Greeting Everyone! I'm going to keep this little opening A/N short. Should I be doing a brand-new story out of nowhere? Probably Not? But I can't help where the muse takes me. With that being said, I'm going to do my best to get back on track with my Other ideas, While entertaining this New one.
To be Clear: This is going to be a Marvel/Multi crossover story. As of Right Now? The plan is to have it be a multi-chapter focused story, that will cycle through the subject that This variant of Kang is currently working with. There will be references to others that he's met in convo's that he has with people, though I am going to do my best to remain vague when that comes up.
Anyway, I don't want to waste any more time. Check the bottom for another A/N. And, on to one final peace of business.
I Do NOT Own Marvel or any of the characters that will be referenced/represented within this work. This is Strictly for fun, hence it being Fanfiction. The only thing I own is the storyline that I weave around the characters.
With That being said: On with the show.
In the Vastness of the Multiverse, there are only a small Number of beings that can Perceive the multitude of differences between the branching timelines.
One such being, is simply a man. A man who took upon the name: Kang.
King, Conqueror, and He Who Remains. These being only a few of the names that the man could go by as he widdled his way through time and space, establishing his reputation.
In one version of one the Many universes, Kang was in fact The Conqueror. Known for being a formidable opponent to Earths Mightiest Heroes: The Avenger's. The man traversed the vastness of the time stream, Conquering, or killing any and all that stood in his way.
Entire branches of timelines fell before the mans might.
But, as someone once said: for every action, there is an Equal and Opposite Reaction.
The variable existed.
And so the time stream itself presented a champion in the form of a Variant of the Conqueror.
Timelines branch in an Infinite number of ways, in response to even the smallest of details.
One specific version of the mighty Kang, decided to do things differently than his many other variants. He looked upon the works of his opposites, and dread filled him; leaving him with only one recourse.
This version of Kang took it upon himself to use his Vast knowledge and technological resources, to help and Mold future heroes. Not only the ones from His timeline and universe, but Across the entirety of the Multiverse.
This is the story of One of those such instances.
Izuku Midoriya shook silently as he fought against his typical nature, his emotions raging at him over how difficult the day had been overall.
For starters, his childhood 'friend' turned bully had taken things to a new level…
" Ya know Deku, there May be a way for you to be a hero after all! Just take a swan dive off the roof of the school, and hope you wind up with a Quirk in your next life!"
Those words alone…they had been harsh. Hard, no, almost impossible to bare. For SO many reasons. Upon being saved just that short time later by All Might, his personal hero, he'd thought that just maybe All Might would show the capacity to believe in him. The man often encouraged Everyone to step up and do their best…
Even with learning about All Might's secret, his deteriorating state, the words he'd spoken to Izuku felt like the final nail in the proverbial coffin of Izuku's dreams of being a Pro Hero.
" I'm sorry young man. But it's Just Not Possible for you to be a Hero Without a Quirk. Perhaps you should consider being a police officer, or a doctor instead. There's Nothing wrong with Dreams, but it's Important to remember to remain Realistic."
All of his life people had doubted him. Treated him as though he were unwanted, unworthy. Unworthy of the space that he seemingly took up. Unworthy of notice because he'd been born without a special gift of his own.
Izuku stood on the rooftop for a few moments longer, allowing the sun to further set in the distance as he felt a slight wind buffet his tear streaked face, and in the process Kaachan's words began playing over and over again like a broken record in his mind.
'Take a swan dive off the roof. Take a swan dive off the roof. Takeaswandiveofftheroof- '
Izuku felt a horrible shiver rack his frame.
'It…it would be So… Easy…wouldn't it?' Izuku thought as he took a tentative half step toward the railing in front of him, the slowly transitioning light of the day starting to cast an eerie glow on everything.
Academically Izuku knew, knew that the fall would surely Kill him.
'I wouldn't be a burden anymore…'
With everything that had happened, he was honestly beginning to believe that maybe, that just maybe it would be the right choice.
Another sudden memory, albeit even with it being one of the more emotionally damaging ones he'd acquired, made him stop his considerations.
" I'm Sorry Izuku!"
His Mom. Her voice. The words she'd said to him all those years ago as she wept with him. He had needed her to have Faith in him that day. It's not at all how it had turned out. He could even say in more clinical moments that what she'd said hadn't been wrong. She had just wanted to try and comfort him…
'Even if that's the farthest thing from what came out of that.'
But even so…his Mom, she was the kindest and most loving woman that someone could ask for as their mother.
'And, and I was…I was actually considering Leaving her here! All alone.'
Righteous indignation and shame filled Izuku in equal measure.
Izuku took a few breaths before shaking himself mentally as well as physically a bit, coming to his decision.
'I should get home. I wouldn't want Mom to wind up worrying.'
Izuku turned to move towards the door that would take him down through the apartment complex that All Might's super leap had alighted them upon…
He received the shock of his life as he watched a large yellow orange glowing wall of light, the size of a door bloom into being right in front of him.
Said door of light seemed to almost vibrate and ungulate slightly, before the surface of it rippled briefly like a pond as someone passed through it to join Izuku upon the roof.
…
The man now standing before Izuku was Tall. Tall with dark colored skin and eyes, closely cropped black hair; and a neatly trimmed beard.
The man was clearly broad of shoulder, but his attire kept Izuku from truly gaining the measure of his body through simple looks, as it was a bit baggy.
The man was wearing what looked like purple robes of some kind, with plates of a dark gray metal at certain places, though his left forearm was the most eye catching portion of his body; as a small…orange screen? Was floating above it.
" Ah! There you are, Izuku Midoriya."
…..
Izuku felt his brain pull off a hard reset at the man's statement.
'How does…how does this person know me?'
Izuku was halted from any line of inquiry as the stranger spoke to him again.
"I Know. I Know that this is strange. I'm sorry about that, considering the day I know you've had already."
Again the man's words were leaving Izuku flat footed, his normally existing anxiety ratcheting up at least four levels due to the present 'Stranger Danger'.
The man spoke again slowly, as he seemingly pulled an…apple…out of nowhere.
" I Understand that you probably have all of the questions, and I have No problem answering them. But before I can answer any questions for You, I need you to answer one for Me. Do you still want to be a Hero?"
Again, Izuku was thrown for an emotional loop, and at this point he'd already soared past his quota of those for the day.
A second later Izuku actually processed the strangers question, and answered.
" YES!"
Izuku found himself quickly bringing both hands up and slapping them over his mouth, not having meant to scream at the man; stranger or not. His typical excitement over hero's and his dream of being one having overridden his ingrained sense of propriety.
The stranger took another bite out of his apple, while nodding, a small grin on his face
" Excellent. Well then, let's move this Right along. I have a proposition for you, Izuku Midoriya. All I'm asking for as payment, is a little bit of your Time. If you'll please, follow me? We can talk more." The man said while slightly gesturing at Izuku
A second after that the man quickly pulled an about face, and walked back through the floating door of light.
Izuku blinked owlishly at said door of light before approaching it at a slow pace; before only about a foot of distance was between him and it.
'Holy Whoa what is this thing? WhatisitmadeoutofWheredoesitgoWhoisthisguyAmIanIdio- '
Izuku was pulled from his own mental questions as a dark hand reached back out through the door of light and pulled him forward through it.
Izuku made a note that if he was ever asked what the sensation of walking through that door had been like, he would describe it as falling through a warm bath; except that you didn't get wet?
When he finally stumbled to stand up straight he found himself standing in a large round room.
It was seemingly dark in said room, and yet the room was bright. It was as if speckled starlight bounced off of every surface, illuminating the vast majority of everything.
A large fireplace was to his left, and in front of him was a large wooden desk with two chairs; both chairs being on opposite sides of said desk.
The strange man was already now sitting behind it, and far back behind him was a large circular window that showed a ghastly dark and seemingly light green smoking landscape; where wispy shadowy looking threads seemed to stir slightly as they pulsed with slight green light.
The stranger lifted his right hand and gestured at the admittedly comfortable looking chair in front of the desk.
" Please, have a seat Young Midoriya. Actually, before we get started, which would you prefer? Izuku? Midoriya? I Never can tell with you."
Still reeling from the entire situation, the strange question threw Izuku for a loop.
" I'm…I'm sorry. What?"
Izuku had done his best to keep the incredulousness out of his voice, but he knew that he'd failed spectacularly. He never Had been good at regulating his tone when surprised or excited. Or Anxious.
'I think I can be forgiven all things considered.' Izuku thought as he took the man in.
His host seemed to take everything in stride as Izuku finally lowered himself into the empty chair as though it would bite him; setting his backpack on the ground at his feet.
" Listen. I Know that this is…well, it's a Lot. But believe me, it's all going to make sense. And if you are amicable, then this deal will Obviously work out in your favor."
Izuku much like anyone else at this stage was nearing the end of his rope. This entire thing had his nerves all over the place, so inevitably he finally did what he did when having to deal with Kaachan at his most annoying.
He bucked up his courage for a single statement, while mentally preparing himself for a beating.
" Okay I've had Enough! What is going On?! Where are we?! What do you actually Want?!"
His host kept a relatively placid look on his face while allowing the onslaught of Izuku's questions to roll over him, his return answering statement made Izuku reel back as if he'd been slapped.
" I want to help you achieve your dream. I want to make you a Hero, Izuku Midoriya. Because I Know that you're going to be a great one."
The frankness of the man's tone… the seeming sincerity that sounded out as he said the words knocked the air from Izuku.
No One.
Not a Single soul had Ever spoken to Izuku like that. Especially in regards to his dreams of becoming a Pro Hero.
It took everything Izuku had not to cry outright.
A thousand thoughts flew through his mind as he fought against his raging emotions, trying to decide what to ask out of the multitude of things that swarmed through his brain.
He wound up settling for what felt like the simplest question.
" wh…. Wh…. Why Me? Why would you go out of your way to help Me?"
Izuku watched as the man took another bite out of his apple before setting it on his desk, and then using his right hand manipulate the device on his other hand.
A second later, after a deft flick of the man's right hand, a large holographic screen sat between both of them on their left; hanging in midair.
Izuku watched along with the man as moments played out before them on the screen.
Moments from Izuku's own life, starting from when he'd been a very small child.
The video stopped playing after Izuku had to listen to All Might's blatant refusal of his dream for the second time.
Izuku could barely raise his head to look at the man, such was his despair over having to hear those crushing words again.
But when he did finally settle his gaze on the stranger, the man pointed at the screen
" As you've just seen, I've seen your life; Izuku Midoriya. I've seen it all. Nine times out of ten? Anyone else suffering that same kind of adversity that You have? They'd give up. Walk away. But not You. Your still here. You're asking me, Why You? I ask you to look at all of the evidence I've just given and ask in rebuttal, Why Not you?"
The dam finally broke.
Izuku cried. Cried what felt like a thousand tears for the fact that Someone… had finally deigned to believe in him. In his dream.
After it was over, and his tears had run out the strange man was still sitting and staring at him; a look of patience on his face.
Izuku still had so many questions…
" You said you could help me be a Hero? What did you mean by that?"
Izuku found himself wanting to face palm.
Once again his desire had overridden every other thought in his brain.
Here he was. In a completely foreign place, with a complete stranger; and no idea of how to get out of it.
'And yet the first thing I do is ask him about being a Hero? I Really am a Deku.' Izuku thought, berating himself mentally for Not placing a greater emphasis on his self-preservation.
The man kept the patient look on his face, though he smiled just a bit at Izuku's question.
" Well. First things first I think, yeah? As it seems a bit rude that I know who You are; and yet you don't have anything to call Me in return."
Izuku boggled for a moment, realizing that the stranger was right, before the man continued on.
" I've been called Many names, and many things; throughout my time. The only thing that You need to call me, Young Midoriya… is Kang."
The man's name being spoken, felt like the Death toll of a bell.
A shiver unconsciously ran up Izuku's spine as he parsed the sound and feel of that name.
Izuku did his best to remain calm so that he could attempt to speak.
"We…Well, Mr. Kang- "
A boisterous laugh shocked Izuku back into silence, and the man, Kang; picked right back up where he'd left off.
" It's just Kang, Young Midoriya. Just. Kang."
Izuku didn't have to wait for the man to carry on from there.
" Now. You're probably wondering where we are? Why I've brought you here? These questions, along with all of the others; have Very Simple answers. You see Young Midoriya, I'm a meddler. I like to… get involved, as it were. That's who I decided to become, a long, Long, time ago."
Izuku found himself entranced, whether by Kang's tone, or his cadence of speech; Izuku didn't know.
" To keep things simple for you. You and I? We've had this conversation before."
It only took a second for Izuku to parse the man's words, and then speak out.
" Wait, Wait! Do you mean…Do you mean like Time Travel?!"
The man finally smiled.
If Izuku was honest, that smile Frightened him a bit. It wasn't at all like seeing All Might smile. All Might's smile was comforting, and even at times a bit humorous…
Izuku wouldn't venture to say that the look on Kang's face made him bad per se…
'But this guy's definitely a little unhinged. That look reminds me of Kaachan…or maybe what Endeavour would look like if he bothered to try and smile.'
Said smile shortened a bit as the man spoke again while slightly banging a hand on his desk in excitement, the bang drawing Izuku out of his musing.
" Yes and No, my young friend. Tell me. Would you have happened, to have heard about what's called, the Multiverse theory?"
Again, as the man allowed a small lull to build between them, Izuku's mind burned away.
Thinking at all that he knew about the question that had been asked, and just what it could mean.
" The multiverse theory, is that for every single choice there's a variation in a point in time. Multiple versions of Earth, or I guess it's better to say, multiple versions of the Universe; stretching out into infinity. Each one existing due to any and all possible differences that can exist from what would be considered the Origin point."
The man continued to hold a slight smile upon his face while he clapped his hands together at Izuku's explanation.
" I do so love speaking to someone that's actually Capable of using their brain. It's one of the reasons why I've enjoyed speaking to you Young Midoriya. Or I guess I should say, it's why I've enjoyed encountering You and your Variants."
Once again the man's words brought up questions, questions that Izuku wanted…no…needed answers to; but the man continued on nonplussed.
" Now. You and I, or at the very least, a Version of You and I have had this conversation before. But again, that was a Variant of You. Right now? We're here to discuss You. You, and what I can do to help make you, a Hero."
" And just why are you so interested in making me a Hero, Mr. Kang?"
Izuku had been able to quick draw the question on the man, and the second the words finished passing his lips he wished he could take it back. Here someone was offering to help him, sponsor him, to make his dreams a reality…and yet finally his naturally curious and anxious nature had taken hold.
Because no matter how wonderful all this was…it almost seemed too good to be true.
'That…and Really outlandish if what he's implying is true…'
Izuku watched as Kangs face changed again, this time, to something quite somber looking.
" I'm going to be Honest with you Izuku. It's because of Me."
The man's statement threw Izuku for another loop, but Kang seemed unaware or even uncaring of said effect; and simply pressed on.
"I'm not the only version of Me out there, in the Multiverse Izuku. Most of them? Are quite Horrible. The Universe? This Universe that is… and All Other Universes really; are in need of Protectors. I've chosen You for the position of being this Earth's protector in this timeline."
Izuku felt dread settle into his stomach…
" Ok. But…But I mean…I'm…I'm just Me! I'm a Quirkless nobody!"
Izuku was no fool.
IF what Kang was saying was true? Then it was madness on a completely different level. It meant that Kang was hoping to take him, someone with Zero experience; and turn him into a force like seemingly no other.
'Because That's what this sounds like it calls for!'
Kang's next words stopped all of Izuku's higher brain function.
" And that's precisely why I've picked you."
Izuku once again found himself dumbstruck by the man's words, though he didn't get to focus on them for long.
" I've been traveling throughout the Multiverse Izuku, finding champions of good that I can arm and train. I'm doing the best I can to make myself an army of defenders. You? You have the heart, and spirit that's required for this. The time is Coming Young Midoriya. War. War the likes of which you can scarcely dream of in your worst nightmares is coming; and I need soldiers. I need soldiers, warriors, and most of all willing and able Generals to help me stand against the veritable swarm of my Evil Variants."
Izuku once again found himself struck. Not only by the man's Honesty, but also the scope of what he was talking about.
Izuku shook his head and tried to reengage himself in the conversation.
" Ok. But again, I ask, what can I do? I'm Nothing special. I know you said Why you picked me; but I don't even have a Quirk! What am I going to use to help anyone? Can you honestly say that you have something that you can give me that'll make that big of a difference?!"
Izuku watched as the man's slight smile turned into a devious grin.
Kang once again started to manipulate the device on his left arm.
The large holo screen disappeared, and then a second later a new, and much smaller door of light bloomed into existence; only this time over Kang's desk itself.
When the door of light disappeared, a medium sized wooden box sat upon the desk.
" Many of the people I've met thus far, have more than anything received Training. Most of these people did in fact have gifts of their own already but needed the right push to get moving Faster. With You? It's a little bit different. As you said, you don't have a Quirk. But that's Alright! In fact, it works out better. You see? The universe that I originally hail from, has had some spectacular Marvels in it. Thanks to some of those marvels, I've been able to give a few Variants of You, and others; a fighting chance. That's what we're doing here now."
Izuku went to speak, but Kang put his hand up, halting Izuku.
" The reason I'm doing this multiple times, is because not every possible champion has succeeded and survived. As you know, Life happens. And regardless of What exactly happened, some of the people I've chosen as champions and already reached out to have been living in their time stream… have met their ends."
That statement made it feel like a cold bucket of water had been dumped on top of Izuku.
He knew instinctively that not all hero's survived the line of duty…
'But this is definitely a step further than what I was hoping for.'
With this introduction, and the explained parameters; Kang had gone and completely uprooted the way that Izuku now considered heroism.
If Izuku took this deal, he wouldn't just be some hero; even if he was lucky enough to somehow reach the Number one spot for Japan. In taking this on with Kang's help, he'd effectively be setting himself up to need the Number one hero spot in the entire world.
Kang's voice dragged Izuku back out of his own thoughts before they could even begin to really spiral.
" I'm hoping that… for You? Well… I'm hoping that things will be different."
At the conclusion of his words, Kang opened the wooden box before them.
Inside the box, sat Ten Ring bracelets.
Izuku didn't have to wonder about them because Kang launched into an explanation.
" These bad boys, belonged to a Very Powerful Warlord. He too, like me, had a few names for himself throughout history. But since it's just us in the here and now; we'll simply call him Wenwu."
Izuku found himself unable to draw his eyes away from the bracelets as Kang continued to speak.
" I'm in a very unique position Izuku. Being that I've traveled the Multiverse, and different periods of time. It's allowed me to come into possession of a couple different items. These Rings being a perfect example. That Warlord? Wenwu? He was the Master of the Ten Rings, not only as the item, but the Army that he built under the same name as his signature weapon. The man was driven, and unyielding. Ya know…you and him seem to have that in common…though thankfully you have more empathy to you."
Izuku wasn't sure how to feel about the last comparison, but it mattered little.
" With this grand unveiling, here we are at the crux of my proposal. I've already given a few Variants of you some other options. I'm presenting the Rings, to You. Along with them I'm offering this. Ten months of training, here with Me, outside of your time stream. You were planning to enroll into UA's hero course. You would have ten months to prepare. With my aid? You'll have a grand total of twenty months for preparation. In truth, you're going to need the extra ten months. The Rings take a great deal of skill to use, so we're going to have to get started. When said time is up? I'll return you to your time stream; and it will be as though you were never gone at all. In accepting these Rings and the training however, you are accepting that I'm placing my trust in you to stand as the vigil and protector for your earth."
Kangs words settled, and Izuku felt the weight and finality of them settle in.
There would be no going back if he accepted the deal.
"It's…quite the bit of responsibility. But If you accept? I promise you, that the training combined with the rings will not only make you a force to be reckoned with; but that you will most assuredly be recognized as a Hero. So…. what say you, Izuku Midoriya? Will you embrace the path before you?"
Izuku didn't know how long he stared at the rings for, mulling over Kang's words as time seemed to stand still.
Once he was finally able to fully calm his mind, Izuku looked up again and locked eyes with Kang; his determination bubbling to the surface as it mixed with his excitement over all things heroic.
" I still have a lot of other questions regarding all of this. But the most important one is This: When do we start?"
Izuku watched as Kang took in his response, before he simply smiled at him.
Annnnd FIN. There ya have it folks. That's the latest idea that popped into my brain after watching Loki Season 2, watching some clips/music videos on YouTube, and just listening to music in general that I associate with certain characters. Did you like it? Did you love it? Did you hate it? Please let me know if you feel so inclined. Also, as of right now I already have a small roster of characters picked out for Kang to interact with. That being said? I would love some suggestions. Life has been really difficult the past couple of months, but I just got done dealing with some seriously rough stuff recently, and I think I may be on track to dedicate some serious time to writing again. I will of course attempt to work on this as it's what's currently freshest in my brain, but I also don't wanna neglect my most updated work; so, I'm gonna backtrack a bit and see what I can work out. If you were already a fan, I hope you enjoy this new story. If this is your first time seeing my name and works, I hope that it makes you wanna check out the rest of what I have to offer. I don't wanna yammer so I'm gonna cut it off here. I hope you all have a fantastic Holiday season. Please endeavor to stay safe, happy, and healthy! I hope to see you again in the next one. This is Sojiro, Signing Off. Laters Gators!