The Proposal
Rei and Kaina were sitting there speechless. Shoto sat across from them, his hands in his lap, and he looked seriously.
"Momo and Setsuna have become big sisters, and Izuku is now a big brother," he said, getting to his feet. He stepped to the projection screen with a collapsible Pointer stick in his hand. He pressed a button, and the title appeared. Why I should become a big brother. A presentation by Shoto Todoroki with insight and research provided by Momo Yaoyorozu, Setsuna Tokage, and Izuku Midoriya
He cleared his throat, "I believe that I would be an excellent big brother as well, and I would like you to consider this opportunity to allow me to be a big brother.
I am not as obsessed with video games as Natsuo and am willing to share my toys.
While I cannot cook like Fuyumi, I have begun to take lessons on making cold soba and my explorations into Macaroni and Cheese, which have proven very successful.
According to the research group, my hugs are second only to Fuyumi. I have begun an in-depth study with the master of this technique, Inko Aizawa. She has agreed to give me lessons when time is permitted. I believe I will be able to surpass Fuyumi by the time my younger sibling arrives.
I have secured letters of recommendation from 3 adults." He reached into the briefcase on the table and handed them over." Inko, Ichika, and Ashai were the letter writers.
To continue, he said. "5. I have also successfully washed and dried one load of laundry. I am sorry about the accident with the sheets." He paused and bowed. "6. I feel that not only will a new baby bring me joy, but it will also bring joy to the two of you." He motioned to Kiana and his mother.
Kiana leaned over and whispered, "So who is going to tell him about the lack of proper equipment to give him this baby?"
"Not now. This is too adorable," Rei whispered back.
"7. With my friends having younger siblings, any younger sibling I am provided will have a pre-built structure of best friends ready for them to join." Shoto said, collapsing his stick. "Now, if you would please sit back, my production crew and I have taken the liberty of creating some videos showing that I would be a capable big brother," Shoto dimmed the lights. Kiana and Rei held hands.
On the screen was a video showing Momo's home's foyer; Izuku walked onto the screen. "Hello, I am Izuku Midoriya," he looked down like he was making sure he was on his mark. "I will be your guide today as we explore the world of Shoto Todoroki as big brother."
What followed was a poorly made kid film with fantastic production values at points with a video montage and Shoto performing tasks like changing diapers, feeding, getting thrown up on, and other fluids. Terrible acting from his friends. They walk the babies around the Yaoyorozu estate, the maids doing their best to stay out of view. There were even scenes of them in a grocery store; Rei and Kiana were wondering if they were in an actual store but realized from the walls that one had been created in one of the rooms at the Yaoyorozu home.
"Thank you for coming with us on this journey. What if Shoto was a big brother?" Izuku said. He stopped and looked off-camera. "Oh right," he said, throwing his jacket over his shoulder and walking off-screen. When the screen was black and after the credits rolled. A picture of Shoto asleep with Izuku's little brother came on the screen.
"I am Shoto Todoroki, and I approve this message." Played as a voice-over.
Shoto stood up, looking very proud, "Thank you for your time, and I look forward to your answer." He closed his briefcase and walked out of the room.
Change
The day started like any other; there was no hint that today would be extraordinary or that today would be the day that would alter Izuku's life once more. It wasn't till part way through the day that Set was pulled out of class and left for the day. When her friends contacted her, she responded that her dad wasn't doing well.
Her father had been hospitalized since last month; he had come home for a weekend only to be re-admitted. The parents all tried to keep a cheerful face, but it seemed he wasn't reacting well to the medicine this time. They were told that they were going to the hospital to be there with Set and to support her. Her father was dying.
It was their first case of death for most of them; they all had come to know him from sleepovers at Set's house or the few times he joined them on an outing. He was quite a funny man who loved his wife and children dearly. Izuku liked him; he was sly, quick-witted, and liked to read and learn. He always encouraged the children to keep learning and striving to know more.
The last time the cancer had returned, he hadn't been expected to pull through, but he was a fighter and had done just that. After that, he was tired and often slept; he would nod off even during conversations. Set didn't come out much, preferring to stay home and be with her dad as much as possible, but he wouldn't have it and would chase her out.
"Are you getting married?" he would say.
"No," Set would reply.
"Then I am not going anywhere. Set, be with your friends. I will be here when you get back," he tells her.
When they arrived, the air was, of course, heavy. Everyone was there, except for Touya and Aizawa, but they were on their way from the U.A. and would arrive shortly. Kiana was on patrol awaiting her relief so she could come to the hospital.
Set found them all in the waiting room; she found her way to Momo and Fuyumi before she stepped into Izuku's embrace. Shoto came from the side and hugged her; she couldn't keep her composure any longer. They got her to a seat and crowded around her, holding her until she could calm down.
Set told them how he wasn't responding to the medicine, but there was a new treatment that could work, but there was not a high probability of him surviving the treatment. The new medicine was a targeted cancer treatment; it would burn the cancer cells, destroy all traces of them, and hopefully send him into permanent remission. It had been heralded as a miracle drug. After a bit, they were allowed to return to see her father in groups of two.
Izuku waited and walked in with Set, "Hi, Daddy." Set whispered.
"Hello, my dino princess," he said with a smile. "Why are you so sad?"
"You know why, Dad?" Set said, taking a seat on the bed and holding his hand.
"Are you married?" he said. Set shook her head, "Then you know I am not going anywhere."
Set just pulled his hand to her cheek and held it there. Izuku's heart was breaking for his friend; he excused himself, allowing her sister to return to the room. He saw his mom standing with Set's mother, Ichika, as the doctor was telling them how the procedure would work and the risks that it posed; it seemed like they were going to attempt the procedure anyhow, as his options were to die at home.
A Hero Always Tries
"The drug works by creating access and pulling the blood out into the machine where the targeted cells are destroyed, the blood is cleansed, then recirculated to the patient. We repeat the process once we run the blood through the machine one more time to ensure we haven't missed anything, then we return it to the patient," the doctor said.
"The risks are?" Inko asked.
"With his weakened state, we don't know if he can survive the process of the extraction and cleansing," the doctor replied.
Ichika fought back tears, "But if he did survive it?"
"We believe with this treatment that we can fully eradicate all the cancerous cells,' the doctor replied. "The process, though, takes 20 hours, Mrs. Tokage. We can attempt the treatment, but there is a strong chance that he will not survive the procedure."
"And if we don't try?" Ichika said.
"He will have maybe two months at most," the doctor said solemnly.
Ichika looked at Inko. Inko wasn't a doctor but had more medical knowledge than Ichika did. "He is a fighter; I am sure he wants the chance to fight," Inko said, taking Ichika's hand. "But that is something you two need to discuss, and let Set and Hana know as well."
"What if the procedure only took a few hours instead," Izuku said, entering the room. "Sorry for eavesdropping." Ichika's eyes lingered on him for a moment before he could see hope dance across her face.
"What do you mean?" the doctor said, "The time is the time."
"I can stop time and accelerate it via my quirk," the doctor's eyes widened. "I can stop time for Mr. Tokage and myself, accelerate time on the machine to speed up the process; the machine will run for 20 hours but in super fast forward."
"Izuku, can you…" Ichika's voice broke.
"Izuku," her mother said softly. "Can you hold something like that for that long?"
"I have to," Izuku said. "It would give him a chance, right?" he said, looking at the doctor.
"Can you include me as well," the doctor said, "Someone has to monitor the machine." Izuku nodded. "You can stop and accelerate time?"
"I stop time for myself; I can pull other people and objects into the effect. It is very taxing, and I have never done something like this for this long before, but I can do this," he said more to his mother and Ms. Tokage than the doctor. "Let me help," he said. "Setsuna and your family have been so wonderful to me and everyone; I don't want Set to be sad."
It took a moment, but Ichika agreed; she and the doctor went to talk to her husband and daughters.
"Izuku, how bad is this going to drain you? You know that this power reserve takes a long time to rebuild; the number has not risen; in fact, it reads 104 now," Inko said.
"Does it matter, Mom?" he said. "I have the power to give him a chance; it doesn't matter if it doesn't rebuild quickly, but I can manage it. Mr. Richaado's test shows it rebuilds very slowly. He says they are close to creating the artificial tachyons, which may help replenish it faster." He took his mother's hands. "I can't just give up on them."
Inko knew what he meant, and even with the therapy, she understood that this was the basic principle of how he would live in the future; he was 13 going on 20 in her mind. He was growing so fast; her husband had been working out with him, helping him be as ready as possible for a career in heroics. She pulled his head down to hers. "When did you get so big?" she whispered.
"When you weren't watching, of course," he replied.
He returned to the waiting room; Shoto and Momo looked at him and sighed. "You are going to do something stupid, aren't you?" Momo said, rubbing her nose.
"Stupid and probably very brave," Shoto added. They stood in the corner while Izuku explained his plan to them.
"Izuku, not only can that severely drain you but are you sure you can even hold it for that long with so many people?" Momo asked.
"I don't know," Izuku said; they could hear the fear in his voice.
"But a hero has to try," Shoto said, touching his friend's shoulder. "You can do this, Izuku."
They hugged him, and a nurse called his name. Then, he was led back to the room. When he entered, Set and Hana just looked at him with tears in their eyes as the doctors were bringing in the machine. Mrs. Tokage stood beside her husband's bedside; Haruki Tokage smiled at him. "Thank you for giving me a chance, Izuku," he said.
"I know that if Set could do something to save my mom or dad, she would do it," Izuku replied. "She is my best friend, and I don't want her to be sad." Setsuna came over and hugged him.
"You be careful," Setsuna said. "I know you, but thank you so much, Izuku. Thank you." She hugged him tight before stepping back so the doctors could set everything up.
Hana leaned down and whispered, "How long will this take?" she asked her sister.
"For us," Set replied, "A blink of an eye."
Mirai Zaidan
Mr. Richaado smiled as he told the hospital director to approve the procedure. "Are the cameras set up?" he said over his shoulder to Aisuru Arashi.
"Yes, the doctor's camera functions perfectly," Aisuru responded. "We have the sensors on the machine ready to gather all the data possible.
"Excellent," Mr. Richaado said. "I believe Mr. Midoriya will do very well in our little experiment. With the slight tweak to Mr. Tokage's drugs, we were able to get to this point."
"If he dies?" Aisuru said.
"Then we will be able to push Mr. Midoriya harder to improve his quirk," Mr. Richaado said. "If he succeeds, it will show that he has greater ability than he believed and cause him to keep pushing. The result will be the same."
A Blink of an Eye
Before they began, they got everything they would need in case Izuku froze over and set up in a room across the hall. "Explain what you are going to do," the doctor said.
"I am going to stop time around the three of us and this machine," Izuku said. "Once you begin the process, I will allow Mr. Tokage's body to slow down in time but leave the extraction and return point running at the accelerated rate along with the machine to allow the process to move as quickly as possible."
Set whispered to her sister that what Izuku described would be extremely difficult for him to do and maintain.
They gave Izuku a chair to sit in; he smiled at Set. "It will be okay," he said. Set nodded and blinked.
When her eyes opened, Izuku's entire body was covered in frost. He smiled, and his head fell forward as he passed out. Another doctor grabbed him, rushed him to the waiting room, and began to warm him up. "Did it work?" Ichika said, looking at the doctor.
"Yes," the doctor said, he was shivering himself. "We completed the process; we need to take a sample to make sure, but…"
She looked to her husband, who smiled, "That was such a strange sensation," he said. "I am sore, but I feel better."
Thirty minutes later, Haruki Tokage's cancer was in complete remission. The entire family cried tears of joy; Set slipped away to the other room where Izuku lay unconscious. She sat on the opposite side of Inko; she took Izuku's hand and just held it as she stared at his sleeping face.
Over the last year or so, she had become more conscious of him, his presence, his face, what he said, and whether he was looking at her. She had a crush on him; that was her conclusion; he was her best friend. He got her jokes and played along with her antics in a way that Shoto didn't do. Shoto was also her best friend, but Izuku was special to her. Today, she knew he had used his precious energy to return her father; they wouldn't know how much until he awoke. Calling it a crush didn't seem right anymore; Setsuna was falling for her best friend.
It took him a few days to finally wake up; his mother was there along with Ichika, "Did it work?" he said.
Ichika smiled and shed some happy tears as she hugged him tight. "Yes, Izuku, you sweet, wonderful boy, he is in complete remission, feeling better than he has in years. They will be sending him home soon," Ichika said.
"Good," Izuku replied.
"I will leave you two alone," she said, leaving the room. "I will let Set know you're awake."
Inko helped him sit up as the doctors came in to check on him; once they left, "100."
His friend came to visit him after school, and he would be released the next day; he noticed Set was acting a little weird around him, but he chalked it up to be a long week. Momo was happy to bring him all his missing assignments and inform him they had plans to ensure he was caught up by the weekend. He groaned, looking to Shoto for sympathy. "Sorry, my friend, I agree with Momo; your actions are heroic, but even heroes must complete the paperwork."
"Set?" he said pleadingly.
"I know better than to get in Momo's way when she is like this," Set smiled. "Izuku…you are on your own."
Izuku pouted; Set thought I looked adorable; Momo noticed how Set was looking at Izuku, and strange thoughts danced in her head; Shoto didn't notice. "Next weekend, though, we are all going to Hero World," Setsuna said, smiling. "I am paying for your ticket, food, and everything; my parents are, but you get the drift."
"Set," he began to protest.
"Izuku, you gave us our father back," Set took his hand, "This doesn't even begin to show how grateful we are. Let me do this."
"Okay, Set," Izuku said. Her hand felt so warm that he didn't notice the faint blush on her cheeks, but Momo did. "How is he?"
"Wonderful," Set beamed. "He feels better than ever; all the tests look good, and he should be home soon."
They stood and visited for a while before they left; Momo's driver was waiting for them downstairs; they dropped Shoto off first, and that was when Momo pounced. "Do you have a crush on Izuku?" Momo said once they were alone.
"What, no," Set said quickly. "Maybe a little one," she said as Momo stared at her.
"Before or after?" Momo said.
"It was a crush before," Set said, fidgeting in the seat. "But after, I think it is more. I mean, he…"
"Saved your father's life," Momo said, completing the sentence.
Set just nodded, "Silly, right?"
"I don't think so, Set," Momo put her arm around her friend. "You already had a crush on him, and he did something brave and heroic. We understand the cost it takes for him, and he went above his previous limits to do what he did."
"What do I do?" Set replied.
"See if he has feelings for you?" Momo shrugged. "I don't have any experience; maybe we need to talk to Fuyumi."
"I think you're right," Set said, feeling slightly better after telling Momo she had feelings for Izuku. She smiled to herself, I have feelings for Izuku, she thought.
A Hero's World
Everything was going right until it wasn't. They arrived at the park early and were ready to celebrate the day. Hero World was a hero-themed amusement park, with the rides all themed after famous heroes; there were some shows and attractions, along with looks and likes for photos. They descended into the park, laughing and having a grand time.
"How are things with your Endeavor?" Izuku said as they passed a look-alike posing for pictures.
"Okay," Shoto said. "We all get together for lunch or dinner occasionally; he doesn't push. Touya and Fuyumi seem closer to him than Natsuo or me." Shoto sighed. "I don't know if I can ever truly forgive him. I see he is trying, but…"
"it is understandable," Momo said sympathetically, "He caused you and your family a great deal of pain."
"Fuyumi wants to see the good," Set added. "That is just how she is, Touya, but I don't know."
"Touya says he wants to see if he is changing," Shoto said. "Does that make me a bad son?"
"No," Izuku said quickly. "I wouldn't care if my birth father came crawling back over broken glass. I have a new father, and I didn't have to suffer anywhere what you or your family did."
"You don't owe him anything," Set said. "You are a good person despite everything. You can forgive him if you choose to, but that is no one else's decision but yours."
"Thank you," was all Shoto said. It took a bit before the festive mood returned; it was aided when they saw Ms. Joke look alike, and Izuku told them how Emi would come over to their house often and had even stayed the night a few times.
The day was full of laughs and fun. As they relaxed and had fun, Momo ensured that Set got to go on the Ferris Wheel with just Izuku while she rode with Shoto. They were on their way home when everything turned into chaos. It started with an unexpected traffic jam before a thunderous explosion rocked the car; they looked around as people began to flee in the opposite direction, their screams filling the vehicle. They managed to exit with Momo's driver, helping a woman who had fallen and twisted her ankle. Not far from them, they saw a car flung wildly to the side and All-Might leaping up to catch it.
They saw a towering man over 7 feet tall with a muscular build to rival All-Might. Dressed in an exquisite black with a silver pinstripe suit, his white hair fluttered in the wind as his red eyes drifted over the chaos below. He sneered as the cuts and bruises on his body healed and his suit mended itself.
They saw All-Might; his suit was torn, blood ran down his face, and his trademark smile faltered as he told the family in the vehicle to run for cover. In a blur, he raced at his enemy; they saw his fist collide with the villain. The impact shattered windows, but the villain didn't move. They saw the two begin to trade blows; their fists were a blur, and it was hopeless even to try and track them; then they saw both go flying apart. All-Might crashed into the pavement, leaving a deep gouge as he plowed through empty vehicles.
The kids did what they could to get people to flee the area; Shoto created ice shields to protect people from flying debris. Momo and Set were scrambling to get people to their feet when they fell and moved toward safety, but they were forced to dive for cover as All-Might crashed through the limo.
The villain rose, "How pathetic, All-Might," a vile, evil voice rang out. "For all your words, you will die like the rest, a broken failure."
All-Might got to his feet and spit a goblet of blood to the side. "Taunt me all you want, but your reign of villainy ends here," he took his fighting stance. "Come at me, you pathetic excuse for a life form."
"Pathetic, am I?" the villain sneered. "I will show you just how unprepared you truly are All-Might. I am the greatest of all time, the master of evil, the terror from the shadows; I AM THE DEMON KING!"
"Is this guy for real?" Set whispered as she and Izuku had dived to All-Might's left, moving to the back of a car for cover. They could see that Shoto and Momo had done the same, and both groups were waiting for a chance to break for cover.
"Refraction, Amplification, Piercing, Pinpoint, Cascade, Red Cell, Lift, Laser Shot," the villain called out. "Goodbye All-Might, say hello to Nana for me!" The villain shot down to his sides, fingers spread, the tips of his fingers glowed, and mirrors from all the broken cars floated into the air, all around All-Might. They saw the hero tense; ten laser shots erupted from the villain's fingertips.
All-Might knew this was his opening; he had to strike now before All for One shifted his quirks back to defense. These blasts would hurt, maybe even kill him, but he regretted the thought that One for All may end with him this day. But if that meant All for One did so as well, it would give him some peace.
Suddenly, everything stopped moving, "Get him All-Might; I can't hold this forever," he heard a voice to his left. He looked, and a boy with green hair and eyes was staring at him. All-Might would have to question this later; the world was standing still. It was like time had stopped.
All-Might went to the side, slipped past the lasers coming for him, leaped into the air, and reared his fist back. All his emotions over the loss of his mentor, what All for One represented, the evil and terror that this creature had reigned over Japan for so long. This was his one shot and opportunity to end the nightmare once and for all. To put right what had been wrong. "UNITED STATES OF SMASH!" he roared.
All For One laughter was slipping from his throat as he let loose his perfect attack to end the blond-haired idiot; he would take back what was rightfully his, what his brother had given away. He would have his brother back. He couldn't even register the massive fist millimeters from his face; his body couldn't even process the pain. His head exploded off his shoulders, and he had never even known it had happened.
All-Might kept waiting for him to move, for somehow All For One to evade; as he connected with his punch, the world suddenly went back into motion. All-Might punched through the target's head with such force that it misted out behind him. All-Might landed whirled, expecting the fight to continue; instead, the headless body of All For One fell to the ground, his blood spurting from the neck.
There was a brilliant flash and explosion when the lasers connected, at the point All-Might would have been. The children! He thought, leaping over to where they were. He looked around and saw them a reasonable distance away. The boy who had somehow stopped time was covered in ice; he recognized Endeavor's son, who held the boy as heat radiated off him. A girl with spikey black hair created a thick thermal blanket to help warm the boy up. The final girl with long green hair seemed looking for other incoming attacks.
"Are you children unharmed?" he said.
The green-haired girl, "Yes, Izuku will be alright; he just over-exerted himself some," she said. "Did you get him?"
"I did," All-Might said, looking at all four. "Stay here till emergency services arrive. More heroes will be here soon."
He saw the black-haired girl quickly make some bandages, "Your arm?" she said, stepping forward.
"Thank you," All-Might said, accepting the bandages, "I will check on you later. Call your families. I am sure that they will be worried."
He turned, walking back towards the body, as he bandaged his arm. Torino looked at the corpse and All-Might; he saw tears forming in the old pro's eyes. "WE GOT HIM, WE FUCKING GOT HIM, NANA!" Torino yelled. Torino turned and spit on the body. "IT IS OVER YOU DAMN BASTARD, WE FINALLY GOT YOU! NANA'S BOY GOT YOU!"
"Where is Sir?" All-Might said; he couldn't hide his smile as the sense of relief came washing over him.
"Busted leg," Torino said as he fell back on his butt, head tilted to the sky as the tears of joy kept falling. "He'll live. Emergency Services were nearly there." Torino turned to All-Might. "I am proud of you today. She is proud of you."
"Thank you," All-Might said as more heroes started to arrive. All-Might quickly gave orders as they spread out to look for the injured; when Emergency Sevices arrived, he ensured the body was covered. The fight was over, but now it was time for the cleanup.
The calls to the parents made them panic, but the kids quickly wage their fears when they told them they were uninjured—but needed transportation. The mothers rapidly determined that it would be the easiest for Rei to get to the children and get them home.
The kids sat and waited like they were told to till emergency services had a chance to check them out. Once they were medically cleared, they all stated what they saw and what had happened. A local Hero Quick Step was questioning them when All-Might came over, "I will take it from here."
"Yes sir," Quick Step responded before he left.
"Are your parents coming to get you?" All-Might asked.
"Yes, my mother is," Shoto responded. "Where should we tell her to meet us, as this area…" All-Might looked around at the destruction that was still being cleaned.
"Have her meet you at 134th and 9th," All-Might said. "Go to the corner and turn right two blocks."
"Are we free to go?" Set asked.
"Yes, but may I have your names," he smiled as they all introduced themselves and bowed. All-Might stepped forward and extended his hand to Izuku. "I am not sure what your quirk did, young Midoriya, but I would like to thank you for your aid."
"Sorry for using my quirk without permission," Izuku said. "It looked like you were in danger; my quirk just activated before I thought about it."
"What is your quirk?" All-Might said as they shook hands.
"I can stop time," Izuku whispered. All-Might, being a seasoned pro, did not visibly react. "Good heroes react before they know it. Are all of you looking to be heroes in the future?" He smiled as they all said yes. "Good, I think all of you have a good chance of making it; you all remained calm under pressure and saw to others before yourselves. I am sure your families are worried about you. Go to them and be safe."
He got a good laugh before they left when Momo created a notebook and asked if he would sign autographs for them, which he did happily. He was surprised that even Shoto wanted one, and the boy seemed genuinely pleased. He watched them leave before he was called back to work as the coroner had come to collect the body. All-Might returned to work; there were many things on his mind. Yes, today had been a great victory, but if it hadn't been for the luck of Young Midoriya being there, would he have emerged alive or in as good of a shape as he was? Now that All for One was dead, a weight had been lifted from his shoulders, and maybe it was time to find a successor and pass the torch so they could lead a peaceful life with All for One gone.
Possibly someone with such an amazing quirk that there would be no limit on the good they could do. He needed to learn more about Izuku Midoriya; his friends seemed to have potential. Once the situation was under control, he and Torino left to receive medical treatment with Recovery Girl. They walked into the room; Sir Nighteye's face was shocked seeing All-Might walk in, aside from cuts and bruises, a bandage around his head and arm. It was nothing like what his vision had shown him. The future had been changed.
"You see, the future is not set in stone," All-Might said. "Though I believe you are right, the time has come to find a successor. Now that All For One is dead, my successor will not have to carry that burden or look over their shoulder."
"I have never been happier to be proved wrong," Sir Nighteye said. "I am sorry that our words were words of anger."
"I apologize as well," All-Might said, sitting on the opposite bed. "Let us not dwell on that. Let us enjoy the moment, my friend."
"Indeed," Sir replied. "How were you able to emerge with such minimal damage?"
"I wouldn't say minimal," All-Might chuckled. "But you are right. It could have been much worse without a young man who could stop time."