Chapter 6: Hopes And Dreams
Chapter Text
It's been a week since izuku and his party's last meeting with Nezu. To be honest, Izuku was not expecting to be at UA again until the entrance exam. He Ponders on the reason why Nezu would call him again to UA. He enters the school's campus and heads straight to Nezu's office. As he approaches the office the door swings open automatically. This surprised Izuku for only a second before he strolled into the office. As he does he notices a familiar figure sitting on a chair right next to Nezu.
"Aah, Detective Tsukauchi was it? It is nice to see you again." Izuku says with a smile.
"It is a pleasure to see you again as well." Detective Tsukauchi says returning the smile. Sitting down in the seat next to the detective Izuku's attention turns to Nezu.
"So why did you call me here? If it's about that Incident at the cafe, I was under the impression that was handled." Izuku says.
"No, we did not call you here because of the incident at the cafe a week ago, we actually called you here for two other reasons. Although officer Sansa would like to pass on his gratitude for saving his family. But we're getting off topic, The first one is a topic that we didn't cover in the last session that needed to be addressed." Detective Tsukauchi says.
Turning his attention to the detective Izuku responds. "Oh and what topic is that?" Izuku says Raising an eyebrow In curiosity.
"We wanted to talk to you about a villain called Void King. We believe his Quirk was responsible for sending you to the other dimension." Detective Tsukauchi says
This got Izuku's attention. " Void King, I never heard of him. Are you sure this guy was responsible?"
"Yes, we believe Void King was responsible. We have an unconfirmed report that he was spotted in the area. That's why we wish to ask you if you encountered any other people from our Dimension over there." Nezu asked.
"Tamriel is quite a big place and Unfortunately, the only places I have been is Skyrim and Solstheim. Although I'm pretty sure I would heard of somebody like me Through my connections." Izuku said frowning.
"Do you know about any other places that they could have been sent to?" Detective Tsukauchi asked.
"The only other places I could think of are the planes of Oblivion. But if they ended up there, let's just say you better pray that they didn't." The tone that Izuku used was dark and quite serious. This makes Detective Tsukauchi hesitate only for a second on asking his next question.
"Why do you say that?" Detective Tsukauchi asks hesitantly.
Letting out A long *sigh* Izuku decides to give a brief explanation. "The Planes of Oblivion, home of the Daedric Princes, are areas of Oblivion that are generally Volatile, chaotic in nature, and highly dangerous to any mortal. Oblivion is an extension of the Void and is considered the dualistic inverse of Aetherius, the utopian afterlife. There are sixteen planes in total with each Daedric Prince presiding over one. The Daedric Princes have complete control over their planes and anything that inhabits it. People who go into these planes rarely come back alive and the ones that do fall to insanity. Over the hundreds of thousands of years, I can count on one hand how many people came out of one of these planes alive and with their Insanity intact. I happen to be one of them and I will tell you firsthand you better pray To the eight divines that they did not end up in any of those planes." Izuku said seriously.
"In your honest opinion is there any hope for them if they did end up in any of these planes? And if so can we rescue them." Detective Tsukauchi asked. He knew the answer to this question but it's his job to ask them anyway.
"No, I'm positive anyone from this world would have not survived and if they did I would not risk it. To my knowledge, the Daedric princes do not know of this dimension, and if they find out They will not hesitate to conquer it. I'm telling you this right now if they do come here to conquer it. No one on this planet would be able to stop them, not even All Might." Izuku said frowning.
"Not even you?" Nezu ask.
Izuku's frown deepened at the question. "It depends on the Daedric Lord and if I'm fighting on their plane or not. Usually, they just send their armies as they stay on their plane. They rarely leave their plane and when they do they usually send an avatar in their Stead. So, more like a really, shaky Maybe." Izuku said honestly.
Detective Tsukauchi just sighed "Okay that's all I needed to know. I'll be heading out now thank you for the time you two." Detective Tsukauchi says as he leaves the office.
"So what was this other topic you wanted to talk to me about Nezu?" Izuku said.
"Oh yes, I have found somebody that meets your criteria." Nezu said in a chipper tone.
This shocked Izuku. "Wait you want me to teach somebody already? I thought we were going to wait until I got into UA," Izuku said Shocked.
"Yes, we agreed on waiting until you're into UA but I believe a test run is in order. You see one of our staff brought up something that needs testing." Nezu said patiently
"Testing, What would need testing?" Izuku said confused.
"You see you and your two companions have some strands of DNA that we are unable to decipher at this time. Because of that, we need to make sure that Magic is not a biological function similar to quirks."
"I See, that makes sense, now I can see your concern. Although I am quite confident there is no biological factor in learning magic. I cannot ignore the possibility to it either. But if we're going to do this test run right you're going to need somebody who is quirkless," Izuku said.
Nezu's eye sparkled at that. "Two great minds think alike I always say," Nezu said happily.
As he finishes that sentence he pulls out a vanilla folder. "The candidate I have lined up Is indeed quirkless. Her name is Melissa Shield, daughter of David Shield. I'm sure you heard of her father."
Picking up the vanilla folder and opening it Izuku starts to speak. "Yes I believe I did he's all might support technician and first sidekick". Izuku said now focusing on what was in the vanilla folder.
Seeing that Nezu decides to wait until he's done with what is in the vanilla folder. Pouring himself another cup of tea he waits patiently for Izuku.
"She definitely has the intelligence for it thanks to her mechanical background. And her physical shape is quite decent as well, although we will need to work on that. All in all a good candidate. But don't think I can't tell what you're doing.
"Oh and what am I doing" Nezu says as he quirks an eyebrow and sips his tea.
Izuku narrowed his eyes at him. "You're trying to play on my feelings obviously. You're hoping to get more information on Magic. And you're doing that by trying to give me a student that is quirkless. There was no way you had this much information prepared. And no way you know enough about magic To come to the conclusion that We needed to start with a quirkless student. But don't worry I'll play your game. But I won't promise anything until I meet her. So when can you make that happen?" Izuku said.
"Today if you want, she is currently downstairs with Recovery girl doing a full DNA test," Nezu said With a Chipper tone.
Izuku rolled his eyes at that. Of course, Nezu had her here already. he knew the rat was still on the fence about him, and the only way for him to believe anything he said was true, was to play his game.
"Okay but I run the interview and I do it my way," Izuku said seriously.
"Very well, But I'll be present. Also, if you do accept her as your student. Midnight will be assigned to you to supervise her training and you'll be using one of our private training grounds." Nezu said.
Okay, he could understand private training grounds but a babysitter, He needed to put his foot down. "I can understand private training grounds but a babysitter, That's too much."
Nezu narrowed his eyes at this. "I am sorry but that is Non-negotiable. Especially when you three are quite dangerous individuals. I'm certain the cafe Incident proved that. Especially when Lydia didn't even hesitate to drive that blade Through that woman's chest. Even if you claimed it was enchanted to be a non-lethal weapon. The fact that she didn't even bat an eye when she did it Proves that she has done it enough times that she's been desensitized to such an Action."Nezu says.
Izuku Quirked his eyebrow at that. "I thought I made it clear during our last meeting. We didn't just kill monsters and Dragons but also people, even though they were Bandits and monsters in human flesh. The only reason we didn't kill those guys in the cafe was because we didn't want to be charged with murder. Now before you attempt to use that against me, all that happened in another dimension which is technically out of your jurisdiction, and before you attempt to disqualify me altogether about being a hero. Do not forget about Endeavor, Are lustrous number two has enough villain kills underneath his belt to build his own public Cemetery." izuku says.
"This is all true but you must understand my position, You are a completely unknown Factor. All the information we have on you and your abilities is what you gave us. There's no way for us to verify that information besides a lie-detector quirk which given enough time you could theoretically get around. So If you were in my position would you not be asking the same?"
*Sighing* Izuku Decides to concede. "Very well I agreed to your conditions."
"Then we are in an agreement, she should be up here in 5 minutes," Nezu says.
5 Minutes Later
Melissa was confused, she just finished going through a full DNA Test. She could not understand why it was necessary for such a test she was quirkless after all. The fact that Recovery Girl was tight-lipped about it made her even more confused. She was starting to question why she was even here. All she knew about what was happening was that Nezu was Apparently opening an experimental Hero program for quirkless individuals and people with weak or useless quirks. The only reason why she was the first candidate was because Nezu wanted to repay a debt to her late mother.
So when she heard about this, that fire that she thought she lost a long time ago flickered once more. If there was a chance even a small one that she could fulfill that dream she had since she was a child. A dream that she thought she lost after Her diagnosis. This small opportunity even if it didn't pan out she knew if she didn't take it she would regret it for the rest of her life. So now she was here in the halls of UA the same school that all might, her uncle, the symbol of peace learn from. She could not help the small amount of Hope Rising in her chest.
However, when she approached the principal's office So she could have an interview with the teacher that she would be learning from, She could not help feeling nervous. It also did not help when the door swung open automatically causing her to jump. And it only made it a bit more embarrassing when she could hear the laughter of Nezu inside. Grumbling About crazy rodents she entered the room. Surprisingly though it was darker than she was Expecting. The windows seem to be closed and the lights were turned down to the minimum. Entering the room further, she looked around only to see a single chair in the middle. She could not even see Nezu even though she was sure that she heard him in the room before.
"Sit, please." The Voice she heard was soft, butt Young, kind, but firm. She did not recognize the voice but obeyed nonetheless. Sitting down on the sole chair in the room, She could not help but fidget. A couple of seconds past before the voice spoke up again.
"What is your name?" The voice said seemingly coming out of nowhere.
"Melissa Shield." She managed to say and without any conscious thought.
"Do you know why you're here?" The voice asks.
Again almost on instinct and like it was completely natural words started spilling out of her mouth.
"For an interview, I was told by Nezu that he was starting a hero program up for the quirkless and people with weak or useless quirks."
'This must be his quirk, the ability to not lie and not have the choice to respond. UA must be worried about security if this is the case.' She idly thought.
"What is your idea of what a hero should be" The voice asks and Like the times before the words seem to flow out of her mouth without any effort on her part.
"A hero is a person who saves people with a smile on their face, not for money or Glory only because it's the right thing to do." She said happily and felt more confident that she was going to pass this interview and that spark of hope growing a little hotter in her chest.
"Do you think you could become a hero without a quirk?" The voice said and the question shocked her. But what even more shocked her was what came out of her mouth next.
"No." Tears threatened to leak out of her eyes at that simple word. She fucked it up, she ruined her only chance with that simple question. But the man's questions did not stop there.
"Why do you think you cannot become a hero without a quirk." The Voice asked calmly and with a hint of sympathy. Why was he sympathizing with her. How could he, he has a quirk. But like many times before she was forced to answer.
"It's what everybody says, my father, my uncle, my friends, every single person around me. How can somebody useless become a hero? How can somebody as worthless as me become a hero?" Tears were now streaming down her face. All her fears and doubts all out to bear for this man to see.
"Then why did you come here?" The man asked now stepping into the light for her to see. He was wearing dark robes With plate armor underneath. The plate armor has Nordic symbols and his piercing emerald eyes gleaned out from the slits of his helmet. When she looked into the Man's eyes his eyes shocked her, somehow, the man knew her pain and lived with it himself, How could he? can his quirk not be turned off or something? No those eyes are the same as hers. She knew it deep in her bones, deep in her soul, that this man in front of her is quirkless, or at least once was. But before she could dwell on it further words flew out of her mouth like the other times before.
"Hope," she choked out. "All my life I secretly hoped for a chance like this. That I thought My dream died with my diagnosis. God, I hope so much and I still hope. When I heard about this from Nezu of all people the principal of UA himself. I knew if I didn't at least try. I would never forgive myself."
"And what would you do if I gave you the training and the power to become a hero? what will you do with that power? What kind of hero will you become?"
This time she did not need That strange power of His to answer him. "I will become a hero and protect anyone in front of me, I'll be a hero who inspires people like me. i will give them hope for a better tomorrow, And show them that I am not worthless."
The man waved his hand and a bright light surrounded them for a second. Now instead of an empty and dimly lit room. She could see that the room was at a normal illumination and nezu sitting behind his desk sipping tea.
"Good, so I assume that you approve of her," Nezu asked.
"Yes I do, but before i say anything else I think I should introduce myself." That same voice spoke out again.
The Voice came from her right side, looking over she could see a young muscular green-haired boy around her age. His Aura was calm and peaceful but had a strength of power behind it. It reminded her of her uncle All Might's Presence although slightly different. It was strange, it was Somehow unique but familiar at the same time.
"I am Izuku Midoriya, the Dragonborn, the hero of Skyrim, the Slayer of the Dragon Alduin the world eater, the hero of the Dawnguard, slayer of the vampiric Lord Harkon, the savior of Solstheim, and the man who defeated the first Dragonborn. And also a fellow quirkless, At Your Service." Izuku said with a flourish of movement and a deep bow.
Melissa could only stare dumbly at him in shock. "Your quirkless, but how, you just used one on me And what's with that ridiculous introduction, Do you really expect me to believe you actually have those titles? Especially when it sounds like it came from a fantasy novel." Izuku just chuckled at hearing that.
"Yes, I'm indeed quirkless, and believe it or not I have those titles. You see little over 2 weeks ago now I was sent to another dimension for 10 years. Over there are no quirks, but instead a medieval Society full of magic and monsters of all shapes and sizes including dragons. I learned a lot over there but the first thing I learned that was quirkless did not mean worthless." Izuku said seriously.
Melissa looked dum-struck. She only continued looking at Izuku for a second, Before looking at Nezu and asking. "Is this some type of sick prank?"
"Miss Shield, I assure you what he says is true," Nezu said seriously.
"I know this might sound outlandish. But what I am saying is true and I am offering you training in the Arts I have mastered, specifically the Magical Arts. Although I am quite confident that you will be able to learn them there is a small possibility that you may not be able to. But I am sure that even if you do not learn how to use Magic there are other skills I can teach you that will make you into a splendid hero."
"Okay, assuming that what you're saying is true what other skills are you talking about besides me learning magic? If that's even real in the first place." Melissa said tiredly.
"The other skills besides magic I can teach you. Swordsmanship which I have mastered 13 styles in. Bowmanship, hand-to-hand Combat, tactics, stealth, and possibly Alchemy. Trust me I have seen people including my friend Lydia who is a master of the blade and more skilled than me in that regard, take on hordes of enemies including Undead and even Dragons by herself. Hell, she fought two dragons by herself at once, although she did not come out of that unscathed. She's got a pretty nasty scar on her back to prove that And trust me these dragons Are dangerous. After all Alduin the World Eater was not an empty title." Izuku said seriously.
Melissa did not know what to say. To be honest the idea of magic even existing was laughable. But the fact that Nezu, the principal of UA, and the smartest being on the planet Has acknowledged magic existence made her reconsider her position. Taking a deep breath she Stealed herself and made her decision.
"Okay assuming I can learn how to use Magic how will we go about it," Melissa said as she held on to that small flicker of Hope in her chest. She did not know where this would lead but if there was even a small chance of her becoming a hero she would take it.
"That's quite simple make sure you are well rested and ready. Then come to UA tomorrow I will have a secured room for you to learn and train in." Nezu said in a chipper tone.
"We have 6 months to get you ready, I hope you can handle it." Izuku said.
Melissa looked at him with nothing but determination in her eyes "I will handle anything you throw my way."
"Good, just don't lose that determination of yours and you'll be fine." Izuku said with a smile.
Author's notes:
I hope you like the story, leave a review if you have any suggestions or ideas. This is cross-posted on Archive of our own.