In a world of fantastical and strange, some people just draw the short end of the stick. Super soldiers, mutants, inhuman, quirks. All the chances to be born special, and Izuku Midoriya was just a normal, borning, kind of plain looking human.

Weaker than other kids, kind of nerdy and scrawny with glasses, he was a key target for bullying. But he was smart, and his parents made life good for him. His father, Hisashi, was a salaryman, providing a good life for his mother, Inko, and himself.

"MOM! MOM! MOM! DAD! DAD! DAD!" Izuku yelled, running into their cozy little apartment in a frenzy, his words eventually bluring together as he bounced on the balls of his feet, excited and unable to contain it.

"Woah, woah. Calm down Izuku, what's going on?" Hisashi asked, looking up from his reading tablet to his son, who was taking a deep breath to calm down, a hand in his green hair.

"Dad, I-Island is having a convention next month here in Musutafu, and they're having a science fair for students twelve through sixteen! Qualifiers are the day before, and the actual fair is the day of, and I just found out, but I've got a bunch of ideas and need yours or moms permission to enter." Izuku tells them, speaking a little slower, but his excitement was too great to stand still properly.

Inko looked at her son, worried about him. He'd been ostracized so often for his love of science. Was this convention worth the bullying sure to accompany it?

But he was so excited, so happy. How could Inko say no when he asked for so little beside All Might action figures?

"How much does it cost to enter?" Hisashi asked, and Izuku pulled a flyer out of his backpack, handing it to him.

"Nothing, huh?" Hisashi asked, looking at the sponsor of the event.

"I'm sorry, but you can't go." He told his son, who stopped and looked at his dad.

"Wha- bu- You're always telling me to do something with my smarts. This might be the best chance I have. Dad, they're giving away scholarships to some of the best schools in the country." Izuku told him, trying to convince him, because he needed this.

"No." Hisashi told him, and Izuku just stood there a moment, unsure of what was happening. This was the best chance he had of ever going to a nice high school.

"I just want to help people." Izuku spoke, his voice soft and defeated. "I want to be a hero, but that's not happening, I know that. But I could use science to save people and make things just a little better for the world. That's all I want."

Hisashi looked at the flyer again, knowing that with such a noble goal, he couldn't stand in his sons way.

"If your mother says it's okay, you can go." Hisashi decided, handing the flyer to Inko, who looked it over, and seeing the sponsor. She knew why her husband had said no, but seeing their son so hopeful as he looked to her, she knew she couldn't say no.

"You can go, but son?" She started, and Izuku stopped celebrating to look at her again.

"Yeah, mom?"

"You better knock their socks off, okay?" She asks, and while he was sure she wasn't telling him whatever she wanted, he wasn't going to push the issue.

"You know it."

Spending the next few days in his room when he wasn't at school, Izuku decided to make something that could help heroes and civilians alike, wanting to do as much as he could while making his big scientific splash. But there was one issue.

"Argh! Why won't you work, brain!?" He cried out, flopping face down on his bed. Two days before qualifiers, and he couldn't think of a single thing?

A knock came from his door a moment later, his father looking at him, a smile on his face.

"Having trouble, son?" He asked, sitting next Izuku.

"I had a couple of ideas, but I can't figure out what I'm doing wrong, and I'm almost out of chemicals from my set. This is stupid. I'm smart, I know I am. So why do I feel so stupid?" Izuku spoke, his voice muffled.

"That's life, son. No matter how smart you are, there will be moments you feel stupid, or helpless, or a dozen other things. But you can't let that stop you. Do you think Einstein or Edison stopped when they ran out of chemicals?"

Lifting his head, Izuku thought about it. The school lab would have chemicals he could work with. He could go and finish figuring this thing out.

"Einstein wasn't around in the times or Iron Man or All Mights, but he also had pretty good dad." Izuku told him, sitting up and looking at his father.

"You do what you have to, but you show the world what you're made of, you hear me, son?" Hisashi told him, patting him on the back before leaving him to do what he did best.

His dad had really given him one heck of an inspirational speech, Izuku sitting in the science lab at school. His teacher knew him well enough that he knew he'd clean and lock up after himself.

"Just a little more, please god, don't blow up again." The teen muttered, adding a few drops of a mix of chemicals into another container, the mixture turning into a milky white substance that Izuku gently poked with scalpel, the instrument sticking to the substance.

"Holy crap... it works... It freaking works!" He cheered, and while more testing needed to be done, he'd gotten the basic formula down.

At the Qualifiers

Izuku was nervous. Sure, the people judging weren't his scientific heroes, but they were still scientist in their own right, judging him for something he'd worked really hard on. The worst part was that he didn't get to explain what his adhesive could do or what it was capable of, but he could be patient and wait, right?

Of course, that did mean sitting with students he didn't know, awkwardly trying to keep to himself, but he was used to that.

The door finally opened, out walked the three judges who were deciding who moved forward, finally walked out to greet the teens.

"Students, if we call your name, stay back for the top three." One of the judges, a woman with tentacles for hair, told them, checking the list.

"Furasu Maina. Hatsume Mei. Midoriya Izuku. Stay back, please. Everyone else, you may leave now."

Izuku couldn't believe it. Sure, they weren't the only group being judged right now, but for them to choose his... he'd done it. He'd gotten in.

As soon as the others left, the woman cleared her throat, looking a bit annoyed.

"We will keep your entries in a secure unit overnight. Be here tomorrow before by one o'clock. Anyone late will forfeit their position. These will allow you into the convention, and knowing young scientific minds, you'll be here early to see as much of the convention as you can."

She passed out three badges on lanyard while another judge with neatly groomed red hair, mustache, and short goatee spoke up, his Hawaiin shirt a bit out of place next to his well dressed colleagues.

"I'd just like to say, of the dozens of students we judged today, you three shined above in a way that tells me you have a love of the craft." He told them, a big grin on his face, an English accent shining through his excellent Japanese.

"Of course you loved my baby. It's just so cute." A girl with pink hair, Hatsume, told them, and Izuku took the chance to back away from the other two before leaving silently.

The alley near his house

Izuku was proud of what he'd done. He'd put a lot of work into making his adhesive. It was going to revolutionize the hero, medical, and engineering fields when he could explore it further.

"Well, well. You think you're hot shit, don't you?" Katsuki, his only friend and neighbor, asked him, waiting in the alley for him.

"Obviously I do. Dude, think about it. If I win tomorrow, then I get a scholarship. I can afford to go to a good high school. I might even make it into U.A.s support course."

Katsuki pushed him gently. His friend had always had lofty dreams, but now there was a good chance they'd come true.

"You're something else, you know that, don't you?" He asked, and Izuku rolled his eyes.

"How'd you know I made it into the finals?"

"Duh, because you're the smartest person I know, and I'll need someone smart to make me gear."

Bakugou put his arm over Izukus shoulders, and Izuku did the same to Bakugou, the two friends laughing and walking back towards their homes.

Midoriya Living Room

Head down, thinking of the time he'd gotten beat up by one of his classmates, Izuku managed to feel shame as he stood in front of his parents.

"Well... it's official. I-" He started, cleaning his throat, before pulling out the badge with a grin. "I made it to the finals!"

Inko hugged him, proud of her son, of his achievement, before Hisashi patted him on the back, giving him a small, proud smile.

After a celebratory dinner of katsudon, Hisashi and Izuku cleaning up after, he looked to his son

"Come on, son. Let's go out to the balcony." He told his son, and Inko let them go, father and son leaning over the rails and staring at the city below.

Hisashi looked over at his son, about to have a serious talk with his son.

"I'm proud of you, you know that? Your mother and I, we're both so proud of all you've done. All the school science fairs, all the good grades, that good heart you have. We couldn't ask for a better son. You're smart, and intelligence is power. But with great power, there must also come great responsibility. Use your mind to help the world."

Izuku, being fifteen, didn't really understand, but knowing his father, he would one day.

"I will, dad."

"I know you will, son, I know."

Alley near the house

Izuku got up early, showered, dressed, ate breakfast, and went to the Convention. God, it was a beautiful Sunday today, wasn't it? There was nothing that could ruin his day.

Stepping out in front of Izuku, a plump boy with buzzed brown hair and cruel eyes looked at Izuku.

"Hehe, look here. It's Mini-Midoriya." Tsubasa, a boy with wings too small to lift his large frame, laughed as other boys swarmed the skinny teen from all sides, giving him nowhere to run.

"Ah shi-," Izuku didn't get to finish his sentence before a fist hit his jaw, and he was on the ground, his glasses clattering. All he had to do was just sit there, take it, and when they were done, he could get up and go to the convention.

"What's going on here!?" Katsuki yelled before explosions scared off the bullies, and he helped Izuku to his feet.

"Oh. Hey, Kacchan." He mumbled, his jaw hurting, but it was better than the beating he might have gotten if Katsuki hadn't shown up.

Katsuki picked up Izukus glasses, and handed them to his green haired friend.

"Don't "Hey" me, Deku. You just got your shit rocked, and you're acting like you just got caught with your hand in the cookie jar." He chastised, taking Izukus jaw in his hands and looking at him, running his thumb over the reddening skin.

"You seem alright. Could've been worse." The blonde murmured, letting go.

"Dude, come on. It's not as bad as I didn't do his homework, and he beat the snot out of me. Besides, I'm waiting on karma to come down and take care of it for me." Izuku joked, not meeting his friends eyes, a little bit of shame, but a little bit of new feelings in there too.

"Whatever. I can't make you stand up for yourself, but I'll come back you up when you need it." Bakugou told him, filling his friend with gratitude.

"Shut it."

The Convention

"Uh, I'll see you later?" Izuku told him, stopping at the door and scanning the security badge they gave him.

"Nah. Mom got a gig modeling for the convention, and Dad and I got tickets, too. You're stuck with me, nerd." Katsuki told him, pulling out normal tickets.

"Bro." Izuku told him, holding out his fist.

"Dude." Katsuki told him, bumping fist with his friend, before they went inside.

The inside of the convention was a nerds dream, Izuku walking around a little overstimulated at the sheer amount of tech all around.

"Holy crap, you look like you've died and gone to heaven." Katsuki teased him, getting punched in his shoulder.

"If it was heaven, you wouldn't be here." Izuku told him, grinning at him, walking around and looking at anything he could for hours, only for Katsuki to show him the time and watch him run off with a smile.

Izuku did make, with seconds to spare, huffing for breath as he wiped sweat from his forehead and smiled at the person waiting on them.

"Well, it looks like Midoriya just narrowly avoided being disqualified. In that case, I'll explain the rules. You'll have three minutes to explain your entry to the judges and show off what your invention can do before they move on to the next entry. You'll be called one at a time and walk out when you're done. Simple, yes?" He told them, looking bored as the first student, a girl with spiky red hair, walked in, walking out three minutes later, looking a mix of relieved and worried.

After watching dozens of students go in, Izuku finally got his chance, walking in and thinking of his sales pitch. So much had gone into making this that he hadn't considered needing to convince people his adhesive was as revolutionary as it was.

"Holy crap." He squeaked, seeing the judges, his scientific idols, standing before him. Tony Stark, Reed Richards, and Doctor Kurt Connors. All of them were geniuses in their own right, in total different fields.

"Yeah, clocks ticking, kid." Tony Stark, tech genius and superhero, told him, giving Izuku the push he needed.

"I'll cut to the chase then. My name is Izuku Midoriya, and I've created an adhesive that solves a wide range of problems across different fields. This adhesive isn't just sticky. It's smart, adaptive, and can be tailored for specific environments and needs."

Taking a deep breath, Izuku smiled and felt more at ease. He could do this.

"My adhesive holds strong under extreme heat but can dissolve when exposed to a specific solvent, making it perfect for applications in industries like aerospace and firefighting. It has insulating properties. It can serve as both a strong adhesive and an electrical insulator, ideal for electronics or construction projects where safety and efficiency are crucial. It's eco-friendly and biodegradable. This adhesive is made from sustainable materials, breaking down naturally over time without harming the environment, making it a perfect fit for temporary installations or packaging."

One minute, thirty seconds, if he was counting properly, and he continued, the win so close he could taste it.

"Now, imagine the possibilities. In medical fields, this could be used for temporary surgical closures or biodegradable casts. In construction, it can provide secure, temporary support for structures, scaffolding, or electrical systems. In everyday life, this adhesive could revolutionize packaging, offering a secure seal that naturally dissolves after use—reducing waste. The potential applications are limitless, from environmental projects to space exploration." He told them, squirting a small amount of adhesive on the bottom of his shoes and sticking his feet to the walls, then his free hand, sticking up with a smile as he slowly crawled around.

"Whether for industry, medicine, or sustainability, my adhesive is a step forward in problem-solving through chemistry. It's designed not just to hold things together but to do so intelligently, safely, and responsibly. Thank you." He concluded, pulling his hands off and bowing from the wall, taking a moment to unstick his shoes as well, his shoes stuck to his hands.

"Great, and how does it come off?" Reed Richards, the hero Mr. Fantastic asked him, Izuku rubbing his neck, his shoes still stuck to his hands.

"Well, this is a low-grade version, made to show off here since I couldn't make industrial grade, but even then, it'll need the solvent there on the table, or risk taking weeks to come off." Izuku explained, squirting a bit solvent on the edge of his hand, his shoes clattering as they fell on the floor, the timer ringing as they did.

"Well, that's me, huh? Thank you for your time." Izuku told them, slipping on his shoes and walking out into the waiting area, taking a deep breath to calm himself. He'd done his best. He just had to wait now.

After the last student came out, it seemed like time slowed, waiting for the judges to make a decision, and when Stark, Reed, and Connors came out, Stark cleared his throat, looking at all the competitors from a short platform.

"Alright, uh, you all did good, but most of you are losers. That's just the nature of competition. Can Mei Hatsume, Izuku Midoriya, and Sosakuda Haruyoshi come up here?"

Izuku felt like his legs were jelly, walking up to the platform next to the girl from yesterday and a boy with brown spiky hair.

"In third place, with his flame retardant material is Sosakuda Haruyoshi. Reinventing the wheel is always a good way to get ahead in the world. Uh, oh, in second place, with her electromagnetic soles, Is Mei Hatsume. In first place, is Izuku Midoriya, creating an adhesive that can be applied from... what did he say, Jarvis?" Tony told them, his suit responding in a mechanically male voice.

"industry, medicine, or sustainability, sir."

"That's right. The sheer versatility of this adhesive is going to change the world. Good work, kid."

David Shield cleared his throat, looking at the students gathered below.

"That said, every single one of you went above and beyond, presenting the very future of technological advancements. For that, every participant will receive one hundred and fifty thousand yen for future education, as well as third, second, and first place receiving four hundred twenty-six thousand three hundred nine yen, one million four hundred twenty-one thousand thirty yen, and three million five hundred fifty thousand four hundred eighty-seven and five tenths respectively."

Reed Richards nodded and waved a stretchy arm.

"Please, stay back afterward. Tony, Doctor Conners, and I will be going around, offering summer internships and opportunities to work for us in the future."

Izuku just stood there, shocked at winning, almost numb. He'd won. He'd done enough to impress some of the most important men in science. But looking out on the crowd, he could see Katsuki looking proud of him, and that felt better than anything else in the moment. He felt so great, in fact, that he didn't notice a joro spider crawling into his shirt.

"First place will also receive tickets to the annual I-Island Expo, where they'll get a chance to show their creation to the world and make lifelong connections in the industry." David told them, and suddenly, this felt real. It didn't feel like a dream.

Handing Izuku a medal, Tony put a hand on his shoulder. "Stay back, I'd like to speak with you."

Woah, Tony Stark, Iron Man, wanted to speak with him? Life was amazing.

After the rewards were given out, Tony guided Izuku to a private area, making small talk as they walked.

"So, you must really enjoy science, huh? I mean, you made a whole adhesive that, with a little work, can really change the world. You really remind me of this guy I knew once, Hisashi, who worked in the research and development section of StarkTech. His last name was Midoriya, too."

Izukus eyes widened, and he couldn't believe what he was being told right now. His dad was a scientist? Sure, his dad was smart, but he'd only ever seen him work as salaryman. But, there had to be a reason why his dad never mentioned this, and Izuku wasn't going to go fishing for answers from Tony Stark of all people.

"My dad, he's just an average salaryman. Sorry, but it's probably just some crazy coincidence. Was there anything else you wanted to talk about?" Izuku asked, Tony clearly not buying it, but he didn't push.

"The Stark summer internship program is a good way to make some money, and you'll make plenty of connections. I also want to see what else you can do if you have the time and resources."

Izuku wanted to do this. He wanted to work for Tony Stark and change the world. But that would mean leaving his home and parents for the summer and going to America.

"Can I talk to my parents about it? I-It's a big decision." The teen managed to get out, Tony nodding.

"Give it some thought, and when you've made a decision, give me a call." He told the teen, handing him a card.

Izuku took the card, leaving the area with a relieved sigh. Man, today had been huge for him, and he was kind of tired.

Feeling a stinging from the back of his neck, he smacked himself, a small spider falling the ground, a yellow and dark blue stripes, with red near the end of the abdomen.

"Common joro spider. Venomous, but not enough to harm humans, with the exception of those with allergies." He mumbled, his neck slowly itching, then burning, and he felt sick.

"Of course, I'm the exception."

Grumbling, he held his head, heading out of the building, sweating and stumbling out onto the street, past people walking around, and by the grace of God, he managed to make it home, flopping down in his bed, passing out.

The Next Day

Izuku shot up, breathing heavily and covered in sweat, feeling a little out of it, but getting up to get ready for the day, getting ready to shower and spotting his reflection looking a little weird.

"Oh my god..." He mumbled, slipping on his glasses, finding that they only made his vision blurry.

"This is... awesome." He grinned and looked at himself, his body muscular and toned, and he marveled at his reflection.

"Okay... well, let's figure this out later." He eventually decided, and once he'd showered and gotten ready for the day, he was out the door, backpack in hand as he rushed down into the alley to wait for Katsuki.

A tingle in the back of his head made him look back, just in time to see Tsubasa throwing a punch before dodging it with an uneasy laugh.

"Hey, Tsubasa, buddy. Come on. It's Monday. I don't even have lunch money today." Izuku joked, trying to use humor to make the bully leave him alone.

"Beat it fat-ass." Katsuki told the winged boy, leaping over the fence that separated his home from the alley.

Tsubasa looked at them, unsure if he was able to take both of them before storming away, cursing under his breath.

"Thanks." Izuku told him, rubbing the back of his neck with a grin, the two friends walking to school together.

In the Halls, Between Classes

First period had gone well, but in between, Izuku needed his math book, having Katsuki go ahead while he grabbed it.

"Bakugou ain't here to protect you now, Mini-Midoriya." Tsubasa told him, swinging at Izuku, who felt the same tingle, time almost slowing as he dodged, grabbing his arm and pushing his bully into the lockers.

"Protect me? Dude, you're so fat that the only thing I'm worried about is you falling on me." Izuku quipped, ducking under another punch and hitting his bully in the stomach, grinning as he left him laying on the floor, groaning in pain.

"Next time, try picking on someone your own size, like Fatgum." The mossy haired teen told him, grabbing his book and stepping over his bully.

In the Principals Office

"That's not fair! Why should I be suspended just because I defended myself!? Tsubasa beats me up all the time, and you ignore it, but when I finally fight back, then you decide to pull your head out your butt and do something!?" Izuku complained, yelling as he looked into his principals face.

"Midoriya, calm yourself. This school has a strict no-violence policy, and you violated the rules. Tsubasa will be dealt with, but your actions must have consequences." His principal told him calmly, his hands folded neatly on his desk.

"No nonsense, my ass." Izuku replied, standing up and walking out of the office and grabbing his things from class before walking home.

Midoriya Household

"Izuku, son, you're home early." Inko called, looking up to see her son walk into his room, slamming the door behind him before leaving, coming out in shorts and a t-shirt, leaving the house as Inko got a phone call.

Izuku was going somewhere to try and forget the anger for a little while, trailing his hand on the wall behind him, just for his hand to stick.

"What?" He mumbled, trying to pull his hand off and ripping part of the paneling off, which stayed stuck on his hand too.

"This is so weird." He decided, deciding to run and hope no one saw him, trying to figure out how to get unstuck.

"Come on!" He complained, trying to pull it off and managing to hit himself in the face, the paneling sticking to his face and hand.

"Oh, perfect."

After about ten minutes, he figured out how to destick from things, getting either the best or worst idea, putting his right hand on a brick building, then his other hand, sticking them, before putting the flat of his souls on the building and slowly climbing up, reaching the top and looking down, laughing before he unstuck on accident.

Hitting the fire escape, and then the dumpster, Izuku groaned and sat up. He hurt a little, yeah, but he lived, and that was an achievement.

"Alright, it's official. I think... I have powers. So far... enhanced body, enhanced senses, sticking to walls... I'll have to run more tests later, but right now... Aw, man, dad's probably coming home from work, and I should apologize to mom." He muttered, rubbing his neck and making his way back to the street, feeling the little pocket change he had burning a hole in his pocket. Right now, a strawberry soda sounded really good.

Stepping into a corner store and grabbing the drink, he was in line before he realized what was going on in front of him.

"Give me all the money in register, man, or I swear, I'll do it." A man with red skin told the cashier, who was nodding, pleading to Izuku with his eyes. But getting shot over a soda and some yen didn't sound like how he wanted to end the day. Besides, once he had the money, the robber left without hurting anyone.

"You could have done something." The cashier complained, looking annoyed at the now empty register.

"Sorry man, it's just best if you wait for a hero to arrive." Izuku told the cashier, cracking open his soda and sliding his money across the counter.

"Keep the change. You look like you need it more." The teen told him, walking out of the store and hearing a gunshot, watching his father fall as the man from inside the store ran away.

Izuku ran to his father, feeling like this was a bad dream as he dropped to his knees, his father taking his hand as he looked at him.

"No, no, no! Please, dad, don't go. Stay with me." He begged, his father squeezing as he looked up at his son, his scared look turning into a small smile, tears still in his eyes.

"I've called the police. They're sending an ambulance." A woman in the forming crowd told him, and Hisashi held on a little tighter.

"Izuku." Hisashi gasped, Izuku crying now.

"I'm here, dad. I'm here." Izuku told his father as blood pooled around him.

"Izuku." Hisashi told him softly, a little clearer, before his grip went limp and his father's body grew heavier in Izukus arms, the life slowly slipping away as he whispered his sons name one last time.