Chasing Dreams Hiding Shadows Chapter 6: I know you, a my hero academia/僕のヒーローアカデミア fanfic

The room was charged with tension as All Might and Aizawa stood face to face with their former student, Midoriya. His once-green hair was now stark white, and his eyes gleamed with madness. Aizawa and All Might felt a whirlwind of emotions—confusion, concern, and a deep desire to understand what had happened to the aspiring hero student.

" young Midoriya" All might questioned then without warning, Midoriya launched himself at them. His movements were a blur of manic energy, and they barely had time to react. All Might and Aizawa dodged his attacks, narrowly evading Midoriya's lightning-fast strikes. Each blow carried a mix of hesitation and determination, as they struggled to confront the student they had just found.

"Midoriya, stop!" Aizawa shouted, his capture weapon crackling with energy as he made a desperate attempt to reach the boy beneath the chaos. But Midoriya gave no response; he only laughed, a chilling sound that sent shivers down their spines.

In the midst of the chaos, Aizawa found an opening. With a swift movement, he struck Midoriya's side, a hit meant to incapacitate rather than harm. Midoriya staggered but quickly recovered, his laughter growing more manic.

All Might, torn between his desire to protect and his former student, hesitated for a moment. But as Midoriya's attacks grew more erratic and unpredictable, he knew he had to act. With great reluctance, he began to power up, his colossal fist glowing with power, preparing to deliver a strike that might subdue Midoriya.

Just as he was about to land the blow, Midoriya stopped abruptly, freezing in place like a puppet whose strings had been cut. All Might panicked, his colossal fist mere inches from his protégé, but he managed to pull back just in time.

"Midoriya, what's happening?" Aizawa breathed keeping his voice low and calm as if talking to an injured animal, his capture weapon was at the ready, but it was as if time itself had frozen around them.

Then, without warning, Midoriya was engulfed in a black mist, consuming him but not before All Might quickly reached for the boy, determination etched on his face. With a mighty punch, he struck Midoriya with enough force to break bone, but his strike dissipated into nothingness once the mist had enveloped itself and the room warped and twisted. In an instant, Midoriya disappeared, leaving All Might and Aizawa standing there, bewildered and shaken.

They exchanged uncertain glances, their emotions in turmoil. The student they were so worried about, desperate to find, had had disappeared again, leaving the pros with far more questions than answers than they would like.

The press was going to have a field day with this.

—————————————————————————-

Little did they know, in another place far removed from the chaos of their confrontation, Midoriya's body materialized within the sinister confines of All For One's lair. The dark and foreboding atmosphere was suffocating, and the young hero remained motionless, his stark white hair framing his expressionless face.

All For One, the shadowy figure in control of this malevolent domain, regarded Midoriya with a twisted smile. His voice was a chilling whisper that echoed through the chamber. "Welcome back, my son."

Midoriya's lips curled into an unsettling smile, his eyes devoid of emotion. He did not speak; he only stared at All For One, his gaze unyielding, like a puppet in the grasp of its master.

All For One's unnerving grin widened as he circled Midoriya, his presence exuding power and malevolence. "You've come a long way since the start of this little experiment," he mused, though he knew Midoriya couldn't understand him. "You've grown into a perfect little puppet haven't you."

Still, Midoriya remained silent, his enigmatic smile never faltering. It was as though he existed in a realm between consciousness and oblivion, caught in the malevolent web that All For One had woven.

All For One chuckled darkly, his fingers dancing with malevolent energy as he went to hold the boy's arm. All Might had indeed broken it during their confrontation, but for All For One, it was a mere inconvenience, a trifling matter to mend.

The lair's oppressive atmosphere seemed to thicken, and All For One's voice grew even colder. "There is so much I can teach you when you wake," he whispered ominously, as if sharing a secret only he and Midoriya could comprehend. "You'll be 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭," he laughed once more, the sound was more of a disturbing cry of glee.

Midoriya's smile remained, and as the malevolent figure closed in, their unsettling exchange continued in the shadows, hidden from the world above. It was a dance of darkness and despair, a twisted mentorship between a puppeteer and his puppet. —————————————————————————

Midoriya found himself in a world shrouded in darkness. It was a place devoid of light, was it a dream?.

The air seemed heavy with malevolence. His senses were overwhelmed by an oppressive feeling, as if the shadows themselves were closing in on him.

"𝐫𝐢𝐲𝐚..."

Pain surged through his body, sharp and relentless. Every nerve screamed in agony, and Midoriya gasped, his breath coming in ragged bursts. He clutched at his chest, trying to locate the source of his torment, but the darkness offered no answers, only an unending abyss.

"𝐌𝐢𝐝..."

Confusion gripped him. He had been in the midst of a battle, facing off against some clouded figures but now… this place was unlike anything he had ever encountered. It was as if reality itself had shattered, and he had been cast adrift in this nightmarish void.

"𝐝𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐲𝐚..."

Midoriya's thoughts were a jumbled mess. He couldn't make sense of what was happening. He tried to move, to escape the pain and the darkness, but his limbs felt heavy, as if they were bound by invisible chains.

And then, in the midst of his torment, he heard a voice echoing through the void, a voice that sent a calming wave down his spine, it was muffled and familiar.

"Young Midoriya…." "𝐌𝐢𝐝𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐲𝐚!"

Midoriya's eyes widened, his heart pounding in his chest. He woke.

His consciousness felt like it had been ripped from one world and thrust into another. The darkness that had enveloped him vanished, replaced by the harsh, blinding light of reality. He was back in the classroom, but the agony coursing through his arm was all too real.

Gasping for breath, Midoriya's eyes darted around the room, and he realised he was the center of attention. His friends, faces etched with concern, surrounded him. Among them, Ochaco, Iida, and Todoroki leaned in closer, their eyes wide with worry, Toro was standing next to him with the same expression.

Present Mike their teacher, raised an eyebrow as he approached. "Midoriya, are you okay? What happened?"

Midoriya could barely find his voice through the pain. "I… I don't know, sensei. My arm… it hurts."

The teacher crouched next to him, inspecting the boys arm, his usual relaxed expression softening with concern. "We can't have you like this in class. Iida and Toro help get him to Recovery Girl's office."

Iida nodded, his glasses glinting with determination. Together with Toro, they carefully supported Midoriya, guiding him out of the classroom. The journey felt like an eternity as every step sent jolts of agony through Midoriya's injured arm.

The classmates left behind watched in worried silence, exchanging anxious glances. Something was definitely wrong, and they couldn't help but feel a sense of unease.

As they reached the door to Recovery Girl's office, Midoriya's vision blurred from the pain. He clenched his teeth to stifle a cry, determined not to show any more weakness than he already had.

Toro knocked on the door, and Recovery Girl's voice called out from inside, "Come in."

The small, elderly hero with healing powers was immediately at work, her stern demeanour contrasting with her caring actions. She assessed Midoriya's condition, her experienced hands gently examining his arm.

"What happened, young man?" Recovery Girl asked, her voice laced with concern.

Midoriya winced as she touched the source of his pain. "I… I don't remember……. It's all a blur."

Toro filled in the gaps, explaining the strange incident that had occurred in the classroom. Recovery Girl listened intently, sounds like your just stressed, your body is trying to tell you to take a break.

"Could it tell me in a less painful way" he hissed the pain unyielding. The other two with him chuckle a bit.

She turned back to Midoriya, her eyes searching his. "I'll do what I can for the pain though it's a straightforward process. This shouldn't be anything to worry about young man."

Midoriya's heart sank. He had a sinking feeling, something was wrong and it felt like it was getting worse.

After, the pain did lessen but it was still a shock nonetheless especially with that strange vision, the more he thought about it the more it blurred and became harder to remember, but the voice stayed, it was familiar, like on the tip of his tongue, a word - no a name ready to spoke but fades at the last second.

After leaving Recovery Girl's office, Midoriya's mind was a tempest of swirling thoughts and emotions. The physical pain in his arm had lessened thanks to her ministrations, but the haunting vision and the cryptic voice still clung to his consciousness like a ghostly echo.

Toro, his unwavering friend, walked alongside him as they made their way back to the classroom. His presence was a silent pillar of support, offering comfort amid the chaos in Midoriya's mind. Yet, despite the assurance of his friend's presence, Midoriya couldn't shake the ominous feeling that something was profoundly wrong.

After everything that had transpired in recent days – the eerie shadows that seemed to lurk at the edges of his vision, the inexplicable occurrences that defied reason – Midoriya found himself at a crossroads. His world had taken a disconcerting turn, and he could no longer dismiss the unsettling events that had unfolded.

The memories of "that" dream, if it could even be called a dream, gnawed at him relentlessly. Its pain had seared through his body, a visceral reminder that something was profoundly amiss. The torment he had experienced in the darkness was etched into his very being, impossible to ignore, as much as he desperately wanted to.

As he lay awake in his room that night, bathed in the soft glow of moonlight filtering through the window, Midoriya couldn't escape the feeling that he stood on the precipice of a revelation. It was as if the universe itself had shifted, revealing hidden truths that demanded his attention.

He remembered the enigmatic voice that had whispered his name – "Young Midoriya." It was a voice that resonated with familiarity, yet remained frustratingly elusive. Its words were etched in his mind, a riddle that begged to be deciphered.

While he was normally quite good with riddles, this one just hurt too much to think about, Sensei would know his thoughts repeated. On one hand this helped him avoid his latest thoughts on the urge to hurt…. To kill?…it was confusing, he knew that a hero would have to do that to maintain victory and maybe push bystanders out of the way but this feeling wasn't like that….

Toro, his ever-loyal friend, had noticed the change in Midoriya after going to recovery girl.Their late-night conversations had shifted from laughter and camaraderie to contemplation and concern.

Midoriya thought it would be good to finally talk about the 'ghost figures' and everything even if it pained him to show how weak he was.

In the darkness of his room, Midoriya couldn't help but wonder if he was losing his grip on reality. The boundary between the ordinary world of hero training and the uncharted territory of the inexplicable was blurring. The weight of unanswered questions pressed upon him, urging him to seek answers.

Midoriya lay in his dimly lit room, the soft glow of his desk lamp casting long shadows on the walls. The hours had passed, and the rest of the world was asleep, but his thoughts raced like a never-ending storm. Beside him, Toro sat cross-legged on the floor, a quiet and steadfast presence.

The weight of the unspoken had grown too burdensome to bear. Midoriya knew he couldn't continue down this uncertain path without sharing his fears and doubts with his closest friend. He needed to talk about the unsettling "ghost figures" that had plagued his recent days, even if it meant baring his vulnerabilities.

Toro sensed the turmoil in Midoriya's heart, the unspoken words that hung heavy in the air. With a gentle and reassuring smile, he spoke first, breaking the silence that had enveloped them. "Midoriya, I can see that something's been bothering you for a while now. You don't have to carry it alone. Whatever it is, we'll face it together."

Midoriya swallowed hard, the lump in his throat making it difficult to find his voice. He appreciated Toro's unwavering support, but this was a burden he had carried in solitude for too long. "Toro, you're right," he finally admitted, his voice tinged with vulnerability. "These… 'ghost figures,' these strange occurrences, they've been haunting me, and I can't make sense of it."

Toro listened attentively, his eyes reflecting genuine concern. "You can tell me, you can trust me!, I'll help you with this no matter what."

Midoriya took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts. He began to recount the eerie encounters, the unsettling shadows that seemed to defy explanation, and the excruciating ordeal of "that" dream. His words flowed, carrying the weight of his experiences and his growing unease.

As he spoke, the room seemed to grow smaller, as if the walls themselves were bearing witness to his confession. Toro remained a steadfast presence, offering words of comfort and understanding when needed and silent support when the weight of Midoriya's revelations became too much.

When he had shared everything, when the last of his fears and doubts had spilled into the room like fragments of a shattered puzzle, Midoriya looked at Toro. His friend's expression was a mix of empathy and determination, his unwavering loyalty a reassuring anchor.

Toro spoke softly, his words a beacon of hope in the face of uncertainty. "Midoriya, we may not have all the answers now, but we'll uncover the truth together. You've shown incredible strength, not weakness, by sharing this with me. Remember, heroes face their fears head-on."

Midoriya nodded, a profound sense of relief washing over him even though he couldn't help himself wince at the word "hero". The burden he had carried for so long felt lighter now, shared with the one person he trusted above all else. It did feel better, though Toro did have a strange smile during this, it was nice he felt like he had finally gained the confidence to tell his Sensei as well.

That night, after pouring his heart out to Toro, Midoriya found some solace in the act of sharing his fears. It was as if a heavy weight had been lifted from his chest, allowing him to breathe a bit easier. He was no longer teetering on the brink of believing he was going mad; Toro's presence reassured him that he was not alone in this strange journey.

Yet, as the night wore on, the newfound confidence he had displayed began to wane. Doubts crept back into his mind like persistent shadows, threatening to consume his sense of security.

Restless in the dimly lit room, Midoriya turned to gaze at Toro, who lay in peaceful slumber. His friend appeared so serene, like an inanimate doll, unaware of the storm of emotions brewing within Midoriya. It was then that those troubling thoughts returned with a vengeance.

Midoriya's heart sank as he grappled with an inexplicable urge, one that filled him with shame and horror. He couldn't comprehend why he felt this way, why he wanted to harm the person he cared about so deeply. It was a monstrous impulse that he couldn't control.

Desperate to distance himself from these disturbing thoughts, he quietly slipped out of the room, careful not to wake Toro. In the solitude of the living room, he sat on the sofa, trembling with fear and self-loathing. The darkness pressed in around him, and he dared not open his eyes, afraid that a sinister figure might be lurking, waiting to pounce.

His mind raced, and he was plagued by questions without answers. What was happening to him? Why did he have these violent impulses? And what connection did they have to the mysterious voice and shadows that haunted him?

The night stretched on, each passing moment amplifying Midoriya's torment. His sense of isolation grew, but he couldn't bear to confide in Toro about these dark thoughts. He felt like a monster in the making, and he didn't want to burden his friend with the weight of his disturbing secret, especially after already pouring his problems into him, if only he wasn't like this, he wouldn't be a burden.

As dawn approached and the first rays of sunlight pierced the room, Midoriya was left with a sense of foreboding. The events of the previous night had left an indelible mark on his psyche, and he knew that he couldn't continue down this path of uncertainty alone. The truth remained elusive, hidden in the shadows of his own mind, and it was a truth he needed to confront, no matter how terrifying it might be.

The morning came pretty quickly after that, yet the day seemed so slow, he and Toro left to the school and from that, the remainder of the school day passed in a haze for Midoriya. He mechanically attended his lessons, scribbled notes, and listened to his teachers, all the while wrestling with the enigma that had unfolded earlier. The surreal experience in the darkness haunted him, its details slipping away like smoke with each futile attempt to grasp them.

Toro, ever perceptive, sensed Midoriya's turmoil. During breaks, he employed a repertoire of jokes and conversations, anything to divert his friend's attention from the weight of his thoughts. For those brief moments, the gloom that shrouded Midoriya's reality seemed to recede, replaced by the warmth of camaraderie.

Just like last night he was trying to help, but as much as Midoriya appreciated it he couldn't look the other boy in the eyes.

As the final bell rang, signalling the end of the school day, Midoriya found himself standing on the precipice of an unsettling mystery, he hadn't thought that much of it yesterday with the pain being his main focus. The voice had called him "Young Midoriya," and its familiarity gnawed at his curiosity. Who could it be? Why did it resonate with him, yet remain veiled in obscurity?

Outside the classroom, his classmates offered encouraging words and reassuring smiles, oblivious to the turmoil brewing within him. Midoriya acknowledged their kindness with a weak smile, but the unease in his heart refused to dissipate.

Walking side by side with Toro through the corridors, their footsteps echoing in the empty hall, Midoriya finally voiced his inner turmoil. "Toro, I appreciate everything you're doing for me, but this…. It just feels overwhelming. I know.. I Know that there's something deeper, something hidden. But whenever I begin to think about it it's like I'm chasing shadows."

Toro clenched his fists, determination etching lines of resolve on his face. "Midoriya, we're in this together. Trust me the truth, no matter how obscure or daunting as it may seem you'll be fine.

"In fact" Toro said with a smirk " I have my own theories"

"oh yeah, I'd be delighted to hear them" midoriya said back tiredly.

Toro chuckled a bit " later I think we should talk with Sensei first, surprisingly he's actually in today" he said sarcastically.

The day at U.A. had indeed been a struggle for Midoriya. The weight of the mysterious events from the night before and the haunting vision still hung heavily on his shoulders. As he and Toro walked through the now-deserted school corridors, the prospect of talking to their ever-elusive Sensei, felt like both a relief and a daunting task.

Midoriya couldn't help but feel grateful for Toro's unwavering support. His friend's determination and the promise of exploring theories together provided a glimmer of hope amid the uncertainty that surrounded him.

Toro's mention of their notoriously absent teacher, drew a tired chuckle from Midoriya. "You know," he said, "it's almost like Sensei has an uncanny ability to vanish when you need him the most. But if there's anyone who can help us make sense of this, it's him."

Toro nodded in agreement. "Agreed. He may be a little rough around the edges, but he's got a soft spot for you I can tell, deep down."

As Midoriya and Toro approached All for ones office, their footsteps echoed through the quiet corridor. There was a palpable sense of apprehension in the air, an unspoken acknowledgment of the weight that their teacher's presence carried. He had always been an enigmatic figure, an instructor known for his stern demeanour and penchant for disappearing when he saw fit.

But as Midoriya reached for the doorknob, the nagging doubts clawed their way back into his mind. He couldn't shake the feeling that he was becoming a burden to those around him, especially Toro, who had unwaveringly stood by his side. The thought gnawed at him like a persistent shadow, feeding his insecurity.

"Toro," he whispered, his voice laced with hesitation, "I'm not sure if I should burden Sensei with this. What if it's too much? What if he thinks I'm losing it?"

Toro turned to him with a reassuring smile, his hand resting on Midoriya's shoulder. "Midoriya, you're not a burden. We're a team, and we'll face this together. And telling Sensei is the best thing you can do, you should have done it in the first place though, it just makes this harder" his light voice turning into a bit of a scowl.

"I know I know" Midoriya let out a breath.

But he nodded, finding solace in his friend's words. With some determination, he pushed open the door to the office, revealing the usually proper and prim teacher seated behind his cluttered desk. He looked up from his paperwork, his sharp eyes immediately locking onto the two students who had entered.

"Midoriya, Toro," Sensei greeted them, his expression giving away nothing. "What brings you here?"

Midoriya hesitated for a moment, his doubts resurfacing, but Toro gave him an encouraging nod. Taking a deep breath, he began to recount the inexplicable events that had been haunting him, from the mysterious voices and shadows to the agonizing dream that felt all too real.

Midoriya cleared his throat, his gaze fixed on Aizawa, and began to recount the perplexing events that had recently infiltrated his life.

"Sensei," he started, his voice tinged with uncertainty, "it all began a few weeks ago. I was on the train, on my way to school, when something strange happened. A black figure appeared out of nowhere, and it felt like it was watching me. I thought it was just a trick of the light or my imagination at first, but then the lights on the train started flickering, and everyone else seemed oblivious to it. It... it scared me, but I didn't know what to do."

As he spoke, Midoriya's memory of that incident resurfaced vividly, the sense of unease and isolation he had felt still fresh in his mind. He had questioned his own sanity in the aftermath of that bizarre encounter.

Toro listened attentively, his concern evident in his expression. He knew something had deeply shaken Midoriya that day, but hearing it recounted in this context made it even more unsettling.

Midoriya continued, "And then there's the dream, Sensei. It's not just any dream; it's like nothing I've ever experienced before. It's a place of darkness and agony, and I can't explain why, but it feels so real.

"I had something similar happen yesterday it was different I….I heard a voice calling my name, 'Young Midoriya,' but I don't know who it is. And the pain, it was unbearable. I woke up with the pain still echoing in my arm."

As he described the dream, Midoriya couldn't help but shudder, the visceral memories of torment flooding back. He glanced at Toro, who offered a reassuring squeeze of his shoulder.

All for one maintained his stoic demeanour, absorbing the details of Midoriya's experiences. His eyes remained locked on his student, his expression unreadable.

But then, Midoriya's voice wavered, and he hesitated once more. The most troubling part, the dark thoughts that had plagued him, loomed like a shadow in the corner of his mind. He knew he couldn't keep this a secret any longer, even though the admission weighed heavily on his conscience.

"Sensei," he continued, his voice barely above a whisper, "there's something else. Something I'm ashamed of... I've been having these thoughts, thoughts about... hurting someone. Someone close to me. I don't understand where they're coming from, and I'm terrified that I might... I might lose control."

As he uttered those words, Midoriya's gaze fell to the floor, unable to meet his eyes. The shame and self-doubt that had consumed him for weeks came pouring out, leaving him vulnerable and exposed. It was a confession he had kept hidden for far too long, and now, in the presence of his teacher and his friend, he couldn't bear to carry it alone any longer.

As he finished speaking, All for one remained silent, his intense gaze fixed on Midoriya. It was as though he were dissecting every word, analyzing the situation from every angle. Midoriya couldn't help but feel a sense of unease, wondering how his teacher would react to this bizarre tale.

There was a heavy silence in the room. Sensei leaned back in his chair, steeling his fingers in thought. "I see," he finally said, his tone unreadable. "You've encountered something unusual, something that defies explanation. And you believe it's affecting your mental state."

Midoriya nodded, his anxiety growing. "Yes, Sensei, and I'm sorry if this is too much to handle. I just... I didn't know who else to turn to."

The Man regarded him for a moment, and then his expression softened ever so slightly. "Midoriya, you're not a burden," he repeated Toro's earlier words. "In fact, you've done the right thing by coming to me. It's my responsibility to ensure the well-being of my students, and I take that seriously."

Toro chimed in, offering his support. "Sensei, we just want to understand what's happening and how to deal with it. We trust your judgment."

He nodded, his eyes shifting back to Midoriya. "Very well. We'll investigate this together. There are things I haven't told you, Midoriya, about my past and my knowledge of quirks. But for now, I need you to stay vigilant and report any unusual occurrences immediately. We'll get to the bottom of this."

Midoriya's heart felt lighter with a glimmer of hope. For the first time, he believed that he wasn't alone in his struggle, that he had a teacher and a friend who were willing to stand with him in the face of the unknown.

"Midoriya if you could step outside for a moment while I talk to Toro" All for one said

"Yeah of course" was the reply midoriya passed Toro who gave him a comforting smile as he left the room.

All for one sat at his desk, face unreadable then he laughed for a moment.The other boy stood still in the room face matching the man in front of him.

"Keep a closer eye on him, if this has continued it might of ruined everything" he sneered

" looks my dear little brother wants to play, it's clear they've been trying to reach him, how wonderful that he's been evading them hahaha".

He smiled " I'll have to tell my other self that he can feel his own injuries from in here, that might be troublesome until he's finally ready,….. he is making progress though, his desire to hurt and kill is setting in nicely I just have to give him a boost".

" yes I know what to do, Toro bring him back in" he ordered

Toro's body moved and his face seemed to contort into that of a happy face so relaxed and carefree.