Greetings! I am back after...oh, wow, six months. That's a long time to be away. Well, let's just say that personal issues, a bit of grieving, along with a job search has kept me pretty busy the entire time. However, now that I am back, I have a new chapter for you! This one is gonna be more of a set-up and continuation of last chapter. It's slow, I know, but better slow than nothing else.

Either way, I hope you all enjoy the chapter!


Somewhere out in the open city of Musutafu, away from the school but potentially close by, was a rampaging villain. Specifically, the kind of villain that stole whatever it could as it ran and pushed people on the sidewalk. It wasn't as if the villain had a name, or even cared to give one. Not that it mattered in this case.

"Thief!" A stand-by employee cursed out, as the villain ran with its bottom legs, wearing jeans, but its upper body was composed almost entirely of slime, with a vague mouth-like opening for teeth and two red eyes disproportionate to the slime body.

"Hah! Catch me if you can, you damn suckers!" The slime villain's garbled voice came out almost taunting, as he kept running and running with no issue. His slime seemed to stick onto any bit of cash that it could find, but it had no hostages to take. After all, it was in a rush to get away from anybody. Luckily, there were no heroes in sight...so he could just keep on running the entire time.

And yet, there was always a sense of lingering omen. After all, the slime villain heard and felt the presence of an overwhelming beacon. One that he could see as he turned around to see.

No...seriously? HIM?! Of all places it had to be here, and with HIM!?

The slime villain had to get out and fast, and he was in such a rush that he couldn't help but feel panicked. Even more panicky than being caught by some police.

Because he had arrived.

Because He was here.


Back in Altera Junior High, the school day had just ended with the sun still up high, so there was a good chunk of day left. The students had gotten up from their desks, and most of them were already making plans to go hang out together. Some to the arcade, most of them to the karaoke, and some just bumming it in their house.

However, none of them even bothered to invite Izuku to their hangouts. Not that Izuku minded or even cared, even if the reason why they didn't was a constant reminder.

Izuku needed to study the red book that Zatch had given him, and especially to write more notes in his hero journal about Zatch's Quirk. After all, for all intents and purposes, Izuku is pretty excited and eager to learn more about Zatch's Quirk.

Shooting elements out of parts of the body isn't entirely new, or even something uncommon in the world of Quirks. If the first Quirk user had golden light emanating from them, and the world became a living comic book, then fire, ice, and especially lightning were all fair game.

However, each Quirk had its own technicalities. Mutation, Emitter, and Transformation Quirks all had their own rules, although even two emitter-type Quirks had different applications.

Even so, why did Zatch not know anything about his own Quirk before meeting him and his mom?

Why didn't Izuku's dad tell Zatch the basics about it? It almost felt confusing and not coincidental that Zatch doesn't know anything. However, Izuku didn't think that Zatch was a liar at all. He truly believed Zatch to be genuine.

That said, Izuku brought out from his book bag both the Red Book, and his Hero Journal.

However, as soon as he brought out his red book—

"Ah, you brought it with you, Izuku!" Izuku almost yelped out at that, turning to see Zatch brightly smiling and looking up at him.

The Quirkless young man almost sighed in relief, unsure what he expected but glad it was just Zatch. Izumo must have kept him happy, considering Zatch isn't even crying or pouty at the moment. All the better though, considering Izuku did trust Izumo with taking care of his...brother.

Still don't know how to feel about that... He had an internal chuckle, but he didn't hate the idea.

"Y-Yeah, Zatch. I still need to study this book after all." Izuku gave off a shaky smile, but it slowly relaxed. "Are you sure you don't know anything about this book yourself?"

"Other than I had it with me when you're dad found me? Nope, not a single thing." Zatch hopped onto the desk next to Izuku's, standing on it as he looked down at the red book, and then the blue book that had the words Hero Journal. Immediately, Zatch's attention was grabbed by that book as he pointed at it. "Izuku? What's that book?"

"H-Huh? This?" Izuku blinked as he noticed what Zatch was pointing at. However, he smiled a bit in eagerness at how Zatch was curious. It's not often somebody wants to talk to him about this. He picked it up with one hand and held it up to show Zatch. "Well, this is my Hero Analysis For The Future, 13th Edition! B-But I just call it my Hero Journal."

"Ooooh!" Zatch was awed at the journal, stars in his eyes as he seemed way too eager about the fact that Izuku had a book for Hero's. "What does it have? What do you write there?"

"Oh, well, all kinds of things. Specifically about Hero's, their suits, their Quirks—"

"Oi!" Suddenly, the journal was snatched out of Izuku's hand, causing the verdant-haired young man to yelp. He turned to see Kaachan, having an annoyed, but also rather superior expression on his face. "We're not done here, Deku. Especially, you."

"Eh!?" Izuku and Zatch both responded, although Izuku he was a nervous wreck already, while Zatch looked at Bakugou with a confused but also childish glare.

"Hey, Katsuki...what exactly is that?" Two students, presumably acquaintances of Bakugou, walked up behind him with a few taunting smirks on their faces...although they seemed to be picking up on the fact. One of them spoke, although he had a toothy grin. "Whoa, so that's Midoriya's little brother? Since when?"

"Man, are you sure you can even call them that? They don't look anything alike!" The other one had a squinty-eyed gaze, but he did have that same taunting expression.

"Hey, I'll have you know that my dad adopted me into the Midoriya family a few days ago, you big jerks!" Zatch grumbled out with a sharp tooth, as he defended his older brother. He then turned to Bakugou, with a childish glare. "And you, Baka-gou! You better let go of Izuku's Hero Journal! He worked hard on that!"

"Hero Journal, huh?" Bakugo had that disinterested, albeit very angered expression all the same. He grits his teeth, glaring back at Zatch before clicking his teeth. Before Izuku could even say anything, Bakugou slammed both palms of his hand on the journal and let out a small explosion that tore up the edges of the journal.

Izuku let out an exclamation of shock and horror, while Zatch gasped in surprise and yet indignant anger.

"T-That's just mean..." Izuku stammered out in a low voice.

"What the heck was that for!?" Zatch shouted out again, although he was itching to do something against Bakugou. But Izuku almost seemed to be very...very mortified.

He just did that like it was nothing... Izuku's thoughts turned a bit negative, but then he shouted out again as Bakugou just chucked the journal out of the open window behind him! "WHAT!?"

"AAH!" Zatch shouted along with Izuku, although he was itching and shaking as he kept glaring at Bakugou.

"Most top-rate heroes have stories told about their early school days. Let's just say that I want to get the glory that comes with being a number 1 hero from U.A. having graduated from this mediocre junior high school!" Bakugou spoke lowly, although Izuku kept shaking and staring at Bakugou with disbelief. "You know better than anyone I am a perfectionist after all."

Izuku shook, knowing that better than anyone as Kaachan said. They were close friends back then, and yet that all turned into a one-sided beatdown every time. However, what hurts? Even now, Izuku still feels some admiration for Bakugou Katsuki. Towards Kaachan. A brilliant genius who he could never beat now.

Not without a Quirk.

"Which is to say," Bakugou laid a hand on Izuku's shoulder, letting out a small hiss of heat onto the young man's shoulder. His grin spoke one clear sentence. "Don't you dare apply to U.A. and try to be a Hero, alright? You damn, Nerd?"

"And why shouldn't he!?" Izuku snapped out of his stare down with Bakugou, turning to Zatch; Bakugou furrowed his brow as well as he turned to Zatch with a confused look of annoyance. "Why should he give up the plan, just because an idiot like you says that he should, Baka-gou!"

"Tch! What'd you say, Puppet?!" Bakugou let go of Izuku, shoving him back and turning fully to Zatch. "Why shouldn't he give up? Nobody here can compete with me, and you think that someone like Deku can even compete with me on the same level?"

"Yeah, kid. Do you even know what you're big brother is? Or is he trying to deny reality even with his 'little brother'?" One of the acquaintances spoke with a taunting voice, making Izuku feel small...and mortified about what comes next.

After all, Zatch doesn't even know anything about him being Quirkless. And he's only 6 years old too! He didn't want to doubt anything about Zatch...but he had no idea what Zatch would say at all.

Sorry kid, but you should just give up your dream.

I-I'm sorry, Izuku...I-I'm so sorry!

Briefly, flashes of those monumentally crushing moments of his life cut to the forefront of his mind...and Izuku looked down at the ground—

"Yeah, and so what!?"

Izuku blinked, but he did seem in shock at the moment. He turned up to see Bakugou have a look of outright bafflement, anger, and confusion.

He then turned to see Zatch's glare towards, Bakugou...but there was no hesitation. No lying in his eyes...and for some reason, that was unreal even to Izuku.

"So what if he doesn't have a Quirk?! So what if he can't make things explode, like you?" Zatch kept barking out with balled-up fists and a glare towards Bakugou. "He and I are going to execute the Ally of Justice plan, become the number 1 and number 2 heroes, and save a lot of people in the process! We'll certainly do much better than a bully like you—!"

Suddenly, Zatch got caught by the collar of his puppet-like shirt, being lifted by Bakugou's roughly hissing hands. Izuku widened his eyes, almost in horror as Bakugou stared at Zatch's defiant golden eyes, with blind rage in his own red-dotted eyes.

"The fuck did you just say, you brat!?" Bakugou barked out loud without any concern for his voice.

"Hey, Katsuki!" Even the two acquaintances behind Bakugou looked at him with a nervous smile on their faces. It was one thing to pick on someone in their class, especially Deku, but Bakugou isn't seriously going to hurt some 6-year-old, right?

"Shut up, you extras! This kid thinks he can just say all that shit, and get away with it! Telling me, that some Quirkless wanna-be hero like Deku is going to be number 1? Like hell, he can!" Bakugou's other hand crackled with explosions, as he didn't even have a grin on his expression. It was just pure unadulterated rage. "If Deku doesn't have the guts to say that to me, then what makes this kid think he can?!"

"Because at the very least, I'm not some bully...! I'm not some delinquent who calls people extras like they don't matter!" Zatch grits his teeth, a frown and serious expression on his face as he keeps running his mouth. "At least Izuku doesn't belittle someone else even when you belittle him!"

"And what makes you think that you know him better than I do!?" Bakugou raised his spare hand, almost about to launch it down.

"K-Kacchan—" Izuku almost shouted out in horror at what Bakugou was going to do, but his body just simply moved. It moved faster than his words came out that he was about to charge straight at Bakugou with a frightened, but determined expression—

Before Zatch Bell reared his head back and landed a straight-up head-butt right on Bakugou's forehead. The sound itself sounded so visceral that Bakugou let out a choked gasp as he was surprised by the strength behind that headbutt. He let go of the collar on Zatch, and Izuku pivoted to catch Zatch in his arms.

Right in mid-air too, although Izuku watched as Bakugou stumbled backward right into one of the desks, falling on top of it while the other two students watched.

"...oh...my god..." Izuku had eyes wide as dinner plates, as he inches and grabs a growling, flailing feral Zatch with one hand and packs the red book into his bag. And from there, he manages to sling it over one shoulder...and dashing out of there immediately. "I-I'm so sorry!"

"Wha—" The two acquaintances had looks of disbelief, after all, they had just seen Bakugou get headbutted by this kid in the forehead. They thought it made it the second time that happened today...and that wasn't entirely...well, that wasn't a good thing for sure.


"Hey, Izuku where are we going now? Let me go so I can show that Baka-gou a piece of my mind!"

"Z-Zatch! We don't just headbutt people we don't like, okay? You don't have to be doing that to everybody you don't like!"

Izuku certainly was just beyond mortified, but also trying his best to chide Zatch about what had just happened. And thankfully, Bakugou had been disoriented enough that Izuku was probably outside of earshot to hear Bakugou's threats or anything at all. Of course, all that meant was that Izuku had to take Zatch along with him to behind the school building to pick up his Hero Journal...

The one that Kacchan just blew up and threw out with no care.

"I...still can't believe you did that to Kacchan. I'm beyond mortified..." Izuku sighed almost nervous, but he walked with a pensive expression of frustration, and yet bubbling sadness.

"But Izuku! That Baka-gou insulted your dream and said you couldn't be a hero! Aren't you going to fight for that?" Zatch stared at Izuku with a frown but seemed equal parts concerned and confused as to why Izuku didn't fight against that. "Didn't we agree to execute the Ally of Justice plan together?"

"Zatch...you're still on that?" Izuku blinked but didn't seem to discourage him. Or rather, he was afraid of discouraging Zatch's plan in general. "I-I mean...I dunno how, but you know I am Quirkless now..."

"Yeah, but that doesn't mean anything, does it?" Zatch pouted, with a seemingly cross expression. "You want to be a hero, and I want to be a hero! That works!"

"It...I wish it worked like that so simply, Zatch. I wish it did..." Izuku's pensive expression turned downward, almost sad as the golden-haired boy would notice. Eventually, the two of them stopped by a koi pond, where the fish were trying to eat the edges of the Hero Journal that was soaked. "...you can't eat that..."

Idiot...stupid, idiot... Izuku repeated in his head, although he picked up the Hero Journal from the pond and just got silent.

"Hmmm...these are fish too? They're not Yellowfin though..." Zatch leaned on the edge of the koi pond, but with his height, he had to brace his arms on the edge. However, he didn't get a response from Izuku at all.

After all, the verdant-haired young man remained deep in thought as he left the school grounds with Zatch in tow. Zatch did notice his older brother's silence, and Izuku didn't pay any mind to Zatch's expression.

However, the Quirkless young man tried his best to shake off the negative thoughts away. Especially as they were about to go into a tunnel that would help lead them back home. Or at least, to where the next train was.

"Unu...Izuku?" Izuku snapped out of his thoughts, turning to Zatch who had a small smile. "I know it's a bit bad to ask but...you promised we'd get Yellowtail."

...

Yeah...that's right. We did. Izuku blinked at Zatch, although he did try to remain positive as he took a deep breath. He pumped a fist upwards and simply tried to remain positive. "Yeah, I think if we get to the fish market right now, we can get one Yellowtail for you!"

"Yay~! Yellow-Tail! Yellow-Yail! Yellow-Tail!" Zatch beamed with excitement, and Izuku immediately was glad that the young child was easy to distract.

"Y-Yeah! Y-Yellow-tail, Yellow-Tail, Yellow-Tail!" Izuku repeated the chant along with Zatch, and they both continued to chant together.

Izuku kept chanting, and chanting.

That is until the two brothers stopped. There seemed to be a wriggling, squishy sound right behind them but before they could get out of the tunnel on the other side. Needless to say, Izuku did turn...and his eyes slowly widened as he noticed a murky, brownish-green slime forming right in front of his eyes. The young Zatch noticed as well, but he had a different reaction.

"W-Whoa...hey, Izuku, look! It's a gross mud monster!" Zatch pointed at the thing with seemingly no issue or concern.

"N-No, Zatch...that's...a Villain!" Izuku's stammering voice also was dripping with fear. Something which Zatch managed to pick up on almost immediately. The young Zatch turned to the slime 'monster' and even he felt a rather tense atmosphere and a slow gasp.

The muddish slime popped out two eyes, reddish and dirty. However, they curled up almost in a toothy grin. "Ah...a medium-sized flesh cloak, and a hostage? Today's just my day!"

"—!" Izuku widened his eyes, although he noticed how the slime man was charging directly at him and Zatch. But, what was it going to do to him!? To Zatch?

ZATCH!

The young Quirkless boy grabbed and pushed Zatch out of the way, managing to save the golden boy from being caught in the Slime-Villain's charge.

That left Izuku, however, caught in the wet slimy grasp of the slime-villain as he felt a good amount of chunky slime choking him out and trying to force itself down his nose and throat. He gagged, and the foul smell already made Izuku lose a lot of his appetite.

But appetite was the last thing on Izuku's mind.

"Shhh, Shhhh, you don't gotta keep struggling! I'm just taking over your body. Be sure to calm down, it'll only hurt for 45 seconds...and then you'll feel a lot better after!" The Slime's voice was corrupted, although it also sounded very desperate...almost as if it were trying to take over Izuku's body for whatever reason.

But Izuku needed to get out of here! He needed to do anything, and he clawed and grabbed at the slime around his body. The fingers sank in like it was jello, unable to find any good grip.

I-I can't even grab it! Izuku's eyes were shot wide, especially since he noticed Zatch staring at him back...glaring at presumably the slime monster.

"Heh! You can't grab me, I'm fluid!" The Slime-Villain chuckled, before speaking plainly. "Thanks for this kid, you're my hero. I honestly didn't think he'd arrive in this city..."

"HEY! You!" Izuku widened his eyes as Zatch shouted with a serious expression. "What are you doing to my brother? Let him go!"

Wait, no, Zatch! What are you doing!? Izuku tried to let out a muffled shout, but he was only losing more air as the time passed on. If anything, he felt immensely fearful for Zatch now. The young golden boy shook in place, but Izuku wasn't sure if it was out of fear or just sheer anger.

"Hm?" The Slime villain's eyes stared at the kid. "Sorry, kid, but you're brother here is going to be my ticket home. Unless you want to be a hostage in this, go ahead and scram."

"Like heck I am!" Zatch charged with a rather determined expression, jumping up and grabbing Izuku's flailing legs. "I'm getting you out of there Izuku!"

"Huh? You think I'm just gonna let you do that?" The Slime smugly narrowed its eyes, but felt Izuku's body being pulled slowly...but faster than expected out of the slime body. "W-What!?"

Izuku widened his eyes, as Zatch seemed to be managing to pull him out with more force than he probably expected. In fact, the pull that Zatch seemed to be making with his grasp seemed to be almost as if superhuman. But...wasn't Zatch's Quirk just that he could shoot lightning!?

What the heck is going on— Izuku's thoughts got interrupted, as soon the pull was strong enough for the slime around Izuku's mouth and throat to be removed. Eventually, Zatch gave out a heaving yell before Izuku snapped out of the slime like it was gum, and they both tumbled to the back of the wall of the tunnel.

Needless to say, Izuku gasped and choked out whatever remaining slime was in his mouth, and turned to Zatch who rubbed his head in pain. "Ugh, that was gross to touch!"

"Z-Zatch...y-you..." Izuku widened his eyes, but he also didn't seem to be too calm right now, the fear of the situation was still jolting his nerves to be so shot. He was lucky he still had the backpack on him. Because there was a reddish glow coming from the backpack...and Izuku had barely noticed it. "W-What...w-what is that—"

"Dammit..." The Slime-Villain cursed out, his eyes narrowed and red with anger, as it formed back into an angry maw. "I found a good host and this kid manages to pull you out!? Of my grasp!? That is it,"

The Slime-Villained yelled out as it charged its slimy arms toward the two brothers. "You're both dead!"

Izuku let out a fearful scream, but moved first to curl up around Zatch—

Before a clanging sound resonated. The sound of a manhole cover being knocked up into the air. Almost at that very moment, a huge figure that reached almost to the ceiling spoke.

"Don't worry, you two." A booming voice resonated out into the tunnel, stopping the Slime Villain in his tracks. The booming voice sounded familiar to Izuku right then and there...who also remained in fearful shock that gave way to tentative hope.

There's no way he could be here, right? This is very convenient timing too! But then again, he's always saved people like this. He's always been there.

"I AM HERE!" The voice came from a bulky hero, with tanned skin and blond hair that was as golden as the sun, and the front bangs formed into a V shape that symbolized victory. They wore simple jeans and a tightfitting white shirt, but the hero had a grin plastered on their face.

And as soon as the manhole landed on the ground with a clang, the hero dashed forward while rearing up his right arm. The Slime Villain looked at the villain in fear, and Izuku and Zatch barely got a glimpse of who the hero was...before the hero launched his punch and a blast of pressurized wind scattered the Slime Villain, and Izuku and Zatch were rolling together on the ground. Needless to say, Izuku lost consciousness for a brief moment.


"Hey, Hey, He-!" Izuku could hear that familiar voice again as he groggily woke up from the bright light, which turned out to be the sun for him. It wasn't Zatch, although his brother did look upon him with concern, that gave way to a bright smile that Izuku barely managed to react to.

"Izuku! You okay?" Zatch did exclaim with a smile, but as Izuku woke up and directed his eyes to the hero who saved him...

"Well, that's just great!" The hero gave off that familiar shiny smile, and the haircut was a dead giveaway.

So much so that Izuku choked out a gasp of shock and outright admiration, before crawling backward and giving out a frantic yell.

"It's great that you two are okay!" The hero's smile was ultimately endearing, and he raised a hand to apologize with that same strong dependable voice. "Sorry 'bout getting you caught up in my villain fighting. I don't usually let mistakes like this happen, but I was in high spirits on my day off in a new place such as this!"

The hero gave off a hearty smile, one that even Izuku recognized deeply. He had seen that in every video, and his frantic almost nerve-wracked senses gave way to excitement and a fanboy's attitude.

"Izuku? Izuku? Isn't this that Mr. Shiny Teeth I saw in your posters?" Izuku heard Zatch speak out in confusion but also excitement and the green-haired youth didn't say anything other than remain star-struck. What else could he say!?

"Ah, so you recognize me? And two fans as well?" All Might once again turned to the two of them, but smiled approvingly in a way that only Izuku could really appreciate. "Well, consider yourselves a great help! Thanks to you two," All Might held a water bottle, holding the slime villain perfectly fit and contained within. "I captured him safely!"

"T-That's...the number 1 hero, All Might..." Izuku's stammering babbling was laced with admiration and an outright fanatic tone, but it wasn't like Zatch didn't have the same star-struck eyes. H-He's the real thing...! He looks completely different in person!

And to perfectly cap it off, his shiny smile glints in the sunlight, prompting Zatch to point at All Might with more smiles and bright star-like eyes. "He does have shiny teeth, Izuku! I told you I was right!"

"W-Wait!" Izuku snapped out of his stupor turned to Zatch, and instinctively tapped the back-back straps he had on his shoulders. He needed something right now, something of great importance. "An autograph! We need an autograph! Maybe from my...!"

Izuku noticed his hero journal laid down on the road with some damage, but as soon as he opened it and flipped the pages, he was excited to see that All Might had given his signature across two pages! "He already did!"

Izuku immediately got up from the ground and began frantically and repeatedly bowing his head toward All Might. He will never forget this day for as long as he lives. "T-Thank you so much! It'll be an heirloom! A family treasure!"

"Ha! Okay!" All Might gave a firm thumbs up, and the young Zatch couldn't help but give one back in return despite Izuku's frantic bowing. All Might patted the bottle with the slime villain in his pocket. He gives a minor salute with his hand. "Well, I need to take this guy to the police! I'll see you on the other side of the screen!"

"Eh? Already, but why can't you stay? Me and Izuku want to ask you some questions!" Zatch took the initiative of asking with a pout, but Izuku stammered over his own words.

"I appreciate your enthusiasm, young child! But Pros are constantly fighting enemies and time." All Might stretched his legs, and although Zatch had an adorably pouty face on him, Izuku had different thoughts and a different expression.

One of confusion...and pleading.

Wait...there are still things I want to ask... In a moment of surprise, and outright lunacy, Izuku took a few steps forward, and Zatch tilted his head while grabbing Izuku's leg with one hand.

"Well then," All Might crouched down for a moment, before leaping high up into the sky at a great speed. "I'm counting on your continued support!"

The wind blew some cherry blossoms out of their tree, and the Hero had his grand smile the entire time...before realizing the weight on him.

"Wait." All Might turned his head to see Izuku...holding onto his leg tightly for dear life, mouth, and cheeks flapping due to the wind, along with the young Zatch holding onto Izuku's leg with a look of utter shock, confusion while they both yelled for dear life. "Hey, Hey, Hey, Hey, Hey, Hey, Hey! Let go of me! Your fanaticism is too much!"

"If I...let go now...I'll...I'll die!" Izuku blubbered through the air, his words honest and yet terrified from the height they were at. And Zatch wasn't any better, shouting at the top of his lungs with that look of utter baffled and overwhelmed terror.

"Ah, that's true...!" All Might remarked with a realization.

"I-I have a...lot of things...Iwant to ask you directly!" Izuku barely managed to close his eyes and mouth, because at that point he was desperate to make sure his request was heard and able.

As for Zatch, the 6-year-old boy with yellow hair shouted out with the same flapping mouth and eyelids issue. "That's what I've been sayinnnnnnnnggggggg!"

"Okay, Okay, I get it so close your eyes and mouth, both of you!" All Might spoke with a firmness to it, so much so that both brothers closed their eyes and mouths.

Luckily enough, after some time, Izuku and Zatch felt it safe to let go of All Might's leg. They had landed on the rooftop of a building, although All Might didn't seem to be too mad at all. Thankfully too, because Izuku wouldn't be able to handle that too much! However, Izuku gasped for air as he put his hands on his knees with a ghastly look.

"Never...again...!" Zatch gasped out, his back on the floor and looking up at the sky with terrified eyes. However, that terror slowly disappeared as he stood up and dusted off his clothing. "W-Well, at least...we're gonna be able to ask Mr. Shiny Teeth-"

"Unfortunately, no." All Might's voice wasn't stern, but there seemed to be a sort of desperation and urgency to it. "If you two let the people in the building know, I'm sure they'll let you down. I am truly out of time, so I must go with haste."

Izuku heard that and turned to All Might with a pleading look, who had already turned his back. "W-Wait, but I...!"

"No! I will not wait!" All Might repeated, shutting down Izuku's words.

The words that Izuku has always wanted to ask, especially to his number 1 hero. The anxiety of it all was almost overshadowed by the fact that Izuku truly needed to hear those words. Especially from someone who he truly admired. Somebody who he had been always a fan of. Someone who had given hope to many people like him...

You should probably give it up.

I'm so sorry...Izuku...!

What the hell can you do, huh!? You're Quirkless!

...

I know that...it's true...I know it is. Izuku's inner thoughts clouded his bravery, almost leaving him silent, and clenching his hand as he looks down at the ground. His eyes became a bit misty, but he tried his best to muster up the courage. Even so...I need to ask...

"Even if I don't have a Quirk...can I become a hero?" Izuku exclaimed with a firmness that he didn't know he had, prompting All Might to stop in his tracks...and for Zatch to blink and turn to Izuku with an unreadable look.

"Unu...?" Zatch said under his breath.

"Can...even someone without a Quirk, be like you!?" Izuku shouted out that last statement, unsure of what All Might's response would be. The truth of the matter is he hoped with all his heart that All Might would agree.

But he just simply didn't know yet. So he had to remain there, with Zatch, and All Might...looking at him with unreadable expressions.

Because of that lingering question, this would have set off a chain reaction that Izuku had no idea at the time would happen. That miracle in it of itself would change Izuku's fate.


Back, and the chapter has ended the first episode officially. As for the first chapter of the manga? Well, we're halfway there. Im taking my time to get there, but eventually for sure you guys will see one major difference.

Overall, the story has Zatch and Izuku being much more involved with each other, and the next chapter might be a bit more focused on the Slime Villain incident, along with a foreshadowing of other stuff.

Overall, I hope you enjoy this little bit of story.

Feel free to favorite and follow, and leave a review.

This was the Maelstrom, and I'll see you on the horizon.