorry for kinda disappearing for so long. I just...lost all motivation, I guess? And I guess I've been avoiding Sanders Sides since Janus's name was revealed because of the reason I stated in the last chapter. And...well...some other stuff with other relatives happened, and between the...two funerals, I guess I got too depressed to continue thinking of afterlife stuff? But then I went back to write that I was (maybe) gonna abandon this and noticed more reviews, so I read them, and? You are all really nice? Thank you so much!

Anyway. As I've stated multiple times, there will be two Anxieties. We've already met Rand, and as you've noticed, I hate him with a burning passion and can't get rid of him soon enough, but this is CHAPTER 10 and we haven't had any actual villains besides Rand (and arguably Dasu and Duke, but only on a technicality), so...yeah. Here's the first official villain of the fanfic, I guess! Izuku is ten years old, and this chapter progresses from Izuku's return to Japan until he's about 11 and a half-you'll see why.

Also, we get to meet my baby child in this chapter! You'll love them, trust me!

PLEASE READ THIS! THIS CHAPTER WILL INCLUDE TRANSPHOBIA!

WE BE GETTING RID OF IT FAST, SO I WON'T MENTION IT IN THE SUMMARY, BUT YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!

Enjoy the chapter!

To those that aren't reading the author notes, please read them this time.

Thank you.

…..

Izuku smiled as he walked off the plane and into the airport, then frowned as a wave of anxiety came over him.

Are you sure that your father loves you? I mean, you added three new Sides during this trip…

Rand, we all are aware that Hisashi loves us unconditionally, Yumio said.

Ah, but are you sure? Rand asked-Izuku could hear the smirk in his voice.

Yes, we're all sure, Odin snapped.

Rand sent another wave of anxiety, and Odin went quiet, which made Hirah fill the Mind Palace with anger.

STOP DOING THAT! Hirah roared.

Rand scoffed. What, are you gonna fight me on this?

Please stop, Izuku said. Rand, reconnect Odin.

Why should I? Rand asked-Izuku could feel his smirk.

Rand, I mean it-reconnect Odin right now, Izuku said.

Aw, you don't let me have any fun, Rand complained, then the anxiety drew back, but stayed present-couldn't he let up on it?!

RAND, STOP DOING THAT! Odin yelled.

MAKE ME, B*TCH! Rand yelled.

Hey, no swearing, Yui said.

F*ck off, Rand said.

Please stop, Izuku said.

"Izuku!"

Gratefully, Izuku turned his head to see Hisashi waving at him. He let out a sigh of relief and walked over to his dad, who instantly gave him a big hug.

"Welcome back to Japan, Izuku!" Hisashi said. "Let's go get your luggage and head home, ok?"

Izuku nodded and grabbed his dad's hand, letting him guide him over to the luggage pickup place.

Aren't you worried that you look childish holding your father's hand? Rand asked.

Shut up, Rand, Hirah growled.

"Katsuki and Hitoshi are coming by later today to see you-I tried to warn them that you'd be tired from the jet lag, but they insisted-they're really excited that you're back," Hisashi said.

Izuku smiled. "Can't wait to see them!"

I doubt that they like you- Rand started.

We all enjoy you talking, so would you please continue? Darnell snapped.

You don't know anything, Darnell, so please stay out of this, Rand said-he'd been really rude to Darnell, Darlina, and Dot since he had learned that they were the only ones younger than Izuku.

He knows more than you do… Yumio said.

How foolish of you-and you call yourself the Logic? Rand asked. I'm older-I know more than you do.

Yumio stayed silent-Izuku wasn't sure if this was a choice or...not.

Hisashi smiled at his son. "So, you made some new contracts while with your mother, right?"

Izuku beamed at him. "Yep! Three!"

"Oh?" Hisashi asked. "What are their names?"

"There's Paz-he's my Social Life, Hex, my Depression, and Rand, my Anxiety," Izuku listed off.

You idiot! Rand hissed. You think telling him about your depression is a good idea? No one wants to hear about it!

Them, Hex corrected quietly.

Did I stutter? Rand snapped. You're an it!

Shut up right now or I'll knock your teeth in, Odin growled.

"Oh, I can't wait to meet them!" Hisashi said.

He's lying, Rand said.

Quiet, Hirah hissed.

Izuku smiled, doing his absolute best to ignore his Sides.

..

Izuku had been back in Japan for a few weeks already, but some...problems had come up.

Rand was really the center of just about all of them.

Rand still refused to use correct pronouns, calling the non-binary Sides "it" and muting them when they argued. The young ones were also often muted. Odin and Yui were muted often, too, and despite hating it, Izuku was constantly feeling anxious.

Aren't you worried that they don't like you?

What, can't take care of yourself?

That's too much food! Stop being such a burden!

Rand was constantly demanding a spot on the Light Mind Palace, but that was something that Izuku refused to budge on, no matter what. (Nevermind that he wasn't sure how to move Sides, anyway.)

And whenever Izuku slept, Rand insisted on following him everywhere, so Izuku couldn't even have a proper conversation with his Sides without Rand looming over his shoulder. It was starting to become incredibly annoying, and Izuku hoped and prayed that Yumio was looking into a solution-he couldn't live like this forever, but he couldn't take Rand down on his own.

However, after a few weeks, Rand decided to put a very strong wave of anxiety, almost sending Izuku into a panic attack on the spot.

You can't go back to school this year-but do you really want to do middle school-what if people there don't like you? Rand asked. You should finish middle school classes-heck, go all the way through high school online! You won't have to deal with people before getting a job-you're already wasting Hisashi's money on online schooling, you might as well make it worthwhile by getting out of the house sooner.

Izuku couldn't even hear anything else in his panic as Rand continued on this tangent. Izuku was shaking so badly that he crumbled to the floor-he had been getting dressed in his room, but now the walls were closing in, it felt like he couldn't breathe-

None of his Sides spoke up. If Izuku's mind had been a little more clear, he might have realized that Rand was just muting all of them, but they were trying to send waves through to him. If Rand was a little weaker, Izuku might have felt the care, the anger, the sleep, the everything of his Sides trying to get through to him, but he couldn't. He couldn't feel anything but the panic surrounding him, as he felt himself...agreeing with Rand.

I'll do middle school online-finish it fast! Izuku was practically screaming in his head. Please, just stop. Just stop. JUST STOP!

And, with that, everything was quiet, the anxiety lessened, and oh thank God the air's back-

Prove it, Rand said. Go tell Hisashi that you want to do middle school online.

Still shaking, but less so, Izuku got up and went to the kitchen, where Hisashi was making scrambled eggs.

Hisashi turned his head and smiled at his son. "Breakfast's almost ready, so just wait another minute."

"U-Um, dad?" Izuku asked quietly.

Instantly, Hisashi stopped and turned to Izuku, worry in his eyes. "Is something wrong?"

"I-I was wondering if, maybe, I could do middle school online, just finish it fast?" Izuku said softly.

"Hmm...sure, that's fine with me," Hisashi said, clearly still concerned but trying (and failing) not to let it show. "Did you tell Katzuki and Hitoshi?"

"N-No, just...decided on it, just now," Izuku said.

"Gotcha," Hisashi said. "Well, I'm fine with it, but maybe take just a little more time to think? I know Katzuki is excited to have you there for middle school...well, in his own way, of course."

"Y-yeah...um, dad?" Izuku asked.

"Yes?" Hisashi asked.

"...I can smell the bacon burning," Izuku said.

"...oh FUDGE-!"

Hisashi ran over to save the bacon, and that's when he felt his Sides reaching out to him, offering support, which he felt grateful for.

..

Hitoshi-Rand had gotten on Izuku's case about calling him "Hito-chan," same with "Kacchan," threatening panic attacks each time he so much as thought it-had been encouraging of Izuku finishing middle school, but Kacchan was angry that Izuku wouldn't be at middle school with them. (Rand made Izuku anxious that Kacchan would hate him again. He wished that he could get rid of Rand, but he couldn't...yet.)

..

Time went on for the next year, and Rand was relentless. Izuku often found himself anxious, some days to the point where he couldn't talk to Hitoshi and Katzuki-once or twice, even Hisashi, who got incredibly worried, to which Rand mocked him. There would be weeks on end where Izuku had no contact with his other Sides when awake, and being asleep felt like torture with Rand not leaving him alone. He still held out hope that Yumio was researching, but he had no clue. All Izuku knew is that it was becoming too much. He couldn't deal with Rand forever-he could hardly deal with him now. But Izuku couldn't be sure, until…

Izuku was sitting in his room, reading a book about support gear, when he heard the Argument.

What the f*** do you think you're doing?!

Leave my library alone, Rand!

I can be here if I wanna be, now what the heck are you doing?!

Izuku jumped as a Logic wave and Anxiety wave clashed, then closed his eyes and entered the Mind Palace, running to the Library, where all his Sides were gathered in the open doorway, and wasn't it a sight. Rand and Yumio were yelling at each other, both holding books.

"Give me that book back!" Yumio yelled.

"It's about me, therefore, no-you shouldn't be reading it!" Rand snapped.

"I am Izuku's Logic, therefore, it's my job to read every book that I can!" Yumio answered. "I also get to say who comes into my library and who can't, therefore, you have to leave and give me that book back!"

"I don't have to do jack s***!" Rand screamed. "Ugh, I should just force you to stop being Izuku's Logic!"

And, with that, everyone froze, and the non-binary Sides took a few steps back, but Izuku's eyes widened upon that realization, then looked at Yui, who instantly knew exactly what Izuku was thinking and closed her eyes, getting ready to use her quirk.

"W-What?" Yumio asked.

"You heard me!" Rand snapped. "Oh, it would be so easy to just permanently disconnect you from Izuku! I'd just need to push my quirk a little further, and instead of pinching the string, just snap it!"

Whelp, after an entire year plus of Rand being around and trying to figure out how to get rid of him (secretly), they finally found a way (even Yumio with his analysis quirk couldn't figure it out, somehow), if they could just…

Izuku carefully-slowly-reached for Yui's quirk, Advanced Copy, ability to use any quirk as long as they understand how it works.

Rand's quirk must allow him to see connections as strings, and he can interact with them, Izuku reasoned, then, all of a sudden, he saw strings forming from his wrist to each of his Sides-the ones that had formed originally when making the contract. And there was the purple tie-the only thing keeping Rand tied to the Sides. But to pull this off...there was a string coming off Rand-there was on all of them, but Izuku focused on Rand's string-he had to time this perfectly for it to work-

Izuku mentally reached out to the string and pulled hard, at the same time manually pulling Rand's string off his wrist, physically manifesting it, and everything stopped.

All the Sides stared at Izuku, Yumio looked incredibly pleased as the books began to fade, and Rand. Looked. Angry.

"WHAT THE F*** DID YOU JUST DO?!" Rand screamed, starting forward, but Izuku held out the strings from him.

"Take one more step and I'll snap both of these," Izuku said.

Rand stopped, looking shocked, then even more angry as he began to shift back into an adult, starting to slowly move.

"You're gonna let go of my string and stop this nonsense, or else," Rand growled.

"No," Izuku said, feeling waves from his other Sides in support. "That small detail was all I needed to know to get rid of you, and thanks to Yui, I can easily get rid of your quirk so you can't threaten me again."

"Oh, bold of you to assume that I don't have leverage here," Rand growled, then suddenly lunged, and before Izuku could even move, he had hold of Emory, and his teeth were suddenly shark-like.

"Break either string, and I'll become a Wrath right here, right now," Rand snarled, and time. Stopped.

Izuku's eyes widened, and he began to tremble. He...no! That couldn't happen!

...but he can't deal with Rand for any longer. He cared too much for his Sides to do that-his emotions couldn't handle this any longer-logically, this just wasn't possible to continue without breaking-

In a moment of recklessness, Izuku pulled Emory away from Rand with Inko's quirk, boosting it with Odin's strength to get Emory away, and as Izuku's Sides all scrambled away from Rand, Izuku snapped his quirk thread, but kept hold of the purple one, just in case-

Rand roared, then lunged at the Sides. "I'll kill you!"

"Everyone, RUN!" Izuku screamed. "Kamari, wake me-"

Izuku bolted upright, a massive headache forming, but he still looked down to see the purple loop, and, over the noise, heard a very familiar voice.

Dave is no longer Izuku's anxiety, but by attacking the Sides and attempting to drain Izuku's Lifeforce, he has become a Wrath, the voice said. He must be rooted somewhere by tying the loose string to an object.

A great place might be Yui's old graveyard! Odin yelled above the noise. Remember when we last visited and it had been so abandoned that the Lifeforce was no longer being supplied?! (A/N: Odin, Izuku, and Yui visited the grave not long before meeting Darlina and the gang, and they realized this. Sorry, I just went back and realized that I never mentioned this detail...sorry, guys!) Nobody goes around there, anyway!

It's an hour by train! Yumio exclaimed.

...Odin, this is gonna hurt, I've never pushed this far, but- Izuku started, already climbing onto his window ledge and opening it, ready to open his wings-

"Izuku!"

Izuku barely turned his head to register that his dad was there, looking scared.

"I'll be back-just a few hour flight!" Izuku said quickly, then jumped, spreading his wings and zooming away.

..

Anxiety

..

So, this was it. Choko was going to fade away, become a Wrath or something-she-they?-didn't really understand. She-they?-were too scared to try and ask what all this meant.

Her-their-parents had killed Choko not long after her quirk manifested, and shortly after, had been arrested...and found innocent, because Choko's quirk must've been too much for her-them? But she-they-didn't get what that meant. After all, Choko's quirk was simply "Occupy," the ability to take complete control of a room, but she didn't have the ability to control it and accidentally hurt a classmate when it activated. Two years later, she was dead, and however many years after that, she was floating along in the skies above...where was she-they? Choko had no idea, and didn't particularly care-

"Excuse me!"

Choko startled, then turned to see a young boy zoom past her at an incredible speed, green lightning surging off him as-was he breaking the sound barrier?!

The boy suddenly dove, and, freaking out, Choko dove after him-he could see her-them-what in the world-?!

The boy's wings spread wide, slowing him down as he fell to the ground and ran into the graveyard there-so abandoned that there's not even any Lifeforce coming from it. How disrespectful...at least, I think.

A purple string suddenly appeared in the boy's hand, and, to Choko's horror, a Wraith appeared out of nowhere, screaming and howling, but the boy tied the string to a gravestone and ran out of the graveyard. The Wrath began to follow, but the second it reached the gates, the string tugged, stopping it just short.

The Wrath howled, thrashing around, but the string held tight, not letting the Wrath go any further.

The boy smiled, and, slowly, Choko landed next to him.

"Um…" Choko said softly.

The boy jumped, staring at Choko, then visibly relaxed. "Sup."

"W-What did you just do?" Choko asked.

"Well, this place is abandoned anyway, therefore this was the closest option," the boy said, then sat down. Carefully, Choko sat down as well, across from him.

"So...how did you catch that Wrath?" Choko asked.

"Hmm?" the boy asked. "Oh, Dave used to be connected to me, but I learned how to get rid of him. He didn't like that and...well, became a Wrath. I'll try to find a more permanent solution in a few years, but for now, this works." He smiled at Choko. "Well, I should probably head home." He yawned. "But I'm so...tired...maybe I could just sleep...here?"

"Y-You can't just sleep here," Choko said quietly. "I-It might get colder."

"Yeah, but I can't use my wings right now, and I don't have money to get home," the boy said. "Flew here really fast, but pretty far." He yawned again. "Thanks for your concern, though. Shouldn't you find a hospital or something nearby to get some Lifeforce?"

"I, um...people are scary," Choko said softly. "I don't understand why people are mean, so I avoid them."

"Not everyone is mean," the boy said sleepily. "I like to think that all my friends are really nice."

"But they're living," Choko said as the boy began to fall over.

"Eep!" Choko said, leaning over the boy as he laid on the ground. "You should really get to a better spot! There's a Wrath-how are you sleeping?!"

The boy's eyes opened slightly, and he yawned again. "Sorry. So used to constant anxiety that now I just feel tired without it…Mom, I don't wanna go far, though…"

Choko looked around, then bit her-their?-lip. "U-Um…" I have a little bit of Lifeforce saved up, so maybe… "I-If you can stand and get to a nearby house, I-I might be able to do something."

"Hmm?" the boy asked, then yawned, slowly standing up. "Ok."

Choko carefully kept an eye on the boy as she-they-led him to a nearby house. The boy reached for the doorknob, but it didn't open-locked.

"O-Oh-" Choko started, but the boy suddenly slammed into the door, and it opened, causing Choko to jump, but the boy just walked inside. Choko entered after him. "C-Can you close the door?"

The boy shrugged, then closed the door and leaned against it, falling back asleep.

Choko touched the floor, then mimed four walls and a ceiling, using up some Lifeforce as she-they-said, "Occupy."

A glowing handprint appeared on the floor, walls, and ceiling, and Choko's hair moved in a non-existent wind.

"I call upon the Waking, give this boy some energy," Choko muttered, watching as a swirl appeared around the boy, and his eyes opened as he sat up taller, looking around.

"Wow, that was so cool!" the boy said. "Was that your quirk?"

Choko nodded. "O-Occupy. If there's a complete room around me, I can mess with my surroundings."

The boy's eyes lit up. "That's so awesome! So you gave me energy?"

Choko nodded.

"I'd offer you some, but I'm rather low myself," the boy said.

Choko freaked out. "I-I couldn't ask that! I-I don't wanna be a Wraith-"

"No, no, not like that-I can share Lifeforce," the boy said. "My quirk allows me to create a bunch, but Dave took so much…"

"Really?" Choko asked. "That's so cool!"

"Thanks!" the boy said, then smacked his forehead. "Ah, I forgot to introduce myself!" He held out his hand. "I'm Izuku Midoriya."

"Choko," Choko said, taking his hand carefully.

The boy-Izuku-nodded, then stood up. "Well, I should get home...hmm...I still owe you energy…"

"It's fine," Choko said.

"I insist," Izuku said. "Hmm...are you doing anything for a while?"

"Um...no?" Choko said.

"Sweet!" Izuku said. "Then do you wanna hang around my neighborhood for a while with me and my Sides...wait, they can't come out...dang it, Mom, I can't introduce Choko to you guys…"

"Sides?" Choko asked.

Izuku nodded. "They're the ghosts I'm already sharing Lifeforce with-they live in my head. I'd love to introduce you, but they're stuck since I'm too low on Lifeforce."

"O-Oh," Choko said. "So...you want me to hang around until you can share Lifeforce with me, too?"

"Just give you a little," Izuku said. "Not long-term like my Sides, but still."

Choko thought for a few seconds. "Well...I don't have anything else to do...a-and I don't like being alone...C-Can I?"

Izuku smiled. "Yes!" He carefully took Choko's hand and guided her-them-out the door. "I should probably figure out how to get home...I can't fly, and I don't have money, so police station is the best bet. I'll have to explain what happened so Dad can come pick me up."

Choko just nodded, and they left.

..

Choko watched as Izuku's dad-Hisashi-worriedly checked him over.

Is that what a normal parent does? Choko couldn't help but wonder, watching as Hisashi fussed, then picked Izuku up and carried him away, thanking the police-Choko didn't have anything better to do, so she-they-followed.

..

"Not seeing you everyday is weird!"

Izuku chuckled slightly. "Sorry, Hitoshi. Rand-I mean, Dave-was insistent, and I couldn't do anything about it."

Katzuki scoffed. "Anxiety must suck."

"Anxiety isn't that bad...when it's neutral," Izuku said thoughtfully. "Yumio thinks that the purpose of my Side classifications is to control output, like Light Sides needing the most, Dark Sides needing the least, but Neutral Sides in the middle. So maybe I just need my next Anxiety to agree to be neutral."

"Whatever," Katzuki said. "When are your Sides gonna come out again?"

Izuku bit his lip. "I...I don't know. I've been doing everything Yumio can find to try to get my Lifeforce to go up, but it's only been a month since I abandoned Dave-it takes time. Then I owe some Lifeforce to Choko-I don't know if I would've made it home without her help."

Choko, who was nearby, winced a little, but didn't know why.

Katzuki rolled his eyes. "That sucks-you don't owe anyone anything."

"She used some of her Lifeforce to help me-the least I can do is give her some of mine," Izuku said. "When I've recovered better."

Choko bit her-their-lip, knowing that, once Izuku had given her-them-Lifeforce, Choko would leave…

...but Choko already didn't want to leave ever.

"Huh?" Choko asked. "Non-binary? What's that?"

"Well...it's kinda like not wanting to be either girl or boy," Izuku said, thinking. "It's complicated, and I'm not entirely sure-each of my they/them Sides says something different about the topic and how they feel. You can feel like both, be more one than the other, it's just...entirely complicated."

Non-binary...that felt...right. Choko-they-had no idea how else to explain it.

"... oh," Choko said, wondering how to bring it up, then deciding not to tell Izuku about it...yet. They needed more time to process it.

"It's a pleasure to talk to you."

Choko jumped at the new voice coming out of Izuku's mouth.

"H-Huh?" Choko asked.

"Nice to meet ya!" a new voice said. "That was Yumio, Logic-I'm Brazen, Recklessness! We can finally talk again!"

"Now, now, everyone, please, one at a time-hello, Choko, I'm Emory, Patience," another voice said.

"I'm Yui-Morals and Emotions-we all love you-you're so adorable!" another one said.

"We don't have much time-you took up a bunch-I'm Odin, Caring, the Mom, and we're gaining more Lifeforce, so you should be getting yours soon, Choko-" another voice said, then cut off, and Izuku looked disappointed. "Well, that happened-didn't realize that used up so much energy." He smiled at Choko. "Another few weeks, I think, and I can give you Lifeforce!"

Choko nodded, pushing down the bad feeling in their gut.

I don't want to leave.

Hey, Mom?

Yes, Izuku?

I...I think I'll have enough Lifeforce to give to Choko tomorrow.

Ooh, nice! Odin said, but a small wave of sadness came through his mind.

Yui, was that you? Izuku asked, a few years forming in his eyes.

I...I wanna meet Choko in person, Yui sniffed.

I would like to as well, Yumio said.

She seems like an amazing kid, Brazen said. I...I think we should let her become a Side.

What?!

Izuku winced at all the voices.

He doesn't have a point, Darnell said quietly, and everyone stopped and listened.

But we're still recovering-we simply can't have another Side at this time, Yumio said.

But we still want Choko around, Odin said, and it was quiet for a few minutes.

I...I don't want another Rand, Izuku finally said. Ever. But... guys, Choko has been around for a few months. She isn't Rand. She's much kinder-there isn't even a guarantee that she would be Anxiety!

But that's what we need right now, Emory said. To fill up that spot, we're using Fear, Caring, Morals, Social Life, Logic, Health Nut, and Sloth-all for one job! They took a deep breath. None of us want another Rand, but honestly, we know Choko. She isn't Rand, and it's insulting to believe her to be.

Everyone stayed silent for another few minutes.

I...I don't know if I can make a contract tomorrow, Izuku eventually said. I'm still so...weak from everything, and she's stayed for so long already...I can't make her stay with us.

Just offer for now, Emory said. Let her decide if she wants to stay or not.

Izuku yawned. Maybe...tomorrow… He fell asleep.

..

Choko had a bad feeling in their gut for that day. When Izuku asked to talk to them, that bad feeling only grew, but they agreed, and now Izuku and Choko were sitting on Izuku's apartment's rooftop (or, well, Izuku was, Choko decided to float slightly above the ground.

Izuku took a deep breath. "I...I have enough Lifeforce to give you some."

Choko's heart dropped.

"O-Oh," Choko said. Then it's time for me to leave.

"Yeah...but...I have a quick question," Izuku said.

"Huh?" Choko asked.

"Well...all my Sides want to meet you, but I can't bring them out yet-probably won't be able to for quite some time, and even then, all of them out is going to be too hard for at least a year at the rate I'm getting better," Izuku said slowly.

"A year?" Choko asked, trying to hide their excitement-could they stay for a year? That would be awesome!

Izuku nodded. "But...there...might be a faster way, and Yumio took the time to do the calculations...in a month and a half, you could meet them, but...there's a catch."

"Hmm?" Choko asked.

"Well...I've told you about contracts I make, right?" Izuku asked.

Choko nodded, eyes wide in hope-could he mean…?

"Dave took so much of my energy that I can't make a contract right now, but...in a month and a half...would you like to make a contract?" Izuku asked. "I...you might become my new anxiety-we don't know, though...and you'd be with us for a while, hopefully forever-we came to the agreement that, if you want, you can become part of the family-"

"I'd love to!" Choko said excitedly. "Being part of your family sounds awesome!"

Izuku beamed. "I'm glad! If you'd like, we can come up with new names together for you, too! Usually, I come up with something on the spot, but we don't have to this time, so what kind of name would you want?" He took out his phone and began to type up something.

"Um...actually...I have a name that I heard a while back…" Choko said softly.

"Oh?" Izuku asked.

"Um...Hinata," Choko said softly.

"Hinata…" Izuku said carefully, then nodded. "That's a great name!" He held up his hand for a high-five, then flinched back. "Wait, too little Lifeforce, shouldn't create a contract right now. But it's awesome!"

Choko smiled. "I'm glad you like it."

Izuku nodded. "The others do, too."

..

"Um...Izuku?"

"Hmm?" Izuku asked.

"Well...I was wondering if you'd...maybe use they/them pronouns for me?" Choko asked quietly.

Izuku's eyes widened slightly, but he nodded. "Gotcha. Thanks for telling me!"

Choko nodded. "Thanks for being ok with that."

"Hey, I have 3 non-binary Sides-Kamari, Payton, and Hex," Izuku said. "Pretty sure they'd all be mad at me if I wasn't."

"Ah," Choko said. "Gotcha."

Izuku smiled-

Year checkpoint.

Izuku jumped-Choko did, too.

"What's-" Choko started.

What's going on?! Paz exclaimed, and Izuku felt a wave of general panic.

"Hey, I'm gonna check in on the Mind Palace right quick, ok?" Izuku told Choko. "Something weird's happening."

"O-Ok," Choko said.

Izuku gave them a nod, then closed his eyes and fell asleep, landing in the Mind Palace living room-

Paz and Hex were glowing.

Everyone was staring at the two, who looked more scared than anything. Odin and Yui were trying to calm the two down-

"Year checkpoint," the mysterious voice said. "Year checkpoint. Age wise, Paz and Hex are exactly one year from the time of their demise. Starting now is their Year checkpoint."

"What does that even mean?" Odin muttered.

"For the next year, their forms will mirror their age, meaning wounds will appear, yet not cause harm until the Final Day," the voice answered, surprising everyone. "One year from now, on the Final Day, pain will be felt, but dulled, of course." The voice went silent, and so did everyone else.

"Wait…" Paz muttered.

"WHAT IN THE AFTERLIFE-?!"

Choko swung their legs back and forth, waiting for Izuku to wake up.

They were really excited to be one of Izuku's Sides! Or, well, they would be...soon. And everyone would be ok with their pronouns! And maybe the others could explain more stuff to them...everything was confusing, but Choko was just happy to now have a family...or would, soon-

Izuku suddenly started glowing.

Choko jumped, staring at Izuku as fifteen bracelets-made of rope? All different colors-appeared on his wrist.

Pretty

Slowly, Izuku opened his eyes and looked at his wrist, blinking. The glow went from a white-ish light to a green hue.

"Make sure to be careful this time-you were incredibly low on Lifeforce, but the Year checkpoint fixed that," a strange voice came from Izuku's mouth-Choko had talked to all the Sides before, but they'd never heard that voice before. Which Side was that? Izuku looked at Choko and smiled. "Should have enough for a contract now...but that's not on me to do." Izuku's eyes flashed a bright green, then he blinked, his eyes back to normal and the glow gone, voice also back to normal. "...well, then. I guess that happened...huh, my Lifeforce is more normal. Not as much as it used to be, but much more than it has just been...hey, I can make contracts again!" Izuku held his hand out to Choko. "Ready...Hinata?"

Choko hesitated, then nodded, carefully taking Izuku's hand-

A purple string appeared around both their wrists, adding to all the ones on Izuku's wrist, and Choko-no, Hinata-changed, staying the same size, but their clothes became a purple long shirt and gray leggings, a pair of black and white shoes on their feet.

Hinata Midoriya, the same voice from earlier said. Izuku's new Anxiety. Izuku's quirk makes him able to create and share Lifeforce. By giving Hinata a name, Izuku made a contract, this naming another Neutral Side, giving Hinata a room in the Neutral Mind Palace, accessible through the gray door in the Mind Palace living room. Hinata is able to consume some of Izuku's supply of Lifeforce, and in exchange, Izuku can use part of Hinata's quirk. This also allows the two to communicate.

Hi! Odin said. I know we've talked before, but it's great to finally have you on the team!

Another anxiety... that's concerning, Darlina said.

It will be fine-I believe we can all trust Hinata, and if not...well, we can now disconnect Sides, Yumio said. I apologize in advance for the caution around you, Hinata.

I... I understand, but I promise to do my best! Hinata said-

-then appeared in a living room area with fifteen others, all lounging around in some way. (Two were glowing, which was weird and cool.)

They all stared at Hinata, then one came closer and carefully picked Hinata up-wearing all green, so this must be…

"Nice to finally meet you in person!" Odin said. "Time to put faces to names!"

And that's all for this chapter!

Sorry this took so long, but read the notes and stuff, please. I'll try to update more, but I'm still busy. Just graduated high school, moving soon, working a bunch, college stuff, visiting family...yeah. I'm busy.

So...here's a list of the Sides and Quirks (some information is missing, but I misplaced my copy of the information, so...yeah. I have a general idea of where the paper is packed...so, yeah.)

Odin, the Caring Side, was Irene/Ofa, has wings/one for all/a vocal quirk, died at 17.

Yui, the Morals and Emotions, was Himari, advanced copy, was 16.

Yumio, the Logic side, Hajime, analysis, was 25

Dasu, Creativity, Saburo, can make tangible illusions, was 23, one of three triplets

Duke, Intrusive Thoughts/Insecurities, can make weapons, was 23, one of three triplets

Darnell, Deceit, Hai, Snake, was 8 (and he's afraid of fire), and speaks in lies

Brazen, Recklessness, Oboro Shirakumo, Cloud, was 17

Emory, Patience, Peyton, can see emotions, was 21

Kamari, Sleep, Remy, food & drinks, was 21

Darlina, Innocence/Fear, Hana Shimura, Float, was 8

Hirah, Wrath, Cheran, had horns, was 13-ish

Dot, Sloth, Hope, can't remember quirk, insert age (will add when I find the information, but I misplaced it)

Yuki, Health Nut, Midori, Endless Energy, was 13-ish

Paz, Social Life, Collin, Quirkless, was 12

Hex, Depression, Kimi, Quirkless, was 12

Rand, Anxiety (1), Dave, Disconnect, oldest (30 something)

Hinata, Anxiety (2), Choko, Occupy, was 6

And that's all for now, folks! Take it easy, all y'all humans (I assume)!

Peace!