Steam rose from my body. Boiling hot water cascading off my skin and into the drain that sat below my feet. The large shower room devoid of anyone other than myself. Early hours like this provided a sense of luxury. It was far easier to take in the surroundings of a room, to be on guard.
Yet not even I could fully pay attention. My mind could not stop. It hadn't been long since I had left the realm of OFA. 10 minutes at most before I found myself here. I could not forget the words of the others. My left hand's newest decoration boldly presented for all to see. To try and trace the patterns were useless. It was odd to say but it seemed alive. Shifting ever so slightly with each look.
This momentary fascination dying once the pain had returned. Pressing my forehead against the shower wall I tried to regain my senses. Full cowl coated my body, this was only ever a temporary fix. Right hand grabbing onto left, with my thumb I pressed down onto my knuckles, pressing bones back into place. Pressure building from my fingers trying to replace the pressure of my bones pressing against the nerves.
With only 8% this process would take a substantial amount of time. Time that I didn't have. I upped the percentage. Although 12% was the upper limit initially I could feel no discomfort. No rattling of my chest, no suffocating pressure, nothing. The percentage kept building.
15%
20%
25%
30%
Finally the sense of discomfort I had expected arrived. 30% was now what my body had become comfortable with. What should have taken at least an hour, only took a single minute to complete.
*POP*
A sound similar to popping a knuckle echoed over the sounds of water hitting the tiled floor. The pain was not gone, however it did lessen. The process repeated for my right hand.
It was only after, that I stood in silence. Full cowl had yet to fade. It felt different. Obviously such a large power difference would, but it was something more. There was a tugging at the fibers of my being. Radiating from my lower abdomen, into my chest, before resting in my arms.
'A new quirk.'
With my focus on this foreign feeling, I watched. The markings on the left half of my body burning. A black tendril manifesting from my left forearm. "Ngh!" It was sudden the tendril did not respond to the movement of my arm, rather it struck against the shower wall cracking the tile. Cutting OFA off, I took a breath. The tendril receding back into my body.
'It's powerful. Too dangerous without proper training.'
One for All had been a hurdle in the past. Black whip as the 5th user had called it would be harder. The smirk that came across my face couldn't be wiped away easily. Gaining something as great as this was not something to scoff at. I turned off the shower, grabbing my towel from a nearby rack. A lot needed to be done.
.
.
.
I could not help but stare blankly at the entrance of U.A's main building. It was now an odd sight. At one time the windows shined with the gleaming light of the early morning sunrise, the outside staircase and arches an angelic white. Now the windows seemed dim, even the sunrise failed to bring the sense of amazement it used to. The white color of the outside now gray. The building's glorious veneer easily seen through.
Head turned and staring out the large entrance my jaw tightened. The Land of the Rising Sun. It's apparent beauty was far uglier than anyone would admit, after all it's true face was far more unforgiving. A thin partition the only thing keeping the horrors of the outside from coming in.
Could I feel patriotism?
Should I?
*Ahem* a clearing of my throat brought the task before me back into priority. Although training with Snipe was soon, it was better to eliminate a problem before it grew out of control. The changes of my body would not go unnoticed. Rather than delay, it would be better to see Recovery Girl.
Heading into the building my steps echoed through the empty halls until I reached the nurse's office. With a knock and nearly a minute of waiting the door opened. Recovery Girl's eyes drifting upward at my face. With a gesture I was lead inside. "So what brings you in Sonny?"
My response was delayed. I waited to hear the office door close, only when it was, did the hoodie that covered my hair was taken off. The jacket I wore zipping open before I lifted enough of my shirt. My abdomen appearing in sight. Recovery Girl's mouth opened, eyes narrowed at the markings and my hair.
"When did this happen?"
The concern in her voice. It was loud. So different from anyone else.
Different from her.
Yet only Inko's face came to my mind when I stared at Recovery Girl.
"S-!"
"So-!"
"Sonny!"
Blinking it was only then I realized Recovery Girl had been calling to me. "It happened last night." I gave an answer to her question. I would rather avoid speaking about what I saw.
"What caused this? Was it another reaction to One for All?" Taking a glance at the markings, hair, and more specifically the skin around my eye, these questions were asked. Recovery Girl's gloved hand gently pressing against the side where the skin had cracked.
I had thought it similar to that of a snake's skin shedding. Yet as her thumb examined it, it was rather clear that my skin wasn't shedding, flaking, or falling off. It only looked that way.
"I think so."
"Hmm... Could be that your body is trying to become a better vessel for One for All. Toshinori went through physical changes as well. Nothing this drastic or apparent, only muscle growth. To be sure i'm going to need a sample of blood." Recovery Girl turned her back, moving to grab a sterilized blood syringe. Instrument in hand she turned towards me, extending my left arm, before wiping the area clean.
The needle pointed towards my vein.
When had my breathing become erratic? When did sweat form on my head? My body tensing as the needle drew closer. Each second, Recovery Girl began to look more like Inko. A sick twisted smile on the woman's face. I knew better than to retaliate but I could feel it. 10%, 25%, 35%... Bones in my right hand vibrating, aching, eyes focusing on Recovery Girl's left cheekbone. One strike, maybe two, then...
"All done." Recovery Girl withdrew her hand. The syringe filled with blood. OFA faded in an instant. My thoughts... revolting. The woman's eyes lingered on me for a few seconds. "Izuku. Are you ok?"
"I'm fine. Are we done? I have training with Snipe that's starts soon."
"Yes dearie we're done." Recovery Girl placed a bandage on the spot where my blood was drawn. At her words I once again covered my appearance changes. After a small exchange of parting words I left. Roaming the halls once more. This time Nezu's office was the destination. Reaching the door, I did the same as when I visited Recovery Girl waiting for a response only entering when I had heard one.
Inside the office, Nezu sat, paws folded over his desk. At the animal's side, Snipe.
"Midoriya. Good to see you. I expected you'd be here early." Nezu gave a small smile. Beady black eyes already searching my body.
"Well, I think it's better to be prepared." A gave my own smile. Both were forced.
Even then neither would call it out. Rather Nezu's interest only increased. To the animal there was no reason to squash the fun before it started.
"I see. Very thorough. Now then, if you would please follow Snipe to the training location."
I did as I was told and followed Snipe as he led me out of the room and towards a specialized training area. A shooting range lay to my left and an entire armory of guns were on my right. "Now Midoriya I got the gist from Nezu but I want to hear your reason for being so interested in learning how to handle both guns and explosives."
"It's no secret that I am vastly outnumbered. As such I need an edge in the game."
"Hmm. Alright I understand." Snipe adjusted his hat, "Now under normal circumstances I would suggest using a standard glock 17 to start. Being that we are on a time crunch I think it would be best to get you used to the weapons that you plan on using."
Snipe led me over to the gun racks. My gaze sweeping across the large arsenal, all the while Snipe looked over my shoulder. It was rather difficult to choose, I knew that any firearm would work well with enough training. Though I was still vastly unfamiliar with any weapon that I saw. Hand moving over several of the pistols, I watched Snipe, analyzing his body movement as my hand switched from gun to gun. His body lightly tensing, as though he were clenching his teeth. Any weapon that caused this seemed to be a bad choice.
Revolvers were quickly ruled out. Semi-automatics seemed to be the best fit. Finally after a few minutes I finally grabbed a hold of one. The heft was unlike anything I've held before.
"An HK 45. A strong choice, customizable, accurate and fast. It uses .45 ACP rounds, powerful and loud." Listening to Snipes description I held the pistol in my hand. The contoured grip fitting perfectly. Hand outstretched I placed the weapon within Snipe's open hand. My head turned to a larger wall of guns. Picking up one.
"AXSR bolt action rifle. If you want adaptable that's the best there is. Scopes, muzzles, suppressors, and stocks. Powerful weapon. Are these the weapons you want to use?"
I debated for a moment before nodding, "I plan on using both during the wargame, that being said I still need training in using them."
Snipe nodded before grabbing the weapon from my hands. Taking them towards the gun range Snipe loaded the weapons with their usual ammunition. "Now you picked very powerful weapons. Remember this is dangerous and we need to train diligently."
"I will." With the gun loaded I pulled the hammer of the HK 45 back. Taking aim I fired. Immediately the difference became clear. My hands shook from the vibrations and my shot neared nowhere near the target. 'Shit...' If it continued like this the wargames were over before they started.
It was only natural more power needed greater control. I trained firing magazine after magazine until the floor beneath me became covered in discarded casings. Eventually I had switched to the AXSR which then presented a new level of challenge. The constant powerful vibrations had brought the pain in my hands causing me to momentarily stop.
"Midoriya?"
"It's alright." Readjusting my grip I fired again. Mind fading into the distance. Eyes watching the target. 'Inko, Bakugou, Uraraka, Aizawa...' The names that repeated in my head kept playing on repeat. Advancing. Class 1-A, U.A, Nezu, the names kept growing and growing. The number of times the gun's trigger was pulled increasing.
"Midoriya!"
Snipe's yell made me stop. "What?"
"The gun is empty."
Like Snipe pointed out, I had been firing a gun that was completely empty. Only empty clicks had sounded in the room after 3 pulls. "Sorry, It won't happen again."
Snipe's gaze would not leave me. "I think it's best we take a break for at least today. You've gotten better, be sure to come back tomorrow. We'll be training with the explosives."
To nod my head was the only option. At Snipe's behest I walked out of the room, heading to the support studio. To expect progress only a day after was idiotic, still I couldn't not check.
"I'm just seeing if the drones are done."
Speaking to myself, I neared the support room, opening the door after making sure no explosions were going to knock me on my ass. Inside, it was the usual... refreshing in a way. On one of the many tables Mei lay sleeping, drool leaking from the side of her mouth and onto one of the many blueprints she had laid there. Walking towards her, my feet stopped once her face was in full view. I gazed at for a few seconds before taking off the jacket I wore. Draping it over her as a makeshift blanket, I moved, eyes searching the support studio.
It took a minute before my eyes caught a large blueprint with what looked to be drones sitting on top. Picking the paper up and reading the function a grin formed.
"She put her heart into this." It was more than I could ask for, perhaps even too much. Setting the drown down, I examined the blueprint underneath. It was a hand drawn model of what could be my villain mask. It's design was rough, unpolished. There was no issue I could find with this. The drones being completed were far beyond expectations. It only made sense.
Examining it I didn't know Mei woke up until I felt her hands on my shoulders, turning my head slightly I heard Mei speak to me before her grip tightened and an eerie smile adorned her face.
"Who are you and why are you touching my babies?"
Although my body tensed, I quickly relaxed. My appearance change would have thrown anyone off. Just as I was about to explain, Mei's eyes narrowed. Her hands squeezing my shoulders, trailing down to my arms, before she spoke.
"Oh Muscles! It's you! What the hell happened?!" The angered look she held replaced with a bright smile and a curious gaze. Again like yesterday, she spoke with pink tinted cheeks. Her hands having yet to leave my body. Eyes spotting the drone blueprint in my hands. "Looks like you found the drones! How do you like it?!"
"Perfect. I'm really impressed." Lately suppressing a smile had become harder around Mei, around anything that concerned her. Similar to when he spent time with Eri but different. "I saw your designs for the villain mask. I came here to check up on your progress."
"Of course, they are and everything is going perfect! They're being made by the future #1 inventor!" Mei hid the fluttering of her chest with a mock smugness. "Anyways Muscles you got some explaining to do."
"Recovery Girl said it's fine. Something to do with my quirk. It's nothing to worry about."
"Nothing to worry about? Look at your arm! Your eye!" arms crossed the girl finally let go, "Are you telling the truth?"
"Mei, I promise, trust me it's nothing serious."
"Hmmm... Ok!" With a thumbs up Mei took my statement at face value. It was always like this with her. She trusted me implicitly and it was confusing. I could tell she was curious, it was her nature to be. Yet there she was already grabbing the blueprints explaining what she had done. "These babies are super special! The drones are almost completely undetectable, the stealth capabilities make this baby silent in the air, and the cameras come with mics as well so you can hear everything that comes through."
Her ramblings were erratic, energetic, but I could hear every word.
Turning once more she grabbed a small tablet before pushing it into my arms. Before I could question it she continued. "You need a way to control the drones so I created a software just for you! From the tablet you'll be able to control all the drones and their footage is automatically uploaded to the storage inside." Mei gave me the inner workings of the gadgets and with each addition I remained surprised. Even after reading the blueprint it to hear it from her was enlightening.
I had barely noticed the time passing by, but when I did I broke through her voice. "Sorry Mei, I have to go."
"Wait really? Now?" Mei's attention was squarely on me. The disappointment in her voice was unmistakable. With my nod of confirmation she accepted. "Oh, ok, well you stop by tomorrow I have tons of babies to show you! Promise you'll be here! I need a guinea pig!"
"I will." Accepting the promise I extended my hand. In her haste Mei had forgotten the jacket draped over her shoulders, "Could I have my jacket?" I had to stifle the chuckle that came from my mouth. Mei panicked, face turning red in embarrassment. Her arms extended holding the jacket outward. Grabbing it I clothed myself, taking the drones and tablet all before I left. Even if I were able to stay, Black whip needed to be under my control. I couldn't do it in there.
The capabilities of the quirk were still unknown. How much can the quirk handle? How much I could handle it? If possible... could I gain the other quirks regardless of the predecessors influence? What were my plans going forward?
Only one of the questions had an answer...
.
"Young Midoriya."
I stopped. My eyes closing. I could feel my hands ball up, my jaw tightening. 'Deep breath.' A hand fell onto my already tensed shoulder. Turning I could see him.
'You can be a hero.'
'I'm so disappointed in you.'
two phrases, spoken by the same man. Toshinori Yagi... He... It was his hand that held Eri, dragging the girl away despite her crying in pain. "All Might!" my voice leaked out. My tone jovial, happy, every positive emotion that could be identified as idolization.
Yagi's smile copied my own. "My boy, I was concerned when you want to do this alone so I came to ask, do you need help with anything at all?"
'...help... Now you offer help...' To be a mentor was to take care of your student. To believe in them, to nurture their growth. When had that ever occurred. Sure, the man helped train my body. After that? 'Just believe in the quirk! Yell smash! Throw your fist!' Every single piece of advice utterly useless. No, the man just pushed his burden onto me. 'He couldn't finish his job. Now he depends on me.'
"Thank you All Might! But I think I'm ok!"
I had to leave. I could hardly think. Finding myself in the forest area behind the dorms. The nearest tree had become a target. My right fish crashing into the tree. Then my left.
Right
left
Right
left
The skin of my knuckles tearing open, coating the bark with blood. Wood splintering as I continued. Hours passed, the sun fell. With the sky a pink tint, I had finally stopped. Training for the day had gone to waste. An idiotic waste...
Blood coating my knuckles, I left the woods, heading back into the dorms. I was greeted with a single sight. Class 1-A eating, talking, none looked in the slightest worn out. Although I hadn't trained to the fullest, they did not train at all. My entrance going mostly unnoticed, only a small wave from both Uraraka and Iida being the welcome I received.
Fighting the bile rising in my throat. I tried not to breath. The air putrid. Regardless of the smell I could not stop as my stomach rumbled. I had neglected eating. Though the kitchen was not somewhere I would go at the moment. I would go hungry tonight.
It wasn't the first time.
I walked until I found the seclusion of my dorm room.
The peace found inside wouldn't last long.
I had to sleep.
I had to experience it again.