MY HERO: NEW AGE OF HEROES
~ Part 04: Gathering of Allies ~
Over the course of the next four days, Izuku worked together with Dr. Takashi in his Quirk Evolution research, promising him he would find a way to reignite the flame of One For All inside him. The first day mostly consisted of him running diagnostic scan, following up with a brain scan, instructing Izuku to think back on his previous battles and memories of One For All. The next day was Dr. Takashi fulfilling his part of the deal by meeting with and collecting samples of DNA from each of his classmates from U.A. High and others close to him. He was able to get strands of hair from most of his friends, including the likes of Toshinori, Kota, Eri and Inko, while having to draw blood from those who lacked hair. The special cases were the likes of Hagakure, Mineta and Koji. As an extra precaution, he was able to obtain samples from other Pro Heroes, including Aizawa, Mandalay, Recovery Girl and Gran Torino. The third day, Izuku met with Takashi in his on site laboratory at Jaku Hospital after doing his morning rounds of the city.
"Ah. Morning, Izuku. Sleep okay?" he asked, seated at his desk. Izuku nodded.
"Yeah. How did things go with my friends?" Izuku responded. Takashi smiled before wheeling his chair aside to show him. On his desk computer was the DNA structures and factors of the Quirks taken from each of his friends and loved ones.
"They were very easy to converse with. You do have such wonderful classmates, Izuku. When I told them it was in attempt of reawake One For All, they didn't hesitate to agree. However….let's just say it was a bit "difficult" when I went to visit your childhood friend, Dynamight." he explained, recalling his short fuse by the doctor trying to clip his hair. The mere mention of Bakugo's hero name brought a look of shame to Izuku's face, laughing in an embarrassed tone while picturing his rage filled expression.
"Let me guess. He said he would "do it himself"?" he asked. Takashi nodded.
"In the case of Toshinori and your mother, I collected an extra sample of their blood due to your close ties with them both. Your mother is for obvious reasons and, as for All Might, he was also a wielder of One For All as well as the man who passed the Quirk onto you. His readings are especially interesting, given the history of your Quirk factors at work during your prime." the doctor continued "With all this, I will be attempting to see if I can overlap it with your data and see how a sample of your DNA would react to your friends' Qurik factors. " Izuku lightly smiled, thanking Takashi but telling him that he was in no hurry and to make sure to rest. Just then, the doctor's stomach growled loudly, turning his face red.
"Uhhhh…..heh heh. Looks like I forgot to eat. Heh. Such is what happens when you're engrossed in your work." he retorted.
"Want me to grab you something from the cafeteria?" Izuku offered. Takashi politely declined, saying he just had to find the bag lunch he stashed somewhere nearby. A knock came at the door, Izuku glimpsing over his shoulder.
"Pardon the intrusion. But…we were told this is where we'd be able to find the Pro Hero, Deku?" a voice asked. Izuku lightly gasped as he quickly could recognize the voice by its tone. Takashi shouted back that they were in the right place as the door then opened, revealing the visitors as Shuichi and Atsuhiro, known by their villain identities as Spinner and Mr. Compress while they were working with the League of Villains.
"Sorry to interrupt. But, can we talk in private, kid?" Shuichi asked. Izuku's gaze sterned, agreeing despite not knowing what was happening.
~ At the Same Time ~
Back at Izuku's home, thanks to Eri's aide in boosting his recovery, Kazuto was taken in by Inko thanks to the duo speaking up for him. But it was no longer at the apartment complex that he had grown up in. Due in part to the amount of money Izuku earned because of his Pro Hero work, he was able to afford his own house and invited Inko to move in with him. It allowed for more space for their belongings. Izuku's room, also his off site office for Hero work, was decorated with his All Might merch. Hanging on his wall was not just a framed copy of his old journal that All Might signed, but he also had a drawing comissioned. It was, based off his memory alone, the faces of the previous wielders of One For All from Yoichi to All Might and himself. They has a large backyard that Inko was using to make herself a garden of her own.
"You poor baby. I'm SO sorry that happened to you." Inko said while hugging Kazuto "Any mother that willingly abandon their child for petty reasons like that is no mother in my book." Kazuto couldn't believe how kind Inko was, seeing a reflection of Deku in her. Ochaco chuckled.
"She's just like him, right?" Ochaco asked, having noticed his expression.
"Yeah. Wow." Kazuto muttered in amazement. Having left the hospital, Kazuto was given hand-me-down clothes from Izuku's childhood as his former were left a tattered and bloodied mess from the incident. Inko smiled, rubbing the top of his head while he sat in her lap. The feeling of being loved by a mother had him in a state of happiness but also feeling embarrassed for being coddled. Inko glimpsed towards Ochaco.
"Ochaco? Can I ask you something?" she asked.
"What is it, Inko? Do you need me to do something for you?" Ochaco asked. Inko shook her head.
"No. Not really. But…I wanted to know…how you feel about my boy, Izuku?" she asked. His name caused Ochaco's cheeks to blush red, looking away sheepishly.
"Y-You too?" she asked, Inko looking confused "Sheesh. It feels like I've been dogged by everyone, my friends AND mother, about if I have feelings for Deku. I didn't expect his mom to be added to that list." Inko raised a hand, apologizing if she was bothering her by her question. But Ochaco shook her head.
"It's all right. Maybe…since you're Deku's mother…you can help me too." she said "If I'm being honest, I…don't know how to deal with this myself. Whenever we are together, I hesitate to tell him. I mean, with our work as Pro Heroes…what if that throws a monkey wrench into it?"
"Oh…Ochaco, sweetie…" she replied.
"Then again…it's probably my own fault for not letting him know sooner. He has been trying just as hard as the rest of us, even more so because he was carrying One For All. I supported him whenever he needed me…and he's definitely returned the favor and helped me." she continued "I was so focused on becoming stronger and on my goals so that I wouldn't want to be a burden to him or to have these feelings interfering." She glimpsed down at her hand.
"I've always had this question tumbling around in my mind. When Heroes are the ones suffering, who will step up to help them?" Ochaco continued "Is it wrong…that I want to be there for him? I didn't hesitate to speak up when he was rejected by the enraged evacuees." Her memories of the exhausted Izuku being harrassed and her speech from the rooftop came back, remembering the tears becoming torrents down his cheeks. Inko smiled, surprising Ochaco.
"I don't think it's wrong at all, honey. Just from the sound of your voice, I can tell you want to respect him. But…do you want to know something?" she asked. She nodded as Kazuto gazed at Inko.
"It was right around his first week or so at U.A. and all he could talk about was the number of Pro Heroes he met, being able to study under All Might…as well as how amazed he was by his friends." she said "As time went on, he only sung your praises more and more. He'd actually bring you up the most, Ochaco." Ochaco lightly gasped.
"I was so happy that my Izuku had made so many wonderful friends at U.A. I felt so relieved that he was coming out of his shell more." she continued, wiping a tear away "When you kids were moved to the dorms, he kept sending me letters about you all were doing. It helped me stay at ease despite him being so far away. But he never stopped highlighting your accomplishments. You've become quite the figure in his life." She begun rubbing Kazuto's head again.
"And recently, when he comes home, he's constantly asking me for advice on dating, how to impress a girl...or how I met his father. By now, it's easy to say…he's having the same trouble you are. If that helps you in any way, just know he's in the same boat as you. At the end of the day…just remember that you're only human despite your lives as Pro Heroes." she finished, shedding a smile. Ochaco blushed more, imagining her and Izuku sitting in a boat together. They both had their backs to each other and were just twittling their fingers while occasionally glimpsing at the other.
"Izuku.." Ochaco muttered.
~ Meanwhile… ~
Returning to outside Jaku Hospital, Izuku took to a bench with Shuichi and Atsuhiro. Each of them had a canned drink in their hand while he sat between the two ex-villains. The air was rather heavy, nobody sure if they should speak first or not.
"Should…I begin, Spinner?" Atsuhiro asked. Shuichi glimpsed before shaking his head, sighing afterwards.
"A couple days ago, we…got to speaking with All Might. We had some questions and…he told us about the truth about All For One's plans and what he REALLY wanted out of Shigaraki." the lizard said. Izuku lightly gasped, remembering Shigaraki's face.
"Neither of us had any idea that man was going to literally "wear" our leader like a flesh suit…and I sat in a prison cell throughout the rest of my comrade's battles. Toga, Dabi, Kurogiri…he told us everything about them as well." Atsuhiro continued "In a way, I was glad to hear they continued fighting for their own reasons. But...we're all that's left." Shuichi lightly growled, clenching his can tighter as he thought of All For One.
"The fact All For One and that quack doctor were trying to MUTATE my friend just so he could move in…even going as far as MANIPULATE every part of his life since childhood…makes me FURIOUS!" he growled "I should've done something to stop him! I should've talked Shigaraki…n-no, Tenko…out of it! And as if to add injury to insult, Stain chose to fight back with All Might…before that BASTARD stole his Quirk AND killed him! What was I THINKING?!" Izuku quickly put his hand on the lizard's shoulder, doing what he could to ease his rising temper. Shuichi noticed and began taking calming breaths, thanking him.
"What Shuichi is trying to say, Midoriya, is that…he's sorry for the spiteful things he said to you years ago." Atsuhiro intervened, Shuichi nodded. The moment in question was when Izuku was face to face with Spinner after the war ended, sitting in an interrogation room.
"O-Oh. It's no problem. You don't have to apologize. And…if I'm honest, I wasn't sure if I should've told you about what happened. If you knew, especially after what you went through, I thought you would've burst into an uncontrollable fit and lose control of yourself." Izuku said "All For One used all of you…all for his own evil agenda." Atsuhiro looked out at the people and cars passing by.
"Since we were released from prison thanks to good behavior, we've been wondering what's next for US. Would it be worth it to revive the League without our former comrades? After EVERYTHING that happened? Of the original League of Villains...we are all that's left." he continued "We weren't sure. But…Shuichi later told me he wanted to speak with you. I only tagged along for moral support." Izuku lightly smiled, looking between the two of them.
"Your octopus friend has already done a lot for other heteromorphs while I rotted in prison…and I knew for sure I wasn't about to start another riot anytime soon." Shuichi added "I guess, at the end of it all, we've been having a bit of identity crisis." Izuku rested his hand atop Shuichi's scaly one.
"If it'll help, maybe…you could see this as your chances to plot out a new future? To redeem yourselves." Izuku said "Your friends might be gone…but you could use your Quirks and experiences for positive motives...while keeping their spirits alive." He looked towards Atsuhiro, Shuichi scratching his head.
"Mr. Compress…you could become a Hero if you were to improve on your Quirk and used it for protection. If not, you could find good work in other areas with it. Your power to shrink and encapsulate anything would be a great asset to those working in industry or other heavy lifting jobs." he said. He then turned to Shuichi.
"And Spinner? Your book about the League was a surprise hit with audiences who were interested in you. It shined new light on each of you, allowing others to understand your motives. You could maybe try and use your writing talent to publish more stories or self help books." he continued "Or you could work with Tentacole and work to improve the lives of the other heteromorphs. It's not too late for either of you to turn your lives around." The two looked at each other as Izuku fell silent.
"Hmmm. I have to admit..."Captain Compressor" does have a nice ring to it." Atsuhiro laughed, stroking his chin "After all, look at what became of Gentle Criminal. His life greatly improved after he left the villainy business behind." Shuichi glimpsed down towards his hands.
"I'll…think about it." he said "Thanks for hearing us out. And…thanks for sticking up for Shigara..I mean, Tenko, when it really mattered." Izuku lightly smiled.
"If either of you ever need help, feel free to contact me. If I'm out, I'm sure Centipeder and Bubble Girl will let me know right away." he said. Atsuhiro smirked.
"Well, well…look who's been stepping up in the world. Never would've expected you, kiddo." he teased. Izuku merely shrugged and commented on how a lot has changed since the war ended. Shuichi looked down at his hands, letting out a silent sigh.
~ Elsewhere ~
As the days had come and gone for Izuku and friends, Garaki continued putting the finishing touches on his newest monster. Sensors and tubes were now placed all across its body. The evil doctor kept watch of his monitors of the creature's growth and its vitals, heart beat at a stable rate. As he looked at the numbers, a big grin came across his face.
"EXCELLENT. You're maturing just as I knew you would! Things are going along as planned!" he said, turning back to the creature in his chair "In about 48 hours, you'll be complete and set loose upon Japan. And when the dust settles from your destructive rampage, Izuku AND his foolish friends will be gone…along with the remainder of those annoying heroes!" He rose from his chair and approached the glass, pressing his hand against it.
"Of all the Nomu I've ever created, including what I once called my "masterpieces"…I'd say you are my TRUE greatest work. So I think it's about time you had a name befitting of your perfection." he said "Hmmm. I know. From this moment on, your name…is Aku. With the number of Quirks I've infused into you, only YOU will decide who deserves life or death." From inside, the creature let out a low yet satanic laugh thanks to its recently mutated mouth. Razor sharp teeth peeked through its lips.
TO BE CONTINUED..