The Hand of Fate

After all the appropriate Hero Names were selected, Class 1-A made there way to the lockers to change into their costumes. "Hey, where's Kacchan?", asked Izuku. "He went to change in the bathroom", said Shoji, "With a name like Sparky, I can't say I blame him". "I think it fits", said Kaminari, "A spark is basically a small fire, and Bakugo's a small version of Endeavor". "Well, I wouldn't say that", said Izuku as he and Todoroki shared a look". Just then, as Mineta closed his locker, he noticed something in the wall. "My brothers", he declared, "The Gods have answered my prayers!" "What is it?", asked Kirishima. "Those beautiful bastards before us have left a gift", said Mineta as he got down on his knees, "Behold!" He pointed to the wall, highlighting a hole in the wall. "You're not seriously planning on looking through there, are you?", asked Kaminari, "What if Midnight finds out?" "What is she gonna do, nothing again?", asked Mineta. "Mineta, cease your activities at once!", said Iida. "Fools!", shrieked Mineta, "I will not be denied! Just imagine it! Asido's tight ass! Uraraka's thicc thighs! Yaoyorozu's bouncy bre…!" Before Mineta could continue, Izuku turned into the Green Gorilla and picked the short boy up by his cape! The beast stared down Mineta, hatred radiating from his very being. The ape snorted before slamming Mineta onto the ground as he transformed back into Izuku. "Midnight is the least of your worries", he whispered into Mineta's ear, "Don't let me catch you saying that shit about Yaomomo, Mina, or Ochako again". He then picked up a piece of rubble from the crater he slammed Mineta into and shoved into the hole, blocking it. Izuku shot another glare at Mineta before going to get the rest of his costume on.

"Damn, Midoriya actually said shit", said Kyoka. "I didn't think he had it in him", said Toru. "I think we're missing the point", said Tsuyu, "Anyone else noticed that he only used the first names of Ashido, Uraraka, and Yaomomo?" The three girls turned towards those Izuku named. "He's just being polite", said Momo quietly, "It's not worth making a fuss over". "Come on, Yaomomo", said Mina as she threw on her tan jacket, "Midori's out there defending us from wicked perverts of all sizes". "But don't you feel disgusted!?", Momo asked as she slammed a fist against the lockers, denting them from the sheer force, "It's like they don't see us as human!" "So we'll show them up", said Ochako, "If Mineta and Bakugo want to play like that, then we'll crush them at their own game". "How?", asked Tsuyu. "Gather around", said Ochako with a grin, "I have an idea"…

Later on, everyone piled outside, where Class 1-B, All Might and Thomas were waiting. "Welcome, students", said All Might, "First things first. I would like for you all to formally meet Thomas Azure, my new teaching assistant. He's new around UA, so I expect him to be given the same respect you would show to me. Any questions?" "Mr. Azure, can I have your autograph?", asked Izuku. "Sure thing", said Thomas, "Show me where to sign after this". "Ahem, yes", said All Might, "As some of you know, we will be discussing UA Internships. The Sports Festival has given a lot of you exposure, and many Heroes have sent in requests to make you interns for the next week or so, assuming you have one selected after two days." "That's right", said Thomas, "Now, for those of you who didn't get any requests, UA is affiliated with at least forty agencies who will take you on. Regardless over whether or not you got a request, these Internships will provide valuable work experience in the field. What All Might and I wish to do is help you decide which ones you would like to go with based on your psychological profiles. Now for this next part, we need a volunteer". Izuku raised his hand. "Perfect", said Thomas, "Step forward and onto the podium". As Izuku walked out of the crowd, everyone(but especially Momo, Mina, and Ochako) couldn't help but notice his costume. Izuku was wearing a green jumpsuit with molded, black chest muscle pieces, a black vest with white fur on the collar decorated with green, ape-like eyes, and black combat boots. It looked like what would happen if Kamen Rider and Kraven the Hunter got thrown into a blender.

"Our Green Gorilla, everyone", said All Might, "Can anyone tell me how many requests Young Midoriya has gotten?" Not a single student raised their hands. "Gee, tough crowd", said Thomas, "Well, as it happens, Midoriya has gotten exactly 2,021 requests, just a third of what Todoroki got". "How come Todoroki got more requests?", Komori asked. "Many of them are from smaller agencies trying to curry favor with Father", said Todoroki, "They will be sorely surprised". "Of course, out of the 2,021 people vying for Midoriya, only one will prevail", said Thomas, "With the exception of Midoriya for reasons All Might has chosen to explain in private, you will all be placed into groups of four to discuss among your classmates and peers. All Might and I will be making our rounds and helping you as soon as possible. We'll start with merging the classes together". "Wait, you want us to mingle with our hated rivals?", asked Monoma. "Yes", said All Might with a tone that suggested Monoma back down, which the prideful boy conceded to.

"Why am I the exception?", asked Izuku. "Long story short, someone scouted you before the Sports Festival", said Thomas, "Nezu told me to tell you that she will be here momentarily. Now, where would you like me to sign?" Izuku reached behind his back and pulled out his notebook, flipping to a page with a drawing of Thomas next to some notes. "Impressive art skills", smiled Thomas as he signed the page, "Hmm. Impressive analyses skills. If it weren't for the fact that teachers can't take Interns, Nezu would probably be all over this". "You don't think they're creepy?", asked Izuku. "No", said Thomas, "As a matter of fact, I have an idea. Yo, Yagi Bear". "I really wish you'd stop calling me that", said All Might. "Whatever, take a look at this", said Thomas as he pointed to the notebook, "Let's get the kid in on this. If he could guess this much correctly, he obviously has the know-how to set the right people up." "It's worth a shot, and she doesn't get here for another ten minutes", said All Might, "OK, Young Midoriya, go help out table 5. Young Thomas and I will work on the rest". "Only my brother, Gordon, gets to call me Young Thomas", said Thomas as he headed for table 7.

"So, that's where we are", said Monkey, having just finished recapping the events of the last paragraph to Momo, Kendo, Yui, and Tsuyu. "So you're helping us then?", asked Yui, not even blinking. "Looks like", said Izuku as his face changed back, "Let's do it this way. Who do you have selected at the moment?" "Well, Kendo and I had Uwabami in mind", said Momo. "Uwabami!?", Bakugo shouted, "Ah ha ha! Have fun doing porn, bitches! That's all you sluts are good for!" "Hey, not nice!", snapped Thomas, "We can always make it so you don't go to an Internship!" Bakugo grunted out a half-hearted apology, but Tsuyu realized something. "Ignore him, ladies and Midoriya", she said, winking at Momo, "Bakugo is just afraid of women, that's all". "WHAT!?", shrieked Bakugo. "Aw man, I thought I found a fellow brother", said Mineta. "Great, I share a table with two porn addicts", sighed Monoma. "Shut it, Copycat", snarled Bakugo, "And you, I'm no brother of yours!" "Aww", sighed Mineta glumly, "I guess Tsuyu is right about you being scared of women". "The Hell I am!", said Bakugo, "I'll intern with Uwabami and show those bitches what fear is". As he scribbled his choice down in his notes, Bakugo failed to notice Momo and Tsuyu bumping fists.

"Is there something I don't know about?", asked Izuku. "Same here", said Yui. "Don't worry about it", said Tsuyu bluntly. "I don't know about you, but I don't feel like going with Uwabami anymore", said Kendo. "Well, what do you wish to improve upon?", asked Izuku. "I want to fight better, so I don't get caught flat-footed again", said Kendo. Izuku looked through her notes and blanched at one of the names. "This guy oughta do it", said Monkey as Izuku's face changed. "Gunhead?", asked Kendo, "That might work". "I was planning on going with Gang Orca", said Tsuyu, "Selkie also sent a request, but I need to learn how to fight better after what...almost happened at the USJ". Yui hummed sympathetically. "I have decided", she said stoically, "to intern with Ryukyu. I like dragons". "Fair enough", said Izuku, "What about you, Yaomomo?" "I wanted Uwabami", sighed Momo, "But I think I want to work with someone who doesn't notice my...beauty, I suppose". "Let's take a look at your list here", said Izuku. Suddenly, a glowing golden ankh appeared beneath Izuku's feet. "What the..?", but before Izuku could finish that thought, he fell into the ankh and it disappeared! "Oh, she came early", chuckled All Might.

"Will he be OK?", asked Momo. "Worry not, Young Yaoyorozu", said All Might, "Young Midoriya will be just fine. Now, I heard what you said and I think this name here will suit you well". He pointed to one of the names, his hand shaking. Momo noticed that his eyes were projecting fear, but looked anyway. "Gran Torino?", she asked, "I haven't heard of him before". "He's an old teacher of mine", said All Might as he wiped his brow, "He might be able to help you with...you know, the thing". "Hmm, yes, the thing", said Momo, "This could work." "Ha ha, indeed", laughed All Might nervously.

Izuku fell through space before landing in a room shrouded in shadows. As he got up, a booming voice filled the air. "Fear not, Izuku Midoriya", said the voice, "Your test has only just begun". "Yeah, 'fear not', says the booming voice", said Monkey from within Izuku's mind. "Who are you?", asked Izuku. Just then, a hallway of illuminated crystal appeared in front of him. "Just follow the path", said the voice. Izuku took a step and walked down the hall into a bright light, leading him into a room that looked like the crystal hall, only with a set of stairs leading into darkness. Izuku descended down the steps and into a crypt made of human skulls. "What am I looking at here?", asked Monkey. Izuku ran his hand along the stone walls, only to feel smoke flow between his fingers. "An illusion", said Izuku. "Correct", said the voice as a figure emerged from the ground. It looked like a woman wearing a blue bodysuit with gold armbands, a gold belt, and cape, an ankh symbol on the chest, and a gold, featureless helmet. "Holy shit", said Monkey from within Izuku's mind.

"Tell your other half to watch his language", said the figure as she dispelled the illusion with the snap of her fingers, "We're in a library". Izuku looked around to find himself inside a study, where a single desk cluttered with papers was surrounded by eight shelves filled with old scrolls and archaic tomes. The figure took off her helmet and placed it on a mannequin head, revealing herself to be a woman with green highlights in her blonde hair. "To answer your question from earlier", said the woman, "I am Dr. Diana Cavendish, but most refer to me as Dr. Fate. You've heard of me, yes?" "Yes, as both a hero and a witch practicing healing magic', said Izuku, "I thought you didn't come to Japan". "I make exceptions here and there", said Diana, "I consult on cases and look into thefts, as was the case for my book". She held up the book Izuku found on Dagobah Beach. "It is most impressive how you managed to learn the right spell to channel the gorilla spirit", said Diana, "However, it is too dangerous to use alone". "Begging pardon, Doc", said Monkey as Izuku's face changed, "We, my brother and I, took on some bio-engineered beast and won, with a little help from our friends, of course".

"I presume you had a master plan to beat it", said Diana. "Nah, Host Body is the brains", said Monkey, "I simply let him use my strength and body, but he does all the thinking". "So I presume your advice to him when using your body is to punch things really hard, yes?", asked Diana. "Yeah, basically", said Monkey. "To be fair", said Izuku as his face changed back, "it did work". "True", said Diana, "But on this Internship, you will learn to think outside the shallow boxes your minds have placed themselves inside of. That is, if you choose to accept my unconventional request". "Absolutely", said Izuku without hesitation, "It's an honor to work with a hero whose work transcends…" "Slow down there, Eager McBeaver", said Diana with a chuckle as she handed Izuku a note, "Hand that in to your principal. We'll meet again in two days". Then, with a wave of her hand, Diana opened a glowing, blue door and pushed Izuku through it.

Izuku found himself in Nezu's office as the door closed behind him. "Can I help, Young Midoriya?", asked Nezu. "I was told to give you this", said Izuku as he handed over the note. Nezu put on a pair of glasses and inspected it. "Hm, this seems to be in order", he said, "A bit unusual that she didn't tell you to turn this in to your homeroom teacher, but it's probably for the best if what Yagi says is true. Now, if you don't need anything else, I would suggest taking that door out". "Thank you for your time", said Izuku with a bow before he left the office. Now alone, Nezu let out a small chuckle. "OK then", he said, "Now to find out where Lady Nagant could be…"

As he walked down the hall, Izuku bumped in Ochako. "Oh, excuse me", he said. "No no, that one's on me", said Ochako, "What happened? You just fell through the floor". "Yeah, uh, I got an Internship with a semi-immortal witch with reality-bending powers", said Izuku, "No big deal". "Easy for you to say", said Monkey from within his mind, "She heard me, which means she was reading our thoughts". "That's cool, I guess", said Ochako, "I'm interning with Gunhead alongside Kendo". "Really?", asked Izuku. "Yeah, I'm as surprised as you", said Ochako, "But I want to make sure I'm never out in a position like the Sports Festival again. I'm going to get stronger, strong enough to be the best Hero I can be". "Strong enough to defeat a giant gorilla?", asked Izuku. "Maybe", said Ochako.

Just then, Momo walked past the two. "Hey, Yaomomo", said Ochako, "Who're you interning with?" "Oh, well, All Might pointed me to his old teacher", said Momo, "I hope to learn how to think faster in addition to getting help with...you know, the thing". "The thing?", asked Izuku, "Oh right, that thing." "Izuku, you're the one who knows about All Might the most", said Momo, "What do you know of Gran Torino?" "Oh, him", said Izuku, "I asked about him once during training, and All Might shuddered like a wounded dog". "He was shaking pretty hard when he was talking to you, Yaomomo", said Ochako, "Should we be worried about this guy?" "Not hardly", said Izuku, "Gran Torino would have to be in his late seventies at this point. He has decades of experience in the field of Heroics, but he retired some five or ten years ago. If I were to hazard a guess as to why, it's likely he was slowing down by the time All Might hit the scene". "He sounds scary, but he could be a great teacher", said Ochako. "Perhaps, though if he makes All Might shudder in fright, I have to wonder", said Momo.

Later on, as everybody left for lunch, Thomas decided to look through the student records with Midnight and All Might. "Let's see if our friend, Bakugo, has any infractions we need to warn Uwabami about", he said as he flipped through his notes. "There was an incident early in the year where Young Bakugo discharged a weapon against my orders in an attempt to maim a classmate", said All Might, "Nezu assured me he would handle it, but three days of after school detention has done little to curb his bad behavior." "Not to mention the appalling things he had to say about my daughter and her classmates", snorted Midnight. "Agreed", said Thomas, "Had to tell him off earlier when he called two students sluts. Though I do find it weird that he chose Uwabami, considering how little he respects anyone below the Top Ten". "I find it likely Young Tsuyu's comments about him being afraid of women forced his hand", said All Might. "Well is he?", asked Midnight. "Probably", said Thomas, "He was a lot more subtle than Mineta, that's for sure. I mean, Mt. Lady? Come on! Lucky I sent that note to all forty agencies beforehand." "Lucky indeed", said Midnight, "I hope you intend to send a similar warning to Uwabami. I might not like her, but she deserves better than him". "I do indeed intend to send such a warning", said Thomas, "Although, I am reminded of another delinquent child. He took an Internship with the Fashion Hero, Best Jeanist, and that denim-loving bastard actually reformed him. If my hunch is correct, Uwabami could pull off something similar". "What happens if you're wrong?", asked All Might. "I'll defer to you", said Thomas as he took out a pen, "It is your school and I'm only a teaching assistant. Loathe as I am to admit it, I can be wrong". "Well, now we know he's onto something", chuckled Midnight as Thomas began drafting up a letter.

A few days later, Momo made her way into Gran Torino's apartment complex to begin her Internship. 'I don't know why I'm so nervous', she thought, 'I'll bet he'll be a sweet old man like Grandfather. What's the worst that could happen?' She opened the door and gasped in horror to find Gran Torino dead behind his desk!

To Be Continued...

Author's Note: For those wondering, Dr. Fate's look was inspired by the 2022 hit movie, Black Ass, er...I mean Adam. Also, a review pointed out that Kizuna means ties or bonds, not creation. That's on me, the translation website I used said it did, in fact, mean creation, but there's a chance I could be wrong. Luckily, as we'll see soon, the name still fits.