Chapter 1: A Miraculous New Hero
Many centuries ago, magic jewels bestowing extraordinary powers were created—these were the Miraculous. Throughout history, heroes have used these jewels for the good of the human race. Two of these Miraculous are more powerful than the others: the earrings of the Ladybug, which provide the power of creation; and the ring of the Black Cat, which grants the power of destruction. According to legend, whoever controls both these jewels at the same time will achieve absolute power.
"Nooroo," said a man, interrupting the moment, holding a brooch with a picture of a woman inside. "I want that absolute power, Nooroo. I must have those Miraculous. Where are they?" the man asked.
"But nobody knows where these Miraculous are!" Nooroo said in fear.
"But I found you, my little Nooroo. Your miraculous reminds me of the power once more," the man said.
"The Moth Brooch allows you to give someone their own superpowers and to make that person your devoted follower!" Nooroo said.
"And when it comes to luring superheroes, what could be better than creating supervillains?" the man said, laughing.
"But master, the Miraculous are not meant to be used for evil purposes!" Nooroo said, worried.
"I must have this absolute power!" the man yelled, pointing at Nooroo.
"And your Miraculous is in my control! I am your master now, and you must obey me," the man said.
"Yes, master," Nooroo said with a sad look on his face as he held the Butterfly Miraculous. He attached the Butterfly Miraculous to his chest, transforming into Hawk Moth.
"From this day on, I shall be known as... Hawk Moth!" he declared as he started laughing.
One day long ago in Qing Qing City, China, a luminescent baby was born with a unique power. Then, as time passed, similar phenomena happened all over the world, and soon the world became a superhuman society with about 80% of the population possessing some uncanny ability. Our streets looked like scenes from comic books. In a city swirled with chaos and confusion, a new profession dominated our collective consciousness: an age of heroes. There were those who would use their powers for the sake of others, those who used them for their own selfish gain and greed, and others with quirks but chose to live a normal life. As for me, I was the latter. But very soon, I would be one of these people.
My name is Jake Evans, and this is how I became the world's miraculous hero.
Flashback: Musutafu Streets - Morning
Three years ago, in the alleyways of Musutafu streets, a hero was on patrol, catching a villain. The hero wore gray boots with blue pants, leaving a hole for his tail, a white shirt with a snowflake symbol, and a large puffy gray coat with white fur. He was a white and gray wolf named Ookami Gin, also known as the pro hero Frost Fang. The wolf had white and gray fur from head to toe, a scar over his right eye, and a big gray fluffy tail. His eyes were light blue, and his quirk was called Blizzard. When he transformed into his werewolf form, the area surrounding him became a snowstorm, making it easier for him to sneak around.
Ookami was still looking around for the villain when he heard a cry. He ran over as fast as he could until he saw a small box. He uncovered the box and saw a baby boy crying inside.
"What is a baby doing here in a box?" Ookami asked as he picked up the baby.
He started to rock the baby until it fell asleep. Then he looked down and saw a note, which he picked up.
"I don't want this baby; he's Quirkless. I can't find him at home, so whoever finds him, please take good care of him," Ookami read from the note.
"Who would leave a baby out here all by himself? Don't worry, little guy, I'll take good care of you," Ookami assured the baby.
The baby fell asleep in the hero's arms, and he just chuckled at that.
"Okay, if I'm going to keep you, you should have a name ?" Ookami wondered.
Then he looked at the back of the piece of paper and saw "Jake Evans."
"Okay, little guy, your new name is now Jake Evans, Ookami," he declared. "Welcome to the family, little guy," Ookami said with a smile.
Ookami Residence - Morning
In a small house resided Ookami Fang, a wolf with silver and gray fur and golden eyes. His tail was short but had a fluffy appearance. His quirk, called Moon Call, allowed him to unleash a sonic howl when he yelled, though he couldn't sustain it for very long. He was playing video games when he heard his dad open the door to his room.
"Hey son, can you come downstairs for a minute? I need to show you something," Ookami said.
"Yeah, dad, what is it?" Fang said as he got off his bed and went with his dad.
"So, what is it, Dad? Did you get me something from your patrols?" Fang asked.
"No, well, it's something else, something more alive," Ookami said.
"Oh my God, you finally got me a dog?" Fang asked excitedly.
"No, no, no," Ookami said quickly.
"What is it, Dad?" Fang asked.
As the two went to the kitchen, Fang's eyes widened as he saw the baby sleeping on the table covered in blankets.
"Fang, this is your baby brother Jake," Ookami said with a smile on his face.
Fang's initial shock quickly turned into a mixture of surprise and curiosity as he gazed at the sleeping baby.
"My baby brother?" Fang asked, still trying to process the unexpected news.
"Yes, your mom and I decided to adopt him," Ookami explained, his voice filled with warmth and affection as he looked at Jake.
Fang approached the table, his eyes fixed on the baby. He reached out a hesitant hand, gently touching Jake's tiny fingers. A wave of tenderness washed over him as he realized the significance of this moment.
"He's so small," Fang murmured, a soft smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
"He is," Ookami agreed, his own smile widening. "But he's also strong, just like you."
Fang glanced up at his dad, a mixture of emotions swirling in his eyes. He never imagined he would have a sibling, let alone a baby brother. But as he looked at Jake, he felt a sense of responsibility and protectiveness wash over him.
"I'll take care of him, Dad," Fang said, determination shining in his eyes. "I promise."
Ookami placed a hand on Fang's shoulder, his pride evident in his expression.
"I know you will, son," he said softly. "And I'll be here every step of the way."
With a newfound sense of purpose, Fang embraced his role as a big brother, knowing that together with his dad, they would navigate this new chapter of their lives with love and determination.
Present day
Ookami Residence - Morning
"Jake! Jake! Jake, wake up or you'll be late for school!" Ookami yelled, knocking on the door.
"R-right. I'm up, Dad," a slightly groggy teenage Jake replied, slowly waking up.
"Your brother's waiting for you downstairs," Ookami informed him.
Jake Evans Ookami, 14 years old, blood type O, a 3rd-year middle school student at Tokonai Junior High. He had a little afro black hairstyle, brown eyes, and facial features. He had softer eyes, a kind demeanor, and a brown skin complexion.
As Jake got up, he put on his clothes, wearing his school uniform: a black long-sleeve jacket and pants with his jacket open, revealing a white long-sleeve hoodie underneath.
"Okay, now I'm ready," Jake said with a smile as he ran downstairs.
Entering the dining room, he saw his dad watching the morning news and eating his breakfast.
"Morning, Dad," he greeted, getting his father's attention. Ookami stopped eating, turned towards his son, and returned the greeting.
"Where is Fang?" Jake asked.
"Oh, he's outside waiting for you," Ookami replied with a smile.
"Okay, Dad, thanks," Jake said as he ran out the door to see his brother outside, waiting for him.
"Hey, Fang," Jake said, giving his brother a wave.
"Hey, bro," Fang replied as the two brothers walked to school together.
As they walked side by side, Fang glanced at Jake with a mischievous grin. "So, Jake, did you finish that science project we were working on last night?"
Jake's eyes widened in realization. "Oh no, I completely forgot about it!" he exclaimed, panic creeping into his voice.
"Don't worry, I finished it for you," Fang teased, chuckling at his brother's reaction.
"You did? Seriously?" Jake asked, relieved but also surprised.
"Yeah, I couldn't let my little bro fail, could I?" Fang replied, nudging Jake playfully.
Jake smiled gratefully. "Thanks, Fang. You're the best!"
"No problem, bro. Just don't forget to cover for me next time I need it," Fang joked, earning a playful shove from Jake.
Jake and Fang were walking down the street, their hands in their pockets as they made their way to school. The sun was out, bright blue skies, and birds were chirping. Today was like any other day.
"Yeah, you're right about that," Fang said.
Suddenly, they heard groaning and saw an old man in a red shirt who had fallen in the middle of the road. Jake glanced at his watch and decided to go help the man.
"Are you alright, sir?" Jake asked as he approached the old man across the street.
"Thank you, young man, that was very kind of you," the old man said, patting Jake on the back.
"Hey, Jake, come on, we're going to be late!" Fang yelled at his brother.
"Okay, sorry sir, I have to go," Jake said, walking away to join his brother, unaware that the old man had slipped something into his backpack.
Time skip
Tokonai Junior High - Afternoon
*DINGDINGDINGDING*
"Alright, that's all for today," the teacher said, leaving the classroom as all the other students started to gather their things, making their way home.
Jake grabbed his stuff too and headed to the door, but before he could leave, someone stopped him.
"Hey, Ookami," a voice called out to him.
Jake turned around and saw a boy with blonde hair and red eyes, wearing the same uniform as him. He groaned in annoyance, knowing who the boy was.
"What do you want, Koji?" Jake asked.
"Oh, nothing. I was just wondering, did you find the hero school to go to yet?" Koji said with a sly grin on his face.
"No, I didn't. Okay, now please just leave me alone," Jake said, about to walk away until Koji put his hand on his shoulder.
"No, no, I'm not leaving you alone, you Quirkless reject of society. I always wondered why you and your brother don't look alike. Did your dad cheat on your mom, or did your parents die and you got adopted by him, or is he just feeling bad for you?" Koji said, his words dripping with malice.
Jake's fists clenched at his sides, struggling to control his rising anger. He knew Koji's words were meant to hurt him, but he refused to let them get to him.
"Shut up, Koji. You don't know anything about me or my family," Jake retorted, his voice trembling with emotion.
Koji smirked, clearly enjoying Jake's discomfort. "Oh, but I do know one thing: you'll never amount to anything without a quirk. You're just a waste of space."
Before Jake could respond, Fang suddenly appeared beside him, his expression stern.
"Hey, Koji, why don't you mind your own business and leave my brother alone?" Fang interjected, his voice laced with authority.
Koji's smirk faltered slightly, taken aback by Fang's sudden appearance. He glanced between the two brothers, sizing them up.
"Fine, I'll leave you two losers alone for now. But remember, Ookami, you'll always be beneath me," Koji sneered before turning on his heel and walking away.
Jake let out a frustrated sigh, relieved that Koji had finally left. He glanced at Fang, gratitude shining in his eyes.
"Thanks, Fang," Jake said softly, touched by his brother's intervention.
Fang simply nodded, a reassuring smile on his face. "Anytime, little bro. Let's go home."
"Yeah, just let me use the bathroom, okay," Jake said, trying to keep a smile on his face.
"Yeah, little bro, go ahead. I'll wait for you," Fang said as he walked away.
Tokonai Junior High - Bathroom
As Jake made his way into the boy's bathroom, he checked if there was anyone in there. Luckily for him, there was no one, so he entered one of the empty stalls, closing the door behind him.
"Okay, now I can rest for a bit, at least," Jake said sadly as he checked through his bag. When he felt something unfamiliar, he reached in and pulled out a small black box.
"Where did this come from?" Jake said, looking at it.
He opened it, and a bright red light emerged from it. When the light died down, a small red and black ladybug-like thing was floating in the air.
"AAAAHH!" Jake reached for one of his textbooks. "Die, you!" He tried to slam it down on the creature, but it dodged.
"Whoa, easy, pal. I'm not gonna hurt you," the creature said, causing Jake to jump off the toilet, making him bump his head.
"Ow! Whoa, you talk?!" Jake exclaimed.
"Listen, Jake Evans Ookami, I know this is a lot to take in," the creature said.
"How do you know my name?" Jake asked.
"I'm a kwami, the name's Kwasi, and you, my friend, are in for a world of surprises," Kwasi said.
"What do you mean?" Jake asked nervously.
Kwasi floated closer to Jake, his tiny form radiating a sense of calm.
"You see, Jake, I am what's known as a kwami, a magical creature with unique powers," Kwasi explained. "And you, Jake Evans Ookami, are destined to become a hero."
Jake's eyes widened in disbelief. "A hero? But I don't have a quirk. How could I possibly become a hero?"
Kwasi chuckled softly. "You may not have a quirk like the others, but you possess something even greater: the potential to wield the power of the Miraculous."
"The Miraculous?" Jake repeated, his curiosity piqued.
"Yes, the Miraculous," Kwasi confirmed. "These magical jewels grant incredible powers to those chosen to wield them. And you, Jake, are the chosen guardian of one such Miraculous."
Jake's mind raced with questions and doubts, but a glimmer of excitement began to take hold.
"So, what do I do?" Jake asked, determination creeping into his voice.
"You must embrace your destiny, Jake Evans Ookami," Kwasi replied. "With the Miraculous by your side, you will embark on a journey filled with adventure, danger, and heroism. Are you ready to accept the challenge?"
Jake took a deep breath, steeling himself for the unknown. "Yes, Kwasi. I'm ready."
With those words, Jake's life was forever changed as he embarked on a path to becoming a hero, guided by the mysterious kwami and the power of the Miraculous.
"So where's the jewelry at?" Jake asked.
"Oh yeah, you see those pairs of earrings in the box?" Kwasi asked as Jake picked it up.
"Why does it have to be earrings? Can it change to anything else?" Jake asked.
"Ah, I see you're not too keen on earrings," Kwasi remarked, floating closer to Jake. "But fear not, my friend. The earrings you hold are not just any ordinary jewelry. They are the Miraculous Earrings, imbued with incredible power."
Jake examined the earrings in his hand, a mixture of curiosity and uncertainty swirling in his mind.
"So, what kind of powers do these earrings grant?" Jake asked, his interest piqued.
Kwasi smiled knowingly. "Ah, that is for you to discover, Jake. Each Miraculous possesses its own unique abilities, waiting to be unlocked by its chosen wielder. But I can assure you, with the Miraculous Earrings, you will have the power to make a difference, to protect those in need, and to become the hero you were meant to be."
Jake's heart raced with excitement at the thought of wielding such extraordinary power. Despite his initial doubts, he couldn't ignore the sense of purpose stirring within him.
"Okay, let's do this," Jake said with determination, slipping the Miraculous Earrings into his pocket. "I'm ready to embrace my destiny and become a hero," Jake said, running out of the bathroom to where Fang was.
With Kwasi by his side and the promise of adventure ahead, Jake prepared to embark on a journey that would change his life forever.
Musutafu Streets- Afternoon
On a random rooftop in the middle of the city, two people were standing there talking.
One was a teenage boy. He was short for his age, his round face framed by a short mess of fluffy dark-green hair that stuck up at odd angles around his head, casting noticeably dark shadows onto itself. His eyes are large and somewhat circular, their irises the same green color as his hair, giving him an innocent appearance. He has a set of four symmetrical freckles in diamond formations, one on each cheek, but despite these prominent traits, he's often described by others as being plain-looking. He was wearing a black uniform, wearing oversized red boots with thick white soles, laced up to the top.
He's named Izuku Midoriya, a quirkless boy who dreams of being a hero someday.
The other was a middle-aged man.
He's a very skinny man with sharp, angular features and long limbs, his neck long and his eyebrows absent. He is wearing baggy clothing to accommodate the change in body mass between forms.
This was Toshinori Yagi, but he is better known as All Might, The number 1 hero and the symbol of peace.
After All Might spots a Villain with a sludge quirk, fleeing after robbing a bank while he was getting groceries. He tracks the villain through the sewers and eventually finds him trying the seize the body of a young man, which was Izuku Midoriya. All Might uses his Texas Smash to blast the villain apart and saves Midoriya. While Midoriya recovers, All Might encases the villain inside a couple of empty bottles, in order to take him to the authorities. When Midoriya awakens, he finds that All Might has signed his Hero Analysis for the Future notebook and thanks him profusely.
All Might prepare to leave, but the young fanboy holds on to All Might after he leaps high into the air. At first, All Might try to shake him off but stops after agreeing that Midoriya would die if he dropped him in mid-air. He is forced to land on a rooftop and tries to leave again, but Izuku questions him on whether he can become a hero without a quirk. Before answering, All Might's time in his muscle form comes to an end and he reverts to his true form, shocking Midoriya.
All Might reveals to the surprised Midoriya that he was injured in battle five years ago and can only stay in his hero form for a short time. He then remembered what Midoriya said to him and answered his question.
Midoriya was ready to hear what All Might was about to say. Hoping that becoming a Quirkless hero is a possibility, but...
"I'm supposed to be the guy who's always smiling, right? I'm the Symbol of Peace. People everywhere have to think that I'm never afraid. But honestly,..." He revealed, clenching his fist. "I smile to hide the fear inside. It's just a brave face I put on when the pressure is high. This job isn't easy. Pro heroes are always having to risk their lives." Toshinori said to the fanboy with a serious expression on his face. "Some villains just can't be beaten without powers. So no, I honestly don't think you can become a hero without a quirk."
Hearing those words coming from the number one hero's mouth was like a dead sentence for Midoriya. All his life the only thing he ever dreamed of was being a hero and bringing a smile to their faces, but he was quirkless. Nobody believed in him and told him he couldn't be one cause he quirkless. His mother, his classmates, his teachers, his former best friend/bully, and now even his idol hero.
"I... See." Midoriya gulped, with his head down in disappointment.
"If you wanna help people, there are plenty of other ways to do it. You could become a police officer. They're looked down on because the heroes do most of the work, but it's a fine profession." All Might opened the door that led downstairs, saying final words before shutting the door behind him. "It's not bad to have a dream, young man, just... Make sure your dreams are attainable. Realistic. Understand?"
Midoriya was left on the roof, still in shock from what All Might said to him. "He even said I can't be a hero." Midoriya couldn't believe that his idol disagreed.
Meanwhile, Toshinori walked down the steps, coughs escaping his lips. "Now, let's get you to the station." He said glancing down, tapping on his pocket then he gasped, pulling the material inside out of each of them. He glanced back and forth, panicking as a loud explosion was heard from outside.
Looking out the window, Toshinori noticed smoke billowing from a few blocks away. Gulping, he dropped his pockets. "Not good." He said rushing to the scene
Musutafu Streets- Afternoon
Present
Midoriya was still standing there thinking about what All Might said to him until the boy broke from his trance as he heard the explosion as well, wandering closer to the edge to investigate.
Upon noticing the smoke, he gasped, hurriedly running towards the door. "A villain! I wonder what hero will show!" Midoriya said.
Midoriya stopped as All Might's words echoed through his mind. "Some villains just can't be beaten without powers. So no, I honestly don't think you could become a hero without a quirk." His shoulders dropped and he closed his eyes, making his way downstairs at a much slower pace.
He was just a quirkless failure, just like what Kacchan said to him.
He was just a Deku.
Musutafu Streets Tatooin Shopping District - Afternoon
Jake and Fang were walking through the shopping district on their way back home from school, passing by multiple people.
"Hey bro, is everything okay? You seem happier all of a sudden," Fang said.
"I'm fine, Fang. I just feel like even if I don't have a quirk, I still think I could do great things for the world. Maybe I can still help you with your hero work once you get into UA," Jake said with a smile.
"That's the spirit," Fang said, smiling at his brother.
As they continued walking, Jake couldn't shake off the excitement building inside him. The prospect of finding his own way to contribute to the world filled him with newfound determination.
"I mean, who needs superpowers when you've got brains, right?" Jake said, half-jokingly.
Fang chuckled, giving his brother a playful nudge. "Hey, you're not wrong. Besides, being a hero isn't just about having a flashy quirk. It's about making a difference and helping others, no matter what."
"Yeah, exactly!" Jake agreed, his confidence growing with each step they took. "And I'm ready to show the world what I'm capable of, quirk or no quirk."
Fang grinned proudly at his brother, a sense of admiration shining in his eyes. "I have no doubt you'll do amazing things, Jake.
Jake's eyes lit up at remembering , the memory of his encounter with Kwasi still fresh in his mind. "Yeah, maybe," he said, a hint of excitement in his voice.
"But then their attention turned to a loud explosion,
"What was that?" Fang asked, trying to stay calm for his brother.
I don't know Jake said
"That's not a good sign," Kwasi said from inside Jake's pocket, having a bad feeling about the explosion.
"Come on, let's go see what this is, Fang," Jake said, rushing over to where the smoke was.
"Okay, fine, but stay close to me," Fang said as he followed Jake from behind.
Toshinori ran through the city as fast as he could, even though he had reached his time limit on using his quirk.
Meanwhile, Jake and Fang ran to see a crowd of people who were watching something. The two of them arrived to see the wreckage of the villain attack.
Flames licked at posts, bringing them down with thuds as panicked people ran from the chaos. The heroes rushed to the scene, soon realizing that there was someone encased in the monster's goop.
One hero was a man called Kamui Woods.
Another was called Backdraft.
And another was called Death Arms.
Others pros were thrown into the mix, trying their best to resolve the situation at hand.
"They've taken someone hostage!" Death Arms exclaimed, his fists colliding. The man rushed towards the villain, punching the sludge villain. "How dare you prey on a child?!"
The monster simply laughed as the man's hand sank into his body. Death Arms was thrust into the door of a garage, groaning as he fell.
"You okay, Death Arms?" A hero asked, running towards the sludge villain.
"Heh! Stay back or I'll snap his neck!" The villain threatened the hero to stop.
Bakugo was struggling to free himself from the villain's grasp, screaming as he stretched the sludge. "YOU PICKED THE WRONG GUY TO MESS WITH! I'M GONNA SEND YOU BACK TO WHATEVER SEWER YOU CRAWLED OUT OF!" His palms forced out explosions as he fought back, spreading the fire. "LET ME GO!"
The wind rushed from the explosions, pushing the heroes backward.
"You have so much power!" The sludge villain laughed. "I really hit the jackpot! With a quirk like yours under my control, I could take All Might down with one punch!" He began forcing his 'tentacles' into the air, sending them into a spiraling motion.
"That doesn't look good," Jake said to himself, watching the whole thing unfold.
"What the heck is going on?" Fang said.
"This isn't good," Kwasi said, worried. "The other heroes are struggling to get that kid free, and he's wildly using his power, making things worse." He watched the horrible scene unfold.
Citizens began to comment on the action, panic rising among them.
"What was that? Some kind of special move?" a person said.
"Dude is a legit supervillain," another person said to them.
Then smiles lit up as gasps came from the crowd. "It's her! The hero Mount Lady will stop him!" a civilian yelled as a giant woman rushed forward to the scene to stop the villain.
Her name is Yu Takeyama, also known as Mount Lady.
Mount Lady's eyes widened as she stumbled backward. "My only weakness!" she gasped in realization. "I need at least a two-lane road if I'm gonna make my way through here!"
"Fire and wood don't exactly make a good combination! I'll let someone else stop this guy!" Kamui Woods said, wrapping up civilians in his limbs, rescuing them from the scene.
"Don't look at me!" Backdraft called out, hosing down the fire. "I've got my hands full here!" He glanced from left to right, speaking to the heroes. "Where are those fire trucks?! Can you guys get to him?!"
"I can't get a grip on his weird body," Death Arms replied. "Plus, that kid's quirk is causing explosions left and right!"
"This is a shutout! We gotta rally and knock him out of the park somehow!" shouted a nearby hero.
Bakugo continued to struggle as the sludge villain laughed maniacally, almost completely enveloping the boy. He then launched an attack on the heroes, forcing them to move backward.
"It's no good! None of us have the right quirks for stuff like this!" Death Arms shouted, exasperated.
The other hero nodded. "We'll do damage control until someone with the right quirk shows up!" he shouted.
"There are still plenty of people to save...!" Backdraft commented, continuing to deal with the rising flames.
Kamui raised more citizens out of the blaze. "Don't worry, I bet all the heroes in the city are coming!" he hoped someone would show up.
"They can't be serious? They are right here, they have to do something about this. Not waiting for someone to show up," Jake thought.
"What are the heroes doing? They're not doing anything," Kwasi thought. They're just waiting for someone to show up and fix this problem. "If they don't hurry, things will only get worse."
"I'm sorry, kid," Death Arms said, shaking his fists in frustration. "You'll just have to hang on a little bit longer!" He grunted. "If I only had more power, I could blow this guy away!"
Toshinori just arrived at the scene, panting as he rounded the corner. Civilians shouted towards the heroes, encouraging them to fight back.
Upon glancing at the battle, Toshinori gasped, remembering his encounter with Midoriya. "I must've dropped him in the air... I got distracted, worrying about my time limit..." He clutched his chest, gripping a pole with the opposite hand. "What a rookie mistake... And after lecturing that kid about what it takes to be a hero. I'm pathetic!" He thought, feeling disappointed in himself.
Meanwhile, Midoriya was wandering the streets as he flipped through his hero notebook. Echoes of doubt rattled around his brain as tears pooled in his eyes. "Even All Might said it. A hero needs a quirk," he sniffled to himself. "Don't cry, dang it. Deep down, you knew this. You've just been avoiding reality. That's why you were trying so desperately to prove yourself wrong," Midoriya told himself.
Then the green-haired boy heard another explosion, causing his attention to shift. "That's strange? Is the fight from earlier still going on?" He glanced over to the crowd, explosions continuing as his heart pounded. "Why am I here? Did I subconsciously walk this way to check it out?" He thought, wandering over to the crowd, attempting to get a look at the fight. His head tilted back and forth as he peered through bodies. "I shouldn't even stop. All my notes are useless."
Midoriya suddenly gasped, eyes widening as he noticed the villain. "It's the guy who attacked me! ...That can't be right. All Might captured him." His breath hitched as he thought back. "But the bottle... If he dropped it... That means... It's my fault," he realized.
A man turned to a person next to him. "Why aren't the heroes doing anything?" he asked.
"It looks like they've met their match. Plus, it looks like the villain captured a kid," another man replied. "Things aren't looking good for the heroes."
After hearing their conversation, Midoriya's neck snapped back to the fight, noticing blonde tufts of hair peeking from the sludge. "He captured someone? I wonder how long they've been in there... How can they survive being suffocated like that?" He thought back to his own encounter with the villain. "I thought I'd die after only a few seconds of struggling."
Then confusion began to rise among the crowd.
"Wait, I'm confused. Isn't that the villain All Might was chasing after earlier?"
"What? All Might?! No way he lost! Where is he?!"
"Seriously! Why hasn't he shown up to help the heroes!"
"Are they seriously hoping for one person to resolve this problem?" Kwasi was dumbstruck. He knew about All Might from the Internet, he was a hero, and everyone had faith in him, almost like some kind of god. "All Might isn't the only hero they should rely on. And chances are he might not show up," he thought.
"Forget All Might for a moment and worry about the heroes that are already here!" Jake thought.
"All Might may be the number one hero, but he's just one man and can't be everywhere, solving everyone's problems," Toshinori added.
"Damn it! Why aren't they doing anything!" Jake thought in frustration at the heroes' actions.
"Hey, little bro, everything is going to be ok," Fang said, trying to keep Jake calm.
As Jake was lost in thought, a light shined on Midoriya and All Might, regret and blame clouding their minds.
Bakugo's eyes widened, fear plaguing his visible features. Upon seeing that, Midoriya broke free from his thoughts, his notebook falling to the ground as he took off. He weaved through the crowd as everyone watched.
This caused Jake, Kwasi, Toshinori, the Pro heroes, and Fang to gasp in surprise, their eyes widening as they saw the boy in action.
"No, you idiot! Stop! You're gonna get yourself killed!" Death Arms shouted, reaching out his hand.
Midoriya just tuned them out, picking up speed, rushing at the villain.
"UGH! This brat again!" the sludge villain shouted.
"...Deku?" Bakugo tiredly whispered, watching him come closer.
"Just what is that guy doing?!" Jake said in surprise, looking at Midoriya rushing at the sludge villain.
Kwasi just observed the green-haired boy and wondered what could have possessed him to run into the middle of danger like that.
"What am I doing?! Why am I running?! Why can't I stop?!" Midoriya thought, rushing towards the creature. As the villain reached out his muddy hand, Midoriya panicked. "What do I do? What would a hero do right now?!" He quickly thought of his hero notebook, mentally opening up to a page. "Page twenty-five! Right!" He came up with a plan.
"TAKE THIS!" The boy spun, hurling his backpack at the grotesque villain's eye, causing him to flinch. The sludge villain then released Bakugo for a moment, allowing him to take a gulp of air. "KAACHAN!" Midoriya shouted, grasping at the sludge villain's body.
"What?! Why are you here?!" Bakugo yelled at the boy.
"I DON'T
KNOW! MY LEGS! THEY JUST STARTED... MOVING!" Midoriya shouted frantically, still attempting to release the blonde. "Kaachan,..." Midoriya cried. "I couldn't just stand there and watch you die!"
Toshinori, Jake, Kwasi, and Fang gasped, staring wide-eyed at the boy upon hearing his reason.
"This kid," Toshinori thought in surprise. "Master, I finally found my successor!"
"Just a little bit longer, kid!" The villain addressed Bakugo, switching to Midoriya as he aimed an attack. "AND I'M DONE WITH YOU!"
All Might's muscles began to expand, steam rising from his skin. "I have to do something...," he grunted. "No matter the cost!"
"Crap! I have to do something!" Jake thought as time started to slow down around him. "What's going on?! Why is everything moving so slowly?" He looked around as the people, heroes, and villains moved very slowly.
"What's going on? " Jake asked.
" I Slow down time for a little bit," Kwasi said to Jake, who looked at him with confusion.
"Listen, do you still have those pair of earrings in your pocket?" Kwasi asked as Jake took them out. "Put it on, and I'll be able to help you."
"Fine, fine, this is so embarrassing," Jake said, putting on the earrings.
"Now when we merge, you will have a special ability called lucky charm, which should only be used in emergencies," Kwasi said.
"What kind of emergencies?" Jake asked, a little scared.
"You'll have to figure that out, Jake. Come on, these people need us. Just say 'Kwasi, spots on,'" Kwasi said.
"Uh, 'Kwasi, spots on,'" Jake said as Kwasi went into the earrings, turning it red. His clothes turned into a red suit with black polka dots, with a black hood over his face, a red mask, and a yoyo strapped to his hip.
Jake gazed in wonder at his altered appearance, the red suit adorned with intricate black patterns, the sleek mask covering his face, and the yoyo resting at his hip. A surge of excitement and determination welled up within him as he realized the potential of his new persona.
"I've got it!" Jake exclaimed, his voice filled with conviction. "I will be... Beetle!"