Heroes of Light

by Silverbits

Shadows of the Past, Light of the Future Reboot! When shadows threaten to take over the world, and all seemed lost a new hero appears out of nowhere and chases away the darkness. Izuku Midoriya wants to follow this hero, feeling a strange connection to her and her power. Little did he know that he'd become part of something bigger.

2. Pupil

Pupil

He always felt so different compared to the other kids in the neighborhood. Compared to his friends, compared to Kacchan.

He was never sure what it was, but he knew it was there. It was something he couldn't describe. This weird...pull. It felt like a tug at his chest, pulling him this way and that. Like there was something inside him that wanted out, to show itself.

He wasn't sure when that feeling manifested, it's been with him for so long. Maybe some time after he met Guardian for the first time. Or maybe after his first fight with Katsuki, or maybe even before that.

Izuku was never sure what it was, but he did know one thing.

Whenever he was met with one of the dark creatures everyone feared, that feeling in him would intensify. That something in him would demand he stand and fight, to face the darkness. Though no matter what he always found himself running away from them.

He was scared, he was powerless. He had no way to defend himself from those things. The last time he tried he ended up doing more harm than good. Granted that harm was to himself, and he wasted the time of pros who spent a good couple moments yelling at him for being reckless.

That was a few years ago, since then he had deigned to ignore that feeling. No matter how much it went against that strange instinct, to fight. To protect.

Though no matter how much he ran, the creatures would always hone in on him. Rushing towards him and taking any opportunity they had to swarm him.

To say him getting yelled at by pros was a regular occurrence was an understatement. No matter how many times he insisted that he didn't go after the creatures, and they chased after him his explanations fell upon deaf ears.

It was his fault.

He's the one who irritated all those monsters.

If he just stayed on the sidelines where he belonged then there wouldn't be any trouble.

And whenever it wasn't a pro scolding him, it was her. The one who always kept her distance from him, but still seemed to watch from afar.

Guardian.

She's had to save him a few times whenever he got home late, either due to studying in the library or hiding out around the school to avoid Kacchan and his lackeys. Trying to run home and get ahead of him didn't work out since they took the same route.

Taking any other route would mean getting home later than what would be comfortable with his mom. It also meant the sun would be down well before he got home, which meant monsters.

He'd rather risk taking the usual route home, thank you. It was quicker and he knew the area better.

She never said anything, just watched and patrolled the area before disappearing.

It was strange, whereas most kids looked up to All Might, Endeavor, or other top heroes he always found himself admiring Guardian. Yeah sure, All Might is pretty awesome, but Guardian was way cooler!

There was something about her that fascinated him, that drew him in. Like a moth to a flame. The way she moved, destroying those creatures with one swipe of her sword. How she harnessed the elements with ease, this strange energy always around her. Bending and twisting around her until it's ready to be unleashed as something powerful.

It was amazing.

Something he could only ever hope to do, especially as a Quirkless person.

"Stupid Deku, you still wanna be a hero?"

"Of course, I-I can still do it!"

"Wanna bet?"

Izuku sighed and ran a hand up and down his arm, a burn from the previous day beginning to bother him again. An annoying itch biting at him and picking at his skin.

He was hardly listening to the lecture the teacher was giving them, he had heard it again and again from other teachers. Talking about how they should be considering what they want for their futures, what careers to look into.

Though a lot of them seemed to encourage the hero track for all but one. Each and every one feeling the need to point out that all but one could make it. And each and every time there was a crowd to laugh at him.

It never failed to make him hide in his arms, keeping his head down until the laughing stopped.

Once again he was put into that position, ratted out by his teacher. Of course, just how he was planning on his day going.

"I already know you all wanna go for the hero course!" The teacher shouted, throwing career aptitude tests into the air and prompting everyone to cheer loudly. Izuku glanced around to see kids using their Quirks, one having flames flare out from their hands, another turning into a rock.

He grunted and gripped the edges of his desk as he felt that strange something in him flare up, seeking a way out but given none. This time it felt like an electric sensation, making his hands twitch and his heart skip a beat.

"Ha! As if, don't lump me in with these losers teach. They'll be lucky to even be a sidekick to some washed up pro." Katsuki stood on his desk, looking down at all the students around him. "I'm obviously the best here, and I'm gonna become the greatest hero of all time!"

There he goes again…

"You wanna fight Katsuki!"

"You take that back!"

"Oh come on, I'll take you all on!" He shouted, sparks flying from his hands. "I've aced all the mock tests, I've got one hell of a Quirk. I'm gonna beat All Might, becoming the richest and most popular hero, and it all starts at UA High!"

"Oh yeah, Midoriya aren't you going for UA too?"

Izuku flinched and looked up as the class went silent. He looked around, opening his mouth to answer when everyone began laughing.

"Midoriya? A hero? You gotta be kidding!"

"He wants to shoot for UA? Ha, what a joke!"

Izuku looked down, feeling his face heat up in embarrassment. He flinched as someone threw a crumpled up ball of paper at him, and another threw a pencil which bounced off him.

"You can't even get into UA without a Quirk, they don't allow Quirkless losers like you!"

Izuku rushed to his feet, feeling the need to defend himself in some way. "Th-They got rid of that rule! I could be the first one, there's no reason I can't-"

Izuku was interrupted as Katsuki slammed a hand onto his desk, a loud explosion sounding out and knocking the boy to the ground. Izuku looked up to the blonde, eyeing the smoke coming from his hand.

"Listen here Deku, you're worse than all of these losers! You really think they'd let some Quirkless wannabe in when they could have me?" He stepped closer, towering over the boy.

Izuku let out an 'eep' of surprise and shook his head. "Hold on Kacchan, I'm not trying to compete against you. Really! I-I just wanna be a hero, ever since I was a kid...you know that. Even if I don't have Quirk, there's no harm. I mean as long as I try my hardest...right?" He asked, looking up to his former friend.

"Tch, you'd never be able to hang with the best of the best, you'd die in the exams! Defenseless Izuku, you wanna embarrass yourself more by failing so hard?" He grabbed Izuku by his collar, his hand smoking.

Izuku whimpered and looked away, praying that the boy wouldn't set off an explosion so close to his face.

Before it could escalate any further the teacher spoke up. "Alright, Bakugo that's enough, to your seats everyone let's continue with the lesson." He sighed, turning around and picking up a piece of chalk.

Katsuki glared at the instructor before huffing and throwing Izuku back against the wall and leaving.

Izuku steadied himself and hurried back to his seat, keeping his gaze to the charred desk. He could still feel the gazes of a few students linger on him. A few whispers and laughs cutting through the lecture.

Just keep your head down, you'll be alright.

That strange feeling seemed to think otherwise, for just a moment a scorching heat settled into his chest before fizzling out a second later.

He was going to be alright.

That thought left his head as soon as he saw the scowl Katsuki was giving him.

-HoL-

"You damn nerd!"

Izuku saw stars as he was slammed into the wall, smoking hands gripping his collar. He flinched and turned his head, trying to escape the heat.

He had tried to run as soon as the bell rang, only getting so far before Katsuki caught up and dragged him to a quieter part of the school where no one would look. It didn't matter, he had thought, Katsuki would have just found him somewhere else and taken his anger out then.

Why was he even angry?

"So, even though I told you over and over again you're still applying for UA?" Katsuki snarled.

Oh, that was why.

"I-I am...but Kacchan I'm not trying to-" Izuku was cut off with a punch to the face, letting out a small cry of pain.

"Look at yourself Deku, useless, Quirkless wannabe." Katsuki slammed him into the wall again earning a few laughs from the two lackeys that followed him everywhere. "Still trying to be a hero? Is that it? Think you're gonna be the first Quirkless hero?"

Izuku didn't answer, keeping his head down. It was hard to tell if that was a rhetorical question or not with Katsuki.

"Are you gonna answer me or not nerd?"

It was a real question.

"L-Like I said earlier...there's no harm it trying. Right?" Izuku answered meekly. "Maybe I can pass and-"

That earned him another blow, this time to the stomach. He would have doubled over and held the area of pain if his wasn't still held against the wall. Instead he could only cough and try to catch his breath.

"Don't think too highly of yourself Deku, you wouldn't even make it in the exams. Hell, I'm sure once they see you're Quirkless they'd just kick you out! As if they'd want someone as worthless as you, even in the Gen Ed course."

Izuku kept his head down as Katsuki glared down at him. Before the blonde could say anything else there was a laugh from one of the two lackeys from behind him. He threw Izuku's bag to the ground and stood up with his notebook in hand.

"Look at this Bakugo, this loser's been taking notes on how to be a hero." He laughed and showed the notebook to him. Red eyes looked over the cover, twitching the more they stared at it. After a moment Katsuki snatched the book and looked it over.

"You're delusional! You really think taking stupid notes is gonna help you be a hero?" One of the others laughed at him, holding his sides.

Katsuki huffed and held up the book, staring Izuku in the eye as he slammed an exploding palm onto it.

Izuku shouted in surprise and reached for his book. "W-Why would you-"

Katsuki followed up by tossing the book at the koi pond, a small splash being heard. Making the green haired boy scream out in alarm again. Izuku was about to try to run to the pond when Katsuki grabbed his arm and pinned him against the wall again.

"Listen here Deku…" He placed a smoking hand on his shoulder, digging his fingers in and ignoring the whimpers of pain. "Don't even think of applying to UA, or else." He grinned down at him. Turning up the heat a bit before letting Izuku go.

Katsuki gave him one last shove before they began walking away.

"Wow, for someone who wants to be a hero so bad I thought he would have had a bit more fight in him."

"Right? Well I guess now he really sees it. He'll never be a hero." He tossed a random piece of trash at Izuku who stayed silent during the entire interaction. "Better he figure it out now rather than later."

The two walked ahead, stopping when they noticed Katsuki wasn't following, or rather taking the lead.

Izuku slowly went to gather his belongings when Katsuki turned to him, making him freeze in his tracks.

"You know Deku, there is one way you could become a hero." He smirked at the way Izuku looked towards him, not quite facing him, that fragile little hope. "Pray you'll get a Quirk in the next life, and take a swan dive off the roof."

Izuku gasped, biting his lip as he clenched his hands into fists. He whirled around towards Katsuki in anger, hurt evident in his eyes.

The bully only grinned and let off a few explosions. "Got a problem nerd?" He asked, raising an eyebrow.

Izuku only stared at him before looking away, willing himself not to cry in front of them. That strange feeling was back, burning a hole in his chest and consuming his insides. A raging fire that wanted to be let out, only to be snuffed out as Katsuki walked away.

Izuku quickly gathered his belongings, furiously wiping at his eyes as he packed everything up. It was only when he was sure the others were gone that he had emerged from the small space he had been cornered in, allowing him to make his way towards the pond.

His vision blurred as he stared at the fish eating away at his book.

My dreams have been turned into fish food…

"That's enough, give it back." He muttered, grabbing the book and spooking the fish. He sniffed and looked it over. It was scorched and the ink had begun to run. "Stupid jerk…"

He was angry. Angry at Katsuki, angry how he was treated by the boy he considered his friend. Angry at how everyone was towards him. He wiped at his eyes again and hugged the notebook close. Trying his best to be careful with it.

He panted as the feeling writhed within him, switching between a burning blaze and a freezing chill that made his entire form shiver. He made his way out of the school with one hand clutching at his chest, trying to hold back the rest of his tears.

As he made his way home he couldn't help but wonder how it got this bad, why his friend shifted his attitude the way he did. Him being Quirkless couldn't be the only reason could it?

He was finally able to take a deep breath as he stepped outside the school gates, the feeling in his chest finally settling down.

"Don't even think of applying for UA, or else…"

His hands shook as he gripped his notebook tightly.

"It's good to have a dream, especially one like yours."

"Watch me."

-HoL-

There's something surreal about walking home with your grocery bags in tow, and seeing the Number 1 hero poke his head out of a manhole cover to look around before diving back underground. Though not before asking a question.

"Excuse me citizen, have you seen a slime villain anywhere?" All Might asked, looking towards the young lady.

Aqua looked around before shaking her head. "Er, no sir."

"Right, thank you!"

She sighed to herself and kept walking.

It's been 10 years since she had first arrived to this world. 10 years she had been keeping the darkness at bay to the best of her ability, and 10 years heroes have been chasing after for breaking the law via vigilantism.

There was one hero in particular that had been trying to catch her for the longest time, he would come close but she'd always managed to slip away at the last second. It didn't really feel like so much a serious chase anymore, but more like a game between the two.

A game of unmasking as they jumped from building to building and ducked through different alleyways. Ingenium was stubborn, and was getting better and better at chasing her. He had come close a few times, but always slipped at the last second. Whether it was intentional or not, she wasn't sure.

If there was one thing she was thankful for it was her being able to keep her identity mostly a secret, hardly her showing her face while patrolling. Over the years she had been able to build a mimic of her Keyblade armor with a little bit of help. It wasn't as strong as the original armor, but it was close enough.

Kept her safe enough, though whenever she broke it or had a bad enough dent she always had to request repairs. Though looking for the proper materials was a pretty difficult task in itself, more than once she's had to substitute a few things.

She sighed as she pulled at the mask around her mouth then adjusted her hood. Even when she was out in public in the light of day she still kept her face hidden. It was better to be safe than sorry, especially when she had someone at home waiting for her.

Home.

Well, a second home.

She had decided to make the World of Heroes her home for the time being, not that she had much choice.

It was when she first arrived that she realized she was stranded in that world. In her exhaustion she was desperate to get back to her friends, back to a familiar world.

She ended only causing harm to herself as she tried to open a gateway to another world, she attempted to force her way through only to be rejected and thrown back into where she had ended up. It hadn't taken long to realize that for some reason the world was sealed off, all gateways and lanes had been cut off.

Save for the Realm of Darkness.

Or rather, what had saved her from the Realm of Darkness.

It was still a vivid memory, being cornered by a horde of creatures and doing whatever she had to in order to stay alive. They were hungry, ready to consume and put out any kind of light they could grasp on to. Even her own measly light, a pathetic beacon in the world of unending darkness.

She had pushed herself beyond the limit, using whatever magic energy she had and more. She had been running for what might have been hours, days, or even months. Hardly given a chance to rest whenever those creatures found her and decided to give chase.

She thought it was all over once she had fallen from the ledge, the monsters choosing to chase after her even then. Just as they were about to reach her a bright light had come from the abyss below.

So warm and radiant, wrapping around her and casting away the monsters with ease. Healing her wounds and giving her renewed vigor. It had taken her to the World of Heroes and brought her to the trash ridden beach. To a world that needed her.

Aqua hummed as she approached the old building she resided in. In was in a...not so nice part of town. But it was quiet and unoccupied, leaving her with plenty to work with. Especially with the residents she had taken in.

She looked around, staying in place until she was certain she wasn't followed or had any attention on her. Once she was sure she slipped into an alleyway, moving quickly towards the end where the dumpster lay.

She huffed and sped up into a run, jumping atop the dumpster and leaping up onto one of the air conditioners that stuck out of the building. She moved around with ease, jumping from wall to wall before diving into a small window with a makeshift curtain as cover.

She yelped as she tried to land, her foot getting caught on something and causing her to tumble to the ground. She brought the groceries close to her chest and shielded them from the fall.

Aqua groaned as she rolled onto her back, staring at the old ceiling above.

"I'm home!" She called out, sitting up to see a few Moogles looking towards her.

"Welcome home kupo!" One of them waved to the Keyblade Master, then went back to their previous task.

"We have a door, kupo." One of the older Moogles walked up to her just to dig through the bag and grab a pack of sweets she picked up. "I recommend you use it."

Aqua laughed and stood up. "I know, but it would have taken me a bit longer if I used it."

"You wouldn't have fallen, kupo."

She hummed and walked over to a table, placing the bag down and taking out the perishables. "You know I thought a certain someone would have come running out by now to greet me."

"She would be, if she wasn't napping." The older Moogle grunted, opening the candies.

"She's asleep?" Aqua looked over in surprise. "That's good, she had a pretty rough night last night." She went over to the fridge.

The Moogle nodded in agreement. "You're heading out again?"

"Yup, gotta go check on something real quick." Aqua shrugged off her sweater.

"Hmm, something or someone?"

Aqua went quiet, glancing over to the Moogle with a raised eyebrow. "...Perhaps."

"Why you haven't approached him yet still escapes me. You're a Keyblade Master, yet you seem so hesitant on taking on a pupil." He shot her a look.

"I'm not hesitant." She argued. I just...I just want him to be ready. This isn't something that should be thrown onto someone, and if he isn't ready then-"

"If I wanted to hear your excuses kupo I would have asked for them. Go, you're burning daylight." He huffed.

Aqua sighed and nodded, hurrying out of the room to get her armor.

"Let me know when she wakes up."

"How?"

"You know how to use a phone."

"I suppose..."

"You know you do!"

-HoL-

"Why are you being so mean Kacchan?

"Get lost Deku!"

"Wait up Kacchan!"

"I don't need your help, I'm not a weakling like you!"

"Kacchan…"

"No one wants you around, useless Deku."

"T-That's not true…"

"You really wanna be a hero? Pray you'll get a Quirk in the next life and take a swan dive off the roof."

Izuku sighed as he stood in front of the tunnel. Katsuki's words still rattling in his mind. He had tried again and again to push them out of his mind, but no matter what they would come back.

"Take a swan dive off the roof."

He swallowed hard and shook his head.

"You can't just say stuff like that, what if I really jumped then what? Whatever...you're not gonna stop me Kacchan…" He muttered, wiping at his eyes. He took a deep breath and started walking forward, choosing to take a page from All Might's book and plastered a smile on his face.

He started laughing like his idol and marched forward, clutching his book tightly.

I won't let you stop me, I can't stop. I'm gonna be a hero! I have to believe in myself, even if no one else will, I'll keep smiling!

He continued to laugh on his way, unaware of the slime seeping out of the manhole behind him. It wasn't until he was halfway through the tunnel, he became aware of another presence. Something foul and malicious, the air turning sour with a rancid smell.

He whimpered, turning around despite his instincts telling him to run and get out of there. He paled as he saw a wall of slime behind him, towering over him before a pair of eyes and a mouth appeared.

"Good, you'll make a perfect skin suit for me to hide in…" The villain grinned down at the teenager, watching him tremble and shake. Izuku was barely able to snap out of it long enough to turn around and start running, he didn't get far before the villain pounced on him and enveloped him in the foul goop.

He screamed out as sludge was forced down his throat and suffocated him. He writhed and thrashed around as best he could as more and more of the sludge wrapped around him.

"It'll be a lot easier for the both of us if you stop struggling kid. It'll only hurt for a minute, then you'll feel better soon." He crooned.

Izuku tried to scream again as he grabbed at the slime, desperately craving oxygen and only getting more of the slime forced down his throat. He gasped as the strange sensation came back, this time it felt like it had slammed into him. An intense heat burning him, itching beneath his skin and begging for a way out.

"Grab all you want kid, my body's made of fluid. There's no use, but thanks for the help. I had no idea he was in the city. Gotta get out of here before he tracks me down, and you're gonna help me with that."

No! I don't...can't breathe…

He began to feel lightheaded, dark spots filling his vision. His struggles grew weaker and weaker, still grabbing at the slime.

I think I'm dying…

He stopped kicking at the villain, his consciousness fading. The only thing keeping him somewhat coherent was the heat under his skin.

No! I don't want to die! Not here...please!

He made one more feeble attempt to grab at the slime, feeling himself go limp.

Help!

He wasn't sure what it was, but it felt like something clicked. Something had shifted into its proper place.

The ground seemed to open up as that heat inside him exploded, turning into a raging inferno that seemed to burn him from the inside out.

He screamed, this time his voice echoing loudly in the tunnel as the slime wrapped around him was caught in the intense blaze.

"What the-" the slime villain screamed as he began to dry up, the sudden fire surprising him and making him panic. "Stop! Stop!" He yelled, trying to get away from the boy.

Izuku was unaware of the outside world, his only focus was letting the world know how much pain he was in as the fire consumed him from within. Something was being eaten away, like a well whose water had begun to dry up.

What...is this?!

He didn't even register the pain of crashing into the ground, only able to feel the intense heat. It was unbearable, yet at the same time it was a welcome sensation. It was like relieving a pressure that had been there for the longest time.

Now only if he could make it stop.

He didn't know how, he just couldn't.

Stop! Stop, please. It...hurts!

It was a floodgate he couldn't close. He let out another scream as the flames seemed to rage harder, in his desperation to make it stop it only seemed to grow worse.

He wasn't sure how long he had been there, lost in a sea of flames that ate away at him. He had already forgotten about the sludge villain, his only focus on what was happening. Even though there was no more slime being forced down his throat it was still hard to breathe. The air was hot and thick, it felt like with every breath he only took in flames.

Without warning he felt a large hand grab him and a loud voice cut though his thoughts.

"Young man, please deactivate your Quirk!"

Quirk? No, that couldn't be what this was, he didn't have one.

He couldn't get that part out, only managed a feeble, "I can't…"

"Young man can you hear me?"

"I-I can't!" He howled. "No...control!"

He heard a few garbled words he couldn't make out, it took a moment before whoever had him spoke again.

"Apologies young man."

He didn't get a chance to question the owner of the voice before he felt a fist slam into his gut. He was only able to gasp for air before blacking out.

-.-

Izuku groaned as he began to rouse from unconsciousness, feeling someone lightly slapping the side of his face. The slapping stopped as he opened his eyes, vision blurred.

"There you are young man, thought we lost you there! How are you feeling?" A familiar voice spoke to him. Izuku shook his head, trying to both place the name of the voice and shake away the pain the volume caused.

He coughed and pushed himself to sit up, everything hurt. His skin felt too hot, and he was pretty sure his abdomen was bruised with how it was feeling. There was also something else, a sort of emptiness in him. That strange feeling that had plagued him for most of his life now felt faint and quiet.

He stopped as he finally recognized the voice. He slowly looked up to see the Number 1 hero standing over him. His white shirt was burned on one side, seemingly to barely hold together.

He wanted to scream in surprise and scramble away, only managing a small yelp before devolving into a coughing fit. It felt like there were ashes in his throat.

"Woah there young man, calm down." He felt the hero push a large bottle into his hands. "I have to thank you, you were a big help!"

Izuku glanced down to the liter bottle of soda in his hands as the hero held out another liter bottle. That one was filled with green sludge, he could see the eyeballs floating around in there.

"I've captured the evil doer!"

Izuku had taken a small drink of the bottle, bringing instant relief to his throat, before going back to marvelling at the hero before him.

It's All Might...it's really him! Standing in front of me. He looks so much cooler in person!

"H-Hold on can you please sign my notebook? I think I've got a pen around here somewhere!" He looked around frantically, seeing his notebook off to the side. He gasped and stood up to go over to it, only to feel the world tilt and fall to the ground again with a loud thud.

"Ah! Try not to move around too much young man, your Quirk certainly did a number not only on the villain, but to yourself as well." He knelt down with the notebook in hand. "I understand that in stressful situations we tend to lose control but still, someone else could have gotten caught up in that."

My Quirk..?

Izuku gave the hero a look of confusion before taking his notebook and hurriedly thumbing through it for a free page, only to make a noise of surprise as he found the hero's signature.

"Woah! Thank you!" He managed to sit up again. "But...All Might sir, I don't-"

"Now if you'll excuse me young man I have to get this guy to the police station so they can deal with him. Be careful, see ya 'round!" He secured the bottle into one of his pockets and began to walk away.

"But, h-hold on! I still have to-"

"Stand back, I'm taking off." All Might announced, Izuku's plea going unheard. The boy was still struggling to get to his feet.

"Wait, I have to ask you-"

"Thanks for your continued support!" The hero took off, leaving Izuku alone. He stared at the sky, watching the hero fade into the distance.

But I still had questions…

Izuku sat there for a bit before sighing and falling into his back. So much for that…

Now that he wasn't focused on something else he felt felt the intensity of how much everything hurt. He felt way too hot, though the breeze did help a bit.

He stopped and looked down, he shouldn't have been able to feel the breeze. He gasped as he saw his black blazer burnt to a crisp. There was hardly anything left.

His white shirt was burnt badly, but at least enough for him to still be decent. The sleeves were gone. The bottoms of his pants were burnt as well, but at least they still had their length.

He held up his arm to see a few light burns marring his arms, nothing too severe.

He gulped as he got to his knees, packing his book back into his bag. The dizziness hadn't gone away, though he hoped it would fade with time.

What was that?

He stood on shaky legs, nearly falling over. He stumbled over to a wall for support.

How did I do that?

There was no way that could have been him...he doesn't have a Quirk! And how would it be anything akin to whatever he did earlier? His mother had telekinesis and his father fire breath.

Why now? Why would it appear now all of a sudden?

He couldn't stop thinking about it as he may his way home best he could in his state.

That fire storm, how the flames seemed to burn him from the inside out. A torrent of power, raw energy he just couldn't stop. It left him breathless, and...almost craving more.

As much concern as he held for the strange power he couldn't help but think how it felt right. Like a piece of him that had been returned.

"Oh man...how am I gonna tell mom about this?" He muttered. "Yeah mom I was attacked by a villain found out I had a Quirk! That's not gonna go over well…"

He groaned and came to a stop when the spinning got too bad. He wanted to do nothing more than lay down and rest. Think on all of it later.

You can't do that here. Just get home.

He nodded to himself and clutched his backpack straps tightly. It wouldn't take him too long to get home.

I should be able to get there before sundown...maybe.

-HoL-

It was a loud buzzing that woke him up, stirring him from the deep sleep he collapsed into.

He groaned and fished for the source of the incessant buzzing, his phone. He looked at it through bleary eyes, unable to make out the contact information.

He pressed the answer button and held it to his ear. Not sure who on earth would be calling him.

"Hello..?"

"Izuku?!"

Mom!

He sat up in a hurry and looked around, finding himself in an alley. How did he get there?

"Izuku I was so worried! You didn't come home and you weren't answering your phone! Where are you? Are you okay?"

"S-Sorry mom!" He shouted, getting to his feet. "I uh, I ended up falling asleep in the park and yeah! I was really tired and...I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you." He frowned, leaning against a wall.

"I'm just glad you're okay. I was ready to send out a search party for you, hurry home okay sweetie? It's already dark out, and I don't want you out any longer than you have to be." She sounded nervous, she had probably spent the last hours or so pacing back and forth.

"I won't! Don't worry mom, I'll be home soon. Promise!"

"Okay, be careful."

"I will!"

He waited a moment before hanging up with a sigh. He rubbed his eyes and shook his head.

"How did I get here?" He muttered, peeking out of the alleyway and looking around. Much to his horror, he was more near the downtown area than the park. He was a good distance from home.

"You gotta be kidding me, first the sludge villain now this?" He whispered to himself. "Great I'm gonna make her worry even more now." He stepped out after making sure his backpack still had everything. At least he hadn't lost everything.

He sighed and shook his head. At least the dizziness was gone, and he felt much better after that impromptu nap. He didn't feel as empty anymore, but that weird feeling wasn't bothering him as much.

He ran towards the busiest street he could find, it was better to stay in large groups and well lit areas. Lest those monsters snatch someone from the darker streets.

He tried his best to ignore the strange looks he got from strangers, he knew he looked like crap but there wasn't much he could do about it. If he was lucky no one would stop him and ask him anything, he doubted anyone would believe that All Might saved him from a villain after he freaked out and unleashed...whatever that was.

As he walked he felt some kind of hope spark in him. He had a Quirk now, he really did have one. It took him a long time to get it to manifest but now...now he could definitely be a hero. He wasn't a useless Deku anymore, he wasn't Quirkless! Maybe that would make everyone stop teasing him.

Maybe, he still had to learn how to control it. He had no idea how to summon it let alone manipulate it. That would lead to a whole host of new problems.

Useless Deku, he finally gets a Quirk and he can't even use it!

He could already hear Katsuki's insults. It made that hope waver a bit, but it didn't put it out. Maybe he'd be okay, if he worked hard at it he'd be good at using his Quirk in no time. Maybe just in time for the UA Entrance Exams.

Don't even try it, you're gonna fail anyway.

He doesn't know that, no one knew that. They couldn't be certain, he might just succeed.

He groaned to himself, trying to push the possibilities out of his mind. The thought of even telling anyone, even Katsuki filled him with dread. They would demand he show them, he might try and end up hurting someone in the process. He cringed as he thought back to All Might, he had burned the man. He also burned himself, what if next time was even worse? What if he actually killed somebody?

In his rollercoaster of thoughts he ended up crashing into someone and almost falling over. He had managed to stay on his feet, only to get pushed away and land on the ground.

"Watch where you're going you...Deku."

"Eep!"

Izuku backed away and scrambled to his feet to get a look at who he offended. Katsuki, of course, just his luck.

"Uh...hi Kacchan?"

"What the hell are you doing here? Why do you look like shit?"

"I-I just am! I ended up here and uh...yeah. I'm heading home." He kept his head down, feeling the eyes of people as they passed by.

He waited, expecting some kind of yell of berating from the blonde.

"Tch. Whatever, go home loser!"

"I-I am...but you should too. It's not safe to be out after dark Kacchan."

"Get lost loser, I can take care of myself! I'm not useless like you are!" He yelled, glaring down at the boy. Even so the two walked in the same direction, keeping a reasonable distance between each other.

The two said nothing to each other, one occasionally looking to the other before looking away. The other keeping his gaze straight ahead.

"So what, you go somewhere just to get your ass kicked? The ass whooping I give you earlier wasn't enough?" He snarled.

"N-No! Uh...it was a...I uh ran into a villain and yeah." He fidgeted and played with his hands.

"How the hell are you even still alive Deku?"

"...Luck?"

"Fuck off."

Izuku flinched and looked slowed down so he was trailing behind Katsuki. He frowned and looked down, eyes catching the bag in Katsuki's hand. A grocery bag, oh. That's why he was out so late.

Neither said anything to the other, leaving them with a heavy, uncomfortable silence. They turned down a few different streets, slowly making their way home. Not as many people were out anymore, a lot of them hurrying inside or rushing into cabs.

Izuku sighed and looked at Katsuki before looking back ahead.

Should I tell him…?

He inwardly cringed at the thought. It could end badly, then again…

He at least wanted Katsuki to know, he didn't know why he just did. He felt like maybe he should know.

The events of earlier came back to him, and that thought was quickly put to rest. If Katsuki knew he had a Quirk he might actually beat him harder and more frequently. It might just make things worse.

"Why are you still trailing after me loser? Go home!" Katsuki shouted, knocking Izuku out of his thoughts.

"I-I am Kacchan! But we kinda live near each other, a-and well it's dangerous to be out at night alone with all the monsters and-"

"Shut up!"

Izuku bit his lip and nodded, still following after him. He would hurry home ahead of him if he could, but that meant leaving Katsuki behind, and leaving him alone in the dark.

"I don't need you to take care of me Deku, I can do that all on my own. Get lost."

The street was mostly empty at this point, very few people were wandering around. No one was aware of the pale yellow eyes that stared at them from afar. The excited skittering that started up and crawled around the shadow.

"We shouldn't split up...something could happen." Izuku muttered.

"Yeah? And if it does, what? What are you gonna do? Run away like a damn coward?"

Izuku bit his lip. "There's no need to be so mean Kacchan…"

"I'm just stating facts nerd." He bit back.

Izuku frowned and rubbed at his arms. "Still though…"

"Still what nerd?"

"N-Nothing…"

Maybe he won't treat as badly...what if he leaves me alone? I'd be just like everyone else.

Uncertainty swirled around in his thoughts, it was Kacchan. He was his best friend, it just felt right for him to know.

"Oi Deku."

Izuku looked over.

"You better have taken what I said earlier seriously. If you're still thinking about applying for UA I'll kick your ass." He growled. "I'm the one getting into UA, and showing everyone what I'm made of. You got that? You'll just drag everyone down."

Izuku looked to the side. "Y-You don't know that…"

"Yeah, I do Deku. You're Quirkless what the hell do you think you can do?"

"I-I don't...I'm…"

"You can't do shit Deku, you're useless." He hissed, getting in his face. "You're just a Quirkless loser who can't do shit!"

"What if...What if I'm not useless though…" Izuku bit his lip. "What if I can do something?"

"As if loser!"

Izuku frowned as the sensation came back, once again writhing around inside of him. He looked down before looking back to Katsuki.

"But...maybe I can Kacchan. Just...you know I-"

"Shut up Deku! When are you gonna get it through your head that you're just so damn useless!"

"No I'm not Kacchan! Not anymore I-I...I-"

He was cut off with a shrill scream that sounded from down the street and caught the boys' attention. The both looked over to see a woman running from a horde of the dark creatures.

Before the two could react a loud crash was heard from somewhere behind them.

They looked back to see another tide of monsters swooping in towards them. Izuku looked up and froze, trying to will himself to jump out of the way of the monsters, only to find his legs stuck in place.

Move! Move!

"Get out of the way nerd!" He felt a hard shove before falling to the ground. He looked up in surprise, paling as the world seemed to slow down.

He was only able to catch the look of horror, a flicker of fear in his eyes, as he was swept up by more of the creatures. The tide beginning to converge with more somewhere further down the street.

"Kacchan!" He screamed, watching the tide of darkness race to the others.

He scrambled to his feet to see the stream of darkness that had taken his friend. Izuku could see faint flashes of light, making a few of the creatures go flying before rejoining the group. He could hear the shouts and yells of Katsuki screaming expletives and telling the monsters to let go of him.

He paled as he watched the creatures gather and converge in the middle of the street into a large black, writhing sphere.

He could hear the screams of other people, and the explosions from Katsuki's quirk.

Izuku watched the creatures swirl around, yellow dots standing against the shadows as their claws raked and tore at the victims inside.

"Kacchan…" Izuku muttered, he could see the small flashes of light. He was still yelling, he was still alive.

A loud siren snapped Izuku out of his frozen state and made him look around again, the alarm was on. That usually meant anyone in the area had to get out now. That also meant the heroes were on their way.

Guardian.

Guardian would be there too, she'd be there soon. She was the only one that could take on those monsters and make sure they stay gone.

But if there are a lot of heroes she might get scared of getting caught…

It hadn't stopped her before.

What if she doesn't come? What if the heroes don't get here in time?

That thought scared Izuku, just enough to take a few steps forward before someone grabbed his shoulder and stopped him.

"What are you doing kid? Get out of here!" It was Death Arms. "It's not safe."

Izuku stared at him for a moment before opening his mouth. "Th-There's some-"

"You have to get out of here! It's not safe for you." Backdraft ran up. "Leave this area immediately, please young man."

"But there's-"

An enraged scream sounded out from the cluster of shadows, accompanied by a large explosions. Making the monsters startle, before becoming even more frenzied as some fell to the ground and scattered.

Izuku watched as a few tried to charge the heroes, only to get knocked back or thrown away.

"There's someone in there!" A hero shouted.

"What?"

"That's what I was trying to-"

"Kid, you have to go. Leave this to the pros!" He was shoved back as another stream of darkness came to try and snatch up the heroes. They managed to dodge it and knock more of them away.

Izuku backed up and dodged as best he could to avoid the monsters. He couldn't run, he couldn't bring himself to leave that place.

He yelped and ducked to avoid a few monsters, backing up and allowing one of the heroes to make a large swipe.

"We have to rescue whoever's in there first."

"How are we going to get him?"

"We need to clear some of them out before we can get to him! Knock them away."

"No, we could hurt the boy."

"DIE!" Another loud yell cut through their arguing, another large blast and a cry of pain following after.

He's reaching a limit…

Izuku gasped as he felt panic begin to set in, his body feeling hot and cold at the same time, an electric sensation sparking over his skin. Putting an annoying buzzing in his head as he watched the heroes fight to keep the monsters at bay.

He looked around at the top of buildings, Guardian should have shown up by now. She's usually on top of stuff like this...unless this thing wasn't the only one in the city.

All Might!

At least he should be here. Maybe he could get Katsuki, those things have hardly ever touched him before. Surely he'd be able to get him out of there safely with no injury.

What if he's dealing with other villains? Other monsters? Does he even know any of this is happening?

A small crowd had gathered around the area, those who hadn't run away yet were watching in awe as the heroes danced around the large sphere of dark creatures. Still deciding what to do. The explosions had gotten weaker, not as frequent.

They have to get him…

Izuku looked around desperately, hoping and praying that one of the two heroes he looked up to would show up.

They'll be here soon enough. They'll get Kacchan and save the day...he just has to hang on.

And if they don't?

Izuku bit his lip, ignoring the shouts of the heroes telling him and the small late night crowd to run and get out of there. They should have cleared out by now and given the heroes the space they needed to work.

I can't leave...I'm not gonna leave him behind.

He grunted as that feeling intensified, something that told him to run and charge into the darkness. Something that spurred him on to run forward.

You have a Quirk now...you're not useless you can do something!

You're being arrogant! You can't even control it, you literally just figured out you had one afterall! You're not a hero, that would be illegal, and you'd be causing trouble for the heroes…

His eyes darted around as his heart raced, where were they?

They were running out of time, he knew this. It was a heavy dread that sat in his gut, growing worse with every second. He began to wring his hands as he stared.

They just had to pull him out, then they could go all out.

Izuku looked up as there was one more large explosion, from where he stood he could see Katsuki. Clawing and scratching his way out of there, reaching the surface for just a moment. He yelled while trying to drag himself out of there.

Grab him...grab him and drag him out!

"Get the hell off me!" He shouted. He was getting weaker, getting dragged back despite his best efforts.

"What are the heroes doing?"

"Oh my god there's a kid in there!"

"This is really bad. Isn't All Might in town? Where is he?"

"Where's Guardian?"

"Maybe we should get out of there."

Izuku shifted from foot to foot, his mind still racing at miles and minute trying to figure something out.

Izuku looked back to the shadowy sphere to his best friend, the world stopped as he made eye contact with Katsuki.

He was terrified.

He didn't register it at first, but he had raced forward. His legs moving on their own as he sped past the heroes and towards the shadows.

He heard the shouts of the heroes for him to get back, and asking what he was doing.

He saw a large stream of the creatures coming towards him, that only spurred him on.

"No! It'll kill him!"

"Kid get back here!"

Izuku ignored them, throwing himself to the side before getting back to his feet and running towards the sphere.

He could still see Katsuki, he wasn't gone yet.

"Kacchan!" He screamed, reaching out a hand and jumping forward.

He felt Katsuki grab onto his hand, before both were dragged inside. The outside world becoming mute.

"Deku...you little bastard!"

Izuku said nothing as he felt onto Katsuki for dear life, his mind racing for a solution. He grunted as he received a light punch on his head.

The darkness swirled around them as the creatures swiped and scratched at them before returning to their fold. It was like being in the eye of the storm, a moment of calm before a tide of creatures came to attack them.

Izuku did his best to shield his friend from the attacks, he had to get them out of there. Or at least Katsuki, he wasn't sure how much more the boy could take.

Izuku shouted as another wave tore through them, earning new wounds.

They were pushed and tossed around in there, the creatures obscuring their vision from the outside world. Izuku thought he caught glimpses of the heroes, if he could just toss Katsuki out of there…

They yelled as another wave crashed into them, seemingly adamant about killing them off.

"Get off me...you damn nerd!"

Izuku yelled as they were crashed into again and tossed in a different direction.

Maybe I can…

Izuku gasped as he saw another wave coming, he grunted as he positioned them so he'd take the brunt of the hit.

As they went flying Izuku roughly pushed him out where he could briefly see the heroes.

"Kacchan go!" He yelled, getting caught in another wave.

Katsuki didn't get any time to yell or react before being thrown out of the cluster and onto the street at the feet of the heroes.

He grunted and scrambled to his feet, seeing the sphere grow more agitated it seemed. He could hear any shouts from inside.

"Deku you little bastard!" He was about to run forward when a hero grabbed him and demanded he get back.

From inside Izuku was on a new form of panic, getting tossed around like a rag doll and clawed into like there was no tomorrow. If this kept up then that's certainly be the case for him.

He was caught in a moment of calm, for just a second. He could see all the creatures writhing and skittering over each other. Yellow eyes honed in on him.

It took him back to a different time. Where he was younger and helpless. Someone had saved him then, who was going to save him now!

He braced himself for another wave and met out a cry of pain, with only seemed to spur them on as another wave came, then another.

I have to get out...I can't do anymore!

The sensation grew worse, burning and freezing and sparking all around him. Begging to be let out.

How do I use you?

Izuku felt it grow worse, back to unbearable.

What if I hurt someone?

He yelled as he was tossed around.

What if I die…?

You will if you don't do something!

What could he do? How would he do it? The heroes weren't coming, All Might and Guardian were who knows where!

He cried out again as he took another hit. Everything hurt, he figured he didn't have a lot of time left before they would finish him off.

He stared at the sea of shadows before him, his mind racing and looking for answers. Something he could use, anything!

His panic was getting worse by the second, being knocked around and clawed into was making him desperate. He screamed as a large group converged on him, the cluster of shadows growing smaller and denser from the outside.

Stop.

They swarmed around him, ignoring the drop in temperature.

Stop!

He flailed around, kicked and hit whatever he could.

Stop it!

He thought he heard someone from the outside.

I don't want to die…

There was ice and fire beneath his skin, a sensation he somewhat recognized from earlier.

He felt tears stream down his face as he looked at an oncoming wave. He wouldn't be able to survive that, there was no way.

He whimpered and wrapped his arms around himself to stop the chill that had settled into his bones.

I don't want to die!

It was like the air had been knocked out of him, ice raced through his veins as the temperature dropped dramatically.

From the outside others could feel a slight drop in temperature.

Katsuki glared at the cluster of monsters, pausing when he thought he saw a small shimmer in the midst of it all.

"What the…"

A loud scream cut through the mutters of the crowd and the shouts of the heroes. Everyone looked up to the cluster of monsters, staring in surprise as a frost began to cover the monsters. They began to slow down, before ice covered a large majority of them.

Katsuki felt his eye twitch as the scream intensified, ice flaring around and making the air colder. A few heroes stepped back in surprise, some of the crowd running away.

The sphere had been seemingly frozen over, a few of them still moving around and swirling around what seemed to be the source. Deku's screaming had stopped after a moment.

"There's no fucking way…" He muttered, staring straight ahead. "You damn nerd…" He took a weak step forward, glaring angrily at the sphere. "I'm gonna kill you, you little bastard!"

He yelled as he took off, shaking off a hero that grabbed him. He grunted at the aching of his arms, he was confident that he messed them up in his desperation to get away.

"No! Get back here it's still dangerous!" One of the heroes ran after him as he brought his hands up and grit his teeth.

"DIE!" He shouted, hands sparking for a moment before one more large explosion was set off. Sending smoke billowing into the sky, and an ear piercing shatter through the area. Everyone ducked as ice went everywhere and a cloud of darkness rose up from a large amount of deceased monsters.

Katsuki yelled in pain and held his arms, it hurt to even move them. He stumbled back and looked up to see Izuku go flying in the other direction and landing hard on the street. It was hard to tell if he was breathing.

"Holy…"

"Did that kid just-"

"Get down!"

Katsuki looked up to see a few more monsters, not as many as before. They all swirled around each other before splitting off into two more groups. A final attack.

Katsuki looked up to see one large wave heading towards him, while the other raced towards the body on the street.

He grunted as he raised his stiff arms, biting his lip as he stared down the monsters.

Izuku was barely able to prop himself on his elbows to see the oncoming swarm, ready to swallow him again.

Before either group could crash into their victims two heroes appeared.

Rather, a hero and a vigilante.

Katsuki didn't get a chance to react before the number one hero threw himself in front of the boy.

"There is no need to fear. Because I am here!" He yelled, one hand forming into a fist. "Detroit...SMASH!" He bellowed out, throwing a fist forward and with a large gust of wind he sent the demon tide away. Scattering all the creatures and sending them running.

Izuku couldn't marvel at All Might for the second time in the same day, the fear of death still before him. Just as it was about to come crashing down on him a familiar armored body appeared in front of him and raised her hands.

A clear sphere appeared around then, deflecting the attack. Without a word she snapped her fingers and made the barrier explode, knocking back the tide. She summoned her strange weapon and raised it.

"Thundaga!"

A large bolt of lightning appeared over her and striking down from the sky. Making the rest of the monsters dissipate. Much to his surprise, Izuku hadn't been harmed in the slightest attack. Expecting a shock of some kind to himself.

She stood there for a moment, staring at the crowd at the other side of the street. There was the sound of thunder rumbling in the sky.

She turned away as a loud cheer was heard, followed by another until whatever was left of the crowd was shouting and crying their praises. Guardian faced Izuku and knelt down, looking over his injuries.

"Look at you, all roughed up. Couldn't stay out of trouble could you?" She asked, raising her hand with a small green glow.

"Guardian…" he mumbled, shivering violently.

"Shh, I'm sorry I couldn't get here earlier." She murmured, small petals of light falling around him and healing whatever injuries they touched.

"Y-You're here…" He tried to sit up, hardly able to move a muscle.

"You used so much more energy than you had. Try not to move." She reached into a small pouch around her waist and pulled out what looked like a small blue stone.

She lightly tossed it above him, he flinched and expected it to hit him. Only for it to dissolve and fall over him, some of the exhaustion wore off. Not all of it, but he didn't feel like passing out anymore.

He was still shivering, frost and bits of ice covering his arms and face.

"I-Is Kacchan ok-okay?" He asked. "He's...He's the-"

"Everyone on the other side looks like they're doing just fine." She helped him sit up before taking off her cape and draping it over him.

There was this tension around her he could sense. This nervousness that made her move quickly.

"You-You should go." Izuku shuddered. "T-The heroes…"

"I'll be fine, it's my job to help people isn't it?"

"But-"

"Guardian! I see we have crossed paths again!" All Might could be heard somewhere behind her.

"Damn it…" she sighed. "Looks like it's time for me to go. Be careful." She whispered before standing up.

"All Might! It's good to see you too, it looks like you have everything under control. So I guess I'll take my leave."

"Now hold on young lady."

"Sorry, you know how it is. Wanted by the law for illegal activity despite bringing peace. Bye!"

"Now hold on."

She was already gone.

Izuku didn't even see her take off, surprisingly All Might hadn't gone after her but instead stood over the shivering boy.

"Didn't think we'd meet again young man."

"...Hi."

"The heroes told me what you did young man. That was very reckless."

Izuku looked down, ready to be scolded by his idol.

"But it was very brave as well."

Izuku stared at him for a moment before the hero coughed into his hand.

"Take care young man. Be careful on your way home." He turned around and rushed off.

-.-

He was scolded by the heroes that had arrived on the scene, told his he was reckless and could have gotten himself and others killed. He should have just stayed back and let them handle it.

They said he was lucky they weren't going to charge him for illegal Quirk usage.

Meanwhile he could hear praises for Katsuki, saying how powerful his Quirk was and how brave he was for being able to withstand being in there as long as he had.

Izuku couldn't help but let it bother him as he walked home. The heroes escorted them until a certain point, then the boys split off.

Katsuki wouldn't look at Izuku it even yell at him. He was quiet through the entire walk. It wasn't until they were about to split off when Izuku had tried to speak to him.

"Kacchan...are you-"

"Shut up Deku." He didn't yell. His voice was quiet, he kept his head down. "Get out of home and get lost you damn nerd."

"Kacchan-"

"Get lost loser! Before I fucking kill you! Don't think I owe you anything!"

Izuku stepped back, looking the boy up and down.

"I-I wasn't...I just want to know if you're-"

Katsuki narrowed his eyes and raised his hand, making Izuku back up a bit.

"Get. Lost."

Izuku stared at him for a moment before nodding and backing up, careful not to turn his back until Katsuki was gone.

He was fine, he was okay, he was alive. So was Izuku.

Izuku sighed and walked forward, he rubbed at his eyes and looked ahead. A bone deep exhaustion set in, not as bad as the first time. He figured he wasn't going to collapse again, at least not until he got home.

"Oh man, mom's gonna be so worried…" He muttered to himself. "I should've been home hours ago…"

He would have to apologize to her as she fretted over him, asking why he was so beaten up.

And then there was the discussion of his Quirk. That was going to be a whole other host of issues. His mom might be happy, yeah, but when she hears how he found out about it she'll probably pass out from shock.

His Quirk.

It was a weird thing, it made him nervous to use it, but it was also a welcome thing. Twice he had used it, and both times he had lost control. Both times he nearly passed out and had to be saved by someone.

As troublesome as it was, he couldn't deny how strange it felt. Was a Quirk supposed to feel like that? Something that almost felt sentient in a way?

The more he thought about it, the more he couldn't help but think of Guardian.

At first he had assumed his Quirk was just something akin to fire manipulation. A balanced mix of his father and mother's Quirks. The ice was definitely a surprise, it just...came out. It was almost the same as Guardian's in a way.

Elemental manipulation, that's what her supposed Quirk was. No one was sure what to make of her strange Key-shaped weapon. A lot thought it was a support item of some sort, though no one knew what it was necessarily for.

"It's a weapon, a pretty important one at that." A voice spoke up.

Izuku froze in place before looking to the side, seeing the vigilante walking beside him. He couldn't see her expression beneath her helmet, but he was confident she was wearing an amused smile.

"Gah!" He jumped back in surprise, earning a small laugh.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you. You had been mumbling to yourself, thought it would be nice to let you get your thoughts out." She said.

"O-Oh...uh. Thank you…" He muttered, shuffling from foot to foot. "U-Uh for saving me."

"There's no need to thank me. It's my job remember?"

"Yeah…"

Izuku looked around.

"Uh, is there something you...oh! Your cape! Here, I don't really need it anymore. You probably want it back, I-I'm feeling better, not as cold. Uh-"

"It's okay, there's no need to worry. Thank you, but that's not what I came here for."

"Huh?"

Izuku looked up in surprise. "Er...then what did you come here for?"

"I heard about the fight with the creatures, how a friend of yours had gotten snatched up."

She knew? How though?

"I also heard that you jumped in to save him, even with what little control you had over your power. And you got yourself hurt in the process."

Izuku looked down, readying himself for another scolding. All Might didn't give him one, surely she was going to. Maybe that's what she was going to do before All Might approached them.

"You did well, though I will admit you could have done better, but that's not necessarily your fault."

She took a deep breath and crossed her arms. Muttering something to herself at first.

"You don't have a lot of control over it, your power. It flares out when you panic, and you can't quite control the output." She hummed.

Izuku frowned. That was the last thing he needed to be told, he already knew that.

"I-I know...and I might've hurt someone. A-All Might, he had to knock me unconscious earlier."

She faltered for a moment before looking at him. "Earlier?"

"Yes ma'am. He uh, saved me from a villain...or maybe from myself. I just…" He took a shaky breath, thinking back to the sensation. "There was fire everywhere. I think I hurt him before I passed out." He began to fiddle with his hands. "I'm sorry…"

She was silent for a moment. "No, no it's not your fault. You didn't have anyone to help teach you control."

Izuku looked up, then looked back down as she walked forward. Stopping in front of him and holding a hand out. "Maybe I should just cut to the chase. I'm not exactly sure how to say this."

"What do you mean?" He asked.

Without a word she raised her hand a bit before producing a small flame. Izuku gasped and stared at it, watching it shift and bend before growing a bit smaller and hopping around her hand before dancing from fingertip to fingertip.

He was mesmerized by the display, snapped out of it when she closed her fist and snuffed out the flame.

"Your power, considering the shape you're in it's probably safe to assume it's finally manifested right?"

"R-Right."

"The kind of power you have, a power I share as well, is very versatile."

"You share?" He muttered.

"That's right, I'm aware that you've seen quite a few of my battles with the creatures of darkness. You've seen what I can do, you've seen the immense power I can wield at any time. Granted I have a limit too."

Izuku stared at her in surprise, looking her up and down. He wasn't quite sure where she was going with this.

She was quiet for a moment before looking to him again.

"Tell me, do you remember me? From when you were small, you couldn't have been older than 5."

"O-Of course!" He raised his voice. "Of course I remember you. You-You saved me, in the forest after I was left behind. You brought me home."

She nodded. "That's right. Do you remember what you told me?"

"Uh...I mean…"

"You wanted to be a hero, you wanted to save people. Like All Might, like...myself. Do you still have that dream?" She asked.

Izuku stared at her before nodding. "Yes...I do. I wanna be a hero that smiles when he saves the day. I want to reassure everyone around me, and let them know they're safe when I'm around. That's all I've ever wanted. But I can't really control my Quirk. What if I end up hurting someone with it?"

She nodded. "You never lost sight of your dream. That good, that's very good. What if I told you that your dream isn't far away?"

Izuku startled and look up. "How?"

He could practically see the smile beneath the helmet.

"Please, tell me your name." She asked, standing tall.

"My name?"

"Yes."

"...Izuku. Izuku Midoriya." He answered.

She nodded before raising her hands to her helmet and slowly taking it off. A few locks of hair falling from the messy bun her hair was in.

"Izuku Midoriya, my name is Master Aqua." She looked at him with a soft smile. Kind blue eyes that seemed to carry something in them. Something he couldn't quite place. Hesitance? Reassurance? It was hard to identify.

She held her hand out to him with a smile.

"I want to take you on as my pupil. If you'll have me as your Master."

From afar a skeletal man watched with dismay as the young man took her hand, nodding fervently and wiping away the beginnings of tears from his eyes.

"Shit…"

-HoL-

Discord: /UWtM2he