Prologue: A Brand-New World

I opened my eyes to find myself in a black abyss. But I was not alarmed by it. In fact, this wasn't the first time that I had been in a world full of darkness before. The same world appeared before me just before I used the Fifth's quirk Blackwhip for the very first time. I had grown accustomed to seeing this world within my very essence whenever I interacted with the previous users of One For All. Except…

… That was the case for only a little while. It didn't take long for the world before me to change and take another form which was a small area with a granite floor and wall before me as well as several red thrones. There were eight of them to be exact as they represented the remnants of my predecessors that had inherited my power before me. They had cultivated and passed on the power that I hold at my fingertips for generations. Those people that have given me the courage to keep on going, even in my darkest moments…

were nowhere to be seen.

'Ah!' I attempted to call out to them, but my vocal cords weren't registering. It was then that my eyes shot wide open as my memories of my first few times within this void of nothingness seemed all too familiar. It didn't take long for my worst fears to come true as I attempted to move my body which didn't work in the slightest. It was as if my body was a machine that had run out of oil and was not functioning as intended anymore.

The Fifth, or more commonly known as Daigoro Banjo explained that the previous wielders of One For All had been within the core of the quirk itself. It was for that very reason that I was able to gain the wisdom and powers that the heroes that came before me had. Over time as I had grown accustomed to each of their quirks, I had gained more control over my body within this world.

So, why!? Why had things reverted to how they were before?! Just what the heck is going on?!

'Ha… ha… ha…' Laughter echoed through my eardrums as my eyes focused on what was within the distance. No. I-It couldn't be. It just wasn't possible. But even though I couldn't see the person that was laughing at me in the distance, it was as if I could feel their aura. It was a detestable aura that reeked of cold-hearted animosity unlike any I had encountered before, except for one particular monster. The same monster that threatened the people I sought to protect…

'… All For One.' I thought internally as I got a sour taste in my mouth by just remembering that monster's name. All For One was the person that took the lives of countless people including the majority of my predecessors. He truly defined the word 'villain.' I had fully expected that monster to come out of the shadows and taunt me further but that didn't happen. For a reason that was unknown to me, the world's most horrible villain kept his distance as if he did not want me to see something. But… what exactly? What was making him so… cautious? He had been cautious before. But not like this. Especially, when it seems he is the one in control. But before I could learn the answer to this perplexing question.

'Izuku Midoriya… behold! In a matter of moments, you will come face to face with your own personal hell! For everything that you and those despicable heroes have done, consider this my revenge! Hahaha!' The person within the distance spoke before laughing hysterically. It was then that I realized that I was wrong. This person is not All For One. He had a completely different voice. After all, how could I forget the voice of the monster that almost took the life of my best friend?! That's why I can say for certainty that this person was different! But who!? He's not that far away! I have to try and see him before I-

'See you later… hero.' The person finished just before snapping his fingers and with that everything became dark once more. However, that didn't last for long, as my ears could hear a loud engine that most certainly belonged to a moving vehicle. My eyes fluttered open as I could audibly hear someone snapping their fingers again and again before me and someone else locked eyes for the first time.

"Took you long enough to wake up. I'd advise you not to take another nap because we're about to arrive." The voice of the person next to me spoke in a matter-of-fact tone. She only held eye contact with me for the span of a second before focusing her attention on the opposite direction of where I was sitting, that being the outside scenery. But even though I only saw her facial features for a brief moment of time, I could instantly tell that I had never seen this girl before in my life. Her long black hair, with one braid tied with a pink bow and gradient red eyes… it was utterly unrecognizable. Just who is she-

"Hey. Can you quit staring? It's creeping me out." The girl spoke in a blunt tone of voice as she continued to overlook the scenery from the window beside her. It was then that I realized that I may have been looking at her for a bit too long.

"O-Oh, um, sorry about that. I-I didn't mean to stare. I just… am a bit confused. Where exactly is this bus headed?" I replied while stuttering as I made an effort to stop staring at her and looked at everything else. The loud engine I heard earlier came from the bus I'm on with this girl. But we're not alone. The bus is packed to the brim with people around my age all dressed in school uniforms. Could we be heading to some school? But it's clearly not U.A. because the uniforms are completely different. At U.A. High School everyone wore (me included of course) what most other students my age would wear.

However, everyone here was wearing red vests on top of their school uniforms. It made it crystal clear that wherever this bus was headed was not U.A. But if not U.A. then where was I going? And why for that matter? Now that I think about it this is really weird. Why am I on a bus of all places heading to some school that I don't even know the name of? However, it was my straightforward attitude that got the better of me as I would soon come to realize.

"If you're trying to be funny, don't bother. I could care less about your shallow attempts at humor. If you want to joke around with someone, go talk to anyone but me, do you understand?" The girl replied in an agitated tone of voice as she continued to stare at the window and not make any eye contact whatsoever. It all painted the picture that this girl saw me as nothing but a nuisance. But it wouldn't be the first time someone thought of me that way, so I didn't let that stop me.

"I-I'm not trying to joke around, honest. I-I think there's some sort of misunderstanding. I don't think I'm supposed to be here. So, I'd appreciate it if you could tell me which school this bus is going so I can find my way back home." I spoke while smiling bashfully as I closed my eyes. That's right. As soon as I can learn where this bus is headed, I can just search up the exact location of the school were going to and then use my phone's GPS to get back to U.A. It shouldn't take long since everyone on this bus seems to be Japanese which at the very least means I'm still in Japan, which is reassuring to say the least. My friends are probably worried sick. Mom's probably blowing up my phone. I'll just text saying that I'll be heading back home soon… huh?

'Hey.'

But it was then upon grabbing my phone out of my pocket that I realized that my contact list had been wiped clean other than one phone number belonging to 'Tsubasa?' Who's Tsubasa supposed to be?

'Hey!'

'AND WHERE THE HECK IS MY ALL MIGHT WALLPAPER?!' I screamed internally as my eyes bulged out to see that the phone in my hands, which was most certainly my phone, was missing key features that I had on it. So many of my pictures that I took with Iida and Uraraka along with the rest of Class A… have all seemed to vanish. I don't understand! Who would do this?!

"HEY! Stop joking around! I won't tell you a second time!" The girl declared with a shout as she grabbed out a pen and clicked it while glaring daggers at me.

'HOLY CRAP! SHE'S MAD!' I screamed internally as my eyes bulged out once more while sweat dripped from my forehead profusely. It was then that I realized how terrifying that girl could be. We haven't even exchanged names and I had already royally pissed her off. Wait a second…

"… What is my name?" I muttered with what was surely a confused expression on my face. But before I could ponder further-

"I warned you." The girl spoke before stabbing my hand with the pen in her hands. However, it didn't hurt since she more or less poked me with it and as a result it ended up jogging my memory. That's right! My name is Izuku Midoriya! Ever since I could remember I had been a loyal fan of the greatest superhero All Might and I wanted to be just like him. However-

'Sorry kid, it's not going to happen.' The doctor that deemed me quirkless told me as I remember my entire world falling apart at that very moment. Eighty percent of the population all had quirks due to them having one joint in their pinky toe. However, I was one of the unlucky twenty percent that had two joints, which meant that no matter how much I wished for it… I would never get a Quirk.

But even though my dreams had been effectively crushed, I still really wanted to be a hero. But it wasn't easy to believe in yourself when you were told again and again that it was impossible by everyone around you. But that didn't matter to me, if All Might could say that I could become a hero… then maybe I could actually become one after all. Initially even he thought it was impossible. But then he said the words that changed the course of my life forever-

'… Young boy… you too… can become a hero.' All Might declared on that day with the sun setting behind us. It was a day that I would never ever be able to forget. Even a year later, I can still remember the tears streaming down my hot cheeks as I had never felt more blessed in my entire life. It wasn't long after that that I gained All Might's power One For All, I unknowingly became the ninth holder of that Quirk and so many things, good and bad, had happened since. But in the end, it was worth it. Because I finally accomplished my dream. I had finally become…

… The world's greatest hero.

Wait… but did I? I… stopped Shigaraki and All For One… right? If so… why can't I remember it? Why can't I remember… getting on this bus? Why can't I remember… anything after returning to U.A. after being saved by my friends? Why is my head so… foggy?

"I didn't even stab you that bad. Your hand isn't even bleeding. So, if you're trying to quilt trip me into feeling bad for you, too bad. It's not going to work." The girl declared as I wasn't paying attention to her in the slightest as her words went completely over my head. Something didn't feel quite right about all of this from the get-go. First, I wake up on a bus surrounded by people I have never met much less seen before in my entire life. Second, my saved pictures along with my friend's contact information had all been deleted. And now, I can't remember what led to me boarding this bus in the first place. Something very wrong was going on, that much was obvious now. However…

… It wouldn't be much longer before I realized just how grave things had become.

"Hey, I apologize if I made you feel uncomfortable, but I just need to know how far the school this bus is going to is from U.A. High School. That's it. If you can just tell me that, I'll stop bothering you." I spoke with a hand on my forehead that was throbbing relentlessly. Something's very wrong… that's why… I have to get back to U.A. If I can just get back to U.A. then everything will be al-

"U.A.? I've never heard of it. I assume it must be some new high school?" The girl asked as she raised an eyebrow. It was then that my eyes shot wide open. How is that possible!? How could she not have heard of U.A.?! Everyone in Japan knows of U.A.! I'm sure most of the world has at least heard of U.A.! After all, so many Pro Heroes attended that school! Japan's number one hero All Might attended at U.A.! That alone has made the school the top hero academy in all of Japan! It's inconceivable that she doesn't know of it!

"It's the school that All Might, Endeavor, Best Jeanist, Edgeshot, and countless others graduated from! How haven't you heard of it?!" I yelled out with a face full of anger, confusion and worry as I let my emotions get the better of me. Even if this girl has been living under a rock and hasn't heard of U.A. she definitely has to know everyone I just mentioned. Especially All Mi-

"… I have no idea what you're talking about. And who in their right mind would call themselves All Might? That sounds like something out of a comic book." The girl replied with a confused look on her face as I was utterly speechless. T-T-That's impossible. T-This has to be a joke! It has to be! It has to be! It has to be! There're surely countless news articles of All Might's exploits as a pro hero back in the day! I've read each of them countless times! And U.A.! I just have to search it up on my phone and the school website should be the first thing I see! So why?

WHY THE HELL IS NOTHING COMING UP AT ALL?!

"Hey! Are you alright!? You're looking really pale!" The girl yelled out in order to get my attention, but not how much she shouted, not a single one of her words reached my ears. No matter how much I searched again and again for anything regarding All Might or U.A. on the web, nothing came up in the slightest. It was as if All Might, or any Pro Heroes for that matter, did not exist.

But that has to be a contradiction! After all, I remember All Might, Endeavor, Best Jeanist, Edgeshot, and all of my friends at U.A.! They aren't fragments of my imagination! I refuse to believe otherwise! After all, if it wasn't for All Might I would never have been able to achieve anything! Much less become a hero! They are the reason I am the person I am today! They definitely existed! They had to-

'Izuku Midoriya… behold! In a matter of moments, you will come face to face with your own personal hell! For everything that you and those despicable heroes have done, consider this my revenge! Hahaha!' It was then that the words of that person reverberated within my head once more. If what he said was really the truth… then that means… that this world…

… Has no heroes.

"Hey! Get ahold of yourself!" The girl yelled out as her words were the last things I heard before I unceremoniously lost consciousness and drifted to an eternal slumber. It was there that within a state of dreaming that my memories of what had occurred earlier had returned. It was shortly after the final war against the villains had concluded. I had managed to defeat both All For One and Tomura Shigaraki along with the help of all my precious friends and the Pro Heroes that had fought alongside us to the bitter end. Even though the heroes alongside me triumphed against evil, no one really won anything that day. Even still, I was happy that it was all over once and for all…

… Or so I had thought.

'BAM!' A loud sound ruptured my eardrums as I was caught off guard. I remember opening my eyes to find myself on a bed in the hospital. It was a place that I had grown accustomed to after several fights that almost cost me my life. So, I was almost able to close my eyes…

… Until I noticed the appearance of the intruder.

It was a black muscular humanoid abomination with its brain exposed. Even in my state of tiredness and exhaustion after spending countless weeks getting little to no sleep whatsoever, I immediately recognized it for what it was. One of the monsters that had targeted me and my friends over the course of our enrollment at U.A. The same monsters that were the disposable pawns of All For One. Their name were 'Nomu.'

'H-How is this possible?! How did that Nomu breach the hospital?!' I remember thinking these words before the Nomu in question set their twitching eyes onto me. A shiver went down my spine as the horrid creature smiled as if they were enjoying themselves greatly. It was the middle of the night so most of my friends were far away in their homes resting. Even if some of my friends were seeking treatment in this very hospital they were probably on completely different floors and they would be unlikely to arrive here in time. This all meant that the Nomu was waiting for this chance to attack when I was at my most defenseless. That much I was able to deduce in the brief interval of time while it was looking at me.

"Target acquired. Izuku Midoriya. Hero: Deku. Current holder of Quirk: One For All. Preparations for detainment… ready to execute." The Nomu spoke in a robotic voice as it slowly approached me from the broken window. Even though it was stepping on shards of glass, it didn't even react to the pain. After all, it was an emotionless killing machine that would not stop until it had completed its mission or die trying.

'I… I can still…' I muttered weakly as I tried to move my body upward to no avail. Why is this happening!? Why now?! I knew the war against villains wouldn't end with the eradication of evil! Good and evil will coexist in any world! Even still… I was hoping that I would be able to return to U.A. alongside my precious friends! I worked so hard for that future! I have to obtain it! So, get the hell up you useless Quirkless idiot! GET THE HELL UP ALREADY! I remembered thinking such things and it was then that I was reminded of the one and only rule of this world…

… Someone without a quirk holds no power in this world. I had been reminded of that cold hard truth ever since finding out I had no Quirk. I guess… I must have forgotten that feeling after having One For All for a little while. But that feeling of powerlessness returned with the full force of a speeding truck as I laid in that hospital bed with no way, with no way to defend myself whatsoever.

"Me and my friends defeated your Master! You have no one left to command you! So, just stop! Please… just stop." I begged as tears slid down my cheeks as that was all I could do now. Try and talk my way out of being killed. But even I knew that my death was inevitable the moment that monster entered this room. I was just fooling myself.

"It's over. Give up, Izuku Midoriya." The Nomu spoke as it made its way to me and stood over me as it said those words. This was it. After everything that I had gone through to achieve the future where everyone was happy… I guess that I won't be able to see it after all. That thing was most certainly about to land a killing blow onto me and then that would be it. That's right. It would have been over if it weren't for-

"I will not let you lay a hand on that boy. Not while I still draw breath!" The voice of the hero that had given me the chance to accomplish my dreams declared. My heart skipped a beat after instantly recognizing the voice as the same one that belonged to All Might.

'W-When did All Might get here?!' I thought internally as it was impossible that he could have made it here in time without One For All! But it was then that I noticed the second hospital bed right next to mine! D-Did All Might consider that something like this could have happened?! My brain went haywire as I was beyond surprised by this turn of events. All Might had even regained his form when he was at his peak in his career as a Pro Hero. Seeing my idol in his full glory made me actually think that things would be alright…

… Oh… how wrong I was.

"TEXAS SMASH!" All Might yelled at the top of his lungs as he punched the Nomu in its chest! If this took place only a year ago then that Nomu would have been sent out of the hospital and have been utterly defeated. But those days were in the past… that undeniable fact was reminded to me once again as the Nomu took one of All Might's signature 'Smashes' without batting an eye.

"Blaugh!" All Might coughed up his blood as the form that he had when he was the Symbol of Peace vanished without a trace as all that was left in its place was the man who no longer had the strength to lift up the entire world on his shoulders. That undeniable reality shook me to my core. I wanted nothing more than to stand up and fight alongside All Might, but I no longer had the strength to do so. Even still, I tried desperately to stand up and fight as the Nomu raised its massive arm into the air.

"It is futile. Any who tries to resist will be annihilated. Prepare to die, All Might." The Nomu declared as it was about to swing its arm down as if it were a judge's gavel. After all, without One For All, a 'Smash' from All Might was nothing more than a pitiful punch I suspect that was how the Nomu perceived this moment. But I knew the truth of why All Might was doing this.

'I will protect him and raise him up, even if I have to give my life to do so!' Those words that All Might said that day were engraved into my very being much like when he told me that I could become a hero too. My mother wanted nothing more than to keep me away from U.A. after I had faced death in the face one too many times. She was heartbroken and had enough of everything involving me engaging in hero activities.

If it wasn't for what All Might said then I would have had to abandon my dreams and give my quirk to someone else, I would have probably ended up giving it to Mirio and everything would have ended that day. But All Might had fought for my future then and there and made sure that I would keep being able to be a hero. He had fought again and again so that future could become a reality and now…

… He's ready to die for that future.

"I WON'T LET YOU LAY A HAND ON HIM!" I declared with as much ferocity as I could produce within my voice as I gritted my teeth so hard that they could have shattered. I won't let this happen! I REFUSE to let this happen! All Might has to survive this! I defeated Shigaraki and All For One! I'm your enemy! Kill me! Not him! I'm so weak, pathetic and powerless that I don't deserve to be in the same room as All Might! So just kill me and get is over with al-

"Young Midoriya…" All Might spoke as my thoughts came to a standstill as I could only look upon him one last time.

"… Evade your eyes for what comes next is not something I would ever want you to see." All Might finished as not long after that-

'BAAAAM!' The Nomu's fist went straight through his stomach. All I could see was the bright red blood-stained fist of that monster as everything froze. My memories of All Might went through my mind as I tried desperately to deny this future. No. This is not the future that I had worked to achieve. All Might was supposed to survive. He was supposed to be there to see the world we and everyone else worked so hard to make into a reality. He was supposed to-

'PLEASE STOP! IF YOU CONTINUE LIKE THIS YOU'LL FACE OFF AGAINST A VILLAIN AND DIE AN UNSPEAKABLY GRUESOME DEATH!' It was then that I was reminded of those words that All Might had told me that his sidekick Sir Nighteye had said after seeing his Master's future with his Quirk 'Foresight.' All I could do in response was-

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Scream as loud as I could as the monster pulled out its fist while All Might collapsed to the ground. It was just as Sir Nighteye foresaw, a world where All Might died an unspeakably gruesome death had become a reality…

… And I had let that future come to pass.

"Target acquired." The Nomu spoke as in an instant a black portal appeared in front of me. It was similar to the villain Kurogiri's portal but different. It was only then that I realized that this was the equivalent of a game of chess. The Nomu did not care about killing All Might, it had only wanted to finish off that assured completely victory. The king, or in this case, me.

And just like in a game of chess, I had completely lost to this monster who had most certainly planned its moves far in advance to ensure a victory. After that I remembered nothing before waking up on that bus. What could have happened within that interval of time? How many days, weeks, or months could have passed since that horrible day. I don't know and I don't want to think about that anymore.

To Be Continued…

Next Chapter: Izuku Midoriya: Restart

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