(A/N: Warning for spoilers for My Hero Academia: Two Heroes for this next arc on I-Island. Please watch the movie if you don't want to get spoiled! :D )
...
The screening process was surprisingly easy. They stood on a moving walkway as sensors scanned them as they went. Mei couldn't help constantly looking around and zooming in on every little detail as they went. Shouto was also glancing around curiously as he had never been to the island before. The Heroes themselves were relaxed and amused at their wonderment. Especially with Izuku who was muttering up a storm talking about why I-Island was created to protect the world's most brilliant minds. Hitoshi sent a look that said 'did you really have to' as they were bombarded with facts after All Might had foolishly asked the Hero fanboy the question.
Once they passed the immigration inspection, they were finally released and free to explore the island. There was a pre-opening event for the I-Expo for anyone with an invitation. Mei and Izuku were so excited to see what kind of research and projects the scientists had been working on. While the others were amused by them geeking out.
"This place is huge!" Izuku exclaimed as they exited the terminal.
The layout was massive for a man-made island. Buildings of various sizes, shapes, and colors were spread out across the city. There were also expanses of grass and trees as well as wide pathways for people to walk on. There were even floating spherical vehicles in the sky so you could see the island from above.
Amazing, the Quirkless teen thought, smiling wide as he took in the scene.
There were quite a number of people there even before the official opening of the expo. Different pavilions featured various demonstrations of people's Quirks and other abilities. Unlike Japan they were allowed to use their Quirks freely here as long as it didn't harm anyone. Which meant that they could enjoy such things as a free concert conducted by a man with a music Quirk or greeted by someone with a waterbending Quirk spelling out 'welcome' above the sculptural fountains.
This is going to be so much fun!
The greenet was buzzing in excitement and couldn't wait to start exploring, but first they had to find the hotel.
"Oh my gods, is that All Might?!"
Okay, strike that. First, they had to deal with the crowd that had suddenly swarmed them once a buffed up All Might was recognized. Thankfully Hound Dog and Present Mic were quick to corral their charges out of the way of the stampede of admirers.
Izuku was very grateful for that not wanting to relive the day the media trespassed onto UA campus. Being squished in that hallway had not been fun at all. The memory then unfortunately reminded him of Shigaraki, who had used the panicked chaos as a distraction at the time, as well as their most recent interaction of being held captive by him at the mall. The Quirkless teen forced those thoughts down and instead chose to focus on how Shouto was crowding into his space as they waited on the side of the crowd. That closeness was something he did not mind at all.
It took a bit of time, patience, and organizing but eventually the crowd thinned and they were able to go about their business.
"I didn't expect us to be held up so long," All Might said as he working on rubbing off the various kiss marks his fans had left. "That may have caused us to be late."
"Late for what?" Izuku asked as the others nodded equally curious.
"You remember that friend I mentioned?" the Number One Hero replied as the Quirkless teen nodded while the others shook their heads. "David Shield is a dear old pal of mine who lives on this island. I haven't seen him in a long time and wanted to drop in to visit. I hope you all don't mind coming along."
His last comment was more towards the others than Izuku who he had already offered to introduce to his friend. There weren't any protests from the others so it was agreed they would go. It was at this time that a girl came bounding towards them on a pink pogo stick. She wore a short sleeved white blouse, a dark muted pink vest, khaki capris, brown boots, and then matching pink plaid bowtie, shirt cuffs, and high socks. Her blonde hair that came down to her waist bounced as she went and as she got closer they could see her eyes were blue behind her glasses. All in all, she was pretty cute for a girl.
"Uncle, you're finally here!" she exclaimed as she launched herself at the Number One Hero. "Welcome, Uncle Might!"
All Might easily caught her and enthusiastically spun her around while they both laughed. The others stared at them confused as to who this was exactly. Shouto especially so scrutinizing them in search of a family resemblance. Izuku rolled his eyes already seeing his conspiracy theory gears hard at work just because she called him uncle.
"Good to see you, Melissa!" the buff blonde boomed, holding her up as if she weighed nothing.
"Oh my gosh, it's been so long since I've last seen you!" the girl, Melissa, cheered, her blue eyes filled with excitement over the reunion. "It's almost hard to believe that you're actually here."
"It's all thanks to your invitation," All Might replied boisterously.
They reminisced while the others watched. About how it had been so long and he almost didn't recognize her. Turned out she was 17 years old so a little bit older than the UA students were. It was kind of cute to see them interact as a family joking and laughing after being apart for so long. It was good to see Yagi spending time with an actual friend and not just a coworker. As the Symbol of Peace, he didn't seem to have an abundance of friends he could turn to so this was nice.
Though Izuku was a little confused. This obviously wasn't David Shield so who was she exactly? Another friend or were they related? Perhaps she was David's daughter or something. Yeah, that had to be it.
"You're right. I am David Shield's daughter."
Oh, I said that out loud, didn't I?
The blonde girl giggled as she said, "Yes, you did. That was a quick deduction. Good job. I'm Melissa Shield. It's nice to meet you."
Melissa held out a hand in greeting first to Izuku and then to everyone else as she shook their hands down the line. They introduced themselves as she went however for the students it was a bit awkward as they weren't used to greeting in this way instead of bowing.
"So, are you all first-year students at UA?" Melissa asked after they were all introduced to each other. They all nodded in reply. "Wow, it's a pleasure to meet you. And I actually recognize you all from the Sports Festival. Hatsume, you were the one with all the intriguing Support gear, right?"
"Thaaat's me~!" Mei lilted in a sing song voice and a peace sign. "I wanted to show the world my beautiful babies and got an invite to this thing because of it! I'm so excited to see what babies that are being made here."
The blonde girl smiled at her enthusiasm giving no reaction to her preferred terminology.
"Yes, you had some very impressive tech. I hope you enjoy the expo," Melissa commented before turning to the three boys. "And you were in the top three. Congratulations on your placements. Especially you, Midoriya. It was inspiring to see you win with Support Items instead of a Quirk. Thank you for fighting so hard."
The older girl gave him a wide eyes-closed smile, truly honest in her praise.
"Oh, um, thank you," Izuku said, blushing as he rubbed the back of his head. "Not everyone thinks that so it's really appreciated."
"Of course!" Melissa assured him then her bright smile dimmed some but was still warm. "It's nice to see someone like you fighting to become a Hero. I had once dreamed of being one too but gave up on it a while ago. You see…I'm Quirkless too."
Green eyes widened in shock at the reveal. It was his first-time meeting someone else who was Quirkless and close to his own age.
"Really?" he breathed out.
"Yep, Quirkess as the day I was born," Melissa answered still smiling but it was brighter than a moment ago. "I didn't think a Quirkless Hero was possible, but seeing you it makes me think I might have given up too easily."
Izuku took in the older girl in front of him. Quirkless just like him and had once wanted to be a Hero. Only she chose another path while he refused to give up. Not that it was bad she did that. It was her choice.
"You still could be," Izuku offered. "Become a Hero, I mean."
"Nah, that's okay," the blonde teen countered with a dismissive wave of her hand. "I'm going to be my own kind of hero and help others through Support Items."
"Someone after my own heart," Mei interjected reminding the two they weren't alone.
Melissa giggled before asking, "So did you make all of your Support Items yourself, Midoriya?"
"Yep!" the greenet chirp, moving his body to show off his tech. "Mei-chan was the first to start teaching me and we both got into UA through the Support Course. And other than my arm wrappings, most of them are part of my Quirk Replication project."
"Quirk replication?" Melissa questioned in intrigue. "That is such an intriguing idea!"
"Isn't it?" Mei responded as she pulled Izuku into a one-armed hug "Izuku and I are baby making partners."
"She means we work together making inventions!" the flustered boy cut in with hands waving about.
"I kind of figured," Melissa chuckled, remembering her using the term earlier. "That is a really interesting idea. Would it be alright if I look into it too? This is I-island of course and we're all about Quirks here."
Izuku was surprised that she would be interested in his idea as well as happy to hear a dedicated young inventor like her found it 'intriguing'. Mei on the other hand…had a different reaction.
"Hey, no stealing my future partner's idea," Mei snapped as she glared while she turned their hug into one that was more claiming than friendly. "Izuku and I are going to make the best Quirk inspired babies and you can't take that away from him."
He was surprised at her for acting in such a way. Izuku had already shared the idea with her so they could work on it together. He didn't see an issue of letting others try to find inspiration from the Quirks around them.
"It's okay, Mei, she can if she wants," Izuku insisted as he patted her arms still wrapped around him. "It's all about the furthering of knowledge and creating better Support Items, right?"
The pinkette stared the other girl down for a few more seconds before sighing as she let go.
"Yeah...you're right," Mei said solemnly only to go right back to her excited self. "We should exchange info to share baby ideas."
In a flash, she whipped out her phone and shoved it towards their fellow inventor.
"Of course!" Melissa replied happily as she takes the device in her hand. "Though we do have certain levels of security when it comes to passing information outside of the island. But I would be happy to talk Support with you."
Mei squealed in delight as they exchanged information. Izuku quickly learned that she went ahead and share his contact info as well when he got a message on his phone. Well, it would be good to have these kinds of contacts in the Support world so he would let it slide.
A clearing of a throat broke them from their socializing and they all turned to All Might who asked, "So, Melissas, where is Dave hiding?"
"Oh, Papa?" the blonder girl replied before giggling, using the same moniker for her father as Izuku did with his. "He's in his lab as always. He recently had a breakthrough on some research he's been focusing on for years. Though I don't know what it is exactly because he said it was confidential."
Izuku shot a side-eye glance at All Might who briefly met his eye. The Quirkless boy had a guess that whatever research it was, there might possibly be a connection between it and Yagi. Like Tsukauchi, David was smart and could potentially put two and two together that there was something different about his Quirk. Thank the gods he convinced the typically skeletal man to tell his friend about One For All.
Who knows what crazy theories or ideas a scientist like him would come up with when worried about a friend?
"I see," All Might said, smiles as always though Izuku could sense some tension in his shoulders. "That's scientists and their secrets for you."
"Mhmm," the blonde girl hummed in reply. "He actually has no ideas that you're here. I wanted it to be a surprise to celebrate his hard work."
She gave the group a wink at her celebratory little trick. The Number One Hero chuckled and was even more excited now that he could surprise his friend after so long.
"Well then, shall we get going?" All Might prodded, wanting to move on with their schedule.
"Oh, yes of course!" Melissa cheered, grabbing her pogo stick that had been standing on its own this whole time. She pressed a button and it seemed to disappear completely compacting into a pocket size cube that she put in her pocket. "We can go surprise Papa at his lab if we hurry. This way, everyone, follow me!"
She was already running off leading the way and the rest of the group followed.
They entered a super tall tower near the center of the island. Their IDs were checked and they were signed into the building. Melissa led them through the halls, up the elevator, and they exited on a high floor. Before entering the lab, she turned towards them holding a finger to her lips as she gave a conspiring wink. They all nodded remaining silent as she entered the lab.
From inside they could hear talking as Melissa made her presence known. Elements of surprise were mixed in the voices of two men and happy mischief from the girl. They waited patiently outside for her queue though All Might was holding himself back a little so excited to finally see his friend again.
"So, what brings you over here, Melissa?" a man's voice asked, probably David.
"You'll see," she replied cryptically. "In honor of your hard effort completing the first stage of your research, I invited a special someone to celebrate with us."
"And who would that be?" David inquired, sounding as if he had no wild guesses as to who.
"A person you dearly love, Papa," Melissa answered, queuing her surprise.
All Might flashed the group a thumbs up before suddenly appearing in the doorway as he exclaimed, "I AM HERE! FILLED TO THE BRIM WITH HEARTFELT EMOTIONS UPON OUR REUNION!"
The others peeked into to see the Number One Hero posing dramatically conveying his excitement. Behind him were Melissa along with two men. One was tall with glasses and short brown hair wearing a dark blue button up shirt with the sleeves rolled up along with grey pants and black shows. The other was shorter and a more stout figure wearing a light pink button shirt, brown suspenders, and dark grey pants and shoes. They were both staring at All Might in complete shock. The surprise had been successful.
"Toshi…All Might?" the brunet questioned, not believing his bespectacled eyes. Judging by the voice, Izuku guessed this was David.
"Is it really him?" the other man added. An assistant or associate perhaps?
The rest of them were focused on the reunion going on of All Might embracing his friend and twirling him around before sprawling him on the floor. It was quite a sight. However, one of their party was scrutinizing something else or rather someone. Hound Dog sensed something off about the man behind the scientist. A hint of worry mixed with his shock upon seeing the Symbol of Peace. He could hear it in the sound of the man's slightly raised heartbeat as well as smell the increase of sweat and stress-related pheromones in the air.
Hmm…
"Well, Papa, were you surprised?" Melissa asked, smiling wide at the slack-jawed expression still on her father's face.
"Oh, uh, yeah. Completely surprised," David answered as a happy smile replaced his shock. Though Hound Dog was sensing something weird from him as well much like his assistant.
"We can both thank Melissa for that," All Might said as he helped his friend up.
The two friends reminisced about how long it had been and were laughing as if no time had passed between them. Yagi was just so happy to finally see David after all this time. They shared a fist bump just like old times.
"Let me introduce you to our little troupe," All Might added, stepping aside to reveal their group.
Izuku was at the front with Mei right beside him both freaking out they were in the same room as the David Shield. A professor and top scientist in the research world. He even received a Noble Quirk Prize! Not to mention he was All Might's partner in the US and designed all of his costume from his Young Age to his Golden Age versions.
I never thought I would get to meet such a prestigious scientist and inventor like him in real life! Pinch me, I must be dreaming.
"Ouch!" Izuku cried out suddenly when he was indeed pinched. By Hitoshi no less.
The greenet glared at his brother who merely shrugged as he said, "What? You ask."
The others giggled at them as well as the fanboy moment that he had muttered aloud.
"Well, I guess I don't have to introduce myself," David chuckled causing the Quirkless boy to blush. "But I'll do so anyway. Nice to meet you all. I'm David Shield."
They tossed greetings back and forth. While doing so, All Might covered up a cough and David took notice. A look of concern washed over his face briefly but only for a second as he came up with a quick plan to be alone with his friend.
"Melissa, would you mind showing the others around the expo?" David asked his daughter. "It's been a long time and we could use some time to catch up."
"Sure thing, Papa," Melissa agreed, eager to show them around. "Sounds like fun. Follow me, everyone. I would be honored to show you what we've been working on here."
Mei and Izuku were the most excited to see what I-Expo had in store. Hitoshi and Shouto followed behind with Present Mic trailing after. Hound Dog on the other hand lingered still trying to assess his concerns. All Might took notice and leaned down so the other Hero could whisper in his ear.
"Your friend…he seems nervous," Inui growled quietly still eyeing the other two men as David was dismissing Sam. "And his assistant…something is off about him. Be wary."
While Yagi didn't want to think badly of his friend, he knew to trust in Hound Dog's instincts. There was a reason he was a counselor as well as a Hero. He had a natural sense for danger so when he gave a warning one was to listen and not question it. Even if it was something minor, the Hunting Dog Hero was skilled in sniffing it out.
"I see," All Might replied just as quiet, looking at his friend a bit more critically. "I'll keep an eye out for anything suspicious."
Hound Dog nodded before following after the teens in their charge.
...
As soon as they were alone, Toshinori immediately started smoking and coughing as he let his powered-up form go. David hovered over him in concern as he reverted to his skeletal appearance in a haze of smoke.
"Thank you for noticing, David," Toshinori said as he coughed into his hand. "The amount of time I can hold my muscle form has shortened since we last met."
"Your email said it was bad, but I didn't know it was this serious," David replied while looking his friend over in worried scrutiny.
They stayed crouched on the floor for a while until the Hero was able to catch his breath. Then David helped his friend further into his lab. Toshinori stripped out of his Hero costume and laid down in an examination pod in only his boxers. David hooked up monitors above his heart and near the scar he had gotten from All For One. The professor then situated a breathing mask over his face before closing the lid and started running tests.
Toshinori closed his eyes and rested as the room was filled with hums and beeps of the machines. Numbers and gauges were illuminated on the pod as well as the scientist's many screens. When the results of his Quirk levels came up, David was concerned that they had gotten even lower than the last time they checked. However, they were at least dwindling at a steady pace so he still had time to implement his plan.
"You can't keep going like this, Toshi," David chastised as Toshinori sat up from the examination pod. "Your Quirk levels are still dropping ever since you received that serious injury from All For One. But with these numbers, there will be a day when you won't be able to use your Quirk at all."
The Number One Hero coughed into his hand as he looked down with guilt. He knew that already. It was why he was so adamant on finding a good successor to take One For All before it was gone forever. Toshinori couldn't let this shared Quirk die with him.
I have to tell him the truth, he thought as he did his best to brace himself to share this secret.
"At the rate you are losing your Quirk, the day the Symbol of Peace disappears grows closer and closer," David said, his fist clenched on his desk in frustration. "Your presence is the only reason Japan has such a low crime rate of six percent. Other countries average around twenty percent and others even worse than that. I almost wish you had never left. The US could use you, All Might."
The day he would have to retire as a Pro Hero was inevitable but that didn't necessarily mean he would stop being the Symbol of Peace. The title was merely a name to an ideal. A concept of a protector who would always be there to save the day. As they say, you can kill the man, but you can't kill an idea.
But there was also young Midoriya's point. His quest to become the Symbol of Peace had put a lot of pressure on a single Hero. It had been part of his own personal goals but where did that leave the rest of the Hero world once he couldn't actively fight anymore. Who could replace the Number One Hero as the Symbol of Peace?
The answer was simple now. It couldn't be just one person to take over his legacy. It had to be everyone. Working together to keep the peace he himself had worked so hard to secure and maintain. Only then through hard work and team work would their society flourish and shine brightly leading into the future.
I must tell him now before it's too late.
"David…I have something to tell you," Toshinori said, drawing his friend's attention away from the concerning results of him pushing himself so hard. "It's about my Quirk. It's…different."
"Different?" David asked, turning to face him in his chair. "How so?"
"I…I was not born with this power," the once Quirkless man revealed, forcing himself to say the words he fought desperately to keep hidden. "In fact, before I was given it by my master, I had no Quirk at all."
Toshinori cast his shadowed gaze down not wanting to see his friend's reaction. While David stared at him in shock much different than what he had felt earlier. Seeing his friend after so long was a thrill but this…this was something else.
"You were…Quirkless?" David asked, not sure if he could believe it to be true. This was All Might after all. The strongest man alive.
"Yes," the skeletal man admitted still not looking at him.
The professor thought over what he had just learned about his long-time friend. Never once would he have guessed that All Might had been Quirkless. He just had such overwhelming power that went well with his overpowering personality, but to not be born with this power and instead given…
"Wait, you said you were given this power?" David asked suddenly, staring at his friend in disbelief. "How is that possible?"
And so Toshinori told him. The tale of two brothers when Quirks first began to show up. One wanting to rule over all while the other wanted nothing to do with it. A giver and a taker fighting against each other until one pulled a move to force his younger brother to submit to him only for it to backfire. One For All was created and the journey of such a unique Quirk began.
Hero after Hero it was passed down to for the next generation to try again and again to take All For One down. But as each successor was overpowered by their shared enemy, One For All grew stronger. The inherited Quirk enhanced the wielder's original as well as their natural strength. By the time it was given to Toshinori, since he didn't have a Quirk, it seemed to increased his physical strength more than the others to compensate.
However, after his fight with All For One, the injury he sustained had affect his ability to draw upon his power. Toshinori didn't go into the drama between him and Mirai who had wanted him to retire and choose a successor immediately instead of continuing his Hero work. That was a can of worms he did not want to open especially not now. Telling David this secret was stressful enough.
David sat and listened to his friend's story. It almost seemed absurd, a fairy tale, and yet the evidence was all there. It explained so many things that he had questions about. Toshinori was given a long-existing Quirk that painted a target on his back all while he was building a name for himself as the Symbol of Peace. There was so much more to his friend's past than he had thought.
"And now I am in search of a successor for this Quirk," Toshinori surmised. "I thought I had found the perfect choice however I was turned down."
"You, All Might, were turned down?" David asked in disbelief. "By who?"
"That young man you met earlier, Midoriya Izuku," the blonde answered, his tone solemn at the lost opportunity. The boy had so much potential. "I see a lot of myself in him. Both growing up Quirkless with a goal to become Heroes. Only I became one with One For All while he continues to fight without a Quirk. I believe he would be a great choice to receive One For All but I also admit he is doing well on his own."
His own kind of Hero.
"I see what you mean," the professor commented, his hand on his chin. "He's the one that won the Sports Festival this year for the first years, correct?"
"Yes, he did," Toshinori replied with a nod. "He is also credited in apprehending the Hero Killer Stain in Hosu which was caught on video."
David's eyes widened in surprise at that. A wanted Villain who was known for evading capture was taken down by a Quirkless teenager. If he had developed a Quirk, what more could this young Midoriya Izuku do as a Hero?
"As to why we are all here on I-Island," Toshinori explained further. "Other than to visit you and enjoy the I-Expo, it was to protect young Midoriya. He has caught the interest of the leader of the League of Villains who we know is associated with All For One. We hoped to put some distance between him and Villains until we finalize a plan to protect him from Shigaraki. What better place than I-Island?"
This time it was David who turned his head down in shame. Toshinori watched while thinking of Hound Dog's warning.
"What is it, David?" the skeletal man asked.
"I…" he began only to stop. The scientist was clearly conflicted about something and struggling to let it out. After taking a deep breath though he forced himself to speak. "I have something to tell you, Toshi."
David began to speak of a plan to retrieve a piece of his research that had been confiscated and locked up as it was considered too dangerous. The device itself was intriguing and able to amplify one's Quirk without damaging their body or brain unlike with drugs. The fact that he designed it to help All Might remain as the Symbol of Peace was an honor. However, if such a device fell into the wrong hands…it could be a disaster.
To think if All For One got his hands on it…
The thought made Toshinori shudder. The plan David and his assistant had come up with even more so. Hiring fake Villains to distract the civilians and Heroes visiting the island all in order to steal it. All in the name of All Might. Even if it was with fake Villains, Toshinori did not like being a motivation for such a scheme.
"David…why did you sink to such measures?" the skeletal blonde asked, not wanting to believe his friend would agree to such a plan.
He was currently pacing as he was processing this new development. There was also a part of him that realized they hadn't managed to keep young Midoriya out of danger after all.
Damn it!
"It was Sam's idea," David admitted solemnly. "After our sponsors confiscated the device as well as all my research, Sam suggested this plan to take our research back. To steal what was stolen from us and leave to continue our research elsewhere."
"That's insane, David," Toshinori said, chiding him like a child as he stilled his pacing.
"I know, I thought so too," David agreed as he let out a sigh. "But Sam was insistent. Wanted everything back so we could keep working on the project we had put so much time and effort into. He has everything planned out."
The Number One Hero was so angry that his friend would do something like this. It was for his sake but that didn't excuse even a fake act of violence. If it even was actually fake. He had to inform the other Heroes and they would treat it as a real Villain attack just in case. They must protect the people and the top-secret research existing on this island.
"When is the attack going to happen?" All Might asked as he buffed up into his muscle form in anger.
David for the first time felt intimidated when faced with the Symbol of Peace. Finally understanding what Villains must feel when confronting the Number One Hero.
"Tonight, during the reception," David answered quickly. "The tower will be closed and everyone will be in the same place. They plan to take control of the security systems and lock the island down. Then capture any Heroes so they can't fight back, but they're ordered to not harm anyone."
Tonight, huh?
That didn't leave much time for a plan, but it was enough to tip off the other Heroes and beef up security to sensitive areas. They should also screen through the arriving guests for the planned attackers. Though they could be on the island already.
"Do you know when these fake Villains are supposed to arrive?" Toshinori asked as he slowly let his bigger form go and sat back down. "Or even who they are?"
"Sorry, I don't know," David admitted with a shake of his head. "Sam handled all of the preparations with them. I only know when the attack is planned and that I'm to play along so that we could get to the device."
The Number One Hero hummed as he thought. It was unfortunately that he didn't know more and would make planning a counterattack more difficult. Of course, they could ask his assistant but with Hound Dog's warning of Sam seeming off he didn't think it would be wise. If they did and this turned out to not be a fake attack, they could unintentionally alert the Villains they knew of their plan. They would have to be careful.
"I'm so sorry, Toshi," David apologized earnestly, hanging his head in shame. "I'm just scared that the peace you've built as a Hero will fade away with you. I wanted to ensure you could be a Hero and maintain all you've worked hard for. What kind of future will we have without All Might?"
The professor stared sadly down at the floor. His fears for the future seemed to radiate from him in irky black. He also feared that he lost the trust and friendship of his greatest and precious friend.
"While I understand your motivations, I am disappointed you would stoop to this level of criminality," All Might said, causing David to flinch. "However, it's not too late to prevent this or to keep it from getting out of hand. We need to inform the other Heroes and do all we can to take control of this situation."
David looked up at that, a glimmer of hope in his eyes. There was disappointment in Toshinori's shadowed blue but also concern. After learning what the scientist had planned and intended to do, he still cared. Was still the Hero David knew and loved.
"Of course, All Might," David agreed earnestly. "And I'll accept any punishment for my hand in all this. I knew it was wrong but I still almost did it. I just…I didn't want to lose you. And the world…they can't lose the Symbol of Peace."
Toshinori got up from the examination pod and walked over to his friend.
"You're not going to lose me, my dear friend," the skeletal Hero assured him as he placed a comforting hand on his friend's shoulder. "And the world will always have a Symbol of Peace. It may not always be me but the next generation of Heroes is filled with them."
The professor looked at him confused as he asked, "What do you mean?"
"I've come to realize something because of young Midoriya," Toshinori answered as he removed his hand. "That having the world on one Hero's shoulders is too much. Instead, it is a burden that can be shared and thereby make a stronger foundation for society. The world is filled with capable Heroes as well as good people like you. Together we can maintain peace."
David stared in awe at his words. Never had he expected for All Might to say such a thing. Nor had he ever considered that angle when it came to maintaining peace. Perhaps…perhaps there was still hope.
The professor let out a huff of laughter as he said, "That Midoriya sounds like some kid."
"Indeed," Toshinori conceded with his own chuckle. "It is unfortunate he did not accept One For All when I offered it to him. In him I see the shine of great potential and the true heart of a Hero. Always wanting to help others and save those he can. In fact, he was the one to convince me to tell you about my Quirk. He even guessed you might have already been planning a way to help me. He was right."
The scientist was in shock. A boy he had never met before today already knew so much. Clearly a fanboy knowing all about him and his work, but to predict that the man would pursue means to help the Number One Hero was something else. Who was this kid?
"I think I'm starting to understand what you see about him," David said, standing up from his chair. "That boy will make a great Hero."
"He still has far to go," Toshinori replied, nodding. "It won't be easy forging a path as a Quirkless Hero, but I believe young Midoriya can do it. He may not rank high but not everyone aims for the top as I do. However, as long as he works hard to save those in need, he will make a great Hero indeed."
The two friends smiled and nodded in silent agreement. The gaunt Hero then got dressed and they left together to alert the proper authorities of the looming threat. They would have to be swift and quick to organize a counteroffensive but they would do their best to keep the chaos at bay.
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Tumblr blog name: ja0-s-blank-canvas-fic
Notes extension: ja0-s-blank-canvas-fic/part-3-chapter-15-i-island-friends-new-and/0i3zyvvefk9u
