Three Years Later: Toshinori thought over the ginger haired boy he met so long ago, or at least it seemed it was a long time ago. Izuku Midoriya, one of the greatest men, no greatest heroes he'd ever met, had faith in him, and the redhead had the spirit to be a hero, but his life was absolutely terrible. Worse than Izuku's predictions. I failed Izuku, I will not fail Noroi... I don't like his name, though. I'll ask him about it later. But that wasn't the important part. As soon as he returned the kid to his parents, they didn't even get two steps away before they could hear his screams. Breaking down the door, they found the adoptive father in the middle of beating him. The heroes arrested him, and the mother, as she was unapologetic in her neglect. It was awful. Having no-one, he couldn't help but want to help. And so he did. With AFO, the greatest villain of all time defeated, Toshinori officially retired, playing the 5 year old wound as if it were from the recent battle. He was too worn to continue with hero work, letting Endeavor take the crown he so desperately wanted. Toshinori now had the time to focus on raising the successor for his quirk, Noroi. He didn't like that he chose to keep that name, after all, it is an insult. A father's hatred. He had named his own son a curse, something no child should endure. But, as Izuku's message was directed to Noroi, he kept it. The former number 1 supposed it was due to the name he'd been given by everyone around him. Deku and Noroi. Useless and Curse. However, life was much better for the small ginger now. He'd trained diligently, and never wavered from the pure heart that he exposed to them all at that bookshop. And so, Toshinori adopted him formally, as Noroi Yagi, giving him the childhood he deserved. He helped prepare him for heroism, and after 3 years, it was time. They walked in the rebuilt Kamino square, passing underneath the statue of the hero who stopped AFO: Izuku in his LEAF suit. Izuku didn't want a statue dedicated to him. But, when it was erected, all he had to say was: "That looks like the one at Soma." The blond man had no idea what he meant by that, but it was a favorable comparison, so he assumed it was a good thing. However, the park was empty today. Allmight stopped underneath it, looking up at the statue. They had captured Izuku's likeness well. "Noroi... I have something serious to ask of you." The boy, ever eager to be with his new father, asked, "What is it?" Toshinori smiled, looking back at his boy, meeting his eyes with his own. "It's an offer that could drastically change your hero career. Truth is, I haven't been just building strength, endurance, and your flexibility to be just any hero. I've been looking for a successor to my quirk." That made the boy pause. And then, he started to speak, just as in awe as the day Allmight saved him. "A successor? Wait, but quirks can't be transferred!" He ran his hand against the base of the statue, looking up at the monument. "This is history, but you remember what happened here, in this very square? How All For One, the villain, was defeated by Izuku Midoriya?" "How could I forget him?! He was the first to believe in me!" He was starry eyed. As far as Toshinori was concerned, Izuku was his number one, and he couldn't come close. But that was alright. The blond smiled, starting his story. "Well, that villain had a brother, long ago, who desired justice, but couldn't get it. He was quirkless, and so his brother forced a strength stockpiling quirk onto him. But, everyone was wrong about him. He actually had a secret quirk with no power, the ability to transfer the quirk onward, but it had no effect. It then combined with the stockpile quirk to create my very own quirk, One For All!" Putting the pieces together, Noroi exclaimed, in shock, "And... you think I should have it?!" Puffing his chest in pride, Toshinori delivered the words that he knew should have been given to another. It was hard to not view his boy as Izuku, but Noroi was different. And he was his son. "I know you've earnt it. Your heart, that of a hero, never changed. Not even after getting me as a father. And so, through these three years, I believe you are ready for it. Will you accept?" He plucked a hair, which confused the ginger. His second favorite hero believed in him wholeheartedly, just as Izuku Midoriya had done, and so he responded without hesitation, "Yes!" Toshinori smiled, preparing for the punchline, a generation in the making. "Good... now... EAT THIS!" He couldn't hold back his laughter as Noroi nearly passed out from what his own father just said. "HUH?!" In Denver: Ibara Shiozaki arrived in Denver for the first time. Unlike Tokyo, it wasn't as busy or claustrophobic. It was certainly a nice change of pace, in her opinion. Taking a taxi, the vinette took her time to witness the view. The city was much smaller, and the mountains in the backdrop, the Rockies she'd heard so much about, were far more vibrant, although the cloudy weather did obscure their true majesty. When she arrived, she paid the driver, and got out, luggage following behind. This was where her Izuku resided when not out in the field. It was an apartment building in the center of town, close to Stars & Stripes' agency. She must do well to live in this building. She looked at the address, paying specific attention to the apartment number. Entering the building, the receptionist looked at her. "How can I help you?" She looked at him. His hair was long, silvery blue, and he had a distinct scar on the left side of his mouth. Why does he look... familiar? "I'm here to go to this address, sir." She offered the card she'd kept for three years, and he took it gingerly. She noted that he wore artist's gloves as well as his well pressed suit. Must have a quirk based on touch. His sly grin didn't waver as he asked, "Hm... that's Midoriya's place, right?" Nervous, she admitted, "Well... yes..." What he said next put her at ease. "I see. Well, I've been told to expect a girl with vines for hair sometime around now. Take the elevator at the end. It'll take you right up. Here's the access card." He handed back the address plus a black card with gold inlay. It said: VIP. "Thank you..." She looked at his name badge. It was not a name she recognized, but it would be rude to not thank the man for his work. "Thank you Tenko Shimura." "No problem." He smiled back as she waved, then turned to enter the elevator with the access card. As she rode up the elevator, she heard new music. Well, new is a relative term. It was from the documentary Izuku released a year after his book published, and just before he received a Presidential Medal of Freedom. The highest honor a boy like himself could receive. It was his memories, cut and edited to show the entire series of events leading up to his save by Stars & Stripes. However, as she reached the top, the elevator door pinged, and it opened... immediately putting her on guard by who greeted her. She remembered this girl vividly from the attack on the training camp. How she drained blood from her classmates, and those in Class A. "Himiko Toga." She bowed respectfully. It was then that she noticed that she was dressed in a maid outfit. "I heard Master would have a guest. So, I have assembled the room as his per their instructions." An eyebrow raised, "Your... master?" "Master Midoriya." The vinette wasn't sure if she could trust her, but since she hadn't tried to kill her yet, she let the whole situation play out first. "Uh... right..." She smiled at the wary girl. There was a sadness within the cat-like eyes as she spoke again, "You remember me. Sorry... I wasn't all myself back then. I need blood to live... and when I don't have any... I tend to get... violent. That doesn't happen so much now that Master Midoriya took me in and helped me with that. I work here as a maid. Don't worry, neither me or Tenko are villains anymore." That surprised her. He didn't give any impressions of being a villain. "Tenko, the man downstairs?" Surprised, the blonde maid asked, "You didn't know? That was his original name. His villain name was Tomura Shigaraki." Shiozaki mentally screamed to herself: SHIGARAKI WAS DOWNSTAIRS AND I DIDN'T RECOGNIZE HIM?! The blonde gestured into the house. "I know it's a lot, come take a seat. Izuku will be back soon." That got her attention, "Where is he?" "Master Midoriya, as in Izuku, went out with Mistress Midoriya and Mistress Bates for lunch. The Mistresses didn't know when you'd arrive, and told me to keep your arrival a secret..." She put a finger up in a shushing gesture, giggling lightly. Resuming the conversation, she asked, "Would you like anything?" It'd be rude to refuse... especially since she's been telling the truth. "Um... some tea, please." "No problem. What kind?" "Sweet with honey, please." "Sure thing!" As she the maid got acquainted with her, she let loose a little, letting her childlike personality shine through. The blonde asked, "So, you and Izuku, huh? Never would've guessed." That was a fair think to discuss. After all, she'd only ever been able to pine from a distance. This would be the first day with her beloved. "We didn't have much time to be intimate, so it was a proper secret." "Even keeping it from the rat. Nice." Seeing her confusion, Toga asked, "Did you want anything?" The vinette nodded, "Do you have any crisp bread? I like to have it with tea." "Sure! Mistress Midoriya got some this morning from the bakery down the street." She skipped into the kitchen, and retrieved the bread, with a variety of spreads on a platter. How generous! Taking a slice, and putting some honey on it, Ibara asked, "So, what's it like here?" Meanwhile, Toga went back into the kitchen to check the teapot. She was able to answer due to how it was an open kitchen to the rest of the place. "To be honest, I'm often cleaning or taking care of Mistress Midoriya. Master Midoriya placed his trust in me to defend her if anything should happen. He stopped us from going to Tartarus, so I'm happy to help him however I can." Narrowing her eyes at the possibility, Ibara had to ask. "He hasn't... asked... for anything?" Toga laughed as she brought over the tea set, with warm bread. "He didn't even look at me like that. Not that I would've minded... but I have another guy in mind." Ibara asked as she picked up the intricate tea cup, clearly from one of Inko's set. "So, how did... this... all happen? I wasn't quite... informed of what happened." The blonde glanced to the side, a finger on her chin in thought, as she started, "Well..." Three Years Prior: Izuku ran through Susurrus valley yet again. The wind flowing through his messy green hair as he darted past the trees gave an adrenaline rush unlike any other. He was back, and he couldn't wait to show Ibara. She was able to keep up with him at the training camp, and it would be great practice... but he'd have to keep an eye out for her. With no other LEAF suits, there was no way she could defend herself from the Wendigos. He ran across the surface of Smoke lake, passing by the wreckage of Astra as he made his way to the temple. He had wanted to explore every inch of it, but then he heard sounds as he approached. A creature was angry. Running ahead, he saw that Shigaraki was trying to talk to a... feral Toga. "Toga, get ahold of yourself! We're trying to get out of here! Then you can get the blood you need..." Not listening, she approached carefully, fangs bared. "Oh, Fuck, Toga, please snap out of it!" She was about to lunge when Izuku intervened, draining the amrita from her. Shigaraki stood still, noting that she didn't kill him a full three seconds after she died. Breathing heavily, he looked at the pathfinder. "Uh..." Izuku's voice was cold. Considering their last encounter, and Ibara's treatment, it was surprising that he didn't just drain his Amrita right then and there. "Shigaraki." He raised his hands, and relaxed his muscles. "I surrender. Master is gone, Kurogiri vanished... Toga was the only one to survive those beasts... I just want things to stop. If you take me away from here, I'll... I'll do anything!" He nodded, "That's fine. I'll revive Toga once she's restrained. You said she needed... blood?" The silver haired man nodded frantically, "Yes. Her quirk demands it." Well, that explains her actions at the camp. "I see. Let me make a call..." He eyed the man suspiciously. However, his previous enemy just sat down, huddling near her unresponsive body. I guess he isn't a threat anymore... In the weeks that followed, Shigaraki renounced all villainous actions and the villain name. Due to him being groomed as AFO's successor, people were sympathetic. He'd never had a good chance. Same with Toga. Once she woke up in the hospital, chained to the bed, and her bloodlust sated, she broke down into tears. She couldn't help who she was. And so, with their tragic pasts brought to light, they were sentenced to years of community service. After which, they both went to America to start new lives. Present Day: As Toga finished the story... she nodded, "ok, I can see how Izuku managed to get you out of that situation. I'm surprised that you didn't... try anything..." "As I said, I'm after another guy. Tenko. He was by my side through everything, even when I tried to drain him of blood. We kinda bonded after that..." "May the lord bless your relationship..." was all Ibara could say before the elevator pinged, and she heard his voice. Izuku was home. Turning to the entrance, she watched as the trio entered the front hall. Izuku was in the middle speaking with two women from the book signing, with Cathleen on his right, and Inko on his left. He didn't notice yet, but when he turned to view the living room, he froze. "Ibara?" "Izuku!" She ran to him and dragged him into a hug. "I've missed you for too long!" He spoke back, "You've arrived! I'm so glad to see you. Are you alright? You have to be affected by jet lag right now..." She let go and looked him in the eye. "Minimally. I did sleep on the plane." Still smiling, he sighed in relief. "I see. I hope Toga treated you well?" She nodded, "Very well." He turned to the blonde, and what he said next made her squeal with thanks. "Thank you, Toga." Calming down, she bowed formally, "No problem, Master!" The three other women, knowing what Izuku wanted at this exact moment, left the area to another room. They still watched him, even after they turned away. They all wanted to see him finally happy. Izuku whispered, wanting to be intimate with his girlfriend for the first time in his life, even if he had no idea how to. "Let's relax for the rest of the day, then we can do what you'd like." Ibara smiled, as she let him guide her back to the sofa she was sitting on before. Snuggling into him, the rest left them be as they enjoyed each other's company for the first time in years. They remained together, Ibara in his embrace, as they looked over the city, the sun now uncovered and casting a golden glow, as it lowered over the sky, heading down to sunset. They watched that scene for a while, and she whispered to him, "I'd love to do that, my love. We have all the time to be together now. "
Chapter End Notes:
this is the end of Archaeologist Deku hope you enjoyed make sure to check out the original at AO3 and Wattpad.
